Go Hotels Timog-Quezon City’s thrilling Chinese New Year event took place on February 9, 2024. Since then, the premier budget hotel chain has been releasing an enticing assortment of deals. We enjoyed the event as they performed the traditional lion dance in time for the Chinese New Year. It was full of fun as they unwrapped this year, with thrilling events and surprises along the way.
The event was full of exciting lion dances and colorful celebrations, but the real star of the show is the exclusive promos that are just getting started. Go Hotels promises much more excitement in the days to come, starting with Valentine’s Day and other alluring deals.
“As we bid farewell to the festivities, let us carry forward the spirit of renewal, prosperity, and unity that the Chinese New Year symbolizes,” expressed Ms. Roselle Reyes, Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) of Go Hotels-Roxaco Asia Hospitality Corp. during the event.
Reyes claims that the Lunar New Year provides the company with an opportunity to make a fresh start, welcome the Year of the Dragon with open arms, set ambitious objectives, and be ready for a year full of chances and experiences.
“May the Year of the Dragon bring abundant blessings, favorable fortune, and moments of joy to you and your esteemed families. Let us continue to cherish our traditions, uphold our core values, and strengthen the bonds within our communities,” she added.
Go Hotels Timog-Quezon City hosted a lively Chinese New Year party for its guests on February 9, 2024. Attendees at the event included VIPs, bloggers, media, top business executives, and hotel guests, as well as fascinating cultural displays like the traditional Lion Dance.
The first and only top-notch theme park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom, has released its February specials for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.
Enchanting Dinner in the Sky, a Japanese-themed dinner experience for parties and couples that includes a ride on the Wheel of Fate, is returning to EK. As you craft your enchanting story with us, take in the breathtaking vistas and be sure to bring home photo mementos and red string bracelets. Every weekend in February and on Valentine’s Day, standard day pass tickets are also included in the Enchanting Dinner in the Sky.
EK is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with their EnChinese New Year Promo. From February 9 to 29, family and friends may enjoy an exclusive Chinese lauriat set dinner that serves four people, together with four normal day pass tickets. This will let them feel the charm of prosperity. Use the EK Online Store to book this promotion right now.
On Saturday, February 10, Power Duo, the grand finalist of Asia’s Got Talent, will be the main attraction at EK’s Chinese New Year celebration. IOX Dancers and EK’s very own Victoria’s Way and Kingsmen will be joining them. To celebrate the year of the dragon, visitors to the park can see a traditional Chinese dragon and lion dance performed all throughout the park.
Finally, EK commemorates Hug-A-Palooza, which is in its sixth year and marks the beginning of the season of love with cozy hugs amongst friends, family, and loved ones. On Saturday, February 17, park visitors will be serenaded by Sparkle GMA Artist Ken Chan.
Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ as well as EK’s official social media pages @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram and @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok for additional details on these events and promotions.
Close to 5,000 employee volunteering hours also clocked in for Manulife’s community investment across Asia
Employee Volunteering
In line with its global Impact Agenda, which aims to provide significant programs that promote long-term health and well-being, foster equitable economic opportunities, and expedite a sustainable future for environmental preservation, the domestic division of top global insurer Manulife has extended its partnership with eminent nature conservation organization Haribon Foundation by means of the Forests for Life initiative.
“As we reach and engage more communities across the country through our Impact Agenda, we will continue to strengthen our community investments that will not only help us build a better business to better the world, but also foster kindness, generosity, and the bayanihan spirit among many Filipinos,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.
11,250 seedlings to be planted in 2024
Zambales Reforestation
Manulife Philippines pledges to plant 11,250 native tree seedlings in Masinloc, Zambales this year through the Haribon Foundation. This extends Manulife’s partnership with Haribon, which started in 2022 with an aim to plant 15,000 seedlings in the provinces of Quezon and Rizal to aid in the restoration of Philippine rainforests.
The town of Masinloc is home to a 30,000-hectare reforestation area known as the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, which is part of the Zambales highlands and is home to several endangered bird and non-bird species. The region’s biodiversity was destroyed when chromite mining operations were conducted there in the past. In order for the devastated environment to recover today, replanting and conservation are crucial.
To help advance positive environmental change, Manulife has been working on implementing its sustainability action plans. In 2022, Manulife contributed USD 25.1 million in total community investments globally. There are also 1.3 billion trees planted by Manulife Investment Management all over the world since 1985, testifying to its longstanding commitment to create more nature-positive world for its communities*.
Manulife Volunteer Days launched in 10 markets in Asia, including the Philippines
Employee giving and volunteering is also part of Manulife’s community engagement initiatives for its Impact Agenda. During the “Season of Giving” last year, the company launched its Manulife Volunteer Days, a week-long program that provided more than 56 volunteering opportunities for employees globally to volunteer for chosen organizations within their communities. These range from tree-planting, financial literacy activities for students, and other engagement activities for ethnic minorities, elderlies, and various communities in need.
In addition, Manulife also launched the Move for your Community in Asia, where more than 1,700 employees from 10 markets, including colleagues from Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life and Manulife Investment Management Philippines, accomplished various step goals in five days, achieving 34 million steps in total. These recorded steps were converted to community investments, such as the 900 Peso Smart learning kits for elementary school students in the Philippines through the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation.
“Since 2017, our financial literacy program Peso Smart has been instrumental in promoting the value of basic financial skills such as saving, budgeting, and investing among young children,” Rahul added. “As Peso Smart has expanded over the years to cater to broader segments — including parents, educators, and university students — we hope we can financially empower more Filipinos to live worry-free and confidently, while securing a better future.”
Additional community investments from Move for your Community in Asia include 10,000 lunches for students in Vietnam through the Lotus Charity Foundation, 10,000 reusable box lunches for students across all campuses of the Rabbit School in Cambodia, and a public sanitation and clean water facility in Indonesia through Dompet Dhuafa.
Cherish Ong-Chua, vice president of finance and marketing at Hanabishi Appliances, considers the customs that Filipino-Chinese families observe to usher in the Lunar New Year as the world prepares for the Year of the Wood Dragon.
“The Chinese believe that abundance during Chinese New Year will carry on for the rest of the year. We observe traditions that would help usher in the blessings for the coming year and at the same time drive away the misfortunes of the past year,” she shared.
Food and Abundance
Preparing for the Lunar New Year’s Eve meal, where families from various generations would assemble to exchange homemade treats, is one of these customs.
There would be round fruits, symbolic of good fortune, on the supper table. They would also prepare a dish of rice and top it with ampao, Ong-Chua continued. Another mainstay is noodles, which stand for longevity.
She further shared that some of the traditions focus on cleanliness.
“To get rid of the bad luck of the previous year, some of us would get a haircut,” Ong-Chua said. “But we forbid cleaning on the first day of the year as this might sweep away the good luck that would come in the New Year.”
Spreading Good Fortune
In the spirit of the Chinese New Year, Hanabishi Appliances is extending the joyous celebrations to its customers. From February 10 to 29, select appliances can be purchased with a 20% discount.
Among these products are a selection of kitchen appliances like the Hanabishi colored rice cookers with glass in green and yellow colors (HHRC15GRN and HHRC15YLW); aesthetic electric oven 45L white series (HEO45WHT); super blender (HJB 123); aesthetic free standing water dispenser (HFSWD3200); beverage showcase chiller (HBVSCH 6); and single door refrigerator (HASREF35SS).
To drive away the dirt and maintain the air safety of the home, there are the Hanabishi portable UVC sterilization lamp (HUVC10); portable UVC sterilization wand (HUVC 20); portable UVC sterilization bag (HUVC40); portable UVC sterilization lamp (HUVC50), and air purifier (HAIRPR10), which can also be purchased at discounted prices.
Get the deal by going to www.myhanabishi.com. Add an item or products to your cart that are on sale. After completing the billing information, click checkout. After entering the coupon code CNY2024, click “Apply.” After settling your payment, watch for the email confirming it. Watch for delivery for a minimum of three to five days.
Make sure to follow Hanabishi’s official social media sites to find out more about their most recent sales and promotions.
The Rizal Park Hotel is pleased to present a remarkable double celebration in observance of Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. The brilliant colors of a traditional Dragon and Lion Dance, signifying good fortune and wealth for the Year of the Dragon, will come to life in the hotel lobby of the Rizal Park Hotel on February 10 at 12pm.
After the customary show, guests are invited to the Imperial Court for a fine dining experience that includes specially created set meals for the event.
The P65,988 Imperial Dragon Banquet serves ten people and includes such specialties as Steam Rock Lobster with Garlic, Suckling Pig with Assorted Cold Cuts, and Salmon Sashimi Salad Hong Kong Style.
Fortune-Filled Dragon Feast, priced at P80,888, also good for 10 persons, boasts delectable dishes including Butter Prawns with Cream Pumpkin Sauce, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Soup, and Crispy Fried Pigeon.
For Valentine’s Day, Rizal Park Hotel invites couples or even families to a romantic “Under the Moonlight: a Rizal Park Hotel dinner special” priced at P2000 per person. The enchanting evening will feature a specially crafted menu of Classic French Onion Soup and Glazed Duck Breast Salad with Vinaigrette for starters, choice of Seared Flat Iron Steak with Red Wine Demi Glace, Potato Frites, Buttered Asparagus, or Salmon Darne with Lemon Caper Sauce, Steamed Vegetables, and Steamed Buttered Potatoes for the mains, and Matcha Crème Brulee for dessert.
Adding a melodic touch to the evening, a live saxophone performance will serenade guests under the stars throughout the evening.
The Rizal Park Hotel is also providing an exclusive hotel promotion as part of the festivities. From February 9 to February 18, 2024, families may stay overnight in a Deluxe Room for just P8000, which includes a delicious breakfast for four.
This February, join us at the Rizal Park Hotel to celebrate the warmth of love and the richness of Chinese culture. Contact Imperial Court at 0999-227-9251 to make a reservation. Call 0917-711-3926 to secure a seat for “Under the Moonlight: a Rizal Park Hotel dinner special.” Call 0917-657-1334 for reservations and room inquiries.
A Win for the Planet. Officials from the Jollibee Group and First Gen Corp. led the switch-on rites of Canlubang Baking Facility’s solar panels last January 9, 2024. In the photo are (from L-R): Ronaldo Sales (Zenith Foods Corporation’s AVP-Canlubang Baking Facility & Plant Head), Carlos Lorenzo Vega (First Gen VP for Power Marketing, Trading, & Economics), Michael Ong (Zenith Foods Corporation’s VP & Head Supply Chain Management), Honorable Rosseller Rizal (Mayor of the City of Calamba), Julius Leyba (Zenith Foods Corporation’s AVP & Head of Engineering Services), Mark Malabanan (First Gen’s AVP for Solar), and Manny Portugal (First Gen’s Head of Technology Solutions).
With 6,300 solar panels in operation at its Canlubang Baking Facility (CBF), the Jollibee Group is fast-tracking its transition to sustainable energy. This is the company’s largest solar panel installation to date. The Jollibee Group’s worldwide sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, serves as a framework for the company’s commitment to more sustainable business practices, which includes this program.
The Jollibee Group has partnered with First Gen Corporation through Pi Energy Inc. to power one-third of its manufacturing facilities with solar energy through Zenith Foods Corporation (ZFC), a subsidiary of the Jollibee Group. On January 9, 2024, in Canlubang, Laguna, officials from the Jollibee Group and First Gen Corporation led the switch-on ceremonies alongside Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal.
Calamba Mayor Roseller “Ross” Rizal and Jollibee Group Supply Chain Head Michael Ong at the ribbon-cutting and switch-on ceremony. Aside from achieving energy independence, Rizal noted that the initiative to promote sustainability in CBF will save a considerable amount of cost and decrease carbon footprints, which is the cause of global warming.
During the ceremony, Jollibee Group Supply Chain Head Michael Ong underscored the company’s drive to lessen the environmental impact of its supply chain operations. “In our quest to bring the joy of eating not only for today’s generation but that of tomorrow’s, we integrate solar energy into our state-of-the-art Canlubang Baking Facility. This is our largest installation to date, but this is also just the beginning. We have more locations planned in the months ahead, and we are determined to accelerate further our journey towards carbon neutrality,” he said.
Calamba City Mayor Ross Rizal cited the project’s role in helping achieve the city’s goals on sustainability for the business community. “Your [ZFC] initiative to promote sustainability in your facilities will not only have positive results for your company, but it will also be in solidarity with the government’s call for a more orderly operation of companies that considers many factors, including those that concern our environment,” he said.
The Canlubang Baking Facility is the manufacturing site of Red Ribbon products.
Ong and his team at ZFC started accelerating the integration of sustainable business practices into the Jollibee Group’s commissaries and logistics centers in 2020. The Canlubang Baking Facility is now the second out of the four target sites for solar panel installation. The first one was Zen3, also in Canlubang, which was installed with 3,000 solar panels last November 2023. The solar panel installation in the two other sites is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2024.
These commissaries and logistics centers support the Jollibee Group’s portfolio of brands in the Philippines, such as Jollibee, Greenwich, Burger King, Red Ribbon, Chowking, and Mang Inasal.
Solarizing for the future
First Gen constructed four rooftop solar power plants for ZFC’s commissaries, cold storage, and logistics facilities.
Carlo Vega, First Gen’s Vice President for Power Marketing, Trading, and Economics, said, “We are thankful to Jollibee Group’s ZFC for their trust in our company to be their reliable energy partner in our shared vision of a cleaner and greener future for this generation and the next.”
A journey towards more sustainability
The Jollibee Group continues to accelerate its shift to renewable energy by operating 6,300 solar panels in its Canlubang Baking Facility (CBF), the company’s most extensive solar panel installation to date.
Based on the baseline data from 2020, Ong said that, with the exception of solar energy utilization, waste reduction at Jollibee Group manufacturing locations nationwide has decreased by 38% by 2022. Additionally, the manufacturing facilities have reduced their energy and water use ratios by 21.5% and 23%, respectively.
“We learned that our impact on the planet revolves around three critical areas: energy, water, and waste. With this newfound awareness, we embrace the challenge of ‘Joy for Tomorrow,’ and we set out to establish strategies, systems, and initiatives that will allow us to treat our planet more responsibly,” said Jose Miñana Jr., Jollibee Group’s Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer.
As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, so do the benefits and risks to young people
Various community stakeholders presented initiatives and responses specific to the Asia-Pacific region on child online sexual exploitation and abuse exploring government and civil society response and industry response at WEB Safe & Wise Safer Internet Day 2024. (L-R: Mark Dasco, Director II, ChildFund International; Reynaldo H. Bicol, Jr., Director, International Justice Mission (IJM), Manila Office; Margarita Magsaysay, Officer-in-Charge Executive Director, Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) to the National Coordinating Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM; Hanneke Oudkerk, Regional Director, ChildFund International Asia; Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, Executive Director, Council for the Welfare of Children; and Ana Dionela, Executive Director, ECPAT Philippines.)
The most important risks that children face online are being discussed, along with steps that can be taken to guarantee that every kid may interact and connect safely, by a group of international experts on online safety and members of ChildFund’s WEB Safe & Wise Children’s AdvisoryCouncil, who are assembled in Manila today. The Philippines is the hub for the production of materials related to child sex abuse, according to UNICEF and the International Justice Mission.
Dr. Najat is on the speaking roster with prominent Philippine government individuals, such as Senator Risa Hontiveros and Undersecretary Angelo Tapales from the Council for the Welfare of Children. In addition to Dr. Mikiko Otani, the immediate past chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Maalla M’jid, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Violence against Children, Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, representatives from UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Office, ECPAT Philippines, International Justice Mission, ChildFund, and members of the tech industry including CleanDNS. There were young people from Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay, Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam among the Children’s Advisory Council members present.
“As the digital landscape continues to rapidly evolve, new opportunities for children and young people increase, but so do the threats they face online,” says Senior Advisor, Advocacy and Policy, Ryan DeSouza, who is leading ChildFund’s WEB Safe & Wiseinitiative. “It’s imperative, therefore, that we work together—and with children—to create a better digital world. ChildFund Alliance launched WEB Safe & Wise as a frontline defense against some of the most urgent risks to children online, including the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.”
During WEB Safe & Wise Safer Internet Day 2024, ChildFund Alliance’s WEB Safe & Wise Children’s Advisory Council members from Indonesia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay and Philippines, discussed how children can be protected from online threats as new technologies emerge such as AI. (L-R: Ashanti, Heriberto, Azumi, Vidia, Moises, Vignesh, Jill, Thilothamma, Nash, Tihitina)
An estimated 750,000 individuals are looking to connect with children online for sexual purposes at any one time— whether on social media, online gaming sites, or via email. Reports of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have increased 15,000% over the last 15 years. In 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) analyzed over 32 million reports of CSAM received from across the globe and reported an 87% increase from 2019. Last year, 9 in 10 victims were between the ages of 3 and 12 years.
In the Philippines, the harm is so prevalent, UNICEF and the International Justice Mission (IJM) identified the country as the center of child sex abuse materials production. In the recent Scale of Harm report by the IJM, researchers found nearly half a million Filipino children in 2022 were trafficked online via live streaming, often by relatives or people they know, in order to produce child sexual exploitation material.
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in the Philippines promises to work closely with other government agencies to address online child sexual abuse and exploitation. In a recent interview, Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said his department is working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as with the private sector to curb the violence and sexual abuse against children.
“Alarmingly, new forms of abuse, such as AI-generated imagery and financial sexual extortion, are significantly on the rise, with dreadful consequences,” explains ChildFund Alliance Secretary General Meg Gardinier. “Our goal, by working closely with children and young people is to identify solutions they believe can both benefit them, and also keep them safer, when they engage online.”
The Children’s Advisory Council, includes youth members from across the globe. Ten of the 15 members traveled to Manila to participate in the Safer Internet Day event. Council member Azumi, who is from the Philippines said she believes it is urgent that “all young people be given a voice in the fight for a safer online world.” Tihitina from Ethiopia explained that she is “eager to work on creating a web safe environment for children and young people, and to contribute to driving change.”Moisés from Mexico, said he seeks “ways to solve the challenges that girls, boys, and young people face in the online environment.”
All members of the Council play a key role in determining the planning and implementation of WEB Safe & Wise activities. The platform provides a range of resources for young people as well as adults, including guidance on Talking to Young People About Online Safety, definitions related to online safety, and key do’s and don’ts when engaging online.
“This is a crime that is unconcerned about borders,” shared Chris Lewis-Evans, who focuses on detecting and disrupting online harms in his role as director of Internet Harms Mitigation and Governmental Engagement at CleanDNS. Chris spent more than 20 years with the UK’s National Cyber Crime Unit. He explained how the advancement of WEB3—a decentralized online ecosystem along with other emerging technologies like AI—poses additional security risks. “There’s an absence of clear abuse reporting mechanisms, defined jurisdictional responsibilities, and clear accountability structures,” says Chris. “This leaves more children vulnerable to more forms of online abuse.”
“Countries need legislation that protects children from the looming dangers of digital predation, coercion, and other terrible abuses that are being facilitated against children online,” explains ChildFund Alliance Board Chair
Simon Whyte. “A key goal of WEB Safe & Wise is to strengthen laws and policies that provide this protection, and to get there, it’s critical that people understand the gravity of this threat.”
ChildFund advocates for the establishment of official authorities, the outlawing of the internet exploitation of minors, and the provision of funds for the education of parents and other caregivers. It is highly recommended that technology partners collaborate in developing industry safety guidelines that are standardized to shield young users from offensive information on all platforms.
“On Safer Internet Day 2024, I propose we all commit to making every day safer for children online,” said Ryan DeSouza. “We need to end this global crisis before it harms countless more children. We can and must do better.”
Honda Philippines launches its most awaited motorcycle for Filipino riding enthusiasts.
Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the top motorbike manufacturer in the nation, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, honoring its long-standing goal of enabling all Filipinos to experience the joy of mobility. Therefore, it was expected that the firm would kick off 2024 with a bang when it unveiled The All-New Winner X at SM Southmall on Saturday, February 3.
There are three versions of this new motorcycle from Honda: Standard, ABS Premium, and ABS Racing. More significantly, The All-New Winner X is a bike that will undoubtedly become a favorite among Honda’s many cutting-edge offerings since it has the ideal balance of performance and style in all three of its versions.
Razor-sharp, head-turning style.
The first thing you’ll notice on The All-New Winner X is its aggressive, razor-sharp design styling characterized by sporty side panels and fairings. Each of the bike’s three variants also comes in distinct colors and styles.
Specifically, the Standard variant comes in Pearl Iceberg White, and Infinity Red wrap with sporty decals. The ABS Premium on the other hand, is available in Matte Galaxy BlackMetallic and Matte Meteoric Red Metallic colorways with a gold 3D Winner X emblem and lastly, the ABS Racing variant comes in Infinity Red with an eye-catching sports bike image combined with a 3D emblem along with the gold cast wheel color.
The combination of The All-New Winner X’s sporty, stylish, tough, manly image and eye-catching colorways help ensure you’ll turn heads no matter where you ride.
Champion-tier performance.
The All-New Winner X promises to be the exciting motorcycle yet as it is expected to bring out the champion in anyone who will ride this bike. Like all Honda bikes, it brings style and substance in an innovative package.
It boasts outstanding performance to match its style. This is courtesy of a 149cc 4-Stroke, 4-Valve, DOHC (Double Over Head Camshaft). It produces abundant engine performance and rapid acceleration but still fuel efficient. It also comes in 6-Speed Engine, Liquid Cooled with Honda’s innovative PGM-Fi fuel system and delivers 11.5 kW max power @ 9,000 rpm and 13.5 Nm max torque @ 7,000 rpm with a fuel economy rating of 52.3 km/L based on World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC).
The ABS Premium and ABS Racing variants in particular feature front wheel Anti-Lock Braking System giving the bike the controllability to match their performance for maximum handling for all your daily commutes, plus the capability to take your bike on longer road trips. Plus, all 3 variants are equipped with the Assist and Slipper Clutch this superb feature helps prevent rear tire slippage and helps riders maneuver better with a lighter clutch mechanism, Bank Angle Sensor built for safer rides, The All-New Winner X’s sensor detects the motorcycle’s bank angle automatically turning off the engine, the bank angle exceeds 70° ± 5° on either side, as well as hydraulic disc brakes for better, smoother and safer braking performance.
Intelligent features for the daily grind.
Besides delivering exciting performance, The All-New Winner X is also outfitted with features designed to make everyday use both convenient and secure. In particular, the bike combines an All-LED lighting system and a fully digital meter panel. The former helps ensure exceptional visibility when traveling at night, while the latter makes important data like speed, fuel levels, etc., easy to read. Likewise, its Smart Key System advanced technology enables riders to start the engine and lock the handlebar using a smart electronic system. Our champion bike features an Anti-Theft Alarm and Answer Back System for increased security. To ensure you never miss a call on your smartphone, the ABS variants are equipped with a USB charger.
With its sharp and sporty design, powerful engine, and practical features, The All-New Winner X is set to take Philippine roads, promising exhilarating performance for both daily riding and weekend road trips. Honda has once again raised the bar, to its commitment to deliver motorcycles that seamlessly blend style and performance.
The Standard variant comes with a suggested retail price of PhP123,900.00 while the ABS Premium variant is priced at PhP129,900.00 and The ABS Racing variant is Php 131,900.00. These new motorcycles are available at all Honda Dealers starting today.
“We are happy and excited to introduce the much awaited The All-New Winner X. This new motorcycle joins the ranks of Honda’s innovative products that aims to bring joy of mobility to all Filipinos. HPI with never stop in creating and deliver top quality products with new technology, features, attractive design and exceptional safety and performance. We look forward that this model will exceed your expectation and will give another exceptional look on the road, as we want everyone to Ride like a Champion!” as per Ms. Sayaka Arai, Honda Philippines, Inc. President.
TV star David Licauco, who just joined Honda as a product ambassador, oversaw the unveiling of the new bike as an extra surprise for fans of the brand. Along with important HPI officials, Mr. Licauco rode The All-New Winner X for a test ride.
So, take in The All-New Winner X’s thrill and turn 2024 into a year to Ride Like a Champion!
To learn more, go to www.hondaph.com. Follow Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook (facebook.com/hondaph), Instagram (instagram.com/hondaph_mc/), YouTube (HondaPhilippines_Motorcycle), and Tiktok (tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines) to stay up to date on the company’s newest offerings. You can also reach them by calling (02)-8581-6700 to 6799 and 0917-884-6632.
He’s Into Her, University Series publisher to produce more Wattpad novels soon
Good news for Wattpad readers!
Following the official partnership between Precious Pages Corporation (PPC), the largest publishing company in the Philippines, and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, the fan-driven worldwide entertainment and publishing branch of Wattpad and WEBTOON, expect more online novels to hit bookshops.
“The Philippines has long been one of Wattpad’s most popular and supportive markets, and we are thrilled to partner with Precious Pages to continue bringing Filipino readers more of the Wattpad titles they love,” said Wattpad WEBTOON Studios.
In photo (L-R): Precious Pages Online Manager Marky Cabalteja, Precious Pages Brand Manager Toni Velasco, Precious Pages Corp. President Segundo Matias, Jr., Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Development Executive & Creator Manager International Operations & Strategy Ryan Benitez, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Content Specialist for Philippines Michelle Angela Yabut, and Precious Pages Sales Manager John Charles Almoninia
Fans may expect to see hard copies of the hottest Wattpad web novels penned by their favorite authors at bookstores across the country through the PPC imprint LIB (Life is Beautiful) Books.
As stated by PPC President Segundo Matias, Jr., LIB Books has been finding and publishing stories from internet platforms for a number of years. Their genre offers a more varied and edgy roster. Additionally, more Wattpad content is expected to be published in print very soon, keeping true to its mission of getting high-quality tales into the hands of more people.
Aside from traditional printed books, LIB Books also offers limited copies of pre-ordered items through Tender Loving Crates (TLC) and Premium Crates, which contain exclusive book merchandise – something fans really look forward to!
Among the widely read Wattpad digital novels published by LIB Books were the enormously successful Possessive Series by C.C. with more than 500 million Wattpad reads, Josh Gonzales’ Law Series with more than 23 million readings, and Inksteady’s College Serieswith more than 100 million reads. The 3 65 million read He’s Into Her by Maxinejiji was also published by L IB Books. It was adapted into a television series featuring the power couple Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan under the banners of iWantTFC, ABS-CBN Entertainment, and Star Cinema.
Precious Pages also released another popular Wattpad tale, 4reuminct’s University Series, which has received 500 million reads. Additionally, Viva One is home to an ongoing series adaption with a cast of actors, including Heaven Peralejo, Marco Gallo, Jerome Ponce, and Krissha Viaje.
The chat-first platform introduces new features to connect users with global and remote job markets
With the introduction of new features that make it easier for talent to access jobs abroad and remote work chances, Bossjob—the chat-first career platform that is transforming professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA)—is putting career prospects even more within reach for talent.
A new element of the employment platform that enables recruiters from all around the world to connect with talent in Asia, including the Philippines, has officially debuted. On the Bossjob website, employers can now post job openings worldwide by choosing the ‘International’ option and focusing on particular nations where they are looking for top talent.
This capability not only makes setting up remote teams and outsourcing easier, but it also lets employers create a presence in previously underserved locations. Bossjob hopes to lower recruitment expenses and improve cross-border hiring procedures for businesses with the new functionality.
Bossjob’s new feature comes particularly timely in helping employers seize opportunities to attract top talent. It is anticipated that individuals will be reassessing their career paths at the start of 2024. The start of a new year typically serves as a period for introspection and the setting of resolutions, leading many to reevaluate their professional aspirations and strive to begin the year on a positive note.
Moreover, Bossjob particularly sees the importance of making these job opportunities more accessible to Filipinos. The Philippines Freelance Market 2022 Report suggested many Filipinos thrive as freelancers, benefitting from overseas freelancing opportunities.
Meanwhile, the platform has also launched the remote jobs section, making it easier for talents to scroll around the opportunities that best suit them. Job seekers can easily go to the “Remote Jobs” section of the Bossjob website and check hundreds of remote job positions across various industries, including information technology, customer service, human resources, sales, finance, manufacturing, banking, and healthcare.
Bossjob CEO Anthony Garcia says the company hopes to bring opportunities not only closer but more accessible to more Filipinos.
“With our new international feature and dedicated remote jobs section, we’re not just expanding horizons, but we’re actively dismantling barriers to global employment and fostering a more inclusive, accessible job market. At Bossjob, we believe that a great career should be accessible to everyone, everywhere, and our latest features are a significant step towards making that belief a reality,” Garcia said.
Preference for remote work among job seekers continues to rise
Starting in Q3 of 2023, Bossjob began supporting hybrid and remote job opportunities, leading to a significant increase in such listings. The number of jobs posted in these categories has since doubled, underscoring a growing trend in the employment market.
Key industries embracing this trend include Information Technology (IT), sales, and emerging web3 sectors. Remote roles in high demand range from sales representatives and accountants to administrative assistants and business development managers.
The introduction of these flexible work options has led to a substantial increase in job seeker interest. Bossjob reports a sevenfold rise in the number of candidates seeking remote or hybrid work arrangements, with about 32% of its over 3 million active job seekers exploring these options.
The preference for remote work extends across various job categories, with customer service representatives (CSR), entry-level jobs, and IT roles being particularly sought after.
In addition to increased demand, Bossjob’s data shows salaries for hybrid work arrangements are equally attractive to those opportunities that require people to work on-site. For instance, remote CSR roles offer an average salary of Php 29,000, compared to the Php 27,000 average pay for on-site positions.
Bossjob’s expansion to supporting remote and hybrid work opportunities reflects a broader global trend and demonstrates the platform’s commitment to evolving with the changing job market dynamics.
“In a rapidly evolving job market, Bossjob is at the forefront of the shift towards a project-based economy in the Philippines. Our data shows not just a trend but a reflection of a deeper change in work preferences. As we continue to champion this shift, Bossjob remains committed to connecting talent with forward-thinking employers, reshaping the workforce for a more dynamic and adaptable future,” Garcia said.
Bossjob is a developing company in Asia, with operations in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. By 2026, the company hopes to have over 30 million customers in the region. This year, it began providing free services as part of its aim to increase its market share internationally.
Go to https://bossjob.com/ to learn more about how to start the new year with a successful career achievement from Bossjob.
