: Sterling Bank of Asia President and CEO, Mr. Cecilio San Pedro during the 2022 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremonies.
Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA), one of the country’s leading thrift banks, was recognized by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) during the “2022 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremonies” held last November 29 at the BSP Assembly Hall.
BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla, in his message, recognized both the public and private sectors for their contribution to the implementation of appropriate, responsive, and well-calibrated policy actions.
SBA is the only savings bank among the nine award recipients from BSP’s head office for its outstanding participation in BSP’s Cash Service Alliance (CSA).
“We are honored to be recognized by the BSP for our strong commitment to the development and protection of the financial services industry,” said Cecilio Paul San Pedro, President and CEO of Sterling Bank of Asia. “This award is an affirmation of hard work and dedication in improving the financial well-being of our clients and every Filipino” San Pedro added.
DFPC immediately took the necessary steps to prevent further escalation of the attack’s impact by investigating the nature and scope of the malware and implementing immediate steps to secure its systems. DFPC has also reported the incident to concerned government regulatory agencies and is working diligently with IT experts to address the problem.
State owned Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) has been hit by a ransomware attack affecting its stores’ POS servers and breach of its customers profile and employees’ personal data. The attack was confirmed via a report to the National Privacy Commission which detailed that the incident happened last 21 December 2022 through a malicious text file on the POS store server of DFPC’s Kalibo outlet. The hackers introduced themselves as the Vice Society, an identified ransomware cyber attacker, and threatened to upload the agency’s files to “darknet”.
DFPC customers, suppliers and employees are forewarned of any identity theft or fraud that may result from said unfortunate occurrence. The agency is also requesting for the public’s understanding and continued support amidst an anticipated store-wide system outage for an indefinite period.
Rediscover the warmth and joy brought by this Yuletide season as you dine at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria! Bask into the sumptuous feast from our season’s selections with your loved ones and friends.
In celebration of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at Seven Corners, we will be highlighting the following dishes: Our signature Ribeye Steak, savory Roasted Turkey with Bread Stuffing, festive Holiday Ham and our succulent Salmon Wellington. You can enjoy these astounding dishes only at Php 3,300 nett per person.
Xin Tian Di has prepared a special set menu for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve that will surely complete your holiday celebrations. For as low as Php 1,888++ per person, you can enjoy authentic and luxurious Chinese flavors personally crafted by our in-house Chinese Executive Chef.
As we welcome the year 2023, celebrate Media Noche with us at Seven Corners Restaurant for a special rate of Php 2,500 nett per person. Let us fill our hearts with gratitude for the past year and toast to the one ahead of us for good luck and prosperity!
For inquiries, contact us at (02) 87900 3100, or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is gearing up to be bigger and brighter this year, with holiday cheer at an all-time high. For the first time in two years, parties are in full swing, and everyone is in a celebratory mood.
Why not extend the celebrations to the gifts you choose to give this Christmas? Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance released new product innovation into its roster of gentle yet effective brightening products that will surely have you and all you choose to gift gleaming brighter than the lights of your Christmas tree. These next-level dermatologists-approved brightening products are Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Gentle Renewing Cleanser, Perfecting Serum, and Instant Radiance Mask, which visibly correct dark spots, boost radiant skin, and even skin tone in just as fast as 14 days.
The Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Gentle Renewing Cleanser is a 3-in-1 brightening cleanser. It offers gentle exfoliation that removes pollution and impurities to brighten and improve skin texture instantly. It is formulated with Jojoba beads infused with Vitamin E. Because the ingredients are so gentle, it doesn’t disrupt the skin barrier and works to lock in moisture.
The Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Perfecting Serum has key ingredients: Advanced Peptide, Antioxidant C, and Cetaphil’s signature GentleBright Technology with Niacinamide and Sea Daffodil. It has 7 powerful benefits in 1 product: it reduces dark spots, evens skin tone, improves fine lines, boosts skin radiance, improves hydration, illuminates the complexion, and freshens, well-rested skin.
Dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free, the Perfecting Serum is clinically proven to reduce dark spots caused by melasma, sun, aging, and acne scars. It has added protection against blue light & pollution. Perfect for everyday use.
Lastly, the Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Instant Radiance Mask is the first sheet mask in the brand’s lineup. It has 7-in-1 benefits in 1 sheet mask. Giving you an instant cooling effect with 24-hour soothing hydration, it instantly improves skin luminosity, skin tone evenness, skin Radiance, tired skin, fine lines, the appearance of pores, and skin texture. Each mask has 2 weeks’ worth of serum to instantly achieve that healthy, radiant skin.
Formulated with GentleBright Technology and a blend of powerful brightening yet gentle ingredients such as Sea Daffodil and the popular Niacinamide, it also has Vitamin C. These hardworking ingredients will keep skin in tip-top shape despite all the expected holiday fun. Let your hair down and celebrate with friends and family while Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance cares for your skin and gives everyone radiance to ring in the new year.
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift to give a first-time mom? You may want to consider some of these personal recommendations by celebrity mom Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico!
Awaiting the newest member of the family, Solenn shares how she’s taking everything in stride, which all moms, especially first-time moms can relate to all too well.
“I have always been very open about the fact that motherhood was not a walk in the park for me,” she shares. “I think that as a celebrity, it’s very important for myself to share these things with everyone so that other moms know that they are not alone in their struggles. Things can get pretty rough, but if I can overcome it, so can you.”
She adds, “Nothing will ever really prepare you for motherhood. Nothing. Especially during the first few months after giving birth to Tili, there were days when I would just ask myself, ‘When will it end? When will we get proper sleep again?’ It’s not a bad thing. We are entitled to feel tired. But of course, as moms, we must let our love for our family always take over. But, again, this doesn’t mean that we cannot ask for or expect help.”
But even with all the challenges of raising a toddler, Solenn still prioritizes healthy skin for Tili above anything else as this is the foundation of a healthy childhood. And for Christmas, Solenn shares the gift of healthy skin to her fellow moms through her recommendations.
“I believe that healthy skin should be essential to every baby, that’s why I’m so happy to share with you the products that help me raise Tili to the happy and healthy toddler that she is today!”
Here are Solenn’s top gift picks for Christmas:
Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula
First in Solenn’s list of recommendations is the newest product line from acclaimed sensitive skincare brand for babies, Cetaphil Baby. The Cetaphil Baby Calendula range is composed of three products, which includes the Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula. The Daily Lotion provides baby’s skin with 24-hour hydration to help soothe and calm sensitive skin. Formulated with calendula, sunflower oil, almond oil, and Vitamins B5 & E, the Daily Lotion is clinically proven to prevent baby’s skin from drying out.
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula
Another product under the Calendula line is the Wash & Shampoo, which is specifically designed for head-to-toe use and is hypoallergenic and enriched with Calendula and Aloe for up to 8 hours of long-lasting moisturization. It also helps smoothen, soften, and improve skin texture, perfect for everyday use.
Cetaphil Baby Advanced Protection Cream with Organic Calendula
Finally, there’s the Advanced Protection Cream under the Calendula line, which is used for babies experiencing irritation & rough skin patches on cheeks, knees, elbow areas, or under those chubby folds. “This is especially great now that we’re experiencing colder days, that’s why Tili loves it so much whenever I apply the Advanced Protection Cream before going to bed.”
Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar
As Tili grows to be an active toddler, playtime is part of her everyday routine. Before and after playtime, mealtime or anything in between, she already knows the importance of proper handwashing. The Gentle Cleansing Bar blends into a rich lather that gently cleanses and gives a moisturizing feeling on delicate skin. “We love this because it does not dry out her skin even with frequent washing.”
Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes
Baby Wipes may be one of the last things that you’ll think about giving someone, but for first-time moms, this is a definite must-have! Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes gently cleanses and moisturises baby’s delicate skin with its hypoallergenic formulation. It is made from 100% plant derived fabric and has natural ingredients like Aloe vera and Vitamin E. It also helps prevent baby’s skin from drying out, making Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes ideal for face and body use of baby’s delicate skin.
And if you’re planning to buy these essentials right in time for the holidays, then don’t miss out on a variety of amazing deals and discounts from Cetaphil Baby! Just visit the official Cetaphil Flagship store in Shopee and Lazada to add-to-cart and check out Solenn’s top picks.
“At the end of the day, Christmas is all about spending time with your loved ones, so any gift you’ll be able to give will be greatly appreciated by the receiver,” shares Solenn.
Cetaphil Baby is available in Watsons and Mercury Drug Stores, and on e-commerce sites like Lazada and Shopee.
New smart treatment and cleansing device offers a connected experience for personalized treatments and superior skin care
Nu Skin Philippines, a subsidiary of Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE: NUS), a global beauty and wellness leader, today introduced a smart skin treatment and cleansing device with a connected, immersive experience. Featuring Nu Skin’s patented micropulse technology, the new ageLOC® LumiSpa® iO system takes personalized beauty to a new level with customized treatment options, intelligent coaching, skin care routine tracking and more. The ageLOCLumiSpa iO is the latest innovation from the world’s best-selling brand for beauty device systems for five consecutive years.1
The ageLOC LumiSpa iO system includes five cleanser options that are scientifically formulated to enable precise cleansing and interaction with the skin. In conjunction with the Nu Skin VeraTM app released earlier this year, the ageLOC LumiSpa iO unlocks a new world of personalized skin care experiences.
Using the Nu Skin Vera app, users can create and save customized facial treatments that target key areas including the face, neck and décolleté, as well as treatments that target the gentle skin around the eyes with the ageLOC LumiSpa Accent attachment. Users can also track usage, earn badges and awards, and receive tailored product recommendations based on skin care goals. Intelligent coaching with the device’s smart sensors helps guide optimal movement and pressure of the device during treatments.
“The ageLOC LumiSpa iO represents our most advanced skin care device yet,” said Ryan Napierski, CEO of Nu Skin. “We’ve created a one-of-a-kind beauty device that integrates IoT technology to provide greater insights into a consumer’s personal beauty and wellness journey. Our scientific rigor in integrating smart beauty devices with scientifically formulated serums and treatments is a unique strength that other beauty brands can’t easily duplicate.”
Nu Skin continues to lead the way in the science of beauty devices with its proprietary micropulse oscillation technology, a unique counter-rotating action that draws out dirt, oil, makeup, pollutants, and toxins and lifts them away without irritating skin. Designed to be microbiome friendly, the LumiSpa iO respects the skin’s pH to help preserve its natural moisture barrier and doesn’t disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome balance—no matter a user’s age or skin type. The unique cleansing capabilities of the treatment heads help to maximize product efficacy by making skin more receptive to subsequent products.
The smart, rechargeable ageLOC LumiSpa iO device pairs with the Nu Skin Vera app to offer a personalized skin care experience, including:
Skin consultation. An intuitive digital skin consultation tool uses a guided questionnaire to discover more about the user’s skin and lifestyle. Users can also snap a photo and leverage the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify possible skin concerns. An advanced algorithm provides personalized product recommendations.
Tutorials. Synchronized treatments provide a step-by-step guide to more youthful, healthy-looking skin.
Intelligent coaching. Smart device sensors intelligently guide users to achieve optimal movement and pressure during treatments. The smart sensors also recognize which treatment head is attached and alert when it’s time to replace.
Customized facial treatments. Send and save personalized treatments from phone to device with the app or create customized treatments by adjusting the time and facial areas, e.g., treatments for morning or evening, or after a workout or heavy makeup use.
Selfie timeline. See skin’s progress over time—week to week, month to month, or any day in between with the selfie timeline. Sharing features in the Nu Skin Vera app makes it easy to share before-and-after results with friends.
“Consumers spend hundreds of dollars on premium beauty products and high-end spa treatments to minimize the appearance of dull skin, large pores and uneven texture,” said Steve Hatchett, executive vice president and chief product officer at Nu Skin. “The ageLOC LumiSpa iO is a cost-effective, at-home treatment device to achieve brighter, healthier and more youthful-looking skin with a spa-like experience. Our patented counter-rotating action also deeply cleanses the skin so it’s more receptive to subsequent products, helping consumers make the most of their skin care investments.”
Clinical Testing and Skin Benefits
In a 12-week clinical efficacy study conducted by Nu Skin, clinical grading noted that individuals who used ageLOC LumiSpa with the Normal/Combo treatment cleanser reported visible improvements across multiple skin characteristics, including:
58% improvement in softness
47% improvement in smoothness
40% improvement in brightness
34% improvement in radiance
Participants noticed several of these improvements after just one use.
ageLOCLumiSpa iO System
The ageLOC LumiSpa iO system is gentle enough for twice-daily use on the face, neck and décolleté. The additional ageLOC LumiSpa Accent attachment targets the delicate area around the eyes with the LumiSpa IdealEyes® Activating Eye Cream
ageLOCLumiSpaiO device: The ageLOC LumiSpa iO device uses patented, counter-oscillation technology to deliver seven key benefits in just two minutes twice per day. The dual-action device provides a superior skin-perfecting treatment and deep cleansing benefits simultaneously. With its soft silicone treatment head, the proprietary micropulse oscillation technology enables the device to move at the precise frequency to promote skin renewal, revealing smoother, softer skin after just one use. The new device also comes with a magnetic charger for convenient, inductive charging and is waterproof, making it perfect for keeping in the shower or on the counter for easy access.
ageLOCLumiSpaiO cleansers: The device works in tandem with the five ageLOCLumiSpa iO facial cleansers: Dry, Normal/Combo, Oily, Sensitive and Blemish Prone. Each contains key ingredients to address specific skin needs most accurately.
ageLOC LumiSpa treatment heads: The Gentle treatment head is recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin. The Normal treatment head is for most skin types and the Firm treatment head is the most aggressive but not recommended for those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. Users can use different heads for different experiences each day.
ageLOCLumiSpaiO Accent head: To target the delicate area around the eyes, the ageLOCLumiSpa iO Accent attachment is a one-of-a-kind treatment head that gently exfoliates skin and deeply stimulates the area around the eyes. The silicone treatment head and micropulse oscillation, when paired with ageLOC LumiSpa IdealEyes, targets under-eye bags, puffiness and under-eye circles.
Awards Having just launched late this year, ageLOC LumiSpa iO is already receiving worldwide buzz including features in several news outlets, and bagging the “New Product of the Year” Award at the 2022 Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Awards for Business. [2]
#BetterTogether: ageLOC LumiSpa iO and Inner Focus Collagen Plus ageLOC LumiSpa iO is great on its own, but even better when paired with Inner Focus Collagen Plus. Designed to boost collagen and elastin production in the skin, visibly reduce fine line and wrinkles, and support healthy hydration, Inner Focus Collagen Plus is a delicious powdered drink that delivers even better results when taken alongside Nu Skin’s latest beauty device.
In the same clinical study, people who took Inner Focus Collagen Plus once a day and also used the ageLOC LumiSpa daily noticed nearly double the visible texture benefits compared to using an ageLOC LumiSpa regimen on its own [3], as well as additional improvements in radiance and overall appearance.
Availability
The ageLOCLumiSpa iO is now available in the Philippines for Php14,200 with 1 ageLOC LumiSpa Activating Cleanser. For more information, please visit nuskin.com.ph. The Nu Skin Vera appis available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Treatment heads sold separately including Gentle, Normal, and Firm variants, as well as the ageLOC LumiSpa iO Accent head will be available on the 2nd week of December 2022.
About Nu Skin
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) is a global integrated beauty and wellness company, powered by a dynamic affiliate opportunity platform. The company helps people look, feel and live their best with products that combine the best of science, technology and nature. Backed by more than 35 years of scientific research, Nu Skin develops innovative products including Nu Skin® personal care, Pharmanex® nutrition and the ageLOC® anti-aging brand which includes an award-winning line of beauty device systems. Nu Skin operates in approximately 50 markets worldwide in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. Rhyz Inc. is the company’s strategic investment arm that includes a collection of technology and manufacturing companies to support growth in the core Nu Skin business. Nu Skin is committed to sustainability, including global initiatives such as transitioning to reduced and sustainable packaging for all products by 2030. The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation also strives to improve children’s health, education and economic circumstances throughout the world. For more information, visit nuskin.com.
Last December 2, 2022, the newest hotel in Las Pinas City, The Excelsior Hotel, celebrated its First Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony led by Ms. Evangeline Pascual, General Manager together with their special guests; Mr. Reynaldo C. Balagulan – City Administrator of City Government of Las Pinas, Ms. Mary Anne B. Planas – DILG Las Pinas City Director, Mr. Ramoncito C. Jimenez – College President of DFCAM College of Las Pinas and Ms. Sheila Lorica, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Excelsior Hotel.
Together with their valued guests, clients, partners and management staff, The Excelsior Hotel started their first yuletide season with excitement and more upcoming activities. The Excelsior Hotel is a new hotel situated in the heart of Las Pinas. It is strategically located along Alabang-Zapote Road, which travels east to west through the southern limits of Metro Manila. It is an 18-storey building that emanates an urban tropical feel, that has 186 luxurious and huge rooms and suites. Its lobby boasts a grand staircase and Café Excelsior for warming up the guests while lounging.
The hotel is fully equipped with its huge swimming pool with a kiddie splash park, a fitness centre, playroom, jacuzzi, sauna and soon to open Excelsior Spa. It also offers state of the art function and meeting rooms for corporate and social events. The emphasis is on comfort and luxury, ensuring that the guests experience that elusive “good night’s sleep” whenever travelling. The Excelsior Hotel is a place of superb comfort, excellent service, and value for money as all rooms, amenities and facilities are new for both leisure and business travelers. Explore. Experience. Excelsior.
WOMAN LIFESTYLE 