December 2022 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Hanako’s newest branch at Promenade Mall Greenhills now on soft opening

Got a hankering for Japanese food in between bouts of retail therapy?

Don’t worry because you can now feast on #HandsDownGoodFood at Hanako’s newest branch at the Promenade Mall in Greenhills Shopping Center!

Long known for its easy-on-the-pocket Japanese dishes, Hanako is now serving its signature authentic cuisine to both shoppers and foodies who frequent one of the metro’s busiest shopping districts.

So be sure to take a break from your shopping binge and indulge yourself with your favorite Japanese food and explore new ones to enjoy!

Sashimi and Sushi

Tuna Sashimi (Php259).

Salmon Sashimi (Php299).

Torched Cheese and Salmon (Php329). Fresh salmon topped with cream cheese and Japanese mayo on sushi rice and drizzled with teriyaki sauce.

California Gunkan (Php239). Sushi rice, kani and cucumber wrapped in nori and topped with tamago, ebiko, mango and fried salmon skin.

Ultimate Dynamite Roll (Php309). Sushi roll made with tuna, salmon, kami, togarashi and topped with crunchy tempura flakes.

Hanako’s Best (Php1,419). A platter full of sushi favorites from Hanako: eight pcs California Maki, eight pcs Spicy Tuna Crunch, eight pcs Philadelphia Roll, eight pcs Tuna Sashimi and eight pcs Salmon Sashimi.

Starters

Miso Soup (Php74). Hot broth falvored with miso paste, leeks, tofu and wakame.

Gyoza Sampler (Php199). Includes two pieces each of the classic pork, beef and chicken versions of the Japanese potsticker gyoza.

Kani Salad (Php269). Cucumber sticks, kani, mango slices, ebiko and nori strips dressed with creamy Japanese mayo.

Chicken Karaage (Php284). Japanese-style fried chicken served with mayo on the side.

Beef Sukiyaki (Php274). Beef strips, sotanghon noodles, carrots, onions, cabbage and egg in a sweet-savory donburi sauce.

Donburi

Beef Gyudon (Php329). Filling rice bowl topped with slices of high-grade beef, white onions, leeks, shibazuke and egg flavored with a mildly sweet sauce.

Chicken Teriyakidon (Php309). Japanese rice bowl topped with strips of grilled chicken breast marinated in house-made teriyaki sauce along with leeks, bean sprouts, shibazuke and sesame seeds.

Pork Belly Don (Php229). Strips of pork belly on a rice bowl flavored with gyudon sauce and topped with pickled radish.

Salmon Teriyaki Don (Php334). Grilled salmon on a rice bowl topped with leeks, pickled cucumber and sesame seeds flavored with teriyaki sauce.

Entrees

Beef Omurice (Php229). Beef strips and rice wrapped in a delicate omelette.

Ebi Fry (Php204). Breaded shrimp with toasted sesame and katsu sauce on the side, served on a bed of rice.

Shrimp Tempura (Php219/3pcs | Php319/5pcs). Deep-fried battered shrimp served with tempura sauce.

Mixed Tempura (Php179). Deep-fried battered shrimp, kani and vegetables served with tempura sauce.

Drinks

Thirsty? Hanako’s got house-made drinks to refresh you.

Now you know that whenever you’re in the Greenhills area and you #CraveHanako, there’s a branch here ready to serve you!

Plus, here’s some good news: Hanako is bringing back its Tempura-All-You-Can promo to welcome diners to this store. Enjoy unlimited Ebi Tempura all weekdays of December when you dine at Hanako Greenhills.

This newest Hanako branch is located at the Food Court, Ground Floor, Promenade Mall, Annapolis Street corner Missouri Street, Greenshills Shopping Center, San Juan, open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

4th Floor, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
30 Doña Soledad Ave., Better Living Subd., Brgy. Don Bosco, Parañaque City
83 B Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City (beside Car Doctor)
131-C Armstrong Ave., Brgy. Moonwalk, Parañaque City
GF, SM Center Pasig, Ortigas East, Pasig City
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive, Brgy. Don Antonio, Quezon City
Robinsons Townville Regalado Ext Ciudad Verde, Quezon City

You may also order online at cravehanako.ph.

To stay updated on Hanako’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts on Hanako:

Hanako, Katipunan — Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

vivo smartphones brings memorable Paskong Pinoy moments

Simbang gabi and Noche Buena are two of Filipinos’ most widely practiced traditions during Christmas. Both activities highlight a holy and festive atmosphere and the importance of celebrating the season with our loved ones. It is during these times that we create a lot of special memories – ones that make up most of our stories when chatting with classmates or co-workers after the holidays.

To everyone who wants to spontaneously create wonderful once-a-year moments with family and friends and digitally keep such memories alive for the longest time, vivo got your back! From taking phenomenal photos and videos to multitasking during holiday preparations without interruptions, the vivo V25 Series, vivo Y16, and vivo Y35 are the perfect tools to help you.

Stunning visuals before the crack of dawn

Churches during simbang gabi always have the most beautiful lanterns, Christmas light decorations, and nativity scenes. But it will be disappointing if you cannot capture these in their most beautiful forms – with accurate colors, optimal brightness, and sharp image quality.

Good thing the #NightPortraitMaster vivo V25 series is here to make all your simbang gabi moments appear astonishing in photos and videos! The vivo V25 Pro has a 64 MP OIS ultra-sensing camera with extreme night vision which ensures that the darkness wouldn’t steal your chance to save and share stunning photos on social media.

Taking portraits is a must for everyone who wants to remember their simbang gabi experiences. Show your devotion and eagerness to complete all nine masses by documenting them using the vivo V25 Pro. Its Super Night Mode feature gets rid of overexposed dark faces and backgrounds in heavily backlit scenes. It also helps eliminate stray lights and creates a high contrast level for every photo captured when the sun is yet to rise.

Aside from photos, videos are also a good way to document your bibingka and puto bumbong sessions after the early morning mass and the vivo 25 Pro’s Super Night Mode for videos is perfect for that. It has an O+E stabilization feature that creates videos with reduced noise and more authentic quality even in low lighting.

Planning for holiday get-togethers without hold-ups

One of the things we look forward to every holiday season is eating during Noche Buena with the family. Whether small or extravagant, celebrating with our loved ones through food is always a part of our holiday plans. And Christmas dinner preparations can actually be done more smoothly with the help of a powerful and capable smartphone device such as the vivo Y16.

All will agree that every #MemoryisPriceless during the holidays. With its big 4GB + 128GB capacity storage with 1TB expandable RAM and a 5000 mAh large battery, the vivo Y16 is one smartphone that you can depend on during this season and beyond. There would be no worries about running out of space or battery after downloading cooking recipe files or watching cooking tutorial videos to prepare your family’s favorite dishes. With the help of vivo Y16’s large memory and long-lasting power, you can make greater memories with well-prepared food.

A slow and lagging phone is also a big no for busy people who cannot avoid the digital holiday rush. They need a high-performing mobile device since they search online for the best gifts, chat with loved ones on different social media platforms to ask for their wishlists and do last-minute shopping on e-commerce applications simultaneously. Packed with 256GB massive storage, the vivo Y35 is perfect for multitaskers as it can help run multiple large-scale applications quickly and smoothly without lags and crashes.

Additionally, the #QuickAsAFlash vivo Y35 also prides itself on having a 44W FastCharge– a perfect feature for those hurrying to buy gifts and checking out items in their shopping carts before holiday promos end. With its fast-charging technology, busy people won’t have to wait for a long time before their device powers up sufficiently so they can continue chasing discounts in online shops for only PHP 14,999.

The vivo V25 series, vivo Y16, and vivo Y35 are now available nationwide in all vivo kiosks and concept stores. You can also make the holidays more exciting through Paskong La vivo Loca, vivo’s Christmas giveaway festival. Join by purchasing any participating vivo smartphone model until January 31, 2023. You can also check out the “slim yet powerful” vivo Y02, the latest addition to the Y series line-up. Visit vivo’s official website and follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for more information.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Fun celebration at ATOM Bar + KTV, Tomas Morato

It’s that time of the year when celebrations abound, not just among families, but also among coworkers.

After nearly three years of Zoom parties, officemates can now converge in a single location to party, have fun while enjoying each other’s company!

Those are exactly what my teammates and I did for our department’s Christmas Party held at ATOM Bar + KTV in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

When our boss tasked our team’s millennial newbies to find a place suitable for our varied personalities, interests and ages – considering there are some Gen X’ers in the group (me included) plus an almost-Boomer division head – the newbies more than rose to the occasion and organized our group’s holiday shindig at ATOM Bar + KTV.

This establishment is a combination of a bar, a family KTV, a comedy bar, a restaurant and a party venue, conveniently located near our pre-pandemic workplace, so most of us are familiar with the area.

Our group of eleven plus a few guests were comfortably accommodated at the VIP Room 6 situated away from the main stage and overlooking Timog Circle.

Luckily, the room also overlooks the parking area in front of its building so I can periodically check on my car parked outside. My other officemates unfortunately had to contend with the building’s basement parking which I heard was a bit too steep for my liking.

The room was furnished with adequate seating areas for our group, as well as two tables to hold the food or facilitate our games that require surfaces. It also had a seating area on top of the loft, a setup similar to the one employed at Cafe I’m Here right next door to ATOM Bar + KTV.

Apparently, two things that united this disparate generations of office workers are the love of song and the love of food. In between bouts of belting out our favorite tunes and competing for prizes, my officemates and I feasted on ATOM Bar + KTV’s menu items such as:

Sweet Soy Chicken (Php599/platter).

Buttered Shrimp (Php375).

Sisig (Php380).

Crispy Pata (Php799).

Of course, what’s a party without some drinks? With a Beer Bucket (Php520) (actually, two!), our Christmas party was definitely swingin’!

After encountering many trials for our team this year, we’re glad to be able to finally meet face-to-face in a fun and stress-free setting.

Want to get an earlier start to your group’s holiday celebrations? Take advantage of ATOM Bar + KTV’s extended hours in December: it now opens daily from 1pm to 3am. Call +63 936 3120405 or +63 985 2401560 or email atomluxuryhr@gmail.com to book your reservation.

ATOM Bar + KTV is located at Third Floor, CTTM Square Building, 68 Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City.

For updates on its promos and offers, follow it on Facebook.

Sweet Christmas celebrations with Red Ribbon’s Holiday Cakes

Christmas is nearly here and with it comes all sorts of happy celebrations. From the office potluck, barkada get-togethers and family gatherings, parties give people the opportunity to come together to catch up and toast to the past year’s happenings.

No celebration will be considered complete without a show-stopping cake that will serve as dessert and the sweet punctuation to the meal.

Fortunately, Red Ribbon has – not one, not two, but three! – Holiday Cakes to mark these special celebrations.

Black Forest

A beautiful confection made with layers of liquor-moistened chocolate sponge cake, sweetened whipped cream and maraschino cherries, topped with chocolate curls and chocolate shavings.

Did you know that the Black Forest Cake was not directly named after the Black Forest mountain range in Southwestern Germany? Instead, the cake’s name was derived from the specialty liquor of that region, known as Schwarzwälder Kirsch(wasser), which is distilled from tart cherries.

White Forest

One of the most welcome piece of news I’ve received lately is that Red Ribbon’s White Forest Cake is now available!

Inspired by the Black Forest Cake, it is made with layers of white chiffon cake, sweetened whipped cream frosting and maraschino cherries, decorated with white chocolate swirls and white chocolate shavings.

It’s a delicately elegant and sweet treat that’s sure to enchant everyone at the table!

Christmas Chocolate Dedication Cake

This is the holiday cake that (quite literally!) sends a message.

This dessert is made with light chocolate chiffon cake filled and covered with rich fudgy chocolate icing, then decorated colorful sugar candy toppings. This cake can also be personalized with a special message.

Ensaimada Gift Box

Aside from specialty cakes, wow your party guests with varied flavors of that classic Pinoy pastry: the ensaymada.

This merienda favorite goes well with the post-meal coffee or hot chocolate that everyone would enjoy to unwind after the frenetic party activities.

With a Red Red Ribbon’s Ensaimada Gift Box at your holiday spread, your guests can enjoy three variants of this pillowy and buttery treat: Cheesy, Ube and Choco Caramel!

Red Ribbon Bakeshop Holiday Cakes and pastries are a must for any holiday gathering.

Order now via the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Happy holiday eating, foodies!

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon:

Red Ribbon Caramel Cake — Red Ribbon cakes for your everyday cravings

Red Ribbon Coffee Caramel Crunch — #SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

Sweet dads deserve sweet chocolatey treats from Red Ribbon this Father’s Day

Red Ribbon Chocolate Heaven — Red Ribbon brings a taste of the divine with its new Chocolate Heaven Cake

Red Ribbon, Lucky Gold Plaza — Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Enjoy a holiday-themed watchathon with a 15-day free preview of selected channels on SKYcable

As the holiday bonding begins, SKY gifts families endless entertainment via its wide selection of cable channels and affordable high-speed home internet plans.

Subscribers of SKY Fiber Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans, available for as low as P1,699 per month, can instantly enjoy movies and TV shows from over 60 cable channels. At the same time, they can seamlessly stream online with the new and improved speed boost promos that SKY Fiber unveiled for the holidays.

When the slew of Christmas parties starts to take over, put on some Christmas-themed movies and shows to get everyone in the festive mood. Select cable channels will also be on free preview from December 14 to 28 so that families can celebrate with a complete entertainment experience.

Starting December 14, design-savvy viewers can sit back and watch the heartwarming surprise home makeovers featured on “The Great Giveback” with actress-comedienne Melissa McCarthy and stylish actress Jenna Perusich every Wednesday at 10 PM on HGTV.

Cooking and baking lovers, on the other hand, can tune in to the third season of TLC’s “Holiday Wars” at 7:10 PM until from December 17 to 24. It’s going to be an even bigger and tastier dessert feast as new teams showcase their best cake and sugar masterpieces for the yuletide season.

Kids and those young at heart will certainly enjoy the marvelous episode “Bugs Bunny Builders: Looneyburg Lights” on Cartoon Network. You can watch the fun and wondrous Looneyburgers lights festival on December 24 at 8:45 PM and December 25 at 1:45 PM.

Another show to watch out for when Christmas Eve rolls over is the classic holiday flick “Love, Actually” on Tap Movies on December 24 at 9 PM. Avid fans and new viewers alike will fall in love with the complex intertwined romantic stories featuring the star-studded cast composed of Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and many more.

On Christmas Day, December 25, let love flow with another heart-fluttering film, “Holiday in Santa Fe,” which will air at 9:55 PM on Lifetime. This 2021 movie is a holiday must-watch as Belinda (Emeraude Toubia) realizes there’s something more about Tony’s (Mario Lopez) family-owned Christmas decor shop.

Apart from watching all the specials from these five captivating channels on free preview, you can also amp up the holiday energy with the 15-day free preview of live sports events on Premier Sports and Eurosport or the adrenaline-pumped flicks in the new action movie channel, Rock Action.

When you have a SKY Fiber Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan, you can even switch conveniently between cable TV to streaming apps with the SKY Evo digibox included in the plan. Choose from the 40Mbps (P1,699/month), 80Mbps (P2,499/month), and 150Mbps (P2,999/month) cable-bundle plans which have free boosted speeds of up to 100Mbps, 170Mbps, and 200Mbps respectively until May 31, 2023.

You may also subscribe to a SKY Fiber’s Unli Broadband Plans such as the 50Mbps Plan priced at P1,699 per month with an improved free speed boost of up to 150Mbps until the end of May.

Add Jollibee treats to your Noche Buena because new subscribers of select SKY Fiber Super Speed Plans via online application can get up to P400 free Jollibee e-GCs until December 31. Apply for a SKY Fiber subscription on the official website (mysky.com.ph/skyfiber) or through SKY’s 24/7 assistant KYLA on the website, Viber, or Messenger.

Follow SKY on Facebook (fb.com/myskyupdates), Twitter (@myskyupdates), and Instagram (@myskyupdates) for further news and promotional updates.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them online with like-minded people as some of the biggest perks of my job.

Header photo by Lifestylememory on Freepik

Details and program photos provided in a recent press release.

Easy-peasy Taiwanese cuisine at home with Ersao Frozen Delights

Did you know that Ersao Taiwanese Restaurant has been serving authentic Taiwanese food and drinks for the past twenty years?

If you remember the time when milk tea shops were not as ubiquitous as they are today, well you have Ersao to thank for being among the first eateries to introduce this delightful drink to the local food scene.

However, its contribution to the Pinoy foodie’s gustatory pleasures do not stop at its stores. Thanks to its easy-to-cook frozen food offerings, Pinoys can easily enjoy Taiwanese and other Asian delicacies at home or wherever they are.

Using simple cooking methods, anyone, from culinary newbies to seasoned home cooks, can whip up a delicious spread in a matter of minutes.

Boiling

For instance, its Korean Hot Pot is a 1.2kg pack of toppings that include tofu, tempura, balls, sausages, sliced beef and more in a kimchi-flavored broth.

To cook, simply place in a hotpot and heat until boiling. Serve hot for the whole fam and enjoy this flavorful and comforting dish on a chill day.

Frying

If you want to snack on something favorful, deep-fry some of Ersao’s Pork Taro Meatballs until golden brown. You can also boil them for seven minutes and add them to soups to make them heartier.

Steaming

Steamed Buns

Taiwan is famous for its steamed bao buns that are pillowy soft, delectably chewy and stuffed with delicious filling.

To enjoy a classic favorite – a steamed bun filled with braised tender pork in a sweet and savory sauce – get a few buns from a pack of Ersao’s Siopao Asado in a steamer and steam for seven to eight minutes before serving.

For a novel steamed bao experience, steam a few pieces from Ersao’s Salted Egg Yolk Steamed Bun pack for three to five minutes after thawing. Also known as Liu Sha Bao (which translates to “flowing sand bun”), it is filled with yolks of salted duck eggs, butter and custard powder which makes each bit oozing with flavor.

Steamed Dumplings

Siomai is another favorite among Pinoys. Usually made with ground pork and flavored with aromatics, it is a simple dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, an appetizer or a viand with rice.

Ersao presents new ways to enjoy this delicacy with its siomai frozen food products such as its Purple Rice Pearl Siomai, pork-flavored meatballs encased in glutinous purple rice. To cook, simply steam for seven to eight minutes after thawing.

Another Ersao Frozen Foods siomai variant is the Pork Siomai with Tobiko, made with ground pork encased in jasmine-flavored wrapper and topped with tobiko (flying fish roe). To cook, thaw then steam for seven to eight minutes.

Other Taiwanese dishes that you and the fam can enjoy at home, thanks to Ersao Frozen Foods include:

Want to serve tasty Taiwanese dishes at home to your family and friends? Stock up on Ersao Frozen Delights by visiting these Ersao Taiwanese Restaurant branches:

Mauban: 213 Banawe Street, Brgy. Manresa, Corner Mauban, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 89218603 or +63 917 1060363)
Sta Mezza: 129 Mezza Residences, Brgy. Doña Imelda Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 3549742)
Abad Santos: 1300 Jose Abad Santos, Tondo Manila (Tel: +63 2 82526223)
Banawe: 664 Banawe Street, Quezon City (Tel: +63 905 4029188)
Caloocan: A De Jesus Street, Cor 9th Avenue, Caloocan City (Tel: +63 917 1412222)
Cloverleaf: 3rd Floor, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio, Quezon City
E. Rodriguez: 82-C E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 85168168, +63 2 4111114 or +63 2 87100888)
JRU Shaw: 79 Shaw Blvd., Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City (Tel: +63 927 851 1228, +63 961 6034565 or +63 995 2542485)
San Lazaro: Vertex One Building, Batangas Street, Sta Cruz Manila (Tel: +63 2 83548938)
M Place: 16 GF, M Place Residences, Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City (+63 908 2973080 or +63 2 9047968)
Victoria E. Rodriguez: 285 E. Rodriguez Sr., near cor. Victoria, Quezon City (Tel: +63 977 7682970)
Wilcon: Ground Floor, Wilcon City Center, Visayas Ave., Quezon City (Tel: +63 916 3077881)
Zeta Tower: Shop no.24 Zeta Tower Bridgetowne Center C5 road, Brgy. Ugong Norte Quezon City (Tel: +63 945 9743998)

You can also shop for these frozen foods at Ersao’s online store on Lazada.

To know more about Ersao’s products and offers, visit its website and follow it on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Sony Music and Hazel Faith give back this holiday season to charity Rise Against Hunger with ‘Season of Giving’ Campaign

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and singer-songwriter Hazel Faith have partnered with charity, Rise Against Hunger, to support vulnerable communities locally impacted by food insecurity, whose situations have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes as part of Sony Music Group’s global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, where the company and its artists are giving back to every local community in which Sony Music Group (SMG) operates. Across the world, SMG is supporting global organizations dedicated to providing aid for those facing food insecurity, homelessness and refugee support, as well as music industry relief and educational programs for communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hazel Faith x Sony Music x RISE Against Hunger

This also follows the support provided through Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, to move the needle in broadening opportunities for underserved communities worldwide. In October, the company partnered with SPARK! Philippines to champion young women’s rights through music and film.

Beginning in the month of November, the Season of Giving program saw SMG committing sizeable amounts in each territory where the Company conducts business: Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Since its beginnings in 2014, Rise Against Hunger Philippines has packaged over 543 million meals for vulnerable individuals across 78 countries, including over 7 million meals for people in the Philippines. With the funding from Sony Music Group, the organization will be able to reach 1.5 million people in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the distribution of donated food items and relief packs to hungry households.

Jose Mariano Fleras, Executive Director, Rise Against Hunger Philippines, said, “COVID-19 has only worsened the hunger situation in the Philippines by costing people their livelihoods and making it more difficult for resources to reach those who really need them. We have unfortunately seen an additional four million households in the Philippines impacted because of the pandemic.”

“Through this partnership with Sony Music Group, we are in a stronger position to provide aid to vulnerable communities and double down on our outreach operations to address food and nutrition insecurity nationwide.”

As part of efforts to reach these communities, singer-songwriter Hazel Faith also partnered with the organization through a day of volunteering and performances for its beneficiaries. Hazel Faith is part of Sony Music Philippines’ Christian label WATERWALK RECORDS, which brings fresh Christian music infused with pop influences from faith-based artists to the new, streaming generation.

Hazel Faith said, “Food insecurity continues to plague many across the Philippines, and it is inspiring to see what organizations like Rise Against Hunger are doing to alleviate this problem. I’m grateful for the opportunity to perform for the beneficiaries of the program today, and proud to be part of a label that continues to give back to those in need this holiday season.”

In speaking of the seasonal initiative, Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group, said, “Globally, SMG is committed to supporting local communities throughout the year. For the holiday season, we wanted to bring extra support and relief aid to those in need and dedicate our efforts to more than three million people worldwide. We’re grateful to our artists and international partner organizations who work on-the-ground to provide direct assistance to their neighbors.”

In addition to Hazel Faith, notable artists and songwriters who volunteered with partner organizations in their communities during a series of in-person events include India Shawn (Epic Records), Tyler Shaw (SME Canada), NOBITA (SME Philippines), Kobie Dee (SMP Australia), Tom Wilson (SMP Canada).

This campaign represents the Company’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to forge partnerships and support communities that need it most, inside and outside the music industry. For ‘Season of Giving’, every global organization selected to receive funding was determined by a group of global stakeholders including our internal task forces, legal and public policy teams. Learn more about SMG’s giving approach here.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Conquer Fitmas with the best workout companions from OPPO’s IoT collection

It’s never too late to physically and mentally prepare yourself for all the parties and holiday feasts this Christmas. Make it a Fitmas celebration and hype up your workouts while tracking your progress using the OPPO Enco X2 and OPPO Band 2.

Immerse yourself in your workout with the OPPO Enco X2

The OPPO Enco X2 are true wireless earbuds perfect for your sweat sessions for Fitmas. Featuring a new ergonomic design, the earbuds are made to be a comfortable fit for you to wear all day. Easily control your sound with a simple squeeze or slide of your fingers on the stems of the buds to adjust the volume and pause tracks. The overall exterior of the buds is also protected with its IP54 dust and water resistance, so you can exercise without fear of damage from sweat and rain.

The best feature of the OPPO Enco X2 is its smart adaptive active noise cancellation which automatically detects your surroundings and adjusts its noise cancellation levels. It blocks out noise from the streets, cars, and even planes while you workout at the gym or outdoors. With this, you can immerse yourself in studio-quality sound and hear your favorite songs clearly while enjoying a rich, deep bass.

Lasting all day, the OPPO Enco X2 lets you enjoy up to 40 hours of listening time with the charging case and 2 hours of music playback on just a 5 minute charge. It also supports wireless charging where you can simply place it on a charging pad or power up by putting it on the back of your OPPO phone. Hype yourself up and go beast mode with your favorite workout playlist using the OPPO Enco X2 for only Php 7,999 online and in-stores.

Better on every move with the OPPO Band 2

Together with your new earbuds, track your progress with the OPPO Band 2 as your newest fitness partner. With over 100 workout modes packed in a 1.57 inch large screen, you can see more of the data you need in one glance. Included in these workout modes are the new and upgraded professional tennis modes and running modes which can help you better understand your skills, provide professional data, and guide you to make your workouts more effective.

The OPPO Band 2 also goes beyond your sweat sessions with its high-quality sleep and health monitoring capabilities. It can track and analyze sleep cycles, snoring risks, and oxygen levels to give you a full report that lets you know if you are getting proper and sufficient rest when you sleep. It also monitors and assesses your heart rate after running, alerting you of any abnormalities for all-day protection for your heart health.

The OPPO Band 2 gives you comfortable wear for 14 days straight on a full charge that also supports fast charging. A 5 minute charge can already give you a full day use for a seamless smart experience with a long battery life. The OPPO Band 2 is available for purchase online and in-stores for only Php 3,999.

Reach your fitness goals this Fitmas with the proper gear that will make you look forward to your workouts. For more information on the OPPO Enco X2 and OPPO Band 2, visit https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or check out OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Grab your vivo Y02 and vivo Y01 for only PHP 4,999 with vivo’s holiday offer!

vivo Philippines wants to continuously spread the Christmas cheer this season. Starting December 10, 2022 until January 31, 2023, the vivo Y02 and vivo Y01 will have a special PHP 300 discount, making each product worth PHP 4,999 only.

Model	Original SRP	Discounted Price
vivo Y02	PHP 5,299	PHP 4,999
vivo Y01	PHP 5,299	PHP 4,999

Check out why these could be a perfect gift for the holidays!

***vivo Y01.***
Phone that packs a few similar features to Y02 like the 5000mAh battery, 6.51-inch FullView+ Display, and Bokeh Mode camera feature. But it also has features that can support the gaming needs of consumers such as the Multi-Turbo 3.0 and the Helio P35 Processor. Available in **Sapphire Blue** and **Elegant Black** colorways.

Both the vivo Y02 and Y01 have features that make them bang for the buck! It is best that you check out the specs to see which one you should get for yourself, your friends, or your loved ones this Christmas!

vivo Y02 Specifications: https://www.vivo.com/en/products/param/y02
Vivo Y01 Specifications: https://www.vivo.com/ph/products/param/y01

This promotion aims to connect more Filipino families, nurture relationships, inspire creativity, and accompany every family member to meet their goals through reliable technology. To learn more about this and vivo Philippines’ latest promotions, visit vivo’s website, Facebook Page, or the nearest concept stores or kiosks to get more freebies until January 31, 2023.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Airbnb’s top 3 magical destinations and Airbnb Stays to book this Christmas

The holiday spirit in the Philippines is definitely in full swing now that December has come around. From malls blasting Christmas carols to streets lined up with colorful lights and parols, it definitely feels like Christmas wherever one goes!

For Filipinos looking for festive spots to visit during this season, several destinations around the country have gone the extra mile to spread the holiday joy. From the wintery mountaintops of Baguio down to the sparkling lights displays in Makati, here are some of the must-visit Christmas getaways in the Philippines this year — plus amazing Airbnb Stays for those planning to spend a night or more exploring these destinations.

Witness the giant lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga

Pampanga not only dishes up the most delicious sisig, but it is also home to giant lanterns adorned with colorful motifs and dazzling lights. Every year, the province holds its Ligligan Parul where they display the excellent craftsmanship of Kapampangans and award the “brightest star” among the year’s lanterns. People flock to the province not only to witness these “stars” in action but also to bring home gorgeous lanterns to be displayed in their own homes.

For large families or barkadas planning to visit Pampanga, the province boasts spacious villas with pools and amenities such as this modern tropical villa specifically built for staycations. This three-bedroom guesthouse is another option, and previous guests have raved about how every nook and corner is aesthetically curated — serving as the perfect backdrop for those holiday photos.

Experience Baguio’s cozy Christmas vibes

The City of Pines is a popular go-to for the holidays for incredible Christmas vibes. Besides its cool temperature and breathtaking scenery, travelers can enjoy holiday favourites including the famous tsokolate de batirol, and explore fun destinations like the Christmas Village known for its gigantic lanterns, lights, and even artificial snow!

Complete your Baguio experience by booking a cosy cabin getaway, like this mid-century A-frame cabin that can comfortably sleep 8 guests and is located near favorite spots like Wright Park. For an additional Christmas spirit, what about this rustic cabin that comes adorned with Christmas decorations plus a working brick fireplace? Both cabins are also pet-friendly so your fur babies won’t feel left out!

Watch the spectacular lights show in Ayala Triangle Gardens

The Festival of Lights has been widely considered to be a contemporary Christmas tradition in Makati. Trees bedecked with lights twinkling in unison to holiday music — it’s sure a magical sight. Now in its 14th year, the lights and sound display promises Filipinos a more thrilling and whimsical experience this year.

Skip the traffic and book these well-designed homes within the metro that are sure to be family favorites. This cozy three-bedroom family home in Taguig makes a perfect home away from home with its well-equipped living, dining, and kitchen areas. Another option is this luxury home in Makati complete with a fully furnished master suite, ensuite jacuzzi, and a cozy recliner to boot!

Discover more incredible homes for the holidays by downloading the Airbnb app or visiting https://www.airbnb.com/.

All stays referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific stay or experience listings on the Airbnb platform.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.