Tuesday, December 28, 2021

 

Two new cookbooks from Chef Tatung!


Celebrity chef Tatung Sarthou rings in the holiday season bearing gifts for everyone. The author-restaurateur is releasing not one but two follow-ups to his bestselling Simpol The Cookbook.

First in the back-to-back release is Simpol Kitchen Secrets, a guidebook on cooking skills and techniques. Here, Chef Tatung breaks down the fundamentals of culinary arts for everyone’s easy reference. It is told through over 100 recipes, 200 kitchen tips, and 600 colored photos and artwork.


The second is Baking Simpol, a cookbook with 100 recipes for desserts, breads, and pastries. Chef Tatung, who has earned praises for his innovative takes on dessert classics such as bibingka cheesecake, tsok-Nut cake, and pichi-pichi with torched queso de bola topping, lays down the art, crumb by crumb, to satisfy your sweet tooth any time, any day.

“’Yung culinary knowledge natin it belongs to the people. Kasi hindi naman orihinal na ideya na nanggaling sa akin. Hindi naman siya kaalaman na ako ‘yung nakadiskubre,” says Chef Tatung.

“Kung ako natutunan ko siya dahil may mga taong nagturo sa akin, may mga taong nag-share sa akin, bakit ko ipagkakait sa tao na matuto din?”

So, for those who are looking to elevate their Christmas feast or just searching for the perfect Secret Santa gift, Chef Tatung has you covered just in time.

A perfect gift for loved ones who love to cook, or for yourself!

Simpol Kitchen Secrets will be out by November 30. This shall be followed by Baking Simpol two weeks later. Both books will be available locally and abroad through Lazada, Shopee, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon SG, and eBay.

The two titles shall be published under Vertikal Books, a boutique press specializing in the creative nonfiction genre, specifically culinary content.

Simpol Kitchen Secrets and Baking Simpol shall be the fifth and sixth books penned by Chef Tatung. His previous works have won the prestigious World Gourmand Awards in Paris, France. Last October, two of his bestselling books, Rice to the Occasion: Kanin to Kakanin and Simpol: The Cookbook, were also featured in the Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the largest and oldest trade fairs for books and content in the world.

With its string of successful campaigns and relatable social media content, Shopee is the most tweeted e-commerce brand in the country according to Twitter for 2021.


The leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan took the second spot overall in Twitter’s ten most tweeted brands list in the Philippines, which was released as part of the latter’s “Best of Tweets 2021” awards announced on December 14, 2021. The annual rundown aims to celebrate and recognize outstanding brands for their groundbreaking campaigns and engaging digital content.


Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are pleased to be recognized as one of the most talked-about brands in the country by Twitter. As we welcome a new year, Shopee will push for excellence and increase engagement satisfaction not only in-app but on other platforms as well. This coming 2022, we will continue to improve our services to better tend to the needs of our consumers, sellers, and brand partners.”


As a platform that prioritizes making online shopping safe, fun, and engaging for everyone, Shopee regularly engages with its users on social media through relatable posts with timely content. During big campaigns, Shopee dominated the Twitter world with the appearance and performance of K-pop idols, which resulted in being in the top trending hashtags locally and nationwide.


Shopee also drives online conversations with the anticipation that comes with its big campaigns, TV commercials with Shopee brand ambassadors, and TV specials where users can win big raffle prizes, watch performances from their favorite celebrities or K-pop idols, and get the best deals and promos they can instantly ‘add to cart’ and check out during the show.


Successful Campaigns such as 9.9 Super Shopping Day and 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee continues to provide convenience and greater cost savings for its consumers with its yearly anticipated double-digit campaigns. The recent Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day and 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale achieved multiple milestones, including 9.5 million items sold in the first hour of 9.9 in Metro Manila alone, over 270 million plays on Shopee Prize last 11.11, and a 14x surge in Shopee Mall orders during 12.12. More and more consumers also made Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet ShopeePay their preferred payment method with over 1.5 million top-ups for 12.12 alone.


With its continuous efforts to tailor and adapt to users’ shopping needs, Shopee now also ranks 3rd on YouGov’s Global Best Brand 2021 list in the Philippines, the only e-commerce platform to make it to the list.

Have you listed your new year’s resolutions yet? A fresh year brings chances for us to ditch old habits and replace them with better ones. If you’ve gotten all caught up with the holiday rush and haven’t had the time to map out your goals for next year, don’t worry. You’ve still got a few more days to plan before we officially welcome 2022! Get started with the doable goals below. We’ve also got discounted items to help you stick to your resolutions at Shopee’s first sale of the year, the 1.1 New Year Sale. Enjoy more discounts with promos such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 11% off vouchers.


Aiming for that 2022 glow-up? Focus on taking care of your health first with these Goli Nutrition Gummies. These gummies will help improve your skin and make sure your body stays in tip-top shape with nutrients such as antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin B9, and Vitamin B12. Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day with Hydro Flask 32oz. Its unique double wall vacuum insulation protects your drink’s temperature for hours. Bring out your inner glow with The Ordinary Lactic Acid, which gently exfoliates the skin and removes blackheads to brighten the complexion. Don’t forget to take better care of your mental health by taking the time to relax as well.

If you keep putting off exercising, ease into it by going for less intense workouts. Try out yoga with this KeepFit Yoga Mat, a high-density foam material that comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors. If you want a more toned physique, try pilates with these 100% natural latex TRY Resistance Bands, which come in colors such as dark green, orange, gray, and blue. Tone your arms with a pair of Liveup Studio Dumbbells, which feature a bonehead shape to allow for the best comfort and grip. Lastly, Xiaomi Smart Weight Scale will help you keep track of your progress. Connect this smart scale to your Mi Fit app to keep tabs on your fitness journey.

They say you get to know yourself better when you try new things. This year, try out journaling to keep your thoughts organized and improve your productivity. Jot down ideas and goals and keep track of your to-do lists with a Plain Notebook. Meanwhile, this Transparent Sticky Note Set is perfect for journaling on the go. This set comes with weekly plans, memo pads, and stick- it notes. Then lend your notes a bit of color with a set of affordable Retro Gel Pens. Organize your notes by color, or freely express yourself with doodles and drawings.

Join the countdown to the 1.1 New Year Sale here: https://shopee.ph/m/1-1-countdown.

Find all the irresistible deals in one place and start your year-round shopping with Shopee this 1.1 New Year Sale. Discover massive price drops from your favorite brands as well: https://shopee.ph/m/1-1-sale.

To enjoy more discounts on your purchases, use ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet where you can buy load, pay bills and scan to pay at thousands of partner merchants nationwide. This 1.1 New Year Sale, enjoy all-day free shipping with no minimum spend and discounts up to 11% off exclusively with ShopeePay.

This January 1, you can also get up to 50% cashback on your monthly bills from participating billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Smart, Manila Water, and Converge. If you need to stock up on groceries or go on a much-needed food-trip, get big savings with ShopeePay ₱1 Deals. Redeem your discounts by paying with ShopeePay at partner merchants such as Potato Corner, Bonchon, Papa John’s, Wendy’s, Shawarma Shack, Dunkin Donuts, Moonleaf, and Go! Salads.


If you’re going on a getaway this New Year, you can also book hotels with ShopeePay. Get 30% cashback on all your hotel bookings, including EstacioUno Boracay, Sea Wind Resort Boracay, White House Beach Resort Boracay, Mithi Resort and Spa Bohol, and White Breeze Palawan.

Get a chance to win extra cash for your shopping sprees with ShopeePay as well. Send at least ₱1 to any ShopeePay user for a chance to win ₱100,000, or send money to a new ShopeePay user for a chance to win ₱50 each. Plus, you can also get up to ₱25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in with ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Monday, December 27, 2021


Shopee starts 2022 in a spectacular fashion with its first sale of the year, the 1.1 New Year Sale! At Shopee’s 1.1 New Year Sale, get a head start on your shopping as early as January 1 and enjoy a wide selection of products and exciting promos such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 11% off vouchers.

Enjoy themed days, new games, and Shopee’s latest TV commercial

Leading up to January 1, look forward to themed sales such as Fashion Sale on December 27, Electronics Sale on December 28, Home Sale on December 29, Payday Sale on December 30, and Countdown Sale on December 31.

When you’re not shopping, you can also play Shopee Throw–a fun new game perfect for the holidays where you can earn points and redeem prizes by throwing sparklers at a rotating turntable. Check out the brand-new Fortune Forecast as well and stand a chance to win a new Caffino Espresso Machine by simply discovering your fortune for 2022.

To brighten up your new year festivities, join international superstar Jackie Chan as he welcomes 2022 with his latest, must-see commercial, which you can watch here: https://shp.ee/xhc7e5r

Shop the best products of 2021

Get exclusive deals on the highest rated and most sought-after products at Shopee’s Best of 2021 Awards. Check out a few of these amazing products below:



If you want to look your best this 2022, slip on these classy Peculiar Eyewear CLUBMASTER glasses. This accessory won’t just give you a sleek look for the new year with its fashionable frames, but also protect your eyes from blue light with UV400 and BlueLight blocking technology.



Ladies, claim 2022 as your year! Flaunt your confidence with Maybelline SuperStay Lipstick’s bold shades. Choose between striking red, orange, and pink shades that’ll certainly make you the center of attention at all your New Year festivities and enjoy a flawless, longwearing matte finish.



If you have “get fit” listed as one of your New Year’s resolutions, the Huawei Band 6 will help you follow through with your goal. This nifty smart band has 96 workout modes to keep you on your toes, sleep monitoring to help you get better rest, and heart rate monitoring to ensure you’re in top health.



This year, take the opportunity to go on new adventures. Whether you';re planning to take on the urban jungle or the great outdoors, the MACCE Mountain Bike is a must-have companion. This bike comes in several colors and features a carbon steel 26-inch frame for a smooth ride and a 7-speed chain to get you to your destination in no time.



If you’ve had the same phone for the past couple of years and desperately need an upgrade, check out Oppo A15s. Experience power at the palm of your hands with its 4GB storage and 64GB memory and capture all your best memories this year with its AI triple rear camera. Find all the irresistible deals in one place to start your year-round shopping with Shopee this 1.1 New Year Sale: https://shopee.ph/m/1-1-sale.

To enjoy more discounts on your purchases, use ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet where you can buy load, pay bills and scan to pay at thousands of partner merchants nationwide. This 1.1 New Year Sale, enjoy all-day free shipping with no minimum spend and discounts up to 11% off exclusively with ShopeePay.

This January 1, you can also get up to 50% cashback on your monthly bills from participating billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Smart, Manila Water, and Converge. If you need to stock up on groceries or go on a much-needed food-trip, get big savings with ShopeePay ₱1 Deals. Redeem your discounts by paying with ShopeePay at partner merchants such as Potato Corner, Bonchon, Papa John’s, Wendy’s, Shawarma Shack, Dunkin Donuts, Moonleaf, and Go! Salads.

If you’re going on a getaway this New Year, you can also book hotels with ShopeePay. Get 30% cashback on all your hotel bookings, including EstacioUno Boracay, Sea Wind Resort Boracay, White House Beach Resort Boracay, Mithi Resort and Spa Bohol, and White Breeze Palawan.

Get a chance to win extra cash for your shopping sprees with ShopeePay as well. Send at least ₱1 to any ShopeePay user for a chance to win ₱100,000, or send money to a new ShopeePay user for a chance to win ₱50 each. Plus, you can also get up to ₱25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in with ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.



Dianne Medina with son Joaquin


For over 60 years, Power Parents have trusted Pampers to help provide care for their babies. The healthy development of your baby is a responsibility that the brand takes to heart. Your baby’s safety also drives us to continue making better products to help keep your baby comfortable, happy, and active.

Endorsed by The Skin Health Alliance and approved by Smart Parenting Moms worldwide, Pampers keeps your baby protected from the threat of rashes all throughout different seasons. Even on colder months, your baby can still experience kulob due to trapped heat in their diaper. To help ease Power Parents with their baby’s skin health worries, Pampers has released the NEW 2-in-1 Rash Shield earlier this year that has provided long-lasting protection to babies nationwide.

Only Pampers Pants can keep babies all-around protected from rashes, now that the NEW Pampers Rash Shield protection is powered by Lotion with Aloe. This new variant of Pampers Pants with Rash Shield with ALOE has improved leak and skin protection cues, wider diaper perception, and new fresh aloe scent. Happy babies have since danced and moved freely without signs of discomfort with Pampers’ improved protection from rashes and leaks.

To further help you provide your baby the quality care and safety they deserve, Pampers is also offering day and night protection deals for baby’s all-year round through the Shopee Mom’s Club!

Dani Barretto with daughter Millie

Join Shopee Mom’s Club Now!

Who doesn’t love great deals, discounts, gifts, and an encouraging community? Now, Power Parents like you can enjoy all of these through the Shopee Mom’s Club! Shopee Mom’s Club is a membership-based one-stop shop for Mom buyers, and mom and child skewed brands where you can enjoy welcome gifts and samples from Pampers through Mom’s Club. On top of this, you can also access exclusive vouchers, deals, and product launches from Pampers.

Join and be part of the growing community in Shopee Mom’s Club, where everyone can also participate in webinars and livestreams centered on topics for moms, kids and babies.
Pampers continues to find ways to make better products for your baby while continuing with the promise to also lessen your worries as a Power Parent.

Don’t miss out on the great deals and exclusive perks when you join the Shopee Mom’s Club now where you can purchase Pampers products with discounts! Stay posted for more announcements on exclusive activities and limited deals from Pampers.

 




Are you an Architecture and Design student who’s at second-year college or higher and has an eye for purposeful and transformative design? This might be your chance to showcase your talents across the Asia Pacific. LIXIL Water Technology, maker of pioneering water and housing products, is inviting Architecture and Design students to join the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) Asia-Pacific 2022, a competition that enjoins the design community across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to develop purposeful and thoughtful designs through innovations that address daily consumer issues.

With the theme “Purposeful Design - Transforming the Way We Live,” the ASDA 2022 is being organized by Lixil together with American Standard. The competition is open to all Architecture and Design students who are at least second-year college or higher across the Asia Pacific countries namely Australia, Cambodia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

ASDA is structured into two categories that reflect the themes - urbanization and health and well-being. The two categories are Residential Bathroom Space Design and Hospitality Bathroom Space Design. Both themes and categories are driven by the insights of current and future challenges

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Entries will be judged in two levels – the national Level and the APAC Level. Local entries will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges including Atelier Almario Philippines President Ivy Almario, Chat Fores Interior Design Studio Philippines Founder-Partner Chat Fores, AIDEA, Inc., Philippines President and CEO Arch. Jojo Tolentino, Kanto.com.ph Philippines Editor-at-large Judith Torres, Lixil Water Technology (LWT) APAC Philippines Leader Hermie A. Limbo and LWT APAC Sales and Marketing Leader Joralyn Soriano Ong. Once the local entries make it through to the APAC Level, they will be judged by the panel from other countries.




First prize winners in the national level will win USD2,000, while second prize and third prize winners will bring home USD1,500 and USD1,000, respectively. Aside from the winners, three runners up will also receive USD500 each. Winners will also bring home an award plaque while all participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Winners of Special Awards will also be selected during the Philippine national level competition. These special awards are “People’s Choice,” “Best in Purposeful Design,” “Best in Aesthetics,” “Best in Green Design,” and “Best in Water Technology.” Each winner will receive PHP15,000.

First prize winners at the national level will get to represent their country in the APAC competition round. Grand prize winners per category in the Asia-Pacific Award competition will receive a cash prize of USD3,000 each.



The ASDA 2022 seeks to promote a user-centric design philosophy which is the guiding principle behind the American Standard brand in delivering dependable bathroom solutions that combine thoughtful designs and innovative technologies. Through this competition, the American Standard aims to inspire and contribute to the learning journey of the next generation of designers.

The deadline for submission of entries is on January 10, 2022. ASDA Philippine winners will be announced in February 2022, while the announcement of APAC winners will be on March 2022.

Want your design to be part of an impactful movement that can make a difference to consumers’ lives? Register to the link at https://asda.americanstandard- apac.com/registration .

Saturday, December 25, 2021






How did the pandemic impact my life? I was forced to work from home, but I'm not complaining. The benefits are far more than you can imagine: more time for sleeping, for house repairs, for loved ones, for learning new skills, and the list goes on and on. Like millions of folks, I polished a skill needed for survival and that is cooking. There's now plenty of time in the kitchen which means I get to learn new dishes and master the old ones I know. It may be a hit and miss but it doesn't matter because I still get to enjoy the process. And now I even have more blog content and photos to share.


Hold your horses! It's not as easy as it sounds. Working a 9-hour shift doesn't give you many opportunities to do the groceries, wash the dishes, and most of all cook. Living alone isn't a walk in the park either. It would be more convenient if I order food online which will last me the whole day, however, the budget restricts me from doing so. A home-cooked meal is practical and the trick I found is to pick easy-to-cook recipes. As I scrolled through web pages for local dishes and got tired from tasting the same ones, I figured I could also try foreign ones. I will soon try my hand at baking, out of curiosity and when I probably get bored. 

Cooking and baking also opened up opportunities. It served as a side hustle for many while some rely on it as their main source of income. After all, food is a necessity. Who wouldn't give in to the temptation of ordering food rather than preparing your own? Due to the overwhelming number of sellers, competition made the prices even more affordable. It's a win-win situation for the buyer and the seller.

As I search the net for various options regarding my next meal, I found some sites about body fat, weight loss and work out calculator which I found useful. All that eating has caused me to gain some weight. In addition, not being able to go out often and ride my bicycle made it even worse. I rarely even see the sun for some vitamin D. 


Whenever I cook, I see to to it that I follow the instructions to a T. I'm particular with the amount and the cooking time. That being said, googling converters landed me on an ingredient conversion tool and using it is as easy as pie. When using an air fryer to make hardboiled eggs for instance, some sites will tell you to set it to 270 F while your appliance indicates Celsius. Or maybe the recipe says 1/4 cup when all you have is a tablespoon. I know, I was also completely flabbergasted that it's possible to hardboil eggs in the air fryer. I use the tool mostly for converting ounces to grams. 


Health buffs would definitely dig the workout calculator. You'll need to input your height, weight, age, and exercise type. And there are lots of options to choose from which include bicycling, running, and walking among others. It even has video games like Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution in the list. Talk about the 2000s! Choose between imperial or metric system and male or female. 







As stated on the page, before using the data obtained in the calculator, you should consult with your doctor just to be safe. Countless of advice are also found on the page.








You got to try these games as well. It may look like something made for kids but it's surprisingly challenging. I've seen my nephew play Penguin cafe before and I found myself playing it for a long time after my first try. Open restaurant, on the other hand, is a little bit different and is much more difficult due to the time limit. Before the game starts, it shows you six straightforward instructions but it's challenging. It's a one-man-job and you gotta keep your cool! As the number of customers increases, the level of difficulty does too. The objective of the game is to earn a specific amount of money in a specified deadline. You have to work smart and not hard.


Aside from getting people more interested in cooking, playing these games will surely bring out the competitor in you! I guarantee it'll drive you nuts as you figure it out at first. And if you're like me, you won't get far into the game if you're not so good at these things. Nonetheless, you'll have fun.


Try them at your own risk, haha! Don't say I didn't warn you. I practically have to set a time limit to restrict myself from playing too much.


If you think kids' games are not for you, think again! I just found out they're so simple that they can ease away your stress so easily. Try Plumber soda for instance and you'll know what I mean. It's plain and simple, just spin the pipes clockwise and connect them. It's oddly satisfying to watch the soda flow through the pipes once they are all connected to each other. Take a break from those complicated online games and indulge in this one. You may want to try the other ones from the same site.





I actually tried a lot of games from the site and this other one caught my attention because I love fruits and how uncomplicated this game is. To play Onet Fruit Classic, simply match two fruits from the selection, whether they're near or far from each other until you eliminate all of them. Make sure there's a clear path for a line to connect the two items. For clues, click on the magnifying glass to find the right fruit to click on and hit the shuffle button to well, shuffle them all. They're easy on the eyes as they're colorful.






If you find them entertaining and helpful, leave a comment down below. I'd also love to hear your thoughts about the ingredient conversion tool. Bon Appetit!

Thursday, December 23, 2021


As we persevered despite another year of the pandemic, there is no denying that the “new normal” has significantly changed the way we shopped. In the past couple of years, we eagerly embraced the world of online shopping, which left a big impact not just on our shopping carts, but also on our hearts.

For plenty of ordinary Filipinos such as Maricris Lorenzo, Biboy Bautista, and Jggigs Elmido, Shopee has completely transformed their lives. They each come from different walks of life and carry their unique Kwentong Shopee, but they all have one thing in common—hope. Here are three stories of how Shopee has helped shoppers, riders, and sellers rise above difficulties:

Suki buyer and wais mommy Maricris Lorenzo

After working as an OFW in Singapore for 10 years, Maricris Lorenzo and her husband decided to settle down and start their own family back in the Philippines. However, as the couple welcomed the birth of their first child and tried to navigate their way as new parents, they found themselves facing new challenges due to the pandemic.


Thanks to Maricris’ knack for resourcefulness, however, they continue to take good care of their child. Raising a baby can also be financially draining, but as a self-proclaimed wais misis, Maricris finds ways to get the best deals and value for her money. She admits that almost all of their basic essentials and baby needs are from Shopee. She was such a frequent shopper, she even went on to forge a strong friendship with her suki Shopee Xpress rider.

The rider offered their help when Maricris and her family contracted COVID-19 this past year. “Kung wala si Shopee, hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng mga items during those critical times of the pandemic especially nung nag-quarantine kami,” she said.

After getting sick, Maricris wisely utilized her finances and used Shopee’s cashback rewards to save on bills, which were beginning to pile up. Maricris also used ShopeePay so she can save money, maximize exclusive perks, and, since her family’s safety is a top priority, go cashless.

As she looks back on her experience, Maricris expresses her gratitude to Shopee for helping her find ways to save on her family’s expenses and find a lifelong friend during a crisis. “Salamat kay Shopee kasi nakakatipid ako. Salamat kay Shopee kasi nakaka-meet kami ng riders na parte na rin ng buhay namin.”

Passionate and resourceful pet store owner Biboy Bautista

E-commerce platforms provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to digitize, expand, and explore other businesses amidst the pandemic. After Biboy Bautista’s previous printing business shut down due to the pandemic, he opened Barkboi, a pet store which started as a humble dog food business in a small garage. He then took his business online, which grew to become a full-blown pet store with five branches in Las Piñas. Biboy calls it a stroke of luck since he didn’t expect his love for animals to turn into a booming business, especially during the pandemic.

However, the success didn’t come without challenges, the biggest of which happened during the second wave of the coronavirus last August. Biboy had to temporarily close shop after he and the majority of his employees contracted the virus. As a business owner, Biboy was aware of the responsibilities he had towards his employees, which included people who lost jobs due to the pandemic and undergraduate students who needed income to further their education. To make sure he could still support his employees, Biboy decided to focus on selling on Shopee while the rest of the team recovered.

After setting up his dream business from scratch and growing it exponentially within a year, Biboy believes that just giving up is not an option. As long as their Shopee store continues to flourish, Biboy says that’s all the strength they need to bounce back from the hurdles Barkboi has encountered. He tells his employees, “Basta Shopee natin maayos, sigurado tayo buhay tayo. Hangga’t may benta may pag-asa!”

Hardworking and dedicated Shopee Xpress rider Jgiggs Elmido

A Shopee Xpress rider faces many struggles—adjusting to routes and managing deliveries, to name a few—but they’re no match for Jggigs Elmido. As a father, husband, and student, he had to make ends meet in order to provide for his young family, give them the best future, and finish his studies.

After taking a break from school to take care of his newborn baby, Jgiggs worked as a Shopee Xpress Rider. Through his job as a rider, Jgiggs was able to reach milestones he had set for himself, such as buying his own phone and motorcycle, building his own home, paying for his studies, and supporting his family.

In just one day, Jggigs would attend class, spend time with his family, and deliver orders until the evening. He admits that raising a young family, being a rider, and pursuing a degree at the same time was stressful, but he proves to be one tough cookie that can’t be deterred. While achieving dreams is never easy, for Jgiggs, determination is key. “Lahat naman mahirap. Pero kung may gusto kang makamit, gagawan mo ng paraan.”

Jgiggs feels immensely grateful for the opportunity to become a good provider for his family. His flexible working hours as a rider allowed him to earn income to support his family, spend quality time with them, and finish his degree.

With his strong fighting spirit, Jggigs was able to graduate and proudly stand as the provider for his family. He concludes, “Ang laki ng utang na loob ko kay Shopee.”

Shopee has empowered its buyers, sellers, and riders to find a silver lining even in the toughest of challenges and say, “Salamat, Shopee!” What’s your Kwentong Shopee?

Watch Maricris, Biboy, and Jgiggs share their Kwentong Shopee here: https://youtu.be/CzW8rSQhyKk.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.


To help the thousands of devastated Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao grappling with the aftermath of super typhoon Odette, Shopee launches its
Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Support initiative wherein users can buy donation vouchers through the app, with the commitment to match up to 1,000,000 worth of total donations made to Shopee’s partner charities for this initiative. 


From December 23, 2021, to January 4, 2022, Shopee users can purchase the donation e-vouchers that will be used for water kits, health, and sanitation stations, and other essentials such as food and clothes from partner charities UNICEF, World Vision, and GMA Kapuso Foundation. Users can view and purchase these Typhoon Odette Support vouchers through https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support via Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, ShopeePay.


1. Head to the microsite https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support.

2. Choose the e-voucher of your preferred charity.

3. Click “Buy Now” to purchase the donation vouchers using ShopeePay.


Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are saddened to see the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette to our kababayans in Visayas and Mindanao. As we are committed to using our platform to serve and give back to communities, we are working to provide immediate assistance to aid the speedy recovery of those affected by this natural disaster. We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and we will help as much as we can.”


Shopee remains steadfast in its commitment to be a force for good especially in times when Filipinos need help the most. Typhoon Odette is the 15th and strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this 2021 and has wreaked havoc in major areas in Visayas and Mindanao including Surigao, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bohol, and the CARAGA region. Through this initiative, Shopee hopes to be able to give help to the affected communities who are reeling from the aftermath as part of its Shopee Bayanihan program.


To know more about Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Support, visit https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support

Newest telco player DITO Telecommunity and local gaming and e-sports company Lupon WXC continue their partnership for this year’s JUST ML Christmas Cup from December 4 – 30, 2021.

Capping of this year’s JUST ML series, the Christmas Cup features over 500 teams who are considered the tournament’s best of the best. These exceptional teams will battle it out in a series of rounds all showcased via Just ML’s Facebook Page. The winning team takes home a prize pool of Php 100,000.00 cash along with DITO SIM cards and gaming items.

As part of DITO's first Christmas celebration with Filipinos, a chosen beneficiary will also receive Php 100,000 and Noche Buena packages, donated in the name of the JUST ML tournament's winning team.

Through tournaments like Just ML, DITO Telecommuinty and Lupon WXC continues to support the fast-growing esports scene in the Philippines to help cultivate the passion, skill, and talent of Filipino gamers.

To watch the livestreams of matches, check out JUST ML's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/justmobilelegends. Stay tuned for tournament updates on @DITOphofficial's Facebook page.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021





'Tis the season to show you care by sending healthy goodies from The Goodwill Market to family and friends. The gift baskets have been carefully curated to fit different lifestyles, filled with wholesome products that focus on health and wellbeing.


What’s more, they can be delivered safely and conveniently to your loved ones doorstep via orders on The Goodwill Market website. You don’t have to leave the comfort and safety of your home to send out healthy and high-quality gifts this Christmas.


The Goodwill Market is an online shop owned and operated by Dygen Pharma Distribution Corporation (DPDC), a subsidiary of Dyna Drug Corporation. Its mission is to make premium brands more accessible to Filipino consumers with online orders and fuss-free delivery. “This is a very valuable e-commerce service especially as everyone stays safe inside their homes” says DPDC General Manager May Panganiban. “Our gift packages contain a wide selection of health and wellness products that are sure to add a spark of joy to the holidays.”


Here are some of the gift selections that you can send as corporate giveaways, or as personalized gifts to your loved ones.


1. The Holiday Flavor Pack delivers goodies that are fit for the season’s feasts. It contains a selection of imported pasta sauces for easy meals made special.

2. Work from Home (WFH) is a healthy spread of snacks and ingredients that are perfect for who like to bond over good food while working. Wholesome meals and snacks are more accessible with tasty treats and premium ingredients.

3. The Lunch Box Buddies is the perfect gift for parents who shower this kids with love and care. It’s got everything they need to make bath time fun while taking care of baby’s sensitive skin. It’s also got kiddie vitamins for that extra boost of protection.
 
Make your Christmas list and check it twice. Find out which gift sets from The Goodwill Market will fit your friends and family members best, or check out the other items that are available at www.goodwill.market and its official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and have these wholesome gift packs delivered directly to your recipient hassle-free. Book your corporate giveaways, customized orders and special requests through customer@goodwillmarket.ph


There are two traditional feasts that Filipino families often look forward to during Christmastime: the Christmas Eve Noche Buena and the one that follows on the 25th itself, which is often held as part of a festive family reunion. Either way, expect those in charge of preparing the dishes to pull out all the stops to serve the most delectable food on the table for everyone to enjoy.


And if that happens to be you, chances are high that you already have some recipes in mind to make each of these feasts a gastronomic delight to remember. They might even be all-time family favorites, or even hand-me-downs from your great-great grandparents. Having said that, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to learn a few more recipes just to keep things fresh and put something different on the table for Christmas. Two that are guaranteed to make you look like Master Chef are Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce and Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.
The recipes are as follows:




Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce
Ingredients
• 2 slices white bread crusts removed, broken into pieces
• scant 2/3 cup whole milk
• 2 1/4 cups finely minced ground beef (or a mixture of meats, such as pork, chicken or turkey)
• 1/2 cup meat pâté
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Plain all-purpose flour, for dusting
• Olive oil for frying
FOR THE BLACK TRUFFLE SAUCE
• 1 tablespoon + 2 tsp butter
• A drizzle of olive oil
• 1 bunch spring onions scallions, finely chopped
• 1 carrot finely chopped
• 1 heaped cup button or oyster mushrooms finely chopped
• 3 1/2 tablespoon plain all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 cups beef chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
• 1/2 cup double heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon Umbria Black Truffle Sauce
Instructions
1. Place the bread in a bowl and pour over the milk. Set aside to soak.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the meat and the pâté. Add the soaked bread and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined. Form meatballs by rolling walnut-sized pieces of the mixture between your hands. They should be about 1oz each. Dust the meatballs in flour.
3. Heat some oil in a shallow pan over a medium-high heat and fry the meatballs just until they are golden. Do not overcook at this stage as we are going to finish them in the sauce. Set aside.
4. To make the sauce, heat the butter and olive oil in a pan over a medium-low heat and add the finely chopped spring onions, carrot and mushrooms. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the onion is transparent. Reduce the temperature to low and add the flour to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to make a roux. Cook for about 4 minutes and then add the wine, continuing to stir until you get a paste and the alcohol has evaporated, then add the stock with the salt and rosemary. Keep stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens, then add the cream, stirring so that the mixture doesn’t split or curdle. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes.
5. Put Umbria Black Truffle Sauce into the sauce, mix and fold and serve hot.

Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter, divided
1 cup mushroom (75 g), sliced
1 pinch salt
1 pinch pepper
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk (240 mL)
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (110 g)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)
2 cups shell pasta (400 g), cooked
TOPPINGS
½ teaspoon Umbria truffle oil
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Preparation
1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are softened. Remove from the pot.
2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour to the pot. Whisk until the flour is toasted, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce is thickened.
4. Whisk in the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the cooked pasta and mushrooms. Mix until the sauce coats the pasta well.
6. Top with Umbria truffle oil, fold and add chives.
Of course, it’s understandable that you’d stop at nothing to make these year’s Christmas celebrations as grand as possible. After all, last year’s Holidays were mostly muted due to the pandemic. Now, the scourge that is COVID-19 is still here, but the country is showing signs of recovery and the quarantine restrictions are easing as a result.
However, that doesn’t mean you and your family should be letting your guard down. Rather, continue to be vigilant even as you think of ways to gather everyone this Christmastime—ideally, sharing some sumptuous Meatballs in Umbria Black Truffle Sauce and servings of mouthwatering Three-Cheese Umbria White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

Merry Christmas!



The noche buena and gift-giving traditions are both huge parts of the Pinoy Christmas. However, let’s face it: the holidays can get costly. 


Since every peso counts, we always keep an eye out for exclusive deals to get the most out of our holiday budget. If you’re a frontliner, here’s a special treat—a way of saying "thank you" for your hard work. The Shopee Bayanihan: Frontliner Holiday Package offers an exclusive digital package that includes Shopee discount and free shipping vouchers, ShopeePay bills cashback vouchers, and discounts from participating merchants such as Ultra Mega Supermarket, Shawarma Shack, Moonleaf, Tapa King, and National Book Store until January 9, 2022. 


Eligible frontliners include: Health Care Workers (hospital admin and janitorial services, health and service personnel in LGU facilities); Medical Professionals (doctors, nurses, medical technicians); Policemen, Military Personnel, Coast Guards; Hospitality Sector Workers (restaurants, hotels, bars, travel Agencies); Government Agencies (LGU workers, admin staff); Delivery and Logistics Providers (food, restaurant, medicine, and logistics company drivers and riders); and Security Guards and Mortuary Services Personnel. Don’t forget to sign up here to qualify: https://shopee.ph/m/frontliner-holiday-package


Here are some ways to make the most of your holiday celebration:


Feast like royalty because you deserve it

After a year of hard work, reward yourself with great food and good company. Treat your loved ones to Filipino comfort food at Tapa King or meet up with your colleagues and bond over delicious snacks at Shawarma Shack. Once you’ve gotten your fill, head over to Moonleaf and indulge your sweet tooth with their Okinawa or Wintermelon Milk Teas.


Surprise your family this noche buena 

Elevate your dinner table by preparing traditional handaan favorites with a twist. Instead of the usual mango float, take your dessert game up a notch and impress your family with no-bake queso de bola cheesecake topped with chocolate shavings. Ultra Mega provides a selection for every budgetperfect for anyone looking for the best grocery finds without breaking the bank. 


Score deals as you wrap up your holiday shopping

Still looking for holiday presents? Take your pick from National Book Store’s bestsellers list, where you’re bound to find the perfect match for every literary taste, or scout their school and office essentials. 


Add to cart and enjoy discounts, cashback, and free shipping vouchers with the Bayanihan package. As an additional treat, new Shopee users will also receive a free shipping voucher and an additional discount voucher for their first Shopee purchase. 


Activate and cash in ShopeePay to avail the Frontliner Package at https://shopee.ph/m/frontliner-holiday-package. With ShopeePay, you can also get daily exclusive deals on load, bills and ShopeePay P1 Deals. Enjoy free cash ins and bank transfers via InstaPay, when you get up to P25 cashback on your InstaPay fee after cashing in. Additionally, if you haven’t had the chance to go Christmas shopping for your loved ones, why not pay for their next Shopee purchase? Send money for free to any ShopeePay user with ShopeePay, and personalize your transfers with a themed virtual card. Stay updated on the latest ShopeePay promos at https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay 

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