GrabFood Fan Faves Bared

If you're regularly using the Grab Superapp, you've probably spent a lot of time browsing the GrabGood section to scour for the best food items that restaurants offer. Recently, they announced the restaurants and products that made it to the GrabFood Fan Faves list which are all voted by consumers and users of the app. This has been going on for 3 years and there are millions of votes that came in to recognize chosen businesses in over 19 categories, and the Filipinos have it.

Establishments who garnered 50,000 votes and up have been bestowed Platinum Fan Fave status. This includes Filipino fast food chain Jollibee (who got wins in Burger, Fried Chicken and Pasta), Mang Inasal (for their Halo Halo in Cold Dessert, and Chicken with PM1), Starbucks, McDonalds (for their McCrispy Chicken Fillet with fries meal), Angel's Pizza (for their Double Deals), Chowking (for their Siomai Chao Fan in the Rice Meal category).

There were 39 of which have also achieved Gold tier status, then Trending Faves status for the next ones. Several more restaurants outside Metro Manila (in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) got Regional Faves status, a worthy recognition for those who worked hard giving the best of their dishes on the platform.

Here's the rest of the winners, congratulations!

Now head on to your phones and order through the Grab Superapp (they have the food establishments listed there too). You can download it off Google Play or the App Store today!

"Bagong Henerasyon" Partylist Pushes for Health, Education and Jobs Generation

The BH Partylist or Bagong Henerasyon (New Generation) just concluded their Miting De Avance last May 4 at the Elements Tent in Centris Quezon City. With throngs of people coming from different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, they all converged there to show support for Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera (1st Nominee) and businessman Marlon Manalang (2nd Nominee) for their group.

I am very familiar with Congresswoman Bernadette's work since I reside in Quezon City wherein she served as councilor in the early 2000's. When the partylist system was started and BH Partylist had sufficient votes, their goal to help those who need help in hospital payments, health, education (scholarships and higher education), and those who want to find jobs, businesses (SME's) so people can put food on their table and survive their daily lives. So far, they've gotten over 130 Principal Authored Bills to address this and needs to help even more this coming elections. 

Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera says "Since 2010, this is the first time we are doing a Miting de Avance. From our hearts, thank you so much for being here. Thank you Brother Marlon for organizing this today. I go around looking in communities, hearing people what they need, and I'm thankful you visited us here to give support to our cause. I already feel we have won the race. We are excited to provide public service. I have been here for 21 years and I feel so overwhelmed when people tell us that they were helped by our partylist Bagong Henerasyon. With MCGI and us, I see a very huge support from you all. When Brother Marlon and I visit Kuya Daniel, I feel like I'm part of MCGI. Our goal is to help in Health, Education and Job Generation. We need to teach our neighbors, those who are in the provinces to vote for a partylist representative. It's not hard to campaign as people know we have done remarkable achievements with the Universal Healthcare Law. The government should be able to shoulder private hospitals next, we need to work on this and we hope you would help us do this in the next congress. There's only a few days left before national elections and I hope in the few days you would ask your family, relatives, who would want to push for the same projects we do with Bagong Henerasyon. You are our inspiration, for the people you help are also the same ones we want to represent in the lower house. Number 35, Bagong Henerasyon Partylist!"

Check out the highlights of the event on this video, this includes a short interview with Brother Marlon Manalang (2nd Nominee) who also introduced us to some of his kids who were with him that afternoon:

If you want more information about their cause and projects, you may like their social channels by searching Bagong Henerasyon on Facebook. If you want them to represent you, make sure you shade number 35 this Monday.

COCO MARTIN and Task Force AGILA All Stars Appear in AP Partylist Sortie in Tondo, Manila

Yesterday was an eye opener for me. I got to witness a grand campaign by Ako'y Pilipino Partylist in Parola Tondo, Manila. It's actually very far from where I live and a bit adamant to go, but hearing that Coco Martin was part of the people pushing for the cause of AP Partylist tells me I should listen more about their platforms... this time, live and in person.

For those who don't know, they've been very active in helping people during the height of the COVID-19 crisis where Representative Ronnie Ong is running for 1st nominee. He did several projects these past few years which include free transportation for health workers,  helping farmers to get their produce to centralized pantries to feed communities, free tablets and access to internet connection for teachers and students who are having difficulty during the pandemic. This benefited communities around the country and helped public utility drivers, farmers, frontline workers to get to and from their work place. They also provided work for some ABSCBN workers who got laid off during the station's franchise woes that left 10K plus employees fending for themselves.

Coco and TASK FORCE AGILA knew about their deeds which is why they are in full force supporting AP Partylist #164 so that they may continue their projects in communities such as this one in Tondo, Manila. Coco says "Cong Ronnie has always been working so hard, we've been witness to that. Now it's our turn to support him, and hopefully you will too by choosing #164 AP Partylist on May 9th."

 Coco and Task Force AGILA came from a long day of roaming the streets of Manila (through a motorcade from noon til night time). The place filled up in no time as it was pretty close to a community. They got a DJ from Cebu, DJ Jhaiho and Amazing Betong to host the event. It was met with excitement as several lucky guys and gals got to participate in games they prepared that evening. A mini pageant, a dance off, that got all of us entertained while waiting for the celebrities to come out. 

 

  Aside from singing, dancing and entertaining the crowd that evening, each of the Task Force Agila celebrities had the chance to talk to the crowd about Cong. Ron's projects which he still continues to do today. Marc Solis, John Medina, John Pratts, Raymart Santiago, Angel Aquino, Michael De Mesa, told us about the importance of having someone out there to help people in times of crisis, when people don't have jobs and how they could earn a living (they also help MSME's and fund projects). They are also supporting Vice President Leni Robredo who's running for President as well this 2022. 

 

Meanwhile, Sancho Vito de las Alas joined Bassilyo, Sisa, Smugglaz who consider this their home turf so they got the crowd hyped up right before Coco Martin came out from back stage. They sung the "Ako'y Pilipino" theme, rapped some parts of it which touched a lot of the audience last night. They ended the festivities with Coco Martin going up on stage and the whole Task Force AGILA singing to the crowd. Coco reiterated how people need to help AP Partylist and Congressman Ronnie Ong have all of us who care about these causes true representation in the lower house. Because at the end of the day, each one counts! 

P.S.Thank you to the kind people behind this event who had us experience this last night.

/*photos with AP Partylist watermark belong to AP Partylist FB Page and is not mine.

Reader’s Digest Outs Most Trusted Brands and Personalities Award for 2022

Reader's Digest is celebrating their 100th year and last April 8th, they got us to cover the awarding ceremonies for the Most Trusted Brands and Personalities in the Philippines. This is an annual event where patrons decide the best of the best in different products, services and people in different industries. It also brings the brand prestige, that in a multitude of names out there, they're the ones that Filipinos trust the most.

The Garden Ballroom at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel Manila was actually packed with executives and CEO's, representatives from different companies who were there to receive their awards. Entertainment was provided by world class singer Hannah Precillas from Sparkle GMA Artist Center. Present also on the occasion was Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific Advertising Sales Director Sheron White who gave welcome remarks and the awards for the brands that day.

Reader's Digest Editor in Chief Ms. Louise Waterson says "For consumer brands, it is hard to secure trust. This takes years to establish and nurture. Though hard, we have seen that happen this year even if we're undergoing hardships amidst the pandemic. They are living up to serve the consumers who are vital to their success. Congratulations to the winners!"

Gold Awards went to these brands:


Air Conditioner – Carrier and Condura
Air Freight/Courier Service – J&T Express
Air Purifier – Sharp
Baby Store – Mothercare
Consumer Loan – BDO
Cooking Oil – Baguio Oil
Face Mask – CopperMask and Indoplas
Investment Fund Company – AIA and BDO
Life Insurance – AIA and Manulife
Milk Tea Shop (new category) – Macao Imperial Tea
Optical Shop/Store – Ideal Vision Center
Personal Computer – Acer
Plasticware – Orocan
TV Network – ABS-CBN
Washing Machine – Sharp and Whirlpool

They also announced the winner for Platinum Awards

Bank – BDO
Broadband/Fibre Internet Service – PLDT Home Fibr
Credit Card Issuing Bank – BDO
Life Insurance – Sun Life Philippines
Mattress – Uratex
Optical Shop/ Store – Executive Optical
Pen – Pilot
Pharmacy/ Drug Store – Mercury Drug
TV Network – GMA Network

Familiar names also were seen on the Most Trusted Personalities award.

Jessica Soho for Most Trusted TV News Presenter
Mike Enriquez for the Most Trusted Radio Presenter
Senator Manny Pacquiao wins Most Trusted Sportsperson
Vice Ganda also got the Most Trusted Entertainment/Variety Presenter

If you would want to see the complete list of winners, check out Readers Digest Most Trusted Brands and Personalities on their April 2022 issue. Congratulations to everyone who made it on the list!

ASEAN Pushing for One Professional Per Family

Got to sit down with some enthusiastic people behind the ASEAN Partylist. By name association, I’d be thinking they would be gearing more into pushing for ASEAN integration, but not solely, they apparently are also pushing and supporting it. But it isn’t something they are concentrating on because there are a lot in their policies that they’d want to implement. What is refreshing though is that none of them are politicians, mostly made of professionals, a factor that they have also been proud of. They want to also push for policies that would help to get one person in your family to become a professional. Sounds good no?

Their way of achieving this is by giving Access to education. They also want to bring wifi access to schools. This would also be possible if there are Scholarships, subsidies and support for reviewees, students and educators which they want to help. They are also gunning for more Employment opportunities, have ease of doing business in every city, have plans of OFW re-integration. They don’t want anything to do with corruption, red tape, have accountability in every government office. They want every Filipino to be a part of nation building, which is why they made their lineup more of CPA’s, Deans, Educators, Practitioners and HR Professionals. They are also headed by Win Ballada, an author of several #MadeEasy books, board topnotcher CPA, and also has an MBA. Second in line is Dr. Roberto Gonzales and Dr. Christopher Biore who are also CPA’s and got MBA’s.

They want to also propose laws that if enacted would have support needed to gain one person per family to have professional work. They also want to push for legislation made to enhance public libraries, OFW Cheaper Remittance, student adoption, fix Magna Carta for CPA’s in government service, salary upgrade for educators, help people going through graduate studies, and a whole lot more. You may check these on detail via Facebook.com/WINBallada and Facebook.com/AseanPartylist.

Win quirps “Education is indeed the greatest leveler. We should invest in education, put people in government with the right education and moral integrity.”

“Last elections we ranked 68th out of 115 but only 58 seats were available. We represented the youth and professionals. We are in so much in our sector which is the academe. One professional in one family, we wish to prioritize education. We are lagging in educational investment, we have a long way to go and more of our population have never event set foot in college. We wish to identify the poorest of the poor, if they don’t get someone to study in a state university or college, it will be hard for them to get a job and provide for their family. If they are given priority, they would have options. We believe that if there would be one son or daughter to do this, they would be able to uplift the lives of their whole family. If not for scholarships, I would not have even been able to graduate. My Mom said I wouldn’t be able to study back then, I approached my classmates, I survived getting shared food from the food of my friends, I also asked for money. But it can only do much, until I found a scholarship posted on a newspaper. Through the Go Kim Pah Grant, I was able to tell them my story and they gave me one because I asked for it, I assured them I wouldn’t fail them, I blurted out I will top the board exams, I promised them that, ended up over achieving and got 2nd place in the CPA board. I told God I would share and pay it forward. I have the story up on my Facebook page who I hope would be inspired by my story. Those who have limited opportunities, to be part of the policy making process and help a lot more people. When my mates and I talk, we ask ourselves how to fight dynasties and businesses associated with partylist groups. Nobody outside our circle supported us, simply because we didn’t have the funds, hopefully id we share our story, they will be able to understand and trust us as academicians. In fact I tell students how our currency is our reputation. One thing I can promise is that I would be the same person, to be one of you, to work for the things I know and share it with you.”

Now I’m in no way endorsing them, they are giving you a choice to fill that one blank space in the partylist line on your ballot. You should make sure they are capable, honest and one that would push more for the cause you believe in because if you remember, the partylist system was made to represent unheard sectors of society. If they answer your questions well, choose them for their merits.

Why the hate on LTE-Advanced?

List of Phones that currently support LTE-Advanced: Apple's iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, BlackBerry Priv, BlackBerry Passport, HTC One M9, HTC One A9, HTC 10, Huawei Ascend Mate 7, Mate S, Mate 8, Honor 6 (which I have on the photo YAY!), Honor 6 Plus, Nexus 6P, LG G Flex 2, G4, G5, Nexus 5X, V10, Moto X Style, Lumia 950, 950 XL, One Plus 2, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note 5, Note Edge, Alpha, A5 (2016), A7 (2016), A8 (2016), S5, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, S7, S7 Edge, Sony Z3, Z4, Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium, Xperia X, X Performance, Xiaomi Mi Note Pro, Mi 5.

I understand the angst people are actually doing on their blogs these days but really, why the hate? Smart Communications just recently rolled out the LTE Advanced Mobile Technology in Boracay yesterday and all these bickering about it surfaced later in the day. The company is actually doing something great, it's a technology that isn't available yet in the Philippines and now that it is, I'd rather have it welcomed than marred early on.

Think about it, PLDT's wireless subsidiary is basically offering faster speeds with the usual LTE band using carrier aggregation. People are complaining about slow speeds for years and now that they've got it measured up to 250 Mbps, they're complaining again? We just made this world class technology that's available in Optus in Australia, Sprint in the US, and Turkcell in Turkey be here with Smart in the Philippines, so is that even something to complain about? It's not for every phone there is in the country as there are only a few LTE Advanced capable phones in the market now, technology isn't really cheap but having it be here alone should be celebrated rather than marred like that. I've worked with  some people from other telecommunications companies abroad and they're not as perfect as they seem to be. People  are clueless and think the ones in Australia (remember that telco that they wished was going to invest here?) were far better when in reality, I've heard horror stories from their users first hand too and they weren't as heavenly as they think. 

The technology isn't cheap either and if you were in the shoes of the telco you would rather invest in technological advancements rather than existing ones. Smart made it better, you have bigger bandwidth, you've got faster data speeds and they still complain. Be happy with the new technology, learn to adapt and have the better disposition that it's finally here. Getting it doesn't mean they'll abandon 3G or previous bands, so it's a good thing they started it. So people, don't despair. There's bound to be more technologies out there coming to our country and it's not a bad thing. Did you say the same thing when we were all in 2G phones digging WAP in the past? I guess not. This cutting edge technology is part of their broader effort to service Sun and Smart subscribers, so don't spoil the party. There, I said it. Go take a chill pill.

For more information about their company :

Smart Communications

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Visit their official website

http://smart.com.ph/

50 Beautiful Years of Binibining Pilipinas!

It's the premier pageant institution in the country where the most beautiful Filipinas from all parts of the Philippines come in an take their chances in becoming Binibining Pilipinas - Universe, Binibining Pilipinas International and Binibining Pilipinas Tourism. From thousands who applied in one of the most largest turnouts in Binibining Pilipinas history, they only picked 50 gorgeous girls to vie for three titles this 2013!

The candidates were earlier announced and some of my friends have their personal favorites.

1.Ria Rabajante
2.Ma. Bencelle Bianzon
3.Zandra Flores
4.Nicole Kim Donesa
5.Maria Sofia Gloria Mustonen
6.Yvette Chantal Mildenberger
7.Maria Ivy Kristel Gonzales
8.Abbygale Monderin
9.Katherine Anne Enriquez
10.Anna Carmela Aquino
11.Ana Carmina Antonio
12.Camille Carla Nazar
13.Charmaine Elima
14.Mary Rose Pujanes
15.Pia Wurtzbach
16.Joanna Cindy Miranda
17.Carin Adrianne Ramos
18.Christine Paula Love Bernasor
19.Hannah Ruth Sison
20.Bea Rose Santiago
21.Lourenz Grace Remetillo
22.Ellore Noelle Punzalan
23.Leona Paula Santicruz
24.Cassandra Naidas
25.Merry Joyce Respicio
26.Anna Fernandina Buquid
27.Vania Valiry Vispo
28.Mercegrace Raquel
29.Pauline Quintas
30.Maria Theresa Gorgonio
31.Maria Angelica De Leon
32.Cindy Abundabar
33.Parul Shah
34.Grace Yann Apuad
35.Theresa Marie Fenger
36.Angel May Villafuerte
37.Ma. Teresita Alaine Baccay
38.Mariz Ong
39.Mutya Johanna Datul
40.Jan Helen Villanueva
41.Ariella Arida
42.Jacqueline Alexandra Mayoralgo
43.Rhea Nakpil
44.Gabrielle Monique Runnstrom
45.Imelda Schweighart
46.Amanda Noelle Navasero
47.Aiyana Mikiewicz
48.Angeli Dione Gomez
49.Herlie Kim Artugue
50.Ma. Cristina Ann Pascual

They were doing the talent portion and it was nice to see them in a different light.

I am doing a fearless forecast here because I was able to see them a few days ago. I love Candidate #45 Imelda Schweighart, Candidate #48 Angeli Dione Gomez and Candidate #36 Angel May Villafuerte. I hope they get to win some of the posts above. They are all so gorgeous in person and I want to see them all do well in this pageant. 

Some of them sang, danced, declaimed etc. The standouts were quite a few. I specifically remember the one who performed magic tricks, and the dance that had a hoola hoop with it. Aside from that I think the others were just soso. It's all good but of course the unique ones would really stick into the mind of the audiences.

Then we got to see these beauty queens up close. We literally had dinner together. =) I know how hard it is for these gorgeous women to stay still smiling after working hard that afternoon. They managed to still be nice and not cranky. The press was impressed because even if they were a little busy eating, they can stop and pose for photos if you kindly ask them to. These girls are all good.

First runner-up in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon was so happy to say her wishes for the girls. They know that they have a lot of responsibilities if they get to win the title. The Philippines has been able to do quite good placing in the Miss Universe pageant and it's about time that we win something for the country, and help a lot of people along the way.

Madame Stella Araneta still so gorgeous after all these years; did you know she was the first ever Ms. International? Hence her passion to make Binibining Pilipinas the premier pageant sending candidates to the best of the best international competitions.

We really didn't run out of title holders as the reigning beauty queens were also there.

It was so nice that Candidate number 1 Ria Rabajante stopped for photo ops while we were lining up for the buffet. She was so nice.

One of my bets is in this shot. The one on the left most part. She's gorgeous no? Lovely too.

And if the day wasn't too good, she comes along and graced my camera.

Shamcey Supsup, no wonder she won and placed in Miss Universe. She's really gorgeous. She was kind enough to take some shots even if she was on a phone call at this time. Thanks Shamcey! =)

These girls have shown how much talent and fervor they have to win the competition. But the best part of this is they get to do charity work while the pageant is ongoing (via Operation Smile) and also after that. That is priceless and I've always have high regards to what Binibining Pilipinas charities is doing all these years. Now let's all support whoever wins the crown and I'm sure we'll get that coveted Miss Universe crown we've all been waiting for these past few years. We are also doing good in other pageants and its possible that pretty soon we'll all win them in one blow! Congratulations to the people behind Binibining Pilipinas 2013, I couldn't wait come April 14 when they hold the coronation night and will announce the winners!

For more information about Binibining Pilipinas

Visit http://www.bbpilipinas.com