After the successful runs of its limited-offer products, Sun Grepa Global Asset Builder (GAB) ProIncome and its peso counterpart, Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder (PAB) ProIncome, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the leading insurers in the country, is bringing both products back for a limited time to give its clients the opportunity to participate in global investments and receive regular income.
Both GAB and PAB are single-pay, life insurance products linked to structured investments that provide life insurance protection of at least 125% of the one-time premium payment for seven years, fixed annual payouts for seven years, return of the single payment at maturity, and are invested offshore allowing clients to further diversify their peso or US dollar assets.
“We are just happy to have these pockets of opportunity to reintroduce both Sun Grepa Global Asset Builder and Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder together,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “This initiative marks our commitment to offering innovative financial solutions tailored to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our clients to help them protect their dreams and secure their futures.”
Interested clients in these products may also take advantage of convenient application and policy approval through the Guaranteed Insurability Offer, subject to the terms set by Sun Life Grepa.
For more information and to explore these limited time offerings, talk to a Sun Life Grepa Financial Advisor, visit your RCBC Branch of Account, or go to www.sunlifegrepa.com for details.
Coffee enthusiasts and skilled baristas gathered at Figaro Coffee Monaco Strip, Taytay, for the much-anticipated 4th Figaro Art of Coffee Competition. This annual event highlighted the creativity and expertise of regional baristas, showcasing their ability to blend aesthetic expression with exceptional coffee making.
Event Highlights:
The competition challenged participants to demonstrate their mastery in creating intricate latte art and innovative signature beverages. Each contestant had 15 minutes of preparation time to deliver two latte art designs and two signature beverages, while eloquently explaining their creations in English.
A panel of esteemed judges, including technical experts Mr. Alex Rivera and Mr. Ian Lester Matela, as well as visual and sensory judges Mr. Mark Dado, Mr. Anthony Uy Dy, Mr. Jeeves De Veyra, and Mr. Justin Liu, meticulously evaluated each performance based on precision, presentation, and taste.
Outstanding Performances and Winners:
The competition was fierce with Joshua Earnshaw claiming the Champion title, along with a ₱10,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a ₱8,000 gift certificate. Jerome Magbanua followed as the 1st Runner-Up, receiving ₱6,000 in cash, a trophy, and a ₱5,000 gift certificate. Phoebe Pescador secured the 2nd Runner-Up spot, awarded ₱4,000 cash, a trophy, and a ₱3,000 gift certificate.
Future of Figaro Coffee Competitions:
“Each year, the Figaro Art of Coffee Competition brings together the best in the field to push the boundaries of coffee creativity,” said Ms. Marichelle Aquino, Figaro Coffee Group Marketing Officer. “We are proud to provide a platform where passion and artistry meet, celebrating the vibrant coffee culture that thrives in our community.”
Figaro Coffee is committed to fostering growth and recognition within the barista community through events that highlight their skills and passion. Plans are already underway for the next competition, promising to be even more engaging and spectacular.
The iconic Glico running man, officially called the Goal-in mark by Glico, has steadfastly illuminated the bank of Dotonbori Canal in Osaka for close to nine decades. Behind this renowned signage lies Glico, a Japanese food manufacturing powerhouse that has dedicated more than a hundred years in contributing to people’s health through innovative and well-loved products. On April 18, 2024, Glico celebrated its 5th anniversary in the Philippines.
Glico, whose corporate purpose is “Healthier Days, Wellbeing for life”, prepared a thrilling night for its business partners and associates in the Philippines, showcasing its hallmark innovations that have transformed snacking in the country! Glico began in the Philippines in 2019 as it introduced some of Japan’s well-loved snacks – one of which is Pocky.
Driven by its goal to share happiness, Pocky has been a partner of Filipino moms in giving kids a healthy yet enjoyable snacking experience. Celebrity Mom, Camille Prats attests to this as she shared how Pocky has become a mainstay in their pantry. She has always struggled with her kids who are always looking for sweet and flavorful snacks; and Pocky made it easy for her to satisfy their sweet tooth while ensuring she gives them healthy treats.
Now, Pocky is high in fiber and crispier versus its previous formulation – thanks to Glico who has taken it upon themselves to add fiber into the pretzel of Pocky to offer more health benefits. They also used wholewheat in the pretzel to give it a lighter and crispier texture, while of course retaining the rich flavorful chocolate coating to give their consumers a tastier and healthier version of the flagship snack that people have fallen in love with.
In line with its relentless commitment to embracing innovation, Glico will be introducing the NEW Pocky Premium Crushed Fruits line which is something to watch out for this coming May! It’s a multigrain biscuit stick that is coated in thick yogurt cream with real fruit chunks of imported fruits – truly a wholesome snack to enjoy real fruit happiness!
Besides its confectionery, Glico also brings to the Philippines the #1 Almond Milk in Japan – Almond Koka. It’s not only delicious, but has multiple benefits. It is made from 94% almond milk, high in vitamin E, a good source of fiber, and has zero cholesterol. Knowing how 9/10 Asians are lactose intolerant (Silanikove, 2015), Almond Koka serves as a relevant product in the Philippines as it is a lactose-free, dairy-free and soy-free milk. Almond Koka is available in 3 delicious flavors: Unsweetened, Original and Chocolate.
With truly innovative products, it is not surprising that Glico is also engaged in exciting collaborations! It has partnered with LIT Manila, a Japanese whisky bar in BGC, to create unique Pocky and Almond Koka drinks that give adults a new way to enjoy their favorite snack.
Glico also proved that we can indulge in our favorite sweet treats without the guilt through its brand partnerships for Almond Koka. You can now enjoy handcrafted drinks by Auro Chocolate in their cafes made with the goodness of Almond Koka.
This summer, Glico together with Tiger Sugar also brings you your favorite Brown Sugar boba milk drink with less guilt and the goodness of Almond Koka – available nationwide starting April 19, 2024.
Last but not the least, Glico and Gelato Manila heightened the excitement by launching a new plant-based gelato line made with Almond Koka on the evening of the anniversary event. There are a total of 3 different flavors that you can try at gelatomanila.com!
Glico has succeeded in enriching the lives of Filipinos in the last 5 years and they are just getting started. Watch out for more news by following Glico Philippines on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
SUN LIFE’S NEXT BIG GIG CARAVAN: LEARN HOW PURPOSE, PASSION, PLAY, AND PROFIT CAN MAKE YOU LIVE BRIGHTER AS A SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Sun Life Philippines, the No. 1 life insurance company in the country in terms of premium income1, net income2, and total assets3, is hosting a series of recruitment events for Financial Advisors called the Live Brighter Forum in select cities nationwide.
The series of Live Brighter Forums aims to amplify “The Next Big Gig”, a campaign that invites Millennials and Gen Zs to become a Sun Life Financial Advisor as their next income generating gig. It will kick off at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on April 27, and continues at the Zuri Hotel in Iloilo City on May 11, SMX Convention Center at Pasay City on May 18, and Laus Group Events Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga on June 15.
Potential candidates joining the event can expect to learn more about how being a Sun Life Financial Advisor can give them unlimited income opportunities, the freedom of time, and help develop a sense of purpose as they help their clients achieve a more secure and brighter life. Real-life stories from Sun Life Financial Advisors will also be shared.
Attendees can also participate in activity booths that simulate the experiences of a Sun Life Financial Advisor. These include the “Next Big Quiz,” a quiz booth that challenges the attendees’ knowledge on life insurance; the “Next Big Destination,” an international-themed photo wall which represents the travel incentives of Sun Life advisors; and the “Next Big Project,” a booth that showcases the advisors’ corporate social responsibility activities where participants can also vote on the project advisors should support next. Exclusive Sun Life merchandise and other exciting prizes await those who will give the booths a try.
Those interested to join any of the Live Brighter Forums can get in touch with a Sun Life advisor or visit www.sunlife.co/gig to know more.
Calling all Carats! Get a BSS (SEVENTEEN) Postcard Set when you avail the OPPO Reno11 F 5G
OPPO brings an exciting treat to Filipino Carats as they launch an exclusive promo with the latest faces of the OPPO Reno11 F 5G and OPPO Reno Experts, BSS (SEVENTEEN)!
The subunit of the renowned K-pop group SEVENTEEN has risen to fame with the popularity of their hit songs “Just Do It”, “Fighting (Feat. Lee Young Ji)”, and “7 PM (Feat. Peder Elias)”. The three members’ embodiment of youthful energy and a genuine love for self-expression perfectly represents the key features of OPPO’s latest smartphone, reflecting the dynamic qualities that set the OPPO Reno11 F 5G apart in the market.
Starting April 21, 2024, every customer who will avail the #PortraitExpert OPPO Reno11 F 5G from participating OPPO stores nationwide, OPPO’s official Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop channels and via installment through Home Credit for as low as P759/month at 0% interest will receive an exclusive postcard set which includes two postcards each of BSS (SEVENTEEN) members SEUNGKWAN, DK and HOSHI.
Participating OPPO Brand Stores:
OPPO Brand Stores NCR (starting April 21) – SM North EDSA, SM City Manila, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Ayala Market! Market!, SM City Fairview, Robinsons Place Manila, SM City Grand Central Mall, Glorietta and SM Cubao
OPPO Brand Stores Provincial (starting April 28) – SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Calamba, SM City Lipa, SM City Batangas, SM City Sta Rosa, SM City Bacoor, SM City Cebu, Robinsons Place Dumaguete, SM City Baguio, Robinsons San Nicolas, SM City Legazpi, SM City Naga, SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, Robinsons Malolos, SM City Cabanatuan, Gaisano Mall Davao SM City Davao, SM City Mindoro, SM City Lanang
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own a limited BSS (SEVENTEEN) charm with OPPO Reno11 F 5G.
The OPPO Reno11 F 5G is now available in the Philippines for PHP 18,999. With vibrant, eye-catching style, a 64MP Ultra-Clear Triple Camera and a 120Hz AMOLED Borderless display, the Reno11F 5G is a winning combination of fresh looks and smart experiences. It comes in three colorways – Coral Purple, Ocean Blue, and Palm Green.
For more information about the OPPO Reno 11 Series 5G, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ and Facebook page.
The wait is over! The hottest new global pop phenomenon, the South Korean-based Filipino boyband HORI7ON, continues their show-stopping comeback tour across the country. Witness their powerful performances live at select SM malls and join remarkable VIP events and Fan Meet Gatherings.
Don’t miss the newest K-Pop phenomenon, HORI7ON as they continue their electrifying comeback tour at SM Supermalls.
Catch HORI7ON at select SM malls for their “The Lucky HORI7ON Fan Signing Event”:
April 19 – SM City Clark
April 20 – SM City Bataan
April 21 – SM City Baliwag
April 26 – SM City Iloilo
April 27 – SM City Bacolod
April 28 – SM City Dasmarinas
About HORI7ON
Hori7on is a world pop boy group affiliated with MLD Entertainment. The seven members were formed through the idol reality-survival show “Dream Maker: The Search for the Next Global Po Group” by ABS-CBN, which featured a pool of 62 talented young males who underwent rigorous talent training to find the seven standouts who would become the next generation’s male global pop group. The program also celebrated ABS-CBN’s partnership with Korean entertainment companies, MLD Entertainment and KAMP Korea.
Meet the talented members of HORI7ON
Vocalist and maknae or Korean term for the youngest member of a group, Marcus Cabais
Vocalist and visual Kyler Chua
Performance leader, main dancer, and center Jeromy Batac
Vocalist Kim Ng
Vocalist Winston Pineda
Leader and vocalist Vinci Malizon
Main rapper Reyster Yton
Hailing from the Philippines, the seven-member global pop group HORI7ON honed their skills in South Korea before wowing audiences with their 2023 debut.
Exclusive merch alert
In collaboration with MLD Entertain PH, SM Malls Online offers a treasure trove of exclusive HORI7ON merchandise. Treat yourself to photos from their new digital single “LUCKY” and the “Friend-SHIP” album, along with other must-have items.
Don’t miss out
Be the ultimate fan and pre-order the limited-edition HORI7ON suitcase box set. Available only through SM Malls Online and select SM malls, this exclusive set not only grants access to the fan-signing event but also enters fans into a raffle for a once-in-a-lifetime VIP Fan Meet with HORI7ON. 30 lucky winners will get up close and personal with all seven idols in one room.
Experience the magic
From the dynamic “Dash” to sentimental tracks like “Salamat” and “Lovey Dovey,” and of course, their chart-topping hit “Lucky,” HORI7ON’s talent and charm will leave one breathless. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic! See HORI7ON take the nation by storm at SM Supermalls.
For details on exciting SM Supermalls events, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.
– On April 17, 2024, vivo delighted basketball enthusiasts with an exclusive Meet and Greet event in collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA), featuring the esteemed 5-time NBA Champion, Derek Fisher.
Held at vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall, the event offered fans an opportunity to engage with one of basketball’s most iconic figures.
A highlight of the event was the exclusive groufie with Fisher, captured using the latest vivo V30 Pro. With its state-of-the-art ZEISS triple main cameras, including a 50MP selfie camera, the vivo V30 Pro showcased its exceptional photography capabilities, delivering clear groufies.
Aside from the iconic groufie, host Nikki Viola set the stage for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement and insight. Attendees were treated to an engaging Q&A session with Fisher, during which he shared anecdotes from his illustrious basketball journey and reminisced about memorable championship victories.
Fisher also offered valuable advice to young people in achieving their dreams, where he compared owning a business to becoming an athlete like a basketball player.
“If you can see it, you can dream it. You can get there, but then there’s light years of work still to do in order for you to maintain that dream,” he shared.
Attendees also had the privilege of witnessing Fisher autograph official Wilson Basketball merchandise. Attendees then participated in a fansign session, receiving personalized autographs and photos with Fisher, creating lasting memories of an unforgettable evening.
For more highlights from the NBA x vivo Meet and Greet with Derek Fisher, follow vivo on Instagram and TikTok, and join the conversation on Facebook and X.
Meanwhile, the vivo V30 Pro with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM is available for Php 34,999 at any vivo concept store or kiosk and online on website, Shopee, and Lazada.
True to its advocacy of promoting a healthier lifestyle, Sun Life Philippines once again successfully concluded one of its most awaited events, Sun Life Cycle PH, last April 7, 2024, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
The event was open to anyone who wished to enjoy the fun sport of cycling; from professional to casual cyclists, as well as families and children who simply want to have a healthy way of spending the summer together.
Sun Life Cycle PH categories included a 60km, a 45km, and a 30km bike run for adults; and a Kids Bike Camp with kiddie rides for those aged six to 15 years old, who get to enjoy 30-minute bike runs both solo and with a family member. Moreover, children aged four to five were able to join the 500-meter tricycle ride, and children who are two to three years old biked in the 100-meter event of the same category.
“At Sun Life, we believe that living healthier lives should never be a solitary journey,” says Don Aaron Peji, Head, Brand Strategy and Management of Sun Life Philippines. “We will go far if we have our partners for life going along for the ride. Through events like the Sun Life Cycle PH, we hope to encourage more people to see cycling as an enjoyable way of staying healthy and fit.”
The cycling event started at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub traversing Vermosa Blvd., Daang Hari, going around, and back. Moreover, Sun Life clients who joined the event also got to enjoy special perks at the Solar Lounge like loot bags as well as Sun Life merchandise and sunscreen. They were also treated with refreshments and healthy nibblers like cookies, sandwiches, trail mixes, and Fruit as refreshments. To spice things up, clients got the chance to win up to ₱10,000 simply by guessing how many SunSons where at the Solar Lounge.
A total of 1,385 cyclists participated, with 89 children joining the kiddie rides. Sun Life Cycle PH is a collaboration between Sun Life and Ironman PH, with the special cooperation of the City of Imus and Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub. It is an annual event that promotes cycling as a healthy and sustainable activity that can be enjoyed by professional cyclists and families alike. The event was likewise co-sponsored by Lightwater and media coverage was provided by Manila Bulletin and Tempo.
To know more about Sun Life Cycle PH, visit https://sunlife.cycleph.com/. To know more about Sun Life, visit https://www.sunlife.com.ph/en/
CENTRO DE FILIPINAS EN MADRID HOSTS PH-SPAIN BUSINESS FORUM
On 21 March 2024, the Philippine Embassy successful held a business forum on, in collaboration with the Spanish business arm Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE), alongside with the Philippine Economic Zones Authority, the San Carlos City Local Government and the San Carlos Development Board. The event was held at the Centro de Filipinas en Madrid, the Embassy´s multi-purpose venue for various stakeholders, mostly to members of the Filipino community but also aiming to pursue the Embassy´s economic diplomacy efforts.
This forum serves as an initial direct contact of the San Carlos Local Government with representatives of various Spanish business firms who are eyeing into doing investment ventures in the Philippines and are considering capitalizing on Philippine special economic zones in our country.
PLDT’s wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has blocked more than 13 million SMShing messages in the first quarter of the year. It has also blacklisted almost 200,000 mobile numbers involved in phishing activities as the Philippine National Police (PNP) raised the alarm on ‘hijack profile’ cases.
“Data is the new oil. Cyber criminals steal personal information to defraud you or use your identity to victimize people close to you. Guard your data. Don’t share it with people you don’t know,” reminded Joseph Ian Gendrano, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart.
‘Hijack profile’ happens when a hacker gains unauthorized access to someone’s social media account. In some cases, the victims are locked out of their own account. The offender then messages the victims’ contacts to ask for money, usually under the guise of a sickness or an unfortunate life event.
To further keep customers safe from fraudulent activities, Smart is reminding the public to be wary of clicking dubious links on SMS or emails from unknown persons
During the #CyberSmart event at Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong, Elijah Mendoza, Digital Communications Senior Manager at Smart, emphasized mindfulness when traversing cyber space and reading text messages.
“Phishing is the most common technique employed by bad actors to trick you into revealing your data. Don’t go on autopilot mode and click or tap links,” said Mendoza.
To avoid getting baited by phishing messages, remember the following:
Don’t open suspicious emails or links. Remember what our parents used to say about not talking to strangers? It’s the same with unfamiliar senders or callers.
Don’t log in to unfamiliar websites. Look at the address bar. Make sure you are opening the legitimate website.
Brush up on grammar and branding knowledge. Phishing messages are often composed of ill-formed sentences with bad grammar. Malicious websites often use low-resolution photos to mimic the page they’re copying.
The efforts of PLDT and Smart to share CyberSmart tips are rooted in their customer-centric culture where they aim to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from threats and cyber-attacks.
