SMDC’s Shore Residences: A confluence between the paradise of your dreams and the most lucrative property in your portfolio

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Picture a coastal-inspired home that’s more akin to a five-star vacation resort than your regular concrete structure — a home where you are welcomed everyday with a grand lobby, lush greeneries, and multiple turquoise-watered swimming pools; a home where your sights are filled with the blues of a majestic bay, your ears with the sounds of calm waves, and your heart with anticipation for a vibrant food, commerce, and entertainment hub.

Whatever scene you imagined is just a small taste of what life is like at the Shore Residences Complex, a master-planned mega district by SM Development Corporation (SMDC) composed of three residential developments.

Shore Residences combines resort-style living with all the conveniences and luxuries an address within the Mall of Asia (MOA) complex could offer. Dive a little deeper and find out why a lifestyle upgrade or an investment in this prime location is an opportunity you just cannot miss.

Welcome to paradise

A life in Shore Residences is a high life, primarily because it’s a life of endless summers. The grand lobby, for instance, embodies a tropical design that almost literally transports you to the seaside.

The vast entrance hall is defined by seashell white marble flooring, whimsical curves and textures, and accents of colors of the ocean. With cabana-like sofas, premium woven furniture, and coastal embellishments, one may easily mistake Shore Residences’ lobby as the lobby of a five-star resort.

Wrapping up your everyday vacations, of course, are the hotel-like services in the complex. Like any other SMDC development, Shore Residences boasts of hotel-like services, geared towards curating an affluent lifestyle for residents. The cordial welcome of the doorman, the tireless hospitality of the front desk staff, and the well-appointed interiors at Shore Residences all come together to ensure you come home to a paradise you can call your own.

Where luxury lives

Luxury lives in every corner at Shore Residences with a plethora of in-water and out-of-water activities offered in the complex.

From charming, wharf-inspired decks, to riverfront lounge pools, to palm tree courtyards and beach entry pools that come with a feature island— Shore Residences is the pinnacle of “resort-inspired” SMDC developments. Residents of all ages can enjoy the several aquatic activities in the complex that not only serve as bonding opportunities for the family, but are also scientifically-proven as beneficial to one’s mental health.

If you don’t fancy water-based drills, there are plenty of scenic areas for you to get your endorphins fix around the mega district. Beautifully-landscaped gardens abound the complex that give you vast, open spaces to walk, run, or meditate. Shore Residences also has fully-equipped indoor gyms, jogging trails, and a basketball court where you could tick off your fitness goals one by one.

When it comes to social activities, on the other hand, you and your loved ones could gather and celebrate the most momentous occasions in the opulent function rooms in the development, with panoramic views of the resort-inspired amenities as your backdrop.

An idyllic time for maximum returns

As the country recovers from the global health crisis, several real estate experts see encouraging forecasts in the residential property sector. This shared sentiment is a clear sign that there might not be a better time to enter the market than today.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Philippines, for one, sees increasing demand from professionals looking for homes closer to places of work. This bodes well for investors of Shore Residences, should they capitalize on the steady rental market that many business hubs in the MOA Complex help provide.

Santos Knight Frank, on the other hand, see new infrastructure developments as the key to success when it comes to auspicious returns in real estate investment.

A testament to this is a research that discusses how from the period of 2008 to 2019, developments surrounding the MOA Complex have increased in value four times in just ten years’ time. Imagine what a decade holds for you if you invest in Shore Residences now?

Whether you’re trying to find a home where your kids can grow with life’s best comforts, or you’re in need of a vacation space that’s not too far from the hustle and bustle of the city, or you’re looking for a sound investment opportunity that will yield returns for years to come, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in Shore Residences.

To learn more about SMDC’s Shore Residences, follow SMDC on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

Ninja Van Philippines kicks off DIGeCONOMY Bootcamp Series

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Tech-enabled express logistics company, Ninja Van Philippines, continues to push its customer-first agenda to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in the country. With the launch of the DIGeCONOMY Bootcamp Series, business owners can learn valuable insights and first-hand knowledge from industry experts to help them overcome the challenges of transitioning towards digitalization and maximize opportunities in the digital space.

During the first learning session, speakers from the public and private sectors shared insights on how MSMEs can better build their brand online.

“The Philippines is the fastest-growing market in the region and this has been driven by strict lockdowns caused by the pandemic, which led to businesses having to adapt and shift their transactions online. Here at Ninja Van Philippines, it is our mission to supercharge MSME growth in the digital space. We believe that Filipino businesses can further reach their potential with the help of these advancements and technology,” said Sabina Lopez-Vergara, Chief Commercial Officer of Ninja Van Philippines.

Sabina Lopez-Vergara, Chief Commercial Officer of Ninja Van Philippines.

Through multiple legs, the DIGeCONOMY Bootcamp Series will follow the digital transformation journey of SMEs and MSMEs—from building and growing their brand online to maintaining brand affinity among customers. Last March 22, the first leg of the series already began with a learning session that centered on developing a customer-centric brand for MSMEs and its importance as well as the available tools and solutions they can utilize to stay competitive in the digital market. It featured Ms. Nelly Nita Dillera, CESO III, Executive Director of the Department of Trade and Industry - Philippine Trade Training Center (DTI-PTTC); Ms. Kim Sabala, Founder and Managing Owner of Cold Gold; and Mr. Edward Cruz, CEO of ATOZ as the speakers.

Government support

Venturing into e-commerce is more than just presenting and selling products online. DTI-PTTC Executive Director Nelly Dillera ran through the end-to-end e-commerce management services that MSMEs have to know. From marketing management to data analytics and customer service, all of which are important for their businesses to be successful.

“The PTTC-GMEA (Global MSME Academy) has programs that can assist you on the different processes that I’ve mentioned. Our coverage includes business development, accounting and finance, and other business functions that support MSMEs,” Dillera said. “You can also visit PTTC’s website for self help training programs and further assistance on how you can progress more in your business.”

DTI has also compiled a list of TechTools that MSMEs can use to boost their businesses including e-commerce platforms/resources, e-payment channels, digital marketing solutions, and logistics providers like Ninja Van Philippines.

Branding essentials

Once you have all the tools and training to effectively run your business online, the next thing you have to do is focus on your branding. Founder and Owner of Cold Gold, Kim Sabala, shared how she grew her businesses to what they are today by maintaining consistent branding across all channels using three essentials: brand guide, social media strategy, and content calendar.

A brand guide helps you define the essence of what makes you stand out from your competitors. It involves identifying your target audience, mission and vision statements, unique selling proposition, core values and brand stylistics. On the other hand, having a social media strategy is important in knowing what works for your business goals and what doesn’t through social listening and setting key performance indicators (KPIs).

“From there, we can test, refine and evolve our practices to better work for our goals. Not having a strategy is like shooting in the dark. When you aim for nothing, you hit nothing,” she said.

Finally, your content calendar must include the type of content you want to deliver to your consumers, your preferred platform/s, a timeline, and some key events to make your content more relevant. Once you’ve done all these, you can begin implementing your plan and growing your brand.

Customer journey

According to the CEO of ATOZ and long-time Ninja Van shipper Edward Cruz, one of the most neglected processes when it comes to e-commerce is mapping the customer journey. “For us in ATOZ, we make sure that every data that is coming in the platform has an engagement whether it’s pre-purchase or after purchase.”

Customer journey begins with awareness of the product, which is a customer’s first engagement with your brand. From there, you can deepen the customer’s understanding of who you are and what you offer through influencer marketing and more advertisements that will drive consideration and finally, turn customers to buyers.

After purchase comes retention. “After the customer purchases from you, you have to re-engage them because at the end of the day, the first purchase they make on your platform will not really result in big profits. But if you have good retention, it’s very easy to re-engage those customers through email, SMS and social media content,” said Cruz.

The customer journey ends with loyalty where businesses get to deepen their relationship with their customers and really drive home the message, they want to instill to their customer base. Mapping out the customer journey can help MSMEs deliver better customer service and maximize every customer interaction, which can be advantageous for their brand.

Watch out for the next DIGeCONOMY Bootcamp Series learning session for this leg happening in May! Visit facebook.com/ninjavanph for updates and more information.

Celebrate Easter family weekend with Globe At Home

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As Filipinos mark Easter, Globe At Home goes back to celebrating family connections with GFiber, Globe’s fiber network which offers the strongest Internet connection families can count on for their connectivity needs.

Globe At Home has prepared an easy and fun Easter weekend activity to inspire families to level up their bonding moments beyond video streaming and online gaming.

“Easter is a time to gather with family and celebrate beginnings. As we come out of the health crisis, families can bond better with more options for activities they can do together through strong and reliable connectivity,” said Barbie Dapul, Globe At Home VP for Marketing.

Here are some fun activities you can do with your family this Easter Strong Family Weekend:

Go on a virtual Easter Egg hunt

Take part in a virtual egg hunt where parents and their kids can collect five Easter eggs with Globe At Home. They can also test their artistic skills by designing an egg to claim their Easter weekend freebies.

Take fun photos together at the Family Strong photo booth

To make the day extra special, families can take fun photos together in the Family Strong photo booth. They can show their goofy side in front of the mirror, customize their photo, print it on the spot, or be sent a soft copy.

Win prizes at the Easter Strong Family Weekend booth

Guests also get a chance to win treats at the Easter Strong Family Weekend booth and win freebies when they finish all the challenges or avail of the Globe At Home GFiber Unli Plan.

Join Globe At Home as they bring a stronger connection to the home so that families can experience a world of richer content and explore their horizons further.

Spot the Globe At Home booths nationwide and be part of the Globe At Home Easter Strong Family Weekend on April 17. Visit the Globe At Home Facebook page for updates.

It’s time. ǝpᴉs ɹǝɥʇo ǝɥʇ uo noʎ ǝǝs

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About Stranger Things 4

It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn't made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.

www.netflix.com/StrangerThings

For more on Stranger Things, visit Netflix Media Center and the official social pages:

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foodpanda, PhilHealth launch partnership for delivery partners’ access to gov’t health benefits

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Leading food and quick-commerce digital platform foodpanda and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) have partnered to help foodpanda’s delivery partners gain access to the government’s mandated healthcare benefits, in line with the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Program.

According to Lhecks de Castro, finance director of foodpanda Philippines, the idea for the partnership began at the height of the pandemic when the government rolled-out the massive COVID-19 testing initiative in which PhilHealth membership is required for free testing.

L-R: Leopoldo de Castro Jr (foodpanda Finance Director), Angelo Luis Apostol Sta. Maria (foodpanda rider), Secretary Silvestre Bello III (DOLE Secretary), Mr. Rex Paul Recoter (PhilHealth, Senior Manager), Patricia Jacinto (foodpanda Operations Director), Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez (DOLE)

“As we looked after the safety and welfare of our Ka Panda partner riders at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, we sought for ways to make testing easier and more accessible—and getting as many of our riders onboarded to PhilHealth’s services was critical,” de Castro said during foodpanda and PhilHealth’s joint courtesy call to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III at the DOLE headquarters in Intramuros.

“By delivery partners we mean the thousands of motorcycle riders and bikers (and even walkers and scooter riders in CBD areas) nationwide who will benefit from this initiative.” de Castro added.

A fitting backdrop

The courtesy call to Secretary Bello served as the venue for the ceremonial turnover of a PhilHealth ID to a partner delivery rider to symbolize the partnership between foodpanda and PhilHealth.

Patricia Jacinto, operations director of foodpanda Philippines, noted that it was fitting that Sec. Bello was witness to the ceremonial handover, as it was DOLE that released Labor Advisory 14, which provided guidance to platforms on ensuring better working conditions for delivery riders in food delivery and courier activities under independent contract agreements. One of the provisions was the guidance to platforms to facilitate registration and access by freelance delivery riders to social security programs of the government, including PhilHealth.

“We at foodpanda are committed to providing a safety net for our Ka Pandas all over the country, with their health and safety being a top priority,” Jacinto said. “The partnership with PhilHealth, witnessed by no less than Sec. Bello, is key to our success, and shows that we mean business when we say that we care for our riders.”

“It is a win-win initiative for us. In the same way that it helps foodpanda’s program for delivery partners’ welfare, it will help PhilHealth to finally reach this sector.” de Castro also added.

Special incentive for riders

Under the partnership, foodpanda will collaborate with PhilHealth in checking the membership status of its partner riders. It also provides the opportunity for PhilHealth to enroll non-member riders as mandatory individual members, as provided by the Universal Health Care Law.

The two organizations have also committed to jointly conduct information activities to educate delivery partners on the benefits and value of PhilHealth membership, as well as provide incentives to delivery partners to become mandatory individual members, by holding monthly raffle draws for six months (May to October), and one grand raffle draw in December 2022.

“We hope that more and more riders understand and appreciate the benefits of PhilHealth membership, as we continue to come up with ways to support their health and safety,” de Castro said.

About foodpanda:

foodpanda is dedicated to bringing food lovers their favorite meals from curated local restaurants in the Philippines. Since its creation, the on-demand food delivery service has grown to more than 170,000 partner restaurants in more than 325 cities across 13 Asian and Central Europe markets. foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.

How it works:

Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.

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