Lifestyle

Many businesses shutdown all thoughtout the country as the effect of the current pandemic. With small businesses and social enterprises popping up here and there and opportunity to support local and try out buying from our fellow Filipinos but it also opened up the door for them to explore new markets. To support for local communities, many different homegrown social enterprises have become part of Project Buyanihan in BGC.

In partnership with the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation (FBDFI), Buyanihan is a passion project which offers free retail spaces for selected social enterprises along Bonifacio High Street. Eight social enterprises participated and will be back as soon as the quarantine protocols permit.

1. Fresh market goods from Benguet Collective Producers

The first one, Benguet Collective Producers, allows the community to shop all sorts of market goods fresh from Benguet. Benguet Farmers Collective is composed of upland farmers from Sablan whose livelihoods were affected during the pandemic. With the community’s support every weekend, the partner farmers shared how the project enabled them to send their kids to school and provide for their families.

2. Curated and handwoven finds from Mask For A Cause PH

Another one is Mask For A Cause PH which supports women weavers all around the country by providing additional income opportunities. They curate and promote Filipino handwoven masks and other cultural products from various ethnic communities in the Philippines like Iloilo, Zamboanga, and more. Each item, design, markings and symbols from their masks and other collections are unique and one of a kind. In just one weekend in BGC, they were able to surpass their regular month’s sales and further strengthen the support for local weavers.

3. Cultural and unique items from Abra Indigo Manila

With a vision of addressing the cultural disconnect we have with our cultural heritage, Abra Indigo Manila is an all-Filipino social enterprise showcasing local and indigenous cultures through various products like face masks, accessories, apparel, and home essentials.

4. Made for Pinoys skincare from Diwatang Maria

Diwatang Maria, on the other hand, is a skincare brand that aims to address the need of Pinoys when it comes to skincare. They produce only organic and natural products using plant derivatives to help local communities. Each variant serves as a declaration of Filipino ingenuity as they promote the brave, compassionate, and fearless stories of Diwatas Filipinos grew up to.

5. Farm fresh produce with SANFA

You can also find a group of farmers from San Antonio, Quezon, who bring lowland crops and produce. San Antonio Natural Farmers (SANFA) work towards making agriculture a profitable and sustainable endeavor for the community.

6. Must have finds made by former inmates

Many people lost their jobs during the pandemic, and finding a source of income is even more difficult for former inmates. BJMP’s Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Livelihood Program aims to provide livelihood projects to past offenders by training them with skills, which do not only help provide them with sustainable earnings for their families, but can also aid them in making their reintegration to society a bit easier. This includes crafting mandala pots made of clay, stylish bayong bags, lampshades, and even acrylic paintings.

7. Satisfy Taho cravings with Bacoor Collective Producers

With stricter community quarantine protocols, taho producers and vendors are not allowed to roam around the village streets. Bacoor Collective Producers, through Project Buyanihan, has found a new market where they can also sell other soy products.

8. Organic Plantito / Plantita needs by Homegrown Harvest

Last but not the least, Homegrown Harvest, makes it easy for everyone to grow their own food at home while helping a local community. They offer pre-planted containers, raised beds, and even monthly maintenance check-ins and other services.

Through this social enterprises, we get to be aware of their advocacies and make it well-known to many, it helps expand their reach but this is just the start of BGC’s venture towards helping local communities. These products are not only supported by #BGCitizens, but this also reinforces a greater social impact.

Project Buyanihan resumes in BGC this weekend! Just visit https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph and https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet/ on Facebook for other news and updates.

The ‘ber’ months have always had us counting down to the most delightful time of the year; Christmas music fills the air, sparkling tree lights line the streets, gift shopping becomes a sport, and everyone else goes on a diet to make room for Christmas feasts.

Although this year will not be as joyous as other years, it will undoubtedly be more significant. With “100 Days of Caring,” SM demonstrated the most uplifting approach to best celebrate the season, with 100 days of spreading love, compassion, and care for one another and the communities surrounding our beloved SM malls. It’s the most anticipated season of the year with SM Supermall and I’m delighted to have been able to join the virtual event that they held to commemorate the start of the countdown to Christmas, which is just 100 days away. The virtual event presenting the commitments took place on FB Live and WatchSM on YouTube on Thursday, September 16, 2021.

“A 100 Days of Caring.” To begin off the Christmas season, SM vowed to give to over 10,000 people, including underserved communities, diligent SM employees, medical frontline workers, and loyal delivery partners. The following are some of the beneficiaries and their partner malls:

• SM North EDSAis giving 100 pairs of World Balance rubber shoes to seniors from Graces Home for the Elderly in Quezon City.
• SM Megamall, The Podium, and SM Center Pasigchose delivery partners who will be recipients of 100 raincoats and rain boots.
• From SM Mall of Asia, 100 sets of care packages like face masks, face shields, Ensure milk, vitamins, supplements, and more, will be handed over to senior citizens within the community.
• SM Southmallchose SOS Children’s Villages as to receive various story and educational books.
• Metro Manila and Rizal malls chose several orphanages, namely: Associacion De Damas Filipinas, Bahay Aruga, White Cross Orphanage, and The Little Children’s Home to receive 100 toys and essential goods each, especially prepared by SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Taytayand SM Center Angono.
• In North Luzon, 100 Aeta families from Zambales and Tarlac will be given grocery packs by SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Olongapo Central, and SM City Tarlac; fishermen in Pangasinan will be handed with fishing supplies by SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta Central, andSM Center Dagupan; while select tricycle and jeepney drivers in Bulacan will be given 100 pairs of shoes by SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan.
• SM City Bacoorwill give 100 brail books to the Deaf & Blind Foundation Philippines.
• In the Visayas, SM City Cebuwill bring smiles to kids of Kythe Foundation with 100 toys; while SM City Iloilo will give 100 25kg sacks of rice to healthcare and peace & order frontliners. SM City Puerto Princesa on the other hand, will have 100 grocery bags to displaced tourism personnel.
• SM City Davaoand SM Lanang Premier will be handing out 100 farming tools to local farmers; while SM City Butuan will be giving 100 Fiesta Food Packs to Por Cristo Foundation, Inc.

‘Gift’ for your mental health. Aside from our physical health being at risk during a pandemic, our mental health is also affected due to the stress and anxiety these times bring. And since SM believes in the value of taking care of our mental health, Dr Gia Sison, MD DPCOM gave a ‘Call to Share’ talk during the virtual launch. Dr Gia Sison is a mental health advocate and co-founder of PH Leader Livestrong Foundation. Her talk centered on how to cope during this stressful time and still find hope in a better tomorrow.

There are 100 people who care. If there’s one thing that all Filipinos have in common, it’s our love and enthusiasm for music. While large gatherings may not be permitted this year, SM thrilled the crowd with a performance by the 3 Divas – Rahda, Frenchie, and Bituin Escalante – who were later joined by 100 artists, singers, and SM employees and stakeholders who sang during the virtual launch on September 16.

We may be in the midst of a pandemic, facing difficult times, and many of us being physically separated, but let us not forget what this season actually represents. To view the event, go to Watch SM on YouTube to see the celebration. Visit www.smsupermalls.com for additional information, and follow @smsupermalls on all social media channel

Beneficiaries from the Kalanguya and Bugkalot tribes plant the seedlings on behalf of BPI employees.

The social development arm of BPI, BPI Foundation has started to reforest 170 hectares of land in Pantabangan, Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Nueva Ecija as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration in August.

According to BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo, “In previous years, we held nationwide volunteer activities as part of our anniversary celebrations. This year, we aligned with the Bank’s 170th anniversary theme and reinvented how we do volunteer work and give back to our communities as one BPI.”

Lakbay Luntian is the first-ever virtual tree planting initiative organized by BPI Foundation, in partnership with eco-social enterprise Bambuhay and Ayala Corporation’s Kasibulan Project, a long-term program on reforestation and forest protection. This is part of the Balik-Kalikasan program, which aims to preserve and restore rainforests across the country while equipping local communities with sustainable alternative livelihood and strengthening every Filipino’s commitment to protecting the environment through reforestation.

Through the collaborative efforts of BPI employees and BPI Foundation, a total of 68,000 bamboos and trees will be planted in Nueva Ecija. This will also help offset BPI’s total carbon emissions for the year 2020, while providing sustainable livelihood to 17 Indigenous People (IP) families in the area.

“Our BPI employees have shown that amid the pandemic, the bayanihan spirit remains very much alive in all of us,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. “Remember that we have not survived 170 years by remaining still. It’s been 170 years of constant reinvention, progress, and thinking to do good for our friends, neighbors, clients, and colleagues.”

Visit https://www.bpifoundation.org to know more about BPI Foundation and its initiatives.

Photo by: Raymund Isaac

Gary Valenciano’s boundless enthusiasm is being directed into a new project. Pray.com, the world’s number one app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has named the Philippines’ top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer as its Philippine ambassador, bringing attention to one of Gary’s lifelong passions: connecting to God’s power through prayer.

Valenciano is the right candidate for this prayer app, which was co-founded by Steve Gatena five years ago and is currently crammed with content featuring Gary V. Valenciano is known for his strong Christian faith and commitment. Gatena explains why the corporation chose to collaborate with the well-known Filipino-Puerto Rican artist: “Gary V is an inspiration to Pray.com and the world. The way he talks about his faith, his willingness to reach out to people directly, and encourage them to pray – it’s special. With so many out there struggling with mental and spiritual health because of the pandemic, Gary has chosen to share his voice with all of us. Now you can pray with Gary V anytime on Pray.com,” says Gatena.

For his part, Valenciano, a living miracle, reveals he was honored to join Pray.com and introduce the empowering prayer app to Filipinos. “I want to encourage everyone to pray. I have survived so many health challenges. I am here with you today only by the grace of God. I am unashamed to share my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful, first of all to God, and to Pray.com for giving me a platform to help others draw closer to the Almighty God who gave His only Son to save us,” says Valenciano.

Launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate a community, Pray.com now reaches more than 10 million people globally through its mobile app and website. It is the simplest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily prayers, pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. In this new venture, Valenciano becomes the voice behind bible stories like Joseph as well as meditation prayers that will inspire his millions of fans.

Prayer forms a vital part of Valenciano’s day. Whether he is working from home or at the ABS-CBN studios for his weekly ASAP Natin ‘To performances, an app like Pray.com on his mobile devices helps him seamlessly make time for quiet moments with God no matter how busy his schedule gets. Prayer has been Valenciano’s sanctuary and refuge, especially during this pandemic. During this heartbreaking season, no one has been spared from challenges, from grief, pain, and loss. Just recently Valenciano lost his photographer of 30 years, Raymund Isaac, to Covid19, who took his photographs for the posters of Pray.com.

“I want to encourage everyone – no matter what you are going through – take a moment, stop, and pray.  Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Start a conversation with God who loves you, God who is everywhere, God who knows you and hears your every cry. The Word promises – we can approach His throne of grace and always, we will find help in our time of need; He who has promised is so much more than able,” Valenciano adds.

Some of Valenciano’s most intimate conversations with God have found expression through songs of praise; many of his compositions have become timeless classics – multi-platinum hits like “Shout For Joy,” “Take Me Out Of The Dark,” as well as his vocal renditions of “Lead Me Lord” and “I Will Be Here.”  Prayer has taken many forms for the multi-awarded recording artist and these songs reflect this truth.  His timely ambassadorship with Pray.com becomes even more significant as he recently released yet another song of praise entitled “Make Us Whole Again.”  Written in the summer of 2020, the song is Valenciano’s way of expressing his journey during the pandemic, grappling with hope and fear, life and death, frailties and faith. As a line in the song goes: “No, our hearts won’t tire / Our faith’s on fire,” Valenciano’s faith is resolute as it flourishes, despite the persistent suffering and perplexing tragedies that plague the world.  This is a testament to the strength of his faith and the power of his connection to the divine.  With prayer as his priority from the moment he wakes, Valenciano lives a life of faith that stokes inspiration and admiration among many of his fans.

Taken during the zoom meeting

The new Pray.com app aims to enable more people of faith to make prayer a part of their daily lives. The platform has multiple functions that can be accessed by registered users: daily prayers every morning, nightly prayers before bedtime, audio Bible stories, Christian meditations, prayer plans, podcasts of pastors from around the world including globally renowned Christian personalities like John Piper, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Manny Pacquiao, and even Philippine pastors such as James Aiton of Favor Church, Paul and Shoddy Chase and Mylene Evangelista of New Life Church, and Bo Sanchez of Light Of Jesus Family. It also has inspirational music of different genres.

In a time of global crisis, prayer is a path to guidance, healing, and comfort. Valenciano and Gatena hope that Pray.com will become part of every Filipino’s life as we navigate the uncertainties of a world in great turmoil and persevere to overcome.

Visit www.GaryV.com for the latest news and information on Gary Valenciano; follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter and @garyvalenciano on Instagram; subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube; and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook for additional information. Pray.com can be found on the App Store and Google Play, and “Make Us Whole Again” can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Use the hashtags #PrayPhilippines and #PrayWithGaryV to help spread the news about Pray.com on your social media platforms.

Scan to download Pray.Com

The long-awaited BER months have here, and you know what that means: the holiday shopping season is now underway! GrabPay, the Philippines’ best rewarded e-wallet, is offering you the chance to check out your cool stuff with the most sulit discounts this coming 9.9 sale to spark the excitement and bring everyone in the holiday spirit and festivities!

Do you want to know what GrabPay has planned for everyone between September 9 and 11? Whether you’re looking for new makeup, want to enhance your skincare regimen, or are just getting into gaming, here are some of the offers you should keep an eye out for to make the most of your 9.9 shopping binge!

Start filling your carts as GrabPay brings you the most sulit deals from your favorite online stores! Make sure that your GrabPay Card is activated and get up to 20% off on your Lazada purchases and even P200 cashback when you check-out from Shopee this 9.9 sale!

Fashion hunters in for a sulit treat as Zalora and Shein shoppers have a sure chance of scoring massive discounts as big as P2300 OFF on their shopping sprees this weekend!

Beauty and skincare enthusiast? Don’t fret, you are also in for the same rewarding treats! Check out with GrabPay as you shop for the most raved-about skincare and make-up products from BeautyMNL, Watsons, and ShopSM and get up to P200 cashback – you can even earn up to 9x GrabReward points to get the most rewarding bang for your buck from your shopping experience!

Gamers out there won’t have to miss out on the fun this 9.9, either. Snag your much-needed upgrades by using GrabPay to get Razer Gold credits and enjoy cashbacks and GrabReward points – which, in turn, you can use to purchase even more credits just by redeeming your points on the Grab app!

If you’re still on the fence about joining the 9.9 frenzy, this is your cue to start adding items to your cart right now and enjoy the most exciting and sulit shopping experience yet, courtesy to GrabPay! Visit https://www.grab.com/ph/blog/experience-grabpay-now/ for more details on GrabPay.

About Grab

Grab is the leading superapp platform in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto millions of mobile devices, giving users access to over nine million drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab offers a wide range of on-demand services in the region, including mobility,food, package and grocery delivery services, mobile payments, and financial services across 428 cities in eight countries.

(www.grab.com)

In less than a month left before the end of voter registration, Vote Pilipinas and Grab Philippines collaborate for a voter’s education campaign with the aim of encouraging more Filipinos to “Grab the Vote.“ Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information registration campaign of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), partners with Grab Philippines launches “Grab the Vote” to encourage more Filipinos to exercise their equal right to suffrage. 

Sharing the same goal of inspiring the Filipino community to exercise their civic duty to vote, Vote Pilipinas teams up with Southeast Asia’s super app Grab as its official mobility partner for its 2022 voter registration campaign. Together, Vote Pilipinas and Grab support the government’s ongoing efforts and goal in targeting 7 million individuals to register as new voters through the campaign in providing the community with accessible, simplified, unbiased information, and data on voter registration.

“We are grateful that more organizations are participating and moving together in ways that they can to encourage more Filipinos to register and vote for the 2022 polls. Together with Grab, we continue to find ways to cultivate a sense of community and unity to move our country forward” says Ces Rondario, Impact Hub Manila’s co-founder and head of Vote Pilipinas

Grab, known for its tech expertise, and having launched programs through the years that educated both its driver- and delivery-partners as well as merchant-partners and consumers, continues its active movement with Vote Pilipinas as it combines its tech expertise to bring voter registration access to users from the comfort of their own homes.

Given the stricter community quarantine measures, efforts were ramped up in providing the opportunity to register online, with the Voter Registration Service Test now being available on the Vote Pilipinas website as well as in-app advisories designed and incorporated into the Grab platform. To keep users informed, in-app advisories are sent throughout the day containing deadline reminders, tips, and even up to the minute updates on registration, and mobility restrictions.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to leverage our tech and platform towards nation-building. We believe that the voice of every Filipino is vital in this upcoming election, and we want to help amplify each and every voice through safe and reliable mobility solutions for Filipinos who need to go to registration sites and express their intent to exercise their civic duties,” shared Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

To further entice its users to register, Grab also rolled out a GrabCar promo this month of September. Users will be able to redeem discounts for their GrabCar rides going to and from registration booths using the promo code “GRABTHEVOTE”. The P50 off discount can be redeemed in select cities with open voter registration such as Metro Manila, Baguio, Naga, and Davao.

All of this in an effort to empower the public through proper access to correct and unbiased information as well as to motivate the community, especially the youth, to speak up and have their voices heard.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has suspended voter registration activities and offices for cities that are under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ (MECQ) for the time being.

Visit Vote Pilipinas through https://www.votepilipinas.com to learn more.

About Grab

Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to Grab. Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 185 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab has the region’s largest land transportation fleet and has completed over 4 billion rides since its founding in 2012. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food and package delivery services, across 339 cities in eight countries.