HATCH: The 5th Edition

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For the forthcoming Easter season, The Manila Hotel, in partnership with Manila Bulletin, brings back HATCH – a one-of-a-kind showcase of artfully crafted Easter eggs. Displayed as a focal point of the Grand Lobby of the hotel, guests will be treated to a delightful display of novel collaboration of Filipino artists.

With the aim to promote the local art scene and highlight the creative genius of local artists, HATCH: The 5th Edition features 18 uniquely customized acrylic eggs showcasing multitude of creative styles and distinct personalities of Filipino contemporary artists who come from different disciplines. Just as the artists adapted their respective unique styles of mixed media, each Easter egg has a different story to tell.

Featured artists include: Addie Cukingnan, Agi Pagkatipuna, Al Perez, Aner Sebastian, Carlito Ortega, Carlo Magno, Cindel Tiausas, Carlos Cee Cadid, Demet dela Cruz, Migi Sebastian, Egai Fernandez, Emmanuel Nim, Jinggoy Salcedo, Margie Organo, Maria Magdamit, Migs Villanueva, Monnar Baldemor, Reen Barrera, Remy Boquiren, Roger “Rishab” Tibon.

In 2020, Manila Bulletin won the gold award for HATCH during the 55th Anvil Awards. The exhibit moved from city to city where visitors were introduced to an exceptional showcase of Filipino artistry.

HATCH will be on display at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel until April 23, 2023.

A taste of Argentina and Japan in one hot bowl

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Ramen Nagi has something new for you!

Any bowl of hot, authentic ramen from Ramen Nagi is always a treat, but the ramen chain just keeps on giving us new flavors to rave about.

Ramen Nagi has given us innovative ramen bowls such as the Tom Yum King, the Crab King, and who could forget the Unbelievable Niboshi King? Ramen Nagi has been creating new hot bowls of ramen and partnering it with flavors we’ve only dreamed about.

This time around, Ramen Nagi has partnered with Bolzico Beef to create another king-worthy bowl of ramen - the Bolzico Sukiyaki King.

A medley of both Japanese and Argentinian flavors, the Bolzico Beef Sukiyaki is an ode to a classic Japanese dish - the sukiyaki. In Japan, sukiyaki is a type of nabemono or hot pot dish and best served piping hot with a side of white rice. Definitely a staple of Japanese cuisine!

The Bolzico Sukiyaki King is a guaranteed treat—a hot steaming bowl of freshly-made noodles in their signature tonkotsu broth mixed with a special sukiyaki sauce. This is topped with thinly-sliced tender strips of Bolzico beef, soft cubes of melt-in-your-mouth tofu, leeks, an egg yolk for some richness, and fire sauce for a touch of heat. Definitely a hot bowl of ramen fit for a king!

It is truly a hearty meal that offers a medley of flavors and beef that simply melts in your mouth. This special treat will only be available for a limited time!

Head to your nearest Ramen Nagi branch to taste their new and innovative Bolzico Sukiyaki King from March 1 - 31, 2023.

The Bolzico Sukiyaki King is available for dine-in and delivery through your app of choice - Grab, FoodPanda, Pickaroo, and ToktokFood.

For more details, check out Ramen Nagi PH (Facebook) or @ramennagimanila (IG).

Get Ultra-Clear photos with the new HONOR X8a for only Php 10,990

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Still not over with concerts not allowing professional cameras such as DSLRs? Well, the all-new HONOR X8a will leave you feeling like you just brought one with its 100 MP Ultra-Clear Camera! And up until March 24, you can avail this new HONOR phone for pre-order at Php 10,990 and get a FREE HONOR Earbuds worth Php 1,590.

HONOR Philippines GTM Manager Steven Yan, Country Manager Sean Yuan, Vice President Stephen Cheng, Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on, PR Manager Pao Oga with Home Credit Philippines Partner Marketing Lead Richard Sarinas

“Believe it or not, phone cameras just keep on getting better and better. May it be for your photography hobby or you just like taking pictures, our new HONOR X8a is ideal for you. Portraits, landscape or concert photos, name it, you can get better quality shots using this new smartphone,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR X8a’s Powerful Camera System

During its launch recently, the HONOR X8a 100MP triple rear camera system was put on a test in a sunset cruise. Guests took out their HONOR X8a to capture the beautiful sunset scenery of Manila. Comprising a 100MP Main Camera, a 5MP Wide & Depth Camera and a Macro Camera, the HONOR X8a can capture high-definition images in vivid clarity, even when shooting complex scenes. The HONOR X8a also features a 16MP Front Camera to ensure users can capture spectacular, high-definition selfies.

Sunset Shot by Mr. Art Samaniego of Manila Bulletin

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What better way to prove it than taking it from a budding professional photographer, GMA Artist, and HONOR Star, Khalil Ramos who recently attest to HONOR X8a’s superb camera quality.

And if you are one with those who are still watermelon-sugar high from the Harry Styles concert, here are some shots taken by HONOR X8a.

Are you convinced yet? The HONOR X8a comes in three stunning colors; Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black and is available for pre-order from March 14 to 24, 2023 with FREE HONOR Earbuds worth Php 1,590 via all HONOR kiosks and partner online stores – Lazada (http://bit.ly/40iFPjB), Shopee (http://bit.ly/3mNbds1), and Tiktok Shop (http://bit.ly/3ZYbqqy).

HONOR fans can also avail the HONOR X8a via Home Credit for as low as Php 1,332 per month and on a 0% interest installment payment.

For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorphilippines/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

The Secret to Jaw-Dropping Mobile Photography of Xiaomi 13 Series: Lighting and Sensor Size

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Discover the power of the 1-inch sensor and Leica-powered camera system of Xiaomi 13 Series

How do you take Instagram-worthy photos?

While large megapixel counts are now quite popular in cameras, light plays a major role in capturing those great photos. More light means better-looking pictures.

More Light, Better Photos

This is very true with the new Xiaomi 13 Series, which boasts of a massive 1-inch sensor that captures more light and delivers superior exposure balance, dynamic range, and sharpness for your images.

Natural light is usually the most flattering, so look for sunlight streaming in from windows or snap photos during the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset). Avoid taking photos during the midday sun because it can create unflattering shadows and washed-out colors.

Artificial lighting can also work wonders. Experiment with different types of indoor lighting, like lamps and candles, to create a cozy ambiance and achieve creative effects. Avoid relying too much on the flash as it can make your photos look harsh and unflattering.

Take your mobile photography to the next level with the phone with the biggest sensor.

Crisp Shots Even on The Go

Couple a powerful sensor with image stabilization and you get smooth, crisp shots, even when shooting kids or even pets while at play.

The Xiaomi 13 Series features a massive 1-inch sensor, co-engineered with legendary camera brand Leica. Coming in two main variants, the Xiaomi 13 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the series takes mobile photography to the next level.

A Masterpiece in All Lighting Conditions

The Xiaomi 13 Pro's camera system is an engineering masterpiece. With a 1-inch, 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 sensor, 50MP wide-angle lens, and 50MP telephoto lens, this phone's camera is built to capture every moment in stunning detail and in all lighting conditions.

Just as awesome, the Xiaomi 13’s camera setup boasts of a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, this smartphone delivers stunning and dynamic shots that capture every detail.

At the heart of the Xiaomi 13 series is the Leica True Color Imaging, which allows for more accurate color reproduction in photos, resulting in more lifelike and natural-looking images. Scenes of everyday life are captured in stunning details as if taken with professional cameras.

A 75mm Telephoto Lens

An exciting feature of the Xiaomi 13 series is its 75mm telephoto lens with floating element technology. This lens allows you to easily capture distant objects with exceptional zoom capabilities while maintaining sharpness and clarity across all focal lengths. Whether you're at a concert, sports game, or just trying to capture a beautiful landscape, this telephoto lens will help you get the shot you want.

In addition to the telephoto lens, the Xiaomi 13 series also offers two distinct photographic styles – Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look. The "Authentic" style focuses on natural color reproduction, well-drawn shadows, and excellent reproduction of fine details. In contrast, the "Vibrant" style enables you to capture the moment’s emotion in vivid yet realistic colors. With these two styles, you can choose the one that best suits your personal taste and the mood of the moment.

Filters Complete the Leica Experience

To complete the end-to-end Leica experience, Xiaomi also added new Leica filters for greater personalization, Leica watermarks for that signature Leica finish, and the classic Leica shutter sound caps it off.  With the Xiaomi 13 Series, you'll be inspired to create your very own photographic masterpieces.

For more information, visit Xiaomi's official Facebook page and visit Xiaomi’s official website. Online purchases are available via Xiaomi’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop (@XiaomiPhilippines).

 

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Manage the Effects of Global Supply Chain Disruptions

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As the Philippines continue to experience high inflation, recording 8.6% in February 2023, Filipinos are expected to adjust their budgets and prioritize essential goods and services. While this poses an opportunity for grocery retailers to increase sales, the ongoing global supply chain disruptions have also made it difficult to keep inventory high and prices low.

According to the World Economic Forum, the invasion of Ukraine is a primary cause of much of the energy and food price inflation in many countries and is fueling a global food crisis. Extreme weather also continues to disrupt the global supply chain by impacting major shipping routes and crop yields. In the Philippines, storms in the 2021-22 crop year caused sugar shortages, resulting in skyrocketing price increases from Php 54.5 to Php 89.5 per kilo for refined sugar.

As inflation is expected to remain high in 2023, economists anticipate a recession in major economies, which will certainly affect the developing world. It is also likely this will have a significant impact on grocery retailers. Fortunately, machine learning and AI (artificial intelligence) technology, like the technology used by global supply chain leader RELEX Solutions, is able to provide insights to diminish disruptions to business operations.

Automated demand forecasting reduces operational costs

Amid rising costs of goods and services, Filipinos are becoming more price sensitive, seeking sales and markdowns and assessing which shops or channels offer the most competitive prices. Following recent gas price hikes, many online delivery platforms increased their fees resulting in changes to customer shopping patterns, who are now opting for in-store shopping. With more foot traffic expected in groceries and supermarkets, keeping a high inventory at a low price becomes essential.

In order to adapt quickly to these and other changes, retailers should leverage automation and artificial intelligence-driven insights to cut down operational costs and lower the cost of goods and services. AI helps predict the impact of demand drivers such as promotions, prices, product displays, and weather data to accurately forecast demand and optimize replenishment. For retail operations, this means that they can better allocate their manpower and avoid losses.

AI allows more efficient inventory management for omnichannel

While retailers are expected to have an increase in foot traffic, online channels will continue to be prevalent due to the convenience and savings they offer through digital promotions. According to a report by Meta and Bain & Company, the Filipino digital consumer population is the second largest in Southeast Asia at 69 million and is expected to continue growing its gross merchandise value by 20% by 2027.

With the increased demand for omnichannel, retailers should focus on removing silos within their e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses and start managing both as a single, unified business. This transformation is a laborious task that requires accurate, real-time reporting to adequately manage customer expectations, making it essential for retail brands to integrate solutions powered by AI. The right tools ensure fulfillment of online orders from stores, customer backorders, and online orders are correctly accounted for in forecasting and inventory planning, even as products are redirected from one fulfillment center to another.

AI enables a better customer experience

When retailers are out of stock, they’re losing sales and possibly customers. The efficiency of a retailer’s replenishment operation is critical to maintaining customer satisfaction and business profitability. However, a recent study by RELEX Solutions found that close to 50% of retailers don’t know how much stock they have in each store, revealing a gap in the strategic approach to accurate and effective store ordering among these companies.

To stay on the consumers’ radar, retailers need to prioritize efficient replenishment systems that address customer needs without burdening resources. With consumers being able to shop anytime and anywhere, AI and machine learning technology help brands keep the right amount of inventory, forecast changes in demand, and adjust replenishment orders, driving improvements to service, sales, and customer satisfaction.

“The evolution of artificial intelligence in retail is very timely due to the need for businesses to save up money as current economic conditions push customers and partners to minimize expenses,” said Kristie Davison, Vice President for APAC at RELEX Solutions. “AI helps retailers eliminate excess costs and manage their cash flow for better business sustainability.”

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About RELEX Solutions

RELEX Solutions helps retailers and consumer brands drive profitable growth across all sales and distribution channels by maximizing customer satisfaction and minimizing operative costs. Our market-leading, unified supply chain and retail planning platform helps retailers and consumer goods companies align and optimize demand, merchandise, supply chain, and operations planning across the end-to-end value chain. We drive record-high product availability, increased sales, improved sustainability, and the best return on investment in inventory, space, workforce, and capacity. Leading brands like Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, Stokke, Rite Aid, Sprouts Farmers Market, AutoZone, and PetSmart trust RELEX to optimize their supply chain and retail planning.

Go to relexsolutions.com for more information