Best known for her acting in the movie ‘Nananahimik ang Gabi,’ which awarded her the Philippines Best Actress award from the Asian Academy Creative Awards, as well as starring in the youth series ‘The Rain in España,’ Heaven shared that it is a dream come true for her to endorse an iconic brand, Ginebra San Miguel. “It’s such a beautiful milestone of my life to be part of Ginebra. When I was 18 years old, gin bilog with pineapple juice was my first drink. It’s a dream come true, my first drink is also my first big endorsement,” she said.

With the theme “Philippine Fiesta,” the 2024 edition of the Ginebra San Miguel Calendar showcases Heaven in six vibrant fiesta layouts (Panagbenga, Lantern, Higantes, Pintados, Kadayawan, and Masskara), embodying the vibrant spirit of Philippine Fiestas.

GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina said that the 2024 Ginebra calendar serves as a symbolic expression of optimism, unity, and the resounding belief that brighter days are ahead. “Looking forward to 2024, we, at Ginebra, envision a year where the echoes of the pandemic are a distant memory. And the best way to move forward is to embrace a future filled with all-out celebrations, reminiscent of the joyous fiestas that define our culture,” he said.

GSMI Group Product Manager Paolo Jose Tupaz described Heaven as a captivating and talented actress who perfectly captures the Ginebra San Miguel attributes and the essence of the Philippine Fiesta. “Heaven’s authenticity, perseverance, courage, and zest in life embodies the spirit of Ginebra and reflects the beauty, grace, and dynamism of the Filipino culture,” he added.

HEAVEN IN THE VIBRANT WORLD OF FIESTA

Next year’s calendar showcases the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture, with stunning visuals inspired by the colorful and festive celebrations that take place across the archipelago. Heaven described Ginebra as a staple in every Filipino’s drinking occasion, particularly during fiestas. “Hindi magiging buo ang celebration ng mga Pinoy kung walang Ginebra,” says Heaven [The celebration of Filipinos won’t be complete without Ginebra].

As the next face of Ginebra San Miguel, she shared that the Heaven the public would see in the layouts would show her positive perspective on life— on being resilient and outgoing and on enjoying and loving life.

Heavenly Blossoms in Panagbenga

The first is “Panagbenga,” set in Baguio’s renowned flower-themed festival. Heaven is surrounded by vibrant floral displays in this set, showing joy and beauty.

Like how Ginebra San Miguel is a brand associated with joy for bringing people together to celebrate joyous and special moments, Heaven’s infectious smile, bubbly personality, and cheerful spirit also bring joy to those around her.

Heaven holds a special affinity for this particular layout, considering her personal passion for flower arranging, making it a cherished and resonant experience for her.

Heavenly Lights in Lantern Festival

Emerging as one of the brightest stars of the new generation, Heaven sparkles in the next layout against a backdrop of vibrant giant lanterns and a myriad of dancing lights. The featured setting is the Giant Lantern Festival, also known as Ligligan Parul in San Fernando, Pampanga, a spectacle that symbolizes not only the brilliance of light but also the profound sense of hope it brings.

Just as Ginebra has inspired Filipinos to light their lives with choices that reflect their truest and most vibrant selves, Heaven sparkles hope for her family and followers. She constantly reminds others that even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of hope.

Heavenly Heights in Higantes

In the third layout, Heaven takes center stage amidst the larger-than-life papier-mâché puppets of the Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal. Much like these symbolic giants that represent the aspirations of the people of Rizal to achieve greatness and make significant contributions to their hometown’s progress, Heaven, too, aspires to excel in her role as an actress and performer, contributing to the enrichment of the arts.

Heaven is truly ‘ganado sa buhay’ as she managed to graduate with a degree in Business Management from the Southville International School while working her way up to become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry today.

Heaven in Higantes Festival layout aligns seamlessly with Ginebra’s commitment to upholding traditions of excellence, emphasizing the shared pursuit of greatness and the celebration of achievements within the tapestry of cultural festivities.

Heavenly Design in Pintados

The fourth layout draws inspiration from the Pintados Festival in Leyte, where Heaven is showcased alongside intricate body paintings. Pintados, a festival steeped in historical significance, pays homage to the pre-Spanish tradition of warrior tattooing, where the bravest warriors showcased their valor through intricate ink designs.

Parallel to the festival’s celebration of bravery, Ginebra San Miguel is a brand that reflects the bravery and compassion of every Filipino. Every glass of Ginebra recognizes the hero of every Filipino, one who continues to strive for his dreams, his family, and the whole nation. Likewise, Heaven’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity make her an inspiration to many, fueled by a deep sense of malasakit for herself, her family, and the nation she holds dear.

Heavenly Blessings in Kadayawan

The fifth layout is Kadayawan festival in Davao City, a celebration of life and thanksgiving for nature’s bounty. Here, Heaven is portrayed with the abundance of fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest, and the serenity of living.

Ginebra believes that the key to conquering tomorrow’s challenges lies in taking a moment to appreciate today’s accomplishments. After a tiring day during shoots and film, there’s no better way for Heaven to unwind and recharge than by having a Ginebra drink, taking a moment to be grateful for the things in life as she readies herself for the next challenge.

Heavenly Smiles in Masskara:

The sixth and final layout is the Masskara festival in Bacolod where Heaven is seen together with big, vibrant masks and eye-catching outfits. Originally, the festival was born out of crisis in the 1980s to lift the spirit of the locals and bring back smiles on their faces.

Masskara perfectly captures the “never-say-die” attitude of Ginebra, which Heaven also mirrors in life. Throughout the challenging journey of her mom’s battle with cancer, Heaven has exemplified unwavering strength, resilience, and dedication to support, uplift, and bring smiles to her mom. She shared that, “My love for her would always be there and would always remind me to never give up and to persevere on what I love.”

The much-anticipated 2024 GSM calendar serves as a celebration of Filipino pride and heritage. Beyond its artistic showcase, the calendar holds a dual significance as Ginebra San Miguel commemorates its 190th anniversary. This milestone marks nearly two centuries of crafting iconic moments and flavors that have become an integral part of Filipino festivities.

This edition of the Ginebra San Miguel calendar also features a QR code that consumers can scan using their smartphones to see Heaven Peralejo’s calendars come to life, showing behind-the-scenes videos of her calendar girl photoshoots and a special message to her fans and followers.

THE GINEBRA CALENDAR TRADITION

The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl is a long-held tradition in GSMI and an important part of the brand’s history. Since its inception in 1988, beauty queens, actresses, and models who have made their mark in their respective fields have graced the Ginebra San Miguel calendar. Among them were Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Anne Curtis (2011), Solenn Heusaff (2012), Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019), Sanya Lopez (2020), Christelle Abello (2021), Chie Filomeno (2022), and Yassi Pressman (2023). Heaven follows in the footsteps of her aunt, Rica Peralejo, who also served as Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl in 2002.

GSMI is the producer of the world’s largest-selling gin, Ginebra San Miguel. GSMI’s other quality distilled spirits include GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Antonov Vodka, Añejo Gold Rum, Primera Light Brandy, and the Philippines’ no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu.

"The inaugural run of Super Awards here in the Philippines is a testament to our shared dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our users," said Vincent Lee, Head of Shopee Philippines. “This is our way of expressing our gratitude to our partners who chose to journey with us; as the key driving force in the success of our platform, we are committed to strengthening these collaborations and forging even more partnerships to achieve even more remarkable milestones together.”

The awards ceremony showcased Shopee’s diverse roster of partners who, along with their success, also played a pivotal role in Shopee's expansion over the years. Categories included recognition for growth, innovation, and community impact, highlighting the multifaceted ways Shopee and its partners synergize for shared achievements. Major awardees include Metrobank (Bank Partner of the Year), GMA Kapuso Foundation (Charity Partner of the Year), Michelle Dy (Content Creator of the Year), and Dianne Medina (Stellar Livestreamer of the Year). Meanwhile, recipients of special awards were treated to roundtrip flight tickets from Cebu Pacific.

Media personality Dianne Medina gets the Stellar Livestreamer of the Year award. Stellar Livestreamer of the Year Dianne Medina

GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog receives the Charity Partner of the Year award for their organization. Charity Partner of the Year: GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, EVP/COO

Among the top awardees of the night was retail company INSPI, who was named Brand Partner of the Year. After marking their presence on the platform in 2018, they became one of Shopee’s top apparel brands during the pandemic—even able to come head to head with big local brands. “Shopee allows us to keep growing our customer base. The platform's user-friendly design, expansive reach, and marketing tools have empowered our business to thrive in the digital marketplace,” said Kenny Tsai, CEO of INSPI. “We know the importance of gaining the full trust of our shoppers; that’s why we will continue to work with Shopee to provide our shoppers with the best shopping experience.”

Beauty Queen, actress, and model Megan Young hosted the first-everShopee Super Awards together with Shopee PH’s Bianca Umali3. Hosts Megan Young Bianca Umali of Shopee Philippines

Clothing retail company INSPI bagged the Brand Partner of the Year award, with Business Director Kerwin Tan and Junior Account Manager Kathryn Navalta receiving the honor. Brand Partner of the Year: INSPI Kerwin Tan, Business Director Kathryn Navalta, Junior Account Manager

On the other hand, Seller of the Year JG Superstore saw new heights after moving their business online. Owners Oliver and Jill Tan started their business as a small retail store carrying innovative gadgets but would only have as little as one sale per day. After deciding to sell their products in Shopee back in 2016, their business has grown over 10x in the last seven years, with sales seeing at least 3x the GMV during double-digit campaigns. Through the e-commerce platform, they are also able to expand their customer base and reach new customers outside of Metro Manila. To date, they carry 180+ brands and have become a trusted store for various gadgets, equipment, and accessories online.

Program Manager Mark Fernandez from Metrobank receives the Bank Partner of the Year award. Bank Partner of the Year: Metrobank Mark Fernandez, Program Manager

SB19’s Pablo and Stell are joined by Shopee PH Head of Marketing Huiyan Pan to put on a thrilling show for the guests at the Shopee Super Awards 2023. Pablo & Stell of SB19 with  Huiyan Pan, Head of Marketing Shopee Philippines

To thank users for their continued patronage, Shopee users are being treated to exciting deals and discounts in the upcoming 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale. This includes free shipping with P0 minimum spend, exclusive 70% off on Pamasko Deals from a wide roster of brands and sellers, Shopee Mall Outlet deals with discounts of up to 90% off, and Shopee Live Milyonaryo where lucky winners can walk away with up to one million pesos!

Entrepreneur Jill Tan wins Seller of the Year for JG Superstore. Seller of the Year: JG Superstore Jill Tan, Owner

Social media personality and content creator Karen Reyes wins Shopee Live Entertainer of the Year. Shopee Live Entertainer of the Year Karen Reyes

Users can also anticipate discounts from brands like Callie, Cetaphil, Crown, gomo, Infinix, INSPI, Issy, Itel, JBL, Keds, Kleenfant, L'Oreal Paris, Mikana, MSI, Organic, Organic Skin Japan, P&G Beauty, Shigetsu, Sperry, Sunnies Face, Tecno, Tiny Buds, Unicare, Unilever, vivo and Zeus.

Actress, model, and host Denise Laurel is named the Shopee Live Crowd Favourite of the Year. Shopee Live Crowd Favourite of the Year Denise Laurel

What are you waiting for? Mark your calendars for a year-end shopping extravaganza like no other this 12.12!

The MMFF has become a part of Filipino culture during the yuletide season, offering a unique way for Filipinos to celebrate Christmas day—by enjoying the festival of Filipino films.

To join “A Dasurved Christmas Party,” simply “Like” and “Follow” Taiwan Excellence’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

In order to win the Christmas Party Package, simply answer the question “Why do you deserve a holiday celebration worth Php 10,000?” and explain why your group deserves to win the Christmas Party Package and have some Christmas fun. Your comment will serve as your entry to the contest.

More importantly, do not forget to include the correct contest hashtags #ADasurvedChristmasParty, #TheBestMadeInTaiwan, and #TaiwanExcellencePH in your comment. Comments with incorrect hashtags will be declared invalid and will not be counted.

The contest is open for posting of entries until December 7, 2023. A total of Three (3) winners will be chosen to win the Christmas Party Package. For more details, check out the link to the official post here: https://bit.ly/DasurvMagChristmaswithTE

To mark the festive season, Ascott unveiled a series of holiday offers and events, commencing with the Christmas Tree Lighting at Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila on November 21.

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The ceremony, held at Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila on November 21 and hosted by Daniela Laurel, commenced with a warm welcome speech by the Director of Sales and Marketing Denise Olegario. Gwen Contreras, Assistant Residence Manager of Ascott, then shared insights into the decorations and CSR activities. The Nutcracker-Themed Celebration featured a magical Tree Lighting Ceremony, paying homage to the Nutcracker and Ballet tradition, symbolizing the joy of Christmas. The decorations and ambiance meticulously reflected scenes from the heartwarming story of Clara and the Nutcracker, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a world of magic and joy. The event featured a captivating performance by The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Ballet performances from Steps Dance Studio.

Ascott also launched its annual holiday CSR initiative, "Hopes and Wishes," in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK). The initiative encourages followers to share what they are grateful for this year, with inspiring messages being reposted by the brand, fostering a connection with the Christmas tradition. For every Php200 donation, guests can purchase a wish card, write their personal wishes, and hang the card on the property Christmas tree. Ascott will fulfill one wish per property, and the effort will contribute to the Gawad Kalinga community. Additionally, Ascott expresses gratitude to its recent partner, the Haribon Foundation, with whom a tree-planting activity was conducted on November 16, 2023, at Mt. Batulusong, Kaliwa Forest Reserve in San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. The planting of 1,250 seedlings contributes to ongoing reforestation efforts in the region.

Ascott Philippines Nominated for World’s Leading Serviced Apartment at World Travel Awards 2023

Ascott Makati and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila are competing for the World’s Leading Serviced Apartment accolade at the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards 2023, recognizing excellence in the hospitality industry globally. This nomination follows the recent recognition of the property as the Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartment, with Ascott Makati also earning the distinction of 'Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment.' This acknowledgment reinforces Ascott's commitment to providing quality and excellence to valued guests and partners.

High Street Holidays by Scott’s

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila invites guests to elevate their holiday season with the 'High Street Holidays' promotions, offering exclusive dining experiences like the Holiday Feast Platter at Scott’s restaurant, Chef’s Table Degustation, and unlimited beer and cocktails during Weekday Happy Hour. Scott’s Corner presents delightful Holiday Hampers. The Christmas Party Package and Midnight Masquerade on December 31 promise grand celebrations. For a seamless experience, book a staycation starting at Php 26,275 nett.

To book, email fbsupervisor.abgc@the-ascott.com or call +63 2 8860 9888. For room reservations, contact frontoffice.abgc@the-ascott.com or call +63 2 8866 8100.

Holiday by the Bay at Bay City Café

Celebrate the festive season at Citadines Bay City Manila with "Holiday by the Bay" offerings, featuring the family-friendly "Bay City Platters" and the Ultimate Holiday Feast with options like Pork Belly Ham and Porchetta. Enjoy "Simbang Gabi Treats" and delightful gifts, including Tin Can Shortcake and Grazing Box of Cold Cuts & Cheese. Welcome 2024 at the "Stars, Sparkles & New Beginnings" New Year Countdown Party on December 31, 2023, for Php 2,999 per person with a 25% early bird discount. For group celebrations, avail Christmas Celebration Packages at Php 2,000 nett per person (Minimum of 100 pax).

To book, call +63 2 8866 8100 or +63 916 261 1612 or email banquetcoordinator.cbcm@the-ascott.com.

There's nothing like the sound of carolers serenading the neighborhood with joyous tunes to set the holiday mood. However, there's a fine line between spreading cheer and causing a cacophony. Picture this: you and your enthusiastic friends decide to spread some festive joy by forming an impromptu caroling squad. Yet, your intentions are drowned out by off-key renditions of classic carols, causing neighbors to question if your festive spirit is actually a festive faux pas. Avoid this merry mishap by tuning up your vocal cords before embarking on a caroling escapade. A harmonious holiday is a happy holiday!

2. The Tinsel Tangle: A Decorative Dilemma Unraveled

Decorating for Christmas is an art form, but there's an art to it, and then there's overdoing it. Beware the tinsel tangle—a festive faux pas that involves drowning your living room in so much tinsel that it resembles a glittery winter wonderland gone wrong. Sure, the idea is to create a dazzling display, but too much tinsel can transform your home into a festive vortex, where even Santa might lose his way. Strike a balance between festivity and functionality, ensuring your decorations enhance the holiday spirit without turning your home into a tinsel-themed obstacle course.

Ah, the art of gift wrapping—an endeavor that can either showcase your artistic prowess or reveal your total lack of it. In the pursuit of perfection, many fall victim to the gift-wrapping wrath, a calamity that involves excessive tape, torn paper, and a general disregard for the laws of aesthetic appeal. Don't let your presents resemble a crime scene. Take a deep breath, measure twice, cut once, and for the love of Rudolph, invest in decent wrapping paper. Your gifts should exude elegance, not look like they've survived a tussle with a pack of festive reindeer.

4. The Mistletoe Mayhem: A Kiss or a Crisis?

Ah, mistletoe—the botanical wingman of the holiday season. While its presence can add a dash of romance to Christmas festivities, it's crucial to navigate the mistletoe tradition with tact. Mistletoe mayhem strikes when the line between innocent tradition and awkward encounter is blurred. Before you go hanging mistletoe in every doorway, consider the implications of creating a kissing hotspot. Ensure everyone is on the same page, and always prioritize consent. Remember, a stolen kiss might sound like a festive fantasy, but it can quickly turn into a mistletoe-induced maelstrom of misunderstandings.

Baking gingerbread cookies is a beloved Christmas tradition, but the path to gingerbread perfection is riddled with potential pitfalls. The gingerbread gaffe occurs when overzealous bakers attempt ambitious cookie designs that defy the laws of physics and taste buds. A gingerbread Eiffel Tower may seem like a festive feat, but in reality, it's a structural disaster waiting to happen. Stick to shapes and sizes that won't send your gingerbread dreams crumbling. And if disaster does strike, fear not! Embrace the chaos, and remember that even misshapen gingerbread can taste like a slice of holiday heaven.

In conclusion, as you waltz through the winter wonderland of Christmas festivities, keep these cautionary tales in mind. Whether you're caroling, decorating, gift-wrapping, stealing kisses under the mistletoe, or baking gingerbread delights, a dash of awareness can transform potential pitfalls into hilarious anecdotes. May your Christmas be free from merry mishaps, and may your holiday season be filled with laughter, love, and a touch of the unexpected—just not too much unexpected!