Xiaomi back in Philippines with phone under P5,000

MANILA - Xiaomi, the world's fourth largest smartphone vendor, is back in the Philippines after a two-year absence, launching on Tuesday twin handsets that challenge its fellow Chinese competitors in terms of price.

The near bezel-less Redmi 5 Plus is priced at P9,990 while the Redmi 5A costs P4,590. Both will be available this week, ahead of rival Huawei's Nova 2 Lite, also priced at P9,990.

Since Xiaomi left the Philippines in 2016, Chinese brands like Huawei, Oppo and Vivo have flooded the market with bang-for-buck handsets, challenging Apple and Samsung.

The company is "building confidence" among Filipino consumers, said Xiaomi overseas business development manager John Chen.

Since February, Xiaomi opened 2 stores in the capital and plans to open 3 more, including one in Cebu and another in Davao, Chen said.

"If you look at the Philippines market, there's still a lot of vibrance," Chen said, adding Filipinos still bought Xiaomi products from the grey market while there were no official stores.

Xiaomi was ahead of Samsung and Apple with near bezel-less screens with the glass and ceramic Mi Mix from 2016.

Chen said that Xiaomi left the Philippines 2 years ago because the company expanded too fast and saw its resources spread too thin. 

Xiaomi, which built a following in China by selling online affordable phones with above-average specs, had only around a thousand employees then. 

Since leaving the Philippines, Xiaomi focused on fast-growing markets like India where it quickly rose to the top, Chen said.

With its current workforce of 10,000, Xiaomi is looking to increase its market share in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, he said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Japan's Yayoi restaurant opens at Megamall

MANILA – Filipinos are spoiled for choice when it comes to Japanese food, as seen in the many restaurants serving anything from sushi, tempura and ramen to cheese tarts and crepe cakes.

Several restaurants from Japan have also set up shop in Manila. The latest to do this is Yayoi, which recently opened a branch at Building B of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Unlike the other Japanese franchises which specialize in a certain dish, Yayoi offers different kinds of teishoku or set meal which comes with steamed rice, miso soup and vegetables.

Diners have plenty of options here, with Yayoi’s main dishes sorted into categories – katsu, seafood and hot pot, to name a few. Food and drinks are ordered by making a few taps on the iPads on each table, a nod to Japanese efficiency.

No need to worry, the iPad menu comes in both English and Japanese versions. A physical menu is also available for less “techie” customers.

The food here arrives fast, hot and delicious. Order the bestselling Hitsumabushi (P650), or Nagoya-style grilled eel on rice with a side of dashi broth.

Eat like the Japanese and divide the dish into four portions, putting each on a separate bowl as the meal progresses. Enjoy the first portion as is, add condiments to the second, pour the broth on the third batch, and have it your way on the last serving.

To those who want to have a little bit of everything, get the Mix Toji Teishoku (P425), which includes pork cutlet, fried shrimp and strips of sukiyaki beef simmered in a mix of egg and Yayoi’s special sauce.

Another bestseller is the Namban Teishoku (P395), which has fried chicken steak with tartar sauce.

Some franchises have tweaked their offerings to suit the Filipino palate, but not Yayoi, which takes pride in keeping authentic Japanese flavors intact. Yayoi claims to provide the same taste and quality of food in its chain of over 300 outlets in Japan, the United States, Australia and other parts of Asia.

YAYOI
3/F Building B, SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Power Mac Center re-launches biggest store with new look

MANILA -- Power Mac Center, an authorized re-seller and service provider of Apple products, recently re-launched its branch in SM Megamall, which is now the company's largest retail space.

The branch, its first ever retail location in the Philippines, underwent a major makeover with new design elements to become "more responsive to the needs of its clients."

“When we opened the SM Megamall store for the first time in 1994, it was a remarkable feat that marked the entry of Power Mac Center in the Apple business,” Power Mac Center marketing director Joey Alvarez said in a statement released Tuesday.

"The additional space allows our first store to further its offerings and provide a more immersive and enjoyable shopping ambiance for Apple enthusiasts,” Alvarez added.

The highlight in the new transformed store is the Apple Authorized Service Provider, which allows Apple customers to get guaranteed safe repair and maintenance services.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marvin's Spanish resto offers chocolate, paella and more

MANILA -- What started out as a short trip to Madrid for Marvin Agustin has resulted in the new Spanish restaurant Alqueria, the latest member of the actor-businessman's burgeoning Sumo Sam group of restaurants.

Agustin said he was supposed to stay only for a couple of days but ended up extending his visit for two weeks as he immersed himself in Spanish culture and the cuisine. When he got back to the Philippines, the timeline for Alqeria, located at SM Megamall's swanky Mega Fashion Hall, was accelerated.

“Alqueria” is the Spanish word for the “farmhouse” that was used as homes by rural families. Today, these farmhouses are now used as gathering places.

Resident chef Adrian Nieto is no stranger to Spanish farmhouses having grown up in one. He recounted memories of him growing up in the farm and cooking since he was 11. He boasted that he ended up cooking the family paella because his mom thought his version tasted better.

This is the dining experience Alqueria wants to give.

While most Spanish restaurants in Manila are intimate and traditional, Alqueria, with its bright interiors and open kitchen, is chic and cheery.

Start with the Inasalata Mista (P328), Alqueria’s version of the tuna salad with romaine and tomatoes in olive oil.

You can also opt to start with Spanish tapas like Ancietos de Olives (P228), fresh olives in adobo sauce; and the Chorizo Frito (P228), homemade chorizo with bread and aioli.

Alqueria features new twists to Spanish cuisine, but at the same time, respecting tradition. This is most apparent with the paellas.

Old favorites like the Paella Valencia (P398) and the Paella Negra (P398) are on the menu, along with new variants such as the Paella Del Carne (P388), an all-meat paella; and the Paella Quezo Manchego (P398), made with Spanish chorizo and topped with Manchego cheese, which demand a second visit.

Besides paella, other Spanish staples like Callos (P438) and Lengua Estofada (P398) are also available. Of note is the Bacalao a la Vizcaina (P538), based on an an old family recipe of Nieto, which has the fish simmered in a sauce of reduced tomato and red peppers.

Another favorite is the Cochinillo (P4,998), a roasted suckling pig, served to guests in a traditional manner that uses a ceramic plate to slice the crunchy skin of the pig. Although the pig is tasty on its own, it is served with the chef’s secret sauce. Diners have to phone two days in advance if they want a whole cochinillio to themselves.

Alqueria is also a chocolateria featuring Valor chocolates, the best-selling chocolates in Spain. This adds richness to Alqueria’s signature hot chocolate, Chocolate Caliente (P98).

 Accompany this with the churros, which are wonderfully crunchy on the outside and are the perfect ending to a meal when paired with the melted Valor chocolate dip. Churros are available in servings of three pieces (P168) or five pieces (P248) with either melted milk, dark or white chocolate for your dip. Valor chocolate bars are also available for sale.

Alqueria’s price range that will pleasantly surprise visitors. It is affordable compared with other established Spanish restaurants in the city without comprising taste and flavor. Couples who are going on dates, or families wishing to indulge on Spanish food will be feel very comfortable here.

_________________

Alqueria Restaurante Y Chocolateria
3/F Mega Fashion Hall
Building D, SM Megamall

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

ToyCon to display 'Rurouni Kenshin' costumes

MANILA -- Ahead of the opening of the “Rurouni Kenshin” sequels “Kyoto Inferno” and “The Legend Ends” in the Philippines, Warner Bros. has flown in three authentic costumes from the film, which will be publicly displayed at the 13th Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention 2014 (ToyCon) at SM Megamall this weekend.

The costumes to be exhibited are those worn in the sequels by the titular hero Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh), the street-brawler who became Kenshin's best friend, Sanosuke Sagara (Munetaka Aoki); and Aoshi Shinomori (Yusuke Iseya), a ninja and one of the Shogun’s Hidden Watcher spies.

All three costumes were designed by Kazuhiro Sawataishi and contribute significantly to the films' overall visual impact.

Based on the Kyoto arc of the popular manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the “Rurouni Kenshin” sequels follow the story of reformed assassin Kenshin Himura as he goes up against pure evil Makoto Shishio (Tatsuya Fujiwara) who is attempting to overthrow the Meiji government. The fate of the country hangs in the balance as Kenshin Himura takes up the sword that he vowed to never draw again.

ToyCon opens on Friday and runs until June 22 at SM Megatrade Hall.

The first sequel, “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” will open across the Philippines on Aug. 20, to be followed by “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends” on Sept. 24.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SM mall heist: 150+ pieces of gold taken in 2 minutes

MANILA, Philippines -- It only took the robbers two minutes to filch more than 150 pieces of jewelry at a shop in SM Megamall on Saturday night.

Mandaluyong Police officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen said the robbers, supposedly members of the notorious “Martilyo Gang,” studied the mall’s layout closely, allowing them to do the crime in just two minutes.

There were at least four to five suspects who robbed the F and C Jewelry Store located at the ground floor of the mall’s Building B at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Among those taken are: 71 pieces “Saudi” gold necklace, 52 pendants, four pieces of men’s rings, ten pieces of gold rings, 21sets of earrings, and another 17 pieces of gold chains.

The suspects, caught on CCTV to be wearing white shirts and jeans, supposedly used a pipe wrench to break the glass jewelry case. The pipe wrench was allegedly bought in a hardware store inside the mall.

The robbers fired two shots to trigger panic among the shoppers, allowing them to blend in and escape. Two slugs from a .45 caliber gun were recovered at the scene.

In 2011, at least three shooting incidents happened in SM malls.

In July that year, a security guard was killed in a shootout with a Games and Amusement Board employee inside the restroom of SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo City.

Two months after, a woman shot and killed her husband, a sales clerk in SM North Edsa, who allegedly left her for another woman. The security guard who tried to stop the woman from committing suicide was also shot and killed.

That same month, a 13-year-old boy killed his alleged lover and then shot himself in the head.

The management of SM Megamall said security has already been tightened. They also asked the public for understanding.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Mall operations resume after heist - SM

Parts of the SM Megamall were shut down following what has been reported to be a shooting incident inside the mall on Saturday evening.

Security guards have closed the entrance and exit doors to SM Building B while waiting for the police to complete its investigation.

Some witnesses told dzMM they heard successive gunshots near a jewelry store in the mall.

Mandaluyong Mayor Behur Abalos said nobody was hurt in the incident.

SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia gave a statement following the incident. Headlines, ANC, January 26, 2013

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Shooting incident in SM Megamall causes panic

MANILA, Philippines – An alleged shooting incident in SM Megamall Saturday night caused panic among shoppers.

Initial reports from several mall-goers said gunshots were heard and stores have been shut down.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a robbery incident occurred inside the mall’s department store at around 7:40 p.m.

Mandaluyong Police have yet to verify what caused the shooting incident, as of posting.

The mall’s entry points have been closed and people are not being allowed to enter.

Ambulances are also on standby outside the mall. -- Report from Robert Mano, dzMM

source: abs-cbnnews.com