51Talk, an online ESL teaching platform turns over 5.25M pesos worth of donation to the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). Metro Manila hospitals: The Philippine General Hospital-Department of Pediatrics, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Institute of Pediatrics and Child Health and the Metropolitan Medical Center Manila are the beneficiaries of the Medical equipment and PPE donations. 

At the brief turnover ceremony, FFCCCII External Affairs Committee Chairman Nelson Guevarra, representing FFCCCII President Henry Lim Bon Liong, expressed his gratitude to 51Talk for the generous donation.

Guevarra expressed that in behalf of FFCCCII, he thank 51Talk, its CEO and Founder Jack Huang and Country Head Jennifer Que. He also said they have been working double time with the partner organizations locally and abroad to aid hospitals and medical front liners in our fight against COVID-19. He added, that only through helping each other will our nation overcome this crisis.

Philippine government prepares to lift the enhanced community quarantine in the next few weeks but many hospitals are still experiencing supply scarcities, particularly with PPEs.

51Talk Country Head Jennifer Que said that what we are experiencing are extraordinary circumstances. As challenging as it seems for most of us, she admire the resolve and the courage of the Filipino front liners who, day in and day out, are tending to the sick to keep the rest of the population safe and healthy, on behalf of our 51Talk home-based online English teachers, we salute our front liners!

Home-based online types of livelihood remained resilient during this pandemic. 51Talk’s 20,000 strong home-based online English teachers continue to teach and earn while staying safe at home amid the on-going enhanced community quarantine.  

About 51Talk (www.51Talk.ph)

51Talk (NYSE:COE) is the leading online education platform from China that specializes in providing quality online English language teaching. 51Talk connects highly qualified home-based Filipino English teachers with students across China who enjoy a personalized learning experience through live, interactive, and fun lessons.

51Talk donated over 5M worth of PPEs to Metro Manila Hospitals posted at Cebu Events Blog

Many employees and workers have had their livelihoods affected, particularly those working in industries and businesses that were forced to temporarily suspend operations due to ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine. Thankfully, employees and workers affected can see if they qualify for the national government’s Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program through the Social Security System (SSS) or apply for other loans and have the funds disbursed safely and conveniently to their PayMaya account. The application period for this subsidy program has been extended until May 8, 2020.

PayMaya has partnered with SSS to be the only e-wallet that can receive SBWS funds from the government, allowing even those without a bank account to conveniently receive the subsidy by simply signing up for a PayMaya account using their mobile devices. All you have to do is make sure to provide your PayMaya mobile number to your employer, who will then enroll your PayMaya account to be linked to SSS once they receive access to the SBWS application portal. Easily receive your wage subsidy via PayMaya

1) Download the PayMaya app on your iOS or Android phone

2) Register for an account using your Mobile Number, Name, and Email Address

3) Enter the Verification Code that will be sent to the Mobile Number you registered with

4) Upgrade your account by accessing the menu and tapping "Upgrade Your Account"

5) Once your account is set up and upgraded, give your PayMaya mobile number to your employer who will then enroll your account through the SSS online portal

Loan proceeds and wage subsidies can now be disbursed to your PayMaya account once enrolled and the funds are available. Wage subsidies and loan applications are subject to approval of SSS and based on eligibility of employees after application has been submitted by their respective employers.

To successfully receive your wage subsidies and loan proceeds via PayMaya, make sure that your PayMaya accounts are upgraded. For a faster and smoother upgrade process, uploading a Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) is recommended. Likewise, ensure that the information in your upgrade application form is the same as the one reflected in your ID.

The advantage of having your account verified is that you may encash the funds through the more than 30,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide or withdraw the funds at any Bancnet ATMs currently available using their physical PayMaya card.

Utilizing PayMaya for various digital transactions is also a safer way to pay as part of physical distancing and health measures. Using the PayMaya app, Filipinos can continue doing transactions such as paying their bills, settling government dues, buying airtime load for themselves or their friends, or sending money to loved ones in the provinces all at the safety of their own homes.

PayMaya is one of the leading digital financial services company in the country offering end-to-end payment solutions giving millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device.

SSS Wage Subsidy release through PayMaya posted at Cebu Events Blog

Hog raisers in General Santos City and South Cotabato assures steady, quality supply for Cebu City and now ready to resume supplying affordable pork meat after Mayor Edgardo Labella lifted the ban on entry of hogs and pork products here following an African Swine Fever infection in some parts of Mindanao in February.


The president of South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (SOCOSPA), Ramil Lim said they are happy to resume supplying Cebu City which they have been doing for the last 30 years.

He likewise thanked Mayor Labella for lifting the ASF-related ban on hogs and pork products in Cebu City. Mayor Labella issued an executive order lifting the ban on April 28. He also hope other cities and provinces in the Visayas will follow suit.


The SOCOSPA president also thanked the mayors of Tacloban City and other towns in Southern Leyte for allowing the entry of live hogs in the said nearby island.

SOCOSPA hog raisers are shipping an average of eight to ten 20-foot container vans of frozen pig carcasses to Cebu City every week before the ban was imposed in February this year. Each container van is loaded with 12 tons of headless pig carcasses.

The Department of Agriculture recently declared General Santos City and South Cotabato as ASF-free. All shipped pork products are also inspected and certified by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) before they are loaded into refrigerated vans bound for Cebu and other destinations.


SOCOSPA livestock raisers, which primarily are from General Santos City and South Cotabato, are the largest hog producers in Mindanao. Both have a combined population of at least 45,000 sows and are capable of producing at least 50,000 hogs every month. At least 60 percent of SOCOSPA hog production is shipped to Visayas, particularly in Cebu City.

DAR Secretary William Dar earlier said some 1,700 metric tons of pork meat are immediately available from General Santos and Davao City to also meet a possible supply problem in Metro Manila. Cebu City meatshop owners have been complaining of low supply of headless pork carcasses.

The price of frozen pork carcass has reportedly gone up to P175 per kilo, prompting them to buy from backyard owners, which is still not enough to meet local demands here.

Backyard hogs have low recovery rates which, according to meat shop owners, drive prices of meat products to go up. A kilo of prime pork belly is now reportedly selling at P300 per kilo at meat shops here in Cebu.

Frozen pig carcasses from General Santos City are priced at P135 to P140 a kilo when landed in Cebu before the ASF-related ban was imposed.

Pilipinas Shell supports our Visayas frontliners, fueled them up and on-the-go. Shell has ramped up its efforts to help front liners stay on the go as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has climbed up in Visayas region. With health and safety as its top priority, Pilipinas Shell has increased the support provided by its retail gas stations so that frontliners can safely reach their destinations.



Here are 6 Ways Pilipinas Shell offered to partners in order to aid the transportation of frontliners, the mobilization of ambulances, and other ongoing relief efforts.

1. Free fuel has been provided to two of its Visayan partners, the Home Quarantine and Protection Project in Negros and the Chonghua Hospital in Mandue.
2. Free fuel has been provided to Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), Ceres bus line partnered with Bacolod City to deploy 21 of its buses to ferry health workers and workers of other essential services.
3. ₱3.00 OFF for gasoline and ₱2.00 OFF for diesel at 151 Shell gas stations in Luzon and Visayas for health workers, police and military personnel, and logistics drivers at the forefront of the COVID-19 efforts thru Shell’s Project Bayanihan.
4. Free Vitamin C from Shell's four retail sites in Bacolod to all customers who gas up at Shell. Since the beginning of the initiative, 2,000 vitamin C capsules have been released to customers to help boost their immune systems.
5. Free Coffee, face masks and snacks at various Shell retailer stations and partners as they also stepped up to provide additional support.
6. Free Food Delivery to hospitals in Manila with as Shell tapped partner establishments at certain stations.

For 106 years, Shell has contributed its global expertise to power progress in the Philippines. Even with today’s extraordinary circumstances, Shell aims to drive its efforts towards preparing nation for the recovery efforts of tomorrow. Their initiatives in the Visayas are part of the company’s commitment to be the country’s partner in nation-building.

Shell fuels up Visayas frontliners to keep them on-the-go posted at Cebu Events Blog

There can be no greater than meaningful banking when a bank pampers you and understand your needs for both to grow and prosper. Metrobank, with ways of banking revolves in giving meaningful banking gives more than just a services but a delightful experience.



Metrobank embraces change to make things better, advocating trustworthiness giving a hint of worry-free transactions, making things more secure. They are also pioneering new features such as card-less withdrawals and foster more on their online banking for everyones convenience.



Introducing Earnest.Ph
Now on Beta mode, developed by Metrobank, Earnest.Ph is a resource website for everyone to learn about investments. It's okay to visit the website even if you have zero knowledge about investing since Earnest approach is made simple. They've developed bite-sized lesson cards and easy-to-understand articles that cover the most basic investing concepts you need to know to start growing your money today.



From the the things they've learned from working at a bank and presented them in a way that's straightforward and as jargon-free as possible because they know it's not always easy to sift through the things you need to know when you want to invest.

For any feedbacks about the contents in the website, email them hello@earnest.ph
All photos owned by Metrobank FB and Earnest.PH

Meaninful Banking and Earnest.PH Preview posted at Cebu Events Blog

Enjoy up to P5,000 in discounts and cashback deals as the holiday shopping season kicks off with the various 11-11 online and in-store sale events happening nationwide. Prefer to shop and stay at home or at the nearest malls? PayMaya is your trusted payment buddy for a more convenient and rewarding shopping experience this holiday season. Easily score up to 100% cashback (max of P500) when you use your PayMaya card or PayMaya QR for shopping this 11-11. Spend at least P100 to get your cashback. Plus, you earn an additional P250 cashback when you spend an accumulated total of P5,000* (minimum of P500 spend) with your PayMaya card, and another P250 cashback on top of that when you spend the same amount with PayMaya QR!



Here are PayMaya curated Deals for you to start:

1. Gift-shopping at Lazada made more rewarding by simply redeeming the PayMaya voucher in the Lazada app. A whooping 25% off (maximum P300) on your purchase of at least P1,000, making sure on adding items to your cart earlier will help to get the best deals!  
2. Gift ideas? Get a 10% discount on Rustans.com using the promo code PAYMAYAMONDAY10 when you shop all Mondays of November and December. Avail this promo when you spend at least P1,000, and get maximum of P2,000 off of your purchase. Your friends would love you more!
3. There’s no better feeling than treating yourself with a shopping spree. Outfits perfect for Christmas parties and reunions comes handy with Zalora with 25% discount of up to P2,000 on your purchase using promo code PYMYONLINEFEVER when you shop at a minimum purchase of P1,500.

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, now is the best time to have one so you can enjoy amazing convenience and rewarding perks for your holiday purchases. Download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, register an account. Use the code PAYMAYALOVE when you register for an account to instantly earn P100 until November 15. Remember, this holiday season don’t pay cash, PayMaya!

Visit www.paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Singles Day November 11 Deals Discounts Cashback from PayMaya posted at Cebu Events Blog

IDP Education Philippines brings to Cebu more options for international study in an International Education Fair happening on October 26, 2019 at the Grand Convention Center of Cebu, Cebu City. It will hosts institutions from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the United States. Fair opens at 12 noon and ends at 5:00 p.m.



Here are some of the reasons on why you should Go:

1. Free Admission on Parallel study abroad and IELTS seminars. 
2. Free P3,500 worth of free IELTS preparation materials or more for students booking their IELTS exams at the fair.
3. Up to P8,000 equivalent in school application fees savings for applicants and having admission to any of the schools exhibiting at the event.
4. Free counselling to students by IDP’s Qualified Education Counsellors. Includes assessment of documentary requirements, guidance in choosing the best locations, programs and schools based on applicant qualifications, processing of admissions applications and student visas and pre-departure briefings.

IDP International Education Fair is designed as an open-source convergence of Cebuano students seeking to pursue international study pathways with the representatives of schools, colleges, universities and technical and further education institutions abroad.



The IDP International Education Fair will provide students with a rich experience where information is available first-hand and they are enabled to make informed decisions about their education goals.

Students who wish to have their qualifications assessed may bring their transcripts of records, passports and IELTS results, if available, to the fair.

IDP Education is an ASX listed company that is 50% owned by 38 Australian universities.  It has a network of 100 offices in over 30 countries offering student placement and English language testing services. IDP has 50 years of experience in international education. Through its subsidiary IELTS Australia Pty Ltd, IDP is a partner in IELTS. IELTS is delivered at over 1600 test locations in over 140 countries/territories.



IDP Philippines has been part of IDP Education since 1985 and has been the global partner of universities and colleges across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Visit www.idp.com/philippines for more information, access IELTS IDP Education on facebook, visit the IDP Cebu Office at G/F, Keppel Tower, Cardinal Rosales Ave., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City or call (032) 236 2758.

IDP International Education Fair Cebu Grand Con October 26 posted at Cebu Events Blog

Contempo Property Holdings, Inc., an award-winning property developer based in Ayala Life FGU Center, Cebu City visions to shape communities of affordable homes in Visayas and Mindanao in response to the aspiration of mid-income Filipinos to live a better life among good neighbors in a nurturing, safe and secure environment. Contempo Property Holdings, Inc, headed by CEO Beverly Dayanan, dreamed to offer better living options to upwardly mobile mid-income householders. Thus, the next innovative projects and residential destination are born:


Bamboo Bay Community
Type: 3-Building Mid-rise Residential Condominium
Location: Hernan Cortes St., Subangdaku, Mandaue City

Bamboo Bay Community is a 1 hectare modern Asian tropical themed development that is master-planned to support 3 residential towers clustered around resort amenities. Within minutes of 5 malls, the air and sea ports, offices, schools, hospitals, churches and business parks. Protected by perimeter walls all around. A guardhouse in each of the two gates are manned 24/7 in addition to security assigned at each tower. Again, more than the usual features are included in the development. Environment-friendly rainwater collecting cisterns as well as for MCWD tap water, a sewage treatment plant (STP) and a material recovery facility (MRF) provide Bamboo Bay with green alternatives.

Bamboo Bay Community is nourishing with its current completion and occupancy, see below recent photos taken from Contempo's Flagship Property.







Bamboo Bay Residences
Type: Horizontal Residential Housing
Location: Catarman, Liloan, Cebu

A master planned horizontal development with a modern Asian tropical design. A laid-back type of living, far from the city, yet near convenience, with distinct amenities and features that make for an ideal tropical living. Exclusive, secure and safe community. There are 3 models that the residences offered: Fortune Bamboo, Fountain Bamboo & Golden Bamboo Models. Here are artist's perspective images of the upcoming Contempo horizontal housing project.





The Amenities at Bamboo Bay Residences includes Elegant Entrance Gate, Exclusive Clubhouse, Infinity Pool, Basketball Court, Active Wellness Zone, Barbeque Bay, Blooms Garden, Edible Garden, Kid’s Playground, Chapel, Sea and Sky viewing deck & Jogging Trail.
Sunberry Homes, Inc.
Type: Subdivision Socialize Housing (Complete Finish Unit)
Location: Sudtunggan, Lapu-Lapu City

Sunberry Homes is an affiliate of Contempo Property Holdings, Inc in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island specifically in Brgy. Sudtunggan. The project is easily accessible with friendly economic household features and amenities that promote the well-being of every resident. It is very near at Mactan Doctor’s Hospital, Gaisano Grand Mall, Shopwise Supermarket, Gaisano Savers Mart, Satellite Market and very near to Mactan Island public and exclusive beach resorts.





Sunberry Homes is a 2.5 hectare subdivision property that includes basic environmental and security features such as an underground drainage system, water and electrical system, 24-hour security, security perimeter fence etc. and family-centered amenities such as a full basketball court, landscaped park and children’s playground, lagoon and a multipurpose hall.

For more information about this project, please contact 0927-896-0821 for more details.

Bamboo Bay Community property posted at Cebu Events Blog
Bamboo Bay Residences horizontal development posted at Cebu Events Blog
Sunberry Homes Inc. Mactan socialize housing posted at Cebu Events Blog

Forget Cash-On-Delivery (COD) and PayMaya as you tick off your wishlist this 10.10 weekend for more convenience, security, and rewards that it has to offer such as exclusive perks, better than any other cards! Get not only the best discounts on deals when you shop online and in store, you can also get so much more when you shop with your PayMaya card or use PayMaya QR. Find out below the Cashbacks waiting for you!



Use your PayMaya card or pay using QR for your online and in-store shopping this October and get as much as 3,000 pesos in cashback for your purchases. Add to cart the latest fashion finds, gadget trends, and home items and get rewarded with:

• Get up to 100% cashback (maximum P1,000 for October) for all your transactions. upto P5,000 spend
• And when you rack up a total of P5,000 spend, you also get a P500 cashback on top of everything else!

Also, if you just feel like going to the malls to get your shopping fill this 10.10, PayMaya's also got your back because you can also:

• Get up to 100% cashback (maximum P1,000 for October) for each spend.
• A P500 reward for an accumulated P5,000 purchase this October when you scan to pay with your phone using PayMaya QR. 

Visit pymy.co/QRmerchant to know the nearest store that accepts PayMaya QR. If you don’t have  account yet, it's the best time to get one so you can take advantage of all the cashback rewards. Download the PayMaya app now for iOS or Android and sign up today, to know how you can maximize your PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

PayMaya, the digital financial services arm of Voyager Innovations. The first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device. Voyager Innovations is backed by PLDT, KKR, Tencent, World Bank’s IFC and the IFC Emerging Asia Fund.

Rewards and Cashback on 10.10 Sale Weekend with PayMaya posted at Cebu Events Blog

According to Cebuano businessman and Angkas advocate Gilbert Olan, to begin, over 5,000 Angkas biker-partners in Metro Cebu are more than prepared to take on the task of ferrying commuters to where they need to go, while traffic continues to plague Metro Cebu, Angkas will continue to help Cebuanos by not only providing an efficient transport option, but also providing a decent means of livelihood for motorcycle owners.


Angkas is a popular motorcycle taxi ride-hailing service, to reach their destinations on time. The increasing business activity has become a positive note through industrialization in Cebu, twinning to it is an increase in the number of vehicles plying the streets and the consequent traffic jams in and around the area. The Land Transportation Office Region VII (LTO-7) has over 500K & 800K motor vehicles and motorcycles in its registry for Cebu Province as in 2017 & 2018 respectively.


The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) releases a study that the unresolved traffic congestion in Metro Cebu has resulted in at least P1.1 billion in economic losses a day. Olan stressed that the traffic is a problem that affects all social classes, rich and poor alike are all affected by the traffic problem and are all burdened by its economic and social costs. This is exactly the reason why Angkas was born, to alleviate the commuting problems of Cebuanos.


Angkas is an innovative and timely traffic solution that Cebuanos need says Angkas Founder and CEO Angeline Tham, they are happy to offer the service to help commuters reach their destinations in a fast, convenient, and affordable way. Angkas biker-partners are strictly screened and are given thorough safety training before being allowed to service passengers. The Angkas bikers and their passengers are also entitled to insurance in every trip. Angkas puts a premium on the safety of the passengers, the bikers, and everyone else on the road, something that they are proud of.

Angkas held the very first “Angkas Safety Fiesta” in Cebu at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City to strengthen their efforts to ensure the safety of the biker-partners and their passengers, the 12-hour event consists of safety seminar and skills training session for their biker-partners, a dental mission, free haircut and massage for the participants. An Angkas Gymkhana tournament is also held, winners announced at the culmination.

The enriching Angkas Safety Fiesta also served as a kicked off activity for new Angkas biker-partners, with the objective of being able to service more Cebuano commuters at a time. Another highlights of the Fiesta is to treat bikers and their families with generous raffles and a musical concert featuring "The Professor" Sir Andrew E. and Cebu's pride Cueshe as well as acts like the D7G Girls, Jay R Siaboc, Crazy Duo Jr., and the Maka Girls. The show, which was hosted by DJ Chixie and DJ Ringo, was open to the public.

1st Angkas Safety Fiesta with Cebu Angkas Bikers posted at Cebu Events Blog

These Starbucks’ autumn-inspired beverages is perfect for the coziest time of the year. The chilly weather will make more customers seeking the comfort of a good cup of well-crafted coffee beverages. We may may not experience crisp autumns at our backyards, Starbucks is bringing everyone the smooth and creamy flavors of fall with their brand new beverages to enjoy during this cool time of the year. Available for a limited time only starting September 10.



Asian Dolce Latte is a returning favorite but has an added kick, the specially-developed sweet dolce sauce which perfectly blends with creamy steamed milk, giving it a rich, velvety texture, Asian Dolce is a drink which celebrates the classic Starbucks latte with a twist from the east made with rich shots of premium espresso. The beverage is topped with Turkish coffee grounds.


The Starbucks Irish Cream Coffee Jelly Frappuccino will give you a taste of flavors from all over the world, Starbucks takes inspiration from the iconic Irish Cream Coffee by incorporating delicious Irish Cream to two indulgent beverages. An instant pick-me-up, crafted with signature Coffee Jelly Frappuccino infused with Irish Cream, topped with a smooth and rich espresso whipped cream, and dusted with finely ground espresso powder.


The other option for cold brew lovers is the Irish Cream Cold Brew, made with a custom blend of Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee, slow-steeped, then topped with a float of Irish Cream, creating a silky smooth coffee experience.

Starbucks Autumn Inspired Beverages now Available posted at Cebu Events Blog