PNB net income surges in Q2

August 12, 2021 | 12:03 am

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL Bank (PNB) saw its net earnings surge in the second quarter as its income from core businesses improved, rebounding from the levels seen at the height of the coronavirus crisis in 2020.

The lender’s net profit skyrocketed by 3,766% to P20.338 billion in the April to June period from the P52.597 million posted in the same quarter a year ago, based on its financial statement filed with the local bourse on Wednesday.

This brought the bank’s net earnings for the first six months to P22.129 billion, surging from the P1.389 billion booked in the same period of 2020.

This translated to a return on equity of 7.92% as of June, up from 1.81% a year ago, while return on assets also improved to 1.04% from 0.25%.

“The bank delivered excellent results during the first half of 2021 as we were able to sustain profits from core banking operations and reap the benefits of monetizing the value of low income-generating assets,” PNB President Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said in a statement.

“This allowed the bank to continue to build our loan loss provisions as the pandemic continues to impact local businesses and the overall economy,” he added.

PNB’s net interest income inched up by 0.1% to P8.616 billion in the second quarter from P8.607 billion a year earlier. Its interest earnings dropped 12% to P10.458 billion but was offset by the 43.8% decline in its interest expense to P1.842 billion.

Net interest margin was at 3.24% at end-June, down from 3.5% the year prior.

Its net earnings from service fees and commissions increased by 58.5% last quarter to P1.158 billion from P730.612 million a year earlier “due to higher transactional volumes of loan-related and credit card-related transactions.”

Meanwhile, other income soared to P34.471 billion from P1.803 billion, mainly due to gains worth P33.596 billion after PNB disposed its control of a subsidiary.

“This represents the increase in fair market values of the bank’s three prime real estate properties which were transferred to PNB Holdings Corp. in exchange for shares,” the bank said in a statement.

On the other hand, trading and investment gains declined by 70% to P331.175 million from P1.105 billion a year earlier. Foreign exchange gains also dropped 47.89% to P193.672 million from P371.664 million.

With this, PNB’s total operating income in the second quarter climbed by 297% to P44.246 billion from P11.141 billion a year earlier.

On the other hand, the bank’s operating expenses in the second quarter surged by 112% to P23.622 billion from P11.132 billion. This was mainly caused by higher provisions for credit losses, which jumped by more than four times (233%) to P16.927 billion from P5.077 billion a year earlier and brought the first semester level to P19 billion, equivalent to a 60% nonperforming loan coverage ratio.

PNB’s loans and receivables increased 2.5% to P618.197 billion as of end-June from P602.618 billion in the same period of 2020. The bank’s loan portfolio expanded as it “refocused its credit granting to entities belonging to financially resilient industries,” it said.

Its gross nonperforming loan ratio stood at 11.47% from 4.77% a year earlier.

Meanwhile, deposit liabilities rose by 5% to P828.1 billion as of end-June, mainly backed by steady growth in its current account, savings account deposits.

PNB’s assets inched up 2.5% to P1.109 trillion from P1.082 trillion a year earlier.

The bank’s capital adequacy ratio was at 14.03% at end-June, down from 15.86% a year ago, while its common equity Tier 1 ratio also dropped to 13.24% from 14.99%. Still, these were beyond the minimum regulatory requirements.

PNB’s shares closed at P21.60 apiece on Wednesday, up by P1.10 or 5.37% from its previous finish. — LWTN

PepsiCo to launch Mountain Dew-branded alcoholic drinks in 2022

August 12, 2021 | 12:03 am

PEPSICO, INC. is planning to launch a Mountain Dew-branded alcoholic beverage in the United States early next year, months after Coca-Cola Co. launched its first alcoholic drink in the country.

Truly hard seltzer maker Boston Beer Co. will develop and make the flavored malt beverage, which will be called Hard Mtn Dew. The drink will be citrus flavored and have an alcohol by volume of 5%, the companies said.

“We know that adult drinkers’ tastes are evolving, and they are looking for new and exciting flavorful beverages,” Boston Beer Chief Executive Officer Dave Burwick said.

The announcement comes at a time when demand for hard seltzer has slowed. — Reuters

Phinma Properties to launch Batangas, Davao projects

August 12, 2021 | 12:02 am

PHINMA Property Holdings Corp. (Phinma Properties) will be launching two new developments in Batangas and Davao this year as the company shifts to “regional growth hubs” for its horizontal projects.

“The fact that more home buyers prefer more space and comfort at home and away from crowded urban areas, benefits our decision to go regional and horizontal,” Phinma Properties President and Chief Executive Officer Raphael B. Felix said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.

The Phinma Maayo San Jose project in Batangas will span 9.5 hectares, while Phinma Maayo Tugbok in Davao will be a 9.6-hectare residential development.

The company said Phinma Maayo San Jose is slated to launch by the third or fourth quarter this year. It will feature 545 units, consisting of townhouses and single-attached homes.

Meanwhile, Phinma Maayo Tugbok “combines modern Filipino style with future-proofed home features and fully-integrated amenities.” The project will have 644 units.

“Being in the regions, with land at a fraction of the cost compared to NCR (National Capital Region), the shift to horizontal developments was the sensible direction,” Mr. Felix said.

“The ongoing pandemic and lockdowns have further strengthened our conviction that this is the right way forward,” he added. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Apple readies new iPhones with pro-focused camera, video updates

August 12, 2021 | 12:02 am

APPLE, Inc.’s next iPhone lineup will get at least three major new camera and video-recording features, which the company is betting will be key enticements to upgrade from earlier models.

The new handsets will include a video version of the phone’s Portrait mode feature, the ability to record video in a higher-quality format called ProRes, and a new filters-like system that improves the look and colors of photos, according to people familiar with the matter. The camera features are seen as some of the biggest selling points for the iPhone 12’s successor, which is expected to go on sale in the next several weeks.

Beyond the camera enhancements, the new iPhones will get relatively modest upgrades. Last year, Apple revamped the iPhone design, added 5G wireless networking and updated the camera hardware. For this year, the company will retain the same 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch regular sizes and 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro screen dimensions, as well as their designs.

The new phones will include a faster A15 chip and a smaller notch, also known as the display cutout, in addition to new screen technology that could enable a faster refresh rate for smoother scrolling.

The Cupertino, California-based company typically unveils its new iPhones in September, but last year’s launch was delayed until October due to production complications stemming from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With Apple now pushing back its office return by several weeks, the company’s next iPhone launch is likely to be virtual.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. Apple shares rose about 1% in the first hour of trading Tuesday.

Apple first added Portrait mode to the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016, and it quickly become a fan favorite. The feature can put a person in sharp focus while blurring the background in what is known as a bokeh effect. For the new iPhones, Apple plans to add this same technique to video with a feature internally dubbed Cinematic Video. Like with still photos, the iPhone’s depth sensor will create the effect and allow users to change the amount of blur after recording.

A new ProRes video-recording feature will let iPhone users capture clips in a higher-quality format that gives editors more control during post-production.

The format is used by professional video editors in the film industry and isn’t normally intended for the mass market in part because of its large file sizes. ProRes will record in either HD and 4K resolutions on the next iPhones.

The ProRes feature would follow last year’s addition of ProRAW, a higher-quality still photo file format that gives professional editors more control. Like with ProRAW, the ProRes video recording may be exclusive to the pricier Pro models.

Another feature will let users better control the look of colors and highlights in their pictures. Users will be able to choose from several styles to apply to their photos, including one for showing colors at either a warmer or cooler temperature while keeping whites neutral. Another option will add a more dramatic look with deeper shadows and more contrast, and the company is planning a more balanced style for showing shadows and true-to-life colors with a brighter appearance.

The feature will differ from standard filters, available in the iPhone’s Camera app since 2013, by precisely applying changes to objects and people across the photos using artificial intelligence, rather than applying a single filter across the entire picture.

Apple’s new iPhones, codenamed D16, D17, D63 and D64, are just a few of the new devices poised to launch in the coming months. The company is also working on revamped MacBook Pros with in-house chips likely to be dubbed M1X, a redesigned iPad mini and an entry-level iPad geared at students. It’s also preparing new Apple Watches and entry-level AirPods. — Bloomberg

How to recreate your favorite restaurant dishes at home

August 12, 2021 | 12:02 am

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The Cooking with La Germania: Masterclass Series, a five-part series of virtual cooking classes, saw expert instructors demonstrating the step-by-step process of how to cook their signature dishes, giving tips and tricks along the way. Among the instructors were award-winning restaurateur and chef Margarita Forés, chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Guevarra’s and OK Cafe, and chef Lee Jose from the Standard Hospitality Group which manages Yabu and Ippudo.

Here are a couple of the recipes.

OKONOMIYAKI

Lee Jose, Executive Chef of popular Japanese restaurant chains Yabu and Ippudo, demonstrated how to make the savory version of Japanese pancake, okonomiyaki. It is best to shop at a Japanese grocery store before trying this recipe, as a lot of ingredients won’t be found in the usual supermarket.

Ingredients:

Okonomiyaki Batter

¾ cups of water

1 tsp honodashi powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

⅛ tsp iodized salt

¼ tsp sugar

½ tsp baking powder

4 large eggs

4 cups of cabbage

½ cup of tenkasu (tempura flakes)

1 tbsp benishoga (pickled ginger)

Regular sliced bacon

4 tbsp spring onions

4 tbsp canola oil

Okonomiyaki Sauce

1 ½ tbsp white sugar

⅛ tsp salt

3 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce

4 tbsp tomato ketchup

2 tbsp oyster sauce

Assembly

1 tbsp cooking oil

1 cup okonomiyaki batter

3 slices regular sliced bacon

2 tbsp onomiyaki sauce

1 tsp aonori powder

2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise

Bonito flakes

1 tsp Spring onions

Procedure:

1. Prepare the okonomiyaki batter by chopping the cabbage into 1/2” chunks. Do not use the hard core. In a mixing bowl, add water and hondashi powder and whisk to dissolve the hondashi powder. Add the rest of the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and baking powder). Whisk until the batter is smooth, then add the eggs and whisk until fully incorporated in the batter. Add the chopped cabbage, tempura flakes, pickled ginger and spring onions. You can also add whatever fillings you desire (mushrooms, ham, pre-cooked seafood, etc.) Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until every ingredient is coated. Cover and keep chilled until ready to cook. This recipe yields four portions.

2. For the okonomiyaki sauce, put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until all the sugar has dissolved. Keep in an airtight container and set aside. Keep chilled.

3. Heat up a non-stick pan and add 1 tbsp of oil on medium heat. When the pan is hot, scoop 1 cup of batter and add to the middle of the pan. Using your rubber spatula, gently level out the batter, then cover and let the batter cook a bit for 2 minutes.

4. Remove the cover and lay 3 slices of bacon down on top of the pancake. Cover and cook for 1 minute more, then gently flip the pancake and turn the heat to low. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes, then test for doneness by sticking a knife or chopsticks in the middle of the pancake to test if it’s fully cooked. If the stick or knife comes out clean, it’s cooked.

5. Spread 1-2 tbsp of okonomiyaki sauce on top of the pancake and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the aonori (seaweed powder) and drizzle the Japanese mayonnaise. Top the pancake with bonito flakes and spring onions. Serve right away.

LONGSILOG

Chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s and OK Cafe taught the audience his secret to making his elevated version of Filipino breakfast classic longsilog (a portmanteau of longanisa, sinangag, and pritong itlog or sausage, fried rice, and fried egg). His version features longanisa meatballs on creamy garlic salted egg risotto, poached eggs, and oven dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

Longanisa Meatballs

500g longanisa ground meat

½ cup small white onion, diced

2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped

2 tbsps fresh Italian parsley

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

1 whole egg, beaten

1 cup bread crumbs

½ cup milk

4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

Creamy garlic salted egg risotto

1 cup risotto rice (arborio or any short grain rice)

2 tbsps butter

1 head of garlic, minced

1 liter chicken stock

1 cup of cream

2 salted eggs, chopped fine

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Oven dried tomatoes

6 whole tomatoes, halved

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle

Poached eggs

4 eggs

Sea salt

4 cups of water

Procedure:

1. To make the longganisa meat balls, begin by mixing bread crumbs and milk together in a cup and let milk absorb for 5 minutes. In a big bowl, take out fresh longganisa meat from the casing (discard casing) and mix all other ingredients together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. Form into meatballs and fry using a non-stick pan with 4 tablespoons of olive oil until brown. Place in a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 175C for 10-15 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked.

2. To make the risotto, heat butter in a saucepan on medium high heat and add minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until garlic is golden in color, then add risotto rice or sticky rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock 1 cup at a time and gently stir until the liquid has been totally absorbed. Repeat the process until the rice is cooked. Rice should be a bit al dente. Add more stock if needed depending on the type of rice used. Finally, add cream and finely chopped salted egg then cook for another 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs like Italian parsley.

3. For the tomatoes, slice them in half then season with sea salt and pepper. Bake in a 175C oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until tomatoes have dried a bit.

4. For the poached eggs, add water in a small cup then add a pinch or two of sea salt. Break the whole egg and add to the cup being careful not to break the yolks. Place the cup in a microwave for 45 seconds to a minute depending on the power of the microwave. Spoon out the poached egg onto a paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Repeat the process with the other 4 eggs.

5. For assembly, on a platter or plate, spread the salted egg garlic risotto then top with the longanisa meatballs, oven-dried tomatoes, poached eggs, and garnish with fresh herbs.

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada.

Asia United Bank posts higher profit in 2^nd quarter on lower loan loss provisions

August 12, 2021 | 12:02 am

ASIA UNITED BANK Corp. (AUB) saw its net income rose to P1.2 billion in the second quarter as it set aside lower buffers for the expected loan losses.

The bank’s net profit in the second quarter went up by 7.72% to P1.2 billion from P1.114 billion a year ago as loan loss provisions dropped, AUB said in a e-mailed response on Wednesday.

It set aside P896 million in provisions for credit losses from January to June this year, 41% lower than the P1.5 billion it allotted in the same period last year.

But even as it logged a better net income last quarter, AUB’s first semester profit was lower by 17.4% at P1.9 billion versus the P2.3 billion logged in the comparable year-ago period due to lower trading and securities gains, it said in a disclosure to the local bourse on Wednesday.

This translated to a return on equity of 11% and return on assets of 1.2%.

The bank’s net interest income was at P5.4 billion in the first half, inching up from P5.366 billion a year ago, due to weak loan appetite amid sluggish consumer and business activities.

Meanwhile, AUB’s operating expenses went down by 3.6% to P2.7 billion from P2.8 billion.

“Growing customer acceptance of its digital channels also helped trim its operating cost as well as increase efficiency and productivity,” the bank said.

AUB’s 45.1% cost-to-income ratio in the period was lower than the local banking sector’s average of 53.8%, it said in its statement.

On the funding side, the bank booked total deposits of P282 billion last semester, up by 22% from the P230.3 billion seen the year prior due to the rise in its low-cost current account, savings account (CASA) deposits.

CASA deposits made up 71% of the bank’s total deposits during the period, higher than its 68% share last year.

The bank posted a capital adequacy ratio of 15.9% at end-June, up from 16.9% a year ago.

Its total assets as of June also grew by 16% to P336 billion from P289 billion the year prior.

“We expect 2021 to be a better year than 2020 due to the vaccine rollouts by the government and the private sector that will help improve consumer confidence and lead to increased economic activity. However, we remain cautious and vigilant about the COVID-19 variants and the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic. We are not letting our guard down,” AUB President Manuel A. Gomez said in the statement.

The bank had 270 branches across the country as of June, which includes 48 branches of its four subsidiaries. — B.M. Laforga

Meralco, 2 others keen on PSALM’s Paco property

August 12, 2021 | 12:01 am

DISTRIBUTION utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and two other firms have expressed their interest in participating in the latest negotiated sale of state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.’s (PSALM) property in Paco, Manila.

The asset, which is made up of eight vacant lots covering over 20,900 square meters, is located in Isla de Provisor. The minimum bid is set at P527.09 million.

In a statement on Wednesday, PSALM said that the utility giant, along with an animal feed distributor and an equipment provider, are the “interested parties” that attended the property’s virtual pre-negotiation conference on Aug. 10.

It identified the companies as Simon Agribusiness and Philman Corporate Distribution Corp.

The event sought to brief interested applicants on the sale’s provisions, and requirements in the negotiated sale.

“We are very optimistic that we can privatize this Paco-Manila property very soon. We will continue to try to sell this asset because we need to use the proceeds for payment of PSALM’s financial obligations,” said PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Irene J. Besido-Garcia.

Those who wish to submit offers for the Paco, Manila property must do so on or before 1:00 p.m. of Aug. 31.

Interested parties can download the negotiation package from PSALM’s website. They may also request for a copy of the forms by sending an e-mail to APD1@psalm.gov.ph or pbacsecretariat@psalm.gov.ph.

According to PSALM, proceeds from all of its asset sales are used to settle maturing obligations and reduce the company’s borrowings.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., which has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Angelica Y. Yang

NortonLifeLock to buy Avast for as much as $8.6 billion

August 12, 2021 | 12:01 am

NORTONLIFELOCK, Inc. agreed to buy Avast Plc in a deal valued at as much as $8.6 billion, giving the US cybersecurity company access to one of the biggest customer bases in the industry.

Avast stockholders will receive cash and shares that value the deal at $8.1 billion to $8.6 billion, the companies said on Tuesday in a statement. Once the merger is completed, NortonLifeLock Chief Executive Officer Vincent Pilette will remain CEO and the company will have dual headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, and Prague. Avast CEO Ondřej Vlček will become president and join the board, the companies said.

High-profile ransomware attacks on large companies and infrastructure providers have increased demand for software to guard against hackers. That, coupled with more people working remotely, will continue to boost growth of cloud-based security providers, Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst Mandeep Singh has said.

The deal will dramatically expand user numbers for NortonLifeLock, which was known as Symantec Corp. before it sold its enterprise-security business to Broadcom, Inc. in 2019 for $10.7 billion. Prague-based Avast has 435 million “freemium” subscribers. It attracts customers to a free, baseline product and tries to turn them into paying users with more advanced software.

“With this combination, we can strengthen our Cyber Safety platform and make it available to more than 500 million users,” Ms. Pilette said in the statement.

Both CEOs agreed that the surge in expansive and damaging cyberattacks during the pandemic created new demand for digital security tools, and an opportunity for the companies to vie for a larger slice of cybersecurity revenue.

“The bad guys have been really, really busy taking advantage of the situation created by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” said Ms. Vlček. “The massive increase in attacks has been against everyone — enterprises, small businesses and consumers. Now is the time to join forces and accelerate the transformation of the entire cybersecurity space.”

Avast’s shares declined this year before it disclosed takeover talks.

Avast shareholders have two choices in the deal — $2.37 in cash and 0.19 in NortonLifeLock shares for each Avast share or $7.61 in cash and 0.03 NortonLifeLock shares for each Avast share. The stock exchange is based on NortonLifeLock’s closing price of $27.20 on July 13, the day before the companies disclosed they were in talks.

Avast’s shares had declined 6.2% this year before the deal talks were first reported last month. The company said at the beginning of the year that plans to transition its customer base to one-year subscriptions would hurt billings growth in the first half, while its adjusted earnings margin would be held back by higher costs to move to the cloud. Avast is due to report its financial results on Wednesday.

NortonLifeLock shares declined about 1% in extended trading after closing at $24.15 in New York. The stock has gained 16% this year. — Bloomberg

IC cracks down on unlicensed firms selling insurance

August 12, 2021 | 12:01 am

PHILSTAR

THE Insurance Commission (IC) has ordered Insuro’s Insurance Services and Miler Insurance to halt their operations after they were found to be selling insurance products online without the necessary license.

A document obtained by BusinessWorld showed the IC issued a cease-and-desist order against Insuro’s Insurance Services on Wednesday after it failed to show proof it has an insurance agent’s license, which is required so they can sell insurance products.

Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said in a Viber message that the regulator is also scheduled to issue a cease-and-desist order for Miler Insurance on Wednesday.

Insuro’s Insurance Services claimed to be a consulting agency and insurance agent on Facebook offering products covering motor car, property, marine, liability, engineering, and personal accidents.

According to the document, Insuro’s Insurance Services explained in a July 31 letter that it has yet to take the qualifying insurance agents’ examination while its application, through Standard Insurance Co., Inc., has yet to be submitted to the IC.

“The foregoing provision [under the Insurance Code] clearly require the existence of a valid license prior to engaging in the business of and operating as an insurance agent. Without the said license, a person or entity cannot operate and carry out as an insurance agent,” the letter read.

The IC also told the company to stop offering and advertising its business online and remove all its promotional activities posted on its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Miler Insurance’s Facebook page showed the company is claiming to be an “emerging nonlife insurance company” even though it does not have a license from the IC to operate as a nonlife insurer or as an insurance agent.

The company was found selling insurance products through the social media platform and its own website and online reviews showed there were already individuals transacting with them.

The IC issued notices to these two entities to explain their operations and gave them five days to respond.

Mr. Funa, in a statement, warned consumers to only transact with licensed insurance, pre-need and health maintenance organization (HMO) companies for their protection and peace of mind.

“The public can likewise be assured that your IC will be relentless in taking down unlicensed entities for the security and safety of the insurance, pre-need, and HMO markets,” Mr. Funa said. — B.M. Laforga

Dining In/Out (08/11/21)

August 12, 2021 | 12:01 am

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The Peninsula Manila offers Hong Kong mooncakes

CELEBRATE the mid-autumn festival by giving and sharing The Peninsula Hotels’ seasonal delicacy, mooncakes, which the hotel is flying in from Hong Kong. A selection of assorted mini mooncakes or mini egg custard mooncakes in a box of eight are available for P4,888 while a petite box of four mini egg custard mooncakes goes for P3,388. Early bird savings of 10% is available until Sept. 14. Orders can be picked up starting Sept. 17. Place an order online at https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook or call 8887-2888.

The Maya Kitchen offers free Korean cooking class

IT’S ECQ again for Metro Manila (and for most of the Philippines), and as a gift to help everyone, cooking school The Maya Kitchen is inviting everyone to its upcoming Korean Cooking Class for free on Facebook Live (facebook.com/mayakitchen). On Aug. 14, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, learn how to cook authentic Korean dishes: bibimbap, the popular Korean dish of mixed rice topped with meat and vegetables, as well as banchan or Korean side dishes. Viewers can sit back and watch or follow and cook along (ingredients will be posted on Facebook before the class starts) with the chefs from The Maya Kitchen who will interact with viewers via Facebook to answer questions. The Maya Kitchen also has a slew of classes for August and September. On Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to noon, the class is Easy Cooking Ideas for Menu Planning. Get menu-planning guidance and cook along with the chef in this fully interactive Zoom class. All enrollees will also get one of The Maya Kitchen’s best-selling menu-planning cookbooks for free: Mix & Match Meals Book 6: Your 4-Week Menu Guide to Easy Gourmet Cooking. This class is P2,500. On Sept. 4, 10 a.m. to noon, learn how to cook bento box favorites in the Tempura and Karaage Online Cooking Class, via Zoom. This class is also P2,500. For more information on these and other course offerings, log on to www.themayakitchen.com, e-mail contactus@themayakitchen.com, or call 892-1185 or 892-5011 local 108 or +63929 679 6102.

Hilton Manila Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with Oriental Treasures

HILTON Manila ushers in the coming Mid-Autumn Festival with an array of mooncakes from Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise. To top it off as a festive centerpiece, this year’s mooncake box design pays homage to the symbols of Chinese heritage. Embellished in imperial red, the box features a pair of red-crowned cranes amongst sacred clouds, the golden full moon illuminating the scene. The ornate die-cut window pane, inspired by the moon windows of Oriental architecture, offers a peek to the matte-finishing gold and red receptacles housing the individual mooncakes. Hua Yuan’s signature mooncakes come in three varieties: Red Bean Paste with Single Egg Yolk, White Lotus with Single Egg Yolk, and Mixed Nuts. A box of four moon cakes is priced at P2,488 net while a box of two is P1,488 net. Enjoy a 15% early bird discount with pre-orders from now until Aug. 31. Box customization and company logo inclusion is available upon request with minimum orders applicable. For more information, call 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6442, or send a message on Facebook through m.me/hiltonmanila.

A pandemic coffee business with an advocacy for strays

TAEKWONDO coach Kim Abejero and business consultant and digital marketing strategist Cham Sales started talking about establishing a pandemic business while on dates, during which feeding strays became one of their routines. Thus was born Coffee X Konvos: a business built to support stray animals through every cup. They partnered with PAWSsion Project, a non-profit organization that helps rehome, rehabilitate, and support stray animals. Inspired by the slow coffee bar vibes in Thailand and Japan, they support the local scene by sourcing Sagada and Benguet coffee beans, which are prepared through pour-over drip process. Last May, Alabang Town Center gave them a big break by including them in their homegrown circle. They have been a part of Mckinley’s Venice Grand Plaza and Binondo’s Lucky Chinatown Bazaar to date. Southies since then followed them on every bazaar because of the unique coffee experience and the chance to make a difference through every cup of coffee. They also do home brewing in their residence at Imus, Cavite. Check out their Facebook (Facebook.com/coffeexkonvos) and Instagram (Instagram.com/coffeexkonvos) account for shop details and furry friend encounters.

EDSA Shangri-La’s Summer Palace mooncakes

USHER the auspicious Mid-Autumn Festival with EDSA Shangri-La, Manila’s Over the Moon Mooncake Collection 2021 by the Summer Palace. A variety of signature baked mooncakes are now available until Sept. 21, for pick-up at the hotel and for delivery. Choose from six flavors: white lotus mooncake featuring the deluxe lotus paste filling with salted egg wrapped in a thin golden-brown crust, imprinted with Chinese characters for harmony and longevity; red bean; mixed nuts; durian; green tea; and black sesame. The mooncakes come in a premium gift box, with price starting at P1,688+ per box. They are also available per piece at P388+ for mini mooncakes and P588+ for a single traditional mooncake. Enjoy savings of up to 25% on bulk orders. For orders of 50 boxes and more, get complimentary delivery to one location within Ortigas, Mandaluyong, Greenhills, The Fort, and Makati area. For inquiries and orders, call 8633-8888 or e-mail summerpalace.esl@shangri-la.com. Orders can also be placed directly through https://edsashangrilafoodhub.beepit.com.

Chowking Chunky Asado for merienda

CHINESE fast-food chain Chowking now offers the new and improved Chowking Chunky Asado Siopao to satisfy 3:30 p.m. merienda time cravings. Chowking’s bestselling siopao now has a meatier, chunkier, and saucier filling — no need for extra sauce. The Chowking Chunky Asado Siopao cost P39 each, and is also available in three-piece takeout boxes for P115. Available for delivery via Chowking’s hotline #9-88-88, ChowkingDelivery.com, or Grab or foodpanda; or pass by a Chowking store for drive-through or take out.

Baker J is open for takeout and delivery

CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City’s Baker J is open for takeout and delivery. Enjoy the French patisserie experience wherever you are via the bakery’s sourdough bread and croissants, classic pancakes and waffles, savory tartines and eggs benedict, to its signature hot and cold coffee blends and summer coolers. Among its best-sellers are: the Viennoiserie Box with customers able to mix and match pastries including croissant, pain au chocolat, and pain au raisin; the bakery’s signature coffee blend, Rosé Latte; and, Complet, a hearty breakfast that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Baker J is open for takeout and delivery from 6 am. to 9 p.m. It is located at the Ground Lobby of Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila.

Delishvery delivers dishes to doorsteps

AS THE country goes under another round of restrictive Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) lockdowns in major towns and cities including the NCR, Resorts World Manila (RWM) steps up with Delishvery, RWM’s in-house food delivery service which serves some of RWM’s bestselling dishes to customers’ homes, even in areas under ECQ. Operating daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., RWM Signature restaurants, Casa Buenas, Happy 9, Victoria Harbour Cafe, Kimchi Mojou, Silk Road, and Garden Wing Cafe, are serving selected signature a la carte dishes and food bundles via Delishvery. Self-heating and portable Hotbox packages are also available, with a starting rate of P1,300. Selected RWM outlets also offer a special Rice Toppings menu for bulk orders. You can place orders by calling 7908-8885 or texting 0917-878-8856. To ensure cleanliness, safety, and efficiency in its delivery system, signature RWM food items are only available via Delishvery. All rates are inclusive of VAT and subject to a delivery charge. Orders may be settled via MasterCard and VISA debit cards, major credit cards, GCash, and COD. Likewise, dining outlets of RWM-based hotels like Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, Hotel Okura Manila, Belmont Hotel Manila, and Savoy Hotel Manila also offer pick-up and delivery services. To order, contact the individual hotels directly. To check all the menus, visit www.rwmanila.com.

Pandamart, foodpanda offer promos

With more community quarantine restrictions back in place, going out to purchase groceries and other essentials can be a hassle. Skip the lines and shop at home with deals and free delivery promos from Pandamart and foodpanda shops. Tap on the app, and choose from more than 3,000 items that can be delivered to your doorstep safely and conveniently. Pandamart promos add up to big savings, with daily deals of up to 70% off. August Deals include 10% off on Heat and Nom items, up to 30% off on breakfast foods, and up to 30% off on fresh produce. There is no shopper fee and the promo code PMARTFREEDEL gets free delivery until Aug. 31 for a minimum order of P499. Pandamart is available until midnight at Alabang, Angeles City, Antipolo, Baguio, Caloocan, Cebu City, Davao City, Las Pinas, Lipa, Mandaue City, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, and Taguig City. The foodpanda shops section offers food and home essentials in as fast as 20 minutes, 24/7, nationwide. There is no shopper fee, and customers can use special foodpanda Shops promo codes for discounts and deals. The SHOPSCASHLESS code gets P50 off on online payments at all shops. SHOPSGROCERIES gets 10% off on groceries, while FPSHOPSFINDS gets 10% off from selected shops. For non-grocery items, tap in MORESHOPS to get 10% off from purchases. For more information about the foodpanda shops and Pandamart services, visit foodpanda Facebook and Instagram pages.

New Eden variant: Melt Sarap

EDEN Melt Sarap is a variant of Eden Cheese that’s highly meltable and can add more melt-in-your-mouth goodness to dishes like baked macaroni, cheesy lasagna, and grilled cheese sandwich. The best way to enjoy it is by baking the cheesy dishes at 220-230 °C or 430-450°F in a conventional oven. To promote the new variant, Eden has launched the Melt Sarap Namnamin Challenge, with a chance to win an Eden Melt Sarap meal kit and P5,000 worth of Sodexco GCs. The challenge is for cooks to show how they prepare, cook, and enjoy cheesy dishes with the help of a Melt Sarap Namnamin filter. The best dishes will win an Eden Melt Sarap Meal Kits and a feature on the Eden FB page. Eden will also be tracking the number of people visiting its FB page and provide guests with freebies and discounts on Eden Melt Sarap. The more likes, shares, and comments guests leave on the Eden FB page, the bigger the prizes and discounts that are unlocked. Eden Melt Sarap is now available at leading stores nationwide and in all major e-commerce platforms (i.e GoRobinsons, Shopee, Lazada, Metromart, etc.).

GrabFood delivers for as low as P8 in Davao

Davaoeños can now enjoying more affordable deliveries of their favorite dishes on GrabFood with a delivery fee of as low as P8. Enjoy crowd favorites like Jollibee, Starbucks, and S&R Pizza or make new food discoveries like Penong’s, We Got Cha, or Ruby’s. Plus, users get reward points for every food delivery which can be collected and exchanged for discounts through GrabRewards. To learn more about GrabFood, visit www.grab.com/ph.