HEART EVANGELISTA Shows You How to Use GCash

She's iconic, lovely at every angle. She's dubbed as a real life "Crazy Rich Asian", hobnobbing with the who's who of the fashion industry and a front row regular at the biggest shows... she's Love Marie Evangelista-Escudero aka Heart Evangelista.

Contrary to impressions about her, she's quite the opposite and actually knows how to manage her finances well. GCash took us to their very first GCash Spot Light, a new online talk show hosted by Boy Abunda which will be shown in GCash assets and social channels. 

GCash Spotlight

GCash will also be having Heart appear in their different commercials, all to talk about her financial progress. I'm sure there are a lot of people who think about how Heart actually affords everything, how she shops, or how fond she is for enjoying the things out in the street, the Kwek Kwek she eats and just about how she actually saves for every little thing she gets before actually buying it. 

She also uses GCash everyday, whether she dines at some of the posh restaurants in Paris or enjoy a bowl of pares in the streets of Manila, she gives them the GCash Visa card or use the QR payment option. In both cases, it gets accepted and is quite convenient. The exchange rate is also another perk, because you can pay for things without a hassle.

Heart also monitors her savings, she says Chiz sends her 50, 100 or 143 pesos just to be extra sweet. She doesn't make her hard earned money stagnant, she pays for bags then puts her artwork in it and earn from every piece she sells. She also pays for services she gets like hair and makeup, even the online store she frequents accepts GCash as payment, and since she has a lot of pets, she gets food, clothes and accessories online and it gets delivered at home. Panda of course gets first dibs. She also invests via GStocks, put money in on really good companies and even gets her travel insurance from the app. She secures her luggage, flights and emergencies in it as the GInsure Travel Insurance covers it.

Here's how it went.

Ernest Cu the Mynt Chairman and Globe Group CEO "For years now, we have made different kinds of solutions to make Filipinos lives better. We want Heart to help us to showcase the different features of GCash, because yes it's the best way to pay."

Martha Sazon the CEO of GCash says "You saw the film, and we want to welcome Heart Evangelista Escudero. The world fashion icon also co-wrote the shoot. She's that committed and invested in this campaign. Even the wardrobe, and she does really use the GCash Visa Card. In her era of spending, shopping and saving, she will be with GCash."

Heart will be appearing in more of these videos soon. You'll hear, see more of what she does with GCash, and hope you get to learn a thing or two.

SHERATON MANILA Starts 5th Anniversary Celebrations with SUNDOWN SOIREE

It was so much fun to be amidst media friends and the executives of Sheraton Manila. "The World's Gathering Place" had us in a Sundown Soiree as preparations for their 5th Anniversary in the Philippines are on its way. It was lovely at the 10th floor of Sheraton Manila's Sheraton Club. The interiors were conducive for talk, so we did that over cocktails and food served by Chef Andrea Burzio.

He's Sheraton Manila's new Executive Chef and was also there to tell us about the cuisine served at the restaurant. He says "I am a Filipino by heart, I learned sarap, mahal kita and hay nako so far and I'm excited about what to serve here. When I came here in 2016, and we have family, just like in Italy. We are family based, on October, we will feature lunch and dinner with family. Between our main meals, we are also offering Merienda Cena, and we hope you all like it. This is a teaser to Pranzo e Cena which we will be doing at S Kitchen this coming October, you should look forward to it!"

We were welcomed by Sheraton's GM Ms. Anna Vergara. She says "Welcome to Sheraton and today we kick off festivities for our 5th anniversary. This is a gathering of friends, perfectly way to start the holiday season. We have several activities as we showcase our facilities and celebrate the near tree lighting event, it's not an easy feat especially after the pandemic. We are celebrating with you now with our Sundown Soiree."

Ria Galvez Director of Sales and Marketing adds "This is the world's gathering place, and since it's the start of the holidays in the country, we have curated several packages coming out soon. All you need to check is SheratonManila.com. The Marriot Bonvoy app is also available so you can be a member and get perks. This September we have Beyond Happiness for those celebrating love, for family or friends, just talk to us so we can tailor fit your weddings and your most memorable events. We can't wait to see you soon!"

This is just the start of the festivities on their 5th year. There will certainly be more events up til early 2024. Make sure to be part of Sheraton Manila Hotel's celebrations as they do "JIVES AT FIVE". Head on to sheratonmanila.com and their social channels for more updates @SheratonManila. You can also call 02 7902 1800 or their mobile number 0917 859 7496 if you want to make it official. See you at The World's Gathering Place!

Timmy Llana and Maxine Medina: Choosing Their Wedding Rings

It's surreal to see how LOVE happens at the most opportune time. Some may call it serendipity, some may call it fate, but in the case of Dive Master Timmy Llana and Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, it would have been a case of marrying "The One That Got Away".

They went to the same school and had the same circle of friends. He was smitten the first time he laid her eyes on her, but she was young, boyish, had that athletic mindset to think about relationships. Volleyball was the only thing she wanted to do that time. He drove her home a couple of times, and felt taken cared of. 

Nothing romantic came of it, but they remained friends, communicated and then didn't get to talk for a couple of years after that. Maxine then went to win the Miss Universe Philippines title to represent the country for Miss Universe pageant in 2016, right after Pia's reign and eventually, got to the Top 6. After that, she went on to became a celebrity, appearing different successful TV shows, movies, and hosting stints which she remains to do today.    

Got to talk to Timmy and Maxine at J's Diamond in Trinoma during the time they were choosing the designs for their wedding ring.

Timmy prefers the classic design (left), one that could be worn for years and doesn't go out of style. Maxine on the other hand plans to have her rings layered (right) when she wears it. She chose simple but elegant design which is currently is in yellow gold. All would be custom made by J's Diamond in white gold. The one on the far right is a diamond crusted band, she loves it and plans to pass it on for generations to come. These two rings will be paired with the existing marquise shaped diamond ring (her engagement ring), an heirloom piece she got from Timmy's family.

Here's how our conversation over lunch went:

 

Here's a short tour inside the store, and some moments with Timmy and Maxine that afternoon:

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Maxine's love for the sun, sand and the sea got her reconnected with Timmy. They felt it wasn't much of formalities and courtship that happened, the friendship just blossomed into this. She attributes it to her ability to go with the flow, they just kinda knew it was LOVE and embraced it. Timmy saw how they grew closer while doing the things they love (with so much passion), particularly diving. It just so happened that he was a Dive Master, and says they were just at the right place and the right time. 

From a friendship that spanned almost 20 years, and being in a relationship for 5 years, Timmy and Maxine plan to start a family after their wedding in October. They hope to have twins as he's had family who are too . Maxine wants to pursue A LOT of things still, and continue her showbiz career plus other businesses she plans to do in the future (quips she can multitask). She's currently doing "Magandang Dilag" with Herlene Budol and other GMA stars. She says it'll be shown next month, make sure you watch out for that!

Their story could have ended a long time ago, but you see, LOVE has its ways. This too proves how friends, old flames, the things you are passionate about can spark affection and relationships. Hope their story inspires you. I mean who knows?! That person who genuinely care for you might just be THE ONE.

 

Congratulations Timmy and Maxine! Again, thank you for the opportunity to interview and get to know you on a more personal level. I'll be cheering from the bleachers like I did during your Miss U stint!

P.S. If you want to know more about J's Diamond, just search the same on Facebook. You may also visit their official site jsdiamond.com.ph and book appointments there.