Ruby is a true-blooded media practitioner and a journalist by profession.
She served her early years as a lifestyle writer for a leading magazine and a couple of corporate engagements to which she learned the ropes of editorial work – and dealing with almost the brightest personalities and celebrities in tinsel town.
She had a very productive stint at the now-defunct AMPR Publicity and Communications, Inc. It was also during this period that she honed her skills in Marketing when she had the opportunity to serve as Committee Member at the prestigious Philippine Marketing Association.
For inquiries, invites, or to send relevant press content, email the author at rubyasoy@yahoo.com.
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Ed Sheeran has released his new single ‘Eyes Closed’ alongside the official video (watch here).
Ed originally wrote ‘Eyes Closed’ a few years back. Starting as a break-up song, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning after Ed suffered a heartbreaking loss, which led him to revisit and reimagine the original version of the track for ‘-ʼ. One of the most pop-leaning sonics on his highly anticipated new record, ‘Eyes Closed’ captures the essence of love and loss, which is also reflected in the official video. Directed by Mia Barnes, we see Ed on a night out being followed by a blue monster – serving as a metaphor for grief, Ed is unable to shake it, wherever he goes, reminding him of the void that’s left in his life.
Speaking of the new song and the video, Ed says, “This song is about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and the things you did together. You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss, but certain things just bring you right back into it.
When I was thinking of concepts for the Eyes Closed music video, I wanted to make a video inspired by movies like Harvey, where the main character has an imaginary friend who’s a giant rabbit that no one can see. There’s also a book I read to my daughters where sadness is encapsulated by an imaginary creature. Often sadness is something that follows you around, engulfing the rooms you’re in, and you can feel and see it, but no one else around you can. So I decided to create my own big blue monster for the video. He gets bigger and bigger as the video goes on, til he takes up whole rooms, and is all I can see, just like sadness.”
Announced earlier this week, his all-new, four-part documentary “Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All” will air on Disney+ from 3 May 2023. Blending never-before-seen personal archives, interviews, and performances, the intimate documentary explores how his personal experiences have shaped him to become the artist he is today.
There’s no better place to get your health, wellness, and beauty essentials than Watsons! With over 1,000 stores nationwide, and Watsons also offers different ways to shop such as Express Delivery, which lets you have your products delivered at your doorstep within 3 hours, and Click and Collect Express wherein successfully placed orders are verified and prepared within 24 to 48 hours, after which your order will be delivered to your selected Click & Collect store.
Only Watsons can bring out the Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful You with a wide selection of health and beauty products, and services and the most experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy pharmacists and beauty advisors to help you make informed choices.
These Watsons health and beauty partners will help you to navigate the world of health, wellness, and beauty by choosing the right products and services for you and your family.
Whether you’re looking for medicines, vitamins and supplements, and beauty products to complete your makeup and skincare regimen, Watsons has got you covered.
For overall health and wellness
We may already be in a post-pandemic era but you still need to keep your immune system strong so that your body will be equipped to ward off illnesses. For the little ones, get Propan TLC Syrup, which has vitamin C (for immunity), lysine and vitamin B (to help boost the appetite), and vitamin D (to boost growth). For the adults, get Conzace Softgel Capsules which have zinc and vitamins A, C, and E to help build your immunity. Redoxon Effervescent Tablets contain ascorbic acid and zinc to sustain good health.
For sustained energy
If you are into sports or work out every day, you need an extra dose of protection! Watsons Brand offers Vitamin B-Complex Tablets which help in the conversion of food to energy and support numerous normal body processes. Neurobion has vitamins B1+B6+B12 to protect and nourish your nerves. Supraneuron also offers nerve protection so that you’re always ready for action and adventure.
For a good night’s sleep
Good sleep helps improve overall wellbeing. Make sure you’re getting 6-8 hours of sleep at night. Getting a good night’s sleep will prevent chronic long-term health problems. For your sleep needs, Melatonin regulates night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles. You can also get Puritan’s Pride Melatonin Gummies and Sleepwell Melatonin from Watsons. Nightol also has melatonin to help you get a good night’s sleep.
What are you waiting for? Head to the Watsons app, be a Watsons Club member to enjoy great deals and discounts and start your journey to health and wellness.
Enjoy P100 off when you download the Watsons app through this link http://bit.ly/WatsonsMobileAppTerms and conditions apply.
Visit any of 1000+ Watsons stores nationwide or pick up your orders at your nearest Watsons store in 30 minutes or less via Click & Collect or have them delivered to you in 3 hours through Express Delivery*.
For more information, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.
*Available in select cities only. Delivery fee capped at Php 50 or enjoy free delivery for a min. spend P500. Wait for your order confirmation from the app and via SMS to know when your package will be delivered. Learn more about Click & Collect and Watsons Express Delivery by visitingwww.watsons.com.ph/shipping-delivery
Despite the rains, summer is still in full swing, so if you’re looking to explore more of the charm and beauty of the Philippines, then Iloilo City is your best bet for a fun and exciting getaway with its myriad of attractions that will appeal to any kind of traveler!
Preparing a trip for your family, friends, or even just for yourself is simple and easy with Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s ILOILO SUMMER GETAWAY PACKAGE which comes complete with all the essentials for a splendid visit to the City of Love. Get luxurious and spacious accommodations in the heart of premier township Iloilo Business Park, and just a few steps away from the modern and trendy Festive Walk Mall.
RHI Deluxe Twin Room
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet of international breakfast favorites at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, The Granary, to fuel up your adventure-filled day. Sightsee in comfort and get the most out of your day trips with guided tours you can book through the hotel at 15% discount. Whether you enjoy the sun and sand, food, history and culture, nature, farms and gardens, religion, and popular tourist attractions, there is a tour for you. Available tours include heritage, pilgrimage, countryside farm, culinary, mystery house, Isla de Gigantes, Sicogon Island, and Guimaras.
After a day of exploration, you can relax in the comforts of your room and de-stress with a soothing massage and indulge in some pampering at 15% discount for package takers. If you still can’t get enough of the sun, you can take pleasure in the posh resort-feel of the hotel’s picturesque pool area with its glorious sunset view.
Spend the day lounging by the poolside with a refreshing drink in hand, or keeping your cool and making a splash in the water. The Iloilo Summer Getaway room package also includes 10% discount on food and beverage orders which can both be availed either at Zabana Bar or BizBar. For those who want to keep the adrenalin rush after an exhilarating tour, the hotel’s Fitness Center gym is available for use 24/7.
The Iloilo Summer Holiday package rates are marked down until June 15, 2023 and start at only PhP 5,300 nett for Sunday to Thursday stays and PhP 5,500 nett for Friday and Saturday stays.
For inquiries and reservations, call Room Reservations at +6333 328-7888 or mobile number 0917-5809642; or email stay@richmondeiloilo.com. To get instant confirmation, book online at www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply to this promotion. Rates are not valid in conjunction with other promotions and discount privileges. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. R6-ILO-04-024, Series of 2023.
If you’re as beauty-obsessed as LazBeauty besties Gabbi Garcia, Kryz Uy, or Rei Germar, this is your chance to become the newest LazBeauty Campus Ambassador!
Represent your campus and enjoy P 20,000 worth of Lazada wallet credits, a LazBeauty Club bundle, and exclusive access to LazBeauty events by following these two easy steps:
STEP 1
Create and post a 1-minute Tiktok or IG reel video introducing yourself while doing a makeup transformation using your school colors, and tell us why you love being a LazBeauty Club member!
STEP 2
Add the school you are reppin’ (representing) in the caption along with #LazBeautyCampusAmbassador and tag @lazadaph.
Why LazBeauty? Take it from Gabbi Garcia: “with awesome deals and plenty of brands to choose from, Lazada lets you be your truest self with LazBeauty. It’s beauty for everybody!” Kryz Uy says: “You don’t just get discounts and vouchers, you get to make better-informed choices because of your LazBeauty Bestie Community!”
Join the search now and be the next LazBeauty Campus Ambassador! The deadline for submissions has been extended to June 15, 2023, only. For more information, visit Lazada PH on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Say hello to the season of heat — this is the season where we all tend to cool down ourselves, so this is the time we seek ways to keep ourselves cool even with the summer heat.
You can enjoy the heat season without breaking the bank since the global appliance brand Beko offers a wide range of energy-efficient air conditioners to let you escape the summer heat and beat high electricity bills.
Feel refreshed with the Beko BSEOG Split Air Conditioner series! The Beko BSEOG Inverter Premium Series includes features such as the Double Gold Guard. It is an evaporator and condenser coil coated with hydrophilic gold and can improve heating efficiency by accelerating defrosting. This evaporator and condenser can withstand the salty, air, rain, and other corrosive elements and it effectively prevents bacteria build up.
Worry no more about cleaning as it has a Go Clean feature, a frost cleaning system where the evaporator coils blow hot air to defrost the ice and dry it thoroughly.
You might also be moving around your home to do some chores. Just like the Beko BSEOG 120 and BSEOG 121, it’s a great thing that these air conditioners have a Zone Follow feature where you can get more precise and effective temperature control. The remote controller sensor will sense the temperature around the user to ensure an even temperature for user comfort.
Beko air conditioners have 4D Air Outlet technologies that lets you now feel comfortable every inch of your room that lets you focus on your tasks.
Got plans to stay outside? Welcome yourself home with comfort since you can open your Beko air conditioner even when you’re away with HomeWhiz! With this feature, you can control your Beko BSEOG air conditioner from your smartphone by connecting to the internet, even outside. HomeWhiz allows you to keep the ideal conditions for you to feel comfortable until you’re back home.
Worried about the dirt that’s in the air? Worry no more since the BSEOG series also contains a MicroClean filter that captures tiny airborne dust particles that may pollute the air.
With the self-cleaning feature, the air conditioner could provide clean air to the user, preventing bacteria from breeding in the unit. Even when you turn the unit off, it will keep running to ensure the coil surfaces are totally dry, protecting them from getting rusty, before stopping automatically.
So, what are you waiting for? Cool your home and feel comfortable with Beko’s air conditioners this summer!
Beko appliances are available at Abenson, All Home, Anson’s, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, BHF, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazar, Great World, HAT, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Manila Imperial, Mike’s Appliances, Our Builders Warehouse Pricewise, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, SVC & Plusign, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, S&R (Gidi), United Mottoaliance, Western Appliance and 1st Megasaver.
For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/.
The Philippines’ premier digital and fintech association FinTech Alliance.PH has launched a multistakeholder national cybersecurity awareness and education campaign tagged #WagMagpalokoMagingScamAlerto! aimed at educating millions of Filipino smartphone and online users against phishing scams last May 29, 2023, at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City.
The industry-led multistakeholder national consumer cybersecurity campaign is being led by the FinTech Alliance in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, National Privacy Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, telecommunications companies, consumer groups, and media groups.
BSP Governor Felipe Medalla.
“I am proud to see everyone working hard to make the Nationwide Consumer Cybersecurity Education Campaign an effective and invaluable tool in helping accelerate the Philippines’ Digital Economy. You can count on BSP to be a staunch supporter of our project. We will continue to work hand in hand with all of our stakeholders and ensure the far-reaching impact of this campaign,” said BSP Governor Felipe Medalla.
“With all industry players, government, media, and Filipino consumers working together, we’re ready to unlock the power of cybersecurity with consumer education! We enjoin all FinTech Alliance member companies to have our campaign on all your social media platforms and use the hashtag #WagMagpalokoMagingScamAlerto,” said Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of the Fintech Alliance.PH and RCBC executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer.
Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of the Fintech Alliance. PH.
The massive nationwide multistakeholder cybersecurity education and awareness campaign was launched in response to the emergence of risks and threats to users’ safety and to ensure sustained consumer trust on digital payment platforms. With various organizations coming from the private sector, the government, and the media, FinTech Alliance.PH hopes to combat the rising tide of cybercrime through multiple prongs and engagement strategies.
The leading FinTech organization also jump-started the first cohort of the Cambridge FinTech Regulatory and Innovations (FTRI) Program. The Cambridge FTRI program is by the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge in Southeast Asia in partnership with Mapua University in the Philippines. The program targets the development and training of regulators, legislators, policymakers, practitioners, and professionals in banking, fintech, and digital industries.
The two initiatives by the Alliance were among the key events in their recent General Membership Meeting with the theme, “Accelerating the Philippines’ digital economy and unlocking the power of consumer education on cybersecurity.” At the same event, BSP Governor Medalla gave a keynote speech entitled, “The Current Philippine Digital Landscape: What’s Next Beyond the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap.”
S&P Global APAC Chief Economist Rajiv Biswas also gave an outlook on the Philippine Economy, highlighting the country’s trajectory towards being a one trillion US dollar economy by 2033.
“We cannot do this as an industry without building a very strong strategic collaboration with regulators that allows an enabling environment for inclusive innovations. From co-developing the National Retail Payments System, National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and other regulations on emerging technologies such as virtual assets, regulatory sandbox, and digital banking, to open finance, and central bank digital currency, among others,” Villanueva added.
New FinTech Alliance corporate members were sworn in by BSP Governor Medalla. From just 15 founding corporate members in 2017 to nearly 100 in 2023.
FinTech Alliance.PH, the Philippines’ premier, and largest digital and fintech association, is composed of startups and unicorns that account for over 95 percent of digital-initiated transaction volume in the country.
Philippines’ leading challenger bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), through its partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), successfully assisted hundreds of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)/Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) beneficiaries to easily and quickly cash out aid from the national government through RCBC ATM Go partner merchants in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, an identified geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA) by the DSWD.
RCBC’s partner sari-sari stores – Ebanen, Sigfred, and Negros Rice – were able to facilitate over P2 million cash withdrawals by 4Ps/CCT household beneficiaries in three days.
RCBC ATM Go is the country’s first grassroots-based, bank agnostic, and last mile handheld automated teller machine which utilizes mobile point-of-sale devices to dispense financial services in unbanked and underserved communities.
RCBC is currently the only Philippine private universal bank that has the most extensive reach covering 100% of the country across all its 82 provinces with close to 2,000 terminals operated by thousands of its partner merchants. More than 65 percent of RCBC ATM Go’s financial transactions are social grant cash withdrawals by CCT/4Ps household beneficiaries of the national government mostly residing in remote communities. RCBC is also the only Philippine bank that has the most number of ATM Go terminals in excess of 100 units servicing all five provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao covering Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi.
Under the RCBC-DSWD Memorandum of Agreement signed in December 2022, RCBC will provide alternative payout channels for 4Ps/CCT beneficiaries. Prior to this engagement, RCBC has already collaborated with DSWD during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, RCBC was able to assist the national government in distributing more than Php 21.3 billion through its social amelioration program to over 5.6 million household beneficiaries benefitting 28 million aggregate-covered individuals.
“RCBC has been tirelessly working to make banking available and meaningful for all Filipinos through our RCBC Moneybela Barangayan Banking and RCBC ATM Go servicing millions of Filipinos in the countryside,” says RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva.
“RCBC’s mantra has always been innovations with empathy, and this is best relayed through digital-forward and frictionless banking services such as what RCBC ATM Go provides to those who live in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas such as Lake Sebu,” Villanueva added.
As Lake Sebu is a remote community, there is a limited presence of financial institutions that can provide brick-and-mortar branches or ATM kiosks. Residents need an hour of travel and spend costly transportation of as much as P200 just to be able to withdraw financial aid given by the national government. There are more than 13,000 4Ps/CCT beneficiaries in Lake Sebu and not all can be served by existing financial service providers in the area.
“The pilot testing conducted in the three (3) barangays of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in partnership with RCBC has been truly successful. The 4Ps beneficiaries were able to withdraw their grants quicker and more efficiently – it only took them less than a minute receiving the money. We would like to extend our thanks to RCBC for this initiative,” says DSWD SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Director Loreto Jr. V. Cabaya. SOCCSKSARGEN covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos in Region 12.
Aside from RCBC ATM Go, RCBC has effectively implemented other pioneering, high-impact, human-centric, and demand driven digital financial innovations such as the one-stop-shop digital banking app RCBC Digital; RCBC DiskarTech, the Philippines’ first multi-lingual financial inclusion super app for the Filipino mass market in the vernacular Tagalog-English or Taglish and Cebuano; and RCBC MoneybelaBarangayan Banking, the Philippines’ first physical-digital or phygital banking services that use sustainable e-trikes to serve geographically distant and disadvantaged and conflict areas of the country.
RCBC is one of the country’s fastest-growing banks, and the most awarded for its banking innovations. It is now the Philippines’ 5th largest privately-owned universal bank that breached the P1-Trillion asset mark by the end of June 2022 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. RCBC’s continuing digital and business transformation further enhanced its value and reach.
With this, RCBC has become the most awarded bank in the Philippines. Among its global and local recognitions include a three-peat award as the Philippines’ Best Bank for Digital by Asiamoney, back-to-back wins for Best Financial Inclusion App by The Asian Banker’s Financial Technology Innovations Awards, and the YouTube challenger award for its viral and out-of-the-box digital ad campaigns generating combined views of over 17 million. Just recently, RCBC was also hailed as Grand Champion for Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion by the Bankers Institute of the Philippines.
Healthy eating is a choice you can make, starting with these restaurants. Happy eating!
Being healthy takes a lot of work – exercising, eating healthy food, and checking up on your well-being constantly– but it is a lifestyle choice that rewards you in more ways than one. The Philippines is an agricultural country thriving with diverse options for healthy eating. Whether it’s gluten-free options, vegan, or home-cooked meals, these restaurants will open your eyes to the sumptuous world of nutritious food.
Hummus Elijah
Are you looking to try Mediterranean food but with a healthy twist? Hummus Elijah has got it all for you. Located at 5059 P. Burgos St., Makati, this vegetarian restaurant showcases its bestselling hummus and falafel, among other dishes originating from the Middle East. Hummus Elijah offers authentic Mediterranean salads, shawarma, and even a variety of keto dishes– a must-eat for people following a keto diet. Its regulars have attested to its delicious food, so treat yourself to a healthy feast. Reach them through their Facebook page and Lazada store!
Pipino Veg
Pipino Veg offers Filipino fusion cuisine, which encapsulates the Filipino food we crave but with a healthy dose of veggies and organic recipes! They offer Filipino feast staples such as veggie kare-kare, eggplant, and tofu miso, all types of sinigang. Located in the busy streets of Malingap Teacher’s Village, Quezon City, they also consider the party and “inuman” culture of Filipinos. For this reason why they introduced typical “pulutan” dishes with a vegetarian twist, such as Tofu sisig, Spring Rolls, Stuffed Bulaklak ng Kalabasa, and Buffalo Cauliflower wings. Eating Filipino-style meals and healthy living shouldn’t be a bore with Pipino Veg! Reach them through their Facebook page!
Photo credits to Pipino Veg
The Wholesome Table
The Wholesome Table brings a unique freshness into the hustle and bustle of 30th St, Corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Makati. This healthy food restaurant prides itself on its flavorful gluten-free power bowls, gluten-free cakes, and breakfast plates featuring eggs, toast, and pancakes, among other Filipino brunch classics. They also have a variety of other sumptuous dishes that lean towards a more balanced diet, such as Salmon Bowl, Grilled Porkchop, and Truffle Mushroom Pasta. The Wholesome Table commits to its customers by serving healthy yet mouth-watering food—make sure to contact them through their Facebook page!
Photo credits to The Wholesome Table
Green Pastures
Promoting sustainable dining, Green Pastures in Level 4, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall ensures customers that eating healthy shouldn’t be a chore but more of a delicious choice. This restaurant specializes in reintroducing food staples in a more improved, healthy way. Some of its fine selections include Pizza Bianca Porchetta, Clam Chowder, and Porchetta al Forno con Patate– pork belly cooked with herbs and spices. They also offer burgers of various kinds, such as the Garlic Herb Cheeseburger, Mushroom Cheeseburger, or Gochujang Cheeseburger. The Green Pastures’ diverse menu will satisfy your palate! To place orders, reach them on their Facebook page!
Photo credits to Green Pastures
Juju Eats
Healthy eating should always be associated with an optimistic mindset and good vibes! Juju Eats has branches within Pasong Tamo Ext. Makati, The Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Salcedo Village, Makati, Vertis North Ayala Malls Quezon City. Juju Eats aims to provide healthy food with a dose of good juju to start people’s day. They offer different kinds of signature salads, such as their bestsellers Chatuchak Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, and Thai Chicken Salad. Juju Eats also specializes in making wraps more challenging and sumptuous – evident in their Pesto Salad wrap and Tuna Nicoise Pasta Wrap, among others. They also offer paninis, pasta, red rice bowls, cold-pressed juices, and more. Eating at Juju Eats will give you good juju for the rest of the day! Place your orders on their Facebook page or website!
Photo credits to Juju Eats
Vege Select
Bringing new life to long-standing Chinese recipes, Vege Select in 739 Ongpin St, Binondo offers a wide selection of food and side dishes that aim to appetize and revolutionize healthy eating! They showcase Chinese food staples such as vegan cuapao, vegan xiao long bao, and vegan sushi. They are also known for their diverse dishes, with a mix of Filipino and Chinese cuisine, such as vegan kiampong and the traditional crab and corn soup. Vege Select proves that Asian cuisine is an enjoyable treat healthily! Watch out for their daily menu on their Facebook page!
Photo credits to Vege Select
Vegetarian kitchen
Are you looking for bulk meals? The Vegetarian Kitchen got your back. Specializing in homemade vegan plant-based bentos, food trays, meals, and bowls, they have all the healthy options to satisfy your cravings! Their bestsellers include Swedish Meatballs, Bonchon Cauliflower Chik’n and Japchae, Satay Barbecue & Couscous, Palabok Espesyal with Vegetable Okoy, Veggie Ukoy & Tokwa’t Baboy, Pinakbet, and Tofu Tonkatsu with Japanese Curry Bentos. They also offer food trays for big gatherings or hearty meals with the family. Conveniently located at 62B Mother Ignacia Ave., Brgy. Paligsahan 1103, Quezon City, make sure to grab your favorites by placing an order through their Facebook page!
Photo credits to the Vegetarian Kitchen
Break
Healthy eating shouldn’t mean we abandon the fast food menu that we all grew to love at some point. Break in Greenhills shook things up and reintroduced fast food staples, but this time, cooked with healthy ingredients. This plant-based vegan fast food chain offers chicken, burgers, and breakfast meals, all cooked using plant-based meat, a viable alternative to the otherwise conventional meats. The break is a life-changer for those who want to eat fast food without breaking their diet. Visit their Instagram or website for orders!
Photo credits to Break
Corner Tree Cafe
This vegetarian restaurant serves healthy food in a secure, intimate, and comfortable setting. Corner Tree Cafe, located at 150 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati, offers Pinoy-style dishes– from salads, desserts, and even party trays. Its salad specialties are Caramelized Apple and Feta Salad, Mediterranean Salad, and Quinoa Salad. They also add a vegetarian twist to Filipino dishes like Kare-Kareng Gulay, Adobong Tofu with Fried egg and Fried Rice, and their vegetarian Laing. Each dining experience at Corner Tree Cafe is satisfying with healthy goodness—contact them on their Facebook page for orders!
Photo credits to Corner Tree Cafe
Green Bar
This restaurant, bar, and bakery at 106 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati showcases its brand of healthy eating. Green Bar’s plant-based goodies and drinks have revolutionized healthy eating with its specialties Savory Turmeric Bun and Big Bite Kebab. They also offer a variety of alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails– perfect for a healthy weekend unwinding with friends! Make sure to stop by or reach them on their Facebook page for orders!
Photo credits to Green Bar
Healthy living can also be a fun and delicious route, with sumptuous food to enjoy while being fit and living up to your body’s true potential. Healthy eating is a choice you can make, starting with these restaurants. Happy eating!
Calauan, a 2nd class municipality in Laguna, takes a big leap to promote greater financial inclusion and massive digital transformation of its local government and residents in its quest to become a “Smart City” by collaborating with the country’s multi-awarded and leading challenger bank, the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).
In a grand ceremony during the celebration of the municipality’s Pinya Festival, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva and Calauan Mayor Roseller Caratihan, with the presence and support of all the members of the Municipal Council, sealed the partnership between RCBC and Calauan LGU through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as the initial step towards developing a framework that will propel Calauan’s economic growth and create a thriving digital payment ecosystem for the municipality. Under this engagement, RCBC shall provide a payment gateway and digital disbursement solution for the LGU, and access to banking services at the barangay level through its various digital innovations such as DiskarTech, ATM Go, and NegosyanTech digital mSME, among others.
In the same event, RCBC launched its Moneybela Barangayan Banking to kick off initiatives to go down to the communities of Calauan and directly engage with the people as part of its financial inclusion advocacy. The RCBC Moneybela aims to onboard the unbanked and underserved individuals in Calauan to the formal financial system by spreading digital financial literacy and assisting in opening Basic Deposit Accounts through RCBC DiskarTech. RCBC strongly supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap which targets to onboard 70% of the adult Filipino population into the formal banking system and digitize 50% of all retail payments by the end of 2023.
In his message, Villanueva said, “This day marks a historic chapter, both for the Municipality of Calauan and RCBC. It signifies the beginning of a meaningful public-private partnership for the people of Calauan. We are very excited about this and fully support your vision for Calauan to be a Smart City.”
Villanueva also added, “Through our technology, it will be easier for Calaueños to pay taxes and other fees to the local government, the delivery of financial assistance to those in need will be expedited, and essential financial services will be brought closer to every Calaueño.”
Speaking to the attendees from various barangay in Calauan, Mayor Osel Caratihan commended RCBC and underscored the significant benefits that the partnership brings to the residents of Calauan. He highlighted the positive impact of the collaboration, stating that it will facilitate the accessibility of assistance to the local community. Individuals can receive the support they need by simply registering and visiting the barangay. Mayor Caratihan proudly mentioned that Calauan is at the forefront among LGUs in Laguna, being the first to establish such a program.
Launched in October 2022, the RCBC MoneyBela Barangayan Banking is a flagship program of RCBC to bring banking services closer to remote and rural communities. Last year, RCBC piloted this initiative during the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City and Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, and early this year, in the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City.
RCBC is one of the country’s fastest-growing banks, now ranked as the Philippines’ 5th largest privately-owned universal bank in terms of assets from 8th in 2019, and the most awarded for its banking innovations. Among its global and local recognitions include a three-peat award as the Philippines’ Best Bank for Digital by Asiamoney, back-to-back wins for Best Financial Inclusion App by The Asian Banker’s Financial Technology Innovations Awards, and the YouTube Challenger award for its viral and out-of-the-box digital ad campaigns generating combined views of over 17 million. Just recently, RCBC was also hailed as the Grand Champion for Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion by the Bankers Institute of the Philippines.
The quaint town of Sampaloc is known for its impressive array of “buri” products, the source of livelihood of the amiable people of this 5th class municipality in the province of Quezon.
“Buri,” a large palm tree noted for its strong leaves that can be made into various products like bags and other native accessories. The houses are adorned with different buri products during the Bulihan Festival.
Assorted products made of buri and some native delicacies.
This writer has witnessed this festival in years past – during the 4th Bulihan Festival. The highlights of the festival were the costume parade and the showcase of native dishes, as only “Sampalukins” (how residents are called in Sampaloc) can uniquely prepare and do.
“Palos” Cooking Contest
One of the awaited activities of the festival was the native “Palos Cooking Contest.” “Palos,” is Sampaloc’s term for native eel, which is caught in the Maapon River. It’s often brought by Sampalukins as a present to somebody being asked for a favor. The “madulas” is associated with a saying that if it is given as a gift to the person being asked for a favor, the request will be easily granted.
This exciting and one-of-a-kind cooking contest was participated by representatives from the 14 Barangays through the town’s Rural Improvement Club.
The cooking skills and creativity of the “Sampalukins” were once again demonstrated — with everything and anything that can be done and concocted with “palos.” Spicy, sweet, saucy, “ginataan”, “ginisa”, baked, steamed, fried, what have you!
The winning recipe came from Barangay Ibabang Owain. The dish is called “Steamed Palos.”
Put onion leek into the water and set for boiling.
Steam Palos for about 30-40 minutes.
When cooked, arrange the steamed Palos on a platter with the toppings.
Serve hot.
Uniquely Sampaloc
The “Parada ng Bayan”- a buri-inspired costume parade was participated by the different sectors of the community like NGOs, the private sector, puroks, barangay, and municipal government officials and employees.
Parada ng Bayan
The strong camaraderie was felt as the whole town took time to participate and support the costume parade. It was amazing to see how young women and men were dressed in different creative and distinctively classy costumes made from colorful buri. It was as if these costumes were tailored and styled by professional designers — knowing these were handcrafted by the “Sampalukins”!
The Bulihan Festival provides jobs to residents and promotes tourism in the municipality.
Beautiful sceneries
Some of Sampaloc’s beautiful sceneries are the Malaoag Cave and Underground River, the Hangga Falls, and the Kakati River. During our stay, we were fortunate to explore Hangga Falls, a hidden gem located in the boundary of the towns of Sampaloc and Lucban. An approximate one to two hours of trekking was needed to reach the destination, and was worth the exhaustion upon seeing the invigorating waterfalls!
Feeling invigorated at Hangga Falls after a two-hour trek.With friends from Sampaloc
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