CNX for Home: Simplify your life through technology. Doing more by worrying less

CNX for Home, the leader in smart home solutions. Simplify the life you envision and truly live with comfort and convenience with CNX for Home makes smart living possible through offering products, platform and integrations that give homeowners greater control, connection, and security. Now you can keep your home worry-free and your family safe.

CNX for Home offers a wide catalogue of products for the household, from safety sensors to security cameras and complete IOT-based solutions that integrate all your smart devices and appliances. 

“For us at CNX for Home, we envision every come to be designed to make life easier and more comfortable. Through our systems and products, we aim to reduce the stresses of daily life by giving you greater control and confidence to enjoy a better quality of living. At CNX for Home, we are powered by creativity and innovation, and we continually think of ways to help the modern Filipino homeowner.” ~Flip Ruby, Head of CNX, and VP of Cortex Technologies

Beyond mere convenience, CNX for Home aims to elevate the quality of life of every Filipino through its smart products and services. 

"From our products to platform, we designed and built it to fit our Filipino lifestyle. When we talk about smart living today, we aim for greater convenience for our clientsand work towards the further streamlining of tasks through the use of technology. Watch over your home, check on your family, and secure your property with just a few taps on your computer or mobile in the most affordable prices to the Filipino homeowner. If there’s anything that the pandemic has taught us, it is that family is everything, time is limited, and our energies should be used on the things that matter to us. Thus, when you look at our catalogue of products and services, all of these work together to keep you and your family safe. ~Flip Ruby, Head of CNX, and VP of Cortex Technologies

For enhanced home security, CNX for Home offers IP cameras that help youconveniently monitor your kids and spaces with an easy click on the app. If you’re working at home, you can save time and energy by upgrading and controlling all your appliances remotely through the use of wi-fi sockets andmini-hubs. For the safety of your household, you can now build a stronger line of defense with the use of an integrated system of emergency buttons, motion sensors, smoke sensors, and door and window sensors from CNX for Home. With CNX for Home bundles, even selecting what you need we’ve made simpler, so you can now watch over your home and family using the latest and most advanced security and safety devices. 

"They help free up your timeby streamlining tasks and give you greater confidence and security, allowing you to focus. When you and your family are taken care of, you are able to do more! The great thing about CNX for Home and our products is that we fit and complement any and every type of Filipino home and lifestyle. Whether you’re living in a condo, a family compound, or even out on a farm, we can customize smart systems just for you, and we can even recommend products based on your needs and current floor plan. And for your greater convenience and easy set-up, we have flexible bundles that are exceptionally affordable. ~Flip Ruby, Head of CNX, and VP of Cortex Technologies

Smartify your appliances and integrate them into one smart home system for a better deal. Lead a truly modern life and live smarter with CNX for Home.

Lumina Homes shares success stories at the ViCon

At The ViCon, Lumina Homes shares success stories and raffles off attractive prizes last June 24 and 25 at The Villar Group Convention (The ViCon).

Villar Group of Companies successfully gathered Vista Land and Golden MV's strong property brands—Lumina Homes, Bria, Lessandra, Camella, Crown Asia, Brittany, Camella Manors, and Vista Residences; as well as Golden Haven and Vistamalls—in its first-ever virtual expo dubbed The Villar Group Convention (The ViCon).

Lumina Homes, the affordable housing arm of Vista Land demonstrated its unrivaled efforts and accomplishments over the last eight years.

Lumina Homes has already become a household name in less than a decade, having generously sponsored house and lot awards for over 40 series on various television networks.

"We in Lumina are very grateful for the active support of our partner sales network, which adjusted to the changing landscape of real estate selling with us. Our strengthened partnership will undoubtedly lead to achieving our goals in the shared mission of providing affordable homes." ~Engr. Joemi Tan, Division Head of Lumina Homes

Lumina was a game-changer in digital advancements in real estate sales even before the epidemic, which has only become more important in this difficult period. The country's first mass housing company introduced an online reservation system, which currently incorporates an interactive project map.

Lumina was also the first developer to open stores on major online shopping sites, selling affordable house and lot and frequently discounted reservation vouchers.

Aside from Lumina's wide presence in social media sites and messaging apps, it takes pride in its best tech practices, including: 

(1) text automation for faster billing and contact info update

(2) creation of Juan Support, the virtual assistant for all Lumina Homes queries 

(3) a separate chatbot named Juan ZoBot for housing inquiries on the Lumina website

(4) Lumina Online Appointment System

(5) the downloadable Lumina e-Services app.

Lumina Homes has been diligent in conducting online events for its residents, future purchasers, salespeople, and staff, adapting to new-normal ways and embracing the benefits of virtual events. It has completed its annual awards, Gawad Lumina, as well as the Lumina-wide DigiCon, Kumustahan sa Bayan ni Juan Admin & Pag-ibig Summit, and Admin & Bank Summit in the last year.

These initiatives have resulted in spectacular development in the brand's reservation sales and network, as well as many awards from organizations such as Pag-IBIG Fund and BestStartUp.Asia.

Outside of the digital sphere, Lumina continues to develop safe homes across the country to provide Filipinos with more affordable housing options. Lumina Homes is expanding its geographic reach, with over 100 projects in over 50 key cities and municipalities across the country.

Aside building houses and lots, the company recently introduced its first integrated vertical community, Prima Tanza, in Cavite.

 

Lumina Homes generously raffled off some fantastic prizes during The ViCon, as promised!

The ViCon Lumina Cool Deals Raffle awarded prizes to several purchasers who reserved a Prima Tanza condo unit and Lumina house and lot during the event.

Mary Rose Dela Cruz, the grand prize winner, received a P30,000 reduction on her downpayment. 

AllDay Supermarket gave each of the five lucky winners a P2,000 shopping gift: 

1. Reynaldo Dumaual

2. Bernard Sigue

3. Alexter Martinez Guatiz

4. Jaymart Dela Cruz Alonzo

5. Ritchie Dalisay Espital

All attendees who just came to The ViCon and watched Lumina Homes' The Own Your Home Series also had the chance to win exciting prizes.

Php500 worth of AllEasy Load winners:

• Ana May Factuar

• LA Guasis

• Marco Cortez

• Mark De Guzman

• Ma. Lourdes Baez

Php500 worth of AllDay Grocery winners:

• Junel Jumagbas

• Gracelyn Soliva

• Joan Domingo

• Danilo Factoran

• Florie May Valle

Winners of Cash worth Php 1,500:

• Joyce Ann Esguerra

• Michael Bala

• Lalaine Tobias

The ViCon was definitely crowned victorious, and it is well worth repeating every year. Lumina Homes is committed to bringing more pleasure and excitement online among the many Juans looking for a beautiful house and lot to call their own till that time comes.

For more information about Lumina Homes and Prima Tanza, visit www.lumina.com.ph.

Love Naturally and Safely: The Launching of Happy Life Naturals in the U.S.

According to scientific research, if these are not used properly, they can lead to eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm and gastrointestinal problems. They can even worsen the condition of an asthmatic person oncehe inhales the toxic fumes and residues unknowingly.

Are you taking care of the health of your loved ones as you clean, sanitize, repel insects in and deodorize your home? The harmful chemicals that come from your all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, insecticides anddeodorizers can adversely affect the well-being of your family and pets. 

This was the case of Joe Sevilla, current President/CEO of Happy Life Organics Philippines Inc., when he was seven years old and had chronic asthma. Joe’s condition got occasionally triggered when general cleaning was being performed in his ancestral house in Fairview, Quezon City in Metro Manila, Philippines. His father, Victor Sevilla, took this as a serious problem that he had to tackle right away.

Thus, in 2007, Victor collaborated with acclaimed chemists and developed an all-natural and plant-based insecticide and disinfectant having neem as its prime ingredient. This they named as Happy Life Liquid Concentrate (LC) which became the flagship product of a company now known as Happy Life Organics Philippines Inc. This pet-safe and kid-safe concentrate is a handy cleaner, disinfectant, insect repellent and deodorizer made with neem and citronella extracts. Neem is known to have natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties and pesticidal properties. As such, it can help in making a germ-free environment that can stop the spread of disease.

Over the years, Happy Life Organics Philippines Inc. (HLOPI) carried this all-purpose cleanerand even produced other neem-based all-natural products such as heavy-duty sanitizer, household and industrial cleaner, pet grooming solutions and insect-repellant/ insecticide and ornamental garden flower bloomer and natural fertilizer. The company’s success comes from the effective use of the health benefits of this neem tree extract. Previously available only in India, now, the neem tree extract can be sourced out from Santa Maria, Bulacan in the Philippies.

Neem oil, one of nature’s best ways to deal with problem insects, is pressed from the fruits, seeds and bark of an Evergreen tree which is known in Sanskrit (or Indian language) as Sarva Roga Nirvani or ‘’cure of all ailments’’. Imagine having this substance in your insect spray or deodorizer, then you know you are in good hands.

With the overwhelming fame of Happy Life Organics (HLO) in the Philippines, its managementwants to bring the same goodness, the same safety and the same health benefits of the company’s products to the United States. The company in America, Happy Life Naturals, LLC (HLN), will introduce to the market the Happy Life Pet Shampoo and Conditioner, Waterless Shampoo and Multi-Purpose Cleaner.

Happy Life Naturals believes in providing high-quality, consumer-safe products that are all-natural, plant-based, pet-friendly, healthy and effective with the goal of giving only the best that nature can offer. Express love in the safe and natural way. Get a hold of Happy Life Naturals products soon. Follow HLO @happylifeorganics and HLN @happylifenaturals on their social media partners.

Subway New Breakfast Offering: Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese

Subway is adding a delectable NEW item on their breakfast menu, the Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese! It's another exciting choice for people who are always on the go and are looking for a meal to brighten up their mornings!

The Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese, and other selections are bound to make your mornings even brighter! 

Longaniza is in fact one of the Philippines’ most beloved dishes. And, it can be found almost everywhere in different provinces having their own versions. But this time, Subway offers its own affordable take on this sandwich meal.

The NEW Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese ala carte price is P139 for the 6-inch and P248 for the footlong. Subway also offers a combo meal for only P199! Customers can get (1) 6-inch Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese, (1) Coffee, and (4) pieces of Hashbrowns. Available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery transactions.

The Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese also comes in Flat Bread as default but customers can ask to change it to regular bread.

ENJOY THE SANDWICH MEAL AT HOME BY ORDERING THROUGH MESSENGER “BOTTY”

As you STAY SAFE AT HOME, you can enjoy your favorite subs and the NEW Smoked Longaniza, Egg & Cheese through FB Messenger “Botty” ordering for pick-up or delivery in select restaurants. Or, delight yourself and your friends & family with Subway’s delicious and freshly made subs at the safety and comfort of your homes through GrabFood or FoodPanda delivery apps.

Chef Jill Sandique’s Cacao Journey

 

“For the cacao, they would teach us how the cacao pod is harvested and we actually did some of the basic steps—something that the hands of a child can do. There are new chefs coming in, pastry chefs especially. I plan to step back a little and give them the place to shine because they’re all very good. Majority of our plants here belong to the category of fine cacao in which there is great potential. I hope that every cacao farmer here will be able to ferment and process their cacao in a manner that is at par with international standards, which I think is achievable.” ~Chef Jill Sandique

Chef Jill has studied chocolate making abroad, eventually completing the Career French Pastry Program at Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School (now the Institute of Culinary Education) where she graduated with the most coveted Blue Ribbon Award in 1992 (and later inducted into its Alumni Hall of Achievement). She witnessed the emergence of artisan chocolate making which nurtured her appreciation for the craft.

Her work on chocolate for more than 25 years as a culinary educator and consultant has led pastry Chef Jill Sandique back to a childhood passion. Chef Jill headed the board of judges at the 2021 Philippine Cacao Quality Awards (PCQA) which selected the winning entries to represent the Philippines at the Cocoa of Excellence (CoEx) Programme during the Salon du Chocolat in Paris this coming October. 

When she came back to the Philippines, she developed her signature pistachio sans rival and mango pavlova, the beloved specialty desserts she became known for. In between her duties as chef instructor and consultant, she worked with cocoa and chocolate manufacturers and distributors locally as well as in Singapore and Indonesia to develop recipes for them and her own clients. 

Her longest collaboration at 17 years is with Commodity Quest, Inc., which exclusively imports the premium cacao powder and chocolate ingredients under the deZaan brand. They invited Chef Nick Malgieri, her mentor, and teacher at Peter Kump’s, for the WOFEX trade shows to showcase chocolate recipes using deZaan. 

Growing up with cacao

Chef Jill’s love for chocolate began at her family’s Sto. Niño Farms back in her hometown of Makilala in Cotabato. The family started with crops such as coconut, coffee, cacao, corn, and rice. The farm initially produced certified palay seeds before focusing on rubber and banana as its two major crops.

Her father, the late Epifanio Al. Sandique was an agriculturist by training. Mr. Sandique worked as a banker and did agricultural research at the farm. He was part of the Philippine Cacao Committee in the late 1970s that published The Philippines Recommends for Cacao in 1979. 

The farm served as chef Jill’s informal training ground to learn about how farmers grow food, an experience that would later influence her work as a pastry chef. Her parents instilled the value of hard work at the farm, teaching them the key steps in growing, harvesting, and processing rice, coffee, and cacao. 

Selecting quality Philippine cacao beans

Chef Jill regularly upgrades her chocolate know-how through training abroad especially in South and Central America with its long history and tradition of growing and processing cacao. She has studied cacao post-harvest processing, chocolate making, and chocolate profiling in the U.S., Ecuador, Peru, and Belize as well as cacao bean grading in the Netherlands. She is the only Filipina who is a certified Level 3 graduate of the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting in the UK. 

She put to good use this training and her ability to discern quality cacao beans as a judge at the 2019 International Chocolate Awards (ICA) the Asia Pacific in Taiwan, and at the ICA World Finals in Italy. Judges conducted a blind tasting of the chocolates from which Philippine chocolate makers won several awards.

Chef Jill also participated as a grand juror for the ICA Asia Pacific via remote online judging in 2020. Then came the opportunity to be closer to home as chairperson for the judging committee at the Philippine Cacao Quality Award from December 2020 to January 2021.

 

When selecting the best cacao beans, Chef Jill adheres to strict selection standards. She strives for perfection, a trait influenced by her training under Chef Nick Malgieri as well as her parents whose work as agriculturist and doctor respectively, relied on making the right decisions on the farm and in the hospital. Only the highest qualified cacao beans, cocoa, and chocolate truly make it on her list.

What’s next for chef Jill

Her other work as the lead trainer and program director of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Manila Council of Chefs and key opinion leader of USDA Cooperators for the past 15 years has helped her mentor others in cooking and baking with quality U.S. ingredients. 

 

When the Puentespina family of the Malagos Cacao Development Center in Davao invited her to help train seven farmer cooperatives from Davao Oriental on post-harvest processing of cacao beans, she gladly agreed. But she requested that the farmers also be trained on the business side of cacao as well as composting waste by-products to fully equip them.

In a sense, this is Chef Jill going back to her roots. While she will still work with clients and share recipes on social media, she wishes to spotlight the next generation of chefs. 

Her life’s work now brings her back to cacao to improve the competitiveness of the local cacao industry on the international stage. She hopes to share what she has learned about cacao bean processing and educate others who have little opportunity to be formally trained. 

This potential begins with growing good cacao. As the world takes notice of Philippine chocolate, chef Jill hopes to encourage local cacao farmers to aim higher in producing the finest cacao they were destined to grow. 

For recipes and updates on Chef Jill Sandique, visit her Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ChefJillSandique.