by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 13, 2023 | Business
SunAsia Energy Inc. and Blueleaf Energy have secured contracts from the Philippine government to build and operate the world’s largest floating solar project in the Philippines, which has a cumulative capacity of over 610.5 megawatts (MW).
The move is viewed as a milestone in the country’s energy sector, with the Department of Energy (DoE) issuing the first set of Solar Energy Operating Contracts (SEOCs) for a total of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) in floating solar projects.
In September 2022, Blueleaf Energy, a stand-alone portfolio company of Macquarie, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Singapore. The company made a commitment to significantly increase its sustainable infrastructure investments in the Philippines.
In partnership with SunAsia Energy, Blueleaf Energy is jointly developing the large-scale floating solar facility on Laguna Lake, spanning the growing cities of Calamba, Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao, and the towns of Bay and Victoria.
During the contract turnover ceremonies, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla reiterated his promise to strengthen the renewable energy sector and declared the DoE’s strong support for the commercialization of floating solar facilities as an emerging technology.
Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM and Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong were among those who attended the event at the DoE office in Makati City. The program echoed the need to accelerate the realization of the country’s decarbonization targets by 2040.
Raghuram Natarajan, CEO of Blueleaf Energy, said that “as an active investor in sustainable infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region, we believe the Philippines holds great potential to add significant renewable energy capacity to its energy mix and at the same time delivering green energy at an affordable cost compared to fossil fuels.”
The recent announcement of the removal of foreign ownership restrictions, Mr. Natarajan said, “is an important step in attracting the much-needed foreign direct investments in Philippine Renewable Energy (RE) sector to accelerate the energy transition for meeting the country’s decarbonization and net zero targets.”
After the signing of the SEOCs, Blueleaf Energy’s top executive said his company would push for cooperation among public and private stakeholders to ensure the successful development of the project.
This will “not only contribute to the country’s RE goals but also spark green job growth locally during construction and the long-term operations of these floating solar projects, enable local supply chains through the manufacturing of critical components, and bring about notable benefits to the local community,” Mr. Natarajan said.
The SEOC is a testament to the viability of this emerging technology. Tetchi Capellan, president and CEO of SunAsia Energy, noted that “land use is becoming a big issue for renewables.”
“People are worrying about competing uses of land, and in some markets, you might struggle to find land,” Capellan said. “There is a strong incentive to build on water as the Philippines gears up for an ambitious 46 GW solar energy installations in 2040 and at the same time, increase power supply in the country.”
She said that this first 610MW floating solar project “is our collective legacy, our immeasurable contribution to the body of knowledge in the renewable energy space and to the growing solar energy installations worldwide.”
“Once built, we are certain that it will stand as one of the engineering wonders of the world. It will capture the imagination of developers, it will be published in multiple journals, shared in social media, visited by hundreds of practitioners, and studied by academics,” Capellan added.
Since 2019, SunAsia Energy has been operating a testbed on Laguna Lake to study the behavior of waves, the movement of wind, the intensity of the sun, as well as the variability of the temperature in the locality. The wealth of experience has contributed to the growing knowledge of floating solar panels on the lake.
SunAsia Energy further explained that like land-based systems, floating solar panels generate electricity from the sun’s rays. But the bodies of water that these farms rest on also help to cool the panels, allowing them to be more efficient than terrestrial solar, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
Solar-on-water will definitely boost clean power as the world races to cut carbon emissions. Massive solar farms can now be found atop bodies of water in South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Portugal.
Developing solar-on-water projects, in the country’s largest lake, will help achieve not only the government’s ambitious decarbonization target but also much-needed power to run industries, light homes, and energize cities.
More importantly, it will be a legacy of the Philippines to the global renewable energy space, SunAsia Energy said.
In the last two decades, Blueleaf Energy has developed and built almost 2 GW of solar capacity across the globe, including 250 MW in the Philippines. It currently has over 7 GW of solar, wind, and storage projects project pipelines across the Asia Pacific region.
SunAsia Energy, a developer of sustainable solar energy in the country, has since its inception in 2013 partnered with various entities to develop solar projects including the 60 MWp Toledo solar project in Cebu and the 20 MWp Dagupan solar project in Pangasinan.
About Blueleaf Energy
Blueleaf Energy is a leading Pan Asian Renewable energy platform that develops, finances, owns, and operates renewables and storage assets to accelerate the energy transition towards net zero and beyond.
Committed to upholding the highest environmental, social, governance, and safety standards, Blueleaf Energy serves both corporate and industrial consumers and large utilities, providing our customers access to competitive and green energy mixes and solutions to achieve their sustainability targets.
Blueleaf Energy has a development pipeline of solar, wind, and storage projects in excess of 7 GW and a historical track record of developing and building 2 GW of capacity globally which includes over 500 MW in the Asia Pacific. Blueleaf Energy is a portfolio company of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), operating on a standalone basis. In the Philippines, Blueleaf Energy is managed by the Macquarie Capital operating group of the Macquarie Group.
SunAsia Energy
SunAsia Energy Inc. is a pioneer renewable energy developer in the Philippines harnessing the power of the sun to provide environmental and business solutions. Founded in 2013 by innovative entrepreneurs from real estate and agriculture, SunAsia Energy continues to deliver megawatts of clean electricity in support of the energy security goals of the country and contribute to global efforts to transition toward a net-zero carbon emission future.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 12, 2023 | Art and Science, Events
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
“We looked for volunteer artists by posting publicly on Facebook who was willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” relates Bernardo. The call for volunteers had a positive response and hundreds of artists all over the Philippines expressed interest.
The Manila Hotel’s creative consultant Rachy Cuna, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez, Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and thespian Dolly De Leon are some of the participating artists whose works are featured in Project Hulmahan.
Project Hulmahan is the brainchild of Zena Bernardo, one of the members of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya. Ms. Bernardo met with shut-down shoe manufacturers in her hometown, Marikina, and their group purchased almost 500 pairs of shoe molds to transform them into artworks to earn funds for community-based activities.
“It is fitting that The Manila Hotel collaborates with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates ladies, especially mothers, in the month of May,” says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team comprised of Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ of the famed Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally acclaimed actress, Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They were the founders of the community kitchen, which assisted many people during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proceeds from the artworks will benefit the advocacy efforts of these three organizations: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood programs, The Community Kitchen Project for national disaster response, and a community-based art school for kids.
“Sa akin napaka-deep ng story ng [Project] Hulmahan. We want to give dignity back to the community; we consider them as partners in our community-based projects and not beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be transparent and accountable. [Project] Hulmahan is about molding a person and molding a society. The success of this project will depend on working together and pooling resources so we can ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these challenging times,” says Bernardo.
Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.
To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6 PM to 11 PM. This is by invitation only.
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 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 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, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 12, 2023 | Book Reviews
You can add Mated to the Bully Stepbrothers by Qeemahhh (aka Enitan Abdulazeez) to the list of books that don’t make a lot of sense. From the title alone I automatically assumed this is a shifter romance since “mates” were mentioned. However, aside from the mention of Arielle being an Omega, her wolf’s name being Talia (in the first two chapters), the “mates” thing, and the reference to quicker healing, there is no other indicator that any of the characters are werewolves at all. That could have been taken out completely and made them all human and it would not have affected the story. They don’t even have a mind link which is common lore for werewolf stories with characters that are related or part of the same pack.
Just for context, this is the (unedited) blurb of the book, for your reference:
She has spent most of her life at the expense of others, bullied at school, working shifts and also tons of suffering but Arielle did not mind. Arielle has believed that clocking 18 would be the game-changer for her because she’ll find her mate and live an exotic life. Before her parents left her and her sister to the cruel world, a witch has told them she’ll be mated to a powerful creature and she’ll live a good life. What Arielle didn’t expect was to be mated to the three sons of the alpha of the pack, and also step brothers.
Would Arielle get the beautiful life she has always wanted or would it be a series of new torture? Would she be able to bring the three creatures together?
What would happen when the brothers learn that Arielle is not a normal omega and possesses a strong power? Will the power take either Arielle or the three brothers? Find out in this thrilling story.
The story begins with Arielle living in a hovel with rats eating her food as she doesn’t even have a fridge and her sister working for the Luna. The story even goes on to say that her sister lives at the packhouse and has no things at her place as she lives alone. Then as soon as the story introduces Derek, Enzo, and Aiden as her mates, she suddenly lives in a low-cost apartment complete with appliances and furnishings. She still wears “rags” but now she doesn’t live in a hovel.
Second point, the title says that the men are “stepbrothers” however they indicate that they have the same dad but different moms … that makes them half-brothers since they are all still related by blood. We don’t know if they belong to the same pack Arielle does. We don’t know if they are ranked wolves. What we do know is that they are wealthy.
Third, the book cover says “her” instead of “the” but Arielle is an orphan so they could not be her step anything.
Fourth, I have read up to chapter 40 now (yes, 40!) and she is bullied in every chapter by everyone except her sister. I think everyone is aware that bullying is bad, right? So how is it acceptable as a romance story arc for the main character to be bullied for (so far) the whole story, including by her supposed mates? We’re not even talking about just verbal abuse. Arielle is abused verbally, physically, psychologically, AND cyberbullied. Yes, her so-called “mates” are part of that whole twisted party. They don’t even want people to know that they are mates. She is their dirty little secret … nothing more than a sex slave.
Fifth, they just mark her (as in just bit her neck with no warning) on the day they discover they are mates at her apartment. She never marks them back.
Sixth, it takes the brothers more than 30 chapters to realize what douchebags they are, and then with the flip of a switch, they are suddenly nice to her, protective, and declaring to everyone that she is their mate. JUST. LIKE. THAT. No epiphany, no transitionary paragraphs, they are just suddenly nice. IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
Don’t even get me started on the grammar and word usage! For example, every time the says “phantom” she actually means fathom. In an effort to self-edit, some words have asterisks in place of letters. That’s fine and all if it made sense. For example, if she says “c–k” when referring to the male genitalia, that makes sense. But when she says “c–ked” referring to “tilting the head” then the asterisks are just ridiculous! There are so much more but those are the ones that stood out the most as I was reading. Note: I’ve replaced the * with – for this post because the page is not translating the way I want it to.
To be honest, I don’t even know why Arielle is still alive. I also don’t understand how the entire school bullies her and no person of authority has a clue. With everything that has happened to Arielle, I would have had her murdered or committing suicide (by jumping off a cliff or drowning in the river, for example) much earlier in the book where (assuming this is still a shifter story) the Moon Goddess intercedes, gives her a second chance at life somewhere else or as somewhere else. I would LOVE for this to be a rebirth story, rather than spending so much time on the bullying.
If the author really wants her to end up with the three, there has to be something that triggers the change in them, and we should see it. At the moment, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. They tricked her like that before, humiliating her in front of everyone, what is to stop them from doing it again? I think the author needs to figure out what she really wants to happen and where this story is supposed to go because right now it just seems like she enjoys making Arielle suffer. Is there such a thing as fictional character bullying?
If you are curious and want to check out Mated to the Bully Stepbrothers by Qeemahhh (aka Enitan Abdulazeez) for yourself to form your own opinion you can find it on Dreame. It is an ongoing story so who knows where the story will go.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 11, 2023 | Book Reviews
I have read my share of stories with confusing titles and premises but I must admit, Mated to the Gay Alpha by Blessing Ezekiel, so far is the most confusing of them all. The main character is Catherine (or Cathy), a human girl. At the beginning of the story, we see her leaving her home to visit her sick aunt. The author goes out of his way to say that Cathy is a nurse so I assumed she was going there to take care of her sick aunt. Instead, she is tasked to help her aunt by assisting her in the mansion as a line cook. What a waste of her talent! It would have made more sense if the author said she was a chef.
Then we have the identical Alpha twins, Darin and Darwin, who are gay and fully mated to Elliot, their Beta’s nephew. A twist in the plot, Derick, Darwin’s wolf, scents the air and discovers that Cathy is his second mate and for some reason, while he isn’t repelled by Elliot, he also isn’t attracted to him anymore. Darin, on the other hand, finds himself quite attracted to Cathy, despite his wolf, Eric, having no feelings for her and constantly reminding him that Elliot is his mate.
Darwin thinks his wolf is bespelled and accuses Cathy of witchcraft. Cathy has no idea what is happening. And Darin is fascinated by her. Darin decides to interact with Cathy by impersonating Darwin, partly to get information that he wouldn’t be privy to otherwise, but later because he just couldn’t help himself.
Things get complicated when they succumb to their physical attraction with him still pretending to be Darwin. Then Darwin also succumbs and unintentionally Cathy ends up involved with both thinking they were the same person. To put it simply, our characters are confused and we are confused. Are they gay? What is wrong with Elliot? He’s been hostile towards Cathy from the get-go. Is he truly their mate or was their witchcraft involved? Is Cathy actually mates to both of them? What about Lucas?
The story has potential, that much I can assure you, but it also needs a lot of work. The author keeps interchanging names, gets pronouns wrong, and is fond of using idiomatic expressions but uses the wrong one almost all the time. sigh In addition, the way the erotic scenes are written is not really as steamy as I thought they would be, especially the M2M scenes that came with a trigger warning. The way they were written was actually quite juvenile which leads me to believe the author is young and has little or no experience. That being said, experience is gained through practice so do research and keep writing.
This is currently an ongoing story and has 41 chapters to date. I’m on chapter 41 so you know I haven’t given up on it. I am still waiting for clarity and crossing my fingers that it will happen. You can find Mated to the Gay Alpha by Blessing Ezekiel on Goodnovel.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 10, 2023 | Technology
May is upon us again, which only means that the spotlight shines extra bright once more for our moms as we celebrate Mother’s Day. If you’re thinking of the right surprise to give to the number one lady in your life, then we’re here to give you a clue. It starts with an A and ends with an R. It’s a kitchen favorite, one that will help our number one chef flex her amazing cooking skills.
It’s Air Fryers! At least according to the latest data from OnBuy which has reported a big surge of sales on this nifty appliance weeks before the annual celebration of Mother’s Day. This kitchen must-have has boomed in popularity in the last couple of years and for good reasons. In this article, we’ll walk you through all its benefits by putting the focus on one of the most powerful models in the market: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. Below are all the reasons why you should #BringBrevilleHome.
Air frying is a better alternative to traditional deep frying.
When you deep fry, oil is heated into high amounts that can lead to increased concentrations of inflammatory compounds that are absorbed by the food. With air frying, you minimize the use of oil or can even entirely remove it. The way it works is that it uses convection heat to cook food, similar to the way a fan oven works.
It can help you cook healthier versions of your favorite fried dishes.
Regular consumption of deep-fried food has been known to be correlated to the development of chronic ailments like cardiovascular disease. The use of convection heat to fry can create the same crispy exterior that we all love so much from our favorite fried treats. The result is healthier versions of meals with lower saturated fat that are better for our diets.
It’s versatile!
The versatility of this kitchen partner is something all cooking aficionados will definitely appreciate. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a perfect example of this. On top of having a dedicated air frying setting, this unit from the premium home lifestyle brand comes with nine other cooking functions which include toast, roast, bake, crumpet, and even pizza. It’s like having 10 appliances, all in one powerful model.
It’s perfect for busy bees.
Talking about power, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is also ideal for anyone who wants to be efficient with cooking. Its dual-speed convection feature reduces cooking time by 30 percent which is perfect for all busy moms out there.
It’s very user-friendly.
Air frying food is a no-brainer because you can easily pick settings for your recipe. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer takes this a notch higher with its Element IQ System which has a smart algorithm that creates the ideal cooking environment for a range of different cooking techniques. Forget about cold, uneven spots and ideal rack positions. This air fryer does it all for you and more, regardless of your cooking skills.
This Mother’s Day, give the gift of innovation to the special woman in your life by turning their dream kitchen into a reality. We already know that our moms are geniuses when it comes to creating meals that we love, but it doesn’t hurt to bring home an equally smart partner that can help them make even more cooking wonders. If you’re into it, you can even go the extra mile and take a crack at cooking by bonding with her to make your own Mother’s Day feast.
It’s time to #BringBrevilleHome this Mother’s Day. Want to know more about the Smart Oven Air Fryer? Visit their website to get the full deets about this appliance. Don’t forget to also follow their official Facebook and Instagram to get updated on their other releases.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 9, 2023 | Book Reviews
I tried. I really tried to give Pregnant My Alpha Bully’s Baby by Ariel Liza a chance. I even got as far as 10 so you know I really tried. Unfortunately, I spent every moment gnashing my teeth in frustration as almost every single line (no exaggeration) is grammatically incorrect!
I think it is safe to assume this book was initially not in English and that the author lazily just used Google translate or some such app to convert it to English and then … without proofreading it, just published it … verbatim.
For starters, the title alone is lacking in punctuation which makes it difficult to read at first glance and then my brain goes “Ah! There should be a comma after ‘pregnant’.”
That being said, I found the story flow confusing from the get-go. The main characters, Claire and Ethan, are in high school. Claire is being bullied daily by Ethan and his girlfriend Mia, not just verbally but physically as well. Claire has a boyfriend named Jake who is handsome and athletic. He protects her whenever he can but he cannot be around all the time to protect her as he has to attend his classes, too.
Claire goes home and her mom tells her to get dressed as she is expecting special guests who turn out to be her boyfriend Mason and his son Ethan (surprise!) and they announce that they are getting married TOMORROW. Mom just drops the bomb, just like that. In the meantime, Ethan seemed to have developed an unusual attraction to Claire that he never displayed before.
After the wedding, mom tells Claire that she and Mason are leaving for a month for their honeymoon in Italy, leaving Claire and Ethan alone together at the mansion. Can you guess what happens next? There are talks of “deeper skin” and “secret place” and “you/I just got it”. Got what? And what happens to sexy boyfriend Jake now?
Is Claire human? Is Ethan an Alpha wolf? How about Jake? Is he an Alpha wolf, too? It is just messy.
If you can get passed the multitude of grammatical errors (which is almost the entire story, it seems) then give this a shot. I am willing to give Pregnant My Alpha Bully’s Baby by Ariel Liza maybe 5 to 10 chapters more and if the story does not improve, I am dropping this. I am praying it gets better … also that the author decides to get a copy editor, stat!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 5, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Who says you can’t enjoy the delicious taste of roast beef every day? Thanks to the number one pizza chain in the country, Greenwich, you can now get roast beef anytime you have a craving for it with the Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza. This innovative overloaded offer is a premium flavor under Greenwich’s Overload Creations pizza line, starting at P345!
Greenwich Overload Creations Roastbeef and Cream Cheese Pizza
“This is our most indulgent, premium beef pizza yet. The Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is full of flavor and savory goodness! As always, we want to give you a deliciously awesome food trip with the barkada, with an overload pizza creation that is incredibly filling,” said Ali de Torres, Greenwich’s Head of Marketing.
Fresh from the oven, Greenwich’s Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is filled with cream cheese, generously topped with savory and juicy roast beef complemented with sauteed onions and mushrooms. It will be offered in two sizes—Double (P345) and Barkada (P585).
A Mothe’s Day Treat
Because moms deserve to be celebrated, Greenwich will also offer a special Mother’s Day Bundle that includes one Double Size 9-inch Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza with three Lasagna Supreme® Chicken Combo for only P699!
The Mother’s Day Bundle will be available in all Greenwich branches nationwide for dine-in and take-out only, starting May 8, 2023. Meanwhile, Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is also available for dine-in, take-out, online at www.greenwichdelivery.com or via GrabFood and Foodpanda. You may also contact their hotline at #5-55-55.
For more information, visit Greenwich’s official Facebook page, Greenwich Barkada, or message Greenwich Barkada on Facebook Messenger.
About Greenwich
Greenwich’s story began in 1971 as a small, family-owned store selling a selection of pizzas at the former Greenhills Commercial Center. As the brand’s pizzas grew in popularity, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) took notice. In 1994, JFC acquired majority shares in Greenwich, infusing what was a family business with industry-leading competitiveness. New pizza variants and a variety of products were introduced through the years, creating a reputation for Greenwich as a maker of mouthwatering pizzas and pasta for the Filipino “barkada.” Today, Greenwich is the country’s biggest pizza and pasta chain with over 270 stores and counting, and home of the best-selling Hawaiian Overload®, All-in Overload®, and Lasagna Supreme®.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 5, 2023 | Book Reviews
If you are looking for a story with a unique perspective, you should check out The Alpha’s Pen Pal by Allie Carstens, which tells the story of Wesley and Haven, who first meet via correspondence.
Wesley is 12 years old and his teacher tasked the class to write a letter to a pen pal (who is initially unassigned) in a class taught by her sister in a different state. He is the Alpha’s son and has 3 best friends, which includes his younger brother. Haven is 9 years old and an orphan.
Unlike Wesley, she has no friends and no stable home life as she has been moved from foster home to foster home since she was a baby. Despite their rocky start, over the next several months their friendship grew to the point where they both awaited each other’s reply letter with anticipation. And just as everything seems to be working out perfectly, something terrible happens that quickly changes the tenor of their lives.
Just my personal opinion … this story is SOOOOO GOOOOD! I’m on an emotional roller coaster and hanging on to the bars tightly! It starts off with me going “Aww, how cute!” then segues to me crying buckets. I’ve caught up to the latest chapter and now I’m in the giddy and kicking up my heels phase, or as we say in Filipino … nakakakilig!
I don’t want to give away too many details about the story but trust me, you won’t regret reading The Alpha’s Pen Pal by Allie Carstens. I am reading this on Goodnovel while my sister is reading it on Dreame. Both reading apps have free chapters for you to read so that you can decide for yourself if you want to keep on reading. Personally, I think you would want to keep reading.
I’m hoping that someday soon this beautiful story makes it to Kindle and paperback.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 4, 2023 | Business
The Jollibee Group continues to celebrate women by fostering an encouraging work environment that allows its female employees around the world to grow and develop.
The Jollibee Group was the only Philippine-based company to make Forbes’ inaugural list of the World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies in 2021, demonstrating its dedication to supporting and developing women to their full potential. In the Philippines, women make up the majority of Jollibee Group’s management positions.
As a testament to Jollibee Group’s unwavering support for women, several female employees have risen through the ranks and now leading their respective functions like Cynthia Castro.
Cynthia Castro (seated on the chair, middle) rose from being an entry-level accountant to now Vice President and Finance Head for Jollibee Group’s Philippine Business. With her in the photo is the Jollibee Philippines Finance Team, which she concurrently heads.
Castro began working for Jollibee in 1987 as an accountant. She was promoted to accounting supervisor for the company’s commissary and later to accounting manager for the company’s new businesses. Castro was the finance head of Jollibee Philippines’ Northern Luzon unit before being promoted to the position of Vice President and Finance Head.
“I can sum up my professional journey in two words: gratitude and pride,” she said. “Gratitude because they hired me as a fresh graduate in 1987 and saw my potential to grow in the company, and pride because I work for one of the World’s Best Employers and work with the best leaders in the industry. All of this motivated me to do more, be more, and become more.”
In 2022, Castro was among the finalists for the WeQual Awards, which recognizes female leaders in business. She was the sole Filipina cited in the Award’s Asia-Pacific Finance Category.
Thriving in a male-dominated profession
Yoly Chua thrives as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field: information technology. She is the Vice President and Head of Business Technology for Jollibee Group’s business in the Philippines, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (EMEAA).
Yoly Chua (seated in the middle) posted this photo on her LinkedIn account celebrating all the women who work with her in Jollibee Group’s Business Technology (BT) Division, where she is now Vice President and Head for Philippines and EMEAA Regions.
Chua was hired in 2016 to help stabilize SAP in the company and led the Information Management Enterprise Business Solutions team. After two years, she was promoted to Information Technology (IT) Head for the Philippine Region. In 2021, Chua was given the task of overseeing and governing EMEAA’s Business Technology function.
“I appreciate the growth opportunities I’ve had in my more than 6 years stay with the company. The values of the people I work with–their unwavering malasakit for the company, the trust of the management and our teams, and the stewardship of doing what is best for the company inspire me to work harder and continue doing better,” she said.
Chua strongly believes women can shine in any industry or position given the right opportunity. “Women are empathetic and good listeners. Our instinct to protect, care and support our people makes leading effectively easier,” she said.
Driving culture and engagement
Ruth Angeles began her career with the Jollibee Group as a human resources manager for Jollibee Worldwide Services. She later became the HR head for the company’s Red Ribbon and Jollibee business units.
Ruth Angeles (seated, 3rd from the left, front row) is shown with some members of the HR Team in one of their quarterly teaming activities. Ruth is now Vice President and leads the Regional HR Team in the Philippines.
Already in her 17th year with the company, Angeles is now Vice President, leading the Regional HR Team in the Philippines. She is concurrently the head of the Global Organization, Leadership, and Culture Team.
Aside from driving culture and engagement in the company, Ruth has also been instrumental in enabling the successful pivot of the HR function and was key in the organization’s transformation, resulting in a much stronger and more resilient workforce post-pandemic. She has likewise been vital in developing and building leaders in boosting organizational capabilities.
“JFC has been helpful in my development as a people manager and HR leader. The company’s devotion to providing career advancement opportunities and inclusive leadership training allows women leaders and employees to excel in their development,” she said.
Castro, Chua, and Angeles are part of a thriving community of female leaders in the Jollibee Group who are helping drive the company’s mission and its journey toward its vision of becoming one of the top five restaurant companies in the world.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 3, 2023 | Food & Beverage
MANILA, April 28, 2023 – Jack Daniel’s® and Coca-Cola are launching Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola alcoholic ready-to-drink (aRTD) in the Philippines. Made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola aRTD premium cocktail is inspired by one of the most popular bar cocktails around the world.
Last year, Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola announced that they would be teaming up to provide adults in markets around the world with this new drink option to enjoy. The Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola pre-mixed cocktail is inspired by one of the world’s most popular branded “bar calls” – a cocktail ordered with specific brand names – in a convenient, ready-to-drink format. The premium cocktail from these two iconic brands is now hitting shelves nationwide in the Philippines.
“We are excited that Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ready-to-drink cocktail is expanding to new markets, including the Philippines, allowing more fans of the classic cocktail to enjoy the taste that set the standard for bar calls around the world,” said Sally Goh, General Manager, Emerging Asia, Brown-Forman. “It’s incredibly special to share the product of this joint effort with Filipinos.”
Cheers to #jackandcoke
“While Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola have long been mixed at home and in bars around the world, today we’re officially introducing to the Philippines a premium drink that unites two iconic brands in a ready-to-drink cocktail blend with so many perks, including its can,” said Cesar Gangoso, Frontline Marketing Director, Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific East Region. “Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD is truly the beginning of something big.”
The packaging boldly integrates iconic qualities of both brands – the red Coca-Cola logo written in its classic Spencerian script coupled with the bold, black Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 design – emphasizing that the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD is born ready to be the best because of its quality ingredients.
The can and packaging, which feature two of the world’s most recognizable and valuable trademarks in “Coca-Cola” and “Jack Daniel’s”, will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the beverage is to be enjoyed responsibly and only by consumers of legal drinking age. All marketing of the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD product will adhere to alcohol-responsible marketing policies and practices held by Brown-Forman and The Coca-Cola Company.
Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola, available in 320 mL slim cans with an alcohol level of 7%, are now hitting shelves nationwide in the Philippines. The premium cocktail drink may also be ordered online soon via Boozy.ph, CokeBeverages.ph, Shopee, and Lazada as long as you are 18 years old and above.
Jack Daniel’s was established in 1866 in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The Coca-Cola brand was established in 1886 in Atlanta.
To know more, follow the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola official Facebook page or visit http://www.coca-cola.com.ph.
About Jack Daniel’s
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, and Jack Daniel’s RTDs. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.
About Coca-Cola Philippines
Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos for 109 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering a diverse portfolio of beverage brands and employing over 15,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 60 distribution centers nationwide. As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to support safe water access programs in over 250 communities, has empowered around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and is accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.
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 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Just for context, this is the (unedited) blurb of the book, for your reference:
I have read my share of stories with confusing titles and premises but I must admit, Mated to the Gay Alpha by Blessing Ezekiel, so far is the most confusing of them all. The main character is Catherine (or Cathy), a human girl. At the beginning of the story, we see her leaving her home to visit her sick aunt. The author goes out of his way to say that Cathy is a nurse so I assumed she was going there to take care of her sick aunt. Instead, she is tasked to help her aunt by assisting her in the mansion as a line cook. What a waste of her talent! It would have made more sense if the author said she was a chef.
I tried. I really tried to give Pregnant My Alpha Bully’s Baby by Ariel Liza a chance. I even got as far as 10 so you know I really tried. Unfortunately, I spent every moment gnashing my teeth in frustration as almost every single line (no exaggeration) is grammatically incorrect!
If you are looking for a story with a unique perspective, you should check out The Alpha’s Pen Pal by Allie Carstens, which tells the story of Wesley and Haven, who first meet via correspondence.
You must be logged in to post a comment.