EMONG'S JOURNALS

Jollibee , the Philippines ’ no. 1 fastfood chain, has brought back Mix & Match, giving customers new ways to enjoy its best-tasting favorites in a single meal. Starting at ₱78, diners can pair popular mains and sides, showing how the brand’s Best sa Sarap items are meant to be enjoyed together.  With the return of Mix & Match, Jollibee puts the spotlight back on the taste of its core products while giving customers the freedom to enjoy them their way. By bringing together popular mains and sides in one offering, the brand aims to make it easier for customers to enjoy their Best sa Sarap favorites in combinations they prefer.  “Mix & Match is all about bringing people together over the Jollibee favorites they love,” said Dorothy Ching , vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines . “It lets everyone enjoy our best-tasting products in a way that feels personal, letting them choose the combinations that make t...

Last year, Maya , the #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform in the Philippines , changed how people looked at saving, literally. With the world’s first ever Savings Calendar featuring Julia Barretto , Maya turned daily interest earnings into something you could see, track, and feel motivated by. Now, it’s back, and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and built for every kind of saver. Introducing Maya’s 2026 Savings Calendar, featuring three of the country’s biggest stars—Julia Barretto, Maris Racal , and Jericho Rosales —each with their own dedicated calendar layout and striking visual identity. Whether you’re inspired by intention, ambition, or living fully in the moment, there’s a calendar that matches your saving style. Three Stars. Different Ways to Stay Motivated with Maya’s 2026 Savings Calendar, you can watch your money grow every day as daily interest builds your balance. No complicated math. Just the confiden...

Next-generation AI-powered devices and experiences to be showcased at the company’s exclusive exhibition through January 7 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled its “Companion to AI Living” vision at The First Look, its CES® 2026 event held in the Latour Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas. The focus of the event was on AI as Samsung’s philosophy, a foundation that connects the company’s R&D product development, operations, and user experience. TM Roh , CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division , opened The First Look by describing the company’s AI leadership and how due to its vast, AI-enabled, connected ecosystem, Samsung can provide users with a true AI companion experience in their daily life. This approach gives users a chance to access more than just the basics from their technology and instead, provides opportunities to find more meaningful moments everywhere. “Samsung is building a more unified, more pers...

In Metro Manila, movement is constant, but certainty is rare. Traffic congestion, fluctuating fuel prices, and long working hours shape the daily routines of drivers and passengers alike. In this environment, trust is built quietly. For some, electric taxis are becoming part of that process, not as a dramatic shift but as a practical way to bring more balance to daily work and travel. Making a Living on Manila’s Roads Driving for a living in Manila has always involved trade-offs. Income can vary from week to week, operating costs are hard to control, and long hours on busy roads leave little room for planning. For many drivers, these pressures have prompted them to explore electric vehicles as a way to manage expenses and working hours more effectively. Benedick Ferreras , a Metro Manila driver who had never driven an electric vehicle before, said his decision was shaped by everyday considerations rather than the technology itself. “I ...

No case. No mercy. HONOR X9d 5G faced yet another extreme durability test—an actual high altitude drop test from an ultralight plane .  Starting the year with a total bang! Leading global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines unveils its most explosive release yet—the HONOR X9d 5G. Positioned as the toughest mid-range smartphone of the year, the latest addition to the X Series is built to withstand extreme challenges while delivering powerful everyday performance. Since the launch of the X9 Series in the Philippines in 2023, HONOR has built a reputation as an innovative technology brand known for putting smartphone durability to the ultimate test. From the debut of the HONOR X9a 5G —famously dropped under five feet and featured in viral smash tests—the ultra-tough HONOR X9b 5G , which endured an intense 50-foot drop, each generation has pushed the boundaries of what mid-range smartphones can withstand. This legacy contin...

Kenny Rogers Roasters begins 2026 with a stronger focus on encouraging guests to eat healthy so they can feel better every day. The brand expands its Healthy Plates lineup to offer nutritious choices that remain comforting and delicious. The original four plates — the Classic Healthy Plate, High Fiber Meal , High Protein Meal , and Low Calorie Meal — were developed to help customers meet their daily nutrition needs while still enjoying the flavors they love. Beginning Jan. 1, three new plates join the lineup, allowing guests to enjoy these new additions alongside the brand’s trusted favorites, all certified by SGS Philippines to ensure quality and nutritional value. Understanding the nutrition behind the plates All Healthy Plates from Kenny Rogers Roasters are assessed using the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (REI/RNI) guidelines. These standards help show how much of your daily nutritional needs a meal can support. Instea...