Over 3,500 educ stakeholders come together to support K to 12

Over 3,500 educators, parents, and students from the National Capital Region (NCR), Region IV-A (CALABARZON), and Region III (Central Luzon) gathered at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to celebrate the milestones of the K to 12 Program and to express support for its continued implementation. 

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of collective efforts in education, saying, “Sama-sama nating isusulong ang sinimulan nating K to 12 Program; at isang bansa nating iaangat ang antas ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas.”

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “Kailangan nating siguraduhin na ang iiwan natin sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na ang kabataan ay ang mga reporma na magbibigay sa kanila ng kahandaan.”

“Walang hamon na hindi nahahanapan ng solusyon; walang hamon na hindi nagkakaroon ng sagot. Ang pusong Pinoy ay nakikita natin sa ating mga guro na handa para sa ating kabataan,” he added. “Bago mag-umpisa ang isang programa ng gobyerno, naghahanda na tayo para rito.” 

“Sa atin pong pagsusulong ng K to 12 reform na pang-limang taon na po, marami ang nagsasabi na hindi raw handa ang Pilipinas. Wala namang pangmatagalan na reporma na walang oposisyon. Kung may oposisyon, kasama ito sa demokrasya. Pinapakinggan po natin ang lahat ng boses, pero ang mga boses na kailangan nating isulong ay ang mga boses na para sa kabataan,” Luistro said. 

“Ito na po ang huling milya sa ating marathon. Kitang-kita ko na po ang bunga; kitang-kita ko na ang finish line. Ipaglalaban natin na ang Pilipino, kapag sama-sama, kayang-kaya natin. Napatunayan na po natin iyan,” he added. 

DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera said, “Marami pa ang kailangang gawin pero sa tulong ng bawat isa sa atin, magiging magaan ang ating pagtahak sa landas ng K to 12 para sa isang magandang kinabukasan sa ating kabataan.”

National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Dingdong Dantes stated NYC’s support to the K to 12 Program, saying, “Bilang komisyon na tumatayo at nagtataguyod ng karapatan ng kabataan, naniniwala kami na ang programang ito ay magbibigay daan sa mas matibay na pundasyon ng edukasyon sa ating mga kabataan.”

“Ang edukasyon ay responsibilidad ng lahat at hindi lamang ng iisang tao,” Dantes added. 

With the title “Sa K to 12: Kayang-kaya, sama-sama,” the event aims to engage education stakeholders in strengthening everyone’s commitment in education for Filipino learners.

The K to 12 experience

“Kung gusto natin ng pagbabago, mag-umpisa tayo sa kabataan, mag-umpisa tayo sa edukasyon,” said Arien Lein Ibardo, an incoming Grade 10 student in a public school. “The K to 12 program embarks on a new hope for the Filipino youth.” 

Rouen Dizon, the father of a pilot SHS graduate, said the K to 12 Program benefited his son who now manages their automative business. He said, “Sa K to12, mapapanindigan ang sinasabing "Negosyo, Kolehiyo, Trabaho." Sa edad na 19 ay kumikita na ang anak ko dahil sa bokasyon na inaral niya. Nasa kaniya na lamang kung nanaisin pa niyang magkolehiyo. Ito ay higit na praktikal sapagkat ang mga mag-aaral ay dadaan sa magandang training, at the same time, nakabase sa kapasidad at interes nila ang kanilang pag-aaralan.”

He added, “Ito ang naging epektibo sa anak ko at alam kong magiging epektibo rin ito sa lahat. At sa susunod, alam kong marami pang kwento ang magpapatunay nito.”

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Lazada Philippines launches Mom Loves – a shopping extravaganza for all the moms

May maybe coming to a close but Lazada Philippines – the country’s one-stop shopping destination has prepared something for the moms out there happening this May 26 until June 4 via www.lazada.com.ph/mom-loves

Mom Loves is a shopping event designed for every mothers out there. Whether you are social media savvy, on-the-go, urban lifestylista, or even the stay-at-home type of mom, Mom Loves has something in-store for every mom. From exciting flash sales coming from top brands, to hot discounts and exciting games, Mom Loves is packed with all the coolest deals that every mom could get to nurture her family.

Lazada carefully took into consideration a couple of fun mom facts into designing this year’s mom-focused shopping event:

1.    60% of mothers visit social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram

2.    Mothers in emerging markets such as the Philippines consider a variety of other product information beyond quality, price, and convenience, such as branding and packaging;

3.    8 out of 10 moms would buy frequently but of lesser basket size due to the management of cash flow;

4.    Top items bought by moms in Lazada would be the following:

a.    Learning Toys

b.    Home Appliances

c.    Home and Living Items

d.    Fashion

e.    Health and Beauty

Ed-tech start-up Quipper School helps improve UPCAT passing rate in local high school

A public school in Quezon City has improved its passing rate for the University of the Philippines College Admissions Test (UPCAT) this year, and all it took was the school-wide implementation of a free education online platform.

Irene Canon of Culiat High School in Quezon City said that with introduction of Quipper School last year, their students’ UPCAT performance improved considerably.

Canon, who is assistant to the principal for administration and OIC school administrator, shared that seven of their students passed the recent UPCAT. In past years, the school was lucky to have at least just one student pass the test. Likewise, a number of their pupils have won top prizes in a number of inter-school competitions. 

“I have been with Culiat for 33 long years. I can say this is a very unique experience for all of us,” she said.

This was one of testimonies shared by participants in the recent National Principals Conference organized by Quipper School (QS). The conference was held to work with educators nationwide to find out how it can help improve the quality of education in the Philippines through technology. Participants numbering close to 600 came from as far as Mountain Province to Davao City.

(From: L-R) Yuki Natori (QS Philippine, General Manager), Masa Watanabe (CEO), Dr. Ferdinand Blancaflor Pitagan (DepEd educational technology consultant)

QS is a free supplemental tool for homework management that is administered online. Developed in Japan, the education platform was first implemented in the Philippines last year.

Through QS, teachers assign students homework that can be accessed free of charge through its webpage. The homework is gamified making it fun for students and easy to use for teachers. Making, creating, sending and monitoring homework completion is as easy as using any social media site. 

QS is lightweight and its content is always available online, making it easy for students to access their homework any time of the day on any kind of computer, whether a PC, tablet or mobile phone. Likewise, the program is aligned with the K-12 curriculum currently being implemented by the Department of Education.

Yuki Natori, QS General Manager, during his opening remarks in the conference.

QS Philippines general manager Yuki Nataori explained that the Philippines was chosen for implementation of the program since it is a high potential country with a growing population and with a widespread use of computers and mobile devices nationwide.

Since the e-learning platform was introduced in January 2014, public schools in Quezon City, Manila, Pasay City, Marikina, Caloocan, and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bacolod City and Silay City in Negros Occidental, and Dasmariñas, Cavite have adopted the program. A total of 50,000 schoolteachers signed up for the service, while 500,000 students are registered into the program.

A study conducted by Dr. Ferdinand Blancaflor Pitagan, DepEd educational technology consultant, found that the use of QS contributed to high test scores, attendance rate and assignment submissions of Grade 7 students in learning mathematics.

Dr. Ferdinand Blancaflor Pitagan (DepEd educational technology consultant) on his talk during the conference

The study compared the pre- and post-test results of three groups of students to determine the efficacy of QS as an educational tool. The students were divided into three groups, with one group receiving eight QS sessions, another group with only four QS sessions, and a control group that was taught eight sessions in a traditional classroom setting.

The study found that students who received full exposure to QS recorded significant improvement in quiz scores, submission of assignments, class participation and attendance when compared to those who were taught in a traditional setting. 

There was an 80 percent improvement on test scores among students who received QS, as compared with students who were tutored in a conventional way. Likewise, 44 percent of students who received QS said they were satisfied with the program.

On the other hand, students who received a combination of teaching modalities likewise recorded improved final test scores.

Dr. Romulo B. Rocena, DepEd Manila assistant division schools superintendent, said many public school teachers in Manila reported that students have become more motivated in their schoolwork since the introduction of Quipper School.

There are 105 public schools in Manila, consisting of 72 elementary schools and 33 high schools, with a total enrolment of 270,000 students. Thirty-three percent of the schools use QS for English and mathematics.

“The students are now more motivated in class. They are more participative and have improved attendance. The students are also excited to see the new lessons on Quipper School,” Rocena said.

He added that he recommended the expansion of the implementation of QS in Manila public schools.

QS business development officer Ryan Guerrero said, "We want to bring the benefits of Quipper School to educators and students all over the Philippines. The early results are very encouraging, and we want to work with more schools, more teachers, and more students to make it even better. The best thing is, it's so easy to sign up and try it for yourself, as a lot of our early users have done. Just visit quipperschool.com for teachers to see for yourself how effective this platform is in helping you educate our youth better."

Wattpad Presents: Maid For Korean Boys with Carl Guevarra, Steven Silva Enslaves and Eula Caballero

TV5 welcomes the Month of June with WATTPAD PRESENTS: Maid for Korean Boys!

This is TV5’s next ‘kilig’ offering for its popular WATTPAD PRESENTS primetime mini-series which features a story about a princess who becomes a housemaid and finds herself torn between two wards. 

Based on the online novel written by MYVIRGO17, now with over 1.7 M Wattpad reads.

WATTPAD PRESENTS: Maid for Korean Boys stars Eula Caballero as Ellaine, Carl Guevarra as Godfrey and Steven Silva as Stephan.

WATTPAD PRESENTS: Maid for Korean Boys follow the story of Ellaine (Eula), who runs away from home when she finds out that her father has arranged her marriage with the son of his business partner. Determined to keep her distance from her dad, Ellaine stows away with her nanny and works as a housemaid for a family.

From living as a princess, Ellaine has to learn the ropes on becoming an efficient house helper- from cleaning the house, cooking food, washing clothes and doing the dishes.

Making her miserable life more miserable is the fact that her bosses are two Korean brothers Godfrey (Carl) and Stephan (Steven) who are actually giving her a hard time. But what started as a mere scheme of the two brothers backfires on them as both Godfrey and Stephan find themselves falling in love with Ellaine.

Catch WATTPAD PRESENTS: Maid For Korean Boys every night from Monday to Friday, 9PM before Baker King, only on TV5.

Photos: Arts & Travel Magazine

Teen Star, Goin’ Bulilit alum and Luv U mainstay Alexa Ilacad is the BUM’s latest endorser

Goin’ Bulilit alum and Luv U mainstay Alexa Ilacad was launched as BUM’s latest celebrity endorser in a fun-filled event held at the Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City, May 28.

Fashion is a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style in which a person dresses. Men's and women's styles blended the sensuality and expressiveness. Fashion can be a form of self-expression and a representation of one’s personality, more so for today’s teens who are brimming with youthful enthusiasm and are in the process of discovering themselves.

A clothing brand known for catering to the young segment of fashionistas, BUM keeps up with their market’s ever-evolving tastes and preferences not only by launching trendy casual garbs but by also providing them with new role models and style icons they can take cues from.

BUM has always been the brand of choice of both up-and-coming and most sought-after teen celebrities, like ABS-CBN’s Nash Aguas, Ella Cruz and Jane Oineza, and GMA-7’s Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix (who are collectively known as the “Black Army”). 

But just when you thought this in-demand style squad cannot get any better, BUM has tapped another well-loved young star, who embody the vitality and versatility of the brand.

This 15-year-old fashionista proves to be a perfect fit for the brand because she’s the adventurous type whose style can go from girly-girl to hip and rugged.

“Super happy ako to be a BUM endorser kasi I can show my versatility through BUM. Sobrang astig ng mga damit nila. Kahit lagi akong pa-girly in colorful and bright outfits, favorite ko din ’yung dark colors kasi mahilig ako sa rock eh; minsan nga feeling ko rakista ako eh! With the clothes from BUM, I can enjoy and show the best of both worlds,” Alexa says. 

That said, her favorite #OOTD-worthy BUM pieces likewise vary from the colorful girly dresses to the rocker-chic hoodies and skull-print tees to the comfy and stretchable jeans—all useful in the various roles she plays as an actress, student and normal teenager. 

Alexa’s first campaign shoot with BUM is for the “Black2School” collection, wherein she got to work with the brand’s other ambassadors, which include Nash, her onscreen partner and the other half of “NLex” love team.

Since it was her first time to shoot an edgy and fierce campaign, Alexa shared that Nash helped calm her nerves as he tried to make the shoot feel lighter and more fun for her. She shares, “Masaya mag-work ’pag meron kang ka-close. Si Nash, nakatulong talaga siya sa akin sa shoot kasi naging mas masaya ang first shoot ko with BUM.”

With the recent success of Nash and Alexa’s last TV show, Bagito, the NLex love team (which started in Goin' Bulilit) has gained more fans, who cannot wait until the two’s next project. In the meantime, fans can look forward to the couple tees soon to be launched by BUM, whose campaign will star this cute duo. A sneak peek of the collection of cute his-and-hers matching tops by BUM, with cool rib cage, skull and graphic prints, was seen in the brand's last "Black2School" collection; the campaign showed Nash garbed in a blue round neck statement tee that says "I Stole Her Heart" and Alexa clad in a matching pink round neck statement tee whose print reads "So I am Stealing His Heart."

It hasn’t been long since Alexa did her first BUM campaign shoot, and now she’s already looking forward to the next. While that is in the works, Alexa has taken it upon herself to give her fellow young girls a bunch of style inspirations by posting occasional #OOTDs on her Instagram account (which currently has about 272,000 followers). 

“Ang dami ko na ngang #OOTD na naka-BUM. Excited na ako i-post,” she quips. Now, girls, that’s something worth double tapping! BUM’s “Black2School” is available at BUM boutiques and leading department stores nationwide. 

Nash Aguas, Jannena Chan host of the event and Alexa Ilacad

For more information about BUM’s “Black2School”, visit www.bumequipment.com.ph or follow us “@officialbumph” on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Epson Ph leads inkjet printer market

Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) is now the leading brand in Inkjet Printers (IJP) in the Philippines.

Due to the introduction of the L-Series, its genuine ink tank system printers, Epson has enjoyed value share leadership in IJP for the past three years.

Data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Asia/Pacific Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, 2015Q1 report shows that Epson garnered 35.9% market share and a commanding 48.1% value share.

EPC Product Manager for IJP Russer Cabrera

"While Epson has enjoyed value share leadership in IJP for the past three (3) years, we were able to grow sales of our inkjet printers through our L-series to also capture market leadership last year.

We attribute this growth to the undeniable cost efficiency and reliability of the L-Series. As the pioneer in the development of the genuine ink tank system printers and our continuing drive to exceed the expectations of our customers with regard to printing affordability, product reliability, and uncompromised print quality, we believe that Epson will continue to be the brand of choice among home users and businesses," said EPC Product Manager for IJP Russer Cabrera.

Epson gained an increase of 11.3 percentage points in Market Share from CY2013 to CY2014.

IDC is the standard source for market share and value share information in the Philippines and in most countries.

EPC Country Manager & President Toshimitsu Tanaka .

"Epson Inkjet Printers is the undisputed People's Choice with more than a half million Epson Ink tank Printers sold since 2011. As the No.1 Brand in the Philippines both in Quantity and in Value, Epson knows that Filipinos love the brand and will continue to support Epson products. This inspires us to keep bringing in great and useful products that help our customers," added EPC Country Manager & President Toshimitsu Tanaka.

Photos: Arts Travel Magazine

Visit the Philippines Year 2015 gets stamp approval from PHLPost

“Stamps are a symbol of connection between family and friends, sharing their experiences as they make their way towards different paths. With the beautiful places they visit, new faces they meet, colorful festivals and events they experience, these stamps bind people together with archives of stories that make visiting the Philippines more fun,” said TBP COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III.

The postcard-worthy events under Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)’s year-long campaign “Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015” get a stamp of approval, literally, with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost)’s VPY 2015 commemorative stamps.

PHLPost has rolled out the stamps to help highlight the campaign aimed at encouraging local and foreign tourists to participate in various activities and events in the country. It will circulate about 39,000 copies of these VPY 2015 stamps, featuring the campaign logo designed by BBDO Guerrero Philippines.

The stamps and souvenir sheet are now available at all PHLPost post shops in the country. The stamp, measuring 25 mm x 50 mm, is sold at P10 each.

Entertainment Powerhouse Lenovo A7000 Smartphone on Second Exclusive Sale via Lazada on May 28

Lenovo Philippines once again offers great deals on Lenovo A7000, the world's first smartphone featuring Dolby Atmos technology, through the second exclusive sale via Lazada, the biggest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia.

Music and video fans will delight in A7000's 5.5-inch HD display and 720p resolution which let users enjoy a big-screen experience and crisp, high-def visuals. This best-in-class unit provides an amazing headphone experience: it's the first in the world to feature Dolby Atmos technology which delivers moving audio that flows above and around the user for a dramatically improved listening experience. 

A7000 also boasts responsive performance thanks to a MediaTek 4G LTE True8Core processor as well as hardware optimization features that boost battery life.

“The Lenovo A7000 is another manifestation of Lenovo’s continuous commitment to innovation,” said Dino Romano, Country Lead, Lenovo Smartphone, Philippines.

“Our newest budget-friendly smartphone magnifies immersive multimedia experience thanks to the rich and all-encompassing sound of the new Dolby Atmos technology.”

The second sale of the Lenovo A7000 will be on May 28 starting at 12noon at Lazada Philippines’ online store. It’s priced at Php7,499 and comes bundled with a free back cover (valued at Php699), screen protector (valued at Php299) and 5,000 mAh power bank (valued at Php599).

Buyers of Lenovo A7000 can also enjoy a worry-free ownership with Lenovo’s service coverage supported by 30 service centers and collection points nationwide.

Lazada Philippines accepts various modes of payment. This includes cash on delivery (COD), major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Japan Credit Bureau) or debit card, BDO Installments, Megalink and PayPal.

Complete specification of the Lenovo A7000

For the latest Lenovo smartphones and tablets news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo Mobile on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/LenovoMobilePH) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/lenovomobileph).

MediCard opens new clinic in SM City Clark

MediCard Philippines, a leading HMO provider in the country, brings health and wellness closer to the Kapampangans with the opening of its free-standing clinic at SM City Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga. 

Photo shows (L-R) Analiza C. Pulido senior executive vice president, Bank of Florida, Inc. (A Rural Bank); Dr. Honorato C. Salazar III, MediCard Clark clinic manager; and Dra. Concepcion S. Montoya, MediCard chairman.

Situated inside the mall’s Wellness Zone, the clinic’s convenient location helps many locals gain access to prompt, attentive and affordable medical care. The MediCard Clark clinic offers comprehensive out-patient services for all ages, including consultation on various medical concerns; imaging, laboratory and ancillary diagnostics; health check-up and physical examinations; immunization; and minor surgery. It also provides dental services, like oral prophylaxis, light cure filling, tooth extraction, and gum treatment. 

Essilor brand ambassador Piolo Pascual shares tips for healthy eyes

Essilor brand ambassador Piolo Pascual always wears his lenses when using his mobile device

Of all the good-looking men in the entertainment industry, Piolo Pascual is known to stand out from the rest. With just one look from those dreamy and mesmerizing eyes, he can make any girl swoon. But Piolo himself is quick to point out: Having beautiful eyes is not enough. One must have healthy vision as well because this will help you perform tasks and achieve your daily goals. 

“In my line of work as an actor, it is very important to read your co-actor’s facial cues properly in a dialogue, and you can only accomplish it with good eyesight.  That is why eye care is a serious matter for me. Without good vision, we can only do so much, and this limitation can stand in the way of achieving our goals.” 

That’s what Piolo shared with media friends during the launch of “Seeing the World Better,” a public awareness campaign on the importance of good vision organized by Essilor, the world leader in vision solutions.

Here, Essilor’s brand ambassador Piolo Pascual shares some important tips for healthy eyes: 

Keep your eyeglasses on. 

“I am fond of surfing the internet through my mobile device, but I have learned that the blue light from electronic devices can harm our eyesight, so I always wear my eye lenses on,” Piolo shared. Harmful blue light is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a deterioration of the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. To prevent its damaging effect, eye doctors recommend wearing lenses that effectively blocks the harmful blue light. Reading in a dark room should also be avoided. With only your mobile device as your main light, the glare on the screen can cause eye strain. 

Follow a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. 

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is beneficial to our eyes. Vitamins C, A and E, folic acid, selenium and zinc, which are present in fruits and vegetables, can make your eyes healthy. Have a daily dose of fruits and vegetables like grapes carrots, spinach, kale, or collard greens, for a clearer, better vision. 

Keeping a healthy lifestyle can also be helpful to your eyes, and your overall health. Piolo, who is a known triathlete, maintains a healthy lifestyle by engaging in sports like swimming, biking and running. By maintaining healthy weight, it reduces the chance of getting eye diseases. According to National Eye Institute, being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma.

Visit your optometrist regularly 

Piolo shared that he has 20/20 vision, but despite having perfect eyesight, he regularly sees an eye doctor to make sure his eyes are in good condition. Regular visits to an eye doctor are very important because it can pick up early signs of eye conditions. You need not wait for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea and cloudy vision before visiting your optometrist. At the same time, eye check-ups may also detect most diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases, and even certain cancers, and can help cure or prevent these diseases from worsening over time. Make an appointment with your eye doctor once a year to keep your eyes and whole body healthy. 

There you have it -- Straight from the man whose expressive, healthy eyes have captivated legions of admirers. By simply keeping these tips in mind, we can keep our precious peepers looking good and healthy and be able to perform our daily activities the best way we can. 

PLDT HOME Fibr presents the most prestigious league

The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is poised to return for a second spectacular season on December 2015. 

Over thirty of the most iconic names in tennis invade the country from December 6-8 as PLDT HOME Fibr—Home’s most powerful broadband—in cooperation with Smart Communications, brings the newly renamed Philippine Mavericks in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL)’s final leg in Manila.

At the recent press conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (L-R): Smart Sports Marketing’s Christopher John Quimpo, PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Head Gary Dujali, SM Lifestyle Entertainment President Edgar Tejerero, IPTL VP for Operations Abhishek Ponia and the Philippine Mavericks co-owners Jean Henri Lhuillier, Kevin Belmonte and Haresh Hiranand.

The IPTL, led by its Vice President for Operations Abhishek Ponia, formally bared the 2015 edition of this prestigious undertaking which stars the top Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players as well as s few legendary names in one is deemed as one of the most popular sports on the planet.

The former Manila Mavericks squad has been renamed the Philippine Mavericks to make a larger scope and not just central Manila.

This was the explanation of Mavericks team co-own Jean Henri Lhuillier on the rebranding of the contingent composed of eight powerhouse names in the sport.

“If you notice all the other teams are focused on their countries,” Lhuillier said. “So we wanted to pick up that semblance for the Philippine side so we decided to change it to the Philippine Mavericks.”

Lhuiller, who is also the Team Manager, is joined by fellow owners Hans Sy, Kevin Belmonte and Haresh Hiranand at the helm of the Philippine Mavericks.

Joining the Mavericks in the league are defending champions Indian Aces, Singapore Slammers, UAE Royals and newcomers, the Japan Warriors. The IPTL kicks off in September.

This one-of-a-kind “team” tennis event commenced last year with its inaugural leg held here. Despite the apprehension that tennis—not among the mainstream spectator sports in the archipelago—may not draw a big enough crowd, the MOA Arena was a virtual sellout for the three days of competition.

In 2014, the endeavor had little time to prepare and yet succeeded beyond expectations. This year, with more time, the organizers and sponsors have plenty of opportunities to iron out what little kinks there was in the initial staging and that makes for a bigger event.

“Last year was a great experience for everybody, seeing the best tennis athletes in the world in one venue playing right before your eyes is indeed a spectacle,” said Gary Dujali PLDT Vice President and Head for HOME Marketing. “We are very proud to once again make PLDT HOME Fibr a presenter of this very prestigious event.”

PLDT HOME Fibr has been synonymous to bringing world class international sports and entertainment to the country for years and having the opportunity to partner up again with the IPTL—this time with sister company Smart—only reaffirms its mission to be at the forefront of bringing only the best to the Filipinos.

The 2015 Philippine Mavericks are made up of returning members Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Mark Philippousis and former Philippine national team member Treat Huey along with new recruits Serena Williams (formerly of the UAE Royals), Richard Gasquet (a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist), Sabine Lisicki (she of the 131km/h serve and a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist), and up-and-coming stars Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia and Croatian Borna Coric.

“I had a really great time playing in Manila last year,” Williams, the reigning number one female tennis player in the world during a video message played at the press conference. “I look forward to playing for the Mavericks this year.”

Other big names that have confirmed their participation this year are Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and former Manila Mavericks main attraction Maria Sharapova—who will now be seeing action for the Japan Warriors.

Tickets for the 2015 IPTL Manila leg are available starting July 15th.

PLDT Home Fibr will be giving selected subscribers a chance to be part of this amazing experience for free. For more information log on to www.pldthome.com.

Epson Corporation marks 40 years

On June 12, 2015, Seiko Epson Corporation (SEC) will mark the 40th anniversary of the Epson brand the company uses on many of its products and services. 

To commemorate the 40th anniversary,  Epson aim to show appreciation to the stakeholders who have supported the brand over the years. Epson also will take a retrospective look at the meaning of the brand and reaffirm the commitment to continuing to provide the customers with products that surprise and delight

Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) capped off another successful fiscal year with the achievement of market leadership in the categories of Projectors, Inkjet, Dot Matrix, and POS printers. 

EPC President & Country Manager Toshimitsu Tanaka as the company shared the achievement with the media during the annual media thanksgiving event, Epson Fusion Six held at the Huma Island Resort and Spa, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines.

As the leading brand in Projectors, Inkjet, Dot Matrix, and POS printers, Epson is now poised to create more opportunities for growth with the innovative products that we offer. We are eager to demonstrate the latest Epson advances that we believe will drive our momentum, as we continue to be the brand of choice among Filipinos," stated EPC President & Country Manager Toshimitsu Tanaka. 

The 40-year story of Epson began in a small Japanese town called Nagano. It started the joumey into the printing business by making the world's first compact, lightweight digital printer - the EP-101. 

Epson (then Daiwa Kogyo) was founded in 1942. Originally a developer and manufacturer of watches, Epson later leveraged its core technologies -- which enable products that are compact, energy saving and high-precision -- to enter and gradually expand in other business areas. As a vertically integrated enterprise with capabilities ranging from product development and manufacture to sales and marketing, Epson began moving into the information equipment business in 1968 with the release of the EP-101 , the world's first compact, lightweight digital printer, and followed this in the 1970s with a succession of computer peripheral products. As the company went on to develop new markets and provide customers around the world with satisfying products and services in a broad range of categories, we decided to develop a unique, original brand. 

Now, Epson is one of the leading digital imaging brands with nearly 70,000 employees in 94 companies around the world. The proprietary core technologies and customer-focused innovation helped make us the brand of choice in the markets serve. 

The Epson brand name comes from the EP-1 01 , the product that kicked off the company's expansion into the information equipment business. The "EP" stands for "electronic printer" and the "SON" represents our desire to follow the original electronic printer with many worthwhile descendants (products and services). 

The "Exceed Your Vision" global tagline that accompanies the Epson brand concisely states our promise to customers that Epson will continue to exceed their expectations. 

"We use Epson's unique core technologies to transform our businesses as customer and societal needs change. Under our current corporate vision, SE15, we are continuing to develop unique products and services in an effort to drive change in four areas: printing, visual communications, quality of life, and manufacturing. Going forward, we will refine these core technologies and will continue to pursue our corporate ethos of creativity and challenge in an effort to provide products an services that bring positive change to the lives of our customers around the world,"  said EPC President & Country Manager Toshimitsu Tanaka, who will concurrently become Managing Director of Epson's Regional office (Epson Singapore Pte. Ltd.), President Director of Epson Thailand, and Director of Epson Indonesia starting June 2015, 

RTL CBS Entertainment to hold Summer Fair in BGC, Massive Celebration For the Entire Family

RTL CBS Entertainment is marching into Bonifacio Global City with a full-blown Summer Fair in BGC’s High Street Activity Center this May 29-30. The event is open to the public and set to include carnival-themed festivities and activities directly inspired by some of the network’s hottest shows.

Special screenings for several series will run throughout the event, giving guests a special look at RTL CBS’ rich and diverse catalog with shows like Scorpion, Extant, The Odd Couple, and Under the Dome to name a few. The network is also home to a number of prestigious award shows, including Critics’ Choice Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and the Golden Globes on their roster, among others.

Prizes and other premium freebies will be raffled off to the general public, while guests could also enjoy decked-out mini studios for The X Factor UK and Britain’s Got Talent-themed faux-ditions that come with a glam photo and souvenir CD of their performance.

RTL CBS is available on Sky Cable (Ch.53), Destiny Cable (Ch.53), Cable Link (Ch.37), and Dream Satellite (Ch.17).

They say that mothers know best, TV host Amy Perez couldn’t agree more

Amy Perez

TV personality, “Umagang Kay Ganda” and DZMM radio host Amy Perez ays that finding balance in everything you do is the key to a healthier lifestyle. At the age of 45 she needs to be conscious with her overall health for her family and her career. And she shared that the reason why she’s very conscious with her health now more than ever is because she needs to be healthy for her children.

Being a mother to three amazing boys, a wife to a great husband and a career woman, the 45-year-old TV and radio host tries so hard to keep a balance between her family life and profession. However, she acknowledges that juggling jobs can be a real piece of work that might sacrifice other things such as health and wellness.

But the “Umagang Kay Ganda” host says that it’s all about balance and knowing one’s priorities.

“Mahirap siya if hindi mo magawang i-balance lahat. Time management lang naman ‘yan so I’m happy now na ‘yung workload ko is all in the morning,” she says.

TV and radio host Amy Perez says that her secret for being always on-the-go includes balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate fiber intake with the help of C-Lium Fibre.

With so much tasks at hand, Amy knows that she has to take care of her health. “I am 45 years old, and I am not getting any younger, therefore I need to be always healthy for myself and for my family.” Her consciousness about overall health is greatly influenced by her mom. Thanks to her mom, who always reminds her to take care of her body, that she learned the discipline of being mindful of her overall health. One of her mom’s repetitive reminders to the family is to have enough fiber intake every day.

“It was my mom who introduced C-Lium to me! She reminds us every day na dapat may fiber intake kami,” says Amy. “In our line of work, hindi maiiwasan that we eat less vegetables and fruits kaya I complement my diet with C-Lium Fibre to get the right amount of fiber every day.”

“A lot has changed since I became a mom! Everything and anything I do now have to be for the good of my boys,” says Amy. “No more partying and drinking like when I was younger! I have to make sure that I'm always ready and healthy for my boys.”

Amy also relates that having C-Lium as part of her daily diet helps her body to go further and to successfully accomplish all her tasks as a mother, a wife, and a TV and radio host.

“Because of C-Lium, I feel light and clean. It helps me go further every day with my work and enjoy my time with my kids kasi nga hindi ka feeling bloated at hindi ka hirap kumilos,” Amy shares.

C-Lium Fibre is made from natural psyllium plant, which is a good source of soluble and insoluble fibers.

According to the National Fiber Council, the soluble fiber in psyllium absorbs water, turns into gel, and attaches to food, sugars, cholesterol, and fats in the stomach.

It then helps to expel these from one’s digestive system. A high fiber diet also helps lower the risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, and stroke. 

Taking C-Lium Fibre helps Amy Perez to feel light and clean, helping her go further and successfully accomplish all her tasks as a mother, a wife, and a TV and radio host.

For moms like her who are always on-the-go or just someone who is conscious with overall health, Amy advises that you should always find balance in everything you do.

She also shares that the time she became conscious with her regular fiber intake with the help of C-Lium, that’s the time she started feeling good about her body.

“Para sa mga mommies na on-the-go, minsan nakakalimutan na natin na isama sa diet natin ang enough vegetables and fruits. So, a good way to help our body is take C-Lium Fibre because it helps your body in a number of ways,” she says.

Apart from taking supplements like C-Lium and eating healthy, Amy also works out regularly. “I do pilates and zumba tapos pag medyo masakit yung likod ko, I do yoga. I mix these three together with the low calorie diet that I currently follow,” she asserts.

Being in the industry for almost 30 years already, the celebrity mom says that she can’t ask for more; she’s very thankful that her career was blessed with longevity.

“For me to be able to stay this long in this business is such a blessing already, ‘yun na ‘yung pinaka-fulfilment para sa akin. So, now, I am very eager naman to improve my health so I can perform better at my craft and always be there for my family. I believe na it’s never too late to choose that path so I advise everyone out there to have that initiative and consciousness na maging mindful sa kanilangoverall health,” says Amy.

C-Lium Fibre comes in two formats--husk powder and capsule form-- and is available in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

New Short Course Triathlon to Launch in June at the Inaugural Challenge Camsur!

Leverage Sports Asia, Challenge Brand race license holders in the Philippines, will launch a new short course triathlon—the Tri-Challenge Series—at the inaugural Yellow Cab Challenge CamSur half-distance triathlon this coming June.

American Brian Fleischmann was leading early in the swim part of the competition but finished sixth in the Pro Men’s field after clocking in at 4:38:58.

Yellow Cab Challenge CamSur, part of the global triathlon series by the Challenge Family and the second instalment of the brand in the Philippines, will host the very first Tri-Challenge SPRINT on June 13 with a 1km swim, 30km bike, and 6km run race course. The sprint’s race course will run through a portion of the Challenge CamSur course as it loops in and around CamSur Watersports Complex.

“We are very excited to see the expansive growth of triathlon embrace the Philippine endurance community. We believe in all of the positive attributes that the Challenge Races around the world hold dear, like its commitment to grass roots and sport development, providing the best race day experience and always giving back to the community that supports the sport of triathlon,” said David Voth, CEO of Leverage Sports Asia and Chairman of Challenge Philippines.

Multi-awarded triathlete Brian Fleischmann from Florida, USA tries to get ahead of the game after an impressive 00:23:43 record in the swim part.

Voth said that launching a shorter race course will increase the interest with the sport and encourage more people to try triathlon. He also added that Tri-Challenge series gives non-professionals the opportunity to compete at an international standard for a cheaper price.

International triathletes warm up before the start of the “tougher” Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan last Feb. 21.

“By introducing a shorter distance race, we open the sport to a broader skilled participation base. We give everyone the opportunity to compete, participate, and have fun with friends and family in a Challenge sponsored race. With that, we are hopeful that more people can experience a world-class race,” said Voth. “The Tri-Challenge SPRINT is a great, “forgiving” race held at an international standard but priced in a way that is comparable to local events, which is our way of promoting the sport and expanding the experience to the Pinoy Triathlon participants,” David said.

For more information or to register for the Tri Challenge SPRINT Triathlon, visit: http://bit.ly/TriChallengeSprint.

For more information or to register for Yellow Cab Challenge Camsur, visit: www.challengecamsur.com.

One of the 700 triathletes goes out of the pristine waters of Subic Bay after a successful 1.9km swim.

Despite the neck-and-neck competition in the swim part of the Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan, multi-awarded triathletes claim that Subic Bay is a sight to behold.

Triathlete pros Michael Murphy and Eric Watson try to edge out each other as they race out of the water.

Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan does not only provide picturesque view for the athletes but also organized and safe race course.

Filipino triathletes try to make the competition harder for international triathletes across from different parts of the globe.

The swim course starts from the white sand beach of Camayan Resort and ventures into Ilanin Bay where the pristine waters are home to a protected marine preserve.

Eventual winner Domenico Passuello from Livorno, Italy races his way to the transition area after finishing the 1.9km swim in 26 minutes and 29 seconds.

Azalea Residences Baguio Your Holiday Haven

AZALEA RESIDENCES BAGUIO

Azalea Residences Baguio, the first all-suite vacation residence in Baguio City presents holiday-goers the full services and amenities of a serviced-apartment, complete with living, dining, and kitchen facilities in all its suites.

One cannot miss the eye-catching façade that makes up Azalea Residence Baguio. The structure resembles a ski-resort, clever inspiration for the Summer Capital’s first vacation residence that brings thoughts of family vacations and friendly holidays. The façade sets the stage for the best vacation ever and a place that has the feel of a hotel with full services and amenities of a service-apartment in Baguio. 

Azalea Residences is the place for the families, friends, and business travelers on the lookout for the luxury of a hotel with atmosphere and comforts of home. Here they can treat their room like an actual house.

Located just five minutes away from Session Road, in a secluded hill that promises peace, quiet country living and proximity to the city’s main attractions and happenings.

99 SUITE ROOMS

Azalea Residences Baguio is made up of 99 well-appointed suite rooms with 46 Deluxe, 17 One-bedroom, 33 Two-bedroom and 3 Three-bedroom. All suite have the following facilities: a living room area with a sofa bed and flat screen TV with cable connection, toilet and bathroom with hot and cold shower (the Two-bedroom and three-bedroom has a separate toilet and bathroom), and amenities like dining table, chairs and crockery, kitchen appliances and utensils, Coffee and Tea-making facilities, queen-sized beds with imported linens and a balcony in choice rooms, among others.

Azalea Resort & Residences Chief Operating Officer Dulah Lipardo says, “The concept behind Azalea Resorts & Residences is to be the hotel that would offer the brand of convenience and amenities of top international hotels yet maintaining the natural texture and traditional character of the Philippines at a very affordable price. By infusing modern day amenities with thoughtful and detailed attention to the mood of the place, Azalea Resorts & Residences hopes to establish the hotel as the perfect abode for rest and leisure.”

WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES

Designed with the whole family and barkada in mind, Azalea Residences Baguio offers more beyond its rooms: lobby, lounge, playground, business center, WIFI connection, NDD-DDD-IDD, 24-hour Doctor-on-call, tour arrangements and vacation services, and transportation arrangement to and from Manila. There are two food and beverage outlets, the flagship restaurant Tradisyon Coffee Shop, which serves traditional Filipino food and the bar called 8 Degrees Lounge.

AZALEA VACATION CLUB

Frequent holiday goers can avail of Azalea Resorts & Residences Timeshare Vacation Club Membership. Members get to have access to a number of usage benefits that will guarantee a holiday unlike any other.

Azalea Resorts & Residences is owned by Fog Horn Inc. and is affiliated with RCI (resort Condominium International), the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the world’s largest full service vacation rentals business, providing access to more than 85,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries.

Reservations Hotline: (02) 579 4894 / (02) 579 4890 / Mobile: 0917 861 1641 / 0919 994 4140

Hotel Trunk Line: (074) 424 8716 / (074) 424 8166

Manila Sales: (02) 925 8352 / Mobile: 0917861 1642 / 0919 994 4143 / Fax (02) 655 1162

Email: reservations@azalea.com.ph

Website: www.azalea.com.ph

For Timeshare & Vacation Club Membership inquiries, send an email to customerservice@azalea.com.ph and Tel.: (02) 634 7742. We invite you to come and see first-hand Azalea Residences Baguio, the hotel is located at #7 Leonard Wood Loop, Brgy. M. Roxas, Baguio City 2600.

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Photos: Arts & Travel Magazine