A local pizza brand is now making waves in southern Cebu towns.

Dhodz Pizza is now a favorite among residents in Dalaguete and other towns in southern Cebu.

The owner, Benigno Niones, says their pizza products have attracted many customers because of the quality of their products when compared to other local pizza brands.

Niones explains that he was once an employee but he has now become an entrepreneur creating jobs for others.

He had worked for a popular pizza company in Davao de Oro for 11 years until he decided to open his own pizza business.

“I was an employee for 11 years working for a popular pizza business. I started working as a marketing, strategy, manager and as a right hand sa owner.  Somebody encouraged me to open my own pizza business,” Niones says.

Niones decided to strike out on his own and put up his own pizza outlet in Davao de Oro in 2019.

Then he decided to open Dhodz Pizza in Dalaguete, Cebu. While many businesses were affected when the pandemic occurred, Dhodz Pizza was doing well.

With the lockdown implemented in 2020, Dhodz’s delicious but affordable pizza products have gained a following even during the pandemic.

“Wala namo gitipid ang materials. Sulit kaayo sa presyo (We did not stinge on the toppings. It’s value for money),” Niones stressed. On top of this, one’s order is freshly made.

A customer can also have a choice of 17 different flavors, from the classic chesee flavor to the Dhodz Special, an overload version. And for those who love the Hawaiian flavor, they have the Hawaiian load and the Meaty Flavor for those who prefer to have lots of meat on their pizza.

Their pizzas are available in two sizes the 10-inch medium size and the 12-inch family size.

One can also choose between quick-melt cheese or mozzarella cheese (for a little bit higher price).

Aside from those already mentioned, the other flavors include Chocolicious Pizza, Cheesy Hotdog, Cheese & Ham, Bacon Delight, American, Veggie, Tuna Flakes, Pineapple Cheese, Pineapple Cookies, New Supreme, Cheese & Burger, Beef Pizza and Meaty Twin.

Aside from having value-for-money pizza, Dhodz also delivers their products for free within their service areas.

Dhodz Pizza has become a favorite among local residents in Dalaguete and even passersby. Among those who tasted the pizza is Farvic Dayao, who had been considering going into business himself.

Dayao approached Niones to convince him to allow him to franchise the pizza brand so he could open an outlet in San Fernando.

Another investor, Joseph Besin, has also put up a Dhodz Pizza outlet in Toledo City.

Dhodz Pizza now has 29 outlets, eight of these are company owned. Aside from the Dalaguete outlet, the company-owned outlets are located in Oslob Alcoy, Argao, Toledo, Barili, Bogo and Ginatilan.

The other franchise branches are in Argao, Compostela, Alcoy, Oslob, Tabogon, Naga, Barangay Tisa (Cebu City), Talisay, Bogo, Tuburan, Dumanjug, Moalboal, Santander, Canduman (Mandaue), Danao City, Balamban, Pinamungahan, Cordova and Liloan.

According to Dayao, he has no regrets in operating a Dhodz Pizza franchise. Although there is an existing local pizzeria in their town, San Fernando residents took a quick liking to their pizza products, he adds.

Dayao also noted that in their own way they helped create jobs in the community at a time when many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

Another franchisee, Joseph Besin, echoed this, saying that opening the outlet in Toledo City also helped in providing employment.

He also expressed satisfaction over owning the franchise in Toledo. He notes that despite the pandemic, their outlet is doing okay.

The  Dhodz Pizza main outlet in Dalaguete, where the commissar is located, has 27 employees, Niones reveals. Other outlets can generate seven to eight employees.

For an affordable and tasty meal try Dhodz Pizza, which available in-store or through delivery.

 For years, Filipinos would often chant “Pinoy Pride” during sporting and entertainment events across the globe in pursuit of cultural recognition amongst other countries. Eventually, though, the Philippines would claim its place on the map—not through entertainment, nor competition, but through coffee.  

Amidst hefty competition from international chains, Bo’s Coffee, alongside passionate franchisees, has rapidly expanded throughout the archipelago and currently operates over 100 stores in the country—making it the Philippine’s largest homegrown coffee brand. With a proven recipe for success, the chain has also commenced its international expansion, starting with the State of Qatar, a country with a strong presence of OFWs.

With the Filipino spirit in its DNA, Bo’s Coffee aims to provide a second home to its patrons—bringing people together around the coffee table to recharge for a productive day at work, make new memories with loved ones, and celebrate achievements big and small. Every year, over 200,000 patrons enter its doors for these very reasons and more.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bo’s Coffee has been innovating in the coffee space. In 2019, they launched an online ordering platform through Facebook Messenger called “Bo’s Coffee Order Ahead”, allowing customers to skip the line in-store, pay online and pick up their favorite coffee from a nearby store or have their drink delivered safely to their home.

Convenience, however, wasn’t the only driving force behind the brand’s digital transformation. Benitez simply wanted to make quality, yet affordable coffee more accessible to even more Filipinos. In the middle of 2020, Bo’s Coffee launched its first predominantly digital coffee service, Bo’s Coffee Daily, as a new way for customers to enjoy the barista experience in just a few taps from their mobile phones. With its fresh and bold flavors of creamy brown iced coffee and other sweet and cheesy concoctions, customers were quickly delighted by the new brand.

In the same year, the coffee chain also launched two more digital brands in partnership with foodpanda, namely Urbanica Milk Coffee and S’Wich. With digital transformation as a key strategy for the business, Bo’s Coffee also ensured their coffee beans and baked goods were available nationwide through their online webstore.

Over the last few years, Bo’s Coffee has expanded its menu to better serve Filipinos better—catering to their changing taste buds and appetite for new flavors with regular introductions of seasonal and limited-time offer beverages. Recently, it released its new peanut brittle-inspired drink, the Caramel Crunch Froccino, which contains a blast of espresso mixed with chocolate and caramel flavors, whipped cream, caramel syrup, and rice crispies for texture. The drink is available for a limited-time until August 15, 2021.

Bo’s Coffee also recently launched their Cakes in Tubs, available in Carrot Cake, Deluxe Chocolate Cake, and Burnt Cheesecake flavors.

Starting June 28, customers can expect the classic Kapeng Barako in whole Coffee Beans and Single Drip Coffee to hit the menu.

This 25th  anniversary, the local coffeehouse chain returns to its roots by uplifting the coffee farming communities. For every purchase of beans from Bo’s Coffee Philippine Coffee Origins line, 10% of the proceeds will go to their adopted farm in Brgy Kisbong, Caliking Benguet.

With humble beginnings and a bright future ahead, Bo’s Coffee continues its mission to put more cups of quality Philippine-grown coffee in the hands of more Filipinos, while supporting local farmers and social enterprises along the way.

Cheers to Bo’s Coffee and 25 years of leading Filipinos forward.

Amid these uncertain times, people experience a considerable degree of worry, concern, and stress, particularly since they spend most of their time isolating themselves at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But finally, we can take that much-needed getaway as authorities announced recently that NCR Plus shifted back to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). 

Under GCQ, food preparation establishments that offer indoor dine-in services can accommodate 30 percent of venue capacity, while outdoor or al fresco dining at 50 percent. Personal care businesses may already operate up to 50 percent, increasing from their previous 30 percent allowed capacity. 

Hotels with a certificate of authority to operate for staycation may now also accept leisure bookings for individuals aged 18 to 65. As long as we follow safety protocols, taking a quick trip away from life’s hustle and bustle is an ideal way to take a breather and relax once in a while.

Luckily, a two to three-hour drive, with the help of the new Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx), can lead you to Tagaytay, particularly if you’re from NCR Plus, composed of Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces. It offers the perfect getaway, whether for an adventure of a lifetime or just a quick escape from the busy (boring, for some) city life. Here are some of the best activities to create that vacation you have been looking for.

A Perfect Mix of the Urban and Rural Life

Living in the city can be incredibly exhausting because of heavy traffic, pollution, and stress from the environment itself. But if you want to keep experiencing the benefits of city life with all its convenience, the coffee shops, and shopping malls, among others, without all the stress that comes with it, then Tagaytay is the perfect place for you.

This city combines urban and rural life. In some instances, you will find yourself enjoying your favorite espresso or savoring a steaming hot bowl of “bulalo” amidst a beautiful backdrop of Taal Volcano. You can also do some much-needed shopping without heavy traffic or take a stroll outside and just breathe some fresh air and experience that perfect cool weather. All these you can experience in Tagaytay.

Turning Road Trips into Food Trips

Filipinos are known to be food lovers. So, when you are in Tagaytay, don’t miss the chance to try its exquisite local cuisine and delicacies. And yes, it’s not just the “bulalo” that can warm your soul while in the cold soothing breeze of the city. Tagaytay is also a paradise for sweet delicacies ranging from buko tarts to buko pies, ube jams, champorado, raisin bread, and many more. You just need to know where to find them, and your taste buds will be satisfied.

The Perfect ‘Ukay-Ukay,” “Everything” Haul

While shopping malls and other commercial areas are abuzz in Tagaytay, Tagaytay also have local vendors you can find anywhere, whether in establishments or at the roadside, who provide everything you need from simple but fashionable clothes, household items, gadget accessories to even plants for the “Plantitos” and “Plantitas.” No matter what you need, they have it all for you.

Perfect Place for “Property Hunting”

Tagaytay offers so many places to go that anywhere you’ll find an activity that you can try out immediately or be the reason for you to come back another time. Next thing you know, you’ll find yourself property hunting for a place of your own in the refreshing city.

Tagaytay has created itself as a potential area for real estate developments. Moreover, its residential communities genuinely elevate the quality of life since it is ingeniously located near hospitals, shopping centers, churches, schools, and other essential establishments, ensuring a trouble-free residency.

Investing in real estate properties in Tagaytay has shown progress for investors with its accessibility and livable environment. With natural characteristics like fresh air, high land, rich soil, delicious fruits, luxurious view, and a serene atmosphere, Tagaytay properties became valuable and desirable to live in. 

Its city life allows you to entertain yourself with simple, mundane yet satisfying and relaxing activities. You will also get the chance to watch a magnificent sunset until you see the bright stars and moon in the beautiful, unpolluted night sky. The amenities are so good that some people just want to settle here instead. 

As a Filipino real estate developer offering affordable and income-generating properties, CitiGlobal Realty and Development Inc. boasts of its master-planned community development as it took advantage of the uniqueness found in Metro Tagaytay. 

Built along Alfonso, Cavite near Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBex), CitiGlobal’s Tagaytay Clifton Resort Suites (TCRS), and Tagaytay Fontaine Villas (TFV) allow middle-class families to enjoy luxurious country living without losing touch of primary institutions such as malls, theme parks, hospitals, schools, and churches. 

TCRS and TFV are only two of CitiGlobal’s real estate developments, revolutionizing the Filipino mindset on leisure properties while giving new investment opportunities for ordinary working-class Filipinos, especially Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

To learn more about CitiGlobal, visit its website at https://citiglobal.com.ph/ or send them an email at info@citiglobal.com.ph for inquiries. If you have properties to offer, you may reach them via Viber (0949-889-3252). 

Today is a milestone as Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (MPHTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI), transforms the digital health care ecosystem with mWell, an all-in-one app meticulously created for the Filipino’s holistic well-being, providing professional consultations, wellness programs, products and delivery services.

Headed by MPIC Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan is truly confident and excited with MPIC group’s newest foray in digital health care, “Through a collaboration with trusted health experts, mWell will develop an ecosystem to bring integrated digital health care closer to every Filipino, even beyond the pandemic. mWell will empower every Filipino to be in control of their health with just one app.”  

mWell is a high-performance mobile app backed by a powerhouse of top names in the healthcare, wellness and tech industries.  CareSpan's Clinic in the Cloud™ integrates digital care tools and data for mWell doctors and patients.  LotusFlare’s multi-awarded cloud-native, IT digital enablement platform ensures a seamless, end-to-end customer experience.  Ping An's healthcare technologies enables mWell to address Covid-19 concerns, diagnosis, care, and treatments.    

Complementing the technology partnerships, mWell teams up with award-winning fitness experts like Active8me, for personalized daily fitness, nutrition and wellness programs; and theAsianparent, for smart parenting solutions from pregnancy to family health management. Powered by PayMaya for fast, secure, and hassle-free transactions, over three thousand health and wellness product SKU’s are available for mWell app users at the online health shop by Adobomall.

Joey Lim, MPIC’s President and CEO also expresses confidence that this fully-integrated healthcare management is a game changer, “Together, we will build an ecosystem that will provide easy access to integrated digital healthcare. We invite doctors and health practitioners to digitize their practice, partner with us and be part of mWell’s mission. With our combined strength, we can empower our countrymen to be in control of their health.”

The mWell launch today signals the opening of this new digital health ecosystem.  Currently in partnership with CareSpan, Philcare and Keralty Clinic, a whole gamut of doctors and health practitioners have joined the mWell roster comprising of general practitioners and specialty doctors to enable much needed access to health professionals during this pandemic.  Doctors are able to easily manage digital appointments, keep patients’ confidential medical records and issue e-prescriptions. And with the partnership of Medicard, users can book COVID-19 testing services. 

Doctors, clinics, and hospitals all over the country are welcome to be part of mWell. Doctors can set up their own mWell virtual clinic for free. There are no set-up or membership fees. Doctors will be given a quick and easy training to be able to access the mWell suite of services and can immediately digitize their practice, reaching more patients nationwide. “Through telemedicine, accessible healthcare can be promoted and the anxiety of going outside would be reduced, not only for us doctors, but for patients as well,” shares Dr. Lovely Garcia. Clinics and hospitals can set up virtual labs and accept booking via the mWell app. 

“At the heart Gabay Kalusugan’s advocacy to bring healthcare to our kababayans,” states Chaye Revilla, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. “mWell is our response to Filipinos’ call for a better, more responsive, highly convenient healthcare platform. It is a fully integrated ecosystem that will deliver their health and wellness needs.” Revilla added. 

Starting August, mWell will provide a more enriching journey as users can access the e-Pharmacy service that will allow them to buy South Star Drug OTC and Prescription medicines and have these delivered to their homes, or buy PhilCare health insurance products for dengue, accidents, and emergencies. Also in August, mWell will launch a nationwide medical mission, an unprecedented first telehealth virtual event in the Philippines highlighting partnerships and collaborations with clinics and doctors nationwide. Come September, mWell, in partnership with Aktivolabs, will enable its users to monitor, track and improve their Wellness Score through Aktivo's® proprietary algorithm that weighs a user's physical activity and sleep daily and provides personalised information on what an ideal healthy physical lifestyle is, to improve health and longevity.

For its initial offering, PLDT Home customers may avail of a free consultation with mWell doctors. There are more services waiting to be launched with each new feature adding concrete benefits to the health of every Filipino. Get started on your health today. You can download the mWell app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For more information, visit https://www.mWell.com.ph. 

ABOUT mWell

mWell, is the health technology platform developed by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation that offers telemedicine, e-pharmacy, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others, in an integrated, tech-based healthcare digital ecosystem. Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, the leading infrastructure investment company in the Philippines with investments in various infrastructure assets including healthcare.

Better healthcare access for Filipinos becomes a reality as mWell, the country’s first fully integrated health & wellness mobile app by Metro Pacific Health Tech, makes history with the first and largest nationwide virtual medical mission in the Philippines - the National mWellness Day. 

This two-day virtual event, an unprecedented first in the telehealth and healthcare industry, will be held on August 28-29, 2021. During the National mWellness Day, mWell app users anywhere in the country can avail of free online teleconsultations from a roster of specialized doctors including dermatologists, gastroenterologists, doctors of internal medicine, gynecologists, pediatrics, and psychiatrists, among others.

Doctor consultations are free of charge and booking fees are waived! mWell gives Filipinos a gift of wellness especially in this period of heightened restrictions, enabling users from all over the country to get much needed access to health professionals from the safety and comfort of their own homes. 

Aside from all-day video consultations with doctors, users can access fitness and nutrition program, wellness, and parenting solutions from pregnancy to family health management. The mWell app’s online health shop includes over three thousand health and wellness products SKU’s ranging from food, baby products, to skin and body care.

mWell is a high-performance mobile app backed by a powerhouse of top names in the healthcare, wellness and tech industries. CareSpan's Clinic in the Cloud™ integrates digital care tools and data for mWell doctors and patients. LotusFlare’s multi-awarded cloud-native, IT digital enablement platform ensures a seamless, end-to-end customer experience. Ping An's healthcare technologies enables mWell to address Covid-19 concerns, diagnosis, care, and treatments. TELUS, world-leading communications technology company and Canada’s leader in digital health technology. Philcare, a pioneer in the HMO industry and leader in digital service. Keralty, offering integrated, high quality and cost-effective medical care, and Paymaya for secure, hassle-free payment transactions, to name a few. 

mWell is calling all doctors nationwide to be part of the country’s first ever nationwide medical mission. By donating a few hours of their time on August 28-29, they can set up their virtual clinic on the mWell app and reach Filipinos who need them the most in these trying times. To be a volunteer doctor of the National mWellness Day, you may register through https://www.mwell.com.ph/partner-doctors

To be a part of mWell’s National mWellness Day, download the mWell app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For more information, visit https://www.mWell.com.ph. 

ABOUT mWell

mWell, is the health technology platform developed by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation that offers telemedicine, e-pharmacy, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others, in an integrated, tech-based healthcare digital ecosystem. Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, the leading infrastructure investment company in the Philippines with investments in various infrastructure assets including healthcare.

 MANILA, Philippines, August 2021--This National Language Month (Buwan ng Wika), Google and the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) launched the Cebuano version of #YOUTHink magazine to highlight the importance of local language diversity in battling misinformation.

#YOUTHink is a local youth-oriented magazine that aims to address misinformation through media and information literacy. Filled with helpful articles, the 42-page publication comes in a fun and creative zine-style format to engage young readers. It covers several topics such as the types of misinformation and their negative effects, why context matters, how to identify a fact from an opinion, and how to avoid falling for fake information among others. The magazine was translated into Cebuano by teachers and translators Hannah Aranas and Xi Zuq. 

Written by CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay, a lawyer specializing in information and communications technology law and policy, #YOUTHink was first published by CANVAS in English in January 2021, as commissioned and funded by Google in the Philippines. The tech company conceived the title of the magazine to put emphasis on two elements: “youth” which is a vital force in addressing misinformation, and “critical thinking” which is necessary to exercise before believing, posting or sharing any information online.

“Google is committed to helping fight misinformation. We believe in the vital role of producing locally relevant learning materials to achieve this goal, while we continue to take down harmful content and raise authoritative information on our platforms,” said Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Philippines. “People find it easier to understand content which uses a language that is local to them, that is why together with CANVAS, we published a Cebuano version of #YOUTHink.” 

Mervin added, “This National Language Month (Buwan ng Wika) and beyond, we need to take a more inclusive approach and use local languages so more people, especially those going online for the first time or from vulnerable communities, can participate in the discussion and avoid falling for disinformation or misinformation. With Cebuano as one of the country’s major languages spoken by more than 9 million people, we hope that more Filipinos will benefit from this initiative.”

Similar to the first edition published in January 2021, Google provided funding support for the development, design, and publication of the Cebuano magazine. Initially, 5,000 copies will be distributed for free to schools, communities, and NGOs outside the National Capital Region. 

The magazine includes letters and essays from several experts including: former COMELEC commissioner Atty. Luie Guia; infectious diseases specialist Dr. Edsel Salvana; scientist, and radio and TV speaker Dr. Reina Reyes; Ateneo de Manila University assistant professor of Philosophy Dr. Jacklyn Cleofas; and UP professor specializing in research on political communication and news media effects Dr. Clarissa David.

Gigo shared, “Along with the ongoing pandemic, there is also an ‘infodemic’ happening which endangers the lives of Filipinos. Publishing the media and information literacy magazine #YOUTHink in one of the country’s major local languages like Cebuano will help address this problem. Now more than ever, we also need the power of the youth--the target reader of the magazine--to uphold digital responsibility and critical thinking online.”

A PDF copy of the magazine can be accessed here (printing or sharing for selling purposes is strictly prohibited). For more information, visit: www.canvas.ph.

Watsons Philippines was recently named Retail Asia’s Health and Beauty Retailer of the Year– Philippines at the recently concluded virtual 16th Retail Asia Awards 2021. The one-stop source for retail intelligence for Asia, Retail Asia gathers and recognizes the region’s most outstanding retail initiatives in its annual prestigious and exciting awards event. 

During the same ceremony, it won the Marketing Initiative of the Year award for its “Stay Strong and Beautiful” campaign. Featuring 300 influencers using the hash tag #staystrongstaybeautiful and to date, the campaign has already reached over 31 million unique users from Facebook, Instagram and Google.  Watson’s e-catalogue, which offers various promos, has also reached 18.7 million users.

The year 2020 was a challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed mobility restrictions. Customers had a shift in their mindset and started to prioritize their family’s health and safety at all times. 

Watsons, through their campaign, responded to this shift by highlighting the importance of both health and beauty in navigating difficult challenges. They also provided alternative shopping experiences to ease the worries of their customers through watsons.com.ph and call the delivery service which covers around 100 store hubs servicing nearby areas.

Since the start of the pandemic, Watsons started to highlight the importance of health and wellness by promoting products like vitamins, supplements, hygiene and personal care products both in store and in their shared content online to spread messages of self-care, DIY personal care and protection. 

Watsons also opened a total of 67 physical stores and launched new Watsons Generics products like rubbing alcohol, effervescent, generic vitamins, and supplements to continuously meet the demands of their customers especially during these challenging times.