SCG elevates its expertise in building materials through innovative technology, creating world-class products for better living

SCG, the ASEAN business leader with an expertise in building materials and sustainability for construction products and services, launched the SCG Smartwood and SCG Portland Cement to the Philippine market in a press conference held during the WORLDBEX 2017 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Philippines. 

WORLDBEX is the venue for the most talented architects, interior designers, exporters, and students to learn about the latest trends and innovations for the construction and building sector. 

This year, SCG showcased how an innovative and sustainable home can be both stylish and durable.

“At SCG, we create and deliver world-class building materials that truly serve our customers’ needs. SCG Smartwood, a superior brand of fiber cement wood substitute, offers a variety of designs and applications while at the same time extending the lifespan of a house for up to 30-50 years. SCG Portland Cement, on the other hand, uses innovative technology to boost its compressive strength, increasing its resistance to everyday wear and tear,” said Mr. Phaskorn Buranawit, Country Director of SCG Cement-Building Materials Philippines.

Apart from its durability, SCG Smartwood and SCG Portland Cement also respectively contributes to the well-being of the environment. SCG Smartwood lessens the number of trees cut for lumber, planks, timber, and other wood products. The production of SCG Portland Cement on the other hand, involves the rehabilitation of its quarrying sites.

The company gives importance to research and development of products, which aimed at creating more value for customers and promoting environmental conservation. SCG’s ultimate goal is to respond to consumers’ lifestyle both in the present and in the future.

“SCG Smartwood and SCG Portland Cement are produced through environmentally-friendly processes. SCG Smartwood is asbestos-free so the material is non-hazardous for our respiratory systems. It can also reduce the use of natural wood for over 90% of construction needs. SCG Portland Cement is innovative because it uses the waste heat power generator system in its production process. With these innovations, we hope to continue what we started in providing green and sustainable products to our clients in the construction industry.” added Buranawit. 

With growing concerns over environmental issues, it has been forecasted that there will be an increasing demand for spatial buildings and building information modelling which account for environmental impact before construction even begins. There will also be a rise in demand for sustainable cement and rustic wood aesthetic, creating opportunities for better and stronger properties for the future.

SCG has been an innovative leader in developing green products and services. In a sustainability report released in 2016, SCG identified how it is able to maintain its position as a leader in building and providing a better future for everyone by implementing green practices in its processes, producing world-class and sustainable products and services. 

“We have always envisioned an urbanized future for the world without damaging the environment. SCG Smartwood and SCG Portland Cement are materials for stronger and more sustainable homes and buildings,” concluded Buranawit.

SCG Cement-Building Materials is the official core business that supplies SCG Smartwood and SCG Portland Cement. It operates with full commitment to environmental friendliness and optimum use of natural resources in line with its sustainability framework.

About SCG

SCG is a leading ASEAN business conglomerate with regional focus, and established commitments towards business conducts that are in line with good corporate governance and sustainable development principles. Established in 1913, following the royal decree of His Majesty King Rama VI, SCG’s cement products were the essential materials for the construction of Thailand’s infrastructure projects during that period, which have contributed greatly towards the country’s modernization. Since its inception, SCG has grown continuously and has earned widespread recognition as a role model for other businesses, both locally and internationally.

Today, SCG is comprised of three core business units, namely: SCG Cement-Building Materials, SCG Chemicals, and SCG Packaging. With more than 200 companies under its umbrella and approximately 53,000 employees, SCG creates and distributes innovative products and services that respond to the current and future needs of the consumers.

SCG has been present in the Philippines since 1993 with more than 1,400 employees through its seven subsidiaries: United Pulp & Paper Co. (UPPC), Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc. (MSCI), SCG Roofing Philippines, Inc. (SCGR), SCG Trading Philippines, Inc. (SCGT), SCG Marketing Philippines, Inc. (SCGM), Green Siam Resources, Inc. (GSRC), and Green Alternative Technology Specialist, Inc. (GATSI).

In the Philippines, the available products under the SCG brand are the following: SCG Smartboard, SCG Smartwood, SCG Concrete Roof, SCG Thermal and Acoustic Insulations, and SCG Cement.

One of its CSR initiatives in the Philippines include the Sharing The Dream program. Now on its 10th year, it is SCG’s way of giving back to the community by providing educational assistance to underprivileged Filipino high school students.

About Mariwasa Siam Ceramics

Prior to SCG’s presence in the Philippines, its subsidiary Mariwasa Siam Ceramics has already been established. In 2016, Mariwasa celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Philippines and is continuously pioneered the manufacturing processes such as: production of vitrified floor tiles, big size wall tiles and 3rd fired ceramic tiles.

Pencils Without Borders

MoneyGram partners with Black Pencil Project to deliver learning and teaching materials to schools in remote areas of the Philippines

Out of 30 high school graduates, only 8 to 10 continue their education and move on to college, while the rest choose to become farmers, casual laborers or decide to start a family at a very young age. This is the reality faced by the youth of Sta. Ines in Tanay, Rizal. It may be only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila but it is worlds apart in opportunities. Situated in distant mountains of Tanay, one must cross nine rivers to be able to get to Sta. Ines Elementary School.

Out of the school’s 260 pupils, 40 represent Dumagats, an indigenous tribe with roots tracing from the Aetas. They were sea gypsies: semi-nomadic people who made their homes along the coast of Quezon. Living in a remote area, the community has difficulty in getting access to education. The mountains they live in may paint a beautiful landscape to the province but it serves as an obstacle wall to the community.

Thanks to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, the elementary school in Sta. Ines was able to establish satellite classrooms in the Dumagat communities and worked closely with the Department of Education to a create a customized curriculum for the tribe’s children. Teachers of Sta. Ines also learned the Dumagat language so that it would be easier for students to understand the lessons.

“We can’t do it alone”, shares Sta. Ines Elementary School Principal Adoracion Valdez. “We need stakeholders who can help us empower the children and show them that it is possible to graduate from the school and accomplish  anything they want.”

Mrs. Valdez, the seventh of 10 children, said her parents had always motivated her. Despite being simple farmers, they struggled to be able to send all their children to school. “That gift is immeasurable”, she said. “My parents believed that education is the only inheritance they could give us.”

This belief is shared by 13-year-old Elizabeth Laurio, a sixth-grade student at the Sta. Ines Elementary School, who upon her mother’s untimely death last year, had to step up to become a "mother" to her five younger siblings. Many times, Elizabeth had to absent herself from school to look after the children at home.

Elizabeth doing laundry

Elizabeth in front of their house

Elizabeth lets circumstances surrounding her motivate her, even more, to continue her studies and fulfill the dream of becoming a teacher to help her family and many more children in her village break out of the cycle of poverty.

“Dreams are free”, she said in Filipino. “So I will hold tight to my dream.”

The solution

In order to help children like Elizabeth fulfill their dreams, MoneyGram, a global provider of innovative money transfer services, through the MoneyGram Foundation, donated P1 million to the Black Pencil Project, a civilian volunteer organization helping to promote primary education and welfare to remote and indigenous Philippine communities to promote children's primary education and welfare.

MoneyGram Foundation’s mission is firmly rooted in the belief that education is the key to better economic opportunities, healthier families, individual freedom, and empowerment.

The donation will benefit at least six barrio schools and provide at least 2,500 students from kindergarten to grade six with prescribed pencils, writing pads, notebooks, and art materials.

Aside from Sta. Ines, MoneyGram will provide supplies to the Ivatans and Ifugaos of Banawe from Cambulo Elementary School, the Dumagats of Rizal from Casili Elementary School, and the Aetas of Tarlac from Labney Elementary school in Mayantoc Tarlac. Other communities that will benefit from this donation include the Ivatans of Batanes from Sabtang Central Elementary School, the Palawanons of Palawan from Cagayan Elementary School, and the Mangyans of Mindoro from Sablayan Elementary School.

“This is our way of reaching out to our brothers from the marginalized communities to let them know they are not alone in reaching their dreams”, said Alex Lim, MoneyGram Philippine country manager. 

“We firmly believe that education is the key to a better tomorrow.” A belief shared by Adoracion Valdez and Elizabeth Laurio. 

“I know it’s possible. I’ve seen it happen in my life. I want to empower my students to do the same like my parents did once for me”, added Valdez.

About MoneyGram International, Inc.

MoneyGram is a global provider of innovative money transfer and payment services and is recognized worldwide as a financial connection to friends and family. Whether online, or through a mobile device, at a kiosk or in a local store, we connect consumers any way that is convenient for them. We also provide bill payment services, issue money orders and process official checks in select marketsMore information about MoneyGram International, Inc. is available at moneygram.com

About MoneyGram Foundation 

MoneyGram established the MoneyGram Foundation in 2012 to help children around the world gain access to educational facilities and learning resources. Its mission is firmly rooted in the belief that education is at the heart of better economic opportunities, healthier families and individual freedom and empowerment. The MoneyGram Foundation is focused on inspiring minds and improving lives and grants funds to deserving organizations with this mission in mind. To learn more, please visit moneygramfoundation.org or connect with us on Facebook. 

New Downy Parfum Collection Offers Freshness That Lasts Longer Than Expensive Fine Fragrances

Downy Philippines unveiled an amazing #NEVERFADE window display at Puregold QI Central branch, to commemorate the launch of new and upgraded Downy Parfum Collection.

This window display had two mannequins, one wearing an elegant red dress washed with Downy Parfum Collection, while the other one had a dress that had been sprayed with expensive fine fragrance.

“We want to let Puregold shoppers smell and prove for themselves that the new Downy Parfum Collection gives freshness that lasts longer than expensive fine fragrances on fabric” said Shreyas Subbaraya, head of shopper marketing at Procter & Gamble Philippines.

Designed to match the varying personalities and preferences of Filipinas, the new Downy Parfum Collection features an upgraded formula of its flagship sophisticated scents: Passion, Mystique, Romance, and Fusion.

“The upgraded collection has the highest-ever intensity of premium perfume oils and the best dual perfume capsules technology in Downy’s history in Asia” added Mr. Subbaraya. 

Downy has also set up scent selector booths in leading branches of Puregold, so shoppers can choose the scent that suits them best. Shoppers purchasing P100 worth of Downy Parfum Collection at these branches will be eligible for a chance to win a full year’s worth of Downy.

This #NeverFade window display can be seen at Puregold QI Central branch until 18 March, and at Puregold Shaw branch from 24 to 31 March 2017. 

Follow the conversations at www.facebook.com/DownyPhilippines or at #Downy #NeverFade.

Young Hya Tara with Lea Salonga's "Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream"

Watch out for "Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream", concert on March 22, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to see little princesses dream and wishes do come true.

Globe Live presents the musical celebration of Disney Princess movies with the competition of six young girls vying for a chance to be featured in Disney's online video series: Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream. 

Celebrity coach Lea Salonga, is the main performance of the concert with Aicelle Santos, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Janina Vela, Julie Anne San Jose, KC Concepcion, Morissette, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos.

Sixteen years old, Hya Tara Leonardo, more known as Hya, is one of the six contestants. She is the breadwinner of her family. She stopped schooling to financially support her grandmother and special-needs brother. To do that, she sings and dances at clubs, private parties, weddings and such to make ends meet. Her mother abandoned them while her father passed away. She was the day's winner in the Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids competition last February 24, 2016.

Hya Tara Leonardo

"I want to be rich like people who have iPhones," she said. Hya wants to be a Broadway actress and singer, just like her idol Lea Salonga. She's always dreamt of performing in front of a large audience. On March 22nd, one of her dreams will come true.

Let's see the magical performances of these young dreamers with the help of various mentors headed by Disney legend Lea Salonga, theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, social educator Efren Penaflorenda, veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato, animator Tito Romero, chef Jessie Sincioco, and YouTuber and host Charisma Star. 

The other five contestants dream to be featured in Disney's online video series are Sirach Catipay, Stephanie Jordan, Jaden Narvios, Liana San Diego, and Alexi Tan. 

Watch and enjoy "Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream Concert" to see the magical adventures and their wishes and dreams do come true. 

Get 50% discount on every "Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream Concert" tickets by simply using the Promo Code = Pbnet143 via https://smtickets.com/events/view/5485 or over-the-counter.

The maximum single transaction using the Promo Code is buying six (6) tickets.

The Promo Code is available starting today until March 22, 2017, courtesy of the partnership between Globe Telecom and the Philippine Bloggers Network (PBNet).

#idaretodream #createbigdreams

#pbnetworkph #pbnet #GlobeTelecom 

Live in your dream Filinvest home with early move in promo

Pioneer Pointe in Mandaluyong City

Individuals who are looking for their dream home in the city – quality high-rise developments in central locations with complete amenities, stand-out features, and most importantly, ready for occupancy, look no further than Filinvest’s portfolio of completed residential condos.

Situated in convenient locations around Metro Manila, there is West Parc in Filinvest City, Alabang and Pioneer Pointe in Mandaluyong City. These residential projects are designed for the passionate and hardworking young urban professionals, starting families, and accomplished individuals who want to savor best that life has to offer. Built on Filinvest’s legacy of excellence, these desirable addresses assure of security and an unrivaled accessibility.

West Parc in Filinvest City

West Parc in Filinvest City is carefully masterplanned for green-city living, promising a truly dynamic lifestyle in South Manila. Just 15 minutes away from Makati via Skyway or South Luzon Expressway, West Parc will let you experience the perfect mix of condo living by striking a balance with affordability, location, and amenities in one complete package. West Parc consists of a three mid-rise residential towers – Alder, Birch, and Cedar – all boast of spacious environs in a cool garden setting. It offers a range of amenities to keep you fit and let you unwind while entertaining friends without leaving the comfort of your home. Relish the gracious living spaces in a 73.50 sqm. two-bedroom bi-level units and 90.82 sqm. three-bedroom bi-level units West Parc has to offer. 

Pioneer Pointe in Mandaluyong City is a real address of convenience as it is easily accessible from both Boni and Shaw MRT stations. Experience the best in urban living with Pioneer Pointe’s studio units ranging from 30.85sqm – 40.39sqm and two-bedroom bi-level and flat units ranging from 62.3sqm – 73.52sqm. Two-bedroom garden units are also available from 96.1sqm – 110.8sqm. Building amenities include a function room, swimming pool, and a pocket garden with children’s play area.

Actual photo of a unit in West Parc

Live in your dream Filinvest home with early move in promo

As ready for occupancy condos, would-be residents can move in right away, confident in the thought that these are backed by Filinvest’s excellent build quality, 60-year proven track record, and their best value for money proposition. Moreover, easy payment schemes are available, allowing you, at last, to live in that Filinvest home of your dreams with only 2.5% down payment and monthly amortization for as low as 27,000 pesos per month for a two-bedroom bi-level or flat unit available until March 31, 2017 only.

Truly, one cannot go wrong with Filinvest’s portfolio of livable condo developments, where peace of mind and an exceptional quality of life come standard.

For more inquiries, call (632) 850-0888 or email filinvestlmc@filinvestland.com.

Dencio’s New Seafood Delights

Dencio’s Bar and Grill, a favorite restaurant for 25 years of friends and family who dine together to celebrate special occasions, to chill and catch up with one another or simply to feast on delectable food, has special offers this season. Dencio’s brings to the table its newest offer, the Kilawin Bisaya and the Krispy Embutido for 5 featuring other Dencio’s Favorites.

The Kilawin Bisaya is a great blend of tuna cubes with cuts of pipino peel, covered with creamy white sauce, siling pari, spring onion and red bell pepper. The fusion of its freshest ingredients results in a flavorful appetizer perfect to start off a promising dining experience for only Php 170.00

Dencio’s clever take on the famous embotido is also a must-try as it puts a twist on it by adding shrimp, everyone’s favorite seafood. From the typical embotido, Dencio’s introduces its Krispy Embotido Hipon, shrimp coated with meat wrapped in lumpia wrapper. Its crispiness is just the right level. It also comes with sweet chilli that gives an extra kick on its flavor. A group of 5 persons can already enjoy the Krispy Embotido Hipon for only Php 1,560.

Other option is Dencio’s Sinigang na Tiyan ng Bangus which perfectly complements the new food offerings and the sumptuous Krispy Sisig. Truly, Dencio’s is a go to place as it always offer a wide selection of food suited for the season and its customers’ diet.

The new seafood offerings are available for the whole month of March in all Dencio’s branches. Be sure to like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pg/ Denciosofficialpage), Instagram, Twitter and visit www.dencios.com.ph to learn more about the latest delectable dishes from Dencio’s.

Scania Fleet Management : Scania allows fleet operators to monitor vehicle and driver performance to help achieve fuel economy

The revolutionary Scania Fleet Management Services was launched last March 9, 2017 held at the Scania Showroom, 1132 EDSA Balintawak, Quezon City.

Scania lets operators take control of their fleet with the revolutionary Fleet Management System. Scania Fleet Management is a set of services that connects the vehicles to one’s office. The service helps identify and use the key details needed such as vehicle data, fuel consumption, fleet position and driver performance (coasting, heavy braking, speeding or idling) that will help increase the productivity of the fleet, achieve fuel economy and eventually reduce the cost of operations. It puts clear and useful information that helps operators better understand how their fleet is performing and what is costing money.

“The good news is all new Scania trucks that are being sold in the country come pre- installed with the Scania Communicator telematics unit. This device regularly collects, saves, sends and receives information for analysis and presentation on the Scania Fleet Management portal or through the Scania Fleet Management app that can be downloaded for free. Operators just need to activate the service in order for them to be able to connect to their fleet’s data,” said Leilani Lim-Tan, Vice President of BJ Mercantile, Inc., the local distributor of Scania.

Scania Fleet Management consists of two different service packages: Monitoring and Control.

Monitoring Package

The Scania Fleet Management Monitoring Package is an easy-to-use service that puts operators on the right track to improving their fleet economy – even for small fleets. They will receive weekly email summaries covering all of their vehicles on vital information such as Fuel Consumption, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and driving behaviors. From these they can see at a glance how each vehicle is performing and which ones need special attention.

They can also access the Scania Fleet Management portal to manage their service planning. Service Planning and Remote Diagnostics provides an overview of all the equipment in the fleet, along with their maintenance plans, including a calendar for keeping track of maintenance and repairs. When a vehicle is scheduled for repair through the FMS portal, parts for replacement can already be prepared in advance thereby reducing downtime. The workshop only uses Scania genuine parts to lessen breakdown risks.

Control Package

The Control Package is an advanced set of services that help fleet owners utilize vehicle and driver follow- ups and operational information to support their transport process. Apart from the benefits of the Monitoring Package, they can also access additional useful information and functions including Driver Evaluation, Vehicle Evaluation, Fuel Report, Events Report, Vehicle Tracking, Fleet Position, Environmental Report and a Messaging Service for quick and easy communication.

Scania Driver Services

A good driving style saves fuel, reduces vehicle wear and helps prevent accidents on the road boosting road safety and reducing vehicle downtime. Scania offers a driver training program to show drivers how to drive more economically and more safely which in turn have a positive impact on profitability and have a significant on reducing emissions. And with the Driver Evaluation function of the Control Package, operators can regularly check on their drivers’ driving style to identify areas of improvement.

Satisfied Clients

The Scania Fleet Management System is already being used by a number of fleet operators in the country.

“The Scania system gives you more in-depth knowledge of your vehicles and driver performance,” said Mr. Benzon Rosete, Managing Director, Best Geo-Carrier.

“The fuel performance per vehicle is very useful to us especially with regards to the handling of the vehicle's transmission, the active detection of vehicle problems/faults, maintenance notifications as well as real-time monitoring of their fuel load and other parameters crucial in a journey. The driver performance data helps us assess driver skills as well as set benchmarks and gauge driver performance across our entire fleet. Scania Driver support is being used together with our Driver Management Team to coach drivers in the way they handle our Scania vehicles,” said Mr. Luigi Teola, Technical Manager, Great Sierra Development Corporation.

For more information about Scania, you may visit Scania’s showroom located at 1132 EDSA Balintawak, Quezon City. You may also call 361-0088, email scania@bjmerc.com, or visit www.scania.ph or check their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scaniaphilippines/.

Dystocia (Difficulty in Mother's Labor) Forum hosted by ManilaMed

Hospitals and healthcare institution provides patient treatment with specialized medical and nursing staff and medical equipment. Hospitals adopt strategies to address challenges or proactively reinforce their values, and will make waves in their healthcare.  Medical staff and doctors who are eminent in their areas of specialty always do research and always teach staff, nurses, and medical students more.

* ManilaMed

ManilaMed values the good of every patient before anything else. This is why ManilaMed strives to equip them with only state-of-the-art medical equipment and the country’s top healing professionals, still with compassionate healthcare at their very core. 

What touches more my heart about ManilaMed is their creed, “For every person who walks through our doors we promise nothing but our very best – all in the interest of making them feel better." From this, I concluded to myself that they’re not just a typical hospital in the country. They are healing professionals with a heart for the patient. They are not just doing their job; they are inspiring every patient as instruments to really feel better.

Moreover, ManilaMed values the good of every patient before anything else by responding to the needs of the community in the preservation of health through education, training and research.

* Center for Women's Health

As the first hospital in the Philippines to provide a center specifically for women, ManilaMed has 5 major subspecialties that are now housed in this one stop shop center – Center for Women’s Health, all of them concerned with health conditions specifically for females.

Dra. Maynila Domingo

Last February 16, a forum about Dystocia (Difficulty in Labor) was hosted by ManilaMed at Dr. Paulo C. Campos Hall of the hospital located at UN Avenue, Manila.

I was glad that I was invited to participate in the forum about Dystocia attended by medical students, health professionals, patients, and the general public. 

I have learned a lot of things during the forum that I can relate into as a mother. I am glad to share to you what I have discovered which can be of great help for all mothers and soon-to-be mothers.

Dra. Maynila Domingo of ManilaMed’s Maternal and Fetal Medicine was the speaker during the forum whom I have learned many things in understanding the process of normal labor and delivery, the causes of dysfunctional labor, the risk factors for dysfunctional labor, and the management and prevention of dysfunctional labor.

First, let us know what Dystocia is. 

The word dystocia, as what Dra. Domingo said is a difficult labor, abnormal labor, difficult childbirth, abnormal childbirth, and dysfunctional labor.

Dystocia is a dysfunctional labor from failure of the expulsive power of the womb, from obstruction to the birth passage or from abnormalities in the size, shape or presentation of the baby.

LABOR is the process that leads to childbirth. It begins with the onset of regular uterine contractions and ends with delivery of the newborn and expulsion of the placenta. It is undoubtedly true that pregnancy and birth are part of a physiological processes, and as such, labor and delivery should be considered to be normal for most women (Lawrence, 2012)

DELIVERY

• Expulsion of the fetus from the uterus

• VAGINAL

      - Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery 

      - Assisted vaginal delivery (forceps, vacuum)

• ABDOMINAL 

       - Caesarean section

During the Dystocia Forum, Dra. Domingo shared the factors that influence labor and delivery and she presented the 5 P's of Labor :

• Passage
• Position
• Passenger
• Psyche
• Power

The Dystocia Forum was a great medium for medical students. I have also learned a lot about dysfunctional labor on childbirth.

From this forum, I have realized the essence of being a mother. A mother’s duty is to raise her children the way she deems right, so that they may become as responsible as her, to make sacrifices for those she loves and to give of her best. Good thing there’s Center for Women’s Heath wherein women can take care of themselves better with quality services from ManilaMed’s healing professionals. I must say there is a need to take ManilaMed’s new Center for Women’s Health on the spotlight. 

Being a mother means being there to teach your child important rules and roles of life, from being an empathetic human being to learning how to be responsible of one's actions. Mothers will guide their children to figure out their goals and values in life as well as teach them the importance of education, manners and more. Mothers will also discipline their children, a skill that will benefit children throughout their journey whether at school, work and in life. 

So it’s better to take care of ourselves too to take care of our family. For me, that’s the essence of being a mother.

Learn more about the Center for Women’s Health at the 5th Floor of ManilaMed, United Nations Avenue corner Taft Avenue, Manila 1000.

For more information, visit 

http://www.manilamed.com.ph,

And their other social media accounts : 

Facebook: facebook.com/ManilaMed

Twitter: twitter.com/ManilaMed_

Instagram: @manilamed

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/manilamed

Or you may call 02-5238131 local 3100/3101

Pru Life UK bags gold and silver honors at the 52nd Anvil Awards

Pru Life UK's Brand and Communications team, led by Assistant Vice President Anna Gizelle V. Camua (front row, fourth from the right),received three honors at the 52^nd Anvil Award Gabi ng Parangal at the Makati Shangri-La on March 10, 2017.

Further demonstrating its excellence in the field of public relations, British life insurer Pru Life UK received three honors at the 52^nd Anvil Awards for its community investment initiatives and external communications.

Presented with a Gold Anvil Award for PR Tools – Special Events was “The Third Cha-Ching Educators’ Conference on Financial Literacy”. The initiative was recognized for bringing together 300 principals and teachers from both private and public schools nationwide for a two-day conference, highlighting relevant and valuable lessons to help them champion fundamental money-smart values in the classroom and in their daily lives.Held last year, the conference was central to Pru Life UK’s Cha-Ching Financial Literacy for the Youth Programme.

Cha-Ching is a multi-country, multi-platform programme that teaches fundamental money management concepts to children in Asia aged seven to twelve. It was launched in Hong Kong in 2011 by Prudential Corporation Asia, the regional headquarters of Pru Life UK. In the Philippines, Cha-Ching has benefitted over 100,000 students and 1,500 teachers from 100 schools and educational institutions. It has also received multiple honors from various international and local award-giving bodies, such as the International Gold Quill Awards.

Separately, the entry “Bantayan IV AVP”, a same-week edit video that showcases the highlights of the fourth leg of the Regional PRUvolunteer Programme in Bantayan, received a Silver Anvil Award for PR Tools – Multimedia/Digital. A core objective of the video was to instill in Pru Life UK employees an interest in helping people and communities by building awareness on the Bantayan housing and recovery initiative,as well as the programme as a whole.

Likewise, the entry “IMLinked Portal Educational Investment Videographs”, which is a series of videographs on complex investment and economics concepts, received a Silver Anvil in the same category. Produced in-house, the videographs support and complement Pru Life UK’s financial literacy advocacy that extends to mature markets.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the Anvil Awards – dubbed as the "Oscars" of the Philippine public relations industry – is a symbol of excellence in public relations. It recognizes outstanding public relations programs, tools, and practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

Pru Life UK’s growing number of accolades reinforces the Company’s legacy, which it has built for 20 years in the Philippines. In 1996, the Insurance Commission granted the British subsidiary the license to operate and sell life insurance products in the country. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 80 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force at 17,000 licensed agents, and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers. Pru Life UK holds headquarters in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

About Pru Life UK

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc. Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans. Prudential plc is a United Kingdom-registered company. Its regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia, is based in Hong Kong. Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (a US-registered company), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies).

For more information:www.prulifeuk.com.ph

“Throwback Thursday’ on April 27 at the Big Dome

An interesting mix of soft rock and R&B classics shall take music fans on a nostalgic trip back to the ‘80s as three noted foreign acts get together in a retro concert in April that will showcase some of the era’s best in popular music.

For the first time ever, singer-songwriter El DeBarge, disco diva and vocalist Sybil and band Kalapana from Hawaii will appear on the same stage on April 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City to perform their greatest hits that have endeared to millions of Filipinos.

Ovation Productions is presenting the three foreign artists together in what is dubbed “Throwback Thursday” as it’s summer offering. Also featured is popular Pinoy band Passage.

Known for his signature falsetto, El DeBarge was the focal point and lead singer of the American family group DeBarge from the early to mid-‘80s. The group’s hits include “Time Will Reveal, “Stay With Me,” “All This Love”, “Rhythm of the Night”, “Starlight Express”, and “Who’s Holding Donna Now”, among others.

After leaving the group in 1985, he launched his solo career the following year with a self-titled debut album that contained the Number Three hit, “Who’s Johnny?,” which was featured in the film, “Short Circuit.”

Sybil Anita Lynch, known simply to music fans as Sybil, on the other hand, attained success as an R&B pop singer and songwriter during the mid-80s until the mid-90s. 

Recognized as an excellent vocalist and one of the finest among disco divas, the American artist from New Jersey began recording in 1986 with the release of her debut single, “Falling in Love,” which reached the Top 30 on the R&B and Dance charts, and which opened the door to her successful career through the release of her debut album, “Let Yourself Go.” a year later.

She scored huge crossover hits in the Philippines with her song “Make It Easy On Me” and her cover versions of Dionne Warwick’s “Don’t Make Me Over” in 1989 and “Walk On By” in 1990.

She attained her most successful hit in the United Kingdom with a cover of |The Love I Lost,” which peaked at No.3, while its follow up, “When I’m Good and Ready,” peaked at No. 5.

In 1997, Sybil released her greatest hits album, followed later that year by her last album to-date, “Still A Friend.”

The contemporary Hawaiian group, Kalapana, which is now on its 44th year in the music and entertainment industry, gained fame for its pop and soft rock music that have made its songs, such as “Night Bird”, “Naturally” and “The Hurt,” enduring island classics. 

Kalapana made a successful breakthrough in the international touring circuit when it performed with the LA-based fusion band Hiroshima, played at the grand opening of Hard Rock Café in Honolulu and performed in two-sold out shows in the Philippines with an attendance of 10,000 each night.

It also did extensive tours in Japan, US West Coast, Tahiti, Samoa, Guam, Saipan and other Pacific islands.

Its successful tour in Japan with Michael Paulo of Al Jarreau’s band and Tris Imboden (drummer for Chicago) boosted Kalapana’s popularity in that country, where it has one of its largest fan bases since the 1970s, and landed it a five-album deal with Pony Canyon Records.

In 2011, Kalapana received the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Achievement Award. \The recipients were Malani Bilyyeu, Mackey Feary (posthumously, John (DJ) Pratt, Kirk Thompson, Alvin Fejarang, Michael Paulo, Randy Aloya, Gaylord Holomalia and Kenji Sano.

Kalapana was last seen in the Philippines in 2012 when it had a three-night, three-city concert tour with folk rock band America produced by Ovation Productions. -- #

“ThrowbackThursday’ on April 27 at Smart Araneta Coliseum” is presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets prices are P4500, 4000, 3500, 2500, 1500, 1500, 750 are available online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or call (02)9115555. The show will also be staged at the SMX Convention Center in Davao the next day April 28 as “Flashback Friday”.

When farmers comes first: A choice of giving back to the farmers of Bicol

For every one farmer in the world, there are 19 in the developing world. In a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2012, 12.09 million people work in agriculture. This amount figures to about 1/3 of the country’s total employment. However, even with all the people in that sector, the contribution of agriculture to the economy only makes up a mere 11%.

In Bicol, agriculture makes up 30% of the region’s GDRP and about 44% of the total population are employed in this sector. According to the Bicol Regional Development Plan of 2011-2016, most of the families in agriculture belong to poor and vulnerable sectors, most of whom are unable to complete their schooling due to lack of funds or access to quality education.

In 2001, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released a position paper on the role of agriculture in developing countries. They emphasized that agricultural productivity is key to poverty alleviation. More than just food security, agriculture can also contribute to economic development through increased export earnings. In light of this, national focus has shifted to the margins—policy makers, government, and non-government agencies alike have begun pumping support for our local farmers through irrigation programs, modernization projects, and supporting local entrepreneurs and cooperatives.

Cooperatives for socio-economic development

The Philippine Agricultural setting is mostly small farm holders after the land reform. So it is very important to organize the farmers to cooperatives and association for economy of scale in production and pricing.

Cooperatives play a crucial role in reducing poverty as well as pave the way for rural development. Through cooperatives, farmers who previously lacked access to the necessary resources are now able to access new technologies through government support from Dept. of Agriculture , Dept. of Trade & Industry and Dept. of Science & Technology.

Pili farmers of Bicol—once the poorest of the poor—are now able to augment their income through their cooperative with farmers from different provinces, harvesting and processing what we know now as Pili oil.

Pili oil is extracted from the pili fruit. it is only in the Philippines that the pili is commercially grown and processed. The nuts themselves have been found to contain 70% oil—akin to the Macadamia. The oil from other parts of the fruit itself is rich in Vitamin A and Tocopherol (Vitamin E), otherwise known as natural anti-aging components.

A beautiful partnership

Some farmers group from Sorsogon & Camarines Sur are already partners with PILI Beauty—an all-natural line of personal care products enhanced with pili and elemi oil. Through their harvest of pili oil, the farmers now receive a new source of income and through this, they can send their children to school & upgrade their standard of living.

The farmers are also taught zero waste management consciousness, making use of every part of the pili nut and pulp. This means less stress on the environment as well as reduced pollution in production.

PILI Beauty does not just want to provide short term livelihood solutions for these farmers, but to ultimately uplift the quality of life for those who belong to this sector. 

“Our goal is a long term relationship with these farmers that will help upgrade their standards of living,” said PILI Beauty’s visionary Founder Rose Tan.

At par if not better than Argan and Olive oil, PILI Beauty after extraneous research & creative innovation envision our very own Pili oil comparable to world class beauty product both local and international market. More than the beauty benefits the pili oil can provide championing a local product ,we are pumping life into the backbones of our society & leaving it better than we started it.