June 14, 2014

Healthway gets two nods from Reader’s Digest Asia


Healthway Medical officials give their biggest smiles upon receiving the Reader’s Digest Asia Most Trusted Brand for Ambulatory Clinics Platinum Awards and Marketing Excellence Award. Photo shows: (L-R) Sue Carney, Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific Editor-in-Chief; Joven Alcala, Healthway Medical Marketing Manager, Myrna Sison, Healthway Medical VP for Finance; Carmie De Leon, Healthway Medical VP for Sales and Marketing; Eleanor Bengco-Tan MD, Healthway Medical President; Femina Agcopra, Healthway Medical VP for Clinic Operations; Eva Preciosa Aquino CPA, MSA, PhD Asst., Healthway Medical VP for Finance and Shared Services; Karl Aaron Dimaano, Healthway Medical Asst. VP for Business Development, Lyndon Patrick Dayrit MD, Healthway Medical Medical Director, Golda Camille Go, Healthway Medical Marketing Communications Head; and Elspeth Baker, Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific Marketing Manager.

Gifted Experiments


For the past two years, the Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp has been giving talented children around the country the chance to show their talents on the big stage.


These children proved to be even more talented when some of them performed outside the so-called big stage. Nathan, Fitri, and Karl awed passersby with their talents as they performed in BGC and Eastwood.

The audience didn’t know they were in for a show until these three kids captured their attention with their performances. Children can only truly reach their potential if their talents are nurtured properly.

Witness more talents develop on Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp Season 3, as they showcase the journey of exceptionally talented preschoolers with the help of their parents, proper environment, and proper nutrition with Promil Pre-school.

Watch these exceptionally talented children as they perform a piece we grew up with.


Exceptional talent always shines best when shared!

Watch the bigger and brighter Promil i-Shine Talent Camp 3 on ABSC-CBN starting June 28!

#NurtureTheGift

June 13, 2014

The best moments of the 68th Tony Awards on Lifestyle Network this Saturday

The Lifestyle Network is giving its viewers a special treat!


Here's another chance to catch the stars and performances of what is known as Broadway's biggest night. The 68th Awards is set to air anew on June 14, Saturday, at 10pm.

Known as the time of the year to honor Broadway’s greats, many are still seeking to turn their senses toward the 68th Tonys, which boasts of scenes straight out of Braodway’s best stage plays and moving words and music.

Expect to catch much talked about performances from this year’s host, movie star and theatre veteran Hugh Jackman. Apart from Jackman, numbers were delivered by the likes of Sting, Jennifer Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Idina Menzel, LL Cool J, Jessie Mueller, James Monroe Iglehart, and many more.

The 68th Tonys also combined some of the most talked about musicals and plays in one grand night. Catch scenes from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Muder, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Les Miserables, Wicked, Rocky, Cabaret, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Violet, Bullets Over Broadway, If/Then, After Midnight, and Aladdin, to name a few.

Particularly for the best musical win, the recent Tonys particularly showed a tight race among Tony voters. 

Catch the action and quench that Tonys thirst this Saturday (June 14) at 10:00pm as the 68th Tony Awards airs on the Lifestyle Network (SkyCable channel 52).

For updates, visit the Lifestyle Network’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LifestyleNetwork).

Singapore Airlines celebrates Independence Day at NAIA 1

Singapore Airlines, the world's most awarded airline, once again celebrated the Philippine Independence Day at Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday June 12, 2014 by bringing the festivities to departing passengers at the check-in counter for SQ917.



Passengers and airport staff were treated to traditional Filipino song and dance performaces while giveaways were distributed.



Last Christmas SIA surprised passengers in Manila with special Christmas gifts from Santa Clause About fifty (50) of SIA’s airport crew and staff presented songs and dance performances that passengers really enjoyed. 

According to Ms Rita Dy, SIA Manager for Marketing Communications & Services, this adds more color to the festivities, namely Philippine Independence Day, Valentines' Day, Christmas season, and other national holidays we celebrate.

Known as premium service in the sky, Singapore Airlines' Independence Day celebration showcased the airline's commitment to creating new ways to delight and warm the hearts of its passengers.

June 11, 2014

Children of Multiple Intelligence

We are all familiar with the “intelligence quotient,” or “IQ,” the way that intelligence is measured on Gardner's test.

There are seven main areas in which all people have special skills, Howard Gardner calls them intelligences. 

Current research indicates that the only limit to one's intelligence is what the individual believes is possible and how his or her behaviors either foster or limit his or her intelligence.

The traditional theory of intelligence has helped create a mindset or paradigm as to what "smart" or "intelligent" is, who has potential or ability to be smart, and how we can or cannot become smart. This has clearly influenced current educational practices. It is still common educational practice to use the score from standardized intelligence tests to qualify children for various special programs. It is assumed these tests measure intelligence accurately and meaningfully.

Current research on the brain, learning and human intelligence from a variety of disciplines, including medicine, cognitive sciences, and education has provided information with profound implications to education. 


When speaking of “intelligence,” most people only think of academic aptitude, such as readiness towards schoolwork or getting high grades. Thus, parents say their child is “smart” when he or she lands the top of their class. But with the advent of ‘multiple intelligence’ – the simplistic definition of intelligence no longer holds. 

Now more people are realizing that true intelligence covers a broader spectrum of an individual’s capabilities.

A new context of ‘smart’

The concept of Multiple Intelligence was first introduced by Dr. Howard Gardner, an educational psychologist at Harvard University who explored the topic in his book Frames Of Mind. Dia Kagaoan, psychologist, licensed teacher, entrepreneur and SPED educator, trained under Dr. Gardner himself when the latter came to the Philippines in 1985. Dia explains that according to Gardner’s theory, there are multiple ways that a child can be smart, and to date has listed nine categories of intelligence. “From the standpoint of early childhood development, the most relevant types on this list can be narrowed down to three: Brain Smart, People Smart, Body Smart,” she says.

Dia says a child has the capacity to achieve holistic development if provided with suitable instruction, encouragement, and nutrition.

Not settling for one

Margaret Maraña 
From an early age, Margaret Maraña has exhibited a predisposition towards advanced development. She mastered the concept of numbers up to the thousands at the tender age of 3. In less than ten days, she was able to memorize the multiplication table at the rate of one table a day. She loved poetry and story books. By age 5, she could easily point out places like Pretoria or the tiny Pacific and Atlantic islands on the world map. She was also a competent dancer who responded well to choreography. Today, aged 6, she handles academic material two levels advanced.
But it turns out Margaret had another strength which will actually lead to further developing her other smarts. Early on, her mother Lila noticed that her daughter had the ability to hold people enthralled.

“She actually developed conversational speech late. What I didn’t get was how she was able to make friends so easily without saying a single word.” Everywhere they went, Margaret would always come away with two to four new friends. Once, at the beach, Lila was shocked to discover upon returning to their cottage after a brief errand, that everyone in the vicinity already knew Margaret by name. “I saw her playing in the sand with kids I hadn’t met. Some people were assisting her and buying a cone of ice cream for her. I don’t know how she does it.”


Lila observed that as Margaret became more sociable, she participated more actively in her dance classes showing more confidence with the way she moves. It was also mentioned to her that Margaret had become more participative in class. As a mother, Lila came to realize that developing one smart can help enhance other smarts and with this, she continuously makes an extra effort to further support her child’s growth.

As a motivated mom, Lila shares that she truly invests a lot in Margaret’s overall development – she gives her only the best. She enrolled her child in the one of the best schools in the metro and even got her child involved in different extra curricular activities during the weekends. “When I saw that Margaret showed interest in dancing, I enrolled her to one of the top dance class studio recommended by my mommy-friends.” 

To add, Lila admits that when it comes to purchasing products for her child, she is the type to always go for the superior quality products especially if recommended by credible personalities that she looks up to.

“I make decisions thinking that I have to make sure that my child becomes her best. And the way I see it, the more I invest in superior quality things, the more returns both my and my child get.”

A valuable player

Dia’s first son, Jiad Arroyo, showed a predisposition towards physical activities early on. “He was always running outdoors and moving around. At 5 or 6, he was already insisting on playing basketball with the adults.” Once when he was 4, Jiad jumped into the deep end of the pool and failed to surface that his aunt had to pull him out. “While most kids would be upset and crying, Jiad’s response was: ‘Why did you pull me out? I was already swimming my way up!’” 

To provide an outlet for this unlimited energy, Jiad’s parents bought him a bicycle. While other kids his age drove precariously on trainers, Jiad had his uncles remove the training wheels and rode his bike with such gusto that his mom had to cut socks into tubes to make him elbow and knee pads to protect him from the rough and tumble. As he got older Jiad qualified on a baseball team based in Alabang. Later he also tried Taekwondo, and won gold medals for his efforts. Eventually, Jiad got a scholarship as a basketball athlete.

With an athletic scholarship, Dia told her son that as she supports him in his journey as an athlete, he should not forget that he is a student first before an athlete thus he should put as much effort in his academics as he is honing his skills in different sports. “Jiad used the discipline he learned in sports to perform better academically.”

“His friendliness and easy going attitude got him a lot of influential friends. His coaches and sponsors were always opening new opportunities for him because they liked him. As a supportive mom, I would always remind him that opportunities and blessings will keep on coming as long as he values them and as long as he is consistently good in school as he is good inside and outside the court.”

Harness the power of multiple intelligence

According to the theory of Multiple Intelligence, genetics, culture, and how the child is raised influence intelligence. Dia says,


“Good nutrition is vital to the holistic development of the child.” 

Lila couldn’t agree more. “I don’t believe a person’s success is dependent on good grades. That’s just one part of it. All the other intelligences – like the way they respond to people or using their bodies to communicate competence are all equally important.” One of her commitments is making sure that her daughter limits junk food intake, eats more fruit, greens and protein, and drinks the right milk. “Our pediatrician only recommended Progress Preschool Gold. At first I had thought that all milk formulas were the same – I was wrong.”

The new Progress Preschool Gold now comes with its best ever Gold Biofactors System (vs previous formulations) that comprises higher DHA, Lutein and choline- to help build a child’s multiple intelligence. For Dia, whose kids, including Jiad, were also raised on Wyeth milk products, educating parents on the role good nutrition has in making a child ready for multiple intelligence is very important.

“We should train up a child in the way he should go,” Dia says. “And if you are a smart mom, you should know that with a competitive environment, it is best to support a child’s multiple intelligence because if your child excels in all smarts, then he will always be steps ahead from the rest.”

About Wyeth Nutrition
Wyeth Nutrition, formerly Pfizer Nutrition, is part of Nestlé S.A. Wyeth Nutrition develops premium-quality nutritional products scientifically-designed to meet the needs of infants and young children, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. As pioneers in infant nutritional science, our mission is to provide the best nutritional support for future healthy outcomes. For nearly a century, Wyeth Nutrition has leveraged clinical rigor, scientific research, world class manufacturing and product safety standards to drive scientifically-sound solutions that offer parents confidence, help nourish children and support their healthy futures.

Working Mom magazine and Barbie magazines present their back-to-school issues for the whole family

Working Mom magazine and Barbie magazine prove that this is a month to welcome new experiences with open arms as both titles present their back-to-school issues this June 2014.


In this latest issue of Working Mom magazine,  Maricel and Anthony Pangilinan share the secrets to a happy marriage, successful kids, and getting through a chaotic day—the perfect story to kick off a hassle-free school year for the family. 

Working Mom’s back-to-school special goes into baon that can be made in minutes, bags that are good for the kids’ backs, cute rain-proof shoes, and out-of-the-box lunch buddies.

This issue also dishes out tips on beating morning madness to acing those tough subjects. 

The magazine also celebrates Father’s Day with a feature on hot celebrity dads like Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach, plus awesome gifts that are sure to make the daddies out there very happy. 

In the latest back-to-school special of Barbie magazine, kids can read up on how to head back to school the fun way after the summer holidays, presenting fashionable bags and accessories to gear all the little girls up for the classes to come. 

Barbie magazine also knows how there is nothing more fun than getting back together with friends after a long break—so it’s best to make the most of that. Join the cheerleading squad and design uniforms in one section to kick start the kids’ creative juices. Plus, don’t miss the movie section all about the Barbie film, Princess Charm School.

This month’s issue also tells a story entitled “Rhapsody in Buttercream,” an episode of “Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse,” where Barbie is found baking cupcakes to win a bet with Teresa to prove she’s not a klutz in the kitchen. Read up on how the story will play out this June.

Grab a copy of Working Mom magazine and Barbie magazine. Both presented by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. Working Mom and Barbie are available at leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. 

Balls Channel to broadcast 2014 FIFA World CupTN live from Brazil




As the official broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World CupTM that is set to take place in Brazil, Balls Channel will be bringing the Filipino audience straight into the stadiums through the small screen as it airs all 64 matches live beginning Friday (June 13).

Football fans will catch the action as it happens from the Opening Match of the tournament until its Final Match, as the channel lets beautiful game take center stage once more.

The top 32 football nations shall compete in this month-long tournament after having advanced through qualification competitions that started in June 2011. Balls Channel is set to broadcast no less than the world's best football players in the pursuit of what is considered the highest honor in the world’s most popular sport—the FIFA World CupTM Trophy.

The opening ceremony will be aired on Friday (June 13) at 2:15am, prior to the Opening Match between the host nation Brazil and Croatia at 4:00am.

Apart from all this, Balls Channel is bringing football fans “Touchline,” a daily news show solely dedicated to the FIFA World CupTM—including match results, analyses, and fan reaction in 30 action-packed minutes. “Touchline” will start on the same day that the 2014 FIFA World CupTM kicks off, on Friday (June 13) at 6:00pm.

Stay tuned for the 2014 FIFA World CupTM matches as Balls Channel airs them live along with “Touchline,” the perfect companion for any football fan. For updates and schedules, visit Balls Channel’s official Facebook site (www.facebook.com/BallsChannel) or follow Balls Channel on Twitter (@BallsChannel).

June 10, 2014

NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite returns to Manila

2014 NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors will headline this year’s event and be on hand to help run clinics and interact with fans.

NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite returns to Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall from July 4 – 6, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Sprite announced today. 

Now in its fourth year, the event combines exciting 3x3 on-court competition with free authentic NBA entertainment and experiences for fans of all ages.

Join the fun with NBA 3X Philippines 2014 to celebrate basketball and NBA culture with free fan activities including a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, 3-point shootouts, skills challenges, autograph sessions, and more.

To keep fans entertained, there will also be performances by an NBA dance team, an NBA mascot, live bands and DJs, as well as NBA merchandise giveaways. 

DeRozan guided the Raptors to a 48-win season—the team’s most successful regular season campaign ever—and helped steer them back into the Playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 NBA Season. DeRozan led the team in scoring (23.9 ppg) and minutes played (40.3 min) during their postseason run.

“I’m excited for my first visit to the Philippines to experience the country’s unique culture and to be a part of NBA 3X,” said DeRozan. “Filipinos are world-renowned for their passion for the NBA and I can’t wait for this exciting showcase of their basketball skills.” 

The competitive 3x3 tournament features divisions for boys under-18, under-16, and under-13, and for girls under-18 and under-16. The event will also include open categories for both men and women along with an invitation only Celebrity Division featuring popular local TV and music personalities. Registration for NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite begins June 6, on a first-come first-serve basis, and runs till June 27 or until all slots are full. NBA 3X Philippines 2013 saw record levels of demand with more than 170 teams on the waitlist vying to get a spot into the tournament. As a result, the Philippine International Convention Center will once again be utilized as a secondary venue to accommodate the teams. 

“NBA fans in the Philippines have been treated to a historic year of activities with the staging of the first-ever NBA preseason game in Southeast Asia in Manila, followed by the opening of NBA Cafe Manila—a first-of-its-kind NBA destination,” said Carlo Singson, Philippines Country Manager, NBA Asia. “With the return of NBA 3X Philippines presented by Sprite, we continue our goal of providing our loyal supporters with authentic ways to engage with the NBA, be it through events, television programming, NBA.com or social media.”

Leading the Coca-Cola Company’s brand association with the NBA is Sprite, the world's leading lemon-lime sparkling beverage and the Philippines' no. 1 flavored soft drink. Sprite has been the Official Soft Drink of the NBA in the U.S. since 1994.

“In a country where both Sprite and street basketball are tremendously popular, we are glad to be able to support programs that encourage people to play basketball, stay physically active, improve strength and endurance, achieve energy balance, and drink Sprite,” said Teejae Sonza, Marketing Manager for Sparkling of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Sprite has been the presenting partner for NBA 3X Philippines since its launch in 2011 and we look forward to another great event for the entire family to enjoy.”

Along with presenting partner Sprite, official partners of NBA 3X Philippines 2014 include adidas, Smart Communications and PLDT, KFC and Phoenix Petroleum, with Acer and Spalding serving as supporting partners. Official NBA broadcasters are ABS-CBN Sports + Action and Basketball TV.

All participants of the NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite will receive a jersey and NBA sling bag. There will also be prizes for the winner of each division. Registration fees for the age divisions run at Php1,000 per team, and for open divisions at Php1,600 pesos per team.

For more information on NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite and to register for the 3x3 tournament, log on to www.nba3x.com/philippines.

Fans can also get updates on the event by following the NBA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nba_philippines and through Facebook at www.facebook.com/nba3xasia and www.facebook.com/philsnba.

Yahoo-On-the-Road’ bus touring schools showcasing nominees of the Band of the Year and Emerging Band categories

Voting is finally on! The Yahoo Celebrity Awards is officially open! Vote for your favorite celebrities until July 12, 12 noon.

‘Yahoo-On-the-Road’ bus, the new Yahoo Celebrity Awards activities, touring schools showcasing nominees of the Band of the Year and Emerging Band categories.
Yahoo-On-The-Road Bus on PUP (Photo: http://instagram.com/p/pAmGwcMJXB/)

The bus is fully geared for fans to engage with the bands, cast their votes and request performances.

The first stop of the ‘Yahoo-On-the-Road’ bus held at the Polythechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) yesterday, Monday June 9, 2014.



Yahoo encourages all fans to vote for their favorite celebrities at yahoo.com.ph/celebrityawards. Voting opens now until July 12, 2014. Users can follow the awards on Twitter at @yahooph #YahooAwards and “Like” the Yahoo Philippines Facebook page

Find more on Yahoo Celebrity

Yahoo Celebrity Awards rolls out the purple carpet for you on July 18 at Mall of Asia Arena. Grab your free tickets at SM Tickets. 

The Yahoo Celebrity Awards is supported by leading brands in Philippines, including McDonald’s, KakaoTalk, PLDT HOME Bro Ultera, JAG Jeans and Emperador Light.

photos: @myrns.roman

“Protect the Goal” kicks off in the Philippines

Global football-based HIV prevention campaign headlined by the Philippine football national team, Azkals, targets youth at risk.

Protect the Goal, the football-based HIV prevention campaign will officially be launched on June 22, 2014 during the opening of the LoveYourself Anglo, a new free HIV testing community center along Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas.

Protect the Goal, the football-based HIV prevention campaign that has swept the world with its sports-oriented approach to promoting HIV testing and safer sex behavior, has kicked off in the Philippines.

The campaign ultimately seeks to help lower the risk of HIV transmission among the Filipino youth, specifically among young Filipino men. In the Philippines, 71% of new infections since 1984 were in young people and that two-thirds of high risk young people actually do not know their HIV status.

First launched at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the campaign has since been replicated in other Southeast Asian countries, and has now been launched in the Philippines led by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and local partner, the Philippine Football Federation. The campaign also draws multi-sectoral support from partners such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and advocacy group LoveYourself.

Azkals campaign

Protect the Goal hopes to reach out to young Filipino men through football, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and through role models they can look up to, professional football players.

“Protect the Goal wants to tap into the convening power of football and the positive influence of the Azkals to promote HIV testing in the Philippines. Football has grown tremendously in the Philippines for the last few years and the AFC sees this as a good opportunity to help promote relevant causes such as HIV prevention,” says Urs Zanitti, regional coordinator for the Protect the Goal campaign in Asia.

“In the Philippines, most of the people who get infected are young men and we feel that many young men look up football players. We hope that through the example of the Azkals, we can encourage young Filipinos to take a more proactive stance in their health, especially in relation to HIV.”

Protect the Goal promotional materials will be visible during Azkals games. These should help encourage young football fans to take the HIV test through free clinics such as the new LoveYourself Anglo community center along Shaw Boulevard near Ortigas, or any other HIV testing centers.

Organizers partnered with LoveYourself to launch the campaign during the opening of the advocacy’s second community center, LoveYourself Anglo, which provides free and confidential HIV testing and counseling services primarily for young Filipino men. A 3-minute walk away from Starmall in Ortigas, LoveYourself Anglo is accessible to young people living in the center of Metro Manila who would want to take an HIV test, and will be serviced by trained volunteer counselors and government-funded medical professionals

Youth at risk

ADB says the Protect the Goal campaign comes at a critical juncture in curbing the rise of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth in the Philippines and the region. 

“While today’s generation of young people in the region is generally healthier and better educated than in the past, sexual and reproductive health and HIV are often overlooked aspects of their well-being. Added to this is that HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs often don’t reach young people,” says Dr. Susan Roth, senior social development specialist at ADB.

She says the Protect the Goal campaign will increase awareness among young men on risky behavior that will put them in danger of contracting HIV/AIDS. It will also educate them on prevention and testing options that are available to them.

UNAIDS says that while the world has made great leaps in fighting the spread of HIV, certain countries like the Philippines require special attention due to their alarming rate of new infections.

"Globally, progress has made in reducing the number of new HIV infections, getting people living with HIV on treatment and reducing stigma and discrimination. However, much still has to be done, including for the Philippines, one of nine countries reporting a disturbing trend of over 25% reported new infections since 2009,” says Bali Bagasao, country director at UNAIDS Philippines.

“We welcome the partnership with ADB and PFF to raise HIV awareness, encourage young people in particular to commit to HIV prevention; and to underscore the need to ensure that all people living with HIV who are eligible for life-saving antiretroviral treatment can access it by 2015."

Bagasao says the Philippine campaign is aligned with the Global campaign to ‘Protect the Goal’ launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sdibe to get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, through the power of football. 

“There is something about the sport that brings people together. Football inspires camaraderie and teamwork. Getting a goal through in football is a huge challenge, but it can be done if players work together as a team. This is the same in the HIV prevention campaign. Preventing the spread of HIV is a big challenge, but if we all work together as a team, we can protect the goal of bringing new infections down to zero,” adds Zanitti.

Positive peer influence

The campaign is also hoping to gain traction by tapping into the deep community bonds that form the fabric of Filipino society. Supporters who want to get involved in the campaign can take the HIV test and then use positive peer influence to encourage their friends to do the same.

“Young people influence each other and we hope to influence them through messages delivered by their peers, like the players of the national football team. If we can get them to get tested, we can give them advice on how to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV through the counseling process.”

“If people get tested, they can share their experience with their friends and peers and encourage them to get tested as well,” says Zanitti.

About AFC

AFC is the governing body of football in Asia. AFC and its 47 football associations in Asia care about football but at the same time also AFC wants to use the power of football to contribute to the social development of people. In the Philippines, AFC works with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to launch the Protect the Goal campaign and other initiatives.

About ADB

Over the past decade, ADB has invested more than 50 million USD in projects which address the issues of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, with the focus on tackling HIV and AIDS risks and vulnerabilities along economic corridors. 

The Government of Sweden provided around 19 million USD through the “Cooperation fund for fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific” trust fund. The objectives were to produce more data on the extent and nature of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, to support policy dialogue, and fund innovative solutions to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

ADB co-financed the Protect the Goal campaign in the amount of 250,000 USD, guided the overall implementation strategy, brought together NGOs with the AFC and UNAIDS, and facilitated the partnership. 

About LoveYourself Anglo

To avail of free HIV testing and counseling services, visit LoveYourself Anglo at 715-A Shaw Boulevard, 3F Units 2-6 in Mandaluyong City. It is located at the back of Star Mall and a 3-minute walk from Shaw MRT Station. Or visit loveyourself.ph to know more and schedule an HIV test. 

About LoveYourself

Volunteers of LoveYourself live by the mission of embracing and nurturing self-worth, inspiring others, and creating ripples of positive change in the community. They work together to create a model community of men who have sex with men (MSM) and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines through various services, including free HIV testing and counseling. Through the unwavering courage and dedication of its volunteers, the organization was recognized nationally as one of the finalists to the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in 2013.

Grateful and honored Jessica Soho for being Philippines Most Trusted News Presenter for 2014 by Reader’s Digest Asia

Jessica Soho, journalist, broadcaster and GMA Network’s vice president for News Programs often shares her story about being an “accidental journalist,” but her long list of achievements including the distinction of being announced as the Philippines Most Trusted News Presenter for 2014 by Reader’s Digest Asia is certainly no coincidence.
Jessica Soho
“It’s always a proud moment for me to go up on stage and receive my award. I’m grateful because Reader’s Digest is such an influential and respected magazine,” says Soho in an interview.

"Trust is a very big honor in itself but I know that it's also a major responsibility," she added.

Sue Carney, Editor-in-Chief, Readers Digest Asia Pacific and Jessica Soho
She credits the Digest for getting her hooked on reading and shared how she would even borrow her aunt’s magazines since her family couldn’t afford their own subscription back then.

The veteran broadcaster’s latest honor is featured in the June 2014 special issue of Reader’s Digest.

Voted for by consumers, Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand Awards have been given to brands excelling in various fields for the past 16 years.

Soho is widely regarded as the most awarded broadcast journalist in the country and her long list of awards includes two George Foster Peabody Awards for her investigative reports “Kidneys for Sale” and “Kamao.” The Peabody Awards are considered the Oscars of broadcast journalism. 

Initially planning to study law, Soho met journalist Luis Beltran at the UP College of Mass Communications, and he inspired her to finish Mass Communications.

During the mid-80s, fresh from college, just after finishing with her undergraduate thesis when she joined the GMA team.

Soho is the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story for her account of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley. She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and is included in the list of 100 Filipino Women of Distinction.

With almost three decades of experience as a journalist, Soho has set the bar for quality reportage in Philippine broadcasting. Her trademark straight-to-the-point style of interviewing guests and reporters provides viewers with in-depth analysis and insights on local and international issues.

Apart from GMA News TV's flagship newscast, State of the Nation, Soho also hosts the award-winning weekend news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Award 2014, Recognizing the products that make a difference

For business, trust is a form of currency, underpins the perceived value a brand enjoys. If a product doesn't deliver what it promises, or what it has done on previous occasions, then there are many alternative products waiting to lure away its customers. But when a brand does deliver, consumers feel a sense of trust and are more likely to support it – and to continue buying it in the future. 

Once trust is established, it becomes an instinctive response – the consumer buys the brand without so much as a second thought because it is "their" brand.

Trust, the difference between succeeding and building the legacy of a company. Much like any kind of relationship, something that is not so easily achieved, yet has become invaluable in today's rapidly changing landscape. 

For consumers, a trusted brand makes their lives easier and gives them peace of mind, hence they are even willing to pay a bit more for the products they trust.

For business, this is the ultimate vote of confidence. While reputation is based on past experiences, trust is a forward-facing measure, and is imbued with expectation, promise and satisfaction. Once gained, it is its own reward.

Consumers have high expectations. A trusted brand must be genuine, reliable and consistent. A trusted brand enjoys international appeal, yet at the same time upholds a strong local connection. It has individual relevance for all its consumers, just about anywhere and in any culture.

Consumers take a lot of things into account such as cost, quality and desirability. But the survey also revealed that staying true to its promise is just as important. Trends give rise to a lot of new brands that quickly capture our attention, but only those who stay true to their core principles are the ones that win over consumer trust.

Now on its 16th year, Reader’s Digest Asia again conducts its Trusted Brands Survey approaching ordinary consumers to seek their opinions about the brands of products and services are important to them.

The grand awarding ceremony was held on June 4, 2014, at the CROWNE PLAZA MANILA, with Readers Digest Asia editor in chief Sue Carney and Readers Digest Group Advertising Director for Asia Pacific, Sheron White handing out the awards to the top executives of the winning brands.

Backed with years of experienced research, Reader’s Digest confidently dissects what features a trusted brand must possess in order to maintain relevance and purpose for Philippine consumers.

Being ranked on the Trusted Brand list is a great achievement, but maintaining this ranking involves a genuine commitment to protect and fulfil the promises made to the consumer. It means ensuring the quality doesn't drop. It means that great taste stays the same. And it definitely means delivering the same value and consumer satisfaction year in and year out, while always remaining open to innovation and reinvention – a task easier said than done.

Together with leading global market research company Ipsos, the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands surveyed five thousand individuals from across five of Asia’s Key Markets including the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan.

The respondents included Reader’s Digest subscribers as well as selected individuals to reflect the demographics of the general population. Each respondent was required to complete a questionnaire or participate in a mail or online survey. Ipsos asked each participant to tell us the name of their most trusted brands and then rate those brands listed on the following attributes: trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value understanding of consumer needs innovation and social responsibility.

Gold Trusted Brand Awards are given to brands that scored significantly higher than their rivals while brands that performed exceptionally, winning their category with a score that vastly outpolled their nearest competitor receive the Platinum Trusted Brand Award. 


Asia’s Trusted Brand Award, meanwhile are given to brands that win the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand award in the same category for at least three countries surveyed.

The results present a captivating and transparent analysis of consumer confidence in brands driving the Philippines economy as well as the other economies surveyed.


June 8, 2014

Original Soundtrack of "Walking on Sunshine" to be released on June 26, movie in Ph cinemas on July 2nd

The Power Of Love,  Don’t You Want Me?, Walking On Sunshine, Eternal Flame, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Wild Boys, and more greatest pop hits of the 80's are here in this album.

Sony Music is proud to announce the release of the original motion picture soundtrack of the musical Walking on Sunshine. The stars of the film, including a global superstar, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Leona Lewis, perform the hottest hits of the 80’s. The movie is a romantic musical, full of fun and packed with highly recognisable songs, the story of a threesome tangled in love at a holiday location in Italy. 

This musical film includes the greatest pop hits of the 80s, making for the perfect soundtrack, with an irresistible line-up of songs that make it impossible to sit still while listening. Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me”, a #1 single in the UK and US, sets up the theme of romantic hope. Madonna’s unforgettable hit “Holiday” is just right for singing along (“celebrate!”) in the cinema or at home. And if anyone is in doubt about the film’s fun factor, then Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” makes things as clear as they could be. There are some quieter, soulful tracks too – “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles is one, and a beautiful, soft rendering of the Roxettes’ “It Must Have Been Love” is another – but the dominant mood is punchy and upbeat. “Wild Boys” gets a raunchy performance, full of energy. “How Will I Know?”, a smash hit for Whitney Houston, is a funky, foot-tapping song of a love-struck girl, and with the powerful female vocals of “Venus”, you have to agree with the lyrics: “Yeah, baby, she’s got it!” This pyrotechnic parade of top tracks is rounded off by Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”. All of these numbers are performed with real verve by the stars of the film cast.

A highlight of the film is the appearance of the multi-award winning and Grammy-nominated Leona Lewis, who makes her debut in movies in Walking on Sunshine, performing on the soundtrack and in the film itself. She came to attention in 2006 as the winner of The X Factor in the UK and has released two studio albums, the mega-selling Spirit in 2007 and Echo in 2009. Her international breakthrough single, “Bleeding Love”, received five awards. She has released ten singles, four of which have reached number one in various charts.

Walking on Sunshine has all the makings of a sing-along cult film à la Mamma Mia – thanks to its charming story and locations, fine acting, and above all its stellar soundtrack, an unbeatable compilation of 1980s hits. No-one could fail to smile, move to the rhythm and tap their feet with these songs.

ABOUT THE FILM

Directed by Max and Dania (the duo behind one of the most successful UK independent films of all time – StreetDance 3D), it stars Leona Lewis, Katy Brand, one of the UK’s top woman comedians, and Greg Wise, an actor renowned for his work in BBC drama, alongside rising stars Annabel Scholey and Hannah Arterton, plus Giulio Berruti in the role of gorgeous man, this is a film for a girls’ night out. After a whirlwind romance, Maddie is preparing to marry Raf and has invited her sister Taylor to the wedding in Italy. What Maddie does not know is that Raf is Taylor’s ex-holiday flame, and the love of her life. And that is only one of many bumps along the film’s road to happiness.

The film is locally distributed by Pioneer Films, and the Philippine theatrical release is July 2nd. 

Here's the Walking on Sunshine soundtrack track listing:

1. Holiday
2. Venus
3. How Will I Know?
4. The Power Of Love
5. Don’t You Want Me?
6. Walking On Sunshine
7. Eternal Flame
8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
9. Wild Boys
10. It Must Have Been Love
11. Faith
12. White Wedding
13. If I Could Turn Back Time
14. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Three dancers of Ballet Philippines will represent the Ph in the International Ballet Competition to be held in USA and Bulgoria

Ballet Philippines, the country’s premier classical and contemporary dance company proudly announces the participation of three company members to compete in two prestigious international ballet competitions in USA and Bulgaria.

Victor Maguad and Jemima Sanielle Reyes will represent the Philippines in theUSA International Ballet Competition to be held in Jackson, Mississippi from June 14 – 29, 2014. 

Monica Amanda Gana will represent the Philippines in the 26th International Ballet Competition - Varna 2014 to be held at the Open theater Varna in Bulgaria from July 15 - 30, 2014.

Victor Gamosa Ursabia, director of the Ballet Philippines Dance School is coaching the three dancers and will be accompanying them to both competitions abroad.

Jemima Sanielle Reyes
Jemima Sanielle Reyes started dancing at the age of 3 at the Lilibeth C. Trinidad Dance and Exercise Center in Cabanatuan City. She graduated from the Philippine High School for the Arts, Majoring in Ballet, in 2011. She joined the company as an apprentice at the age of 16 and was promoted to junior company member a year after. She performed the principal role of Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty for the CCPDance School. For the company she has essayed significant roles such as Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty, Prinsesa in Crisostomo Ibarra, and Gintong Usa in Alice Reyes' Rama Hari. Jemima was a finalist at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2009, she placed 8th at the first Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in 2011 in Hong Kong, and she was a semi-finalist at the 2012 Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.

Victor Maguad
Victor Maguad started dancing at the age of 7, training under the supervision of Luther Perez, Tony Fabella and Eddie Elejar at the Manila Dance Center where he was given a chance to join Ballet Philippines' production of Shoes++ in 2000. He played Michael in Edna Vida's Peter Pan in 2001 and essayed John when the production was restaged in 2010.

He joined the CCP Dance School in 2004 as a full scholar at the young age of 11 under the tutelage of Noordin Jumalon. His passion for dance and his exceptional technique brought him to dance various male variations such as Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Florimund in the Sleeping Beauty and the male variation in Paquita. In 2007, he competed at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and won 3rd place in the Juniors Ballet category. Later that year he performed in the Philippine Festival in Japan.

Monica Gana
Monica Amanda Gana started her formal dance instruction at the age of 8 under the guidance of Toni Lopez Gonzalez. In Steps Dance Studio she continued to train in Contemporary Modern, Jazz and the classical ballet syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She was trained and took classes with Sofia Elizalde, Raul Sauz, Eurica Balagtas, Jeffrey Espejo, Anna Villadolid, Jun Saagundo, James Laforteza and Max Luna III. Monica placed first in the Junior Category of the 2011 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Ballet Competition and eighth in the 2012 Asian Grand Prix International Ballet competition in Hong Kong. Monica attended Alvin Ailey’s 2011 Summer Intensive Workshop and the 2012 American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive Workshop in New York City. She is now studying in the College ofSaint Benilde taking a degree in Dance. 

Ballet Philippines’ Candice Adea and her partner Jean Marc Cordero competed at the 2010 USA IBC. Candice Adea won the silver medal in the senior women's division and won first place at the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.

THE USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION which has been held every four years since 1979, provides an opportunity for dancers to test themselves against recognized international standards of dance excellence; to showcase their technical skill and artistic talent; to provide a forum for communication and intercultural exchange; and to educate, enlighten and develop future artists and audience support for the art of dance. The two-week competition is where tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals, cash awards, scholarships and jobs. It can be an invaluable stepping stone to a dancer’s career. 

For this year, there will be a total of 99 dancers representing 20 countries composed of 57 senior competitors (ages 19-26) and 42 juniors (ages 15-18).

Established in 1964, the INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION - VARNA is one of the world’s first professional ballet competitions. In spite of the many ballet competitions created in the world, none other can rival the Varna Competition in terms of quality and prestige, well illustrated by its discovery and consecration of stars such as Vladimir Vassiliev, Natalia Makarova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patrick Dupont and Sylvie Guillem. The quality of the performances throughout the event, the high degree of technical skill from the competitors and the demands of the jury are so great that the competition has been nicknamed “The Dance Olympics”.

Good luck to Jemima Sanielle Reyes, Victor Maguad and Monica Amanda Gana!

For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call BalletPhilippines at 551-1003. 

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Twitter: @balletph
Instagram: @balletphilippines

Photo credits: The headshots were taken by Jojo Mamangun and the performance photos are by Victor Gamosa Ursabia.


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