Holiday Gift Guide: 9 HONOR Gadgets to Upgrade Your Lifestyle

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HO! HO! HO! HONOR brings you its top gadgets that are perfect for the Kris Kringle this coming Christmas season!

Buy your favorite HONOR products  at HONOR kiosks and physical stores, or via LAZADA and Shopee!

‘Tis is the season to be jolly with HONOR! Many of us are already looking for perfect gifts for our loved ones this coming Christmas season – we know it can be quite overwhelming but luckily, we have our reliable tech products that really suit everyone’s lifestyle needs.

And this coming holiday season, HONOR, the leading global provider of smart devices, answers our worries about what to perfectly give to our loved ones and friends!

Ultimate Vlogging Experience

If your loved one loves doing video content and wants to be a content creator someday, HONOR 70 5G is the most ideal present for them!  

HONOR 70 5G is the first camera phone to use the latest camera sensor of Sony, the Sony IMX800 Super Sensing Dual Main Camera with Solo Cut Mode for vlogging.

Starting Dec. 2 until 31, you can get the #BestVloggingPhone at its retail price Php 26,990 with FREE Band 6 worth Php 1,999. Freebies will only be given to the first 200 walk-in buyers on any HONOR kiosks nationwide.

Enhance Your Photography Skills with Magic

If your loved one is a photo enthusiast or wanderer who loves capturing the best moments of their lives, HONOR Magic4 Pro is the perfect gift idea for them!

The HONOR Magic4 Pro introduces one of the most powerful and versatile camera systems on an HONOR smartphone to date. It has a 50 MP Wide camera with a customized 7P Lens, a 50 MP Ultra-Wide Camera, a 64 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera, Flicker Sensor, and an additional brand-new custom-made image processor.

Running the latest Magic UI 6.0 based on Android 12, the HONOR Magic4 Pro supports a range of HONOR signature smart life features. The device is also compatible to do multi-screen collaboration and seamless interconnectivity features with HONOR laptops and tablets.

Available in Black and Cyan colors, the HONOR Magic4 Pro is priced at Php 52,990.

Enjoy Fitness and Healthier Lifestyle

To be fit is a lifetime commitment. It is a fact that when you live an active lifestyle, it radiates wonders to your everyday aura, productivity, and overall well-being.  If your loved one is into fitness and wellness, why not give them an HONOR Watch GS 3 or HONOR Band 6?

HONOR Watch GS3 supports more than 100 workout modes such as walking, swimming, cycling, and more. It can automatically detect and show you what workout mode you are doing. It can also easily track your calorie count, heart rate, and blood oxygen level. The battery lasts around 2 weeks allowing users to enjoy the full benefits of a better lifestyle.

On the other hand, HONOR Band 6 has a large selection of 95 workout modes to track your physical exercises. Even if you want to do exercise underwater, HONOR Band 6 will precisely record your performance for your reference.

Long-lasting Xperience

When we are doing a lot of tasks and we are always on the go, it is a must-have that our phone is powered fully to last the day long.

The X series boasts SuperCharge feature. HONOR X7 and X8 have 5000mAh High-Capacity Battery with 22.5W HONOR SuperCharge for all-day connectivity and productivity. Meanwhile, HONOR X9 boasts a 4600 mAh battery with 66W Supercharge that charges 50% full in 15 minutes. 

Available in Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, and Titanium Silver, theHONOR X7 is priced at Php 9,990. Meanwhile, HONOR X8 is priced at Php 12,990 with free HONOR Band 6 to first 200 walk-in customers at HONOR kiosks nationwide, until supplies last . The HONOR X9 debuts at Php 14,990 in Midnight Black and Ocean Blue colors. Lastly, HONOR X6 is priced at Php 7,490 available in Titanium Silver and Midnight Black.

Promoting Productivity and Upgrading Learning Efficiency

For those who prefer to keep things light, there’s also the HONOR Pad 8 priced at Php 17,990. If your loved one is fond of binge-watching series or movies on Netflix and Disney+, this is the perfect gift for them! HONOR Pad 8 comes with an eight-speaker stereo surround sound that gives you a better listening experience.

This tablet also supports multi-screen collaboration. It interacts with your mobile phone on the same screen, letting you seamlessly drag and drop photos and videos, making
it easy to collaborate on the same files.

Buboy Villar and Bella Thompson Love Team Debuts in Theaters this December 7

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A new film that will hit the theaters this month introduces an unexpected loveteam featuring child star-turned-comedian, Buboy Villar, and promising actress Bella Thompson in “Ang Kwento ni Makoy” (AKNM). The rom-com movie highlights the story of an optimistic and compassionate nurse (Villar) who attends to a very difficult Covid patient played by Thompson. Directed by Direk HJCP and produced by Masaya Studio Inc, “Ang Kwento ni Makoy” premieres in cinemas nationwide starting December 7.

Aside from Buboy and Bella, “Ang Kwento ni Makoy” showcases emerging stars Elan Villafuerte, Jimson Buenagua, Ranz Aganan, Angelita Loresco, Kenneth Mangurit, and Kharyl Shanti Ibnohasim who have made their mark in the Philippine indie films and indie theatrical plays. Featured as well are new faces such as Caroline Perla, Jonna Sibonga, and Prince Euri Feliciano.

Shot during the height of the COVID pandemic, the film revolves around Bella and Buboy’s unique onscreen chemistry where Bella portrays a self-help writer who tested positive with COVID-19 and who then falls under the care of Buboy who plays the role of a compassionate and outgoing nurse. Despite their characters’ differences when it comes to perspectives in life, Buboy’s charisma leads them to become friends and teach each other how it is important to value life and the people around them.

Don’t miss filmdom’s newest love team of Buboy and Bella debut on the big screen as “Ang Kwento ni Makoy” starts showing in cinemas nationwide this December 7. Keep abreast on the latest news about the film; like, and follow the official Facebook page of Ang Kwento ni Makoy at https://www.facebook.com/KuwentoniMakoy.

foodpanda ties up with ONE championship for its Manila comeback

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Enjoy up to ₱200 off food you love when you order at foodpanda, no voucher code needed . #Tarafp and order now! Terms and conditions apply.

Leading quick commerce digital platform foodpanda has partnered with the world’s largest martial arts organization ONE Championship (ONE), for the latter's return to Manila, with action-packed shows at the Mall of Asia Arena on December 3.

The show is set to bring martial arts fans some spectacular matches featuring the Philippines’ biggest superstars, such as ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio and former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera, among others.

“It is an exciting opportunity for us to support ONE Championship. As one of the go-to online delivery platforms in the country, we have become a favorite partner of martial arts fans when they need food or snacks while watching the sport online or via television. Now, fans can finally watch it

live again after many years. We feel it’s important that we’re part of that journey as well,” said Daniel Marogy, managing director of foodpanda Philippines.

The partnership is among the many that other foodpanda markets in Asia Pacific regions have with ONE. The quick commerce digital platform has also previously worked with ONE in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar to support its projects and events over the years.

“foodpanda has been a staunch supporter of our organization so we’re delighted to continue that partnership here in the Philippines, home to not only some of our biggest superstars but also some of our most passionate fans on the planet,” Hari Vijayarajan, Chief Commercial Officer of ONE Championship shared.

“Fans attending the event will get a chance to enjoy free foodpanda vouchers, which they can use when ordering on the app. Free event tickets will also be given away to foodpanda partner vendors, delivery partners, and employees so we can all show our support to our Filipino fighters as they represent the country,” Marogy added.

In line with showcasing the Filipino spirit, foodpanda is also treating its avid app users with something special during the favorite time of the year for Pinoys, the Christmas season. With Panalong Pau-sko, foodpanda and its cute mascot Pau-Pau, will shower its customers with exciting daily deals and raffle prizes.

“It’s our way of celebrating the holiday season with our Filipino customers, in true Pinoy fashion – and we’re topping it off with this partnership with ONE. It’s also a chance for us to give our customers exclusive treats and connect with them, especially app users who are also fans of martial arts,” Marogy shared.

For more information on the ONE Championship show on December 3, go to https://www.onefc.com/events/one164/.

Learn more about foodpanda through Facebook, Instagram and Viber to get daily vouchers and low delivery fees when you order using your foodpanda app or at www.foodpanda.ph.

PLDT Enterprise Showcases the Limitless Potential of Artificial Intelligence at GO CEBU Grand Expo

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PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of the largest fully integrated telco provider in the country PLDT, partnered with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to present this year’s Cebu Business Months (CBM) 2022. The CBM 2022 is a year-long series of events and programs that gather stakeholders from the private and public sectors in the areas of Entrepreneurship and ICT-BPM, among others.

Vice President and Head for Enterprise Innovation, Business Development, Consulting, and Presales, Melvin Jeffrey Chan, presents during the Go Cebu Grand Expo and Exhibit

Bannering the keynote panel at the GO CEBU Grand Expo and Exhibit, Vice President & Head of PLDT Enterprise Innovations, Business Development, Consulting & Presales, Melvin Jeffrey Chan, enlightened guests on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it helps optimize business operations through technology.

According to Chan, AI benefits organizations with faster, data-driven decision-making, where “AI improves core processes by increasing both the speed and accuracy while being able to provide additional insights for strategic initiatives.”

Chan adds how AI has already helped transform many industries, without consumers being aware of it, such as aerospace and defense for drone navigation, AI-designed apparel, self-driving vehicles, smart robots, wearables, among others.

With the limitless potential of AI for businesses, it reduces human errors, increases efficiency in the workflow, and provides safer handling of hazardous tasks. It also lets AI handle mundane tasks whereas business owners can focus on their strategic business initiatives.

According to a recent study by GlobalData, AI will have a global market potential of US$135.8 billion and 14% CAGR by 2026. “It is going to be a catalyst for business and digital transformation, and the possibilities are going to be boundless,” adds Chan.

For those who would like to discuss more in the subject matter of AI or are interested in co-developing or co-innovating in the general technology spaces, Chan encouraged them to reach out to PLDT Enterprise.

This is the 26th CBM celebration hosted by the CCCI. This year’s theme is “GO Cebu!” with the tagline ‘Realign, Reinforce, and Rebuild’ anchored on the vision of generating beneficial results despite challenging times.

For more information, visit https://pldtenterprise.com/.

Tourist season is over. EMILY IN PARIS SEASON 3 Trailer is here - Season 3 drops only on Netflix December 21st!

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ABOUT EMILY IN PARIS SEASON 3:

One year after moving from Chicago to Paris for her dream job, Emily finds herself at a crucial crossroads in every aspect of her life. Faced with two very different paths, Emily will have to decide exactly where her loyalties lie — at work and in her romantic life — and what those decisions mean for her future in France, all while continuing to immerse herself in the adventures and surprising twists and turns that life in Paris provides. 

Award-winning creator and showrunner Darren Star returns to helm the third season of the Emmy-nominated series EMILY IN PARIS. Producer and star Lily Collins also returns as Emily Cooper, alongside returning series regulars Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lucas Bravo, Ashley Park, Camille Razat, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie, and Lucien Laviscount.

EMILY IN PARIS is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, and Jax Media.

• Episodes: 10 episodes x 30 min

• Creator / Executive Producer / Writer: Darren Star

• Executive Producers: Andrew Fleming, Tony Hernandez (JAX Media), Lilly Burns (JAX Media), Alison Brown, Robin Schiff

• Producers: Stephen Brown, Ryan McCormick, Jake Fuller, Lily Collins, Raphaël Benoliel

• Returning Series Regulars: Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau), Lucas Bravo (Gabriel), Ashley Park (Mindy), Camille Razat (Camille), Samuel Arnold (Luc), Bruno Gouery (Julien), William Abadie (Antoine Lambert), Lucien Laviscount (Alfie)

Netflix Series: Romance and Glamor for the Holiday Season - ‘The Fabulous’ confirmed for December 23rd!

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The Fabulous, a story of the dreams, love, and friendship of friends who are dedicated to the fashion industry, is stirring the hearts of the fans by confirming the new release date as December 23rd.

The special poster shows marketer Pyo Ji-eun (Chae Soo-bin) and photographer Ji Woo-min (Choi Min-ho) with the glamorous nightscape of Seoul. Lovers-turned-friends, Ji-eun and Woo-min reconnect at a fashion show of their friends, designer Joseph (Lee Sang-woon) and supermodel Ye Seon-ho (Park Hee-jung), and their relationship between love and friendship develops.

Perfect to be watched together with lovers and friends on Christmas holiday, The Fabulous will be released worldwide on December 23rd, on Netflix.

Title : The Fabulous

Screenwriter : Kim Ji-hee, Im Jin-sun

Director : Kim Jeong-hyeon

Cast : Chae Soo-bin, Choi Min-ho, Lee Sang-woon, Park Hee-jung, and more

Production company : Gil Pictures

Distributed by : Netflix

Released date : December 23, 2022

Official website: www.netflix.com/TheFabulous

Super affordable Xiaomi smartphones for loved ones at Christmas

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Make the most of your Christmas gift budget with this Xiaomi gift guide!

Christmas is only a few weeks away, so now is the perfect time to start picking and buying gifts for your friends and family! This way, you can avoid crowded malls and last-minute shopping and manage your budget better because you’re not in a hurry.

To make your holiday shopping even easier, we've compiled this Xiaomi gift guide with some of the best smartphone choices. Xiaomi offers many high-quality products in the Xiaomi Christmas Sale that fit different needs and budgets. From wearables to smartphones and innovative home accessories, you can find something for every person on your list – including yourself!  Here are some budget-friendly suggestions:

 Redmi A1

Very stylish, packed with a good AI camera, a massive battery, and a sizable HD+ display, the Redmi A1 is great for capturing and sharing your bida moments and handling all-day everyday digital tasks. Surprisingly very affordable at Php 4,499, this phone would make a great Christmas gift for a student, a parent, a young professional on their first job, and practically anyone who needs a reliable smartphone for daily use. 

Chock-full of great specs, this dual-SIM Redmi device has a crystal clear 6.52" full-screen display that gives off a superb visual performance that is good for gaming and watching movies. Its AI-powered 8MP rear dual camera delivers star-quality photos and videos, complementing a 5MP selfie camera in front. On a full charge, its long-lasting 5000mAh battery can last up to 30 call hours, 22 hours of video playback, and 161 hours of music. The phone is available in Light Green, Light Blue, and Black.

Plus, during the Xiaomi Christmas Sale, those who buy a Redmi A1 get a free Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker. That’s one more Christmas gift item ideal for a loved one who loves listening to music!

Redmi Note 11

A classy-looking budget-friendly gadget that flaunts a Full HD OLED screen, the Redmi Note 11 (8GB+128GB) is now made even more irresistible at Php 9,999 during the Xiaomi Christmas Sale. With its excellent screen quality, massive battery life, and outstanding audio, the Redmi Note 11 is best for loved ones on your gift list who love watching Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and other video streaming services.

 Redmi 10

Loved ones who love taking photos and selfies will love you even more when you gift them a Redmi 10. Among other good specs, this budget phone is known for its super excellent 50-megapixel primary camera. Two variants are available in the promo. The one with 4GB, RAM +64GB storage is priced at only Php 7,799, while the higher-memory variant (6GB+128GB) is priced just a little bit higher at Php 8,799. Get a Xiaomi Ceramic Mug as a freebie when you buy either variant. To make the phone even more affordable, both variants of the Redmi 10 are available at 0% installment via Home Credit.

Redmi 9A

Another entry-level smartphone with many great features, the Redmi 9A is excellent for anyone on your gift list. With 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, the phone sports a 6.53-inch IPS DotDrop display with HD+ resolution, a 13MP front camera, and a large battery that will last two days with moderate to light use. Usually available for Php 4,999, the Redmi 9A is priced during the promo for only Php 4,599 – that’s a considerable saving. The Redmi 9A is also available on installment basis via Home Credit at 0% interest.

The Xiaomi Christmas Sale will run until January 1, 2023. Please visit Xiaomi’s official website and official Facebook page for more details.

Treat Yourself to an Early Christmas Gift with Tickets to Head in the Clouds Manila and Enjoy GCash’s Exclusive Offer

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Here’s how you can get tickets to the biggest music festival of the year with GCash’s pay later options

Live events and concerts are on the comeback, and if there's one way to give yourself a well-deserved treat before the year ends while also getting an early Christmas gift, purchasing tickets to the biggest music festival of the year doesn't sound like a bad idea. With Head in the Clouds Music and Arts Festival coming to the Philippines this December, GCash is making sure you achieve your concert goals by not missing out on getting tickets!

GCash lets everyone enjoy their hobbies and passions by giving them access to a range of financial services with exclusive offers. Now, there’s no need to wait in line or stress about how to pay for passes thanks to GCash’s GCredit or GGives features.

GCredit, which extends convenience to GCash users to purchase tickets to Head in the Clouds through a "book now, pay later" system. Qualified users with GCredit receive a credit line of up to PHP 30,000, which you can use to pay for your online transactions instantly, payable within 30 days.

GCash also has a lending feature called GGives, which offers light and flexible installment payment plans depending on how many months you want to pay for your purchase. GGives is also available for Head in the Clouds tickets and can be selected when paying online or offline via QR.

How to Purchase Your Tickets to Head in the Clouds via GCash

VIP and GenAd 2-day passes are now available for sale via the SM Tickets website. To purchase your ticket, create an account or log-in at smtickets.com then tap the Head in the Clouds banner to add tickets to your cart.

Review your order and select GCash as your payment option. Eligible users may maximize GCash’s pay later options when paying for their tickets using either GCredit or GGives. Finally, confirm your GCash payment and wait for your confirmation receipt to appear!

With music festivals making a comeback, don't miss out on the chance to see Asia's best performers on the Philippine stage on December 9 and 10, featuring global acts Jackson Wang, NIKI, Joji, Rich Brian, eaJ, and YOASOBI. Fresh off their homecoming show for their Where You At world tour, GCash is proud to present Filipino boy band SB19 to perform exclusively on the first day of the festival. SB19 joins some of the country’s best homegrown talents who will be taking the stage during the two-day event.

Look no further for ways to celebrate the season and enjoy that music festival experience you've been missing! The Head In The Clouds Music and Arts Festival by 88rising is dedicated to showcasing Asian artists from all around the world. Head in the Clouds Manila will take place on December 9 and 10 at the SM Festival Grounds in Paranaque City.

For the latest news on the biggest music festival to hit Metro Manila, follow Head in the Clouds Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Head in the Clouds Manila is presented by Globe and sponsored by GCash.

Watch Song Joong Ki’s new starrer ‘Reborn Rich’ plus more riveting revenge shows only on Viu powered by PLDT Home!

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Catch these tales of redemption seamlessly with your Viu Premium, powered by the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home

There’s just something so satisfying about a good revenge drama. From watching the downtrodden protagonists get their bearings and become this determinedly vengeful and scheming protagonist to finally witnessing the villains get their well-deserved comeuppance, revenge dramas show that sometimes you just have to take karma into your own hands.

With Viu, the go-to streaming platform for all things Korean and Asian entertainment content, fans of the genre can have their pick of the most nail-biting and addictive revenge dramas –many of which are played by some of the industry’s biggest stars.

If you’re on the lookout good revenge K-dramas, here are some of the biggest titles available on Viu – best streamed through the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home.

Reborn Rich (2022)

In Reborn Rich, this year’s most anticipated series exclusively shown in the Philippines on Viu, certified K-drama hottie Song Joong Ki plays Yoon Hyun-Woo, a long-serving steward of the Soonyang Conglomerate. Finding himself falsely accused of embezzlement by the conglomerate's family, he is killed by their youngest son Jin Do-Joon.

That should’ve been the end of his story, but fate has other plans for our wronged hero, as shortly after his death, Yoon Hyun-Woo wakes up in the body of his killer. Not one to miss a chance for revenge, Hyun-Woo decides to not only destroy the family from within, he also schemes to take over and run the company himself.

The Innocent Man (2012)

Song Joong Ki is no stranger to shows where he plays characters out for revenge. He is as equally broody and scheming in his debut drama from 10 years ago, The Innocent Man. In the series, Joong Ki plays a promising young student who gets betrayed by his lover who left him for another – richer – man. Years later, he becomes a bartender-gigolo out to exact revenge on his former lover. What happens next: The student becomes the master as he then seduces the daughter of the man she earlier left him for.

Lawless Lawyer (2018)

In the series, yet another K-drama heartthrob, Lee Joon Gi, who shows you how revenge is best served cold. A lawyer raised by his gang member uncle, Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) uses what he learned – which often skirts the definition of what’s legal – to mete out justice. This, all while he’s investigating and trying to avenge his mother’s death.

Taxi Driver (2021)

Perfect for fans of true crime, Taxi Driver is a series based on recent crimes that happened in South Korea with the offenders being punished lightly or, in some instances, let go. Lee Je Hoon plays Kim Do Gi, a not-so-ordinary taxi driver as he is part of a company that provides “revenge service.” The underground group drives their taxis around the city hunting down criminals themselves.

The World of the Married (2020)

Based on a popular BBC UK drama, The World of the Married stars Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo, a successful doctor who discovers that her ideal life isn’t what it seems after she begins to uncover all the lies surrounding her and discovering her husband’s affair. They say hell hath no fury than a woman scorned with Sun Woo being the perfect personification. The show has become one of the highest-rated K-dramas in Korea and has spawned its own hit Filipino adaptation, The Broken Marriage Vow.

Get your K-drama fix with your Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home – and win prizes!

Watch today’s top-trending revenge show Reborn Rich and more drama series through a Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home, the country’s fastest fastest and most reliable broadband service. With PLDT Home, enjoy more shows with no ads and with same-day subtitled releases for select titles at just P80/month – the most affordable Viu Premium subscription in the Philippines. Subscribe now at pldthome.com/viu.

This December, new and existing PLDT Home customers can binge more of Asia’s hottest entertainment content on Viu while getting a chance to win P5,000,000 cash in the PLDT Home Grand Giveaway. To know more about the giveaway, visit pldthome.com/grandgiveaway.

Holiday like an A-lister: Celebrity-owned Airbnb Stays to book this yuletide season

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Live in a celebrity’s home for a day — in the Philippines and around the world!

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, and everyone’s social calendars are filling up with long-awaited get-togethers, and joyful merrymaking over meals and drinks. For those looking for a unique holiday destination this year, here’s an idea: experience living the life of the rich and the famous by booking their homes for a day.

From picturesque rest houses to a stunning lakefront property in Canada, all owned by top Filipina celebrities — these Airbnb Stays will definitely make you and your guests feel like a VIP for the weekend or however long you wish to stay!

Marjorie Barretto’s River Garden rest house in Calumpit, Bulacan 

The Barrettos’ expansive rest house was made available on Airbnb for the first time this October, and mother-and-daughter duo Marjorie and Julia Barretto personally welcomed their first Airbnb guests. For Filipinos who missed the opportunity to book the idyllic resthouse for a refreshing getaway, Marjorie recently announced that the resthouse will remain bookable on Airbnb!

Zsa Zsa Padilla’s Casa Esperanza in Lucban, Quezon 

Nestled between swaying coconut trees and emerald rice paddies is Casa Esperanza, the weekend home and passion project of the “Divine Diva”, singer Zsa Zsa Padilla and partner famed architect Conrad Onglao. The estate houses several main areas: the main house with a living, kitchen, and dining area; three casitas with their own luxurious bathrooms; a service area and garage; a greenhouse and the stunning infinity pool that overlooks a pond and fountain with lush foliage all around.

Yassi Pressman’s lakefront property in Ontario, Canada

British-Filipino model, and actress Yassi Pressman wrote in an Instagram post last 2021 that she had built a home in Lake Scugog, Ontario with the intention of opening its doors to travelers on Airbnb. Fast forward, the lakefront property has long since welcomed numerous travelers and many are raving about the luxurious yet tranquil experience it provides. Perfectly positioned facing west capturing all of the sun’s shine throughout the day, the space is equipped with a dock and a boathouse, and boasts an open-concept layout for travelers wanting a retreat outside of the city.

Soon-to-open farm property of journalists Susan, Mark, Atom, Branden, and Alex in Cavite

Television and radio host Susan Enriquez recently shared that her new bed-and-breakfast, Balustre Cerca, will be open to the public very soon. The property is situated within a shared farm lot she jointly owns with fellow news colleagues Mark Salazar, Atom Araullo, Branden Milla, and Alex Baltazar — and this is where the five and their families regularly go to take a breather from life in the metro. The beautiful farm comes with four A-frame air-conditioned cabins, one swimming pool, a pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, and parking.

For Filipinos interested to learn more about becoming an Airbnb Host, you can find useful tips and information at airbnb.com/host. To discover more unique stays for the holidays, visit airbnb.com or download the Airbnb app.

Landco Recognized as the Most Sustainable Luxury Real Estate Developer in the Philippines in the 2022 Pan Finance International Award

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An Accolade for its Commitment to Social and Environmental Sustainability

Landco Pacific Corporation was awarded as the Most Sustainable Luxury Real Estate Developer in the Philippines in the 2022 Pan Finance International Award. For its commitment to sustainability as reflected in its latest development of BeachTowns in Batangas, Landco stood out in the global real estate arena.

Pan Finance shines a spotlight on leading examples of best practice across the world of finance in these challenging times. Established to be a true measure of excellence, the awards look beyond the realm of the balance sheet alone, measuring success through innovation, stewardship of the environment, and positive impact on society. Pan Finance is a trusted source of global financial intelligence with a readership of more than 200,000 across 150 countries.

“We are honored for this recognition given to us by the prestigious Pan Finance International Award. This award is only made possible with the support of our Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan who also helms our parent company, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the commitment of our team members to do our part in taking care of our planet through our latest development of Landco BeachTowns,” said Erickson Y. Manzano, President, and CEO, of Landco Pacific Corporation.

“Sustainability is truly embedded in our corporate DNA. We do it not because we have to, but simply because it’s the right thing to do,” he added.

Landco Pacific’s master-planned BeachTowns, the 15-hectare CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) and 24-hectare Club Laiya, in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas feature sustainability measures such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, mandated use of energy-efficient lighting and other appliances, material recycling, and inclusive operations that primarily hire from the area to help build the communities within its vicinity.

BeachTowns CaSoBe and Club Laiya are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered with water recycling measures that have a double-piping system, permeable pedestrian tree-lined walkways, and scenic bike lanes around the beachside properties to reduce carbon footprints. Lots at CaSoBe and Club Laiya have direct access to any public space or circulation network.

Millennial Resorts, the hospitality arm of Landco, which manages the leisure facilities at the BeachTowns, achieved the very first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification for resort hospitality in the country, with its sustainable accommodation of Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe. The EDGE Certification was awarded by the Philippine Green Building Initiative, Inc. (PGBI) which recognized Crusoe Cabins for its eco-efficient design that resulted in a reduction of 34% in energy, 57% in water, and 65% in embodied energy in materials compared to the local base case.

Crusoe Cabins are upcycled and refurbished cargo containers at CaSoBe and Costa Azalea, Samal Davao; and Cocoons are upcycled and refitted large drainage pipes at CaSoBe and Club Laiya.

Murals and design details across the properties feature the importance of marine life. Landco staff participated in environmental conservation efforts particularly the planting of saplings in mangroves. Landco also supported local fisherfolks and created jobs for the local community: 69 out of the 104 or 66% of Millennial Resorts staff are residents of Calatagan.

Landco implements sustainability initiatives in line with MPIC’s commitment to helping achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; strengthen the means of implementation, and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. For more information about Landco and its BeachTowns CaSoBe and Club Laiya, visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation

Bayad awarded as SSS’ 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Best Collecting Partner

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Bayad, the pioneer and the most trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection industry in the Philippines, and now a full-service fintech subsidiary of the biggest power conglomerate in the country – Meralco, was recently conferred as SSS’ Best Collecting Partner under the non-bank category during the 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Awards.

In photo (L-R): SSS Commissioner - Jose C. Julio, Representing Workers' Group, SSS President and CEO - Michael G. Regino, Bayad VP and Head for Biller Solutions – Anely P. Aviles, Bayad VP & Group Head for Regional Operations and Biller Solutions - Meinard D. Cruz, SSS Commissioner Diana Pardo-Aguilar, Representing Employers' Group, and SSS Commissioner Bai Norhata M. Alonto, Representing Workers' Group

The said award giving body has been established since 1995 and has continued to recognize individuals, employers, and organizations that significantly contributed to SSS’ pursuit of its mandate, which underpins the importance of saving and investing among its members and their beneficiaries.

This 2022, SSS puts Bayad to spotlight, acknowledging the company’s consistent compliance of accurate and timely collection reports as well as its active participation in the integral programs of the institution. Apart from these, Bayad breaks records with a 9% growth rate increase in SSS contribution transaction volume from 2021 to 2022, which substantiates how Bayad ceaselessly scales up its physical and digital payment touchpoint to deliver a one stop shop payment solution to its customers. With this, SSS members can now conveniently access other bills payment services covering for various government contributions, loan, electric and water utilities, cable & internet, tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others. This payment experience is also backed up by Bayad’s real-time posting feature, allowing SSS members to process and monitor instant and seamless contribution payments.

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer underscored “All of our efforts in Bayad are directed towards the belief that Filipinos deserve to be rewarded for their hard work. We will stand with SSS in every step of the way as we elevate the financial experience of its members through convenient and secured payment transactions.”

For government, financial, and banking institutions that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive biller and payment channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing. ###

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About Bayad

Bayad is the pioneer and trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection service in the Philippines, aggregating a multitude of billers into a robust system that is now being used by more than 100,000 physical touchpoints and leading digital and mobile platforms across the country. Formerly known as Bayad Center, it continues trailblaze the industry as it evolves from an over-the-counter payment center into a full-service fintech company, offering a whole suite of financial products & services available to both consumers and businesses.