June 4, 2025

Nicole Laurel Asensio makes her debut as the first Philippine-based resident artist at the Cafe Carlyle, Hong Kong beginning June 18

After 18 years as a singer, songwriter, actress and all around performer, Nicole’s timeless artistry and unique identity in modern day Jazz is stepping up to the world stage. Nicole is no stranger to performing for international audiences as she has participated in events and concerts in U.K., Barcelona, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Maldives, U.S.A, Shanghai, Tokyo to name a few, however this residency is definitely a first for her, and a first for performers born and raised in the Philippines.

Beginning June 18 until July 12, 2025, Nicole will be the first Philippine-based recording artist/ performer to take an artist residency in the elite Café Carlyle, the live music venue inspired by its namesake in New York City, located in Carlyle & Co., a progressive private members’ club that’s part of the Rosewood Hotel Group, in Hong Kong.

“Café Carlyle Hong Kong brings an unrivalled line-up of international names and unmatched talent to Hong Kong’s most intimate stage. This June we’re thrilled to introduce our newest Resident Artist, Nicole Laurel Asensio, for her Café Carlyle debut.” -  Café Carlyle

Café Carlyle is a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication, much like it’s newest resident artist Nicole who is as a versatile performer that mixes the uniqueness in her old-soul voice and current artistic flair The musical legacy in her veins makes for a fitting match for the artistic haven that holds musical heritage and prestige in it’s core.

Nicole will be taking the stage for a series of sixteen shows beginning on June 18 until July 12, 2025 accompanied by renowned international jazz musicians hailing from different corners of the globe.

Joining her and the band during the residency is Filipino multi-instrumentalist and record producer/ her co-writer Gabe Dandan.

For her forthcoming musical sojourn Nicole will take audiences through songs that span the ages as she relives the olden - golden days of jazz infused with a modern soulful groove and a multi-faceted setlist of timeless tunes
‘A powerhouse entertainer with a unique versatility in both sound and stage presence, Nicole’s a force to be reckoned with. If you’re not already familiar with her? Just you wait. It’s going to be a great Residency.’

                                               – Francisco Ricafort, Director of Music & Artist Curation
“The process behind booking this gig is nothing short of a dream come true, pure fate… I don’t have a manager or company backing of any sort for my career, so whenever something like this happens, I really can’t help but get teary eyed and thank the Lord for it because it certainly is his doing. I had planned a short vacation to Hong Kong purely for leisure last February. The very same day I booked my flight, I serendipitously also received a message from my instagram inbox asking if we could arrange a call. Francisco (Director of Music and Artist Curation at the Carlyle HK) mentioned to me over the call that they were flying in artists from different continents for performances at the Cafe Carlyle, he mentioned that “Why not present a Filipino artist to Cafe Carlyle?” He then asked me to send in some videos to present… I didn’t expect anything at first but I received some positive news shortly after, just in time to catch the plane to Hong Kong and catch a show at Cafe Carlyle in person.

As soon as I stepped into the place, I could immediately feel the creative energies that filled the rooms, each corner curated to perfection, and the divine sound of the band filled the air, I didn’t even need a cocktail to immediately feel intoxicated. I feel truly blessed to have been able to witness such an abundant and generous performance from their resident then, Sarah Potenza, not only am I already a fan of her voice, she also sings for one of my favourite bands, “Post Modern Jukebox” how could it be that fate had it I would somehow get to share the same stage in a few months? I was stunned, mind-blown and thrilled to be inches away from a dream that was unfolding before my eyes and ears. Indeed, the pressure was on, but I take every moment as inspiration.”

                                                                                                          - Nicole Laurel Asensio
“The club is known for its unique design, art collection and a focus on cultural and intellectual enrichment for its members.” One of the features to look forward to aside from the musical performances is a curated menu inspired by the artist’s heritage and stories.

“I am excited to see the culinary narrative the master chefs gave come up with to enhance the experience, It is exciting to see how they blend bits of heritage into an international array of delights, a thoughtful touch to make audiences feel extra special. ”

Every time I have the opportunity to sing in a different country, it gives me joy. I get to make this creative exchange of bringing a piece of my home and heritage with me and at the same time siphoning the soul of the place and infusing it into what inspires my music. I am most honoured and excited to share the stage with international musicians of a world class calibre and bring the talented Gabe Dandan with me as a musical co-creator and bridge between the familiar and the artistry yet to be discovered. I have a lot to learn from everyone around me.”

                                                                                                            - Nicole Laurel Asensio
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About Café Carlyle Hong Kong

Our greatest inspiration and legendary namesake are New York institution Café Carlyle, the quintessential supper club experience which has been bewitching guests and welcoming legends to tread its boards for 65 years. Café Carlyle Hong Kong represents only the second edition worldwide and captures this intangible spirit and unmatched live music experience to enrapture a new audience.

At Café Carlyle, you don’t get a concert, you share an experience. It’s here that Members, guests and friends spend their evenings enveloped in unforgettable musical moments on the city’s most intimate stage, where the very best shows combine music with personal storytelling for a truly connected evening in the most exclusive company. At last, the red velvet curtain is drawn once again.

                                                                                                                                                                          - Cafe Carlyle

Home Credit and Puregold Team Up to Bring Financial Access Closer to Filipino

Partnership enables easier credit access at Puregold stores, empowering everyday Filipinos with smart, inclusive financial tools.

Home Credit Philippines, in partnership with Puregold, has expanded the availability of the Home Credit Card to select Puregold stores nationwide. This move makes credit more accessible for everyday Filipinos while reinforcing both companies’ commitment to empowering communities through practical, inclusive financial services.

Smart Credit Made Simple

The Home Credit Card is a smart, accessible financial tool designed to help Filipinos manage expenses and build credit responsibly. Ideal for first-time cardholders, it offers a Php 20,000 credit limit and a 45-day-interest-free grace period. The membership fee is waived for the first three months—and cardholders can continue to have it waived when they spend at least PHP 15,000 per month thereafter. Cardholders enjoy up to PHP 500 rebates in the first month, unlimited 3% discount on load purchases, and zero fees when paying bills via the app. With secure, cashless payments anytime, anywhere via QR Ph, the Home Credit Card—now available at select Puregold stores—empowers everyday Filipinos, especially sari-sari store and karinderia owners, to take confident steps toward a stronger financial future.

Highlighted at TNAP Convention 2025

The rollout was spotlighted at the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Convention 2025, held May 15–17 at the World Trade Center, Pasay. With this year’s theme, “Puregold Piliin si Aling Puring! Kayang-kaya Umasenso!”, the event gathered over 50,000 MSME attendees, reinforcing Home Credit’s mission to empower Filipinos—especially micro-entrepreneurs and small business owners—with accessible, practical financial tools that help them grow and succeed.

“Together with Puregold, we’re making it easier for Filipinos to access credit that fits their needs,” said Zdenek Jankovsky, Chief Business Development Officer at Home Credit Philippines. “This partnership is more than about convenience—it’s about empowering people to take control of their finances and live better lives.”

Chief Business Development Officer Zdenek Jankovsky shares the benefits of the Home Credit Card at the Puregold Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Convention 2025.

A Shared Commitment to the Filipino Consumer

This initiative underscores Home Credit’s evolution from a financing provider to a comprehensive financial partner. By teaming up with Puregold, the brand extends its reach and impact, helping more Filipinos build financial capability and achieve everyday goals.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also download the Home Credit App or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

June 2, 2025

Morissette Amon returns to the stage with “Ember” — Celebrating 15 Years of Passion, Power, and Purpose

The fire is back, and it’s brighter than ever. Asia’s Phoenix, Morissette Amon, is set to headline her most anticipated solo concert yet: Ember, taking place on October 28, 2025, 8:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This show celebrates 15 years of music, milestones, and global impact.


From her early days as a powerhouse teen vocalist on The Voice of the Philippines to performing alongside icons like Michael Bolton and Alan Menken, Morissette has risen as one of the most compelling voices of her generation. Now, she returns to the stage not just as a singer, but as a creative force driving Original Pilipino Music to new heights.

A Landmark Year for Asia’s Phoenix

2025 is shaping up to be a milestone year for Morissette. In addition to Ember, she stars in the highly anticipated musical film Song of the Fireflies, premiering on June 25, where she showcases both her dramatic range and signature vocal prowess. Her latest collaboration with acclaimed band December Avenue, titled “Ahon,” reveals a more intimate, acoustic side of her artistry—captivating longtime fans and drawing in new listeners alike.

Beyond the Philippines, Morissette continues to represent proudly on the world stage, performing in a series of TFC (The Filipino Channel) shows across the US and Europe. Her global presence reinforces her status not only as a local icon but as a worldwide ambassador for Filipino music and talent.

Ember: A Concert Like No Other

Ember marks Morissette’s return to the Araneta stage for her first major solo show since Morissette is Made in 2018. This performance is set to be a deeply personal and sonically spectacular journey through her past hits, current projects, and a glimpse into what’s next under her own label, Underdog Music.

Expect soaring vocals, raw emotion, and unforgettable moments—Morissette is not just looking back on 15 brilliant years, she’s setting the tone for her next chapter.
Event DetailsDate:          October 28, 2025
Time:                                8:00 PM
Venue:                              Smart Araneta Coliseum

This is More Than a Concert—It’s a Cultural Moment

Morissette’s journey is far from over. From film to international tours to musical evolution, Ember is the culmination of a legacy-in-the-making.

Save the date. Witness the passion. Feel the fire.

Toshiba unveils its Japandi Series home appliances along with the newest Takumi Master

Continuing its pursuit of perfection and excellence, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines, a global leader in premium home appliances, elevates everyday living as it launches its newest line of artisanal home solutions, along with new Takumi Masters at the Toshiba Dealer Convention Gala.


Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC) Executives, Toshiba Lifestyle International Executives, and Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines Takumi Masters, Masters of Excellence, and Experts graced the Toshiba Dealer Convention Gala. In the photo are (from left) Chief Executive Officer of CIC Mr. Ariel Fermin, Chef and Owner of Mireia Dining Mr. Mark Dee, Chairman and President of CIC Mr. Raul Joseph Concepcion, Chief Communications Officer of CIC Mr. Rafael Hechanova Jr., President of Toshiba Lifestyle International Mr. Lewis Fu, President of Toshiba Lifestyle Asia Pacific Region Mr. Zeal Jiang, Takumi Master of Progressive Cuisine Chef Josh Boutwood, Editor and Stylist Ms. Marj Ramos, Owner of Kasa Palma Chef Aaron Isip; CEO of Happy Skin, BLK, and Seoul White Korea Ms. Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, Takumi Master of Soulful Living Ms. Stephanie Zubiri, Founder and Director of JJ Acuña / Bespoke Studio Hong Kong and Manila Mr. JJ Acuña, Principal Designer of Moss Design House Ms. Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran, Takumi Master of Harmonious Sound Mr. Gerard Salonga, Co - Founder & President of SoFA Design Institute Ms. Loralee Soong, Takumi Master of Visionary Style Mr. Francis Libiran, Creative Director of CO Studio and VMAN Southeast Asia Mr. Vince Uy, General Manager of Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines Ms. Anna Marie Alejandro, General Manager of Toshiba Lifestyle International Laundry Overseas Business Mr. Stan Ding, and Lifestyle Content Creator Ms. Aliza Apostol-Goco

Blending the essence of Japanese design with the functional elegance of Scandinavian lines, Toshiba’s new Japandi Series launched under the “Harmony in Details” campaign champions seamless design and effortless living while preserving the brand’s artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation. The new line introduces stylish models of refrigerators, washing machine, water dispenser, microwave oven, and rice cooker designed to enhance daily living.

Toshiba Lifestyle’s Japandi Suite

These premium home appliances perfectly exemplify understated elegance, allowing access to luxurious appliances without compromising on quality and innovative features for its sophisticated consumers, embodied by its new group of Takumi Masters.

The Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines Takumi Masters are unveiled at the Toshiba Dealer Convention Gala. In the photo are (from left) Takumi Master of Visionary Style Mr. Francis Libiran, Takumi Master of Harmonious Sound Mr. Gerard Salonga, Takumi Master of Soulful Living Ms. Stephanie Zubiri, and Takumi Master of Progressive Cuisine Chef Josh Boutwood

With an already exceptional roster of Takumi Masters or master craftsmen, a title given to individuals who have righteously become experts in their field of vocation, Toshiba officially introduced four new powerhouse names to add to the list: Mr. Francis Libiran as the Takumi Master of Visionary Style; Ms. Stephanie Zubiri as the Takumi Master of Soulful Living; Chef Josh Boutwood as the Takumi Master of Progressive Cuisine; and Mr. Gerard Salonga as the Takumi Master of Harmonious Sound.

Toshiba Takumi Master of Visionary Style Mr. Francis Libiran

Mr. Francis Libiran is a premier architect and fashion designer, celebrated for dressing his muses in intricately styled and designed couture that showcases his unmatched attention to detail.

Toshiba Takumi Master of Soulful Living Ms. Stephanie Zubiri

On the other hand, Ms. Stephanie Zubiri is a master of harmonious living, perfectly balancing and honing her artistry as a multi-award-winning author, an entrepreneur, and a wellness advocate on top of taking on the fulfilling role of a mother.

Takumi Master of Progressive Cuisine Chef Josh Boutwood

Meanwhile, Chef Josh Boutwood, is a chef and restaurateur of The Test Kitchen, Helm and Savage and renowned innovator in the Philippine culinary scene and is considered one of the pioneers of produce-driven cuisine in the country.


Takumi Master of Harmonious Sound Mr. Gerard Salonga

And finally, harmoniously weaving together Toshiba’s orchestra of masters is world-renowned musical composer and current Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr. Gerard Salonga.

General Manager of Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines Ms. Anna Marie Alejandro speaks about Toshiba’s newest lines of appliances and new group of Takumi Masters

“Toshiba’s Takumi Masters are known for their exceptional achievements, dedication to their craft, and commitment to serve for a higher purpose. They personify the values that Toshiba home appliances stand for - craftsmanship, precision, and perfection. These are the guiding principles that ensure that every detail of Toshiba’s home solutions fits harmoniously with the lifestyle of its refined audience,” shared Ms. Anna Marie Alejandro, General Manager of Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines.

Toshiba integrates harmony into every corner of the home. From its suite of small appliances to premium home systems, every detail is precisely crafted to meet the standards of Japanese craftsmanship and innovation.

For more information on Toshiba’s newest product line-ups and campaign, visit https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph and follow Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

HONOR Just Teased an AI Phone That Brings Photos to Life?

Did HONOR Philippines just drop hint on its biggest launch ever?


Leading global technology brand HONOR dropped a hint on what seemed to be its newest phone, dubbed as ‘AI Phone’. From durable devices, student-friendly tablets, and high-end AI camera smartphones – HONOR Philippines has been putting out innovative products since the beginning of the year.

“The time has come. Filipinos deserve to get introduced to the real AI Phone. We are most excited with this launch, and we couldn’t wait to share more to our loyal HONOR fans so stay tuned in the coming days,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

In a later post, HONOR Philippines released a related video showing still photos coming to life using its latest AI technology. With its viral and out-of-the-box content strategies, one can never really be sure of what HONOR is about to release.

Never miss the latest updates and visit HONOR’s official website at www.hihonor.com or follow their social media platforms: Facebook (@HonorPhilippines), Instagram (@honorph), and TikTok (@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

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