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Looking for fresh new inspiration for your next OOTD? How about where to travel on your next vacation leave? Any trendy food to try in your free time? What current released gadgets and technologies can pique your interest? Worry no more because the metropolista has got you covered!

the metropolista delivers the latest news trends in the city! It has been our goal that this website provides fashion, travel, food, technology, news, and feature articles in the metro. So stay tuned for the following posts that keep you updated on the happenings around the metropolis!

DTI, 2GO Travel Partner to Sail OTOP Products Across Philippine Seas

2GO, the country’s premier sea travel operator, formalized a partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to further support the growth of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by expanding their reach to wider markets through affordable sea travel for trade and the establishment of OTOP Nooks aboard 2GO Travel passenger vessels.

The agreement enables special discounted sea travel rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs participating in official trade fairs. With up to 50 kilograms of baggage allowance, entrepreneurs can conveniently transport a variety of products across routes. Complementing these travel benefits is the rollout of OTOP Nooks across all 2GO Travel passenger ships, providing onboard retail spaces dedicated to showcasing and selling products from partner micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the OTOP Philippines Program. The initiative creates new retail touchpoints for Filipino-made products while giving travelers access to locally crafted goods during their journeys.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for MSMEs, noting that “this initiative strengthens the presence of proudly Filipino products beyond their home regions and enables MSMEs to reach more consumers nationwide, with sea travel supporting their growth and mobility.”

2GO will offer special discounted rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs joining official trade fairs, along with exclusive travel and cargo support to streamline their participation.

Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel, shared that “this collaboration allows both established and aspiring MSMEs to tap into our sea travel network, and we hope that they take advantage of their 50kg baggage allowance that comes with every 2GO Travel ticket. This actually means that starting and growing your own business has never been easier. Now, you can carry the trade you want to sell with you, bring your products directly to passengers across key routes, and strengthen your visibility while maximizing our onboard retail platform.”

The first OTOP partnership between DTI Region XII and 2GO Travel was launched onboard MV 2GO Masinag. With the signing of this nationwide MOA, the initiative now expands to cover all 2GO Travel passenger vessels, further connecting local entrepreneurs to a broader customer base.

For inquiries on MSME-exclusive travel offers, contact tours_groups@2go.com.ph.

 

Treat Yourself Promo 2026: Deals, Rewards, and Freebies at SM Supermarket & Savemore

Grocery shopping just got a whole lot more exciting. SM Supermarket and Savemore are bringing back their popular “Treat Yourself” promo, giving shoppers more ways to enjoy exclusive deals, earn rewards, and take home exciting freebies.

Running from April 15 to June 15, 2026, this much-anticipated campaign is packed with value—whether you’re shopping in-store or online at smmarkets.ph. Backed by trusted brands like Del Monte, Unilever, Lucky Me, Nissin, Head & Shoulders, and Creamsilk, every purchase comes with added perks.

Earn More Rewards When You Shop

Make every grocery run count with extra SMAC points when you purchase participating items at SM Supermarket and select Savemore stores.

Shoppers can also enjoy:

    • Free SM Bonus items with qualifying purchases using SMAC
    • 4+1 bundles and exclusive in-store deals

It’s a simple upgrade to your usual grocery routine—more value, more rewards.

Shop Online and Get Exclusive Freebies

If you prefer shopping from home, Treat Yourself has you covered. With a minimum spend of ₱1,500 on participating items, you can score limited-time freebies using special promo codes.

Freebie Schedule:

    • April 18–19, 24–25 & May 2–3
      Code: TY FOOD – Free Lay’s Stax Sour Cream & Onion (42g)
    • May 9–10, 17–18 & 23–24
      Code: TYBEAUTY – Free Creamsilk Hairfall Defense Conditioner (320ml)
    • May 30–31, June 6–7 & 13–14
      Code: TYHEALTH – Free Pediasure Plus Choco Liquid (110ml x 4 RTD)

Perfect for stocking up on essentials while enjoying a little extra.

Experience the Treat Yourself Expo

The Treat Yourself Expo adds even more excitement to your shopping experience, featuring games, exclusive promos, and surprise rewards.

Highlights:

    • Indulge Wheel – Spin for prizes with a minimum ₱500 purchase using SMAC
    • Surprise Treat – 50 lucky shoppers can get ₱200 OFF vouchers (with a minimum ₱3,000 spend), redeemable until June 15

Upcoming Locations:

    • May 1–3 – Savemore Festival Mall
    • May 15–17 – SM Supermarket Southmall
    • May 29–June 1 – SM Supermarket Fairview

 

Collect Limited-Edition Sticker Surprises

Starting May 1, 2026, SMAC members can collect fun, limited-edition “Sticker Surprise” collectibles featuring Ron Turon and partner brands.

Get them with a minimum ₱1,500 grocery purchase at SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and select Savemore stores.

These playful stickers are perfect for personalizing notebooks, tumblers, journals, and gadgets—adding a little fun to your everyday essentials.

Make Every Grocery Trip More Enjoyable

With the return of Treat Yourself, every trip to SM Markets becomes more rewarding. From exclusive deals and bonus rewards to exciting freebies and collectibles, there’s always something extra to look forward to.

So whether you’re shopping for essentials or indulging in your favorites, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself.

Driving Discipline Through Innovation: Inside AISIN and ADVICS at MIAS 2026

At the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2026, innovation wasn’t just on display—it was something you could experience firsthand. Among the standout exhibitors, AISIN Philippines, together with ADVICS, turned heads not only with cutting-edge automotive solutions but also with an immersive approach to one of the industry’s most pressing concerns: road safety.

Rather than relying on static displays, AISIN transformed its booth into an interactive hub where visitors didn’t just learn about driving—they felt it.

Where Technology Meets Real-World Responsibility

Stepping into the AISIN space felt less like entering a traditional exhibit and more like stepping into a controlled driving environment. The focus was clear: highlight the critical role of discipline, precision, and awareness behind the wheel.

This message came to life through a series of thoughtfully designed activities that challenged participants to think, react, and stay in control—mirroring the demands of real-world driving.

The Simulator That Put Drivers to the Test

At the heart of the experience was the ADVICS Road Safety Campaign Simulator, developed in partnership with A1 Driving School. More than just a game, the simulator placed users in realistic driving scenarios—from navigating traffic conditions to responding to unexpected road situations.

Participants were evaluated on how well they followed road rules, reacted under pressure, and maintained composure—core elements of responsible driving. Top performers didn’t just walk away with rewards; they left with a more profound understanding of what it means to be a disciplined driver.

It was a subtle but powerful reminder: safe driving isn’t instinctive—it’s practiced.

Precision in Motion: The AISIN Electric Wire Game

Complementing the high-tech simulator was a deceptively simple yet equally impactful challenge—the AISIN Electric Wire Game.

Participants were tasked with guiding a wire along a narrow path without making contact. It sounds easy—until your hand starts to shake.

The activity drew a clear parallel to AISIN’s newly introduced automotive battery technology, emphasizing the importance of precision and reliability. Just as one wrong move could disrupt the game, even the smallest lapse in focus on the road can have real consequences.

Making Safety Engaging—and Memorable

What set AISIN apart at MIAS 2026 was its ability to blend education with engagement. Instead of telling people about road safety, they created an environment where visitors could experience it.

By combining hands-on challenges with meaningful messaging, the brand captured attention while reinforcing a deeper truth: driving safely requires both mental focus and dependable technology.

Beyond Products: A Commitment to Safer Roads

While AISIN showcased its extensive lineup—from braking systems to powertrain components—the bigger narrative was unmistakable. The company is positioning itself not just as a manufacturer of automotive parts but as an active advocate for safer roads in the Philippines.

In an era when innovation often focuses on speed and performance, AISIN’s message stood out for prioritizing control, discipline, and responsibility.

And at MIAS 2026, that message didn’t just land—it stuck.

For more updates, visit AISIN Philippines and ADVICS Philippines on Facebook.

Your Next Cash Reward Is Just A ‘Share’ Away

With BDO Pay, handling daily transactions is now simpler, faster, and more rewarding. You can settle bills, split group payments, and send money right from your phone in seconds.

And now, you can also earn cash rewards of up to ₱1,000 per month together with your family and friends through BDO Pay’s Refer a Friend Promo.

Sharing made rewarding

If you’re already a BDO Pay user, you can invite your friends and family with BDO accounts to download the app using your Referral Code until June 30, 2026

Turn referrals into cash in 3 easy steps:

    • Open your BDO Pay app, click “More” and then the “Refer a Friend” icon
    • Click the copy button or “Invite Friends” to share the referral code
    • Select which messaging app to use to share the referral code. 

Turn shared moments into cash rewards. Make your hangout with friends more fun and rewarding with BDO Pay’s Refer a Friend Promo.

After the referred client receives the referral code, they can download and sign up for BDO Pay, then enter the referral code to complete the sign-up process.

When they register and enter your code, both of you receive ₱50 cash credits—a simple bonus that quickly adds up when shared with the people you spend time with every day.

Beyond referrals, BDO Pay keeps everyday payments more convenient. You can scan QR codes to pay merchants directly from your BDO credit card or bank account, split group bills down to the centavo, pay bills to over 2,100 billers with no fees, and send money to other BDO accounts for free or to other banks and digital wallets for only ₱10.

For BDO credit card holders, the app provides an extra layer of safety. Lock and unlock your credit card instantly, manage your credit card services, explore installment offers, and continue earning rewards points on your purchases. Through BDO Pay, you can also access exclusive BDO Deals, redeem Rewards Peso Points for e-gifts, or convert points to pay your bill.

Even without a BDO account, you can start using the app by opening a BDO basic account with no initial deposit or maintaining balance.

Ready to enjoy and share the rewards? Download BDO Pay today on the App Store (iOS), Google Play Store (Android), or Huawei AppGallery (HarmonyOS).

2GO and Philippine Coast Guard Partner to Strengthen Nationwide Logistics Support

In a move that reinforces both operational efficiency and personnel welfare, 2GO Group, one of the Philippines’ leading shipping and logistics providers, has officially partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to deliver enhanced transport and logistics support for Coast Guard personnel and their families.

Supporting Those Who Serve

Through a newly signed Memorandum of Agreement, the partnership aims to provide meaningful, everyday support to active and retired PCG members. By gaining access to 2GO’s extensive logistics network, Coast Guard personnel can more easily manage their travel and shipping needs—whether for duty or personal matters.

One of the key benefits of the agreement is access to discounted sea travel. These perks extend not only to PCG personnel but also to their legal spouses or authorized companions, making travel more accessible and affordable for families who are often on the move.

Boosting Operational Readiness

Beyond personal benefits, the collaboration plays a crucial role in strengthening the PCG’s operational capabilities. The agreement establishes a framework that allows 2GO to support official Coast Guard logistics requirements—including the transport of humanitarian and relief goods during emergencies.

With the Philippines being highly vulnerable to natural disasters, speed and efficiency in logistics can make a significant difference. Leveraging 2GO’s nationwide shipping network, the PCG can mobilize essential supplies faster, ensuring timely response during calamities and crisis situations.

A Shared Commitment to Service

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan emphasized the impact of the partnership, noting that reliable and affordable logistics services are vital for personnel who frequently travel across the country in the line of duty.

Meanwhile, 2GO Group’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Will Howell, highlighted the company’s commitment to giving back to uniformed services. He pointed out the necessity of supporting the men and women who dedicate their lives to safeguarding the nation’s waters and communities.

Strengthening Collaboration for the Future

Ultimately, the partnership between 2GO and the Philippine Coast Guard represents more than just a service agreement—it’s a shared commitment to national service. By improving mobility, enhancing logistics capabilities, and supporting humanitarian efforts, the collaboration sets the stage for more responsive and resilient operations across the Philippines.

As both organizations continue to collaborate, the benefits will extend beyond Coast Guard personnel and their families, reaching communities nationwide, particularly during times of need.

SM Strengthens Stakeholder Communication Through Online Platform

SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM group, is scaling up its stakeholder engagement efforts through SM In Focus, its online platform which has over 137,000 subscribers and generated over 2.5 million views since its launch in late 2024.

The milestone reflects SM’s broader push to strengthen transparency and accessibility in communicating business performance, innovation, and value creation across its integrated ecosystem in retail, property, and banking.

SMIF Silver Play Button

The platform is part of SM’s evolving approach to stakeholder communication, leveraging online channels to provide more timely, structured, and relevant insights on its operations and impact.

“SM In Focus enhances our ability to communicate the Group’s activities and outcomes in a more accessible and consistent manner,” said Rico Hizon, host and creator of SM in Focus.

Beyond external engagement, the initiative also supports internal alignment by enabling participation from across the organization. Contributors from various business units provide on-the-ground perspectives, reinforcing a more coordinated and enterprise-wide approach to communication.

“By engaging contributors across the Group, the platform strengthens collaboration and improves how we communicate our strategy and impact,” said Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne” Uychaco, Executive Vice President, Group Diversity Officer of SM Investments, and Executive Producer of SM In Focus.

To date, the platform has produced over 440 videos and accumulated more than 14,000 watch hours, indicating sustained audience engagement.

As SM continues to expand its operations, SM In Focus supports a more integrated and data-driven communication strategy, bridging internal insights with external engagement and enabling clearer articulation of the Group’s long-term value creation.

SM In Focus Host and Creator Rico Hizon shares the Youtube Silver Play Button for reaching an important 100,000 milestone with SM Investments Corporation Executive Vice President, Group Diversity Officer and SM in Focus Executive Producer Lizanne Uychaco.