Last April 7, Zomato Philippines announced the initiative Feeding Philippines, which aims to help provide daily meals to those who need it the most. Zomato partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines, an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable, mobilizing the necessary resources to end hunger by 2030.
Since the launch of the campaign, Zomato Philippines has raised 200,000 Pesos by leveraging on its users and restaurant partners, with the help of the foodie community. However, the fight against hunger is still a prominent problem, especially now with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The marginalized communities need help now more than ever.
The Country Head, Chris Evans, is taking the cause up a notch by pledging to shave his head once Zomato receives 1 Million Pesos of donations. He has also nominated Zomato Philippines employees to invite them to create their own video to pledge to the cause, and encourage their friends and family to support the fundraiser.
You can support the cause too! Visit www.zomato.com/feeding/philippines for full information about the Feeding Philippines campaign and details on how to donate. Let’s all make a stand together and rise against hunger today.
Singapore indie-pop trio HubbaBubbas collaborates with K-Indie darling Kwak Pureunhaneul on their brand new single Rumble Under My Toes, released via Singapore based indie label Umami Records. The release also includes a Korean
version of Sunset In My Pocket featuring Kwak Pureunhaneul, of which the original version has just been nominated for five categories at the Singapore Youth Music Awards 2020.
HubbaBubbas’ first show in Korea was when they played at Seoul’s indie music festival Zandari Festa in 2017. They loved the country so much that they went back again to tour in 2019, and that was when they wrote this song with Kwak Pureunhaneul, also known as “Hongdae IU”, a nickname she picked up from her time on Korean television talent show series Superstar K.
Stephanie of HubbaBubbas shares about the story behind the song: “When we were facing uncertainty, we weren’t able to find much music to relate to because a lot of the music that we were listening to always had a clear feeling of the artist’s emotions – joy, sorrow… and for good reason. But we felt this was a part of ourselves that was not so clear, and we wanted to encapsulate it in a song. We also thought that perhaps there were people out there who felt the same way, and we found Kwakpu. She shared with us her personal reasons for being on a hiatus from music, and you can feel her emotions from her performance in the studio.”
A music video accompanies this release, as well as several behind-the-scenes videos telling the story of this collaboration and the band’s Korea tour.
HubbaBubbas are working on their new EP titled ‘New Home’, which they will start releasing at the end of 2020.
Rumble Under My Toes by HubbaBubbas is available everywhere here.
About HubbaBubbas
Singapore indie-pop trio HubbaBubbas comprises lead vocalist Stephanie Lim, guitarist Ryan Chan and beatboxer Mervyn Ye. The band is the recipient of the inaugural Singapore Youth Music Awards 2019 for Best Cover Artist, and have been nominated for five categories at the Singapore Youth Music Awards 2020. Their debut EP Amy(gdala) was released in Aug 2016 at a sold-out EP launch.
HubbaBubbas have been called upon to perform at events like the 2015 SEA Games, the ASEAN Paralympic games, Singapore Night Festival, Music Matters 2018, Bangkok Music City, as well as Zandari Festa, South Korea’s largest music festival, among others.
“Now what sets HubbaBubbas apart is that they aren’t your typical band. With siiiick guitar playing, crazy intense beatboxing and insanely beautiful vocals, they bring something totally different and fresh to the table” – Native Entertainment
“Quirky indie-pop ditties bookend the five-track EP, including the infectious feel-good electro-pop tune ‘Dancing on the World’, which was composed for the 28th South-East Asian Games in Singapore last year” – Time Out
About Kwak Pureunhaneul
Kwak Pureunhaneul is a singer-songwriter, also known as the IU of Hongdae. She talks about her honest life stories with her acoustic guitar and soothing voice, which helped her quickly establish her realm in the industry. Despite her young age, Kwak Pureunhaneul is capable of singing, composing, writing lyrics and even arranging. Let’s find more about her beautiful musicality.
Kwak Pureunhaneul first picked up the guitar when she was a high school student and then released her first album, “Without a Present,” upon graduation. She made herself known in the indie scene with the project gig “Hongdae IU” and secured her spot with the EP,
This singer-songwriter also took part in the audition program Superstar K7 and is set to release her second full-length album this fall.
About Umami Records
Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.
Experts say it will take longer before the world completely heals from the effect of COVID19. As the country prepares to ease up after the almost three months of Enhance Community Quarantine, Hotel Sogo steps up for their version of the hotel industry’s ‘new normal’.
Hotel Sogo is doing various ways to ensure the safety and security of its guests and employees against the spread of Covid19 virus, once they go back to regular operations. Top on its list will be the use of ultraviolet (UV) lights in disinfecting around its facilities and intensified the process from checking-in to ordering of food to make sure their facilities as So Clean. The ultraviolet (UV) lights are highly effective at disinfection, as its rays are capable of killing bacteria, germs, and viruses.
To prepare its employees in servicing its guests, Hotel Sogo makes sure to protect their employees from the virus by giving them vitamins to boost their immunity and provided personalized PPEs. Hotel Sogo employees have their medical check-ups and Covid19 testing to make sure that their personnel is free from the virus to make sure that the employees and not just the facilities are So Good and ready for their regular operations.
Guests need not worry during their stay Hotel Sogo ensures that operations and preparations are So Safe, as mandatory temperature checks, passage through disinfecting tent, and use of disinfecting foot tray are in place. The availability of hand sanitizers in common areas, are strictly observed, as well as social distancing from the receiving process to elevator use going to their rooms. Facilities are also redesigned and modified to protect the guests and employees, like placing the glass panel divider on top of the front desk.
All of this information can be found in Hotel Sogo’s ‘new normal’ video playbook. The video is shared with relevant government agencies like the Department of Health (DOH), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), in the hope that the video could serve as a benchmark of other similar establishments prior to their reopening.
Watch Hotel Sogo’s ‘new normal’ playbook video to know more.
Video and details provided by Hotel Sogo in a recent press release.
After the massive hype surrounding 2gether: The Series, its official soundtrack featuring the music of Thai crossover sensation Scrubb, continues to dominate streaming platforms such as Spotify with an average of four to six entries a day on the Philippines Viral Top 50.
Their back catalog, which features previous hits, “ขอ (Wish),” “ทุกอย่าง (Everything),” “รอยยิ้ม (Smile),” and “ใกล้ (Close),” has consistently charted on the local digital and streaming services for more than a month. Its success in the Philippines and the Asian region is propelled by the publicity it received from the smash series, which currently airs on Thailand’s GMM 25 and Line TV, as well as the YouTube account of GMMTV.
“The author is one of our fans who started writing this story as an online fiction inspired by our songs,” recalls Scrubb’s Torpong “Ball” Chantabubpha on how their infectious set of melodic guitar pop tunes made its way to the Original Soundtrack (OST) of the Boys Love (BL) hit. “Then it got published as a book. Finally, the series came out, which encouraged more people to listen to our songs. We have to thank Jitti, the author, for putting our songs in the original story and making all of these things happen.”
Scrubb’s songs have somehow aided in championing a narrative that supports the unique romantic experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Their involvement in the official soundtrack of a pop culture behemoth encourages visibility and representation in mainstream media, which has long shunned stories that go against societal norms. “As an artist, we have no specific audience,” shares Muey Thawatpon Wongbunsiri, the other half of Scrubb. “Our songs are our diaries. It’s a way for us to keep the good memories from that period of time. I think the listeners can also relate to the song as they face similar situation or atmosphere. We are happy when anyone can enjoy and get inspired by our song no matter who they are.”
Aside from their contribution to the 2gether soundtrack, the Smile duo has recently released their new single “ธรรมดา (Everyday)” earlier this year with a music video directed by prolific filmmaker Domu.
To date, the folk-pop duo has been receiving offers to play a number of shows abroad from international promoters. Ball adds, “Our plans to tour outside Thailand are forced to stop because of COVID-19 outbreak. At the moment we are writing, rehearsing, and preparing to be back on stage once again once this pandemic is finally over. We also hope that we’ll get a chance to be there and play for our fans in the Philippines soon.”
The songs from the official soundtrack of 2gether: The Series, which prominently feature the music of Scrubb, are now available on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
Korean drama enthusiasts rejoice! Starting May 20, 2020, satiate your Korean drama cravings with two popular Korean drama series – Goblin, one of the highest rated Korean dramas on cable television, and Saimdang, a love story set across time, on HBO GO. Also available on HBO GO are two episodes of Goblin Specials with cast interviews and behind-the-scene action from this popular series.
Goblin, an epic story that spans centuries, boasts a star-studded cast including Gong Yoo (Train To Busan), Lee Dong Wook (Hotel King), Yoo In Na and Kim Go Eun (The King: Eternal Monarch). Written by Kim Eun Sook (Mr Sunshine) and directed by Lee Eung Bok (Mr Sunshine), the masterminds behind the highly acclaimed Descendants of the Sun, the 16 episode series promises K-drama fans a thrilling romantic drama that is set in a fantasy world of present day. The storyline follows the handsome Goblin (Gong Yoo) who is tired of his immortality. He needs a ‘goblin bride’ to end his life, leading him to cross paths with Euntak (Kim Go Eun), whom he falls in love with. Euntak is actually on the run from the Reaper (Lee Dong Wook), who is tasked with killing Euntak. The plot thickens when it is revealed that Goblin and Reaper are roommates, plunging them into a complicated pit as they wrestle with their emotions and duties.
Another love story, but one set in both the 16th century Joseon era and present day, is Saimdang, a 30-episode series of fact and fiction about the life of historical Korean figure, Shin Saimdang. Lee Young-Ae (Dae Jang Geum) returned to the small screen return after 14 years since Jewel in the Palace. She plays both female lead roles – present day Seo Jiyun, a part-time university lecturer, and the celebrated 16th century Korean painter and calligraphist herself. Spanning various time periods, the story revolves around the contemporary character discovering her 16th century character’s diary and the secrets behind a mysterious portrait drawn by Lee Gyeom, played by Song Seung-Hoon (East of Eden).
HBO Original Series as well as live channels are available for streaming on HBO GO, available to SKYcable subscribers for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.
Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, identifies four major e-commerce trends in 2020.
The retail landscape in the Philippines has been transformed due to increased social distancing efforts, such as the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine as the nation combats the spread of Covid-19. As a result, brands and sellers are venturing online in search of growth, while consumers turn to e-commerce to meet their shopping needs.
Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines said, “The year 2020 has changed the way we live, work, and shop. Brands and sellers across the region are stepping up their digitization efforts, with e-commerce becoming a key channel for them to sustain and grow their businesses. At the same time, consumers are increasingly going online to fulfill their everyday needs, in areas ranging from groceries to home appliances. As e-commerce takes on greater importance in people’s lives, Shopee will continue to make shopping even more social, engaging, and easy for everyone.”
In the Philippines, Shopee has identified 4 key trends for e-commerce in recent months:
1. Brands and sellers are growing their e-commerce presence
Brands and sellers are venturing online to boost their online presence while exploring new strategies to reach and engage consumers.
Robust growth for Filipino sellers: As people shop for their home and essential needs online, brands, and sellers in the Gaming and Pet Care categories are seeing strong growth. In addition, Brands and sellers offering pet essentials and home appliances & accessories saw 40 times and 15 times more orders respectively than the same period last year.
Reaching customers with live streaming: Brands and sellers are actively exploring new ways to reach consumers. Shopee has observed that the number of Shopee Live streams from brands and sellers increased by 40 times. Homegrown SMEs have successfully boosted online visibility with Shopee Live. For example, Sirods Stuffed Toys has recorded a robust number of views for its streams by showcasing popular toys and collectibles to users in real-time, enabling it to engage customers more effectively.
2. Shoppers turn to e-commerce for everyday needs
At the same time, Filipinos are relying on e-commerce to meet their everyday needs as people live, work, and play from home.
Consumers search and shop online for a wider variety of needs: Shopee has observed an increase in search and shopping activity in the past 3 months, especially for health and fashion products. This reflects an increasing reliance on e-commerce, which provides Filipinos with one-stop access to essentials, health products, and more.
Top searched keywords: Face masks, Dresses, Power banks, Undergarments
Top products: Mosquito incense, Vitamins, and supplements, cell phone cases
3. Shopping preferences evolve as consumers seek convenience on e-commerce
Shopping preferences are also changing in the Philippines as consumers look for convenience in e-commerce during this period.
Increased shopping activity on weekdays: Online shopping activity has peaked on Tuesdays in recent months, showcasing the preference among Filipinos to shop earlier in the week. Shopping activity is also the highest at 12PM and 1PM as Filipinos shop more often during lunchtime.
Preference for cashless payments: Adoption of cashless payments is growing as consumers value speed and reduce physical interactions. Shopee has observed that users are increasingly using cashless options such as ShopeePay to pay for purchases in recent months.
4. Increased social interaction and engagement among online shoppers
E-commerce has now evolved into something more than just a way to shop – it’s also become a place where people come together to interact, read content, and connect with others. Shopee has seen greater use of its in-app engagement features in the past three months as Filipinos seek to stay connected online:
Shopee Live Chat: Shopee has seen an increase in social interactions on its platform. Over 1 million messages were sent daily on average as brands, sellers, and consumers interact with each other across the shopping journey.
In-app games: Shopee recorded 200 million plays for its in-app games over the past three months. This is driven by users logging in daily to earn rewards and try out new in-app games such as Shopee Farm and Shopee Throw.
Tao closed, “We want to make online shopping safe and convenient while staying true to our vision of delivering a social and engaging experience to our users. At the same time, we will continue to help both our sellers and buyers by providing them a seamless online shopping experience, especially during this COVID-19 crisis.
Select branches of UCC and CoCo Ichibanya, along with Mitsuyado Sei-men in Jupiter St., Tendon Kohaku in Burgos Park, and MOS Burger in Robinsons Galleria are now accepting orders for pickup and delivery.
Menu selections, however, will be limited so customers are advised to call the restaurants about their available dishes prior to ordering their takeout or placing an order through Grab Pabili, Lalamove, and other third-party providers servicing their areas.
Metro Manila customers who have a craving for UCC drinks and dishes can call the following branches to inquire about the available menu items: UCC Cafe Terrace in One Rockwell through (02)8856-0477 and (02)8478-7513; UCC Clockwork in Xentro through (02)8243-9257; and UCC Clockwork Burgos Circle through (02)8828-1447. UCC Cafe Terrace and UCC Clockwork Burgos Circle are accepting orders from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, from Monday to Saturday only. UCC Clockwork in Xentro is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
Those in Bacolod, meanwhile, can call UCC Clockwork in Lacson Avenue through (34) 431-2243 and +63 917 323 7588 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
CoCo Ichibanya at One Rockwell and Kapitolyo Kitchen are also accepting orders through Foodpanda. You can call (02)8815-4087 to inquire about their available menu items.
Tsukemen cravings? Mitsuyado Sei-men offers ready-to-cook Yuzu Tsukemen and Karashi Tsukemen kits as well as ready-to-eat Gyoza and Chicken Karaage. They are accepting orders from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. You can either visit the store to order your takeout or place an order through Foodpanda, Grab Pabili, Joyride Pabili, and Mr. Speedy. For inquiries, call (02) 8511-1390
Tendon Kohaku in Burgos Park will also be open for takeout and pickup only. It will service the Forbestown community from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Inquiries are welcome at (02) 7914-0433.
MOS Burger has likewise opened its Robinsons Galleria branch for takeout and pickup orders. You can either visit their store to place a takeout order or place your order via Foodpanda, Grabexpress Pabili, or Lalamove. For inquiries, you can contact MOS Burger at (02) 7747-2695. They are open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
All stores will strictly observe “no mask, no entry” and social distancing policies.
Image and store details provided in a recent press release.
Mother’s Day is a yearly reminder to cherish our relationship with our moms. Given this year’s unique circumstances, many of us will be celebrating this special day at home or even away from the special women in our lives—mom, grandmas, and aunts. Still, even when fancy dinners are impossible, Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be canceled. With some creativity and preparation, you can still give the most special woman in your life the Mother’s Day she deserves.
The Manila Hotel pulls all the stops for you to still be able to give her a memorable Mother’s Day. This home celebration will have a five-star hotel feel and The Manila Hotel will make sure it gets close to a real feast.
The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday). You may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favotires, as well as Certified Halal items) and get a 20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice.
Because mothers deserve the only the best, you can choose from our awesome selection: our decadent Opera Cake; Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, a Lifestyle Inquirer Best Dessert Winner; the mouthwatering Trio of Chocolate Mousse, and our amazing Mango Cheesecake.
To order or for more information, please call 8527 0011 or message 0998-9501912.
Product images and details provided by The Manila Hotel in a recent press release.
It’s that time of the year again when we honor and celebrate motherhood and the mothers in our family!
While in ECQ, we can still make this day special for moms by sharing meals together and bonding over good food and wonderful conversation.
All of these are available for curbside pick-up, take out orders and delivery via Grab at the specified branches.
TGI FRIDAYS
Give Mom that Fridays feeling and enjoy its Family Meal comprised of comforting, hearty favorites – Chicken Fingers, Liempo, Mozzarella plus complimentary nachos for P995 (from P1,420).
TGI Friday’s Bonifacio High Street
8856-2997 | 0995-481-4847
ITALIANNI’S
Treat mom to Italian-American classics.
Choose from two Mother’s Day Pizza and Pasta Combos (Better yet, why not have both, instead?)
You can opt for the decadent Truffle and Chicken Mushroom Pasta and the healthy and sumptuous Margherita Pizza plus complimentary Focaccia and Tuscan Rolls. An order is good for 3 persons for P999 (from P1,345).
Or the tomato-based Spaghetti Bolognese and the Pizza Tropicale plus complimentary Focaccia and Tuscan Rolls. An order is good for 3 persons for P999 (from P1,365).
Italianni’s Bonifacio High Street
0916-461-2182 | 0977-628-4515
Italianni’s Greenbelt
0995-095-1002/0961-7560728
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
Wow Mom at Home with two Buffalo Wild Wings’ Mother’s Day Offers:
Award-winning, handspun Wings and Sliders that can be shared by 3 persons for P999 (from P1,220).
Then there’s the MVP Platter for 3 to 4 persons. It has the meaty goodness of traditional wings with your choice of sauce or dry rub, honey bbq ribs and grilled pork belly and served with rice, also for P999 (from P1,695).
Buffalo Wild Wings Uptown Parade, Taguig City
(8625-6361/ 0917-629-4442)
EL POLLO LOCO
Have a Fire-Grilled Day with Mom courtesy of El Pollo Loco. Your family will love to dig into eight pieces of juicy, slow-cooked citrusy chicken plus 4 sides (P945). A fun way to celebrate with people you love while safely at home.
El Pollo Loco
Inside Italianni’s Bonifacio High Street
(8856-3890/0935-860-4544)
DENNY’S
Mom can enjoy some of the dishes on Denny’s slammin’ menu such as The Original Grand Slam (- fluffy buttermilk pancakes, eggs, bacon strips and sausages); All-American Slam (eggs, bacon, sausages and toasted bread) and the Waffle Slam (waffle, eggs and bacon) for lunch, breakfast or dinner. All these for P999 (from P1,215)
After a four-year hiatus in making songs of his own, Rico Blanco returns with a rousing new anthem to help us deal with the uncertainty of the times.
This Too Shall Pass is Rico Blanco’s first solo single in four years, as well as his first under Sony Music Philippines. The song was written from a place of discomfort and fear, witnessing how the much louder tremor of pandemic anxiety instantly changed our lives and left us with little time to mourn and move forward.
With frontliners risking their lives with little protection, people going hungry, and the social order crumbling to pieces, Rico felt powerless by the situation. Hence, he had to forego his difficulties of living alone and coping with his own emotional troubles, as there was work to be done. He shares, “My efforts are little in light of a pandemic like this. As big as my imagination is for this song, I also feel that it’s not enough. But it’s what I can do and contribute as a musician.”
This Too Shall Pass succeeds in repurposing music’s mission: Outside of its function as an entertainment fodder and a way to escape, it carries the resilience of the human spirit. In darkness, it shines brighter.
The big, sprawling pop tune is his most personal to date, which he struggled over the course of two weeks to finish, and almost did not. “Some songs are anchored on truth, but they are wrapped and adorned in a lot of romanticized thoughts,” he shares. “This song is real, inwards and also outwards; it’s something that I really want to tell every single person. I wasn’t able to give a message to the frontliners, and I feel very guilty about this. I needed to finish this, and I want them to hear this. I know each one of us is going through something. I wrote this song as my way to reach out.”
With sonic elements that span continents and a carefully honed production which he supervised himself, Rico’s latest single defies convention with a global sounding opus that incorporates musical dispatches and personal anecdotes. From samples of his nieces laughing culled from a family chat group to his attempt to blur the cultural lines by incorporating European techno, hip-hop beats, Asian riffs, Afro chanting, and Pinoy fiesta in a seamless, genre-bending extravaganza, This Too Shall Pass is ambitious in scope and sound design, but its heart is for the people who need light and love.
There’s a sliver of joy in finding one of the most prolific artists emerge from a long silence. As Sony Music’s GM Philippines and VP Business Development Asia, Ms. Roslyn Pineda sums it up: “Music is important – we all know this. But never more so than when we are faced with uncertainty, because it is then that the power of music becomes unquantifiable, almost limitless. Music can make you feel you’re not alone. Music can save you from despair. And so it is with a song like This Too Shall Pass. It is so relevant to the times that it becomes a declaration, a prayer, a mantra — all rolled into one.”
Rico Blanco’s “This Too Shall Pass” is now available on all digital platforms worldwide.
Jellybeans in the City 