The power of time: LG’s smart home technologies help empower women with greater autonomy

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For today’s generation of modern and multi-tasking Filipino women, the most valuable currency is time.

Time, as the adage goes, is gold. Time lost cannot be restored. And time saved enables women, and men alike, to do more—spend longer and better-quality time with loved ones, pursue passions and unlock new opportunities.

Time at home is especially valuable for women who share in the household tasks. Efficiency is the name of the game. After all, time at home is best spent enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

This is where LG’s smart home technologies play an invaluable role. In the daily struggle for efficient use of precious time, the electronics giant’s intuitive and smart technology takes the burden out of household tasks so that they do not take more time, and energy, than is necessary.

Take the LG’s TwinWash, powered by SmartThinQ technology, as an example. It allows users to control and monitor the washer anytime and from anywhere using the LG mobile app. It can also be linked to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa so users can remotely start or pause a load, monitor cycle status and ‘command’ the washer to perform other functions.

The InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator is another case in point. It minimizes loss of cold air, prolongs freshness and saves energy and time, with the simple act of knocking twice. It may seem insignificant but as multi-tasking mothers, wives, sisters, and women know—one less thing to worry or think about is always a relief.

A recent study from the U.S. found that “invisible labor” at home can take a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of women who are expected to perform these tasks. Invisible labor refers to household responsibilities that are not physically enforced.

For instance, a working mom can count on her husband and children to take turns in doing the laundry, but she is expected to ensure that the detergent does not run out or that all the dirty clothes are included in the load. This mental burden, on top of physical tasks, work demands, parenting responsibilities and spousal obligations, can leave women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

Thus, the availability of smart home technologies, like LG’s line of powerful, modern and user-friendly home appliances, do more than just make the job easier or faster. More importantly, these technologies empower women to take control of their time at home and enable them to focus on that which nurtures them, whether it’s family or much-needed self-care. 

Celebrating women empowerment

The annual celebration of International Women’s Day(IWD) is a global day that recognizes the “social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.”

It embraces the struggles and the evolution of women’s roles at home, in the workplace and in the community. Since the first celebration in 1911, much has been achieved but much more needs to be done, and the home has always been a crucial battleground for these milestones.

As a globally renowned brand that makes an impact on the lives of millions of women daily, LG exemplifies the fundamental purpose of smart home technology solutions—to create transformative experiences that improve the lives of its users, both women and men.

Free Unli Rice during early dinner at all Mang Inasal stores this March

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Mang Inasal is giving all unli-rice lovers a special Early Dinner Treat as part of the brand’s 15th anniversary celebration.

Get free unlimited rice servings on all Paborito Value Meals from March 11 to March 28, Mondays thru Thursdays, from 4 to 6 pm only.

The Early Dinner Treat promo is available at all Mang Inasal stores nationwide and valid for dine-in transactions only.

Come celebrate Mang Inasal’s 15th anniversary with us. Visit any of our over 500 stores nationwide for your Solb sa Sarap, Solb sa Saya Early Dinner Treat with free unli-rice!

Bayambang Celebrates 405th Town Fiesta with Grand Events

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Bayambang, Pangasinan is celebrating its 405th year with grand events happening from April 1 until April 8. Bayambang, located at the southern tip of Pangasinan, was the 5th capital of the Philippines during the 1stPhilippine Republic under the revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo. The town’s vast territory used to include Bautista town, where the Philippine National Anthem was written by Jose Palma, and Camiling town (now a part of Tarlac), the home of Jose Rizal’s inspiration for Maria Clara, Leonor Rivera, and the birthplace of former UN General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo.

The town fiesta coincides with the marking of the 400th year foundation of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish (the physical church was built in 1869), and worldwide, the commemoration of the 600th year of the saint’s death. The century-old place of worship enshrines St. Vincent Ferrer, the patron saint of Bayambang, whose feast day is on April 5.

Activities in the past town fiesta/s

In line with this year’s fiesta theme “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pagkakaisa at Pananampalataya Laban sa Kahirapan: 400 ng Pagpapala ng Parokya ng San Vicente Ferrer”, the municipal government of Bayambang, led by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, in cooperation with sponsors, organizers and Hermano and Hermana Mayor Dr. Henry Fernandez and wife Julie, prepared different activities meant to entertain local and foreign tourists and at the same time highlight Bayambanguenos’ significant contribution to the town’s progress.

The occasion is a fitting opportunity for Bayambang to invite people to witness the ceremony in its latest attempt to make a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records with their bid as having the tallest statue of St. Vincent Ferrer. In 2014, it won the Guinness World Records for the longest barbecue grill.

The soon-to-be iconic monument will stand imposingly in Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, the first part of the sprawling 67 hectare new town center of Bayambang.

Bayambang Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and wife Nina Jose as ninong and ninang to 120 couples in the recent Kasalang Bayan.

It was the idea of Mayor Cezar’s wife, Niña Jose, to create a statue of their patron saint to whom she is a devotee like her husband. “St. Vincent Ferrer is a significant part in the culture and history of our town. We decided to build a statue in his honor as a thanksgiving for everything that he has done for Bayambang in the past 400 years,” the former actress and now Bayambang First Lady shared. The 51-meter tall St. Vincent Ferrer image has a steel frame and bamboo panels as cladding material.

Everyone will surely enjoy the fiesta kickoff on April 1 starting from the Revelry followed by a Thanksgiving Mass, a Grand Parade, and the Opening Program at the town plaza in the morning and by 4 p.m., a Street Dancing Competition on Bayambang National High School grounds. The day ends with an Inter-Faith Thanksgiving for members of the community belonging to other religious groups.

From April 2 to 6, there will be a Barangay Night to fete the town’s barangay officials; a Farmers’ Day in honor of the hardworking food producers; an Educators’ Night for teachers; a Senior Citizens’ Day; TODA Day for motor tricycle operators and drivers, and a Fiesta Negosyante dedicated to public market vendors.

On April 3, dancing enthusiasts take centerstage in ZumBayambang while local officials who displayed exemplary performance will be honored with Matalunggaring Awards. LGU/Cultural Night, on the other hand, takes place in the evening in honor of local government workers and cultural workers. 

Set on April 4 is the Malangsi Cooking Contest to discover budding culinary talents. Also in the line-up are Bayambang Got Talent and Inter-Barangay Sportsfest. Adding color and excitement to the event are Vice Ganda, Kamikazee and December Avenue who are set to perform in the grilling-cum-concert night Kalutan Year 5: Labi’y Liket tan Gayaga on PSU Grounds.

On the Big Day, April 5, the feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer, there will be another Thanksgiving Mass at the church, followed by a traditional Grand Procession with statues of the esteemed patron to be paraded around the town. Then at 6 p.m., the formal opening of the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park will be held at Barangay Bani. The highlight of the affair is the unveiling of the highly-anticipated statue of St. Vincent Ferrer. Devotees of the saint from all over the world are invited to witness this occasion which has been at least a year in the making. Mayor Cezar once said, “Now we are creating a landmark for people to remember and recognize Bayambang.” 

Another big event to be hosted by Bianca Gonzalez is slated on April 6 with the star-studded beauty pageant, which gathers the town’s beautiful ladies to vie for the much-coveted Binibining Bayambang 2019. Actor Dominic Roque will sit in the jury panel. 

The town’s alumni from various educational institutions will come together on April 7 for the Alumni Motorcade, Recreational Activities and Alumni Night.

The festivities will be capped off on April 8 with a formal dinner and mini-concert via Balikbayan Night and People’s Grand Ball at the town plaza, with K Brosas as special guest performer.

Global Finance names BDO Capital the best in the Philippines

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For the 3rd straight year, BDO Capital and Investment Corporation is awarded the Best Investment Bank in the Philippines by Global Finance during its annual World’s Best Investment Banks. This is the 5th time that BDO Capital has received this award.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, BDO Capital was awarded based on its market share, number and size of deals, service and advice, structuring capabilities, extensive distribution network, efforts to address market conditions, innovation, pricing, after-market performance of underwritings, and market reputation.

“Investment banking plays a key role in moving the global economy forward. Our awards highlight the investment banks that stand out in delivering quality insight and innovative deals that meet their clients rapidly changing needs,” said Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of New York-based magazine Global Finance.

One of the country’s most awarded banks, BDO has received other titles over the years from Global Finance: Best Bank in the Philippines, Best Safest Bank, Best Foreign Exchange Provider, Best Trade Finance Bank, and Best Private Bank (through subsidiary BDO Private Bank).

“Getting consistently recognized alongside some of the best banks in the world is an honor we share with our clients. Their continued trust and loyalty drives us to keep getting better at meeting their banking needs,” said BDO Capital president Eduardo V. Francisco, who is also this year’s chairman of the International Association of Financial Executives Institute (IAFEI).

“We are committed to being our clients’ reliable and trustworthy partner in raising capital to expand their business.”

BDO Capital is a full service investment house that offers securities underwriting and trading, loan syndication, financial advisory, and private placement of debt and equity.

About BDO Unibank, Inc.

BDO Unibank, Inc. is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards and credit card services. 

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,200 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,000 ATMs nationwide. It also has 24 overseas remittance and representative offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of December 31, 2018. 

For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.

A Fresh Look at Mermaid Mythology : Catch Siren SeasoEn 2 and Dive Deeper into The Long-Standing Battle Between Mermaids and Humans

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Humans have long been entranced by the idea of mermaids, from the sailors and fishermen of old to modern-day enthusiasts. In 2018, to the delight of fans everywhere, the producers of Siren declared March 29 as International Mermaid Day! Clearly, people remain fascinated by the very idea that they exist but, as with all fairy tales, there is a much darker story that goes farther back.

The age-old story of human-mermaid interaction is retold in Siren, which takes place in a coastal town called Bristol Cove. According to its lore, it was once home to mermaids and strange newcomer named Ryn triggers a series of events. Befriending marine biologist Ben and girlfriend Maddie, Ryn and her brethren turn the sleepy neighbourhood on its head and bring to light jaw-dropping revelations about Ben’s ancestors and the town’s shameful past.

In the second season, tensions flare as the battle between man and sea continues, confirming some of their more sinister aspects: 

1. Mermaids are superior in strength and ferocity than humans.

Any creature that lives in the depths of the ocean has to be fierce and strong, or they won’t survive. Predatory instincts and tribal loyalty run strong and wild in mermaids as demonstrated by Ryn and her brethren, so it’s no wonder that some of them look at weaker, tail-less humans with disdain.

2. Mermaids are highly intelligent!

Many people equate savagery with brainless brutality but this doesn’t apply to mermaids. On the contrary, they are highly intelligent and have the ability to observe, reason and conspire, as Ryn’s sister Donna demonstrated when she escaped from captivity in Season 1. Coupled with their strength and ferocity, this is bad news for anyone who stands in their way.

3. Mermaids are haunting, ethereal and alluring

This is one point where popular mythology and modern retellings seem to agree – mermaids are irresistible. Traditionally, the song of the siren drove sailors mad and Ryn has this ability too; it’s a powerful addition to her physical strength.

4. Mermaids are skilled at shape-shifting 

Taking human form is another common theme when it comes to tales about mermaids, and what better way to hide among humans than in plain sight? However, every transformation comes at a painful, sometimes fatal, price. In spite of this anguish, Ryn seemed determined to stay and defend her human friends. But now, with her sister gone and her presence endangering her friends, where will she go?

As more mermaids come onto land, it’s no longer just a fight between human and mermaids – It has become a survival of the fittest within their own kind. Tune in to Siren season 2 mid-season catch up that will bring you up to date on all that’s happening in Bristol Cove from episode one to five on Sunday, March 3, from 3:30PM on Blue Ant Entertainmentavailable on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channel 37.

Blue Ant Entertainment

Blue Ant Entertainment is a general entertainment channel with the best mix of reality, drama, comedy, and daily programmes. Featuring hit series such as Siren, Bull; competition series The X Factor UK; dailies airing express and day-and-date with the U.S. and U.K. markets, including: Entertainment Tonight, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show with James Corden. The channel also airs box office classics and ‘LIVE’ broadcasts some of the biggest award shows in the world, including The Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards.