by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 4, 2022 | Advocacy
Illiteracy is a key issue that hampers an individual’s ability to function in society. It limits employment opportunities and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. In the Philippines, pockets of illiteracy remain despite having a basic literacy rate of more than 95%.
Recognizing the crucial role literacy plays in uplifting lives, Globe has partnered with NABU, a reading app and mother tongue publishing platform that makes literacy accessible to children globally. Based in New York, NABU is a nonprofit organization focused on eradicating poverty through increased literacy.
The partnership is in line with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including UN SDG No. 4 on the provision of quality education, and UN SDG No. 17, which highlights the value of partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.
“Globe is always looking for ways to empower Filipinos. We believe that literacy is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone. This partnership with NABU will help us make reading more accessible to Filipinos, so they can learn, appreciate local culture, and reach their full potential,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of the Globe Group.
“We are excited to be partnering with Globe on this project. This is the first time that we are venturing into the Philippine market. We are confident that this partnership will help us solve the imbalance in children’s book creation and distribution,” said Tanyella Evans, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Creator of NABU.
According to a joint report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Bank titled “Where are we on Education Recovery?” the Philippines is currently experiencing “learning poverty” where an estimated 70% of 10-year-olds in low and middle-income countries are unable to read or comprehend a simple story.
Their findings also showed how learning has become further exacerbated by the global pandemic, driven by the disruption to in-person schooling.
Through this partnership, Globe will serve as a distribution unit for NABU’s e-books throughout the Philippines to complement students’ learning. Anyone can access the Nabu.org mobile app for free.
Together, the two organizations are bringing more than a hundred Filipino books, with some translated into regional languages such as Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Ilokano, Cebuano, and Maranao. NABU believes that helping children read in their local language first allows their confidence to grow. Having culturally represented, original, and relatable stories in the bilingual text increase the child’s motivation to read.
Over the next two years, Globe and NABU will seek to expand the platform’s reach by partnering with schools and learning facilities. NABU is also excited to hone the skills of Filipino creatives such as writers and illustrators to continue telling and creating more stories that reach a wider audience.
The NABU: Multilingual Kids Books app may be downloaded for free on Google Play Store and App Store. For further details, visit https://www.nabu.org/read/ or https://www.nabu.org/tl/philippines.
Globe has always been a strong advocate of reading and comprehension. It has the Globe eLibrary mobile app and website, which contain hundreds of English classic titles, age-appropriate storybooks, eLearning videos, and other resource materials that can be viewed online or downloaded for later use.
To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 4, 2022 | Book Reviews
Four Nights by Stephanie Brother is a love story. Autumn never imagined that a girl like her, an inexperienced virgin, could attract four men. She also never imagined herself attracted to or involved with more than one man. But I guess that’s just what happens to some special people at Four Points.
When Autumn’s roommate hires a stripper to “devirginize” her, this was so wrong … especially since she had no idea about it. But this bad judgment by her roommate led to her meeting and later becoming involved with four wonderful men.
Four very different men who are all somehow connected even before meeting Autumn:
- Garrett, Autumn’s co-worker and friend who she has had a secret crush on for a long time
- Trevor, the playful dancer/stripper from Club Red quickly puts her at ease with his quick wit and mischievous smile
- Adrian, sensitive and sinfully attractive, is also a dancer/stripper at Club Red
- and Duke, impressively imposing, the bouncer at Club Red, who makes Autumn feel safe and secure.
Four Nights by Stephanie Brother is a story of innocence and sexual exploration. I was in awe at how sensitive the men were to Autumn’s needs and each other. Garrett, who like Autumn, started this as a virgin, too, had hesitations, mostly because of societal expectations. Somehow, though, every experience with Autumn just felt right … even when their “explorations” into sex without intercourse were never alone. First with one other, then two, then three other men.
This is a reverse harem so none of the men are into each other … it is all four men worshipping one lucky woman … Autumn. As the story progresses all we feel is love, love, love.
This book made me smile. Perhaps because of Autumn’s innocence, the love scenes in Four Nights are not as “smutty” as in other reverse harem books. Even with 4 men, there isn’t ever that feeling of being overwhelmed but I am sure that Autumn was going through sensory overload.
You can get a copy of Four Nights by Stephanie Brother on Amazon. The Kindle version will be available on November 8, 2022, but you can already get a paperback copy now.
After reading this book you can read the bonus content here.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 4, 2022 | Entertainment
Many people believe that in order to understand the present and possibly the future, it is important to understand what happened in the past. This is what Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar will attempt to do as it brings to life iconic Filipino characters that played pivotal roles in significant historical events through what is called now Freedom Land. Its revival aims to relive some of the Philippines’ greatest battles to achieve freedom and sovereignty.
Reliving pivotal stories through re-enactment will help us understand the challenges and successes of the past. Rediscover the importance of every event in Philippine history through Las Casas’ Freedom Land. Travel back in time and witness The Execution of Rizal, The Cry of Balintawak, and The Act of the Declaration of Independence.
From Rizal’s most loved novel NOLI ME TANGERE characters, Sisa, Maria Clara, and the infamous Padre Damaso to the iconic face of Philippine patriotism, Heneral Luna, these characters complete the Hispanic era and feel through monologues that will make your experience picture perfect and social media worthy. They can be seen daily at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm.
Aside from the iconic characters mentioned, storyteller, Lola Basyang will delight children and the child at heart with an anthology of short stories from Mondays to Thursdays.
Freedom Land theatrical play happens on all weekends of the month until December 2022, from Thursdays to Sundays. One show in the morning at 10:00 am and at 4:00 pm in the afternoon.
Located in Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the only Philippine destination that showcases the best of Filipino heritage and culture through the colorful stories as retold by Jose “Jerry” Acuzar’s collection of restored Spanish-Filipino houses.
From the majestic architectural design to a heart-warming revival of traditions, Las Casas is a complete package for one-of-a-kind travel to the past. All these unique initiations are in line with Las Casas’ mission to bring Filipino heritage to greater heights and have been awarded as the Best Historic Hotel in Asia Pacific in the year 2021.
To visit Las Casas via commute, take the Bataan bus from Cubao or take the ferry from SM MOA esplanade. If you are taking your own car, take the SCTEX road to Dinalupihan exit or San Fernando exit. It takes approximately 3 hours to get to the only heritage hotel and resort in Bagac.
For more inquiries, email re**********@***************as.com or call reservations at +63917.8729361, +63915.8519098, +64933.8224523, or visit our website at www.lascasasfilipinas.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 3, 2022 | Events
To raise funds for a massive nationwide nutrition program for children, a charity dinner concert will be staged at The Manila Hotel on November 26, 2022, at 6:00 pm.
This was announced by Joey Lina, The Manila Hotel President and Former Senator after the formation of an alliance of non-governmental organizations called “Alliance for a Healthy Philippines” (AHP) last October 6, 2022, also at The Manila Hotel.
The alliance aims to increase awareness of the serious children malnutrition problem in the country and to implement barangay-based nutrition intervention programs, especially during the child’s first 1,000 days. The organizations include Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Jaycees, Midwives, World Vision, and others. The AHP will work in tandem with the government, particularly with the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
The performers in the concert include the country’s premier music artists Isay Alvarez, Lara Maigue, Rachelle Gerodias, former press secretary Atty, Mike Toledo, former executive secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea and Joey Lina.
Malusog na Bata, Malakas na Bansa is the battle cry of the organization. The theme of the concert is “Yes, I Believe”.
In a letter to various business organizations and individuals asking for support for the nutrition program and the charity dinner concert, Lina explained the grim statistics surrounding the country’s children’s health and nutrition:
- “The underlying cause of 95 child deaths daily in the Philippines is child undernutrition”, according to the 2015 Unite for Children report from United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This makes children undernutrition in our country much worse than the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The 2016 Global Nutrition Report said the Philippines is among those with the highest wasting and stunting prevalence. Of a total of 130 countries ranked lowest to highest on wasting prevalence, the Philippines is ranked 93rd. On stunting, the Philippines has a 30.3% prevalence and is at 88th spot out of 132 countries also ranked lowest to highest.
- Health experts have warned that “chronic undernutrition leads to stunted growth, which is irreversible and is associated with impaired cognitive ability and reduced school performance, as well as poor work capacity and productivity.”
- When it comes to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in Southeast Asian nations, the Philippines ranked lowest according to a study released last year by the World Population Review.
- The Philippines ranked lowest in reading literacy among 79 countries, and second to lowest in mathematics and science, based on the evaluation last 2019 by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Unless the country can solve the children malnutrition problem, particularly in the child’s first 1,000 days, the most critical period in the child’s brain growth, the Philippines’ human resources will be not productive and school performance will be poor, Lina added.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 3, 2022 | Entertainment
Globe, the most reliable mobile network in the Philippines, continues to bring many firsts that help make every day better for every Filipino.
Globe announced exciting offers and upcoming events at the Globe Innovation Fest, held for the first time on ground at The Globe Tower in BGC on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
To showcase the different ways that Globe uplifts lives, the company brought together a series of exciting announcements and previews from its different businesses and partner brands through the Globe Innovation Fest (GIF) 2022.
GIF highlights stories and platforms that allow Globe customers to experience compassion, life-enhancing experiences, everyday acts of kindness and generosity, and enabling programs to help them grow, learn, and thrive.
“Globe is dedicated to improving the lives of Filipinos by giving them the latest innovations, products, and solutions to address their pain points. Our customers have access to a rich ecosystem of services across health, finance, education, e-commerce, and entertainment. Through all these digital solutions, we aim to deliver the kind of service and care that our customers can count on,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.
During the hybrid event held via Globe Virtual Hangouts Metaverse, Globe introduced upcoming events and offers that customers will surely enjoy in the coming months.
World-class entertainment
At the GIF, Globe shared the news on several events that will bring exciting entertainment experiences to Filipinos.
Globe is thrilled to be the first telco operator to offer special packages for customers in the Philippines to enjoy the popular streaming service, Disney+. Finally, Filipinos can enjoy the incredible collection of general entertainment content on Disney+ from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star, starting November 17, 2022. Download the GlobeOne app to learn more and avail.
Also on the streaming front, Erben Pilapil-Tuazon, Portfolio Director at Globe’s Get Entertained Tribe, announced Globe’s partnership with Tap Digital Media Ventures Corp (TapDMV) for the Philippine broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on TapGO TV Pay Per View, happening this November and December. TapDMV is the Exclusive Philippine Licensee of FIFA to stream the event.
With the partnership, Globe customers and GCash users can get an All-Access pass to the World Cup via TapGo TV pay-per-view at P1,999, with a P100 rebate.
Globe also prepared an exciting lineup of concerts and activities that customers will surely enjoy as on-ground events see a comeback.
Blackpink
Denisse Arao, Globe’s Strategic Sponsorships and Partnerships Manager announced the highly anticipated return of Korean pop supergroup BLACKPINK, who will be here on March 25 and 26, 2023 for the Manila leg of their Born Pink World Tour. Globe users should stay tuned for exclusive offers, early access, merch giveaways, and unique on-ground experiences.
Also coming to thrill their Filipino fans are Thailand’s biggest stars Bright (Vachirawit Chivaaree), Win (Metawin Opas-iamkajorn), Dew Jirawat, and Nani Harunkit. The boys will hold a November 19 concert and appear in an exclusive event for Globe customers on November 20, said Globe Prepaid Brand Manager Jam Ng.
Tuazon, meanwhile, drummed up excitement for the Head in the Clouds Festival — the largest Asian-centric festival in America — which will be held for the first time in the Philippines on December 9 and 10, 2022, focusing on the brightest Filipino talents. Globe customers stand to win tickets through various raffle promos.
And for Bonifacio Global City’s annual Holiday Celebration, Globe will be holding activities for its customers at the Serenade Concert at the 5th Ave., BGC every Saturday from November 26 until December 17. The concert will feature artists Zack Tabudlo, Unique, Adie, and OPM icon Jose Mari Chan, the voice behind the country’s most popular holiday music staples.
Aside from the concerts, Globe recently held the search for Kmmunity Kreator where Globe Kmmunity members showcased their talents inspired by their favorite K-stars. The winners will be announced on December 3 and 4 at KmmunityPH K’tizens Choice Awards 2022. All four (4) winners will receive P25,000 worth of GCash credits and P2,000 worth of Shopee vouchers. They will also officially become #HallyuTalkPH content creators for TikTok and official KmmunityPH Ambassadors.
Meanwhile, 0917 Lifestyle was relaunched as a gadget and apparel brand focusing on bridging everyone’s online and offline life. With their new pop-up store along High Street in BGC, everything on 0917’s online platforms can now be seen and experienced firsthand, according to Gladys Rojas, 0917 Lifestyle Head.
Product offers and innovations
Globe also provides hope, growth, and enjoyment with new innovations that keep life moving forward.
Anne David, Globe Business Integrated Marketing Head, talked about Globe for Education’s search for Heroes of Learning, an initiative to honor those who have championed learning despite the everyday challenges they have faced using technology. Globe also partnered with Google Philippines to upskill Filipinos by providing scholarships through Google Career Certificates, a program where Globe Prepaid and TM customers may receive access to IT certificate courses.
On connectivity, Globe has various pioneering and affordable offers for customers to enjoy.
Moriah Ganzon, Globe At Home Postpaid Marketing Lead for Online Channel, meanwhile, shared Globe’s pioneering avenue for connectivity, TMBayan Fiber WiFi, a prepaid WiFi service that aims to deliver reliable and affordable fiber connectivity in communities across the country for as low as P50 unlimited for 3 days.
Globe At Home has also made access to fiber connectivity fast and instant via the new GFiber online channel, which provides end-to-end digital support, from easy application to a 24-hour installation guarantee and real-time technician tracking. Disney+ Premium Plan will soon be made available on us, to new and existing customers who upgrade to GFiber Unli Plans 2499 and up.
Globe At Home is also set to become among the first in Southeast Asia to offer Fiber-To-The-Room (FTTR) technology, providing extremely fast and ultra-seamless WIFI connection with a speed and coverage 10 times the traditional WIFI network and capacity to handle up to 128 device connections. Existing Globe At Home customers may simply add this to their bill. With GFiber Unli plans boosted by FTTR, the digital experience at home will reach a whole new level.
On the other hand, Anna Baldos, Globe Prepaid Portfolio Head, shared how the new Go+ promos further help Gen Zs own their future with its freebie offerings. Go+ enables customers to pursue their passions with an additional 8GB for their favorite apps and sites. Plus, it also allows them to get their new essentials online with exclusive lifestyle vouchers from e-commerce apps.
As Globe continues to make industry-leading ventures, Globe Prepaid talked about Virtual Hangouts Metaverse. The platform offers first-in-the-country metaverse and hybrid experiences for passion-driven Gen Zs to enhance their tech engagement and give them valuable learning opportunities to turn their passions into professions.
At the same time, Globe again paves the way for Filipinos to live a life without boundaries with immersive experiences through innovations in Web3 and the metaverse. It has partnered with MetaverseGo for exclusive access to Metaverse and redemption of GUDI squad NFTs with Globe Rewards points so the community can experience the new virtual space first.
Globe also strives to make every day a win for gamers.
Globe Chief Commercial Officer Issa Guevarra-Cabreira opens this year’s Globe Innovation Fest, where Globe announced exciting offers and upcoming events to uplift Filipinos’ digital lifestyle.
Gaming for Globe ranges from casual to committed. Globe GoGAMES is a fun and simple way for customers to earn rewards points by playing hyper-casual games on the GlobeOne App.
During a Fireside Chat with Jed Reyes-Cuerva, Portfolio Manager for Games and Esports, Globe also recently participated as the main presenter of the Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS), the country’s premier gaming convention which made a comeback as an in-person event this year.
As it constantly aspires to uplift the lives of Filipinos, Globe makes every day easier, simpler, more rewarding, and more fulfilling.
The Globe of Good ecosystem provides nutrition, upskilling, livelihood, and education to those in need and gives customers a chance to help. Through the Hapag Movement, customers can donate Rewards points or GCash to provide food and livelihood support for those suffering from involuntary hunger.
Customers can also unlock rewarding experiences that will allow them to make the most of their every day, with the GlobeOne App.
“To improve the lives of many, we always strive to do better for our customers and stakeholders. We want our customers to feel that we are here with them to make life easier and exciting every day,” said Globe Chief Commercial Officer Issa Guevarra-Cabreira.
To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 3, 2022 | Awards and Competitions
Once again, the country’s Liberica coffee from Sta. Maria, Laguna captured the hearts and taste preferences of expert baristas and judges around the world as it wins 3rd in another international coffee competition.
Barista Keisuke Honma, representing Saza Coffee, captured 3rd place during the Japanese Barista championship using Henry & Sons’ Liberica Coffee from Sta. Maria, Laguna.
Barista Keisuke Honma, representing Saza Coffee, used a blend of Laguna Liberica and a Panamanian Gesha for his Milk Course. Keisuke captured 3rd place during the Japanese Barista championship held Oct 10-13, in Japan.
The Philippine Liberica Coffee is being championed around the world and capturing the hearts and taste preferences of expert baristas and judges around the world by Michael Harris Conlin and Henry and Sons.
Henry and Sons sourced the Liberica coffee in Laguna and processed it after by applying unique post-harvest methodologies and a proprietary blend of microorganisms that bring out beautiful floral aromas and clean tropical flavor notes from the coffee.
Liberica is a rare and unique species of coffee that is known for its low caffeine content, low bitterness, and high sweetness. Liberica can be considered the future of coffee as it is climate change resistant and has a deep, intricate root system that makes it resistant to storms and drought.
Keisuke Homa’s coffee blend will be available at https://thevault.ph starting Nov 8th, 2022, and at The Giving Café.
Japanese Barista Championship is a world coffee championship (WCC) sanctioned competition where baristas must create three coffee courses (Espresso, Milk, and Signature) and serve them to an expert panel of judges while delivering a meaningful message that shows their expertise and knowledge in coffee.
Barista Keisuke’s message was about how Climate change and have reduced the harvest by 70%, and by using exploring biodynamic farming techniques, rare species like the Laguna Liberica may be the answer to ensuring that future generations would still be able to enjoy coffee.
For more information, visit Henry and Sons and www.thevault.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 2, 2022 | Business
On the first post-pandemic World Savings Day, more Pinoys recognize the value of saving money. More than two years after the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos raring for a restart actually improved their mindset towards saving money, according to a recent survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This is a welcome development, considering that 34% of the population lost their source of income during the pandemic years, based on a survey conducted by the United Nations Development Programme. As a result, many have relied entirely on their savings account in order to survive the last two years.
According to the BSP’s Consumer Expectations Survey for the first quarter of 2022, the percentage of households with savings increased marginally to 31.1 percent from 30.2 percent in Q4 of 2021. The majority of the respondents cited the need for emergencies, health and medical expenses, retirement, education, and business capital and investment as reasons to save their money.
A big help in this increase in mindset and enthusiasm is the availability of more options to save money, aside from traditional banking institutions.
Cebuana Lhuillier makes life easier and dreams come true with Micro Savings
One of the most innovative means to save is through Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings. Launched in 2019 by Cebuana Lhuillier and its banking arm Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, this product has been at the forefront of bringing easy, accessible, reliable banking to the majority of Filipinos, with close to seven million micro savings account holders today.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier CEO
“Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings empowered millions of Filipinos to embark on their very own financial journeys by giving them a reliable, accessible, and efficient way to save their money, which they can easily withdraw during times of need. The quick adaptation of our kababayans to micro-savings proved that the healthy mindset towards saving has always been there, as long as they are equipped with the right tools,” says Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings—which allows customers to open an account in any of over 3,000 Cebuna Lhuillier branches nationwide for as low as only P50—was introduced as a means to address the barriers to saving, including lack of accessibility, high maintaining balance, and the need for numerous documentary requirements to open an account.
With businesses and the rest of the country slowly getting back to normal, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings remained a go-to product for many of our kababayans ready to resume their lives and dreams following two years of uncertainty.
James Tan, 18 years old, a working student from Laguna, easily managed to save with Micro Savings to buy his own bike.
James Tan, an 18-year-old working student from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, saving meant enjoying the added mobility, safety, and convenience of having his own bike, a useful tool for his daily commute between work and school.
“Gusto ko kasi magka-bike kasi sapamasahe pa lang, malakinamatitipid ko papuntasa school at satrabaho. So, young paunti-unti kong pag-iipon sa Cebuana, ginamit ko yun para mabili young pangarap kong bike. Hindi an ako nata-trapik o nale-late sa trabaho ngayon,” he shares.
(“I want to own a bike because I can save so much on fares commuting to school and work. So that’s why I saved with Cebuana enough to buy my own bike. Now I don’t get stuck in traffic and come to work late.”)
As a working student helping to support his family, James decided to continue his savings after buying the bike to also help augment the expenses from home.
Royce Jason Velez, a 36-year-old construction worker who saves using a Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account to provide a better future for his family.
The need to provide a better future for their family is also why Royce Jayson Velez, a 36-year-old construction worker, decided to open a Micro Savings account. Earning an average of P400 per day, Royce and his wife needed to be creative in order to stretch his salary to last until the next payday. His micro savings carried the family during difficult times, and are now being allocated for the schooling of his children.
“Sabi ko sasarili ko, ipagpapatuloy ko ang ipon ko para magamit ng mga anak ko sa pag-aaral at balang araw, magkaroon sila ng magandang trabaho,” Velez shares.
(“I said to myself that I would continue saving so that I can send my children to school for them have good jobs in the future.”)
A former kasambahay, Carie Labro, 38 years old, was able to put up her own sari-sari store using Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings.
For Carie Labro, a 38-year-old former housekeeper, her micro savings paved the way for her micro-entrepreneurship. When her kids started asking for more time to spend with her, Carie decided to take a leap of faith and resign from her post as a housekeeper so she could be more present for her growing kids.
With the PHP10,000 she initially saved in her Micro Savings account, Labroopened a small store which she now maintains as her main source of income. Like Velez, she has vigilantly kept up with her micro-savings. She now saves part of her earnings in her account as an emergency fund for her and her kids.
Taking advantage of the renewed interest in saving, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank continues to push for accessibility and convenience for their breakthrough product. The two-time Asian Banking & Finance Award winner for Rural Bank of the Year has adopted an innovative approach by adapting more tech features for micro-savings.
“The success of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings encouraged us to further push the envelope in bringing convenience, accessibility, reliability, and efficient banking to our clients. The change in how people access financial services nowadays served as our push towards digitalization,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President Dennis Valdes.
Aside from Cebuana Lhuillier branches, micro-savings account holders can also withdraw cash anytime, anywhere in over 21,000+ BancNet ATMs nationwide, purchase online thru UnionPay merchants worldwide, enjoy 24/7 unlimited banking access with the eCebuana app, and make cashless payments in over 350,000 UnionPay and BancNet accredited stores nationwide.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 2, 2022 | Book Reviews
Taming the Playboy Alpha by Stardust Wendy is a story I started reading on Goodnovel a few months ago when I was in the mood for something in the young adult/teenager category. I’ve never read any other story by Stardust Wendy so I was curious to see how well she writes.
The main character is Freya, born an Omega with dreams of attending a school just for Alphas. To achieve her goal she made a deal with a wizard who could temporarily make her seem like an Alpha without granting her the strength and characteristics of one. In return, she will do him a favor which he will reveal at a later time.
Meet the playboy Alpha, Silas Bloodmoon. He is the Alpha prince and the Alpha heir of her pack. He is hands down the most popular boy in school along with his friends Lucas and Adam. Everyone in school knows that Silas and Elena of the Crescent Moon pack are a couple.
Freya’s goal for entering the school was just one thing … to learn. She was not there to make friends or enemies and she definitely was not on the lookout for a boyfriend. Things don’t work out the way she planned when Silas starts to show interest in her and actively pursues her. For Silas, it started off as a game, a bet, but later he couldn’t help but be fascinated by her.
As a storyteller, I think that Stardust Wendy is good because she got me engaged and anxious for the next chapter to be released. As a writer, though, she needs help as her grammar and spelling are less than desirable – incorrect word usage, misphrased idiomatic expressions, and tenses (!), to name but a few.
For those of you who read my reviews, you would notice that I probably say that a lot! This is because many of the authors who write on reading apps 1) are most likely not native English speakers, 2) do not have editors who go over their chapters before publishing, 3) never took a course on the correct way to write a narrative story and are not familiar with Freytag’s pyramid.
But while I noted all the things that could be improved, I could still read on and enjoy the story. The only part of the story that I found dragging was Freya’s torture which ran for several chapters. I thought that was overkill.
I’m glad that I was patient with Taming the Playboy Alpha by Stardust Wendy because it is a wonderful story! I hope that she decides to get an editor (me!) and will publish this as a paperback or ebook and release it on Amazon and Applebooks soon.
In the meantime, you can read this book on Goodnovel.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 1, 2022 | Food & Beverage
For many of us, November is the time when we are all preparing for the merriest and busiest season of the year. Christmas is nearest this month, and what better way to immerse ourselves at the moment than experiencing awesome treats from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, located along Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City.
Aside from bringing you to an era where some of you miss or might want to feel and discover bits and pieces of yesteryears, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar also has monthly offerings for everyone to enjoy.
Starting October 31, 2022, Las Casas introduces its Happy Hour every day from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. If you just had your dinner at the Kusina ni Nanay or its Italian restaurant, the La Bella Teodora, and can’t get enough of the place, why not stay awhile and enjoy their Buy 2 Get 1 special cocktail of their (Bucket of Beer) Buy 5 + 1 on Beers and Lagers? And perfectly pair them with your favorite mouth-watering dishes specially curated by their able chefs.
Take pleasure in all of these and prepare to be entertained at the Plaza with their in-house violinist, Mr. Marcel Escundo, as he serenades you with his R&B music and some new Pop Songs of today.
Dance your way to hot Salsa Nights all Wednesday of November (starting November 3) from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the Garden Area with dance instructors (D.I) at hand, or you may bring your own to fully enjoy the dancefloor together with the rhythm of the music of the DJ.
There is a P500 door charge per person for the Salsa Night that comes with one choice of cocktails. There will also be a mobile bar to provide you with your special mix requests in case you want it done your way!
You also have to fill your tummies with delectable Spanish dishes after all those dancing and grooving on the floor.
Can’t get enough of dancing? Here’s more!
Every Friday, Las Casas will give you the 80s and 90s vibe with its Disco Fever Nights at the Garden Area from 7:00 to 11:00 pm for P500 per person. Think of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndy Lauper, or Baby One More Time by Britney Spears! Songs we can’t get enough of on the dancefloor simply keep us reeling and grooving.
DJs will also be present, and a live DJ will provide the best musical choices of the era. You can also do ballroom dancing during those nights. Good food, as usual, will also be ready for you to partake in.
We all love to hear Christmas songs to make us truly feel the holiday spirit is upon us. And for us Filipinos, Christmas comes early. It begins at the stroke of midnight on September 1! With that being said, Las Casas is on the lookout for an angelic rendition of our Christmas tracks through their Christmas Carol Contest, which will have auditions officially starting on December 1, 2022, and ending on December 18. Audition days are every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:00 pm onwards. The Grand Finals will be on December 23.
But even before the Christmas Carol Contest begins, Las Casas will have its own Christmas Tree Lighting on November 26, 2022, at 6:00 pm, with special guests and live performers, plus cocktails and a buffet for guests.
Visit us at Las Casas Quezon City, located at 134 Roosevelt Avenue, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. For more details and inquiries, email us at co*****@********qc.com or call 09171366796 or 09338224522.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 29, 2022 | Lifestyle Tips
During the rainy season, almost everyone has experienced having at least one batch of laundry that takes ages to dry. With the weather becoming increasingly unpredictable these days, how do you keep your clothes and fabric fresh, clean, and kulob-free?
Midea (pronounced mai-dee-yah), the leader in intelligent, and surprisingly friendly home solutions, shares this simple guide to help you keep your newly washed clothes and fabrics clean, fresh, and vibrant even when the monsoon hits.
Choose the right washing cycle and mode.
With so many different options available to us, it’s important to choose the correct spin cycle for the clothes we’re washing. For a more hassle-free washing experience, there’s the Midea 8.5Kg Fully Automatic Top Load Washing Machine that automatically calculates and determines the spin duration, water program, water level, and the number of rinses that your clothes need.
This washer also has 8 different wash programs to assist you in washing your clothes properly and easily such as Standard, Quick, Bulky, Delicates, Intensive, Mini Wash, Jeans, and Dump Dry options. All these come with an energy-efficient washing experience, thanks to the inverter function, making your washing experience more efficient and less time-consuming.
Hot water gets the job done.
When it comes to washing your workout pants, socks, and undergarments hot water can be the best option for thoroughly cleaning dirt and odors. To help you better take care of your clothes and leave them smelling clean and fresh the next day, you can start off with the Midea’s 12/8Kg Fully Automatic Front Load Combo Washing Machine which has a built-in water heater that allows you to adjust the water temperature from 30°C to 75°C to efficiently remove dirt, bacteria, and odor from fabrics, and give you clothes are free from amoy-kulob, even during the rainy season.
Say goodbye to clutter and an unorganized laundry stack as this washer also comes with 16 pre-set functions such as Cotton, Delicate, ECO Wash, Rapid, Stain Wash, Jeans, Normal, Duvet, Dry Only, Auto Clean, Shoes, Towel, Antiallergic, Silent, Spin Only, and My Cycle. This 2-in-1 washer also has a 1-hour wash-spin-dry cycle function so you can experience the best of both worlds and enjoy more cozy moments with your family!
Keep your washing machine dirt and clog-free.
A dirty washing machine is a perfect environment for mold and bacterial growth, as well as grime buildup so if you continue to wash your clothes in a not-so-clean washing machine, your clothes can get stained and come out with a not-so-pleasant smell. This is where the Midea 13KG Twin Tub can help.
This twin tub has a superb built feature which means it’s made from a highly durable plastic body that cannot be easily nipped away by dirt and clog and is also rustproof. Plus, it comes with a Magic Lint Filter that helps trap loose threads, leftover trash, sequins, and buttons so it won’t interfere with the cleaning process.
Go for the efficient inverter washer.
When you have loads of dirty clothes to wash, especially in this damp weather, time and electricity consumption are important considerations. The faster you can do your laundry, the more power and time you save. This is where Midea 7.5kg Front Load Washer Inverter can become your best laundry buddy. This washer comes with an inverter function that gives an energy-efficient washing experience – that means it uses the least amount of power without sacrificing its cleaning performance.
The Auto-Clean function of this front load also has a high-speed water flow that clears dirt residues off the inner and outer drum to prevent secondary pollution of the clothes. Plus, with its 15-quick wash feature, you can wrap up your laundry time in just 15 minutes – more time to spend relaxing or bonding with your family! Not only that, but Midea washers are also strategically installed with Piso-Wash features. This means that when you use Midea’s home-friendly solutions, the electricity cost per wash load is equivalent to only PHP1.00!
By making just a few tweaks to your routine and choosing the right washing appliance, you will know how to keep your laundry fresh during the rainy season and not let the rain dampen your plans. Another useful tip is to use a dehumidifier like the Midea Cube Dehumidifier to keep away the dampness and kulob-smell on your clothes while making sure you’re home environment is safe from moisture. You can conveniently keep dampness away wherever you are in your home by controlling this humidifier through the Midea Air app.
Get rid of those kulob-smelling clothes effortlessly during the rainy season with Midea. Midea’s products are available at the following Midea Philippines online flagship stores:
You can also check out more Midea intelligent home solutions at leading appliance stores nationwide or visit any of these sites – Facebook: MideaPhilippines; Instagram: mideaph; Youtube: Midea Philippines Official and on TikTok: mideaphilippines
- There are many translations for the word “kulob” in this context it refers to that muggy smell between washed and unwashed.
The NABU: Multilingual Kids Books app may be downloaded for free on Google Play Store and App Store. For further details, visit https://www.nabu.org/read/ or https://www.nabu.org/tl/philippines.
Four Nights by Stephanie Brother is a love story. Autumn never imagined that a girl like her, an inexperienced virgin, could attract four men. She also never imagined herself attracted to or involved with more than one man. But I guess that’s just what happens to some special people at Four Points.
Globe is thrilled to be the first telco operator to offer special packages for customers in the Philippines to enjoy the popular streaming service, 
Taming the Playboy Alpha by Stardust Wendy is a story I started reading on Goodnovel a few months ago when I was in the mood for something in the young adult/teenager category. I’ve never read any other story by Stardust Wendy so I was curious to see how well she writes.
Starting October 31, 2022, Las Casas introduces its Happy Hour every day from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. If you just had your dinner at the Kusina ni Nanay or its Italian restaurant, the La Bella Teodora, and can’t get enough of the place, why not stay awhile and enjoy their Buy 2 Get 1 special cocktail of their (Bucket of Beer) Buy 5 + 1 on Beers and Lagers? And perfectly pair them with your favorite mouth-watering dishes specially curated by their able chefs.
Dance your way to hot Salsa Nights all Wednesday of November (starting November 3) from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the Garden Area with dance instructors (D.I) at hand, or you may bring your own to fully enjoy the dancefloor together with the rhythm of the music of the DJ.
Every Friday, Las Casas will give you the 80s and 90s vibe with its Disco Fever Nights at the Garden Area from 7:00 to 11:00 pm for P500 per person. Think of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndy Lauper, or Baby One More Time by Britney Spears! Songs we can’t get enough of on the dancefloor simply keep us reeling and grooving.
A dirty washing machine is a perfect environment for mold and bacterial growth, as well as grime buildup so if you continue to wash your clothes in a not-so-clean washing machine, your clothes can get stained and come out with a not-so-pleasant smell. This is where the Midea 13KG Twin Tub can help.
When you have loads of dirty clothes to wash, especially in this damp weather, time and electricity consumption are important considerations. The faster you can do your laundry, the more power and time you save. This is where Midea 7.5kg Front Load Washer Inverter can become your best laundry buddy. This washer comes with an inverter function that gives an energy-efficient washing experience – that means it uses the least amount of power without sacrificing its cleaning performance.
You must be logged in to post a comment.