AQ Prime's latest film to stream online, "Pula ang Kulay ng Gabi," is all about the reality of life in the lower class of society and that most of the struggles are drawn to criminality to overcome poverty or at least feed the grinding hunger. 

Inspired by the story of the notorious and famous group, the Acetylene Gang, thriving in the underground world where they operate through a complex activity using their skills in burrowing in the dark to reach vaults containing large amounts of money. All done unsuspectedly and discretely to accomplish the deed. 

If you have been listening to news and reading the newspapers in 2014 or earlier, the Acetylene Gang has been the center of every story from different publications. The group started their evil deeds in the year 2000.

The film is directed by Jojo Nadela and the casts are Aljur Abrenica and Yana Fuentes together with a batch top-notch actors, Soliman Cruz, Elijah Filamor, Rob Sy, Zia Zamora and more. Some of the actors did an excellent portrayal of their characters, though there were cursing and others stereotypical picture of the community it is still on the level of tolerable words to deliver and render what is ought to be shown. 

So, if you don't have any idea of the story of this gang who have been the talk of the town in their time, watch the movie "Pula ang Kulay ng Gabi" on AQ Prime app to know about it!

 

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s leading integrated property developers and leading conservation organization World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines have entered a collaboration in adopting a more robust reporting framework to address the climate crisis.   

This is a major partnership of WWF with a Philippine company towards the development of a bespoke program towards decarbonization.  

Sustainability at SM Prime is at the core of its corporate identity. SM Prime is at the forefront of spearheading sustainable practices as well as setting records in pioneering programs to consciously protect the environment and strongly focus on resilience in its developments.  

Under the partnership, SM Prime will adopt the Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI), WWF-Philippines’ flagship program that provides an actionable framework for organizations to operate sustainably within the paradigm of the climate crisis.   

“We are delighted to work with WWF Philippines on this sustainable journey. Focusing sustainability within the context of the Philippines ensures that our strategies and projects are highly material, efficient and more responsive in addressing local concerns surrounding resilience and adaptation. We need to be one with the worldwide community to achieve this and we need to work with global experts to get this right,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.  

Climate change is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today. The Philippines currently ranks third globally when it comes to climate change vulnerability. In relation to its geographical location, it is more exposed to altering intensities of climate change manifested through erratic weather systems and natural calamities. These risks are rife with complexity and uncertainty and organizations typically fail to properly assess their implications. The CBPI program takes a holistic approach towards this pivotal issue, addressing these risks from a custom-built, science-based perspective.   

By partnering with the WWF, SM Prime will be able to enhance and determine climate change solutions that will be reflected through responsible and transparent reporting.   

The first phase of CBPI involves gauging where SM Prime stands in its sustainability initiatives and setting a science-based target in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. SM Prime published its first Integrated Report in 2021 under the Integrated Reporting Framework which provides an overview of our value creation model — how we seek to create value for our stakeholders by contributing to national progress through investments and interventions critical to the country’s socio-economic growth.  

Pascual Laboratories, Inc., one of the top-of-mind pharmaceutical companies¹ in the Philippines earns its first Quill Excellence Award for its 75thAnniversary campaign, #PascualLove, at virtual awarding ceremonies held on August 18, 2022 via ktext.ph   

The 19th Philippine Professional and Student Quill Awards is the Philippine chapter of the global organization International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)’s award-giving body which recognizes the best communication programs, tools, talents, and academic work.    

#PascualLove , PascualLab’s campaign for its milestone 75thAnniversary was chosen as one of the Excellence Awardees among 849 entries.  The campaign won for effectively achieving its communication objectives through the strategic use of platforms to reach stakeholders, efficient management, consistent messaging, and communication innovation.   

#PascualLove is a play on the company name and the kind of love it tries to convey through its health and wellness products and services, to its stakeholders, and its contribution to nation-building through job creation and philanthropy.   

During its 75th year, PascualLab launched a digital campaign via its social media accounts and corporate website as well as a PR campaign in the first quarter of 2021.  PascualLab also provided a sneak peek of the campaign highlights with a digital concert "PascualLove: From Our Family To Yours" in partnership with Wish FM 104.7 featuring River Maya and Music Hero, as well as sponsorship of the “Kilabotitos” concert featuring Ogie Alcasid and Ian Veneracion.     

The fulcrum of the celebrations was the digital concert #PascualLOVELiveAt75 which brought together all key stakeholders who have been part of the celebrations – from its brand ambassadors Bea Alonzo, Heart Evangelista, Alice Dixson, and Solenn Heusaff, to its trade partners. Ben & Ben, one of the biggest Filipino bands top-billed the performance while iconic radio jock and influencer Chico Garcia hosted the online event.    

 During the same year, PascualLab also launched new products – Poten-Cee + Zinc Advance, ProBio7 Kids probiotic powder supplements, and WellGreens Organics food supplements, proof of its continued thrust towards purposeful innovations.   

PascualLab spread more of the #PascualLove with the relaunch of its corporate social responsibility program SEED: Sowing to Empower, Educate, and Develop. 

Marking the relaunch was the partnership with World Vision for its CHOSEN program where over 75 children from a less fortunate community in Malabon got to select their PascualLab employee sponsors. SEED’s relaunch was also highlighted by its partnership with health guru Doc Willie Ong for a series of MEDTalks that featured health tips on COVID-19 remedies & the importance of fiber supplementation, and donations of various Vitamin products to communities in Southville III Muntinlupa, Malabon, frontliners at San Lazaro Hospital, and the Regional Health Unit in Bulacan where PascualLab’s plant is located.   

All these initiatives earned PascualLab its first Quill – a milestone Excellence Award for Communication Management under Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Communication.   

According to IABC Philippines President Belle Tiongco: "Winning a Quill award is not easy. Winning an excellence award is a testament to the entrant’s global standard, reflecting a very high level of creativity and strategic ability that generates results. Congratulations on your win, PascualLab, and thank you for sharing your work to inspire and motivate your colleagues in the industry! Well done – keep up the good work!"

Beyond the meaningful milestone celebration and the recognition, PascualLab remains committed to make true its mission of delivering quality and family-friendly health products and services to Filipino communities in the decades to come, all in the spirit of #PascualLove. 

In the face of adversity, Filipinos have always risen above every challenge by fostering the spirit of bayanihan. This spirit of community and togetherness is what Shopee recognized and strived for when it first launched Shopee Bayanihan — its umbrella CSR arm that aims to harness the power of technology to serve its customers, sellers, partner riders, and all Filipinos across the country.

Today, Shopee Bayanihan continues to evolve as a multifaceted program with various initiatives that cater to the needs of Filipinos. Each of these initiatives are grounded in its main mission to better the lives of the underserved through technology—to be there for every Filipino through every hardship and victory.

In line with these efforts, Shopee highlights the inspiring stories of five individuals, and how Shopee was able to support them in their time of need and help improve their lives. Watch the full video here.

Roel, Shopee Xpress Partner Rider (TransOrient Agency): A hardworking father who strives to provide

Roel’s journey with Shopee Xpress started when he joined the TransOrient Agency and was placed in the Bacoor Hub. Prior to that, he admitted that he was struggling to make ends meet. By becoming a Shopee Xpress partner rider, he was able to provide for his family and send his children to school. “Kapag ako sumuko pa, paano na sila? Wala namang lalaban sa pamilya natin kung hindi tayo,” Roel says.

Roel shared that one of his happiest moments was when his son asked him to wear his Shopee Xpress uniform at his graduation ceremony. He realized that his son was very proud of him, and appreciated everything he had done. “Nabago ng Shopee ang buhay ko at ng pamilya ko. Ako ay isang proud Shopee Xpress rider!” says Roel.

Virginia, Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Beneficiary: Conquering fear as one community

Virginia is one of the many beneficiaries of Shopee Bayanihan’s Typhoon Odette Support. She shared that her experience with the typhoon left her frightened and worried about the future of her family and her home. “I was shivering at the thought of what could happen because both my husband and I are sick. I didn’t know what to do. All I could do was pray for the strong winds to stop.” she says.

When Shopee Bayanihan’s Typhoon Odette Support rolled out to affected areas in Cebu, Bohol, and Surigao, Virginia and her fellow residents of Tinago, Cebu, were one of the beneficiaries that received relief packs and other essentials. “We’re grateful that help came to our community. We were not really expecting this, and had no idea that Shopee was going to be there in our time of need,” she says.

Mark and Angel, Shopee Sellers: Fighting for their family by driving their business forward

Mark and Angel nearly lost their daughter to biliary atresia, a rare condition that affected her liver and required her to undergo an expensive procedure abroad. In order to provide for their family and help pay for Avery’s maintenance medicine, the couple decided to start their business, Live Pillow. Before taking their business online, they struggled to generate sales. “May mga araw po talaga na wala kaming benta, at sobrang lungkot po namin ni partner nun,” shared Mark.

When they put up a store on Shopee, they were able to reach new customers, generating thousands of orders. Now, Mark and Angel were able to expand their business by having their own staff and warehouse. “Dahil sa Shopee, nagkaroon kami ng pangalawang pamilya at ang staff po namin ‘yun. Lahat kayo, lahat tayo dito, pamilya.” says Angel.

Jocell, Shopee Girl ng Pook Dagohoy: Finding the best deals to support her family

Known as the “Shopee Girl ng Pook Dagohoy”, stay-at-home mom Jocelle shared that it was hard for her to find a way to save due to her family’s debt. “Nalubog kami sa utang. Nung nagka-pandemic, nawalan ng trabaho yung asawa ko. Nangungutang na lang ako ulit para may maibayad sa utang din namin,” says Jocell.

Through Shopee, she was able to save on all her essentials and bills. “Na-diskubre ko na pwede akong umorder ng mga diaper na naka-sale sa Shopee, kaya sobrang nakakatipid ako. Yung ShopeePay bills payment naman po doon po ako nagbabayad ng ilaw at tubig para makakuha ng cashback,” she shares.

Today, Jocelle is able to manage her expenses better, as she is able to get better deals on her family’s needs on Shopee. “Parte na talaga si Shopee ng buhay namin,” says Jocell.

 

The hype is real—all-in-one money app Maya is giving its users free Bitcoin, plus a chance to take home PHP 1,000,000.00 worth of this popular cryptocurrency – and all you have to do is pay with Maya.   

In the past few days, social media was abuzz with Maya users sharing their delightful surprise of randomly receiving free Bitcoin. Digital billboards in various cities prompted specific Maya users by name to check their crypto wallets to see if they are lucky recipients of free Bitcoin. One Maya user, Cebu student Reinzel Cabrera, even received a shocking PHP 1,000,000.00 worth of Bitcoin with virtually no effort – just by regularly paying with Maya!   

Maya now reveals that everyone can get FREE Bitcoin and, like Reinzel, have the chance to receive PHP 1,000,000.00 in Bitcoin.  Here's how:

• 1.Just pay with Maya via QR, mobile number, or card at stores all over the Philippines and online
• 2.Get free Bitcoin up to P500 each month until September 30! Every purchase gives you guaranteed Bitcoin worth 1%, 10%, or 100% of your purchase. For example, your PHP 500 purchase can give you PHP 5, PHP 50 or PHP 500 in free Bitcoin!
• 3.Wait for the SMS notification and then check your crypto wallet to claim your free Bitcoin 😎
• 4.The more you pay with Maya, the more chances to get PHP 1,000,000 in Bitcoin every month, during the promo period.
  

"Maya is already the most accessible way to get into cryptocurrency in the Philippines starting as low as PHP1.00 and our Free Bitcoin promo drives even further accessibility while providing more opportunities for our customers to grow and master their money," said Pepe Torres, Chief Marketing Officer for Maya. "We’re excited to be the first Philippine fintech to offer Bitcoin as a reward and form of cashback (or cryptoback!) whenever customers pay merchants with Maya. There’s no better time to take advantage of our all-in-one money app to start paying for all your wants and needs because it’s a risk-free way to get into crypto. Sayang ang Free Bitcoin!"   

Reinzel Cabrera, a student from Cebu City and a loyal Maya user, takes a selfie in front of the digital billboard dedicated to him after receiving the news of the PHP 1,000,000 worth of free Bitcoin from Maya. The money app encourages its users to keep paying with Maya for their everyday purchases to receive free Bitcoin, just like Reinzel!

Cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital currencies that one can use to make transactions online or wait for their value to increase and then sell them for a profit. Launched in April 2022, Maya's crypto feature lets users buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies for as low as PHP 1.00, making it ideal for crypto novices and enthusiasts. Maya has been granted the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for its crypto services, ensuring all transactions are legitimate and safe.  

Maya is the only wallet in the country that provides users with a seamless, all-in-one crypto experience allowing users to buy, sell, hold, and even spend their crypto earnings in just one app. Those who earn from crypto can reap the additional funds to pay bills, buy load, shop for groceries, or even save on their Maya Savings feature, which can grow even further by up to 6%.  

Completely free to download and register, Maya packs a feature-rich e-wallet, an inclusive digital bank, and everything else you need to save, spend, grow, and manage your money—right from your smartphone.   

Maya is powered by the country's only end-to-end digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank for digital banking services. For more information and updates from the country's all-in-one money platform, visit maya.ph. 

 

 

SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group, together with Maxeon Solar Technologies, recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas through the Sinag Schools program.

This social good collaboration between SMFI and Maxeon aims to provide clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroot communities by installing solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses.

In addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts.

 

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the Uniqlo U 2022 Fall/Winter collection starting September 23. Designed by Artistic Director Christophe Lemaire and his UNIQLO R&D team in Paris under the theme the Essentials with a Point of View, the new collection offers an even more considered take on minimalism.

Uniqlo U 2022 Fall/Winter began with the idea of a capsule wardrobe that could fit into a single suitcase, adaptable enough to take you through an entire season with essentials that pay special attention to functionality and versatility.

 

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, secures a long-term deal with AboitizPower for Cleanergy supply, realizing its goal of increasing its renewable energy portfolio to more than 50%. This is in support of the Department of Energy’s program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the country to 35% by year 2030.

Under the agreement, AboitizPower is poised to supply reliable and responsibly-sourced energy from Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, and PV Sinag’s Power Plants, operated and managed by AboitizPower subsidiary, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). This long-term contract will power SM Prime properties, including malls, leisure homes, offices, hotels, and other establishments under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) by the end of 2022.

“This partnership with AboitizPower is aligned with our unwavering commitment to being a catalyst for economic growth and steward of nature. We will continue providing world-class amenities within our sustainable lifestyle cities that have been beneficial and inspirational to millions of Filipinos,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s President.

SM Prime builds legacy communities based on its core sustainable pillars: Economy, People, Environment, and Community. It is dedicated to generating value sustainably through its diverse business segments.

“AboitizPower is thrilled to be SM Prime’s partner in building sustainable lifestyle cities. We thank SM Prime for trusting us to be their partner in their transition to clean and renewable energy. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to power various SM Prime properties with our renewable assets”, said Sandro Aboitiz, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Operations Business Unit. 

“We consider it a great milestone for our group to be in support of SM’s transition to renewable energy and are working to rapidly expand our renewable portfolio as the demand for Cleanergy grows. We have supported a growing number of corporations transitioning to clean and renewable energy and we are excited at the prospect of seeing a future where Cleanergy is the norm.” said David Aboitiz, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI) Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement.

The leading renewable energy provider plans to expand its Cleanergy portfolio in the next 10 years to support the government’s plans of boosting the renewable energy industry in the country. AboitizPower is targeting approximately 50:50 Cleanergy and thermal capacity mix by 2030.