Ginebra returns to celebrate World Gin Day with 'Gin Bar Crawl' Challenge

After more than two years of pandemic disruptions, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), the maker of the world’s no. 1 selling gin, returns to celebrate World Gin Day (WGD) in true Ginebra fashion. The celebration consists of month-long activities, highlighted by a media launch on June 10 to kick off the nationwide  that starts on June 11.

 

Held every second Saturday of June, WGD was first celebrated on June 13, 2009, in Birmingham, England. GSMI led the first WGD celebration in the Asia Pacific region in 2014, coinciding with the 180th anniversary of its flagship brand, Ginebra San Miguel. Since then, the WGD celebration in the Philippines has become a much-awaited, month-long event for gin enthusiasts. 

On June 10, four of the country’s top professional mixologists will take centerstage to craft one-of-a-kind cocktails based on GSMI’s gin products. It promises to be an unforgettable gin experience, stirring up the senses.

 

GIN BAR CRAWL

People who are trooping back to the bars after a long hiatus are in for an exciting and unique experience with the Gin Bar Crawl challenge. Gin lovers are invited to try five specially-concocted signature drinks made with GSMI gin products (Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue, GSM Premium Gin, and 1834 Premium Distilled Gin) or buy a GSMI featured product at any of the 30 partner establishments nationwide on June 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. 

 

Participants will be given a Gin Passport with five sticker slots. All they need to do is buy the five different signature WGD cocktails from the partner bars and have their Gin Passports stamped with five corresponding stickers. One drink is equivalent to one sticker. Those who complete five stickers will receive a WGD Finisher Pack, consisting of three GSMI products, and a finisher T-shirt.    

 

GIN IS IN: COOL, CLEAR, AND VERSATILE 

The gin-drinking culture is very much alive in many countries, especially in Europe. Gin has been around since the 17th century but it has remained popular, hip, and loved by many to this day. The enduring fame of the drink can be attributed to its cool vibe. 

 

The rise of the craft gin movement has also spurred a collection of unique blends that everyone — especially the young, can enjoy. Gin’s clear, pure quality is derived from a rigorous distillation process that brings out its best flavors. Gin is also an ideal drink for its versatility, as it can be enjoyed straight or mixed with other ingredients in a cocktail. With an abundance of flavors and accessibility, gin continues to be an all-time favorite among spirits.    

 

In the Philippines, gin is synonymous with brand Ginebra San Miguel. It is the country’s pioneering gin and the oldest consumer brand still in the market today. 

 

The brand, already an award winner as early as the late 1900s, was originally a drink for the wealthy—popular among both peninsulares and insulares. To this day, Ginebra San Miguel continues its legacy of excellence. Its white spirits line has been a consistent Gold Quality Label awardee of the Monde Selection International Quality Institute. 

 

Reaping accolades both locally and internationally, Ginebra San Miguel is the epitome of excellence. Every bottle of Ginebra San Miguel goes through a stringent production process to ensure optimal quality. As a testament to the strength of its brand name, variants such as GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, and Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, have been introduced to cater to different market segments.  

NEW INNOVATIONS

GSMI continues to innovate and cater to the varied tastes of its different markets.

Among its latest creations is the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin. Infused with classic juniper berries, and unique Philippine botanicals such as Sampaguita and Calamansi, 1834 appeals to sophisticated tastes. 

 

Another exciting new product from the GSM Blue Flavors is the GSM Blue Cosmopolitan. This new flavor is a mix of sweet and tangy notes from Cranberries and Lime. Patrons of the GSM Premium Gin will also have a more exquisite experience with its new look and enhanced flavor of natural ingredients such as juniper berries, botanical essences, and citrus flavors.

 

GSMI also previously released the Ginebra San Miguel Hari, a 1-liter version of the flagship brand, Ginebra San Miguel that is designed for group drinking. Packaged in a bigger Frasco or Kwatro Kantos, the Hari is the perfect size for a barkada or family of four to five. The Ginebra San Miguel Hari also bears the Ginebra San Miguel label with the iconic St. Michael logo made by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

 

“Through our World Gin Day activities, we hope that more Filipinos will gain a deeper appreciation of gin and enjoy a unique gin-drinking experience made more special by GSMI’s world-class products,” said GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina.  

 

Apart from the Gin Bar Crawl challenge, other WGD activities include online videos on the gin attributes and gin-drinking experience as well as pocket events on June 11 in Baguio, Naga, Cebu, and Davao to drum up the celebration. 

For list of partner bars and restaurants for the Gin Crawl challenge, see attached.

 

GSMI is the producer of Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin according to leading global drinks journal Drinks International. GSMI’s other quality distilled spirits include GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Antonov Vodka, Añejo Gold Rum, Primera Light Brandy, and the Philippines’ no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu.

 

Make sure you’re all set for Watsons’ Mega Wellness Sale from June 15-19

Make sure you’re all set for Watsons’ Mega Wellness Sale from June 15-19 as the leading health, beauty and wellness retailer offers up to 50% off on thousands of wellness products and other special deals!

Download the Watsons App and enjoy Buy 1 Take 1, Buy 2 Take 1 and Buy More, Save More offers on your favorite products, including Vie En Vie Ascorbic Acid, Rexona Roll On, Watsons Cream Hand Soap, Watsons COQ100 Softgel Capsules, Xanthone Plus Gold and Nutrabliss by Watsons Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

For amazing deals, Sa Watsons Ako

Get up to 50% off on Nutrabliss by Watsons Collagen Sachet, Nutrabliss by Watsons, Vitamin B-Complex + Vitamin E, Nutrabliss by Watsons Multivitamin Chewable, Nutribliss by Watsons Calcium Vitamin D3 Chewable and many more. You also get more discounts if you’re a Watsons Card or Watsons Elite member!

For a wide variety of brands, Sa Watsons Ako

Watsons has over 10,000 products from different brands. Offering discounts at the Mega Wellness Sale are Berocca, Centrum Advance, Ceetab, Conzace, Enervon Active, Enervon C Bitbit, Fern C Gold, Fern C Gold, Fern C Kids, Fortima, Fern C Plus, Fern C Kiddimin, Neurogen E, Poten-Cee Advance, Poten-Cee Vitamin C Plus Zinc, Poten-Cee Syrup, Revicon Flex, Lactaflow, Genacol, Dreamwell, Diamaxin, Alanerv, Barley Max, Vicks Immune Defense Capsules, Sovit Cee, Sovit Max, ATC Livermarin, Natal Plus Capsule, Sleepasil, Sleepwell, Tolak Angin, Xanthone Plus and ZZZQuil Gummies.

For OTC medications, Sa Watsons Ako

Watsons’ well-trained and friendly pharmacists are always there to guide you when it comes to buying your prescription and OTC medications, including Alaxan, Allerta, Bioflu, Biogesic, Claritin, Decolgen Forte, Neozep Forte, Skelan, Solmux Advance and Tuseran Night.

For wellness supplements, Sa Watsons Ako

No other wellness retailer offers the variety of supplements that Watsons has. Among the wellness supplements on its shelves are Watsons Bilberry Complex Capsules, Watsons Flaxseed Oil Capsules, Watsons Cinnamon Bark Capsules, Watsons Evening Primrose Capsules, Liverguard Silymarin Capsules, Watsons Luyang Dilaw and and Watsons VitC-Vit E-Glutathione Effervescent Tablets.

For shopping convenience, Sa Watsons Ako

The unique Watsons proposition is ease of shopping, whether in its stores or online channels. You can visit any of Watsons 900+ stores nationwide, download the Watsons app http://bit.ly/WatsonsMobileApp or go to www.watsons.com.ph.

Watsons also offers Home Express Delivery, which allows you to get your orders in four hours or less. This service is available in Metro Manila and selected areas in Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan only.

LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124th Philippine Independence Day!

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124^th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2022 with special promotional offers for commuters.

 

Starting 12 June 2022, the total cost of a new beep™ card with load will be PHP50 from the previous total amount of PHP100. The cost of the beep™ card itself remains at PHP30, but the minimum load required for new beep™ card purchases has been reduced to PHP20 from the previous amount of PHP70. Passengers may avail of this special offer until 30 September 2022 at LRT-1 teller booths only. beep™ cards have a validity of four (4) years, which is subject to extension upon request at the LRT-1 stations.

 

“We are launching this initiative to make beep™ card more accessible, more affordable for budget-conscious passengers. Through this promo, they can now buy a reloadable Stored Value Card (SVC) or beep™ at half of the previous total cost of new beep™ card with load. This aligns with LRMC’s Tap2Ride campaign which aims to promote the use of contactless transactions in LRT-1 for safety and convenience,” LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline S. Gorospe said.

 

“Aside from safer and faster travel, passengers can enjoy a wide range of benefits when they use beep™ such as discounted LRT-1 fares which can mean savings for commuters. There are more ways now to reload their beep™ cards such as Ticket Vending Machines, beep™ loading machines, and LRT-1 merchant loading kiosks – all located in LRT-1 stations. They can also use beep™ as e-money to purchase food or services from select LRT-1 merchants,” Gorospe added. 

 

Moreover, LRT-1 passengers will enjoy a free ride from 7:00am – 9:00am and 5:00pm – 7:00pm on 12 June 2022 as part of the yearly Independence Day promo. Existing beep™ card holders shall pass through the usual Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) gates and tap their cards to avail of the free ride without charge. Passengers without beep™ may get single journey tickets for free from the LRT-1 teller booths.

 

LRT-1 will follow normal operating hours on Independence Day, with the first trips leaving both Baclaran and Balintawak stations at 4:30am, and the last trips at 9:15pm (LRT-1 Baclaran Station) and 9:30pm (LRT-1 Balintawak Station).

 

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

KONE pledges to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reach carbon neutral operations by 2030

Taking sustainability to new heights, the global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, KONE pledges to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reach carbon neutral operations by 2030. 

In its latest Sustainability Report, KONE shares its commitment to a 50% cut in the emission from its operations and a 40% reduction in its products’ materials and lifetime energy use compared to 2018. This is in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, which is currently the most ambitious criterion for setting science-based targets. 

The Finland-based company provides elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for modernization and maintenance to add value to buildings throughout their life cycle. The company has serviced over half a million customers worldwide, with about 1.5M units in its maintenance base. 

Driven by its mission to improve the flow of urban life, KONE has been championing sustainability with its wide range of solutions through sustainable building design, best-in-class energy efficiency, carbon-optimized maintenance, and recyclable resources, among others.

In 2021, KONE received an “A” list for Climate by the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) for nine consecutive years and was among the top 1% of companies rated by EcoVadis. KONE was also ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights and was included in the top 2%. 

Additionally, more than 20 KONE elevator models, as well as eight escalators and autowalks, garnered A-class ratings for best-in-class energy efficiency according to ISO 25745. The company also introduced KONE Care™ DX, the world’s first carbon-neutral elevator maintenance that uses the power of AI and digital connectivity to provide seamless, predictive elevator care.

Commitment in the Philippines

KONE established its operations in the Philippines in 1975 with its head office located in Makati City. It has then expanded its presence into four more cities, namely Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo.  

Locally, KONE pledges to contribute to the global sustainability goals. KONE Philippines has started offering smart digital solutions to enable connectivity to buildings and carbon-neutral elevators and maintenance services. Moreover, KONE Philippines is making strides in its local operations with the execution of its Eco-Safe Driving Handbook, waste management through its Sustainable Packaging Guidelines, ways to reduce travel and electricity use, and engaging its partners, vendors, and suppliers to bring environmental actions into the agenda when meeting with KONE.  

“Sustainability at KONE is not just about caring for the environment but also about diversity and inclusion, safety, quality, ethics, and compliance. Our strategy strongly lies in our commitment to sustainable practices. It is the source of our innovation and competitive advantage. Our ambition is to be the most trusted partner to our customers throughout the building life cycle and help them achieve their sustainability objectives to create better urban environments,” said KONE Philippines Managing Director, Markus Nisula.

Dedicated to proactively addressing the impacts of climate change in the Philippines, KONE Philippines is also a proud member of the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC). The PHILGBC is an established member of the World Building Council (WorldGBC), a global network of more than 70 national green building councils (GBCs). Each GBC works to advance green building in their own countries as well as working with other GBCs to achieve environmental, economic, and social goals on a larger, global scale. Together with the industry, PHILGBC developed the BERDE Program to develop the country’s own national voluntary green building rating system to facilitate green building projects in the country to inspire confidence and build trust in the industry.

“PHILGBC thanks KPI Elevators, Inc. (KONE Philippines) for the support to the sustainability and green building programs of the Philippine Green Building Council as a Silver-Sustaining Corporate Member. KONE is a member of the PHILGBC since 2021 and is one of the more than 300 corporations and alliance partners supporting the largest green building initiative in the Philippines.

Support from PHILGBC Sustaining Corporate Members helps provide for the delivery of PHILGBC programs that are aimed at transforming the way we design, build, operate, and reuse our buildings making our built environment safer and healthier places to live, work, and play. This includes a broad array of research, awareness, and educational programs among others,” says Rowena Ramos, Vice-chair of the PHILGBC Board of Trustees and Chair, PHILGBC Membership Committee. 

As a partner for smart and sustainable buildings in the country, the KONE DX Class elevators provide healthy, low-emission interior materials, best-in-class energy efficiency, and full disclosure about the environmental impact of KONE’s solutions. KONE is actively working on reducing carbon emissions and compensates for carbon emissions that cannot be avoided. 

KONE likewise leads the industry with its first carbon-neutral maintenance service to complement its carbon-neutral elevators. KONE Care™ DX is a maintenance service that includes compensation for the carbon emissions caused by KONE’s direct and indirect maintenance activities. KONE is working with South Pole, an industry leader in climate action. KONE has chosen to support recognized and certified carbon offsetting projects to offset emissions. The diverse range of selected projects includes forestry, renewables, and community-based emission reduction initiatives. 

For more information about KONE’s initiatives and sustainable solutions, visit kone.ph. 

Blacklist International swears by OPPO’s A Series, highlighting the OPPO A96

If there’s a group of people who know what it takes to be a winner, it’s Blacklist International. Currently reigning as the MLBB M3 World Champions and recently bagging the gold for the Philippines at SEA Games, team members Edward, Eson, Hadji, Oheb, OhMyV33nus and Wise share that the recipe for success comes with not just a dedication to their field, but also a balance between their lives inside and outside of gaming.

“Maintaining a work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace,” shares OhMyV33nus. “Being in a competitive environment such as esports, it is important to balance life and work especially if there’s a tournament.” The other players agree that balancing work and play is essential to staying on top of their game. “It helps me focus and accomplish more,” Eson shares, while Oheb adds, “It pushes me to reach my dreams in my personal and work life at the same time.”

 

For professional mobile gamers like Blacklist International, a powerful smartphone is key to keep winning on and off screen - and it doesn’t need to break the bank either. The team swears by OPPO’s A Series, highlighting the OPPO A96, one of the latest gadgets to be unveiled by the global smart device brand, as a perfect balance of efficiency, power and price. 

Featuring a beautiful 6.59-inch HD display with a remarkable 90.8% screen-to-body ratio, something players Edward and Oheb particularly love, the A96 enhances your viewing and gaming experience. Thanks to a 90Hz refresh rate and 180 Hz touch sampling rate, players Eson, Hadji and Wise, who love to stream anime and catch up on the latest films outside of gaming, are immersed in the fictional world of their favorite characters whenever they go on a TV or movie marathon.

 

One thing the players all agree on - the first thing they look for in a smartphone is the RAM, which allows them to play endlessly, lag-free. “I always love playing different games from low to high graphics, so it’s important to have a high RAM smartphone,” shares OhMyV33nus. The OPPO A96 even comes with a unique RAM expansion feature, which helps alleviate performance bottlenecks for memory-limited devices.

 

Apart from these tried and tested features, OPPO A96 is also packed with a 5000mAh battery and OPPO’s own 33W SuperVOOC charging technology, so you’re powered all day as you work and play. Powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 680, OPPO A96 delivers a smooth user experience, even while multitasking. 

Available in Starry Black and Pearl Pink, thanks to OPPO’s signature Glow Design, the OPPO A96 is not only stunning to look at, but also practical as it’s resistant to fingerprint smudges and dirt.  

 

The best part - the A96 doesn’t break the bank! Retailing at Php15,999 via OPPO Brand Stores, partner dealers and e-commerce sites like Shopee and Lazada, gamers and productivity hackers can take home a smartphone that’s designed to power their lives, just like Blacklist International. 

 

To know more about the latest OPPO A96, visit the OPPO Flagship Store at Lazada and Shopee, the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road”

The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road,” showcasing the best destinations in the Philippines through stories from different personalities.

Escape: Stories from the Road

 

This five-episode podumentary, a combination of podcast and documentary, infuses an element of storytelling, veering away from the usual question-and-answer formats of podcasts. Through these stories, the DOT hopes to reach out to various audience and inspire them to participate in meaningful tourism through unique experiences and local interactions.

One of the special guests, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, shared stories about Baguio—his home and a UNESCO Creative City. Photo courtesy of Kidlat De Guia.

 

Each episode follows a theme, such as adventure, identity, fiestas, music and food. Among the notable individuals interviewed for this podcast are National Artist Kidlat Tahimik; Dr. Felicidad Prudente, who is one of the leading Filipino ethnomusicologists in the country today; and former Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

 

Paragliding adventure in Nueva Vizcaya. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

 

The first episode on adventure features some of the best outdoor experiences in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, and Camotes Island; while the identity episode brings audience from Baguio to Davao to share stories of people who, in finding the path to gain their identity, found the path to greatness.

 

The episode on music explores the sounds of the islands, from the city to the remote forests of the Philippines, emphasizing that music not only serves to entertain but to preserve history in our soundscape. The fiesta episode discusses how Filipino festivals have evolved from honoring patron saints to highlighting the best of the towns and provinces.

 

For the food episode that was recorded in May, then Tourism Secretary Puyat shared her advocacy in supporting local farmers and how this led to further developing food and farm tourism in the country.

 

DOT’s “Escape: Stories from the Road” podcast is hosted by travel filmmaker and photographer Aaron Palabyab along with guest co-hosts, national athlete Maureen Schrijvers; designer, musician, and filmmaker Kate Torralba; and sports broadcaster and podcaster Cesca Litton. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, and Anchor.

Asia Original series Legacy is set to premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Monday June 20 only on HBO GO

 

Brand-new HBO Chinese-language Asia Original series Legacy, headlined by a star-studded cast including Qin Lan, Han Geng, Wu Jinyan and Nie Yuan, is set to premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Monday June 20 onlyon HBO GO, followed by two new episodes daily from Mondays to Fridays. The family period drama reunites Story of Yanxi Palaceactors Qin, Wu and Nie. 

 

Spanning over forty 45-minute episodes, Legacy chronicles the inner workings of the glamorous and wealthy Yi family in old Shanghai in the 1920s. Each with varying motives, three half-sisters Yi Zhongling, Yi Zhongyu and Yi Zhongxiu vie to inherit their father’s shopping mall business, after their brother, heir to the family business, renounces his inheritance. Faced with fragmented loyalties, conflicts and the looming threat of World War II, the sisters scramble for family fortunes and power within the city, as matters of the heart further complicate the situation.

 

In a time of upheaval and uncertainty, will the turbulence that the three heiresses face unite them to set aside their differences and save their family business, or will it prove to be their undoing?

 

Legacy stars Qin Lan as Yi Zhongling, Han Geng as Tang Fengwu, Wu Jinyan as Yi Zhongyu, Nie Yuan as Xi Weian, Liu Jun as Mr. Yi Xinghua and Miao Pu as Ms. Huang Yingru and Zhang Nan as Yi Zhongxiu.

 

Legacy is created by Yu Zheng, executive produced by Yang Le, produced by Lee Siew Tin and written by Zhou Mo. The riveting and visually stunning period drama is directed by Wang Wei with artistic direction by Luan Hexin, and Song Xiaotao as costume designer.

Episodic Synopsis

 

Episode 1: 

Series premiere. Yi Xinghua holds a joint celebration for his birthday and his department store’s 10th anniversary. At the joyous event, Xinghua announces his resolve to promote local products. His daughter Zhongyu is angry at Xinghua for remarrying.

 

Episode 2: 

Zhongling is unhappy with Weian for killing assassins in their home. Zhongyu’s miserable childhood is revealed. She was ill-treated by her biological mother because of her father’s affair with Yingru.

 

Episode 3: 

Zhongyu is rescued from the kidnappers by a stranger, who later turns out to be Zhongxiu’s blind date Tang Fengwu. Jiyu is secretly in love with her cousin Zhongling’s husband Weian.

 

Episode 4: 

Zhongyu decides to compete with Zhongxiu for Fengwu and the Xinghua Department Store. The man who saves Xinghua turns out to be Zhongyu's kidnapper. 

 

Episode 5:

The department store vice-president Wang Benchu and Jide collude to take over the business. Zhongyu finds ways and means to get Fengwu’s attention, but he does not reciprocate her feelings.

 

Episode 6: 

Zhongling develops a new fragrance that becomes the talk of Shanghai. Benchu swaps out the balm’s packaging, from a China-made box to a Japan-made box. Xinghua mistakenly blames Zhongyu for the change.

 

Episode 7: 

The Yi family discover Master Liu’s plan to deliver the stolen pollen along with his corpse. The sisters suspect Jide and collaborate to expose him. Yingru panics when she bumps into a familiar face at a tea house.  

 

Episode 8:

Xinghua is targeted by the government, Weian advises him to stay out of politics to avoid trouble. The old acquaintance Yingru ran into turns out to be Wang Jianchi, Zhongling’s ex-fiancé.

 

Episode 9:

Benchu’s attempted arson drives a rift between Xinghua and Zhongling, whereas Shen Bin earns Xinghua’s trust for preventing the tragedy. On a trip, Fengwu gets angry at Zhongyu’s attention-seeking disappearing act.

 

Episode 10:

Weian finds Zhongling and Jianchi chatting at the teahouse. An explosive argument erupts between Weian and Zhongling. Meanwhile, Zhongxiu and Fengwu are to be engaged.

 

Stream or download Legacy from Monday, June 20 only on HBO GO. More than 30 Asia Original productions, including the acclaimed Chinese-language series Teenage Psychic (Seasons 1 and 2), The World Between Us, Workers, Who’s By Your Side and Twisted Strings are also available on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

The PBA Season 47 grand opening was truly reflective of the PBA’s mantra “GAME TAYO DITO” season campaign

The momentous PBA Season 47 grand opening last June 5 was made even more memorable by a star-studded program, a special awarding ceremony, and the much talked-about parade of teams with their respective muses. Aside from the live audience at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, TV viewers also got to enjoy their front-row access to the spectacular show via the live telecast of TV5, One Sports, and Cignal’s PBA Rush channel.

 

The PBA officially opened its Season 47 with Morissette Amon singing the Philippine National Anthem, followed by TV5’s Born to Be A Star Finalists Hans Paronda and Jannah Bocatiya’s uplifting invocation.

 

Hosted by Gretchen Ho and Vhong Navarro, the PBA Season 47 grand opening was filled with entertaining performances from Buganda Drumline and Dancers, Lovi Poe with G-Force, P-Pop Idol Girl Group BINI and Aces of Pop BGYO, PoPinoy’s Yara and Versus, and the Sing Galing Kantastic 6.

The much-awaited parade of PBA teams came after the introduction of the PBA Board of Governors. The Converge FiberXers, this season’s newest team, came out first with their muse, Maureen Wroblewitz. They were followed by Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel with AJ Raval, Blackwater Bossing with Hannah Arnold, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots with Michelle Dee, Meralco Bolts with Kim Mangrobang, NLEX Road Warriors with Patch Magtanong, Northport Batang Pier with Zambel Lamberth, Phoenix Super LPG with Celeste Cortesi, Rain or Shine with Joana Marie Rollosa,  San Miguel Beermen with Ksenia Grondetska, Terrafirma Dyip Ginebra with Azriel Coloma, and lastly, the PBA defending champions TNT Tropang Giga with Sue Ramirez as their muse.

 

To the delight of the audience and the viewers watching the live broadcast of the event on TV5, One Sports, and Cignal’s PBA Rush channel, the PBA players showed their fun and quirky side as each team showcased their own entertaining VTRs and dance samples.

 

Another highlight of the PBA grand opening was the resumption of the 46th Season Leo Awards, the annual awarding ceremony that honors the PBA’s outstanding players. Hosted by Jutt Sulit and Denise Tan, the PBA pre-event ceremony saw Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel’s Scottie Thompson bagging the Most Valuable Player award while TNT Tropang Giga’s Mikey Williams was named Rookie of the Year.

 

The 46th Leo Awards also gave recognition to Kevin Alas of the NLEX Road Warriors as he received the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award. Terrfirma Dyip’s Juami Tiongson, on the other hand, was given the Most Improved Player Award. The All-Defensive Team Award was accorded to Cliff Hodge, Arwind Santos, Kelly Williams, Jio Jalalon, and Chris Ross.

 

Two mythical teams were subsequently selected during the Leo Awards: the 2nd Mythical Team composed of Ian Sangalang, Christian Standhardinger, Matthew Wright, Robert Bolick, and CJ Perez; and the 1st Mythical Team of Mikey Williams, Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, Calvin Abueva, and Arwind Santos.

 

Welcoming new players, new teams, and making this new season more exciting and engaging for PBA fans all around the world, the PBA Season 47 grand opening was truly reflective of the PBA’s mantra “GAME TAYO DITO” season campaign.

 

Don’t miss the most exciting Philippine basketball season yet. Catch the live PBA action on TV5, One Sports, and Cignal TV’s PBA Rush – Wednesdays & Fridays at 3:00 PM, Thursdays & Saturdays at 5:15 PM, and Sundays at 4:30 PM. 

The Samsung Freestyle offers an on-the go take and invites you to watch great content anytime, anywhere

 

These days we’re spoiled for choice for how to enjoy content. Some choose to park in front of a TV in their living room, others prefer a more versatile screen, like a tablet. Samsung’s most unique TV innovation, The Freestyle, offers an on-the go take and invites you to watch great content anytime, anywhere. Now available in nationwide, The Freestyle is the perfect companion for outdoor and home. 

 The Freestyle is a handy projector that can project crystal-clear 1080p picture on any flat surface. Its unique design allows you to turn the projector 180-degrees so you can point it to a wall, the ceiling, or even on a table. With Smart TV and screen mirroring capabilities, users can easily access and stream their favorite content from Netflix, HBO GO and more. 

 

There are several ways to make the most of The Freestyle. For more ideas on how you can get creative with this handy device, read on: 

Your own drive-in movie theater

You don’t have to go too far to experience a drive-in theater. Set up a screen or use a wall at a nearby parking space where The Freestyle to project images up to 100-inches. Viewers can just chill in their cars with their snacks while enjoying this unique big-screen experience.

Campfire entertainment

Weighing just under a kilogram, The Freestyle can be held in one hand and easily packed in a travel case. Perfect for camping trips where people might look for fun activities while enjoying nature. In case of battery emergencies, The Freestyle can be plugged into a power bank to continue the fun. It also has a built-in 360-degree speaker, so viewers can enjoy movies and shows with crisp cinema-quality sound.

Backdrops for all photography needs

Photographers, both pro and casuals, are always on the hunt for the best backdrops for their shots. A quick and easy way to spruce up plain outdoor walls is The Freestyle’s Ambient Mode. Choose from various built-in funky backgrounds and colorful effects that fit your vision. Easily stream moving scenery from YouTube for a more dynamic feel.

Outdoor party essential

Ambient Mode can also make outdoor celebrations stand out by projecting neon signs, fun photos, and heartfelt videos. It’s a unique and efficient decor idea that won’t need a lot of setting up as users can access this using the SmartThings App. It also lessens waste once the party’s over.

Bring the TV experience and change up their scenery anytime, anywhere, with The Freestyle. The Freestyle is now available for purchase in all authorized Samsung dealers and on samsung.com/ph. 

 

For more details and updates, visit samsung.com/ph now.