press release – Page 23 – Jellybeans in the City

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

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

Immerse yourself in your workout with the OPPO Enco X2

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

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

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

Better on every move with the OPPO Band 2

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

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

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

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

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Details provided in a recent press release.

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

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

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

Witness the giant lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga

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

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

Experience Baguio’s cozy Christmas vibes

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

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

Watch the spectacular lights show in Ayala Triangle Gardens

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

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

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

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

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Score Buy 1 Get 1 deals on kitchen appliances for as low as ₱20 in S&R Treats 99% OFF MetroMart Sale

Naughty or nice, with membership card or none, everyone is welcome to awesome discount deals in the S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart this December 16-19, 2022.

The S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart, will have various items available at a big discount within a limited time slot per day. These items include Spam Luncheon Meat, Member’s Selection Fruit Cocktail, Planters Cheez Curls, Hershey’s Syrup, Pasta Toscana products, and many more.

There is also a special flash sale of kitchen appliances available at noontime for each day of the S&R Treats 99% Off, and sold in Buy 1, Take 1 bundles, too. The featured items are from top brands like Kuchenluxe, Blakk, and Baumann, and are also at 99% off discount.

Please see the S&R Treats 99% OFF itineraries below:

Grocery Items

*Date & Time*	Products	SRP	*Promo Price*
Dec 16, 9am-2pm	MEMBER’S SELECTION FRUIT COCKTAIL IN HEAVY SYRUP	₱181.00	₱1.81
Dec 16, 3pm-8pm	PASTA TOSCANA LINGUINE 1 KG	₱149.00	₱1.49
Dec 16, 9pm-12 midnight	CAMEL MIXED SNACKS 300G	₱159.00	₱1.59
Dec 17, 9am-2pm	PREM LUNCHEON MEAT LITE 340G	₱198.00	₱1.98
Dec 17, 3pm-8pm	ZANUY CORN CHIPS TORTILLA 454G	₱169.00	₱1.69
Dec 17, 9pm-12 midnight	HERSHEY’S SYRUP CARAMEL 651ML	₱199.00	₱1.99
Dec 18, 9am-2pm	HOSEN FRUIT COCKTAIL 825G	₱148.00	₱1.48
Dec 18, 3pm-8pm	PASTA TOSCANA PENNE 1 KG	₱149.00	₱1.49
Dec 18, 9pm-12 midnight	HERSHEY SYRUP STRAWBERRY 651ML	₱199.00	₱1.99
Dec 19, 9am-2pm	PLANTERS CHEESE CURLS 4Z	₱169.00	₱1.69
Dec 19, 3pm-8pm	ARGENTE DELICATESSEN CHIPS 180G	₱149.00	₱1.49
Dec 18, 9pm-12 midnight	KHAOSHONG PNUT CRACKER SRHMP180G	₱199.00	₱1.99

Kitchen Appliances

*Date & Time*	Products	SRP	*Promo Price*
Dec 16, 12 midnight	KUCHENLUXE DOUBLE BURNER KGS2 BUY 1 TAKE 1	₱1,995.00	₱19.95
Dec 17, 12 midnight	BLAKK 16IN STAND FAN BUY 1 TAKE 1	₱2,395.00	₱23.95
Dec 18, 12 midnight	KUCHENLUXE 5LTR FOOD STEAMER BUY 1 TAKE 1	₱1,895.00	₱18.95
Dec 19, 12 midnight	BAUMANN 1.5L BLENDER BM-BL1085 BUY 1 TAKE 1	₱2,095.00	₱20.95

Customers can also double down on the discounts with Payday Specials, running this Dec 15-18, 2022. By using codes DECPAYDAY 300, DECPAYDAY200, and DECPAYDAY100, shoppers may also avail of ₱300, ₱200 and ₱100, respectively. This promo is valid for ALL Users, for a one-time redemption within the promo period, and applicable across all stores, terms and conditions apply.

The S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart, are applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. An S&R membership is not required for online orders via MetroMart. A minimum spend of only ₱2,000 is required in order to avail the discounted items. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the sale items.

The S&R Treats 99% Off is available in participating branches of S&R, and can be availed with or without a membership card. The Payday Specials promos are available across all stores via the MetroMart app and website. MetroMart’s online delivery service is available all over Metro Manila and key locations throughout the Philippines, including Baguio, Pangasinan, Batangas, Davao, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, and more.

“The countdown to Christmas is at its closest ever, and the MetroMart family are very pleased to provide such great deals to all Filipino families for the holidays. We can celebrate the spirit of giving and togetherness, and welcome the new year, too. We’ll definitely have so many more great discounts and promo events like this slated for 2023, so be on the lookout and ready to seize those deals!” MetroMart CEO and co-founder Steffano Fazzini said.

Are you new to MetroMart? 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, No Brand, 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! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @metromartph. Order groceries online or download the app via https://bit.ly/DownloadNowMM

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

SKY Fiber brings faster and improved speeds just in time for the holidays

In the spirit of giving, home internet service provider SKY Fiber boosts the speed promos of select Super Speed Plans while keeping the same monthly subscription fee so that new and existing subscribers can instantly enjoy faster and seamless connection during the holiday festivities this December until May 31, 2023.

Starting December 9, customers can avail the 50Mbps Plan priced at P1,699 per month and get up to 150Mbps speed for free. This is an increase of more than 70% from the previous speed boost promo of only up to 85Mbps.

Moreover, the 30Mbps Plan for P1,299 a month can now provide up to 45Mbps speed while the 100Mbps Plan for P2,299 a month provides up to 200Mbps within the promo period.

With such high-speed connectivity, families can conveniently stream shows together, connect with their loved ones through video calls, or join in virtual Christmas parties without interruption.

Further elevate the yuletide fun at home by getting a SKY Fiber Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan. Aside from faster speed boosts, these plans can provide access to over 190 cable channels and hundreds of apps and games via the SKY Evo digibox included in the bundle.

The 40Mbps Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan which costs P1,699 per month can now give up to 100Mbps speed compared to the 80Mbps free speed boost before. The 80Mbps cable-bundled plan priced at P2,499 per month also treats subscribers with speeds up to 170Mbps versus the former offer of up to 135Mbps only.

This December is the perfect time to switch to SKY Fiber because new subscribers of select plans who submit their application online can get an added treat of up to P400 free Jollibee e-GCs until December 31.

You can subscribe online via the official website (mysky.com.ph/skyfiber) or through SKY’s 24/7 assistant KYLA on the website, Viber, or Messenger.

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

Product details provided 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 online with like-minded people as some of the biggest perks of my job.

Image by our-team on Freepik

AirAsia Philippines launches 12.12 Holideals, ends 2022 strong with high load factor

AirAsia Philippines joins the repdigit sales craze with its 12.12 Holideals, which features one-way base fare tickets as low as Php 112 for domestic and Php 412 for international. Bacolod, Kalibo and Cagayan De Oro are some of the destinations that guests can book at discounted rates.

AirAsia guests can avail of the 12.12 Holideals until December 18, 2022 for travels happening until June 30, 2023. Also among the AirAsia routes with a discounted fare is Manila-Tokyo, which is set to be inaugurated in February of next year.

The world’s best low-cost airline – which recently closed November as the month with the highest total passengers flown in 2022 – rolls out its 12.12 Holideals as it is set to end the year with a high load factor of 90 percent for domestic and 80 percent for international. Key drivers of the airline’s high year-end load factor are its Manila-Caticlan, Manila-Cebu, Manila-Bangkok and Manila-Incheon routes. AirAsia Philippines is expecting full operational recovery from the pandemic in the first half of 2023 as it reactivates more of its fleet, grows its flight frequency, and expands its route network.

AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla shares: “We are determined to support the travel demand this holiday season going into 2023 with the attainable fares and world-class service our company is known for globally. We are thankful for the trust and confidence invested in us by our guests, which enabled us to end 2022 as the strongest we’ve been in the past two years.”

The AirAsia 12.12 Holideals also features discounts as high as 69 percent for bookings with hotels present on the airasia Super App. Guests booking stays from January 10 to June 30, 2023 may check out Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu, Tides Hotel Boracay, and many more on the Asean Super App.

Guests are reminded that all AirAsia flights departing and arriving in Manila to and from Caticlan and Cebu shall be operated at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 beginning December 16, 2022. This transfer is in anticipation of peak foot traffic coming end-year.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Hole up like a hobbit during your Hobbiton Airbnb vacation

For the first time ever, fans from around the world can explore the faraway lands of their favorite holiday films with an exclusive overnight stay at the original Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Russell Alexander is inviting guests to his family’s property to live like Bilbo Baggins and retreat to The Shire™ for an overnight stay at Hobbiton, as featured in the famed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.

Nestled in the picturesque pastures of New Zealand’s Waikato region on a 2,500-acre working farm, the property’s rolling, green hills – bear a striking similarity to The Shire™ as described by J. R. R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings, and captivated Sir Peter Jackson’s movie scouts more than two decades ago. The team quickly realized the Hobbits had found their home – and this holiday season, it could be yours.

Alexander will host three individual two-night stays for up to four guests at NZD $10 per night* as an homage to the 10th anniversary of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, courtesy of Airbnb.

With access to 44 Hobbit Holes, The Millhouse, The Green Dragon Inn, and other beloved locations from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, guests will take an unexpected journey into Middle-earth for an experience unlike any other.

With sweeping views of The Shire, they’ll enjoy:

Cozy overnight accommodation curated by the trilogies’ Creative Director Brian Massey, including a writing nook fit for Bilbo Baggins at The Millhouse.
Private access to a personal Hobbit Hole, set up for relaxing moments of Preciousss™ downtime and afternoon tea.
An evening banquet in The Green Dragon Inn with a feast featuring beef and ale stew, whole roast chickens, freshly baked breads and plenty of ale, plus Second Breakfast™ and Elevenses™ served daily.
A behind-the-scenes private tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.

Now, one does not simply walk into Middle-earth. There are rules!

No unexpected parties, please – unless with Gandalf and company.
Bare feet are allowed but wipe them first.
Magical rings permitted, but keep them secret, keep them safe.
Pony parking is provided only at The Green Dragon Inn.
Straying far at night is discouraged, thanks to multiple troll sightings of late.
No pets are allowed, except Pickles the resident Hobbiton cat.
Never laugh at live dragons…

05 - Hobbiton Airbnb - Aerial Millhouse - Credit Larnie Nicolson

“For more than two decades, we’ve welcomed millions of passionate fans to Hobbiton Movie Set, but never before has anyone had the opportunity to spend a night in Middle-earth. I am delighted to share the beauty of my family’s farm and pleased to be hosting this iconic location on Airbnb for fans from around the world,” shares Host Russel Alexander.

How to book

Hobbits, elves, wizards and others may request to book one of three overnight stays on Wednesday, December 14 from 10:00AM NZDT/5:00AM PHT at airbnb.com/hobbiton. Stays will take place March 2-4, March 9-11, and March 16-18, 2023. You Shall Not Pass! (without requesting to book, of course).

To request to book, guests must have a verified Airbnb profile, a history of positive reviews and be aged 18+. Maximum occupancy is four persons. Two bedrooms are configured, featuring one queen bed, and the other two king-singles.

Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Auckland, New Zealand. Round trip car transportation will be provided for the two-hour journey between the airport and the property. (And just as a Wizard is never late, it’s important our guests arrive at their stay precisely when they mean to).

Travellers looking to book should note that this stay’s rules require strict adherence with local COVID-19 guidelines. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Auckland. Airbnb is closely monitoring COVID-19 infection rates and government policies and will offer booking guests a refund of the booking fee ($31) and $1,000 USD Airbnb travel credit if Airbnb determines it is necessary to cancel the stay due to COVID-19 guidelines.

*Plus taxes and fees. These three individual two-night stays are not a contest. The Hobbiton Movie Set is privately owned and operated.

SHIRE TOURS, SHIRE’S REST, MIDDLE-EARTH, GREEN DRAGON, HOBBITON, THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the characters, places, events and items contained therein, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Middle-Earth Enterprises, LLC and are used under license by Rings Scenic Tours Limited and Wingnut Film Productions Limited, which are independently owned and operated.

About Hobbiton Movie Set

From the moment you journey through the rolling green hills of the Waikato and get your first glimpse of real Middle-earth™, Hobbiton Movie Set will enchant you as a fictional world comes to life and captivating stories are shared. Since that fateful knock at the door in 1998, to the permanent reconstruction in 2009, every detail of the 12-acre movie set is lovingly maintained, creating the experience that exists today. Guests from around the world will feel welcomed to our slice of New Zealand countryside with iconic storybook landscapes, where each encounter offers a unique and authentic behind-the-scenes movie set experience.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Get a chance to win a year’s worth of groceries, appliances, and more with MetroMart’s GroceFREE for a YEAR Raffle

Start 2023 strong with MetroMart’s GROCEFREE for a Year. Up for grabs are prizes like a year’s worth of grocerie, appliances, and premium grocery items that can be won by customers through online orders on MetroMart.

Customers must enter the promo code “RAFFLE” upon checkout to join the e-raffle. Every completed order with the minimum spend requirement on the MetroMart app or website entitles a customer to e-raffle entries. Each transaction with the e-raffle code also provides a ₱50 discount.

Minimum Order Spend	No. of e-Raffle Entries
₱ 1,500 – ₱ 3,499	1 e-raffle entry
₱ 3,500 – ₱ 4,499	3 e-raffle entries
₱ 4,500 & above	5 e-raffle entries

The Minor Prizes include premium items from Pet Lovers Centre, like 2 winners of Pet One Puppy Food (15kg), and 3 winners of IAMS Tuna & Salmon (1kg). There is also 1 winner of a Hunter Classic Ceiling Fan from Handyman and 1 Greenfield Pressure Washer from True Value.

The Major Prizes include a chance to win a year’s worth of free groceries. These consist of 5 winners of ₱6,000 MetroMart store credits, 3 winners of ₱12,000 MetroMart store credits, and 1 winner of ₱24,000 MetroMart store credits.

The MetroMart GroceFREE for a YEAR runs from December 7, 2022 until January 8, 2023. The e-raffle draw will be held on January 13, 2023.

The MetroMart GROCEFREE for a Year raffle is applicable across all partner stores of MetroMart. This e-raffle is available throughout the Philippines, where MetroMart has expanded its serviceable locations. These are all over Metro Manila and key locations throughout the Philippines, including Batangas, Bicol, Palawan, Tagaytay, Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Baguio and Davao.

Are you new to MetroMart? Sign up for a MetroMart account here and enjoy Php200 grocery credit.

For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @metromartph. Order groceries online or download the app via https://bit.ly/DownloadNowMM

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Hosting on Airbnb gains momentum in the Philippines amidst growing appetite for travel

As the holiday season awaits and the travel rebound continues to unfold, more Filipino travelers are embracing flexible travel while more homeowners turn to hosting on Airbnb for additional income. A new survey commissioned by Airbnb* reveals that over half of Filipinos polled expressed interest in becoming Airbnb Hosts to take advantage of the new appetite for travel.

Around the world, Airbnb has seen strong growth rates of new Hosts, especially in countries with high inflation rates. Notably, 77 percent of Filipinos polled said they were looking for ways to offset rising costs of living. The survey also shows that desire for travel remains high, with over a quarter of respondents saying that they will continue to find ways to travel even if general costs of living rise.

In a trend that started since the pandemic, millions are now enjoying their newfound freedom to live and work anywhere. Notably, 65 percent of Filipinos polled said that they are now more flexible in terms of their type of holidays and time of travel. Notably, of those who plan to travel within the next year, 1 in 4 Filipinos said they plan to travel without set dates.

This new approach to travel and living continues to shape the choice of accommodation among Filipino travellers. When asked about factors that influence when and how they travel:

Almost half indicated they are likely to travel if they can find accommodation that makes longer stays easy and comfortable
35% pointed to destinations offering unique styles of accommodations
25% prioritised access to amenities that make it easy to combine remote work with travel, such as a dedicated workspace and a fast, reliable internet connection

This growing appetite for travel among Filipinos puts homeowners in a unique position to take advantage of the Airbnb Setup, the all-new easy way to Airbnb one’s home which was announced early this month. In Q3, Pasay ranked as the #1 trending domestic destination for Filipino guests on Airbnb, followed by El Nido, Cebu City, Paranaque, and Iloilo City.**

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said the fundamental shifts towards long-term stays and flexible travel point to the increasingly important role that short-term accommodations (STRA) like Airbnb play in the new era of travel.

“This growing appetite for travel is a positive sign as tourism recovery gathers pace. More keenly, this is an opportune moment for aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs to Airbnb their homes and earn additional income to mitigate rising living costs or support their travels,” he added.

* Online survey of 1063 respondents in the Philippines commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by YouGov between 6-12 October 2022

** Based on increase in searches of destinations (minimum 1,000) in Q3 2021

About Airbnb

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines gives back this holiday season with ‘season of giving’ campaign

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and popular band NOBITA have partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines to support local communities impacted by hunger this holiday season.

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

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

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

In the Philippines, non-profit organization Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., which provides food aid to children who have little or no access to nutritious food, had its outreach efforts hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the typhoons that struck the Philippines over the past two years. With this funding, Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. will be acquiring mobile kitchens that can provide meals to vulnerable communities where needed, reaching more children and their families through the organization’s ongoing feeding and nourishment programs.

Anna Pauline Castro, Executive Director of Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc., said, “The funding from Sony Music Group will be a great help in pushing forward with our school and community outreach programs. We expect these mobile kitchens to reach 1,000 children and their households on ongoing feeding programs, as well as families affected by the pandemic and recent typhoons, to provide them with nutritious meals.”

“Ultimately, we hope that this will bring us closer to realizing our vision of seeing every Filipino child healthy, nourished, and empowered to reach their maximum potential for growth and learning.”

As a band that actively gives back to society, NOBITA also partnered with Reach Out and Feed Philippines Inc. to support outreach efforts and put on an intimate concert for some of the children who are beneficiaries of the organization.

NOBITA said, “It means a lot to be part of a label that strives to make a positive impact on society by reaching out to underserved communities. We are truly glad to have had the chance to spend time volunteering with Reach Out and Feed Philippines – seeing smiles from children and families whilst connecting with them through music was an unforgettable experience for us.”

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

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

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