Jellybeans in the City

Enjoy great freebies with the ShopSM App during SM Markets’ Super Month this October!

October is not just a holding month as we wait for the mad Christmas rush in December. Thanks to all the fantabulous offers from the whole SM community, it’s actually a Super Month!

This whole month, SM Supermalls, the SM Store and SM Markets go all out discounts, promos and freebies, giving us shoppers not just a fantabulous time shopping, but awesome savings as well.

Thanks to SM’s online store ShopSM and the ShopSM App, we don’t have to leave home to shop to our heart’s content. We can simply go click-click-click on our computers or go tap-tap-tap on our mobile phones as we select and check out our purchases.

We can even earn points for our SM Advantage Card when we shop online, just as we do in-store. Plus, we could also look forward to exciting member’s only discounts and benefits.

This month, food shopping becomes super-sulit with SM Markets’ Super Month triple threat ensemble:

Super Tipid Deals which allows us to double down on discounts and savings
Super Sulit Grocery Shopping which allows us to stretch our budget and give power to our piso
Super Sarap Treats which gives us perks and freebies to make our shopping experience extra sweet

Simply shop online at shopsm.com/groceries with a minimum spend of Php2,000 to enjoy to enjoy these freebies!

*Duration*	*Free Gift*
Oct 1-3	SM BONUS SPAGHETTI 250G CENTURY TUNA FLAKES IN VEG OIL 155G
Oct 4-6	SM BONUS ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 70% 250ML SM BONUS FACIAL TISSUE 2 PLY TRAVEL PACK 70PULLS
Oct 7-9	SM BONUS HOTCAKE MIX 500G TANG POWDER JUICE ORANGE 20G
Oct 10-13	SM BONUS MACARONI ELBOW 400G NESTLE CARNATION EVAPORATED 250ML
Oct 14-16	SM BONUS FISH BALL 200G
Oct 17-19	TURON WITH LANGKA SM BONUS MARSHMALLOWS 200G
Oct 20-22	SM BONUS PEANUT BUTTER 224G SM BONUS MARSHMALLOWS 80G
Oct 24-25	SM BONUS SODA WATER 330ML OISHI GRAB NUTS ROASTED CASHEWS 30G

Plus, you can take advantage of these perks for more savings!

*Duration*	*Online Promo*
*Oct 1-31*	*FREE DELIVERY:* Free delivery with a min. P1,500 spend. Use promo code SUPERMONTH to avail.
*Oct 1-16*	*SUPER BRANDS: UNILEVER* P90 off on Pick-Up orders with a min. P600 spend on Unilever items Free Delivery + discounts with a min. spend on Unilever items Virtual Bundling Up to 25% off on select Unilever items
	*SUPER BRANDS: SELECTA* P80 off on delivery with a min. P400 spend on Selecta Ice Cream items
*Oct 1-29*	*SUPER BRANDS: GARDENIA* Free delivery on P199 spend of Gardenia.
*Oct 1-31*	*SUPER BRANDS: ALASKA* Free 1PC of Lock & Lock 2.6L with a min. P1,000 spend on Alaska items
	*SUPER BRANDS: P&G* Up to 18% off on select P&G items
	*SUPER BRANDS: PHILUSA* Up to 25% off on select Philusa items
	*SUPER BRANDS: GRABMART* Oct 1-7 – Free 2pcs SM Bonus Paper Towel 2 ply with a min. P1,500 spend Oct. 8-13 – Free Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal 400g with a min. P1,500 spend Oct.17-21 – Free Lay’s Stax Original 135g with a min. P1,500 spend Oct.22-28 – Jack & Jill Cloud 9 Classic 7g 36pcs with a min. P1,500 spend Oct. 29-31- Free SM Bonus Christmas Bag P350 with a min. P5,000 spend. Oct. 14-16 – Free delivery with a min. P1,500 spend Oct. 1-31 – 10k Voucher Raffle Promo Mechanics: Get a chance to win P10,000 voucher for every transaction worth at least P3,500. No. of Winners: 3

With such super deals – free gifts, free delivery and huge discounts – October really is a Super Month for shopping!

And we won’t have to leave home! Just visit shopsm.com/groceries or download the ShopSM app on Google Play or the App Store.

Planning to shop in-store? The weekend of October 14 to 16 is great time to do so as it is Tatang’s Weekend Sale! In honor of SM’s founder Henry Sy, whom the SM community affectionately refers to as Tatang, SM Markets will offer up to 50% off on participating items, free delivery on with a minimum Php1,000 single-receipt spend, plus a chance to be one of 10,000 winners of Php10,000 worth of shopping money!

Check out my previous posts about SM Markets:

Why not, ChocNut? Check out the limited edition #SMChocNutTuron

Australian brand Coles now available exclusively at SM Markets

Great finds to #TreatYourself with at SM Markets

Pet Express holds exclusive Piso Sale for pet care products from October 7-10 exclusively on MetroMart

The Pet Express PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart headlines the weekend piso sale events of MetroMart this October 7-10, 2022. Premium dog and cat foods can be purchased for only ₱1.00 from participating Pet Express branches, via exclusive delivery order on the MetroMart app and website.

The Pet Express PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart will have select products available for only ₱1.00 within schedules of 9AM- 2PM & 3PM-8PM on October 7-10, 2022, Friday until Monday. These include Pedigree Dentastix, Pedigree and Cesar dog food in different flavors, plus Whiskas, SmartHeart and Sheba cat food in different flavors.

Participating Pet Express branches include Pet Express Finlandia, Pet Express Cubao, Pet Express SM Aura, Pet Express North Edsa, Pet Express SM Makati, Pet Express SM Megamall, Pet Express Estancia, Pet Express Masinag, Pet Express Alabang Hills, Pet Express Fairview, Pet Express Mall Of Asia, Pet Express Greenhills, Pet Express Virra Mall, Pet Express Dasmarinas, Pet Express Molino.

Check out all items up for grabs for just ₱1.00:

*Date & Time*	*Product and SRP*
Oct 7, 9am-2pm	Pedigree Dentastix Small 5-10kg 7s (1week) (SRP: ₱119.75) Pedigree Grilled Liver Loaf With Vegetable (SRP: ₱40.00) Pedigree Beef Chunks In Gravy (SRP: ₱40.00)
Oct 7, 3pm-8pm	SmartHeart Refine Cat Pouch Adult Tuna with Crab stick in Jelly (SRP: ₱39.00) SmartHeart Refine Cat Pouch Adult Tuna with Chicken Flake in Jelly(SRP: ₱39.00) Pedigree Pouch Chicken & Liver Gravy (SRP: ₱40.00) Cesar Lamb (SRP: ₱74.75)
Oct 8, 9am-2pm	Whiskas Pouch Ocean Fish (SRP: ₱32.00) Whiskas Tuna (SRP: ₱32.00) Whiskas Oceanfish In Can (SRP: ₱99.00) Sheba Pouch Tuna & Salmon (SRP: ₱44.00)
Oct 8, 3pm-8pm	SmartHeart Refine Cat Pouch Adult Tuna in Jelly (SRP: ₱39.00) Cesar Chicken (SRP: ₱74.75) Pedigree Chicken Chunks In Gravy (SRP: ₱40.00) SmartHeart Refine Cat Pouch Adult Tuna with Bonito in Jelly (SRP: ₱39.00)
Oct 9, 9am-2pm	Sheba Premium Chicken Adult Wet Cat Food (SRP: ₱44.00) Whiskas Kitten Tuna Wet Cat Food In Pouch (SRP: ₱35.00) Cesar Chicken and Cheese (SRP: ₱74.75) Whiskas Pouch Tuna & Whitefish (SRP: ₱32.00)
Oct 9, 3pm-8pm	Cesar Beef and Liver (SRP: ₱74.75) Cesar Beef (SRP: ₱74.75) Pedigree Simmered Beef Loaf With Vegetable (SRP: ₱40.00)
Oct 10, 9am-2pm	Pedigree 5 Kinds Of Meat Home Style Made From Real Meat (SRP: ₱115.00) Sheba Succulent Chicken Breast Can (SRP: ₱65.00)
Oct 10, 3pm-8pm	Cesar Naturally Crafted Chicken Wet Dog Food (SRP: ₱74.75) Whiskas Pouch Junior Mackerel (SRP: ₱35.00) Ciao Jelly Chicken Fillet & Scallop Can (SRP: ₱69.75)

*Products are subject to availability in Pet Express branches.

“The MetroMart family is excited to have this partnership with Pet Express, as we continue to provide our customers with lots of great deals through the weekend piso sales.This time, we are including the furry members of the household, and Filipino families and ‘furparents’ can shop online for their pet supplies and other pet essentials.” MetroMart CEO and co-founder Steffano Fazzini said.

The Pet Express PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart is applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. A min. spend of only ₱1,000 is required in order to avail the 1-peso sale items. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the discounted items.

New to MetroMart? Get a ₱200 discount for a minimum order of ₱2k. Use the promo code “MMNEW” on the MetroMart app or website upon checkout. This is applicable across all stores and supermarkets for New customers, valid for one-time use until October 16, 2022.

Sign up for a MetroMart account here and enjoy Php200 grocery credit.

MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (with or no membership card required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys”R”Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in 2 hours!

Over 160,000 products are available with MetroMart’s 500+ partner supermarkets and partner specialty stores. Order your groceries through http://www.metromart.com, or download the app on iOS or Android app store.

For more updates on MetroMart, follow it on Facebook and Instagram at @metromartph.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Goin’ low-carb with Tito Jhay’s Almond Flatitos

With the holidays just around the corner and threatening our good intentions of eating and being healthy, it’s a good thing that we can now find sources of alternatives to carbo-loaded holiday fare that taste good while being actually good for you.

John Paul Titic, also known as Tito Jhay, owns and operates a Las Pinas-based online store to help people embrace a practical keto/low-carb lifestyle.

By showcasing affordable keto-based and low-carb versions of popular desserts, snacks, pantry items and ingredients, Tito Jhay’s Low Carb – Keto Panaderia demonstrates that it is possible to make eating low carb and keto meals part of one’s everyday lifestyle.

Take its Almond Flatitos, for example.

This flatbread is made using almond flour, which, aside from being low on carbohydrates, is also a good alternative for people with allergies to wheat flour or suffer from Celiac disease.

Almond flour is also a good source of manganese which helps the body heal after injuries through proper blood clotting, and assists in breaking down carbohydrates and cholesterol.

It is also rich in magnesium which helps regulate the body’s sugar levels, monounsaturated fat which keeps the body’s cholesterol levels under control and reduces the risk of heart disease, and prebiotic dietary fiber which leads to good gut health.

Would you believe that something so good for you can be part of a great meal?

It’s a great replacement for pita bread, naan or tortilla for your meat wraps, shawarma or burritos. You can even use it as a crust for your mini pizzas.

I used it as a replacement for pita bread when my family had beef kebabs for lunch. The texture may feel different at first but it still served as a good complement to the Mediterranean dish of savory grilled beef and roasted vegetables.

Check it out and see how you, too, can incorporate low carb and keto items into your meals.

Each pack of Almond Flatitos (priced at Php295) contains five pieces of 8-inch sugar-free flatbread. To store, keep the packs in the freezer. Allow to thaw for ten minutes before reheating using a non-stick pan, oven or air-fryer.

Order your Almond Flatitos and other low carb and keto items from Tito Jhay’s online store on Shopee. For more details and updates about Tito Jhay’s Low Carb – Keto Panaderia, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

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

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar, Gil Fernando Marikina

The city of Marikina is home to a lot of foodie destinations: some may be quite off the beaten path but some are endearingly familiar.

One of these familiar establishments is Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar located along Gil Fernando Avenue. Having opened in February this year, it’s conveniently situated to cater to residents of the surrounding areas.

In my family’s case, it’s the perfect stopover on the way to our staycation destination in San Mateo, Rizal.

During our several visits, we filled up on its delicious menu items, such as:

Create Your Own Salad Adventure (Php225) with Chicken Tenders (Php75)

We have proven that eating healthy need not be boring. With the Create Your Own Salad Adventure, we enjoyed fresh and crisp lettuce greens, pickled cucumber slices, tomatoes and crisp tortilla strips with our choice among three salad dressings (Caesar, Roasted Sesame and or Citrus Vinaigrette). We even made into a more filling dish by adding some juicy chicken tenders (alternative add-on proteins include shrimps or peri-peri chicken).

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (Php150).

We can all be a little cheesy every once in a while. With a few mozzarella cheese sticks, we can be a lot cheesy! Biting into crispy breading that gives way to warm gooey cheese is a great way to start any meal!

Peri-Peri Chicken Grupo (Php1,049).

It’s often quite a challenge to find a group meal that will satisfy the appetites of everyone in the family. The Peri-Peri Chicken Grupo stepped up to this challenge with awesome curation of flavors.

It starts with the Peri-Peri Chicken, a dish that originated from South Africa characterized by its appetizing blend of flavors and juiciness. The restaurant brings this world-famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices. The chicken is then charcoal-grilled until it reaches that gloriously golden hue, resulting in a peri-flavorful and juicy chicken with every bite.

Peri-peri Chicken is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces. These represent various gastronomic preferences, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and fiery hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

To complete the group meal, the Peri-Peri Chicken is served with four cups of java rice, four side dishes and a liter carafe of house-blend iced tea.

Half Chicken Plate (Php430 with 1 side).

At one time, our party included two more persons so we augmented our group meal with a serving of half peri-peri chicken served java rice and pastels de nata (Portuguese custard tart).

Our lunchtime stopovers at this Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar branch always bring a smile to our faces and satisfaction to our appetites!

This outlet is located at 6 Mayor Gil Fernando Ave, Marikina.

Other Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar outlets are located at:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To enjoy this feast at home, order from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s delivery website or call +63 2 73747374 for Metro Manila orders and +63 917 7747374 for provincial orders.

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

#TwitterForAgency: How businesses can leverage the Twitter advantage

Twitter has been around for sixteen years and, in the tech industry, that is quite a remarkable case of longevity.

As a micro-blogging facility where, through short and mostly text-based posts called “tweets,” Twitter has become the venue for news to erupt and go viral and for movements to take root and spread.

While other social media platforms may dominate, in terms of user base or ability to create curated content, Twitter, with a global audience of 237.8 million users as of Q2 2022, has owned the space for “what is happening and what people are talking about right now.” Twitter is where people go to get the on-dits on sports, music, entertainment, technology, gaming, business and cultural changes, among others.

This presents various possibilities that brands can leverage to boost their digital presence and drive their businesses.

Recently, representatives from Twitter’s Asia-Pacific offices and its exclusive Philippine reseller Entravision MediaDonuts gathered its clientele and agency partners for its first in-person event after more than two years.

Held at the Enderrun Tent last September 29, the event titled “#TwitterforAgency” gave the attendees a sneak peek into what’s next for Twitter: from its product roadmap focusing on solutions that drive purchase, emerging trends and conversations that can shape the future for this platform as well as creative executions that can tap communities and conversations to grow their business.

Together with my marketing teammates from SKY, I attended this event to gain some insights on how to leverage Twitter for our company and the brands we carry.

Some of my key takeaways from this learning session include:

Twitter is the platform to launch something new and connect with what’s happening. Given its unique position to capture what is current and what drives conversations, Twitter’s audiences are likely among the first to try out new products.
People visit other social media platforms for who they know, people visit Twitter for what they care and are passionate about. On this platform, people are leaning into their passions: they buy, try and share their experiences in real-time.

Twitter audiences are seen to be broad – have diverse interests, affluent – have significant purchasing power, and growing – mostly young (72% between the ages of 16 and 34) with more joining the platform everyday.
To succeed on Twitter, you must harness the influence of communities. Communities form public and real-time conversations about topics that people are passionate about. Some of the fast-growing communities on Twitter include gaming, food, music, beauty and finance. Users in these communities tweet at least three times more than the average Twitter user, driving a lot of the conversations. Brands are also seen as part of these communities and of users’ enjoyment of the platform.

Wondering what people on Twitter are talking about and how you can ride on these conversations? Here are today’s Twitter trends that can become tomorrow’s big movements:

The Great Restoration which encompasses a heightened focus on one’s well-being as well as a growing appreciation for the environment. Rewilding or “getting back to nature” is seen as a way of coping with anxieties from external factors such as politics and the global healthcare crisis. People are looking for changes in their home and community environments sparking demand for livable cities where there are green spaces and where people can rebuild lost connections and feel at peace with nature. Conversations are also seen to be leading towards topics involving self-reflection, mutual support, green spaces, outdoor exercise, nature photography and forest bathing.
The Force of Fandoms which shows how pop culture topics drive conversations among passionate fans of music, TV and movie personalities, who are no longer content sitting on the sidelines but are actively finding their tribes online for support and friendship.
Finance Goes Social which is marked by the democratization of finance-related conversations, among both finance experts and non-professionals. More people are talking about money: how to make it and spend it.

Global leading PR firm Ogilvy & Mather stated “With over 500 million tweets a day, Twitter is the world’s largest focused group.”

By listening, learning from and joining Twitter conversations, brands can bring their attributes to light and get people to talk about them.

Many thanks to Entravision MediaDonuts and Twitter for this very enlightening learning session.

TuneCore expands in PH to offer new payment options for local music creators

Leading independent DIY digital music distributor TuneCore, a division of global digital music company Paris-based Believe, expands its payment methods in the Philippines and Southeast Asia to better serve their growing artist base in the region. The first of its kind global agreement affirms the company’s commitment to providing the best user experience for independent artists in the Philippines and the SEA region where alternative payments options are more popular than credit cards.

TuneCore, whose international presence has more than doubled over the last 18 months, has partnered with global financial technology platform Adyen. The company has launched localized payment methods in the Philippines through Gcash. Others include Indonesia through Dana (GoPay coming soon), Vietnam through MoMo, and Global (Non-US countries) through China Union Pay.

Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore, emphasizes: “As TuneCore continues to expand, we not only offer best in class services on a worldwide level, the company also brings that same mindset to our local markets. For TuneCore artists, we not only want to support their artistry but we want to make it easy for them to distribute their music. Last year we launched the New Artist plan, which enables creators to release their music to social platforms for no upfront fee. Now with the launch of our expanded payment services, creators can access full distribution services seamlessly.”

Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia, adds: “In Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, card penetration remains low while e-wallets usage is quickly becoming ubiquitous among the population in recent years. By prioritizing our payments infrastructure to include local payment options that our artists prefer, demonstrates our commitment to the region’s growth. This is part of TuneCore’s hyper-localization efforts to ensure the most positive user experience for our Southeast Asian artists.”

In the coming months, TuneCore will push the program out to other countries and regions. Earlier this year, TuneCore launched its revolutionary new pricing program which allows artists at any stage of their careers to distribute their music. The program allows music creators to release tracks and albums on an unlimited basis via plans ranging from free/no upfront cost (new artist), $14.99 (rising artist), $29.99 (breakout artist) to $49.99 (professional).

Faryal Khan-Thompson, Vice President, International, TuneCore, shares: “Southeast Asia is an important market for TuneCore as there is an abundance of talent and growth in the region. Our partnership with Adyen simplifies and streamlines payments, giving access to music creators who previously would not have been able to distribute.”

About TuneCore 

TuneCore is the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers – with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, and Austin, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan and Singapore across 5 continents. www.tunecore.com

 About Believe

Believe is one of the world’s leading digital music companies. Believe’s mission is to develop artists and labels in the digital world by providing them the solutions they need to grow their audience at each stage of their career and development. Believe’s passionate team of digital music experts around the world leverages the Group’s global technology platform to advise artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,565 employees in more than 50 countries aim to support independent artists and labels with a unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naïve. Groove Attack and AllPoints. Believe is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: BLV. ISIN: FR0014003FE9).

Image by tirachardz on Freepik

Delicious and nourishing goodness at Nono’s Comfort Kitchen, S Maison

Sometimes, we just need a little bit of comfort every once in a while, more so, I think, on weekends.

It can be because we’ve had a terrible week, or we’re feeling some trepidation for the one that’s ahead of us. Whatever the reason, we can’t begrudge ourselves a little bit of indulging comfort to either soothe our nerves or to bolster them.

Especially, if that comfort comes in such a delicious form as it does at Nono’s Comfort Kitchen.

After touring Lakbay Museo before it closed its doors in S Maison, my daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to have our lunch at this chic little cafe located at the Atrium. Despite being located literally in the middle of all the action, it had a cozy feel to it that made us want to spend some time there.

Nono’s is actually named after founder Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto’s father. His moniker was first used to name the chef’s famous confectionery creation, Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion but the menu soon grew to include other deliciously heartwarming and nourishing viands such as those we enjoyed during our meal.

Fried Truffle Cheese Wontons (Php185). Crispy fried wontons stuffed with mozzarella and cheddar cheese then drizzled with honey and truffle oil.

Nono’s Home-Style Fried Chicken (Php365 solo | Php685 big plate). Crispy boneless chicken fillet served country style with gravy and honey along with a dinner roll, fries and corn on the cob.

Mac ‘n Cheese (Php395) with added Bacon (Php125). Al dente shell pasta baked with a sauce made with gruyere, sharp cheddar and parmesan and topped with crispy bacon.

Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion (Php175). This is the cake that started it all: moist chocolate cake layered with whipped chocolate cream and topped with walnut praline bits. No wonder it was named one of Spot.PH’s top ten chocolate cakes of 2019.

With this awesome blend of sweet and savory flavors, my daughter and were able to savor our comforting foodie haven.

Know more about Nono’s Comfort Kitchen from its website or get updates on its latest offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

This Nono’s Comfort Kitchen branch is located at Atrium, S Maison, Marina Way Seaside Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay, open daily from 10am to 10pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 915 7530819.

Other branches are located at:

Level 1, Phase 1B, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Second Level, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB ave. Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Three Central, Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Upper Ground Floor, Expansion Wing, Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Lower Ground Glorietta 2, Glorietta Complex, Ayala Center, Makati City
Ground Floor, Phase 1, Abueva Entrance, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, cor.Aseana Ave, Paranaque City
P1 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Dr, Makati City
Upper Ground Floor, Uptown Mall, 9th Avenue corner 36th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, 26th St., High Street South Tower 1, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
G/F KL Tower, Gamboa, Legazpi Village, Makati
Upper Ground Floor, Crystal Corridor, Pearl Wing, Okada Manila, New Seaside Dr, Entertainment City, Parañaque City

Nono’s Comfot Kitchen also delivers via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

Get 1-peso snacks in MetroMart PISO SALE with No Brand and Robinsons Easymart

The MetroMart PISO SALE continues its weekend bargain blitzes this September 30 to October 3 with snacks and other products that can be purchased for only ₱1.00 from Robinsons Easymart and No Brand.

All participating stores of Robinsons Easymart and No Brand in MetroMart’s PISO SALE will have products available for only ₱1.00 within schedules of 9AM- 2PM & 3PM-8PM. A full-size loaf of Gardenia Classic white bread,1.5-liter and other sizes of Coca-Cola, potato chips and even cleaning supplies like Zonrox bleach are up for grabs from the Robinsons Easymart roster.

Say “Annyeong” to popular Korean snacks and drinks like Jjajang Ramen, Injeolmi snacks, dried seaweed snacks, banana milk, flavored tea stick packs, and potato chips from No Brand.

Check out all items up for grabs:

*Products are subject to availability in No Brand and Robinsons Easymart branches.

“The MetroMart family is excited to be running even more Piso Sales with our supermarket and merchant partners like Robinsons Easymart and No Brand. We want to give the best deals to Filipino homes and families for different kinds of groceries and essentials, including snacks and household supplies.” MetroMart CEO and co-founder Steffano Fazzini said.

The MetroMart PISO SALE with Robinsons Easymart and No Brand is applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. A min. spend of only ₱1,500 from Robinsons Easymart and ₱1,000 from No Brand is required in order to avail the 1-peso sale items. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the discounted items.

Sign up for a MetroMart account here and enjoy Php200 grocery credit.

For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @metromartph.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Gather the family for a festive getaway hosted by Marjorie and Julia: The Barrettos’ iconic rest house is now on Airbnb

To celebrate the advent of this year’s Christmas festivities, the Barrettofamily has announced that they will become Airbnb Hosts and list their luxurious family villa in Calumpit, Bulacan on Airbnb.

Entertainment veteran Marjorie Barretto and famous actress-model Julia Barretto will be opening the doors of the River Garden Rest House on Airbnb for three consecutive weekends — with the first stay on 15 October hosted in-person by the renowned mother-daughter duo, who will share their favourite spots around the villa and attractions nearby.

The rest house will be available for a one-night stay on three exclusive dates: October 15, October 22, and October 29. Priced at Php25,000 per night excluding additional fees, the rest house can accommodate up to a maximum of 16 pax.

Starting today, interested guests can make a request to book at www.airbnb.com/h/rivergardenresthouse, along with a message introducing themselves and detailing their request including their travel companions and why they are interested to stay. Guests must have a verified Airbnb profile, a history of positive reviews, and be 18+ to request to book.

“The River Garden Rest House is extremely dear to our family and holds so many precious memories for us. I am incredibly happy to now share this special space with the world through Airbnb, and for more guests throughout the Philippines and overseas to enjoy our Filipino hospitality and rejuvenating probinsya life. I look forward to many more families and friends creating their own meaningful moments here and enjoying the rest house,” shares Marjorie.

Located an hour’s drive out from Metro Manila, the Barrettos’ expansive River Garden Rest House offers Filipinos an idyllic opportunity to reconnect with loved ones amidst nature. The villa offers four spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a large private pool, an outdoor dining area and lounge, a fully-equipped open kitchen with grill, and a gazebo boasting scenic views of the Angat River. Guests may also be able to purchase the fresh catch of the day for dinner from the fishermen nearby.

Purchased by Marjorie over 20 years ago, the villa has since been meticulously restored and furnished by the matriarch to reflect a blend of old-world charm and modern Filipino design. Local materials including pawid roofs, bamboo and capiz shell windows feature prominently. Each room also features a unique collection of precious antiques, furniture, accessories, and even heritage paintings passed down from Marjorie’s mother.

“One of my favourite things to do is spend a quiet afternoon in the shade of the gazebo, watching the river waters glisten under the sun. It’s always heartwarming seeing our family spend the day in different corners of the house, either cooped up with a book, engrossed in conversation, or dipping in the pool. I am thrilled to be supporting my mom in sharing this space with more families, and we hope our guests will enjoy and care for this space as much as we do,” adds Julia.

Recent Airbnb data revealed that destinations outside major metropolitan hubs are increasingly popular among travelers, and earnings from hosting are helping Filipinos grow their business and improve their homes.

Interested to learn more about becoming an Airbnb Host like the Barrettos? You can get free one-on-one help from an Airbnb Superhost at airbnb.com/askasuperhost, and find more useful tips and information at airbnb.com/host. For more unique stays this festive season, visit airbnb.com or the Airbnb app.

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Here’s your last chance to win a vivo V25e – Join the vivo Mobile Night Photography Contest

Filipinos love to celebrate, anytime, anywhere. Be it the graduation of a sibling, a friend getting promoted, or a fur baby giving birth, we always find a way to commemorate and document meaningful events.

For vivo fans who love to take photographs, vivo is inviting you to capture and share your best night shot captured via a vivo smartphone – your last chance to win the newly-launched premium smartphone, the vivo V25e as vivo is closing the submission of entries today, September 28.

Capturing Night Portrait Marvel

vivo representatives will choose the most creative image captured by vivo fans using any vivo smartphone. To qualify, the entry must be original work and should be shared as a comment on the official contest announcement posted on vivo Philippines Facebook page. Participants must also incorporate the #NightPortraitMaster in their captions.

The winning entry will be announced via the vivo Philippines Facebook page on September 30, 2022.

Follow the vivo Philippines’ social media accounts for more details and updates regarding the vivo Night Portrait mobile photography contest.

vivo V25 Series as #NightPortraitMaster

vivo has just officially launched its first color-changing #NightPortraitMaster, the vivo V25 Series. This latest addition to the V Series line is equipped with flagship specs that are cut above the rest. The vivo V25 Series supports Photochromic 2.0 Technology which allows the device to change into aesthetic colors when exposed to sunlight. In the camera department, the vivo V25 Series has impressive imaging capabilities such as 64MP OIS Ultra-Sensing Camera which gives users crisp and clear photo and video outputs. The series also features Natural Portrait which enables vivo fans to look even more amazing in a more natural way. Complementing this feature is the vivo 50MP Eye AutoFocus technology of vivo V25 and 32MP Eye AF of the vivo V25 Pro and V25e which capture the user’s face in glorious detail.

What makes the vivo V25 Series truly stand out is its impressive night features. Living up to the device’s title #NighPortraitMaster, the V Series Pro variant promises superb night photos with its Real-Time Extreme Night Vision, Super Night Portrait, Super Night Algorithms, and Real-Time Extreme Night Vision features.

The vivo V25 Pro is priced at PHP 29,999 while the vivo V25 and the vivo V25e sell at PHP 23,999 and PHP 17,999, respectively. For Filipino fans who want to avail of the vivo V25 Series, order is now ongoing for vivo V25e ( via vivo website, Shopee, Lazada), vivo V25 (via vivo website, Shopee, Lazada) and vivo V25 Pro (via vivo website, Shopee, Lazada).

For more information on vivo’s latest news and updates, please head to vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

About vivo

vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a design-driven value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company’s core values, which include Benfen*, design-driven value, user orientation, continuous learning, and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation.

While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a network of R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Xi’an, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, imaging system, and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set up an intelligent manufacturing network (including those authorized by vivo), with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 60 countries and regions and is loved by more than 400 million users worldwide.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.