Brandon Vera Shares Enlightening Experience on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’

Reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera is among a handful of martial arts superstars to guest on upcoming reality television show, “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

The 43-year-old Filipino-American mixed martial arts veteran joined legendary fighters Georges St-Pierre, Renzo Gracie, and former ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren, as well as high-profile CEOs from some of the world’s largest companies.

Vera, who is currently in Florida training alongside fellow athletes Aung La N Sang and Martin Nguyen at Sanford MMA, recalled his experience on ONE Championship’s version of the iconic TV franchise.

“It was very educational and refreshing not to have any pressure on me in front of the camera. I got to learn a lot from the candidates. I look forward to seeing ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,’” said Vera.

“It was an honor, an absolute privilege to be standing next to greatness both in the martial arts and business worlds.”

The show, based on the popular non-scripted television franchise, is a complete departure from the classic American version, and offers viewers an entirely new experience.

“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” invites 16 candidates hand-picked from around the world to participate in a series of business and physical challenges, as they compete for a US $250,000 job offer to work directly for ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong as his protege.

Vera, who was front and center to witness the candidates scrap and battle to reach the finale and ultimately win the competition, says viewers will be in awe of just how tough this version of “The Apprentice” truly was.

“I think the physical challenges for the candidates were something very unexpected. They were definitely not prepared even though they thought they were. It was very cool seeing some of them push beyond their limits, while some just fell apart,” said Vera.

Apart from being one of the most dominant world champions in ONE Championship, Vera is also an entrepreneur himself, owning several businesses including the Asian branch of renowned gym Alliance MMA. He, in particular, learned a lot from his time on “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

Vera described his experience working with guest CEOs such as Zoom’s Eric Yuan, Grab’s Anthony Tan, and Catcha Group’s Patrick Grove, among others.

“It was a combination of being nervous, because I didn’t want to miss anything, and being nervous to discover some of my thought processes to be incorrect. It was definitely a learning curve all the time, and I’m very blessed to have this opportunity over and over with ONE Championship,” said Vera.

“The Apprentice” is one of the biggest non-scripted reality television programs in history, judging the business skills of candidates who are competing for a job offer under a high-profile CEO. It has aired in more than 120 countries.

The first season of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” consists of 13 episodes. It’s scheduled to premiere across Asia on Thursday, 18 March, on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, followed by a global launch in June across broadcast and streaming platforms.

Having been witness to the candidates’ struggles, Vera learned exactly what it takes to be a contestant on the show, and has some advice for those wanting to join the show if it’s ordered for future seasons.

“[You need to be] someone who won’t break. Someone who knows how to take lead and set the example by doing. Someone who lives up to all of the values that ONE Championship stands for. That is what it will take to win ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,’” said Vera.

Vera is slated to make his return to the ONE Circle later this year to defend his ONE Heavyweight World Title, with a potential opponent being UFC veteran Arjan “Singh” Bhullar, although details of the bout have yet to be finalized or announced.

Be the Next 3.3 Shopee Milyonaryo and Join Our First Lucky Jackpot Prize Winner from General Santos City

MANILA, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 - Caregivers have been called the unsung heroes of the pandemic, and with good reason. Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs around, made even more difficult by the additional health risks COVID-19 poses. 

As a caregiver, her job is never easy, but Jovie Garcia from General Santos City remains grateful for being able to keep it. She is also thankful that her husband can continue working as a tricycle driver, so they can both support their 14-year-old daughter and her ailing mother-in-law. “Buti nga po may trabaho kami nitong pandemic. Hindi naman po nai-stop,” she said.

Jovie was on duty when she won the opportunity to play 3.3 Shopee Milyonaryo, an interactive lucky draw contest on Shopee Live, last February 22. Her ward, 92-year-old Lola Maria, was right beside her, encouraging her during the game. 

Despite comments from other users telling her to pick boxes labeled with other letters, Jovie chose S, believing it to be a lucky letter since her daughter’s name starts with it.  “Feeling po namin and’un talaga yung isang milyon,” she said.

Sure enough, the box was opened to reveal the ₱1M jackpot prize. Jovie, who was overwhelmed to the point of tears upon winning, was only able to announce the big news to her family over the phone as she was on 24-hour duty. She looks forward to sharing the joy and excitement with her loved ones in person. 

She also plans to use the prize money to buy medicines for her mother-in-law and fund a small business. “Hindi po talaga ako makapaniwala. Salamat po sa Panginoon. Maraming maraming salamat po sa Shopee family sa napalanunan kong ₱1M.”

Want to be the next Shopee Milyonaryo?

3.3 Shopee Milyonaryo is just one of the many exciting games Filipinos can look forward to at the 3.3-4-4. Mega Shopping Sale, Shopee’s first mega sale of the year. With millions worth of prizes to be given away, Shopee makes online shopping meaningful, entertaining, and rewarding for Filipinos.

Join Jovie in becoming the next lucky 3.3 Shopee Milyonaryo! Simply log on to the Shopee app and claim your raffle code. Winners will be announced daily until March 3, 2021. During the show, the winners will pick one out of six boxes, one of which contains ₱1,000,000 in cash.

For more information about Shopee Milyonaryo, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-milyonaryo.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee

 

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

 

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

 

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Southeast Asia. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

AVP BLOGGERS PARTY 2021

Due to the pandemic, the supposed AVP Bloggers Party for 2020 of Anne Purificacion was moved to early this year as a thanksgiving party, especially that face to face events have been limited since  lock-down last year and we have not seen each other in person for quite sometime, a simple gathering like this has been a refreshing day out from all the stress and anxiety that Covid 19 have bought to all of us.

Before I continue, I would like to first give a disclaimer that all throughout the time that we have been there, we all are responsible enough on following the required health protocols including social distancing and wearing of face masks and all the other necessary things that we need to practice to ensure our safety.

Like the AVP Bloggers gatherings in the previous years it has been a fruitful and fun party that Anne did to meet brands and bloggers in one place but this time we include the new normal touch wherein our other blogger friends that wont be able to make it in the place can still join us via zoom meeting/party.

With this year's theme "One in a Melon" it was quite a refreshing but safe party. There were tons of surprises as I have expected and games that even our online colleagues have enjoyed participating. From the yummy food to the partner personal care items and some gift certificates that Anne personally impart to all the participants everything has been enjoyable.

This event is powered by #SelahGardenHotel

Here are the brands that made the event possible:

#ManoSpanishFilipinoCuisine
#KetoGoodiesPh
#SumujiAtc #SumujiAlabangTownCenter
#TanettesBrowniesandCheesecake
#SweetBitesByIshin
#FoodAidKits #FoodAidKitsph
#ObunFoodCravings
#Chlorelief
#ShineMoistPh
#Foodgenicsph
#PongPongBananaChips #Pongpongph
#CloudCosmetics
#GreenlabJuiceStation
#MiracleSoyFood
#HealthyFreshOrganics
#PMS #Pmssince1988
#JoysPutocake
#DoctorJohns

#AvpBloggersparty #AvpBloggersparty2021 #annesheyday #EventsVilleph

Healthy Fresh Organics to Fight the Pandemic

I'm pretty sure that you will agree with me that now more than ever our good health is our true wealth. This pandemic gave us limitations and for some opportunities in their personal aspects of life. Eating right, physical activity, adequate rest and taking care of our mental health not only improves overall health and wellness, but also makes us more resilient during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a lot of changes in our daily lives. We are social distancing, staying home, and unable to dine out at restaurants. It can be easy to slip into unhealthy eating habits during this stay-at-home period, but with a little thought and preparation, maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t have to be a chore.

We can start by eating organic food which often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally-grown counterparts and people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods. With this being said, I had a recent recommendation about Healthy Fresh Organics

Healthy Fresh Organics is an online organic grocery store where you can find Certified Organic Produce like fruits, veggies, salads & smoothies, poultry & eggs, meats, seafoods delivered to your homes at the click of your fingertips.

As the saying goes “Health is wealth” So choose what you eat. Choose real food. Go organic! Because healthy food is key to good health.

To know more you can visit thier website at www.healthyfreshorganics.com

Healthy Fresh Organics is one of the sponsors of #AvpBloggersparty #AvpBloggersparty2021

Food Aid Kits PH Sauce for the Win!

Chicken wing or Buffalo wing in American cuisine, is an unbreaded chicken wing section that is generally deep-fried and then coated or dipped in a sauce consisting of a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce and melted butter prior to serving.

You probably have quite a number of recommendations of the best places where you can find the best tasting and even unli-buffalo wings restaurants from the places that you've been into or also would like to share this with your friends as well. But what if you can all get this best tasting chicken all in the convenience of your home or better yet, have a business out from the same love you have from this delightful food.

Of course there is a lot of recipe's available for a buffalo wing sauce but why not save time on it by just following the simple instructions on a ready made sauce that you will surely love. And besides, with the current pandemic that we're experiencing, isn't it better to cook your own food instead of ordering outside?

I've personally tasted its awesomeness and will not hesitate to share it with you, check out Food Aid Kits PH that offers a wide variety of sauces and breading perfect for your cooking needs.

Stock up on your favorite sauces so you never have to worry about running out!

IG: @foodaidkits.ph

Food Aid Kits PH is one of the sponsors of #AvpBloggersparty #AvpBloggersparty2021 

Katitikan Literary Journal’s new issue reimagines the pandemic Philippines

Katitikan, an online literary journal of the Philippine South, released its third issue with the theme (Re)Imaginations last February 14, 2021. 

The literary journal features literary works of 21st century Filipino writers from different parts of the country in English, Filipino, Cebuano, and Waray languages.

“Almost a year has passed now since we started living this life in pandemic limbo,” said Sigrid Gayangos, Katitikan editor, in the journal’s introduction “What Comes Next”. 

“Unprecedented is a word that has been thrown around, just as metaphors comparing the virus to a war waged by an invisible enemy have become ubiquitous,” said Gayangos.

“Through language, we are conditioned to think of militarism as positive and necessary in combating this crisis—unconsciously consenting to draconian security measures because they are done under the name of public health,” she added.

Some of the notable writers that contributed their literary works to this issue include Erika Carreon, R.B Abiva, Ben Aguilar, Mirick Paala, Hezron Pios, Cesar Miguel Escaño, and Reil Obinque.

This third issue of Katitikan: (Re) Imaginations contains 36 literary works from 26 Filipino writers and can be openly accessed here: https://katitikan.com/issue-3/.

The call for submissions for its first special issue on LGBTQ will be this March 2021.

Katitikan’s previous releases include the maiden issue published last June 2019 and Places and Spaces published last February 2020.

Cebuana Lhuillier's services can now be done from home

In the past year, we’ve seen how businesses have switched to digital platforms due to the community quarantine. Many have come up with innovative ways to ensure that they are able to provide their basic services to people at home. One of them is Cebuana Lhuillier, which is one of the most accessible pawnshops in the country with 2,500 branches nationwide.

To further make themselves more accessible, they launched Cebuana From Home (CFH), a platform that gives clients 360-degree access to Cebuana Lhuillier’s services—from cash remittance to pawning.

Here’s a quick rundown of CFH and how the platform can help the general public.

Pawn from Home

Cebuana Lhuillier has made their pawning service available online to ensure safer transactions. Pawn-from-Home allows clients to pawn jewelry online—they just need to accomplish an application form on the CFH site (https://www.cebuanafromhome.com). After it’s been reviewed, an appraiser from the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch will go to the client’s home to appraise the item, negotiate the value, and release the loan.

Other Pawn-from-Home perks include being able to pay for the pawn renewal service interest fee online and redemption of pawned items through the CFH platform.

Hassle-free bills payment and cash remittance

CFH has likewise made it easier to pay bills and send money without leaving the house. The online Bills Payment service provides access to more than 10 billers nationwide. Meanwhile, the remit-from-home feature allows users to send money online through Cebuana Lhuillier agents.

In addition, one can also avail of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Broker’s (CLIB) roster of affordable and comprehensive packages, which include Personal Accident insurance, Medical Expenses insurance, and Doctor’s Consultation insurance.

Reliable express delivery

Because of the continued lockdown, delivery services for everyday needs have increased significantly from last year and Cebuana Lhuillier has made it possible for pawned items, to be sent or delivered, as well. With the Cebuana Lhuillier Express Delivery Service, clients from select pilot areas can have jewelry items and cash delivered right to their doorstep. The brand’s dedicated riders will ensure that items are secure and delivered on time. That way, there is no more need to go out and pick up the bought items, ensuring the safety of the whole family.

These Cebuana From Home services can be accessed at bit.ly/CebuanFromHome. A mobile app, as well as access points via Facebook Messenger and SMS, will be available to the public soon.

Enjoy Free Shipping, Cashback, and More at the 3.3 ShopeePay Cashless Festival

MANILA, FEBRUARY 23, 2021 - ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, launches the 3.3 ShopeePay Cashless Festival this February 22-25. Users who shop, buy load, and pay bills with ShopeePay can enjoy exclusive perks and rewards such as free shipping, ₱1 deals, load discounts, cashback, and more.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As the Philippines continues to transition into a cashless society, Shopee wants to further develop consumer confidence in digital payments, ensuring their experience is seamless, convenient, and rewarding. With the 3.3 ShopeePay Cashless Festival, Shopee aims to encourage Filipinos to fully embrace digital payments by providing them with incentives when they use ShopeePay, especially during the 3.3 - 4.4 Mega Shopping Sale.”

Until February 25, ShopeePay users can redeem the following deals and rewards when they activate and top up their mobile wallet:

Free shipping for a minimum purchase of ₱199

Enjoy free shipping vouchers released every 12 midnight and 12 noon daily this February 22-25. On February 24, watch out for four limited-time free shipping vouchers to be released throughout the day.

₱1 Deals and more

With Deals Near Me, users can conveniently buy eVouchers, which can be used online and in physical stores. Purchase eVouchers using ShopeePay to redeem a variety of deals, such as ₱1 deals from top F&B merchants like Jollibee, Dunkin’ Donuts, and McDonald's; discounts up to 90% off; and up to 15% cashback.

Flash deals on mobile load 

Get more load for less. On February 25, buy ₱30 worth of load for only ₱24. Look out for flash deals as well, such as ₱10 load for ₱5, ₱15 load for ₱7, ₱20 load for ₱10, and ₱50 load for ₱37.

Coins cashback on bills payment

Earn rewards when you pay your bills via ShopeePay. On February 23, get 15% cashback, capped at a maximum of 120 coins; and on February 25, get 20% cashback, capped at a maximum of 160 coins.

More cashback deals

Use ShopeePay during 3.3 to claim up to 20% cashback, capped at a maximum of 200 coins, from participating shops. 

For more information on the 3.3 ShopeePay Cashless Festival, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in 7 markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers, and businesses in the region. 

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

About ShopeePay

ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in the Philippines in 2019, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, and transfer and withdraw funds.

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them capture new opportunities. 

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.