The vibrant and festive spirit of Filipino culture came alive at SM City Grand Central as the annual “Sagalahan sa Grand Central” delighted hundreds of visitors with its colorful pageantry, music, and traditions. This traditional Santacruzan, held every May, transformed the mall into a vivid tapestry of history and celebration.
Kicking off the festivity was a grand procession featuring Reyna Elena, the embodiment of Queen Helena, and her consort, Constantine. Adorned in resplendent gowns and intricate crowns, they were accompanied by sagalas (muses), symbolizing various virtues, characters, and figures from the Christian narrative. The parade wound through the mall’s main atrium, culminating in a grand spectacle on the fifth floor.
Concluding the event, devotees gathered to offer flowers and prayers in honor of the Virgin Mary. Organized by The Chapel of Our Most Holy Rosary and led by the Chaplain, Fr. Paul Nicklaus C. Woo, in collaboration with SM City Grand Central, the “Sagalahan sa Grand Central” not only celebrated tradition but also brought the community together in a vibrant homage to faith and history.
The SM City Marilao security force led the entrance of colors during the celebration of National Flag Day at the Event Center.
SM malls in Marilao, Baliwag, and Pulilan join the nation in the observance of the National Flag Day on May 28.
To ignite the momentous occasion, a flag-raising ceremony that displays a clean Philippine flag was conducted at SM Bulacan malls in an effort to instill patriotism among mall employees, partner agencies, affiliates, and tenants.
A flag-raising ceremony was held at the SM City Baliwag open grounds on May 28 in observance of National Flag Day.
Security and other agency personnel join in the celebration of the National Flag Day at SM City Marilao.
The National Flag Day commemorates the first unfurling of the Philippine flag during the historic “Battle of Alapan” in Kawit, Cavite, on May 28, 1898.
The National Flag Day also signals the unveiling of activities lined up for the Independence Day celebration on June 12. Aside from the vibrant display of the Philippines flag’s symbolic colors around the mall, SM malls in Marilao, Baliwag, and Pulilan will mount events that promote Filipino-made products, such as the Super Pinoy Food Trip and Super Pinoy Market featuring local MSMEs.
*Free Visa transfers for transactions up to P5,000
Philippines, 30 May 2024 – Visa cardholders are now able to cash-in their Maya wallets for free, as announced by Visa, a world leader in digital payments. As part of the “Cash-In for Free” program, which became effective from 1 May 2024, this offer is available to all Maya users who have a mobile number from any local telco provider and are currently residing in the Philippines. The initiative aims to expand consumer choice by allowing Visa cardholders to use their cards to fund their Maya wallets fee-free, to be used in Maya-accepting wallets.
To qualify, eligible users must cash into their Maya Wallet using their Philippine-issued Visa credit, debit or prepaid cards via the Maya app. Free Visa transfers are available for transactions up to P5,000. The typical P200 surcharge for cashing into Maya using cards will be rebated back to users. For larger transactions above P5,000, a discounted fee of 50% off or P100 per transaction will be imposed.
The ”Cash-In for Free” program will benefit consumers and small businesses in the Philippines in driving acceptance of mobile wallets. Visa’s recent Consumer Payment Attitudes study found that Filipino consumers are increasingly embracing cashless transactions, with 87% of surveyed respondents using their mobile wallets in the last 12 months. There is growing acceptance of cashless payment methods in the Philippines, with more consumers observing that supermarkets (88%), food and dining (86%), and bill payment operators (82%) have opened acceptance of cashless payment methods.
Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Maya to provide free cashing-in services to all Visa cardholders, in response to the increasing number of Filipinos shifting towards cashless payments. This initiative supports small businesses by enhancing their payment acceptance experience, given today’s growing reach of digital payment methods such as cards and mobile wallets. At Visa, we aim to promote growth and access to a broad spectrum of digital payment modes to drive digital and financial inclusion. This ensures Visa continues to be the preferred choice for Filipinos, by offering an enjoyable, seamless, and secure payment experience.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Visa on this initiative,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President at Maya and Co-Founder at Maya Bank. “Maya’s mission focuses on providing innovative and accessible digital financial services to both consumers and businesses in the Philippines. The Cash-In for Free initiative is part of Maya’s broader strategy to make digital financial services more accessible and convenient for everyone, promoting cashless transactions and financial inclusion in the Philippines.”
Click here to find out more about the “Cash-In for Free” program by Maya for Visa cardholders which will be available during the promotional period.
Find X7 Ultra is the first device to achieve the DXOMARK Eye Comfort Display Label for its Gold-rated display.
To achieve this mark of quality, Find X7 Ultra’s screen flicker, minimum brightness, blue light filtering and color consistency meet an exacting standard set by DXOMARK
OPPO Find X7 Ultra, the Ultimate Camera Phone, has achieved DXOMARK’s Gold Display Label and is the first device to earn the Eye Comfort Display Label for its holistic approach to screen quality and eye comfort.
Combining crisp detail with smooth motion and a vibrant, brilliant picture, OPPO Find X7 Ultra’s display places a firm focus on quality and eye comfort, allowing it to be used for longer while minimizing potential eye strain.
DXOMARK Eye Comfort Display Label
The Eye Comfort Display Label is only awarded to screens that meet four requirements set by DXOMARK’s expert engineering team.
The first requirement is a limit on the amount of flicker that can be perceived. DXOMARK stipulates detection probability should be below 50% in default mode or with anti-flicker mode activated; OPPO Find X7 Ultra’s display flicker perception probability was just 10%.
For optimal eye comfort in dark environments, DXOMARK sets a minimum brightness requirement threshold at 2 nits. OPPO Find X7 Ultra’s minimum brightness dropped as low as 1.57 nits, minimizing harsh light and extreme visual contrast, and making it more comfortable to use in bed, for example.
DXOMARK also requires blue light be limited, with a circadian action factor of less than 0.65. Find X7 Ultra’s display’s circadian action factor was 0.63, reducing potential interference with natural sleep cycles that may be impacted by blue light exposure.
Finally, DXOMARK requires a color consistency of at least 95% when the blue light filter is active, using the P3 color space as a reference, owing to the fact many blue light filters negatively impact color integrity. Find X7 Ultra achieves an impressive 99% color consistency, demonstrating its quality and comfort.
“OPPO Find X7 Ultra is the first device that has received the DXOMARK Eye Comfort Display Label. We particularly appreciated the device’s smart feature, Bedtime Mode, which efficiently and continuously adapts blue-light filtering to the time of day. The device’s circadian action factor, which indicates the level of disturbance induced by artificial lighting on human sleep cycles, reached an impressive 0.63, below DXOMARK’s already challenging recommended maximum threshold of 0.65.” – Thibault Cabana, DXOMARK Display Evaluation Director
OPPO Find X7 Ultra: A Quality Display
In addition to achieving DXOMARK’s Eye Comfort Display Label, Find X7 Ultra was also awarded a Gold Display Label. With its crisp QHD+ resolution of 3168 x 1440, resulting in a pixel density of 510 pixels in every inch of screen, it showcases details to perfection.
A smooth 1-120Hz refresh rate ensures content glides across Find X7 Ultra’s LTPO AMOLED screen. And with an overall peak brightness of 1600 nits, and a local peak brightness of 4500 nits, content looks stunning, with inky, endless blacks and mesmerizing highlights.
Find X7 Ultra supports ProXDR for high dynamic range photos, and being compatible with Google’s Ultra HDR standard, whether you capture content on Find X7 Ultra or not, its screen will display it brilliantly. When watching video, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG support ensures its display is also precision tuned for high dynamic range content.
With O-Sync 3.0, OPPO optimizations ensure ultra-low touch latency, and Find X7 Ultra’s super-responsive touch screen even works when wet, so no more accidental screen presses in the rain.
Maximum Comfort meets Incredible Quality
OPPO masterfully balances world-class eye comfort with incredible visuals that bring your content to life. With DXOMARK’s Eye Comfort Display Label, users can use Find X7 Ultra with confidence, knowing they are getting a low flicker, color-accurate experience that limits blue light and is dim enough for comfortable use. And thanks to OPPO’s suite of display optimisations, Find X7 Ultra delivers a picture-perfect view across photos, videos, games and beyond.
Find out more about DXOMARK and the Eye Comfort Display Label at dxomark.com, and for more information about OPPO Find X7 Ultra, visit oppo.com.
Fulfilling commitments and promises may not always be easy, but for Sun Life Philippines, delivering on those promises is their reason for being. In 2023, Sun Life paid out over ₱5 billion in claims and maturities, ensuring brighter futures for countless Filipinos and their families.
“The payouts of these claims and maturities symbolize our unwavering commitment to be our clients’ Partner for Life, especially during the most trying times,” says Benedict Sison, Sun Life Philippines CEO & Country Head. “We envision that the fulfillment of our promises to them will serve as a beacon of light and hope that a brighter future remains ahead in spite of the adversities they have undergone.”
Year after year, Sun Life continues to make good of its promise to become the Filipinos’ Partner for Life as it paves the way for its clients to face a brighter tomorrow. This is further cemented by Sun Life’s consistent recognition as a leader in the industry. Notably, they have been the number one life insurer in the Philippines for 13 straight years, and recently secured the Platinum Award in the life insurance category of the Readers’ Digest Trusted Brand Awards. These accolades solidify Sun Life’s position as a trusted partner for Filipinos seeking financial security and a healthier life.
This normally refers to a husband and wife leaving their respective families in order to form their own family. Furthermore, it means prioritizing the new family’s needs over those of their respective families. In the Philippines, however, it is a common practice to support one’s parents and siblings while building one’s own family. This is what the Sandwich Generation is about.
The “Sandwich Generation” is a term that defines a group of individuals who find themselves responsible for looking after their parents, while simultaneously trying to raise their own family. A growing number of Filipinos, between their early 20s to early 50s, now comprises this group, which is estimated to be in the millions.
While this phenomenon is a global issue, the Philippines’ Sandwich Generation finds itself with more pressing challenges.
Due to cultural and societal factors, many Filipinos not only take care of their parents but also family members from the previous generation (grandparents, uncles, and aunts). They are raising their own families and at the same time, helping their extended family. It is common to hear of Pinoys who must financially take care of nephews and nieces and other younger relatives.
InLife: The Un-Sandwiched Generation Campaign
InLife, the country’s first and largest Filipino life insurance company, has taken notice of the Sandwich Generation’s challenges prompting it to launch a campaign to aid the Filipino Sandwich Generation “Un-sandwich” their lives.
Called InLife: The Un-Sandwiched Generation, the new project aims to empower the Pinoy Sandwich Gen with resources and tools for financial planning and management, education planning, caregiving resources, mental health and self-care, and insurance knowledge, among others. Anyone may access these information through different channels, among them, a new microsite within the InLife website, guides, webinars, podcasts, and other forms of content.
According to InLife Chief Marketing Officer Gae L. Martinez, this is InLife’s long-term commitment to be there for the Sandwich Generation. It is a massive challenge but something InLife is more than willing to undertake.
“The InLife Sandwich Generation campaign is our way of acknowledging the amazing strength and resilience of these unsung heroes of society who balance the responsibilities of taking care of their elders while also taking care of the younger generation. This initiative is our promise to stand by the millions of Filipinos who are part of the Sandwich Generation. We want to help them un-sandwich themselves and future generations and be able to live A Lifetime for Good.”
The InLife Product Ecosystem
The campaign also seeks to highlight how financial literacy and planning for the future can help Filipinos free themselves from this cycle but still be able to help their elders while ensuring a good future for themselves. One of the solutions is by taking out insurance products designed to address the different challenges a person will likely encounter in the future.
InLife’s Abundance, for instance, is a savings and insurance plan payable in either five or ten years and gives guaranteed cash payouts for 20 years or until the age of 65 regardless of market conditions when they become due. The guaranteed cash payouts are equal to 10% of the sum insured and paid every two years starting at the end of the 7th policy year for the 5-pay, and on the 11th year for the 10-pay variants until the plan matures. These cash payouts may be set up as a nest egg so the insured will have a ready source of funds when they reach retirement age.
InLife’s Resilience is a critical illness plan that provides life insurance and guaranteed lump sum cash upon diagnosis of a critical illness, aside from other additional health benefits. Resilience serves as a cushion against potential huge medical bills that could have a major impact on the family’s finances.
Wealth Assure Plus, on the other hand, provides a versatile and flexible way of combining life protection and investment, allowing them to tailor their financial plans based on their needs and budget.
“InLife’s product ecosystem is designed to address the pivotal financial milestones of Filipinos. We offer a roadmap to navigate this challenging journey. With this approach, we provide a lifeline that will help them un-sandwich themselves and liberate them from the pressures of multi-generational financial responsibilities and give them the financial independence not just for themselves but also their loved ones,” Martinez shared.
BRB! Running to Burger King for the sweetest treats – who’s coming?
MANILA, Philippines (May 29, 2024) – Brace yourselves, dessert lovers! Burger King, the renowned global brand famous for their Whopper, teams up with Nutella, the world’s favorite hazelnut spread, to take dessert cravings to a whole new level as they introduce the all-new King Fusion with Nutella.
Made especially for those who love good desserts, Burger King recently launched its BK Dessert Treats with Nutella featuring three (3) new products that make a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Whether you’re looking for the perfect ender to cap a meal, or simply want a sweet treat on a hot summer day, you can’t go wrong with this new dessert series.
The Star of the Show: King Fusion with Nutella
Building on the popularity of the BK Nutella Series, Burger King is upping the dessert game by adding the all-new King Fusion with Nutella to the line-up. This new product combines smooth, creamy soft-serve ice cream generously laced with Nutella spread and delightfully sprinkled with crunchy cookie bits – a sure way to create a textural and flavorful experience like never before! The BK Nutella Series: A Trio of Delights
While the BK King Fusion with Nutella takes center stage, the BK Dessert Treats with Nutella offers a selection of sweet courses to satisfy everyone, no matter the cravings!
For the Classic Craver: Craving the beloved BK Sundae but with an extra kick? Get ready for a flavor explosion with BK Sundae with Nutella! This twist on the classic features rich and creamy Nutella swirled into a smooth vanilla soft serve, delivering a delightful hazelnut upgrade you won’t forget.
For the Waffle fanatic: Craving something warm and fluffy? The 2-pc BK Waffles with Nutella are your jam. These heavenly waffles with a soft and fluffy center topped with a generous drizzle of your favorite hazelnut spread, create a perfectly balanced, sweet, and satisfying treat that you can enjoy any time of the day.
For someone who always wants something extra: Craving for a textural twist on your BK Sundae? The King Fusion with Nutella is just what you need! This special soft-serve sundae is taken to the next level with the addition of Nutella hazelnut spread and sweet, crispy cookie bits. Combining this mix of textures and nutty flavors, this dessert is simply irresistible. Just a heads up – it’s hard to resist once you try it!
Limited Time Offer: Don’t miss out!
Give in to your sweet cravings as this dessert trio is now available in all BK Luzon stores!
Coming soon in all BK Visayas and Mindanao stores: 2-pc BK Waffles with Nutella and King Fusion with Nutella. Get ready to experience the next level of dessert goodness only at Burger King!
Manila, Philippines — Heads up, Manila Wolfies! The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, the world’s biggest book sale, is leaving Parqal, Aseana City, soon! Catch the book sale on the 3rd floor of Parqal until June 2, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 midnight. Act fast! And who knows, the next stop could be just around the corner!
Don’t miss exclusive discounts and promos that will make customers add amazing titles to their shelves. As a last hurrah for Parqal, Big Bad Wolf is offering a Buy 10 Get 1 Free promo! Get 10 titles and Big Bad Wolf is throwing in 1 book for free! Grab this amazing promo from May 29 to May 30. Metrobank credit cardholders can still avail of the special 0% 3-month installment promotions for single-receipt purchases worth P3,000 and up. Plus, Swedish furnishing brand IKEA is still giving customers a chance to experience their reading nook setup plus a chance to win over P50,000 worth of prizes!
There are still a few days left to be part of the historic “Big Bad Tour: 1 New Million Readers” campaign launched by Big Bad wolf as part of its commitment to make books accessible and to promote literacy and reading in the country.
With a lineup of events and activities, the book sale ensured fun for everyone! Esteemed figures Bro. Bo Sanchez and Bernadette Sembrano held book signings last May 25, 2024. If you missed these exciting activities, fear not, Wolfies! More exciting things are up ahead!
Hurry! You never know when the Wolf is returning to Manila, but here’s a hint: it might be sooner than you think. Drop by the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale at the 3rd floor of Parqal, Aseana City, happening until June 2, 2024. Doors are open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 midnight daily. Admission is free! Grab your totes and catch insane deals and promos at the world’s biggest book sale before it wraps up in Parqal. See you there!
For more information regarding Big Bad Wolf’s current and upcoming Book Sales, you can visit their website or check out their social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram)
To show the importance of supplementation in maintaining wellness, USANA Philippines met with around 300 health professionals nationwide at its inaugural symposium. Building on their 15th anniversary celebration, this event echoes USANA’s commitment to reach one million families globally —with a continued focus on product research, innovation, and education.
“For 15 years, USANA Philippines has strived to fulfill the vision of its founder, Dr. Myron Wentz, to create the healthiest family on earth. As we step into this milestone, we’re fortifying this goal by hosting our first ever health symposium and strengthening our partnerships with health professionals,” says Cherry Dionisio-Ampig, general manager of USANA Philippines.
This health symposium reflects how USANA places science, specifically research and innovation, at its core.
“One very consistent value of USANA’s is the science behind its products. The foundation of everything we do is anchored in science—giving meaning to our influence on the health of our communities,” says David Mulham, chief sales officer of USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
As an industry leader, USANA conducts thorough research and evaluations to determine specific market demands and discover new ingredients to best fit evolving needs. This process creates products specifically developed to support people on their journey to maintaining wellness.
“As a company, we continuously research and innovate. We’re committed to developing new products and upgrading existing ones to be even more competitive and to continuously promote healthy living” says Dr. Rolando Maddela, USANA’s executive director of global health education and nutrition research.
This health symposium served as a way for medical professionals and others in attendance to learn and engage in meaningful discussions about the country’s current health landscape and the pivotal nurturing role supplements play. Esteemed speakers from the medical field included Dr. Susano “Yves” Tanael, Registered Nutritionist-Dietician MaryRose del Rio, Dr. Alex Delgado, and Dr. Rolando Maddela.
realme Philippines was recognized for its notable efforts in strengthening connections with consumers, both online and offline
realme Philippines achieved a remarkable feat by winning three major awards from media outfit, Village Pipol and social media giant, TikTok Philippines. This milestone further solidifies the brand’s dedication to innovation and its consumers while establishing itself as a leader in the local tech industry.
realme earned its spot in the Village Pipol Choice Awards Hall of Fame for winning Mobile Phone Brand of the Year for three consecutive years since 2021, showcasing its consistent excellence.
Village Pipol also named the realme 11 Pro+ 5G as the Mid-range Smartphone of the Year (under P25,000). The awards were determined through public voting, underscoring realme’s ability to deliver high-quality, innovative products that resonate deeply with consumers.
The recognition extended to realme’s digital efforts as well. At the TikTok Shop Summit Pilipinas 2024, realme won the Best Livestream Award for achieving the highest GMV on TikTok Shop across all categories, not just electronics.
Popular models like the realme Note 50, realme 11, realme C51, realme C53, and realme C67 were top sellers, highlighting realme’s success in digital engagement and its ability to connect with a broad online audience.
For realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing, Jane Yan, these awards reflect the brand’s dynamic market presence and commitment to pushing technological boundaries. “Being granted three major awards is a significant achievement and a profound responsibility for realme Philippines. Your trust and support inspire us to push boundaries,” she said.
As the brand celebrates these achievements, Yan expressed that the company will continue to engage with consumers in new and exciting ways to meet and exceed its customers’ expectations consistently.
She added, “We’ll continue to bring innovative, high-quality, and affordable smartphones to the market, ensuring that the Filipino youth have access to technology that empowers them to reach their full potential.”
To learn more about realme’s latest updates, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook.
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