SMDC’s Glade Residences breaks ground in Jaro, Iloilo City

ILOILO’S NEWEST MASTER-PLANNED GARDEN COMMUNITY — SM Development (SMDC) Corporation’s Glade Residences held a groundbreaking ceremony in Jaro, Iloilo City last Friday, July 1, to inaugurate its construction. Glade Residences is a mid-rise residential garden community expected to provide utmost convenience for young professionals and start-up families who will call this home, with a future SM Mall soon to rise right beside it.

Present at the event (left to right) are Deo Jerez, Senior Manager, Project Development, SMDC; Erik Lim, Assistant Vice President, Construction Management Department, SMDC.; Girlie Liboon, Regional Mall Manager, SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Susan Nicdao, Vice President, Project Development, SMDC; Jong Perez, Senior Assistant Vice President, Construction Management Department, SMDC; Joefil Jocson, Chief Executive Officer, Jocson Construction Management Corporation; and Rolly Mendiola, Project Manager, Vykim Formworks Construction Company.

Parañaque Express Lingkod Office, the country’s first one stop shop government, service center, now open in Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Upscaling the quality and delivery of public services to its constituents, Parañaque City LGU, in partnership with Ayala Malls, has recently launched its ambitious joint project - the first-ever Express Lingkod Office (ELO) Serbisyo Center in Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

At the ribbon-cutting of the Paranaque Express Lingkod Office Serbisyo Center at Ayala Malls by the Bay (from L-R): DILG Director, John A. Visca, City Veterinarian, Dra. Karen Vicencio, Ayala Malls Manila Bay General Manager France Eusebio, DILG NCR Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Agustin, DTI NCR Regional Director Marcelina Alcantara, Ayala Malls Vice President, AC Legarda, Ayala Malls President, Christopher Maglanoc, Mayor Eric L. Olivarez, BPLO Chief and Data Protection Officer, Atty. Melanie T. Soriano-Malaya, Paranaque District 2 Councilor Florencia Amurao and Paranaque District 1 Councilor Vandolph Quizon

Located at the fourth floor of the mall, the one-stop-shop service center is the first of its kind in the country, bringing under one roof both personal and business frontline services of the Parañaque City Government.

The ELO Serbisyo Center provides a full range of government-related services within reach of any transacting individual or business entity in one accessible and convenient location.

Present at the launch were Ayala Malls President Christopher Maglanoc, Paranaque City Mayor Eric L. Olivarez, DILG NCR Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Agustin, DTI NCR Regional Director Marcelina Alcantara, BPLO Chief and Data Protection Officer Atty. Melanie T. Soriano - Malaya, and other officials.

Parañaque residents can now conveniently process their COVID-19 vaccination and certificate, senior citizen cards and booklet, police clearance, traffic-related violations settlement, health certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and many more.

Likewise, the hub makes it easier for enterprises to process their business registration, business permits, building permits, mayor’s permits, real property taxes, and community taxes, among others.

Parañaque City Mayor Eric L. Olivarez at the opening of the ELO Serbisyo Center

Left to right: Ayala Malls President Christopher Maglanoc, Chief of Business Permits and Licensing Office Atty. Melanie Soriano-Malaya, Parañaque City Health Office Head Dr. Olga Virtusio, and Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez during the tour of ELO Serbisyo Center

The key departments are co-located in the public service center, including the Business Permits and Licensing Office, City Health Office, Local Civil Registrar’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, Persons with Disability Affairs Office, and Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs, etc.

“Today, the first-ever Express Lingkod Office Serbisyo Center is open for business, a momentous occasion that we are happy to commemorate. The event today is a culmination of an idea hatched around the middle of last year between our Manila Bay team, BPLO head Atty. Malaya, and the office of the good Mayor Olivarez. From a simple satellite office, this eventually evolved to something bigger – a one-stop-shop for all government-related services for Paranaque,” said Ayala Malls President Christopher Maglanoc.

“This is a groundbreaking initiative that I would like to emulate in our other mall locations and once again, I would like to thank Mayor Olivarez and his team for collaborating with us on this innovative project,” Maglanoc shared.

The ELO Serbisyo Center is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

To get more updates about the ELO Service Center, follow the official Facebook page of Ayala Malls Manila Bay at fb.com/ayalamallsmanilabay.

Clorox PH collaborates with Local Government Units

Provides Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes for pediatric vaccination sites

As the country continues its fight against the COVID-19 virus, Clorox Philippines, one of the country's leading providers of cleaning and disinfecting products, collaborated anew with various local government units (LGUs) to provide Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes to people visiting the pediatric vaccination sites, as well as the medical practitioners on-site.

Through this partnership, Clorox Philippines aims to help the local authorities enhance public health and safety amid the global health crisis with trusted efficacy and disinfecting assurance of Clorox products.

"Even though we are now at a lower alert level, it is still vital that we continue to practice our cleaning and disinfecting habits as the threat of the coronavirus remains. Clorox Philippines has always been committed to helping improve and ensure the health and safety of our fellow Filipinos every day with our products. We hope that by providing Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes, we can help encourage Filipinos to make it a habit to disinfect their homes or wherever they go,” said Monique Gonzales, Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia at Clorox International.

Recently, the company provided each LGU with 1,000 Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes in canisters given to children, parents, and medical frontliners at pediatric vaccination locations. Among the LGUs that Clorox Philippines partnered with were Cainta, Rizal, San Juan City and Mandaluyong City.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the LGUs for letting us participate in their vaccination efforts. We look forward to more collaboration with the local authorities to help ensure Filipinos' health and safety," Gonzales concluded.

Samsung is bringing big smiles and big savings up to 30% at the Mid Year Joy Sale

Samsung is giving a reason for Filipinos to be happy with its Mid Year Joy Sale, where customers can enjoy amazing deals on select Galaxy products.

Stay on top of deadlines with Galaxy tablets

Artists and students can attend video calls, create illustrations, and be productive during school days with Samsung’s line of Galaxy tablets. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is Samsung’s largest tablet yet, matched by the ultra-responsive S Pen. Conversely, the Galaxy Tab A8 is a blend of performance, design, and attainability, wrapped in a portable body that can be carried with one hand.

●       Customers who purchase the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 5G will receive a FREE Book Cover Keyboard worth PHP 17,599, while those who purchase the Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G or Tab S8 will get a FREE Book Cover Keyboard Slim worth P8,099 and PHP 7,900, respectively. Meanwhile, those who avail of the Galaxy Tab A8 LTE will receive a FREE pair of Galaxy Buds2 worth PHP 6,990. This promo is valid from July 1 to July 31, 2022, at any Samsung authorized stores nationwide or authorized online channels.

 

●       Samsung Members will get a discount code to enjoy a discount of up to PHP 8,000 on select Galaxy Tabs when they present the code in participating Samsung Authorized Stores or upon checkout via the Samsung Online Store. This promo is valid from July 1 to July 31, 2022.

Achieve those fitness goals with Galaxy Wearables

The Galaxy Watch4 is a fitting companion to the journey towards better health. Samsung’s smartwatch monitors fitness progress by counting steps, checking calories, and tracking more than 90 exercises for a more accurate report of workouts. The device also measures body composition such as fat percentage, skeletal muscle, and even sleep patterns.

Working out becomes more satisfying when listening to music or podcasts, or even movies or TV shows using a separate device. Pair the day’s fitness routine with the Galaxy Buds2. The earbuds offer clear and rich audio through two-way dynamic speakers. Active Noise Canceling blocks up to 98% of unwanted sound so fitness goals can be reached without distraction.

●       Customers can enjoy discounts of up to PHP 2,990 when they purchase a Galaxy Watch4 or Watch Classic, and up to PHP 2,000 when they purchase a pair of Galaxy Buds2, Buds Live or Buds Pro. This promo is valid from July 1 to July 31, 2022, on samsung.com and in Samsung Experience Stores.

 

●       Customers who purchase a Galaxy A53, A73, S22 Series, or Tab S8 Series can avail of a 30% discount on the Galaxy Buds Live and Buds2. This promo is valid from July 1 to July 31, 2022, on samsung.com and in Samsung Experience Stores.

Have an awesome experience with the Galaxy A Series

Samsung democratized its innovations by bringing awesome features to everyone through the Galaxy A Series. These smartphones have category-leading cameras, powerful processors, expansive and smooth displays, and long battery life. Together, the features help students and fresh graduates have a more awesome experience in their daily lives.

 

●       Customers who purchase the Galaxy A32 or A22 5G will receive a token worth PHP 1,000 that they may use when buying the main device or an add-on item. This promo is valid from July 4 to 31, 2022, on samsung.com and in Samsung Experience Stores.

 

●       Customers get a FREE Samsung Keyboard worth PHP 2,199 with every purchase of the Galaxy A53 5G or A33 5G. This promo is valid from July 4 to 31, 2022, on samsung.com and in Samsung Experience Stores.

 

●       Customers who purchase the Galaxy A13 will receive a FREE smartphone cover. This promo is valid from July 15-17 and July 22-24, 2022, at Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Blue Stores, and Samsung Experience Kiosks.

With these Galaxy devices, creators can have a more epic experience in their daily lives. They can also avail of other offers and discounts, such as:

●       A FREE pair of Galaxy Buds2 worth PHP 6,990 for every purchase of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

●       A FREE pair of Galaxy Buds Pro worth P9,990 for every purchase of the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.

These promos are valid until July 31, 2022, at all Samsung Authorized Stores.^[1]

To know more about Samsung’s Mid Year Joy Sale, visit samsung.com/ph.

 

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[1] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-144007 Series of 2022

Reach your personal goals with Maya's new savings feature powered by Maya Bank! Earn 6% interest rate p.a. while working on your #LifeGoals

A new phone, a much-needed family vacation, a seed fund for a side hustle, a down payment for a starter condo unit —these life goals are more achievable with the help of savvy money moves, thanks to Maya, the country's all-in-one money app, powered by Maya Bank.

Maya recently launched Personal Goals, the newest digital banking feature that empowers users to save for different life goals while earning 6% per annum, one of the highest interest rates in the market.  

   

Under Maya Savings, you can easily set up to five active goals at a time and put a target amount and deadline of up to six months. The best part is that you can get a 6% interest rate on your Personal Goals savings for up to P1 million, per goal.   

   

"Achieving goals, even small ones, feels great. Maya Personal Goals can help Filipinos set their own goals, track their progress, and celebrate milestones. It's a great way to help our users master their money and make the savings experience more delightful," said Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President.   

 

Getting started with your Personal Goals is easy:   

1. Go to Savings on your Maya app and tap “Create a Personal Goal”  
2. Select the mood that best fits your particular goal.    
3. Enter the goal name, due date, and goal amount, and hit Continue.    
4. Check your goal details, tap Confirm, and key in the one-time password (OTP).   
5. Deposit money to start your saving goals and enjoy a 6% interest rate along the way!   

   

Putting money to your Maya Savings is easy. Customers can deposit via Pesonet to their Maya Savings and Personal Goals accounts. They can also quickly cash in to their Maya wallet for free at over 90,000 touchpoints nationwide and transfer the fund to their savings accounts at no cost. Maya's free cash in touchpoints include all Maya Centers, BPI and Unionbank online, Ministop, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, Palawan Pawnshop, and more.   

   

The Maya app, formerly PayMaya, was launched over two months ago and continues to be the top-rated finance app in both Google Play and App Store. Completely free to download, it seamlessly integrates digital banking services powered by Maya Bank, such as savings and credit, with its feature-rich e-wallet with features like cryptocurrency, micro-investments, and insurance. Maya customers also get their own virtual Visa card in-app and link up to three physical Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards.  

   

Maya is powered by the country's leading digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank, one of only six digital banks licensed by the BSP. As the only all-in-one money app in the Philippines, Maya leads millions of Filipinos — consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies alike — into a digital economy that's more inclusive, transparent, and empowering. Visit www.maya.ph and www.mayabank.ph for more information.   

 

PLDT Home, Google launch Be Internet Awesome online series

New kid-oriented show aims to teach kids how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online

Be Internet Awesome’s lead characters - Sam Elora (L) and Robo-berto

Following its partnership announcement to further strengthen efforts in educating Filipino kids and families about internet safety and digital responsibility, the Philippines’ leading home broadband and digital service provider PLDT Home and Google joined forces in creating a kid-oriented video series online.

The Be Internet Awesome online series combines animation and live action — featuring Gen Alpha whiz Sam and his trusty friend Robo-berto in fun-filled yet enlightening adventures on how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online. The series is based on the values of Google’s Be Internet Awesome global program and is directed by Manny Angeles, an award-winning director and producer of kid-oriented and animated shows.

Available in both English and Filipino in the Philippines, Be Internet Awesome aims to teach children the fundamentals of leading a digital life which includes what kind of information to post on social media and how to deal with cyberbullying among others. This is part of the many efforts of Google to help keep people safe online.

(L-R): PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business Home Group, Jeremiah de la Cruz; Google Philippines Marketing Head, Gabby Roxas; First Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Product Management and Marketing, John Henri Yanez

“Our children are true digital natives. They grew up with the internet and everything the digital world has to offer. But as they broaden their horizons for discovery and learning, it also exposes them to risks and dangers,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Home Group, PLDT Inc. “Through this original series, we at PLDT Home want to translate the teachings from Google’s Be Internet Awesome program into an entertaining and practical show that children can enjoy watching while learning about online safety early on.”

“PLDT Home’s partnership with Google for Be Internet Awesome aligns with our larger group-wide commitment: to strengthen customer-centricity. At PLDT, we not only find ways to simplify technology and experience for our customers, but we also strive to do business responsibly by putting their safety and well-being at the forefront of all our products and services,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc. And Smart Communications, Inc.

In 2021, PLDT also invested over P2 billion in cybersecurity and protection filtering. The country’s largest integrated telco has since been very active in detecting, responding, and preventing both domain and content-level access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) within the network. PLDT’s Child Protection Platform has blocked almost 300,000 URLs linked CSAM by the end of May and prevented more than a billion attempts to access these illegal sites from November last year to May this year.

“After launching Be Internet Awesome in 2021 in the Philippines, we are glad to have found a like-minded partner in PLDT who champions the same values when it comes to protecting kids online. Through PLDT and more potential partners in the future, we hope to scale Be Internet Awesome and provide more families with a practical way of teaching digital safety and wellness to their children so they can become responsible, confident explorers of the online world,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.

Actor and TV host KC Montero and family

Stratworks PR Director Mark Christian Parlade and sons

Edu-preneurs and media personalities Edric and Joy Mendoza with their family

(L-R) Actor, singer and writer Franco Laurel and daughter with PLDT Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing PR

The Be Internet Awesome online series will premiere on the PLDT Home YouTube channel on July 8, 2022.

No. 1 OLED laptop brand, ASUS joins Shopee Super Brand Day Sale

From July 12 to 13, score up to 13% on Vivobook laptops with free shipping and an additional P1,000 discount voucher

Now is the time to get a new device because the no. 1 OLED laptop brand, ASUS is joining the Shopee Super Brand Day Sale. Fans can enjoy as much as P7,000.00 discount on select Vivobook laptops from July 12 to 13 only.

ASUS OLED displays, now found across the Vivobook lineup, let you enjoy an incredible viewing experience. It features high contrast ratio, deeper blacks, and fast response time, with 70% less blue light reduction that also protects users from eye strain - a bank-for-the-buck investment if you are looking for a long-term device. ASUS fans can enjoy these industry-leading features from the #1 OLED Laptop brand for an exclusive discount during the promo period. To know more about the benefits of OLED display, you may check it here ASUS OLED.

Level up your daily activities with these bang-for-the-buck Vivobook lineups

Students and young professionals looking for an everyday laptop can get the ASUS Vivobook Pro  14 OLED (K3400PA). This 14-inch laptop boasts a 2.8K high resolution OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 screen-to-body, a perfect combination to achieve an immersive binge-watching experience and entertainment time. It also features an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 H-series processor and an excellent cooling system that allows this laptop to maintain high performance during moderate to heavy workloads. The Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (K3400PA) comes at a discounted price of P47,995.00 from its original price of P54,995.00 over at the ASUS Shopee store. It is also bundled with a free 3-month Adobe Cloud subscription.

Meanwhile, light to moderate laptop users can get the ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED  (K513EA). This device will surely upgrade your laptop experience because it boasts a 15-inch full HD OLED screen display. It also features up to 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, the specs you need to achieve any task without a sweat. The Vivobook 15 OLED (K513EA) comes at a discounted price of P41,995.00 from its original price of P44,995.00 over at the ASUS Shopee store.

Smart and practical laptop users can get the ASUS Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA). This laptop boasts 2.8K OLED display technology with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series CPU and an excellent cooling system, allowing the Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA) to maintain high performance during light to moderate content creation. The Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA) comes at a discounted price of P54,995.00 from its original price of P59,995.00 over at the ASUS Shopee store. It is also bundled with a free 3-month Adobe Cloud subscription.

ASUS fans can also enjoy a 2-year International Global Warranty and Platinum Protection Warranty for every purchase of an ASUS laptop. ASUS Shopee Store will offer free shipping and an additional P1,000 voucher discount during the Shopee Super Brand Day Sale on July 12 to 13. Add to cart now at ASUS Shopee to enjoy these great rewards from the no. 1 OLED laptop brand in the Philippines.  Don’t forget to follow ASUS, ROG, and ASUS for Business on Facebook or visit the official website of ASUS Philippines and ROG Philippines.

Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hold partnership ceremony

The Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hailed its partnership in a ceremony that culminated in a beef bowl toast led by Jollibee Group President & CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong (front row, 3rd from left), Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse (front row, 4th from left), Jollibee Group President for Philippine Business Joseph Tanbuntiong (front row, 2ndfrom left), and Jollibee Group Chief Real Estate and Design Officer William Tan Untiong (back row, 3rd from left).

The Jollibee Group welcomed Yoshinoya International executives in a Partnership Ceremony on June 25 to celebrate their collaboration that will bring the authentic Yoshinoya Japan beef bowl experience to the Philippines.

Yoshinoya, Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, is the first foray into Japanese food by the Jollibee Group. Jollibee Foods Corporation formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. (“Yoshinoya International”) to operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.

The Yoshinoya International executives who attended the private ceremony were Tetsuya Naruse, CEO of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn Bhd (“Asia Yoshinoya”); Shigekazu Miyata, President of Yoshinoya International; and Shigeo Kurokawa, Director of Yoshinoya International.

Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse hailed its partnership with the Jollibee Group during the partnership ceremony. “In the history of Yoshinoya, I can say that we have never encountered a company such as yours. I’ve met the best partners that we could work with and I’m really looking forward to this partnership.”

"We would like to thank Yoshinoya International for partnering with Jollibee Group. Together, under Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods Inc., we will grow and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and we will work hard to make it the No. 1 Japanese restaurant in the country," said Joseph Tanbuntiong, President for Philippine Business of the Jollibee Group.

In a disclosure released in February 2021, the Jollibee Group said it aims to be the leading market developer of foreign restaurant brands in the country, as these foreign franchised brands are expected to contribute to the sustainable growth of its domestic business. Jollibee Group continues to see the success of brands like Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 and will apply the same success drivers in expanding Yoshinoya.

Partnership for success

Like the humble beginnings of the Jollibee Group, Yoshinoya started as a family-run shop located at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo. Today, Yoshinoya has more than 2,000 global locations.

“Our dreams to make it big one day in our respective markets have driven Yoshinoya and the Jollibee Group to continuously work hard and always strive for excellence,” said Tanbuntiong. “With similar values and a true love for great tasting food, we see a strong foundation for success in this partnership.”

“I met Jollibee Group Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, and after our conversation, I concluded that there is no other company that we would like to do this partnership with. And although some years have passed since then, we have reached this moment today and it’s all thanks to all your efforts,” added Naruse.

“Part of who we are in Yoshinoya Holdings is being ‘For the People,’ which means reaching as many people as possible with our tasty and value-for-money food—this is also what the Jollibee Group is all about. I look forward to working well together and I commit that we in Yoshinoya will give our full support to the Jollibee Group,” he added.

Now ready to serve the same superior tasting and authentic Japanese Beef Bowls, Yoshinoya is set for its grand opening slated this July.

ABS-CBN Entertainment remains the No. 1 YouTube channel in Southeast Asia with 40 million subscribers (as of July 2022)

ABS-CBN Entertainment is still the most subscribed YouTube channel in all of Southeast Asia as it achieved another milestone by hitting 40 million subscribers on the popular video streaming platform.

The YouTube channel currently has over 53.5 billion lifetime views as of June 2022, according to Tubular Labs, one of the most trusted global video measurement and analytics platforms.

As the country’s biggest content provider, ABS-CBN is now offering its Made for YouTube exclusive shows on a special weekend primetime block via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube

Feel the ‘kilig’ and good vibes from Maris Racal and Carlo Aquino in “How to Move On in 30 Days,” the first YouTube co-production in the Philippines, which has already garnered over 20 million combined views since its premiere. Catch the series on Saturdays at 9 PM.

Join Alora Sasam at 10:30 PM for the fun roving quiz show “IQ Ang Nagwagi,” where she visits ABS-CBN shows and surprises Kapamilya stars by quizzing them about random tricky questions.

Go behind-the-scenes with the “It’s Showtime” family at 10:45 PM for “It’s Showtime All Access,” where the hosts and staff play fun games, raid each other’s dressing rooms, and ask amusing questions.

Get relatable love and life lessons in “Dear MOR: Celebrity Specials” at 11 PM, featuring the voices of Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, Kiara Takahashi and Benedix Ramos, and Vivoree Esclito and Zach Castañeda.

Meanwhile, cap-off the weekend by enjoying a night full of music on “One Music Play PH.” Watch intimate live performances from “The Music Room” and “Gold School,” where multi-talented Filipino artists perform and share the stories behind their songs, and feel the concert vibes in “Yeng Constantino: Salamat sa Sampung Taon” and “Double Hearts Digital Concerts” at 9 PM every Sunday.

Kapamilya Online Live also continues to give viewers access to free livestreaming and on-demand viewing of ABS-CBN teleseryes. Tune in to the Philippines’ longest-running action-drama series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” KathNiel’s “2 Good 2 Be True,” the sizzling romantic drama “A Family Affair,” and Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte’s “Love in 40 Days.”

ABS-CBN’s efforts to continue to serve with entertaining and inspiring stories boosts the company’s transition into being an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies, and a growing list of digital properties that appeal to a wide array of audiences.

Join ABS-CBN’s growing family by subscribing to the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel.

5th Ortigas Arts Festival paints broader stroke of Philippine art with film, dance, and visual arts

Ortigas Art Festival returns for its 5th year with a month-long celebration of Filipino art in forms.

“This year’s festival paints a broader stroke of Philippine art where we encompass more art forms from visual art, film, dance, and even pottery,” said Renato “Mang Ato” R. Habulan, head curator of Ortigas Art Festival. “We want to show the diversity of talents across many disciplines Filipino artists have and we are honored to present all of those–and more–through this year’s exhibit and festivities.”

Launched in 2018, the Ortigas Art Festival was created with the goal of making art accessible to everyone. From featuring over 60 local artists during its first run, the number of artists who participated in the festival reached more than 200 and even included artists from Southeast Asia, America, and Europe in 2020.

Running from July 7, 2022 (Thursday) until August 7, 2022 (Sunday), the festival will showcase a wider variety of Filipino arts and culture across five pillars: Painting & Sculpture, Film and Photography, Dance and Fashion, ArtisTree, and Workshops.

“We believe that art has the power to connect people and uplift their spirits especially at trying times. We’ve proven that when we ran the festival during the two years under a pandemic. Now that we’re slowly recovering and embracing the new normal, we believe that there is no better time to show that Philippine art is alive and well and is for everyone to enjoy,” said Arch. Renee Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls. “Through the Ortigas Art Festival, we reiterate our mission in bringing art to a wider audience and supporting the local art scene and community by including art in all its forms in this year’s celebrations.”

Painting and Sculpture will feature works from local galleries–Agos Studios, Bastedor Art Project, Vmeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Red Lab Gallery, Thombayan Art Space, and Makiling Art Studio; and celebrated visual artists Rita Bustamante and Rico Lascano.

Film and Photography will be led by The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Born in Film who will be hosting retrospectives and late-night screenings of restored Philippine films, and from National Artists for film during the festival. FDCP will also be holding its 2nd Vertical Cinema Contest during the festival.

Performing Arts and Fashion will see Ballet Works Manila hold special performances during the Vernissage on July 7 and on July 31 while the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will be presenting some of its best designs and creations throughout the month-long event.

ArtisTree will have the Learning Tree Child Growth Center that will showcase some of the masterpieces of its alumni, teachers, and students from Preschool, Grade School, and High School. They will also be holding several workshops such as painting, 3D art, paper cutting, paper sculptures, pottery, and oil pastel drawing for children and adults alike.

FDCP and Born in Film will conduct workshops such as Cinematography, Storytelling, and Film Editing while Born in Film will be conducting Creative Visual Storyline and Mobile Photography workshops, perfect for Film buffs and photography enthusiasts. They will also feature 2,000 inspiring photos from around the world. Meanwhile, those interested in getting their hands into pottery can also join the pottery sessions led by Big Mac for both adults and children as part of its Workshops, which will be exclusive to Ortigas Community Card members.

Ramon Santos, pride of Pasig City for being a National Artist for Music, will be holding a special exhibit on the second floor, showcasing a wide variety of art forms and artistry to foster appreciation for Filipino art and artists.

Mr. Santos is a composer, conductor, musicologist, and is currently the country’s foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music.

“What we want in this year’s iteration is to introduce Filipinos to the works of some of the country’s best while stoking their interest and appreciation for Philippine art,” said Helen Mirasol, art patron and one of the co-founders of Ortigas Art Festival. “This is a month-long celebration of our art and artists where everyone is invited–no matter if you’re an art connoisseur or a regular person who wants to find the art form that will speak to their soul. Everyone is welcome at Ortigas Art Festival.”

The Ortigas Art Festival runs from July 7 to August 7 at the Estancia East Wing, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. Admission is free. To get the full festival schedule, follow Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook and visit ortigasmalls.com for the latest info on upcoming events and activities. Sign up for the Ortigas Malls Community Card by downloading the Ortigas Malls Mobile App and unlock your access to the amazing perks, privileges, and workshops during the festival.

Ready for Adulting? ShopeePay shares Financial Tips for Fresh Graduate

Get instant savings when you send money, buy load, pay bills, and more with ShopeePay.

Social media feeds are flooded with graduation photos, videos, and congratulatory greetings. With one chapter closing, comes another one. If you’re a fresh college graduate, it’s time to welcome the “adulting life” and the grown-up responsibilities that come with it. As you build your career and earn your own money, you’ll have greater purchasing power. Hence, it’s important to take control of your finances early on. ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, can help you in this aspect.

With ShopeePay’s cost-saving features and rewarding perks, you can become a financially-savvy young adult. Here are tips to help you get ready for adulting:

Set aside a budget for savings and expenses

Allocate a portion of your monthly income for expenses and a percentage for savings. To avoid accidentally using your savings, you can transfer your allotted expenses to your ShopeePay wallet and use it for your transactions. Skip admin fees and cash in for free when you link your BPI or UnionBank account. For other banks, simply use your bank’s online app and cash in via InstaPay to get up to P25 cashback on your first two InstaPay transactions per month.

Send money for free when you make your transactions

Online money transfers are very convenient. However, you have to pay additional interbank or e-wallet fees if your recipients have different bank accounts. The fees seem like a small amount at first, but they add up over time. If you’re using ShopeePay, you don’t need to settle any fees because you can send money for free to any bank, e-wallet, or Shopee user.

Aside from the instant savings, you’ll also stand a chance to win coins and money when you join ShopeePay promos like ShopeePay Mission and Happy Hour. If you’re lucky, you can add your winnings to your budget.

Be more cost-effective when giving gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t necessarily have to purchase actual presents and pay additional delivery fees. Sending money is an economical and practical alternative to convey your good wishes. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll come to realize that a lot of people appreciate monetary gifts. ShopeePay has a feature called Ang Pao that allows you to instantly send money to multiple people in one go, all for free, which is a perfect way to gift your friends during special occasions. You can also use Ang Pao to surprise your parents—a thoughtful way of giving back to them after putting you through school.

Take advantage of discounts when paying bills and personal necessities

As you take on more responsibilities in your household, bills tend to pile up. Every month, you’ll have to pay for utilities like electricity, water, cable, landline, and internet. With ShopeePay, you can conveniently pay your monthly bills online and even get up to 100% cashback for your transactions for new users (minimum spend P180, capped at 180 coins).

Connection is important as you grow your professional network, both online and face-to-face. When reloading your prepaid SIM, buy mobile data and load with ShopeePay to get up to a 10% discount.

Be a smart spender and bargain hunter

Adulting is also about having fun and rewarding yourself as long as it’s within your budget. Before making a purchase, think hard first if it’s something you’ll be using for a long time. The next thing you should consider is where to buy it and how to pay for it so you can get your money’s worth. If it’s on Shopee, pay for it with ShopeePay to access shipping discounts and cashback vouchers. For more bargains, make it a habit to check “ShopeePay Near Me” on the Shopee app to enjoy exclusive deals for as low as P1 from groceries, gas stations, food & beverage outlets, and more.

Navigating the real world and taking on financial responsibilities can be challenging for new graduates. Follow these tips from ShopeePay and start developing good financial habits.

To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages to be updated with the latest promos.

Xiaomi announces product lineup, big discounts for 7.7 sale

Xiaomi is treating Xiaomi fans with up to P4,000 off on best-selling products this 7.7.

The brand is offering exclusive deals on Redmi smartphones and AIoT products. These will be available on Xiaomi’s official page in Lazada.

Reliable tech for hybrid lifestyle

The Redmi Note 11 Series enables users to rise to the challenge with their high-performance chipsets, pro-grade cameras, and fast-charging batteries. Mi fans can cop the Redmi Note 11 for only P7,999 from P9,490, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for only P20,999 from P21,999.

Make the most of home entertainment with the 43” Mi TV P1 with limitless 4K display. It’s programmed with Google Assistant and smart home control hub for accessible use. Get this device for only P14,990 from P18,990 with a free backpack.

See the complete list of participating Xiaomi products and special 7.7 prices below:

Product	Old Price	New Price
Redmi Note 11 (4GB + 64 GB)	Php 9,490	Php 7,999
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (8GB + 256GB)	Php 21,999	Php 20,999
Redmibook 15 (I5) w/ freebie Backpack	Php 37,999	Php 35,999
Mi TV P1 43”	Php 18,990	Php 14,990
Air Purifier	Php 8,999	Php 7,899

Don’t miss out on Xiaomi’s 7.7 Mega Sale this month. Be sure to check the Lazada store to purchase the devices.

For more updates, follow Xiaomi’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Visit the website for details.