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News in the Philippines

Stay in the loop with your go-to source of blogs in the Philippines! Know the latest happenings and trending news in Manila and across the country.

The Black Mamba returns to Manila
June 24, 2016

The Black Mamba returns to Manila

Two months after he uttered the words “Mamba out,” Kobe Bryant is on the move as he makes his way to Manila for the Mamba Mentality Tour on June 25 and 26.   MAMBA IS BACK IN MANILA. He dropped 60 in his last game, took a break for 2 months, and now he’s back at it. Photo courtesy of Nike Basketball Official Facebook page.   A special event will be held tomorrow, June 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, called Mamba Mentality Night. The tour’s culminating activity, dubbed “The Kobe Academy” will happen in June 26. Select basketball players from the Kobe Academy Pre-camp, which happened from June 22 […]
All Nippon Airways donate event proceeds to Bahay Maria
February 28, 2017

All Nippon Airways donate event proceeds to Bahay Maria

BAHAY MARIA CHILDREN’S CHOIR. A special song number welcomed ANA officials in their charity event in Bahay Maria.   As part of the company’s tradition to give help to those in need, All Nippon Airways (ANA) held a charity event on June 24 at the Bahay Maria orphanage in Makati City. Several officials of the Japanese airlines namely Akihiro Hosoya, General Manager of ANA Manila Office, Okuda Mayumi, Sales Executive, and Abigail Chow of the Accounting and Administration Division, attended the simple gathering. The Bahay Maria Children’s Choir welcomed the guests with songs of praise for their opening song, and also showcased their ability to sing famous Japanese folk songs […]
What you need to know about K to 12 Program in the Philippines
June 24, 2016

What you need to know about K to 12 Program in the Philippines

Upon learning about the Philippine education system, you might have heard about a certain “K to 12.” It’s one of the most recent update in the education system in the country, and it’s important that everyone knows what this is about and what makes it differ from the previous schooling system in the Philippines.   (Photo grabbed from Tesda via LinkedIn)   What is K to 12? Basically, K to 12 covers 13 years of basic education in PH. This includes: • Kindergarten to Grade 3 • Grades 4 to 6 • Grades 7 to 10 (Junior High School) • Grades 11 to 12 (Senior High School)• Why is PH […]
PH celebrates 445th Manila Day
June 24, 2016

PH celebrates 445th Manila Day

This June 24, Filipinos celebrate the founding anniversary of Manila, the country’s capital city.   Photo grabbed from malacanang.gov.ph   Manila Day is recognized as a public holiday in Manila City. Located at the eastern shore of Manila Bay, Manila is composed of 16 districts which are Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, and Tondo. It was on June 24, 1571 when Manila was proclaimed as Spain’s capital city in the Philippines where in a government was established. Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson declared June 24 as Manila City’s foundation day and it was in […]
Johnson Health Tech Expands to Asia
June 24, 2016

Johnson Health Tech Expands to Asia

  The largest fitness manufacturer in Asia and third in the world, Johnson Health Tech finally (JHT) arrives in the Philippines. After sweeping the markets with their Matrix, Vision and Horizon and making a name for themselves in the home and gym equipment, they have decided to embark on another journey that involves a target of 5 shops in the Philippines.     In 1975, founder Peter Lo handwrote 2,000 letters to American companies with the idea of building his own business. One responded to his letter, an exercise equipment business called IVANKO, and asked if he could make barbell pieces. Determined, Lo learned the necessary skills and knowledge and […]
Sari-sari stores with WiFi in PH soon, to be funded by Microsoft
June 23, 2016

Sari-sari stores with WiFi in PH soon, to be funded by Microsoft

WIFI IN SARI SARI STORE. The sponsored WiFi scheme is can help provide connectivity to PH. Photo grabbed from Expatch)   One Philippines-based startup won seed funding from tech giant Microsoft Corporation with its idea to install 10,000 WiFi hotspots in the country using TV White Space (TVYS) technology. Quezon City-based startup WiFi Internactive Network (WIN) was one of the 12 enterprises which bested 248 startups from all over the world that made Microsoft fund them. According to an Inquirer report, this was through Microsoft’s Affordable Access Initiative, which “invests solution that can reduce the cost of Internet access and help more people get connected to World Wide Web.” According […]
State-run media only: Duterte to hold inauguration in Malacañang
June 22, 2016

State-run media only: Duterte to hold inauguration in Malacañang

He made good on his promise. If you’re hoping for a glimpse of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration, you might want to tune in to state-run People’s Television Network (PTV).   STATE MEDIA ONLY. You might not catch the inauguration of President-elect Duterte on TV live, unless you’re watching it on PTV 4, or the other networks get permission from the state-run network to use their live feed. Photo courtesy of Patrick Roque via Wikimedia Commons.   In a report from the Inquirer.net, incoming Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) head Martin Andanar said only the state-run People’s Television Network (PTV 4) and Presidential Broadcast Staff – Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) will […]
Bringing luxury in PH: Asia Premium Travel opens its doors for a 3-day show in MOA SMX
June 22, 2016

Bringing luxury in PH: Asia Premium Travel opens its doors for a 3-day show in MOA SMX

Asia Premium Travel Mart (APTM), a B2B 3-day travel trade and tourism expo that highlights luxury destinations, premium properties, and choice travel services in the Philippines, Asia Pacific and the rest of the world, was held at the SM Mall of Asia SMX Convention Center from June 21 to 23. The travel-exhibit event showcases world’s best travel counsellors to exchange ideas, experiences, and cooperation with the world’s best travel providers.     June 21 marks the official opening of the APTM by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that happened in the morning hosted by the company’s President, Ms. Fe Abling-Yu, Ms. Shan Dioquino David (VP of APMT), Mr. Ed Villanueva (Member of […]
What to expect and do: 2nd #MMShakeDrill on June 22
June 21, 2016

What to expect and do: 2nd #MMShakeDrill on June 22

The Metro Manila Development Authority has given the green light for the second Metro Manila ShakeDrill simulation exercise on June 22 at 9 a.m. This can only mean one thing: people should once again be prepared for our country’s “Big One.”   IT ALL GOES DOWN ON JUNE 22. Let’s all participate in this year’s #MMShakeDrill. Photo grabbed from MMDA official website.   Everyone is encouraged to participate in order to promote awareness. To help you cope with everything that will go down on that day, here are the things you should expect do when the alarm sounds for #MMShakeDrill: 1. Drop/duck, cover, hold. Remember these words, as they are […]
Uniqlo bags top foreign brand retailer award from DTI and PRA
June 21, 2016

Uniqlo bags top foreign brand retailer award from DTI and PRA

The wave of international brands is indeed upon us as Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo won at the 19th Outstanding Filipino Retailers & Shopping Centers of the Year (OFR-SCY) Awards.   UNIQLO WINS BIG. The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) recognized Uniqlo as the best in the Large Foreign Brand Retailer category. Logo from Wikimedia Commons.   Uniqlo bested other foreign brands as it bagged the award for Foreign Brand Retailer in the large category. Uniqlo has been in the country since 2013 and has been on a surge thanks to its quality products sold at affordable prices. SM Megamall was elevated to the OFR-SCY Hall of Fame as one of the […]
Director’s Club Cinema opens in Conrad Manila
June 20, 2016

Director’s Club Cinema opens in Conrad Manila

Your movie experience is now made a whole lot better.   DIRECTOR’S CLUB CINEMA. The fourth cinema club in Manila is finally opened at the S Maison in Conrad Manila at the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Photo grabbed from Director’s Club Cinema’s Facebook page   In concurrence with the luxury hotel’s opening on June 15, SM Director’s Club Cinema also opened its doors to the public for its official opening at the S Maison in Conrad Manila. The newest Director’s Club Cinema by the SM Cinema is a deluxe theater that can seat 40 to 50 guests for a more intimate type of movie watching. Compared to regular […]
The King delivers: Cleveland Cavaliers are the 2016 NBA Champions!
June 20, 2016

The King delivers: Cleveland Cavaliers are the 2016 NBA Champions!

History has been made! After a 52-year title drought, the city of Cleveland, OH finally has something to celebrate. The Cleveland Cavaliers have just been crowned the 2016 NBA Champions!   #CAVSWIN. Your 2016 NBA Champions: the Cleveland Cavaliers! Photo courtesy of Cleveland Cavaliers Facebook page.   It was a Finals series that’s one for the history books. Not only was it the first championship for the Cavaliers in their 46 years of existence, but also the city’s first championship in professional sports. They’ve also booked a place in the history books as the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit, beating the Golden State Warriors 93-89. The […]
El Niño and La Niña: What you need to know
June 20, 2016

El Niño and La Niña: What you need to know

EL NIÑO VS. LA NIÑA. These two photos show the difference between the changes in climate. (Photo 1 by Vic Alhambra of Philippine Star, Photo 2 by Nonie Reyes of World Bank.)   You may have heard these two words being constantly used in weather reports, but do you know that they are two very different things? Read on now to learn about what these two are all about, and why you should know about these two things. El Niño vs. La Niña El Niño and La Niña are two terms used for changes in global climate system. Simply put, both terms are total opposite. These two climate cycles are […]
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines breaks ground for Press Shop
June 18, 2016

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines breaks ground for Press Shop

Just days after getting an approval from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Board of Investments (DTI-BOI)’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) breaks ground on Friday, June 17, 2016 for its P2 billion stamping shop located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.   DAWN OF A NEW DAY. Golden shovels into dirt mark the start of a new facility for MMPC.   On hand for the ground breaking ceremony were distinguished guests, including Makoto Iyori (Minister of Embassy of Japan in the Philippines), DTI Assistant Secretary and CARS Program Director for BOI Romulo Manlapig, and DTI Undersecretary and BOI Vice Chairman and Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo. […]
Dutere vs Trump: Is he really the “Trump of the East?”
June 17, 2016

Dutere vs Trump: Is he really the “Trump of the East?”

Ever since he ran for president, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has always been outspoken; so much so that he has drawn comparisons to a presidential candidate on the other side of the world–US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Most people, especially his supporters, do not like the idea of Duterte being likened to Trump. For those wondering why he’s been called the “Trump of the East,” here are the reasons why a lot of US media have given him this moniker: • Controversial views. Views expressed by both Duterte and Trump on certain issues have drawn the ire of many groups. They’ve both touched on the subject of rape, with Trump calling […]
Manila’s Pavilion’s Father’s Day treats
June 18, 2016

Manila’s Pavilion’s Father’s Day treats

  Father’s Day comes but once a year. On Sunday, June 19, make the most of this wondrous occasion by matching Dad’s big appetite with the liberty to choose from our eat-all-you-can lunch for only Php1,200 nett at our interactive lifestyle restaurant, Seasons. To make this lip-smacking fare even more invigorating, Super dads with group of four or more will receive special gifts from our sponsors Metro Dental, Tony & Jackey and Asian Brewery. At Patisserie, Manila Pavilion’s French-style pastry shop, present Dad with our heavenly cake of the month Chocolate Entremet, layered of milk chocolate sponge and strudel, passion fruit parfait, mint caramel, milk chocolate mousse and glazed that […]
Premium beverage tools are now within your reach with Bevtools.com
June 17, 2016

Premium beverage tools are now within your reach with Bevtools.com

Quality bar sets are not that common in the Philippines, much less in Asia. Most bartenders and bar owners find it hard to find quality beverage products anywhere in the country. Yes, you can go to Quiapo to get cheap knock-offs, but you only get what you pay for. Bar tools are sold online, but most of these are delivered from overseas, sending their prices sky high. This makes it hard for anyone to own a quality bar set, especially the average Juan. We’ve all been mixing our own cocktails at home for friends, so why not take it to the next level? You can do just that through Bevtools.com, […]
Facebook Messenger for Android can now send SMS
June 16, 2016

Facebook Messenger for Android can now send SMS

Messenger keeps up their messaging game. To further enhance its messaging system, Facebook Messenger now involves a new feature where one can send both Facebook and standard SMS messages onto its interface. In a post on June 15 by the official Messenger’s page, it said that “you will now have the choice to be able to send and receive your SMS/texts in Messenger, and will not have to go to different screens on your phone to communicate.” Messenger also put into details how to do view and respond to SMS conversations in Messenger. You just have to open Messenger, tap on Settings, select “SMS” from the list, and turn on […]
Hotel Jen Manila enters into a partnership with Security Bank for exclusive discounts to its cardholders
June 15, 2016

Hotel Jen Manila enters into a partnership with Security Bank for exclusive discounts to its cardholders

Diners Club and Security Bank Credit and Debit Master Card can now enjoy 20% discount on Hotel Jen Manila’s Deluxe Room based on Best Available Rates and 20% discount at Latitude and Kitsho excluding alcoholic beverages. For more details about this promo, please visit https://www.securitybank.com/promos/hotel-jen/ and https://www.securitybank.com/promos/hotel-jen-2/.   (From L-R Front Row: Security Bank’s Ms. Rose Salamat Arias, Merchant Channel Head, Mr. Christopher Fabra, Merchant Channel Manager, SAVP Gian Panganiban, Card Sales Head, Hotel Jen Manila’s Dir. of Sales and Marketing,  Ms. Mila Grace Yap and Maketing Communications Manager, Mikco Maiquez formalize the partnership between the two corporations)   For inquiries and advance reservations, please call (632) 795 8888 or […]
International luxury hotel brand Conrad opens in Manila
June 17, 2016

International luxury hotel brand Conrad opens in Manila

Led by the SM Hotels and Convention Corporations (SMHCC), one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel brands Conrad has finally debuted in Manila.     Conrad Manila, which is the luxury flagship brand in the Hilton Family of Brands, is the chain’s 15th location in the Asia Pacific. Owned by the SMHCC and managed by Hilton Worldwide, this 347-room hotel located in Mall of Asia’s lifestyle city complex in Pasay is the newest luxury destination in the metro. With its hugely iconic sail structure and shopping mall, Conrad Manila aims to target the dynamic market of the Philippines for both business and leisure stay.   SMHCC, Hilton Worldwide, and […]