Ogawa opens in Greenbelt
OGAWA, a leading player in the design, development, and marketing of health and wellness equipment, has been revolutionizing how everyone prioritizes well-being and relaxation with its innovative and top-notch products.
This March, the brand opened its doors in one of the prime spots in Metro Manila on the 3rd level of Greenbelt 5.
Many local Celebrities like socialite and fashion icon, Heart Evangelista, and celebrity couple Richard, and Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez swear by and have turned to but one respite and that is the OGAWA’s range of innovative, scientifically proven, and elegantly designed award-winning wellness massage chairs and mobile products.
Engineered using superior Japanese technology, and fashioned for ultimate comfort and relaxation, OGAWA has spent decades researching, developing, and testing its massage chairs for optimum performance and wellness benefits.
Operating at full capacity and with over 30 stores nationwide, including the newest store in Greenbelt 5, customers can expect no less from all the other branches that include a branch in Shangri-La Plaza, SM Megamall, Ayala Malls The 30th, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Robinsons Manila, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Eastwood Mall, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, SM Fairview, SM North The Block, TriNoma, UP Town Center, Promenade 3, Alabang Town Center, Evia Lifestyle Center, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM BF, and Newport Mall. For stores outside Metro Manila, OGAWA is located in SM City Bacoor, Solenad 3, and SM Sta. Rosa in Laguna, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier in Davao, SM Clark in Pampanga, and SM City Olongapo Central.
SIM registration info campaign
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) continued its assistance and information campaign to educate and encourage subscribers to register their SIMs, reaching out to senior citizens residents in Tugatog, Malabon City.
Streamed live on Facebook, “Kwentuhan sa Simbahan” as the event was dubbed, it was hosted by the Public and Political Affairs Ministry. It was held on March 4 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church. NTC legal branch officer-in-charge Andres D. Castelar, Jr. presented the key features of Republic Act No. 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act to an audience of senior citizens in Malabon and Caloocan City.
Atty. Castelar assured the seniors of Malabon and Caloocan that their personal information is protected by the SIM Registration Law, as the telecom providers are the custodians of the SIM register. Harsh penalties for intentional disclosures are mandated by the law. Telecom providers have already been keeping postpaid subscriber data confidential over the years.
The event, organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, complements the NTC’s continuing conduct of Facilitated SIM Registration in Remote Areas all over the country. To date, two hundred twenty-two (222) remote areas within the country have been visited by NTC’s Facilitated SIM Registration caravan.
As of March 9, the public telecommunications entities (PTEs) reported 42.7 million successful SIM registrations representing 25.24 percent of the total 168 million active SIM subscribers as of September 2022.
Smart to launch more affordable mobile broadband devices
PLDT Inc. wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. is set to launch more affordable mobile broadband devices amid the increase in mobility and the revival of the economy.
In a statement, Smart said it will be offering faster Long Term Evolution (LTE) Cat 6 or more advanced LTE broadband devices in the coming months, as well as relaunching its Smart Rocket WiFi 5G at a more affordable price.
“With lower prices, widest coverage, and ease of use now, we are staying true to our mission of empowering our subscribers to live more today,” said Francis Flores, head of consumer wireless business-individual at Smart.
Smart is now offering its Smart Bro Pocket WiFi LTE Advanced (Cat 6) devices at P1,495, lower than the original price of P1,995, enabling more Filipinos to connect to Smart’s LTE network, which currently covers 97 percent of the population, at even more affordable price points.
From its original price of P15,995, Smart’s Rocket WiFi 5G device is now being offered at P12,995, making it the most affordable 5G mobile router in the Philippine market, the company said.
“Cat 6 devices will pave the way to even better customer experience, enabling our customers to stay connected and live in the moment in the best way,” said Flores, adding the battery-operated devices can be used conveniently anywhere with Smart LTE coverage.
Enabling these devices is Smart’s wireless network, which has been cited as the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence, for the first to the fourth quarter of 2022.
To earn this citation, Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards in the same period. -Myla Iglesias.
Interior & Design Manila staged comeback with two events
Interior & Design Manila Lifestyle showcased the latest products and innovations in categories that include arts & crafts, architectural components, holiday decors, carpets, foams and mattresses, garden accessories and ornaments, home décor, paints, visual arts, prefab houses, and lamps & lighting, among others.
The Philippine International Furniture Show, meanwhile, showcased world-class craftsmanship from local and international exhibitors. It opened networking opportunities for furniture designers, manufacturers, and exporters.
Pinoy pride on ice
Fil-am Short Track Speed Skater Peter Groseclose secured for the Philippines a spot in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics to be held in South Korea. The 15-year-old skater qualified through his standing at the recently concluded World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships held in Dresden, Germany last Jan 27-29.
Meanwhile, the figure skating duo Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin are set to compete in the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan on March 20-26, 2023.
Gamez and Korovin are the first Philippine and South East Asian pair figure skaters to qualify at the World Figure Skating Championships, securing their spot after qualifying in their free skate scores at the Metro Trophee Metropole competition in Nice, France in October 2022, and their short program scores in the Challenge Cup held in Tilburg, Netherlands last February 26.
SM Skating is the only ice skating rink in the Philippines and is home to the Philippine National Team of Ice Sports in partnership with the Philippine Skating Union (PHSU). All SM Skating branches (SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM Seaside Cebu) boast state-of-the-art facilities such as Olympic-size rinks as well as skate aid rentals, assist coaches, and basic to advanced lessons.
Vintage Vehicle Law shifts PH car restoration industry into higher gear
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11698, also known as the Vintage Vehicle Law (VVL), were officially signed at the Presidential Car Museum at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
With the IRR completed and published, the law, which was passed in April 2022, will officially be implemented on April 17. Under the regulation, land vehicles 40 years and older (based on its manufacturing date) are recognized as Vintage Vehicles, with the subclassification subject to strict use conditions.
Some stipulations on the use of Vintage Vehicles include limited driving hours (only during daytime), prohibition to use them as utility vehicles, and commercial use strictly confined to motion pictures or events.
“Vintage vehicles carry the history and aspirations of people and nations,” noted Northern Samar First District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza, the principal author and sponsor of the law. “Through RA 11698, we can preserve a part of our history as a nation. Vintage cars represent a part of who we are,” he continued.
Apart from the sentimental and nostalgic spirit of the VVL, the authors cite some practical features, including provision of certain fiscal and tax incentives in the importation of vintage parts, revitalization of the local car restoration industry, and the growth potential that can give talents and workers greater opportunities.
Co-authors attended the event including Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Senators Sherwin Gattchalian and Francis Tolentino, and Representatives Eric Pineda, Virgilio “VG” Lacson, Jesus “Bong” Suntay, Mike Dy, andb Jose “GP” Padiernos. Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian attended as he was a co-author during his previous electoral post as congressman.
LTO Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo M. Tugade, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Danilo P. Cruz, were also at the event.
New digital ad
This month, EastWest Ageas debuted its latest digital ad, which visually depicts how the company helps its customers with their needs and aspirations through the solutions it provides.
“An insurance policy is more than just leaving something for your loved ones,” said Joub Miradora, chief customer officer. “It’s about ensuring you can live worry-free today, so you can enjoy life more.” That’s what EastWest Ageas can offer because, as we said in our ad, “We’ve got you covered.”
EastWest Ageas provides financial solutions to meet the needs of anyone concerned about their future security whether they want to set aside funds for education and other goals, build their earnings, get protection or make plans for retirement.
