Here’s 2 Going Places: GetGo and partners celebrate two years of #FlyForFree

GetGo, Cebu Pacific’s exciting lifestyle rewards program, is not only celebrating two years of providing every Juan free flights to their dream destinations, it is also giving gratitude to partners who have made GetGo truly a rewarding experience for its members.

To mark its second anniversary, GetGo gathered its program partners for a night of revelry that celebrated their shared passion to provide Filipinos with the best ways to #FlyForFree.

Held at The Blue Leaf in McKinley Hill, the Here’s 2 Going Places: GetGo 2nd Year Anniversary and Partner’s Night event treated guests to a cheerful evening of recognition, tickets to free flights, exciting prizes, and a promise of stronger partnerships for more rewards offers.

GetGo Loyalty Division general manager, Nik Laming, gives a message of thanks to their growing number of partners.

“When we launched GetGo, we wanted to make it innovative—a driver of business and of fulfilling the Filipinos’ dreams to travel for free,” said Nik Laming, GetGo Loyalty Division general manager. 

“With the help of all our partners, we have delivered overwhelming results and we are grateful for all of the support, the business, and the hard work that helped shape this program and make it what it is today.”

Staying true to the concept of providing the most rewarding travel experiences through essential daily spend, the celebration also took attendees to a travel-inspired evening with creative destination photo walls, complete with awarding free tickets to Japan and a Coldplay concert to winners of the event’s social media contest and games. Special awards were also given to program partners whose efforts paved the way for more Filipinos to get into the GetGo lifestyle.

Giving back on its 2nd year

Here’s 2 Going Places. Nik Laming and Mike Szucs (center) share the stage with their industry partners that helped GetGo’s #FlyForFree concept soar even higher.

GetGo sponsored several Cebu Pacific inflight games where it gave away 1,000 GetGo points each to winners. Grab promo codes were also awarded to inflight game winners in all Manila-bound Cebu Pacific flights.

A GetGo 10-pt Sale enabled travellers to grab the best travel deals to Cebu Pacific destinations. Holders of Cebu Pacific Credit and Debit Cards by UnionBank were also treated to an exclusive Beauty and the Beast screening at Robinsons Magnolia.

To date, GetGo has accumulated more than 3 million members and has given away about 47,175 and 20,115 free domestic and international flights, turning a simple loyalty rewards program into a lifestyle that most Filipinos now aspire for.

Nik Laming offers a toast to the partnerships that have provided GetGo members with the most rewarding travel experiences.

With the support of program partners such as the country’s leading banks, hotels, resorts, retail, product, and service establishments, GetGo has grown into a lifestyle program that gives value to people’s daily activities. And with more meaningful partnerships in the pipeline, members can only expect a more exciting and an even more rewarding GetGo experience, as flying for free and creating lasting travel memories become easier to achieve for EveryJuan.

Cebu Pacific chief executive adviser, Mike Szucs, shares the importance of building strong partnerships towards success.

“GetGo is an ecosystem that thrives when we add the right components, elements, and partners into it. With new partners come new earning and redemption opportunities, and that makes it even better for everyone,” said Mike Szucs, Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Adviser.

Hosts Kara David and Chico Garcia welcome everyone to the GetGo 2nd year anniversary event and partner’s night celebration.

On its 2nd year, GetGo and its partners have transformed Filipinos’ everyday spending into the most rewarding of experiences. 

Do you want to #FlyForFree? Visit www.GetGo.com.ph or call +632 71-GETGO (43846) to discover how you can avail of a GetGo membership card, learn about the loyalty program, its partners, promos, and how to start redeeming rewards points. The latest updates are also on GetGoPH's official pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About GetGo

GetGo is the lifestyle rewards program by Cebu Pacific that gives its members free flights just by flying Cebu Pacific and from everyday spend. Use the points to book your dream Cebu Pacific destination—for free!

Kojie.san and the Buncio Sisters Renew Sponsorship Contract

Last April 27, Beauty Elements Ventures Inc. under the brand name Kojie.San renewed their sponsorship contract with Jacquelyn and Lourdes also known as the “Buncio Sisters”.

These two brave and daring girls are the siblings of Maico Greg Buncio, the 2011 Golden Wheel Awards' Driver of the Year, and a four-time Philippine national superbike champion. As athletes who are into a male-dominated sport such as motorcycle racing, Kojie.San sees them as bearers of women empowerment, an advocacy which their brand celebrate and carries along, too.

It was last year when the Buncio sisters initially signed up with Kojie.San for their sponsorship as women riders and motorcycle racing enthusiasts. With Jacq Buncio being able to finish the Philippine Superbike Championship-Pirelli Cup first and Des Buncio racing for the Lightweight Class, it goes to show that this tandem surely embodies the courage and strength that not every woman could exemplify.

Kojie.San, a brand we all know as a skin and beauty care specialist, is established as a homegrown name with products for women. On choosing the Buncio sisters, Ms. Sheena Labor, Brand Manager of Kojie.San Sunblock implies a point on this partnership.

"What we aim for is to empower more Filipino women in a field mostly dominated by men," says Ms. Sheena. Though motorbike racing isn't that as famous as basketball or volleyball in the Philippines, together with Kojie.san, they could raise awareness on how women could also do what men do, or even surpass their works. They too also represent the millennials today who are bound to be brave and limitless, like the Buncio sisters.

In the same way, not only the Buncio sisters or women could be related to Kojie.San because they've got Kojie.San Men too, which protects and empowers men on outdoor activities such as motorbike racing.

The contract signing was held at the 4/F, Conference room of Beauty Elements Ventures Inc. in Makati City.

Globe Telecom’s Rogue One ad wins at Brand Film Festival New York - Viral video bags Best Short Form award

Images from Globe Telecom’s award winning ad that was part of its #CreateCourage campaign in December 2016. The ad has since garnered recognition internationally, including the latest Brand Film Festival, New York.

Globe Telecom’s advertisement for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, entitled “Mask”, bagged the award for Best Short Form in the recently held 2017 Brand Film Festival New York. Globe Telecom is the first Philippine brand to be part of the film fest’s roster as well as the sole winner for Asia this year. 

The winning ad was part of the company’s #CreateCourage campaign about people fighting battles that others might not immediately see - and how even a fragile child can demonstrate immense strength in the face of adversity. The campaign was done in partnership with Disney as part of a multi-year alliance with the entertainment giant. 

The Brand Film Festival New York showcased 2016’s most artistic, creative and effective branded content films - from YouTube videos to long-form documentaries. Held annually, it is a unique gathering that honors a new generation of marketing storytellers while rewarding the brands, agencies, and craftspeople leading the way in their fields. 

Entries were open to any organization within the U.S., Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Categories included sports, branded program, brand documentary, and virtual reality, among others. Submissions came from various brands, agencies, production companies and more. The jury comprised of top creatives from the worlds of PR, advertising, digital, production, film and media. This year’s jury chair was Judy John, Leo Burnett’s CEO Canada & Chief Creative Officer in North America. 

The Globe advertisement told the story of Alex, a young Star Wars fan who hides her sickness behind a Stormtrooper mask, and whose mask helps her to be bold even when facing others. The #CreateCourage campaign encouraged people to change their social media profile pictures to creative photos of them wearing Stormtrooper helmets and to complete the caption “#CreateCourage to ____.” The most inspiring posts won special prizes - from movie passes to limited edition Rogue One gift packs, as well as a trip to the Orlando Star Wars Celebration held last April. 

Going beyond the online engagement was also the company’s use of the material to call for donations for the rehabilitation of the pediatric cancer clinic of the Philippine General Hospital that Disney also supported. 

“Creating societal value is important to us in any campaign that we take on. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story had very inspiring values that allowed us to come up with the story for the ad. We are humbled with the opportunity to give children a voice through this ad, shedding light on their resilience despite challenges. Being recognized by an institution such as the Brand Film Festival New York is truly an honor for all of us at Globe,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Chief Commercial Officer, Globe Telecom. 

The #CreateCourage ad also received a citation in the Best Corporate category at the Brand Film Festival awards alongside Nutella® Originals Presents: Spread the Happy Series, Season 1 and CableLabs and Ivory Worldwide for ‘The NearFuture’. It also garnered a silver award at Asian Ad Fest. 

“Mask” also led in the Philippines’ Kidlat Awards which is an annual creative competition celebrating the country’s best and most creative advertising work. Globe brought home the coveted Grand Kidlat award in the Film category as well as Gold awards for Best Direction and Best Editing. 

When it was launched in December 2016, the ad hit viral status in a matter of days, reaching 45 Million views from around the world. In the first two days of the campaign, the ad received 3.9 million views, 88,000 shares, and 144,000 reactions on the Globe Facebook page. It was also the only Filipino ad to be featured in CNN International’s article on 2016 Holiday Videos, a selection of ads which highlighted tolerance and togetherness; this despite the fact it was not a Christmas-themed story. It has also been featured in international websites such as The Huffington Post, Adweek, and Mashable to name a few.

Top five global brand Vivo brings perfect selfie phone experience to SM Megamall, SM Bicutan

Host Yca Bascon asks Anjo Damiles why he loves Vivo and he shares how Vivo helps him keeps moments cherished through perfect selfies. 

Just like they promised, top five premium smartphone brand Vivo brought the best smartphone experience to selfie enthusiasts and prospective customers when it held a mall show at SM Megamall and SM Bicutan last May 7.

At the event, Vivo showcased its perfect selfie line—the V5 lite, V5, and the brand’s flagship phone, the V5 Plus, all touted as front camera-focused phones equipped with advanced selfie technology. The Vivo V5 Plus, in fact, features the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera.

Selfie lovers in SM Megamall Main Event Center were entertained by an energetic dance number by Hashtag dance group member Mccoy de Leon, one of Vivo’s key opinion leaders. Star Magic model-turned-actor Anjo Damiles regaled selfie enthusiasts at SM Bicutan with song numbers. 

Event hosts Josemaria Tantuico Palabyab for SM Megamall and Vivo club’s Yca Bascon for SM Bicutan cranked up the fun factor as they asked guests and key opinion leaders to describe their perfect selfie experience. 

“Thankful ako sa Vivo, kasi I can now treasure memories through perfect selfies in the best way. Lalo na sa V5 Plus, na may iba’t ibang selfie features like bokeh, selfie softlight, and face beauty mode 6.0,” de Leon said. 

Vivo later raffled off one Vivo V5 Plus unit each at the SM Megamall and SM Bicutan shows, drawing two very happy winners.

Vivo representative Mitze Abrillo, event host Jose Maria Palabyab, Vivo V5 Plus winner Maria Dalisa Tancuico and Hashtag dance member, Mccoy de Leon 

Vivo is set to tour other malls in key cities nationwide. Join in the fun at the next mall shows to be held on May 13 and 14 at SM City North Edsa’s Main Event Center. 

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph, 

or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), 

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) 

and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

The secret ingredients in Mary Grace’s recipe for success

Anyone who has ever dined at any Mary Grace Café will attest that everything about the place reminds you of the comforts of home – from the comfy interiors, to the flavorful dishes that remind you of Lola’s home-cooked meals. 

The secrets are in the restaurant’s memoirs of the mother behind the cafe.

Unknown to many, restaurant owner Mary Grace Dimacali started this business when she was already 44 years old. Although the idea was already planted in her early 30s when she would experiment with different recipes in her own kitchen, the plan of selling to the public outside of the home had to be put on hold when she got pregnant with her first baby.

She knew her priorities early on. Her passion for cooking and baking would have to wait. Her focus was on the family. 

“I had to lay down the foundation first – my family – before I even open at least a kiosk. Today, my kids are the pillars of the business. Everything would not have materialized were it not for my family’s support,” Mary Grace said.

The first Mary Grace kiosk was put up when her kids were already in college. She was already 50 when one of her kids decided to help her out after graduation. 

She still marvels at the fact that the name is serendipitous. While it is eponymously named, the two names that comprise it has separate representations. A devotee of Our Lady of Fatima, the name “Mary” holds a very special spot in Mary Grace’s heart. On the other hand, the first letters in each of her five children’s names form the name “Grace”: Gabriel, Raphael, Adrian, Chiara, and (Marian) Ernestine. Four of them are currently involved in the business operations, while the eldest Chiara is expected to join them once she returns from London.

Today, Mary Grace kiosks and restaurants can be seen in major malls around Metro Manila. Her branches are favorite go-to dining places for office people during weekdays, and families on weekends. Her SM branches are especially strong especially during big events and Sunday masses.

“The daily foot traffic and locations of SM malls are important considerations for me whenever I put up branches. It attracts a good mix of customers – families, friends, and working people – who are also my target customers,” Mary Grace said.

Now a grandmother to seven children, Mary Grace admits she could not have gone through the success that her brand is receiving without the ingredients that God has placed in her life. 

“My personal symbol for this is the triangle: family, business, community. I keep these three balanced through fervent prayers, and a lot of support from friends,” she reveals. 

“On the business side, our purpose is to give hope to people who seek employment, as well as to represent the country through a quality brand of products and service that is truly Filipino.”

Asked what she would give as advice to mothers who also want to go into business while looking after their family, Mary Grace has this to say: 

“Handle being a mom first, and everything will fall into place in God’s time. Only then can you handle every kind of challenge that go your way, using all your God-given talents.”

Mary Grace Cafes and Kiosks are located in select SM malls in Metro Manila, and is one of over 5,000 partners of SM Supermalls who offer family fun and extraordinary mall-going experiences for all. 

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. 

Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM. 

A Gift Guide for Convenient Shopping This Mother's Day, Get Free Shipping From Shopee When You Shop Online

Shopee, the leading mobile shopping app in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, where everyone can browse, shop and sell presents a gift guide for convenient shopping. 

Buying a gift for Mother’s Day is now made easier with Shopee.  Skip the crowded malls and unbearable traffic; now, you can shop anytime, anywhere to show your appreciation to the most important woman in your life.

Shop for gifts across a wide range of products from leading categories like Health and Beauty, Fashion, and Mobiles & Gadgets while discovering the latest trends through popular hashtags and getting great deals through in-app chats with sellers. Most importantly, get Free Shipping and pay Cash on Delivery for your orders.

Shopee has the perfect gifts for all kinds of moms this Mother’s Day:

For Fashionista Moms

Gift your favorite shopping buddy and style guru fashionable Floral Dresses for hot summer days and a trusty handbag that stores everything from cosmetics to gadgets and even snacks. For moms who want to make sure their crowning glory always looks good, Hair Spas will do the trick.

For the Sporty Moms 

Moms who never miss a day at the gym will need to stock up on Workout Leggings -- get her a few in different colors so she can stand out among her tita friends! Add on a Yoga Mat so she can exercise both at the gym or at home.

For the Working Mom

Women who work appreciate all the help they can get, so get these moms Bag Organizers that help make finding necessities in their handbags easier. If you want to help them unwind after a full day’s work, you can opt for either an Air Humidifier that provides relaxing aromas or even Face Masks for moms who may not have time for a quick trip to the spa.

For Moms Who Love to Bake

Nothing is better than mom’s cookies, so gift her with Bakeware and an Electric Mixer to enjoy more of the cookies and goodies you’ve had growing up!

For the Adventurous Mom 

Make sure mom is ready for your outdoor adventures with protective Sunscreen and pack a lightweight Power Bank to make sure her gadgets are charged. Wash off at the end of the day with Organic Soap that’s great for her skin and the environment, too. 

Shop now and get Free Shipping on Shopee to make Mother’s Day extra special!

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading mobile shopping app in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, where everyone can browse, shop and sell. It is a platform tailored for Southeast Asia, making online shopping easy, secure, and fuss-free through its strong payment and logistical support.

The Shopee team believes in the transformative power of technology. As shopping on mobile devices becomes the ‘new norm’, Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s mobile commerce destination of choice. Shopee is supported by Garena, Southeast Asia’s largest internet platform provider.

Shopee is available for download for free on the App Store and Google Play across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. 

For more information, please visit https://shopee.ph

Create the most meaningful connection this Mother’s Day - PLDT Home encourages all to #ConnectForReal with their moms

It’s no question that moms are a constant figure in our lives, giving us unconditional love and support for everything we do. Because of this, some tend to neglect the need to express their love and appreciation for their moms, as they assume that it goes without saying. But what everyone should be reminded of is that love unexpressed is love unfelt.

On Mother’s Day, the day which asks the world to look past their busy schedules and honor their mothers, PLDT Home spearheads #ConnectForReal, a movement that encourages everyone to truly express their love even beyond the usual sweet Facebook greetings. 

Real connections can come from the simplest of conversations, gestures, bonding moments and traditions. Some may rely on social media posts and messages to develop interactions and nurture relationships, but nothing beats those #ConnectForReal moments with mom, proving that the strongest connections are truly at home.

For more details on the #ConnectForReal movement, like PLDT Home’s Facebook page, follow @pldthome on Twitter and Instagram and watch this video:http://bit.ly/2r0yo3k.

SM Supermalls celebrates #NationalSuperMomsDay in 60 SM malls nationwide

Unveiling Shopmag's May cover, SM Supermalls gives everyone a glimpse of SM's National SuperMoms Day - a grand tribute to SuperMoms on May 14 through a nationwide Mother's Day celebration in 60 SM malls across the country.

"Mother's Day is the best time of the year to thank our moms for all their dedication and hard work for us. While our moms also look forward to celebrating this day with us, SM's National SuperMoms Day is the perfect occasion for the whole family to create many more memories to cherish in the years to come," SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin said.

#NationalSuperMomsDay at SM. 

SM Shopmag unveils its May cover, featuring three generations of the Torres-Gomez women, as part of SM Supermalls' first-ever National SuperMoms Day - a nationwide, simultaneous celebration of Mother’s Day on May 14 of 60 SM malls across the country. 

Prayers and humor are the two key hinges that keep the three generations of Torres-Gomez women connection strong according to Julie Torres, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Juliana Gomez during their cover shoot. 

An anticipated highlight is the Mommy and Me event - a mom-and-kid fashion show - where Jollibee will be giving away Jolly Spaghetti to the first 200 shoppers who will catch the show in 43 participating malls nationwide. While, this season's biggest treat is the #SuperMoms Fashion Makeover Promo as SM Supermalls partners with SM Woman to reward five lucky moms with an extraordinary gift - a fashion makeover! Interested participants can check out the SM Supermalls Facebook page for the details and updates.

The #SuperMoms campaign was launched in 2016 as part of the SM's 30 years of fun shopping that pays tribute and connects with the silent superheroes of the family. Always putting their families first in everything that they do, these are the super mommy shoppers who have been largely part of SM's story over the years.

Find out more about National SuperMoms Day and visit bit.ly/MothersDayAtSM2017. For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM's official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM's Viber Public Chat. 

#EverythingsHereAtSM.

This #NationalSuperMomsDayAtSM, watch our Mother’s Day video on the SM Supermalls Facebook page and find out what happens when a family comes together to remember their Sunday tradition for the sake of mom.

To all our dearest #SuperMoms who keep the tradition of love alive, this Sunday is for you!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!❤️

ShopBack Brings New Era of Smart Shopping

Shopback, Singporean-headed e-commerce, cashback reward company aims to to bring a new era of smart shopping here in the Philippines.

Since its launch last year, ShopBack, the Philippine franchise of Southeast Asia's largest and fastest growing online loyalty platform has been making a good thing even better for thousands of online shoppers. 

Offering rebates they call “Cashback,” ShopBack has been returning up to 30 per cent of what consumers pay for a specific item or service. This is on top of any discount the online store is already offering. 

Easy Steps to use Shopback

• Register for free using their app or website
• Shop any store thru ShopBack
• Get cashback account in 48 hours
• Wait for validation of order from the merchants
• Pay your cash back to your bank accounts

How exactly does an online shopper save with ShopBack? 

“When you shop on Lazada or ZALORA, GoodsPH via ShopBack, we give you a portion of your purchase back within 48 hours in your ShopBack account even if your mode of payment is cash on delivery to the store. This means extra, unlimited savings whenever you shop online,” says Kristina Ay-ay, country head of ShopBack, who’s been in the eCommerce industry for several years now.

Cashback is made possible through commissions earned by ShopBack from partner merchants with every completed sales transaction. ShopBack then shares a portion of its commission with the shopper.

“Our partner merchants reward us with a commission for referring you to shop on their site. But instead of keeping the commission to ourselves, we are sharing them with our consumers,” Ay-Ay revealed. 

Although ShopBack employs a loyalty scheme similar to other point system rewards programs and credit card rebates, what sets ShopBack apart from the rest is that the cashbacks are immediately credited to registered users. 

Once the amount of cashback accumulates to a certain point, it is then deposited to the shopper’s bank, GCash or PayPal account which he or she can either withdraw or use as payment for future purchases.

Such cashbacks are not only given to shoppers of Lazada and ZALORA but also to over 350 other popular online shopping destinations. 

As ShopBack enters its second year in the Philippines with more online shopping partners than ever before, buying from online stores like eBay, and even online service providers like Foodpanda, Booking.com and South East Asia’s online korean beauty store, Althea, is literally worth your while when you expect some of your hard-earned cash to return to you. And just recently, cashback on GrabCar rides booked via the ShopBack Mobile App has rolled out to everyone in the Philippines. With every ride taken on GrabCar services (GrabCar Premium, 6-seater Economy and 6-seater Premium) and GrabShare, there is a P5.00 cashback. Such a sweet reward for all the GrabCar riders!

Now with almost half a million subscribers within a span of one year, ShopBack is obviously a big hit for Filipino consumers.

While all shoppers like this system, Ay-ay has emphasized that Pinoy millennials seem to love it most. It’s no mystery, since the youth make up over 60 per cent of the Philippines’ 100-million-plus population, the median age of a Filipino Internet user is 24, and a third of Pinoys on the Web spend their time shopping online.

But Ay-ay is not stopping there as she intends to make ShopBack an even more indispensable shopping portal and further evangelize on the benefits of its cashback system. ShopBack will soon provide aggregated reviews and head-to-head comparisons in order to provide consumers with more informed decisions when they shop on the site. 

“We want every Filipino to be able to save as much as they can when shopping online. That’s ShopBack’s promise,” Ay-ay concluded.

Aside from their website, interested ShopBackers may download ShopBack app on IOS, Google Playstore or Apple Apple Store. 

For more info, visit https://www.shopback.ph/.

A tribute to 30 years of Saintly Selflessness - Saint Teresa of Calcutta Awards opens call for nominations

The Saint Teresa of Calcutta Awards (STCA), formerly known as the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards, opens call for nominations for its 30th year.

The award is open to any living individual, regardless of age, gender, race, and religion, who has dedicated himself fully and selflessly to humanitarian work among underprivileged Filipinos for at least 25 years. In addition, nominees will be likened to the degree in which they follow the example of Saint Teresa, both in integrity and in the simplicity of their lifestyle.

Established in 1983 by the A.Y. Foundation (AYF), Inc. and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila, the STCA took inspiration from the life and works of Saint Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize awardee who showed compassion for the poor and has inspired many to follow the same path. 

(L-R) Jerrold Ong - JCI STCA Chairman; EVP John Bautista - JCI Board of Directors, EVP; Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata - AYF Board of Trustees; Dr. Reynaldo Vea - AYF Board of trustee and president of Mapua; Former Congressman Ramon "Dondon" Bagatsing Jr. - JCI Past President, founder of STCA

The award-giving body aims to encourage the public to refocus on the importance of helping others by recognizing individuals who have dedicated a portion of their lives serving the “poorest of the poor” just like Saint Teresa. The winner will receive a cash grant of One Million Pesos (PHP1,000,000.00), at least half of which will be donated to the winner’s charitable institution of choice.

“As we celebrate the organization’s 30th year, we’d like to inspire more people, especially the youth, to be more involved in their community through honoring the selfless individuals who have dedicated most of their lives by serving the poorest of the poor.” says Jerrold Ong, 2017 Chairman of the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Award.  

Nomination forms may be downloaded from their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/STCAward). Only completed nomination forms shall be accepted. The full list of rules and regulations can be found at the back of the nomination form.

Deadline for nomination forms is July 31, 2017

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice: 20 Years of Keeping it Fresh

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice marks a milestone as the global brand celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Celebrating fresh flavors, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice held their 20th Global Anniversary in the Philippines on May 10 at their SM North EDSA branch where they offered unique fruit flavors to guests to curate their curate their own unique cup of on-the-go freshness.

Nikko Ramos, Camille Co, Larry Evans Tan, General Manager of CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice;  Kaila Estrada and Richard Juan

During the refreshing occasion are some celebrity and blogger guests, who were also set to share their CoCo Tea favorites: Panda Milk Tea for Richard Juan, Salty Cream Strawberry Tea for Kaila Estrada, Passion Fruit Tea Burst for Camille Co, and 3 Buddies Milk Tea for Nikko Ramos.

Since its inception in Taipei in 1997, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice commitment of using only the freshest ingredients has solidified its position as the leading on-the-go fresh beverage provider in the world.

Here in the Philippines, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice marks its fourth year of operation since 2013 and has since become the global brand’s top performing market in Southeast Asia in terms of number of branches, expansion efforts and sales.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice Philippines owes this to their commitment of keeping true to the brand’s philosophy of “Keeping it Fresh.”

Serving On-the-Go Freshness for the Filipino Taste

By using only fruits that are in season, Filipinos are assured that every drink is fresh and retains the fruits’ optimal flavor. CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in other countries followed suit by using only fruits in season for their delicious, fresh beverages. 

Larry Evans Tan, General Manager of CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice

Larry Evans Tan, General Manager of CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice said they tap local farmers to ensure quality and freshness. “For our Strawberry Au Lait and Salty Cream Strawberry Tea, we source our strawberries from Baguio.”

Apart from being inspired by their customers’ favorites to explore new flavors, Tan also mentioned CoCo Tea’s continued goal to elevate the usual on-the-go concept.

“As one of the earliest territories to offer premium stores, we strive not only to provide the best tasting drinks but also the best experience. We create stores that are designed to cater to the specific market of the location.”

Tan said there are plans to add more branches as well as create new menu offerings tailor-fit for the Filipino palate. The new menu, he said, will allow customers to experience more unique flavors featuring local fruits from the Philippines.

Coco Fresh Tea & Juice anniversary treat.

For fans of Coco Fresh Tea & Juice’s Pearl Milk Teas, here’s a delicious anniversary treat. Buy 1 of your regular size Pearl Milk Tea and get the 2nd Pearl Milk Tea of the same size for only P20.

This promo is available for May 20 on all branches excluding SMX Manila branch.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice Philippines is operated by Tobistro Foods, Inc. Its branches are located in the following:

• Eastwood Techno Plaza 2
• Gateway Tower Mall
• SM City North EDSA
• SM City Fairview
• SM City Manila
• SMX Manila
• Fisher Mall
• Lucky China Town Mall 
• Regis Center Katipunan

For more information and updates on the brand, visit the CoCo Philippines page on facebook www.facebook.com/CoCoTeaPhilippines

Fancy savoring the freshest local fruits in season with your choice of tea? How about the classic milk tea made more fun and tasty with a mix of big and small pearls? 

These and more are just some of the most creative ways that Filipinos have been enjoying their tea drinks, thanks to CoCo Tea’s dedication to freshness and unique flavors. 

Make the most of your child’s summer break

Every kid dreams of being a thousand things at once. Ask any child who they want to be when they grow up and you’re likely to hear a list ranging from astronaut or a doctor to musician or being the best robotics engineer on the planet (read: Tony Stark). Fortunately as a parent, you have the opportunity to shape your child’s potential at an early age.

Aside from sending them to school, children can also benefit from short courses that are usually offered during the summer. These classes allow kids to enhance their talents and skills while having fun. Some of the most popular workshops focus on cooking, fine arts, theater, sports, foreign languages, even robotics design and engineering. However, most of these educational programs also come at a hefty price. To help you manage your finances to include your kid’s summer program, here are some useful financial tips:

• Determine your financial goals. Establish your short and long term financial targets. Short term goals refer to how you need or want to spend your money at the present time. This usually includes rent, utilities, monthly amortizations, kid’s education, groceries and other household needs. Long term financial goals cover retirement, investments or family vacations. Financial goal setting can serve as a guide while drafting your budget.

• Know what you spend. Everyone has a general idea of their monthly expenses. Get a clearer picture of where your money really goes by gathering all your receipts and expenses for an entire month. This method will determine if you are spending too much on discretionary items like a coffee fix twice a day rather than pre-set expenses such as rent or utilities. Once you have identified all your expenses, you can decide which items are easy to eliminate.

• Take note of incoming earnings. Aside from making a rundown of your outgoings, it is also advised that you make note of all your earnings or income. Don’t forget to record unexpected bonuses or cash incentives because these will help you meet the monthly budget. Don’t be discouraged if your income falls a bit short compared to the expenses you’ve identified earlier. This issue can be addressed once the budget is prepared.

• Set a budget…and stick to it. Once you know what you truly spend on and how much money you receive each month, you can sit down and calculate how much can be allocated for utilities and other immediate needs, savings and even discretionary or luxury expenditures. Commit to your budget. An effective way of keeping track of each month’s budget is by preparing “the envelope system.” This entails setting aside money inside individual envelopes for each item identified in your financial plan. For instance, there should be an envelope for electricity, water, groceries, rent, car amortization, kids’ summer classes etc. Once you’ve set aside the money, do not spend it on other items.

• Track your progress. Monitor your income and expenses for several months to see if the budget you have prepared is working. Don’t be surprised if the financial plan you’ve set needs some tweaking from time to time. There’s a chance you overlooked incidentals such as unexpected hospital bills, home repairs or rising fuel costs. Just go over your plan and modify your budget.

Managing and juggling family finances can be tricky. The good thing is with MoneyGram, you and your spouse can make the most of your earnings together even if one of you is miles away. MoneyGram’s worldwide money transfer service is available in more than 200 countries and territories through a global network of approximately 350,000 agent locations. Its innovative products and services connect you with family by providing a reliable, trustworthy, and convenient financial connection for life’s essentials and daily needs.   

A mother’s holiday

Mother’s Day is a time for people to thank their moms for their never-ending sacrifices for the family. After all, they assume different roles round-the-clock just to make our lives comfortable – a chef to prepare our meals every day, a doctor to tend to us when we are sick, a teacher to help us with school work and life problems, a CEO of the household, our protector to make sure we are always safe, and so many more! 

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Solane, the leading provider of LPG solutions, reminds everyone to show their love and appreciation to the woman who ceaselessly devotes herself to the family. This occasion is another moment that falls in perfectly with Solane’s Dapat Lang campaign, a program that emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing, for the family, for others and society as a whole.

And so for their continuous sacrifice, dapat lang we honor and make them feel special, and we can definitely do so through these five simple heartwarming deeds:

Cook breakfast for mom. Mothers are usually the first ones to wake up early to prepare meals and baon for the kids. This time around, let mom sleep a little longer and prepare her favorite breakfast food. Make it even more special and let her have breakfast in bed. Not only will mom admire the gesture, but it’s also guaranteed to be a good kick-start to Mother’s Day.

Let our mom enjoy a work-free day. Being head of the household means overseeing if the house is clean, ensuring the pantry is stocked with food, and cooking food for the family. Without a doubt, it can get tiring for our moms. On Mother’s Day, help her by volunteering to do the household chores and let her sit back and relax.

Spend time together. Set aside all other plans and enjoy the rest of the day with mom. Gather the whole family together and celebrate an adventure-filled day like a picnic in the park, outdoor barbecue, a hike or swim, or an out-of-town trip. This will definitely make mom feel special!

Pamper our mom. This is the perfect time to make our mothers feel like queens for a day. After all the chores she’s been doing, treat her to a quick session of mani-pedi, an hour worth of massage, or even something as simple as putting cucumber slices on her face for an affordable at-home facial that will immediately make her feel like royalty.

Surprise mom with a simple gift. Celebrating Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. Simple gestures like making a hand-made card with a short but sweet message, offering a long-stemmed rose, or baking a cake will surely warm her heart. As they say, it’s the thought that counts!

So go ahead and try these simple tips. Not only will your mom feel loved, but it will also make your bond even stronger. Dapat lang! 

Affordable Orange Blush Hair Deals for The Beautiful You

Orange Blush Salon (OBS) offers affordable special services to give the public the best choices in hair treatment and styling.

Celebrity Hair Deals and Sakto Deals are two of OBS promo packages that are cheaper than the usual price in the hair salon market.

Celebrity Hair Deals is about hair coloring techniques and styles used by celebrities in their most fabulous look on television. Celebrity Hair Deals, according to OBS president Joby Linsangan-Moreno, is “nakakaartista ang dating."

Clients who opt for Celebrity Hair Deals, have three choices to make: 

#1 Balayage Technique and Ombre Hair Color for 1,799; Celebrity Hair Deals 

#2 Balayage Technique and Ombre Hair Color with Essential Oils Treatment for 2,499; 

#3 Balayage Technique and Ombre Hair Color with Essential Oils Treatment for 2,999.

On the other hand, Sakto Deals is about hair rebonding, regular and premium with hair treatments. “Sakto Deals dahil exact (sakto) price for any hair length”, says Joby.

Four options are given in the Sakto Deals: 

Rebond with cellophane treatment, hair keratin treatment, hair spa, hair shine (any length) for 999; Rebond with permanent hair color, hair keratin treatment, hair spa, hair shine (any length) for 1,499; Rebond with Brazilian keratin treatment. hair keratin treatment, hair spa, hair shine (any length) for 2,499; 

Rebond with Brazilian keratin treatment, hair keratin treatment, hair spa, hair shine, plus a choice of highlights, Semi De Lino or Powerdose (any hair length) for 3,499.

Orange Blush Salon continues to seek new trends to provide the public all their needs when it comes to hair repair treatment. It is manned by some highly-trained personnel who will care for and pamper your every hair need. And all Orange Blush Salon services come with a warranty.

For more information: visit Orange Blush Salon flagship outlet at Spark Place Cubao or any branch in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon and check out new updates on OBS official Facebook page.