SMDC, SM Supermalls partner with the National Museum in landmark service donation

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) recently received a significant boost with a service donation from SM Development Corporation (SMDC), underscoring a milestone in the museum's history. The donation was formally accepted on January 31.

(L-R): National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Deputy Director-General for Administration Atty. Ma. Rosenne Flores-Avila, NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns, SM Development Corporation (SMDC) Executive Vice President (EVP) for Project Development Grace Evangeline Sta. Ana, SM Supermalls EVP for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls VP for Corporate Compliance Group Liza Silerio, and SM Prime Holdings VP for Legal Atty. Helene Go

Better consumer experience
This partnership signifies a commitment to enriching Filipino lives through cultural heritage. The donation from SMDC includes crucial repairs and maintenance for the air conditioning system at the National Museum of Natural History, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for visitors.

The Ceremonial Signing of the Deed of Donation between SM Development Corporation (SMDC) and the National Museum of the Philippines highlights SMDC's commitment to supporting the museum, including air conditioning repairs at the National Museum of Natural History and marketing support from SM Supermalls to promote its cultural mission. Photo from the National Museum of the Philippines.

"We at the NMP look forward to making the most out of this donation, and we hope to achieve the same level of quality of operations that SM produces,” stated NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns.

"We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting collaboration," said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President (EVP) for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin. "Through strategic promotions across our malls, we aim to significantly amplify the reach of the NMP and its mission of universal access to cultural heritage."

SM Supermalls' marketing efforts will ensure the NMP can connect with a wider audience over the next three years. This aligns perfectly with SMDC's sentiment, as expressed by SMDC EVP for Project Development Grace Evangeline Sta. Ana: "This partnership reflects SMDC's dedication to nation-building. We're proud to support the arts and contribute to a richer cultural experience for Filipinos."

A lasting impact
This collaborative effort between SMDC, SM Supermalls, and the NMP exemplifies a shared commitment to cultural preservation and accessibility. The improved air conditioning system and strategic marketing initiatives will undoubtedly enhance the visitor experience and ensure the NMP's treasures are accessible to all Filipinos for years to come.For more information on exciting partnerships like this, visit the websites of SMDC: www.smdc.com and SM Supermalls: www.smsupermalls.com, or follow them on social media.

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LG showcases its Google Cast hotel TVs at ISE 2025

LG Hotel TVs with Built-in Google Cast are Certified and Ready to Launch

LG Electronics (LG) is unveils its new Google Cast-integrated hotel TVs at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025, the international systems integration and audiovisual exhibition taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from February 4-7. Google Cast, Google’s technology that lets you stream your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or computer right to your TV, enhances the guest experience with LG Hotel TVs by providing secure and convenient access to OTT streaming services. With this user-centric innovation, LG is reinforcing its leadership in the hospitality TV market, which continues to be a key area of focus for the company’s fast-growing B2B business.

Starting January 10, LG Hotel TVs running webOS23 or later can now offer the convenience of Google Cast with hotel-specific features. Google Cast for hotel TVs is implemented with network isolation to ensure privacy across hotel rooms. To connect a personal device to an LG Hotel TV and enjoy seamless content streaming, guests simply scan a QR code displayed on the TV screen.* This removes the need for users to input personal information or log into their preferred OTT apps on the TV. Conveniently, the connection remains active throughout the guest’s stay. Upon check-out, the connection history is automatically erased, helping to deliver a hassle-free and secure user experience.

LG is expanding its presence in the hospitality market, offering a wide range of innovative, tailormade solutions, including hotel TVs, software, and digital signages. In 2023, LG unveiled the world’s first hotel TV with AirPlay – Apple’s wireless content-sharing technology – which rolled out globally in 2024. With the addition of Google Cast support, LG’s hotel TV became the first in the world to simultaneously offer both AirPlay and Google Cast, providing unparalleled convenience for guests. LG also provides the Pro:Centric management solution for hotel TVs, enabling hotel operators to effortlessly customize content for individual rooms, automatically displayed on screen when guests check in.

“LG Hotel TVs with Google Cast will deliver a seamless entertainment experience for guests” said Tiger Lan, senior director of engineering for multi-device experiences at Google. “We’re excited to see LG’s momentum in bringing this seamless casting integration to the hospitality industry, providing travelers with the familiar comforts of home while on the go.”

“Many hotel guests nowadays wish to stream their favorite content from a personal device to their in-room TV,” said Paik Ki-mun, head of Information Display Business of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “With LG Hotel TVs integrating Google Cast, they can enjoy a secure and convenient content-streaming experience, just like they’re used to at home. We will continue to strengthen our leadership in the hospitality TV market and enhance our B2B sector strategies.”

LG’s booth at ISE 2025 will feature a hotel-focused exhibition space themed “Transforming Stays into Memorable Hospitality Experiences,” where visitors can experience LG’s Hotel TVs with Google Cast firsthand.

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Mapping Manila’s Chinese Temples at Yul Servo Nieto’s Directions VI

On January 15, 2025, the Art Gallery of The Manila Hotel hosted the opening reception of Directions VI, a solo exhibition of Filipino contemporary artist and City of Manila Vice Mayor, honorable Yul Servo Nieto. The event celebrated the fusion of artistry and heritage, as Nieto unveiled a collection of works inspired by Filipino-Chinese traditions and culture.

The event commenced with a warm opening remarks delivered by The Manila Hotel vice president for sales and marketing, Marvin Kim Tan, highlighting the institution’s commitment to supporting local art and culture. Following this, the artist delivered a speech sharing his inspiration behind the art pieces and announced that proceeds from the sales will go towards purchasing vital medical equipment—such as wheelchairs, nebulizers, hearing aids, blood pressure monitors, and walkers—to be donated to those in need. Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan also delivered a few words before joining Vice Mayor Nieto and Marvin Kim Tan for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the exhibit’s official launch.

In Directions VI, Nieto reinvents his signature metal art pieces with elements of modern Cubism, Cartography or the art of map-making, and Assemblage art. Moving beyond his earlier focus on planes, lines, and negative space, he now incorporates everyday objects—bolts, nuts, screws, and hinges—as symbolic markers. These striking pieces pay tribute to Manila’s cultural richness and include depictions of Manila’s Chinese temples and historic districts like Binondo and San Nicolas.

The exhibition’s centerpiece, Temple Splendor, reimagines Chinese temples with golden nuts arranged on a grid-like map of Manila. Complementing the wall-mounted works are two free-standing sculptures—Nest of Healing and Icons of Heritage. Forged from bronze and gold-plated alloys, these pieces explore themes of healing and cultural preservation.

As the Chinese New Year draws near, Directions VI pays homage to the rich traditions of Manila’s Chinese temples. These vibrant hubs of cultural activity come alive with lion and dragon dances, incense lighting, and offerings of lucky foods—time-honored practices that reinforce familial and cultural unity.

Nieto’s latest creations highlight the significance of safeguarding these cherished traditions while exploring new dimensions of artistic expression.

Directions VI is now on display at The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery. Admission is free. For interested buyers, call +632 85270011 or +632 53015500, or email r.lo@themanilahotel.com.

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LG introduces advancs commercial display advertising solutions for B2B clients

LG Business Cloud Welcomes LG DOOH Ads and LG Pro:Centric Stay, Providing More Tailored Options for Diverse B2B Environments

LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an enhanced version of LG Business Cloud, an online platform that streamlines the management and operation of LG commercial displays and hotel TVs, at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, from February 4-7. Designed to meet the evolving demands of B2B clients, the platform now offers the LG DOOH Ads advertising solution for digital signage products, as well as the LG Pro:Centric Stay solution for short-term rental businesses.

LG DOOH Ads provides customers with a comprehensive, customizable and easy-to-use solution for commercial display advertising. Users can set key parameters, such as region, price and ad types, and LG DOOH Ads will automatically select suitable advertisements for display. This reduces the need for businesses to find and secure advertisers themselves. In addition, LG’s advertising solution gives users the flexibility to display ads that they have sourced independently. What’s more, LG DOOH Ads uses advanced AI camera technology to analyze viewers’ data such as gender, age and behavior, delivering customized advertisements based on viewer behavior. It also provides analysis reports on the expected effectiveness of these ads.

LG Business Cloud also introduces LG Pro:Centric Stay, a new solution created specifically for short-term rental businesses. LG Pro:Centric Stay complements the existing lineup of software solutions available on the platform, including the LG SuperSign Cloud digital signage content management system, LG Pro:Centric Cloud for hotel TVs, and LG ConnectedCare. Tailored for diverse B2B environments, these innovative tools help to ensure greater efficiency and flexibility in signage management.

Worldwide, LG continues to support major B2B clients with its seamlessly integrated signage software solutions. Mexico-based hospitality company, Grand Velas, employs LG Pro:Centric Cloud, a solution designed expressly for LG Hotel TVs. LG Pro:Centric Cloud simplifies content management and enhances the guest experience, allowing operators to provide personalized information – such as targeted discount offers for honeymooners or shuttle departure times for tour groups – to each room.

A prominent Spanish telecommunications provider and a well-known U.S. fast-food franchise have embraced LG ConnectedCare, a solution that delivers convenient and intuitive remote display management. Significantly improving operational efficiency, LG’s solution reduces the need to individually adjust each display and enables proactive issue resolution, providing timely email alerts to system managers in the event that a screen error is detected.

LG’s impressive digital signage software solutions – including the newly-added LG DOOH Ads and LG Pro:Centric Stay – are all accessible through the LG Business Cloud platform.

“With the arrival of LG DOOH Ads and LG Pro:Centric Stay on LG Business Cloud, companies can now manage their digital displays more efficiently,” said Paik Ki-mun, head of Information Display Business of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “We aim to provide global B2B clients with differentiated signage software through LG Business Cloud, enabling remote display management and personalized content distribution.”

Attendees of LG's session at ISE 2025 who verify their subscription to the LG Business Cloud platform will receive an exclusive 50 percent discount coupon for the solution subscriptions.

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“Paddington in Peru” wins the heart of moviegoers with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score

As with the first two highly acclaimed Paddington films, Paddington in Peru has been garnering praises from audiences and film critics for its unique story, animation, and humor. Paddington in Peru sees the iconic bear in a brand new adventure as he tries to get back to his roots and solve a mystery involving his family in hist birthplace of Peru.

Variety talks about how Paddington in Peru will appeal to moviegoing kids, writing, “Paddington in Peru is, as any Paddington adventure should be, fast and buoyant and disarmingly sunny in a way that viewers who weren’t alive — or at least of cinemagoing age — for the 2017 release of Paddington 2 will lap up.”

Paddington’s thoughtful and beautiful animation was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, which writes, “Although returning players Hugh Bonneville, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin as the other three Brown family members make significant contributions along with Mortimer, no one can hold the screen with a hard stare like Paddington. He pulls off one his best here, a perfectly calibrated study in facial movement, lighting (particularly in the brown-gold glitter of his eyes) and comic timing.”

The BBC praises how Paddington in Peru maintains the heart of the story from previous films, even in the brand new setting. “Dotted with waterfalls and piranhas, double crosses and Inca riddles, the Browns' jungle quest is the subject of a wholesome, well-constructed, richly coloured adventure yarn with just enough of the eccentric charm, animated interludes and musical numbers that make the Paddington series what it is.”

Slant mirrors these sentiments, while also acknowledging the film’s message about familial roots and finding what home truly means. “While it’s never didactic or heavy-handed about its messaging, Paddington in Peru also offers an idea of Britishness that’s multifaceted and modern, as the titular bear celebrates his official status as a citizen of the U.K. while reconnecting with his Peruvian roots.

Set off with friends, family, and the wonderful Paddington, as Paddington in Peru arrives in Philippine theaters on January 29. Watch the trailer here:

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LG OLED Becomes the Digital Canvas for Philippine National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera at the BenCab Museum

Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera
with the LG OLED evo AI G4 at the BenCab Museum Larawan Hall

In a groundbreaking collaboration, LG Philippines and National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Reyes Cabrera have joined forces to bring advanced OLED technology to the BenCab Museum in Tuba, Benguet. This partnership redefines how art is experienced, introducing a cutting-edge digital platform for Filipino creativity.

A Seamless Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
The lobby of the BenCab Museum now greets visitors with the LG OLED Posé, a 55-inch masterpiece of design and engineering. Its self-lit OLED technology, vibrant colors, and the α9 Gen5 AI Processor 4K make it an elegant stage for showcasing digital art. Wrapped in muted beige fabric with soft lines, the Posé blends effortlessly with the museum's modern aesthetic, setting the tone for an immersive visual journey.

Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera
with the LG OLED 55” Posé at the BenCab Museum’s reception hall

In the Larawan Hall, the LG OLED evo AI G4 transforms the way art is presented. Its advanced α11 AI Processor and Brightness Booster Max reveal intricate textures and vivid colors with breathtaking clarity, perfectly adapting to the room's lighting. The One Wall Design seamlessly integrates with the hall’s curated display, making the TV a stunning centerpiece for traditional and contemporary Filipino artworks alike.

Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera
with the LG OLED evo AI G4 at the BenCab Museum Larawan Hall

A Shared Vision: Honoring Filipino Creativity
LG Philippines’ Managing Director, Mr. Nakhyun Seong, expressed pride in this collaboration: “At LG, we believe in empowering artists to push boundaries. By integrating OLED technology, we’re creating opportunities for a new kind of digital art, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation.”

BenCab echoed this sentiment, saying, “LG’s OLED TVs open new avenues for presenting art in ways that resonate with modern audiences. This partnership enhances the museum’s ability to inspire and educate, while honoring Filipino culture.”

The BenCab Museum enriches its visitors' connection to the Philippines' vibrant cultural history, fostering creativity and promoting art education. These efforts align seamlessly with LG's mission of “Innovation for a Better Life,” celebrating Filipino culture and inspiring future generations.

Through this partnership, LG Philippines and the BenCab Museum invite audiences to experience art in its most vivid form—a tribute to Filipino ingenuity brought to life through cutting-edge technology.

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LG’S world-first transparent and true wireless 4K OLED TV delivers new screen experience

Transitioning between Transparent to Opaque Screen, LG SIGNATURE OLED T Introduces New Viewing Possibilities and a New Era in Home Entertainment

LG Electronics (LG) is set for the global launch of the 77-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED T, the world’s first transparent and true wireless 4K OLED TV. This groundbreaking model will be available in the U.S. this December, with additional markets to follow.

Unveiled at CES® 2024, the LG SIGNATURE OLED T represents a monumental leap in both technology and design innovation, reflecting LG’s relentless drive to delivering new and better.

Its cutting-edge self-lit screen can transform from transparent to opaque screen; a unique ability that provides the OLED viewing experience while offering greater freedom in living space. Recognized globally, LG’s transparent OLED made TIME’s Best Inventions 2024 list and received a total of five CES 2024 Innovation Awards, including a Best of Innovation honor.

Users can effortlessly switch between transparent and opaque modes at the touch of a button, unlocking unique possibilities for entertainment and space design. When in transparent mode, the OLED T offers a futuristic content experience that must be seen to be believed. The screen not only creates the illusion of content floating in mid-air but also produces a mesmerizing effect by “merging” the on-screen visuals with the surrounding space.

LG OLED T further elevates the user experience with a suite of versatile features that optimally leverage the unique advantages of a transparent OLED screen, enhancing its distinctive value.

One standout feature is T-Objet, an Always-On-Display (AOD) mode that transforms the screen into a transparent digital canvas, ideal for showcasing artwork, videos or photos in outstanding color and clarity. Complementing this is T-Bar, a sleek info-ticker that appears along the bottom edge of the screen, providing sports results, IoT device statuses, weather forecasts or song title information. The rest of the screen remains unused when T-Bar is active, presenting a clean, uncluttered look and a clear view of the space behind LG’s “virtually invisible” display. For added convenience, T-Home offers a user-friendly interface that delivers a well-organized overview of available services, as well as quick access to apps, settings and other features.

Despite its stunning 77-inch screen size, the LG OLED T enhances the feeling of space within a room, providing a sense of openness that conventional TVs simply cannot. Its transparency allows it to be placed centrally without being obtrusive or positioned in front of windows without blocking natural light or views of the outdoors.

The transparent 4K OLED screen, combined with LG’s true wireless video and audio transmission technology, promises not only the aesthetic value but also an enhanced home entertainment experience. Free from tangled cables, the device delivers an immersive, distraction-free viewing environment.

The OLED T advances innovation with LG’s proprietary Zero Connect Box, a visually lossless wireless video and audio transmission solution* without latency ensuring a seamless viewing experience. By supporting 4K at 120Hz variable refresh rate, OLED T has been certified by NVIDIA G-SYNC® Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium to eliminate tearing and stuttering for the most dynamic, true-to-life gaming experience.

The LG SIGNATURE OLED T carries forward LG’s legacy of providing superior picture quality and immersive viewing experiences – hallmarks of LG OLED TVs since the very first model hit the market in 2013. Building on over a decade of OLED innovation, LG’s one-of-a-kind TV brings images fully to life with vibrant, precisely reproduced colors and incredible contrast. Powered by LG’s advanced α (Alpha) 11 AI processor, the OLED T intelligently optimizes both picture and sound quality, delivering unparalleled visual and auditory experiences.

“LG SIGNATURE OLED T is an exceptional user-focused innovation that offers a distinctive, multi-faceted viewing experience and unprecedented spatial flexibility,” said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “LG remains at the forefront of innovation by combining its industry-leading OLED technology with unique form factors, transparent screens, wireless connectivity and more, delivering unparalleled, life-enriching advancements no other TV maker can replicate.”

*Wireless transmission refers to the transferring of video and audio signals between a TV screen and the Zero Connect Box. Visually lossless, based on internal test results with ISO/IEC 29170-2 and measurement results may vary depending on connection status.

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