How to keep it fit and festive this holiday season with Century Tuna

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The holidays are not just a time of gift-giving but also a time for festive feasts with family and friends. It’s a time where everyone gets the chance to prepare their special recipes and devour their favorite dishes in one sitting.

Century Tuna, with its extensive flavor offerings, makes it easy to incorporate into various holiday recipes, ensuring your Noche Buena and Media Noche celebrations have delicious, satisfying meals that everyone will love. Packed with Omega 3 DHA that’s good for the heart and mind, Century Tuna is also low in cholesterol and has no preservatives added, ensuring that you can prioritize your health and fitness even during the holiday season.


If you’re looking into creating some light snacks or appetizers for the holidays, Century Tuna ambassador Richard Gomez has the perfect tuna sandwich recipe. Using Century Tuna with Calamansi, he prepares the tuna with mayonnaise, yogurt, white onions, and a squeeze of lemon. Add parmesan for that cheesy flavor and celery for the extra crunch and you get a refreshing sandwich to pair with your classic holiday dishes.


For pesto lovers, you can never go wrong with Century Tuna Flakes in Oil. Simply whip up your favorite pesto sauce and combine it with the tuna and you have an easy pesto recipe that never compromises in taste. You can season to your heart’s desire and even add extra creaminess with parmesan cheese to transform the dish.


Instead of the usual pork giniling, you can also spice up your classic lumpiang shanghai recipe with Century Tuna Hot and Spicy. Mix in familiar ingredients like chopped carrots with sliced mushrooms and a cheese of choice and you have yourself a special holiday lumpia recipe that can be the star of your holiday feast. If you want more spice, you can even chop up some siling labuyo to add to your recipe for that extra kick that all Filipinos love.


Are you up to serving your family and guests some umami flavor? Why not try cooking seafood paella with Century Tuna? Century Tuna Chunks Spanish Style is the perfect ingredient to add depth and flavor to your meal as it blends perfectly with the flavor profiles of mixed veggies, seafood, and chorizo. Just garnish with toppings of your choice and you can have a healthy and hearty meal for family and friends.


If you want a break from festive dishes and keep it simple but healthy, you can always opt for Century Tuna ambassador Aga Muhlach’s favorite way of getting his protein fix. Simply add Century Tuna Chunks in Vegetable Oil to warm brown rice. You won’t need any extra fanfare, it’s a healthy palate cleanser that can help you reset and stay energized for any holiday activity.

This holiday season, Century Tuna is the perfect partner to elevate your Noche Buena and Media Noche with family and friends. Offering a variety of versatile, nutritious meal options, it allows you to enjoy festive celebrations without compromising your fitness goals.

May it be with Goma’s refreshing tuna sandwich recipe or Aga’s simple but healthy meal, with Century Tuna, you can start your #JourneytoSuperbod any time of the year. Even during the holiday season with elaborate feasts served for celebrations, there’s no best time to start your fitness journey, but now.

For more information and recipes, please visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or visit Century Tuna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna or @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram for more updates.


Read More

HONOR Opens New Experience Store in Fishermall Malabon, Announces Holideals

Monday, December 16, 2024



Get up to Php 15,000 worth of Freebies when you buy an HONOR smartphone this December!

Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines just opened its newest store in Fishermall Malabon. After the back-to-back launches of HONOR X7c and HONOR Magic V3 in November, HONOR Philippines just dropped its exciting deals for the entire month of December. You can get up to Php 15,000 worth of exclusive freebies for every purchase of HONOR smartphone until December 31, 2024!

"This is really the season of giving. That’s why we, at HONOR, try our best to give back to our loyal HONOR fans. Get more than what you paid for this December! For every purchase of an HONOR Smartphone, you can get a freebie," shared Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

If you are eyeing HONOR’s flagship smartphones HONOR Magic V3 and HONOR Magic 6 Pro, you will get FREE JBL Soundgear Frames with Camping Light and HONOR Gift Earbuds II with Camping light respectively.

The hot-selling HONOR X8b, HONOR 200 Series, and HONOR X9b will also give you FREE Camping Light for every purchase. On top of these exciting freebies, HONOR 200 will also get a price slash of Php 2,000 and will be priced at Php 22,999 during HONOR Holi-deals 2024!

What are you waiting for? Drop by any HONOR Experience and Partner Store or shop online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/HONOR_ShopeeHoliDeals), Lazada (https://bit.ly/HONOR_LazadaHoliDeals) or TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/HONOR_TikTokHoliDeals).

For more updates, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on: Facebook , Instagram  and TikTok.
Read More

MONA releases debut EP Love, MONA: a modern take on love letters

MONA


Filipino recording star MONA has officially released her highly anticipated debut EP, Love, MONA.

Available now via Sony Music Entertainment, the 5-track release serves as a collection of love letters in the form of songs. Inspired by the tradition of exchanging handwritten letters in the ‘90s, MONA channels this intimate and personal expression of emotion into her distinct brand of storytelling.

“I was born in the ’90s and I experienced those handwritten letters, and I kind of miss it,” shares Mona Gonzales, the artist behind the moniker MONA. “Now, people rarely do that as we live in a digital world and everything is online.”

At its core, Love, MONA tackles love in varied forms, be it platonic, romantic, or self-love. It also doubles as a coming-of-age record, reminding listeners and fans of love’s transformative power, and how it shapes our identities and influences the stories we tell.

“I want the listeners to listen to each song from the album and find the ones that resonate with them,” MONA explains. “Each song represents a different emotional experience—whether it’s the excitement of new love, nostalgia, curiosity, caution, or the challenges of understanding oneself and others. I hope to take listeners on a journey through heartfelt moments, vulnerability, and self-discovery, all wrapped in catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.”

Musically, Love, MONA showcases the artist’s versatility, positioning her as a chameleonic figure capable of seamlessly navigating multiple genres and influences.

“Tayo Na Ba,” showcases MONA’s playful and dynamic vocal delivery, blending retro-futuristic production with early 2000s R&B, all while maintaining a distinctly modern OPM (Original Pilipino Music) sensibility.

“Lapit Sa Akin” and “Boy From The ’90s,” both produced by Peter Lamiel, reveal MONA’s impressive range. The former recalls the sounds of Japanese pop legend Utada Hikaru and early Robyn, while Lapit Sa Akin draws inspiration from a colorful era, offering infectious melodies paired with a summery, feel-good chorus.

One of the album’s standout moments, “Luntiang Mundo,” takes a reflective look at embracing our unique life journeys and finding joy in the simplest moments. The track revisits MONA’s guitar-driven pop sound but adds a dreamy, eclectic flair, thanks to production by South Korean producer J2. The result is a smooth, sensual vibe with a nostalgic touch.

Meanwhile, “Sandstorm,” a city-pop-inflected track produced by Jaxzmusic, blends groovy beats, funky instrumentation, and smooth rhythms, exuding confidence and a fresh, magnetic energy.

With Love, MONA now available, MONA looks ahead to her musical future with an eagerness to continue exploring new genres and styles. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, especially in this industry,” she reflects. “But I just do the things that I love most and enjoy it. My goal for now is to be recognized as a singer and songwriter. I’ll make myself ready for whatever this path may bring.”

As a debut album, Love, MONA marks an exciting new chapter for the rising P-Pop star, whose unique voice and genre-blending sound have already begun to carve out a place in the music scene. With her dedication to creating music that speaks to the heart, MONA is undoubtedly one to watch in the years to come.

MONA’s new album, ‘Love, MONA’ is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Read More

Jolianne makes fun of her single status on the incredibly witty new track “Plain Girl”

Jolianne

Cebuana singer-songwriter Jolianne drops her new single, “Plain Girl,” a playful yet honest anthem that depicts the complexities of being a single young woman in a world full of love stories.

Released via Careless Music and Sony Music Entertainment, the track blends jazz-infused pop with a subtle touch of Disney-like whimsy, making it impossible to ignore.

With “Plain Girl,” Jolianne pokes fun of her own relationship status, waltzing into a narrative that speaks to the tiresome feeling of being lonely, inadequate, and overlooked. But instead of wallowing in self-pity or self-deprecation, the rising pop artist delivers a confessional with inescapable wit and lighthearted charm.

Jolianne explains, “I didn’t want it to come across as overly self-deprecating. Instead, I wanted it to sound like I was poking fun at my situation. This is why I paired the lyrics with dreamlike melodies and production.”

The song strikes a perfect balance between vulnerability and humor, with the soothing melodies contrasting sharply against the candid lyrics. Throughout the track, Jolianne’s natural charisma, paired with her impressive songwriting chops, shines in the dreamy lilt of lush instrumentation. She delivers a refreshing take on the “no-boyfriend-since-birth” (NBSB) narrative essentially like no other.

“Plain Girl” is filled with memorable lines that explore the frustrations and missed connection of navigating single life. One of the standout lyrics, “I want to be someone’s second to none, but it’s more likely I turn to a nun,” encapsulates the song’s raw honesty, a sentiment Jolianne feels deeply. “I think this line captures the balance best,” she shares. “It’s honest and a little bit cheeky, but that’s exactly how I feel.”

“Plain Girl” is produced by Jonah Bru and RJ Pineda, with vocal arrangement by Jolianne. According to the talented recording star, she wanted to embrace a whimsical and playful direction for the song, while highlighting her core strengths as a songwriter. The result is a lighthearted take on female solitude, but without being overly dramatic.

“Plain Girl” is the second single from Jolianne’s highly anticipated debut EP, set for release early next year. The upcoming EP will explore themes of yearning, love, and heartbreak, with the same mix of emotional candor and charismatic wit that makes “Plain Girl” so captivating.Jolianne’s “Plain Girl” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Careless Music and Sony. Music Entertainment. Watch the live performance video at her official YouTube channel.
Read More

Alex Bruce and Zae celebrates women in hip-hop on joint track “A to Z (Drop It)”

women in hip-hop

Two of Filipino hip-hop’s promising stars, Alex Bruce and Zae, turn up the heat with the release of their collaborative single “A to Z (Drop It)”—out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

The fun, upbeat track marks a pivotal moment for both artists as they navigate a new chapter in their career, with Bruce preparing to turn 18 soon and Zae dropping her second track as an artist under AWAL. Together, they deliver another catchy R&B/hip-hop jam that embodies confidence, self-expression and femininity.

More than just a banger, the track is a declaration of empowerment. Featuring bold, sassy, and unapologetic vibes, “A to Z (Drop It)” is about “embracing who you are and owning your space,” shares Alex Bruce.

The collaboration exudes a natural chemistry between Bruce and Zae, two artists who hit it off instantly despite the material being their first joint. The song showcases the best of both worlds, blending their strengths and perspectives in one compelling package.

“Working with Zae brought a fire that matched mine, and together we created something that’s pure sassy, classy, nasty vibes,” says Alex Bruce. “This is us stepping up our game.”

Championing women in hip-hop

The song is a testament to the power of female solidarity in a genre often dominated by men. In the music video, the presence of strong women in Pinoy hip-hop is emphasized, including a special appearance by one of the heavy-hitting rookies in the game: Illest Morena. Inspired by the iconic dance movie, Step Up (2010), the music video revolves around the concept that women should be celebrated, and not pitted against each other.

“We’re not just here for the spotlight; we’re here to uplift each other and make sure our voices are heard,” shares Bruce. “In a space where women are often overlooked, we’re showing that we’ve got each other’s backs. Together, we rise and create a powerful statement of unity and respect.”

The music video was helmed by Louie Ong, a two-time MYX Music Award nominee. He brought the concept to life with dynamic cinematography and high-energy visuals, further enhancing its message.

The track also represents a breakthrough for both acts as they continue to challenge expectations and barriers in the Pinoy hip-hop scene. For Alex and Zae, this release is a declaration of their rightful place in a culture that is often slow to recognize women as key players.

“Women are often told to fit into certain expectations, especially in hip-hop,” says Zae. “With this song, we wanted to show that we’re more than just our image.”

“A to Z (Drop It)” is produced by Markbeats, a prominent urban producer who played a significant role in shaping the track’s overall sound and arrangement.

“He has always been a solid collaborator,” reveals Bruce. “He brought the energy we needed. His production really amplified the potential of the song and turn it into an anthem that hits hard.”Alex Bruce and Zae’s “A to Z (Drop It)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch out for the music video to be released at 7:00 pm on her official YouTube channel.
Read More

KAIA, Subsonic Eye, Milledenials, Shaan & More Showcase Music Excellence & Regional Bonds at ASEAN India Music Festival 2024



ASEAN-India Music Festival (AIMF) concludes its biggest and most expansive edition held from November 29 to December 1, at the renowned Purana Qila in New Delhi, India, which offered free entry to all. Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Seher, the festival celebrates a decade of India’s ‘Act East Policy’, a comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN countries.

Drawing thousands of music lovers over three days, ASEAN-India Music Festival was a stunning tribute to music and its power to unite people from different cultures, and a display of world-class talent, which Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Pabitra Margherita, who inaugurated the event on its opening day as the Chief Guest, put succinctly, “ASEAN India Music Festival 2024 has shown how melodies can dissolve boundaries and foster connections that go beyond geography. Over these three days, we’ve celebrated not just the rhythm of instruments but the heartbeat of two regions bound by shared history and aspirations. The energy here at Purana Qila is a reminder that when art speaks, it unites us in ways words alone cannot. It has been an honor to witness this beautiful symphony of cultures.”

The third AIMF opened in grand style featuring captivating performances by India’s music icons Shaan and Raghu Dixit alongside ASEAN talents such as CHET Kanhchna (Cambodia), MRTV (Myanmar), and Buc Tuong (Viet Nam).

Day 2 delivered more electrifying performances on a global music stage, as India’s sensational pop duo Sukriti-Prakriti and indie pop-rock heroes Western Ghats brought dynamic energy to the ancient grounds of Purana Qila, while ASEAN artists like Floor 88 (Malaysia), Television Off (Thailand), and Tropical Hornbills (Brunei) proudly represented their vibrant cultures to the audience.

The final day saw award-winning singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal captivate the huge crowds with her performance. They were further treated to more remarkable acts from ASEAN, such as Subsonic Eye (Singapore), who delivered ethereal indie pop, while Milledenials (Indonesia) turned up the tempo with their infectious energy. TAIY AKARD (Lao PDR) and KAIA (Philippines) rounded up the incredible night, with their high-powered sets to conclude the 2024 edition of ASEAN-India Music Festival.

The festival was not only an occasion to hear great music, but it also played a vital role in connecting people from different backgrounds, Shaan—the “Golden Voice of India”—reflected, “Music is the heartbeat of humanity, and this festival showed us just how powerful that connection can be… sharing a stage with artists from ASEAN and feeling the audience's energy was surreal. Music really is a universal language, and tonight proved that beyond a doubt.”

Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Pabitra Margherita, inaugurated the event, highlighting the festival’s role in strengthening ASEAN-India ties through shared cultural bonds. He remarked, “This highlights the cultural bonds we’ve forged over the years. It’s a celebration of how music transcends borders, deepening our connections and strengthening the ties that unite ASEAN and India in our shared journey of growth.”

Sanjeev Bhargava, Director of Seher, echoed the sentiment, describing the event as “[representation] of the connections that grow from shared experiences, the relationships built over time, and the new ones that music helps create. By coming together to celebrate, we are fostering understanding and enriching the ties that bind our cultures."
Read More

Public school teachers benefit from continued support from DepEd and BDONB in reaching their financial goals

Friday, December 13, 2024

public school teachers

PUBLIC school teachers stand to benefit from the continued support from the Department of Education (DepEd) and BDO Network Bank (BDONB), particularly in equipping them with financial knowledge to help them achieve their personal goals.

For many teachers, gaining financial literacy helps them practice financial discipline and make informed decisions on budgeting, saving, and debt management.

On the importance of practical budgeting in particular, knowing where their money goes every month has taken so much stress off teachers’ shoulders already loaded with the daily grind of teaching. This knowledge assists in avoiding debt traps as they are able to manage and prioritize their expenses better.

Saving for future goals also gives teachers tools to start building funds for their imminent needs, including their retirement.

By being financially knowledgeable, public school teachers can also impart these money management strategies to their students.

"Here in DepEd, we're looking for ways to train our teachers on financial literacy because they can't teach that to their students if they themselves don't know anything about it," DepEd-National Capital Region Regional Director Jocelyn Andaya said. “Our teachers play a very crucial role in teaching financial literacy to our students. It's important that at a young age, they (students) are already taught to be self-sufficient financially and know how to budget and plan for their future.”

DepEd-National Capital Region Regional Director Jocelyn Andaya

Important role on financial literacy. DepEd-National Capital Region Regional Director Jocelyn Andaya said public school teachers play a crucial role in teaching financial literacy to their students.

She added that in partnership with BDO Unibank's corporate social responsibility arm, BDO Foundation, financial seminars are held wherein pockets of teachers are trained—a crucial exercise since financial literacy is already part of school curriculum among elementary and high school students.

“Our next plan is to come up with an instrument to measure what level our teachers are in right now in terms of their own financial literacy. That's where the private sector, such as BDO, can come in to help us not just by having more modules but by also capacitating our teachers. It should be a sustainable thing for us so that we will know the progress in say, three years' or five years' time," Andaya added.

BDO Network Bank (BDONB)—the community banking arm of BDO Unibank—truly values the role teachers play as the backbone of education and the true heroes shaping the future of the next generation. BDONB said it is deeply honored to have the opportunity to partner with DepEd in supporting and empowering these educators, recognizing that when teachers thrive, so do their students, their communities, and the nation as a whole.

"The teachers are really the heroes. Day in and day out, they're the ones who sometimes spend more time with our children. So it's very important that we support them because it's like supporting our own family. The success of the teachers will depend on the support they get not only from the government but even from the private sector," said Alberto O. Quiogue, BDONB Senior Vice President and Salary Loans Group Head.

Through BDONB's tailor-fit products, services and financial literacy seminars it regularly conducts, it is envisioned that teachers will be better equipped to reach their financial goals.

Quiogue added that teachers with sufficient knowledge and confidence in their own financial know-how will be able to do their jobs very well and not be mentally burdened by money-related problems.

Coco Martin

Festive moment. BDONB brand ambassador and award winning actor Coco Martin wows the crowd with one of his song numbers during the World Teacher’s Day celebration, as public school teachers  enjoy the show.

"We believe that a financially sound teacher can function and be very efficient. Teachers who have many financial problems are the ones who get bogged down and can't teach very well because there are many things in their minds," he said. "The financial literacy program is helping them be more efficient. I think the most important thing that we promote to teachers is responsible borrowing and financial wellness. Every time we have an opportunity, we give them a little talk on financial wellness, how to achieve their financial goals by managing their money well, and knowing the difference between a good loan and bad loan.”

Always ready to support DepEd, all year round

But more than the products it offers, community engagements, and seminars it conducts, BDONB said its full support to DepEd’s cause can be gleaned from its unwavering commitment to the agency’s programs all year round, including as one of its corporate partners for the World Teachers' Day celebration and other DepEd activities.

"We at BDO Network Bank, we're always there to support the teachers and the many endeavors of DepEd. Any support that they need, we're all out for them," Quiogue said. "We support the Palarong Pambansa. We have the yearly Brigada Eskwela where we help clean, paint, and fix the schools. There's also a program wherein at the beginning of the year, we give a lot of donations to the students and teachers. We're always there to help them."
Read More