León Gallery, UnionBank team up for talk on convergence of traditional and NFT art

Filipino NFT artist Jose Antonio Reyes and UnionBank’s Digital Asset Markets Unit to lead discussions

The merging of traditional art and non-fungible token (NFT) art has undoubtedly unlocked new possibilities for artists and collectors today. However, with NFT technology being relatively new especially in the Philippines, many are still wondering what this is and are trying to understand the technology. Such a scenario may be preventing the full realization of its potential to revolutionize art.

To address this, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and León Gallery have collaborated for a discussion to facilitate timely and relevant conversations on NFT art. Focus will be the convergence of the traditional and NFT art spaces and how artists and collectors can navigate the emerging landscape much easier.

The talk is part of an exhibit by Filipino abstract artist Jose Antonio Reyes, a.k.a. JAR, whose previous NFT art collection ‘JAR Heads’ on the Cardano Network was a success. It generated over 1 million in ADA sales in the secondary market within a span of six months. The exhibition is being hosted by León Gallery with the participation of UnionBank's Digital Asset Markets Unit (DAMU).

Reyes together with key experts from DAMU will discuss NFT art and cryptocurrencies, and where these converge with traditional art. UnionBank will also talk about possible channels to enter the NFT space, including its very own Virtual Asset Over-the-Counter service, which allows customers to fund their crypto wallets in order to buy and sell NFT art.

"Through this event, we want to educate people on the developing convergence of traditional art and NFT art," said RJ Dela Cruz, UnionBank Head of DAMU. "It is not uncommon to have traditional artists transition into the world of NFT art, but it is rare for a traditional artist to have a successful project. JAR is an example of the latter, and him coming from the local scene is definitely something worth paying attention to."

León Gallery is an auction house based in Makati City that specializes in art, antiques, and collectibles. Founded in 2010, the gallery offers "historically important and museum-quality Philippine art" and is considered one of the most prestigious auction firms in the country.

Don’t know your way around the kitchen? This quick-and-easy Cheeseburger Sliders recipe will unearth the chef in you

 Food is a universal language. It transcends time, cultures, and borders. It speaks volumes about love, kindness, gratitude, and empathy. Without fail, it brings people together and gives us life in more ways than we can imagine.

When it comes to cooking, though, not many people are gifted. Couple that up with the demands of a fast-paced urban lifestyle, and more often than not, learning the joyous art of cooking often ends up taking the backseat.

Lucky for you, SM Development Corporation (SMDC) brings The Good Eats — a series of easy-to-do and easy-to-follow recipes that helps food enthusiasts of little to no cooking experience find their way around the kitchen.

First up on their premiere episode are Cheeseburger Sliders, especially made for bachelors and gents alike. Whether you’re on for a date night with someone special, or you’re hosting a weekend party with the gang, this recipe will, without a doubt, get you all the compliments you deserve. After all, what’s manlier than juicy, perfectly seared patties, elegantly tucked in crisp slices of cheese?

Setting the scene for the bachelor edition of The Good Eats is Air Residences in Ayala Avenue, Makati City. With sleek interiors, streamlined architecture, first-class amenities, and an enviable aura of success and influence, nothing says ‘tasteful’ like an Air Residences address.

Secret’s out! Only on The Official SMDC Youtube Channel.

Driving up north for Clark’s hot air balloon fest? Book these unique Airbnb Stays in Pampanga

What better way to experience this year’s much-anticipated music festival and hot air balloon display than staying with Airbnb’s Kapampangan Hosts?

Excitement is in the air with Pampanga’s annual hot air balloon festival making its grand comeback this year. From hot air balloons from all over the world to live performances from the country’s most sought-after and up-and-coming artistes — the event will be nothing short of spectacular. If you have already booked your tickets and are looking for the best places to stay in Pampanga — Airbnb’s got you covered!

From amazing pool houses and beautifully-designed houses to idyllic farm stays, Pampanga has a wide array of one-of-a-kind homes. And with Airbnb’s redesigned browsing experience through Airbnb Categories, it’s now way easier to discover these unique homes you didn’t know existed!

Amazing pool houses for staycays

●     After soaking up good music and food at the fest, spend your well-deserved leisure time at Casa Buena de Bacolor — a cozy Japanese-style villa with a stunning private pool. Bonus: it comes with a dedicated workspace with a stable connection, if you’re planning to stay a little longer and bring work with you.

●     Another pool house in Pampanga is The Pad Prime Villa. A minimalist retreat conveniently located near malls and restaurants, it boasts a newly-built swimming pool and all of the amenities of modern living.

Beautiful picturesque villas

 

●     Looking forward to sharing gorgeous shots from the festival on your socials? Why not book an equally stunning Airbnb Stay for more aesthetic photos? Stay at The Pad Heritage Glasshouse, a Thai-inspired glasshouse with a large saltwater pool. The house has high ceilings and airy interiors with capiz windows reminiscent of old Filipino homes.

●     Contemporary vacation house Mi Casa es Tu Casa offers classy interiors, modern facilities, and an expansive space perfect for families. Guests often rave about its very attentive and accommodating Host.

Nature escapes for longer getaways 

●     If you’re eyeing staying a little longer in the province, Pampanga’s hidden farmhouses might be the perfect choice! This Exclusive Farm House tucked in the heart of Angeles is wrapped in luscious greenery and nestled in the midst of a three-hectare orchard. It’s spacious enough for large groups yet provides a slice of privacy.

●     La Casa Exclusive Lake Farm is another dreamy farm stay in Pampanga. This stay is the very picture of serenity: it houses two rustic cottages, a spacious garden, small tents, hammocks, a swimming pool, and a lake filled with floating lilies.

All Airbnb Stays come with AirCover — the most comprehensive protection in travel and included for free in every stay. Find the full details on how your Airbnb booking is protected for an enjoyable and hassle-free staycation in Pampanga.

 

 --------------------------

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and one-of-a-kind activities that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.

J&T Express Launches Network in Egypt, Further Expanding Global Footprint

 Cairo, Egypt - J&T Express ("J&T"), an international express logistics company, announced that it has officially launched its network in Egypt. This is another major step in J&T's expansion in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, following the Company’s launch of the network in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and announcement of establishing a smart logistics park in Riyadh. This latest expansion brings J&T Express’ global network coverage to a total of thirteen countries, expanding its global delivery network to Africa markets beyond Asia and Latin America.

E-commerce in the MENA region is fast catching up with global powerhouses. Egypt, as the most populous Arabic country, represents one of the most diversified economies in the MENA region. The total revenue of ecommerce in Egypt reportedly reached $5 billion in 2021. In line with the National e-Commerce Strategy, Egypt aspires to harness the power of e-commerce to help catalyze innovation, growth, and social prosperity in the digital economy. The rapidly growing e-commerce market presents significant opportunities for the express logistics industry. J&T Express has established one sorting center and 10 distribution centers, with its distribution network covering the full country except the North Sinai military command area. Following the company’s entry into Latin America earlier this year, it is an important step for the company to continue to further cultivate emerging markets and expand its strategic global footprint.

J&T Express Expands MENA network coverage to include Egypt

Charles Hou, Group Vice President of J&T Express, said, " J&T is an independent e-commerce enabler, offering express delivery solutions to leading e-commerce platforms. By leveraging our expertise of providing efficient and convenient services through our growing global operation network, J&T Express is set to contribute to the faster development of e-commerce in the MENA market and the launch in Egypt bears testament to our commitment to the region. “

Patrick Chen, Head of J&T Express Egypt, said, "In view of rapidly increasing internet penetration, the Egyptian market is well-positioned to tap on existing opportunities to further e-commerce development. J&T Express is excited to establish a refined service network in Egypt and offer an efficient, convenient and quality logistics experience to local retailers and customers."

Meanwhile, CEO of J&T Express Philippines Dean Ding is proud to share another milestone of J&T Express. From our recent Brazil launch, now, we are building stronger presence in the Middle East with our newly launched network in Egypt. We, at J&T Express Philippines, are excited about this another expansion and we are proud that we have successfully penetrated MENA region. More countries from the Middle East can now experience and enjoy J&T Expressperience xpansion and we are proud th.”

With its network launch in Egypt, J&T Express' network now spans thirteen countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt, and serves over 2.5 billion people. Since its official launched in the Philippines in 2019, J&T Express continues to be one of the fastest and most reliable delivery service in the country. For more information, you may visit www.jtexpress.ph.

Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel, Bacau Bay Resort Coron join 29th Travel Tour Expo

 Explore the magnificent islands of Boracay and Palawan at an affordable rate through exclusive promos

Bacau Bay Resort Coron

As the Philippine tourism industry starts to get back on its feet with the easing of travel restrictions, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) is set to stage one of the biggest travel expos in the Philippines from June 24-26, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel

Among this year’s participants are Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel and Bacau Bay Resort Coron who will be offering great deals and affordable tour packages. Discounted rates of up to 47% off await travelers who will book their stay in either resorts.

“After the two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and with more relaxed travel restrictions, we are expecting a larger number of visitors in the islands and both Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel and Bacau Bay Resort Coron are now ready to accommodate more tourists. We are excited to welcome them and give them an affordable, secure, and safe vacation experience,” PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI) President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier said. PJLI is the parent company of Le Soleil Group, the team behind Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel and Bacau Bay Resort Coron.

“This event came in such a good timing as the tourism industry starts to bounce back. With our guests’ safety as our priority, we have made sure that our hotels are strictly compliant with the imposed health protocols and all our staff are fully vaccinated,” shared Agnes L. Macapia, Sales and Marketing Director of Le Soleil Group.

Visit Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel in booths 113-114 and book your stay for as low as P1,687.50, or experience a slice of paradise in Bacau Bay Resort Coron for as low as P2,500. Just simply visit Bacau Bay Resort Coron in booths 125-126. Discounted rates apply per person for an overnight stay. Promo period is from July 1 to December 15, 2022.

For more details, visit the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel and Bacau Bay Resort Coron websites at www.lesoleil.com.ph or www.bacaubayresortcoron.com, or check out their official Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/lesoleildeboracayhotel or https://www.facebook.com/BacauBayResortCoron.

Sama-sama tayo mag-travel: 2GO offers Php22 sea sale

As the demand for domestic travel continues, 2GO Travel, the Philippines’ largest premier sea travel provider, is offering its lowest promo this 2022, Php22 one-way to major local destinations such as Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and many more.

From 2GO’s main port in Manila, passengers can travel to their favorite local destinations like Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Coron, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga.

From Cebu, travelers can sail directly to Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, and Butuan, while those coming from Dumaguete can hop on a voyage directly to Zamboanga.

The Php22 sea sale is inclusive of 50kg baggage allowance and accommodation. The selling period for the promo runs until June 30 for voyages from August 1 onwards.  

“2GO Travel redefines sea travel and remains true to providing ‘sailcations’ as it offers spacious and clean accommodations, special event packages and a variety of food and drink selections onboard, giving passengers a safe, affordable, and fun travel experience.” says Blessie Cruz, 2GO's Group Head for Marketing. 

“Now that we are seeing and feeling a resurgence of travel demand, we see this as an opportunity to create more meaningful travel experiences together onboard, kaya #SamaSamaTayoSa2GO," she adds. 

2GO has also partnered with select hotels in Cebu for the Sail and Stay program to give passengers more reasons to sail to the Queen City of the South. For only Php3,599, it is inclusive of a one-way 2GO fare and accommodations, 50kg baggage allowance, and full board meals and a three-day, two-night stay either at Quest Hotel, Waterfront Lahug, or Cebu Grand Hotel.

On top of this, 2GO’s newest vessels -- MV 2GO Maligaya and MV 2GO Masagana – serve as a unique and enjoyable MICE venue with facilities that can accommodate corporate gatherings with exclusive use of the meeting rooms with audio and video set up and live entertainment during evening functions.

 

 

ABOUT 2GO GROUP, INC. 

2GO Group, Inc. is the Philippines’ largest integrated transportation and logistics provider, at its core has five business units, namely, 2GO Sea Solutions, 2GO Special Containers, 2GO Logistics, 2GO Express, and 2GO Distribution. 

2GO is a subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation, one of the largest conglomerates in the country. It offers multimodal transportation, warehousing and inventory management, distribution, special containers, and project logistics as well as e-commerce logistics, including last-mile deliveries, and express courier deliveries. 2GO also provides sea travel, and a wide range of peripheral logistics such as freight forwarding, import and export processing, and customs brokerage. Our company leverages on all our services to create unique supply chain solutions for our chosen target customers. 

Backed by 148 years of expertise in transportation and logistics, 2GO has made a mark for providing the best travel experiences, efficient movement of products and cargoes, and for catalyzing business growth in domestic and international markets. 

Airbnb launches $10M OMG! Fund for the world’s craziest listing ideas

●     The fund will give 100 people US$100,000 each to design and build the most unique spaces around the world

●     Hosting on Airbnb continues to empower local communities, as Filipino Airbnb Hosts earned over $37M in 2021

Airbnb is on the hunt for the world’s craziest spaces — and will help foot the bill to build them. Whether it’s the next boot, UFO house, or giant potato, the first-of-its-size US$10,000,000 OMG! Fund is seeking ideas from existing and aspiring designers, architects, DIYers, and makers from around the globe. The fund's $10 million will help finance 100 of the craziest ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings, which are Airbnb’s collection of the most unique homes.

Starting today, anyone with an out-of-this-world idea can submit an application at airbnb.com/omgfund. One hundred people with the 100 craziest ideas will receive US$100,000¹ each to make their creations possible and, ultimately, bookable. Ideas will be judged by an expert panel for their originality, feasibility, the experience the space will provide guests, and sustainability. 

 

The fund is shaped in part by the growing trend of flexible living that has emerged in the past two years. As part of this shift, Airbnb guests are craving more unexpected spaces that become the destinations themselves, and Airbnb Categories, which launched last month, provide a new way to search for these spaces. More than 30,000 unique listings across the world were added to Airbnb in 2021 and the OMG! Category - which has one of the highest rates of engagement among guests browsing Airbnb - showcases the craziest amongst them, making it easy for guests to discover these listings in places they wouldn't have otherwise looked.

Hosting on Airbnb provides powerful economic benefits to Hosts. In 2021, all Hosts total earnings in the Philippines reached US$37.7 million, providing locals with important income during the pandemic². Additionally, nights booked at unique properties increased globally by over 49 percent from 2019 to 2021³.

Airbnb Superhost OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe

“When the Idaho Potato Commission retired a six-ton prop potato, I took it off their hands and spent $32,000 transforming it into an Airbnb,” Airbnb Superhost OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe said. “I went from making $13/hr to seeing $208,0005 in earnings in less than three years, and leveraged that income to bootstrap my way through additional listings that allow me to express my creativity and connect with hundreds of people in the process.”

Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel of boundary-pushing design authorities, an architectural expert, and an Airbnb OMG! Category Superhost:

●     Iris Apfel, incomparable and irreverent centenarian style icon

●     Koichi Takada, founder of Sydney-based international studio Koichi Takada Architects, known for emotive design inspired by the natural world

●     Kristie Wolfe, Airbnb Superhost and prolific creator of OMG! Listings including the Potato Hotel, Crystal Peak Lookout, Big Island Treehouse and Cocoon Cottage

●     Bruce Vaughn, Disney alum, and Airbnb’s VP of Experiential Creative Product

The $10,000,000 OMG! Fund opens today for a period of 30 days, through July 22 at 11:59 am PHT. The 100 fund recipients will be selected by the panel over the next several months, with the intent of having their newly-constructed spaces complete next year. To apply, visit airbnb.com/omgfund.

 

Note:

¹For more information, including a list of eligible countries, see the Official Rules.

²According to Airbnb data of Hosts earnings in 2021

³Kristie Wolfe’s income represents Airbnb earnings from January 2019 to May 31, 2022. Like Kristie,  every Host’s experience hosting is unique. Host earnings vary widely depending on many factors, including availability, price, acceptance and cancellation rates, occupancy rate and the demand in the listing location. Globally, the median earnings for an OMG! Category Host active between Jan 2018 and May 2022 was over $48,000.