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‘A COMPLETE SUCCESS’; Face-to-face Dinagyang exceeded expectations

 



With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño is beyond politics,” added Treñas.

Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo's ingenuity, craftsmanship, and artistry.

Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes, and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions to the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the festival's overall success,” said Treñas.

The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as a venue for many Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist, and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, and television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Several dignitaries from foreign embassies also attended the festivities: Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz ; Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac;

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or "merrymaking." The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed in Panay Island and other parts of the country.

Two of the many foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises.

(Via Panay News)


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This 2023, hop your way to prosperous fortune at SM Supermalls!


This 2023, say goodbye to the roaring tiger and usher in the spirited rabbit as you celebrate Chinese New Year at your favorite SM malls nationwide!

From January 9 to 22, SM Supermalls has lined up exciting activities and events for a prosperous Year of the Water Rabbit festivities. If you are up for some hoppin’ fun adventures, here are exclusive CNY deals for you to enjoy.

Share good luck over good food at SM
Chinese New Year will always be about family dining and spending time together. This month, indulge in a delicious dine-in experience at SM with the whole family and enjoy sumptuous Lucky Feast deals from participating tenants.

Have a stroll at the Lucky Park
Don’t miss out on the fun of strolling around SM Supermalls’ Lucky Park. Snap a photo with the whole family at the Bunny Family Photo Spot, or take selfies at the magnificent Money Trees and the lighted rabbits. You can also read through your luck this year with the Zodiac Forecast Panels or put your A-game on at the Lucky Finds Pop-Ups in the area to win CNY exclusive deals.

Witness a Lion and Dragon Dance
Who would want to miss a signature lion dance during the Chinese New Year? At SM, lion and dragon dance performers will go around the mall to get all the lucky hanging hong baos. Catch them perform live from January 13 to 22!

Usher in good fortune this year with tips from a Feng Shui expert!
Regarding Feng Shui, SM Supermalls knows how you can harness the positive energy that the new year brings. And with the help of Feng Shui expert, Ms. Marites Allen, you’ll indeed discover what 2023 has in store for you.


Just present a minimum SM receipt worth Php 1,000 to get a chance to talk to her in person in the following malls:

  • January 14, 2PM - SM City Olongapo Central
  • January 15, 2PM - SM City San Lazaro
  • January 19, 2PM - SM City Fairview
  • January 20, 2PM - SM City Dasmariñas
  • January 20, 5PM - SM City Sta. Rosa
  • January 2 1, 2PM - SM Megamall
  • January 21, 5PM - SM City North EDSA
  • January 22, 2PM - SM City Bacoor
  • January 22, 5PM - SM Mall of Asia

Scan and win amazing prizes in this AR hunt game
Test your luck at the Lucky Rabbit Hunt in SM malls! Join this AR hunt game by opening the app on your mobile device. Hunt for the triggers, scan the area and catch lucky rabbits all around the mall with your family and friends.



As the Year of the Water Rabbit predicts hope this 2023, SM Supermalls wishes their shoppers longevity, peace, and prosperity this Chinese New Year. So, hop on luck and enjoy all these CNY-themed activities safely and conveniently at your favorite SM Mall! For more updates, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.













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Hotel Sogo shines at Asian Business Excellence Awards




Congratulations, Hotel Sogo!

The country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company has been awarded Asia’s Most Outstanding Hotel Chain of the Year and the Philippines' Most Leading Hotel Chain of the Year. 

Meanwhile, Hotel Sogo’s CEO, Mr. Reynaldo M. Malaca was recognized as the Philippines' Most Outstanding CEO of The Year at the recent Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 held in Quezon City. 

Hotel Sogo Marketing Director, Ms. Sue Geminiano shares her gratitude to the award-winning organization for recognizing the hotel’s goal of providing a clean, safe, and top-notch service to its patrons and guests. 

“On behalf of Hotel Sogo, thank you Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 for giving us these recognitions. These awards are nothing if not because of the management and the hardworking staff of our operations. We will continue to give our all in providing our guests a safe and clean stay. Hotel Sogo will not be here without your love and support” she shared. 

The Asian Business Excellence Awards (ABEA) is a prestigious International Citation in recognizing Asian excellence in corporate, products, services features, and trademarks and/or brands founded by Young Asian Consumers Welfare Advocate. 

Currently, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches located in key areas around the metro and provinces. The hotel anticipates expanding in more areas of the country and looks forward to much more recognition in the future. For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter (@hotelsogo), and Instagram (@hotelsogo).


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Hotel Sogo lands two accolades at 10th Netizens Best Choice Awards


Hotel Sogo, the country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company with over 45 branches nationwide, has been crowned as the “Best Choice Philippines Leading Hotel Chain” and won the “Philippines Guest Choice Awards” by the acclaimed Netizens Best Choice Awards 2022. 
The Netizens Best Choice Awards for Business Excellence play a vital role in promoting responsible use of the internet since it conducts online research and surveys to promote the best brands, products, and services that distinguish themselves from their competitors by earning the Netizen’s Trust Seal.

Awardees are chosen through an online nomination and multi-criteria evaluation in a variety of categories such as Product/Brand/Service Quality & Innovativeness, Image/Value Proposition & Pricing, Strong Brand Online Market Influence, and Proper & Responsible means of using the internet.

Remarking on the impressive win, Ms. Sue Geminiano, Marketing Director of Hotel Sogo, says, “This award is for the management, (as well as) the operations people [who are also considered as frontliners]. They worked so hard for this in a good and very respectful way. If not for them, Hotel Sogo will not be this big, well known, and will have many branches nationwide”.

As of writing, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches nationwide located in key cities in the metro and provinces. Further plans for expansion in other areas are still expected and the hotel looks forward to many more wins in the future. For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter (@hotelsogo), and Instagram (@hotelsogo).







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Tracking Expenses

When we talk about financial stability, many people were skeptical if they are financially stable. How much money you're able to save in a single day? or in a month? Do you actually save anything? Whenever we aren't in need, we have a tendency to neglect to save for the future, which is not a good thing. Aside from saving, we can invest, which is prudent thinking when considering the future. There will come a time when you will have enough money to wait in emergency situations.

Everything has changed since the Pandemic, and we are all affected. It will take years for all of us to recover. So many realizations for me, that everything we have will be gone in a short period of time. Having considered saving and investing in things that will be important in the future. Now, our lives are gradually returning to normal, but the world has changed and this is our normal way of life.

When it comes to financial stability, many of us are uncertain if they are stable. Financial stability provides us with peace of mind.




I personally struggle with budgeting, and I believe that most people do as well. The household's daily budget is difficult to manage. When you become a parent, budgeting becomes more difficult than when you are single and providing becomes more difficult because members of the family may incur unexpected expenses. Because I try to save the majority of the time, everything becomes costly for me. I even tried saving money on my clothing; yes, we can do that as long as the clothes are comfortable to put on.

I want everything calculated as much as possible; trying to keep track of our expenses helps to ensure that I did not overspend. I use https://www.savingscalculator.org/ to keep track of the flow in and out and with this, I managed to follow my simple plan, my budget plan for our household. Not only that basic computation, but it can automatically calculate everything for you. Simply enter the required data numbers, and viola, all the necessary information, such as your savings after tax, will be provided. I also like to set goals because it motivates me to work harder financially. 

If you ask me, there are many ways and tips on how to save money on budgeting, but one question you must answer for yourself is, when do you begin?
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