AirAsia Hits Half a Billion Guests! Sixteen Years of Blood, Sweat and Tears

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BANGKOK, 15 May 2018 – In just sixteen years, AirAsia has flown over 500 million guests to over 130 destinations, many of which are unique destinations that only AirAsia flies to.

AirAsia's 500 millionth guest Dr Panut Oprasertsawat (centre right) receiving 3 million AirAsia BIG Points, THB50,000 worth of Vidi vouchers and free AirAsia flights for life from AirAsia Group CEO and AirAsia X Co-Group CEO Tony Fernandes and Thai TV superstar Pope Thanawat (second from right).

“We started in 2001 with just 2 planes and 200 Allstars in Malaysia and carried 200,000 guests. Today, we have more than 200 planes, over 20,000 Allstars of 50 different nationalities and half a billion guests, 60% of which were first time flyers. Half a billion guests is no small feat -- it is 7 times the population of Thailand, 16 times the population of Malaysia and about 80 percent of the entire Asean population (640 million, 2018*). 

“We would like to attribute this incredible milestone to every single guest who has flown with AirAsia. We are delighted to have been part of the flying experiences and memories of so many people and communities around the world, especially Asean, making it a smaller place. We are also proud to have contributed positively to the region’s economy through tourism and job creation,”  said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes. 

The 500 millionth guest, 34-year old Dr Panut Oprasertsawat took AirAsia over the half a billion mark when he flew from Phuket to Bangkok Don Mueang on 18 March 2018.

Dr Panut Oprasertsawat said, “I travel frequently between Bangkok and Phuket for work. AirAsia has always been my preferred airline due to their high flight frequency, affordable price and excellent services. Over the past decade, I am able to manage my business at both places due to the easy access of air connectivity. I am truly excited to be part of this milestone.”

AirAsia is proud to be a market leader in air connectivity within Asean. Since its early days, AirAsia has initiated new routes which were previously unheard of, including between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia, in order to bring communities closer and boost economic activities. The airline was also the first to introduce international flights to Bandung, Indonesia, which has now grown to be a key international hub.

Most recently, the UK-based air travel intelligence company OAG reported that Singapore-Kuala Lumpur is the busiest international route, with AirAsia now holding the largest share of capacity.

AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards nine times in a row from 2009 to 2017. AirAsia was also awarded World's Leading Low-Cost Airline for the fifth consecutive year at the 2017 World Travel Awards, where it became the inaugural recipient of the World's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award.

The airline has also realised many of its Allstars’ dreams such as Kugan Tangiisuran, who started as a dispatch boy to now sitting in the flight deck as a co-pilot; Logan Velaitham, who was a cabin crew and now leads AirAsia Singapore as a CEO; first commercial female pilot in Malaysia, Captain Norasikin Che Onn and many more dreams of talented Allstars.

AirAsia will bring its #halfabillion celebration to selected destinations across the region, on the ground and in the air, while guests will be able to view a personalised video of their journey with AirAsia when they log into halfabillion.airasia.com.

* https://www.statista.com/statistics/796222/total-population-of-the-asean-countries/

‘Lost in Space’ on Netflix

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The Netflix reimagining of “Lost In Space’ is now unleashed on the world. This updated version is brilliant for anyone who loves good science fiction. In this reboot of the 1960s sci-fi series , the Robinsons family is launched into space to colonize the only other habitable planet in the galaxy.

 I’m really starting to like a lot of the Netflix originals and this is one of the best '60s classic’ series! 

As in the original series, one feels a strong sense of family bonding. Now, the adventure never stops as each character faces perils along the way. The Robinson family is lost in space again.

With Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Parker Posey, Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall, Max Jenkins, Ignacio Serricchio, at the Netflix Original ‘Lost in Space’, the Robinson family fights against all odds to survive and escape after crash-landing on an alien planet even they're surrounded by hidden dangers.

On the way to a space colony, a crisis sends the Robinsons hurtling toward an unfamiliar planet, where they struggle to survive a harrowing night.

Another crash brings more travelers to the planet as the Robinsons work to salvage their ship with help from their mysterious new companion.

To watch “Lost in Space” and more shows like “Santa Clarita” , “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and more, go to the leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies - Netflix with Globe through the following: 

BROADBAND - Get a free 6-month subscription to Netflix with Plan 1299 and up.

POSTPAID - Subscribe to Netflix using your Postpaid plan and register to GoWATCH 399 to get more data for watching popular series and films.

​PREPAID - Subscribe to Netflix by availing of GoWATCH for as low as 99 with 2GB of data to watch Netflix ​.

Beat the Heat with Max's Group's Fresh Summer Offerings

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Max’s Group brings out the fun this summer with delightful plates and dessert treats across its brands. Make the most of the season and go on a tasty summer food crawl only with Max’s Group!

Pancake House – Caramel Coffee Snickers Pancake

Can’t get enough of sweets this summer? Have a Snickers® and pancake combo with Pancake House’s new Caramel Coffee Snickers Pancake! For only P140, indulge in a tower of coffee-flavored pancakes sprinkled with chopped Snickers®, and made even more luscious with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate syrup, and cashews. Treat yourself to this new, delightful dish from Pancake House, available from April 1 to May 31, 2018 only. 

Krispy Kreme – Coffee Glazed Doughnuts

Enjoy your favorite Original Glazed Doughnuts now covered with the rich flavors of coffee! Available until May 16, choose from Espresso, Latte and Caramel Macchiato and pair it with Krispy Kreme’s refreshing chillers for that perfect summer combo. 

Sizzlin’ Steak – Surf & Turf Plate

Say Aloha to Sizzlin’ Steak’s Surf & Turf Plate! Enjoy a solo serving of rib eye with prawns at P599 or choose the Surf & Turf meal set good for 2 at P1,149 that comes with 2 cups of steamed rice, 2 bowls of egg drop soup, and 2 glasses of refreshing iced tea. 

Bring on the sizzle! Upgrade your Surf & Turf Plate with an Australian Marbled Beef Steak for P697 (Solo) and P1,249 (good for 2). 

Teriyaki Boy – Summer Refreshers

Teriyaki Boy now offers flavorful summertime refreshers to partner with your favorite Japanese classics! Complete every bento or donburi with delectable mixes that will leave you craving for more. Sip on a creamy Mango Shake for only P110, Green Tea Milkshake for only P155, or try the new Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly for P105.

Max’s Best Plate

This summer, Max’s Restaurant dishes out everything that’s delicious with Max’s Best Plate! For only P299, get all of these Max’s favorites on one plate: 1 piece of Max's Fried Chicken, Pancit Canton, 4 pieces of crunchy Lumpiang Shanghai with a choice of either Max's crispy tofu or chicken skin, sweet potato fries, plus a caramel bar. Cap it all off with a glass of ice-cold Mountain Dew and complete your Best Plate experience at Max’s.

Pinoy Merienda Classics

Enjoy summer afternoons with Max’s Pinoy Merienda Classics! Munch on Max’s Turon (P59) and savor the sweet taste of ripe banana slices and brown sugar rolled in flour paper wrapper that’s fried to perfection. Try it a la mode (P79) and pair it with a generous serving of soft, creamy vanilla ice cream. If you’re looking for a yummy twist on a staple Pinoy snack, try the Grilled Ensaimada Sandwich. For only P89, bite into a slice of juicy ham between soft, sweet bread covered with buttercream and cheese. For a refreshing iced dessert, have a serving of Saba Con Hielo and delight yourself with slices of banana mixed together with shaved ice and fresh milk for only P99 for a regular serving or P199 with ice cream. 

Best of Desserts 

Beat the summer heat with Max’s Restaurant’s Best of Desserts! Share a Giant Halo-Halo for P499 that’s good for five. If you are dining solo, enjoy the Halo-Halo Special for only P159. You can also cap off your meal with Buko Pandan Special (P89), a combination of gelatin strips and sago in pandan cream topped with macapuno ice cream and pinipig. For caramel lovers, dig into a serving of rich, creamy vanilla ice cream and sweet caramel bar tidbits with the Caramel Bar Ice Cream (P69).

Summer Coolers

Max’s Restaurant whips up plenty of delicious ways to quench your thirst with its Summer Coolers! Choose from among these refreshing drinks to down a delicious meal from Max’s Restaurant: Chocolatey Malagos Tsoko-Latte in Regular (P139), nutty Malagos Tsoko-Latte Con Mani (P149), the sweet Buko Lychee Cooler (P139), the refreshing Calamansi Cucumber Shake (P95), or the zesty Pine-Orange Freeze (P129). 

Jameson Blake still in awe of his successful career in showbiz

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Jameson Blake has come a long way since his stint as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: 737 in 2015. 

Barely three years in showbiz and he has achieved feats that would have taken other celebs longer to do the same. 

He is currently a member of the all-male group Hashtags on It’s Showtime; he is slated to star in an upcoming prime time teleserye on ABS-CBN; and is doing one movie after the other.

He bagged the Best Supporting Actor award in his very first movie, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten in the 2016 Cinema One Originals Festival. 

“In my whole life, I would never expect that would happen,” he beams, pertaining to the award. 

Having been the shy type, Jameson says he never thought that he would get this far in the industry in just a short period of time. 

The acting award gave him the much-needed boost to know that he is on the right path. 

“I think it’s just like a sign na you have the potential, just keep on working on it. I want to expand my craft. I’m game,” he adds.

His showbiz venture also taught him to be a better version of himself. 

“I learned to be sociable, discover my talents. I discovered stuff that I didn’t know I could actually do, getting better at things,” he explains.

Currently, the 20-year-old Filipino-American actor is top-billing the upcoming Regal Entertainment, Inc. movie So Connected, with the multi-talented Janella Salvador as his leading lady. 

Given the number of projects entrusted to him, Jameson admits it can get overwhelming at times. 

“I’m not complaining. [It’s a] good kind of tiring. I’m working and enjoying it naman,” he clarifies. 

But more than the fame and the accolades, what Jameson is most proud of is being able to provide for his family. 

“It was always my dream to help my family. We went through a rough patch din,” says the breadwinner. 

His parents are separated. 

His dad is based in Hong Kong working as a tutor, while his mom lives in Angeles City.

“I’m staying with my mom. I have an older brother and younger sister. I have a stepdad.”

His career requires him to be away from his family, but it’s a sacrifice he is willing to take. 

“Getting this opportunity to work in showbiz helped me a lot in my financial problems.”

His hard-earned money allowed him to pay his family’s debts, and to help them financially. 

“Mga utang dati like for school. I managed to fix my passport and my siblings’ passport. Kasi US ang passport namin, we had to get dual citizenship, so I covered that. 

“I managed to buy my new car,” he says with a smile. 

Soon, he hopes to build his mom’s dream house. 

“It’s always my mom’s dream she would have her house and she would be decorating it. I would give that to her,” he shares. 

“I’ll be starting to invest in a house soon,” he says in a hopeful voice. 

In So Connected, Jameson portrays the role of Karter, a video editor for a web channel, who gets his phone stolen by a thief, who, in turn, sells it to a waitress named Trisha (Janella). 

Not knowing that the gadget is synced to Karter’s computer, Trisha stores photos and pictures on the mobile phone that Karter can access. 

Having a glimpse of her life through pictures and videos, Karter becomes infatuated with her. 

Eventually, he goes on a mission to find Trisha through the clues from the videos and photos. 

When their paths finally cross, Trisha feels she ridiculously has a lot of things in common with Karter. 

She feels that they are so connected. 

But what if she finds out that the connection she has for Karter, did not form from the genuine kind that she has in mind? 

The film also stars Ruby Rodriguez, Rolando Inocencio, Cherise Castro, Krystal Brimner, Paulo Angeles, VJ Mendoza, Chai Fonacier, Rafael Sudayan and is directed by the highly-respected Jason Paul Laxamana. 

So Connected opens in cinemas on May 23. For more updates, follow Regal Entertainment Inc on Facebook, @RegalFilms on Twitter, @RegalFilms50 on IG and Regal Cinema channel on Youtube.

Spreading acts of kindness in PH

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Globe Telecom is calling on various organizations and volunteers to join its nationwide volunteer program slated to launch this month to promote sharing an act of kindness among Filipinos and collectively contribute to social development.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability officer said, "We are reaching out to individuals, communities and companies to help create a "Globe of Good” thru the program."

“Studies have shown that company volunteerism is a great tool for employee engagement. Over 90% of employees who volunteer are happier with their employers while majority of those who are proud of their company's contributions to society are engaged at work. Our program aspires to bring families, friends, and co-workers to form a unique culture of kindness,” she added.

Globe partnered with Future Maker iVolunteer Philippines to provide the volunteer sign-up platform through any device with internet access. Individuals can sign up or register for FREE provided groups are formed comprised of two to four volunteers to join the activities.

Companies with no existing volunteer programs will find it easy to look for various opportunities to match the needs of its employees. On the other hand, companies with existing volunteer programs may also register to get their volunteer hours counted for a chance to win exciting prizes. 

“Everyone has an opportunity to volunteer. We encourage our fellow Filipinos especially our customers to share their time, talent or treasure for a good cause," Crisanto said. Individuals and groups who wish to volunteer can visit facebook.com/ GlobeBridgeCom. 

In 2017, the Philippines ranked 7th in the world out of 139 countries with the highest number of people volunteering their time based on the Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index. The report said 25 million Filipinos volunteered in 2016.