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| (Image Source: Mang Inasal/Spartan Race Philippines) |
Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, is stepping up as an event partner of Spartan Race Philippines, the world’s premier obstacle course race. This partnership unites two brands that celebrate resilience, determination, and the pursuit of greatness. As Spartans power through mud, fire, and grueling obstacles, Mang Inasal fuels their journey with flavorful, high-protein meals like its signature Chicken Inasal and Pork BBQ. These deliciously grilled favorites provide the strength to recover, recharge, and push toward victory. With at least seven races happening across Luzon, Spartan Race Philippines will push nearly 20,000 competitors to their limits. Mang Inasal will be at race venues, serving its signature Chicken Inasal and Pork BBQ helping racers recharge and recover after intense competitions.
“Mang Inasal is for everyone. Whether you eat light, go big, love rice, or crave Chicken Inasal, every meal is a victory — just like every Spartan who conquers the race. Just as Spartans give their all on the course, our diners go all in for the full Mang Inasal experience, whether it’s savoring unlimited rice, mixing their own sauces, or eating with their hands. This shared passion is why we’re proud to partner with Spartan Race Philippines. Our Kaing Mang Inasal campaign celebrates the same drive: going all out and enjoying what you love and deserve,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. Spartan Race Philippines General Manager and Managing Partner Marc Celis shares how this partnership enhances the race experience, saying, “Every Spartan race is a test of endurance and perseverance, and warriors need the right fuel to conquer it. Mang Inasal isn’t just about great-tasting food. It represents the spirit of grit and determination, making it the perfect partner for our athletes and community.”
Through this partnership, racers and supporters can look forward to exclusive Mang Inasal experiences, special rewards, and delicious moments that make every Spartan challenge even more fulfilling. Beyond fueling athletes, Mang Inasal continues to highlight the love for authentic Filipino flavors through its “Love The Flavors, Love The Philippines” campaign. By bringing its well-loved grilled dishes to Spartan Race events, the brand not only supports racers’ nutritional needs but also elevates the race experience, turning the finish line into a flavorful reward.
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How SM Group Supports Communities Through Disaster Relief And Education
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| Committed to its advocacy in promoting quality education, the SM Foundation inaugurated a school building at the San Fernando South Central Integrated School in San Fernando, La Union in 2024. (Image Source: Daily Tribune/SM Foundation Inc.) |
SM Group continues to strengthen its commitment to community resilience by providing immediate assistance to underserved areas during times of crisis. Through SM Foundation, the company has distributed 982,415 Kalinga Packs and conducted 783 relief missions to date, reinforcing its role as a key partner in disaster response and recovery. In 2024, SM Foundation, in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, conducted 41 Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) missions, distributing over 108,000 Kalinga Packs to disaster-affected communities. OPTE serves as the grp’s disaster relief initiative, delivering essential supplies such as food and medicine to those in need.
“The SM Group, through SM Foundation, has been working directly with communities to give them the assistance they require, especially in times of calamities and natural disasters, by leveraging our corporate assets to secure resources. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor in the communities where we operate,” shared SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy who emphasized that SM Foundation collaborates across SM business units to coordinate relief efforts. SM Markets provides Kalinga Packs containing water, rice, and ready-to-eat meals, while Airspeed and 2GO assist in logistics and transport. SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation, supplies additional relief goods, and SM mall employees play a key role in distributing aid to affected areas. During disasters, SM malls also serve as temporary shelters, providing rest areas and charging stations for displaced families. While education has long been a core advocacy of SM Foundation, its involvement in disaster response deepened in 2013 following Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which devastated Eastern Visayas. This marked the foundation’s holistic approach to assisting affected communities, which now includes immediate relief operations, medical missions, scholarship programs, school rebuilding initiatives, housing assistance, and livelihood training for farmers.
Today, SM Foundation’s targeted social investments extend across education, healthcare, livelihood, and shelter. Sy said the foundation actively engages with affected communities through direct dialogues to ensure its programs align with their immediate and long-term needs. She also emphasized that impact assessments are conducted to continuously improve their initiatives. Recognizing education’s role in resilience-building, SM Foundation has been active in restoring and rebuilding schools in disaster-hit areas. Past projects include rehabilitating Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School in Zamboanga City and a fire-damaged school in Tagbilaran City. To date, SM Foundation has constructed 110 school buildings and over 370 classrooms, enhancing local education systems while integrating disaster preparedness measures. The foundation has also installed handwashing facilities and distributed hygiene kits to schools to promote health and safety. With a long-term commitment to inclusive growth, SM Foundation continues to act as a partner in community resilience, ensuring that support is available in both good times and bad.
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A Testament To Faith And Partnership: DLSL, St. Francis De Sales Seminary Award Golden Jubilee Lasallian Honorary Scholarship Endowment
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
It is a day of grace and celebration as De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) and St. Francis de Sales Theological Seminary come together in a profound testament to partnership and faith last March 3, 2025 at the Cafe Le Barako. This significant occasion marks the awarding of the Golden Jubilee Lasallian Honorary Scholarship Endowment for Seminarians, a program rooted in the spirit of generosity and commitment to the formation of future Church leaders. Established by Bro. Joaquin Kenneth Martinez FSC in 2012 during DLSL's 50th founding anniversary, the scholarship fund has grown through careful stewardship. Its initial capital of Php500,000 has yielded sufficient interest to support one seminarian for the academic year 2025-2026. This year, Seminarian Kenneth Jolongbayan, currently in his third year of college, has been chosen as the scholar upon the endorsement of Rev. Fr. Manuel Lucero, Rector of St. Francis de Sales Theological Seminary.
The event, held in an atmosphere of gratitude and spiritual significance, had Lasallian Assistance Management Program (LAMP) Director Henson Ola delivering the welcome remarks, setting the tone for the celebration. DLSL Vice President for Advancement Bro. Gus Boquer FSC provided insights into the circumstances surrounding this momentous occasion, reflecting on the unwavering commitment of the Lasallian community to support the vocation of seminarians, recognizing that all have a share in God’s Work. The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Certificate of Scholarship led by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, Rev. Fr. Manny Lucero, Bro. Gus Boquer FSC, and Bro. Mawel Pajarillo FSC. Jolongbayan graciously received this blessing, symbolizing the shared mission of forming future shepherds of the Church. Archbishop Garcera further reinforced this vision with an inspiring message, speaking about the synodality of the Archdiocese and its partners like De La Salle Lipa, and shared the three sectors that the Archdiocese focuses on as a result of pastoral visits - the youth, the family, and influencers - and the importance of the power of faith and collective effort in supporting and nurturing these sectors.
This occasion serves as a beautiful reminder of the impact that faith-driven generosity can have on the lives of individuals and the wider Church community. Through the continued dedication of the Lasallian family, the vision of supporting future seminarians remains alive, ensuring that God’s vineyard continues to flourish with shepherds prepared to lead with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion.
(With words by Dfezie Tipan, De La Salle Lipa)
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My OPPO App Marks 7M Users Milestone With Special Discount Vouchers For OPPO Reno13 Series 5G
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/OPPO Philippines) |
The OPPO Fam continues to grow bigger and stronger with over 7 million registered My OPPO App users nationwide up to date. The My OPPO App is a loyalty mobile app designed for OPPO users where they can enjoy membership benefits, earn experience points and OPPOints and exclusive services. As a way to celebrate and thank its loyal consumers in the Philippines, OPPO is giving away Php 1,000 discount vouchers for registered My OPPO App users who want to discover and explore by purchasing the all-new OPPO Reno13 Series 5G.
If you are a My OPPO App user who is looking to score the newest Reno Series devices, you can take advantage of the Php1,000 discount for the OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G, OPPO Reno13 5G and OPPO Reno13 F 5G until March 15 and the OPPO Reno13 F 4G from March 16 to April 13 by simply following these steps:
1. Tap the 7M Celebration banner on the My OPPO App homepage
2. Redeem your Php1,000 OPPO Reno13 Series 5G voucher code
3. Present your code to any participating OPPO Brand Stores or multi-brand retailers nationwide when you purchase your new OPPO Reno13 Series 5G device
Exclusive rewards await those that have already upgraded to the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G from February, including a free OPPO Enco Buds2, Klook and 4,500 Mabuhay Miles for one-way flight ticket to select local destinations, which are all redeemable through the My OPPO App. The fun doesn’t stop there! OPPO is preparing exciting activities and promos to further show appreciation to the 7 million loyal My OPPO App users in the coming days.
Aside from taking part in the celebration, you can also take advantage of the various perks in your My OPPO App. You can earn OPPOints, which can be used to redeem during special promos, by checking in daily. You can participate in special promotions and get first dibs on invites to exclusive events and get complete details on OPPO Brand Stores and Service Centers nationwide for when you need to schedule a phone check-up or repair. Hop on the fun and celebrate this milestone with OPPO!
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Smart Offers Prepaid And Postpaid Subscribers A Chance To See j-hope Live
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| (Image Source: Philippine Concerts/Live Nation Philippines) |
Mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) will raffle off tickets to j-hope Tour ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in MANILA, happening on April 12-13, 2025 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Those who missed the presale activities may join the promo exclusive to Smart subscribers. Smart Prepaid subscribers may enter the raffle by texting jhope to 5858, then purchase any of the following promos to earn raffle entries: Power All 99 (1 raffle entry), Power All 149 (2 raffle entries), and Power All 449 (4 raffle entries). More entries increase your chances of winning. On the other hand, new Smart Postpaid Plan 599 and up subscribers who switch during the promo period automatically get 5 raffle entries while existing Smart Postpaid users can earn 1 raffle entry for each purchase of Postpaid Data Booster + 1 GB.
Winners will be notified via SMS with a unique code that they will need to present upon pick-up of the ticket. Winning subscribers should present their SMS notification containing the unique code from Smart, along with proof of the winning mobile number and proof of identification, to claim their tickets at the Smart Store in SM Megamall on April 9-12, 2025. Cut-off for claiming tickets is on April 12th at 3:00 pm. The promo period will run until April 2, 2025. For more details on how to participate in Smart’s raffle, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/j-hope. Catch j-hope’s electrifying performance and share your real-time experience of HOPE ON THE STAGE in MANILA for two straight nights, powered by Smart 5G Max. Follow Smart Communications Inc. (on Facebook) and @livesmart (on Instagram and X) for more information.
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Globe’s GoRoam Service Now Expands To China, Turkey, And Oman
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| (Image Source: HMOph/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom has expanded its GoRoam service to China, Turkey, and Oman to provide international travelers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) cost-effective mobile data options. With these new locations, GoRoam now operates in 17 countries, allowing users to access local roaming plans without switching SIM cards or relying on pocket WiFi. The service provides high-speed mobile internet at rates comparable to local SIMs with plans starting at Php23 ($0.41) per day. Long-term travelers in some countries can also access restricted sites without requiring a VPN.
The latest plans include 15 GB for 10 days in China at Php800, 10 GB for 30 days in Turkey at Php800, and 10 GB for 30 days in Oman at Php700. These additions join existing GoRoam destinations including Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, the UAE, the U.S., Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan, Vietnam, and the Maldives. “As more Filipinos travel abroad, staying connected should be simple and affordable. GoRoam offers competitive pricing compared to local SIMs and other alternatives,” said Globe's Head of International Business Paula Rivera-Castillo. Customers can activate GoRoam through the GlobeOne app or via GCash for prepaid users.
