Mang Inasal becomes first QSR brand to partner with Google Wallet in the Philippines

 

Google Wallet on Mang Inasal App

Mang Inasal, the country’s Grill Expert, is making history as the first quick-service restaurant in the Philippines to partner with Google Wallet. This partnership supports the new Mang Inasal App and shows the brand’s effort to make customer experience simple and convenient for everyone.

“Mang Inasal always looks for better ways to serve our customers. With Google Wallet, we can offer an easier way for people to save and use our special deals,” said Mang Inasal president Mike V. Castro.

Customers who sign up on the new Mang Inasal App will get a welcome email with a button that lets them save a FREE 4 pieces Pork BBQ voucher directly to Google Wallet. After saving, Google Wallet will remind them when the voucher is about to expire, which helps make the experience smooth and hassle-free.

Google Pay is also now available for Android users who want to access and use the coupons saved on their Mang Inasal App. This gives customers one more easy way to keep and enjoy their deals.

The current feature only supports saving and redeeming vouchers. More features may be explored in the future.

Google Wallet and Google Pay were launched in the Philippines last November 18 with partner banks like Chinabank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank, and Wise. Cardholders can add their cards and use Google Wallet for contactless payments in many places.

 

Mang Inasal becomes first QSR brand to partner with Google Wallet in the Philippines

By joining Google Wallet, Mang Inasal gives customers an easier way to enjoy pinaTODOng (maximized) deals while showing its commitment to simple, helpful, and customer-friendly innovation.

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.ph for the latest news, https://order.manginasal.ph/ for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media for more Ihaw-Sarap and Unli-Saya updates!

Rex Education Honored with Two Major Wins at the 47th CMMA Awards

 

EX proudly receives two awards at the 47th CMMA Awards: *Best Children’s Magazine* for The Bread Basket and *Best Editorial Cartoon* for the Sinag/The Catalyst piece “Mass Deportation of Undocumented Filipinos in the US.” Photo credit to Catholic Mass Media Award

Rex Education achieved another significant milestone with two major recognitions at the 47th Catholic Mass Media Awards held on November 19, 2025 at the Citystate Hotel Tower in Ermita, Manila. The awards highlight the organization’s ongoing commitment to producing educational content that informs, inspires, and nurtures the mind and the heart of every Filipino learner.

REX received the Best Children’s Magazine award for The Bread Basket and Best Editorial Cartoon award for the piece published in Sinag/The Catalyst titled “Mass Deportation of Undocumented Filipinos in the US.” These honors emphasize the importance of educational materials that blend academic relevance with creative and responsible storytelling and meaningful social reflection.

In the field of education, values-driven and thoughtfully crafted media remain essential in helping learners understand themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Publications such as The Bread Basket support children in developing empathy and curiosity through stories that speak to their experiences. Editorial works like the award-winning cartoon in Sinag/The Catalyst encourage students to think critically about current issues in ways that are clear and accessible. These contributions uplift, guide, and help build character of young readers toward becoming informed and responsible citizens.

These recognitions serve as a quiet but powerful affirmation of the work that happens every day within REX’s creative and editorial teams. Behind each publication are authors, editors, illustrators, and partners who approach their craft with purpose and a deep understanding of the role education plays in shaping learners and communities. Their passion allows REX to produce content that inspires curiosity, encourages reflection, and fosters conversations that lead to growth.

The Catholic Mass Media Awards have long recognized media that uplifts, guides, and forms values, and to be counted among its honorees reinforces REX's commitment to continually raise the standard of learning materials in the Philippines and to contribute to the development of content that strengthens values formation.

REX extends its heartfelt thanks to the Catholic Mass Media Awards for this recognition and to the entire REX community whose dedication makes achievements like these possible. As the organization continues to grow, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower Filipino learners and help shape a future rooted in truth, compassion, and lifelong learning.

Tips for staying healthy and cozy in the cold

Maybe it’s our perennially hot and humid climate, or our fascination with snow, thanks to K-dramas and memorable movies set in dreamy, icy wonderlands. Whatever it is, spending the holidays in cold and wintry destinations ranks high among Filipino travelers.

In a 2024 report, the Department of Tourism noted that 655,640 Filipinos chose to spend Christmas and New Year abroad. And they didn’t need to go far. Based on studies, Hong Kong (coldest at 14°C in December), Japan (whose temps can dip to as low as 2°C in December), and South Korea (which can be a chilly -1°C) were the preferred countries to go to at year’s end.

While the nippy weather is a welcome reprieve from our scorching-hot and muggy temps, the cold and dry air can trigger certain illnesses that are easily spread when you’re in close contact with a group.

“There’s the common cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COVID-19,” enumerates Sheryll M. Cornejo, MD, General Practitioner at top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Cold weather may also be perceived to worsen pre-existing conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, and arthritis.”

Planning to spend most of your time outdoors? You could set yourself up for frostbite (the freezing of skin and underlying tissues, which causes numbness and can lead to permanent damage of skin), hypothermia (when body temperature drops below 35°C), and chilblains (swollen and blistered hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and damp conditions).

While these are realities of a wintry holiday, MakatiMed shares a quick guide on making the vacation not only memorable but also safe and healthy.

Assess the local weather forecast.

The doctor underlines checking the common weather situation of your holiday destination during the time of your visit. “This helps you anticipate potential hazards— something we don’t usually experience in a tropical climate. Beyond extreme cold temperatures, you should check for snowfall, sleets, blizzards, and strong winds,” Dr. Cornejo points out. “This helps you prepare what clothing and essentials to pack.”

Update your health arsenal.

Dr. Cornejo suggests getting flu and pneumonia vaccines before your trip as well as packing a medicine kit with maintenance meds and basic remedies for fever, cough and colds, sore throat, and allergies. The cold, dry wind can be brutal on your skin: bring moisturizer, lotion, and lip balm, the doctor adds. In some countries, you can purchase hand and body warmers to put in your pockets or stick on your shirts to help keep you warm when out and about.

Dress appropriately.

Packing for winter travel requires more than picking from your wardrobe staples. The goal is to stay comfortably warm in weather your body is not used to. The secret? Layering. Start with

thermals— Long-sleeved tops and full-length leggings or pants made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric as your base. Add insulating pieces like fleece, wool, and cashmere sweaters and jackets, and top them with a sturdy coat or insulated outerwear to shield you from the biting cold.

“In cold weather, bring a beanie to cover your head and ears. Wrap a scarf around your neck, and wear waterproof gloves and mittens for your hands,” says Dr. Cornejo. “For places that experience winter, boots are a must. Wear thick socks before getting into waterproof boots with good traction against slippery ice and snow.”

Be vigilant. 

Feeling cold or under the weather despite bundling up? Alert your companions and seek immediate medical attention, notes Dr. Cornejo.

“Preparing to travel to a cold climate begins even before you book your flight and hotel,” adds the MakatiMed doctor. “Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting the recommended hours of sleep at night go a long way in keeping you healthy and strong for all types of weather and destinations.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

 

GMA Public Affairs Launches "The Big Idea" Free Drama Concept Workshop

 

GMA Public Affairs is taking a major step in elevating Filipino storytelling with the launch of its inaugural free Drama Concept Development Workshop titled "The Big Idea." This groundbreaking initiative, held across four sessions on November 15, 22, 29, and December 13, 2025, aims to discover and nurture the next generation of Kapuso series creators for both television and digital platforms.

Workshop Mentors and Guest Speakers: Industry Luminaries

"The Big Idea" offers a rare opportunity for aspiring writers and storytellers to learn directly from some of the Philippine industry's most respected minds.

• Erwin Caezar Bravo: Leading the workshop is GMA Public Affairs' Creative Consultant and Head Writer, and the creative force behind successful primetime series such as Black Rider and The Lost Recipe. He serves as the primary mentor for the participants.

• National Artist Ricky Lee: Participants benefit from exclusive talks with National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, whose decades of screenwriting and storytelling experience are invaluable.

• Suzette Doctolero: Also sharing her expertise is renowned head writer and creative consultant Suzette Doctolero, known for her masterful work in various Kapuso dramas.

• JC Rubio: GMA Public Affairs Senior Program Manager and concept creator of the show Green Bones, JC Rubio, provides insights into concept development within the network's Public Affairs arm.

What the Workshop Offers

The four-session workshop, which utilizes a combination of face-to-face and online sessions, is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences focused on enhancing key creative skills.

• Storytelling and Writing: Participants will hone their narrative skills to craft compelling and meaningful stories.

• Concept Development: The workshop is specifically geared towards developing strong, original concepts for potential TV and digital series.

• Commercial Appeal: Concepts are evaluated for originality, clarity, emotional depth, and commercial appeal, ensuring the resulting stories resonate with a wide audience.

This initiative underscores GMA Public Affairs' commitment to creative development and its goal to produce high-caliber, world-class content that defines Filipino artistry.

The workshop was open to Filipino citizens aged 18 and above. A crucial part of the selection process involved evaluating submitted writing samples for their potential. Only 20 participants were chosen to be part of this exclusive program, with notifications sent out earlier in November 2025.

GMA Public Affairs' "The Big Idea" marks a significant investment in the future of Philippine drama, seeking to empower creative minds to become the next successful creators of Kapuso series.

Sterling Bank of Asia Upholds Environmental Commitment through "Kind Heart Gives" Tree Planting Activity

 

Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement through this year’s “Kind Heart Gives” tree-planting initiative held at La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City. The event brought together employees from various organizations who joined SBA in its corporate social responsibility efforts, underscoring the Bank’s shared mission to make a positive impact on both the environment and the community.

The activity went beyond simply planting trees—it fostered camaraderie, teamwork, and a sense of collective purpose among SBA employees. It encouraged participants to take part in meaningful initiatives that advocate for a sustainable future. “Our ‘Kind Heart Gives’ activity reflects Sterling Bank of Asia's support for sustainability and our values of being socially active in good causes,” said Dan Guevara, SBA’s Center for Learning Head and First Vice President. “We are proud to see our employees engage in projects that go beyond the workplace—efforts that show our dedication to both people and the planet.”

As SBA continues to grow as a financial institution, it remains steadfast in its commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. Through initiatives like “Kind Heart Gives,” employees contribute not only to environmental restoration but also to strengthening SBA’s culture of compassion, volunteerism, and shared responsibility.

CCP’S 16th KUTITAP ARTS CAMP FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN GOES TO BAGUIO CITY

 

In celebration of the 2025 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED), holds a weeklong arts camp under the annual program, Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining, from November 18 to 22, 2025, in Baguio City.

Fifty-five children and their adult leaders, representing various cultural communities from all over the country, will gather for a celebration of arts, culture, and traditions.

Now on its 16th year, Kutitap pursues its goals of instilling among the Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation, and pride for Philippine indigenous arts and culture, as well as promote creativity and positive social values.

Kutitap will conduct interactive activities to include mini-workshops and showcases (in dance, drama, music, rituals, visual arts, etc.), storytelling, crafting, traditional games, film viewing, group discussions, and creative collaboration, among others.

Since the first gathering in 2009, Kutitap has already reached over 3,334 children from 200 local communities nationwide. In 2011, the project was redesigned for the benefit of the children in Northern Luzon who were badly affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

For the first time in 2015, Kutitap was brought out of the CCP and was hosted by the City of Batangas. For the first time too, the program was filmed and presented as part of the Children of Asia research project under the Asian Culture Institute (ACI) in Gwangju, South Korea. The film made by Kevin K. Park was shown during the opening of the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Korea. In 2023, Kutitap was included in the Reclaim the Void art assemblage of the Aboriginal community in Western Australia.

In 2016, Kutitap was brought to the Visayas under the hosting of the Province of Capiz; Tagum City in 2017; Los Baños-Laguna in 2018; Koronadal City in 2019; in 2020 & 2021 virtual editions due to the pandemic, 2022 in CCP, Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple & San Jose Del Monte City; San Francisco-Agusan del Sur in 2023; and in Himamalyan City-Negros Occidental in 2024.

From November 18 to 22, 2025, Kutitap will engage the kids in educational, cultural, creative, and other participative activities designed to enable them to learn, understand, and appreciate better the indigenous life, traditions, and practices while emphasizing the values of good health, love, compassion, and perseverance. It will also include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, film, and crafts.

Prominent filmmakers Milo Tolentino, Christian Candelaria, and Zig Dulay have agreed to share their notable films with the Kutitap kids – Andong, Sa Iyang Isla, and Black Rainbow. Andong has been a favorite film of the Kutitap kids as early as 2015.

Richard Vilar, an internationally well known storyteller from Butuan City, shares his folktales in a performance art for the Kutitap kids while Marichelle Santos of Bulacan will teach puni making or the art of leaf folding.

The 2025 Kutitap poster features the artwork of Kublai Millan of Davao City, designed and laid out by Jeruz Alcazarin of Gen. Santos City.

All these and more are facilitated by Kutitap’s pool of exceptional facilitators and trainers led by community culture specialists and advocates from Mindanao and Visayas, namely Rosalie Zerrudo, Lolito Pontillas, Cecile Mambuay, Arlem Abanes, and Renefe Tremedal.

This year’s participants are children ages 6 to 13 years old from 11 cultural communities: Mindanao: Blaan-Gen. Santos City, Higaonon-Butuan City, Visayas: Loboc-Bohol, Tacloban- Leyte, Sigma-Capiz Luzon: Binan-Laguna, Anak Bale-Balyan Angeles City-Pampanga, NCR: Bukas Palad-Pasay, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig-Tondo, Marikina City.

KUTITAP 2025 is supported by St. Louis University - Baguio City, Baguio Central School, Provincial Tourism Office, Baguio Country Club, and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

For more information on Kutitap & other cultural exchange programs, check out the CCP website, the CCP, and the CCP Cultural Exchange Department Facebook pages. Follow the

CCP official accounts on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube for more updates on CCP programs.

Your Radiance, Your Runway: Look Confidently Radiant on and off the Runway with Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance

 

Confidence starts with bright, healthy skin.

Between work, errands, family, friends, and the flurry of the upcoming holidays, our schedules are packed - yet our skin deserves to stay bright and radiant through it all. Because even on the busiest days, confidence shouldn’t take a back seat.

That’s why Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance partnered with SoFA Design Institute for its 2025 Graduation Show, where models, designers, and artists balanced packed schedules yet still took the runway with confidence and radiance.

The collaboration celebrated creativity, courage, and individuality in full color, spotlighting the next visionaries of Filipino fashion while reminding us that confidence isn’t just about what we wear — it begins with the self, and with skin that looks and feels its healthiest.

As the runway came alive with personal stories and self-expression, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance stood beside them, championing radiance that feels as good as it looks; not only under the spotlight, but in everyday life.

Whether you’re walking a runway or chasing your own goals, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance works gently behind the scenes to keep skin bright, healthy, and radiant. With every step, anyone can take on life like it’s your runway. This is your radiance, your runway.

Radiance, the Gentle Way

Bright skin doesn’t need to come at the expense of sensitivity. Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance offers clinically proven brightening care that’s gentle on sensitive skin — proving that radiance can be kind, and confidence can be soft yet powerful.

At the center of this radiance movement is the Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Perfecting Serum, powered by Niacinamide, Sea Daffodil, Vitamin C, and Advanced Peptides. With its 7x Power for visible radiance, the serum delivers brighter, healthier-looking skin in as fast as 2 weeks — all while remaining kind to sensitive skin, even under daily stress.

“As a dermatologist, I remind my patients that lasting brightness doesn’t come from harsh treatments but from consistency and care. When skin is under stress, it becomes more vulnerable, so the gentler your approach, the stronger and more radiant your skin will be,” said Dr Gaile Robredo-Vitas.

For all-around radiant skin, the Bright Healthy Radiance lineup keeps skin bright, hydrated, and protected:

• The Brightness Reveal Creamy Cleanser lifts impurities while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The Brightness Refresh Toner delivers instant luminosity for brighter skin.
• The Brightening Day Protection Cream and Brightening Night Comfort Cream provide lasting hydration and strengthen the skin barrier for a more even, radiant complexion.
• The Brightness Reveal Bar and Brightening Lotion extend clinically proven brightening care beyond the face with gentle, non-drying formulas that reveal visibly more radiant, even-toned skin.

At the event was Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brand Ambassador Catriona Gray, who shared her love for all the products, specifically the Perfecting Serum, thanks to its multi-action benefits of brightening and improving skin health. “This is a major step in my skin routine,” said Gray, fresh off the runway. “I use it every time to give a boost of radiance to my skin and also reduce the occasional dark spot. No matter what happens, I know my skin is taken care of, and that’s what makes me more confident when it’s time to face the camera.”

Where Everyday Life Meets Skin Confidence

The SoFA Graduation Show graced us with individuality and the culmination of years of dedication — brought to life as artistic masterpieces on the runway. While the show celebrated creativity and confidence, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance extends that message beyond fashion, into the everyday.

Because when you feel good in your skin, you shine brighter. And when your skin is bright and healthy, every day becomes your runway.

Shop Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance at Watsons, Mercury Drug, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok. For more skincare stories and updates, follow @cetaphilbrighthealthyradiance on Instagram.

About Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance

Formulated with GentleBright Technology™, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance is a dermatologist-developed line that delivers visibly brighter, even-toned, and healthy-looking skin — while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Take Productivity to the Next Level with the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026): The Ultimate 4-in-1 Tablet for Work, Learning, and Creativity

Get ready to work, study, create, and play with the new 4-in-1 all-round productivity tablet built for PC-level performance, the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) coming this November 27. The groundbreaking device showcases why HUAWEI, the country’s No. 1 tablet brand in the Philippines in 2025 by shipment volume 1, continues to set the standard in innovation and user experience.

It delivers newly upgraded features that unlock limitless possibilities for work, study, and creativity, empowering professionals, students, and creators to do more, create more, and achieve more — anytime, anywhere.

Portable Power Meets All-Round Productivity

The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) transforms productivity on a tablet by combining PC-level performance with multi-use versatility in a single, elegant device.

Paired with the Smart Magnetic Keyboard and HUAWEI Mouse, the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) transforms into a complete 4-in-1 workstation that lets users work, write, and create without limits. Along with the upgraded WPS Office 3.0, users can enjoy a PC-level document editing experience right from their tablet. The updated app supports precision cursor control for accurate text and cell editing, while delivering seamless compatibility across 42 file formats including Microsoft Office, ensuring effortless transitions between mobile and PC workflows for busy days in the office.

From preparing research papers and designing presentations to managing spreadsheets with more advanced mathematical functions and collaborative reports, WPS Office 3.0 empowers professionals and students alike to stay productive wherever they are. Users can count on the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) to deliver uncompromising efficiency in every task, from finalizing a project before a meeting to reviewing a thesis draft or editing a proposal on the go.

Ultra-Clear PaperMatte Display for Improved Clarity and Comfort

HUAWEI continues to elevate the user experience by integrating cutting-edge technology into every innovation. Professionals and students who rely on tablets for everyday tasks need screens that reduce glare, protect eyesight during extended use, and offer seamless stylus precision. Pioneered in 2023, HUAWEI’s PaperMatte Display delivered natural, paper-like writing and eye comfort. In 2024 HUAWEI added a major upgrade with a nano anti-reflection coating built to the 3A standard (Anti-Glare, Anti-Reflection, Anti-Fingerprint), offering sharper visuals, improved readability, and an even more refined writing experience.

Debuting alongside the major upgrades of the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) is its 12- inch 3rd Gen Ultra-Clear PaperMatte Display, enhanced by highly controllable nanoscale anti-glare etching technology. The display reduces sparkle by 50% compared to the previous generation and keeps reflectivity down by blocking out light pollution from the surroundings. This means users get consistent visibility in bright offices, cafés, classrooms, or even open outdoor spaces.

With certification for reduced eye strain, 2 It supports note-taking during meetings, sketching design ideas, marking up research materials, or when users just want to watch a movie during breaktime. The upgraded display works hand-in-hand with the tablet’s improved cooling system, which delivers 27% better performance than the 2024 model, helping keep everything smooth and responsive during multitasking. 

Precision, Creativity, Productivity, and Flow with the HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro

Another game-changing add-on is the all-new HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro, debuting on the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026). With 16,384 pressure levels, it captures every stroke with pen-and-paper precision, delivering unmatched control for writing, sketching, and creative expression.

New intelligent gestures, such as pinch to open the radial menu gives users easy access in-between menus, rotate helps adjust brush angles, and double-tap for quick tool switching that make creating visuals feel natural and intuitive. This is complemented by subtle tactile feedback that alerts users to the pressure applied during writing or sketching. The new Star Ring button on the stylus tail provides instant device pairing and allows users to open HUAWEI Notes or the GoPaint app instantly. With three new interchangeable pen tips made specifically for painting, small-font writing, and drawing, the HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro allows users to users to customize their writing or drawing feel to match any writing task or artistic style.

Make Productivity Effortless with the 4-in-1 All Round HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026)

Altogether these upgraded features show how the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) takes portable productivity to the next level as a 4-in-1 companion built to empower professionals, learners, and creators to do more all in one tablet.

Starting November 21, customers can secure their device with the special “Pay PHP 500, Get PHP 3,000 OFF” offer at the HUAWEI Online Store. Simply place a PHP 500 deposit by November 27, 6:00 PM to unlock the discount, then pay the remaining balance by December 12. A bigger PHP2,500 Early Bird Voucher will also be available starting November 27 to December 12.

Early buyers can also enjoy extra savings through an Early Bird Voucher worth PHP 1,000, available starting November 21 to December 12 through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Stay tuned for its official launch in the Philippines, visit HUAWEI’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram) for more updates.