Kwento Ni Toto

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Shopee announces biggest brands sale of the year with the 10.10 Brands Festival

Toto 11:09:00 PM

The 10.10 Brands Festival is the second in Shopee’s series of year-end shopping events, giving Filipinos more exciting deals to look forward to and get a head start on their holiday shopping. Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines enthused, “The 10.10 Brands Festival continues to enliven the promise of offering mas mura prices to Filipino shoppers. We have worked closely with our partner brands in bringing the best of brand deals to create a more meaningful year-end shopping experience.”

Toni Gonzaga joins the Shopee Fam as newest brand ambassador

To drum up anticipation for its 10.10 sale, Shopee welcomes Toni Gonzaga as their newest brand ambassador. Dubbed the Ultimate Multimedia Star, shoppers can look forward to watching the talented performer belt out the “Mas Mura sa Shopee” jingle as she stars in Shopee’s latest TV commercial. Fans will also be treated to entertaining content when they visit the app and Shopee’s official accounts on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Exciting, mas mura brand deals from October 1 to 12

The 10.10 festivities begin as early as October 1, with a wide assortment of official brand stores on Shopee offering exciting discounts for shoppers. The sale kicks off with back-to-back Super Brand Days from October 2 to 9, where users can enjoy up to 50% off on products from leading brands in fashion, electronics, beauty, and home & family essentials.

Unbeatable offers from top brands also await early-bird shoppers with the Big Midnight Sale from 12 midnight to 2 AM on October 10. Users can get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping with limited deals on bestselling wearable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and OPPO Band B1, as well as trendy fashion and lifestyle items such as the Crocs Crocband™ Flip and Insulated Water Bottle from the widely popular brand Aquaflask.

Shoppers can also expect more exciting deals from other leading brands including: Tiny Buds, realme, Platinum Karaoke, INSPI, Johnson & Johnson, Huggies Philippines, Uni-Care, Cetaphil, Garnier, Unilever, Enfagrow, Nestlé, Lovito, SACE LADY, adidas, Infinix, GameXtreme, TP-Link, Ace Hardware, and Huawei.

The Big Midnight Sale also allows new parents to enjoy big savings with ₱1 deals on these Pampers Baby Dry Taped Diapers. Meanwhile, beauty lovers can score fan favorites like the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick and this Issy & Co. Brow Refiner, both at 50% off.

Download the Shopee app and discover mas mura deals from leading brands at the 10.10 Brands Festival. Head on to Shopee’s 10.10 page to know more about the latest promos or share your memorable 10.10 moments with the hashtag #ShopeePH1010BrandsFestival.

updates

The old meets new in latest GMA historical portal fantasy series ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’

Toto 11:05:00 PM

Something to make our viewing habit a little out of the ordinary. GMA Network proudly presents the next important television milestone that will make history and love for the country a fun learning experience via “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”

From the creators of Encantadia, Amaya, Sahaya and Legal Wives, GMA Entertainment Group once again sets the bar high for world-class entertainment and innovative concepts as it brings to Filipino homes the newest historical portal fantasy series airing weeknights on GMA Telebabad.

The much-anticipated series is top-billed by 2016 Fantasporto International Best Actress and Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza as Klay, Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose as Maria Clara, and Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo as Ibarra.

Dennis shares his long preparation for the crucial and iconic character of Ibarra, “Dapat tama lahat ng salitang bibigkasin mo, ‘yung kilos, pag-arte at pananamit. Maraming dapat isipin para maging authentic ang mga eksena at paniwalaan na nangyari talaga siya noong unang panahon. Importante na basahing maigi ang script para makita ang dynamics ng eksena kapag nag-meet na ang past at present.”

Barbie recalls the moment when GMA offered her the role of Klay, “Tuwang-tuwa ako, nung una hindi pa ko naniwala agad kasi napakalaking project niya. Mas lalo akong bumilib sa GMA dahil kahit dumaan ang pandemya, hindi sila tumigil na tumalakay sa importanteng issues ng bansa at balikan ang kasaysayan natin. Metikulosong binusisi ang programang ito and I’m very thankful to be part of it.”

Julie Anne, on the other hand, reiterates the most exciting part of her role and how it inspires her in real life, “Si Maria Clara kasi napaka-iconic niya eh. We all know her as a symbol of hope, purity and sacrifice. Ine-embody niya 'yung isang babae na may pinaglalaban sa buhay and pinaglalaban niya 'yung mga karapatan niya.”

Playing equally important roles in the series are Mr. Tirso Cruz III as Padre Damaso, a Franciscan friar who has deep-seated resentment against Ibarra; Ms. Manilyn Reynes as Narsing, the softhearted and loving mother of Klay; Rocco Nacino as Elias, a fugitive who will become Ibarra’s devoted supporter; David Licauco as Fidel, a playboy businessman and Ibarra’s friend; Juancho Trivino as Padre Salvi, a cunning and ruthless friar who has secret desire for Maria Clara; Mr. Juan Rodrigo as Kapitan Tiago, the influential gobernadorcillo and a friend of the friars; Ms. Ces Quesada as Tiya Isabel, the cousin of Kapitan Tiago who raised Maria Clara as her own child; Mr. Dennis Padilla as Mang Adong, a loyal servant of Ibarra; Mr. Lou Veloso as Mr. Jose Torres, the professor of Klay in Rizal studies and the reason behind her time travel; Ms. Gilleth Sandico as Donya Victorina, a pretentious Filipina who tries to look and speak like a mestiza; Karenina Haniel as Victoria, the close friend of Maria Clara.

Completing the powerhouse cast is the special participation of Andrea Torres as Sisa, the affectionate mother of Crispin and Basilio who loses her mind while searching for her sons.

‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ follows the story of Klay, a Gen Z nursing student who aims to work and bring her family abroad. She is almost graduating soon, but not until she failed a minor subject—the Rizal Studies. Klay believes that this subject is irrelevant to her life and future career.

Mr. Jose Torres, Klay’s professor, gave her another chance to pass Rizal Studies and he lent her a book of Noli Me Tangere. Klay had not even read several pages of the novel when she got bored and fell asleep.

The mystery begins when Klay wakes up in the world of Noli Me Tangere! Much to her surprise, Klay finds Mr. Torres in the alternate timeline. Klay was told that she can only return to the present once she finishes the book and learns all the lessons from the novel of Dr. Jose Rizal.

As she navigates the real world of Noli Me Tangere, Klay meets Maria Clara, Crisostomo Ibarra, the curates, the ilustrados, and the indios. This will open her eyes from the realities and sufferings of ancient Filipinos during the Spanish colonization.

Amid her historical adventure, Klay forms a bond with Maria Clara and discovers the differences and similarities of a Filipina, then and now. She also witnesses the love story of Maria Clara and Ibarra. Will Klay become the bridge to strengthen their existing relationship or will she develop feelings for him instead? As Klay gets attached to the world of Noli Me Tangere, will it create chaos or clarity in her life? Can someone change history and will it bring Klay back to her real life?

The show’s Creative Consultant, Suzette Doctolero, shares the extensive research they have been doing to ensure the quality of this complex story that tackles history, “Required ang buong creative team na magbasa hindi lang ng Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo kundi pati ng iba pang libro tungkol sa Philippine history. Mahalaga rin na mismong mga writers, may stand sa mga importanteng usapin sa kasaysayan.”

Esteemed Director Zig Dulay also reveals their efforts to keep the accuracy and credibility of Rizal’s novels by hiring consultants for the show, “May historians at consultants kami. Meron din kaming kinuhang language coach ng Spanish. For sure ang audience, hindi lang sila ma-e-entertain kundi matututo rin at magkakaroon ng actions sa iba’t ibang issue. Bukod pa sa kwento ng pag-iibigan, tungkol din ito sa pag-ibig sa bayan. ”

This series is made possible under the supervision of GMA SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; AVP for Drama Helen Rose Sese; Program Manager Edlyn Tallada; and Executive Producer Shielyn Atienza.

The creative team behind this groundbreaking drama is composed of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee; Historical Consultants Ramon Guillermo and Gonzalo Campoamor; Head Writer J-Mee Katanyag; Writers Brylle Tabora and Benson Logronio; and Brainstormers Zita Garganera and Melchor Escarcha.

Let’s all remember the past with a twist and catch the world premiere of Maria Clara at Ibarra this October 3 at 8PM, weeknights, on GMA and at 9:40PM, Mondays to Fridays, on GTV.

Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.

Prage Management Corporation

Abante Teletabloid moves forward, pilots newscast, public service programs

Toto 10:26:00 AM

In a bid to continuously inform the public in a changing media landscape, Abante Teletabloid, a digital evolution of the Philippines’ leading tabloid, is once more setting the stage for print media by launching its morning newscast and public service programs on its online platforms come Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

The two programs are the first in a series of shows Abante is offering as it beefs up its digital programming content and bats for global reach.

The morning newscast, called Abante Teletabloid, is the country’s pioneer tabloid newscast.

It is a one-hour broadcast from Mondays thru Fridays, 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., livestreamed on Abante’s website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok accounts.

Anchored by multimedia icon Mr. Fu, whose equally unique persona is expected to complement the show’s unconventional format, Abante Teletabloid will feature the latest news from around-the-nation and overseas, including political, provincial, business and sports happenings, as well as crimes, entertainment and other human interest stories.

The newscast is followed by Abante’s public service program called i-Abante Mo!, also a one-hour show from Mondays thru Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Sol Aragones and Jigo Postolero, i-Abante Mo! seeks to address recurring concerns such as petty crimes, traffic woes, physical and sexual abuses, local conflicts and modes of operation of crime syndicates.

It will also tackle national issues such as corruption, security threats and health problems in a determined effort to speed up their resolution.

The launching of Abante’s two digital shows coincides with the fifth anniversary of the long-running tabloid under its new owner, Prage Management Corporation (PMC).

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Jr.

AQ Prime Wins Big With New Face and Endorser Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Toto 11:08:00 PM

AQ Prime wins big this year for the launch of its application and for scoring one of the biggest names in the boxing industry, the undefeated boxing icon Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr.! It's a season of good hope, faith, and the emergence of the right one.

Last Thursday, September 29 at the Okada Manila Resort Casino in Paranaque City, the Philippines’ state-of-the-art entertainment streaming application introduced boxing’s pound-for-pound king as their newest brand ambassador.

AQ Prime is a streaming company that offers original and legacy Filipino movies. Founded and managed by its President and CEO, Atty. Aldwin Alegre and COO, Atty. Honey Quiño together with their Creative Business Partner, RS Francisco, the streaming platform aims to promote and uplift the local film industry. In addition to movies and shows, a subscription gives customers access to pay-per-view live sporting events, concerts, award shows, festivals, rent-to-view adult movies, and Filipino independent films.

Like Floyd's numerous wins under his belt, the newly launched AQ Prime Stream bolsters its repository of countless films and series across the globe.

“As online consumption continues to grow, A&Q Entertainment has decided to dive into digital media. This is why we launched AQ Prime Stream” AQ Prime COO, Atty. Honey Quiño said in a statement.

“This groundbreaking move of introducing Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as our newest ambassador is our way of further establishing our brand. We want to offer only the best!” Atty. Quiño added.

v Mayweather was delighted to be part of the growing A&Q Entertainment family. During the AQ Prime x Floyd Mayweather press conference, the 45-year-old boxer said that he believes that entertainment is more valuable in this time and age.

“I love to entertain and I love to be entertained. If you want to be entertained anywhere around the world, this new platform is unreal. I spoke about it, downloaded it and I love it! I'm sure that if you download it you're going to love it also!” Mayweather disclosed as he shared his newfound love for the streaming app.

AQ Prime also announced that a docuseries on Mayweather's life, which is set for release in 2023 wi
ll be available in their streaming application. AQ Prime's Atty. Quiño was certain that the heartwarming and motivational story of Mayweather. Jr. will encourage the Filipino people to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.

“His life story will not only entertain people but will also inspire people to be like him.”

AQ Prime is now available on Apple and Android devices, including smartphones and smart TVs. Download and subscribe to AQ Prime Stream for as low as P100 for 3 months through Google Play Store, Huawei App Gallery, and Apple App Store.

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

updates

UNDRR, SM Prime laud women leaders in disaster resilience

Toto 11:43:00 PM

SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) recently announced its support for the global search for women leaders in disaster resilience.

For the second consecutive year, SMPHI is sponsoring Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said that the support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction. “This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience.”

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, policies, plans and programs in their regions. Their stories reflect the diversity of solutions required to meet the converging challenges of accelerating climate change and disasters in the region.”

“We look forward to continued collaboration with SM in our DRR agenda,” Secretary General Mizutori added.

The WIN DRR Excellence Awards 2022 sponsored by SM Prime has 15 finalists shortlisted from 420 nominations received from across 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane on 21 September 2022. US$10,000 will be awarded to an individual woman who has achieved exceptional professional success in DRR.

The WIN DRR partnership is consistent with SM Prime Holdings’ social commitment towards women empowerment, resilience, good health and well-being of women. The company’s corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports programs that advance these causes.

The Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) is a professional network to support women working in disaster risk reduction, in all their diversity. Its overall goal is to empower women to attain leadership and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The WIN DRR Philippine Network is powered by SM Prime and Asia Pacific College.

Earlier this year, SM Prime through its SM CARES, partnered with UNDRR in celebrating women empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized “women’s equal participation and leadership in public life including disaster risk reduction is important and it is also essential to reducing disaster risk in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.”

Monday, September 26, 2022

updates

The Joy begins with SM Supermalls 100 Days of Happiness

Toto 9:44:00 PM

This is probably the annual thing that almost everyone is waiting for, the kickstart of the Christmas countdown in SM Supermalls. This year, the Christmas countdown is quite different as SM Supermalls began its 100 Days of Happiness last September 16, where they aim to create a circle of happiness with 76 participating malls, shoppers, the marginalized communities of women, persons deprived of liberty, artisans, cause-oriented organizations, and select local government units.

"We want to create a circle of happiness in all our SM malls by featuring products of cause-oriented programs which we will offer to our shoppers who, in turn, give them to friends and family, and ultimately, benefit the communities that created these products," said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan.

Through the campaign, SM Supermalls encourages Filipinos to support the advocacies of individuals and organizations that provide opportunities and create livelihood for their communities. For this year, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, UNICEF, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative, among others.

The launch event held at SM North EDSA The Block was attended by SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and select councilors of the city; Spark PH Founder Mica Teves; GSP President Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson; designer Zarah Juan; and Brownies Unlimited Marketing head Dustin Ngo.

Equipping young girls to lead and build the future, one box of brownies at a time For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM Megamall, along with 9 other SM malls, is collaborating with Brownies Unlimited and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. For every purchase of a special GSP-themed box of brownies in-mall and via the SM Malls Online App, one girl will be sponsored with a GSP membership for a year.

"We have a lot of young girls across the country and they've had such difficult times during the pandemic. Our membership dropped significantly. By buying a box, you can sponsor a girl for one year and she can learn so many things like being independent, loving her country more, and helping her community," said GSP President Nina Lim-Yuson.

Recently, SM Supermalls helped the GSP vaccinate all its 70,000 members nationwide. By providing them with convenient and safe COVID-19 vaccines, SM Supermalls was able to ensure that the GSP members have access to quality healthcare services.

SM shoppers can purchase a box of brownies from 46 Brownies Unlimited branches nationwide and the SM Malls Online App.

Giving marginalized women and persons deprived of liberty hope for the future Apart from the GSP partnership, SM Supermalls also partnered with the local government of Quezon City for its Vote to Tote program, Spark PH, and bag designer Zarah Juan to sell upcycled tarpaulin handmade tote bags sewn by marginalized women and female persons deprived of liberty.

"Christmas is all about giving. We are very happy that this year, the communities of Quezon City are included as beneficiaries in this program. And apart from helping the women in our communities, we are also able to help the environment by upcycling 70 tons of election tarpaulins that we've collected." said Mayor Belmonte.

Juan, the designer, was the brainchild of the upcycling initiative. "During the elections, there were tons of election campaign wastes. I wanted to do something and I thought I have my platform– my designs. If my designs can actually solve this problem, then it's worthwhile. Then I pitched the idea to Maica Teves, the founder of Spark PH. From there, we gathered all the help we can– from the Quezon City LGU who will help us collect tarpaulins, the women communities that can help us create, and SM Supermalls who can provide us the platform to distribute."

A Happiness Walk was done to showcase the upcycled tote bags that shoppers can buy in SM malls. Joining the Happiness Walk were men and women of substance including select Girl Scouts members, Jeremy Lapena and Bernce Sevilla of the Downs Syndrome Association of the Phils, Mylene Abiva of WomenBiz, media celebrities Ces Oreña Drilon, and Gina Pareño among others.

The proceeds of the upcycled tote bags will be given to the women PDLs in Camp Karingal, and the marginalized women of Barangays Sto. Cristo, Greater Lagro, and Pinyahan in Quezon City. The tote bags will be sold in the following SM malls:
●SM Aura Premier
●SM Southmall
●SM City Fairview
●SM City North EDSA
●SM Megamall

Helping a community of artists And in the south of Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia family will be partnering with the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists in selling painted Christmas cards to the shoppers.

"All these and more will start to unfold in the coming days as we continue spreading happiness across all SM malls around the country. Let us not waste our next 100 days and use it to make one another happy by giving. Today, let the countdown begin to a hundred days of happiness!” Tan closed.

This is the second time SM Supermalls has started a holiday countdown campaign. In 2021, the biggest mall network in the Philippines showed the world more than a hundred ways of giving through 100 Days of Caring. Underserved communities surrounding the 76 SM malls were provided with their urgent needs through in-kind and monetary donations by the malls, its various business units, and the employees.