Ring the Bell, Open the Door: Iza Calzado Unlocks the Ultimate Real-Life Security Upgrade at the Smart Yale Home Booth in Wilcon Balintawak

The excitement builds as the second stop of the experiential smart home showcase introduces the sleek, silver trimming finish of Yale Zuri for modern living, offering limited perks and exclusive discounts of up to 35% off on introductory prices

L-R: Ms. Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Inc.; Ms. Rosemarie Bosch Ong, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Wilcon Depot Philippines; Ms. Iza Calzado, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador; Mr. Carl Lim, President, CEO, COO, Limson Marketing Inc.; Mr. Jonathan Kwong, Director and General Manager, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Inc.

The future of home security continues its journey at Wilcon Depot Balintawak as Yale Philippines brings the second leg of its Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth experiential showcase to one of the country’s key destinations for builders, designers, and homeowners. Wilcon Depot Balintawak serves as the premier venue for this stop, celebrating progress toward future-ready living alongside brand ambassador Iza Calzado. With over 100 branches nationwide, Wilcon Depot continues to champion “Building Big Ideas” by bringing together home improvement and smart security to meet the growing demand for homes that are not only well-designed and functional but also safe, convenient, and ready for modern lifestyles.

Running until the end of June, the immersive experience brings to life the theme “Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home,” inviting smart living enthusiasts to discover how connected security solutions can seamlessly fit into modern Filipino lifestyles, bringing greater convenience, confidence, and peace of mind to everyday living.

Opening the program, Mr. Jonathan Kwong, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Director and General Manager, highlighted the stellar momentum of the Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth. “Fresh from a successful campaign kick-off in May, we’re pleased to continue building momentum for our Smart Yale Home Pop-up booth through partnerships like this,” Jonathan shared, noting the growing enthusiasm among Filipino homeowners for connected, lifestyle-driven home solutions. “The strong response we received reaffirmed the growing interest in smarter, more connected home security solutions, and we're excited to continue that conversation.” He added that with Yale Smart Locks now accessible in all Wilcon Depot stores nationwide, the brand looks forward to helping more Filipinos discover the benefits of smarter and more secure living.

Mr. Jonathan Kwong, Director and General Manager, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Inc.

Ms. Rosemarie Bosch Ong, Wilcon Depot Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed Wilcon Depot’s excitement in supporting Yale and its latest smart home innovations, showcasing how these solutions align with the evolving needs of modern Filipino families. She noted that lifestyle priorities are shifting, with homeowners now looking far beyond durability and design alone. “They are also prioritizing convenience, connectivity, and security," Rose emphasized. "Smart home solutions like Yale's latest innovations reflect this shift—offering protection that is intuitive, reliable, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.”

Ms. Rosemarie Bosch Ong, SEVP-COO of Wilcon Depot Philippines

The Experiential “Unlocking the Door” Booth Opening

The centerpiece of the event was the highly experiential, ceremonial opening of the Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth, led by Ms. Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager of ASSA ABLOY Philippines, alongside the afternoon's charismatic host, MYX VJ Ozzie Llige. Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting, the event unfolded like an interactive home visit. Standing at the booth's main entrance, Aya demonstrated the advanced FaceScan feature on the flagship Yale Luna Elite+ smart lock, seamlessly unlocking the door with just a glance before she and Ozzie entered the smart home living room area.

Moments later, the Yale Luna Elite+ integrated built-in doorbell chimed as the event’s first "visitors"—Mr. Jonathan Kwong, Ms. Rosemarie Bosch Ong, and Mr. Carl Lim, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Limson Marketing Inc.—rang the bell and were warmly welcomed inside. Stepping through the front door and into the cozy living space, they symbolically "unlocked the door" to a more connected lifestyle. But the surprises didn't stop there. A second friendly chime from the Yale Luna Elite+ echoed through the smart home booth announcing the final, star-studded guest of the afternoon: actress, host, entrepreneur, devoted mom, and #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador Ms. Iza Calzado. Joining the team inside the living space, Iza beautifully reinforced the idea that smart security can be both stylishly modern and effortlessly part of a warm, welcoming home.

The Smart Lock in Focus: Yale Luna Elite+

As the undisputed showstopper of this experiential smart home showcase, the Yale Luna Elite+ was given a grand spotlight right at the threshold, proving why it serves as the ultimate modern home upgrade. Described as a masterpiece of industrial art with smart technology working quietly inside, the flagship lock boasts seven versatile access options, making the daily struggle of fumbling for house keys a thing of the past.

During the interactive tour, Iza explored the lock's most futuristic features, including its built-in radar that detects an arriving homeowner from a meter away, instantly activating an ultra-fast 3D face recognition scan for a seamless, glance-and-go entry. She was particularly enchanted by the touchless PalmScan feature—a unique "#giveme5" experience where users simply hover their hand to scan their distinct vein pattern.

 
Yale Luna Elite+

The conversation then shifted to seamless smart home integration as tech expert and Pinoy Metro Geek founder Ian Fuentes joined them in the living area. Highlighting how connected living can flawlessly elevate everyday routines through the flagship lock's ecosystem, Fuentes shared, “With the Yale Home App, your phone is your command center. Home is wherever you are, because you’re always connected,” emphasizing how today’s smart security is designed to bring more ease, freedom, and flow into modern living.

Pinoy Metro Geek, Mr. Ian Fuentes

Connecting this seamless tech experience back to her busy everyday rhythm as a working mom, Iza shared how this effortless, touchless entry fits beautifully into a wellness-driven lifestyle. “You know how much I love working out and being outdoors in my garden," Iza noted. "When I get back inside, my hands are usually full with my dumbbells, towel, yoga mat, and water bottle. Home is really my safe space—it’s where I unwind and recharge. So having a lock like this just makes things easier; I don’t have to fumble for keys just to get inside the house.”

Beyond its touchless entrance options and app integration, the Yale Luna Elite+ functions like a personal concierge for the front door. The interior side features a crystal-clear 4.7-inch electronic screen paired with two-way audio, allowing family members to instantly see and speak with anyone outside. Combined with an automatic Welcome Light that greets you at the end of a long day, a built-in sensor that captures photos of motion before a guest even reaches the porch, and a robust Smart Dual-Battery System for round-the-clock operation, the lock elegantly redefines home security as an intuitive gesture of hospitality.

Exploring the Smart Yale Home: From Everyday Spaces to Private Sanctuaries
Moving past the living room, Aya and Iza explored the other doors within the booth, showcasing how smart technology adapts beautifully to every room in the house. Iza tested the everyday convenience of the Yale Uno smart lock—a sleek, premium black entry point featuring a fingerprint sensor resting naturally under the thumb for single-motion unlocking. She also marveled at the compact Yale YDL325 Series, available in bold square or classic circle profiles, designed specifically for interior spaces like home offices or walk-in closets with an easy plug-and-play, no-drill installation.

Yale Uno, YDL325 Circle, YDL325 Square

The immersive tour then guided the guests to the cozy bedroom layout where the focus shifted to safeguarding life's most meaningful treasures. Here, they explored the Yale Solis Safe Series, motorized steel safes meticulously engineered with advanced fingerprint access and built-in LED lighting to blend effortlessly into modern spaces like high-end furniture. Iza sampled various sizes, noting how the bedside-friendly 230L perfectly fits travel kits and family photo hard drives, while the 560L flagship behaves like a motorized master archive. "With everything we juggle as parents, you just want to check it off your mind," Iza shared, reflecting on the deep peace of mind the safes offer to busy family life. "I don’t want to overthink if the passports are safe or where I put my watch. I’m assured that everything is protected.”

Yale Solis Safes

The event also marked the official debut of the Yale Zuri smart lock—the premium new addition specifically spotlighted for this leg of the tour. Flaunting a sophisticated silver trimming finish that instantly upgrades any entryway, the Zuri bridges practical daily utility with striking minimalist design. It pairs a natural-grip fingerprint sensor on a traditional lever handle with full Yale Home App control, PIN, and RFID options. Built for everyday household peace of mind, the Zuri also boasts intuitive voice guidance for zero-effort setup, a protective fake PIN feature, and built-in damage and break-in alarms.

Yale Zuri

Delivering Global Innovation to Filipino Homes

Closing the event, Mr. Carl Lim, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Limson Marketing Inc., highlighted how strategic collaboration continues to drive the adoption of smart home innovations among Filipino consumers. He emphasized Limson Marketing’s vital role in bridging world-class technology with local households. “Our commitment is to ensure that ASSA ABLOY’s world-class innovations are seamlessly delivered to Wilcon Depot’s massive nationwide network, and ultimately, into the hands of Filipino homeowners who deserve the very best,” Carl stated.

Mr. Carl Lim, President, CEO, COO of Limson Marketing Inc.

Carl expressed immense pride in partnering with ASSA ABLOY and Wilcon Depot to ensure that intuitive, future-ready home protection becomes widely accessible to customers across the country.

Unbeatable Introductory Deals & Festive Perks
To celebrate this second leg and make premium smart security fully accessible, ASSA ABLOY Philippines, Limson Marketing Inc., and Wilcon Depot are rolling out exclusive introductory discounts* of up to 35% off on the newest Yale smart locks throughout June across all Wilcon Depot branches nationwide:

• Yale Luna Elite+: Available at a special introductory price of ₱55,243.50 (down from ₱84,990), uniquely bundled with a complimentary Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Chime.
• Yale Zuri: Open for exclusive pre-order via Limson Marketing stores nationwide for just ₱19,500 (down from ₱27,990).
• Yale Uno: Offered at a sleek promotional price of ₱12,743 (down from ₱16,990).
• Yale YDL325 Series: Available for just ₱7,992 (down from ₱9,990) to smarten up interior doors.
• Yale Solis Safe Series: Starting at an accessible ₱11,192 for the 230L model, ₱11,592 for the 250 nightstand model, ₱13,192 for the 400 vault, and ₱15,992 for the flagship 560 fortress safe.

Trusted Every Day: Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home
This June, take the next effortless step toward smarter living with Yale’s latest innovations. Designed to fit seamlessly into everyday routines, Yale’s smart security solutions perfectly combine convenience, reliability, and effortless confidence. Visit the Smart Yale Home Pop-up Booth at Wilcon Depot Balintawak to experience a brand that has been Trusted Every Day for over 180 years.

Want to unlock the latest trends? No fumbling for keys required—just tap and follow Yale Home Philippines on social media to stay connected with the newest smart home updates:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/yalehomephilippines
• Instagram: @yalehomephilippines
• TikTok: @yalehomephilippines

Lock in the best home improvement ideas and exclusive deals by following Wilcon Depot on:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/WilconDepot.PH
• Instagram: @wilcondepot.ph
• TikTok: @wilcondepot.ph

Share your Smart Yale Home moments and join the conversation online using the official event hashtags: #YaleHomePhilippines #TrustedEveryDay #MySmartYaleHome #ASSAABLOYPH #WilconDepot

* DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-258986 Series of 2026

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Picking up on TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

At the matinee performance of Tiny Beautiful Things by The Sandbox Collective, I found myself reflecting on lessons that could enrich our daily lives. The show gently tugs at the heartstrings, but in the best possible way—it lifts you up, giving you a sense of strength and courage. It’s a letter of advice you didn’t realize you needed, one that quietly reminds you of your own resilience.

One of my favorite lines, “Dear Sugar,” encapsulates the heart of the play. The letters of advice are intimate, personal, and delivered with such warmth that they feel almost like a conversation with an old friend. The experience was immersive—not just as a spectator, but as someone who could relate deeply to the themes of vulnerability and compassion. I found myself longing for the art of writing letters again, the kind that offer anonymous solace and the freedom to express without judgment.

The cast, led by Iza Calzado, Rody Vera, Ketchup Eusebio, and Gabby Padilla, are nothing short of outstanding. They are mirrors of us all, embodying the struggles, hopes, and messy realities that Cheryl Strayed’s Dear Sugar column addresses. Through their performances, we see our own lives reflected—our challenges, our triumphs, and our need for a little guidance when life gets tough. Tiny Beautiful Things reminds us that we are all connected in our shared humanity. We may be luckier or less fortunate than others, but we’ve all been—or will be—Cheryl at some point in our lives.

Directed by Jenny Jamora, Tiny Beautiful Things is the opening production of The Sandbox Collective's 10th season. The show is currently running at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Ayala Circuit, Makati, and will run until December 8, 2024. Tickets are available through thesandboxco.com or via Ticket2Me.

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Tiny Beautiful Things: Finding Familiar Communities with Anonymous Voice

Making its Philippine premiere, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS: A Play About Life – In Letters will serve as The Sandbox Collective’s season finale this November 2024, capping off the theatrical company’s 10th-year anniversary season, #SandboxNowandTen.

Cast of Tiny Beautiful Things: (L-R) Rody Vera, Ketchup Eusebio, Jenny Jamora, Iza Calzado, Gabby Padilla, Regina De Vera and Brian Sy

Straddling the line between fiction and non-fiction, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS: A Play About Life – In Letters draws its plot from author Cheryl Strayed’s stint as an anonymous advice columnist. Director Jenny Jamora sought to create a set that was at once nebulous and familiar, while never straying from the physical constraints of Sugar’s apartment, noting the collaborative journey both the actors and the artistic team have taken to create the world of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS. “How much Sugar shares of herself is reflected in how she and the letter writers share the physical space,” she shares. “The space is physically the same, but toward the end of the play the way they use it should also reflect the community this group of people has become.”

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS will feature Iza Calzado in the role of Sugar. She will be joined by three other cast members who will portray a revolving door of letter writers, all seeking advice from Calzado’s character. Although the characters maintain anonymity by using code names in their letters, their stories reflect the wide human experience–with all the highs and lows–that will strike a familiar chord with the audience.

Iza Calzado as Sugar

Joining Calzado are Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla and Ketchup Eusebio as the letter writers. Rounding out the cast are Gawad Buhay awardees Regina De Vera and Brian Sy (swing/letter writer at certain performances).

At the helm of the production is Gawad Buhay awardee Jenny Jamora who will be directing the show. Joining her in the artistic team are Marcel David as assistant director, Kayla Teodoro as set designer, Kiefer Sison as lighting and technical director, Arvy Dimaculangan as sound designer, Krystal Kane as costume stylist, and JV Rabano as photographer.

Leading the production team is Toff De Venecia as managing artistic director, alongside Anna Santamaria as finance and operations director, Sab Jose as marketing and PR director, and Maine Manalansan as design director. Joining the production team are Charyl De Guzman as production manager, Pachot Festejo as head stage manager, Loreta Arroyo as marketing and PR manager and Marielle Filoteo as social media manager.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. The play is based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, and was co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, and Nia Vardalos.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS will run from November 16 to December 8, 2024 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Friday shows will begin at 8 PM, while Saturday and Sunday shows will run at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM. 

Tickets are available at Ticket2Me (bit.ly/tinybeautifulmnl) and through our official show buyers.

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​​LG Re-Imagines the Holidays With New Refrigerator Models

It’s no surprise that the holiday season is a favorite among Filipinos. Especially in the new normal, it’s the perfect time to celebrate and rekindle relationships to make up for lost time. House gatherings, no matter how big or small, whether with friends or family, are sure to be aplenty. However, with all the food and leftovers during the holidays, you’ll need a ref that’s up to the task.

Mr. Sungjae Kim, LG Philippines Managing Director with Ms. Iza Calzado

L-R: Mr. Jun Lee, Product Director for Home Appliances, Ms. Iza Calzado with Mr. Sungjae Kim, LG Philippines Managing Director

Knowing the Filipino’s penchant for hosting parties, LG recently hosted an event focused on the South Korean brand’s newest refrigerators, which are perfect home upgrades for the holiday season. The highlight of the afternoon was the LG InstaView Side-by-Side Refrigerator, which boasts of an Instaview Panel that is 23% larger than its predecessor. Knock twice and you’ll see what’s inside. If you do decide to grab something, the popular door-in-door feature gives you easy access to frequently used items without needing to open the whole door and letting warm air rush inside.

 

The LG InstaView also offers key LG innovations such as LinearCooling^TM for sealing in freshness and reducing temperature fluctuations, DoorCooling^+TM for fast and even performance, and UVnanoTM which automatically reduces 99.99% of bacteria from the water nozzle with UV light.

The event, which was hosted by new LG brand ambassador Iza Calzado, also featured other refrigerators for different markets and use cases. The hosts highlighted the RVS-Q245NS, an even bigger Instaview model, the RVT-B149BS and the RVT-B145PZ, two similar, high-performance top freezers with a sleek and modern silhouette that fits any lifestyle, and the RVT-B119DG, which is the perfect ref for smaller spaces.

Mr. Jillian Yap, LG Refrigerators Senior Product Manager and Ms. Iza Calzado checking out the LG Instaview Refrigerator

Another segment during the event focused on what a smarthome is and how it works. Representatives from LG demonstrated how you can control different home appliances on your mobile phone with just one app. Even if you’re away, you can also receive remote notifications on your mobile phone and control the appliances remotely. They also showed how the different LG smart appliances can be monitored through the Home Dashboard on LG TVs.

 

LG’s Managing Director Mr. Sungjae Kim was in a festive mood during the event, saying “We at LG know how much Filipinos love Christmas time and how it’s the season to reward the family or one’s self with much needed tech upgrades…With LG, it’s never too early to get your Christmas wishlist.”

Mr. Sungjae Kim, LG Philippines Managing Director

Reimagine the holidays and upgrade your home with the latest and greatest from LG. To know more about LG’s offerings, visit the official website at https://lg.com/ph and follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. You may also check out LG’s official flagship stores in Lazada and Shopee.

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WWF Philippines joins Earth Hour 2016 and more life-changing programs

For 20 years, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the Philippines has been pursuing the protection of wildlife and the conservation of the environment for the current and future generations. Thus the programs and campaigns of preserving endangered species, use of renewable resources and more has been ongoing for the past decades and continue to help in these causes. Three notable activities are up close to the Philippine culture and it has not only conserved natural resources but also uplifted the lives of the people.

First are the eco-tourism programs in Donsol, Sorsogon where visiting the endangered whaleshark (now 469) aka "butanding" has changed the attitude of Bicolanos towards the gentle giant. Before it was considered as a pest in the sea waters towing away fish which is the main source of living, it has become a major attraction in the area and the people of Donsol recognized the importance of the butanding in the marine ecosystem. They have helped conserve and improve the number of whalesharks and also protected their habitat. [see full story here]

Next is creating a renewable energy through solar powered lamps where common electricity is not reaching the remote islands in Palawan. These lamps help the students in studying during night time and be ready for school the next day. It is also currently helping fishermen in navigation while they go out to the sea at night. The lamps are very cost-efficient and functional that the Gift of Light program aims to spread the light to more areas in the Philippines. [full story]

Another is the propagation of the tamaraw in the Mindoro province when it almost became extinct. The Mangyans and the local government of Mindoro, together with WWF, has doubled the number of the local buffalo to 405. This preservation is very significant not only to the Philippines but also to the ecosystem in the area.

More and more activities have been ongoing but one of the highlights this year is the Earth Hour which will happen on March 19 2016 at 8:30-9:30PM. Manila has been a great contributor to the saved energy since this event started. Each and everyone is invited to turn off their lights and conserve energy at the said date and time and pledge to save mother earth now and for future generations. Conservation of this energy has a huge impact in slowing down global warming which we are experiencing today. This event will also take place in 170 countries around the world in more than 7000 hubs and cities.

Manila's hosting of the Earth Hour will take place in Quezon City Memorial Circle and spearheaded by WWF Philippines ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco, Rovilson Fernandez, Marc Nelson and now joined by Iza Calzado.

For more information about Earth Hour and donate to the causes of WWF Philippines, visit http://wwf.org.ph/. You can give and see updates in social media by following the following: #EarthHour2016 #RenewableIsDoable #ChangeClimateChange

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