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Leading appliance brand Hanabishi Appliances will join the Philippine P-pop and K-pop communities as they come together for the Asia Pop Christmas Carnival this December 17 at the Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall 2, Quezon City.

“The P-Pop and K-Pop communities are growing fast, and we are one with them in celebrating the music and artistry that connects diverse cultures around the world,” said Cherish Ong-Chua, Hanabishi Appliances VP for Finance and Marketing.

The brand will have its own booth at the venue and will be giving away free merchandise to lucky fans.

Expect performances from top P-pop and K-pop fan groups, as well as numerous fun activities such as singing and dancing competitions, games, raffles, and more.

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the Hanabishi booth,” said Ong-Chua.

Admission to the Asia Pop Christmas Carnival is free.

 Leading global smart device brand OPPO is rewarding its loyal fans this Yuletide Season with exciting offers through the My OPPO Fan Festival. Exclusive rewards and a chance to win special prizes can be availed via the My OPPO App where OPPOints can be earned in a variety of ways.

True to the spirit of Christmas, OPPO is allowing its users to earn more points by purchasing OPPO smartphones and IoT products until December 24, 2023.

Additional OPPOints can also be acquired through the My OPPO app connected to newly bought devices. To make things even more interesting, new My OPPO App users are also eligible for a special raffle during the promo.

More Points All the Way

Loyal OPPO fans can redeem their Christmas gifts by simply binding their new device to the My OPPO App during the duration of the promo.

More chances of winning await as every purchase of any OPPO phone series has corresponding OPPOints. 1,000 OPPOints will be given to A Series buyers while 2,000 and 3,000 OPPOints will be rewarded to Reno Series and Find Series buyers respectively.

Enjoy the Presents of the My OPPO App

OPPOints gathered during the promo period can be used to redeem OPPO IOTs, streaming subscriptions, and shopping vouchers as well as restaurant discounts!

OPPOints redemption for limited prizes such as the OPPO Enco Air3, 3-month Viu premium subscriptions, exclusive 150 PICKUP COFFEE Points, a Php100 FoodPanda Voucher, and a Php 1,000-worth Sodexo Gift Certificate accepted by 10,000+ merchants nationwide will be available until December 24. 

For added Christmas cheer, there will also be a limited redemption of OPPO Pad Air units on December 22 to 24 that could very well be the perfect present this season of giving.

Win Big Prizes for New My OPPO App Users

Luck will be on every new My OPPO App user’s side as they can join the exclusive New User’s Raffle. Participants in this group can win awesome prizes like a brand new TV, a PHP 10,000 Shopping Spree with Akimbo or Cul-De-Sac, a VIU subscription, OPPO IoT products, and digital vouchers from Sodexo.

Enjoy the Present with OPPO Philippines

Spread holiday cheer and enjoy exclusive promos by purchasing OPPO smartphones this Christmas. Feel the cheer of Christmas with OPPO immediately by downloading the My OPPO App today to join the app’s exclusive raffle! Make the most out of these special discounts and freebies, exclusive benefits and gifts, and exciting festivities until January 7, 2024, for a merrier, more meaningful celebration.

Have a Merry Christmas as OPPO reminds us to enjoy the present this holiday season.

To learn more updates and promotion mechanics about the promo, visit OPPO’s official website at https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. You can also check OPPO’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

The jazzy, laidback tune serves as the focus track off his third studio album, WEYAAT?

Filipino hip-hop artist WAIIAN offers a generous heap of slice-of-life goodness on the music video of “Pablo,” his new single under Sony Music Entertainment.

The MV captures a day in the life of Pablo (his real name), where he finds happiness and contentment in the simplest of things. The Joshua Cecario-helmed visuals depict a young man who lives in the present day and enjoys his routine, from spending time in his home studio to navigating familiar and far-flung places with his motorcycle ride—all lovingly filmed to present moments of beauty that surround him every single day.

“It’s about living life and making music out of it and making music to live a life,” the Solo Mission act explains.

Written by WAIIAN himself and produced by Tatz Maven, “Pablo” solidifies his reputation as one of the most exciting young bloods in Philippine hip-hop. The laid-back tune serves as the focus track off his third studio album, WEYAAT?, which was released on December 1, 2023.

The nine-track album is thematically diverse but distinctly shaped by his keen sense of self-awareness. Led by the last track of the same name and new single “Pablo,” “WEYAAT?” is a slang for “WAIIAN, where you at?,” which is his way of reintroducing himself to the world after a three-year sabbatical in music. The groovy but sonically eclectic record also features collaborations with Kashira, a music production company founded by critically acclaimed producers and musicians U-Pistol, Tatz Maven, and Calix.

“I want listeners to recognize the energy that I put into these songs,” the prolific rapper adds. “Luckily, I’ve met people along the way who helped translate my vibe into music. Somehow, it adds extra sauce and interesting layers, sonic-wise.”

WAIIAN’s WEYAAT? is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Tate McRae solidifies her breakout moment with the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album, THINK LATER via RCA Records.

Upon its debut, the pop blockbuster topped Apple Music in more than ten counties, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, and more.

In the Philippines, Tate McRae peaked at no. 14 on Apple Music, and continues to blow up with smash singles “greedy” and “exes” gaining traction on both streaming and top 40 radio.

THINK LATER and its 14 songs are steeped in pop appeal and infectious toplines. Showcasing Tate’s boundless vocal talent and evolution as a songwriter, this new body of work explores the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions that you experience as a result of leading with your intuition and heart.

Executive produced by hitmaker Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé), the album features writing collaborators and producers including Amy Allen (Harry Styles, Justin Bieber), Jasper Harris (Doja Cat, Post Malone), Greg Kurstin (Adele, Pink), ILYA (Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith), Savan Kotecha (Ariana Grande, The Weeknd) and more.

Speaking on the album, Tate says, “After freshly turning 20, when I began to zoom out and reflect on the relationships and situations in my life, I realized that a common thread was that I had been living and making decisions much more spontaneously and way less with my head for the past year. This album represents the feelings of falling in love, feeling glimpses of obsession, missing the signs, and feeling the repercussions. I really wanted to lean into a more pop leaning sound, and approach my writing from a way more playful and curious place. I was able to make this album with a few people I admire so much, and cannot be more grateful.”




Tracklist

Global statistics show childhood malnutrition is still a persistent health burden, including in the Philippines.1 According to the Department of Health, 1 in 4 children aged five and below are short for their age or stunted. 2 Abbott is increasing awareness and working together with mom celebrities and communities to tackle stunting among children in the Philippines.

Abbott’s Growth Watch initiative shines a light on childhood stunting, a form of malnutrition. It aims to empower parents to screen for and recognize stunting in their children so that they can improve their children’s nutrition, if needed.

Stunting can challenge a child’s development, impact their overall health and limit their future potential. Children affected by stunting can be at risk of significant immune deficiencies, compromised cognitive function, behavioral problems, diminished bone health, and decreased muscle mass.3 , 4 ,5 , 6 The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 identified poor feeding practices and low nutrition literacy among the causes of malnutrition in the country.7 Additionally, 2 in 3 Filipino moms don’t recognize stunting as an important child development issue.8

“There is a clear need to educate parents on the prevalence and impact of childhood stunting on growth and development,” explains Dr. Jose Dimaano Jr., nutrition medical affairs director for Abbott in Pacific Asia. “Early identification of growth issues and quick intervention for children found to be at risk of nutrition deficiency can have a profound impact on the fight against stunting. This is why Abbott is taking a multidisciplinary approach in supporting parents by working with communities and healthcare practitioners to provide tools and information to spot the signs of malnutrition and take action.”
—more—

In collaborating with celebrity moms Chesca Kramer, Nadine Samonte, Divine Lee, Nina Corpuz, influencers and online mom communities, Abbott intends to increase awareness of stunting and support parents with tools and educational resources that can help children reach their full growth potential.

”Since its inception in 2021, Growth Watch has educated and reached more than 161,000 families, and the goal is to double the reach by the end of next year,” said Angelico Escobar, general manager of Abbott’s nutrition business in the Philippines. ”Abbott is driven by our mission to help children have a healthy start and reach their optimal growth. We know that malnutrition is complex and affects children’s growth across all socioeconomic classes. The work of Growth Watch is one of Abbott’s efforts to fight global malnutrition and to help children achieve their growth potential through measurement and proper nutrition.”

In 2021, Abbott launched the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions, an initiative to reduce malnutrition. The center, a collaboration between Abbott and external experts and partners, is focused on the identification, treatment and prevention of malnutrition for the most vulnerable populations in the world including children, aging adults and under-resourced populations. The Growth Watch initiative also contributes toward Abbott’s 2030 Sustainability Plan goal to transform care for malnutrition, chronic and infectious diseases.

As part of the Growth Watch initiative, parents and guardians are invited to join mom communities to establish the habit of measuring their children’s height, and provide proper nutrition to safeguard the growth, well-being and development of children across the country. Tools and resources available include:

● PediaSure Plus Growth Calculator
● PediaSure Plus Height Chart
● Free growth assessment and nutrition counseling

Nutrition plays a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and stunting challenges. Addressing undernutrition early can help mitigate growth issues and ensure children reach their full developmental capacity. For children who do not get enough nutrients through food alone, nutrition supplements, such as PediaSure Plus, can help fill some of the gaps. The oral nutritional supplement, recommended by doctors, is formulated with 37 key growth nutrients including natural vitamin K2 and arginine to support 1.5 times faster growth in 8 weeks and strong bones.6

For more information on the growth tools and resources, visit https://www.family.abbott/ph-en/pediasure/tools-and-resources.html.

For free growth assessment and nutrition counseling, register online or by calling Abbott’s
Careline – Metro Manila: (02) 8995-1555 and PLDT toll free hotline: 1-800-10-995-1555.

The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), Jollibee Group’s social development arm, recognized three farmer groups from Ilocos, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija who have completed the Agro-Enterprise Training and fulfilled their commitment to deliver white onions to Jollibee Group for the first time this year.


Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative from Ilocos Sur; Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Tarlac; and Ungab Farmers Association from Nueva Ecija received the training on Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach from October 2022 to January 2023 as part of JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). First launched in 2008, the FEP hones smallholder farmers’ leadership and business skills to collectively supply high-quality vegetables that meet corporate buyers’ standards and ensure sustainable profitability. Onions is the largest volume that farmer groups directly supply the Jollibee Group through this program.


During the Agro-Enterprise Express Training Graduation and Onion Season Kick-Off event held on August 31, JGF honored these farmer groups for their dedication and perseverance.


Future-proofing farmers


As the agricultural market became more competitive, and with the visible signs of global warming, the need to capacitate farmers with the latest business knowledge and skill set to weather them has never been more imminent.

 

“Malaking tulong po sa aming farmers ang mabigyan ng kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo. Natutuhan po naming kung paano i-market ang aming mga pananim. Masasabi ko na naging mas competitive po kami sa merkado pagdating sa agri-business. Dito rin po namin nalaman ang mga makabagong techniques at mga posibleng solusyon patungo po sa realidad ng global warming or climate change,” (Gaining knowledge on business is really a great help to farmers. We learned how to market our produce. I can say that we became more competitive in the agri-business market. We also learned about modern techniques and potential solutions in dealing with the reality of global warming or climate change) said Felipe Roy Cuizon, Cluster Leader of Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative.


Aside from modern farming and marketing techniques, the Agro-Enterprise Training also equips farmers with financing and crop insurance knowledge.


Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative, Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Ungab Farmers Association are part of the seven farmer groups that supplied white onions to various Jollibee Group brands in the 2022 to 2023 October to May Onion Season.


Cultivating change


JGF president Gisela Tiongson looks forward to nurturing new partnerships and upskilling new farmer groups for the upcoming 2024 Onion Season. JGF will continue to help improve the skills and capabilities of more smallholder farmers and empower them to create positive changes that will benefit their families and communities.

 

“Hangga’t ang mga magsasaka ay nananatiling nakatuon sa layunin na mas paangatin pa ang kanilang kakayahan at kabuhayan, kami sa JGF ay magpapatuloy din sa adhikain ng FEP at magsusumikap na maghanap ng mga bagong paraan upang suportahan ang kanilang mga pangarap na maging farmer entrepreneurs,” (As long as the farmers remain committed to the goal their aspiration of improving their skills and their livelihoods, we at JGF will also continue FEP’s mission and we will work harder to look for new ways to support their dreams of becoming farmer entrepreneurs) Tiongson added.


This sustainable collaboration between FEP farmers and institutions like JGF signifies growth and a promising future for the country’s agricultural community at a time when it is needed the most.

GCash, the Philippines’ leading e-wallet, is making this holiday season even merrier and truly unforgettable with its latest giveaway. From December 12 to 15, everyone has a chance to win up to P1,200 instant GCash credits when you scan the Merry GCash Billboard from 6am to 9am and 6pm-12mn every night! 

Just look for billboards with the GCash QR code along any of these key locations: EDSA Orense, C5 Bagong Ilog, EDSA Guadalupe Bridge, and EDSA GA Tower in Mandaluyong. 

But that’s not all, because the Merry GCash Billboard isn’t just lighting up Metro Manila – it’s also spreading cheer all the way to Visayas and Mindanao, with billboards along Robinsons Cebu, Gaisano Talisay, Gaisano Grand City Mall in Davao and the Davao LED Billboard, and CM Recto cor. Capistrano road in Cagayan de Oro. 

Stay on the lookout and get ready to scan as GCash will be awarding up to P900,000 to eligible users who scan the Merry GCash Billboard everyday from December 12 to December 15. Those who scan the giant QR code will automatically discover their instant cashback reward, ranging from either P12, P120, or P1,200. Each user is qualified to win 1 cashback prize per day. 

Join the 12 Days of Merry GCash Giveaway for a Shot at Winning 1M 

The merry GCash giveaways don’t end there as GCash is also giving away even bigger prizes daily through the 12 Days of Merry GCash giveaway. 

Everyday until December 15, up to 15 winners nationwide per day will be awarded tons of exciting prizes such as GCash credits, gadgets, gaming consoles, and even a brand new motorcycle.

A grand prize of P1M will be awarded to one lucky user on December 15, so keep using GCash to increase your chances of winning! 

Keep the Merry Spirit Going Until December 31: More Deals and Promos Await

The countdown to Christmas continues with more daily deals and surprises from your favorite retail shops, online stores, and restaurants. Don’t miss out on these exclusive deals and more from December 16 to 31 when you use GCash and unlock the joy this holiday season at these merchants: 

This Merry GCash season, Lahat Ay Merry with more prizes, more deals, and more opportunities to win! Download the GCash App and be part of the biggest holiday celebration of the year!

OPPO’s Zero-Power Tag was announced to have landed on TIME’s list of Best Inventions for 2023 in the Experimental category, putting OPPO among the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Sony with a highly prestigious international accolade for invention. 

Every year, TIME recognizes products, software, and services that are solving compelling

problems in creative ways. The result is a list of 200 groundbreaking inventions changing how we live, work, play, and think about what’s possible. In the Experimental category, TIME’s recognition of the OPPO Zero-Power Tag adds to OPPO’s international reputation for technical expertise and novel thinking, and highlights a new approach to a sustainable world where IoT devices won’t generate polluting batteries. 

“We are honored to be included in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 list for the OPPO Zero-Power Tag in recognition of our achievements in innovation and sustainability, ” said Elvis Zhou, OPPO Overseas CMO. “As the shift to B5G/6G accelerates, there’s a pressing challenge to expand IoT connectivity without exacerbating our world’s e-waste problem. Born from OPPO’s vision to blend convenience and environmental responsibility, OPPO Zero-Power Tag is an eco-friendly IoT device that communicates with phones using ambient energy instead of a battery. With object tracking, environmental monitoring and other smart features, we are very excited about the possibilities it will unlock in the IoT space. Moving forward, OPPO will continue to make contributions to sustainability and develop innovative initiatives that positively impact the environment.”

At MWC 2023, OPPO unveiled the company’s first battery-free IoT prototype device — OPPO Zero-Power Tag — powered by Zero-power Communication technology. Leveraging key technologies such as RF power harvesting, backscattering, and low-power computing, the Tag is able to harvest energy directly from Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellphone signals, resulting in surprising advantages such as smaller size, better durability, greater signal distance, and lower cost. 

OPPO is now in the process of refining the device’s design, technology, and industry standards while introducing more features, such as health monitoring, to expand the device’s application to more fields. The company believes that OPPO Zero-Power Tag could one day prevent millions of batteries from going to landfills while making life both smarter and easier for consumers and businesses alike.

Sustainability has long been a central component of OPPO’s business operation and product design. In February 2023, OPPO released the OPPO Climate Action Report with support from global consultancy Deloitte. In the report, OPPO pledges for the first time to achieve carbon neutrality across its global operations by 2050, and outlines five key areas in achieving this goal: low-carbon manufacturing, reducing the carbon footprint of products, investing in options that generate less carbon, utilizing digital technology to manage carbon emissions, and collaborating on industry standards to address climate change. 

This year, OPPO Battery Health Engine received the 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award, and thanks to its innovations, OPPO was also named one of the 10 Most Innovative Asia-Pacific Companies in 2023 by influential business media Fast Company. In the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge, OPPO added a new category, “Inspiration for the Planet,” to recognize innovations for sustainability and attract more than 280 proposals from worldwide startups, covering from biomimetic materials to sustainable and safe energy storage. 

Aspiring for a greener future for all, OPPO will continue to prioritize sustainability in its operations to achieve its carbon neutrality goal, and strive to deliver more environmentally friendly technologies and products through constant innovations.

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (SMEP) and Filipino singer-songwriter Benj Pangilinan have recently linked up with Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP), an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable, to support communities in Manila that are impacted by food insecurity and malnutrition.

This initiative is part of Sony Music Group’s global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, where the company upholds its commitment in collaborating with partner organizations through a series of in-person events and charitable activities.

For this particular project, the international record label has collaborated with Rise Against Hunger Philippines in enacting programs that are design to uplift the lives of many people through food aid and entertainment. In a collective statement, RAHP was all praises to Sony Music Philippines and Benj for spreading the holiday joy with the children this season of giving. “Their dedication to give back not only makes this holiday season merrier for the kids, but also makes our mission to achieve food security all the more possible.”

The fast-rising recording star has recently joined the SMEP team through a day of volunteering and performances at the Better World Tondo community center, which functions as a food bank and feeding center. This is where RAHP holds food drives, and the AHA Learning Center manages an after-class studying program for the disadvantaged kids.

Aside from providing relief and assistance to the beneficiaries, Benj performed two songs, including his current single, “Dance Like You.”

“Giving back has always been something I’ve loved doing,” the Sony Music talent said. “This opportunity was a wonderful experience for me. Sometimes, when you bless others, you realize later how much you’ve gained and learned from the experience. I’m also grateful to Sony and my management team from Genesis for sharing my vision when it comes to giving back to the community.”

Donning a hairnet, gloves, and a Rise Against Hunger PH apron, the young and promising artist engaged with the kids through fun games and activities and helped in the distribution of food.

In a random act of kindness, the multi-talented newcomer also talked to one of the ice cream cart vendors outside and bought his whole stock for the day. He distributed ice cream to the kids and moms who were present during the feeding program activity.

Benj shares, “We were about to leave, and I just saw the guy selling, so I just thought to help out. I didn’t expect that a small act like that would have such a major impact on them. I’m always happy to help.”

Season of Giving, a global initiative of Sony Music Group, runs throughout the holiday season in collaboration with charity partners across Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In addition to Benj Pangilinan, other notable artists who have volunteered with partner organizations and Sony Music Entertainment in the past two years include Shoti, NOBITA, and Hazel Faith.

This campaign also represents the company’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to forge partnerships and support communities that need it most, which are anchored in its culture of making a difference and contributing to social development through music.

“At Sony Music Philippines, we believe in using our platform to not only entertain but also to uplift and empower communities,” Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Philippines, Sony Music Entertainment, explains in a press statement. “We are committed to continuing our Season of Giving initiatives and partnering with organizations like Rise Against Hunger Philippines to create a positive impact in our society.”

Pineda adds, “Together with artists like Benj Pangilinan, we look forward to more opportunities to give back and make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. We are immensely proud of their dedication and grateful to have such compassionate individuals as part of our Sony Music family.”