[Editor's note: To promote its newest phone, the Vivo V15 Pro, Vivo has just announced its newest ambassador, tv personality Maine Mendoza. Below is their press release.]

MANILA, Philippines – Vivo Philippines has officially introduced entertainment celebrity and TV host Maine Mendoza as its new ambassador and endorser of its flagship products, including the Vivo V15 Pro.

The innovative mobile phone developer and the young actress are a perfect match as they share the same road to success—both overcoming challenges and rising up from the usual expectations of their respective industries.

Ever since she was discovered by the country’s longest-running noontime show, millions of televiewers and netizens have been endeared not only because of her antics and her bubbly behavior on and off-screen but also because of her strong and independent personality.

Contrary to what most people would think, popularity did not come easy for Maine. Like most individuals, the soon-to-be celebrity studied hard in school and worked even harder in the entertainment industry to get where she is now and be recognized and appreciated for her talents and craft.

With all the positive developments in her career—from hosting in Eat Bulaga and starring in a top-rated weekly TV sitcom, to doing various product endorsements and shows inside the country and abroad, to coming up with an album soon—Maine can easily say that things have really started looking up for her.

The same can be said of the journey that Vivo has taken in developing its flagship V15 Pro.

After creating much excitement with a possible game-changer in the industry, the global smartphone innovator leveled up beyond expectations and successfully developed and placed a 32MP Elevating Selfie Camera in its V15 Pro handset, along with an Ultra FullView Display and AI-driven triple rear camera.

“We are very pleased to have the phenomenal star, Maine Mendoza, as our ambassador and product endorser. She has always displayed the qualities that most people look up to—hardworking, resilient yet adaptable to change, confident, and ever ready to rise up to challenges—the same qualities that we live out in pushing innovation forward, especially in the development of our products,” said Zeng Kai, Vivo vice-president for operations.

To find out more about the journey that Vivo and Maine Mendoza will embark together, visit www.vivo.com/ph.

You can also watch the official Vivo V15 Pro video featuring Maine Mendoza by clicking here. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Nowadays, more Pinoys seem to prefer quality over quantity when it comes to travel.

We say this because, in 2018, Rappler ran on its website two surveys that sought to gather insights on the travel habits of Filipinos – one in May and another one in October. The results of both surveys tell us one thing clearly: that the Filipinos of today are a well-traveled bunch that prefers meaningful trips more than simply going to as many places as possible.

Below, we break down these traits to paint a picture of the new Pinoy traveler based on information shared by Rappler readers.

Empowered by tech

Digital technology democratized travel. Would you believe that our smartphones and internet connectivity have brought or will bring us to our next big destination? You should – especially if you have bought an airline ticket, purchased a tour package, or booked accommodations through a website or an app at least once.

Per the results of the October survey, more than half of the 3,026 respondents say that they usually arrange the logistics of their trips by booking things by themselves either by using online apps and booking services (39%) or by calling terminals and hotels (12%).

In contrast, a total of 31% rely on others to make arrangements for them, whether it be through travel agents (9%) or friends or relatives (22%).

It’s not really a stretch, then, to say that tech has helped Pinoys feel more independent and confident about reaching their travel goals. Planning our next great trip is now a cinch – we could even be lounging in our rooms in our pambahay, or even riding the UV Express to work as we do it.

Family-oriented

In Filipino culture, family comes first. This statement turns out to be true when it comes to travel, too. Say, if there’s an upcoming long weekend and they have the chance to go on a trip, 52% of the respondents of the May survey said that they would want to go with their families.

In case you’re curious: friends only come second at 18%, followed by flying solo at 16% and with a significant other at 14%.

Loves lokal

Chances are, most of us tend to look outside the country when it comes to putting items on our respective travel bucket lists. See the Eiffel Tower, trek to the Machu Picchu, see the cherry blossoms in Japan, go on a food trip in Hong Kong, and so on.

But the reality is that the Philippines remain the top destination for local travelers (55% of respondents of the May survey), particularly for those looking into going out during a long weekend, albeit with just a slight difference from locations within and outside Asia (22% and 23%, respectively).

Adventurous

There are creatures of habit who don’t mind visiting places that are already familiar to them, and then there are those who are always on the lookout for the unfamiliar – and it turns out that a lot of Pinoy travelers fall under the latter.

Sure, Pinoys travel to celebrate occasions (4% of the respondents of the May survey), to uphold barkada or family traditions (5% and 7%, respectively), to tick off items on their bucket lists (12%), or to take a break from the daily grind (33%). But for the majority, experiencing new things when traveling is the number one priority.

Likes to pamper oneself

For all the hard work we’ve been putting in, we do deserve an occasional treat in the form of a trip every once in a while.

The question is: what do Pinoys commonly do when they reach their destination?

For close to half the number of respondents of the May survey or 49%, traveling is for relaxing and unwinding. Sightseeing comes second at 26%, followed by going on a food trip (11%), visiting family (7%), taking selfies (4%), and visiting friends (3%).

Given all these, we’d like to be bold and predict that this year will be the year of quality travels. With Filipinos becoming more and more informed, discerning, daring, and independent, it’s no longer just about ticking places off bucket lists and getting as many stamps as one can on their passport.

This time around, make it a point to travel more and make it great. Kick start your plans by heading to The Great Travel Sale happening at the following venues and dates:

MANILA: SM Aura Premier, SMX Convention Center on May 31 to June 2, 2019
CEBU: SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium on June 21 to 23, 2019
DAVAO: The Atrium, SM Lanang Premier on June 28 to 30, 2019
BACOLOD: SM City Bacolod Main Atrium on July 12 to 14, 2019.

Visit bit.ly/BDOTrvlSaleExt for more details!

So, where will you be traveling to next? – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines — They say breakups are a rite of passage. That somehow, just like your first cry as an infant or those first knowing tears when you see blood for the first time as a child, heartbreak is a pain requisite while growing up.

I wasn’t familiar with heartbreaks. My parents seem like they were the exception to the rule. They were (and still are) mostly happy. If ever they fought, they made up soon after. They, too, were the kind that went on dates from time to time. What really skewed my perception of romance though was how my parents were each other’s first loves.

So you could say I grew up believing in “true love” (whatever that means). I thought of heartbreak as a rarity and, if it did ever occur to me, it wouldn’t be so bad. I would get over it sooner rather than later and go on with my life. I mean, I’ve never seen its ramifications firsthand, so how bad could it be, right?

Well, when I did finally experience my first heartbreak, I did get over it soon enough. I just had no idea that “soon” feel anything but.

Just like any millennial, I went to Google to understand my pain. In the gaps between grief and rewatches of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Blue Valentine, I read up, as if knowing and studying the enemy that was my broken heart would help me beat it in a way that would make Sun Tzu proud.

Here’s what I found out:

Yes, the pain of a broken heart is physiological

In a study published in 2011 in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS), researchers stated that breakups and feelings of romantic rejection triggered the same parts of the brain associated with physical pain. So yes, the pain is not just emotional.

There are even extreme cases where broken hearts can lead to symptoms akin to heart attacks. The condition is called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or Broken Heart Syndrome. Though a temporary heart condition, its effects are both painful and serious.

This pain can further be exacerbated by the feeling of withdrawal. It’s often said that “love is a drug,” but research suggests that romantic love does affect the brain like cocaine or opioids. And when that love is lost, your body is sent into physical effects similar to withdrawal. This includes one’s rationale going out the window.

The physical effects of rejection and the withdrawal that comes after are so great that even non-serious relationships– just feeling a connection with a person and learning that that person is not interested in you – can send your body into a tailspin.

So moving on, doesn’t just lie in getting over your “addiction,” you have to fight it actively. Psychologist Guy Winch suggests that when we break up with someone, we tend to idealize the partner who left us. We focus on the good things, the greatest hits of the relationship that once was.

To combat this, his advice is to list down everything you didn’t like about your partner. Every bad habit, every pet peeve, every argument, and keep that list in your phone. This way, whenever you’re feeling all nostalgic, you can whip out that list and counteract the trap your mind is sending you into.

You feel empty because you literally lose part of yourself

Breakups shake your sense of identity. This is especially true for long-term relationships where a couple’s personalities have become intertwined.

Think of it this way. When you’re in a long-term relationship, your schedule (like when you sleep and when you wake up), part of your memory (you know how you tend to ask your partner about details of things you can’t remember?), even your emotions, all these things are inadvertently affected by your partner. They serve as your extensions, human USBs. (They literally are your “other half” in this case.)

Thus, when a relationship ends, in a sense, a part of you is literally plucked away.

What you need to do here is regain, expand even, your sense of self. Double down on your social circles, forge new friendships, learn a new hobby.

Clichéd as it might sound, distract yourself from loneliness, because “out of sight, and out of mind” actually works.

Listening to sad music and binge-watching helps

Catharsis is part of the grieving process (and a healthy one in fact). And movies and music help in this purging of negative emotions.

Post-breakup movies and music become vehicles for our empathy. Whatever stage of the Kübler-Ross model—grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—you will find something you can relate to without experiencing the real-world consequences of the stories you see or hear.

Some research even suggests that by seeing arguably more heartbreaking stories in fiction, we reflect on how our own experiences may be better. This makes us more grateful and, in turn, happier. It’s comparative reflection akin to actual therapeutic techniques.

So, in a nutshell, love does suck. It literally makes you crazy, takes away control of your own body from you. But still, many believe in love.

In a survey conducted by Netflix among 800 Filipino video streamers, 89% percent (or 9 out of 10) still believe that love is alive. 86% also believe that the rewards of love make it all worth the effort.

So whether you’re still nursing a broken heart or have happily moved on, here’s a question, was it worth it? Where do you stand? Love Sucks? Or Love Rules? - Rappler.com

[Editor's note: For its 7th anniversary, Grab is offering its customers a huge set of deals with various partner brands from June 1-5. Below is their press release.]

MANILA, Philippines – Grab, the Philippines’ everyday super app, is celebrating its 7th anniversary! And together with your favorite super brands, it is throwing the biggest birthday deals as of yet!

From June 1-5, here are the Grab deals up for grabs:

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Merchants: Jollibee, Greenwich

Jollibee

• Get a FREE 1-pc Chickenjoy a la carte when you order Jollibee via GrabFood with a minimum basket size of P350.

• Avail this Jollibee reward from 7 am to 11:59 pm only!

Greenwich

• Get an Overload Delicious Duo (Double Hawaiian Overload and Double All-in Overload) for only P399 on GrabFood (original price P439).

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Merchant: Lazada

• Get 20% off on Lazada for 77 points! Get it while it lasts! (Maximum P300 discount, capped at 5,000 vouchers.)

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Merchant: CLiQQ by 7-Eleven

• Use GrabCar Promo Code CLIQQ711 and get P50 CLiQQ Credits when you book GrabCar via GrabPay on June 3. First 30,000 users only.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

Merchant: Max's Restaurant

• Get your favorite Max’s Whole Chicken for only P299 via GrabFood!

• Get P100 Max’s Restaurant e-voucher for 77 points.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

Merchant: Yellow Cab

• Get two (2) Yellow Cab Large Chicken Alfredo for only P499!

• Get P100 Yellow Cab e-voucher for 77 points.

You can also be part of the 7 lucky winners of 1 Million Grab Rewards points each when you avail of any Grab services from From June 1-5!

But that’s not all! Watch out on June 6 as Grab unloads exciting hourly surprises and offers handpicked just for you!

All these exclusive offers are also Grab's way of giving back to all its loyal Grabbers, and to celebrate the exciting partnerships through its many services. So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars, share the news, and don’t miss out on this year’s biggest birthday bash from your everyday super app — Grab!

To find out more information on Grab and these daily promos, check out their official social mediaaccounts today! – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – All our lives, we get by with a little help from our friends.

Growing up, they made being a kid stuck at home fun by asking us to go outside and play. First days of school were less scary because we knew they were there and also just as scared.

It was easier to stand up to bullies because you knew you got each other’s backs. And we were never afraid to put our hearts on our sleeves and even have it broken because that first sip of beer while wallowing with our friends made it all worth it.

Even as we get older, now with better shoes and clothes, it’s still our friends that we would run to in times of trouble.

Thinking of quitting a job you’re not happy in? Your friends would know if it’s time or if it’s just one of those moments. Is your relationship on the rocks? Your friends have probably already noticed something wasn’t right even before you did.    

Closing the gap

If there’s something that cuts across generations, it’s our love for our friends.

We see it with our parents, titos, titas, lolos and lolas. No matter how old they get, seeing their friends would always spark a different kind of joy and bring back all the good memories they’ve shared.

No matter how distinctly different our generation is over the other, this is something we would always agree on – our traditions with friends should always be kept alive.

For Jerico and his dad, Joaquin, coming together with friends over bottles of the classic San Miguel Pale Pilsen is one of those.

Joaquin is a seaman. Whenever he gets a sign off from the ship, he would celebrate his homecoming by drinking San Miguel Pale Pilsen with his officemates. And when Jerico, too, grew up to have his own friends to celebrate special occasions with, he brought this tradition along with him.

Side by side

San Miguel Pale Pilsen highlights this timeless tradition of celebrating with friends in their ‘Side by Side’ campaign. The videos show that no matter which generation you belong to, you would all agree that the best kind of friendship believes in #WalangIwanan.

(PRO TIP: As the title suggests, you have to watch the two videos side by side to get the full picture)

Do you have your own #WalangIwanan friendships? Share your story with us! – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –  Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the social development arm of the Manila Water Company, is once again on the lookout for Filipino engineers who are working to help solve problems in the areas of water, sanitation, sustainability, and environment. The winners will receive a cash prize of half a million pesos, a medal, and a special trophy designed by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

The awardees will also get a chance to present, implement, and scale their projects through the help of possible partners and end-users, and be part of a circle of reputable engineers in the country that work towards attaining “Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)  for all communities”.

The MWF Prize for Engineering Excellence is the first and only recognizing body for engineers championing projects on water, sanitation, environment, and sustainability. This project is in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC). This year’s theme, as it has been through the years, is “Engineering for Social Good”.

It is part of MWF’s core advocacy that seeks to empower marginalized communities by providing clean and potable water, building safely-managed toilets, and educating people on the importance of proper hygiene practices in promoting good health.

In 2017, the Prize was awarded solely to Dr. Ricardo F. Orge, a Science research specialist at the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

His innovative project, the Continuous-type Rice Hull (CtRH) Carbonizer makes processing of food like mushrooms, faster, and more convenient, helping farmers generate more income while mitigating climate change concerns.

“Before, we just used a drum to pasteurize the fruiting bags to plant mushrooms,” said Liwayway Danilo, a member of the cooperative that uses the CtRH. “Although it worked, it was such a slow process. But now that we have a carbonizer, we became more efficient, and our income doubled.”

Dr. Orge was a son of a farmer. He was able to finish a course in Agricultural Engineering through a scholarship program offered to children of coconut farmers. Growing up, he never saw his father receive any technical help that would improve their livelihood so he dedicated his life to helping farmers. Today, Dr. Orge is a celebrated scientist recognized by the Philippine Senate through a resolution. 

If you, or you know someone who, like Dr. Orge, has contributed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through innovative engineering solutions, you may join or nominate them by submitting the following requirements on or before June 28 at the Manila Water Foundation office in Diliman, Quezon City:

• Engineer’s information and endorsement forms
• Summary of accomplishments and annexes
• Narrative report on select topics
• Endorsement letters
• Birth certificate
• Proofs of identity

The winners will be chosen after a series of elimination. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a preliminary interview to present their accomplishments, and vision for social progress. Chosen candidates will then proceed to the semi-finals where they will be evaluated using the following criteria: validity, accuracy, social impact of accomplishments, knowledge on related issues, display of conviction for the role, and embodiment of character.

The top 10 candidates will advance to the finals where they will be interviewed and evaluated by a panel of judges from various sectors.

The awarding ceremony will happen on February 28, 2020.

For more information, please visit their website. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Do you consider yourself a foodie? How many times has this happened to you?

You visit a restaurant. You try a dish, it’s the chef’s specialty. It blows your mind, and you say “if only I could eat this every day.” You end up convincing yourself, you’ll learn the dish so your friends and family could try it too! But then, your thoughts drag you straight back down to earth. It’s a restaurant dish, no way is it simple! It must take so much preparation, you think. Who has the skill and the time for that?

You’re caught in a foodie dilemma.

The Knorr Test Kitchen

There’s a way though — easy-to-make restaurant quality dishes. And four celebrity chefs were inspired to share their secrets to their simple but delicious specialties at The Knorr Test Kitchen event held at the Greenbelt 3 Open Park last March.

The recipes shared were made possible with the use of Knorr SavorRich, Knorr’s first ever liquid meaty seasoning. Its liquid form allows for deeper meat penetration, thus reducing the time for marination and the need for seasoning.

Here are the celebrity chefs and their specialty dishes you could do from the comforts of your home.

Chef Nicco Santos’ Coffee Pork Ribs

Chef Nicco Santos of Your Local specializes in Southeast Asian flavors.

Inspired by his travels, Chef Nicco made a version of this Singaporean staple that adds more herbs but also cuts marination time from overnight to 1-2 hours.

Chef Happy Ongpauco’s Garlic Fried Chicken

Best-known for her restaurants Pamana and Tsokolateria, Chef Happy Ongpauco’s expertise is Filipino cuisine.

As a mom, Chef Happy designed her dish, Garlic Fried Chicken, as comfort food that’s both kid-friendly and easy-to-make, allowing her to spend more time with her family.

Chef Kalel Chan’s Pork Sisig Gyoza

A chef renowned for modern Asian fusion cuisine, Chef Kalel Chan of Raintree Restaurants merged two distinct Filipino and Japanese favorites in his Pork Sisig Gyoza.

For Chef Kalel, what binds his dish is the right balance of flavor. He intentionally replaced patis for SavorRich to add a punch of meaty flavor.

Chef Josh Boutwood’s Roast Chicken with Barley Porridge

Chef Josh Boutwood, of Savage and Helm fame, is a master of Western fine dining.

For his dish, Roast Chicken with Barley Porridge, he emphasizes the power of right marinades. He uses SavorRich to reduce marination time but at the same time keeping flavors intact.

Who said you have to spend long hours and tire yourself to make specialty dishes worthy of restaurant dining? You can nail all these recipes in no time from your own home.

What dish are you most excited to try out? – Rappler.com

Want more delicious recipes and tips for cooking? We bring our passion for cooking into your kitchen. Visit http://www.knorr.com/ph

MANILA, Philippines – Can you imagine having only 3 government-approved channels to choose from when you’re watching TV? How about having social media networks like Facebook or Twitter blocked in the Philippines?

For those who are living in other extremely conservative nations, these are the kinds of rules they have to live with, and more.

We’re lucky we’re born in a country that lets us enjoy the freedom that our ancestors fought for. We’re free to choose what we want to wear and to speak our minds. We’re free to vote for our leaders and call them out if they’re not performing as they should.

And no one should be able to stop us from exercising that freedom whether that’s at home, in school or at work.

How do we do that? By not being afraid to fight for our rights and not remaining silent when we see something that’s not right.

Fighting for your freedom at home

Were you born into a family of doctors but what you really want to do is pick up a paintbrush? Then that’s what you should do. It’s your right to choose the kind of job you love and would excel at.

It may be difficult and scary to start this conversation with your parents. But the only way to have a chance at doing what you really love is by letting them know – in a polite and respectful manner. Be firm but not hostile. Be calm but not on the verge of crying.

It’s also important to make sure that you have a plan that can assure your parents that you very well know what you’re doing. Make them feel that though you’re going on a different path than what they were hoping for, it’s still the same path to success.

Fighting for your freedom in school

Do you feel like your school is implementing policies that limit you from reaching your full potential? Perhaps, allowing male clubs more freedom to explore physical activities than the female clubs just because they’re boys and you’re girls?

Some schools are built from tradition and age-old practices. While there are already progressive schools nowadays, there are those that are still stuck in the past. If you’re finding yourself in one right now, don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers or guidance counselors about it. Let them know how you feel.

You may also discuss this with your parents. Be open about how you feel about your school. This is something they can talk to your teachers about and agree on how the school can make their students feel free to express themselves.

Fighting for your freedom at work

Have you ever felt crippled by some of the policies and practices at work? Or have had your innovative ideas shot down for not being aligned with what the company has been used to do?

Instead of throwing away your idea after just one meeting, request for another chance to present it. This time, prepare a clear proposal on how you plan to run the project and how it will benefit all the stakeholders.  

To make a stronger case, challenge your boss and yourself to test run the idea and let the results speak for itself. All of you’ve got to do is try.

Remember, you’re only as free as you allow yourself to be.

And this Independence Day, Red Horse is one with every Filipino in celebrating freedom. Because in everything that we do, ang astig ng malaya.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The 10-step Korean skin care, bentonite clay, rosehip oil, snail extract – there are so many skincare products out there that promise to miraculously transform our skin.

But most of the time, it seems like it doesn’t work for us (even after we’ve spent so much money on serums and masks) the way it does for people who have been leaving rave reviews for every new product. What gives?

Of course, as with any product, what works for others won’t necessarily work for us, too. We all have different skin types.

But it looks like there’s one product that’s making the rounds again on social media. And several influencers swear by it.

One of them is actor, Lharby Policarpio. Like most of us, Lharby also deals with stubborn acne. And after asking his friends for skin care tips and products, he discovered Lactezin, an anti-acne oral medication, that could help with his skin problem.

He wasn’t too sure about it at first. He’s never tried anything other than topical treatments after all.

“Kasi syempre diba nakakatakot, gamot siya, and you ingest it[It’s scary because it’s a medicine that you have to ingest],” Lharby said. “It’s not just a cream that you apply on your face.”

But after finding out that it’s made from all-natural ingredients, he finally gave it a try and was surprisingly satisfied with the results.

Blogger sisters, Vern and Vernice Enciso also joined in the conversation.

Vern often travels with her sister and the change in weather makes her skin break out. Taking Lactezin helps her fight breakouts.

  #DropYourSkinCare - Curated tweets by ReaGierran

That is also what’s helping athletes Dennise Lazaro and Axel Torres keep their skin clear despite the many trainings that would expose them skin to oil, dirt, and sweat.

“I’ve done the same routine for years already but I’ve recently added Lactezin to the line up to help prevent pesky breakouts,” shared Dennise.

And it’s not only them. YouTubers Vince Vandrope, Michelle Fox, Mayie Mapili, Justin Kiness, and Angel Yeo also credit Lactezin for their fresh and glowing skin despite their busy schedules.

This only shows that though topical skin care products play a role in providing the nutrients that our skin needs, we still need to take care of it from the inside. Having the right amount of sleep, adopting a healthy diet, and taking a natural supplement like Lactezin can help us better achieve that glowing, acne-free skin we all dream of.

Lactezin has Lactoferrin, a natural antibacterial active ingredient that helps fight pimple-causing bacteria, reduces sebum, and inflammation. It also contains Zinc that has oil-regulating properties and Vitamin E that promotes healthy skin cells. It’s the first registered oral over-the-counter anti-acne drug in the Philippines.

So, before you swipe that credit card for yet another set of expensive skincare products, remember that what’s on the inside is as important as what’s on the outside. And you better take care of both. – Rappler.com

Lactezin is a clinically-tested over-the-counter drug, which uses a natural antibacterial active ingredient Lactoferrin combined with Vitamin E and Zinc to help lessen pimples and give clearer skin in as early as 2 weeks. Learn more about The Pimple Expert here. 

[Editor's note: The Great Singapore Sale is back this year as GSS: Experience Singapore. The event will run from June 21 - July 28. Below is the event press release.]

MANILA, Philippines – The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) joins forces with One Kampong Gelam (OKG), Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), and Textile and Fashion Federation (TAFF) to bring locals and tourists a vibrant retail experience that integrates fashion, entertainment, lifestyle design, technology and art.

In its refreshed form, GSS: Experience Singapore, takes place from June 21 to July 28, 2019.

After 25 years, SRA is spicing things up to meet the demands of today’s experience-seeking shopper. As part of a six-week-long event, GSS: Experience Singapore will run shopping sprees such as ‘TGIF!’ (held every Friday) where retailers and F&B Operators will dish out tempting sales and discounts to get you shopping for more.

On July 7, expect to save an additional 7% on GST (Singapore's version of Value Added Tax), which will be absorbed by participating outlets. GoSpree Members can also expect additional savings with exclusive GoSpree deals. All these will be in addition to the many promotions and exclusive offers that retailers and F&B operators island-wide will run during the 38-day long GSS: Experience Singapore.

Beyond the mega sales and discounts, the event will boast a host of interactive activities and experiences at Orchard Road and Kampong Gelam.

Mark your calendars and join in the festivities at the GSS: Experience Singapore kick-off event, the Orchard Road Fashion Scramble on Friday 21 June, 3 pm - 5.30 pm.

The fashion show, curated by SRA and TAFF, will transform Orchard Road into a performing arena and an interactive runway for 300 dancers and models – showcasing an exciting array of threads and trends from local and foreign designers. The opening segment will feature designs by popular, up-and-coming local designers, followed by leading international fashion houses, before closing off with a bang with award-winning creations by our student talents from selected Institutions of Higher Learning.

Other experiences to look out for at Orchard Road

• The Great Singapore Stories - featuring local films by local filmmakers and students and music concerts by local artists at Design Orchard (Rooftop) and at The Great Singapore Street Pop-Up (Grange Road Carpark)

• The Great Furniture Showcase - featuring new limited-edition designs at Robinsons The Heeren (Level 3), curated by SFIC. Participating design studios include: 11H, Creativeans, Fraction Design Studio, Modu Designers, Nextofkin Creatives, and OON.

Discover local delights at Kampong Gelam

Kampong Gelam which is known for its rich heritage, textile shops, unique food options, and street art, will showcase a myriad of activities from July 5 - July 14. Immerse yourself in multi-sensory journeys such as the specially curated OKG Precinct Tours ‘Sultan of Spice’.  Snag unique lifestyle products and handcrafted goodies at the OKG Home & Lifestyle Bazaar, and search for vintage pieces or preloved items at the OKG Car Boot Sale.

Unwind with music, have fun with traditional games and learn more about the rich heritage of Kampong Gelam through curated activities such as cultural talks at Souq@OKG (July 5 - 7). Fashion steps up at ProjekGlamway (July 6) with a twist where models will sashay down the runway wearing fabric and materials available at textile stores along the historic Arab Street.

Scour the island and check out stores and restaurants which have embraced new retail concepts and digital technology to give shoppers more memorable experiences. For example:

• At the newly opened Decathlon Singapore Lab, shoppers can test all the products in-store, enjoy free sports sessions at its free-to-play areas including a futsal court, a basketball court, and a multisport zone. The almost 5000 sqm lab which opens 24-hours daily comes with connected fitting rooms, mobile payment solutions and a conveyor belt system that manages online orders in the store.

• Design Orchard is fitted with interactive mirrors and allows one to check items out using a mobile application.

• Commune, Lifestyle has a three-dimensional floor planner and virtual reality simulation that allows shoppers to recreate their home and visualize how the furniture will fit inside it.

In a bid to nurture the next generation of retail experts, Singapore Retail Association has spearheaded a new initiative called Windows ALIVE!  This new scheme, formulated to grow and support the capabilities of the retail industry, will see students from the Visual Merchandising, Interior Design and Fashion Apparel courses of various tertiary educational institutions apply classroom learning to real-life situations. Their creative works will be featured on the shop fronts of participating retailers such as Echo of Nature, Playdress, and The Commune Life. The general public will get a chance to pose with the installments and win shopping vouchers upon uploading their photographs onto Instagram.

GSS: Experience Singapore is supported by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Retailers keen to participate in GSS: Experience Singapore can sign up at https://gss.sra.org.sg/.

The Great Singapore Street Pop Up will also launch alongside the Orchard Road Fashion Scramble and will line the shopping belt from ION Orchard to Mandarin Gallery and at Robinsons The Heeren, and the Grange Road Carpark to offer experiential retail experiences and culinary delights for 10 days from 21 June - 30 June. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - So you already want to start your financial journey - but you have no idea where to start.

Whether you’re happy with your salary or hanging on until next payday, it’s best to start your financial journey sooner rather than later. Just remember that everyone’s financial journey will be different, so don’t compare yours to others’. The key is to get started as soon as you can. 

Below are a few tips to get you started on your journey. 

Get to know your money habits

To manage your finances, the first thing you have to do is to learn more about yourself in terms of spending and saving habits. Start keeping track of your income and expenses. Are you spending your paycheck the whole way through? Do you pay off your credit card on time? 

Make it a habit to take a look over your records to check whether you’re living well within your means. Then from this, create a realistic budget you’d be able to follow. Assign a monthly amount to each expense. 

Save money consistently 

Your savings would look like this: total monthly income minus total monthly expenses. Expenses vary every month, which would mean that sometimes you end up saving less, but that’s fine. Start small. The key is to do it consistently. 

To make it easier for you to save, you can also put your money in a passbook account. You won’t have easy access to your savings as you would with an ATM account. This gives you more time to think over frivolous purchases.

Set financial goals

Fulfilling goals take time, but setting them boosts drive and motivation. These goals can be as short-term as purchasing a car, or as long-term as having enough money saved up for retirement and emergencies.

This is where insurance and investments come in. They’re handy partners which can give you financial stability, and even safeguard you and your loved ones from accidents which could drain your finances.

Confused about which one to get? Sun Life offers different products for whatever stage in life you are in.

If you’re a health and fitness buff, Fit and Well provides life insurance and cash benefits upon diagnosis of illness or injury. This product comes with free access to community workouts and fitness classes in gyms and studios through its GoWell Community. For those looking to grow their wealth, Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Funds can help you generate higher returns for your money through stocks and bonds. If you’re more of a family person,  Sun Smarter Life Classic protects your loved ones’ financial future whatever happens, and also provides cash benefits which you can use for life milestones. 

Still confused? Talk it over with a Sun Life advisor. Having an advisor can make money matters easier to understand.

Start your journey ASAP

Admittedly, having to make financial decisions can trigger analysis paralysis. But don’t procrastinate. Start slow, but you have to start now. These days, you have all the resources you need to educate yourself with.  

What financial goal are you setting for yourself this year? - Rappler.com

[Editor's note: Prospective Huawei users can rest easy with this special warranty program. Below is the press release from Huawei.]

MANILA, Philippines - Thinking of buying a Huawei phone, but worried about the unavailability of Google apps?

Partner retailers and dealers will offer a “special warranty program” for upcoming purchases of any current Huawei phone. All devices covered by this special warranty will have no issue concerning usage of Google apps and services such as the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, Photos, Chrome and YouTube, as well as non-Google ones such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

This special warranty is offered exclusively by participating dealers to provide a worry-free experience for consumers with their new Huawei device. Retail partners such as MemoXpress, Rulls, and around 100 more support the program, reassuring consumers that all Huawei devices purchased from them are fully equipped with ready-to-go Google services.

If you need more convincing, read on for testimonials from Huawei users who feel confident in Huawei’s strength as a brand.

Mark Anthony Lacsamana feels that his Huawei Mate 20 Pro was worth his money. “Kasi, lahat ng mga gusto ko sa phone nandiyan na. Like, yung camera, malinaw siya kahit malayo. And then, yung tibay niya, ilang bagsak na yung phone ko pero super tibay pa rin and walang gasgas at all.” [It has everything I want in a phone. The camera captures images clearly, even from far away. I’ve also dropped this phone several times, but it’s still durable and has no scratches at all.]

Meanwhile, Ryan Lu, who took his Huawei Nova 3i in for service day, is proud of his device choice. “Very stylish, unique and affordable. Tapos very powerful, ‘yung KIRIN processor. (The KIRIN processor is very powerful.) And what I like the most is, I can personalize and customize.”

Regarding Huawei’s recent issues, Ryan is unfazed. He has even convinced his family to buy Huawei phones. “I don’t mind. At saka 'di na ako nangingialam doon sa issues, as long as maganda ang phone.” (I don’t meddle with the issues as long as the phone’s good.)

Pauline Delicano had tried other phone brands before, but switched to Huawei the moment she had the chance. She’s now a satisfied Nova 3i owner. “It’s one of the most competitive brands. I think it [the issues] doesn’t really matter as long as we will get the services that we have always been getting. I don’t think it would affect us that much as long as the current users won’t be experiencing any problems,” Pauline says.

Mariel Tanggol, a Huawei concept store supervisor, shares that the warranty program restored her sales team’ confidence. “Before the warranty program, nakita ko naman sa mga sales promoters yungeagerness nila to help out consumers with their questions. Pero after lumabas yung warranty, nakita ko rin, as a supervisor, kung paano bumalik yungconfidence and sigla nila sa pag-demo ng units and pag-explain sa customer tungkol sa issue,” Mariel says. (Before the warranty program, I could see that my sales promoters were eager to help out customers. But after it came out, I saw how they felt more confident while demonstrating units and explaining the issue.)

Mariel and her team saw a significant impact in sales after the announcement of the warranty program. Consumers now think that what they paid for is worth it, with some stating, “Yung nilabas kong pera hindi mawawalan ng halaga.” (The money I shelled out won’t be wasted.)

According to Mariel, most consumers were also satisfied that Huawei offers after-sales services.

“We are one with Huawei in pushing for quality service including after-sales initiatives that will surely put Filipino consumers first,” says Mr. Edward Tan, vice president for Operations at MemoXpress. “We express our support and full trust with Huawei through this special warranty program to prove that Huawei devices are safe to purchase.” - Rappler.com

[Editor's note: Prospective Huawei users can rest easy with this special warranty program. Below is the press release from Huawei.]

MANILA, Philippines - Thinking of buying a Huawei phone, but worried about the unavailability of Google apps?

Partner retailers and dealers will offer a “special warranty program” for upcoming purchases of any current Huawei phone. All devices covered by this special warranty will have no issue concerning usage of Google apps and services such as the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, Photos, Chrome and YouTube, as well as non-Google ones such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

This special warranty is offered exclusively by participating dealers to provide a worry-free experience for consumers with their new Huawei device. Retail partners such as MemoXpress, Rulls, and around 100 more support the program, reassuring consumers that all Huawei devices purchased from them are fully equipped with ready-to-go Google services.

If you need more convincing, read on for testimonials from Huawei users who feel confident in Huawei’s strength as a brand.

Mark Anthony Lacsamana feels that his Huawei Mate 20 Pro was worth his money. “Kasi, lahat ng mga gusto ko sa phone nandiyan na. Like, yung camera, malinaw siya kahit malayo. And then, yung tibay niya, ilang bagsak na yung phone ko pero super tibay pa rin and walang gasgas at all.” [It has everything I want in a phone. The camera captures images clearly, even from far away. I’ve also dropped this phone several times, but it’s still durable and has no scratches at all.]

Meanwhile, Ryan Lu, who took his Huawei Nova 3i in for service day, is proud of his device choice. “Very stylish, unique and affordable. Tapos very powerful, ‘yung KIRIN processor. (The KIRIN processor is very powerful.) And what I like the most is, I can personalize and customize.”

Regarding Huawei’s recent issues, Ryan is unfazed. He has even convinced his family to buy Huawei phones. “I don’t mind. At saka 'di na ako nangingialam doon sa issues, as long as maganda ang phone.” (I don’t meddle with the issues as long as the phone’s good.)

Pauline Delicano had tried other phone brands before, but switched to Huawei the moment she had the chance. She’s now a satisfied Nova 3i owner. “It’s one of the most competitive brands. I think it [the issues] doesn’t really matter as long as we will get the services that we have always been getting. I don’t think it would affect us that much as long as the current users won’t be experiencing any problems,” Pauline says.

Mariel Tanggol, a Huawei concept store supervisor, shares that the warranty program restored her sales team’ confidence. “Before the warranty program, nakita ko naman sa mga sales promoters yungeagerness nila to help out consumers with their questions. Pero after lumabas yung warranty, nakita ko rin, as a supervisor, kung paano bumalik yungconfidence and sigla nila sa pag-demo ng units and pag-explain sa customer tungkol sa issue,” Mariel says. (Before the warranty program, I could see that my sales promoters were eager to help out customers. But after it came out, I saw how they felt more confident while demonstrating units and explaining the issue.)

Mariel and her team saw a significant impact in sales after the announcement of the warranty program. Consumers now think that what they paid for is worth it, with some stating, “Yung nilabas kong pera hindi mawawalan ng halaga.” (The money I shelled out won’t be wasted.)

According to Mariel, most consumers were also satisfied that Huawei offers after-sales services.

“We are one with Huawei in pushing for quality service including after-sales initiatives that will surely put Filipino consumers first,” says Mr. Edward Tan, vice president for Operations at MemoXpress. “We express our support and full trust with Huawei through this special warranty program to prove that Huawei devices are safe to purchase.” - Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – To keep up with our audience’s changing need and behavior, Rappler’s innovation team has recently launched a series of projects that aim to tap and empower different communities, groups, and individuals in the Philippines – Detours and GoodRap.

Detours is about giving underrated communities a platform to speak about their passions and what they’re advocating for. The first-ever Detours story featured the vegan community in the Philippines. Vegans are often misunderstood and frowned upon for adopting an “extreme” lifestyle. But through this story, people were able to look into what really goes on in the life of vegans and why they do what they do. 

Our second story aims to take people behind the closed doors of Manila Zoo, and talk about the impact of the closure on the animals and its staff, and how its team of dedicated volunteers is making sure that life goes on inside the zoo.

GoodRap, meanwhile, is a weekly column featuring lighthearted yet meaningful stories to give people a break from all the heavy news that they’ve been seeing. The first story was about the majestic Philippine Eagle and how more and more of them are being spotted in the wild, thanks to various wildlife conservation groups. And for Father’s Day, we ran a story about a dad whose dream to celebrate his son’s graduation day at Jollibee came true.

And to provide readers with a new way of interacting with stories, Rappler Narrated was born. This gives the reader an option to listen to some of Rappler’s long reads so they can do it while they’re driving, commuting, or getting ready for bed. Check it out in this profile on Singaporean Olympian Joseph Schooling.

Aside from all this, Rappler also recently launched a podcast where reporters dig deeper into issues and news stories, and Hustle which aims to serve as the millennials’ guide to living smart.

“Rappler’s innovative storytelling is about creating movements, pushing boundaries, and enabling people to understand and embrace new ideas. It’s an avenue for brands to be bold and to connect with the 12 million monthly active visitors of Rappler around the world,” said Jenny Velasco-Chua, Rappler’s Head of Partnerships. 

“As we continue to understand our audience and empower them with stories that matter, we enable our partners to converse with our communities and even convert them to be customers through various tools we’ve activated.”

For partnerships, visit rappler.com/advertise. You may also subscribe to the “Behind the Brand” newsletter here. If you want to be part of an active community and figure out what to do next to create change, join Rappler PLUS. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Italy is known for its stunning sun-dappled scenery, rich cultural heritage, and of course, luxurious food. It’s a land of gastronomical delights, and theirs is arguably one of the most well-loved cuisines in the world. 

Is the idea of pasta, pizza, and gelato making your mouth water? There’s another Italian specialty you shouldn’t miss out on, too - prosciutto. 

This Italian specialty deserves as much time in the culinary limelight as its more popular siblings. It’s a dry-cured, thinly sliced ham that’s best served uncooked - and its salty taste and buttery texture will melt right in your mouth. 

Interested? Here are a couple of reasons why you need to try this Italian favorite. 

The curing process is practically an art 

Prosciutto feels and tastes more premium compared to regular hams, thanks to its curing process, which usually takes up to two - or even three - years. 

The meat is taken from a pig’s thigh, then cured three times. The final cure usually takes place for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three. 

It’s truly a long and painstaking process, but the results are apparent in the prosciutto’s complex and concentrated flavor, which is a little more tangy, salty, and smoky than your regular ham.

It can be enjoyed in different ways

This delicate meat is versatile and can be served multiple ways, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

The salty prosciutto is usually served as an appetizer, wrapped around either sweet fruits such as melons, nectarines, figs, and cantaloupe. It can also be paired with broccolini, asparagus, fennel, and other vegetables. 

Or serve it on a charcuterie board, which is a food platter containing an assortment of various meats, cheese, fruits, and nuts. 

Cheese lovers can savor the delightful combo of melted cheese and prosciutto. It’s good with coccoli, which are fried dough balls, and stracchino, a soft and creamy kind of cheese. 

It’s also the perfect topping - whether on a salad, pasta, or pizza. 

And the good news is, you don’t have to go to Italy to eat this premium ham - you can try it right here in the Philippines at a reasonable price.

The new Shakey’s Prosciutto Parmigiano pizza offers generous servings of prosciutto slices and parmesan cheese on a thin crust. Get the a la carte large thin crust pizza for P550. You can also enjoy this new pizza in a meal deal called the Prosciutto Meal Deal, inclusive of a choice of any pasta platter, 4 pcs of Chicken n’ Mojos, and a pitcher of soda for only P1,199 for dine-in and take-out, and P1,299 for delivery. 

See if prosciutto lives up to the hype and check out the nearest Shakey’s near you! - Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines –  “Let’s stop looking for ‘unicorns’ and focus on what can actually help sustain our people, help sustain our planet.” Donald Lim, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines, posited this thought as he opened “IGNITE 2019: The Philippines Premier Innovation Conference.”

From June 24 - 25, over 2,000 members of the local startup scene gathered at the Shangri-la Makati for the two-day conference spotlighting Asian leadership in innovation with the theme “Innovating Asia: Shaping the World.”

Organized by Techshake, dentsu X Philippines, and Brainsparks, the conference aims to not only cultivate learning but also be a means to connect the Philippines’ startup ecosystem to the world.

Over the course of two days, attendees were treated to talks from over 60 speakers from all across the globe. They also got to witness the regional pitch competition WILDFIRE,  as well as be part of the “largest innovation-centric business matching event in the country,” MATCH. 

There were also exhibitions from the private sector showcasing innovative and creative solutions.

This is the third staging of the annual Ignite Premier Innovation Conference and the largest one to date, said the organizers.

World-class talks

In his opening address, Lim talked about realigning priorities when it comes to business. To him, the real value of business doesn’t stem from reaching the mythical “unicorn” status. Value comes from providing services that improve people’s lives.

“You have to make something that matters, but you also have to make something cool,” he added, highlighting the significance of innovation.

Aside from Lim, the first day of IGNITE 2019 was devoted to a whole bevy of keynotes and panel discussions involving thought leaders and industry experts of the Asian startup ecosystem. 

Other notable guests include James Gilbert of Hubspot, Brian Cu of Grab, Samuel Jeanblanc of Google, Amarit Charoenphan of Hubba & Techsauce, Haruka Furukawa of Slush Tokyo, and Naga Tan of Dana Cita. 

Startups on fire

Partnerships and collaboration were the themes of IGNITE 2019’s second day.

Starting with WILDFIRE, a competition where startups pitch to a wide assembly of judges from various incubators and accelerators such as Ikuo Hiraishi of Dream Vision Inc., Christiaan K. of Dymon Asia Ventures, Samir Chaibi of GREE Ventures, Ching Tseng of AppWorks, Michael Lee of REAPRA, Pailin Pie Vichakul of Digital Ventures, Marina Aoe Shimono of Seedstars, John Orrock of Future Now Ventures, Abraham Hidayat of Skystar Capital, Andy Santos of PLDT Enterprise, and Katrina Rausa Chan of QBO Innovation Hub.

The teams which competed – startups both local and from all around Asia – went through a grueling selection process. Drilled initially down to 30 teams, the startups then had to undergo a WILDFIRE Bootcamp where they trained in pitching and investor readiness. Only 12 teams got to pitch on the main stage.

These startups were: Agrabah Marketplace, Kahon.ph, Sakay, Burket, Uproot Urban Farms, Cropital, Vesl, Admov, 1Export, Omnirio, Last Mile Inc, and Social Light Inc.

During an intermission, students from the University of Asia and the Pacific got to do an exhibition pitch in front of the judges. 

Cropital, a crowdfunding platform that connects farmers to anyone willing to microfinance them, bagged the two main prizes of the WILDFIRE competition. The startup won a trip to Seedstars Asia Summer (where it could win $500,000 equity investment) and a $10,000 equity-free cash prize from co-presenters Seedstars and Future Now Ventures, respectively.

Special prizes were also given out by other IGNITE partner organizations.

It’s a match

IGNITE 2019 capped things off with MATCH, a business matching event. The event catered to startups seeking investment, investors scanning for good deals, and corporations looking for potential partners and other innovative services.

Though it will remain Manila-based, in the long run, IGNITE plans on becoming an Asian Startup Conference catering to the whole region competing with other international innovation conferences and not just local ones. IGNITE will return in 2020. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – We don’t always have the time for long vacations but that doesn’t mean we can’t have one!

If you have 72 hours to spare, you can take a quick trip to Hong Kong where there are plenty of new and exciting things you can do even with so little time.

Whether you’re on the lookout for off-the-beaten trails or authentic food, here are some of the destinations you can check out.

Dim Sum Icon

Relive your childhood memories when you go toDim Sum Icon. Their fun, quirky and IG-worthy creations feature some of your 90s favorites like Sailormoon. You can also take home themed merchandise like hand fans and cups as a souvenir.

MoMA Design Store Hong Kong

Can’t go to New York just yet? Head on over to K11 MUSEA art mall in August to experience the famous Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The Design Store will be featuring works by some of the most famous artists in the world including Andy Warhol, Monet, and Picasso. It’s set to be Asia’s largest branch and will carry a huge selection of design products and gifts inspired by MoMA’s collection.

Ocean Terminal Deck

Here’s another way to bask in the panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon. Be one of the firsts to go up the Ocean Terminal Deck, an observatory deck located on the rooftop of Ocean Terminal’s new five-storey extension building. It’s where you should go if you want to enjoy Hong Kong’s sunset and evening views.

Drunken Pot

Satisfy your eyes and your belly when you go The Drunken Pot. Savor the food that comes out from its open kitchen while appreciating artworks from renowned local artist Ben Pickering – all with a breathtaking view of the Hong Kong harbor.

Mido Cafe

Want to imagine what 1950s Hong Kong was like? At Mido café, you’ll experience just that. It’s one of the oldest cha chaan teng (local cafés) in the city that serves authentic Hong Kong favorites including condensed milk and toast, pineapple bun, milk tea, baked spare ribs in tomato sauce and many more. 

Lau Fau Shan

If you’re rounding up some of the best places to go sunset watching, add Lau Fau Shan to your list. Located at the North West coast overlooking Shekou and Shenzhen Bay, it’s the best seat in the house. You can also feast on the freshest seafood from several restaurants in the area and catch the slowly disappearing oyster farming industry before it’s gone.

Terrible baby

Voted the Best New Bar at the Foodie Fork 2019, Terrible Baby is a destination bar with one of the largest outdoor patios in Hong Kong. If you’re a first-timer, try their signature “This Guy” cocktail – a sour, lemony flavor concoction featuring fruity loops infused vodka, infused cinnamon cocci Americano bianco, banana liquor, calm relaxing tea syrup, lemon juice, and egg white.

Tai Wo Tang Cafe

Are you into themed cafes? Then add this to your itinerary. Tai Wo Tang Cafe is fashioned after a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Hall so you’re surrounded by wooden medicine cabinets, old fashioned glass jar, weighing scale, giving off that chill and cozy vibe.

Chinese ink painting at Ka Atelier

Experience the local culture with KA Atelier’s condensed ink painting workshops. Over the course of four two-hour sessions, master the technique of working with traditional Chinese paintbrushes and ink while experimenting with various painting styles and aesthetics. 

Nojo Ramen Tavern

This new little ramen joint is not only famous for their bowls of delicious Yuzu Ramen, their Shrimp and Corn Tempura and Sashimi plates (and more) are also worth trying. They can cater to your late night cravings – open until 2 am!

Madame Tussauds

Meet some of the newest stars of Madame Tussauds including the first ever Filipino wax figure, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. Take selfies with Pia and 100 more incredibly lifelike wax figures from the entertainment world.

Monopoly Dreams

Have you always wondered how it would be like to step into the world of Monopoly? You can stop wondering. The first, fully immersive MONOPOLY-themed attraction is now in Hong Kong. The world’s first MONOPOLY DREAMS features an indoor and outdoor area, equipped with AR, hologram and 4D interactive game technology where visitors can experience the game outside the board of MONOPOLY. The attraction is set to open during the last quarter of 2019.

Are you ready to take new memories and experiences of Hong Kong home with you? – Rappler.com

Visit Hong Kong Tourism Board at the Travel Madness Expo 2019 at the SMX Convention Centre, booth no. 69-72, from July 4-7 to book your next Hong Kong getaway.

MANILA, Philippines – In the Philippines, fiestas are as common as jeepneys. They're filled to the brim with people, they are often colorful, and it’s almost impossible for any town not to have one.

But even with its ubiquity, we are not a people to miss out on a chance to celebrate. We take the time to flock them. The most famous locally being the likes of Sinulog, Mascara, Panagbenga, we even turned Labor Day into a beach fest. 

If we want a bit of international flavor, we schedule trips to Bangkok to experience Songkran, or to Taiwan for its Lantern Festival.

Well, a new festival is opening up in the ASEAN region, and it’s just a few hours plane ride from Manila. Yes, Singapore just revamped its iconic Great Singapore Sale (GSS) into a month-long celebration from June 21 - July 28.

From Great Singapore Sale to GSS: Experience Singapore

Launched in 1994, the Great Singapore Sale was envisioned as an “opportunity to add more value to the country’s shopping experience, as well as give overseas visitors a reason to come to our ‘little red dot,’” said R. Dhinakaran, President of the Singapore Retailers Association – the GSS; main organizer.

However, for the past two years, the famed annual event has been experimenting on how to refresh itself for the new age – first going digital with the GoSpree app in 2017.

This year, the Great Singapore Sale is rebranding itself as GSS: Experience Singapore. By going by its acronym, the event wants to distance itself from merely being the ‘Sale’ in its name. 

The famed discounts are still present (for starters, expect to save an additional 7% on GST [Singapore's version of Value Added Tax] as they will be absorbed by participating outlets), but GSS hopes to be more than that. It is an immersive experience – one that wants locals and tourists to bring home a slice of Singapore whatever activity of the festival they chose to take part in.

Orchard Road revamp

Though the celebration may be shorter this year – cutting the yearly 10-week-long event to 5 weeks – GSS believes it can live up to the saying “half as long, twice as bright.”

To kick things off, and to prove that GSS is transforming shopping into an all-encompassing experience, from June 21 - 30, Orchard Road was turned into a giant playground.

Officially opening GSS: Experience Singapore, on the afternoon of June 21, 100 models stopped traffic by strutting the newest collections from some international designers and mostly local ones like David’s Daughter, Weekend Sundries, and Depression.

Showcased too were the works of fashion design students from Singaporean universities Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Raffles Design Institute, Temasek Polytechnic, School of The Arts, and Lasalle College of the Arts. Additionally, these students’ designs will be exhibited at specially-marked “Windows ALIVE!” storefronts.

This was just the first of the festivities planned for Orchard Road. Various parts of Singapore’s busiest street were also transformed to immersive hubs – from art installations and food trucks to pop-up stores and roadside activities.

GSS’ organizers also sought to cater to foodies. To ease their search, the nearby Grange Road parking lot was turned into food park collecting a wide range of Singaporean favorites – from craft beers, lala clams, to Ah Hoi’s famous Chili Crab.

Grange Road Carpark visitors also got to enjoy free film screenings and performances from known locals bands throughout the week.

Cultural renaissance 

GSS: Experience Singapore aims to be an adventure that cuts across shopping, culture, arts, food, and even history.

As part of this initiative to keep Singapore’s culture alive, for the first time, GSS extended their activities beyond the usual sphere of retail outlets. This year, one of Singapore’s oldest urban precincts, Kampong Gelam, became a partner in organizing GSS.

Historically famed for its heritage and textiles, in recent years this “Muslim quarter” has witnessed a resurgence as the hipster haven of Singapore. The district is now an amalgamation of both old new. Mom-and-pop shops sitting beside bars and restaurants, fashionista boutiques, craft stores, galleries, and street art. (Think of it as Singapore’s very own Poblacion, Makati.)

On July 5 - 14, you can join specially-curated Kampong Gelam precinct tours. The tour can be experienced either via bicycles or Vespa sidecars and will take tourists to discover the quarter’s spice gardens, bazaars, and cuisine.

Bringing Kampong Gelam into the fold of GSS is merely a pilot for a larger initiative to make GSS country-wide, incorporating its cultural sites. 

In the coming years, the plan is to extend the celebrations to Singapore’s Little India and Chinatown.

Evolving to the times

In a statement, Dr. Tan Wu Meng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry, said that GSS’ major revamp is a means of evolving Singapore retail industry.

In a world where one can get everything online, convenience becomes both a strength and a sin. On the one hand, whatever you think of is available. However, we also forget the serendipitous experience of stumbling upon something enjoyable, something great. 

GSS: Experience Singapore hopes it reminds people of that joy this year and hopefully for the years to come. 

As Dr. Tan emphasized, “Experiences are still about the physical world, physical places. There is still a lot of room to innovate today.” – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines  – Out of 68 million Filipinos, 95.6% can read and write.  

This means that Filipinos 10 years old and over are considered to be basically literate and can understand a simple message using the Filipino language or dialect. Considering the literacy rate of our neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea, we are not falling far behind. 

While this is something we should celebrate, we are in an era of rapid change. The age of social media poses a new challenge to the progress we’ve already made. For three consecutive years, the Philippines has been dubbed as social media capital of the world with millions of Filipinos spending almost 4 hours on social media every day. 

With this finding, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) collaborated with the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) to develop and implement a media and information literacy (MIL) campaign that is focused on cyber wellness for the youth. 

The PIA has also established a good working relationship with Facebook Philippines. In fact, in March 2018, Facebook sent resource persons to talk in PIA’s Media and Information Literacy Forum, an event that tackles how the youth can protect themselves from the hazards of social media. 

MoneyGram is one with the Philippine government in continuing the progress in literacy and education. Last June 6, they launched the‘Inspiring Minds with the Gift of Literacy’, a project that will give 50,000 new books to 100 schools.

Aside from providing global financial services to families around the world, MoneyGram also believes in the value of education. That’s why they partnered with Asia Foundation to bring more books to children living in far-flung areas. In 2018, they were able to give 20,000 books to different schools across the country. 

“Our support of the Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program ensures students not only have access to books and libraries, but also have a chance for better economic opportunities, healthier families, and individual freedom and empowerment,” Sabrina Chan, MoneyGram International’s marketing lead of the Asia Pacific, Middle East and South Asia Region said.

The importance of education is deeply ingrained in our culture that parents would go far and beyond to secure their child’s future. 

“Kaya nga may nag a-abroadpara mabigyan nila ng magandang edukasyon ang mga anak nila, para gumanda ang kinabukasan nila [People work abroad because they want their children to have a bright future which can only be achieved by giving them good education],” Robin Padilla, MoneyGram brand ambassador said. 

This event is the first of many launch series MoneyGram Foundation and Asia Foundation will be conducting to inspire young minds and improve the lives of children by providing quality and interactive books as learning resources.

“This is our way of giving back to the community,” Alex Lim, MoneyGram country manager said.  – Rappler.com

[Editor's note: CEB GetGo Prepaid Card is the first prepaid card that allows you to earn GetGo points that you can use to fly for free. Below is their press release.]

Manila, Philippines – GetGo continues to enable more Filipinos to enjoy a lifestyle of fun and free travels with the new CEB GetGo Prepaid Card. It is Cebu Pacific’s first flights points-earning prepaid card with convenient multi-tool functions for everyday activities. It also offers a free version – the CEB GetGo Virtual Prepaid Card which can be conveniently reloaded and used for online purchases.

Shop, dine, and earn points wherever you travel

Powered by Visa, the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card lets frequent travelers enjoy cashless payments on their local and international trips. There’s no need to carry physical cash or visit banks and foreign exchange stores as the new prepaid card also acts as a multi-currency travel wallet that carries nine currencies, including Philippine Peso, United States Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Japanese Yen, and Euro, among others. As long as you have balance in your CEB GetGo Prepaid Card, you can just simply swipe the card in your selected currency. Every P100 spend automatically earns 1 GetGo Point.

Load up and swipe to shop 

The CEB GetGo Prepaid Card functions the same way as debit and credit cards, except you don’t have to open a bank account. Cardholders can replenish their balance in UnionBank branches, Robinsons Department Stores, and TouchPay kiosks in Mercury Drug stores, Ayala Malls, Sky Cable branches, and Shell, Petron, and Total service stations nationwide. Once loaded with enough balance, the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card can be used for daily transactions such as grocery shopping, dining, fueling up, and buying cinema tickets.

So, how do you apply for a CEB GetGo Prepaid Card? 

You have to decide which card complements your lifestyle most - if you frequently shop online or through mobile apps, then apply for a CEB GetGo Virtual Prepaid Card, but if you want to do more than online transactions, then the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card is for you.

To apply for a CEB GetGo Virtual Prepaid Card:

• Download the GetGo Pay mobile app 
• Fill in your details to sign up
• Load up, shop, and start earning GetGo Points

To apply for a CEB GetGo Prepaid Card:

• Buy the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card from Family Mart, Robinsons Business Centers, Unionbank branches, or Cebu Pacific ticketing offices for P150.00
• Download the GetGo Pay mobile app
• Fill in your details and register card
• Load up, shop, and start earning GetGo Points

Interested cardholders who are not yet GetGo members will automatically be enrolled to the lifestyle rewards program when they apply for the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card. This means that more than getting the benefits of cashless and hassle-free transactions, they can also earn GetGo points which they can use to fly for free with Cebu Pacific. Exclusive member perks such as early alerts to seat sales and promos, exclusive access to airline sales, and 10% discount on redemption for Cebu Pacific flights, are also part of the benefits of having the CEB GetGo Prepaid Card. This surely is something you shouldn’t miss!

Starting July 3, those who will sign up for a CEB GetGo Prepaid Card or CEB GetGo Virtual Prepaid Card and load their card with a minimum of P500 for the first time, will get an instant 150 Bonus GetGo Points credited to their accounts. With this much points, you can boost your earnings for more free flights! Promo runs until July 31, 2019. Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 10852, Series of 2019. 

Never miss out on exclusive member offers and the latest news on partner promos by subscribing to GetGo email alerts. Just log in to your account, go to ‘Profile’, select ‘Preferences’, click ‘My Settings’, and choose ‘Count Me In’. You can also like and follow GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Visit GetGo’s website for more information on memberships and partners. – Rappler.com