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Lifestyle, News

The 2022 CEAP National Convention will feature Lifelong Learning Solutions from Rex Education

Don Timothy Buhain, Rex Education chief executive officer; Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada, author; Atty. Dominador Buhain, Rex Education chairman and president; and Danda Crimelda Buhain, Rex Education chief external affairs officer at the book signing of “Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers 2023 Edition”

The 2022 Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) National Convention is returning in person with Rex Education and a sizable group of educators, school leaders, and superintendents from all over the country after two virtual gatherings during the epidemic.

The 2022 CEAP National Convention will take place in a post-pandemic environment, with the goal of bringing together the knowledge and experiences of schools that are only now beginning to recover from the difficulties of the previous two years. This will enable all educators and students to work together more effectively to advance learning in a progressive and spiritual direction.

The Rex Education Hub showcased REX’s diverse suite of solutions from early childhood education to professional development.

The theme, “Pilgrims of Hope Moving Forward in Synodality,” is inspired from the Holy Year 2025 motto, “Pilgrims of Hope,” which represents the theme of Pope Francis’ pontificate. It also calls upon the journeying together of various members of the education sector as one Church, as prescribed by Pope Francis in his Global Compact on Education message in October 2020.

“To educate is always an act of hope, one that calls for cooperation in turning a barren and paralyzing indifference into another way of thinking that recognizes our interdependence,” said Pope Francis during the speech. “The journey of life calls for hope grounded in solidarity. All change requires a process of education in order to create new paradigms capable of responding to the challenges and problems of the contemporary world, of understanding and finding solutions to the needs of every generation, and in this way contributing to the flourishing of humanity now and in the future.”

Rex Education Hub: A Lifelong Learning Journey

Building on the theme of the 2022 CEAP National Convention, the Rex Education Hub was created for delegates to have a glimpse of every Filipino learner’s lifelong learning journey through rediscovering REX’s diverse suite of solutions from early childhood education to professional development.

The hub was also designed for delegates to feel renewed excitement about learning in all life stages and to collaborate more and innovate further in support of quality education.”

“The journey of life is a journey of learning. At REX, we support Pope Francis and CEAP’s vision for synodality, where every Filipino is moving as one for every learner, so that they are empowered, equipped, and championed.” said Don Timothy Buhain, chief executive officer of Rex Education. “Through the Rex Education Hub at CEAP 2022, we hope we have showcased, yet again, that we are here to support every learner in every phase of their journey.”

Under Early Childhood Education (ECE), REX showcased its educational book titles, anchored on socio-emotional, language, and cognitive skills reflected in the six domains of development in the National Early Learning Framework (NELF) by the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council.

In response to the need for learners to know more about Philippine history, “My Bayani” is REX’s series of storybooks that introduces Filipino heroes to inspire self-analysis and reflection.

Basic Education continues to be the foundation of many learners’ development journey. From kindergarten to senior high school, REX worktexts are applicable across disciplines and integrate values and character formation for holistic development. Other learning solutions such as “My Skill Builder,” “My Career Journey,” and “Laro, Likha, Linang” are supplementary and equally comprehensive materials that further support the Filipino learners throughout their learning journey.

Moreover, after the pandemic reinforced digital solutions as non-negotiable in education, REX continued to build on the importance of digital resources. REX offers Schoology, a learning management system, and standardized assessments such as Digital Aces and Harrison Assessments as great tools that help mold learners who are ready for the demands of the 21st century.

REX also further guides students as they step into higher education. Relevant and evidence-based solutions and up-to-date contents based on real-life applications are at the core of REX’s learning materials to prepare students as they choose and build their careers.

As a lifelong learning partner to law students and practitioners, REX not only creates books, but also opportunities for mentoring and talks or conversations. A book signing with Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada, author of Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers, was held on-site on October 27, 2022.

As learning continues beyond formal education, REX’s suite of professional learning materials are intended for those who are looking to level up their journey and contribute to nation-building. Aside from various legal materials, REX’s solutions include the Barangay Handbook, designed for public servants to help them advance their knowledge and skills as they carry out their tasks for the benefit of their constituents.

REX also highlighted their partnership across several promotional and educational campaigns with Edukasyon.ph, an organization dedicated to developing EdTech products and services that bridge the gap between teaching and learning in the digital world.

CEAP 2022: A Renewal of Commitment to Edukampyons

In 2022, REX will once again take part in the CEAP National Convention as part of its ongoing commitment to support education and serve as a lifelong learning partner for all learners.

“As Edukampyons, we always protect, respect, and fulfill the needs of every Filipino learner. We can only do this when we work together with our educators, school heads and administrators, and stakeholders—fellow Edukampyons, who can help us move forward for a progressive education for our nation,” said Buhain.

The CEAP 2022 conference took place from October 25–28, 2022, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Both online and in-person delegates attended concurrent sessions, Eucharistic celebrations, the swearing-in of the newly elected CEAP National Board officers, and the presentation of the Pro Deo et Patria Awards.

 

 

Lifestyle, News

The Great 0% Interest Festival from Home Credit will help you have the happiest holiday

The most anticipated time of the year for Filipinos is quickly approaching, heralding the most lovely season for giving and sharing. Get ready to start the most exciting shopping season of the year by filling your hearts with the things you’ve always wanted for you and your loved ones.

Are you looking for anything for your monitos and monitas? Or perhaps you’ve been itching to treat yourself after a long year of labor? Because a major blowout is about to occur, you’d better not mope and keep your wallets from crying.

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, introduces The Great 0% Interest Festival with over 50,000 products provided at 0% interest rates at close to 10,000 partner retailers countrywide as a Christmas treat for Filipino customers.

“Giving has always been a part of every Filipino’s holiday tradition. What other way to start the season than to share the fruits of our labor with our loved ones and make their holidays extra special. To make this possible, Home Credit gives back to its customers by making holiday gifting more accessible and affordable this year by offering items at 0% interest rates to fit every Filipino’s holiday budget,” shares HCPH’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sheila Paul.

This is indeed a perfect time for Filipino shoppers to make their desired purchases without the need to hurt their wallets. From your desired phone upgrades, quality appliances, and new furniture to awesome tech and digital finds — Home Credit has everything that you need for your holiday gifting!

The biggest 0% interest rate promo nationwide

Home Credit’s The Great 0% Interest Festival is the biggest and longest-running 0% interest promo of any BNPL brand nationwide running since April 2022.

Filipino customers can enjoy their holiday shopping experience with Home Credit’s wide selection of over 50,000 products – from home appliances and furniture, bicycles and motorcycle accessories to electronics and hardware, sports equipment and apparel, and many more – offered at 0% interest rates at almost 10,000 partner stores across the country.

Fulfill your holiday wishes with Home Credit

Tick off all items on your wishlist because you can now avail of your desired purchases through Home Credit and its partner brands and retail stores nationwide at a 0% interest rate.

You can now get your dream gadgets, camera phones, and digital devices at the nearest partner brand stores — OPPO, realme, vivo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Acer, Apple, Huawei, Asus and Lenovo.

If you are looking for some new furniture or appliances to give away as presents, or tools and home essentials for your loved ones, you can now get them at Home Credit’s retail partners: SM appliances, Robinsons Appliances, Abenson, FC Home, Home Along, AllHome, Emcor, Automatic Centre.

Wait there’s more!

As an added treat, the brand wants to hype up your Home Credit holiday experience by launching an exciting campaign video that is set to launch on November 17 on Home Credit’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts, headlined by Home Credit’s brand ambassador – Moira dela Torre.

Why are you holding out? Visit the nearby retail stores and partner brands through the My Home Credit app to start shopping right away. Shoppers may currently take advantage of The Great 0% Interest Festival and get the best deals through January 31!

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have properly licensed and overseen the financing firm Home Credit Philippines (BSP). Visit the Home Credit Philippines website at www.homecredit.ph to find out more about the most recent news. You may also follow the company’s official profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Customers are advised to download the My Home Credit app from Google Play in order to learn more about the most recent promotions and discover what has recently appeared in the market.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

JuanHand and Tambunting launch Referral Program Partnership

Reliable, safe, and secured cash loan recommendations are now within your grasp, thanks to JuanHand’s partnership with Tiwala sa Padala Co., Inc. (TSPCI), known as “TAMBUNTINGS.” Through a referral program, the alliance aims to connect with the vast majority of everyJuans. JuanHand’s objective of protecting and securing client information is complemented by Tambunting’s goal to establish strong bonds of confidence and trust with customers and other business partners.

JuanHand and Tambunting harmoniously signed the agreement at 22 Prime Discovery Suites, Ortigas, Pasig City, last September 27, 2022, in the presence of Ramon C. Tambunting, Director/Corporate Secretary of Tambunting, Nora S. Daileg, Business Development Officer/Compliance Officer, Frederick A. Arcilla, Head of IT Administrative, and Francisco Mauricio, Chief Executive Officer, and Joanna Clarrise, Head of Strategic Partnerships, respectively.

This partnership seeks to offer additional helping hands to everyJuan even in the comfort of your home. Tambunting will soon offer more repayment and disbursement portals, which will increase the exposure of JuanHand. 

Both organizations are delighted and eager to give everyJuan top-notch services.

To know more information, you can visit their official website and you can download JuanHand on both Google Play Store and App Store. 

Tambunting’s Website: https://www.tambunting.ph/

JuanHand’s Website: https://www.juanhand.com/ 

Lifestyle, Tech

With PopStar’s Web 3 Integration, users can now see their digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and an ERC20 Token (SPARKLES), which they may earn by participating in activities

Caption: PopStar Influencer Marketing platform launched its Web 3 integration this year

The influencer marketing platform, PopStar, from YOYO Holdings Pte Ltd (CEO: Yosuke Fukada), the marketing technology company, has launched new features and functionalities that give users a better user experience, help marketers find influential nano- and micro-influencers with high engagement, and make it easier to track and monitor influence performance. It now features a built-in Web 3 wallet that enables users to access digital assets inside its app, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and an ERC20 Token (SPARKLES) that can be earned by completing tasks.

Caption: PopStar celebrated its 4th year anniversary with partner influencers and brands

PopStar is an influencer marketing platform that connects content creators to brands and vice versa. It has the largest network of nano and micro-influencers with over 250,000 registered users and more than 500 million followers in the Philippines and Indonesia. It automates and simplifies every part of a brand’s influencer marketing workflow, from acquiring the right influencers fit for their campaign to monitoring content quality and performance results within its app. It aims to help brands achieve business metrics, such as brand awareness, community engagement, and sales conversion, minus the long hours of manually selecting influencers with a high engagement rate at an affordable rate. It caters to all segments and demographics: young and experienced markets, regional and local, key-opinion leaders, and decision-makers.

PopStar has partnered with local and international brands, such as Glico, Kirin Ichiban, Traveloka, JCB, Ysera Skin, Geely, Brother Indonesia, Max Fashion, MAP Subway, Kewpie, Idemitsu, Shiseido, and Phapros, to name a few.

PopStar aims to help content creators have a more convenient and accessible way to earn additional income by joining its campaigns, now with a better, easier, and more enjoyable experience on its mobile app that is available to both iOS and Android users. It is owned by YOYO, a marketing technology startup in Southeast Asia with the goal to empower the next billion.

PopStar website:

https://pop-star.me/

Download the PopStar app on:

Google Playstore

App Store

To learn more about YOYO, visit:

https://yoyo-holdings.com/

Caption: PopStar Philippines team at the Poppin at 4: “Free to be Me” anniversary celebration

Influencer platform with exclusive integration to web 3 wallets to store and earn fungible and non-fungible tokens

We have moved towards a future where everything will be even more connected and virtual. This is what web 3 is all about – the next phase of the Internet where it becomes an entire universe of its own. It is the era of blockchain technology and decentralized applications where the rise of blockchain-based platforms will be evident in most aspects of our lives.

With the vision of: “Empower the Next Billion”, YOYO aims to provide diverse opportunities to people in emerging countries that could help them build their own brands and businesses which align with what the future holds. One of its solutions, the nano and micro-influencer platform, “PopStar” has more than 250,000 registered influencers and more than 500 million followers, maximizing profit opportunities using social media for local content creators.

Influencers on PopStar can now connect their preferred cryptocurrency or any digital wallet to the PopStar app’s web 3 integration to begin collecting and viewing fungible and non-fungible tokens as of this year. For PopStar influencers, this is the first step in using blockchain technology to interact with the app and earn bitcoin in the future.

PopStar will promote special NFT initiatives where brands in Southeast Asia will be able to promote their businesses through influencer marketing in the next years. This will provide them more options to profit.

Get in touch with us for additional details and/or partnership

PopStar Philippines: [email protected]

PopStar Indonesia:  [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, Lifestyle

2023 Calendar Girl of Ginebra San Miguel is officially launched

Yassi Pressman

Yassi Pressman, a Filipino-British actress known as the Queen of the Dance Floor, was unveiled by Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) as its 2023 Calendar Girl at an event that was attended by brand ambassadors, GSMI dealers, and friends from the media. I am also invited to the joyous event as it is so perfectly nailed by Yassi Pressman as she shows her talent during the launching. She even presented her skills in mixing drinks and I’m so amazed on how versatile she is. Truly she deserved the spotlight for Ginebra San Miguel 2023 Calendar Girl.

When Yassi received the call telling her that she had been selected as the GSMI family’s newest member, she was shocked and honored. Being a part of such a fantastic legacy will mark a significant turning point in Yassi’s life. “It means a lot to me that they chose me to be a part of the brand,” she continued. “It’s really something special to be part of a company that serves world-class quality products.”

It was the first time again, after two years, that the event was held face-to-face. “We are excited to finally hold our Ginebra San Miguel 2023 Calendar Girl launch live again! For us, this launch also signals the atmosphere for next year. The pandemic has affected many Filipinos, but now is the time to recover—armed with Bagong Tapang, to dream and hope again, and to spread that positivity to others,” says Marketing Manager Ron Molina.

With the theme “Queen of the Barangay,” the calendar features Yassi as a modern Filipina that is able to adjust to the new normal with positivity and productivity through her “matapang,” “ganado,” and “never-say-die” attitude.

YASSI AS “QUEEN OF THE BARANGAY”

Yassi show the different cocktail mixes during the event

Yassi prepared herself physically and mentally to be the best representation of what an  ideal Ginebra calendar girl should be. She admits that prior to her selection, she was always trying to keep herself fit. “Of course, there were times that I also had to give in to my cravings, but at the end of the day, I knew my priority was to be stronger, healthier, and happier.”

Preparing for the calendar shoot, Yassi pushed herself to do weight training, boxing, and having a healthy diet. “My fitness journey helped me become a better version of myself.” As for her mental preparation, she just kept in mind Ginebra’s taglines like “Ganado sa Buhay,” and “Never-Say-Die.”

With Yassi’s positivity and optimism in life, her personality shined through the six layouts of the Ginebra San Miguel 2023 calendar. The photo shoot was also done on location after two years, reflecting the relaxed and open atmosphere we anticipate in the coming year.

The six layouts are inspired by different cocktail mixes. The first one is “Ginsu Mix” set in an auto repair shop, reminding the importance of hard work and passion in everything we do. The second layout is “Calamansi Surprise,” showing Yassi amidst greenery and nature.

“Kula-Orange Fizz” is the third layout, featuring a background filled with dried pampas grass with wooden trays where one can display spirits and mix cocktails. According to Yassi, she could relate to this design as she had her dream home renovated recently, which now features a lot of touches of brown wood furniture and neutral shades. “I also have a mini bar in my living room–an open space to bond with my family and friends.”

The fourth layout is the “Velocity Mix,” something that seems like it’s from a blockbuster summer movie complete with a ref full of Ginebra products. While “Sky Prisma” is the fifth layout, also in a beach setting, but this time with a picturesque sunset in the background. Last is the “Mango Daiquiri,” where Yassi is magnified by a bonfire by the beach, the best place to experience Ginebra’s creative cocktails and concoctions. Just don’t forget your coolers and ice boxes for that perfect night!

Personally, it was hard for Yassi to choose a favorite among the six calendar layouts, but she has a bias toward the “Velocity Mix.” “It’s because I always enjoy beach time with family and friends–a ‘ginstronomic’ trip with our favorite food and gin. The drink also has candies and gummies–the perfect combo for me, as it is sweetness with a kick!”

YASSI ON BEING A MODERN FILIPINA

Yassi with the GSM Officers

During the pandemic, the actress and entrepreneur has gained new discoveries about herself–a new purpose, pride, and passion that resonates not only with her family but the whole barangay.

As an empowered Filipina woman, Yassi owns multiple businesses, knows how to tend to her organic garden, fixes things at home, and concocts rejuvenating drinks for herself and her family—all while fulfilling her commitments in the entertainment industry.

With her self-discovery, Yassi also realized to be kinder to herself and has become the “matapang” woman she is by refusing to let difficult circumstances pull her down. “When I was younger, my father always advised me to keep trying because, as he said—if you try and try and you succeed, you’re going to be happy, but if you try and try and you fail, I’ll be there to catch you,” says Yassi. Her family, the source of her “tapang,” made her fearless in the face of whatever trials or tribulations she may face.

Despite her personal struggles, Yassi continues to hone the talents that she already has and allows her inner beauty to radiate, too, in order to inspire others. According to her, she shows her most natural self online and sometimes even reveals some not-so-glamorous side of a celebrity because she believes that it would be healthy for people, especially the youth, to see that genuine side of her.

“I am open to everybody [on social media] about my battles and journey toward being healthier and stronger,” says the 2023 Ginebra calendar girl. “Whenever I get messages from little girls or any netizen saying that I inspire them to dance, act, and to keep moving forward, it gives me the ‘ganado’ feeling and hope and aspiration to empower more women!”

If there are things that the pandemic or the recent months have made women realize, it’s that they can accomplish things that are not expected from them and deliver more than the ordinary. “I think Ginebra San Miguel chose me because I embody courage, passion, and its never-say-die spirit. Growing up in showbusiness, you’d experience a lot of rejections and comments from people, and while we know we should just brush them off—especially the non-constructive criticisms—they sometimes get to you,” adds Yassi.

But amid all these rejections and disappointments in the past, Yassi just soldiered on, keeping a “never say die” attitude. Eventually, she became unstoppable, brimming with positivity and personality, allowing her to rise above the crowd.

As “Queen of the Barangay,” Yassi and her friends know how to have a good time—with good music and drinks, as seen on her social media posts. “We love theme parties; the last one we did was about sunflowers. We also did disco and Coachella.”

The new brand ambassador also shared that her favorite gin drink is the GSM Blue Mojito because of its light taste and her friends can easily enjoy the drink by just simply putting ice or adding any fruits like pineapple for a fruity flavor.

As GSM’s newest brand ambassador, Yassi hopes to spread positivity and continue to inspire and empower women and the youth—sharing the “ganado” spirit with her 28 million followers on social media.

THE GINEBRA CALENDAR TRADITION

The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl is a long-held tradition in GSMI and an important part of the brand’s history. Since its inception in 1988, beauty queens, actresses, and models who have made their mark in their respective fields have graced the Ginebra San Miguel calendar. Among them were Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Anne Curtis (2011), Solenn Heusaff (2012), Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019), Sanya Lopez (2020), and Chie Filomeno (2022).

According to the top international beverage publication Drinks International, GSMI is the manufacturer of Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular gin in the world in terms of sales. GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Antonov Vodka, Aejo Gold Rum, Primera Light Brandy, and Vino Kulafu, the top Chinese wine in the Philippines, are just a few of the premium distilled spirits produced by GSMI.

With Yassi Pressman

Visit www.ginebrasanmiguel.com or www.facebook.com/BarangayGinebra, the official Ginebra San Miguel Facebook page, for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Call to ‘environmental concerned’ consumers: Use Home Credit to advance sustainable living

When moving around the metro, you have three options for getting where you need to go: you may drive there and pay expensive gas rates, use a ride-sharing app that is also somewhat expensive, or try your luck with public transportation and experience hassles. You might have been at a crossroads and decided to remain home instead because of long lines for buses, jeeps, or trains. That has been the case for many people, especially once lives began to open up again following the protracted lockdowns.

However, a lot more Filipinos have started using bicycles for transportation recently. The sight of individuals cycling around large cities has become commonplace. Despite the nation’s inclement weather, more and more people are observed cycling alone or even in groups. They use their bikes for both fun and practical reasons, such as getting to and from work, remaining physically active, and doing errands.

Furthermore, bicycles are now turning into more ideal modes of transportation as they can easily squeeze their way into the frantic metro traffic and even squeeze through alleys and shortcuts that would otherwise not be accessible by cars.

But more than these reasons, many have turned to biking not only to stay away from the hassle of road transport but to lessen their carbon footprint. The conversations on how global warming is severely affecting the environment worldwide, primarily due to the excessive consumption of fossil fuels for transportation, have pushed more environmentally conscious people to look for sustainable alternatives to replace fossil fuels.

Now, more than ever, people from different walks of life are becoming more knowledgeable about their purchasing decisions. They opt for brands that have sustainability and green practices at their core – showing their concern for the planet’s well-being. Informed consumers actively seek out eco-friendly alternatives in replacement of their everyday essentials to promote lasting positive change for the environment.

Make your sustainable choice with Home Credit

If you’re one of the “green-minded” Filipino consumers who had been wanting to go bike commuting or simply wanted to channel your inner Freddie Mercury and ride your own bicycle around the metro — you may want to take a look at Home Credit’s financial products to finally take home the wheels you’ve been eyeing. Having a sustainable and eco-friendly vehicle provides a long list of benefits for the environment including reduced noise and air pollution and cooler and more conducive living spaces.

As the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, the country’s leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), supports eco-conscious consumers in their commitment to the environment and offers a wide array of electric bikes and scooters available through hundreds of its partner merchants. All items can be purchased through flexible payment terms and low-interest rates, plus no credit card required — making that green choice much more accessible and affordable.

Ride safe!

Visit the Home Credit Philippines website at www.homecredit.ph to find out more about the most recent news. You may also follow the company’s official profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Customers are urged to download the Home Credit App from Google Play in order to learn more about the newest promotions and discover what has recently appeared in the market.

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

With a “wearable investment,” let’s begin securing your future

Due to their rarity, exclusivity, and beauty, precious stones like diamonds and jewelry have been linked to status and wealth for more than centuries. Others, however, saw these priceless artifacts as more than just fashion accessories or statement pieces. Some people view gold jewelry as a type of “wearable investment” that never loses value but instead appreciates over time, protecting even your financial future.

The Cebuana Lhuillier, Just Jewels, and Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium hosts its anticipated annual Black Friday Gold Rush Sale from November 11 to 17, start investing today with reasonably priced and genuine jewelry pieces. Get 10% off everything and up to 50% off a few things at the more than 3,000 Cebuana Lhuillier locations across the country. You may also get up to 10% off of selected jewelry pieces by visiting the branches of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium and Just Jewels.

Shop online and avail up to 10% discount by simply visiting Lhuillier Jewelry Premium website at wwww.cebuanalhuillierjewelrypremium.com. You can also checkPremium via Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora with 10% discount

“Jewelry are among the best investments anybody could have. It’s a smart purchase since it’s a physical and tangible asset that is readily available, especially during emergencies. Apart from that, gold jewelry can also withstand inflation and a superior performer in times of economic instability,” Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

“We want to encourage everyone to take this opportunity to start investing now and buying gold is one of the many ways they can build a better future. Here in Cebuana Lhuillier, we want our kababayans to have access to affordable and authentic pieces of jewelry. They’re more than just a woman’s best friend, they’re everyone’s best investment,” Lhuillier added.

Profit from the nationwide discount and spend your holiday bonuses wisely by safeguarding your future and gathering high-quality items.

Visit the Facebook pa ges for Cebuana Lhuillier, Just Jewels, or Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium to learn more about the most recent promotions and to get the finest bargains for the Black Friday Sale.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

A 3D whale shark billboard, the Space Tunnel, the Golden Gateway, and dazzling light displays—ALL Immersive experiences lead to SM—ARE FIRST IN MANILA

 

3D Whale Shark, SM Megamall and Mega Space Odyssey, SM Megamall

Holidays are not merely joyfully observed at SM Supermalls; they are also enjoyable, immersive, and experiential. With the first-ever 3D Whale Shark LED billboard at SM Megamall, the Aurora Trail at SM City North Edsa, the Light Show and Holiday Fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, the Golden Gate at SM Aura Premier, and the Mega Space Odyssey, we’re taking you on an adventure this year.

AURORAH TRAIL IN NORTH EDSA

Aurora Walk, SM North EDSA

This Christmas, the Northern Hemisphere is home to the dazzling lights of the Aurora Borealis. At the Aurora path, which ascends the enormous holiday tree with a spectacular display of lights, woodland, rein-bears, and the holiday polar express, you can stroll while indulging in a family-friendly immersive experience.

MEGA SPACE ODYSSEY & 3D WHALE SHARK

Travel to majestic galaxies in outer space and take photos and videos with your space explorer friends. Experience the first-ever immersive 3D LED tunnel in Manila on October 21 to December 25 at the ground level Mega Fashion Hall (at the back of the Giant Christmas Tree).

SM Supermalls introduces the new 3D technology along EDSA by screening a hyper-realistic 3D Whale Shark at SM Megamall’s LED billboard. Bringing you the first in the Philippines, High-Definition Immersive content at the heart of the bustling metropolis. Netizens are awestruck of a larger-than-life Whale Shark peeking out of a digital billboard spanning over 2,000 square foot. The Mega Whale Shark was first teased on April 27 but customers, tourists and motorists can catch the short preview every 15 minutes starting April 28 at peak hours from 12nn to 10pm daily. Watch out for the new 3D content this Christmas. The Philippines has the 2nd largest population of whale shark in the world at over 1,950.

MOA SPARKLE OF LIGHT SHOW AND HOLIDAY FIREWORKS

Sparkle of Light Show, Mall of Asia

Feel the Christmas spirit as you watch the brightest and merriest indoor Christmas tree music and lights show. Be in awe as you watch over one hundred thousand lights set to music. Catch the show DAILY, every hour from 10am to 10pm until end of December at the Central Atrium.

Holiday Fireworks, Mall of Asia

Enjoy the most awaited and better than ever fireworks display at the MOA Complex every Friday and Saturday from November to December 2022. Make sure to experience this magical moment with your families and loved ones.

AURA’s GOLDEN GATEWAY and NIGHTS OF DAZZLING LIGHTS

An immersive experience in the form of a golden jewel is hidden under the enormous Christmas tree. Technology and art come together in this enclosure, created in collaboration with the popular smartphone brand TECNO Mobile, to transport anybody who enters into scenes of a lavish holiday castle and imaginative golden realms. Presenting PHP 1,000 in individual or combined receipts is all that is need to join this glitzy new world.

Golden Gateway, SM Aura Premier

The mall includes other technological experiences besides the theater. At Level 5 of SM Aura Premier’s Skypark, there is a choreographed light and sound show that is equally magnificent. Visitors to the Skypark enter a room with tall light-string sculptures in the shape of trees. A mind-blowing musical performance will enthrall and thrill them as they pass through a jungle of lights. Every Sunday night throughout December, including December 25th itself, the choreographed audio and visual performance is available for viewing at 7 pm.

 

Lifestyle, News

Merry Christmas from SM Supermalls!

 

Every Filipino’s Christmas will be made happier and brighter by SM Supermalls, which brings back the thrill in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience.

Ode to the stars: SM Megamall kicks off an extraterrestrial celebration                                                       

On October 20, SM officially welcomed in the holiday season with an extraordinary event at Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall. The lighting of the mall’s massive Christmas tree decorated with stars and lights marked the beginning of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas promotion. Additionally, from October 20 until December, SM customers can view SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey to get a glimpse of the cosmos. People can travel to space and view it immersively thanks to the 3D LED tunnel.

If you weren’t able to attend the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still other ways to enjoy the season. For you and your loved ones, SM Supermalls has planned thrilling and festive activities! See the information below:

More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!

Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.

Santa-approved Christmas Playpark

Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.

Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays

Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best.

Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights

SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM

Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations

SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love

Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.

Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village

SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.

Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs 

Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.

“This Christmas, we are sending a message of happiness to every Filipino. With every activity we have for them, we hope to inspire everyone to spread sparks of happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

As SM Supermalls generate more enchanted moments and possibilities to make a difference in other people’s lives throughout this holiday season, a new light of experiences will bring happiness and goodwill to every Filipino. To keep up with the many holiday festivities, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

Lifestyle, Tech

DigiCon Valley and the Meaning of Startups: Mindset Over Place

The Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAPDigiCon )’s is the event to attend if you’re interested in marketing, advertising, or the digital sector. The event, which took place online on the conference platform ViVYD from October 10 to October 14, had DigiCon Valley as its topic this year.

The key topics of interest in the discussions were creativity, problem-solving, and the entrepreneurial spirit. There is expected to be a turning point in the Philippine start-up landscape with a rise in investments for Philippine companies in the next three years (a significantly greater pace when compared to the previous five years combined).

When asked about the focus on start-ups for this year’s theme (DigiCon Valley being, of course, reminiscent of Silicon Valley), QAIROS CEO and DigiCon co-chair Denise Haak said “We realized there is a perception of start-ups that is very pigeonholed. People seem to think that start-ups are separate things from enterprises or institutionalized organizations. But a start-up is a mindset, it’s a practice.”

The goal was to “Break down the walls of ‘we are not a start-up’ vs. ‘we are an institution,’ and show them that it’s a practice, a methodology, it’s attitude and it’s not merely a place. That’s why we have DigiCon Valley, which is not a place. It is a state of mind,” said Haak,

The idea of start-ups being a state of mind resonated with both actual start-ups and stable companies, said fellow co-chair and General Manager of FutureProof PH Trish Elamparo-Esteban. “From 2020 onwards, we all had to be agile and apply these problem-solving skills that start-ups do. We all had to be a start-up in one way or another.”

THE KEY MOMENT

The opening keynote for DigiCon Valley went to Jake Knapp, New York Times Bestselling Author and inventor of Design Sprint, a process that uses design when bringing new products to market in five days. Credits to his name include Google Meets, Gmail, and Microsoft.

Knapp discussed Design Sprint, which is centered on the belief that solution planning can be condensed into one week, rather than a drawn-out timetable. “Focus on the key moment,” he said.

THE DETERMINATION TO FIGHT

This was followed by Angkas CEO George Royeca, who discussed his company’s method of disruptive innovation. According to Royeca, there was an obvious problem of traffic and congestion and their effects, and an even more obvious opportunity to solve them. “Think of how to identify a real problem and the steps needed to solve it,” he said.

Disruptive innovation, said Royeca, is nothing more than disrupting the status quo. There can be pushback, which Royeca illustrated using the example of Elvis Presley, and which he then compared with the early days of Angkas. “I felt like Elvis,” he said, especially when they experienced market acceptance.

Like Elvis, he also experienced the naysayers from the establishment. “We were shut down, and our office was raided. Our bikes were impounded,” he said. At the government hearings, Royeca heard the testimonials of those helped by Angkas. “I never realized you could be an OFW in your city,” he said. It made him more determined to fight.

FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION

Over the next couple of days, other keynote speakers shared their tidbits of advice. Arianna Huffington, CEO of Thrive and founder of the Huffington Post talked about what she termed “collective delusion”: that to succeed, we must burn out and power through exhaustion.

For Huffington, her moment of realization happened after what could be called a series of unfortunate events. She hit her head on her desk and broke her cheekbone after a tiring day. “It helped me realize that burnout was not just my problem but a global epidemic.”

Rather than resting on her laurels and promoting her new mantra of rest and restoration through her eponymous media company, Huffington decided that the way to go was to build a “behavior change technology company.” The aim was to help people adopt healthier practices and to make them believe it was possible to go from awareness to action.

She also cautioned against completely leaving your chosen field, as it could lead to giving up on jobs or goals you truly want for yourself. “It’s not necessary,” she said. “It’s a choice between burnout and having a job with great boundaries where you do great work but where you are not defined by your job.”

Rather than work-life balance, Huffington proposed that “work-life integration” is the better prospect, due to its flexible nature. “There will be days when you need to work extra hard because you have a deadline to meet, you have a client presentation and there will be days when you may have a sick child or when you may have something at home that requires your full attention.”

BELIEVING IN GOOD

Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa cautioned that misinformation is damaging to humanity. Social media’s power in influencing credibility is a double-edged sword that has repercussions in both personal and public life.

She named an MIT study that said that lies spread six times faster than truth. “When you hear the lie from so many different places and you hear it repeatedly, it’s kind of like Pavlov’s dogs, you become conditioned,” she said. “So, social media became a behavior modification system and we have seen this in many countries around the world. If you don’t have the integrity of facts, we don’t have the integrity of elections.”

How do we combat this? Ressa called on laws to protect, among others, free speech, online content moderation, user safety, and data privacy. She also believes that data privacy must be protected from those trying to profit from it.

Above all, being courageous and believing in the intrinsic good of people is needed, despite the current climate. “To be good, you have to believe it is good in the world,” she said. “Ask yourself: what will you sacrifice for the truth because your courage determines the fate of humanity?”

IMMAP DigiCon VALLEY 2022 would like to thank its Co-Presenter Angkas. Platinum sponsors Manulife Philippines, Share Treats, and TikTok. Gold sponsors GrabAds, Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, Kroma Entertainment, Maya Philippines, McDonald’s, Meta, MetaverseGo!, and Smart. Silver Sponsors Digital Turbine, Hepmil Philippines, and Metrobank.

The Platinum Media Partners GMA New Media, Inc., Manila Broadcasting Company, and Rappler are also acknowledged by IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022. The Asian Parent, The New Channel, Podcast Network Asia, Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines, and ABS-CBN are among the Gold Media Partners. Adobo magazine, BusinessWorld, Inquirer.net, Kroma Entertainment, Manila Times, and Philippine Star are all part of Silver Media Partners.

Finally, Event Partners CICP, Endeavor, Eventscape Manila, and Kickstart Ventures are acknowledged on behalf of IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022.