Bike for Good: Baker John partners with GMA Kapuso Foundation for Livelihood Project

Tweet

Baker John, Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) brand of bread, recently teamed up with GMA Kapuso Foundation for the “Bike for Good” project. Through this partnership, 30 beneficiaries will receive bikes and bread products from Baker John.

“Our goal is to provide assistance to those who are trying to adapt to this new, challenging situation in the time of the COVID pandemic. Through this partnership, we hope the beneficiaries selected by GMA Kapuso Foundation will have the will -- and the wheels -- to keep going,” said Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division’s Managing Director.

 According to Lee, the Bike for Good project provides each of the 30 beneficiaries with a bicycle and a negosyo starter package consisting of Baker John products. “We want to assist them in kicking off their community selling business which can help them with their livelihood,” Lee shared.

TEAMING UP FOR BIKE FOR GOOD. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, (left) and Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director sign the agreement formalizing the partnership for the Bike for Good livelihood donation.

In choosing the beneficiaries, the project prioritizes those who lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as residents of Metro Manila and Rizal who have lost their source of income due to the typhoons Rolly and/or Ulysses.

PROVIDING LIVELIHOOD THROUGH WHEELS: GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (left) Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director Ellison Lee check the bread-and-bike livelihood package from Baker John for the Bike for Good beneficiaries.

Apart from this, GMA Kapuso Foundation chose beneficiaries who are physically able, have the can do spirit, and willing to use the bicycle to sell Baker John’s bread in their community as a source of alternative livelihood for their family.

“COVID and typhoon Ulysses brought economic devastation to residents of NCR. GMA Kapuso Foundation is happy to help Baker John and URC find beneficiaries. It is a very difficult time but in time of great adversity there is also opportunity. Do not lose hope,” stated Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Baker John is URC’s very own line of tasty premium bread products available in selected Robinsons, Rustan’s, Shopwise, and Walter Mart supermarkets, and Ministop branches nationwide. Visit www.urcflour.com today for more information.

  

4 must-try Noche Buena classic dishes with a twist

Tweet

 

Glazed Christmas ham

 

Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.

Glazed Christmas Ham. A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.

Crispy Lechon Roll. Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.

Extra Meaty Spaghetti. No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!

Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake. After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave for dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist -- queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.

If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.

MMFF 2020 stars invite OFWs to watch this year’s films online

Tweet

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) festival organizers held a “MMFF Zoom Roadshow” with Pinoy celebrities to invite Filipinos from all over the world to watch this year’s line-up of top calibre films. 

Celebrities Zanjoe Marudo, Charlie Dizon, Keann Johnson, Andrew E, Ritz Azul, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Julia Estrada, Fumiya and Yamyam kicked off the online roadshow together with PCOO (Presidential Communications Operations Office) Director Pebbles Duque who hosted the online event. OFWs from Hawaii, the UK, Australia, UAE, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hong Kong showed their support and were pleased to meet and greet the celebrity guests. The participants were also given a short demo on how to watch the MMFF films via UPSTREAM, the newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform, and GMovies.

“A lot of Filipinos, OFWs most especially, will be postponing their homecoming due to the pandemic. While they will miss out on much of the traditional festivities back home, we want to bring them cheer by allowing them to enjoy this year’s MMFF anywhere in the world. Wherever they may be, Filipino Christmas continues to be felt with the MMFF,” said Director Duque.

“We are grateful to MMFF for allowing us to recreate this well-loved Christmas tradition of enjoying the MMFF films, especially for the OFWs who will be missing home this season. These films that deeply reflect Filipino values and culture can now be enjoyed online, anywhere in the world,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer. 

The 46th edition of the MMFF via UPSTREAM and in partnership with GMovies opens on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020 until January 7, 2021. 

This year, the MMFF has 10 official entries, a shift from the usual eight entries in the previous years. The titles cover a wider range of audiences especially now that the festival has moved online:

Joel Lamangan’s “Isa Pang Bahaghari” is an LGBTQ-themed family drama about an OFW (Phillip Salvador) returning home to reconnect with his estranged wife (Nora Aunor) and children (Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco and Sanya Lopez). 

Another LGBTQ-themed film in the roster is “The Boy Foretold by The Stars” produced by Clever Minds, Inc. starring Adrian Lindayag and Keann Johnson, who portray high school classmates whose friendship is tested when their feelings towards each other evolve. 

For those who enjoy a good scare, Easy Ferrer’s “The Missing” is set in a haunted house in Japan. Produced by Regal Entertainment, the film features Joseph Marco, Ritz Azul and Miles Ocampo.

“Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandang Itim” is another horror film but with a bit of comedy. Produced by Cineko Productions and directed by Topel Lee, the film stars Vhong Navarro, Ritz Azul, Benjie Paras, Joross Gamboa, Ryan Bang and Ion Perez. 

A staple in the holiday film genre is comedy and Al Tantay’s “Pakboys: Takusa” aims to make Pinoys laugh. Produced by Viva Entertainment, the film focuses on the infidelity of comedians Andrew E., Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla and Jerald Napoles. 

If visual effects are what some are looking for, Christian Acuña’s fantasy-adventure, “Magikland”, is expected to appeal to young audiences. Produced by Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, and Brightlight Leisure Productions, the film features a young cast including Miggs Cuaderno, Elijah Alejo, Joshua Eugenio and Princess Aguilar.

Pinoys can also expect a bit of romance with Mac Alejandre’s “Tagpuan”. This movie features a love triangle starring Iza Calzado, Alfred Vargas and Shaina Magdayao. Written by Ricky Lee and shot in Hong Kong and New York, the film is produced by Alternative Vision Cinema.

Those who enjoy true stories might like “Suarez, The Healing Priest.” Directed by Joven Tan, the film is based on the life of Father Fernando Suarez. Produced by Saranggola Media Productions, the film stars John Arcilla, Dante Rivero, and Jin Macapagal.

Fresh from glowing reviews from its Japan and Estonia premieres, “Fan Girl”, the latest film from Antoinette Jadaone is about every fan girl’s fantasy of spending a night with their biggest celebrity idol. This was produced by ABS-CBN Films' Black Sheep, Globe Studios, Project 8, Epicmedia, and Crossword Productions with performances from newcomer Charlie Dizon and award-winning actor Paulo Avelino, who plays himself.

Lastly, OFWs are well-represented by Adolfo Alix, Jr’s’ “Coming Home.” Produced by Maverick Films, this is a drama about an OFW father(Jinggoy Estrada) who comes home to his unwelcoming family. The film also features Sylvia Sanchez, Edgar Allan Guzman, Martin del Rosario, Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Julian Estrada, and Jake Ejercito.

Through a partnership with UPSTREAM and Globe’s GMovies, the MMFF is bringing this year’s festival online as the official entries can be streamed by Filipinos via UPSTREAM in partnership with GMovies for only P250 per title, and $10 for Filipinos abroad. 

UPSTREAM is likewise able to deliver a better viewing experience for customers while protecting the content creators’ intellectual property rights with the support of Globe’s #PlayItRight campaign. #PlayItRight is the telco company’s anti-piracy advocacy that helps protect the entertainment industry from illegal streaming and content piracy.

Tickets will be on sale locally on December 7 and internationally on December 18. Visit UPSTREAM.ph to know how to enjoy the MMFF online.

Moving from resilience to renaissance –UnionBank President and CEO

Tweet

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) held the seventh iteration of its E-Talk Tales webinar series last December 9, wherein UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Bautista gave an overview of the Bank’s milestones in the past year and how it went from providing help for Filipinos to survive the pandemic to creating a better digital normal for everyone.

UnionBank made headlines in May this year after being named ‘second most helpful bank in Asia-Pacific’ in the BankQuality Consumer Survey on Retail Banks that was conducted in April. 

This helpfulness was evident in UnionBank’s commitment to ensuring that its essential banking services remained accessible and reliable 24/7 during the enhanced community quarantine period, a time when uncertainties ran rampant and the needs of customers could change at any time. 

The Bank helped the government in the disbursement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash assistance to 700,000 beneficiaries amounting to P4.9 billion. It also assisted partner Local Government Units (LGUs) in the distribution of cash or loan proceeds to constituents. 

UnionBank has also helped countless micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) digitize amid the pandemic through its MSME platform GlobalLinker, and through MSME-leaning platforms Sentro, SeekCap, and bux, which are offered by its fintech spinoff UBX. To date, more than 27,000 online shops have already been made using Sentro, SeekCap now has more than 16,000 MSME signups, and bux has over 92,000 users. GlobalLinker's user base is also now at more than 38,000. 

Another sector of society that UnionBank was able to assist especially at the height of the pandemic were teachers, with the help of its thrift bank subsidiary CitySavings Bank. To date, CitySavings has extended a total of P26.1 billion in teachers' loans, P3.2 billion in motorcycle loans, and 2.9 billion in MSME loans to beneficiaries. 

And now, with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, UnionBank has begun the next major phase in its digital transformation journey, going full-speed ahead from merely displaying its resilience in the face of an unprecedented global health crisis, toward a renaissance in innovation and co-creation. 

UnionBank has been a leader in the practice of the agile methodology, which enables the Bank to react quickly to any situation and achieve innovation at a much faster rate. But the Bank knew it had to become much faster. So, to do this, the company started migrating to an even faster way of working: DevSecOps. 

Short for “development, security, and operations,” DevSecOps is an ideology that aims to integrate security into every stage of the development-deployment cycle. With this new methodology, the Bank has been able, among other advantages, to test new features that they develop much faster and deploy the said features on an almost real-time basis. Moving forward, DevSecOps will play a key role in the creation of new services for the Bank. 

Aside from DevSecOps, another key element of the Bank’s digital renaissance is data science and AI. This will be implemented across various verticals within the Bank, from mobile banking to credit, from algorithms to operational enhancements, among others. 

"This is really the time wherein, together we can usher in a renaissance in the area of banking and technology. It's an area where the Philippines can not only be a fast follower but can actually be a trailblazer in the banking world,” Bautista said. 

To know more, visit their official pages: 

Unionbank of the Philippines at https://www.unionbankph.com/, UBX at https://ubx.ph/, Unionbank GlobalLinker at https://unionbank.globallinker.com/login, and CitySavings at https://citysavings.com.ph/.

All the fun tricks you can do with just a smartphone camera to show #ClearlyTheBestYou

Tweet

Uncover how to do all the popular camera tricks on social media with 

the trendiest smartphone built for content that stands out 

These days, your social media presence is more important than ever. It’s a way to escape, to stay informed and connected, and to show off your personality especially in the socially distant normal. The content you share is a way for you to express yourself and your creativity on your own terms. 

The latest from global smart device brand OPPO is the Reno4, a smartphone packed with powerful camera features to make sure your feed is always on point. In the palm of your hand are a 48MP high-definition quad camera, which includes ultra-wide, macro and mono lenses, and a 32MP selfie camera, so your photos and videos are sure to be clear and crisp from every angle. The OPPO Reno4 camera is also equipped with the most innovative features so you can tap into their creativity to show off #ClearlyTheBestYou and take your content game to the next level. Here are five easy tips to keep your content on fleek at all times: 

Stand out against your surroundings 

Ever wonder how scenes are so beautifully captured in your favorite movies? Apart from the years spent honing their craft, the tools and software that filmmakers have at their disposal is key in enabling them to create those iconic scenes that we get to know and love. The technique of isolating color has been employed by filmmakers to highlight the plot or relay hidden messages, or just make a character stand out against a crowd. 

With AI Color Portrait and Monochrome Video Mode on the OPPO Reno4 series, you can now do the same with your smartphone - no edits required! Simply bring your subject into focus when in AI Color Portrait Mode or select colors like red, green, blue while recording in Monochrome Video Mode to make your subject pop! 

Stay vibrant even at night 

Every photographer, amateur or pro, will tell you that lighting is key to recording outstanding photos. This comes as a no-brainer, but there are still ways for you to capture stunning images even during the night. 

Here to capture the beauty of your subject, the Reno4 series’ Ultra Dark Mode and Ultra Night Selfie Mode helps make your shots bright, even in extreme low light environments. To bring your night photography up a notch, OPPO has also introduced its new Night Flare Portrait Mode which adds a bokeh effect against a vivid background to produce eye-catching results! 

Get into super slow motion 

Time flies when you’re having fun. However, the OPPO Reno4 enables you to capture those epic moments and slow it down for you to enjoy every millisecond of it! The 960fps AI Slow-motion feature captures the finer details - the beauty of a raindrop as it hits the ground or the turn of a Formula1 racer as it whizzes by the track. Practice tracking and panning in the direction the object is moving towards - this will help keep the object you’re filming focused in the center of your screen to produce jaw-dropping shots! 

Take stability to another level 

In an action film, car chases and fight sequences are key elements that provide an immersive experience. But owning a professional gimbal is not for everybody, especially those who are exploring videography. 

This is where the OPPO Reno4 Ultra Steady Video 3.0 Mode will come in handy, especially for all aspiring action directors, extreme sports enthusiasts and vloggers. Powered by its in-built electronic image stabilization (EIS) technologies, the Reno4 can accurately sense and reduce any shake from your hands, allowing you to capture adrenaline-pumping action with ease. Available in its main lens, ultra-wide and in the front-facing camera, you can now share the energy and adrenaline rush you are experiencing without the blur in your vlogs or videos! 

Edit videos directly on your phone without downloading an app 

Everyone knows that the key to creating an outstanding video is adding the right sound and visual effects — but it can be a pain to send all your videos to your desktop, look for the right video editing program, and fiddle with a mountain of settings just to make your vlog on point. 

These pains disappear with the OPPO Reno4 built-in video editing app Soloop! Just add your videos to the Soloop Smart Video Editor app and put on the finishing touches in a jiffy. Developed independently by OPPO’s ColorOS team, Soloop turns your footage into a professional looking vlog by adding music, filters, subtitles, captions and transitions — perfect for making your videos go viral on TikTok or YouTube. 

Retailing at PHP18,990, the OPPO Reno4 is available in all concept stores nationwide, dealer partners, and e-commerce partners Shopee and Lazada, as well as via Globe Postpaid, free with ThePlan 1499 with Rock Space EB100 Stereo Earbuds. 

In keeping the Christmas celebration joyful, OPPO is offering special bundles for OPPO Reno4 as part of the #OPPOJoyFullSale. You can avail (1) Parkland backpack and 2 Viu 3-month if you purchase during the last episode of the Joy-Full OPPO Sale Livestream this coming December 19 at 5pm on OPPO Philippines official Facebook and Lazada pages. 

To know more about the latest OPPO Reno4 and the ongoing OPPO exclusive Christmas deals and events, visit the official website or via the official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.