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| (Image Source: AirAsia Aviation Group) |
To mark the 58th anniversary of ASEAN, Southeast Asia's leading travel platform MOVE unveiled “Discover Asean”, an integrated microsite created to make cross-border travel within the region more affordable and seamless. Launched in collaboration with the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), the initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance regional tourism integration and connectivity through a digital-first approach. The launch recently took place at ASEAN’s Secretariat in Jakarta, attended by Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Nararya Soeprapto, ASEANTA President Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga, representatives from various tourism associations, and key stakeholders.
MOVE CEO Nadia Omer commented, “As an OTA born in Asean, our commitment is to further advance travel and tourism in ASEAN alongside the region’s key stakeholders. This microsite serves as a digital gateway to boost tourism-driven economic progress across Asean countries. At the same time, it reinforces MOVE’s role as a key partner in driving the region’s digital transformation. We hope Discover Asean will make it easier for travellers to explore more of Southeast Asia in a more affordable and seamless way.” Discover Asean is accessible via the MOVE app’s homepage. Simply swipe right on the main thumbnails and tap the “Discover Asean’ icon. The platform offers a variety of useful features including curated recommendations on local food, culture, activities, and destinations across Asean countries; visa requirements and travel document guidance tailored to each country’s policies; health and safety travel tips; and integrated access to flights, hotels, local transport, and other travel products available on the MOVE app.
The content featured on the microsite is sourced from the official Visit Southeast Asia portal, curated and endorsed by the National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) of ASEAN member states as well as exclusive editorial content developed in-house by the MOVE content team. This initiative reflects MOVE’s continued effort to elevate regional travel experiences and promote Southeast Asia to the world. In line with this mission, MOVE has been nominated alongside other key players of the travel industry as ‘Asia’s Leading Online Travel Agency’ at the World Travel Awards 2025. Vote for MOVE now until August 30, 2025 at https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote. For the latest updates, travel inspiration, and special promotions, follow @airasiamove on Instagram. Download the AirAsia MOVE app now from the App Store or Google Play Store.
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Google’s Gemini Launches Storybook
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| (Image Source: Varindia/Google) |
Google announced the launch of Gemini Storybook, a new feature within the Gemini app designed to empower parents and children to create personalized, interactive storybooks from simple text and image prompts. The tool uses the power of generative AI to turn photos, kids’ artwork, and short prompts into engaging, 10-page stories complete with unique imagery and optional audio narration.
Gemini Storybook aims to go beyond simple entertainment, offering a creative and low-effort way for parents to support their children’s development. Whether it’s reinforcing a life lesson like potty training through a fun narrative or helping a child work through a social conflict with a beloved stuffed animal, the tool transforms complex ideas and family lore into an elevated storytime experience.
A key feature of Gemini Storybook is its multilingual capability. Stories can be created in any of the 45+ languages available on the Gemini app, making it an invaluable resource for multilingual families and those learning a second language. Gemini Storybook is now available as a new feature within the Gemini app with a simple and intuitive interface that makes storytelling accessible to everyone.
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Make-A-Wish Philippines’ Events For A Cause In Full Swing
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Make-A-Wish Philippines) |
Non-profit organization Make-A-Wish® Philippines has announced its first-ever golf-for-a-cause initiative Swing For Wishes, marking the culmination of its 25th anniversary in the country. Proceeds raised from the charity golf tournament will go towards granting the life-changing wishes of children with critical illnesses. The event will also feature a culminating night, where participants, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and partners can enjoy a social banquet filled with celebration, games, and more as Make-A-Wish Philippines commemorates 25 years of granting wishes. Interested participants can register solo for only ₱5,000 while a group of four players can register for ₱17,000. Interested supporters who are not golfers but would like to join the evening celebrations can register for a pass to the culminating night for only ₱1,250.
The foundation has also launched Create for Wishes as part of its 25th anniversary celebration, inviting interested participants to join artistic workshops while helping children with critical illnesses. In partnership with the Odangputik Art Studio, SincerelyYen, Blooms Artisan, Moss Escape, Stitched By Mia, Kakayanin, and with COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises as its communications partner, this initiative aims to bring together art enthusiasts and advocates to create art while helping raise funds to transform the lives of wish kids. Create for Wishes kicked off this July with Odangputik’s Terracotta Handbuilding Pottery session where participants had the opportunity to learn how to create their own clay wares, followed by the Watercolor Workshop hosted by SincerelyYen held last August 9, 2025 at the Bloga Creator Hub in The Mega Tower, Mandaluyong City where kids and adults aged 8 and above were able to experience painting for a purpose. The series will continue with Flower Dome Arrangement Workshop with Blooms Artisan on August 23 at The Millas Cafe, Cubao, Quezon City, and the Terrarium Making Workshop with Moss Escape on August 24 at Greyhound Cafe, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City.
The foundation is also set to roll out succeeding workshops as part of the Create for Wishes series such as the Crochet Workshop with Stitched By Mia and Candle Painting with Kakayanin. Registration fees for all workshops include art materials and kits required for the activities, with the remaining portion going directly to the organization’s efforts to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Interested participants may visit Make-A-Wish® Philippines’ social media pages for more information at facebook.com/MakeAWishPhilippines on Facebook and @makeawishphilippines on Instagram. “With the dedication and support of golfing communities, local artistic communities, Wishmakers, and our partners, we hope to create more magical moments for children and to make their dreams a reality,” said Make-A-Wish Philippines Executive Director Aleah Ortiz.
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Taal Vista Wins Big In Creative Bulalo Challenge
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| Taal Vista Hotel's Pozole-inspired Bulalo (Image Source: Manila Standard/Taal Vista Hotel) |
Taal Vista Hotel proudly took home the Grand Champion title in the Creative Bulalo Challenge held during the Tagaytay Food Festival at Sky Ranch Tagaytay last August 3, 2025. Led by Executive Chef Jayme Natividad, the hotel’s team included Chef Godfrey Vincenz Dalisay, Sous Chef; Chef Flagyl Suedad, Chef de Partie; Cook Raymond Calinawan, Cook II; and John Mark Ambion, Steward. The winning creation reimagined the classic Bulalo with a bold and flavorful twist, inspired by Pozole, a traditional Mexican stew made with hominy (corn kernels) and meat, known for its rich broth and vibrant spices.
The unique fusion dish captivated the judges with its balance of familiarity and innovation. By infusing the rich, comforting flavors of Bulalo with the spices and hominy-based elements of Pozole, the Taal Vista Hotel team created a dish that was both nostalgic and refreshingly original. “Pozole is a well-loved comfort dish in Mexico, much like Bulalo is for us Filipinos. We were curious to see how both dishes could harmonize, and it turned out to be a perfect match. I went around and tried a number of dishes and I found them to be really good and creative at that. Personally, I had no expectations since taste is relative. We just wanted to offer something that would spark curiosity and comfort at the same time,” said Chef Natividad. As part of the celebration of the meaningful win, Taal Vista Hotel is proud to offer the award-winning Bulalo Pozole at Veranda restaurant’ a la carte menu.
The Creative Bulalo Challenge gathered a total of 13 participating hotels and restaurants from Metro Tagaytay, each showcasing their own unique interpretations of the beloved dish. The event was the closing highlight of Tagaytay Food Festival’s second year, an initiative that celebrates the city’s rich culinary scene and promotes local tourism through food and cultural experiences. For restaurant reservations, call +63 2 7917 8225 or +63 945 976 6841 (Viber-ready), email veranda@taalvistahotel.com, or visit www.taalvistahotel.com.
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Youth Charter Urges Global Action Through Sports In New Call For Development And Peace
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Youth Charter) |
The Youth Charter, a pioneering international charity focused on social justice through sport, art, culture, and digital engagement, has released a compelling global call to action through its Founder and Chairman Geoff Thompson. In a new leadership essay titled “Sports For Development And Peace: A Live Aid Of Hope And Opportunity”, Thompson urges the global community to go beyond symbolic gestures and invest meaningfully in the lives of disadvantaged and disaffected youth. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience in the sport for development movement, Thompson reflects on the legacy of Live Aid and advocates for a globally coordinated effort that transforms sporting success into lasting social impact through leadership, funding, and community engagement.
Thompson writes, “We must go from taking a knee to taking a stand. There has never been a greater time for the Sport for Development and Peace movement to declare itself as champions of hope and opportunity.” The essay is accompanied by “Word From The Streets”, a featured series on the Youth Charter website that amplifies young voices from cities like Manchester, Johannesburg, and London. These youth share firsthand accounts of how sport and art have shaped their lives, providing hope and direction in the face of hardship. Their stories reinforce the power of localized community engagement and the urgent necessity of aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Thompson outlines several key messages in his essay:
• The Youth Charter is calling for a Global Sport for Development and Peace Fund that is transparently managed and focused on measurable impact.
• The movement must be spearheaded by authentic leaders and institutions rooted in grassroots work, not just conference discussions.
• Young people must be empowered as leaders, not merely recipients, in transforming systems of inequality.
Thompson underscores the urgency of action, stating, “We are facing a humanitarian emergency — not just in Gaza and Sudan — but in the streets of our own cities. This is a defining moment for sport. Will we use it to inspire, or will we remain part of the performance? Now is the time for action, not optics.” The Youth Charter’s powerful message challenges policymakers, philanthropists, and global sports institutions to unite for a common cause — empowering youth and restoring hope through the transformative force of sport.
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Grab, MOVE IT, Driver Communities Mobilize Relief Operations For Driver Families
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| (Image Source: Business Mirror /Grab Philippines) |
In the wake of recent harsh weather disruptions across Luzon, Grab and MOVE IT, in coordination with local driver community leaders and hundreds of volunteer driver- and rider-partners, mobilized large-scale relief operations to assist affected communities in Greater Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The volunteers extended aid to heavily impacted areas in Marikina, Las Piñas, Cavite, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, as well as nearby provinces such as Pampanga, Bulacan, Baguio, and Olongapo.
Thousands of Grab and MOVE IT partners, along with their families, who were affected by the recent torrential rains and flooding received relief packs containing rice, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, coffee, and essential medicines. The distribution highlights the platforms’ joint commitment — together with their partner communities — to safeguarding the welfare of members of the Grab and MOVE IT communities. “Our riders and drivers are the backbone of our ecosystem. Supporting them with malasakit has always been our North Star. This is what it means to be a true partner – not just in their daily livelihood, but also in times of need,” said Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda.
