Celebrations today are personal, spontaneous and beautifully curated. From barkada birthdays and first dates to family reunions and small wins at work, shoppers are redefining what deserves a toast. At SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela, everything you need to make those moments bespoke lives under one roof, making it the true Home of Everyday Celebrations.

At SM City Grand Central, thoughtful details come first. Scentsmith Perfumery turns scent into a meaningful gift, offering premium blends that capture relaxation, joy and confidence in a bottle. Just a few steps away, All About Baking empowers hosts to create Pinterest worthy dessert tables with its wide range of baking tools, ingredients and stylish packaging.

At SM Center Sangandaan, experiences take a more interactive turn. Chemworld Fragrance Factory offers hands on perfume blending workshops where guests can create scents that reflect their personality. It is an activity that doubles as entertainment and takeaway souvenir, perfect for bridal showers, birthdays or even creative date ideas. The brand’s starter kits also open doors for hobbyists who want to explore fragrance making at home.

In SM City Valenzuela, meaningful gifting finds its place at Anything Creation. Its leather bags and wallets combine craftsmanship and timeless design, making them ideal keepsakes for graduations, anniversaries and personal milestones.

To complete every gathering, cakes, of course, remain at the heart of every occasion. Mary Grace offers bespoke cakes with hand piped dedications and elegant garden inspired designs that suit intimate gatherings and milestone moments alike. Meanwhile, Dairy Queen delights with its To Go Tin Cakes, packed in reusable cans and layered with the brand’s signature creamy goodness. Available across SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Valenzuela, these cakes make spontaneous celebrations easy and fun.

At SM, everything needed to mount a heartfelt gathering lives under one roof. From customized scents and creative essentials to handcrafted gifts and celebration cakes, everyday moments find their perfect setting at SM, your most loved mall and the place where every celebration begins.

Iwas reload, iwas pila, diretsong tap na sa MRT-3 gamit ang GCash

Mas madali na ang pagsakay sa MRT-3 gamit ang GCash Commute, ang cashless na paraan ng pagbayad sa mga istasyon ng tren. Sa serbisyong ito, hindi na kailangang pumila para mag-reload o pumila para sa stored value cards. Ang laman ng iyong GCash wallet, puwede nang gawing pambayad sa biyahe.

May tatlong paraan ng pagbabayad gamit ang GCash app:

1.               Scan gamit ang Commute QR code

2.               Tap gamit ang GCash Visa Card o any Visa o Mastercard

3.               Tap gamit ang NFC-enabled Android phones

Lahat ito ay cashless, secure, at direktang gumagamit ng laman ng GCash e-wallets.

Gamit ang 3 ways to pay via GCash, diretso nang nakakabayad ang mga commuters at hindi na kailangan pumila or maghanap ng kiosk para mag-reload.

Mayroon ding libreng Wi-Fi sa lahat ng MRT-3 stations sa tulong ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), na nagbibigay-daan sa mga commuters na madaling makapag-access ng GCash e-wallet habang nasa mga MRT-3 stations.

Ayon sa GCash, layunin ng serbisyong ito na gawing mas magaan at mas mabilis ang araw-araw na biyahe ng mga commuter.

“Patuloy kaming nakikipagtulungan sa DOTr and iba pang sangay ng gobyerno para gawing mas simple and maginhawa ang pagbiyahe ng mga Pilipino,” ayon kay Ren-Ren Reyes, President at CEO ng G-Xchange, Inc., ang mobile wallet operator ng GCash. “Sa GCash Commute, mas flexible at mas convenient ang paraan ng pagbabayad para sa mga commuters,” dagdag nito.

Bahagi ang GCash Commute sa patuloy na pagpapalawak ng cashless,  ng mas ligtas at mas convenient na digital payment options sa pampublikong transportasyon.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa GCash Commute, maaaring bisitahin ang GCash app o ang website sa www.gcash.com.

Love may be blind, but trust shouldn’t be: GCash strengthens consumer protection efforts against love scams

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GCash continues to step up its security systems and awareness campaigns as part of its thrust in consumer protection. The initiative aligns with advisories from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

Authorities say love scams remain one of the most common online fraud schemes, where criminals build and take advantage of emotional connections before asking for money. Recent data from the CICC show 123 love scam complaints in 2025, with 18 cases recorded in January 2026 alone. Cases usually increase during the love month as scammers become more active.

Common signs of romance/love scams

Government advisories highlight several warning signs:

·        Sudden requests for money under the guise of emergencies, travel, or medical needs

·        Refusal to meet in person or join live video calls

·        Profiles with overly polished or unrealistic photos

·        Persistent pressure to send money or invest in unfamiliar platforms

Authorities remind the public to be extra vigilant, verify identities, and avoid sending money to people they have only met online.

Investing in prevention and user protection

To help stop scams before they happen, GCash continues to invest in technology, partnerships, and user education. The company works closely with the DICT, CICC, PNP-ACG, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support investigations and public awareness efforts.

On the platform, GCash maintains several layers of protection, including:

·        Verified user identities through strict KYC processes

·        Real-time fraud monitoring

·        Account security features such as PINs, OTPs, and device checks

·        Confirmation prompts when sending money to a new contact or recipient

·        In-app advisories on common scam tactics

Users can also report suspicious activity through the app’s Help Center or official customer support channels.

“Love scams often rely on emotional manipulation rather than technical attacks,” said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at Mynt, parent company of GCash. “We continue to strengthen our security systems and work closely with government agencies, but users should always verify before sending money to someone they only know online,” he added.

Government advisories also note that senior citizens are among the most targeted groups, making awareness and platform safeguards even more important.

Through continued investments in security, partnerships, and public education, GCash aims to create a safer digital financial experience for Filipinos, making cybersecurity a top priority for GCash, our partners, and regulators.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

MAKATI, PHILIPPINES — We all have that "someday" list, especially when it comes to fantasy trips. Maybe it’s a family cruise through the Caribbean, a solo soul-searching trip in Japan, or a luxury weekend tucked away in an El Nido lagoon.

But as February rolls around and the months start flying by on the calendar, those 2026 travel resolutions often risk becoming "next year" plans instead.

The good thing is your dreams don’t have to stay dreams forever. They can still make it out of the group chats when you head to the Glorietta Activity Center on February 20 to 22, 2026 for The Metrobank Travel Fair, which transforms the heart of Makati into a one-stop portal for the world’s best destinations.

Whether you’re a budget-savvy backpacker or a luxury jetsetter, here is how you can map out your year of adventure:

1. The Heavy Hitters are All in One Room

Forget opening 50 browser tabs on just as many airline and booking websites—the fair already brings together the industry’s elite in one place.

Score exclusive rates from top-tier airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines. If you’re looking for a place to stay, giants like Shangri-La, Discovery Hotels, and El Nido Resorts will be on-site with deals you won’t find online.

2. Think Beyond Just Flights

2026 is the year of the "slow travel" experience. The fair features a massive lineup of cruise partners, including Disney Cruise Line (that’s perfect for the family), AmaWaterways, and Riverside Luxury Cruises.

For those who want their itinerary handled by the pros, experts from Rakso Air Travel and Klook will be ready to help you customize your dream escape.

3. Exclusive Perks That Pay You Back

Booking at the fair doesn’t just save you money on the fare; it puts rewards back in your pocket.

Here’s what’s in store when you book at the Travel Fair:

●        Spend at least PHP10,000 single-receipt at the fair for a chance to win a 5-day, 4-night trip to Seoul, South Korea for two (2 winners) or get a full cashback of your total spend, capped at PHP100,000 (five winners).

●        Get PHP1,000 Giftaway eGC for a minimum single-receipt spend of PHP10,000 at any participating merchant.

●        Enjoy up to PHP10,000 cashback when you purchase from participating airlines using your Metrobank Visa:

○        PHP2,500 cashback for a minimum single-receipt spend of PHP25,000

○        PHP10,000 cashback for a minimum single-receipt spend of PHP100,000

●        Booking via Agoda or Booking.com gets you PHP5,000 OFF for a minimum single-receipt spend of PHP30,000 (registration required).

●        Playing the Travel Fair Game on-site gets you a chance to win 1-pc. Chicken McDo with Drink to keep you fueled while you shop.

4. Pro-Tips for the Best Experience

If you hold a Metrobank World Mastercard or Travel Signature Visa, you get first dibs during the exclusive window on February 20 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Then from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM of February 20 and 10:00AM to 8:00 PM of February 21 to 22, the event welcomes all Metrobank cardholders.

Not a cardholder? Don’t worry; you can apply for a Metrobank credit card right at the fair.

Stop dreaming and start packing. Mark your calendars for February 20-22 at the Glorietta Activity Center and turn your 2026 travel resolutions into stamped passports and immortalized memories.

To learn more about the exclusive perks and benefits that come with Metrobank credit cards or to apply for one, visit www.metrobankcard.com.

Location: Ground Level

Cozy, comforting, and effortlessly romantic, Botejyu turns Japanese comfort food into a hearty and intimate Valentine’s date with fam or with your significant other. 

Botejyu brings the heart of Osaka to your Valentine’s date with a casual, unpretentious vibe that’s all about Japanese comfort food. Whether you’re bonding over steaming Ramen bowls or sharing savory Donburi bowls, the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to focus on each other without any fuss. It is the ideal spot for couples who believe that great conversation and authentic flavors are a great way to celebrate together.

Manam: For meals made special
Location: Ground Level

Celebrate Hearts Day, or any occasion worth celebrating, with Manam’s crowd-pleasing classics.

Manam is the go-to destination for celebrations that bring people together, including Valentine's Day. The menu is tailor-made for sharing, featuring favorites like Sinigang na Beef & Watermelon and House Crispy Sisig that turn a simple dinner into a festive gathering. With comforting flavors and must-try desserts like Buko Pie and Halo-Halo, it’s the ideal place to celebrate love, friendship, or any moment that matters.

Jiang Nan Hotpot: Warm Hearts, Hot Pot
Not a couple date? This one is for the besties.
Location: New Hallway, Ground Level

Simmer the love for cook-your-own hot pot with your best buddies on Valentine’s Day at Jiang Nan SM City Marikina

Jiang Nan Hotpot turns Valentine’s into a lively group celebration, offering an interactive experience filled with authentic Sichuan flavors and unlimited hotpot options. The cozy interiors invite you and your friends to slow down, cook together, and catch up at your own pace. It’s the perfect setting for a "Galentine’s" or a group date with besties, where sharing a simmering pot naturally brings everyone closer for a night of great food and even better company.

Celebrate Love, One Bite at a Time

This Valentine’s Day is all about the moments that actually matter—the shared plates, the nonstop laughs, and the deep talks that linger long after the meal is over. Whether it’s a cozy café escape, a date night with a total vibe, or a wholesome family feast, SM City Marikina provides the perfect aesthetic backdrop for every unique love story. Beyond the highlights, more flavors are waiting to be discovered at Cafe Mary Grace, Nanyang, Wangfu, Max’s Restaurant, Pepper Lunch, Ramen Kuroda, Kuya J, and French Baker. It’s the perfect time to pull up a chair and unlock new core memories where every date feels deliciously special.

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