ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Bring the heritage, artistry, and taste of the different regions   of the Philippines to family and friends with gifts from the heart from Kultura... NOW SHIPPING WORLDWIDE! At a time when most of us are relatively homebound, these curated and artisanal gifts take you on a virtual road trip to your favorite cities in the Philippines which you hope to visit during better times. Send these to your loved ones abroad who long to be home for Christmas, to friends who wish to add a homespun touch to their home office, or to foreign business associates who want to know more about our country. There are woven wonders and handcrafted woodworks from beautiful Baguio . . . exquisite South Sea pearls, handwoven pina silk bags and scarves, and decorative etched wood carvings that highlight pristine beauty of Palawan . . . gifts from the sea from Cebu, the Queen City of the South. . . and T’boli brass accessories, Ikat designed pieces, and world-class chocolates from D...

  At a time wherein we can only see the world through our screens, Filipinos are known to find the silver lining in every situation. In this case, that silver lining blinks brightly in black and pink. Globe welcomes the biggest international music group, BLACKPINK, into its family! The record-breaking K-pop quartet joins the world-class roster of the telco’s endorsers to enlighten a rather eventful year for all. Among its accolades, the group has become the first K-Pop group to have the most music videos viewed, surpassing more than 1 billion views with their music video “Boombayah” in October. In line with Globe’s mission to bring world-class connectivity to its customers, it follows through by also bringing in brand ambassadors of the same caliber.  “This year has brought unprecedented challenges for everyone, locally and globally. Despite this, we strive to provide customers better everyday experiences that they will enjoy. Having BLACKPINK join the Globe f...

Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO offers its deepest condolences to the families affected by Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses in the Philippines. To support relief and recovery efforts, UNIQLO, via its parent company Fast Retailing, will donate 1 million USD (approx. 48 million in PHP) in aid. UNIQLO Philippines donates 300,000 pieces of AIRism masks through  SM Foundation , Inc. for the families affected by the recent typhoons in the Philippines.In photo: UNIQLO Philippines Co-COO Geraldine Sia, UNIQLO Philippines COO Masayoshi Nakamura,  SM Foundation , Inc. Executive Director Debbie Sy, and  SM Foundation , Inc. Executive Director for Medical and Health Programs Connie Angeles. The donation will be made through the SM Foundation, an entity that manages the CSR activities of the SM Group - the management partner of UNIQLO in the Philippines. The donation will be used to provide emergency food supplies and rebuild flooded housing, as well as buil...

Drive-Thru Laboratory, TMC On the Go Home Services launched   The Medical City Iloilo is redefining convenience with the launching of two new services.     TMC Iloilo now caters to patients for Drive-Thru Laboratory services and TMC On-the-Go Home Services to further provide patient partners quality, fast, and hassle-free way of availing laboratory services.     “Through these newly launched services, we aim to bring quality laboratory services to the Ilonggos without compromising their safety. Now, more than ever, one’s health should not be compromised. Thus, we are providing our patient partners a more convenient way of availing our services for them continue monitoring their health,” TMC Iloilo Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix Ray Villa said.     TMC Iloilo Drive-Thru Laboratory offers a convenient and safe way of availing the hospital’s laboratory services. Unlike other hospital Drive-Thru services, TMC Iloilo Drive-Thru does not...

Giant and creative Christmas Trees bring joy to  SM Shoppers nationwide! Filipinos began decorating their homes with Christmas trees in the early 1900s, as influenced by our American colonizers.  Earlier, however, Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero, introduced and brought the idea about the Christmas tree in his letter to his eldest sister when he was in Berlin in November 1886. He simply described how Christmas is celebrated in Germany and Spain, and how a forest pine tree decorated with glitter, lights, candies and fruit is placed inside the house where everyone celebrates Christmas around it. Everything is Mega and Bright in SM Megamall’s dazzling Christmas tree with bright lights and sparkling ornaments.  The gold and fuchsia palette is carried on to the giant Santa Chair with stars upholstered in pink satin, and a telephone booth accented with stars and pink fairy lights. Since that time, the Christmas tree has found its place in many Filipino home...

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses across the globe. Institutions today, specifically supply chain companies in charge of the distribution of goods, need efficient and sustainable technology to enable business continuity.  Vic Imperial Appliance Corporation (Imperial Appliance Plaza) has partnered with Globe by acquiring Corporate Management Solutions (CMS), with the aim of transforming and automating its processes. Through the partnership, the company secured Globe’s Clockwise CMS.  CMS is a Daily Time Record (DTR), Payroll, and Human Resource Information System (HRIS) designed to simplify and streamline conventional processes. With the CMS, processes become fast, accurate, and efficient, which, in turn, increases productivity that helps the business save time and money. In terms of usability, the CMS is easily accessible via the mobile phone, which is vital for employees of supply chain companies like Imperial Appliance Plaza. Other employee benefits incl...

SM City Iloilo opened the 2-day Trade Fair November 21, 2020, as part of SM Foundation Inc.'s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan(SMFI-KSK) project.   The activity which is until November 22, showcases the produce of the farmer beneficiaries who are undergoing training in Center for Agriskills and Livelihoods Inc. in Brgy Magancina in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.  Products of DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program(SLP) is also part of the fair. The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan trade fair aims at helping its beneficiaries reach a wider market by selling the crops to the shoppers in the mall , as well as equip farmers with the skills to find sustainable livelihood in the community. Officials from the DSWD, TESDA, SM City Iloilo, Macondray Philippines and CRISEL integrated Farm  were represented during the opening ceremony.

Celebrating her 24th birthday today, November 14, Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo did not only blew a candle on top of a birthday cake but also led the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at Festive Walk Iloilo. Iloilo City’s pride has come home to a rousing welcome from the Ilonggos with Iloilo Business Park hosting Ilonggo beauty queen on her grand homecoming after winning the crown a few weeks ago.  “We are so proud that Iloilo Busines Park is Rabiya’s official host for her grand homecoming this weekend. She has a perfect model not just to Ilonggos but to all Filipino in terms of how a phenomenal woman like her inspires young people to continue to dream bigger,” says Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vice president for sales and marketing, Iloilo Business Park Fresh from being crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Rabiya Mateo has flown back to her hometown for the very first time to be with her family, thanking her fellow Ilonggos for their all-out support ...

Company remains optimistic of ‘better days ahead’ as gov’t intensifies efforts to revive the economy Property giant Megaworld’s rental income grew 13% to P3.4-billion during the third quarter from P3-billion in the previous quarter as quarantine restrictions have been eased. The company’s office rental business, under the Megaworld Premier Offices brand, continued its growth momentum during the quarter as it grew 6% to P2.96-billion from P2.80-billion in the previous quarter. Year-on-year, it grew 11% in this year’s third quarter from P2.68-billion during the same period last year, while during the first nine months of the year, it also grew 11% to P8.57-billion compared to P7.75-billion in the same period last year. ILOILO BUSINESS PARK In Iloilo, Megaworld Premier Offices has increased its occupancy of leasable spaces in its nine office buildings inside Iloilo Business Park to 97% during the third quarter compared to 90% before the lockdown. Megaworld Lifestyle Malls also...

Born out of love for everything Ilonggo, a 40 ft. Christmas centerpiece highlights this year's Holiday celebration at SM City Iloilo. Located at the Northpoint of the mall, it presents a symbol that embodies the unity of the Ilonggos especially in these challenging times. Made with indigenous fabrics like Hablon, Jusi, Piña, Abaca and Rattan, these wrapped around the regal centerpiece, symbolic of a solid foundation rooted on rich history and noble tradition.  It is said that it is not what is under the Christmas tree but the ones around it, the centerpiece carries out the tradition of bringing cheers to shoppers as they come home to SM City Iloilo for the Holidays. The mall dedicates this theme in celebration of the Ilonggo spirit showcasing Ilonggos are at home in SM City Iloilo. The unity shown by people in these trying times exemplifies a family extending a helping hand to brothers and sisters in need. Standing tall in pure Ilonggo fashion, SM City ...

If you want a break from the tees, jeans, and athleisure attire that have emerged as the OOTDs of this day, slip into the effortless ease of SM Woman’s stylish caftans.  A traditional garment of the Middle East, caftans – which were made of luxurious silks and embellished with ornate beading - were worn by Ottoman sultans and Moroccan dignitaries of centuries past. The caftan was later introduced to Western society and adapted in the 1950s and 60s by leading couturiers such as Cristobal Balenciaga and Christian Dior as a new form of evening gown.  Since then, it has become a favorite among fashion icons like Andre Leon Talley, the Olsens, and Rihanna, as well as editors, designers, and the glamorous set. And with more of us spending more time at home, Tory Burch, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Pucci, as well as Lilly Pulitzer have included the caftan in their latest collections.  That’s because the caftan has a free-spirited ethos that feels equal pa...

In celebration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, The Medical City (TMC) Iloilo launches the “Pink Solidarity”, an awareness advocacy campaign that promotes early detection and prevention of breast cancer.  The Medical City Iloilo CEO Dr. Felix Ray Villa and Festive Walk Iloilo Marketing Manager Karmela Jesena lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of TMC Iloilo Pink Solidarity Booth. According to the 2018 Globocan Philippines report, breast cancer remains to be the top cancer type in the Philippines comprising 17.6% of the total number of new cancer cases recorded in the country. The report furthered that though breast cancer is most common among women, there are also reported cases that it can also happen among men.   “The Medical City Iloilo as a trailblazer in heathcare in Western Visayas remains to be steadfast in its thrust to promote health awareness and education specifically on breast cancer,” said TMC Iloilo Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix ...