‘The Last One Standing’ UAAP Season 81 holds pre-season event at SM Mall of Asia!

“We are thrilled to give our fans a jumpstart of the upcoming UAAP Season 81 as we showcase the players’ individual skills at the first ever 1-on-1 hoop challenge.” ~Nilo Ocampo, President of the Board of Managing Directors of UAAP

The first ever Season 81 pre-event The Last One Standing: 1-on-1 Hoop Challenge, happening on August 17 at the Mall of Asia. Rally for your favorite UAAP basketball star players as host school National University gears up for the competition.

The one-day basketball tournament will pit players of participating UAAP teams against each other on a 1-on-1 basketball challenge. Aside from the tournament, there will also be a:

• Slam Dunk Contest
• 3-point shootout
• Skills Challenge

All competitions will have a men’s and women’s division, except for the Slam Dunk Contest which is for men only. With 8 participants per division split into two groups, the tournament will have a single round robin format with the top two players of each group advancing to the semi-finals. The last two players standing will play in the finals. Winners will get up to Php 20,000.00 worth of products and gift certificates from SM Supermalls! 

Don’t miss out on other fun activities this season! Show off school spirit at the UAAP Season 81 opening at the MOA Arena with special performances from:

• James Reid
• Spongecola
• and surprise foreign artists

For updates on UAAP Season 81 tickets, visit https://smtickets.com/. 

Discovery Country Suites Gets Shortlisted for Haute Grandeur’s Global Hotel Awards

Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay

Discovery Country Suites has been shortlisted along with some of the world’s best hotels for Haute Grandeur’s Global Hotel Awards. Haute Grandeur is an independent award-giving body that recognizes the best hospitality experience from across 7 continents, 172 countries, and 90 categories. To be awarded by Haute Grandeur, different factors are taken into consideration, such as rooms, food & beverage, service, overall hotel facilities, location, ambiance, design, unique guest experience, online presence, guest reviews, among others.

As a part of The Discovery Leisure Company’s roster of hotels and resorts, Discovery Country Suites provides a calm respite for its guests with their picturesque view of Taal and its trademark outstanding service. As a seven-suite manor home, one of the things that separate Discovery Country Suites from most hotels is its exclusivity. Those who enter the property can immediately feel the distinctive feeling of home. From the personalized service, elegant suites, the signature experience of wine and cheese at sundown, to the sumptuous dishes of Restaurant Verbena, a stay at Discovery Country Suites is a unique experience in itself.

Being shortlisted for a prestigious award is already an honor for Discovery Country Suites, but excellence has always been imparted in their roots. Guest ratings are an important part of winning the award, which is why guests are encouraged to share their honest feedback through various travel websites. Winners will be announced on November 1, 2018.

Discovery Country Suites is located along 300 Calamba Road, San Jose, Tagaytay City, 4120 Philippines. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 5298172, email reservations@dcs.discovery.com.ph or visit http://www.discoverycountrysuites.com.

ABOUT DISCOVERY COUNTRY SUITES

With seven elegant and unique suites that radiate the feeling of home with the view of Taal Lake and Volcano right at its window, Discovery Country Suites offers a relaxing stay for guests looking for a Tagaytay getaway. Inside the property is Restaurant Verbena – serving up fresh dishes and staying true to its country contemporary cuisine tied together with the “Service that’s All Heart” Discovery has always been known for.

With so much to explore in Tagaytay, Discovery Country Suites neighbors some of the country’s best golf courses, flower farms, spa resorts, and concept restaurants. 

Discovery Country Suites is located along 300 Calamba Road, San Jose, Tagaytay City, 4120 Philippines. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 5298172, email reservations@dcs.discovery.com.ph or visit http://www.discoverycountrysuites.com.

Citi sees continued growth opportunities in Asia

“Global fund managers are looking carefully at Asia, and China is a big part of that.  Interest in the region is partly due to the inclusion of 200 large cap Chinese stocks in the MSCI, as well as the opening of the China Bond Connect. Investors are looking into more liquid markets – Hong Kong, Australia and, gradually, ASEAN. Intra-Asia flows are also increasing with key corridors flowing from China, Japan, and Korea to ASEAN.” ~Julia Raiskin, head of Investor Sales, Asia Pacific, at Citi

(L-R) Citi Investor Sales Asia Pacific head Julia Raiskin, Citi Philippines Country Treasurer and Global Markets and Securities Services head Paul Favila and Citi Asia Pacific Economic and Market Analysis head Johanna Chua

Global fund managers turn to the region in the face of volatility and uncertainty.

Citi remains bullish about the growth prospects in Asia, as global investors turn to the region in the face of volatility in Europe and North America and general uncertainty in the markets.

Citi shared key investment trends and macroeconomic views during the Citi Investor Conference 2018 at the Citi Plaza building in Taguig. According to Raiskin, global fund managers are investing in equities and fixed income as top choices, with local currency bonds becoming increasingly attractive.

Citi notes that intra-Asia trade corridors have the potential to pick up slack from China and U.S. supply chains that may be threatened.

“This region represents a much bigger opportunity as it is currently under-penetrated. Industries are well developed, but the long-term savings industry and asset management is not. So we’re seeing bigger allocations towards Asia from fund managers. There’s a lot of traction growth. The growth story is there. We need more FDI. The Philippines is still conservative with regards to foreign financing. There are a lot of good things going for the Philippines. It’s one of the only economies without any fuel subsidies and domestic demand story in the Philippines has traction, especially on the investment side.” ~Johanna Chua, head of Asia Pacific Economic Analysis at Citi

Philippine equities are underweight in Citi’s global equity allocation due to broad-based, cyclical upswings and the performance of other economies explained Chua. But recent data has been good, given increased government spending and the peso stabilizing. 

To spur further growth, Citi says the key is more foreign direct investments.

Infrastructure is seen as a key growth driver, especially the government’s ongoing ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Additional growth drivers include services exports such as tourism, manufacturing with preferential tax treatments, and agricultural development and energy.

“As the contracts of the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) expire in 2020, power and energy will potentially be huge growth drivers for the Philippine economy.” ~Paul A. Favila, head of Markets and Securities Service 

Overall, Citi explained that last year was a good year for everybody and moving forward, 2018 is progressing well. 

Citi’s GDP growth projection for the Philippine economy is 6.9% in 2018.

#GrabThatFlight: Grab and GetGo Partnership

“Our promise to our members is that we will continuously offer more options where they can earn GetGo points for their free getaways. We are happy to partner with Grab in making our members’ commutes more rewarding.” ~Nik Laming, Cebu Pacific’s General Manager for Loyalty Division

#GrabThatFlight: Cebu Pacific GetGo Loyalty Division general manager Nik Laming and Grab Philippines Business Development & Partnerships head Maria Theresa Busmente sign a partnership deal to enable Filipino travelers to fly for free by converting more points from Grab rides.

Grab users can convert their Grab Rewards points to GetGo points and redeem flights to bring Filipinos closer to their dream destinations.

Grab and GetGo Rewards by Cebu Pacific today announced a new tie-up that will bring more travel opportunities to Grab users. Starting today, Grab consumers can start converting their GrabRewards points to GetGo points. For just 1000 and 4,500 GrabRewards points, members will be able to get 100 and 500 GetGo points respectively, which they can use to redeem for free flights to any Cebu Pacific destination.

To mark the partnership between Southeast Asia’s largest loyalty program and the leading lifestyle rewards program in the Philippines, Grab and GetGo will roll-out a special rewards promotion. Jetsetter consumers are in for a treat as Grab and GetGo will double the number of GetGo points earned for every GrabRewards conversion from August 3 to August 8.

“Knowing that traveling is an important aspect of every Filipino’s lifestyle, we are excited to partner with GetGo to bring our consumers closer to their next dream holiday. As Grab becomes an everyday app, we are constantly making our platform more rewarding for our consumers by giving them access to more meaningful partner benefits that truly matter to them. With GrabRewards, we want our consumers to get more value for every ride they take with us and having a partner like GetGo on board will enable us to offer them even more.” ~Theresa Busmente, Grab Philippines’ Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

Turning everyone’s daily rides into exciting free flights, GetGo and Grab Philippines team up to support every Filipinos’ desire to travel and experience local and international wonders.

As one of the leading lifestyle rewards programmes in the country, GetGo has been giving its loyal members new experiences out of their free local and international flights. The partnership with Grab shows the program’s commitment to support the Filipinos’ dreams of seeing the world and flying for free to Cebu Pacific’s wide network of destinations.

To convert GrabRewards points to GetGo points, just click ‘GrabRewards’ in the Grab app’s left menu bar and select GetGo from the browse list to redeem this offer. Users who redeem the offer will be taken to a page within the app, where they will be asked to input their GetGo username and password to sign-in and convert their points. 

For more information on memberships and partners, visit www.getgo.com.ph. Stay updated on the latest promos by liking GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

About Grab

Grab is one of the most frequently used O2O mobile platforms in Southeast Asia, providing the everyday services that matter most to consumers. Commute, eat, deliver shopping – and pay with one e-wallet. Grab believes that every Southeast Asian should benefit from the digital economy, and the company provides access to safe and affordable transport, food and package delivery, mobile payments and financial services. Grab currently offers services in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.grab.com.

About GetGo

GetGo is the innovative lifestyle rewards program by Cebu Pacific that lets you earn points every time you fly and from your everyday spend. Get points from many different ways and program partners, and Go places with Cebu Pacific's 26 international destinations and 37 domestic destinations and counting. It is currently expanding its partnership network ranging from travel, banking, lifestyle and the services sector. As a brand that puts more value to its members, it has introduced a suite of financial payment cards in partnership with UnionBank and VISA. To know more, visit www.GetGo.com.ph

Chooks-to-Go announces nine winners of 100K pesos

“Nagulat po ako nung may tumawag sa akin na taga-Chooks-to-Go. Nataranta po ako nun kasi hindi ko matandaan kung naitago ko yung resibo na nanalo. Maraming beses po kasi akong nagtext. Blessing in disguise po itong pagkapanalo ko at napakalaking tulong sa aming pamilya.” ~Antonio Tiu

(L-R) BAVI Tacloban Branch Head Edwin Arevalo and Chooks-to-Riches winners from Tacloban, Antonio Tiu and Emanuel Moreto

Chooks-to-Go, the leading roasted chicken chain in the country, recently announced the nine winners of Chooks-to-Riches, its ongoing nationwide promo.

Each received Php 100,000.00  pesos in cash, tax-free. The winners are:

• John Jervie Dee of Misamis Oriental
• Emanuel Moreto of Leyte
• Angelica Olinares of Negros Occidental
• David Villanueva of Bicol
• Leslie Naval of Malabon
• Antonio Tiu of Tacloban
• Emmanuel Asuncion of Bulacan
• Ma. Elena Biyo of Iloilo
• Cecile Senining of Cebu

“Hindi ko po inakalang isa ako sa mananalo. Sa dami ng customers ng Chooks-to-Go, ako pa ang ma-swerteng nanalo. Masayang-masaya po talaga ako, malaking tulong po ito sa amin.” ~Emanuel Moreto

Angelica Olinares, one of the winners of PhP 100,000, with her family at BAVI Bacolod.

With Chooks-to-Riches, Chooks-to-Go aims to reward its loyal and hardworking customers who have been making the deliciously roasted chicken a part of the family’s everyday meals. This promo is the brand’s way to return the love, appreciation, and support that the customers have shown Chooks-to-Go.

To qualify for the promo, customers must make a single receipt purchase of at least one (1) whole Chooks-to-Go oven roasted chicken of any variant (Sweet Roast, Pepper Roast, Fried Chooks).

To earn entries, customers need to send:

CHOOKS (space) <COMPLETE NAME> / <COMPLETE ADDRESS> / <OR NUMBER> / <TOTAL TRANSACTION AMOUNT> via text message to 2256.

Valid receipts may be registered until August 11 to qualify for the promo. Chooks-to-Go will draw the last set of winners on August 13.

Will you be one of the lucky six to win Php 100,000.00? Remember that the more entries you have, the more chances of winning! So what are you waiting for? Join now!

Where to go at any SM Malls if you are a vegetarian

Are you a vegetarian?

Do you find dining out a challenge for the very limited selections?

Harvesters Vegetarian’s Beef Broccoli

There are actually many restaurants where any vegetarian can have a hearty meal. You just have to know where to look. Here are some options:

Salads

For something delicious, healthy and affordable, try Harvesters Vegetarian. It serves some of the best “beef” and "meat" dishes, like beef broccoli, barbecue, and sweet and sour pork. They are so good, it is hard to believe they’re made of tofu. Visit its branches at:

• SM Cubao
• SM North Edsa
• SM Megamall
• SM South Mall
• SM Manila
• SM Makati

Salad Stop!’s Oh Crab Lah!

SaladStop! is known for its wide range of combinations of salads and soups, the best seller, Oh Crab Lah!, is loved for its Singaporean Chili Crab dressing that consists of romaine, crab sticks, tomato, vermicelli, egg, red onion, and croutons. Grab a healthy bite today at its branches in:

• SM Megamall
• SM Mall of Asia

Gusto!’s Kalabasa Curry Bowl

Source: https://gustoph.com/ 

The Corner Market, The Podium’s new food hall, is adding a new twist to the Manila food scene with the first indoor farmers market. Among the 17 food stalls, you can find Gusto!, an organic salad bar that serves produce from local farmers. Visit The Corner Market at:

• 2/F The Podium in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

Todd English’s Caesar Salad

The Food Hall by Todd English, the first restaurant by a celebrity chef in Manila, opened in 2014 at SM Aura Premier. It set the trend for the food hall concept in Asia. Choose from fresh salads, freshly baked flatbread, signature kinds of pasta and many more.

Refreshments and desserts

Ten Ren’s Orange Green Tea

Originally from Taiwan, TenRen’s Tea is among the best milk tea shops in the world. It has been satisfying customers in the Philippines since 2016. As a leading international retailer and manufacturer of specialty teas, it offers a number of specialty tea-based beverages! The teas are made-to-order and use only natural ingredients and whole leaf teas.  Popular flavors include the 913 King’s Oolong Tea, Orange Green Tea, Taro Green Milk Tea, and Green Tea Mango Slush. Have a cool afternoon at the:

• SM Mall of Asia Complex

BLK 513’s Dark Skim Cup

Another popular spot is BLK 513’s frozen yogurt. What makes it different from the rest is the black color, which comes from activated charcoal that helps absorb harmful chemicals in the body. Add in strawberry, kiwi, mango, lychee and more for extra flavor. Visit BLK 513 at:

• SM Megamall
• SM Mall of Asia Complex
• SM North Edsa

There are no guilty pleasures in these vegetarian-friendly places, just amazing dishes. Head to the nearest SM mall to enjoy veggies like never before. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com and its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.

Jivelle Ann Borcena, GetGo promo winner to escape to paradise in Palawan

“I mostly do my transactions with my CEB GetGo Credit Card because it’s convenient and I can earn GetGo points faster. My son is ten years old and it will be his first time to ride a plane so I’m super excited. The same goes for my parents who are both senior citizens already. It will also be my father’s first plane ride. It was very generous of GetGo to start a promo like this. Sobrang na-appreciate ko talaga ‘yung program kasi ‘yung usual shopping ko mas nagiging rewarding. Nakakakuha ako ng points na pwede magamit for free flights and promos like this.” ~Jivelle Ann Borcena, 28-year-old Software Engineer

Exclusive Island Escape promo winner Jivelle Ann Borcena, 28-year-old Software Engineer

The most exciting lifestyle rewards program of Cebu Pacific once more surprises its GetGo members with amazing treats and prizes. With GetGo’s Exclusive Island Escape promo, three lucky members are flying to Palawan for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a whole island for themselves and their family.

From casually doing their everyday transactions and shopping at their favorite stores, Josephine Panganiban, Jivelle Ann Borcena, and Criza Mae Booc were able to earn GetGo points that were converted to raffle entries to win the 3-day all-expense-paid trips to the exclusive Bamboo Island in Coron.

“Usually, hindi ako nananalo sa mga ganitong raffle. I didn’t believe at first and I thought there was some catch na I have to buy or pay something to get the prize. I’m very surprised and happy. Also, I’m actually turning 50 years old this year so I thought this was a great birthday gift from GetGo.” ~Josephine, an IT consultant from Parañaque City

Josephine Panganiban (right) receives her prize from Cebu Pacific Loyalty Division campaign manager Elia Soon

Meanwhile, winning the promo meant that she could finally bring her son and parents for their first getaway to Palawan. From snorkeling, diving, rowing, and island hopping, the winners are looking forward to trying all the water activities available on the island. They can also hike up the island’s mountain peak and enjoy a great 360-degree view of the picturesque landscape and crystal clear waters. 

Jivelle Ann Borcena gets the best surprise of her life as Cebu Pacific Loyalty Division campaign manager Elia Soon (left) and Marketing and Distribution director Sahara Garnica give her a free Palawan vacation

Aside from the grand prize, ten lucky members also won 10,000 GetGo points each. Like them, you can experience a rewarding lifestyle with GetGo and its wide network of lifestyle partners. Just sign up for a GetGo account online and you can have access to amazing deals and exciting promos in the future. Who knows? You might be the next winner of the next promo!

For more information on memberships and partners, visit www.getgo.com.ph. Stay updated on the latest promos by liking GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GetGoPH, Twitter https://twitter.com/GetGoPH, and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GetGoPH/.