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!

Inspiring story of the enduring Filipino spirit wins grand prize in UFC Reel Life short film competition

The first ever UFC Reel Life: Nagsasama-samang Sarap Short Film Competition, an event meant to celebrate UFC’s 50th anniversary as well as highlight the talents of local filmmakers, has officially selected its top three winners. 

The competition focused on sharing stories about how ordinary Filipinos rise up and find hope despite the odds. Together, UFC celebrates these special moments of triumph, inspirations of courage, and resiliency for the coming year. 

Embassy of Czech Republic, World Vision partner for “Bridge to Employment Project” in Baseco, Manila

Embassy of Czech Republic, World Vision partner for “Bridge to Employment Project” in Baseco, Manila

Despite the difficulty of finding a stable job, Rodelyn Rabaya, who is unemployed, still hopes to earn a decent living. “I worked as an office encoder and as a warehouse assistant but since the contracts ended, I have been without work since then,” said the 23-year-old housewife from Baseco compound in Manila.

Especially now with a global health crisis, she thought opportunities were hard to come by for someone like her who did not earn a college diploma. Rabaya had to drop out from first year college to give way for her other siblings’ schooling.

Smart takes subscribers further into the future with the launch of iPhone 12 on new Signature 5G Plans

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is taking subscribers further into the future as it launches the latest iPhones – iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini – with the new Signature 5G Plans.   

The first Apple devices with 5G capabilities, the latest iPhones will open exciting possibilities for subscribers as they offer a higher level of performance for uploads and downloads, higher quality video streaming, more responsive gaming, and real-time interactivity for breakthrough 5G experiences.   

The latest iPhones also take users into the future with new advanced features – from the Apple-designed A14 Bionic chip, the fastest chip in a smartphone, Super Retina XDR displays, pro camera systems, and innovative design.    

Shoppers Embrace Digital Payments on 12.12, with ShopeePay Transactions Increasing 50 times in the First Hour

Adoption surges in North and South Luzon as ShopeePay provides shoppers across the Philippines with easy access to digital payments

ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, saw more consumers adopt digital payments at the recent Shopee 12.12. It was highlighted by a 50 times increase in ShopeePay transactions in the first hour of December 12 compared to an average day, as people turned to digital payments for their convenience and ease of use.

Baguio-based Artist, Riz Cabrera, launches online art auction for Smile Train Philippines

Visual artist, Riz Cabrera

Beautiful charcoal drawings featuring Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray, Smile Maker Marian Rivera and patients by Riz Cabrera

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, invites everyone to share the gift of smiles this holiday season. Visual artist, Riz Cabrera, has partnered with Smile Train to raise awareness for children born with a cleft through the launch of her online art auction which she hopes can contribute to sustaining Smile Train’s goal to provide children the urgent support and care needed.

Every day, 540 babies are born around the world with this serious health condition – preventing them not only from smiling, but also posing difficulties in eating, breathing, and speaking. Through the auction, Riz hopes to help fund the surgeries and therapies that could transform the lives of Filipino cleft patients.

Ben&Ben music video of KathNiel-starrer “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay”

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla stars as a romantic couple stuck in a time loop in the new music video for Ben&Ben’s “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay.”

Helmed by the band’s resident director Jorel Lising and written by Gaya Sa Pelikula creator Juan Miguel Severo, the song’s visual narrative explores the complicated relationship dynamics of two lovers who have lost and found each other in a fated cycle of events.

Complicated love in a time loop

Severo reveals that “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay,” a song that deals with the “possibility of another life to succeed in love,” complements the KathNiel starrer that he has in mind. Having written Hintayan ng Langit, an evocative piece that examines eternal romance in the afterlife, Severo decided to do away with another reincarnation story for his interpretation of the material. 

“Then it hit me, what about a couple stuck in a time loop?”, the prolific writer points out. “What if every time one dies, they go back to their first date with one of them carrying memories from their previous run? It took the band, Direk, and I a couple of zoom calls, brainstorming ideas to compound on that concept and get everything laid out before I presented it to KathNiel.”