Filipino AC installers dominate the Midea Club Flash Installation Tournament 2025 ASEAN Finals

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Trusted global appliance brand Midea has successfully concluded the Midea Club Flash Installation Tournament 2025 ASEAN Finals, the largest and most prestigious professional air conditioner installation competition in Southeast Asia. Held in Foshan, China, the event brought together top installers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, following months of national preliminary rounds with over 10,000 participants across the region.

Midea celebrates the installers who proudly represented their countries and won at the ASEAN Finals of the Midea Club Flash Installation Tournament 2025 in Foshan, China (From left to right: Jerome Pumaren (3rd placer, Philippines), Mark Kevin Peña (Master of Speed 2025), and Lui Kher Sze (2nd Placer, Malaysia)

Representing the Philippines on the regional stage, Mark Kevin Peña emerged as the Master of Speed 2025, earning the championship title and a $5,000 cash prize. Lui Kher Sze of Malaysia secured second place, while Jeorme Pumaren of the Philippines placed third. The Philippines also received the National Award, recognizing the outstanding overall performance of the country’s delegation.

With the theme “Master Speed, More Profits,” the tournament reinforces Midea’s commitment to elevating installer excellence, enhancing customer service quality, and raising Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) standards throughout ASEAN.

Following the competition, installers toured Midea’s Innovation Park and Guangzhou Factory, gaining firsthand insight into the technology, research, and engineering behind Midea’s AC systems. The visit emphasized the brand’s commitment to continuous learning, technical advancement, and deeper collaboration with HVAC professionals.

“This tournament honors our installers’ professionalism and dedication to service excellence,” said Sam Su, Sales and Marketing Director of Midea Air Conditioning. “Their work builds the trust that Midea customers rely on every day. We are committed to growing together and elevating industry standards across ASEAN.”

The Midea Club Flash Installation Tournament is an exclusive program under Midea Club, the brand’s dedicated installer and technician support platform. Through the Midea Club App, HVAC professionals gain access to training, certification, rewards, digital tools, and opportunities to participate in competitions like the ASEAN Finals. To learn more about Midea’s latest home solutions, visit the official website, follow @midea_philippines on Instagram and TikTok @mideaphilippines, subscribe to Midea Philippines Official on YouTube, and like @MideaPhilippines on Facebook.

Toshiba Celebrates 95 Years of Innovation with Exclusive Offers and an Exclusive Journey to Japan

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Toshiba celebrates 95 years of excellence and innovation with exciting anniversary deals and an exclusive Journey to Japan experience.

Toshiba Lifestyle, the global leader in artisanal home appliance solutions, officially kicks off its 95th anniversary celebration by launching its most exclusive nationwide promotion yet, offering customers the chance to win a spectacular, all-inclusive trip to Japan or a suite of Toshiba’s premium home appliances.

For nearly a century, Toshiba has perfected the art of Japanese quality, design, and innovation. In celebration of this enduring legacy, the brand unveils an extraordinary experience - a “Journey to Japan”. This grand prize is a perfectly curated trip to Japan for two winners and their companions, covering every detail: flights, luxurious accommodation, delicious meals, comprehensive tour packages, and even visa processing. Winners will get to immerse themselves in the rich Japanese culture and uncompromising attention to detail that inspires every Toshiba appliance.

The thrill continues beyond the grand getaway, as Toshiba extends the celebration to homes across the country with an exclusive appliance giveaway fit for its 95th year. The prizes include a full suite of Toshiba’s premium home appliances, from state-of-the-art multi-door refrigerators and powerful washer-and-dryer sets to innovative water dispensers and the sleek Japandi digital rice cooker.

Shoppers can also join in the celebration with unbeatable anniversary deals. Enjoy up to 35% off on select appliances, grab featured models at special PHP9,500 anniversary prices, and score exciting bundle offers starting at just PHP95. It’s Toshiba’s biggest celebration yet, and there’s never been a better time to bring home a true Japanese innovation!

Customers will receive one raffle entry for every single-receipt purchase worth PHP10,000 and above from participating authorized Toshiba dealers nationwide. The Toshiba 95th Anniversary Promo runs from November 15, 2025, to January 31, 2026, with the lucky draw to be held on February 12, 2026, and announcement of winners on February 18, 2026.

For a complete list of participating stores and full mechanics, visit www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph follow Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Holiday Travel Season Is In! Here’s Your Ultimate Checklist for a Trip That’s Worth It

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For many of us, a holiday trip isn’t just a break – it’s the moment we look forward to all year, the hard-earned vacation after months of juggling work. But as every traveler knows, holiday travel often brings added stress. With hotel and flight bookings filling up fast, experiences selling out quickly, and larger crowds of travelers everywhere, the trip you’ve been anticipating can easily become stressful.

This year, make it different. A truly worthwhile holiday trip starts with being prepared for everything. As you start getting ready, check out these four pro tips to make sure that every second of this long-awaited trip is worth it.

1. Arrive earlier than normal during the holiday rush

With reports of long lines at the bag drop and longer queues at immigration, traveling during the holidays calls for being just a little bit earlier than usual – and doing everything you can ahead of time.

Check in online through your airline’s app or website, complete your e-travel in advance, and keep all your documents organized in one secure, easy-access pouch with digital copies also ready and saved on your phone.  A few extra steps of preparation can save you a lot of airport stress later.

2. Leave a little room for spontaneous moments

Theme parks, ski passes, and city tours sell out fast in December. Of course, it helps as early as possible – but sometimes, even that can’t be helped. Here’s a pro tip: when planning your itinerary for a city or area, secure at least one main activity—the non-negotiable experience you really want to do—then leave space for spontaneous adventures and exploring on your own.

3. Monitor the weather, and pack for it

Experiencing a “white Christmas” is on many people’s bucket lists this year. If you’re flying to Seoul, Nagoya, New York, or any other snowy destination, make sure you’ve packed your thermals, layers, and warm socks. Also, have a coat ready at the plane, so you don’t get too cold upon arrival!

4. Use GCash to pay for an ultimate guilt-free, shock-free spending holiday

One of the biggest stressors while traveling is managing expenses. Bill shock from credit cards, unexpectedly high exchange rates, hidden fees, and overspending that you only realize weeks later can quickly disrupt a trip meant to be relaxing. This year, you can avoid all that with GCash and by following its simple shock-proof, worry-proof shopping method: Scan-Swipe-Tap.

 When you pay with GCash abroad, you gain real-time control over your spending, enjoy low forex rates that update instantly in the app, avoid hidden service fees, and benefit from fast, convenient transactions all throughout your trip. Here’s how:

Scan: Pay with GCash to Scan to Pay at merchants abroad. Simply look for the Alipay+ logo when paying in-store or ordering at restaurants. This way, you don’t need to scramble for cash, and you can even unlock exclusive promos along the way!

Swipe: You can also pay with the GCash Visa Card abroad, especially for the bigger items you’ve saved up for. Unlike credit cards with high FX fees, there are no additional charges with the GCash Visa Card. Your transactions are automatically recorded in-app, so you always see how much you’ve spent – no bill shock.

Tap: For Android users, take your payments even further with the new GCash Tap to Pay feature. Just tap your phone on any NFC-enabled terminal and pay within seconds – perfect for major shopping hubs and seamless checkouts in crowded places where convenience is key.

Don’t forget these 4 pro-tips and make sure you Scan–Swipe–Tap for a trip that’s easier, lighter, and truly worth it—just as a holiday should be.

2GO Revamps Escolta Branch, Introduces First Retail Outlet with Cafe 2GO

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2GO, the Philippines’ most integrated logistics and travel solutions provider, has revamped its 2GO Escolta Branch located at the ground floor of AIC Center along Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila. The branch remained fully operational throughout the renovation, ensuring uninterrupted service while upgrading the space to better support the growing demand for travel, cargo, and express services in one of the country’s most historic commercial districts.

(L–R) Raymond Morales, Operating Manager, FedEx Philippines; Roland Sunga, Assistant Vice President for Food and Beverage, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations, 2GO Travel; Blessie Cruz, Business Unit Head, 2GO Retail; Rico Medina, Acting Senior Manager for Delivery and Pick-up Operations; and Janice Bugarin, Vice President and Head of Procurement, 2GO Group, Inc.

The branch enhancement marks the introduction of the first 2GO retail outlet with Cafe 2GO, a fully owned and branded café concept previously available exclusively on board 2GO vessels. Bringing Cafe 2GO to a ground retail environment provides customers with a more comfortable and welcoming space to lounge, wait, and conduct business while completing their transactions.

As part of the revamp, the Escolta branch also features a dedicated Cafe 2GO Training Room, designed to support onboarding, skills development, and continuous learning for 2GO team members. The facility serves as a central venue for barista training and capability-building programs across the retail network.

The upgraded space is also designed to function as a convenient meeting and collaboration hub, allowing customers, MSMEs, and partners to hold discussions, coordinate shipments, and make business decisions while availing of 2GO’s integrated logistics and travel services.

“Cafe 2GO was created to elevate the overall travel experience of our customers and bringing it into a retail setting allows us to extend that same experience on ground,” said Roland Sunga, Assistant Vice President for Food and Beverage, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations of 2GO Travel. “The dedicated training space enables us to continuously develop our baristas, refine our offerings, and ensure consistent quality across all touchpoints.”

Located in the heart of Binondo, the Escolta branch plays a vital role in supporting trade and MSMEs by facilitating the efficient movement of goods such as machinery, spare parts, textiles, and wholesale merchandise across cities and regions nationwide.

“This renovated location is more than a retail branch—it is a hub for MSME growth,” said Blessie Cruz, Business Unit Head of 2GO Retail. “Through this space, the introduction of Cafe 2GO, and our enhanced facilities, we aim to elevate customer experience while creating more opportunities for the communities we serve.”

For inquiries about 2GO services, partnerships, or training programs, interested parties may email retail@2go.com.ph.

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Treat your family to Unli Entertainment, Discounts and Rewards with PLDT Home’s Holiday Treats

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As families spend more time at home during the holidays, whether hosting reunions, streaming Christmas movies, gaming with loved ones, and staying connected with long-distance relatives, PLDT Home makes the season even more meaningful with its exclusive Holiday Treats.

PLDT Home’s holiday offerings surely elevate everyday moments at home. From binge-worthy streaming nights and lag-free gaming sessions to smart living at home, PLDT Home bundles unlimited connectivity, entertainment, and smart home upgrades into one festive promo.

Unleash Unlimited Entertainment at Home

For just ₱1,799 per month, customers who subscribe to PLDT Home Fiber Unli All enjoy free speed boost of up to 500 Mbps for the first six months, perfect for simultaneous streaming, online gaming, and video calls with loved ones. This promo also comes with free installation, a one-year iGV Game Pass, Cignal TV, and ₱1,000 worth of Rewards Crystals, making holidays even more enjoyable for families.

Whether it’s movie marathons after Noche Buena, kids gaming during the school break, or virtual holiday catch-ups with relative and friends, PLDT Home ensures reliable connections this Christmas.

This season is also the perfect time to refresh and upgrade the home. With Next Upgrade smart home gadgets, PLDT Home customers can enjoy discounts of up to ₱14,995 off on a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, home appliances, wearables, and smart home sensors. These upgrades help create a more comfortable, efficient, and future-ready home, which is ideal and timely for hosting guests or simply enjoying quieter holiday vacation with family.

Rewards for Holiday Cheer

To make the holidays even more rewarding, PLDT Home Fiber subscribers automatically earn up to 1,000 worth of Rewards Crystals, which can be used for bill rebates or redeemed with popular partner merchants such as Grab, Maya, Steam, Garena, Zalora, Lazada, and more. That’s perfect for holiday shopping, food deliveries, or digital treats.

PLDT Home also extends its holiday treats for Fiber Prepaid customers who also get a chance to win Lazada vouchers and exclusive Next Upgrade discounts.

Enjoy PLDT Home’s Holiday Treats until December 31, 2025. For more information, visit www.pldthome.com.

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