February is in full swing, and there’s plenty of exciting news to catch up on! From fresh shopping finds to the latest financial innovations and lifestyle updates, we’ve rounded up the top PR stories this month. Whether you’re planning your next event, looking for smart home upgrades, or staying on top of pop culture, this list has you covered.
Shopping Finds: Fashion, Beauty, and More
SEVENTEEN’s MINGYU Joins SNICKERS® as the New Asia Ambassador
Snickers® has officially named SEVENTEEN’s MINGYU as its new Asia Ambassador, recognizing his charismatic presence and global influence. Known for its energy-boosting satisfaction, Snickers® sees a strong synergy with MINGYU’s dynamic personality, making him the perfect fit for the brand’s message.
Since 1930, Snickers® has been a global favorite, loved for its iconic blend of peanuts, caramel, nougat, and chocolate. Filipino CARATs can stay tuned for exciting updates by following @SnickersPhilippines on Facebook.
Food & Nutrition: Exciting Treats for Foodies
Your Jolliest Party is Just a Few Clicks Away with Jollibee’s New Booking Website
Planning your dream celebration is now easier with the new Jollibee Kids Party online booking website! With just a few clicks at party.jollibee.com.ph, you can book a party anytime, anywhere.
Choose your preferred Jollibee branch, date, and time, then customize your celebration with exciting themes like Jollitown Theme Park, Jollirace, or Fairytale Land. Select your Create-Your-Own Meal, featuring Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, Yumburger, and more. Make the party extra fun by choosing Jollibee, Hetty, Popo, Yum, or Twirlie as your mascot guests!
Enjoy flexible online payment options via credit card, QRPH, Maya, or pay directly at your selected store. Easily edit and manage your booking anytime for a stress-free experience.
Make celebrations fast, fun, and unforgettable—book your Jollibee Kids Party today at party.jollibee.com.ph!
MICHELIN Guide to Launch in the Philippines for 2026
The MICHELIN Guide is expanding to the Philippines, covering Manila, its surrounding areas, and Cebu for its 2026 selection, set to be unveiled in late 2025. Secret MICHELIN inspectors are already reviewing restaurants in Pampanga, Tagaytay, and Cavite, recognizing chefs and culinary teams that showcase creativity, passion, and respect for tradition.
MICHELIN’s International Director, Gwendal Poullennec, praised the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines, highlighting Manila’s modern take on Filipino cuisine and Cebu’s vibrant hospitality and iconic dishes like lechon. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the recognition, emphasizing its impact on tourism and the global appreciation of Filipino cuisine.
The full MICHELIN Guide Manila & Cebu 2026 list will be announced digitally in late 2025, featuring MICHELIN Stars, Bib Gourmand selections, and top dining recommendations. Stay updated at guide.michelin.com.
Lifestyle & Leisure: Travel, Dining, and Fun Activities
Shangri-La Plaza celebrates matters of the heart and the arts with Love in Every Detail
This February, Shangri-La Plaza brings together romance and artistic expression with Love in Every Detail, featuring a lineup of Valentine’s and National Arts Month activities.
Visit MELODIES & MASTERPIECES art fair, enjoy interactive workshops, and find the perfect bouquet at LOVE IN BLOOM: Flower Fair. Build a LEGO floral masterpiece at BRICKS IN BLOOM or craft a personalized ceramic keepsake at FRAGMENTS OF LOVE.
Catch a special musical excerpt of “One More Chance” featuring Ben&Ben’s iconic hits on February 16 at the Grand Atrium. Get an event pass by presenting a ₱1,000 single-receipt purchase from any Shang dining spot.
Make lasting memories with Positively Charmed, collecting charms through various activities to customize a keepsake bracelet.
Celebrate love and creativity at Shangri-La Plaza! Follow @shangrilaplazaofficial on Facebook and Instagram for details.
Lights, Camera, Romance! BGC Transforms into a Valentine’s Wonderland
This Valentine’s season, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is turning into the ultimate romantic playground, offering dreamy installations, date nights, and surprises all month long!
Take a stroll through 5th Avenue’s “Strings of Fate” and 7th Avenue’s “Love is in the Air” hot air balloon setup—perfect for capturing picture-perfect moments. Enjoy Candlelight in the City on February 16, featuring pianist Rony Fortich, or get caught in BGC’s XOXO 3D LED Live Kiss Cam on February 15, serenaded by tenor Arman Ferrer.
Want more? Join the #ILoveBHS photo contest for a chance to win a ₱10,000 shopping spree or a solo dine-out bash. Aspiring writers can enter Love at First Script to win a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or a Grand Hyatt staycation. Plus, from February 13–14, shoppers spending ₱15,000 can score chic surprises from Acca Kappa, Venchi, Nespresso, and more with the Love in a Box promo.
Celebrate love, friendship, or self-love—BGC is your perfect Valentine’s destination! Follow BGC on Facebook and Instagram for more details.
Meet the Nendoroid Jollibee toy collectible!
Jollibee teams up with Good Smile Company (GSC) to launch Nendoroid Jollibee, making it the first Filipino brand to have a figure in GSC’s famous Nendoroid line! This chibi-style, 10cm collectible comes with swappable parts and accessories, including a Chickenjoy bucket and Jolly Spaghetti, capturing the brand’s fun and iconic appeal. Designed to bring joy to both toy collectors and Jollibee fans, this collaboration celebrates a Filipino cultural icon with a touch of Japanese craftsmanship. Available for pre-order from February 19 to April 2, 2025, the figures will ship in the third quarter of the year. Secure yours now via the Good Smile Company Online Store and official partner shops! Stay updated by following Jollibee on social media.
Home & Finance: Smart Spending and Practical Living
Bosch Introduces High-Tech Power Tools for 2025
Bosch continues to drive innovation and efficiency with cutting-edge solutions across power tools, mobility, and home technology.
The Bosch GSB 18V-65 cordless impact drill leads the new 18V cordless and measuring tools line, offering greater power, torque, and versatility for construction and home projects. In mobility, Bosch Mobility Aftermarket enhances road safety and vehicle reliability with high-performance batteries, filters, brake pads, and wiper blades. Bosch is also expanding its Bosch Car Service network across the Philippines for better vehicle maintenance and support.
As Bosch nears its 100th year in the Philippines in 2026, it remains committed to empowering Filipinos with reliable, high-quality solutions. Learn more at www.bosch.com.ph and follow Bosch Philippines on Facebook.
Beko Makes Valentine’s at Home Extra Special
This Valentine’s season, express love through meaningful, practical gifts that enhance everyday life with Beko, Europe’s #1 home appliance brand.
Start mornings with homemade coffee using the Beko CaffeExperto® Espresso Machine, featuring an integrated milk frother and easy touchscreen controls. Show love through acts of service with Beko’s washers and dryers, like the Xpress Super Short 14-Minute Program, giving you more time with loved ones. Cook a romantic dinner at home and keep ingredients fresh with Beko refrigerators featuring NutriFreeze technology, which preserves meat and seafood at -3°C, maintaining texture and taste.
Transform your home into a love-filled space with Beko’s high-quality appliances. Shop at leading appliance stores or online via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. Learn more at www.beko.com/ph-en and follow @bekoph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez Named Toshiba’s Takumi Master for Interior Design
Toshiba, a global leader in artisanal home appliance solutions, introduces Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez as its Takumi Master for Interior Design under its Beyond Details initiative. Known for her expertise as Managing Director of Philux, she embodies Toshiba’s dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and purposeful design.
Her design philosophy aligns with Toshiba’s premium home solutions, including the Toshiba Multi-Door Refrigerator, which features Origin Inverter technology for energy efficiency, Pure Air Technology for freshness, and TSmartLife Connectivity for a seamless user experience.
Kienle Gonzalez joins Amina Aranaz-Alunan (Design) and Chef JP Anglo (Food & Culinary) as Toshiba’s Takumi Masters, representing a lifestyle that blends artistry and innovation.
Follow Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok or visit www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph for more details.
Be the Girlboss of Your Finances with CIMB
Women are taking charge in leadership and financial empowerment, with more Filipinas maximizing savings, managing spending wisely, and reaching their money goals. This Women’s Month, CIMB Bank Philippines shares how modern #Girlbosses can take full control of their finances with its innovative digital banking solutions. Grow your wealth effortlessly with UpSave and GSave, which offer higher interest rates than traditional banks, helping your money grow even as you sleep. Spend smarter with CIMB’s Pay Bills feature and QR PH-powered CIMB Pay, allowing seamless cashless transactions with zero fees. Plan ahead and achieve financial goals with the new Own My Goals (OMG) feature, enabling users to set, track, and automate savings. Take charge of your financial journey today—download the CIMB Bank PH app and start making boss moves! Learn more at cimbbank.com.ph.
Save Smarter with CIMB’s ‘Own My Goals’ Feature
People go to crazy lengths to save money, from bringing their own iced tea packs to restaurants to using just one square of toilet paper—but saving doesn’t have to be a struggle! With CIMB Bank Philippines’ new Own My Goals (OMG) feature, reaching your financial goals is now easier and more fun. Available on the CIMB mobile app, OMG lets users set multiple savings goals, track their progress, and even automate savings for better discipline. The feature also allows customization with names and design themes, making the experience more engaging and motivating. Coupled with CIMB Bank PH’s high-interest rates, OMG helps Filipinos save faster and smarter without missing out on life’s joys. Start building your savings goals today—visit cimbbank.com.ph for more details.
Visa and CIMB Bank Philippines Sign Exclusive SME Debit Card Deal
From Left: Suraj Ramchandani, Chief Growth Officer, CIMB; Ankur Sehgal, Chief Business and Strategy Officer, CIMB; Vijay Manoharan, CEO, CIMB; Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines; Sid Bada, Senior Business Development Lead, Visa Philippines; Oliver Ornido, Director and Account Executive, Visa Philippines.
Visa and CIMB Bank Philippines have signed an exclusive partnership to enhance financial solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Announced on February 27, 2025, this collaboration builds on their 2023 partnership, integrating Visa’s global payment technology with CIMB’s digital banking expertise to provide seamless and secure financial services tailored for SMEs. A key feature of this initiative is the upcoming Visa Business Debit Card, launching in Q3 2025, which will be linked to CIMB’s high-interest business savings account. Business owners can enjoy zero fees, free fund transfers, exclusive merchant discounts, and access to a revolving credit facility to help grow their businesses. Given that SMEs make up 99.6% of the Philippine economy, this partnership aims to drive financial inclusion and digital transformation for small enterprises. Visa Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro and CIMB Bank Philippines CEO Vijay Manoharan emphasized their commitment to supporting SMEs through accessible, innovative, and tailored financial solutions. Stay updated by visiting Visa and CIMB Bank Philippines’ official websites and social media channels.
CIMB Ranks #41 in The Asian Banker’s Top 100 Digital Banks
CIMB continues to dominate the digital banking space, securing a spot among the world’s best digital banks. With over 9 million customers and nearly 4 million loan clients, the bank is revolutionizing financial accessibility in the Philippines.
Metrobank’s Triple Bonus Promo: Save and Earn More
Whatever your life goals are, there’s no better time to start saving for them than today, and with Metrobank’s Triple Bonus Promo, you get 3x the perks as you work towards your financial dreams! Whether you’re building an emergency fund, saving for a gadget, planning a dream vacation, or making a big purchase, opening a Metrobank checking or savings account from now until April 30, 2025, with an initial deposit of at least PHP50,000, gives you a PHP1,500 cash gift when you maintain or grow your funds for six months. Keep your savings at PHP50,000 or more for 12 months and enjoy up to PHP3,000 in InstaPay rebates, with waived transfer fees for transactions worth PHP1,000 and below until April 30, 2025. On top of that, maintaining PHP50,000 in your account for a year entitles you to a FREE AXA Personal Accident Insurance Plan worth PHP1 million, ensuring your financial security while you grow your savings. With rewards, waived fees, and financial protection, Metrobank makes it easier to stay on track with your goals, so head to the nearest Metrobank branch today to open your account and power up your savings! For more details, visit Metrobank’s promo page.
Empowerment & Advocacy: Women and Community Initiatives
Mompreneurs, women in business take center stage at UN Women WEPs Awards forum
(L-R) During the forum at the first-ever Asia-Pacific UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) awards, Athena Denise Galao, Country Program Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, led the discussion with the panel composed of women leaders Ahyee Campos, GoDigital Pilipinas and Country Head of Infosys BPM Philippines, Agnes Gervacio, Connected Women CEO, Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy, NEDA Undersecretary and Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer and advocate for Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH)
Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) took the spotlight at the Asia-Pacific UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, celebrating women entrepreneurship and digital inclusivity. The event featured PLDT’s Melissa Vergel de Dios, NEDA’s Atty. Krystal Lyn Uy, and Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio, who discussed breaking gender stereotypes, financial empowerment, and AI’s role in business.
PLDT Home continues to support mompreneurs through digital tools and internet education, helping them grow home-based businesses. With nearly 200,000 members, MMPH remains committed to equipping Filipino women with the skills and resources to succeed. Learn more at madiskartemoms.ph.
Sun Life Strengthens CSR and Sustainability Efforts
Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS Philippines) continues to drive positive social impact through CSR and sustainability initiatives, focusing on community care, education, and environmental responsibility.
SLGS supports underprivileged children through volunteer programs, donation drives, and scholarships for PUP students. It also promotes sustainability with indoor vegetable-growing, food waste composting, and donating 500+ refurbished laptops to public schools.
Managing Director Tarun Sareen and VP Nathalie Bernardo emphasize SLGS’s commitment to fostering a culture of care. Learn more at Sun Life SLGS.
Building a Culture of Care: SM Cares Opens Human Milk Depots for Breastfeeding Advocacy
SM Cares, in partnership with the DOH, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, and the Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines (HMBAP), has launched the SM Human Milk Depot Initiative to support breastfeeding mothers and provide life-saving donor milk to infants in need. Inaugurated on February 19, 2025, at SM City San Lazaro, this initiative ensures safe, nutritious donor milk is available, especially during emergencies. Aligned with the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, it reinforces SM Supermalls’ commitment to maternal and child health by making breastfeeding more accessible. Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley, SM Cares Program Director for Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, highlights its role in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 3, focusing on nutrition and health. Initially available at SM City San Lazaro and SM City Manila, the program aims to expand nationwide and foster a breastfeeding-friendly community. To learn more or contribute, visit SM Cares’ social media channels.
Entertainment & Pop Culture: What’s New?
A Minecraft Movie is Coming! Watch the Trailer Now
Warner Bros. drops the much-anticipated trailer for A Minecraft Movie, starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black. The film follows four misfits transported into the world of Minecraft, where they must learn to survive and craft their way home. Set to release on April 2, 2025, this adventure promises to bring the game’s magic to life.