GCash, the undisputed leading and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, recorded unprecedented growth in May, with transactions ballooning by 700 percent year on year, as demand for digital finance continues to soar amid the global health situation.

With the rise in digital services that need digital payment gateways, GCash posted a record spike in transactions last month. Bank cash-in, which includes Instapay, and online payments to Google, Apple, Lazada, and various other merchants surged by 700 percent during the period over last year.

“The pandemic has forced all of us to adopt digital solutions such as GCash to protect us from contracting the virus. The steady uptrend on transactions using GCash shows that Filipinos are now being more dependent on digital solutions and they prefer to use the GCash platform to pay for these services,” GCash President & CEO Martha Sazon said.

Since the start of the community quarantines, Filipinos have turned to digital services, given the physical distancing and strict health protocols imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Online marketplaces have become busier, and businesses have set up their own digital storefronts to continue operations.

Food delivery and online grocery shopping have become very popular, as well, and fund transfers through GCash, powered by Instapay, has likewise become a preferred mode of domestic remittance.

“GCash is empowering Filipinos to do more with less through our best-in-class platform. Through GCash, we are helping stir up economic activity by bringing merchants and consumers closer, at least digitally,” Sazon said.

GCash powers merchants, government

From the onset of the pandemic, GCash has helped tens of thousands of merchants and even social sellers connect with their customers by providing them with a safe, secure, and convenient mobile payment system.

GCash has also powered the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), allowing beneficiaries to use their GCash wallets to receive their financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Aside from this, GCash is also processing the financial aid of the local governments of Makati, Quezon City, and Pasig to disburse their own supplemental cash assistance to their residents.

“All these have helped drive the unprecedented growth that we saw in May. We expect to continue riding this momentum, as we further innovate and enhance our offers to provide more digital financial services to Filipinos,” Sazon said.

Growth as an opportunity for constant innovation

Since last month, GCash has been the top finance app in both Android and iOS and has consistently been included in the list of top apps next only to social media app TikTok and social conferencing app Zoom.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

June 30, 2020 -- As the country remains under quarantine and as consumers continue to be extra careful with their safety, McDonald’s Philippines remains committed to finding ways for Filipinos to continue enjoying their McDonald’s favorites, in the restaurant as well as in their homes.

With the recent resumption of dine-in services, McDonald’s Philippines has shared how they have elevated their commitment to quality, service, safety, and cleanliness with stringent policies for both their customers and employees.

The company has also released a video on its M Safe Program, featuring its President and CEO, Kenneth Yang. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/MSafeKSY

Employees also now follow enhanced stringent safety protocols, which include: daily submission of health check forms; temperature checks before and after every shift; increased handwashing frequency to every 30 minutes; provision of M Safe Care kits, including vitamins to help them take better care of their health.

For customers, the number of those entering the stores will be managed. The following are implemented before entering the store: ‘no mask, no entry,’ temperature check, hand and footwear disinfection, and completion of a health check form. In stores, physical distancing in all areas including order queues and dine-in areas will be observed. Table service is done for dine-in customers to avoid any crowding in the claim area. Counter and table shields are also in place, among many other precautionary measures in-store. More importantly, a dedicated safety manager is assigned in every store to ensure all protocols are followed and go the extra mile of offering hand sanitizer to customers every 30 minutes. To better improve its safety protocols, McDonald’s also encourages customers to send their feedback to msafe@ph.mcd.com.

“Quality, service, safety, cleanliness, and value have always been part of McDonald’s philosophy when it comes to operating its restaurants. As we continue to bring feel-good moments for Filipinos in the new normal. We constantly strengthen all our practices and protocols for our customers, employees, and partners” says Yang.

McDonald's FB Messenger Now Accepts Orders

More ways to safely enjoy McDonald’s favorites

Committed to ensuring the safety of customers while making their meals more accessible, McDonald’s constantly introduces digital innovations to continue providing delicious food and feel-good moments to consumers.

“While we have reopened our doors for dine-in, and as we gain the confidence of our consumers with our elevated measures, we also acknowledge that a large population of Filipinos still choose to eat at home. Because of this, the omnichannel approach that we have prioritized since 2011 has become very relevant today in making our products more accessible to consumers while ensuring their safety,” says Margot B. Torres, Managing Director of McDonald’s Philippines.

As a forerunner in digital transformation among quick-service restaurants, McDonald’s introduces a new ordering channel. With Facebook Messenger chatbot, consumers can conveniently place their orders online. Through this initiative, McDonald’s allows an enhanced customer experience as they are able to place their orders ahead, schedule delivery or pick up at a designated time and the preferred branch that is convenient for them.

The brand has also introduced Park, Order, and Pay in some stores wherein customers will just park, order from a McDonald’s crew without leaving the car, pay, and wait for their order to be brought to them.

M Group Selections allow customizable platters

M Group Selections is another new offer that allows small groups to celebrate with McDonald’s food at a good value, available via McDelivery, Drive-Thru, Pick up or Take Out. With this initiative, customers are able to mix and match from the five (5) Group Selections food products depending on their preference and budget. Included in the offers such as World Famous French Fries, Best Tasting Chicken McDo (original and spicy), Chicken McNuggets, McSpaghetti, and plain rice.

“With the introduction of the M Group Selections and our no-touch channels, we are hopeful that our consumers will be able to satisfy their cravings at the comfort and safety of their homes. We will continue to find ways to delight our consumers as we navigate through the new normal,” adds Torres.

At the same time, McDonald’s continues to be available and accessible through platforms such as McDelivery, GrabFood, and FoodPanda. Check out delicious deals and other special offers through its McDonald’s app available on Android and iOS.

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McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder, Dr. George T. Yang, opened the first McDonald’s store in Morayta, Manila in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a strong and relevant player in the country’s quick-service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of 669 across the country. McDonald’s Philippines continues to elevate its community relevance thru Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

As quarantine guidelines are slowly being loosened around the country, Globe myBusiness is paying tribute to an economic hero: the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), whose strength and resilience as they reopen and thrive in the new normal merit unwavering support through this year’s #SaludoSME campaign.

The campaign kicked off with a special Facebook Live event via the official Globe myBusiness FB page with special messages from Ayala Corporation Chairman of the Board, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. Another highlight of the event is a special reveal of an inspirational video, sung by none other than Broadway legend and international Filipino pride Lea Salonga, which showcased the resilience of local SMEs as they resume operations in the new normal.

“We are honored to have all of you as valued partners today, and in the next few years of our journey amid a new, more challenging normal,” shared Cu. “Through this short but meaningful event, we would like to express our unwavering support and gratitude to your dedication, passion, and resilience in continuing your business endeavors that continue to serve as the backbone of this economy.”

This was followed by an exclusive online Business Consultation Caravan where participants received one-on-one consultations via Zoom from local business titans, led by no less than Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Philippines' President and Globe myBusiness Ambassador, Hanky Lee. This stellar roster of business consultants included Jay Ong, Director of Table Group; Sheree Gotuaco, CEO of Stylist in Pocket Technologies; Steve Benitez, CEO of Bo’s Coffee; Carlo Buenaflor, General Manager of Bigg’s Inc.; Anton Gonzalez, President of Planet Sports, Inc.; Gab Perez, Founder, and President of the Privato Hotel Group; Ryan Tan, President of NAVCO Inc.; Atticus King, Managing Director of Victoria Court; Audrey Uy, Vice President of Bizu Patisserie; and Kerwin Tansekiao, Managing Director of Jimini Foods Group Holdings Inc.

To support SMEs in getting back to business, Globe myBusiness will also be offering exclusive postpaid broadband plans until July 31, 2020. Plans start at P1,699 a month, with unlimited data allocation, a modem, and a landline with free calls to Globe and TM subscribers. Premium broadband plans start at P2,999, which comes with access to a myBusiness expert. Interested SMEs can avail of these exciting offers via theGlobe myBusiness digital shop,the official Globe website,or via the Globe myBusiness local Hotline 121.

Salude SME is not only an initiative for business owners. Netizens can also participate in the campaign. From June 27-July 6, they can support their favorite SMEsby posting about them on their social pages to get a chance to win a prize from Globe myBusiness. Further, the Saludo Store LIVE via Facebook will also be offered as a venue for partner MSMEs and key opinion leaders to promote their products and services. This event will be in partnership with the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Let's Eat Pare, and other groups.

Through these efforts, Globe continues to honor and support MSMEs for their hard work and contributions to the nation. Learn more about how you can #SupportLocalSMEs with Globe myBusiness viaglobe.com.ph/business/sme.

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While the rest of the country or perhaps the rest of the world is easing towards the new normal, many Cebuanos like me face the uncertainty every day as we live in the only city in the Philippines that is on lockdown. The stress and anxiety have forced me to redefine my content as well as find a purpose in this new normal.

March 2020: The Beginning

How I wish, I can just go back in time and have a re-do 2020. Back in March before the president issued a nationwide lockdown, there were very few active cases in Cebu. While I was fearful and concerned for China and Italy, I never imagined that Cebu will ever be a hotspot for the dreaded Covid-19. I was a little sad that many events were canceled and I would not be seeing my friends for a while. As a food blogger/vlogger, I was also worried about the local hotel and restaurant industry. Not just the big companies but also the smaller ones like eateries, karenderia, and even the street food vendors.

One the personal side, my wife is a medical frontliner and we live with her parents who are senior citizens. Back in March and April, the hospitals were operating like pre-COVID times. Since I was living with doctors, I started wearing masks, and washing hands more often.

Life During the First ECQ

From March 17-26, I only posted 1 new video. I spent most of time monitoring the US and the overall case numbers in the Philippines. It was more out of curiosity than concern. Then ECQ or Enhanced Community Quarantine happened! During the first day of ECQ, the first thing I did was to shoot a video.

In April, my wife was told to report to the hospital and stay there for 15 days. Actually, it was a good set-up because we somehow save on gas plus we do not have to deal with the checkpoints daily. Back then, Cebu was still far from the spotlight.

During the early part of the first ECQ, I was featuring places where you can buy basic necessities. It was not fancy restaurants anymore but more on fruit stalls, bakeshops, and home cooking. I started to miss events and paid gigs but I was also beginning to embrace the ECQ survivalist lifestyle.

Sitio Zapatera Outbreak

In mid-April, Cebu had its first outbreak in Sitio Zapatera in Barrio Luz. This densely populated area is just 2.5 kilometers away from where I live. Many people were mad at the residents here and instead of joining the "mob", I posted a call for help and compassion. The post somehow got viral and many people also took action.

At that time I got involved in helping groups that are providing masks, food, and other needs of the affected Barangays and frontliners. My vlogs then included features of different movements that were helping the government win the war against the pandemic. One of the movements that I supported was Shields4Food and here was my video feature:

By the end of the first ECQ, the cases of Cebu were rising but many were also busy offering delicious food for delivery. My content by then involves driving around as well as featuring food that is available for delivery.

On the personal side, anxiety was also growing as there were more cases in Cebu City and I can feel the stress that my wife is feeling. It was starting to get serious.

June GCQ

President Rodrigo Duterte placed most of the country to GCQ or General Community Quarantine while putting Cebu City to MECQ or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. Our mayor, Edgar Labella with the support of the local business community appealed for a GCQ. The president gave in and Cebu was in GCQ despite a daily increase of cases that can rival Quezon City (the city had the most number of cases then).

After the 15-day In and 15-day Out set-up in April and May at the hospital where my wife worked, for June, she has to go to the hospital daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. That was the start of my daily GCQ drive where I document what is happening on the streets of Cebu every morning and afternoon.

From June 1-30, I had at least one new driving video daily. During this month, a lot of people got serious with their homemade food business. A lot of them send me samples for me to try. In exchange, I make short videos about the products of the home cooks. I even managed to create content that combined driving around the city as well as featuring a restaurant.

On the family side, it was quite tough as my wife got so tired after work and she has dealt with many suspected COVID-19 cases. There was even a time that she was sidelined for a couple of days because she was tested for the virus. Luckily, it came out negative. The incident made me realize that the situation in Cebu was really getting serious.

Now, we are at the end of June and most likely my city will remain on lockdown. Everything is still uncertain but I remain hopeful that things will be better soon.

July Outlook

I believe that making videos daily has been instrumental to my mental health. I feel the pinch financially but I know that most of us are feeling the same. I have used my social media platforms to promote the small businesses that are helping the situation become manageable for many.

I realized that a content creator like me can still be a big help for others during this tough time. I am even surprised that many people actually appreciate my daily drive because somehow it allows them to see what is happening in Cebu.

Moving forward, my main inspiration is my wife and all the people who are working hard at the front lines of this war against the virus. Every day they risk their lives to save others and many of them got sick and even died helping the sick. I could choose to do nothing but I believe a blogger or a content creator can truly help many people in this pandemic. Many are actually helping in creating entertaining and funny content but I will be sticking to my strengths which is to provide information or to be a "bird dog" that helps the businesses especially the smaller ones.

July will be a critical month for the country and I think each one of us has the potential to become a hero no matter how insignificant we think we are. Let's help each other and I know we can win this war.

This story is an entry to Comco SouthEast Asia's "Write To Ignite Blogging Project". The initiative is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. Igniting and championing the human spirit. "Write to Ignite Blog Project" aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. This project is made possible by Comco SouthEast Asia, co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet and Teleperformance.

Starting Monday, July 6, 2020, GCash will charge a 2.58% convenience fee every time you cash in using linked Visa/Mastercard bank cards. This pass-on fee is actually a direct charge to GCash's card payment partners. The company clarified that they will not receive a single peso from the pass-on fees as it will all go to their card payment partners.

2.58% Pass-On Fees by GCash's Card Payment Partners

Starting next Monday, a 2.58% convenience fee will be charged with your card cash-in amount. For example, you cashed in Php 1000 cash, you will be charged 1025.80 to your card. The fees are automatically computed by the Gcash app and it will be stated in the app for each cash-in. The pass-on fees will also be reflected in your transaction history.

Cashing in via Visa/Mastercard has been a free service that allowed users to fund their GCash wallets. Recently, card payment partners increased their service charges. This prompted GCash to implement the 2.58% pass-on fees which represent the direct charges from the payment partners.

As a pioneer of the country's digital payment industry, GCash implemented this new convenience fee only because the credit card partners have recently increased their charges. The good news is that GCash still provides several ways to cash-in that is totally FREE.

3 G-Cash In Methods That are absolutely FREE

If you do not like to incur additional charges to fund your GCash wallet, here are 3 ways that are free.

Cash-in For Free via BPI

Linking your GCash Account to your BPI Online Banking Account allows you to transfer money to your GCash wallet in real-time! You can link up your account in 2 easy steps. First, you just need to tap My Linked Accounts on the upper left of the screen on your GCash dashboard. Then you select BPI Account then enter your username and password to link your GCash wallet to the account. Easy, right?

Cashing in will only take 3 simple steps. Step 1. You select Cash-in on the GCash dashboard and select BPI on the online banking tab. Step 2. You enter the amount you want to add to your wallet then, tap on to which account you want to cash-in from and then, confirm the amount. Step 3. This step is for added security. BPI will send you an authentication code via SMS to your BPI-registered number which will you need to input to complete the transaction. You can actually cash-in up to 50,000 pesos a day. New users will start with a daily cap of 15,000 pesos which will increase over time and constant usage.

Cashing-in via BPI is easy, fast, and secure.

Cash-in via UnionBank for Free

Another banking partner of GCash is UnionBank and you can also link up a UnionBank Account to your GCash Wallet. To do this you first click My Linked Accounts on your GCash dashboard and select UnionBank. Then, you may enter your UnionBank credentials or Tap Guest check out to answer security questions. After completing the second step, your UnionBank-registered mobile number will receive the One-Time-Password that you need to enter and submit. You will then be asked to choose which bank you want to connect with the app. You are only allowed to link one account at a time. Once you picked the account, you will then see the confirmation page that tells you that your enrollment is being processed. Once completed, you will receive an SMS to confirm the linking of your UnionBank account to your GCash.

To cash-in, all you have to do is to pick UnionBank on the online banking tab then enter the amount you wish to cash-in. Click next and confirm the transaction at the confirmation screen. And voila, you just added GCash to your GCash wallet for FREE. You will also receive a confirmation SMS for the cash-in transaction.

Cash-In via InstaPay Banks

InstaPay is an electronic fund transfer service that allows customers to have an almost real-time peso transfer between accounts in participating BSP-supervised banks and non-bank e-money issuers in the Philippines. Using your bank online baking app, you can easily transfer money to GCash via G-Exchange. You can click this link for more details: https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/sections/900000085683-Cash-In-via-Bank-EMI-Apps-InstaPay-

Pass-on Fees by Gcash's card payment partners apply only to Visa/Mastercard-linked accounts

There is a big difference between card-linking and bank account-linking. Card linking is when you link your bank's card that uses the Visa or Mastercard network. Usually, you see a Visa or Mastercard logo on these cards. Bank account-linking meanwhile, directly links your bank account to your GCash. The 2.58% pass-on fees only applies to card-linked cash-in transactions.

More Reasons to Use GCash

Contactless payments have been very useful during this pandemic and GCash is at the forefront of this movement. GCash is for sure the most competitive mobile wallet in the country right now. It is accepted in over 70,000 merchant partners nationwide and it is even widely adopted by the friendly online sellers that are selling homemade goodies during the quarantine period. You can also conveniently pay your bills via the app.

GCash offers free cash-in with linked banked accounts or via the InstaPay network. Hassle-free bank transfers are also allowed via GCash Bank transfers. The new 2.58% pass-on fees on card cash-ins are still lower than other mobile wallets that charge a flat fee of 30 pesos per transaction (especially for cash-ins below 1000 pesos).

GCash also has various value-added services like GCredit, GSave, and GInvest. You can also get discounts when you buy prepaid load for your mobile phones via the app.

If you have not downloaded or used GCash, now is a perfect time.

Ford F-150 Launched in the Philippines

· The F-150 is part of Ford’s F-Series, America’s bestselling truck for the 43^rd straight year and America’s bestselling vehicle for the 38^th straight year

· Ford launches two (2) F-150 variants in the Philippines, the F-150 4x4 Platinum SuperCrew AT and F-150 4x2 Lariat SuperCrew AT

· The F-150 sets the global standard in trucks with its ‘Built Ford Tough’ design and capabilities, powerful performance, and advanced technologies for comfort and safety

· The F-150 is powered by Ford’s proven 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift for unmatched power, fuel efficiency, and refinement

· It is equipped with luxurious leather interior with 10-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats plus Active Motion massage available for the Platinum 4x4 variant, 10-speaker sound system from Bang & Olufsen, 20-inch alloy wheels and 360-degree camera with split-view display

MANILA, Philippines, 24 June 2020 – Ford Philippines is launching today the internationally-renowned Ford F-150 pickup truck, further expanding its truck portfolio in the country with a tough yet modern full-size truck with a wide range of segment-defining features.

The Ford F-150 sets the global standard in trucks with its standout look and design, powerful performance, class-leading capabilities, and advanced smart and safe technologies. The F-150 is part of Ford’s F-Series, America’s bestselling truck for the 43^rd straight year, and America’s bestselling vehicle for the 38^th straight year.

In the Philippines, Ford is offering two (2) variants of the F-150, the F-150 4x4 Platinum SuperCrew AT, and F-150 4x2 Lariat SuperCrew AT.

“The F-150 is definitely a strong addition to our pickup truck portfolio as we continue to lead the segment with the widest range of trucks, now totaling fifteen (15) variants. The F-150 is packed with segment-defining features and capabilities that have made it the truck of choice across America and the world,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. “We are excited to bring back this legendary Ford truck to Filipino customers who seek next-level power and refinement in their pickup.”

Powerful Performance

The F-150 powertrain is equipped with Ford’s proven 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology, capable of generating an impressive 380PS of power and 637NM of torque. This is coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift to deliver tremendous power for heavy-duty use while staying exceptionally fuel-efficient. An Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly (ESOF) 4x4 System comes equipped on the F-150 Platinum variant.

Tough Look, Premium Feel

Exclusively on the F-150 4x4 Platinum AT exterior is a silver mesh satin-aluminum grille and tailgate applique, chrome side mirror caps, door and tailgate handles, tail-gate step with tailgate lift assist, bright beltline moldings, high-gloss black B-pillar applique and platinum badge on fender sides, a twin-panel moonroof, as well as power deployable running boards.

Its interior, on the other hand, features a unique and luxurious leather interior with genuine black ash wood trim accents, aluminum applique in center panel and console, unique instrument cluster gauges, leather-wrapped console lid, and shift knob, a 10-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with ActiveMotion® massage function, color-coordinated carpet flooring with premium floor mats, and metallic door sill inserts with PLATINUM branding.

Meanwhile, the Philippine-spec F-150 4x2 Lariat AT variant is one step ahead from the standard Lariat variant as it comes with the SPORT appearance package with a body-color grille with black mesh, side mirror caps, door and tailgate handles, magnetic angular step bars, and SPORT box decals. The interior also features a unique Lariat finish on the instrument panel, media bin lid, and doors, as well as leather seats.

Standard across both F-150 variants are body-color bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels, high strength aluminum alloy body, daytime running lamps, quad-beam headlamps, LED fog lamps and taillamps, a 5.5-inch long box, and front tow hooks.

Smart and Safe Features

The F-150 is also equipped with a host of smart and safe features that enhance the driving experience for both drivers and passengers.

The F-150 features Ford Co-Pilot 360 - Ford's safety suite composed of Pre-Collision Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Lane Keeping System (LKS) and Auto-High Beam Headlamps.

For convenience, it is equipped with a remote start system, remote tailgate release, 8-inch LCD touchscreen, SYNC® 3 with AppLink®, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, 2 smart-charging USB ports and 12V Powerpoint, a navigation system, 8-inch productivity screen in the instrument cluster, and a 10-speaker with subwoofer sound system powered by Bang & Olufsen.

The F-150 is also packed with driver-assist technologies (DAT) which include a 360-degree camera with a split-view display, Active Park Assist, Curve Control, Hill Start Assist, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, Trailer Sway Control, Rain-Sensing Wipers, and Reverse Sensing System.

Additionally, the F-150 takes safety further through advanced technologies and features such as AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™), Dual-Stage Front Airbags, Front-Seat Side Airbags and Safety Canopy® System with Side-Curtain Airbags and Rollover Sensor, Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and Perimeter Alarm. The Platinum variant gets a boost with Inflatable Rear Seatbelts.

Availability and Pricing

The F-150 will be available at Ford dealerships nationwide beginning June 25, 2020, with a starting retail price of Php2,698,000* for the F-150 4x2 Lariat SuperCrew AT and Php2,998,000* for the F-150 4x4 Platinum SuperCrew AT.

The F-150 4x4 Platinum comes in four (4) colors including Blue Jeans, Star White, Iconic Silver, and Agate Black. The Star White color variant, which is a special color for the F-150 4x4 Platinum, is available for an additional Php15,000.

Meanwhile, the 4x2 Lariat variant also comes in four (4) colors including Rapid Red, Oxford White, Iconic Silver, and Agate Black.

To know more about the F-150, visit a Ford dealership nearest you. For Cebu inquiries, you may call Ms. Ivy Castro at 0917-314-40-90.

MANILA, Philippines, 15 August 2020 – Ford Philippines launched today the all-new Ford Territory, a Ford-engineered and designed SUV which combines a sleek and stylish look, impressive performance, and smart and safe technologies that will offer a new driving experience to young professionals and starting families.

Developed by Ford Motor Company and its joint venture partner Jiangling Motors Corporation, the Ford Territory brings to life the Ford DNA in its design, engineering, and capability, following Ford’s highest global quality standards.

“The Ford Territory will boost our growing SUV lineup as a new product born out of Ford’s long-standing heritage and expertise in the utility segment,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines. “We are confident that the Ford Territory will offer a new driving experience to Filipino customers as a modern, spacious, and technologically-advanced SUV that delivers great value.”

Ford Philippines is offering the Ford Territory in Titanium+ and Trend variants, with a host of features and driver-assist technologies standard in both variants.

Ford DNA

Ford was deeply involved, through its Ford Design Studio in Melbourne, Australia, in the development of the Ford Territory’s contemporary appearance and look. The Ford DNA is evident in the exterior and interior, following the same design principles of Ford SUVs.

The Ford Territory has also been rigorously tested in its ride, handling and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels at Ford’s testing centers in Nanjing, China, and at the Geelong Proving Grounds in Melbourne, Australia to ensure it meets Ford’s stringent engineering and quality standards. These tests also gave the Ford Territory a finely-tuned Ford suspension, which is set for exceptional ride comfort and refinement.

Meanwhile, the Ford Territory’s engine was closely designed with Ford engineers in Europe to further develop the EcoBoost concept, giving it great power and efficiency, along with lower maintenance requirements and costs.

Proven Performance

Powering the Ford Territory is a 1.5L EcoBoost engine mated to a CVT transmission with Sport mode that delivers 143PS and 225NM of torque, balancing power and fuel efficiency. With this powertrain, customers can enjoy lower service maintenance costs with a once-a-year scheduled service interval for a better ownership experience.

Functional Design, Inside Out

The Ford Territory boasts of an urban-ready design that easily stands out on the road. Standard across both variants are LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, LED tail lamps, auto on/off headlamps with follow me home feature, front and rear fog lamps, panoramic moonroof, rear spoiler, and roof rails.

Inside, the Ford Territory offers a premium and refined experience with perforated leather seat material, Smart Keyless Entry with Push Button Start, leather steering wheel with mounted controls, power door lock with central locking, speed-sensing door locks, rearview mirror with auto-dimming, and high-mount USB port, a leather-covered center console with dual-lid opening, sunglass holder, 7 cup and bottle holders, and 12-volt power outlet that come standard in both variants.

Exclusive on the Titanium+ variant are 18” alloy wheels, gloss black with chrome inserts on the front grille, rain-sensing front windshield wipers, power-folding mirrors, puddle lamps, and chrome exterior door handles.

Its interior, on the other hand, features heated and cooled front seats, a 10-inch fully-digital display instrument cluster with 3 selectable themes (Normal, Sport, and Fashion), tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, power windows with one-touch up/down function on all windows, as well as ambient lighting with seven (7) color options that complement every mood.

Smart and Safe Technologies

The Ford Territory is equipped with a selection of smart features that elevate the experience behind the wheel. A standard for both variants is the in-vehicle infotainment display powered by a 10-inch touchscreen with an adjustable quad view, Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto® compatibility, four (4) USB ports, and multiple speakers (8 for the Titanium+ variant and 6 for the Trend variant). Wireless charging comes exclusively to the Titanium+ variant.

Ford’s newest SUV also offers maximum safety for both drivers and passengers with the Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist technologies available in the Titanium+ variant that include Active Park Assist with parallel-parking and the segment-first perpendicular parking, 360 Degree Around View Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System and Lane Departure Warning.

Available driver-assist technologies standard in both variants are Electronic Stability Control including ABS, EBD and Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, six (6) airbags, rear parking sensors (front and rear parking sensors available on the Titanium+ variant), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire pressure display. Both variants are also equipped with High Mount Stop Lamp and Child Seat ISOFIX Anchorage Points.

Availability and Pricing

The Ford Territory comes in six colors, including Ruby Red, Diffused Silver, and Panther Black for both variants, Star White for the Trend variant, and Crystal Pearl White and Moonstone Blue for the Titanium+ variant.

It will be available in Ford dealerships nationwide beginning August 14, 2020, at an introductory retail price of PHP1,179,000* for the Trend variant and PHP1,299,000* for the Titanium+ variant.

As a launch offer, all customers purchasing the Ford Territory from August 14 to September 15, 2020, will get a free 3-year scheduled service plan (SSP) for a worry-free ownership experience.

To know more about the all-new Ford Territory, visit www.ford.com.ph/suvs/territory or a Ford dealership nearest you. For Cebu inquiries, you may visit Ford Cebu at Nivel Hills, Lahug or call 0917-3144090 (Ms. Ivy Castro, General Manager).

*Additional freight costs apply

MANILA, Philippines, 12 October 2020 – Ford Philippines is bringing back its much-anticipated Truck Month this October, offering great deals to customers buying a Ford Ranger from any Ford dealership nationwide.

From October 1-31, 2020, customers can avail of cash discounts, all-in low downpayment deals, and free ownership package worth PHP100,000 with their purchase of a Ranger Wildtrak, XLS, or Raptor.

The Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 MT is available this month with a PHP90,000 cash discount while the Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 AT comes with a cash discount of PHP70,000.

On the other hand, the Ranger 2.2L XLS 4x2 MT is available with a cash discount of PHP89,000, effectively bringing its starting retail price to only PHP943,000. Customers can also avail of a financing offer of PHP88,000 all-in low downpayment.

Meanwhile, customers who are looking to purchase the Ranger Raptor are entitled to the Ranger Raptor Premium Care Package inclusive of a free 5-Year Scheduled Service Plan, 5-Year Warranty (from 3 years), and 5-Year roadside assistance. The worry-free ownership package is valued at PHP100,000.

“The Ford Truck Month has been Ford Philippines’ annual tradition of celebrating ownership of the Ford Ranger and making it accessible to more customers through our wide array of great deals. The Truck Month is back this October and we look forward to serving more Filipinos who need a tough, reliable, and capable pickup truck for their work and play needs,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines.

Seize the Deal Offers for Ford SUVs and Ford Transit van

Ford is also offering deals for its SUVs and Transit van with its Seize the Deal promotions available until October 31, 2020.

Great deals are also up for grabs for Ford’s bigger SUVs. Avail of a 0% interest for 60 months at 20% downpayment with an Explorer 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost AWD AT or 0% interest for 48 months at 20% downpayment with an Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost LTD. Both the Ford Expedition Limited EL 4x4 with Bucket Seats AT and Expedition Limited EL 4x4 AT can be availed with a financing offer of 0% interest for 60 months at 20% downpayment.

Rounding up the deals is for the Ford Transit, where customers getting the 15-seater Ford van can get a cash discount of PHP301,000, or a financing offer of PHP68,000 all-in low downpayment, or 0% interest for 36 months at 20% downpayment, together with a free 5-year scheduled service plan.

To know more about the offers, visit the Ford Philippines website or any Ford dealership nearest you.

Customers looking to purchase an Everest 2.0L Bi-Turbo Titanium+ 4x4 AT, Everest 2.0L Turbo Titanium 4x2 AT, or Everest 2.0L Turbo Sport 4x2 AT can enjoy a PHP 50,000 cash discount. The Everest 2.2L Trend 4x2 AT comes with a PHP100,000 cash discount or a PHP178,000 all-in low downpayment.

The Ford EcoSport also comes with generous cash discounts. The EcoSport 1.0L Titanium AT and EcoSport 1.5L Titanium AT are available with a PHP150,000 cash discount. A PHP38,000 all-in low downpayment is also available for the EcoSport 1.5L Titanium AT. The EcoSport 1.5L Trend AT and EcoSport 1.5L Trend MT both come with a PHP90,000 cash discount.

Preparing for a corporate meal, conference food, or catering for an event should not be a headache in Metro Cebu starting October 28 as Foodie.ph expands its services in the city.

Foodie.ph is your corporate concierge delivery service for food, groceries and flower requirements and other group needs such as table reservations and on-site or off-site catering. It’s an enterprise-level platform that’s been serving as a one-stop-shop for any bulk orders involving deliveries.

Corporate clients need not go around the quarantine limitations to get what they need. Lean teams today may not have the resources to gather quotations, contact restaurants, and track orders and requirements for events. You can fix them all with Foodie.ph. Business clients can simply log on to the user-friendly website and choose among the wide range of partner restaurants. A dedicated in-house call center and logistics team will coordinate the orders to the restaurants and arrange the delivery for you. This efficiently bridges the gap between corporate clients and restaurants.

Aside from having your food catered or delivered, Foodie.ph can also manage table reservations for you in your preferred restaurant on a company credit. Clients can enjoy an eat now pay later scheme with flexible payment terms of up to 30 days when you activate a credit line, plus earn monthly rebates when you order more.

With nearly 100 partner restaurants in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, your food is guaranteed fast and fresh when delivered to you with only a 60 to 90-minute waiting time for same-day orders. Clients can order with a minimum requirement worth Php500 with a 10% service charge.

Foodie.ph also offers perks to its partner restaurants such as 7-day flexible payment terms to keep them going and growing while boosting their sales made possible by corporate orders and empowering them with the right choice of cash flow with easier staff loan management with better rates from Right Choice Finance.

Make your corporate new normal easier by finding food and other requirements with Foodie.ph. Avail of all the advantages Foodie.ph has to offer your business by being their partner. Apply through foodie-delivery.ph or email corporate@foodie-delivery.ph.

Philippines – October 27, 2020 – As part of the world’s leading snacks company, Mondelez Philippines aims to empower people to snack right. This means providing the right snack, for the right moment and made the right way. It also means promoting mindful snacking – or the practice of being in the moment and eating with attention and intention. Recently the Company shared how it is promoting Mindful Snacking with one of its biggest brands, Tang.

Snacking is much more than eating between meals

All over the world, snacking is growing. The lines between snacking and meals are blurring. Mondelez Philippines knows that consumers don’t want to have to choose between snacking and eating right. These days, snacks mean more than just something you eat in-between meals. According to a 2019 State of Snacking survey which the Company undertook, three trends are influencing snacking all over the world: (1) Snacking is eclipsing meals globally as appetites for smaller bites grow. (2) Snacking offers bite-sized rituals connecting us to culture and community and (3) Snacks nourish body, mind, and soul; with indulgence remaining a priority.

Mindful Snacking: Eating with Attention + Intention

Seeing these trends in snacking, Mondelez Philippines takes it upon itself to not only make delicious snacks for consumers but to also promote Mindful Snacking to ensure wellbeing. Mindful Snacking is an approach to eating with attention and intention.

‘Attention’ means being conscious of what you want to eat, why you’re eating, and how it makes you feel. So, you don’t have to choose between snacking and eating right for the moment. Experts have found that Mindful Snacking has benefits: Focusing on the present moment can help you discover a more satisfying and positive snacking experience and makes you less likely to binge or overeat.

‘Intention’ means choosing the right snacks for your needs. To support this, Mondelez Philippines works to provide consumers easy access to the right snacks, for the right moment and made the right way. Like Tang, which offers affordable nutrition and refreshment for the entire family.

Snack Mindfully with Tang

As the #1 Powdered Beverage brand in the Philippines, Tang aims to become Moms’ ally in providing the right snack for moms to protect her children and prepare them for a brighter future. Tang has been in the Philippines since 1972, with 48 years of refreshing Moms and their families. It provides a truly delicious and nourishing drink for the family and offers the widest portfolio of 21 fruit-flavored beverages.

Tang is the right snack, containing 100% of your family’s Vitamin C requirements with every glass. Vitamin C is that much more important for children to have these days, with the prevalence of COVID-19 and other diseases. Tang aims to be Moms’ ally in providing not only refreshment and deliciousness but also affordable nutrition. With only P18 per pack, which makes 5 glasses of beverage, Mom can provide her family with nutrition, protection, and refreshment.

This deeply rooted presence in Filipino’s lives also allows Tang to provide for a wide variety of consumer needs – for the right moment. This includes the creation of Tang Sweet Orange – a flavor that’s only available in Mindanao. It is Mas Lami, or made more delicious for the taste preferences of our different regions in the country.

As a leader in the powdered beverage category, Tang works to set the standard for high quality and product benefits – it is made the right way. The brand stands by its promise to Moms, to provide only wholesome nutrition. Tang is also made with real fruit extracts and has no artificial flavors. As a trusted company, it also abides by all government regulations and is a responsible corporate citizen, supporting community programs that help empower children and their community.

Snack Mindfully with Tang and Mondelez Philippines, with the right snacks, for the right moment, and made the right way.

###

About Mondelēz International

Mondelēz International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2019 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

About Mondelez Philippines

Mondelez Philippines Inc. has been providing consumers with delicious snack products for the past 57 years - since 1963. Its product portfolio includes Tang powdered beverages, Eden cheese, mayonnaise, and sandwich spread, Cheez Whiz spread, Oreo cookies, Tiger energy biscuits, belVita breakfast biscuits, as well as Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates. The company employs about 450 people in the Philippines, with a manufacturing facility in Parañaque City. Visit https://ph.mondelezinternational.com/home.

Cebuanos love pungko-pungko and this type of local "cuisine" is not just confined to Cebu City. It has been a while since I had eaten or bought at a pungko-pungko stall and after seeing one in my recent drive to Mandaue City, I decided to feast on Ginabot (Fried pork mesentery) and more!

Karenderia Explorer presents Pungko-Pungko ni Mam Lisa sa Mandaue

Met Mam Lisa. She operates a Pungko-Pungko stall in Mandaue City just right across Times Kitchen Panceteria. What makes her pungko-pungko stall different is that she offers bigger cuts of Fried Pork Mesentery locally called Ginabot and Fried Pork Intestines which locals call Sha-e.

the food that you can buy at a Pungko-Pungko stall in Cebu

Aside from the popular cuts, she also sells other classic pungko-pungko items like lumpia, ngohiong, bola-bola, pork chops, and even hotdog and dried squid. Any pungko-pungko patron (or suki) will surely be happy with the choices in her stall.

I surely enjoyed my short interaction with her since I was able to buy some of the food that I haven craving in a while. I surely wanted to dine there but partly due to the pandemic and also because I was merely passing by and my main purpose was to buy pancit canton at Times Kitchen, I needed rush back home.

In the end, it was a worthwhile trip as I hit two birds in one stone. When was the last time you ate at a Pungko-Pungko stall?

You better watch out for more Karenderia Explorer articles as this series aims to put small eateries on the digital map, one Karenderia at a time!

MANILA, Philippines, 16 November 2020 – Ford Philippines is extending its widely-anticipated Truck Month until the end of this month, with cash discounts available to more Ford Ranger models.

“We are happy to announce that the Ford Truck Month is extended until November 30 to allow more customers to get a Ford Ranger with great deals. The Ford Truck Month also just got better this month with cash discounts extended to more Ford Ranger models, giving customers the widest array of deals for our ‘Built Ford Tough’ pickup trucks,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines.

New Truck Month deals available this November include a PHP90,000 cash discount for the Ranger 2.0L Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 AT as well as for the Ranger 2.2L XLT 4x2 AT and a PHP65,000 cash discount for the Ranger 2.2L XLT 4x2 MT.

The Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 MT is still available this month with a PHP90,000 cash discount while the Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 AT still comes with a cash discount of PHP70,000.

On the other hand, the Ranger 2.2L XLS 4x2 MT is still available with a cash discount of PHP89,000, effectively bringing its starting retail price to only PHP943,000. Customers can also avail of a financing offer of PHP88,000 all-in low downpayment.

Meanwhile, customers who are looking to purchase the Ranger Raptor are still entitled to the Ranger Raptor Premium Care Package inclusive of a free 5-Year Scheduled Service Plan, 5-Year Warranty (from 3 years), and 5-Year Roadside Assistance. The worry-free ownership package is valued at PHP100,000.

Seize the Deal Offers Extended

Ford’s ‘Seize the Deal’ offers are also extended, with deals up for grabs for its SUVs and Transit van until November 30, 2020.

Leading the pack is a PHP38,000 all-in low downpayment or PHP150,000 cash discount offer for the EcoSport 1.5L Titanium AT. The same cash discount is extended to the EcoSport 1.0L Titanium AT. The EcoSport 1.5L Trend AT and EcoSport 1.5L Trend MT now come with a better PHP100,000 cash discount.

Customers looking to purchase an Everest 2.0L Bi-Turbo Titanium+ 4x4 AT, Everest 2.0L Turbo Titanium 4x2 AT or Everest 2.0L Turbo Sport 4x2 AT can enjoy a PHP 50,000 cash discount. The Everest 2.2L Trend 4x2 AT comes with a PHP100,000 cash discount or a PHP178,000 all-in low downpayment.

Great deals are also up for grabs for Ford’s bigger SUVs. Avail of a 0% interest for 60 months at 20% downpayment with an Explorer 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost AWD AT or 0% interest for 48 months at 20% downpayment with an Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost LTD. On the other hand, the 8-seater Ford Expedition SUV is now available with a cash discount of PHP1 million. Both the Expedition Limited EL 4x4 with Bucket Seats AT and Expedition Limited EL 4x4 AT can also be availed with a financing offer of 0% interest for 60 months at 20% downpayment.

To know more about the offers, visit www.ford.com.ph/shopping/hot-deals/2020/retailoffers/ or any Ford dealership nearest you. In Cebu, the Ford dealership in Nivel Hills, Lahug.

It is time to Seize the Deal!

Check out my recent adventure with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak:

This time of the year, the streets would have been filled with cheers and children singing Christmas carols celebrating the festive season. But 2020 came with a string of events making everyone celebrate the holidays a lot more different than usual. Now the streets are quiet and festivities are muted.

Despite the challenges and difficulties this year, one thing is for sure, Filipinos will still find a way to celebrate life and the season of giving.

Filipinos are known to be resilient and optimistic, and as a Filipino-owned company, Bo’s Coffee is no different.

The Filipino-owned chain of coffee shops recently launched its holiday campaign amidst the country’s continuous recovery from months of pause during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. And from recovery stems the way to adapt to the new normal.

Bo’s Coffee urges Filipinos to “Bring the Cheer” and keep the celebrations simple yet joyful with intimate gatherings in the comfort of their own homes and let the Gift of Coffee bring everyone together. “Bring the Cheer”, be the spark of the season and enjoy the company of loved ones over a cup of your favorite Philippine Coffee paired with delicious desserts.

The holiday offers which are available in Bo’s Coffee Online Shop include specially curated coffee gift sets and sweet treats. The gift options include beans of your favorite homegrown brew that you can make at home, DIY kits using their signature blended coffee mixes, and delicious locally-sourced snacks and beverages.

Bo’s Coffee also launches the 2nd design of their reloadable gift card Philippine Coffee Edition. Like last year’s card featuring Sagada, the new design incorporates the T’boli pride through the Matutum reloadable Gift Card. The design elements showcase Mount Matutum in South Cotabato, the T’boli T’nalak weave, and their local coffee beans painted digitally by hand.

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To celebrate with your family and friends at home, Bo’s Coffee brings new holiday cakes to the table. From your crowd-favorite carrot bar comes the Premium Carrot Cake, and their Christmas Chocolate Mousse reimagined into a Filipino Twist - the image of a Christmas Parol. These cakes are freshly-baked and ready to be delivered to your homes for Noche Buena or even for your virtual Christmas parties.

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Along with delectable cakes, comes the new Merry Doughnuts for you to enjoy when you decide to dine in safely at your favorite Bo’s Coffee branch or pre-ordered for delivery in time for the holidays. These ringed doughnuts are moist and soft, coated with Christmas colored chocolate glaze and decorated with white, red, and green accents to spread the cheer to your celebrations.

This year, Bo’s Coffee brings back their specialty Christmas beverages, the Dark Mocha Macadamia Froccino and Mocha Hazelnut Froccino, along with the new Matcha Hazelnut Freeze.

The Matcha Hazelnut Freeze is a delicious matcha beverage blended with decadent hazelnut syrup. It’s graciously topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of matcha powder.

These limited edition Holiday Beverages are available in all Bo’s Coffee stores nationwide until January 15, 2021. These delicious beverages and new items may be ordered for delivery via FoodPanda, GrabFood, LalaFood or Order Ahead via Messenger.

“While we are looking forward to the end of a challenging year and the beginning of a better one, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to our team members who helped keep our doors open to serve your favorite cup of Philippine Coffee and most especially to the frontliners who worked tirelessly to serve and protect those affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.”, said Steve Benitez, Bo’s Coffee Founder and CEO.

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Bo’s Coffee partners with select hospitals in Manila and Cebu by giving health care workers a special treat in the form of gift certificates for them to enjoy their favorite homegrown brew and dessert and bring in the cheer this Holiday season.

At the height of the pandemic, Bo’s Coffee gave away brewed coffee, bottled coffee drinks, and food to frontliners and partnered with organizations supporting hospital health care workers.

Bo's Coffee will continue to “Bring the Cheer” with its coffee and support Philippine coffee farmers

through the sourcing of coffee beans from Sagada, Benguet in the Mountain Province, Mt. Kitanglad in

Bukidnon, Mt. Matutum in South Cotabato, and Mt. Apo in Davao.

The Filipino-owned coffee chain recently opened branches in SM Butuan and two more in Cebu City.

This coming 2021, Bo’s Coffee aims to open more stores including digital coffee brands.

Globe Rewards is giving away exciting treats this week through exclusive food discounts to deliver a more rewarding experience to its loyal customers.

With this week's deals, customers can get special vouchers from food partners and delivery services that will surely satisfy their cravings and their wallets. And, with Flash Deal Wednesdays, they can even enjoy more discounts for very low Rewards points.

Globe Rewards Gives Special Vouchers from your Favorite Restaurants

Busy customers who don’t have time to prepare meals can order via take-out a 1-pc Chickenjoy from Jollibee for only 50 Rewards points or Chooks-to-Go vouchers worth P100 can be redeemed for only 10 Rewards points.

Foodies can try new cuisines in the comfort of their homes through delivery service apps. When they order via Foodpanda, they can get P100 off on their orders for only 50 Rewards points. Similarly, they can get a P150 discount on deliveries from Grabfood for just 100 rewards points.

Customers can also revisit their favorites from Italianni’s, TGI Friday’s, Denny’s, and other restaurants under the Bistro Group’s Bistro Delivers app. With just 1 Rewards point, they can get a 30% discount with no minimum spend.

“This is our way of thanking our loyal customers. We want them to enjoy their favorite food and drinks from a wide array of partners, while staying at home and maximizing their budget,” said Joey Kilayko, Head of Globe Rewards.

To check and avail more food offers, customers can simply go to their Globe Rewards app and click on the Dining section to view the full list of offers.

To learn more about Globe Rewards and other exclusive offers, download the Globe Rewards, Globe One or Globe at Home app from App Store for iOS and Play Store for Android or visit http://globe.com/GRewardsApp.

order in GLife and get FREE McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger

Craving for your favorite Mcdonald’s Double Cheeseburger? GLife mo na ‘yan! For one day only, you can get your favorite burger for free exclusively via GCash’s GLife!

With GCash as your new super life app, new GLife users can just tap to order a meal from McDonald’s and get a Double Cheeseburger for FREE! This is a limited one-day offer available only on select McDonald’s branches on March 24, 2021 from 10:21am to 11:59pm with a minimum spend of P249. Hurry while supplies last!

To avail of the free McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger promo, simply download or log-in to the GCash app, tap on the GLife icon, and choose McDonald’s to see the exclusive offer. Orders are directed to the nearest participating McDonald’s branch, so delivery time may vary per area. Standard delivery fees apply.

Not yet on GCash? You can still avail of this limited promo offer from McDonald’s and other exclusive deals on GLife. Simply download the GCash app for free on Google Play for Android, Apple Store for iPhone and iPad users, or Huawei Gallery.

Funding a GCash account is easy and can be done through multiple cash-in kiosks in partners stores like Globe Stores, Ministop, 7-Eleven, Alfamart, and Villarica Pawnshop or supermarkets including Puregold, Robinsons Supermarkets, SM Supermarkets.

To know more, or create a GCash account, visit https://www.gcash.com.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Let’s Eat Bai (LEB) was a private Facebook group to discuss food trends and the up-and coming restaurants in Cebu. Over time, it became Cebu's biggest and most engaged food community with more than 120,000 members.

During the lockdown, the demand for food delivery services grew with more Cebuanos opting to stay and dine at home. In response, LEB shifted to a digital marketplace to support food entrepreneurs open businesses and sell their products online.

As it turns one, LEB boosts its entrepreneurial ecosystem and unveils more platforms to help support Cebuano food entrepreneurs as they learn, grow and expand their business.

Certified Vendors Program

The Certified Vendors Program is at the forefront of LEB’s platforms. The program, which is open to all who are part of the LEB Facebook Group, aims to help entrepreneurs build their brand, expand their reach and build a self-sustaining business. It allows members to avail of exclusive benefits and services like a spot on its online food directory, content marketing, online promotions, and influencer marketing.

The Certified Vendors Program also unlocks access to other LEB platforms, such as the LEB Mobile App that will help entrepreneurs gain experience in operating online and onsite.

LEB Mobile App

The first homegrown food and delivery service application in Cebu enables entrepreneurs to go digital with competitive rates in food and delivery. Users can download LEB Mobile on the App Store or Google Play. The app currently has over 60 merchants and operates in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and Consolacion. It will also serve Lapu-Lapu City and Liloan soon.

The LEB Mobile App is composed of home-based and homegrown start-up entrepreneurs with food institutions from the Let's Eat Bai community. This platform, developed by locals for Cebu, unites the community to support the Cebuano entrepreneurs and riders from different municipalities.

More Platforms Underway

As it looks beyond its first year, LEB continues to expand and innovate to accommodate more businesses and cater to the growing community as their needs continue to evolve and grow as circumstances change.

LEB is slated to open its own 150 sq. m Cloud Kitchen later this year at Taft East Gate. It will serve as a centralized facility for Certified Vendors who need a space for faster and seamless food production and delivery as they expand their business beyond home.

Certified Vendors will also be able to set up shop at a minimal cost at Cebu’s biggest food market, Sugbo Mercado and the soon-to-open Let’s Eat Bai Food Hub at Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu. These sites will serve as incubator venues to help start-up entrepreneurs gain experience before putting their own standalone venue and go into franchising or company-owned expansion.

The growing Let’s Eat Bai community is a testament to Cebuanos’ strong entrepreneurial spirit amid limitations brought by the pandemic. LEB continues to serve as a partner for Cebuano food entrepreneurs as they create their brand, scale-up and expand into a self-sustaining business.

Start your online food journey and build your brand with Let’s Eat Bai’s Certified Vendor Program. To inquire and apply, e-mail info@leb.com.ph. For more information and updates on LEB’s platforms visit https://leb.com.ph/.

Discover more homegrown businesses and food favorites by joining the Let’s Eat Bai Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/letseatbai. Get the food you crave by just staying at home with Let’s Eat Bai Mobile. Download the app on iOS: bit.ly/LEBios and Android: bit.ly/LEBandroid.

Ayala Malls Central Bloc partners with delivery app foodpanda, to offer customers the option to pick up their orders and skip the line, with just a few taps. Use the code AYALAPICKUP to enjoy P100 off for every pick-up or delivery order with a minimum spend of P399 from select merchants until September 30, 2021.

With over 25 merchants on the app, here's a quick list to get started:

Binge on a Bánh Mì

Go on a gastronomic adventure to the Land of the Ascending Dragon. Bring the taste of Vietnam home with this Vietnamese staple at Bánh Mì Kitchen where healthy and innovative bánh mì flavors await in a crunchy baguette. A good one to start with is the classic traditional bánh mì with Vietnamese ham, roast pork, pate, cucumber, pickled radish, and carrots, drizzled in mayo, hoisin sauce, and cilantro.

Chug a Chachago Milk Tea

Since it is the season for summer coolers, and the milk tea trend is here to stay. Indulge in Chachago’s refreshing range of milk and fruit teas. For starters, try the California mix fruit tea for a revitalizing drink to liven up your summer days.

Savor Some Chops at Streetyard

If there’s one meat strip that everyone loves, it is the pork chop. Why? One can cook it into something wonderful, whichever way one prefers. At Streetyard, it is a guarantee that only tasty and juicy pork chops come out of the kitchen. From their flavorful lineup of chops with a side of creamy carbonara, a must is their pesto herbed pork chop.

Tap and pick up the food you love at Ayala Malls Central Bloc through foodpanda. The app offers a variety of food and beverages to choose from including delectable dishes from Chowking, D’ Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar, Famous Belgian Waffles, Grillers, Kuzina Guadalupe, Leylam, Mang Inasal, Menya Hachi, MyJoy, New York Buffalo Brad’s Sports Lounge, Persian Avenue, Streeyard, Tiktilaok, Topokkiman, Ultimate Sandwich Station and Wingers Unlimited. Pair them with favorite drinks from Bo’s Coffee, Kaya & Chanom, Little Farmers Coffee, Macao Imperial Tea, Oh So Healthy Buko N Shake, Picabean, The Mango Farm, and Yi Fang.

For the latest updates, follow @AyalaMallsCentralBloc on Facebook and Instagram, and join their Viber Community for real-time announcements at https://bit.ly/ayalamallscebuviber. Whether for dining in or take out, take the guesswork out of ordering through, Today’s Menu, Ayala Malls Central Bloc’s digital menu board, updated daily at http://ayalamallscentralbloc.com/todaysmenu. Locate favorite stores through the mall directory found at www.ayalamallscentralbloc.com/directory.

Lechon Cebu, Talisay Lechon, Lechon Brunch

We all know that Lechon is almost synonymous to Cebu. In Cebu, you can practically have the best lechon in the world any time of the week. For me, one of the best food experiences is to have a lechon brunch at Poblacion, Talisay City, Cebu. The food stalls near Larawan Beach open every weekend early in the morning until afternoon. It is indeed one of my favorite brunch places in the world.

Lechon Brunch in Poblacion, Talisay City

You have to wake up early in the morning (I prefer on a Sunday) to enjoy an early morning feast of lechon, ginabot, kinilaw, sinugba, and more. Here are some of the good food that you can eat there:

Lechon

Many people say that they come to Cebu for lechon (roasted pig) and one of the best places for lechon is definitely Talisay. This city south of Cebu City is home to many of the best lechoneros in the island. Lechon in Talisay is a favorite for beachgoers because lechon and beach are just awesome together. We normally eat lechon with puso or hanging rice and you can have sidings like atchara (pickled papaya). Most lechon stalls also sells dinuguan (blood stew).

A kilo of lechon is now around 700 pesos in Talisay City (June 2022) and you can order 1/4 or 1/2 kilo if you want. You may also ask the seller for your favorite part (many people love the belly area). There are tables and chairs there if you plan to dine-in.

Ginabot

Another food that people travel to Cebu for is Ginabot. Ginabot is deep fried pig intestine that's fatty, crunchy, and I would say that it is the working Cebuano's "bacon". It is the most popular street food in Cebu and you usually see it in Pungko-Pungko stalls. But on a Sunday morning in Poblacion, Talisay City, you can have your ginabot fresh from the frying pan.

The famous Ginabot of Talisay City, Cebu

Watching Nang Maria cook ginabot is one of my favorite things to do here besides eating. You can actually buy different fried offal in her stall.

Isn't this mesmerizing?

Sinugba

Smelling grilled food early in the morning wakes up your senses. In Talisay, they offer a lot of yummy grilled (sinugba) offerings. From fish to meat to offal to local chorizo, you can enjoy it as early as 6 am. Grilled food go so well with some boiled sweet potatoes that they sell.

One of the most interesting grilled stuff is called gaway. Gaway is basically grilled octopus tentacles. Sometimes they also sell Saang or spider conch.

Kinilaw

One great compliment to Sinugba is kinilaw (Raw Dish Preparation popular in the Philippines). Kinilaw is also a bestseller here because we are by the beach. The choices here are awesome. They have sea cucumber (bat), fish, and guso.

Another favorite kinilaw of mine is lukot. Lukot is sea hare secretion. It is like a sea spaghetti more of and I love eating this since I was a kid growing up in a coastal town. This is also good in fish tinola and inun-unan.

Salbaro / Cabcab

For dessert, you can have Salbaro or Cabcab or Kiping or simply Cassava Crackers. This cassava delicacy is bathe in coconut caramel sauce giving you a sweet finish to your lechon breakfast.

Cassava Cracker delicacy of the philippines

Salbaro can also be a good container for ice cream. It is crispy and a joy to eat.

When I plan to go here, I want to be in the area as early as possible. Usually, I go here before 7 A.M. because I want my lechon hot and also I want to avoid the crowds because it will be hard to find a seat if you come here around lunch time.

When you have time, have a lechon brunch at Larawan Beach area in Poblacion, Talisay and maybe we can see each other there.

I was invited by Dr. Nestor Alonso to his fraternity's anniversary. His simple preposition was that he is organizing a lechon and cognac night for the Venerable Knight Veterinarians Fraternity and Sorority members of Cebu. With lechon alone, it would have been an easy yes but with cognac, it became a no-brainer. Happy 63rd Anniversary, VKV!!!

Lechon and Cognac Pairing

Cang's Lechon, KKD Lechon, Paray's Lechon

The lechon and cognac night was held at La Casa Vieja in Banawa. On this night, we had 3 lechons from different suppliers: Cang's Lechon, KKD's very own lechon, and Paray's Lechon. We paired each with a cognac: Louis Royer XO, Hennessy XO, and Remy Martin Club.

Aside from the main event, we also had a buffet of La Casa Vieja's specialties like Crispy Pata, Tortang Talong, Bam-i, Tempura, and Pochero. Some even had a round of beer (or two) before the real party began.

As for me, I really focused on the lechon and the cognac. We started with the Louis Royer paired with Cang's Lechon. I was pleasantly surprised that cognac and lechon worked out well. Alcohol and fatty food is a match made in heaven and the cognac added some spice to the lechon. I probably would not have cognac and spicy lechon together, but regular lechon Cebu with French cognac is an excellent pairing.

The lechon from KKD was a dark house when it comes to "lechon wars". It did not lag behind the other established brands when it comes to flavor. Pairing it with the Hennessy XO was a joyful experience. As we had more shots of cognac and lechon, everything felt lighter and I hear more laughter from the Knights. As we finished off the night with the Paray's lechon and Remy Martin Club, I can see how close the VKV community in Cebu and if I had a kid or a nephew who wanted to be a veterinarian, I would probably tell him or her to join VKV.

The lechons that we tasted were great. The cognacs were magnificent. What impressed me most, though, was the camaraderie of the members of VKV. I am not surprised any more that they are stronger than ever after 63 years. I have seen how members from different generations and schools treat each like real brothers and sisters. I'm glad I was there that night. Thank you VKV and Happy 63rd Anniversary!!

Pasig City, Philippines – [June 23, 2022] – They say that a family is like the branches of a tree that grow in different directions. However, for the Lopez family, their root remains united through a household hobby–bicycling.

In an interview with the Lopezes, Louie, Alou, Gel, Aira, and Kang shared what they feel about being the newest addition to the family of Santé, a premier natural and organic health and wellness product and services provider, and their secrets to achieving not just a fit body but a healthier lifestyle, especially amid the global health crisis.

Speaking of #FamilyGoals and #FitnessGoals, the Lopez family has the best of both worlds. Heading the tribe of these health enthusiasts is their father, who is well-loved and known by many as “Papa Louie.” His daughters sharing his same energy include Aira Lopez, a duathlete, a YouTube vlogger with half a million subscribers, and the host of a CNN show called Cycling Unlimited, with her equally beautiful and fit siblings Alou Lopez, Angela Lopez, and Alyssa Lopez.

During the height of the pandemic, the family’s home was not an exception to the virus. Alou, who was working as a flight attendant in a local airline, was very much exposed to different people. Thus, she was infected first. Thankfully, due to their active regimen, the family only had mild symptoms and recovered faster.

“With the mobility limitations brought by the pandemic, it was challenging for everyone to stay active. However, we delivered packed foods to frontliners at the hospitals and checkpoints using our bikes. As we helped and gave back to the community, it became an exercise routine for the family,” Papa Louie shared.

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