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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Your Go-To Guide for Surviving Holiday Spending with Maya

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The holidays are basically here: malls are full, calendars are packed, and your group chats have get-togethers lined up left and right. But before you swipe, tap, or checkout your cart, do yourself a favor, and get your finances in formation.

Think of this as your quick holiday tune-up, the one that makes sure every peso works smarter for you, and every purchase is as painless as possible.

Here’s how you can still catch up and get holiday-ready with Maya:

Lock in your budget (and your goals)

If your “holiday budget” is still a mental note, now is the time to organize it for real. With Maya Personal Goals, you can set up to five savings targets, such as gifts, Noche Buena, travel, or anything else you need!

Each Personal Goal earns 4% interest per year immediately, and every ₱20,000 you add boosts your rate up to 8% p.a. for deposits up to ₱100,000. No lock-ins, no penalties. Perfect for making sure your bonus doesn’t mysteriously disappear after one shopping trip.

Treat yourself smart

Holiday meals, reunions, last-minute gifts, they all add up. But with Maya, they also pay off.

If you’re dining out, the Maya Credit Card’s 20% cashback dining promo lets you earn up to ₱1,000 cashback each month when you spend at least ₱2,500. And the perks don’t stop there; you also earn Maya Miles when you use your Maya Black Credit Card, or Landers points when you use the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card.

Tap to Pay: Your new holiday superpower

No more wallet hunting in line. No QR fumbling. No OTP delays. With Maya on Google Pay, you can pay with just a tap wherever contactless payments are accepted — coffee runs, grocery hauls, airport shopping, bazaars, you name it. Add your Maya Credit Card to Google Pay and every tap automatically earns instant Maya Miles or Cashback so your rewards stack up faster while you breeze through the holiday rush.

Keep your peace and your funds intact

Your schedule might be a mess, but your money doesn’t have to be. In the Maya app, track your spending, savings, credit, rewards, and even your holiday cashback — all in one place.

And here’s the cherry on top: every ₱1,000 you spend with Maya, whether it’s on gifts, groceries, or dining out, earns you a raffle entry for a shot at ₱1 million. Win it, and Maya doubles the prize so your bestie also takes home ₱1 million. Yup, that’s a total of ₱2 million so you’re both 2winning this Christmas just by being smart with your spending.

Visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.

A Christmas tradition of wonder: Ballet Manila’s Holiday Cheer Series returns with Snow White

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A festive tradition of ballet for all ages — celebrating love, resilience, and the joy of Christmas

Ballet Manila continues its cherished Holiday Cheer Series, a family oriented program that has become a staple of the Christmas season since 2022. This year, audiences are invited to experience the enchanting and timeless story of Snow White, running from December 25 to 29, 2025 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

For Ballet Manila’s CEO and artistic director; and Snow White choreographer, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the Holiday Cheer Series has brought nostalgic tales to life year after year, making ballet accessible entertainment for everyone and an experience that families can share.

“Holiday Cheer Series is our way of bringing people together through ballet,” shared Lisa. “These productions are not only about artistry, but about using ballet to tell stories that parents and children can enjoy together, year after year.”

This year’s “Snow White” features two alternating casts in the lead roles for the very first time. Real-life couple Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo bring their chemistry to the stage, while Nanami Hasegawa and Romeo Peralta offer a fresh pairing that highlights the production’s spirit of renewal and discovery. Together, they embody the themes of love, resilience, and hope that make Snow White a perfect holiday story.

With enchanting choreography, vibrant storytelling, and performances that capture the spirit of the season, Ballet Manila invites audiences to make ballet part of their Christmas celebration by watching “Snow White” at Aliw Theater from December 25 to 29, 2025 at 4PM. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To know more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph

Pasasalamat 2025: Cebuana Lhuillier’s Holiday Gift of Memories, Hope, and Gratitude

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For years, Cebuana Lhuillier has stood beside millions of Filipinos during their most vulnerable moments, witnessing their sacrifices, safeguarding their stories, and protecting the items they entrusted in times of need. From this long-standing commitment to service and compassion came Pasasalamat. More than a corporate tradition, Pasasalamat is Cebuana Lhuillier’s Holiday Season act of giving. Aligned with St. Nick’s Day, a celebration known for generosity and heartfelt gifting, the initiative reunites clients with cherished possessions they turned over during difficult times.

This year’s Pasasalamat reached major cities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including Antipolo, Makati, Angeles City, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Kidapawan City, and Pagadian City. More than 500 clients received their long-kept pawned items, each one carrying personal memories of sacrifice, resilience, and love. Across the country, the celebrations felt like a series of homecomings filled with emotional reunions and meaningful moments.

“Pasasalamat is our way of expressing gratitude to our clients and reaffirming the trust they have placed in us,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “Each item we return is not just a possession. It is a story of love, sacrifice, and resilience. By reuniting families with these treasures, we go beyond financial service. We honor their stories, deepen trust, and recognize the remarkable journeys of Filipinos across the nation.”

The impact of these reunions came to life through the stories of clients whose items had been carefully safeguarded for years. In Luzon, Jonalyn Garcia of Cabala Union received her husband’s wedding ring, pawned in 2022 after she resigned from teaching during her pregnancy. “Sobrangmasaya po nanaibaliksa amin ang singsing,” she shared. “Mahalaga po ang sing-sing naitodahildito po kami nag-exchange ng vows ng asawa ko.”

In the Visayas, Mary Yoli Quinol Eslita of Iloilo City was reunited with her bracelet, pawned to support her son’s veterinary medicine studies. “Importantetalagayung bracelet dahil anything that you have as your personal belonging is part of yourself,” she said. Upon receiving it, she added, “Heroes don’t always wear capes or have superpowers, but they are ordinary people like Cebuana personnel who help ordinary people rise above hardships.”

In Mindanao, Jehaimah Macmod of Cotabato City reclaimed earrings inherited from her grandmother. They had been pawned to support her mother’s plans to work abroad. “Sobrangmahalagananaibalikitosa amin,” she shared. “Anytime nakailangannamin ng cash, hindina kami maghahanap ng mautangan kasi pwede naming ibalikulitsaCebuana.” She added her gratitude for Cebuana’s support during difficult times: “Malakingtulong po talaga ang Cebuana kasi kapagoras ng ipitan, madalinglapitan.”

Pasasalamat 2025 stands as a testament to Cebuana Lhuillier’s mission to uplift lives, especially during the holidays when generosity and shared humanity are deeply felt. For many participants, the event was more than the return of belongings. It was a reminder that they are seen, valued, and supported.

As the Holiday Season unfolds nationwide, Pasasalamat continues to shine as Cebuana Lhuillier’s gift to the Filipino people, celebrating gratitude, resilience, and the enduring bonds that bring families together.