Good day Kwento Ni Toto readers and tech enthusiasts! Today, we're going to share our not-so-nitty-gritty review of the latest gadget that has become an essential tool for vloggers: smartphones. Particularly, we'll be discussing the top-of-the-line smartphones that are part of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.

Not to step-over with the DSLR Cameras, these smartphones can now serve as alternatives to bulky and heavy DSLR cameras, allowing vloggers to conveniently record their content while on the go without attracting too much attention. Carrying a DSLR can be inconvenient and draw unwanted attention, making smartphones an ideal choice for vlogging purposes. You can also add it's concealment ability, unlike the DSLR camera.

 

Make this Father's Day an AweSM Dad's Day Cinema Date. Treat your dad to the ultimate cinema experience by watching The Little Mermaid, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as all three movies explore different aspects of fatherhood.

 

Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), the maker of the world's number one selling gin, geared up to commemorate World Gin Day (WGD) with "cool, clear, and versatile way of celebration. The festivities will unfold with a media launch on June 8 at The Westin Manila in Ortigas, followed by a series of events throughout June that will underscore the significance of this month as World Gin Month.

The World Gin Day (WGD), a worldwide event held on the second Saturday of June, is led in the Philippines by GSMI, the organization responsible for introducing the initial WGD festivities to the Asia Pacific region in 2014. In that particular year, GSMI commemorated the 180th anniversary of its flagship brand, Ginebra San Miguel. Presently, enthusiasts of gin eagerly anticipate GSMI's month-long series of events, not only honoring the enduring impact of gin on our drinking customs but also acknowledging its significance in festivities, fiestas, gatherings, and even our daily accomplishments. 

“We join gin enthusiasts worldwide in celebrating World Gin Day. As pioneers of this event in our country, we aspire to ignite the spirit of greater appreciation for more Filipinos to know gin’s outstanding qualities, as it is a drink that is ‘Cool, Clear, and Versatile,’” says GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina.

‘Cool, Clear, and Versatile’

This June 8, GSMI once again reinforces that “Gin Is In,” highlighting gin’s “Cool, Clear, and Versatile” qualities that elevate it from the rest.

Gin has been around since the 17th century, and remains popular to this day, especially in Europe, and of course, the Philippines. It is loved by many, and its popularity can be attributed to its taste—the flavor of Juniper and a variety of botanicals—allowing gin to exude that classic yet “Cool” vibe.

The gin’s “Clear,” pure quality is derived from a rigorous distillation process that brings out its best flavor. Since it is unpretentious – with nothing to hide – it is a drink known for its “Versatility,” as it can be enjoyed straight or mixed with other ingredients in a cocktail.

In a new campaign supporting the appreciation for Gin, GSMI features three exciting and authentic personalities who perfectly embody these unique characteristics of gin. 

Gin Is Cool.

The actor and model Zanjoe Marudo likes the cool and refreshing gin experience to punctuate the day. For him, being cool is more than style and moves; it is being calm, too. “Alam niyo kung anong totoong COOL sakin? Yung pagiging kalmado ko (You know what’s truly cool for me? It is my being calm),” says Zanjoe. His choice of gin is popular to this day – Ginebra San Miguel, which has been his favorite since his days growing up in Batangas.

Gin Is Clear.

Basel Manadil’s choice is GSM Premium Gin, a distilled gin made with natural ingredients and fine botanicals. Popularly known as “The Hungry Syrian,” the Syrian-born Filipino vlogger’s viral posts have made him a clear favorite among millions of netizens. As he would say, “always be CLEAR with your intentions no matter where you go. Because everything you do, can make an impact to others.”

Gin is Versatile.

Actress comedian Herlene “Hipon Girl” Budol likes her gin to be versatile, a drink she can enjoy in many ways. This love for versatility in drinks is something that she also carries in life. The fact that this comedian was able to transform herself into a serious pageant contender truly is outstanding and admirable. Herlene has won over Filipinos with her charming wit, down-to-earth personality, and of course, her remarkable versatility. “In life, dapat VERSATILE (In life, one should be versatile). If you are good at one thing, you can also be good at anything! Stay true while learning many things.” 

The three of them – Zanjoe, Basel, and Herlene – will not only grace the WGD celebration but will also be present at various events of GSMI during “Gin Is In” celebrations starting in June.

“We are proud to say that they truly embody the best qualities of gin: Zanjoe is ‘Cool like Gin Is In.’ Basel is ‘Clear like Gin Is In,’ and Herlene is ‘Versatile like Gin Is In,’” Molina added. 

GSM Bar Academy graduates ‘mix’ back

One of the highlights of the WGD event is the presence of three mixologists who are scholar-graduates of the Ginebra San Miguel Bar Academy, a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that gives Filipinos a chance to change their lives through education – training students in bartending, flairtending, and basic entrepreneurship.

With the goal of producing globally-competitive and job-ready graduates, while elevating the quality of the bartending profession in the process, the GSM Bar Academy is proud to say that it has produced an astounding 100% immediate employability for all its graduates in 2022.

During WGD, three graduates of the GSM Bar Academy – Jhyrus Denver A. Domingo, Angela Felarca, and JP Peñaflor – who are all employed in top bars in Metro Manila, will showcase their mixology skills in a friendly competition with the theme, “Gin Is In, ” which will feature the world’s most popular and bestselling gin Ginebra San Miguel and other brands, GSM Blue and GSM Premium Distilled Gin.

The success of the GSM Bar Academy in transforming the lives not only of the students but also of their families and the community has not gone unnoticed. In fact, the program will be a recipient of the prestigious International CSR Excellence Award, to be formally awarded on June 16 in London, UK. 

‘Gin Is In’ Nationwide

Part of the WGD celebration will be the launch of the second season of G-MIX Nation Online Series, hosted by Luis Manzano, which will be shown for the first time and will feature new cocktail recipes. Alongside is the Home Bar Kit that features Ginebra products and tools for mixing different kinds of cocktails, which is sold online and at select supermarkets.

To ensure gin enthusiasts across the country can partake in the “Gin Is In” festivity, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. will also host mini events in around 50 bars nationwide, including those in Pampanga, Naga, Cebu, and Cagayan De Oro. These bar activations will offer consumers exclusive promotions, raffle giveaways, and outlet merchandising, providing an opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in the celebration.

To sustain the momentum of the “Gin Is In,” there will be various activities in hundreds on-premise outlets from July to December. Participating outlets will receive exclusive benefits, special “Gin Is In” stubs for consumers to support their patronage. 

GSMI's World Gin Day celebration is just the beginning of a series of exciting events, allowing enthusiasts to declare their love and support for the vibrant local gin culture. In the country, gin is synonymous with Ginebra San Miguel. It is the country’s pioneering gin and the oldest consumer brand still in the market, but still remains cool, clear and versatile, a timeless classic yet still in tune with the times.

Each bottle of Ginebra San Miguel undergoes a stringent production process to ensure optimal quality. As a testament to the strength of its brand name, variants such as GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, and Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, have been introduced to cater to different market segments. Just launched last year, its 1834 Premium Distilled Gin has now become a sought-after drink among those with sophisticated taste, as they are enamored with its infusion of classic juniper berries and unique Philippine botanicals such as Sampaguita and Calamansi. 

GSMI is the producer of Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin, according to 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, GSM Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Antonov Vodka, Añejo Gold Rum, Primera Light Brandy, the Philippines’ no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu and the newly launched G&T Ultralight Spirit Drink.

HONOR, the prominent supplier of smart devices in the Philippines, recently introduced the HONOR Magic5 Pro, priced at Php 59,990. This cutting-edge flagship from HONOR is brimming with user-centric advancements, showcasing remarkable achievements in design, display, photography, and performance. It surpasses various industry standards, setting a new bar for an unparalleled user experience.

“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for! We have finally unleashed the power of HONOR Magic5 Pro! With its groundbreaking technology, it is no surprise that our latest flagship smartphone has disrupted the industry benchmarks. Experience the Real Magic and pre-order now,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

The Brand-new Star Wheel Aesthetics with Gaudi Curve

Adhering to the ‘Eye of Muse’ iconic design, the HONOR Magic5 Pro evolves the concept, redesigning and introducing the Star Wheel Triple Camera system. Paying tribute to Antoni Gaudi, the HONOR Magic5 Pro features symmetry dual-curved ultra-narrow bezels on both sides and a Star Wheel Triple Camera Design sitting as the centerpiece on the back cover, blending the beautiful curves found in natural landscapes and modern architecture into the design of the cutting-edge device, demonstrating the harmonious combination of art and technology.

 

SM Supermalls received a Silver Award at the prestigious International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) MAXI Awards 2023 for its multi-mall COVID-19 vaccination efforts under the Marketing Excellence Community category. The award was conferred at the recently concluded awarding ceremony held at the Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada last May 21, 2023.

“Winning another award from the ICSC reaffirms our commitment to creating fun, safe, and convenient malling experiences for our shoppers. This award recognizes the hard work of our government partners, local government units, even the healthcare workers, and of course, the Filipinos who got themselves vaccinated in our malls,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

Aside from the Silver award, SM China was also one of the finalists for the Community Category for SM Xiamen 1864 Panda Tour Exhibition, and the Experiential Category for SM Chengdu Bamboo Wish.

This is not the first time the company received recognition from the prestigious international group. SM is a three-time Albert Sussman International Community Support awardee and has also earned two Gold and one Silver awards since 2011. Meanwhile, SM China has also received two Gold and six Silver awards since 2016.

ICSC is an association of the global shopping- center industry, with over 70,000 members from more 100 countries worldwide. Its members comprise shopping center owners, retailers, developers, investors, managers, brokers, public officials, and academics. Through the ICSC Global Awards, the organization promotes professional excellence in the shopping center industry, including the MAXI Awards which recognizes innovative events, programs, and technology that add value to the marketplaces industry.

SM Supermalls’ award was accepted by Ms. Liza Silerio, Vice President of the SM Corporate Compliance Group.

To know more about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

 

Looking for something new and exciting to do north of the metro? SM City North Edsa just launched The Space Museum, a multi-media art destination perfect for content creators and fun seekers.

In anticipation of Independence Day, Filipinos are fervently commemorating the heroic acts of the valiant individuals, commonly known as Super Pinoys, who played a pivotal role in the declaration of our nation's independence. This significant event holds utmost importance in Philippine history.

In celebration of the Philippines’ 125th Independence Day, SM Supermalls will be holding major events and activities to keep the Super Pinoy spirit alive and burning starting on May 28.

Flag Raising Ceremonies

SM malls across the country will be simultaneously holding flag-raising ceremonies during National Flag Day on May 28 and Independence Day on June 12, respectively. Participants are encouraged to wear the colors of the Philippine flag which signify truth, patriotism, and valor. After the ceremony, a short program will follow featuring Filipino modern pop music. Check your favorite mall's Facebook page for schedules and venues.