Ready to Elevate your Fried Food Favorites? Breville Philippines Showed them how to do it!

Admit it. Regardless of how health-conscious we are, all of us have that special, secret place in our hearts reserved for fried food. We all know that deep-fried treats may not always be the smartest choices when it comes to our overall diet, but we also cannot deny that they are so good it is worth dedicating a cheat day for them here and there.

Host Kakki with Chef Waya

Host Paul w/ Chef Gem

Did you know, though, that there is a way you can enjoy your favorite deep-fried dishes minus the guilt of consuming something that can get your healthy eating habits off track? That was exactly what Breville Philippines proved during its virtual event, “Hey, Home Fryer!” The event featured some of the industry’s renowned chefs, together with the latest kitchen partners that ultimately changed the way anyone enjoys fried dishes. The international premium kitchen-label brand invited culinary luminaries Chef Waya Araos-Wijanco of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café, and Chef Gem Tee of Salta Ristorante, who both shared heritage and modern recipes that anyone can add to their culinary traditions, using some of the most advanced kitchen technologies that can elevate the way you enjoy your food.

Host Kakki and Paul w/ Chef Gem, Chef Waya and Kulas

The online event placed the spotlight on Breville’s newest kitchen must-have, the Smart Oven®Air Fryer, the third and most innovative version of its best-selling Pro ovens. Unlike its predecessors, this newest offering from Breville’s roster just #GotSmarter as it married both oven and air-frying options in one powerful product so that you can experience different ways of enjoying your tabletop favorites.

The Smart Oven® Air Fryer is every home cook's answer to their fried food dilemma thanks to its healthier way of deep-frying that uses advanced super convection technology. Now, you can sink your teeth on crispy, golden, air-fried food minus the oil and the guilt. Want other ways to enjoy your food? You can even choose from ten different cooking functions like slow cook, grill, bake, and roast. And as if that is not enough, anyone can perfect recipes using the Smart Oven Air Fryer® regardless of their experience in the kitchen, thanks to its smart algorithm that helps provide the best cooking temperature for whatever it is you want to cook.

The event was also a perfect opportunity for all home cooks and food lovers in general to know more about valuable kitchen hacks and cooking tips from the pros. Viewers, meanwhile, got first dibs on Chef Waya’s and Chef Tee’s insights. The two outstanding chefs both opened up on all the most important things they’ve picked up over the years when it comes to working in their kitchens.

The “Hey, Home Fryer!” online event was opened to everyone who tuned in to Breville Philippines’s Facebook page 

( https://www.facebook.com/brevillephilippines ) last April 24 and got front-row seats on one of the most exciting things to ever happen in the world of food.

https://www.facebook.com/brevillephilippines/videos/361449945294933

Stay tuned by following Breville Philippines’s official Facebook page at 

( https://www.facebook.com/brevillephilippines ) and Instagram at

( https://www.instagram.com/breville_phils/ )for more updates. Want to know more about the brand’s products? Visit https://www.breville.com.ph/ for more information.

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

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 a 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.

Martin Yu, Director of Shopee Philippines, said, “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.”

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.

PLDT is fastest broadband in 16 out of 17 PH Regions – Ookla

PLDT records the fastest average fixed download and upload speeds in 16 out of 17 key regions in the Philippines, based on the Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data as of Q1 2021.

According to the latest quarter of Ookla® analysis, PLDT widens their lead of average download speed results in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Davao Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Soccsksargen, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, MIMAROPA, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“PLDT has been aggressively expanding our fiber network footprint nationwide, which has been key to the massive and consistent improvement of our internet speeds,” says Butch G. Jimenez, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, assessed the best network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest® applications from different devices connected to a fixed network.

Undisputed Telco Leader PLDT continues to set the standard for fast internet speeds in the Philippines with its repeat wins as the fastest fixed network at the Ookla Speedtest Awards TM by recording the highest Speed Score™, top download and upload speeds compared to other telcos in the country. In 2020, PLDT achieved the highest Speed Score™ of 24.79 and 27.28 in the 1 st and 2 nd half of the year.

PLDT has the most powerful and fastest fiber-to-the-home network that can deliver up to 1000

Mbps symmetrical speeds. Jimenez shares, “We’ve introduced faster plans bundled with the latest WiFi 6 and Mesh solutions so our customers can maximize the speeds that our network can deliver.”

With the widest fiber network footprint in the Philippines at 478,000 kilometer lines for the first quarter of 2021, PLDT continues to expand and now has 3.9 Million broadband subscribers.

“This pandemic has made the Internet an essential for millions of Filipino families. PLDT Home remains committed to power their needs for work, study, family entertainment, and business with the fastest network and the latest digital solutions,” concluded Jimenez.

5 important steps in building an online business from home

Waiting for the right time to start an online business from home? Now would be the perfect time, with everyone at home, logged onto their social media accounts every single day. With the power of the Internet comes great opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

To create a successful and profitable online business, here are the most important steps.

1. Choose a profitable product or service

All kinds of businesses start from one thing: an idea, hobby, or passion that turned into an opportunity. The first step to creating a business is knowing what to offer by researching and identifying the pros and cons of the product or service. See to it that the product or service
has an existing audience, thereby proving its potential in the marketplace. An important reminder: do not jump on trends, fads, and bandwagons that are deemed fleeting.

2. Build the core strengths of an online business

With an online business, the non-negotiables are a website, an email list, and a good social media following. A clean and simple website should make the business’ credibility available for all to see online. An email list, on the other hand, comes in handy for marketing needs.Lastly, a strong social media presence is essential to further widen the brand’s reach thereby converting followers into customers. Identify the top platforms used by the target audience and prioritize building a great following in those same platforms.




3. Keep the audience engaged

A strong social media presence is the result of a great following and engaging content. Keep in mind that an aesthetically-pleasing Instagram feed can have a lot of followers and likes, but the goal is to keep the followers coming, retain them, keep them entertained, and most importantly, entice and convert them to becoming customers. Focus on posting engaging content about the business that they will not only like, but also share and comment on.




4. Establish a wide network.

A vast network is crucial when it comes to starting a business. Start building a relationship with entrepreneurs, suppliers, and even couriers by joining groups, events, expos, and online caravans to know the in’s and out’s of the digital landscape. In these trying times, collaboration, not competition, is key to the survival of a business.




5. Get the right connection.

The right connection matters -- literally, in the case of online businesses. What good is an online business without a reliable and stable Internet connection? This is where PLDT Home Biz comes in. Get a strong Internet connection with affordable PLDT Home Biz Plan, plus access to a wider network through readily available ecommerce solutions that come with each subscription and virtual trade expos that PLDT Home Biz provides in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

With many people starting their businesses online, the need to stand out and get the attention and loyalty of an audience seems difficult, to say the least. But with the right tools and a solid foundation, any startup online business has the potential, not only to survive, but more so, thrive.

With PLDT Home Biz, anyone has the power to create a successful home-based online business. Find out more at www.pldthome.com/biz.

The Women Champions behind Masungi Georeserve

Women are changing the landscape. Some, more literal than others. Meet Billie & Ann Dumaliang, the two sisters behind the massively successful initiative to preserve and promote the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal Province. This Women’s Month, PLDT Home tells their empowering story through the #SheConnects video campaign.

Known to many as an ecotourism site, the real journey of the acclaimed Masungi Georeserve is a story to behold. Billie & Ann grew up loving and enjoying the scenery of their area since they were kids. Before it became a sanctuary, the assault of poachers and landgrabbers caused severe damage to its flora and fauna.

Inspired by their mutual love for the land, and by the example of their father, the sisters took up the call
to act. Billie left a profitable brand manager position and locked arms with her sister Ann and expanded
their family’s efforts to fight for the land they love. The two sisters then launched an expedition to reclaim and restore the forest and protect it, at all costs.

“There is a lot of opportunity to make a difference in the environment field. There is momentum, and while it is very difficult, it is also very rewarding and fulfilling.” Said the sisters in a recent interview.When asked about the dangers in the field that they operate in, they said, “Yes, there are indeed

inherent risks to conservation work. We manage these risks through learning best practices from the experts and our mentors, and also by forming alliances. It is important to assess each situation differently and react appropriately, when the need arises.”

Dubbed as among the ‘women masters’ for PLDT Home’s Women’s Month Campaign, the two sisters
share their excitement in telling their story to inspire and call on other women to become champions of
the environment, as well. Billie shares, “I am proud that even despite our physical limitations, we can do as much as men can. We are honored to be recognized as champions and to be with other amazing women who, like us, are very passionate in empowering our generation through our collective
advocacies.”

Asked about the importance of having connections and influencing one another, the sisters added, “We
recognize that we cannot win these fights alone. We need the help of all sectors to be able to create
long-lasting change for the landscape we are trying to conserve. It is important to come together with
different people like women and mothers to be able to change mindsets and cultivate new behaviors.”

Be inspired, connect and learn how, like Billie and Ann, you can be a champion too. Watch their masterclass video on PLDT Home’s YouTube page here.

The Modern CEO: Messy Bessy’s Krie Lopez on women inclusivity through social entrepreneurship

Messy Bessy started out as a vision to build an environment-conscious brand. From selling eco-friendly
cleaning products online, CEO and founder Krie Lopez’ vision became a bigger mission – to grow an
inclusive and sustainable social enterprise for women.

Having finished Management Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University, Krie Lopez is no novice in
social entrepreneurship, gaining experience as the former head of the corporate social responsibility
program of a global food and retail brand. After leaving her corporate job, Krie bravely built her own
social enterprise and in 2007, introduced Messy Bessy, which has become a popular home and personal
care brand with natural, environmentally sustainable and innovative composition.

A modern-day CEO, Krie has built an environment of mutual growth and wellness, not just for her
business, but more so, for her employees. She established their nonprofit HOUSE (Helping Ourselves
Through Sustainable Enterprises) in 2015, in an effort to replicate and scale the social program they
have incubated in Messy Bessy. She explains, “That’s been the core of what we do. If you look at Messy
Bessy, more than half of our workforce are working students. When you buy a Messy Bessy product,
you’re feeding into that system that’s providing these young adults with employment and education.”

Messy Bessy goes deeper into the support process by connecting their employees to suitable and
attainable future opportunities. This is especially true for the disadvantaged women in their team. She
adds, “We have family care programs that even go as far as engaging with their families. We also offer
interventions in sexual health, psychosocial support and financial literacy.” Speaking about the women
in her team, Krie acts as an enabler to further inspire and empower them. “These women deserve the
privilege to fight for themselves”, she continues.

Krie further shares that the end-goal of Messy Bessy is to make their employees “self-reliant.” She says,
“We take note of everything that we’ve learned along the way and identify what is really essential for our employees to be self-reliant. The big goal at the end of our program is for them to finish with a college diploma coupled with a rich work experience.”

The power of strong connections is also a crucial element for Messy Bessy. “Being a social enterprise, we
are able to use our network, our connections to build and support the dreams of our employees. Over the years, we realized that so many in our community are willing to help. In fact, there are people from large multinationals who are always willing to roll up their sleeves to help us thrive.’

In celebration of Women’s Month, Krie was named as a “Master Builder” for PLDT Home’s #SheConnects campaign, a series of video masterclass of women masters. Learn from Krie Lopez and other amazing women by watching their exclusive videos on PLDT Home’s YouTube page here.

Globe reinvents customers' everyday experiences with innovative life-enabling offers

Filipinos are very agile, always ready to adapt to new experiences and face challenges head on. Despite the pandemic, many are able to stay afloat thanks to digital means which remain abuzz with new platforms, services, bundles and plans that reinvent how we live.

Globe recognizes the challenges its customers continue to face given the current state of the pandemic. To support them, the company launched first-to-market innovations that redefine telco experiences that enable them to win each day.

“Today, Filipinos have better connectivity with truly proactive service here and abroad, powered by the largest mobile network and the fastest-growing 4G network in the country. More advanced technologies are also in place such as 5G and fiber plus pervasive network improvements,” shared Globe’s Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Issa Guevarra-Cabreira during the first-ever Globe Innovation Fest.

Globe stands as the industry pioneer and leader in 5G technology in the Philippines. The recent launch of Globe’s 5G roaming services in the UAE and Thailand are set to continue with upcoming launches across Asia, Middle East, North America, and several countries in Europe. The 5G roaming service is available to Filipinos traveling internationally, as well as subscribers of select foreign telcos visiting the Philippines.





Pioneering data as currency

With the internet as a new essential, data has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Globe pioneers the way customers use and extend the value of data by introducing data as currency in the Philippines. This applies to any Globe product whether mobile, Home Prepaid WiFi, or Reward for loyalty. With Globe's latest innovation, GBs to Points, customers can soon start converting their unused GBs to Globe Rewards points via the Globe One App. For Prepaid, the conversion is 1GB = 1 Rewards Point. For Postpaid, 1GB = 10 Rewards points. For Home Prepaid WiFi, 3GBs = 3 Rewards. Gigabytes or GBs may be converted into points at any time within the promo validity or before the plan’s cut off date.

More value and benefits everyday on mobile or at home

Globe Postpaid acknowledges the evolving needs of customers and the importance of flexibility and reliable connectivity. Introducing another first of its kind in the market, the new GPlan with GCash offers maximum flexibility for customers by giving them GCash credits which they can spend for anything they want and need -- whether it’s content subscriptions, shopping vouchers, or even home essentials like robot vacuums. Mobile and life essentials are combined in any GPlan type. Aside from generous data allocations, customers will receive unlimited all-net calls & texts, free GoWiFi when in transit, unlimited teleconsultation via KonsultaMD & 3 months insurance coverage via GInsure from Singlife with plan offers like GPlan with Device, GPlan Sim-only, and GPlan with GCash.

Globe Postpaid will also make available soon special offers using the iQiyi app, one of the world's leading online movie and video streaming websites for Korean and Chinese TV dramas, movies, variety shows, and Japanese anime. The mostly Asian content will be available using FREE and VIP versions accessible via iQiyi app or iQ.com. VIP subscription allows customers to get additional features like advanced episodes and no ads. iQiyi VIP offers will be available in GlobeOne and GCash apps next month.


"We know that our customers need mobile plans that fit right into their lifestyles and evolving needs. The GPlan gives them access to life's many other opportunities and perks, giving them more power to reinvent experiences on their own and of those around them," shared KD Dizon, Head of Globe’s Mobile Business.

For the discerning digital warriors at home, Globe At Home is boosting its plans’ speeds so customers may enjoy a faster and robust connectivity experience at home. Likewise, it has ramped up its entertainment and health freebies through its Unli Fiber Up plan with speeds of up to 100Mbps for only P2,899. With fast speeds and ramped up freebies, customers have what they need to do more at home! 

More than reliable connectivity, customers are also covered with 3 months worth of FREE GInsure medical coverage for COVID 19 and dengue of up to Php140,500. Globe At Home customers will also have access to free 3 months medical consultation through the KonsultaMD Family Plan. They get unlimited 24/7 access to licensed Filipino doctors through voice or video consultations, and will be able to receive e-prescriptions or e-lab requests via SMS or email as needed.

Customers may also choose their favorite entertainment via three months FREE access to Amazon Prime Video, HBO GO, and Viu Premium. For gamers, customers can enjoy Amazon Prime Gaming, which comes with the 3-month Amazon Prime Video access and offers in-game content for top games plus a selection of free games every month. With HBO GO, customers have unlimited access to thousands of hours of critically-acclaimed and award-winning content from HBO, the latest and biggest Hollywood Blockbusters and HBO Asian Originals — movies and series available across all genres including Warner Bros and DC. Lastly, Viu is the one-stop service for viewers to access the largest volume and widest selection of Korean content titles. Viu also brings Japanese dramas and animation, Filipino-dubbed shows, Asian dramas as well as Viu Originals to the home.

Assuring customers of reliable after-sales service, Globe At Home complements its products with a digital after-sales service through the Globe At Home app. Get support and avail of services like bills payment, plan upgrades, and volume boost to get more data using the app. Concerns may be resolved without calling a hotline or visiting a Globe Store by simply sending a message to the Globe At Home Facebook chatbot. To reach customers faster, installation is guaranteed to happen within 48 hours upon plan approval, exclusively for online application only. Requests for repair may also be done via the app.

"We provide #ExtraCareAtHome for our customers so they can get the most enriching experiences given the current situation. That's why we take the extra step in providing as much connectivity, health, entertainment and other essentials they need, while giving them peace of mind at home," said Darius Delgado, Globe’s Head of Broadband Business.







Helping SMEs and businesses in their digital transformation

As a digital solutions provider and in partnership with the national government, Globe myBusiness has been assisting hotels, restaurants and cafes through the Safe Recovery Campaign. Going digital, accompanied by proper safety protocols has allowed the hospitality industry to slowly gain its momentum back. Globe myBusiness offers solutions and services such as Amber, Rush, and KonsultaMD. Amber helps businesses reach out to their client base. Rush enables businesses with reward programs for their loyal customers. And to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests, GmB offers KonsultaMD. Moreover, Globe myBusiness has partnered with SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, to offer the Hygiene Monitored Program.

This program is a global initiative that aims to ensure the highest hygiene practices within hotels, restaurants, cafes, and other places of business. An SGS HM mark is an assurance to the customer that the establishment practices the best food safety methods.

“Many business owners have been facing additional challenges since the start of the pandemic. Globe myBusiness is their partner in recovery and ensures their own customers’ safety as they resume operations,” said Maridol Ylanan, Head of Strategy & Marketing, Globe myBusiness.

For corporate customers, Globe Business continues to work with clients and partners to ensure that enterprise businesses run smoothly and securely, as they propel their digital transformation. Globe Business helps in future-proofing businesses through connectivity, Cloud, cybersecurity, and a host of digital solutions, meant to reinvent the concept of 'anytime, anywhere'.

Through the Cloud, for instance, businesses are able to elevate their operations from on-ground activities to online. Companies that used to be restricted to maintaining servers on-premise can shift their workloads (applications, services, and capabilities) to the Cloud. To help enterprises progress towards digitalization, Globe fully acquired cloud professional and managed services company, Cascadeo. This investment will help attain the highest level of professional and managed service capabilities for multi-cloud operations, guaranteeing extensive experience and knowledge in designing, architecting, building, migrating, and managing workloads and applications on the cloud.

Aside from its acquisition of Cascadeo, Globe also staked a claim on business applications and consulting company, Third Pillar—the Philippines’ largest Gold Partner of Salesforce, the world leader in CRM solutions. Through Salesforce, businesses can take advantage of cloud-based applications that allow them to automate B2B sales processes, leverage on AI to support customers, and more. With its expertise in CRM and impressive list of success stories, Third Pillar serves as a guiding hand for implementing best-in-class technologies that help Globe customers achieve innovation, sharpen their competitive edge, and generate growth in a digital landscape.

“Collaborating with leading tech companies like Cascadeo and Third Pillar can help our clients achieve their goals which in turn will make an impact on their customers. In everything we do, our aim is to support enterprises across the country as they reinvent their success and contribute to the nation's recovery," said Peter Maquera, Senior Vice President, Globe Business.

Endless possibilities to do good


One of the greatest and most impactful risks we face as a community is the threat of climate change. Globe sees mitigating the impact of climate change as a whole of nation approach.

Globe continues to forge partnerships with government organizations and has committed to adopt frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to help address climate-related risks through science-based research, financial information and disclosures. Proactively investing in initiatives that create real and lasting social impact is a testament to the company’s commitment in creating a #GlobeOfGood. Through innovations like Globe Rewards, Globe One, and GCash, customers are given the power to take action as a digital citizen — able to participate in various initiatives including proper e-waste disposal, recycling, rainforestation, energy conservation, marine biodiversity, and minimizing single-use plastics.

“Climate change will impact all of us so we need to be persistent in educating Filipinos on environmental threats and what every person can do to help. Actively participating in causes and increasing awareness on what's happening around us will go a long way in prevention and mitigation,” concludes Guevarra-Cabreira.

For years, Globe has been recognized for its sustainability initiatives. The company supports 10 UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals such as UN SDG No. 9 which recognizes the importance of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG No. 12 - Sustainable Consumption and Production, which is about achieving economic growth and sustainable development by urgently reducing ecological footprint. It is also about decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.



For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.