Better Banking Rewards with Security Bank

 

Had a lovely morning at Shangrila Mall's atrium yesterday as Security Bank had all their people celebrate in "Ready, Set, Redeem!" which is a launch for their #BetterBankingRewards platform as part of their credit card perks. I think it's special because they really have designed it in a way where cardholders would be able to earn points easier, use their points with flexibility and enjoy the rewards conveniently instead of just being stagnantly there. With appealing promos and partner merchants as huge as the Mastercard network, you'll get to see and feel how rewarding it is to have one.

 

At the Shangrila Mall, they had different stations to exchange points into miles with different airline companies (You can exchange your existing rewards points from Security Bank to the preferred airline and buy the needed tickets you want. For international or domestic flights, partner airlines are accessible on the app), taught folks to also use it for hotel stays, had us watch Will Dasovich spend it like actual money to change his wardrobe, styled for a flight he's having in the afternoon. It was like using the points as convenient as cash. The #BetterBankingRewards is accessible through the Security Bank app or the website. Simply register and redeem rewards in over 100+ partner brands listed there. Whether you enjoy a day in a spa, flying, shopping, they've got lots of options for you to enjoy without spending a dime, just your points of course!

 

Rahul Rasal EVP and Retail Head of Security Bank says "Welcome to our partners, to Mastercard and Security Bank family. How many are married? Not Married? Do you believe in happy wife, happy life? A resounding Yes, but happy husband doesn't matter. I went on a vacation once, but had to call my bank to increase my limit, the kind person said it's okay, we can redeem your points to get you a room upgrade. That's when I felt the importance of rewards, you can do this on flights and hotels, and in a lot of merchants. We hope you too get a rewarding experience with Security Bank."

This doesn't only apply here, but internationally (so use your points and exchange them with other loyalty points smart!). You can also monitor your points spending in the same place. This convenience makes it a #BetterBankingRewards experience so if you apply for a Security Bank Credit Card today, you get to earn points like a pro. No wonder they've won awards for it! Head on to securitybank.com to know more.

#CebSuperSeatFest with MIMIYUUUH

Just got off the fun event of Cebu Pacific as they unveiled their Super Seat Fest Be a Baryahero campaign among media guests and Manila’s cutest influencers lols. I admit, I’m one of a LOT of people who have been waiting for seat sales in the wee hours of the morning and yes I have personally got a flight to a province which I haven’t been to last night hence my 4am sleep time. Cebu Pacific and several government agencies have been working hard, partnering towards making local tourism a big thing now that international travel is slightly down due to the Covid situation. There are a LOT of places in the country where I’m sure you haven’t been to yet, and that definitely requires a lot of effort to do, make it a part of your bucketlist and enjoy with your friends and family.

Oh and yes, they also got a new Cebu Pacific Brand Ambassador in the persona of the one and only fun ghorl MIMIYUUUH. The famous YouTuber asks you to drink your water bish, and skirrrrrt to your favorite destinations at a fraction of the cost. With your Barya (chump change) you can be a Baryahero. Cebu Pacific has been offering these one peso fares years ago, they have seen they have been copied and they promise to even bring you better deals in their 3 day sale starting today. This is their #CebSuperSeatFest which happens March 3, 4 and 5 rawr!

March 3 is for Domestic

March 4 for International 

March 5  is for whatever is left on sale on both dates. 

Travel period starts from September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. I’m bound for Roxas City and Cauayan Isabela, places I’ve never been before. You should do the same, I’m sure you’ll create more memories. It’s affordable because it is Cebu Pacific. 

Every Juan deserves to fly!

The Most Luxurious Airlines in the World 2017

The most luxurious airlines in the world. Photos from here and not mine.

Nowadays, it is not necessary to travel in the lower class since customers have an opportunity to find business class flight deals at a significant discount. The same thing refers to the top class of air journey. Besides, air companies lead a severe struggle for each premium client by introducing new attractive features and extraordinary solutions for clientage. At the same time, only a limited number of companies can be referred to the cohort of luxury transporters. If you are interested, the following selection of companies will be useful for choosing the carrier for your next air trip with a focus on the most luxurious conditions.

Qatar

This company has deservingly taken the first place in the rating since it is the richest air transporter on the globe. However, is there a relation between the company’s prosperity and quality of its products? Of course, it is! The company cares about each client using its products and endeavors to achieve the top level of performance both in the cabin and in the lounge. Qatar can boast of numerous titles and regalia but it is definitely one of the luxurious companies in the sky.

Luxurious cabins, tons of legroom should be a requirement. Photo credits belongs here and not mine.

Singapore Airlines

This brand is not as award-winning as the previous one but also has something special to offer to its clientage. As for the elite guests, they can experience the so-called SkySuite. This spacious cabin resembles a small but luxury hotel above the clouds. Each suite is equipped with sliding doors to ensure the highest level of privacy for the onboard guest. The real pleasure of watching and touching any detail in the cabin is guaranteed.

Etihad Airways

The major UAE airline can dispute our rating since it aspires to the title of the best air company on the globe in terms of luxury. Actually, this brand has everything to become the best. You will hardly find any passenger who would be unsatisfied with the degree of services rendered in the cabin regardless the ticket class. Those who pay the highest airfare plunge into the ocean of luxury and comfort in any detail. Etihad’s top class suite represents a small lodge with three rooms equipped with all necessary items for an unforgettable journey.

Cathay Pacific Airways

Asian companies boldly compete with representatives from the Middle East. For this reason, the prominent Hong Kong air carrier is highly ranked in terms of top-class services in the air. Besides, the transporter pays a huge attention to the airport facilities for its clientage. As for the cabin, the elite guests of Cathay can enjoy multiple luxury features such as chairs equipped with massage function, superb materials used in the interior and top-notch servicing.

Food and service should be top notch. Photo credits belong here and not mine.

Emirates

It is not necessary to be a regular air traveler to know this air company. Indeed, the marketing campaign of Emirates is beyond words. At the same time, the company does not talk to the winds and tends to comply with its high status in practice. Those who are lucky to visit the top class cabin of the transporter are unwilling to exit. It is nothing more than a joke, however, the interior and outfit of its elite class product resembles the highest level of luxury. Personal mini-bar, sliding doors and a personal shower in each suite make the difference for the bulk of customers.

British Airways

We could not end the rating without mentioning at least one European company. It does not mean that the best British air carrier does not deserve the title of the luxury airline. Quite the opposite! Elite class places are rather competitive among the previously mentioned rivals. Besides, the quality of services on the board of the air transporter is known far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom.

Philippine Reps Named for AirAsia Runway Designer Search 2017

Having been a lover of runway shows and fashion photography, I was ecstatic to actually see who will represent the Philippines at the AirAsia Runway Designer Search 2017. This is the Manila leg and they're holding several searches around Asia to get the representatives from each country to participate in the culmination night in Malaysia where the AirAsia headquarters is located.

Their collection will be seen on KL Fashion Week together with other participating ASEAN countries who will also be sending their best in the region. There were about more than 50 aspiring designers who presented during the preliminaries then were also cut down to 12 in the afternoon. The judges really had a hard time choosing two because admittedly, there were a lot of talented designers in the Philippines. Judges include Andrew Tan, the founder of KL Fashion Week RTW, Hannah Serrano of Air Asia, Veen Dee Tan of Fashion Valet, Suki Salvador of Mega and Anthony Ramirez, one of the Philippines' best designers.

They too will be mentored by Suki Salvador and prepare a Capsule Collection which will be sold in Fashion Valet (if they win the grand prize). Aside from that, they can get the chance to win 150,000 AirAsia BIG Points (which they can use to travel in any AirAsia destination) plus Php 280,000 funding for the collection.They will also be featured on a 6 page fashion spread on AirAsia's Travel3Sixty which is their inflight magazine. 

In the end, they announced Jerome Tayao and Maria Esme Palaganas as the Top 2 winners. They will be heading to Kuala Lumpur this August to compete with the region's best, and hopefully make the country proud. Here's my short interview with them after the announcement.

Congratulations and I hope to see your collection on the runway!

For more information about their search:

Air Asia

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http://bit.ly/AirAsia_PH

Red Talks with Daphne, the Web Series

I haven't really gone out of the country that much but I'm glad these days, almost everyone can easily fly. World's best low cost carrier AirAsia has revolutionized this sector of the industry and has made it possible for Filipinos, the rest of the region, to fly to different parts of the country and the world. 

This evening, I had the pleasure to witness the launch of Red Talks with Daphne hosted by one of my blogging idols Ms. Daphne Oseña-Paez. I remember her doing hit show F, her other web series visiting other countries, her duties with the UN and the adventures she had with her family, which I followed religiously til now. But this web series she's doing with the AirAsia Foundation, the AirAsia Big Loyalty Programme, Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta, Flower Island Resort Palawan and Jewelmer is totally going to be different as it will only premier on AirAsia Philippines' Facebook Page on March 25, 2017. She adds "It is a 6 part series, like a lifestyle magazine show on the web. Everyone is going to see it with your help. More than the beauty and glamour of the job, we will tell their story. Their journey, how they got there. I went to their training center and you get a glimpse on how to be an all star, which they are called. It was also nice to know Tony Fernandez, you really get inspired. We also met some silversmiths in Yogyakarta, it's a magical place and we have seen the work of AirAsia Foundation. They fund them and help social entrepreneurs in branding, packaging and other expertise. It's a story of oue journey and it's something else. It even rained on the way to the temple and we didn't want that to ruin the trip. We were put together by Air Asia, we were complete strangers and now we have major sepanx.

This is way beyond what I expected, to see my show on the silver screen, I do not take this for granted and thank you Air Asia! I hope this inspires your journeys."

As AirAsia Philippine Brand Manager David Viray puts it "Our airline is realizing this dream of making flying affordable and accesible to all. This has also inspired so many people in the reagion and Daphne, through Red Talks with Daphne will talk about people and places that share the same dream we have, and the same story."

The 6 part series will start off with Destination: Dream (The Man with the Red Cap) which will talk about the man himself AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernadez (will be shown on March 25, 2017), Destination: Fly which are stories about AirAsia Cabin Crews (will be shown on April 8, 2017, Destination: Good which is about the Silversmiths of Arkomjogja (shown in April 22, 2017), Destination: Unity which is about the ASEAN (shown on May 6, 2017), Destination: Harmony which is about Environmental Protection of Businesses (shown on May 20, 2017), Destination: Freedom which is about travelers (shown on June 3, 2017). This will also be shown 7PM Manila Time on these dates, all produced by Philippines AirAsia Inc. This is their way of inspiring you to your journeys, so you shouldn't miss this.

KUMAGCOW

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You Can Now Fly to Shanghai with Air Asia

I personally don't like Shanghai or China, I have been there once. But for those who adore skyscrapers or different cultures, an immersion to one of the closest countries in the Philippines may prove to be a good trip if you're looking for a place to take a vacation for sight seeing and perhaps food. They say this is the Paris of the East but I think it's just another city to go to. It's easier too because Air Asia flies there now which they have not done before. From Pudong, Shanghai Disney Land, shopping destinations and world renowned retail brands, they've got them all lined up in waterside promenades and cityscapes.You would love to be in the midst of it all when in Shanghai. I could say I survived it even without knowing a single chinese word by learning the art of pointing and picutres, I could ace those funny board games now!

You won't have a hard time finding food too because they have tons of convenience stores, local restaurants that have legit chinese food plus their own version of hawker stalls established way beyond your lifetime perhaps. There are also some river trips, villages and tons of temples that's picturesque, without regretting just seeing them on postcards. That's quite a feat already. 

The good news is, that's not the only city that Air Asia goes to. You can choose to do your selfies, landscape shots at Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, or some of my favorites like Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Siam Reap and Bali because Air Asia also flies there. These days, you can go anywhere and only spend a few bucks because they've got promos that would fit your budget so you've got more money for shopping and tons of places to go to in these countries. You can also get discounts on tours because you're flying the best economy airline that's won accolades to begin with.

Check out this post from them a couple of days ago!

Told yah!

KUMAGCOW

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The AirAsia Travel Photographer 2016

There were over 500 entries sent but only 6 finalists were chosen. They all travelled to Macau and battled it out in different challenges to win the title of AirAsia Travel Photographer 2016. 

Neil Cardano from Palawan, Mithilaya Miclat from Davao, Eliseo Zuniga from Taguig, Kimberly Pauig from Pasig, Daniel Magbanua from Quezon City and Dave Poblete from Makati went on a mission and shot picturesque Coloane Village, Fisherman's Wharf and other cultural attractions in Macau so they could take portraits, food shots, and experience the country and it's people. To judge the photos, they had Nachi Ugarte from GRID Magazine, Jacob Maentz who does documentaries, Wawi Navarrosa a photographer from Thousandfold and Rudy Khaw the head of AirAsia's Branding. 

They called in 3 finalists Kimberly Pauig, Daniel "DJ" Magbanua and Dave Poblete to explain their work. Kimberly shined on the portrait with three women, Daniel had a great architectural shot, while Dave Poblete excelled more on the food shot since he had a kid and a lollipop element in it. 

The grand winner gets 200,000 AirAsia BIG Points, a surprise vacation package from AirAsia, and prizes from partner brands GRID Magazine and Flight 001. They also awarded the People's choice winner which was done through public voting on AirAsia Philippines' website! 

In the end, the winner for People's Choice is Dave Poblete. The third place goes to DJ Magbanua, Second place goes to Dave Poblete and grand prize winner is Kimberly Pauig.

KUMAGCOW

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Philippine Airlines Forges Partnership with Holiday Inn

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines just made their bid to be the next 5 Star airline in Asia. They plan to do this in a couple of years and they made sure to expand the long list of companies that they'd be working together to be able to achieve this feat. It's not a long shot because other companies were already doing it but they made sure the heart of the Filipino would always be in the forefront, making it even more special. This time, they did it with Holiday Inn Makati.

"It is important that we celebrate this event. We have been flying Philippine Airlines and it's exciting to see how much have changed for how many years. I never had a late flight, when you are loyal about a company you could see the change. It's unusual to get the same crew, but I've had that happen twice and it was nice for them to recognize me. We are both wanting to achieve perfection, in a market where more people are traveling more. We both recognize in our company that it is something important to us, we will keep it as long as possible. Thank you so much!" says Intercontinental Group Head Christian Pirodon.

Jaime Bautista of Philippine Airlines says "The executives unanimously want service beyond expectations for our customers and the goal is to be a 5 star carrier. Our vision is to be a 4 star airline in 2017, and 5 star in 2020. There are only 10 airlines in the world that have that and much of them are in Asia. For us to be able to get that we need to make our passengers happy and this is what we'll implement. We're proud to give our Mabuhay Miles members what they deserve,  we are forging partnerships in more industries. This latest collab with Holiday Inn will make our cardholders redeem world class places to stay, PAL wishes to hold this partnership for the long haul."

Mayette Casanova AVP for Loyalty Programs promises more options for members to earn more miles with more of their partners. Members can now earn miles when they wine, dine or stay in the hotel. Members can now redeem miles as well to pay for it in the hotel. 

Maricor Aquino of Holiday Inn Makati adds "We're having a promo with Philippine Airlines, with Stay Dine Fly, members can now get 50% off on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and for every night you get 500 miles. For Flavors, they will get 500 Miles for every Php 2000 spend valid on buffet lunch or dinner. So it's a great time to do it this long weekend."

Make sure you go to the Philippine Airlines website and book your flights today, use your points because the 50% promo will end this evening. It's best to take advantage, be a member for FREE too by applying for the card at https://www.mabuhaymiles.com. 

KUMAGCOW.COM

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Skyscanner Now FREE Through Smart, Sun and Talk N Text

We're in Makati today to cover Skyscanner. They just came out with news about free access in Smart, Sun and Talk N Text networks. Unbelievable? No, it is true! 

Whether you're planning to visit Japan or just bum around Boracay, their app would choose the best flights, hook you up with the best hotels and inns, even get you transportation arrangements in between. The thing is, it always boils down to your bandwidth getting used when searching for these things and SafeZone basically eliminates that. A single toggle switch on SafeZone.com.ph or your Smart Dashboard will get you protection from unwanted browsing charges. Now, they're making your surftime in www.skyscanner.com.ph, their app in iOS and Android all FREE.

Heidi Garayblas, Affiliate Business Manager for Voyager Innovations

The app is powerful, it's going to even alert you in the best deals if a destination would spark your interest. Subscribing would immediately send you emails when  the fares go down and deals suddenly happen on individual airline sites, something that never happens in other travel apps.

Dindo Marzan, Assistant Vice President for Voyager Innovations

They also suggested a couple destinations like Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan or the US which you can book early 17-20 weeks prior to departure so you spend less on the travel fares. They also tipped us off the most searched destinations this summer that we Filipinos love! The list concludes Singapore, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Caticlan (Boracay), Bangkok, Seoul, New York and Cebu for the month of January to March. It seems that people have prepared a lot for May to July which is still the peak season, they just made it even easier for us to access websites for FREE!

Thank you Skyscanner and SafeZone! I hope you get more partners and have all these sites for free! 

For more information about their app:

Skyscanner Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.skyscanner.com.ph/

Solaire and AirAsia Launches SkySolaire!

Solaire and Air Asia in a very special partnership.

I wasn't really prepared to know what was about to happen, but I was just as excited as the people from Solaire and Air Asia as they were about to embark on something BIG to help boost the gaming and tourism industry at the Air Asia Hangar in Andrews Avenue, Domestic Airport in Pasay City. What am I talking about? Well.. have a look at this video.

Donato Almeda the Board Director of Solaire says "This is a key undertaking between two dynamic brands, we are raising the bar and even taking it to the skies!"

Maan Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Philippines says they fully believe in partnerships and this collaboration will surely be a boost to the tourism industry. They are planning to have flights directly to cities in China, Malaysia and Korea.

Ladies from AirAsia will be donned in colors of Solaire Gold and Black ensembles. Then they unveiled the plane that afternoon!

This is SKY SOLAIRE!

This is the Airbus A320, now it's fully covered with the Solaire brand. With the world class service that's also seen in their hotels and establishments, you can only expect nothing but the best in Sky Solaire. 

Solaire and AirAsia has plans of making this a continued effort; to even get additional planes and a bigger campaign up until 2016. This will be something that people from other nations would take notice of and surely, a way to entice them to visit Solaire in the future. They will see how it is to have so much fun in the Philippines and perhaps get food and entertainment in one place called Solaire!

For more information about their establishment:

Solaire Resort

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Visit their official website

http://www.solaireresort.com