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| L-R: Timezone Philippines Chief Commercial Officer Juan Miguel Crisostomo, Timezone Philippines President and General Manager Raffy Prats Jr., Jollibee, Jollibee Philippines Vice President for Marketing Dorothy Dee-Ching, Jollibee Philippines Vice President and Head of RBU Mega Manila and National Key Accounts Group Reynaldo ”Kakam” Gabunada Jr. (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Jollibee Philippines) |
Two of the Philippines’ favorite brands are teaming up to make celebrations bigger and more fun as Jollibee, the country’s number one fastfood chain, is now Timezone Philippines’ official meal partner, bringing the Jolly Party Package to Timezone venues nationwide. Launched at Timezone Glorietta 4 last January 22, 2026, the package merges Jollibee’s signature meals with Timezone’s high-energy social entertainment experience for all ages.
“Jollibee has always been at the heart of Filipino celebrations, and now we’re taking that joy to Timezone. By pairing our beloved food with Timezone’s fun-filled attractions, we’re giving families and friends a place to laugh, play, and create memories they’ll treasure for years,” said Jollibee Philippines Vice President and Head of RBU Mega Manila and National Key Accounts Group Reynaldo ”Kakam” Gabunada Jr. For just ₱695 per guest, the Jolly Party Package provides a completely hassle-free fun experience for gatherings of at least 40 guests complete with 45 minutes of private party room access, a dedicated party host, 30 minutes of parlor games, 400 Powertickets per guest, and one hour of unlimited play on blue and red swiper games. Partygoers also enjoy Timezone-themed invitations, balloons, party hats, a Jollibee meal, and a visit from everyone’s best friend, Jollibee, to make the event more memorable. The celebrant receives 1,200 Powertickets, a Snapshot photo credit, and a Buy One, Get One Powerload voucher.
“As more families look for experience-driven celebrations, partnering with Jollibee allows us to enhance what people already love about Timezone. This collaboration brings together great food and great fun, which are two essentials for any unforgettable celebration,” said Timezone Philippines Chief Commercial Officer Juan Miguel Crisostomo. The Jolly Party Package is now available for booking at all Timezone venues nationwide, offering a hassle-free, high-energy alternative for memorable celebrations.
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Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia Raises The Bar For A Bigger, Bolder 2026
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/RUNRIO Inc.) |
Bigger is the battle cry for the 2026 Sante Barley Trilogy Run Asia as the country’s premier multi-leg running series raises the bar with a wider reach, longer distances, and richer rewards for runners of all levels. Staying true to its mission of helping runners “level up”, the 2026 edition will stage five city-based three-leg series across the country, culminating in the National Finals on November 8, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. “We’re hoping to attract even more first-time runners and inspire them to join run clubs and embrace the sport. This 2026 will be much, much different compared to last year — more inclusive, more exciting, and more rewarding for all,” said RUNRIO President Rio De La Cruz.
The series will roll out in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro, beginning in March. Each city will host three legs spread throughout the year, offering runners a progressive challenge designed to build endurance and discipline. Distances will start at 5K, 10K, and 16K for Leg 1, increase to a 21K half-marathon for Leg 2, and culminate with the signature 32K “Afroman” distance for Leg 3. “This progression allows runners to push their limits gradually. The 32K Afroman is unique to our series. In running, when you reach 32K, that’s what we call ‘the wall’. It’s the toughest part, but we’re there to encourage them — because once you pass that, you’re only 10K away from a full marathon,” said De La Cruz. Adding to the excitement, this year’s finisher’s medal is an interconnected design that forms a spherical keepsake when all three legs are completed — symbolizing consistency and commitment.
Top finishers in selected age groups will also earn guaranteed slots to the 2027 Sydney Marathon, providing local runners with a rare opportunity to compete on an international stage. More incentives await dedicated participants. Runners who complete all three legs and the National Finals will receive complimentary running caps while race towels with city-themed designs will be awarded to finishers in every leg and category. Looking ahead, De La Cruz revealed that the series could soon go beyond Philippine shores with Indonesia being eyed for expansion in 2027.
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PLDT Home Brings Connectivity To The Heart Of Sinulog 2026
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/PLDT Home) |
PLDT Home, Cebu’s home fiber leader serving nearly half of the city, is celebrating Sinulog Festival 2026 by bringing people closer through shared festival experiences. Rooted in faith, culture, and community, Sinulog draws millions each year to honor the Sto. Niño with vibrant street dances, religious events, and cultural activities that define Cebuano identity.
“As the market leader in Cebu’s home fiber market, being part of Sinulog means being present in moments that truly matter. Reliable connectivity helps bring people together, whether in Cebu or watching from anywhere in the world,” said PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business John Y. Palanca. PLDT Home kicked off the celebrations with a Sinulog Festival Roadshow last January 16 led by ambassador Dominic Roque. The roadshow stopped at key city spots including SM City Cebu, Plaza Independencia, One Mango Place, and Fuente Osmeña Circle, connecting festival-goers to the brand and its services. On January 17-18, PLDT Home rolled out on-ground initiatives including the Fiber Fast Zone — a dedicated space offering free high-speed WiFi, charging stations, and hydration points. On January 18, the zone hosted face painting and a mini concert featuring local talent, highlighting the brand’s support for Cebuano culture.
Beyond activations, PLDT Home extends support through festival sponsorships and community programs. Its Sinulog Festival Sale offers the Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 with free installation and a speed boost while the BFF (Broadband Free Forever) Promo, now running until April 15, 2026, gives new subscribers a chance to win free broadband for life. Palanca added, “Sinulog is not just Cebu’s celebration — it’s something the world looks forward to. Through reliable fiber connectivity, PLDT Home ensures every prayer, performance, and celebration can be shared beyond the streets of Cebu.”
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Google Empowers Beginners To Code Their First App In Gemini
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Google) |
Have you ever had a brilliant idea for an app — maybe the next huge game changer — but felt held back because you didn’t know how to code? Whether you’re a student with a passion project, a teacher looking to organize your classroom, or an entrepreneur with a vision, the barrier between your imagination and an actual, functional app just disappeared thanks to the latest updates to Google Gemini.
Today, Google is introducing a new way to create and code with Gemini 3. Through Google AI Studio, software development is moving into an era of “vibe coding” where you can describe what you want in plain English and watch the AI handle the heavy lifting. You provide the sketch or the idea and Google AI Studio handles the code, the visuals, and the logic. Here's how AI Studio works:
• Go To The Site: No need for complex software; just visit aistudio.google.com and start describing your idea.
• Multimodal Magic: Want your app to understand images, audio, or video? You can add those abilities just as easily as typing a sentence.
• One-Click Launch: When you’re happy with what you’ve built, you can deploy it directly to Google Cloud with a single click.
“We’re moving from a world where you have to write every line manually, to a world where you orchestrate. The fundamental skills of critical thinking and creativity are becoming more valuable, not less,” says Logan Kilpatrick, Group Product Manager at Google's AI research lab DeepMind. By removing the manual grind of coding, Google and Gemini are opening the door for creators, leaders, young creatives, and parents to focus on what really matters: creativity and solving problems. Try out “vibe coding” at Google AI Studio and see what you can build today.
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Jollibee Brings Joy Across Cebu During Sinulog Season
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Jollibee Philippines) |
Joy filled communities across Cebu as Jollibee joined the celebration of the Sinulog season, sharing moments of happiness with families, tourists, and devotees during one of the country’s most meaningful cultural and religious festivities. “Sinulog is a deeply important celebration of faith, culture, and togetherness for Cebuanos. We’re thankful to be part of the Sinulog season, and we hope that through simple moments of joy, we can bring smiles to both Filipinos and visitors joining the festivities,” said Jollibee Philippines Vice President for Marketing Dorothy Dee-Ching.
The celebration began on January 12 with Jollibee’s Sinulog Media Day where media partners were given an early look at the brand’s activities for the season. This helped build momentum and community engagement ahead of the peak festivities. To welcome the steady flow of visitors arriving in Cebu, Jollibee staged airport activations at Mactan-Cebu International Airport on January 15-17. Travelers were greeted by Jollibee, received fun giveaways, and learned about special Sinulog offers, creating a warm and festive welcome in a key entry point in the province. Throughout the Sinulog season, Jollibee stores across Cebu were transformed into vibrant spaces of celebration. Select branches featured festive arches, buntings, and air dancers, while digital teasers and influencer content extended the festive spirit online, allowing more people to join the celebration even beyond Cebu. Adding to the excitement were exclusive Sinulog Festival Treats including a free Go Large Coke upgrade with any Chickenjoy value meal and a free 1.5L Coke with every Chickenjoy bucket. These offers delighted customers while supporting store activity during the peak holiday period.
The celebration reached a high point during the Sinulog weekend with flash mobs at major malls including Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside, and Robinsons Galleria featuring the beloved Jollibee mascots alongside Sinulog inspired dance performances and interactive games. The fast food chain’s General Maxilom branch, located in one of the festival’s busiest parade routes, likewise hosted fun activities with the mascots and allowed customers to win exciting prizes. At the Sinulog Devotee City near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Jollibee also shared moments of joy with nearly 1,000 pilgrims staying in the area. The festivities culminated with Jollibee’s participation in the Sinulog Grand Parade where the brand’s colorful float became a crowd favorite, reflecting Jollibee’s ongoing commitment to celebrating Filipino culture and traditions.
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From Barangay Courts To Battlegrounds: OPPO And MLBB Drive Local eSports In Pampanga And Bulacan
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| (Image Source: Metro Clark Guide/OPPO Philippines) |
OPPO Philippines and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) brought eSports closer to communities through the OPPO x MLBB Barangay Caravan, turning barangay courts in Bulacan and Pampanga into lively gaming hubs. The multi-leg tour featured 5v5 MLBB tournaments, community activities, and hands-on OPPO smartphone experiences, making competitive gaming more accessible to Filipino youth.
The caravan drew young gamers, local teams, and MLBB fans for action-packed matches and on-ground engagement, supporting grassroots esports and connecting with Gen Z players where they play. OPPO co-presented select legs and led the official 5v5 tournaments in Brgy. Bagong Barrio and Brgy. Barrio in Pandi, Bulacan and Brgy. Cuayan and Brgy. Sto. Domingo in Angeles, Pampanga. Winning teams received OPPO A3x smartphones while each barangay’s MVP took home an all-new OPPO A6 Pro.
In other stops such as in Brgy. Cacarong Bata in Pandi, Bulacan and Brgy. Panginay Cuayan and Brgy. Cuayan in Angeles, Pampanga, OPPO joined as a major sponsor, supporting the tournament atmosphere and on-site activities. Beyond the matches, the event also featured fun booth activations, giveaways, and the OPPO Legends Henyo segment where standout participants won prizes for their MLBB game knowledge.
