Celebrate the Holidays with Discovery Samal’s Enchanting Christmas Offers

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Discovery Samal invites you to revel in the magic of the festive season with an array of exclusive Christmas offers, featuring sumptuous feasts, delightful treats, and luxurious accommodations, perfect for making this holiday season truly unforgettable.

Whether it's a tranquil escape or a festive celebration, Discovery Samal ensures your holidays are brimming with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.

Festive Feasts and Culinary Delights

Gather your loved ones and savor the spirit of Christmas with an exceptional dining experience at Discovery Samal. For the perfect Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, indulge in a meticulously curated buffet for only Php 6,000 net per person at The Shoreline and Morning Catch on December 24, 2024, from 6 PM to 10 PM.

Looking for the perfect main course that will wow guests at your next holiday dinner? Choose from these array of dishes from Discovery Samal: From the succulent and perfectly seasoned Roast Beef (Php 20,350 net at 6kg); to the juicy and golden roasted Turkey large enough for 14 guests (Php 11,500 net at 8kg); to the tender and glazed Christmas Ham (Php 5, 850 net).

Also available are curated festive goodies to spread holiday cheer. Its Christmas Hampers already brim with gourmet delights for as low as Php 2,500 net. Guests may also choose to take home delicate pastries that are perfect to top off a hefty meal—from the festively delectable Signature Christmas Log Cakes that come in three designs, priced at Php 900 net; colorful French Macarons that also make for perfect table decors, priced at Php 250 net; the classic, Christmas staple Fruit Cake priced at Php 850 net; and delicate Christmas cookies priced at Php 250 net. A centerpiece-worthy sweet treat, there is also the Gingerbread Castle for just Php 2,200 net.

Memorable Christmas Party Packages

Whether you’re planning a big party with a room full of friends and family or if you wish to go on a holiday getaway by yourself, Discovery Samal is offering specially crafted packages with generous inclusions.

The Party Packages include: Mix and Mingle for 50 guests at Php 300,000 net, Bells and Bright for 100 guests at Php 600,000 net, and Glitter and Gold for 200 guests at Php 1,200,000 net.

Avail this package and enjoy a complimentary overnight stay in a Junior Suite inclusive of breakfast for two persons at The Shoreline, one (1) Morning Catch lunch buffet gift certificate for two persons, one (1) The Shoreline dinner buffet gift certificate for two persons, and additional one (1) round of soft beverages, one (1) keg of beer, and one (1) whole lechon.

All packages also include roundtrip boat transfers from and to our Davao Welcome Center; choice of Western, Asian or Filipino buffet menu; use of venue for five hours; use of basic sound system with microphone and LCD projector with screen; use of the function room digital signage; basic Christmas-inspired centerpieces; and dedicated banquet servers.

For your holiday getaway with Discovery Samal, exclusive room packages are available and valid from December 24 to December 30, 2024. Enjoy room rates starting at Php 27,385 net for the Junior Suite; Php 31,069 net for the Premiere Suite; Php 32,297 net for the Executive Suite Garden; Php 34,753 net for the Executive Suite Beach; Php 35,981 net for the Samal Suite; Php 38,437 net for the Executive Suite Premier; Php 39,665 net for the One Bedroom Suite; Php 42,121 net for the Premiere One Bedroom Suite; Php 53,173 net for the One Bedroom Villa; Php 87,557 net for the Two Bedroom Villa; and Php 113,345 net for the Three Bedroom Villa. Stay period is from December 24 until 30, 2024. Guests can also get access to the Christmas Eve Dinner Party for an additional Php 6,000 net per person.

All of these room rates already include roundtrip land transfers to and from Davao International Airport; roundtrip boat transfers to and from the Davao Welcome Center; daily breakfast for two persons at The Shoreline; and complimentary use of swimming pool and beach area.

Reservations can be made via email at reservations@discoverysamal.com, fb@discoverysamal.com, or through calling +63 84 308 2998. For more information, visit www.discoverysamal.com or Discovery Samal’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Escaping the city this Christmas? Five Roadtrip ideas for your Holiday Getaway

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Christmas season means a lot of parties and reunions for many. The holiday gatherings may be hectic and the best way to unwind during the busy season is some quality R&R with families and loved ones.

If you’re still looking for ideas, PLDT Home and Caltex got you more reasons to hit the road for your next Christmas celebration. 

PLDT Home and Caltex are making your family roadtrips more rewarding with the Fuel your Fiber Promo, where you can get a one-time P150 fuel discount at Caltex and even a chance to win P10,000 worth of fuel vouchers.

If you haven’t got plans to travel this Christmas, here are five easy roadtrip destinations for your friends and family:

1. North: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Paoay Sand Dunes

The usual mountain options for the cool-weather season are nice, but since everyone wants to enjoy the cold, they’ll also be packed full of tourists. Why not take it all the way up north to Ilocos and bask in the colonial history and heritage of Vigan?

If you’ve never been or haven’t been in a while, it’s a great place to visit. Enjoy the old-school vibe at Calle Crisologo and the city’s old town, see historic destinations like the Baluarte, and even go on an adventure a little farther north at the Paoay Sand Dunes.

2. South: San Pablo, Laguna

Pandin Lake in San Pablo, Laguna

If you’re only willing to travel a couple of hours outside the Metro for your roadtrip, consider heading south into the province of Laguna – specifically, the city of San Pablo, also known as the City of Seven Lakes.

This charming destination offers a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Explore the breathtaking namesake seven crater lakes, each with its unique allure, from the serene waters of Lake Sampaloc to the picturesque Lake Pandin. For a taste of history, step into Sulyap Gallery Cafe, housed in a beautifully preserved Spanish-era house that offers a glimpse into the past. The food scene in the city is also vibrant, making it a fun destination to go on a food trip with family and friends.

3. West: The island coves of Zambales

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

If you’re thinking of the beach, it’s likely that most people will be headed to La Union in the north or Batangas in the south, if they’re not flying to the Visayas. There’s another direction you can take, though: drive west to the Zambales coastline facing the West Philippine Sea, and take a mesmerizing boat ride to any of its popular coves.

There’s the well-known Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves, which take around an hour to get to by motorboat from the shores of San Antonio, Zambales. You can spend a few days camping on its tranquil land while enjoying the pure, untouched wonders of nature.

4. East: The province of Aurora

Ditumabo Falls, Baler, Aurora

From the Northern Luzon Expressway, you can also choose to head east to visit the province of Aurora. While the most well-known spot in the area is the surfing town of Baler, there are also a number of gems waiting to be discovered.

You’ll reach Aurora after driving through the stunning mountain landscape of Nueva Vizcaya, and from there you can choose to visit places like the grand Ditumabo Falls, better known as the Mother Falls, the Millennium Balete tree which stands as an ancient natural wonder, and the Dinalungan River, where you can hike and take in the rare wildlife. And you can also head to and chill at Baler after everything!

5. The Metro: Antipolo

Pinto Art Museum

Fancy a drive but don’t want to pass through an expressway? There’s always nearby Antipolo just east of the main Metro Manila.

Antipolo, as well as the nearby towns and cities in the closer parts of Rizal province, has quite the number of attractions within reach. There’s the popular HinulugangTaktak waterfalls, the MasungiGeoreserve for hiking and adventure enthusiasts, and the Antipolo Cathedral and the Pinto Art Museum for those who want to take in some culture.

No matter where you choose to drive to this Christmas, make sure to enjoy your exclusive rewards from PLDT Home and Caltex. PLDT Home subscribers can get a one-time P150 fuel discount at Caltex. When they log into their Home Rewards account, they get a special referral code that they can use to register to Caltex Rewards. The savings can get you much farther for your next roadtrip, and at the same time, you get a chance to win P10,000 in fuel voucher at Caltex or P10,000 in Maya cash prize in a grand raffle!

Simply use the Caltex referral code from PLDT Home Rewards to enjoy the instant reward,and keep paying your PLDT Home bills on time consistently or upgrade your current plan, to earn raffle entries!

To learn more about PLDT Home Rewards and sign up, visit https://www.pldthome.com/loyalty-and-rewards.

Mondelēz International Honored at IABC Triple P Awards

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● Snacks company receives award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability

● Actions on carbon emissions reduction and plastic waste management recognized

Mondelēz International in the Philippines has been awarded the prestigious IABC Triple P Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability in the Food Manufacturing Category. This recognition highlights the snacks company’s dedication to driving practices that prioritize Sustainable Snacking: covering carbon emissions reduction, plastic waste management and community engagement.

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Lead for the Philippines Jasser Morales (center), and HSE Engineer Leandro Nero (center-right) receive the IABC Triple P Award on behalf of Mondelēz International.

Known for beloved snack brands like Oreo, Toblerone, Tang, Eden Cheese and Cadbury Dairy Milk, Mondelēz International is guided by its vision of empowering people to snack right, by offering the right snack, for the right moment, and made the right way. This is reflected in its Sustainable Snacking strategy, which places emphasis on resource efficiency, waste management innovations, and supporting the circular economy of plastics.

Accepting the award on behalf of the organization was Jasser Morales, Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Lead for the Philippines. “As the global leader in snacking, we understand our unique responsibility in leading by example in environmental stewardship,” Morales said. “Our progress in sustainability reflects a commitment that goes beyond compliance. We are taking bold steps to ensure that snacking goes hand in hand with the environment and community.”

The organization’s achievements at its 61-year old Sucat manufacturing plant underscore the tangible outcomes of its sustainability efforts. The company has successfully implemented 100% renewable energy sourcing in its plant, by utilizing hydropower, solar panels, and biomass boilers, all of which have also drastically cut down carbon emissions by 96% since 2018. Additionally, the Philippine site also achieved 19% reduction in water consumption and 50% reduction in food waste, respectively, as it maintained certifications for Zero Waste to Landfill and Zero Water Discharge, further distinguishing it as a top-performing facility among Mondelēz International sites in Asia.

“Our efforts, especially at the Sucat plant, have been transformative. We continue to achieve milestones in reducing our emissions and resource consumption, demonstrating our dedication to minimizing our environmental footprint while continuing to champion mindful and sustainable snacking,” Morales explained.

Moreover, Mondelēz International has also recently concluded its flagship sustainability program called “Trash Right.” The initiative, facilitated in partnership with Plastic Flamingo and Save Philippine Seas, was designed to engage school communities in plastic waste awareness, and collection and segregation activities. As of October 2024, the campaign has already collected almost 10 metric tons of plastic waste from twenty-seven public elementary schools in Parañaque City, where its operations are present.

Caitlin Punzalan, the Corporate and Government Affairs Lead of Mondelēz International, emphasized the program’s importance in reinforcing the company’s sustainability goals. “We believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility. The Trash Right Program aims not only to collect plastic waste but also foster environmental awareness within the communities involved.”

“Through these efforts, we aim to engage the youth in sustainability,” Punzalan shared. “By equipping the youth with knowledge and practices to help address marine pollution, we are supporting the future stewards of the environment.”

As Mondelēz International continues to take significant strides toward more efficient, eco-friendly processes and practices, this award is a testament to its commitment to environmental stewardship and its role in leading the future of snacking. Through its holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to sustainability such as the Trash Right Program, the company remains dedicated to creating a lasting impact on the environment and the communities it serves.

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About Mondelēz International

Mondelēz International, Inc. empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world with 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

About Mondelez Philippines

Mondelez Philippines, Inc. has been providing consumers with delicious snack products for the past 61 years - since 1963. Its product portfolio includes Tang powdered beverages, Eden cheese, mayonnaise and sandwich spread, Cheez Whiz spread, Oreo cookies, Tiger energy biscuits, as well as Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates. The company employs about 450 people in the Philippines, with a manufacturing facility in Parañaque City. Visit https://ph.mondelezinternational.com/home

Brighten Your Ka-panda’s Night with #BetterWithCoke McDonald’s Meals on foodpanda and Spread Kindness Today!

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Online food and grocery delivery platform foodpanda partners with Coca-Cola Philippines and McDonald’s Philippines to share Christmas cheer through Spread Kindness Today, a way of giving back to Ka-panda delivery partners. These dedicated stars are out there during the busy holiday season, working late nights to bring us our cravings—and a little holiday magic—when we need it most. 

This season, let’s show them some love by treating them to a Coca-Cola Zero Sugar with every late-night order. It’s a small gesture, but one that can brighten their night and remind them that their hard work and kindness are truly appreciated.

Making the Holidays Brighter for Ka-panda Delivery Partners

Ka-panda delivery partners are the unsung heroes of the season, making sure you can enjoy your favorite meals even during the busiest time of year. They work hard, especially late at night, to keep the magic of convenience alive. 

From November 28 to December 28, 2024, your assigned delivery partner will receive a FREE Coca-Cola Zero Sugar when you order a #BetterWithCoke McDonald’s meal between 9 PM to 1 AM on foodpanda, — a small yet meaningful gesture to make their day a little brighter. Choose from these crowd favorites:

• Crispy Chicken Sandwich w/ Fries
• Burger McDo w/ Fries
• 1-pc. Chicken McDo
• 6-pc. Chicken McNuggets w/ Fries
• Crispy Chicken Fillet Ala King

Each meal, that pairs perfectly with Coke, is a chance to share a moment of kindness with the Ka-panda community and show appreciation for their dedication to delivering your favorite meals, especially during the holiday hustle and bustle. 

So, this Christmas season, make your late-night cravings count. Order a McDonald’s meal on foodpanda, share a Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and spread the love and spirit of joy. Together, let’s make this season one to remember for the Ka-panda community and everyone they serve.

For more information about foodpanda and the incredible offers available, visit the official website at https://www.foodpanda.ph. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Youtube.

Where Serenity Meets Paradise: Boracay Newcoast Offers Idyllic Holiday Retreat

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It’s becoming popular for people to escape the Christmas and New Year frenzy by spending the holidays out of town. Some choose chilly winter vacations, but others have discovered the laid-back chill of Christmas by the beach–specifically Boracay, recently ranked number 3 in Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 10 Islands in Asia for 2024, and number 4 in the Best Islands list of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. While Boracay’s charm never goes out of style, it’s also a joy to discover the island’s other side where Boracay Newcoast is peacefully tucked away, facing the Sibuyan Sea.

Boracay Newcoast is an integrated tourism development that serves as home to Megaworld Hotels and Resorts brands including Savoy Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Boracay, and soon-to-open Chancellor Hotel Boracay. The development also includes upscale residential condominiums, lifestyle/retail districts, and a Shophouse District, all situated on gently rolling terrain that opens out to the sea.

The best part is Boracay Newcoast’s private beach, a 300-meter stretch of fine, white sand with the island’s famous “Lapus-Lapus” or Keyhole Rock Formation anchoring one end. Here, tranquility still exists. Guests can lie back and still hear the wind rustling through the coconut trees, and the sound of waves chasing each other to shore, leaving lacy tendrils of seafoam behind. Instead of watching the sunset surrounded by a crowd, they can walk on a pristine beach and watch the sunrise wake up the rest of the island. Boracay Newcoast has the serenity that was the essence of the old Boracay of the 80s and 90s but with all the amenities of 2024.

Blissful Moments and Merry Escapes

Belmont Hotel Boracay and Savoy Hotel Boracay have ensured that their guests can experience the best of both worlds this Christmas season. Away from the bustling main strip, there are opportunities to breathe and relax, reconnect with nature, spend quality time with children and family, enjoy watersports and beach games without having to jostle for space or fall in line, and create lasting memories with friends at fun events planned for the season. There isn’t any need to leave the warmth of Boracay Newcoast, but when a fancy for the hustle and bustle and party atmosphere of Boracay strikes, there’s a complimentary scheduled shuttle to White Beach, just 20 minutes away.

Belmont Hotel Boracay, relatively nearer to the beach, with sun-filled rooms suited to families or travelers looking for a more laid-back vacation, has their Blissful Christmas Escapade promotion of P11,500nett per night for the stay period December 22 to 27, 2024, and their New Year’s Kiss promotion of P13,500nett per night for the period December 28, 2024 to January 2, 2025. Both promotions are for a minimum of 2 nights stay, and feature a Deluxe room with buffet breakfast for 2 people. And for those who would like a pre-Christmas stay, the Holly Jolly Stays promotion offers a Terrace room with buffet breakfast for two for just P4,200nett per night, until December 21, 2024. The Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at the Belmont Cafe will be serving up a fiesta of food, with acoustic entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus for P1,800 per person. The New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet of international favorites is P2,100 per person.

Savoy Hotel Boracay, with its bright colors, gym, and party pool has room packages designed for groups of friends or families looking for a fun time. Merry Moments Escape is a 3-day, 2-night package inclusive of a festive dinner for two on Christmas Eve, breakfast, holiday treats, and activities for just P12,000 for two adults or P12,180 for two adults + 2 kids for the period December 20 to 27, 2024. A Toast to 2025 on the other hand, is a 3-day, 2-night package inclusive of breakfast, welcome drinks, holiday treats, a New Year’s Eve dinner and countdown, water sports, holiday activities, and more for P14,000 for two adults or P14,660 for two adults + 2 kids for the period December 28, 2024 to January 1, 2025. For Christmas Eve, the hotel will be serving a lavish buffet of Filipino and international holiday favorites for P1,399 per person and P699 for kids aged 6-12. There will be lechon, of course, baked ham, an abundance of desserts, live music, a festive parol lighting, a choir performance, and fire dancers. The Newcoast Beachside Bash promises to be an all-out fun way to welcome 2025 with a beachside buffet, cocktails, live entertainment from a full band and DJ Lee, sparkling wine, party hats, and LED glasses, for P2,025 per person, and P1,012 for kids aged 6-12.

This Christmas season and beyond, Boracay Newcoast gives travelers a chance to discover another side of Boracay and to reimagine Boracay into the vacation paradise they want it to be.

For inquiries about Belmont Hotel Boracay’s holiday offers visit their website: belmonthotelboracay.com, or send an email to stay@belmontboracay.com.ph.

For Savoy Hotel Boracay’s packages, visit savoyhotelboracay.com, or e-mail reserve@savoyboracay.com