Amaia Scapes Cabuyao residents to benefit from new Skyway Extension

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Sleekly designed modern homes boasting roomy interior spaces never fail to catch the eye of prospective homebuyers. When these are located in well-maintained and secure gated communities and have close access to key commercial hubs, individuals and families that aspire for a stress-free lifestyle wisely seek them out. 

Amaia Scapes Cabuyao offers all these features and more. The property will soon benefit from the construction of the new Skyway Extension to Susana Heights, a project that started last June. 

Set for completion by December 2020, the Skyway extension will connect the existing Skyway to Susana Heights, making travel time between the South, such as Laguna province, and Metro Manila smoother and faster. 

Domestic travelers will soon be enticed to explore the Southern provinces’ tourist attractions and make life easier for locals—both longtime residents and migrants with jobs and livelihoodopportunities in said places. 

Aspiring to reside in a secure and tranquil community like Amaia Scapes Cabuyao? Fast-track that dream and choose from its variety of home models. The Bungalow Pod, for instance, offers a total house area of 34 sqm with an indoor area of 30 sqm and minimum lot area of 75 sqm. Future residents of this development will benefit from the new Skyway extension to Susana Heights. For inquiries about Amaia Scapes Cabuyao and other Amaia projects, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.

Amaia Scapes Cabuyao presents as a wise option for this market. A pleasant community sprawling on a 19.1-hectare property, it is located along the provincial road in Barrio Marinig, Sala, Cabuyao, an easy drive or commute from Cabuyao Proper, Sta. Rosa, and Calamba City. 

Shopping malls, public markets, educational institutions, and hospitals are likewise within convenient distance from Amaia Scapes Cabuyao. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is just a 25-minute drive away.

Amaia Scapes Cabuyao presents the Carriage Pod for a growing family. This unit boasts a ground floor area of 27 sqm and a 24 sqm second floor area, for a total house area of 55 sqm on a minimum lot area of 75 sqm. To know more about Amaia Scapes Cabuyao and other Amaia projects, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.

A perfect choice of residence for Filipino families, the property offers amenities that include a village pavilion, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a children’s play area. 

A total of 501 house and lot packages, with floor areas ranging from 28 square meters to 60 square meters, will be available for prospective residents who can choose from a variety of unitssuch as Bungalow Pod, Carriage Pod, Twin Pod and Single Home 60. Each home in Amaia Scapes Cabuyao features a kitchen, dining and living areas, a bedroom, a porch, a bathroom and a garden, which is also a provision for expansion. 

Amaia continues to serve prospective homeowners with affordable and sustainable developments that aim to elevate the Filipino living experience in a well-secured environment. 

The sleekly designed modern homes of Amaia Scapes Cabuyao never fail to catch the eye of prospective homebuyers. One of the home models it offers is the Twin Pod unit, which has a 34 sqm total house area with an indoor floor area of 30 sqm, standing on a 75 sqm minimum lot area. For inquiries about Amaia Scapes Cabuyao and other Amaia projects, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.

With Amaia Land offering budget-friendly homes to all Filipinos, convenient payment schemes such as cash, deferred cash and bank-financing are also available.

For inquiries about Amaia Scapes Cabuyao and other Amaia projects, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.

PayMaya is now available as a payment method for the App Store and other Apple services in the Philippines

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Beginning today, PayMaya is now available as a payment method for Apple services in the Philippines. Customers can use their PayMaya account to pay for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, and iTunes Store purchases, iCloud storage and more.

The addition of PayMaya as an Apple ID payment method offers a new way to pay for Apple services without needing a credit card and still allows for easy, one-tap purchasing from all Apple devices. PayMaya does not share your bank information with Apple, making it simple and private.

"Having PayMaya as a payment option for Apple purchases brings immense convenience for Filipinos who are looking to unlock even more possibilities with their Apple devices, especially for those who have little to no access to a credit card or other financial products. We're excited for the many ways PayMaya can help owners of Apple devices fulfill their digital purchase needs in the Phillippines," said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya.

Customers can manage their Apple ID payment information in Settings on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, or on their Mac or PC.

For more information on how to add PayMaya as a payment method, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201266 and www.paymaya.com/apple-services.

Mang Inasal offers online promo for its Road to 600 countdown

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Mang Inasal, one of the fastest-growing brands under Jollibee Foods Corporation, is on its way towards launching its 600th store soon.

To create further excitement on this milestone, Mang Inasal has embarked on a digital activation promo that began with the opening of its 595th store at WH Olongapo City last September 13.

Here, Mang Inasal collaborated with Filipino visual artist Paulina Luz Sotto for a movable Pinoy jeepney installation artwork, reflecting Mang Inasal’s journey towards becoming a national icon in the quick-service restaurant industry. For over 15 years now, Mang Inasal has fast become a favorite among Filipinos who look for truly satisfying, value-for-money Pinoy meals.

The jeepney art installation will move from the 595th store to the 600th store.

Customers who dine at these Mang Inasal stores can take their selfies or groupies at the Pinoy jeepney installation artwork and post them at the official Mang Inasal Facebook page. Set the image to public and use hashtags #MIRoadto600 and #MangInasalJeep.

Ten entries will be chosen randomly per new store opening, each winning Mang Inasal gift certificates worth P600. 

For more updates, visit Mang Inasal’s official website at www.manginasal.com. 

Mang Inasal Olongapo store franchisee Eugene Y. Go (left) with special guests Richard Antonio, John Michael Javelosa, and Gilbert Chua.

October treats abound at Midas Hotel and Casino

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Feel the chills or say cheers when you book this October at Midas Hotel and Casino with our awesome room, event and buffet promos!

Book a room under the Chills or Cheers promo to get a free ticket to Encantacia: Midas Halloween Kids Party on October 27, 2019, Sunday from 1 to 3pm at The Midas Tent, or, celebrate October Fest with a Php500-worth beverage credit voucher. For reservations, call 7.902.0100 local 8108 or email info@midashotelandcasino.com 

Encantacia: Midas Halloween Kids Party

For only Php550 nett, join the party with your child and enjoy loads of awesome fun andtreats in their most spellbinding engkantada outfit, the cutest dwende or dwarf wear, or the scariest tikbalang or werehorse costume. Kids with the cutest and scariest costumes get a chance to win a free lunch or dinner buffet at Midas Café or Yanagi!

Before hitting the party, sample an array of sumptuous buffet dishes at Midas Café! Save Php1,088 from Midas Café’s regular rate of Php2,088 when dining in on October 27, 2019,Sunday before joining the party.

Delight your kids with an acrobat show, magician, games, photo booth, snacks and loot bags plus a memorable bonding time together! Then, after the party, enjoy the same buffet promo rate at Yanagi and sample the delectable Japanese dishes with the whole family!

For Encantacia ticket reservations, call 7.902.0100 local 8198 or emailrestaurants@midashotelandcasino.com.

PayMaya's new campaign jingle goes viral with 25 million views online

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Everybody’s feeling the joy of the catchy jingle—and enjoying the world of benefits brought by going cashless with PayMaya.

There are many things that make for a really catchy tune, and one of them is the power of nostalgia. PayMaya draws from that rich 90's music pool as it unleashed its new campaign, "Don't Pay Cash. PayMaya!" set to the iconic tunes of the classic Eraserheads song entitled "Ligaya."

With the unforgettable melody that heralded one of the most memorable periods in '90's Pinoy rock music enmeshed in lyrics that narrate the "joys"–or Ligaya–of paying without having to use cash, the song has definitely become an earworm, capturing the ears and hearts of netizens as it amassed a combined 25 million views on the video streaming platform YouTube and social networking site Facebook. It's a stunning feat, considering it's only been over a week since the campaign launched.

The song takes the addictive and influential original song and cleverly rewrites its lyrics to talk about all the joy, the hassle-free convenience, and the various possibilities PayMaya has to offer to everyone–from earning cashbacks when you scan-to-pay with QR for groceries, sending allowance to your loved ones without delays, and buying the most affordable prepaid load for you and your barkada, among many others.

"Most Filipinos are fans of the Eraserheads, and who hasn't heard their iconic song, ‘Ligaya’? We made a fresh and relevant take on this timeless classic for our new campaign because we truly believe that PayMaya offers a fresh and relevant way to pay, particularly for Filipinos at this day and age. The time for cashless payments has truly arrived," said Raymund Villanueva, Director and Head of Growth and Brand Marketing at PayMaya.

If you haven’t seen or heard “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” video yet, you’re definitely missing out—check out the song on YouTube and see what everyone’s been jamming to.

And if you don’t have PayMaya account yet—what are you waiting for? 

Now is the best time to have a PayMaya account, because you can get as muchas P200 instantly on your account just by signing up, upgrading your account, and using your friend's invite code when you join.

Download the PayMaya app for iOS or Android and sign up today to feel the joy of paying for anything you want in the fastest, most secure, and most rewarding way! 

To know more about how you can maximize your account, visit www.paymaya.com/deals.

PayMaya, the digital financial services arm of Voyager Innovations, is the only financial technology company in the Philippines offering integrated consumer and merchant payment solutions with the widest on-ground branch network. It is the first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device. It is the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations, the leading technology company in the country backed by PLDT, KKR, Tencent, World Bank’s IFC and the IFC Emerging Asia Fund.

Shopee Launches Manny Pacquiao as its Newest Brand Ambassador for Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announces world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as its newest brand ambassador for Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. 

Martin Yu, Associate Director, Shopee Philippines, said, “We are very happy to welcome the holiday season with the Philippines’ People’s Champ, Manny Pacquiao. He is a globally recognized household name and his commitment to achieving excellence in boxing mirrors Shopee’s commitment to giving Filipinos the best online shopping experience. We are thrilled to partner with him for Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.”

Manny Pacquiao said, “I am honored to be working with Shopee as their newest brand ambassador. My partnership with them will allow me to connect to my Filipino fans in a more exciting way and I am very happy to be working with a company that shares the same commitment to being the best.” 

Manny Pacquiao joins Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Manny Pacquiao will be featured in a series of initiatives with Shopee to bring fans closer to him: 

● Watch Manny Pacquiao star in Shopee’s latest TVC: stay tuned for Shopee’s latest television commercial starring Manny Pacquiao, which will air on all major TV networks starting October 15.

● Win signed Manny Pacquiao boxing gloves: Shopee will be hosting a nationwide social media contest where fans stand a chance to win ₱200,000 cash prize and signed boxing gloves. 

● Play Shopee exclusive Manny Pacquiao games: Fan-favorite games, Shopee Catch and Shopee Slice, will sport a new look and feature boxing elements to give users a chance to win Shopee coins and vouchers.

Key Highlights for Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

From October 15 to November 11, the first wave of Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale promises four weeks of exciting promotions. Key highlights include:

● Free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend: Users can avail of free shipping with  ₱0 minimum spend promotions common.

● 50% off deals daily: Consumers can score deals up to 50% off on their favorite products. 

● Category fairs: Shopee will be hosting specially-curated category fairs including Mobiles & Gadgets Sale from October 15 to 17 and Beauty Fair from October 21 to 24. 

● Cashback vouchers: There will be daily cashback vouchers up for grabs.

● Shopee Catch: Users can play Shopee Catch every day at 8PM for a chance to win from a coin pool worth 100,000.

● Shopee Shake: There will be 11 million Shopee coins to be given away in the iconic Shopee Shake game. 

● Win an iPhone 11 from Shopee Live: Viewers of Shopee Live can stay tuned every Friday at 6PM as Shopee will be giving away one iPhone 11.

● Exclusive deals from leading brands: Pampers, Silverworks, Bosch, Unilever, Maybelline, Olay, Pantene, Globe, Anker, Safeguard, Watsons, and Huawei will be participating to giving amazing discounts. 

Find out more about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale at https://www.shopee.ph/1111. 

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

Max's Restaurant celebrates 74 years of Sarap-to-the-Bones with 'Sorpresang Sarap' Mystery Box

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“The House That Fried Chicken Built” and the beloved culinary heritage brand responsible for Sarap-To-The-Bones goodness turns 74 this October. In celebration of its birthday, Max’s Restaurant offers a special treat: all dine-in transactions with a regular or family-sized whole fried chicken can avail of a special pick from the Mystery Box containing Sorpresang Sarap coupons for only Php 74.

Available from October 11 to 24, these bonus Sorpresang Sarap coupons give guests the chance to win one random item from an exciting, delectable list of freebies: a feast for 10 persons complete with Max’s signature dishes, a Regular Crispy Pata, Kare-Kare, a Regular Whole Fried Chicken, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, Chicken Sisig, a Small Pancit Canton, Fresh Lumpiang Ubod, or a 1.75L bottle of Pepsi.

Redemption of Sorpresang Sarap coupons is valid for dine-in only from October 11 to December 24, 2019 at any Max’s Restaurant branch nationwide.

Max’s Kabisera, the Bonifacio Global City neighborhood destination for classic and modern Filipino dishes, also celebrates its first anniversary this month, launching NEW appetizing dishes now available for dine-in, take-out, and catering transactions. Savor the flavor of Max’s Kabisera’s version of the classic Chicken Inasal for only Php 299. For grilled chicken lovers out there, the Grilled Boneless Chicken Thigh Fillet combo meal and Griled Boneless Chicken Thigh Fillet 2-piece platter at only Php 424 will surely satisfy cravings and get more bang for your buck. All plates include Peanut Sauce, Toyomansi, Pinakurat with Honey and Cucumber, and Achara on the side.

“As a sign of our unwavering appreciation and gratitude to the millions of Filipinos who’ve supported Max’s Restaurant in the last 74 years, we have these special promos and new menu items that will surely delight our customers’ dining experience,” said Mark De Joya, Marketing Director for Max’s Restaurant. “We’re committed to uphold the excellence in our quality and service as the flagbearer of Filipino cuisine and culture.”

ADULTING #FEELS ON COKE STUDIO SEASON 3

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Rapper Al James and indie band Lola Amour felt an instant rapport when they met to discuss their Coke Studio Season 3 collaboration. 

“Match yung energy namin! They’re all so young so you feel that youthful vibe from them,” Al James said of their first meeting. 

On Lola Amour’s part, lead singer Pio Dumayas has this to say on working with a hip-hop artist, “We really believe that there is strength in numbers and so adding one more genre to the music can only be good. For us, we were just thinking of what could make a great song.”

Lola Amour is composed of eight musicians, seven of whom were part of a marching band in De La Salle Zobel and the youngest member is from the Philippine High School of the Arts. Joining Pio are backing vocalist and keyboardist Martin Kim, backing vocalist and bassist Raymond King, guitarist Mico Fernandez, guitarist Zoe Gonzales, trumpeter Angelo Messina, saxophonist JoxxPerez and drummer Renzo Santos. 

Raymond speaks for the band when he says, “Music is what keeps us sane…especially at this stage when we’re starting to face responsibilities…adulting na kami!” 

And Al echoes this sentiment. “Early on, from childhood, music started as an escape from reality until it became a kind of therapy, especially ngayon sa life and career ko…”

Pio puts it this way—"Music is what helps us to see, to see each other and who we really are.” And who they are is a unique combination of verve, spunk and swag, all rising to the challenge of adulting under the spotlight.

Watch Al James and Lola Amour as they collaborate on Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them on October 19, Saturday, at 10 a.m. on ABS-CBN or on https://www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

How to get your own native tree through GCash Forest

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You may have seen it on your Facebook feed before: use mobile wallet GCash and help save the environment.

Through its feature GCash Forest, GCash allows users to be green warriors in their own right by using the app for transactions, eventually earning them points corresponding to a tree.

Upon earning enough points, users may choose a native tree to adopt, an actual sapling to be planted at the Ipo watershed, where GCash aims to plant 365,000 trees in a year, or 1,000 trees a day.

The virtual turned real this month when GCash and partner organization WWF brought several GCash users to the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan. The select group includes those who accomplished the feat of earning at least 20,000 green energy points.

For them, it was an opportunity to get involved in action that would help ensure a healthy environment for the future.

BPO worker and financial adviser Rodolfo Villena Jr. first learned of GCash Forest through a pop-up ad on his computer screen.

“I said sige try ko, wala naman mawawala. Binasa ko, OK, virtual way to plant a tree. Sabi they will plant a tree for you,” he said.

He was happily surprised when, after earning nearly 23,000 green energy points, he was selected as one of the GCash users to join a tree-planting activity on Oct. 12.

“One-of-a-kind experience siya--this is it, pinaghirapan ko itanim ito. It's a chance na not all are qualified to do so ang galing, alam mong ikaw mismo magtatanim ng puno, na-earn mo. You're not just expecting someone to plant for you,” he said.

So how did RJ earn all his green energy points? By using GCash as frequently as he could.

A GCash user for over three years now, RJ said he uses GCash to purchase mobile phone load (even for his friends) and do bank transfers for money he eventually uses for bills payments, which he also does via GCash. He also uses GCash to invest and save, and GCredit when he runs out of funds in his GCash wallet.

RJ frequently uses payment via QR codes, and GCash-to-GCash transfers for his Grab Car. His driver sends him the week's earnings via GCash.

“Bank transfers talaga ang nagpabilis nitong points ko. Minsan I earn 300 energy points for a single bank transfer. I also use QR code, nakaka-engganyo kasi ‘pag may vouchers, bili ka ng bili,” he said.

Phone banker Lorna Jane Andales also learned of GCash Forest through an online ad. A GCash user since April, she has earned 21,962 green energy points by using GCash for bills payments, fund transfers and prepaid load.

“From the very beginning of GCash Forest, I have been so excited to see the outcome. I didn't imagine that I would personally see it,” said Lorna, who was part of the first batch of tree-planters brought by GCash to the Ipo watershed.

Describing herself as a “progressive activist” for the environment, Lorna said the GCash Forest initiative could help spur collective action.

“It's for every one else, but most of all, Mother Earth. I may not be the most green-inspired person you'll meet but for me, every little thing we do affects Mother Nature. That's why it's very important to do small things to get back and fix Mother Nature. Every little thing counts,” she said.

Curiosity led housewife Edna Lyn Pagulayan, 31, to GCash Forest, and she had no second thoughts about lending a hand.

“I saw an ad on Facebook and when I checked my GCash App I saw a new icon for GCash Forest, got curious and found the objective very interesting and helpful,” she said.

Edna, a home-based travel consultant, has earned 20,752 points through using GCash every day for bills payment, groceries and load, and for fund transfers.

“With GCash, I found a better way to preserve our environment by using cashless transactions. Proud of myself, as I am now able to plant a real yakal tree,” she said.

She hopes more Filipinos would get involved, saying protecting our forests “means giving my children a breath of fresh air now and in the future.”

“I look forward to gain awareness and to see all Filipinos help GCashForest in planting more and more trees for a healthier and livelier ecosystem and environment,” she said.

RCBC, Liga ng mga Barangay work towards financial inclusion

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Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has taken the first steps to bringing its digital financial inclusion initiative to grassroots communities as it gets the support and commitment of Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LNB).

The LNB led by National President Eden Pineda, presented its national executive board resolution stating that the organization is adopting DiskarTech: Kasosyo sa Asenso as a growth enabler and capacity-building measure for microenterprises in every barangay and its constituents. DiskarTech is a financial inclusion accelerator platform by RCBC that aims to stimulate economic activity to help uplift the unbanked and underserved Filipinos. 

DISKARTECH AS A NATIONAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION ACCELERATOR PROGRAM. The Liga ng mga Barangay, led by its National President Eden Pineda, recently presented its National Executive Board Resolution to RCBC Chairperson Helen Yuchengco Dee. Also in photo are (from left) RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva and RCBC President and CEO Eugene S. Acevedo, Chairman James Marty Lim, and Executive Director Jel R. Jiongco. The strategic collaboration will focus on accelerating financial literacy, promoting inclusive digital economy, and empowering local communities. This supports the government digitalization efforts aligned with President Duterte’s 10-point economic agenda on investing on human capital development, and promoting technology and innovation for self-sustaining and inclusive development towards poverty alleviation. This will cover all 42,000 barangays nationwide.

The strategic collaboration will focus on accelerating financial literacy, promoting inclusive digital economy, and empowering local communities. This supports the government digitalization efforts aligned with President Duterte’s 10-point economic agenda on investing on human capital development, and promoting technology and innovation for self-sustaining and inclusive development towards poverty alleviation.

LNB is the official organization of over 42,000 barangays throughout the country. It is committed to providing avenues and assistance to promote welfare and ensure success of the national government’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and National Retail Payments System.

“This financial inclusion accelerator will be pervasive throughout the country as it would address the huge gaps in financial services while reducing the number of unbanked and underserved communities,” said RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva.

By adopting DiskarTech, LNB will be taking an active role in leading workshops and programs on financial education and literacy with the assistance of the DiskarTech National Coordinating Team. They will also be engaging its member municipalities to appoint their own DiskarTech Community Leader (DCL) who will facilitate participation of residents and entrepreneurs in the program.

“DiskarTech will pave the way for the real transformation of our communities nationwide as it would provide opportunities to our constituents, giving them the chance to be part of the formal financial system through technology,” said Liga ng mga Barangay National President Eden Pineda.

In an effort to encourage economic activity, partner sari-sari stores or microenterprises will also be identified as Barangay Digital Community Centers (BDCCs) to serve as the go-to hub of every resident for their financial needs - whether it’s paying bills, depositing savings to their accounts, buying micro insurance or sending money to their loved ones.

With this, RCBC hopes to turbocharge the growth of digital financial transactions in the country from the current one percent to a minimum of twenty percent by next year. Through DiskarTech, this initiaitve hopes to bring to realization the vision of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of creating a cash-lite and digital economy for greater efficiency, security, interoperability, and affordability.

Joining LNB and 20 other existing partners, a number of private organizations have also signed up recently to join the DiskarTech financial inclusion ecosystem to benefit their respective constituents. These partners include Ka-Entrep Micro and Small Entrepreneurs Organization of the Philippines, Bangko Pangasinan, and Rizal Microbank, among others.

Rural bank Bangko Pangasinan and thrift bank Rizal Microbank also share how DiskarTech would empower the agriculture sector with access to basic financial needs and microfinance loans.

“DiskarTech is an open platform and the way it works is that banks like us can communicate with other banks. Similar to an open banking system, there will be no barriers and it will become interoperable to make it easier to reach and assist the underserved market,” said Gregory De Guzman, Bangko Pangasinan president and COO.

Joseph Lumain, Strategic Partnerships and Special Initiatives head at Rizal Microbank, agrees that DiskarTech will be an effective way to reach numerous individuals at the same time. “Basically, what DiskarTech is offering are the basic services of a bank through digital means. And in an era where almost everyone is tech-savvy, DiskarTech can be the perfect solution to present financial services in an understandable way, and eventually helping answer the issue of financial inclusion.”

Christian Bables Receives Bright Star Award at the 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema

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Christian Bables,  one of the brilliant young actors of his generation, is an award-winning actor to be reckoned with.

Gaining international attention, Christian won Bright Star Award in the prestigious 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema for "Signal Rock." Previously, he won the Best Actor Award from the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival for the same movie “Signal Rock.” He has won Best Supporting Actor Award at many film festivals, which included “Die Beautiful” in which he plays a transgender woman.

Christian breathes life into every character he portrays and enjoys being an actor because he can express himself, touch other people’s lives, and execute his passion.

Christian always takes his work seriously and values the importance of training and preparation. He remains focus on his craft as an actor that is why blessings continuously keep pouring in for him. 

“Like what my mentors tell me, acting is a lifestyle of learning. Kahit na sino, kahit hindi actor, ay dapat hindi tumigil sa pag-aaral. Dapat laging bukas na matuto,” says Christian.

He has proven to all and sundry that he is an award-winning actor to be reckoned with. 

“Acting is a venue to express myself. I enjoy giving empowerment to every character I portray because through that ako mismo ay nae-empower.” 

Christian is in high spirits these days. Fresh from the box-office success of Panti Sisters, Christian is deeply overwhelmed with the outcome of the movie which revolves around the story of three gay siblings whose rich father wants to bequeath his inheritance to a son who can give him a grandchild.

“Nakakatuwa na tinanggap ng Filipino audience and maybe the foreign audience ang pelikula namin. Thank you very much but more than anything else, I am ecstatic because we were able to relay the message of the movie. Likewise, we become proud allies of the LGBT community. Personally, this is my way of giving back because ang laki ng utang na loob ko sa LGBT community. If not for my role as Barbs in Die Beautiful, I wouldn’t be here. Hindi mabubukas ang pintuan ng mga pangarap ko. Ang mapapangako ko ay hindi ako magsasawa at mapapagod na gumawa ng mga makabuluhang istorya para sa LGBT community.”

He just came back from Chicago to personally accept his Bright Star Awa in the prestigious 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema for his sterling performance in Signal Rock. In the film, Christian plays Intoy, a poor high school dropout who resides in a far-flung fishing island with his family and courageously climbs steep rock formations just to get a cellphone signal. (He won the Best Actor Award at the Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) in Vietnam last year.) 

Christian shares his experience attending the event. 

“They were all nice. The founder is Ms. Sophia Boccio. She was very accommodating. I received a warm welcome from the people in Chicago most especially the Filipino community. Grabe iyong suporta nila sa Signal Rock, sa akin, at sa pagpunta ko. I enjoyed my stay there. It was a heartwarming experience. It is one of my most memorable film festivals.”

Also recently, he won the Best Actor Award at the Urduja Film Festival for his role in Signal Rock which also received the Movie of the Year (Drama) Award. Urduja Film Festival is a yearly competition which promotes student short, feature, and independent films in Northern Luzon.

Despite his achievements, Christian remains humble. How does he handle fame? 

“For me, being known is just part of the job. Iyong real job for me, ang totoong batayan sa akin ay kung gaano ka kadiligent at kung gaano ka kagutom as an actor. You’re just as good as your last work. So ang pagiging masipag (iyong kaya mong i-assess kung tama ba o hindi ang ginagawa mo) ay ang totoong batayan for me at hindi ang fame.”

Christian is grateful for all the good projects coming his way. Aside from upcoming movies, and stageplay, he is part of a new teleserye in ABS-CBN. 

“I am thankful to ABS-CBN for giving me such a good and challenging role. Please watch out for my new television series soon.”

For inquiries, please call (02) 88554765 or (02) 34054423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Janine Gutierrez top-bills new psycho-thriller film 'Babae at Baril'

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Showbiz royalty and the Kapuso leading lady Janine Gutierrez is top-billing a new psycho-thriller film, Babae at Baril, directed by Rae Red. Babae at Baril is an entry to this year's QCinema International Film Festival. 

The movie tackles how it is like to be a woman in a world of violence and masculinity, Babae at Baril is director Rae Red’s sophomore feature and first solo directorial effort.

Janine to showcase a different side of her as she proves her acting versatility.  Here, she's a simple girl, with a gun, and at desperate times. 

In the gripping psychological thriller, Gutierrez portrays a hardworking saleslady who’s had enough of being an underdog. Just as she decides to take things into her own hands, she myste­riously finds a gun on her doorstep. 

Empowered by the weapon, her bitter past comes rushing back to her and rather than wallow in it, it angers and transforms her. With a gun, she can do whatever she wants, talk back to whoever she wants and even hurt those who have wronged her.

This one story that makes me nervous, in pain, ask why and feel sorry for people on that so desperate situation in life.

A handgun for everyone, like a young lady (as Janine in the movie), to consider for self-defense... I sometimes understand that there are, unfortunately, cases where a gun may have helped a victim. In the movie Babae at Baril", there are young boys, also used guns...to fight for themselves, or to do not good things.... Is this a story in defense of carrying guns?

The film stars Janine Gutierrez, Felix Roco, Elijah Canlas, JC Santos, and Sky Teotico with special participation of Ruby Ruiz, Allan Paule, and Archie Adamos and produced by CIGNAL ENTERTAINMENT in partnership with EPIC MEDIA,

"Babae at Baril" showing in selected cinemas (Gateway Mall, Ayala Trinoma, Robinsons Galleria, UPFI Cine Adarna, Cinema 76 Anonas and Cinema Centenario in QC on Oct 15-22, 2019.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/BabaeAtBaril

DOT unveils a more fun website

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) unveils its new website on Tuesday at one of the many century-old buildings in Escolta, Manila - the HUB: Make Lab. This is part of DOT’s efforts to showcase and conserve the country’s natural heritage.

DOT Assistant Secretary Howard Lance A. Uyking and GTTP General Manager Rabbi Vincent Ang launches DOT’s new tourism website at Hub: Make Lab in Escolta, Manila.

The new DOT website  philippines.travel,  makes the 7,641 islands of the Philippines more accessible to both foreign and local travelers.

“Our new tourism website, philippines.travel, is a one-stop-shop for all your travel needs which includes information on our beautiful destinations to help you plan and book your next trip.” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

“We have made the website very inclusive as we recognize the value of our private sector’s involvement and support in this. This is one of many efforts we are doing to encourage tourist establishments to go through our accreditation process in order to provide better service to our tourists.” emphasized Sec. Puyat.

The inclusion of an actual travel booking system on the site is in partnership with Guide to the Philippines (www.guidetothephilippines.ph). Aside from more than 500 best value travel products and counting, Guide to the Philippines also has an online library of in-depth destination travel guides to help travelers discover new places and experiences for their trips in the Philippines.

This partnership intends to link tourists to DOT-accredited tour operators and tourism establishments. As a long-term goal, the DOT aims to embed the booking system’s functions to its new website. 

“What's really exciting is that our country now has an online platform to showcase to the world, not only the popular Philippine destinations but even the lesser-known ones. It's a true collaboration of local tourism stakeholders, one that's sure to make traveling to our country a lot easier," said Rabbi Vincent Ang, Guide to the Philippines' General Manager.

According to President of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Jose Clemente III, “The new website does not only provide accessibility for tourists with its travel guide, but it symbolizes how the government and the business sector can help one another to provide better services for our people.”

For its new look, the re-designed website has three main tabs: See & Do; Where to Go; and Events & Festival, which are based on unique travel behaviors.

The “See & Do” tab features six tourism products of the country, such as Dive, Nature, Sun and Beach, Adventure, Food and Hospitality, and Events and Culture. These products are also highlighted in ten large image-centric carousel banners.

Clicking on each product will lead the user to tourist destinations and activities that are readily available.

Under the “Where to Go” tab, tourists can explore the country through a virtual map, and get basic information on the 16 regions and provinces, including routes going there, nearby places to explore, and even where to stay.

For the “Events & Festival,” tourists are guided with dates, location and routes, and fundamental information about the occasion. It also informs tourists to wear cultural appropriate clothing.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Guide to the Philippines (GTTP) formalize their partnership through the newly launched philippines.travel website, which allows users to book tours from DOT-accredited tour operators and tourism establishments. In photo during the official contract signing are (L-R): DOT Assistant Secretary Howard Lance A. Uyking, GTTP General Manager Rabbi Vincent Ang, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and Tourism Council of the Philippines President Jojo Clemente.

The DOT also stressed that the philippines.travel, website is a timeless domain name that is not dependent on any government’s tourism campaign or slogan.