Mang Inasal’s family-sized meals perfect for holiday feasts

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Filipinos take the holidays seriously. It’s a time when families and friends get together, spend time catching up, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

While this year may not be like Christmases past, it is still an occasion worth celebrating because being together with the people who matter most to us is enough reason for the season.

Prepare a fuss-free and flavorful holiday feast with Mang Inasal family-sized favorites

Since no Filipino celebration is complete without great food, Mang Inasal is offering its beloved juicy, ihaw-sarap favorites (and more) this Christmas in family-sized pans good for 4-6 people. These bulk orders allow people to spend more time with the people they love and bond over a meal without all the fuss that comes with preparing a feast.

Get the classic favorite Chicken Inasal Large Paa (or Pecho) at home while getting the same freshly-grilled experience in-store with its new juicy-lock grilling process that maintains the natural juiciness of the chicken while the marinade seeps throughout the meat so every bite is as flavorful as the next.

A Filipino spread naturally requires a noodle dish. This makes Mang Inasal’s Family-sized Palabok the perfect companion to the brand’s ihaw-sarap favorites. With its flavor-packed palabok sauce, pork chunks, smoky tinapa, crunchy chicharron, boiled egg, and green onion, the Mang Inasal Palabok is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Get the Family-sized Liempo, Pork BBQ, or Sisig for more variety to satisfy all kinds of different palates. Mang Inasal has also introduced its new Pork BBQ with the addition of peanut sauce and java rice.

Meanwhile, the Chicken Empanada comes in a box of six. Enjoy this pastry that is loaded with chicken chunks, potatoes, and raisins.

Plan celebrations ahead by ordering Mang Inasal favorites at www.manginasaldelivery.com.ph or the Mang Inasal app.

And the best part is each of these Mang Inasal family-sized favorites are available via take-out and delivery through the Mang Inasal website, Grab Food, and foodpanda so you can sit back, order, pick up your delicious meals or have it delivered – safely, conveniently, and fuss-free.

For more information, visit the Mang Inasal Facebook page and order your Mang Inasal favorites by visiting www.manginasaldelivery.com.ph or the Mang Inasal app.

realme announces three world’s-first technologies present in latest flagship lineup GT 2 Series

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realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand and the PH’s no. 1 smartphone brand for 2021, officially unveiled three world’s-first technologies at the realme GT 2 Series Special Event held December 20.

Relentless tech and design innovations have always been the cornerstones of realme's rapid growth globally. As the brand’s first and most premium flagship lineup, the GT 2 series features three industry firsts: a back cover made of bio-polymer material, a 150° ultra-wide camera, and realme's Innovation Forward communication.

World’s first bio-polymer material with Master Design

The realme GT 2 Pro features a minimalist, sustainability-focused design inspired by paper. Created by renowned Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa, this "Paper Tech Master Design" makes the realme GT 2 Pro the world’s first smartphone designed with bio-based materials.

The realme GT 2 Pro's back cover uses a bio-polymer material that serves as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil raw materials that contribute to global warming. The SABIC bio-based material has passed not only the ISCC International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, but also various stringent environmental regulation standards, such as REACH, RoHS, and EPEAT.

In addition, realme's new box design has reduced the overall plastic ratio from 21.7% in the previous generation, to 0.3% for this model.

World’s first 150°ultra-wide Camera with fisheye mode

Ultra-wide-angle lenses are often used in landscape and building photography as they allow the camera to capture a wider perspective in each photo. The realme GT 2 Pro is the first smartphone to offer a 150° ultra-wide camera. This ultra-wide camera expands the phone's field of view by 278% compared to the main camera's 84° field.

realme also developed the world’s first fisheye mode for smartphones on the GT 2 Pro. This mode can produce a strong perspective or an ultra-long depth of field effect. With a large field of view, the overall picture becomes even more visually appealing and allows for more creative possibilities.

Innovation Forward Communication with Stable Signal and 360°NFC

The realme GT 2 Pro is equipped with an Antenna Array Matrix System consisting of three technologies: the world's first ultra-wide-band antenna switching technology (HyperSmart), a Wi-Fi Enhancer, and 360° near-field communication (NFC) technology.

realme's HyperSmart antenna switching technology is designed with 12 wrap-around antennas that cover all sides of the phone and support mainstream bands in almost all directions, all with the same signal strength. This allows the GT 2 Pro to intelligently evaluate the signal strength of all antennas and automatically select the one with the best signal.

In terms of the Wi-Fi network enhancer, the symmetrical Wi-Fi antenna is designed to ensure more balanced signal strength around the phone. In realme's tests, this design improved signal stability by 20% compared to the asymmetrical Wi-Fi antenna design.

The realme GT 2 Pro also integrates the top two cellular antennas with an NFC signal transceiver function, increasing the sensing area by 500% and the sensing distance by 20%. The entire upper part of the GT 2 Pro senses NFC signals in either direction, facilitating the use of NFC for swiping cards or smartphones.

To know more about realme’s latest world’s-first technologies, be sure to stay tuned at the realme PH Facebook page at http://facebook.com/realmePhilippines or visit the official realme website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.

TECNO Mobile Awards Budding Filipino Filmmaker Johanna Serrano as the Grand Winner of Its First Movie Masters Program

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● The program featured beautiful short films captured using the ‘Movie Master’ CAMON 18 smartphone. 

● Now everyone can have a happier holiday season with even more offers on the CAMON 18 Series, plus upcoming TECNO models, POVA Neo and Spark 8P.

TECNO Mobile recently concluded its first Movie Masters Program with an awarding ceremony held on December 11, 2021. The Movie Masters Program, which marks the beginning of TECNO Mobile’s commitment to supporting the local filmmaking scene, is a short film competition whose goal is to highlight moving moments from everyday life through dynamic, touching, and beautifully-made original videos shot by aspiring local filmmakers using the CAMON 18 Premier smartphone. 

At the awarding event, filmmaker Johanna Serrano was named the Grand Winner of the Movie Masters Program for her film, Bukidnon An Eco Adventure, besting two other finalists, Dylan Talon and Angelo Crisostomo. In the short film, Johanna takes viewers along as she explores the beautiful province of Bukidnon, sharing raw and authentic moments that she experiences during the trip.

As the Grand Winner, Johanna received a Php 300,000 film grant, along with the chance to create a short film together with top local director, Paul Soriano and the TEN17P team. The film, which will be released globally this December, will take a look back at the past year, and show how Filipinos are capable of overcoming challenges that may shake them, in order to live a steady life with the promise of a stable and beautiful future.

Apart from emerging as the Grand Winner of the short film competition, Johanna was also named as one of two TECNO Mobile 2022 Tourism Ambassadors. The second Tourism Ambassador awarded at the event was Felix Ablao Jr., who submitted the best steadiest video entry for the Shaky Video Championship on Facebook. Both TECNO Mobile 2022 Tourism Ambassadors received Holiday Travel Funds amounting to Php 40,000 as their prize.

In a message to the finalists, and those watching the awarding ceremony, Direk Paul Soriano shared that the technology found in the CAMON 18 Premier makes it a great tool for capturing and telling stories. He also invited more filmmakers and creators to take advantage of opportunities like the Movie Masters Program. He said, “We have the freedom that we all want when we tell our stories. The creative freedom. It’s really just you, and the CAMON 18 Premier, and your stories. What else do you need?”

Capture great stories with CAMON 18 

The Movie Masters Program showcased how the CAMON 18 Series pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a professional camera smartphone. The finalists were able to experience the “Movie Master” CAMON 18 Premier firsthand, testing out its ultra-steady Stabilized Gimbal Camera to achieve a #SuperSteadyShot as they created their short films. 

Other smartphones included in the CAMON 18 Series are CAMON 18P, which has a 48MP clear and steady video camera, plus a 13MP 50mm pro portrait camera, and the CAMON 18 variant, which is equipped with a 48MP Multi-function Triple Camera.

This Christmas season, TECNO Mobile is giving shoppers the chance to enjoy special discounts and deals on the CAMON 18 Series, and other awesome smartphones and AIoT products from the brand. Visit the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada, and the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall to catch the TECNO Pre-Holiday Sale on December 12 to 14, 2021, the TECNO Christmas Payday Sale on December 15 and 16, 2021, and the TECNO Holiday Sale from December 22 to 26, 2021.

It’s a joyous holiday season with Spark 8P and POVA Neo

You can also look forward to these upcoming smartphones from TECNO Mobile this Christmas - Spark 8P and POVA Neo. The “Ace for New Gen”, Spark 8P is equipped with a 50MP Ultra Clear AI Triple Camera that allows you to capture moments clearly and vividly, a 1080P FHD+ Dot Notch Screen, and a huge 5000mAh battery with power saving optimization. Spark 8P is available at the TECNO Mobile Official Stores in Shopee and Lazada for only Php 7,499.

Enjoy your favorite games on the extra tough POVA Neo smartphone, with a large battery and big screen for an even better gaming experience. This smartphone is equipped with ET Engine optimization boost, plus a Game Space with cool interface, and fast play features. POVA Neo is available at the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada, and is priced at Php 5,999.

Stay updated on all the latest promos when you like and follow TECNO Mobile Philippines on Facebook. Visit www.tecno-mobile.com/ph to learn more about your favorite TECNO Mobile smartphones and gadgets.

Investing in the right health insurance for you and your loved ones

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There was a time when investment referred to stocks, real estate, market funds and business. While these are still important in growing one’s wealth, health has now risen as one of the most critical investments one must consider.

A survey done by Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Sun Life Philippines, indicated that health insurance rose from fourth to second top priority in financial protection among the general public. The respondents of the said survey, done in the third quarter of 2021, revealed that while they are concerned about having a stable source of income to help in emergency situations, they are also highly concerned for the health and well-being of their loved ones and themselves.

According to Richard S. Lim, president of Sun Life Grepa, the pandemic has raised the awareness of people on the importance of health plans. Plans that offer hospitalization and other benefits for dreaded disease treatment or COVID-related confinements are highly sought after at this time, together with life insurance products.

With this growing interest in mind, here are a few more factors to consider when choosing a health insurance policy.

Health Insurance provides options for a wide range of treatment benefits. 

While different people have different protection needs, it is very useful to have health insurance plans that provide coverage options for life-threatening conditions such as critical illnesses. Upon diagnosis of a critical illness, are some benefits paid out to provide the insured person sufficient funds for incurred medical expenses? In certain instances, these conditions may require additional tests and even initial confinements and procedures before the actual course of treatment is finalized. During the treatment process itself, it may be useful to check if the plan has options available to cover surgical-related costs should the treatment program require such intervention. An additional consideration would be hospital confinement-related benefits. This could range from regular room confinement to the more complex Intensive Care Unit (ICU) confinement options. Another useful aspect to consider would be a health plan’s post-recovery benefit options related to post-confinement treatment such as follow-up consultations and even rehabilitation.

Group coverage for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).

MSMEs realize now, more than ever, the importance of securing their employees’ health to keep their business/es going. There is a right health insurance plan for the varying needs of such enterprises. Employers just need to thoroughly review plans best suited for them. There are various group hospitalization plans available in the market to choose from. It would be helpful to select one that includes surgical benefit options and possibly to pay for hospital expenses in case an employee needs to be confined. You could also look for an insurance plan that likewise covers the employee’s immediate family members. After all, employees caring for sick family members will likely be distracted and less productive at work if their loved ones’ needs are not looked after.

Reliable, extensive access to medical partners.

It helps to check on the insurance company’s access to medical providers. This access would ideally include hospitals, clinics and health care centers that are of good reputation, experts in their respective fields and with a history of trustworthiness. The more medical partners in more locations the better. A life insurance company with wide provider access can truly help in ensuring flexibility in service options like reimbursement, and also proves the organization's stability, competitiveness, and responsiveness to needs.

Financial advisors that speak your language. 

All financial advisors are trained, so it is important to try talking to various advisors before deciding on one that connects with you the most. It would be ideal to consider not just an advisor’s years of expertise and track record but also his ability to listen, understand your needs, and provide you with relevant financial protection coverage options that will best address your specific requirements. From sharing protection options to providing assistance in processing claims, an advisor’s clarity in explaining products and steps to take is highly beneficial.

About SUN LIFE GREPA: Sun Life Grepa is a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) and Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life). Sun Life Grepa offers financial protection products through its agency, bancassurance, and group account channels. YGC is one of Southeast Asia's largest conglomerates with over 90 companies, while Sun Life has been a top player in the Philippine market for over 120 years.

About the YUCHENGCO GROUP OF COMPANIES (YGC). The Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) is a premiere Philippine conglomerate with interests ranging from banking to international business partnerships, from financial services to construction, and from education to information technology. YGC is composed of market leaders and innovators like RCBC, Malayan Insurance, Sun Life Grepa, Mapua University, EEI Corporation, PetroEnergy Resources Corporation, and RCBC Bankard.

PH, SG sign agreement enhancing ASEAN digital payment cooperation in World Fintech Festival

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BSP-MAS CA benefits MSMEs, OFWs, tourism, payments, cybersecurity

The Philippines and Singapore deepened their fintech-based relationship with various cross-border collaborations that will strengthen ASEAN regional payments and provide financial inclusivity to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and micro-small-to-medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

During the recent World Fintech Festival Philippines (WFF) 2021 - Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Managing Director Ravi Menon signed the expanded Fintech Innovation Function Cooperation Agreement. One highlight was the linkage of the two countries’ QR and real-time payment systems. In his statement following the signing ceremony, Gov. Diokno said that "the BSP is taking the initial step in linking the Philippine payment system with those of our ASEAN neighbors, beginning with Singapore.” He added that the agreement will enhance safe, efficient cross-border payments through smoother and seamless international fund transfers. Managing Director Menon called it “a concrete step towards the vision of an ASEAN network of interconnected real-time payment systems."

(Upper row, L-R): Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno; Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assistant Governor Edna Villa

(Middle row, L-R): Michelle Ong, Leading Business Journalist as Host and Moderator; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Director Raymond Estioko, Payments System Oversight; Carmelita Araneta, General Manager, Philippine Payments Management Inc.

(Bottom row): Leila Martin, President and CEO, Overseas Filipino Bank; Todd Schweitzer, CEO of Brankas; Amor Maclang, Convenor, Digital Pilipinas

MAS’ launch of regional tech platforms strengthens the growth of ASEAN cross-border transactions: Proxtera, which enables seamless trading for SMEs; the non-profit open-architecture API Exchange (APIX) which supports ASEAN and global financial innovation and inclusion; and Oxygen, APIX’s knowledge-upskilling platform that provides masterclasses from industry experts.

SFF 2021’s discussions are shaped by new changemakers as well as central banks’ impact-makers, policymakers, and financial gurus. MAS Chief Fintech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty gave one advantage of this approach for MSMEs: “We are democratizing the unique and valuable content into a signature knowledge certification program and a special SME day with an upskilling programme.”

Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas Convenor, expressed support for the enhanced BSP-MAS Cooperation Agreement through “the whole-of-society approach in solving today's and tomorrow's technological needs.” Digital Pilipinas, which helped launch WFF 2021 with the MAS, will “continue to be at the service of both the BSP and MAS as this agreement is a very important pillar in tech-ing up our country,” said Maclang.

Tech education and certification

Digital Pilipinas is a national movement that solves Philippine industry-wide challenges through digitalization, tech education with certification, and the creation of industry sandboxes. With the support of the Department of Trade and Industry, its program Business Without Borders and its partnership with Proxtera will connect SMEs with the greater ASEAN network. The upcoming Digital Pilipinas Academy will hold educational micro-certification courses on the blockchain; its academic program, the Incremental Industry-Driven Technology Education Resources Authentication Testing Ecosystem (I-ITERATE), will feature courses on Open Finance, Fintech, and other nascent technologies.

With the BSP and MAS models serving as their guide, the sandboxes that Digital Pilipinas will develop with national line agencies can accelerate innovation in alignment with regulatory policies. Digital Pilipinas’ partners in this initiative are Proxtera, APIX, and Oxygen.

Safe, secure, and swift digital payments

Through Business Without Borders, Digital Pilipinas will operationalize plans for tech-ing up entrepreneurs and connect MSMEs with international trade. Its opening up of the ASEAN market to local companies through digital gateways is in alignment with the BSP-MAS’ updated Cooperation Agreement.

Built on an earlier 2017 agreement between the BSP and the MAS, the updated Cooperation Agreement will also provide opportunities to the tourism, payments, and cybersecurity sectors. Raymond Estioko, BSP Director for Payments System Oversight, said that the 2021 agreement will make cross-border payments “cheaper, more inclusive, and more transparent."

BSP Assistant Governor Edna Villa named another new development: “Collaboration specifically on payments innovation and the linking of the two payment systems of the Philippines’ InstaPay and Singapore's PayNow."

Brankas CEO Todd Schweitzer described how the alignment of financial access and tech education can improve the lives of underserved Filipinos: “Allowing them to connect to the new payment systems can help drive financial inclusion. This can be beneficial to OFWs in their decisions about which insurance product fits their needs."

Carmelita Araneta, General Manager of Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI), acknowledged that economic and tech “power is starting to move in Asia.” Their P2M (Person-to-Merchant) system is designed to connect with Singapore-based OFWs who are Instapay users.

Leila Martin, President and CEO of OFBank, acknowledged that through the new BSP-MAS digital payment network, OFWs “can look forward to a strong, enabling environment that will ensure that cross-border payments are safe and devoid of fraud.”

The BSP-MAS extended Cooperation Agreement and the new Digital Pilipinas partnerships are expected to trigger more collaborations across the ASEAN. As Maclang put it, “They will help speed up cross-border financial transactions between the Philippines and Singapore, and move Philippine industries forward towards economic integration among the ASEAN.”