This Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ while extending a loving hand to those in need. We are excited to bring back the Light The World Giving Machines to the Philippines. 

These unique "giving-focused" vending machines add a fun and spiritual dimension to the shopping and gift-giving season. Unlike regular vending machines, the Giving Machines dispense valuable and affordable product cards that facilitate acts of service for fellow Filipinos in need, allowing the public to instantly participate in the joy of caring. 

With the generosity of our location partners, a Giving Machine will be hosted by Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City, launching on November 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM on Level 4, near Cinema 1. In Cebu, another Giving Machine will be hosted by Ayala Center Cebu, launching on November 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM on Level 3 (between Casa Verde and Dessert Factory). All Giving Machines will be available during mall hours until January 1, 2024. This year's items available through the Giving Machines include food packs, hygiene kits, educational materials, student financial aid, emergency and repair kits, multivitamins, eyeglasses and eye-care packages, medical kits, water kits, crutches, wheelchairs, immunization packages, and psychosocial support, among others. 

Unlike previous years, donors now have the option to contribute via cash or e-payment alternatives, including GCash and AliPay, making cashless donations easier. The Church covers all operational costs for every donated item made through the Giving Machines, ensuring that 100 percent of every donation goes to the recipients identified by our participating nonprofit organizations, including Caritas Manila, Caritas Cebu, Feed The Children, Inc., HERO Foundation, Inc., Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, and UNICEF.

As a special gift for select donors this year, some product cards inside the Manila Giving Machines will contain unique Tabernacle Choir stickers. Donors can trade these stickers for special tickets for the upcoming February 2024 concert of the Choir in the Philippines.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is a world-renowned choir established in 1847 that has performed at many prestigious events, including US Presidential inaugurations. Currently, the Choir is on its first-ever world tour, with the Philippines as its second stop after Mexico. Since 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hosted Giving Machines in the Philippines, one of only six countries worldwide to do so every Christmas season. To date, the Giving Machines have collected over US$22 million in donations for beneficiaries across the globe.

Each Christmas season, the Church’s #LightTheWorld initiative invites all people to follow the loving example of the Savior Jesus Christ, the Light of The World, by caring for individuals one by one.

The Church hopes to inspire people to find unique ways to love, share, and invite one another to light the world. As individuals around the globe inspire and support one another in embodying the radiant teachings of Christ, His illuminating light and boundless love will more profoundly touch the lives of those in search of healing, hope, and authentic joy.

FIND OUT MORE: 

What is #LightTheWorld? 

Every Christmas, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates the birth and life of Jesus Christ through the #LightTheWorld initiative. The initiative encourages people to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, by caring for individuals one by one throughout December. 

What makes these vending machines unique?

As part of the #LightTheWorld initiative, individuals can perform an instant service at special vending machines called Giving Machines. Instead of every donor receiving an item for themselves, Giving Machines are designed to provide for those in need.

Whom do the donations benefit? 

Each Giving Machine will offer much-needed items for purchase from various local and global charity partners. The vending machines will meticulously account for all donations, ensuring the amount purchased goes to each charity.

How is my money used? 

One hundred percent of your donation will be used for the purchased item or similar items or services of greater need, as determined by the applicable charitable organization. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers administrative costs for this initiative.

How long will the Giving Machines be available in the malls? 

The machines will be accessible from the date of the launch until January 1, 2024.

How can I help with this initiative? 

Sharing your Giving Machine experience with friends and family, as well as posting about the machines on your social media accounts and channels can inspire people to give and help others.

With Christmas just around the corner, many are gearing up to make their holidays even more special by upgrading their home entertainment setups. And let's face it, most Filipinos absolutely love great entertainment! Most of theirholiday wish list often includes a new television that they can use for streaming online shows, watching their favorite telenovela or even connecting to their karaoke set.

Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company, recognizes this, and is dedicated to making home entertainment upgrades a reality by offering a selection of top-selling TV brands. What's more, Home Credit bolsters the deal with its 0% interest offer on various installment options for up to 18 months, helping customers meet their holiday goalswith affordable TV loans.

Here's a look at some best-selling TV modelchoices from for the dream home entertainment upgrades this Christmas.

Elevate entertainment with Samsung's Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV 55”

Immerse in a captivating cinematic experience with Samsung's Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV 55". This remarkable 55-inch television boasts a dazzling 4K HDR display that will breathe life into the best movies, sports events, and games. With its sleek Titan Gray design, versatile connectivity options, and immersive audio system, it's the ultimate addition to one’s home entertainment setup.

The Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV 55" comes equipped with a Tizen Smart TV operating system, offering Wi-Fi connectivity, HDMI and USB ports, and a user-friendly remote control. Its crystal-clear resolution of 3840 x 2160p ensures breathtaking picture quality.

Immerse in crystal-clear viewing with LG's 4K Ultra Smart TV 43”

LG's 4K Ultra Smart TV 43" is the gateway to an unparalleled viewing experience. With its sleek and slim black design, this television adds an elegant touch to users’ living space. The 4K Ultra HD display format, boasting a pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160p, guarantees stunning picture quality, whether one’s enjoying their favorite series, movies, or even live concert streaming.

Connectivity is a breeze with options like Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB, RF In, Bluetooth, and Optical Digital audio out. With its user-friendly webOS 23 operating system, navigation becomes effortless. Featuring a 43-inch diagonal screen, this TV brings entertainment to life with vibrant visuals. It's perfect for transforming one’s home into an entertainment hub, delivering clarity and detail that will leave them amazed.

Experience cinema at home with TCL's 43" 4K HDR Dolby Vision Android Hands-Free TV

Enhance the home entertainment experience with TCL's 43" 4K HDR Dolby Vision Android Hands-Free TV. Featuring the latest version of Google TV, this television comes with essential upgrades in speed and security, providing a seamless and protected viewing experience. With access to over 7,000 apps and a vast library of 700,000+ shows and movies, everything one loves to watch is now in one place, offering a pure, distraction-free TV experience.

TCL's TV is designed with precision in mind, featuring a millimeter-thin stylish trim that delivers a broader and wider sense of entertainment. It's not just about style as the integrated build protects against moisture and dust, ensuring durability. The innovative rear pyramid design adds an extra layer of protection.

With Certified Google TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, DTS-HD Decoding, and multiple input and output options, this 43-inch 4K UHD TV from TCL provides a sophisticated yet user-friendly package for your entertainment needs. Whether for streaming favorite shows, gaming, or simply watching the news, TCL's TV ensures enjoyment in style and top-notch performance.

Level up your viewing experience with Devant's Full HD Smart TV

Perfect for an entertainment hub transformationDevant's Full HD Smart TV offers users a sleek design and impressive features, that sets this television as the centerpiece of their home entertainment setup.

Devant's Full HD Smart TV is not just any TV as it's designed to offer an exceptional viewing experience. Running on the Vidaa U operating system, it provides seamless navigation and a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB, LAN, and Bluetooth. With a 43-inch diagonal screen and a Full HD display format featuring a pixel resolution of 1920x1080p, it ensures breathtaking picture quality. The dynamic contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1 adds depth to your visuals, making content come to life.

Whether for streaming, gaming, or simply enjoying one’s favorite programs, Devant's Full HD Smart TV is here to enhance viewing experience.

This holiday season, upgrading your home entertainment setups is made easier with these best-selling, top-notch TVs. And with Home Credit’s 0% interest offer on various installment options for up to 18 months, one can achieve their holiday goal of buying the best TV that fits their lifestyle.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Shopping Mall Philippines.  

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).  

About Home Credit

Home Credit Philippines is the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, providing access to credit through fast, convenient, and affordable financing in more than 15,000 partner stores nationwide. The brand offers a wide range of products from smartphones and laptops, home appliances and furniture, bicycles, and motorcycle accessories to electronics and hardware, sports equipment, and many more – offered at low or 0% interest rates in easy monthly installments.

Enhanced travel features of the Metrobank World Mastercard® were also unveiled to excited customers and guests.

From Metrobank: Melissa Samson, VP and Head of Credit Card Product & Segment Strategy, Miko Beltran, VP and Head of Credit Card Usage & Portfolio Management, Gail Male, SVP and Head of Credit Cards, Personal Loans & Digital Channels Group, Emmeline Go, Region Head of Visayas Region, Cheston Cornelio, VP and Head of Digital and Business Transformation, Ana Lorenzo, AXA Phils Marketing Director

Travel enthusiasts from Cebu flocked to the Ayala Center Activity Center last November 17 to 19, 2023 for the Metrobank Travel Fair. For the entire weekend, Metrobank gathered its travel merchant partners to offer the best travel and accommodation deals to those who are planning to go on their next getaway and discover the world.

Metrobank credit cardholders were able to snatch deals of up to 40% off from participating merchants, such as Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, EVA Air, Anantara Hotels, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, Marco Polo Cebu, KLOOK and many more! On top of this, Metrobank Credit Mastercard® holders who made a minimum single-receipt purchase of PHP10,000 during the fair received a PHP500 eGC.Meanwhile, those who made a minimum single-receipt purchase worth PHP25,000 during the Fair got a FREE Plaza Premium lounge access at the Cebu International or Domestic airport.

Lastly, Metrobank credit cardholders with a PHP10,000 minimum single-receipt spend at any of the participating merchants during the fair earned raffle entries to get a chance to win a trip for two (2) to Hong Kong!

Harping on the revenge travel fever, Metrobank also introduced new exclusive benefits and offers for the Metrobank World Mastercard®, enabling cardholders to discover a world of privileged travel, dining and shopping experiences, tailored to their needs. Cardholders can earn 1 mile per PHP17 foreign currency spend, enjoy two (2) complimentary global airport lounge access every year via Dragon Pass, avail of up to 50% off on luxury dining deals at select partners, and get rebates at over 4,000 Mastercard® merchants like Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, Takashimaya in Japan, and Bloomingdales in the US. Plus, for a limited period, until April 30, 2024, cardholders can enjoy a low forex fee of 1.85% for every foreign currency transaction.

Don’t have a Metrobank credit card yet? No need to worry! You can apply for a card online via https://apply.metrobank.com.ph/creditcard or visit the card application booth at the Metrobank Travel Fair. You can also visit the nearest Metrobank branch to apply for a Metrobank credit card or open a Metrobank debit card.

Learn more by visiting the Metrobank website at https://www.metrobank.com.ph/.

Follow Metrobank and Metrobank Card PH on Instagram and Facebook for more information.

Embrace life, nature, and enduring memories at True Vine Garden Columbary, reshaping Cebu's investment landscape. Strategically located just 10 minutes from SM Seaside City Cebu, it's your sanctuary amid urban hustle. 

Lush botanical gardens and sustainable indigenous materials weave a narrative of unspoiled natural beauty at True Vine Garden Columbary. Here, the Fire Tree dances in harmony with the Palawan Cherry Blossom, and the Yellow Copperpod Tree shares its secrets with the Jacaranda—a tribute to the rich tropical heritage of the Philippines. 

President and CEO Joseph So, Jr., envisions it as a serene haven for celebrating life and cherished moments. 

Inspired by Cebu's vibrant beauty, True Vine features indigenous trees, embodying the timeless wisdom of the Gospel of John: "I am the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser." 

Beyond spiritual significance, True Vine offers practical investment, especially for the younger generation. Its unique approach to Memorial Trees, elegant urn styles for distinct personality expression, and vaults crafted from premium natural stone set it apart as a sought-after choice. 

When you invest in True Vine, you're not merely acquiring property; you are weaving a legacy for generations to come. You are making a financial decision that resonates with your heartfelt desire to preserve the memory of your loved ones. 

Seek sanctuary where life blooms eternal, where ripples of love and influence continue to spread, and your cherished ones find their place in the tapestry of existence. For inquiries on detailed pricing information and investment options, visit our Facebook page or contact us at +639565983732 and ceb7fields@gmail.com

Lash Love Rediscovered: My Lashesta Experience After 4 Years!

Guess what? I recently took a leap of faith and revisited the world of lash extensions after a four-year hiatus. The brave move was all thanks to Lashesta Eyelash and Nail Studio, and let me tell you, it was like catching up with an old friend – warm, reassuring, and filled with surprises!

Walking into Lashesta, I could sense that this wasn’t going to be your typical beauty parlor experience. The vibe was welcoming, and the staff, oh boy, they were like beauty therapists armed with magic wands (well, maybe just really skilled hands).

One word – professionalism! From start to finish, Lashesta's team exhibited a level of professionalism that instantly put me at ease. No rushed vibes or 'assembly line' feelings here. It was all about understanding my concerns and tailoring the experience to fit my needs.

Now, if you've ever had a beauty experience go south, you know the drill – allergies and post-application discomfort. But not at Lashesta! My lash journey this time around was a breeze. Flawless results? Check. Zero discomfort? Double-check. It was like my lashes got a VIP treatment they absolutely deserved.

For all the lash newbies out there, this is your sign to visit Lashesta. These guys are like the matchmakers of lashes, finding the perfect style that flatters your unique eye shape. It's like getting a bespoke suit, but for your lashes. Fancy, right?

Oh, did I mention the lashes? Lashesta uses these high-quality synthetic Japanese lashes that are like the Maseratis of the lash world. Pure luxury for your peepers. It's the kind of extra touch that makes you feel like you're living your best lash life.

So, here I am, four years later, writing about how Lashesta Eyelash and Nail Studio changed my lash game. It's more than just a beauty treatment; it's a confidence booster. If you're in the market for a beauty spot that feels like a cozy retreat and leaves you looking and feeling fabulous, Lashesta is your jam. Let's spread some #LashestaMagic, shall we?

Cheers to lash love and the amazing team at LASHESTA Eyelash and Nail Studio!

Oriental Building, Gen. Echavez St., San Miguel Lorega, Cebu City!