In the Philippines, Christmas is unlike anything else. The city is buzzing with holiday spirit as the holidays get closer. There’s a brisk resurgence of Christmas traditions in the air, following about three years of claustrophobic epidemic. Philippine Ballet Theatre obliges, bringing back their ageless masterpiece “The Nutcracker.” The dance company presented this work for nine years in a row before the epidemic. The pandemic prevented it from celebrating its tenth anniversary. Nonetheless, the Newport Performing Arts Theater will host this magnificent play, choreographed by Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, on December 16–17, 2023. A robust resurgence is underway thanks to the kind assistance of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila Times, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, Sunlife, and NYXSYS Philippines. Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario has made up for lost time by reenacting this beloved dance, adding spicily to the choreography. The ballet, which features a cast of more than a hundred performers of various ages, promises to be an imaginative experience.
Set against the backdrop of sparkling snowflakes and magical land of the sweets with the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky, Philippine Ballet Theater will bring life to Clara’s magical encounters. The Nutcracker Ballet story originated from the “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (German: Nussknacker und Mausekönig), a story written in 1816, by the German writer E. T. A. Hoffmann.In this tale, Clara’s favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom of sweets populated by dolls.
Mathew Davo and Jessa Tangalin will take on the leads as Nutcracker Prince and Sugarplum fairy. Making their Nutcracker debut are company artists Sophie Tiangco and Therese Riego who will be alternating as Clara. Interestingly enough the cast will feature soloists and company dancers who were originally cast as Nutcracker kids in previous productions prior the pandemic. This includes Sophia Tiangco who headlines this production. The children who have grown to love the ballet, have also grown with the ballet. This season offering will be a fantastic return to tradition for both the dancers and the audiences. Its return will surely bring on the nostalgia for the many who have made PBT a beloved holiday tradition.
Catch their performances at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on:
Ballet students can receive a special 30% discount for the December 17, 2023, 7:30 p.m. performance. Discount is exclusively available for the SVIP, VIP, and GOLD sectors. Please contact our PBT office at 8671-1697/ 0968-870-8887 to take advantage of the discount, or DM us on PBT’s official social media pages.
In July 2023, Diageo Philippines initiated its inaugural post-consumer glass recovery and recycling program in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with the goal of advancing sustainability and the circular economy. Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress initiative, which aims to lessen the amount of solid waste that ends up in landfills, includes the Diageo Harmony. The collaboration between recycling partner San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation (SMYPC) and garbage collection business Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) makes this initiative possible.
Through a number of collection locations spread around BGC, the program gathers clean, empty, and used glass containers, including empty Diageo product bottles. Following BEST’s sorting and consolidation, these are subsequently brought back to SMYPC’s Manila Glass Plant for recycling. As part of its circular economy initiative, the used glass containers will be broken down into cullet and used as inputs to make new glass containers.
“The handover of 2 Metric tons of collected used glass containers marks an important milestone of Diageo Harmony. Collecting 2 Metric Tons of used glass containers for recycling from residents of BGC in over a 14-week period only shows that consumers are looking for ways to help the environment in whatever way they can,” said Rajesh Joshi, General Manager of Diageo Philippines. He further states, “This program wouldn’t have been possible without the strong partnership with the leadership teams of BEST and SMYPC, and we believe we can make this bigger and bolder with more partners joining the initiative.”
Diageo Harmony aims to broaden this partnership with additional businesses, clients, and partners in order to increase the sustainability effort’s reach to additional cities and regions across the nation.
Paula’s Choice Philippines is launching the new RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer in time for the Holidays – and it’s made better with their Christmas and Year-end Deals!
The new RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer and Year-End Clearance Sale
Good things can start toward the end of the year, particularly when it comes to new items and year-end sales. December also brings in more Christmas happiness with unique events and sales that make people feel festive.
Get Stronger, Glowing Skin for the Christmas Celebrations
The end-of-year holidays are the ideal occasion to introduce the newest item in Paula’s Choice’s RESIST line! The RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer is a technological breakthrough in barrier repair that will be released on December 12 or 12.12. It has been clinically shown to strengthen the skin’s protective layer, provide continuous hydration, and stop moisture loss. Additionally, it helps suppleness and visibly firms the skin for skin that looks healthier. All skin types benefit from its dewy sheen and lightweight texture.
As cold Christmas winds can dry out our skin, this high-performance formula strengthens, smooths, and improves the skin’s delicate barrier in 30 minutes and locks in all-day hydration – perfect for spending the day out as you indulge in holiday festivities with your loved ones!
This silky light lotion replenishes skin by signaling its own stock of Ceramides to self-hydrate, so the skin’s natural barrier can function at its best, all the time. More than hydration, this formula also helps protect natural collagen levels for firmer-looking skin and is clinically proven to reduce the look of wrinkles with continued use. Now that’s two benefits in one product!
The RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer features a specialized moisture complex that delivers water where the skin needs it most for optimal hydration. Its ingredients combine a powerful blend of five Ceramides and Cholesterol that replenishes the skin’s barrier and prevents water loss for long-lasting moisture, while Tripeptide-5 helps support firmness and elasticity for a healthier look and feel! Last but not least, Watermelon Seed Oil rounds it out by soothing the skin and maintaining hydration.
Get Christmas-ready glowing skin with the new RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer, retailing for P2,450 only on paulaschoice.ph! To top it all off, you can get a FREE 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (worth P900) with every purchase of this new launch from December 12 to 26.
12.12 and Year-End Clearance Sales to Start Your Journey to Great Skin
There are more great things coming your way before the year ends because Paula’s Choice is having their 12.12 Exclusive sale and a Year-End Clearance Sale!
Buy 2 and Get 1 Free this 12.12
This 12.12, check radiance off your list because you can get one FREE product when you buy any two from Paula’s Choice! You will also receive a FREE Glowing Wonders Set worth P2,400 with a minimum spend of P5,000. It contains the RESIST Triple Active Total Repair Serum in travel size and a Paula’s Choice Holiday Sticky Notepad perfect for listing down your Christmas shoppings and to-dos. Add your wishlists to cart now and check them out from December 3 to December 15!
Year-End Clearance Sale with FREE Glowing Wonders Set12.12 Exclusive with FREE Glowing Wonders Set Glowing Wonders Set
Christmas and Year-End Clearance Sale Up to 50% OFF
A Christmas and Year-End Clearance Sale is happening from December 16 to December 26 only! Unlock your true shine because the end of the year may be the beginning of wonderful things! Save up to 50% on a number of Paula’s Choice top-selling products to get that holiday glow at a lower cost. With a P5,000 minimum purchase, you can also get the FREE Glowing Wonders Set (worth P2,400).
This December, take advantage of the new moisturizer launch and incredible promotions from Paula’s Choice to celebrate the holiday spirit and close the year on a high note!
Truth Is the First Step Toward Beauty: Paula’s Decision. The aforementioned promos are only available at https://paulaschoice.ph/. Paula’s Choice Philippines is available on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
From left to right: CCBPI Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada; US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing; Sen. Grace Poe; Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario; CCFPI President Cecile Alcantara; and Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific Climate and Water Lead Lynn Hong during the 2030 Water Security Strategy Forum
On November 16, 2023, Coca-Cola Philippines held a varied assembly of interested parties to deliberate on water-related matters that are pertinent to the local community and investigate cooperative approaches to tackle these problems.
Speakers included Sen. Grace Poe, Y. Robert Ewing, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in the Philippines, Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines, Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), and Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Juan Lorenzo Tañada and Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI).
Water is the primary ingredient used in Coca-Cola beverages and is an essential resource for the well-being of communities around the world. With a presence in more than 200 countries and territories, The Coca-Cola Company believes it has a responsibility to protect local water resources and help people who live in places that face water scarcity.
“In the Philippines, we invest in initiatives to reduce water in making beverages and to treat and reuse water where possible. The goal is to return to nature and communities the amount of water used to produce our finished beverages. Efforts to preserve nature and biodiversity and promote advanced water management practices are among our company’s priorities,” said Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario. “We have an array of partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and communities to generate an even bigger impact and we encourage others to join us in these efforts.”
Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario reaffirms the company’s commitment to water sustainability
To accelerate its actions on water, The Coca-Cola Company launched this year its holistic 2030 Water Security Strategy, which focuses on the following:
● Achieve 100% circular water use across 175 facilities globally identified as leadership locations.
● Form partnerships to improve the health of 60 critical watersheds worldwide.
● Return a cumulative total of 2 trillion liters of water to nature and communities globally between 2021 to 2030.
“Coca-Cola has significantly contributed to water stewardship and in the pillars of water access, sanitation and health, watershed conservation, and water for productive use. They have demonstrated that the private sector can be pivotal in addressing water-related challenges,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing also commended Coca-Cola Philippines for its efforts. “Coca-Cola has been a long-standing partner of the U.S. government. I am proud of our strong partnership and shared commitment to providing water access, sanitation, and health services to underserved communities while conserving valuable water resources for future generations. Building a water-secure Philippines is a shared goal that we can achieve by working together.”
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe, Chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee, renewed her call for the creation of the Department of Water. “Water is indispensable for leading a life of human dignity. Let us work together to lift the floodgates of bureaucracy, attain sustainable consumption and production, and ensure that clean water flows to every household like a mighty stream.”
Efficient water use in manufacturing
CCBPI has improved its national water use efficiency across 18 manufacturing plants throughout the country through stringent water-saving initiatives. From 2015 to 2022, CCBPI saved approximately 11 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to about 4,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, reports the company’s water-saving initiatives
“Our passion for water sustainability is evident in the way we operate. From conducting Source Water Vulnerability Assessments to understanding and monitoring our water sources, making sure that we improve on our water use in our plants, to ensuring that we have the right people and the right technological investments in our facilities,” shared Atty. Juan Lorenzo Taňada, Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI.
Improving watershed health
CCFPI prioritizes nature-based solutions as a way to conserve watersheds using natural processes such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable agriculture. Together with WWF Philippines, the Foundation has worked to improve the health of Ipo Watershed, one of the main sources of water of Metro Manila.
Their 5-year partnership has replenished approximately 400 million liters of water per year due to decreased runoff, helped reduce 2,500 metric tons of CO2 per year from reforestation, and improved sustainable food supply for the people living in the community.
Helping communities access safe and clean water
Coca-Cola Philippines aims to return to nature and communities the amount of water used to produce its finished products and help increase access to drinking water, sanitation, and washing facilities for the most impacted communities.
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. President Cecile Alcantara shares how the Foundation helps communities have access to clean water for drinking and sanitation and build resilience against climate change
To achieve these objectives, the firm works with more than 25 partners across the country through the Foundation. For example, the installation of more than a hundred ram pump projects nationwide has resulted from CCFPI’s collaboration with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation for more than ten years, supplying water for home use and assisting in the decline of waterborne disease prevalence.
“The results of our water stewardship program testify to the power of collaboration on our shared advocacy on water security. We are committed to continue working with partners to reach more Filipino communities in the future,” said Cecile Alcantara, President of CCFPI.
Follow Coca-Cola Philippines on social media at @CocaColaPhilippines on Facebook and @cocacolaph on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram, or go to www.coca-cola.com.ph for additional information on the company’s sustainability activities.
November 24, last Friday, at Market! Shop! Mega Sardines, the top canned sardine brand in the Philippines, hosted FRESH-SAYA in Taguig City. It was a lively, joyful, and festive event that delighted both young and old sardine enthusiasts. The brand’s month-long celebration of National Sardines Month culminated in this event.
The celebrations demonstrated Mega’s dedication to provide Filipino customers with the best, freshest sardines available. Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, brand ambassador for Mega Sardines, was the main feature of the event, cooking delectable delicacies that highlighted Mega Sardines.
In addition to taking part in an immersive and gamified sardine catching-to-canning journey with Mega, National Sardines Day attendees had the chance to partake in a full day of exciting events that provided them with an unparalleled insight into the meticulous process that guarantees the freshness and unmatched quality of Mega Sardines products.
Attendees were able to experience the journey from sea to shelf at the interactive Mega Sardines catching-to-canning process booths that showcased how Mega Sardines are sourced, prepared, and delivered to your table, fresh and flavorful! These interactive booths allowed immersion into the brand’s process of catching, quality checking, canning, and can labeling.
There also was a Mega Sardines TikTok booth that featured a life-size Mega Sardines can that allowed for fun, quirky videos and memorable, shareable moments. Thrilling games, big raffle prizes, and a sampling and selling booth featuring dishes prepared with Mega Sardines also added to the overall remarkable fun of the festival!
“FRESH-SAYA is not just a celebration; it’s an affirmation of Mega Sardines’ commitment to delivering freshness in every can. It is honoring the humble can of sardines which is a staple food to many Filipinos, thanks to it being an affordable source of nutrition. As we celebrate National Sardines Day for the fifth year in a row, we hope that all the efforts we have prepared will let our valued customers experience Mega Sardines’ freshness journey and appreciate our brand promise of freshness in every can,” said Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer, Mega Prime Foods Inc.
Grab your loved ones and enjoy some fresh Mega Sardines cans in honor of National Sardines Day! Visit Mega Sardine’s official Facebook page or Mega Prime Foods Inc. official website to learn more about the brand.
L-R: Luisito Mayor, SBA Operations Group Head & Senior Vice President; Felisa Alcala, SBA Business Support Services Head & Vice President; Cecilio San Pedro, SBA President & CEO; Jun Cristobal, BNY Mellon Senior Vice President, Global Client Support, Treasury Services, Client Implementation and Philippines Market Manager; Cedric Chong, BNY Mellon Relationship Manager, Treasury Services; and Christopher Rocero, SBA Trade Services and Remittance Head
The Bank of New York Mellon has awarded Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Award once more in recognition of the bank’s outstanding payment formatting performance in 2022. The bank has been the recipient of this award for five years running. It is an acknowledgment of SBA’s dedication to quality and its capacity to quickly and accurately complete payment formatting tasks for MT103/MT202 payments in financial operations.
In the banking sector, STP is a crucial performance metric that assesses the effectiveness of payment processing. SBA’s achievement in meeting BNY Mellon’s stringent standards for offshore transaction security, procedural compliance, and processing speed is demonstrated by the STP Award.
This award is a testament to the bank’s unwavering commitment to quality and its commitment to giving its clients smooth, effective financial services. “Recognition of excellence becomes a crucial benchmark for financial institutions in the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the banking industry,” stated Cecilio San Pedro, president and CEO of the SBA.
Biggest parol in the Philippines at the Agila Grounds
The debut of EK’s Giant Parol at the Agila Grounds on Sunday, November 26, 2018, showcased the Filipino Christmas customs. Enchanted Kingdom (EK) is the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines.
According to EK President and Chairman Mario Mamon, EK is committed to showcase the Filipino Christmas tradition of parols and local festive decorations to bring nostalgia during the holiday season. “We are very excited to share with you the biggest parol in the Philippines!” It is our aspiration to provide a destination where families can create their enchanted Christmas stories,” Mr. Mamon further explained.
The 22-foot parol at the Agila Grounds was made by Eric Bondoc Quiwa, a well-known Pampanga lantern builder, with assistance from EK. Along with 100 other parols across the park, this is the focal point of the holiday celebrations at the theme park.
The largest parol takes three weeks to create, according to Cynthia R. Mamon, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EK. This includes the ideation and design phase, as well as the frame, welding, partitioning, and electrical component installation and finishing. It has 1,700 LED lights that illuminate it, and every night at the park there will be a light display.
EK is also set to showcase their homegrown talents through their Christmas shows such as Christmas At The Kingdom (EK Story), Brooklyn Diaries: Oh Paskong Maligaya (OPM) and Eldar’s Christmas Parade featuring its storybook characters to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The park is now open six times a week from Tuesday to Sunday, 11AM to 8PM. Starting December 18, the theme park will also open its gates everyday, from 11AM to 8PM with extended hours on selected special holidays until January 7, 2024.
Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ and EK’s official social media profiles @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok and @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram for more details on this celebration and other upcoming events.
TECNO’s first-ever flip phone, the chic, trendsetting PHANTOM V Flip lets you live your dream life and pocket your memories
The first fashionable flip smartphone under PhP30k
With the stylish and innovative PHANTOM V Flip, live the lifestyle of your dreams and cherish every moment. PHANTOM V Flip is the ideal travel companion whether you’re traveling with your pet, enjoying tiny pleasures, discovering new locations, or leading a stylish lifestyle.
The unique, aesthetically pleasing features, design, and seamless performance of the PHANTOM V Flip, the first stylish flip smartphone under PhP30,000, complemented the stylish lifestyle of young fashion trendsetters. It is portable, lightweight, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing. Its superb camera records life events from every angle and in full color. The foldable phone has a high-quality, less-creased hinge and fits well in your pocket.
The newest high-end flagship phone from TECNO, a leading global mobile phone company, is the PHANTOM V Flip. It is the first flip smartphone priced under P30,000, with a price tag of P29,999.
Travelers and trend-setters have been using the PHANTOM V Flip since its release in the Philippines, and they are blown away by its excellent performance.
Elevating stylish living with pet advocacy
Photographer and content creator Mark Kelvin does not just capture and tell stories of strangers. He also shares photos of furry pets, just like the cat Kuring, bringing good vibes into the social media world while advocating for animals. For him, pets bring joy and leave a positive impact on our wellbeing. He is right, and his followers flip over Kuring’s “cuteness overload” images taken from his PHANTOM V Flip smartphone.
Followers of content creator Show Suzuki are familiar with his pet dog Gonta, the star in his many videos. Gonta also plays a leading role in his life. His pet is instrumental to his healing, according to him. A true love story between a pet and his master, perfectly captured and treasured using the PHANTOM V Flip smartphone.
Content creator Jai Asuncion loves to share snapshots and reels of her life with her viewers, and she found a perfect travel companion with the PHANTOM V Flip. Her vlogs feature her passions – travels and the latest trends. She epitomizes the PHANTOM V Flip’s mantra – exploring the best that life could offer, while having fun.
Colz Vidal is deeply and madly in love with traveling and a devotee for endless journeys. Consumed by boundless wanderlust, her PHANTOM V Flip fits perfectly inside her cute, small bag. She generously shares her experiences and adventures with her viewers. She flips over her discoveries. The sheer beauty she sees is preserved in her memories and in her vlogs taken from using PHANTOM V Flip.
An award-winning solo female travel blogger (and also a vlogger) who has been to all seven continents, Aileen Adalid loves that her PHANTOM V Flip lets her seamlessly capture memories and handle work simultaneously. She also loves its stylish design and portability – the chic phone fits in her small shoulder bag, which she brings everywhere she goes. Her videos feature travel guides, resources and tips on traveling the world, as well as a week in her life on the rare occasions she’s home.
Flip over the PHANTOM V Flip’s features
PHANTOM V Flip is the latest innovation from TECNO’s “Go Premium” strategy. This global business strategy sets TECNO apart with its focus on building a product range that integrates the most state-of-the-art technologies with unparalleled stylish designs to deliver uniquely premium devices. It is likewise the latest revolutionary smartphone from TECNO’s premium sub-brand, PHANTOM, a pioneer in pushing the boundaries of creative and innovative smartphone design.
PHANTOM V Flip is a trendy pocket-sized device that integrates an ultra-clear 5-lens photography system into an exceptional foldable form factor with an optimally sized flagship dual screen. It features a 64MP rear camera and a 32MP front camera. Made of aircraft-grade materials, the self-developed drop shaped hinge is a superbly tight fit for seamless closing while providing a larger screen space and a shallower crease.
PHANTOM V Flip 5G features a 6.9” ultra big, ultra flat, versatile immersive AMOLED main screen that displays true-to-life colors and vivid, realistic hues.
The smartphone also features MediaTek Dimensity 8050, a cutting-edge 6nm 5G chipset that delivers a smooth user experience; an 8GB RAM 256GB ROM that is perfect to fulfill everyday storage needs, while also offering up to 8GB extended memory (RAM).
The Hi-Res Certified Stereo Dual Speakers and improved gaming capabilities round off the excellent performance, making this smartphone a really adaptable and stylish lifestyle choice for gamers, vloggers, and everyday users alike.
Filipinos continue to embrace Universal Robina Corp.’s (URC) market-leading products, as seen by the company’s strong ranking among customers’ top FMCG brands. According to Kantar’s Brand Footprint analysis for 2022, Great Taste coffee was placed ninth among fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and fourth among beverage brands in the Philippines.
The brand was ranked fourth in 2021 as well, however it went up from 15th in 2021 in the FMCG category.
A metric known as a “consumer reach point” (CRP), which gauges a brand’s strength based on how many consumers are buying the brand and how frequently, is used in the study by prestigious consulting firm Kantar Group. From 283 million in 2022 to 424 million in 2023, Great Taste recorded CRPs. 75.8% of all shoppers bought it, and 20 times a year, it was chosen.
The new GT Supreme was just added to the brand’s lineup as it continues to grow.
The top 20 food brands in the Philippines included two more URC products.
For the third consecutive year, Piattos made the list, coming in at number seven with 183 million CRPs. With 74 million CRPs, Nissin, a recent entry, landed in 19th place.
“Piattos continues to grow as it’s able to reach more shoppers, winning 1.2 million more homes in the past year, especially via sari-sari stores where it recruits more than 80 percent of its buyers,” said Pearl Benjamin, Senior Account Manager for Kantar Worldpanel.
The beverage category rating of URC’s C2 ready-to-drink tea increased from 19th in 2022 to 16th in 2023.
Chief Marketing Officer of URC Mian David stated, “This study highlights the sustained quality, cost-effectiveness, and lasting allure of our brands for consumers.” Providing healthy food options to consumers has always been our top priority.
The study’s findings, she continued, “showcase the resilience and adaptability of our brands.”
In addition to these well-known brands, URC also makes the decades-long favorites Maxx candy and Cream-O cookies. URC, one of the biggest producers of food and drink in the nation, is becoming more and more prominent in ASEAN. Among its top regional brands are Lexus, Tivoli, and Fun-O.
Kantar, which was established in 1992, currently represents 15,300 brands across 43 nations. It is the recognized authority on consumer behavior worldwide. According to Kantar’s Brand Footprint survey, URC’s Great Taste has continuously been rated among the brands that Filipinos choose.
Calling in working students to unwrap the gift of education and step up in your career!
Working students are getting ready for a special fusion of joy and academic focus as the Christmas season draws near. These people, who balance work and school, look forward to their Christmas bonus as a well-earned prize for a hard-working year.
The bonus becomes a crucial event for non-graduate employees who are not enrolled in school right now but are thinking about going back to school. This is the ideal moment to use the festivities as an opportunity for introspection and inspiration for future learning.
This bonus offers employees the opportunity to invest in themselves rather than just shop for holiday gifts. In addition to presents and indulgences, this additional money can be a lifesaver for people who are struggling to make ends meet because they lack a college degree. The obstacles of obtaining ideal jobs, getting promotions, and overcoming insecurities can seem overwhelming.
Think about putting your Christmas bonus toward things that can make a real difference. This little financial boost isn’t just for the holidays; it’s a way to make life better and set yourself up for success in the long run. Maybe go back to college, invest, go on a trip, become an entrepreneur, or pursue a new hobby. The possibilities are diverse, providing a chance to invest in your personal and professional growth. Here are ways you can start.
Restart your college education
In today’s professional landscape, getting a college degree is important. By doing so, you can improve your chances at securing a promotion or make yourself more desirable to potential employers. If the lack of time has always held you back from pursuing further studies, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) is the premier digital-first college that delivers an advanced online curriculum designed for modern Filipino working students.
MMDC’s specialized courses in business administration and information technology, crafted by professionals with rich expertise from academia and the workforce, prioritize practical learning to cultivate essential soft and hard skills for workplace success. Notably, the institution stands out by embracing innovation, eliminating traditional exams and tests from its approach.
At the heart of the MMDC digital education experience is its Projects, Problems, and Cases model which emphasizes real-world applications of a student’s learnings. MMDC offers flexible synchronous classes with professors, allowing a maximum of 7.5 hours per week, distributed across Mondays and Tuesdays. These classes are available in the morning, afternoon, and evening, providing students with the flexibility to accommodate their work commitments. Additionally, students have the option to change their schedule midway through the term. This setup is designed to cater to working students, enabling them to pursue education and enhance their career prospects in the long term. Students can enroll for as low as 11,500 pesos per term for three subjects, making quality education accessible and affordable as well.
You can restart your college at any term in MMDC. Application for new students and transferees to join starting the second term of SY 2023-2024 is ongoing. Classes start on December 13, 2023. To apply, visit https://www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/
Start investing
Investing is an effective way to build wealth and make your money work for you. If going into the stock market seems like an intimidating prospect, there are many lower-risk options to get started. Mutual funds and Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) can be great sources of passive income, while government-guaranteed savings programs like the Pag-Ibig MP2 allow for people to get started with low amounts to cash out.
Go on a trip
Travelling has many benefits. Whether you’re going solo or planning a trip with family and friends, travelling gives you an opportunity to disconnect, to immerse yourself in new experiences and come back with memories that can last a lifetime.
Become an entrepreneur
If you’re a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, your Christmas bonus could help kickstart the small business you’ve always wanted. As online shopping continues to boom, all it takes is a little capital and a bit of strategizing to turn your groundbreaking idea or your passion project into a sustainable business.
Pursue a new hobby
Interests can improve your abilities and excite the brain. Taking up a new pastime can improve your problem-solving, creativity, and communication skills—skills that can improve your personal and professional performance.
Make a promise to yourself as the year draws to an end: allow your Christmas bonus to serve as the impetus for a more promising and self-assured future. Set yourself up for a successful and rewarding path ahead by enrolling now, making prudent investments, traveling confidently, innovating without fear, and nurturing your passions.
