Canva kicks off its 8th anniversary in the Philippines with “Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022”

True to its commitment to empower Filipino businesses and freelancers, Canva kicks off its 8th anniversary in the Philippines with “Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022” happening from July 19 to August 6. The summit is designed to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. 

“The past eight years of Canva in the Philippines have been so meaningful. We collaborated with different partners, built a strong user base, grew our local team, and got moved by the tremendous support from everyone. Every year is a milestone that reminds us of our mission: to empower the world to design. This year, we want to make our celebration extra special by holding a series of events and initiatives that will reinforce our commitment in the Philippines and we’re starting with our community of Pinoy negosyantes and freelancers,” says Yani Hornilla-Donato, country manager of Canva Philippines.

Canva launched its Manila office in 2014 and started only with a team of eight people working in customer service. Now, the global visual communications platform has over 700 employees in the Philippines and continues to champion design excellence through its team of local designers, more localized and diverse content, and initiatives like the Negosyantrends MSME Summit 2022 which aim to empower Filipinos through design.

The summit will bring together design experts from Canva Philippines and industry leaders from the Department of Trade and Industry, TikTok Shop, Lazada, Rags2Riches, WhenInManila.com, and MommyMundo to discuss topics and trends that will help MSMEs grow and scale their business. There will be sessions on branding, designing for e-commerce, social media advertising, leveling up your online sales strategy, and creating and scaling your business through video content among others. 

The last day of the summit on August 6 will be a face-to-face event featuring a panel discussion with Rags2Riches President and Founding Partner Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Vyous Digital CEO and Founder Nian Ellao, and Kohi Social CEO and Founder Andrea Sumida and brand consultation sessions with select summit MSME participants.

The Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022 is open to current and aspiring entrepreneurs and freelancers. To know more about the event and make sure you don’t miss any session, join the Canva for Negosyo and Canva for Pinoy Freelancers & Creatives Facebook Groups. It will also be streamed live on Canva Philippines’ Facebook Page. The event is held in partnership with CNN Philippines, WhenInManila.com, adobo Magazine, Spot.ph, and Esquire Philippines.

“Pinoy negosyantes and freelancers have shown us the true meaning of resilience, having weathered the challenges brought by the lockdown and the pandemic. We’ve heard stories of entrepreneurs who almost went bankrupt or closed shops, and Filipinos who ventured into freelancing because they lost their jobs. They continued to thrive by being agile and learning digital tools even sometimes on their own. By bringing together a powerhouse of experts, we hope to empower and support them in their journey by telling them that, kaya nila with Canva,” says Maisie Littaua, head of growth of Canva Philippines.

In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, an online hub featuring business resources, articles, and expert advice from fellow local entrepreneurs and Canva experts. Now with over 26,000 members, the Canva for Negosyo Facebook community is also thriving with special webinars held by Canva and design collaborations happening among members.

To know more about Canva, visit www.canva.com or follow Canva on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Canva is also available for download on App Store and Play Store.

HUAWEI’s hugest, most powerful laptops to date

 

How big is your world? HUAWEI challenges you to immerse yourself in larger-than-life experiences with their upcoming laptops, coming very soon this July 27! We’re talking larger screens, more powerful performance, and expanded HUAWEI smart-ecosystem Super Device technology!

 

HUAWEI’s hugest, most powerful laptops to date

While not all details can be released yet, we can tell you that the tech company is going BIG with these new laptops. Promised to sport some of the largest screens on the market, the laptops would deliver incredible eye comfort and screen space for all your office needs. Backed with equally large processors, they would outdo every previous MateBook on speed and power. And if you’re a loyal HUAWEI user, you’d additionally benefit from stacking its capabilities with any other device from the HUAWEI ecosystem. With HUAWEI’s Super Device technology, you’d be able to command your whole HUAWEI Smart Office gadgets directly from these new MateBooks. From a brand that has always strived for excellence and value, these upcoming MateBook laptops may be HUAWEI’s knockout tour de force of 2022.

Catering especially to content creators and office professionals

The new MateBook is designed for HUAWEI’s core audience and base of supporters: smart users who also strive for excellence and best value. Riding on a high of releasing other products for content creators to rave reviews all throughout this year, like the MatePad 10.4 for artists on the go or the nova 9 for aspiring influencers, HUAWEI continues to push itself. The new laptops promise to be huge assets for users taking on heavy-duty projects and making big moves.

 

From a brand like HUAWEI, the sky's the limit

As the July 27 launch nears, we’re excited to share even more features as well as other exciting new products for HUAWEI Smart Office! Stay tuned as more details drop over the coming days! 

 

To stay updated on the latest promos and devices, visit Huawei Philippines’ official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

GoTyme Bank adopts the latest security tools in response to consumers’ growing cybersecurity concerns

GoTyme Bank, a partnership between the Gokongwei Group and Singapore-based digital banking group Tyme, is optimizing its tech and security measures ahead of its launch. In 2021, the bank received its license to operate in line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goal of digitizing 50% of all payments and having 70% of Filipino adults into the banked population by 2023.

 

Amid incidences of phishing, malware, ransomware, fraud, identity theft, and social engineering in the banking industry, GoTyme Bank has heavily invested in the best cyber security controls to strengthen its defenses. Social engineering is the act of deceiving individuals in order to manipulate them to disclose confidential or personal information, such as one-time pins (OTP) or passcodes.

 

“Without good cybersecurity you can’t have trust,” explains Chris Bennett, Chief Technology Officer at GoTyme Bank. “We make use of the best security controls throughout the lifecycle.”

As a cloud-first and cloud-only company, GoTyme Bank is able to react to threats much faster than any organization, Bennett emphasizes. Built on Tyme Bank’s experience and success in South Africa, GoTyme Bank is working with the world’s leading providers to prevent and combat potential threats.

 

“Being cloud only, we can make changes fast,” Bennett remarks. “We bring experiences of tackling threats from South Africa and we’ve been able to integrate some of the latest security tools.”

 

Even before GoTyme Bank’s code is written, teams are already trained in cyber development best practices, Bennett notes. The bank makes use of SonarQube, an open-source platform which continuously inspects and reviews codes to detect bugs. During the building process, internal and external security teams test the code for any vulnerabilities, and upon going live, a cyber operations center monitors then alerts and acts upon threats. 

 

“Our infrastructure is managed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and we’re able to benefit from the range of secure certifications that they offer, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),” Bennett says. AWS control towers allow GoTyme Bank to automate reporting and identification of issues. 

 

AWS is the world’s most comprehensive and widely used cloud platform that offers on-demand cloud computing web services to millions of customers, while PCI DSS is a global information security standard for protecting data. NIST, meanwhile, is a cybersecurity framework used by governments and industries worldwide. GOTyme also credits its experience working with NICE Actimize, the leading global provider of financial crime, risk, and compliance solutions, to guard against fraud and money laundering

 

When it comes to high-value items, biometrics may also be used to verify the identity of individuals making a transaction. “Our payments fraud capability is world-leading, and we make use of our own and also industry data to spot and prevent attacks,” Bennett says.

 

Once live, GoTyme Bank clients will be able to open an account and receive a free personalized debit card in under five minutes via digital kiosks located in Robinsons Malls and Robinsons Supermarkets. GoTyme Bank promises to deliver high-quality banking products and services such as better savings interest rewards, fund transfers, trading and investing, as well as 24/7 customer support via call, chat, or e-mail.

 

GoTyme Bank is set to launch in Q3 2022. For early access, subscribe to GoTyme’s newsletter for exclusive updates on exciting features and products.

 

DHL becomes the official logistics partner of Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour

Every global music tour requires intensive preparation and complex logistics. However, Coldplay has added to this complexity by setting an ambitious goal to make their Music of the Spheres Tour as sustainable as possible and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50%. DHL, a pioneer in the field of sustainable transport and logistics, will support the band on this journey with its extensive expertise.

 

“As leaders in our industries, it is our responsibility to lead the change but also inspire and facilitate sustainable solutions for other businesses and brands. We feel honored and proud that Coldplay has selected DHL to embark on this journey for change,” said Monika Schaller, Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Sustainability & Brand, Deutsche Post DHL Group.

DHL’s expertise and sustainability solutions

Coldplay selected DHL as its logistics partner due to the company’s extensive expertise in sustainable logistics solutions. As the world’s leading logistics provider, DHL will support Coldplay’s efforts, especially in the field of sustainable transportation, by offering a multi-faceted approach to lowering CO2 emissions.

 

With its GoGreen Plus Service DHL’s customers are offered a suite of solutions for minimizing logistics- related emissions and other environmental impacts along the entire supply chain. Ocean and air freight emissions are reduced by the use of advanced biofuels. For land transportation, DHL is able to call upon an extensive fleet of electric vehicles and trucks fueled with Bio-LNG (liquified natural gas made from organic waste). The remaining part of the supply chain is made climate neutral by full lifecycle emission compensation - drawing down and offsetting any residual carbon emissions. DHL can ensure the lower CO2 emissions of their services are transparently passed onto its customers.

 

 

A new model for sustainable touring

Aside from innovations in sustainable logistics led by DHL, Coldplay has introduced a variety of other initiatives to make their tour as low-carbon and environmentally beneficial as possible. Every show is powered by a mix of renewable energy (such as wind and solar energy) and certified renewable biodiesel. The band even harnesses fan energy through state-of-the-art kinetic floors and power bikes.

 

The band has also pledged to plant a tree for every ticket sold and to draw down significantly more CO2 than the tour produces through investment in a diverse range of carbon offsetting initiatives.

 

DHL and Coldplay’s shared hope is that the Music of the Spheres Tour will provide lessons and best practices for other artists to build on and push the live music industry towards an ultra-low-carbon and sustainable future

 

In line with the company’s sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (“Mission 2050”), DHL is committed to sustainable logistics solutions that will decarbonize the entire logistics sector. As part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s mid-term sustainability roadmap for 2030, the group strives to achieve the sub-target of having at least 30 percent of fuel requirements covered by sustainable fuels. To reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, the Group will spend €7 billion on sustainable fuel and clean technologies by 2030.

 

Coldplay’s pledge to make their tour as sustainable as possible

 

Coldplay’s co-manager Phil Harvey said: “When we announced this tour, we pledged to reduce primary carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to the last tour. This can only happen with tour partners who share this vision and are willing to invest the necessary resources to make it happen. We’re grateful to DHL for their help in minimizing our tour’s freight emissions through their expertise and investment in sustainable logistics.”

 

Moms thank Pampers for sharing touching story of single moms

Parenthood is hard work – but even more so when you’re a single mom. In the Philippines, about 14 million are single moms (95% of estimated 14 to 15 million solo parents) according to a World Health Organization-funded study by the Department of Health and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health. Many of whom must juggle multiple jobs, household chores, their own education, and childcare all at the same time. Some single moms from urban poor and marginalised communities also experienced an increase in unpaid care work during the pandemic, spending over five hours more a day, according to an Oxfam International survey. 

 

It is precisely this inexhaustible strength and incredible love for their child in the face of the unique challenges of single motherhood which inspired the latest program of Pampers Philippines called #MoreThanGold. It aims to support World Vision Philippines’s Go Baby Go program which gives holistic early childhood development assistance for single-mom children belonging in World Vision’s communities.

The campaign was launched with a heartwarming 60-seconder film that reflects and celebrates the extraordinary achievements of young, single mothers. We see the single mom in the film working many jobs to be able to provide for her child, finishing her studies, and taking care of and raising her firstborn. And through the eyes of her baby, as told by the tug-at-the-heartstrings voiceover, we see that it is through her strength and her determination in facing her unique motherhood journey that makes her a real treasure. Indeed, we realize that she can be anything she set herself to be – and that she is more precious than gold. 

 

“Pampers’s purpose is to champion and care for all families and their babies’ happy and healthy development. As we continue with this commitment, we also recognize the reality that no parenthood journey is the same and that there are single moms who have been doing things beyond the extraordinary,” says Charm Banzuelo, Senior Communications Manager for Pampers Philippines. “As a brand, we want to do more and be a force for good by using our platform to share their story and extend assistance through our partnership with World Vision.”

  

World Vision’s Go Baby Go! (GBG) Parenting Program model aims to strengthen caregiver confidence and competence, and to provide nurturing care to babies during their first 1,000 days—from the moment of conception inside the womb until the baby turns three, so that they can reach their full potential.

 

World Vision’s Resource Development Director, Jun Godornes, expresses his gratitude to Pampers: "We're truly delighted to be part of P&G Pampers’s More than Gold campaign. The campaign highlights the joys and challenges of parenthood that resonate with all Filipino parents. Pampers has become a household name that is now synonymous to the word ‘diaper.’ We laud Pampers for dedicating this campaign to single moms to support them in raising their children as best as they can. At World Vision, we believe that given the right tools and opportunities, girls can overcome adversity and become changemakers and leaders of our nation. Congratulations to Pampers for inspiring more Filipinos through this heartwarming campaign!”

 

Unsurprisingly, the short film quickly rose to the top of online Twitter trending charts last Sunday, giving netizens all the feels. The film also prompted moms, including online mom personalities like Vien Iligan and beauty queen Jehza Simon to share experiences of their single motherhood, and tagging fellow young single moms in their re-shares of the film.

 

Witness a single mom’s golden moments and watch the #MoreThanGold video here: LINK

 

Takeda Philippines highlights the importance of providing continuous care for patients with lymphoma

 

As the COVID situation in the country is improving, biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. highlights the importance of providing continuous care for patients that are diagnosed with lymphoma. 

 

“Now that restrictions are easing up, we have the opportunity to take initiative and engage in activities that will allow us to extend the much-needed assistance that lymphoma patients need,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines. “The situation may constantly change, but our commitment towards educating Filipinos about this disease and improving patient access to treatment and quality of lymphoma care remains the same.”

 

Knowing the enemy disease

 

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the world. According to a study by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 600,000 new cases of lymphoma were detected worldwide in 2020, making it the 11th most common cancer in the world.[1] In the Philippines, there were over 4,000 new patients that were diagnosed with this disease in 2020.[2]

 

It begins when an infection-fighting white blood cell (or lymphocyte) mutates, divides and grows out of control, compromising the immune system and lodging itself onto lymph nodes or "kulani" and causing them to swell. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that involves the presence of a specific type of lymphocyte called Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin lymphoma cases comprise one-fifth of all lymphoma cases in the world, making it a rare cancer.[3]

Like any other cancers, detecting the disease in its early stages is essential, as survival rates drop from 90% to 70% in patients with advanced stages of the disease. Hodgkin lymphoma shares common symptoms with other diseases such as fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. This, coupled with the fact that it is a relatively rare disease, makes it difficult for people to identify it in its early stages.

Diagnosing lymphoma entails several tests to confirm its type. One of which is through a bone marrow biopsy. Another one is through a series of panel tests called immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, specifically the one that tests for the CD30 lymphoma marker. However, IHC is not a standard test in the country due to its cost and lack of availability in hospitals. 

Plights of a lymphoma patient 

 

Jheric Delos Angeles, lymphoma survivor-advocate and co-founder of Lymphoma Philippines, shared some of the struggles faced by lymphoma patients. These challenges include access to accurate diagnosis and new medicines, financial means, communication gaps with healthcare providers, cultural stigma, and discrimination. 

Jheric Delos Angeles, Co-Founder of Lymphoma Philippines, was diagnosed with Stage IV Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in May 2015.  

Having battled lymphoma himself, he co-founded Lymphoma Philippines, a patient support group that aims to help patients and their loved ones who are diagnosed with the disease, and to raise awareness about lymphoma. 

 

Apart from these barriers, Delos Angeles added, “Every individual requires a strong support system. In fact, Lymphoma Philippines was created to provide emotional support and empowerment, as well as to bridge the information gap.”  

 

Takeda Philippines stands with all the lymphoma patients and recognizes the struggles they face, and the many dreams and hopes they are yet to fulfill. Hence, Takeda Philippines takes on the mission to create approaches that would help patients overcome the barriers and shares multiple ways on how the company shows continuity of care for lymphoma patients. 

 

Takeda Philippines invests in various programs and solutions to address affordability barriers and to improve treatment access among patients. First, the company is guided by a tier-pricing approach where medicines are priced in a manner that reflects the holistic value they offer to patients, the healthcare system, and society. Secondly, Takeda Philippines has the Patient Assistance Program (PAP). This makes use of innovative and collaborative financing models to increase access to treatment and medicines for the recommended duration. Eligible patients may get in touch with their doctors for information on how to enroll in the program. 

 

“Aside from this, educating ourselves about the nature of the disease – its causes, symptoms, manifestations – is one of the first steps to take, which we can easily do by researching about lymphoma and attending talks facilitated by medical experts,” shared Dr. Joy Pabellon, Medical Affairs Lead at Takeda Philippines.

 

She added, “Engaging in conversations about lymphoma can also help strengthen the dialogue surrounding it. Through our social circles and platforms, we can create spaces for lymphoma awareness and care campaigns.” 

 

A commitment to lymphoma patients

Takeda Philippines has engaged in several initiatives on lymphoma awareness, such as webinars, talks, and workshops, in partnership with national organizations for cancer.  Earlier this year, it launched the “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma,” a campaign that aims to raise awareness about lymphoma by providing free testing to patients, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions, and sponsoring talks and seminars to educate the public about the disease. 

Representatives from Takeda Philippines and Care PH doing the symbolic gesture of Takeda’s Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma campaign. (From left to right) Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Philippines; Igor Gomes, Cluster Head and General Manager, VMAPS; Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Founder of Care PH; and Mr. Jojo Flores, Program and Administrative Officer of Care PH

 

 

Recently, Takeda Philippines provided a Php 1,000,000 grant to Cancer Care Registry and Research Philippines Foundation (CARE PH) to expand cancer research efforts in the country. This initiative is geared towards providing a more comprehensive range of support for Filipino cancer patients. The grant will allow CARE PH to train encoders and lead additional site-specific cancer registries. It will be used in contributing to the research and development of newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to diagnose cancers earlier, while also ensuring that the best possible treatments are accessible and available to patients.

Furthermore, Takeda Philippines aims to sustain its efforts to provide patients access to the CD30 lymphoma marker test through a donation to the PHAPCares Foundation. The PHAPCares Foundation is the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) mandated to help improve the health and lives of Filipinos disadvantaged by sickness, poverty, conflicts and disasters.

 

This year, the PHAPCares Foundation is partnering with one of the country's largest tertiary public referral hospitals for the CD30 Testing for Lymphoma Awareness and Prevention Program (CLAP) to facilitate early screening, diagnosis and confirmation of the disease. The CLAP initiative will provide CD30 testing for free to indigent Filipinos who would not have otherwise been tested.

 

“We are committed to outsmarting cancer so that more patients can benefit from—and have access to—life-transforming medicines. Through our cancer research and development, we are building up on our deep understanding of cancer to develop new ways to approach the disease,” said Villanueva.

 

She added, “In all our efforts, we seek not only to increase awareness about lymphoma, but also to heed the call of the government to implement the spirit of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and for the medical, patient and healthcare community, to come together to work towards a cancer-free Philippines.” 

 

To know more about Takeda and its initiatives, visit www.takeda.com. 

 

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[1] https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/34-Non-hodgkin-lymphoma-fact-sheet.pdf

[2] https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/608-philippines-fact-sheets.pdf

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560826/

Airbnb’s new OMG! Category showcases the craziest homes around the world from the fairytale-inspired to the downright unimaginable

As unique homes increasingly become destinations in themselves, travelers are searching for extraordinary spaces that make for a truly special getaway. And with Airbnb’s newly launched browsing experience via Airbnb Categories, it’s now easier to discover these homes than ever before. 

Specifically, Airbnb’s new OMG! Category leads travelers into a world of incredible getaways that are equal parts wacky and wonderful. The OMG Category – 

which currently has one of the highest rates of engagement amongst guests browsing Airbnb¹ – showcases the craziest homes around the world from the fairytale-inspired to the downright unimaginable.

 

If you’re craving an extraordinary getaway or aspiring to become an OMG! Host yourself, hear firsthand from these Filipino Airbnb Hosts who own some of the most OMG!-worthy Airbnb listings in the country.

 

“We wanted guests to experience the outdoors in style”

  

Vintage Airstream Suite on Top of a Hill owned by Host Dennis Canonizado

 

Host Dennis is a frequent traveler who loves discovering and staying at unique accommodations. When the thought of owning a vacation house popped into his mind, he took on the challenge of creating a new, exciting vacation rental never seen before in the Philippines — and thus came about the very first Airstream accommodation in the country. 

 

Dennis’s initiative to bring the iconic vintage trailer to the Philippines was fueled by his fascination with the Airstream. Personally designed and built by him with guests in mind, the 25-footer 1970s caravanner allows guests to camp in the wilderness with all the comfortable touches of home including a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, dining area and an outdoor grill. He’s seen overwhelming guest interest after listing the Airstream in March 2021, and is now building two more unique properties which he will soon list on Airbnb.

 

Dennis says, “For me, one of the most memorable conversations I’ve had with my guests is when they said that we inspired them to build their own vacation rentals. This is why I don’t hesitate to share my own experiences and advice on design and construction – these have eventually turned into conversations and friendships that go beyond hosting. To date, we’ve had a number of guests who went on to build their own Airbnb stays!”

 

“Sharing our home gives a different level of satisfaction”

 

The Lahluna Star Room owned by Hosts Hazel and Jose Romualdez

 

The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Hazel and Jose Romualdez, The Lahluna was inspired by the famous hobbit-inspired attraction in New Zealand. With a keen interest in ecology and sustainability, the couple made it a point to integrate both concepts into their property. The result is a calm, lush, and environmentally friendly retreat away from the city. 

The Lahluna taps on solar panels and wind turbines for energy, and grasses and vines creeping on top of the domes help act as insulators to keep the rooms comfortable and breezy. Guests are also encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle during their stay. 

 

“It always excites us when guests keep coming back to our place to relax and enjoy quiet moments away from the city. Especially during the pandemic lockdown, parents would book our space for their kids to play under the sun with our bunnies, and for everyone to breathe some fresh air,” shares Hazel.

 

“It’s our attempt at a Filipino version of van life!” 

Jeepney Camper Glamping owned by Host Michael Go

 

Interior designer Michael has been an Airbnb Host since 2015. He hosts several unique homes  on Airbnb but his Jeepney Camper is the most eccentric – and the most popular. 

 

With recreational vehicles (RVs) gaining popularity in recent years, Michael thought of building his local version of an RV using the country’s “king of the road” — the Philippine jeepney.   To get around the jeepney’s low ceiling height, he decided to add a second floor and an extendable roof. The result is a comfortable lodging space complete with a queen-sized bed, air conditioning and mini kitchen. Located right in Sierra Madre’s rainforests, this special home includes a pool and bonfire area for the ultimate camping experience. 

 

“My advice for aspiring Airbnb Hosts is to always be hands-on, because that’s the secret to keeping your guests satisfied. When you see all the positive feedback, it will surely make hosting  worthwhile,” says Michael.

Be an Airbnb OMG! Host through the $10M OMG! Fund

If you have a similar out-of-this-world idea, you might just be the one Airbnb is looking for! Airbnb’s US$10,000,000 OMG! Fund is seeking ideas from existing and aspiring designers, architects, DIYers, and makers from around the globe. The US$10 million fund will help finance 100 of the craziest home ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings.

 

The USD $10,000,000 OMG! Fund will be open until 22 July 2022 at 11:59 pm PHT. The 100 fund recipients will be selected by the panel over the next several months, with the intent of having their newly-constructed spaces complete next year. To apply, visit airbnb.com/omgfund.

 

¹ According to Airbnb Category data, since May 11, 2022

Get ready as the world-renowned tribute act The Bootleg Beatles return to the Philippines!

 

To all those long-time fans still young at heart , and to all old souls out here in the archipelago and “Across The Universe”, get ready as the world-renowned tribute act The Bootleg Beatles return to the Philippines for a series of wonderful concerts in select cities and prime live music venues. 

 

From “Love Me Do” to “Let It Be”, from the Cavern to the Apple rooftop, from black and white to psychedelic technicolour, the world’s Premier Beatle band returns to take you on a whistle-stop journey through the most vibrant revolutionary and divisive decade of all - the Swinging Sixties.

 

It’s all here..the iconic mop tops , the Chelsea boots, the witty Beatle banter , the Chesterfield suits. 

 

This  talented quartet, composed of Steve White (Paul McCartney), Stephen Hill (George Harrison), Tyson Kelly(John Lennon), and Gordon Elsmore (Ringo Starr)  not only sound authentic …but their resemblance to the originals is uncanny. 

 

As one reviewer  put it…”It’s not The Beatles …but you “simply won’t believe it.” 

Featuring a special set to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Please Please Me LP …which of course, gave birth to other timeless hits “Twist And Shout”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, don’t miss this amazing multi-media show . It’s an absolute must-see for Beatle fans of all ages.

 

The Bootleg Beatles have previously performed sold out tours in the Philippines during their 2016 & 2018 tours here. Moreover, they are fresh from performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. So, to all Pinoy Beatles loyalists out there, you better prepare to witness their remarkable concert production behold for a one-of-a-kind live music experience like no other this 2022 featuring the finest repertoire of the world’s most popular band ever.

 

The Bootleg Beatles are performing in the following dates and cities this coming October 2022:    

 

SMX Convention Centre, Davao City – Thursday, October 27^th 2022 – 8pm

 

Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City – Saturday, October 29^th 2022 – 8pm

 

PICC Plenary Hall, Pasay, Manila – Sunday, October 30^th 2022 – 8pm

                              

 

 

 

 

“Less a tribute, more a reincarnation”  – The Telegraph.  

 

“Exhilarating” ★★★★★ - The Times

 

"Mind-boggling accuracy" - The Mail on Sunday