TypeKita, the newbie-friendly platform for Pinoy writers and readers 

If there’s anything Filipinos love, it’s a good story—funny, drama-riddled, or romantic, we’re quick to sniff out a saga and follow it to its conclusion. Whether fact or fiction, there’s nothing quite like having oneself immersed in the twists and turns of finding out who said what, did what where, and who were they with? 

Plots and characters have come to life on any number of platforms throughout the years, but one relatively recent emergence is quickly finding its legs: TypeKita is a newly launched app that aims to empower young Filipino storytellers by rewarding their creativity with accessible and self-determined monetization, while gifting readers with an interactive and visually stimulating reading experience. While the rest of the world criticizes Millennial and especially Gen Z readers for choosing shorter, digital formats, TypeKita promises to inspire and encourage the diversity already present in reading material available today.

At TypeKita’s official launch on August 16, Head of Growth Ysabel Yuzon, Vice President of Strategic Management Dana de la Vega, and Creator Manager Erich Valdevioso took questions from attending members of the press and detailed the ins and outs of the app, as well as its growing potential to “open doors even for those who may not have considered writing before,” according to Yuzon. Live readings of current TypeKita favorites Babalik Sa’yo (Rej Martinez), The Day I Said Goodbye (Miyuki Jeishi), and Hush Lucas (Arki Aaron) were then performed by rising stars Nour Hooshmand, Ian Pangilinan, and Benedix Ramos, bringing to life all the ups and downs of romance in fiction. Finally, singing champion and Silver Badger Featured Live Kumu Streamer Kathleen Anne wrapped up the program with some contemporary classic love songs, as well as her own single, Nagkulang.

The app is a localized version offrom the Thai original Joylada, and is further powered by homegrown social entertainment platform Kumu—a partnership that speaks to the growing online fiction community. “We have always been on the lookout for talent of all kinds, and TypeKita is the space we’re dedicating to the written word,” says Rexy Dorado, Kumu President and Co-founder. “We believe creative people always find their way to each other, but this is where we can also help people find the creativity within themselves, bolstered by a safe community. Both Kumu and TypeKita share a similar moderator system to keep things appropriate and any hate out of the picture.”

But that safety doesn’t mean stifled storytelling; if anything, the shorter bursts of creativity that TypeKita champions through the chat-fiction format effectively refashion the digital novel experience, making both

 

Kultura: Social Enterprises as Partners in Green Living

In this rapidly changing world, it’s not enough to simply showcase attractive, trendy, and functional products.  

Kultura is proud to be among those consciously promoting more sustainable, meaningfully-crafted and locally- sourced merchandise for green living. With a loyal following and many branches across the country, Kultura takes their mission to building a greener Philippines seriously.

Kultura President Ivy Yap expounds, “Retailers can influence customer purchasing decisions depending on our product offerings, pricing strategies and promotions—from product displays to discounts and loyalty programs. Using this influence for good, Kultura helps consumers adopt greener lifestyles by offering a wide selection of products that are made from natural materials that are biodegradable, upcycled or repurposed, aside from being locally sourced.” 

Today, the Kultura store is stocked to the brim with Green Finds that make it easier for customers to lead a sustainable lifestyle. 

Platform with a Purpose

Kultura, an SM Retail Affiliate, has been key to advocating Green Finds– products that are sustainably sourced and support local communities.

 SM through Kultura, has become a Platform for the growth of MSMEs. Millie Monday and Haspe are two Filipino retail brands that have been engaged with Kultura and grateful for how Kultura has been an effective incubator for their respective enterprises.

Mariel Ching of Millie Monday relates how this division of their Primex printing company was named after their mother, and how it specializes in merging art and print technology to create functional paper-related products and accessories for the home. “It was borne out of the pandemic as regular printing jobs vanished, and the family had to find ways to diversify our output, and keep our personnel and machines occupied.”

Today, Millie Monday has expanded its product lines, to include other non-paper products. Thanks to Kultura, Mariel was happy to report that bulk orders, and outright purchases from foreign countries like Singapore and Tokyo, have transpired. Their collaborations with established artists produce collections that are very well-received, and they credit Kultura for helping create awareness and goodwill for their brand.

  On the sustainability features of the Millie Monday brand, Mariel spoke about their sustainably sourced paper, and soy-based ink, as well as their Heidelberg offset machine, acquired with a proviso that involved planting trees in Africa. “We are the only Asian printer given the Green Leaf Award by Kodak in 2019. We don’t print on tarp, as it isn’t biodegradable.”

  Haspe is the Spanish/Filipino word for wood grain, and it’s a clue to the world of Baliwag, Bulacan native Arch. Eric Gonzales, who designs and creates the wonderful wood-based products and accessories that have caught the eye of shoppers that frequent CITEM, FAME and ArteFino fairs. “Our ‘sungka’, and chess board, made of mahogany wood and solihiya (rataan weaving), are among our signature products”. 

  As Haspe has no Metro Manila showroom, Eric credits Kultura for being invaluable in terms of brand awareness. “We started off in 2016 with big traditional furniture pieces, and was inspired in 2019 to make use of the excess wood, and design smaller pieces.” He expanded to incorporate rattan, bone inlay, and other locally sourced materials. The wood he uses are sustainably farmed in Mindanao.

  Sustainability comes easy to Haspe as the products are a form of up-cycling, since the wood utilized to create these products come from ‘retasos’, or leftover materials, that would have been thrown away. Haspe’s products have become the pride of Baliwag, Bulacan.

  For both Millie Monday and Haspe, the sustainable aspects of how they operate their businesses are givens, as they acknowledge the need for being more responsible entrepreneurs.

While they’ve been involved with Kultura for less than a year, they both credit their engagement with Kultura as godsends, and are pleased to be placed under the umbrella of Green Finds.

Being sustainable and green conscious is a collective effort, from the manufacturers and the retailers, all the way to the consumers; and SM is happy to be driving the education, awareness and marketing of this new consciousness. 

  “By educating customers about the importance of sustainability and providing easy access to mindfully-crafted merchandise, we aim to promote changes in our customers’ behaviors and move them to lead more eco-conscious lifestyles. We hope our efforts inspire other businesses and lead to the adoption of more eco-friendly practices in the retail industry, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable future for the country,” says Yap.  

Teppanya Experience + Fiery Debut: Unlimited Japanese Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Steak, Snow Crab, Large Scallop and More!

If you are a meat/ steak lover and you enjoy premium & quality products especially Japanese food. The unlimited madness deals at Teppanya is so worth it!

Personally, I won’t mind spending a bit for as long I’m being served quality and premium food. Plus it is unlimited. Besides the meat, steak and seafood (Reco the tempura!) I also enjoyed their desserts as well (Try their banana flambe!). Teppanya also have Ala carte options as well for those who are not into the unlimited offers.

With my recent dining experience, the staff were accommodating and their chef’s are entertaining as well. As you get immerse with the experience and the great food selection, you will definitely think of coming back 🙂

The unlimited madness deluxe rates are the following (running for 2 hours): Lunch (PHP 1988+), Dinner (PHP 2188+) and Holiday (PHP 2188+)

Also, good news! –Filipino-owned Teppanya Restaurant Inc. (Teppanya) unveiled new Japanese dishes that elevate its current unlimited offering. Starting July 14, 2023, guests can avail the all-new Unlimited Madness and order high-quality Japanese Miyazaki A5 wagyu steak, snow crab, giant scallop and many more in unlimited quantities for only Php 4,988+

“Filipinos love food, especially Japanese cuisine, so what better way to enjoy their favorite dishes than bringing a unique dining experience to them – This is what Teppanya is all about,” said Yñigo Rivera, Teppanya’s Marketing Manager

The all-new Unlimited Madness sees the inclusion of meat offerings such as JPN Miyazaki Wagyu A5 BMS 8-9 Chuck Strip Steak, JPN Miyazaki Wagyu A5 BMS 8-9 Chuck-Eye Steak, JPN A5 Wagyu Brioche Sando, AUS Jacks Creek 400-day Grain-fed Wagyu F1 MB5 Picanha Steak, and Iberico Secreto Steak.

As for the seafood and sushi offerings, the new menu includes Alaskan Wild Caught Snow Crab, Hokkaido Large Scallop, Wagyu Aburi, Wagyu Aburi w/ Ikura, Hamachi Sashimi, and an Emperor Aburi Set which features Foie Gras, Wagyu w/ Black Truffle, and Unagi.

BINI, nation’s P-Pop Girl Group, takes Tindahan ni Aling Puring Convention 2023 by storm in support of their period pad partner, Modess!

In this year’s Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Convention, BINI made an appearance to support their favorite and most trusted period pad partner, Modess. Through performances, meet and greets, interviews, and mini games—BINI was able to engage with their BLOOMS fans and Puregold’s ka-asenso shoppers as they highlight Modess Long, the fastest absorbing pad now made longer.

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P-Pop group BINI takes on the Tindahan Ni Aling Puring (TNAP) stage for a special performance as they share why Modess Long is their most trusted sanitary napkin.

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BINI takes centerstage at this year’s Tindahan ni Aling Puring convention

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BLOOMS (BINI fans) share their support as BINI takes the TNAP stage.

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Engaging with TNAP shoppers and fans, BINI hosts a mini game on stage; entertaining the audience with a dance tutorial to the #WalangDudaWithModessLong dance challenge.