First Jiang Nan Hotpot at SM City Marilao, Bulacan

The official opening of Jiang Nan Hotpot, which serves traditional Chinese food that blends comfort, history, and robust flavors, gives Bulacan foodies even another reason to visit SM City Marilao.

Conveniently situated on the second floor of the West Wing Expansion is Jiang Nan Hotpot. Rich sauces and skillfully prepared soup bases, which range from light and savory to rich and aromatic, are highlighted on the menu. Customers can customize their meals with a variety of fresh ingredients, including premium meats, vegetables, seafood, and noodles made at the table.

As SM City Marilao continues to thrive as a lifestyle destination, Jiang Nan Hotpot undoubtedly tops the list of comfort food restaurants, thanks to its flavorful offerings and inviting atmosphere, making it a popular choice for those looking for quality food and a satisfying dining experience close to home.

Pru Life UK joins 51st Metro Manila Film Festival

“The MMFF has long been a cherished holiday tradition that brings families and communities together. As we support this year’s festival, we reaffirm our Count on Pru Life UK promise, because behind every film is a story of a Filipino family doing their best, dreaming bigger, and hoping for a better tomorrow. These are the same stories that inspire us to protect what matters. Just as MMFF films portray the realities of everyday life, Pru Life UK aims to stand beside families in their own journeys, helping them plan, recover and move forward with confidence.” ~Kathryn Cajucom, Head of Brand and Integrated Marketing Communications

Pru Life UK is taking center stage at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) as a premium sponsor, reaffirming its partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and strengthening its commitment to promoting Filipino stories both on and off the big screen. The collaboration reflects the company's Count on Pru Life UK mission, which is to be a reliable partner that Filipinos can rely on throughout their lives.

As a festival partner, Pru Life UK will actively take part in MMFF's major events, including the prestigious Gabi ng Parangal on December 27 and the Parade of Stars on December 19. By participating, the company hopes to recognize the storytellers and creatives behind the event while also supporting a sector that continues to shape the nation's culture.

Pru Life UK's involvement reflects its belief that Filipino narratives, whether of triumph, resiliency, hardship, or hope, should be safeguarded and assisted.

At this year's MMFF, which has as its theme "A New Era for Philippine Cinema," eight accepted submissions will present a range of genres and fresh perspectives for viewers nationwide. All films will be screened beginning on December 25, continuing the festival's tradition of uniting Filipinos through stories that encapsulate the spirit of the nation.

About Pru Life UK

Pru Life UK is the leading life insurer in the Philippines demonstrating its commitment to protect Filipinos’ financial future and well-being for every life, for every future.  

 

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK operates in over 200 branches and general agency offices in the Philippines, and holds the largest life insurance agency force of close to 38,000 licensed agents. 

  

Pru Life UK offers a wide range of tailored solutions that address the unique and evolving needs across demographics and life stages. These include life protection, health, accident and disability, and investment-linked insurance.   

Currently, Pru Life UK serves over 930,000 individual policyholders and more than 85,000 insured group members, and ranks first in New Business Annual Premium Equivalent* as of Q3 2025, according to the Insurance Commission.   

Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc, with a legacy of more than 175 –years of safeguarding the future of millions of families for this generation and generations to come.   

Pru Life UK is headquartered in 9/F Uptown Place Tower 1,1 East 11th Drive, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila, Philippines. Its main customer center is located in G/F Cluster 2, Uptown Parade, Megaworld Blvd. corner 36th street Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila, Philippines. Its customer center contact details are: +63 (2) 88875433 (within Metro Manila) and 1-800-107785465 (for domestic toll-free via PLDT landline), email: contact.us@prulifeuk.com.ph. 

The PRU customer center processes customer concerns based on applicable timelines provided by the law. Visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph/en/contact-us/ for the list of its branches and more information. 

Pru Life UK is legally permitted to provide financial products or services in the Philippines as regulated by the Insurance Commission. 

The Insurance Commission’s head office is located in 1071 United Nations Avenue Ermita, Manila, Philippines. Their Cebu District office is located at Unit 17, Ground and Second Floors, The Gallery, Pope John Paul II Avenue, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, while their Davao District office is in Door 2 & 3, 3rd Floor of YAP Building Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland, Davao City. Visit www.insurance.gov.ph/contact-us/ for more information. 

SM Malls in Bulacan Share Holiday Cheer Through “ChriSMiles”

At least 110 children of SM Supermalls' janitorial and security workers got holiday pleasure from SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan through ChriSMiles, the company's annual employee volunteer program.

During the initiative's free play events at mall amusement centers, kids had fun with games, recreational activities, and mascot appearances. Additionally, SM "Besties of Joy" were given out, gifts were shared, and lunches were had.

The event honors the families and children of janitorial and agency employees in appreciation of their dedication, according to Prescila Salamat, Senior Human Resources Manager at SM City Marilao. Established in 2012, ChriSMiles is a nationwide SM volunteer program that encourages employees to share their blessings and uplift communities throughout the holiday season.

El Real brings you affordable, high-quality pasta dishes fit for every celebration

Designed for wais and determined moms who refuse to compromise on quality or taste, El Real offers value-for-money pasta made from high-quality ingredients

For Filipino families, the arrival of the holidays means spending time together over substantial, lovingly prepared meals, particularly during Noche Buena. It's the most eagerly awaited feast of the season, when family gather to share memories, laughs, and their favorite foods. However, many mothers are searching for clever methods to make their Noche Buena and other family events equally as tasty and meaningful—without going over budget—because prices are constantly rising.

El Real pasta becomes the ideal kitchen partner in this situation. El Real offers affordable pasta made from premium wheat flour that is precisely milled to ensure every dish turns out to be masarap, masaya, and always sulit. It is designed for wais and resolute moms who refuse to compromise on quality or taste.

Every type of cook and celebration can use El Real's pasta line. It is easy to make a range of meals for every occasion because it comes in a number of varieties, including flat spaghetti, elbow macaroni, party pasta, and even healthy variations. Whether you're serving a simple merienda treat or a massive Noche Buena buffet, El Real enables you to prepare more for less while maintaining consistently delicious meals.

El Real pasta cooks well; it is always good and firm, hindi malabsa or hindi bitin, which is what makes it truly delicious. Every bag promises to have the perfect texture that holds sauces well and brings out the best in every dish. Because of its reliability, mothers who want to stretch their food budgets without sacrificing the enjoyment of a warm plate of spaghetti shared with family have learnt to trust it.

El Real can be your trusted partner in creating delicious and budget-friendly dishes for your family this holiday season

You may provide restaurant-quality meals at a price that fits the family budget, which gives El Real comfort to Millennial women who want to give their loved ones the best despite juggling a lot of duties. For many mothers, making better, more thoughtful decisions is more important than spending more money to satisfy their family.

Thus, this Christmas season—and even on everyday days that call for something special—let El Real be your partner in creating delicious and affordable meals. For added convenience, El Real offers bundle packs with sauce, which makes it easy to prepare entire pasta dishes like masarap, mas saya, and siguradong sulit.

KKV brings viral finds to SM Center Sangandaan

If you've been seeing KKV on TikTok and Instagram, there's good news. The viral lifestyle concept store at SM Center Sangandaan has officially opened, allowing North Metro customers to discover its colorful, captivating environment.

Well-known for its whimsical store design and wide range of merchandise, KKV offers everything from stylish cosmetics and snacks to toys, blind boxes, stationery, and household essentials. Cooling body necessities start at P59, stationery starts at less than P100, bath delights start at P99, while cute mugs and kitchenware usually cost around P500. The prices are still fair.

Since entering the Philippine market in 2024, KKV has quickly become well-known among Gen Z and millennials who value affordable, stylish, and practical products. Every visit feels like a little treasure hunt, so it's easy to come in for one item and leave with a full shopping bag.

Whether you're looking for a fun place to browse, shopping for gifts, or replenishing needs, KKV at SM Center Sangandaan is now another reason to visit the mall. Visit SM Center Sangandaan immediately!

The synergy behind SM's disaster response

“We were at the forefront during that time na tumutulong. In fact, as soon as tumigil ang pagyanig nung time na ‘yun, all hands on deck na kami. Hindi ko pa nun alam kung ano yung OPTE, pero ‘yung mga kasama ko sa mall, sabi nila, may opportunity para makatulong dun sa mga nabaha nearby. Sabi nila, ‘sama tayo. Nung inabutan namin, umiyak siya nang umiyak. Sabi niya, hindi siya makapunta dun sa barangay hall kasi binaha ang bahay niya... Sabi niya, parang akala niya, makakalimutan na siya. Pero ang saya-saya niya na pinuntahan namin siya, na may pag-asa. It’s really great to be part of a team, a group that is able to support and help the community in good times and in bad times.” ~Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga

In a country that suffers an average of 20 typhoons per year and is susceptible to earthquakes, communities in the Philippines often face the challenging task of having to rebuild lives overnight. Cooperation becomes crucial in these circumstances, especially for thousands of Filipinos whose lives have been completely upended by natural disasters.

For the SM Group, assisting communities in getting back on their feet is more than just a responsibility; it is a shared commitment embedded in its service culture. At the heart of this effort is the SM Foundation's disaster response program, Operation Tulong Express (OPTE).

OPTE brings together dedicated volunteer teams with the shared objective of assisting those in need. It is carefully supervised by the SM Foundation, SM Markets, and SM Supermalls. Workers at SM Markets construct Kalinga Packs in warehouse hubs that act as packaging centers while SM trucks and vans transport the goods to the affected areas. Employee volunteers from the foundation and SM Supermalls personally provide supplies in the spirit of bayanihan. They also support medical missions that offer free consultations, first aid, and medication in more badly impacted areas.

For Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga, service is rooted in lived experiences, especially since her family was among those affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Years later, she witnessed devastation firsthand during the 2019 earthquake that affected her province and the rest of Luzon.

Her first OPTE experience came earlier when, as a new SM employee, flooding hit communities near the San Fernando mall. One of her most vivid memories was when they provided support to an 80-year-old resident in a remote barangay in Angeles following widespread floods during the pandemic.

According to Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA, the company’s strong culture of helping others has shaped the way employees live and work. Because of this, lending a hand has become second nature.

“We normally conduct OPTE in basketball courts so that mas marami ‘yung mapuntahan namin. But we also take time to go to the eskinitas — na kung minsan may naiiwan na mga bata at matatanda. Kapag nakita mo sila, parang may lungkot. ‘Nakalimutan kami, naiwan kami kasi nandun sila lahat sa basketball court. But when they see us there with the Kalinga Packs at inabot mo ito sa kanila, they feel ‘Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan. These are the people who remember us.’ When I joined SM, I learned that community service and social responsibility are a big thing here. It has been a culture. It has been a habit. And it's not difficult to imbibe this because you see it, and it transcends. It starts from the leaders, trickling down to the entire team. So, everybody's moving. If you see the environment and the environment forges you to help and to be empathetic to the plight of everyone surrounding the community, surrounding the mall, your community; then mai-imbibe mo siya.” ~Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA

Regional Operations Head Ana Datu delivers essential relief to a flood-impacted resident, embodying the spirit of SM's volunteerism. She ensures even those in hard-to-reach areas feel: "Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan."

Both Ana and Andrea highlighted how volunteering shaped their outlook on work and in life.

A heartfelt embrace from a CAMANAVA resident receiving essential relief. By reaching deep into communities, SM volunteers ensure those affected feels remembered and supported, embodying the commitment of OPTE.

Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social good collaboration of SM Foundation, SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is the group’s disaster response initiative that provides immediate relief and essential goods to communities affected by calamities. In heavily impacted areas, it also deploys medical missions that offer basic healthcare and first aid.

Vista Manors Unwraps Christmas Celebrations in a Nationwide Lighting Ceremony

“Our lighting ceremony is more than a vivid display across our vertical villages; it reflects the Vista Manors vision of giving families sound real estate investments. As we unwrap the season in this wonderful spectacle, we aim to make it easier for every Filipino to secure a space in a vertical village where their stories can shine for years to come.” ~Eduardo Aguilar, Group Head

Castellana Residences in Baliwag: As the shared switch-on reached its peak, each Vista Manors vertical village was unwrapped in unison.

Vista Manors welcomed the season with a stunning display of joy and companionship as its vertical cities throughout the archipelago illuminated development markers and their Christmas installations. During the lighting ceremony, residents, buyers, and investors are kindly asked to capture the festive ambiance of the season in their condominium complex, where comfort and friendship come to life.

Vista Manors have evolved into hospitable, fantastic gathering places, from the quickly growing university clusters in Luzon to the thriving economic centers and well-liked tourist locations in Visayas and Mindanao. Each vertical town unveiled its Christmas Tree or Light Display with coordinated countdowns, demonstrating the company's commitment to creating better experiences where important milestones occur.

Vibrant Vertical Villages

Sandera Residences in Davao: The evening’s festivities opened with Christmas carols performed by choirs, echoing the notes and nostalgia woven into Filipino traditions

Christmas carols, which matched the melodies and sentimentality embedded in Filipino cultures, were performed by choirs and local artists to start the evening program. A moving display of gentle lights held high by families and potential houses resulted from the distribution of lanterns, which stood for gratitude and hope, to the attendees.

As the shared switch-on reached its peak, every vertical village unraveled at the same time. Christmas trees were lit in vivid colors, public spaces were illuminated by landmarks, and facades shone with seasonal grandeur. In some places, the lighting was followed by sparklers, musical serenades, refreshments, and eye-catching community displays.

Home for the Holidays: A Christmas invitation to come home

Santerra Residences in Naga: Vista Manors welcomed the season with celebration and community spirit as its vertical villages across the country illuminated development markers and Christmas installations.

Vista Manors' annual Home for the Holidays promotion offers spot-cash savings to investors and customers who want to take advantage of early purchases. Additional savings on ready-for-occupancy (RFO) properties enable a more smooth transition into immediate move-in, whether for leasing or end usage. It also offers flexible payment plans for its non-ready-for-occupancy (NRFO) condominiums, with a free final down payment and a fair 15% down payment for up to 45 months. This solution guarantees a contemporary living area prior to market changes and facilitates short-term commitments.

Vista Manors enhances the season with reservation benefits in a few vertical villages, such upscale gifts, gift cards, or shopping privileges worth up to PHP 10,000. It encourages buyers and investors to look into these vacation choices and discover the prospects in its condominium properties around the nation. Until December 31, 2025, the terms and conditions are in force.

Elevating condominium living for Filipinos nationwide

Santerra Residences in Naga: Vista Manors welcomed the season with celebration and community spirit as its vertical villages across the country illuminated development markers and Christmas installations.

Because Vista Manors blends the conveniences of a condominium with the advantages of every neighborhood, it appeals to homeowners and investors seeking greater experiences in their vertical villages. Because of its reduced floor-to-floor density, which allows unfettered transit over several floors, its residents enjoy an elevated lifestyle with a variety of layouts, all tucked away in mixed-use buildings with proximity to active business centers and commercial hubs. A few of the features that create a resort-themed environment and make coming home a tranquil sanctuary at the end of each day are swimming pools, function halls, play courts, gyms, well-kept parks and gardens, and view decks.

Sonnet in Stanza: The Christmas Tree lighting event was followed by sparklers, musical serenades, and a community showcase that further kindled the spirited atmosphere.

Valencia Residences in Mactan: Each vertical village unveiled its own Light Display through synchronized countdowns, reinforcing the company’s commitment to creating enhanced experiences where meaningful moments unfold.

Vista Manors ensures that all of its tenants' demands are met by using a variety of payment options and comprehensive sales services. The value of these condominiums, which provide prudent real estate investments in the face of shifting economic trends, has steadily climbed annually, providing promising long-term stability.

To learn more about Vista Manors and its vertical villages, visit www.vistamanors.com.ph and follow VistaManorsOfficial.