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.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 28, 2022 | Book Reviews
Ever since Stephanie Brother announced that she was writing Four Always, the eighth book of the Four series, I confess I have been on tenterhooks. When I look back at my Kindle history, it turns out that the Four series are the books that really got me to follow Stephanie Brother. For now, allow me to focus on this book.
Jade is a curvy woman who works in a bakery owned by Maddy, the main character in the first book of the series. She is tasked to deliver some novelty cookies to Club Red, a male strip club that recently opened in Four Points. This is where Jade meets the gorgeous Stanton brothers: Chase, Dodge, Diesel, and Maddox, who happen to be dancers and the owners of Club Red.
From the moment they met sparks flew. Despite the heated looks and flirtatious repartee the men were throwing her way, Jade doubted that they were truly attracted to her but was secretly thrilled by it.
Fast forward a few days and the Stantons visit the bakery, not to buy baked goods, but to pursue her. I’m not going to lie, this made me kick up my heels and giggle thinking, “OMG, they’re into ME!”
Yes, I tend to put myself as the main character in the book, especially when she has extra bumps she wishes she didn’t have. I eagerly turned the pages of the book to read more. I wanted to know how long Jade would resist and I was curious to see how these men will be able to win her over. Jade also volunteers at an animal shelter and the Stantons “stalked” her there as well. Suffice it to say they were persistent and Jade eventually succumbed to their charms.
Four Always by Stephanie Brother is a wonderful story and made me wish I had Stanton brothers of my own who adore me. You can grab a copy of Four Always on Amazon starting November 1, 2022, for 2.99 but with Kindle Unlimited it’s free! Happy reading and let me know what you think!
After reading this book you can read the bonus content here.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 27, 2022 | Entertainment
DUP rises again after weathering two years of the CoVid-19 pandemic. To forge the path forward, the event, entitled “Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay” starts with honoring its founding artistic director – National Artist for Theatre Antonio O. Mabesa. These ushers in the reopening of DUP’s doors to the public as it presents two new exciting and thought-provoking works in its 45th Theatre Season.
Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay
Parangal kay Antonio O. Mabesa, Pambansang Alagad ng Sining para sa Teatro at Paglulunsad ng 45th Theatre Season ng Dulaang UP
Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay expresses a tone of gratitude in its heartfelt remembering of a captain and founder, a celebration of his fruitful past, his innovations in theatre-making, and a rekindling of the commitment to serve Sir Tony’s vision of excellence in the practice of Theatre.
It offers a personal and intimate commemoration of “Sir Tony” through the eyes of his students, colleagues, friends, and family. It shares how his mentorship and legacy live on in the lives and practices of the people he has inspired.
And to preserve the wealth of knowledge carried on by the Dulaang UP community, DUP now launches its 45th Theatre Season “BALIKWAS: Tanaw. Tugon. Tindig”, amidst the pandemic, as an agile response to the current conditions of theatre practice and the Filipino society in this “next” normal.
You can watch Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay in the video below that was recorded on Facebook Live at the event itself or click on the link here to watch the video on Dulaang UP’s official page.
Dulaang UP (DUP) and Sir Tony’s Legacy
National Artist for Theater Tony Mabesa established Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) in 1976. Through his leadership and inspiration, DUP established a reputation for innovation and excellence in theatre while offering a training ground for young talent via the mentorship of the veterans. DUP has also served as a venue for staging published and new works making it an evident source of new talent for local and international theatre, cinema, television, advertising, and other creative industries.
In Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay, DUP traces the legacy of NA Tony Mabesa from the personal accounts of his colleagues, students, and friends in the local theatre community. Among them are renowned names in the field of theater, film, and television: Edna Mae Landicho, Monino Duque, Josefina Estrella, Anton Juan, Jr., Shamaine Buencamino, Dennis Marasigan, Karen Gaerlan, Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Eric Pineda, Banaue Miclat-Janssen, Ross Pesigan, and Adriana Agcaoili to name a few.
Part of remembering Sir Tony Mabesa is an interpretation of his biographical essay, Life in the Theater, which adds an intimate layer of commemorating his presence and contribution to professional theater and the Theater Arts Program of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Memorializing Sir Tony would not be complete without a poignant testimony from one of his closest friends and colleagues in the industry, award-winning film & TV director Joel Lamangan. Lastly, a rendition of a song from Joi Barrios’ Gabriela: Isang Oratorio, directed by Sir Tony himself in 2006 complements a longing yet hopeful tone of honoring Dulaang UP’s beloved father.
Dulaang UP’s Lineage
Dulaang UP Artistic Director, Issa Lopez
Dulaang UP Managing Director Nicodemus Varona
Since its founding year, Dulaang UP has been a vehicle for articulating perspectives and assertions through the vision of its artistic directors.
For more than four decades, DUP thrived under the artistic directorship of catalysts of change and innovation in the theatre and performance scene such as Tony Mabesa, Behn Cervantes, Anton Juan Jr., Jose Estrella, Alexander Cortez, Amiel Leonardia, Ogie Juliano, Edna Mae Landicho, Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete, Dexter M. Santos, and Banaue Miclat-Janssen.
As Dulaang UP decides to open its doors after two years of hiatus, it also extends its pathway beyond the stage and onto the challenges of hybrid and new forms of performances, while making sure to stand for its core values through its new artistic director, Issa Manalo Lopez.
Under the new artistic directorship, DUP strives to hold onto its reputation and address issues worth taking.
New Productions
Two stellar productions are lined up in this year’s 45th theatre season; The Reconciliation Dinner, a new one-act play by Floy Quintos, directed by Dexter Santos, showing this November 18-20, 2022; and Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba, original story by Dean Alfar, a stage adaptation by Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera, directed by José Estrella, to be staged by March 2023. For tickets, show buying, and sponsorships, you may contact Dulaang UP at du***********@****du.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 25, 2022 | Book Reviews
Double Bossed by Rare is one of those books I started to read out of curiosity and later, thankfully, enjoyed. The main characters in this story are the bosses, a gay couple named Jacob and Hardin, and their assistant Faith.
Hardin was sexually abused by his mother when he was a teenager and forced to participate in sex for money. Because of this, he had a strong phobia of women and could not stand to be around them. Jacob encountered Hardin while on vacation and from the moment they met, it was magic. Jacob took him away from that life and they have been together since and established a fashion empire.
Hardin and Jacob never get female employees reporting to them directly because of Hardin’s condition yet of all the applicants to apply for the assistant position, Faith’s stood out.
There was hesitation at first to even interview her because but they gave her a chance. It was worrisome for Hardin because 1) she is female, 2) she is attractive, 3) he could see that Jacob was attracted to her, and 4) although he would not admit it, he was attracted to her, too.
Thankfully, for Faith, she turns out to be the best assistant they’ve ever had. Things start to get interesting when Faith finds herself drawn to both Jacob and Hardin. This started when Jacob would openly caress Hardin in front of her while the 3 are in a meeting. It all comes to a head when they go overseas and all stay at Jacob and Hardin’s house and their feelings for each other surface.
Classifying Double Bossed by Rare as a reverse harem does not really fit the bill since all three participants are in love with and physically attracted to each other. During their trysts, it was not uncommon for one man to be between Faith’s thighs while the other is in his ass at the same time. You’d think it would bother me, but it was well-written in a loving manner, and considering that the men are supposed to be gay, it made sense. I guess, in a way, it means they’re bi for Faith.
You can read Double Bossed by Rare at Goodnovel.
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.
Ever since Stephanie Brother announced that she was writing Four Always, the eighth book of the Four series, I confess I have been on tenterhooks. When I look back at my Kindle history, it turns out that the Four series are the books that really got me to follow Stephanie Brother. For now, allow me to focus on this book.
Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay expresses a tone of gratitude in its heartfelt remembering of a captain and founder, a celebration of his fruitful past, his innovations in theatre-making, and a rekindling of the commitment to serve Sir Tony’s vision of excellence in the practice of Theatre.
Two stellar productions are lined up in this year’s 45th theatre season; The Reconciliation Dinner, a new one-act play by Floy Quintos, directed by Dexter Santos, showing this November 18-20, 2022; and Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba, original story by Dean Alfar, a stage adaptation by Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera, directed by José Estrella, to be staged by March 2023. For tickets, show buying, and sponsorships, you may contact Dulaang UP at 
Hardin was sexually abused by his mother when he was a teenager and forced to participate in sex for money. Because of this, he had a strong phobia of women and could not stand to be around them. Jacob encountered Hardin while on vacation and from the moment they met, it was magic. Jacob took him away from that life and they have been together since and established a fashion empire.
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