December 2019

Being away from loved ones regularly can be difficult, which is why the holidays have become such an important season to reunite families. But these days, traveling back home to provinces and far-flung areas can be extra tiresome with the heavy traffic, long commuting lines, and hectic holiday rush. This can take a toll on Filipinos mentally and emotionally, especially when all they’re
thinking about is going home to celebrate the most joyful time of the year with the most important people in their lives.

This Christmas, Jollibee helps Filipinos go home to their families with a little more love—and a lot of joy. Holiday commuters in select provincial bus routes received a special surprise from Jollibee on their way home. Hundreds of free Chickenjoy buckets and Jollibee gift certificates were distributed to the lucky commuters, perfect for sharing with the families that eagerly awaited them at home.

Passengers were all smiles, some even in tears! “Ito po, pagsasalubong namin sa mga apo,” one of them said, holding on to the Chickenjoy bucket in gratitude. Another expressed joy being able to see the Jollibee mascot live: “Masaya po talaga na nakita namin sa personal si Jollibee. Nagyon lang po namin nakita si Jollibee.”

“We wanted to make the ride home of the hardworking Filipinos extra special with a little surprise from Jollibee, especially with all the Christmas rush and anticipation to get home to spend time with their families,” Jollibee Philippines’ Marketing AVP for Bestsellers Category Cathleen Capati said. “As a family- centric brand, we do believe that being with family amid busy schedules and other separation factors is the most precious and meaningful way to spend the festive holidays—along with everyone’s favorite Chickenjoy!”

Share this video to encourage the joy of bonding with family and loved ones over the holidays. Celebrate this Christmas season with the country’s #1 fried chicken, available through dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide and like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

As a year-end treat this 2019, SM Malls in Baliwag and Pulilan painted smile across the faces of  at least 105 children from Bethlehem House of Bread, one of the oldest orphanage in the province situated in Baliuag, Bulacan

Dubbed as “ChriSMiles” volunteers from SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan chose to spend some quality time with less fortunate children, by sharing with them little gifts and fun entertainment.

‘Each year, we always look forward in finding means to celebrate “ChriSMiles” one of the projects in SM that let us pay forward all the blessings that we receive all thought the year. This time, we are extending cheers to the ones who matter most, the children of Bethlehem House of Bread,” says SM City Baliwag Mall Manager Rodora Tolentino.

Children of Bethlehem House of Bread had a meaningful holiday as they received toys, school supplies, food, footwear, cleaning materials and ‘SM Bears of Joy’ from SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan.

Employees also had their share of priceless moments with kids as they accompany them to a breakfast treat and served as their playmates for a day in various parlor games.

ChriSMiles is a yearly volunteerism activity of SM Supermalls that aims to make more children smile especially this holiday season. The event is a nationwide employee volunteerism program that brings joy to the chosen beneficiaries of each mall. The initiative started in 2012 that also encourages all SM employees to be more appreciative of their individual blessings by sharing and caring.

Live ice carving session, perfectly carved ice monuments and rare snow encounter transport shoppers imagination into a once in a lifetime winter experience at the recent Glittering Ice Fest, a one-day attraction held in SM City Baliwag.

SM City Baliwag continue to dazzle Bulacan as the mall recently transformed into a marvelous ice gallery for a day. Dubbed as the Glittering Ice Fest, the event is a first and only ice attraction in the province consisting of indoor live ice carving show, unique exhibit of ice sculptures as tall as 5-feet and experiential snow activities and installations to bring families a Holiday to remember.

Glittering Ice Fest brings into show the exceptional talents of local ice carvers extraordinaire from Paete, Laguna, as the event displayed live ice carving demonstrations, while snow as added element gave spectators a thrill of excitement, making them feel a lot like winter carnivals abroad.

Children are stunned gazing at life-size snowflakes ice sculpture, one of the attractions at Glittering Ice Fest in SM City Baliwag. Other works of art found at the one-day event are snowman, elf, reindeers and other symbols of the Holidays.

Shoppers young and old are stunned as blocks of ice were turned into magnificent works of art to form classic Holiday symbols such as Santa Clause, reindeer, snowman and other spectacular monuments only seen in movies.

Hues of light bring life to ice sculptures, making them glitter in frost, while giving emphasis to their unique patterns and intricate details.

Local ice carvers extraordinaire of Paete Laguna brilliantly crafted an intricate 5 ft. Christmas tree made from ice witnessed by throng of shoppers and spectators at the Glittering Ice Fest held in SM City Baliwag. Other ice creations presented during the event are Santa Claus, snowman, elf, and other symbols of the Holidays.

Winter wonderland came true for little ones at Glittering Ice Fest where kids fulfilled their dream of building a snowman during the snow art workshop.

It feels like a few steps away from any other country’s winter festival as experiential ice sculptures as tall as 4-feet like eskimo, reindeer face and angel wings are installed for fun photo ops great for capturing rare snow encounter. The unique installations allowed shoppers to step-into-the-scene for a memorable experience.

Wings made from ice is perfect for angels and little kids too! This and other ice installations were found at the Glittering Ice Fest, a one-day attraction held in SM City Baliwag.

The Glittering Ice Fest is among the unique attractions aligned for celebrating the Holidays in SM City Baliwag. The magic continues as the mall remains festive with special performances, activities and light shows featuring spectacular fireworks display to illuminate the sky on December 29, eight o’clock in the evening at the parking area of SM City Baliwag.

Give gifts your loved ones will value for years to come.

It is the season for gift-giving, but finding the best present for your loved ones can be tough, especially if you have been giving them gifts for every special occasion every year.

You can narrow your choices by picking something meaningful that will last for a long time and is more precious than material things. Give your loved ones gifts that keep on giving.

Here are some ideas for presents that your loved ones will value for years:

Gym or fitness class membership. Gifts that ensure good health have a lasting benefit. Choose a gym membership, a fitness class, or any activity to get the body moving and sweating. Staying active can help in weight loss and in reducing the risks of heart diseases, diabetes, stroke, and other life-threatening illnesses.

Education. Education is a lifetime gift and the knowledge one gains is something that can never be taken away. You can pay for your loved ones’ tuition if they are interested in taking short courses in cooking, dance, music, and the like.

Ornamental plants. You can also choose a gift that will keep growing, give back health benefits, and is also a beautiful addition to any home: an ornamental plant. You can also take it one step further and bond together over planting a tree.

Insurance. Make sure that your family will continue to enjoy the lifestyle they deserve even when the unexpected happens. With an insurance-investment plan like Asset Master, a premium product from AXA Philippines for the discerning investor, you can build a diversified portfolio of local and global investments. It offers a wealth transfer solution for you and your family so you can seamlessly transfer your estate when the time comes. It also serves as keyman insurance that helps preserve your business legacy for generations to come.

“For your loved ones, the gift of insurance coverage is the ultimate expression of your love and care, providing them support through life’s difficulties and securing their future,” says Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president and chief executive officer.

Travel. Create new memories with your loved ones and broaden your horizons as you learn about different cultures and people. Ensure that your trip is enjoyable and stress-free with AXA Smart Traveller. This travel insurance product offers a wide range of benefits, including 24-hour medical assistance, personal accident coverage, protection of personal belongings, and even refunds for travel inconvenience.

This holiday season, give your loved ones something they will value for years to come. To know more, talk to an AXA agent today or visit www.axa.com.ph.

The #UAAPSeason82 heat is on and UAAP Superstars get their haircut makeover from Head & Shoulders.

Men’s scalp produces four times more sebum compared to women. Sebum is the oily secretion of the skin caused by heat and sweat among other factors, and too much sebum on the scalp leads to dandruff. This explains why men are more prone to dandruff than women.

Head & Shoulders, the world’s #1 selling anti-dandruff shampoo, introduces #ScalpBrave – that confidence to flex your dandruff-free, manly fresh-smelling scalp even during high-sweaty conditions – all thanks to Head & Shoulders Ultramen. This initiative gathers today’s hottest UAAP athletes to undergo a haircut makeover at Felipe & Sons because what better way to showcase a dandruff-free scalp than through icons whose daily grind revolve around heat and sweat?

Featuring UAAP athletes Kobe Paras and siblings Shaun and Dave Ildefonso who shared their scalp and hair problems off and on the court – and how Head & Shoulders gave them the ultra solution for their scalp needs with Head & Shoulders Ultramen.

#ScalpBrave: Side Step & Fadeaway inspired haircuts

Like any other men who use pomade or styling wax on their hair, National University Bulldogs’ Ildefonso brothers talked about their hair dilemma on the court, “…kasi nagwa-wax talaga kami pero minsan natatakot ako baka maghalong amoy pawis o maging malagkit (ang buhok namin).”

Shaun and Dave requested for a haircut inspired by their signature moves Fadeaway and Side Step.

Dave’s hair was styled with a side part, while sides and neckline are tapered. “Side Step” haircut is based on his famous move where he holds onto the ball before dribbling while his other leg performs a side motion.

Shaun’s cut was fashioned with low faded undercut, tapered neckline, and longer fringes to show his full and thick hair. “Fadeaway” haircut is based on Shaun’s famous jump shot where he attempts his shot leaning backward away from the opponent, thus the move called “to fade away”.

To maintain a clean, dandruff-free scalp and hair, the Ildefonso brothers recommend Head & Shoulders Ultramen that is made for men with fuller, thicker hair, and are after a more masculine scent. Ultramen’s deeply purifying and scalp oil balancing feature also solves the brothers’ ultimate worry of a sticky hair caused by sweat and styling products.

#ScalpBrave: The Slasher inspired haircut

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines’ star athlete Kobe Paras shares his scalp and hair problems on the court, “…Sobrang hassle. Pag mahaba yung buhok kailangan mong ayusin lagi,” which is the reason why Kobe prefers to keep a shorter, cleaner haircut to prevent his scalp from profusely sweating due to heat.

As the team’s Slasher (the player in the game who tries to get as close as possible to the basket to make a shot), Felipe and Sons barbers gave Kobe a haircut based on the game position he is famously known for.

With Kobe’s Buzz cut as the base, his hair was topped off with two parallel razor lines, a mark that signifies the “slash”.

To maintain a clean scalp and a cool head, Head & Shoulders Ultramen is Kobe-approved to fight against heat to avoid dandruff and itch caused by sweating.

With proper care from the cutting-edge formula of Head & Shoulders Ultramen, anyone can sport a #ScalpBrave haircut like Kobe, Shaun, and Dave. Make your scalp feel invigoratingly cool with Ultramen Cool Menthol, or masculine fragrant from Sandalwood notes with Ultramen Old Spice.

iQor Continues to Bring Jobs Closer to Home as it Expands its Call Centers in Davao, Philippines

Tech-Enabled BPO company is rapidly recruiting across Davao to meet growing client demand

iQor, a managed services provider of customer engagement and technology-enabled BPO solutions, announced today the expansion of its Davao call center, as well as the launch of a new center in the Davao Park District.

“iQor is looking forward to growing in the City of Davao,” said Senior Vice President Operations for iQor Philippines, Rod Hoddinott. “The City is an ideal region thanks to its highly proficient workforce and educated talent pool. It will remain one of our fastest growing regions as we work with clients to solve complex problems across a variety of channels.”

The new expansions in Davao are part of iQor’s 2019 growth trajectory that will bring in over 5,000 new jobs across the Philippines by the end of the year. Expanding by 70,000 square feet across the two locations, iQor has modernized its current center with a new recruiting space and expanded breakroom and game area. The newly-built center houses 1,200 call center seats and another state-of-the-art recruiting center. iQor considers Davao’s local government and community exceptional partners and has plans for further expansion in 2020.

To meet client demand, iQor has been actively recruiting over 2,000 new employees across Davao and will continue to recruit through the end of the year.

“We’re on a mission to bring jobs close to home across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Senior Vice President Operations for iQor Philippines, Saurabh Bhaskar. “Our Davao employees enjoy effortless commutes and access to a variety of amenities within walking distance of our contact centers.”

iQor was recently nominated at the 2019 Asia CEO Awards for Diversity Company of the Year and was recognized for its commitment to the Philippines business community and job creation through its first place award for Best Company of the Year Outside National Capital Region at the 2018 International ICT Awards.

iQor operates in multiple locations throughout Dasmariñas, Davao, Iloilo, Talisay, Bacolod, Santa Rosa, Fairview, Metro Manila, and Clark.

To learn more about growing your career at iQor, please visit:

The holidays are merrier and sweeter with everyone’s favorite treats from Rebisco!

Rebisco Products

It’s the time of the year when families get together and share in the warmth of each other’s presence.

As Christmas in the Philippines also means indulging in delicious and satisfying feasts with loved ones, there’s no better way to spread holiday cheer at parties and gatherings than with everyone’s favorite snacks and treats from Rebisco, now a part of Filipinos’ lives for more than 55 years.

“No matter how simple or grand the Christmas feast is at your home, there’s always space for the family’s favorite Rebisco snacks,” said Lulu dela Peña, Rebisco’s Marketing Communications Head. “We’re proud of having been an important part of the nation’s celebrations for generations now.”

It’s a yummier holiday because Rebisco’s got something for everyone!

Serve an assortment of candies and sweets for the kids to enjoy

Whether you’re young or old, there’s a Rebisco product for every member of the family this Christmas!

Start off the holiday parties with the right snacks! Prepare the sweets platter for the kids — and kids at heart—that’s full of familiar flavors everyone grew up with; serve candies and sweets such as Lipps, Vita Cubes, Judge candies and gums, Chubby chewy candy, Krimstix cream paste, Superstix wafer sticks, as well as the Mister Yema, Mister Keso, Mister Melon, and Mister Buco candies.

Munch on a bowl of Happy Peanuts and Ding Dong

Anyone looking for crunchy and savory finger food they can munch as the night goes on can get the addictive Happy Peanuts and Ding Dong as they wait for the clock to strike midnight. Spice up snacking with something that’s sweet, sour, and spicy all at the same time with Dolce Tamarind Balls. For the more health-conscious relatives, there’s always Jeanne and Jamie’s guilt-free snacks, such as whole thins, water crackers, or digestives.

There’s also a snack for those who want to stick to their all-time favorites, like Rebisco Sandwich and Hansel Sandwich. There are also Rebisco Crackers and Hansel Crackers that guests can pair with some warm coffee or tea; or you can also relax with the rich chocolate filling of small treats like Choco Mucho Cookies and Wafertime Rich Cream.

For those who can indulge a little more, sweeter snacks are available for them to enjoy, like satisfying Choco Mucho chocolate bars, Doowee Donuts, or the comforting goodness of Mrs. Goodman Choco Oatmeal.

Whoopie Cake Tower

How about serving a cupcake tower centerpiece full of Rebisco’s yummy cupcakes like Topps Sarap, and Whoopie marshmallow cakes that anyone can enjoy, no matter their age.

The holidays are also a great time to do movie marathons and sleepovers with family and friends. That’s when you break out the chips and curls nobody will be able to stop munching. There’s Funky, a potato snack that comes in various flavors; the crunchy, cheesy, and spicy corn snack Kruffs in Cheesy Jalapeno or Sour Cream and Chives; the nacho-crispy goodness of Tostas, which has both smoky BBQ and savory cheese flavors in one pack.

No Christmas gathering, whether it’s Noche Buena or any party in general, is complete without spaghetti. Try the new Bueno pasta from Rebisco to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy the finest spaghetti dishes on the most enchanted evening of the year.

A Christmas meal is not complete without a delicious dessert. A moist Fudgee Barr is best served as it is or as part of a cake or ice cream recipe. If you’re going the ice cream route, it’s best to use Creamline ice cream with all its wonderful flavors and variants, such as lollies and cups for kids and bigger tubs for the whole family!

Lastly, when you’re looking for a meaningful gift to give your loved ones, there’s no better present than the Rebisco special designer tin can, which assorts the different Rebisco snacks in a beautiful special edition can that features heartwarming family-themed artworks by five amazing Filipino visual artists including three student artists from the only art-based school in Angono City, Rizal. This collection will definitely make someone happy this holiday season—not only will they be bringing home valuable works of art, you’ll also have done your part in promoting Angono, the art capital of the Philippines.

Stock your pantries now with these great Rebisco treats in time for your Christmas celebrations!

Looking toward tomorrow

In the near future, Rebisco is seeing new ways to bring delight to the Filipino family through a more diverse range of snacks and meals that are best enjoyed when shared.

“We want to express our gratitude to generations of Filipinos who have always loved our products and the people who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve milestone after milestone throughout the decades,” dela Peña added. “Rebisco has, and will continue, to make deliciously delightful moments possible with snacks and meals Filipinos will love and love to share, every day.”

For more information on other Rebisco products for holiday feasts, visit rebisco.com.ph and follow Rebisco’s social media accounts, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RebiscoSnackademy/) and Instagram (@rebiscoph).

After a long, stressful week at work, there’s nothing like using that hard-earned time to kick back and enjoy the best in life. For people who live and work in North Makati (NOMA), Assembly Grounds at The Rise offers a bunch of ways to chill and relax, enjoying the best food and pampering treatments.

SM City San Jose del Monte Mall Manager Mr. Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa leads the gift giving activity as he reach out to kids in their seats to distribute the gifts during the ChriSMiles program in San Jose del Monte Central School.

 Headed by the Human Resources department, ‘ChriSMiles’ is an annual project under the Employee Volunteerism Program of SM Supermalls, wherein it encourages employees to find deeper meaning of Christmas by sharing and spending time with the underprivileged sector of the society.

This year, students with special needs from San Jose del Monte Central School together with some underprivileged kids in Brgy. Poblacion, spent a quick but priceless moments with SM volunteers as they play, sing, dance and eat free breakfast together.

Mall Manager Mr. Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa expressed his gratitude towards the community by leading the distribution of gifts and foods. “It is somehow a refreshment for us to do this kind of volunteerism, to go out of our offices and reach out to the people. Because this is the spirit of Christmas, to share love and joy, it makes both the giver and the receiver feel special” he said.

Employee volunteers distributes free breakfast to the underprivileged children in Brgy. Poblacion during the the ChriSMiles program of SM City San Jose del Monte.

Moreover, Ms. Dana Isabel Agustin, a regular volunteer of the program said that joining this kind of activity inspires her to become better every year. “Spending time with kids like them is priceless. Waking up very early in the morning to be here is nothing compared to the blessings we receive each day, and it is just so right to share some of it with them” she said.

Also part of the activity was the distribution of ‘Bears of Joy’ a program of SM Cares that encourages the idea of gift giving by purchasing a simple bear from Toy Kingdom that is worth 200 pesos, wherein one bear can be kept as your remembrance for your kind act and the other one will be donated to the less fortunate kids. Selling and donating of ‘Bears of Joy is until December 25.

This ChriSMiles project as well as the distribution of donated ‘Bears of Joy’ by the generous shoppers are being implemented simultaneously in all SM Supermalls during this time of the year where love and sharing are most felt.