The top tour operator in the UAE, Holiday Factory, opens for business in the Philippines to transform the travel sector.

Manila, Philippines. July 29, 2024, Filipino vacation packages at half the going rate! Filipino vacationers now have the opportunity to enjoy fantastic vacations at a price half of what is typically charged, all while receiving top-notch service from Holiday Factory. Travelers can now get more for less because of this!

“To celebrate the launch as the first tour operator, Holiday Factory is hosting a Mega Giveaway of 100-holiday packages to 100 lucky Filipinos. Everyone can participate for Free by registering on www.holidayfactory.ph” says Sandra Daemmrich, General Manager at Holiday Factory.

This award-winning online tour operator buys airline tickets, hotel stays, and other services in bulk, which enables them to give their clients substantial savings and guarantee the best possible bargain.

“Research on the Philippines market indicates that more than 1/3 of the population is seeking affordable holidays but is underserved due to the lack of real tour operators. That's why Holiday Factory is entering the market as the first real package tour operator,” says Hakan Bakar, Business Development Director- International Markets at Holiday Factory. "With us, holiday packages are now affordable for everyone."

As the nation's first legitimate package tour operator, Holiday Factory proudly takes on this role today. Travelers from the Philippines can now affordably and easily plan the vacations of their dreams. Greetings from a new festive era. Greetings from Holiday Factory.   

Please visit www.holidayfactory.ph for additional details.

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
-BENCH

Photo credits:  MOONTON Games

• Newly-crowned champions, Selangor Red Giants, take home the biggest share of the prize pool (USD 1 million). Muhammad Haqqullah "Sekys" Ahmad Shahrul Zaman was named the Grand Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP).
• The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports action continues with the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI) 2024, held from 24 to 27 July, in Riyadh. 
• The M6 World Championship venue will be held at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, a homecoming for MLBB's flagship international tournament after five years away.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, 14 July – Today, July 14, at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup (MSC) 2024, Selangor Red Giants (SRG) brought their Cinderella tale to a close. In front of a packed Amazon Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the tournament dark horses stunned the global champions, Falcons AP.Bren (FCAP), 4:3 in a fierce best-of-seven (BO7) series. The Grand Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP) went to Muhammad Haqqullah "Sekys" Ahmad Shahrul Zaman, a jungler. FCAP will receive USD 500,000, and the newly crowned champions will receive USD 1 million.

 

Photo credits:  MOONTON Games

Photo credits:  MOONTON Games

Photo credits: Esports Charts

Artyom Odintsov, Co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts said: “The MSC 2024 marked a significant milestone in the development of MLBB esports. The championship achieved excellent viewership momentum early on, which only slowed after the unexpected elimination of all Indonesian teams before the Knockouts. Without this setback, the results would have been even more impressive. This year’s event transcended its Southeast Asian roots, reaching new audiences worldwide and growing to the level of premier esports events with a $3 million prize pool. The MSC 2024 has undoubtedly elevated the status of MLBB in the global esports arena.” 

Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: "We're elated to have achieved this milestone at the Esports World Cup. The EWC x MLBB MSC 2024 is the first time we've held the MSC outside of Southeast Asia, so we're elated to have achieved our goal of providing a platform for our teams and audiences to #SeeTheWorld. This truly reflects the status of MLBB Esports as a global brand. A massive thank you to all of the fans who completely filled our arena."

MLBB esports continues with the upcoming MLBB Women's Invitational from 24 to 27 July. Witness the grit and glory of female MLBB teams as they prove to the world their gaming prowess on the biggest international stage for women. The full tournament schedule and roster will be announced on 16 July.

Where it all began: M6 World Championship venue announced!

MOONTON Games today officially announced Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, as the venue of the M6 World Championship Semi-Finals and Grand Finals. This represents a homecoming for MLBB's flagship international tournament after 5 years, with the arena hosting the first-ever M Series in 2019. This year, the most prestigious global MLBB tournament will commence from November 2024.

YB Adam Adli, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia, said: “M-Series is back in Malaysia and we are as excited as you are to witness this incredible event. We welcome you, selamat datang ke!”

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
-BENCH

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. joins professionals, developers, innovators, and industry leaders for the DEVCON Mindanao Summit.

LANANG, Davao City – June 30, 2024 – Professional developers, innovators, and business executives gathered at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City, to celebrate the 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭. The event showcased a thriving digital ecosystem. With the theme "Weaving Tech for All," the event attempted to inspire hope that Mindanao will emerge as the next digital hotspot in the Philippines by generating a disruptive wave in the region's tech ecosystem.

“We’re showcasing the best of the region and bringing the best to the region,” said DEVCON Davao Chapter President and  Mindanao Programs Co-Lead Peng Sumargo, highlighting the summit's focus on local talent. “This event is about creating a movement that showcases the innovations and opportunities in Mindanao,” she added.

Don Byahero PH | Photo by: Snazzy Frames

By working together to bring the summit to reality, local 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐂𝐎𝐍 Mindanao chapters from Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and the recently established Bukidnon were able to increase access to technology learning opportunities throughout Mindanao. Inspiring and preparing local talent to propel technological advancement and regional economic prosperity, the summit's goal was to position Mindanao as the Philippines' future tech and innovation powerhouse.

Silicon Valley veteran and DEVCON founder Winston Damarillo

Silicon Valley veteran and 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐂𝐎𝐍 founder Winston Damarillo championed Mindanao's potential. “We envision cultivating a robust tech talent pool in Mindanao, placing it at par with other regions in the Philippines,” Damarillo commented.

Industries supporting the summit

In photo: Jexx's Vlog, Clea Banal Blog. SarWrites, The Pop Blog PH & Don Byahero PH (Davao Bloggers Society)

About 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐂𝐎𝐍 Mindanao Summit 2024

Photo Provided by Red Bull

MANILA, Philippines — At the Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifiers in Davao, the competition was fierce. The audience, who had the final say in who won the competition, was charmed by the top dancers from throughout the region who gave their all.

Red Bull Dance Your Style is a distinctive, worldwide one-on-one street dance competition that highlights each dancer's uniqueness and inventiveness while honoring the variety of their dance forms. In contrast to other dance competitions, Red Bull Dance Your Style pushes competitors to demonstrate their skill at improvisation and freestyle dancing to unexpected music.

Red Bull Dance Your Style expanded its search for the nation's best dancers to Mindanao for its third year in the Philippines. The first-ever Davao qualifications took place at Club Echelon in Davao City on June 29, marking the culmination of this.

Photo Provided by Red Bull

REPETER (Peter Nugas III), MJ (MJ Mejos), MSTR PIECE (Regie Harris Lavestre), and R3DMAN (Edrian Alcaria) were among the sixteen dancers from the area who wowed the crowd with their amazing routines and inventiveness as they made their way to the Top 4. R3DMAN ended up winning the prize. He was crowned after his extraordinary skill and distinct flair astounded the audience. As first and second-place winners, respectively, R3DMAN and MSTR PIECE guaranteed themselves a seat in the National Finals. 

“It’s very overwhelming,” said R3DMAN. “I didn’t know what to feel. Earlier, when the champion was called, I was dazed. It felt like a dream for me.”

R3DMAN admitted he was not fully prepared for the competition as he had limited time to get ready. “The preparation was really quick; I only had two days to prepare because of school and work.” He also shared that he rarely participated in dance battles, preferring to choreograph rather than perform. “This is actually my fourth battle, which is why I still consider myself a rookie,” he added. “What I did was believe in myself and enjoy the moment.”

His win is not the end as he gears up for the next round of the competition. R3DMAN shared that one of the things he wants to work on is his endurance. “The preparation will be intense. I feel like I’m going to battle with myself as well for consistency, which is what I really need to work on.”

Present at the event was dance consultant Lema Diaz of the Philippine All-Stars. “I’ve been coming to Davao since 2006 to 2008, I know how great the dance artists are in Davao and Mindanao,” she remarked. “As a dance consultant, we make sure that we visit Davao or any place in Mindanao to find the best representative for the Philippines in the World Finals in Mumbai.”

Photo Provided by Red Bull

Diaz claimed that R3DMAN’s performance throughout the competition was truly one of the highlights of the Davao qualifier. “Seeing him live, seeing him go through rounds, just the mastery of his own style is there,” said Diaz. “He can put his own personality, the ease of listening to the music, and the conversation he has with the audience and opponent.”

She added, “He’s really entertaining to watch, which is why I’m excited for Manila to witness him, for the whole Philippines to witness him, to have an exchange with the other dancers, because it’s going to be inspiring.”

As the Davao qualifier wraps up, the excitement builds for the next round of qualifiers happening in Cebu on July 13 at APEX Super Club. Diaz conveyed her enthusiasm for the upcoming rounds, saying, “(Dancers) elevate in a week, two weeks, three, and four weeks. What more in a year?” She added, “That’s why I’m so excited to see how high the level has become and how many people are coming because we’re growing.” Diaz also expressed her eagerness to see both new faces and familiar ones returning to compete on the dance floor.

Photo Provided by Red Bull

Along with Diaz, fans of the competition are eagerly awaiting more incredible performances and unforgettable moments as dancers from across the Philippines vie for their chance to shine at the world stage.

Don’t miss a beat! Stay tuned for the next round of qualifiers and be sure to catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals on September 7. This is an event you truly won’t want to miss! Follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines journey to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024. 

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
-BENCH