VIKINGS Luxury Buffet Opens "MOST BEAUTIFUL" Branch at GATEWAY MALL 2 in Araneta City

Buffet Olympians, lend me your ears! There exists a new VIKINGS branch at the Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City. This is not a drill!

Dubbed as the "Most Beautiful Branch", the new Vikings Buffet branch in this place is indeed worthy of that title. Mixing both Scandinavian and Japanese design, they devised a way to make this small space and make it an iconic venue to eat, be merry and do it like the Vikings do!

The chain as always want you to have an unparalleled gastronomic flair that they do in every branch of Vikings. The sheer variety of food should make you interested since they house more than 10 Stations including my personal favorites, the Meat Carving and Dessert station. The place can sit over 360 people, have lots of options for groups, conducive as they designed it lined up and cozy, with privacy on some parts if you prefer.

Here's a short tour of VIKINGS Luxury Buffet Gateway Mall 2, please enjoy!

The interior as you can see feels so fresh and very minimalist which juxtaposes the amount of food they offer on the buffet. The food quality was also something to be lauded, because their Corporate Executive Chef Rosauro Peciller sees to it that every dish coming out of their kitchen is at par with the level of every Vikings Luxury Buffet branch they handle. 

Chef Ross says "This is one of the most beautiful Vikings Luxury Buffet branch there is. We have an updated menu, different kinds of dishes, we have the Mediterranean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, and the best Meat Carving Station. We also are offering Roasted Duck, Peking Duck, Angus Churrasco and more. I travel a lot, I have worked in the best places around the world, even 5 Star Hotels and Cruise Liners, and take my 43 years of experience in this branch in Gateway Mall 2 at Araneta City. We always update the menu in Vikings, which is why if you have dined here today, you'll probably have to try different dishes the day after. We do that from time to time. For me, this is the best Vikings so far. We have bigger Vikings Buffets elsewhere, but this one has charm and can host a lot of people too. The best time to go here is ANYTIME!" 

He adds "We also continue to innovate, introduce new flavors, it's my 10th year with the Vikings Group. Working in the Philippines I get to be together with my family and friends, which I hope people get to also experience when they dine in this Vikings Luxury Buffet branch in Gateway Mall 2! I am also happy I get to train the young Filipino chefs that are working with Vikings and their other restaurants. It's almost Christmas, so in the holidays, expect even grander food like the Roast Turkey, Roasted Lamb Leg, big Steaks, holiday breads and an awesome Christmas Menu. We can add more in the future. We are the best Buffet in the Philippines!"

It's super nice to actually see this new branch open quite near my home. Just like a lot of businesses, Vikings has been through a lot during the pandemic, laid off a few people, retained who they can. Now they're back, bigger, more beautiful than ever. 

Now put on your Viking hat and troop the Gateway Mall 2 at Araneta City, they are located at the Upper Ground B floor beside Palenque. You may contact them through their social channels, or their number 8-VIKINGS for reservations.

iStudio Plus Opens New Store at Greenhills Mall and Does Grand iPhone 16 Release Day

It's been a while since I've gone to an iPhone release event, and this one is of a better one than usual because yes, it's actually a full blown party!

The folks at iStudio Plus (formerly iStudio) took their gloves off and welcomed celebrities, guests, their executives, and throngs of Apple fans at the opening of iStudio Plus at Greenhills Mall in San Juan City. This is also their midnight launch for the newest Apple phone, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The new iStudio Plus store looks so fresh, new and inviting. Their new name just means they are offering more than the usual products, and probably carry new brands from hereon. Since it's a party, they had rap RnB artist Kiyo perform on stage, and yes, I loved his performance that evening. I also got the chance to see one of my favorite actresses Shaira Diaz whom I didn't get the chance to say hi from an event the day before because she's really busy with interviews. There was also an influencer Christine Samson and one of the biggest streetwear Czars, the one and only Big Boy Cheng who graced the event.

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The new iPhones basically differ in storage, price point, and has new features like hardware buttons so you can do photography in the best possible ways (zoom in and out, and shutter). With its A18 Pro chip, videos get processed better, and yes, filming in 4K at 120 fps, it can be used in a lot of movie quality shots that film makers or ordinary users can enjoy. If you are a budding indie guy or gal, wouldn't that be good?

 

The iPhone 16 Pro would be best for those who want a smaller form, if you like theatrics and bigger hardware features, take the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

This is just the start of iStudio Plus' evolution, from the statements given by their executives, the future is clear for where they are heading. We have to make a decision as consumers, and they just made it easy. Visit iStudio Plus' branches nationwide. 

Thank you too to everyone who made the event as grand as that! I had so much fun!

A Growing Beautéderm Family: Belle Dolls Ambassadors MIGUEL TANFELIX, YSABEL ORTEGA, SOFIA PABLO and SHAIRA DIAZ

A few weeks ago, we got wind of how Beautéderm will announce their Belle Dolls ambassadors. Suffice to say, we were all excited about it. We didn't know who it would be til now. Meet the newest addition to the Beautéderm family, BELLE DOLLS Ambassadors Miguel Tanfelix, Sofia Pablo, Ysabel Ortega, and Shaira Diaz. They will now be under the wing of Beautéderm CEO Rei Tan.

BELLE DOLLS is a line of FDA and Halal approved supplements and drinks designed to promote health and wellness as basis for good skin. It makes sense because yes, if you want to look good, it starts from that.

Ms. Rei says "It all boils down to effectivity. There may be a lot out there in the market, but it becomes very commercial, and we're not even sure about the ingredients they use. We can't have too much sugar at a certain age, which is why I made sure that the studies and research they did with BELLE DOLLS, I'd be hands on. I'm in my ideal weight and form because of it, even though I haven't had rice in months, I still crave sweets. It's a good thing I have drinks from BELLE DOLLS which has stevia. It is doctor approved, and I use it. I'm a DOLL."

She adds "I chose them because they represent different age groups. We already have endorsers for other products that represent 40's, 30's, 20's that in fact don't look their age. I'm completing my babies, and this time, we've got young ones. I only ask a few things, if they are kind, if they post about it, and hardworking. Shaira for example wasn't part of us initially, but EA was and even then she was showcasing products she get from EA. Ysabel on the other hand, I love her, every milestone we celebrate, and she's there. The simple things she does, I appreciate that. Sofia too, she's a very sweet girl, very polite and approaches me all the time when at events. So does Miguel, that's how I look for my Belle Dolls ambassadors, it's nothing complicated. With them as our ambassadors, we know we'll get the message across our consumers."

Here's the press conference on video, please enjoy!

Shaira says "At first, I really got giddy when the Beautéderm informed me that I will be part of the BELLE DOLLS. I remember using Beautéderm Cristaux products and showing her the effects, because it was my first time using products like that. I am very honored being part of this. I was already using it prior to them telling me about it, and I knew the effects, so I really believe in the product. That's what I want to have because we don't want to be ashamed of a product I personally use and endorse. I could recommend this to friends and family because I know its effects, and see the change."

Miguel told us "I'm very excited actually, because Ysabel has been a long time part of Beautéderm Family. And when she gets products, she tells me what her favorites are and also shares some of it for me to use. I got very excited when they told me I'm going to be part of Beautéderm's BELLE DOLLS, and the only guy. It's not just the products, but how they really take care of their endorsers. I've heard a lot of things, so I'm glad I get to be part of that. I'm excited also to meet brothers and sisters from the brand, and Ms. Rei. I'm a coffee lover, and it's perfect that I get to endorse BELLE DOLLS Healthy Coffee. It's got great ingredients!"

And of course, Miguel will be with Ysabel in an endorsement, that's a good thing!

Oral Sunblock Duo

Dark Chocolate, Caramel Macchiato, Stem Cell Lychee and Strawberry, Collage in Kiwi Cucumber and Avocado 

Ysabel says "A lot of their products are quality, you'll be sure of that. We tried, and it is effective. I used to be iffy in the past with drinks, but the packaging, the message it promotes, it's so happy looking... and if you see something like this, and taste it, it's my favorite now. You shouldn't just be taking care of your beauty outside, but also inside. I am so happy because it's something new, and it's amazing!"

Sofia adds "Even way before I've been able to talk to Ms. Rei and now that I'm going to be part of this, she knew how excited I am. I don't use sunblock much because I'm a little lazy, but this is oral sunblock, very easy to take."

If you want to do the extra mile and take care of your skin from within, BELLE DOLLS have products that can do that. It will be available in Beautéderm physical stores, online in different channels as they've got trusted franchisees around the country that you can get it from. I've personally used the Belle Dolls Beauté Secret Strawberry Lychee Drink and it's my favorite. What's yours?

DITO Telecommunity Offers DITO HOME WOWFI

Folks at DITO Telecommunity showcased affordable, fast and unlimited internet connection at the DITO HOME WOWFi Launch. Dubbed as a life changing experience at home, they happily showed us how it is to have their new prepaid wifi connection.

Chief Revenue Officer Evelyn Jimenez says "Every few years digital advancements transform the way we live, a transformation to help Filipinos in digital innovation. We are excited to share with you DITO HOME WOWFi, the first 5G Redcap Wifi in the world, home powered by TRUE 5G. Last year we promised 500 Mbps of home speed and connectivity, and we have 100,000 subscribers and counting. Our goal remains the same, we want this to be accessible to everyone and make it even more affordable. This product is for you, a bridge for reliable, convenient, better than wired or fiber connection. We can power the future of digital homes in the Philippines."

DITO's Chief Technology Officer Rodolfo Santiago added "We will introduce another milestone to bring the future of connectivity to every Filipino home. From the very start, you know we want better service, products at more affordable price points. Why DITO? Why Redcap? If you are transferring stuff, there are different ways. This is how we look at Redcap, it gives the capability of 5G we deserve. We reduced the cost, the service and the equipment. We have 5G , in reduced capacity, which allows us to manage cost efficiently. It is now here in the Philippines. We can deliver it a bit higher than the cost of previous 4G. It's in the right position enough for the needs of subscribers. We have been given awards because of it, no other operators have been recognized of it than us. We hope the experts go address your questions, but we are confident this will give homes high performance at lower costs. Thank you for your time!"

Abe Olandres of Yugatech talked about Redcap Technology in 5G. In theory, it's got faster speed with high capacity initially, but it was costly. Redcap addresses that. From Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra Reliable Latency Function used for autonomous vehicles, and Low Power for Wide Area Deployment (used in remote areas). Redcap sits in between these 3. It allows speed but doesn't need ultra low latency response. DITO commits to 100 Mbps for most of this. It is faster to deploy, easier, and not complicated.

Art Samaniego of Manila Bulletin added that there are a lot of devices that don't need full 5G speed. Smart watches, cameras, iOT devices, only need about 1 Mbps. It also doesn't need the full power of it, hence the standard of reducing it in Redcap technology. For homes that have a lot of devices, this would be best, up to 40. This would also be best for remote work and learning. Including those who are into wearables. DITO Telecommunity is investing in more technology across the country.

DITO HOME WOWFI was explained to us with a smart home outside the venue. Automation in homes is happening, from vacuums, lights, windows, TV's, fridges, speakers, and phones, it can be powered by 5G. Some are a bit expensive since fibers need to be laid, devices need to be installed, just to get coverage and make them work. DITO is looking at smart cities and smart infrastructure now, which is a reason why you should try it out now. More 5G stand alone towers are being built til now, they are the only one doing it, next gen tech with the DITO HOME WOWFI. The future of digital at Php 799 for 30 days. Unlimited 5G with bonus of 50G of 4G data in case the other one doesn't have coverage). All plug and play.

Starter kit costs Php 1,990. Go get them DITO WOWFI's in their different channels, you have the option to choose.