Work Week Enders at Richmonde's The Exchange

 If your work week is constantly hectic, then you need to end it right by having a night or two of unabashed good time. Give yourself a well-earned pat on the back and get some after-office perks as Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ bar lounge reopens its doors to welcome back the city’s busy workforce. Every Thursday and Friday, The Exchange creates a fun hotspot where you can let your hair down, reminisce the good ol’ times, and even let your singing fantasies come true!

All eyes will be on stage as The Exchange holds Thursday Jamming Night and Friday Retro Replay with resident pianist Bobbet Bernades and ‘80s cover band, Big Bash Band, respectively.

Celebrate the almost-weekend with your pals at The Exchange’s Thursday Jamming Night with the bar’s resident pianist, Bobbet Bernades, and take your karaoke sessions to the next level. From 7:00pm to 10:30pm, sing your heart out on stage and take the spotlight with live piano accompaniment or cheer on your lounge-singer-wannabe friend. From acoustic sounds and bossa nova vibes to pop tunes and standard ballads, wow the crowd with your wide range of repertoire.

Relive and rediscover the smash hits of the 70’s and ‘80s as The Exchange’s resident crowd-drawer make its long-awaited a comeback. The Big Bash Band resumes its live performances at the Friday Retro Replay all Fridays of August and September. At no cover charge or minimum consumption, The Exchange will transport you in time as you groove to the band’s infectious beats from upbeat disco, funky pop, and hip new wave songs. The throwback tunes continue all throughout the night with cool remixes and vintage MTVs for an old-school kind of night.

Just a few of the must-try bar chow at The Exchange:  Queso Fundido, Onion Rings, Moules Marineres, and Caroline Pulled Pork Pizza.

Queso Fundido

Onion Rings

Moules Marineres

Caroline Pulled Pork Pizza.

And as you enjoy the bar’s entertainment, get your fix of bottomless fun with drink-all-you-can offers. Happy Hour, available from 6pm to 9pm, gives you limitless orders of local beers and select cocktails, served with chips, crackers, and nuts, for only PhP 850 nett. Wine lovers also get a treat with Unli Pours of house red and white wine for two (2) consecutive hours at PhP 800 nett.

End the week with bottomless fun at The Exchange: Drink-all-you-can Happy Hour from 6pm to 9pm for PhP 850nett and Unli Wine Pours for 2 hours straight for PhP 800 nett.

Complementing your drinks is The Exchange’s bar chow choices which consist of a mix of all-time faves like the classic sisig kapampangan (pork mask, chicken liver, citric acid, chilies, sea salt), sinugba (cured marlin, grilled pork belly, pinakurat, red onions), the popular onion rings (beer-battered onion rings, house-blend ranch, srirachianaise), and Angus burger (beef steak, mozzarella, cheddar, pretzel bun); and house specials like queso fundido (spiced queso dip with pulled pork), moules marineres (sauvignon blanc steamed New Zealand mussels), and jojos & chili con carne (spiced potato wedges, homemade chili, mozzarella), from Richmonde Ortigas’ Executive Chef, Tristan Galang. All takers of Happy Hour and Unli Pours get 20% off on bar chow orders.

The Exchange, located at the 2^nd floor of Richmonde Hotel Oritgas, is open Thursdays and Fridays from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and table reservations, call +632 8638 7777 or +63 917 534 4352

As the initial venture of leading real estate company, Megaworld Corporation, into the hospitality business, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is a proud local brand that opened in 1999 at the heart of the then-burgeoning Ortigas Center. It is now a member of the steadily growing stable of homegrown brands under the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group. For more information on Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, log on to www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph and for the latest news on the hotel, follow @RichmondeHotelOrtigas on Facebook and Instagram.

Fly and Live Anywhere for 30 days in the Philippines with Airbnb & AirAsia

 One special winner and three guests will rediscover home by living in the most unique Airbnb Stays, and flying with AirAsia to their bucket list destinations

Ever dreamt of a long leisurely getaway to live and work from anywhere, or simply enjoy the vacation of a lifetime? For the first time ever, Airbnb and AirAsia Philippines are teaming up to offer one Filipino (and up to 3 companions) the ultimate dream adventure to Fly & Live Anywhere in the Philippines for 30 consecutive days.

From remote workers to creatives, families, empty nesters, vacationers and more; Airbnb and AirAsia are seeking one special winner who will fly and live anywhere in the Philippines for one month between September to October 2022.

The winner will win an incredible Php 200,000 worth of Airbnb travel credits and 12 round-trip domestic flights with AirAsia, and can bring up to three companions on the trip.

During their month-long adventure, the winner and their guests will get to live in some of the most unique Airbnb Stays in the country, and travel with AirAsia to their bucket list destinations.  Get ready to discover home in a new light while exploring new cities and hidden gems with your loved ones like never before.

“As more Filipinos enjoy greater flexibility to work from anywhere, the blurring lines between travel and living have led many to embrace remote work and more spontaneous getaways with their loved ones. As travel rebounds, we are thrilled to partner with AirAsia to offer this amazing once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We know travel connects people and brings significant economic opportunities for local communities, and we hope this contest ignites greater excitement and appetite to rediscover home,” shares Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines’ Head of Communications and Public Affairs, notes, “The tourism industry of the Philippines boasts diversity and richness across many facets – culture and heritage, scenic spots, exclusive adventures, and culinary delights. These drivers position the Philippines as a viable destination for travelers living a nomadic lifestyle away from the usual metros. Digital nomads, barkadas, or families who have the liberty to travel while keeping their grind must know that the Philippines is ready to welcome them. We are glad to partner with Airbnb to underscore this very message.

How to apply for your dream adventure

Starting today, August 11, through August 21, 11:59 p.m. PHT, eligible applicants may apply by visiting airbnb.com/flyandliveanywhere and completing the application form.

Participants must be over 18, have an Airbnb account and available to travel within the Philippines from September to October. The successful participant will be contacted directly by Airbnb on August 29. For more information, see the Contest Rules.

Traveling more and venturing further

For the first time since the pandemic, travelers can now fly and live anywhere and Airbnb and AirAsia are making this possible in the Philippines.

Recent Airbnb data revealed that more than a third of local Airbnb guests polled stayed with Airbnb in the Philippines to travel and work remotely¹, and that travelers are now venturing further with Filipino Hosts in over 60 new Philippines cities and towns welcoming their very first guests since the start of the pandemic².

Searching for travel inspiration for your Fly & Live Anywhere application? Check out Airbnb’s first-ever Travel Guide to the Philippines. Travellers are also encouraged to check the travel requirements of each destination, which can be found on AirAsia’s Fly Safe Page. 

 

Note

¹ Based on a survey of 250 Airbnb home guests who booked a listing in the Philippines between June 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, and were surveyed between February 17, 2022, and March 31, 2022.

² According to internal Airbnb data between March 2020 and March 2022.

 

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-148895 Series of 2022.

 

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 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 experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.  

https://news.airbnb.com/philippines

 

About AirAsia

Philippines AirAsia, Inc. (PAA), doing business as AirAsia Philippines (with flight code Z2), is one of the country’s top low-cost airlines. It flies to a total of 16 domestic destinations and 15 international destinations as of June 2022. It was officially launched as the fourth Airline Operations Center (AOC) of the AirAsia group in 2012. Under the AirAsia Aviation Group Limited, it offers all its flight and ancillary products on the fully-integrated platform airasia Super App. Through this, guests can enjoy seamless booking of flights and hotels, and other features such as delivery, ride hailing, and online shopping.

https://newsroom.airasia.com/

Emirates Skywards makes a splash this summer with thousands of Skywards Miles on offer

 

· Fly, stay, rent, shop this summer and earn thousands of Skywards Miles

· Enjoy discovering the world and earn more Miles wherever you go - in the air and on ground.

Dubai, UAE: Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty program of Emirates and flydubai, is giving members even more reasons to explore the world this summer with exclusive bonus Miles offerings. Enjoy splurging and rack up Miles this August on flights, hotel stays, car rentals, lifestyle partners and much more.

Earn up to 15,000 Miles on hotel stays*

 

• Emirates Skywards Hotels: Earn up to 15,000 Miles per night with more than 400,000 hotels, in more than 900 destinations worldwide.
• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai: Earn up to 10,000 bonus Miles for a three-night stay.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts: Earn 1,000 bonus Miles per stay at any of the Intercontinental Hotels worldwide.
• Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts: Earn double Miles per stay at any of the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

 

Earn up to 6,000 bonus Miles on car rentals*

 

• Avis: Earn 6,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.
• Hertz: Earn up to triple Miles on car rentals worldwide.
• SIXT: Earn up to 3,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.

 

Earn thousands of Miles on shopping*

 

• The Bicester Collection: Earn thousands of Miles this summer at the popular luxury shopping destinations within The Bicester Collection. Members can earn double Miles on all spends and triple Miles based on achieving the minimum spend criteria.
• utu: Get a chance to win a whopping 100,000 bonus Skywards as well as earn up to 1,750 bonus Miles with utu Tax-Free. Continue to earn Skywards Miles on Tax refunds in 50 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East with utu Tax-Free app.

 

Click here to learn more about Emirates Skywards’ summer specials.

 

Emirates Skywards has more than 29 million members worldwide. The loyalty program offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets on partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, tickets, hospitality at sporting and cultural events, tours and money-can’t-buy experiences.

 

For more information, visit www.emirates.com/skywards.

 

*Terms and conditions apply

 

*Offer is valid during the specified booking period

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.

 

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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.