The Queen of the Kitchen, Helen Gamboa returns to Colours for the 3rd Season

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Cignal TV, the country’s #1 Pay TV provider with over 3 million subscribers welcomes back the Queen of the Kitchen, seasoned actress Helen Gamboa Sotto, with the Season 3 launch of “From Helen’s Kitchen” on Colours and TV5, premiering this December 19.

This season kicks off with two holiday-themed episodes: Noche Buena Traditions and Family Favorites for Media Noche where Tita Helen will share holiday traditions and create their family’s signature noche buena and media noche family favorites alongside her husband, Tito Sotto, and their children: Apples, Lala, Gian and Ciara Sotto.

The program will not only showcase Tita Helen’s exquisite culinary skill, but will give viewers unique stories behind recipes that go beyond average comfort food. She’ll be working on international entrees with a twist and the usual ‘pamana ni Nanay/Lola’ heirloom recipes with celebrity guests such as Joey de Leon, Gelli de Belen and many others.

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 sees Tita Helen opening up her kitchen once again. She aims to impart a sense of comfort and holiday cheer through hearty and delicious meals that Filipino families can recreate to bring their family together. 

“We live in a world that is unlike any other. Many families are miles apart from one another and are not able to physically be together due to these unprecedented times. Through our third season, we want to bring the holiday spirit to our viewers by sharing our family’s Noche Buena dishes and traditions,” the cooking aficionado shares. “Lahat kami ng family ko ay happy na maibahagi ang kahit kaunting kasiyahan na dala ng pagluluto sa ating mga viewers.” Tita Helen shares. 

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 is just 1 of the 3 new programs premiering on Colours this December, so viewers at home can expect high-quality shows and entertainment premiering this holiday season.

“From Helen’s Kitchen” Season 3 premieres this December 19, and will air every Saturday at 8:00PM on Colours, available on Cignal TV CH. 60 SD and CH. 202 HD. Catch-up airings will also be available on TV5 starting December 20, 7:00AM and continues every Sunday. Viewers may also access Colours and TV5 on the Cignal Play app, available for Android and iOS users. 

To subscribe to Cignal TV contact 8888-5555, 0949-9977600 to 7603. You may also email us at sales@cignal.tv or follow Cignal TV’s Official Facebook page! For more information, visit the Colours Official Facebook Page!

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

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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

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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

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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

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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/.