Friday, May 31, 2019

Enter the unknown in new American drama series premiering May 31 at 10:35PM express from the U.S.




Justice can be painfully slow in a cold-case murder, but what if the victim can reach out from beyond the grave? In the upcoming crime series, The InBetween, airing on Blue Ant Entertainment this May 31, the unhappy dead provide clues to help unravel the mystery of their demise and even help solve the most challenging cases through supernatural means.

Harriet Dyer plays Cassie Bedford, a psychic who uses her gifts to help solve mysterious cases and find peace for the dead. 






Cassie Bedford (Harriet Dyer) was born with a rare gift—or curse—that allows her to see ghastly visions and communicate with the dead. With her “sixth sense,” she often contends with restless spirits seeking help in resolving their untimely deaths.

Paul Blackthorne as Detective Tom Hacket will do whatever it takes to crack Seattle’s most bizarre cases before the tracks run cold.



The dead aren’t the only ones that appear at her door for assistance, however. Detective Tom Hacket (Paul Blackthorne), and his new partner, former FBI Agent Justin Cornwell (Damien Asante), race against time to solve some of Seattle’s worst felonies. And when the tracks run cold, the two sleuths turn to Cassie. Will she hesitate to use her abilities, or will she risk her own sanity to crack the city’s darkest cases?
Former FBI Agent Justin Cornwell, played by Damien Asante, joins Detective Hacket in tracking the clues behind seemingly unsolvable cases.





Catch The InBetween every Friday, 10:35PM, starting May 31, express from the U.S., on Blue Ant Entertainment, available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Cignal channel 120, and Cablelink channel 37.





Bringing the series closer to viewers, Blue Ant Entertainment has partnered with Breakout Philippines for a puzzle game that will run from May 30 to June 19, 2019, at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Unlock the secrets of Missing: An Escape Room Based on the TV Show The InBetween in a one-of-a-kind suspense that will let the most daring teams experience the show’s paranormal, crime-solving thrills in the flesh. The first 100 participants to break out within the time limit will take home a special prize from Blue Ant Entertainment.






For more thrilling updates, follow Blue Ant Entertainment on Instagram @BlueAntEntertainment, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/ on Facebook.










Zaldy Bueno, a 37-year old teacher from Gumaca, Quezon was hailed as the 4th Happiest Pinoy, winning Cebuana Lhuillier’s Search for the Happiest Pinoy which honors and celebrates the Filipinos’ innate “optimism, resilience, and hope amidst different life crises.”

Zaldy bested nine other finalists from different categories, winning one million cash and a trophy.





The board of judges composed of Usec. Zenaida Maglaya, Gang Badoy Capati, James Deakin, RJ Ledesma, Love Anover-Lianko, Jonathan Yabut, Winston Maxino, Rommel Arellano, and Richardson Navor chose Bueno unanimously by virtue of his advocacy to see more children’s lives change through education. Zaldy volunteered as an ALS teacher and taught on weekends, he even had his mother as his student at one point and helped her finish her secondary education. Zaldy also co-founded project PADYAK in 2017, PADYAK stands for Pidal Apakan Dunong Yayaman, Asenso’y Kakamtan, which aims to provide bicycle units for students who could not afford to travel to school.

The project turned out huge with so many people donating new and used bicycle units from all over the Philippines even getting donations from OFWs abroad. This project drastically increased attendance for students at school for which their school received a perfect attendance award.


“I am very happy with the results of this year’s search -- with over 800,000 entries received through our branches, online, SMS, and walk-in entries. It’s been amazing to read the entries of the 10 finalists and Zaldy proves to be a worthy winner as his tale will definitely inspire countless people to push on despite life’s difficulties, Zaldy exemplifies the commendable Filipino spirit of rising up from your current predicament and using that as fuel to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Currently, Bueno serves as the head teacher of the English department at the Gumaca National High School. As a kid, their family would often encounter financial difficulties, Zaldy would help his mom wash clothes for their neighbours and would get his daily allowance from selling vegetables he planted to augment the family income. Zaldy vowed to work hard and study hard in order to improve their life.


A turning point in Zaldy’s life was when typhoon Rosing hit in 1995 which completely obliterated their house, and forced to stay at the barangay health center. During clinic days, Zaldy and his family had to move their things on the street to accommodate the influx of patients.

After graduating secondary school, Zaldy tried to get a college education but had to stop schooling due to financial constraints. In order to get back to school, he had to work two jobs, including stints at a tile store and as an advertiser scout for a local radio station. He finished college after 6 years.

Bueno is the fourth winner of the biennial search following Richardson Navor (2015), Rommel Arellano (2012), and Winston Maxino (2009).





When asked what Bueno will do with the prize money, he shared that he will use it to further improve Project PADYAK by acquiring more bike units which more youths can use to get to school. He also shared that he will use a part of it to bring his parents to Singapore for a well-deserved vacation.

Breaking its own record, the Cebuana Lhuillier search received over 800,000 nominations this year, the most entries it received in its ten-year history.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Much like the movie’s thrilling magic carpet ride over the port city of Agrabah, Disney’s Aladdin, the live-action adaptation of its animated classic, flew high and soared above every other movie as it posted as the No. 1 film during its opening weekend. 


Continuing Disney’s success in providing quality entertainment through live-action remakes, the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin and the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine opened in 494 cinemas nationwide last May 22 and raked in an impressive Php 212,197,892 (USD 4,014,776) on its first six days, making it the number one film over the weekend. 

Film director and screenwriter Guy Ritchie lends his flair for fast-paced and exciting action to tell the adventures of the charming scoundrel Aladdin, played by Mena Massoud, and the beautiful and self-determined Princess Jasmine, played by Naomi Scott. Will Smith joins the cast as the larger-than-life Genie. Aladdin is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Join the conversations online using #AladdinPH.


Filipinos can stay tuned for Shopee and Sarah Geronimo’s first television commercial airing on June 1



MANILA, 31 MAY, 2019 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announces Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo as their new brand ambassador in time for the Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale, happening from June 3 to July 7. On June 1, Filipinos can stay tuned for the first-ever television commercial of Shopee with Sarah Geronimo.






Martin Yu, Associate Director, Shopee Philippines, said, “We are very happy with how Shopee performed in 2019 and to ramp up our efforts, we are following this up with a big campaign featuring our new brand ambassador, Sarah Geronimo. We believe that Sarah’s approachable and bubbly personality is a perfect representation of the Shopee brand and we are thrilled to have her become part of the family. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale.”






Happening from June 3 to July 7, the Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale promises five weeks of unbeatable deals with up to 90% off from leading brands including P&G Hair, Huawei, Colourette, Colgate, Silverworks, Maybelline, Unilever Personal Care, Watsons, and Olay. Users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend on selected brands or categories daily as well as one million Lowest Price Deals, daily 100% cashback vouchers, and ₱1 Deals.


Bigger and better surprises in store for users




Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale will feature 35 days of themed promotions happening from June 3 to July 7. Key highlights include:

  • Category days such as TV, Audio, & Gaming Sale on June 28, Mobile Sale on June 30, and Korean Skincare Sale on July 4.
  • Mechanic days including:
    • Vouchers Sale on June 3, featuring seller, category, and sitewide vouchers up for grabs
    • Free Shipping Sale on June 4, featuring free shipping with ₱0 min spend across the platform
    • Flash Sale on June 12, with an upsized Flash session happening 10 times across 24 hours.
  • Super Brand Days from June 17 to June 21 featuring leading brands across categories including Huawei, Maybelline, Hanford, Unilever Homecare, and Unilever Personal Care.
  • Exclusive deals from partners including BDO, Cebu Pacific, and the official store launch of iWant.




For more information on the Shopee 6.6 - 7.7 Lowest Price Sale, please visit https://shopee.ph/m/double-double.






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


Visit https://shopee.ph for more information.



Tuesday, May 28, 2019





Vivo Philippines held a fun and fabulous launch for the Vivo V15 Blossom Pink and its newest endorser, Maine Mendoza, at the SM Megamall Activity Center.

The leading smartphone developer chose the TV host and actress for her determined spirit – one that overcomes challenges and rises up from expectations.




Both feminine and fierce, the rising star is also the best ambassador for the limited-edition V15 Blossom Pink. The Vivo smartphone is pretty and powerful with its top-of-the-line features like the 32MP Elevating Selfie Camera but with an added a splash of color that levels it up.


Inspired by the look of the limited-edition Vivo V15 Blossom Pink and the fun-loving personality of their celebrity ambassador, the event was filled with splashes of Pink as well as picture-perfect, playful stations for the ‘gram.

At the event, Maine Mendoza showed her fans some love by interacting with those who were present at the event and answering their questions from Twitter on stage. The first 30 Vivo V15 Blossom Pink buyers were also treated with a meet and greet on stage with the young actress.

Plenty of exciting activities happened at the launch including an upbeat performance from young pop soul singer, Sassa. There were also hourly raffles and a grand raffle of Vivo goodies for the event attendees.



The Vivo V15 Blossom Pink will be available at selected dealers and Vivo stores nationwide starting from May 25. Find out the latest news on Vivo’s fresh endorser and the fabulous limited-edition phone at www.vivo.com/ph. You can also watch the official video featuring Maine Mendoza at www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1CsD53KRYo.


Monday, May 27, 2019


(From Left to Right) Miguel Capistrano III, Country Market Manager of Traveloka Philippines; Issa Delos Ama, Director of Revenue Management and Marketing of Go Hotels Ermita, Janice Tiambeng, Director of Sales and Marketing of Discovery Suites Manila Philippines, Julie Ann De Vera, Sales Manager of Lub D Philippines Makati; Joy De Castro, Hotel Manager of Casa Bocobo Hotel; RT Paler, Reservations Officer of I’M Hotel Makati; and Jojo Naag - Property Manager of Skyloft Hotel







Traveloka Philippines recently gave out the first Traveloka Philippines Hotel Awards 2019 to recognize the efforts of its hotel partners in helping the online platform's continuous success in the country.

This year's gathering at the Diamond Hotel, Traveloka handed out four awards that acknowledged their contribution to the company’s growth in the Philippines in the previous year.
Currently, Traveloka has an inventory of over 4,300 hotel partners in the country, which can be accessed through web or mobile app.

Here are the awards and the respective winners and nominees:

Most Engaged
This award recognizes the most cooperative hotel partner of Traveloka who finds time to consistently provide updates and plans on how to further grow the business—primarily by ensuring room availability and competitive price points. Together with Traveloka, the hotel partner develops and implements suggested rate plan discounts and participates in scheduled promotional campaigns to boost demand.

Nominees:
1. Siglo Suites @ The Azure Urban Resort Residences
2. The Hotel at Green Sun
3. Go Hotels Ermita
Winner: Go Hotels Ermita







Best Content
Quality content of a hotel page helps in good conversion of bookings. The recipient of this award has consistently ensured that the photos of the property highlights the experience that awaits each guest—from the hotel rooms to the various amenities. The winner of the award has also been consistent in providing updated data that would help guests decide on their bookings and further appreciation of the property.

Nominees:
1. Hotel H2O
2. Diamond Hotel Philippines
3. Discovery Suites Manila Philippines
Winner: Discovery Suites Manila Philippines


Best Reviews
Hotel guest review scores can greatly influence a guest's decision to book a hotel as these reviews are from actual Traveloka guests and are about their stay experience. A good average score of 8.50 and up, together with an average of 40 reviews, often brings higher conversion.

The award recognizes three hotels that have received great feedback from their guests. Each of the three winners were selected from their respective categories.

Hostels and Backpacker Accommodations
Nominees:
1. Makati Riverside Inn
2. Sulit Dormitel
3. Lub d Philippines Makati
Winner: Lub d Philippines Makati

Hotels and Serviced Apartments
Nominees:
1. City Garden Hotel Makati
2. Jinjiang Inn Ortigas
3. Casa Bocobo Hotel
Winner: Casa Bocobo Hotel

Luxury Hotels
Nominees:
1. Vivere Hotel
2. The Manila Hotel
3. I'M Hotel
Winner: I'M Hotel


Best Rookie
This award recognizes the new partner hotels of Traveloka Philippines that shows high potential in terms of production performance.

Nominees:
1. Mella Hotel
2. U Hotels Makati
3. Skyloft Hotel
Winner: Skyloft Hotel


To entertain guests during the event, Traveloka hosted exciting games dubbed as "Games of Our Time." The fun-filled activity was composed of traditional Pinoy and other familiar games inspired by Family Feud and Guess the Logo, among others.

"For Traveloka, this awards ceremony is our own little way of acknowledging and appreciating strong and reliable partnerships we have developed through the years. Let's all continue to work together to provide each guest and traveler the best hotel experience," said Miguel Capistrano III, Traveloka's Country Market Manager, during a speech.

Traveloka is present in eight countries across the Asia-Pacific region, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Australia. Customers in the Philippines can conveniently book Flights, Hotels, Flight + Hotel Packages, and Xperience (attractions and activities) via Traveloka's website and app. More products and services will be made available soon.

Get the best deals and book your hotels with Traveloka!

Friday, May 24, 2019




Actor Derek Ramsay will suit up for Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics for this season’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).




This is not the first time for the television and movie personality to play basketball, as he was previously with Kettle Korn team in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League. Ramsay has also excelled in the sports of ultimate frisbee and beach football.




As an actor and host, he has appeared in numerous TV and film productions in three of the country’s top media networks. He recently signed a contract with GMA-7.




“Derek is not only a good actor, but a good basketball player as well. We are happy to have him on our team,” Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics team manager and Absolut Distillers, Inc. COO Gerry Tee said.




Ramsay has been an endorser of Tanduay since 2014. The talented actor and host has helped the World’s Number One Rum further expand its market in the Philippines and the global market.




Tee said that Ramsay will see action with in the opening game of the MPBL at the Mall of Asia Arena this June 12. He will also play in their Dubai game in September.




“I love the game of basketball. Joining Team Tanduay is an honor. I always considered myself an athlete before an actor. I know there will be haters and people who will doubt me, but that’s okay. This is a challenge that I’ve decided to take on. I hope to help the team in any possible way I can,” Ramsay said.




The Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics was crowned the inaugural champions of the fastest-growing regional amateur basketball league in the country. They reached the South Division Finals in the Datu Cup before falling to eventual runner-up Davao Occidental Tigers.




“Derek will surely add more excitement in our games. With him on board, fans can expect an even stronger Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics team,” Tee said.




Ramsay joins fellow celebrities Gerald Anderson, Xian Lim, Mark Andaya, and Andre Paras in this year’s MPBL.




#

Thursday, May 23, 2019




Century old churches around the Philippines have stand as silent witness to the country’s colourful history and rich cultural heritage. Known as one of the cultural treasures of the nation, these colonial structures served as sanctuaries, landmarks, and popular destination among tourists.

In partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. (FHFI); SM Malls in San Jose Del Monte, Marilao, and Baliwag celebrates the National Heritage Month with the unique exhibition of Philippine colonial churches from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Dubbed as Up Front: Encountering the Sacred, the exhibit consists of photos taken by members of FUNtastic Philippines. The vast collection aims to promote the tangible heritage in the Philippines through featured photographs of churches declared as National Cultural Treasure, National Historical Landmark, an Important Cultural Property or a UNESCO World Heritage Site.







Mall goers will have the rare opportunity to see the architectural legacy of Filipino craftsmen across the regions through the range of intricate design and function present in the colonial churches. The exhibit will also encourage viewers not only to appreciate the form and ornamentation of the structure, but also the history that shaped our nation and makes us Filipino.

“Each church has a unique story. By understanding its significance, we gain better knowledge of the nation’s diverse and multi-faceted identity” shares SM City San Jose Del Monte Mall Manager Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa.

The exhibit highlights the popular churches — like Barasoain in Bulacan, the Basilica Menor de Sto. Niño de Cebu, Miag-ao in Iloilo, and Daraga in Albay. Other featured churches are the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila; Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Ilocos Sur; Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte; Miag-ao Church in Iloilo.







“We hope that the exhibit will serve as a platform for viewers to ponder, contemplate and preserve the country’s cultural heritage” said SM City Marilao Mall Manager Emmanuel Gatmaitan.

Up Front: Encountering the Sacred is currently at SM City San Jose Del Monte and will run until May 26. Exhibition in other SM Malls are slated on May 27 to 31 at SM City Marilao and June 03 to 07 at SM City Baliwag.

Friday, May 17, 2019









This May, lots of fun-filled water adventures and new swimming buddies awaits JolliKids with the latest Jolly Kiddie Meal offering, the Jolly Water Play.




With the floating collectible toys from the country’s leading fast-food chain, kids will surely have a wonderful time swimming and playing in the backyard, pool, or beach as Jollibee and Friends show them a different water play experience.




Kids will enjoy roaming around with Jollibee on his Jet Ski and playfully squirt water with their playmates with a push of a button. They can also make Popo spin around in the water by pulling a ripcord in his orange swim ring.




JolliKids can also sail away to new adventures with Twirlie by attaching the main sail to her boat and blowing in it or they can watch and cheer scuba diver Yum as he jumps in the water from a floating platform. They can also play a fun water game by shooting rings with Hetty as she floats with her swim ring.




Collect all five toys with every purchase of a Yumburger (P80), Yumburger Meal with Drink (P100), Jolly Spaghetti (P95), Jolly Spaghetti Meal with Drink (P105), 1-piece Burger Steak (P95), 1-piece Burger Steak Meal with Drink (P105), 1-piece Chickenjoy with Rice (P120), or 1-piece Chickenjoy Meal (P135), each with its own Jolly Joy Box.




So, let Jollibee and Friends give your kids an enjoyable summer playtime with Jolly Water Play. Hurry! Get started on collecting the five Jolly Kiddie Meal toys which are available until May 31 only.





Thursday, May 16, 2019


Reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray heralds the reimagined postpaid experience delivered by the new Smart Signature Plans. 

 


PLDT mobile services arm Smart Communications is ushering in a reimagined postpaid experience that puts customers first as it launches the new Signature Plans.




Designed for goal slayers who need a postpaid plan that can keep up with their fast-paced lifestyle, Smart Signature shatters the limitations of the traditional plans to deliver a prioritized, worry-free, and in-control mobile experience.






Prioritized network experience


With Smart Signature, subscribers are prioritized on the Smart LTE network, the country’s undisputed fastest mobile network as awarded by world-renowned network analysts including Ookla, OpenSignal, Tutela, and P3. This prioritized network experience makes sure that subscribers enjoy consistent data to connect to their favorite apps, send messages in real time, and make uninterrupted calls - even during peak hours.



“Smart Signature is postpaid reimagined. This is our way of catering to a new generation of goal slayers who need a plan that prioritizes their needs while they are busy ticking off milestones in their career or life,” said Oscar A. Reyes, Jr., PLDT-Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Business Market Development.




“We’ve built Smart Signature after a thoughtful process of listening to customers, identifying their pain points, and providing solutions so that there’s nothing that holds them back from reaching their goals. The result is a brand new postpaid experience that simply prioritizes customers.”




Worry-free connection to all networks



Gone are the days when customers have to put up with confusing packages that leave them anxious whether they have enough to connect online, send an urgent message, or make an important call.




Introducing a much simpler way of looking at postpaid plans, Smart Signature comes in four sizes – Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), and Extra Large (XL) – with generous open access data allocation for data-savvy customers worry-free unlimited calls to Smart, Sun, and TNT; worry-free AnyNet call minutes to PLDT landline and other networks; and unlimited texts to all networks - so customers never have to worry about connecting with family, friends, and colleagues on any network.




What’s more, Smart Signature features Data Rollover so that any unused data for the month is carried over to the next month.



For its SIM-Only Plans, Smart Signature starts with Plan S at Php999 per month, featuring 10GB data; unlimited calls to Smart, Sun, and TNT; 100 minutes of calls to other networks; and unlimited texts to any network.




Smart Signature offers Plan M at Php1,499 per month, featuring 20GB data; unlimited calls to Smart, Sun, and TNT; 200 minutes of calls to other networks; and unlimited texts to any network.



Subscribers may get Plan L at Php1,999 per month, featuring 30GB data; unlimited calls to Smart, Sun, and TNT; 300 minutes of calls to other networks; and unlimited text to any network.



Lastly, Smart Signature offers Plan XL at Php2,999 per month, featuring 60GB data; unlimited calls to Smart, Sun, and TNT; 600 minutes of calls to other networks; and unlimited texts to any network.



Smart Signature also offers Device Plans, which offers a wide range of smartphones including the latest flagship handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S10 Series and Huawei Mate P30 Series, bundled with big-sized allocation for data, calls, and texts.



Control your plan with myPLDT Smart App


Subscribers can also bid goodbye to the nagging fear of exceeding their monthly plan, incurring unwanted charges, or getting bill-shocked.




To give customers full control of their plan, Smart Signature comes with the handy myPLDT Smart App, which lets users monitor and manage their usage and monthly bill in real time, and avail of Data or Call Boosters as needed. The app, which is set to roll out more advanced features to give greater convenience to subscribers, is now downloadable on Google Play for Android devices and The App Store for iOS devices.




Smart Signature also features real-time billing and usage alerts, and notifies users when they are close to reaching their monthly data and call limit. Once their data and call allocation for the month have been fully consumed, they may simply avail of Data or Call Boosters.




Reimagine life with Smart Signature Plans now! Sign up as a new subscriber, or upgrade your current Smart Postpaid Plan for free, at select Smart Stores nationwide.



Learn more about the Smart Signature Plan perfect for your lifestyle at www.smart.com.ph/signature.







FurryPinas has announced that it has partnered with NGO Hands of God Charity Works to provide their kids an opportunity to take part in FurryPinas 2019 and take home a gift pack.

A donation of 200 pesos will give the child from HGCW the ff. items:


  • Entrance to FurryPinas 2019
  • FurryPinas Gift trinkets
  • Hands of God Charity Works Gift pack

"Each child deserve happiness and joy in life. When each of us were kids, we had dreams we wanted to be fulfilled - Become a superhero, get the best toys you saw from a store, go out to play with your friends, wish for your awesome drawings to come true, meet your favorite cartoon characters, meet a life-sized animal character, and so many more.”

Says by Brian Nicole Uy Executive Director of FurryPInas.

We want to bring children from our charity partner, Hands of God Charity Works, to FurryPinas 2019 to enjoy, have fun, and may be even fulfill some of their dreams,Uy adds.

The partnership also comes with the release of their official video for the partnership:

https://youtu.be/mYfid_inh10

If you’d like to take part in the sponsorship program you can head to this link and FurryPinas accepts payments through 7-Eleven, M Lhuillier, BDO Bank Transfer/Deposit, and Coins PH.

FurryPinas 2019 is set to happen this coming June 8-9 at the Bayanihan Center. You can now get your tickets here.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019


The only classic burger that tastes as good as it smells!



For decades, Jollibee has captured the taste buds—and hearts—of generations of Filipino diners through its ever-growing range of deliciously satisfying products. Among these beloved Jollibee offerings is the Yumburger, the leading fast-food brand’s best-selling burger.

In a market filled with a thousand of burger products, the Yumburger stands out with its langhap-sarap goodness. More than just an iconic product tagline, langhap-sarap alludes to the inimitable experience of unwrapping the Yumburger and being treated to its unique aroma —a preview of the delicious dining experience ahead.

The full-bodied, mouthwatering aroma that the Yumburger is known for the world over comes from its 100% pure beef patty—seasoned to suit the Pinoy palate and deliver a meaty, savory flavor with every bite. To complement the rich beefiness of the patty, Jollibee added in a special burger dressing that’s equally tangy, sweet, and creamy. Soft burger buns that yield easily with every bite sandwich the patty and the dressing for the complete experience.

“The senses of smell and taste are very closely linked,” said Cathleen D. Capati, Assistant Vice President for Jollibee Marketing. “When you smell something good, it whets your appetite and prepares your palate for a great meal. There’s nothing like the Yumburger in the market—that experience that perfectly captures langhap-sarap.”

Indulge in the only langhap-sarap burger experience from Jollibee! The Yumburger (P35.00*, Solo) is available in all Jollibee stores nationwide for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru transactions.

For more information on Jollibee’s products and promotions, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studies on YouTube, and follow @Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.


Lucky GetGo member Wilfred Dy becomes an instant millionaire from easily converting his credit card points to GetGo points.


GetGo promo winner unlocks exciting free travels with 1 Million GetGo Points

For Wilfred Dy, what began as a casual search for a way to convert bank rewards points to something more useful became the rewarding experience of his life. The 53-year-old stockbroker from Binondo, Manila is the grand winner of the much-coveted GetGo Points to a Million promo.

“I was really excited when I heard about the promo. I’m a Citibank cardholder and I’ve earned so many points from my everyday purchases. I thought, saan ko kaya siya pwede magamit,” shares Dy. Fortunately, the answer to his question popped out when he heard about GetGo’s biggest bank-wide promo.

As a loyal GetGo member, Dy was thrilled to hear that the lifestyle rewards program is giving its bank partners’ cardholders a chance to win 1 million GetGo points. With this much points, he thought about the many beautiful countries that he and his family can visit and explore.

“For the three years that I’ve been a GetGo member, lagi lang ako nakakakuha ng points from grocery shopping. So, when I found out about this promo, I decided to convert my Citibank points to GetGo points to get those raffle entries for me and my family,” he recounts. “Pero it wasn’t until the last day of the promo that I converted my credit card points and luckily, I won.”

Before winning the promo, Dy has already been enjoying fun travels within and outside of the country. There was even a year when he flew more than five times for leisure trips. Now, as a GetGo Points Millionaire, he is taking his travel lifestyle to new and exciting heights with free flights!

“I was shocked ‘nung may tumawag sa akin from GetGo. It was just a normal morning on my way to work and when I answered the call, I was grateful to have received the good news,” Dy remarked when asked about what he felt when he learned that he won the promo.
Cebu Pacific marketing specialists Bernadette Intoy and Ellouise Cachero, and marketing manager Paul Gaston award the GetGo Points Millionaire title to Wilfred Dy.


Among the destinations that he is excited to fly to with his GetGo points are different international countries, including South Korea and Japan.

Just like Dy, you can also experience a fun and fulfilling lifestyle with GetGo. The rewards program of Cebu Pacific will stop at nothing to bring amazing travel possibilities as they continue to make daily activities like shopping, dining, watching movies, and fueling up more rewarding with points to fly for free. Who knows? You might be the next GetGo Points Millionaire!

For more information on memberships and partners, visit www.getgo.com.ph. Never miss out on exclusive member offers and the latest news on partner promos by subscribing to GetGo email alerts. Just log in to your account, go to ‘Profile’, select ‘Preferences’, click ‘My Settings’, and choose ‘Count Me In’. You can also like and follow GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.




A stratospheric high took over everyone as Game of Drones: 3rd Flight, the country’s biggest and only drone competition, will take off on May 25, 2019. 

High-flying teams will come together at Industria in Circulo Verde, the city’s active lifestyle destination that has become a haven for those who love one-of-a-kind adventures. Game of Drones: 3rd Flight is one such event, which will provide FPV (First-Person View) pilots and drone enthusiasts an opportunity to show off their flying skills without having to wander far from the city, thanks to Industria's wide open spaces which is ideal for those who love to fly drones.


On ground, there will be as much excitement as that in the skies. The Industria Celebrity Trunk Bazaa, led by Tintin Babao, will also be happening where you can find unique goods and treats for the summer.

Drone Photographers who would like to join the drone photography contest, this is your time to shoot. For more details feel free to check out mechanics and register for free through this link: http://bit.do/GameofDrones

Tuesday, May 14, 2019



Get exclusive tickets to the Shopee X BLACKPINK Meet and Greet on June 6, only on Shopee


MANILA, MAY 9, 2019 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will bring global K-Pop sensation BLACKPINK to the Philippines for the first Shopee X BLACKPINK Meet & Greet on June 6. Avid BLACKPINK fans, also known as Blinks, will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience to interact with their favorite idols at the event, which will feature exciting draws and giveaways including signed BLACKPINK CDs and Shopee gift certificates.

Shopee users can choose from two tickets, Pink or Black, to get access to the event.

Users can get Pink tickets by purchasing any product from the YG Official Store on Shopee from May 11 to 25 using the special voucher code “SHOPEEXBP”. The first 150 successful buyers will be guaranteed a Pink ticket to the fan meet.

In addition, users can score Black tickets by registering on the official Shopee x BLACKPINK Meet & Greet page in the Shopee app. The top registered users who have an accumulated purchase of at least 4,000 on Shopee will receive one Black ticket that comes with an exclusive fan meet pass. To add to the excitement, the top 40 spenders will receive special autographs and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet BLACKPINK live on stage.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said “Since unveiling BLACKPINK as our first regional brand ambassador last year, Shopee has received so much love and support from their Asian fans. Hence, we are delighted to be able to bring them to the Philippines and give Shopee users a chance to meet and interact with their favorite artists in person. We look forward to once again connect BLACKPINK with their massive fanbase in the Philippines and the region.”

For more information on how to join the Shopee x BLACKPINK Meet and Greet, visit https://shopee.ph/m/blackpink-meet-greet.

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


Friday, May 10, 2019





One of the much-awaited events this summer, Pinoy Otaku Festival is back this 2019! Bringing the audience more interactive games and guests plus a bigger venue. Red Cloud Interactive, Naruto Cosplayers PH and Robinsons Novaliches bring you Pinoy Otaku Festival (POF) 2019: Asobu on May 17-19, 2019 at the Trade Hall of Robinsons Novaliches in Quezon City.




Bigger venue, more interactive games – Pinoy Otaku Festival has been known for its event which focuses on the true Pinoy Otaku identity and Filipino’s dedication as manifested by the current trend in popular culture. It is a celebration of Japanese pop culture and how Filipinos enrich it, by experience our own culture as well through the latest popular culture as the event combine cosplay, music and the Filipino's heart of gold for helping people.




The title theme of the event “ASOBU” means “Let’s Play” and will focus more on interactive experience for all attendee. It will also include the traditional cosplay competition, karaoke, and Battle of the Bands.



Pinoy Otaku Festival 2019 Highlights 



This event focuses on giving highlights on the much-awaited on-stage games and the much-awaited Otaku Choice Awards to be held on May 17. During that day, nominees will gather and will be given awards for their dedication from the different categories as voted by people thru the online nomination and voting. Tom’s Workstation by Tomas Jefferson Hernandez is the official trophy provider for OCA 2019.




Other event highlight includes POF 2019: Art Attack, Karaoke Battle Royale, Fantasm: Inter-school, POF 2019: Battle of the Bands, Your Cosplay Sounds Familiar, Cosplay Championship League, Otaku Bazaar and booths, Panel discussions, and more.




If you are into interactive games then try joining and win cash and freebies during Otaku Deal or No Deal, Anime Quiz, Otaku Singtunado, Otaku Singing Bee, Name That Tune, and more.




This year POF 2019 is bringing more interactive panel discussions across the 3-day event. Topics are selected by the community from a voting process. Topics this year include: (1) Sexual Harassment in Cosplay; (2) Status of Esports in the Philippines; (3) How to win competitions; (4) Piracy and Anime Fandom; (5) How to become a successful game streamer; and (6) What does it take to be an Idol?



Tons of Special Guests



Featuring special guests from both Japan and Philippines: Yohgen, Gekitora, Hiro Saeki, Kazuki, Gloco Gaming, Yu-En Cosplay plus Filipino bands which are also into both Philippine and Japanese pop cultures: FREETIX, Kanjiru, Neko Hunter Band, and Kulaspiro.




Ariel Villasanta, the other half of the comedy duo Ariel and Maverick with Maverick Relova. They pioneer the comedy reality-show in Philippine TV and now has an upcoming movie entitled, "The Untold Story of the Kings of Reality Shows". He stars in Totoo TV, Mommy Elvie's Problematic Show (TV Series), and Pinoy Meets World (TV Series).




The event will also highlight the world of idols as it rises here in the Philippines: Aidoru Sozai, AOS49, CH4U, IVY! Musume, JAPHDOLLS PH, Pepper Keibu, Poly V, Sophia the Artist, Tanchikon, and Ureshii-san Tomodachi.




POF 2019 hosts include Kiel from Choji PH, Tessa Carbonell, Justin Villaseran, Geneva Cabading and Fatima Jongco.



Event Tickets and Charity 



Ticket price is set at Php 100 per day. If you will be attending for 3 days, then get the 3-DAY PASS at Php 300 (3 Days access to the convention and includes participation in the raffles).

For those who want to have more perks at the event, you can avail the 3-DAY VIP ACCESS for Php 500 (3 days access to the convention only, participation in Animazing Race, Premium Raffles, and many more).




You can get tickets online via Ticket2Me.




Pinoy Otaku Festival is partnering with House of Light and Hands of God Charity Works, by giving part of the proceeds (ticket sales) to help support them in their various activities. House of Light is a support group and help them create more awareness regarding HIV/AIDS, and Hands of God Charity Works provides care for less privileged children.



POF 2019 Event Partners

POF 2019 is being made possible in cooperation with CIIT College of Arts and Technology, MC Hotel Fairview, and Hotel Fox with the help of VR Café, and Jerry's Life Size Statues and Collectibles.




The event is also brought to you with the help of various Otaku organizations as follow: Team Oke Gakuen, El Chorizo Cosplay Group, The Otaku Philippines, Z Warriors, Toushin – Ateneo, UP AME, PNU NAMI, JDoramaEiga PH, and FurryPinas PH.




Media Partners include Astig.ph, TechKuya, Wazzup Pilipinas, Keepsakes., The Cosplay and Anime Café, OtakuPlay PH, Game Seer, Reverie Wonderland, Ayaldev, Setsu Ani, Sutil Si Isco, Zing - Edge Manila, Mauvish Crimson, AniRadio PH,PopLife TV and Jherzoned




You can buy tickets online thru the event’s ticket partner, Ticket2Me. Visit https://www.ticket2me.net/e/1607 to purchase your tickets.




For more information visit Pinoy Otaku Festival 2019: Asobu official website at http://pof.narutocosplayers.com/. Use the official hashtag #POF2019 and #POFAsobu and check the event’s official social media channels for more updates.










Manila Philippines – What makes one a mother? Is it giving birth to a child? Is it raising children and providing for them? Or is it showering one with unconditional love regardless of the circumstances? This Mom’s Day, PLDT Home celebrates all kinds of moms in a touching Mother’s Day web series.






Mother Hood is a three-part online web series of PLDT-Smart that explores what it means to be a mom. It follows the stories of Mamita, Alice, Claire, and Benj, who happen to live in one community and are facing the challenges of motherhood. With their fears and doubts, how will they deal with each of their situation?






Produced by PLDT-Smart Stories, and directed by Dwayne Baltazar, the web series features actors Pinky Amador, Cris Villonco, Che Ramos - Cosio, Arian Alandy, Marco Gallo, Jana Agoncillo and Topper Fabregas. This online series will surely touch everyone’s heart. It will tell us what challenges moms go through and show us the support system that helped them to be the mother they are now.






It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to form a mother! Be sure to catch all three episodes, this May 12, on PLDT Home’s YouTube Channel. And watch the trailer here.






Don’t miss out on Mother’s Day exclusives from PLDT Home. To learn more visit https://m.pldthome.com/mothers-day.




Thursday, May 9, 2019





Converge ICT Solutions deploys its first 400Gbps backbone, a first in the Philippines, to further augment existing domestic network capacity. This rollout gives way to 400G per channel at 64 channels or the equivalent of 25.6 Terabps at full capacity. This is in line with the company's thrust to deliver fast and high-quality service and connection.

Converge ICT is a major telecommunication and cable television services provider and operates fiber-optic broadband networks, cable television, and cable internet in the country.

"This network upgrade will allow us to continuously boost or enhance our domestic service delivery. In preparation for the exponential expansion that is currently being rolled out, this will be able to help us in keeping up with the growing demand of subscribers," said Converge ICT Chief Technology Officer Ronald Brusola.

The backbone ensures that links going to international gateways, data centers and Content Delivery Network (CDNs) will have very high capacity which are relevant to enterprise customers like business processing outsourcing companies. Given this, financial institutions are the first beneficiaries of the deployment of the 400Gbps backbone because they require high capacity connectivity or bandwidth to disaster recovery sites and internet service providers.

With its rollout, Converge ICT broadband customers will also enjoy faster connection without any data cap for very high bandwidth capacity and best quality experience. The removal of the routing function in transport layer also makes the connection simpler and more reliable. The rollout of the 400Gbs backbone is the highest capacity technology in the Philippine market.

"We offer a big capacity package that customers and enterprises want and need. There will be enough room to plan and avoid congestion in the network," Brusola said.

In 2018, Converge ICT strengthened its strategic international Point-of-Presence (PoP) by adding Taiwan to its then-roster countries Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. In securing its own international PoP lines, Converge ICT aims to be one of the strongest network providers in the Philippines.






Margarita Fores and Christine Jacob-Sandejas




This Mother’s Day, Toshiba appliances pay homage to two extraordinary moms, both an inspiration to many, who graced the launch of Toshiba’s latest line of state-of-the-art home appliances: Margarita Fores and Christine Jacob Sandejas. Fores, mother to son Amado, was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016 and is the moving force behind Cibo, a modern Italian caffé concept, and Cibo di Marghi Signature Caterer, her highly-successful catering arm. Meanwhile, Jacob, mother to five kids, is a former athlete and is co-anchor of the popular show New Day on CNN Philippines.

These outstanding moms prove that even with kids to raise, it is possible to wear many hats while giving their all in everything that they do. And with home appliances like Toshiba, each one imbued with the distinctive “takumi” spirit, life is made easier for busy moms with the ease and convenience they bring. Toshiba’s line of home appliances include the signature Washers and Dryers, Refrigerators, and top-loading water dispensers.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019


As one of the closest coffee-growing countries closest to the Philippines, Thailand is a must-visit destination for traveling caffeine junkies.



For those who can’t live without their caffeine fix, the search is always on for a good cup of joe. Next-level coffee junkies, however, take their caffeine obsession to a different level. They visit coffee plantations, pick cherries, learn how to roast, and join coffee cupping activities. In fact, the taste of coffee in the places they visit are some of the most defining moments of their experiences.

If you are a traveler seeking this kind of experience overseas, Thailand is one of the closest coffee-growing countries you can visit. Though Thailand is not often linked to world-famous coffee, it is home to many plantations where your coffee dreams can come true. Aside from giving you a taste of Thailand’s unique coffee origins, this country’s farm tours have fascinating stories to tell.

From bean to cup: a glimpse and taste of history

Thailand’s burgeoning coffee industry scene had a unique role to play in the Southeast Kingdom’s history and development. For many years, the highlands where Arabica coffee was grown used to be bleak and barren.

This is because the tribal communities who lived there survived from slash-and-burn agriculture, which resulted in massive deforestation and the depletion of food sources. Poverty drove them to opium cultivation, drug trafficking, and heroin production. It took interventions from Thailand’s royal family to turn the tribespeople from opium to coffee, which now provides a source of livelihood for these communities.

One such coffee plantation is Suan Lahu located north of Chiang Mai, where you can have a short four-hour visit, a day tour, or even an overnight stay with a host from the Lahu tribe, giving you the opportunity to immerse in the tribe’s way of life. Here you can go on a guided hike with the locals, pick coffee cherries, observe coffee processing, and even roast your own Arabica. From January to December, you can even enjoy traditional campfires.

Doi Tung in Chiang Rai Province is another of these opium farms turned coffee plantations. This community located at 1,389 meters above sea level is home to more than 3.5 million trees, a source of livelihood for almost 900 families. Doi Tung’s farm to cup experience immerses you in different aspects of coffee production, from cherry picking to roasting and tasting. Aside from its coffee farms and facilities, Doi Tung is also home to the Mae Fah Luang Arboretum where you can find thousands of unique temperate plants.

Doi Chang is one of Chiang Rai’s must-visit destinations for coffee junkies.

Another possible destination in Chiang Rai is the village of Doi Chang, which is situated in an altitude of up to 1,700 meters above sea level. At the village’s coffee shop, you can take a sip of the organic, single origin coffee while enjoying the fresh mountain breeze. The nearby museum called Academy of Coffee lets you learn more about the region’s produce. Outside the museum, you can look at the coffee trees filling hills and plots owned by local families. Finally, there’s the coffee processing plant, which you can see at work during the main coffee season.

Some of the world’s finest


Many of Thailand’s coffee farm tours immerse you in a journey from bean to cup.

Thailand’s coffee farms don’t only give you a glimpse of the coffee’s journey from bean to cup. They also produce some of the world’s best coffee.

Doi Chang, for example, is home to free-range, stress-free civets that eat only the ripest, sweetest cherries. These undigested beans are infused with the flavors of the civet’s diet and the enzymes in the its stomach. When roasted, these beans have the flavor profile of citrus-toned acidity, cedary dark chocolate, and raisiny fruit.

The social enterprise Akha Ama Coffee in Chiang Mai, which also hosts a three-day Coffee Journey with the local Akha tribe, has also produced award-winning coffee. Known for its distinct citrus notes and acidity, Akha Ama’s coffee was selected for the World Cup Tasters Championship in 2010 and 2011.

While visiting these coffee farms let you enjoy delicious coffee, it also lets you support local communities who are making a living and preserving their heritage. This makes your #THAImazing story both memorable and meaningful.

To know more about Thailand’s coffee farm tours, visit www.tourismthailand.org, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TATPhilippines.

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