Gong Xi Fa Cai! The Year of the Rat is almost here so it’s time to celebrate with new Starbucks merchandise. I'm so excited to share you guys their rat-themed mugs and tumblers for the Chinese New Year as well the limited edition Year of the Rat card.

The Starbucks mug with adorable round-faced rat would definitely add more excitement to drink hot coffee to start my day. You should add this super cute mug in your collection. It's worth to buy one.

Another item that you should get is Starbucks' Year of the Rat paper card. The brand continue to use paper on their Starbucks cards which is an initiative to reduce plastic usage and commitment to innovating on eco-friendly materials. You can get it for an initial activation amount of ₱300 per card. Available in all Starbucks store nationwide.

Other Starbucks LNY merchandise collection also features cute and playful rat, amongst blossoming cherry and orange trees in bold red, gold and Starbucks green pantones.

Visit now you favorite Starbucks store and avail these amazing items. For more information, you may visit https://www.starbucks.ph/

Having insurance is definitely important when you are travelling. It is beneficial for travelers because it makes your trip financially secure. As a frequent traveler, I'm doing a  lot of outdoor activities and I really need insurance to provide me security against risk and uncertainty.

Recently, I signed up on FWD Life Philippines (FWD PH) new service called KanDuu, a set of insurance products that covers you from death, critical illness, or accidents so you "Can Do" and pursue all the things you love.

I chose the KanGuard plan. It gives Php500,000 cash benefit in case of accidental death or disability due to terror attacks, anywhere in the world. Its reward? One-year global emergency services by Assist America for travels. This kind of insurance is perfect to avid travelers like me. Even I'm doing some extreme activities or travelling to unfamiliar destination, it will give me a peace of mind knowing that if anything happened, someone can help me and my family.

Whether you’re an avid traveler, a fitness buff, or a lover of life, there’s a variant that’ll suit you—KanMend, KanLive, and KanGuard. And did we mention that aside from securing you and your family, each comes with really awesome rewards? 

Designed with wellness warriors and health buffs in mind, KanMend gives you a cash benefit of Php100,000  once you get diagnosed with any of the 42 covered critical illnesses. Its welcome reward: Six months’ unlimited access to KonsultaMD’s 24/7 telemedicine service. No need to leave the house to consult with licensed Filipino doctors. All you need is to call.

KanLive has a cash benefit of Php200,000, in case of death and this reward: One-year unlimited medical consultations at any Aventus Medical clinics, nationwide.

Who knew you’d someday shop for insurance online the way you’d shop for gadgets or limited edition bike parts? Who knew getting insured is as fast as picking that shade of red lipstick you don’t already have? True to its vision to change the way people feel about insurance, FWD has now made insurance more accessible, affordable, and covetable to more Filipinos via shop.fwd.com.ph. 

If you’re 18 to 50 years old, you can purchase KanDuu online for only PhP1,799/year at shop.fwd.com.ph, FWD PH’s new online insurance marketplace.

Just choose your variant (why not all??). Click buy. Fill out the one-page application form, pay via credit or debit card, and you’re done. You’re insured Quick. Hassle-free. No medical. No paperwork. You just need a valid ID for verification. And with FWD’s insurance app, Tapp, you can access and manage your insurance and rewards, anytime, anywhere.

Here's the steps on how to sign up online:

Step 1: Visit www.shop.fwd.com.ph
Step 2: Choose one Kanduu plan you want to purchase
KanMend
·         Protection against 42 critical illnesses
Reward: 6 months’ unli KonsultaMD telemedicine

KanLive
·         Essential funds and protection for your family
Reward: 1 year unli medical consults at Aventus clinics

KanGuard
·         Payout for accidents or terror attacks, worldwide
Reward: 1 year global emergency services

Step 3: Click “Buy Now”
Step 4: Fill out the application form and upload one valid ID
Step 5: Review application form summary and product summary
Step 6: Pay online via debit or credit card
Step 7: Expect a welcome email and SMS

Go to bit.ly/MetroManilaLovesShopFWD o purchase your KanDuu insurance now!

Want to know more about FWD Life Philippines, part of the pan-Asian insurer FWD Group? Visit: https://www.fwd.com.ph/en/ 

TeaMi Philippines recently opened its newest store in SM North EDSA (Annex Building). It's their fourth branch since its first store opened in 2018.

The milk tea brand invited me to be part for their store's grand opening in SM North EDSA. The event was joined by Filipino food bloggers and influencers together with the owners of TeaMi Philippines.

Situated in the quiet town of Santa Maria in the province of Ilocos Sur, Sorrento Hotel is an Italian-inspired building standing in the seaside over-looking the beautiful sea.

At the hotel, we're welcomed with a friendly and hospitable staff. He guided us going to our room. We stayed in the Presidential Room  which features queen size bed covering with white and fresh linens, antique  cabinets, sofa set, wooden tables and chairs, refrigerator and FREE WIFI. There's also a separate room that comes with double bunk beds with complete bedding which can accommodate 6 more people. The room comes also a private bathroom with hot and cold shower facility, fresh towels and free toiletries.

Christmas is truly the season of giving. Not only giving gifts but doing an act of kindness to your family and friends and even to strangers. There are so many genuine ways to show your kindness to others and giving back this holiday season. It could be cooking for your family, by helping out a person carry his shopping bags, buying a burger for a stranger or by assisting an old man/woman to cross the street. 

 When’s the last time you did something kind for a stranger?

Christmas is right around the corner, what is the best aguinaldo to give to your godchildren?  As a ninong, I know gift giving is hard. Most of us want to find the perfect gift for our godchildren, but have no idea where to begin. Honestly, I always end up giving money as gifts. It’s super easy to give money when you don’t know what your godchildren wants. So, if you are having a hard time buying the perfect gift, give money instead.

Giving someone money can come in the form of gift card, a check, or cash.  If you can't decide how you will give the money, I highly recommend to use PayMaya. This is a new way to give out aguinaldo this Christmas season! It's hassle-free and more rewarding way to share aguinaldo your loved one. With PayMaya, giving out aguinaldo is as easy as a few taps on your phone and you can even do it from abroad. 

Here's how you can give out  aguinaldo to your loved ones. 

1.         Open the PayMaya app

2.         Go to Send Money

3.         Key in the PayMaya mobile number of the recipient along with the amount for your Aguinaldo 

4.         Hit send

5.         You will receive an SMS confirming your transaction and another SMS informing you of your P10 cashback

6.         You can get up to P100 cashback, P10 per day. 

7.         When you send an accumulate amount of P10,000, you earn P100 on top of your initial cashback.

Great news travelers! PayMaya is giving users P10 for every aguinaldo sent, minimum of P200. And the more you give, the more you receive because when you accumulate P10,000 worth of aguinaldos sent to your loved ones, you also get P100 back to your account.

For this Christmas, give the aguinaldo that allows you to receive rewards, and will give rewards to your loved ones. Basta aguinaldo, don’t pay cash. PayMaya!

Download the app now and use my code, MARCOPAYMAYA, when you sign up to get P50 in your account. Don’t forget to visit paymaya.com/deals to know more about PayMaya latest offers!

For many years, the film and television industries have afforded sailboats and powerboats a bit of a reputation as flashy status symbols. This is true on some level, of course. After all, having your very own watercraft—especially one of luxurious provenance—means you’ve spent a considerable amount of your hard-earned money. 

Still, there are a lot of good reasons to purchase a boat. In the Philippines, in particular, owning your own sailboat or motorboat is a particularly good idea. Here is why:

The Christmas season is approaching and so is the famous 12.12  sale. This is the time of the year where tons of online shopping sites and establishments offer the best deals on their products and services just in time for the holidays.

I love shopping! I prefer to buy my stuff online because it’s more comfortable and convenient. It’s much easier for me to sit on my favorite couch, find what I like and have it delivered to my front door. Do you also love online shopping?

Whether you shop online or in your favorite establishment, the 12.12 Christmas Sale is the perfect time to buy your favorite items, to shop for gifts, book tickets and a lot more at cheaper prices.

For your last minute holiday shopping, skip the traffic and the lines, and shop online. PayMaya has awesome perks when you shop online (and offline) using your virtual or physical card.

•          Get 1%, 10%, or 100% cashback when you purchase at least P500 worth of gifts online or in-stores using your PayMaya virtual or physical card.

•          Get a fixed, one-time cashback of P150 when you accumulate P5,000 worth of transactions with your PayMaya virtual or physical card

•          Get a 30% off, max P150, of your Lazada purchase when you redeem the collectible PayMaya voucher from the Lazada app. This is applicable for a min spend of P500.

If you wanna shop in your favorite establishments, you can also enjoy awesome cashbacks from PayMaya. Just use PayMaya QR and pay within seconds! Apart from the convenience, this also offers amazing rewards!

•          Get 1%, 10%, or 100% cashback when you #ScanToPay via PayMaya QR with a min of P100 for you in-store purchases. Maximum amount for cashback per user is P500.

•          Get a fixed, one-time cashback of P150 when you accumulate P5,000 worth of transactions with your PayMaya QR.

•          Get two chances of enjoying up to 100% cashback when you #ScanToPay via PayMaya QR this weekend (Dec. 14-15). The min. purchase for this is P100 and the max cashback per user is P500.

•          Get a chance to win one of the 11 iPhone 11 units being given away at Robinsons Department store. All you have to do is #ScanToPay via PayMaya QR, and spend a min of P100 for one raffle entry.

With all these perks, one can truly say that paying with PayMaya is not only more convenient, but also more rewarding than with cash!

Aside from in store and online shopping, you can also use PayMaya to buy prepaid load, to send money, and to pay bill.  Add Money to your PayMaya account at over 40,000 partners such as 7-Eleven, Palawan Pawnshop, Smart Padala Centers, SM Stores Business Services and Robinsons Department Store Business Centers. 

If you don’t have PayMaya account, this is the right time to download the app and enjoy exciting rewards. Sign up using my code: MARCOPAYMAYA to earn P50 on your account instantly!

You can use the app at online stores or websites that accept credit cards or debit cards. You can use the physical card at establishments here and abroad, wherever Visa or Master card are accepted. PayMaya is available on App Store or Google Playstore.

Mark your calendar now! Remember, this 12.12 holiday sale don’t pay cash. PayMaya!

To check out PayMaya’s latest promos, you can always visit paymaya.com/deals

Basilan Business Hotel is conveniently located in the humble town of Isabela. It is just a stone’s throw away from the port area and some commercial establishments. The hotel is ideal for those seeking a pleasurable stay in the province of Basilan.

We stayed for an overnight in Basilan Business Hotel. Our air-conditioned room comes with two comfy beds with soft and clean bedding. It has also flat screen tv with cable channels, wooden cabinet, and mini refrigerator. The room also features a private bathroom with shower facility, a spray bidet, fresh towels and complimentary toiletries.

Santa Cruz Island is a must visit destination in Zamboanga city. It is famous for its pink sand. Yes, there's a pink beach! It's one of  the best pink beaches in the world that you should include in your travel bucket list.

Situated in Basilan Strait,  about 20 minutes boat ride from the city proper, Santa Cruz Island offers an amazing pink sand that results from pulverized red organ pipe coral washed up from offshore mixes with white sand. The blue and green shades of the sea and the lush greenery add more beauty to the island. You can indulge swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, and other outdoor activities.

Malamawi Beach in Isabela City is of one of the best beaches in the province of Basilan. It features a long white sandy beach and turquoise waters like the white beach in Boracay. I never thought that I could see this kind of beautiful beach in Mindanao. Malamawi Beach is an amazing place indeed.

Aside form the powdery sands and crystal waters, another attraction is a stilts bridge with overlooking view of the open sea. At the end of the bridge, there's an area with shades and chairs where you can relax while looking the waves.

Kain Na!, a food and travel festival by the Department of Tourism (DOT), aims to promote the Philippines as center of food and gastronomy as well the country's farm tourism. It was organized in partnership with the Ayala Malls which held in various cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

I was fortunate to be invited in the 4th installment of DOT's 'Kain Na!' 2019 held at the Ayala Centrio Mall in Cagayan De Oro City. The food festival was joined by members of the press, staff from several DOT Regional Offices, government officials of Cagayan De Oro City and hundreds of international and domestic food enthusiasts.