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foodpanda pays tribute to inspiring riders via D’Best Ka! Panda Awards 

February 15, 2022 5:22 p.m.
In this new normal, food delivery riders have become a common sight on our roads, especially the pink-clad riders of leading online food delivery platform foodpanda. 

With their eye-catching uniforms and loveable new mascot Pau-Pau, these Ka-panda riders have likely caught your attention—or even brought a dish or two (or more) to your doorstep. 

These riders work hard day and night to deliver to Filipinos all over the country and are considered frontliners in this pandemic. 

Many of these delivery heroes have inspiring backgrounds, and that is exactly what foodpanda had in mind with their first-ever D’Best Ka! Panda Awards. 

Held last January 21 through a virtual live event on Facebook, D’Best Ka! Panda Awards aims to pay tribute to three exceptional riders with the most inspiring stories from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and give special awards to outstanding riders. 

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to shine the spotlight on these exceptional Ka-Panda riders who have gone the extra mile in serving our customers, not to mention providing for their families,” said Patricia Jacinto, Operations Director of foodpanda Philippines. “We are thrilled to be able to give them these awards, and we thank them for inspiring all of us with their dedication and perseverance,” she added.

Among the top awardees is Peter Daniel Viana, a widower whose three children are currently living with their grandmother. He sacrificed renting a room and living by himself in Iloilo City away from his kids, working as a foodpanda rider to give them a better future.
Fellow awardee Bernel Ali is a rider with an orthopedic disability, who has time and again risen above his physical limitations to continue working as a rider, helping his mother and siblings in the process. 
Mark Anthony Cortezano from Naga City likewise has an orthopedic disability, but as a father with children to support, he continues to work hard and is even able to keep up with non-disabled riders in delivering to customers. 
Aside from rewarding these three inspiring riders, who were given Php 10,000.00 each, foodpanda also gave Loyalty Awards to Edwin Pineda, a biker, and Marnello Aterrado, a motorcycle rider, who have both been foodpanda partner riders for four years; and the Extra Mile Award to Good Samaritan Alfredo Mijares who went viral on social media for returning a wallet filled with cash and ATM cards to a very grateful stranger.

Other awardees include Mark Frances Jumalon, Rubie John Viña, Artemio Jr Espulgar, Charlie Mendoza, and Jeff Omega, who were hailed as Productive Riders based on number of deliveries done in 2021;  and Jomak Peladra and Bon Jovi Borja, who were recognized for their creative viral content on social media and dubbed as D’Best Panda Tiktoker and D’Best Panda Vlogger, respectively. These special awards winners all received Php 5,000 each.

Many fellow riders tuned in to the live event to witness the awarding, but they also had the chance to bring home a prize as well. foodpanda raffled off a number of gadgets and appliances, including LED TVs, tablets and smartphones, with 18 riders taking home prizes.

“These awardees have shown us that not only are our Ka-Pandas hardworking and family-oriented, they are quite talented too,” Jacinto said. “They inspire us in more ways than one, and we are very excited to discover who our next batch of hero riders will be.” 

UP TO DATE

The search is over for the perfect cup of Joe! Experience coffee time at its finest at SM Supermalls this July

July 11, 2023 1:27 p.m.

Filipinos love their coffee! It’s a staple beverage among Pinoys for a reason: a cup of Joe fuels their day and boosts their energy.

This is why SM Supermalls makes everyone’s coffee time a leveled-up experience with only the best deals and promos for the love of a perfect cup of Joe!

Grab the best in-store coffee time deals

From July 1 to 16, coffee lovers can get over 800 deals available on artisan and specialty iced coffee from well-loved coffee shops at SM. There will also be hot bundles and pairings for those who love their coffee piping hot.

Where art, coffee, and locals come together

A consideration among avid coffee drinkers is having the ambiance to the perfect cup and conversation. Look no further because trendy spots are up at SM! Your favorite malls will set up booths where coffee-preneurs can sell their products. Treat your senses to different blends and varieties of coffee made by a pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by the locals in your area. These spots will have comfortable lounges and eye- catching art backdrops.
Baristas will also show off their skills at the Barista Face-Off, while musicians fill the lounge with mellow music on weekends from July 1 to 16.

Let your #CoffeeTok skills shine through

If you are on TikTok, this is your sign to make the most creative content about coffee! AweSM prizes are at stake for the best Coffee Hangout TikTok entries, with the most likes and views.

For details on how to join, go to @SMSupermalls on all social media.

Enjoy an adventurous ride and sip at the same time

Just outside the malls, SM will be dressing up designated areas for a Coffee Time Biker’s Pit Stop. Bike, stop, and sip your fave drink as SM creates a special stop where bikes may be temporarily parked near the café or at the malls with available open areas or al fresco.

Whether it’s a morning pick-me-up or a midday break, SM Supermalls makes coffee time even more special with its own blend of caffeinated activities from July 1 to 16.

To know more about Coffee Time at SM, check out www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

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UP TO DATE

Women bartenders on creating cocktails with Tanduay, defying stereotypes, thriving in a male-dominated field

March 29, 5:30 p.m.

As renewed interest in cocktails continue to grow, bartenders are also taking the spotlight, and in El Nido and Siargao, two bartenders are paving the way for women to shine in a male-dominated industry. 

Sharleen Antonio works with her husband and fellow bartending professional, Larry Guevara, in one of Palawan’s top beach destinations. Riza Delguime, meanwhile, is a bartender for a leading resort in the country’s surfing haven.

Creating Tanduay-Infused Cocktails

Both women have been bartending for years and share a preference for Tanduay in creating cocktails.

“It’s very easy to mix in cocktails because of its unique and bold character. I usually go for the classic Tanduay Dark Rum in my root beer and rum with a squeeze of fresh lemon,” Antonio said.

She shared that they used Tanduay rums in her bar management class back in college, so she is very familiar with the brand. Collaborating with the brand, she came up with three Tanduay-infused cocktails that are perfect for any time of the year — the Mango Basil Mojito, Tanduay Espresso Martini, and Tanduay Old Fashioned.

Delguime likes Tanduay’s sweet and strong flavor. Foreign customers would usually ask what rum brand she uses in her cocktails and would then request drinks infused with Tanduay rums.

“I have my own signature cocktail, which is perfect when I mix it with Tanduay. We have female guests here in the resort who would request for cocktails that are not too strong, and I would make one for them also using Tanduay,” she said.

Delguime further shared that the bartending scene in Siargao has always been “good and clean.”

“There are different varieties of bars here like sports bars and pool bars, and they are all super busy because of the many tourists who visit our island,” she said. 

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Antonio shared working in a male-dominated industry wasn’t easy in the beginning. Women bartenders used to be seen as just “cotton candies” behind the bar to attract male clients and rake in tips.

“While I may have experienced some catcalling and received some indecent proposals from male guests in some instances, I have to say that I have been lucky to have always worked with my husband behind the bar. In 2016, we joined Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 to show that there is more to bartending than meets the eye,” she shared.

Advice for Aspiring Bartenders

Delguime advised aspiring bartenders to just be themselves. 

“That would be the key to your success. Bartending is fun, and you get to entertain guests,” she said.

Antonio, meanwhile, has made it her advocacy to educate people about bartending as hospitality and F&B professionals.

“Gone are the days when women were simply considered as bar backs or force multipliers during busy bar shifts. Or worse, simply as ornaments behind the bar,” she noted.

Antonio wants to motivate, inspire, and empower women bartenders and those who would like to start a career in the bartending industry. She and her husband have been conducting workshops and seminars around the country to help aspiring bartenders better their craft.

“It is my wish that female bartenders will continue to flourish and leave their own mark in the field we all so love and are passionate about,” she said.

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NEWS

First in Manila! All immersive experiences lead to SM with its 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway, dazzling light shows

November 2, 2022 8:43 p.m.

A 3D Whale Shark Billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway and Dazzling Light shows
take over the Holidays in Manila.

3D Whale Shark


SM Supermalls celebrates not just joyful, but also fun, immersive and experiential holidays.

This year, we take you to the deep oceans with SM Megamall’s first-ever 3D Whale Shark LED billboard, see the Northern lights at the Aurora Trail of SM City North Edsa, Sparkle at the Light show and Holiday fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, enter the Golden gateway of SM Aura Premier and explore the outer space at the Mega Space Odyssey.

NORTH EDSA’S AURORA TRAIL

Aurora Walk

The illuminating lights of the Aurora Borealis is at the North this Christmas. Walk and indulge in a family friendly immersive experience at the Aurora trail ascending the giant holiday tree with a magical array of lights, forestry, rein-bears & holiday polar express.

MEGA SPACE ODYSSEY & 3D WHALE SHARK

Mega Space Odyssey

Travel to majestic galaxies in outer space and take photos and videos with your space explorer friends.

Experience the first-ever immersive 3D LED tunnel in Manila on October 21 to December 25 at the ground level Mega Fashion Hall (at the back of the Giant Christmas Tree).

SM Supermalls introduces the new 3D technology along EDSA by screening a hyper-realistic 3D Whale Shark at SM Megamall’s LED billboard.

Bringing you the first in the Philippines, High-Definition Immersive content at the heart of the bustling metropolis.

Netizens are awestruck of a larger-than-life Whale Shark peeking out of a digital billboard spanning over 2,000 square foot.

The Mega Whale Shark was first teased on April 27 but customers, tourists and motorists can catch the short preview every 15 minutes starting April 28 at peak hours from 12nn to 10pm daily.

Watch out for the new 3D content this Christmas.

The Philippines has the 2nd largest population of whale shark in the world at over 1,950.

MOA SPARKLE OF LIGHT SHOW AND HOLIDAY FIREWORKS

Sparkle of Light Show

Feel the Christmas spirit as you watch the brightest and merriest indoor Christmas tree music and lights show.

Be in awe as you watch over one hundred thousand lights set to music.

Catch the show DAILY, every hour from 10am to 10pm until end of December at the Central Atrium.

Holiday Fireworks

Enjoy the most awaited and better than ever fireworks display at the MOA Complex every Friday and Saturday from November to December 2022. Make sure to experience this magical moment with your families and loved ones.

AURA’s GOLDEN GATEWAY and NIGHTS OF DAZZLING LIGHTS

Golden Gateway

Tucked behind the giant Christmas tree is a golden gemstone-shaped immersive experience.

In partnership with global smartphone brand TECNO Mobile, technology and art meet to transport all who enter this enclosure into scenes of an opulent holiday palace and fantastical golden worlds.

Simply present P1,000 in single or collected receipts and enter a whole new world filled with glitz and glamour.

The theatrical room isn’t the only technological experience the mall has. Equally spectacular is a choreographed light and sound display at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark at Level 5.

Visitors of the Skypark enter a space with tall tree-like sculptures made of strings of lights. As they go through a forest of lights, a jaw-dropping musical show will entrance and excite them.

Visitors can stop and enjoy the choreographed audio and visual performance at 7pm on all Sunday nights of December, including December 25th itself.

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