Daily Newsmakers

It’s only a few days before Christmas and if you’re still on the lookout for last-minute gift ideas for someone special, check out these gift suggestions from global technology brand Lenovo. Lenovo Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year because it’s an opportunity to share blessings and spread some warm cheer. If you’re the type though who does last-minute shopping, it’s time to get a move on because Christmas is fast approaching! In case you’re looking for great gifts to give the people in your life, here are our top gift ideas:

Christmas is almost here!  You might have just received your bonus this early, and now you’re just too excited to spend it on this and that, go on a shopping spree, or give gifts to your family, friends, or even to random people – sounds good, because you have a lot to spend so you won’t end up broke this season, right?  NOT.  The truth is, you can’t truly spend just enough without a plan.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and worry-free; as Safeguard, the nation’s leading soap that stands for germ-protection; sets the tune for a healthy Christmas celebration with the newest hand-washing music video, “Five Hugas ng Krismas.” Featuring the charming voice of local celebrity and “Pambansang Bae” Alden Richards, the music video stresses the importance of having clean hands this Yuletide season through a colorful and energetic finger-tutting choreography set to a classic Christmas melody. This is Safeguard’s creative response to an alarming discovery from the first Philippine Handwashing Index (PHI), with results showing that most Filipinos do not wash their hands regularly and diligently. PHI is a breakthrough study commissioned by Safeguard to have a closer look at the hand-washing habits of Filipinos.

Spend more time with your loved ones and spend less time in the kitchen, with Fresh Options’ one-step easy-to-prepare Pinoy dishes What’s a Filipino occasion without tables laden with food? Every Filipino family gathering is centered around the dining table, with its array of dishes that have been cooked by our lolo or lola , tito or tita , and our own nanay or tatay , who spend hours in the kitchen to be able to serve their specialty dishes. The traditional Filipino Noche Buena, held on the eve of Christmas is one of the most anticipated family occasions precisely because of the home-cooked food that are a labor of love, and that fill our stomachs and warm our hearts. Although we look forward to our family reunions, it often gets more hectic as Christmas Day draws near, what with having to shop for everyone on our gift list, set up all the Christmas décor, and make sure the home is ready to receive guests. However, for those with busy schedules, especially for many who are

#GIRLBOSS GOALS: Be your own boss with the Mary Kay Beauty On-the-Go Starter Kit

Globe Telecom announced it will offer the new generation iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus at www.globe.com.ph/iPhone8 and in stores starting November 17. For complete pricing details, please visit www.globe.com.ph/iPhone8. “Every year, the iPhone launch is always something Apple enthusiasts look forward to. With Globe Postpaid’s ThePLAN, customers can get the best experience out of their iPhone 8 and 8 Plus with more data and access to the best content,” says Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Business, Issa Cabreira.

“Digital Transformation” is a buzzword taking over a lot of tech companies in the Philippines and all over the world, but the use of technology to revolutionize how companies reach their customers isn’t unique only to tech giants. In celebration of Bancassurance month, BPI-Philam shares how fintech shouldn't just be at the fringes of the business and the customer journey, it should lead it. “Revolutionizing financial security and insurance is not only about improving products – it’s also about improving our customer’s experience every time they interact with us,” said Surendra Menon, BPI-Philam CEO. “People used to have to take ten or twenty steps before they get their hands on the policy that they want. Technology has helped us cut those steps significantly, and it has allowed us to fulfill our mission of making insurance easy to get and easy to have.”

ChemExpo 2017, an International Chemical Products and Specialty Chemical Exhibition and Conference,  brings together the biggest assemblage of chemical producers, manufacturers, and processors in the Philippines and around the globe, on November 24 - 26, 2017 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

57 years of giving back to Filipinos for their betterment and growth From its humble beginnings 57 years ago, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has grown to become one of the country’s largest universal banks, with a total of 495 branches and 1,511 ATMs. RCBC attributes much of its success to its millions of loyal depositors and customers who have patronized the bank throughout these years.  As a way to give back, RCBC has spearheaded numerous advocacies and campaigns in the fields of education, livelihood, environmental protection and community development.   “We continue to look for gaps that we can fill as we strive to give back to the communities who have helped  us grow. We’ve grown together with the Filipino people through reciprocal trust and mutual support.  The initiatives that we have are to further amplify our commitment to them,” says Ces Natividad, RCBC Chief Marketing Officer.

L et the festivities begin in Bonifacio Global City! Join the BGC community as it brings you its biggest, grandest celebration – the “Season of Passions” as a way to cap off another great year. It will kick off with its annual city fiesta Passionfest , alongside the BGC Arts Center Festival’s “Champions of Passion” from November 24 to 26; followed by a slew of amazing Christmas surprises from November 29 to December 25, and an exhilarating welcome to 2018 with a New Year’s Countdown on December 31.

It's happening!  Score your favorite notebooks, desktops, mobile phones and other gadgets with huge discounts on our annual MSI-ECS #WHS2017 happening this  November 19-22 , Sunday (that's tomorrow) until  Wednesday ! This sale will take place at our Pasig HQ from  9:00 AM-5:00 PM.  

NTC, telcos and amateur and civic radio groups offer “Libreng Text at Tawag” assistance to Marawi City evacuees In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration last 17 October 2017 that Marawi City has been liberated from terrorist influence and DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s announcement last 23 October 2017 that combat operation in the City had been terminated, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued Office Order 179-10-2017 last 30 October 2017 instructing its Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City, headed by its director, Engr. Teodoro Buenavista, Jr.,  to offer “Libreng Text at Tawag” services in evacuation centers for a period of seven (7) calendar days starting 31 October 2017.

Due to the armed conflict in Marawi City, the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has reported that more than 180,000 have evacuated the city. Most of them are still staying in evacuation centers. The declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte last 17 October 2017 that Marawi City has been liberated from terrorist influence and the announcement of Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last 23 October 2017 that combat operation in the City had been terminated, marked the beginning of the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

The future of home cinema entertainment has arrived with the introduction of LG Signature OLED TV in the Philippines, via an official launch ceremony at the Ascott, BGC. LG is the pioneer in OLED technology (Organic Light Emitting Diodes). Thanks to OLED, we can now enjoy more vivid visuals like never before. Over the course of the past five years, LG has continually developed a better, more vibrant viewing experience. The result is the LG Signature OLED TV.

We are proud to announce that Galaxy Battles will be back with a bigger and better season two! After reaching global audiences for Galaxy Battles season one in Shenzhen, China the organizers Fallout Gaming (FG) and Purpose Win (PWEL) have announced that this season will be hosted in the Philippines. With sights set on bringing the tournament home to South East Asia, both organizers have a vision to reinvent the Dota 2 esports competitive scene via its delivery of the tournament, the tournament itself and explorations into experiential consumer engagements for the upcoming major event.

Globe customers can now call Jollibee Delivery for free via #8-7000 Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), the largest fast food chain in the Philippines, recently signed with Globe Business, the enterprise and information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, to centralize its express delivery service to one convenient number: #8-7000 .

Filipinos can finally tick off Japan from their travel bucket list as Go Hotels, the first value-hotel chain in the country, ties up with Karaksa Hotels, Flytpack and Daiso Japan to bring their newest travel promo, #JuanGoesToJapan. 

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom has joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in showcasing the beauty of Philippine forests and in encouraging the public to be part of responsible tourism and proactive reforestation.

Everyone’s bringing out their sweaters and heavy-duty umbrellas, which can only mean one thing—it’s the rainy season. While we’d all love to stay cozy under the covers, you can stay warm wherever you are with a bowl of FamilyMart ’s hearty soups.

To mark the success of the world’s favorite 2-in-1 convertible laptop, Lenovo launches Yoga Your Way campaign with exciting prizes up for grabs Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY), the world’s leading PC manufacturer, today launched an exciting giveaway campaign called “Yoga Your Way” to celebrate the best-selling Yoga Family in the Philippines. After Lenovo pioneered the 2-in-1 convertible laptop, its Yoga Family quickly emerged as critically acclaimed devices for Filipino consumers looking for a stylish, powerful companion that helps them multitask effectively and also stand out from the crowd.

Feel the warmth and comfort during the rainy season as Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, a legendary brand that lives by the same family recipe since 1988, offers rainy day promos that let you enjoy authentic, passionately-cooked ramen.  Visit the nearest Hokkaido Ramen Santouka branch to get a taste of Japanese culture in a bowl with its wide selection of ramen. Santouka’s ramen are all carefully prepared with fresh ingredients, seasoned using minimum salt to make it healthier and delicious to the last drop. 

Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza began the first round of Masterclass sessions for Pixelworx: Cinemansanas 2017 last August 12 and 13. The 23 selected filmmakers embarked on a journey with the award-winning director who lent his expertise on acting, directing, and cinematography. Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza lends his expertise to selected filmmaking enthusiasts for the Cinemansanas Masterclass sessions at the Power Mac Center Apple Authorized Training Provider in Arnaiz Ave., Makati City.

Financial planning is a topic most millennials rarely consider. This is often seen in behaviors of impulse purchases—using their hard-earned money in things that are temporarily meaningful, that at times lead to a feeling of regret, or what is simply called a grudge purchase.

OPPO’s partnership with Star Magic for this year’s All-Star Game has been filled with action-packed moments, all captured by OPPO F3. This year’s exhibition basketball match featured two teams composed of Star Magic’s male artists, headed by Kapamilya heartthrobs, Daniel Padilla (Team Red) and Gerald Anderson (Team Blue), last August 13 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Puso ni KAP para sa AFP at PNP PAL Chairman Lucio C. Tan is granting special privileges for the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in recognition of their sacrifices for the country.

Two PH eSports teams will represent the country in the regional finals Top grossing mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is sweeping the mobile gaming community, turning even the most casual of gamers to hardcore fans. To date, the Philippines is one of the top countries that play the game in Southeast Asia. This year, the country’s number 1 mobile brand Globe, together with Mobile Legends developer Moonton , will look for the best team in the region through the first-ever Southeast Asia Cup Philippine Finals!

Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is acknowledged as the best gasoline in the country, with outstanding qualities unmatched in the industry. Petron Blaze has always been a trailblazer. When it launched in August 2000, it was the only premium unleaded gasoline with the Research Octane Number (RON) of 98, the highest in the country. In 2010, Petron Blaze was re-launched to become the first and only gasoline with an octane rating of 100. Four years later, it became the first gasoline in the country to be certified Euro 4. Just this year, Petron Blaze was certified by leading global laboratories as passing the Euro 6 standard – the most advanced standard in the world. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is the first and only Euro 6 fuel in the country, certifiably the best gasoline in the Philippines.

Featuring Masterclass with Brillante Mendoza and digital short film competition A jam-packed second edition of Power Mac Center Pixelworx: Cinemansanas awaits film artists all over the country as the premier Apple reseller goes all-out this year. Among the highlights are Masterclass sessions with award-winning director Brillante Mendoza, a digital short film competition, post production workshops, film scholarship grants, and in-store games, which all culminate in a Grand Movie Premiere at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema.

Program aims to help 10,000 Filipino students achieve their dreams through better vision Healthy eyesight is essential to learning and achieving success. It allows us to pick up skills and also enables us to achieve our tasks. Unfortunately, at least ten in every 100 Filipino students suffer from poor eyesight. This concern has led Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) to team up with leading actor and brand ambassador Piolo Pascual to launch Eye Can Succeed , a program geared at providing free eye check-ups and free prescription eyeglasses to help 10,000 senior high school students pursue higher education and achieve success.

Extremely high demand for much-awaited dessert pie left some fans hanging May was a sweet, exciting time for Pinoy dessert lovers, especially for fans of Jollibee’s Choco Mallow Pie. Jollibee, the country’s number one fast-food chain, announced the long-awaited return of one of its best-selling dessert pies.

Home Credit and CIC share their top tips when getting a loan If you’ve ever used a credit card for purchases, or availed of a consumer loan for a big expense, or even simply borrowed lunch money from a co-worker, you are not alone—according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, nearly 50% of adult Filipinos have an outstanding debt, while another 33% had borrowed money in the past. Out of these borrowers, there is a growing segment that has taken loans from lending or financing companies. And it’s hard not to see why these “non-traditional” consumer finance companies are growing in popularity: for one thing, their requirements are usually much fewer than what banks ask for, and the approval process itself tends to be pretty fast, too.

Street food is arguably the star of every food culture and we Filipinos love the wide variety we have right here.  And it’s great enjoying these eats especially as we celebrate Independence Day this June, because true Pinoy flavors are best found in our street food. That’s why convenience store giant FamilyMart brings in your favorites so you can have your own street food feast any time of the day.

ASUS Philippines Systems Group Country Manager George Su took the stage to present  ASUS At 10 : an introduction  to a stunning line-up of thin-and-light ZenBook and VivoBook notebooks, all-in-one PCs and innovative commercial notebooks that push the boundaries of design and technology to deliver ultimate mobile computing experiences.  The beautifully thin-and-light models showcased on stage included ZenBook Flip S (UX370), the world’s thinnest convertible laptop; ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490), the world’s thinnest 14-inch laptop; ZenBook Pro (UX550), the thinnest, lightest and most powerful to date in this professional-grade ultraportable series; ASUS VivoBook S15, featuring a 15.6-inch display in a 14-inch-class chassis; and ASUS VivoBook Pro 15, the most powerful VivoBook. The new laptop line-up includes support for many new Windows 10 features — including Windows Ink, Windows Hello, Cortana and Modern Standby — to boost productivity and give users a best-ever computing experience.

Top actor, prolific artist, aspiring app designer, and certified heartthrob – all these define Tom Rodriguez. His multi-faceted personality and active lifestyle require him to spend long hours in front of either the camera or his laptop, which heightens his exposure to health risks, especially towards his vision. With growing awareness of these risks to his eyesight, he recently teamed up with Essilor, world leader in ophthalmic lenses, as the newest brand ambassador of Crizal® Prevencia™, a multi-coated lens featuring the brand’s most advanced protective technology.

If there is one thing that would scare the daylight out of you, it would be a horror movie. The chilling feeling when watching just gives you a rush of excitement and adrenaline that no one can explain. Remember the time when Emily Rose twisted her body while being exorcised? Or how about the infamous kid under the sheets from the Japanese horror film, the grudge? Scary, right? Whether you’re a fan of the spooky tales from Japan or the intense storylines from the US, you will get to enjoy the best of both worlds because Thrill , Asia's  only regional horror, thriller and suspense movie channel, will give you a new Japanese horror show that will premiere on July 27!

Filipino kids are no different from their peers in many parts of the world who feel intimidated by math. As it is an exact science, there is no way to go around it but face it head on. But Filipino kids can now tackle math problems with relative ease - with the entry of Seriously Addictive Mathematics or S.A.M. into the local scene.

It’s general knowledge that cola goes well with whisky; it’s almost a default drink for avid whisky fans looking to mix their favourite dram. It seems we missed out on mixing whisky with clear soda because it also works, or if not, tastes even better – thanks to our friends from Johnnie Walker for introducing this surprisingly fun mix, with its Johnnie Soda serve.