Celebrity Chef Tatung Sarthou rings in the holiday season bearing gifts for everyone. The author-restaurateur is releasing not one but two follow-ups to his bestselling Simpol The Cookbook. 

First in the back-to-back release is Simpol Kitchen Secrets, a guidebook on cooking skills and techniques. Here, Chef Tatung breaks down the fundamentals of culinary arts for everyone’s easy reference. It is told through over 100 recipes, 200 kitchen tips, and 600 colored photos and artwork. 

The second is Baking Simpol, a cookbook with 100 recipes for desserts, breads, and pastries. Chef Tatung, who has earned praises for his innovative takes on dessert classics such as bibingka cheesecake, tsok-Nut cake, and pichi-pichi with torched queso de bola topping, lays down the art, crumb by crumb, to satisfy your sweet tooth any time, any day. 

“’Yung culinary knowledge natin it belongs to the people. Kasi hindi naman orihinal na ideya na nanggaling sa akin. Hindi naman siya kaalaman na ako ‘yung nakadiskubre,” says Chef Tatung. 

“Kung ako natutunan ko siya dahil may mga taong nagturo sa akin, may mga taong nag-share sa akin, bakit ko ipagkakait sa tao na matuto din?” 

So, for those who are looking to elevate their Christmas feast or just searching for the perfect Secret Santa gift, Chef Tatung has you covered just in time. 

Simpol Kitchen Secrets will be out by November 30. This shall be followed by Baking Simpol two weeks later. Both books will be available locally and abroad through Lazada, Shopee, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon SG, and eBay. 

The two titles shall be published under Vertikal Books, a boutique press specializing in the creative nonfiction genre, specifically culinary content

Simpol Kitchen Secrets and Baking Simpol shall be the fifth and sixth books penned by Chef Tatung. His previous works have won the prestigious World Gourmand Awards in Paris, France. Last October, two of his bestselling books, Rice to the Occasion: Kanin to Kakanin and Simpol: The Cookbook, were also featured in the Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the largest and oldest trade fairs for books and content in the world.

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Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Chairman of the House Committee on Revision of Laws, hails the ratification today by the House of Representatives of the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2332 and House Bill No. 7836 on increasing the age in determining statutory rape.

“In the report, we determined that the age of statutory rape be set to under 16 years of age in view of the global standard on statutory rape age,” Rep. Deloso-Montalla explained. “We also aligned with this bill the age of consent in other crimes under the criminal code and other anti-child abuse and exploitation laws like the R.A. No. 7610,” she added. 

The Representative of the 2nd District of Zambales also said that the Committee “… also provided a “close-in relationship” or “sweetheart clause” to recognize the legitimate relationship between 2 teenagers... that is in consonance with the age of criminal liability under RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act or RA No. 9344, as amended by RA No. 10630. Most importantly, rape and other acts of sexual exploitation, under this bill, is now applicable to a man, woman, or child."

“The enactment of this bill is long overdue as the data scream loudly and clearly speak that the crime of rape remains rampant in the country. What we know are the reported cases but the true statistics may be higher considering that there are a lot of unreported and unaccounted cases of rape and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation that are happening,” Rep. Deloso-Montalla further said. 

“Now that we have ratified the Bi-Cam report on the anti-stat rape bill, it is now a step closer to becoming a law! We will always endure to ascertain that our children are given optimum protection under our laws and within the bounds of the democratic society that we have,” she averred. 

Initially, 9 bills were referred to the Committee on Revision of Laws relating to the amendments to Anti-Rape Law with specific provisions on increasing the age of consent on statutory rape. There were similar bills that were referred to the Committee on Welfare of Children Chaired by Rep. Yedda K. Romualdez. The 2 committees jointly heard and deliberated exhaustively on the proposed measures and came up with a substitute bill - HB 7836 or An Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Including Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape. 

The bill was approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives on December 1, 2020.

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GCash brings back the thrill of Christmas shopping, family gatherings over Noche Buena and the tradition of pamamasko with daily rewards and a chance to win over P50M worth in prizes

Everyone surely longs for the warmth that the holiday season brings, especially in a country known to celebrate Christmas as a tight-knit community. Holiday shopping at bazaars and fairs, Christmas carols around the neighborhood, homecoming reunions, pamamasko and gift-giving may have been reduced to a dose of nostalgia for the past year but this time, GCash shows us that we are headed for brighter days!

This Christmas, GCash, the leading e-wallet platform in the Philippines, is bringing to life these well-loved Filipino Christmas traditions and giving us more reasons to celebrate and be merry. GCash, the undisputed #1 financial app in the country with over 40 million users to date, is inviting everyone to Merry GCash, its biggest and brightest Christmas celebration, with guaranteed daily rewards and a chance to be the first GCash millionaire, digitizing your favorite Filipino Christmas traditions.

Showing that Life Is G during the most awaited season of the year, GCash enables users to share these well-missed holiday experiences with their loved ones, wherever they may be, and delighting them with exciting rewards and deals over the holiday season.


Mag-Enjoy sa Christmas GLife Tiangge

GCash invites users to experience a more rewarding thrill of fulfilling wish lists and Christmas shopping. No more going through the dreaded Christmas rush, as GLife merchants will offer exclusive discounts and promos open for all users to enjoy!

Simply click on GLife on the GCash app, select the MerryG category and shop from featured brands and MSMEs.

• Globe at Home
• Buy Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi LTE advanced modem and get a free TP-link extender
• Buy Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi LTE Black Pink themed modem and get a free TP-link extender
• Get 50% off when you purchase a TP-link extender
• Auntie Anne's
• Save as much as P115 when you get the Holiday Bundle, which includes a box of pretzel and 1 liter of lemonade for only P550

Food & Drink: Cafe Calypso, CiderBears, Dream Coffee, Mayani, Taste and Tell MNL

Health & Wellness: EYEPRO, VPharma, Other Options Lifestyle

Home: Shibui, Hamlet Kids Room, Magnificent Marketing, Orion

Retail & Fashion: Aug3 Clothing, Baby Cuddle PH, Bibs Manila, FanLife, Milkwear, Skinni


Mamasko When You Send Love, Send Pamasko

The tradition of aguinaldo will continue to live on even if we can’t physically visit our ninongs, ninangs or inaanaks. With Send Love, Send Pamasko, GCash gives us a convenient and safe way to send love to our loved ones and share blessings with partner charities. Even OFWs who can’t make it home can send their pamasko from anywhere across the globe to anywhere in the country with GCash.

It only takes a few taps to make a difference and make Christmas more meaningful. With Send Pamasko, users can donate in GLife for participating charity partners. Sharing the spirit of goodwill, GCash is partnering with ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Save the Children, OFW Family Club, UNICEF and WWF. To send love to these causes close to your heart, select GLife on the GCash app and click on GCash For Good.

If you are thinking of adding a special Christmas touch to your pamasko for your family and friends, Send Pamasko and Send with a Clip features allow you to use special themes created by partner charities and the GCash Barkada. Simply fill in their GCash number and total amount, add a thoughtful message, select from holiday themes and confirm the transaction to show them how much they mean to you.


Magsaya With A Chance To Win 50 Million Worth of Prizes

Brighten up your holidays with more chances of winning just by using your GCash app. Catch up and connect with your loved ones this holiday season with the Lucky Load promo. For every PHP 50 worth of transaction through Buy Load on your GCash app, you get a Lucky Load ticket. With each ticket, you get to pick 6 out of 30 icons, and when you match at least 3 icons, you get a share of the pot prize of up to PHP 100,000.

GCash brings you traditional Christmas parols that are not only delightful to watch, but also rewarding to light up. With Shake it Up, Light it Up, users can collect as many parols as they can through the GCash app and light them up for daily discounts and prizes!

For a minimum spend of Php 100 using GCash, users earn one unlit parol per feature per day, which will appear the next day on their Merry GCash page on the app. Users can also ramp up their entries when they transact using GCash Padala, GSave, GInvest, GInsure, GLife and GCredit — serving as multipliers to instantly receive two unlit parols with just one transaction. Simply shake these parols to light them up and reveal their prizes. The first parol will give the user a guaranteed merchant voucher while the other parol entitles the user an entry for a chance to be one of 5,000 winners of the Merry GCash raffle.

Aside from giving away different packages, GCash will give away a Sari Sari Store Showcase to 3 GCash users. During the Grand Draw on Dec. 21, one lucky winner will be the first GCash millionaire.

While waiting for the raffle draw, GCash users who participate in the Shake it Up, Light it Up will get daily discounts and prizes from partner merchants.

• A+ Rewards x foodpanda
• 60PHP off with a min spend of 300PHP when you order from Jollibee via foodpanda
• A+ Rewards x foodpanda
• FREE DELIVERY with a min spend of 200PHP when you order from foodpanda
• A+ Rewards x foodpanda
• 40PHP off with a min spend of 200PHP when you order from foodpanda
• A+ Rewards x SHEIN
• 15% off when you purchase from SHEIN (no min spend)
• A+ Rewards x TeraBox
• 2-week free trial with TeraBox
• A+ Rewards
• 10PHP off with a min spend of 50PHP when you spend on Alipay+ Store
• A+ Rewards x Mobile Legends: Bang Bang In-Game Voucher
• 30PHP off with a min spend of 200PHP when you make an in-game purchase on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Available for both Google Play Store & App Store)
• A+ Rewards x Steam
• 10PHP off with a min spend of 50PHP when you purchase from Steam
• DITO
• P20 load voucher to buy DITO Regular Load or High Speed Data Promo, Min. Spend P199

While the ways we celebrate Christmas have changed over the years, especially during the pandemic, we all know that the greatest gift we can give is connecting and sharing joy with our family, friends, loved ones, and our kababayan in need of love. This Christmas, GCash is one with Filipinos in keeping the Christmas spirit alive with all the holiday surprises and promos it has to offer. All set to have a #MerryGCash? Click https://go.gcash.com/merrygcash and experience the many reasons why #GPaRinAngPasko with GCash!

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It was a decade ago when the Filipino Bloggers Network (FBN), one of the most active Philippine-Based community of bloggers and influencers in the country, held its first-ever Thanksgiving Party in a hotel in Quezon City. 

This coming December 12, FBN will hold its 10th Annual Thanksgiving Party virtually to reacquaint with fellow members around the country and reminisce 120 months of challenges and cheers; 3,650 days of networking; countless stories and priceless memories.         

Although the gathering will still be online just like last year, FBN members anticipate the annual get-together as an opportunity to make new friends and catch up with old pals they have not seen for a while, not to mention the chance of winning some exciting prizes from the games and raffle draws. Representatives of different PR groups and brands will also grace the event to personally thank members of the online community who have supported them in the past years. 

FBN currently has around 2,000 members across the country and abroad and continues to expand as it provides a venue for Filipino bloggers to interact with other members, even those based overseas. Moderating the discussions and posting opportunities from several brands are co-admins Divine Reyes and Richard Mamuyac and Lariza Garcia. 

This year’s celebration is supported by the following generous sponsors:

BRANDS:

PR PARTNERS:

BLOG SPONSORS:

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC SERVANTS:

1. Rep. Eric Yap, ACT-CIS partylist
2. Rep. Joey Salceda, 2nd District of Albay
3. Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, 1st District of Samar
4. Rep. Mike Defensor, Anakalusugan partylist
5. General Guillermo Eleazar
6. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte
7. Deputy Commissioner Randy Escolango, Insurance Commission

With the overflowing support and opportunities that FBN received this year from different companies and even from fellow members this year, the group sees bigger, better and double opportunities and events in 2022!

Follow Filipino Bloggers Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoBloggersNetwork 

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Cleanfuel is celebrating the Christmas season with its Paskong Panalo ng Cleanfuel e-Raffle Promo starting November 17, 2021.

Cleanfuel VIP card holders have a chance to win a one-year supply of fuel, a motocross training course at Cleanfuel Motocross Park, mountain bikes, full-faced helmets and air purifiers.

For every Php 500 spent on fuel products, such as AutoLPG, Diesel, Clean 91, and Premium 95 or any Motul engine oil products, Cleanfuel VIP members may earn one (1) e-raffle entry. For customers who are non-VIP card holder, Cleanfuel encourages the customers to apply to have a validated raffle entry.

After purchasing, Cleanfuel VIP card members can automatically scan the QR Code (Paskong Panalo wobbler design) attached at every Cleanfuel dispenser that will lead them to Cleanfuel’s Paskong Panalo Sign Up Page (https://cleanfuel.ph/raffle/) to fill out the necessary information needed. Once completed, the VIP card member will receive an SMS notification stating that their entry has been approved.

The Paskong Panalo ng Cleanfuel promo is applicable to cash, credit card, or any e-payment transactions.

The promo runs until January 26, 2021 and the electronic raffle draw will be held at Cleanfuel Head Office in the presence of a DTI representative scheduled on January 28, 2022. Winners of the raffle draw will be notified via SMS or email that is registered to the system of Cleanfuel.

Raffle winners may redeem their prize within sixty (60) days upon receiving the notification of their prize. Winners must physically visit the head office of Cleanfuel at Marcos Highway, Sitio Daan Cainta, Dela Paz, Pasig City to claim the prize and must present a valid ID, a Cleanfuel VIP card, and a screenshot of the SMS Notification.

The promo is not valid in conjunction with other Cleanfuel promotions or discount offers.

“As the Christmas season approaches, we want to show our gratitude by bringing joy to our valued customers through the Paskong Panalo ng Cleanfuel e-Raffle Promo. We are thanking you for your continuous support to Cleanfuel. We are also encouraging our customers to become our VIP member to enjoy rewards and these raffle prizes,” said Atty. Jesus Suntay, president and CEO of Cleanfuel.

Paskong Panalo ng Cleanfuel e-Raffle Promo is registered with DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 130937 Series of 2021.

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“Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions.” Teachers are living vessels of knowledge and of dreams and aspirations of children whose voices fill teachers’ hearts and minds. As such, we recognize that lifelong learners need lifelong teachers—both championing education toward a better future for all.

With the desire to fuel hope and inspire action among Edukampyons, REX Education and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) launched the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, a scholarship program that aims to champion, strengthen, and advance teacher education by encouraging the best and brightest learners to pursue the teaching profession.


Addressing the Challenges Faced by the Education Sector

According to the 2018 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, Filipino students ranked the lowest among 79 countries in mathematics, science, and reading, with over 80% of students not reaching the minimum level of proficiency in reading. In a 2019research conducted by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), scores of Filipino students decreased by 61 points in mathematics and by 83 points in science from 2003 to 2019. The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) also found that in 2019, at least 83% of Grade 5 students scored below reading and mathematics standards expected for end of primary schooling.

According to the World Bank Philippines Report 2021: “Improving teacher quality in schools will mean attracting and selecting the best candidates into the teaching profession. To strengthen teacher quality, [we] should begin from selecting the right people into the profession. Policies in teacher recruitment and hiring should be aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the career, such as incentivizing high achievers to pursue teacher training and eventually enter into the profession.”


Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan

The Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan scholarship program rings true to REX Education’s Edukampyon advocacy: to rally every Filipino to champion education so that every learner is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented. As Edukampyons, we are duty-bound to uplift the Filipino learners today and in the future—and help make them whole. The time to act is now.

By encouraging the best and the brightest to pursue the teaching profession, we are investing in our learners and in the future of Philippine education. By being partners, we are working together to build and strengthen the path toward a brighter tomorrow for all of us, for our nation. By supporting the program, we are giving back to the teaching profession the highest honor and prestige it deserves.

“Teaching is a profession that has the power and influence to inspire the grooming of the greatest artists, doctors, and innovators. So, it is essential as Edukampyons to look into how we can advance and strengthen the quality of teachers and instructors… from basic education to the tertiary level. We seek for the best and the brightest to work with us, commit to the profession, and start creating a rippled effect as we enhance teachers’ quality today. This small act that we are doing in the present can have a great impact on all of our futures,” said Don Timothy Buhain, chief executive officer of REX Education during the launch of the program on October 5, 2021.


What’s Next?

REX Education and PEAC are here for you. Students can apply for the program through their respective schools; while schools can nominate their top students for the scholarship, to encourage good-standing students to pursue Teacher Education for their tertiary education.

REX Education and PEAC will also partner with teacher education centers of excellence (COEs) and centers of development (CODs) across the country to grant the scholarships, ensuring quality education and training for future teachers.

By school year 2022–2023, 50 of the best and brightest freshmen will be selected across four basic education specializations: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Those admitted to the program will not only enjoy living and technology-support allowances; they will also receive the best training from partner COEs and CODs across the country and bear the pride and responsibility to give back and advance the community.

Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan was launched through a virtual event that gathered educators and representatives from PEAC, REX Education, Philippine Business of Education, ASEAN Teacher Education Network, the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education. Apart from launching the initiative, it was also a celebration of teachers across the country in time for World Teachers’ Month.

Those who missed the event can still watch it via REX Education Facebook page.

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Hindi lang ang buhay ng mga tao ang nagbago makaraang tumama ang COVID-19 na pandemya sa buong mundo noong nakaraang taon. Maraming namatay, nawalan ng negosyo at dahil walang negosyo, marami din ang nawalan ng trabaho. Marami din ang natigil sa pag-aaral at pagtuturo dahil nagsara ang mga paaralan.

Gayunpaman, nakasira man sa maraming aspeto ng buhay ang sakit na ito, mayroon din namang kung tawagin ni Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray na nagsilbing “silver lining” sa kabila ng mga masaklap na mga pangyayari. Napilitan mag-isip ang marami kung paano mabubuhay, ang mga negosyante nag-isip din dahil marami sa kanila sa negosyo din umaasa ng ikabubuhay ng kanilang pamilya.

Mabuti at marami ang nag “adapt” sa takbo ng sitwasyon, naging “innovative.” Dahil bawal lumabas, marami ang sumabak sa “e-commerce” kung saan ang negosyo ay lahat online. Marami man sa mga batikang negosyante at yung mga nagsisimula pa lamang ay natutong gawin ang negosyo online. Medyo mahirap sa umpisa ngunit noong lumaon ay nakasanayan din. At marami sa kanila naging matagumpay. Kaakibat ng “convenience” ng online business ay hindi pa din mawawala dapat ang sipag at tiyaga.

Iyong mga nawalan ng trabaho, sumabak naman sa online delivery. May mga online delivery platforms, partikular pagdating sa pagdeliver ng pagkain at iba pang bagay, ang nakapagbigay trabaho sa mga unemployed. Basta may motorsiklo o kahit bisikleta man, pwede na sa online delivery. Maraming nagtiyaga kahit mahirap kaya marami din ang nakinabang at kumita ng maayos para sa ikabubuhay ng pamilya.

Naapektuhan din ang sektor ng edukasyon dahil natigil ang “face-to-face” classes. Mabuti na lang din at nauso ang “online classes” para sa mga may internet at kung wala man, ginawan ng paraan ng Department of Education (DepEd) na matuloy ang pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng “blended learning” o paggamit ng “modules” kung sakaling walang internet sa bahay. Maraming naging pagsubok, pero hindi nagpadaig ang mga Pilipino sa hamon, guro man or mag-aaral, kaya tuloy ang pag-aaral. At kamakailan ay nagsimula na din ang “limited face-to-face classes” sa kung tawagin ay “low-risk areas” o yaong kakaunti ang kaso ng Covid-19.




Madami pang mga naging pagbabago sa buhay ng tao bunsod ng pandemya. Mabuti din at napilitan ang mga Pilipino na maging malikhain. Dati-rati, ang pagsabak sa “online” gamit ang “digital technology” ay hindi gaanong pinapansin at lahat ay puro “manual” na pamamaraan pa din. Mabuti at namulat ang mata ng karamihan sa mga pakinabang gamit ang internet, ang pagnenegosyo o pag-aaral online. Dahil sa pandemya, napabilis ang “adoption” o ang pagyakap ng tao sa digital technology at kung paano nito mapapagaan ang buhay.

Subalit sabi nga ng isang superhero, “with great power comes great responsibility.” May kapangyarihan na ang tao gamit ang “digital technology” subalit may kaakibat itong mga responsibilidad. Dapat ang mga aktibidad online ay naaayon din sa batas. Sa pagbugso ng paggamit ng internet at digital technology, napapanahon na pagukulan ng pansin ang mas masidhing paggamit nito at may kaakibat na mga batas na magbibigay proteksiyon sa mga gumagamit nito para sa kabuhayan at iba pang aktibidad, at karampatang parusa din para naman sa mga aabuso nito.

Isa sa mga layunin ng “CLICK” o ang “Computer Literacy, Innovation, Connectivity and Knowledge” ay ang mabigyang-proteksiyon ang maraming sektor sa lipunan, yaong mga nagne-negosyo online, mga guro at mag-aaral para sa online classes, at pati na din ang mga konsyumer na bumibili online. Sa pamamagitan ng batas, maisusulong na ang abot-kayang internet para sa lahat kahit saan man lugar nakatira, lalo na sa may gustong pumasok sa “e-commerce,” makipag-“network” sa iba pang negosyante na may karanasan na dito, o yung may gustong mag-aral online at kahit sa mga empleyado na nais ipagpatuloy ang “work from home setup.”

Marami pang dapat pag-usapan tungkol sa mga gawain “online,” lalo na sa aspeto ng “online privacy” at
“data security.” Subalit sa pamamagitan ng mga panukalang batas, unti-unti ay maisasaayos lahat ng ito upang mas lalong mapabilis at maging “convenient” ang buhay, at magamit ng tao ang digital technology at gawin itong kapaki-pakinabang sa mamamayang Pilipino, ngayon at sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon.

Para malaman ang iba pang detalye tungkol sa CLICK, sundan lamang sila sa kanilang social media pages.




Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Youtube: CLICK Partylist

LinkedIn: Partylist CLICK

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