To welcome the auspicious Year of the Wood Dragon, Chowking introduces two festive New Year additions — the Family Lauriat and the new Peanut Buchi flavor, kicking off the “Share the Sarap ng Swerte” celebrations for you and your loved ones!

Chowking introduced the new Family Lauriat, featuring six (6) of their best-selling dishes — Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Pancit Canton, Siomai, Buchi, Chicharap, and Egg Fried Rice, elegantly presented in customized packaging good for 4 or 6 pax for the perfect ‘Sarap ng Swerte’ feast.

Adding a delightful twist to the menu, the Peanut Buchi, a sweet and sticky sensation crafted to capture good luck and ensure it sticks, was recently launched. This is also available on a platter, serving as a captivating centerpiece for the table or a heartfelt gift for your loved ones. Seize the opportunity to savor the Peanut Buchi, exclusively available for a limited time only.

To allow everyone to enjoy this feast and share more of their fortune, Chowking will be having a roster of activities for their biggest Chinese New Year celebration. Prepare for a spectacular event, ushering in prosperity and experiencing the Sarap ng Swerte in the coming year. Join the celebration online on their Facebook page on February 10, 2024.

Gather your loved ones and Share the Sarap ng Swerte as we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon with Chowking!

For more information about Chowking, visit www.facebook.com/ChowkingPH (Facebook) and @ChowkingPH (Instagram).

This is the agency’s third consecutive AOY recognition from the Philippine Quill Awards.

The agency, along with its roster of clients, brought home a total of 28 trophies – 15 Awards of Merit and 13 Awards of Excellence. It even earned a top award finalist citation in the Communication Skills category. One of its clients, SM Foundation, was also declared 2nd runner-up in the hotly contested Company of the Year after it won several awards of merit and excellence.

The Philippine Quill Awards also recognized the best campaigns of the agency clients namely, Nestlé Philippines, GSK Philippines, STI Education Services Group, Inc., SM Foundation, and energy firm, Raslag Corporation.

A relatively young agency, PAGEONE, and its clients have consistently won top awards in various award-giving bodies in the Philippines, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Canada, and other international award-giving organizations.

“We are both humbled and honored to receive these awards. Not only do they affirm our commitment to excellence but also continue to validate the genius of the men and women of PAGEONE Group. We share our AOY award with our clients, partners, and supporters for their continued trust and confidence in our agency in helping them deliver business results,” Mr. Vonj Tingson, PAGEONE President, said.

For his part, Dr. Ron Jabal, APR, PAGEONE Group CEO and Chair said, “This is truly a great example of excellence recognized and innovation celebrated. Winning Agency of the Year is not just an achievement; it’s a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment, tireless creativity, and the collective spirit that propels everyone in the Group beyond boundaries. This recognition is proof of the enduring impact of our successful work with our brand partners.”

To date, it has amassed more than 400 awards from the Anvil Awards of PRSP, the Philippine Quill Awards, the Silver Quill Awards in the Asia Pacific, the Gold Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the Global Stevie Awards, the Gold Standard Awards of Public Affairs Asia, the SABRE Awards, and the Golden Flag Awards in Beijing, China. Recently, one of the agencies in PAGEONE Group was declared the Best PR agency in Southeast Asia during the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards held in Vietnam.

The coronation, held at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center on January 13, showcased not only her stunning beauty but also a captivating backstory that has resonated with the public and garnered widespread media attention.

Brooks, expressing gratitude on Instagram, acknowledged the support of her team, mentors, sponsors, and the love from her hometown of Leon, Iloilo. Breaking barriers, she proudly declared, “As the first black, androgynous Ilonggo woman to represent Iloilo, I turn childhood dreams into reality.”

This triumph marks Brooks’ debut in the pageantry world, and she didn’t just win the crown but also clinched titles such as Best in Swimsuit, Best in Designers’ Fashion Show, and Best in Cultural Costume during the Miss Iloilo pageant.

Born in 2001 to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Brooks was raised by her grandmother, Lola Basing, in Leon, Iloilo. Known for her athletic prowess, she is a member of the National University athletics team and a Southeast Asian Games heptathlon veteran. Despite facing adversity and bullying for her looks, Brooks excelled academically, earning scholarships at the University of Southern California and the University of Texas after graduating from Iloilo National High School.

Even as a child, Brooks harbored dreams of becoming a beauty queen, a dream that seemed distant during her challenging upbringing. Constantly bullied for her appearance, she shared her difficult experiences with ABS-CBN News, revealing instances when she went without lunch due to financial constraints.

However, Brooks persevered, joining her grandmother at the marketplace every Friday after school to sell vegetables. This sacrifice by Lola Basing allowed Brooks to pursue her larger dreams, and she credits her grandmother as the driving force behind her success. “My grandma is my life; she’s the drive. Without her, I don’t think I would be the same Alexie that I am right now. Without her, I don’t think I have this dream… Everything I do right now and everything I have done is for her.”

Now crowned Miss Iloilo 2024, Alexie Brooks is set to represent Iloilo City at the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines 2024.

Source: ABS-CBN News, https://www.facebook.com/PanayNews, https://www.facebook.com/JerryTrenasOfficial, https://www.instagram.com/alexie_brooks.official/

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/missiloiloofficial/, https://www.instagram.com/alexie_brooks.official/

Eric Divinagracia, artistic director of the festival, said the tribes’ competition on Jan. 28 will be seeing the performances not only of school-based participants but also special performances on the Chinese New Year, Paraw Regatta and Bike Festival.

“There are special performances highlighting that Iloilo City and Iloilo province [as a whole] is a festival capital of the Philippines,” he said on Tuesday.

Based on the final schedule released by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the Chinese New Year presentation will come after the Tribu Taga Barrio and Tribu Mandurriao at the Freedom Grandstand.

Paraw Regatta will be featured after the Tribu Salognon and Tribu Sigabong while there is a special participation of the Tambor Trumpa Musika.

Other participating tribes are the Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Silak, Tribu Paghidaet and Tribu Pan-ay.

Divinagracia said everything is set for the tribes’ competition, especially with the comeback of schools.

“Dinagyang is back to its form and we can really expect an exciting performance from our fellow Ilonggo artists, from our Dinagyang warriors. This time the sets are back, the panels are back, and with that, transition between tribes will have more space and time,” he added.

Meanwhile, spectators can expect more of Iloilo’s festivals during the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on Jan. 27.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the Kasadyahan is “very meaningful” because it provides a showroom for Iloilo to “share to the country the culture and the soul of the province.”

“Kasadyahan right now we are developing it into an F5 — the fun, foodie, friendly festival of festivals of the province because the parade is composed of tribes coming from different municipalities and their respective festivals,” he said.

The participants include the Kaing Festival of Leon, Katagman Festival of Oton, Saad Festival of Leganes, Cry of Jelicuon of New Lucena, Pantat Festival of Zarraga, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay of Calinog and Banaag Festival of Anilao.

The Dinagyang ILOmination and Floats Parade of Lights on the night of Jan. 26 will showcase tribes from various dance companies in Iloilo highlighting Ilonggo values.

The participants include Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kahirup, Tribu Mandurriao, Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Sidlangan, Tribu IAFA and Tribu Buntag-tala. (PNA)

The convoy of nine buses loaded with over 400 visitors and the rest onboard mini buses were joined by others who brought their own vehicles went to Consolacion town, which is famous for bamboo-made hats called “sarok.”

“This is the biggest (contingent), so far,” Cebu Provincial Information Office head Katherine Bethune said in a statement.

Governor Gwen Garcia, tourism officials and the visitors were treated to a sumptuous feast and a sarok-making experience.

They indulged in the mouth-watering dish called Binangus (made of bangus or milkfish).

The convoy then went to Cascades Nature Park in the municipality of Compostela, the second stop of the northern escapade.

Officials and residents of the municipality’s 17 villages organized display booths for their local products and delicacies, like “queseo”, which is made from carabao’s milk, as well as salvaro (thin biscuit made from desiccated coconuts), siakoy (deep-fried twisted doughnut), and silhig lanot (broomstick).

The visitors were also brought to the town of Carmen, home to the Our Lady of Manaoag at the St. Benedict’s Monastery in Barangay Corte, as well as the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort, Mangitngit Falls, and Middle Earth Mountain Resort.

In Sogod, the visitors were brought to the white-sand beaches and treated to a cultural presentation while having their snacks in Medellin town.

On Wednesday, the visitors will be brought to San Remegio, where they will be taken on a boat ride to Sta. Fe town in Bantayan Island.

A tour around Bogo, Catmon and the smart port town of Liloan will cap the tourist program on Thursday. (PNA)

Vonj Tingson shared a firsthand experience where a customer, attempting to sign a receipt for a transaction involving a card with red markings, was not the card owner. Tingson observed the interaction during a busy lunchtime at the store.

“The girl ahead of me has a transaction that requires to sign a receipt. I’m not sure if it is because of a PWD or discount card, but definitely I saw a card with red markings. It wasn’t the customer’s card but her companions,” Tingson wrote in his Facebook post.

The cashier, identified as Jenny, politely but firmly requested the card owner’s signature. Despite the customer’s assertive response, Jenny insisted on adhering to the policy, explaining the necessity of the owner’s signature. The cashier maintained her stance, stating, “Hindi po talaga pwede.” The customer complied by following the cashier and calling the card owner.

In his post, Tingson expressed admiration for Jenny’s professionalism and called for more individuals to follow her example. He highlighted the incident as a reminder to respect store policies and refrain from pressuring cashiers into compromising situations.

“Imagine how many like this are happening every day in any store. We need more of Jenny (the cashier). And stop bullying cashiers, pls if you are on the wrong side,” he noted, emphasizing the lesson learned from the situation.

The post concluded with a plea to cease bullying cashiers and emphasized the importance of supporting those who uphold fair and secure transactions.

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/dunkin_ph/

Source: https://www.facebook.com/vonj.tingson

For 11 years, Michelle has masterfully balanced her roles as a full-time baker and a devoted mother to her seven-year-old nonverbal autistic son. Now, she’s taking on a new challenge—vying for the coveted title of “The Greatest Baker.”

Despite the competition attracting over 18,000 participants since its launch in December last year, Michelle has emerged as a standout contender, gracefully navigating through the quarterfinals. Her culinary finesse has been on full display, capturing the attention of both judges and supporters alike.

Michelle is reaching out to her community for support, stating in a Facebook post, “To ensure my progression, I kindly request your assistance in garnering votes from yourself as well as those close to you on a daily basis throughout the upcoming 10-day period.”

As the semifinals approach, the stakes are high, with voting set to conclude on January 18 at 7 p.m. (PST). In the competition’s popularity-centric format, only those with the highest number of votes will advance, intensifying the anticipation as the grand finale looms in February.

The grand prize isn’t the only allure; the winner will be featured in Bake from Scratch magazine, providing a global platform to showcase their culinary artistry. Additionally, a tantalizing reward of $10,000 awaits the winning baker.

Reflecting on her aspirations, Michelle shares, “I will open a storefront again. Since I had to close my previous store due to the pandemic.”

Support Michelle Hoy in her quest to become ‘The Greatest Baker’ by casting your votes before the January 18 deadline. Follow her journey on greatestbaker.com and stay tuned for the grand finale in February.

Source: https://greatestbaker.com/, https://greatestbaker.com/2023/michelle-hoy, https://www.facebook.com/alohacakeartbymichellehoy

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/michellehoy.alohacakeartfbclid=IwAR3OFujITcGccUeLhl1LzWaNilw6EU7ZsQbkPytAW6HCFG6GyqqVa_Ta0pc, https://greatestbaker.com/2023/michelle-hoy

Introduced officially by MUPHQC, Jocelyn Cubales embodies resilience and wisdom, aiming to impart life experiences and grit to the younger generation. The beauty pageant, scheduled for January 31, 2024, promises a celebration of diversity and empowerment.

MUPHQC shared the inspiring announcement on their Facebook page, stating, “Meet Jocelyn Cubales. At 69 years old, she believes that the younger generation can learn a lot from her life experiences, most especially grit. See her give light to the universe!”

This historic move follows the Miss Universe organization’s decision in September 2023 to eliminate age restrictions, marking a significant shift from its more than 70-year tradition. The organization had previously limited candidates to women aged between 18 to 28. Jocelyn Cubales, now the first and only senior citizen beauty queen in any of the Miss Universe Philippines’ local pageants, embodies the spirit of breaking stereotypes.

The Miss Universe 2023 event gained widespread acclaim for promoting inclusivity by welcoming transgender candidates, those with children, and plus-sized individuals. Jocelyn Cubales’s participation further reflects the evolving landscape of beauty pageants, emphasizing that beauty knows no age.

As coronation night approaches, all eyes are on Jocelyn Cubales as she shatters age-related barriers, leaving an indelible mark on the Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City stage.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/muphqc, https://www.facebook.com/codey.senior, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1181039465724089, https://www.facebook.com/missosology

Source: https://www.facebook.com/muphqc

The post quickly circulated on social media, sparking various reactions. Dongiapon acknowledged his wife’s significant role, stating, “I owe to my wife everything, our life, our daughters, our family. My simple gift for your sacrifices. Salamat kaayo lang. Shopping na.”

In addition to the money bouquet, Dongiapon also presented real flowers to Cassandra, recognizing the challenges she faced during pregnancy and childbirth. The couple welcomed their second child, named ‘Zelena Dy,’ at the Davao Oriental Medical Center.

Dongiapon clarified that he had reserved a private room for Cassandra’s comfort during delivery, expressing confidence in the Mati Provincial Hospital. The heartwarming post has garnered 24k reactions, 94k shares, and 643 comments as of this writing.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/rhamymark.dongiapon

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/rhamymark.dongiapon

Allan Ryan Tan, president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. that oversees the celebration, said the puppet show will be shown instead to public schools.

“This year, we will have a free puppet show for public schools and barangays for them to immerse in Chinese culture. These are not small puppets but are life-size puppets. It’s very exciting because it is the first time for Iloilo to host, and this is for free, sponsored by our counterpart in China through our sister city,” he said in an interview following the Chinese New Year grand launch Monday afternoon.

Peter Chan, chairperson of the Chinese New Year 2024 task force, said the troupe has visited over 50 countries, including the Philippines. It also performed during the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

They will perform five stories in eight shows at the West Visayas State University cultural center.

The chinaculture.org said the Quanzhou puppet show is “one of the oldest and rarest among puppet shows in China” with a history of over 2,000 years.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Iloilo City will have the grand parade, grand show and fireworks display in the afternoon towards the evening of Feb. 9 as highlights. (PNA)