Leading property developer SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is launching its newest advertising campaign, which has a superstar endorser, Korean actor Lee Min Ho.
“I’m honored to be part of the SMDC family. It’s very important for a person to have a space to call home,” Lee Min Ho shared. He added that being able to influence home buyers in owning their home is something he is grateful for.
Lee Min Ho is the lead actor of the Korean drama series “Boys Over Flowers,” “City Hunter,” “The Heirs,” “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” “The King: Eternal Monarch,” and “Pachinko,” which established him as a household name worldwide, including the Philippines.
Lee Min Ho has been voted as most favorite actor by the 2022 Overseas Hallyu Report, an international survey conducted in 18 countries by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE). Lee Min Ho, who has topped the list for five consecutive years since 2018, proved that he is an unwavering representative in Korea. Since 2009, he has received numerous awards for excellence in acting, and is considered as one of the most influential global style icons who has the largest number of followers on social media among Korean actors.
SMDC Vice President for Marketing Aye Luna said, “We are certainly excited to be working with Mr. Lee Min Ho for this campaign. Not only does he embody true luxury and sophistication, he is also a “Good Guy” in every sense of the word. He cares about his family and fans, and positively contributes to society through his donation platform. This makes him the perfect brand ambassador of SMDC.”
As a testament to its commitment to building world-class, master-planned sustainable communities, SMDC was recently named Best Developer in Southeast Asia by Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2022, and received excellence awards for several of its residential condominium developments.
There’s more to talk about Cuenca, Batangas other than its local bake shops. Recently, Cuenca Institute celebrated its 75th Founding Anniversary, acknowledging and paying tribute to outstanding alumni who have made their marks in the world and succeeded in what they were meant to do. One of whom is Lucito ‘Chito’ Chavez, Founder and General Manager of Tinapayan Festival.
Lucito Chavez, Cuenca Institute (Photo Credit: Cuenca Institute)
Chavez garnered the highest award for all of his help in building and establishing the town of Cuenca, Batangas as the Home of the Bakers. Part of Class 1974, Chavez along with his good friend Arch. Nelson Chavez has worked closely together to bring pride and joy to the town.
“It’s not about what you gain from succeeding but from the lessons you learn as you go along the way. Being a Cuencano has helped shape me into the man I am now. I look back at all the formative years, and I know that I have learned so much during my high school years to catapult me into doing my part as a Filipino citizen, Cuencano, and Batangueno,” shares Chavez.
During his speech in Cuenca Institute’s 75th Founding Anniversary, he shares how he has put into practice what he has learned in school. “Wala akong kodigo ngayon. Hindi ako nagbaon ng kodigo dahil bawal sa Cuenca Institute. Mag-aral kayo, kagaya ng disiplina ng mga guro dito,” shares Chavez. (I don’t have crib sheets for my speech today. Because crib sheets are forbidden at Cuenca Institute. That’s how the teachers here disciplined me so you should follow in their teachings.)
Cuenca Institute and its Contribution
For all the years of its existence, Cuenca Institute has produced great minds with students graduating with honors, pursuing great careers, and placing the school on the map of the Philippines. Graduates of Cuenca Institute became great professionals; some have become deans, doctors, town and city mayors, and successful business owners here and abroad.
President, Philippine Society of Baking
Chito Chavez and Arch. Nelson Cuevas are some of those outstanding graduates. They have become pioneering advocates for local bread who pushed for the improvement and recognition of local bakers in the country. Part of this campaign was paving the way for agricultural crops to be utilized in local baking. Led by Arch. Cuevas, the incorporation of agricultural products led to the innovation of pandesal made from kamote, carrots, squash, ube, and so much more. This has then led to empowering the Department of Science and Technology as they now develop and use agricultural crops in their nutribun program.
“Si Arch. Nelson Cuevas ang unang gumawa ng pandesal na may kamote, pandesal na may kalabasa, carrot, at ngayon ay proyekto na ng Department of Science and Technology sa kanilang nutribun na project,” emphasizes Chavez. (Arch. Nelson Cuevas was the first to create pandesal that incorporated sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots, which now inspires the nutribun project of the Department of Science and Technology.)
Encouraging the Community to Lift Local Bakery Industry
For over four decades, Chavez has longed for and pushed to lift the local bakery industry one step at a time. Together with partners in the private and public sectors, he has worked closely with the key players to help the livelihoods of many bakers, farmers, and store owners in the process. “There’s still a lot for us to do to bring back the glory of pandesal making in the country. If years back, 40% of flour was used by the bakery industry to create the ever-beloved pandesal, today, only a mere 19% of flour production is used to create our national bread,” he shares.
Chito Chavez, Production Area
This is one of the plights of many in the local bakery industry due to several economic circumstances but Chavez encourages more concerned citizens, especially those from Cuenca to take their part in helping solve the problem in the bakery industry and uplift the livelihood that once was the bread and butter of the town.
Chito Chavez is just one of the many Cuenca Institute graduates who look back at the past and ensure that their learnings and journey shape what they become. But for his goal of building a strong local bakery industry, it is essential that customers also work together by supporting local bakeries, and choosing healthy options such as products with agricultural crops incorporated in them.
To learn more about Cuenca Institute, visit their Facebook page. To discover Tinapayan Festival’s new products, offerings, and latest announcements, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Unfortunately, most are in the rush toward their next task and often forget to look around. But when you get stuck in the most unconventional places, you might get to meet someone and get closer with them.
Stuck in the Elevator
Did you know the odds of being stuck in an elevator are 1 in every 100,000? The odds of being stuck with someone who’s your type, however, might be a little higher.
But if that does happen, first: don’t panic. You’re in a closed space so With more than 8 billion people in the world, there’s no shortage of potential love interests.
make the most of it, especially if you’re alone together. Keep the conversations light to get closer and once help comes, don’t forget to get their contact details!
During Overtime
Romance in the workplace is not something new. But so is stress-bonding when you and your office crush are both stuck in the same building to meet deadlines.
Make the move and get close by offering to buy dinner for both of you and take advantage of that by taking a break together.
In the Middle of Traffic
Filipinos in the metro lose approximately a week being stuck in traffic, leaving less time for most to go to work, have fun, or find the opportunity to meet someone.
Which is why on Valentine’s Day, closeup partnered with ride-hailing app JoyRide to launch #RideCloser, where free carpool rides were given to commuters.
Couples were paired according to their drop-off points, age, and personal preferences for a better chance to create AMA-ZINC moments and get closer while en route to their chosen destination. With icebreakers and fun Valentine-themed activities inside the car, most couples were able to hit it off right away and get closer!
Brent Manalo, the up-and-coming actor, model, vlogger, and everyone’s crush today, joined the activation and gave a lucky individual the opportunity to get closer with him despite the traffic! On his most recent Instagram post, Brent shared how he and his blind date “had so many things to talk about.” Brent even shared a selfie with her on his Instagram showing the pair enjoying their ride to Trinoma.
Through this partnership, closeup and JoyRide proved that romantic sparks can be found anywhere, even in the most unconventional spaces.
Which is why it is best to be prepared for those unexpected moments by using closeup, with Antibacterial Zinc, which blasts away 99.9% of bacteria to give you all day AMA-ZINC fresh breath (based on lab test, for up to 12 hours with regular use). When you have AMA-ZINC fresh breath, nothing will stop you from finding your meet-cute and getting closer!
Visit closeup and JoyRide’s social media pages to view what happened during the #RideCloser free carpool blind rides!
Noted for its numerous gated communities, upscale malls, world-class hotels, and bustling central business district, Makati City has a long-held reputation as the place to live and work for society’s rich and famous.
But the city is a hip and happening destination too, and the area that best captures this vibe is the North of Makati—or NOMA to its denizens. A neighborhood teeming with galleries, live music, and one-off dining options, NOMA is also home to The Rise Makati, a 55-story residential condominium that shares the fun and fresh atmosphere of its dynamic location.
Situated along Malugay Street in San Antonio Village, this thoroughly modern development spoils its residents to the hilt with amenities that promise endless hours of leisure and enjoyment: there’s a 28-meter tropical pool, 380-meter private jogging path, a well-being zone called The Nest, lounge space known as The Hangout, a business center called The Workshop, and The Kids Zone, where condo-dwelling children have room to run and play in a 280-sqm space.
For variety, residents head outdoors to the vibrant selection of eateries, art spaces, and entertainment that NOMA is known for.
Are you a foodie? Along Yakal Street, continental fare can be had at Chesa Bianca Swiss Restaurant, I’m Angus Steakhouse, and Santi’s Delicatessen. The Pantry on La Fuerza 1 Building along Chino Roces draws the office crowd with its adobo, salpicao, and other Pinoy comfort food. And speaking of Pinoy comfort food, try the bagnet at Bagnet 8065, along St. Paul Road in San Antonio Village: the Ilocano version of lechon kawali is cooked in several iterations—kare-kare, dinuguan, spicy gata, and curry, to name a few. If you live in The Rise, you can enjoy a careful selection of dining options right outside your doorstep. Visit Assembly Grounds at The Rise, where the roster of restos can satisfy your every food craving, from Filipino (Kuya’s, Zubuchon) to Asian (Yuki, Yi Fang, Tong Yang Shabu Shabu Express, Recipes), Western (Casa Mia, Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things), and all-time favorites (Starbucks Reserve, Bread Talk). Start your morning with a caffeine fix at Starbucks Reserve or at PICKUP Coffee, then treat your family and friends for dinner at your choice of Pinoy fare
at Kuya’s, Asian food at Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express, or Western bites at Raging Bull Burgers. End your day with some well-deserved pampering at the salon like Sanbry Men’s Grooming House and /Nook/ Salon or have a quick spa sesh at Lomi Imua Hawaiian Relaxation Spa or get other beauty services at Nisce Skin Medispa for skin treatments and at Pink Parlour for hair removal services.What’s for dessert? For something out of the ordinary, Patiserrie Bebe Rouge on Sacred Heart Street, San Antonio Village, indulges your taste buds with its Japanese-and-French-fusion cakes and pastries. Poison Coffee and Doughnuts in Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces, tempts with its self-described “dangerous” array of hot and cold drinks and rich doughnuts. Order them after a savory lunch of ramen or rice bowls. Mochiko in Malugay Street has a menu of different mochi ice cream flavors. Malugay’s also where you can score desserts you can drink from Raspberry Eats and Tai ho Milk Tea and Deli.
Red or white? Toast to fine wines at Titania Wine Cellar and Cave Werdenberg Wine Bar, both on Yakal Street.
How about some entertainment? Catch live bands and solo acts (and have some drinks and bar chow while you’re at it) at famed watering hole SaGuijo Café and Bar on Guijo Street, San Antonio Village, or witness some serious Pinoy rap battles in Fliptop Battle on Malugay Street. If you and the gang are up for a challenge, sign up at Escape Plan Manila at HPGV Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, or Mystery Manila at Century Mall, along Kalayaan Avenue.
Investing in art? NOMA is the place to be, with its spate of galleries and creative spaces all in La Fuerza Plaza, Chino Roces: there’s Modeka Creative Space on Warehouse 20, White Walls Gallery on Warehouse 12A, Finale Art File on Warehouse 17, and Leon Gallery on Warehouse 14. If it’s wearable art you’re after, drop by Suez & Zapote. The shop on the corners of Suez and Zapote streets in Barangay Sta. Cruz sells clothing by streetwear brand Team Manila and Daily Grind. It also hosts art exhibitions and live gigs, giving you the full-on NOMA experience.
Living in the city doesn’t have to be restricting, especially if you’re living in The Rise Makati that’s situated in the middle of the hip and happening NOMA neighborhood.
Learn more about what makes The Rise Makati your dream home in the city. Visit its website at therisemakati.com and follow @TheRiseMakatiOfficial on Facebook and Instagram.
New year, new goals! We all want to live through the year in a financially secure position. If you’re looking for a way to jumpstart your money goals this 2023, fret not! Maya, your all-in-one digital bank, has got you covered.
Whether you are looking for ways to save on shopping, travel, boost your savings, or get your bills covered, Maya runs down tips and tricks to master your money and get you closer to your 2023 money goals!
Boost your savings
Grow your hard-earned savings with up to a massive 6% p.a. with Maya Savings for deposits up to P100,000. All you have to do is spend a total of PHP 250.00 on bills, load, or Maya payments (QR code, card, or online). In excess of P100,000, you also earn a base interest rate of 4.5% p.a on your deposits up to P5 million. You also get to watch your money grow as savings interests are credited to your account, daily!
Maya Savings also lets you set up Personal Goals and earn a guaranteed 6% interest per annum on deposits of up to PHP1M. What’s more, you can create up to 5 different Personal Goals. Think one for each life goal like emergencies, home, car… just what being in control of your own finances looks like.
Save on fees
Get cash in your Maya wallet for a minimum of PHP 1,500.00 via InstaPay and get your InstaPay fee (up to PHP 25.00) as a cashback!
No need to worry about transfer fees when you cash in your Maya wallet from any of your linked banks, or from other over-the-counter channels (up to PHP 8,000.00 per month).
Spend and save
Shop at Robinsons Malls and get some money back with Maya! For a minimum PHP 1,000.00 single-receipt spend, you can receive a PHP 100.00 cashback from your first-ever Maya QR transaction and PHP 50.00 consecutively after.
Need mobile load? Collect 5% cashback each time you accumulate PHP 500.00 worth of load. New to Maya? Enjoy 20% cashback (up to PHP 50.00) when you load up with Smart or TNT!
Traveling? Save on these deals!
Enjoy 50% off (up to PHP 1,500.00) on hotels and 1,500 AirAsia points by booking a hotel worth at least PHP 1,500 through the AirAsia super app or website. Simply enter your Maya Visa card details upon checkout and input the code “VISA50”.
Get 8% off when you book for hotels via agoda.com/visaph and pay using your Maya Visa card.
Completely free to download and register, Maya packs a feature-rich money app, an inclusive digital bank, and everything else you need to manage your money – save, borrow, spend, invest and more, right from your smartphone.
Maya’s digital banking services are powered by Maya Bank, Inc., a digital bank supervised by the BSP. Deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for up to PHP500,000 per depositor. To learn more, visit maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Follow Maya at @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and @mayaofficialph on Twitter.
How’s the start of 2023 been going? Many of us are welcoming the start of a New Year with renewed motivation to work hard for our goals. But the harder we work, we must not forget to also treat ourselves with the break we deserve!
To help you make your vacation plans this year, we’ve plotted out the 2023 long weekends based on National Holidays and the official government proclamation in this nifty cheat sheet, so you can file your vacation leaves as early as possible!
Bookmark this page, save the calendar to your phone, and share it with your friends!
[Note: This graphic guide is based on nationwide holidays declared in Proclamation No. 90 s. 2022, which does not include Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced.]
It’s Christmas! This means that many employees will happily receive bonuses this month. Many employees look forward to their 13th month pay and other benefits before the actual holidays start. Plans to purchase gifts for friends and loved ones have been made throughout the year. Lists have been filled and items have been added to online carts to prepare for the upcoming shopping spree. It is easy to think that going all out is the best way to go, but there is an alternative that can potentially be rewarding and profitable in the future. And that’s in setting up savings.
Allotting our holiday funds for savings is a thought that seldom occurs to many of us. But in these uncertain times with the rise of inflation and the surge in prices of basic goods, a second option to shore up savings could be the wise decision. Having backup resources can cover a multitude of emergency needs such as medical, maintenance, and repair expenses. So, if there is an opportunity to receive bonuses in the coming months, it could be prudent to designate an amount for your spending, and the rest for savings or other means.
Here are some ways how you can manage your holiday funds wisely:
Anticipate What’s Coming There are several types of bonuses that employees can receive during holidays. There is the mandatory 13th-month pay, Christmas bonuses, special gifts or rewards, and even 14th month pay if you are one of the lucky few who receive this. Knowing how much you will get allows you to plan ahead.
Allot Expenses According to Necessity You can also plan to spend your newly acquired resources by necessity. A good amount will surely be spent on gifts for friends and family, some for expenses for food and celebrations, and it is also prudent to set some aside for emergency purposes and the rest for potential savings.
There is No Need to Spend it All One misconception is that this is the best time to spend everything since it is the holidays anyway. But being extra wise will really help especially if you designate a good portion of your bonuses for savings. This way, you prevent unnecessary spending and even allow for potential profits.
Choose to Save There are many opportunities to secure and grow your savings through reliable savings accounts and time deposits. And through EastWest, you can start to easily manage your savings to be able to supply your daily and future financial needs.
Whether you will have extra funds this coming holiday season or you have been slowly building up your savings, it is always a wise decision to save. Through EW, you can have a reliable partner that gives you easy access and smart security that will keep your money safe. Having savings gives you a cushion and a safety net for any situation that may come in the future. It also bolsters your potential funds through interest rates that can grow your money. You get all this and more when you partner with EastWest.
Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) through its Robinsons MallsLingkod Pinoy Program strengthens its partnership with COMELEC as it kicks off the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) in Robinsons Galleria and Robinsons Manila starting December 17. Robinsons Malls also opens more satellite voter registration venues in over 40 malls nationwide in preparation for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
“We thank Robinsons Malls for the continued partnership and its unwavering support for COMELEC’s various initiatives. Our goal is to ensure that more qualified Filipino voters get to register in a more convenient, comfortable, and safe venue and ultimately exercise their right to vote,” says COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia.
COMELEC Officials together with Robinsons Malls executives led the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with (L-R) Robinsons Malls Vice President for Operations, Business Development and Marketing Joel S. Lumanlan, RLC Executive Vice President Faraday D. Go, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, COMELEC Director John Rex Laudiangco, and COMELEC Director Divina Blas-Perez.
Robinsons Malls Vice President Joel S. Lumanlan shares, “The strong partnership with COMELEC dates back in 2014 when Robinsons Malls became the first and only mall in the country to host offsite voter registration and biometrics in key areas nationwide.” He adds, “We are grateful to COMELEC for choosing Robinsons Malls as its pilot venue for RAP and for holding voter registration in more malls, allowing us to better serve our customers nationwide.”
Four years into its mission of bridging the education gap in the country, Bukas hits a momentous milestone of funding over P500M worth of tuition for Filipino students in hopes of a brighter future.
Funding The Future
Bukas, a tech-enabled education financing platform by its parent company ErudiFi, stemmed from the vision of building a better tomorrow for Filipino youth starting with affordable tuition loans. In the course of its operation, the student-first brand has helped over 15,000 students across 90 partner campuses nationwide, a proof of its consistent year-on-year growth.
Having onboarded more partners this year including expansions in Bacolod and Zamboanga, Bukas broadens its reach to help more Filipino students. Partners in Metro Manila include De La Salle University, Centro Escolar University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Adamson University, Mapua University, National Teachers College, Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University and FEU Tech among others. In line with the vision of delivering inclusive and accessible education, Bukas is also partnered with schools outside the metro including Saint Louis University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, PHINMA Education, and University of the Visayas, and is looking forward to growing this list soon.
The company’s growth also attests to the real demand for accessible education financing in the country. “Despite the pandemic the past 2 years, we’ve managed to continuously grow our portfolio. We’re confident that we can scale the business to help even more students continue their studies for a better tomorrow,” says Jon Robert Emlano, President of Bukas.
Angel Aquino, a nursing graduate of Universidad de Dagupan, expresses her thanks for Bukas’ help, “My school recommended Bukas to me. Thank you very much, Bukas, for the opportunity na binigay niyo sa isang tulad kong estudyanteng ina para po makapagtapos o mairaos ko ang aking pag-aaral. Dahil po sa inyo ay naipagpatuloy ko po nang maayos yung pag-aaral ko.”
Kasama Ka Bukas
A student’s journey can be quite a rollercoaster ride– gruelling projects, suspenseful grade reveals, nerve wracking presentations, and on top of it all is the pressure to do well. Surviving the student life requires a strong support system, and Bukas is determined to be part of that for many young Filipinos.
Content. The Bukas Blog (bukas.ph/blog) offers a wide array of content from course, career, and financial literacy that can help students navigate through their journey.
Advice. Tomaximize each student’s learning, Bukas works together with partner schools to mount online and offline events that will help students discover more about their passions, seek advice to guide them on their path, and discover new opportunities to help enrich their lives.
Community. Joined by the same vision of achieving a brighter tomorrow through education, Bukas reinforces the importance of one’s support system. Uplifted by inspiring stories and shared experiences, students, through an exclusive community, can come together to create valuable connections.
With Bukas showing no signs of slowing down, the team is determined to add more value to the lives of its students and partner schools, and overall improve the state of education in the country through education financing and beyond.
“Our goal next year is to be aggressive in covering more schools outside Metro Manila, providing better access to affordable financing across the country. We are also working on expanding our products and services to cater to more students and improve the user experience for the school admin and the students,” shares Emlano.
In keeping with the Filipino Christmas traditions, the Cultural Center of the Philippines holds its nine dawn masses, collectively known as Simbang Gabi, celebrated in cooperation with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, from December 16 to 24, every 5am, at the CCP Main Ramp.
There will also be Anticipated Masses from December 15 to 23, 2022, at 9pm, via the official CCP Facebook Page and CCP’s YouTube Channel. The anticipated masses will be celebrated in partnership with regional parishes: December 15 – Our Lady of Piat Basilica in Cagayan Province; December 16 – Cathedral Parish of St. John The Baptist, Diocese of Kalibo, Aklan; December 17 – St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral-Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; December 18 – St. Joseph the Worker Chapel II in Clark, Pampanga; December 19 – Sta. Cruz Chapel of St. Joseph Husband of Mary Parish in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; December 20 – San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; December 21 – Our Lady of Salvation Parish and Diocesan Shrine in Joroan, Tiwi, Albay; December 22 – Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño in Tacloban, Leyte; and December 23 – Sanctuario dela Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar (Fort Pilar Shrine) in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Del Sur.
The virtual anticipated masses aim to reach out to Filipinos and other Catholics from across the archipelago and the world. The Masses will be in English and/or Filipino language.
The novena masses will culminate with a Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Eve Mass) on December 24, 2022, 8pm, live on-site at the CCP Main Theater to be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, S.S.P. There will be a pre-mass program at 7pm, featuring the invited choral groups while the Manila Symphony Orchestra will perform traditional tunes in welcoming the mass goers, as well as special classical numbers from Myramae Meneses, soprano.
As a finale, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will lead a 100-voice chorale in singing time-honored Christmas carols with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
The Simbang Gabi is made possible with the hermanas and hermanos – the Philippine Navy, Manila Broadcasting Company, Star Parks Corporation, Harbour Square, Seascape Village, Senate Spouses Foundation, and the Philippine International Convention Center.
For more information, please call the CCP Venue Operations Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1412/1413. Or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok. Hashtag: #CCPSIMBANGGGABI2022 #CCPSIMBANGGABI #CCPLive #CCPPasko2022
