Making reunions REAL again this Holiday Season

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Filipinos are all about family. The mandatory family reunion happens not just once or twice a year, but every chance possible. From Birthdays to graduations all the way to the grand Christmas reunion, family gatherings are always filled with food, catching up, and loads of wholesome family fun.

Lately, we’ve seen many changes in traditional family dynamics — from a simple meal to dance numbers by the grandkids. Families are reaching out to friends and relatives abroad through technology. While technology can be used to connect people, it can also become a wall between family members.

How many times have you walked into a room and you are ignored by everyone hooked on their gadgets? This is the reality that has become the new norm. The simple act of truly connecting has become a valuable commodity that needs to be safeguarded by everyone in the family.

This Holiday season, a brand has decided to take action to advocate for real connections. It’s not asking you to completely give up your created social media life but to at least save the dining table from it — to keep shared family moments Real again.

El Real is a pasta brand that plans to espouse this habit of safeguarding the dining moment from gadget distraction. As a beloved family brand, El Real will position itself as the champion for Real Family moments. The brand focuses on a typical family where we see the journey from the time the kids are growing to present time in order to dramatize the big shift in the way things are. The absence of technology encourages real bonding between siblings and their mother while in the present, gadgets have isolated each one from the intended bonding that should happen during the family reunion.

This advocacy is a good positioning for the brand El Real as it puts purpose to a very familiar product: pasta and sauce. Spaghetti and Macaroni being a staple in most Filipino gathering, can remind us that there is so much for us to share with everyone and that each enjoyable moment is an opportunity to create real moments. The plan is to launch the advocacy campaign this holiday season by using the traditional Christmas reunion but eventually to progress to other family bonding moments. Here we are faced with an opportunity to create new traditions, which will reflect each family’s desire to have a more real meaningful connection that’s free from any distractions.

This is just the beginning for El Real in its pursuit to make real relevance to Filipino families. Let’s start creating Real Moments with El Real.

Make REAL moments this Holiday Season.

#REALunion #Realmoments

For more details, like and Follow El Real’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/iloveelreal/

Click the link to watch the videos: 

https://www.facebook.com/iloveelreal/posts/2100433859995752

 https://www.facebook.com/iloveelreal/videos/2280899115524105/.

Discovery Group Hotels & Resorts a member of TripAdvisor's "Most Excellent" large hotel chain

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, has earned the prestigious distinction of being named the number one “Most Excellent” large hotel chain in the world by TripAdvisor. For its first-ever “Most Excellent” awards, TripAdvisor selected the winners based on which brands have the highest percentage of Certificate of Excellence recipients globally for 2018. With 532 distinctive properties within its global brand portfolio boasting this prominent seal, Preferred Hotels & Resorts made the top of the list in the “large hotel chains” category (>500 hotels). 

Discovery Primea, Discovery Shores Boracay and Discovery Suites are all a part of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts portfolio, in the L.V.X, Lifestyle and Connect Collections respectively. All three were among the 532 member hotels receiving the prominent TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence seal in 2018, which brought Preferred Hotels & Resorts to the top of the list in the “large hotel chains” category (>500 hotels). 

“Being a part of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts is already an accomplishment in itself,” says Jun Parreño, Discovery World Corporation president. “This recognition by the TripAdvisor community, and the 2018 Certificate of Excellence seal, strengthens our world-class standing of The Discovery Leisure Company, Inc. properties. Our guests can continue to experience the luxury and award-winning service that Discovery properties are known for.” 

“This ‘Most Excellent’ award is testament to the dedication of our incredible member hotels that continuously inspire travelers by delivering genuine and memorable hospitality experiences in a way that only independent hotels can,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition by the TripAdvisor community, and look forward to connecting even more travelers to the unique story that each of our hotels has to share.” 

The Preferred Hotels and Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 700 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Properties that are part of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts brand assure discerning travelers that only the highest standards, unparalleled service, and a singular luxury hospitality experience is to be expected in the property they are staying in -- qualities that Discovery Primea, Discovery Shores Boracay and Discovery Suites are known for.

To learn more about TripAdvisor's "Most Excellent" awards and its methodology and to review the complete rankings, visit TripAdvisor's press room. 

To browse all of the independent hotel experiences available within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio, visit www.PreferredHotels.com.

Lights, Camera, Party at SM Cinema’s Event Cinema

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Have you ever imagined having an exclusive event at the cinema with your movie of choice playing? 

Look no further as SM Cinema brings you Event Cinema, a venue for special parties that make unforgettable moments come to life.

Event Cinema is located at SM Mall of Asia. It is equipped with a 4D theatre and holds a 45-seating capacity. From kiddie parties to corporate junctions, there’s a special package for any private function here. 

Have a particular theme in mind? No worries, as Event Cinema allows customized packages to fit every party need. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the party as Event Cinema takes care of every need including food, invitations, loot bags and decors. 

Book your events through www.smcinema.com/Home/eventcinema. You may also buy tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com, or get the SM Cinema app to book your ticket and skip the line. 

Download the SM Cinema app now through the App store and Google Play. Stay tuned to /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for more information.

Experience a breakthrough in digital entertainment experience at home with Globe Streamwatch Xtreme

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Globe launches the world’s first all-in-one home entertainment device for only P2999 

Introducing a global innovation in home Internet and entertainment technology, Globe Telecom launches Globe Streamwatch Xtreme - the world’s first all-in-one device with fast home internet, free local TV channels, and Internet TV with 1M videos, shows, and movies. 

Globe Streamwatch Xtreme has internet connection that is 2x faster, 2X stronger, 2x wider coverage than pocket wifi device. Since this is prepaid, you also have no monthly bill and it’s reloadable. Plus, you can watch clear live local free TV channels without eating into your load. It is also a Set Top Box which gives you the power to select and stream from a variety of online content like Youtube and Facebook videos and many more that everyone in the family can enjoy. 

“Content streaming and viewing are now one of the core activities of Filipino households. These are now how families spend quality time with one another at home,” says Martha Sazon, SVP and Head of Broadband Business at Globe Telecom. “Globe Streamwatch Xtreme is specifically designed to satisfy the Filipino customers’ cravings for the best and latest in international and local content in a more accessible, user-friendly and affordable way.” 

Multiple devices can be connected to the Globe Streamwatch Xtreme at the same time for the whole family. What’s more, Globe Streamwach Xtreme is also videoke-ready with two built-in microphone outlets for those who enjoy the signature Filipino home past time. 

Globe Streamwatch Xtreme is available in select Globe stores located in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal and regional centers, Cebu and Davao for an introductory price of P2999 (that’s P2000 off from the standard retail price of P4,999) starting December 15, 2018. With this new all-in-one device, Globe At Home Prepaid strengthens its commitment to providing the Filipino customer with the best that the international and local entertainment has to offer. 

Mang Inasal: where ‘solb’ eaters feast

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Mang Inasal turns 15 today. Since it opened its first store in Iloilo in 2003, this quick service restaurant has grown from a local must-visit store to the favorite hangout of ‘solb’ eaters throughout the country.

Mang Inasal’s 500th store, which opened in June 2018, showcases the latest design that considers customer convenience, production efficiency, and an aesthetic sense that gives a provincial, homey grillery vibe.

‘Solb’ eaters are those who go for delicious, satisfying Chicken Inasal, without qualms of eating it with their bare hands and usually with unli rice, doused with their favorite mix of chicken oil, soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi and chili.

“Seeing solb eaters feast in a Mang Inasal store is such a heartwarming sight!” said Mang Inasal Strategic Business Unit Head Jojo P. Subido. “It validates all the hard work we have put into running a restaurant whose menu carries superior tasting food and whose crew go the extra mile in delighting the customers.”

Proud of its evolution

Looking back at how the business has evolved, Mang Inasal takes pride in becoming the leading grilled chicken based on occasion and value shares in Metro Manila’s branded eat out category, a claim supported by a recent Kantar study.

“We are, indeed, very happy to note that Mang Inasal was able to reach this position,” Subido said. “We could not have done it without the support of all our valuable stakeholders – from franchisees and employees to our suppliers and customers.

“We cannot thank you enough for all your support through the years. With our continued partnership, we look forward to more milestones to achieve, both here and abroad,” Subido said.

Among the businesses under the Jollibee Foods Corporation, Mang Inasal is one of those who have grown significantly.

Team spirit and customer focus

“Teamwork drove such growth, the same spirit that enabled the Company to overcome the usual challenges confronting startups,” Subido shared.

“We painstakingly established a customer-centric mindset across our organization that prompted everyone to strictly comply with standards of food quality, workplace safety, and responsive service,” Subido said.

By setting in place an organization that provided strong manufacturing, restaurant services, and research and development support, Mang Inasal was likewise able to continually develop the consistent superior quality and taste of its flagship products -- Chicken Inasal and Pinoy Halo-Halo -- and elevate the customers' experience with the Brand.

Sustained business partnership

Mang Inasal also helped strengthen the capabilities of its partner Franchisees – who comprise 95 percent of the Company’s network of stores which this year, crossed the 500 mark. Apart from close coordination and monitoring, Mang Inasal saw to it that the Franchisees enjoy effective marketing, quality management and operational support.

In 2015 and 2017, respectively, Mang Inasal was recognized as the Outstanding Filipino Franchise in the Food Large Scale Category by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Franchise Association. Such feat earned for Mang Inasal a Hall of Fame distinction from the same award-giving organizations.

Perhaps the most tangible accomplishment of Mang Inasal is the improvement of its Brand image.

While it retained the same logo throughout the last 15 years to facilitate Brand recognition and recall, Mang Inasal did not leave any stone unturned in establishing solid positioning for its flagship and core products.

The irresistible claims of the “2-in-1 sa Laki, Nuot sa Ihaw Sarap” Chicken Inasal, the “So Creamy, So Sarap” Pinoy Halo-Halo, and the “Sizzling, Meaty Sarap” Pork Sisig further enticed the market not only to try these products, but to keep on coming back for more.

Strong brand image

Another factor, of course, has been the ‘unlimited rice’ offering that the customers have come to associate with dining at Mang Inasal. 

Supported by deliberate, sustained, and integrated on-ground activations that engaged customers all throughout the archipelago, as well as the online promotions that captured the attention of Millennials and Generation Z netizens, Mang Inasal has become a leading player in the branded eat out category.

“We are happy to note that Mang Inasal is slowly getting to where it aspires to be: a strong national icon,” Subido said. “We still have so much to do but the formidable team spirit we share with our various stakeholders will see us through as we intend to stay in the market for the long haul!”

Mang Inasal intends to further expand its network and hit 1000 stores within the next five years, while maintaining a predominantly franchised mix. Also afoot are plans to enter the international market.