Reignite the Magic
Following the easing of pandemic curbs in Hong Kong, guests and fans from the Philippines can finally hop on a flight to reignite the magic at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Special tickets and hotel offers are ready to make Pinoy guests’ experiences even more fun-filled through the “Reignite the Magic” Combo:”¯ 1-Day Park Ticket and “Disney Premier Access.”
The reimagined Castle of Magical Dreams is home to a fully refreshed “Follow Your Dreams” daytime musical stage show and the all-new nighttime spectacular “Momentous.”
In celebration of the resort’s 15th anniversary, the reimagined centerpiece, named the Castle of Magical Dreams, was launched in 2020.
Other highlights are the Royal Reception Hall, Enchanted Treasures, the first-ever Castle of Magical Dreams Chow Tai Fook Jewelry store , Follow Your Dreams, Momentous, among others.
Special two-night hotel room offer (advance purchase with up to 30 percent off) and the 2-Day Fun Park ticket offer are also available.
Aboitiz recognition
Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Sabin Aboitiz was recognized as one of Asia’s Best CEO — Investor Relations at the 12th Asian Excellence Awards for leading and inspiring the Group’s Great Transformation.
Last December 5, the Aboitiz Group was recognized by Corporate Governance Asia at the 12th Asian Excellence Awards for its achievements and excellence in management acumen, financial performance, corporate social responsibility, environmental practices, and investor relations.
SMDC Flavors of The Shore
A fusion of relaxed dining and authentic Asian experience awaits at the SMDC Strip at Shore Residences.
There is so much to see and taste when we talk about Asian cuisine – a long-standing history and culture is always presented when trying out some of its mouthwatering offerings. SMDC Strip at Shore Residences offers delectable gastronomical food choices from One Pot Hot Pot, Trendy Dimsum, Kopan, True Boss, Win88, Mimifaso and Lanson.
Clearly, there is much to discover as residents and visitors traversing the metro can sample neighboring Asian dishes all in one stop.
The property is conveniently located near the Mall of Asia in Pasay City – just a few blocks away from one of the biggest retail shopping centers in Asia. A beautiful view of the Manila Bay can be seen at residential balconies facing the Bay side. Lastly, residents and vacationers can enjoy acquiring essentials just a few steps from their doorstep.
The Strips at SMDC are strategically placed commercial strips, complete with stores that cater to residents and visitors of SMDC. These retail strips provide residences with easy access to all things important such as grocery, pharmacy, laundry, grooming and other personalized services, banks and restaurants.
We invite everyone to try authentic Asian cuisine at SMDC The Strip At Shore and discover flavors perfect for the exploring palate. Shop, Meet, Dine and Celebrate at The Strip at Shore!
Grab Ph offers new driver bonus
Grab Philippines is offering up to P10,000 worth of driver bonuses and legal assistance for applicants with six-seater vehicles, and up to P 6,000 for those with four-seater vehicles.
This follows the announcement by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) of the opening of 4,433 TNVS slots today, January 9, Grab Philippines experienced a shortage of driver-partners in its platform due to mobility standstill. Pandemic-induced challenges led to some driver-partners losing their loaned cars to repossession or driver-partners moving on to other economic opportunities elsewhere.
Grab Philippines is optimistic this initiative will help address its shortage of driver-partners, and meet the growing demand for GrabCar services as the economy continues to re-open.
TNVS operators and drivers interested in being a Grab driver-partner may check out details on the Php 10,000-bonus program and other driver-partner benefits. The page also shows the accreditation process with Grab which is a pre-requisite for the LTFRB application. According to the board, a TNVS operator may register up to three vehicles.
Travel Master with COVID-19 launched
Regional insurtech firm Igloo, in partnership with GCash and leading local underwriter Malayan Insurance, recently launched Travel Master with COVID-19, a comprehensive travel insurance product to be offered and purchased on the e-wallet.
The brand-new product offers coverage for personal accident, emergency medical treatment, hospital cash allowance, travel inconvenience benefits, and COVID-19 protection.
“As more Filipinos become more comfortable with traveling, our new travel insurance product in collaboration with our long-term partner GCash, will work as a key enabler to facilitate safe travel for Filipinos. Being an affordable, yet comprehensive product, that addresses common travel risks including contracting COVID-19 it will offer travelers the coverage they need so they can enjoy their trip and have peace of mind,” shared Mario Berta, country manager for the Philippines at Igloo. The benefits of Travel Insurance include Personal Accident with Emergency Medical Treatment for COVID-19 for up to P2.5 million, Hospital Cash Allowance due to COVID-19 of up to P 4,000, and Travel Inconvenience of up to P 50,000.
Aid to disaster-affected families
Shopee delivered 40,000 medicine tablets and 14,000 bottles of vitamins donated by Unilab for over 250 families in Bacoor, Cavite who were affected by severe tropical storm Paeng, and aided over 350 families in Mandaue, Cebu who were displaced due to a massive fire.
Shopee volunteers in the area also helped with the distribution to affected individuals.
These efforts are part of Shopee Bayanihan, Shopee’s umbrella CSR arm that seeks to provide support for communities in need through partnerships with various companies and humanitarian organizations.
Scholarship grant
The 2024 Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant is now open to aspiring Filipinos looking to pursue higher education in Japan.
The program aims to support deserving individuals who require financial assistance to pursue postgraduate studies in the field of food science, human nutrition and green engineering. The deadline of applications is on March 1, 2023.
A full scholarship in a master’s course at prestigious designated universities in Japan namely the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ochanomizu University, Waseda University, and Kagawa Nutrition University.
The scholarship grant will cover the candidate’s examination, admission and tuition fees, medical and psychological exams, Japanese language training, airfare, and monthly allowance.
In the screening process, the grant requires applicants to have excellent academic records – a graduate or expecting to graduate within the top 5 percent of their class or with a grade point (GPA) of 3.7 or higher.
Starbucks Ph hunger relief
Starbucks Philippines strengthened its partnership with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga Program as part of the company’s continuous global advocacy for hunger relief.
As part of the Global Community Impact Grants, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga in April 2022 supporting nutrition for 600 youth in two communities in Quezon City and Laguna, as well as providing nutrition education and support for building and maintaining community vegetable gardens.
Starbucks Philippines donated an additional $25,000 each to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Gawad Kalinga to expand its hunger relief programs in 2023 in Visayas and Mindanao regions.
In July 2022, the Kusina ng Kalinga program started the implementation of the program in Gawad Kalinga communities in Toyota, Sta. Rosa Laguna and Tribuin, Batasan Hills.
On December 13, Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga held a face-to-face volunteering program together in Gawad Kalinga Batasan, Quezon City. This program was implemented across three GK barangays: GK Pioneer, GK Tribu, and GK Telus II and Starbucks partners (employees) volunteered to help prepare and serve meals to 300 children in need of nutrition.
Desludging services
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this January in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.
Customers residing in Barangays 167, 171, 172, 180, 181, and 183 in Caloocan; Brgy. Pamplona 2 and Talon Dos in Las Piñas; Brgy. Longos in Malabon; Brgy. Poblacion in Muntinlupa; and Brgy. San Antonio in Parañaque may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service.
Some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly in Brgy. 10-A, 10-B, 13, 16, 18, 19, 23, 26, 28, 29, 29-A, Dalahican, Panapaan, and San Roque in Cavite City; and Bucandala 1 to 5 in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around P4,700 per truck.
Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures.
