It seems that our Miss Universe Queens are moving into another career level of their life, the 2018 Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, is set to pen her pageant journey and beyond in a book to be launched next year as ABS-CBN Books proudly welcomes the beauty queen into its roster of inspiring authors. This will be her way of sharing more about her journey.

“It’s a collection of lessons that I’ve learned in the past couple of years that I feel allowed me to achieve what I did. Things that I’ve learned from a personal perspective, things that I’ve learned in regards to dealing or learning from others, and also about giving back,” shared Catriona during the contract signing for her upcoming book entitled “Conquering Your Universe.”

The inspiring read will also delve into her advocacies, especially when she represented Filipinos and raised the Philippine flag in the beloved pageant and promoted various causes all over the world during her reign.

Watch our coverage of the contract signing of Catriona Gray and ABS CBN Books


ABS-CBN Books is thrilled to partner with Catriona for this exciting project as it aims to encourage readers to conquer their own universe stirred by the wonderful journey of the newest Kapamilya author.

“Catriona has been an inspiration to millions, being an advocate of children’s right to education, equality, and love for country. We at ABS-CBN Books hopes that readers will continue to be inspired by her story,” ABS-CBN Books head, Mark Yambot, said.


“Conquering Your Universe” is targeted to be released in the first quarter of 2020, one of the many exciting reads to be published by ABS-CBN’s publishing arm next year, as it continues to bring the Kapamilya experience in print with its extensive fiction, nonfiction, movie-based, self-help, and motivational reads.


If you want to get more updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Talk about music, we all love it! 4 Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Otso alumni, who we've witnessed their musicality during their days inside the PBB House, are now breaching the music industry. These former PBB Otso housemates Lie Reposposa, Jem Macatuno, Shawntel Cruz and Kiara Takahashi are conquering new tasks as StarPOP’s newest artist starting with the launch of their respective digital singles “Sana Sana,” “Can’t Get Out” and “Reason Enough.”


StarPOP head Rox Santos hailed the four Starmates for their talent and said that even when they were still inside the PBB house, they were already seen as promising artists who could do projects under the youthful label.

Here are the three songs which were officially launched last Saturday (November 30) that you should most certainly add to your playlist:



1. “Sana Sana” by Lie Reposposa

Bringing a new flavor to Angeline Quinto’s original song, Lie joked that she can relate to the track because someone she used to like now yearns for her attention. But in all seriousness, she said that being a recording artist is a dream come true for her. “I still can’t believe this is happening because I used to just dream about being on TV. Now I’ve been given this opportunity, you’ve all heard my song. I feel so blessed and happy.”




2. “Can’t Get Out” by Jem Macatuno

Jem initially wrote his original composition in Tagalog while still inside Camp Star Hunt before it was translated by his co-Star Dreamer Ashley in English. The young singer-songwriter, who previously joined “The Voice Teens” before being a housemate, shared his thoughts on writing songs about love. “The pain is already a part of love, so when it comes to music about love, you can either inspire or hurt a person. But that’s the goal of songwriting, to make someone feel something,” he shared.

3. “Reason Enough” by Shawntel Cruz and Kiara Takahashi

Adult housemates Shawntel and Kiara said they were excited to collaborate together on “Reason Enough,” a meaningful song about allowing oneself to fall in love again originally sung by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. “It suits our voices and our genre, so when they put us together, they said we were perfect for the song,” Shawntel said.




For Kiara, the song transcends the definition of a romantic love song. She enthused, “This song isn’t just about love, in general, it could also be about family and friendship—having someone as a ‘reason enough’ to make you smile, make you feel loved.”

Lie, Jem, Shawntel and Kiara were all part of “PBB Otso,” the latest edition of Pinoy Big Brother where they were able to showcase not just their genuine selves but also their talents, among others. Lie went on to place 6th overall, while Kiara was hailed as the 2nd big placer.

Check out our coverage of the digital conference.




Stream Lie, Jem, Shawntel and Kiara’s respective singles, “Sana Sana,” “Can’t Get Out” and “Reason Enough” on all digital platforms worldwide and on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. For more details, like StarPOP PH on facebook.com/starpopph, and follow it on and Instagram @starpopph.

Love stories always make us feel good and teach us that love itself has its ups and downs. One interesting love story is when you fell in love with your bestfriend. Though it’s the ultimate unspoken rule—never fall for your best friend. But then again, can we really choose who we fall in love with? No words can describe how thrilling, scary, and kilig-filled the experience truly is when your dearest friend crosses boundaries to take even more care of you.

However, when things start to spiral, will you be prepared for the worst? For what’s more excruciating than losing both a lover and a friend?

This complicated situation is too common that it has become its own genre in Pinoy movies. Here are six friends-turned-lovers movie tandems that prove love is worth the shot, and you can watch them all on iWant:


1. ASHLEY AND CHUCK IN “SILLY RED SHOES”
Chuck (Kyle Echarri) may not have been the best shoemaker at first, but he strived to provide one perfect pair for Ashley (Francine Diaz). Even though she used to be insecure about her “alien feet,” Chuck never failed to raise her spirits. And in one big encounter that changed Ashley’s life, Chuck never surrendered and followed her as she went through one of the toughest times of her life.


2. BUJOY AND NED IN “LABS KITA, OKEY KA LANG?”
College bestfriends Bujoy (Jolina Magdangal) and Ned (Marvin Agustin) hid their feelings for one another at first, but it all changed when Ned confronted Bujoy with this iconic line: "Yes, kaibigan mo 'ko... Kaibigan mo lang ako. And I'm so stupid to make the biggest mistake of falling in love with my best friend!"


3. MAE AND BOGS IN “PAANO NA KAYA?”
Everyone thought Bogs (Gerald Anderson) was #cancelledt when Mae (Kim Chiu) blurted out, “Bogs, sana lumayo ka na lang, sana umiwas ka na lang, maiintindihan ko pa 'yun. Pero Bogs, syinota mo ako, e. Syinota mo ang best friend mo."

But hey, he turned it around and the two rode out the sunset together.


4. IVAN AND PATCHOT IN “MUST BE LOVE”
Ah, young love. We can’t really blame young chick magnet Ivan (Daniel Padilla) when he looked at one-of-the-boys Patchot (Kathryn Bernardo) as only a close friend and a basketball playmate at first. "May babaeng bine-bestfriend, at may babaeng gini-girlfriend," he said. But he took all those back when he realized Patchot had everything he wanted and needed.


5. CHANTEL AND NOAH IN “MY FAIRY TAIL LOVE STORY”
After Chantel (Janella Salvador) gets cursed with mermaid fins after disturbing some corals, trusty Noah (Elmo Magalona) never leaves her side and helps her find out how to cure her legs. Even when Chantel thinks it’s a kiss from DJ Ethan (Kiko Estrada) that will save her, Noah paves the way for her happiness until she finds out that it is Noah that she really needs.


6. CARSON AND DIO IN “I’M DRUNK, I LOVE YOU”
Over a music fest by the beach, plates of Bagnet, and bottles of booze—Carson (Maja Salvador) made sure to make her last roadtrip with bestfriend Dio (Paulo Avelino) an unforgettable one as she finally let out what she has kept for seven years. Timecheck!

Watch “Silly Red Shoes” and more friends-to-lovers movies on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or iwant.ph for free. For updates, like www.facebook.com/iWant, and follow @iwant on Twitter and @iwantofficial and @dreamscapedigital on Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantPH.

Kwento is about stories and info that would really give something out to people who wouuld read this blog and for today, well, I'm sharing some news that interests Moms. This is about STADA, a leading manufacturer of high-quality pharmaceutical products, formally announced its acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) skincare brand -- Oilatum.

Stada says the acquisition has two strategic goals: increasing its presence in skincare category and to expand its ability to provide high-quality skincare products to the Philippines and the rest of the Asia Pacific.

“This venture is one of many initiatives developed to further strengthen our presence in Asia Pacific in the coming years with the aim to continually deliver quality healthcare products to enrich the lives of our customers,” said Mr. Gary Clark, Managing Director for Asia Pacific,”

Oilatum is one of the key players in skin-care brands in the Philippines which is designed to provide a daily treatment regimen to reduce the occurrence of dry skin and eczema by soothing, softening and hydrating the skin in children. One of its best-known products is the Oilatum Soap Bar. It is an emollient cleanser suitable for everyday cleansing for dry and sensitive skin

In addition to Oilatum, STADA has acquired Eurax, Savlon Antiseptic Cream, Ceridal, Tixylix and Polytar (Tarmed) in a number of specific geographic territories, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America. All of which have a strong brand heritage and great followings not only in Europe but all over the world.

STADA is one of the top five generic players in Europe which continues to grow as a partner of choice for generics and consumer health products not only in Europe but also in emerging markets worldwide including the Philippines. According to STADA Philippines General Manager Sharmaine Abarientos, the company envisions to launch consumer brands in the Philippines and this is part of the strategic priorities in the next three years.

Backed with more than 120 years of experience, STADA is present in over 130 countries with 10,400 plus employees in about 50 well-recognized subsidiaries.

In 2008, STADA Arzneimittel AG assumed ownership of Croma Medic, Inc. in the Philippines. Croma changed its name to STADA Philippines (STADA Phils. Inc.) last year.

Benefitting from STADA’s broad product portfolio, STADA Philippines’ expansion from its core in ophthalmology into generic pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare is considerably boosted by the addition of Oilatum to its range.

If you're one Twitter savvy you might probably love to see this different metrics about the tweets happened in 2019. So for your info based on the press release shared from Twitter, here are the details.

ENTERTAINMENT

Filipinos are sure fond of anything entertainment. In 2019; loveteams, teleseryes, movies and music are the most talked about topics on Twitter. Yet again, our main girl Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) secured the top spot of being the most talked about celebrity. 2019 is a fruitful year for Maine, having starred in a sitcom, a romantic movie, and a handful of new endorsements under her belt. On the other hand, the loveteam of Maymay Entrata (@maymayentrata07) and Edward Barber (@Barber_Edward_) or #MayWard is the most talked about hashtag in the entertainment scene for this year. They wowed millions of Filipinos with their elegant Filipiniana ensemble during the recent ABS-CBN Ball.


SPORTS

There are a lot of sports enthusiasts in the Philippines, and they were all eyes in the most anticipated sporting events in 2019 such as the collegiate UAAP Volleyball games, boxing matches, and basketball tournaments. For 2019, the ferocious spirit of the Iskolars ng Bayan emerged as #UPFight placed first in the Most Tweeted Sports-Related Hashtags, followed by Ateneo’s #OBF and the #UAAPVolleyballFinals.
KPop

Filipino #KpopTwitter fans feverishly Tweet about their favorite groups to show support and help promote their activities. As many might have guessed, Korean boy group BTS (@BTS_twt) did not only dominate the charts worldwide, but they are the most talked about #Kpop group on Twitter in the Philippines. The runners up are the equally-talented and famous groups: EXO (@weareoneEXO) and BLACKPINK (@ygofficialblink). It is also not surprising that the group also clinched the most Tweeted Kpop hashtag for 2019. Filipino ARMYs went all out to Tweet #BTS and prove the strength of their fandom.


And when it comes to fandom on Twitter, ARMYs around the world will be rejoining when we announced that This Tweet from BTS is the most Retweeted Tweet globally this year.

Duh😛 pic.twitter.com/3lGmo7GpF6

— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 9, 2019

Here's an interesting dibs on the Twitter World, it created different graphical representation of the most Tweeted things and events in the Philippines. So, if you want to know what happened in the last 12 months in the twitterverse read more.

Twitter has enabled Filipinos to know what's happening right now and to spark meaningful conversations. In fact, most of the trending topics nowadays are heard first on Twitter. It allows people to discover their interests, as well as find new ones just by exchanging ideas with others, one Tweet at a time.

From discovering personal interests, sharing opinions, finding the latest news updates in sports or entertainment, and everything in between – conversations on Twitter plays a big part in shaping 2019. The topics on the platforms are so diverse that the top Tweets, most-discussed hashtags and accounts this year will surely give you a myriad of reactions and will hopefully inspire you to be a part of the real-life conversations on Twitter.

Most Tweeted about hashtags in the Philippines

The top hashtags that trended on Twitter revolved on one thing: entertainment. The show business took much of the conversations of Filipinos, proving that they’re avid fans of anything related to it - celebrities, television dramas, films and movies.

Rising from fifth place last year, #MaineMendoza is the most Tweeted hashtag in Philippines this year. The phenomenal star continues to shine as her 2019 was loaded movie launches, drama performances, and brand endorsements. Her fans have been consistently very much active in expressing their fondness to Maine (@mainedcm).

Filipinos were also quite interested in music as #DyisIsItManila trends in number two. It is a radio program that features the top 10 songs of the day. Listeners could express their love for their favorite songs using this hashtag.

When we talk about entertainment, love teams should never be missed. Clinching the top three spot is #MayWard. Fans were very active in expressing their support for Maymay Entrata (@maymayentrata07) and Edward Barber’s (@Barber_Edward_) countless projects and events.

Most Tweeted about accounts in the Philippines

Filipinos truly love their celebrities – and it shows on Twitter! The most Tweeted about accounts for 2019 were dominated by various personalities from the Philippine entertainment scene. To no surprise, Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) clinched this year’s highest place yet again, with a new movie and lots of other solo projects up her sleeve. Maymay Entrata (@maymayentrata07) comes in second, cementing her status as one of the most beloved people on Twitter. Other notable artists on the list are Kisses Delavin (@KissesDelavin), Alden Richards (@aldenrichards02) and Edward Barber (@Barber_Edward_) among others.

The Top Tweets in the Philippines

Just like in real-life, one Tweet can change everything. On Twitter, a single Tweet can spark millions of smiles, tears, or even dose of inspiration for many people. This year, a pair of sisters took over Twitter. A Tweet became viral for its humorous appeal and it even skyrocketed the Twitter user into social media fame. Samantha Rubia’s (@sammirubia) video of her singing to woo her crush and pretending to have allergies became the most Retweeted Tweet with comment in Philippines for 2019.

crush: I like a girl that can sing
me: pic.twitter.com/bDJChrJB2a

— Samantha Rubia (@sammirubia) October 28, 2019

Meanwhile, her sister Brianna (@briannarubia) Tweeted a video of Samantha (@sammirubia) as she sings her heart out to The Little Mermaid’s Part of Your World. In this clip, we see another humorous take on how their parents show their appreciation and support to their daughter – making it the most Liked and most Retweeted Tweet in Philippines in 2019.

When I said my parents were supportive, I wasn’t kidding 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TZ0krYWTTG

— Brì (@rubiabrianna) January 13, 2019

Most Tweeted about emojis in the Philippines

Of course, a Tweet would not be complete without inserting an emoji that best visualizes your message. Using emojis brings out a certain playfulness, makes the conversation more casual, and gives a better visual appeal to Tweets. Interestingly, it seems like the Twitterverse got tons of laugh as the laughing emoji is the Top Emoji on the platform followed by a totally opposite crying face emoji. Coming on the third spot is the emoji that most fans use to express their love for their favorites: the heart eyes emoji. These emojis are proof that conversations on Twitter are indeed diverse and that Filipinos couldn’t get enough of expressively show their emotions in a Tweet.

Can’t wait to talk about the top Tweets and most-discussed topics and accounts? Join the #ThisHappened2019 conversation on Twitter right now using any of the hashtags listed below and you’ll see a fun emoji in your Tweet. Also check out the @TwitterPH Twitter account, as well as our Twitter accounts around the world which will be sharing inspiring #ThisHappened2019 moments to showcase the power of a single Tweet to spark authentic conversations among real people worldwide. We’re celebrating these voices as their public conversations make Twitter, and the world a better place for all of us.

So, want to know more about Twitter?

Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) is what’s happening in the world and what people are talking about right now. From breaking news and entertainment to sports, politics, and everyday interests, see every side of the story. Join the open conversation. Watch live streaming events. Available in more than 40 languages around the world, the service can be accessed via twitter.com, an array of mobile devices, Twitter Lite (mobile.twitter.com), and SMS. For more information, please visit about.twitter.com, follow @Twitter, @TwitterPH, and the South East Asia blog; and download both the Twitter and Periscope apps at twitter.com/download and periscope.tv.

Here's one interesting news for all K-Pop fans! Your favorite popular Korean girl group Momoland is set to make their comeback to the K-pop scene this month with the release of a new album, according to a number of relevant personnel in the K-pop industry.

But before the squad releases highly awaited new music, they will delight their Filipino fans this holiday season with a series of appearances in ABS-CBN’s shows and events.

Momoland jumpstarts its series of Kapamilya activities with a dazzling performance at the ABS-CBN Christmas special at the Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday (December 10), marking the first time a K-pop group will perform in the annual gathering of Kapamilya stars.

In January, Momoland will be seen in “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” as well as MYX. Next year, the Korean idols will also be featured in Metro Magazine.

In October this year, ABS-CBN signed a groundbreaking partnership with Momoland’s management company MLD Entertainment to co-manage the group’s career in the Philippines. ABS-CBN also announced that the group’s lead vocalist, Nancy Jewel Mcdonie, will star in an upcoming series titled “The Soulmate Project,” produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and Proj 8.

Momoland, meanwhile, announced last month that they would be reorganizing the originally nine-member group into a six-member group.

Since their debut in 2016, Momoland has made a series of hits with their songs “Bboom Bboom,” “BAAM,” “I’m So Hot,” and “Banana Chacha.” The girls have established themselves as a top K-POP girl group and gained international fame, including in the Philippines.

An interesting way to give something this yuletide season. Giving is always better than receiving, especially during the holiday season. As you complete your gift list for family and friends this upcoming 12.12 sale, take your shopping game to the next level and receive more perks and rewards when you give more to your loved ones with the help of PayMaya.

This 12.12, take advantage of multiple cashback on top of the already awesome deals offered by your favorite brands both online and in-stores when you shop using your trusted payment buddy, PayMaya.

There are so many sweet deals to help you make the most of your Christmas shopping. To start off, you can enjoy a 1%, 10%, or 100% cashback when you spend at least P500 online or in stores using your PayMaya physical or virtual card. On top of that, you can also get an additional P150 cashback* when you rack up an accumulated spend of P5,000.

Buying from your favorite online stores has its perks too! Skip the traffic and do your Christmas shopping online. Get 30% off at Lazada when you spend at least P500. Enjoy the maximum discount of P150 by redeeming a PayMaya voucher from the Lazada app.

If you’re looking for stylish holiday outfits for yourself, head on to Zalora and enjoy a 25% discount on your purchase, capped at P2,000! Simply use the promo code PYMYONLINEFEVER when you shop and spend at least P1,500.

You can also get the same perks when you #ScanToPay with PayMaya at our partner merchants. If you miss out on the 12.12 deals, don’t fret because you can still enjoy perks during PayMaya’s Double Cashback Weekend. From December 14 to 15, you get two chances of earning up to 100% cashback when you spend a minimum of P100 via PayMaya QR.

#ScanToPay for your gifts to your Kris Kringle or inaanaks at Robinsons Department Store to get a chance to win one of the 11 iPhone 11 units up for grabs! All you have to do is spend a minimum of P100 via PayMaya QR to earn one (1) raffle entry.

With PayMaya, there are so many ways you can receive more perks and rewards, by simply giving more to your loved ones – proving that the holidays is the best season to give to your friends and family.

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, you still have time to sign up and make the most out of all the sweet deals this 12.12 — just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, register for an account, and find out what it’s like to shop with the fastest, safest, and most rewarding to pay for anything online and in-stores.

Remember, this 12.12 and beyond, don’t pay cash. PayMaya!

To summarize, here’s a quick rundown of all the awesome deals you can take advantage of with PayMaya:

Get up to 100% cashback when you spend at least P500 online and in-store using your PayMaya virtual or physical card Enjoy an additional P150 cashback* when you accumulate a P5,000 spend with your PayMaya virtual or physical card Get up to 100% cashback when you #ScanToPay at least P100 via PayMaya QR at your favorite establishments Rack up to P5,000 worth of accumulated purchase via PayMaya QR to get an additional P150 cashback** Get two chances of earning up to 100% cashback when you spend at least P100 via PayMaya QR this weekend Redeem your PayMaya voucher at the Lazada app to enjoy a 30% discount (up to P150), when you spend a minimum of P500 Spend a minimum of P1,500 and get a 25% discount (up to P2,000) on your Zalora purchase when you use the code PYMYONLINEFEVER

To find out more about all the exclusive deals you can avail of with your PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

PayMaya, the digital financial services arm of Voyager Innovations, is the only financial technology company in the Philippines offering integrated consumer and merchant payment solutions with the widest on-ground branch network. It is the first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device. It is the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations, the leading technology company in the country backed by PLDT, KKR, Tencent, World Bank’s IFC and the IFC Emerging Asia Fund. [END]

*For upgraded accounts only. Minimum spend of P500.
**For upgraded accounts only. Minimum spend of P100.
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When your stories or shows are just the right one for your kids. ABS-CBN continues to be the choice for children as the Kapamilya network’s programs and personalities received a total of 24 awards at the recent Anak TV Awards.

Long-running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” iconic musical variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To,” hit daytime teleserye “Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit,” popular talent reality show “World of Dance,” and well-loved daytime talk show “Magandang Buhay” all gained Anak TV Seals of Approval for its kid- and family-friendly content.

Meanwhile, other programs such as ABS-CBN flagship newscast “TV Patrol,” top-rating noontime program “It’s Showtime,” afternoon drama favorite “Kadenang Ginto,” and primetime staples “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “The General’s Daughter” were presented with the Household Favorite awards. “Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit” was also given the same citation, making it as a double-winner in the event.

Aside from the leading media and entertainment company’s shows, its stars also made a splash in the Anak TV awards, receiving 13 total Makabata Star recognitions, led by box-office stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

Aside from the popular loveteam, other Kapamilya stars handed Makabata Star citations were “Halik” leading man Jericho Rosales, Alone/Together actress Liza Soberano, “The Voice Philippines” coach Lea Salonga, “Kadenang Ginto” stars Francine Diaz and Beauty Gonzalez, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’s” Yassi Pressman, and Susan Roces, “Minute to Win It” host Luis Manzano, “PBB Otso” host Robi Domingo,“ “Bagani” star Matteo Guidicelli, and “The Killer Bride” star Joshua Garcia.

The Anak TV Awards is an annual national recognition given by the Anak TV honoring child-sensitive programs and personalities in the Philippines. This year’s awarding ceremony was held at the Soka Gakkai Building in Quezon City.

For updates follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or go to www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

ANAK TV AWARDS

Anak TV SEAL OF APPROVAL

ASAP Natin ‘to
Maalaala Mo Kaya
Magandang Buhay
Nang Ngumiti ang Langit
World of Dance

Household Favorite Award

Kadenang Ginto
FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano
It’s Showtime
TV Patrol
The General’s Daughter
Nang Ngumiti ang Langit

Makabata Stars

Kathryn Bernardo
Francine Diaz
Beauty Gonzalez
Yassi Pressman
Susan Roces
Lea Salonga
Liza Soberano
Robi Domingo
Joshua Garcia
Matteo Guidicelli
Luis Manzano
Daniel Padilla
Jericho Rosales

It's a celebration in the real estate developments and developers industry as Lamudi presented the winners of The Outlook: Philippine Buyers’ Choice Property Awards from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao last November 14 at the Makati Shangri-La It was co-presented by Philippine Daily Inquirer Property and Holcim. The Outlook Awards used a two-step process to determine the winners for the House, Condominium, and Mixed-use categories: an esteemed panel of judges shortlisted the nominees for each category, and a 10,000-respondent survey revealed the big winner for each award.

For the Special Awards, the judges took to a pre-determined scorecard to choose the big winners of the night. Lamudi chose the Personality of the Year based on his contributions to the real estate industry for the past year.

(L-R) Personality of the Year, Mr. Jose Soberano III, Chairman, President, and CEO of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. with Mrs. Marose B. Soberano, Director, EVP, and Treasurer of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. and Ms. Bhavna Suresh, CEO of Lamudi Philippines.

Recognizing Affordable Homes and Condos in the Philippines

Price and value for money are two of the factors Philippine property seekers consider when they make a real estate purchase. Filipino households living on a fixed income want a home that can give them the property they deserve at a price tag they can comfortably afford. To this front, it is worth recognizing the properties that have made a name in the affordable housing sector, and at the recently concluded The Outlook Awards, it’s the Philippine property seekers themselves who crowned the winners through their survey participation.

SM Development Corporation’s Cheer Residences ultimately went home with the award for Best Affordable Condo in Luzon, presented in recognition of the affordable condominium project in Luzon that best matches moderate pricing with excellence in concept, design, amenities, and facilities. For this award, developments with an average unit price of up to Php100,000 per square meter were considered.

Avida Land Corporation’s Avida Southfield Settings NUVALI took home the award for Best Affordable House in Luzon, winning over other affordable housing projects in the area with an average unit price of up to Php50,000 per square meter. The winning development was determined for its moderate pricing paired with excellence in concept, design, amenities, and facilities.

The Visayas and Mindanao region also had Cebu Landmasters, Inc.’s Casa Mira Towers Labangon winning Best Affordable Condo, an award presented in recognition of the affordable condominium project in Visayas and Mindanao that shows excellence in concept, design, amenities, and facilities--for an average unit price of up to Php100,000 per square meter.

Here is the complete list of winners for The Outlook Awards 2019 per category:

Luzon Winners

Best Affordable Condo - Cheer Residences (SM Development Corporation)
Best Premium Condo - Avida Towers Makati Southpoint (Avida Land Corporation)
Best Luxe Condo - The Albany (Megaworld Corporation)
Best Affordable House - Avida Southfield Settings NUVALI (Avida Land Corporation)
Best Premium House - The Peak (Filinvest Land, Inc.)
Best Mixed-Use Development - Hamilo Coast (Costa del Hamilo, Inc.)

Visayas and Mindanao Winners

Best Affordable Condo - Casa Mira Towers Labangon (Cebu Landmasters, Inc.)
Best Premium Condo - Sanremo Oasis at City di Mare (Filinvest Land, Inc.)
Best House - Amoa (AboitizLand, Inc.)
Best Mixed-Use Development - The Mactan Newtown (Megaworld Corporation)

Special Awards

Best Green Project - Three E-Com Center (SM Prime Holdings, Inc.)
Best Innovation Project - The Seasons Residences (Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corporation)
Best Co-Living Space - MyTown Co-Living Hubs (Philippines Urban Living Solutions, Inc.)
Best Co-Working Space - Acceler8 (UnionSPACE)
Personality of the Year - Jose “Joe” Soberano III, Chairman, President and CEO of Cebu Landmasters, Inc.

Grand Awards

Best Boutique Developer - Luzon - PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation
Best Boutique Developer - VisMin - DATEM Homes, Inc.
Best Developer - Luzon - DMCI Homes
Best Developer - VisMin - Cebu Landmasters, Inc.

Mr. Kian Moini, CEO of Lamudi and Ms. Bhavna Suresh, CEO of Lamudi Philippines.

Lamudi’s Global Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Kian Moini opened the gala with a look into the real estate trends that make the Philippines a force to be reckoned with in Southeast Asia, and Bhavna Suresh, CEO of Lamudi Philippines, ended the night remarking on the continued growth of the real estate sector in the country. The gala also remembered the passing of real estate leaders John Gokongwei, Jr. of JG Summit, Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jr. of Eton Properties, Willie Uy of 8990 Holdings, Henry Sy of SM Investments, and Liberator “Levy” P. Laus of The LausGroup of Companies.

The Outlook Awards’ official TV partner is Cignal TV and the official event partner is Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The event’s media partners are Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Standard, Malaya Business Insight, and The Philippine Star.

Lamudi also worked together with partner organizations Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), Land Registration Authority, Re/Max, Colliers International Philippines, Ikea Southeast Asia, A. P. de Jesus & Associates, Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Buskowitz Group, Santos Knight Frank, Buensalido + Architects, German Chamber of Commerce, British Chamber of Commerce, Australian - New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Italian Chamber of Commerce, European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), and Starbucks to make the event possible.

For more information, visit lamudi.com.ph/outlook2019.

It's the time of the year where the cool breeze of the wind, the twinkling sparkling lights, the hustle and bustle of buying gifts are present. Yes, Christmas is near and the spirit of Noche Buena is on full blast with thoughts of creating the most perfect of memories, of giving the perfect gift, of serving the best during the season of love and joy.

For actress Dimples Romana, the new brand Ambassador for CDO Premium Holiday Ham, Noche Buena and ham come hand-in-hand when it comes to creating memories during Christmas festivities. “Hindi buo and Christmas handa naming kapag wala ang CDO Premium Holiday Ham. Yung salo-salo na sama- sama kayo, magdarasal kayo, kakain kayo, parang parte na rin talaga to have that ham there.”

It’s a tradition she grew up with and something that she continues on as a wife and mother of two. If you check her social media posts, you will know that her whole family, the Romanas and the Ahmees, always celebrate together at home during Noche Buena. “We make it a point that no matter how busy we are (to be together),” she shares. In fact, they make sure they have a theme for the year, “Minsan Pinoy, minsan Spanish, pero ang hindi nababago, yung CDO Premium Holiday Ham. Favorite siya no matter what theme we do for Christmas.”

More than just a celebrity endorser, Dimples is very choosy about what she gives her family. The delicious smoky flavor with pineapple sweetness of CDO Premium Holiday Ham fits her choice because it is made from tender pork pigue, the finest cut in making a ham, and has absolutely no extenders. Plus, it is guaranteed ASF-safe as it is pork that was carefully sourced from credible suppliers!

As someone who knows her way around the kitchen, Dimples is excited by how CDO Premium Holiday Ham has leveled up the pineapple flavor by adding even more pineapple glaze. “You don’t need to bother boiling CDO Premium Holiday Ham in pineapple juice as it has already been cooked in the sweet indulgence of pineapple,” she shares. Recognized recently as one of the best by the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her role as Daniela in Kadenang Ginto, what got Dimples most excited about shooting about CDO Premium Holiday Ham commercial was not about acting. “Siyempre, ang pinakaunang tinanong ko, meron po bang CDO Premium Holiday Ham sa TVC shoot? Ha ha ha! Naghanap talaga ‘ko.”

A certified foodie, Dimples confesses. “Hindi ko alam if it’s the Kapampangan in me, bukod sa masarap akong magluto, masarap din akong kumain. Iba kasi kapag ine-enjoy mo talaga. It shows how passionate you are about things. Not only for food but for life. Alam mong ine-enjoy mo ang buhay mo at kumakain ka ng gusto mong kainin at nasi-share mo sa pamilya mo.”


That’s Dimples Romana for you. A premiere actress who only wants the best for her career and her family. As the new face for CDO Premium Holiday Ham, she sums up what makes it a stand-out favorite and levels up the Noche Buena table. It’s a quality product that was created from the heart by CDO Foodsphere, Inc. to be shared with family and loved ones. A quality that is simply the best.

Another day for Filipino artists to celebrate as one of the Kapamilya actors, Joseph Marco, takes on the journey of performing in the international entertainment scene. He is the latest Filipino talent to make waves abroad as he soon stars in an international series, which will air on HBO Asia.

The Kapamilya star shared his career milestone on his Instagram account and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work abroad.

“It’s my first day of shooting here in Kuala Lumpur. Feels very surreal doing my first ever acting stint abroad! It’s such an overwhelming experience to be able to work with international production and I really am grateful for it!”


ABS-CBN international production and co-production revealed that Joseph is indeed part of the cast of the second season of the hit series “The Bridge,” which is produced by Double Vision.

“The Bridge” follows the quest of international police agencies in finding the truth behind the murder of a person, whose body was cut in half and left at the border of two neighboring countries. “The Bridge” will air in 2020 in 24 territories.

Before bagging the role for the anticipated international series, Joseph was recently seen as one of the lead stars of the hit afternoon series “Los Bastardos,” which aired for a year.

An interesting lead of performances and music as MYX ends 2019 with a bang featuring big names and fresh faces this December. Wrapping up the decade as the MYX Headliner is one of the most prominent artists of his generation—OPM rock icon Rico Blanco. The legendary singer-songwriter and Filipino Society of Composers, Artists and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) president will be answering never-before-asked questions and revealing more about himself and his craft in different segments all throughout the month, which will surely inspire promising songwriters to persevere in making more meaningful music.

Also adding fun and joy this holiday season to the number one music channel in the Philippines is the well-loved tandem from “PBB Otso” FumiYam, composed of the “Konichi-Wonder Vlogger of Japan” Fumiya Sankai and Ultim8 Big Winner Yamyam Gucong, as they rise up to the task of being the MYX Celebrity VJs for the whole month of December.

In addition, the MYX Spotlight will center this month on sister songwriting duo Gibbs—composed of Alyssa (Chi) and Gabriella (Gabs) Gibbs. Their debut single “No Hearts,” a retro-inspired track about self-worth and moving on, was launched last September. Know more about the talented daughters of Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga as they share about their fresh music and strong sisterhood all month long on MYX.

The highly acclaimed all-new MYX Live! ends the year perfectly with a solid lineup that has something for everyone. Spreading the holiday cheer with his signature Christmas songs is the timeless Jose Mari Chan, with a special duet with Julie Anne San Jose, on Sunday (Dec. 8). Bringing in girl power are all-female pop rock band Rouge on Dec. 12, and the 48-member girl group MNL48 on Dec. 19. Finally, rocking the MYX Live! stage on Dec. 26 is one of the premiere Filipino heavy metal bands, Slapshock. Their performances will also be available on MYX’s YouTube channel “All Music MYX” three days prior to airing on TV.

Another show to watch out for this month is the M-Net Asian Music Awards (MAMA) 2019, which was held in Nagoya, Japan. Its replay will air on Dec. 8 (Sunday) starting at 1pm, while the replay with subtitles airs on Dec. 14 and 25 starting at 1pm also. OPM fans on the other hand might want to look forward to “The Best of 1MX Manila” on Dec. 21 (Monday), which features Darren Espanto, IV of Spades, Sandwich, KZ, Yeng Constantino, and more.

Laugh and sing along with FumiYam as they spread good music and good vibes this month! Catch them on Pop MYX until Saturday (Dec. 7), Mellow MYX on Dec. 8 to 14, Pinoy MYX on Dec. 15 to 21 and My MYX on Dec. 22 to 28. Watch MYX on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 12, SKYcable channel 23, and SKYdirect channel 37. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI), the mutual fund arm of Sun Life Canada Philippines, takes on the belief that the Philippines will have a better, stronger, and faster economy in 2020. And Kwento Ni Toto shares that belief, thus, sharing this interesting news from SLAMCI.

"After reviewing the fundamentals, we are confident that the economy is set to significantly improve in the coming year," Sun Life Chief In vestments Officer Michael Enriquez said. "While we can still expect challenges along the way, these should be tolerable and may be balanced by the developments."

Among the factors that are expected to boost the Philippine economy next year are lower prices and accelerated government spending. "While inflation fell to a low of 0.8% in October 2019, we expect prices to slowly inch up as we foresee the year 2020 inflation at 2.4%. This figure is much lower than 2018 inflation of 5.21%," Enriquez said.



Sun Life also expects the government to go full force on capital outlays, with the administration having only two years left in its mandate.

Meanwhile, higher gross domestic product (GDP) may also be expected. According to Enriquez, Sun Life looks forward to a 2019 GDP of 5.8%, and foresees the 2020 GDP getting stronger at 7%. This is due to a combination of base-effects, the recovery of consumer spending, and a stronger government spending "following the lessons it has learned from the budget delay of 2019.


For currency, Enriquez said that a range of Php 50.70 to Php 52.50 to a dollar is possible. "Our year-2019 USD-Php forecast is at 51.00, and 2020 slightly higher at 52.50," he explained.

On the equities front, whike 2019 remains to be a fairly volatile year, Sun Life expects the Philippine Stock Exchange index to end at 8,600 on a best -case scenario. "Our PSEi target for 2020 is at 9,460 with a price-earnings multiple of 18.2 times, while we foresee the earnings to have a growth rate of 10.40%," Enriquez said.

As fir external factors that need to be considered, Enriquez said that the United States may experience a mild but temporary recession in the coming months. With the Federal Reserve on a passive QE (quantitative easing) mode, he says the US Dollar 10-year bobds may re-test the recent low of 1.5%-1.7%.


"Given these possibilities, we highly encourage investors to stay the course," Enriquez said "It is only with along-term vision and a solid commitment to their investing journey that they can benefit from a better and faster Philippine economy in 2020."

So, basically all these are infos given to represent and encourage everyone to save and invest for the future. Giving an opportunity to be mindful of how we save. I like their investment plan of just a Php100 and a selfie. Let us all make our plans and start saving.