Month: January 2021

  • Make your child’s home learning more fun with these exciting snack recipes

    Make your child’s home learning more fun with these exciting snack recipes

    To make snack time even more delightful, parents can get creative in preparing goodies for their kids who do home learning. Whether their little ones need a quick pick-me-up in between online classes, or something to much-on to energize them as they do homework, here are yummy and easy-to-make snacks that are sure to fit the bill.

    Delightful Fried Cream-Os                          

    With its crunchy, bitter-sweet chocolate cookies and rich creamy vanilla or chocolate filling, Jack ‘n Jill Cream-O is yummy on its own. With this new twist, parents can make this even more delightful for their kids.

    Fried Cream-O

    Start by mixing pancake batter with water according to package directions, or creating his or her own batter by combining flour, water, milk, and eggs. Dip the Cream-O into the batter then fry in hot oil for about two (2) minutes or until they are golden-brown. Place the Cream-Os on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve and enjoy!

    No-bake Quake Overload Chocolate Cake

    Moms and dads can try this no-bake chocolate cake for their kids’ dessert during lunch break.

    First, prepare the frosting by whisking an all-purpose cream until it thickens. Once it doubles its size, pour half (1/2) a can of condensed milk and mix it well together. Place it inside the refrigerator to chill for an hour.

    No Bake Quake Overload Cake

    When the frosting is ready, start assembling the cake by slicing the Jack ‘n Jill Quake Overload cake bars in half horizontally to create two even layers. Spread some of the frosting onto the bottom cake layer. Place the second layer and put the remaining frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Add some crushed Cream-O bits as the finishing touch. Put the cake in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

    Magic Flakes Tuna Nuggets

    Here’s an interesting twist on the classic tuna sandwich that both adults and their kids will surely enjoy.

    To make this recipe, combine one (1) can of tuna, two (2) packs of crushed Jack ‘n Jill Magic Flakes Plain, two (2) tablespoons of flour, one (1) minced onion, salt, and pepper. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and form into nuggets—get creative as you mold them into different shapes and sizes. Fry the Magic Flakes Tuna Nuggets until they are golden brown and serve it with your kid’s favorite dipping sauce!

    Presto Peanut Butter Cups

    This snack is a must-try for parents whose kids are peanut butter lovers.

    To start, one will need one (1) cup of melted chocolate bar and one (1) cup of melted Presto Peanut Butter cream filling. In a cupcake tin, pour one (1) to two (2) tablespoons of the melted chocolate and place in the refrigerator to set. Top the chocolate with the same amount of the melted Presto Peanut Butter cream filling. Sprinkle some crushed Presto cookie bits on top and refrigerate for an hour before serving.

    Choco Knots Cereal Mix

    Parents can prepare this easy-to-follow recipe for their kids who love breakfast cereals and Jack ‘n Jill Choco Knots.

    In a nonstick pan, melt marshmallows over medium heat. To avoid burning, mix it every 30 seconds. Once it’s melted, pour in the rice cereal, chocolates, and Choco Knots bits. Stir the ingredients until fully combined then cut into smaller squares. Let cool and set before serving.

    Parents can even try making strawberry or milk-flavored version of this by simply substituting Choco Knots with Berry or Milky Knots variant.

    Wafrets Chocolate Milkshake

    Moms and dads can serve this yummy wafer milkshake for their kids as a refreshing companion of during recess.

    Simply cut Jack ‘n Jill Wafrets into smaller pieces and combine it with milk, ice cream, and sugar. Place the mixture in a blender and blend until it’s smooth and creamy. Garnish the milkshake with a stick of Wafrets and enjoy!

    Wafrets Shake

    Dewberry Ice Cream Cake

    After a productive session at school, adults can reward their little ones with this yummy dessert using Dewberry.

    To make this, put crushed Dewberry into a bowl. Add a quarter (1/4) cup of melted butter and mix well. Once done, press the mixture into a greased pan — this will be the crust of the ice cream cake.

    Next, spread vanilla ice cream over the crust and let it freeze for two (2) hours. Before serving, drizzle some chocolate syrup and add some Dewberry crumbs. This fruity cake would surely be a hit for kids at home.

    Do you have creative recipes in mind featuring Jack ‘n Jill Biscuits and Cakes? Post them on Facebook and use the hashtag #JacknJillSnacktimeFavorites.

    Jack ‘n Jill Cream-O, Quake Overload, Magic Flakes, Presto Creams, Choco Knots, Dewberry, and Wafrets are proudly-made Filipino products of Universal Robina Corporation (URC). Learn more about URC by visiting its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/urcphilippines.

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • Digital Doc program: Send me your QR code

    Digital Doc program: Send me your QR code

    The next time you look to pay your doctor, you may want to ask for his or her QR code — cashless transactions are safer for the patient and doctor alike. Through our Digital Doc program, we enable doctors and medical professionals to enjoy the benefits of digital payments via QR code.

    “We are thrilled to share the benefits of cashless transactions — in enabling online health consultations and in keeping us all (doctors and patients alike) safe during these trying times,” said BPI Deputy Head of Marketing Mariana Zobel de Ayala.

    “In addition to keeping us safe from COVID-related health risks, the use of QR codes keep your bank accounts safer as well — they are less prone to errors that often happen when keying in account numbers and transfer amounts.” Patients can pay in seconds and for free — by just scanning the QR code and inputting the payment amount. Doctors, in turn, are able to monitor their funds anytime, anywhere through BPI Online or BPI Mobile app. “As BPI, we hope to be a partner for our healthcare professionals — in enabling them with what is needed to adapt to the next normal, and more importantly, to keep them safe, ” she said.

    To activate a QR code for free, doctors are invited to log in to BPI Online or BPI Mobile app and select “Other Services,” followed by “QR Generator.” From there, they simply select the account for which they wish to generate a QR code for, and can even add a nickname or label for their QR code — so that it is easily recognizable for anyone they send to. They have the option to include an amount requested for payment — but either way, by clicking “Save to Device” they can access it easily anytime — and send it to their patients as they wish. Beyond the benefits of convenience, BPI’s digital banking platforms offer security features to ensure protection of your data and account information.

    Visit the BPI website at https://www.bpi.com.ph/accept-payments-with-a-qr-code to know more about accepting payments via QR code.

    REFERENCE:

    Lariza Garcia

  • This fun, entertaining app will allow users to commemorate birthdays in a more rewarding way

    This fun, entertaining app will allow users to commemorate birthdays in a more rewarding way

    Leveraging the available digital tools and platforms to bridge their services to more Filipinos, mostly those that are in the far-flung areas, PCSO, in partnership with Minedomain, Inc., is set to launch ‘Birthday Panalo,’ a free and easy-to-use application with an entertaining game which will allow Filipinos to celebrate important dates in their lives, like anniversaries and birthdays, with exciting cash prizes.

    Made for Filipinos, by Filipinos Designed with Filipinos in mind, the Birthday Panalo app banks on the deep-rooted culture of Pinoys in putting value in commemorating special dates like birthdays and anniversaries.

    While millennials are the main audience targeted with the launch of the app, Seaver Choy, Minedomain Inc. IT officer shared that ease of use is one of the main factors their team considered in developing Birthday Panalo to make it enjoyable for users across various age groups. “We want the millennials to love this game so we went for what millennials want most — ease of use. We only put in the necessary elements for users to be able to do what they need to do fast and immediately,” he said.

    “We focused on the user experience when we were developing by having iterating designs that had constant user feedback. Birthday Panalo has gone through multiple design changes based on different user feedback across different groups,” Choy added.

    The core group which made and designed the Birthday Panalo app was an all-Filipino team composed of professionals from the country’s top universities including De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of the East. “Birthday Panalo app was built with resilience and celebrations in mind. We made it fun and easy to bet but still overly secure,” Choy furthered, assuring users that the personal data and information they input within the Birthday Panalo app are protected according to industry standards.

    Choy noted that the Birthday Panalo app has been tested by local and international cybersecurity companies like GLI, Bolton Labs, and Mantua, among others, to ensure that the app has the needed safety measures in place to avoid leakage of user data. “Internally, we are also certified when it comes to how we operate and how we maintain the application,” Choy said. Celebrations made even more rewarding Within the app which carries design elements signifying Filipinos, ‘Kapanalo’ or users of the app can place a bet on a three-part number combination consisting of a month, a day, and a year.

    If the same combination gets to be picked during daily draws, a user can win as much as P100,000 as a cash prize. After downloading the app, users can easily sign up using either their mobile phone or email address verified through a one-time password (OTP) sent by the app.

    Once done with the registration process, users can proceed participating in draws for as low PhP 10 which they can pay via mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya. Winners of lucky date combinations which will be notified via the Birthday Panalo app may claim their prizes at the PCSO main branch in Mandaluyong City, or have it credited on their respective mobile wallets.

    The Birthday Panalo app will soon be available for free download via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Kapanalo from all over the Philippines can also look forward to playing the Birthday Panalo game in select PCSO outlets nationwide in the coming months.

    REFERENCE:

    Lariza Garcia

  • Making connections that matter: Riki Flo talks about rediscovering family bonding at home

    Making connections that matter: Riki Flo talks about rediscovering family bonding at home

    Learn how to make the most out of your whole home wifi for the family

    Many families are now looking forward to the start of the new year at home. Despite the hardships and challenges that the past months of quarantine have posed, there are still so many things that everyone can be thankful for, especially that staying safe at home has brought everyone closer together.

    When everybody welcomed the new decade full of hopes and excitement, no one could have predicted how a health crisis would put an indefinite pause on their plans and resolutions for the year. However, radio personality and wonder-mom Riki Flo felt blessed to have spent the time in quarantine with the company of her loving family.

    She says, “I realized that spending time at home with people you love the most is a luxury, and when life got too real, I was reminded of that. And though we may not have had as many adventures outside this year, we made many memories at home and that allowed us to become closer.”

    Bonding in the new normal

    When the news of the lockdown first broke in the country, Riki remembers how she prepared for the quarantine by purchasing art supplies for her children. A mother of two young and energetic kids, Calix and Dandy, she knew that the isolation would be a difficult period of adjustment for them and wanted to brighten things up.

    “Being isolated from the world is tough and if we were going to be holed up for a while, I wanted them to enjoy themselves at home. I bought different art supplies and creative materials in case they wanted to experiment and make crafts,” she said.

    She also introduced her little ones to the world of gardening. Lately, their family has been nurturing a newfound love for plants, flowers, and even insects. This little hobby of theirs has also turned out to be a learning experience as they would be looking up the species and reading more about them on the internet.

    Embracing the new digital lifestyle

    Going online has not just been a source of latest news, updates, and additional knowledge for Riki’s family. She goes as far as to say that the internet has made life in quarantine more bearable for her and her kids.

    “With reliable connections from PLDT Fibr, we were able to keep in touch with our different family members and friends through video calls. We also enjoyed family movie nights by watching new and old films together, and we even fell in love with K-pop,” she expresses. It seems that through streaming music videos of Korean idols that Riki uncovered a special hidden talent of her children: dancing!

    Riki also mentions how four-year-old Calix was able to continue with his kindergarten classes online seamlessly with help of PLDT. With PLDT’s new whole home wifi mesh system, they have been able to enjoy consistent connectivity with no dead spots in the household. This has enabled them to discover new ways to work, learn, and play from every corner of the room, including the kids’ newly transformed study area.

    “At first, it was difficult to get him to understand why everything had to be through a computer screen right now, but we have all adapted and our mornings are much smoother now,” she shares. “I’m also thankful because my husband and I tag team when it comes to Calix’s online classes. He prints the materials and I sit in and facilitate the actual class.”

    One thing that Riki is grateful for in this year is how she was able to understand her family more. She says, “As a mom, I can say that I saw and learned more about my kids, about their interests and their talents. I wouldn’t have been able to get closer to them if I wasn’t working from home.”

    She also adds, “It’s all about being patient with the kids and learning how to stretch things out. It’s very important that we can support and guide them as these experiences and memories are part of their childhood.”

    This new year can be full of challenges, but it is also packed with hope and anticipation. With PLDT making sure that our connections are faster and more stable than ever, we can be excited to face the days to come.

    Know more about PLDT Home’s latest Whole Home Wifi System at https://pldthome.com/wholehomesystem and see how you can rediscover connections and activities at home.

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • Top Up and Transfer for a Chance to Win ₱10,000 at the ShopeePay Cashless Festival

    Top Up and Transfer for a Chance to Win ₱10,000 at the ShopeePay Cashless Festival

    Excited ShopeePay users can also redeem an exciting exclusive rewards such as free shipping, coins cashback, and more this January 21-28, 2021.

    ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, launches its first-ever ShopeePay Cashless Festival this January 21-28, 2021. Shoppers who use ShopeePay can enjoy free shipping, coins cashback, a chance to win ₱10,000, and more exclusive rewards during the promo period.

    Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “With the launch of our inaugural ShopeePay Cashless Festival, Shopee encourages more consumers to adopt digital payments for a safer, more rewarding, and seamless shopping experience. Filipinos are slowly embracing a more cashless lifestyle, and Shopee is excited to be at the forefront of this evolution. We remain committed to providing easy access to a wide range of digital payment options such as ShopeePay to cater to Filipinos’ evolving needs.”

    Key highlights of the ShopeePay Cashless Festival:

    From January 21-28, ShopeePay users can redeem these deals and rewards when they activate and top up their e-wallet:

    ● Free shipping: During the promo period, users who activate their ShopeePay wallets for the first time can enjoy a free shipping voucher with no minimum spend. New free shipping vouchers with a minimum spend of ₱149 will also be released daily.
    ● Coins cashback from participating shops: Shoppers can look forward to 20% coins cashback on categories such as gadgets, home and living, mom essentials, and sports and motors.
    ● Bills payment coins cashback: From January 21-27, ShopeePay users get 15% cashback capped at 120 coins when they pay their bills with a minimum spend of ₱800. On January 28, they can get 20% cashback capped at 160 coins with a minimum spend of ₱800.
    ● Deals Near Me: ShopeePay users get to enjoy ₱1 deals, up to 50% off on e-vouchers, and up to 15% coins cashback capped at 60 coins.
    ● Flash deals on mobile load and data: Throughout the week, shoppers can buy ₱100 worth of load/data for only ₱90. On January 25 and 28, users should be on the lookout for flash deals such as ₱10 load/data for ₱6, ₱15 load/data for ₱9, and ₱20 load/data for ₱12.
    ● Grand prize worth ₱10,000: There are two ways to win ₱10,000: users simply have to either top-up at least ₱300, or transfer ₱1. All users can also get rewards in the form of Shopee coins or vouchers.
    ● Play & Win on Shopee Live: Score up to ₱20,000 worth of ShopeePay credits by joining Play & Win ShopeePay Edition on weekdays, every 5:00-6:30 PM.
    ● Tutok to Win: All successful callers on Wowowin’s Tutok to Win will receive ShopeePay credits worth ₱5,000 each, on top of the usual cash prize of ₱20,000.

    For more information on the ShopeePay Cashless Festival, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay.

    Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

    REFERENCE:

    Paulo Oga
    PH Marketing | Public Relations, Media Relations

    Mobile/ Viber/ Whatsapp +63 917 650 1835

    Address 15F Asian Century Center, 27th St. corner 3rd and 4th Ave., BGC, Taguig, PH 1634

  • Be K-drama marathon-ready this year with a Samsung Smart TV

    Be K-drama marathon-ready this year with a Samsung Smart TV

    The New Year calls for new lists: resolutions, manifestations, and K-drama marathons! But this 2021, say goodbye to the neck-craning, eye-straining struggle of watching on a mobile phone when you switch to viewing on a TV. Samsung has partnered with Viu to give free Viu Premium subscription for a year, so you can watch the latest shows ad-free on a bigger screen. 

    Kick off the New Year with Viu’s latest K-dramas on a smart TV:

    • True Beauty

    This rom-com features a high school girl who rises to stardom with her expert makeup skills. No one has ever seen her bare face, and she prefers to keep it that way – until Lee Su Ho sees her without makeup. That is just the beginning of their love story. First on Viu, this highly anticipated webtoon turned drama stars Moon Ga Young, Astro’s Cha Eun Woo and Hwang In Yeop.

    • Mr. Queen

    We love a period piece with a twist! The story revolves around Jang Bong Hwan, a chef at the President’s Blue House, and how his world turns upside down when his spirit somehow transcends into the body of a queen from the Joseon period. First on Viu, Mr. Queen is set to make your days even more interesting this year.

    • Cheat on Me, If You Can

    Starring Go Joon and Parasite’s Cho Yeo Jeong, Cheat on Me, If You Can features an unconventional yet intense story about love, marriage, and the guilt one feels from making bad decisions. With a novelist wife obsessed with the idea of killing people further thickening the plot, the turnout of events will leave the viewer on the edge of their seats.

    • The Penthouse

    Achieving high ratings in South Korea, The Penthouse is nail-biting story of an ambitious woman who is determined to do whatever it takes to both enter high society and a luxury penthouse in the Gangnam District. First on Viu, this drama is the highly anticipated reunion of writer Kim Soon Ok and PD Joo Dong Min, who worked together on the popular SBS drama The Last Empress.

    Samsung Smart TVs are made for K-drama marathons. Not only do they come pre-installed with the Viu app, the Samsung Crystal UHD (2020) boasts an upscaling feature to enhance picture-quality to the next best resolution, and customized audio modes so you won’t miss out on the details on your favorite shows and have greater kilig moments.

    K-drama fans, now is the best time to level up your viewing experience. Get a free one-year Viu Premium subscription with every purchase of select Samsung TVs, now with more models and sizes to choose from. The promo runs until March 31, 2021.

    Visit www.samsung.com/ph for more details.

    About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • 5 things to remember as we begin again

    5 things to remember as we begin again

    As we welcome the new year—2021, it might do well for us to look back, to take stock of the positive lessons that we can extract from what was an unprecedented year. For sure, numerous take-aways can be gained as we move forward and anticipate a more “mobile” next normal—especially since vaccine trials by leading pharmaceutical companies have been yielding encouraging results.

    With that, here are 5 lessons we should remember as we begin again:

    Always wash your hands

    Perhaps the most frequent reminder worth noting is how the power of proper handwashing has been in full display. It has been proven effective in killing 99.9% of germs and should always be considered a first line of defense against sicknesses and diseases.

    Do not take sicknesses lightly

    The previous year that was also demonstrated how a virus can easily and quickly transmit from one person to another. With this, one should learn to treat regular coughs, colds, and flu like a very harmful and contagious virus. That means that even if the pandemic eventually ends, it would be wise to isolate one’s self when they feel flu-like symptoms or anything of the sort.

    Take care of yourself

    But more than the physical and physiological, we also learned to focus on ourselves and safeguard our mental health, a practice which we should continue doing even as we start physically interacting with others—carefully—and as we slowly get back into our fast-paced lives.

    Cherish each moment

    At some point during the lockdown, there must have been a point where we all realized that we had taken some activities, events, and physical hangouts for granted. So, in heading out again with care, cherish and make the most out of every outdoor moment and create memories that can last lifetimes.

    Always be prepared

    But in our excitement to resume our normal lifestyle, hang out, and even hook up, it’s important to remember that health safety should always be a priority for us to continue to enjoy the best things life can offer, for a long time.

    So always be prepared and bring quality PPEs like alcohol, hand sanitizers, wipes, and even condoms—such as Durex—especially for those who have been craving for intimacy.

    To learn more about the best PPEs to use in the next normal and how to stay safe and protected both up there and down there, Durex has launched a series of insightful videos with Boys Night Out which you can catch on Facebook and YouTube.

    REFERENCE:

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros

    Public Relations Department

    Strategic works, Inc.

    +638937472 | +639173068591

    john.caparros@stratworks.ph

    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH