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Starbucks plans food safety checks in China after expiry violations

HENRY & CO.—UNSPLASH

BEIJING —  US coffee chain Starbucks on Monday apologized and said it would carry out inspections and staff training across all its roughly 5,400 stores in China after a state-backed newspaper said two of its outlets used expired ingredients.

The Beijing News newspaper, in what it described as an undercover investigation, said the incidents occurred at two stores in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi.

The incident became a trending topic on China’s Twitter-like Weibo social media site after the report was published and Starbucks initially said it had shut the two stores and was carrying out an investigation.

Later on Monday it said it had found that the two stores had indeed committed violations and that the company had not sufficiently paid attention to food safety standards.

“We sincerely apologize to all of Starbucks’ customers,” it said in a statement on its official Weibo account.

The Wuxi’s Market Supervision Administration also said in a statement late on Monday that after conducting investigations on the two stores involved in the incident, it also carried out checks on all 82 Starbuck stories in the city, finding 15 issues in total, including employees not wearing work caps and disinfections records not being complete.

Chinese consumers and media have become more aggressive about protecting customer rights and monitoring the behavior of big brands, especially from overseas.

Some targets, such as Canadian winterwear brand Canada Goose which drew complaints over its refund policies, have been subjected to government reprimands, while Chinese brands such as milk tea chain Nayuki have also drawn public attention.

China is the largest market for Starbucks outside the United States with 5,360 stores as of Oct. 3, the firm’s latest earnings report showed.

The Beijing News report said one of the Starbucks stores used expired matcha liquid to make lattes, while another had put pastries up for sale that were meant to be thrown away.

As of Monday afternoon, the topic of Starbucks’ response to the Beijing News report had received more than 50 million views on Weibo. Commenters expressed both disappointment and worries over more widespread problems.

“If Starbucks is like this, the other shops really worry me,” said one Weibo user named Revario. “They suffer the scrutiny because it is a foreign brand.” — Reuters

Cohesity says PHL customers taking ransomware seriously

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

COHESITY, a technology company based in the United States, said on Tuesday that ransomware has become a serious threat to its enterprise customers in the Philippines.

“Now, there are a lot of banks that started thinking about ransomware and how their business can be protected against ransomware,” Sathish Murthy, Cohesity director of systems engineering for ASEAN and India, said at a virtual panel discussion.

“There are serious discussions about it,” he noted. “How much percentage, I really don’t have the exact status just yet… But enterprise customers in the Philippines are definitely looking at it as a serious threat.”

Internet security company Kaspersky defines ransomware as “malware designed to infect computers of organizations and individuals, encrypt data in it, and block access to it.”

“Ransomware attackers will then demand a fee from the victims in exchange for enabling the system to work again,” it added.

The global ransomware damage cost is expected to reach $20 billion this year, according to Ravi Rajendran, Cohesity vice-president for Asia-Pacific and Japan.

“A ransomware attack will occur every two seconds by 2031, up from every 11 seconds today,” he said, citing technology researchers Cybersecurity Ventures and Gartner. “A typical ransomware costs 10x to 15x more damage for organizations than the ransomware demand.”

He also noted that only 2% of organizations’ disaster recovery efforts are aligned with business-defined recovery requirements.

“Protecting and recovering data need to be a security focus, as it reduces disruption and ransom payments,” Mr. Rajendran said. “If data are backed up, cybercriminals have less leverage.”

Deploying next-generation data management capabilities is also seen to help in data management and protection.

The company said it has a “unique approach to protecting backup data and restoring it rapidly when a ransomware attack occurs.”

In an e-mailed statement on Dec. 1, Dmitry Bestuzhev, head of Kaspersky’ global research and analysis team in Latin America, said: “This year has been challenging for many organizations: handling remote access for ad-hoc employees, patching hard systems connected to the Internet to endure ransomware attacks, and dealing with a substantial increase of mobile banking and its malware implants.”

“Cybercriminals have not been shy of taking advantage of attacking markets. We have watched very regional cybercriminals shifting to other world regions, making cybersecurity people work harder,” he added.

Philippine esports athletes to become a powerhouse in the international scene

PHILIPPINE esports is shaping up to be a force to reckon with across the globe. With the local gaming market growing rapidly, Filipino esports athletes have started to gain recognition in the international gaming scene, achieving winning streaks in some of the most prestigious tournaments worldwide. Standing at the forefront of this global success is the OPPO-sponsored esports team Blacklist International (BLI), the team set to represent the Philippines in the third installment of the Mobile Legends World Championships (M3 World Championship) this month. 

BLI is the back-to-back defending champion of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) in the Philippines. Securing Season 7 and 8 titles in 2021, they are the second team in MPL Philippines’ history to win two consecutive times. Earlier this month, the team reached a new milestone when they placed second at the MPL Invitational, wherein 20 of the top MPL teams across Southeast Asia were invited to battle out for a $100,000 prize pool.

“Blacklist International has always aimed at taking Philippine esports to unimaginable heights on a global scale. We extend our utmost gratitude to everyone who has shown their support, especially OPPO, who have seen the great potential of the BLI members to continue the battle. OPPO’s entry into the esports league has greatly helped professional players like us to dream bigger and fight harder,” said Bon Chan, Coach of Blacklist International.

Many Filipinos are thrilled to see BLI play in front of a wider audience at the M3 World Championship as one of the two Philippine representatives. While this will be their first-ever world championship appearance, the team has promised to give their best in winning back-to-back crowns after PH team Bren Esports had bagged the world title in M2 World Championships.

AllDay opens new Sucat store

ALLDAY MARTS, Inc. said it opened its 34th store in the Villar group’s Eastlake development in Sucat, Muntinlupa.

“It is with pride that we add another location to the AllDay roster,” AllDay Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

“AllDay Supermarket Eastlake is yet another milestone for the group towards our continued push to bring a better, global standard of grocery shopping to more Filipino,” he added.

The company said its expansion of AllDay Supermarket is also in-line with the country’s reopening play after a period of pandemic lockdowns.

AllDay sees “signs of revenge spending” on top of customers’ holiday shopping activities. It said the customer basket size “is currently tracking at 15% higher than the first 9 months of 2021.”

AllDay Chief Executive Officer Frances Rosalie T. Coloma said: “Thanks to our successful IPO (initial public offering), we look to use the fresh funds made available to us to enable an aggressive expansion strategy, one that not only seeks to improve our presence in Metro Manila, but throughout the country.”

Meanwhile, setting up shop in a Villar development also reflects the company’s “synergy” with the Villar group.

“This puts our new location in an immediate position of advantage as it will serve a well-established community hungry for upgraded experiences,” Mr. Villar said.

The company also plans to launch another store in Mandaluyong before the year ends. AllDay aims to have 45 stores by next year and 100 by 2026.

AllDay shares on Wednesday closed lower by 1.72% or one centavo at 57 centavos apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

BSP to collaborate with Islamic body

BW FILE PHOTO

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) will collaborate with an international Islamic banking standard-setting body for the promotion of these kinds of financial services in the country.

The central bank signed a memorandum of agreement with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AOOIFI), it said in a statement on Wednesday.

“[The agreement] covers the possible adoption of relevant AAOIFI standards by the local Islamic banking and finance industry, and cooperation in the areas of capacity building and technical assistance,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said in a statement.

The AAOIFI is a nonprofit body that develops, maintains, and promotes standards on Shari’ah, accounting, auditing, governance, and ethics for Islamic financial institutions.

It has members from over 45 countries that include central banks and regulatory authorities, financial institutions, accounting and auditing companies, and legal firms.

“As banking system supervisor, the BSP recognizes the importance of establishing formal ties with AAOIFI as this strengthens the BSP initiatives on Islamic banking and finance in the country,” Mr. Diokno said.

The BSP is also an associate member of the Islamic Financial Services Board, an international body that issues prudential standards for the Islamic financial services industry, particularly in the areas of banking, capital markets and insurance.

Republic Act No. 11439 signed in August 2019 provided for the regulation and organization of Islamic banks in the country. Under the law, the BSP will be the regulatory body in charge of authorizing Islamic banks or banking units in the market.

In December 2019, the BSP issued Circular 1069, which provided the guidelines for the establishment of Islamic banks and banking units, and BSP Circular 1070, which outlined the Shari’ah governance framework.

Islamic banks that operate under Shari’ah principles do not implement “riba” or interest. These lenders can issue Shari’ah-compliant funding instruments such as “sukuk” upon approval by the Monetary Board.

Central bank officials have said a number of players have expressed interest in setting up Islamic banks and banking units in the country. However, no applications have been filed yet due to the pandemic.

Currently, Al-Amanah Islamic Bank is the only lender operating under Shari’ah principles in the country. — L.W.T. Noble

Dining In/Out (12/16/21)

Sheraton Manila Bay offers holiday goodies

KEEP traditions alive with a basketful of holiday goodies with the spruced-up Classic Sheraton Hamper priced at P2,688 net. This basket includes Christmas banana bread, Christmas crinkles cookies, assorted macarons, French fruit cake, luxury jams and honey, and red wine. For a more luxurious treat, the Luxury Sheraton Hamper at P3,688 net features French fruit cake, assorted macarons, assorted chocolate truffles in a jar, orange pound cake, assorted Christmas cookies, sesame peanut brittle, a German fruit bread baguette, homemade granola, luxury jam and honey, and red wine. Each basket includes an eco-friendly Plantable Cards of Care —  a 10-piece Christmas Greeting Card Set made of biodegradable paper infused with basil and spinach seeds which come free with all Sheraton Hampers. Proceeds from the Cards of Care will be donated for the educational needs of the students of Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School and children of Barangay 699. To upgrade a hamper, adopt a panda toy for P1,000 net and take home a signature WWF Plushie Panda which comes with an adoption certificate. Proceeds from the sale of panda plushies will be donated to the wildlife conservation projects of the World Wide Fund. Meanwhile, the Sheraton’s artisanal charcuterie graze boxes are filled with specialty cheeses, tapas items and indulgent festive treats. The Deluxe Grazing Box for two persons is priced at P599 net. This includes beef pastrami, smoked sausage, brie, cheddar, nuts, crudités, red grapes, olives, dried fruits, salted pretzels, crackers, and Sesame Grissini. The upgraded Premium Grazing Box, priced at P888 net, includes chicken terrine with roasted capsicum and spinach homemade liver pâté, chorizo pamplona, beef salami, smoked sausage, mortadella herbed cream cheese, cheddar, nuts, crudités, red grapes, olives, dried fruits, salted pretzels, crackers, and sesame grissini. For the ultimate grazing experience, the Supreme Grazing Box good for six to 10 persons includes chicken terrine with roasted capsicum & spinach, homemade liver pâté, prosciutto di parma, chorizo pamplona, smoked sausage, beef salami, mortadella herbed cream cheese, brie, swiss cheese, marinated anchovies, red grapes, olives, dried fruits, nuts, crudités, salted pretzels, crackers, and sesame grissini with complimentary super country baguette and assorted macarons, priced at P2,499 net. Three Christmas Gourmet Bundles have been created especially for the holidays. The packages are good for five to six persons. The Sobremesa is priced at P3,899 net, and includes honey-glazed leg of ham, roasted potato, chorizo, cherry tomato, lengua in creamy mushroom sauce, pesto and truffle pasta, seafood paella, tiramisu in a tin can, assorted Christmas cookies, and soft rolls. Home for Christmas, for P4,899 net includes roast turkey in butter, garlic, and herbs, seafood lasagna supreme, classic buffalo wings, steamed rice, country baguette, pumpkin pie, and ube salted caramel in a tin can. Elevate home parties further with a Christmas Gourmet Feast, priced at P6,899 net, featuring bestsellers and signature dishes such as slow-cooked US striploin, baked potato and root vegetables, salmon en croute stuffed with spinach cream and Parma ham with tomato and chorizo rice, Vongole pasta, Grand Marnier chocolate cake, Christmas banana cake, French macaroons, and focaccia bread. Sheraton Manila Bay is accepting orders for pick-up and home deliveries, with an allowance of 48 hours before pick-up. For reservations, call 5318-0788, 0917-583-7294, 0917-583-7326, or e-mail reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo Christmas meals

RICHMONDE Hotel Iloilo’s The Granary will offer Holiday Luxe Dinner Buffets on Dec. 24 and 31 to take care of holiday feasting. The eat-all-you-can holiday buffets will be from 6 to 10 p.m., for P1,350 net. Children six to 12 years old get a 50% discount and children five years old and below eat for free. As for party packages, rates start at P45,000 net for 30 persons, and include lunch or dinner buffet with a round of non-alcoholic drinks; five bottles of wine; four pool passes each good for two persons; and a gift certificate for an overnight stay for two persons in a Deluxe room with breakfast buffet; plus discount vouchers for room accommodations and food and beverage orders. For loved ones in other places, online celebration packages are also available. Choose between a Hybrid Event Package that combines a face-to-face banquet function with online attendees, or a Gourmet Meal Delivery Package for virtual events. Hybrid Event packages include function room rental with Zoom set-up and set lunch or dinner meals for event attendees at the hotel, and packed set meals for delivery to remote participants. All meal deliveries are limited to Iloilo City addresses. Rates vary depending on the chosen meal and the number of in-hotel and virtual attendees. The Granary’s collection of baked goods is also available, from the hotel’s signature ensaymadas (classic, ube, and pork floss) and buns (ham & cheese, coffee, sticky, and Hokkaido buns), to tasty breads (olive ciabatta, za’atar croissant, cinnamon raisin swirl, and sesame braids) and pastries (French macarons, peach Danish, and choco banana muffin). All holiday goods are available for takeout and delivery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December. For bulk purchases, orders must be made three days in advance for pickup or delivery any day of the week. Deliveries are limited within Iloilo City with applicable fees. For inquiries, reservations, bookings and orders, call +6333-328-7888, +63917-5633973 or sales@richmondeiloilo.com for banquet bookings, and +63917-563-3558 to order holiday goodies. Bookings and order of goodies may also be made online at Richmonde’s official website, www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.

Celebrate the holidays at Hilton Manila

HILTON Manila at Resorts World Manila, celebrates the Yuletide season dining indulgences for the whole family.  At Kusina Sea Kitchens, indulge in a celebratory selection of premium Filipino and international end-of-the-year offerings. For December, enjoy a Surf & Turf premium buffet show casing Boston lobsters and prime rib of beef among other Christmas favorites. The Dec. 24 buffet dinner is priced at P3,200 per person, on Dec. 25, lunch and dinner is priced at P2,900 each. To welcome the New Year, Dec. 31, the buffet dinner is priced at P3,200. Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise welcomes patrons with an authentic Shanghainese Deluxe or Premium Set Menu. Highlights include Shanghai xiao long bao, The Emperor’s Flamed Chicken, and Shanghainese-style sweet and sour yellow croaker fish with pine nuts and broccoli, among other items. The Deluxe Set Menu is priced at P8,000 for a group of four with the Premium Set at P20,800. Private dining arrangements are available. Spread Yuletide cheer with Hilton Manila’s retro ‘90s Edition Crafted Hampers, inspired by 1990s Filipino sweets paired with traditional Christmas favorites such as Haw Haw Dipped Crinkles, Chocnut Banana Bread, and Ube Stollen Bread, among others. The handcrafted Filipino hampers made by local artisans from upcycled materials. The ‘90s Edition Crafted Hampers are available in four options: Waterlily Basket at P3,500, Novelty Kit at P3,900, Abaca Basket at P900, and Straw Chest Box at P5,900 all filled to the brim. Hilton Manila also presents a colorful selection of traditional Holiday confectionaries available at Madison Lounge & Bar. Look out for early bird and Hilton Honors discounts. Meanwhile, the Vubble Dining Experience beside the Vega Pool, will have a Premium Christmas Menu presented under the stars in a private air-conditioned dome and coupled with the services of a private butler and chef. The menu highlights: Golden Tomahawk US Angus Steak, Reindeer Vanille Cremeux, and Waldorf Salad with Apple Mikkado, Caramelized Walnuts, Celeriac Puree and Confit Duck paired with premium wines. The deluxe menu price starts at P12,500 for two persons. To view Hilton Manila’s full Back to a Better Future: Retro Christmas brochure,  visit https://bit.ly/HiltonManilaRetroChristmas. For inquiries or reservations, call 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6442, or send a message on Facebook through m.me/hiltonmanila.

New World’s festive experiences this season

Christmas has officially arrived at New World Makati Hotel with special menus, feasts, and gifts. These include an all-you-can-eat feast at buffet outlet Café 1228, premium set menu and all-you-can-eat dim sum at Chinese restaurant Jasmine, wine and a four-course dinner for a cause at The Glasshouse. Café 1228 is back with its signature western, seafood, Asian and local specialties for lunch and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays as well as lunch on Sundays. For Christmas Eve and Day, selections include US rib eye steak and honey glazed ham, Filipino favorites lechon and morcon, among many others. The promo includes one glass of sparkling, white or red wine and free-flowing soda, juices and iced tea. On New Year’s Eve and Day, the roast turkey replaces the honey glazed ham, with US rib eye still available. Mains include beef bourguignon and baby back ribs, while grilled, seafood and international items are the same as that of the Christmas menu. An add-on rate of P588 net pairs the hearty feast with free-flowing local beer and wines. The Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve lunch and dinner are priced at P2,250 net. On New Year’s Day the rate is P2,022 net. Jasmine has two sets of eight-course menus each for Christmas Eve and Day dinner. It also has vegetarian set menu options for the occasions. Jasmine’s Christmas Eve and Day Set Menus are available for dinner only and are priced at P2,288 and P2,488, respectively. Meanwhile, Jasmine’s bestselling dim sum and specialty dishes are available for its Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day all-you-can-eat menus. Jasmine’s all-you-can-eat menus are available for lunch only on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and are both priced at P1,588 net. Club Epicure members get a special rate of P1,388 net. Those who would like to celebrate the holidays at home without the stress and worry can opt for the Holiday Set Platters To Go. There are four sets to choose from. Each set comes with a salad, entrée and dessert and is ideal for a group of 10. Add-on items can also be ordered for an additional rate. Guests can also customize and combine their own set of platters, selecting a minimum of four platters that can be shared by 10 persons. The set menus range in price from P15,980++ to P22,656.48 net. There are also party packages at the hotel which come with a choice of private, safe, clean and flexible event venues for up to five hours use (7 p.m. to midnight), one round of iced tea juice or soda for all guests, three bottles of red or white wine, chill background music and use of the hotel sound system, use of LCD projector and screen, a two-pound Christmas cake, one centerpiece for each table, set menu cards, a guestbook and a pen. Guests can have their choice among eight set menus, each good for 20, 50, or 100 guests. Packages start at P40,800++. For the complete set menus, guests can view Page 10 of the Hope for the Holidays interactive brochure at www.bit.lyNWM2021holidaybrochure. Finally, The Shop offers freshly baked treats in holiday hamper sets or individual packaging. Club Epicure members get 10% off on all items from The Shop and a 48-hour lead time is required for each set of orders. There are three hampers to choose from, ranging in price from P3,500 net to P5,500 net. For detailed information on the above offers and more, visit the interactive holiday brochure at www.bit.ly/NWM2021HolidayBrochure or call 8811-6888 ext. 3679, e-mail fb.reservations@newworldhotels.com .

Crimson Hotel serves up a festive feast

CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City has several Yuletide food promotions. Proceeds from this year’s Christmas promotions will be for the benefit of SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, a non-profit organization dedicated to reuniting abandoned children with their families or finding them a truly loving and caring home. It’s a fantastically French Nöel over at Baker J this year with traditional items like brioche, kouglof, fruitcake, and gingerbread biscuits, as well as decadent chocolate truffles made in-house and chocolate Santas. Those looking for a selection of sweets for a gift are spoiled for choice with three types of gift boxes: L’esprit de Nöel (P1,650); De Fête (P1,900); and De Cadeaux (P3,000). Customers may also consider products from the Christmas Goodies menu which consists of a cookie assortment, gingerbread loaf, cashew praline brioche, a selection of homemade jams, and a French deli gift set. For custom boxes, one may also choose to add a Baker J signature tumbler or a bottle of wine or gin. For kids, there is a Gingerbread House DIY kit that includes cookies and icing to create the perfect edible scene. Baker J also offers a selection of seasonal drinks like the Caramel Cinnamon Latte, Mint White Chocolate Frappe, and Gingerbread Cold Brew. For a banquet at home without the stress, turn to Café Eight. This Season, Café Eight offers its Christmas Home Indulgence selections with dishes ranging from Beef Wellington and Salmon Coubillac to Kilawing Tanigue and Slow-roasted Lechon Bell, and Peking Duck, and much more. Café Eight also offers Roast Carving selections good for a party of five, as well as Party Platters good for four or eight diners. Plus, be sure to check out the Espresso Mintini, this year’s Yuletide Libation, a mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, peppermint syrup, and cold-brewed coffee. For more information, visit www.crimsonhotelfilinvestcity.com, call 863-2222, or e-mail dining@crimsonhotel.com.

City Of Dreams’ dining treats

FOR the holiday season, City of Dreams Manila indulges guests with gustatory choices from premium restaurants, an array of custom-made holiday goodies, and other exciting offers. Curated holiday menus for festive celebrations await diners at the award-winning signature restaurants Crystal Dragon and Nobu Manila. Crystal Dragon’s premium five-course Festive season set menu showcasing premium Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties is available from Dec. 20 to Jan. 1 for lunch and dinner at P3,600++ per person. Nobu Manila, apart from its Sunday Brunch exclusively available for the month of December, offers six-course Christmas and New Year Omakase menus for P5,600++ per person on Dec. 24 and 25 and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 respectively. Al fresco dining is available at Nobu’s scenic cabanas and patio, while two private rooms are also offered for indoor dining. Café Society highlights holiday traditions with an array of neatly packaged treats and gift ideas, available until Dec. 31. These include handcrafted chocolate Santa Claus confections, chocolates in Christmas tree-designed boxes, and other fancy chocolate creations. Holiday cakes, breads, cookies, and pastries like gingerbread towers, gingerbread figures of boys and girls, apple-cinnamon glazed cake loaf, chocolate truffle loaf cake, almond babka bread (fluffy brioche dough), fruit mince and mini pies, and stollens (cake-like bread with its origin in Germany), are other unique offers. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

McDonald’s store has bike-friendly features

THE NEWEST McDonald’s Green and Good store in Mandaluyong City isn’t just built with sustainability in mind, it was also designed to cater to the growing population of cyclists in Metro Manila by offering convenient bike-friendly features. The new store, McDonald’s Shaw Wack Wack, features a Bike and Dine area where cyclists can enjoy their meals in the company of their bikes. The innovative outdoor dining area features racks integrated onto the dining ledge itself, ensuring bikes remain upright, safe, and secure.  McDonald’s also partnered with eSakay, Meralco’s green mobility company, in the deployment of a public electric vehicle (EV) Charging Station for two- to three-wheeled EVs. This is the second McDonald’s store to offer this feature, the first can be found at UN Del Pilar. The charging stations are coin-operated and can handle two units at a time. Part of this initiative, customers can simply plug-in their e-Bike and e-Scooter for a minimal fee of P1 for five-minutes’ worth of charging; 25 minutes with a fee of P5 and P10 for a 50-minute charge. For inquiries on EV Charging Station needs, contact eSakay at inquiry@e-sakay.ph. The new Green and Good store also has a Bike Repair Station that includes the basic tools cyclists would need to carry out basic bike repair or maintenance. Other stores equipped with a Bike Repair Station are McDonald’s stores in Alabang West, McDonald’s P. Oliveros in Antipolo, and McDonald’s Clark Gate in Pampanga. McDonald’s Shaw Boulevard Wack Wack is now open for 24 hours to serve customers via dine-in, take-out, ride-thru, and McDelivery. Visit the Green & Good Store in Shaw Boulevard Wack Wack at 555 Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City. Meanwhile, McDonald’s Happy Meal now features Pokémon toy collectibles with eight different designs in the new Pokemon-themed Jungle Survival Kit. They are available with McDo’s festive, ready-to-gift, and limited-edition Christmas-themed Happy Meal Boxes. Through the Add-On promo, customers can get a bigger bang for their buck when they add P50 to any meal to avail of an additional Burger McDo Happy Meal with a Pokémon toy collectible.

Personalized service from Winery.ph

WINERY.PH is offering a personalization service for Moët & Chandon bottles until Dec. 31. Prices begin at P2,995, for the Brut Imperial 750 ml to the Brut Imperial Magnum (1.5L) at P7,290. These will go well with their gift hampers, which range in price from P1,190 for the Value Gift Hamper (includes Dealto Rioja Crianza 750 ml, Barilla Dry Pasta 500 gm, Barilla Pasta Sauce 400 ml, and Molinera Pitted Black Olives 330 gm) to P4,990 for the Luxury Gift Hamper (includes Dealto Rioja Reserva 750 ml, Aimery Cremant de Limoux Grande Cuvee 1531 NV 750 ml, Theo & Philo Dark Hot Chocolate 325 gm, Barilla Dry Pasta 500 gm, Barilla Pasta Sauce 400 gm, Molinera Olive Oil 500 ml, Molinera Apple Cider Vinegar 500 ml, Molinera Sun-Dried Tomatoes 300 gm, Molinera Spanish Chorizo 350 gm, Coren Pate 125 gm, Hero Marmalade 350 gm, Molinera Pitted Black Olives 330 gm, Crackers 190 gm, and Piacelli Amarettini Cookies 200 gm). Visit winery.ph to shop.

Selecta’s Christmas promo

THROUGH a 12 Ways of Christmas promo, Selecta is committed to helping Filipinos show appreciation for the people who add happiness to our lives. To join, purchase Selecta Gifting Bundles through any partner retailer and send them to loved ones through online delivery apps. On an online post, tag the loved ones you wish to share ice cream with. Use the hashtags #ShareHappinas and #GiftHappinas. Each use of the hashtag creates a pin that will appear on the Selecta Happinas Map on the Selecta Facebook page. For more information on Selecta’s 12 Ways of Christmas, visit SelectaPhilippines.com/Happinas to view happy moments across the country.

Filipino holiday feast with The Maya Kitchen

THE MAYA Kitchen has put together a selection of easy-to-make yet celebration-worthy, and, most importantly, Pinoy-approved recipes with Maya products that make holiday preps easier and these dishes more delicious. These recipes and more can be found at www.themayakitchen.com. A Filipino celebration is never complete without Pinoy Style Spaghetti. This one’s a richer, creamier, and sweeter style of spaghetti — thanks to the addition of banana ketchup. It’s also made meatier by adding in not only ground lean beef or pork but also hotdogs. Missing all those Simbang Gabi treats? Satisfy bibingka cravings by whipping up some at home. The Maya Kitchen suggests you make Oatmeal Bibingka Waffle, which gives bibingka a healthier spin by using Maya Think Heart Oatmeal Pancake Mix. Butterscotch Walnut Praline is another sweet treat, reminiscent of those panaderya favorite butterscotch bars, this time made with Maya Butterscotch Brownie Mix.  And finally, complete the Filipino-inspired holiday spread by combining two Maya mixes — Decadence Red Velvet Premium Mix and Oven Toaster Banana Cake Mix — to create the festive Banana & Red Velvet Walnut and Cream Cheese Loaf. This recipe calls for fresh lacatan bananas. Like and follow The Maya Kitchen on Facebook @MayaKitchen and Instagram @TheMayaKitchen1. For more recipes, visit www.themayakitchen.com.

ChatGenie eyeing expansion after raising fresh capital

MULTI-CHANNEL commerce platform ChatGenie is looking to expand its reach after shoring up additional capital in a recent fund-raising campaign.

Singapore-based early-stage venture capital fund Accelerating Asia, which led the investment round, picked nine startups in Asia, including the Philippines’ ChatGenie, “for its first batch of investments from its $20-million Fund II,” the company said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

“The funding… will enable ChatGenie to expand its reach in distributing its product to as many merchants as possible,” it noted.

More than 2,500 merchants have used the company’s online payment and automated delivery services. The transactions were done on Messenger, GCash and Viber using ChatGenie. It has also partnered with PayMaya and PayMongo.

“A total of P150-million worth of transactions have been done via the store platform,” the company said.

With the investment, the company also intends to grow its team to serve more clients and scale up its services.

It recently launched a “booster program” for micro, small and medium enterprises to provide them with up to six months of free online store on Messenger, Instagram, Viber, and GCash, among others.

The company is hoping to team up with more brands next year, especially those that thrive online.

“With retailers across Asia digitizing at the fastest rate in history, ChatGenie’s platform provides an easy on ramp to potentially millions of businesses to more easily interact with a larger customer base more efficiently,” Accelerating Asia General Partner Craig Bristol Dixon said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

New chess king Daniel Quizon eyes GM title

FROM emerging as the country’s chess king, Daniel Quizon has turned his attention to achieving another feat — become a Grandmaster (GM).

“It would also be a dream come true if I become a GM,” said Mr. Quizon after he topped the 2021 Philippine National Championship at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu on Monday night.

For the World Cup veteran to become a GM, he would need to obtain three GM results and reach the 2500-rating mark.

The Dasmariñas City bet has one GM result and rated 2324.

FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, one of Mr. Quizon’s coaches, said they would invite local and foreign GMs and hold a closed tournament to be hosted by Dasmariñas, Cavite next year and hopefully get enough support to fund an expensive European campaign.

CLOSED TOURNAMENT
“Hopefully, we could stage a closed tournament in Dasmariñas,” said Mr. Abelgas.

Mr. Quizon has shown great potential when he clinched the IM title three years ago as a 13-year-old, but his bid was slowed down by the pandemic.

But with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions now starting to relax, Mr. Quizon is excited to resume his GM quest.

“Hopefully, I’ll get more opportunity this year,” said Mr. Quizon.

Chess Movement, Inc. and Barkadahan Para sa Bansa partylist’s Dr. Ariel Potot, who organized the Mactan meet, said Mr. Quizon is someone the country should support.

“The country would be proud if he (Mr. Quizon) becomes a GM, so we need to support him,” said Mr. Potot. — Joey Villar

Boulevard Holdings posts products, services sales

Boulevard Holdings, Inc. (BHI) said it finally recorded sales of products and services in the six months ending November this year, representing a 100% increase compared with last year.

In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the company said it booked P5.92 million in the six months ending November. Meanwhile, sales logged for November alone totaled P1.86 million.

“Friday’s Puerto Galera Beach Resort reopened in May 2021 and temporarily stopped its operations from August to September 2021. Friday’s Puerto Galera Beach Resort is open and welcoming returning and new guests as of to date,” Boulevard Holdings said.

Meanwhile, Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort is still closed. BHI said it plans to reopen the Boracay resort in February next year, “depending on tourist arrivals in the country.”

BHI shares at the stock market were last traded on Oct. 13, closing at 0.063 centavos apiece.

In a separate disclosure, the company said trading of its shares will resume once it submits its annual report for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2021 and subsequent quarterly reports.

“Since we have been advised by [Alas Oplas Co. & CPAs] that it shall complete its tasks latest end January, we foresee that the company’s submission of the PSE and SEC reportorial requirements by early February,” Boulevard Holdings President and Chairman Jose Marcel E. Panlilio said.

“Rest assured the company’s assets and investments are sound and intact, in the most riskless state possible without bank debt or tax claims,” he added.

The company’s latest quarterly report covered the nine-month period ending Feb. 28, 2021. Boulevard Holdings trimmed its net attributable loss to P19.34 million from P28.01 million logged in the previous year.

Its revenues stood at P196,875, down from the P67.97 million logged in the same period a year ago.

“In fact and in truth, our 2021 is nearly complete and ready, but our auditor has implemented a delay, because the government recently wished to also review 2020 statements,” Mr. Panlilio said.

“The reason for this very cautionary state is that Alas Oplas Co. & CPAs have been chosen by the SEC Oversight Assurance Review (SOAR) Inspection Program, which is effectively a quality assurance audit by the government over our own auditor,” he added.

The government adopts the SOAR Inspection Program on audit firms handling publicly listed companies. The program entails an on-site review of the auditor’s quality control policies and procedures.

“The SOAR was completed Nov. 26, 2021 but they await the official report end of December. An inflection point that will also cause delay is that the auditor has newly acquired audit software called CaseWare which they deployed for our 2021 statements,” Mr. Panlilio said. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Travel/Hotel News (12/16/21)

DoT launches website with balikbayan travel deals

DISCOUNTS and deals from airlines, accommodation establishments, tour operators, and travel agencies await balikbayans who will come home to the Philippines this season as the Department of Tourism (DoT) launches the balikan.ph website; a one-stop site for balikbayan-exclusive promos with discounts of as much as 50% on hotel and resort rates and worry-free, value-for-money vacation packages.

The website is under the DoT’s “Balikan ang Pilipinas” campaign to encourage Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to come home for the holiday season and rediscover the Philippines with their loved ones. The page serves as an aggregator of information where different travel promotions and packages are posted for balikbayans. The posts will lead them to the merchant’s websites for the specifics of the deals and discounts. The offers have been curated in cooperation with the various airlines, DoT-accredited establishments, the Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc., the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc., and the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International, Inc. The campaign will run until March 2022.

The Pen holds flash sale

THE PENINSULA Manila is holding is 12/12 Holiday Suite Spectacular Flash Sale until Dec. 19, with stay dates from Dec. 12 to 29. For details check out https://www.peninsula.com/en/manila/special-offers/roomsholiday-suite-spectacular. To celebrate New Year’s Eve, book the hotel’s New Year’s Eve Revelry room package which includes a six-course set dinner menu for two at the hotel’s legendary Lobby. To learn more about the room and dining offer, visit https://www.peninsula.com/en/manila/festive.

New World’s festive experiences this season

CHRISTMAS has officially arrived at New World Makati Hotel as it offers an array of experiences for the holidays. The Joyful Stays package lets guests stay in a Residence Club Deluxe room with breakfast for two adults and two kids, early check-in at 8 a.m. and late check-out at 6 p.m. (except New Year’s Eve and Day), a gingerbread cookie decorating kit, Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Lounge for two adults, and a Christmas cocktail drink for each adult. An upgrade to the Director’s Suite is also available.For those staying on New Year’s Eve, the room package has the same inclusions plus a 20% discount to the New Year’s Eve party that evening. The Joyful Stays package is P8,000 net for a Residence Club Deluxe room and P12,000 net for a Director’s Suite. Stay period is until Jan. 9, 2022. For detailed information, view the interactive holiday brochure at www.bit.ly/NWM2021HolidayBrochure or call 8811-6888 ext. 3679.

RWM hotels offer Yuletide specials

RESORTS World Manila (RWM) celebrates the Yuletide season with staycation indulgences fit for the whole family. The special room offers include the Hilton Manila’s “Sweeten Your Stay,” with 25% discount on food and beverage purchases and “Staycation 2.0 Premium Package” that includes fun filled activities and dining adventures for the whole family. A Deluxe package of an overnight stay, culinary offerings at the hotel’s Kusina Sea Kitchens and Hua Yuan is P22,000, while a Premium stay package with upgrades such as a pizza-making activity for kids, three-hour use of the Vega Poolside Cabanas and use of a Polaroid camera to capture each memorable moment is available for P30,000. This promo is available until Dec. 29. For RWM’s 12th year, a special 12th Anniversary Staycation Package is available for P12,000, which includes an overnight stay with buffet breakfast at either the Sheraton Hotel Manila or the Marriott Hotel, or an overnight stay with P1,500 dining vouchers at the Hilton Manila or Hotel Okura Manila, with an additional overnight room only stay at any of the four hotels. Guests who visit RWM can use their RWM points to grab Buy One Take One deals, exclusive discounts, and exclusive gifts with their purchased items from over 12 gadgets, electronics and home appliances brands at The Mega Holiday Sale at The Plaza, Newport Mall until Dec. 19. To view Hilton Manila’s full “Back to a Better Future: Retro Christmas” brochure, visit https://bit.ly/HiltonManilaRetroChristmas.

City Of Dreams’ leisure stays

LUXURIOUS and relaxingly safe respites beckon at City of Dreams Manila’s three luxury hotels —  Nüwa Manila, Nobu, and Hyatt Regency —  with appealing holiday leisure stay deals perfect for families. Overnight rates start at P6,500++ at Hyatt Regency, P9,400 net at Nobu, and P16,400 net at Nuwa and include a complimentary set breakfast for two adults and two children below 12 years old, complimentary minibar items, a special welcome amenity, voucher for 20% discount at City of Dreams Manila’s operated restaurants and in-room dining and 20% discount on applicable select spa services at Nobu Spa and Nüwa Spa. Booking and stay period is until Dec. 30, and prior reservation is required. Ensuring a worry-free stay for its guests, the three hotels take pride in also receiving from the Department of Tourism the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp of approval the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp certifying the property’s commitment to comply with global health standardized protocols. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Safe events at the Farm at San Benito

ECO-LUXURY destination and a pioneer in green weddings and events, The Farm at San Benito has created a perfect place to hold safe events. Located in Lipa, Batangas, The Farm uses a multi-modal approach against COVID-19 to protect guests and employees at all times. It has set up its onsite COVID testing center (RT-PCR and antigen nasal swab tests) administered by integrative medical doctors and licensed health professionals. In addition, the employees are required to undergo COVID testing regularly. The Farm also has an ichromaII immuno-analyzer diagnostic machine which determines the level of antibodies against COVID. All facilities at The Farm are sanitized by Sanivir Smoke Disinfectant, which is proven by international laboratories to effectively eliminate all types of viruses including coronavirus on surfaces and in the air. The Farm is also the first in the country to use BetterAir solution that disperses environmental probiotics in all its enclosed spaces to create a clean, pathogen- and allergen-free healthy indoor environment. With all these safety measures in place, The Farm was certified by the Healing Hotels of the World with Healing Certificate and safety seal from the Philippine Department of Tourism and World Tourism Council. These recognitions are a reflection of the highest level of excellence in safety, sanitation, and commitment to healing on a holistic level. Nestled in a 48-hectare property, The Farm has beautiful scenery to capture memorable moments with its picturesque background and stunning spots. The Farm partnered with event planner La Belle Fete Weddings & Events company that transformed five spots on the grounds venues made of organic and sustainable materials built around the five elements of nature. These event venues within the resort, each designed by top event stylists, are: The Lagoon: A Breath of Fresh Air (Ginger Event Styling); Secret Garden: Wonders of Water (Blooms Event Styling); Amphitheater: Eternal Flame (Dave Sandoval); The Mango Tree, Earth’s Enchantment (Gary Dacanay); and, Labyrinth, Ethereal Space (Randy Lazaro). Overall concept, planning, and coordination was done by La Belle Fete. Table setup and centerpieces are by the official inhouse supplier, Tablelove by Pinky. When it comes to food, The Farm offers its wellness cuisines — vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian menus focusing on a plant-based, locally sourced, organically grown, and farm-to-table philosophy.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo offers staycation packages

STARTING Dec. 16 to Jan. 16, the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is offering discounted room rates for family staycations. Room rates start at P3,700 net with holiday welcome drinks for two, a 10% discount on food and beverage orders (except pastry items, Room Service menu items, and special offerings), Wi-Fi access, and complimentary use of the swimming pool and fitness center. At P4,000, breakfast for two is added to the reservation. On Dec. 24, 25, and 31, room rates start at P4,000 net (room only) and P4500 net (room with breakfast for two) with all the perks. Blackout dates apply on the Festive Holiday room rates. For inquiries, reservations, bookings and orders, call +6333-328-7888 or contact stay@richmondeiloilo.com for room accommodations. Bookings may also be made online at Richmonde’s official website, www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.

Agoda shares ideas for local family getaways

FILIPINOS are optimistic about resuming traveling with their families before 2021 ends. According to digital travel platform Agoda.com in its Philippine Travel Sentiment Survey, almost 50% of Pinoys are keen to travel domestically within the year together with their partner and kids.

Health and safety protocols continue to be a must for Filipino travelers when booking accommodations, with 48% saying it’s imperative even when restrictions ease out. That said, Agoda has a long list of HygienePlus properties, so travelers can feel confident they will find safe family getaways without the hassle and worry. Agoda has come up with a vacation cheat sheet for fun and safe family destinations be it by flight or by road based on booking data for the Philippines in 2021. For family road trips, the suggestions include Tagaytay, which is just a two-hour drive away from Manila. One spot Agoda suggests is the Twin Lakes Hotel, a palatial hotel surrounded by lush greenery and fully equipped with a spa, fitness center, café and poolside bar for parents, plus a game room and kids’ corner. The hotel is pet-friendly. Another destination is La Union, the “Surfing Capital of the North.” Avail of AgodaSpecial Offers’ clubbing Golf packages as well as early check-in and check-out at the Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos – Poro Point. The resort combines Mediterranean-inspired architecture with tropical nature. With its water sports, recreation, golf facilities, and casino, it was awarded as a top choice of Agoda travelers in 2021. Then there is Baguio, a Filipino family favorite when it comes to road trip-friendly destinations. One favorite spot is The Manor at Camp John Hay, which, aside from its classic charm and elegance, also gives a unique bonfire experience for families. The hotel also offers inclusive tour packages to nearby attractions such as Burnham Park, Museo de Baguio, and Mines View Park. For fly-away weekends that fit a family’s budget, the first on the list is Palawan. For a unique experience, check out the Nacpan Beach Glamping in Nacpan Beach 45 minutes away from El Nido. This Agoda HygienePlus-approved destination is nestled under hundreds of palm trees and shrubs next to the beach. Families can enjoy private sailing trips, campfires at night, join island-hopping tours, or simply curl up for story time in their cozy tents under the stars. Then there is Bohol, another family-friendly spot that offers an array of adventure activities — be it seeing the famous Philippine tarsier, experiencing top diving spots, or the sceneries of the Chocolate Hills. For those looking to have a mix of everything, Bohol Bee Farm Resort is a good option. With a rustic atmosphere, it has a great view of the Bohol Sea while providing organic offerings for the whole family, including healthy menus and an herb garden. A farther destination is Siargao best known for its many surfing spots. Another HygienePlus property, Retreat Siargao Resort fits the bill for what families are looking for in a getaway. Near Malinao Beach, it provides facilities for water sports such as paddle-boarding, diving, fishing, and boating.

Recipients of funds stolen from bank accounts identified

OWNERS of the recipient accounts of illicit fund transfers involving two lenders over the weekend have already been identified, according to a central bank official.

Individuals claiming to be BDO Unibank, Inc. account holders posted on social media proof that their funds were supposedly transferred to a certain Mark Nagoyo’s accounts with UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc.

“The real persons behind the Mark Nagoyo have already been identified so I think the other institutions, UnionBank, will definitely file charges if these persons allowed their accounts to be used for fraudulent activities,” Melchor T. Plabasan, Technology Risk and Innovation supervision director at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said in an interview with The Chiefs at One News.

Mr. Plabasan said two or more UnionBank accounts received the unauthorized fund transfers from BDO clients.

“I think they are not bank employees and they just opened their account recently. Some of them opened their account last October,” Mr. Plabasan said.

He said the central bank is checking whether there were gaps in the concerned banks’ security measures.

“It’s still premature to say it right now, but if we find out that there is non-compliance to our expectations when it comes to managing cybersecurity and anti-money laundering case, then we can always resort to imposing sanctions or penalties,” Mr. Plabasan said.

BDO on Tuesday said it is already processing the reimbursement claims of about 700 clients that were affected by the fraud incident over the weekend.

UnionBank Chief Technology and Operations Officer Henry Rhoel R. Aguda also confirmed they have already identified the owners of the accounts involved in the incident. 

“We’ve already identified persons of interest and we have already filed the necessary information with the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), as well as to the BSP,” Mr. Aguda said at an online briefing on Thursday.

“It’s just a handful. If my information is correct, there’s about six individuals right now,” he added.

Mr. Aguda earlier said they have already frozen P5 million in the accounts involved in the incident.

Amid the rise in fraudulent online transactions, Mr. Aguda urged the public to report money mule activities as these are criminal offenses.

“If you know anyone selling bank accounts, buying bank accounts, or trying to open bank accounts and fraudulent bank accounts, please do report that to us as well and we will coordinate with the necessary authorities,” Mr. Aguda said.

He said an update to the InstaPay by next year will require identity verification from the part of the receiver as well, which will make fund transfers more secure.

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky said the incident is a proof that financial institutions remain of interest to cybercriminals whose main goal is to steal money.

“Groups that prey on the financial sector find vulnerabilities within the IT infrastructure of their target organizations to carry out their attacks,” Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, said in a statement.

“From our experience investigating cyber incidents, we know that there are cyber gangs that are professionals and can really resist detection,” he added.

An earlier study by Kaspersky showed the Philippines had the highest number of users in the Asia-Pacific attacked by banking Trojans, a type of malicious software. — L.W.T. Noble

Samsung appoints new president for PHL unit

SAMSUNG Electronics Co. Ltd. has appointed a new president for its Philippine unit, it said on Wednesday.

The company said Minsu Chu will head Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (SEPCO), succeeding its previous president James Jung.

“With over two decades of experience including 11 years in Samsung, Mr. Chu most recently held the role of President of Samsung Electronics New Zealand. Having been the business director of the Mobile business in SEPCO from 2014 to 2018, he will return to the Philippines to head Samsung’s local subsidiary,” Samsung said in a statement.

“I am very pleased to return to Philippines which I have long considered as my second home. This country has immense potential with its dynamic economy and a large and young population,” Mr. Chu was quoted as saying.

“Even with the unprecedented global crisis, the country has remained resilient and has already shown signs of strong recovery, putting economic growth back on track,” he said.

Samsung said as new SEPCO president, Mr. Chu wants to have “stronger synergy” between the company’ different business units, namely mobile, visual display and digital appliances.

“We need to strengthen our capabilities and operations to be more responsive to the changing consumer sentiments and habits in order to cement our leadership in the local consumer electronics industry,” Mr. Chu said. — BVR

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