Wednesday, November 30, 2022

It’s Time to Enjoy a Happy Christmas at SM Supermalls!

9:03:00 AM

 

Exciting and enticing! For someone who's a frequent visitor of its establishments, we do look forward to enjoying a happy and fun visit at SM Supermalls. It seems that its yearly extravagance are always expected. So, SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter.


Ode to outer space: An out-of-this-world celebration starts at SM Megamall
SM officially ushered the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall on October 20.

The mall’s mega Christmas Tree decked in stars and lights was lit, signaling the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. And starting October 20 until December, SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively.

If you missed the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still more ways to celebrate the joys of the holidays. SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones! Check out the details below:

More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!
Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.

Santa-approved Christmas Playpark
Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.

Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays
Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best.

Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights
SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM
Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations
SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love
Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.

Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village
SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.

Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs
Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, 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, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.


 
“This Christmas, we are sending a message of happiness to every Filipino. With every activity we have for them, we hope to inspire everyone to spread sparks of happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

A new light of experiences will bring happiness and kindness to every Filipino as SM Supermalls create more magical memories and opportunities to touch other people’s lives this holiday season. Check out www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts to stay updated on the various holiday happenings.

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Mystery Box Raffle Countdown

10:26:00 PM



As our way of saying thank you for the years of reading, watching, and following Kwento Ni Toto, we're having a small mystery box raffle. Like our teaser show, we have three (3) boxes to be raffled off, and it will be until the year ends. Prizes are small but let us have fun and do the activities.

During the whole duration of the Mystery Box Raffle, we will post instructions on what to do to join the raffle. So better watch out and find out where we'll post the instructions for each box. Whether on our blog, Youtube channel, or other social media accounts. Just remember to follow Kwento Ni Toto! Always remember the yellow logo with me in it!

So, better subscribe, follow and like and social media accounts @kwentonitoto because we're counting down. Few more days 'till we launch!!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2022

FIVE TITLE CONTENDERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE UPCOMING FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 QATAR

10:58:00 PM

 

This is going to be one action sports to watch. For all sports enthusiasts out there the World Cup fever is upon us, and SKY is bringing all the action from the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar live on SKY Pay-Per-View via WCTV.

With 32 nations worldwide vying for the coveted cup trophy, only one will prevail and take all the glory to their motherland.

Before jumping into the exciting action and drama on the pitch, here are some of the teams that can win it all and to watch out for in the latest edition of the World Cup:

1) The defending champions France

Undoubtedly, France re-enters the World Cup scene as one of the favorites to win it all and go for a rare back-to-back feat in the quadrennial tournament, headlined by 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and next-generation superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The challenge now for France in their hopes for the title is the slew of injuries to their core players, heading in without the key players instrumental to their previous championship run, including N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, and Presnel Kimpembe.

2) The stacked Brazilian squad

Never count out the winningest nation in World Cup history, Brazil. Now hungrier than ever, their squad features an array of world-class players currently in tip-top form.

Arguably one of the best line-ups they've showcased in the grandest stage of the sport, the team comprises all-star names, from vicious attackers up front in Neymar Jr., Vinicius Jr., Richarlison, and Gabriel Jesus; seasoned veterans Thiago Silva, Casemiro, Allison Becker, and Dani Alves; to promising talents Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli.

3) South America winners, Argentina

Argentina, the two-time World Cup-winning nation, continues to be favored to make a deep run in the competition—especially coming in as the Copa America champions and previously beating Euro 2020 victors Italy in their Finalissima match-up.

Still led by one of the greatest to ever grace the sport, Lionel Messi, he has his sights fixed anew on the elusive World Cup to add to his stacked trophy cabinet throughout his illustrious career. Helping him along the way to capture the gold are Angel Di Maria, Lisandro Martinez, Emi Martinez, Paulo Dybala, and Lautaro Martinez.

4) 2018 runners-up Croatia

From doubters to believers, many fans are still astounded by Croatia's historic run in the 2018 World Cup, with odds stacked against their favor to win the coveted gold. But with Luka Modric's string of world-class performances, which won him the tournament's best player distinction and the 2018 Ballon d'Or, Croatia managed to book a ticket to their first-ever finals appearance. Although they ended up short against France, they won the hearts of football fans worldwide for their heroics on the grand stage.

They may enter as one of the tournament's eyed underdogs this year, but the spirits are high for Croatia, headlined by Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, and co., as they continue to convince the world of their capabilities as a unit.

5) World's number two Belgium

With more nations also favored to win the cup, including England, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain, another European heavyweight stands out as a top title contender—the second-world-ranked Belgium squad.

Despite their high FIFA ranking, the concern for the Belgians as of late is their inconsistent form, previously losing two-consecutive times against a resilient Dutch squad during the international break. But with their world-class depth, led by their midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne with goal-seekers Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, plus Europe's top goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, they may turn the odds to win it all.

Which of these squads can make a run for the gold? It's up to the world to find out, as SKYcable subscribers can catch all the action in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 via WCTV, available on SKY Pay-Per-View.

Watch all the games live, plus more special content from November 20 to December 19, with its All Access Pass priced at P1,999. To avail, visit mysky.com.ph/worldcup.

Follow SKY on Facebook (fb.com/myskyupdates), Twitter (@myskyupdates), and Instagram (@myskyupdates) for further news and promotional updates.

Enjoy Merry Moments at Ortigas Malls this November and December!

10:18:00 AM

 

Aside from the usual mall to visit, here's one where you can enjoy your weekends this months of yuletide season.

Be entertained by performers under the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ Company of Artists at the Estancia Christmas Symphony located at the G/F East Wing on November 20 & 27, 2022 and December 11 & 23, 2022 at 6 PM, and catch the Varlez Piano Recital Culminating Activity at the 3/F East Wing on December 18, 2022 at 11 AM.

Meet & Greet with Santa Claus every Sunday starting November 20, 2022 from 3 to 5 PM at the Greenhills G/F VMall, Tiendesitas Level 1, Building B, and Estancia G/F East Wing.

Bring the whole family to enjoy the Fireworks Displays at the Greenhills Connecticut Arcade Roofdeck and Estancia at Capitol Commons on December 3, 10, 17, 25, 2022 and January 1, 2023 at 7 PM, and at Central Ave., Ortigas East on December 10, 17, 25, 2022 and January 1, 2023 at 7 PM.

Visit the Greenhills Mall, Tiendesitas, and Estancia at Capitol Commons Facebook pages for more details!

#EnjoyEveryday #OrtigasMalls

Friday, November 11, 2022

HONOR joins Lazada and Shopee 11.11 Sale!

10:52:00 PM




HONOR, a leading global provider of smart devices, offers best and exclusive deals this coming 11.11 Sale both on Lazada and Shopee.

Honor fans can snag selected Honor products at its retail price and get exclusive deals such as free shipping, free shop voucher, and JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker worth PHP 6,999 for FREE during Lazada’s Biggest Sale and Shopee’s Mega Pamasko Sale!

Check out Honor’s deals from Lazada and Shopee:

Lazada 11.11 Biggest Sale

For every purchase of Honor 70 5G, you will be getting a free JBL 5 Bluetooth Speaker (squash color) worth PHP 6,990 and free shipping voucher. Also, for every purchase of Honor Magic4 Pro, one can avail a FREE HONOR Watch GS3 worth PHP 11,990. With Honor X8, you can get a FREE HONOR Band 6 worth PHP 1,990 and free shipping nationwide.


 

Shopee 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale

Shopee’s 11.11 Mega Pasmasko Sale will surely be a hit once everyone avail HONOR’s exclusive deals and promos!

For every purchase of the #BestVloggingPhone Honor 70 5G, you will be getting a FREE JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker worth PHP 6,999 until supplies last. Meanwhile, you will be snagging a FREE HONOR Band 6 when you avail HONOR X8. For Magic4 Pro, one can receive a FREE HONOR GS3 worth PHP 11,990 until supplies last. An exciting deal also awaits Honor fans once they avail one of the products by getting a free shipping voucher and PHP 300 Shop voucher upon checkout.


 

Filipinos turn to Shopee’s 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale as over 150M deals were up for grabs in the Philippines

9:54:00 PM


 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES NOVEMBER 11, 2022 - With Christmas quickly approaching, Filipinos turned to Shopee for irresistible deals and exciting rewards during this year’s 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale. Local sellers and brands were eager to give shoppers much to look forward to as they offered over 150 million deals on the platform.

Local shopping trends early into the 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale:

● Filipinos jumped at exclusive mas mura deals for their favorite Mobile Gadgets, Home & Living, and Health & Personal essentials just in time for the holiday season.
● In the first two hours, local sellers found success during the highly-anticipated sale with 15x uplift in items sold as compared to a regular day with one local seller completing almost 40,000 orders of face masks.
● Residents from Metro Manila, Cavite, and Bulacan were especially eager to take advantage of the best deals this 11.11.

Filipinos can look forward to even more exciting deals with the best value-for-money all throughout the 11.11 Mega Pamasko sale until November 13. For more details on the sale, visit Shopee’s Mega Pamasko Sale.

Five Adulting Purchases You Can Make Without Breaking the Bank

9:38:00 PM

 


The struggle is real when it comes to adulting. Managing one’s finances is more challenging when you know how hard it is to make money yourself. As you learn how to budget your expenses, treating yourself every once in a while wouldn't hurt.

Considering your commitment to the daily grind, you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are some adulting purchases you can make without going broke:

1.A laptop. While you can Netflix and Chill using your home desktop, it’s more convenient to have your own laptop so you can take your work or lifestyle interests with you wherever you go. You can work while sunbathing at the beach or shop online in the comfort of your bed.

 

2.Smartphone upgrade. If you’ve been using the same smartphone for a few years, you should treat yourself to a new unit. There are plenty of mid-range smartphone options that won’t put a dent in your wallet. They’re packed with excellent features that can make your life more convenient. Plus, you can store more photos, videos, and emails with a smartphone with a huge memory.

 

3.Electric scooter. If your workplace is less than an hour away, you can benefit tremendously from buying an electric scooter. Not only is it good for the environment, but it also makes traveling within the city so much easier. In addition, you get to save a lot because you wouldn’t have to commute or book a car so often.

 

4.A good quality mattress. Your sleep quality affects your energy levels, and where you snooze can impact how well your slumber is. If you’ve been sleeping on the same mattress since you were a teenager, you should consider upgrading to one that can give you great support and ease your back problems. It can even improve your posture over time.

5.A powerful vacuum cleaner. At the end of the day, you’d want to relax, but cleaning up your room or apartment can take so much of your time. You can save a lot of time and energy by investing in a high-powered vacuum cleaner that does the job efficiently for you. This adulting purchase is a total game-changer that’ll make your space look spick and span effortlessly.

These purchases are awesome investment pieces that can make your life so much easier. However, these are items you can’t just buy on a whim. Fortunately, GGives allows GCash users to make these purchases without hurting their wallets.

A convenient way to shop

With GGives, you can buy now and pay later for items worth up to PHP125,000 from GCash-partnered merchants, where you can also enjoy flexible installment payments with low-interest rates.

This installment option allows you to Pay Lighter with payment terms of 3,6,9 to 12 months or through 24 gives over 12 months. This means you can pay for purchases slowly every payday. You can use GGives when you pay for items in your go-to store via Scan to Pay QR code or through your favorite brand's online payment options.

“We understand how tough adulting can be, and with GCash, more Filipinos can make wise investments that can transform their lives,” says GCash Chief Customer Officer Winsley Bangit. “You don’t need to go broke to buy the things you need with GGives and our other lending products.”

Find out your GScore

To know how much you can buy using GGives, you need to verify your GScore. This score reflects your active use of GCash’s products, such as maintaining an active wallet balance, paying your bills, and using GSave, GInvest, and GInsure. Your GScore increases the more you use your GCash account, which allows you to enjoy a bigger amount you can use when paying for your desired purchases using GCash.

To find out what your GScore is, simply tap your profile, tap GScore, and a screen will pop up and display what it is.

For more information on GGives, you can explore this installment option on your GCash app or the official GCash website. GCash is available to all Philippine mobile networks and can be used wherever you are in the world as long as you have a Philippine network sim. Through GGives and GCash, more Filipinos can afford to live the lives they deserve without getting into too much debt.

For inquiries on GCash, visit www.gcash.com.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Yassi Pressman is Ginebra San Miguel's 2023 Calendar Girl

12:14:00 AM

 

Every year most of the Barangay Ginebra fans awaits for the unveiling of its Calendar Girl. From the time it started in 1988, which was then Ginebra Angels, up to this date people has always been expecting and guessing who will be the next Calendar Girl. Now, it seems that picking that specific girl or the one has become a yearly responsibility of Ginebra San Miguel Inc. It may be an inspiration for the masculine men but today it is a source of strength and empowerment for the feminine. 

So, this coming year Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) introduces Filipino-British actress and Queen of the Dance Floor Yassi Pressman as its 2023 Calendar Girl in an event attended by friends from media, social media celebrities, GSMI dealers, and other brand ambassadors.


 
Yassi was surprised and honored when she got a call that she was chosen to be the newest member of the GSMI family. “Being a part of such a great legacy is something that is going to be a milestone in my life,” says Yassi. “It’s really something special to be part of a company that serves world-class quality products, and it means a lot to me that they chose me to be a part of the brand,” she continued.

It was the first time again, after two years, that the event was held face-to-face. “We are excited to finally hold our Ginebra San Miguel 2023 Calendar Girl launch live again! For us, this launch also signals the atmosphere for next year. The pandemic has affected many Filipinos, but now is the time to recover—armed with Bagong Tapang, to dream and hope again, and to spread that positivity to others,” says Marketing Manager Ron Molina.

With the theme “Queen of the Barangay,” the calendar features Yassi as a modern Filipina that is able to adjust to the new normal with positivity and productivity through her “matapang,” “ganado,” and “never-say-die” attitude.

YASSI AS “QUEEN OF THE BARANGAY”

Yassi prepared herself physically and mentally to be the best representation of what an ideal Ginebra calendar girl should be. She admits that prior to her selection, she was always trying to keep herself fit. “Of course, there were times that I also had to give in to my cravings, but at the end of the day, I knew my priority was to be stronger, healthier, and happier.”

Preparing for the calendar shoot, Yassi pushed herself to do weight training, boxing, and having a healthy diet. “My fitness journey helped me become a better version of myself.” As for her mental preparation, she just kept in mind Ginebra’s taglines like “Ganado sa Buhay,” and “Never-Say-Die.”


 
With Yassi’s positivity and optimism in life, her personality shined through the six layouts of the Ginebra San Miguel 2023 calendar. The photo shoot was also done on location after two years, reflecting the relaxed and open atmosphere we anticipate in the coming year.

The six layouts are inspired by different cocktail mixes. The first one is “Ginsu Mix” set in an auto repair shop, reminding the importance of hard work and passion in everything we do. The second layout is “Calamansi Surprise,” showing Yassi amidst greenery and nature.

“Kula-Orange Fizz” is the third layout, featuring a background filled with dried pampas grass with wooden trays where one can display spirits and mix cocktails. According to Yassi, she could relate to this design as she had her dream home renovated recently, which now features a lot of touches of brown wood furniture and neutral shades. “I also have a mini bar in my living room–an open space to bond with my family and friends.”

 

The fourth layout is the “Velocity Mix,” something that seems like it’s from a blockbuster summer movie complete with a ref full of Ginebra products. While “Sky Prisma” is the fifth layout, also in a beach setting, but this time with a picturesque sunset in the background. Last is the “Mango Daiquiri,” where Yassi is magnified by a bonfire by the beach, the best place to experience Ginebra’s creative cocktails and concoctions. Just don't forget your coolers and ice boxes for that perfect night!

Personally, it was hard for Yassi to choose a favorite among the six calendar layouts, but she has a bias toward the “Velocity Mix.” “It’s because I always enjoy beach time with family and friends–a ‘ginstronomic’ trip with our favorite food and gin. The drink also has candies and gummies–the perfect combo for me, as it is sweetness with a kick!”

YASSI ON BEING A MODERN FILIPINA

During the pandemic, the actress and entrepreneur has gained new discoveries about herself–a new purpose, pride, and passion that resonates not only with her family but the whole barangay.

As an empowered Filipina woman, Yassi owns multiple businesses, knows how to tend to her organic garden, fixes things at home, and concocts rejuvenating drinks for herself and her family—all while fulfilling her commitments in the entertainment industry.


 
With her self-discovery, Yassi also realized to be kinder to herself and has become the “matapang” woman she is by refusing to let difficult circumstances pull her down. “When I was younger, my father always advised me to keep trying because, as he said—if you try and try and you succeed, you’re going to be happy, but if you try and try and you fail, I’ll be there to catch you,” says Yassi. Her family, the source of her “tapang,” made her fearless in the face of whatever trials or tribulations she may face.

Despite her personal struggles, Yassi continues to hone the talents that she already has and allows her inner beauty to radiate, too, in order to inspire others. According to her, she shows her most natural self online and sometimes even reveals some not-so-glamorous side of a celebrity because she believes that it would be healthy for people, especially the youth, to see that genuine side of her.

“I am open to everybody [on social media] about my battles and journey toward being healthier and stronger,” says the 2023 Ginebra calendar girl. “Whenever I get messages from little girls or any netizen saying that I inspire them to dance, act, and to keep moving forward, it gives me the ‘ganado’ feeling and hope and aspiration to empower more women!”



If there are things that the pandemic or the recent months have made women realize, it’s that they can accomplish things that are not expected from them and deliver more than the ordinary. “I think Ginebra San Miguel chose me because I embody courage, passion, and its never-say-die spirit. Growing up in showbusiness, you'd experience a lot of rejections and comments from people, and while we know we should just brush them off—especially the non-constructive criticisms—they sometimes get to you,” adds Yassi.

But amid all these rejections and disappointments in the past, Yassi just soldiered on, keeping a “never say die” attitude. Eventually, she became unstoppable, brimming with positivity and personality, allowing her to rise above the crowd.

As “Queen of the Barangay,” Yassi and her friends know how to have a good time—with good music and drinks, as seen on her social media posts. “We love theme parties; the last one we did was about sunflowers. We also did disco and Coachella.” 



The new brand ambassador also shared that her favorite gin drink is the GSM Blue Mojito because of its light taste and her friends can easily enjoy the drink by just simply putting ice or adding any fruits like pineapple for a fruity flavor. As GSM’s newest brand ambassador, Yassi hopes to spread positivity and continue to inspire and empower women and the youth—sharing the “ganado” spirit with her 28 million followers on social media.

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), and Chie Filomeno (2022).


 
GSMI is the producer of Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin, according to the leading global drinks journal Drinks International. 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.

For more details, log on to www.ginebrasanmiguel.com or visit the official Ginebra San Miguel Facebook page www.facebook.com/BarangayGinebra.

Monday, November 7, 2022

With 5G and 4L, Will A Driverless Port Far Away?

2:44:00 PM

 


During Christmas season, dispatching different goods and commodities from all over the world on time for a port is always important. At the end of last year, port congestion caused severe disruptions in global supply chains, and most stores were out of stock during the Black Friday and Christmas, the peak selling season. To experience less dilemma like this, the innovation case from Tianjin Port might help.

Tianjin Port is one of the world’s largest ports. It has a 300000-ton-class wharf with a channel depth of -22 meters. It has 192 berths of various types and 128 berths above the 10,000-ton-class.

By the end of 2021, the port’s cargo throughput reached 435 million tons, ranking ninth in the world, while the container throughput exceeded 18.35 million TEUs, ranking the eighth port in the world. The cost of manual operations at this scale is exuberant, both in terms of money and efficiency.

A typical port usually deals with vessel arrivals and departures, shoreside operations, horizontal transport, yard operations, manual tractor trailer transport, and gate operations.

One of the key steps in port digitalization is automating horizontal transport, that is, handling cargo within the port.

 

The Smart Port Solution uses the latest tech — intelligent twins, autonomous driving, 5G, cloud computing, and IoT — to create a better connected, smarter, and more autonomous system.

This smart terminal was built by Tianjin Port Group (TPG), together with Huawei and other partners, as part of its efforts to build a smart and green port. One of the key innovative applications to address this is Huawei's self-developed, truly AI-based intelligent horizontal transportation system, which has achieved a series of "world firsts": Large-scale commercial use of ultra-L4 driverless, the world's first "5G+BeiDou" integration of ubiquitous intelligence, the world's first self-sufficiency in green electricity and zero carbon emission, etc. This achievement provides a blueprint for other parts of the world to build intelligent and low-carbon ports.

The results speak for themselves. On the port's visitor platform at the container terminal at Section C of Tianjin Port, container cranes operate automatically and unmanned electric container trucks come and go. At the port, remotely controlled quay cranes stably pick up containers that are loaded with cargo from cargo ships, and load these containers onto unmanned electric container trucks. Under the guidance of the BeiDou navigation satellite system, the container trucks go to the automatic locking/unlocking stations, according the optimal driving route calculated in real time, to unlock the containers, and then drive to the container yard. The whole process is completed in one go.

The intelligent and digital transformation of the port has led to tangible benefits. Previously, transporting containers to container yards within ports requires a large number of container trucks. Using human drivers is very costly. Tianjin Port currently has 76 container trucks. To ensure 24/7 operations, each container truck needs three drivers working in three shifts every day. The port needs 60% fewer staff than before. In addition, it is exhausting for truck drivers to drive on fixed routes in three shifts, posing an obvious safety hazard. Now, Drivers (who are in high demand) now operate trucks remotely and no longer have to face dangerous, unhealthy working conditions. And each container now consumes 20% less energy, cranes are 20% more efficient on average, with each crane operating 39 container units per hour.

 


The terminal of Section C in the Beijiang Port Area of Tianjin Port is the first smart terminal of its kind to deploy an intelligent horizontal transport system. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue working with partners to deploy and replicate this experience in more ports, building smart ports together.

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Planting dreams with ‘Grow Trees Community’ in Benguet

11:52:00 PM


Like his father before him, John Dizon, Jr. and his family have been long-time stewards of protected trees in their community in Tuba, Benguet. When the time came for him to take up the mantle, he did so willingly to honor his father’s legacy.

“My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.

A year later, Mr. Dizon, who now heads Benguet-based environmental conservation group, Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc. (NAMALISA), started working closely with the SM Foundation for an inaugural tree-planting campaign back in 2013 to pick up where his father had left off in his advocacy.

With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.

He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.

To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign.

The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.

 

People’s Organization NAMALISA plant trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Tuba, Benguet

The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba.

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga. Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.

It is in support of the SM Green Movement that seeks to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

FR Foundation focuses on promoting research designed to help make the world a better place, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.

It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns well-loved casual wear brand, Uniqlo.

SM Prime builds better, greener offices

11:25:00 PM


Many people have become more aware of the importance of sustainability in everyday living during the two years that the world faced the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental awareness has caught on through practices such as shifting to paperless, reducing plastic use and planting more trees. For property developers, taking part in this movement means transitioning into green buildings and developments.

Such is the case for SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a publicly listed subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) that is committed to building innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities. SM Prime is future-proofing its developments to be more responsive and adaptive to community needs and the effects of climate change in line with comprehensive sustainability goals ranging from energy to ecology.
Over the years, SM Prime has continued to elevate its approach to building and development of community spaces.  All these green initiatives have been recognized by reputable and well-known organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which awarded Conrad Hotel Manila and SM Aura Premier the Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. 
“When we build, we build with the community in mind. This is why it is important to integrate sustainability in our developments and operations. We remain committed as an environmentally-conscious and responsible integrated property developer ready to serve the ever-changing needs and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim.

Building green office spaces

SM’s Commercial Property Group is renowned for balancing green design features with operational and practical considerations, enabling more companies and locators to enjoy environmentally sound commercial developments.

The CPG’s flagship properties are its five E-com Centers – all future-forward buildings catering mainly to technological, business process outsourcing, and Fortune 500 companies. All five E-com Centers are located in the MOA Complex. Each building has a proportionate amount of green open spaces and communal areas where workers can socialize and decompress from work.

CPG further promotes sustainable practices with its LEED gold-certified office buildings, solidifying its foothold and commitment to building green offices and commercial developments.  These certifications are a testament to SM Prime’s dedication to reducing its contribution to global climate change—all while enhancing the quality of life within its communities.

The ThreeE-com Center boasts architectural wonders and green features that eventually earned its LEED Gold certification. These include water recycling for landscape and non-potable use. The building is fitted with glass windows that minimizes heat from entering the building, allowing tenants to use less air conditioning. This 15-storey, semi-circular twin-tower office building features function and aesthetic complemented with state-of-the-art facilities.  While it was the first office building in the Mall of Asia Complex to receive such an honor, the new FourE-com Center also recently achieved the same certification—designed with its tenants’ needs in mind, improving work-life balance and office culture accordingly.

Both designed by globally renowned firm, Arquitectonica, the Three and Four E-coms are unique amongst business centers. “We designed the E-coms to functionally meet the BPO industry’s need for large, continuous floorplates, but also sculpted them in interesting ways so as to allow views and airflows between the buildings, while also, of course, giving them interesting architectural identities. At the same time, their landscaped podium decks create attractive communal green spaces for the tenants; they are envisaged to be interconnected via landscaped skybridges in the future. The combination of all these factors, architectural design and green spaces, have made the E-coms highly attractive to multinational companies and brands,” said David Zaballero, Arquitectonica Director.

SM Mega Tower

Meanwhile, SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper located along EDSA will also join the company’s growing roster of LEED-certified green buildings. Called Mega Tower, the 50-story office building is future-ready as it provides spaces that respect both its tenants and nature itself. 

Strategically located in the busy Ortigas Centre, the 50-storey LEED registered skyscraper is flexibly designed to meet the requirements of both corporate and BPO tenants. Though its design is highly sculptural, each floorplate remains efficiently planned – combining functionality and iconic identity.

“Incorporating sustainability in property development means having the whole life cycle of a building in mind. We invest a tenth of our capital expenditure to ensure that sustainability is integrated into our properties as we carefully plan our developments for our communities, the environment, and future generations ,” SM Prime’s Mr. Lim said.

In close collaboration with the SM Group’s other business units, the CPG’s multi-segment or mixed-use approach maximizes the socio-economic potential of its buildings and developments. As a result, SM’s commercial developments are connected to our malls, residences, and parks and civic spaces. Notably, they are all easily accessible to transport hubs to ensure mobility for pedestrians and the commuting public. This interconnectivity, alongside each property’s green and safety features, reduces the company’s carbon footprint, attracts more tenants and locators, and encourages greater productivity among its workforce.

SM Prime Holdings hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup together with SM Cares, SM By the Bay

10:30:00 PM


It's really interesting that companies are also helping in making things out for the environment, specifically cleaning. 

SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world's seas, oceans, and other bodies of water. The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. 

A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year's ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected.


 
Among those who graced the event were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group Head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments President and CEO and 2GO Group President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY Mall Manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines’ Markets and Assurance Executive Director Allan Cao.

SM By The Bay and SM Cares’ ICC event for this year was done in collaboration with different private and government agencies 

 
The ICC is a yearly global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Every year, thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities join the efforts to help ensure the cleanliness of the shorelines and waterways in the country. 

“The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime’s various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So.

This year's event was made possible by SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines. DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard were also present to provide their support.




 
Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, just to name a few. 

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Saturday, October 22, 2022

PSA: You can now use GCash for dining and shopping in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia!

10:44:00 PM


 

Travel to your favorite destinations as GCash now makes your much deserved trip hassle-free and even more exciting as it partners with Alipay+, a suite of global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions by Ant Group.

Being the first e-wallet in the Philippines to enable cross-border payments, GCash allows Filipinos to have more convenient payment experience when they travel abroad with over 1 million merchants to choose from. You can now conveniently pay for meals, shopping, and experience amazing possibilities at Alipay+’s partnering merchants across the region.

“Through our partnership with Alipay+, GCash users now can travel with ease knowing they can take control of their budget by enjoying real-time forex when paying. On top of that, GCash users will not be subject to any service fees and they can access a wide variety of promos and discounts within the app,” said CEO of GCash, Martha Sazon.

 

Using the GCash app while traveling overseas also helps in keeping your travel budget in check. You don’t need to carry as much cash to pay for expenses since your funds are safely saved in your GCash account.

The GCash and Alipay+ partnership is currently available in top travel destinations in Asia including South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, and more countries in the pipeline.

For those flying to South Korea, you can use GCash in Alipay+ partner establishments located at Myeong-Dong, Dong Dae Moon, Hong Dae, Itaewon, and at Seoul Namsan Tower. These include Hyundai DFS, Lotte, Line Friends, Shilla DFS, Haidilao, Starbucks, and Paris Baguette. While those who are traveling to Malaysia, can take advantage of this service in various convenience stores like KK Mart and Happy Mart, food options such as Tealive, Mydin and Dunkin Donut, and even baking goods at Bake with Yen.




 

In the meantime, those traveling to Singapore can use the GCash app at Lotte and Shilla Duty Free shops at Changi Airport, Bengawan Solo, Swensens, Fragrance and when taking a ComfortDelgro Taxi.

In Japan, you can find several retail and food merchants in select cities like Shibuya, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Odaiba where you can shop at places like Takashimaya, Isetan Shinjuku, Odakyu, and 24hr department store Don Quixote, Rayard Miyashita Park and Tokyo Solamachi Mall, or eat at favorites like Ichiran Ramen, Kani-Doraku, and Kura Sushi.

Look for establishments with an in-store display of the Alipay+ sign. To use GCash to pay overseas, simply tap the “QR” button on the GCash dashboard and either scan the QR code of the merchant or tap “Pay abroad with Alipay+” which will lead to a QR code that will be generated for the merchant to scan.



For more information on Pay Abroad with Alipay+, visit http://gcash.com.

Called To Rescue Philippines Launch Its short film, ‘Graduation’

10:15:00 PM

 

Many of the advocacy films produced are mainly because of the need to inform and be known what is happening to a specific organization or group. Many of which are sometimes negatively stereotyped like boring or too-chatty or wordy film. Probably that was in some advocacy campaign film. So, with this Called to Rescue Philippines (CTR PH) which happens to have launched a short film at the KMC Armstrong Cafe will have a film to talk about. The short film stars popular young celebrities Donny Pangilinan and Nourijune Hooshmand that aims to raise awareness on the recovery and reintegration of human trafficking survivors to the society.

Written and directed by international filmmaker Dean Colin Marcial, the film ‘GRADUATION’ is about a young woman played by Nourijune, who fell into depression after surviving human trafficking. Through the support of her brother, played by Donny, she was able to slowly get back on her feet.

Beyond Rescuing
GRADUATION was the brainchild of Marcial, CTR PH Advocacy Head Abby Anciano, and CTR PH President Anthony Pangilinan. The three, advocates and active volunteers of CTR PH, found the need to bring emphasis not only to a survivor’s rescue, but to their reintegration to society as well.

“Bakit hanggang rescue nalang? Yung after-rescue rin kailangan. [This project] was out of frustration for me, and is one of the reasons I decided to do this,” Anthony explained.

“Our main focus [was on a] survivor’s reintegration into society. It’s something that I drew on, something Donny and Nourijune drew on as well,” Dean expressed.

From there, the two gathered a team of volunteers to bring the short film to life. With help from family, friends, clients, and donors, Graduation was set out to be one purpose-driven production.

Heeding The Call
The short film centers Cinemalaya actress Nourijune Hooshmand and Star Cinema actor Donny Pangilinan. Donny is a long-time anti-human trafficking advocate, while both are currently active CTR PH volunteers. Director Dean Marcial, script-writer and director of the film, handpicked the two for the starring roles.

When asked about participating in the project, Nourijune and Donny expressed no hesitation whatsoever.

“When Dean accepted to go through this project, alongside Nour, it’s not something I had to think twice about,” said Donny, “I specifically chose to do this. I really believe this is something we needed to do.”

“This [advocacy] is really important work. I’m very thankful that I had this opportunity. I’m really happy to be a part of this,” Nourijune shared.

Everyone Is Called To Rescue
Doctor Cyndi Romine, international director of Called To Rescue, noted: “The film is for everybody because we all know somebody. To assume we don’t know somebody would be an error on our part.”

Though people might wonder who this film is truly for, whether it’s for those rescued or those taking care of the rescued, Graduation is a film made to touch all audiences who view it. It sheds light on the significance of aftercare work and a loving community — a part of healing that is more often than not, overlooked.

“Once a person is rescued, you need to meet a lot of people and still go through the journey with the help of people who love you,” Donny noted.

“The bond of family is different, and knowing someone is there for you can really help what you’re healing from,” Nourijune adds.

Through the 5-minute film, CTR PH hopes to draw attention to the post-rescue challenges of trafficking survivors and promote the collective role of community (especially family members) in addressing their needs, supporting their rehabilitation process, and cultivating a safe space for their ongoing journey of healing.

“It takes a village to raise a child: It takes a village to heal a child,” Anthony shared. Everyone is called to rescue.

GRADUATION was made possible with the generous donors: Magic Crackers, Jollibee, Grab Philippines, KMC Solutions, Cabalen, MediCard Philippines, and LabX Corporation.



About Me

About me
Hi!, This is Marco a.k.a. Toto Blogger and Publisher. I created this blog to provide stories, personal experiences, entertainment, and insights on products I like. I'm here to share and inform you (readers) on things about music, movie, food, travel, and events.

You can also meet my wife on her blog www.mommysmaglife.com.


For project collaborations, product reviews, event invitations, or hotel and resort experience reviews, kindly email me at marcopolojdemo@yahoo.com.



Badges and Ranks

Food & Drink - Top Blogs Philippines Entertainment & Lifestyle - Top Blogs Philippines Music - Top Blogs Philippines
Blogmeter.Top BC_BLOGGERS

Gelo Malikha, EzineArticles.com Basic PLUS Author Marco Polo Demo is an Intellifluence Trusted Blogger

Recent

recentposts

Random

randomposts