April 30, 2015

May is Star Wars month on TV5's MovieMax5

The Force is Strong With This One! 

TV5 spreads "the force" as MovieMax5 features the Tagalized versions of the hit Star Wars Saga for the whole month of May.


A brainchild of Star Wars creator George Lucas, the epic space opera franchise made a mark in the movie industry by creating a pop culture phenomenon that captured the hearts of moviegoers worldwide. The film series did not just break box office records but also garnered numerous nominations and awards from prestigious award-giving bodies. Through TV5's Star Wars month on MovieMax5 this May, Star Wars fanatics and film lovers alike will now be able to re-live the legendary Star Wars saga and experience once again the battle between the Jedi and the Sith.

Mark your calendars this May as the Star Wars movie series airs on TV5's MovieMax5, 7pm – 9pm, starting with The Phantom Menace (May 4), Attack of Clones (May 11), Revenge of Sith (May 19), Empire Strikes Back (May 25), and Return of the Jedi (June 1).

Tune in to MovieMax5 everyday on TV5, the home of happy Tagalized movies.

April 29, 2015

Here are 7 Reasons Why You Should Get LG P7

LG P7 Music Flow Portable Speakers, This Summer’s Perfect Gadget 

Make the most of your summer! There are so many new things to do, places to see, and memories to create. Nothing makes experiences more enjoyable than being in the company of great friends and even greater music.

Home entertainment trailblazer LG Electronics dishes out exciting ways to amp up your summer trips with the new LG Music Flow P7. This compact but powerful portable speaker boasts unique features for the ultimate hassle-free barkada bonding.

1- Music anytime, anywhere 

Its impressive long-lasting battery enables the gang to enjoy continuous music for up to 10 hours. Whether you are out in the sea or up in the mountains, the LG Music Flow P7 delivers nonstop listening pleasure.


2- Go with the ‘Flow’ 

The super sleek LG Music Flow P7 is extremely lightweight and comfortably fits in any carry-on luggage; making it the perfect companion for beach trips and out-of-town vacations.


3- Make it loud with your crowd 

Even with its compact design, the LG Music Flow P7 is capable of playing music in full, crystal clear quality with its outstanding 20W audio output, currently the best in the market. 

Fire up the grill, host your own outdoor summer soiree and after sunset, watch a movie under the stars with just a blanket and a projector—with the sounds amplified by your own Music Flow, of course!


4- Music-sharing made easy 

Partying with your best buds made even more fun with LG Music Flow P7’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. Shuffle and stream music right from your mobile phone! The barkada can also get in on the fun with its unique feature that allows up to three Bluetooth-capable phones to connect at the same time.


5- Double the Music Flow, double the fun 

You and your friends can connect two LG Music Flow P7s to one Bluetooth-ready device at the same time for a fun and louder summer trip. Fill every corner with quality tunes wherever you go!
The LG Music Flow is the perfect companion to make summer getaways more awesome than usual.

6- Relax, go do it 

Staycations will never be the same again! Cozy up with your favourite blanket and catch up on your series at home by connecting up to two LG Music Flow P7s to a compatible LG TV and enjoy the full LG experience with immersive surround sound. 


Keep fun on replay with the LG Music Flow’s long battery life. Enjoy up to 10 straight hours, crystal clear 20W, non-stop music sharing with your whole barkada.

7- Keep fit with the beat! 

Getting that beach body ready doesn’t have to be a struggle. Stretch, jump, and crunch (not munch) to the beat that’s blasting from your Music Flow P7s. Or you could hold your favourite yoga poses with soothing ambient sounds thanks to your Music Flow.

“Whether you are planning for a weekend trip or simply staying in with the family, the LG Music Flow P7, the smallest and newest addition to the LG Music Flow WiFi Series, is the ideal companion for that unforgettable listening experience,” said Hoony Bae, vice president of LG Philippines Home Entertainment. 

Make the most of your summer by getting your own LG Music Flow P7 for only PHP 6,890 at participating LG dealer stores nationwide: Robinson’s Lipa, Robinson’s Novaliches, Robinson’s Pampanga, Robinson’s Bacolod, Robinson’s Dasmarinas, Robinson’s Pioneer, Robinson’s MetroEast, Robinson’s Ilocos, Robinson’s Ermita, and Robinson’s Galleria.

To learn more about LG’s Music Flow Wi-Fi Series, visit www.lg.com/ph; like LG Philippines’ Facebook page; or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

EPSON supports SMEs through DTI's SME Roving Academy

In its continuing support for small and medium enterprises in the country, digital imaging leader Epson Philippines is collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry-Rizal (DTI) for its SME Roving Academy.

DTI’s SME Roving Academy (SMERA) is a learning program designed for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the goal of helping them become competitive in domestic and international markets. The program’s main strategies are comprised of the integration of business development services for SMEs at the national and local levels, and the establishment of provincial, regional, and national entrepreneurship development networks.


Epson supported the initiative by sharing its expertise in the textile and signage industries and gave advice on how entrepreneurs can maximize their profitability. In particular, the printing leader discussed the basics of dye sublimation and its various applications, efficiency analysis versus silkscreen printing, and business cost analysis. The company also provided live training with Epson equipment to familiarize the entrepreneurs with the best available technology in the market.

“Our goal is to bring eco-friendly, high precision, world-class technologies to the Filipino,” said Pamela Albar, Epson’s Head for Commercial and Industrial printers. “For Filipino entrepreneurs, we give special attention to maximizing the return on their investments. We want to help them by offering them solutions that give the most value,” she added.

Epson’s support for DTI’s SME Roving Academy started last March 2015. The company plans to continue collaborating with DTI and helping entrepreneurs near PEZA areas in Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cebu.

SandBar Beach Club is now the hottest daylight destination in Boracay!



The sun is at its peak, the sea is glistening and reflecting the bright blue skies, everyone looks fabulous in their bikinis and boardshorts – Boracay’s energy and marvelous beauty are best captured during daytime indeed! However, almost every place in this island gets a little crowded during the summer season. 

Finally, there is a place where you can relax, hang out or even strut your bikini body in style, as Station 1 welcomes the hottest daylight destination for all ages, the SandBar Beach Club Boracay.

Set in the powdery white sand of Boracay is this exclusive chill-out place with 18 cozy beach beds for your ultimate comfort. While you can also relax in your hotel, chances are you’ll miss the fantastic outdoor sceneries of the paradise and all the fun that it has to offer. 

At SandBar Beach Club Boracay, comfort doesn’t need to be boring. It combines good food, refreshing drinks, exciting water sports and entertainment into one fantastic place. Join the Saturday Shindig, a daytime beach party every Saturday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. For only PhP3,000 per person, you get unlimited Banana Boat and Fly Fish rides, sumptuous lunch and snacks, and bottomless specialty drinks.

Every Sunday, the club transforms into an ideal place for every family with its theme the Sunday Magic, a children's beach party from 11:00am to 4pm. For PhP3,000 per person, you get unlimited Banana Boat and Fly Fish rides, sumptuous lunch and snacks, bottomless specialty drinks plus a special magic show for the young and the young-at-heart.

Experience priceless daylight fun in the hottest summer destination of the country, and head to SandBar Beach Club Boracay for a weekend of fun, adventure, relaxation, and good food with family and friends. 



“COSMIC”: Samsung Launches The New SUHD TV

Samsung new TV sets a new standard in premium UHD (Ultra High Definition) content and elevates the viewing experience to new heights.



What makes Samsung such an innovative company?

For many people using Samsung always feel the difference the real life’s rich colors that Samsung make to each scene as SUHD TV displays a wider spectrum of nature’s colors. Through Samsung innovation and technology, these colors are reproduced more accurately so that images look life-like on the screen.

Samsung is a global leader in screen technology, TVs, batteries, and chip design.


And now, Samsung reinforces TV and innovation leadership with New SUHD TVs and New Audio Solutions.

SUHD TV and expansive range of audio products open a new era for immersive viewing and sound.

The leader in TV for nine consecutive years, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., introduced an extensive range of SUHD TV at its 2015 TV Roadshow, the official launching of SUHD with a “COSMIC” theme. It showcased Samsung’s expansive line-up of Audio products including Omni-Directional 360 Audio and Curved Soundbars which complement and enhance the home entertainment experience with immersive and crystal clear sound.

Raul Macatangay, AV Product Marketing Head said “We are proud to introduce a new advancement in our line of products. Samsung continues to be the leader in providing picture quality to push the boundaries of home entertainment experience.”

“We will never stop with our commitment to consistently giving superior home entertainment experience,” Macatangay said yesterday at the The New SUHD TV launched held at the SMX Conference Room, SM Aura, Taguig City.


Samsung Premium “S” TV: The New SUHD TV

Samsung reserves the “S” identification for the most premium, flagship product that signifies a true leap forward in technology. As the leader in the TV industry, Samsung is excited to extend the prestigious “S” identification to its newest TV line, the SUHD TV. The SUHD TV is designed to excite all of the senses, with sensational picture quality, seamless interaction and stylish design.


Introducing Unmatched Picture Quality

Samsung SUHD TVs demonstrate groundbreaking advances in contrast, brightness, color reproduction and detail to deliver a superior picture quality experience. They utilize proprietary, eco-friendly nano-crystal technology and include an intelligent SUHD re-mastering picture quality engine.

The SUHD TV’s nano-crystal technology transmits different colors of light depending on their size to produce the highest color purity and light efficiency available today, which produces a wide range of more accurate colors, providing the viewers with 64 times more color expression than conventional TVs. The intelligent SUHD re-mastering engine has optimized all content to match the color and brightness reproduction of the SUHD TV. It automatically analyses the brightness of images to minimize additional power consumption, while also producing ultimate contrast levels, showcasing images with much darker blacks and an elevated level of brightness that’s more than 2.5 times brighter than conventional UHD TVs.

Samsung is working with leaders in the industry to promote secure and steady growth of a comprehensive UHD ecosystem. In order to establish premium UHD quality standards, Samsung has announced the UHD alliance – a coalition of companies united to set the bar for next generation video entertainment that will implement new standards supporting innovation in video technologies including 4K and higher resolution, high dynamic range, wide color gamut and immersive 3D audio.

Samsung’s SUHD TV’s use environmental-friendly technology to deliver best-in-class energy efficiency and reliability. Moreover, Samsung will offer three new series of SUHD TVs – JS9500, JS9000 and JS8500 – from 55 to 88 inches, so consumers have the flexibility to purchase perfect TV that fits their style and taste.


Sophisticated and Improved Curved Designs


The newly announced Samsung SUHD TV J9500 features a chamfer bezel design, adding more depth to the TV screen, and the elegant frame makes the display look like a piece of art mounted on the wall. The SUHD TV JS9000 also has a soft, textured shirring design on the rear of the display giving TV a premium look and stylish edge when viewed from any angle.

With the increase on consumer demand for curved TVs, Samsung will continue to add new models to its product portfolio to complement every unique viewing environment.


Samsung Introduces Features for the Philippines


To meet the needs of consumers in the Philippines, Samsung is introducing a number of features tailored to match unique lifestyle of users in the region through Samsung Seasons. It allows customers to enjoy handpicked selection of popular international TV shows, wherein users can watch the first episode free, and rent the full season of a show for 30 days to enjoy on their smart TV, or on a Samsung tablet or phone.

Customers will also be able to enjoy Family TV 2.0, which further enhances the overall viewing experience. Maintaining the features of last year’s popular family TV feature, Family TV 2.0 allows customers to save and send photos and sound bites of their favorite TV moments. The feature now has a Story Replay, which can record sill photos with the audio of TV programs.

Customers can enjoy Sports mode, which allows quick access to sport matches on Samsung Smart TVs. Sport Mode is designed specifically for the thrilling basketball or boxing experience. Three points and punches will be highlighted, and users will be able to playback top moments from the game so they can relive the action.

Samsung Omni-directional 360 Audio – A New Era in Premium Sound 

Designed with style and elegance to harmonize any home interior and developed in Samsung’s new state-of-the-art Audio Lab in California, the WAM 7500/6500 speakers are  Samsung incorporated its proprietary ring radio technology which allows sound to flow in 360 degrees radius that provides rich-bodied sound, unlike conventional speakers that project sound in a single direction.

The WAM7500/6500 also features a simple and hassle-free setup with plug-and-play installation – users simply connect the speaker to a router and plug the unit in.


Samsung Curved Soundbar – Curved Design to Surround Users’ Senses


Samsung is introducing the Curved Soundbar that features a sleek and clean design. It complements Samsung Curved TVs from 48 inches to 78 inches, providing premium audio solution.

The newly introduced 8500 series also offers enhanced sound quality with 9.1 channel audio, featuring a central speaker and side speakers on each end—added to further intensify the immersive experience by delivering a more equalized surround sound experience.

With its patented Multi-Air gap speaker unit at its subwoofer, the Soundbar will feature deeper bass than conventional audio offerings. It allows users to stream music through its multiroom functionality, and has a wireless connection to the TV through TV SoundConnect via Bluetooth.


Samsung, a leader in innovation, brings you the right to own a premium and unmatched picture quality that is perfectly stylish with its sophisticated and improved curved design and has put its efforts high in bringing you a new era in premium sound. 

The Samsung TV and audio visual solutions surely uphold their leadership by truly redefining picture quality with superior brightness and the widest color spectrum available.

Citi Philippines Celebrates 25 Years of Leadership in Credit Cards with the campaign ‘My Unforgettable Story'


Everything in life revolves around money. And here's finding the simplest possible way of making payments, in many situations wherever we are. Also when abroad is safer on a card than by paying with cash. You don’t need to have the cash readily available if you have credit card.

Shopping or just buying whatever you need using a credit card is an easy and secure way to pay for goods - in many places around the globe and even online.

Credit cards provide a fast and efficient way of paying for goods and services, but they also allow us to build up our credit history.

Citi Philippines, the country’s largest foreign bank celebrates another milestone as it marks its 25th year of providing world class credit card products and services to the Filipino consumer.

Celebrity SocialiteTessa Prieto-Valdez hosting the Citi Philippines 25th Anniversary Celebrations held at the Fairmont Hotel, April 27, 2015.

It was in 1990 when Citi Philippines introduced the Citibank MasterCard, marking the global bank’s entry into the Philippine credit card market. Back then, Citi was also credited for changing the payment landscape, when it lowered the minimum income requirement to own a credit card, and turned what was once a financial tool only for the elite, into a payment product that empowered middle income Filipino cardholders.

“We are extremely proud of our legacy of success here in the Philippines, particularly in our consumer banking business led by our credit cards,” shared CEO Batara Sianturi in his speech at the celebratory event. “As the world’s largest issuer of credit cards, we bring our experience and expertise across the globe in providing and anticipating the credit payment needs of our clients here in the country with the help of our partners like MasterCard.”


Today, Citi remains the acknowledged industry leader, with an enviable track record of innovations and best-in-market offers and promotions, making many unforgettable stories possible for its Filipino customers. And what would be a better way to celebrate its 25th year than to reward its loyal clients with the campaign ‘My Unforgettable Story’?


Unforgettable Stories with Citi Cards

Launched in March and running until August 2015, the promotion presents Citi cardholders the chance to create new memories in some of the world’s most breathtaking places –by simply using their Citi credit card.

Bea Tan, who heads Citi’s consumer banking business in the country related: “In designing this promotion, we wanted to break the mold and ensure that our clients are truly engaged from day one. We wanted to reward our loyal cardholders with delightful and unique experiences, and empower them with making the best choice from a list of impossible to resist selections according to their lifestyle and preferences.”

And ‘My Unforgettable Story’ certainly delivers all that and more. A total of fifteen lucky cardholders will be chosen in three raffle draws, with five winners to be awarded in each set. The first set of winners can choose one of the Stories of Discovery prizes, including a gourmet food tour in Japan, journey to self-discovery in Bali, scuba diving in Palau, and China or Egypt exploration.

Meanwhile, 2nd raffle draw winners can have a spectacular celebration of love as they can choose one of the Stories of Romance prizes such as a honeymoon in Maldives, island escapade in Thailand and hot air balloon date in Dubai. Winners can also have their dream wedding gown designed by a top couturier, or make their most romantic proposal happen.

Things get more exciting as the third set of winners can revel in one of the Stories of Adventure prizes like a family ski adventure in Korea, US theme park getaway, Mediterranean cruise, African safari and the magical Aurora Borealis experience. 

“It’s so easy to win – just use your card for any purchase, regardless of amount, and you will earn raffle entries. And because we want all our cardholders to have a chance to win, we are awarding raffle entries for nearly every use of a Citi card: from using Citibank Online to charging with Citi PayLite, and even when you apply for a Personal Loan,” explained David Stoughton, Credit Payments Head of Citi Philippines.

To see the complete list of prizes and ways on how to qualify for the promotion, visit www.citibank.com.ph/mystory.


25 Years of Making Fantastic Plastics

“Beyond putting a Citi Card into Filipinos’ wallets, we also opened up a host of world class services and set new benchmarks for the industry,” recalled Tan. “Those were very exciting first years as we unveiled one product or service after the other, and saw not just our market share grow by leaps and bounds, but also competitors sit up and take notice. What was most satisfying is that the Filipino consumer is the real winner here.”

One of Citi’s game changing programs was the launch of Citi Rewards; Citi was the first credit card to introduce a loyalty program – offering rewards points to fuel rebates to air miles to shopping credits – for every spend made on the card. “It begs to be said that when we launched the program, it was so well designed that it set the bar, and we have not needed to make any changes to it since,” narrates Tan.


Indeed, Citi’s Rewards Program has become so successful that today, clients think of three options when they pay: credit card, points or cash? 

“In this day and age when consumer trends and preferences change as fast as news travels, it’s a real challenge to keep track of what customers want and to make sure these are met – and at Citi, we strive to meet this challenge each day,” said Tan.




The Road ahead…is Digital

Looking ahead to the future, its loyal cardholders can expect Citi and MasterCard to continue to invest in the digital payments space and leverage on technology to transform the way in which it serves clients. 

“At Citi, we strongly believe the future is digital. Around the world, we actively promote the transition to digital money. We are a global company doing business in 160 countries and jurisdictions, deeply embedded in over 700 cities and serving about 200 million customer accounts with hundreds of products and services,” declared Sianturi. 

In Asia, Citi has over 7 million digital banking registered users. Nearly 98% of all transactions in this region now take place outside the branch, or via non-branch channels. That’s roughly 20 million digital banking transactions a month in Asia – and the trend is expected to double in five years.

Closer to home, 47% of its customers in the Philippines are registered users of digital banking. Over the last decade, Citi has seen consistent growth in terms of the number of users of both the Citibank Online and Citibank Mobile Banking platforms year on year. 

“Indeed, we have seen an increasing shift to mobile usage, with customers using our Mobile App and mobile browsers to make Funds Transfers and Bills Payment on their mobile devices,” says Tan. “At Citi, we want our clients to have a remarkable experience each and every time they choose to pay with our credit cards. Our investments in the digital space, and partnership with trusted payment solutions provider MasterCard, afford us the opportunity to deliver again and again on this promise.”


About Citi

Citi, the leadng global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. 

Additional information may be found at : 
Website:  www.citigroup.com 
Twitter: @Citi 

Story and Photo by Janet Marie Caducio (Arts Travel Magazine)

April 28, 2015

Arielle Orella, Most outstanding athlete from NCR all geared up for Palaro 2015

Armed with clubs, hoops, ribbons and a ball, the Rhythmic Gymnastics team of the National Capital Region (NCR) rigorously trains at the gymnasium of Jose Abad Santos High School. Amidst them is a soft-spoken girl who has been the crown jewel of the team after bagging the title of “Most Outstanding Athlete” in last year’s Palarong Pambansa.
Arielle Orella, 16-year old NCR Rhythmic Gymnastics athlete, is all set to compete in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa."

Meet Arielle Nichole G. Orella - a girl whose demure façade is not to be underestimated since she is a frequent in the first place-winners platform in every Palaro that she has competed in. At the age of seven, Arielle was enticed to enter the world of rhythmic gymnastics after watching older girls in her elementary school perform the graceful sport. 

It takes Arielle three (3) months of intensive training to perfect a routine. “If we don’t have any classes, our training starts from morning until afternoon, 7am to 4pm. When there were still classes, training starts from 3pm to 6pm. Our only rest day is every Sunday, but when there is an upcoming competition, there is no such thing as a ‘rest day’,” she said. 

Through the capable hands of her coaches, the dedication and determination that she has been giving out in her trainings, Arielle has been reaping gold after gold in the hopes of one day becoming the Philippine representative in international competitions. “I want to be part of the National team because I want to compete again internationally to represent our country.” said Arielle, referring to her experience in the recent ASEAN School Games.

In college, Arielle wants to take up Physical Education in preparation for a coaching career. “Gusto ko rin pong magturo din ng Gymnastics at mag-coach ng mga batang athletes. That is my dream.”

The champ’s message for inspiring gymnasts out there? - “Never be afraid to try the craft you really want, don't ever think of giving up and lastly, strive for your higher dreams to be an inspiration to others.”

She and the NCR team will be competing next week in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

As continuing journey to enable the Filipino digital lifestyle, Globe partners with WhatsApp !

Globe partners with WhatsApp, offers free access with a prepaid promo or postpaid plan subscription

In another revolutionary move to sustain its leadership in the mobile data business, Globe Telecom has forged a partnership with WhatsApp to allow customers to enjoy free access to the mobile messaging app with a prepaid promo or postpaid plan subscription.

Available to prepaid and postpaid customers, free WhatsApp enables users to enjoy real-time messaging and voice calling without data charges on any Globe prepaid promo or myLifestyle Plan subscription starting April 30, 2015. 



Prepaid customers registered to any of their favorite text, call or surf promos such as GoSakto, GoUnli25, GoUnli20, and GoSurf as well as postpaid customers on myLifestyle Plan can avail of free access to WhatsApp. With free WhatsApp, Globe customers can exchange text and video messages, create messaging groups, and send each other unlimited images without having to pay any extra amount on top of their current prepaid promos or monthly service fees (MSF).

Simultaneous to the launch of the partnership, WhatsApp also recently introduced its WhatsApp Calling feature that allows users to make and accept calls, decline or respond to calls with a message, use a speakerphone and mute the microphone feature. 


“At Globe, we are proud to be partnering with global companies to give our customers the best digital experiences on their devices. WhatsApp is a leading global messaging company, and we are very excited to announce our partnership with them, which coincides with the global introduction of the new WhatsApp calling feature,” says Dan Horan, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Group at Globe.

“As part of our continuing journey to enable the Filipino digital lifestyle, we have collaborated with WhatsApp to let our customers enjoy free access to one of the world’s leading messaging apps with a prepaid promo registration or postpaid plan subscription. With WhatsApp, users can enjoy free calls, texts and photo sharing with other WhatsApp users anywhere in the world without worrying about their data charges or the need to look for Wi-Fi spots. Just register to your favorite prepaid promo or get a myLifestyle Plan and avail of free WhatsApp only from Globe,” says Issa Cabreira, Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing.

“With the new WhatsApp Calling feature, our 800 million users can easily call their friends all over the world,” said Brian Acton, Co-Founder of WhatsApp. “We’re excited to be partnering with Globe to enrich everyday communications for Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.” 

WhatsApp is a cross-platform, real-time mobile messaging application that allows millions of people around the world to stay connected with their friends and family. To access free WhatsApp, customers can just download the app and use it free of data charges instantly.

Aside from free WhatsApp, prepaid and postpaid customers can also enjoy free access to Facebook by subscribing to their favorite Globe promos. 

In 2014, Globe led the industry in mobile data business with revenues and data traffic growing faster than competition, on the back of its partnerships with global players and better network experience to provide compelling content that enrich the Filipino digital lifestyle. 

Mobile browsing and other data revenues reached P14.3 billion in 2014, up 23% from P11.6 billion in the previous year, giving Globe a clear edge over competition with 64% revenue market share. 

The Globe network also carried significantly higher data traffic at 87,000 terabytes of data, increasing 270% from the previous year because of a significant surge in mobile browsing activity and higher smartphone adoption among its customers. With its network modernization, Globe has greater capacity for data traffic that translates to better experience for its customers.

Enjoy SAKURA Season at Tokyo Bubble Tea

Shopping. Malling. Relaxing. Refreshing. Everytime we give time to activities especially, winter, summer or spring. One of the most beautiful sights in the world is the blooming of cherry blossom trees in Japan when spring comes. It’s such a gorgeous sight that even the Japanese themselves cannot get enough of. For hundreds of years, they have been celebrating Hanami which is when they have picnics under the cherry blossom trees to look at flowers.


Every year, people from all over the world fly to Japan just so they can experience Hanami and see the cherry blossoms themselves, but not everyone can just drop everything, pack their bags, and jet off to the land of the rising sun!

Sakura season here in the Philippines, with Japanese cherries or sakura make up a tree with cherry blossoms.
This is why we at TOKYO BUBBLE TEA have decided to bring the SAKURA SEASON to you!

Spring often makes people think of blooming flowers and cool weather. Feel the spring vibe when you take a sip of our SAKURA JCC MILK TEAS!
Sakura Strawberry Milk Tea
Tokyo Bubble Tea JCC

Try the Sakura Royal Milk Tea, Sakura Strawberry Milk Tea, and Sakura Taro Milk Tea! These bubbly beverages will surely quench your thirst as they feature a Sakura spin on the typical Tokyo Bubble Tea JCC!

I had Sakura Strawberry Milk Tea, very refreshing, it comes with bubbles, pearls in brown sugar syrup. Light and not so sweet, super right...but something new in it. 


SAKURA BENTO TRAYS

For all the grumbling tummies, get ready for the SAKURA BENTO TRAYS.

Have Hanami at our stores by chowing down on the Sakura Soy Ginger Fish, Sakura Chicken Katsu, and Sakura Ebi Furai with Hamburg. Each tray comes with a main course, miso soup, fried rice, 

Sakura salad and Sakura maki that were made especially for the season!

Sakura Ebi Furai with Hamburg.

What’s great about the Sakura JCC Milk Teas and Sakura Bento Trays is how well they go together!



The awesome customers who will mix and match these trays and drinks will get to pick a prize from our special Sakura tree which is overflowing with exclusive Tokyo Bubble Tea merchandise including super cute plush toys and snazzy tees featuring our three favorite Bubblets, Sakura, Midori, and Ichiban! 

You can also get some awesome vouchers which you can use to satisfy your rumbling bellies at Tokyo Bubble Tea!

Our Sakura Season menu will be available for a limited time starting April 15, 2015!

TOKYO BUBBLE TEA SM MEGAMALL

LG/F SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Tel: 638-7479
Operating Hours: Sun-Thurs, 10AM-9PM | Fri-Sat, 10AM-10PM

April 27, 2015

Thrilla in Manila II: Experience the Fight of the Century LIVE at the Big Dome

40 years after the historical Ali-Frazier boxing match held at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Thrilla in Manila fever is back, as the world stops to witness another mega-fight.


Experience the epic Pacquiao-Mayweather bout at the Big Dome on May 3 at 9 AM via live feed, provided by official media partner TV5, through its approximately 30-foot giant screens!

Watch it in bigger-than-life action via the Cube – the specially-built high resolution giant screens that guarantee image clarity from all angles of the coliseum, making it impossible to miss every single blow from clashing titans of the ring.

The paying audience is definitely in for a humongous treat as it promises to give them the actual thrill of watching from the ringside of MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas!

Expect another scorching show from The People's Champ with NO COMMERCIAL BREAKS through the country's mecca of sports and entertainment – the historic Araneta Coliseum, home to the most exciting sporting events for more than 50 years.

Buy your tickets early and for every purchase, get a free ticket to the 2015 Commissioner's Cup Finals of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Promo runs from April 15 to April 22.

Tickets for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight are now for sale. For inquiries and ticket purchases, log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555.

For more information, visit www.aranetacenter.net and www.facebook.com/aranetacenter for more information.

EPSON joins 'Portraits of Love” advocacy event in support for children with Cancer

Digital imaging leader Epson Philippines recently joined a group of volunteers with their continuing support for the ‘Portraits of Love’ advocacy to once again bring smiles to the faces of children afflicted with cancer.



Organized by renowned photographer Pilar Tuason and in cooperation with the Kythe Foundation, ‘Portraits of Love’ is a recurring initiative designed to give children with cancer a magical day full of laughter and love. The most recent event was held at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.


“It’s always a joy to be a part of such a worthy endeavour. We are thankful to be here,” said Epson Philippines Corporation’s Head of Marcom & PR, Donna V. Ferro. 

“It’s a small offering – a print out of the portraits of the children with their parents. And yet, witnessing how the faces of the children light up when we give their photos to them is a profound experience. We’re happy to be part of the team that made their day even a little bit brighter,” Ferro added.

The Kythe Foundation is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed toward improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The Foundation has provided psychosocial support to over 8,000 children with cancer and other chronic illnesses and their families since 1992.

April 26, 2015

Bounty Fresh joins Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015 on July 26, 2015 at SMX Aura, Taguig, Philippines

Bounty Fresh supports Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015. 

According to Ms. Joan Clarice N. Caccam, Assistant Brand Manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), Bounty Fresh Chicken is a brand under the Bounty Fresh Group of Companies (BFGC), a privately owned company operating in the Philippines. BAVI and its sister company, Bounty Fresh Food Inc. supplies live chicken, dressed chicken, and various processed chicken products nationwide. Bounty Fresh Chicken was awarded "Asia's Best" in 2009 Asian Livestock Industry Award in Malaysia and is the most-liked chicken brand in the Philippines. It has over a million likes in one of the leading social media platforms, Facebook. 

This year the brand has launched its new online campaign, #DiskarteNaMayArte. This campaign aims to celebrate the Bounty Fresh Moms out there who always find creative and resourceful ways to make homemaking extra special for their loved ones.

Joan Clarice N. Caccam, Assistant Brand Manager, Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc and Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, CEO, TAG Media & Public Relations


Bounty Fresh supports Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015 because it acknowledges the powerful role of digital media in reaching and interacting with its customers and brand lovers. At Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015, different top executives will join together to share the future of Online Marketing in the Philippines and in Asia Pacific region with the following points:

• The digital economy of the Philippines
• Positioning the Philippines as a gateway from East to West and West to East
• Is the Philippines ready to be a cashless society?
• Disrupting tradition and embracing innovation
• Technology and Entrepreneurship driving inclusive growth
• Micro - multinationals E-commerce connecting SMEs to ASEAN and beyond


Partial list of speakers are as follows:

•    Constantin Roberts - Managing Director, Zalora Philippines
•    Earl Valencia- Head Corporate Development/Innovations, Smart Communications
•    Kristian Melquiades- General Manager, Viber Philippines
•    Donald Felbaum- Managing Director, Optel
•    Richard Upton- President, John Robert Powers Asia
•    Donald Lim- Chief Digital Officer, ABS CBN
•    Janette Toral- E Commerce Advocate, Digital Club Filipino
•    Robert Yupangco- President, Yupangco Group of Companies
•    Chinkee Tan- Best Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Radio Host and Wealth & Wellness Coach
•    Rebecca Bustamante Mills- CEO, Chalre Associates & President, Asia CEO Awards
•    Mikel Yaw- CEO, Elabram Systems Group
•    Carlos Celdran- Brand Ambassador, Tour Guide
•    Maria Camille Montejo- CEO, NWSteel Technologies & Tree Top Adventure Inc.
•    Pocholo Gonzales- CEO, Creative Voices Productions
•    Tanya Llana- Marketing & Sales Director, Victoria Court
•    James Jimenez- Director, Commission On Elections
•    Lloyd Luna- CEO, Lloyd Luna Corporation
•    Jonathan Luzuriaga- President, Philippine Software Industry Association
•    Lewis Hong- Web Consultant, Xyxon Singapore
•    Kim Bernardo Lokin- Managing Editor, Business Class Magazine

For more information, you may visit www.asiadigitalmarketing.ph. For partnership and sponsorship, you may contact TAG Media & PR at 09166299381 or at grace@asiadigitalmarketing.ph

Burning facts about sunscreens

Most of us are aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen, especially in the Philippines where the sun’s ultraviolet radiation levels are usually high. But with many sunscreen options available in the market today, it can be confusing to choose the right product.


“Sunscreens shield our skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. However, not all products labelled with sunscreen claims effectively do their job. Some can also irritate the skin and trigger allergies. People need to pay attention to the sunscreen’s ingredients and labels to ensure safety,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Here are some essential sunscreen facts:

SPF ratings affect sunscreen effectiveness. SPF means “Sun Protection Factor,” which refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation over a period of time. Overexposure to UVB rays can cause sunburn. A sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 94% of UVB rays while SPF 30 can block about 97% UVB. Higher SPF rating means higher UVB protection. However, SPF ratings do not make that much of a difference as they increase—SPF 50 can block about 98% of UVB, which is just faintly lower to the 98.9% UVB protection of SPF 90. No sunscreen product can also provide 100% protection from UV rays.

Sunscreens with Broad Spectrum SPF protect against UVB and UVA rays. A sunscreen with SPF may be effective in shielding the skin from UVB rays but it may not be strong enough to block UVA rays, which are linked to deeper skin damage, like skin cancer and early skin aging. Sunscreens that provide protection from both UVB and UVA rays have Broad Spectrum SPF. These products pass the FDA’s broad spectrum test, which measures the sunscreen’s magnitude of overall protection. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with a Broad Spectrum SPF rating of 15 or higher.

Sunscreens may contain ingredients that can irritate the skin or trigger allergies. Dermatologists discourage the use of sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and benzephenones, which are linked to skin discoloration and skin cancer. Products with alcohol, fragrances and preservatives must also be avoided by people who have sensitive skin, especially toddlers and babies. Children 6 months or older are also advised to use kid-friendly sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher. 

“Water-resistant” is different from “waterproof.” Sunscreens with “waterproof” labels are misleading because all sunscreen products can only stay effective in water for up to 80 minutes. Since these products are water-resistant for a limited period of time, people need to reapply them regularly, ideally after every two hours of swimming.

Sunscreens are essential for year-round skin protection. The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin even during rainy season. Although people are not directly exposed to the sun, its UV rays can also come through the clouds. 

“Sunscreens don’t necessarily provide protection from the sun but from the UV rays that are emitted by the sun. People should make it a habit to wear sunscreens regularly to keep themselves protected from sunburn, melanoma and other skin diseases. It will also help them prevent premature skin aging,” advises Dr. Montoya.

MediCard Skin and Body offers modern aesthetic treatments for a healthy, glowing and younger looking skin. Visit its Skin and Body Clinics at The MediCard Lifestyle Center, Festival Mall and Centris. For more information, visit http://medicardphils.com



Global Study : Research Reveals Make-or-Break Business Attributes To Keep Pace With the Up and Coming “Information Generation”

Global Study: Business Leaders Admit
We’re Not Ready For The Digital Future”


NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
  • New global research from Institute For The Future peers into the psyche and impact of the Information Generation
  • Leaders (96%) believe new technologies have forever-changed the rules of business, democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations
  • Business leaders agree on Top 5 “make-or-break” business attributes essential to keep pace with the Information Generation
  • Research shows very few organizations doing the following extremely well and organization-wide: 9% innovate in an agile way; 12% can predictively spot new opportunities; 11% deliver personalized experience; 12% operate in real-time, and 14% demonstrate transparency and trust
  • Leaders admit to limits on current ability to make use of data: 30% are able to act upon their information in real time; nearly 50% admit to not knowing how to get value from their data; 24% consider themselves “very good” at turning data into useful insights and information
  • Forecasts major economic, technology, information consumption and privacy shifts of an entirely data-driven future by 2024

Whether we’re working, keeping fit, learning, playing, purchasing online or watching TV, we are making new digital demands of the businesses with which we deal. 

A new study, The Information Generation: Transforming The Future, Today, explores the impact of a growing global community of digital citizens. These individuals are always connected and engaged online, and have the world’s information at their fingertips. They also view the world very differently. Based on input from 3,600 Director-to-C-Suite business leaders across 18 countries, the study reveals new expectations of these individuals and identifies the fundamental business attributes critical for organizations to successfully compete and thrive in this new landscape.

Ronnie Latinazo
Country Manager, Philippines, EMC
Not surprisingly, nearly every (96%) business leader surveyed believes new technologies have forever changed the rules of business. 

In addition, 93% reported that recent technology advancements are resetting customer expectations, and nearly all say this will accelerate over the next decade. The top reported customer expectations are faster access to services, 24/7 and “everywhere” access and connectivity, access on more devices, and a more unique personalized experience.



The Quest To Redefine: Fundamental Business Attributes For The Future
Due to new Information Generation-driven demands, businesses agree that transformation is critical. To be a disruptor – and not disrupted – business leaders have identified five “make-or-break” business attributes, all of which have information at their core:

  1. Predictively spot new opportunities in markets
  2. Demonstrate transparency and trust
  3. Innovate in agile ways
  4. Deliver unique and personalized experiences
  5. Operate in real time

While business leaders agree these attributes are high priority, they admitted that very few have thoroughly embodied them. Specifically, when asked whether they address these attributes both very well and company-wide, only 12% said they can predictively spot new opportunities, 9% innovate in agile ways, 14% demonstrate transparency and trust, 11% deliver personalized experience, and 12% operate in real-time.

In addition, by 2020 more than 7 billion people on at least 30 billion devices will have created 44 zettabytes of data (or 44 trillion gigabytes), according to Gartner and IDC respectively. This is rapidly leading to a world in which nearly every element of life will be data-driven. While businesses know they can get value from this data, 49% admit to not knowing how to turn all of their data into actionable information. This includes:
  • Even though 70% say they can gain insights from data, only 30% are always on and able to act upon their information in real time, and are unable to achieve this very well and company-wide
  • 52% admit they do not use their data effectively or are drowning in information overload
  • Only 24% consider themselves “very good” at turning data into useful insights and information

While companies brace and prepare to meet evolving customer expectations, the world is evolving at an equally rapid pace. Institute For The Future has forecasted major macro shifts in how technology will continue transforming the world by 2024. There are strong signals of a move toward a world in which nearly every element of life will be data-driven. Individuals and corporations will sell, donate and trade information on open exchanges. Inanimate objects will spring to life all around us, becoming more aware, responsive and connected. Decision-making will be enhanced by artificial intelligence in ways never seen before. Information will be communicated and absorbed through multiple human senses.

Customers will be able to better control their own privacy through new tools. In this new world order, value will shift from products and services to the information they generate. 


Executive Quotes

“The Information Generation is demanding more from the organizations they interact with,” said David Goulden, CEO of EMC Information Infrastructure. “Businesses ‘born of the cloud’ are driving this shift in expectations, and mature businesses must redefine themselves to adapt and remain relevant.” 

“Our mission is to provide practical foresight for a world undergoing rapid change – and to help turn insights into action,” said Rachel Maguire, Research Director at Institute for the Future. 

“It’s critical that we systematically explore the longer-term implications of an age in which information is at the center of everything we do, continually re-conditioning us in ways we still have yet to imagine. The world’s most information-savvy organizations – if they ready themselves – will lead one of the most significant transformations in history.”



Methodology

The research was conducted by Institute for the Future and Vanson Bourne on behalf of EMC. Vanson Bourne surveyed 3,600 business leaders across 18 countries from mid-size to large enterprises in nine industries to determine top business imperatives required for success today and over the next decade. Institute for the Future led the creation of the study to identify and forecast the imperatives and shifts in the new digital world. The research questionnaire and imperatives are based upon in-depth interviews and workshops with 40+ influential global decision-makers and experts across multiple industries, with a diverse mix of academic, industry, nonprofit, and think-tank leaders.

About EMC
EMC Corporation  is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset – information – in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com.

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