My First Purchased Item at BeautyMNL

First of all, I want to say thank you to BeautyMNL for partly sponsoring the item on the blog today! 

BeautyMNL gave MAtW a P500 worth of credits for us to try and purchase products on their website. It was my first time to try it out and I was happy to know that when you sign-up for the first time, you have the privilege to order and receive the items with no shipping cost- with no minimum amount of purchase. It is like buying an item free of any hassle of the beating the traffic, and going-in line to the cashier for payment. 

After browsing to their website, checking out items on sale and on a buy one -take one deal, I was surprised that they almost have everything a family needs, from home essentials to health and wellness and of course their beauty line. 

I was struck when I opened the health and wellness section and see products that I don't see in regular stores and groceries. And, guess what I ordered from them?

This was the parcel packaging when you order, a pink plastic bag with the website's address and name. 

Weather condition last week was I guess the factor why it took a couple of weeks, more than a week late from the expected date of delivery that was indicated in the order details. Although it took some time for me to receive the item due to weather condition last week. I was a little worried and contacted their delivery service days after waiting for it. I am glad that the item came in good condition. 

So, what's inside? Remember, I was overwhelmed with ALL the products I found there and when I saw organic chia seeds from The Green Tummy I immediately put it on my cart and process the order form. 

One kilo of organic chia seeds costs P750.00 and from the credit amount, BeautyMNL gave me they automatically deducted it from the original prize leaving me P250 left for payment. I process the remaining amount and paid it using Paypal balance. 

I remember having chia seeds pudding from years ago and I have not seen any stores here in my place who sells this kind. And, also for an organic product, the prize of P750 for a kilo is a good buy. I can soak this with any milk drink and mix this with different fruits, fresh or dried. For one kilo of chia seed, this can last for months. 

I really enjoy browsing through their site, with the availability of items you can choose from, images of items are available and also the important descriptions of food and non-food items. Highly recommendable! 

Again, thank you BeautyMNL! 

Vivo X21 is an eyecatcher at the Mobile Fest 2018

Global smartphone brand Vivo has made a good impression on tech enthusiasts at the SM Cyberzone’s Mobile Fest 2018.

To explain all the goods on Vivo’s latest flagship smartphone—the X21, the brand tapped respected tech experts Mark Macanas of TechPinas and Alora Uy Guerrero of Revu.

The experts discussed Vivo X21’s unlocking technologies, dual rear camera, AI Selfie Camera, AI Game Mode, Hi-Fi, performance, and design.

Alora Uy Guerrero of Revu and Mark Macanas of TechPinas had nothing but praises for Vivo X21.

Macanas and Guerrero mentioned that there are two ways to unlock the Vivo X21, through the Face ID Access with Infrared that accurately identifies a user’s facial features even in nighttime and the In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology that replaces the rear fingerprint sensor. Vivo is the industry pioneer of In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology.

Aside from pioneering features, the pair also talked about Vivo X21’s photography-related specs. The 12 megapixel+5MP dual rear camera and the 12MP front camera with Dual Pixel Sensor. These impressive hardware specs are even boosted by the X21’s AI features like the AI Face Beauty and AI HDR.

In terms of performance, the Vivo X21 proved to be a hard worker, said Macanas and Guerrero. After all, the X21 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660AIE chip that can process complex AI and neural computing. It has a 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM to improve the speed of launching, loading, and switching including large and complex mobile games.

To complement all these, Vivo X21 has a 6.28-inch 19:9 FHD+ FullView™ Display with a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio for every user’s viewing pleasure.

Moreover, Guerrero, a music-lover, even praised Vivo for continuing its Hi-Fi legacy in the X21. The smartphone is equipped with Deep Field technology, which was developed by Vivo to provide panoramic surround, mega bass, clear voice effects and various environmental audio effects, allowing users to customize their audio experience.

The Vivo booth at the Mobile Fest 2018.

Vivo is one of the key brands that participated in the Mobile Fest 2018.

The Vivo booth will be at the Mobile Fest until July 29 in SM City North EDSA.

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle.  In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

Subic wooing Taiwanese tourists

NEWS RELEASE:

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is eyeing more visitors to the Subic Bay Freeport from Taiwan with the recent launch of direct flights to Taipei from the neighboring Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomed here on Friday several Chinese Taipei bloggers, who visited various tourist attractions in Subic with the purpose of promoting them in Taiwan.

 SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma (fourth from right) join Taiwanese bloggers at the Subic Bay Yacht Club during their visit to promote the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday

The visitors were accompanied by Region III Tourism Officer Marilou Pangilinan, who met them at the Clark International Airport with the first Taipei to Clark flight of AirAsia Philippines, which has just resumed international flights via the Clark hub.

Eisma said the SBMA, with the help of the Department of Tourism, is working to establish Subic as a destination for Taiwanese visitors, who are now the sixth biggest group of tourists in the country.

“Subic has been blessed with many tourist attractions, and we want to use every possible means to entice visitors to come and enjoy Subic,” Eisma said.

“Having these bloggers experiencing first-hand the beauty of our place and the hospitality of our people is one giant step in conveying our invitation to the people of Taiwan,” she added.

 Taiwanese bloggers visit the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport, accompanied by tourism officers from the SBMA and the Region III office of the Department of Tourism

Taiwanese bloggers aboard a yacht while touring Subic Bay with The Lighthouse Marina Resort marketing director Zed Avecilla

A Taiwanese blogger reacts while feeding a tiger at the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport

The bloggers' group started their tour at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, where they met with the SBMA tourism officials. Then they proceeded to the Zoobic Safari nature park, where they enjoyed a “close encounter’ activity with park tigers; and thence to the Ocean Adventure marine park, where they watched animal shows.

Following a sumptuous lunch at the Acea Subic Bay Resort, which is renowned for hosting international triathlon events, the group then went on a bay cruise organized by The Lighthouse Marina Resort marketing director Zed Avecilla. The yacht tour gave them a glimpse into Subic’s mangrove forest, Ilanin Bay, and the historic World War II fort at Grande Island.

DOT’s Pangilinan said that Chinese Taipei tourists have often used Clark Airport as their entry point to the Philippines. And while the Taiwanese frequented destinations such as Bohol, Palawan, Cebu, and Benguet, they have little knowledge about Central Luzon’s tourist spots, she added.

Chairman Eisma expressed the hope that through the write-ups to be made by the visiting bloggers, Taiwanese tourists looking for new areas to visit would consider Subic Bay Freeport Zone as one of their stops during their stay in the country.

According to government figures, Taiwan is the sixth biggest source of tourists for the Philippines, with about 60,000 arrivals for the period January to March this year.

Records from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Manila, meanwhile, placed Filipino travelers to Taiwan at close to 300,000 in 2017.

GetGo introduces revamped website, makes availing of free flights as easy as 1-2-3

GetGo, the lifestyle rewards program of Cebu Pacific, makes every member’s dream of flying for free, faster than ever, as it introduces a newly-improved website that makes availing of free flights as easy as 1, 2, click!

The newly-designed GetGo website (getgo.com.ph) offers a better and faster online experience as it boasts of a fresh look and four new functions that complement the goal of GetGo to provide its members with the best and most convenient travel and lifestyle benefits.

New tabs

To enable members to quickly access GetGo’s prime services, four new tabs—Get Points, Go Places, Fly For Free, and Member Perks—readily bring online users to the site’s pages on points earning programs, guide on finding the best point fare deals to any Cebu Pacific domestic and international destinations, as well as exclusive member offers.

Searching for the lowest fares to your dream vacation? The Go Places tab will assist members in booking the best flights faster with its GetGo Low Fare Finder function. Just select your desired destination and use the points slider to find the most attractive deals and you can get going on an exciting getaway for free! 

Excited to earn points? Visit the Get Points tab to know more about how you can collect points with the program’s wide network of partners so you can start planning your adventures with GetGo. 

Added functions

The website also features Quick Enroll (for signing up for a GetGo account), faster redemption process, easy-to-read content, and more options to top-up on products and services. Enhanced payment options—paying with points, with credit cards or through authorized payment centers—are now supported by the revamped website. 

With the new and improved GetGo website, more members will surely find themselves easily navigating through the products and services, excitedly inviting their friends to visit the site and join the program, and quickly availing of free flights, sooner than expected.

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.

Extreme trail run returns to Subic Freeport

NEWS RELEASE:

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Even the rains cannot dampen fun and excitement in this premier adventure tourism enclave, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced various events timed for the rainy season.

The biggest thriller scheduled so far this month is the Subic leg of Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas, an all-terrain running race that will take participants on July 22 along some of the wildest, wettest, and most wearying nature trails in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Just when you thought Subic would rest because of inclement weather, it now hosts extreme adventure events to make your visit as enjoyable as during summer,” observed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

“We also have races, animal shows, exhibitions, cruise-ship arrivals, and festivals practically the whole year round, so there’s never a long lull here even during the rainy season,” she added.

The upcoming Salomon Xtrail is one of the most anticipated races today, as it is reputed to be a more technical trail running race, with a mixture of different terrain surfaces including dirt, rocks, sand and concrete paths. It is held throughout Southeast Asia with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines hosting the event.

SBMA Tourism Manager Jem Camba said they expect around 3,000 local and foreign participants this year for the event organized by Primer Group of Companies and Extribe, Inc.

After the Luzon leg in Subic, the race will be run in Davao on August 12 for the Mindanao leg, and in Iloilo on September 16 for the Visayas leg.

Camba said this year’s competition in Subic will involve two race categories – the Trail Run category for beginners with 6-km and 12-km distances, and the more technical Mountain Run designed for experienced runners with 24-km and 32-km distances.

It will take participants along rocky dirt roads, muddy mountain trains, and across swollen streams and overgrown grasslands.

“These trails might be technical and challenging to some, but they will always showcase the beauty of the forests, rivers, and mountains in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Camba said.

- more -

Aside from the Salomon Xtrail, Subic hosted the Ironman Full Distance and 70.3 Triathlon on June 3, kicking off the start of the rainy season here with the first full-distance Ironman to be held in the country.

This was followed by the qualifying race for the Youth Olympic Games organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines on June 17; the Tri-United Leg 1 by Run Bike Swim, Inc. on June 29-30; and the Tri-United Leg 2 on July 1.

Meanwhile, the month of June also started out with a tourism bang with the return here of the cruise ship MV Costa Atlantica on June 5 and June 19, and the first arrival of Dream Cruises’ latest vessel MV World Dream on June 6, as well as Royal Caribbean International’s MS Ovation of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship operating in Asia, on June 8.

This month, Subic expects two more return of Costa Atlantica, its 11^th, and 12^th arrival, after the cruise line Costa Crociere made Subic a part of the ship’s regular Asian itinerary.

In August, the SBMA has also calendared two more Costa Atlantica visits on August 14 and 28; the Feast of San Roque on August 16; and the arrival of another Royal Caribbean cruise liner, the MS Voyager of the Seas, on August 26. 

RCBC Savings Bank awards winners of Save Up and Fly promo

In photo: L-R:  Francis Vincent R. Berdan (RSB Retail Banking Group Head), Arcelie Watiwat and Arlyn Watiwat (Trip to HongKong Winners), Mela Cojuangco (Representative of Trip to Europe Winners), Maria Lourdes Rivera (Trip to Singapore Winner), Rommel S. Latinazo (RSB President and CEO), Jerry Arconado (Representative of Trip to Europe Winners), Maria Vilma U. Garganera (Representative of Trip to Malaysia winners) and Guilberto K. Benedicto (RSB Product Sales and Support Division Head).

Lucky winners of RCBC Savings Bank’s (RSB) Save Up and Fly promo will soon fly to their dream travel destinations this 2018. By simply saving up, winners get to enjoy an all-expense paid trip for two to Europe, Hongkong, Malaysia, and Singapore. Aside from travel packages, pre-loaded RSB MyWallet Visa Prepaid cards were also given out. 

Fifteen depositors were drawn from the raffle last April 23, 2018. RCBC Savings Bank President and CEO, Rommel Latinazo awarded the winners, together with the head of Retail Banking Group, Mr. Francis Vincent Berdan, and head of Product Sales and Support Division, Mr. Guilberto Benedicto during the awarding ceremony last June 7.

The Save Up and Fly Promo was launched in 2017. An RSB Depositor earns a raffle entry for at least P5,000-worth of new or additional deposit, depending on the RSB savings and checking account that was opened. Aside from getting a raffle entry, clients can instantly win a brand new Samsung Phone by opening a new Dragon Savings and Dragon All-in-One Checking account and maintain at least Php 250,000 deposit for 10 months.

The winners of the trip for two to Europe are Maria B. Elefante and Tomas Elefante.  HongKong Trip for two winners is Arjay Watiwat and Antonio Watiwat. Andrea Michaela Lanuza and Gerardo Domenico Antonio Lanuza won the trip for two to Malaysia. Maria Lourdes Rivera, Maria Paula Carolyn Rivera, and Marie Franze Stefanie Rivera won the trip for two to Singapore. MyWallet Cash cards loaded with P3,000 winners are Stephen Edgar Durnien and Jelita Durnien; Lilia Tiu, Alicia Velacion and Oliver Velacion, Ranilo Jose Sioson; April Frances Lapuz, Alejandro Udiong and Angelita Udiong, Rosemarie Lirazan; Rosalina Ngo and Anson Ngo; Cesar Pangilinan; Cyric Tan and Maria Cecilia Tan. 

RCBC Savings Bank (RSB) is the consumer banking arm of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC). It is one of the top thrift banks in the country, with over 150 business and lending centers nationwide. Retail financial services include deposit and investment products, as well as auto and housing loans. For more information on RCBC Savings Bank, visit www.rcbcsavingsbank.com.