Holiday like an A-lister: Celebrity-owned Airbnb Stays to book this yuletide season

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Live in a celebrity’s home for a day — in the Philippines and around the world!

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, and everyone’s social calendars are filling up with long-awaited get-togethers, and joyful merrymaking over meals and drinks. For those looking for a unique holiday destination this year, here’s an idea: experience living the life of the rich and the famous by booking their homes for a day.

From picturesque rest houses to a stunning lakefront property in Canada, all owned by top Filipina celebrities — these Airbnb Stays will definitely make you and your guests feel like a VIP for the weekend or however long you wish to stay!

Marjorie Barretto’s River Garden rest house in Calumpit, Bulacan 

The Barrettos’ expansive rest house was made available on Airbnb for the first time this October, and mother-and-daughter duo Marjorie and Julia Barretto personally welcomed their first Airbnb guests. For Filipinos who missed the opportunity to book the idyllic resthouse for a refreshing getaway, Marjorie recently announced that the resthouse will remain bookable on Airbnb!

Zsa Zsa Padilla’s Casa Esperanza in Lucban, Quezon 

Nestled between swaying coconut trees and emerald rice paddies is Casa Esperanza, the weekend home and passion project of the “Divine Diva”, singer Zsa Zsa Padilla and partner famed architect Conrad Onglao. The estate houses several main areas: the main house with a living, kitchen, and dining area; three casitas with their own luxurious bathrooms; a service area and garage; a greenhouse and the stunning infinity pool that overlooks a pond and fountain with lush foliage all around.

Yassi Pressman’s lakefront property in Ontario, Canada

British-Filipino model, and actress Yassi Pressman wrote in an Instagram post last 2021 that she had built a home in Lake Scugog, Ontario with the intention of opening its doors to travelers on Airbnb. Fast forward, the lakefront property has long since welcomed numerous travelers and many are raving about the luxurious yet tranquil experience it provides. Perfectly positioned facing west capturing all of the sun’s shine throughout the day, the space is equipped with a dock and a boathouse, and boasts an open-concept layout for travelers wanting a retreat outside of the city.

Soon-to-open farm property of journalists Susan, Mark, Atom, Branden, and Alex in Cavite

Television and radio host Susan Enriquez recently shared that her new bed-and-breakfast, Balustre Cerca, will be open to the public very soon. The property is situated within a shared farm lot she jointly owns with fellow news colleagues Mark Salazar, Atom Araullo, Branden Milla, and Alex Baltazar — and this is where the five and their families regularly go to take a breather from life in the metro. The beautiful farm comes with four A-frame air-conditioned cabins, one swimming pool, a pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, and parking.

For Filipinos interested to learn more about becoming an Airbnb Host, you can find useful tips and information at airbnb.com/host. To discover more unique stays for the holidays, visit airbnb.com or download the Airbnb app.

Landco Recognized as the Most Sustainable Luxury Real Estate Developer in the Philippines in the 2022 Pan Finance International Award

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An Accolade for its Commitment to Social and Environmental Sustainability

Landco Pacific Corporation was awarded as the Most Sustainable Luxury Real Estate Developer in the Philippines in the 2022 Pan Finance International Award. For its commitment to sustainability as reflected in its latest development of BeachTowns in Batangas, Landco stood out in the global real estate arena.

Pan Finance shines a spotlight on leading examples of best practice across the world of finance in these challenging times. Established to be a true measure of excellence, the awards look beyond the realm of the balance sheet alone, measuring success through innovation, stewardship of the environment, and positive impact on society. Pan Finance is a trusted source of global financial intelligence with a readership of more than 200,000 across 150 countries.

“We are honored for this recognition given to us by the prestigious Pan Finance International Award. This award is only made possible with the support of our Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan who also helms our parent company, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the commitment of our team members to do our part in taking care of our planet through our latest development of Landco BeachTowns,” said Erickson Y. Manzano, President, and CEO, of Landco Pacific Corporation.

“Sustainability is truly embedded in our corporate DNA. We do it not because we have to, but simply because it’s the right thing to do,” he added.

Landco Pacific’s master-planned BeachTowns, the 15-hectare CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) and 24-hectare Club Laiya, in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas feature sustainability measures such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, mandated use of energy-efficient lighting and other appliances, material recycling, and inclusive operations that primarily hire from the area to help build the communities within its vicinity.

BeachTowns CaSoBe and Club Laiya are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered with water recycling measures that have a double-piping system, permeable pedestrian tree-lined walkways, and scenic bike lanes around the beachside properties to reduce carbon footprints. Lots at CaSoBe and Club Laiya have direct access to any public space or circulation network.

Millennial Resorts, the hospitality arm of Landco, which manages the leisure facilities at the BeachTowns, achieved the very first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification for resort hospitality in the country, with its sustainable accommodation of Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe. The EDGE Certification was awarded by the Philippine Green Building Initiative, Inc. (PGBI) which recognized Crusoe Cabins for its eco-efficient design that resulted in a reduction of 34% in energy, 57% in water, and 65% in embodied energy in materials compared to the local base case.

Crusoe Cabins are upcycled and refurbished cargo containers at CaSoBe and Costa Azalea, Samal Davao; and Cocoons are upcycled and refitted large drainage pipes at CaSoBe and Club Laiya.

Murals and design details across the properties feature the importance of marine life. Landco staff participated in environmental conservation efforts particularly the planting of saplings in mangroves. Landco also supported local fisherfolks and created jobs for the local community: 69 out of the 104 or 66% of Millennial Resorts staff are residents of Calatagan.

Landco implements sustainability initiatives in line with MPIC’s commitment to helping achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; strengthen the means of implementation, and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. For more information about Landco and its BeachTowns CaSoBe and Club Laiya, visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation

Bayad awarded as SSS’ 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Best Collecting Partner

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Bayad, the pioneer and the most trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection industry in the Philippines, and now a full-service fintech subsidiary of the biggest power conglomerate in the country – Meralco, was recently conferred as SSS’ Best Collecting Partner under the non-bank category during the 2022 Balikat ng Bayan Awards.

In photo (L-R): SSS Commissioner - Jose C. Julio, Representing Workers' Group, SSS President and CEO - Michael G. Regino, Bayad VP and Head for Biller Solutions – Anely P. Aviles, Bayad VP & Group Head for Regional Operations and Biller Solutions - Meinard D. Cruz, SSS Commissioner Diana Pardo-Aguilar, Representing Employers' Group, and SSS Commissioner Bai Norhata M. Alonto, Representing Workers' Group

The said award giving body has been established since 1995 and has continued to recognize individuals, employers, and organizations that significantly contributed to SSS’ pursuit of its mandate, which underpins the importance of saving and investing among its members and their beneficiaries.

This 2022, SSS puts Bayad to spotlight, acknowledging the company’s consistent compliance of accurate and timely collection reports as well as its active participation in the integral programs of the institution. Apart from these, Bayad breaks records with a 9% growth rate increase in SSS contribution transaction volume from 2021 to 2022, which substantiates how Bayad ceaselessly scales up its physical and digital payment touchpoint to deliver a one stop shop payment solution to its customers. With this, SSS members can now conveniently access other bills payment services covering for various government contributions, loan, electric and water utilities, cable & internet, tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others. This payment experience is also backed up by Bayad’s real-time posting feature, allowing SSS members to process and monitor instant and seamless contribution payments.

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer underscored “All of our efforts in Bayad are directed towards the belief that Filipinos deserve to be rewarded for their hard work. We will stand with SSS in every step of the way as we elevate the financial experience of its members through convenient and secured payment transactions.”

For government, financial, and banking institutions that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive biller and payment channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing. ###

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About Bayad

Bayad is the pioneer and trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection service in the Philippines, aggregating a multitude of billers into a robust system that is now being used by more than 100,000 physical touchpoints and leading digital and mobile platforms across the country. Formerly known as Bayad Center, it continues trailblaze the industry as it evolves from an over-the-counter payment center into a full-service fintech company, offering a whole suite of financial products & services available to both consumers and businesses.

Stay healthy and well amid the rainy season with these 4 important steps

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Everyone is urged to be always ready for the rainy season, especially when more viruses and bacteria are present. WILD diseases, which refer to Water and foodborne illnesses, Influenza, Leptospirosis, and Dengue increase during this time. Thankfully, we can stay protected by just following a few easy, and even affordable tips from RHEA Generics, one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine.

Eat green leafy vegetables for maximum immunity

According to one of the studies in Nature Communications, a journal about Earth sciences, it shows that during the rainy season or colder months, our immune system is at an increased risk of being compromised. Scientists’ research from Yale University explains that there are many reasons behind this and one of the most common ones is due to the cold air affecting our nose’s first line of defense wherein cracks in the mucus membrane form, thus allowing infections to enter our body more easily. To minimize the risk of infection, the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Nutrition Council recommends eating vegetables that are rich in micronutrients such as vitamins C and D, zinc, and iron, which are essential in powering our immune system.

Drink plenty of water

Although the rainy season seems like a perfect excuse to skip drinking water because of the cold weather, experts say you shouldn’t. The cold can still lead to dehydration due to sweating and added urine production and we don’t even realize it. This could be troublesome when water is important in flushing out toxins that can contribute to us becoming sick. For women, the Institute of Medicine in the United States recommends drinking 2.7 liters of water and then 3.7 liters for men.

Avoid walking in flooded areas

For the past 10 years, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports that at least 14 Filipinos die every day from water-borne diseases. Leptospirosis, typhoid fever, and cholera are just a few of the most common ones we can get through contaminated flood waters. To prevent catching these deadly diseases, the DOH reminds us to avoid walking in flooded areas or at least wear protective clothing or footwear like raincoats and boots. If unavoidable, wash your legs and feet with soap as soon as you can. This is especially important for people that have open wounds or lacerations on the lower parts of their body since these increase the chances of infection.

Take the necessary medicines to recover quickly

From the official report of DOH, the rainy season is the perfect breeding ground for communicable diseases. Although we can stay healthy by eating vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding the rain altogether, our bodies still require an added layer of defense. According to research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, one of the best ways to do so is to strengthen ourselves by taking vitamins and medicine, which are essential in helping our cells produce more antioxidants and antibodies. But in case you do catch a rainy-day illness and it worsens, you should consult your doctor immediately to receive proper medication. There are generic medicines that can help cure bacterial infections or clear obstructed airways caused by respiratory illnesses common this season. As for overall body pains, ease them with pain relievers. There are more medicines available to choose from but other options are not as affordable.

In 2019 alone, the Philippines was found to have the second-most expensive drugs in all of Southeast Asia and was even accompanied by a 13.7% price increase according to the Mercer Marsh Benefits report and during the pandemic, it became much worse. The ongoing rainy season poses a great ordeal for many Filipinos.

Fortunately, some medications do not have to cost an arm and a leg. Generic medicine is a great alternative to branded medicine, and in the Philippines, we have one of the most trusted brands that provide generic medicine, RHEA Generics. A homegrown brand with over 40 years of experience in producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is able to offer affordable medicine because its products are unibranded.

Unibranded medicine is just the same as branded medicine but is way cheaper because they are only marketed under one brand. In RHEA Generics’ case, they are partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim, so you can guarantee yourselves that their products are truly world-class.

To know more and purchase RHEA Generics medicines, you can drop by the nearest Mercury Drug store near you. Always make sure to only purchase medicine with a doctor’s prescription as medicine taken without one can be harmful.

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About RHEA Generics

With more than 40 years in the industry of producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is one of the most trusted names in health and wellness in the Philippines. It has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to provide world-class medicine for the Filipinos.

 

Have A Holly, Jolly, Yummy Christmas with Richmonde Hotel Ortigas

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Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Holly Jolly Yummy Goodies this Christmas Season

It’s the best time of the year once again! And even if we won’t get snow, you can always have a cup of cheer and an assortment of delectable culinary creations from Richmonde Hotel Ortigas. Executive Chef Tristan Galang and his merry kitchen team have prepared luscious baked treats and savory pies for your celebrations and gift-giving this season.

Hamper of Holiday Happiness is filled with freshly baked and flavorful breads with homemade spreads.

Take your holiday feasts anywhere and indulge in traditional Yuletide fare when you order Richmonde’s Special Hotbox Platters packed in self-heating containers so you can warm up food with ease. These nostalgic dishes are not only delicious but also great for sharing and perfect for your home celebrations and potluck parties: Salmon en Croute (PhP 2,800), Cottage Pie (PhP 2,400), Shepherd’s Pie (PhP 2,555), Chicken Pot Pie (PhP 1,650), and Potatoes au Gratin (PhP 1,620).

Decadent Christmas Cakes: Red Velvet, Richmonde Chocolate Cake & Flourless Chocolate Cake

Make the holidays brighter, yummier, and sweeter as you delight in Richmonde’s decadent Signature Moist Chocolate Cake (from PhP 250), Flourless Chocolate Cake (from PhP 515), and Red Velvet Cheesecake (from PhP 395), all decked out with Christmas designs. Level up your snack breaks this season and relish these choice fresh-from-the-oven breads—Banana Walnut Bread (PhP 335), Creamy Spinach Baguette (PhP 360), Cranberry Babka (PhP 320), and Coffee Bun (PhP 364/box of 4). Or elevate your trusty toast with Richmonde’s Herbed Butter (PhP 200) and Bacon Jam (PhP 265) spreads.

Signature Ensaymadas come in three variants this season: plain, ube, pork floss, and alcapone.

Try out new pastry items like the Coffee Bun  or order all-time favorites like the Banana Walnut Bread .

Richmonde’s signature year-round hits, the Plain Ensaymada (PhP 195) and Ube Ensaymada (PhP 225), with their soft bread and generous toppings of rich whipped butter and grated cheese, are always a welcome gift. Two new variants, the Pork Floss Ensaymada (PhP 250) and Alcapone Ensaymada (PhP 275), are must-try pastries making their debut this season. Need an ensaymada that’s easy to share? The Mini-Ensaymadas in boxes of 4 pcs (Plain, PhP 275/Ube, PhP 315) and 9 pcs (Plain, PhP 600/Ube, PhP 685) are great choices.

Special Holiday Hotbox Platters Salmon en Croute Hotbox

Those extra dear to you will surely love the specially curated Christmas Hampers that consist of an assortment of Richmonde’s tasty breads and homemade spreads packed in an elegant see-through box. These scrumptious gift sets come in two sizes. The Box of Freshly Baked Bliss (PhP 1,750) is good for 3 to 5 persons and contains 1 creamy spinach baguette, 1 braided rosemary loaf, 2 coffee buns, 1 mini pork floss ensaymada, 1 mini alcapone ensaymada, 1 jar of herbed butter, and 1 jar of bacon jam. The Hamper of Holiday Happiness (PhP 2,250), on the other hand, is good for 6 to 8 persons with bigger versions of the breads in the Box of Freshly Baked Bliss, plus a loaf of cranberry babka.

See the display of holiday goodies at Richmonde Ortigas’ Lobby Café. You can also visit the hotel’s official Facebook page to see the complete catalogue. For hassle-free purchases, goodies are available for pickup and delivery until January 8, 2023, with advance orders and prepayment. Lead time of at least 48 hours is required and bulk orders may be arranged.

For inquiries and orders, call (632) 8638-7777, SMS or Viber (63) 917 534 4352, email fbsup@richmondeortigas.com, or message @Richmonde Hotel Ortigas on Facebook and Instagram.

As the initial venture of leading real estate company, Megaworld Corporation, into the hospitality business, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is a proud local brand that opened in 1999 at the heart of the then-burgeoning Ortigas Center. It is now a member of the steadily growing stable of homegrown brands under the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group. For more information on Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, log on to www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph and for the latest news on the hotel, follow @RichmondeHotelOrtigas on Facebook and Instagram.