Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

ArenaPlus, your 24/7 sports betting app, maintains momentum in elevating the sports entertainment experience in the Philippines with its support for the Php 9 Million Philippine Open International Dart Tournament 2024 held last April 17 to 19, 2024. Partnering with the National Darts Federation of the Philippines as its major event sponsor, ArenaPlus was notably present throughout the entire three days of the tournament. The partnership was proudly acknowledged by organizers with all corners of the event toting the iconic ArenaPlus logo, including game boards, the stage backdrop, and the photowall. Additionally, BingoPlus, the brand’s corporate sibling, had its logo displayed alongside ArenaPlus in support. ArenaPlus also set up pull-up banners to guide attendees to its booth, where visitors could receive free brand merchandise. Players were meanwhile reminded of ArenaPlus’ support in the practice area, where teardrop banners decorated the space. The dart tournament serves as a nationa

Make the most out of your Labor Day holiday by giving your smartphone a much-needed check-up, ensuring your device is running in optimal condition. OPPO is waiving all labor fees on May 1, 2024 for every phone repair initiated and completed at all OPPO Service Centers. All walk-in customers with out-of-warranty repairs are covered in this one-day only offer. Spare parts remain at regular price.  OPPO's official Service Centers provide friendly, convenient and professional services including repairs, software updates, consultations, device inspection and much more.  Head to any of the 27 OPPO Service Centers across the Philippines and allow their fully skilled technicians to address your repair requirements.  For more details, check the official OPPO website or check out OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. To get the best care for your OPPO devices, visit your nearest OPPO Service Center or get in  touch via OPPO Support or OPPO Care-PH’s

  The leading global smart devices provider, HONOR, is launching the HONOR Magic6 Pro in the Philippines, multi-awarded with five DXOMARK Gold Labels for Camera, Battery, Display, Selfie, and Audio. The HONOR Magic6 Pro maintains its top position in the Global Ranking of DXOMARK Best Camera Phones worldwide.  "The HONOR Magic6 Pro is a delightful treat for our HONOR fans and consumers seeking camera phones capable of capturing their desired "money shots." Recognized by DXOMARK five times for its spectacular specs, we're proud to be known for our quality products, consistently serving Filipinos with only the latest and best innovations in the market," said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.  In response to the dynamic landscape of sportography and the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in photography, HONOR has embarked on a journey of continuous innovation, recognizing the demand for fast capture speeds and superior image quality.

With summer officially beginning, BingoPlus, your comprehensive entertainment and amusement platform and the first online Bingo app in the country, took the chance to invite everyone to beat the heat at the Viu HALLYUnion Summer Event at Flotsam & Jetsam, San Juan, La Union last April 6, 2024. BingoPlus brought its brand of fun to La Union for locals and tourists alike to enjoy amidst the rising temperatures of the season. Taking on the role of a HALLYUnion Summer Event sponsor, the brand made sure to put its presence on blast and give attendees the opportunity to make some summer memories to look back on. Event-goers were welcomed to the event grounds by a photowall at the main entrance, the BingoPlus logo lined up with other brands to create a playful red carpet-esque walk to the area. Attendees were also treated to free merchandise and mini games at the BingoPlus booth, which was made easy to spot with the brand’s pull up banners acting as a beacon through the crowd of people. M

Jayson and Juanito proudly showcase a selection of produce at the SM City Clark’s Weekend Market. While modern agricultural techniques boost yields for some, there remains a number of Filipino farmers who struggle to keep pace. These experienced hands find themselves falling behind in a market demanding higher production, clinging to familiar yet often inefficient methods passed down through generations. One farmer from Pampanga, Jayson Garcia, sought to disrupt this prevailing narrative in his family. He knew that he had to chart a new course forward for his farm and innovate to remain competitive within the rapidly evolving landscape of modern agriculture. “Noon, mahirap ang magtanim,” he recalled their life before joining SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan. “Para bang tsambahan, basta pag itinanim mo ‘yan, hintayin mo na lang mamunga. Mas mahirap pa lalo kapag nagkaroon ng kalamidad,” he added.  SM Foundation’s training program focused on high-value crop cultivation was the brea

For the modern urban dweller, 15 minutes is a lot of time.  A lot of productive things can be done – a high-intensity, interval training (HITT) workout or run a 1.5-kilometer route, clearing your emails, meditating, catching up on the news, or preparing a quick smoothie – all within 15 minutes.  But for the Metro Manila commuter, 15 minutes is barely enough to get from point A to point B. During rush hour, it is most likely that within this time, you still haven’t moved an inch. Ever heard of the 15-minute city? It’s a modern urban planning concept that puts people and the planet first. The term was coined by Paris-based urbanist and Sorbonne University professor Carlos Moreno wherein he said that the ideal neighborhood or city is built in such a way where work, food, housing, education and cultural activities can be easily accessed within 15 minutes, whether by foot or by using a bike.  An artist’s render of a 15-minute city, where work, food, housing, education and cultural activitie

Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending.  Photo Credit Denver Gazette Driving tens of thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts was an economic stimulus for countries worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan.  Filipino fans alike had to spend big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail, and transport industries significantly.  While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance piqued interest an

The largest haul and biggest participation to-date: The 38th International Coastal Clean-up had 17,000 volunteers across 15 SM Malls in 12 locations nationwide. It is an annual community-driven partnership between SM Supermalls, SM Cares, the DENR, LGU’s and the volunteers from the SM community.  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is embarking on a unified waste management and segregation campaign in response to the growing global crises on waste. SM Prime aims to bring all its property groups and stakeholders toward an #SMWasteFreeFuture.  According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which 45 percent is mismanaged. Without urgent action, municipal solid waste will double to almost 4 billion tons each year by 2050. On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 30 as the International Day of

Photo credit to Anamul Rezwan. Construction jobs are generated from new urban developments. Cities worldwide, while diverse in demographics and culture, share a common pursuit of progress through new urban developments. These projects not only enhance convenience amid urban congestion but also stimulate local economies and communities through various socio-economic activities like job creation. Whether in the form of public transportation, cutting-edge business districts, or towering residential communities, a single new development requires a whole host of jobs from pre-construction, to construction, and completion. These range from real estate developers and planners to construction workers and suppliers – all requiring extensive collaboration for successful project development. Hudson Yards: Direct and indirect employment opportunities Photo credit to Following NYC. Featuring ‘Vessel’, a honeycomb-like structure and visitor attraction in the Hudson Yards Development in Manhattan, Ne

A dedicated teacher from PSD provides a hands-on lecture inside their newly rehabilitated school building. Being hearing-impaired is a challenge in itself, navigating a world where communication relies heavily on spoken words.     In the Philippines, this challenge further creates a gap, as opportunities for the deaf are limited, particularly in education and employment. The struggle is intensified as only a few secondary learning institutions are catering to their unique needs, with affordability and facility conditions further hindering their pursuit of skills and knowledge.     A personal advocacy  Shery Funcion, the Principal of the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City, is no stranger to these challenges.     Her dedication to the cause began with her college thesis, focusing on job opportunities for deaf learners. Since then, she has immersed herself in various organizations and volunteer activities, gaining firsthand insights into the limited opportunities available

Future sustainability leaders. Strengthening its commitment to both educational access and sustainability stewardship, SM Prime welcomes ten scholars from UPLB, who are taking up degrees in either Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology or Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Inspired by the late Henry Sy Sr.'s belief in the power of education and driven by their commitment to sustainability, leading integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has launched a scholarship program in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Aptly called the "SM Sustainability Scholarship," the initiative reflects SM Prime's commitment to both educational access and sustainability stewardship. Video courtesy of SM Prime The program will fully support ten deserving students through their undergraduate studies at UPLB, providing them with the opportunity to pursue degrees in either Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology or Bachelor of Science in Fores

Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) hand signs a gratitude message to Henry Sy Foundation (HSF), Department of Education, and Pasay Local Government after they collaborated for the revitalization of the 12-room laboratory building of Senior High School students. The Philippines’ Magna Carta for Disabled Persons ensures the rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance of persons with disabilities. The country provides educational assistance to people with disabilities from primary to tertiary education, including vocational or technical training.   One such school is the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City. For over a century, the school had demonstrated the transformative power of education in empowering and unlocking the capabilities of those with diverse disabilities to live fulfilling lives.   Though standing as a testament to the Philippines' long-standing commitment to differently-abled education, the school, one of Southeast Asia's oldest institutio

Some moments fade with time, certain experiences leave an indelible mark, shaping not just our paths but our very identities. For Atty. Marmie Deniega and Amanda Hora, the SM scholarship application wasn't just a gateway to education; it was the moment that shaped the life they live today. The first to obtain a degree in the family A family legacy, SM scholar Amanda Hora becomes the first in her family to earn a degree. Amanda’s unforgettable story as an SM scholar began when she stumbled upon a Facebook post about the SM scholarship application. “It has always been my dream to pursue a quality education without the burden of tuition expenses. I enrolled in a university in Senior High School because of a scholarship, and I know that the only way to continue my college years at the same university is to obtain another full scholarship. That is why I never hesitated to apply for the SM scholarship, hoping to be accepted,” she said.  In the quiet hours of the night several years back,