Justin Bieber Becomes Youngest Soloist Ever to Reach 100 Billboard Hot 100 Hits, As ‘Stay’ Debuts

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Justin Bieber makes history as the youngest solo artist ever to reach 100 career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, notching his milestone 100th on the July 24-dated list as “Stay,” with The Kid LAROI, launches at No. 3.

Bieber reaches the mark at 27 years, four months and three weeks of age, spanning from his March 1, 1994, birth to the date of the latest Hot 100. He passes Drake, who tallied his 100th career title on the chart when he was 28 years, 11 months and two weeks old in 2015.

Now in third place, Lil Wayne scored his 100th Hot 100 hit when he was 29 years, five months and three weeks old in 2012.

Bieber first appeared on the Hot 100 this week 12 years ago, when “One Time” debuted on the July 25, 2009-dated ranking. He was 15 years, four months and three weeks old at the time.

Here’s a look at the 11 acts with the most Hot 100 appearances, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958, inception.

Most Billboard Hot 100 Hits:

• 235, Drake
• 207, Glee Cast
• 174, Lil Wayne
• 137, Taylor Swift
• 123, Future
• 118, Nicki Minaj
• 109, Elvis Presley
• 109, Kanye West
• 103, Chris Brown
• 102, Jay-Z
• 100, Justin Bieber

Notably, multiple members of the Glee cast were younger than Bieber is now when the TV troupe notched its 100th Hot 100 entry. Plus, the ensemble, whose members rotated over the Fox series’ run, holds the record for the fastest that any act has reached 100 Hot 100 hits from a first visit to the survey: just one year, six months and one week, from June 2009 to December 2010.

Additionally, Elvis Presley’s career predated the Hot 100’s start. He earned his 100th Hot 100 hit (“T-R-O-U-B-L-E”) in May 1975, when he was 40 years and four months old. He achieved 30 hits on predecessor pop charts beginning in 1956; even if we mixed those songs and his first 70 Hot 100 entries, Bieber would still hold the mark as the youngest soloist to 100, as the King was 33 years, three months and two weeks old when “You’ll Never Walk Alone” became his 70th Hot 100 hit in April 1968.

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https://www.billboard.com/video/justin-bieber-becomes-the-youngest-soloist-to-ever-reach-100-billboard-hot-100-hits-billboard-news

Shopee Rises Up the Ranks in YouGov’s Most Recommended Brands for 2021

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(MANILA, JULY 23, 2021)- Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, ranks 5th on market research firm YouGov’s Most Recommended Brands 2021 List in the Philippines. The rankings are based on YouGov BrandIndex’s positive recommendation score, which measures the percentage of a brand’s customers who recommend it to a friend or colleague. The latest rankings show the brands with the highest average recommended score from June 2020 to May 2021. Shopee also takes the top spot in the YouGov Recommend Top Improvers 2021 in the Philippines, going up from 71.9 in the previous year to 79.5.

Germaine Reyes, President, and CEO of Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy, YouGov’s affiliate partner in the Philippines, said, “Retail and fast-moving brands are showing their domination in this year’s YouGov Recommend Rankings in the Philippines. Notably, three out of the top ten are e-commerce platforms, most likely due to the current pandemic. Online shopping habits continue to surge during the restrictions and lockdowns all over the world, and Filipinos are right on the trend.”

Shopee also secured the 7th spot in YouGov’s Best Brands 2020 List in the Philippines, and was named the top improver going up from 32.0 points in 2019 to 39.9 points the following year.

This year, Shopee launched different initiatives for customers, brands, and sellers on the platform to support their online growth and enhance their overall shopping experience. To equip and support its sellers, Shopee launched Tatak Pinoy and Shopee University Summit to support community-based businesses and taught aspiring digital entrepreneurs everything they need to know about e-commerce, respectively. In addition, Shopee also launched programs for its ever-growing customer base. One is the Shopee Loyalty Program, a brand new in-app program that delivers a more rewarding shopping experience for users last February, and the Shopee Mall Brand Memberships Program, an initiative that helps brands grow customer loyalty and retention.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is proud to be included in YouGov’s list of the most recommended and improved brands this 2021. As times and circumstances change, we will continue to pursue excellence and improve our services to better cater to the needs and wants of our customers, brand partners, and sellers. This recognition is a product of our various initiatives and is a testament to the growing level of trust and confidence people have in Shopee. E-commerce has become an integral part of the lives of Filipinos, and we aim to continuously step up to provide our users with an easy, secure, and engaging shopping experience.”

For more information about Shopee’s YouGov ranking, visit https://ph.yougov.com/en-ph/news/2021/07/14/yougov-recommend-rankings-2021-philippines/.

Shop, load, and pay bills with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

LCF announces CSR Guild Awards winners

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The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), a network of the largest operating and grant-making corporate foundations and corporations in the Philippines, has named the winners of this year’s CSR Guild Awards for the most outstanding projects across different categories. 

The 2021 CSR Guild Awards, held this year via a virtual ceremony, recognizes best practices in the field of CSR and is part of the celebration of LCF’s 25th founding anniversary. 

This year’s winners for outstanding CSR projects were the following:    

• Disaster Resilience -- Ayala Foundation for Project “Be A Bayani. #BuyAni” integrated support for local food producers and artisans
• Education – Knowledge Channel Foundation for Project “School at Home: Learning Continues with Knowledge Channel in a Time of Crisis” campaign, which made possible distance learning during the pandemic
• Enterprise Development – Telus International Philippines Foundation for Project “Weavers Without Borders: Economic Transformation of Palawan Community Weavers Amidst the Pandemic” to help them be resilient and continue their livelihood operations
• Environment – Pilipinas Shell Foundation for “Save, Invest and Nurture Access to Green Energy and Technology (SINAG)” that aims to provide reliable, affordable, sustainable and community-based access to energy
• Financial Inclusion – Sun Life Financial Philippines Foundation for Project “Sun Pera-Aralan” helping public school teachers secure their future through financial management
• Health – Unilab Foundation for Project “Community Health Education, Monitoring, and Preventive System (CHEMPS)” was designed to bridge the divide between hospital and community care
• Arts and Culture – Ayala Foundation for Project “Ayala Museum Virtual” that used various digital holdings to recreate a seamless digital version of its resources

For the Outstanding CSR Collaboration Project, the award went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines for its project “McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen” that aims to provide hot meals to marginalized communities, police, LGU volunteers, government agencies, and medical front liners affected by the pandemic.

Other highlights of the event were a special toast for the 25^th anniversary of LCF led by Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña, the tribute to the active founding members of LCF, recognition of longstanding members, and a multi-faith blessing of the celebration.

“We recognized that what we were doing in our respective companies would have a greater impact if we did it together.  That realization was the beginning of LCF 25 years ago.  I like to believe that through collegial and concrete actions, we were breaking barriers and connecting with each other beyond the competitiveness of the marketplace to work for the common good,” Sobrepeña said in his toast.

The seven active founding members of LCF which received special recognition during the CSR Guild Awards this year were:  ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Ayala Foundation, BPI Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Metrobank Foundation, The Andres Soriano Foundation, and UCPB-CIIF Foundation.

ShopeePay Helps Brands Transition to Digital Payments

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(MANILA, JULY 22, 2021) - Today, more Filipinos use alternative payment methods such as online banking and mobile wallets in their everyday lives. With this rising new trend, brands like SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, Potato Corner, and many others partnered with ShopeePay, Shopee’s mobile wallet, to seamlessly adapt to the change to provide better service to their customers.

About 39 million people make digitally-enabled payment transactions globally, and in the Philippines, about 30 percent of Filipinos aged 16-64 are now using mobile payment services each month. With the expected increase in digital payments worldwide in the coming years, local brands share how they’re maximizing mobile wallets like ShopeePay to adapt to the current trend. 

SEAOIL

Filipino-owned fuel company SEAOIL continued operations despite a significant decrease in transactions during the pandemic. They kept most of their stations open,  doing their part in ensuring that essential workers reach the destinations where they are needed. They also implemented safety protocols immediately to keep their customers safe. They improved the variety of contactless payment options at their stations as these became a crucial safety measure to protect both frontliners and customers amidst the pandemic. 

Through their partnership with ShopeePay, SEAOIL increased its digital online presence and successfully captured the consistently growing active users on ShopeePay. The partnership also boosted transactions at their gas stations through promos that allowed users to redeem discounts and coins cashback. Through ShopeePay, they reached out to more consumers and provided greater rewards and a safer option to gas up. 

Jose Jaime V. Dela Fuente, Vice President for Corporate and Consumer Marketing at SEAOIL, said, “We commend ShopeePay for its initiatives to encourage Filipino motorists like SEAOIL customers to shift to contactless payment - the safer way to pay. Our partnership with Shopee is in line with our #FuelPHtoRecovery campaign, which aims to help establish a better new normal for our stakeholders, mainly by providing opportunities to save on fuel expenses while keeping them protected against COVID-19. We look forward to more co-marketing initiatives with ShopeePay to maximize benefits for our customers.”

Potato Corner

Potato Corner, a known brand for flavored fries, faced plenty of difficulties last year but found a way to bounce back. As most stores open for business, they welcomed different methods to distribute their products and partnered with mobile wallets such as ShopeePay to offer users an alternative payment method to help lessen direct contact between staff and customers. With fewer movement restrictions now, the number of transactions in their stores has since increased. This contributed a lot to the brand as it rebounds from the closure of some stores due to quarantine.

Jen Merana, Business Channel Officer at Potato Corner, said, “At Potato Corner, we strive to explore every possible strategy to keep the business going and growing. Adapting to the current digital trends shows our commitment to serve our customers and prioritize their safety and our employees. ShopeePay provided Potato Corner a great opportunity to promote the brand during this time, and we are hopeful that it will help us recover from the repercussions of the pandemic.” 

Novo Department Store

Like most business establishments, Novo Department Store closed its stores and halted operations when the government implemented the Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ). Despite the setback, they adapted to the circumstances and created effective plans to benefit their staff and customers. In the middle of the pandemic last year, they joined Shopee to reach their loyal customers, including new customers who were at home. 

With a new perspective combined with proven strategies from the past, they embraced digital payments as a step towards innovation. Even with various digital payment platforms in the market, Novo Department Store prefers ShopeePay as it has the same values and vision as their company - to better Filipino’s lives.

Janry Cua, Marketing Manager at Novo Department Store, said, “We are excited for this new partnership with ShopeePay, and we look forward to what they have in store for us. ShopeePay has made our customers’ shopping experience in Novo easier, safer, and more convenient. ShopeePay has provided us a platform and visibility for showcasing our products which can improve and better the lives of Filipino families nationwide.”

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “ShopeePay is pleased to partner with SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, and Potato Corner to provide both users and brands with an easy payment alternative. With the nation pushing for a cashless, contactless society, we aim to collaborate with more brands to give the local community a seamless and secure online payment experience through ShopeePay.”

Take it easy with these time-saving and stress-free living tips

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Spending more time at home doesn’t mean that life is now less hectic. In fact, many people experience having to juggle more tasks than before. On top of this, even simple things like planning your family’s next meal can be quite tedious in today’s new normal set-up. The key is finding that perfect balance and maximizing the time for each activity to manage your daily routine well.

Jollibee curbside service. Safety and convenience come first in the ‘Order & Pick Up’ feature of the Jollibee App. You can wait in your car for your Jollibee favorites!

Here are some simple tips to take it easy and keep life stress-free:

Make a to-do list and prioritize tasks

Take stock of your daily activities and break them down into more manageable chunks. Note which items on your list are time-sensitive and need to be tackled first, then move down the line as your day progresses. Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment after crossing them off after a long day. Having an organized to-do list helps you manage your tasks well so you can spend more quality time with your loved ones.

Maximize available technology

There are many innovative technologies that are designed to make life easier, from robot vacuums to online apps that help you save time. Having said that, planning your next meal shouldn’t be too time-consuming and stressful. If you’re out for errands or heading home from work, simply use the Order & Pick Up feature on the Jollibee App so you can skip waiting in line and get your favorites whenever, wherever.

Set (and respect) boundaries

Working online from home may often be misinterpreted as being accessible 24/7. Make sure that you have a healthy dialogue with your boss and colleagues to determine ideal work scenarios for the team. To address burnout, it’s best to set acceptable boundaries such as maximizing the usual office breaks and logging off at a reasonable time. This will allow you to have time for family, do some relaxing activities, or to pursue your hobbies.

Take time to breathe

The start of the pandemic had everyone adjusting to a new routine. But now that people have settled down, they can focus on their overall well-being. So, if you feel overwhelmed, take a much-needed break. Savor a snack, play a short online game, or maybe take a power nap if need be, so you can bounce back energized and more focused.

Of course, having delicious meals at the table never fails to cheer one up. Whether you enjoy it alone or with trusted company, having your favorite food can always fuel you to work better, productively.

Luckily, treating yourself and your family is now made easier with the Jollibee App’s new Order & Pick Up feature! Order ahead of time and pick up your Jollibee favorites at the counter or drive-thru window, or even request curbside pick-up from the friendly crew.

It only takes three easy steps: select store, select pickup time and date, and then order your meal. There’s no waiting time involved as the order is prepared and packed by the time you get to the store.

Bring joy at home hassle-free with Jollibee’s newest Order & Pick Up feature available on the Jollibee App and the Jollibee Delivery website. Download the Jollibee App on the Google Play Store or the App Store and start enjoying the joy of convenience.

‘Order & Pick Up’ through the Jollibee App is as easy as 1 2 3. Just select the store near you, choose your preferred pick-up time and date, and then order your favorite meal.

 

 

Visa’s Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign for Shopee launches in the Philippines

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(MANILA, The Philippines, July 2021) – Visa, Worldwide Sponsor of the Olympic Games, today announced the launch of their Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign in the Philippines. The promotion will run from July 20 to August 8. From July 20 to 23, all Visa cardholders, including credit, debit and prepaid cardholders in the Philippines will be entitled to participate in the campaign by spending a minimum of 2,000 Philippine pesos on their Visa cards at all local merchants on Shopee.

This will entitle Filipino Visa cardholders to a discount of 200 Philippine pesos and stand a chance to win Visa Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 themed merchandise such as tote bags and organizers. In addition, Shopee users also have a chance to win these prizes by answering Olympic Games related trivia questions during Visa’s segments on Shopee Live’s official account from July 19-23 at 5pm (PHT).

From August 6 to 8, Visa cardholders in the Philippines can also receive a discount of 150 Philippine pesos with a minimum spend of 1,500 Philippine pesos at any local merchant on Shopee.

“As a proud sponsor of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we are pleased to run this campaign for Visa cardholders when they spend online at Shopee. Our joint activation with Shopee proudly features our Team Visa athlete from the Philippines, Carlos Yulo, who is representing the country in gymnastics. It’s our honour at Visa to support Carlos in his quest to showcase his talents on the world stage and bring glory to our home country. We are also excited to offer our Visa cardholders in the Philippines the chance to win limited edition Visa Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 themed merchandise and want to ensure that every time our valued cardholders pay using Visa, they can enjoy a full suite of rewards and benefits that transform their payment experiences,” said Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines.

“We are thrilled to partner with Visa to create more rewarding experiences for our shoppers. This campaign allows our users to take part in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 festivities from the safety of their homes, rally together to support athletes representing our country, and drive the growth of the Philippine economy by supporting local sellers,” said Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines.

Accessibility, vibrancy await future residents of SMDC Light 2 Residences

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A big consideration when contemplating where one wants to plant roots is accessibility. People want to live in a locale that has easy access to places where they can have meals and will not be difficult to reach. They also want to live relatively close to where they work. Essentially, leaving work to get home as quickly as possible means spending more quality time with the people they value most or having more time to do activities that give them the most joy.

Light 2 Residences is an iconic master-planned development that will redefine city living

Although the global pandemic has forced many to work from the safety of their homes, things are normalizing worldwide, and accessibility will be more important than ever. The right location can spell the difference between a comfortable commute to and from work or barely arriving on time daily.

SMDC Light 2 Residences meets that most essential of requirements by being strategically located in the commercial hub that Mandaluyong City has become. It also boasts of amenities that will surely give its residents a relaxed urban feeling.

Light 2 Residences is minutes away from the Ortigas Central Business District where several businesses, commercial centers, and dining establishments abound. The property also has a direct connection to the EDSA-Boni MRT-3 station, and is in close proximity to one of the projected stations of the future Mega Manila Subway that travels from Quezon City to Parañaque. The Light Mall is also a mere elevator-ride-away, which means residents will have convenient access to everything that they will ever need.

The pièce de résistance of this master planned development is the private urban park designed by international landscape architectural firm ALN. This amenity, which is almost a hectare in size, hosts spaces for play and relaxation.

Light 2 Residences offers a long list of amenities, including a private urban park that’s almost a hectare in size, decked with pools, gardens and lounges

Exercise and physical activity are essential to not just stay fit physically but also to give off positive vibes. SMDC Light 2 Residences presents fitness options including an indoor gym and fitness studio, an outdoor gym and yoga deck, and even table tennis courts.

Light 2 Residences gives off a feeling of coming home on top of city living at its finest. From the white marble stone, neutral color palette, and mirrors that welcomes you at the lobby that are complemented by light wood finishes, reflective materials, and accents, it’s like a warm embrace just waiting to wrap around you.

Hotel-like lobbies and lounges with bespoke furnishings will provide a warm and opulent welcome at SMDC Light 2 Residences

The property also gives reassurance to residents through access to secure, convenient, hotel-like services such as a property doorman, reception services, 24-hour security, comprehensive CCTV coverage in common areas, lounges and hallways, plus on-demand professional cleaning and unit repair services.

With options of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units ranging from 21 to 42 square meters, Light 2 Residences is a perfect fit for today’s upwardly mobile professional. Even as they pursue their career goals and place a premium on convenience and time, these individuals want to enjoy their hobbies and interests in a vibrant, contemporary development with such easy accessibility that perfectly complements their lifestyle.

A selection of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units with spectacular views of the city are available at Light 2 Residences

Interested parties will be happy to know that arrangements for long-term and short-term lease are available with SMDC Prime Key Leasing. For buyers outside the country, owner representation is also available for them. Located along the Mandaluyong stretch of EDSA, SMDC Light 2 Residences is primed to be an iconic landmark that shines brightly along this essential thoroughfare. Live the Good Life at this property that is set to redefine the urban lifestyle.

For more information about SMDC Light 2 Residences, visit https://smdc.com/properties/light-residences/.

5 Cleaning Habits a New Homeowner Should Have

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For new homeowners, buying a house is only the first step. Making it an actual home is the next big task. After all, having a beautiful and tidy house to lounge around in or come home to after a long day is very important.

Maintaining a home can sound like a lot of grueling work but really, it all comes down to habits. With that, here are cleaning habits that a homeowner should practice daily. Learning these habits and incorporating them into a daily routine will definitely keep the home clean and feel as good as new for longer.

1. Starting the day by making the bed

Some may think that making the bed is a waste of time — after all, it will just get messed up again during nighttime. However, having a made-up bed contributes greatly to the tidiness of the room and will only take a few minutes.

Having accomplished a task as soon as waking up also gives a sense of productivity very early in the day and will have a positive impact on the next chore that needs to be done.

2. Adopting a “clean as you go” policy

To avoid any big clean-ups after any activity, homeowners should follow this rule of tidying up and putting things away right after using them. A few examples are putting unused clothes back in the closet after choosing an outfit for the day or washing used items right after cooking a meal so there wouldn’t be any mess to come back to.

3. Doing a quick clean-up at the end of the day

For all the things that got left behind or unattended, include a quick clean-up around the house in your nighttime routine. This can include plates that weren’t washed, messes that were left unattended, or just doing a quick sweep around the house before calling it a day.

Samsung Digital Appliances Jet Stick Vacuum VS15R8546S5

The Samsung Jet Cyclone Stick Vacuum can definitely help in making this nighttime clean-up as quick as possible. This vacuum is equipped with a Digital Inverter Motor that ensures strong suction power and a 3-Way Air Flow Structure that keeps it consistent. It also has an Adjustable Pipe that can be shortened and lengthened in four levels to ensure maximum comfort and movement when cleaning. This also allows easy cleaning of couches, table tops, and even hard to reach corners.

4. Having a place for everything

If everything at home has a designated spot and gets put back after every use, it’s easier for homeowners to tidy up the place. This habit applies especially to cleaning supplies, such as rugs and appliances, so it’s easier to grab if there’s a mess that needs to be cleaned.

The Jet Cyclone Stick Vacuum has a Z Station that serves both as a stand and charging station, so not only will it be put away, but also be ready for the next time it will be used.

5. Allotting days for general cleaning

Even after adopting the “clean as you go” policy and doing quick clean-ups, deep and general cleaning is still a must to keep a home as clean and tidy as it can be. New homeowners should schedule general cleaning on any free day to maximize the time, but note that it should be done at least once a month.

                       Samsung Clean Station™

Pairing the Clean Station with the vacuum will result in maximum efficiency on general cleaning days, especially since a lot of dust particles have been accumulating around the house. Its Auto Empty Dustbin feature that conveniently and hygienically empties the dustbin makes it the best partner for the vacuum.

Additionally, this and the Jet Cyclone Stick Vacuum both have a 99.999% Multi-layered Filtration System, together with its Anti-Dust Emitting Structure, 99.99% of dust and allergens are captured and even prevents ultra-fine dust from scattering back into the air.

As new homeowners, picking up these five habits and incorporating them into a daily schedule will definitely help maintain the house and make the house feel more like home.

To know more about these products, visit SamsungPH on Facebook and samsung.com/ph/.

 

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has limited the number of its customers to only 50%, implemented the mandatory use of masks and shields, and performs frequent cleaning in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.  

Find the nearest Samsung Experience store via samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations/

 

Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the Halal Culinary Tourism

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Coinciding with the celebration of the Muslim festival Eid’l Adha, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the Halal Culinary Tourism series that introduces the initiative and showcases unique culinary finds in Mindanao. The video series can be viewed by the public on the Department’s social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and Instagram starting today.

Healthy herbs and spices used for cooking Halal dishes from Babu Kwan restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said that the development of Halal Culinary Tourism aims to promote the culinary heritage of Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and consequently its destinations.

“Food is an important part of a tourism experience. It gives us a glimpse of a place’s culture and heritage. Through the development of Halal Culinary Tourism, we are encouraging the discovery and familiarity with the traditions of our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said Puyat.

The Secretary explained that Halal, which means ‘permissible’, is something that is clean and good for the health. “Halal is not exclusive to Muslims, it is for everybody. This is what we want to introduce through this project,” she added.

Bay Tal Mal’s Tiyulah Itum, a stew dish with braised beef or goat, originated from the Tausug tribe.  Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

The Mindanao Halal Culinary Tourism is a project of the DOT with the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Aside from promoting the culinary heritage of Mindanao and familiarity to its culture, the project also aims to document culinary practices of the area; create experiences and attractions by local government units (LGUs) and private enterprises for tourists; and promote Halal Tourism industry in the regions of Mindanao through culinary and heritage mapping.

Featured in the launching video of the campaign are Halal-certified and Muslim-friendly establishments across Mindanao Regions. These include: Black Seed Burger in Davao City, which features “black seed” on burger, a traditional herb among western Asian culture that is believed to have medicinal values; SpiChef in Davao City, which offers the Mango Pineapple hot sauce, an innovation of fresh and natural herbs and spices; Bay Tal Mal in Zamboanga City, which offers traditional Moro cuisines like Tiyulah Itum that is usually served during special occasions; and Hashy’s Cuisine in Cotabato City in BARMM, one of the pioneering Halal-certified sites in the region. Its culinary highlight is Sinina Kambing, a traditional Maguindanaon dish.

  

The Sinina Kambing from Hashy’s Cuisine in Cotabato is a Maguindanoan delicacy. It is stewed goat meat cooked using local spices. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

The Mango Pineapple hot sauce is one of the Halal based condiments made by SpiChef in Davao. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

 

A hearty Halal dish is about to be served in Tambilawan Kamayan Restaurant in General Santos City. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

Also featured are: Babu Kwan and Torogan Kape in Cagayan de Oro City, Pater al-Kuwait House of Palapa in Iligan City, Dennis Coffee Garden in Zamboanga City, Mama Ping in Cotabato City, Tambilawan Kamayan Restaurant in General Santos City, and Radin’s Guinamos in Agusan del Sur.

The Halal food tourism program promises to provide tourists with a unique and flavorful experience.

 

MVP Leads the Rebuilding of the Country’s Tourism Competitiveness Through Landco

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As the global travel industry faces the adverse effects of these unprecedented times, Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), chairman of the MVP Group of Companies believes in the resilience of Filipinos and leads the rebuilding the country’s tourism competitiveness through Landco.

 

MVP’s trust in the Filipino’s unwavering spirit in rising above the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic is underscored when he provided stability and care for 153 employees of Landco by ensuring that they are onboard and their source of livelihood is secured to enable them to push forward with the planned developments that will positively impact Philippine tourism.

 

Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO, Landco.

“It is an honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to help MVP turn his vision of rebuilding a stronger tourism industry into reality through Landco’s revolutionary concept of leisure tourism estates (LTE),” stated Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO, Landco.

 

“With the company’s legacy of the pioneering premium landscapes for more than 30 years, Landco innovates with its LTE as tourism and lifestyle destinations, offering a wide array of resort amenities in idyllic beachside locales that have a thriving connection to the community,” Manzano said.

 

“Property owners have the immense opportunity of building their dream beach homes, availing of the LTE’s resort living amenities and opting to start a new business of their own that reflects their passion and caters to the tourism market. Through these projects, Landco helps promote Philippine tourism and jumpstart local businesses,” he added

 

Landco’s latest LTEs are master-planned developments with mixed-use residential and commercial lots, situated in the tourist destination of Batangas: 24-hectare Club Laiya and 15-hectare CaSoBē; and Samal Island, Davao.

 

These properties promote the quality of leisure tourism experience in its locality and highlight the three main principles of sustainable tourism: economic, environment, and socio-cultural sustainability.

 

Jobs for Locals

 

The newly-launched developments in Batangas drive the tourism market for unique resort experiences that in effect create jobs for the local community.

 

Patrick C. Gregorio, Senior Consultant for Hospitality and Tourism, Landco

“By promoting domestic travel in Batangas, Millennial Resorts is helping the tourism industry recover from the challenges of the times,” asserted Patrick C. Gregorio, Senior Consultant for Hospitality and Tourism, Landco.

 

Millennial Resorts, operated by Landco, trains and employs locals for its wide range of resort amenities at both properties. With the warm hospitality and world-class service of homegrown talents, the resort offers unconventional accommodations like the surreal capsule-like rooms of Cocoons to Crusoe Cabins’ beachfront view of Calatagan, Batangas’ picture-perfect sunsets.

 

To complement the Batangas beach experience, Millennial Resorts features water amenities such as Aquaria, a water park with a three-storey pool slide at CaSoBē and the Beach Club at Club Laiya. Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar provides a chic and casual dining experience.

 

The Canopy and Isle, venues for corporate events and weddings and the Colony, a modern and hip beachside co-working space will open soon, providing more jobs for locals.

 

Environmental Sustainability

 

The two properties are aiming to be both Edge and LEED certified. Ecological conservation projects particularly the conservation of marine life and sea turtles are also in place.

 

As part of its resort experience, these beachside properties have thoughtful design elements that offer an inviting and relaxing ambiance in harmony with nature.

 

Promotion of Local Tourism

 

A sense of place and solidarity with the community pervade in Club Laiya and CaSoBē. Locals, tourists and property investors share a common ground in helping preserve the historical sites, tourist attractions and the natural beauty of the expansive white beach and picturesque sunsets of Batangas.

The Seaside District at Club Laiya, San Juan is designed as a contemporary resort destination. it is a place to see and be seen, property owners and tourists alike enjoy an active lifestyle with water sports and activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, and yachting.  

Harbour Estates are lots offered within CaSoBē, Calatagan which offers a more laidback resort lifestyle in an intimate setting and complements the rich heritage of its location by providing relaxation and entertainment attractions. These estates are classified as commercial or mixed use where lots are for residential or commercial or both. Investors enjoy the stature and benefits of owning a beach property in a tourism destination.

Thriving in the New Normal

Promoting tourism as a platform for overcoming these challenging times as envisioned by MVP, the journey to a better future begins with Landco’s LTEs.  These undoubtedly future-proof investments equip property owners to adapt to the new normal, redefine living the good life and have work life balance in beachside properties; at the same time enjoy the anticipated increase of their investment’s market value as proven by Landco’s recent project in Punta Fuego, Batangas and contribute to the growth of local tourism.

Landco is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Corporation. For more information about Landco and LTEs: Club Laiya and CaSoBē, visit landco.ph or FB page @LandcoPacificCorporation. 

‘Digital Pilipinas: a Closer Look at the Philippine Sandbox' launched, head by government and industry leaders from Ph and Singapore

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A movement that aims to influence change through technology and innovation across the local and global sphere, Digital Pilipinas launch, July 22, with the visionaries, paradigm changers and emerging superstars of Fintech, Esports, Insurtech, Cybersecurity, HealthTech, Edutech, NFTs and other emerging fields as the Philippines brings the digital convergence conversation to a whole new level.

Supported jointly by the governments of Singapore and the Philippines, Digital Pilipinas and World Fintech Festival Philippines seek to help industries #TechUp where there is money to be made and lives to be touched.

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez all expressed their support for a more technologically-capable and innovation-driven digital landscape in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.

Digital Pilipinas, the movement, has a 12-point agenda to provide solutions to overcome challenges within the Philippine industry and economic ecosystem, and introduces a method to leverage on ICT-driven opportunities.

The 12-point agenda covers FINTECH, GOVTECH, and REGTECH; PROPTECH; DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION; OVERSEAS FILIPINO BANKING; FUTURE OF MOBILITY; INSURETECH; E-COMMERCE; CYBER SECURITY; INTERNET OF ENERGY; FUTURE OF EDUCATION; DIGITAL CITIES; and GAMING.

Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc. Co-Founder Amor Maclang said during her welcome remarks, “Innovations are being spearheaded in the sandbox of Asia. We need to do more than just raise our innovation quotient as a country and as a people to remain competitive. More importantly, we need to demand a technology and innovation quotient from our future leaders."

In his keynote speech, Mohanty said, “You must ensure that the sandbox will benefit all the citizens for public good. We are promoting technology for people to progress, so the public good is important to make the sandbox successful.” He added, “If there’s one market in Asia which has the biggest potential to completely transform, it’s the Philippines.”

Lopez supported this in his keynote speech and said, “Before the pandemic, the government has already been utilizing digitalization to push the ease of doing business. The adoption of e-commerce facilitated the digital transformation of business. The government remains committed to its role in enabling different stakeholders in our country to ensure our people benefits in ecommerce.”

Dominguez affirmed this in his keynote speech, saying, “Our economies will need to adjust to modern technologies if they want to remain viable. Even before the pandemic, the Philippine government encouraged the rapid rise of FinTech in our country, and our revenue agencies have fully embraced digitalization."

With the theme, ‘A Whole of Nation, Whole of Society Approach for Technology and Innovation’, the panel discussion was led by Global Impact FinTech (GIFT) Co-Founder and Chairman Malik Kotadia. He was joined by Mohanty, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Director Ace Alvaro, DTI Asec. Mary Jean Pacheco, AFIN/APIX: ASEAN Financial Innovation Network Director Pieter Franken, and Overseas Filipino Bank President and CEO Leila Martin in an engaging discussion about the importance of technology and innovation as a means for national progress and prosperity.

The first segment of the fireside chat led by Maclang and FinTech Philippines Trustee Ida Tiongson gathered innovation market leaders in an engaging discussion about how they are dealing with industry issues and challenges and how they are pushing boundaries through tech. They shared how they applied what they learned from the transformation of their companies to the tech development of their industries to make it even more competitive. They were joined by Dragonpay President Robertson “Dick” Chiang; MYNT Chief Customer Officer Winsley Bangit; Insular Life First Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Gwendolyn Kelley; KPMG in the Philippines Head of Cybersecurity and IT Advisory Jallain Manrique; Union Bank of the Philippines Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer Henry Aguda; and Tier One Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tryke Gutierrez.

Meanwhile, the second segment of the fireside chat moderated by best-selling Filipino NFT artist and NFT63 Co-founder and CEO Luis Buenaventura focused on emerging voices in the tech industry. The discussion centered on the groundbreaking methods they used to persuade people to embrace innovations like cashless payments, cloud tech, online education, and e-commerce. He was joined by Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca; The Bow Tie Duck Co-founder Julien Marie; Kimstore Founder and CEO Kim Lato; Locad CEO and Co-Founder Constantin Robertz from Locad; Philippine Coding Camp President Gabriel Avelino ‘Gino’ Sampedro; UNObank CEO and Co-founder Manish Bhai; 8Ventures Chairman & CEO Jay Ricky Villarante; and Xendit Philippines Managing Director Yang Yang Zhang.

The Digital Pilipinas movement is a multi-month series of activities that will culminate on November 11-12, 2021 at the World FinTech Festival Philippines, which will gather the top tech leaders in the country to share their insights on trends and how organizations can become stronger in the new normal. 

To support the movement and materialize the vision for a digitally-empowered Philippines, conferences, forums and other initiatives aimed at addressing the 12-point agenda will take place, spread across several months.

The series will be composed of pioneers, change-makers, and leading voices in the tech and innovation industry as well as emerging start-ups that flourished as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Digital Pilipinas ecosystem is made up of frontrunners in the technology and innovation scene including national line agencies, foreign and local industry groups, and corporations.

Maclang, who also moderated the panel discussions, reiterated, “We are not truly free until we control our digital destiny as a country.”

To join the movement, click on www.digitalpilipinas.ph or email info@digitalpilipinas.ph. 

(L-R, by row) Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty, GeiserMaclang Co-founder and Digital Pilipinas Convenor Amor Maclang, Global Impact FinTech (GIFT) Co-Founder and Chairman Malik Kotadia, AFIN/APIX: ASEAN Financial Innovation Network Director Pieter Franken, Overseas Filipino Bank President and CEO Leila Martin, DTI Asec. Mary Jean Pacheco, DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Director Ace Alvaro and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

(L-R, by row) Insular Life FVP & Chief Technology Officer Gwendolyn Kelley, GeiserMaclang Co-founder and Digital Pilipinas Convenor Amor Maclang, FinTech Philippines Trustee Ida Tiongson, Dragonpay President Robertson “Dick” Chiang; MYNT Chief Customer Officer Winsley Bangit, Tier One Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tryke Gutierrez, KPMG in the Philippines Head of Cybersecurity and IT Advisory Jallain Manrique and Union Bank of the Philippines Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer Henry Aguda.

(L-R, by row) 8Ventures Chairman & CEO Jay Ricky Villarante, Kimstore Founder and CEO Kim Lato, Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca, The Bow Tie Duck Co-founder Julien Marie, UNObank CEO and Co-Founder Manish Bhai, Xendit Philippines Managing Director Yang Yang Zhang, NFT63 Co-founder and CEO Luis Buenaventura, GeiserMaclang Co-founder and Digital Pilipinas Convenor Amor Maclang, Philippine Coding Camp President Gabriel Avelino ‘Gino’ Sampedro and Locad CEO and Co-founder Constantin Robertz.

“Only when a nation is in charge of its digital destiny can it ever truly be free.” - Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas and World Fintech Festival Philippines Convenor