Great Al Fresco Dining Awaits You at Ortigas Malls

 A refreshing and exciting food experience diners can enjoy with al fresco dining

The lockdown has made us miss so many moments together, but now, we’ve adapted to the restrictions to make dining out and spending time together possible once more.

Enjoy safe outdoor dining and everything it has to offer at Ortigas Malls. Last month, they opened up a whole lot of al fresco dining areas for all their malls--Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria. Whether you’re craving Spanish Tapas, Japanese Sushi, Pinoy classics, or even that must-have comfort food, Ortigas Malls is ready to cater to you. 

There’s nothing like sharing good food with your family and friends and creating irreplaceable memories. Lockdown has made us miss so many moments together, but now, we’ve adapted to the restrictions to make dining out and spending time together possible once more.

Alfresco dining is getting more hype nowadays. But did you know that outdoor dining actually brings us a lot of benefits? These include:

• An enhanced atmosphere. Thanks to the beautiful view and fresh air, a happy feeling is
• brought about.
• A boosted level of Vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D is essential in protecting ourselves against various diseases such as heart attacks and osteoporosis.
• Increased social interaction. Everyone is encouraged to converse more with one another when dining outdoors.
• A feeling of relaxation. Being surrounded by nature while eating food can take away stress and make you feel relaxed.
• Improved memory and concentration. Since outdoor dining greatly relaxes you, it helps your mind refreshes and refocuses, getting you ready for the day.

Enjoy outdoor dining and everything it has to offer at Ortigas Malls—they’ve opened up a whole lot of al fresco dining areas just for you! Whether you’re craving Spanish Tapas, Japanese Sushi, Pinoy classics, or even that must-have comfort food, Ortigas Malls is ready to cater to you.

Visit Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria now and enjoy a memorable al fresco dining experience.

For more information, you may check their official Facebook pages 

Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, Industria

Enjoy a refreshing and exciting food experience Al Fresco-style at Ortigas Malls. 

Ortigas Malls' Feel Good Today, Enjoy Everyday campaign aims to promote enjoying the now and bringing positivity to its customers. Ortigas Malls is behind the retail favorites Greenhills, San Juan City, Tiendesitas & Estancia, Pasig City, and Industria, Quezon City, enhancing the shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences of the community.

More outdoor dining options at McDonald’s

Bikers can take a quick stop for refreshments and snacks at McDonald’s Bike & Dine area.

Another outdoor dining innovation is McDonald’s Bike & Dine wherein cyclists have a dining space after they have ‘Ride Thru’ or ordering through the Drive-Thru lane. With Bike & Dine, cyclists can conveniently mount their bikes securely in racks that are attached to a ledge that doubles as a table. Through this, bike-riding customers can enjoy their meals without worrying about the safety of their bicycles. Cyclists could enjoy this in the Vermosa and McKinley West branches, and soon, in more stores nationwide. 

Customers can now safely enjoy their McDonald’s favorites in a restaurant near their homes during this MECQ period with more outdoor dining options in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and Laguna, and in the rest of the country. McDonald’s in the Philippines makes outdoor dining and Bike and Dine options available across more of its stores for Filipinos to safely dine in. 

The recent announcement of the government on the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal allows restaurants to accommodate outdoor dining at limited capacity, on top of Drive-Thru and Take-out options. Since last year, McDonald’s has begun investing in creating more outdoor dining spaces by setting up tables and chairs outside for customers to have more options where they can enjoy their favorite meals. This is in addition to improving existing outdoor dining facilities already integrated with the store design.

Under the M Safe program, stringent health and safety protocols are in place to assure that diners can enjoy their food while assured a high standard of safety. Customers who will visit the stores will be subjected to contact-tracing and temperature checks, and are required to wear a face mask and shield. Social distancing will be followed at all times from queueing for their orders and while dining in. Cashless payment options are also available in stores to minimize physical contact.

To check which McDonald’s stores offer outdoor dining options near their homes, visit the McDonald’s website at https://mcdonalds.com.ph/store-locator and click the “Outdoor” option. Customers may also use the same website to be updated on the daily operations of stores, and check if the branches offer Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and McDelivery.

Stay updated on any announcement by liking and following McDonald’s Philippines Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/McDo.ph. 

McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder, Dr. George T. Yang, opened the first McDonald’s store in Morayta, Manila in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a strong and relevant player in the country’s quick-service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of over 655 across the country. McDonald’s Philippines continues to aspire to make a difference in communities where it operates through its charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines.

CSMC leads discussion on greater collaboration to fight COVID-19

“We need to do more than just close our emergency rooms and tell the public that [the hospital is full]. We need to take into consideration the welfare of both our patients and our healthcare workers in order to make a difference.” ~Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy, Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer of CSMC

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) spearheaded a multisectoral discussion with the aim to help build resiliency and preparedness in the fight against COVID-19 through a webicon held via Zoom, April 23. 

Entitled “Riding the Waves: Fostering Resilience and Responsiveness in a Pandemic,” the webicon brought together representative from the local government, the academe, the healthcare industry, and the OCTA Research Group to discuss how the country can further prepare given the eventuality that it will be faced with more surges in the number of cases. The webicon was moderated by Ms Lucky Diaz-Tiozon, Vice President & Head of Human Resources of Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Dr. Guido David, Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., Dr. Michael Tee, and Prof. Ranjit Singh Rye of the OCTA Research Group opened the webicon with their observations in trends regarding the number of cases, testing, hospital capacity, and other variables. 

“We need to identify why the surge [in COVID-19 cases] happened, what we did wrong, and what we can do better. So that we can learn lessons from this and not repeat them.” ~Dr. Michael Tee and Prof. Ranjit Singh Rye of the OCTA Research Group

While the number of new cases is seeing a decrease, Dr. Tee specifically noted that there are still several variants currently present in the country and the vacancy in hospitals is dwindling. He implored the public to isolate voluntarily for the sake of the high-risk non-infected. He also called for the improvement of plans and strategies surrounding the rollout of vaccines. Another highlight is the presentation of OCTA is the growing need for more nurses to man our medical facilities to better manage COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and around the country.

Meanwhile, representatives of various sectors reacted to the presentation of OCTA and shared their experiences while dealing with the pandemic. The reactors were: Fr. Aristotle Dy, S.J. of Xavier School, Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy, Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer of CSMC, and City of San Juan Mayor Francisco Javier Zamora. 

“A lot of people are focused on the current situation [of the pandemic] and not post-COVID care,” he said. “That’s something that we can explore within San Juan and possibly in partnership with the private sector.” ~Mayor Francisco Zamora, San Juan City Mayor

Mayor Francisco Zamora also shared the efforts of the local government of San Juan in fighting the spread of the virus. The City imposes hefty fines on quarantine violators to stress “the seriousness [of the situation] to the people” and is one of four cities cited to be complying strictly with the protocols set by the IATF. Brought up during discussions was the idea of post-COVID care clinics for patients who suffered critical cases of the virus and need long-term care, which Mayor Zamora took into consideration. 

Dy spoke about the difficulties Xavier School students go through due to distance learning. He noted that many older students signed up for their psychological care and assistance program once the school made it available. He pointed out that ensuring the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of the students can help better facilitate learning. Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy touched on the struggles of the healthcare sector and how the continuous wave of new cases takes its toll on healthcare workers. She acknowledged that hospitals needed to “think outside the box” to be able to do more for the patients they serve.

Mr. Raymond Ravelo, Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer of MERALCO, Mr. Jacinto Ng Jr., Group Chief Execution Officer of the Joy-Nostalg Group, and Mr. Eusebio Tanco, Chairman of STI Education Systems and President of Philippine First Insurance and Asia Terminal attended the webicon as guest contributors and representatives of the private sector.

CSMC President Mr. Raul C. Pagdanganan rounded off the event by pointing out how the pandemic has shown the need for improvement in various aspects of life, such as education, healthcare, and governance. He called on all the members of the private sector to come together and contribute responsive solutions to the pandemic.

For more information about these services and others that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos. 

ABOUT CARDINAL SANTOS MEDICAL CENTER

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) is a 269-bed private tertiary hospital located in West Greenhills, San Juan City. The hospital is known for its pioneering and world-class services in the fields of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Cardiology, and Minimally Invasive Surgery. CSMC boasts of some of the most respected medical professionals today with expertise in a variety of specialties, ensuring that patients can access the healthcare that they need and deserve. With a commitment to clinical excellence and a dedication to compassionate care, CSMC is one of the most sought-after medical institutions in the country today.

OPPO A54 (4GB RAM) Now Available For Only PHP9,499

“OPPO A54 was designed to make the smartphone experience of its users fun and easy to use. Its large battery capacity, big storage, and good camera features can help get you through your day. With A54, you’ll also have enough storage and memory to make sure that you’ll enjoy your entertainment without the frustrations of an underperforming smartphone.” ~Zen Han, OPPO Philippines Vice President for National Sales

OPPO, the leading global smart device brand, announces the latest member of A Series, A54 in 4GB RAM variant that promises value-for-money capabilities perfect to enjoy always reliable features. A54 retails at PHP9,499 and will be available on Shopee and Lazada starting April 26. Then, via OPPO’s authorized stores nationwide starting April 28. A54 comes in Crystal Black and Starry Blue color variants.

Always reliable, always relaxed with A54

A Series is designed for an all-around entertainment experience ensuring A series smartphones are easy to use and features-packed enabling users to live a socially active lifestyle. A54 offers a great mix of a stylish and contemporary design including competitive features and long-lasting battery life that empowers users to truly enjoy their lives without hassle.

To keep you worry-free throughout your day, A54 notably features a long-lasting battery life with 5000 mAh of battery capacity. This will last you up to 2.2 days on a single charge, or give you 19.9 hours of YouTube video playback. You can even message friends and family on WhatsApp for 23 hours. After a full two days, when you finally need to charge your phone, A54’s 18W Fast Charge gets you right back on your feet to fully charge your phone in only 2 hours and 23 minutes. If you’re looking for a quick charge, ten minutes will get you as much as a 13% charge, so you won’t miss out on important tasks.

With an ultra-large memory capacity of up to 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, A54 won’t be a cause for the interruption. It runs on a Mediatek Helio P35 (MT6765) Octa-Core Processor. For those into casual mobile gaming, HyperBoost improves the performance and smoothness of select apps or games by reallocating system resources, depending on how you use your phone. With HyperBoost, you’ll experience less lag and can multitask more. 

Never miss a moment with A54’s 13MP triple camera setup that is capable of shooting good photos and videos for your social media stories. Get your beautiful face on, as it is also built with a 16MP selfie camera perfect for your non-stop selfie updates all day long. 

To know more about the latest A54, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com/ph or via its official Facebook Page.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 4 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Is it wise to buy a home during a pandemic?

It's been more than a year, the coronavirus broke out at the beginning of 2020, and by March of the same year, it has been declared a pandemic. The lives of so many have changed due to the pandemic in ways they had never imagined. Nowadays, people can no longer easily meet, work, eat, shop, and socialize as they used to just like in my line of work as a freelancer were in I usually attend events and meetings to different restaurants and hotels as a venue. The working world moved rapidly from business as usual to cautious travel, office closures, and work-from-home mandates. Instead of going out and enjoy to eat at restaurants, most of us now take the easiest and most convenient to stay safe from ordering food and be delivered. And most consumers across the world are tightening their purse strings to spend only on essentials primarily food, medicine, and home supplies, and getting these delivered much more often.

Before the coronavirus had a huge effect on our lives me and my partner had some pep talk about having to invest in property since we're renting as of the moment and though it may seem convenient we had come up with a more essential way of having our own home, but the pandemic has held up our hopes of having one and the truth is when we ever pursue again once the pandemic is over and the coronavirus is gone? Definitely!

Most industries have felt the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the real estate industry isn’t exempted. After a year of intense battle against coronavirus, most industries are beginning to find ways to cope with its impacts.

The question is - Is it wise to buy a home during a pandemic? Whether or not it's wise to buy a home right now depends on your individual situation. Potential buyers may have to reassess their financial reach post-COVID-19. If you have lost your job or closed down your business during the pandemic you don’t have another source of income, it may not be wise to stretch yourself further by purchasing a home at this moment. But if your income is stable or has increased, estimating mortgage affordability based on the income you might be able to strike a better deal on home now than you could have just a few weeks ago. Though the coronavirus pandemic is unlikely to incite many fire sales any time soon, the market is beginning to experience some price adjustments. Buyers who aren’t attached to a particular home and are willing to explore different options may be able to negotiate with sellers for more favorable terms, such as longer payment terms.  

2020 has been a tough year for all. But, real estate investors have come up with effective strategies to help them stay afloat during this era. From putting in place health and safety precautions to embracing innovative strategies, the real estate industry has shown that it’s not ready to back out of the profit game.

Buying a home now during the pandemic or in the near future doesn’t necessarily have to abandon your efforts. By staying informed and working with experienced industry professionals, such as agents, attorneys, and financial advisors, you can still achieve your real estate goals with a few strategic adjustments.

9 Hanabishi’s Practical Gift Ideas This Mother’s Day

"I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me." ~Antonio Villaraigosa

The pandemic cannot and will not stop the honor and celebration of Mother's Day this year. On her special day, make it a little extra by giving her a gift that you know she’d love and cherish. It could be as simple as a heartfelt note or more extravagant if you have the means to spend more. If you’re looking for practical gift ideas, here are some Hanabishi products that can help put a smile on her face this Mother’s Day.

• For The Mom Who Loves to Keep Things Clean and Sanitized

Hanabishi has a wide range of products for disinfecting and sanitizing. Among its more popular products is the Hanabishi Air Purifier, a must-have these days as it keeps the air clean indoors with its 4-in-1 HEPA filter, plasma ion technology, air quality indicator, and air filter indicator.

Hanabishi Air Purifier

Another must-have the Hanabishi Portable UVC Sterilization Lamp, which has UVC and ozone sterilization that can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and also removes odor and dust particles.

Hanabishi Portable UVC Sterilization Lamp

• For the Mom Who Loves to Cook

If you haven’t gifted your mom with an air fryer yet, now’s the perfect time to do so. Hanabishi air fryers are among the most popular these days, and they have several models that you can choose from. Take your pick from the bigger and more spacious air fryer ovens to the portable smaller air fryer models.

Hanabishi Air Fryer Oven

 

Hanabishi also offers various grillers -- from BBQ grillers with hotpots to multi-cook grillers. Also, check out Hanabishi’s electric gas stoves and induction cookers. 

Hanabishi Hotpot BBQ Griller

• For the Mom Who Loves to Bake

Whether your mom is a first-time or seasoned baker, she’ll never say no to quality hand and stand mixers, Hanabishi has a great range of mixers to suit her skill level and preference. 

Hanabishi Hand Mixer

If you want to wow her on Mother’s Day, consider giving her an electric oven. No matter which Hanabishi model you choose, you’re assured of giving your mom something that’s built to last.

Hanabishi Electric Oven 

• To Help Her Relax When She’s Stressed Out

A new fan or air conditioner to keep her cool during these stressful times is also a good gift idea.

Hanabishi Air Conditioner

Our moms oversee a lot of things at home, and she deserves her relaxation time. If your mom’s the type who likes watching K-dramas, local series, and movies, why not give her a new Hanabishi TV? 

Hanabishi TV

For more gift options this Mother’s Day and other special occasions, visit  Hanabishi Appliances website, www.myhanabishi.com. You can also browse its items at its official Lazada flagship store.

For more information about Hanabishi, please visit www.myhanabishi.com/shop/ and like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyHanabishiAppliances/.

“Kapartner from Start to Forever.”

About Hanabishi:

Spanning more than three decades, Hanabishi has established its reputation as a provider of affordable yet quality home products that last, which paved the way for its tagline “Kapartner from Start to Forever.” Hanabishi Home Appliances are available at leading appliance stores nationwide. 

Link Your Debit Card to ShopeePay for Fast and Easy Top-Ups

“We aim to provide our users with the most convenient shopping experience through ShopeePay. With the new debit card integration feature, users can enjoy convenient and secure payment options while making purchases online, and get access to exclusive promotions, vouchers, and overall greater cost savings. We are continuously looking for ways to deliver a seamless online shopping experience for our users during this pandemic.” ~Martin Yu, Director of Shopee Philippines

 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, makes it easier for users to top up their ShopeePay mobile wallets with the all-new debit card integration feature. 

The digital economy in the Philippines has seen a solid annual growth rate of 12.2%. In the government’s roadmap for e-commerce, the Philippines is expected to shift to a cashless society by 2030 driven by seamless customer experience, convenience, and secure digital infrastructure. 

Shopee recorded a 4x uplift in the total number of orders completed by its mobile wallets across the region in 2020, and this is set to increase as more people adopt digital payment options. Shopee aims to provide users with a seamless and convenient shopping experience through its integrated ecosystem. Enhancing ShopeePay with additional top-up methods is one of the many ways that Shopee is doing so.

ShopeePay users can link their debit cards to their accounts through six simple steps: 

1. Go to ShopeePay on the application Homepage and select “Top-Up”
2. Input desired top-up amount (the minimum top-up amount for Debit Cards is P1,000)
3. Go to payment methods and tap on “Add Debit Card”
4. Input card number, expiry date, and CVC 
5. Enter captcha
6. The newly added debit card will be displayed under the ‘Debit Card’ section

For users who are looking to activate their ShopeePay accounts, follow this easy two-step process: 

1. Go to ShopeePay on the Shopee Homepage
2. Enter personal information such as name and ID number and create a PIN for payment authorization

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee connects shoppers, brands, and sellers across Asia and other fast-growing markets, empowering anyone to buy and sell anywhere and at any time. 

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

About ShopeePay

ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in the Philippines in 2019, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, and transfer and withdraw funds.

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them capture new opportunities. 

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.