Celebrate the Holidays with these real’ good recipes

Tweet

Kids and adults look forward to celebrating the holidays with gifts and good food. While Christmas might be different this year, you can still make it special by dining with your loved ones on some home-cooked family favorites. 

If you’re looking for ideas for your Noche Buena feast, here are some easy-to-cook and delicious recipes that you can try. Level it up even further by using El Real.

1. Classic Chicken Alfredo

For a classic pasta dish that your family will surely love, try this Chicken Alfredo recipe:

What you’ll need:

• 900g El Real Spaghetti

• 1kg Chicken breast fillet strips

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 cups cream

• 1 cup milk

• ¾ cup water

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 6 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 can button mushrooms

• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

• ¾ cup grated cheddar cheese

• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese

Procedure:

1. Cook El Real Spaghetti in lightly salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan. While heating oil, season chicken strips with salt and pepper.

3. Cook chicken strips in pan for 7-10 minutes per side.

4. Once cooked, removed chicken from pan. Do not turn off the heat.

5. Melt butter in the same pan used to cook chicken. 

6. Sautee minced garlic and onions until soft and fragrant. Add in mushrooms and continue to sauté until fragrant.

7. Slowly pour in milk and cream, and mix. Add in water and boil until sauce thickens.

8. Slice cooked chicken strips into cubes and toss them in to boiling sauce. 

9. Season sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

10. Serve sauce with cooked El Real pasta and top with parmesan and cheddar cheese.

11. Enjoy!

2. Creamy Tuna pasta

Into red sauce more? Try this mouthwatering Creamy Tuna Pasta recipe:

What you’ll need:

• El Real Sarap Sweet Style bundle pack 1.7kg (800g Spaghetti and 900g sweet style spaghetti sauce)

• 2 cans tuna flakes

• 1 large can mushrooms

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 5 cloves garlic, chopped

• 3 tbsps butter

• ½ cup all-purpose cream

• ½ cup water

• 1 cup grated cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Cook El Real Party Pasta in lightly salted boiling water for 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Melt butter in hot saucepot

3. Sautee onions and garlic in melted butter

4. Right before garlic turns golden brown, toss in tuna flakes followed by mushrooms and continue to Sautee until mushrooms are tender.

5. Once mushrooms are tender (about 2 minutes), add in El Real Sweet Style Spaghetti Sauce and let boil for a few minutes.

6. Add in water and cream then season with salt and pepper. Continue boiling for 3-5 minutes.

7. Serve sauce with cooked El Real spaghetti and top with cheese.

8. Enjoy!

Made with durum wheat, this pasta can absorb and blend well with your sauces. It’s also a good source of iron, fiber and protein so you can be sure that you’re serving something nutritious for the family.  

This season, have a Merry Christmas with your family by preparing a delicious Noche Buena feast using El Real. Grab this Sarap, Sustansya and Sulit El Real Pasta in groceries and supermarkets nationwide.

For more recipes, follow El Real on Facebook. El Real is a pasta brand from Universal Robina Corporation, makers of well-loved goodies such as C2, Chippy, Cloud 9, Magic Crackers and Maxx.

CIGNAL TV, TV5, AND MVP GROUP OF COMPANIES ENJOIN FILIPINOS TO SPARK HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS

Tweet

As families and communities continue to rebuild after the ravages of the pandemic and recent natural calamities, Cignal TV, TV5 and the entire MVP Group of Companies have come together for the TULOY PA RIN ANG PASKO MOVEMENT with its mission of spreading positivity and holiday cheer to fellow Filipinos, from all walks of life, this Christmas. 

The Yuletide Season is the epitome of family, tradition, and celebration; whether it’s through bountiful Noche Buena feasts, family gatherings, or acts of generosity. Though the holidays may feel different this year, now is the time to imbibe the spirit of togetherness and make it most felt. Through this CSR effort, noche buena treats will be distributed to identified beneficiaries, as noche buena isn't just about delicious food, but a special meal that represents the warmth and hope all families wish to share in the face of these uncertain times. Avenues to pledge donations have been created for those who want to be part of the movement.

The TULOY PA RIN ANG PASKO MOVEMENT invites everyone to show compassion. It is an open call for Kapatids to be a ray of hope and brighten up someone else’s Christmas especially those in need. This season, we are urged to foster camaraderie and be positive enablers to make somebody’s Christmas happen.

To further the spread of the movements’ message, the TULOY PA RIN ANG PASKO theme song was created. Written by Louie Ocampo with lyrics by Noel Ferrer, the song speaks volumes on what this initiative represents— that each one of us, through big or small acts of kindness, can make Christmas whole and meaningful. A heartwarming music video was also released featuring various stars and personalities; all of whom believe, support, and adhere to what the movement imbibes.

This season, let us all carry out the true meaning of Christmas and be a blessing to our fellow Filipinos. For those interested to be part of the TULOY PA RIN ANG PASKO MOVEMENT, you may donate through the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. through online bank transfer.

For more information on how you can extend help, visit TV5’s Facebook Page. Don’t forget to watch the movement’s music video “Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko”, which is available online iand will continue airing on TV5, One Sports and Cignal TV organic channels (One PH, One News, Colours, Sari Sari, One Screen, One Sports Plus and PBA Rush) throughout the holidays.

realme introduces official brand character REALMEOW

Tweet

REALMEOW embodies four main characteristics: ready for breakthroughs, independent, fearless and agile.

realme Philippines, the no. 1 smartphone brand in the country, joins its global counterparts in the launch of realme’s official brand character – REALMEOW. REALMEOW is given the title Chief Trending Officer, destined to lead trends in tech, visuals, and geek pop culture. REALMEOW, with its high-tech and trendsetting design, embodies the trendsetting attitude and diversified personalities of Gen Zs. 

REALMEOW’s bold and street-style design represents realme’s “Dare to Leap” spirit. Appropriately so, the brand character takes inspiration from cats – independent, fearless, agile and ready for breakthroughs.

The official outer-worldly brand character of realme is co-designed by world-famous animator Mark Walsh. Walsh is the directing animator of Pixar’s Finding Nemo and character developer of Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. He believes that “characters start with passion. Defining the passion and the obstacles a character must overcome to achieve it is what makes a great personality of an identifiable character.” Walsh joined the realme Design Studio as creative consultant to create the trendsetting REALMEOW, having independence and fearlessness as the character’s core.

A trendsetting outer-worldly buddy

In designing REALMEOW, both Walsh and realme believed that it should showcase the culture favored by the young. This pushed the team to imbibe the mood and vibe of street-culture with some painting and sculpture elements for REALMEOW.

Though it takes huge inspiration from cats, Walsh and realme designed REALMEOW to be a mysterious creature from Trendsetting Planet. To complement its mainly yellow body, the character sports a pair of black laser glasses as an accessory. REALMEOW’s glasses can transform into any object in the blink of an eye, adding flare to its character’s sharp attitude.

REALMEOW, as a perpetually 18-year-old extraterrestrial, is at the prime of its youth– teeming with vigor, passion and life. Just like many of its fellow Gen Zs, REALMEOW likes fried chicken and pizza. The cute alien buddy also loves jamming and dancing to rap songs and is good at skating and hip-hop dance.

REALMEOW will be the new trendsetting buddy of every realme fan, showing the world that this generation is ready to Dare to Leap. REALMEOW and realme fans will be championing youth empowerment to urge the young demographic worldwide to go beyond themselves and seize more possibilities.

realme Global launched a limited REALMEOW gift package to celebrate the new year with the youth across the globe. This merchandise will be available in the Philippines soon. In the future, realme will launch a customized smartphone and AIoT products based on REALMEOW to underscore the need for a fearless, connected, and trendsetting smart lifestyle.

To know more about realmeow and the many promos and products of realme Philippines, leap on to the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the leading smartphone brand.

Healing benefits of the yun-zhi mushroom for those with medical conditions

Tweet

In 2018, lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remained as the top causes of mortality in Filipinos, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, with Ischemic heart diseases, Neoplasms, Cerebrovascular diseases (including stroke and aneurysm), Pneumonia, and Diabetes Mellitus as the top 5 causes. These are diseases that are known to be correlated with one’s lifestyle and habits. The good news is that there are ways to boost one’s immune system that may be able to increase your protection from these diseases. 

One way to give your immune system a boost, together with switching to a healthy diet and exercising, is through medicinal herbs and food supplements. One of the most sought-after herbal supplements in recent years are those made of the Yun-zhi mushroom or turkey tail mushroom, a legendary mushroom whose effects have been known for at least 2,000 years. Ancient medicinal records would describe its effects to bring invigorating vital energy and rejuvenation after prolonged consumption. Its benefits have attracted the attention of modern science and have sprouted extensive clinical trials to ascertain its effectivity and benefits, making it one of the most heavily researched mushrooms in the world. 

In 2017, Dyna Drug Corporation launched NeuCell, a single plant extract formulation that is made with 250 mg of Yun-zhi Mushroom, which was also described by early Chinese texts as a “godly” medicine because of its remarkable health-promoting properties. Here are just some benefits of NeuCell, especially for those with preexisting medical conditions. 

Boosts your immune system 

In a random clinical trial, NeuCell was proven to stabilize white blood cell count in participants, making it a great supplement to boost the immune system, especially of those undergoing chemo- and radiotherapies. It also helps to reduce the side effects of these treatments such as fatigue, poor appetite, pain, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. 

Supports the respiratory system 

The Yun-zhi mushroom is also known to improve the functions of the lungs. In traditional Chinese medicine, this highly researched and respected medicinal fungus has been used to treat lung diseases and to promote a healthy upper respiratory system. 

Strengthens healthy liver function 

The Yun-zhi mushroom was found to help detoxify the liver, helping promote overall liver health. It was also found to improve and strengthen the functions of the liver. 

Promotes vitality 

In a clinical study on the anti-fatigue properties of the Yun-zhi mushroom published on the International Journal of Medical Sciences, it was also seen that they can improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue. In the Compendium of Materia Medica published by Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty, he described the effects of the Yun-zhi mushroom as “invigorating vital energy, and stimulating longevity and rejuvenation after prolonged consumption”. For people undergoing chemotherapy, NeuCell can help lessen fatigue as a symptom of the treatment. 

NeuCell is highly recommended for people with existing medical conditions or undergoing chemotherapy in order to keep up their immune system. The results of a double-blind random clinical trial of NeuCell showed an effectivity rate between 83% and 86% for the participants. Still, anyone can take it as a food supplement to boost the immune system and to detoxify the body. For people undergoing chemotherapy, the recommended dosage is 4 to 5 capsules after meals, while those taking it as a food supplement are recommended to take 2 to 4 capsules daily. 

NeuCell is FDA approved and is currently available at goodwill.market for only P720.00. 

About Dyna Drug Corporation. Dyna Drug Corporation’s success story started in 1976 when it first opened as a wholesaler in the Chinese district of Binondo, Manila. Since 2006, it started its operations in Bagong Silang, Pasig City. In 2012, the company extended its services to its subsidiary companies; Nurture Med Incorporated and DyGen Pharma Corporation and soon became widely recognized as the leader in wholesale of both ethical, over-the-counter pharmaceutical products and consumer and allied products. 

Today, Dyna Drug remains to be part of the Philippines’ Top 1,000 companies with more than 500 employees. Guided by an unwavering commitment to service excellence, Dyna Drug aims to be a leading entity in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry dedicated to providing our customers at all times with products of the highest quality possible, while constantly seeking new and innovative ways to uphold our integrity, maintain our reliability and improve our core competencies. 

Dyna Drug Corporation is SGS-certified for good storage and distribution practices, fully complying to Philippine FDA standards. Currently, it has 9 business units across the country, namely in Binondo, Pasig, Cebu, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Isabela, Legaspi, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro. Dyna Drug Corporation is connected with over 190 local and foreign principals and 5 partner toll manufacturers, serving 3,000 customers around the Philippines. They are a member of PPMA, DSAP, PCPI, ECOP, and PCCI. 

For more information about Dyna Drug Corporation and its products, you can visit their website at dynadrug.com. 

Lessons in business growth and sustainability from Lark Your Way to Success

Tweet

The recently concluded Lark webinar series aimed to help businesses adapt to changes in the workplace.

Lark strengthens its position as an ally for sustainability, growth, and success among businesses in the Philippines after completing three successful tracks of the Lark Your Way to Success webinar series. The webinars, which took place throughout November and December 2020, were well-attended by small business owners and entrepreneurs who are members of Lark's partner organizations, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI), and GoNegosyo. Representatives from partner media organizations, ABS-CBN News Channel, Business Mirror, CNN Philippines, Esquire, Inquirer.net, UnboxPH, and Yugatech were also invited to the webinars. 

Each track covered three topics and featured industry experts and key opinion leaders who shared their professional advice on how businesses can adapt, evolve, and innovate in order to thrive in the future. These are the highlighted lessons in business growth and sustainability that participants learned at the Lark Your Way to Success webinars. 

1. Businesses without a digitally-enabled workforce may be extinct by 2021

The first webinar session taught attendees the value of adapting to change, and how going digital is a key solution for this. The first speaker of the day was Joey Lim, Vice President of Sales, APAC in Lark. She discussed the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses, and how a new digitally-driven work normal is the future of work. 

Entrepreneur and host RJ Ledesma was the next speaker. He talked about the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to find opportunity in crisis, in order for a business to succeed. The final speaker for the day was business technology coach Joey Gurango, who shared insights on the current workflow trends. According to Joey, a digital transformation is necessary right now for any business that wants to survive.

2. Connecting and collaborating is essential for business success

The second track focused on how businesses must evolve to stay afloat in the new work landscape. The session started off with a look at best practices in adopting new ways of work through local, regional, and global case studies shared by Cat Avelino, Head of Communications, Lark Philippines. 

The second speaker was entrepreneur, business consultant, and columnist Francis J. Kong, who shared some dos and dont's for managing teams and resources remotely. He explained how a crisis can make us both better and bitter, and how it can also push us to evolve faster. The last to speak was content creator and COO of The Canton Club, Camille Co, together with Charlotte Co. They explained why it is necessary to listen to the needs of consumers, and how true connection and collaboration can yield positive results. 

3. Business leaders must lead by example when embracing new ways of work 

Innovation is indispensable for success in the future landscape of work, and the third track of the Lark webinar series emphasized this. Regional Lark Product Specialist, Andeed Ma started off with a talk about how businesses can make technology work for them in moving towards the future of work, and how Lark is an example of a great tool to use for this purpose.

Digital entrepreneur Carlo Ople spoke next, on the topic of managing ang measuring employee engagement and collaboration while working remotely. According to Carlo, it might be best to focus on each remote employee's key performance indicators (KPI) rather than the on-screen time when assessing productivity. The final talk was by automotive journalist, events host, and CNN Philippines Anchor, James Deakin. He stressed the need for new normal leaders to lead by example, particularly when it comes to learning how to use digital tools, and showing employees how easy they are to use for work.

At the end of the webinar series, two business owners who joined the sessions were selected as mentees for Lark's New Normal Business Council and Mentorship Program. 

The chosen CEOs are Joyce Yu of True Blends Tea & Coffee and Mark Joseph David of Pal Maritime Corporation. Both will be granted a mentorship program by Lark, along with an additional 100GB Lark cloud storage for one year, and PHP300,000 worth of PR and marketing support.

To learn more about the other features of Lark, visit www.larksuite.com.

Lark is available on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. Click here to start using Lark today.

A Much More Financially Mobile ‘Iponaryo’

Tweet

  

Cebuana Lhullier powers up their Micro Savings Account

 

As a champion for financial inclusion, Cebuana Lhuillier recently launched additional features to their existing Micro Savings Account, a product of Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, to help more Filipinos become financially mobile, especially during the onset of the new normal. When the Micro Savings was introduced last year, in 2019, to be exact, it provided unbanked and underbanked Filipinos with easy access to basic savings, regardless of who and where they are. It further empowered the vast majority to jumpstart their savings and directly steer their lives towards a better future. But when the pandemic hit, the progress of the program, along with everything else, was literally brought to a standstill.

 

Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB) saw this as an opportunity to make sure that account holders or “Iponaryos” as they’re called, continue to still have full access to their hard-earned money, at their convenience. CLRB president Dennis Valdes said that, “The many challenges and limitations in access, presented by the pandemic to our clients and countless Filipinos, made us look even harder for more opportunities in bringing Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings to the next level; pushing our myriad of services farther ahead to immediately answer the needs of our clients.”

And the challenge has been met successfully. The Micro Savings Account now has four (4) new features: Partnerships with two giant financial institutions; BancNet and UnionPay, a link to the eCebuana App, as well as, the addition of QR Technology, for added security.

‘Iponaryos’ now have access to the latest functions transforming their Micro Savings account from just a basic cash deposit account to an even more powerful and reliable, full-service savings account.  By partnering with BancNet, they now have unrivalled easy access to their finances beyond CLRB's cash agent, Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches nationwide, using BancNet's roster of 21,000 ATMs, and 114 member banks.

A tie-up with UnionPay further allows account holders to make debit payments through over 350,000 POS terminals, as well as partner merchants nationwide. ‘Iponaryos’ can now get the benefit of an enhanced payment security with UnionPay chip cards’ quick payment process with just a tap, using UnionPay Contactless technology, plus the convenience of not having to carry cash and coins.

Full online access is likewise afforded to Ka-Cebuanas with the more efficient and more powerful eCebuana app allowing money transfers via Instapay, bills and utility payments, eLoad feature, insurance purchase, and coming soon are pawning ticket renewal and jewelry purchases. All these are made even more convenient since the adoption of online sign ups, now being allowed in the eCebuana app.

Lastly, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings steps into the future by enabling QR Technology within the eCebuana app. This feature will be able to make money transfers and retail payments seamless and secure. Money transfers and retail payments via QR code will be available by March 2021.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO announced, “We are now shifting into a tech-brick company, where our network of branches will take advantage of our proprietary technology to step into new grounds by adapting to the new normal using our enhanced digital business transformation.  This will provide unprecedented financial access to millions more of Filipinos wherever they may be, anytime.”  

Lhuillier further talks about how they plan to take Filipinos to the next step of their ipon journeys. “Our dream is to digitally and financially include Filipinos by implementing world-class and innovative digital financial solutions for them. This, we believe, is what the future of financial inclusion should be – a future where there is financial mobility for every Filipino, a future where we provide them the capability to manage their finances whenever and wherever they may be, at any time.”

 

The Queen of the Kitchen, Helen Gamboa returns to Colours for the 3rd Season

Tweet

Cignal TV, the country’s #1 Pay TV provider with over 3 million subscribers welcomes back the Queen of the Kitchen, seasoned actress Helen Gamboa Sotto, with the Season 3 launch of “From Helen’s Kitchen” on Colours and TV5, premiering this December 19.

This season kicks off with two holiday-themed episodes: Noche Buena Traditions and Family Favorites for Media Noche where Tita Helen will share holiday traditions and create their family’s signature noche buena and media noche family favorites alongside her husband, Tito Sotto, and their children: Apples, Lala, Gian and Ciara Sotto.

The program will not only showcase Tita Helen’s exquisite culinary skill, but will give viewers unique stories behind recipes that go beyond average comfort food. She’ll be working on international entrees with a twist and the usual ‘pamana ni Nanay/Lola’ heirloom recipes with celebrity guests such as Joey de Leon, Gelli de Belen and many others.

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 sees Tita Helen opening up her kitchen once again. She aims to impart a sense of comfort and holiday cheer through hearty and delicious meals that Filipino families can recreate to bring their family together. 

“We live in a world that is unlike any other. Many families are miles apart from one another and are not able to physically be together due to these unprecedented times. Through our third season, we want to bring the holiday spirit to our viewers by sharing our family’s Noche Buena dishes and traditions,” the cooking aficionado shares. “Lahat kami ng family ko ay happy na maibahagi ang kahit kaunting kasiyahan na dala ng pagluluto sa ating mga viewers.” Tita Helen shares. 

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 is just 1 of the 3 new programs premiering on Colours this December, so viewers at home can expect high-quality shows and entertainment premiering this holiday season.

“From Helen’s Kitchen” Season 3 premieres this December 19, and will air every Saturday at 8:00PM on Colours, available on Cignal TV CH. 60 SD and CH. 202 HD. Catch-up airings will also be available on TV5 starting December 20, 7:00AM and continues every Sunday. Viewers may also access Colours and TV5 on the Cignal Play app, available for Android and iOS users. 

To subscribe to Cignal TV contact 8888-5555, 0949-9977600 to 7603. You may also email us at sales@cignal.tv or follow Cignal TV’s Official Facebook page! For more information, visit the Colours Official Facebook Page!

Bike for Good: Baker John partners with GMA Kapuso Foundation for Livelihood Project

Tweet

Baker John, Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) brand of bread, recently teamed up with GMA Kapuso Foundation for the “Bike for Good” project. Through this partnership, 30 beneficiaries will receive bikes and bread products from Baker John.

“Our goal is to provide assistance to those who are trying to adapt to this new, challenging situation in the time of the COVID pandemic. Through this partnership, we hope the beneficiaries selected by GMA Kapuso Foundation will have the will -- and the wheels -- to keep going,” said Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division’s Managing Director.

 According to Lee, the Bike for Good project provides each of the 30 beneficiaries with a bicycle and a negosyo starter package consisting of Baker John products. “We want to assist them in kicking off their community selling business which can help them with their livelihood,” Lee shared.

TEAMING UP FOR BIKE FOR GOOD. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, (left) and Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director sign the agreement formalizing the partnership for the Bike for Good livelihood donation.

In choosing the beneficiaries, the project prioritizes those who lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as residents of Metro Manila and Rizal who have lost their source of income due to the typhoons Rolly and/or Ulysses.

PROVIDING LIVELIHOOD THROUGH WHEELS: GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (left) Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director Ellison Lee check the bread-and-bike livelihood package from Baker John for the Bike for Good beneficiaries.

Apart from this, GMA Kapuso Foundation chose beneficiaries who are physically able, have the can do spirit, and willing to use the bicycle to sell Baker John’s bread in their community as a source of alternative livelihood for their family.

“COVID and typhoon Ulysses brought economic devastation to residents of NCR. GMA Kapuso Foundation is happy to help Baker John and URC find beneficiaries. It is a very difficult time but in time of great adversity there is also opportunity. Do not lose hope,” stated Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Baker John is URC’s very own line of tasty premium bread products available in selected Robinsons, Rustan’s, Shopwise, and Walter Mart supermarkets, and Ministop branches nationwide. Visit www.urcflour.com today for more information.

  

4 must-try Noche Buena classic dishes with a twist

Tweet

 

Glazed Christmas ham

 

Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.

Glazed Christmas Ham. A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.

Crispy Lechon Roll. Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.

Extra Meaty Spaghetti. No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!

Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake. After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave for dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist -- queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.

If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.

MMFF 2020 stars invite OFWs to watch this year’s films online

Tweet

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) festival organizers held a “MMFF Zoom Roadshow” with Pinoy celebrities to invite Filipinos from all over the world to watch this year’s line-up of top calibre films. 

Celebrities Zanjoe Marudo, Charlie Dizon, Keann Johnson, Andrew E, Ritz Azul, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Julia Estrada, Fumiya and Yamyam kicked off the online roadshow together with PCOO (Presidential Communications Operations Office) Director Pebbles Duque who hosted the online event. OFWs from Hawaii, the UK, Australia, UAE, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hong Kong showed their support and were pleased to meet and greet the celebrity guests. The participants were also given a short demo on how to watch the MMFF films via UPSTREAM, the newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform, and GMovies.

“A lot of Filipinos, OFWs most especially, will be postponing their homecoming due to the pandemic. While they will miss out on much of the traditional festivities back home, we want to bring them cheer by allowing them to enjoy this year’s MMFF anywhere in the world. Wherever they may be, Filipino Christmas continues to be felt with the MMFF,” said Director Duque.

“We are grateful to MMFF for allowing us to recreate this well-loved Christmas tradition of enjoying the MMFF films, especially for the OFWs who will be missing home this season. These films that deeply reflect Filipino values and culture can now be enjoyed online, anywhere in the world,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer. 

The 46th edition of the MMFF via UPSTREAM and in partnership with GMovies opens on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020 until January 7, 2021. 

This year, the MMFF has 10 official entries, a shift from the usual eight entries in the previous years. The titles cover a wider range of audiences especially now that the festival has moved online:

Joel Lamangan’s “Isa Pang Bahaghari” is an LGBTQ-themed family drama about an OFW (Phillip Salvador) returning home to reconnect with his estranged wife (Nora Aunor) and children (Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco and Sanya Lopez). 

Another LGBTQ-themed film in the roster is “The Boy Foretold by The Stars” produced by Clever Minds, Inc. starring Adrian Lindayag and Keann Johnson, who portray high school classmates whose friendship is tested when their feelings towards each other evolve. 

For those who enjoy a good scare, Easy Ferrer’s “The Missing” is set in a haunted house in Japan. Produced by Regal Entertainment, the film features Joseph Marco, Ritz Azul and Miles Ocampo.

“Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandang Itim” is another horror film but with a bit of comedy. Produced by Cineko Productions and directed by Topel Lee, the film stars Vhong Navarro, Ritz Azul, Benjie Paras, Joross Gamboa, Ryan Bang and Ion Perez. 

A staple in the holiday film genre is comedy and Al Tantay’s “Pakboys: Takusa” aims to make Pinoys laugh. Produced by Viva Entertainment, the film focuses on the infidelity of comedians Andrew E., Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla and Jerald Napoles. 

If visual effects are what some are looking for, Christian Acuña’s fantasy-adventure, “Magikland”, is expected to appeal to young audiences. Produced by Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, and Brightlight Leisure Productions, the film features a young cast including Miggs Cuaderno, Elijah Alejo, Joshua Eugenio and Princess Aguilar.

Pinoys can also expect a bit of romance with Mac Alejandre’s “Tagpuan”. This movie features a love triangle starring Iza Calzado, Alfred Vargas and Shaina Magdayao. Written by Ricky Lee and shot in Hong Kong and New York, the film is produced by Alternative Vision Cinema.

Those who enjoy true stories might like “Suarez, The Healing Priest.” Directed by Joven Tan, the film is based on the life of Father Fernando Suarez. Produced by Saranggola Media Productions, the film stars John Arcilla, Dante Rivero, and Jin Macapagal.

Fresh from glowing reviews from its Japan and Estonia premieres, “Fan Girl”, the latest film from Antoinette Jadaone is about every fan girl’s fantasy of spending a night with their biggest celebrity idol. This was produced by ABS-CBN Films' Black Sheep, Globe Studios, Project 8, Epicmedia, and Crossword Productions with performances from newcomer Charlie Dizon and award-winning actor Paulo Avelino, who plays himself.

Lastly, OFWs are well-represented by Adolfo Alix, Jr’s’ “Coming Home.” Produced by Maverick Films, this is a drama about an OFW father(Jinggoy Estrada) who comes home to his unwelcoming family. The film also features Sylvia Sanchez, Edgar Allan Guzman, Martin del Rosario, Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Julian Estrada, and Jake Ejercito.

Through a partnership with UPSTREAM and Globe’s GMovies, the MMFF is bringing this year’s festival online as the official entries can be streamed by Filipinos via UPSTREAM in partnership with GMovies for only P250 per title, and $10 for Filipinos abroad. 

UPSTREAM is likewise able to deliver a better viewing experience for customers while protecting the content creators’ intellectual property rights with the support of Globe’s #PlayItRight campaign. #PlayItRight is the telco company’s anti-piracy advocacy that helps protect the entertainment industry from illegal streaming and content piracy.

Tickets will be on sale locally on December 7 and internationally on December 18. Visit UPSTREAM.ph to know how to enjoy the MMFF online.

Moving from resilience to renaissance –UnionBank President and CEO

Tweet

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) held the seventh iteration of its E-Talk Tales webinar series last December 9, wherein UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Bautista gave an overview of the Bank’s milestones in the past year and how it went from providing help for Filipinos to survive the pandemic to creating a better digital normal for everyone.

UnionBank made headlines in May this year after being named ‘second most helpful bank in Asia-Pacific’ in the BankQuality Consumer Survey on Retail Banks that was conducted in April. 

This helpfulness was evident in UnionBank’s commitment to ensuring that its essential banking services remained accessible and reliable 24/7 during the enhanced community quarantine period, a time when uncertainties ran rampant and the needs of customers could change at any time. 

The Bank helped the government in the disbursement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash assistance to 700,000 beneficiaries amounting to P4.9 billion. It also assisted partner Local Government Units (LGUs) in the distribution of cash or loan proceeds to constituents. 

UnionBank has also helped countless micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) digitize amid the pandemic through its MSME platform GlobalLinker, and through MSME-leaning platforms Sentro, SeekCap, and bux, which are offered by its fintech spinoff UBX. To date, more than 27,000 online shops have already been made using Sentro, SeekCap now has more than 16,000 MSME signups, and bux has over 92,000 users. GlobalLinker's user base is also now at more than 38,000. 

Another sector of society that UnionBank was able to assist especially at the height of the pandemic were teachers, with the help of its thrift bank subsidiary CitySavings Bank. To date, CitySavings has extended a total of P26.1 billion in teachers' loans, P3.2 billion in motorcycle loans, and 2.9 billion in MSME loans to beneficiaries. 

And now, with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, UnionBank has begun the next major phase in its digital transformation journey, going full-speed ahead from merely displaying its resilience in the face of an unprecedented global health crisis, toward a renaissance in innovation and co-creation. 

UnionBank has been a leader in the practice of the agile methodology, which enables the Bank to react quickly to any situation and achieve innovation at a much faster rate. But the Bank knew it had to become much faster. So, to do this, the company started migrating to an even faster way of working: DevSecOps. 

Short for “development, security, and operations,” DevSecOps is an ideology that aims to integrate security into every stage of the development-deployment cycle. With this new methodology, the Bank has been able, among other advantages, to test new features that they develop much faster and deploy the said features on an almost real-time basis. Moving forward, DevSecOps will play a key role in the creation of new services for the Bank. 

Aside from DevSecOps, another key element of the Bank’s digital renaissance is data science and AI. This will be implemented across various verticals within the Bank, from mobile banking to credit, from algorithms to operational enhancements, among others. 

"This is really the time wherein, together we can usher in a renaissance in the area of banking and technology. It's an area where the Philippines can not only be a fast follower but can actually be a trailblazer in the banking world,” Bautista said. 

To know more, visit their official pages: 

Unionbank of the Philippines at https://www.unionbankph.com/, UBX at https://ubx.ph/, Unionbank GlobalLinker at https://unionbank.globallinker.com/login, and CitySavings at https://citysavings.com.ph/.

All the fun tricks you can do with just a smartphone camera to show #ClearlyTheBestYou

Tweet

Uncover how to do all the popular camera tricks on social media with 

the trendiest smartphone built for content that stands out 

These days, your social media presence is more important than ever. It’s a way to escape, to stay informed and connected, and to show off your personality especially in the socially distant normal. The content you share is a way for you to express yourself and your creativity on your own terms. 

The latest from global smart device brand OPPO is the Reno4, a smartphone packed with powerful camera features to make sure your feed is always on point. In the palm of your hand are a 48MP high-definition quad camera, which includes ultra-wide, macro and mono lenses, and a 32MP selfie camera, so your photos and videos are sure to be clear and crisp from every angle. The OPPO Reno4 camera is also equipped with the most innovative features so you can tap into their creativity to show off #ClearlyTheBestYou and take your content game to the next level. Here are five easy tips to keep your content on fleek at all times: 

Stand out against your surroundings 

Ever wonder how scenes are so beautifully captured in your favorite movies? Apart from the years spent honing their craft, the tools and software that filmmakers have at their disposal is key in enabling them to create those iconic scenes that we get to know and love. The technique of isolating color has been employed by filmmakers to highlight the plot or relay hidden messages, or just make a character stand out against a crowd. 

With AI Color Portrait and Monochrome Video Mode on the OPPO Reno4 series, you can now do the same with your smartphone - no edits required! Simply bring your subject into focus when in AI Color Portrait Mode or select colors like red, green, blue while recording in Monochrome Video Mode to make your subject pop! 

Stay vibrant even at night 

Every photographer, amateur or pro, will tell you that lighting is key to recording outstanding photos. This comes as a no-brainer, but there are still ways for you to capture stunning images even during the night. 

Here to capture the beauty of your subject, the Reno4 series’ Ultra Dark Mode and Ultra Night Selfie Mode helps make your shots bright, even in extreme low light environments. To bring your night photography up a notch, OPPO has also introduced its new Night Flare Portrait Mode which adds a bokeh effect against a vivid background to produce eye-catching results! 

Get into super slow motion 

Time flies when you’re having fun. However, the OPPO Reno4 enables you to capture those epic moments and slow it down for you to enjoy every millisecond of it! The 960fps AI Slow-motion feature captures the finer details - the beauty of a raindrop as it hits the ground or the turn of a Formula1 racer as it whizzes by the track. Practice tracking and panning in the direction the object is moving towards - this will help keep the object you’re filming focused in the center of your screen to produce jaw-dropping shots! 

Take stability to another level 

In an action film, car chases and fight sequences are key elements that provide an immersive experience. But owning a professional gimbal is not for everybody, especially those who are exploring videography. 

This is where the OPPO Reno4 Ultra Steady Video 3.0 Mode will come in handy, especially for all aspiring action directors, extreme sports enthusiasts and vloggers. Powered by its in-built electronic image stabilization (EIS) technologies, the Reno4 can accurately sense and reduce any shake from your hands, allowing you to capture adrenaline-pumping action with ease. Available in its main lens, ultra-wide and in the front-facing camera, you can now share the energy and adrenaline rush you are experiencing without the blur in your vlogs or videos! 

Edit videos directly on your phone without downloading an app 

Everyone knows that the key to creating an outstanding video is adding the right sound and visual effects — but it can be a pain to send all your videos to your desktop, look for the right video editing program, and fiddle with a mountain of settings just to make your vlog on point. 

These pains disappear with the OPPO Reno4 built-in video editing app Soloop! Just add your videos to the Soloop Smart Video Editor app and put on the finishing touches in a jiffy. Developed independently by OPPO’s ColorOS team, Soloop turns your footage into a professional looking vlog by adding music, filters, subtitles, captions and transitions — perfect for making your videos go viral on TikTok or YouTube. 

Retailing at PHP18,990, the OPPO Reno4 is available in all concept stores nationwide, dealer partners, and e-commerce partners Shopee and Lazada, as well as via Globe Postpaid, free with ThePlan 1499 with Rock Space EB100 Stereo Earbuds. 

In keeping the Christmas celebration joyful, OPPO is offering special bundles for OPPO Reno4 as part of the #OPPOJoyFullSale. You can avail (1) Parkland backpack and 2 Viu 3-month if you purchase during the last episode of the Joy-Full OPPO Sale Livestream this coming December 19 at 5pm on OPPO Philippines official Facebook and Lazada pages. 

To know more about the latest OPPO Reno4 and the ongoing OPPO exclusive Christmas deals and events, visit the official website or via the official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.