Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

Beyond banking, EastWest is committed to going further and making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves. This came to life through  Cards of Hope , a heartfelt initiative that turned a simple holiday tradition into an opportunity to change lives. EastWest employees and internal clubs—EastWest Milers, EastWest Click, and EastWest Voices—rallied together to support Young Focus, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Instead of traditional holiday decorations, EastWest employees purchased intricately designed ornaments and postcard sets, knowing that every peso would go toward scholarships and essential learning resources for children from Smokey Mountain. For EastWest, the partnership with Young Focus went beyond financial aid—it created opportunities that equip the next generation with the tools to shape their future.  “Education reshapes destinies, creating pathways to a future filled with possibility,”  said Martin Reyes,...

Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, has released the  2025 Unit 42 Global Incident Response Report , which found that threat actors are now evolving their tactics, moving beyond traditional ransomware and data theft to focus on business disruption, AI-assisted attacks, and insider threats. According to the report, almost half of the security incidents (44%) involved a web browser. In the Philippines, industry players are taking a more proactive approach to building a security framework for digital resilience. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reports that government agencies, academic institutions, and telecommunications companies remain prime targets for cyber criminals, with 10% of attacks targeted at the banking and healthcare sectors. Recognizing the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures, key institutions such as the country’s Central Bank are working to establish a targeted  cyber resilience council  to prot...

Samsung has finally launched its most accessible AI phone, the Galaxy A26 5G in the Philippines – bringing awesome intelligence to even more Filipinos. With Circle to Search with Google, Object Eraser, Edit Suggestion, and Photo Remaster, anyone can now enjoy mobile AI features like never before with the Galaxy A Series.  Joining the lineup of Awesome Intelligence devices, Samsung has also announced the availability of the Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G at Samsung.com.  Awesome Intelligence is the first comprehensive mobile AI platform for the Galaxy A series, bringing powerful, fun, and easy-to-use AI tools to first-time AI smartphone users with the Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A56 5G. Awesome Intelligence is also powered by One UI 7.0, bringing a personalized mobile experience that fits any lifestyle.  Awesome Intelligence, Now Accessible Than Ever with Galaxy A26 5G The Galaxy A26 5G comes equipped with a range of impressive AI features. The Galaxy favorit...

From L-R: Pru Life UK’s Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Francis Ortega, Pru Life UK’s Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Rozanne Magararu, and Pru Life UK’s President & Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Chakrabarty Pru Life UK has solidified its position as the leading life insurer in the Philippines, with its outstanding business results and strengthened commitment to providing affordable and accessible financial solutions to more customers and communities. The insurer has the highest New Business Annual Premium Equivalent (NBAPE) at PHP9.8 billion in 2024, according to the latest Insurance Commission report. The company posted a 33% quarter-on-quarter growth in Q4 2024, extending its lead over its closest competitor to 8.87%. Pru Life UK’s total premium income rose to PHP48.2 billion, up from PHP46.2 billion in 2023, while its risk-based capital ratio strengthened to 491%, up from 453% in the previous year. This robust financial performance underscores the c...

  Suji, Red Bull Dance Your Style- Davao Qualifiers Champion  Photo Credit: Christopher Sy Davao’s dance scene   was ablaze at the Red Bull Dance Your Style regional qualifier last March 22 at Club Echelon. The competition brought together a thrilling lineup of Davao’s best dancers, all competing for a spot at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals. Red Bull Dance Your Style, a unique global 1-on-1 street dance competition, has proven once again why it is one of the most exciting street dance events. The competition celebrated Davao’s diverse dance culture and offered a platform for local dance talents to showcase their skills and creativity. From hip-hop and house, to waacking and popping and locking, the dance floor was alive with explosive energy as participants battled for supremacy. The competition’s battle format, where the crowd decides the winner, added an extra layer of excitement to the competition. It made every dancer’s move and musical interpretation c...

As EastWest celebrates its 30th year, it goes beyond achievements and numbers to honor the people who have been at the heart of its journey—its most loyal clients. In tribute to three decades of trust, partnership, and shared success, EastWest honored customers who have banked with them since the beginning with an exclusive commemorative painting. The artwork, titled “ The Balance of Warmth and Excellence,” was specially created by renowned impressionist artist Raul Patindol of the Tanay Artist Group. Inspired by the yin-yang symbol, the piece embodies EastWest’s unique fusion of Eastern heritage and Western progress—principles that have guided the Bank’s approach to financial services for the past three decades. “Banking goes beyond transactions; it is the art of cultivating relationships that stand the test of time,” said Ivy Uy, EastWest Branch Banking Group Head. “This painting is a tribute to the lasting trust and loyalty of our longstanding clients—a visual chronicle of the jou...

VYBE, a digital e-wallet and rewards app by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), makes your Eng Bee Tin shopping even sweeter. Buy your favorite hopia, tikoy, and other treats with an exclusive 20% discount when you spend at least Php 500 using the VYBE e-wallet, with a maximum discount of Php 500 per transaction. Simply scan the QR Ph code with your VYBE app, and the discount is applied instantly.  This offer is available until March 31, 2025, giving you more time to enjoy the savings beyond the Lunar New Year. VYBE by BPI is a digital e-wallet and rewards app designed for seamless and secure cashless transactions. It offers enhanced features for BPI account holders, and is also accessible to non-BPI users, providing a convenient way to manage payments and earn rewards. Whether you’re sending money to loved ones or paying for your purchases, VYBE makes it quick and effortless. VYBE users, whether they have an existing BPI account or new to VYBE, can transfer money to other lo...

In line with Smart’s commitment to empower subscribers with amazing experiences that go beyond connectivity, select subscribers enjoyed some rare quality time getting to know Smart ambassadors Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, and Maine Mendoza in a series of meet-and-greet sessions.   Through Smart’s Holideals promo, Donny and Belle treated fans like family last February 15 while Maine had an extended bonding session with her supporters last February 22.   Group date with DonBelle For DonBelle fans who joined the Smart Holideals Meet-and-Greet promo, there was no better way to spend the love month than with the country’s most-sought after on-screen loveteam.   Ten lucky fans—who also participated in getting-to-know games moderated by Rammy Bitong— went all out to prepare personalized gifts for DonBelle and even sang Happy Birthday for Donny who celebrated his birthday last February 10.   The event also saw DonBelle interacting with each subscriber, taking time to tru...

The National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines convened a diverse group of stakeholders for the event “From Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Innovations.” As a science and technology-driven public-private partnership, the NRC unites national and local governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to advance the interconnected objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and other global commitments. Held as the 2025 Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the event showcased progress and updates from participating cities and municipalities in the NRC’s Adopt a City (AAC) Initiative. This initiative enables corporations to move beyond disaster relief, investing in risk reduction through preparedness funding, prevention, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience programs. By empo...

This March 30, 2025, thousands of families, advocates, and supporters will come together to celebrate Happy Walk 2025, a nationwide movement dedicated to fostering awareness, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with Down Syndrome. Hosted by SM Cares in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), this year’s event will take place at SMX Convention Center – Manila with simultaneous celebrations at SM City Cebu, SM City Bacolod, and SM CDO Downtown Premier, making it a truly nationwide effort to highlight the abilities and aspirations of individuals with Down Syndrome. Two Happy Walkers take small, but meaningful steps with support and fanfare from the SM community. More Than Just a Walk: A Movement for Inclusion For more than two decades, Happy Walk has been more than an event—it is a powerful movement that highlights the strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with Down Syndrome. It is a day of joy, unity, and acceptance, where co...

SM Supermalls is making job hunting easier, faster, and more rewarding! February’s job fairs set the stage for 2025, with the SM Retail Job Fair at SM North EDSA successfully connecting more than a thousand job seekers with top employers. Now, the momentum continues with a nationwide series of job fairs this March, offering even more opportunities for Filipinos to build their careers. SM Retail's Job Fair at SM North EDSA bridges thousands of job seekers with leading employers. The March schedule includes: March 21 (Friday) – SM City Trece Martires and SM City Naga March 25 (Tuesday) – SM City Bacoor March 27 (Thursday) – SM City Daet March 28 (Friday) – SM City Sta. Mesa and SM City Trece Martires March 29 (Saturday) – SM Seaside City Cebu Success stories: Real people, real impact SM Job Fairs continue to change lives by providing a fresh start, stable incomes, and career growth. Here’s what some of our hired-on-the-spot applicants had to say: John Paul Arido begins his career jou...

In recognition of National Women’s Month and Fire Prevention Month, SM Cares launched Women on Fire, a celebration of the remarkable leadership, strength, courage, and resilience of women in fire prevention, disaster response, and community safety. Through collaboration with key government agencies and private organizations, Women on Fire served as a platform for education, awareness, and empowerment, reaching over 25,000 participants across all initiatives. SM Cares, in partnership with the United Nations Philippines and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), kicked off Women’s Month on February 28 with the Purple Illumination Ceremony, lighting up the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Globe and mall façades nationwide. As a globally recognized symbol of justice, dignity, and women’s rights, the color purple marked the start of National Women’s Month in the Philippines, reinforcing SM’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment. SM Megamall’s Time Sculpture turns purple in support of women...