Bulacan was one of the hardest hit provinces when the tropical typhoon Ulysses made landfall last week. Philippines’ 21st tropical cyclone did not only unleashed devastating winds and torrential rains but also flooded large swathes and turned some areas in the province into inland seas.
SM Supermalls and SM Foundation, through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, mobilize relief efforts and extend immediate relief assistance to communities affected by the typhoon Ulysses in Bulacan.
SM City Marilao donated truckloads of ‘kalinga packs’ to the Local Government of Marilao. These donations will be brought to the families and communities that were hardest hit by typhoon as recommended by the DSWD. Around 4,500 families will be given relief packs that contain kilos of rice and other food essentials.
Rounds of relief operations, on the other hand, were conducted by SM City Baliwag in barangay Tibag, Poblacion, Sabang, Hinukay and Tiaong. A sum of 2,700 relief packs were distributed in flooded areas and evacuation centers in Baliwag.
SM City Baliwag likewise provided temporary shelter to flood-stricken families during the onslaught of typhoon Ulysses. With the help of Baliwag LGU, modular tents were set-up for the evacuees at the mall central terminal. Hot meals were also distributed.
Apart from the relief operations, SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag as well as SM Center Pulilan have also set up booths for those who wish to give their donations to help Cagayan. Help Cagayan donation booths are located at the ground level near the event center in SM City Baliwag and at the mall atrium in SM City Marilao and SM Center Pulilan.
The kalinga packs distribution effort is a part of Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets. It aims to address the needs of communities during calamities and crisis. Its implementation includes close coordination with SM City Mall Administration employees and volunteers.
Around 7,200 families in Bulacan benefited from the relief operation
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is augmenting its program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) with BPI Pinoy Abroad, a complete financial program for OFWs that addresses their varying needs based on their career stages. BPI Pinoy Abroad introduces a package of solutions for OFWs who may be in the recruitment stage, wealth building stage, or retirement stage.
“Through this program, OFWs and their families can reap the benefits of overseas employment through our package of solutions based on their career stages. Throughout their journey, BPI Pinoy Abroad helps them achieve their financial goals,” said BPI Head of Retail Segments Aileen Lamasuta. For newly acquired OFW clients who are about to be deployed or newly deployed, BPI offers the “Baon Pack: Gabay sa Pag-alis” which covers services such as entry-level protection through BPI-Philam, Automatic Savings, Remittance, Online and Mobile banking, and Allotment Account.
For established, wealth-building OFWs and their families, the bank provides those with four to 10 years of job tenure with the “Pundar Pack: Gabay sa Pagpundar.” The products and services included are Build-up Deposit (Maxi Saver and Pamana Savings), Wallet Extension (Credit Cards), Car and Housing Loan, Income protection thru BPI-Philam, and Asset protection.
BPI also offers wise investment options for retiring and high-value OFWs and their families. The bank has its “Invest Pack: Gabay sa Pagbalik”, which includes Preferred Banking account, Investments: AMTC/BIMI/Capital, and Business Loans.
“We recognize the fact that overseas employment is a unique opportunity for many Filipinos. With our offerings, we help our OFs and their families work together to reap the benefits of overseas employment,” Ms. Lamasuta added.
The BPI Pinoy Abroad program is part of BPI’s aim to become a trusted source of financial advice for Overseas Filipinos can benefit from a holistic program that addresses their needs as they journey towards a better life.
This Christmas, give your kids gifts that will enhance their learning in the new normal with gifts of knowledge from Toy Kingdom.
Make home schooling and online classes more interesting and comfortable for your kids with these amazing home schooling essentials: ergonomic study tables, chairs, headphones and android tablets.
During their spare time at home, kids will surely love to play with the newest video games using Nintendo Switch or they can also go for a quick stroll around your backyard with Ninebot’s kick scooter.
Christmas this year may not be the same as before but nevertheless, bring cheer and keep you Christmas spirits high! All these and more are available at www.toykingdom.ph and inside Toy Kingdom stores located in most SM Supermalls nationwide.
For more details and updates, you can also check out and follow @ToyKingdomPH at Facebook and Instagram.
POWERING CATANDUANES. Meralco and First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative crews work arm in arm around the clock to repair severely damaged poles and fast-track power restoration efforts in Catanduanes, one of the provinces most severely affected by the impact of super typhoon Rolly.
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) sent a team of line crews and equipment to assist repairing power infrastructures damaged by super typhoon Rolly and expedite the restoration in the province of Catanduanes.
A 48-man contingent composed of Meralco linemen and engineers and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) volunteers were enlisted to be part of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PRRD)-Task Force 2020, which closely coordinates with the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca), and the Electric Cooperatives in Catanduanes.
After more than 25 hours of land travel, Meralco’s contingent arrived at Virac, the capital of Catanduanes on November 8 and immediately began working around the clock to expedite the restoration of power services in affected areas in the province.
Meralco added its contingent traveled to Catanduanes aboard 17 vehicles that composed of Augers, AUVs/SUVs, Basket Trucks, Pick-Ups, and Stake Trucks to be used in the power restoration of the affected areas.
Prior to leaving to Manila, the Meralco contingent also undertook RT-PCR test in compliance with health and safety protocols imposed by the Government and ensure the non-transmission of Covid-19 and that the deployed team are fit to work.
For a country that thrives on innovation, it is no wonder that Taiwan is already recognized as one of the top countries in the world that truly excels in manufacturing and exporting products that will help improve people’s lives for the better.
Founded in 1993, Taiwan Excellence continues on its mission to showcase what Taiwan is made of with regard to best products and even manufacturing practices that can be the envy of even the most progressive countries around the world.
A spirit of innovation and creativity At Taiwan Excellence, it is about fostering a spirit of innovation and creativity in almost all industries, including machinery, building materials, infrastructure, medical/health care, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, smart technologies and others. Leonor Lin, President and CEO of Taiwan External Trade and Development Council (TAITRA), said Taiwan Excellence is dedicated to looking for outstanding products based on research and development, design, quality, marketing, and strong spirit of innovation.
Awarding these products with the Taiwan Excellence Award means that the products displayed superior innovation and quality, which can help the enterprises that created them to attract the attention of a worldwide audience and expand their territory in the global market.
To showcase these industries and their capabilities, Taiwan Excellence embarked on an aggressive campaign to showcase Taiwan’s industries. Even amid the pandemic, where events and face-to-face contact is not allowed, Taiwan Excellence continued the campaign through a series of webinars where the industries and enterprises presented their products to potential buyers and the international media for them to witness first-hand what these products and services were all about.
Battling a crippling pandemic To date, Taiwan continues to be the benchmark in handling the pandemic, and Taiwan is even willing to share its expertise and own experiences in handling the virus without so much disruption, particularly with regard to trade. Taiwan Excellence even tapped local artists such as Gloc-9, an outstanding Filipino rapper, together with indie song artist Keiko Necessario, to create a music video that shows Taiwan as a good role model on innovation, how it is battling a debilitating pandemic, and its vision for progress.
The Taiwanese government also altered its trade promotion policies where it worked closely in monitoring changes and market tendencies, even assisted industries in helping restore business activities as early as possible. Businesses were also helped to survive the pandemic through multiple approaches such as new business activities, especially connecting them to business partners all over the world. They were provided trade support through insurance, professional marketing to reduce costs, diversify their export reach, and helped them break through the crisis with new concepts for global trade or international marketing, with focus on digital transformation, providing more digital capacity and capability.
The pandemic even made Taiwan more resilient, says Simon Wang, TAITRA EVP. A digital platform was created to share how Taiwan handled the crisis and overcame challenges through https://www.anticovid19tw.org/ This medical and healthcare virtual pavilion is where Taiwan showcased tools and demonstrated its expertise in battling the virus through Taiwan’s medical and healthcare ecosystem, which also served as a new marketing strategy. The pavilion severs the boundaries of time and space and even social distancing rules where countries can interact with companies whose products they are interested in.
Beyond COVID-19 Having quickly controlled the spread of Covid-19 domestically, Taiwan is now exporting its expertise in technology and medical hardware and was hailed as a role model for pandemic prevention. Taiwan received many procurement requests for medical supplies, where it gladly responded on humanitarian grounds, with a sense of responsibility to share its experiences to help other countries battle this pandemic. If COVID-19 is the desert, then Taiwan can be the oasis with the way it battled the pandemic in terms of health, safety, as well as industry.
Taiwan was able to handle the pandemic well despite because it has a good government, people are disciplined enough and followed safety protocols set by the government, and technology that was well applied in terms of control and management. Its robust ICT industry also allowed Taiwan to grow its exports to 2.4 percent for the first 9 months of the year despite the global economic slump where many countries suffered in their export growth; and though many countries’ GDP growth slowed, Taiwan GDP is expected to hit 1.5 percent this year and grow by 2.9 percent by next year.
COVID-19 has been constantly changing people’s lives, whether for work, study or play and it has become a daily routine to keep social distancing as a common guideline. Like all the other countries, Taiwan was confronted with the pandemic, but it made a quick recovery where its medical industry, particularly its epidemic prevention products, has won high praise worldwide.
Post-COVID-19, Taiwan Excellence will continue to look and develop more Taiwanese brands so they can create more integrated, expandable and customizable products, particularly in the field of AI solutions and cybersecurity, to make smart life become a reality in the very near future. It will also engage and encourage more Taiwanese companies to pursue excellence and innovation. That is the essence of Taiwan Excellence, to make amazing dreams by recognizing the best in Taiwan and help create a healthy world and a better future for all.
My love affair with the guitar started in high school when everybody’s learning to play it. It’s the only cool instrument to school back then. Plus, I can bring it anywhere. Eventually, I focused on the bass guitar and joined a band made up of my small circle of friends.
Guitar represents freedom and youth for me. Playing songs decades back take me to the past and makes me relive the good ol’ memories. I’m proud to say that I was self taught and I remember back then when you learn the chords from printed materials instead of Googling it.
Now that I can buy my own guitar, I vowed to help my countrymen by supporting local guitar makers. RJ Guitars has been in the business of making these instruments since the late 1980s. And believe it or not, they have been exporting guitars to Japan for the past two years! Look at some of their discounted products at Shopee from the list I made:
For people with small built, a Ukelele is a treat. It also has this distinct sound coming from its three nylon strings. Playing it is a little different from the guitar and I’m willing to learn it so I can enjoy singing while I strum it. The name Boracay gives an island feel. It has a Soprano size with a body made of Laminated Linden. Rosewood is used for the Fingerboard and bridge while Chrome plate open gear is its Machine head.
A 15-Watt guitar can be considered satisfactory for a guitar player. This one’s affordable, has a cool feaure included which is a headphone jack so you may listen to yourself play to your heart’s content. Controls included are Gain switch, as well as Volume, Treble, Middle, and Bass.
Another Ukelele from its lineup. If you want an instrument that lasts then this is it. The Mahogany Ply material used for its top wood makes it durable, and the same material is used for the finger board, and bridge. Take note that it comes in a matte finish
From the Les Paul design, this guitar is patterned after its shape since it’s known to have excellent sustain for their large, heavy body. The instrument is characterized by its rounded body shape along with a severe cutaway neck. The cutaway produces a slightly brighter sound and most folks say this design produces a more balanced sound.
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, together with its new brand ambassador Kris Aquino, surprises three Filipino families with special deliveries just a few weeks before Christmas. With the festive season just around the corner, Shopee started the online initiative, My Shopee 11.11 Christmas Wish, asking users what they wanted to receive this holiday.
Most wishes were simple, heartwarming, and centered on earning enough to feed their families and sustain their current livelihood. Each of the three families received ₱50,000 in cash, ₱10,000 worth of ShopeePay credits, and a specific wish granted. On November 10, Shopee brand ambassador Kris Aquino personally delivered the gifts right to their doorsteps.
Ramel Magale, 25
Ramel Magale works in the restaurant delivery service to support his parents and younger siblings. Shopee grants his wish for a motorcycle and can now deliver food to customers easily.
Lorna Nonong, 38
Lorna Nonong is a housewife, mother to three children, and caretaker to a relative with special needs. She sells seafood online while her husband works as a family driver. Shopee gave her a refrigerator and sari-sari store package to help support her family during these challenging times. Kris Aquino also donated an extra ₱10,000 cash to help support her relative with special needs.
Eugenia Peñaranda, 45
Eugenia Peñaranda is a housewife and mother to seven children. She cleans laundry for a living and her husband works as a family driver. Shopee granted her wish of a washing machine to make her work less tedious, school supplies for her children, and a sari-sari store package for an extra source of income.
Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are more than excited to spread joy and kindness to our Filipino users through My Shopee 11.11 Christmas Wish. Christmas has always been a highly anticipated holiday in the Philippines and we want to take this opportunity to create happy and meaningful memories with our users during this season of giving. We are grateful to have Kris Aquino interact and engage with these families in need and we will continue to come up with initiatives like this to bring joy to the Filipino community and spread the benefits of online shopping to everyone.”
Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale
The Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale features exciting promos such as free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend, 20% cash backs, and ₱1 deals. Today, shoppers can also enjoy all-day discounts up to 15% off and 50% off flash vouchers when they use ShopeePay. Consumers can also get huge discounts on leading brands, win exciting prizes via in-app games, and many more.
For more information on the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, please visit https://shopee.ph/m/11-11.
Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
As a way of giving back and bringing ‘saya’ to millions of its loyal subscribers, mobile services brand TNT is holding Saya Fest, its biggest online event this year headlined by no other than Popstar Royalty and TNT endorser Sarah Geronimo. The online event will be streamed onTNT’s Facebook Page on Nov. 21, Saturday, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Saya Fest will also feature must-not-miss performances by Gloc 9, Julie Ann San Jose, This Band, Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio, as well as saya-filled segments with some of the country’s biggest content creators, including everyone’s favorite ‘ghorl’ Mimiyuuuh, TikTok influencer Marvin Fojas, and rapper Aikee.
“The TNT Saya Fest Concert is our way of thanking our loyal subscribers who continue to find their ‘saya’ in life through our data offers. This is just the start of bigger and more exciting things for TNT subscribers as we strive hard to give them ‘saya’ especially during these challenging times," said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Consumer Wireless Business Head at Smart.
Get a chance to win special prizes
Aside from music, dance, and games, the TNT Saya Fest will also give lucky TNT subscribers a chance to win special prizes such as free data offers and gadgets throughout the online show.
During the show, viewers can also expect big news and announcements about exciting things that TNT has in store for all subscribers.
The TNT Saya Fest Online Event comes on the heels of the brand’s ‘Nasa Saya Yan’ campaign, which aims to inspire the Filipino youth to stay optimistic and find their ‘saya’ amid uncertain times.
With TNT, the Filipino youth can find their 'saya' through meaningful and relevant promos, such as GIGA Stories, GIGA Games, and GIGA Video for mobile entertainment, as well as GIGA Study and GIGA Work for online learning and productivity apps.
TNT subscribers can avail of these GIGA offers conveniently via the GigaLife App, which is now downloadable on Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Country’s fastest mobile data network
TNT subscribers all over the country can expect more upcoming ‘‘Saya Weapons’ to bring ‘saya’ to their day and bring up their ‘diskarte’ game to make the most of opportunities that come their way.
TNT is powered by Smart LTE, the country's fastest mobile data network as certified by third-party mobile internet analytics firms, such as Ookla and Opensignal.
To know more about the TNT Saya Fest Event, follow TNT’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Following the forging of a strategic partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) early this year, which is aimed at bolstering its Disinfect to Protect mission, Lysol reaffirms its commitment to PRC as it continues to protect vulnerable communities by breaking down the chain of infections and ensuring everybody is protected from COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Towards this end, Lysol is encouraging consumers and the public to support PRC. Firstly, by donating to the COVID-19 Samaritan’s Fund, which makes available COVID-19 testing to the most susceptible and vulnerable groups. Secondly, by adopting Pula, PRC’s adorable bear, which can be owned in a special Christmas bundle pack consisting of 2 units of 340g Lysol Disinfectant Spray.
For every purchase of this special holiday-themed pack available in supermarkets nationwide, Lysol hopes to create further awareness on the efforts undertaken by PRC. Moreover, the special holiday-themed pack makes for an excellent gift for friends and family, reminding them to always practice good hygiene to Disinfect to Protect.
These worthwhile initiatives come at the heels of Lysol’s Php 36 million donation to PRC for the construction of a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro City and towards the strengthening of COVID-19 mass testing among vulnerable groups in the country. The said facility, located at the Capitol Compound in CDO, completed its construction and passed the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s (RITM) proficiency test in September.
Equipped with 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines that can process 2000 tests per day, the facility is in operation since September 19th, 2020 after receiving its accreditation as a certified COVID-19 testing center. With this latest development, more people in the region can now get the COVID-19 test they need so that they can feel better assured about their safety when returning to work.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Lysol cannot stress enough about the importance of disinfecting the home and the workplace, frequently-touched surfaces, by using their superior line of products: from disinfectant sprays to multi-action cleaners—tested that has been proven effective against the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, Lysol also stresses on the importance of proper handwashing, another effective line of defense against viruses.
Truly, we can all do our share in contributing towards the meaningful Disinfect to Protect mission. For more information, check-out the official Philippine Red Cross Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/phredcross.
Xiaomi has also continued to top the list as the best-selling smartphone brand
in Southeast Asia on both platforms
Xiaomi, global technology leader, ranked as the number one best-selling smartphone brand in the Philippines during the 11.11 online campaign on leading e-commerce platforms: Lazada and Shopee.
The 11.11 campaign has set new records for Xiaomi smartphones. Besides being the no.1 best-selling smartphone brand, the recently launched Mi 10T Pro by Xiaomi has continued to gain its popularity and over 1,700 units were sold within 1 day while POCO X3 NFC smartphones were sold out within 10 minutes.
Xiaomi aims to help power users’ creativity with the ultimate flagship smartphone Mi 10T Pro sporting a 108MP high-resolution camera, AdaptiveSync display, powerful Snapdragon 865 ™ processor, and 5,000 mAh (typ) long battery life. As part of its vision, Xiaomi is determined to bring innovation to everyone at an honest price.
Following the 9.9. campaign this year, Xiaomi has continued to top the list as the best-selling smartphone brand in Southeast Asia on Lazada and Shopee during the 11.11 online campaign.
Bulacan was one of the hardest hit provinces when the tropical typhoon Ulysses made landfall last week. Philippines’ 21st tropical cyclone did not only unleashed devastating winds and torrential rains but also flooded large swathes and turned some areas in the province into inland seas.
SM Supermalls and SM Foundation, through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, mobilize relief efforts and extend immediate relief assistance to communities affected by the typhoon Ulysses in Bulacan.
Rounds of relief operations, on the other hand, were conducted by SM City Baliwag in barangay Tibag, Poblacion, Sabang, Hinukay and Tiaong. A sum of 2,700 relief packs were distributed in flooded areas and evacuation centers in Baliwag. 
The kalinga packs distribution effort is a part of Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets. It aims to address the needs of communities during calamities and crisis. Its implementation includes close coordination with SM City Mall Administration employees and volunteers.
