James Rhed

Go from goal-setting to goal-getting with Metrobank's eSavings account

By itsmejamesrhed - December 03, 2025

Forget the long lines and paperwork—Metrobank now allows new accountholders to easily and securely open a savings account in 10 minutes through the Metrobank app.

Metrobank eSavings is a secure digital account that allows first-time Metrobank deposit clients to save, manage, and grow their money. More than that, with just a PHP2,000 minimum deposit balance, accountholders get access to a suite of benefits to save smarter and achieve their long-term goals with ease.

Enjoy these perks when you open a Metrobank eSavings account:

InstaPay fee rebates of up to 4x a month: Everyday transactions are made lighter on your wallet as you get rebates on the fees for four InstaPay transfers each month.
Free 1 year AXA Life Insurance: If you open a Metrobank eSavings account until December 31, you get a one-year life insurance coverage that’s worth double the average amount of your average daily balance (ADB) in the past three months, giving you peace of mind from life’s uncertainties.
Interest of up to 4.5% p.a.* on your savings when you avail of Online Time Deposit: By placing your funds on Metrobank’s online time deposit feature, you’re giving your savings an extra boost. Metrobank offers flexible holding periods for your funds—ranging from one month, so you can access your funds easily, to one year, so your funds can yield higher interest. For more details, visit https://www.metrobank.com.ph/accounts/time-deposit

Your Metrobank eSavings account not only allows you to get closer to your savings goals—it also serves as the first step towards having a trusted financial partner in achieving your long-term goals.

Now that you’re a Metrobank client, it’s easier for you to secure your first credit card, a home loan for your first condo, or an investment to grow your money to new heights.

With Metrobank, you have a reliable growth partner, helping you save not just for today's goals, but for your future self.

Make the move your future self will thank you for. Open a Metrobank eSavings account now via the Metrobank App—download it today on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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Pro Weeks Are Back and This Is Your Sign to Finally Go Pro!

By itsmejamesrhed - November 21, 2025

foodpanda brings timely, sulit offers to help keep holiday budgets manageable.

foodpanda is rolling out its biggest savings event of the year, just as households become more mindful of their spending. As the holidays kick in, so do the familiar rush of gatherings, shopping lists, office celebrations, and last-minute cravings. It is often the period when expenses naturally rise, making practical deals more important than ever.

This is where Pro Weeks becomes especially helpful. From November 20 to 30, 2025, it offers timely, meaningful savings through exclusive food delivery and grocery perks for pandapro subscribers. With nationwide deals that deliver real savings, it is the ideal moment to finally catch up if you are not yet a pandapro subscriber.

Irresistible Food Delivery Deals for the Busiest Season

This year’s food delivery lineup brings major savings, with discounts up to 30%, making holiday favorites even more affordable for pandapro subscribers. Cravings from McDonald’s, Jollibee, CoCo, Gong Cha, Wendy’s, Shakey’s, Domino’s, Greenwich, and many others become easier on the wallet throughout the campaign. These offers are boosted further by the Pro-exclusive free delivery perk for orders starting at ₱200, turning every meal or merienda into a smart, timely choice. Pickup orders also get 10% off with the PICKUP code for a minimum spend of ₱99.

Pro users in Quezon City and Makati also get access to additional perks through city-specific codes. By using QCPRO or MAKATIPRO, members can enjoy an extra 20% off on select restaurants. With deals this strong, enjoying your favorite holiday cravings becomes even more budget friendly.

Holiday Grocery Shopping Made Lighter

As Pro Weeks delivers big value on food cravings, it also extends thoughtful savings to holiday grocery needs. pandapro subscribers get up to 30% off on essentials from pandamart and ₱100 off from Robinsons Supermarket, plus ₱69 off delivery fees to help keep checkout costs in check. With the added 10% cashback on grocery orders through the PROGROCER code, households can stock up on pantry staples, noche buena ingredients, and even last-minute needs without navigating mall crowds or overspending. This combination of strong pricing and doorstep convenience makes Pro Weeks a reliable partner during the holiday rush.

A Year of Perks for Less

One of the standout highlights of this returning Pro Weeks run is the special offer on pandapro subscriptions. With the GOPRONA code, users can get 30% off a 12-month plan, giving them a full year of free delivery perks, exclusive vouchers, and ongoing discounts. It is a practical long-term savings move that often pays for itself after just a few orders, especially for users who rely on foodpanda for regular meals, cravings, and grocery runs.

Why You Shouldn’t Sit This One Out

With all Pro Weeks offers available only until November 30, it is a timely opportunity to enjoy valuable savings. Alongside the main deals, Pro subscribers can also take advantage of additional vouchers like PROWEEKS, which gives ₱200 off for select Pro users from November 20 to 30, and PROFLASH, offering ₱500 off on select vendors from November 28 to 30. In a fast-paced holiday season, the extra benefits that come with being a pandapro subscriber can make everyday moments easier to manage. With foodpanda making the holidays more affordable through Pro Weeks, now is the perfect time to make the switch.

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big bad wolf

Celebrating Hope, Learning, and Community: Big Bad Wolf Books returns to Davao, sparking excitement across Mindanao.

By itsmejamesrhed - October 29, 2025

Mindanao, Philippines (October 28, 2025) – Big Bad Wolf Books is set to make its much-awaited return to Davao, joining hands with the community from November 13 to 24, 2025, at The Tent, Azuela Cove. More than just a book sale, this event is a heartfelt invitation to come together—to read, to share, and to rebuild through the power of stories.

Jacqueline Ng, Co-Founder of Big Bad Wolf Books

“We are deeply grateful to be back in Davao, especially at a time when the community’s strength and unity shine so brightly,” said Jacqueline Ng, Co-Founder of Big Bad Wolf Books. “Books have the power to bring comfort and hope to remind us that, even in the hardest chapters, there are always new stories waiting to begin. Through this event, we want to stand with Davaoeños and continue spreading the joy of reading, one book at a time.”

For 12 days, the venue will be transformed into a haven of books and belongings, filled with titles across every genre imaginable—all at up to 95% off. Visitors can expect to discover new reads, reconnect with fellow book lovers, and take part in outreach efforts that bring books and hope to those who need them most.

To make the event more accessible, free admission will be open to everyone, and a complimentary shuttle service supported by the local government of Davao City will be available on opening day, November 13, to bring readers straight to The Tent at Azuela Cove. Shuttle route details will be announced soon on Big Bad Wolf Books’ social media pages.

Exclusive Offers for Davao Readers

Big Bad Wolf Books is also giving Davaoeños an exciting head start with its Pre-Selling Promo, running ahead of the official sale. Starting October 27, readers can reserve select titles before the doors even open by sending a direct message to Big Bad Wolf Books’ official Facebook page. Once confirmed, purchases can be settled via Good Small Sheep Inc.’s bank account and picked up from November 13 to 16 at the Customer Service Area in Azuela Cove. Each reservation will be verified on-site, ensuring a smooth and secure claiming process for all participants.

With limited stocks available for each featured title, the Pre-Selling Promo gives book lovers a chance to secure highly anticipated reads early on a first-come, first-served basis. This special offer is valid only until November 12 and aims to make reading more accessible while rewarding loyal fans who just can’t wait to dive into their next great story.

To further support Davao’s learning community, Big Bad Wolf Books is rolling out special rebates for schools, teachers, and students. Learning institutions such as schools, libraries, and universities can enjoy a 10% discount on purchases worth ₱30,000 and above. Teachers and students can also get 5% off with no minimum spend by simply presenting a valid school and faculty ID or wearing their uniform at the cashier.

These community-centered discounts are designed to empower education and nurture a love for learning across all ages. By extending these special rates to students and educators alike, Big Bad Wolf Books reaffirms its belief that knowledge should always be accessible, especially to those who inspire and shape future generations every day.

Adding to these exciting offers, Big Bad Wolf Books is launching the Campus Challenge: Read It to Win It. Schools within Davao City are invited to join, with parents or students registering as Big Bad Wolf Books members and indicating their school affiliation upon checkout, verified through a valid school ID. Every purchase with a minimum spend of ₱2,000 in a single receipt counts as one valid entry for the school. A daily leaderboard on Instagram Stories will highlight the top three schools leading in sales and footfall, encouraging friendly competition and repeat visits. The top-performing schools will receive BBW book prizes under three tiers: 1st Place “Books for Library” Grant (1,500 books), 2nd Place “Reading Corner” Bundle (1,000 books), and 3rd Place Teacher Voucher Packs (500 books). Each winning school will also be encouraged to share their rewards with a chosen partner beneficiary such as a public school, community library, or reading center.

Sharing Stories of Hope and Inspiration with New Titles

As Davao continues to heal, Big Bad Wolf Books stands with the community, bringing stories that comfort, inspire, and remind readers that hope can always be found between the pages. From heartwarming Christmas specials for the coming holidays and timeless bestsellers for adults to the engaging Usborne specials for young readers, each book is more than just a story—it’s a step toward renewal, reflection, and rebuilding together as a community.

FRIENDS: The One With The Surprises Advent Calendar

Author: Insight Editions

Original Price: Php 1,100

BBW Price: Php 620

Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

Author: Autumn Publishing

Original Price: Php 1,700

BBW Price: Php 820

Usborne Lift-The-Flap: Questions and Answers about Growing Up

Author: Katie Daynes

Original Price: Php 1,000

BBW Price: Php 560

Usborne Lift-The-Flap: Questions and Answers about Science

Author: Katie Daynes

Original Price: Php 1,000

BBW Price: Php 560

The Blue Hour

Author: Paula Hawkins

Original Price: Php 1,600

BBW Price: Php 620

Sweet Nightmare (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Author: Tracy Wolff

Original Price: Php 1,400

BBW Price: Php 620

Bedside Book of Philosophy

Author: Gregory Bassham

Original Price: Php 1,600

BBW Price: Php 440

Revenge of the Tipping Point

Author: Malcolm Gladwell

Original Price: Php 1,800

BBW Price: Php 760

A Movement that Uplifts Communities Through Reading

Every Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is more than about books—it’s about people. Whether guests come to find a new story, support donation drives and outreach programs for those affected by recent earthquakes, or simply reconnect with the community, each visit contributes to something greater: a shared effort to uplift one another and keep hope alive.

The Big Bad Wolf Davao Book Sale’s donation initiative will continue this advocacy, allowing visitors to donate books on-site to help strengthen literacy programs across Mindanao. Through this effort, Big Bad Wolf Books aims to donate books, supporting Davao’s communities who were affected by the recent earthquakes as they rebuild through education and compassion.

To kick off the celebration, book lovers can join the Early Bird Promo by sharing the official event post online for a chance to win Early Bird Access on November 13, from 10 AM to 12 PM, plus a chance to take home exclusive Big Bad Wolf merchandise. The sale opens to the public on November 13 onwards, starting at 12 NN.

Event Details

● November 13, 2025 (VIP Day):

○ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Early Bird Access for those who share BBW’s post

● Sales Dates (Open to the Public):

○ November 13, 2025 — 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM

○ Daily (November 14–24, 2025) — 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in Davao is more than just a chance to find your next great read—it’s a movement to uplift, rebuild, and bring hope to others through stories. Every visit, every book purchased, and every donation made helps strengthen the community and share the joy of reading with those who need it most.

Let’s come together, Davao. Join us at The Tent, Azuela Cove, and be part of this inspiring chapter in rebuilding hope.

Follow Big Bad Wolf Books social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates on latest promos and donation details. Visit Big Bad Wolf Books’ official website to learn more about the movement and how you can help change the world, one book at a time.

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broadband plan

Discover what inspires the stars of the FIVB Men's World Stars!

By itsmejamesrhed - September 26, 2025

Discover what inspires the stars of the FIVB Men's World Stars!

Watch the international tournament wrap up hot this weekend – only on Cignal TV that comes with your PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399!

For the star athletes playing at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, a life of competition means immense sacrifice – especially when it comes to family life. The way to provide for their families is often through the rigorous and intense sports schedules far away from the ones they love most.

What gives them the strength to play at the highest level? More often than not, it's that same love that awaits them off the court. Their home – not a physical place, but a feeling – is wherever their family is.

Here, we list down some of these men’s volleyball idols wearing their hero hat both on and off the court. We also pay tribute to their partners, children, and more supporters cheering them on from the sidelines.

Benjamin Toniutti (France)

As the 10-year veteran setter and captain of the French national team, as well as a professional player in the PlusLiga league in Poland, Toniutti is the quiet orchestrator of one of the world's best squads. He's also the proud father of three daughters with his wife, Emilie.

For Toniutti, finding balance between a high-stakes career and his family is paramount. His unwavering focus on the court is often fueled by the knowledge that he's playing for more than just a medal – he’s playing to make his family proud. Every set is a testament to the support system that gives him the strength to lead on the world stage.

“My wife and three children are in France on a daily basis, so I spend more time alone between training and matches,” Toniutti said in an interview with PLS earlier this year, speaking on the decision to keep his family in France.

“(My eldest daughter) has close friends in France and also plays volleyball, so we wanted to provide her with more stability and joy in her social life. As soon as there are some breaks in school, my family visits me in Poland, so we see each other quite often, on average once every six weeks. When my family comes to visit me, we spend as much time as possible with each other.”

Photo courtesy: Benjamin Toniutti’s Instagram

Earvin N’Gapeth (France)

Nicknamed "Magic" for his explosive and unpredictable style (as well as after his namesake, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson), the French outside hitter, Turkish league pro player, and two-time Olympic champ is a force to be reckoned with. But beyond the court, N’Gapeth is a dedicated father to his two sons, Mathys and Dany.

Last year, following the French national team’s gold in Paris, N’Gapeth signed with local club Stade Poitevin Poitiers – a move that gave him some much-needed quality time with his brood.

“(Playing for Poitiers) gave me the opportunity to be home for four months with my family, something I hadn’t done for a long time, so it gave me a lot of strength to come back and say I’m able to go until (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics),” he said in a recent interview.

N’Gapeth's journey highlights the profound sacrifices athletes make to be away from their loved ones while competing. He has spoken about his close bond with his boys, showing that love and connection remains a powerful motivator, propelling him to new heights in his career.

Photo courtesy: Earvin N’Gapheth’s Instagram

Micah Christenson (USA)

Team USA’s captain and Olympic bronze medalist Christenson has a deeply personal way of keeping his family close and loving, even when he's thousands of miles away. His wife Brooke and their three children – Ezekiel, Quinn, and Finley – doodle heartfelt messages of support on his volleyball shoes before every tournament, he told a local publication recently as he was in the thick of the FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila.

For Christenson, 32, those colorful scribbles are a reminder that home is always with him. They represent his core purpose: the people who matter most. "It’s a piece of family and home that I have with me when I’m on the court," the star setter said, showing that even in the toughest moments, he is never alone.

Photo courtesy: Micah Christenson’s Instagram

Wilfredo Leon (Poland)

The Cuban-Polish outside hitter who’s part of the highly acclaimed “Generation of Miracle” in Cuban volleyball is also a well-known family man, as evidenced by his many social media posts featuring his wife and three children.

In fact, Leon, 32, has even gone on to declare that his children are his greatest achievements. “No other achievement can compare to (the birth of his child),” he said in an Instagram post when he welcomed his first daughter back in 2017.

One of his biggest life decisions, however, was to secure a Polish citizenship not only to get better treatment as an athlete outside of Cuba, but also to honor and be closer to his journalist-wife Małgorzata. The two connected back in 2011 in a heartwarming love story that sprouted from their work.

“(One of the reasons I left Cuba is) the fact that my wife – my girlfriend at that time – is Polish and I couldn’t see her outside of Cuba,” he said in a 2020 interview with Olympics.com. “I love everything about (Poland). My life here is nice, I've never had any kind of problems.”

Photo courtesy: Wilfredo Leon’s Instagram

Bryan Bagunas (Philippines)

Alas Pilipinas’ power hitter is a true testament to finding strength from home. Bagunas, who plays internationally in Taiwan, married his long-time partner Nicole Tracy Tan last year. The couple welcomed their first child last May.

“A single moment that changed my life forever,” Bagunas wrote on Instagram, honoring his wife. “You are beyond amazing. Watching you bring our son into this world was the strongest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. (I’m so proud of you), and so thankful I get to walk this new journey with you.”

Bryan's story is particularly inspiring as he navigates a career that often takes him away from the Philippines. His family is his main inspiration and motivation, proving that no matter the distance, the connection remains strong, serving as a powerful reminder of what he is playing for.

Photo courtesy: Bryan Bagunas’ Instagram

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