Celebrate the Yuletide Season at PAGCOR

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Tis the season to be jolly at Casino Filipino as it celebrates the Holiday Season with lots of merry-making and exciting line-up of celebrity shows. 

Have a riotous holiday with the comic tandem of Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola on December 11 at Casino Filipino Mimosa. Share a night of laughter with the duo as they make the crowds holler the moment they deliver their side-splitting punches.

Catch K Brosas and Pooh as they ignite the stage with their hilarious antics on December 11 at Casino Filipino Tagaytay. What happens if we put together two of the country’s top comedians onstage? It’s definitely twice the fun, wackiness, and riot.

The country’s great impersonator Mr. Willie Nepomuceno returns on Pagcor stage on December 11 at Casino Filipino Carmona. See for yourself why he remains one of the most enduring and respected artists in the industry.

Laugh till you drop with comedians Le Chazz and AJ Tamiza on December 16 (Casino Filipino Angeles) and December 19 (Casino Filipino Olongapo).

Can’t get enough of Mistres? The multi-talented trio, who wowed the judges and audience of Asia’s Got Talent, will take the spotlight once again on December 16 (Casino Filipino Pavilion) and December 26 (Casino Filipino Cebu).

The alluring Rufa Mae Quinto will sizzle the cold December night on December 19 at Casino Filipino Hyatt. Joining her onstage is Petite.

For inquiries, call the PAGCOR Entertainment Department at (02) 708-2046, 526-0337 loc 2401 or 2403. Check and ‘Like’ us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pagcor.artists

'Pambansang Bae' Alden Richards with Rochelle Pangilinan in Casino Filipino Concert Tour

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Alden Richards, actor-singer and well known as the “Pambansang Bae”  and of the phenomenal “AlDub” love team brings an exciting yuletide treat to Casino Filipino (CF) patrons as he tours various CF branches and satellites for a nationwide concert tour. 

Richards, who rose to unparalleled fame because of the phenomenal “Kalyeserye” of the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” will be joined by former Sexbomb dancer Rochelle Pangilinan in highly-anticipated gigs.

Richards and Pangilinan will also be spotted at CF Tagaytay (December 5), CF Pavilion (December 9), CF Cebu (December 12), CF Malate (December 15), Talisay Satellite (December 17) and CF Davao (December 18). 

Although it will be his first time to perform at Casino Filipino, Richards promised that his concert tour with Pangilinan will be full of surprises. 

“I’m sure that those who will come to see the shows will be thrilled with the surprise numbers we prepared for them. They will certainly enjoy and have a good time,” Richards said.

Pangilinan, meanwhile, is excited to perform again at Casino Filipino. “Medyo matagal na nang huli akong mag-show sa Casino Filipino. I’m really looking forward to entertain the casino crowd lalo na’t makakasama ko pa si Alden sa shows namin. Maraming salamat sa PAGCOR sa patuloy na pagpo-promote ng local talents tulad namin. Inilalapit nila kami sa mga tao na hindi makapanood ng mga shows namin na may bayad o ticket selling,” Pangilinan said.

According to Bong Quintana, PAGCOR Assistant VP for Entertainment, this special Christmas treat aims to provide CF patrons with one-of-a-kind entertainment. “Casino Filipino’s celebration of the Christmas season is going to be joyous and extraordinary. By featuring prominent artists like Alden Richards and Rochelle Pangilinan, we bring our entertainment shows to a higher level,” he added.

Admission to the CF shows of Alden Richards and Rochelle Pangilinan is free on a first come, first served basis. Open to 21 yrs old and above. All shows start at 9:00 p.m.

For more details, please call the PAGCOR Entertainment Department at (02) 708-2046 or (02) 526-0337 locals 2401 to 2403 or visit www.facebook.com/pagcorartists. 

Redesigned, Refined, and Supercharged: AMD Launches New Graphics Software, Radeon Software Crimson Edition

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Fully re-architected graphics software ushers in a new era of immersive computing with redesigned user interface, remarkable features, powerful performance boosts and significant power savings for gamers

AMD recently released its completely reimagined graphics software suite, Radeon Software Crimson Edition, giving users an exceptional new user experience, 12 new or enhanced features, up to 20 percent more graphics performance, adjustability that can nearly double generational energy efficiency, and rock-solid stability across the full spectrum of AMD graphics products. The release is the first from the Radeon Technologies Group, which recently announced a renewed focus on software placing it on par with hardware initiatives.

“As the primary way that people interact with our products, our software deserves to be viewed as a top priority, and going forward that’s exactly what we’re doing, delivering easy-to-use software that is packed with real user benefits, starting with Radeon Software Crimson Edition,” said Raja Koduri, senior vice president and chief architect, Radeon Technologies Group. “Radeon Technologies Group is laser-focused on the vertical integration of all things graphics, propelling the industry forward by driving performance per watt, creating innovative technologies and ensuring that the software supporting our GPUs is world class.” 

Radeon Software Crimson Edition includes:

• Radeon Settings – A new, streamlined user interface: Engineered to get the best performance on AMD graphics hardware, the user-friendly and feature-rich Radeon Settings is lightning fast, starting up 10 times faster3 and initializing displays three times faster4 than the AMD Catalyst™ driver. It also offers more intuitive navigation, a new game manager, new overdrive, and new video, display and AMD Eyefinity technology sections letting users easily apply game settings, adjust performance settings, and apply various features and configurations to their computing experience.
• 12 new or enhanced features: A wide range of new and augmented capabilities help ensure that users enjoy the best experience possible across gaming, video and productivity applications.
• Supercharged performance and energy efficiency: Radeon Software Crimson Edition enables up to 33 percent faster game load times5, up to 20 percent more game performance1, and up to 1.8 times more energy efficiency capability2 than its predecessor which can increase system performance-per-watt by as much as 23 percent.6
• First public support of AMD LiquidVRTM technology: GCN’s Asynchronous Compute Engine helps to dramatically improve frames per second (FPS), responsiveness and latency in Virtual Reality applications for an exceptionally smooth gaming experience on all GCN-based hardware.
• Seamless stability: With twice the number of test cases across 15 percent more system configurations than AMD Catalyst™ Omega, and the implementation of a huge number of community-driven requests, Radeon Software Crimson Edition delivers exceptional stability across a range of experiences.​

Radeon Software Crimson Edition is available for free download today at http://support.amd.com/en-us/download.

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Training at Porsche for underprivileged young people in Asia

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Prospects for young Filipinos in the growth regions 

Since 2008 the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA) in Manila has been offering Filipinos from underprivileged backgrounds career opportunities in the car industry.

The brands Audi and Volkswagen now become new cooperation partners in this initiative. In future the companies are planning together recruiting junior technical staff from PTRCA, with job opportunities mainly in the Middle East region.

The development of the PTRCA to PTRCA 2.0 with the new cooperation partners means that much more young Filipinos will be accepted in the training programme. Instead of the current 32 trainees per year, in 2016 there will be 120 and in 2017 even 145. 

In the past six years, in cooperation with the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) and the local importer and dealer PGA Cars Inc. Porsche has already trained more than 250 young adults as motor vehicle service mechatronic technicians.

They cover the sports car manufacturer's growing demand for qualified specialists, especially in the Porsche centres in the Middle East and Asia Pacific growth markets. “Good English language skills and the good work ethic the people of the Philippines are known for are beneficial here”, explains Michael Drolshagen, Head of After Sales at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, the reason for setting up the PTRCA in Manila. Training there was and remains first and foremost a recruitment programme. “But of course for us it means also practising social responsibility. Because a qualification from the PTRCA not only gives these young adults access to the international labour market, it also gives them a real opportunity to noticeably improve their own living conditions and to strengthen their family environment.”

Jayson Supan's story is an example of this. In 2008 he was one of the first graduates of the PTRCA. In February 2009 he started working as a motor vehicle service mechatronics technician at the Porsche Centre Al Nabooda Automobiles LLC in Dubai. The career of Jayson Supan has continuously advanced to the present day. He is currently making the transition from a system technician to a diagnosis specialist. This means that he is once again expanding his area of responsibility and his salary. Even his present salary is several times higher than the average wage in the Philippines. This puts him in a position to build his own house in the Philippines and to pay for his brother's schooling in his distant home country. In addition, he is helping his parents to set up a small rental company for motorbikes and vans in the Philippines. 

The success of the training programme can also be seen in the extremely low fluctuation rate of less than three per cent – in regions where 20 per cent is usual. Robert Coyiuto Jr., businessman and owner of PGA Cars Inc. in Manila: “I am glad that we have – along with Don Bosco – established the success of the program from the initial idea from Porsche AG and us. Having reached our six year mark last December, we are confident of the skills of the graduates and long term potential of the advanced training curriculum. The PTRCA not only provides a highly skilled and proficient labor force for the global Porsche and Volkswagen Group network but also provides the underprivileged yet highly deserving Filipino youth the opportunity to become breadwinners for their families. This also underlines the fact that as a successful company we put a strong priority on our corporate social responsibility. This is my commitment.” 

The 250 graduates of the PTRCA to date are distributed over eleven countries. The focus is on the Middle East where skilled technicians are highly required. There the extremely well trained motor vehicle service mechatronics technicians ensure the high service quality expected by customers in the Porsche centres. 

Starting this year, PTRCA extends its scope by including Audi and Volkswagen for the Middle East region. Benoit Tiers, Group Managing Director of AVME (Audi Volkswagen Middle East) comments this choice:

“The programme has proven its value and we can build on it quickly and easily. It demonstrates the strengths of our Group by using synergies and know-how across the Volkswagen Group brands. We will be closely involved in the PTRCA 2.0 in the next years as we plan to participate in the development of the curriculum, but also to look at further training for teachers and eventually the equipment. The expansion of the PTRCA programme to include a body technician apprenticeship and from 2017 service advisor training programmes lends additional dynamism. This noticeably further increases the benefits for all Volkswagen Group brands and the dealer network.”

The Order Salesians Don Boscos play a major role in the overall structure of the PTRCA. With its Don Bosco Technical Institute the society has outstanding educational expertise and excellent technical know-how. In addition, the Salesians Don Boscos are the ideal partner for working with underprivileged young people. With their long-standing presence they enjoy a high level of acceptance, especially in the poor districts of the Philippines.

“The Salesians Don Boscos are extremely well geared to our needs. And the fact that they are represented in 132 countries means that we can multiply the training programme at any time, too”, says Dr Stefan Lutz, Director After Sales Market Qualification and Support at Porsche. His team has been responsible for the operational support of PTRCA right from the start. Among other tasks the team is concerned with the training content of the 24-month apprenticeship.

“Young people have a right to education, training and work”, says Christian Osterhaus, Managing Director of the German NGO Don Bosco Mondo. “Vocational training ‘Made in Germany’ is highly regarded around the world. And it is not only young people in emerging and developing countries who benefit – society as a whole and the companies involved benefit just as much. I am very pleased that a premium company like Porsche is also giving underprivileged young people abroad a chance. Together we are able to offer young people from extremely difficult social backgrounds prospects for finding a good job through vocational training and therefore the chance for a life in dignity. Here in Manila we are experiencing exemplary implementation.”

The development of the PTRCA to PTRCA 2.0 with the new cooperation partners Audi Volkswagen Middle East means that in future even more space is needed. So it's good that the Don Bosco Technical Institute is currently building a new 6,000 square metre training centre in Manila. On an area of about 1,500 square metres it will house seminar rooms and training workshops for the PTRCA 2.0 for the brands Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen.

With the appropriate equipment the brands also ensure that the young people are instructed in accordance with state-of-the-art technology. In addition, thanks to future cooperation agreed with the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, after their final examination they will receive a certificate that can be even better compared with the European qualifications framework.

SM Bowling Millionaires Cup back for Second Season!

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Win over PHP 4 MILLION in cash prizes at the grandest bowling tournament in Philippine history! 

The SM Bowling Millionaires Cup is back for a second season with bigger and better rewards! Instant cash prizes are already given to top ranking bowlers during the qualifying rounds. At any point of the tournament, complete a perfect round of 12 strikes, and take home as much as PHP 500,000. Grand prizes are given up until the 16th placer, with the grand prize winner taking home millions in pesos.

Open to all bowlers, the 2nd SM Bowling Millionaires Cup is certified by the Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) and the Affiliated Local Bowling Association (ALBA). The second Millionaires Cup is divided into four categories: Junior Masters for bowlers 20 years old and below, Senior Masters for bowlers 50 years old and above, Classified Masters for bowlers with PBC averages 186 and below, and Open Masters for all bowlers, regardless of average and age. 

Aspirants are encouraged to enter more than one division for bigger chances of winning. The competition will travel all seven branches of the SM Bowling and Leisure Center in Fairview, Megamall, Southmall, Lanang, Mall of Asia, North Edsa, and Cebu. 

The finals will be held at the to-be-opened SM Bowling and Leisure Center in SM Clark, Pampanga. The national finals for classified masters and for open masters will take place in MOA on December 14 and 15 respectively, while the grand finals will take place in the SM Clark, Pampanga on December 16. 

The SM Bowling Millionaires Cup is the largest bowling competition in Philippine history. Following suit to a very successful first season, with the grand prize winner taking home PHP 2 Million and a car, the SM Bowling Millionaires Cup is back for its second edition, promising a better competition with bigger prizes at stake. Recently nominated in the Sports Industry Awards 2015 for best amateur event, the SM Bowling Millionaires Cup had over 733 entries, 145 participants, and 60,000 viewers in the past year. Try your luck and win fortune and fame in the 2nd SM Bowling Millionaires Cup! Qualifying period begins on October 26, 2015.

For more information, visit your local SM Bowling and Leisure Center, log on to www.smbowling.com, or dial 862-7609.

First and exclusive on Animax, "Exodus" premieres on December 8

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Peace has finally returned to the island of Tatsumiyajima where the battles occurred. However, how long will this peace last? Amidst the uncertainly, there is the existence of two special girls, one who can understand the Festum and the other who is protected by the Festum. When the two girls cross paths, a new world is about to unfold....

Exodus premieres on December 8, 10:00pm Mondays-Tuesdays. 2 episodes back to back. First and exclusive on Animax.

Animax is seen on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 34 and Dream Channel 7.

MCA Music Artists – Mitoy Yonting, Sabrina, and Darren Espanto bag awards

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MCA Music Artists – Mitoy Yonting, Sabrina, and Darren Espanto emerged victorious this November, for bagging home multiple awards in recognition of their excellence in the music industry from different award ceremonies and categories!

Mitoy Yonting

Mitoy Yonting, known for his excellent vocal chops and belting, won the Gawad Rajah Sulayman Award(Remarkable achievement as Filipino & as performing Artists) at Gawad Amerika Awards Night at the Celebrity Center, Hollywood, CA, last Nov 17, 2015. Gawad Amerika Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping and cultivation the talents of young Filipino-Americans. Awards are given to Filipinos who are excelling in their chosen careers to honor their achievements and to inspire the younger generation to excel in their respective chosen careers.

Sabrina

Meanwhile, Sabrina, Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart also took home The Philippine Movie Press Club’s (PMPC) annual music award for the 7th PMPC Star Awards for Female Acoustic Artist of the Year last November 10, 2015, at KIA Theater, Cubao.

Darren Espanto

And last but definitely not the least, the biggest winner in this group is also the youngest, singer and performer Darren Espanto was able to bag home several award in two different events! The young singer won not one but two awards in the 7th PMPC Star Awards. He won Best Album Cover Concept and Design, and Best Pop Album of the Year for his debut album “Darren”. In the first ever PUSH AWARDS held in Resorts World Manila last November 10, 2015; Darren won awards for Pushgram Most Loved Newcomer, Pushlike Most Liked Newcomer, Pustweet Favorite Newcomer, and Awsome Song Cover.

The results from Push Awards Night is produced from Push.com.ph, an entertainment website launched last September by ABS-CBN to poll and tally the popularity of celebrities and artists through likes, shares, etc. on their respective social media accounts. Push Awards aims to honor these artists and celebrities and their fans through this awards night.

Mitoy has just released his new single “Pangakong Tapat” from his debut album “HanggangWakas”. Its music video is now playing on top music channels and also on VEVO. Sabrina’s latest album “I Love Acoustic 8” came out last August featuring the lead single “Thinking Out Loud”. She recently conquered Korea as the Philippine’s representative at the 2015 Asia Song Festival in Busan. Her duet with Indonesian artist Chilla Kiana for “Thinking Out Loud” is featured in the Indonesian version of the album and is now also playing on MYX. Darren is keeping himself busy with shows around the Philippines with his “D Road Tour” which continues its leg on these following dates: Dec 6 at Tacloban, Dec 12 at Baguio, and Dec 19 at Robinsons Davao. Some dates may still be added in the future.

For inquiries and bookings, contact Sammy Samaniego at Sammy Samaniego at (632) 9162504 local 107, (0920) 9682991, (0917) 8565174 or email sammy.samaniego@umusic.com. For more information about MCA Music artists, log on to www.facebook.com/mcamusic, Instagram- mca_music or Twitter- mcamusic.

Be part of this year’s My Dream in a Shoebox and transform lives one shoebox at a time.

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My Dream in a Shoebox partners with National Bookstore and Jones Lang LaSalle for its 7th year 

A Roman Philosopher once said “Non nobis solum nati sumus” which means not unto ourselves alone are we born. And what better way to celebrate the spirit of Christmas than through the gift of giving.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) together with integrated marketing agency TeamAsia have partnered with National Book Store and Jones Lang LaSalle for the annual My Dream in a Shoebox. The Christmas initiative invites everyone to help less fortunate children dream bigger dreams by giving them access to school supplies that they can use to achieve their goals.

IBPAP and TeamAsia have long been strong advocates of edification. What started in 2009 as a simple idea has turned into a beacon of hope. Last year, almost 30,000 underprivileged Filipino children were helped by this initiative. On its 7th year, My Dream in a Shoebox aims to help even more young minds to reach for their dreams.

“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives should be more than just a one day event ” says Bea Lim, Managing Director of TeamAsia. 

“It’s an opportunity to utilize our own strengths to help others wake up to a brighter future. My Dream in a Shoebox aims to aid underprivileged kids with the necessary tools to continue their schooling because we believe that is one big step in creating this brighter future,” she adds.

IBPAP together with TeamAsia reiterated their passion for making education more accessible to Filipinos, especially the youth, through this project.

“We believe that education is the most important tool for our youth today,” IBPAP President Jomari Mercado said. “If we give our children access to education, we are, in effect, giving them an opportunity to draw a path towards success. Through My Dream in a Shoebox, we are empowering them to achieve greater goals in life.”

Companies like Acquire BPO and Shore Solutions Inc., Capital One Philippines Support Services Corporation (COPSSC), Chevron, Henkel Asia Pacific Services Center, Northern Trust, Synchrony Global Services Philippines Inc., and WiPro BPO Philippines Ltd. Inc, have pledged their support for this year’s My Dream in a Shoebox.

This year it is easier to help make bigger dreams come true now that National Bookstore is on board this initiative. Benefactors can purchase supplies at affordable prices and enjoy free delivery through the partnership with National Book Store.

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) contributions are also highly encouraged. Simply cover a shoebox with Christmas wrappers and fill it with two (2) notebooks, one (1) pad paper, two (2) pens, two (2) pencils, one (1) eraser, and one (1) bottle of glue. Shoeboxes may be delivered to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Warehouse at 2698 Guatemala Street, Barangay San Isidro, Makati City every Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting November 20, 2015.

Companies who are part of this year’s My Dream in a Shoebox can also take part in gift-giving days this December. Shoeboxes collected will be given to beneficiaries from Payatas Orione Foundation on December 11, 2015 at San Juan Evangelista St. Payatas A, Quezon City, SOS Children Village Foundation on December 15 at Mindanao Drive Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, San Pedro Calungsod Parish on December 28 at Southville 3, Bilibid Compound, Muntinlupa and Ascension of our Lord Parish on December 30 at Goodwill 2 Subdivision, Paranaque City. Our beneficiaries also include Ronald McDonald House Charities, Alabang Elementary School, Hospicio de San Jose, and more.

Support can be felt in many ways. My Dream in a Shoebox also welcomes monetary sponsorships for the renovation of Payatas Orione Training Center in Dalahican Quezon. The venue will be used to host more outreach and gift giving programs.

Help someone dream bigger dreams. Be part of this year’s My Dream in a Shoebox and transform lives one shoebox at a time.

For more inquiries, call +632 757 3500 or visit http://teamasia.com/shoeboxcampaign/