Homeschooling snack break with Goldilocks

Many of us whose kids have just finished the first quarter of blended distance learning all deserve a pat on the back.

Much has been said about the stress experienced by students and teachers in adjusting to learning outside the classroom. But we parents are adjusting, too, right?

The good news is, you won’t have to leave the house nor spend a lot for your indulgence with the little one. Order some of Goldilocks’ tasty and affordable baked goodies from FoodPanda, and they will be delivered right to your doorstep.

Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Fluffy and Mocha Mamon (Php25). Light and fluffy, these are the Pinoy version of the Sponge Cake.

Butter, Chocolate, Marble, Mocha Marble, Double Dutch and Chiffon Cake Slices (Php29/slice). The same light and airy snack cakes available in a variety of well-loved flavors, which are well-suited for a quick snack or pasalubong.

Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Egg Pie (Php237). Creamy egg custard baked in a special pie crust with a caramelized top. One of my childhood faves, newly discovered (and much-appreciated) by my little boy.

Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Goldilocks via FoodPanda

Goldilocks via FoodPanda

After snacking on a cake slice along with a mug of hot chocolate, my home student here is buoyed up to tackle his homework.

I’m glad that it’s so easy and affordable to reward him (and myself!) with a tasty treat after all our stress as we adjust to our New Normal.

Goldilocks via FoodPanda
Goldilocks via FoodPanda

So momshies, if you’re feeling harassed as you tackle your daily grind while still assisting your kiddos with their home learning, kudos to you. Treat yourself and your home student with these treats from Goldilocks.

To get your hands on these yummy goodies (whether for homeschooling baon or for munchin’ on), just tap away at your FoodPanda app.

The Flight Attendant premieres exclusively on HBO GO on November26

HBO MAX’s eight-episode limited series The Flight Attendant takes flight with three episodes on Thursday, November 26, followed by the launch of two new episodes on December 3, two episodes on December 10, and the finale episode on December 17 premiering exclusively on HBO GO. Starring Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant is a story of how an entire life can change in one night.

Kaley Cuoco stars as a flight attendant whose life changes overnight when she wakes up in mysterious circumstances.

A flight attendant (Cuoco) wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened. The dark comedic thriller is based on the novel of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian.

Starring alongside Cuoco is Michiel Huisman, Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet, Michelle Gomez, T.R. Knight, Colin Woodell, Merle Dandridge, Griffin Matthews and Nolan Gerard Funk.

The series is produced by Warner Horizon Scripted Television, Berlanti Productions & Yes, Norman Productions. Greg Berlanti, Kaley Cuoco, Steve Yockey, Marcie Ulin, Meredith Lavender and Sarah Schechter serve as executive producers, and Suzanne McCormack is Co-Executive Producer. Susanna Fogel directs and executive produces the first two episodes.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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 with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

The Jelly List: Four ways to keep the holiday spirit despite the pandemic

Whenever the calendar turns towards the -BER months, around the same time when we Pinoys start to feel (or imagine!) that the breezes are getting cooler, and we start hearing Christmas carols on continuous loop in the malls, we also get all caught up in the anticipation for fun and festivities of the holiday season.

Those are all just part of the holiday spirit.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across the world, the loss of loved ones due to the sickness, the closure of many businesses and unemployment of many workers, can it still be Christmas?

My answer: yes, of course!

We Pinoys love Christmas so much that we won’t let COVID-19 cancel the holiday that brings hope and joy to everyone.

This holiday season, because of the restrictions to mobility or limitations on budget brought about by the pandemic, we won’t be traveling to places in our bucket list, gathering in boisterous families with our clan, nor squeezing into crowded malls for our Christmas shopping. But we can still have a merry – and even more meaningful – Christmas in this time of COVID-19.

Here are some ways to go about this:

1) Spend wisely

Given all the financial uncertainty that many of us are facing, now is not the time to splurge. Your Christmas bonus or aguinaldo may be needed for some unexpected expenses later on.

That said, you can still get a bit of holiday retail therapy done if you employ a bit more effort or creativity.

Prioritize buying the essentials – such as food, clothes and health products – but look for great deals. For instance, Shopee’s 11.11-12.12 Big Christmas Sale includes Php1 deals on selected fashion, self-care and stationery items which users can enjoy during the period leading up to December 12.

Shopee 11.11-12.12 Christmas Sale

You can also find ways to buy what you need without having to shell out cash. Your loyalty points may already have accumulated to a sizable amount that you can use them to purchase items. Case in point: I once bought over Php1,000 worth items from Miniso using my BDO Rewards points.

2) Be together, while staying apart.

One of the most difficult adjustments that this New Normal has brought about is the need for physical distancing. Especially among us Pinoys who are naturally outgoing and affectionate to our loved ones, being physically separated can be quite stressful.

While technology can’t take the place of a loved one’s actual physical presence, some small acts of thoughtfulness can chase away the feelings of isolation.

Our seniors, being high-risk individuals, bear most the brunt of these physical restrictions. Confined to their homes for months now, they can’t go out to stretch their legs or chat with their amigos and amigas. Be sure to check in on them regularly and cheer them up by sending pictures or video clips of the mundane yet happy moments that occur everyday, My mom, for instance, really appreciates when my kids video-chats with her via FB messenger.

Since the barkada can’t physically get together for a round of drinks, how about holding an e-numan sesh over Zoom? Send a ready-to-grill pack of barbecue or isaw from Mang Ding’s to your friends before the sesh to go with your favorite drinks while having your virtual bar hangout.

Mang Ding’s Marikina

You can also make and share a Spotify playlist of your favorite songs from childhood with your friends so you can all reminisce about the hits from the past as well as share a laugh over your collective taste in music.

The key is to share a happy and memorable experience even while staying physically apart.

3) Give gifts that keep on giving.

For many of us, budget is pretty tight, even during the holiday season. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t show our love for our family and friends through gifts. In fact, a well-chosen gift that takes the needs of the recipient into consideration, especially during this time, will be greatly appreciated.

For instance, rather than giving the usual gift baskets or knick-knacks, gift your friends with groceries, care packs or hygiene kits instead. These are supplies that they will no doubt need in the coming days so by giving them as gifts, you are eliminating something from their to-buy list, thus saving them money and effort.

You can also choose to send gifts that support small businesses such as online food sellers that offer family trays of Filipino dishes or new bakers that offer boxes of monster-sized cookies. These thoughtful food gifts save the recipient from the hassle of preparing a meal or indulges their cravings.

Alpha’s Kitchen Home Delivery

Extra Butter

How about gifting a loved one with a present made by your own hands? If you’ve taken up crocheting or knitting as a quarantine pastime, now would be a good time test your skills with some bespoke projects for your friends. If you’re among the plantitas or plantitas who sprouted during the lockdown, give your friends a cutting or a pot of your plants that they can have their own plant-babies to nurture in the coming year.

4) Share the love.

While life under COVID-19 may be hard on us, we know that other people may have been harder hit by the pandemic. Even if you don’t have a lot to give, you can still find ways to share your blessings to those in need.

For instance, if you’ve recently emptied out and reorganized your closets for the New Normal, you may have a lot of old clothes that can be donated to charities.

You can also use your loyalty points to give to charity. For example, you can redeem your GrabRewards points to donate to WWF, Red Cross, Unicef and more.

The pandemic may continue to wreak havoc in our lives well into the holiday season and even beyond. But it is up to us to keep that flicker of Christmas cheer burning despite all the challenges and difficulties of 2020, not just for our own enjoyment, but more importantly, to spark hope for others.

Happy holidays, dear readers! Stay safe!

Check out my other adventures compiled into Jelly Lists:

Singapore alt-pop newcomer Naomi G drops her debut single “Cage The Animal”

Merging the broody minimalism of Lorde and Banks with the chameleonic tendencies of artists like Halsey, Naomi G’s latest track begins rather unassumingly with nostalgic, flatlining keyboards and ethereal soundscapes, and evolves into a vindictive anthem that turns emotional scarring and pain into a source of strength.

It’s official! Naomi G joins the growing roster of indie label, Umami Records.

The eclectic newcomer marks her official debut with the release of “Cage The Animal”—a gothic pop-R&B tune that chronicles the cycle of abusive and toxic relationships, and how to get away from it triumphantly in order to rebuild one’s dignity.

Merging the broody minimalism of Lorde and Banks with the chameleonic tendencies of artists like Halsey, Naomi G’s latest track begins rather unassumingly with nostalgic, flatlining keyboards and ethereal soundscapes, and evolves into a vindictive anthem that turns emotional scarring and pain into a source of strength.

Given that she already seems to have her stylistic stamp on lock, Naomi G is destined to take the world by storm with her bold,assertive take on women empowerment, never treading lightly on important social issues that degrade, discriminate and disrespect people of her kind. It’s an accomplishment worth taking seriously, a statement of self-love and confidence from someone who
initially seemed to have lost it all.

“Cage The Animal” is the lead single for Naomi G’s debut EP which is scheduled for release over 2021.

About Naomi G

Alternative and alternating, Naomi G is one of Singapore’s rising Dark Pop songstresses rendering her most symptomatic coming of age experiences, wherever it takes her. The singer / songwriter unblinkingly stays her mind and allows her Freudian Slips to take entre stage. The rhythm that comes of it is a moody downbeat electronica, flavoured with slick notes of Alt-R&B, frothed by
ethereal Dream Pop, and enlightened by Soul. At times unsettling, her hypodermic words are indeed a salt to her own melancholia – one that slurs mystique sexuality and breaks down brittle emotions afoot.

She’s radiantly inflamed by the terrestrial experience she is treading through, unafraid of undressing intensity and honesty- owed to herself. Naomi describes her music as a “body- caressingly raw sonic prelude to my own deeper tensions” and that running them through music is the cathartic shatter she needs to figure them out. Other times it’s all about expressing that untimely and noise-cancellingly loud message that is often contemplative, combative and cynical. The young singer now begins her journey by flirting with themes of balance such as that between innocence and sensuality, relationship and isolation as well as nature and oppression.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Gift your loved ones with goodies from Bake Boss

It will be a different Christmas this year, won’t it?

We won’t be able to gather with friends and family, travel to our favorite haunts, nor have boisterous merrymaking.

The holidays may be subdued but the Christmas spirit should still be alive and well through the time-honored practice of gift-giving.

Presenting our loved ones with yummy treats is one way to keep sweetness in this world gone awry.

Bake Boss

Take Bake Boss’ baked goodies, for example. Made with love by thirty-seven-year-old baker Earl Reyes, these sweet somethings should give your nears-and-dears a bit of sugar rush that will usher in some holiday cheer.

Aside from her involvement with the family construction business, Earl busied herself with her hobby since high school: baking. She whipped up baked goodies for family, friends and coworkers during the height of the quarantine, and, bolstered by her husband’s encouragement, eventually launched her online food business in May of this year.

Bake Boss’ homemade sugary treats include:

Chocolate Banana Muffins (Php347 for 6 pieces | Php573 for 1 dozen). Moist and chocolatey muffins with the naturally rich sweetness of bananas. Gift this to avid chocolate lovers and banana loaf fans.

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Php297 for 9 pieces | Php360 for 1 dozen). Soft, buttery and chewy oatmeal cookies with the fruity tanginess of raisins. Be a Santa and treat the little ones to a plate of these yummies along with a glass of milk as a reward for being good kids all year.

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

It’s never too early to plan out your presents for your family and friends. So be sure to make a list and check it twice, then order your foodie presents from Bake Boss via Instagram at least two days before delivery date. Cashless payments via GCash are accepted.

All of Bake Boss’ goodies are freshly baked and can be delivered from Paranaque to anywhere in Metro Manila via Grab, Lalamove, Happy Move, MoveIt, Angkas, Mr Speedy and others (delivery fee charged to buyer).

Christmas may be different this year, but with sugary treats as delicious holiday gifts, it can be just as sweet as it always has been.

Bake Boss

Bake Boss

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Regional heritage meets global appeal: PhilPop 2020 charms with first batch of songs

Distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the maiden batch reflects the diversity and appeal of the region’s music heritage, and champions authentic representation of the contemporary ‘Mindanaoan’ experience.

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, has officially released the songs from the finalists of the Mindanao cluster on Spotify and other digital platforms worldwide this October 23, Friday.

Distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the maiden batch reflects the diversity and appeal of the region’s music heritage, and champions authentic representation of the contemporary ‘Mindanaoan’ experience.

The tracks available for streaming and download include “Akong Bilihon,” composed by John Cadeliña and interpreted by The Marshland; “Kasadya,” composed by Christian Chiu and interpreted by Jay-ar Vaño and XT on Sax; and “Pahuway,” composed by Sherwin Fugoso and interpreted by Ferdinand Aragon.

Akong Bilhon: An anthem of resilience

According to singer-songwriter John Cadeliña, “Akong Bilhon” is a song about contentment. “No matter how big or small the blessings you have or received, if you really appreciate it’s true value, then it’s more than enough for you to be happy,” the Pilipinas Got Talent season 2 finalist says. “I wrote it last June, inspired by the current situation we have—that despite the negativities, the weights on our shoulders, we should still look up for the silver lining.”

With its soaring arrangements and infectious melodies, the inspirational piece stresses the importance of optimism and resilience in dealing with the uncertainty of the times. 

John Cadeliña’s music project, The Marshland is the sole interpreter of the guitar-pop ballad. He counts the likes of Five For Fighting and City and Colours as major influences.

Kasadya: An eclectic sonic brew

Christian Tiu marks the passing of time on “Kasadya,” an irresistible number inspired by childhood nostalgia, Ilonggo culture, and the pandemic. Tiu’s official entry to the PhilPop 2020 Songwriting Festival looks back at the glorious memories spent with his family and grandparents.

Tiu shares, “During the pandemic, that feeling of isolation was even more accentuated.

The thought of spending time with our grandparents would be at the bottom of the list due to their vulnerabilities with the virus. In the song Kasadya, I was looking back to those times; reliving those memories and just embracing those nostalgic moments. I felt genuinely happy for those times.” 

Musically, “Kasadya” is an upbeat number that blends ‘80s pop with jazz, Manila Sound, ‘70s soul, and contemporary R&B sounds. It features interesting arrangements that mirror the artist’s intentional leaning towards retro-sounding appeal, while also incorporating modern touches to cater to the younger generation of listeners. The song is interpreted by Jay-ar Vaño, a singer based in Koronadal City and an active contributor to the Ilonggo pop scene, and XT on Sax, a renowned saxophonist.

Pahuway: An emotionally gripping ballad

Sherwin’s Fugoso’s stripped-down ballad “Pahuway” speaks about knowing what your heart truly desires and patiently waiting for its fulfillment. According to the folk artist, it’s a song about “longing, love, commitment, and dedication that stands against the test of time.”

Pahuway was inspired by a famous passage from Saint Augustine’s  Confession in which he states: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you,” Fugoso explains. “His words hit me big-time, and for me, it is a must to write songs out of these very powerful words.  Pahuway portrays my longing for a cure for my daily dose of restlessness.”

The spiritual song digs deeper into the songwriter’s emotional psyche, but mines a less-is-more approach to showcase the vulnerability in Fugoso’s words. Award-winning Cebu-based artist Ferdinand Aragon interprets the song with the right mix of subtlety and warmth, and even going to as far as captivating listeners with his nuanced delivery and wounded vocal styling.

“Akong Bilhon,” “Kasadya,” and “Pahuway” are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.

Image and details provided by PhilPop in a recent press release.

Four reasons why you should choose cage-free eggs

Eggs are part of our daily food intake: from the sunny-side-up fried eggs we have for breakfast, a vital ingredient for our soups, sauces and other viands, to part of the batter for our favorite cakes and pastries.

Cage-free eggs

Cage-free eggs

Have you ever wondered how the eggs you eat are produced?

If you’re picturing a farm girl serenely picking eggs inside a barn in an idyllic farm setting during the wee hours of the morning, you’re way off the mark.

Eighty-five percent of the eggs produced in the Philippines come from hens living inside battery cages. In these contraptions, they don’t have enough space to stretch their wings, move around and exhibit other natural behaviors such as perching, nesting, dust bathing and foraging.

Preventing the expression these behaviors leads to the hens’ frustration, distress and even physical problems.

(Some of us have complained about the stress and frustration being confined in our homes while still expected to work and function as usual during lockdown. Imagine how much worse the situation is for these hens!)

Having evolved as the species at the top of the food chain, we ought to take better care of our food source such as egg-laying hens for economy, sustainability, as well as our own humanity.

Cage-free eggs

Cage-free eggs

One way to do just that is to support egg producers with cage-free systems. These environments include aviary and free-range systems that allow hens to exhibit their natural behaviors as well as provide opportunities for improved welfare of the hens such as perching space, litter space for dustbathing and foraging, nest boxes and environmental enrichments, among others.

Here are four reasons why we should go cage-free:

Food safety. Did you know that salmonella – the type bacteria that causes food-related illnesses such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and stomach pain – are five times more likely to be found in cage systems than in cage-free ones? This is attributed to factors such as the hens’ acquisition of healthy gut flora, stress levels and susceptibility to disease when comparing the systems.

Cage-free eggs

Egg quality and health. According to numerous studies, cage-free eggs have a healthier overall nutritional profile. They have less saturated fat and cholesterol, higher levels of protein, Vitamins A and E, alpha tocopherol and alpha linolenic acid, carotenoid and beta carotene, as well as a healthier ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids.

Cage-free eggs

Animal welfare. Across the world, more and more consumers are supporting a shift towards cage-free systems as it has been proven to to give the hens a better quality of life during their egg-laying cycle and is part of an ethical and sustainable food production practice.

Cage-free eggs

Market and production. Cage-free systems, especially for backyard farmers, benefit from reduced production costs as well as access to better markets as consumer education and preference for eggs produced in cage-free environments are on the rise.

So how can we help in bringing about this welcome change in egg production?

Buy cage-free eggs instead of regular eggs. As demand for these eggs rise, more egg producers will shift to cage-free systems.

Dine at (or order from) restaurants that use cage-free eggs. Restaurants are among the top institutional purchasers of ingredients and their patronage can go a long way towards supporting cage-free farmers.

Tell your family and friends to choose cage-free eggs. Encourage your little ones to practice sustainable consumption of resources and help spread the word on the Cage-Free, Cruel-Free Campaign.

Cage-free eggs

For more deets on this initiative:

Shopee Welcomes Kris Aquino as its New Brand Ambassador for the 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee users can anticipate guest appearances from Kris Aquino on TV and Shopee Live, a special charity drive, and a brand-new TV commercial.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces the Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, as its new brand ambassador for the Shopee 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Together with Kris Aquino, Shopee celebrates the festive season with weeks full of exciting in-app games, a star-studded TV special, and tons of amazing deals and promos this Shopee 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. 

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas is the biggest holiday in the Philippines, and we are excited to kickstart the celebrations with Kris Aquino as our new brand ambassador. Having Kris Aquino join our Shopee family demonstrates our continuous efforts to reach our long-term vision of making e-commerce for everyone. We want to connect with our Filipino users on a deeper level and help them enjoy the benefits of e-commerce this Christmas season. We will continue to surprise and delight shoppers at the Shopee 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale and invite everyone to join in the fun with us.” 

As the new brand ambassador, Kris Aquino will participate in a range of initiatives for the Shopee 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Shoppers can look forward to the following: Kris Aquino’s highly anticipated on-screen appearances on TV and Shopee Live, Kris Aquino’s highly anticipated on-screen appearances on TV and Shopee Live, engaging and entertaining Kris Aquino Tiktok videos on Shopee official account, Mini-games on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where users can get the chance to win Shopee vouchers and Shopee themed Kris Aquino stickers on Instagram.

Shopee Bayanihan: Pamaskong Pambata

Additionally, Kris Aquino teams up with Shopee as the face of Shopee Bayanihan: Pamaskong Pambata. Together, they will help raise funds to support the Filipino youth’s health, education, and welfare through a digital charity sale, special live streams with leading brands, and user donations through the Shopee app. Partner organizations include PGH Medical Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, FundLife, World Vision Philippines, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Mano Amiga, Young Focus Philippines, Save the Children, Project Pearls, Project SMILE, and Kythe Foundation.

Key highlights of the Shopee 11.11 – 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

From October 21 to December 12, shoppers can look forward to exciting games, amazing deals, and big discounts from leading brands. 

Unbeatable Christmas deals on Shopee: Users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend, daily 20% coins cashback on best treats like a Xiaomi 32-inch LED TV, a Dyson Cyclone Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, and Christmas baubles such as decorative ornaments and village nativity sets.  

₱1 Deals: Consumers can expect ₱1 deals on selected items from various categories such as beauty, fashion, mobile, and stationery products.

Exclusive deals from leading brands: Users can anticipate up to 70% off on 11.11’s leading brands such as Pampers, Nestle, Vivo, Globe, Havaianas, Unilever Beauty, Abbott, Garnier, realme, and Enfagrow.

Additionally, Closeup, Pond’s, Lifebuoy, Dove, Creamsilk, TRESemmé, Colgate-Palmolive, Comfort, Nivea, ACE, Union Appliances, Kyowa, Patagonia Foods Philippines, Candy Corner, Inspi, Organic Official, Crown, Mikana, Shigetsu, Universal Robina Corporation, GSK – Sensodyne, and Goldriver Management (Beauti Drink Collaskin) will give out amazing deals. Shopee users can also enjoy fantastic promotions from brands like Spyder, SoFab!, Figlia, Herschel, Johnson & Johnson (Aveeno, Johnson’s Baby, Modess, Neutrogena, Listerine), Garnier, Klean Kanteen, Nokia, and Robinson’s Appliances.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Greater Southeast Asia. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

Details provided by Shopee in a recent press release

7 Must-see features of the awesome new TECNO POVA

The newly-rebranded POVA smartphone series combines premium performance and competitive pricing

With the arrival of its POVA series in the Philippines, global premier mobile phone brand, TECNO Mobile, has once again provided consumers with a high-performance phone at an affordable price tag. 

Officially launched on October 15, 2020, POVA is exclusively available at the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall. This smartphone comes in two attractive colors, Magic Blue and Speed Purple, and is priced at PHP 6,999.

Previously released as TECNO Pouvoir, POVA retains key elements from its predecessor, including an outstanding processor, brilliant screen, and superior battery. Built to provide optimal value to users, the new POVA series is flexible and adaptable, capable of delivering the best mobile experience.

What exactly can users expect from this performance beast? Here is a list of 7 must-see features of the awesome new TECNO POVA. 

  1. A 6000mAh super battery with a standby time of 30 days, and the ability to play music for 8 days straight, on just a single charge.
  2. An 18W dual IC flash charger, which can increase charging efficiency by 20%
  3. A Helio G80 Gaming Processor, which unlocks intelligent resource management in game mode, and enhanced power management for high intensity gaming
  4. A 64GB + 6GB memory with HyperEngine Game Technology for a dynamic lag-free gaming experience 
  5. The exclusive HiOS Operating System, built on Android™ 10, with an all-new design that allows a wide-range of user customization
  6. A 6.8” dot-in display screen with an extremely sharp display, and a 90.4% perfect screen ratio that provides a better viewing experience 
  7. Enhanced artificial intelligence cameras for professional quality photos – Four 13-megapixel focal length cameras on the rear, and an 8-megapixel AI selfie front camera

For a limited time only, POVA will be available at the special launch price of PHP 6,499 to the first 3000 buyers on the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall.  Be one of the first 1000 buyers to use voucher code GADGETZONE8 starting midnight of October 15, 2020 and get POVA for only PHP5,999.

Visit the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall to check out the new POVA series, and see the latest offerings. For updates and other information, visit www.tecno-mobile.com/ph.

Details provided by Tecno Mobile in a recent press release.

His Dark Materials Season 2 premieres on Nov 17 on HBO and HBO GO

Season two of the HBO drama series His Dark Materials debuts same time as the U.S. on Tuesday, November 17 at 10am on HBO GO and HBO with an encore at 10pm on HBO. New episodes premiere every Tuesday at the same time.

Season two of His Dark Materials begins after Lord Asriel has opened a bridge to a new world, and, distraught over the death of her best friend, Lyra follows Asriel into the unknown. In a strange and mysterious abandoned city she meets Will, a boy from our world who is also running from a troubled past. Lyra and Will learn their destinies are tied to reuniting Will with his father but find their path is constantly thwarted as a war begins to brew around them. Meanwhile, Mrs. Coulter searches for Lyra, determined to bring her home by any means necessary.

Season two series regulars include Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Amir Wilson, Ariyon Bakare, Andrew Scott, Will Keen, Ruta Gedmintas and Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Joining the cast this season are Terence Stamp, Jade Anouka and Simone Kirby.    

His Dark Materials is produced by Bad Wolf in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One and HBO. Executive producing the series are Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch, Joel Collins and Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf; Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne, Tom Hooper; Deborah Forte, Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for New Line Cinema; and Ben Irving and Piers Wenger for the BBC.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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 with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.