HONOR to reach more Filipino fans, opens first experience store in Cebu

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Attention to all Cebuanos! HONOR Philippines has just opened its first experience store at SM Consolacion Cebu.

HONOR Brand Manager Joepy Libo-on, Vice President Stephen Cheng, and PR Manager Pao Oga with Rulls Business Development Manager for VisMin Angel Rosas, Group Executive Bea Sy, and SM City Consolacion Mall Manager Wamilda Estrella

Talking about unstoppable, HONOR Philippines has just opened its first experience store in Cebu at SM City Consolacion, Upper Ground Cyberzone. Following its SM Fairview store opening, the leading smart devices provider vows to reach more Filipinos by the end of the year, targeting at least 100 experience stores.

The store opening was well received by Cebuanos with a jam-packed crowd interested to catch HONOR’s latest offerings. To see the full event highlights, check out this video (https://bit.ly/40CUci5).

“By having more and more avenues to cater our HONOR fans and tech enthusiasts alike, we stay true to our promise of providing better service to Filipinos. With that, expect back to back store openings, more products to launch, and big announcements from us this coming weeks,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

Going regional

Right after its first two experience store openings, the leading technology brand officially teased the opening of more experience stores in Luzon, Visayas, and especially in Mindanao.

After the opening of the experience store in SM Consolacion, the leading tech brand provider of smart devices is preparing to launch the stores in SM Marikina, SM Marilao, SM Makati. In the months of May and June, more experience stores will open at SM Sucat, SM Grand Central, SM North Edsa. SM Tanza, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, and SM Sto. Thomas. 

Updated experience store openings of HONOR Philippines:

HONOR X9a 5G now in Limited-Edition Midnight Black

The new limited-edition HONOR X9a 5G Midnight Black was also showcased during the store opening. Lucky mall-goers were handpicked to participate in the viral HONOR smash challenge where the winner got to take home an HONOR X9a 5G!

This crowd-favorite sports a 120Hz Premium OLED Curved Display bringing users a large screen with an impressive screen-to-body ratio. HONOR X9a 5G has an impressive 64 MP Super Triple Camera and a 2-Day Battery Life.

Hurry and go now to the nearest HONOR Experience Store or any HONOR kiosk and partner dealer store as this HONOR X9a 5G Midnight Black comes in limited stocks only!. HONOR X9a 5G Midnight Black is also now available through your favorite online stores – Shopee (https://bit.ly/3oh9VGt), Lazada (https://bit.ly/3L0VuyT), and TikTok Shop (https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8WXk7ow/), priced at P16,990.

If you want to win your own HONOR smartphone, it is also not too late to join the HONOR Summer Reel Contest! Interested participants can capture their best summer trip and post a video on their social media accounts with the hashtags #HONORPH, #GoBeyond, and #HONORPHSummer2023.

HONOR Brand Manager Joepy Libo-on, Vice President Stephen Cheng, and PR Manager Pao Oga with Rulls Business Development Manager for VisMin Angel Rosas and Group Executive Bea Sy

HONOR fans flock at the first HONOR experience store in Cebu

HONOR store in SM City Consolacion Cebu

HONOR X9a 5G Smash Challenge

Jampacked first day of HONOR experience store at SM City Consolacion Cebu

For more 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). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

 

 

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About HONOR

HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR’s portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves.

Old Meets New Luxury at Pontevedra Estate in Santa Rosa City

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A living space often comes most alive when there's an element of surprise. Whether it's a fascinating fixture or an unexpectedly earthy building material, a unique classic addition can create an exciting tension in one's home. It's even better when a compelling story behind objects or layers of meaning goes into the development decision.

A prime example of modern and historic interplay in a mixed-use development is the Pontevedra estate in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.

When Heritage Meets Modern Luxury

Inspired by an inviting, small riverside city in Spain that combines history, culture, and style, Pontevedra is Brittany's 34-hectare estate in Santa Rosa, Laguna, that merges old and new with residential and commercial properties embodying a modern design, timeless quality, and artistic heritage.

Like a work of art set in the heart of Santa Rosa City, Pontevedra is beautiful in its own right, with interlocking lanes and plazas and charming squares abuzz with cafes and unique restaurant concepts.

A Mission-Style Estate

The estate drew inspiration from mission-style architecture, which reminds of the Mediterranean region, well suited to this contemporary part of the city's locale, climate, and lifestyle.

Featuring an elemental material palette such as warm rubble and cut stone, carved wood accents, and earthy terracotta roof tiles, and design elements like soft arches, outdoor patios, and stone terraces, Pontevedra's architectural style is simple yet functional, with rustic charm, emphasizing allowing the finished materials and surfaces to show the hand of the craftsman.

Discoveries on Foot

Parallel to the Spanish city from which the name was derived, Pontevedra creates the impression of a sanctuary where everything is just a step away and where each district has its main courtyard as an artery, defining its character.

Parks, tree-lined avenues, fountains and gardens, establishments with coats of arms on their façades, squares that are full of life, and pavement cafés with a lively atmosphere punctuate the interlinked streets while the commercial district's gleaning stone-and-glass buildings are dripping with potted greenery, making it more environmentally integrated when you stroll along the streets.

Pontevedra encourages future residents to discover the different districts on foot, strolling and enjoying every corner. It invites one to walk through its most emblematic squares, feel the atmosphere of its streets, taste its delicious gastronomy, and discover its character by exploring its intimate community.

Distinct Character and Personality

Each district in Pontevedra has its character and personality, full of life, passion, creativity, and joy.

Aveiro by Pontevedra: Mesmerizing Ambiance

Pontevedra has a soon-to-rise exclusive high-rise vertical village set to deliver the best in luxury living through spaces embedded with nature and architecture.

Imagine waking up to the tweeting of birds, the sound of human voices, and the tinkle of coffee spoons, Aveiro by Pontevedra has pocket gardens peppered between private spaces throughout the building and private balconies wrapped around the building's exterior.

Viento by Pontevedra: Land of Picturesque Patios

Dotting the horizon of Sta. Rosa, Laguna is Viento by Pontevedra, a series of low- and mid-rise residential buildings amidst open courtyards and landscaped gardens, enabling the internal spaces always to stay open, letting the wind through and affecting natural ventilation.

Viento will provide a space to gather, interact, and enjoy a unique experience with unrivaled views.

Vizcino by Pontevedra: Near and Neighboring Communities

With the rise of modern infrastructure and property developments, Santa Rosa City in Laguna has become a growing urbanized region, now home to various industries. It has a lot to offer in terms of commercial and retail businesses.

Vizcino by Pontevedra brings to life a surrounding neighborhood that offers many shopping opportunities, restaurants, retail spaces, and office buildings.

Envisioned to be the estate's growth center, Vizcino will feature generously sized commercial areas for business and investment that will be complemented by residential communities and transport hubs that will cultivate a dynamic environment for ventures and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Valenza: A Mix of Modernity and History

Unique for such a busy city, Valenza is Pontevedra's 22-hectare residential community, which includes access to a quaint semi-enclosed garden that offers moments of peace away from the vibrant city that surrounds it.

Valenza features an impressive array of homes amidst a charming neighborhood, with amenities such as a pool, pocket gardens, and a basketball court, offering families the luxury of living in a serene and secure community while still having access to the comforts of the metro.

Segovia: Great Food, Great Memories

Seeking to convey a sense of the city's urban life within one smart vertical concept, Segovia is a mixed-use project that combines condominiums, offices, and restaurants, all of which contribute to a "live, work, play" lifestyle.

Located within the Pontevedra estate, a few blocks from Ramblas, Segovia has modern city views, but the decor pays homage to classical Spanish design. Segovia offers future residents the perfect retreat with a sense of rustic luxury.

Huesca: Gateway to the City

Enjoying a fabulous location in the charming Pontevedra estate, Huesca is a residential building full of nature, magic, and contrasts that are well worth a stroll.

A string of buildings that follows one after the other, Huesca is another charmer, considered the gateway to the city, with promenades.

The Iconic Strips

Pontevedra's pedestrian and quiet streets invite future residents to go shopping while strolling and enjoying the local commerce of proximity. These iconic strips feature a comfortable, green, friendly cultural promenade with more pedestrian space. A wide array of luxurious shops and places full of charm offer residents and guests a warm welcome.

Ramblas: Where the Party Never Ends

In a relatively small and comfortable radius at Ramblas, one will find every option possible to enjoy life more - a strip of quaint and quiet cafes to start the night, unique restaurant concepts, and after-hours.

La Unidad: The Green Street

Lining Pontevedra’s different districts is La Unidad, a kilometer line of parks running from Viento to Aveiro, and connecting the estate’s waterways via landscaped footpaths and water features.

Future residents can take advantage of La Unidad to explore the community, enjoy the natural surroundings and appreciate the community’s scenic beauty. It will be accented with different plantings for variety, in layered combinations of color and texture, for a natural, lush tropical look.

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About Brittany Corporation

Brittany is the luxury residential and leisure arm of the country's largest homebuilder Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. Besides Pontevedra, Brittany offers a fine selection of home designs, high-end condominiums, and lot-only properties in excellent locations, such as Portofino in Alabang, Forresta in Daang Hari, Augusta, and Georgia Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Crosswinds in Tagaytay, and Bern in Baguio.

For more information on Brittany Corporation's collection of luxury properties, visit www.brittany.com.ph. You may also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Landco Promotes Sports Tourism in Batangas

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Through Resort Estate Club Laiya’s One-Year Hosting of Philippine Beach Volleyball Teams

Club Laiya, Landco’s Resort Estate in Batangas, serves as the official training camp of the country’s beach volleyball teams. The tourist and leisure destination becomes more vibrant and teems with excitement as the practice sessions of beach volleyball players are anticipated to attract sports enthusiasts and fans.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Landco Pacific Corporation inked the one-year partnership agreement from January to December 2023. Under the agreement, two beach volleyball courts were built at Club Laiya, with 10 of the 18 members of the national men’s and women’s teams to hold camp seven days a week in Batangas. The rest of the national athletes who are still students will be in Laiya on weekends.

Alongside heralding Club Laiya as a beautiful backdrop for active sports at the beach and a venue for sports tourism, the partnership is an opportune time to strengthen the support for Philippine beach volleyball athletes. In the recent Volleyball World Beach Pro Tours Futures, the Philippine team won gold and silver in the women’s competition.

“We gladly and sincerely appreciate this partnership with Club Laiya on the beach volleyball training camp,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. “The timing is perfect, now that we achieved a breakthrough on the global beach volleyball stage.”

“It’s our privilege at Landco to support the Philippine national beach volleyball teams in Club Laiya as they undergo rigorous training and are set to make the country proud when they compete in upcoming international tournaments. Alongside our advocacy of enabling the youth to realize their full potential in sports, the practice sessions of the national beach volleyball team at the white sand beach of Club Laiya also help in promoting sports tourism in Batangas,” stated Landco Pacific Corporation President and CEO Erickson Y. Manzano.

“We welcome the national beach volleyball teams as they hold their training camp in Club Laiya where they also enjoy the facilities managed by Millennial Resorts. They are billeted at the unique accommodations of Cocoons and to meet and balance the demands and discipline of their sports, they can cross-train or opt to unwind at the swimming pool of Club Laiya Beach Club and have their hearty meals at Capt. Barbozza restaurant,” said Patrick Gregorio, Senior Tourism and Hospitality consultant for Millennial Resorts Corp. and former Secretary General, Philippine Olympic Committee.

Only two and a half hours from Metro Manila and adjacent to Landco’s Playa Laiya, the sun-kissed 23-hectare Club Laiya is a master-planned and premier resort community. The sprawling property features a mix of private residential lots, buildings, commercial spaces, and tourist hubs. Each provides distinct experiences and opportunities that are part of one unified development of Landco Pacific Corporation.

Club Laiya is a top-notch choice for investors and property owners drawn to the vibrant energy of Laiya beach as a favorite tourist spot for those who love to socialize and engage in an active outdoor lifestyle, with all the conveniences of modern life.

Together with Landco Resort Estates CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach), Club Laiya is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered for the properties’ sustainability program.

At Club Laiya, investors can choose from the Seaside District, offering mix use residential and commercial lots that are closest to Laiya’s powdery white sand beach; the Premier District, the gated resort and lush forest community with a scenic view of Laiya’s mountains and greenery; the soon to be built Plaza Laiya; and soon to be launched The Spinnaker, the stunning, medium-rise beachfront premium condominium, with terraced levels and luxurious cuts, featuring an exclusive 4th level infinity pool, and positive Miami vibes.

Millennial Resorts, the hospitality arm of Landco, operates and manages the leisure and hospitality facilities of Resort Estates Club Laiya: the unconventional accommodations of the Cocoons and Camperisti; Captain Barbozza Restaurant and Bar; and the soon-to-be-built The Isle, a multi-purpose event center.

For more information about Landco Pacific Corporation and its Resort Estates Club Laiya, visit their website or Facebook page.

Visa application volume from Philippines touches 91% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022

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●       Major destinations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and UK (in alphabetical order)

●       Healthy uptick for personalised services such as Visa At Your Doorstep

●       Visa application volume registers 44% growth in 2022 against 2021

Visa applications from Philippines nearly touched the pre-pandemic levels in 2022 driven by pent-up demand, opening of international borders, and eased COVID-related protocols. According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from the Philippines reached 91% of the 2019 pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

When compared with 2021, visa application volume grew by 44% in 2022.

“We saw a healthy demand from Philippines in 2022 with steady volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that the travel momentum will grow even further in 2023 and hence it is advisable for applicants including students, to apply for their visas in advance to avoid last-minute surprises,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global.

Major destinations for visa applicants from Philippines include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and United Kingdom (in alphabetical order).

Another defining trend noticed in travellers’ behaviour was wider adoption of personalised service which began since the pandemic. Premium optional services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) that enables travellers to book the entire visa experience at a location of their choice, witnessed around 2x growth over the pre-pandemic levels in 2022. When compared with 2021, VAYD saw a 42% rise in 2022. VFS Global offers VAYD for 10 client governments in Philippines – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Malta, Switzerland, and UK.

“Health considerations continue to be a key determining factor in the new normal, with a large and growing section of travellers becoming conscious about health and safety. As a result, we see an increasing number of travellers opt of such services that provide a seamless visa experience and prioritise safe travel,” added Ghosh.

Peak Season Travel Guide

#ApplyinAdvance

It is recommended to apply for visas as early as booking flights and stay. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days (3 months) before your date of travel. According to the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective 09^th February 2020, you can apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before your date of travel. Particularly this year with higher demand and limited appointment slots available, we urge applicants to apply for their visa as early as possible

#DoNotFallForFraud

Visa applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent entities who charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments or providing any other services using VFS Global’s name or independently. We do not charge any payment for scheduling appointments. For any assistance, feel free to reach out to one of our staff or send an email to communications@vfsglobal.com

Enjoy our optional value-added services for a seamless visa experience such as:

●       Premium Lounge: Quick, safe, comfortable – get a personalised visa submission experience.

●       Form-filling assistance: Allow our expert staff to assist you in completing your visa application on phone or at a visa application centre

●       Courier Service: We deliver your passport and documents. It’s quick, safe, and convenient.

●       SMS Alerts: Stay updated on the progress of your visa application.

For more information, visit https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/solutions.html.

About VFS Global

VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. VFS Global is the trusted partner of 67 client governments, operating a global network with more than 3,400 Application Centres in 145 countries. The company has processed over 257 million applications since its inception in 2001. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, enabling them to focus entirely on the critical assessment task. VFS Global has its headquarters in Zurich/Switzerland and Dubai/United Arab Emirates.

VFS Global is majority-owned by funds managed by Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for their investors, the companies in which they invest, and the communities in which they work. Blackstone’s USD 915 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets, and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

The Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, a global investment organisation, headquartered in Stockholm/Sweden, hold minority stakes in VFS Global.

SB19’s JOSH CULLEN redefines love song with edgy hip-hop twist in “Pakiusap Lang”

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The song comes with a music video that stars KAIA’s Angela and Charice as his love interests

After debuting as a bonafide solo star with the edgy banger “Wild Tonight,” SB19’s Josh Cullen continues his winning streak with the release of his follow-up single under Sony Music Entertainment.

Aptly titled “Pakiusap Lang,” the P-Pop artist proves that there are no four walls that can contain him when it comes to writing and producing a straightforward love song meshed with trap-laden beats and hip-hop verses.

“The lyrics came from my heart, and I wanted to make sure the arrangement and sonic vibe reflected my Filipino hip-hop side,” Cullen reveals. “My cousin and his friends helped out with the chorus, and we all had a good time putting it together.”

According to SB19’s resident lead rapper and sub-vocalist, “Pakiusap Lang” is a song that is based on his personal experiences and thoughts about relationships. He further explains, “It's all about the struggles of maintaining a relationship when you can't be with your partner all the time due to work or other struggles going on in life. The song encourages the listener to hold on and trust the process.”

A romantic rap ballad that forays into emotional honesty as much as it does with stylistic finesse, “Pakiusap Lang” shows a different side of Cullen: an entertainer that doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks just to prove his point.

The release of the track comes with an upcoming music video that explores the idea of “holding onto the memories of your loved one, even when you know it’s time to let go.” Directed by frequent collaborator Toothless (who also helmed the MV of SB19’s “Bazinga), the visuals bring Cullen’s ideas to life and expand on his initial concept with an element of mystery and an understated delivery.

It also stars KAIA members Angela and Charice, who happen to be the main characters in the MV. The two multi-talented artists also dabbled into acting prior to their debut as a P-Pop artist.

Cullen shares, “When I was planning out the music video for ‘Pakiusap Lang,’ I knew I wanted to create a story that was emotional and impactful. As I was brainstorming ideas, I thought about the possibility of incorporating plot twists into the video, to really capture the viewer's attention. That's when I had the idea to feature KAIA members Angela and Charice in the video. I had worked with them before and knew that they would bring a lot of talent and creativity to the project. Plus, their presence in the video would add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for viewers. It was a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and I couldn't be happier with how the video turned out.”

“Pakiusap Lang” will be part of Josh Cullen’s upcoming debut EP, which will be released sometime this year. According to the rising multihyphenate, the maiden record sounds like a fusion between hip-hop and pop music, with his cousin Ocho helping him out in producing, conceptualizing, and refining the tracks. “You can expect a mix of different sounds and genre influences, but overall, it's a reflection of my journey as an artist and a person,” Cullen adds.

JOSH CULLEN’s “Pakiusap Lang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The music video of “WILD TONIGHT” will drop at 7pm on April 21, 2023 (Friday).