198 join Regional Selection Camp, 3 boys and 1 girl from Puerto Princesa are first qualifiers for Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp April 24-26

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Three boys aged 13 and an 11-year old girl emerged as the first qualifiers for the National Training Camp of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 presented by Alaska in Palawan Sunday, February 22.

 The three boys and one girl who will represent Palawan in the National Training Camp of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 presented by Alaska in April. L-R: John Patraic Tinbancaya, Gerald Dagot, Mary Nicole Carlos and Jazeel Jared Trinidad.

The four standouts were chosen from a field of 198 participants in the first Regional Selection Camp of the NBA league’s international youth basketball program which was held at the Seminario de San Jose in Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa February 21 and 22.

On the first day, boys and girls aged 10 to 14 underwent vitals tests, basketball drills and skills tests, aptitude and endurance challenges and learned the Jr. NBA core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect. The top performers of Day 1 returned on Day 2 for more basketball drills and exercises and were given the chance to display their basketball savvy via scrimmages.

At the end of Day 2, Jan Patraic Tinbancaya from Palawan State University, Jazeel Jared Trinidad and Gerald Dagot from Palawan National High School and Mary Nicole Carlos from Palawan State University were chosen as the four players who would represent the region at the National Training Camp, the high point of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program.

Action was fast and furious in the Jr. WNBA competition.

The young players impressed Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Camp Director Chris Sumner who said: “We had a nice turnout and the the three boys that we got were very talented. They were very versatile and athletic and I’m excited to see them grow. I think they have a good chance to compete for the All-Stars. As for the young lady, she is is awesome. She would cut to the offense, and cut to the defense. I’m excited about what she can do in Manila.”

Competition was intense in the scrimmages of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Regional Selection Camp in Puerto Princesa.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Regional Selection Camps will be held next in Biñan, Laguna this weekend (February 28-March 1), then Iloilo (March 7-8), Baguio (March 14-15), Bacolod (March 21-22), Davao (March 28-29) and lastly, Manila (April 11-12). The Selection camps are run by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach and Camp Director Sumner assisted by Alaska Power Camp Director Jeffrey Cariaso and other Alaska coaches led by PBA legend Topex Robinson.

The chosen players in Palawan and the other selection camps will join the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp that will be held in Manila from April 24-26. The NBA’s international developmental basketball program first came to Palawan in 2012 and returned in 2014. A local Palaweño, Paul Harley Dagunan of San Miguel National High School was chosen as a Jr. NBA All-Star in 2012 and is now playing collegiate basketball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars who will embark on a unique, overseas NBA experience together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia. The Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will also be announced at the National Training Camp which will be attended by NBA talents.

The program is free and open to boys and girls between 10 and 14 years old.

Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA event website www.jrnba.asia/philippines, where full program terms and conditions can be found. Fans can follow Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines.

For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philsnba) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/nba_philippines).

Pro Earth Run 2015: Run the Race for Mother Earth

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In its Global Climate Risk Index 2015, Germanwatch listed the Philippines as one of the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2013.

It also reconfirmed that "less developed countries are generally more affected [by extreme weather] than industrialized countries, and forewarned that “if mitigation efforts are not immediately taken, the world will continue heading down the path towards dangerous climate change.”

Is it a downward spiral from here? Prayerfully, NO.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” said Chinese Philosopher Lao-tzu. So is the race to protect, respect, and oversee care for Mother Earth.

To increase awareness on environmental responsibility and raise funds for Earth Day Network Philippines' continuing projects and programs, do join the PRO Earth Run on 25 April 2015, 4:30AM, Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City. To register, simply click the link below.

Let's all run the race for Mother Earth!

In the Name of Mobile Commerce Lazada.com.ph unveils the Filipino purchase behaviour through mobile commerce

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Shopping online is certainly an efficient and effortless way of getting what you want, where you want it, and when you want it – or so most Filipinos think. But as the country’s biggest names in telecommunications strive towards improvement in providing mobile internet solutions – take the case of telco giants such as Smart - which just recently announced free internet to its subscribers, as well as Globe – which aggressively pushes its mobile internet bundles; it has become undeniable that M-Commerce (Mobile Commerce) has reached the Philippine shores in one way or another.

In a recent study made by the market research firm TNS, 53% of all respondents from Metro Manila already own a smartphone. For 2015, it is estimated that the Philippines will still witness a 22 percent year-on-year increase in smartphone adoption (as cited in the recent report of IDC) coupled 42 percent increase in the sales of smartphones (as cited in the recent report of GfK), thus making M-Commerce more and more viable and conducive amongst Filipinos.

While the M-Commerce infrastructure is definitely booming, Filipinos are now adopting the mobile lifestyle wherein everyone is living on a faster-paced lifestyle and mobile phones are becoming a survival tool more than just a communication accessory.

Headlining the group is Lazada.com.ph, which has launched its mobile app early 2014 and is now working relentlessly towards energizing M-Commerce in the Philippines while keeping its effortless and risk-free shopping promise intact.

M-Commerce Fast Facts from Lazada.com.ph:

·         Mobile traffic constitutes more than 50% of daily traffic of Lazada.com.ph;

·         Since its launch in early 2014, the Lazada Mobile App downloads have grown 18% month-on-month on iOS and Android;

·         Each Mobile App and Mobile Browser user spends an average of 5 minutes shopping online;

·         Mobile App users shop more regularly and make more purchases per year;

·         60% of those who shop via mobile are female customers  between the ages of 24-35;

·         Most mobile users shop during their lunch breaks (in the hours of 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and before they go to bed (in the hours of 9:00 PM -10:00 PM);

·         Fashion, Health and Beauty, Electronics, as well as Home and Living items are currently the most search and bought items via mobile

Energizing the Mobile Commerce in the Philippines:

Being at the forefront of E-commerce in the Philippines, Lazada.com.ph has been actively taking steps towards educating and encouraging more and more Filipinos to purchase via their smartphones. Key initiatives are dedicated deals and discounts exclusively applicable to the Lazada Mobile App as well as partnerships with reputable brands to further encourage downloads and usage of the Lazada Mobile App.

This February 25, Lazada.com.ph will embark on a new initiative to further energize M-Commerce in the country by staging its first Mobile Power Sale. The Mobile Power Sale is a one-day-only event exclusive to the Lazada Mobile App shoppers.

The Lazada Mobile Power Sale:

This February 25 (Wednesday), Lazada.com.ph will continue to energize the mobile commerce sector as it stages its first shopping campaign exclusive only through the Lazada Mobile App. For one-day only, the Lazada Mobile App will be doing a flash sale for iPhone 6 carrying a pricetag of PhP 27,999, the Cherry Mobile Me Vibe at PhP 2,999, the Meizu MX4 at PhP 12,000 and its best-selling powerbanks at PhP 499. Also, Lazada.com.ph will be giving away tons and tons of exciting prizes for Lazada Mobile App shoppers on Feb 25.

Lazada(www.lazada.com.ph) is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns. Lazada mobile applications for Android, iPhone and iPad provide additional convenience to its consumers’ allowing them to shop anywhere, anytime.

"Birdman" was the big winner of the night at the Oscars 2015

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The Oscars 2015, the 87th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honored the best films of 2014 and took place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

"Birdman" the genre-defying art house film was the big winner of the night at the 87th annual Academy Awards.

Aside from the best picture, "Birdman" also won for cinematography and original screenplay, and the film's director, Alejandro González Iñárritu, won the directing Oscar.

Other winners included Common and John Legend for their original song "Glory" from the film "Selma," the Polish film "Ida" for best foreign film, and "Big Hero 6" for best animated feature.

Here’s a list of the evening’s recipients in full:

Best picture

WINNER: Birdman

American Sniper

Boyhood

The Imitation Game

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best actor

WINNER: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything

Steve Carell for Foxcatcher

Benedict Cumberbatch for The Imitation Game

Bradley Cooper for American Sniper

Michael Keaton for Birdman

Best actress

WINNER: Julianne Moore for Still Alice

Marion Cotillard for Two Days, One Night

Felicity Jones for The Theory of Everything

Rosamund Pike for Gone Girl

Reese Witherspoon for Wild

Best Director

WINNER: Alejandro González Iñárritu for Birdman

Richard Linklater for Boyhood

Bennett Miller for Foxcatcher

Wes Anderson for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Morten Tyldum for The Imitation Game

Best animated feature film

WINNER: Big Hero 6

The Boxtrolls

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Song of the Sea

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Best supporting actress

WINNER: Patricia Arquette for Boyhood

Laura Dern for Wild

Keira Knightley for The Imitation Game

Emma Stone for Birdman

Meryl Streep for Into the Woods

Best supporting actor

WINNER: JK Simmons for Whiplash

Robert Duvall for The Judge

Ethan Hawke for Boyhood

Edward Norton for Birdman

Mark Ruffalo for Foxcatcher

Achievement in costume design

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel – Milena Canonero

Inherent Vice – Mark Bridges

Into the Woods – Colleen Atwood

Maleficent – Anna B Sheppard

Mr Turner – Jacqueline Durran

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel – Frances Hannon, Mark Coulier

Foxcatcher – Bill Corso, Dennis Liddiard

Guardians of the Galaxy – Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou, David White

Best foreign-language film

WINNER: Ida – Paweł

Tangerines – Zaza Urushadze

Leviathan – Andrey Zvyagintsev

Wild Tales – Damián Szifrón

Timbuktu – Abderrahmane Sissako

Best live-action short film

WINNER: The Phone Call – Mat Kirkby, James Lucas

Aya – Oded Binnun, Mihal Brezis

Boogaloo and Graham – Michael Lennox, Ronan Blaney

Butter Lamp – Wei Hu, Julien Féret

Parvaneh – Talkhon Hamzavi, Stefan Eichenberger

Best documentary short subject

WINNER: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 – Ellen Goosenberg Kent, Dana Perry

Joanna – Aneta Kopacz

Our Curse – Tomasz Sliwinski, Maciej Slesicki

The Reaper – Gabriel Serra

White Earth – Christian Jensen

Achievement in sound mixing

WINNER: Whiplash – Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, Thomas Curley

American Sniper – John T Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, Walt Martin

Birdman – Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Thomas Varga

Interstellar – Gary Rizzo, Gregg Landaker, Mark Weingarten

Unbroken – Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, David Lee

Achievement in sound editing

WINNER: American Sniper – Alan Robert Murray, Bub Asman

Birdman – Aaron Glascock, Martín Hernández

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Brent Burge, Jason Canovas

Interstellar – Richard King

Unbroken – Becky Sullivan, Andrew DeCristofaro

Achievement in visual effects

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WINNER: Interstellar – Paul J Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter, Scott R Fisher

Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Dan Deleeuw, Russell Earl, Bryan Grill, Daniel Sudick 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett, Erik Winquist

Guardians of the Galaxy – Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner, Paul Corbould

X-Men: Days of Future Past – Richard Stammers, Lou Pecora, Tim Crosbie, Cameron Waldbauer

Best animated short film

WINNER: Feast – Patrick Osborne, Kristina Reed

The Bigger Picture – Daisy Jacobs, Chris Hees

The Dam Keeper – Robert Kondo, Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi

Me and My Moulton – Torill Kove

A Single Life – Joris Oprins

Best production design

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel: Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock

The Imitation Game: Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana Macdonald

Interstellar: Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis

Into the Woods: Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock

Mr Turner: Suzie Davies, Charlotte Watts

Achievement in cinematography

WINNER: Birdman: Emmanuel Lubezki

The Grand Budapest Hotel: Robert D Yeoman

Ida: Lukasz Zal, Ryszard Lenczewski

Mr Turner: Dick Pope

Unbroken: Roger Deakins

Achievement in film editing

WINNER: Whiplash – Tom Cross

Boyhood – Sandra Adair

The Imitation Game – William Goldenberg

The Grand Budapest Hotel – Barney Pilling

American Sniper – Joel Cox, Gary Roach

Best documentary feature

WINNER: Citizenfour – Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky

Finding Vivian Maier – John Maloof, Charlie Siskel

Last Days in Vietnam – Rory Kennedy, Keven McAlester

The Salt of the Earth – Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, David Rosier

Virunga – Orlando von Einsiedel, Joanna Natasegara

Best original song

WINNER: Glory from Selma – Lonnie Lynn (Common), John Stephens (John Legend)

The Lego Movie – Shawn Patterson (Everything Is Awesome)

Beyond the Lights – Diane Warren (Grateful)

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me – Glen Campbell, Julian Raymond (I’m Not Gonna Miss You)

Begin Again – Gregg Alexander, Danielle Brisebois (Lost Stars)

Best original score

WINNER: Alexandre Desplat – The Grand Budapest Hotel

Alexandre Desplat – The Imitation Game 

Hans Zimmer – Interstellar

Jóhann Jóhannsson– The Theory of Everything 

Gary Yershon – Mr Turner

Original screenplay

WINNER: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo – Birdman

Richard Linklater – Boyhood

E Max Frye, Dan Futterman – Foxcatcher

Wes Anderson, Hugo Guinness – The Grand Budapest Hotel

Dan Gilroy – Nightcrawler

Adapted screenplay

WINNER: Graham Moore – The Imitation Game

Jason Hall – American Sniper

Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice

Anthony McCarten – The Theory of Everything

Damien Chazelle – Whiplash

Honda presents the future of scooters - Honda Click 125i

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Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI)

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) officially announces that the scooter of the future has arrive and introduce this Saturday afternoon the New Honda Click 125i, dubbed as the “future of scooters” during the product presentation held at the Activity Center, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City. 

Join the evolution as the future is here, the New Click 125i - driven by the Power of Dreams.

The Honda Scooter revolution continuous from the unique concept of Honda Zoomer-X which is the 1st scooter of its kind to Honda CLICK 125i which is another Philippines’ 1st scooter of its kind never seen before in Philippine market.

The new Honda Click 125i presents an aggressive and sporty design with a sleek and innovative look based on the image of the new engine featuring cutting-edge technology and an exhilarating ride, while projecting a “slim & sharp” futuristic image”. 

This model will surely capture the hearts of every Filipino customer not only for the young generation but for the young at heart as well.

Equipped with New Generation Intelligent 125cc global engine with cutting edge technological features developed simultaneously with other Honda-dominated-scooter countries like Thailand and Indonesia. 

Elie Salamangkit Jr., New Model & Accessory Development Manager of Honda Philippines

Elie Salamangkit Jr., New Model & Accessory Development Manager of Honda Philippines said “the Click 125i is our answer to customers who are looking for Environmental friendly Super Sports Scooter with superior specification, unbeatable features and “futuristic” design. Fortunately for Philippine scooter market, we are not going to wait for the future, but the future will be now with the introduction of the New Click 125i eSP”.

PGM-FI, a technology pioneered by Honda since the introduction of Honda CX500Turbo in 1982, the 1st in the world Fuel Injected Motorcycle is also used in this model. However, the innovation is not focused on the Fuel injection of this scooter.

Every aspect that was developed in the Click 125i is Honda's effort in providing products that delivers better benefits and exceeds customer expectations.

Honda’s dedication to provide the Joy of riding a motorcycle is clearly demonstrated in the use of the revolutionary HONDA SMART TECHNOLOGY. 

The Click 125i brings future technology to the present with cut-away innovations never seen before in the local motorcycle history such as Enhance Smart Power (eSP), Idling Stop System (ISS) and trendsetter Combined Brake System (CBS).

While it does not have a “sixth sense” and cannot predict your thoughts or where you want to go, the Click 125i, has its own version of eSP and knows what riders want from their scooters.

Honda’s eSP or Enhanced Smart Power is an advance engine technology that combines high power and high fuel efficiency with a quiet start and smooth eco-friendly engine. eSP technology is able to maximize the efficient combustion and minimize friction to reduce the risk of waste, and to optimize the energy out. eSP technology is integrated with the Unique Honda ACG starter that is able to start the engine jolt free and with a more refined sound, as well as the basis for the application of advanced feature Idling Stop System (ISS). The benefit of Honda Smart Technology is further optimized with the advent of technology Combi-Brake System (CBS) which balances braking the rear wheels and front optimally.

The Honda ACG starter is exclusively developed for comfortable frequent operation of the idling Stop System. The engine is started via the same AC generator used to generate electricity and charge the battery while riding. This eliminates the need for a conventional starter motor, thus there are no reduction gears and gear meshing noises… just smooth, quiet starts.

The PGM-FI built-in Liquid cooled engine boasts of 8.40 kW (11.4PS) @8500 RPM maximum power and 11.16 N.m @6500 RPM maximum torque and delivers class leading fuel efficiency of 64.3 km/liter at 50kph or 58.9KM/liter under ECE R40 testing method *<Actual fuel consumption may be higher or lower depending on drivers habit and actual driving condition>. 

The Idling Stop System (ISS) of the Click 125i is one of the reasons for its fuel efficiency. Compared to the conventional engine which continuously consumes fuel once the engine is started, ISS eliminates wasteful fuel consumption by automatically switching the engine off after 3 seconds in traffic lights and other brief stops; and when you have to move all you have to do is just to twist the throttle to Start up and Go in less than a second.

In addition, the New Honda Click 125i eSP also features dependable Honda Safety and Security features like standard automatic Side Stand Switch where the engine does not start up when in the down position, and Brake Lock easily operated to prevent the motor jump when started or remains in the idle state when stopped on a hill. Bigger tubeless tires for better traction and more secure feeling and comfort compared to other brands. Another excellent feature is the ever reliable safety magnetic key (Magnetic Key Shutter) which effectively prevents theft and push-button seat opener. The New Honda Click 125i eSP also has the largest luggage capacity in its class at 18 liters which is capable of storing a Full-face helmet.

Image of this Futuristic Super Sport Scooter is complemented by its Trendsetter LCD Meter Panel and class leading Dual Keen Eyes LED Headlight projecting a commanding “Night-Face-Image”. The LED headlight provides a better advantage for the rider through 80% higher light intensity, 80% more efficient power consumption, and longer lifetime. 

Finally, the Adoption of a wide range of low-friction technologies and Excellent Combustion Efficiency of this engine ensures Click 125i’s better fuel efficiency and better total all-around performance. 

With the latest technology and appearance, the All New Honda Click 125i is offered at a reasonable price of SRP PhP 87,900.00 and available in 3 premium colors, Pearl Horizon White, Asteroid Black Metallic and Candy Rosy Red with Honda Genuine Accessories in selected Honda 3S shops.

For more information, visit www.hondaph.com: