by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 19, 2023 | Business
GCash expressed its full support for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10946, also known as “Kontra-Bigay”, ahead of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Officials from the fintech company attended the campaign’s launch at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, earlier in September. The launch was also attended by distinguished representatives from lead agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Department of Education (DepEd), as well as prominent election-focused NGOs like National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Legal Network For Truthful Elections (LENTE).
COMELEC Resolution No. 10946 aims to combat online vote buying and selling by establishing a Kontra-Bigay Committee and expanding the existing vote-buying regulations under the Omnibus Election Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the other rules and regulations issued by COMELEC.
One of the most significant highlights of the newly passed resolution is its recognition of online banking transactions and the use of e-wallets as potential channels for vote buying under Section 30. During the launch, COMELEC emphasized its authority to scrutinize the financial details of account holders suspected of involvement in such illicit activities.
“GCash reiterates its unwavering commitment to cooperate fully with the COMELEC in the fight against online vote buying. The company recognizes the critical role fintech companies play in safeguarding the integrity of elections by preventing the misuse of digital financial tools for unlawful purposes,” said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash.
GCash believes that fostering transparency, accountability, and trust in financial transactions is paramount to ensuring fair, honest, and inclusive elections that reflect the people’s will.
“We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and security in financial transactions and will actively support the COMELEC in their efforts to maintain a level playing field for all candidates and voters,” added Sazon.
As the country’s no. 1 finance super app, GCash embraces its responsibility in ensuring that not only finance but also democracy is for all.
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones.
GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only duacorn in the Philippines, which is a part of the country’s leading digital solutions platform, Globe Group.
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 18, 2023 | Business
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) is set to kickstart the launch of DUP STUDIO with Dolly de Leon entitled Auditioning for a Role and Landing It. The award-winning film and theatre actress Dolly de Leon will serve as a mentor to six participants for the first-ever Studio Work of the program. This will also be open to the sit-in participants to witness the session first-hand.
The DUP STUDIO aspires to become a mainstay in Philippine theatre education, especially catering to aspiring artists and artists-at-heart. Inspired by a series of colloquia organized by the UP Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts on its 60th founding anniversary in 2019, DUP Studio is set to become the extension arm of Dulaang UP in making theatre education accessible to a wider range of students, educators, and enthusiasts from the seasoned to the novice.
As an alumna of the pioneering batch of the Certificate in Theatre Arts program at the University of the Philippines, Dolly de Leon pays homage to her theatre training at the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts by sharing her audition techniques. This is the trend DUP Studio seeks to sustain–welcoming back the talents it has honed over the past four decades to inspire a new breed of artists and enthusiasts.
DUP Studio Work will not be limited to stage acting, however, as the avenue recognizes the changing performance landscape. DUP Studio dramaturgs Olive Nieto, Tess Jamias and Issa Manalo Lopez aim to gather workshop facilitators from homegrown and international contemporary performance makers across the creative industries, both onstage and offstage, on-camera, and behind the scenes. The studio aims to create a space for deep and genuine connections to contextualize and respond to the current issues and trends in theatre, performance studies, and the creative industries.
The pilot Studio Work, “DUP STUDIO with Dolly de Leon: Auditioning for a Role and Landing It”, is open to those building their professional and creative portfolios. Workshop rates range from 5,000.00 pesos for the mentored participants and 1,200.00 pesos for the sit-in participants. This will be soon sold on the Ticket2Me platform. The workshop will be held at the newly-furnished IBGKAL Theatre, University of the Philippines Diliman, on 25 November 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Dolly de Leon has recently co-starred with Kathryn Bernardo in the box-office hit “A Very Good Girl” and gained international acclaim for her role in the Palme d’Or-winning Triangle of Sadness. In June 2023, de Leon was invited to be a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the annual Oscars or Academy Awards.
Other prominent DUP Alumni include Eugene Domingo, Irma Adlawan, Neil Ryan Sese, Lani Sumalinog, Micah Pineda, and Martha Sta. Barbara, Shamaine Buencamino, and Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.
For inquiries and further information, contact or email du***********@****du.ph. Bulk ticket orders for schools and student organizations may be addressed to Kate Dayag-Nonay at du*********************@****du.ph. More registration details will be posted on the Dulaang UP Facebook page.
*with contributions from Issa Manalo Lopez and Eija Maxene Lozano
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 14, 2023 | Entertainment
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) puts women at the forefront to launch its 46th Theatre Season in Sidhi’t Silakbo. Dulaang UP Artistic Director Issa Manalo Lopez and Virgin Labfest Festival Director Tess Jamias direct this production, which weaves together a contemporary reimagining of the classics Medea, Antigone, Trojan Women, and The Suppliants.
Sidhi’t Silakbo opens the season in a celebration of the authenticity and validity of varying female realities. To its directors, “It is an awakening, a breaking of the cycle, breaking stereotypes, of women liberating themselves through a series of performances of freedom, fury, wit, rage, love and ruin.”
Featuring five powerful actors: Shamaine Buencamino, Uzziel Delamide, Chic San Agustin, Wenah Nagales, and Adrienne Vergara, the show is fueled by female ferocity and frenzy. These women reclaim female stories and create spaces where a woman can assert her decisions based on what is true, what makes her happy, and what is right for her.
Shamaine Buencamino is a masterful actor whose career spans three decades. She has brought us numerous meaningful and remarkable performances in theatre, film, and television in the Philippines and abroad and has dedicated herself to breaking the stigma about depression and mental health.
Joining her are fellow Dulaang UP alumnae Adrienne Vergara and Chic San Agustin. FAMAS award winner Vergara starred in the Jerrold Tarog movie Bliss. She has recently gone viral as “Ate Judit” in the Boy’s Love series Gaya sa Pelikula and has been an advocate for queer representation since then. Chic, with a theatre background rooted in Dulaang UP, has delved into a career as an advertising manager and events specialist.
Rising theatre and indie film actor Uzziel Delamide is a firecracker who joins in the mix. To complete this ensemble, Wenah Nagales, a familiar face in film and television, shares her talents as a seasoned actor and singer whose theatre background was honed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company.
Catch performances of these fiery women at the KAL-IBG Theatre, University of the Philippines Diliman, on the following dates:
- Nov. 23, 24, 25 (7:30 pm)
- Nov. 26 (2:30 pm & 7:30 pm)
- Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 01 (7:30 pm)
- Dec. 02, 03 (2:30 pm & 7:30 pm)
Tickets are available at Php 1,300 (regular rate) and Php 650 (discounted rate for UP students). This will be soon sold on the Ticket2Me platform. Sponsorship concerns such as show buying, audience sponsorship, and bulk tickets may be addressed to Kate Dayag-Nonay at du***********@****du.ph. Additional information will be posted on the Dulaang UP Facebook page.
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas has long been at the forefront of producing premiere theatre productions since it was established in 1976 by National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa. In its second season since the end of the pandemic, Dulaang UP continues to welcome back students, educators, and enthusiasts to the stage, where greater representation never fails to matter.
*with contributions from Issa Manalo Lopez
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 10, 2023 | Food & Beverage
The Manila Hotel, renowned for its culinary excellence, joyfully greets the month of October with a selection of dining promotions tailored to its valued clientele.
A Celebration of Beers and Brews
Beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs can partake in a month-long merriment featuring handpicked beers and brews. Ranging from classic lagers to artisanal craft brews, the selection guarantees there’s a beer to cater to every palate.
Brands on showcase include San Miguel Light, Pale, Super Dry, Cerveza Negra, Premium Malt, Engkanto Lager, Honey Ale, Ube Lager, and Mango Nation. Available at the Lobby Lounge, Tap Room, and Pool Bar.
All Treats No Tricks for the Kids
In the spirit of Halloween, The Manila Hotel has a special treat in store for the little ones. Junior guests dining at Café Ilang-Ilang, Lobby Lounge, Red Jade, or Champagne Room on the evening of October 31 will receive complimentary Halloween goodies.
Spooky Confections for Halloween
The Delicatessen presents an assortment of handcrafted confections that reflect both the spooky and sweet aspects of this enchanting holiday. From cookies and cupcakes adorned with ghostly figures to pumpkin lollipops and chocolate-dipped strawberries — these treats are crafted to delight not only kids but also those who remain young at heart.
These sweet bites are available at the Delicatessen from October 15 to November 2, 2023.
Sweet Symphony: Mango Sponge Cake with White Chocolate and Almonds
Guests can indulge in our featured cake this October—a delicious confection with luscious layers of mango sponge cake, white chocolate, and crunchy almonds.
Available at the Delicatessen for everyone’s enjoyment until October 31, 2023.
M Takeout’s Fresh Offerings
The acclaimed takeout service of The Manila Hotel unveils its latest menu, offering its patrons a new variety of dishes that they can enjoy from the comfort of their homes or workplaces.
The highlight of the menu is the introduction of new dishes for Solo Meals & Rice and Noodle Bowls, created to a wider range of tastes and preferences.
Solo Meals encompass a range of cuisines, including Filipino, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Halal. Each meal is thoughtfully paired with an assortment of proteins, carbohydrates, sides, and desserts, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.
The Rice and Noodle Bowl selection is equally impressive, featuring White Chicken with Ginger Sauce, Spaghetti Amatriciana, Beef Ho Fan Noodles, and Penne Pasta Pomodoro, to name a few.
A Holiday Prelude: Festive Merienda Especial
As the holiday season approaches, take pleasure in The Manila Hotel’s Festive Merienda Especial—an assortment of French pastries, mini sandwiches, and all-time favorite Filipino delicacies, complemented by a selection of tea, coffee, or the hotel’s signature hot chocolate.
Available from Monday to Sunday at the Lobby Lounge from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To know more about these offers, please call +632 8527-0011 or +632 5301-5500, email re************@************el.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience.
It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club. The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past.
It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists. It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure:
- Café Ilang-Ilang, which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights;
- Champagne Room, with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting;
- Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music;
- Lobby Lounge, which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings;
- Red Jade is a fine-dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine and
- Delicatessens offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 3, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Dragon Court, the renowned Chinese restaurant at Manila Prince Hotel, officially reopened its doors on September 27, 2023. The occasion was celebrated with lively Dragon and Lion dance performances alongside an inaugural lunch that brought together esteemed members of the media, hotel executives, and loyal patrons.
The intimate gathering showcased the restaurant’s ambiance and culinary offerings. Guests were treated to the delectable Mid-Autumn set menu – a selection of traditional Chinese dishes such as Hakaw, Siomai, Stir-Fried Beef in Oyster Sauce, Salt and Pepper Spareribs, and Yang Chow Rice.
Dice Game
The festivities continued with a dice game, adding an element of fun and excitement to the event. Lucky winners walked away with a range of prizes, such as Dragon Court gift vouchers, Marcelino St. Café buffet vouchers, and mooncakes by The Manila Hotel.
Cozy interior
Dragon Court showcases an interior reminiscent of golden Chinese design. It boasts comfortable seating, elegant décor, and warm lighting that together create an inviting ambiance. For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, the restaurant offers five (5) private dining rooms.
The reopening of Dragon Court marks a significant milestone for Manila Prince Hotel – showing the hotel’s commitment to delivering exceptional dining experience to its patrons. “We are thrilled to welcome our valued guests back to Dragon Court. Our commitment to serving traditional Chinese cuisine remains,” shared Ester Joy Yap, director of food and beverage.
Dragon Court is open for lunch from 11 am to 3 pm and dinner from 6 pm to 10 pm, from Mondays to Sundays.
For inquiries and reservations, call +632 5328 2222, email fn*@**********ce.com, or visit www.manilaprince.com.
About Manila Prince
Manila Prince Hotel, a subsidiary of The Manila Hotel, is situated in the heart of Manila’s business district. It is located close to the city’s top tourist spots as well as main transportation hubs. With its 300 well-appointed rooms, 10 function rooms and ballrooms, an elegant lobby with 24-hour reception, a business center, a swimming pool, and gym access, Manila Prince Hotel offers value for money and stylish comfort.
Along with excellent service and luxurious hospitality, the hotel has two (2) exciting dining outlets: Marcelino Street Café, the all-day dining restaurant, and Dragon Court, the Chinese restaurant. The hotel is attached to UN Square Mall for convenient shopping and dining. These and more make Manila Prince Hotel a top choice for both leisure and business travelers.
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones.
Beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs can partake in a month-long merriment featuring handpicked beers and brews. Ranging from classic lagers to artisanal craft brews, the selection guarantees there’s a beer to cater to every palate.
Guests can indulge in our featured cake this October—a delicious confection with luscious layers of mango sponge cake, white chocolate, and crunchy almonds.
The acclaimed takeout service of The Manila Hotel unveils its latest menu, offering its patrons a new variety of dishes that they can enjoy from the comfort of their homes or workplaces.
As the holiday season approaches, take pleasure in The Manila Hotel’s Festive Merienda Especial—an assortment of French pastries, mini sandwiches, and all-time favorite Filipino delicacies, complemented by a selection of tea, coffee, or the hotel’s signature hot chocolate.
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