Nice and cozy ladies’ cotton crop top pullover and men’s jacket with hood. All available at Surplus.
RAINY days are here! And while they may seem ominous for some, they also open fun fashion possibilities from Surplus that will keep you warm, protected, and stylish.
It’s a great time to play with layers with preppie inspired pullovers, cardigans, and checkered long sleeved tops. Add a pop of color to your outerwear – raincoats and jackets – to bring out your shine. Go for multi-functional pieces – hoodies and reversible wind breakers that go a long way. Surplus also has hologram long umbrellas for walking in the rain.
Whether it’s a drizzle or a storm, never forget your personal style. Express yourself as you brave the weather and create your own fashion statement.
The collection is available in Surplus stores located in most SM Supermalls nationwide.
For a more convenient shopping experience, you may check out Surplus at Lazada, SM Malls Online, and ShopSM. Surplus Order to Deliver is also now available; join their Viber community and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @SurplusPH and @Surplus_ph for more details.
A valuable must-have for any trendy Pinoy on the go is to have and own a printed bag.
But how about sharing the fantastic feeling of having own one at the same time helping a cause or giving back to less fortunate beneficiaries.
That’s exactly the idea the visual artist turned painter Rommel Rico wanted to ‘ship’ the idea of art to a cause on his upcoming launch entitled Virrco Bag Launch on Oct 16, 2022 at 2 PM, at Pandan Café Scout Limbaga Tomas Morato Quezon City.
Catch the limited edition bags personally given an artful rendition by the OFW-turned artist Rommel Rico aka Virrco who is known to reflect the passion of Pinoy women in many of his works covering subjects like frontliners, HIV victims and a notable art-for-a-cause advocate In this vibrant collection of bags, Virrco applied his signature strokes with passion featuring Filipina women that truly embodies the resiliency and unfaltering spirit of Filipina women, very relatable to the contemporary modern setting. From curations to the setting of colors, this bag is worth a collection item or to share as a gift for this coming Christmas season.
What is more than possessing the charm of an artful printed bag is the opportunity to help a cause. Proceeds from this bag will benefit the Smile Train Foundation an international children’s charity that supports 100%-free globally children with a cleft condition.
This is an empowering fashion, imagine wearing something that indeed has a meaningful impact to others more than just a fashion statement or flex. The wearable concept is also close to the heart of the artist as VIRRCO intends to bridge art to fashion and advocacy which is something that gives more sense, and importance like a supplement that adds more effect.
Witness the unveiling of VIRRCO;s brand of sensibility and manifestation thru these printed bags that will truly fascinate anyone into art or not, or just simply an aficionado.
VIRRCO’s first official breakthrough exhibit entitled One Eyed Women was launched December of 2021 at MetLive Atrium in Macapagal and has received an impressive reception from both art appreciators and buyers benefitting the AIDS victims. His second exhibit in SM Centerpoint came last June 12 in celebration of Independence Day featuring his definitive portraits and artworks.
Share these news and spread the vibes in the name of glamor and generosity. Virrco bags are also available for orders by visiting this site at https://www.virrco.net/. Please follow the artist page https://www.facebook.com/virrco for more upcoming details.
TIMES SQUARE, New York. 29 Sept 2022 – After a blockbuster opening at New York Times Square, homegrown restaurant chain Jollibee continues to make waves in the Big Apple with digital billboards now already up at the iconic Times Square in New York, the global epicenter of outdoor advertising.
Three billboards featuring its flagship product–the world-famous Jollibee Chickenjoy fried chicken—are now showing at the heart of Times Square’s famous bowtie. It features two models who, after seeing a piece of the crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy, couldn’t resist a bite and grabbed a piece of the bestselling fried chicken from an adjacent billboard.
In August, Jollibee Chickenjoy was named “the best chain fried chicken in America” by Eater.com. The distinction comes after Jollibee’s Chickenjoy bested over 15 global brands in four rounds of contests across different categories of chicken – from bone-in, to fillets, to nuggets. Earlier in July, Jollibee was also recognized as one of the Hottest Brands in America for 2022 by Ad Age, driven by its power to draw huge queues to its restaurants.
Today, Jollibee joins other global brands which have made a presence in the Billboard Capital of the World, and is one of the few Filipino brands and personalities who have appeared on a Times Square billboard.
Taste is Timeless. The creative execution of the Times Square Billboard features a model on a billboard adjacent to Jollibee’s Chickenjoy billboard who breaks character and grabs a piece of Chickenjoy fried chicken from its bucket after seeing it.
This comes at the heels of Jollibee’s successful debut in Times Square, with over 2500 locals and tourists queueing up on opening day and consistently outperforming targets. Alongside its bestselling extra crispy, extra tasty, and juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken, Jollibee Times Square also offers other crowd favorites including the hefty Chicken Sandwich, and Peach Mango Pie, which is made of a crispy and flaky shell filled with real mango and peach.
Jollibee has likewise introduced new offerings into its menu, including a new host of all-beef burgers, salads, and sides that are exclusive to the Times Square location. A notable standout in the exclusive menu is the Jollibee Double Deluxe Burger, which features two 100% beef patties and double the melted sharp American cheese.
The Jollibee Times Square store is the brand’s fourth location in New York. This milestone opening is part of Jollibee Group’s goal of expanding its presence in the U.S. and Canada, in line with its vision to become one of the top five restaurant companies in the world. To learn more about Jollibee North America, visit www.jollibeefoods.com. To learn more about Jollibee Group, its parent company, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.
Rocking the performing arts scene, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is partnering with GMG Productions as it brings the international hit musical, We Will Rock You, to the Philippines. BPI Credit Cardholders will get up to 15% off when they purchase tickets using their BPI Credit Card.
We Will Rock You The Musical is an international musical production based on a book by Ben Elton. This brand new, reimagined production directed and choreographed by Olivier Award nominee, Nick Winston, is kicking off a multi-year international tour, with Philippines as its first stop.
The musical features 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, including Killer Queen, Under Pressure, We Are the Champions, Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free, Don’t Stop Me Now, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, We Will Rock You, and more. This will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater at Circuit Makati from October 27 to November 20, 2022.
“BPI has always been an advocate for both the local and global arts scene. We make it a point to support and push for programs that would further art awareness and appreciation, in its various forms. One way is to make it more convenient and easier for Filipinos and our cardholders to experience arts and enjoy life with their loved ones, through promos and other perks,” said Jenelyn Lacerna, BPI Unsecured Lending and Cards Head.
The promo for We Will Rock You The Musical—which will run until October 26, 2022—is open to all BPI Credit Cardholders. There will be a 15% discount for BPI Visa Signature Card; 10% discount for BPI Platinum Rewards Mastercard and BPI Amore Platinum Cashback Card; and 5% discount for other BPI Credit Cards.
“We are incredibly excited to premiere the show in Manila and for us to play host to all the international producers visiting from around the world,” said GMG Productions CEO and We Will Rock You producer Carlos Candal.
“We want to put the Philippines on the map as a hub for theatrical productions. We know the Philippines has the talent and now we are spoilt for choice when it comes to venues,” Candal added.
Interested BPI Credit Cardholders may purchase We Will Rock You The Musical ticket(s) via the TicketWorld website (https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/) or outlets only. Upon accessing the TicketWorld portal, choose the date and time of the preferred show schedule. Enter the first 9 digits of your credit card in the “password” field and click “unlock” Tickets.
The promo is applicable on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evening performances only. A maximum of four tickets per purchase transaction is allowed.
Beep™ gives cardholders more ways to top up with its newest digital banking and e-wallet partner Shopee through its ShopeePay wallet feature. Present in the signing ceremony are Martin Yu, director of Shopee Philippines; Jonathan Juan Moreno, president and CEO of AF Payments Inc.; and Sharon Fong, chief commercial officer of AF Payments Inc.
BEEP operator AF Payments Inc. is bringing commuters another option to top up their card with its newest e-wallet partner ShopeePay. By using ShopeePay for beep transactions, users can enjoy the convenience of reloading in a few taps and even earn cash back during special promotions.
“Our priority has always been to provide convenience to passengers. By partnering with a leading e-commerce platform like Shopee, which is widely used by Filipinos for online shopping, we aim to offer flexibility and consistently add value for our users so they keep using their cards. Rest assured that beep will continue to grow our network of partners to provide the best service to the riding public and Filipino consumers in general,” said Sharon Fong, chief commercial officer of AF Payments Inc.
It’s easy to reload via ShopeePay. Simply open your Shopee app and tap “Load, Bills & Travel.” Under the Travel category, choose “BEEP CARD.” Enter the 16-digit number found at the back of the beep card you want to reload and select the Top Up amount. Available denominations include P20, P50, P100, P200, P300, P500, and P1,000. A minimal convenience fee is added for every transaction. Tap Checkout.
Choose ShopeePay as a payment option, then tap “Pay Now” and enter your ShopeePay PIN. To complete the process, fetch your load by tapping your beep card at any E-load Station located in LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, and select P2P Bus Terminals.
ShopeePay is the integrated mobile wallet of Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
Through ShopeePay, Shopee users can conveniently and securely send money, pay bills, and top up stored value cards such as beep.
To access ShopeePay and maximize its features, vouchers, discounts, and cashback, simply download the Shopee app via the App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App gallery, create an account, and activate ShopeePay.
Choosing a sustainable kitchen fuel like Solane is one small step towards minimizing our impact on our planet
For the past years, we’ve probably observed that storms have become more frequent, that hot days have become extremely hotter, or that rains have become stronger. These are said to be the impacts of climate change, which can especially be felt in the Philippines due to its geographical location.
While this is a cause for concern, you don’t need to be a superhero to help. Making simple changes in the way we cook and prepare dishes in the kitchen, when done collectively, can help make a difference in cushioning the effects of climate change.
How is cooking linked to climate change? Preparing dishes, washing cookware and even just stocking up on ingredients contribute to carbon footprint, or the total amount of harmful greenhouse gases being generated by an individual or activity.
Here are some of the practical ways you can minimize your impact on the planet by starting in the kitchen:
Buy from your local market
The United Nations estimates that growing, processing and packaging food make up one-third of all greenhouse-gas emissions. When you can, buy food and ingredients from local businesses, farmers and market vendors as these products don’t usually need shipping facilities, extra packaging or excessive fuel consumption before they reach consumers. Locally grown ingredients are not only relatively cheaper, but also fresher and more nutritious.
Always bring a reusable bag with you
While there are local ordinances in place requiring grocery stores in the Philippines to use paper bags in place of plastic bags, it is still wise to bring a reusable bag each time you shop. Got lots of eco-bags but end up always forgetting to bring them during errands? Stash your reusable bags next to your to-do list so you can grab them when you head out the door.
Reduce food waste
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that one-third of all the food produced in the world is wasted, contributing to 6% to 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. You can help reduce food waste by planning your meals ahead and buying only what you need. Instead of cooking from scratch, you can also be creative with leftovers to whip up new meals.
Maintain a clean cooktop
Cleaning your appliances regularly, especially your stove, not only makes for a pleasing and healthy kitchen but is also a way to reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Your gas range’s burners will produce heat better when they are not filled with burnt grime, reducing your cooking time and gas consumption.
You can also periodically check if your stove produces blue flame, which indicates that gas is being burned efficiently and without waste. Choosing only a safe and trusted LPG like Solane is guaranteed to produce blue flame for your stove, indicating its quality and authenticity.
Only Verified Solane LPG comes with an exclusive 7-Point Safety Check upon delivery, where friendly Solane riders check the safety of your LPG tank and ensure that your gas appliance is in tip-top shape.
Verified Solane LPGs also come with the Bioseal, the first of its kind biodegradable LPG seal in the country, which are easy to recycle and take only about five to ten years to decompose, contrary to 500 to 1,000 years normal plastic wastes need.
Making kitchen practices more eco-friendly is easier when you have sustainable and safe kitchen fuel. To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline – (02) 8887-5555, send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe) or the Solane Facebook page, or place their orders through the Solane app. Customers may also place an order through the Web Ordering Platform.
The highly-anticipated “Quezon City Investors Summit: Future Ready” will promote Quezon City as an ideal destination for investors and businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte
“The summit will put the spotlight on Quezon City as a top business destination for local and international investors. We hope to attract many investors who can help further stimulate the economy and provide employment for QCitizens,” Mayor Belmonte said.
Scheduled on Oct. 7 at Novotel Manila at the Araneta City, the event will engage investors, business leaders, business associations, chambers of commerce, foreign dignitaries, and Quezon City government officials in discussions on key areas for investments, public-private partnerships, and opportunities for expansion and growth.
Margarita Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) of Quezon City
“Quezon City is future-ready, ready for investors, ready to build a better and more prosperous city so that our QCitizens will be able to enjoy the resulting benefits,” said Margarita Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) of Quezon City.
Aside from its strategic location, Quezon City also has the homegrown QC E-Services platform that makes business processes such as permit and license applications easy for investors, according to Santos.
“The LGU has automated and digitized 95 percent of the city’s services through its QC E-Services platform. This means potential investors can apply for business permits online,” said Santos, adding that “the permit will even be delivered to the applicant’s business or home address free of charge.”
As a matter of principle, the Quezon City government constantly consults and coordinates with the business sector, which has enabled both sectors to build a relationship of mutual respect and support. “This continued dialogue with the private sector helps all stakeholders to address various challenges and issues, and to think up ways to create a free, fair, and fertile business environment,” Perry Dominguez, head of the Local Economic Investment Promotions Office, points out.
The local government is known as an ardent supporter of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with incentives from tax breaks, and tax payment extensions to changing the validity of business permits and licenses to help businesses, especially during the pandemic.
Soon, Quezon City will launch its Start-Up QC program to further strengthen and develop the city’s start-up business ecosystem. “This program is calibrated to provide financial gains to innovative, creative, and promising business models that can help provide solutions and recommendations to social issues and challenges,” Jay Gatmaitan, Investment Affairs Office head, explained.
The city’s commitment to good governance saw results when the Quezon City government received its second straight unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit for its annual audit report for the year 2021. An unqualified opinion is the highest audit rating that can be rendered by COA to a government agency.
Recognized for its quality public service, Quezon City has increased its social services budget over the past three years, enabling the local government to provide livelihood opportunities and create more jobs, support education, and provide permanent housing, better healthcare, and social safety nets, among others.
Earlier, Margie Santos, head of the summit’s organizing committee, said this gathering of business leaders aims to build investor confidence in Quezon City; generate investments and public-private partnerships and make Quezon City the top-of-mind preferred investment destination.
In the last two years, neobanks—or digital banks that don’t have physical branches—have been disrupting the market by offering unprecedented high interest rates for a basic savings account.
“People who immediately benefit from the high rates are usually those who are able to maintain high balances and can afford to open another deposit account outside of their current banks. Beyond the introductory rate, unusually high interest rates are not permanent, nor sustainable,” explained Carmina Marquez, BPI Deposits Head.
This is the reason the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is introducing honest-to-goodness savings products that are not only easy-to-open but also uniquely and sustainably rewarding—the #SaveUp digital deposit accounts. #SaveUp is now available not only through the BPI mobile app but also via GCASH app’s GSAVE feature called BPI #MySaveUp.
These BPI products offer a convenient and trusted option for digital natives and banking newbies, with low initial deposit, affordable maintaining balance, and more attractive savings rate than what one gets from typical savings accounts opened via bank branches.
“What makes this BPI product unique is instead of participating in accounts with high interest rates that usually benefit the more affluent depositors, it provides an easier, more fun way of saving through a gamified rewards program that can benefit more people from all walks of life,” said Marquez.
Called #Coins, this program rewards depositors with virtual game coins as they save. The #Coins can be used to win prizes such as cash vouchers and wallet credits, an automatic KIA Stonic Style Edition car, or an Avida Vireo Studio condominium unit.
“BPI introduces another first with our #Coins rewards program for #SaveUp depositors. We want to make saving more affordable, more convenient, more fun and more rewarding. This is our way of making saving more inclusive and encouraging those who have not yet tried banking to do so easily. This is also our way of giving our depositors a chance to own a brand-new SUV or a prime condominium unit as they grow their savings—things that remain aspirational for so many Filipinos. Through #SaveUp made rewarding with #Coins, we hope to invite more Filipinos to experience banking and begin their journey towards achieving their dreams,” said Ginbee Go, BPI Consumer Banking Head.
The #CoinsProgram rewards clients with one coin per month if their BPI #SaveUp or #MySaveUp account has at least P3,000 worth of transactions each month that include branch and digital deposits, remittance, funds transfers, and similar services. Depositors may also earn extra coin for every P10,000 saved in their BPI #SaveUp or #MySaveUp account by end of the month.
Game perks
Through the #COINS Program, BPI rewards its depositors with virtual game coins every time they save, which they can use to win prizes such as electronic gift certificates. Every month, there are 5,000 eGCs worth P100 available for clients, 500 winners of P500 eGC, and 100 winners of P1,000 eGC; add to that two major prizes: an automatic KIA Stonic Style Edition car and an Avida Vireo Studio condominium unit in Arca South.
Depositors will be able to enjoy these game perks in the #Coins microsite, which features a Winners Gallery that display the users who already won a prize. It also shows how many total #Coins are at play, and how many available eGC prizes there are to help users strategize and control their game luck.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently reported that “savings deposits had the biggest share of total deposits at 48.7 percent.” This is as the Philippine banking system (PBS) sustained its solid footing amid the pandemic, according to the “Recent Trends in the Philippine Financial System” report released by BSP in January 2022.
“Especially during this time of high inflation, it is important to sustain the growth momentum of the deposit and savings segments. BPI will continue to do its part and launch new innovative products and programs with convenient digital options, as well as easy access, and a more rewarding experience. A more financially inclusive economy is how we, in BPI, can help build a better Philippines,” said Go.
To earn #Coins while saving, interested depositors may open a #SaveUp by downloading the BPI mobile app, or open a #MySaveUp account from the GSAVE menu of the GCASH app.
Singaporean-Filipino singer-songwriter Ysa Yaneza has released the music video for her new single “1Nightwitu.”
Helmed by new filmmaker Jaig D. Guzman, the visuals showcase the R&B/electro-pop artist having the time of her life with friends and a guy she just met in the club.
“For this music video, I was drawn to earthy tones, giving those late Y2K vibes,” says the indie pop star. “What the director brought was kind of a modern twist to all of these nostalgic inspo that I had. I wanted the music video to really convey female empowerment.”
The music video was shot in Metro Manila, with locations that include a bohemian-inspired apartment and a neon-lit club.
“1Nightwitu” is an island-tinged, dance-pop track that celebrates women empowerment and encourages young ladies from varying cultures and upbringing to embrace their sexuality and value their self-worth.
The upbeat jam is penned by Ysa Yaneza herself, and co-written/produced by LA-based artist Shubu, who has worked with international music acts such as Paul Cherry, Anna Burch, and Dorian Electra. Grammy-nominated sound engineer Stuart Hawkes, who has shaped records by artists ranging from Charli XCX and Disclosure to Lorde and Mabel, also mastered the track, giving it a fuller, more intricate musical direction.
“1Nightwitu” is the official lead single of her upcoming self-titled EP, YSA, which follows her journey towards heartbreak, reinvention and womanhood.
Overseas Filipinos can take better care of themselves and their families back home through the latest partnership between PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global) and the Philippines’ fastest growing health app mWell, for Tindahan ni Bossing (TINBO), a one-stop gateway that allows easy access for their connectivity and financial needs.
Customers can register for a TINBO number – a Smart Virtual Number (SVN), that would serve as their Philippine mobile number whenever they are outside the country – via tinbo.ph. The TINBO Number, powered by PLDT’s wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), allows them to receive calls and texts without a physical SIM, including one-time passwords (OTPs), for secure payment transactions. TINBO users can also easily access services for their connectivity and financial needs through TINBO.
“Our partnership with mWell is aligned with TINBO’s mission of empowering overseas Filipinos and helping them become our bossings sa alaga at diskarte especially when it comes to taking control of their families’ health and wellness needs,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, President and CEO of PLDT Global. PLDT Global is the international arm of the Philippines’ largest network PLDT, serving millions of overseas Filipinos across the globe.
TINBO users can access mWell subscription plans tailored for overseas Filipinos. Wherever they may be in the world, they can consult with doctors online 24/7 via the mWell app. Through the mWell platform, they may choose from hundreds of highly-trained doctors—Internal Medicine Specialists, Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Ophthalmologists, and more. They may also send health passes to their families in the Philippines which they can use to consult with a doctor right away or book an appointment at their convenience.
Beyond telemedicine services, Filipinos abroad may monitor their wellness level with the mWellness Score using the mWell app. This exclusive feature developed in partnership with an award-winning team of doctors and data scientists from Aktivo allows users to track physical activity, step count, and sleep—for free! Improving one’s score requires making simple tweaks in one’s daily lifestyle to make space for regular physical activity and adequate sleep. Customized fitness programs developed by Olympians and exercise physiologists are also available on the mWell app. To stay healthy, Filipinos abroad may also try out calorie-controlled recipes created by dietitians and nutritionists.
“By working together with PLDT Global and TINBO, mWell hopes to bring healthcare closer to our fellow Filipinos abroad and their families. As part of the MPIC Group, mWell is committed to work towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. It also supports the MVP Group’s Gabay Kalusugan advocacy focusing on quality and affordable healthcare,” said Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.
