EMONG'S JOURNALS

If you are tired of watching fuel prices eat away at your monthly budget, your daily commute is about to get a massive wake-up call. A major shakeup is hitting Philippine roads, and it might finally convince local riders to ditch gas for good. ​The Vietnamese electric vehicle giant, VinFast, has officially opened the reservation lines for three of its highly anticipated electric two-wheelers: the Evo, the Feliz II, and the Viper. For a completely refundable booking fee of just ₱3,000, you can secure a spot in line before the initial batch of shipments rolls out this coming July. ​What makes this launch a massive deal isn’t just the sleek designs—it’s the math behind running them. ​ The Subscription Model That Changes Everything ​Historically, buying an electric vehicle meant coughing up a massive upfront premium for the battery. VinFast is completely bypassing that roadblock by separa...

As households continue to look for smarter ways to manage their grocery budgets, Grab Philippines is teaming up with Robinsons Supermarket and Puregold to bring weekend savings to everyday essentials on GrabMart. Running from May 29 to June 21, the campaign gives consumers PHP 20 off select grocery staples exclusively on GrabMart, covering fast-moving household items such as fresh meats, rice, eggs, water, and pantry basics. The campaign cements GrabMart’s position as a practical option not only for convenience, but also for value-driven grocery shopping.  “Managing a household today requires an extraordinary amount of resourcefulness, and Grab acts as a practical partner to Filipino families in managing their daily expenses,” said Grab Philippines Chief Commercial Officer EJ Dela Vega. “Amid these economic pressures, we are making essential goods more accessible and budget-friendly. By bringing these discounted items straight to the...

The Quezon City Government and Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines formally signed the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the rollout of the “Iwas Dialysis, Ligtas Kidneys: Get CheCKD Habang Maaga Pa!” program.   The citywide program aims to strengthen early chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection and improve kidney health awareness among QCitizens, particularly individuals at higher risk of the disease. Through barangay health centers, the initiative will support community-based screening efforts, provide practical kidney health guidance, facilitate timely hospital referrals for patients with abnormal findings, and encourage healthier habits to help reduce long-term risk. In the Philippines, CKD remains a growing health concern, with an estimated 13 million Filipinos, or 11.2% of the population, living with the condition, many of whom remain undiagnosed until later stages.[1] The initiative forms part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Sustain...

Forget the daily "I have nothing to wear" panic. Robinsons Department Store just made outfit-planning so much easier with Grab-A-Fit, Basics Collection. On May 22, 2026, Robinsons Department Store hosted the official launch of Grab-A-Fit at Robinsons Department Store Galleria, transforming the store space into a high-energy fashion playground. The event also introduced the new Basics everyday wear collection of Grab-A-Fit, a brand exclusively available at Robinsons Department Store, all branches nationwide.  The Grab a Fit Basics collection has casual, smart casual, and urban style pieces that you can mix and match to pull off any look for your daily grind. Whether it’s casual chic for weekend strolls or a polished business look for important meetings, Grab-A-Fit has trendy pieces for everyone. Centered on exceptional affordability and versatility, the launch event made effortless style accessible to everyone. Curated ma...

Some purchases are worth saying yes to: a long-awaited trip, a new laptop, a home upgrade, or even a month packed with celebrations. The good news? Paying for them doesn't always have to happen all at once. Maya, the country's #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform, is making it easier than ever to manage bigger purchases with the launch of Mini Payments. Available to Maya Black Credit Card and Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card holders, the feature allows eligible posted purchases to be converted into monthly mini payments directly within the Maya app. Unlike traditional installment offers that are often tied to specific merchants or promo periods, Mini Payments puts the decision in your hands. Eligible purchases can be converted after they've already been made—no waiting for a sale, no hunting for partner merchants, and no need to plan purchases around promotional periods. Cardholders can split elig...

Launching on June 18, the new Series combines long-lasting battery life, Military-grade Shock Protection, and dependable performance for daily use. realme Philippines is gearing up for the launch of the realme C100 Series on June 18, and ahead of the big reveal, the brand is giving a first look at what the lineup is all about. Anchored on the tagline “One Charge, Endless Power,” the C100 Series is built around two things Filipinos consistently look for in a smartphone: a battery that goes the distance and a build that holds up over time. The realme C100 comes equipped with an 8000mAh Titan Battery, while the realme C100i carries a 7000mAh cell. Both are designed to deliver up to 1.5 days of use on a single charge, but what stands out is their long-term battery health – the realme C100 is rated to retain at least 80% capacity after 7 years of daily use, and the C100i after 6 years. The brand attributes this to its highly effici...