Save on Hotel Deals via the Blood Moon Sale on KLOOK!

This 11.11 is going to be a little hectic for a lot of people. Why not make the most out of it and take that well deserved rest and refuge amongst the different local destinations in the country. It's time to see why that Blood Moon we saw has something to do with some of the deals you can enjoy specifically til November 15. Imagine, 75% OFF on hotel bundles in places like Manila, Cebu, Tagaytay, Batangas, Baguio City, Palawan and the lovely island of Bohol.

If you haven't heard of KLOOK, it's time to download the app. It has literally helped me make my vacation in Bangkok  worthwhile since I was foreign to the activities that the city actually offers. They have packages to take you in each spot, but this one in the Philippines is special since it will get you remarkable deals at some of the best beach, tour spots and hotels in the country. One is at La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, the fabulous Hennan Palm Beach Resort, there's also JPark Island Resort and Waterpark. Aside from that, they've got deals in Quest Hotel Tagaytay, there's also one in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan for deals amounting to 75% OFF the rooms regular price. Head on to klook.com/en-PH/tetris/promo/phyearend2022 if you want to take advantage of it. Follow @Klook_PH on IG, KlookPH on FB, for those uhmazing deals this side of the world!

YASSI PRESSMAN is Your New GSM Calendar Girl for 2023

Yes you've heard it, your newest Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl for 2023 is Yassi Pressman. She was formally launched as Queen of the Barangay and brand ambassador in the yearly Ginebra San Miguel event.

Yassi Pressman just transferred networks but really gained fame with her dance numbers in variety shows, her stint in Ang Probinsyano, and a lot of other programs from the same network. Now her upcoming programs in the Kapuso network include a reprisal 80's film "Saan Nagtatago Ang Pagibig" which will be a project with Viva Films and GMA to be shown on her new station.

They unveiled the new calendars  and it's got a lot of photos of Yassi in different places. From a garage, a forest, by the sea shore, with willow trees, scenic sunset and by the fire. She exudes a different energy. 

Yassi says "At the end of the day, being a part of a great legacy is something special. They are world class and I hope I put something on the table as the new GSM Calendar Girl 2023. I am in a fitness journey right now, I am eating healthy and hopefully this would show. My favorite GSM girl is Pia Wurtzbach. It's challenging to be disciplined, in a way I am going through a lot right now and I feel like being part of this is being ageless, my most natural self and I think people should see that so they get inspired to work on themselves, surround themselves of the people who love them, never say die and keep going in spite of troubles. If you try and fail, you've got a lot of people to catch you. This is for my family, it's why I am really inspired to keep going, they are my inspiration. Being caring is innate in Filipinos, I hope to also get to help other people as your 2023 Calendar Girl."

If you want to get hold of the new calendars, make sure you visit Ginebra and the respective products social channels and get the chance to own these much coveted Yassi Pressman GSM Calendars. You can by the way scan the individual QR codes on the calendar and find a little surprise... Some good recipes made with Yassi Pressman whilst you drink! Enjoy!

ProPak Philippines Slated for February

The biggest processing and packaging event is going to happen this February 1-3, 2023 as ProPak Philippines will happen at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines. It has been quite a good venue to promote products in packaging, processing, machinery especially for food, beverages, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and more.

Arch Prakasvudhisarn the Events Manager for Informa Markets says "With the industry needs in packaging technologies, we listen and studies so we can contribute in SME's. No one is left behind. These are many partners we work with in the industry. We are expecting 250 exhibitors including those from Italy, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. For those looking for products and sustainable packaging, this is the perfect opportunity to see what could benefit your businesses and be part of the progressive solutions that can now be made here in the country."

Usec. Blesila Lantayona of DTI says "The pioneering edition of ProPak Philippines was very successful. DTI pushed for innovative packaging initiatives called Pak Pinas through seminars and trade fairs which is why we partnered with MSME Trade Council, DOST, and other private organizations to drive businesses to scale up by doing packaging, marketing, and certification through better technology. We will continue to support ProPak as we see huge potential, congratulations to ProPak Philippines!"

Dr. Jhino Ilano of the Export Marketing Bureau of DTI adds "January to September was a time when we increased imports compared to previous years. We are bouncing back compared to pre-pandemic values. We have seen 11% and continuously growing especially electronics, coconut oil and a lot of other products that have huge potential. We have shown huge export growth and can attribute it to improvement of Filipino products and sustainable ways of doing it."

Engr. Hignio Porte Jr. the President of Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association says "We partnered with Informa Markets and brought our members to Thailand and it has since made us the third biggest in SEA, but posting highest growth. From over the counter products, vitamins, minerals, immune boosting products including paracetamol was all sold out during the pandemic. There is still high demand and world market growth in the pharma industry. I envy Indonesia and Thailand as much of their products are locally produced before they get released in the country. I told congress about this and even DOH is getting medicine from India and China instead of locally doing it. We have world class distribution in the country, very comparable to products outside the country."

Antonio Tanael of Philippine Printing Technical Foundation also says "Packaging is going to be an important part of what's going to happen in February, we will be supporting ProPak Philippines and working with them hand in hand."

Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. President  Jeremiah Paul Morales says "In the Philippines, in every corner, there are franchise owners. We heeded the call of Franchise. ProPak Asia has helped us in learning more about packaging technologies especially in food where we are involved. Now that they are here, it is going to be more accessible for franchise owners this coming February."

Norman Camungol of Production and Operations Management Association of the Philippines says "This is the most important sector, with a higher multiply effect. It also affects supply chains, inducing demands for technology. We introduce changes and contribute to taxes. The manufacturing sector is now going digital, from web and email channels, it's challenging to make that experience better for the customer. Industries are using smartphones and do video conferencing. You also use apps, smart tech that are all here now. We also use analytics in lots of areas. Our lives are all connected on social media, and machines, systems, can also be like that. The diagnosis can be done quite fast. The ability also to connect to consumers is happening and it shortens sale cycles, delivering products at a faster pace. Before, it takes weeks to find customers but in Nueva Viscaya, there are a lot of farmers who already sell produce even before they get harvested. We need a holistic approach, and it shouldn't be one segment. We used to be a quarter of the economy and we want to have representation just like other countries parliaments. Our partners in packaging and we have partnered with ProPak and DTI in the field of manufacturing."

Anna Anastacio of GS1 Philippines says "We hope to be able to support local packaging especially our 116 member organizations around the world. Ours is the organization authorized to issue prefixes in barcode numbers. It allows products to be sold locally and internationally. It carries info on products, and GS1 Philippines will be in the ProPak event this February."

It's going to be a great place to see businesses and packaging professionals work together and level up your products. Make the trip to World Trade Center in Pasay. Get access in person, or visit informamarkets.com for more information.

First Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment Certified Studio Opens in the Philippines

If you can dream it, you can achieve it. I've heard that line before, but these guys did it.

They are called Waxiefied Sound Productions and recently, they have been able to get Home Entertainment Studio Certification from Dolby Atmos. A first in the country. They invited us to see the actual facility, with strict instructions not to touch equipment as each piece is measured and angled to a T, with laser precision and all.

Waxie G. Joaquin the founder of Waxiefied Sound Productions and Executive Mastering Engineer says "It's time to level up! With this in the country, you're bound to no longer listen to these musicians like an audience, you've got an entire technology that'll work with spatial audio. It's like listening 2-3 inches away from actual person doing it. In the past, decoding stereo wasn't just enough, now they decoded Dolby Atmos and we need to be part of that. I often hear in the PH "pwede na Yan!" and we know, we need to catch up!" 

I'm quite sure you've seen the Dolby Atmos mark in movies, music, and just about any of the world class projects that want the best in audio. Think of it as a balancing act of separating each component of a single track and putting them in a 3D space where you can hear distinct vocals, instruments from different directions, where you feel like you're in the actual studio. In the past, some of the movie and song projects in the country were being sent to studios outside the country, and this changes the game. Waxiefied Sound Productions can cater to Philippine based sound engineers, composers, musicians and artists that need their work mastered. They don't need to go out of the country anymore just to get the service done. Here's a short tour of it:

Jiggs Hermano, Waxified's Acoustic Engineer adds "It's very hard for people to once accept stereo, and for 70 years we've been working with that. We started to embrace mp3, and Dolby Atmos changes it. It brings a bigger canvas for us artist, we are making music that is immersive and can be heard everywhere. The music will evolve and make sound feel like you're in it. It adds emotion, it adds space, we now have the ability to put it into  different sides. Mastering makes it sound better, and this is transparent. You just have to turn it on your device. It will adjust to what you are listening to, it's very easy to put into your lives. I was a non believer and now I feel it just blew my mind!"

Jiggs Hermano

Waxie Joaquin, Jiggs Hernando, Vito Syquia, and Peter Hager

Imagine how our films/movies would become when we apply this for entries in international film festivals, or when artists try their luck performing outside the country. They also talked about how it was built, and had several out of country locations to source the equipment for this studio. It was just matter of time to be able to complete it, as they were very confident it was achievable.

I haven't seen so many people geeking out over music and audio all in one place, and  if you wanted to paint a picture of artists who have used this, names like James Reid (songs from his newest release), New Game Plus, Massiah, Nadine Lustre, Jay Ortega, J. Mara, Morobeats, Nicole Asensio, and Dan Gil and Marga Jayy are on the list. If you want to know their services, visit their website waxiefiedsoundproduction.com or find Waxiefied Sound Productions on social channels.

All for the love of music and the industry! Cheers!