Monthly Archives

September 2021

Lifestyle, News

New challenge Vote Pilipinas is introducing to incentivize newly registered voters in areas under MECQ

Registration deadline nears, with 30 days left for voter registration. During its Magparehistro Ka! Mindanao Town Hall, Vote Pilipinas launched a social media challenge that incentivizes voter registration. This is in partnership with Smart Communications where the newly registered voters who are encouraged to post their selfies for all to see with the caption detailing why it’s important for them to register to vote. The prizes such as tablets, smartphones, bicycles, pocket Wi-Fi devices, and various discount vouchers await participants. All entries will be accepted until October 10, and winners will be announced on the Grand Draw on October 15.

How to participate in this challenge, here as follows:

  • Newly registered voters simply need to post a photo of themselves on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
  • Answering the question in their caption: “Bakit mahalagang magparehistro?”
  • Participants must follow @votepilipinas, use the hashtags #MagpaRehistroKa, #VotePilipinas, #RegisteredtoVote, and #LiveSmartVoteSmart
  • Send a photo of their registration stubs and proof of entries to the Vote Pilipinas account
  • To learn more, visit Vote Pilipinas on Facebook.

The challenge was announced during the MindaNOW! Magparehistro Ka! Town Hall on August 27, 2021, which rallied residents in Mindanao to register and presented the latest data on Mindanao registrants. During the Town Hall, Director III of the Commission on Elections Education and Information Department Atty. Elaiza David-Sabile announced that deactivated voters can now reactivate their registration status online and that COMELEC will have a synchronized schedule for mall registration with partners Ayala Malls and Robinsons Malls on September 11.

It was also announced by COMELEC today that starting September 6, 2021, registration in both COMELEC offices and satellite registration centers will resume in all areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine with hours from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and holidays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

September 2, 2021 by
Food, Travel

In the midst of the pandemic, Balamban’s best restaurant: Nang Linda’s officially reopens

Stores and Restaurants in Balamban, Cebu. It’s time for a local cuisine legend to open Northwestern Cebu’s first Filipino Family Restaurant. Erlinda “Nang Linda” Villanueva-Sangre decided to make a braver move by launching a full-service restaurant in her name, with the support of her children, to commemorate her 75th birthday. .

Last July 28th, NANG LINDA’S opened to the public to cater the growing demand for well-loved comfort food homemade dishes such as: Hamonada, Humba, Balamban Liempo, Manok Bisaya Inasal, Sisig and a lot more.

Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, together with Balamban Vice Mayor Alfie Binghay and property owner Concepcion Yu were the guests of honor of the “Liempo and Inasal Chopping” opening ceremony.

“I am personally attending this because Kumare [Nang] Linda is close to my heart. I can still recall the first carinderia in front of the old Municipal Hall because it was my first term as a Mayor of this town,” recalls Mayor Binghay.

When it first debuted in 1988, it was called as “Balamban Chikaan,” but it has since been renamed NANG LINDA’S. It is now a full-fledged restaurant brand that gives diners an al-fresco dining experience. TAKE OUT and ONLINE DELIVERY are also available at www.NangLindas.com and www.facebook.com/NangLindas.

Entrepreneur at 75

Nang Linda is a Balamban, Cebu native. At 12, she became the family breadwinner after their parents abandoned them to the care of their relatives. She worked as house help to an aunt to be able to continue her studies and at the same time support her other two sisters. It is also where Nang Linda first learned how to cook dishes for the whole family.

At 18, she fell in love with a young debutant Balambanon, Jacinto Sangre. With a fast growing family of 7 children, Jacinto’s poultry work can no longer suffice the growing needs of the family. Looking for alternatives, Nang Linda started a carenderia beside the old Municipal Hall of Balamban.

But it was not always that way for the then aspiring cook. Nang Linda herself recalls, “I think the informal training I had in appreciating ingredients and actual experience with these ingredients had allowed me to understand each of its unique flavors and characters,” recalls Nang Linda.

From every food she tasted and loved, Nang Linda slowly built her own repertoire of local Filipino dishes, mastered and perfected in Nang Linda’s.

Since then, Nang Linda has been the go-to lady for quality home cooked meals. Her “suki” will always order her Hamonada Espesyal, Balamban Liempo, Manok Bisaya Inasal, Sisig, Pinakupsan and a lot more.

One of its re-opening guests Concepcion Yu recalls, “Nang Linda has become a well-known name synonymous with good food here in Balamban.”

Her carinderia became a must-dine food stall  every Balambanon’s came to know about.

Carinderia to Restaurant

Today, standing proudly along the busy thoroughfare of the National Highway, Pondol, Balamban, Cebu, is a native bungalow alfresco restaurant of Nang Linda’s.

“We decided to open a native al-fresco restaurant in tribute to my mother’s passion for good food. It is her legacy to us and the people of Balamban. Nang Linda’s has already touched so many and different types of people from Balamban. The legacy and passion needs to continue,” says Nang Linda’s Chief Executive Officer Iren Sangre-Licera.

With Nang Linda’s youngest son Chef Jojo Sangre manning the kitchen, Nang Linda’s completes its full-circle of providing local diners sumptuous dining experience that is affordable on the family’s pocket.

Nang Linda’s Expansion

CEO Iren Sagre-Licera confirms more openings and expansion plans are in order.

“We believe in the brand NANG LINDA’s stand for. More than food, it emphasizes close knit family values,” adds the CEO.

CEO Licera adds, “Entrepreneurs and investors are contacting us for possible franchising and co-ownership opportunities. And we are already opening our doors to that.”

If you are interested in any of the NangLindas Franchising or Co-Ownership Programs, please visit www.NangLindas.com/own-one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2, 2021 by
Travel

Banwa Private Island is thrilled to confirm a partnership with Ascent Aviation

Beginning September 1, 2021, a strong alliance between Banwa Private Island and Ascent Flights Global (“Ascent”) will provide a completely customized experience of personal safety and privacy via sustainable chartered air travel. From on-demand private flights to the opulent island hideaway, Banwa Private Island and Ascent are now offering an exclusive, smooth, and highly personalized travel bubble experience.

Located in North-eastern Palawan and nestled in Sulu Sea, Banwa Private Island is set amidst one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty imaginable. The glistening island of lush, verdant landscaping and pristine white sands is the ultimate in luxury, tranquility and infinite privacy.

With Ascent, the exclusive island is still remote, but not removed.

A chosen 8-seater seaplane directly from Manila on a 1 hour-45 minute scenic journey, arriving on the doorstep of the exclusive island, is easily and discreetly accessible by air from Manila. Helicopters for up to ten passengers are also accessible from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport or The Peninsula Manila’s helipad. The Ascent’s fleet also includes larger fixed-wing aircraft that can fly to any destination in the Philippines.

Alternatively, guests can choose any commercial airline to any of Palawan’s three commercial airports, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa or El Nido, followed by a short helicopter flight across the Sulu Sea and land on Banwa Private Island’s own heli-lawn.

For a more cost-effective option, guests can opt for onward travel to the island by a premium Sports Utility Vehicle from either San Vicente or Puerto Princesa airports in Palawan, followed by a short boat transfer to the island.

Ascent also offers to service both domestic and international arrivals by private jets, be it in Manila or Clark for onward journey with any of their varying type of aircraft, or directly to either San Vicente or Puerto Princesa airports in Palawan.

Part of Ascent’s bespoke services is ground handling arrangements with meet and greet arrangements, inter-airport transfers, exclusive lounge service and immigration fast track.

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Banwa Private Island, greeted this new dynamic partnership with a comment: “We found a great partner in Ascent with our shared goal to deliver exceptional, personalised and intimate guest experiences to our affluent clientele. Our utmost priority is the genuine care and well-being of our guests from their chartered flight to their holiday experience in our informal and intimate island sanctuary. Personal safety and hand-crafted travel experiences have become even more important in the luxury travel landscape nowadays. Ascent’s long-term approach and commitment to a decarbonized world is well aligned with Banwa Private Island’s continuous dedication to sustainability”.

Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff, founder and CEO of Ascent added: “Banwa Private Island’s vision of an enhanced experience by air between Banwa Private Island’s guests’ home, and its remote delicate environment, is dear to us. With this partnership, guests’ experience now starts with a seamless and private bubble. Ascent’s dedicated solution for Banwa Private Island, brings a holistic journey by air, like no other, beyond motion. With best-in-class air operations on fuel-efficient aircraft, Banwa Private Island’s guests elevate their journey with peace of mind”.

[email protected] or www.banwaprivateisland.com are available for exclusive island or individual villa reservations. You can also email [email protected] or visit www.ascent.flights for air and land transfer inquiries or bookings.

About Banwa Private Island
Banwa Private Island is Palawan’s most talked about new all-villa holiday destination for discerning guests seeking the ultimate in contemporary luxury, privacy and bespoke service.
Located within a marine protected area and home to an abundance of rare and vivid flora and fauna, Banwa Private Island has six magnificent beach-front villas, each with their own infinity pool providing the utmost in privacy and tranquility. World-class amenities include a stunning open kitchen restaurant and terrace bar, a spa pavilion featuring floodlit tennis court, gym, massage suite, Pilates/yoga studio and juice bar. There’s a dive centre and short-game golf course too.
Remote, yet not removed, the 6.5-hectare island is accessible via helicopter or seaplane direct to the island from Manila, or via private jet to San Vicente or Puerto Princesa. Furthermore, short-hop heli transfers from San Vicente, Puerto Princesa or El Nido make for a stunning guest arrival experience on the Banwa Private Island’s heli-lawn, after a 1-hour commercial flight from Manila.
Recently voted ‘Private Island of the Year’ in the Destination Deluxe Awards, Banwa Private Island’s sought-after exclusivity is more timely and important than ever before. Guests can opt to stay in any one of Banwa Private Island’s six beach-front villas or, for the ultimate friends and family escape, the entire island can be chartered on an ‘exclusively yours’ basis.
For more information, please visit www.banwaprivateisland.com
About Ascent
Ascent is Asia’s Air Mobility leading company, powering air taxi, experiential, medical and cargo services. With Ascent people and businesses can avail of on-demand flights on helicopter, jets and seaplanes across cities and regions. Ascent ambitions to democratize Air Mobility, as a convenient, reliable mode of mobility that addresses congestion, connectivity, environmental sustainability and health issues generated by rapid urbanization and the pandemic. Ascent operates across the Philippines with hubs in major locations such as airports, central business districts, and popular leisure destinations. Users can complement their journey by availing of value-added services including luggage transport, first and last-mile ground transport amongst other services. In addition, passengers fly on curated aircraft in accordance with COVID-19 related safety protocols such as enhanced aircraft cleaning and frequent health checks on crew.
With Ascent, passengers regain control of their time, and move in safe, crowd-free and controlled environments, with flights operated by best-in-class operators such as INAEC Aviation Corp. and AirTrav in the Philippines ensuring the highest operational and safety standards. Ascent is committed to Climate Neutrality and is endorsed by governments. Awaiting all electric aircraft, Ascent makes use of helicopters and planes today.
For more information, please visit www.ascent.flights
September 1, 2021 by
Food

Free Barbie or Hot Wheels Limited Edition Tumbler with every McDonald’s Happy Meal Collector’s Set!

McDonald’s Happy Meal Barbie Toy Collectibles

Back again at McDonald’s the iconic toys loved by children all over the world and including me but this time with an even greater deal! You get your money’s worth with four delicious meals, four Barbie or Hot Wheels toys of your choice, and a FREE limited-edition tumbler starting at PHP 399!

With the Happy Meal Collectors’ Set, it is easier and faster to complete all Barbie or Hot Wheels designs! You can also opt to mix and match the toys that would go with your four meals and FREE tumbler. It’s perfect not just for kids, but just like me also who is young-at-heart fans of Barbie and Hot Wheels who have love for and interest in fashion and cars.

McDonald’s Happy Meal Hot Wheels Toy Collectibles

Spark imagination and creative thinking with Barbie, whose various roles and careers empower children to celebrate their limitless potential. The Barbie Happy Meal features different roles such as Princess BarbieTM, Ballerina BarbieTM, Racer Car BarbieTM, and Vet BarbieTM. With this line-up, kids will see that they too can be anything they want to be if they set their minds to it.

Also making a comeback at McDonald’s is the #1 selling toy in the world for four years! Hot Wheels Happy Meal includes the Gazella-R Jump, Twin Mill Hoop, Bone Speeder Track Switcher, and Blitzspeeder Blast-off Gate—a fast-action toy line with cool track systems that kids will truly enjoy. Watch your children unleash their thinking and problem-solving skills every time they open their Hot Wheels Happy Meal toys. You can even help them create their own amazing courses and stunts for a fun bonding experience!

Barbie and Hot Wheels Limited-Edition Tumblers FREE with every Happy Meal Collector’s Set Purchase

Available during breakfast and regular hours via McDelivery, Drive Thru and Take Out! Don’t miss out the chance to score a great deal and bring happiness to your little one today! Order now a Barbie or Hot Wheels Happy Meal or a Collector’s Set.

Stay up to date on all McDo announcements and for more information just follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook.

 

September 1, 2021 by