krishgeek, Author at Krish Catapang

Pinoys love their Nanays: GrabAds insights show how busy Filipinos get around Mother’s Day

The GrabAds SEA Mother’s Day Insights Report 2023 showcases how the leading superapp helps its users create special moments with their moms during the beloved holiday

Having close family ties is one of the hallmarks of Filipino culture. Hence, it comes as no surprise that holidays celebrating the family unit are much beloved in the Philippines. Among the most anticipated is Mother’s Day – and insights from GrabAds, the advertising arm of the leading superapp, show that Pinoys do get busy creating special moments for their nanays every second Sunday of May.

The GrabAds SEA Mother’s Day Insights Report 2023 gives brands and consumers a clear picture of how Grab – with its portfolio of convenient, reliable services like GrabFood, GrabMart and GrabExpress – enables and empowers users to create extra-special Mother’s Day celebrations for their moms.

Here are some interesting insights from the report!

Filipinos plan for Mother’s Day

Filipinos take Mother’s Day celebrations seriously. In fact, 88 percent of Grab users in the Philippines have already come up with plans specific to Mother’s Day 2023. The respondents look forward most to gathering their families, ordering food online, and going out for a meal together with their loved ones and, of course, their inays.

Filipinos order food and ship out items a lot more on Mother’s Day

GrabAds insights also show that Filipinos are happy to create special dining experiences at home as they tend to order more on the second Sunday of May. In 2022, GrabFood orders rose by 25 percent on Mother’s Day versus the average number of food orders across all Sundays of April. The most expensive GrabFood order on Mother’s Day last year was a Php 7,000 steak set – a much-deserved treat for the family!

Padala items also tend to be on the road more during Mother’s Day. For instance, last 08 May 2022, there were 37 percent more GrabExpress Deliveries versus the average Express Orders on the Sundays of the month prior. Indeed, no distance is wide enough to stop the simple thank yous and love yous Filipinos wish to express to their moms.

Filipinos enjoy ordering on-demand gifts on Mother’s Day

Gifts overflow during Mother’s Day, too! 8 out of 10 Grab users in the Philippines plan on buying their moms a gift, and 82 percent of these are keen on buying a gift from Grab. Among the most popular choices on GrabFood and GrabMart during Mother’s Day last year were cakes and pastries, flower bouquets, and home and kitchen appliances. Chocolate, ube, and fresh fruit reigned supreme as the top preferred cake flavors.

Truly, with reliable and convenient on-demand delivery services like GrabFood and GrabMart, gifts no longer come with the usual long queues, heavy traffic, and aisle-to-aisle exploration in-store.

“Mother’s Day remains to be one of the most important gifting occasions in Southeast Asia. Our GrabAds report shows a surge in user activity one week before the day itself, across the region, as people start looking for ways to make this day extra special for their loved ones,” said Jennie Johnson, Head of Regional Marketing, GrabAds. “This Mother’s Day, merchants and brands across the region have the opportunity to connect with consumers looking for the perfect gift for their mom via superapps like Grab”

Creating a special Mother’s Day celebration should be easy and hassle-free – and Grab makes sure of this. With the wide merchant selection and reliable on-demand delivery services of both GrabFood and GrabMart, you can easily pick and order mom’s faves for an intimate family dinner; or even include special add-ons just to express how much you treasure her. Tip: Check out the promo code MAMAMART on GrabMart and ILYMOM on GrabFood on May 14, 2023!

Dealing with sensitive skin, Aveeno got you covered

Got Sensitive Skin? Here’s What to Do.

Dealing with sensitive skin can be challenging, and those with it know the time and effort it takes to manage flare-ups. While sensitive skin isn’t life-threatening, it may get in the way of the quality of your life.

You know you’ve got sensitive skin when your skin feels itchy, looks dry or flaky, or you get red bumps or marks when your skin reacts to scented products. Having sensitive skin can be bothersome and time-consuming at best and painful at its worst.

Sensitive skin doesn’t need to come between you and how you want to live your life! Helping manage your skin issues is a slather of lotion away–but how do you know when you’ve found a lotion that meets your needs?

The suitable lotion goes beyond locking in moisture. It must also act as a protective barrier against germs, bacteria, and free radicals that either age or harm your skin. The right lotion should not further irritate your skin with toxic ingredients. And the more you make applying lotion a daily habit, it can help keep dry, itchy, flaky skin away. Ready to make your skin stress-free? Here’s how!

Anticipate the allergens coming your way. Excessive sweating during your commute, plus the city pollution and other allergens will take a toll on your skin, and there’s only so much you can do to avoid it. Once you know what you’ve got coming your way, prepare for the day ahead. Have an excellent moisturizing lotion handy. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion instantly hydrates your skin, leaving it soft to the touch. Skin looks and feels healthier as it strengthens and protects the skin barrier from possible allergens.

Slather on your Aveeno lotion, pack tissues to dab up the sweat and dust from the commute and use moist wipes to cool off and clean up. Remember to reapply your AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion!

Know your triggers. Is it the change in weather? A certain kind of food that you may be allergic to? Friction when wearing too tight or non-breathable clothing? Taking note of what triggers your sensitive skin to act up will help you minimize those activities in the future or come up with solutions to address your concerns.

Find skin relief. AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is clinically proven to provide long-lasting hydration for 72 hours and protects the skin barrier from allergens and bacteria, while locking in moisture.

Recommended by dermatologists, it’s formulated with prebiotic Triple Oat Complex and natural shea butter, making it suitable for sensitive skin, and full of good-for-you ingredients that help guarantee soft, supple skin. Plus, AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion can relieve very dry, itchy skin in as fast as 60 seconds!

“We, at Aveeno, understand the concerns of sensitive skin sufferers who are in constant search for products that are good for them. The Skin Relief Lotion is formulated with Triple Oat Complex and is clinically proven to soothe and protect skin. It’s best used in combination with the Skin Relief Body Wash to experience the full moisturizing effect of these therapeutic body care solutions.” said Ira Santos, Senior Brand Manager, J&J Consumer Health Philippines Skin Health Franchise.

If you have sensitive skin, putting on lotion is not a luxury – it’s a necessity! Including AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion into your daily routine brings you closer to healthy looking, stress-free skin, so you can feel soothed, moisturized, and protected! Pair it with a fragrance-free body wash like the AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Body Wash for extra moisture and hydration! This body wash relieves and soothes dry, itchy skin, and helps strengthen the skin barrier for softer, smoother, healthier-looking skin.

For more information on the new and improved Aveeno Skin Relief, visit Aveeno’s website at www.aveeno.com.ph and follow Aveeno on their social media pages @AveenoPH.

The first natural after-care for colored hair in the Philippines: COLORS by Zenutrients is finally here!

From the makers of Zenutrients, its new brand COLORS is coming through with a clear-cut purpose – to support you in embracing your colors confidently.

The newcomer to the Zenutrients family, COLORS is here to make one thing loud and clear – the brand has got your back in amplifying your inner and outer colors.

For more than a decade, Zenutrients has made it its mission to empower communities through proudly local, natural, homegrown solutions to personal care needs. From its bestsellers: the Gugo line to the cult favorite among curlies, the Curls by Zenutrients brand – the team found a gap among people with color-treated hair and the actual daily maintenance of it. Thanks to Facebook groups like the Colored Hair Community Philippines and more, the brand reached its aha moment.

NURTURE WITH NATURE

Introducing a new brand of nurture, COLORS by Zenutrients is a colored hair after-care line for everyday maintenance, giving your hair that duo benefit of gentle toning and extra moisture. The line comes with: shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil, all made with natural ingredients:

Blue Ternate Flower

COLORS is formulated with the striking blue hues of Asia’s native Blue Ternate Flower, made for gentle toning and keeping your hair color vibrant.

Argan and Lavender

Dryness after the intensity of bleaching and hair dye? Trust that you need that moisture back! COLORS is packed with the nourishing duo of Argan and Lavender, for your hair’s moisturizing needs.

WHAT MAKES COLORS STAND OUT?

So, how is it different from other color-treated hair care?

Traditional purple shampoos are strong, most times drying when it comes to toning (which is why those are not advised for daily use). However, COLORS is made to be used for everyday maintenance, addressing both gentle toning and moisturizing needs.

For your overall colored hair health, COLORS’ shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil are especially formulated to be used together! The shampoo and conditioner are must-haves, but to seal even more moisture and shine, the hair oil completes the routine.

The products are also free from sulfates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals. They are also vegan and cruelty-free.

In the Philippines, it’s rare to find gentle care for color-treated hair that addresses both toning and moisturizing – or at least there is a challenge in finding a locally available, affordable, and a straightforward way. COLORS is here to check all those marks, making your hair journey’s upkeep easier!

CONFIDENTLY COLORFUL

The reason why we do what we do? Zenutrients’ joy has always been you – the brand’s advocacy aims to empower Filipinos, providing proudly local and mindfully natural products. COLORS is no exception to its philosophy.

COLORS is here to aid you through the new age of self-expression. Free from societal pressures, there are now countless ways to express and own who you are – a fresh change in hair color is one of many ways!

There is a spectrum of beauty that exists all around. From the bright and bold to subtle play on hues, COLORS’ purpose is to uphold the continuous growth of authentic beauty diversity by giving the color-treated hair community the sustainable support that it deserves.

Embrace your colors SOON!

You can find COLORS by Zenutrients here:

Exclusive Shopee Launch: May 12 to 18, 2023
Available on our website and kiosks: May 19, 2023

Find us on Shopee, Lazada, Zenutrients’ Website, and kiosks near you!

Watch out, Sneakerheads! New Balance teases new collections and more exciting events in 2023

New Balance opening more stores and launching numerous shoe models in 2022 was just the beginning. The brand, which was established in 1906, is on track this year to continue its legacy of creating lifestyle and athletic wear that empower the people who wear them while giving back to the community and the environment. New Balance will carry on championing passionate people and bringing positive and meaningful change to the world.

MAP Active Philippines and New Balance executives inaugurate the new branch in Uptown Bonifacio

Guided by this purpose, the brand is continuously expanding in the Philippines with more doors opened in Robinsons Magnolia, SM City Sta. Mesa, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, and Ayala Malls Capitol Central Bacolod last year.

New Balance Fresh Foam and FuelCell collections on display at the newly opened branch in Shangri-La Plaza

The store openings also marked the launch of customers’ favorite models in running and lifestyle, from the cushioned and flexible Fresh Foam 1080 to the vintage and sporty BB550. Customers who dropped by the newly opened stores would have also seen the New Balance collections like Made in USA Grey v5, Teddy Santis, Joe Freshgoods, Toast Team Cream, 580 Workwear, 580 Olive, 9060 Sea Salt, 9060 Burgundy, 2002R Rain Cloud Angora, 550 Marquette, 1906R White Navy Gold, and 1906R Beige Cream. While these models are known for different things, it embodies what New Balance is known for: fashion and function. It’s no wonder New Balance gained more loyal customers and saw a steady growth in its Viber community last year.

New Balance Joe Freshgoods known for its eye-catching pastel colors

New Balance 550 Marquette evokes Marquette University’s team colors

This 2023, New Balance promises bigger and better things to come as it gears up for the launch of new collections and opening of more stores. With the theme “Life at the Intersection,” the brand will showcase what it’s like living at the intersection of sport and culture with new performance and lifestyle items that are sure to make both loyal and new customers excited.

New Balance also invites everyone to “Run your way” this 2023. The campaign, aside from serving as the launch of new performance shoes, aims to celebrate people’s independence in running no matter how they choose to do it. The movement hopes to remind everyone who runs that they are recognized, valued, and that they are part of a larger community.

In July, children can look forward to going back to school in style as New Balance will also be launching a kids collection.

The highly anticipated annual New Balance Grey Day is another thing sneakerheads can look forward to in mid-2023. The event will pay homage to the classic and well-loved Grey Collection, including the iconic 574 and 9060 models.

As New Balance continues its successful run in the country, new collections are expected to be released from April to July 2023. New stores will also be opened in Metro Manila (San Juan, Quezon City, and Makati) and across the region. Ayala Malls Abreeza opened in Davao this April, Robinsons Tacloban opened in March, while the store in Glorietta was recently relocated last March. Through this expansion, the brand aims to cater to the ever-growing sneakerhead and athletic communities while remaining committed to their purpose of empowering people to run their way and pursue what they love while wearing New Balance.

To stay up to date with New Balance’s new releases and be in the loop on what’s next, join New Balance’s Viber community bit.ly/NBPHViber and follow New Balance on their official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Max Mara Spring-Summer 2023 Collection: THE BLUE HORIZON

Able to personally witness the Max Mara Spring-Summer 2023 Collection was an experience! I even got the chance to meet in person one of the countries known fashion editor. Just to share, I attended her virtual class at School of Fashion (SOFA) – A fashion girl’s dreams!

I personally feel that “quiet luxury” is 2023’s mood. Max Mara definitely fits the mold but has always been known to be subtle and bring such elegance. Owning a Max Mara piece screams timeless for me. Growing up I loved and adored Max Mara’s trench coats. Before quiet luxury became a trend, Max Mara has already been doing it ever since.

This 2023 summer collection collection, is all about the French Riviera that started on the sunny beaches of the 1920s. Inspiration came from timeless muses and icons like Renée Perle and Eileen Gray. The collection brings a timeless look and still has that modern feel.

From April to September, when the aristocrats closed their grand villas, bohemians of every type flocked to the Riviera. Things were bound to happen when the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso and Stravinsky rubbed shoulders. But when Zelda Fitzgerald, Dora Maar and Bronislava Nijinska, not to mention Dorothy Parker, Joséphine Baker and Isadora Duncan joined in, women were certain to make the leap from muse to maestro.

On sun-soaked beaches, masterpieces were conceived, manifestos thrashed out and a timeless look was forged: Riviera style. No one wore it better than Renée Perle. Classified in the history books as the silent muse and lover of photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue, she features in his most memorable pictures. She deserves a bigger credit; the kohl-rimmed eyes, the perfectly painted Cupid’s bow, the finger waved hair are so intrinsically her. So too the archetypal looks which are the backbone of Max Mara’s collection; backless tanks, voluminous canvas sailor pants, floppy wide-brimmed sun hats and long, languid skirts which hug the hip then slide into pools of godets. She painted hundreds of naïf self-portraits. They were dismissed as daubs by the art historians but arguably they point to a remarkable creative talent; her oeuvre was her image.

As Renée Perle personifies the fashion, so Eileen Gray personifies the architecture. At Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Gray built E1027, a seaside villa for herself and her lover, showcasing her uniquely feminine take on modernism. “The poverty of modern architecture stems from the atrophy of sensuality”, she said. Challenging the rigid rectilinearity of the masculine masters, Gray’s floorplan incorporates the occasional curve. Max Mara follows suit with sinuous bias cutting and the brave new femininity also manifests itself in extravagant organza bows printed with flowers in Perlesque `art vernaculaire‘ style.

E1027 has a hint of the handmade, a reminder that this is a home for a woman and a man, not a machine. At Max Mara each piece is designed not just to be worn, but to be lived in. To wit, Max Mara presents a series of total looks in lino greggio – unprocessed, undyed linen that looks like burlap, sometimes with raw fringed hems. And Max Mara’s classic architectonic coats take on the soft allure of sun-bleached beach robes. Gray’s `architecture for inner life’ features accents in a particular shade of inky Mediterranean blue that stirs the heart; Max Mara presents its take on washed cotton drill bleu de travail in the same evocative colour.

They were assiduous chroniclers, those habitués of the Riviera. But apart from the photographs, Perle is voiceless and unrecorded. Did she and Eileen Gray ever meet? Max Mara imagines that they did; two women with a shared vision of modernity stepping out onto the E1027 terrace. Blinking in the morning light, we see them raise their smiling faces to meet the glittering blue horizon.

FYI: MrBeast Burgers are now available in the Philippines and Filipino Foodies can order through GrabFood

GrabFood makes the impossible possible for Filipino foodies with the introduction of the world-renowned American fast-food concept of YouTube celebrity MrBeast in the Philippines as the newest member of GrabFood Signatures.

MrBeast Burgers is founded by top YouTuber MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson. With its offerings being raved about by millions of the YouTuber’s fans from the world over, MrBeast Burgers successfully made its mark in the international food scene. Now, MrBeast Burgers is set to make an indelible mark in the local food landscape through GrabFood Signatures.

Grab Philippines Director for Deliveries Greg Camacho shares, “GrabFood has become the go-to platform for discerning Filipino foodies looking for unique culinary experiences. With GrabFood Signatures, we go beyond just bringing delicious food to your doorstep – you don’t have to leave your house or stress about traffic. We provide access to a variety of unique food experiences that make it easy and enjoyable for foodies to explore world cuisines without the hassle.”

In a recent study, GrabFood Signatures surveyed 220,000 Filipino customers, with 77% of respondents agreeing that their GrabFood experience helped them experience a variety of dishes from different restaurants without leaving their home. This statistic is clear evidence that GrabFood Signatures is helping local foodies get their fill of the extraordinary dishes they want and need. Through GrabFood’s collaboration with MrBeast Burgers, even more extraordinary dishes are now accessible to most of Filipinos.

Camacho added, “Amid the pandemic, GrabFood Signatures plays an important role in not just bringing great food to everyone’s doorstep but also helping different businesses create their own unique digital presence. And now, thanks to GrabFood, special dishes like MrBeast Burgers are bringing us a taste of the world – delivered right at our doorsteps.”

GrabFood Signatures is an ideal platform for food merchants to launch new brands and exciting offerings, giving them the reach and reliability of the GrabFood platform and the flexibility to customize their digital presence. Through collaborations with merchants like MrBeast Burgers, GrabFood is also uniquely positioned to help food businesses scale their presence and create unique experiences for Filipino foodies.

Camacho concluded: “Our goal is to revolutionize not just the food delivery service in the Philippines but also the entire dining experience of Filipinos. We are proud to be at the forefront of this and to bring in more unique food concepts such as MrBeast Burgers through GrabFood Signatures. We are confident that with the help of GrabFood Signatures, even more extraordinary culinary experiences await foodies in the Philippines.”

Among those that local foodies can now finally try is the set of burgers quirkily named after the founder and his content creator friends: the Chandler Style Burger (two smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, served plain with American cheese on a toasted bun); the Chris Style Burger, (two smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, American cheese, bacon, topped with crinkle fries on a toasted bun); the Karl’s Deluxe, (a patty melt served Karl’s Style with a crispy seasoned beef patty, caramelized onions and cheese on a toasted inverted bun); and the famous Beast Style Burger, (smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, American cheese, pickles, diced white onion, mayo, ketchup, and brown mustard on a toasted bun).

Level up snack time with the exciting Jollibee Tuna Pie

Aside from the main meals of the day, snack time is also popular as it helps keep us satiated and satisfied throughout the day. And with all the exciting flavors and food trends out there, Filipinos won’t settle for just any snack—it has to be delicious, unique, convenient, and affordable.

Jollibee ticks off all the boxes with its Tuna Pie, a surprising mash-up that works deliciously well! It has a rich and creamy tuna filling combined with a flakey and crispy signature crust, made fresh every time. This snack brings tuna to another level, making this plain, dull ingredient craveable and savory.

“Jollibee Tuna Pie brings an exceptionally unique twist to regular tuna, catering to on-the-go snackers who are on the lookout for appetizing, adventurous options which are different from their usual fare,” said Pam Reyes, AVP for Jollibee Core and Complementary Products. “Its ‘Crispy, Creamy-Tuna Sarap’ snack qualities also give us that added boost of energy we need to sustain ourselves throughout the day.”

Meanwhile, Tuna Pie also comes in Spicy flavor, for those who are fans of irresistibly hot snacks.

Tuna Pie is available nationwide for PHP 49.00 in both Original and Spicy variants. Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and level up your snack time via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. You can also opt to have it safely delivered to you via the Jollibee delivery app, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and foodpanda!

For more information and updates on Jollibee’s products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

#JollibeePhilippines

#JollibeeTunaPie

Modess welcomes BINI as their newest brand ambassadors

MANILA, Philippines – Modess recently launched the all-new Modess Long, while simultaneously unveiling BINI as their newest ambassadors. BINI is a rising all-girl P-Pop group in the Philippines and they are the perfect partner as a lot of teen girls look up to them as this generation’s idols.

In the latest Modess commercial, BINI shared the importance of having Modess Long as a reliable period partner during red days. This is especially true as the world is now opening—teen girls are back having face-to-face classes, meeting in person to hang out with their friends, and making beautiful memories together. With its fastest absorbing long pad, Modess aims to inspire and encourage teen girls to be more confident as they go out and to let go of the concerns and worries that come with having their period.

“We are very excited to have BINI as our newest ambassadors for Modess. These girls embody what it truly means to be a Modess girl—inspiring, confident, and brave. These are attributes that we want every teen girl to possess, and we do not want their period to hinder them in achieving their goals and dreams,” Alexandra Burgos, brand manager for Modess, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Philippines.

Aiah, Sheena, Maloi, Colet, Stacey, Gwen, Mikha, and Jhoanna are equally ecstatic to be the newest addition to the Modess family. When asked what they are excited about in their journey with Modess, Aiah, one of the group members shared, “We’re really looking forward in being more open about our period journey with our fans. In a way, we hope that we can encourage our fans to choose the perfect long pad, especially now that we are all starting to go out more. We want to inspire them that they can be confident to move more with Modess Long even when they have their period.” Mikha, another member of the group, added that it is extra challenging to be a teen, especially when you have your period in this post-pandemic era, “Mas mahirap talaga ngayong for us girls lalo na lumalabas na tayo ng mas madalas. Dati, puro online o virtual meet-ups lang sa bahay. Ngayon, siyempre na-miss natin makipag kita sa friends, ang tagal natin hindi nakapanood ng live concerts, o kaya mag-aral sa classrooms. Ngayon, mas nakakatakot na kung may duda ka sa sanitary pad na suot mo kasi nasa labas ka na. That’s why we are very happy to be a part of the Modess family—dahil #WalangDudaWithModessLong.”

“The all-new Modess Long is the fastest absorbing pad, now made*longer! This is perfect for teen girls and GenZers’s lifestyle, since they’re more active and they are braver in going out and engaging in activities they missed the past two years. Kaya naman, wala na talagang duda kahit may period with Modess Long,” added Alexandra Burgos, brand manager for Modess, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Philippines.

Modess Long is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. You can also get your favorite Modess products online through the official Johnson & Johnson Lazada and Shopee pages.

To watch the latest Modess commercial with BINI, visit Modess’ official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/modessangelsofficial or follow our social media accounts at @modessph on Instagram and Titkok.

“World of Winners” offers 500,000 free tickets to Hong Kong

Executives with Cathay Pacific flight attendants during the World of Winners launch in Fairmont Hotel Makati. L-R: Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, Chief Operating Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong ; Daniel Chan, Deputy Director of HK Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) ;and Donald Morris, Country Manager of Cathay Pacific Philippines.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is launching a global air tickets giveaway campaign, “World of Winners”, which will offer 500,000 free tickets in Hong Kong’s major passenger markets for travellers to visit the city and experience its unique offerings.

Distributed in phases by Hong Kong’s three home-based airlines: Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines, the campaign is kicking off in March 2023 by giving away some 135,000 tickets in Southeast Asia markets, including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. About 30,000 tickets will be given to residents in the Philippines via the three airlines’ promotional activities starting from 3 March. After the Southeast Asia markets, the campaign will continue in Northeast Asia, Mainland China and other markets.

Tickets given away in the “World of Winners” campaign are all round-trip economy-class tickets. Travellers who get the free tickets will also receive from AAHK’s business partners special offers for hotel accommodation, shopping, and entertainment in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong has fully opened up and we are eager to welcome visitors from different parts of the world. Travellers visiting Hong Kong are no longer required to have received Covid-19 vaccination, or undergo testing or quarantine upon arrival. And from today wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory in Hong Kong. At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the terminal has been extensively refurbished, with various new services and facilities providing passengers a brand new airport experience,” says Vivian Cheung, Chief Operating Officer of AAHK.

AAHK has spared no effort in improving the airport’s facilities to further enhance passenger experience. Sky Bridge, the world’s longest airside footbridge measuring 200-metre long, offers stunning views of the apron. The luxury shopping zone at Terminal 1 has been renovated, housing over 40 renowned brands and three new iconic duplex stores. Smart technologies have been extensively applied to different aspects of the airport’s service. For example, facial recognition technology is adopted in the entire departure process to provide passengers a seamless and hassle-free departure journey without the need of repeatedly producing documents for checking.

The free tickets were sponsored by AAHK in 2020 as part of a package of relief measures for Hong Kong’s aviation industry during the pandemic. Through the sponsorship AAHK provided liquidity support to the home-based carriers upfront, with a plan for airlines to use the tickets for promoting traffic recovery when the pandemic subsides. HKIA is one of the busiest airports in the world and an international aviation hub, connecting with over 220 destinations worldwide by over 120 airlines. HKIA is also conveniently connected to the Greater Bay Area in Mainland China through land and sea transports. Details of “World of Winners” campaign can be found at https://wow.hongkongairport.com/lang/en/tickets.

Maya builds more ‘digi-palengke’in Central Visayas

Maya, the country’s all-in-one digital banking and money app, is making cashless transactions a lot easier in public markets nationwide with the rollout of the Paleng-QR initiative in Central Visayas, starting with Bohol province.

Maya has transformed Bohol’s Tagbilaran City Public Market into adigi-palengkein today’s ceremonies led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap.

The Paleng-QR Ph initiative is spearheaded by the BSP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and it aims to empower the City Government of Tagbilaran to help public market vendors and tricycle drivers accept cashless payments from any customer via the QR Ph, the country’s standard for QR payments.

“Small merchants and Filipino consumers are not only enjoying a hassle-free payment experience for their everyday transactions with Maya QR but also creating a financial footprint that allows them to access more advanced banking services offered by Maya,” said Mar Lazaro, Maya’s Head of Enterprise Business.

Since QR Ph’s launch in 2019 for person-to-person (P2P) payments and in 2021 for person-to-merchant (P2M) payments, Maya has led the charge among financial institutions in the rollout of the QR Ph national standard and now counts over 800,000 merchant touchpoints powered by QR Ph-capable Maya QR. “Basta QR Ph, pwede kami,”Lazaro added.

Building ‘digi-palengkes’ nationwide is part of Maya’s own LGUs Embracing and Accelerating Digitalization (L.E.A.D). Through this program, LGUs encourage local merchants and constituents to digitalize their transactions with Maya’s business-in-a-box payment solutions and disbursement tools.

On top of digitalizing public markets, Maya has become the growth partner of choice of Philippine businesses. These enterprises include pharmacies, transportation, travel, retail stores, public utilities, food, hospitals, service providers, and schools.