Category: And ETC !

Red Planet Davao recently held the exciting “Lounge & Learn: Bloggers Slumber Party” in partnership with the Davao Bloggers Society. This event was perfectly themed to create an ambiance that harmoniously blended relaxation with learning.

DBS members had the opportunity to enjoy Red Planet Davao’s newly renovated hotel building, modernized rooms, and enhanced facilities.

Ms. Clarisse Lim, Assistant Hotel Manager, warmly welcomed the bloggers and expressed, “Over the past three months, we have been committed to reimagining and enhancing our hotel’s atmosphere to ensure a more comfortable and convenient experience for every guest. Tonight, we are delighted to unveil the stunning new look of our hotel alongside our refreshed room designs. We believe these upgrades will bring a new level of comfort and convenience from the moment you arrive at our ground floor to your beautifully redesigned rooms.”

Under the guidance of President Gem Tadefa, the event featured engaging workshops designed to enrich the skills and knowledge of the participating bloggers.

Take advantage of Red Planet Davao’s exclusive promotion, offering up to 35% off hotel accommodations. Use promo code REDPLANETDAVAO at the time of booking, though rates may vary without prior notice. Travelers can book directly at https://redplanet.link/RPDavaoPromo to seize this offer.

Red Planet Davao is excited to announce the grand unveiling of its newly refreshed building, modernized room designs, and upgraded facilities.

The renovation project highlights Red Planet’s dedication to providing guests with a perfect mix of contemporary comfort and exceptional value. The newly updated building features a sleek and contemporary façade that complements Davao City’s vibrant atmosphere. Inside, guests will find a variety of new room designs, each thoughtfully crafted to offer a welcoming ang relaxing environment.

Key features of the upgrade include:

Modernized Room: Each room has been reimagined with a minimalist, modern design that offers spacious accommodations equipped with features like high-pressure rain showers, custom-designed beds, and essential staycation amenities such as mini-fridges, water kettles, safes, and hairdryers. The hotel also offers complimentary parking, enhancing the convenience for all guests.

Enhanced & Engaging Facilities: The upgraded facilities feature an Instagram-worthy photo wall showcasing Davao City’s culture, Info Walls displaying the hotel’s offerings on LED TV screens, iMacs available in the hotel’s co-working space, and improved common areas to ensure a superior stay for both business and leisure travelers.

Exclusive Perks as a Red Member: Guests who download the Red Planet Hotels app and register as a Red Member will enjoy exclusive discounts, including up to 15% off hotel accommodations and up to 10% off at Red Partners such as David’s Salon in SM Lanang, Camp Burgrill, and more.

Ms. Clarisse Lim, Assistant Hotel Manager of Red Planet Davao, shared, “For the past 3 months, we’ve been working hard to reimagine and elevate our hotel’s ambiance, aiming to create a more comfortable and convenient experience for every guest. Tonight, it is our pleasure to exclusively unveil the stunning new look of our hotel and our brand-new room designs. We believe these upgrades will offer a new level of comfort and convenience to everyone, from the ground floor where we welcome each of you to the venue for tonight and to your new room designs.”

The unveiling event on August 13, attended by the Davao Blogger Society at Red Planet Davao, marked an exciting milestone. Red Planet Hotels now invites you to be among the first to experience the newly modernized Red Planet Davao. Become a Red Member today and unlock a lifetime discount of up to 15% whenever you book directly at Red Planet Davao.

Davao City, Philippines – July 27, 2024 — The Davao Bloggers Society (DBS) made a significant impact during their recent community drive at the Field of Dreams Children’s Charity Foundation. The event, held on July 27, 2024, showcased the organization’s commitment to giving back to the community through a series of well-organized activities and generous donations.

Partnering with several esteemed brands, DBS provided a comprehensive experience for the children at the foundation. In collaboration with Davao Doctors Hospital, doctors and nurses conducted medical check-ups, ensuring the children’s health needs were addressed. The children enjoyed meals sponsored by Ripple8, while SM Supermalls donated water bottles. Hygiene kits were provided courtesy of International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI), including Casino alcohol and Bioderm products. Red Planet Hotels contributed by donating towels, acrylic tables, and electric fans. foodpanda not only provided food and logistical donations but also brought their beloved character, Pau-Pau, to delight the children.

The event featured a special program organized by DBS, including a magic show and a bookmark-making session with DBS member Olivia Limos. The children also had the opportunity to showcase their talents through performances of dances and songs, adding a personal touch to the day’s festivities. To cap the day, the children sang a very special thank you song to DBS and its partners.

Lalaine Cabalhog, Trustee of The Field of Dreams Children’s Charity Foundation, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are so privileged and thankful to have been the beneficiary of the Davao Bloggers Society’s community drive. We thank them all for their efforts and to their partner brands for coming here. The boys really appreciate these gestures, as all their donations, the program, and the check-up are a big help to their everyday living.”

DBS further extended their support by donating an array of essential items, including snacks, canned goods, cleaning materials, school supplies, medical kits, weighing scales, and toiletries. These contributions are expected to significantly enhance the living conditions and daily experiences of the orphans.

The entire initiative was spearheaded by DBS President Gem Tadefa and Secretary Pauline Balayon-Ruta, whose leadership and dedication ensured the event’s success.

“We initiated our second but first on-site community drive because the Davao Bloggers Society has received a lot of blessings for two years now and it was time for us to give back to the community, to make sure that we are also sharing our blessings, because that’s what DBS is,” said Gem Tadefa.

Pauline Balayon-Ruta emphasized the importance of supporting the foundation, stating, “We chose The Field of Dreams Children’s Charity Foundation because the charity provides shelter and care for children ages 7-19. These are neglected children who are abandoned and just need a chance in life. This is especially important to me personally because I know people who have been beneficiaries of organizations like this. You can really say that it makes a difference.”

The Davao Bloggers Society continues to embody the spirit of community and compassion, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Davao City – February 23, 2024 — Amazon Operation Services Philippines announced today it will hire over 500 customer service professionals for permanent and full-time jobs which will be fully work-from-home and night-shift positions. The new hires will support the world-class service Amazon offers to customers in the U.S. and other countries and will strengthen Amazon’s existing customer service teams in Cebu and Manila.

Amazon’s mission is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, and our award-winning Customer Service team is a key part of that mission. The Customer Service team has a very clear purpose – to prevent, solve problems and delight our customers.

Interested applicants may apply for remote customer service associate and remote team manager roles at jobs.amazon.ph and will be required to pass virtual assessments remotely. Selected candidates will be invited to Amazon’s Job Fair held in Davao City on February 28 to learn more about Amazon and the next steps of the hiring process.

“Today we are proud to announce that we are creating more than 500 jobs in Davao City to support the world-class customer service that Amazon is known for. This is an exciting opportunity for job seekers in Davao City who are looking for a fulfilling experience working for a company which strives to be Earth’s best employer.” explained Steve Emerson, President, Amazon Operation Services Philippines.

Amazon Operation Services Philippines offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package, including:

• Health and insurance benefits from day one, such as private medical insurance, medical spending account (for unreimbursed medical, dental, vision services and traditional medicine), life insurance, critical illness insurance, disability and personal accident insurance;
• Annual and sick leaves;
• Amazon’s Employee Assistance Program which provides employees and any eligible dependent family members with confidential support, guidance and resources for every aspect of work and personal life;
• Expert training and ongoing opportunities to learn and grow within Amazon.

More information about employee benefits is available on jobs.amazon.ph/benefits

Applicants must be based in Davao City, hold a high school diploma or equivalent and possess eligibility to work in the Philippines. They also should have a minimum of one (1) year of experience in customer service, preferably in a call center or similar environment, be comfortable with working from home full-time and have a suitable work-from-home space, including a reliable internet connection with a minimum speed of 50Mbps.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Chickenjoyers celebrate their love for the Philippines’ iconic fried chicken

For the first time in Chickenjoy history, Jollibee brought together enthusiasts of its well-loved fried chicken at the day-long “I Am A Chickenjoyer Fan Meet” at Trinoma Activity Center last February 17.

This joy-filled event gathered families and friends adding up to over 1,500 individuals to celebrate their shared love for the iconic Chickenjoy.

“We are so excited to finally bring so many Chickenjoyers together in one venue and host an exciting day for them,” said Pamie Cruz, Senior Marketing Manager of Jollibee Philippines. “This is our way of thanking them for their continued support for Chickenjoy, and for spreading this love to their families and friends from all over the country and even all over the world.”

Guests engaged in a slew of activities detailed in their event passports. From conquering the Claw Machine to trying their luck at the Giant Gachapon and mastering the Ball Bucket Shoot Out, attendees collected points, won limited-edition Chickenjoy merchandise, and created lasting memories. To add, a professional studio setup awaited guests, capturing their moments through expertly taken photos and videos.

Jollibee endorsers and self-proclaimed Chickenjoyers Joshua Garcia and Donny Pangilinan also added to the fun during the morning and afternoon programs, respectively. When asked about his favorite memory with Chickenjoy, Donny recalled, “As a kid, I remember going home via expressway and ordering Jollibee via drive-thru because that’s really our favorite. In the car, my dad would ask us what we wanted and of course, we wanted Chickenjoy. We’d share it in the car before driving off again, feeling satisfied.”

Joshua added his own vivid Chickenjoy moments: “With my family, it’s always a tradition to order Jollibee when it’s someone’s birthday. My nephew loves Chickenjoy, so I would bring him a bucket on his birthday and we’d share it with Jolly Spaghetti or rice. My favorite part is the chicken wing—I love the experience of removing the bone and dipping the wing in the gravy. Sarap!”

This unique event showed how Chickenjoy has played a role in the lives of millions, from satisfying cravings to completing delightful bonding moments. Renowned for its crispy and flavorful skin, juicy and succulent meat, and signature gravy, Chickenjoy continues to make a lasting impact and be well-loved by the generations to come.

The Crispylicious, Juicylicious, best-tasting Jollibee Chickenjoy is available nationwide for PHP 82.00 (1-pc. Chickenjoy with rice and drink). Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and treat yourself to its crispy, juicy goodness via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. You can also have it delivered via the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda.

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Jollibee

Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a network of more than 1,500 stores in 18 countries. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee enjoys the lion’s share of the local market that is more than all the other multinational fast food brands in PH combined. With a strict adherence to the highest standards of food quality, service and cleanliness, Jollibee serves great-tasting, high-quality and affordable food products to include its superior-tasting Chickenjoy, mouth-watering Yumburger, and deliciously satisfying Jolly Spaghetti among other delicious products.

Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, with more than 270 international branches in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, and in the United Kingdom.

Investors to get higher dividends on better profitability

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) posted record earnings of PHP42.2 billion, 28.9% higher year-on-year. This translated to a return on equity (ROE) of 12.5%, higher than 10.3% in 2022. Total consolidated assets expanded by 9.2% to PHP3.1 trillion in 2023, maintaining its status as the country’s second largest private universal bank.

The Bank’s strong profitability and substantial capital base prompted the Board of Directors to approve a total cash dividend of PHP5.00 per share for the year. The regular dividend was raised from PHP1.60 to PHP3.00 per share to be paid out on a semi-annual basis at PHP1.50 per share.  In addition, a special cash dividend of PHP2.00 per share was also declared. The first payout of PHP3.50 will be given to shareholders on record as of March 8, 2024.

“Our solid performance in 2023 was strongly driven by our asset expansion, higher margins, improving efficiency levels and better asset quality. This indicates that we are firmly on track with our long-term growth strategies supported by our highly capable and resilient team of Metrobankers and strong balance sheet.  We look forward to further expanding our partnerships with all our stakeholders,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee. 

The Bank’s net interest income grew by 22.7% fueled by higher loan demand and better net interest margin of 3.9%. Gross loans rose by 7.6% year-on-year, with consumer portfolio increasing by 15.9% on strong discretionary spending, outpacing the 5.5% rise in commercial loans. Meanwhile, total deposits grew by 7.3% from the previous year to PHP2.4 trillion with low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA) amounting to more than 60% or PHP1.4 trillion.

Fee income increased by 9.0% to PHP16.4 billion, largely driven by the expanding consumer business. Trading and forex gains were steady at PHP4.0 billion.

Cost to income ratio eased to 52.1% from 54.3% in 2022. The robust revenue growth offset the 14.0% increase in operating expenses, which was driven by transaction-related taxes, technology costs and higher manpower in line with capacity expansion.

Asset quality continued to improve. Non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio eased to 1.7% from 1.9% in 2022, well below the banking system’s 3.3% NPL ratio. Moreover, the Bank’s NPL cover remained substantial at 180.3%, reflecting its ability to weather any risks to the loan portfolio.

The Bank’s total equity stood at PHP356.7 billion, while capital ratios remain to be one of the highest in the industry, with capital adequacy ratio at 18.3% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 17.4%, all well-above the minimum regulatory requirements.

Metrobank’s notable performance continued to be recognized by top financial publications in 2023. Metrobank received back-to-back awards from The Banker as the country’s “Bank of the Year”; the Asian Banker’s “Strongest Bank in the Philippines” for the third year; and Asiamoney’s “Best Domestic Private Bank”, Best Bank for the Ultra High Net Worth and “Best Service for the Philippines” in the Asia Money Trade Finance Survey.

ABOUT METROBANK

Metrobank is the country’s second largest private universal bank that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. It has an extensive consolidated network that spans over 940 domestic branches nationwide, more than 2,300 ATMs, and above 30 foreign branches, subsidiaries, and representative offices. The Bank believes that its robust capital position and balance sheet strength will provide ample support as it navigates through uncertain times. Capital ratios are among the highest in the industry, with total CAR at 18.3% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 17.4%. Consolidated assets stood at PHP3.1 trillion at the end of December 2023, making it one of the strongest and well-capitalized banks in the country (https://metrobank.com.ph).

Today marks the anniversary of the tri-country (Holyland) tour I did last 2022. And with that, I am uploading this appreciation post, to celebrate friendships that I was able to build because of this trip. Sending love to everyone, most especially to those whom I was able to maintain strong communication with. Masayaa!. Thanks to facebook and IG! Salamat sa Group chat na buhay na buhay parin til today. Warm hugs for everyone and I hope to see you again in time.

The Agency: Online Travel Express Manila

The Holyland trip was arranged by Online Travel Express (OTE) Manila. As someone who is used to ‘Do-it-yourself’ backpacking travel, joining an arranged tour was such a luxury and a relief from all hassles of preparation. It was my first time to join, and the OTE agency did not disappoint. We felt pampered all-throughout. Never kami nagutom.

Kudos to OTE Manila. This is not a paid post! Na-appreciate ko lang yung experience, most especially the bonds and friendship we shared with our co-tourist, including the OTE owner himself, who was with us during this trip.

OTE is reachable via facebook or through their official website https://www.onlinetravelexpress.com.ph/

Oi! Kamusta? Long time no hear! hihi. Buhay pa ba ang lahat? Charot. Oo bes, tagal ko nawala sa blog na to. Muntik na kase akong mag give up sa buhay. Naumay ako, baks! Gusto nyo malaman kung bakit? Mga Marites talaga kayo, tigilan nyo ako! Charot again. Ok sige dahil kailangan ko mag post today, kwentuhan ko kayo para maintain lang kachismosahan naten.

I was sick with stress that lead to moderate anxiety. Pretty sure alam nyo na yun kase matatalinong Marites tayo. Kung di nyo alam, mag-Google nalang kayo. Yes bes, I somewhat got sick last year. Dahil sa pandemic? Hmmm, I’m not pointing that as the main reason. I developed this sickness due to consistent feeling of failures…. sa goals, sa relationships. etc. Madaming sumablay sa buhay ko, one after the other. Sumakto lang sa time ng pandemic and all.

As for these personal failures, di ko na idedetalye yun wag kayong chismosang frogs to that extent. But ano ang manifestations sa akin? Constant negative mindset and an overpowering fear of failing again and again. Minsan, I can mask it with petty-pretty things para hindi halata, but sa totoo lang, what I went through made me lose my appetite for life (or most parts of it). The worse part is that nag manifest na sya sa health ko. Irritable ako at very low tolerance on things. I was physically drained always. I was tired in the morning pa lang. There was a point where I got so acidic, that my sweat can stain a towel or white pillow case. I was told na manifestation na daw yun ng sickness. Bes! Dun ko nasabing totohanan na to! Di na to OK.

The Solution: I TOOK A BREAK ON EVERYTHING. Bes, I tried to have a commitment-free life! I stopped making further plans and goals in life. This covered both my personal and work-life!

I had to take a pause on work! If you know me personally, you know what I do for a living. I took a pause from that. Early this year, after completing the necessary paperworks for two projects, I took a pause. I had to give up some upcoming lucrative deals, but ok lang. I needed a break for my peace. Di rin naman nasayang, I referred some projects to a good friend/colleague in Davao, and masaya naman sila. I prepared for this pause financially. To be honest bes, there were months that I was Zero Income, as in Zero, yet the bills kept on coming. Pero again OK lang. I needed to re-align, and these sacrifices go with it.

I cut down my ties with some people. Yes bes, here comes the personal. There are people who do not deserve to have a space in me anymore. I needed to grow and they cannot grow with me. From friends, work-with people to a former special someone, madami din sila pina-tahimik ko, including people with views that are sooo different from mine, I had to silence them for now. Again, this is for my inner peace.

I took a pause fro blogging. Isa din po sa casualty is this blog of mine, kaya nanahimik muna ako for months… until i feel like doing it again, which is what I am working on na now.

My coping Mechanism: Next Blog na yan, bes!! Kwento ko what I have been doing the past months, other than collect and share memes on facebook, which you probably observed. Bitaw bes, I am taking this blog/platform of mine to a personal level. I might make this like a journal na. It’s good to have a sheet to pour my mind out.

For now, I am still healing. Baby steps lang muna tayo. No pressure para di tuluyang mabaliw. ‘Til my next blog! Halong ta =)

‘Taiwan in Design’ is a major project organized by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) that seeks to catalyze business transactions between Taiwan and the Philippine through design. The project will be featured in the upcoming Taiwan Expo 2019 in SMX, Lanang this November 8-9, 2019. This design showcase will demonstrate the designs of Taiwan as an important added-value for their products.

The exhibit will run under the theme “enjoy design, enjoy life”, and will be presenting 50 select products that exhibit superior design and creativity. The products which will be featured in the expo are some of the most awarded in the industry. They have received global design awards among iF, Red Dot, Taiwan Excellence, GIA, Tokyo Design and more. The 14 Taiwanese manufacturers will demonstrate how Taiwan transforms life inspiration into product value and enhance the beauty element of life and business. The works that will be displayed will show creative design comprising of traditional Taiwanese culture with emphasis on science and technology as well as remaining environmentally safe and promoting green technology.