Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

PLDT Enterprise and Synermaxx Corporation commemorate the ceremonial signing of their expanded partnership to deliver secure and scalable messaging solutions. In photo (L–R): Marili Anne Fernandez, Relationship Manager, PLDT Enterprise; Josh Montecillo, AVP and Head, Enterprise & International Wireless Product Management, PLDT Enterprise; Eiffel Saldana, SVP for Tech Operations, Synermaxx Corporation; Rollinda Cagungun, VP for Finance & Administration, Synermaxx Corporation; Trisha Gonzales, VP for Mobile Sales & Operations, Synermaxx Corporation; Dexter Qua, President & COO, Synermaxx Corporation; Daniel Ongchoco, Chairman & CEO, Synermaxx Corporation; Blums Pineda, SVP and Head, Enterprise Business Group, PLDT and Smart; Mitch Locsin, FVP and Head, Enterprise Core Business, PLDT and Smart; and Marlon Alberto, Head of Customer Relationship Management, PLDT Enterprise   PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT, Inc., has expanded its long-standing collaboratio...

Cheese is no longer just a garnish or comfort food staple – it’s a star ingredient celebrated for its versatility and  ability to transform any dish. As global appreciation for cheese’s limitless culinary potential continues to grow, more Filipino home cooks and professional chefs are deepening their knowledge, from its origins and production to how it can elevate even the most familiar recipes. USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program Lands in the Philippines Recognizing this growing interest, the USA Cheese Guild has brought its globally recognized USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program to the Philippines. This premier training initiative – the first of its kind - equips culinary students and professionals, retailers and importers with in-depth knowledge of cheese, from its history and production to practical use across diverse global cuisines.  For the culinary track, the Guild has partnered with the Center for Culinary Arts to integrate a three-tiered certificati...

Executives from PLDT Enterprise and Burst SMS mark the onboarding of Burst SMS as the newest Application-to-Person (A2P) aggregator under the Smart Messaging Suite, advancing smarter, more secure enterprise communications and enabling growth for businesses across key industries. From left to right: Josh Montecillo, AVP and Head of Enterprise and International Wireless Product Management, PLDT Enterprise; Marlon Alberto, Head of Customer Relationship Management, PLDT Enterprise; Girlie Lee, Senior Relationship Manager, PLDT Enterprise; Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise Core Business, PLDT and Smart; Brad Down, Chief Innovation Officer, Burst SMS; Matt Child, Director, MTMO, Part of Known Group; Mitch Powell, Director, MTMO, Part of Known Group   As businesses increasingly rely on real-time communication with their customers, secure messaging has become more essential. To address this need, PLDT Inc.’s corporate arm PLDT Enterprise has onboarded Burst SMS, a g...

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 16 Playoffs week was nothing short of legendary. From October 20-26, fans from across the country tuned in and filled the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City to witness the most thrilling MLBB matches. Each match tested strategy, skill, and teamwork as the top teams fought their way to the championship title. The energy inside the arena and online was electric, filled with cheers, clutch plays, and unforgettable moments that once again proved why MPL PH is the home of legends. Amid the electrifying atmosphere of the Grand Finals on October 26, Infinix took the spotlight to honor the passion and spirit of the Filipino gaming community. In partnership with MPL Philippines, Infinix launched several activations that showcased how gaming transcends competition, thriving on skill, passion, and shared experiences. Lee Viloria, PH Esports Head of Business Development and Partnerships at MOONTON Games , said, “Infinix has ...

The  Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) , the leading organization known for its excellence and innovation in digital marketing, advocated for holistic, responsible personalization practices in the digital marketing landscape during its hosting of the 10th Digital Congress (DigiCon) last October 16-17 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City. Themed  "The Age of ‘i’: The Power of Personalization,”  the biggest digital marketing conference in the Philippines gathered over 2,000 attendees from various sectors, including marketing, advertising, business, academia, and media, to explore the latest trends and emerging technologies in customer engagement. Delegates gained valuable industry knowledge and experience during the two-day event through five focused tracks: Innovation (AI), Intelligence (Data Science), Immersive (Retail and Activations), Impact (Brand Building), and Integration (Business Transformation). This year's edition of DigiCon featured a...

Sari-sari stores are rapidly digitalizing their operations, driven by a significant increase in e-wallet use, according to a new report from Filipino tech startup  Packworks . The report used their internal transaction records as the starting point to conduct a direct survey of more than 2,000 sari-sari store owners within Packworks' nationwide network of 300,000+ stores from January to August 2025. According to the data, half of the store owners surveyed reported a 75% increase in e-wallet usage in their store operations between January and August. The remaining respondents also saw substantial growth: 20% experienced a 100% increase in usage, another 20% saw a 50% increase, and 10% reported a 10% rise. Store owners largely attribute this growing adoption to increased consumer demand, as their customers are also turning to e-wallets to buy goods, access funds, and settle bills at their local stores.  “Maraming nang nagpapa-cash-in at cash-out at bumibili gamit ang mga e-walle...

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits the National Housing Expo 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, with the P.A. Alvarez Group of Companies booth seen in the background. (Photo courtesy of PTV) P.A. Properties and its joint venture company, P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin (P.A. Hankyu), joined the National Housing Expo 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, reaffirming their commitment to addressing the country’s housing backlog and helping Filipino families achieve their dream of owning safe, decent, and affordable homes. The Expo, organized by the Pag-IBIG Fund as part of the National Shelter Month celebration, gathered over 50 housing developers offering more than 100,000 new homes through the government’s flagship housing initiative, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who led the opening of the event, emphasized his administration’s resolve to ensure that every Filipino has a home to call their own. ...

Social responsibility often brings to mind environmental causes, education drives, or community clean-ups. These are classic ways organizations give back to their communities, and they’ve long been seen as markers of doing something good. While these initiatives make a visible impact, one crucial area rarely gets the spotlight — reproductive health. Despite being an important aspect of a community’s well-being, it often takes the backseat, ending up being a taboo topic for campaigns or confined to specific advocacy groups, largely due to cultural sensitivities. Social Responsibility and Reproductive Health When it comes to social responsibility, it’s not just about doing something good, but also addressing what communities actually need — and reproductive health fits right in. In the Philippines, the rising cases of  HIV infections and adolescent pregnancy  among Filipino youth are just a few pressing concerns that need strong, collaborative action from both the public and pri...

On  October 24, 2025 , the world commemorates  World Polio Day , a time when Rotary members, public health advocates, and global citizens unite to reflect on the progress toward a  polio-free world  and renew their commitment to  ending polio for good .   In solidarity with Rotarians around the globe,  Rotary International District 3830 , under the leadership of  District Governor Regie B. Nolido , will host a special awareness and fund-raising event —  D3830 Oktoberfest  — at the  Rotary Club of Makati Building in Guadalupe, Makati . The venue holds deep historical significance: it is where the  first drop of the polio vaccine in the Philippines  was administered in 1979, marking the beginning of Rotary’s monumental  polio eradication campaign  in the country.   The  D3830 Oktoberfest , led by Chairperson  Keith A.D. Harrison  and the organizing committee, promises an evening filled with...

Anabuki Residential Property Management Supervisor Nakano Ryohta with P.A. Properties Property Management AVP Engr. Joren Reyes during the official engagement ceremony at Idesia Dasmariñas. It was a vibrant and meaningful day at Idesia Dasmariñas, a thriving community developed through the joint venture of P.A. Properties and Japan’s Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corporation, as it officially welcomed Anabuki Residential Property Management—marking a new engagement dedicated to elevating property management and enhancing resident satisfaction. To celebrate this milestone, homeowners came together for a Sustainability Parol-Making Contest, highlighting their creativity and commitment to eco-friendly living. The event also featured a seed-planting activity, where residents helped sow the beginnings of a greener future. These plants will soon flourish in the community’s shared spaces—symbolizing growth, unity, and collective responsibility for the environment. The celebration also included an...

Daily social media scrolling, mobile gaming marathons, and endless video calls can now support social and environmental causes to create change that matters.   Globe Prepaid has made this a reality with GoGIVE, an innovative way for young Filipinos to make consistent and lasting impact by using their phones the way they already do. Subscribers automatically earn hearts while using their mobile data for any online activity. The hearts are used to support a diverse range of advocacies.   "We understand that today's youth want to make a difference, but they need solutions that work with their lifestyle, not against it. GoGIVE easily integrates into everyday life, allowing them to be changemakers through the technology they love,” said Givielle Florida, Head of Globe Prepaid.   Since its launch in March 2025, GoGIVE has already generated an impressive 2.7 billion “hearts” from more than 37,000 contributors, and the numbers continue to climb as more people participate in this ...