Author: Press Release

Kai Sotto is the New Cat in the Global PUMA

Global sports brand PUMA marks its bold foray into the Philippine basketball market by naming Kai Sotto as its first Filipino baller to serve as the newest global brand ambassador. The German sports brand revealed its partnership with the Filipino hooper import during its recently concluded autumn/winter collection preview party last April 19.

One of the best homegrown players from the Philippines, Kai is considered as one of the top basketball prospects in Asia and has a significant following among Filipino basketball fans the world over. His partnership with PUMA is set to strengthen the brand’s presence in the basketball scene and appeal to young consumers who identify with his talent, personality and style.

“His rising popularity and boundless potential in the local and international basketball scene is a testament to his hard work to make a name for himself and raise the Philippine flag on the world stage. Kai’s basketball career mirrors the PUMA brand values of bravery, confidence, determination and joy, all of which advance our FOREVER FASTER mantra,” said PUMA Philippines Country Manager Paolo Misa.

The former UAAP juniors champion and MVP left the Philippines in 2019 to pursue his NBA dreams and has since made an impressive stint in the international basketball scene as a Filipino import for club teams in Australia and Japan. Kai signed with Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) from 2021 to 2022. Today, the 7-foot-3 Pinoy import is playing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan B.League. The Filipino basketball community hopes for his return to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas to help the country’s campaign at the FIBA World Cup this year.

“My style and story as an athlete has always been about getting faster and better in every game. I am proud to be part of a brand that represents both my story and the values that are inherent to Pinoys. I am excited and happy to be the new cat in the PUMA family,” said Kai.

PUMA’s partnership with Kai marks the start of the brand’s expansion plans in the market as a full subsidiary. As the first Filipino hooper to be part of the global PUMA family, Kai shares the excitement of his fans at home and looks forward to engaging with them and achieving even greater things with the fastest sports brand in the world.

In a true FOREVER FASTER fashion, the sports brand welcomed Kai as its newest global ambassador with a dedicated page on PUMA Philippine website. Fans can now visit the page to see Kai’s favorite PUMA collection such as suede classic sneakers, basketball shoes, hoodies, and sweatpants. Follow Kai Sotto and PUMA’s social media pages for thrilling news and updates about the collaboration.

May 1, 2023
Celebrate Moms Everyday: Goldilocks’ Cakes Shower Moms with Affection – “The Best Ka, Ma!”

No doubt about it: for Filipino families, Mother’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations—a special day that honors our mom’s absolute love, filled with joy, some tears and laughter, and everything that comes in between. But how come we’re only celebrating our mothers only for one day a year? Our mothers’ love goes beyond just one special holiday, so it’s our turn to do the same. Show your appreciation daily with a heartwarming Goldilocks cake!

Sweet surprises for moms

And how can we do this? With a Goldilocks cake, of course! Goldilocks’ menu offers a wide variety of treats, perfect for making moms feel extra special. As the official Mother’s Day draws near, it’s our turn to make the mothers of our lives feel special with these two Goldilocks cake offerings that “The Best Ka, Ma!” With these treats, it’s easier to let our mom know they mean the world to us, whether it’s Mother Day or any day of the year.

A soft and silky cake for your mom

Celebrating your mom during their special day does not need to be complicated. Anything is special as long as it is expressed with love! The Goldilocks menu offers a bunch of mothers’ fave goodies specifically for this purpose. Choose among these Goldilocks products and see your mom—and everyone in the family—smile in delight. A Goldilocks day is always a special day, after all!

Give your mom a special sweet and light treat with the new Goldilocks Mango Dream (P690)! A triple layered chiffon cake filled with decadent buttercream and fresh mangoes, topped with mango icing, the Mango Dream is soft and silky—one that would make even the simplest moments with your mom the most memorable.

A sweet and filling cake for your mom—and everyone

Or if your mom likes it simple yet with a rich and decadent punch, there’s the Mom’s Choco Cake (P690). The Mom’s Choco Cake is a Mother’s Twist to the classic Goldilocks dedication cake, an 8×12 chocolate chiffon dedication cake with chocolate icing, big enough to serve an extended family of 18. It is topped with pastel flower designs.

And with the icing lettering of your message for your mom on top of the cake, it is a sweet way of making Mother’s Day more meaningful. But Mother’s Day is a celebration for everyone in the family, too. Celebrate with everyone with Goldilocks’ new Mom’s Bundle. The Mom’s Bundle (P1200) includes a Baked Lasagna and Mom’s Choco Cake (9’ round). It is a sweet and filling combination that is right for every occasion—and is a reason to celebrate in itself.

Celebrate your moms the way you like it with Goldilocks’ Mango Dream, Mom’s Choco Cake, and Mom’s Bundle, available starting April 15.

For more information on the new Mango Dream and their other Mother’s Day treats, follow Goldilocks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You also order via Grabfood and Foodpanda, or through Goldilocks Delivery.

May 1, 2023
Stream these widely raved shows seamlessly with Sky Fiber

Stream them lag-free using SKY Fiber’s Unli Broadband Super Speed Plans, which all have free speed boosts until December 31. For as low as P999/month, you can get the best value 20Mbps Plan boosted up to 30Mbps until the end of the year. You may also opt for faster speeds such as the 50Mbps Plan (P1,699/month) or 100Mbps Plan (P2,299/month) which have free boosted speeds of up to 150Mbps and 200Mbps respectively within the promo period.

With an unlimited high-speed internet subscription, you can join in the daily primetime bida craze on Kapamilya Online Live available via Facebook and YouTube.

Every night, hundreds of thousands of online viewers tune in to those platforms to watch the top-trending ABS-CBN series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” “The Iron Heart,” and “Dirty Linen.”

As these series fulfill audiences’ appetite for action and thrill, you can also fuel your adrenaline needs by subscribing to TapGO TV, a live TV and on-demand streaming service featuring live sports and a wide array of entertainment, available via SKY. Stream action-packed MMA with “UFC 288: Sterling vs Cejudo” on May 7, 8 a.m. or catch the best golfers in the “PGA Tour” on April 28 to May 1 for the Mexico Open tee off at Vidanta at 3:30 a.m., with replays at 2 p.m.

On the other hand, those looking for a light-hearted watch can check out the new ongoing iWantTFC original series “Teen Clash,” which revolved around a group of talented teens reaching for their rock band dreams. The series is continuously gaining traction online for its intriguing adaptation of the popular Wattpad novel of the same name. New episodes are being released every Friday at 8 p.m. on the iWantTFC app and website.

Easily catch up on the latest and hottest shows online when you’ve got a SKY Fiber Unli Broadband Plan. You can also receive free installation on May 1 until July 31 when you present one valid ID.

Subscribe online through the official website (mysky.com.ph/skyfiber) or SKY’s 24/7 assistant KYLA (mysky.com.ph/aboutkyla). For more information and updates, follow SKY on Facebook (fb.com/myskyupdates), Twitter (@myskyupdates), and Instagram (@myskyupdates).

April 28, 2023
Celebrate 7 Sizzling Years of Texas Roadhouse: Irresistible Two-for-You Anniversary Promo

It was in April 2016 when Texas Roadhouse opened in the Philippine with their much-celebrated and legendary food and legendary service. It’s been seven years since and the restaurant continues to be widely-popular, serving their hand-cuts steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs made-from-scratch sides and everyone’s favorite, their fresh-baked bread.

In celebration of this milestone, Texas Roadhouse is holding a special Two for you promotion featuring two of their signature dishes from April 28-May 4, 12 oz New York Striploin and Half-slab of Baby Back Ribs. Two for the price of one. Yee-Haw!!!

Avail this time limited only offer as well as other house specialties amidst an energetic vibe and occasional line dance performances by the staff.

Another exciting news is the upcoming openings of more branches this year. Watch out for these new branches: Two Meridien, BGC; SM Clark; McKinley Venice Grand Canal Mall; Sta Rosa; Glorietta and Cebu.

Cheers to many more years of great food and great ambiance.

Follow texasroadhouseph.

April 28, 2023
Loboc Children’s Choir Performs at The Manila Hotel and Manila Prince Hotel

Hotel guests may witness special performances of Loboc Children’s Choir as they are scheduled to sing at the lobby of Manila Prince Hotel on April 30, 2023 at 2:30 PM and at the grand lobby of The Manila Hotel on May 1, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

Admission is free.

The renowned Loboc Children’s Choir has captivated audiences far and wide with their musical talent. Having won national and international competitions, the choir has grown into one of the Philippines’ most outstanding choirs today.

Loboc Children’s Choir was founded in 1980, and within its forty-three years of existence, the choir has received accolades around the world as they held concerts in Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and United States of America. They took home the gold medal in both the Youth Category and Grand Prize at the 6^th International Folksongs Festival “Europe and its Songs” held in Barcelona, Spain.

For inquiries, please call (63 2) 5328-2222 for Manila Prince Hotel and (63 2) 8527-0011 for The Manila Hotel.

April 28, 2023
Rise From The Ranks: Sofitel Manila Presents New Director of Food & Beverage

Boasting its world-class hospitality standards and services in its flagship restaurant, Spiral, its 3 luxury dining destinations and highly acclaimed banquet services, from state and national events to social and corporate celebrations, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila proudly presents Mr. Eric Norbert as the hotel’s newest Director of Food and Beverage.

Coming up to lead one of the metro’s biggest food and beverage team, Mr. Norbert is a self-drivenand self-determined individual withmore than two decades of experiencein restaurant andhospitality,thathas aninspiring success storyof building up one’s career from the bottom whileaspiring to be a leader that he is today.

Early in his career, Mr. Norbert jumpstarted his passion in Food & Beverage in the exclusive five-star, Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France while learning century-long hospitality practices and traditions of French luxury and elegance. He was able to progress his career when he worked for La Bernardin, a three-star Michelin restaurant in New York City. In 2006,Heentered the hospitality-chain industry at the world-famous Glass Brasserie in Hilton Sydney, Australia as its Assistant Operations Manager.

In 2012, Mr. Norbert workedwith Chef Cyrille Soenen, Maître Cusinier De France,at the well-knownBrasserie CiÇou as its Restaurant Manager. Because of the exemplary skillshe had shown, BrasserieCiÇou was awardedas the Best French Restaurant of the Year at the Manila’s Best KeptRestaurantSecrets Awards2012.

Mr. Norbert started his career at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in 2015 as a restaurant manager of the hotel’s lobby lounge and patisserie, Le Bar. It was not long that he was promoted to be the manager of Asia’s most interactive dining destination, Spiral. He presented his expertise in world-class dining and service that made Spiral one of the most multi-awarded international buffets in the metro. While Spiral remains to be the country’s top dining destination, He pursued his passion to provide excellence in service as he became the hotel’s Food and Beverage Manager in 2019.

3 years ago, as the world went on a hiatus, Mr. Norbert remained resilientand strived to revive thehotel’s food & beverage dining outletsthroughadaptingthe changes in the hospitality service andempoweringhis team not to be discouraged with the limitations during those times. His drive andeagerness for the rise of the industry and his rapport and care for his people, earned his promotion tobe the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage in 2022.

Now reaching his career goal, Mr. Norbert aims to continue his legacy and principle of providing world-class experiences to guests and patrons. As the new Director of Food & Beverage, he aspires to create a modern approach on hospitality experience to connect with guests through food, beverage and service while still upholding French art de vivre and the heartfelt warmth of the Filipino spirit

April 28, 2023
WATCH: Main trailer for “Black Knight” finally Unveiled

Dismantling the Crooked World Crafted by Cheonmyeong Group, Dreaming of an Equal Society

The upcoming series, Black Knight, promises to be an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled adventure that will leave you breathless. The recently released main trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse into a post-apocalyptic universe where the Korean peninsula has become a desert wasteland and only one percent of the population clings to life. The devastated look of Seoul seems outright surreal.

Screenshot from Netflix Black Knight Trailer

The legendary deliveryman 5-8 (Kim Woo-bin) works as a lifeline to mankind, delivering oxygen and other necessities in the daytime. At nightfall, however, he transforms into a Black Knight with a plot to upend the order created by Cheonmyeong Group, the de facto ruler of the devastated world. Ryu Seok (Song Seung-heon), the ruthless heir to Cheonmyeong Group, clashes with 5-8 as he defends his vision of a world with no place for the refugees. Seol-ah (Esom), a major at the Defense Intelligence Command, warns 5-8 that chaos may spiral out of hand, while Sa-wol, a refugee who aspires of becoming a Black Knight, boldly climbs onto 5-8’s truck, eager to join the fight.

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to change.”

Screenshot from Netflix Black Knight Trailer

On top of all the drama is the exhilarating action sequences, including heart-stopping car chases on sand dunes, intense firefights, and expertly choreographed hand-to-hand combat. Director Cho Ui-seok aimed to create “more down-to-earth and lively” scenes compared to the original webtoon. While 5-8 plots to overturn the crooked world order, Ryu Seok’s dark ambitions, Sa-wol’s pursuit of becoming a Black Knight, and Seol-ah’s investigation into the sinister secrets of Cheonmyeong’s dirty secrets are all in play. All eyes are on the expansive universe that Black Knight is set to unveil.

Clear your schedule and prepare to be captivated: Black Knight will be available worldwide on May 12, exclusively on Netflix.

April 28, 2023
Sam Concepcion’s Flawless Versions of “Kapit” Are Winning Our Hearts

Just in time for Christian Bautista’s celebration of his now two-decade music career, Sam Concepcion reimagines his 2017 hit song “Kapit” and did not just one, but two versions of it!

The multitalented singer recently made his return to his Universal Records family and released two brand new mixes of “Kapit” that impressively took the song to even greater heights with its infectious groove.

Sam’s homage to Asia’s Romantic Balladeer is indeed one-of-a-kind. Sam Concepcion flawlessly puts his own spin on the track, infusing it with his signature sound and energy.

Recalling how he accepted the offer to cover a Christian Bautista hit, he shares, “It just happened. I learned that there’s a compilation album that’s being made for Christian Bautista and as some people may already know, we spent a lot of time together in our careers especially during the beginning. We have the same management, same network, and all that.”

“So fast forward, when the opportunity presented itself to remake a song that I really like, that I am aware of, and I’ve listened to countless times before, I took the opportunity to record and sing it, syempre,” he adds. Sam also said that he’s also happy about the longevity of Christian’s career.

When asked about the reason why he worked with two producers to make two mixes of “Kapit”, the singer said that there are two effective ways of interpreting the song.

“There were two ways of approaching it and I worked with two different producers to come up with two different versions of the song. One is a bit more chill and laid back. The other has a faster tempo. So you get two, which is great because it completely changes the whole mood and it creates a different context for the song,” Sam explains.

Feast your ears on Sam’s “Kapit” and “Kapit (The Other Mix) on your favorite digital streaming platforms today.

April 28, 2023
NFT Art Goes Mainstream: GCash Introduces GCrypto NFT Hub Featuring Local Artists

Digital art continues to grow globally with the Philippines rising as an emerging market for artists and collectors. A study by Finder in 2022, showed that the Philippines ranked seventh in the world for NFT (non-fungible token) adoption.

Filipinos can now explore the world of NFTs, as GCash, the #1 Finance Super App, introduces the GCrypto NFT Hub. Users can now easily discover and purchase NFT art, and support their favorite homegrown artists.

GCash has partnered with homegrown NFT marketplace, Likha, and the popular art gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, for the release of its first GCrypto NFT collection: The House of Ohlala, from Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera.

“We are thrilled to partner with the esteemed artist, Reen Barrera, for his first ever NFT collection as we unveil the new GCrypto NFT Hub,” said Jong Layug, GCash Head of Wealth Management. “Through the GCrypto NFT Hub, we hope to provide Filipino artists a platform to bring their digital art to a wider audience, while also enabling more Filipinos access to buy their first NFT art.”

“I personally use GCash on a daily basis, and for sure, a lot of Filipinos also trust the app for their hard earned money. To acquire NFT, you need a digital currency. And what’s the most trusted e-wallet app? It’s GCash,” said Reen Barrera. “For someone like me who’s afraid to venture into something new like NFTs, I would be at ease knowing that I’m with a company I trust.”

During the House of Ohlala launch in The Astbury, Makati, hosted by NFT enthusiast Mikael Daez, members of the NFT and art community came together to celebrate, and get first dibs on Barrera’s first NFT collection.

Barrera’s NFT project features a collection of 1,000 NFTs built on the Polygon blockchain, with each NFT being sold for 80 MATIC. The House of Ohlala includes unique utility features. NFT holders have a chance to win one of the four Ohlala statues to be raffled every quarter, they can gain exclusive access to artwork and merchandise, and get to join a whitelist for future collections. Owners of the 10 editions of 1 of 1 NFTs will also receive free Giclee prints of their digital collectible.

The collection is based on Barrera’s most popular character, Ohlala, who is a soft commentary on socio-economic classes. Ohlala’s head is covered in canvas cloth to symbolize that each one of us, no matter our economic backgrounds, has the ability to design our own fates. Ohlala’s face is also decorated with symbols and patterns, based on the idiom “it is written all over your face.”

Get first dibs on legit NFT through the GCrypto NFT Hub

The GCrypto NFT Hub will feature digital art created by famous and up-and-coming local artists, such as National Artist Larry Alcala through a partnership with Scarletbox.io, Superordinary Friends x TRNZ, and Monster Mayhem by Distort Monsters. Upcoming collections include artworks by contemporary artist Bitto, and national artists Botong Francisco and Vicente Manansala.

Are you ready to own your first NFT artwork and discover more artists? Get first dibs on curated and legitimate NFTs through the GCrypto NFT Hub (https://www.gcash.com/services/gcrypto/nft)! Kaya Mo. I-GCash Mo.

April 28, 2023
Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusively presents “Big George Foreman” and “Evil Dead Rise” starting May 10.

Made to be experienced best in cinemas, the larger-than-life true story of “Big George Foreman” and the viscerally chilling “Evil Dead Rise” will open on May 10 exclusive at Ayala Malls Cinemas. The films are part of the A-List Series, a curation of films exclusively offered at Ayala Malls Cinemas where film enthusiasts and movie fans enjoy the best cinema viewing experience.

See and feel the grit, passion and drama unfold at Ayala Malls Cinemas, taking you back in time into the journey of one of sports’ most admired figures in history in “Big George Foreman”. The inspiring true story of George Foreman in “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World” is based on one of the greatest comebacks of all time and the transformational power of second chances.

Fueled by an impoverished childhood, Foreman channeled his anger into becoming an Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, followed by a near-death experience that took him from the boxing ring to the pulpit. But when he sees his community struggling spiritually and financially, Foreman returns to the ring and makes history by reclaiming his title, becoming the oldest and most improbable World Heavyweight Boxing Champion ever. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker George Tillman Jr. from a story by Dan Gordon and Frank Baldwin & George Tillman Jr, and a screenplay by Baldwin & Tillman, the film stars Khris Davis (Judas and the Black Messiah) as Foreman and also stars Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker as Foreman’s trainer and mentor Doc Broadus.

A chilling experience is about to take over this summer with “Evil Dead Rise”. As the movie’s action moves out of the woods and into the city, Ayala Malls Cinemas brings to life in cinematic detail the film’s nightmarish experience of the twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most frightening version of their family imaginable. The movie stars Lily Sullivan (“I Met a Girl,” “Barkskins”), Alyssa Sutherland (“New Gold Mountain,” “Vikings”), Morgan Davies (“The End,” “Storm Boy”), Gabrielle Echols (“Reminiscence”) and introducing Nell Fisher (“Northspur”).

April 27, 2023