Public schools along Valley Fault System strengthen readiness for earthquake

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is doing a series of orientations on earthquake preparedness for principals and school administrators from 1,134 public schools from the National Capitol Region, Region IV-A, and Region III, surrounding the Valley Fault System. 

The orientation aims to equip school heads and administrators with the right information to increase the level of preparedness of schools not just for earthquakes but also for other possible risks. 

“There is no such thing as overdose of information. We need to cascade this disaster preparedness information,” Noel Bagano, Muntinlupa City Assitant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS), said.

DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) Project Officer Mariel Bayangos explained the comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework. 

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) geologist Mabelline Cahulogan discusses the geologic hazards of earthquake to school principals and administrators from Las Pinas, Paranaque and Muntinlupa during the orientation of schools along valley fault system on earthquake preparedness.

“Why is there a need for us to have a common framework? We need to establish an overall strategy para kahit saan mang school tayo magpunta, we have a common language,” Bayangos said.

The Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education is guided by education outcomes and, at the same time, anchored in the four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, and rehabilitation. Specifically, DepEd has adopted the Comprehensive Safe Schools Framework to align DRRM implementation in basic education, which is presented in three pillars: safe learning facilities, school disaster management, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in education. 

Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework discussion encompasses the structural and nonstructural measures such as the adopted disaster resilient classroom design, the strengthened construction monitoring process, enhanced design of temporary learning spaces, the establishment of DepEd DRRM offices nationwide, and the policy on student−led school watching and hazard mapping.

Bayangos added that DRRM and CCA are already integrated in the K to 12 curriculum and the DRR reference materials are being uploaded in the learning portal.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Geologist Mabelline Cahulogan also discussed geologic hazards like the occurrence of ground rupture and liquefaction.

“We all know that the Philippines is situated at the Pacific Ring of Fire and it is crucial for us to be disaster prepared,” Cahulogan said.

“Everyday, our instruments at PHIVOLCS record at least 20 earthquakes. Hindi lang natin sila nararamdaman… We can live with the fault as long as we are prepared and ready. Hindi po natin kailangan mag-panic. Sa halip, kailangan lang po natin maging prepared,” she added. 

The geologic hazards discussion was followed by an open forum to address questions from school principals and education administrators relative to disaster preparedness.

Department of Education Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DepEd DRRM) Project Officer Mariel Bayangos explaining the Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework.

Family earthquake preparedness

The orientation ended with the briefing on the Family Earthquake Preparedness Homework in line with DepEd Order No. 27 entitled “Promoting Family Earthquake Preparedness.” The homework requires all students to answer a set of questionnaires with their parents to assess their family preparedness before, during and after an earthquake. The class advisers will discuss each of the questions and shall tabulate and summarize the answers which will be submitted to the school administration. The school heads shall be the one to discuss the results to the Parents−Teachers Association (PTA) and barangay officials.

Over 400 school principals, administrators and DRR coordinators from six Metro Manila cities (Las Pinas City, Muntinlupa City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, Taguig City, and Makati City) and Region III (Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan) participated in the five first batches of the said orientation. 

The orientation on earthquake preparedness will continue tomorrow at Jose Rizal Memorial School in Calamba City for those school administrators, principals and DRRM coordinators from Biñan, Carmona, Calamba, Rodriguez, San Mateo, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa and Silang, Laguna. More than 200 participants are expected to attend tomorrow. The last leg of the orientation on July 13 will be participated by principals from Manila, Navotas, Caloocan, Malabon and Valenzuela cities. 

Facebook with Free Data : Globe Telecom drives internet adoption in PH with complete suite of free Facebook

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"We are thrilled to connect more Filipino users to their favorite social networking site and drive the country’s positioning as the Digital Lifestyle Capital of the World. As more customers are embracing the digital lifestyle, we want to provide Filipinos more ways to access Facebook with free data and connect them to the rest of the world,” says Dan Horan, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe.

Globe Telecom announced that Facebook is back and it is here to stay! Customers can now enjoy Facebook with free data, Facebook 7-day trial for TM customers, and Free Facebook with GoSURF! You can also enjoy Spotify and casual games like Clash of Clans with your GoSurf plan!

The country’s leading mobile brand Globe Telecom reinforces its drive to boost internet penetration in the Philippines as it introduces more ways to get Filipinos connected to Facebook with the launch of a complete suite of access to the social networking site without data charges.

Continuing its commitment to enable the Filipino digital lifestyle with access to social networking to connect with people around the world, Globe is offering its customers Facebook with free data with a new in-app feature that allows customers to choose the type of Facebook access, Free Facebook for 7 Days for TM customers, and Free Facebook with a GoSURF subscription.

According to Facebook's official data, as of March 2015, monthly active users on Facebook in the Philippines has reached 43 million. This represents 23% growth when compared to March 2014. On the same period, mobile monthly active users reached 35 million, a 35% growth compared in the previous year. Daily active users hit 23 million, a 28% growth year-on-year. Finally, mobile daily active users in the Philippines reached 18 million, a 50% growth when compared to March 2014.

FACEBOOK WITH FREE DATA

Facebook with free data is a zero-rated, lightweight version of Facebook with limited access to photos and videos. Developed for people who are conscious of spending their mobile data, Facebook with free data will give customers more control over their data usage.

To use Facebook with free data, Globe customers will download and launch the latest version of Facebook for Android. They can also visit www.facebook.com in a browser on their mobile. They will then be prompted to opt in or out of Facebook with free data. If they opt out, they will automatically be directed to the full version of Facebook and charged their regular data rate. Those who opt in can begin browsing Facebook for free.

People using Facebook with free data will also get a data control button at the top of Facebook, which lets them easily switch between the free and the full versions of Facebook at any time. This button clearly indicates which version of Facebook the customer is currently using, and can be dismissed so as not to disturb browsing.

When a customer clicks a photo within Facebook, an external link, or any content that leads outside the Facebook app, they will be notified that they are leaving Facebook with free data and will be charged for data usage.

FREE FACEBOOK VIA TM CHOOSE-YOUR-NUMBER SIM

Available for the value of only P30, customers who have purchased the TM® Choose-Your-Number SIM will also receive the bonus of free access to the full Facebook experience for 7 days. Besides allowing customers to choose their own mobile number, the SIM also allows customers to register to different call, text, and mobile internet promos.

Mobile devices must be internet-capable and have a maintaining load balance of P1 in order to access free Facebook on TM® SIM cards.

FREE ACCESS TO FACEBOOK VIA GOSURF

For customers who want a full experience of Facebook with photo and video streaming access, they can register to a GoSURF data plan to access the social networking site for free. GoSURF is the telco's consumable data plan which paved the way for mobile users to embrace the habit of mobile browsing, with subscriptions growing by 131% and revenues by 124% over the last year.

As the only telco in the country to offer free access to Facebook with a complete browsing experience with a GoSURF subscription, Globe gives customers access to a full experience which includes viewing of photos, streaming of videos uploaded on Facebook, as well as posting, liking, sharing and making comments on the social networking site. Access to the Messenger app, excluding calls, is also free.

Available to Globe Prepaid and TM customers with a GoSURF subscription and to Globe Postpaid customers who will opt-in to the free Facebook promo, free access to Facebook works on any mobile platform, including the Facebook Android app and browsers (via m.facebook.com), without any maintaining balance.

Postpaid customers can access Facebook for free without any purchase requirement while Prepaid and TM customers will automatically get access upon purchase of any GoSURF promo. The validity of the free access to Facebook offer is the same as the subscribed GoSURF promo. 

Customers who have successfully registered on GoSURF will receive a text message notifying the availability of the free access to Facebook service, and will also see the “Facebook with Free Data” banner at the top of the mobile site or app once the free access to Facebook promo is activated.

Aside from Free Facebook, customers also get free access to premium content such as Spotify and top mobile games with GoSURF. With GoSURF50, customers get 300MB of data to access the internet and an additional free 400MB for music streaming and online mobile gaming for only P50 valid for 3 days. The games include Clash of Clans, Candy Crush Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Summoners War, Hay Day, Boom Beach, Soul Seeker, Dungeon Hunter 5, and Asphalt 8: Airborne. 

To get free access to Facebook on Prepaid or TM via GoSURF, simply register to any GoSURF promo and wait for the Facebook activation notification which will be sent via text message. For customers who wish to avail of the bonus FB trial for TM® SIMs, simply text BONUS FB to 8888. Facebook with free data launches once a customer has updated their FB app to its latest version and will automatically be available to those who are not on Postpaid or any GoSURF plan. For Postpaid customers, opt-in to free Facebook by texting FREE FB ON to 8888. To know more information, text FREE FB to 8888. To inquire about the promo, text FREE FB HELP to 8888. To check status, text FREE FB STATUS to 8888.

To know more or to keep updated about GoSURF, text GoSURF to 8888 or text “GoSURF FREE” to 8888 to get detailed information about the different freebies you can get with the promo. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph/gosurf.

PROMATE 240, Your Reliable Back-Up Power Solution Launched

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PROMATE 240, the latest on-the-go portable generator ideal for recreational and residential consumption was intruduced by the Powertech Asia Pacific Incorporated, a Philippine registered company and owner of Promate and the leading brand for portable generators in the Philippines. The launce was held this Wednesday July 8, 2015 at the Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City.

Promate 240 Indoor Power Station, as a complete back-up power solution, is designed to offer convenient and reliable source of power guaranteed to save your home and business from the hassles of possible outages. 

Packed with 24Ah sealed lead acid battery, this high-capacity power station suits indoor usage which could last several hours depending on power being plugged. It can also charge and power up selected appliances, mobile phones and your electronic devices, with 3 usb ports to fast-charge mobile devices.

It also has a one duplex 400 watts outlet that allows you to directly plug regular appliances power cords, and a battery cable port that allows you to jumpstart a car or connect the power station to a battery for additional power time. These features are not only affordable and easy to use, but also ideal for communities with rotating brownouts and condo users. 

With its compact design and reliability, Promate 240 enables users to charge it through AC, car and solar charging ports. It also has a 4-led digital display that allows you to monitor the status of the generator, from the power output to the battery voltage. 

Price and Availability

Promate 240 Indoor Power Station is currently available at major existing Promate retailers nationwide and is distributed by Powertech Asia Pacific Incorporated. Promate 240 has a Manufacturer’s Suggest Retail Price (MSRP) of Php 9,999 and will offer a 1-year limited warranty 

About Promate

Promate is a registered brand of Powertech Asia Pacific, and a leading brand of portable generator in the Philippines, with nationwide distribution and aftersales services. Due to its reliability and responsive service team, Promate® is became the brand of choice of most businesses such as drugstore, banks, convenient store ….to protect their business from brownouts . Promate® is also actively involved with various relief organization, regularly donating portable generators during calamities 

Consolidated suspensions for July 9, 2015

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Keep refreshing this link for the updated list of areas where class suspensions have been announced due to inclement weather:

ALL LEVELSNational Capital Region (NCR)

• Muntinlupa City
• Paranaque City
• Navotas City
• Marikina City
• Makati City
• Mandaluyong City
• Valenzuela City
• San Juan City
• Malabon City
• Taguig City
• Manila City
• Pasay City
• Pasig City
• Pateros
• Quezon City (until July 10, 2015)
• Caloocan City
• Las Pinas City

REGION IV-A (CALABARZON)

• Cavite Province
• Laguna Province
• Antipolo City
• Rizal Province
• Lipa City, Batangas
• Batangas City
• Lian, Batangas
• Rosario, Batangas
• Lemery, Batangas
• Calatagan, Batangas
• Taal, Batangas
• San Luis, Batangas
• Agoncillo, Batangas
• San Jose, Batangas
• Sto. Tomas, Batangas
• Tanauan, Batangas
• Balayan, Batangas
• Mataasnakahoy, Batangas
• San Pascual, Batangas
• Bauan, Batangas
• Calaca, Batangas
• Nasugbu, Batangas
• Malvar, Batangas
• Mabini, Batangas
• Cuenca, Batangas
• Balete, Batangas
• Lobo, Batangas
• Laurel, Batangas
• Tuy, Batangas
• Padre  Garcia, Batangas
• San Nicolas, Batangas
• Tingloy, Batangas
• Taysan, Batangas
• Talisay, Batangas
• Sta. Teresita, Batangas

REGION III 

• San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
• Bulakan, Bulacan
• Bocaue, Bulacan
• Malolos, Bulacan
• Sta. Maria, Bulacan
• Calumpit, Bulacan
• Hagonoy, Bulacan
• Paombong, Bulacan
• Marilao, Bulacan
• Meycauayan, Bulacan
• Angat, Bulacan (afternoon classes)
• Obando, Bulacan (until July 10, 2015)
• Olongapo City, Zambales
• Bataan Province
• Subic, Zambales
• Sasmuan, Pampanga

PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL 

• Ibaan, Batangas
• Alitagtag, Batangas
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Candaba, Pampanga
• Bacolor, Pampanga

PRESCHOOL TO ELEMENTARY

• Guiguinto, Bulacan (public only)
• Boac, Marinduque
• Masantol, Pampanga

Source: Facebook page of the Department of Education

VPY2015: Sports Tourism Heats Up

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The Philippines has become a destination for international wakeboarding events

June was an exciting month for both local and international athletes and sports enthusiasts as Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) featured some of the biggest sporting events across the country. 

The CamSur Watersports Complex held the adrenaline-pumping triathlon adventure, the Challenge CamSur 2015, where international triathletes joined in the thrill and competed with local triathlon champions. The event was a spin-off of Challenge Philippines Triathlon, one of the country’s biggest endurance events. 

Football fans headed to the Nuvali Football Field in Laguna for the 10th European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Football Cup. Participated by employees from different companies, organizations and NGOs, the fun cup aimed to build strong bonds with colleagues and to appreciate the game of football. 

Monster trucks roared into the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the country’s first Monster Jam. Fans from around the globe came to see the world famous monster trucks and their drivers as they competed in racing and freestyle events. Aside from enjoying the roaring engines and crushing actions, spectators took turns taking selfies with El Toro Loco, Grave Digger and other famous monster trucks. 

Sailing enthusiasts were treated to a fun sailing and navigation challenge for catamarans, yachts, jet skis, and kayaks at the Romblon 3 Islands Challenge in Romblon City. Windsurfers, meanwhile, traveled to Anilao, Batangas for the Philippine Windsurfing Camp. 

Cooling down the adrenaline were running events that promoted fitness and socialization for everyone. Pro and amateur runners celebrated Father’s Day with their families at the Run with Dad 2015 marathon in Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand. Marathoners were also in full force at Bonifacio Global City for the Fortune Care Run for a Healthier You, a fun run for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

With all these fun and energetic sporting events for local and foreign tourists to enjoy, this is indeed a dynamic time to visit the Philippines. 

Check out more exciting events and festivals that bring out the fun in you at www.visitph2015.com.

JBK’s inspirational pop single “Damang-Dama” now an online hit

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Filipino boy band JBK has scored an online hit with their inspirational pop song “Damang-Dama,” that has so far garnered over 400,000 views on Facebook. Camella Tierra Nevada provides a beautiful setting for the music video of “Damang-Dama”. (From L-R: Kim Lawrenz Ordonio, Bryan del Rosario and Joshua Bulot).

Emerging Filipino boy band JBK has scored an online hit with their inspirational pop song “Damang-Dama,” the carrier single of their upcoming self-titled album that is scheduled for release in August.

Choreographer Mich Garong trained Filipino boy band JBK (Joshua, Kim, Bryan).

In less than a week, “Damang-Dama” successfully garnered over 400,000 views on its Facebook posting, and has so far reached over 2.5 million people on the social media platform, according to JBK’s talent manager Chris Cahilig.

“The music video of ‘Damang-Dama’ quickly drew attention on Facebook where it was first posted, reaping praises and positive reviews from netizens because of its optimistic message, beautiful melody, and danceable choreography,” says Cahilig.

Composed of three exceptionally talented singers—Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio—JBK was one of the grand champions of the McJim Dreams Get Real: The Search for The Next OPM Star along with Fifth Dynamics and Neo Domingo. They became an online sensation after posting a series of a capella videos that the group filmed on a fire exit, thus earning them the moniker #FireExitBoys.

“Damang-Dama” is sponsored by Camella Homes under its music advocacy campaign, MusiCamella. The master-planned community of Camella Tierra Nevada in General Trias, Cavite, provided a picturesque setting for the viral music video.

The boys of JBK composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio.

The upbeat song was penned and arranged by acclaimed composer Jonathan Ong. Its music video was directed by award-winning filmmaker Lem Lorca, while its infectious choreography was conceptualized by Mich Garong.

‘Damang-Dama’ is a song for every Filipino who aspires for a better life for himself and his family,” Del Rosario explains. “It talks about the joys of realizing one’s dreams.”

JBK is supported by Camella Homes, McJim Classic Leather, and Bing Dio Salon. Interested parties may book JBK by sending an inquiry at chriscahilig@gmail.com or by visiting their fan page on Facebook.

Canadian Dignitaries Get a Taste of Home in Manila at Triple O’s

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A TASTE OF CANADA IN MANILA. Filipino-Canadian Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr. (left) and Canada’s Minister for International Trade, Ed Fast (right), are all set to enjoy Canada’s best burgers and milkshakes at Triple O’s SM Megamall.

For any Filipino who has ever spent some time in Canada, Triple O’s by White Spot will surely be a familiar name. The good news is that Triple O’s claim of having the “sauciest, juiciest, tastiest, bestest burgers around” has already been validated in the Philippines as well, courtesy of jam-packed branches in SM Megamall, SM Aura, and the UP Town Center Mall.

For those who have a hankering for something other than a fantastic burger, Triple O’s also provides a selection of other mains, such as chicken, pasta, and fish dishes. Another staple that has achieved a cult-like following are the hand-scooped Triple O’s milkshakes made with 100% premium ice cream.

Recently, the Triple O’s branch in SM Megamall welcomed some very special guests for a surprise lunch. Canada’s Minister for International Trade, the Hon. Ed Fast, joined the first Filipino-Canadian Senator, Tobias Enverga, Jr., and Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder for a taste of home in Manila. The dignitaries made time in their busy schedules to enjoy Canada’s best-loved burgers and milkshakes, while delighting both the staff and walk-in diners with trivia and other tidbits about the brand.

To find out what the hype is about, visit your nearest Triple-O’s outlet, log on to www.tripleos.com.ph, or join the conversation via @tripleosPH on Twitter and Facebook.

GrabCar First and Only Transport Network Company legalized by LTFRB

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The first and only Transport Network Company legalized by the Philippine government, GrabCar, the private hire vehicle booking service available through the GrabTaxi app.

GrabCar is the first and only service of its kind in the Philippines to be fully accredited as a Transportation Network Company (TNC) by the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Natasha Bautista, Head of GrabCar Philippines, said this GrabCar accreditation validates the company’s efforts in providing the safest and most convenient rides for passengers in the Philippines.

“With full accreditation, more Filipino commuters will be able to use GrabCar and be confident that we offer a legitimate and safe private hire service. We will now focus on rapidly expanding our GrabCar service to serve more passengers across the Philippines,” said Bautista.

“Our GrabCar accreditation by LTFRB is a historical occasion. We commend the Philippine government for collaborating with our team to revolutionize transport in the Philippines through the development of game-changing regulations that champion innovation and public safety for society,” she added.

First and only legal service

When GrabCar first entered the market, the service operated on par with the current industry standards. In May 2015, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced that it would create a new classification to accommodate mobile app-based booking services. On July 3rd, GrabCar became the first company to complete all the requirements and receive full accreditation as a TNC.

The requirements for TNC accreditation include: business permit, certificate of registration duly issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), business model proposal with proposed fare rates and service charges, and complaint mechanism against vehicle owners and drivers.

Safety remains top priority

“The stringent safety and training process we’ve implemented since day one has ensured that GrabCar complies with the new TNC regulations seamlessly and can be the first to be fully accredited by LTFRB. We are committed to screening and training our GrabPeer drivers for GrabCar in full compliance with the TNVS accreditation requirements set by LTFRB. In fact, we’re working with our Regional Head of Safety and the LTFRB to consistently ensure that our screening and safety measures are of the highest standard possible,” said Bautista.

“GrabCar has been very collaborative. Since day one of operations, they have been working closely with us to ensure that the policy on TNCs prioritizes passenger safety. We are happy to announce that GrabCar has already been accredited upon meeting all government requirements, and we are positive that this will revolutionize the Philippine transportation industry,” said Roberto Cabrera, LTFRB Executive Director.

GrabCar aims to complement the current transportation options in the country and provide passengers with another safe and affordable ride option. GrabCar believes that with full accreditation by the Philippine government, TNCs will be able to provide a fast, safe and convenient transport option for passengers.

Celebrate GrabCar’s Accreditation

To celebrate its full accreditation by the Philippine government, GrabCar is giving away an unlimited P100 discount on all GrabCar and GrabCar+ rides! 

Just use the promo code LEGALLYGRAB on every booking from July 7 to July 21, 2015.

Happy Anniversary GrabCar ! 

SM, Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Survey

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SM Supermalls was recently awarded at the annual Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Survey, garnering recognition in the shopping center category. The award solidifies SM’s reputation as a top-notch valued brand in the region. Receiving the award for the mall giant are Grace Magno, Vice-President of Advertising for SM Supermalls, Annie Garcia, President of SM Supermalls, and Ian Mathay, Assistant Vice-President for Operations of SM Supermalls. Presenting them with the award is Sheron White of Reader’s Digest (second from left).

Elance-oDesk Relaunches as Upwork, Debuts New Freelance Talent Platform

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Upwork ushers in a new chapter of online work, making it easier for businesses to find talent quickly — aims at real-time hiring and collaboration

Elance-oDesk, the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace, today relaunched with a new name, Upwork, and a new freelance talent platform, also called Upwork. Talent, like software before it, is shifting online. As the online work market leader, Upwork is the driving force behind the reimagination of work and represents a new chapter of innovation. As part of the new Upwork platform, the company also debuted new features aimed at connecting businesses with great talent faster than ever (within minutes).

There is a global talent pool for businesses to tap into

In the U.S. alone, 53 million professionals freelanced last year1. Globally, independent professionals are earning more than $1 trillion per year2. “There is literally an earth-sized talent pool of freelance professionals out there, and yet most businesses still limit their thinking to rigid local hiring models,” said Stephane Kasriel, CEO at Upwork. “Upwork’s launch signals a new chapter of work in which people are able to hire quality talent — regardless of where the professional happens to be — in minutes. Freelancers were already earning $1 billion annually via Elance-oDesk — I predict they will earn $10 billion annually via Upwork within six years.”

New Upwork freelance talent platform makes finding quality talent online easier

“Hiring is one of the most important things a business does, and yet it’s also the hardest and most time-consuming. Upwork’s new platform will radically disrupt hiring norms, making it much easier to hire a proven, high-quality freelancer quickly as well as to collaborate with them after the hire,” said Hayden Brown, VP of Product Management at Upwork.

Highlights of the new Upwork platform’s innovation include:

Faster hiring – Traditionally it took around three weeks to hire. Upwork’s innovations will make it possible to hire in minutes or less by factoring in availability and immediacy of response (i.e., is the freelancer available to engage in a chat-like interview instantly?) when finding freelancers. To do this the platform utilizes:

Enhanced matching algorithms developed by Upwork’s team of Stanford PhDs.

A new work status feature allowing freelancers to set their availability (“Right away,” “Later” or “Not looking”).

Upwork’s new mobile app, from which it’s possible to post jobs, submit proposals, review applicants and contract on the fly – enabling hires to be made from devices in minutes.

Real-time group collaboration – Upwork also includes a new real-time group collaboration tool that is similar to Slack but completely free and available to anyone on the web with no limitations (users don’t have to be an Upwork customer otherwise). These new features enable immediate collaboration after a hire, allowing clients to file share and communicate with their new workers instantaneously. Support for video and integrations with popular tools such as GitHub, Google Drive and Jira are also expected later in 2015.

Upwork launch disrupts hiring norms and represents a new chapter of online work

The launch of Upwork comes two weeks after announcing the promotion of Stephane Kasriel, previously the company’s top tech executive, to chief executive officer. Kasriel led a global team of 300+ engineers, designers and programmers — many of whom are freelancers hired from the company’s own marketplace — to create the new Upwork platform.

Businesses are already posting more than 3 million freelance jobs and conducting 100 million searches annually on the Elance and oDesk platforms.

“Though we are already the largest freelance talent marketplace — with $1B in freelancer earnings annually and the first online marketplace large enough to qualify for a ranking of top U.S. staffing and talent engagement firms — enormous market opportunity remains, and we decided it’s time to up the ante. This new platform will make hiring near-instant, which is a radical reimagination of work,” said Kasriel.

“This has implications not only for the way people work, but for the job market itself. Reduce the friction in a job market and you open up more opportunity,” said John Horton, Assistant Professor of Information, Operations and Management Sciences at NYU Stern School of Business and former Staff Economist at oDesk.

There have been three chapters of work’s shift online:

Chapter 1 (2000). Resumes and job classifieds move online

Sites moved job-related content online. Job boards (such as Monster.com and Craigslist) and professional profile sites (such as LinkedIn) made information more readily available, but didn’t provide clear indication of whether professionals were currently motivated to find work. They also focused on traditional hiring of full time, on-premise employees.

Chapter 2 (2005 – 2015). Online workplaces launch

Sites such as Elance.com and oDesk.com launched and — in addition to providing job listings, profiles and other context needed for hiring — enabled the actual work to happen online, thereby reducing dependencies on physical location and opening up a broader talent pool. These sites disrupted traditional hiring models and empowered flexible work by enabling clients to connect with motivated independent professionals actively looking for freelance work.

Chapter 3 (2015 – future). Online work goes real-time 

Upwork represents a new chapter in which real-time hiring will be realistic for businesses. Traditionally it took around three weeks to hire; now, Upwork is at an average of three days to hire, and within the year it will be possible to hire in minutes or less. With a clear indication of the best professional actively available across a global talent pool, the biggest barriers to hiring — bandwidth and availability of specific skills — will disappear.

“This chapter will deliver the increased opportunity that comes with less job market friction to both clients and independent professionals. We are a company that will be around in 100 years. Upwork’s launch up-levels our innovation as we lead the online work industry into a new chapter,” said Kasriel.

About Upwork

Upwork is the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace. As an increasingly connected and independent workforce goes online, knowledge work —like software, shopping and content before it— is shifting online as well. This shift is making it faster and easier for clients to connect and work with talent in near real-time and is freeing professionals everywhere from having to work at a set time and place.

Freelancers are earning more than $1 billion annually via Upwork. Upwork is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Oslo, Norway.

For more information, visit our website at www.upwork.com, join us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Cotton Council International (CCI) launches new brand identity

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Cotton Council International (CCI), the marketing and promotions arm of the United States cotton industry, has formally re-launched its 26-year old flagship brand, COTTON USA, in the Philippines. 

Since 1989, over 50,000 product lines and three billion products have proudly carried the name COTTON USA. This translates into about 100 million bales of cotton spun, woven, cut, sewn, and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Cotton Council International ASEAN Representative Kraipob Pangsapa recently flew to Manila to officially launch the new COTTON USA Mark here. With him is Dr. Ana Palabyab-Rufino who discussed the importance of using natural fibers such as cotton in our everyday wear, especially for babies, during the event. Cotton being non-irritant, breathable, and safe, she added, may help prevent skin conditions such as contact dermatitis.

“Our brand has been highly successful,” CCI President Dahlen Hancock said.

“However, the global marketplace has changed dramatically and has become more competitive because petroleum-based fibers are often cheaper. The new generation of consumers needs to hear why cotton is such a wonderful product and why U.S. cotton is the premier cotton for textile and garment manufacturers and consumers, especially families.”

In the Philippines, the COTTON USA Mark was introduced to garment manufacturers and consumers in 1994. The Mark, often displayed on garments and merchandizing shelves, has been a symbol that assured Filipinos that the items being purchased were 100 percent cotton, 50 percent of which was cotton sourced from the United States of America.

To date, CCI has 19 licensees divided into six categories – women’s wear, men’s wear, men’s innerwear, children’s wear, home textiles and personal care – in the country.

The benefits of cotton on skin

Cotton is a common fabric that makes up our everyday wear and clothing needs from innerwear, shirts, jeans, towels, and bed sheets. It is a natural fiber preferred especially for babies because it rarely causes allergic reactions to the skin, preventing irritation and excessive sweating.

Dermatologist Dr. Anna Palabyab-Rufino echoed the importance of using natural fibers like cotton to help prevent more complex skin conditions like textile contact dermatitis. 

“When choosing clothes, one should not just consider the aesthetic aspect. You should feel comfortable and pleasant when the fabric touches your skin,” she said.

Dr. Rufino added that choosing non-irritant, absorbent, breathable, easy-to-wash, and natural fabrics is one way of preventing or treating these skin manifestations. In comparison, synthetic fabrics may contain formaldehyde finishing resins, dyes, glues, chemical additives and tanning agents that can be harmful to the skin. 

U.S. Cotton – purity, quality and responsibility 

In addition to a new logo, the re-launch includes a revitalized brand vision emphasizing three key attributes that set U.S. cotton apart from others – purity, quality and responsibility. Further, new promotional and merchandising tools will be rolled out in stages globally over the next year. 

Purity 

U.S. cotton is shipped pure from the field. It’s clean, non-irritating, and safe. It is the standard by which all other fibers are measured.

Quality

U.S. cotton producers take meticulous care to produce high quality U.S. cotton. Cotton grown with care is soft and white, but it takes hard work, sophisticated technology, and true craftsmanship to bring out the very best in nature. COTTON USA licensees use U.S. cotton to manufacture high quality apparels and home textiles.

Responsibility

From U.S. cotton producers to manufacturers, they are dedicated to creating a better world. Since 1980 to 2011, as result of continuous improvement, U.S. cotton producers significantly reduced five resources to produce cotton fiber. Land use has been reduced by 30 percent, soil erosion by 68 percent, irrigation water applied by 75 percent, energy use by 31 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent. And, at the end of its journey, U.S. cotton is biodegradable and can be safely returned to earth.

In conjunction with the National Cotton Council, CCI works to promote U.S. cotton exports through COTTON USA in more than 50 countries globally, including the Philippines. With offices in Washington, Memphis, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai and dedicated representatives in numerous other countries, CCI plays the lead role in educating and strengthening the market for U.S. cotton and U.S. cotton products around the world. 

For more information on CCI, please visit www.cottonusa.org.

Laguna Water wins World Bank-PPIAF PPP Competition

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Laguna Water, the biggest water service provider in Laguna, was hailed as the Case Study Category Winner of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Short Stories Competition organized by the World Bank Group and the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), which recognizes innovative ideas for increasing private sector participation in infrastructure in developing countries. 

The Manila Water subsidiary’s case study, “Alternative PPP Model: The Laguna Water Story,” examines how Manila Water through a joint venture with the Provincial Government of Laguna has significantly improved access to clean, safe, and reliable 24/7 piped water in the cities of Binan, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa since it took over operations in 2009. From only 14 % service coverage six years ago, Laguna Water now supplies 120 million liters of potable water per day to 62% of the service area. The company has also lowered systems losses due to leakage and pilferages from a high 48% to 12%, and has prioritized water provision and income generating programs for the low-income communities in the Province.

The entry was evaluated and selected by a judging committee composed of independent panel of global PPP experts looking for innovative solutions and best practices for developing and implementing PPPs, who found the Laguna Water Story to be very compelling on how an innovative solution was set up in the Philippines to help leverage PPP projects in water infrastructure. 

The competition received 153 submissions from students and practitioners in over 50 countries around the world, and included examples of innovative PPPs in emerging markets across a broad range of sectors, such as transport, water, energy, and health. A number of factors were considered, ranging from the identification of actionable ideas, replication potential, and relevance to the World Bank Group’s twin goals — ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.

Reliving the Charm of a Truly Intimate Escape

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This is a photo composite of Mahogany and Linden Towers against the Tagaytay Highlands landscape. Surrounded by ridges, aromatic trees and undulating hills of Tagaytay lies Woodridge Place, a Colorado-inspired condominium development providing the comforts of a fast-paced life, yet in a much more natural and peaceful setting.

As Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living, it offers yet another innovative project where families may live with only the finest things in life – the Woodridge Place.

The Woodridge Place, which is only 70-minute drive from Metro Manila, is a 9-building condominium development inspired by the architectural design of the mountain resorts and ski lodges in Colorado, USA. It is located at 1,715 feet above sea level in Tagaytay that gives you unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauties.

“Woodridge Place perfectly shows sophistication in the countryside. Most people would think that to be able to have a true sense of serenity, you need to go to the farthest places and leave the comforts of modern life behind.”, said Ms. Lennie A. Mendoza, Senior Vice President.

Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living as it offers more and more innovative projects like the Woodridge Place where families can live with the finest things in life.

Live your life at the top, literally and figuratively. The last two buildings – namely Mahogany and Linden – are oriented on an east-west axis which allows smooth passage of natural daylight and mountain breeze. Both buildings have 11 residential floors where units’ sizes vary from one-bedroom to four-bedroom that are carefully planned and designed with the client’s comfort and convenience in mind. Each unit has large picture windows that allow homeowners to witness nature’s everyday miracle.

This photo is just a representation of the architectural theme of Woodridge place. 1,715 feet above sea level lies Linden and Mahogany Towers, Colorado-inspired condominium buildings that offer first-class facilities and services.

The two buildings also share a viewing deck that can be used as an activity area for intimate group soirees. Families may go on picnics or strolls in the two pocket parks on bright sunny days. Designed to provide first-class amenities and unparalleled services, Tagaytay Highlands is also home to the first and only Swiss Cable Car System in the country, the funicular train, and two world-class golf courses.

Truly the perfect place to relax and unwind, Woodridge Place brings families together and gives a whole new meaning to countryside living.

Fuel up to help drive public senior high school learning

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By fuelling up in participating Caltex stations from June 15 to July 15, motorists can help provide vital teaching equipment to the highest-need public senior high schools in Metro Manila. For every four-liter fuel purchase, Caltex will donate P1 to fund classroom projects submitted by teachers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Caltex Fuel Your School (CYFS) program will help STEM educators more effectively teach their students who will be among the first batches of grades 11 and 12 in the country.

Photo above shows staff at Caltex station inviting motorists to support and promote CYFS by posting and sharing online to their Facebook friends. 

CFYS is part of the Caltex Energy for Learning Initiative, which supports educational programs that help individuals to acquire knowledge and gain new skills. CYFS is supported by the Department of Education and the American Chamber Foundation as partners.

For more information about CYFS, visit http://www.caltex.com/ph/fuelyourschool or Caltex Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaltexPhilippines .

About Chevron Philippines Inc.

Chevron Philippines Inc. has been operating in the country for more than 90 years. Caltex, its retail brand, offers high quality products and services. There are close to 700 service stations strategically scattered throughout the Philippine archipelago and employees working in several areas of business such as Marketing, Lubricants and Terminal operations. The Chevron products that are available in the Philippines include Caltex with Techron fuel and Caltex Diesel with TechronD, Havoline and Delo oils. More information on Chevron Philippines Inc. is available at www.caltex.com/ph.

Meet Kevin, Stuart and Bob in "Minions" in theaters this July 2015

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Meet Kevin, Stuart and Bob, main characters in "Minions" in theaters this July 2015. 

Directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin and written by Brian Lynch, "Minions" with the stars Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm and Michael Keaton.

After gaining fame as clumsy but loyal assistants to villainous Gru in Despicable Me and friends to his cute adopted daughters in Despicable Me 2, these famous yellow henchmen star in a movie of their own in "Minions."

Minions are yellow henchmen, who have existed since the beginning of beginning, evolving from a yellow single-cell organisms into beings who have only one purpose: to serve the most ambitious villains. After their masters were destroyed, they decide to isolate themselves from the world and start a new life in Antarctica. Sometime in the 60s, the lack of a master drives them into depression, so bravest minion and two other volunteers set out to find a new one.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks on a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind from annihilation.

Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob  arrive at a villain convention, where they compete for the right to be henchmen for Scarlet Overkill, a stylish and ambitious, a super-villain who determined to dominate the world and become the first female super-villain, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, "Minions" is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film.

Opening across the Philippines on July 2015, "Minions" is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Here's the teaser trailer of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming comedy adventure.

Enjoy the wonderful world of the "Minions!"