Gentle Bones teams up with Benjamin Kheng on ‘Better With You’

This year has been full of surprises. As we wrap up 2020, Cross Ratio Entertainment as a label hopes that homegrown prolific singer-songwriter Gentle Bones’ EP ‘Better With You’ will bring in some good cheer and will relieve the pain for all music lovers. 

Fresh off the heels of Gentle Bones successful debut Mandarin single, “Don’t You Know Yet?” which grossed over a million digital streams within a month after its release, this EP has two special highlights for fans to look out for as it consists of a collaboration single with Benjamin Kheng, titled “Better With You” and solo pop track “Put My Hands Up.”

Focus track “Better With You” is a heartfelt conversation with a loved one. Relatable to a time period of uncertainty, “Better With You” is a frank, thoughtful attempt at reaching out to a loved one and checking in on them - letting others know that the people around them value and appreciate them and that life indeed is better when they are around. With the soothing vocals and pop groove, the duo will woo your hearts with their warmth as they sing this meaningful song in this festive season. 

MVP Group inspires true meaning of the holiday season with Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko

As the COVID-19 pandemic and various typhoons batter the country in 2020, many Filipinos have been left with very little, making the coming holidays difficult to celebrate. Steadfast in its commitment to heed the call of those in need, the MVP Group is embarking on a country-wide donation drive called Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko, where 22 companies and foundations under the leadership of Manuel V Pangilinan are uniting to pool funds for Noche Buena packs for families to enjoy. 

The Noche Buena packs include meals and rice sacks which will depend on each company’s contribution. Some of the companies will also donate other essentials such as printers, pocket wifi, and toys for the children among others. Part of the donation will also include a fund to support various sectors and advocacies amid the new normal. These include teachers, farmers, public hospitals, as well as communities affected by recent typhoons and the Taal Volcano eruption of January 2020.

TECNO Mobile launches new AI-powered, revolutionary TECNO Spark 6 Series - A smartphone for the masses

6 new enhancements bring users an elevated immersive experience, along with more powerful cameras, multiple Bluetooth sharing, bigger screens, higher capacity and faster speeds

Recognizing the evolving need for high-performing, multi-tasking and affordable smartphones during these challenging times, global premier mobile phone brand TECNO Mobile has launched its latest innovation, the TECNO Spark 6 Series.

The TECNO Spark 6 Series is smartly designed for work and play, and is competitively priced to give locals the best value for their hard-earned money. Price ranges from PhP3,990 to PhP6,490. The Spark 6 Series is packed with six upgraded features - a unique camera system designed to elevate photographic immersion to the next level, bigger screen, more generous memory and storage, boosted processing speed, enhanced video call experience, and a fun Bluetooth audio share feature.

TESDA taps GCash as fintech partner for scholars’ training subsidy

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, further establishes itself as the fintech platform of choice for government agencies as TESDA taps the platform to distribute training subsidies to its scholars. Under the agreement, scholars will receive up to PHP 160.00 per training day from the agency through GCash.

TESDA’s adoption of GCash is seen as a move by the agency to achieve efficiency during the pandemic further, as assistance distribution will be remitted digitally, saving its scholars the trouble of going to field offices or claim centers to receive funds. Their shift to cashless also allows for contactless transactions, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on its employees and students, amidst the ongoing implementation of GCQ.

Healthier Alternatives For Traditional Filipino Christmas Dinner

This Christmas we will cook and eat a lot of food. With a lot of choices, flavors, and textures it is really a season of feasting on many treats. And for Filipinos, we would go all-out in preparing a lot of dishes.

Since it is a special occasion, we usually whip out the best dishes we usually have every year.
With some new dishes introduced to keep up with the times. But since we are now eating a lot, we are now noticing the effects after the holidays. Weight gain, mild illness, and other side-effects come out after days of partying.

Though we did enjoy those days, we are now more conscious of our health. For us to achieve living a healthy lifestyle, we are now considering new alternatives that can still keep the festive mood with food that are less oil, salt, sugar, and fat.

One great alternative is to cooking with an Air Fryer. This uses less to no oil when cooking which is also an effective cooking them effectively and quickly. Another alternative is to mix in more vegetable dishes to the table like salads, vegetable rolls, and fruits are highly recommended.

Bangkok-based Korean producer Saint Nine drops tropical-infused anthem “Don't Call Me Sugar”

Bangkok-based Korean electronic producer Saint Nine has officially released his new single, “Don’t Call Me Sugar.” The eclectic artist is the newest addition to the growing roster of Umami Records, an independent record label based in Singapore.

A tropical electro-pop track infused with Latin-Cuban melodies, suave instrumentation, and a vocal performance by an unnamed two-time Grammy nominee, “Don’t Call Me Sugar” deep-dives into a compelling narrative about romantic betrayal and trust issues.

The upcoming producer explains, “The song is about a man who was cheated by his girlfriend. He’s probably a lot better off without her. It will just become another bittersweet memory at the end of the day for him.” 

As for the musical structure, Saint Nine’s wrote a catchy chorus that is easy to sing along to. He adds, “I wanted sad lyrics for the song but with an irresistible beat that would put listeners in the mood for dancing. Nothing too energetic, just enough to make people want to move and dance.”

Enjoy the most sulit deals on your groceries with PayMaya

Your grocery run for Noche Buena just got more rewarding!

Whether you are planning to shop for your groceries at your go-to supermarket or from the safety of your home, PayMaya is making your Noche Buena shopping experience even more rewarding with the best sulit deals at the biggest supermarkets in the Philippines whenever you pay with the #BetterQR this holiday season.

Whenever you shop for your groceries and pay using PayMaya QR at Mercury Drugstore, WalterMart, Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace, AllDay Supermarkets, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Shopwise, Amesco Drug, LCC Supermarket, Metro Retail Supermarket, Gaisano Brothers Supermarket, Gaisano Grand, Gaisano Capital, and other partner supermarkets, you can easily get up to P250 cashback for your purchases the entire month of December. 

Get in the Christmas spirit with Lilystars Records’ compilation album, IN REVERIE

Philippine indie music label Lilystars Records brings festive warmth to music listeners all around the world with the release of IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation. 

In keeping up with the tradition of spreading Holiday cheers, the 11-track album offers heartfelt music that evokes the reassuring comfort of home and togetherness even in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

According to Clem Castro, the CEO of Lilystars Records, the compilation release is more than just a reflection of longing, hope and love. “It’s a call to keep our spirits alive no matter what we are facing. There are also tracks about celebration, optimism, loneliness and even dismay.” 

While Christmas can mean a lot of things to different people, IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation isn’t afraid to explore themes that indirectly address the current pandemic situation. “We can’t say if this release will have an impact for those who are having a difficult time with the pandemic, but we are hoping it does make a difference, Clem shares. “This serves as our gift to music fans this holiday season.”

This 1.1, ‘Reese-tart’ your life with ‘Princess DayaReese’

Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber reunite in ‘Princess DayaReese’

Finally, the moment that we all have been waiting for has come and that is for year 2020 to end. And this New Year’s Day, 1.1 (January 1), Star Cinema brings a new movie to accompany us as we start the year 2021 right, the movie ‘Princess DayaReese.’

Starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber or popularly known as ‘MayWard,’ the film tells the story of Reese (Maymay) who dreams of living like a royalty and opportunity arrives in the form of Princess Ulap (also played by Maymay), a runaway princess from Oro Kingdom who looks exactly like her. 

Switching places for 40 days in exchange of gold, Reese flies to Ulap’s kingdom where she meets Caleb (Edward), a young and determined reporter who is set to find the truth about the kingdom. The road to happily ever after becomes bumpy when the man in search for truth begins to fall in love with the fake princess.

Ipasa ang saya: Here’s how you helped spread cheer this holiday season with Grab

Gifts for all with 24 Days of Christmas and the Grab Christmas Factory

2020 has certainly been a unique year for all of us. The onslaught of the pandemic, the rise of activities like working and learning from home, and the lessened contact with our loved ones, among other adjustments, have invited many to sit back and value the small joys and bits of happiness just a little bit more this year.

Now with this year soon coming to a close and Christmas quickly approaching, the call to remain united and finish 2020 on an optimistic note is stronger than ever. From medical frontliners to delivery riders, there have been many members of our community who deserve thanks and appreciation for helping us make it through to the end of this year. Luckily, Grab has made spreading the holiday cheer and Christmas spirit easier for everyone with Ituloy Ang PassKo - Ipasa ang saya at biyaya sa bawat pa-Grab!