TPB and DOT to join the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 in Indonesia

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) will join the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 02-05 February 2023 to showcase what the Philippines has to offer to the international market and strengthen business relationships to further boost the country’s tourism.

The ATF 2023 is the biggest annual tourism event in the ASEAN region and is expected to attract more than 2000 participants from more than 25 countries. These include tourism ministers and officials, sellers, international buyers, international and local media as well as trade visitors.

The Philippine participation in the ATF 2023 is one of TPB and DOT’s events lined up for the year to showcase the country’s readiness for tourism, and at the same time, support the private sector by providing valuable networking opportunities to promote their products and services.

With the theme, “ASEAN: A Journey To Wonderful Destinations,” ATF 2023 brings the Philippines and the rest of the countries in the South East Asia region collectively to promote their unique hospitality and cultural diversity, in alignment with the ASEAN vision, “A Destination for Every Dream”.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles noted that the country’s participation in the ASEAN Tourism Forum and other international events, since the easing of travel borders worldwide enabled the Philippines to move forward to a better normal and boost the recovery of the tourism industry.

“These key international shows have proven to drive a significant number of leads and exposure for the country, and we at the TPB are more than ready to be back on the global stage and aggressively put a spotlight on what the Philippines has to offer,” said TPB COO Nograles.

Numerous high-level events will be conducted in the ATF including a meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), press briefing, tourism conference, and the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) fair.

TRAVEX is a trade-only mart that showcases the world’s largest contingent of ASEAN destination products and services, and facilitates selling, buying and promoting the region internationally.

The Philippines will be joining the TRAVEX fair with a 144 sq. booth which will be participated by sixteen (16) local seller participants. The Philippine delegation will also present updates on the country’s tourism industry in a media briefing session scheduled on 2 February 2023.

TPB will also host a luncheon to showcase traditional Philippine cuisine and a cultural performance for the invited international buyer participants, Philippine private sector sellers, and media on 5 February 2023.

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About the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, whose mandate is to promote the Philippines, domestically and internationally, as a leisure, MICE, and investment destination. The agency fulfills its mandate through organizing, participating, or supporting tourism consumer or trade events; expanding media partnerships and advertising; continuing content development and distribution programs; creating thematic and strategic consumer activations domestically and abroad; facilitating familiarization tours for buyers, location scouts, and diplomatic corps members; and engaging its TPB membership program.

Love is all around at Century Park Hotel

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In this season of romance, love is definitely around you with special treats to complete your Valentine’s Day at the Century Park Hotel.

Asked about the hotel’s Valentine offerings, here’s what GM Anthony Tan has to say: “With good food, wines, cocktails, perfect ambience and a delightful stay to satisfy your special someone’s culinary desires and heartfelt indulgence, you may be in for a surprise with your date here at your home away from home.”

Love is in the air at the Palm Grove Bar on February 13 and 14 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Enjoy an exquisite five-course dinner with your partner consisting of an impressive set of soup, salad, starters, dessert and choice of U.S. Beef Rib with Grilled Bone Marrow, Seared Mahi-Mahi or Coconut Smoked Duck Leg for your main course specially prepared by our Executive Chef and his team for only Php 4,400 net for two persons. Set menu is inclusive of unlimited Tanduay cocktails or two glasses of house wine. First twenty couples to reserve get Php 500 off.

Hearts’ day is not exclusive for lovers only. Indulge in the lavish lunch and dinner buffet with family and friends in a warm and casual atmosphere of Café in the Park for Php 1,500 net for adults and 50% off for children 6 to 12 years old. Enjoy exciting selections starting from cold cuts, salad, soup, carving, seasonal seafood, grilled meats, pasta, Filipino, Chinese and dessert stations enjoyed between 11:00am to 2:30pm and 6:00pm to 10:00pm for lunch and dinner, respectively. You may also want to order a-la-carte and try our Fried Hanging Noodles on a chopstick for only Php 445 net available all day.

A romantic evening with your special someone may also begin at the Atrium Lounge. You and your date can enjoy sumptuous food and our Buy One Take One promo of your favorite local & imported beers, wines and cocktail drinks from 5:00pm to 8:00pm

For your Valentine’s dinner date, Century Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant which is open from 5:00pm to 9:00pm is the perfect venue to cap the evening. The competently prepared buffet selection is only Php 999 net per person.

Make your loved ones feel extra special by bringing home from the Deli-Snack our Valentine’s cake Raspberry Trio for only Php 1,495 net. The layers of raspberry mousse, chocolate ganache and raspberry gel with strawberry jam fillings, finished off with raspberry glaze is definitely a sweet work of art. The outlet located at the ground floor hotel arcade is open daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

For your reservation in our Food and Beverage outlets, you may call 0917-5285888.

To cap it all, we will complete the true sense of the heartfelt celebration with our special Room Package of Php 9, 990 net/night in a Deluxe Room, inclusive of a five-course dinner for two with your choice of unlimited Tanduay cocktails or two glasses of house wine at the Palm Grove Bar. The package also comes with a complimentary breakfast for two at the Café in the Park, a coffee & tea-making facility, daily supply of bottled water, complimentary Wi-Fi access and use of temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pools. This special promotion is from February 13 to 14, 2023.

You may email reservations@centurypark.com.ph or call 0917-6332456 to securely get hold of that romantic staycation.

Missing Shakey’s Mojos? And now the iconic Mojos are back in ALL Shakey’s stores!

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Dining-in or ordering for carry-out and delivery from Shakey’s is never complete without the famous Mojos, those potato slices that are breaded with flavorful seasoning and spices and deep-fried to golden brown perfection.

When Shakey’s announced in January that they couldn’t serve Mojos due to a shortage of potatoes caused by global transportation limitations and supply constraints, loyal Shakey’s customers were heartbroken.

To compensate for its absence, Shakey’s has been serving Mojo-flavored fries instead of Mojos in Luzon stores. People enjoyed the fries but they want their Mojos back.

And now the iconic Mojos are back!

Starting February 2, you can enjoy your beloved Shakey’s Mojos again! Those potato slices that are breaded with seasoning and spices and deep-fried to golden brown perfection You can have the Mojos in different offerings such as Mojos ‘n’ Dip, Basket of Mojos, Mojos Supreme, and Chicken ‘n Mojos.

In an announcement made by Shakey’s on their Facebook page, the pizza chain confirmed that Mojos are now available in all Shakey’s stores. Guests can order their favorite Mojos for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery!

“Thank you for your patience as we built up more supply of your favorite Mojos. We’re thrilled to announce that ALL SHAKEY’S STORES HAVE MOJOS AGAIN and we can’t wait to serve them to you,” says Shakey’s Philippines .

Starting February 2, you can enjoy your beloved Mojos again! You can have the Mojos in different offerings such as Mojos ‘n’ Dip, Basket of Mojos, Mojos Supreme, and Chicken ‘n Mojos.

To know more, follow @shakeysph on Instagram and Shakey’s Philippines on Facebook.

Take Your Passions Further with the New Galaxy S23 Series: Designed for a Premium Experience Today and Beyond

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Galaxy S23 Ultra’s most advanced camera, next-level gaming performance, and more eco-conscious design come together in Samsung’s most innovative Galaxy S series yet.

SEOUL, Korea – February 2, 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23, marking a new era of Samsung Galaxy’s ultimate premium phone experience. Samsung Galaxy's epic camera gives users more freedom to explore their creativity, like capturing truly cinematic Nightography videos with transformative AI. The Snapdragon^® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy” unleashes premium experiences, including groundbreaking AI, future-ready mobile gaming feature and powerfully sustained game play with the world’s fastest mobile graphics.[1]  On the Galaxy S23 Ultra, an embedded S Pen[2] that many long-time Samsung Galaxy users know and love offers more possibilities for productivity, notetaking, hobbies and more. All the Galaxy S23 series’ new standard-setting innovations are housed within a striking design that advances the company’s sustainability commitment with more components made using recycled materials than any other Samsung Galaxy smartphone.³

“The value of impactful technology is measured, not just by what it enables for people today, but also how it contributes to a better future,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “The entire Galaxy S series lineup is the new standard-bearer of trustworthy premium smartphone experiences. We’re on a mission to redefine peak performance by bringing together powerful, lasting innovations and sustainability."

A Samsung Galaxy Camera with More Megapixels and Extensive Creative Controls, From Day to Night

Galaxy S23 Ultra makes it easier for any level of photographer to capture phenomenal content. It offers Samsung Galaxy’s most advanced camera system, tailored for nearly any lighting conditions and engineered to render incredible detail. Improved Nightography capabilities transform how the Galaxy S series optimizes photos and videos in a wide range of ambient conditions. Filming a favorite song at a concert, snapping a selfie at the aquarium, or grabbing a group shot of friends at dinner — users can get sharper images and videos4. Visual noise that usually ruins low-light images is corrected by a new AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm that enhances object details and color tone.

In a Samsung Galaxy-first, Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a new 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor that captures epic moments with incredible precision. It uses pixel binning to support multiple levels of high-resolution processing at once.5 And because selfie cameras are more important than ever to how we communicate today, the Galaxy S23 series introduces fast autofocus and our first Super HDR selfie camera, jumping from 30fps to 60fps, for noticeably better front-facing images and videos.

For users who want the ultimate creative control and customization, the Galaxy S23 series offers a suite of tools that differentiate any photography experience. The Expert RAW app,⁶ available exclusively on Samsung Galaxy, enables DSLR-style image shooting and editing in RAW and JPEG — no bulky camera equipment is required. Users can experiment with Multiple exposures photo art or capture a clear view of the Milky Way with Astrophoto settings, and now, after being downloaded on Galaxy S23, Expert RAW features can be accessed within Samsung’s native Camera app7. Meanwhile, the new zoom capabilities on Galaxy Watch5 series’ Camera Controller app8 empower users to capture a perfectly framed shot right from their wrist.

 

Additional camera advancements include:

·Low-light or in situations that would normally create a blur, videos are stable with doubled optical image stabilizer (OIS) angles in all directions on Galaxy S23 Ultra.9

· Recording videos feel more cinematic with enhanced 8K video10 at 30 frames per second with a wider angle.

· Advanced, object-based AI analyzes each detail in the frame, even down to minute facial features such as hair and eyes, to carefully reflect a person's dynamic characteristics.

· For an even more enhanced video experience, the new 360 Audio Recording feature11 on Galaxy Buds2 Pro creates multi-dimensional sound.

On Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23, the iconic Samsung Galaxy camera also gets an upgraded look. The contour housing has been removed, marking a new era of essential Galaxy design that makes the entire series stand out.

Premium Performance Makes Way for the Future of Mobile Gaming

For creators and gamers alike, the desire to push limits and constantly reimagine what’s possible requires technology that outpaces expectations. Together, Samsung and Qualcomm optimized the Samsung Galaxy experience with the brand new “Snapdragon^® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy”, the most powerful and efficient platform ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and the fastest¹² Snapdragon available today. Meanwhile, on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, a 5000mAh battery¹³ powers a larger camera than Galaxy S22 Ultra without increasing the device’s size.

A newly designed CPU micro architecture boosts the processing abilities of the Galaxy S23 series by about 30 percent compared to the Galaxy S22 series.¹⁸ Capturing stunning photos in low light requires trillions of calculations per second, so Samsung Galaxy’s highly efficient NPU architecture has been optimized by 49 percent to balance performance and power while using an AI algorithm to help users take epic photos and videos.12 One of the most significant improvements to the Galaxy S23 series is the optimized GPU, which is approximately 41 percent faster compared to Galaxy 22 series and designed especially for power users.12

In anticipation of the future of ultimate digital realism, Galaxy S23 Ultra comes ready to support real-time ray tracing as it comes to the mobile gaming mainstream. Users will be able to see noticeably more lifelike renderings of scenes, thanks to technology that simulates and tracks every ray of light. Plus, Samsung Galaxy’s vapor chamber, now bigger¹⁹ and on every Galaxy S23 series model, keeps your gaming marathon going.

All this power underpins Galaxy S23 Ultra’s expansive 6.8-inch2⁰ edge display with a reduced curvature to create a larger and flatter surface area²¹ for the best visual experience on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Samsung Galaxy’s unique Enhanced comfort feature allows users to adjust color tones and contrast levels, lessening eye strain from screen time at night. Vision booster now adjusts at three levels of lighting²² instead of two to combat brightness and glare in daylight.

Designed with the Planet in Mind

The Galaxy S23 series raises the bar for premium technology that can enrich people’s lives and help contribute to a healthier planet. Since the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung Galaxy increases its use of recycled materials from six internal components in Galaxy S22 Ultra to 12 internal and external components in Galaxy S23 Ultra. Galaxy S23 series also has a wider variety of recycled materials than any other Galaxy smartphone, including pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, PET bottles and water barrels.

The new S series is the first to market Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2, offering durability for long-term use and consisting of an average of 22 percent pre-consumer recycled content2⁵. Plus, every Galaxy S23 smartphone comes in a redesigned packaging box which applied paper made with 100 percent recycled paper.

With the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung Galaxy is doing more to minimize its impact on the environment without compromising quality and aesthetic. The Galaxy S23 series is UL ECOLOGO® certified²⁶, meaning that the product has been certified for reduced environmental impact.

 

For users who want to extend the life of their device, the Galaxy S23 series’ premium experience can be sustained through the years with four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates2⁷. To enhance its longevity, users can also leverage programs such as Samsung Care28, a support service for accidental damages, repairs and more.

 

User-Friendly Security and Privacy Enable a Transparent Experience without Compromise

Secure and private experiences are the foundation of the Galaxy S23 series. Every smartphone comes with Samsung's end-to-end Samsung Knox protection, which has received more government and industry certifications than any other mobile device, platform, or solution on the market. The Security and Privacy Dashboard on Samsung Galaxy gives users full visibility over who has access to their data and how it’s being used. With just a glance, it’s easy to see if personal data is at risk and receive simple prompts to change settings for a more secure experience. Users can also decide exactly which applications and programs get access to their data and how it can be used.

 

For an added layer of security, Knox Vault, which was first introduced on the Galaxy S21 series, protects critical information on the Galaxy S23 series by isolating it from the rest of the device, including the OS, for added protection against vulnerabilities.

 

More Freedom and Flexibility for Connected Lifestyles

At the core of the Samsung Galaxy S series’ premium experience is the uncompromising innovation of Samsung Galaxy Ultra. But the power and creative capabilities of Samsung Galaxy Ultra don’t stop at smartphones. With the brand new, first-ever Galaxy Book3 Ultra, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, users can now enjoy an ultimate Samsung Galaxy’s ecosystem.

 

Across every Galaxy S series model, connected experiences get added benefits. Samsung Multi Control29, which connects mouse and keyboard functionality between a Samsung Galaxy PC and tablet, now extends to Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 for the ultimate flexibility between devices. Plus, enhanced text usability makes it easy to copy and paste text, like URLs, from one device to another to pick up an activity on another device. On Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Meet paired with Samsung Notes and the embedded S Pen now make video calls even more collaborative. With Google Meet live sharing, participants can simultaneously co-edit³⁰ a document from each of their Android devices, rather than viewing a shared screen^.31

 

Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy S23 series comes in four nature-inspired matte hues: Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender3². The Galaxy S23 retails for PHP 53,990 for the 128GB variant, and PHP 57,990 for the 256GB variant. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23+ starts at PHP 68,990 for 256GB variant, and PHP 76,990 for the 512GB variant. Lastly, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is available at PHP 81,990 and PHP 89,990 for the 256GB and 512GB variants respectively. A samsung.com-exclusive 1TB Galaxy S23 Ultra is also available at PHP 103,990.

 

From February 2 until February 23, 2023, customers who pre-order the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ , or the Galaxy S23 Ultra through samsung.com will enjoy discounts of up to PHP 76,000, including a FREE Memory Upgrade worth up to PHP 8,000. They will instantly get the higher memory variant for the price of the lower variant within the same model lineup. Those who will trade-in their old devices can also enjoy savings of up to PHP 13,000 on top of their old phone’s residual value.  In addition, they will get an e-voucher worth up to PHP 5,000, a 50% discount on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. On top of this, they will also get a FREE 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage worth PHP 5,999, and earn double Samsung Rewards points.

 

As an exclusive samsung.com offer, the Galaxy S23 Ultra 1TB will be offered as part of a limited-edition Samsung Galaxy VIP bundle with total savings of PHP 38,000. The VIP bundle includes the 1TB Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Watch5 Pro 46mm, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Super Fast Wireless Duo Charger, Galaxy S23 Ultra Leather Cover, and 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage all for a discounted price of PHP 119,378.

 

The Galaxy S23 series is also available for pre-order through Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com and MemoXpress Online. Customers who pre-order through these channels from February 2 to 23, 2023 will enjoy as much as PHP 65,000 worth of discounts. This also includes the FREE Memory Upgrade, additional savings for traded-in devices, 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series.

 

For more information about Galaxy S23 series, please visit: www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s23/, https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/, news.samsung.com/global or www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/.

 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

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FWD launches “The One” to offer customizable coverage for Filipinos across multiple generations

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FWD Life Insurance (“FWD”) launches FWD The One, a customizable coverage plan to meet the lifestyle and financial needs of multiple generations of Filipinos, from Gen Z to 70 years old.

Easily accessible online, FWD The One reflects the current generation’s definition of what finding ‘the one’ means for them: a perfect partner; a lifelong passion; an advocacy; or, a personal goal. FWD designed the product to be flexible for different life stages and to support customers’ evolving digital habits. This makes FWD The One customizable, with benefits that will serve as the ideal lifelong insurance for different generations.

Roche Vandenberghe, FWD Chief Marketing and Digital Business Officer

“Gen Zers are living their lives very differently to those of previous generations – this means there is no longer a one size fits all model for addressing people’s financial needs across their lifetimes. As an innovative, caring and different insurer, we’re also aware that older generations need access to coverage that meets their specific needs. To support our vision of changing the way people feel about insurance, we designed FWD The One to be digitally accessible, affordable, and customizable to help Filipinos across generations get the protection they need with ease and confidence,” said FWD Chief Marketing and Digital Business Officer, Roche Vandenberghe.

FWD The One is available to Filipinos aged 18 to 70 who are legal residents of the Philippines for at least six months, with no medical tests required during application. It’s easy to buy through FWD’s online shop, with the starting premium as low as Php 330, based on the customer’s age, budget and protection needs. Customers can customize their plan and add coverage on top of life insurance, such as coverage against 42 major critical illnesses and accidental death benefit. For those who want a higher benefit amount, they can reach out directly to FWD financial advisors.

FWD The One Media Event on January 31, 2PM - 4PM at Bloom Cafe + Bar 2 Greenbelt Dr, Makati, Metro Manila.

This latest innovative product comes with four options: 

The One for Life, which offers death benefit; The One for Life and Critical Illness, which provides a combination of both death and critical illness benefits; The One for Life and Accident, which bundles death benefit with accidental death benefit; and The One for Life, Accident, and Critical Illness, which covers all three benefits.

The death benefit is renewable until age 99, while the accidental death and critical illness benefits are renewable until the insured reaches 79 years old. Upon purchase of FWD The One insurance plan, customers will be rewarded with a cup of coffee redeemable within 20 days.

“FWD The One is really for everyone, whether you’re just starting your career or already planning for retirement. You can create your own The One so you can celebrate living with no limitations,” said Roche.

To learn more about FWD The One and customize the right protection for you, visit shop.fwd.com.ph/bundled-insurance/the-one/.

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About FWD Life Insurance

FWD Life Insurance Corporation (FWD Life Insurance) launched its commercial operations in September 2014. As of end-2021, FWD Life Insurance ranks 3rd and 5th in terms of Paid-up Capital1 and Total Premium Income2, respectively.

FWD Group is a pan-Asian life insurance business with approximately 10 million customers across 10 markets, including some of the fastest growing insurance markets in the world. Established in 2013, FWD is focused on making the insurance journey simpler, faster and smoother, with innovative propositions and easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD is committed to changing the way people feel about insurance.

For more information, please visit fwd.com.ph

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1 www.insurance.gov.ph>Statistics>Life>2021>Based on Paid-up Capital

2 www.insurance .gov.ph>Statistics>Life>2021>Based on Total Premium Income