New Mediterranean-inspired beachside restaurant and bar, Ula, serves up tasty dishes and a chilled vibe

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Solutions Leisure invites guest to ‘step away from it all’ with the opening of its brand-new beachside escape, Ula


If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a long, lazy lunch, a family afternoon by the pool, a sunset dinner, or an evening cocktail, you’re in luck. Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s latest F&B offering, Ula, invites guests to ‘step away from it all’ and enjoy a generous helping of relaxed luxury.

Situated at the former site of West 14th, next to DUKES The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, Ula was developed by leading UAE hospitality group, Solutions Leisure Group in partnership with Seven Tides. The beachside escape takes its name from the Celtic word for ‘sea jewel’, reflective of its idyllic location on the golden shores of Palm Jumeirah.

Inspired by the energy of the earth, the warmth of the sun and the tradition of the Arabian Gulf, the developer of Ula noted that, from sunrise to sunset, visitors will have the opportunity to embark on ‘a culinary and experiential journey to the ultimate state of relaxation.’

“Ula acts with purpose and passion, encouraging those who join her to be their authentic selves,” said Paul Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Solutions Leisure Group. “Featuring two dedicated bar areas, a pool and beach seating, al fresco and indoor dining, and an open kitchen, the earthy, organic venue is rooted in values and connection. We wanted to create a breath of fresh air – a place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day Dubai life. That’s what Ula is. It’s completely different to anything we’ve ever done before. It’s a little piece of paradise.”

Ula’s Mediterranean-led menu takes advantage of fresh produce prepared in house by its dedicated culinary team. Key dishes include clay pot slow-roasted lamb, whole lobster, Kamichiku Japanese beef tenderloin, and mille-feuille.

Supplementing Ula’s organic menu and warm, inviting interiors will be a combination of uplifting beats, live music and roaming entertainment.

“Pioneering the middleman and experiential sector of Dubai F&B scene, we built Ula around the objective to deliver a transformational, immersive social experience,” Evans continues. “Our mission is to create the moments that people live for, and Ula does just that, inviting guests to be their ultimate selves.”

Unpretentious, unjudgmental and unassuming, the new-age beachside dining and pool venue offers the ultimate holiday feel.

“With the initial phase now open, Ula offers guests a unique new experience with access to the pool, the beach and the restaurant, as well as the bar and lounge areas. As part of our second phase, which should be completed in the coming weeks, we will open additional bar and restaurant areas and a beach hut,” commented Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides.

As part of its exclusive preview period, Ula is offering a three-course set menu of chef favourites, plus two drinks per person, for AED 500 per couple. For those who want to take advantage of the venue’s seafront pool and beachside setting, Ula Pool and Beach Passes are also available (weekday: AED 100, with AED 50 redeemable on food and beverages | weekend and public holidays: AED 200, with AED 100 redeemable on food and beverages).

Enticing Cakes To Bake For The Holidays

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

After the festive season, the much-awaited time is the holiday season. During Christmas and New Year, people visit their family and friends and commemorate the day with lip-smacking cakes, hot chocolate and wine of course. Ever pay a visit to our home as well. And for them, we have to think twice about which cake to bake, what they will like or how to make this holiday season memorable for all. Considering your dilemma about the cakes, we have curated this blog where we will mention decadent cakes that are easy to bake. These cakes will make your holiday season worth remembering, and serving them with hot chocolate or wine will give you good pictures also. Cakes are the stunning centrepiece that one can devour. So, today, you will know about the lip-smacking centrepieces that will elevate your holiday season. These cakes are readily available, so you can opt for online cake delivery in Delhi if you don’t want to bake them. So, let’s move forward and dive into the deliciousness of these decadent delicacies.

 

Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

The showstopper of the evening is this ice cream cake. The base is made of brownies, and the top two layers are scooped with ice cream. You can garnish a plate with choco syrup and then add a piece of ice cream cake to it. Serve it this holiday season with wine and see how everyone loves it.

 

Christmas Tree Cupcake

If you want to show off your baking skills, this is a perfect delicacy to serve your dear ones. The sour cream and buttermilk with a pinch of coffee are used to prepare the chocolate batter. These ingredients will keep your cupcake moist and soft, and the green frosting at the top with sprinkles will leave everyone in awe. So, bake them and enjoy a Christmas tree cupcake this holiday season.

 

Traditional Christmas Fruitcake

Fruitcake is quite popular during Christmas. When you are out of ideas or you don’t want to put much effort, a traditional Christmas fruitcake is always there to save you. This dense cake has dry fruits and is soaked with brandy. This is the best gifting cake if you are looking forward to giving a cake to your dear ones.

 

Fig Preserves Cake With Caramel Glaze

This is a perfect cake to serve with a cup of tea at any time of the year. This is made using fig jam and not fresh fruits. The caramel taste and the crunch of pecans make it more enticing and devouring. So, please your family and friends with this fig preserves cake with caramel glaze. It is easy to prepare cake during holidays.

 

French Opera Cake

This mouth-watering cake will turn every head. The sponge almond cake with coffee cream and chocolate ganache gives it differently, pleasing flavours, unlike other cakes. Serving it in rectangle shape on small plates will woo your dear ones. It takes little effort to create the layers but ultimately when it is done, nobody can resist it.

 

Eggnog White Chocolate Cheesecake

Creamy eggnog is the perfect fit for holidays. This cake has lip-smacking fillings. The sour cream and cream cheese are flavoured with white chocolate chips, vanilla and dark rum. It has a gingersnap crust to give eggnog flavour in every bite you devour. So, prepare this holiday cake to make your loved ones feel special.

 

Black Forest Chocolate Cake

You would see this German black forest winning every heart across the globe. The choco layers with berry liqueur is a perfect treat for holidays. The cream, cherries and choco shaving make it toothsome and worth presenting before others. So, make this easy-to-prepare cake and enjoy the devouring flavours it offers.

 

Turtle Cheesecake

Another hit cake to add to your holiday season is this turtle cheesecake. The crunchiness of pecan, gooey caramel, sweet chocolate and turtle candy will surely allure all. So, add this turtle cheesecake to your holiday season and satiate every sweet tooth with it. This moreish cake will win every heart and its graham crust as well.

 

Make your holiday season a big hit with such lip-smacking cakes. We all want to leave our friends and family wow with our efforts, and these cakes will do so. Choose your favourite one and watch their recipes. They are easy to bake, so show off your baking skills with them. Happy Holidays!

 

SSS urges delivery riders to become self-employed members during an online forum

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Social Security System (SSS) urged delivery riders in food delivery and courier activities to become self-employed members and be covered for social security protection to enjoy various benefit programs and loan privileges offered by the pension fund.

Nearly 1,000 participants joined the virtual forum entitled "Proteksyong SSS Para sa Delivery Riders," held on October 18, 2021 which was conducted via the SSS’ Facebook page. The online forum is the kickoff event for a series of outreach activities for delivery riders providing services to various digital platform companies such as Angkas, Dingdong, foodpanda, Grab, Joyride, Lalamove, etc.


SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio said that undeniably, among many industries, the digital platform delivery sector has one of the fastest and most extensive growths in recent years, especially during the pandemic.


"We have realized that this population comprised of our delivery riders has greatly helped our citizens in purchasing and getting their goods or services without going out of their respective homes. Considering the high risk of their profession by being in the field most of the time, they need a solid protection that in cases of contingencies, they can have something to turn to,” Ignacio explained.


Many delivery riders of various digital platform companies are classified as independent contractors or freelancers. Consequently, they are not considered regular employees of the company, which disqualify them from benefits that employees typically receive under the country's labor and social security laws.


Ignacio emphasized that it is essential that while they are doing their delivery activities, they have financial protection from any unforeseen events or times of contingencies. "We encourage them to become SSS members or to continue their membership under the Self-Employed Coverage Program. SSS is the most affordable and meaningful savings option which can provide them with several types of benefits," she added.


During the virtual event, the value of Social Security and Employees' Compensation Programs for delivery riders was further discussed. Professional Sector Department Acting Head Carlo Villacorta explained that delivery riders must be appropriately classified as self-employed members under the SSS to have the most effective financial protection against risks brought by constant exposure to various elements, especially to the virus.


As self-employed SSS members, they will be entitled to social security benefits such as sickness, maternity, retirement, disability, funeral, and death. Likewise, they shall become eligible for loan programs which include salary, calamity, educational assistance, among others.


They will also have additional coverage from the Employees' Compensation (EC) Program for work-related contingencies such as sickness, disability, death and funeral, medical and rehabilitation services. The ECP provides them and their dependents with an extra layer of protection from work-related contingencies, aside from their SSS coverage.


Currently, the SSS contribution rate stands at 13%, and the monthly salary credit (MSC) used to determine the amount of monthly contribution ranges from P3,000 to P25,000. The lowest monthly contribution is P400, broken down into P390 for the regular Social Security (SS) Program and P10 for the EC Program. Meanwhile, the highest monthly contribution is P3,280, broken down into P2,600 for the regular SS Program, P30 for the EC Program, and P650 for the Workers' Investment Savings Program (WISP). For example, if a delivery rider earns P13,000 monthly, he will have a monthly contribution payment of P1,700.


The virtual forum also featured a discussion on how delivery riders can register as self-employed members. For those without SS numbers, the Member Education Department taught them the SS number online application through the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph). Moreover, they were also oriented on how to generate their Payment Reference Number (PRN) for contribution payments using the My.SSS on the SSS website or through the SSS Mobile App.


For payment of their contributions, they may access the SSS Mobile App, Bayad or GCash mobile apps, or the internet banking facility of the Security Bank and Union Bank of the Philippines as long as they have an existing deposit account with the said banks. For counter payments, they may facilitate it through SSS partner banks such as Asia United Bank, Bank of Commerce, Bank One Savings Bank, Philippine Business Bank, Rural Bank of Lanuza, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Union Bank of the Philippines, and United Coconut Planters Bank.


Deadline for the SSS contribution payments of self-employed members is the last day of the month following the applicable month or calendar quarter.


For instance, delivery riders could pay their contribution payments for the applicable month of October 2021 until November 30, 2021, if they opt to pay their SSS contributions monthly. On the other hand, if they opt to pay their SSS contributions quarterly, they could pay their SSS contributions for the applicable months of October, November, and December 2021 until January 31, 2022.


For accurate information and updates on SSS programs and benefits, visit and follow SSS on Facebook and YouTube at "Philippine Social Security System," Instagram at "mysssph," Twitter at "PHLSSS," join its Viber Community at "MYSSSPH Updates," or visit the uSSSapTayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph/.