Secrets Unmasked in New Episode of Puregold’s “Ang Babae Sa Likod ng Face Mask”

Tweet

After a highly successful premiere on the Puregold Channel, romantic-comedy series ‘Ang Babae Sa Likod ng Face Mask’ continues to excite in its upcoming second episode as interesting developments unravel in the life of its lead characters.

The premiere garnered thousands of views online as romcom fans flocked to see the budding romance between Herlene Budol’s Malta and Joseph Marco’s Sieg. In the premiere we got to know Malta, a young woman who is labelled “hipon.” Malta works at a local café to help pay the mounting household bills and support her mother, a struggling vlogger named Madam Baby, played by Mickey Ferriols.

While working at the café, Malta runs into Sieg, a handsome young man who is smarting from a recent breakup. Enchanted by Malta’s beautiful eyes, Sieg is immediately smitten.

Viewers excitedly gushed about the new series, noting the strong chemistry between the duo. Marife Dayro wrote, “Grabeee, lakas maka-good vibes at kilig much sa tambalang Herlene Budol at Joseph Marco!”

Other fans chimed in, complimenting the perfect pairing of Herlene and Joseph. “Ganda NG chemistry nila bagy n bagy cla ❤ luv it!” Mark Anthony Agustin commented,

The wonderful performance of Herlene—and those of the rest of the cast—stood out. “Grabe ang galing galing na ni Hipon when it comes sa acting, at ang ganda ganda na din niya,” an obviously thrilled Jamaica Surtido noted. Meanwhile, viewer Chiarina Mosquito praised the entire cast by writing, “Yayy!! I super love Herlene and all the cast. Bravo ang gagaling nila. Nakakatanggal ng stress, nakakatuwa panoorin.”

However, one sentiment clearly stood out as viewers expressed their support for ‘Ang Babae Sa Likod ng Face Mask’. As Michelle Bernardo put it in YouTube, “Cant wait for the next episode!!!”

Malta works to pay the bills at home as her mother focuses on vlogging.

Madam Baby owns and operates her own sari-sari store.
 

Where Episode 1 showed how Malta and Sieg hit it off from the start, the upcoming episode will bare the emotional conflicts that could get in the way of their happiness. Will Malta and Sieg have a chance on friendship? Or relationship? Will they meet again?

Malta eagerly anticipates Sieg potentially returning to the café.

Sieg finds himself searching for Malta online.

Madam Baby’s struggle to pay the bills continues in episode 2.

Will Sieg find out what Malta is hiding?

More details about Sieg’s past will come to the surface in episode 2.

Find out in the latest episode of “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask” on the official YouTube Puregold Channel on Saturdays, 7 PM. For more updates, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to Puregold Channel on YouTube.

AXA Philippines and GrowSari offer free insurance to sari-sari store owners

Tweet

Many small businesses like sari-sari stores are constantly at risk of encountering financial challenges. According to the World Bank, at least 81 percent of informal retailers like sari-sari stores suffered job losses at the height of the pandemic in 2020. With a relatively small capital, which they use to sustain daily operations, these micro enterprises are badly affected when the owner gets sick or hospitalized, especially when this is their main source of income.

AXA Philippines and GrowSari representatives during the memorandum of agreement signing. The partnership will offer free life insurance and a Daily Hospital Income benefit for Gold members of GrowSari’s Loyalty Program.

To help sari-sari store owners and their families during health emergencies, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, recently partnered with GrowSari, a tech-enabled B2B platform that supports MSMEs in the Philippines, including sari-sari stores, carinderias, pharmacies, and other roadside and market shops, to provide protection during emergency situations by offering free insurance coverage to member sari-sari store owners. The coverage includes a death benefit as well as a Daily Hospital Income (DHI) benefit in case of hospitalization.

“Our partnership with GrowSari is in line with our advocacy of providing better protection and financial literacy among micro, small, and medium enterprise owners. Through this partnership, we hope we can better the lives of Filipino entrepreneurs amid this pandemic and beyond,” said Alok Rungta, AXA Philippines Chief of Retail Proposition.

Attesting to this was Mai Mai Punzalan, GrowSari Chief Marketing Officer, who said, “It’s important, in terms of financial inclusion to drive awareness and education among MSMEs such as sari-sari store owners, to let them know that there are a lot of financial products that can help them during health emergencies. We are happy to have this partnership with AXA Philippines because their mission of promoting health and protection is aligned with the more secure future we envision for sari-sari store owners.”

The free insurance coverage is part of GrowSari’s Loyalty Program that is available to its Gold members who opt to be part of the program. It offers life insurance worth P35,000, as well as a DHI benefit amounting to P1,500 for 3 days of confinement. The DHI helps alleviate the burden of income loss should the beneficiary need to be confined in the hospital.

From only 1,000 members in 2018, GrowSari’s members grew to 50,000 at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and doubled in number in 2021 to 100,000 active stores in 220 municipalities. The partnership with AXA has so far protected over a thousand GrowSari members, as more sari-sari store owners embrace the importance of insurance in ensuring a more secure and safer future for their families.

To know more about AXA, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/.

Home Credit donates 100 computer units to 14 national high schools in Capiz

Tweet

To enable more Filipino students to benefit from digital mode of learning, the country’s leading consumer finance company Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) has partnered with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation and the Department of Education - Capiz Division in equipping 14 national high schools with 100 computer units for their blended and distance learning set-ups.

Representatives from Home Credit Philippines, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation and DepEd Division of Capiz during the turnover ceremony of 100 computer units in Panit-an,Capiz

“As the country further progresses towards its digital transformation journey, it has only become more crucial for educational institutions to closely collaborate with organizations for support in upgrading capacities and develop a digitally empowered workforce ready to excel in the emerging digital economy,” shared Susana Ong, HCPH Chief Information Officer.

"Through this partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation, we at Home Credit hope to push for a more ideal and conducive learning environment for Filipino students,” shared Kenneth Lerona, HCPH Head of PR.

This effort is in line with Home Credit’s thrust of championing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) programs by providing underserved education sectors access to tools that can enrich their learning experience. This initiative also supports ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation's Programa Genio which hopes to strengthen Information and Communications Technology senior high school programs in the country through training and programs for teachers and learners and partnerships with education stakeholders.

“With a long-term goal of honing young individuals to become competent drivers of the country’s workforce, one of Programa Genio’s efforts is to partner with like-minded organizations in providing learners with ICT gadgets and equipment. We are grateful to Home Credit Philippines for the support and we look forward to our beneficiaries taking advantage of the tools provided to them,” shared Teacher Maricar Estole, Program Head of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Programa Genio.

A total of 14 secondary schools in Capiz received the computer units last May 31, 2022: Maayon National High School​, Tuburan National High School​, Yating National High School​, East Villaflores National High School​, Leodegario D. Deocampo Sr. National High School, Panitan National High School​, Dulangan National High School​, Felix Balgos National High School​, Pawa National High School​, Arturo Jugo National High School​, Basiao National High School​, David Moises National High School​, Ishmael B. Orillos National High School​, and Mambusao East National High School​.

“The power and importance of technology in education are evident now more than ever, as Filipino students need access to education even during crisis and more so now that the country is emerging from it. Home Credit Philippines’ assistance will indeed be advantageous for our division as it will enable us to offer education that is more relevant and serving to what the nation needs,” shared Jose Niro Nillasca, DepEd Capiz Asst. Schools Division Superintendent.

Learn the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines by visiting their official website www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow them on their official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are encouraged to download the My Home Credit app on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Jollibee celebrates the unique Joy of being Pinoy in music video featuring Francine Diaz, Adie, and Alex Bruce

Tweet

In celebration of the Philippines’ 124th Independence Day, the country’s number one fast-food chain, Jollibee, sparked hope and #JOYngPinoy through the youth with a new campaign music video featuring a rendition of the OPM classic “Awit ng Kabataan.”

"We celebrate this year's Philippine Independence Day by looking toward the future of our country and amplifying their voices," said Arline Adeva, Jollibee Philippines’ Assistant Vice President and Head of Brand PR, Engagement, and Digital Marketing. "In our Joy ng Pinoy video, we want to show how the Filipino youth express their love for country – from using their skills to help their communities, being proud of their world-class talents, or by simply sharing a meal with their loved ones and making the people around them smile with their youthful spirit."

(From left) Alex Bruce, Francine Diaz, and Adie celebrate the unique Joy of being Pinoy in Jollibee’s new Independence Day music video

Teen star Francine Diaz, as well as rising artists Adie and Alex Bruce headline the music video as they represent the voices of today’s youth and encourage every Filipino to proclaim why they are proud to be Pinoy. In less than a week, the video gained over 20 million combined views in Facebook and YouTube.

Teen rapper Alex Bruce raps about different positive traits of Pinoy youth

“Despite it being released even before I was born, this song’s message of hope is definitely something I can relate to and it plays an important role in shaping society,” Alex said.

Actress, model, and endorser Francine Diaz feels happy and proud

to represent the voices of the youth

For Francine, the song is all about loving being Filipino. “[The song calls on all of us] na bumalik ang pagmamahal nila sa pagiging Pinoy at maging proud sila na Pinoy ako! Pinoy tayo!”

Being part of Jollibee’s Independence Day campaign, Francine feels proud that she was able to use her voice to remind everyone–especially her peers in this new generation–that it’s important to love the Philippines and embrace being Filipinos. "Sobrang nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso na masali ako sa special project na 'to ng Jollibee. Pag nagche-check po ako ng social media ko, nakikita ko na ganitong [karaming tao] na pala yung naaabot ko, hanggang dito pala kilala nila ako. Ito yung right time to use my voice in the right way," she said.

Singer-songwriter Adie sings about Pinoys’ courage to face challenges

Adie also shares the same sentiment. “Honestly, I’m so proud na kasama ako sa project na ito–especially because the music video sends a message for every Filipino to appreciate our country and share our joy of being Filipinos through art, through community service, and our culture,” he said.

With Jollibee amplifying the voices of this generation and allowing them to express themselves through its latest campaign, the brand hopes that more of the youth will be inspired to express what “Joy ng Pinoy” means to them.

Watch Jollibee’s latest Independence Day video, “Joy ng Pinoy!”, on Jollibee’s official Facebook page and on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel, and join the conversation online by using the hashtag #JOYngPinoy.

Tom Hanks Plays the Shady Manager of ‘Elvis’ Presley

Tweet

Oscar-winner Tom Hanks stars as Elvis Presley’s enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker in Warner Bros.’ “Elvis,” an epic, big-screen spectacle from visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler).

As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America.

“While this story is called ‘Elvis,’ it’s also Colonel Tom Parker’s story—the telling of it at least; he’s our way in, our narrator, and an unreliable one at that,” states writer/director/producer Baz Luhrmann, whose extensive research into the music icon Elvis aided in his discovery of the strange partnership behind the artist’s public success and personal struggles. “As I like to say, Colonel Tom Parker was never a colonel, never a Tom, never a Parker, but a fascinating character all the same. He was a carnival barker dedicated to finding that one great act.

“Nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley had lived for a period of time in one of the few white-designated houses in a Black section of Tupelo, Mississippi,” the filmmaker continues, “where, along with a group of neighborhood friends, he absorbed the music of both the local juke joints and the Pentecostal revival tents. As he grew up, he fused this with his love of country music. Parker had no ear for music whatsoever, but he was absolutely struck by the effect Elvis’s whole package had on young audiences. As the Colonel says in the film, ‘It was the greatest carnival act I had ever seen.’”

Lurhmann further adds that, “In the mid-1950s in parts of America, carnivals were transitioning into music, mainly country and western. But Parker was always looking for the extraordinary—the one that made the most money, had a great costume, excited the audience, had a strange twist… Just something special, like Elvis.”

Luhrmann recruited Tom Hanks to play the role of Parker, stating, “I’d never worked with Tom previously, but I just told him the story and before I even got to the video I’d brought along to show him what I had in mind, he said, ‘Well, if you want me I’m your guy.’ What a gift!”

Hanks has said of the real-life Parker, “He was both a genius and a scoundrel. He was a very disciplined man, a wicked smart businessman and a dime-squeezing skinflint, but also a pioneer in a big type of show business that did not exist until Elvis Presley came along. He knew instantaneously that Elvis was a unique artist, he saw his grand potential and knew that if he didn’t make a ton of money off him, somebody else would.”

As Luhrmann reveals in the film, money was a key motivator and, as such, Parker was also possibly the first person to see the financial potential beyond the music: merchandising. “He sees how this boy, Elvis, has an effect on an audience, an effect like he’s never seen before and certainly beyond anything he’s seen on the carnival circuit,” the filmmaker notes. “To Tom Parker, it’s the greatest carnival act he’s ever witnessed, and he must have it.”

In cinemas across the Philippines starting June 22, “Elvis” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #ElvisMovie