Monthly Archives

June 2020

Entertainment

Gareth.T Releases His First Single, ‘best me i can’

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T has released his first single via Singapore based indie label Umami Records – ‘best me i can’. A smooth R&B song filled with lush harmonies and soulful grooves, ‘best me i can’ is about making the most of our short lives, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves.

Currently based in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Gareth.T shares his personal story behind the song: “I wrote this song after my grandma passed away recently. Even though we weren’t that close and it didn’t emotionally affect me too much, it really got me thinking about how short and fragile life is, and that time doesn’t really stop for anyone. So in the song I kinda reflect on my 20 years of life, and I’ve come to a conclusion, that I’m going to try to be the best me I can, everyday.”

Being a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer allows Gareth.T the complete creative freedom to express his own unique style, and you can hear this throughout his repertoire. In this self-produced track, Gareth.T takes influences from 80s/90s R&B and combines them with modern elements like the drums and 808s, creating a novel blend of new and old.

“I think the line ‘best me I can’ would be the most important thing in the song, and the part I like the most as it’s a really simple concept to get. But with some lush harmonies and the soulful groove, the cheesiness of the line is taken away.”, said Gareth.T.

Gareth.T has been releasing a track every month in 2020 and will be keeping up this prolific pace moving forward.

‘best me i can’ by Gareth.T is available everywhere at this link: https://www.umamirecords.sg/best-me-i-can/

About Gareth.T

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T coalesces the smooth tones of R&B and the rough edges of hip-hop music, using his diverse musical experience to tell his unique story.

Currently based in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Gareth.T was born and raised in Hong Kong, bringing an eastern metropolitan perspective to his music. A classically trained violinist, Gareth.T is also a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer, allowing him the complete creative freedom to express his own unique style.

Gareth invites you to accompany him on his journey throughout this year as he continues to craft his soulful, experimental soundscape.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

 

 

June 12, 2020 by
Lifestyle

Bonifacio High Street is ready to welcome you back with safest ways

BGC High Street Shopper

As Bonifacio High Street (BHS) welcome everyone back to the new normal. With this new way of living, BHS ensures safe and hassle-free shopping and dining experiences that cater to the needs of the BGC community. They ensure that stringent sanitation standards are in place together with safety protocols for its patrons. Moreover, social distancing measures are being strictly implemented within the mall’s premises, all of which are designed to facilitate ease of movement while guaranteeing convenience for mall-goers.

Treading new ground with safe and innovative ideas

BGC also introduced a number of initiatives that aim to make people’s shopping and dining experience more convenient and hassle-free.

BGC High Street Curbside

Among these is High Street Curbside , which allows customers to easily contact their favorite stores, place orders and settle payments in advance, and schedule pick-ups at designated areas by simply driving-by without having to get out of their cars.

For those who need personalized assistance, another option is to avail of BGC’s High Street Shopper. Done in partnership with the MyKuya app, this allows anyone to book the services of a personal shopper for a specified period of time who can assist with a variety of errands within BGC – from buying food items, shopping for goods, or even paying for bills.

Once the tasks are completed, customers can choose to have the items delivered to their homes or to pick these up from the designated drive-by or pick-up areas in Bonifacio High Street.

Bonifacio High Street Takeaway Street

Food is always in high demand, which is why BHS has launched Takeaway Street — an initiative where all transactions are made safely at the store front. You just simply order, pay, and wait for your purchases at the designated waiting areas which are guaranteed to be safe and organized for the convenience of their citizens and delivery partners.

Bonifacio High Street x Grab Food

As an added bonus, Bonifacio High Street has also partnered with Grab Food to offer discounts to all those who will order from select BHS restaurants and merchants. You can now give in to your cravings without having to leave the comforts of home plus you can enjoy free delivery and P100 off your Grab Food orders for a minimum spend of P800 from participating Bonifacio High Street restaurants from June 15 to July 15, 2020.

Safely welcoming BGCitizens back

We’ve gone through a lot in the past couple of months, #BGCitizens. Taking a much-needed pause. Collectively healing. Apart, yet united. As we transition into a post-quarantine reality, know that BHS, your 2nd home, will continue to be at your service, safely and responsibly. We’re ready for you. Safely welcoming you back. ❤️

Posted by Bonifacio High Street on Sunday, May 31, 2020

With safety as our number one priority, fully automated and highly accurate thermal imaging scanners have been installed in different mall entrances (see how it works in this video ) .These scanners are non-contact and have the ability to measure multiple mall-goers’ temperature at the same time. As an added security feature, these cameras can also help detect shoplifters and pickpockets through facial recognition once they have been registered in the system. Learn more about how the mall is adapting to the new normal through this video . With the help of the hardworking frontliners, new top-of-line equipment, and hassle-free services, Bonifacio High Street is indeed adapting to the new normal and is ready to safely welcome back each and every BGCitizen!

Let us all continue to rise above this challenging time as a community! For more details and updates, check out Bonifacio High Street’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet/

*** The mall is open from 10am to 7pm daily.

June 12, 2020 by
Entertainment

Singapore Pop Artist Dominic Chin Releases BETTER via Umami Records

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin has released BETTER, the fifth single of his 7-track debut EP License To Cry, via indie label Umami Records.

BETTER is a poppy, free-spirited song about the joys of being high on love. Dominic Chin shares: “This song is inspired by love! There’s a quote that says ‘falling in love is the best high without breaking the law’, and I fully agree! The whole chorus talks about how flowers smell better, time passes much slower, the sky is BLUE-ER. How you don’t ever want time to stop when you’re with the person you love.”

Fun, playful melodies accompany Dominic’s beautiful and infectious vocals, leading up to unapologetically brash and compelling choruses which he proudly belts out. “I felt like it needed a quirky aspect too, and that’s why I sang ‘You-you-you’ with a slight yodle. AND I love showing off my whistling skills. I have been practicing for years, finally I can properly show it off!” shared Dominic.

Dominic Chin invites us to embrace the unbridled joy and warmth that emanate in his song: “Sometimes we are afraid to love because we are afraid to be hurt, and we don’t say what we feel as much, we don’t communicate enough. Let this song be a dedication to your significant other. Being in love is scary but it’s one of the most beautiful things in the world for humans to experience. ‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.’”

A music video follows this release, as well as a custom Instagram AR filter, which fans can use to get the same “hearts on face” makeup (without the mess) as seen in Dominic’s music video and album art. The rest of Dominic Chin’s EP will be released in the second half of 2020, leading up to his debut show at the Esplanade Singapore on 21 August.

BETTER by Dominic Chin is available everywhere at this link: https://www.umamirecords.sg/better/

Try out the Instagram AR filter here: https://instagram.com/ar/3717599598310896/

 

June 5, 2020 by
Food

Araneta City now open more stores

Finally one of my favorite mall, Araneta City has may stores open now and ready to provide essential needs. If your craving for sumptous treats for the foodies, there are dozens of dining options open to satisfy your appetite. If you’re looking for some Filipino favorites, Max’s Restaurant and Cafe Adriatico in Gateway Mall or Barrio Fiesta in Ali Mall might be perfect for you. For international flavors, there’s Taco Bell in Cyberpark 1, Pizza Hut in Cyberpark 2, Tokyo Tokyo in Ali Mall, and Sachi and Gloria Maris in Gateway Mall to please your palate. Dairy Queen is also open to cater to your sweet tooth. But if fast food is more your style, Popeye’s in Ali Mall and McDonald’s in the New Frontier Theater Arcade are also serving some well-loved fares.

For those looking for refreshing drinks to help cool off amid the summer heat, Starbucks Coffee, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Macao Imperial Tea are open in Gateway Mall. Tim Hortons in New Frontier Theater Arcade is also ready to fulfill your craving for coffee and some delectable snacks.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning to start some home improvement projects and repairs while quarantining at home, Handyman in Ali Mall is open. Japan Home Center and Daiso Japan, both in Farmers Plaza, are also complete with various imported knick knacks to spruce up your abode. For those with a green thumb, Farmers Garden is stocked with supplies for your gardening needs.

Malls within Araneta City resume normal business operations starting June 1, but other essential services such as groceries, money remittance services, banks, and wet markets continue to operate to serve their customers.

Senior Vice President for Operations of Araneta City, Antonio Mardo said, “We are eager to welcome people here in Araneta City. More and more stores are now open to provide essential items and services. We have also put in place measures that are in line with the government’s guidelines to make sure that our customers’ health and safety are prioritized.”

All dining establishments provide take-out and/or delivery services and implement strict hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees. Establishments within Araneta City are also encouraging shoppers to use contactless payment methods to limit physical interactions. Social distancing directives and disinfection procedures are also implemented in Araneta City in accordance with the government’s regulations.

For a complete list of open establishments in Araneta City and their operating hours, click this link:  https://bit.ly/2yBDybW. Like and follow Araneta City on Facebook at facebook.com/AranetaCity.

June 5, 2020 by
Food

Pizza Hut reopens more branches, provide worry-free options for take-out orders

Take out worry free

Now that quarantine measures being loosened, Pizza Hut reopens more branches in Metro Manila and various area in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Good news to the pizza lovers like me who enjoying eating pizza, pasta and other pizza hut specialty that you’re craving for. Now more convenient as Pizza Hut reopens more branches around the country and introduces new ways to take out your favorite dishes.

Pizza Hut marketing manager Lorent Adrias said, “Now that more branches are open,  we are eager  to see our customers and we have made certain we are implementing strict health and safety measures to guarantee  they are protected when they visit our stores.”

To ensure the well-being of customers and employees, they are required to practice physical distancing inside the restaurant. Food products are served at a safe distance to minimize contact. Team members follow secure preparation, dispatch, and serving procedures. All surfaces are also regularly sanitized.

Customers who intend to visit their nearest Pizza Hut branch are advised to wear a face mask as a ‘no mask, no entry’ policy is strictly enforced. Temperature checks and hand and footwear sanitation are also being implemented.

Car pick-up

Pizza Hut offers convenient take-out options as well such as Click and Collect, where customers may order through the Pizza Hut website and then pick it up from the nearest store. Another option is Pizza Hut’s Car Pick-up, all customers need to do is call 8911-1111 and place their orders at least one hour in advance, drive up to their choice of participating store, open their trunk when instructed by a Pizza Hut team member, and drive away with their order.

“We’ve made certain all Pizza Hut stores nationwide provide safe and worry-free options for take-out orders. This is to guarantee customers can have peace of mind whenever they visit any of our branches,” Adrias said.

For a complete list of open branches, please check this link https://bit.ly/2LYzVjo. Like and follow Pizza Hut on Facebook at facebook.com/pizzahutphilippines., follow Pizza Hut on Instagram at instagram.com/pizzahutphils and Twitter at twitter.com/pizzahutphils. You may also visit their website at www.pizzahut.com.ph.

 

June 4, 2020 by
Entertainment

Rico Blanco composition “Liwanag sa Dilim” used to raise funds for frontliners through the Philippine Red Cross

 

Rico Blanco

Facing more challenges brought about by the coronavirus crisis and embrace change is the new normal the best way to meet these challenges head on. Well Filipinos have gone above themselves to become a hero to one another. This just goes to show that even in the darkest moments, we can continue to show our solidarity and togetherness. Through the little acts of bayanihan of Filipinos, Safeguard created the BayaniHands Project. “BayaniHands” focuses on the power of safe hands, and how they can become a force for good during these times.

The BayaniHands Project of the brand was launched through a heart-warming video featuring a cover of the Rico Blanco & Rivermaya classic, Liwanag sa Dilim, while showing real-life acts of bayanihan each and every Filipino does to be each other’s light in these trying times. The project was also created to show how much we appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices our frontliners have done for the people of our country.

Touched by this video, Filipino Rock Icon Rico Blanco, who composed Liwanag Sa Dilim, recorded and posted a special at-home performance of the song. This was his way of showing support for P&G Safeguard’s BayaniHands Project and uplifting our frontliners. “Bilang suporta sa BayaniHands Project, kung saan nag raise sila ng funds para sa frontliners through the Philippine Red Cross, naisip ko gumawa rin ng quarantine version ng Liwanag sa Dilim. Pagbigay pugay ko rin sa mga ating mga modern day heroes,” said Rico.

Liwanag Sa Dilim 2020

I was inspired after seeing the P&G Safeguard Philippines video where they used my composition, Liwanag Sa Dilim (check it out here http://tiny.cc/BayaniHands). This quarantine recording is my little contribution to raise more awareness for their BayaniHands Project, where they raise funds for frontliners through the Philippine Red Cross.I hope you enjoy this video, and if you can, please donate to the cause here: https://lzd.co/BayaniHands.Stay safe everyone.#LiwanagSaDilim2020 #BayaniHands#SafeguardPH

Posted by Rico Blanco on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

As we continue to show how much we appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices our frontliners have done for the people of our country, we hope to encourage everyone to continue joining hands and be each other’s light amidst these trying times by contributing to the P&G Safeguard BayaniHands project. Every donation done through Lazada will be used to help in the frontliner efforts of the Philippine Red Cross.

Support the cause by clicking on this link: https://lzd.co/BayaniHands.

Together, let’s make our safe hands a force for good and be each other’s “Liwanag sa Dilim”. For the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands, please visit http://www.pg.com

 

 

 

June 4, 2020 by
Food, News

Eden Celebrates National Cheese Day with the 2,000 indigent families during Uncertain Times

Three months into what can only be described as the most unprecedented event in this lifetime. This is a trying time for everyone, regardless of where you are. So my favorite and country’s favorite cheese brand, Eden marks the special day as the internet-proclaimed National Cheese Day on June 4. By providing ways for families to make ordinary moments more special and give comfort during these uncertain times to the Filipino families is what Eden cheese has been doing for the past four decades and what people need most which Eden cheese is ready to provide.

Eden Cheese Brand Manager Kristen Mendoza said, “Our purpose is to nurture family connections with every savor-worthy meal. Despite the uncertainty of our current situation, we can still make the most out of our time at home. No family moment is too ordinary to share. We can cherish togetherness and bond over home-cooked dishes which are made more delicious with Eden Cheese.”

Eden cheese, together with partner Rise Against Hunger, thought to celebrate the role that cheese plays in our lives and kitchens by sharing snack products with the latter’s adopted community in Laguna.

“We wanted to show our support to the families of Rise Against Hunger’s community in Calauan, Laguna by celebrating National Cheese Day. We provided Eden family packs to 2,000 vulnerable families. We hope the enjoyable meals they can make together as a family and with Eden cheese, brings them some comfort during these uncertain times,” shares Mendoza.

The beneficiaries families also received other snack products from the brand’s maker, Mondelez Philippines, has been sharing its snack products to health front liners and communities in danger of facing hunger since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. Their contribution has amounted to some P14 million worth of products distributed by partners like Rise Against Hunger and more than 40 other organizations and individuals nationwide. The Eden Cheese packs shared with families is one of the ways the Company aims to show that as a nation, we are #StrongerTogether.

“It’s so important to keep extending support to communities and families at this difficult time. This crisis has impacted everyone, and more so the families who have little. We thank Eden Cheese for providing comfort to the families, so that at home they can experience small moments of delight as we endeavor to get through this crisis as one nation, “ said Jomar Fleras, Executive Director of Rise Against Hunger.

To know more about Mondelez International and Mondelez Philippines visit: www.mondelezinternational.com; https://ph.mondelezinternational.com/home or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

 

June 3, 2020 by
Food, News

McDonald’s shares enhanced safety protocols with DTI

[From left: McDonald’s Assistant Vice President for Operations Rommel Ong, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Ruth Castelo, McDonald’s President and CEO Kenneth Yang, Chairman of House Committee on Trade and Industry Congressman Wes Gatchalian, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Task Force against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.]

Flattening the curve is a health strategy to slow down the spread of the virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety and sanitation remain to be the top concerns of Filipinos and McDonald’s Philippines has further reinforced their commitment to quality, safety and cleanliness.

During the visit of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led by Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Task Force against Covid-19 Chief Implemente Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and Chairman of House Committee on Trade and Industry Congressman Wes Gatchalian, McDonald’s showed that it is ready for dine-in with its safety protocols for employees and customers in place.

“McDonald’s has always been strict and committed when it comes to quality, safety and cleanliness. This has always been part of our DNA.  We have global standards and protocols when it comes to food safety and quality from sourcing to serving, sanitation of our stores, and most importantly, safety of people—our own employees, and customers. As we face the new normal, we assure everyone that it is safe to enjoy your favorite World Famous Fries or Best Tasting Chicken McDo either dine-in or through McDelivery, Drive-Thru, Take Out and even pick up option,” says Kenneth S. Yang, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Philippines.

“We are happy with the preparation of McDonald’s. We appreciate the preventive measures for customers and even for their employees.” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Even prior to the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine, McDonald’s Philippines has already introduced a couple of precautionary measures such as its No-Touch McDelivery and Drive-Thru, more frequent handwashing and temperature check for its employees,use of facial masks and gloves by all restaurant personnel and availability of sanitizers for customers, among others.

QSR giant reinforces quality, safety and cleanliness as the McDonald’s shares their protocols for dine-in and for other ordering channels such as McDelivery and Drive-Thru:

1.Employee safety first. Protecting People has been a guiding principle for McDonald’s. In order to ensure that every person in every store is safe, the company has set the following measures aside from the safety minimums of wearing a facial mask, temperature check and frequent handwashing:

  • Daily health check before shift
  • Additional safety PPE such as hand gloves
  • Physical distancing in all areas of the store as well as the kitchen area, and crew and manager’s room
  • Care kits for restaurant teams with vitamins, face mask and sanitizers for personal use

2.A safe dine-in customer experience. The company has set new policies and made store adjustments to assure its customers. These are:

  • No mask, no entry
  • One door policy
  • Managed entry of customers
  • Temperature check for customers
  • Hand sanitation and footwear disinfection for customers
  • Protective acrylic shields installed in counters and dining area
  • Cashless payment options available
  • Tray provision for cash payment
  • Table service: crew will serve orders to their customers on their tables to avoid crowding in the claiming area
  • Take out Waiting Area: dedicated waiting area for take out orders, separate from dine-in area
  • Availability of hand sanitizers for customers
  • Physical Distancing in all areas including hand sink area and restrooms
  • More frequent sanitation of highly-touched surfaces

No-touch policy measures will continue to be observed for Drive-Thru and McDelivery. Playplaces will be closed and common customer areas like water dispensers, gravy refill and reusable utensils will be disallowed for everyone’s safety.

 

 

June 2, 2020 by
Entertainment

Ben&Ben to release a song inspired by a fan’s heartbreaking story

Award-winning Filipino band, Ben&Ben will drop their new single, “Lifetime” on June 4 (12 midnight, Thursday) via Sony Music.

The intricately produced, folk-pop ballad was written as a response to a fan’s YouTube comment on their hit song “Pagtingin,” which to date, has amassed more than a hundred million streams on YouTube and Spotify combined.

The fan, who goes by the alias of “Anne Jou,” shared her story of regretting not being able to express her feelings because she was afraid to lose the friendship.

“…instead of telling him what I actually felt, I hid and buried my feelings. And you know what happens to feelings that are buried? They grow. The like I felt for him became love. I wrote poems, songs. After 8 years, I attended his wedding [last] January. And guess what? The world is really overly-cruel. Before his wedding, he thanked me for being his best friend and told me that before he met the girl he got married to, he loved me first. For 5 years. But he was also scared of losing me so he just decided to keep it. I was shocked and I slightly had anger towards the world. We didn’t know that if only one of us dared to make a move, a lifetime was waiting for us. So people, while you can, please express how you really feel so that in the end you won’t regret anything.”

The nine-piece collective decided to make song inspired by a fan’s online confession—a proof of how powerful and moving words can be, when shared from a place of earnestness and raw honesty.

Notwithstanding the technical limitations and struggles in recording brought about by the pandemic, Ben&Ben pulled through in a few days and finished the song in their respective homes with just their instruments and a studio software.

The intimate recording session led to what is “Lifetime” now: an emotionally affecting song that leaves us wondering, what could have happened if we only mustered the courage to admit our feelings to the person we’re pining for, regardless of the outcome?

“Lifetime” was mixed by veteran sound engineer JP Verona, and mastered by Grammy Award-winning Leon Zervos (Pink, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Beastie Boys, and Willie Nelson). It was written by Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin, and recorded and produced by Ben&Ben.

 

June 2, 2020 by
News

PLDT Enterprise adapts to new strategic campaign under the ‘new normal’

Day Zero Visual

The economic and markets effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the world will continue their free fall or negative effect, not unless the pandemic is stopped or pushing organizations and businesses taking extraordinary actions to propel them through the crisis in order to survive.

The difficulties brought about by the global pandemic challenged the business climate: some businesses faced bankruptcy risks while most businesses halted operations completely. Other businesses, however, were able to persist as they shifted towards online and digital.

Technology has become a critical tool for businesses wishing to thrive during and after the pandemic. PLDT Enterprise—the b2b arm of the Philippines’ leading ICT and digital services provider—aims to support businesses in this endeavor with its latest strategic thrust.

“We at PLDT Enterprise stand with all the organizations in the private and public sector. As an ICT provider, we place it upon ourselves to help businesses rediscover and reinvent themselves using technology,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.

PLDT Enterprise New Day

PLDT Enterprise welcomes the starting point of a new age for business where digital adoption becomes key. In order to operate under the ‘new normal’, enterprises have to invest in digital technologies that would strengthen their business resilience and enable them to mitigate disruptions in the future.

“When the quarantine gets lifted, there is simply no way that our lives will resume as if this had never happened. Businesses can never return back to business as usual, and they will definitely need to assume new ways of working and connecting to their customers,” Hernandez added.

One of the disruptions brought about by COVID-19 was the recalibration of business models among organizations. For instance, digital learning has now been put into the mainstream, brick-and-mortar businesses were forced to adopt e-commerce platforms, and multiple other industries sought to provide contactless transactions. And PLDT Enterprise intends to support more businesses in these digital transformation initiatives with its wide range of fixed, wireless, and ICT solutions.

“Our ultimate goal at PLDT Enterprise to make a positive impact on every single business. And we wish to do that by providing the information and communications technology requirements of businesses across industries that will enable them to become more resilient and prepared for any other future disruption,” Hernandez said.

PLDT Enterprise is currently strengthening its fiber solution for businesses and is coming up with more tailor-fit digital solutions to ensure their continued operations while at home.

And with the ‘new normal’ requiring heavy reliance on technology, businesses will need to start investing and digitizing their business processes and assets. Moving forward, they can offload to data centers and cloud-based services of PLDT Enterprise so they can focus on their core business. “They say recover, rebuild. No! We say rediscover, reinvent! And technology is the enabler,” Hernandez said.

Furthermore, Hernandez stressed on the importance of shaping a new ecosystem of business which he identifies essential for national development after the global pandemic. “When industries embrace digital adoption, we can create a resilient ecosystem where all of us synergize our capabilities to yield business outcomes that are far greater than what each of us could have achieved. Today marks that beginning. Let’s step into a New Day. Every day is a New Day!” Hernandez concluded.

To learn more about, visit pldtenterprise.com.

 

 

June 2, 2020 by