Alden Richards is the new face of The Hungry Pita PH

The Hungry Pita has just welcomed renowned actor and TV host Alden Richards as its newest brand ambassador. With Alden's love for delicious, healthy meals and his down-to-earth charm, he’s the perfect fit to represent The Hungry Pita’s commitment to offering guilt-free yet satisfying meals.

The dynamic partnership is one giant stride for the company in its ongoing aggressive journey of expansion and innovation, ready to bring its signature pita recipes to more Filipino foodies across the country.

Held at the Wrap For More Media Launch, the partnership of Alden Richards and The Hungry Pita signifies great importance for the event. It marked the launch of new initiatives and will shape the future course of the brand toward the media representatives, stakeholders, and prospective franchisees.

From its humble beginnings as a tiny shawarma kiosk in Malolos, Bulacan in 2012, The Hungry Pita has now grown into a well-known brand with over 100 franchisees nationwide. Its diverse menu features a variety of pita-based products such as the classic Shawarma, Delectabowl, Cheese and Tuna Quesadillas, Burrito, Pitacos, and Pita Chips, all well regarded for their taste and affordability.

Quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction—these foundational values of The Hungry Pita are personified by Alden Richards, one of the Philippines’ most celebrated figures. Known for his versatile acting, captivating performances, and credible endorsements, Alden’s engaging charisma and widespread popularity are expected to boost the company's visibility and attract a varied clientele to The Hungry Pita's mouthwatering menu.

Along with major changes in its menu and service offerings under development, this new partnership with Richards promises to set The Hungry Pita at a solid position as a leader in the fast-food industry as it innovates and grows its business.

For more information about The Hungry Pita and the upcoming promotions featuring Alden Richards, visit https://thehungrypitaph.com/ or follow @TheHungryPitaPH on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

 

HONOR Set to Launch a Water-Resistant Smartphone with All-Angle Durability

Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines is far from over in launching innovative and affordable smartphones in the market. Fresh from the launch of its newest tablet HONOR Pad X8a and affordable durable phone HONOR X6b, HONOR just teased what seemed to be a water-resistant smartphone. 

“You are right; we are launching another smartphone very soon and we are excited for this. We are known for durable devices and now we are taking the standard up a notch! Don’t you miss our next updates to know more about this new phone,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

 

HONOR’s Hottest Gadgets

 

HONOR Philippines has launched a handful of revolutionary devices this year. Recently, the HONOR 200 Series, the new HONOR Pad X8a and HONOR X6b have been making waves and are the hottest HONOR gadgets currently.

 

Check out HONOR’s wide array of products on www.honor.com/ph and shop at any HONOR Experience and Partner stores or online via Lazada (bit.ly/HONORPHLaz), Shopee (bit.ly/HONORPHShpe)  and TikTok Shop(bit.ly/HONORPHTikTok).

 

Excited for HONOR’s upcoming smartphone? Follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on: Facebook(Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram(Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

'Paris Has Fallen' Is Bringing Non-Stop Thrills to Lionsgate Play

In the 'Paris Has Fallen' franchise's first-ever TV series, a high-profile event is shattered when a terrorist group, led by the villainous Jacob Pearce (Sean Harris), targets the French Minister of Defence. Enter Vincent Taleb (Tewfik Jallab), a no-nonsense protection officer, who finds himself teaming up with the street-smart MI6 operative Zara Taylor (Ritu Arya). Their mission? To thwart Pearce's nefarious plans. But as the plot thickens and danger escalates, it becomes clear that this is more than just a one-man show against a politician. With suspicions that a mole within the security services is aiding Jacob, Vincent and Zara must rely on each other to keep Paris from falling into chaos.

This adrenaline-fueled series promises high-stakes drama, explosive action, and a gripping storyline to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the original films or new to the franchise, Paris Has Fallen is a must-watch.

Says series creator Howard Overman: “Fans of the ‘Has Fallen’ films have come to expect an array of high-quality action set pieces and huge stakes driving forward an exciting narrative. As such a fan of the films myself, it was these elements that excited me about a TV adaptation. The ‘Has Fallen’ franchise had such a great scope for a gripping thriller storyline, and it’s been brilliant bringing the same sort of tension, suspense and narrative twists and hooks to this series. The relatively compressed time period of the films has really helped to elevate the show, and I was incredibly keen to incorporate the sense of a ticking clock even when there isn’t one.”

Tune in to catch all the action when Paris Has Fallenpremieres on Lionsgate Play on October 18.

Get ready to sing your GUTS out as ‘Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour’ comes to Netflix this October 29

 

Get ready to scream, cry, dance, and sing your heart out with multi-Platinum, 3x GRAMMY® award-winning singer/songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo. From the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, she’ll sing songs from her latest album, GUTS, and her debut album, SOUR. In this exhilarating concert special, get a look at Olivia on her GUTS world tour and experience her powerful performances about heartbreak and betrayal.

www.netflix.com/OliviaRodrigoGUTSWorldTour

BingoPlus Foundation Puts the 'Plus' in Health and Livelihood Programs in General Santos

 

In line with its commitment to improving community health and livelihood, BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive, has successfully completed a series of initiatives in General Santos, under its KalusuganPLUS and KabuhayanPLUS programs. These efforts aim to address critical public health challenges while empowering vulnerable communities with sustainable economic opportunities.

KalusuganPLUS: Sanitation facilities benefit 3,000 residents

 

In a series of turnover ceremonies in September 2024, BingoPlus Foundation handed over five sanitation facilities in the barangays of San Isidro, Ligaya, Tinagacan, Calumpang, and Bawing. These essential facilities are expected to benefit nearly 3,000 residents, addressing a long-standing gap in access to clean water and proper sanitation. Notably, the barangay of Bawing is home to Badjao communities, which have historically faced challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation.

 

This effort is in line with the Philippine Approach to Total Sanitation (PhATS), a nationwide initiative that promotes improved hygiene and sanitation practices, contributing to the achievement of local government units' (LGU) Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) campaign. PhATS emphasizes sustainable sanitation practices to prevent waterborne diseases and improve overall public health.

This initiative is particularly critical in the SOCCSKSARGEN region, where only 73.8 % of families have access to basic sanitation facilities, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (March 2023). As lack of hygiene practices persist in some rural areas, this imposes a significant health risk in the region, which has also seen a return in polio cases. The newly built facilities address this gap, and BingoPlus Foundation is playing a pivotal role in safeguarding public health in one of the country’s most underserved areas. ​

 

KabuhayanPLUS: Training Center welcomes graduates 

 

Beyond health, BingoPlus Foundation is also empowering marginalized sectors through its livelihood programs.  In partnership with Barangay San Isidro, the Foundation celebrated the graduation of the first batch of trainees from its Dressmaking and Tailoring Training Center, which opened last June. The center is now serving its second batch of trainees, and applications will be open for Batch 3 through the barangay.

Part of the PLUS Centers for Livelihood network, this center collaborates with TESDA to provide NC II Certification in dressmaking, equipping participants—many of whom are solo parents and women—with valuable skills for employment or entrepreneurship. The program provides an alternative source of income and a sustainable livelihood for many in the community, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region. 

 

Celeste Jovenir, DigiPlus Vice President for Investor Relations and BingoPlus Foundation COO, shares, “BingoPlus Foundation’s mission goes beyond providing aid; we’re here to uplift communities facing the toughest social challenges, from health and sanitation, to livelihood, in General Santos and beyond. Through KalusuganPLUS and KabuhayanPLUS, we’re empowering individuals to rise above their circumstances and build a future full of hope and opportunity. 

 

Ever Bilena awards 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas Php 250K business package

 Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc., the country’s leading local cosmetics company recognized the outstanding achievement of 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist AiraVillegas by awarding her a Php 250,000 business package. Villegas, a standout boxer at the Paris Olympics, was warmly welcomed with a simple lunch gathering at Ever Bilena's Headquarters by executives including Denice Sy, chief sales & marketing officer. 

Villegas, who was accompanied by her longtime boxing coach Josie Gabuco and Strength & Conditioning Coach Kit de Leon, expressed their appreciation for the support. During the ceremony, Denice Sy announced that the business package, which aims to provide long-term opportunities for Villegas, will be delivered to her home in Leyte.

 

“We’re proud to honor Aira’s incredible achievement. She embodies the strength and resilience that Ever Bilenachampions, and we’re excited to support her journey beyond the ring,” said Denice Sy. “This business package is a step towards ensuring she has the tools and resources to continue succeeding.”

 

Villegas shared her gratitude, and happily entertained photo opportunities with Ever Bilena employees. With great humility, she honored her coaches as well as her family and loved ones who have actively supported her along the way.

 

This recognition reinforces Ever Bilena’s commitment to empowering Filipino women, including sports, aligning with their mission to uplift and inspire through resilience and determination.

AirAsia Philippines Launches #alwaysREADY Initiative for Safe and Smooth Undas Exodus Travel

 Fuel surcharge cost to remain at Level 4 for November

AirAsia Philippines’ ground staff provides assistance to travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 as part of their #alwaysREADY Ngayong Undas 2024.

AirAsia Philippines is gearing up to accommodate over 75,000 guests for the upcoming All Souls Day holidays, showcasing its #alwaysREADY commitment to service excellence aiming to provide real-time support, ensuring that guests are informed and accommodated, particularly during peak travel seasons.

The World’s Best Low-Cost Airline has strategically activated 24/7 customer service help desks at the NAIA Terminal 2, as well as major provincial airports such as Cebu, Boracay (Caticlan), Davao, and Puerto Princesa. This is on top of more than 50 agents attending to queries on the Ask Bo app. 

“It has been AirAsia Philippines’ long tradition to provide further support to our guests during special peak celebration periods  where they are expected to travel to reunite with their family, relatives, and friends in the provinces. Next to celebrating Christmas, Filipinos take the time to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones to pay respect. Through our alwaysREADY programs, we intend to make our guests feel AirAsia’s personal touch in ensuring that they travel conveniently, safely  and on-time,” AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla shares.

AirAsia Philippines customer service help desks in Puerto Princesa International Airport and Cebu Mactan International Airport

AirAsia Philippines’ customer service help desks are expected to play a critical role in assisting guests as Typhoon Kristine (international name Tami) approaches over the weekend. 

For any flight disruption, such as but not limited to weather disturbance,  AirAsia Customer Service Desk is #alwaysREADY to provide Standard Recovery Options (SROs) for impacted guests including alternate travel options such as:

Free change flight: Change to any new travel date of choice within 30 days from the original scheduled departure date on the same route, subject to availability, at no extra cost.

Credit account:Keep the booking value in your AirAsia BIG Member account for future travel, redeemable within 2 years; OR

Full refund: Get a full refund to your original payment method. For travel agent bookings, request refunds directly from them.

SNAP/Hotel Bookings: Re-connect with our online guest assistant Bo and follow the Hotel / SNAP prompts for the service recovery options available.

At AirAsia Philippines, our guests are at the heart of everything we do. We will leave no stranded passengers behind. Our multiple guest touch points such as email, sms and airport staff are made available to ensure a seamless customer journey”, Isla added.  

Meanwhile, AirAsia expects to further sustain the appetite for travel with fuel surcharge costs to remain at Level 4 for the month of November. A level 4 means that tickets purchased for next month will only incur an additional surcharge of Php 117 to Php 342 for domestic flights and from Php 385.70 to Php 600 for international flights, depending on the distance. 

After Undas, AirAsia Philippines expects the remaining holidays to contribute to its positive performance for 2024. For the past 10 months, AirAsia Philippines has already flown 6 million guests to domestic and international destinations which is just 10% below last year’s figure of 6,601,013 guests. With the Christmas and New Year holidays coming in the next two months, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is poised to surpass its annual target of 8 million guests flown.

HONOR Magic7 Series to introduce Autopilot AI for Mobile

Global technology brand HONOR announced that its upcoming HONOR Magic7 Series will be powered by the revolutionary Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. At Snapdragon Summit 2024,

HONOR revealed its plans to develop an AI-first ecosystem. On stage, HONOR showcased groundbreaking AI features coming to the Magic7 Series, including the industry's first on-device AI Agent for an open ecosystem, and the first real-time NPU graphics rendering for mobile gaming. The company also gave a sneak peak of what its new flagship will look like.   

“Openness and collaboration are in our DNA,” commented Dr. Ray Guo, CMO of HONOR Device Co., Ltd. “With this collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, we are defining the AI-first ecosystem and revolutionizing user experiences for the AI era. We are thrilled to introduce the industry’s first AI Agent for an open ecosystem, and bring on-device generative AI to gaming powered by NPU computing for the first time. Welcome to the era of Autopilot AI for mobile.”  

“We are excited to work with HONOR to shape the future of AI and redefine how people interact with technology,” commented Chris Patrick, SVP and GM of Mobile Handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Together, we're poised to push the boundaries of AI and create truly transformative experiences.” 

Autopilot AI for Mobile: Industry’s first AI Agent for an open ecosystem 

The HONOR Magic7 Series will debut the industry’s first on-device AI Agent for an open ecosystem. From a simple text or voice prompt, the AI Agent can order takeout on the user’s behalf. With consent, it can learn from users’ habits to make intelligent decisions, for example it can understand if the user prefers their coffee with coconut milk, and order accordingly. 

 

It can also find and cancel unwanted subscriptions across different apps with just a simple command, breaking boundaries between apps and services. The AI Agent can assist across a wide range of uses including travel planning, ticket booking, calendar scheduling, notification management, cross-app file transfer, and more. Set to launch on MagicOS 9.0 on the HONOR Magic7 Series, the AI Agent provides unparalleled convenience and ushers in the era of Autopilot AI. 

AI-empowered Hardware: On-device generative AI in gaming powered by NPU computing for the first time 

The upcoming HONOR Magic7 Series smartphone will bring on-device generative AI to gaming powered by NPU computing for the first time. The new series will introduce the industry’s first real-time AI graphics rendering for mobile gaming. Compared to other smartphones, HONOR’s solution reduces GPU load, leading to lower device temperatures and a better gaming experience with higher image quality. 

 

Seamless AI: MagicRing empowering the Snapdragon ecosystem  

Throughout the show, HONOR demonstrated how it is working together with Qualcomm Technologies to define the AI-first ecosystem, aimed to revolutionize user experiences in connectivity, interaction and performance. HONOR showed how its MagicRing technology is empowering the ecosystem across a range of products, apps and services.  

MagicRing makes the multi-device AI experience easier, with its secure and smooth flow of services and information across devices. For example, when using Windows on Snapdragon, Cocreator allows users to produce detailed artwork from simple drawings. Powered by MagicRing, users can seamlessly access Cocreator on their HONOR MagicPad 2, drawing AI masterpieces with their Magic Pencil. They can also use the HONOR Magic V3’s AI Eraser on the HONOR MagicBook Art 14 to experience the convenience of mobile AI across all their devices.  

Empowered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite  and MagicOS 9.0, the HONOR Magic7 Series is set to usher in a new era of Autopilot AI with its intuitive AI Agent. The upcoming device will bring on-device generative AI to gaming powered by NPU computing for the first time.  

Stay tuned for more information at the HONOR Magic7 Series China launch event on 30th October 2024. To get more updates, head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms for exciting announcements: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram

(Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/. 

foodpanda Philippines Marks World Food Day by Donating 1,000+ Meals

 Online food and grocery delivery platform foodpanda Philippines donated over 1,000 meals to various communities as part of its World Food Day efforts, reinforcing its commitment to fighting hunger and reducing food waste through its sustainability program, Let’s Do Our Pau-rt (LDOP).

World Food Day, celebrated annually every October 16th, is a global initiative spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, aimed at raising awareness and promoting action for those affected by hunger. In the Philippines, the situation is dire, with approximately 3.95 million Filipino families currently struggling with involuntary hunger, according to the 2024 Social Weather Survey (SWS).

 

In response to this growing issue, foodpanda Philippines organized various meal donation activities for this month’s celebration of World Food Day. "We want to create a bigger impact by working with our stakeholders to combat hunger and food waste in our country," shared a foodpanda representative. "Our initiatives also encourage deeper involvement from our employees through these meal donation activities."

 

foodpanda employees lead Share The Meal donations 

 

The company encouraged its employees to donate meals for World Food Day through the ShareTheMeal (STM) feature in the foodpanda app. Launched in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP), the donation option is available to all foodpanda app users at the checkout page, with proceeds benefiting local communities.

“World Food Day perfectly aligns with our Hero Month celebration, which fosters volunteerism and social advocacy among our employees throughout October. We saw this as an ideal opportunity to make meal donations a meaningful volunteer activity for our employees,” the representative shared.

For October alone, the initiative raised more than 300meals from foodpanda Philippines employees who donated. “This is a chance for our employees to be part of a collective effort for positive change, leaving them with a sense of fulfillment and purpose.”

 

Rescue Kitchen with SOS PH

 

Through its collaboration with Scholars of Sustenance Philippines (SOS PH), a global food rescue organization, foodpanda helps recover surplus food items and turns them into nutritious meals for redistribution to local communities.

For this year’s World Food Day celebration, foodpanda Philippines, with the support of its employee volunteers, cooked, prepared, and distributed 500 meals to beneficiaries in Marikina City.

Employee volunteers of foodpanda Philippines prepared a total of 500 meals 

donated to beneficiaries in Marikina City 

The company also emphasized its dedication to sustainability and expressed its commitment to promoting a circular food economy, where surplus food is repurposed to reduce waste and fight hunger. “We always participate in the Rescue Kitchen activity whenever possible because it’s a win-win—helping reduce food waste while feeding those in need. Through these activities, we’re building a system where food never goes to waste, transforming surplus into nutritious meals for the community and creating a more sustainable future for everyone."

Feeding program for GenSan students

The company has also expanded its meal donation initiatives with a month-long feeding program in General Santos City. In partnership with the office of City Councilor Jose Orlando "Odjok" Acharon, foodpanda pledged to provide meals to over 1,000 elementary students in the area. 

Students at Ignacio D. Solis Sr. Elementary School line up to receive their free meals

The feeding program was launched last September at Ignacio D. Solis Sr. Elementary School. For the past weeks, around 200 to 400 children from the school, as well as New Guadalupe Elementary School, Shuttle Elementary School, and Sinawal Elementary School received meals, along with medical and hygiene support under the City Councilor’s Beat the Hunger Program. 

“Every year, many Filipino families face hunger and food insecurity. We want to continue using our platform to bring people together in the fight against global hunger and food waste,” the company representative concluded.