After a grueling match on LAN by these illustrious list of ESports teams, fans of DOTA 2 and Valorant were treated to a lovely finals at Robinsons Galleria in Cebu for the Predator League 2025 Philippine Finals. Despite the hectic schedule and some inexperience of some teams in a faster environment, they managed to play with high level teams and win 250,000 pesos as champions of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2025 Grand Finals. They've got a 1 Million peso pot to share after all.
DOTA 2 was quite exciting for teams Execration and Ivory, but in the end, the experience that Execration had made it an overwhelming affair on the map. Kill rates were at 7.5, and assists were at 10.5, so imagine how much time they spent in it. For Valorant, DLSU's Valorant Esports tried to take a jab at ZOL ESports, but they got swept 2 games. This means Execration, Ivory and ZOL Esports will fly for the championships in KL next year. Team Secret will also be there to play for the country, something like an honorary invite for a top tier team that plays on the world stage.
If you want more updates about these ESports teams, make sure you follow their social channels because they'll be posting more of these in the coming months. January will be very busy.
The Philippines is home to 2.16 Million OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers according to latest statistics), and in so many instances, they need to send money home to help with family, friends, and other reasons. Going through banks and other entities cost so high, and of course, every cent counts with your hard earned money. International Money Transfer service provider Sendwave presents a very affordable option. If you are in one of the countries they serve, sending money to your loved ones will become simple, secured, and fast. This is something that is needed, an essential for family or OFW's so when they wanted someone to represent them in the country and the community, they tapped the good looking singer, songwriter, OPM icon, OGIE ALCASID. They introduced him to the press, and told us the reasons why he was the perfect person to send what they want to communicate:
Ogie says "It's important for Filipinos to send money home that's simple, affordable and without transfer fees. You know, the values of this company and mine as a father, husband is the same. We wake every day for our families, and they take care of hard earned money from abroad to the Philippines with ease, with trust that it will reach the person intended to, it is our connection to our family. We do concerts in other parts of the world and OFW's are an integral part of it. I hope in some way, we could get the message across that there is a way to save while sending money home."
Ms. Janice, the Global Brand Lead for Sendwave says "We are an online money remittance app, designed for OFW's and we champion them. We focus on simple, easy and convenient ways to send money from abroad to the Philippines (or any participating country) and made it affordable. Sendwave has no transfer fees, we stretch the value of the money that they send to their families here at home. We are present in the US, Canada, UK and parts of Europe. If you have OFW friends or family, please tell them to download the app and use the service. Try Sendwave!".
Ogie was so happy and honored to be able to represent them. Being part of the Sendwave family he deems is important because OFW's spend years in other countries, but want to make sure they stay connected and felt when help is needed in the Philippines. He also knows how hard it was to work abroad because he's been able to talk to them in performances abroad. They need to make sure that the money they send would be secured, easy to do and affordable. .
Ogie adds "Why do we work? What are the reasons to wake up in the morning? The reasons to send money home is a lot, this app assures your savings would get to the recipient. As a singer, I've entertained them through concerts in different countries. When I talk to people, they are mostly OFW's, it's not easy to market something like this, but it is important. I just signed with them, and perhaps soon, there will be Sendwave in Australia and I'd get to send money to Regine if needed."
They now have bonus additional money to give out too when you first try the service (10 dollars) aside from the amount you send. There are no transfer fees, so that is free. They just want you to experience it. It's not intended for receivers, but designed from senders from abroad. You don't need to be a member here in the Philippines to receive the money, they just tie up their cards and send it to whatever bank or GCash account the recipient has and get it, it's that easy!
There are limits, dependent on banks abroad and the receiving bank/app in the country because some of them have limits too. It already is being used by 2 Million users, and the plan is to include more people to benefit from it. They have plans to take Ogie to other countries where Filipinos are. Although Ogie already is doing that, he says "The fact that I'd be reaching a lot of audiences this year and next year, we have a lot of people to help. It's most welcome, to be able to sing and help our kababayans. We are partners with TFC, and events may be through that. It's part of their future plans. I'm excited, when I learned about this, at the shoot, it was happy there. It's not easy to do but I'm excited and happy with what we made in just a few days. When you do it with fun, with excited people, it's a breeze. You will receive the amount automatically converted to peso and what you see with the conversion is what they person will get in full."
The company earns through foreign exchange and if you see that their rates are better, you should use Sendwave. Congratulations to Sir Ogie Alcasid, it's so refreshing to see you excited to help more people with this recent partnership. If you can send money home for free, you should take advantage!
Shopback is having a big cashback giveaway startling 6.6 and a chance to win real 24k gold and best deals from various brands all this month.
All you need to do is download the shop back app, choose a partner brand or app, click on it on the app and shop as usual. The Cashback you get from this is actual cash, some of their top users get thousands of pesos in return and since it's their 10th year, they plan to make sure different ways to celebrate will be on the app.
Raenald de Jesus the ShopBack Philippines Head of Marketing says "Some are 10 percent on Nike, Zalora, Lazada, and more. This is a milestone for us celebrating our 10th year and without you out customers and partners, these things wouldn't be possible."
Here's what's going to happen during this month:
Timothy Tuason, the Commercial Director for Shopback PH adds "Today we are celebrating our 10th birthday as a region, we planned to do our 8th for the Philippines but we decided to just do it on our 10th Anniversary across Southeast Asia, ANZ, East Asia and EMEA. With 6.5 Million users, we are now the best friend for cashbacks on travel, food, and more, giving 15 Million dollars in total to Filipinos. This is our biggest cashback yet, a truly rewarding experience to shop and get a significant amount (some even paying for 2 Vespa Scooters from the rewards they get)."
If you open the shopback app, the multi milestone challenge will get you the chance to win 24k gold, exclusive voucher drops on 6.6, mystery prizes, 10-20 percent cashbacks from brands like Zalora, Nike, Puma, and other fashion brands. Exclusive partner brands like KFC will give vouchers and one winner of unlimited chicken for a year. Ayala Malls Manila Bay will have money rain inside the mall for the next 2 weeks, and with the new Shopback Platinum which a few users will get even more vouchers exclusively for them.
If you don't have the Shopback app yet, go download it today!