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01 December 2024

Newsletter: Awesome Gift Shopping Awaits at Big Bad Wolf Davao Book Sale with Books as Low as P60

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The magic of the most festive season is in the air! This holiday season, say goodbye to gift-giving stress and get ready to spread some cheer with good reads.

The spirit of generosity is stronger than ever during this time of the year. The good news is you can shop for books for all your loved ones without breaking the bank! When it comes to finding the perfect selection with the best prices, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is your ultimate destination. From gripping novels, to inspiring biographies and exciting children’s stories, Big Bad Wolf Books has got it all. With prices up to 95% off, you can buy gifts for everyone on your nice list! 

Whether you’re on a limited budget or have room to splurge, Big Bad Wolf Books gives you the opportunity to give more and make the holidays truly special. Need gift ideas at P100 and below? Check out these titles that are perfect for kids and kids at heart!

Newsletter: P.A. Properties breaks ground for Bridgepointe Place Phase 2B in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga

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P.A. Alvarez Properties & Development Corporation (P.A. Properties), through its affiliate company, P.A. Ventures celebrated another milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for Bridgepointe Place Phase 2B on November 22, 2024.

“This landmark event coincides with the company’s 30th Anniversary celebration in December, themed “Behind Every Home is a Story”, said Atty. Marianne Reyna Lina-Cruz, CEO and President of P.A. Properties.

“For the past three decades, P.A. Properties has built a legacy of providing quality homes to over 30,000 Filipino families, driven by its commitment to creating sustainable communities and improving lives”, Lina-Cruz added.


Bridgepointe Place: A Gateway to Growth and Community

Situated in Brgy. Del Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Bridgepointe Place is a sprawling 33-hectare community offering suburban charm with the convenience of being close to urban hubs like San Fernando and Angeles City. Strategically located near NLEX via the San Fernando exit, it provides easy access to essential establishments such as schools, hospitals, and commercial centers.

Bridgepointe Place Phase 2B introduces 162 new units, comprising 131 residential lots and 31 prime lots. This development opens more opportunities for Kapampangans to achieve their dream of homeownership while enjoying a vibrant and well-connected community.    

Since its establishment, P.A. Properties through P.A. Ventures has enriched the local community by donating a hectare of land providing access to the City Government Civic Center hosting vital institutions such as the Department of Education Regional Office, the City College, a Sports Complex, and other local government satellite offices.

“Building More Than Homes”

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Atty. Lina-Cruz shared that “Bridgepointe Place is more than just a residential development; it is a partnership with the City of San Fernando in fostering progress and innovation. By aligning with the city’s vision, we aim to build not only homes but communities where families thrive, grow, and create lasting memories.”

To learn more about Bridgepointe Place 2B and other P.A. Properties developments, visit www.paproperties.com.

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The Scene Around: Now & Then - The Orange & Lemons 25th Anniversary

11/29/2024 02:59:30 PM


Before we discuss how monumental this event became for the band and everyone who witnessed their silver jubilee moment, let's take a short look at some of the events in their recent era.

Around late September of 2017, pop-rock band Orange & Lemons made shocking waves through a surprise set at The Smiths Night at Mow's bar in Quezon City. Shortly after, their official reunion announcement became a massive resounding news story, considering they were gone for a decade – specifically, at the height of their ultimate peak of success as a band.

Nearly two months later, I saw the newly-reformed trio live at a gig at an Offshore Music gig staged in Route 196 – with Ely Buendia jamming with them on stage for 'This Charming Man.' 

Then, in August 2018, they mounted the Moonlane Festival with Gabi Na Naman Productions at Century City Mall in Makati City. That rainy Saturday evening didn't stop fans from the stormy star-studded lineup that includes O&L, along with other bands like Pupil, <s>andwich, Ithcyworms, Join The Club, We Are Imaginary, and Autotelic, among others. It was also one of the big shows I've worked on as one of the production staff.

Then came the first press event I attended for them in May 2019 as the Bulacan-based act launched 'Pag-Ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat,' their first single off their budding all-Filipino album La Bulaquena which was eventually launched three years later. 

Amid trips of the love van, which was supported by many and, at one time, marred by a viral controversy, Orange & Lemons soldiered on for the ride and thus, made it to their Silver Anniversary through a one-of-a-kind concert titled Now & Then

30 November 2024

Newsletter: 15 Must-Experience U.S. Holiday Activities for Southeast Asian Travelers

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Macy's Thanksgiving Day - Courtesy, Julienne Schaer

The holiday season in the U.S. is a magical time filled with joy, celebration, and community spirit. For 
travelers from Southeast Asia, this is an ideal opportunity to experience unique traditions that highlight 
the diversity and warmth of American culture. 

Newsletter: Filipino singer-songwriter syd hartha encourages listeners to pause and savor life on new song “damdamin!”

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The young recording star teams up with acclaimed producer Brian Lotho on another future fan favorite



Filipino singer-songwriter syd hartha makes her highly anticipated return with the release of her new single, “damdamin!,” available via Sony Music Entertainment.

Newsletter: HipHop/R&B-inspired girl group XG will make their Coachella debut in 2025 as the only Japanese act in the lineup!

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]


One of the biggest music festivals in the U.S., the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2025, has announced its lineup, and girl group XG is set to make their debut at the event.

29 November 2024

Newsletter: Vher Agbay: A Visionary in Compliance Technology

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Discover how Vher Agbay is revolutionizing electronic signatures and AML screening in the Philippines with innovative digital solutions.

Newsletter: Ace Banzuelo drops dreamy new single “Bighani”

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The sophisticated pop track conveys the feeling of instantly harboring a romantic connection with someone


Ace Banzuelo, one of the Philippines’ most promising solo acts, has released his highly anticipated new single, “Bighani,” via Sony Music Entertainment. This dreamy pop track captures the magic of experiencing a profound connection with someone—an encounter that feels as though you’ve known the person for years, or even decades.

Newsletter: H1-KEY Releases Remix Single “Re: Thinkin' About You” in Collaboration with SB19's JOSH CULLEN

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H1-KEY has released 'Re: Thinkin' About You' in collaboration with SB19's JOSH CULLEN.
'Re: Thinkin' About You' is a remix track of 'Thinkin' About You,' the first series from H1-KEY's 'H1-KEYnote' released in January this year. SB19's JOSH CULLEN, a member of the globally loved group known for 'GENTO,' participated in writing the rap lyrics in the form of a response track."

28 November 2024

Newsletter: Kaspersky and AFRIPOL strengthen partnership in combating cybercrime by signing new cooperation agreement

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

To further enhance global efforts to combat cyber offenses, Kaspersky and AFRIPOL have signed a cooperation agreement in preventing and fighting cybercrime. Covering a period of five years, the document formalizes and facilitates cooperation between the company and the law enforcement agency in sharing threat intelligence data on the latest cybercriminal activities.

Newsletter: Hitachi Vantara Announces Hitachi iQ for Trusted Data Infrastructure Solutions for Modern AI Systems with NVIDIA HGX Platform

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Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced the availability of Hitachi iQ with the NVIDIA HGX™ platform in an end-to-end solution stack of fast, scalable, and resilient infrastructure for modern AI systems. Hitachi iQ provides cost-optimized solutions, tailored to a variety of industries and use cases, including large language models, inferencing, model training, analytics, digital twins, and image processing. 

Newsletter: TRAILBLAZER XIN LIU DROPS ADDICTIVE TRACK “TAKE A SIP”

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Multifaceted singer, dancer, and music producer XIN LIU returns with her latest English single, “Take a Sip,” available now on all digital streaming platforms. "Take a Sip" effortlessly blends the smooth, sensual vibes of Alternative R&B with her distinct lyrical sensitivity, drawing listeners into an atmosphere of intimacy and tension.

27 November 2024

Newsletter: PCX Solutions report shows Philippines’ new EPR Law making an impact on plastic pollution

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The majority of large plastic producers met or exceeded targets in first year

New EPR Law creates recycling livelihood for communities

The Filipino people, economy, and environment have been heavily hit by the escalating plastic pollution crisis. The nation, which is made up of thousands of islands with a limited and fragmented waste management infrastructure, is one of the world’s largest contributors of marine plastic litter. This is made worse by the ‘sachet economy’, where brands deliver goods in small units that are affordable for the majority of the population.

Newsletter: Atome Financial Secures Up to US$200M Syndicated Facility to Support Financial Inclusion in Southeast Asia

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Southeast Asia’s leading digital financial services platform, Atome Financial has secured a syndicated credit facility of up to US$200 million, which is being led and arranged by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). 

Newsletter: Benj Pangilinan unveils acoustic version of “Nandito Na Ako,” a song he co-wrote with Moira, Over October’s Josh Buizon and Angela Ken

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The stripped-down version gives the song a renewed charm and intimacy that makes it a perfect fit for romcoms and coming-of-age films


Benj Pangilinan introduces a fresh, stripped-down rendition of “Nandito Na Ako”—out today via Sony Music Entertainment.