Gel Jose

Secrets to making the perfect steak dinner from Saab Magalona-Bacarro and La Germania

There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious steak dinner to mark special occasions. While it may not be advisable to dine out and have this juicy classic in your favorite restaurant just yet, the good news is that you can cook this dish right in the comfort and safety of your home!

Actress and musician Saab Magalona-Bacarro, alongside her husband, businessman and Cheats frontman Jim Bacarro, make it a point to still hold romantic date nights with some good ol’ steak and mashed potatoes. “We enjoy preparing steak and potatoes because it’s delicious, hearty, and fancier than our usual meals, but also really easy to prepare,” Saab shared. Aside from having steak on date nights, they even repurpose them into steak fried rice for their kids.

In the first episode of La Germania’s recent Masterclass Series, the famous couple shared their secrets to making this dish at home. While you can watch the full episode on La Germania’s Facebook page to see how they prepare this classic dish, here’s the recipe you can try at home:

Ingredients:

Steak
● 500g rib eye steak
● Salt
● Pepper
● Butter
● Garlic
● Thyme

Mashed Potatoes
● Potatoes (5 large potatoes)
● 250ml Cream
● Beef cube
● Butter
● Parmesan Cheese
● Parsley
● Olive oil
● Stevia
● Cayenne pepper
● Paprika

Procedure:

Make sure your steak is at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.
Season the tray or cutting board first. 30% of the seasoning disappears when you cook beef, so make sure you season liberally. Then, rub both sides of the beef on the tray.
Season the beef again until it looks encrusted in seasoning.
Put the stove at a low temperature before putting the meat. The meat must be cooked in piping hot heat, so you have to be ready.
Meanwhile, you cut the potatoes, and boil them for about 12 minutes. Use a fork to check how soft the potatoes are. Then, you mash the potatoes.
Deglaze the pan with some red wine if you want some sauce alongside your steak.
Put butter gradually on your potatoes. Taste test the potatoes so you can gauge how much seasoning you need to after.
Once you season the potatoes to your preference, you can add some garlic.
Fry some garlic with half a tablespoon of olive oil on low heat. Then add the cream, beef cube, and herbs of your choice.
Put the sauce on the potatoes using a strainer. Add the garlic chunks if you would like. Then, put it back on the stove. Mix it around, and taste test if it’s seasoned according to your liking.
If you like your steak medium, you should cook your steak for 4 minutes on each side. Leave it to cool down for about ten minutes, and enjoy immediately.

For Saab and Jim, it’s not just about the way you cook your steak and potatoes. The secret is to use the best ingredients and invest in good quality kitchen equipment like La Germania. “With our La Germania stove, we can speed up the process of cooking our favorite dishes because it has multiple burners. It’s easy to control, and child-friendly too since it’s an induction stove,” Saab mused. “If you’re raising a small family like us, having a reliable kitchen partner like La Germania makes everything easier to manage. From everyday dishes to more elaborate recipes, we can have fun and experiment in the kitchen.”

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare restaurant-worthy dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and unleash your kitchen genius.

La Germania Steak Dinner — Saab and Jim Bacarro preparing their steak dinner.

Check out my La Germania Wish List on Lazada!

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website http://www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. For more information on La Germania and its products, you may follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the trusted kitchen and appliance brand.

ABOUT LA GERMANIA
Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit http://www.lagermaniaph.com. The trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

Recipe and details provided in a recent press release.

Garden Dining while at home

With this seemingly endless loop of heightened and then loosened quarantine restrictions, many among the restaurant and hospitality have had to rethink the way they do business.

One of these is Manila Ocean Park’s White Moon Bar.

In operations for the past ten years, White Moon Bar has provided its clientele with an outstanding menu of gourmet dishes and spirits to be enjoyed while watching the Manila Bay sunset or under the starlit night sky.

In May of this year, it pivoted its operations to cater to patrons who have been looking forward to dining out since the quarantines started by opening its outdoor restaurant, Garden Dining. It took advantage of Manila Ocean Park’s sprawling grounds where diners can enjoy the delicious creations of Chef Ranuka Hettiarachchi in comfort while observing safety and physical distancing protocols.

Once again, Garden Dining by White Moon Bar has adapted to the current re-tightening of quarantine restrictions in the metro by offering a diverse menu of delicious and nourishing, yet very affordable, dishes curated by its renowned chef and making these available online. These delectable dishes are available for delivery, pickup and takeout so that diners may enjoy them in the safety and comfort of their own home.

With this, Garden Dining by White Moon Bar has expanded its market to include not just diners who miss going to restaurants, but also busy working professionals and families with little time to cook.

These include tasty and comforting dishes such as:

Bulalo Steak (Php450). Batangas beef shank braised in roasted garlic sauce along with sweet corn, Baguio beans, cabbage and pechay, served with Java Rice.

Spicy Korean-Style Pork Belly (Php290). Tender slices of pork belly glazed with a spicy Korean chili sauce served with fried potato wedges, mixed salad and spicy mayo dip.

Chicken Inasal (Php220). Chicken thigh fillet marinated in lemongrass then grilled and served with fried potato wedges, mixed salad and toyo calamansi dip.

Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings (Php200). Crispy and deep-fried chicken wings glazed in sriracha and chili oil and served with pechay and Java Rice.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Php230). Kimchi and steamed rice stir-fried in a wok along with sliced pork, spring onions, fried egg, toasted sesame and fried seaweed.

Leche Flan (Php180). The Pinoy version of the classic baked egg custard with caramel.

If the thought of these dishes are making your mouth water, you might want to order a Mukbang Set that includes all of these at only Php1,099!

Check out more Mukbang sets and ala carte dishes that you can savor at home with your family!

Garden Dining by White Moon Bar is open daily from 11am to 9pm. You may course your orders online or call +63 917 8753292 for delivery in areas within Manila and Pasay with payments via credit card accepted. Orders may also be coursed through the Manila Ocean Park takeout counter, with payments via cash and credit card accepted.

Disclosure: Food samples were provided to facilitate the dining experience for this feature article.

What you need to know about TB (Tuberculosis) in the Philippines

It is important to know the different types of TB prevalent today, early symptoms and their effects, and how to properly treat it.

As we continue the fight against COVID-19, one of the biggest killers in the country remains overlooked — Tuberculosis (TB). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines has the highest incidence rate of active TB among all Asian countries.

Today, many TB-affected individuals in the country dismiss getting checked due to the fear of contracting COVID-19, lack of education towards treatment, and many Filipinos perceiving it as a low-risk disease. To better understand the current state of TB in the Philippines, it is important to know the different types of TB prevalent today, early symptoms and their effects, and how to properly treat it.

Early symptoms of TB and causes

TB is an airborne disease, and is not transmissible when sharing utensils with a person with TB. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which affects the lungs and spreads through the air when a TB-infected individual coughs, sneezes, or spits. It generally affects all age groups, especially children and adults with underlying conditions such as HIV, malnutrition, or diabetes. Adults who smoke tobacco also have a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Common symptoms include chronic coughing that lasts more than two weeks, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. If you ever experience these symptoms, it is best to visit the nearest health center or TB clinic right away to get checked up. If you are unsure of their location, you can use the online self-assessment tool — https://assessment.tbfree.ph/ — to find the nearest health center or TB clinic in your area.

The different types of Tuberculosis

TB can be classified into two types of infections, active TB and latent TB. In the case of active TB, the individual who is carrying the organism has active symptoms and can transmit the infection to other people. On the other hand, those who have latent TB do not exhibit any of the symptoms since their immunity is able to fight off the infection. However, at some point in their life, the bacteria can reactivate and become an active TB case.

TB can directly affect different parts of your body. For instance, the most common form of TB is Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) which primarily affects a patient’s lungs. Another is Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB), a form of TB that affects other parts of your organs and body including lymphatic, pleural, and bone or joint disease which are the most common, while pericardial, meningeal and disseminated (miliary) forms are more likely to result in a fatal outcome.

In some other cases, the TB bacteria can also be resistant to the drugs used to treat TB which classifies as Drug-resistant TB (DRTB). Though, if a person is classified under Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), then the TB bacteria is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs. Patients who fall under MDR-TB undergo a different type of treatment. Drug susceptible TB (DSTB) is the exact opposite. A person who is infected with TB bacteria that are fully susceptible, TB drugs will be effective as long as it is taken properly.

TB detection and treatment

Despite being infectious and potentially fatal, TB can be cured with proper treatment and early detection. The first thing people with presumptive TB need to do is schedule a chest x-ray test. If it is detected as possible TB, ask your doctor for a TB sputum diagnostic test to confirm if it is really TB. It is best advised to take the sample in the morning right before eating. Patients must then gargle water and take their sputum samples outdoors or in an open and airy place away from other people. If results come back positive, the patient must return to their doctor to begin treatment.

TB medicine is free at the nearest health center or TB clinic in your area. However, Anti-TB medicine is not like other antibiotics that are only taken for a week or two since it must be taken for at least six (6) months. Patients who are undergoing treatment may also experience mild headaches as one of the side effects but there may also be other causes. If you experience this, it is best to return to your doctor immediately for a consultation. Additionally, the National TB Control Program (NTP) does not recommend vitamins or any supplements, but it is not prohibited. Remember, it’s even more important to finish treatment to be #TBFree.

Do your part for a #TBFreePH

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) is gathering more government support through the amendment of the National TB Law to increase funding and efforts for the National TB Control Program in 2022. In line with these initiatives, mobile chest x-ray vans that can provide TB detection results as fast as ten minutes will begin city-wide sweeps. With this, TB detection processing will be made quicker and should help solve mobility restrictions posed by the pandemic. TB is curable and can be attained if every individual does their part to support, educate, and encourage fellow Filipinos to to complete their TB treatment and take anti-TB drugs regularly, so they can end the spread of the disease and live a healthier TB-free life. For more information about TB, visit www.tbfree.ph or check out the #TBFreePH Facebook page.

About #TBFreePH

The Department of Health (DOH) has declared TB a priority, in its hope to make the Philippines TB-free by 2035. Their strategy towards a #TBFREEPH revolves around varying global views, encouraging unity among all potential allies. This diversity of ideas is a main pathway in implementing the government mandate Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP). The big tent communication approach they are implementing makes the process of information gathering inclusive and relevant for everyone involved.

The DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) and Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO) and various other development partners in designing this strategy through a series of consultation workshops and meetings.

GrabPay brings the most sulit deals this 9.9 sale

Get discounts of up to 20% OFF or even 9X more GrabRewards points when you use GrabPay!

The much-awaited BER months have finally dawned upon us, and you know what that means – it’s the start of the holiday season! To kickstart the excitement and get everyone in on the holiday mood and festivities, GrabPay, the most rewarding e-wallet in the Philippines, is givingyou the chance to check out your favorite items with the most sulit deals this coming 9.9 sale!

Want to know about what GrabPay has in store for everyone from September 9 to 11? Whether you’re on the lookout for new makeup products, wanting to upgrade your skincare routine, or even starting to get into gaming, here are some of the deals you need to watch out for to get the most out of your 9.9 shopping spree!

Start filling your carts as GrabPay brings you the most sulit deals from your favorite online stores! Make sure that your GrabPay Card is activated and get up to 20% off on your Lazada purchases and even P200 cashback when you check-out from Shopee this 9.9 sale!

Fashion hunters in for a sulit treat as Zalora and Shein shoppers have a sure chance of scoring massive discounts as big as P2300 OFF on their shopping sprees this weekend!

Beauty and skincare enthusiast? Don’t fret, you are also in for the same rewarding treats! Check out with GrabPay as you shop for the most raved-about skincare and make-up products from BeautyMNL, Watsons, and ShopSM and get up to P200 cashback – you can even earn up to 9x GrabReward points to get the most rewarding bang for your buck from your shopping experience!

Gamers out there won’t have to miss out on the fun this 9.9, either. Snag your much-needed upgrades by using GrabPay to get Razer Gold credits and enjoy cashbacks and GrabReward points – which, in turn, you can use to purchase even more credits just by redeeming your points on the Grab app!

If you’re still deciding whether or not to jump in on the 9.9 excitement, this is your sign to start adding to cart now and get to enjoy the most rewarding and sulit shopping experience yet all brought to you by GrabPay! For more information on GrabPay, click here.
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Virtual resto-hopping at GrabKitchen in Pasig

Do you sometimes miss those times when you can just hang out at a mall and go restaurant-hopping?

Being able to try various cuisines is heaven for a foodie like me.

However, with lockdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic, restaurant hopping is nigh impossible.

Even if you try to order food from different establishments for delivery, the delivery fees would also multiply.

Unless, of course, you get your food orders from GrabKitchen.

GrabKitchens are designed to greatly expand the food choices available in a particular locale by serving a varied curation of food selections from restaurants with no physical presence in the area all served from one central kitchen. It also offers customers the ability to mix-and-match – ordering from different restaurants hosted by the GrabKitchen for a single checkout and delivery fee.

That’s a load of convenience and savings, right?

GrabKitchens have already set up branches in Glorietta, Malate and Paranaque, and now, finally, right in my neck of the woods: Pasig City!

Through this GrabKitchen, I was able to able to treat the fam to a wide array of dishes and cuisines from different restaurants for our weekend lunch. These include:

Dimsum and noodles from King Chef such as Hakaw (Php190/4pcs), Pork & Shrimp Siomai (Php130/4pcs) and Beef Brisket Noodles (Php280).

Korean-style boneless fried chicken from 24 Chicken such as a Half Half order of Original and Yangnyeon (Php545/7pcs each) and a Half order of Snow Cheese (Php299).

Solo (100ml) cups of artisanal ice cream from Merry Moo such as Honey Comb (Php135), Milo (Php135) and Strawberry Shortcake (Php135).

Refreshing drinks from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice such as CoCo Milk Tea (Php85/regular), Pearl Milk Tea (Php90/regular), Strawberry Au Lait (Php150/regular with pudding) and Chocolate with Pudding & Pearl (Php100/regular).

Thanks to GrabKitchen, the fam and I had a virtual resto-hopping experience right at home!

But that’s not all!

A few months ago, driven by our K-drama triggered cravings, we also ordered our Korean meal from Happilee Korean Kitchen which included Pork Mandu (Php99/4pcs), Mini Kimbap (Php150/5pcs), Kimchi (Php30) and Soy Glazed Chicken Tray (Php600/10pcs).

Other restaurants hosted by GrabKitchen Pasig include Omakase, Conti’s, Las Titas MNL and Merienda by Pan de Manila.

With the mix-and-matching options available, ordering from GrabKitchen Pasig is well-suited for families whose members have varied food preferences.

So, fellow Pasiguenos, when you feel like having some variety in your meals or want to explore new food options, download the Grab app and order from GrabKitchen Pasig!

GrabKitchen Pasig is located at 172 C. Raymundo Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City, open daily for delivery orders from 9am to 10pm.

Disclosure: A gift voucher was provided to facilitate the order experience.

Non-dairy and fructose-free milk teas from Grillin’ Ape

As a sweet tooth myself, I have to admit that I do have trouble saying no to sugary treats.

There’s nothing like a l bit of sweetness that I can enjoy in various parts of my day to give me that little kick of energy so I can power on or get out of a slump.

However, said sweet treats may have an impact on my health.

Milk teas, for example, are some of my perennially favorite drinks but these have high sugar levels and make heavy use of dairy products which may lead to difficulty in weight management as well as other potential health problems.

If only there was a way to enjoy my milk tea fix without its troublesome components, right?

Well, the Japanese street food joint in Eastwood Grillin’ Ape has expanded its product line to include fructose-free and non-dairy milk teas under its new brand: Ape Tea.

With exciting flavors such as Honey Dew Cheesecake and Strawberry Salted Caramel, Ape Tea brings that sweet and creamy goodness of milk tea without the use of fructose-based sugars and dairy products.

Try it with some of Grillin’ Ape’s tasty Takoyaki for a light and delicious snack.

You can also enjoy it as your dessert after feasting on Grillin’ Ape’s heartier offerings.

Ready to indulge yourself with a new milk tea experience and more? Order now through the Grillin’ Ape website or via Facebook. You may also call in your orders at +63 2 83677135 or +63 956 1504450.

Grillin’ Ape is located at Eastwood Cybermall level 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

Explosion of flavors from Explosive Burger Pasig

You would think that burgers are a dime a dozen nowadays. After seeing them proliferating through various fastfood stands and outlets all over the metro, you would be hard put to pinpoint one that you could claim as your true-blue favorite.

Well, for Pasiguenos like me, a new burger sensation has just come into town!

Explosive Burger has set up shop in our neck of the woods, right at the Northwing Food Hub of Hampton Gardens Arcade.

This newest branch is run by partners Eric Montoya and Jovy Barcinas who acquired the franchise from the original Explosive Burger based in Cavite, which incredibly spawned over thirty franchisees in just one year of operations.

If you happened to taste some of Explosive Burger’s variants, you wouldn’t wonder at its phenomenal growth.

Each burger is made with an expertly seasoned all beef patty, fresh off the grill then encased in a soft, lightly toasted buns along with house-made sauces, fresh vegetables and toppings, all combined to ensure and explosion of flavors in your mouth every bite. Hence the name: Explosive Burger.

And with burger prices ranging from Php68 for a single quarter pounder to Php189 for quadruple quarter pounder (!), you definitely get a whole lot of bang for your buck.

One weekend, Hubby decided to indulge the fam with Explosive Burger’s hearty and flavorful burger delights (and why on earth would I refuse?), so we drove off to Hampton Gardens Arcade to pick them up.

Waiting for our orders is already an exercise in self-control because the sight, smell and sound of the burgers cooking on the grill got us salivating.

We lost no time hieing ourselves back home so the fam could enjoy our Explosive Burgers together.

These included:

Pinatubo (Php78). A single quarter pounder with sliced cheese, cheese sauce, honey mustard, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. We got this sans ketchup because my daughter #ExhibitA prefers her burgers that way.

Bulusan (Php100). A single quarter pounder topped with bacon, caramelized mushrooms and sliced cheese, along with cheese sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. This sated my craving for cheesy bacon mushroom burgers right off the bat!

Banahaw (Php120). Two quarter pounder patties with cheese sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. Hubby got two of these: one for him and another for our son #ExhibitB. Two heavy-weight burgers for my strapping boys!

We also got a couple of orders of fries to go with our burgers. Amazingly, these fries are infused with the flavor of the burgers!

After this initial taste of Explosuve Burgers, we found ourselves hankering for another so later in the week, Hubby ordered some for our midnight snack.

If you’re looking for that explosion of flavors in your burger, then give Explosive Burger a try. You just might discover your new go-to burger.

Explosive Burger Pasig is located at Northwing Food Hub, Hampton Garden Arcade, 100 C. Raymundo Avenue, Pasig City, open for takeout and delivery Tuesdays to Sundays from 1pm to 9pm.

Call in your orders at +63 917 8935131 or send a message on Facebook.

Boost your gut health with Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to take care of our overall health.

A significant aspect of well-being is our gut health. However, unless our tummy acts out in ways that make us uncomfortable, we hardly take notice of it.

The state of our digestive tract contributes a lot to the health of other systems of our bodies: from the workings of our brain and heart, the effectiveness of our immune system, the state of our skin, weight and hormone levels, even the propensity to develop cancer.

Needless to say, ensuring the health of our digestive system goes a long way towards a living a healthier life.

For centuries, the aloe vera plant has been used for health and medicinal purposes, especially the jelly like substance harvested from its leaves – called aloe vera gel.

US-based company Forever Living Products, has mastered the harnessing of aloe vera’s health benefits and delivering it to consumers with its own aloe fields, manufacturing facilities, research and development, quality control laboratories and distribution channels.

In the Philippines, its products are distributed by Forever4U, which also hosts bootcamps for health, fitness and beauty buffs.

One of its products is Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches. A product of Forever Living’s aloe stabilization process, it contains 200 compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins which help in maintaining a healthy digestive system as well as a natural energy level.

With the addition of peach concentrate, this drink is not just infused with the sweet and fruity flavor of peaches, it is also fortified with carotenoids which are great antioxidants, source of Vitamin A and essential in maintaining the proper function of our immune system.

I started taking a small shot glass of this tonic drink before breakfast and after dinner everyday and after a week, it has helped in clearing my gut regularly (you know what I mean!) helping me feel lighter and healthier.

Now is not the time to take our gut health for granted so do stock up on Forever Aloe Vera Bits ‘n Peaches, or other aloe gel drinks such as Forever Aloe Vera Gel or Forever Aloe Berry Nectar. These are great additions to any #LockdownCleansing routine.

To brush up on more healthy habits you can pursue during quarantine and beyond and to order Forever Living products, follow Forever4U on Facebook.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature article.

Buy these at Lazada!

Forever Aloe Bits ‘N Peaches

Forever Aloe Vera Gel

Forever Aloe Berry Nectar

Find your dream home in the Land of Dreamweavers: Lumina Polomolok in South Cotabato

Admittedly, I haven’t had the chance to venture too far from Metro Manila when it comes to my domestic travels.

Aside from short stays in the provinces surrounding the metro, and the intermittent tours in the northern part of Luzon during Holy Week breaks together with the family, my jobs have allowed me to visit just some parts of Visayas such as Bohol and Cebu.

However, I haven’t really had the opportunity to explore Mindanao, which is quite a shame, really. After all, the country’s second largest island actually has a lot to offer when it comes to amazing views, captivating culture, appetizing delicacies and more.

Take Polomolok in South Cotabato, for example. This municipality does not just boast of a rich and vibrant culture and scenic vistas, it is also possesses a thriving economy.

The Land of Dreamweavers and Dreamy Sights

Polomolok is home to various indigenous groups whose rich heritage brings a lot of color and interest to the area. One of these groups – the T’boli – are renowned for the T’nalak, a special fabric woven by the women of their community from their dreams.

Various unique and colorful iterations of this fabric come into full display as during local celebrations. The Flomlok Festival held during the Foundation Anniversary of Polomolok in September showcases costumes made with T’nalak worn by the locals for the street dance competitions and other festivities.

Aside from the festivities, its nearby attractions which showcase nature at its best are sure to catch your eye. These include the crater lake of pristine waters surrounded by verdant forests Lake Holon; the woodland and wildlife sanctuary Lake Sebu; the colorful and rustic Strawberry Guyabano Farm; and one of South Cotabato’s most sacred sites, the Our Lady of Mt. Matutum Trappistine Monastery.

These vibrant and colorful aspects of life in Polomolok earned it the moniker Little Brazil of the Philippines.

A Thriving Way of Life

While the festivities and local sights would attract visitors, the high quality of life amidst the relaxed atmosphere will surely draw in people looking to build a life and raise their family somewhere new.

With a thriving local economy driven by agriculture and aquaculture, Polomolok is among the wealthiest municipalities in Mindanao. Despite this, Polomolok also boasts of a lower cost of living. Here, the cost of goods and services are much cheaper than in Metro Manila and most of the other areas in the country.

Polomolok also offers affordable housing options through Lumina Polomolok.

Find your dream home here

On the lookout for a house and lot for sale in Polomolok that won’t break the bank?

At this newest project of affordable house and lot developer Lumina Homes located in an 11.4 hectare area in Brgy. Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato, you can choose from over 1,400 well-designed and constructed house models for one that will suit your needs.

Looking for something fuss-free and low maintenance for your starter home? The Anna Rowhouse should be right up your alley. It is a single-storey dwelling with a 24 square meter floor area and a 37 square meter lot area, built with living and dining areas with provisions for one to two bedrooms, a service area and toilet and bath. Price starts at Php552,000.

Reserve Your Slot

If you have a small family, you would find your perfect fit with the Angeli Townhouse. It is a two-storey home with a 42 square meter floor area and a 36 square meter lot area, built with living and dining areas with provision for three bedrooms , a service area, toilet and bath and carport. Price starts at Php1,109,000.

Reserve Your Slot

If you’re looking for a little more space, you will surely gravitate towards the Armina Single Firewall Home which is a single detached two-storey home with a 42 square meter floor area and a 54 square meter lot area, built with living and dining areas with provision for three bedrooms , a service area, toilet and bath and carport. Price starts at Php1,527,000.

Reserve Your Slot

Aside from having an affordable yet comfortable abode, living in a Lumina Homes community also affords you with amenities that make for great times spent out of doors!

These include a basketball court, children’s playground, function hall, and mini gardens enclosed in a perimeter fence with 24/7 security, plus free shuttle service to and from town.

Living in Lumina Polomolok also lets you stay close to the action with these establishments within easy reach:

Marketplaces and Malls: Gaisano Mall, Friendly Mart, TLG Shoppers Mart and Price Mart Super Store
School, Colleges & Universities: Christian School of Polomolok, B.E.S.T College of Polomolok Inc., General Santos Academy, Polomolok National High School, SDA Dolefil Elementary School, and Notre Dame-Siena College of Polomolok
Hospitals and Clinic: Polomolok Municipal Hospital Inc., Bontuyan Medical Hospital Inc., Heramil Hospital, and JGR Medical Clinic and Services
Places of Worship: Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish, Central Polomolok Baptist Church and Southern Baptist Church

Getting your own Lumina dream home is made even easier, thanks to various financing options, such as:

Pag-Ibig Financing which offers the lowest possible interest rate with a 14-month downpayment term and a 30-year maximum loan term
Bank Financing which has faster loan processing with a 16-month downpayment term and a 20-year maximum loan term
Deferred Financing which involves straight payment of total contract price over 24 month at 0% interest
Spot Cash which involves full payment of total contract price applying a 6% discount if made within 30 days from payment of reservation fee, 8% if made within the reservation month, and 10% if made within 10 days of reservation date

So open yourself and your family up to fresh possibilities that living in Polomolok, South Cotabato has to offer! Contact Lumina Polomolok by calling +63 917 6296523, or drop by its sales office at Unit 4, 2F RCMIR Building, National Highways, Polomolok South Cotabato.

For its latest updates, visit the Lumina Homes website, or follow it on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Polomolok Field Photo by Julienne M on Unsplash

CITEM launches digital initiatives to boost PH Food industry

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has announced the launch of its initiative to promote the local food industry.

In a recent digital promotions meeting attended by representatives from its partner exhibitors, buyers, government agencies, embassies and media, CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan shared that these digital-based endeavors are part of the CITEM’s drive to provide a unique and comprehensive trade show experience for all of its stakeholders.

“Even before the pandemic started affecting businesses and events the world over, CITEM has already begun working on its digitalization initiatives in an effort to go where our audience is headed,” says Suaco-Juan. “With digital marketing and e-commerce disrupting the trade industry, one must be able to adapt to the new online processes, systems and methods that are the future of this industry.”

CITEM’s digital initiatives aim to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) keep up with their global competitors and maximize their resources in the new business environment, through the power of digital and content marketing.

Food entrepreneurs among CITEM’s registered exhibitors, for example, can now easily connect with, and promote their products to more buyers around the world through their digital storefronts and online catalogs housed in the IFEX Connect website (ifexconnect.com).

Their online visibility will also be supplemented by hybrid events (partly onsite and partly online) as well as fully digital trade events which are promoted through communications in various online channels to extend the reach and discoverability of exhibitors beyond that of a typical onsite trade show.

Content in the form of social media posts, press releases, newsletters, event brochures and look books, among others, will also be created under the Food Philippines brand (foodphilippines.com), to help promote the local food industry by highlighting the country’s food heritage, recipes, feature stories, products, ingredients and culinary talents while linking back to the exhibitors’ digital storefronts.

To help exhibitors maximize the potential of IFEXConnect.com, CITEM is also running content amelioration programs to assist MSME’s in the production of product photos and brand copies meant to optimize both the user experience and their searchability online. This program started with a pilot batch of 100 MSMEs with top food stylist Chichi Tullao and food photographer Justin de Jesus helping in the production.

For all these efforts, CITEM enlisted the expertise of premier storytellers in the food industry: Joey Ong, advertising veteran and Managing Director/Executive Creative Director of Dojo as Chief Storyteller, and Angelo Comsti, chef, food writer, and author of the bestselling cookbooks, From our Table to Yours and Also Filipino, as Editor-in-Chief of the two platforms.

“CITEM, works hand in hand with these food luminaries along with ODV Creative who offered strategic support for content production and event management, and UM Philippines for web development. We are proud to have built a homegrown website and we look forward to building a community that will let the world savor the best of Philippine food,” added Suaco-Juan.

Food companies and buyers are encouraged to register and be the first to experience the shift to digital. Application for the initial batch of exhibitors is until August 25, 2021.

Click here to register as an Exhibitor and here to register as a Buyer.

These digital initiatives will be managed with the aim of creating profitable relationships between businesses and their customers using a customer relationship management system (CRM) which MSMEs can now benefit from by virtue of being registered exhibitors of CITEM.

MSMEs can even link their e-commerce platforms (such as their online stores in Lazada, Shopee or Alibaba) to their digital storefronts in IFEX to facilitate seamless sales transactions and fulfillment.

Another support that CITEM extends to food MSMEs is its product innovation and development program, which is now known as NxtFoodPH. It is a year-long comprehensive and integrated assistance for the development and promotion of Philippine food products to adapt to changing consumer demands.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting globally-competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an Integrated Approach to Export Marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.

For three decades, CITEM has established the country’s image as the premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve export competitiveness in the international market.