Personal Collection bags ‘Home Brand of the Year’ at the FMCG Asia Awards 2024

Personal Collection (PC), one of the leading Filipino-owned direct-selling companies, bags the “Home Brand of the Year - Philippines” at the FMCG Asia Awards 2024 for its flagship brand, Tuff, making it the only Philippine brand to receive the award this year.  

The award-giving body recognized Tuff's commitment to expert cleaning and sustainability, solidifying its status as a trusted choice in Filipino households. Tuff, the first-ever brand of Personal Collection, which began as a toilet bowl cleanser, has since evolved into a comprehensive home care line.

Additionally, most Tuff products are packaged in biodegradable materials, designed to decompose within five to ten years in landfill conditions. This initiative reflects the brand's proactive effort to help address the pressing problem of plastic pollution in the Philippines. 

Jun Evangelista, Chairman of the Board of Personal Collection received the Home Brand of the Year Award at the FMCG Asia Awards 2024 in Singapore

“This award reflects the hard work and passion our team puts into making Tuff better every day. We're committed to creating quality products that truly make a difference in our consumers’ lives, one home at a time. This fuels our drive to keep innovating and raising the bar in the home care industry,” Jun Evangelista, Chairman of the Board stated.

Tuff's product range has expanded over the years to meet the diverse needs of Filipino households. The line now includes products such as the Tuff Multi-Surface Cleanser, Tuff Protectant, Tuff Liquid Laundry Detergent, and Tuff Germban, among others. All these newest additions carry the same high-quality standard that its loyal customers love about Tuff Toilet Bowl Cleanser. 

The FMCG Asia Awards is a prestigious awards series recognizing the most outstanding companies in Asia Pacific’s FMCG industry. The awards celebrate the constant and innovative initiatives in individuals and organizations and provide a venue to spotlight companies such as Personal Collection that are at the forefront of the future of consumer goods in the country.

In addition, Personal Collection continues to garner recognition for its product excellence across various categories. MilkyBright, its flavored milk drink, won the Parent’s Choice Award of the AsianParent Awards 2024. Alfa-1 Antibacterial Soap received the Editor’s Choice Award given by the Esquire Essentials Awards 2024. Aspire Body Spray Romance was recognized as the winner in the Body Mist category, while Check Antibacterial Soap with Moisturizer won in the Liquid Antibacterial Hand Soap category of the Cosmo Awards 2024. One of Tuff's standout products, Tuff Germban has also received the "Best Disinfectant" award from the Smart Parenting Awards 2024. 

Moreover, the In The Mood Lipstick Collection was recently named one of the year’s Best Beauty Finds by the Metro Beauty Awards 2024.

You may check out the award-winning products and other products from a Personal Collection dealer or visit their official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and https://www.personalcollection.com.ph/. 

 

SPOTTED: Share This Billboard and Win a Brand New HONOR X9c 5G

 Hurry! Capture HONOR X9c 5G’s billboard along EDSA and you will get a chance to win a phone 

 

Leading smart devices provider HONOR Philippines took pride with its first ever billboard. Staying to its innovative and out-of-the-box concepts, a mechanical billboard just for the toughest phone can be seen along EDSA-Kamuning. Capture it and you might just win your very own HONOR X9c 5G! 

"We’re very proud of our growth. We started two years ago, and our progress has been unstoppable. Now, we’re launching our very first billboard and we’ve got something for our HONOR fans. Spot and share to win an HONOR X9c 5G,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. 

Spot and Win and HONOR X9c 5G Billboard Contest 

From January 16 to 31, you can get a chance to WIN a brand-new HONOR X9c 5G in just three easy steps! 

1. Like and Follow HONOR Philippines Social Media Pages (FB, IG, TikTok, X) 

2. Take a video or photo of the HONOR X9c 5G billboard 

3. Post and answer the question; "Why do you deserve to win an HONOR X9c 5G?" and tag three of your friends with the hashtags: #HONORX9c5G #TheToughestPhone #AllAngleTripleDefense #SpotTheToughestPhone 

The winner will be announced on February 5, 2025 via HONOR PH’s Instagram Story. BRAND-NEW ROLEX DATEJUST Watch is still up for grabs when you pre-order HONOR X9c 5G until January 24 for only Php 16,999! Run to any HONOR Experience and Partner Store or online via Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_X9c_PR),

Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_X9c_PR) and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_X9c_PR). 

For more affordable payment options, the HONOR X9c 5G is also available through installments via TikTok Paylater with the same freebies until January 24, 2025. 

For more information and exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website

www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: 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/.

Boost Your Home Internet to 1 Gbps for Just P500/Month with PLDT Home Speed Add-On Promo

Upgrade your existing PLDT Home Fiber plan to speeds of up to 1 Gbps for as low as P500 monthly until January 31, 2025. 

This new year, elevate your digital experience at home and be among the first to experience gigabit internet with PLDT Home's limited-time offering. As a special treat, PLDT Home is letting customers on Fiber Plans 1699 and higher enjoy speeds of up to 1Gbps until December 31, 2025.

Gigabit speeds deliver up to 10 times faster than the average 100 Mbps connection for households so families get to enjoy high-speed connectivity for multiple users at home. Moreover, families can also ensure consistent and reliable connectivity across multiple and high-bandwidth smart home devices. 

 

Back in 2013, PLDT Home was the first telco in the country to provide 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-home broadband service. In early 2024, PLDT Home ushered the Philippines into a full-scale Gigabit era with Gigabit Fiber broadband plans that can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Only a handful of developed countries, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States, are offering these speeds. 

 

As the pioneer of next-generation fiber plans, PLDT Home continues to set the standard for telco innovations in the country as it further elevates its product portfolio and improves customer service and loyalty programs. With the nation-widest and most robust fiber infrastructure that spans over 1.1 million cable kilometers of international and domestic fiber, PLDT Home remains the most reliable broadband and digital services provider in the country.

Supercharge your home with speeds of up to 1 Gbps with the PLDT Home Speed Add-On. Simply add P500 to your monthly bill to enjoy this upgrade.

 

To avail, text “PLDT BOOST” to 225687. You may also reach out to any PLDT Home sales channels online and in-store or visit pldthome.com/speedaddon to know more.  

 

OPPO Unveils the Cutting-Edge Reno13 Series 5G: A Smartphone for Discovery and Exploration

Leading global smart device brand OPPO is set to introduce the latest in its line of innovative and trendsetting smartphones built for discovery and exploration, the all-new OPPO Reno13 Series 5G.

 

Coming soon in the Philippines, this highly-anticipated AI Portrait Expert from the renowned OPPO Reno Series is yet another groundbreaking smartphone that will take creativity, performance, and exploration to another level. 

 

Designed for those who seek out new pursuits and thrive on innovation, the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G combines cutting-edge AI technology and smartphone functionalities with a sleek, durable design, making it the ultimate companion for Filipinos.

 

#ClearUnderwater - Experience the ultimate underwater mobile photography: IP69 Waterproof Rating for Underwater Adventures

The OPPO Reno13 Series 5G is the first in its class with an IP69 waterproof rating, allowing you to dive into creativity like never before. Capture stunning underwater photos and videos at depths of up to 2 meters for 30 minutes  in fresh water without a protective case.’

 

#ReliveTheVibe - A Phone for Every Creator and All Types of Content The OPPO Reno13 Series isn’t just a smartphone; it’s a creative tool too. AI-powered features like AI Livephoto and AI Reimage let you add artistic flair to your photos and videos so if you’re documenting a stunning landscape on sunrise or sunset, capturing your travel experiences, or showing off your OOTDs, the OPPO Reno13 helps you tell your story in vivid detail.

 

 

#PerfectCoreMemories with with AI-Powered Cameras

Equipped with a 50MP main camera and AI Portrait Mode, the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G transforms everyday moments into professional-quality photos. It comes equipped with astounding AI tools such as AI Clarity Enhancer and AI Reflection Remover which ensures your images are crisp, clear, and flawless. With its 50MP selfie camera, you’ll always look your best in social media-ready portraits.

  

Design That Inspires: Butterfly Shadow Effect

The OPPO Reno13 Series 5G features OPPO’s unique Butterfly Shadow Design, combining matte and glossy textures for a look inspired by nature’s elegance. The lightweight, ultra-thin build ensures both comfort and durability, making it perfect for adventurous travels or stylish evenings out. Every detail, from its aerospace-grade aluminum frame to its seamless glass back, reflects OPPO’s commitment to premium craftsmanship.

 

Get ready to discover and explore new horizons with the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G! The ultimate AI-powered phone is coming soon to the Philippines, ready to redefine how you capture, create, and connect. For more information on OPPO Reno13 Series 5G, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

 

Pru Life UK and Al Amanah Bank Collaborate to Promote Islamic Finance and Education in the Philippines

(L-R) Maricel Estavillo,Vice President for Government Relations & Sustainability; Hon. Amilbahar P. Amilasan, Jr. Chairman and CEO, Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP); Undersecretary Renato Reside, Department of Finance; Dean JukipliWadi, Pru Life UK Shariah Committee Chairman; Atty. Paul Mandal, Pru Life UK Chief Legal, Government Relations & Sustainability Officer; and Imelda TarhataF. Macarambon, Chief Operating Officer, Al-AmanahIslamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP)

Following its receipt of Takaful operator license, Pru Life UK is partnering with Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) to promote Islamic finance and Takaful through financial education and capacity-building initiatives and help expand reach of financial inclusion to more Filipino communities, primarily in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). 

Takaful, a Shariah-compliant form of insurance, means joint guarantee. It is founded on cooperative arrangement and aligns with the principles of mutuality and solidarity. 

“Pru Life UK’s Takaful journey is driven by our commitment to social inclusion, aiming to provide financial protection to more Filipino families. We are excited to collaborate with AAIIBP on financial education and capacity-building to help address the need to fill in the gap in financial education especially for Muslim communities, shares Atty. Paul Mandal, Pru Life UK’s Chief Legal, Government Relations and Sustainability.

Pru Life UK is preparing to introduce an insurance product, subject to regulatory approval that is compliant with Shariah rules and principles, in support of the Philippine government’s financial inclusion thrust, and help Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos achieve financial security. 

AAIIBP is the first Islamic bank in the country with the mandate to promote and accelerate socio-economic development through banking, financing and participating in agricultural, commercial and industrial ventures based on the concept of Islamic banking.

“As the country’s first Islamic bank, AAIIBP is committed to advancing financial inclusion through Shariah-compliant solutions. The partnership with Pru Life UK on financial education and capacity building is a significant milestone in our efforts to uplift Muslim communities and empower them to become key contributors to the nation’s progress. We are eager to witness the positive impact this collaboration will bring,” said AAIIBP’s Chairman & CEO Amilbahar Amilasan, Jr.  

This collaboration between Pru Life UK and AAIIBP is a promising step towards a more inclusive and financially resilient Philippines.

Part of Pru Life UK’s Takaful journey is the roll out of community investment and engagement initiatives. In October 2024, the insurer launched the “Adopt-a-Madrasah Programme, covering over 450 students and teachers from three community madrasahs in Bangkal, Davao City. Pru Life UK targets to expand the reach of this programme and launch financial education sessions in key sites across the country especially in Mindanao this year.

For updates on Takaful initiatives, please visit https://www.prulifeuk.com.ph/en/Takaful.

 

Start 2025 Right with Toshiba’s Kitchen Tools: Effortless Cooking Made Simple

 As the New Year unfolds, it’s time to set the stage for new beginnings, new gatherings, and new culinary creations. The kitchen becomes a canvas where traditions are reimagined, flavors are elevated, and every meal is a celebration of artistry and innovation.

For home chefs who pour their heart and expertise into every dish, the kitchen deserves tools that elevate the cooking experience. Toshiba’s innovative kitchen appliances are here to transform your culinary journey, making it effortless and enjoyable as you take on the year’s flavorful creations.

Toshiba’s Lava Series 90CM Gas Range

The Toshiba Lava Series 90CM Gas Range is perfect for preparing ambitious feasts with ease and sophistication. Its ergonomic and spacious 115L oven accommodates large roasts and baked dishes, while its flame failure protection system ensures safe cooking, and it has a dark gray exterior sure to enhance the interior design of your kitchen. With five Sabaf burners, you can craft multiple dishes simultaneously, making it ideal for gatherings that call for efficiency without compromising quality.

Toshiba’s 30L Microwave Oven

For quick and seamless solutions, the Toshiba 30L Microwave Oven simplifies your daily tasks. With digital controls and 10 power levels, defrosting, reheating, and last-minute meal prep become effortless. Its sleek Inox stainless steel design adds modern elegance to your kitchen while keeping up with your busy lifestyle.

Toshiba’s 1.5L Blender 

The Toshiba Blender turns food preparation into a breeze. Its one-touch digital control system, tri-blade cutting mechanism, and vortex technology ensure smooth sauces, creamy drinks, or finely ground spices in seconds—helping you create with confidence and speed.

 

Toshiba’s Digital Rice Cooker

Perfect rice is a must for any Filipino household, and the Toshiba Digital Rice Cooker delivers it flawlessly in style. Its dual heating technology ensures even cooking, while the Bincho Charcoal Nonstick Coating guarantees fluffy, flavorful results that stay warm for hours. With 11 preset functions and an LED display, it’s your go-to for creating diverse dishes with minimal effort.

Toshiba’s kitchen appliances redefine cooking, blending timeless Japanese quality with cutting-edge innovation. They are designed to inspire creativity, simplify your processes, and make every gathering stress-free and elegant.

This year, let your kitchen reflect your passion for excellence and your commitment to creating meaningful memories. With Toshiba by your side, you can focus on what truly matters—spending time with loved ones and celebrating life’s milestones.

 

Embrace the New Year in style and make every moment a masterpiece with Toshiba’s Japan-quality home appliance solutions. Visit https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph to explore more.

Achieve Work-Life Balance in 2025 with Realme: Top Device Picks for the New Year

Every new year brings the chance to set fresh goals; this year, it’s all about finding that perfect work-life balance. A healthy mix of productivity and downtime is the key to thriving in both professional and personal life. 

To help make this balance easier, realme has put together a lineup of gadgets that fit right into any lifestyle, whether the goal is to be more productive at work or learning to enjoy “me-time.” With a range of options, the realme Squad can choose to splurge or stick to a budget:  

 

Boost productivity at work

For long workdays, the realme Pad 2 has everything needed to stay ahead of deadlines and boost productivity. The large 11.5” 120Hz 2K Display is fit for answering emails, reading the news, or sketching digital art. 

The tablet’s 8360mAh Mega Battery ensures hours of uninterrupted work without worrying about running low on power. And when it’s time to recharge, it's 33W SUPERVOOC Charge minimizes downtime, allowing more time to finish the most urgent tasks. 

Priced at P13,999 for the base 6GB+128GB LTE variant, the realme Pad 2 is Designed to Inspire, making it an ideal tablet for all-around productivity.

To maintain focus when working, the realme Buds T310 is a great choice for noise-cancelling earbuds with high-quality sound in a sleek design. These earbuds feature 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, effectively blocking out distractions. The 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Driver produces rich, powerful sound, while 360° Spatial Audio offers a fully immersive listening experience. 

Whatever the vibe is - music, podcasts, or a little peace and quiet, the realme Buds T310 is an all-in-one option for just P1,999.

Maximizing personal time

When it’s time to relax, the Squad can opt for the realme 13 5G. Built for gaming, this smartphone handles demanding games effortlessly while staying cool, thanks to its Vapor Chamber Cooling System. Its GT Mode optimizes the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, delivering smooth and stable frame rates to win an intense battle.

Plus, the 120Hz FHD+ Eye Comfort Display is easy on the eyes—perfect for long hours of use. The generous 256GB storage provides ample room to install several games. All this comes at a price of P16,999, a smart choice for those who want Limitless Speed to Victory. 

For a more affordable option, the realme Note 60x is durable and Built to Last. With an IP54 rating, it’s ready to handle dust and splashes, making it a dependable partner for browsing social media, messaging, and taking photos and videos. 

Starting at just P4,299, the Squad can even expand the 3GB RAM through Dynamic RAM Expansion and get 5GB of extra virtual RAM for smoother performance.

As a new year begins, this lineup of realme devices makes embracing work-life balance feel achievable and exciting. To learn more about realme’s latest updates, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook.

 

UNIQLO announces new stores opening for the 2025 Spring-Summer Season

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO opens the year with the announcement of new stores opening in the Philippines for the 2025 Spring-Summer Season. With its continuous growth across the country, UNIQLO is elevating the LifeWear shopping experience for its customers with the expansion of their roadside store concept in two provincial areas. 

First on the roster is the Sierra Valley Roadside Store in Rizal, slated to open in March 2025. Another store in the pipeline isthe Imus Roadside Store to be opened in Cavite.

The roadside store concept was introduced in the Philippines in 2019 with the opening of the UNIQLO Alabang Westgate Roadside Store. This standalone store serves as a one-stop shop for customers for their LifeWear needs. Roadside stores are equipped with their own ample parking for customers and persons with disability (PWD) accessibility including PWD-friendly fitting rooms. Filipinos from these areas can expect a better LifeWear shopping experience as they are treated to the ease and convenience that our roadside store concept brings to our customers.

Stay on top of the UNIQLO store opening date announcements and other updates by following @uniqlo onFacebook and @uniqlophofficial on Instagram. Visitwww.uniqlo.com/ph/en/ for more information.

For more updates, please visit UNIQLO Philippines’ social media accounts, Facebook (facebook.com/uniqlo.ph), Twitter (twitter.com/uniqloph), Instagram (Instagram.com/uniqlophofficial), Twitter (tiktok/com/uniqlophofficial) and UNIQLO Philippines’ website at uniqlo.com.

Download the UNIQLO App via Google Play Store or Apple Store, or visit and shop from UNIQLO online store at UNIQLO.com/ph.

 

AirAsia Philippines Shines as Aklan’s Travel Leader, Celebrates Ati-Atihan with Sponge Cola and Kyle Echarri

AirAsia Philippines solidifies its position as the leading airline in Aklan, serving the province’s gateways Kalibo and Caticlan with 74  weekly flights.

In 2024 alone, the World’s Best Low-cost Airline served over1.3M passengers traveling to and from Aklan, the gateway to the world-famous Boracay Island and the home of the renowned Ati-Atihan Festival.

As the official airline partner for the Ati-Atihan Festival, AirAsia Philippines is ready to support the anticipated 150,000 tourist

arrivals of the provincial government of Aklan for this year’s celebration playing a pivotal role in enhancing access via Kalibo and Caticlan by offering three daily flights and nine daily flights respectively, connecting local and international travelers to the Panay Region with ease and convenience.

“Aklan is a key route to AirAsia’s growth story. As the market leader in Aklan, we take pride in supporting tourism, trade and overall economic development in the Western Visayas Region. This year, our focus is to amplify efforts in supporting Philippine festivities, dubbed as “AirAsia Fiesta Series”. We remain strongly committed in our partnership with the local government in pushing for initiatives that will be both beneficial in ensuring the continued success of the travel and tourism industry in Aklan,” shares AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.

“AirAsia is a vital partner in the continued growth and success of Aklan Province. By providing affordable and convenient travel options, the airline plays a significant role in attracting tourists, stimulating the local economy, and contributing to the sustainable development of the Province. As the leading commercial airline utilizing both Kalibo and Caticlan airports, they have been instrumental in the significant growth of both domestic and international tourist arrivals. We believe that through our continuous partnership with AirAsia in promoting trade and business industries within mainland Aklan, we will unlock further potential and elevate the province to greater heights. This collaboration will not only enhance our tourism industry but also facilitate the discovery of other captivating destinations in mainland Aklan, thereby creating a diverse and enriching travel experience that complements Boracay's enticing qualities as a premier island beach destination."

said Aklan Governor Joen Miraflores.

(Photo Courtesy: Office of Mayor Juris Sucro)

To celebrate the Ati-Atihan Festival and express gratitude to the warm and supportive Akeanon community, AirAsia Philippines hosted a free concert at Magsaysay Park on January 16, 2025 with featured live performances by  Filipino band Spongecola, artist Kyle Echarri, talented local performers, and the vibrant AirAsia Allstars. 

Looking ahead, AirAsia Philippines is optimistic about sustaining its market leadership in Aklan and expanding its domestic network to enhance travel experiences for years to come.

In just the first half of January 2025, AirAsia Philippines has already flown nearly 500,000 passengers, with its most popular destinations including Boracay, Cebu, and Tagbilaran.