Author: Thoney Pascual

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BDO Backs NAIA Modernization To Boost Air Mobility

Recognizing the vital role of infrastructure in national progress, BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) remains committed to supporting projects that help advance essential services and drive sustainable growth. Through its participation in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) modernization, BDO continues to be a strong partner in transforming the Philippines’ primary gateway, enhancing connectivity and economic opportunities in the country.

Facilitated by BDO’s Institutional Banking Group and BDO Capital & Investment Corporation (BDO Capital), BDO helped secure PHP 80 billion (US$ 1.42 billion) in funding for New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), the consortium awarded the concession to rehabilitate and modernize NAIA. The consortium, led by San Miguel Holdings Corporation, the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), alongside RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), aims to significantly improve the airport’s efficiency and passenger experience.

SMC, a key member of NNIC, contributes its extensive infrastructure expertise and market leadership, with businesses spanning multiple industries and driving approximately 6% of the Philippines’ GDP. Meanwhile, IIAC, a wholly owned entity of the Korean government and the operator of South Korea’s Incheon airport, one of Asia’s busiest airports, brings global practices in airport management, technology, and operational efficiency. Their involvement underscores the confidence of international stakeholders in the Philippines’ economic potential and infrastructure modernization efforts.

BDO’s ability to swiftly mobilize significant capital in a tight timeframe demonstrates its leadership in large-scale infrastructure investment. BDO Capital, in collaboration with other investment banks, structured a deal that ensured a seamless funding process for NNIC, overcoming complex market dynamics.

“BDO has been a steadfast partner in infrastructure development, ensuring projects like the NAIA modernization have the necessary financial backing to succeed. This initiative will drive economic growth, improve air mobility, and enhance the Philippines’ position as a regional hub,” said Eduardo V. Francisco, President of BDO Capital.

Charles M. Rodriguez, BDO’s Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Banking Group, added, “We take pride in supporting transformative projects that create long-term value for businesses and communities. The modernization of NAIA is a milestone in improving air travel efficiency and accessibility for millions of Filipinos.”

BDO’s support has been crucial in providing the resources needed to modernize NAIA. Their financial expertise strengthens our efforts to transform the airport into a world-class gateway that drives economic growth, improves connectivity, and delivers a seamless travel experience for millions of passengers,” said Angelito Alvarez, NNIC’s General Manager.

The NAIA modernization project, awarded before the end of 2024, was one of the administration’s priority undertakings. Understanding the fiscal challenges inherited by the current administration, BDO is leveraging private sector collaboration to ensure critical infrastructure initiatives remain on track. This landmark transaction highlights BDO’s support for the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programs, fostering improved air mobility and infrastructure development. As the largest PPP under the current administration, this project is expected to generate substantial revenue for the Philippine government while creating new jobs, boosting tourism, and attracting foreign investment.

The modernization of NAIA is a crucial component of a broader transport infrastructure upgrade, complementing projects such as the Metro Manila subway and the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. Together, these initiatives will create a more integrated and efficient transportation network, driving economic opportunities and reinforcing the country’s position in the global market.

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2GO Launches First-Ever Barista Workshop on Board

2GO, the premier sea travel provider in the country, is preparing to unveil an exciting new experience with the introduction of its inaugural exclusive and limited-time Summer Barista Workshop, “Brew Like a Pro.” This exclusive onboard interactive barista experience provides passengers with a distinctive chance to engage in the craft of coffee-making while savoring their 2GO sea journey.

This unique, full-day experience on board offers a practical introduction to coffee beans, grind levels, and the correct operation of coffee machines to create café-quality drinks. Participants can easily register for the one-day workshop upon arrival.

Coffee culture is an integral part of our everyday routines—be it kickstarting the morning with a steaming cup or enjoying an iced latte while catching up with friends. “Through this workshop, we aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for every brew by demonstrating to passengers how to create their own cup of happiness,” stated Roland Sunga, AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations at 2GO Travel.

2GO Travel is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and unforgettable sea travel experience, surpassing its hotel-like accommodations and mall-like amenities. Through the introduction of captivating onboard activities, 2GO enhances and enriches the travel experience for its passengers.

Participants in the barista experience will be provided with a basic barista uniform, an exclusive Café 2GO pin, and a Certificate of Attendance upon successful completion of the workshop.

Plan Your Ocean Adventures Today
Families and groups of friends have the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive onboard experience by securing their tickets during 2GO Travel’s Sea Sale, which is available until March 31, 2025. Fares begin at only PHP 133, with travel dates available from April 15 to June 30, 2025.

Reserve your spot today at travel.2go.com.ph or stop by your closest 2GO retail stores and authorized agents.

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Establish Your Family Emergency Fund: Start Saving Today For Added Security And Peace Of Mind.

Consider what lies ahead for your family. What do you observe?

Imagine your child celebrating a remarkable graduation from a prestigious university, your long-awaited business finally welcoming customers, or the love of your life gracefully walking down the aisle. No matter what your dreams or aspirations may be, it’s crucial to focus on your family’s future by establishing a solid financial plan, beginning with a family emergency fund.

Experience the ultimate peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones are shielded from the financial burdens of emergencies or illness. This safeguard provides your family with a strong base to boldly move forward.

Moreover, integrating savings with life insurance in your financial strategy is essential to safeguard your loved ones from financial hardship during unexpected circumstances, allowing them to depend less on the emergency fund.

Experience enhanced security for your savings with BDO’s added layer of protection. Open a BDO Smart Checking, ATM Savings, Passbook Savings, or Peso Checking account today and enjoy the incredible advantage of a savings account that includes complimentary life insurance coverage of P3 million. Just keep the necessary minimum initial deposit in your account for a period of up to six months. Experience a quick and effortless sign-up process, all without the need for medical exams.

In addition to selecting the ideal bank, there are several other factors to keep in mind while establishing a family emergency fund:

• The importance of size cannot be overlooked. A bigger family means a bigger emergency fund is essential. An ideal emergency fund should cover three to six months of your living expenses. For bigger families, consider extending that duration to 12 months.

• Strategic foresight. Starting early gives you the advantage. Think about establishing your emergency fund with your partner before embarking on the journey of starting a family.

• Family fund. Create a dedicated emergency fund for your family. While you might already have a personal emergency fund, creating one for your family is essential for managing household expenses and addressing larger financial needs.

• Easy to reach and safe. Accessing your family emergency fund should be effortless, enabling you to avoid the time-consuming process of asset liquidation. Experience peace of mind with a reputable bank like BDO, safeguarding your finances from potential economic downturns.

As you begin your financial journey, keep in mind that every family’s needs and situations are distinct. Choosing a bank that demonstrates a genuine dedication to care is an essential step.

Choosing BDO empowers you to take that crucial first step in securing your family’s future with confidence. Seize this exclusive opportunity before it expires on May 15, 2025. Stop by your closest BDO branch today or explore us online at www.bdo.com.ph.

 

 

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MONTESA MEDICAL GROUP Marks 25 Years of Dermatology and Age Management Excellence

 

MONTESA MEDICAL GROUP (MMG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to providing age-managing treatments and modern dermatology. Montesa has been leading the way in aesthetic innovation from its inception, providing complete solutions meant to improve skin health, renewal, and general well-being

Dr. Anna Marie Montesa, MMG President and Medical Director

“Reaching 25 years is not only a celebration of longevity but also evidence of our dedication to excellence in patient care,” stated President and CEO Dr. Anna Marie Montesa. “We are still dedicated to providing modern, scientifically supported treatments with natural-looking, worry-free, long-lasting effects.”

Leading with modern technologies and customized treatments meant to solve a variety of aesthetic and dermatological issues, Montesa keeps ahead. Cutera Titan for skin tightening and collagen stimulation; Cutera Laser Genesis for better texture and redness reduction; vein removal treatments for cleaner skin; Exilis Ultra for exact body contouring, Dr. Anna underlined the clinic’s offerings on It also boasts Cold Lift for deep hydration and rejuvenation and Ultherapy, the first FDA-approved non-invasive skin lifting procedure.

The Manila Hotel President, Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr., and Vice President for Administration Elaine Santos. Representing Montesa Medical Group: the President and Medical Director, Dr. Anna Marie Montesa

Montesa offers Exosome-ASCE therapy, Sculptra collagen biostimulator, Anti-Aging Cocktail and Glow White, and Anti-Aging Drips to restore young vitality as part of its anti-aging and regeneration program. The human stem cell program improves skin condition and lifetime even more. Targeted for melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark circles, intimate regions, and concentrated skin whitening, Montesa also provides the MMG Whitening Peel.

Montesa Medical Group Family

“For 25 years, Montesa has focused on thorough dermatology and age management to guarantee that our patients get the best possible treatment,” Dr. Montesa underlined. “We will keep developing new criteria in aesthetic medicine, combining creativity with tailored treatments to help our patients reach their best skin and general well-being.”

Montesa upholds its reputation as a reliable name in the field by celebrating this milestone and continuing to be committed to innovative new developments in aesthetic treatment.
Joining Montesa in celebrating wellness and beauty are Randy Santiago (Artist), Bea Binene (Artist), Jing Castaneda (TV Host), Froilan Canlas (Singer/Tawag ng Tanghalan Finalist), Scarlette Yape (Singer), Masculados (Singers), Khai Flores (Artist), Charo Laude (Artist/Mrs. Universe), Rani Dado (Ms. Albay), Shaina Rabacal (Ms. Camarines Sur) who reflect the brand’s dedication to excellence. Their faith in Montesa’s experience emphasizes its leadership in aesthetic medicine.

 

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Theodore’s Home Care Empowers Women With All-Natural and Sustainable Cleaning Training

Theodore’s Home Care holds a complimentary workshop to help eco-conscious women and busy homemakers train their household help.

More women have become mindful of the harsh chemicals they and their loved ones are exposed to. Understanding the long-term effects of toxic ingredients, a proudly mother-owned and operated brand is empowering more households to embrace pure, natural, and cheerful cleaning.

To celebrate International Women’s Month, Theodore’s Home Care announced that it will be holding a complimentary Healthy Home Essentials Workshop. This event is designed to help busy homemakers make the switch to all-natural cleaning by training their household help. It’s also a great opportunity for eco-conscious women to elevate their cleaning routines with sustainable and all-natural products and techniques.

This workshop will teach participants the best practices for using Theodore’s Home Care products for maximum effectiveness and minimizing waste. Simultaneously, these training sessions will also help them save on costs as they create a healthier and more sustainable cleaning routine.

Slated on April 5 and 12, 2025, the Healthy Home Essentials Workshop will take place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Classica Tower 2, 114 HV dela Costa St. in Salcedo Village, Makati City. To get access to these complimentary sessions, simply purchase Theodore’s Home Care Healthy Homes Essentials Set. Retailing at ₱2,900, this set includes:

  • Cockroach Spray – Repels cockroaches without the toxic fumes, so you don’t need to leave home during treatments

  • All-Purpose Scrub – A mild abrasive cleaner that is tough on stains and perfect for hard-to-remove stains from walls, floors, sneakers, etc.

  • Dust Buster – Traps and repels dust, keeping surfaces dust-free for 3–5 days

  • Dust Mite Spray – Helps relieve allergies by eliminating dust mite.s

  • Mirror & Faucet Cleaner – Restores the brightness and shine of bathroom fixtures, removing stubborn hard water stains

  • Lazy Housekeeper – A 3-in-1 all-purpose cleaner that deodorizes, degreases, and disinfects.

In addition to these six powerhouse products, the set also comes with a free wooden cleaning caddy to keep all of them tidy and organized.

Theodore’s Home Care products are thoughtfully formulated and made only in small batches, ensuring freshness of its high-quality ingredients. Moreover, every bottle from Theodore’s Home Care is recyclable, refillable, and reusable, a testament to the company’s sustainability efforts.

This workshop aligns with the company’s commitment to taking out the chore and putting back the cheer when cleaning one’s home. By training more women and addressing common cleaning concerns, Theodore’s Home Care helps make it easier for busy women to create a happier, healthier home without the hassle.

All of Theodore’s Home Care products, including the Healthy Homes Essentials Set,  are available on their official website, while select products can be bought at Sesou Nature Source in Ayala and Robinsons malls, Apotheca, and Gourdo’s outlets. To learn more about the Healthy Home Essentials Workshop, check out Theodore’s Home Care’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.

ABOUT THEODORE’S HOME CARE

Established in 2012, Theodore’s Home Care is a mother’s labor of love. The company has branched out from offering cleaning products to a wide range of product categories that every homemaker needs to take care of her home, kids, pets and herself . All products are available on the official website, while select products can be bought at Sesou Nature Source in Ayala and Robinsons malls, Apotheca, and Gourdo’s outlets.

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Introducing the Instinct 3 Series from Garmin: Rugged smartwatches now with AMOLED displays

Boldly designed for an active lifestyle, the newest smartwatches offer bright AMOLED or solar-charged displays, a metal-reinforced bezel and built-in LED flashlights on all models

The newest collection of tough smartwatches, Garmin’s Instinct® 3 Series, is available with a stunning AMOLED or solar-powered display for maximum battery life. Designed with explorers in mind, the Instinct 3 Series adds a built-in spotlight on every model and a metal-reinforced bezel for great durability. With amazing battery life, it’s easy to discover more; the AMOLED versions get up to 24 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode, while the solar charging devices can obtain infinite battery life.

Thanks to its sturdy build and fashionable, limited-edition colors, Instinct 3 is the smartwatch you should wear everywhere, anytime. Full of connected features, well-known built-in sports apps, and 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, the newest collection is designed to enable you to follow your passions—whatever they may be. Dan Bartel is Garmin’s Vice President of Global Consumer Sales.

strong but forceful

Featuring a metal-reinforced bezel, a fiber-reinforced polymer case, and a scratch-resistant display for ultimate durability, the Instinct 3 Series is ready for any challenge. Built to MIL-STD 810 for thermal and stress protection, the new series is also water-rated to 100 meters. Now found on all Instinct 3 models, a built-in flashlight offers different intensities, a red light, and a strobe mode to aid in increasing awareness in dark surroundings, such as while spelunking in caves, sorting through a gear bag, or recounting terrifying tales around the campfire.

The solar-powered variant is 50 mm, and the AMOLED Instinct 3 is 45 mm and 50 mm. Both choices are part of the new, limited-edition Tropical Pulse Collection. They feature sleek hues, including Black and Black/Charcoal, plus vivid and vibrant colors, including Neotropic and Neotropic/Twilight.

More to love about the Instinct 3 Series.

Greater solar efficiency: A larger, more effective solar lens better uses solar power. The new 50mm Instinct 3 Solar gains more than five times the battery life in GPS mode while solar charging than the Instinct 2 Solar.
Track steps, heart rate, sophisticated sleep monitoring, wrist-based Pulse Ox2, heart rate variability (HRV) status, and more around-the-clock health and wellness monitoring. Women’s health tracking tools, meanwhile, provide fitness and nutritional information in addition to allowing users to monitor their menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Morning report: Upon awakening, get a tailored view of last night’s sleep, the calendar for today, and HRV state.

Intelligent alerts: When matched with a suitable Apple® or Android™

Garmin Messenger™ app: Get emails, texts, and notifications right on the watch. From the watch4, send two-way text messages to friends and family.

Satiq™ Multi-Band GPS: Maximizes battery life and enjoys outstanding positional precision.

Share quickly and simply saved locations, routes, and workouts with other compatible Garmin smartwatches and Edge® cycling computers nearby.

See how the Instinct 3 Series can enable you to follow yours, wherever the adventure takes you, on our YouTube website.

Look farther.

Instinct 3 Series is the ideal friend to appreciate the great outdoors with sports apps, including hiking, jogging, cycling, golfing, fishing, skiing, and more. TracBack® routing provides reference points of known locations relative to the starting place as well as a path back there while out exploring. One can negotiate the next path using the built-in altimeter, barometer, and 3-axis electronic compass. To review more thorough maps, establish waypoints and courses, and more to maximize their next excursion, users can also pair their Instinct 3 with the Garmin Explore™ App.

Engage in activity.

Apart from built-in sports applications for outdoor adventures, the Instinct 3 Series is filled with apps for HIIT, cardio, indoor and outdoor track running, pickleball, basketball, and more. Train for a milestone, get ready for the next race, or use Garmin Coach adaptive and prebuilt running and cycling programs to raise general fitness. View a whole week of daily suggested workouts that adjust after every run or cycle, or design step-by-step routines from more than 1,600 exercises in the Garmin Connect™ app, then forward them straight to the watch. Track intensity minutes, VO2 max, and recovery periods to get direction on suggested recovery times to lower burnout and fatigue.

Maintain connectivity.

View smart notifications and work out with more peace of mind thanks to safety and tracking tools, including incident detection, help, and LiveTrack5 when teamed with a connected smartphone.

The 45mm AMOLED model will be available February 26 under the Garmin Instinct 3 series at a suggested retail price of PHP 29,290; the 50mm variant will go for PHP 32, 490. Available for PHP 29,290 will be the 50mm solar charging devices. Get yours through Kinetic, Lazada, Shopee, or the official Garmin PH website.

Designed on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have transformed adventure, athletic, off-road, road warrior, and outdoor enthusiast life everywhere. Garmin thinks every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to surpass yesterday, committed to creating products that improve experiences, enrich lives, and assist in bringing peace of mind.

1. Assumes all-day wear, 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions.

2. This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Oxis is not available in all countries.

3. Activity tracking accuracy.

4. When paired with your compatible smartphone. Requires both the sender and receiver of messages to have the Garmin Messenger app installed on their paired smartphones.

5. When paired with your compatible smartphone. For safety and tracking feature requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety

 

About Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Forerunner are registered trademarks and Garmin Connect, Garmin Pay, PacePro, Body Battery and Connect IQ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.