Sam is ready to shine brighter in ‘Pag-ibig’ Na Kaya!

Universal Records, one of the biggest and most-known record labels here in the Philippines just produced its first-ever online mini-series and it’s set to launch this February 2023!

Of course, for a long-time and reputable organization that helped in bringing countless OPM hits for decades, this said show is aptly named after a famous song. This year, everyone is bound to witness a very sweet love story in “Pag-ibig Na Kaya”, led by the now real-life couple Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz. It is written by JP Lopez and directed by Niq Ablao.

The entire cast will be announced very soon but to spice things up, this show will be graced by a talented Korean actor, Kim Won-Shik, billed to be the second male lead for this show, that is all about love… and its many forms.

According to the celebrity, you can actually call him Sam as well aside from his Korean name. In terms of acting for TV drama, he already has a handful of experience under his belt. He’s notable for his roles in hit K-Drama series True Beauty (2020) plus the famous Netflix fantasy-romance Netflix series, Alchemy Of Souls (Season 1 2022). This project with UR is his absolute first time to work with a Filipino production and of course, his first-ever experience to act with our talented Filipino stars. Being casted in this mini-series also paved the way for Sam for yet another break in his acting career. Won-Shik is now the latest addition to the growing Universal Records Philippines’ managed artists, made possible by Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go.

One fun fact about Kim Won-Shik; he can really understand and even speak the Filipino language, since he was able to study here in the country for six and a half years. 

According to Sam, he became easily invested in his role in “Pag-ibig Na Kaya” after reading the script and quickly felt that its overall treatment is truly inspired by K-Dramas. Although he admitted that he feels pressured since he needs to speak English and Filipino in most of his scenes, Sam considers filming this entire show a fantastic experience on his part and it greatly contributed to his growth as an actor. 

He’s very professional, warm, and kind all throughout the filming process of the mini-series. He’s always enthusiastic to shoot his scenes, very energetic in being in character, and always ready to bring good vibes on the set. The actor also said that he quickly agreed to take part in this project after finding out that Direk Niq is handling it since he shared that he already saw numerous works from the talented director.

He shares, “It’s a good experience for me. It’s my first time working with Filipino actors. When I first read the script, I felt like it’s like a Korean drama because you know, there are so many similarities. I even asked the writer if he is inspired by some K-Dramas while making this. It was good! And I really wanted this role here in Pag-ibig Na Kaya”

“During our filming, they’re so kind to me, especially our director. I watched the music video that she made which is ‘Paubaya’ (Moira Dela Torre). Yeah, the color she uses and the storylines, it was really good! I really believe in Direk Niq that’s why I’m excited to join this series,” he adds.

Moreover, Since the Hallyu wave is really strong and alive here in the Philippines, Sam is very excited for everyone to see Pag-ibig Na Kaya and it’s coming out sooner than you think! 

Make sure that you’re already subscribed to the Universal Records Philippines’ official YouTube channel and always be updated.

UNIQLO announces the launch of the Uniqlo U 2023 Spring/Summer collection

 

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the Uniqlo U 2023 Spring/Summer collection starting February 17. Designed by Artistic Director Christophe Lemaire and his UNIQLO R&D team in Paris, the new collection themed A Sense of Ease offers a modern, timeless modular wardrobe centered on clothes that make life easier.

 

Layering pieces in soft, matte cotton and refreshing AIRism cotton meet airy utilitarian outerwear to create a complete range of versatile basics with often unexpected, always thoughtfully considered proportions. A playful yet elegant color palette combines understated neutrals and rich blues and beiges with bright pops of green, orange, yellow, purple, and pink. 

 

Womenswear

Womenswear offers versatility; refined, seamless activewear is interchangeable between exercise and everyday life. Tailoring is soft and easy. A sheer shirt with patch pockets in matte-finish cotton is a fresh staple. The new jeans are slightly curved with a fitted leg to create a fresh silhouette.

 

Menswear

A complete range of versatile basics for a modern yet timeless look. Seersucker striped shirts and cotton shorts are cut wide for an easy summer silhouette. An oversized utility jacket is a new proportion for outerwear. The crew neck 3/4 sleeve T-shirt has been further perfected with a boxy fit. Parachute pants are utilitarian and effortless with adjustable drawstrings at the hem.

 

Accessories

BLOCKTECH hats and jet caps, and a new bucket bag in two sizes marry form and function, while the beloved drawstring shoulder bag returns for another season.

 

Stylings 

 

Collection

The lineup includes 27 items for women, 23 items for men, and 7 items for accessories. 

 

Lineup and Pricing 

Items	Prices	Items	Prices
Outerwear	Php 3,490 – Php 6,990	Knits	Php 1,490 – Php 2,490
Pants & Skirts	Php 1,990 – Php 2,490	Dresses	Php 1,490 – Php 2,490
Shirts	Php 1,990	Accessories	Php 1,490 – 1,990
Cut & Sewn items	Php 590 – Php 1,490

 

Note: The above prices are provisional and subject to change

Special Website: https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/contents/collaboration/uniqlo-u/23ss/  

 

 

UNIQLO R&D Centers

Uniqlo U is a collection of “Future LifeWear Essentials.” The world-class designers and patternmakers in the Paris design team reimagine everyday clothing using innovative materials and new, contemporary silhouettes. Each season is designed with the highest precision and in pursuit of a simplified, modern wardrobe. 

 

UNIQLO R&D Centers are places for experimentation, spaces to try new ideas, innovate and create. The Paris R&D Center complements other UNIQLO R&D Centers in Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, and Los Angeles. 

 

Christophe Lemaire 

Christophe Lemaire has been designing his namesake collection since 1991. He has also served as Artistic Director of Lacoste and Artistic Director of women’s ready-to-wear at Hermès. In 2015, he partnered with UNIQLO, resulting in the UNIQLO AND LEMAIRE collaboration collections for Fall/Winter 2015 and Spring/Summer 2016. Christophe Lemaire was appointed Artistic Director of the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center in 2016, where he and his handpicked team of designers create the Uniqlo U collection. 

Check out these super simple but incredibly helpful online food delivery resolutions this 2023

If you’re one big foodie, a huge part of your everyday routine over the past year has probably been ordering from food delivery apps like foodpanda. This year should be the same, and you can make it better with a few New Year’s Resolutions that will take it to the next level. 

 

For the past few years, foodpanda has been one to thank for making eating more exciting and convenient for us. From their wide selection of food choices and groceries, we can't get enough of the joy it brings to our tummies. 

 

To make the most out of getting your orders from foodpanda, start considering these super simple but incredibly helpful online food delivery resolutions this 2023: 

 

1. Do small acts of kindness to Ka-pandas

 

Year in and year out, hardworking Ka-pandas all over the country have diligently delivered our orders safely to our doorsteps. And sometimes, little acts of kindness like thanking Kuya or Ate Ka-panda through tips can make a huge difference and put a smile on their faces. You can easily do it via the foodpanda app, and 100% of the tip goes to foodpanda’s delivery partners. 

 

In the same way, we can also practice kindness by helping in the crusade against prank orders and fake bookings, as it affects the time and effort of delivery partners. foodpanda has a ‘no abono’ policy in place to protect their Ka-pandas, but we should still avoid doing this harmful practice or report cases that you might encounter to foodpanda’s Help Center, available in-app. 

 

Remember, a little kindness goes a long way, and it’s nice to observe that as a new year starts again!

 

 

2. Be pandAware of how to make your orders secure

 

 

Ordering your food and daily essentials should bring you a sense of confidence knowing that your transactions are safe and protected. The security measures available in the foodpanda app, especially for cashless payments, will give you that peace of mind. 

 

But even with these safety features, we should still be vigilant and never let our guard down. With its pandaware campaign, foodpanda also gives you helpful tips and tricks to stay protected when transacting online. 

 

3. Explore new dishes and restaurants

 

As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. So for the new year, try out unique and more diverse food from thousands of restaurants available on the foodpanda app. 

 

Start by taking a shot at vendors bearing the pink tag on the app, which features foodpanda’s Panda Local Heroes – their set of the best local and up-and-coming restaurants and stores nationwide. Discover new dishes to tickle your tastebuds while also supporting thriving start-ups. 

 

For more of their top picks, you can also check out pandapick and get access to restaurants and dishes and meals only available on foodpanda. 

 

4. Try out online grocery and shops

 

Skip the long lines and save more time to do the things that matter most. Order your daily essentials from foodpanda’s online grocery, pandamart, for quality goods and fresh items and a wide assortment of brands and products for your beauty, electronics, health, and personal care needs. 

 

 

5. Save more by going pro 

 

Free delivery? Daily vouchers? Exclusive offers and discounts? Everything you need to save on your delivery and pick-up orders is available once you subscribe to pandapro. Plus, you get exclusive access to foodpanda’s dine-in service so you can enjoy eating out at your favorite restos. 

 

For even more savings, pandapay provides you with the convenience of paying for your orders through their in-app wallet with instant cashback for every top-up and use. The more orders you make via pandapay, the more cashback and savings you get! 

 

With these simple goals, your 2023 will be filled with good food and unique new experiences. 

 

Bayad relaunches partnership with PitakaMo

CIS Bayad Center Inc. (Bayad), the largest multi-channel payment platform in the Philippines relaunches partnership with PitakaMo IT Solutions and Marketing Corporation (PitakaMo), a digital payment service provider of its franchisor brand AllEn One Grocery and Payment Center (AllEn One). 

Gaining foothold in the retail industry, AllEn One has already established over 47 store branches nationwide in just a span of 2 years. As the company thrives through expansion, it continues to offer value added services including a one stop shop bills payment solution, enabled by Bayad’s upgraded system integration with PitakaMo.

Today, AllEn One customers can expect seamless payment transactions with various billers covering services like electric and water utility, cable & internet, government contributions, loan payments, school tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others.

(L-R):   Lawrence Y. Ferrer – Bayad President and CEO, Dennis S. Gatuslao – Bayad Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Charles Benedict Mascenon – PitakaMo IT Solutions and Marketing Corporation VP for Operations, and Alexander Benedict Mascenon – PitakaMo IT Solutions and Marketing Corporation President and CEO

 
To top it off, most of these billers offer real-time payment posting allowing customers to pay their bills instantaneously, without delay, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

 

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer shared, “We and PitakaMo share the same goal of providing convenient financial services. Together, we’ve enhanced a one stop shop bills payment solution as we respond to the various needs of the customers that we both serve, especially those who are always on the go. Ultimately, we stand with PitakaMo in shaping the future of fintech as we help make payment transactions frictionless, secured, and more accessible to Filipinos.”

PitakaMo President and CEO, Allen Benedict Mascenon added “Our partnership with Bayad Center is vital in providing essential services through our AllEn One Grocery, Pharmacy & Payment Centers nationwide.”

For financial institutions and businesses like PitakaMo that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing. 

Call It Love joins a host of Hallyu hits currently available on Disney+

When Woojoo’s life gets turned on its head by her father’s mistress she will go to unbelievable lengths to get her own back in Call It Love, a new Korean romance series coming exclusively to Disney+ February 22.

Sent into a downward spiral after discovering her father’s infidelity, Woojoo’s situation goes from bad to worse when her father unexpectedly dies and his mistress kicks her out of the house. While she plans her revenge, Woojoo has no clue that she will fall in love with Dongjin, the son of the woman who ruined her life.

Starring Kim Youngkwang (Somebody, On Your Wedding Day) as lonely CEO Han Dongjin; Lee Sungkyoung (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, The Doctors) as the mistreated Sim Woojoo, Sung Jun (Island, Discovery of Love) as Woojoo’s friend; Ahn Heeyeon (Hit The Spot) as Dongin’s ex-girlfriend; and Kim Yewon (You Are My Spring) as Woojoo’s sister, Call It Love is directed by Lee Kwangyoung (No, Thank You).

First announced as part of the Disney Content Showcase 2022, Call It Love joins a host of Hallyu hits currently available on Disney+ including Big Mouth about an inept lawyer who is forced to become a notorious conman after being falsely imprisoned, and Snowdrop about a university student who goes against her family and her country to help the man she loves; as well as an endlessly entertaining array of global titles and more.

Enjoy Call It Love exclusively on Disney+ from February 22.

Twitter: @DisneyPlus
Instagram: @DisneyPlus
Facebook: @DisneyPlus
TikTok: @DisneyPlus
YouTube: @DisneyPlusPH
Hashtag: #DisneyPlusPH, #CallItLove

AirAsia Philippines reopens its Kaohsiung, Taiwan route

AirAsia Philippines has successfully reopened its Kaohsiung, Taiwan route in time for the l Lunar New Year festivities.  The inaugural flight on 7 January which took off at the NAIA Terminal 3 was greatly received by travelers as the flight crew welcomed them with exciting treats.  

 

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla shares: “Our return to Kaohsiung signals an auspicious and positive welcome to the year of the Rabbit. Before the pandemic, this route and Manila-Taipei had immensely contributed to our growth with its consistently high traffic demand, especially among leisure travelers and overseas Filipino workers who are always searching for the best value deals. We look forward to reopening more international routes and  air travel in the Eastern Region of Asia.”

 

Kaohsiung, known as The Harbour City, is famous for its river parks, cultural activities, and culinary scene.  It is also a shopping and food paradise, offering lively night markets and large malls selling a variety of goods and quirky souvenirs, as well as some of the best local dishes like mud volcano chicken, beef noodles, pan-fried dumplings, and more.

 

The Manila-Kaohsiung flight departs via the NAIA Terminal 3 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 4:45 pm and arrives in Kaohsiung 6:45 pm.  Its return flight leaves Kaohsiung International Airport at 8:15 pm and arrives at NAIA T3, 10:00 pm.  

 

AirAsia Philippines, which was recently awarded as among the World’s Safest Low-Cost Airlines, is also set to open its Tokyo route next month. 

 

AirAsia is welcoming the Lunar New Year with the January Festival deals which offer P1,812 one-way base fare to Kaohsiung and other international destinations until 29 January, and are available for travel until 31 July 2023.   

 

The World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is also advising its guests to regularly visit the airasia fly safe page and airasia Super App social media platforms Facebook and Twitter for flight schedules and other travel advisories.         

 

Elevate your home and get up to 30% off on Samsung Digital Appliances until January 31

The start of the New Year provides a renewed set of opportunities. As soon as the clock strikes at 12, most people have already kicked off their commitments, all trying to make a meaningful change. Some people promise to eat healthier, to exercise more, and would like to start anew by refreshing the feel of their homes.

 

This mindset of improving for the better is also something that's worth taking advantage of. It's best to have the rest of the surroundings be upgraded for a total change of outlook.

 

Upgrading serves as an everyday reminder of goals, a step towards whatever people are aiming for. This can be done by redesigning and repainting rooms, or rearranging cabinets and furniture. Old appliances can also be replaced, and there are also some who like to let go of things.

 

As everyone focuses on their well-being at the start of the calendar year, Samsung is here to be the best companion and further inspire people to upgrade their lifestyle and personal spaces. And just the perfect timing because Samsung is offering up to 30% discount on select Samsung Digital Appliances until January 31!

 

New year, new you, new lifestyle, new home upgrades

 

What better space is there to begin your home upgrade than the kitchen, where cooking new recipes for your loved ones to enjoy is a delightful chore? Give this task more inspiration by availing the Samsung 6-in-1 Smart Oven, with its offer of all-in-one cooking from convection, air fry, grill, steam, microwave, and even ferment features. This will surely make your kitchen a space for delicious bonding with family and friends. 

 

Meanwhile, on busy days when cooking will take up too much time, the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator offers a smart and efficient alternative. It is Samsung’s first Smart Refrigerator with a built-in screen, equipped with SpaceMax technology that enables the inside walls to be thinner and powered by a digital inverter compressor, now with a 20-year warranty. Because it keeps your food fresher for longer, there's no need to worry about running out of snacks to serve visitors at your home.

 

To make sure you’re ready for an eventful year–whether that involves inviting people over your house or going out every weekend–you’ll want your wardrobe to always be full. With Samsung Washing Machine and its EcoBubble feature that fights stains and protects fabric by quickly turning detergent into bubbles, your closet won’t run out of clean apparel for you to choose from when prepping for an occasion. This technology penetrates fabric and removes dirt easily while saving energy and protecting its color and texture.

  

To add, all these smart appliances by Samsung can be connected and controlled via the SmartThings app. Users can seamlessly access all Samsung digital appliances they own such as air conditioners, refrigerators, front-load washers, dryers, and air purifiers wherever and whenever with one click of their phone. This makes everyday chores trouble-free, and you can keep your home close to you no matter where you are.

 

Don’t miss out and buy any participating Samsung digital appliance such as refrigerators, air conditioners, smart ovens, vacuum cleaners, and air purifiers to get up to a Php 27,000 discount.  Plus, get a free Samsung Monitor when you buy select Samsung Washing Machine, up to P4,995 off on Samsung Handstick Inverter Vacuum cleaner for every purchase of select Refrigerators, and free Samsung Bespoke Panel for every purchase of participating Samsung WindFree Air Conditioners.Meanwhile, get a free Samsung Bespoke Panel for every purchase of participating Samsung WindFree Air Conditioners.

 

Samsung offers Php 4,995 off as well on the Samsung Jet Stick Vacuum Cleaner for every purchase of select Samsung Refrigerators.

 

Shop now at www.samsung.com/ph/home-appliances/ or at any participating authorized Samsung dealers. For more news about the Samsung Digital Appliances’ Holiday Sale, follow their official Facebook and Instagram pages.

 

Safe Samsung Shopping

 

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores. 

 

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.