Monthly Archives

July 2021

Entertainment

Featuring Spongecola the first ever fan-powered online show for ‘TikTok By Request’

With the current situation in our country physical experience of music is impossible as of the moment. The need for connection remains as strong as ever since TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, is launching a new series of live events on the platform, TikTok By Request. This first ever fan-powered online show in the Philippines that will give fans the chance to call the shots, and create a musical show that they want to see, adding a personal touch to a livestream. This is especially true for artists and their fans. Nothing beats the feeling of listening to your favorite band or artist live, surrounded by fellow fans swaying to the same beat. Events like these have the power to turn a group strangers into a community, deeply connected by their common love for music.

The first episode of TikTok By Request will be headlined by Filipino rock band Spongecola, living legends of the local music scene. In addition to Spongecola, up-and-coming singer-songwriter, Raven, will be opening the show. The special online concert will stream on July 31, Saturday, 8:00 PM through TikTok Philippines, as well as on Spongecola and Raven’s TikTok accounts.

Through TikTok By Request, fans will also get the rare chance to participate in building the band’s set list for the show as they vote for the songs that they want to hear. To vote, users may type Spongecola on the TikTok search bar or click on the Spongecola banner found on the TikTok Discover page, from July 23 to 25. As an added treat, Spongecola will release a special surprise if fans work together to hit the target coins quota during the online concert. Top gifters during the stream will also receive a gift from the band.

Download now the TikTok on your  iOS and Android devices to enjoy a one-of-a-kind concert, connect with your favorite artist and discover new music experience that only TikTok By Request can deliver!

 

 

Entertainment

With broad and engaging entertainment, Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021 goes digital

This year, Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) celebrates its second digital edition, with the goal of raising awareness and knowledge of OPM musicians from all over the globe through a variety of social media platforms. The weeklong festival will feature a wide range of music events, including concerts and gigs, open mic competitions, special launches, workshops, and a lecture series. From July 23 to August 1, a series of virtual events will be broadcast live on Facebook and KUMU. We had a zoom meeting with the special persons that lead this year’s Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021. It is so much fun and full of learning engaging in this kind of event. I felt proud and delighted because even in this time of pandemic we still had the chance to preserve and deliver our very own culture through this kind of entertainment. It will surely help the young ones to be more informed and be amazed by our music and culture.

Aside from a diverse set of homegrown talents performing online, LMP also partners with key and emerging stakeholders in the music industry such as AmiananPop, MinPop, Kadasig & Artist Ko, Soupstar Music, and Warner Music Philippines to ensure that artists with different backgrounds, and from different regions, are given equal opportunities to perform and engage with the community.

As Christian Bautista puts it, “We wanted there to be a balance between independent artists and mainstream/signed artists from all over the country and to try to cover as many styles and genres as possible. OPM already has a large roster of artists and we wanted to be able to feature as many as we can from the organization. We took into consideration their music and styles as well as the platforms that they are active in for the artists performing the LMP DigiGigs.”

Aside from the music shows and online concerts featuring the roster of PhilPop’s past champions and finalists, LMP is partnering with PETA for a special online showcase featuring the songs from Rak Of Aegis, as well as songwriting and learning opportunities that are spearheaded by the institution’s other partners, FILSCAP and PhilPop.

Even as the music industry is struggling to get back to its former glory and a lot of plans are derailed by the pandemic, LMP refuses to back down in its efforts to persevere and push through with mounting an online celebration that champions Filipino musicians not just from Metro Manila, but also from other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and the rest of the globe.

Hence, the tagline ‘Ituloy Ang Awitan’ was formed. In the words of LMP Project Manager Gab Cabangon, it was developed as part of a “desire to just challenge the situation that we are in.” He explains, “We wanted to highlight how Filipino Music is here to stay and will continue to be a part of our lives and a sense of hope despite the challenges in these trying times. The creation and support of Filipino music should never stop because our songs are able to reflect the story and the culture of the Filipino people.”

OPM Icon and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon maintains that nothing can stop this important milestone in the history of Philippine music from happening. He reaffirms, “In an ideal situation, we would have wanted to have live shows and concerts so that fans of Filipino Music will get to have that real-life concert experience once again. But of course, there are a lot of considerations that we have to make. Our priority is to mount this festival safely and responsibly for everyone. For the time being, the social media platforms are a suitable alternative to allow artists to perform without the health risks brought about by the pandemic.”

LMP has been there since 2014 and has proven itself as the top yearly music festival of Filipino music, organized and produced by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, Sandwich, 6cyclemind, Gracenote, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, PhilPop Grand Champions reon and Chud Festejo, Miss Ramonne, Warner Music Philippines singers Ferdinand Aragon and Y ARA, and many more will lead this year’s edition.

Private enterprises like Max’s Restaurant, KUMU and KUMUSIKA, The Medical City, and Shopee are also supporting this event.

 

 

Entertainment

On September 5, “Running Man” will have an online fan meetup via TikTok.

On September 5, “Running Man,” a South Korean variety TV show, will have an online fan gathering via TikTok, the world’s leading short-form mobile video platform. Since its debut in 2010, the SBS variety show “Running Man” has grown in popularity around the world. Running Man members have been visiting their fans in several countries with fan meet-ups and performances since 2013.

Running Man’s overseas fan meetings and performances have been populsar in many regions like Southeast Asia. Previous fan meetings have been successful such as the Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam event in December 2019 and the Manila fan meeting which had to be rescheduled due to the COVID 19 outbreak. However, despite the hurdles, the Manila fan meeting is still recognized as one of the best K-performances, selling out tickets within one hour of going on sale.

The “Running Man 2021 Online Fan Meeting” will be planned and produced by NP C&C, a subsidiary of NPInc., a brand experience content solutions company, and will be held at NP XR STAGE. The fan meeting will also be broadcasted live on the global short-form mobile video platform, TikTok.

Jay Bae, head of global business development at TikTok Korea told, “TikTok’s paid live feature was first introduced in May and we have received positive feedback as well as meaningful results afterwards, including Lotte Duty Free Online Family Concert, Beautiful Mint Life 2021, and FOREST 21 Epik High Concert. TikTok will continue to make efforts to provide better customer experiences to domestic and foreign users.”

Tickets for the “Running Man 2021 Online Fan Meeting” will go on sale on July 16 at 12 p.m. (PST) through SM Tickets and various overseas ticket companies. On September 5, at 6 p.m. (PST), the show will be broadcast live in six languages: Korean, English, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian.

 

Entertainment

On the music video for Zack Tabudlo’s “Hindi Ko Kaya,” Paolo Avelino and Charlie Dizon reunite.

On the music video for Zack Tabudlo’s “Hindi Ko Kaya.” best actress Charlie Dizon and fourth EDDYS best actor Paolo Avelino reunite with renowned filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone.

They collaborated on Jadaone’s hit drama, Fan Girl, that launched in Japan at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival last year and swept the Metro Manila Film Festival 2020 prizes, namely Best Picture and Best Director, as well as acting nominations for both stars.

As experts in helming coming-of-age narratives that feature realistic portrayal of romantic relationships, Jadaone and her team Project 8, deliver a contemplative material that speaks as much to the mind as to the heart. The end result is a lovely but melancholic piece of work that not only complements the song’s lyrical foundations, but also arrives as a stand-alone achievement in filmmaking, partly because of its captivating storytelling and heartfelt sentimentality.

“It was such an honor working with another legend,” says Zack Tabudlo. “Direk Dan Villegas which is the director of Binibini and also her boyfriend, works with the same production team so the similarity of the environment is there.”

In the culture of Zack Tabudlo’s songs being lauded as contemporary anthems that represent this decade’s collective feelings through strong visual terms, “Hindi Ko Kaya” is destined to be another smash in the vein of the “Binibini” music video, which has managed to amass more than 20 million views on YouTube and was directed by Jadaone’s partner Dan Villegas. Zack Tabudlo’s “ Hindi Ko Kaya” music video is now available on YouTube.

Follow Zack Tabudlo: https://zacktabudlo.lnk.to/FollowZack

Follow MCA Music: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube

About Zack Tabudlo
Zack Tabudlo is an alternative-pop RnB artist from Manila Philippines, signed under Island Records Philippines. He hit the ground running when he began his music career, becoming a finalist for reality talent show Talentadong Pinoy at the age of 10 but he is very well known as a contestant under Team Bamboo in The Voice Kids Season 1.
Among his influences are contemporary pop chart-toppers Charlie Puth, Harry Styles, and Island Records label-mate Shawn Mendes. But with all these influences, Zack approaches the genre of pop with his own distinct approach. His artistry can be characterized as a tasteful blend of R&B, soft rock, funk and vocally driven pop.
With a slew of catchy singles under his belt, all leading up to what’s looking to be a promising full-length in the future, the young musician is gaining momentum. His hustle may have been riding below the radar, but one can expect 2021 to be Zack’s year. To date, Zack’s latest single ‘Binibini’ has topped both the Spotify and YouTube trending charts for more than a month, and also breaking through Spotify Global Viral, several Spotify viral charts in Asia-Pacific countries including Canada and New Zealand – making Binibini one of the biggest songs of 2021 so far. His other track ‘Nangangamba,’ which was released in 2020, also peaked at No.1 on both Spotify Global Viral 50 and Philippines Viral 50
Food

Kain Tayo Pilipinas was established to aid in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines.

Kain Tayo, Pilipinas! The private sector, in collaboration with non-government organizations (NGOs) and government partners, launches Kain Tayo Pilipinas, the flagship program of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, a multi sectoral movement behind Task Force Zero Hunger which aims to eradicate hunger in the country. Present during the program (from left to right) Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe Philippines Ken Lingan, Private Sector Lead of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Margot Torres, Kain Tayo Pilipinas Lead Kristine Go, Task Force Zero Hunger Chairman Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, and National Program Head of Kusina ng Kalinga of Gawad Kalinga Mark Lawrence Cruz. National Nutrition Council Executive Director, Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, also gave a speech through a pre-recorded video.

The private sector, in coordination with NGOs and government partners, introduces KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS, an action plan that encourages us all, such as the general public, to help sustain more Filipino children and provide nutrition information to families to help lessen malnutrition, particularly among children aged 5 and under. I also acquired so much information from the zoom meeting I joined in with the persons behind this endeavor which there they tackles about the aim of this campaign and the good thing it will brought especially to the children

Watch the program’s film here (link).

KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS is a main duty of the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) movement, which is led by private corporations, the media, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Science and Technology-FNRI, and the National Nutrition Council. This is a new milestone in the multi-sectoral movement’s quest to uplift Filipino lives and help achieve Zero Hunger, which was launched during Nutrition Month.

Malnutrition may result in irreparable consequences that will harm them for the long haul. One in every three Filipino children is malnourished, and additional children are at risk as a result of the pandemic’s effects. The goal of the effort is to supplement feeding programs with nutrition education.

Kain Tayo Pilipinas Lead Kristine Go shared the value and relevance of education in addressing the country’s hunger and malnutrition issue.

“The first 1,000 days of life are the most crucial to every child’s growth. We want to have nutritional intervention at the earliest stage because it’s not enough that Filipinos don’t go hungry, we also have to ensure that each individual is getting the right amount of nutrients to set them up for a healthy life,” shared KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS lead Kristine Go of Unilever Philippines.

Partners from NGOs, private companies, digital and media organizations join together for Kain Tayo Pilipinas to help feed and equip Filipino families with nutrition education.
In photo: KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS Media and Digital Partners (L-R) Mabelle del Mundo of ABS-CBN, Carlo Aguas of GCash, Gillian Largoon of GMA, and John Rubio of Facebook Philippines

The initiative is a collaboration of NGOS: ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Kusina ng Kalinga, Project Pearls, Rise Against Hunger, World Food Programme Philippines and Philippine Business for Social Progress; private sector companies: Aboitiz, Century Tuna, foodpanda, Grab, Johnson and Johnson, Lazada, McDonald’s, Nestle, PayMaya, SUN Business Network, Unilever, Universal Robina Corporation; media and digital partners: ABS-CBN, Academ-E, Facebook, GCash and GMA and communications and production partners: Publicis Groupe Philippines, Slingshot Manila, Film Pabrika and Greenbulb Communications.

Partners from NGOs, private companies, digital and media organizations join together for Kain Tayo Pilipinas to help feed and equip Filipino families with nutrition education.
                                                              In photo: KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS Workstream 2 Members (L-R)
From Unilever: Kristine Go, Brian Chanyungco, Meyrick Principe, and Jerika Vilan;
Crismer Tiria of Johnson and Johnson, Jie Combalicer of Standard Insurance, Rommel Gonzales of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Ken Lingan of Publicis Groupe Philippines, and Margot Torres of McDonald’s

The three-fold approach of feeding, education and collaboration guides the movement in being able to holistically address the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the country. The feeding programs of the various organizations will be complemented by an education program to ensure that families are equipped to sustainably provide nutritious meals for everyone in the household. An analytics map will be utilized during the rollout to maintain zero overlap in the efforts of all participating partners of the movement. Another aspect is the call for the public’s participation to help reach more Filipino communities nationwide.


CEO of Publicis Groupe Philippines, Mr. Ken Lingan officially launched the Kain Tayo Pilipinas film.

“It is very Filipino to use “Kain Tayo” as a greeting, and it is more often pleasantry rather than a real invitation to eat. We wanted to give a deeper meaning to this phrase, and it is our hope that by coming together and rallying all to help, we will be able to say “Kain Tayo” to millions of our hungry countrymen,” explains Publicis Groupe Philippines CEO, Ken Lingan.

Educating parents for sustained impact

Aside from providing meals, the initiative also covers teaching sessions and distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding, maternal and child supplementation, dietary diversity, low-cost fortified food, and sanitation to arm parents with knowledge they can apply everyday.

These educational efforts are aligned with the ongoing community and national nutrition programs developed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health’s National Nutrition Council (NNC) and Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). Kain Tayo Pilipinas will produce NNC and FNRI-approved materials such as a Mother’s Book for self-care and proper dietary planning in the child’s first 1,000 days as well as educational videos to complement the discussions on-site.

“We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of the private sector to join the zero hunger movement. The Kain Tayo Pilipinas program will go a long way in addressing the hunger and malnutrition problems especially among mothers and children who are 5 years and below,” commends Task Force Zero Hunger (TZFH) chairman, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

Call for Public Participation

“Walang magugutom pag lahat tutulong”’ captures the big role that the public plays in ensuring that we meet our goals for Kain Tayo Pilipinas. The group behind this undertaking comes from different leanings and backgrounds and are united by a common purpose: to help alleviate hunger and the nutritional gap among Filipino children. “We encourage the public to join us by helping us spread the word and by providing monetary support,” explained Go.

Any individual can donate as low as P25 to help bring meals and educate more Filipinos.

National Nutrition Council Executive Director, Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang further stressed how learning plays a vital role in uplifting millions of Filipinos from hunger

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who chairs Task Force Zero Hunger, National Nutrition Council Executive Director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Private Sector Lead Margot Torres, Kain Tayo Pilipinas Lead Kristine Go, and Gawad Kalinga Mark Lawrence Cruz were present at the launch. Other guests included representatives from Aboitiz, ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation, Century Tuna, Facebook, foodpanda, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Grab, Johnson and Johnson, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Kusina ng Kalinga, Lazada, McDonald’s, Nestle, PayMaya, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Project Pearls, Rise Against Hunger, SUN Business Network, Unilever, Universal Robina Corporation (URC), World Food Programme Philippines.

Donate at  http://kaintayopilipinas.com/. now.

Contact  at  [email protected] if you are a corporation or organization interested in helping to end hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines.

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

The ASEAN Music Showcase Festival 2021 welcomes two new countries and will host a three-day virtual event in September

Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak, the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) is ready to come back for its second year with an effort to help regional artists stay in touch with their fan base and expose themselves to different prospects.

On September 11-12, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday), YouTube will host Southeast Asia’s first collaboration intra regional music showcase event. On the following day, September 13, 2021, virtual speed meetings intended at providing one-on-one networking chances between rising regional musicians and global music business executives will be hosted as a private event (Monday).

With the live music and entertainment industries being hit hard across the globe, AMS promises to offer an alternative but viable platform that connects global music networks to Southeast Asia, primarily the seven co-organizing countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; with Cambodia and Vietnam further expanding this year’s programming with additional participating delegates and more up-and-coming and established local artists to the regional lineup.

AMS co-founder and Director of Educational, Governmental, and Overseas Partnership of Bangkok-based music company Fungjai, Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee, shares that instead of waiting for the pandemic to end, the participating organizers of each country aim to help regional artists be proactive and put their music in front of potential talent buyers from all over the world. “Because of the pandemic, many showcase festivals around the world are going online, which means artists don’t need to spend money on travel and accommodation to join—and consequently, international music professionals and talent buyers need to hop on this virtual online landscape as well—opening the door of opportunity to more export-worthy artists.”

“We were conceived during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, so we weren’t able to organize the showcase festival physically and were naturally forced to organize it virtually,” Py explains. “However, we do hope to organize it physically and rotate the host country each year after the pandemic is over.”

AMS is co-organized by Fungjai, NYLON Thailand, and Bangkok Music City from Thailand; The Rest Is Noise PH from the Philippines; Steady State Records from Singapore; SRM from Indonesia; City Roars Festival from Malaysia; Baramey Production from Cambodia; and Monsoon Music Festival and Swan Zoo from Vietnam.

Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA), the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and  TuneCore, a major digital music distribution, publishing, and licensing organization with over 150 premium collaborators across the world, are co-presenting this year’s event. Music Copyright (Thailand) Ltd. (MCT), as well as festival partners Golden Melody Awards & Festival and LUCfest in Taiwan, Global Toronto in Canada, and Live at Heart in Sweden, are all supporting AMS.

 Visit the official website for more information about the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival’s second edition.

 

Lifestyle, News

Here’s where we’re at in terms of voter registration—and how much further we still have to go

By just three months till the voter registration period, where do we stand in terms of voter registration? According to Director James Jimenez of the Commissions on Elections (COMELEC), there are now 60 million registered voters and 4.3 million new voters who will cast ballots in the 2022 Local and National Elections. According to COMELEC, the total number voters will reach 62 million by the time elections are held next year. This statement was given and provided during the non-profit and non-partisan campaign Vote Pilipinas’ virtual town hall, Magparehistro Ka! On July 8, 2021, an online event hosted by Zoom presented a lineup of speakers, including Jimenez, who discussed the present situation of voter registration in the Philippines and the collective action Filipinos must do to narrow the gap before registration shuts in September 2021.

According to COMELEC speakers, voter registration should be done in a group. They are urging schools to exempt their children so that they can participate in this major event and use their authority and right to decide on the destiny of their country. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, COMELEC informs the public that health precautions are in place when they come to register to vote. Participants in the town hall were able to directly ask COMELEC questions about voter registration.

During the town hall, COMELEC Commissioner Maria Rowena V. Guanzon delivered the keynote address; IHM CEO and founder Ces Rondario opened the program; several sessions with COMELEC’s Offices of the Election Officer (OEO) across Luzon provinces shared insights; and new Vote Pilipinas partners, including Smart Communications, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP), and Greenbulb Communications, were introduced with their representatives present. On June 7, 2021, IHM officially partnered with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to ramp up the programs and campaigns of Vote Pilipinas, an IHM project and the official partner of COMELEC in disseminating information on voters’ registration.

Vote Pilipinas plans to hold two more Magparehistro Ka! Town halls before the registration deadline.

Learn more about Vote Pilipinas through https://www.votepilipinas.com

About Vote Pilipinas
Vote Pilipinas is the official Voter Registration Information Campaign partner of the Commission on Elections. Vote Pilipinas is a non-profit, non-partisan online and offline information campaign aimed at mobilizing Filipinos to register to vote for the upcoming national and local 2022 elections.
About Impact Hub Manila
Impact Hub Manila (IHM) is a social impact incubator and a network of impact-driven entrepreneurs and change-makers. Five years since it opened its doors in the Philippines, IHM has directly supported over 500 entrepreneurs,reached over 20,000 individuals through its events, training, incubation programs, and funneled over 1 million USD – worth of grants and entrepreneurial support. The Impact Hub network is present in 100 cities and 56 countries worldwide. The United Nations in Geneva recognizes IHM as a key driver for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Lifestyle

Keeping hydrated is important during the wet season to avoid disease

The country’s weather bureau has announced the start of the rainy season, signaling the end of the scorching summer days. We must be vigilant during this season since numerous ailments occur.

Diarrhea generated by viral or bacterial infection; watery disorders such as typhoid fever, cholera, and leptospirosis; and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are among them.

To avoid contracting these diseases, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—reminds the public to keep hydrated, especially that we are in the middle of a global pandemic.

“It is important that we keep our immune system strong. One of the easiest ways to do this is to stay hydrated,” said PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong.

Here are some healthy behaviors you can follow to keep active and avoid ailments.

Eat healthy

What you consume today will have a huge impact on your health in the future. A good eating habit is one of the most basic practices to have a robust immune system.

Making a well-balanced meal is simple – just add more fruits and vegetables, choose whole grain food, switch to low or zero fat options, and cut back on sugar.

Exercise regularly

Exercising remains one of the most effective methods to strengthen your body during the rainy season. You do not have to buy expensive machines or pay for gym subscriptions. You only need at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. To safely exercise at home, you may check various workout videos online. If you opt to do outdoor walk or run, follow social distancing and other safety protocols.

As part of your workout routine, replenish what you lose in sweat with sports drinks like Gatorade. It contains electrolytes that rehydrate your body to avoid dehydration.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is as important as eating healthy and exercising. A study from the Carnegie Mellon University found that people with poor, short sleep have greater chance of getting sick.

Quality sleep helps uplift your immune system. To get quality sleep, reduce your blue light exposure at night, avoid caffeinated drinks before bedtime, and reduce day time naps, among others.

Hydrate

Proper hydration is vital in having a strong immune system. It detoxifies and flushes out waste materials from your body. It also helps transport nutrients to our organ systems.

Taking in safe water is a must to avoid infection from water-borne diseases. To have a clean drinking water, you need to boil water for at least three minutes or do water chlorination. Or you can drink purified bottled water, like Aquafina and Premiere.

If you’re moving all day and feel sluggish or tired, that’s because you lose more than just water when you sweat.  You lose fluids and electrolytes. With this, it’s important for us to stay healthy and hydrated with an Electrolyte Drink like Gatorade Ion.

“Even during rainy season, we need to hydrate to arm our body from diseases and keep our immunity in top shape. Over the years, PCPPI has been helping Filipinos achieve that with our hydration drinks,” Ong said.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

For more information about Pepsi just visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.

 

 

Travel

Lumina Homes to develop another big project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas

 

Calabarzon is the country’s largest industrial hub, according to Colliers International Philippines, with an economy that has risen sharply than the country’s average over the past two years. As a result, the locality has become a hotbed for real estate development, spanning from significant market such as malls and businesses to residential complexes varying from opulent estates to public residential units.

Eight years ago, Lumina Homes — Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.’s affordable housing arm — anticipated this growth as it launched its flagship project, Lumina Batangas, in Barangay San Vicente, town of Sto. Tomas.

With a total development area of 32 hectares, Lumina Batangas had eight phases, with over 4,500 house-and-lot units and total actual move-ins of 4,100. The said project has officially been sold out as of December 2019.

Since the launch of Lumina Batangas in 2012, the company has since developed in other nearby progressive towns, including Tanauan, Lipa, Bauan, Rosario, and San Pascual.

This year, Lumina goes back to where its ongoing success started, as it launches another signature development right at the heart of Sto. Tomas.

The 27-hectare development will offer a roster of rowhouses, townhomes, duplexes, and single-firewall homes, with amenities such as shuttle service, mini gardens and playground covered multi-purpose hall, and provision for commercial area.

Like all other Lumina house and lot projects, the new development pushes for ease and convenience in terms of transportation and logistics. It is located only 1.3 kilometers away from the National Highway and has an access road going to Tanauan and Lipa in Batangas, and San Pablo in Laguna. Via Star Tollway and South Luzon Expressway, it is only 45 minutes away from Alabang in Metro Manila.

Also intended for the working class, the housing project will rise about nine kilometers away from one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial parks, the First Philippine Industrial Park, and other technoparks and manufacturing companies in the Batangas-Laguna corridor.

More significantly, the proposed site is located only 100 meters away from the Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, a known pilgrimage site and a significant landmark that attracts thousands of visitors from the neighboring towns and provinces.

More than just a sensible affordable housing for young beginning families or low wage earners, the new Lumina initiative pledged to keep one in line with Calabarzon’s ongoing progress, rendering one’s own personal successes more visible over time.

For further details, call 0999.886.4156, visit Lumina Homes’ official website at https://www.lumina.com.ph/, or follow them on Facebook at @luminahomesofficial.

 

 

 

Food

It was an amazing experience to know more about chocolates at Godel

As a chocoholic I’m very fond of tasting and experiencing different chocolates to satisfy my cravings and at the same time exploring different kinds that I wasn’t able to taste before.  Along with these I really wanted to know more about chocolates and how they are made. That’s why I’m so grateful Godel invited me along with other bloggers to experience a one-of-a-kind moment in a chocolate factory. It was really a dream come true to know how my favorite chocolate was being made. We acquired a lot of information about the process of cacao until it became a chocolate. I’m delighted with my tour and experiences at Godel. They let us explore different things at their place and let us gain knowledge about their production from the smallest details up to the production itself. I gained knowledge that it’s really not easy because there are a lot of processes for a sweet chocolate to be served and made. It will go through a lot of procedures and machines from a cacao to a sweet treat.

In all honesty I was ecstatic to have my tour at Godel, which is not only a chocolate factory but also a baking supply store. Every woman enjoys adding those tools and baking necessities to her kitchen because many of us enjoy experimenting with new recipes and cooking for our loved ones. They showcase to us how durable their products are and how good the quality they offer. Godel also conducted a presentation where it tackles the harvesting process, the source of their cacao, the cacao fruit opening and the processes of their chocolates. After that we toured around every corner of their place and saw how they worked with their machines. We also personally experienced different things while we roamed around. It was a great experience since they also showed us how they mix and match the ingredients, how they packed their products and even the simplest details along the way with their business. Lastly, we tasted their exquisitely delicious chocolates and all I can say is that it is really good. I totally experienced a whole new kind of sweet and at the same time learned so much from Godel with everything they have shown and offered to us.

Thus, I’m so delighted with the tour I had at Godel and thankful for the chance to explore and experience a whole new thing. Indeed, I acquired so much fun and knowledge knowing the different processes from my favorite sweet ecstasy. Godel also served Hot Chocolate bomb, Stir-in Hot Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Almonds, Chocolate with whole Almonds, Milk Chocolate with Cashews, Salted Caramel Chocolate, Chocolate with Nibs and Bonbons with fillings. It is a perfect gift for all occasions, you may also visit their facebook page: godelchocolate, instagram acc: godel_chocolate and youtube acc: Godel Chocolate to know more and satisfy your sweet cravings and to support this proudly local brand.

Tokens from Godel Chocolate

ABOUT GODEL CHOCOLATE
Cacao Origin: PHILIPPINES
All Godel products are made from locally-sourced, fermented cacao beans. Our chocolates are made using the latest technology, resulting in consistent quality, tine texture and smooth mouthfeel. They are simple in formulation but packed with the flavors that make chocolate delightful and enjoyable.
HOW TO ENJOY
TABLEA
Traditional Tsokolate: Boil 250ml water or choice of milk. Add 3 pieces tablea and stir until they melt completely.
Instant Tsokolate: Place 3 pieces tablea in a cup and add hot water or hot milk. Stir until tablea melts.
For 100% cocoa liquor, add sugar and/or milk, if desired
CACAO NIBS
  1. eat as a snack
  2. pair with a slightly sweeter food item
  • sprinkle on top of oats, cereals, yoghurt or ice cream.
  • add to baked goods such as cookies
CACAO TEA
Loose Leaf: Place 3 tbsp cacao tea into pot. Add 500ml hot water. Steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain tea solids before serving. Straining is not necessary if tea infuser or coffee press used.
Tea Bags: For every 180ml hot water, steep 1 tea bag for 3-5 minutes before enjoying. Add sugar or a splash of milk, if desired.