Ortigas Malls receives international recognition at the 2022 International Business Awards

Ortigas Malls brought home two awards at the recently held 2022 International Business Awards (IBA)--a Silver Stevie Award for PR Campaign of the Year in Community Engagement for its Elite Pet Society campaign and a Bronze Stevie Award for Most Valuable Corporate Response for its pandemic efforts.

IBA, also known as the International Stevies, is the world’s premier business awards designed to honor outstanding workplaces all over the world.

The Elite Pet Society campaign, which was awarded a Silver Stevie, sought to introduce more pet-friendly innovations in the country, mainly through a mobile app that serves as a loyalty program for pet owners in the Ortigas community. The program revolutionized the pet care experience as it engaged animal enthusiasts — with rewarding deals, access to exclusive events, and other perks every time they provided for their beloved pets.

“The idea of building loyalty at major malls by appealing to pet owners is a valuable move. Malls are already savvy at reaching out to parents of young children, and attracting committed pet owners could bring similar advantages,” one of the judges said.

Ortigas Malls’ Elite Pet Society campaign was widely admired by the community of animal lovers in the city.

The brand also won a Bronze award for its corporate pandemic response for being one of the first mall chains to have 100% of its staff fully-vaccinated and boosted. In order to achieve this, Ortigas Malls partnered with the cities of San Juan and Pasig, which led them to be given the cities’ Safety Seal Certification.

The judges lauded Ortigas Malls’ initiative to conduct a private-public sector partnership to bolster its nation-building efforts in the communities they serve. They also recognized the brand for maintaining a safe environment for mall goers and allowing the use of its real estate for vaccination efforts.

The distinctions that Ortigas Malls received prove that the campaigns were a success — communities are engaged now more than ever, and shoppers are safely going back to the places and activities they love the most.

From humble roots to great life: Personal Collection’s Dealers Achieve Their Dreams Through Direct Selling

Direct sellers of Personal Collection in one of its Thanksgiving Party. Celebrating how their livelihoods as dealers paved the way to giving their own families the life they used to dream of.

There’s a long-standing belief that the only way to be successful is to follow the traditional route of getting a degree and landing a 9-to-5 job. However, this does not hold true for some who do not let their background and circumstances keep them from reaching their goals.

Just like Maricel Villalobos and Erlinda Payoyo, two of Personal Collection’s dealers who rose above society’s expectations. Their inspiring stories are testimonies on how one’s circumstances in life can change through hard work, determination and, of course, with some help and motivation from Personal Collection.

Maricel signed up as a Great Life Builder in 2012, the entry level in Personal Collection’s dealership. Living on a vendor’s daily wage, she was determined to finish her studies and be financially independent despite being deaf and mute.

“Bilang isang PWD, maipagmamalaki ko na hindi ako nanghihingi ng pera para lang mabili ko kung anong gusto ko at pangangailangan ko,” says 49-year-old Maricel, a former vegetables and kakanin vendor who is now among the most accomplished dealers of Personal Collection.

“Hindi naging hadlang sa akin ang aking kapansanan. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Personal Collection dahil naranasan ko grumaduate,” says Maricel.

Through her efforts, Maricel not only graduated, but also attained a higher-level position as a Great Life Manager and was given the recognition of being the Top 1 dealer in South Luzon. Her next goal is to climb the ranks further and reach the highest title in the Personal Collection network – the Great Life Executive, a feat achieved by Erlinda Payoyo.

Before joining Personal Collection in 2016, 50-year-old Erlinda used to get by as a dishwasher offering manicure and pedicure services on the side. For her, making it to the top meant working on her own progress as a dealer while guiding her colleagues at the same time. And sure enough, her exceptional effort in recruiting new dealers to the network and helping them get their own promotions made her dreams come true.

“Na-promote po ako bilang isang Great Life Executive at may natulungan po akong apat na dealers na ma-promote bilang Great Life Executive rin. Nag Top 1 po ako sa Sales and Recruitment.” Erlinda recalls.

Maricel and Erlinda’s stories of hard work and dedication reflect the never-ever-never-ever-give-up guiding principle of Personal Collection dealers toward achieving the Great Life. Their humble beginnings echo Personal Collection’s modest roots when it started in a small warehouse with only one product, eight dealers, and eight employees.

Today, after nearly two decades, Personal Collection is present in over 350 branches nationwide, offering hundreds of trusted products in several categories: Home Care, Personal Care, Health Care, Baby Care, Men’s Care, Fragrances, and Intimate Apparel.

Perseverance is a key to success with Personal Collection. For Maricel and Erlinda, hope was never lost and together with Personal Collection, anything is possible no matter what obstacles may come their way.

If you would like to start your own journey towards the Great Life you imagine, sign up to become a Personal Collection dealer and join its network of inspiring achievers.

About PERSONAL COLLECTION

We at Personal Collection champion the pursuit of providing the Great Life for millions of Filipino families through our high-quality products and great earning opportunities for our ever-expanding network of direct sellers. Our business is characterized by the following core values: excellence, innovation, malasakit, people development and environmental responsibility.

OUR MISSION

We empower every dealer, employee, and stakeholder with inspiring, innovative, and life-changing opportunities every day towards the Great Life – a fulfilling life enriched by a noble purpose everyone can be proud of.

OUR VISION

To be the most admired and preferred direct selling company that continues to revolutionize the industry exponentially for the Great Life of our dealers, employees, and stakeholders.

Better Asthma Management this Lung Month and Beyond: At-home nebulization advised by experts for the treatment of asthma and other lung ailments

Respiratory diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines, with pneumonia, COPD, all forms of tuberculosis and other lung infections affecting millions of Filipinos.

Asthma, a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), is one of the most prevalent health conditions in the country. About 21 million Filipinos suffer from asthma. The country ranks second in asthma mortality worldwide across all ages, with deaths caused by it accounting for 2.37 percent of total deaths in the country.[1] Asthma can affect people across all ages, but it is most common among children. Besides breathing difficulties, its effects include trouble sleeping, fatigue and poor concentration. On top of the health and wellness concerns, long-time care can negatively impact one’s financial well-being.

So, what can be done to help patients with asthma, especially this Lung Month?

Easing the burden of asthma

There is still no cure for asthma, unfortunately. But effective management can help control the symptoms so that asthma patients can enjoy an active, normal life.

“Long-term control medications are definitely important in managing asthma. But knowing that asthma attacks can be sudden, the most reliable solution is quick-relief medications,” said Dr. Dex Macalintal, a registered nutritionist-dietitian and one of the pioneers of lifestyle medicines in the Philippines. “One of the most recommended ways for quick relief and to address asthma symptoms is the use of nebulizers at home.”

Dr. Mitch Syquia, a pulmonologist-pediatrician and former chief resident of the Department of Pediatrics at Perpetual Help Medical Center, shares the same view. “Having a nebulizer unit and medication at home makes a lot of difference, particularly for children with asthma. Besides giving quick relief, this reduces and even eliminates the need to go to the hospital or seek emergency assistance during asthma exacerbations. This is why I always tell my pediatric asthmatic patients and their families to do at-home nebulization,” she said.

OMRON Healthcare, one of the most trusted brands for clinically proven medical equipment among Filipinos, has long been an advocate of accessible health management and solutions. In its commitment to promote awareness for at-home nebulization and in celebration of this year’s Lung Month, Omron has announced a price promotion of P300 off its nebulizer products in line with its Relax Ka Lungs campaign. The promotional pricing on select OMRON nebulizer products will be in effect until October 31, 2022.

Also as part of OMRON’s Relax Ka Lungs campaign, both Dr. Dex Macalintal and Dr. Mitch Syquia will delve deeper into asthma management in an upcoming episode of OkiDoc. The said episode will be livestreamed on August 26, 2022 via the official Facebook pages for OMRON Healthcare and Hello Doctor, and YouTube page of Dr. Dex Macalintal. During the show, viewers will have the chance to raise questions about and discuss lung-related concerns with experts.

 

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About OMRON Healthcare Business

Committed to advance health and empower people worldwide to live life to the fullest, OMRON Healthcare is a global leader in the field of clinically proven, innovative medical equipment for home health monitoring and therapy. The company develops and provides remote patient monitoring services for cardiovascular condition management.

Throughout its history, OMRON Healthcare has been striving to improve lives and contribute to a better society by developing innovations that help people prevent, treat, and manage their medical conditions, both at home and in clinical practice in over 110 countries.

With over 300 million devices sold globally*, OMRON provides the world’s most recommended blood pressure monitors by healthcare professionals**. The company provides product and service solutions for cardiovascular condition management, respiratory care, and pain therapy equipment. OMRON Healthcare Group is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan

To learn more, please visit:

https://www.omronhealthcare-ap.com/ph    

International: https://www.healthcare.omron.com/

                      

*1 “Global Home Appliance Market Comprehensive Survey 2020”, Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd. (data for 2019)

*2 Cumulative sales of home-use digital blood pressure monitors worldwide (as of May. 2021)

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[1] Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2020

 

Michael Learns To Rock ‘Back On The Road Tour 2022’, performing all their greatest hits!

Announcement – Danish soft rock band Michael Learns To Rock will be touring the Philippines with their latest tour ‘Back On The Road Tour 2022’ this October 2022. The iconic band will be performing in Manila on October 26 at the Araneta Coliseum, Cebu on October 28 at the Waterfront Hotel Ballroom, and Davao on October 30 at the SMX Convention Center Davao.

 

Michael Learns To Rock will serenade their Filipino fans with their well-loved classics. The band’s greatest hits include “That’s Why (You Go Away)”, “Take Me To Your Heart”, “25 Minutes”, “Sleeping Child”, “Paint My Love”, “The Actor”, “Out of The Blue”, “Complicated Heart”, “Nothing To Lose”, “Breaking My Heart”, “You Took My Heart Away”, and many more.

 

With global record sales of 11 million physical albums since their debut album in 1991, more than a billion paid downloads, over 200 million video views on YouTube and more than 300 million streams on Spotify, Michael Learns To Rock’s story is one of the most successful bands to ever come out of Denmark. The secret about Michael Learns To Rock is simply their incredible gift to write, record and play great pop songs and get them through to people all over the world.

 

Diamond soul siren Nina will be joining the band’s Philippine tour as special guest. Known for her wide vocal range and her signature use of the whistle register, Nina is behind the chart-topping singles “Jealous”, “Foolish Heart” and “Make You Mine”.

 

Presented by Wilbros Live with Midas Promotions.

Tickets will go on-sale on Saturday, September 3 at 10AM.

 

MANILA:

TicketNet.com.ph, TicketNet outlets

 

CEBU:
SMTickets.com, SM Tickets outlets and Waterfront Hotel Cebu

 

DAVAO:
SMTickets.com, SM Tickets outlets

 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @WilbrosLive

How travel can help with your child’s development

Revenge travel, or the increase of travel activity to make up for lost time during the height of the pandemic, is real and on the rise. In the Philippines, optimism for tourism is also continuously growing with the Department of Tourism reporting a 91.6 percent in tourism receipts from April to September 2021 versus the same period in 2020.

As more countries ease restrictions and open borders, families can now take the opportunity to explore new places both internationally and locally after the long hold off given the pandemic. In fact, experts say that traveling is beneficial not just for adults but also for their child’s development[1].

Here are some ways traveling can help your children later in life.

Broadens perspectives. Being thrust into new environments is key to transformative learning, according to sociologist and education professor Jack Mezirow. This is when a learner’s assumptions and beliefs are challenged and transformed. When traveling, children are exposed to various cultures, languages, art, and more. They also get to interact with all kinds of people. This can help them grow into more open-minded individuals and improve cross-cultural understanding.[2]

Equips them with valuable life skills. During travels, children are put into various situations that allow them to develop and practice soft skills in a real-life setting such as proper communication, teamwork, problem solving, patience, and flexibility, among others. ²

Ignites creativity and imagination. According to a leading child psychologist, your child’s “play” and “seek” brain systems, which were discovered by Professor Jaak Panksepp, a world-renowned neuroscientist at Washington State University, are activated when traveling. These are two of the seven emotional systems of your brain that are exercised when you interact and bond with your kids and when you explore new sights with them respectively. Traveling supports your child’s explorative and playful side which will make them more adept at exploring new ideas in the future.

Strengthens family relationships. Nothing creates bonds more than having shared experiences as a family. Use travel as an opportunity to understand and connect with the whole family and collect memories that you can look back at for years to come.

As traveling makes a comeback, we have to ensure our family’s safety wherever we go. Travelling with children can be quite tricky, but parents need not to worry as much if they have prepared thoroughly. AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer Nandy Villar shares, “Studies have shown that traveling is an important experience not only for learning and development but also for overall wellbeing and mental health. As a company that aims to promote wellbeing through its services, AXA Philippines wants to give its customers security and protection so they can remain worry-free throughout well-deserved vacations.”

Getting travel insurance can provide a substantial financial safety net alongside emergency assistance as you show your children the world. Smart Traveller by AXA provides convenient and best-in-class protection whether you are traveling locally or abroad so your family can make the most of their experience. It provides comprehensive medical benefits during your trip including covering hospitalization costs, doctors’ professional fees and more, and has 24/7 travel and medical assistance. Moreover, it also helps manage travel inconveniences by protecting your luggage in case of loss or damage and covering refunds in case of trip cancellation and postponement for non-refundable expenses.

Smart Traveller is also Schengen-accredited so you’re covered for your visa requirements. If you have multiple travel plans ahead, AXA also offers annual plans and discounts for group travel.

Visit https://www.axa.com.ph/travel-insurance and prepare for your next adventure!

[1] Chen, C.-C., Petrick, J. F. (2013) Health and wellness benefits of travel experiences, Journal of Travel Research, 52:6, 709–719. DOI: 10.1177/0047287513496477

[2] Deborah A. Byrnes (2001) Travel Schooling: Helping Children Learn through Travel, Childhood Education, 77:6, 345-350, DOI: 10.1080/00094056.2001.10521668

AIA Philippines partners with the PCP Foundation to empower more Filipinos To Live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives

Since it was established in 1947, the country’s premier life insurance company, AIA Philippines (formerly AIA Philam Life), has been actively partnering with various organizations to empower more Filipinos to live healthier, longer, and better lives.

As a testament to its commitment, the company is inking more partnerships to support initiatives which push its advocacies promoting health and wellness. AIA Philippines’ most recent collaboration is with the Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, Inc. (PCPF) who received a donation pledge of PHP1.5 million to fund the organization’s Bridging Leadership Workshops and projects, and other non-communicable disease registry/programs.

“We at AIA Philippines are well-positioned to make a difference in health and wellness by supporting initiatives that can contribute towards improvements in the health care sector,” Kelvin Ang, CEO of AIA Philippines, said. “We are proud to partner with the PCP Foundation and other organizations in the health sector. Supporting their initiatives go a long way towards helping more Filipinos live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) is the umbrella organization of internists in the Philippines. This organization aims to continue the medical education of internists and other physicians, and provide accreditation and certification of training programs for internal medicine in the Philippines. PCP created the PCP Foundation to become the social service arm of the College.

From left to right: Max Ventura, Diane Madulid-Santiago and Regina Custodio from the AIA Philippines ESG Team, Dr. Maricar Limpin, 2021 President of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Bernadette Chincuanco, Head of Branding and Communications from AIA Philippines, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan Go, Vice-President PCP Foundation, Dr. Sandra Torres, Executive Director PCP Foundation.

The PCP conducted a Bridging Leadership Workshop in 2021 for their members. This is a transformational leadership program focused on enabling the physicians to work with other stakeholders, such as the local government units, in providing innovative health projects for their respective communities. AIA Philippines is supporting some of the projects.

Some notable programs under the partnership include GINAHA (the Sweetheart Project, which aims to improve health outcomes through community empowerment of indigent hypertensive and diabetic patients of barangay San Isidro village, Virac, Catanduanes. Another is the “Magpangaman gamit ang BOTA, Leptospirosis matana ta” initiated by the PCP Western Visayas-Panay chapter that aims to prevent Leptospirosis among farmers from Cabatuan, Iloilo, a town where a high incidence of Leptospirosis is found. If these programs are successful, it can serve as a model for preventing non-communicable diseases and leptospirosis in other areas.

Aside from the PCP Foundation, AIA Philippines has other ongoing partnerships with various organizations in the health sector: the Cancer Research and Registry Philippines Foundation (CARE), the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organization, the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS-CanCom), I Can Serve Foundation, UP Cancer Institute, the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP), and the Ateneo School of Governance (ASOG).

Know more about AIA Philippines by visiting their website at aia.com.ph or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AIAPhilippines/, emailing customerservice.ph@aia.com or calling (02) 8528-2000. For more information about the PCP Foundation, you may visit their website at https://pcpfoundation.com/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PCPFoundationInc/ . The PCP Foundation secretariat may be reached via email at secretariat@pcpfoundation.com.

Shopee’s new initiative “Barangay Shopee” aims to better the lives of underserved communities

• Barangay Shopee grants community wishes such as basketball courts, multi-purpose hall renovation, and more

With its mission of bettering the lives of Filipinos across the country through technology, Shopee has helped millions of local buyers and sellers adopt e-commerce seamlessly through its meaningful campaigns and initiatives. In time for its much-awaited double day sale, the 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee launches Barangay Shopee, the newest initiative under its Shopee Bayanihan CSR program, designed to help communities in need by enabling Filipinos to win a sponsored community project for their barangay.

Through this contest, Shopee users from all over the Philippines have the chance to win a community project that will help address the needs of their barangay. Winners of the contest can choose their own community project that all members of their barangay can benefit from, such as a new basketball court, multi-purpose hall renovation, public school supplies, and other community-building projects.

Starting August 25 up to September 9, users can join Barangay Shopee by posting video entries on Facebook and submitting the link via the Barangay Shopee page in the app. Joining the online contest can be done in three simple steps:

Create a 1-2 minute video with at least 3 barangay members and answer the questions:

● Bakit kayo ang dapat tawagin na “Barangay Shopee”?

● Paano pwedeng tulungan ng Shopee ang inyong Barangay?

Post the video on Facebook, following these requirements:

● Follow and tag @ShopeePH on Facebook

● Post is public

● Use the hashtag #BarangayShopee in the caption

Submit the link to your video via the Barangay Shopee page in the Shopee app.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared “We are thrilled to be launching our newest initiative, Barangay Shopee. In everything that we do, we work towards our main mission of bettering the lives of our users, sellers, and communities through technology. Through Barangay Shopee, our goal is to foster the community spirit of barangays from all over the Philippines, and uplift them by providing them with a community project that their whole barangay can benefit from. We look forward to crafting even more initiatives that will help make e-commerce more accessible for all.”

Barangay Shopee is the newest initiative under Shopee Bayanihan, the company's umbrella CSR program that seeks to harness the power of technology to help communities benefit from digital transformation, wherever they are in the Philippines

To learn more about how you can join and win a Shopee-sponsored community project of your choice for your barangay, visit the Barangay Shopee page in the app. Download Shopee for free on App Store or Google Play Store.

This 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee delivers bigger, more rewarding experiences for all Filipinos

• Filipinos can count on Shopee to bring more exciting deals, exclusive vouchers, entertainment for all, and its newest community-building project 

Driven by its goal of serving Filipinos wherever they may be, Shopee continues to deliver ease and convenience for all through its highly-anticipated double day sales. With the upcoming 9.9 Super Shopping Day, the start of its year-end shopping season, Shopee gives everyone much to look forward to with a new community-building project, the greatest selection of deals, entertaining activities, and exciting prizes.

Win a Shopee-sponsored Community Project for your Barangay

Beyond offering the best deals through its double day sales, Shopee continues to work towards utilizing its resources and technology to help underserved communities across the Philippines. Especially crafted to welcome the start of the 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee has launched Barangay Shopee, the newest initiative under its Shopee Bayanihan CSR program, where users can win a sponsored community project for their barangay, such as a new basketball court, multi-purpose hall renovation, and public school supplies.

From August 25 up to September 9, Shopee users from all over the Philippines can nominate their barangay for a chance to win a community project of their choice that addresses their barangay’s needs. To join the initiative, users simply need to post their video entries on Facebook and submit the link via the Barangay Shopee page in the app.

“Mas Mura sa Shopee” deals and upsized brand promos at the 9.9 Super Shopping Day

From August 26 up to September 11, users can enjoy unbeatable “Mas Mura sa Shopee*'' offers on a wide variety of essentials, sitewide free shipping with no minimum spend, and exciting ₱1 Deals at the 9.9 Super Shopping Day. Shoppers also get to enjoy discounts from leading brands such as INSPI, Garnier, Dreame, Sabbat, OPPO, GameXtreme, Huawei, Colgate-Palmolive, Crocs PH, Uni-Care, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Philippines, Pedigree and Whiskas, Belo Essentials, P&G Beauty, Unilever, Ace Hardware, Adidas, Xiaomi, POCO, Bosch, Chef’s Classics, Enfagrow, and Lactum

Shop & Win up to ₱1 million and more exciting prizes

Big rewards await lucky shoppers with Shopee’s newest game, 9.9 ShopeePay Shop & Win Up to ₱1 million. To join, users need to purchase on the Shopee app and claim their code from September 1 to 9 for a chance to win up to ₱1 million at our draw. Viewers of the draws from September 2 to 9 also stand a chance to win exciting prizes with Guess to Win, a daily in-app game that rewards one lucky viewer with thousands of cash via ShopeePay when they guess the winning bag.

Non-stop fun and entertainment at the 9.9 Super Shopping Day TV Special

Filipinos can also look forward to big giveaways, fun, and entertainment when they tune in this September 9 at 9:35PM on Shopee Live and GMA 7 for the 9.9 Super Shopping Day TV Special. Exciting performances are lined up for the event with Shopee’s own Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, Primetime King Dingdong Dantes, Michael V, Carla Abellana, and more Kapuso stars.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared “We are thrilled to be welcoming the busiest sale season of the year with our users, sellers, and communities from all over the Philippines. We aim to be a platform that harnesses the power of technology to help all of our stakeholders and the community — whether it’s through our impactful CSR initiatives or exciting double day sales. We invite everyone to join us in making this our most meaningful 9.9 Super Shopping Day celebration yet.”

To learn more about the 9.9 Super Shopping Day andw Barangay Shopee, visit the 9.9 Super Shopping Day page and the Barangay Shopee page on the app. Download Shopee for free on App Store or Google Play Store.

Exciting new season of Gabbi Garcia’s hit web series now airing!

• How do you become confident at being uniquely you? The brand-new season of Lite Me Up looks into how you can unlock your inner light.

Five brand-new episodes of the web series “Lite Me Up,” produced by Xiaomi, promises to inspire 20-somethings on how to shine their brightest and confidently navigate everyday style concerns without losing touch of their true sense of self.

Starring the Millennial It Girl, Gabbi Garcia, the web series takes a variety of topics to guide audiences gain self-confidence and express their personal style with the help of Xiaomi 12 Lite – itself a fabulous fashion accessory.

With its slim design and powerful performance, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is considered a masterpiece for tech and fashion advocates alike, inspiring users to confidently express themselves.

“Radiating personal confidence is something anyone can learn. I believe it begins with a sense of independence. It’s about believing in yourself, in your purpose in life, your own aspirations, and personal style. I’m so thrilled to once again work with Xiaomi for the new season of Lite Me Up and help audiences express themselves with ease, and never stop inspiring others,” said Gabbi.

Xiaomi 12 Lite features a studio-level 108MP triple camera, Smart 67W turbo charging, and an impressive 120Hz AMOLED display. The new flat frame design gives the phone a simple and refined body line. Its unified color scheme and seamless matte finish gives off a premium and fashionable vibe — such a pleasant feel to hold in your hand. Available in Black, Lite Green, Lite Pink, the phone's multi-layer color gradients and the satin effect make the back covers look like a beautiful canvas.

Brand-new Lite Me Up episodes

This season’s Lite Me Up premieres on August 26, 2022 via Xiaomi Philippines’ Facebook page and YouTube channel. New episodes air every Friday, with lucky audiences getting a chance to win a Xiaomi 12 Lite in every episode!

For the first episode, Gabbi shares her fearless fashion forecast for the season. This, incidentally, also gives audiences a glimpse of her personal style, which for her means giving color and depth to her authentic self.

The second episode is about modern etiquette, which in this day and age includes issues like whether it’s acceptable or not to use your phone while out on a date. Is using your phone between conversations considered rude? Watch out to find out.

Episode 3 talks about how to be the “Lite of the Party” — or how to be confident in whatever social occasion you plan to go to. With a little help from Xiaomi 12 Lite’s selfie camera, Gabbi guides you how to capture the best style that suits your personality.

In Episode 4, Gabbi dares you to take the “Next-Level Mirror Selfies” to see for yourself how other people see you in real life. Aside from simply clicking away in front of a mirror using the rear-facing 32MP camera of the Xiaomi 12 Lite, there are a lot more things to consider if you want to take the perfect mirror selfie. When done flawlessly, you’d be surprise to see how gorgeous a mirror selfie can be.

In the season finale, Episode 5, Gabbi reveals her signature “get ready with me” look using the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s vlog mode features.

5 Things from Our Pinoy Childhood That We’ll Always Love

Most of us turn to our childhood for the nostalgia of simpler, more carefree times. A simple mention of a funny or meaningful event from our childhood is enough to get us reminiscing with family and friends. It instantly takes us back to a totally different way of life, making us miss the old times.

This is why we treasure items from the past. Memories and sentimental value make it difficult for us to part with them. Whether it’s things we used to enjoy as kids, pamana keepsakes from our parents, or little things we occasionally used to get as treats, these items from our childhood will always hold a special place in our hearts.

CDs and cassette tapes

Today, we listen to our favorite artists with just a few taps on our smartphones. But back in the day, we still had to go to our favorite music store to grab a cassette tape or CD of their latest and greatest hits. Then, we would pop them into either a Walkman or CD player to listen to the tracks. For music lovers and collectors with a taste for the classics, keeping most, if not all, these music mementos is a must!

Piko, tumbang preso, and other street games

Before the days of smartphones and online games, us Pinoy kids had the streets as our playground. Playtime meant spending an entire afternoon with our friends outdoors. Who doesn’t remember classic street games like piko, tagu-taguan, luksong baka, and tumbang preso, or the thrill of running away from the taya in a round of habulan? We all looked forward to those fun times spent outdoors, and to this day, many of us still know how to play these games by heart!

Jolen, jackstones, and other classic Pinoy toys

Aside from the street games mentioned above, many of us also loved collecting, trading, and playing with simple toys like yo-yos, paper dolls, jolen, jackstones, and teks. Some of us would even painstakingly make our own tirador and saranggola, with plenty of help from our parents. One thing is for sure – we’re all guilty of spending a big portion of our baon to expand our collection of these classic toys!

Film cameras

Many of us were also guilty of playing with family cameras as kids. It was always fun pretending to be photographers, taking snapshots of things we found interesting. However, with only 24 or 36 shots in a roll of film, we had to make every shot count! Fortunately, with film photography now getting popular again, we can still keep shooting with these vintage cameras and relive our days as budding photographers!

Jolly Spaghetti

Part of every Filipino’s childhood is rushing to Jollibee to have their favorite meals like the sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti. Just one bite instantly takes us back to fond memories of celebrations and bonding moments with family through the years. There’s no surprise that the meatiest, cheesiest, sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti remains a firm favorite of both the young and the young-at-heart mula noon hanggang ngayon.

Jolly Spaghetti is available for only PHP 55 Solo and PHP 215 for a Family Pan in all Jollibee stores nationwide. Satisfy your cravings and have it safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, or #87000. Also available for Dine-in, Drive-Thru, and Take Out!

To stay updated on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

#JollibeePH

#MulaNoonHanggangNgayon

Ben&Ben offers unique perspective on forgiveness with new international single “The Ones We Once Loved”

Written by the band’s very own Paolo Benjamin, the stripped-down track is emotionally impactful 

even in its apparent weightlessness

Having amassed more than a billion streams and a total of 3.5 million listeners on Spotify, Ben&Ben continues to make generation-defining statements with heartfelt tunes that resonate on a universal level. Considered as one of the most commercially successful acts in the Southeast Asian region, the nine-piece collective has recently won the Best Asian Band at the 2022 BandLab NME Awards, and reaped multiple recognitions for their groundbreaking work on the sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno.

With an impressive music portfolio and an upcoming North American tour, the Filipino hitmakers return with another international release following the success of 2020’s “Doors” and “Leaves,” a collaboration with Korean singer-songwriter Young K of Day 6. Released under Sony Music, their new single “The Ones We Once Loved” is a quietly startling confessional that sounds emotionally impactful even in its apparent weightlessness. Written by Ben&Ben’s very own Paolo Benjamin, the track builds its staircase to somewhere personal and intimate, offering a unique perspective on love, forgiveness, and breakup.

“It's a song that owns up to one's faults, makes proper apologies, but also expresses hurt, as breakups are often two-way things,” says the band in an official statement. “It’s also one of the hardest songs we’ve written, because it requires the writer to forgive himself for his past and own up to his faults and mistakes. The painstaking process towards that state, the cycles of anxiety and catharsis that the writer went through, and the eventual expression of all of that in the form of this song, as an encapsulation of such a heavy journey, is what makes this song stand out among our other songs.”

Produced by Johnoy Danao and Jean Paul Verona, the song takes a deceptively stripped-down approach in terms of musicality, but careful not to lose the earnestness that defined their recent hits. According to the folk-pop outfit, they wanted to keep the arrangement as bare and as transparent as possible while still maintaining a certain depth, weight, and storytelling within instrumentation.

“Supporting the vocals is the staple piano sound, as one would hear when being sung the humblest and sincerest of songs, slowly followed by more and more melodic instruments as the singer opens up and exposes vulnerability,” the band explains the sonic motif behind the release. “At the end of the day, we wanted to make an arrangement that would provide no barrier to taking in each meaning of every word of a song that has so much to say.”

Backed by rich but sparsely layered instrumentation, the song, particularly its chorus, captures “what so many of us are often too afraid or unprepared to say after a difficult breakup.” Hoping that listeners would take responsibility in making amends with one’s self, and the person on the other end of the grieving process, the band shares, “We are hoping that this song somehow helps people bridge that gap and feel the importance of really letting go through a multi-faceted forgiveness: one of the other, and of the self.”

“The Ones We Once Loved” serves as Ben&Ben’s official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022. It also marks their first collaboration with globally renowned photographer Geloy Concepcion, whose work was recently featured in Vogue Magazine, and other notable publications and exhibits worldwide.

“We’ve always wanted to do a collaboration with Geloy Concepcion as most of the band members look up to him, that when we realized he would be the perfect artist to work with for The Ones We Once Loved, we instantly took a chance and set a meeting up with him,” Ben&Ben shares. “In Geloy’s current project ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did’ we saw how resonant and resemblant his messaging was to The Ones We Once Loved and that he may be the best artist to communicate the song’s message. Geloy’s eye and his way of introducing a space to let out feelings and emotions was one we wanted to emulate in this campaign—a space where people sit safely and quietly with their feelings.”

Earlier this week, Ben&Ben encouraged their fans to use the hashtags #BenandBen #BenandBenTOWOL #TOWOL and #TheOnesWeOnceLoved as part of its Twitter activation campaign promoting the international release of “The Ones We Once Loved.” The hashtags revealed official Ben&Ben Twitter emojis, and unlocked a special preview of the song last August 24, 2022.

Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Golden Haven Cebu, one of the most beautiful memorial parks in the country

Truly, no province in the Philippines exudes an image of prestige and progress as Cebu does. Metro Cebu, for one, is now a striking blend of modern industry, urban development, and a deep reverence for its rich traditions and history. It is this balance of culture and commerce that Cebu derives its charm from.

Golden Haven Cebu features manicured gardens and lush landscaping that harmonize with its Italian-inspired amenities.

To date, Cebuanos take pride in the province’s natural attractions that include pristine beaches, island getaways, and vast expanses of greenery, as well as the sight of majestic mountains rising in the horizon. It is not a surprise, then, that Golden Haven, a renowned name in the Philippine deathcare industry, chose Cebu as the site of the country’s most beautiful memorial park.

Golden Haven, a renowned name in the Philippine deathcare industry, chose Cebu as the site of the country’s most beautiful memorial park.

Golden Haven Cebu is a mountaintop-sanctuary-inspired memorial property that sprawls on rolling, grassy terrain amid nature’s bounty. It’s a picturesque haven—all 13 hectares of it!—that inspires nostalgia and the loveliest memories of the dearly departed.

Golden Haven Cebu is a mountaintop-sanctuary-inspired memorial property that sprawls on rolling, grassy terrain amid nature’s bounty.

Located on Binaliw Road, Golden Haven Cebu features manicured gardens and lush landscaping that harmonize with its Italian-inspired amenities like the Pope John Paul II Memorial Hill, the Garden Plaza, and the Imperial Gardens. The latter offers zen-like tranquility for visitors who need to destress as they savor its soothing breeze and stoke memories of loved ones who have gone ahead.

Park visitors can linger at Golden Haven Cebu’s enchanting Butterfly Garden, and take a calming break in an open green space abundant with flowers and the butterflies that thrive around them.

Golden Haven offers zen-like tranquility for visitors who need to destress as they savor its soothing breeze.

Meanwhile, the classic design aesthetic of Golden Haven Cebu is reflected in its Italian- and Chinese-inspired amenities. The Moon Gate, for instance, is an East Asian-styled structure that serves as a gateway to the island mausoleums. Three columbaries that house notable religious figures like St. Teresa de Avila, St. Mary of the Child Jesus, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta comprise another major feature of Golden Haven Cebu—the Thereseum.

One popular amenity for guests who want to take a sweeping view of Golden Haven Cebu is the Vatican Deck. From this sky deck’s vantage point, guests can rest their eyes on a panoramic vista of the beautiful park.

All these features ensure that no other memorial property trumps Golden Haven Cebu for long-term reliability and for appreciation value that goes up to an average of 20 percent annually.

And for memorial property investors, Golden Haven Cebu’s close proximity to key landmarks like Gaisano Saversmart Bacayan, Cebu International School, and the soon-to-rise Asian College of Technology further boosts its stock.

As Golden Haven works towards having a memorial park in every Filipino’s hometown, Golden Haven Cebu remains to be one of its most viable investment options—and one of its most serene final resting places, too.

About Golden Haven

Golden Haven Memorial Park is a subsidiary company of publicly listed Villar-owned Golden MV Holdings Inc.Currently positioned as one of the largest real estate companies in the country. Golden Haven offers premium death care services and prime memorial lots. It is dubbed as the most lucrative real estate investment with an average of 20% annual value appreciation.

Online Reservation

Golden Haven commits to the safety of both our clients and employees. We are now offering online services for our admin transactions. Choose from the services on our website through our online service page to schedule your appointments. You may also get in touch with us for any of your concerns.

Join the Golden Haven Community

Be part of the Golden Haven community today! Visit goldenhaven.com.ph or follow “Golden Haven” on our social media platforms. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Spotify, Tiktok, and Viber. For sales-related inquiries, you may contact (02) 8873-2922 to 23.