SM BULACAN MALLS ILLUMINATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH GRAND CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECES

SM Bulacan malls celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the grand unveiling of their captivating Christmas centerpieces, officially ushering in the holiday season in the province.

Mallgoers are treated to a classic festive journey as SM Bulacan malls transform their atriums into a majestic Christmas attraction, embellished with the iconic Holiday Grand Red Ribbon, symbolizing joy, unity, and the true spirit of the Yuletide season.

SM City Marilao unwraps a 36-ft Christmas tree inspired by the ‘Holiday Symphony.’ Showcasing an enchanted forest of stylized rotating Christmas trees, the centerpiece shines bright with a modern sparkle—glistering lights and classic ornaments ascend in graceful harmony, together with the hanging trees with branches dressed in shimmering ornaments and cascading curtain lights.

Meanwhile, SM City Baliwag reveals the ‘Holiday Tale,’ a mystical Christmas centerpiece that exudes whimsical wonders. Built with a marvelous 30-ft Christmas tree, the attraction is surrounded by gnomes, reindeer, gift boxes, and magical candles.

SM Center Pulilan, on the other hand, unveils the ‘Wrapped Christmas Wonders.’ This year’s theme captures the concept of holiday festivities and gift-giving, highlighted by a classic 30-ft Christmas tree. Shoppers will feel every inch of the Yuletide season as the centerpiece showcases marvelous stacks of giant gift boxes, mini trees, and reindeer.

In line with the launch of the holiday centerpieces, SM malls in Marilao and Baliwag introduce the SM Besties of Joy. For every two pieces of bear purchased, one will be given to a community charity, spreading warmth and comfort this holiday season.

SM is making the holidays extra meaningful as the malls celebrate “100 Days of Kindness”—a nationwide campaign that brings cheer, joy, and generosity to millions of Filipinos.

Until December 25, SM will feature daily videos on its digital platforms featuring touching and inspiring acts of kindness through the “100 Days of Kindness” campaign, where shoppers may experience random acts of kindness such as surprise treats, warm greetings, and delightful gifts.

The coming days will be merrier as SM Bulacan malls celebrate Christmas in full swing with festivities, Christmas markets, and entertainment the malls have in store all throughout the holiday season.

For updates, visit the official Facebook pages of SM City Marilao, SM Center Pulilan, and SM City Baliwag.

2GO Opens New NAIA Road Store Ahead of the Holiday Travel and Shipping Rush

MANILA, Philippines, 22 October 2025 – 2GO, the Philippines’ leading logistics and travel solutions provider, has opened a new store along NAIA Road to serve travelers, senders, and nearby businesses with greater convenience.

 

Located at the CAEMC Commercial Building near Park and Fly, the 2GO NAIA Road Store offers a full range of retail logistics services, including parcel and document express delivery, extra baggage and cargo shipping within the Philippines or abroad, as well as 2GO Travel booking and ticket purchases.

 

“We’re thrilled to bring 2GO closer to our customers who are always on the go,” said Blessie Cruz, Vice President and Business Unit Head for 2GO Retail. “This new location makes it easier for travelers and residents to access our shipping and travel services right before heading to the airport.”

 

To mark the opening, 2GO is offering 10% off on all domestic and international shipments until October 31, 2025.

 

As the holiday season approaches, 2GO has expanded its store network and optimized its air, land, and sea logistics to meet the expected surge in travel and delivery demand.

 

“Every Christmas season, our goal is to keep families connected and businesses moving,” added Cruz. “Whether you’re sending gifts, shipping goods, or traveling to your favorite destinations like the newly-launched Manila-Siargao weekly services, 2GO is ready to deliver care and convenience.”

 

Customers can visit the new store by searching CAEMC Commercial Bldg., NAIA Road (near Park and Fly) on navigation apps.

 

For updates and promotions, follow facebook.com/2GOExpressInc.

It’s a Happy Christmas at SM Supermalls!

SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter.

Ode to outer space: An out-of-this-world celebration starts at SM Megamall

SM officially ushered the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall on October 20. 

The mall’s mega Christmas Tree decked in stars and lights was lit, signaling the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. And starting October 20 until December, SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively. 

If you missed the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still more ways to celebrate the joys of the holidays. SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones! Check out the details below:

More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!

Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments:

• SM North EDSA, SM Lanang Premier, SM Seaside City Cebu - October 21
• SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, The Podium - October 22
• SM Southmall and SM Cagayan de Oro Downtown Premier - October 23
• S Maison - October 25

Santa-approved Christmas Playpark

Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.

Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays

Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best. 

Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights

SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM

Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations

SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love

Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.

Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village

SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.

Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs 

Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.

“This Christmas, we are sending a message of happiness to every Filipino. With every activity we have for them, we hope to inspire everyone to spread sparks of happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

A new light of experiences will bring happiness and kindness to every Filipino as SM Supermalls create more magical memories and opportunities to touch other people’s lives this holiday season. Check out www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts to stay updated on the various holiday happenings.

Canva for Education Launches to Schools Worldwide

Popular online design platform, Canva, last week announced the global launch of Canva for Education, a free product for teachers and students all over the world, at the first educational technology industry show of the year, Bett, in London.

• Free Canva for Education platform to empower education sector; builds visual literacy in students and facilitates project-based learning
• Product includes Canva’s premium features, plus add-ons such as education-specific content and templates, an all-new collaboration space, a review workflow, version history plus much more
• Canva announces partnership with Google for Education

As highlighted in 2019’s Digital Internet Trends report, the global growth of visual content has been accelerated by image-based digital platforms, fueled by the adoption of social media. The ability to interpret, communicate and present ideas visually is critical for students to thrive in today’s world and tomorrow’s workforce.

With Canva’s intuitive drag-and-drop design tools, Canva for Education empowers students to create and communicate their learning visually through posters, worksheets and animated presentations. It also aids educators and school administration to create teaching material, event posters, infographics and reports - just to name a few.
Georgia Vidler, Director of Product at Canva, explained the new Canva for Education offering is tailored to the needs and requirements of schools worldwide, calling out Canva as a “one-stop-shop” for creating and collaborating in the classroom.

“Of the estimated 139,874 educational institutions across the US, over 10,000 are already using Canva. To make Canva for Education a real value-add tool we tailored the content, features and integrations to ensure it solved many pain points for teachers and students all around the world.”
Yani Hornilla-Donato, Philippines Country Manager at Canva, expressed her excitement for the product.

“With Canva for Education, teachers and students are provided a platform for project-based learning. The free access to the tool will also make creating classroom materials even more convenient for teachers. Utilizing our classroom-friendly templates relevant to specific learning goals also allows them to save time and effort.”

Canva for Education provides teachers and students with:

• Canva Pro - which includes access to millions of premium images, fonts, videos and templates
• access to an all-new collaboration space for the whole class to design and discuss in one place
• folders to manage content and to keep track of progress
• version history
• animations to help bring student creations to life
• more educational-specific content
• a review workflow for teachers to give students feedback
• peace of mind as Canva for Education is compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 
• a whole new raft of add-ons perfectly aligned to everyday learning including Google Drive, Google Slides, YouTube, Giphy, Websites and PowerPoint presentations
• integrations with Google Classroom and Google sign-in methods for class setup

Photo 2: Canva for Education empowers students to create and communicate their learning visually.

“Through our research, teachers also told us a significant number of their students are bilingual. Because Canva for Education is available in over 100 languages – including five right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew – teachers are now able to encourage digital, visual and design literacy while enhancing cultural diversity and inclusion in the classroom,” Vidler further highlighted.

Canva has also provided an integration with Google for Education to further streamline access to all classrooms.

Emma Fish from Google for Education stated the collaboration was a welcomed addition to the organization’s education suite.

“We are very excited to welcome Canva as a Google for Education Partner and include Canva in the Chromebook App Hub. Enabling the use of Canva for Education will provide a seamless, free experience and unleash the creative potential of students on Chromebooks. Canva has deeply integrated with Google across the platform including Google sign-in, integrations with Google Maps and Google Drive, and optimizing for touch Chrome devices.”

“There are 40 million teachers and students actively using Google Classroom. Canva for Education enables teachers to import Classroom class lists to manage their classes globally and has also enhanced classroom collaboration through the development of a dedicated Google Classroom share button,” explained Fish.

With the number of Canva users around the world compounding daily, the development of this offering was not only in response to the needs of educators as a whole, but also aligned with the organization’s most important core value - to be a force for good in the world.

“It’s vital we invest in education - students are our future. We need to do whatever we can to give them the tools they need to stay ahead. Students today are born in image-saturated environments - the era of internet, digital technologies and touchscreens. Through Canva for Education we are doing our bit to help educators teach visual, digital and design literacy to ensure each and every student is well-equipped for their future,” concluded Vidler.

Schools are encouraged to get started and register their free Canva for Education account at: https://www.canva.com/education/

ABOUT CANVA

Launched in 2013, Canva is an intuitive online design and publishing platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast library of templates ranging from presentations, social media posts, posters, invitations to resumes, a huge collection of stock photography, illustrations and fonts, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on web, iOS and Android.

Holi-YAY Tips You Can do for a #FlakeFreeChristmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly, to spread love, and share the spirit of Christmas with your loved ones. Of course, what better way to have fun in the season of sharing when you know your scalp and hair are healthy and flake-free? White Christmas may not happen in our country, but have you checked if your scalp is experiencing a 'Winter Wonderland’ from the visible flakes caused by the change in season? Other than the dry air, we can't deny the fact that we were tempted once (or even many times) to skip washing our hair because of the extremely cold water, and we don’t even realize that it’s a step closer to dandruff.
And because people are more prone to dandruff than any other time of the year, here are some tips you can do to fully enjoy a #FlakeFreeChristmas this December.

1. Brace yourself for the cold weather!
As the Ber month starts to enter, some places in the Philippines with higher altitude starts to get colder. You might want to bring out those thick clothing because the sweater weather is coming in! Walk in style with your stylish sweaters, pants, and even boots to protect yourself from the cold breeze. With the northwest monsoon coming in, dandruff is most likely to occur as well in this season because of the dry air and infrequent washing. Using the right anti-dandruff shampoo can cleanse your scalp while keeping the dandruff away.

2. Take it slow. Chill.
It’s the perfect time to de-stress! Forget your worries at the moment. Learn how to take things slow and treat yourself. You may visit the mall to check out an interesting flick to watch, eat in a fancy restaurant, or buy some new clothes for the coming holiday parties. You can channel your inner Zen as well by visiting the spa to get a massage or practice daily meditation or yoga at home. Occasionally, a ten-minute walk or a regular jogging also helps to blow off steam.
Being stressed and anxious can weaken the body’s natural defenses, making it hard for the body to naturally fight disease-causing bacteria like Malassezia globosa – the main culprit to dandruff. That is why unwinding every now and then is not only beneficial for your mind but also scalp and hair. To complete your total scalp care, use Head & Shoulders! With magnetic lifting foam that removes all traces of dandruff and scalp odor and makes your shower experience more enjoyable with its creamy lather.

3. Schedule an out-of-town trip.
Tired of celebrating at the same old place? Why not go somewhere you’ve never been to before? Book a flight or take an out-of-town trip! Explore, discover cities and meet new people from different walks of life. Starting from our country, there are lots of places to visit, and different activities to do. This Christmas, why not experience your first hike in Mount Pulag in Benguet, or go spelunking and sight-see the stalagmites and stalactites of the famously known Sumaguing Cave in Sagada? If you’re more of a beach person and would like to avoid the holiday traffic, travel the outskirts of Batangas to snorkel or dive with the fishes or just a relaxing swim at Tingloy or Laiya, or go surfing in the waves of Siargao.
Travelling with a buddy like Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol will also make you feel cool and clean no matter the weather.

4. Reunite with your family and friends.
Christmas is a great time to revisit and create new memories with your family and friends. But as the gatherings and party invites start to turn up, you might overbeat your hair with styling products that cause damages like nutrient loss, split ends, frizziness, breakage, dryness, and hair fall. You may also start to feel itchy from the product buildup that may result to a flaky scalp.
Despite of these fears, you can still feel confident to keep a close contact with anyone with the right shampoo that can keep the itching and soon-to-be dandruff away. Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky can make your dandruff worries away and nourish hair from the damages. It also has a floral scent that will make your hair oh so fragrant! 

A GRAND AND GLITTERY CHRISTMAS AT GRAND HYATT MANILA

The luxury hotel begins the Christmas season with an exciting list of Yuletide activities bound to create memorable experiences.

Manila (December 2019) Grand Hyatt Manila celebrates the holidays with a glamorous staycation, whimsical treats to share with loved ones, and exciting festivities for the Yuletide season. This year, Grand Hyatt Manila has partnered with Negrense Volunteers for Change where discarded Nespresso capsules are beautifully-crafted into Christmas Ornaments by hardworking artisans in support of their livelihood program. All proceeds go to NVC’s sponsorship of Mingo Meals for undernourished children across 39 provinces. Decors are available for selling at Florentine.

A Grand Holiday Getaway

Go grand and treat your loved ones to a remarkable staycation. Take advantage of our holiday discount with 25% off on Grand Suites and Club rooms from 08 November - 29 December 2019. This includes exclusive access to the Grand Club where you can enjoy all-day refreshments and complimentary snacks. Stay active with a cardio regimen at the fitness center and outdoor pool, then calm the mind with rejuvenating treatments at Illume Spa. Take it easy with a month-long Fitness and Relaxation membership, including a 60-minute Swedish massage and an exfoliating body scrub. Unwind the senses with an ESPA Natural Beauty Inner Calm gift set and a gift certificate for a 60-minute Inner Calm massage, packages also includes a 100 ml ESPA body oil to remember the experience in your very home.

Christmas cannot be complete without the legendary jolly man in red. Capture a memorable experience for both young and old alike with Santa Clause on 22 and 25 December from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM; and 23 - 24 December 2019 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the lobby.

Christmas Eve Dining

If you’re planning for a Christmas feast, then look no further with our Christmas Eve deals. From a hearty spread to Cantonese favorites and everything in between, Grand Hyatt has offers to delight kith and kin

Expect a medley of traditional Christmas must-haves such as Christmas Turkey and Pineapple Glazed Ham at The Grand Kitchen. The restaurant has an exciting selection of show kitchens to fit every person’s cravings - from tempura and pasta risotto to its organic salad bar and cheese displays.

The Grand Kitchen always has something to offer. Christmas feasts are priced at Php 2,200 for lunch; Php 3,700 for dinner; and Php 2,600 for Noche Buena. Dinner rates include free-flowing red or white wines and local beers.

At No. 8 China House, flavorsome dishes are expertly prepared by our team of Chinese chefs led by Master Chef Carson Luo. Festive set menus include the signature Peking Duck, Homemade Dimsum, and Cantonese Seafood, all artfully placed in live cooking stations. Rates start at Php 6,352 for lunch for four persons from 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM; and Php 13,200 for dinner for four persons from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

For a merrier dining experience, satiate your appetite at The Peak Grill with a delicious five-course set menu passionately prepared by Chef de Cuisine, Andrew Dickie. Enjoy the breathtaking view while feasting on delicious Lobster Bisque and succulent Char-Grilled Australian Wagyu Beef. Dinner is priced at Php 4,800 per person from 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM on 24 and 25 December 2019.

A Gift for Loved Ones

Sweeten the holiday celebration with a customized hamper filled with exquisite treats and homemade savory items. Tailor-fit your Christmas hamper with homemade Christmas Cookies, Chocolate Yule Logs, and Chocolate Santa Claus for a minimum order of Php 2,500*. Make your gift truly unforgettable with your thoughts in mind. Savory dishes are available for pre-order 72 hours in advance.

From grand staycations, delicious feasts, to a wide array of choices of gifts for loved ones, Grand Hyatt Manila is prepared to ensure that your festivities will have a touch of something sparkling and something grand.

The hotel is home to a myriad of diverse food and beverage concepts. Call +632 8838 1234 or email manila.grand@hyatt.com for orders and inquiries. For updates on activities and offers, follow Grand Hyatt Manila at facebook.com/grandhyattmanilaph and instagram.com/grandhyattmanilaph.

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities and resort destinations, each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to be a captivating destination within a destination. Grand Hyatt hotels deliver welcoming and elevated service, first-class accommodations and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and bold and vibrant design. Grand Hyatt properties boast inventive restaurants, luxury spas, fitness centers, and business and meeting facilities. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit grandhyatt.com. Follow @GrandHyatt on Facebook and Instagram, and tag photos with #GrandHyatt.

*All prices are in Philippine Peso and are inclusive of government taxes and service charge.

Canva launches #CanvaPasko Designed By You Contest

To help Filipinos celebrate Christmas, Canva is launching #CanvaPasko Designed By You, an online contest where for the first time ever – lucky winners will see their Canva Christmas cards live on a huge billboard in EDSA!

“Christmas is a very special occasion for many Filipinos. It’s a time when we come together to express our love for family, officemates, barkada, and our special someone. For times when words aren’t enough, we’re encouraging every Filipino in the Philippines and worldwide to mark the occasion with a very special tribute - design a beautiful Christmas card on Canva for free for a chance to see it displayed on a huge billboard in EDSA. Sitting in traffic has never been so meaningful.” shares Yani Hornilla-Donato, Country Manager of Canva Philippines.
“With our festive Christmas-themed Canva templates, Filipinos will be able to easily share their stories and messages of pagmamahal and pasasalamat to the people dearest to them and get a chance to show that love to the whole city.” Yani added.

How to join:

• Visit the contest homepage, https://www.canva.com/canvapasko/.
• Register for a free Canva account to design your own entry. During the registration process, you must key in your name and email address.
• Use any of the pre-made Instagram Portrait templates, 1080x1350 px to design a greeting.
• Each entry must be limited to a one-page design.
• Submit your entry on the website and register your contact details through the link provided on the download page.

For those using Facebook, you may post your entry as a comment on Canva’s pinned Facebook #CanvaPasko post and include a caption telling us who you’re sending love to and why you want to show them love this Christmas. Include the hashtag #CanvaPasko in your comment.
For those with Instagram, you may post your entry directly on your personal, public account, tag @canva_ph and add the hashtag #CanvaPasko and include a caption telling us who you’re sending love to and why you want to show them some big love this Christmas.

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines, 13 years old and above and will run until December 18, 2019.

Five designs will be chosen each week between December 2 to December 8; December 9 to December 15; December 16 to December 22; and December 23 to December 29. If your design is one of the lucky 20 winners, Canva will contact you for details on when you can expect to see your design live.

For more information, visit https://www.canva.com/canvapasko/ or follow Canva Philippines on Facebook.
*Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-21509 Series of 2019. Contest runs from November 11 to December 18, 2019.

No Price Hike for 134 Noche Buena Products, 6 Products Have Decreased Prices – DTI Chief

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that a total of 134 Noche Buena products have maintained its prices while six products have lower prices this 2019 compared to last year’s suggested retail price (SRP) list.

In a 2018 versus 2019 comparative SRPs of Noche Buena products released by the agency, 134 product lines such as keso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, as well as creamer products have maintained their prices since last year.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez shared this news amidst the recent reports that there are 92 products that have increased their prices. Every year there are increases for a few premium brands, and most would have minimal increases. However, brands for mass-based markets don’t usually change. “This is due to their fear of competition and the probability of losing market share in a price sensitive segment,” said the trade chief.

Six products -- which include keso de bola, pasta spaghetti, and tomato sauce --even lowered their prices by Php 11. These are Danes Cheese Ball, Amigo Segurado Spaghetti, La Filipina Spaghetti, Del Monte Filipino Style and Original tomato sauce.

Meanwhile, among the 134 products with no price increase, nine were keso de bola (Ques-O, Magnolia, Che-Vital, and Danes); 11 were cheese (Eden, Danes Classic, Kraft Cheddar, Che-Vital quickmelt); 14 were sandwich spread (Eden, Cheez Whiz, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 14 mayonnaise products (Eden, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 13 pasta spaghetti products (El Real, Fiesta, La Filipina, Royal, Sunshine, Ideal Gourmet, Balducci, San Remo); 17 were elbow and salad macaroni (Sunshine, Fiesta, Ideal Gourmet, Royal); 19 spaghetti sauce products (Amigo Segurado, UFC, Del Monte, Sunshine, Fiesta, Royal); 10 tomato sauce (UFC, Del Monte, Amigo); and three creamer products (Angel Krem, Alaska Crema Combi and Asada).

Ham manufacturers have introduced new sizes for some of their products. These variations are available in smaller packs, which offer lower cash out for consumers.

Smart tips from the trade chief

DTI recently issued the SRPs of Noche Buena products, which serve as price guide for consumers as they prepare for the holidays. Noche Buena products are not considered part of the basic necessities and prime commodities, and they are not under price control.

To help consumers, Sec. Lopez shared smart tips for Noche Buena and Media Noche shopping.

1. Prepare your shopping list using the SRP list at www.dti.gov.ph before going to the leading supermarket in your area. You can also check it via the e-Presyo mobile app. The trade chief advised consumers to purchase their Noche Buena and Media Noche needs at supermarkets, as the prices there are monitored by DTI.
2. Watch out for promo bundle packs in the promo section. Most of food manufacturing companies offer bundle packs of Noche Buena products, which provide savings. Some of these bundle packs include spaghetti pasta with sauce and cheese, macaroni with mayonnaise and fruit cocktail, among others.
3. Look for products that are not expiring soon.

“Most importantly, I advise consumers to choose the products they find value for themselves and their family. It is advised to do the Christmas grocery shopping early and avoid the holiday rush,” shared Sec. Lopez.

“DTI would like to ensure that consumers will always have the value-for-money product and brand options that they can choose from, especially this Christmas season,” the trade chief concluded.