Globe Telecom opens world-class ICONIC Store by June 2016

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Debuts its superior entertainment center with PH premiere of hit musical Green Day’s American Idiot

True to its commitment of providing a wonderful experience for its customers, Globe Telecom is redefining the Philippine retail platform anew with the opening of its flagship ICONIC store, a world-class destination that is home to the latest in retail, entertainment, music, and everything about the Filipino digital lifestyle. The ICONIC store promises to deliver a more exceptional retail space experience that is more innovative, dynamic, and interactive from its predecessor, the highly-successful GEN3 concept store.

Designed by Tim Kobe of Eight Inc., the same designer of the Globe GEN3 stores as well as the acclaimed Apple store in New York, the ICONIC store will soon rise as one of the most renowned landmarks in the country located at the Bonifacio Global City Central Square in Taguig. One of its most ambitious elements of the ICONIC store is the glass bridge that will link two Globe stores from opposite sides of the BGC Central Square.

“The opening of our GEN3 stores in 2014 set the tone on how customer experience in telco has evolved from purely transactional to more dynamic and engaging. GEN3 has given our customers a new way of discovering their digital lifestyle with our topnotch service and innovative products and services. As we near the launch of the ICONIC store, we are thrilled to deliver a new world-class entertainment experience right at the heart of Bonifacio Global City that does not only bring up the ante in retail and entertainment, but also elevates the customer experience to a whole new level,” says Globe Retail Transformation and Stores Management Head Joe Caliro.

Launching in two phases, the first phase of the opening on June 2016 will unveil the entertainment piece that will house shows, concerts, and a variety of on-ground events and activities. It will feature massive LED screens and top-quality lights and sounds equipment for an outdoor entertainment experience at par with global standards. It will also boast a fully-functional Chroma key studio set-up that can be used by media partners, making the ICONIC store the first ever all-in-one retail and entertainment space in the world.

When Globe ICONIC opens, Filipinos will have a new and one-of-a-kind venue where they can take part in world-class productions such as plays, concerts, and musicals, among others.'

Green Day’s American Idiot in PH

To officially launch and showcase the entertainment piece of the ICONIC store, Globe, together with 9Works Theatrical, will premiere the award winning Broadway musical Green Day’s American Idioton June 22, 2016.

Green Day’s American Idiot is a sung-through stage adaptation of punk rock band Green Day's 2004 rock opera album American Idiot. It features the story of three disaffected young men, representing the exhilarating journey of a new generation of young Americans in a post-9/11 world. The musical is also deemed relevant to today’s youth as they develop the habit of responsible use of social media.

The American Idiot musical received over 9 nominations from various award giving bodies including the Tony Awards, and won more than 5 prestigious awards including the “Best Musical Show Album” in the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Visit www.facebook.com/globePH orwww.youtube.com/user/GlobeP and follow @enjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram for more details and to stay updated on how to get passes to the premiere.

With OPPO F1 Plus, “get the perfect shot on the first snap, anywhere and anytime.” - Sarah G

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OPPO Philippines’ brand ambassador Sarah Geronimo at the OPPO F1 Plus launch held at Shangri-La the Fort, BGC, April 16, 2016

OPPO’s camera phone with a 16-megapixel front camera has been officially launched in the Philippines. The F1 Plus, the second device after the F1 in the camera-centric F series, is being touted as the “bigger, better Selfie Expert.”

OPPO, the global electronics and technology service provider presented the new device retails for P21,990 and is available for pre-order nationwide from April 16 to April 29. Down payment is just P1,000, and you get a free OPPO selfie stick along with the unit as soon as you pick it up starting April 30.

Great selfies whenever, wherever

The F1 Plus has a 16-megapixel front-facing Hi-Light Camera that captures clear, vivid photos in any lighting condition.

Four times more sensitive than standard cameras, the F1 Plus’ Hi-light Camera excels in low-light, back-lit, and night-time photography. The camera also offers twice the dynamic range of cameras without the Hi-Light technology, and captures photos with four times less noise.

“Selfies will always turn out bright and clear no matter the time of the day because of the F1 Plus’ unique sensor technology and wide f/2.0 aperture lens,” said Marton Barcza, OPPO’s product expert. 

“The F1 Plus also has the highest front camera resolution on the market.”

The OPPO F1 Plus features a custom-built Hi-light Camera that takes vibrant pictures in various lighting conditions.

The phone comes with the new Selfie Panorama and Beautify 4.0 features, and the front-facing Screen Flash. Its custom-built sensor arranges pixels in a unique pattern to create clear and bright photos that are strikingly rich in color.

Sarah Geronimo, OPPO Philippines’ brand ambassador, said all these camera features allow users to “get the perfect shot on the first snap, anywhere and anytime.”

OPPO has likewise upgraded its built-in selfie beautification app with Beautify 4.0. After six months of testing and 150 revisions, Beautify 4.0 is optimized to enhance one’s look in a snap.

By highlighting the user’s best facial features and minimizing flaws, Beautify 4.0 produces natural-looking photos.

“You’ll never have to take bad selfies again thanks to Beautify 4.0, which serves like your own styling team,” Geronimo said.

With the Selfie Panorama feature, you can take extra-wide 120-degree shots, as the F1 Plus seamlessly combines three photos to ensure that everyone in the group is in the photo.

“I’m sure everyone will look good in every ‘groupie’ because of the F1 Plus’ easy-to-use Selfie Panorama,” Geronimo said. 

Light, thin and comfortable

The smartphone has an elegant frame that’s fit for style-minded users. The F1 Plus has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 4th Generation Gorilla Glass. But with ultra-thin 1.66-mm bezels, the F1 Plus looks like a smaller 5.2-inch phone.

“It doesn’t only take great selfies and groupies, it’s a fashion statement, too,” pointed out Geronimo.

The OPPO F1 Plus has ultra-thin 1.66 mm bezels.

“When we designed the F1 Plus, we wanted to create a light, thin, and comfortable device, so our O-Fans can effortlessly carry the smartphone and take photos anywhere they want,” Barcza said. “The frame went through 68 polishing processes before we finally attained what we believe is the perfect grip for a smartphone.” 

“With its non-slippery metal surface, users won’t worry about this phone slipping from their hands,” he added.

The F1 Plus’ Comfort Grip helps keep the phone safe in users’ hands.

Fast, convenient, secure

Who says the F1 Plus is only good for taking selfies? With a 4GB RAM and an 8-core processor, this smartphone promises users a faster and smoother experience while gaming, browsing the Internet, or using resource-heavy apps.

The smartphone is fit for people on the go, with a VOOC Flash Charge feature that requires only 30 minutes of charging for its battery to reach 75 percent capacity. The battery also can last up to 14 hours and 5 minutes of constant use.

“‘Charge for five minutes, talk for two hours’ became an iconic slogan for OPPO in China last year. It convinced more than 18 million users so far to say goodbye to dead batteries,” Barcza said. “The F1 Plus is set to bring the convenience and safety of VOOC to even more users around the world.”

The new phone is the first to feature the all-new ColorOS 3.0. This software offers a tidy and refreshing new look, along with increased efficiency and speed.

The updated ColorOS 3.0 comes with a new, elegant look and faster system performance.

Overall system speed is now 25 percent faster when compared to ColorOS 2.1, with home screen loading speed increased by 35 percent, and app installation speed boosted by 41 percent.

You can likewise save time with the F1 Plus’ Touch Access technology, which makes unlocking the phone faster and easier. It is OPPO’s first phone to use front-facing fingerprint recognition.

Front-facing fingerprint recognition

The phone’s advanced ceramic material recognizes its owner’s fingerprint and unlocks the phone in just 0.2 seconds, one of the fastest in the industry. 

“The F1 Plus not only captures moments in greater color resolution and detail than ever before, it also brings a smooth and enjoyable user experience,” said Barcza.

Visit: Sarah Geronimo at the 

https://www.facebook.com/myrns.roman/videos/10207466232306973/

About OPPO

OPPO is a global electronics and technology service provider that provides customers with the latest and most exquisite electronic devices and mobile Internet service. OPPO delivers customers with the most delightful electronic experience that is full of surprises, through meticulous designs and smart technology. 

For more information, please visit http://global.OPPO.com.

Globe Telecom offers Snapchat, fastest growing mobile chat app among youth in PH

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Snapchat is the fastest growing mobile chat app among youth in the Philippines. Globe Telecom is first to offer Snapchat as part of its enhanced GoSAKTO prepaid offers

Short-form videos are fast gaining popularity as more mobile apps with this capability continue to rise. Digital natives contribute to this increase as they spend extra time viewing videos on their mobile devices. Apps like Snapchat benefit from this growing habit evidenced by its subscriber base now at 100 million, around the world.

According to Snapchat CEO Evan Speigel on a recent Bloomberg report, Snapchat users have recorded over 8 billion video views per day, with each user spending about 30 minutes on the app.

In the Philippines, Snapchat has already gained a solid following among the country’s youth with its unconventional approach to sharing on social – from quick videos, to cool filters. Snapchat usage is expected to increase further, similar to how Filipinos have quickly adopted to other popular social media apps. After all, with a smartphone penetration at 55% and a record of holding the highest number of time spent on social media at 3.7 hours according to the latest WeAreSocial January 2016 report, more customers will more likely follow suit.

As the significant driver of the digital lifestyle and the undisputed #1 in mobile, Globe constantly enhances its portfolio of content by offering Snapchat to Globe Prepaid customers via its enhanced GoSAKTO offers. GoSAKTO is Globe Prepaid’s #1 promo now with over 2 million unique subscribers and an average of 280,000 daily registrations. GoSAKTO was also recognized at the Annual Global Mobile Awards by the GSM Association (GSMA). It received the award for Best Network-based Solution for Serving Customers for its ability to personalize and tailor fit services.

GoSAKTO allows customers to create personalized promos that precisely fit their calls, SMS, and surfing needs. Customers can create over more than 200 million call, text, and app combos. Combos now include new mobile apps like Snapchat, Clash of Clans, YouTube, Wattpad, and Grab. 

“We continue to be on the lookout for what our customers would want to experience on their devices. This is part of our commitment to consistently improve our their online experience. Popular content such as Snapchat that is now made available to our Globe prepaid users is just the start of better offers to come this year. ” says Globe Chief Commercial Officer, Albert de Larrazabal.

Globe Prepaid closed 2015 overtaking competition and taking the lead as the #1 Prepaid brand in the country. The telco’s Prepaid Business revenues posted a solid growth of 8%, and contributed to 21% growth in cumulative subscribers. Mobile revenues continue its positive trajectory, up by 9% to P85.1 billion from last year’s P78.1 billion, due to the consistent growth of all of the company’s mobile brands.

You can register to GoSAKTO via four easy ways. Simply follow the given instructions to start creating your own promo, whether online at www.globe.com.ph/prepaid/promo/gosakto; through the Facebook App; or by dialing *143#. 

To learn more about Globe Prepaid and the rest of its offers, visit www.globe.com.ph/prepaid.

Election Fever: Who is your favorite candydate? Join Vote M&M’S® 2016 Campaign !

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MANILA, Philippines — This summer, the M&M’S® Characters are back in the Philippines to join the hot election as rightful candydates.

M&M’S® is bringing their own brand of spontaneous fun to the elections and launches the Vote M&M’S® 2016 Campaign.

You can vote for any of the three M&M’S® candydates vie for a chance to win cash prizes and M&M’S® merchandise.

Who is your favorite candydate? 

Will you support Matapang and Magaling Red? A fearless leader, Red is the candydate who will see you through tough times.

Or will it be the Kabarkada ng Bayan Yellow? The friendliest candydate, Yellow is always seeing the sunny side of things. If you’re looking for someone sweet and reliable, then he’s your choice.

But don’t count out the Ang Confidently Smart Bae-yani Green. The epitome of Girl Power, Green is one magnetic candydate and with her charm and intelligence, voters are sure to find her irresistible.

Still can’t decide who to support? Then don’t miss the chance to see all three candydates as they go around Manila to campaign for your vote.

Be a part of the Miting de Avance, happening on April 22 at the Makati Coliseum. Meet & greet the three candy-dates and hear them out as they rally for your vote. Get your photo taken at the photo booth and cast your votes for your chance to win fun prizes! Or catch the M&M’S® Motorcade happening in selected barangays and more fun M&M’S® Vote activities at selected LRT Stations happening this summer – cast your vote, play fun games and win M&M’S® products! For the schedule of activities, visit the M&M’S® Philippines Facebook page.

Vote for the candydate of your choice and get to win cool prizes! 

And if you want to vote at your convenience, simply post the caption of your choice – I vote Red! #mmsred or I vote Yellow! #mmsyellow or I vote Green! #mmsgreen on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to win prizes weekly!

Voting period is from 15th April – 15th May 2016. Then watch out as we announce the M&M’S® winner of the Vote M&M’S® 2016 Campaign on 20th May 2016 online.

So will it be “Matapang and Magaling” Red, Kabarkada ng Bayan Yellow or Ang Confidently Smart Bae-yani Green? Make your voice heard and support your favorite candy-date at Vote M&M’S® 2016 Campaign!

Visit the M&M’S® Philippines page on Facebook for more information on the Vote M&M’S® 2016 Campaign

M&M’S® Characters are Red (‪#‎mmsred‬), Yellow (‪#‎mmsyellow‬) and Green (‪#‎mmsgreen‬) 

Join #‎VoteMMs2016‬ campaign! See you ! 

Me? I vote  ‪‪#‎mmsyellow‬ the friendly M&M 

M&M'S® Yellow is a child at heart, Yellow sees the good in everything and is a friend to everyone.

Sharp PH launches AQUOS XU Series – the first 4K TV with 8K Resolution

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Sharp Philippines launches the newest and best AQUOS TV lineup – the first 4K TV with 8K Resolution, the Sharp AQUOS XU Series (LC-80XU930X/LC-70XU830X). One of the 2015 CES Innovation Award Honorees and touted as the highest resolution 4K TV, the XU Series raises the bar when it comes to home entertainment and leads the way to the future of high definition.

Sharp AQUOS XU Series achieves 8K Resolution on a 4K Ultra HD panel by combining Sharp’s proprietary Quattron Pro 4-Color Technology and its newest upscaling circuit, the X8-Master Engine Pro. Both work together to achieve resolution equivalent to 8K by upscaling Full HD and 4K UHD content. The result: true-to-life detail, the most vivid color expression, and deepest contrast.

Aside from providing the highest resolution on a 4K TV, the XU Series also displays more color than ever before, compared to conventional TV models. 

This is truly the “entertainment tailored for you” as it allows viewers to command the TV with the Smart Remote with Google Voice Search function – which recognizes 61 languages with a great degree of accuracy. Stream movies and TV shows, listen to music, play games exclusive to AndroidTM and enjoy instant access to Netflix, YouTubeTM, and more. 

With its Rich Color Pro Technology, boosted by a new direct LED backlight system and Ultra Dynamic Range Pro, the XU Series expands its color range reproduction and provides the deepest contrasts in its blacks and whites. Rich Color Pro Technology enhances the power of 4-Color Technology with a new direct backlight that expands the color reproduction range by 40%, displaying a wider array of vivid and true-to-life colors. Ultra Dynamic Range Pro utilizes the new direct backlight with a control area dimming technology, which switches off the backlight in dark areas to achieve darkest blacks and brightens up light areas for the brightest whites, thereby producing great contrast.

The most innovative TV technology only deserves the most premium external features. The Sharp AQUOS XU Series features a sleek aluminum frame that highlights its posh and lightweight design, and an adjustable loop stand (for LC- 80XU930X only) that can be adjusted up to 40cm on the inner portion. Its N- Black Anti-Glare Technology (for LC-80XU930X only) also enhances your viewing pleasure by reducing the reflection on the screen, while also contributing to clearer color reproduction. To up the ante, the XU Series also comes with a newly developed smart remote control equipped with a Sharp original touch pad and a slide bar, for easier external input switching and quicker access to features such as Google Voice SearchTM and Netflix.

The Sharp AQUOS XU Series not only has the highest resolution in a 4K UHD Panel, it also works with the latest Android TVTM as its platform. A step above the usual smart TVs, Android TV is the ideal OS for people who value an immersive and personalized experience with their TVs. 

The AQUOS XU Series lets you access over 600 Android apps and games on television from the Google PlayTM Store. Google CastTM is built-in, which allows you to cast your favorite entertainment and apps from your Google Cast-enabled apps right to your TV.

For consumers seeking smaller high-quality TVs, Sharp also has 4K Ultra-HD TVs powered by Android TV in 65-inch, 58-inch, and 50-inch.

The Sharp AQUOS XU Series is now available in all leading appliance stores nationwide. 

For more information, visit www.sharp.ph or join www.facebook.com/SharpPhilippines and Instagram at @Sharp.PH.

Tourism Promotions Board: Philippines Celebrates Food Month this April

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April is sure to delight the palates of foodies as the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)and Department of Tourism (DOT) launch Food Month with a delicious line up of gastronomic events and activities.

Kicking off the Food Month is the Flavors of the Philippines, a nationwide, month-long cultural and food festival showcasing the best of each region’s culinary specialties. A prelude to Madrid Fusión Manila (MFM) 2016, Flavors of the Philippines celebrates regional cuisines through various activities such as food tours and tastings, and weekend markets, among others.

The Flavors of the Philippines started with the Paella Gigante Festival last 12 March 2016 at Greenbelt 3, where the country’s largest paella measuring 10-feet in diameter was served. Cooked by some of the most brilliant and renowned chefs in the country, the giant paella was filled with over 600 kg of savoury and flavourful ingredients.

The highlight of Philippine Food Month is MFM 2016 happening on April 7-9 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. The event is a gathering of the most acclaimed Michelin-star chefs from across the globe. With the theme “The Manila Galleon: East meets West”, MFM 2016 will feature the crème de la crème of the culinary field from the western and eastern hemispheres, making it the biggest and most important international gastronomy congress in Asia. It will definitely allow local and international food enthusiasts to sample and enjoy various sumptuous dishes from the different corners of the globe.

Philippine Food Month will culminate with a massive street food feast at the World Street Food (WSFC) Congress 2016 on April 20-24. Happening for the first time in thePhilippines, WSFC will feature three components including The World Street Food Dialogue, The World Street Food Awards and The World Street Food Jamboree,where 24 Top International Hawkers from around the world, including India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, USA, Thailand and Singapore, will showcase their country’s iconic street food.

Indeed, the Philippines offers not just beautiful tourist destinations but also rich and diverse culinary adventures. With the upcoming grand gastronomic events happening this April, travelers definitely have more reasons to visit and experience the country all over again.

To find out more events lined up for the Visit the Philippines Again year, go to:www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.

Sarah Geronimo, Elmo Magalona and JK Labajo at the Jollibee mall show to celebrate #8-7000, the country’s first nationwide delivery hotline

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Jollibee holds star-studded  “Isang Number Para sa Pinas” mall show to celebrate the launch of the fast food chain’s nationwide delivery hotline, #8-7000. The event, held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, was headlined by three of today’s most popular stars—Sarah Geronimo, Elmo Magalona and JK Labajo.

JK Labajo, Sarah Geronimo and Elmo Magalona

Jollibee’s latest TVC with Sarah, Elmo and JK promoting the country’s first centralized hashtag hotline, indulged the crowd with their respective performances. Afterwards, they joined to do a three-piece performance of the catchy #8-7000 jingle.

“Isang Number Para sa Pinas” further emphasized the efficiency of the Jollibee Express Delivery service, with the introduction of the hashtag hotline, by selecting random attendees to try it out. These volunteers dialed in #8-7000 on stage and requested for their favorite langhap-sarap meals, which arrived within the 30-minute guarantee.

The hashtag hotline #8-7000 can be accessed through PLDT's nationwide network, as well as Smart, TNT, and Sun Cellular networks. According to PLDT’s First Vice President and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, they are very grateful that Jollibee Foods Corporation decided to centralize their entire delivery hotline system through the PLDT #MyNumber solution.

“The solution is seen as a great way to help Jollibee Foods Corporation drive more sales, further build its brand, and enhance the overall customer experience,” added Hernandez.

“We want Jollibee’s langhap-sarap offerings to be easily accessible to every Filipino whenever and wherever they are in the country. That’s why we are always introducing innovations to our delivery service to provide the best customer experience. And the centralization of the hotline number, powered by PLDT’s #MyNumber service, will make this easier and faster for every Filipino,” said Jollibee Vice-President and National Business Channels Head Manjie Yap.

The Jollibee Express Delivery Hotline, #8-7000, can now be used nationwide. Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao can get their favorite Jollibee treats in an easy-to-remember number combination. With over 300 delivery stores nationwide, great-tasting Jollibee favorites are guaranteed to reach people within 30 minutes.

OPM artist 1:43 endorses McJim Classic Leather

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OPM artist and the most-sought boy band today, 1:43, is the newest brand endorsers of McJim Classic Leather.

With their new hit single rocking the airlanes today, award-winning OPM artist 1:43 is now being touted as the newest brand ambassador of McJim Classic Leather.
 

The long established gentlemen’s brand tapped the boy band—composed of Anjo Resurrecion, Yuki Sakamoto, Gold Aquino, and Yheen Valero—to represent the McJim in its advertising, public relations, collaterals, and digital marketing materials for the year 2016.

“McJim constantly prides itself in having a long-standing support program that celebrates Filipino talent. And as a staunch supporter of OPM, McJim has always been there for 1:43. Thus, it’s high time to make them the new face of the brand,” McJim said in an official statement.

The multi-awarded Filipino pop heartthrobs, who have successfully morphed from teenyboppers to serious musical idols, have just released their pop-rap single “Maria Clara,” which is set to capture the heart of OPM listeners. The song was composed by one of its members Yheen Valero and was arranged by Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Studio.

The members of the hunky group, who flexed some muscles on their latest shoot for McJim, acknowledge how the world-class leather brand known for its quality belts, wallets, bags, and accessories boosted their efforts in attaining success all through these years.

“We have always been grateful to McJim because the brand has supported us from the very beginning. This year they tapped us to be the face of the brand and that’s a big deal because this will help us reach a bigger audience and help us share our music with them,” a very gratified Resurreccion enthused.

“McJim was there when we were just starting out and we will always be thankful for that. This project will allow us to take further strides on our path to more success—just look at how McJim helped the likes of OPM icons Jose Mari Chan and Randy Santiago, and actor and television host Edu Manzano get to be where they are now,” Sakamoto said.

The bachelors of 1:43, the voices behind the iconic and 5th PMPC Star Awards for Music Song of The Year "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” are the perfect endorsers for McJim as the brand aims to be more relevant to the younger generation, especially the millennials.

Likewise, 1:43’s family-oriented song “Ang Saya-Saya” became the official song of “Ismol Family” in GMA 7, while "Hayop sa Ganda" has a cult following among the LGBT audience, making them the most sought boy band today.

They also won the Most Promising Recording and Performing Group in the 45th Box Office Entertainment Awards of the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation, a barometer of the most bankable local talents, and have been nominated for various Awit Awards and PMPC Star Awards For Music categories.

“McJim Classic Leather, having been being in the industry for more the 40 years now, deserves to be endorsed by a pool of young talents who are making waves in their field. 1:43 has demonstrated that it is the most popular and enduring local boy band today so we believe that they are the right people to carry the brand,” add the brand's official statement.

Aside from his composition, Valero says music lover to expect more feel-good and heart-warming songs from them this year which they will compose like their other hit songs.

“’Maria Clara’ is just the start of great music from us. We hope that our fans will continue to support us and watch for our shows here and abroad,” Valero affirmed.

Fresh from a successful 2015, 1:43 is scheduled to have shows across the country and abroad. For bookings and inquiries, please contact chriscahilig2011@gmail.com or call 0927-4180808.

Thousand of students, youth volunteers take part in Habitat Young Leaders Build

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Student volunteers cleaning one of the several schools in Manila involved in Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Young Leaders Build. Photo c/o JM Lago/ HFHP

 Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) held its sixth Habitat Young Leaders Build (HYLB) in various public schools across Manila, gathering more than 2,000 youth. 

The annual HYLB campaign is celebrated in over 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific region and Americas to engage participants to “Play a part, Lead today and Share with friends”.

Hundreds of Students from Jose Abad Santos High School in Manila getting ready for Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Young Leaders Build. Photo c/o Miggy Rupisan/ HFHP

“Schools are considered children’s second homes and are a vital part of a community as they help build and shape the minds of our young people,” Charlie Ayco, Managing Director and CEO of HFHP said. 

As HFHP’s largest annually celebrated event, the youth volunteers led the movement by cleaning their schools in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Young Leaders Build organized thousands of students to clean and organize school facilities in Manila in preparation for the national elections and next school year. Photo c/o Miggy Rupisan/ HFHP

Empowered young student leaders took part in Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Young Leaders Build in several schools in Manila. Photo c/o JM Lago/ HFHP

The event gave young people a venue to advocate for decent housing for less-fortunate Filipino families, as well as share their opinions, concerns and ideas on how government, the private sector, organizations and individuals can be more involved in building a better Philippines. 

Student volunteers from Manila organizing their school vicinity in Habitat Young Leaders Build for the upcoming national elections and next school year. Photo c/o Miggy Rupisan/ HFHP

“This activity empowered our youth to play a more active role in revitalizing their very own community, as well as building their nation,” Ayco finished.

Panasonic’s future-proof data archiving solution drives business advantage

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First-of-its-kind blu-ray data archiver offers reliable data storage and cost-efficiency

In the Age of Big Data, the growing demands for storing and archiving data can be an expensive challenge as companies’ and public agencies’ information assets increase globally each year. As a response to the pressing needs on data archiving and management, Panasonic is introducing its blu-ray data archiver—a first-of-its-kind optical disc-based solution using proven technologies to dramatically extend the lifespan of stored data, improve compliance, and lower operating expenditure.

The need for more reliable and efficient storage systems is becoming more pressing as analysts predict that up to 45 zettabytes (ZB) of digital data will be generated over the next four years. In the Philippines, different industries, government agencies, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are relying more heavily on Big Data to understand competition, discern patterns, make better decisions, and enhance productivity.

The country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which relies on centralized data, has leaned on the cloud to accelerate growth and gain competitive advantage. BPO is the fastest growing industry in the Philippines, seeing a growth rate of 17 percent so far this year. SMEs, which make up about 99.6 percent of Philippine enterprises, can likewise benefit from cloud computing, allowing them to have greater reach, speed, and flexibility in acquiring or serving customers.

“The growing demands for active, and long-term, archival storage present a number of challenges that can strain existing archival systems. Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver is uniquely positioned to address these challenges—from reliability, data integrity, cost, and environmental footprint—as compared to existing solutions,” said Hideo Yonenaga, General Manager, Storage Business Division, Panasonic System Solutions Asia Pacific.

Data archives are currently stored on either hard disk drives (HDDs) or tape-based solutions—technologies that tend to have relatively short lifespans and high energy requirements, leading to increased operating costs. Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver delivers reliable data storage that lasts five to ten times longer than either tape or HDD archives. This longer lifespan reduces electronic waste, and when combined with lower cooling needs and energy requirements, makes blu-ray archival more environmentally friendly than alternative storage solutions.

The Panasonic blu-ray data archiver’s large storage capacity caters to organizations that deal with high data volumes. Blu-ray archival storage is also a WORM (Write Once Read Many) medium, which makes it tamper proof and ideal for compliance.

More energy efficient – Blu-ray archival systems require less power and run cooler.

Lower per bit cost – Cheaper high-capacity storage that lasts longer, removing the need for costly data migration.

Greater reliability – No physical wear on the storage medium means fewer failures, while still supporting best-in-class practices such as RAID 5, 6, and WORM.

Longevity with a lifespan of more than 50 years – Eliminates wastage and landfill required to get rid of alternative storage mediums. 

Plan B, a New Zealand-based provider of hosted infrastructure and business continuity services, has built the world’s first cloud-based archive-as-a-service technology on Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver.

Said Ian Forrester, Managing Director, Plan B Ltd, “Our new service makes blu-ray archival technology accessible to businesses of all sizes and allows them to securely access and manage their archive data in the cloud. Our as-a-service model eliminates capital expenditure while providing easy access, lower costs, scalability and reliable data storage now and into the future. This service model will not just be available in New Zealand but in Asia and Australia as well.”

Plan B’s Cloud Data Archive service, hosted on Panasonic’s blu-ray archival technology, is available directly from Plan B. For more information, please visit clouddataarchive.sg.

Levi’s stores get a new look for an exciting new campaign

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 Levi’s Philippines’ outlet get a new look that boasts its rich heritage.

If you believe in the saying that what you see is what you get, then with Levi’s stores’ new look, you get the compelling story of a brand that has served generations yet remains young, relevant, and trendy.

You get a sense of the global brand’s rich heritage and how the displays tell its stories.

The stores’ new look is part of Levi’s global campaign dubbed “We Are Original,” which celebrates the brand’s rich heritage. 

Be intrigued at how these unfold at each outlet.

Up front, clever window dressing that feature light boxes make an impactful statement about Levi’s 501 Jean CT—the brand’s number 1 product. 

Levi’s stores across the country get a new look that features the brand’s rich heritage.

A table showcases the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes. The Trucker Jackets are displayed in one place and the Western Shirts in another.

“The point is to have different spots for all the items and how these elements come together,” Kaths Laudit, marketing head of Levi’s Philippines, explained.

Gender sensibilities figure in a big way in the styling stories. Women’s clothes are hang because they like to view the full garment and visualize wearing it while men like their jeans and tops folded.

“When men shop, they usually know what their sizes are. It’s easier for them to sort through folded clothes,” Laudit pointed out.

The stores’ new look is part of Levi’s global campaign dubbed “We Are Original,” which celebrates the brand’s rich heritage by connecting with millions of Levi’s lovers on social media.

Levi’s Philippines gets a new look that boasts its rich heritage.

On the other hand, “We Are Original” is part of Levi’s multifaceted global brand campaign, Live in Levi’s. The Live in Levi’s Project is a digital platform that was launched in 2014 and continues to engage the large global community of Levi’s fans through their shared experiences.

To celebrate how the world “Lives in Levi’s,” fans generate original content to tell their own stories and share these through social media channels.

You can share your 501 story on social media using the hashtags #WeAreOriginal and #LiveInLevisPH.

As part of the campaign, Levi’s Philippines offers an in-store promo, which allows shoppers to win instant prizes like tickets to exciting events and Levi’s merchandise.

For a minimum single purchase of any Levi’s Icons and Essentials item (501, 511, CT, Trucker and core tops) worth P3,500 in all original Levi’s store and selected department store nationwide, you get a stub from a box to determine your prize. 

Qualified shoppers can win prizes such as flash drives (USB), Levi’s e-plus card (1 pass), tumblers, and a ticket to Paradise International Music Festival (until April 8 only). 

The new stores feature the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes.

Levi’s Philippines is encouraging you to share your 501 story on social media using the hashtags #WeAreOriginal and #LiveInLevisPH.

Levi’s stores across the country get a new look that features the brand’s rich heritage.

 Levi’s outlets feature the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes.

Levi’s Philippines’ outlets shows its new look that highlights its heritage through the years.

As part of the campaign, Levi’s offers an in-store promo, which allows shoppers to win instant prizes like tickets to exciting events and Levi’s merchandise.

The promo runs until May 1, 2016. 

The Live in Levi’s Project can be viewed and experienced at levis.com/LiveInLevis. You can also be updated with the latest happenings at @levis_ph on Instagram or Levi’s PH on Facebook. 

ABOUT THE LEVI’S BRAND

The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit levi.com.