Vivo V5 Plus shares tips on how to snap a perfect selfie on Chinese New Year

This Chinese New Year, capture selfies and picture-perfect moments with the Vivo V5 Plus, Vivo’s flagship phone, and experience the most advance selfie technology to date. 

The Chinese New Year on January 28 marks the beginning of the Year of the Red Fire Rooster. Feng shui experts say it is going to be a Yin year—a time best spent in harmony with friends and family. 

What better time, then, to create happy moments with these special people than on Chinese New Year, itself—a festive day of colorful rituals and exotic traditions that celebrate a brand-new lunar year. 

With exciting events highlighting the grand occasion, expect revelers to immortalize these with endless selfies. And to take the selfie game to the next level, top five premium global brand Vivo brings us the Vivo V5 Plus, the smartphone equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera and advanced selfie technology. 

Take the perfect selfie this Chinese New Year with the Vivo V5 Plus, the latest Vivo unit, equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera. 

With the perfect selfie phone, and these perfect selfie tips from Vivo, taking photos on Chinese New Year will surely be a breeze: 

• Find your perfect angle. Some of us look better photographed from the left, some from the right, some from above. Before heading out to the Chinese New Year festivities, find the angle that suits you best by practicing at home. A fool-proof tip: Avoid take selfies from below—definitely not a good angle for anybody.

• Consider your photo’s background. Vivo V5 Plus features a true ‘bokeh’ effect, beautifully blurring your selfie’s background while your face remains in focus. Now, having a ‘bokeh’ effect does not mean disregarding your background altogether. In fact, it is even better to take advantage of it. 

Always look your best when taking your selfie with the help of Vivo V5 Plus’ face beauty mode 6.0, a built-in camera tool able to enhance skin tone and remove blemishes. 

For instance, create a beautiful blur of all the red and gold during Chinese New Year celebrations by choosing the best selfie background. Although Vivo V5 Plus has ‘bokeh’ power, you don’t want to take a selfie with your cluttered closet as the background. 

 Your selfies are guaranteed to look great with the bokeh effect of the Vivo V5 Plus, a photography filter that blurs backgrounds and keeps the details of the object in focus sharp and clear. 

• Lighting is everything. Lighting affects the mood of your pictures. For example, dull or poor lighting makes pictures look gloomy—and you don’t want that for a Chinese New Year selfie. Luckily, Vivo V5 Plus features a selfie soft light, which enables users to take sharp and beautiful selfies even in poor lighting conditions.

• Look your best. Welcome the Chinese New Year with a bang by making an effort to look good. In order to achieve a perfect selfie, everything must be on point—the hair, the face, even the attire. Achieve the perfect look with Vivo V5 Plus face beauty mode 6.0, which will make you look fresh by enhancing your skin tone without the need for editing or filter.

• It’s okay to use a selfie stick. A selfie stick is a pole with a grip at the end, designed to hold your smartphone when taking selfies. Selfie sticks are perfect for celebrations when you want to capture more people and more details. Bring a selfie stick on Chinese New Year to take better selfies of all the festivities happening around you.

• Make your selfie unique. Some people prefer selfies that look formal and sophisticated, while others like a touch of goofiness every now and then. Whatever your choice is, make sure you are comfortable and having fun. Make your selfie your own, and begin the year of the Red Fire Rooster by being yourself! 

Photo lighting will surely complement your selfies well with the Vivo V5 Plus selfie soft light, designed to adjust the lighting of your photo, even in the dark. 

This Chinese New Year, take the perfect selfie the easy way with the Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone. 

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts.

MNTC Supports SPMJ Driven To Serve CSR Awards

In photo are (L-R): SPMJ founding president and chairman Ray Butch Gamboa; MNTC president Rodrigo E. Franco; and SPMJ president Pinky Concha Colmenares.

The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) to support the latter’s Driven To Serve CSR Awards as a cooperating sponsor.

The Driven To Serve CSR Awards was conceived to recognize the most outstanding CSR projects undertaken by automotive manufacturers and distributors in the Philippines.

The awards hope to cast light on the heartwarming efforts that automotive industry players have put into community development, protection of the environment, education, and road safety. The SPMJ has adopted this new advocacy in order to spur more corporate entities to follow in their footsteps as well as encourage those already engaged in such projects to soldier on.

Applicable entries for the event have already been fielded and have recently undergone judging by some of the luminaries in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. The most outstanding projects will be announced during the awards ceremony to be held in February 2017.

The SPMJ is a non-profit organization composed of broadcasters, editors, and writers covering the automotive beat. The MNTC is the developer and operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Get a Hurom Slow Juicer Crow about your Health This Year of the Rooster!

Setting realistic goals after holidays, thinking of ways to stay fit and healthy is the best. After the feasting, you have resolved to kick start the year on a healthy note for yourself and your loved ones after the season of indulgences, it’s the time to work it and work out. 

It’s time to apply a full court press…of slow juicing. Hurom is the perfect companion for this endeavor.

For the challenges and to follow through your resolutions for this year, you need stamina, but daily stress and challenges doesn’t necessarily make it easy to be in the pink of health. Forget about fad diets and easy fixes, Hurom encourages you to achieve your best health by adapting a healthy lifestyle along with healthy juicing. 

It’s a good idea to start drinking delicious, healthy juices to complement your exercise programs whether you’re a just a beginner, into more advanced training, or even if your form of exercise is just a walk around the subdivision. 

Hurom juices are different because not only are they fresh and delicious but full of live digestive enzymes that help break down food for easier digestion. This is pure juice extract with no additives and preservatives, unlike commercial juices that need it to extend shelf life. Whether your goal is weight loss, detox, or just always having the freshest juices at your disposal, Hurom’s versatility will help you with your goal.

Hurom Slow Juicers are the product of 40 years or research and development. The difference is in the squeeze. Normal juicers with high-speed blades shred fruits and vegetables, which damage the natural enzymes of the plant, but Hurom has the patented slow juice technology that presses the juice and keeps the taste and nutrition as close to its most natural state. You can even see the difference in the color. Hurom juices retain their natural color, and a microscopic inspection of the juice shows that the fruits have kept their cellular structure. Hurom Slow Juicers are made of materials like ultem, tritan, and stainless steel, some of which are used to build spaceships. They also come with a long lasting AC motor. 

Hurom juicers produce a higher yield of juice. They want you to get every last squeeze of healthy, unprocessed juice that you can consume immediately or keep for 72 hours.

Here are 2016 New Hurom H-AA Series

Dark Grey 

White 

Rose Gold

Ferrari Red 

Black Gold 

Versatility is also something Hurom has taken a lot into consideration. It’s easy to juice luscious fruits, but even crisp greens like kale and spinach are juiced to their maximum with a Hurom Slow Juicer. They also make superior nut milks such as almond, which needs high performing juicing. Asians tend have a higher degree of lactose intolerance in their systems, which makes this a really handy tool for those who need milk substitutes, or indeed just because nut milks in themselves just taste delicious. 

With a Hurom juicer, you can confidently pick and choose from a wide range of ingredients. You can also make smoothies, ice-cream and sorbets, using the freshest and healthiest ingredients.

Safety in juicing is something Hurom has gone to great lengths to ensure. Hurom juicers are 100% BPA free and come without any blades or sharp parts, making it safe even for children to use. Over a million customers in more than 70 countries make juice with a Hurom juicer, making Hurom the global leader. The word Hurom actually comes from “human”, while “ii-rom” is the Korean word for benefit, so the Hurom was created with the vision of benefiting humans. And what could be a finer embodiment of this vision than the means to achieve the healthiest self you can possibly be. Squeeze a fresh one today!

2016 New Hurom H-AA Series Slow Juicers are available in Abenson, Anson Link, Duty Free, Gourdo’s, Rustan’s, Landmark, Royal Duty Free, S&R, SM Appliance, SM Home, True Value, and Western Appliances. 

To learn more about Hurom Slow Juicers, visit the official website at www.hurom.com and follow us on our social media accounts: 

(Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/huromphofficial

(Twitter & Instagram) @HuromPHofficial. 

You may contact directly to hotlines (+632) 926-8038 / (+632) 926-8009.

PAP launches its first Mom and Baby Expo in the Philippines

The Mom and Baby Expo 2017, the first ever Mom and Baby Expo in the Philippines, organized by the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP), will be on April 21-23 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 2 and 3.

Moms and moms-to-be eagerly await the onset of summer as the countdown to the first ever Mom and Baby Expo begins. Organized by the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP), the exhibit showcases all facets of comprehensive perinatal healthcare such as products, services, technology and new methods, all of which are intended in aiding Filipina mothers and their infants.

“Our objective is simple yet powerful: to impart advices and traverse new ideas moms and expectant moms can use that will ultimately strengthen their maternal bond with their babies” says PAP President Dra. Belen Velasco. “This is very exciting because this is something big, something we have envisioned to happen for the longest time. And now, finally, we are doing it.”

The Mom and Baby Expo 2017 will showcase a series of talks from perinatal experts, pocket workshops, fun and informative activities, selling booths, food stalls and many more.

Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) heads during the Mom and Baby Expo 2017 press conference held at Cafe Romuo, Quezon City,  January 24, 2017.

“In the past, we have mounted a number of interesting, fun and successful assemblies in the aim of improving the health of both mothers and infants. This year, we are very proud our passionate members with decades of proven and justified experience in their fields of expertise, led by Dra. Velasco, thought of this exhibition” shares Dr. Diosdado Mariano, past PAP President. “The Expo is an opportunity to analyze and seek solutions to existing issues pertaining to maternal-fetal and newborn areas in an engaging and fun way.”

The Mom and Baby Expo 2017 will be held on April 21-23 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 2 and 3.

The three-day event is made possible by the PAP, in partnership with its trusted affiliates- the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecology Society (POGS), Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS), Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine (PSNbM), Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP), and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP). 

For more details on the Mom and Baby Expo 2017, visit its official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mombabyexpoph  / www.facebook.com/mombabyexpoph or follow its official Twitter account @MomBabyExpoPH.

About Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP)

Founded in 1989, Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) and its medical professionals have dedicated their time and effort to ensure that the programs are shared throughout the different perinatal healthcare providers. The organization is guided with the following objectives: to promote fetal and neonatal well-being, promote maternal welfare, promote science and art of perinatal medicine, promote research and training in perinatal medicine, maintain liaison with national and international organizations of professions, and provide expert advice pertaining to perinatal medicine. It is a specialty society of the Philippine Medical Association.

Let''s #LoveThrowback the second time around and fall in love the OPM way this Valentine’s

Many people around the world celebrate Valentine's Day by sharing sweet moments with the people they love.

Lovers will swoon this Valentine’s Day with serenades from some of the country’s top OPM singers.

At the PICC Plenary Hall this February 14, 8:30PM, a concert titled #LoveThrowback2 will bring together Ariel Rivera, Joey Generoso, Jinky Vidal, Nina, Christian Bautista, and Hajji Alejandro to send hearts aflutter with timeless OPM love songs.

#LoveThrowback’s second run celebrates the season once again with OPM songs that stir the heart. Nothing invokes passion and heartache more than Filipino ballads that tell of love, loss, acceptance, and taking another chance.

Leading the star-studded lineup is the ‘90s’ Kilabot ng Kolehiyala Ariel Rivera whose hit singles “Sana Kahit Minsan,” “Ayoko Na Sana,” and “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” are sure to resonate with sweethearts and hopeless romantics alike this year.

Band Royalties Joey G. and Jinky Vidal will also tug on heartstrings with bittersweet melodies.

Former frontman Joey G. is set to perform Side A classics including “So Many Questions,” “Tell Me,” and “Forevermore.” As for Jinky, the crowd is in for a treat with “If I Believe” as well as “One Hello” and “So Slow” from her days with Freestyle.

Joining #LoveThrowback for a second time, Diamond Soul Siren Nina will deliver another stunning performance with her rendition of “Through the Fire,” “I Love You Goodbye,” and “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways.”

Reality show Star in a Million finalist Christian Bautista has gone a long way and has captivated many hearts both here and abroad. The Asian Pop Superstar’s chart-toppers “Colour Everywhere,” “The Way You Look at Me,” and his rendition of “Hands to Heaven” will grace audiences this year with sweet musical caresses.

Finally to cap off the night, the original Kilabot ng Kolehiyala Hajji Alejandro will take OPM back to its founding years with “May Minamahal,” “Nakapagtataka,” and “Panakip Butas.”

Celebrate the passion of OPM at #LoveThrowback2. 

For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891.9999, TicketNet at 911.5555, or SM Tickets at 470.2222. For more details, find us on Facebook and Instagram @RoyaleChimesConcerts and Twitter @RoyaleChimes.

Tech News: Five reasons why Vivo V5 Plus is the perfect selfie phone

The Stephen Curry-endorsed Vivo V5 Plus is equipped with the most advanced selfie technology to date. 

Filipinos are certified selfie lovers, as proven by a recent study by TIME, which found that Makati City is the world’s “selfie capital”, and the cities of Cebu, Quezon and Iloilo belong to the top 100 “selfiest cities” across the globe. Taking a selfie is an integral part of the lives of millions of Filipinos from all walks of life, which is why they continue to search for the best selfie phone available in the market. 

The entry of top five premium global brand1 Vivo’s flagship phone, Vivo V5 Plus, in the local market marks the end of this search. Dubbed as the perfect selfie phone, the Vivo V5 Plus is equipped with the most advanced selfie technology to date, expected to impress selfie- and smartphone-enthusiasts all over the world. 

With the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera, Vivo V5 Plus can produce high-definition selfies better than the average smartphone. 

Here, Vivo shares five reasons why the Vivo V5 Plus deserves its tag as the perfect selfie phone. 

• The world’s first 20MP dual front camera. After intensive research and development, Vivo finally came up with the perfect front camera for selfie lovers. If you think that a 16-megapixel camera is impressive, then prepare to be blown away by the Vivo V5 Plus’ front camera: a 20-megapixel and 8-megapixel combo—the first of its kind.  

A total of 200 engineers from Vivo and its partner organizations spent eight months in developing this dual front camera, creating an algorithm specially designed for beautiful portrait shots. 

• The true ‘bokeh’ effect. Vivo’s dual front camera consists of a primary (20MP) and a secondary (8MP) camera, with the latter focused on collecting depth-of-field information. The result? An accurate separation of objects based on their distance from the camera lens. This means that the subject in focus is separated from the background, achieving the true bokeh or background-blurring effect, on the spot.  

To achieve this, Vivo engineers studied the blurring effects of 96 large aperture SLR camera lenses, simulated each of them in the V5 Plus smartphone algorithm, and added special enhancements to produce even better selfie results. 

• The selfie soft light. With the Vivo V5 Plus’ selfie soft light, beautiful self-shots can be taken even at night or in poor lighting conditions. The lighting and brightness of every selfie photo is enhanced, on the spot—with no need for an ‘edit’ button.


• The face beauty mode 6.0. With the Vivo V5 Plus’ face beauty mode 6.0, whitening and skin tone enhancements of your selfies are easily done. The face beauty mode 6.0 also “erases” blemishes, making skin look either fair or rosy—your choice.


• Other advanced phone features. The Vivo V5 Plus is called a ‘perfect’ selfie phone because its advanced camera features are supplemented by other positive attributes such as amazing style, speed, and performance. 

Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone features the true ‘bokeh’ effect, allowing users to beautifully blur photo backgrounds while keeping the details of the object in focus sharp and clear.

The face beauty mode 6.0 of the Vivo V5 Plus can remove blemishes and enhance skin tone on-the-spot, eliminating the need for filters or editing.

 Selfie lovers can now take perfect selfies even in poor lighting conditions with Vivo V5 Plus’ selfie soft light. 

With its 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Qualcom Snapdragon 625 processor, and Funtouch 3.0 OS, you can be sure that this Vivo phone has superior power and efficiency. 

The Vivo V5 Plus also has a long-lasting battery, at 3160 mAh, and a fast-charging feature. Thus, you never have to worry about your phone running out of juice. 

With an ultra-slim bezel technology, the Vivo V5 Plus is light and handy, making the act of selfie-taking even easier. 

With all these and more, the Vivo V5 Plus truly has the most advanced selfie technology to date. And, as a welcome bonus, the newest Vivo phone is priced at only P19,990. 

No doubt, the V5 Plus deserves the ‘perfect selfie phone’ title. 

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts.

1according to International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (http://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/vendor;jsessionid=7595C1498F4F0FBF496CC767E273121B)

Miss Universe Candidates Join #IRiseAgainstHunger at Conrad Manila

It’s not everyday that you see well-heeled, statuesque ladies of the 2016 Miss Universe donning aprons, hairnets and plastic gloves to buckle down and help in the fight against hunger.

But that’s exactly what they did in a jam-packed Taft Ballroom at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City on Wednesday.

As a partner, SM will host the most awaited Miss Universe pageant on January 30, 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Several activities of the Miss Universe pageant are being held in various SM venues including Conrad Manila, Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, and S Maison to name a few.

All 58 girls with 150 volunteers and 20 Miss Universe organizers joined in repackaging 100 boxes of food items equivalent to 3,600 meals. These are rice-based meals using iron-fortified rice, texturized vegetable protein, dehydrated vegetables and flavoring mix with added 23 essential vitamins and minerals for pregnant and lactating women in Pampanga and Zambales as a partnership between the Department of Health and Rise Against Hunger Philippines (formerly Stop Hunger Now Philippines).

“We have different ingredients there but the most important ingredient is your heart. When you pack the meals, you put a piece of your heart there because the women and children who will eat the food will feel your love,” Jose Mariano “Jomar” Fleras, Executive Director of Rise Against Hunger Philippines told volunteers at the event.

The vegetables used for these packs are grown from the Philippines thus creating jobs said Andrew Sullivan, International Affiliate Director for Rise Against Hunger.

“I know how this feels. I have been hungry before and I am totally pleased that we are doing this,” Miss Sierra Leone HawaKamara said who hails from the West African nation that is no stranger to food shortage.

“I am truly grateful to be here and I believe we need more of these things around the world,” Miss Jamaica Isabel Dally, said.

Brighten up your Viber chats with Petron Best Day stickers

Looking for new ways to express yourself in your Viber chats? Oil industry leader Petron Corporation has just released its set of Petron Best Day stickers, downloadable for free on your Viber from the Viber sticker market. 

Most of the stickers are motorist-relevant, with messages like ‘road trip’, ‘traffic lang, please wait’ or ‘stopover muna’.  There are also safety reminders like ‘mag-seatbelt ka’ or ‘ingat, have a safe trip’. There are also some commonly used expressions like ‘good morning’, ‘congrats’, ‘ok’, and ‘thank you’, giving you a fresh set of images for greeting your Viber buddies.

The sticker set is designed to be upbeat and positive, in keeping with the Best Day at Petron theme. The set is available as a free download from the Viber sticker market only from January 9 to April 9, 2017. However, once downloaded, the set will continue to be part of your Viber app.

Keep using the Petron’s Viber stickers and you might actually receive a surprise Best Day experience at one of the participating Petron stations! 

Download the free sticker set at http://viber.com/stickers/petron_ph now, and start sharing the Best Day experience with your road trip buddies. 

Jr. NBA presented by Alaska - Nurturing Young Talents Through Sports

Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska returns to the Philippines. On its 10th year, the Jr. NBA is set to tip off on January 21, Saturday, at the Don Bosco Makati.

Alaska’s partnership with NBA Philippines is in line with Alaska’s commitment to promoting sports and outdoor play in the Philippines. 

Beyond being a sports clinic, the Jr. NBA is an avenue for children to showcase their talents, improve their skills and be trained under Jr. NBA coaches. Side by side with Alaska, the program aims to promote basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork and active lifestyle among children.

Jr NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska tips off program with open clinics for Filipino youth

“The Jr. NBA Program is a great fit with Alaska’s mission to nurture young talents and to promote healthy and active lifestyle through sports and outdoor play,” says Wilfred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Corporation President & CEO.

Based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey in 2013 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems of Filipino children with about 5 out of 100 Filipino children are overweight.

Given the growing issues on health, Alaska believes that there is a need to reinforce its thrust in leading a healthy lifestyle not just by drinking milk but by living actively through sports and other outdoor activities. Alaska seeks to engage the Filipino consumers, especially the youth, through its sports development programs to help nourish children to become champions.

Jr NBA participants work on their agility during the clinic

“With Alaska as our partner, the Jr. NBA program has reached hundreds of schools and communities nationwide and benefited thousands of children, parents, and coaches through grassroots activities like basketball training camps and school clinics, NBA Cares outreach projects, television programs and online initiatives,” says NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson.

This year, thousands of students, parents, and coaches are expected to benefit through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA activities. The program is composed of four stages: the school and open clinics, the Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and the NBA experience trip.

The schools and open clinics will be held nationwide from January through March. Clinics will be held in Bacolod, Batangas, Cagayan De Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Metro Manila and Subic. Select players from these clinics will get the chance to showcase their talents during the Regional Selection Camps, which will be held in Cagayan de Oro City on February 11-12, Lucena City on February 25-26, Cebu City on March 11-12, and Makati City on April 1-2.

Jr NBA Philippines 2016 All-Stars with Norris Cole and WNBA Legend Taj McWilliams-Franklin

From the Regional Selection Camps, the top 37 boys and 37 girls will advance to the National Training Camp in Manila. The National Training Camp will have (names of NBA/WNBA talents) in attendance to help train the pool.

In the end of the National Training Camp, eight Jr. NBA and 8 Jr. WNBA aspirants will be selected to comprise this year’s All Stars. They will travel with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia for a unique, overseas NBA experience later in the year.

The Jr. NBA Program is the international youth development program of the NBA. It aims to promote basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork and active lifestyle among children. It emphasizes fundamental skills development and the formation of STAR values – Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Positive Attitude, and Respect.

The program is free and open to children ages 5 to 14 years old. It provides children the opportunity to showcase their talent, improve their skills and be trained under Jr. NBA coaches, and participate in friendly matches with high school varsity teams from abroad.

With the success of the Jr. NBA program in the Philippines, Alaska’s mother company FrieslandCampina, extended its partnership to cover 4 countries in Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. In 2014, Alaska launched the Jr. WNBA program to widen the reach of the sport to girls all over the country.

Interested participants and coaches may register online through www.jrnbaphilippines.com. 

For live updates, follow Alaska PlayPh on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.

Coca-Cola 5by20 Artisans present Miss Universe candidates with upcycled neckpieces

Beautifully handcrafted neckpieces by the Artisan Women of Tondo made from upcycled Coca-Cola pull tabs recently took center stage during one of the preliminary events for the 65th Miss Universe Pageant. The artisan women presented each candidate with her very own neckpiece during a sunset cruise around Manila Bay and a dinner at the exclusive Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast in Batangas.

Beyond the glitz and glamour that surrounds the prestigious Miss Universe event is its heart – women empowering women. During the sunset cruise, the candidates took the time to talk with the artisan women to know their stories and admire their handiwork, while also sharing their personal experiences and journey through the pageant.

“This is a great way of showcasing the artistry of the Filipino women artisans to the world and it also highlights how women are contributing to the empowerment of other women, wherever they may be in the globe,” said Atty. Adel Tamano, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications.

Each of the neckpieces was individually crafted by the women artisans in their workshop located in Tondo, a district in Manila known as one of the most densely populated and economically-challenged areas in the country. The work of art they produce provides additional income for the artisans. The women engaged in the workshop are mostly single mothers and sole bread-winners; they play a challenging role in order to support their respective families.

The Artisan Women of Tondo is among the various women economic empowerment programs supported by Coca-Cola Philippines under the 5by20 global initiative. The women artisan program was made possible in partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation, one of the leading local microfinance institutions in the country that help uplift the poorest of the poor communities.

“In line with its commitment to empower women across the globe under the 5by20 initiative, Coca-Cola will continue to provide an enabling environment for women in its value chain so they can help themselves and their families become sustainable, and uplift their communities,” said Gilda Custodio-Maquilan, Coca-Cola Philippines 5by20 Lead, Sustainability and Community Affairs Manager.

Other than neckpieces and accessories, the artisan women also produce handbags, clutches, and other home décor from the pull tabs found in Coca-Cola beverage product cans. The Artisan Women of Tondo, through the help of Coca-Cola Philippines and its partners, is planning to further expand its product line and market reach in order to achieve sustainable livelihood.

The Coca-Cola 5by20 Artisans is part of the global initiative of the Company to empower 5 million women around the world by 2020. In the Philippines, the Company is enabling thousands of underprivileged women through the 5by20 Artisans and the 5by20 Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program.

For more information about the artisan women of Tondo and their products, visit Gifts That Give Back on Facebook.

Candidates of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant admired the beautiful neckpieces they received from the Coca-Cola 5by20 Artisans. Each neckpiece is made out of the pull tabs from canned beverages of Coca-Cola.

Candidates were unable to resist the urge to try on the neckpieces given by the Coca-Cola 5by20 Artisans. The neckpieces were made by the women artisans from the pull tabs of Coca-Cola products.

“It is a really proud moment for us. For the candidates, and even the universe, to see our creations,” said Marlene Nival, one of the 14 Coca-Cola 5by20 artisan women who personally gave their handcrafted neckpieces to the candidates of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant. The women are joined by James Debauden, project coordinator of the Coca-Cola 5by20 Artisan Women of Tondo.

The Artisan Women of Tondo got to meet the candidates up close and personal during a sunset dinner at Pico de Loro in Batangas.

The First Bato Cup, Make an Ace for Change

From left PDR OSCAR ALBAYA,  PPDG FRANK UYAMI , PDG BATO DELA ROSA,  ENGR EDWIN GARDIOLA,  ABE AVENTA,  PC SUPT VALRIE TABIAN

A drug-free Philippines, this is the dream of Philippine National Police Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

This dream is definitely not far fetched because last January 14 and 15, 2017 at the Malarayat Golf and Country Club, in Lipa City, what a lovely and picturesque scenes it were , resembling something straight out of a movie, armed with their clubs and dressed in full golf regalia, with their hearts coming together for the greater good. golf lovers participate and unite in the FIRST BATO GOLF CUP. 

The Bato Golf Cup is a special sports undertaking that utilized the gentlemanly sports of golf for a higher purpose - that is to raise funds for the projects and activities of the good hearted general who is fully committed in preserving the peace and order in the country.

The public, by now, has grown accustomed to the amiable and accessible General Dela Rosa. Under his leadership, the Philippine National Police continues its drive against drugs to bring true and lasting peace and order to a nation that has long been dreaming of an environment where we feel safe from lawless elements and people. General Dela Rosa has become the embodiment of decisiveness and sturdiness, making him the voice and the persona who has compassion and the no-nonsense resolve to get things done. Truly, an action man!

General Bato Dela Rosa's Arrival

"If you build it, they will come, " so goes an iconic line from Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner. To paraphrase it, "when a gathering of organizations call out to every one, people who love golf, peace and serenity will not think twice."

General Dela Rosa led the opening of the golf competition with the ceremonial tee-off. He stayed the whole Saturday afternoon to play. He was also most grateful to the people who joined the event and made sure that it was a resounding success. 

With work of art trophies designed by renowned artist Carlo Magno, the winners of the First Bato Golf Cup are, starting with special awardees during the first day:Dong Mendoza for Nearest To The Pin hole (one foot), Captain Pol Salvador (Most Accurate Drive On The Line) and Ivan Avena (Longest Drive, 324 yards.)

Day Two special awardees include Jere Fregil (Longest Drive, 32 yards), Bong Agojo (Nearest To The Pinhole 41/2 foot).and Hermie Perez (Most Accurate Drive.)

For the Tournament Proper, the victors are: Ladies Division - Second Runner Up is Evelyn Quinsay, First Runner Up - Margorie Lupingco, and the Champion is Glydel Mercado.

For Class D, Men's Division, winners: Col. Ludy dela Paz (Second Runner Up), Morell Manaig (First Runner Up) and Lito Magsino (Champion). For Class C, Men;s Division, winners: Cote Thor (Second Runner Up), Joseph Garcia, (First Runner Up), and Noli Alcantara (Champion). For Class B, Men's Division, winners: Jess Bartolome (Second Runner Up), Bong Agojo, (First Runner Up) and Manolo Agojo (Champion).

The Men's Division. Class A Winners are: Elmer Gardiola (Second Runner Up), Teody Pascual (First Runner Up) and Gerald Katigbak (Champion) Other major winners include Ivan Avena (Lowest Net) and Ayi Beech (Lowest Gross).

Present in the First Bato Golf Cup are Mr. Edwin Gardiola. Chairman and Organizing Committee Head, Lipa City Mayor Meynardo Sabili, multi-awarded actor and actress, husband and wife Tonton Gutierrez and Glydel Mercado, showbiz royal Vandolph Quizon, and popular musical composer Lito Camo.

The very successful first Bato Golf Cup culminated in a night of fun, food, music, and raffle prizes including the grand prize of a brand-new P2.3 million Kia car, and with l performances from The Brothers Unlimited and Reo Brothers bands.

The two-day golf tournament was also made possible through the kindness of generous partners such as EG group of companies and the Gardiola Family; Mighty Corporation, Pacific Union Insurance, DDT Konstract, JAM Liner, Philtranco, Fastcat, SMDC, SM Prime, Mizuno, Edison Builders, Toreja Construction, RGB, Scientific Games, Aristocrat, Zitro, Lydia’s Lechon, MNTC, CIGNAL, Maynilad, Filinvest Development Corp., Peugeot Lipa, MVP Kia Molino, SBYC, Asia Cargo Container, Phoenix Petroleum, Newington Builders, Toyota Philippines, Philpost, Atomy Philippines, FWIL, Kilton Group of Companies, Belle Corp., BMW Philippines (ACC), KIA Philippines (CAC), Mahindra, CATS Motors, Autohub, MOSVELDTT law firm, Ayala Land Premier, MVPTech, Volares Audio, Atoy Customs, Category 7, Dreamwave, New Canaan Insurance, Choi Garden, Pax Libera Mining Inc., Genie Magic KTV and Goodlife Reflex Zone; and various companies and individuals who made valuable contributions. They are certainly an amazing group of organizations that willingly threw in their support to this laudable endeavor.

General Bato Dela Rosa doing the tee off

The Bato Golf Cup is now set as a yearly tournament; with the next one promising to be even bigger. This is indeed a great way to show love and support to the Sport and to the Country!

Vivo Ph launch Vivo V5 Plus - the world's first smartphone with 20mp dual-front camera

Top five premium global brand Vivo taps Stephen Curry to endorse V5 Plus, with the world’s first 20MP dual front camera

Vivo Philippines finally launched the Vivo V5 Plus in a star-studded event last January 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium.

After months of speculation and leaks on specifications of the newest and most advanced selfie phone in the market, Vivo V5 Plus was  unveiled and has brought excitements to all to experience the most advanced selfie technology. Full specifications of the much-awaited selfie phone were released during the much-awaited launch.

The perfect selfie phone is the newest flagship model of Vivo, the top five global smartphone premium brand, ideal for today’s selfie age, when millennials and even adults enjoy sharing beautifully-captured self-shots with the world of social media.

The Vivo V5 Plus is Vivo’s newest flagship model, equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera, and advanced selfie features. 

Stephen Curry, NBA basketball superstar, is the official endorser of all Vivo phones, including the Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone. 

Basketball superstar Stephen Curry is the official endorser of all Vivo phones, including the Vivo V5 Plus. The NBA star earlier said he believes in the brand’s values—energy, professionalism and pleasure—all embodied in its newest flagship model. 

Most advanced selfie-technology to date

Equipped with what is, so far, the most advanced selfie technology, Vivo V5 Plus has the world’s first-ever dual front-facing cameras.

The primary front camera, a 20-megapixel IMX376, was co-engineered with top electronics company, Sony, while the secondary 8-megapixel camera was designed to collect depth-of-field information for improved self-portrait quality. 

The Vivo V5 Plus boasts an advanced selfie technology that features a ‘bokeh’ effect—a background-blurring photography filter. This is complemented by Vivo’s enhanced face beauty algorithm that allows users to take radiant selfies with no need for editing or correction, and ‘selfie soft light’ which makes selfie-taking possible even in poor lighting conditions. 

As for its rear camera, Vivo V5 Plus features an impressive 1/2.8-inch 16-megapixel sensor for ultra-clear and high-quality photos.

Sound, speed and style

Aside from its stunning camera features, the Vivo V5 Plus boasts a superior sound system, using the same Hi-Fi system of Vivo’s recent flagship models, and perfected in over two years—the AK4376. 

Equipped with 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, the new Vivo model is capable of performing multiple phone tasks in a speedy and efficient manner. For a unique touch, the phone runs on Vivo’s very own Funtouch 3.0 operating system, based on Android 6.0.

The Vivo V5 Plus also features an updated fingerprint recognition technology, allowing users to unlock the phone in just 0.2 seconds. Its fast-charging feature is also expected to come in handy for most users. 

Style-wise, the Vivo V5 Plus has a 5.5-inch large display, with an ultra-slim bezel technology, and is made of 5th generation Coring Gorilla glass with enhanced resistance. 

Finally, the V5 Plus has a dome-style, 1.8 mm wide u-shaped antenna for better signal reception and, at the same time, a more stylish exterior design. 

Celebrity-filled launch

The big reveal was attended by Vivo executives and partners, local celebrities, and top technology, lifestyle and fashion bloggers. Likewise, representatives from the top print, television and online media attended the much-awaited big reveal.

Singer KZ Tandingan and Pinoy Boyband Superstar’s Tony Labrusca and James Ryan Cesena entertained guests with lively music during the event.

Pinoy Boyband Superstar’s Tony Labrusca and James Ryan Cesena 

KZ Tandingan entertained guests 

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts.