The young ladies of girl-group Star Lush posing for the camera before their grand finals’ performance.
The SM Super Kids Kpop dance contest, a highlight of the ongoing Super Kids Month celebration in October, recently graced SM City Marikina, Masinag, San Mateo, Sta. Mesa, BF Parañaque, and Muntinlupa. Young dancers aged 6–12, brimming with enthusiasm and talent, showcased their Kpop prowess, competing for the grand prize.
Kidz Phenomenon, the finalist from SM City Marikina
Katha Junior from SM City San Mateo cutely poses after their grand finals’ performance.
Preliminaries were held across SM Malls, with each mall crowning its own champion. The grand finale, a thrilling showdown of dance and passion, took place at SM City Marikina. There, the dance cover group, Kazed, emerged as the ultimate winner, capturing the hearts of judges and audience alike with their synchronized moves and undeniable charm. Kazed’s victory was rewarded with a substantial prize of 25,000 pesos worth of SM Gift Certificates.
Twirling Dolls from SM City BF Parañaque compete in charming bubblegum pink during the grand finals at SM City Marikina.
Bright hip fits of Sassy Cuties, a finalist from SM Center Muntinlupa
All-girl group Kazed, from SM City Masinag, with their winning pose during the grand finals at SM City Marikina
As Super Kids Month continues, SM Malls have even more exciting activities in store for young ones. Stay tuned for the Monsterrific Halloween event at the end of October, where your nearest SM Supermall in the East Metro will be transformed into a spooky wonderland filled with fun and frights for the whole family.
Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is gearing up for game day as the winning Red Bull Half Court teams, Half Court Group and Uratex Dream, head to New York representing the country at the Red Bull Half Court World Final. Months after they earned their wings and secured their respective spots in the competition, both teams are ready to put on a show for the global stage.
Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, Eunique Chan, and Afril Bernardino of Uratex Dream are challenging for the title as Red Bull 2024 Half Court World Champion for the women’s division. Meanwhile Chester Saldua, Matt Salem, Jordan Bartlett, and Gryann Mendoza of Half Court Group, who are playing for the men’s division, have been laser-focused on getting back into the swing of the 3-on-3 streetball tournament. The team has emphasized the importance of staying to shape, anticipating a fast-paced game full of pressure.
“Our outside shooting and speed will always be our main weapons,” said Half Court Group’s Coach Mau Belen. “In practice, we make sure to improve these two skill sets and use (them) efficiently in order to help us win games.”
Coach Belen added, “We are trying to focus on positioning better inside the court, so we’ll give ourselves a chance to keep the ball alive and maintain an even count on possession against the other teams.”
Asked about what they expect to be their biggest challenge during the competition, the coach shared, “We have addressed every physical and mental challenge we are about to experience during the tournament, but one thing we can’t really prepare for is the jetlag (that) the players will have (from) traveling to the other side of the world. This is something we hope wouldn’t put us in a big disadvantage.”
On the team’s chemistry, Coach Belen claimed, “The team has been together for (about) over a year now, so familiarity and chemistry are not really something we’ve had to cover. But, I’ve seen a lot of maturity in their game, and it’s something I’m excited to see in New York.”
The team’s coach also said that she constantly reminds the players the value of simply enjoying the game. “I constantly emphasize (to them to) enjoy each game and the whole experience because we will never know when we’ll have this kind of chance again.”
Coach Belen shared that the loss from last year’s World Final in Serbia shaped her mindset and coaching heading to this year’s World Final. The coach said, “As a leader I (made) sure that I improve my coaching ability in order to match the high-level competition in the World Final. Learning the game intentionally and intensively has been my promise to myself since the loss against Dominican Republic last year.”
Looking ahead to the competition, both Philippine representative teams share the enthusiasm for the challenge and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of representing the Philippines in a global street basketball. Coach Mau also expressed her aspirations for Half Court Group at the World Final this year. “I hope we as a team have had that chance to evolve and mature on and off the court.”
National Pride on the Court
Red Bull Half Court is all about scoring buckets and playing tight offense. As the World Final approaches, the Philippine representatives assured supporters that they are more than ready to showcase their skill for streetball. The competition will be fierce as the teams go up against the top streetball teams from 25 countries across the world, but both teams are up for the challenge.
Support Half Court Group and Uratex Dream as the athletes take on the best street basketball players from all over the world. Don’t miss the Red Bull Half Court World Final happening on October 19 to 20 at New York City, USA.
Follow their journey at the Red Bull Half Court World Final and stay tuned for the latest updates. To find out more, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )
This spooky season, prepare yourself for a spine-tingling adventure as SM Cinema in Grand Central, Sangandaan, and Valenzuela proudly presents “Sine Sindak: Ika-5 Yugto.” Starting October 30, horror enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike can gather their friends and family for a fright fest featuring the most bone-chilling films, all on the big screen!
Now in its fifth year, SM’s Sine Sindak promises an adrenaline-pumping experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for heart-pounding suspense and hair-raising scares— from supernatural entities and paranormal mysteries to gory thrills and slasher horrors.
This year’s hair-raising selection includes must-see horrors like:
🎬 Nanay, Tatay
🎬 Pasahero
🎬 House of Sayuri
🎬 The Thorn: One Sacred Night
🎬 My Mother’s Eyes
🎬 Mads
🎬 V/H/S/Beyond
Choose your fright level! Grab a Single Pass for just Php 150 or go for the Unlimited One-Day Pass at Php 300 for an entire day of heart-stopping terror. Gather your bravest friends and family for an unforgettable movie marathon filled with jumps, gasps, and screams. Tickets are selling fast—visit SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, or SM City Valenzuela to secure yours now!
The Bank of the Philippines (BPI) is proud to announce a partnership between VYBE, its e-wallet and rewards app, and Korean fried chicken chain BonChon to elevate the way you enjoy your favorite meals while embracing a more sustainable lifestyle. This collaboration introduces a convenient, rewarding payment experience that encourages customers to explore the benefits of digital transactions.
From September 15, 2024, customers can use VYBE’s Scan to Pay feature at select BonChon branches, making the payment process quicker and easier than ever. With every purchase of Php 300 or more, customers will receive a FREE KoYo (Korean Yogurt), adding a delightful touch to their dining experience.
In an era where sustainability is paramount, digital payments play a crucial role. By opting for VYBE, customers not only enjoy the efficiency of cashless transactions but also contribute to minimizing the time and effort versus when doing traditional payment methods.
“We’re excited to provide our customers with a seamless payment option and further help Filipinos transition into a more digital and sustainable lifestyle,” said Frederick Faustino, BPI’s Head of Digital Partnerships and Ecosystem.
VYBE is simple and intuitive—customers can quickly scan any QR Ph code at the counter and confirm their payment, making every visit a hassle-free experience. This approach not only saves time but also opens the door to a new way of enjoying dining out.
To take advantage of this limited-time offer, customers are encouraged to download the VYBE app and sign up to experience the convenience of cashless transactions at BonChon. To enjoy the convenience of seamless cash-free payments, download VYBE on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
MANILA, Philippines – Your college experience just got an upgrade. As you begin one of the most exciting chapters of your student life, be prepared to make the most of every experience. Whether it’s trying out a new sport, joining a college org, attending events, or just getting through the daily grind, GCash is here to make every opportunity on your college journey more convenient and rewarding.
GCash is dedicated to helping students with all they need to make the most of their college experience by providing:
More access to the things you enjoy
With GCash, you can quickly receive your allowances from your parents directly on your e-wallet. Additionally, sending money to your classmates is now even easier when splitting bills after eating at a restaurant or pooling money for supplies and printing costs.
It’s also more convenient to pay for your favorite hobbies with GCash. Shop online via Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop and pay with GCash for more deals. You can also stay on top of your favorite subscriptions like Canva Pro, Spotify Premium, Netflix, or CapCut Premium.
Need to stay connected? No problem! Whether you’re contacting your family or coordinating group projects with your classmates, you can buy load from all networks directly on the GCash app!
More student deals
Paying with GCash isn’t just easy – it’s also rewarding! With GCash Lucky Load, you can score exciting rewards daily with your Buy Load transactions. Each time you Buy Load, you get a ticket to play.
To play, open the Lucky Load dashboard, select 6 icons, and submit your ticket entry. The winning Lucky Load combinations will be drawn every week: on Mondays, match 6 icons to win from a 200,000 pot prize, and on Fridays, there’s a regional draw with a 275,000 pot prize up for grabs. Keep buying load to increase your chances of winning!
GCash also offers amazing offers for students’ with piso deals on the A+ Rewards dashboard. Redeem exclusive offers and enjoy a variety of discounts and offers from brands like SHEIN, FoodPanda, Grab, and various mobile gaming apps.
More savings
Saving money can be tough, especially with limited allowance and tons of daily expenses. But did you know that GCash lets you start your own savings account and even earn interest on it daily? That’s right! With GSave, a savings feature on the GCash app, you can kick start a savings account without the hassle of paperwork or an initial deposit. Plus, you can grow your savings with up to 6% interest per year!
GSave offers daily interest payouts and ensures that you can save extra money for things you want to buy. This is one of the ways GCash supports you on your path to financial independence.
Want even more flexible payment options and control over your money? Get your first GCash Visa Card to score exclusive deals and promos while having the option to withdraw cash whenever you need it—without worrying about ATM fees.
Verify your GCash account today and don’t miss out
Being a fully verified GCash user gives you access to all these features of GCash and more. It also lifts restrictions on cash-ins, fund transfers, and withdrawals.
GCash, in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), has now made it easier than ever to create and verify your account digitally with an E-National ID. All you need to do is follow these steps:
Upload the E-National ID in GCash to verify your account
Discover More About GCash for College Students at the GCash U Tour
From September to October, the GCash U Tour is visiting more college campuses across NCR and key regional areas. Be on the lookout for the GCash Booths at Manila Central University, Adamson University, UP Diliman, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, National Teachers College, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, STI Global. GCash is also heading to more schools in Bulacan, Baguio, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, and Zamboanga.
Throughout these runs, the GCash Card will be available with an exclusive discount of Php 50 off! Get your cards instantly when you apply onsite.
Don’t miss out on the chance to unlock a world of opportunities with GCash—your ultimate partner for an enriched college experience and becoming future-ready. Managing your finances has never been this convenient, and now, with easier account verification, you can do so much more everyday.
Be G for more college experiences and download the GCash app today on the App Store and Google Play Store!
The event will take place on October 27, 2024 at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City
The Rest Is Noise PH, an independent production outfit that champions the best of Asian music and strengthens regional and global connections, onstage or in the digital space, will be throwing a Halloween party to cap off a fantastic year in music.
Acclaimed Thai alternative pop trio KIKI will be headlining the Halloween soiree and will be performing in the Philippines for the very first time. Known for their immediately catchy songs that blend pop and funk elements with groovy basslines, colorful synths, hip-hop and lo-fi elements, and soulful vocals, the Bangkok-based band has charmed music festivals all around the world with their showstopping performances. They are also preparing to embark on an Asian tour, which will include multiple stops in Tokyo, Nagoya, Nagano, Singapore, Jakarta, and Manila.
Other acts on the bill include Filipino drag superstar M1ss Jade So, whose incredible run on the second season of Drag Race Philippines captivated fans all over the world—thanks to her distinct antics, charisma, and talent.
AXEAN Festival alums Munimuni and CRWN will also be performing at The Rest Is Noise PH’s Halloween special, along with Davao-based hip-hop collective Playertwo and Chain Messages, who will be dropping a special DJ set to culminate the fun and exciting event.
The Rest Is Noise Halloween Special will take place at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City on October 27, 2024, from 7 p.m. onward. Early bird tickets are available in limited quantity via bit.ly/kikimanila.
The event also encourages attendees to dress up in their Halloween costumes for a special care package from The Rest Is Noise PH. The top three with the best costumes will also win a special prize.
About The Rest Is Noise PH
The Rest Is Noise PH (TRIN) is a music curator and events production outfit based in Manila, Philippines.
Since 2015, TRIN has curated and produced more than 40 shows: ranging from pocket venues to outdoor festival settings. It is home to the Summer Noise and All Of The Noise music festivals, which feature critically acclaimed homegrown and international music acts. These shows highlight the rich and diverse backgrounds, cultures, and styles of music artists from home and abroad, championing both emerging and established music-makers.
In 2020, TRIN launched a digital platform to cover music by Asian artists from anywhere in the world: publishing in-depth stories, profiles, features, and essays as well as curate regular playlists, country spotlight, and radio mixes. During the same year, TRIN co-founded the AXEAN Festival (formerly ASEAN Music Showcase Festival), a collaborative regional showcase festival that aims to put the spotlight on music artists and communities from Southeast Asia. Its founders have carried TRIN’s brand of curation in numerous platforms, domestic and international.
TRIN takes pride in fostering a thriving sense of community, culture, and inclusivity—providing a platform that champions the best of Asian music and strengthening regional and global connections, onstage or in the digital space.
The track is written by band members Rocky Collado and Lakan Hila
Ahead of their highly anticipated 20th anniversary show this month, The Bloomfields have dropped “Get Up,” a new single that the band originally wrote in 2019.
Built around a single-chord jam, “Get Up” draws inspiration from the whimsical era of ‘60s psychedelic rock. The energetic track brims with a heavy dose of loud, droning guitars and hypnotic soundscapes, providing a stark contrast to their more pop-leaning work.
According to the band, they wrote the song without the intention of making a hit. “It felt wonderful to release it as our fourth single and share it with our audience.”
The Bloomfield explains, “It’s a high-energy track that felt perfect to release ahead of our 20th-anniversary show, getting people hyped and ready.”
Band members Rocky Collado and Lakan Hila penned “Get Up,” with the latter taking care of the mixing duties. Giving the track a retro feel with modern energy, Lakan made sure that his approach to production reflected The Bloomfields’ 1960s and 1970s aesthetic while embracing a hard-hitting, jam-driven sound.
The indie pop/rock outfit will be performing the song live for the very first time at Byaheng Mahiwaga: The Bloomfields 20th Anniversary Gig, happening on October 25, 2024, at Fin and Claw, Timog, Quezon City.
Chronicling their musical journey for the past two decades, the special show aims to “treat fans to a night of memorable music and fun” as The Bloomfields perform some of the most iconic originals from their catalog, along with notable covers from their repertoire.
The highly anticipated event will include a full-length set from The Bloomfields, a performance by High Targets, a Motown-influenced ska/reggae band, and a special reunion with former bandmate Dino Pascual, who is preparing to launch his solo career next year.
Continuing a prolific creative season, GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum chart-topping global superstar The Kid LAROI serves up an intoxicating and irresistible new single and music video entitled “APEROL SPRITZ” out now.
Over the last couple of months, he has steadily increased anticipation for the song’s arrival with one snippet after another on TikTok, breaking the news of its release in a post earlier this week. The track’s sunny synth line warbles over a head-nodding bounce as The Kid LAROI lights up the beat with boasts such as “My favorite hobby’s probably getting rich.” The momentum builds, and he professes true love like only he can. In the accompanying visual directed by Alex Lill, dozens of ladies surround the star as they chase him in slow-motion until the action culminates on a shot straight out of a nineties fashion spread.
It lands right on the heels of a monumental moment in LAROI’s hometown of Sydney, Australia where he performed at the NRL Grand Final. Previously, LAROI dropped the buzzing “BABY I’M BACK (REMIX)” with Gunna. In case you missed it, listen HERE.
In just a month, The Kid LAROI returns to Australia with special guests Quavo and ONEFOUR for a massive arena run—his biggest feat yet!
Check out the full itinerary below.
The First Time Tour Australia Routing Nov. 11 — Gold Coast Home Of The Arts, Qld Nov. 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Qld Nov. 16 — Sydney Commbank Stadium, NSW Nov. 20 — Perth Rac Arena, WA Nov. 24 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA Nov. 27 — Hobart Mystate Bank Arena, Tas Nov. 29 — Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Vic Nov. 30 — Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Vic
Michael Enriquez, Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation President; Michelle Garcia, Sun Life Philippines Chief Human Resources Officer; Benedict Sison, Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head; Valerie Pama, Sun Life Philippines Chief Asset Management Officer; Gerald Bautista, Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. President; Richard Lim, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. President
MANILA, PH – October 2024 – Sun Life Philippines, the country’s longest-standing life insurance company, has been recognized as a Circle of Excellence awardee at the 15th Asia CEO Awards. The company was honored in two categories: Company of the Year and Top Employer of the Year.
The Asia CEO Awards is the largest business awards event in the Philippines. It celebrates outstanding achievements and leadership in the business community across Asia. Being honored as a Circle of Excellence awardee is a testament to Sun Life Philippines’ steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation, and its people.
Being named as Company of the Year, this award recognizes Sun Life Philippines’ exceptional financial performance, innovative product offerings, and significant contributions to the Philippine insurance industry. The company’s strategic initiatives, coupled with its focus on client centricity and sustainable growth, have strengthened Sun Life’s position as a leader in the industry.
With its recognition as Top Employer of the Year, Sun life Philippines remains dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for its employees. The company’s commitment to employee development, well-being, and work-life balance has fostered a high-performing and engaged workforce.
“Being part of the Asia CEO Awards’ Circle of Excellence is a testament to Sun Life’s commitment to excellence,” said Benedict Sison, CEO and Country Head of Sun Life Philippines. “This prestigious recognition validates our efforts to unleash our brilliance and provide Filipinos with the financial solutions they need to build a brighter future.”
The fintech leader was recognised for its climate tech initiative that supports reforestation and
agroforestry, as well as for championing women in tech and workplace inclusivity
GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, was honoured with the Climate Advocacy and Education Award – Philippines and Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Award – Philippines accolades at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024 for its exceptional climate action initiative and dedication to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Transformative environmental tech initiative
The Philippines, renowned for its rich biodiversity, faces significant environmental challenges due to the adverse effects of climate change, most significantly severe weather events such as extreme heat and strong supertyphoons, which impact communities.
In response to these pressing issues, GCash launched GForest in 2019, a pioneering initiative designed to encourage its users to contribute to reforestation efforts and mitigate climate change impacts. It has since grown into a digital eco-movement that also spans agroforestry efforts to help boost the livelihood of farmers in various local communities throughout the Philippines.
“Our goal when we started GForest in 2019 was to make it easier for GCash app users to contribute to environmental efforts through tree planting,” explained CJ Alegre, sustainability head at GCash. “Through digital transactions, GCash users are able to reduce their carbon footprint, which is equivalent to in-app energy points that users can use to plant virtual trees.”
He continued, “In turn, GCash, together with its international and local partners, plant actual trees throughout the Philippines, at no cost to users. At present, GForest has planted over 2.8 million of various species, ranging from mangroves to native trees to fruit-bearing trees, including coffee and coconuts across the Philippines.”
GForest’s design features several key elements for success. It uses science-based metrics to measure carbon reductions from digital transactions, incorporates gamification for user engagement through competitive rankings, and partners with credible organisations like the WWF, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Silliman University, etc. to select indigenous tree species and crops and support community livelihoods.
Moreover, GForest collaborates with environmental experts to determine the ideal species of trees in an area and to ensure that planted seedlings have a high survivability rate. All harvests from the trees also go to their respective communities, boosting the livelihoods of farmers who earn an incremental P25,000 annually from the produce.
In 2020, GCash set a goal to plant 2.3 million trees by the end of 2023. Despite the challenges, they surpassed this target by nearly 500,000 trees. Building on this success, GCash has now committed to planting a total of 10 million digital trees by the end of 2025. To date, GForest has 19 million registered users who have contributed to these tree-planting efforts.
Dedicated to collaborating with local partners to advance sustainability efforts and address broader community development needs, Gcash was recognised with the Climate Advocacy and Education Award – Philippines accolade at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024.
Empowering gender equality and inclusive culture
Sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion are key pillars of GCash’s sustainability strategy. With 55% of its over 90 million Filipino user base being women, GCash prioritises a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that actively supports and values women’s contributions.
Acknowledging the financial needs of women and the broader societal megatrends, GCash understands the crucial role women play in driving the development of relevant and impactful financial services and solutions.
The company’s commitment to inclusivity has led to women comprising 47% of its workforce and 49% of its leadership in 2024, well above the tech industry averages of 28.8% and under 10%, respectively.
“GCash is committed to gender equality and diversity through several key initiatives. Our DEI Day x Day Training programme equips employees with inclusive communication skills and practices, achieving a 99% participation rate and 87% DEI certification. This commitment is reflected in an 88% inclusive management score from HR Asia Best Companies to Work for and Great Place to Work Surveys, indicating strong support for inclusive behaviour and equal opportunities,” shared GCash chief people officer Robert Gonzales.
The company also supports career advancement for women, particularly in tech, through programmes like GTalks, which connect employees with women leaders for career insights and leadership journeys. GCash’s no-mandatory dress code policy empowers employees to come to work as they are, dressed comfortably and authentically.
Additionally, GCash fosters an inclusive culture by partnering with Gallup to identify employees’ strengths and facilitate career mobility, leveraging Gallup’s focus on people’s strengths to succeed in their careers.
GCash’s commitment to championing women, diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the workplace earned them the Women Empowerment Award – Philippines honour at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024.
“We are honoured to be recognised by the ESGBusiness Awards for our environmental protection and women empowerment initiatives. This recognition inspires us to strive for a better Philippines—where we can help enable more Filipinos to thrive every day, be prepared for a rainy day, and plan for one day,” stated GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon.
The ESGBusiness Awards recognises and celebrates companies that lead the way in building a sustainable future. The awards programme honours businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
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