The Purple Publication

Highlights GCash Tourist, Tap to Pay, and New AI-Powered App Experiences, and More  From left to right: Oscar Reyes Jr., Paul Albano, Fatima Javellana, Mark Ilao, Michelle Fernandez, Pebbles Sy, Neil Trinidad, Martha Sazon, Winsley Bangit, CJ Alegre, Alex Dizon, Den Ramos and Sarah Venturina GCash , the Philippines' leader in digital financial services, unveiled groundbreaking innovations at this year’s GCash FutureCast, revolutionizing the country's fintech landscape and elevating consumer experience.  Martha Sazon, President and CEO, GCash Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash, shared, “Today, you can expect innovations that will “Change the Game”. But, the real game-changer is how we can make a meaningful impact on Filipino lives.” She adds, “to innovate not only to provide access, but to be their partner towards better Financial Health and Wellness.” State-of-the-Art Security  GCash FutureCast 2024 started with the introduction of Online PaySafe , an added security...

The joy continues to spread in North America as homegrown brand, Jollibee , has opened its first branch in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Jollibee Group ’s aggressive growth plan in the region. Long lines of customers were seen in the Seattle opening, with the first customer lining up as early as 5AM, four hours before opening. Joy to Seattle.  This much-anticipated Seattle debut marks the global restaurant brand’s third location in Washington State and its 101 st store in North America. Long lines of customers waited hours before opening, with the first customer waiting in line as early as 5AM.  Jollibee’s new branch joins its two existing Washington State locations: Tacoma, which opened in October 2023; and in Tukwila, which is where the beloved brand first opened its doors in the state back in 2010. Primely located in the city’s South End area at 3820 Rainier Avenue South in the Rainier Valley Square shopping center, the new Jollibee promises to deliver...

Mang Inasal , the Philippines’ Grill Expert, was among the food exhibitors in the first United Nations Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT). The event was held last June 26 at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort in Cebu City. Organized by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Basque Culinary Center, and the DOT, the Gastronomy Tourism Forum, had some four hundred (400) participants that included ministers from UN member-states, affiliate members, and tourism stakeholders from international organizations. In a statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “We strongly see food as a crucial element in enhancing the Philippine cultural experience.” Meanwhile, UNWTO said that “the First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific aimed to serve as a platform to celebrate the power of gastronomy tourism and harness its transformative power for the benefit of ...

Find out how The All-New Winner X is the perfect motorcycle for long trips. Now that you have acquired The All-New Winner X, you are probably thinking of breaking your new ride by taking it on a road trip or a long ride. After all, long rides aren’t just great for breaking in your new motorcycle, it also allows you to explore new places, gain new experiences in a way that’s relaxing and open. This hot weather offers ideal conditions for a long—and potentially cooling—ride. But what are the best destinations for such a ride, particularly if you're from Metro Manila? Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the No.1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, has come up with some suggestions for the best destinations for a memorable long ride. Tagaytay Tagaytay is one of the most iconic destinations for a long ride, and for good reason. It offers a host of unforgettable attractions, including cool weather, delicious local cuisine like bulalo, historic sites such as Taal Volcano, and even an amuse...

Imagine a quiet morning with a gentle breeze while sipping a cup of coffee. A panoramic view of lush green surroundings greets you as you wait for the sunrise. It’s the kind of life that welcomes the future occupants of the recently unveiled 1-bedroom, east-facing units at Two Botanika Nature Residences. The 1-bedroom east-facing units are now available at Two Botanika, located in the prime area of Filinvest City, Alabang. Two Botanika offers a “lanai” living experience with deep balconies, inspired by a design feature seen in tropical countries, allowing better airflow and spacious living. It promises world-class luxury living spaces with 70% of the whole development dedicated to open spaces. Families and individuals also get convenient access to business and lifestyle hubs in the south for work and leisure. But there’s more that residents can look forward to. In celebration of its unveiling, an exclusive event was held at the Filigree Showsuites, styled by celebrity event stylist Ro...

Filipino indie-folk collective Munimuni is set to headline their third major concert this Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the UP Theater in Quezon City, Philippines. ALEGORYA: A Munimuni Concert marks the band’s new era in music-making, which features new songs from the sophomore album of the same name, as well as some old favorites. It also serves as an introduction to Munimuni’s current lineup: Adj Jiao (guitar, vocals), John Owen Castro (flute, vocals), Jolo Ferrer (bass), Josh Tumaliuan (drums), and Ben Ayes (guitar). Mapping the band’s current musical journey on the big stage with lavish production values and conceptual storytelling, Alegorya presents Munimuni’s first full-length concert performance since 2019’s Kulayan Natin at Cine Adarna, UP Film Center. Caleb Vargas, the indie quartet’s manager, recently expressed his excitement for Munimuni’s decision to embark on this incredible feat.  “ I have always been proud of these guys, even before I helped as their manager,” ...

As the new school year approaches, it's time to restock your everyday essentials to help you stay motivated and achieve your academic goals. Whether you find yourself busy studying and working on your assignments every day or at home reviewing notes for your next exam, having a device like the OPPO Enco Buds2 Pro will make your return to school a more pleasant experience. Get in the zone with immersive sound quality If you need to listen intently to an audio recording of a class lecture or watch an instructional video for an assignment, the OPPO Enco Buds2 Pro will help you get in the groove to complete that task with flying colors. Engineered with a 12.4mm driver unit, the largest in its category, the OPPO Enco Buds2 Pro lets you study in harmony as it provides superior bass quality for fuller, more immersive playback. Its vibrating diaphragm delivers clear, confident audio across all genres. Focus on your tasks with clarity Have you experienced any distractions during an online c...

When one thinks of shrimp, one thinks of an exciting treat. Arguably, having shrimp on the menu or on the table is quite a luxury because it usually doesn’t come cheap. Moreover, fresh quality shrimp is hard to come by, especially in the metro. This is no longer the case thanks to innovative, new food choices from DATAJ Aquafarms—an expert producer and processor of sought-after whiteleg shrimp or suahe   in the Philippines.  Also known by its scientific name Litopenaeus vannamei , this variety is considered the gold standard of shrimp in the culinary world for its substantial size and delicious flavor. As a produce, it is also resilient to disease and highly adaptable to tropical climate, making it easy to grow, harvest and transport.  Now, Filipino families and foodies can have more of this sumptuous seafood with DATAJ Live Catch fresh processed shrimp. It all starts at the company’s vast freshwater aquaculture farms located across Buguey and Sta. Teresita in Cagaya...

Navigating the world of investments can be a daunting task, which is why having a visionary leader who understands how markets fluctuate and trends evolve can be a backbone for the success of a business. Aiming to bring Sun Life into a new era of financial excellence, Ritchie Teo shares his wealth of experience as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (SLIMTC). Imparting the vision Ritchie Teo brings more than a decade of expertise in the insurance industry to his role as CIO. His journey with Sun Life began in 2014, and since then, he has risen through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional talent and robust leadership skills along the way. As Deputy CIO, Teo played a pivotal role in the launch of SLIMTC, the company’s flagship trust business. His strategic vision and keen understanding of market dynamics were instrumental in shaping the success of this venture. Now, as CIO, Teo uses this as a springboard in leading Sun Life to greate...

The Redmi Note 13 is one of the most durable and water-resistant phones you can get without breaking the bank Let’s face the truth — no matter how careful we can be with our precious smartphones, sometimes there’s just no avoiding an unfortunate mishap. You won’t ever want to do it, but you will be dropping your phone, spilling something on it, or even stepping on it sometimes. It’s painful to think about, but accidents  will happen. Some phones won’t stand up to the pressure or impact. Whether your phone is top-of-the-line or a budget entry, it can still crack or break. If you’re a bit clumsy and need a phone that can keep up with your daily life, there’s no better device to get than any of the Redmi Note 13 Series. A clumsy-proof flagship Not only is the Redmi Note 13 Series an easily accessible set of phones to get because of its friendly price point and remarkable flagship-level specs, but it’s a gadget you can put through its paces, and then some. CLUMSY-PROOF VIDEO The all-...

The 2024 Tony Awards season may have come and gone, but our love for musicals lives on! Let’s revisit some of the iconic songs and dance numbers from unforgettable movie musicals that are also Tony Award-winning Broadway shows. These scenes have left an indelible mark on Filipino theater and Broadway fans for a reason. If you haven’t seen a lot of musicals, prepare to be dazzled. Or if you have, you’re more than welcome to watch them again on Disney+ and relive the magic that these fantastic movie musicals bring. HAMILTON (2020) – “Alexander Hamilton” A killer opening that grabs you right from the first note, pulling you into an epic tale of remarkable characters and dynamic music combined with raw and passionate lyrics. The wildly talented ensemble teases their complex relationships with Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and their historical journeys, brilliantly setting the stage. That iconic line, “How does a bastard, orphan, son of a w***e…” instantly gives the audience all...