Discovery World Corporation and Discovery Hospitality Corporation hold groundbreaking ceremony for new hospitality concept in Siargao

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Hotels and resorts developer Discovery World Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Lucky Cloud 9 Resort, Inc. (LC9), and its property management company, Discovery Hospitality Corporation (DHC), are making their mark in the Surfing Capital of the Philippines as they recently broke ground for the soon-to-rise Kip&Kin Siargao on January 10, 2025.

L-R: Engr. Michael Ching of Sterling Struktures Inc.; Grace Limboc of Land Bank of the Philippines; Charlie Ledesma of Discovery World Corporation and Lucky Cloud 9 Resort, Inc.; John Y. Tiu, Chairman of Discovery World Corporation; Melito Cruz of Discovery World Corporation; Kathleen Nuestro of H1 Architecture; Lynette Ermac of Discovery Hospitality Corporation; Ace Gumafelix of AVAC Project and Construction Managers Corporation

Under DHC’s dynamic brand portfolio, Kip&Kin exemplifies the philosophy of "Live Unbound," a brand that celebrates kinship, community, and connection. Designed for the younger generations of millennials and Gen Zs, it provides areas that encourage both solo and group activities while allowing visitors to easily connect with the places they are visiting. With its dual concept of hotel rooms and hostel stays, Kip&Kin appeals to this new generation of tourists looking for lively, meaningful stays while also providing the ideal getaway for families and mature travelers looking to make lifelong memories.

Choosing Siargao, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, is the perfect spot for Kip&Kin. The teardrop-shaped island, known for its top-notch waves, vibrant culture, and close-knit community, epitomizes everything Kip&Kin stands for. This location offers the ideal setting for meaningful adventures, a community of kindred spirits, a sustainable and engaging environment, and appreciating the charms of free-spirited life.

Partners from the Land Bank of the Philippines, Sterling Struktures Inc., H1 Architecture, Design HQ, and AVAC Project and Construction Managers Corporation graced the ceremonial breaking of the ground, marking the beginning of construction works for the latest addition to DHC's renowned managed properties in the Philippines.

This exciting development will be built on approximately 7,000 sqm out of the company's 2.6 hectare lot area in General Luna, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, and is near Cloud 9, one of the island’s most famous tourist sites. It will house 34 hotel rooms, 48 hostel beds, and retail spaces, providing options for different preferences. The rest of the property is being planned for future expansion phases of additional rooms and retail spaces.

“Kip&Kin is more than just a place to stay; it's a lifestyle brand where guests can immerse themselves in the energy of Siargao's vibrant culture and natural splendor,” says Discovery World Corporation Chairman and CEO John Y. Tiu, Jr. "We are excited to have Discovery Hospitality's expertise to create an experience that captures the essence of Siargao and makes a significant contribution to the local economy."

Kip&Kin Siargao’s anticipated opening is in 2027. The hospitality group also plans to open another Kip&Kin in Vanilla Beach El Nido and San Vicente, Palawan.

Bring your business to this charming island. Entrepreneurs who wish to lease a space in Kip&Kin Siargao may contact the leasing office at +63 2 8519 5674 to 79 local 320. For more information about Kip&Kin Siargao and other Discovery properties, visit https://www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com.

Discover and explore endless possibilities with the new OPPO Reno13 Series 5G, coming soon in the Philippines

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Leading global smart device brand OPPO is set to introduce the latest in its line of innovative and trendsetting smartphones built for discovery and exploration, the all-new OPPO Reno13 Series 5G.

Coming soon in the Philippines, this highly-anticipated AI Portrait Expert from the renowned OPPO Reno Series is yet another groundbreaking smartphone that will take creativity, performance, and exploration to another level.

Designed for those who seek out new pursuits and thrive on innovation, the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G combines cutting-edge AI technology and smartphone functionalities with a sleek, durable design, making it the ultimate companion for Filipinos.

#ClearUnderwater - Experience the ultimate underwater mobile photography: IP69 Waterproof Rating for Underwater Adventures

The OPPO Reno13 Series 5G is the first in its class with an IP69 waterproof rating, allowing you to dive into creativity like never before. Capture stunning underwater photos and videos at depths of up to 2 meters for 30 minutes in fresh water without a protective case.’

#ReliveTheVibe - A Phone for Every Creator and All Types of Content

The OPPO Reno13 Series isn’t just a smartphone; it’s a creative tool too. AI-powered features like AI Livephoto and AI Reimage let you add artistic flair to your photos and videos so if you’re documenting a stunning landscape on sunrise or sunset, capturing your travel experiences, or showing off your OOTDs, the OPPO Reno13 helps you tell your story in vivid detail.

#PerfectCoreMemories with with AI-Powered Cameras

Equipped with a 50MP main camera and AI Portrait Mode, the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G transforms everyday moments into professional-quality photos. It comes equipped with astounding AI tools such as AI Clarity Enhancer and AI Reflection Remover which ensures your images are crisp, clear, and flawless. With its 50MP selfie camera, you’ll always look your best in social media-ready portraits.

Design That Inspires: Butterfly Shadow Effect

The OPPO Reno13 Series 5G features OPPO’s unique Butterfly Shadow Design, combining matte and glossy textures for a look inspired by nature’s elegance. The lightweight, ultra-thin build ensures both comfort and durability, making it perfect for adventurous travels or stylish evenings out. Every detail, from its aerospace-grade aluminum frame to its seamless glass back, reflects OPPO’s commitment to premium craftsmanship.

Get ready to discover and explore new horizons with the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G! The ultimate AI-powered phone is coming soon to the Philippines, ready to redefine how you capture, create, and connect. For more information on OPPO Reno13 Series 5G, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Real-time Meralco payments at 7-Eleven CLiQQ Kiosks, now made possible by Bayad

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Busy lifestyles have led a lot of Filipinos to rely on doing one-stop-shop errands at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Apart from buying goods, ready-to-eat cooked meals, and beverages, Meralco bills can also be paid at 7-Eleven CLiQQ Kiosks, available in over 4,100 branches nationwide.

Apart from enabling 24/7 payments at the ease of your own neighborhood, 7-Eleven has partnered with Bayad, accelerating Meralco payments from 24 hours to real-time or instantaneous posting. This will greatly benefit more Filipinos as it allows them to pay on time, and avoid overdue bills or disconnection notices.

Bayad, formerly Bayad Center and the pioneer brand in the outsourced bills payment collection service in the Philippines, is now a full-service fintech subsidiary of Meralco.

Apart from Meralco, Bayad has also activated Red Fiber, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and National Housing Authority (NHA) in the CLiQQ Kiosk’s biller network.

On top of these, Bayad is also expected to bring in more electric and water utility brands, government fees and contributions, tollway RFID, insurance, loans, tuition fees, and many others.

Ultimately, Bayad’s partnership with 7-Eleven underscores modern convenience and digital innovation, fulfilling its shared mission of making daily lives easier for Filipinos.

Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Ferrer underscored, “Our world moved faster than we could have imagined. We at Bayad had to swiftly up our game in expanding our payment channels as we cater to the demand of providing more accessible and secured bills payment services for our kababayans who are noticeably always on the go and are becoming more and more tech-savvy. Our partnership with 7-Eleven allowed us this opportunity, highlighting our shared vision for financial consumer empowerment and driving economic growth in the country.”

7-Eleven Managing Director for Digital, Jose C. Ang, shared, “As we celebrate our 40^th year in the industry, this partnership with Bayad allows us to continue to stay true to 7-Eleven's thrust to continuously innovate modern convenience and enhance customer experience. We are excited to keep serving our communities and uphold our mission of being ‘the neighbor you can count on.”

For fintech and retail institutions like 7-Eleven that are interested in being a part of Bayad’s extensive 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.

 

'Merry vivo Christmas' Raffle Brings Joy to the Lucky Winners

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What a way to wrap up the holiday season! vivo capped off the festivities with the grand draw of the Merry vivo Christmas Raffle last Friday, January 17, 2025.

Four lucky winners were selected, each receiving fantastic prizes. One of them was drawn as the grand prize recipient, taking home the highly coveted NEW vivo X200 Pro, vivo's latest flagship smartphone!

The winners were filled with excitement over their fantastic prizes, while the grand prize winner reveled in a moment of victory—perfectly ending a season filled with joy!

The luckiest of them all

Merry vivo Christmas grand prize winner, Mrs. Leslie Marchan from San Juan City, couldn’t believe her luck when she won the raffle for vivo X200 Pro smartphone.

“I couldn't believe it. In my mind 'Legit kaya ito?'” Leslie laughed. “I feel excited to receive this news and I can't believe I won the raffle!", she said with a wide smile.

A long-time vivo fan, Leslie had purchased numerous vivo smartphones for her colleagues in the past, impressed by the brand's proven reliability and superior quality. “They also trust the brand because of its reliability and durability, which is widely known in the smartphone industry.”

Her husband was no exception. Leslie added, "My husband is also a vivo user, and I see that he is very happy with the brand's quality and reliability for his daily use.”

Leslie expressed her enthusiasm for the new X200 Pro, especially looking forward to testing out its powerful 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera's capabilities!

 

More smiles with Merry vivo Christmas prizes

A season ender made even merrier as the winners are set to receive their much-anticipated prizes!

•   Christian Jay Antonio from Cebu will be turning up the volume this year with a brand-new Bluetooth speaker.

•    Lady Lee Barillos from Quezon City is the proud winner of a vivo Watch 3, bringing style and smart convenience to his everyday life.

•    Rey Salahit from Davao can now enjoy seamless music experiences with his new TWS 3e earbuds. 

The winners have been notified through registered mail, email, and SMS, with their names proudly shared on vivo Philippines’ official social media pages.

Stay excited for a Merry Year!

Thank you for joining the fun with #MerryvivoChristmas! It made this holiday season extra special for many Filipinos and vivo fans. Whether it’s unwrapping a new vivo device or sharing the joy with loved ones, vivo continues to deliver smiles and meaningful moments.

As 2025 unfolds, vivo fans can look forward to even more exciting promotions and events. Make sure to follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram , YouTube, X, and TikTok to stay updated!

Baguio Flower Festival - Panagbenga 2025

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With its theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries,” the 29th Baguio Flower Festival promises a celebration of creativity, culture, and community that stretches beyond tradition.

This year’s Panagbenga, with the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries”, will formally start on February 1 with the grand opening parade and street dancing.

Activities that are slated to open on Feb. 1 include the Panagbengascapes: Landscaping Competition and Exhibition and the Baguio Bloom, and Market Encounter in Burnham Park.

The most awaited highlights of the festival are the Grand Street Dancing and Grand Floral Float parades scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23, respectively.

The City of Pines in the Philippines, Baguio City celebrates the beauty, abundance, and importance of flowers annually, every February. The festivity is dubbed as the Panagbenga Festival.

A Kankanaey term for “a season for blooming,” Panagbenga festival is the Baguio’s grandest Flower Festival – the home of beautiful flowers – which contributed popularity to the place. Together with this is a celebration of the city’s re – establishment from the 1990 earthquake. The celebrations usually last for a month and peak periods are the weekends. It showcases various floral floats and native dances along with the fragrant smells of the flowers teasing everyone’s senses all over the city.

History of Panagbenga: The Story Behind Baguio’s Grand Festival

The Baguio Flower Festival was first celebrated in 1995, introduced as a way to uplift Baguio City after the devastation caused by the 1990 Luzon earthquake. The festival was envisioned to revitalize the city’s tourism industry and highlight the unique beauty of Baguio’s flora. Over the years, Panagbenga has evolved into a world-class event, attracting thousands of visitors from different parts of the country and beyond.

One of the most iconic parts of Panagbenga is the Grand Float Parade, where artistically designed floral floats take over the streets, displaying the incredible craftsmanship of local florists. Another crowd favorite is the Grand Street Dance Parade, where performers in colorful costumes showcase the culture of the Cordilleras through synchronized movements and tribal-inspired dances.

Key dates to remember:

February 1: Grand Opening Day Parade

February 22-23: Grand Street Dance Parade and Grand Floral Float Parade

February 24-March 2: Session Road in Bloom

March 2: Grand Aerial Fireworks Display and Closing Ceremony

For more details on schedules and activities, contact the Panagbenga Secretariat at 074-442-4315 or visit their website.