Raconteur PH

A story of bravery and families, 22 years later

November 30 is a national holiday in the Philippines, commemorating the birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio—a Filipino revolutionary hero known as the "Supremo", a fitting title for his contributions to the history of our country. Two days before the 30th, another story of bravery is being remembered by those who witnessed it. It may not hold national importance, but it is significant enough for the families who were saved by the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Nov. 27, 22 years ago. In 2001, then 2nd Lt. Jo-Ar A. Herrera of the 57th Infantry Battalion, along with his men, faced a firefight against the Misuari Renegade Group that had taken two families hostage in Barangay Cabatangan in Zamboanga City. Their mission was clear: to save the men, women, and children—including a two-month-old infant—who had been captured by the Misuari Renegade Group for six long hours. "It wasn't our first time experiencing that kind of encounter. We were always prepared for

Ant International Unveils Strategy to Drive Inclusive Global Commerce with Payment and Digitalization Technologies

Ant International, a digital payment and financial services leader dedicated to building an inclusive and sustainable global commerce ecosystem, unveils its strategy in digital payment and digital commerce for global merchants at its flagship Voyage Conference, from its headquarters in Singapore. “Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, trends like evolving financial infrastructure, accelerating digitalization, and swift advances on the tech frontier present unprecedented opportunities for merchants all around the world seeking to achieve new growth, especially for small businesses who aspire to overcome the digital divide,” said Yang Peng, President of Ant International. “Travel, trade, technology, and talent are the cornerstones of global inclusion and prosperity," said Yang. “We will accelerate innovations in digital payment and digital commerce to link up these areas of global collaboration.” Digital Payment and Digital Commerce Solutions Across 4 Pillars To realize th

Shopee 11.11 Hits Total Global Gross Merchandise Value of $1 Billion in One Day

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in the region, is thrilled to share extraordinary achievements from the recently concluded 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale, with over $1 billion in global gross merchandise (GMV) achieved across various markets within a single day. One of the biggest sales of the year, Shopee brought together an array of exclusive promotions, incredible deals, and exciting activities, creating a shopping extravaganza that captured the hearts of consumers across the region. Filipinos ushered in the festive season enthusiastically, propelling Shopee Live to achieve an astonishing 33 times uplift in items sold. Head of Shopee Philippines Vincent Lee said, “We are elated by the overwhelming response and record-breaking success of our 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale. With exclusive deals and the allure of a million-peso prize, Filipinos are making their festive season shopping not just merry but potentially life-changing. We are grateful to our shoppers, sellers, and partners for th

A larger than life holiday experience—top 5 things to enjoy at GH Night Market 2023

Festive delights await shoppers at the GH Night Market, the annual event that gives families and friends the chance to bond over food and shopping while enjoying wonderful live music and holiday decor. The GH Night Market at GStrip Parking officially opened on Nov. 8. The market showcases a vibrant and lively marketplace of delectable food and unique products from all over the country. The official opening was attended by San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Vice President of Ortigas Malls Architect Renee Bacani, Ortigas Family, San Juan city officials, and other Ortigas Malls executives. They led the ceremonial lighting of the Night Market to welcome expectant foodies and holiday shoppers. A choir performance by Lighter Side Movement Choir and a dance showcase by LED Buganda Dancers filled the GH Night Market with a joyful holiday spirit. GH also wowed guests and shoppers with a brilliant fireworks display. In the spirit of the holidays, Ortigas Malls executives and Mayor Zamora distrib

HONOR aims to dominate South with new Experience Store in SM Sto. Tomas Batangas

Much to the delight of Batangueños on the unveiling of the all-new SM City Sto. Tomas Batangas, the leading smart devices provider HONOR Philippines also officially welcomed shoppers to its newest Experience Store in the said mall, located at the 2/F Cyberzone. “It is really an honor to unveil our newest HONOR Experience Store at the same time the much-anticipated SM City Sto. Tomas Batangas opened. This is part of our promise to service our HONOR fans and tech enthusiasts alike continuously and we are very far from what we have envisioned for the country,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. The successful store opening was officiated by HONOR Philippines GTM Manager Steven Yan and HONOR Philippines Retail Sales Director Tom Yuan together with Greentelcom Chief Operating Officer Ma. Theresa Luna and President Edwin Luna. The viral smartphone brand also pledged to dominate the South as Experience Stores in SM City Dasmarinas Cavite and SM City San Pablo Laguna are s

Book, travel, connect, and earn! Transform your travel experience with Travereel

Oct. 27 marks a remarkable occasion in travel with the official launch of Travereel, a groundbreaking and revolutionary travel mobile application that promises to transform how people explore and experience the world. Selcouth’s Travereel mobile app is set to change how you plan and enjoy your travel experiences, providing a seamless, one-stop solution for all your travel needs. This game-changing travel app lets you book your stay or destination seamlessly by just clicking and watching the reels shared by fellow travelers. Travel offers you an incredible variety of options, whether you wish to stay in a stylish metropolitan apartment, an opulent beach resort, or a cozy B&B in the countryside. “Travereel was born out of a passion for exploring the world and the belief that travel should be accessible, personalized, and unforgettable for everyone,” said Debbie Nebaya, Travereel CEO. “Our team has poured their hearts into creating this app, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to

Plug-in and accelerate: EV sector goes full swing in push for electric vehicle adoption in PH

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is leading the local electric vehicle sector in further pushing for the implementation of the provisions of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697) over a year after the enactment of the legislation. This is the primary focus of the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) 2023, the 11th and biggest edition of the pioneering event that promotes wider EV adoption in the country. The three-day exhibition and conference (October 19 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City) showcased the newest technologies, innovations, and product releases of the major EV sector players in the country and the region. Under the EVIDA Law, corporate firms and government agencies must have EVs that comprise at least 5% of their fleet. EV users are also entitled to dedicated parking slots in public and private buildings and establishments, where EV charging stations should also be installed for more convenien

UNIQLO and White Mountaineering launch 2nd collab collection made with recycled materials

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO recently launched a second collaboration collection with Japanese outdoor clothing brand White Mountaineering. This new LifeWear features recycled materials in two outerwear styles for people of all ages. Recycled Hybrid Down Jacket--₱4,990 (three colors available) This jacket is filled with recycled down and feathers, sourced from used garments that customers have donated to stores. The sleeves and upper back employ padding to ensure warmth and ease of movement, while the wave quilting design enables stylish layering. The garment also features excellent water-repellency and heat-retention properties. Fleece Full-Zip Long Sleeve Hoodie--₱2,990 (four colors available) A parka that includes a fleece component made from 100% recycled polyester, combining long-layered boa fleece and a smooth-surface fleece material. The garment’s convenient features include pockets on the left chest and waist, size adjusters at the hem, and binder cuffs that make rolling

HONOR Experience Store opens at Gaisano Mall in Davao

HONOR recently opened its HONOR Experience Store on the 3rd level of Gaisano Mall of Davao. “We are overjoyed because starting today, Davaoeños can finally experience the HONOR’s powerful devices, which they have been looking forward to checking out and avail in store. This is the first of the many stores to be opened, and expect more stores to be unveiled here in Davao and other key areas of Mindanao in the months to come,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. The event was officiated by HONOR Philippines’ GTM Manager, Steven Yan, PR Manager Pao Oga, National Training Head Jaynard Lamarca; Karla Nangcas, Trade Marketing Manager, along with Mr. Johny Ong of MikroCell Davao. The event was attended by top Davao publications, both from print and online, along with top Davao content creators. The recently launched powerful HONOR devices, HONOR 90 5G and its successor HONOR 90 5G Lite, were highlighted and reintroduced to consumers and media guests. HONOR fans and

MDPPA celebrates 50 years of riding roads responsibly

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) representing leading motorcycle manufacturers such as Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki recently marked an incredible milestone with a grand celebration of its golden anniversary. This two-day event was a tribute to MDPPA's remarkable journey in shaping the Philippine motorcycle industry while advocating for responsible and safe motorcycling practices. With the theme "MDPPA Rider’s United: Riding Roads Responsibly for 50 Years," the event kicked off on October 6, 2023, at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City, bringing together motorcycle enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the public to celebrate the enduring presence and positive impact of motorcycle enthusiasts over the past half-century. The event also aimed to foster a spirit of unity among motorcyclists, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, and to convey a clear message about the importance of adhering to motorcycle laws and promoting respo

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A story of bravery and families, 22 years later

Ant International Unveils Strategy to Drive Inclusive Global Commerce with Payment and Digitalization Technologies

Shopee 11.11 Hits Total Global Gross Merchandise Value of $1 Billion in One Day

A larger than life holiday experience—top 5 things to enjoy at GH Night Market 2023

HONOR aims to dominate South with new Experience Store in SM Sto. Tomas Batangas

Book, travel, connect, and earn! Transform your travel experience with Travereel

Plug-in and accelerate: EV sector goes full swing in push for electric vehicle adoption in PH

UNIQLO and White Mountaineering launch 2nd collab collection made with recycled materials

HONOR Experience Store opens at Gaisano Mall in Davao

MDPPA celebrates 50 years of riding roads responsibly