Pru Life UK employees, agents support Red Cross blood drive

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Pru Life UK employee undergoing physical assessment with a Philippine Red Cross medical officer 

In its third year of partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, Pru Life UK recently conducted a blood donation drive among its employees and agents in line with its commitment to contribute to disaster preparedness and recovery.

The collected bags were donated to the National Blood Bank, which seeks to ensure a sufficient supply of safe blood needed for Red Cross' disaster and emergency response operations.

Held twice a year annually since 2016, the participation of Pru Life UK employees in the blood donation drive takes root from the Company’s initiative to promote the spirit of volunteerism within the organization through its employee-volunteer program, PRU It Forward. This is also the first year that a blood donation drive was organized by PRU It Forward for the agency force.

Other local business units of Prudential Corporation Asia, the regional headquarters of Pru Life UK, also recently organized a series of blood donation where a record-breaking number of nearly 1,700 bags of blood donation were collected in Hong Kong and 150 bags in Thailand.

Pru Life UK has been supporting various community engagement initiatives across the country since its establishment in the Philippines. In 1996, the Insurance Commission granted the British subsidiary the license to operate and sell life insurance products in the country. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 130 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force of more than 20,000 licensed agents and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers. Pru Life UK holds headquarters in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

About Pru Life UK

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc. Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans. Prudential plc is a United Kingdom-registered company. Its regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia, is based in Hong Kong. Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (a US-registered company), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies).

 For more information: prulifeuk.com.ph

All-You-Can-Eat With Citi PayLite

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Make Monday to Friday a feast at some of the best restaurants in the country, for free! Simply make a single-receipt PayLite transaction of at least P25,000 until June 15, 2018.

To redeem your free lunch or dinner buffet, present your valid charge slips with your Citi credit card at any participating Vikings, Four Seasons Buffet & Hotpot, Tong Yang Plus, Niu by Vikings(lunch only), and the Alley outlets. Redemptions can be done on weekdays until August 15, 2018.

Enjoy a wide variety of flavors at Vikings Buffet in SM Aura Premier, SM City BF Parañaque, SM Jazz Mall, SM Lanang Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina, SM Megamall, SM Cebu, SM Pampanga and SM North EDSA. 

Savor a new hotpot dining experience at Four Seasons Buffet & Hotpot in SM Mall of Asia, Manhattan Parkview Cubao and Southmall. Grill all you want at Tong Yang Plus in SM Mall of Asia, SM City Davao and SM Bicutan. Taste a wide variety of specialty cuisine at the Alley in UP Town Center Diliman, Quezon City, or explore new flavors at Niu by Vikings in SM Aura.

Bring your friends and family and they get to enjoy a 10% discount when you use your Citi credit card.

Embark on a delicious and free gastronomic adventure now with Citi PayLite.

Father’s Day Celebration at City of Dreams Manila

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Father’s Day Celebration at City of Dreams Manila

City of Dreams Manila celebrates Father’s Day with special treats to honor dads with fun and engaging family activities at DreamPlay and gastronomic delights at Nobu, Crystal Dragon and The Tasting Room. 

DreamPlay 

Every dad is treated on Father’s Day to a complimentary DreamPlay ticket when accompanied by at least two DreamPlay ticketholders. The entire family can spend time together at DreamPlay’s 12 attractions featuring educational and technology-rich activities such as making a gingerbread man in Cooking with Gingy, creating one’s own 3-D animation in Dream Studio, experiencing a 4-D animation at the Dream Theatre, joining Kung Fu Panda Dojo and other fun-filled activities inspired by DreamWorks animation such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Magascar, How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls. 

On Father’s Day, dads and the entire family can have their photos taken with one of the DreamPlay characters

To cap dad’s day experience, the family can also interact and have a photo opportunity with DreamWorks characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Kung Fu Panda, Tigress, King Julien, Mega Mind and Puss in the Boots.

Nobu Manila

Nobu Manila’s Nobu Sunday Brunch on Father’s Day

An epicurean experience awaits the family at Nobu Manila’s Father’s Day Sunday Buffet Brunch with its new style Japanese-Peruvian cuisine that includes Wagyu Brisket Pastrami, Roasted Tenderloin with Creamy Wasabi and Truffle Teriyaki, Seared Salmon with Corn Aji Amarillo, Seared Tiger Prawns with Miso Yoghurt, from the Teppan counter; Nobu’s signature selection of sushi and sahimi, hot items such as Seabass Jalapeno Miso, Sweet Soy Glazed Pork Ribs, Nobu-style Sisig, Okonomiyaki & Lobster Miso; an assortment of charcoal-grilled meats, seafood and vegetables at the Robatayaki charcoal-grilling station in the cabana area; and fresh oysters with Ponzu & Nobu salsa sauces.     

Nobu’s Sunday Brunch is from 11:30 am to 3 pm at P3,880++ per person for the non-alcohol beverage package and an additional P990++ or P1,990++ per person for the standard alcohol and premium champagne beverage packages, respectively. Kids from six to twelve dine at half price while those five and below dine free of charge.

Crystal Dragon  

Crystal Dragon’s Father’s Day lunch or dinner set menu and special a la carte menu highlights Double-boiled lamb soup with Agaricus Brasiliensis Mushrooms

Dads craving for premium Cantonese and regional Chinese cuisine either for lunch or dinner can celebrate Father’s Day with seven-course menus or a la carte items at Crystal Dragon from June 1 to 18.

Crystal Dragon’s Father’s Day lunch or dinner set menu and special a la carte menu features Roasted Marinated Farm Duck with Herbs, Garlic and Black Pepper

The Set Menu for a minimum of five to seven persons highlights China Treasures Trio Appetizer Platter of Wok-fried Scramble Egg with Crab Meat and Shark’s fin, Simmered Shredded Pork Ear with Spicy Vinegar & Chilled Smoked Pork Knuckle; Double-boiled Lamb Soup with Agaricus Brasiliensis Mushrooms; Roasted Marinated Farm Duck with Herbs, Garlic and Black Pepper; Sautéed Prawn, Scallop, Fish Fillet with Vegetables and Mushrooms; Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables Served with Kwa Bao; Stir-fried Fragrant Rice with Diced Seafood and Small Anchovies; and Chilled Mango Puree with Pomelo and Vanilla Ice Cream. The set menu is at P2,380.++ per person and served with Chinese Oolong Tea.

   

For bigger groups of 8 to 10 persons, the Set Menu is more lavish at P3,880.++ per person and includes Cantonese “Four Season” Combination platter of Stir-fried Scramble Egg with Crab Meat and Shark’s fin, Wok-fried Prawns with Salted Egg Sauce & Roasted Duck Roll Marinated Chilled Smoked Pork; Double-boiled Lamb Soup with Agaricus Brasiliensis Mushrooms; Home-style Steamed Cod Fish Fillet with Cordyceps Flower; Pan-fried Kurobuta Pork Rolls filled with Celery and Carrot on a Bed of Enoki, Shimeiji & Sprout; Braised 10 Head Abalone with Garden Green and Homemade Bean Curd; Braised E-Fu Noodle with Shredded Meat, Baby Abalone and Prawn Roe; and Warm Sweetened Eight Treasure Soup with Red Dates. Chinese Jasmine Tea is served together with this set menu. 

An a la carte menu with some of these items will also be available during the promotion period.

The Tasting Room 

The Tasting Room’s Father’s Day Dinner highlights its new a la carte menu including Wagyu Beef with Pot au feu Broth with Asparagus, Leeks & Sugar Snaps

With The Tasting Room’s new and elegant location at the ground level of NÜWA (just across its previous location) and new Chef de Cuisine Frederic Thevenet who brings with him an extensive 30-year culinary background working in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe and Asia, dad’s discerning palate will be delighted with the modern French restaurant’s new degustation and ala carte menu.  

For an exquisite dining experience during Father’s day, dads can indulge in a four-course degustation menu that includes Beetroot with Angostura, Comte Cheese, Spinach; Lobster with Curry & Apricot, Chicken with Asparagus and Morels and Halo-halo & Baba Rum with Mango. The choice of a six-course degustation menu has additional dishes of King Crab with Scallop, Oyster, Cauliflower Jelly, Cucumber & Dill and Egg with Caviar and Haddock. 

The a la carte menu includes starters such as Oyster with grey shrimp, apple, cauliflower, beef gravlax, and Sarawak pepper; Foie Gras with apricot, figs, brioche, black olives, coco royale, crab, ham, and cuttlefish; and Asparagus with red wine pistachio, blue cheese, velvet soup, faiselle, and egg yolk. The Cod with parmesan, leeks truffle, and Iberico ham; and the Scallops with caviar, horseradish, rice, and caramelized onions comprise the seafood courses while the Pigeon with stuffed cabbage, Mostarda di Cremona, spinach, ginger, and calamansi; and the Wagyu Beef with Pot au Feu Broth, asparagus, leeks, sugar snaps, spelt, green curry, and porcini are the venue’s meat dishes.

The four-course menu is at P4,788++ per person and a six-course menu is at P7,600++. Wine pairing is offered at an additional P2,000++ and P2,800++, respectively.

For inquiries and reservations, interested patrons can call 800 8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com.

Swipe for summer treats with Citi

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Beat the summer heat with the refreshing and cool Swipe for a Treat promo from Citi, the country’s leading global bank. 

This latest offer from Citi, open to all principal and supplementary cardholders, lets you earn eGift vouchers that you can use in over 15 partner merchants across the country until July 15, 2018. 

“Summer in the Philippines is a very special time,” said Manoj Varma, Citi Philippines consumer business head. “To make the summer experience more enjoyable for our cardholders, Citi is offering exciting treats through our ‘Swipe for a Treat’ promo. We hope that our customers enjoy the selection of cool treats for their summer adventure.”

To avail of the promo, register an account with winwithciti.com with the unique password sent by Citi, and make a qualifying minimum single-receipt purchase of at least P3,000 using your Citi card. You can also earn the free treats by using the 0% Citi Paylite for purchases, payable for up to three months. 

Redeem your eGift vouchers on the promo website two days after the posted transaction. You can use the eGifts at merchants such as Krispy Kreme, Mrs. Fields, Foodee Global Concept restaurants, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, ChaTime, Bruno’s Barbers, Happy Skin, Plains and Prints, Bioessence, Watch Republic, Planet Sports, Silicon Valley, Digital Walker, Ideal Vision and Lay Bare. Each cardholder can redeem up to 30 eGifts. 

Swipe now and get these summer treats from Citi. For more details on this promo, you may visit www.citibank.com.ph/treats.  

In Defense of the “Selfie-Obsessed”

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Taking and sharing selfies—or self-portraits—is not as modern as it seems.

However, the ancient selfies were just a bit harder to come by as one would need a lot of resources, time, or skill to create their very own selfies. These days, technology has made it so much easier and faster to take a photo of one’s self on a smartphone and immediately share it with the world.

Filipinos have always taken to new tech trends like ducks to water and the selfie phenomenon is no different. The premise is so simple—just hold a smartphone with a front-facing camera about an arm’s length away, snap a photo, slap on a filter, and share on social media. It’s so simple and easy that by 2014, the Philippines (specifically Makati and Pasig) was named by Time magazine as the selfie capital of the world, with roughly 300,000 individuals out of the country’s 100 million population being active selfie-takers.

Harnessing the practice of selfies in a positive way. OPPO organized a National Selfie Day celebration late last year at Enchanted Kingdom, where loyal fans spent a fun-filled afternoon with their families and friends and documented these special moments through selfies.

It’s 2018 and easy access to smartphones and mobile data has empowered Pinoy selfie-takers, whose numbers swell by the thousands with each new gadget release. Rising steadily along with the number of selfies taken and uploaded by Filipino netizens every second is the amount of vitriol that selfie-takers receive.

“Gandang-ganda sa sarili,” “vain,” “in love sa sarili,” “feelingera.” These are just some of the words hurled at those who take a lot of selfies. Anna, a 20-year-old college student with roughly 500 followers on Instagram, has been on the receiving end of these words because of the selfies she regularly shares on her social media accounts.

“Sometimes people leave negative comments on my posts,” Anna shared. “I’m not a celebrity, so why are these people bashing me?”

Selfies as a modern manifestation of Filipino traditions

For psychologist Ma. Fiona Ella G. Sandoval, MA RPsy, a licensed professional affiliated with the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, there is a more positive aspect to the selfie phenomenon growing among Filipinos of all ages.

“Some recent local studies show that selfie-taking and other social media activities have a strong familial and community element among Filipinos,” Sandoval said. “More than just looking at the selfie phenomenon as an individualistic activity, let’s look at the instances when we take them. Selfie-takers usually document important moments shared with their loved ones, travel destinations, or just to share daily moments with friends and family members who live or work abroad.”

According to a Culture Trip article titled “How Manila Became the Selfie Capital of the World,” Filipino selfie-takers often produce a bulk of digital images “to satisfy familial obligations.” Family photos, groufies with friends, or selfies with famous landmarks are often taken to “reassure family of their whereabouts and safety.”

In a country where family ties are close-knit and friends are often treated as part of the family, Filipinos have plenty of special moments to document almost on a daily basis. This might explain the thousands of selfies uploaded on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram every minute or so.

Anna agreed with the sentiments shared by the author of the article and by Sandoval. “The selfies I take usually document important moments in my life, like celebrating my birthday with my family at our favorite restaurant. There are also times when I feel good about how I look and simply want to share the moment with my friends.”

Mindfulness is key

Sandoval, however, still sees potential for selfie-takers to take their hobby of self-portraiture to a more dangerous level.

“If you have reached a point wherein taking selfies occupy most of your time and robs you of being able to savor and appreciate the present, take a short break each day from all the selfies you feel you must make,” Sandoval cautioned. “But in moderation and when appropriate—when it doesn’t take up too much of your time, doesn’t disrupt your life, and done for the right reasons—selfie-taking is for the good and can be a self-enhancing hobby. Selfies are all about keeping treasured memories in a digital format and bonding with loved ones.”

The psychologist also emphasized the importance of mindfulness, or living self-aware in the present, as key to live a more enriched life in the digital age. “As said by the monk Thich Nhat Hanh, the present moment is the only moment there is for us to be alive. Don’t wait for your digital activities to disrupt or damage your relationships or routines critical for survival,” she said.

Capturing the real you

With Sandoval’s advice, Anna is working to be more mindful about her selfies. “After listening to her, I’ve realized that selfies are not just for feeling like I’m pretty or replicating the posts of influencers and celebrities. There’s so much more to it, like communicating and relating to my loved ones through pictures.”

The college student also related to the OPPO F7 advocacy against online bashing, as led by social media and silver screen stars Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. The campaign is a brave stand against online negativity, especially these days when leaving nasty comments in social media posts seem to be the norm among Pinoy netizens. Barretto and Garcia encourage Filipinos of all ages to not only shrug negativity off, but to capture their real selves through the selfies that they take on the OPPO F7. This new flagship smartohone is powered by an industry-leading 25MP selfie camera with A.I. Beautification 2.0 technology that allows users to present their best selves in the most advanced, natural way.

“I am now inspired to be more mindful of the selfies I post and the comments I leave on other people’s posts. I want to capture and convey my real self on social media from now on,” Anna concluded.

For more information on the OPPO F7 and upcoming promos and roadshow events, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page or follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.