Lifestyle

A VPX shop offers essential services such as preventive maintenance, lube services, suspension, and mechanical repairs, and even car detailing.

When it comes to business growth, it doesn’t always imply going bigger. With the “VPX Starter Package,” Value Plus Auto Service Express (VPX) – The Casa Alternative – now offers a more inexpensive franchise scheme for innovative Filipinos. You may now open an auto repair shop with just 200 square meters of space, a lower initial cost, and a lower franchise fee. VPX is shifting gears and is perfectly suited to the immediate requirements of smaller communities after launching numerous full-service vehicle repair shops, including one in Batangas City recently.

“Our Starter Package offers a real benefit and solution for smaller, dynamic communities – like barangays, towns, and residential neighborhoods – by providing a smaller-scale auto shop that is equipped to handle essential car maintenance and repairs,” explains Mark Saberola, the General Manager of ValuePlus Auto Services Philippines Inc.

He points to the great potential and need for these types of auto shops as, due to the pandemic, many have resorted to using their own vehicles to avoid crowded public transport and reduce infection risk. Thus, preventive maintenance is prioritized to keep their vehicles running.

According to the GM, when it comes to preventive maintenance services, the average driver spends around P5,500 per visit for at least 2 visits per year. “And when you multiply this with the number of car owners who regularly drive to work, this spells great potential!” adds Saberola.

VPX Auto Shop, indeed, offers a unique solution, providing excellent customer service and experience that is at par with major dealerships.

Providing greater security and assurance to franchisees, the VPX Starter Package is founded on a sound business model that’s been proven to be pandemic-proof.

For P4.5M-P7M startup capital, entrepreneurs can have their own auto shop up and running in three to four months. “The beauty of this program is that you can start with a smaller space, smaller capital, and just 50% the franchise fee,” he adds. “Also, we help existing auto repair shop owners pivot their businesses and convert their shops into a VPX shop. So, they can benefit from a tried-and-tested system that accelerates their growth and professionalizes their operations.” Over the years, VPX has built a sterling reputation and has become the go-to, trusted auto shop for preventive maintenance (PMS), lube services, suspension and mechanical repairs, for after-warranty vehicles.

The VPX Starter Package is appropriate for new businesses since it requires a lower initial expenditure and a more compact layout. Operators may start their business right away, get a faster return on investment, and have the option to expand services and facilities as needed. OFWs, returning expatriates, retirees, and multi-enterprise owners who want to diversify their business portfolio can choose the start package. In fact, independent fuel retailers have used the scheme to supplement their stations.

VPX starter package includes the construction or renovation of the shop, two lifters, 3-5 trained manpower, tools and equipment and a cloud-based shop operating system among others.

When it comes to franchising, VPX assists owners every step of the way, from documentation to building and even training and management. “We provide you full confidence in the program as we have built the model to be truly successful. Start your entrepreneurial journey today and get in touch with our team.”  

Just visit fb.com/solutionsvpx for more information or email at [email protected].

Being a PMD-friendly city, Bonifacio Global City bringing last-mile connectivity solutions to BGCitizens to ensure that residents, employees, and even visitors (APORs) can traverse within the city with ease and security. During the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the option of transportation is very limited. To aid in enabling active transport BGC in close partnership with Moovr PH, has installed the first ten of its bike repair kits in key areas of the city.

Moreover, eight additional bike and e-scooter hubs from Moovr PH were also put in place in BGC. Key areas include 5th Avenue, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio High Street Central Parking, and North Bonifacio. With more hubs on its way to complete the connectivity story of BGC’s 240-hectare expanse.

With these efforts, BGC aims to create a safer and more conducive mobility option for its BGCitizens and guests. For updates, visit Bonifacio Global City’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph and Bonifacio High Street’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet. 

Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero

Recently the Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, released a video in honor of smile makers Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero for winning on ‘The Wall Philippines’ on TV5 which aired last month. Donates proceeds to Smile Train to provide more comprehensive cleft care in the country.

“Smile Train is very close to our hearts, we got to know them over the years. They provide surgeries for children born with cleft palate,” said Troy Montero on The Wall Philippines. Upon winning the game show, Aubrey and Troy chose Smile Train as their beneficiary partner. A portion of the proceeds will go to Smile Train beneficiaries. ‘The Wall Philippines’ is a Philippine game show based on the original American format of The Wall.

Watch the video here https://fb.watch/7pDpvrX3Z2/.

“Smile Train is grateful to have ambassadors like Aubrey and Troy who have been such passionate partners of the organization for many years now. They have always gone out of their way to use their platform in raising cleft awareness and in encouraging more people to get involved. We are grateful to be their charity of choice as we continue to work together making more smiles and provide free comprehensive cleft care to more children in the country,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Vice President, Southeast Asia, Smile Train.

To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines. And for more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org.  The Smile Train Philippines mobile application can be downloaded via Google Play and App Store.

Happy Life Organics ( HLO ) introduced the Waterless Shampoo for Pets to kick off the month. There will undoubtedly be many questions that arise in your mind regarding the product, and the following are the answers.

WHEN:  When in need of a quicker, safer, innovative and plant bath alternative against chemical actives in a shampoo for pets.

WHY:    First in the Philippines and 100% natural and pet friendly! Provides convenience, less effort and less time in every bath. Saves 70% of bath time every time you use Happy Life Waterless Shampoo. Perfect for a quick bath and for those on the go. You can still groom your pets even your in a hurry or during cold/rainy seasons. Helps relieve pets suffering from skin and fur irritations such as but not limited to: wounds, bad odor, itchiness, scaling, mange, allergies, dandruff, hotspots, inflammation, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, redness, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

HOW:   As easy as 1-2-3!

1. Shake and spray generously directly to pets fur and skin from head to paws to tail.
2. Rub, lather and enjoy this special bonding with your pet.
3. Wipe dry with a clean towel and be amazed of the benefits you provided and the time you saved!

Happy Life Organics also specializes on  LC Industrial, a five in one product for pets as disinfectant, deodorizer, cleaner, insect repellent and insecticide, that is made only with natural and organic ingredients. A gallon goes a long way, when diluted with water it can yield up to 11 gallons of solution.

The solution can be used for disinfecting pet areas, repelling and killing harmful insects and making any pet area smells clean and fresh while keeping our pets safe.

They also have a plant-based and natural shampoo and conditioner for dogs, cats, and rabbits that combines the excellent advantages of Lavender, Aloe Vera, Neem, and Madre De Cacao.

Finally , HLO Pet Spray is considered as an all in one spray for pets formulated for ticks, fleas, and mites, as well as disinfect wounds, scrapes, and itching, and deodorize pets on the go and in and out of the house. So, what are you holding out for? With your pets, discover the genuine meaning of happiness.

LAZADA, ZALORA, and SHOPEE: Happy Life Organics’ social media accounts are @happylifeorganicss on Facebook and @happylifeorganicss on Instagram. 2 Physical Locations: Waze Bulacan HQ Address: 1634 Mayumi St, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Bulacan. Quezon City: 50 Esteban Abada in Waze Bulacan HQ Address: 1634 Mayumi St, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Bulacan. Also accessible at some of the country’s best veterinary clinics. You can also check it out in their website: www.happylifeph.com

 Watch connoisseur Carl Cunanan tackles the intricacies of handcrafted luxury watches at Watches 101, the first installment of Federal Land Conversations – Living the Finer Life webinar series

Excellent whisky and fine watches. These are two of the most important choices among smart individuals with refined tastes. Federal Land produced a webinar series called Federal Land Conversations – Living the Finer Life to help people rediscover the realm of time and spirits. The webinars feature workshops on rekindling passions and enjoying the better things in life.

Carl Cunanan, Editor-in-Chief of Calibre Magazine and C! Magazine, will host the three-part webinar series. Cunanan, a well-known watch collector, also contributed his knowledge of watches during the inaugural Federal Land Conversations. This was accompanied by a virtual whisky appraisal with whisky expert Kris Ong, creator of dramboxph and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Philippine liaison. On August 18, the third webinar will focus on the construction and appreciation of luxury automobiles. Carl Cunanan and Lexus Philippines Brand Manager Jade Sison will tell a story as to how Lexus vehicles combine first-rate craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.

Whiskey professional Kris Ong explains the secrets behind the world’s beloved barreled spirit at A Virtual Whisky Appreciation, the second webinar under the series Federal Land Conversations – Living the Finer Life

It is time

In the watches webinar, Carl Cunanan walked the audience through the wonderful world of watches, why they are considered a significant part of history, how they bond generations together, how they are prompting people to go back to the touchpoints of physical craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Buying a watch may sound simple, but there are many things to think about before getting one, specifically the “complications.” Complications involve anything past the hour, minute, and second hand. The word complication includes functions such as the day-date, perpetual calendar, chronograph, power reserve, moon phase, repeater, tourbillon, to name a few. These all add value to the watch depending on how one wants to use it.

While some may prefer a simple wristwatch, others would choose a handcrafted luxury watch that serves as a legacy or investment. However, Mr. Cunanan cautioned that these expensive timepieces require a different level of understanding—from the brand, product, model, source, and future valuation if they are bought with an expectation of financial return.

“Treat watches as an investment, but if you want to know the value it will have in the future, you must do your homework. Not because it came from one brand, its price will skyrocket,” Cunanan said. “Watches as an investment are not only an investment in money. They are an investment in time, an investment in passion, an investment in your soul. Spend wisely,” he advised.

Just like property investments, watches are not only about the price but what one is buying them for, the value in the future, and the experience that can be received from them. The precision craftsmanship and unparalleled design are also the very pillars of Federal Land’s properties.

In the same way that the market for high-end condominiums like Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower and The Seasons Residences is different from those who want a simple corner home, watches also cater to different market segments.

“If you look at the whole pyramid of needs thing, the further up you go, it’s more about you and what defines you than it is about the basics. But neither is right or wrong. It’s a matter of preference,” Mr. Cunanan said.

Water of life

Kris Ong took the audience through the whisky tasting process and explained the various influences of one of the world’s favorite barreled spirits known as “the water of life.”

Whisky was first used as an internal anesthetic and external antibiotic. It originated in Ireland and Scotland and was made from different types of grain such as barley, corn, rye, and wheat.

To pair whisky with food, Mr. Ong said it should be with complementing or contrasting flavors to create a balance or a proper counterbalance. For instance, a bourbon (whisky with 51% of grains made up of corn) tends to be on the sweet side and would be best paired with a saltier meal like a steak. A cream-based dish like Laksa, a whisky on the lighter side, or a bit more acidic would help cut through the fat. Adding a few drops of distilled or bottled water to some whiskies may also unleash more flavors.

When buying a whiskey, Ong stressed to never leave it under the sun for too long as the heat can diminish the drink. He also explained that a newly opened bottle of whisky could last for more than a year, but the air in the bottle creates oxidation. It will not ruin the whisky but may change the flavors, sometimes for the better. To preserve its original taste, an opened bottle should be consumed within a year. The contents may also be transferred to a smaller container to lessen the air.

Whisky-tasting opportunity is available at The Peak of Grand Hyatt Manila, located at Federal Land’s Grand Central Park community in Bonifacio Global City.

Luxury living 

The next webinar under the Federal Land Conversations – Living the Finer Life will be all about vehicles, particularly Lexus Philippines’ line of luxury cars. It will be held on August 18, 2021, via Zoom Webinars.

Federal Land has lined up webinars to air in the following months. One will be about learning the basics of real estate investing considering your life stage. Another webinar will explore interior design for modern living, the latest design trends and hacks, and how to create live-work spaces at home to balance personal and professional life. There will also be a webinar that will show how to cook delectable dishes and take appetizing shots for posting and sharing online.

To join Federal Land Conversations – Living the Finer Life webinars, visit www.federalland.ph to register.

ABOUT FEDERAL LAND

Federal Land, Inc. is under GT Capital Holdings, a listed major Philippine conglomerate that is the primary vehicle for the holding and management of the diversified business interest of the family of Dr. George S.K. Ty. For more information, visit the Federal Land website at www.federalland.ph.

TikTok attracts people from all walks of life who want to be amused, find joy in their daily lives, and express their creativity. Everyone can find their community on TikTok, whether it’s by checking out the latest book recommendations on #BookTok or showing off their new digs on #renovation. Our goal is to create a warm and respectful platform for these lively, different communities.

TikTok provides a variety of safety and privacy restrictions, allowing users to choose who they share their content with. They also feel that ensuring even greater proactive protections to assist keep teenagers safe is critical, and they have implemented enhancements to encourage age-appropriate experienceson their platform on a regular basis. This involves making accounts for those under the age of 16 private by default, limiting services like Direct Messaging for those 16 and up, and allowing parents to manage their teen’s TikTok visibility through Family Pairing.

To further reinforce these proactive measures, they are releasing a new set of enhancements for customers aged 13-17 today. These modifications will continue to be rolled out to users around the world in the coming months

New changes to Direct Messaging privacy settings

TikTok wants to help teens make active decisions about their privacy settings, so when someone aged 16-17 joins TikTok, their Direct Messaging setting will now be set to ‘No One’ by default. To message others, they will need to actively switch to a different sharing option. Existing accounts who have never used DMs before will receive a prompt asking them to review and confirm their privacy settings the next time they use this feature. These updates build on their current messaging protections, such as not allowing images or videos to be sent in messages and disabling messaging for accounts under age 16.

Decide who can watch your videos

The process of making a TikTok is fun and creative – choosing music, picking effects, and getting the transitions right – but it is just as important to choose who that video will be shared with. To help teens understand the sharing options available to them, TikTok is now adding a pop-up that appears when teenagers under the age of 16 are ready to publish their first video, asking them to choose who can watch the video. They won’t be able to publish their video until they make a selection.

With each video going forward, creators can decide who can watch before they post. Accounts aged 13-15 are set to private by default, and private accounts can choose to share their content with Followers or Friends, as the ‘Everyone’ setting is turned off. Duet and Stitch are also disabled for accounts under 16.

Choose who can download your public videos

TikTok is also providing additional context to help teens aged 16-17 understand how downloads work, so they can choose the option that’s most comfortable for them. If they opt to turn the feature on, they’ll now receive a pop-up asking them to confirm that choice before others can download their videos. Note that downloads are permanently disabled on content from accounts under the age of 16.

A mindful approach to push notifications

TikTok prioritises and supports the well-being of their community members, with features like Screen Time Management that can be enabled both by account holders or by parents as part of Family Pairing. They want to help their younger users in particular develop positive digital habits early on, and they regularly consult with leading pediatric experts and youth well-being advocates to develop their Youth Portal, bullying prevention guide, and other features that support youth-well being. Now, they will be drawing upon this research to make changes that reduce the time period during which their younger teens can receive push notifications. Accounts aged 13-15 will not receive push notifications from 9pm, and accounts aged 16-17 will have push notifications disabled starting at 10pm.

These changes continue to build on their ongoing commitments as there’s no finish line when it comes to protecting the safety, privacy, and well-being of their community. They are working with teens, community organisations, parents and creators to further innovate and they’re excited to share more over the coming months. To learn more about their efforts to support youth and families, you can read our Guardian’s Guide.

Lark, the next-generation collaboration suite, just added additional project management features to the platform, expanding to provide remote teams with crucial work tools for seamless connection and efficiency. Users may now turn conversations into to-do lists right from Lark Messenger, thanks to the latest version. When utilizing Bitable for data and project management in Lark Docs, you now have four alternative display options.

Manage Tasks and Convert Messages Into To-Do’s

When you are working with multiple teams on multiple projects, tasks tend to pile up quickly. Without an effective task management tool, important things-to-do could get buried and overlooked as new tasks come in. Lark’s new Tasks feature, a lightweight team task manager, aims to solve this by providing users with a central place to organize and keep track of all work tasks. Through Lark Tasks, you can assign things to do to specific team members, set deadlines, and track task completion as well. Collaboration is boosted through this process, helping to promote teamwork, as members work to complete tasks and achieve goals together as one.

Lark’s Tasks feature integrates seamlessly with Lark Messenger, allowing users to create to-do items from messages in one click. This means that tasks can be instantly taken note of, in real time, while you continue to chat with your team or your boss. This eliminates the need to scroll through countless messages in search of things that you need to work on after the discussion is over. It also minimizes the risk of important tasks getting lost and forgotten among conversations in the messenger window.

Improved Bitable Features in Lark Docs for Better Project Management

Keeping track of all of your deliverables can be challenging when you work remotely on different projects, and with different teams, too. When dealing with several tasks and collaborators, listing everything in a single sheet may not be enough, as this could become cluttered and confusing very quickly. A great tool to keep all your data organized is Bitable, an innovative database that looks like a table, which completely integrates with Lark. All project details, schedules, and collaborators may be inputted on Bitable, to easily manage projects and track progress. With mobile-friendly features, you can effectively use Bitable from anywhere, and on any device.

Bitable now has an independent entry point from Lark Docs, enabling users to insert a template for project management, task management, and even event planning, into a document at a click. You can now choose from four different views on Bitable as well, depending on your needs. Grid view looks like a task list where you can add, delete, and manage things-to-do. Kanban view, which is great for tracking progress, groups to-do items based on conditions like task priority. Gantt view is ideal when you want to see project timelines at a glance. Gallery view shows tasks as a gallery of images, and works well when you need to display attachments such as images and PDF files.

Lark is a powerful, free collaboration tool that’s ideal for virtual workers. Download Lark and see how it can help you accomplish better work right now. Visit www.larksuite.com for additional information. Lark may also be found on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and  YouTube.

Lark is available on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. To get started with Lark right now, go here.

It’s completely free to use with:

– Unlimited video call minutes

– Unlimited searchable messages

– 200GB cloud storage

– 500GB email storage

– Unlimited third-party app integration

– Multiple team admins

– Customizable workflows

About Lark

The suite primarily consists of Lark Messenger, Lark Docs, Lark Calendar, Lark Video Conferencing, Lark Mail as well as Lark Workplace which integrates third-party applications. All functionalities are deeply integrated into a single app, which is available on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android.