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| Travel columnist Christine Dayrit and Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa holding her book “60 Dream Holidays Around The World” (Image Source: Facebook/Mayor Eric B. Africa) |
Travel, passion, and people took center stage as Christine Dayrit, a travel columnist of Philippine Star for 25 years, officially launched her latest book, “60 Dream Holidays Around The World”, last December 16, 2025 at the lobby of the Cultural Center of Lipa. The event gathered tourism stakeholders, local officials, and guests from Miladay who celebrated not only a milestone in publishing but also a proud moment for Lipeños. What makes the book especially meaningful to the local community is the inclusion of Lipa City as the only community personally selected by the author among her top 60 dream holiday destinations across all 6 continents. Surrounded by some of the world’s most exotic resorts and destinations, Lipa stands out as a heartfelt choice rooted in genuine experience rather than luxury alone.
The program formally opened with a warm welcome from Lipa City Tourism Council President Joel Peña who thanked guests and highlighted the city's official hashtag “Eat, Pray, Love Lipa” in promoting Lipa City while Mayor Eric B. Africa was also honored during the event in recognition of Lipa City’s inclusion in the book with an acknowledgment seen as a potential boost to the city’s growing tourism profile. Offering insight into the book, Christine’s brother Mark described “60 Dream Holidays Around The World” as a curated feature of the world’s finest and most exotic resorts with one notable exception. He shared, “Lipa City is different,” underscoring that its place in the book is not defined by resort luxury but by something far more meaningful. Christine explained that choosing her top dream holiday destinations were both challenging and easy at the same time — challenging because the book was narrowed down from more than a thousand travel articles but easy when it came to Lipa. She said, “Every time I come back to Lipa, I experience a different level of hospitality.” According to Christine, what truly sets Lipa apart is the tourism program already in place and the consistent warmth of its people. While the Dayrit family is widely known for Miladay which is one of the Philippines’ respected fine jewelry brands, Christine emphasized that her heart belongs to travel beyond jewels, saying, “It’s always been about the people.” Among all her global journeys, it was in Lipa where she felt the strongest connection which is an experience defined by sincerity, kindness, and community.
With “60 Dream Holidays Around The World”, Christine not only shares extraordinary destinations from across the globe but also places Lipa City on the world travel map proving that true dream destinations are not just found in luxury resorts, but in places where people make every visit unforgettable. The book is now available at the Cultural Center of Lipa (Museo ng Lipa) situated beside the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian and in front of Plaza Independencia at C.M. Recto Avenue, Lipa City and will soon be available in major bookstores nationwide.
(With words by Arven Bravo, Lipa Status)
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Love Yourself Better In 2026 With Kenny Rogers Roasters’ I LOVE ME BETTER Calendar
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| (Image Source: Mindanao Times/Kenny Rogers Roasters Philippines) |
To welcome the new year, Kenny Rogers Roasters launched its ‘I LOVE ME BETTER’ 2026 Calendar as part of its continuing commitment to inspire deliciously healthy living into a shared, daily journey. More than just a date tracker, each day features uplifting affirmations and mindful reminders focused on nutrition, sustainable healthy lifestyle choices, and personal balance — encouraging each and every individual to step into a better 2026, one simple and meaningful choice at a time.
To reward guests on their wellness journey, the calendar also features exclusive promo codes highlighting the different menu offerings of Kenny Rogers Roasters featuring dishes that guests can enjoy as part of their journey towards a deliciously healthy 2026. These promo codes can be redeemed at any physical location or through the official Kenny Rogers Roasters website. The calendar is now available for free to customers with a minimum single-receipt purchase of Php800 until supplies last at Kenny Rogers Roasters branches nationwide. This new initiative is anchored on the brand’s ‘I LOVE ME BETTER’ 30th anniversary campaign, building on the brand’s long-standing mission to make wellness part of everyday living. Kenny Rogers Roasters has always been known for its signature roasted chicken and deliciously healthy meals that bring flavor and balance to every table. Beyond the plate, the brand extends this commitment by encouraging Filipinos to embrace self-care and mindful living in every aspect of their lives.
The ‘I LOVE ME BETTER’ 2026 Calendar is designed to connect with every customer’s daily life, inspiring simple, consistent, and mindful choices toward a better deliciously healthy future. “The ‘I LOVE ME BETTER’ calendar goes beyond marking days — it’s a commitment to recognize that a sustainable healthier life is built on simple, consistent, mindful choices you make daily and not drastic changes. We are reinforcing our role as a true lifestyle partner, empowering everyone to live better every single day, knowing that each meal supports balance, wellness, and a feel-good experience,” said Kenny Rogers Roasters President and CEO Frederick Siy.
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realme With You: Celebrating Real Moments With The Kythe Foundation
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| (Image Source: Speed Magazine/realme Philippines) |
Staying true to its commitment to giving back this holiday season, realme Philippines brought joy and meaningful support to the community through a special Christmas CSR activity under its realme With You campaign. In partnership with the Kythe Foundation, realme hosted a heartwarming celebration for children and foundation staff last December 16, 2025 at Jollibee P. Tuazon Branch featuring a Jollitown-themed Jollibee Kids Party.
The event was designed to create a joyful and memorable experience for the children, filled with fun games and light moments. Adding to the excitement, the Jollibee Mascot led the entertainment, bringing smiles to everyone in attendance and embodying the spirit of togetherness that defines the Christmas season. The program concluded with realme extending its support beyond celebration by donating 15 tablets to the beneficiary children of the Kythe Foundation. These devices aim to help support the children’s learning, creativity, and everyday needs. In addition, realme also provided tablets to the Kythe Foundation staff, recognizing their dedication and continuous efforts in caring for children with critical illnesses. The realme Philippines team shared, “This activity reflects what realme With You stands for, being present in real moments that matter. Through our partnership with the Kythe Foundation, we hope to not only bring joy this Christmas but also provide practical support that can make a positive difference in the lives of the children and the people who care for them.”
This CSR initiative is part of realme’s broader realme With You Christmas campaign which highlights authentic connections, shared experiences, and purposeful giving. By combining celebration with support, realme continues to champion initiatives that uplift communities and empower the youth during the holiday season. Through collaborations like this, realme Philippines reaffirms its commitment to making technology more accessible while spreading warmth, hope, and joy, not just during Christmas, but all year round.
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Mang Inasal Opens Drive-Thru Store In Sto. Tomas, Batangas
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| Mang Inasal's newest branch in Sto. Tomas, Batangas sports the local quick-service restaurant brand's first drive-thru store in Southern Luzon, now committed to capture new markets and meet the evolving demands of the Filipino consumers. (Image Source: COOK Magazine/Mang Inasal) |
Mang Inasal recently opened a branch in Sto. Tomas, Batangas which is the fourth drive-thru store in the network and the first in South Luzon, growing its number of stores to 597 nationwide to date. The brand’s continuing expansion comes as the country’s quick-service restaurant sector grows increasingly competitive with brands racing to capture new markets and meet evolving demands.
“We are bringing the Mang Inasal experience closer to more consumers, wherever they are and however they prefer to enjoy it. Our goal is simple but powerful: to serve Ihaw-Sarap (deliciously grilled) food that feels like home, whether you’re dining in, taking out, ordering for delivery, or driving thru. Every new store we open is a commitment to convenience, quality, and the Unli-Saya (unlimited fun) of eating together,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. The brand’s aggressive rollout includes two new drive-thru outlets in Norzagaray, Bulacan and JP Rizal Nangka in Marikina, the latter marking Mang Inasal’s first-ever drive-thru in Metro Manila. This follows the opening of its pioneer drive-thru store in Sta. Maria, Bulacan last December 2024. Other new branches have risen in key growth areas including Pandi, Bulacan; Binangonan Highway in Rizal; Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Waltermart Plaridel in Bulacan; Waltermart Arayat in Pampanga; Muzon, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Naic, Cavite; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Naval, Biliran; Maribago, Cebu; Maasin Centro, Southern Leyte; and Gaisano Mall, General Santos. In Metro Manila, newly opened branches include those in Newport, Pasay City and Batasan, Quezon City.
The expansion drive is matched by an ongoing renovation program, ensuring that even long-standing branches deliver a fresh, modern, and welcoming dining experience. In every corner of the country, Mang Inasal’s steady growth tells the story of a brand that continues to evolve while staying rooted in the flavors and moments that have made it a household name.
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Run With Signify: Taking Action For Sustainability At Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Earth Run
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| (Image Source: Metropoler/Signify Philippines) |
Signify Philippines proudly joined the Takbo Para sa Kalikasan Earth Run held at the Quirino Grandstand, bringing together participants who ran not only for fitness but for a shared commitment to protecting the planet. More than a run, the activity reinforced Signify’s belief that sustainability begins with collective action. As part of the initiative, Signify employees also participated in a tree planting activity, directly contributing to environmental restoration and biodiversity protection. Each step taken during the run symbolized Signify’s continued journey toward creating a more sustainable and resilient future for communities and the environment.
This initiative aligns with Signify’s global CSR vision, “Brighter Lives, Better World”, which guides the company’s efforts to create positive social and environmental impact through responsible business practices. By integrating sustainability into employee engagement and community activities, Signify continues to turn its purpose into meaningful action. The company emphasized, “At Signify, sustainability is not just a strategy; it is a way of life. Through initiatives like Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan, we bring our Brighter Lives, Better World vision to life, supporting healthier lifestyles while contributing to a healthier planet.” The tree planting component further highlighted Signify’s long-term commitment to climate action, reinforcing its mission to reduce environmental impact and promote positive change beyond its products and innovations. Each tree planted represents hope, responsibility, and a promise to future generations.
The Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Earth Run at the Quirino Grandstand stands as another milestone in Signify Philippines’ sustainability journey proof that when people move together with purpose, every run can lead to real change and a brighter future.
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NEXT+ Wellness Center Introduces First-Ever Health Innovation Club In The Philippines
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/NEXT+ Wellness Center) |
NEXT+ Wellness Center, a pioneer of red light therapy or photobiomodulation (PBM) reformer pilates classes in the Philippines, is opening its first health innovation club in Quezon City. Beyond unprecedented pilates classes, the center also offers physiotherapy treatments and regenerative treatments. Red light pilates or PBM reformer pilates is a wellness trend that combines traditional reformer pilates with Red Light Therapy (RLT). PBM pilates uses specific wavelengths to boost one’s circulation, speed up muscular repair, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
More than just a pilates studio, NEXT+ also provides advanced physiotherapeutic treatments such as Focused and Radial Shockwave, Ultrasound, Transfer of Energy Capacitive And Resistive (TECAR), Magneto Therapy, and Graduated Air Compression Therapy. These treatments are designed to address pain, accelerate recovery, and heal at a cellular level. The center also features Autologous Regenerative treatments such as Cellular Regeneration Therapy (CRT) for the joints. These offerings promote performance, longevity, and deep tissue restoration. In essence, NEXT+ Wellness Center provides holistic solutions to make healing within everyone’s reach. NEXT+ pilates classes and treatments are suitable for various fitness levels and ages, including senior citizens. “I started NEXT+ because juggling separate appointments for pain management, physio, and pilates was always a challenge. We all lead busy lives, so I wanted to create one convenient hub for all your healing treatments and classes,” said NEXT+ Wellness Center CEO Angela Solquillo.
NEXT+ is set to redefine how Filipinos approach healing, making recovery aspirational, data-backed, and beautifully designed. Every experience is relaxing, intentional, and unhurried, emphasizing mindfulness over mechanics. Solquillo explained, “I aspire to expand NEXT+ into a network of science-forward wellness hubs across the country — proving that true transformation happens when creativity, innovation, and compassion work together.” NEXT+ Wellness Center will officially open its doors to the public in January 2026 at 4th Floor, CKB Centre, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. For bookings and more information, follow NEXT+ Wellness (@nextwellnessph) on Facebook and Instagram.
