The first-ever Drag Race Philippines, from the Emmy-award® winning production company World of Wonder, premieres this August 17, 2022 on HBO GO via SKY featuring the fiercest, most fabulous Filipino drag artists from all over the world.

Watch the drama unfold as 12 Filipino drag queens - Brigiding, Corazon, Eva Le Queen, Gigi Era, Lady Morgana, Marina Summers, Minty Fresh, Precious Paula Nicole, Prince, Turing, Viñas DeLuxe, and Xilhouete show off their fiercest attitudes as they go head to head to compete for the crown.

The competing queens are given different challenges each week where they can showcase their own charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. At the end of each episode, be ready to witness two queens battle it out and lip-sync for their lives. Aside from the breathtaking costumes and powerful performances, Drag Race Philippines will pay homage to the rich Filipino culture adding a fancy twist to iconic Pinoy elements, traditions and festivities.

The local franchise will be hosted by actor, model, and drag artist Paolo Ballesteros. Jervi Li, also known as "Kaladkaren," best known for their impersonations of Kapamilya journalist Karen Davila, and Jiggly Caliente, a fellow Filipina and contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race season 4 and All Stars season 6, will serve as judges.

Drag Race Philippines is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers on the series.

All roads lead to Drag Race Philippines and SKY subscribers can stream or download Drag Race Philippines from August 17, Thursday, on HBO GO through mobile, desktop, smart TV, and via the SKY Evo box.

To subscribe, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo. HBO GO can also be enjoyed by SKYcable subscribers with existing HBO PAK subscription at no additional cost. Follow SKY on Facebook (fb.com/myskyupdates), Twitter (@myskyupdates), and Instagram (@myskyupdates) for further news and promotional updates.

 

With more Filipinos relying on e-commerce to get their essentials, this has also increased the need to protect them due to the growing number of fraudulent activities happening in the digital space. In a Consumer Pulse Survey conducted by TransUnion in February 20221, of the over 1,000 Filipino adults polled, 53% said they were targeted by fraudsters in the previous 3 months. From the same survey, 42% said they were scammed by Phishing, 38% were victimized by money and gift card scams, while 30% were scammed by third-party sellers via online retail shops. While businesses in different industries are continuously upgrading their platforms, fraudsters also search for ways on how they can adapt to the ever-changing landscape and discover new vulnerabilities.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recognizes the need to enhance user protection and security by educating customers on vulnerabilities, and how they can avoid being a victim of fraud. With the recently launched Shopee Cares PH – an online community platform where Shopee provides customer education and support – the goal is to empower consumers with proper know-hows and tips on how they can protect themselves from phishing scams, money and gift card scams, and third party seller scams.

Martin Yu, Shopee Philippines Director, said, “Shopee has always been committed to ensuring that every Filipino’s online shopping experience is safe and reliable, and Shopee Cares is a testament to that. Through this platform, we aim to equip them with knowledge on how to shop safely and combat these online scams together so that they can continuously enjoy shopping online.”

 

ABS-CBN’s modern-day account of the most iconic Pinay superhero has finally seen the light of day as “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” debuted to rave reviews, encouraging support, and high viewership that promises an exciting run for the highly anticipated series top billed by Jane De Leon.

The first episode—which soared to a peak of 296,334 live concurrent viewers via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube—introduced viewers to Jane’s Narda Custodio, her mom Leonor (Iza Calzado), brother Ding (Zaijian Jaranilla), and grandmother Berta (Rio Locsin).

It also provided an explanation as to how Leonor, the first Darna, came to Earth from her planet of origin Marte, and gave viewers a clear image of her capabilities as she fought off an alien being that has invaded their town as Darna.

The guessing game continues. Would you know who is who in this guessing game? If yes, good for you, but better check it again if it's right, but if not, well, you can still continue reading to get more of the clues in our "kwento."

The first 100 days of the present administration are not yet over but it already comes with so much drama and politicking. One of which is this story from a source whisperer, that describes who is this "silid-dito-silid-doon-boss" and his two especially employed personalities in the field of business and politics.

Allegedly, according to the source whisperer, the collector is the one tasked with negotiating for the money to be collected for the so-called "Boss," the Government official. He or she ensures that the collected money will be delivered on time. While the other personality is the depositor who makes deposits to the bank account of the high-ranking official.

The alleged transaction, negotiation, and exchange of messages happened during the month of June and July this year, there were different conversations about the multi-million transaction or "subi" (cut collection) from a project that is supposed for the poor.

 

After making a mark on pop culture as the longest-running action-drama series in the Philippines, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” concluded with an action-packed and emotion-filled finale that glued viewers to see the fate of the iconic hero cop Cardo Dalisay, played by Coco Martin.

The nearly two-hour finale hit a new all-time high record of 536,543 live concurrent views on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and garnered multiple trending topics on Twitter in the Philippines such as #FPJAP7MissionAccomplished, #FPJsAngProbinsyano, Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Cardo, Julia Montes, Lola Flora, Onyok, John Arcilla, Angel Aquino, Agila, and Hipolito.

The episode saw Cardo’s Task Force Agila being given a hero’s burial after they sacrificed their lives to save President Oscar (Rowell Santiago) and finally eliminated terrorist leaders Renato (John Arcilla) and Lucio (Raymond Bagatsing). Cardo was the only one who survived the bloodbath, along with President Oscar, who awarded the police cop with a medal of bravery.

Viewers also turned emotional with the moving tribute to the late Susan Roces, who portrayed Lola Flora, as Cardo grieved with his family by his side. The episode also signified new beginnings - Cardo returned to the province and was reunited with Mara (Julia Montes), while Oscar tied the knot with his first love Aurora (Sharon Cuneta).

 

Today’s generation of viewers will finally witness Darna come alive to manifest her superpowers, bare her humanity and love for family, and empower audiences with her bravery in ABS-CBN Entertainment’s “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” series that is set to premiere on Monday (August 15), 8 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5.

“Ito na po ang pagkakataon namin para ipakita sa buong mundo ang pinaghirapan ng production, lahat ng cast, mapa-staff and directors. Matagal na rin po itong hinintay ng sambayanang Pilipino,” said lead star Jane de Leon who plays Narda Custodio and her superhuman alter-ego Darna.

 

A series of cryptic riddles reveals SB19’s much-anticipated comeback single and upcoming world tour.  

P-pop Kings SB19 announces their return to the music scene with WYAT [Where You At], a disco-pop track that highlights the urgency of disconnection to reconnection of the times. The upcoming release marks SB19’s first new material as a group in a year after launching their 2021 EP, Pagsibol.  

“It’s been a year, the word 'hiatus' may sound negative but we took it from a different perspective. We maximized the opportunity to think more as to what we can improve on, how we can prepare for our comeback,” says SB19 Stell.

SB19 Ken mentions “We are thrilled to be releasing a new song for our fans. Bigger, better. I hope that A'TIN will appreciate at best the work we've done for our upcoming tour.” WYAT drops on all streaming platforms on September 2, 2022, with the official music video to be released on the same day.  

The award-winning and Billboard nominee Philippine Pop phenom is also set to stage their biggest local and international tour to date. WYAT [Where You At] Tour kicks off on September 17, 2022 at Araneta Coliseum, to be followed by a series of shows in Clark, Cebu, Davao and more.  

In the following months, the tour extends globally as SB19 heads to multiple countries - US, UAE, and Singapore to name a few. International A’TIN can expect SB19 to drop by their city starting October 2022.  

“This will be the first time for us to be going out of the country for our own concert,” reveals SB19 Josh. “We’re excited to meet our international fans. If I may put it: we were caterpillars inside cocoons when we were just starting and now, we've turned into butterflies ready to spread our wings!”  

According to SB19 Justin, the five-piece group is very much involved in the creative process behind the upcoming tour, from conceptualization to choreography, from promotion strategy to visual ideation.  

He explains, “When SB19 Pablo told us the meaning of WYAT, the song that he and his brother Josue created, I was able to conceptualize WYAT. From there, our team was able to brainstorm on how to improve my initial concept. We made options and showed the other members of SB19, so they could also give their insights. One idea led to another. We started plotting everything: from teasers to the actual music video, every post, down to the last detail.”  

 

A grand heroic celebration comes viewers' way as the stars of "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" and "Mars Ravelo's Darna" bring exciting performances alongside your ASAP family live this Sunday (August 14) on "ASAP Natin 'To" on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and TV5.

Following its momentous finale, join Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez in an all-star thanksgiving tribute from the cast of ABS-CBN's long-running action primetime series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano," led by Cardo Dalisay himself, Coco Martin, alongside John Arcilla, Lorna Tolentino, Rowell and Raymart Santiago, John Prats, Michael de Mesa, John Estrada, Geoff Eigenmann, Marc Solis, John Medina, Smugglaz, Bassilyo, Sancho delas Alas, Jay Gonzaga, CJ Ramos, Jimboy Martin, MJ Flores, Marvin Yap, Malou Crisologo, Whitney Tyson, Nonong Ballinan, Raymond Bagatsing, Roi Vinzon, and Megastar Sharon Cuneta, with special messages from Bela Padilla, Yam Concepcion, Arjo Atayde, Jhong Hilario, Charo Santos-Concio, and many more.

The FPJ fever continues with a moving tribute to Da King Fernando Poe Jr. and the Queen of Philippine Movies, Susan Roces, from Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Erik Santos, KZ, Angeline Quinto, Jed Madela, and Klarisse de Guzman together with "Ang Probinsyano" stars John Arcilla, Michael de Mesa, and Sharon Cuneta.

Fly high alongside your favorite Pinay heroine as the ASAP stage features a grand welcome to the stars of "Mars Ravelo's Darna," featuring an empowering musical treat from New Gen Birit Idols Sheena Belarmino, Fana, Elha Nympha, Lara Maigue, and Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez; followed by a fierce vocal act from Valentina herself, Janella Salvador, and a heroic performance from the newest Darna, Jane de Leon.

Keep on soaring with an explosive P-Pop treat from BGYO, performing Darna's latest theme song, "Patuloy Lang ang Lipad," with special appearances from Jane, Janella, Joshua Garcia, Zaijian Jaranilla, Paolo Gumabao, Simon Ibarra, Richard Quan, Eric Fructuoso, Dawn Chang, Levi Ignacio, Young JV, Jeffrey Santos, Mark Manicad, LA Santos, Zeppi Borromeo, Joj Agpangan, Viveika Rabanes, Marvin Yap, Gerard Acao, Yogo Singh, and Rio Locsin.

Celebrate the courageous Pinoy spirit with a stacked all-star treat from Francine Diaz, Anji Salvacion, Chie Filomeno, Krystal Brimner, Jin Macapagal, Jeremy G, and the whole "ASAP Natin 'To" family with Urban Crew, Black Ops, Manoeuvres Ignite, Risen, and MNL48.

And cap off the heroic celebration with an inspirational sing-off from Gary V., Zsa Zsa, Angeline, Erik, Ogie, and Regine, together with Darren, KZ, Klarisse, Nyoy Volante, and Jason Dy.

It's an all-star Kapamilya party you surely would not want to miss from the longest-running musical variety show in the country, "ASAP Natin 'To" live this Sunday, 12 NN, on local TV via Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and TV5, online through Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC, and worldwide via TFC.

Viewers who use any digital TV box at home, such as the TVplus box, only need to rescan their device to watch "ASAP Natin 'To" on TV5 and A2Z.

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

 

Beaches have such an amazing effect on people, leaving us excited to play in the sun and surf or lay down and soak in the rays on the warm white sand. Although the West coast has its popular beach towns: what about the south?

These are three southern cities with iconic beach culture, and why so many people are excited to vacation there! 

 

The newest Darna flies this August 15. But before it takes massive attention from its fans, let us try to check some details of the characters and figure out what is interestingly new in this latest Darna series.

Darna is an iconic heroine character among Filipinos. I think there's no Filipino who doesn't know Darna, probably except those who live in the mountain or chose to live a monk-like life or a sage or the ones who do not have any access to any media materials. Pinoy kids love this character, a good representation of woman empowerment.

From the conception of the character since its first appearance on screen in the 1950s, Darna has undergone many changes. This has made the icon, the idol of every kid in every generation.

Let us check what costume made the Darna character iconic.

 

Online transactions are now more rewarding as ShopeePay gives you more reasons to send money, buy load, and shop online! From August 6 to 8, ShopeePay is hosting three days of giveaway with over ₱2M in prizes. Users can further rejoice as exciting prizes and rewards are up for grabs at the 8.8 ShopeePay Festival!

If you’re not yet a ShopeePay user, now’s the perfect time to set up your own account and join the celebration. Here’s what you need to do using Shopee’s mobile wallet to win big this August:

1. Send money for free and you could win up to ₱1 million
It’s not every day that you get a chance to turn your ₱50 into ₱1 million. ShopeePay is giving away prizes to two raffle winners a day from August 6 to 8, with cash prizes increasing up to ₱1 million each day until 8.8. To qualify, simply send at least ₱50 to any ShopeePay user during the duration of the promo.

To join, follow these steps:

1. Activate and verify your ShopeePay account.
2. From August 6 to 8, send at least ₱50 to any ShopeePay user.
3. Play the lucky draw after sending money to qualify for the raffle draw.
4. Winners will be announced on social media so make sure to follow ShopeePay’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Just think of how much you can do with ₱1 million pesos: travel fund, tuition fee, household expenses, or perhaps a new car—all it takes is a few taps on your phone and you’re one step closer to being a millionaire. The best thing is that it takes less than a minute to send money with ShopeePay. Plus, there’s no hidden fees!

2. Tune in to your TV for a chance to win up to ₱100,000
Spending your days at home while lounging in front of TV isn’t so bad when you’re off to win cash prizes. Sounds exciting? You can be among the lucky winners of ₱100,000 via ShopeePay when you join the Shopee Shake segments at your favorite programs: It’s Showtime on August 6 and 8, All Out Sundays on August 7, and 24 Oras on August 8. Shopee Shake is one of the app’s popular features that allows you to win prizes as you shake your mobile phone.

Set your alarms and catch some of the country’s popular personalities, Iya Villania, Gabbi Garcia, Andre Paras, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, and more, as they hype up the 8.8 ShopeePay Festival. Watch out for the Shopee Shake segment and, when prompted by the TV hosts, log in to your Shopee app, click the blue Shopee Prizes icon on the homepage, and start doing the Shopee Shake to win.

3. Verify your ShopeePay to get free ₱500 and receive exclusive deals
Getting rewards doesn’t get any easier than this. On August 8, receive free ₱500 when you register on the app, verify your ShopeePay account, and send money for the first time. As a verified user, you’ll also gain access to more rewarding perks when you do your transactions. This 8.8, you can get ShopeePay’s 1GB for ₱1 data offer, available for all major networks. Don’t miss deals on Shopee and keep up with the latest trends in fashion, beauty, tech, home & living, and more when you check out with free shipping discounts exclusive to ShopeePay users.

Don’t miss these exclusive promos and have a safe and enjoyable online experience this 8.8 ShopeePay Festival. Reach out to Shopee Cares PH for the best customer care on all things Shopee. Follow @ShopeeCaresPH on Twitter and Facebook, where you and the rest of the Shopee Fam can find answers to your concerns and get the support you need.

 

Our go-to hub got something for the tech geeks!

SM Supermalls is celebrating tech and innovation this August at the #SMCyberMonth2022. It’s going to be an #AweSM, action-packed month at SM with these activities and offerings that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

 

We’ve all been there–raring to eat healthy but falter when we do our grocery runs. With the sea of available food choices, navigating through the aisles can be a dizzying chore. Here are a few tips to help you skip the stress and fill your cart with healthier food choices!

Lemons pack a punch
Looking to level up your cooking? Lemons help you lose weight and boost your immune system–one lemon alone contains half your daily dose of vitamin C. Squeeze them on top of your favorite dish to add extra zest, or dunk a few slices in a jar for a refreshing glass of lemon-infused water.

Honey never spoils
Honey lasts forever. Its low moisture content keeps bacteria from surviving and it’s acidic enough to ward off most bacteria. It is also rich in antioxidants and is good for your blood sugar levels. Try replacing sugar with honey in your coffee, tea, and morning bowl of oatmeal.

“Low fat” means “added sugar”
When striving to live a healthier lifestyle, it’s natural to gravitate towards labels that say ‘low fat’ or ‘light.’ However, you might want to think twice. It usually means the food contains added sugar which can actually make you gain weight. Sugar, not fat, is your diet's main enemy. Try to opt for food with low sugar content instead of low fat.

"Organic" does not always mean healthy
In recent years, 'organic' and 'gluten-free' have become diet buzzwords. However, just because something is promoted as such doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Truth is, organic sugar is still sugar, and gluten-free junk food is still junk food. Make it a habit to read nutrition fact labels to help you pick your food wisely.

Not all chocolate is bad for you
Here’s a bit of good news: you don’t have to give up chocolate to lead a healthy lifestyle. Dark chocolate is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and can help lower your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. When you’re craving something sweet, reach for a bar of dark chocolate. It's actually good for you. Hooray!

Start your healthy journey with AIA Vitality

The journey to eating better can be overwhelming but AIA Vitality is here to make it easier!

AIA Vitality is AIA Philippines’ wellness program that rewards you for knowing and improving your health, and comes bundled with various AIA products.

Members earn points with each health task they accomplish. The healthier you get, the more points you earn and the higher your AIA Vitality status becomes, the bigger your rewards.

Simply log in your results in the app as you accomplish certain health goals to earn exciting discounts from health and wellness partners such as special rates on medical services, fitness apparel and devices, and more. You can even earn insurance benefits of up to 50% additional coverage, 20% premium discount or 100% loyalty boost on your AIA policy!

Click here for more information about AIA Vitality and the Total Health Solution offered by AIA Philippines, or here to visit the AIA Philippines Facebook page, email customerservice.ph@aia.com or call (02) 8528-2000 to know more.

 

When one begins to start earning their own money, one of the most daunting tasks is learning how to manage it. Senior Financial Advisor, Certified Associate Financial Planner, and content creator Antonette Aquino shares tips on how to build good financial habits for yourself as early as your first job, or if you’ve been working several years and want to improve on your money management:

• 1.Prioritize spending on needs and avoid splurging on things that will not bring you value in the future. Aquino also says that we can treat ourselves once in a while to enjoy the fruits of our hard work…for as long as it doesn’t jeopardize our future.

• 2.Pay yourself first. Before paying for bills, commit to setting a percentage of your income to savings and investments. This includes putting money into your investment accounts and buying insurance. Make sure to do this consistently!

• 3.Use the bucketing method to separate your finances. For people who are still trying to get the hang of saving, Aquino recommends trying out the bucketing method which allows you to have a clearer view of your spending and saving habits when all your funds are separated. Instead of having all of your money in one savings account, It is best to have four kinds of accounts:

• a.Operating Fund - Allocate money for recurring expenses such as quarterly, monthly, or annual bills in this account.
• b.Emergency Fund – Allocate 20% of your income to this account for unforeseen expenses such as a medical emergency or a job loss.
• c.Financial Freedom Fund – This account is for the achievement of life goals and dreams, which include retiring early or going back to school.
• d.Happy Account – This account is for all of your leisurely expenses like travel.

• 4.When you earn more, don’t immediately upgrade your lifestyle. If you continuously level up your belongings and lifestyle every time you earn more money, you will never be able to hit your targets. Remind yourself to live below your means until you’ve begun to hit them.

• 5.The longer you put off investing, the harder you’ll need to work to get to the same level of financial freedom as someone who starts investing earlier. If you start saving and investing as soon as you start earning, you will reap the benefits of financial freedom sooner rather than later.

• 6.The importance of saving money is simple: It allows you to enjoy greater security in your life. If you have cash set aside for emergencies, you have a fallback should something unexpected happen. Once you’re in the habit of saving, you’ll forget there was ever a time when you didn’t save. In this area of life, the habits you build will make all the difference.

Start your financial journey with GSave
For those who want to begin their journey to financial stability, look no further. GSave, the first-ever savings account which you can open and maintain on your GCash app, has now built the GSave Marketplace — helping you control your money conveniently through safe and secure digital banking.

The GSave Marketplace lets users select a bank partner depending on their needs. Whether it’s interest rate or account accessibility, GCash provides trusted bank partners for you, including CIMB Bank and BPI.

With CIMB Bank, your money can grow at 2.6% interest per year - one of the highest rates in the country.. Meanwhile, with BPI, users can now open a BPI MySaveUp account through the GCash App, allowing them to easily view their balance, deposit and withdraw at their own convenience. BPI account holders will also be issued an ATM card for their account, so they can access their funds via BPI branches and ATMs nationwide.

Following through with its promise to provide a hassle-free experience to its customers, all you have to do to start your banking journey with GSave is a valid ID to verify your GCash account. Through GSave Marketplace, users can rely on and easily access where users can choose from a variety of saving products.

Get started on your savings today with GSave!

To know more about the service, visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/sections/360004696233-GSave