Dating Apps: Do They Work?

The pandemic has forced us all to stay in our homes and contemplate about life and dating. These days, going out on an "in person" date would require having testing kits, a microscope and certifications from doctors (I kid). In ways, it has become passe and people have started to realize that relationships can still start with technology through apps on your smartphone. The arduous hours spent on it recently had been figured out (thanks to Rakuten Insight and Statista Global Research) that over 48 percent of Filipinos use dating apps and almost 28 percent admit spending several hours in a week in it. This would probably continue to grow in coming years.

If you don't know, the business is worth 2.5 Billion Dollars, let that sink in. In an industry like this, you need great app experience to stand out and get a bigger chunk of the pie. With it, you'll get a lot of people match and experience connections that are all easy, seamless, meaningful and enjoyable. The various facets of the app should be supported including those that can be attended to by digital outsourcing providers.

The Dating Game

Chat is essential but there are tons of other features that leading apps use to make it a successufl match. Those gif's, stickers, images, greetings, predictive text, much of the things you see or do are driven by AI or machine learning. This includes responses they give so they lead conversations, land pickup lines and Dad jokes with ease.

Others take the extra mile and do games, from trivia rounds to spaceships with your nose, to turning those awkward situations more entertaining. There's a lot out there that can make or break a great dating app, but only a few employ good ones. It has to, otherwise it needs a bit of re-thinking.


In-App Support

Not everyone would be putting in their personal details in the app, understandable for safety reasons. Aside from that, scams and cat-fishing are actually a thing now. This is why support channels should be available whether chat or email, and response to urgent matters must be addressed especially if things get compromised.

Some digital outsourcing providers like TaskUs work with some of the world's biggest dating apps to provide best in industry customer experiences. If you want to get to know them more, check out TaskUs.com.

A Home with Amazing Views: Horizon Terraces Garden Villas

The Philippines is just a treasure trove of nature, beautiful landscapes and untouched terrain. While we have that in the country, not much appreciation falls on it til the pandemic happened two years ago. Naturally, the need for healthy liveable homes was at an all time high and yes, who wouldn't love ample space for having your own garden and backyard?

Such are the things available at Horizon Terraces Garden Villas. These are new prime residences at Tagaytay Highlands. With picturesque views of Taal Lake and Mount Makiling, it'll be a dream to wake up with it everyday with a cup of coffee and newspaper on hand. In the property, folks would enjoy the Central Garden, Garden Courtyard, Sensory Garden for kids and Midlands Golf Course. It won't be a weekend getaway anymore if you're spending every day in it.

Not only that, you've got sports facilities, pools, restaurants that would rival the best restaurants you've been in through the years. These are some of the perks only enjoyed by owners, their families and guests, probably you very soon. If you want to see how it looks like virtually, check out tagaytayhighlands.com/glendale-360 or their various videos and presentations on YouTube (just search for Gelndale Model Unit Walkthrough and you'll get there!).

Tagaytay Highlands also has always been so secure. They've been awarded by the local government of Tagaytay and won awards for being best in class of developers in open market projects. In the property, they still employ safety protocols, mask up and social distance. Tagaytay Highlands were but a dream before but these days, they offer flexible payment terms so if you fancy a unit in Horizon Terraces Garden Villas, go visit their official Facebook page and IG account or their official website. Just search for @tagaytayhighlandsofficial and it'll be the best life decision you'll have this year.

ARJO ATAYDE Does International Film "Cattleya Killer" and Pursues QC D1 Projects

Our good looking Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde is breaking new ground as he continues upcoming drama thriller project "Cattleya Killer". This is an international film that will be done with ABS-CBN International and as of recent, they've announced the ensemble cast that will make this an even greater picture. Among them are legendary Christopher de Leon, Jake Cuenca, Jane Oineza, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino, my love Ria Atayde, Ketchup Eusebio, Frances Makil, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Jojit Lorenzo and Divine Diva Ms. Zsa Zsa Padilla. Production will start this February 2022, and Arjo says "Who wouldn't be excited working with such a formidable cast, and I'm sure we'll deliver a quality film that Filipinos here and around the globe would be proud of. Included in the cast are some of the most respected and accomplished actors who have worked in international films, this will surely be an amazing project for all of us!"

Not forgetting people he serves in Quezon City's First District, Arjo recently graced the town fiesta dedicated to San Pedro Bautista in Basilica Minore de San Pedro Bautista in Barangay Damayan. Arjo and Mayor Joy Belmonte were designated Hermana Mayor and Mayora this year and they obliged. Arjo is also busy in Barangay Santa Teresita as he donated 49 laptop units for daycare centers and an AI Smart Scan X-ray machine for the Barangay Hall. The machine is state of the art, capable of detecting 25 chest pathologies because of its AI tech. It sees Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Cancer and see other illnesses in different parts of the body in just 2 minutes. This was developed by scientists in India, Japan and the Philippines which is phenomenal. Arjo says "This machine works fast and can produce results in 2 minutes, a team of medical experts to assist with this and doctors will interpret results for accuracy."

Arjo was with TJ Calalay, Joseph Juico, Bernard Herrera, Charm Ferrer and the Barangay offciials of Area 6 in Quezon City's 1st District. Our boy is doing good work and I've heard my friends in the area are feeling his presence! He is also being supported by a lot of private businesses and celebrity friends, we can't wait for him to do even more things for his constituents soon.

JENNIFER LOPEZ and OWEN WILSON Surprisingly Good in Romcom MARRY ME

Just got out of the cinema after watching MARRY ME, the much awaited movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez. In it, they commit to a marriage through a live audience. This advanced screening is a treat from Universal Pictures and of course Araneta City's Gateway Cineplex. 

The premise is a wedding wherein there's 20 million people in attendance, a marriage on stage of a pop star and a latin hunk, dubbed as the biggest wedding in the world... but what happens if she finds out that he’s cheating? 

 

Owen Wilsom plays a mormal Dad (Charlie Gilbert), a divorcee who takes good care of his daughter. He’s also a math professor, who didn’t hear about Kat (Jennifer Lopez) and Bastian (oh he's such a dbag - played by Latin star Maluma) prior to this. He had to go to the concert because he got complimentary tickets, brought along his daughter too so that he wouldn’t pass the opportunity to become a cool dad for once. When she (Kat) found out that she was getting cheated on by Bastian, she thought of choosing a random guy in the audience, and Owen was seen holding a "Marry Me" placard, and she then said yes. He went on stage after being egged by everyone, and that started their story. 

I like the part where Kat (the character of JLo) said “If you want to do something different, you have to do something different.” Also loved the different outfits JLo wore, plus the song numbers are also concert worthy, you get a movie and a concert all in one! I loved it, kinda liken it to her 2002 Maid in Manhattan work but a whole lot better story wise. She made me cry a few times during the Mathlon, but you've got to find out why (no spoilers here!).

 

Oh by the way, Gateway Mall has pretty nice cinemas. They're currently employing one seat apart and no food rule inside theaters. You can carry drinks though, understandable because they are following IATF rules. Novotel also is offering wedding and Valentines day packages (if you haven't thought about arranging a lavish date for your boyfriend or girlfriend this might be an opportune time to do it). They're under Accor who also manages 5 star hotels in the Philippines. Pizza Hut also is doing food promos which you can avail in restaurants nationwide, you may opt to eat before or after the movie. 

Marry Me will be shown in theaters starting February 9th in cinemas nationwide, but if’s a good thing to watch in Araneta City Gateway Cineplex if you are near the area. If you are a fan of JLo, you definitely should not miss this. Valentines date? yeah!