Shopee Philippines Celebrates 2 Years of Continued Success

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Shopee Philippines celebrates its 2nd birthday / anniversary party held at Ibiza Beach Club with fun games and activities with media, bloggers, sponsors, business partners and guests last June 21, 2017. 

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Shopee Philippines is celebrating its 2nd birthday with over 2 million listings and 3 million downloads to date, making it the number 1 shopping app in the country. Regionally, Shopee has achieved an annualized Gross Merchandise Volume of $3 billion USD with more than 40 million downloads.

In the past 2 years, Shopee has introduced several programs that revolutionized online shopping for Filipinos, including Free Shipping, Cash On Delivery (COD), and Shopee University, which helps aspiring entrepreneurs set up their online business.

To celebrate the success, from June 20 to 22, users are treated to special promotions and up to 90% discounts across multiple categories, including electronics, gadgets, makeup and clothes from Shopee’s official shops and top sellers.

Safe, Convenient Shopping

Since its launch in 2015, Shopee has made online shopping convenient with its highly customer-centric platform. Both buyers and sellers are able to transact safely through Shopee Guarantee, which holds payments in escrow until buyers receive their orders.

Sellers also enjoy Shopee University, a series of in-depth tutorial modules aimed at helping sellers to set up and grow their online businesses. Shopee has hosted sessions in over 30 cities around the country and thousands of participants have joined in the past year. The free classes provide more insights on topics such as online marketing, digital photography and tutorial sessions on Shopee’s features, among others.

“Shopee’s campaigns help us with our product marketing. With its reach, it helps us to expand our customer base and reach,” said Angela Mae Delajero, Corporate Sales Supervisor of Messy Bessy.

Welcoming Established Partner Brands

Shopee buyers can look forward to an even wider range of products from new Official Shops, including Oppo, Unilab, Stabilo, Kodak, Transcend, and Eureka. More brands are expected to join later this year.

OPPO phones now available on Shopee

“As e-commerce gains more popularity, Shopee will continue to be a strong player in this space. Our partnership with Shopee will further increase our online reach and give customers more options to buy official OPPO products,” said Stephen Cheng, Brand Manager of OPPO Philippines.

Ellen Lising, President of Ellen’s Skin Care and Permanent Cosmetics, agreed, “As we celebrate our 38th anniversary, we’ve partnered with Shopee to reach our growing list of diverse clientele and we will provide the most beautiful, intense and radiant kind of products and services that make our clientele feel confidently beautiful in and out.”

Looking to the Future

Shopee seeks to continuously improve its platform and optimise overall user experience. 

Macy Castillo, Head of Commercial Business for Shopee, said, “We continuously challenge ourselves to find ways to improve our app and system to make online shopping easier. We regularly get feedback from our users and aim to bring to them the best online shopping experience. ”

Moving forward, Shopee aims to further expand its user base nationwide. “We want to cater to every buyer and seller in key cities and provinces. With our robust and well-integrated platform, we’re confident that we can provide an easy and hassle-free shopping experience nationwide,” added Castillo.

Visit http://birthday.shopee.ph/ or www.shopee.ph to learn more about Shopee and special promotions.

Shopee is available for free download on Google Play and App Store.

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Pinoy App Developers Proved Their Incredible Skills in ASUS Philippines’ First Ever Hackathon Event Organized Dubbed as Zenfone AR: A New Reality

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ASUS Philippines’ latest smartphone – the Zenfone AR – takes center stage as aspiring mobile app developers competed for the ultimate prize in the Zenfone AR: A New Reality Hackathon

The final six teams come together for a photo with the Zenfone AR: A New Reality hackathon judges, Mr. Solon Chen of GDAP, Mr. Dominukus Susanto of Qualcomm, spearheaded by ASUS Philippines Systems Group Country Manager, Mr. George Su (center stage), and USEC. Mon Ibrahim of The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

ASUS Philippines recently launched the Zenfone AR, the world’s first Tango enabled and Daydream-ready smartphone with 8GB of RAM, through a 48-hour hackathon event, dubbed as the “Zenfone AR: A New Reality Hackathon”, held last June 22 to 24 in Whitespace Manila in Makati City.

In line with its commitment to search for the incredible, ASUS together with VR Philippines, a commmunity of virtual reality developers and enthusiasts who promote the advancement of VR technology in the Philippines, and key industry partners from the private and government sector, collaborated to organize a one-of-a kind hackathon event that aims to develop Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications that benefits the lives of Filipinos and address challenges through the power of AR and VR.

“As you may know, Augmented and Virtual reality are still in their infancy stage and it needs more awareness to properly understand its full potential,” said ASUS Philippines’ Product Marketer for Smartphones, Mike Santos, as he welcomed the teams on the first day of the event. “Hence, AR and VR are game-changers that can make our lives better; especially now in this ever-changing digital world.”

“ASUS Zenfone AR is the world’s first Tango enabled and Daydream ready smartphone with 8GB of RAM that is available in the market. We, at ASUS, believe that the Zenfone AR will be a great tool for professionals and early adaptors who are keen to further explore the power of Augmented and Virtual reality to maximize their profession and expertise.

“We are on the verge of going beyond what we know and hand-in-hand, we will be exploring endless possibilities and ways in making reality far better than what it is today through the innovative power of the Zenfone AR.” Santos concluded.

An incredible 48-hour hackathon experience

The teams being briefed on the first day before they formally begin the hackathon.

For a chance to win PHP 100,000.00 and undergo an exclusive immersion at ASUS Headquarters in Taiwan, six (6) teams were chosen as finalists from different parts of the country. The six finalists were: Team ARBotics from Quezon City, Team Studio 3 from Makati City, Team ImagineAR also from Quezon City, Team MB from De La Salle University in Taft, Team Semicolon STI Global City, and Team Dark Fire from Cebu City.

These teams spent 48 hours in the confines of Whitespace Manila to develop Augmented and Virtual reality applications that were special to the capabilities of the Zenfone AR. To further challenge the app developers, the teams picked 2 different fields of specialization, which they had to provide AR or VR innovation into an application.

Each team convened in their respective workstations, working on their application.

Bound by time in a hackathon that made use of 2 technologies that were quite new – each team displayed critical thinking and camaraderie as they worked hard to develop the application that aims to solve key problems in the Philippines. Fortunately, while still far from their perfected states, all six (6) teams prevailed in creating different applications that they feel would be best solutions to the problems that they were assigned to.

Going Beyond Reality – the Hackathon awarding

Zenfans and media guests enjoy the Zenfone AR experience booths as they wait for the event to begin.

Media guests, Zenfans, private and government sector members and as well as various IT movers-and-shakers arrived on the final day of the Zenfone AR: A New Reality Hackathon, last June 24. Attendees during this day did not only celebrate the arrival of the much-anticipated arrival of the Zenfone AR in the Philippines, but also reveled in the brilliance each team displayed through the applications they made over the span of over just 48 hours, which they had the pleasure of experiencing during the second half of the evening.

Left to Right - Mr. Solon Chen, GDAP Head of Membership, Mr. Dominikus Susanto, Qualcomm Marketing Lead for SEA Region,

Mr George Su, ASUS Philippines Country Manager, and USEC Monchito Ibrahim, Undersecretary of Management and Operations of DICT, the hackathon judges with Mr. Mike Santos, ASUS Philippines Product Marketer for Smartphones. Missing in this photo, Mr. Carlo Ople, PLDT Enterprise and International Carrier Business Vice President for Digital Marketing Strategy

The panel of judges were composed of individuals who were well-versed in their fields and already utilized augmented reality and virtual reality in their respective areas of expertise starting from the Head of Membership for GDAP, Mr. Solon Chen, Vice President for Digital Marketing Strategy for PLDT Enterprise and International Carrier Business, Mr. Carlo Ople, from the Marketing Lead for the SEA Region of Qualcomm, Mr. Dominukus Susanto, and the Undersecretary for Management and Operations of DICT, USEC. Monchito Ibrahim. ASUS Philippines’ very own Country Manager, Mr. George Su, who sat as the Chairman of the judges during the hackathon event.

Ranging from various problems on IT/Telco and Medical to Lifestyle and Design, each team was judged according to the following criteria: 25% Relevance, 15% Creativity, 30% Usability, 20% Problem Solving, and 10% Popularity Vote from media and fans. With the presented benchmarks, 3 teams were crowned winners of the first ever ASUS Philippines Hackathon, while teams who did not place were given PHP 10,000.00 as consolation prizes and, in addition, Google Philippines gifted all participants all-access pass to Google events in the Philippines. The 3rd place, with the reward of PHP 50,000.00, was presented to Team ImagineAR, a team from UP Diliman and Los Baños that established the ImagineAR mobile games company in Quezon City, which developed “EngineAR” application – an augmented reality application on Engineering and Transport that allowed users to envision and design their automotive. The 2nd place, with the reward of PHP 75,000.00 was granted to Team Studio 3, a team of game developers from KLab Cyscorpions, Inc. based in Makati, for their “kwARrto” application, which tried to solve concerns on Lifestyle and Design with an augmented reality application which permitted the users to view rooms, and personalize them accordingly to what they want.

Team ARBotics, a group of UP Diliman Students and Haraya VR/Diwata-1 engineers from Quezon City and Navotas City. The team was led by former Diwata-1 developer, Juan Paolo Espiritu, and won the 1stplace by showcasing a virtual reality application that aims to solve IT-Telco and medical issues through their application called “AR/ER”. ARBotics developed the application for on-the-go medical practitioners who would need access to a body scanner, in the event of an unforeseen accident. They were awarded not only the PHP 100,000.00 cash prize but also the 5-day exclusive immersion in ASUS Taiwan, under the Research and Development AMAX department, slated for October 2017.

Team ARBotics stand together with the Zenfone AR: A New Reality judges, Mr. Solon Chen of GDAP, Mr. Dominikus Susanto from Qualcomm, Mr. George Su the Country Manager for ASUS Philippines (center stage), USEC. Monchito Ibrahim of DICT upon winning the 1st place.

The Zenfone AR: A New Reality aims to empower the new generation of app developers. It was truly a celebration of going beyond reality by using a powerful and innovative smartphone device for AR and VR – the Zenfone AR.

Moreover, George Su, Systems Group Country Manager of ASUS Philippines shared that the search for the incredible would not end with just the hackathon. Su added, “The hackathon is only one way to help Filipinos understand this new kind of technology present today. Fans and enthusiasts can expect more efforts from ASUS Philippines to support AR and VR efforts spearheaded by industry leaders, Google Developer Groups, The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and as well as the private sector. We believe this effort is only a beginning towards the incredible.

ZENFONE AR AVAILABILITY IN THE MARKET

The Zenfone AR is available for pre-ordering from July 5 to 16! Pre-order now to get the Zenfone AR together with its exclusive bundle of the ZenPower Ultra, exclusive Zenfone AR Clear Case and Tempered Glass, as well as the Zenfone AR VR Cardboard.

For more information on local ASUS events, the Zenfone AR, and other incredible products available in the market, tune in to ASUS Philippines’ Official Facebook Page.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING

Island Cove’s New Business Venture

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Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is known to be the most sought resort in the province of Cavite. The company has provided leisure, relaxation and amazing dining experience to the Filipinos in the past 20 years. As the company grows, new business developments are realized.

Since Island Cove is known for its events and functions, the company has opened its first ever food service solutions called Island Cove Food Services, Inc. (ICFS). ICFS provides catering service solutions for socials and corporate events held outside the resort, volume food preparation and delivery, pre cooked/ portioned food supplies and healthy meal plans. 

Island Cove has seen the potential of sharing its expertise in the field of Hospitality Management to individuals who wish to polish their craft. Because of this, the company has decided to open its first learning institution - the International Skills Learning Academy or ISLA. ISLA offers TESDA courses (such as Housekeeping) and lifestyle courses such as Kiddie Cooking Class, Baking Class and Events Management. ISLA also offers FoodSHAP Food Safety courses. Completers of the course will be accredited as licensed food handlers by the Department of Health.

Island Cove is also very much excited to address the laundry service needs of the nearby hotels and accommodations as it offers its own Laundry Service. The Island Cove Laundry Service offers state of the art industrial sized washers, ironers and dryers that are managed by experts in the field of Housekeeping and Laundry Service.

To know more about Island Cove’s new products, you may call: (046) 434 4313 or 0917 706 1406.

Filipino artists get wider reach in SM malls

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Budding artists and professional visual artists in the country are finding a bigger audience out of the millions of daily customers of SM Supermalls. Throughout the summer season, at least four art festivals and art-inspired mall events have showcased an eclectic mix masterpieces and art expressions in various SM malls nationwide.

Live mural painting. 3D Panel by Anjo Bolarda at the launch of SM North Edsa’s Art Karnival: Vinyl on Vinyl

Currently ongoing is SM North Edsa’s ‘Art Karnival: Vinyl on Vinyl’ – a fun and colorful exhibit of art installations, murals, 3D and interactive displays created by a diverse group of pop culture artists like Tyang Karyel, Dex Fernandez and Blic among others. Shoppers and tenants are treated to the visual stimulation provided by the combination of fun and surreal artworks spread throughout the stretch of the mall’s Sky Garden. 

“SM Supermalls has been supporting local visual artists over the years. This is one of the many campaigns we do to encourage Filipino talent and to inspire appreciation of art across the country. Through the colorful art pieces, our customers get to enjoy as well a fun and refreshing vibe in the malls apart from the usual shopping and dining,” said SM Supermalls Senior Vice President Jonjon San Agustin.

In the South Luzon area, the ‘Shop & Make Art’ contest takes inspiration from the popular commercial art coloring books. After shopping, customers from Muntinlupa, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Bicol may be able to participate by coloring in the art templates with their choice coloring medium and style. The competition is still ongoing and culminates on June 15.

Prior to these art-inspired happenings, SM has also hosted summer art events in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Davao in Mindanao; a unique solar-powered art installation by Brian Sergio in Marilao, Bulacan; and the annual photo exhibit in Baguio featuring the works of PWDs.

With 61 malls now present nationwide, SM not just aims to continue but widen as well its campaign to promote Filipino visual art and appreciation, ultimately providing Filipino artists and the general public a major venue to connect through meaningful occasions.

Registration opens for sixth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum

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Various stakeholders in the housing sector are coming together for the 6th Asia Pacific Housing Forum (APHF6) organized by Habitat for Humanity Philippines to be held on July 25-26, 2017 at Novotel Hotel in Quezon City, to discuss the growing challenges of urbanization and diminishing resources for human settlements, as well as share best practices to ensure that no one would be without roofs over their heads.

The APHF6 with the theme “Housing at the Center” will serve as an Urban Thinkers Campus under the UN Habitat’s World Urban Campaign. 

The Urban Thinkers Campus is an initiative of UN-Habitat conceived as an open space for critical exchange between urban researchers, professionals, and decision-makers who believe that urbanization is an opportunity and can lead to a positive transformation. The agenda of APHF6 is also in line with the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), which was recently held in Quito, Ecuador. 

The two-days forum has enlisted veritable thought leaders in the housing sector across the region as speakers and panel resource persons to share their insights and jointly analyze problems besetting each country and how some have successfully licked the homelessness situation in the urbanizing centers.

“As a collective group, advocating and relentlessly pursuing a single purpose of totally eliminating poverty housing in the Philippines, we can do a lot. It is not an impossible dream because it has been done in other countries at a time when they were still developing. There are successful models in other countries where the poor were given a chance to break the cycle of poverty by providing them a decent, affordable home which become a platform for their development,” said Charlie S. Ayco, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

The two (2) days program with an anticipated attendance of 500 multi-sector thought leaders and stakeholders in housing will focus on four themes/tracks: 

Technology for affordable housing: 

Presenting the latest technologies that can bring social good, ranging from construction materials to satellite mapping methodologies and web applications.

Innovative partnerships: 

Highlighting the potential or multi-level partnerships in achieving goals related to poverty alleviation and the provision of affordable housing in the Asia-Pacific region.

Resilience and social development: 

Focusing on how affordable housing can lift entire communities out of poverty, protecting people from natural disasters and generating livelihoods.

Sustainable urbanization and housing: 

Discussing the implementation of the New Urban Agenda which serves as the roadmap for global sustainable urban development in the next 20 years as well as initiatives that focus on housing as central to proper urban development.

To register and get more information on the program and speakers, visit aphousingforum.ph. 

About the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum

The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum is a biennial conference organized by Habitat for Humanity. Since it was first held in 2007, the event has brought together more than 3,400 participants from over 52 countries. In 2017, the 6th Housing Forum will be held from September 4-7 in Hong Kong. It will bring together major stakeholders engaged in seeking solutions to the issues of inadequate housing and promoting affordable housing as a driver for economic growth. Preliminary events will be held in Cambodia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. 

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 70 countries. In the Philippines since 1988, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 140,000 people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.ph.

Make your day better with McDonald’s McSaver Meals , #MeronNaNgayon

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Life is so much better with things made available and convenient for anyone, just like the McDonald’s McSaver Meals, affordable meals complete with rice and drink starting at just P55!

Take it from the hilarious new TVC starring Alden Richards, who plays a prince and outwits a hungry, short-tempered giant with an offer of McSaver Meals. Watch him in action in his latest TVC HERE.

So if you’re looking for easy, lunch options on a budget, McDonald’s has got the answer just as Alden charmingly says, dahil “meron na ngayon!”

Choose from the golden Crispy Chicken Fillet Meal (P59), seasoned just right and served with gravy, the Chicken Fillet Ala King Meal (P59) served with a delicious, creamy sauce or the 1-pc. Mushroom Pepper Steak Meal (P55) made with a meaty patty, in creamy mushroom sauce and button mushroom slices. You can enjoy all these meals with rice and a regular drink.

Now life is so much easier with McSaver Meals whenever you dine in at any McDonald’s restaurant nationwide. You can also have it via Drive-Thru, Take Out, or McDelivery by dialing 86-2-36, visiting mcdelivery.com.ph, or the McDo PH app.

Try them and share your favorites by posting your photos online at facebook.com/McDo.ph and tagging @McDo_PH on Twitter or Instagram. Join the fun on Twitter as #MeronNaNgayon is already one of the top 10 trending topics in the Philippines.

LGBT Champions honored at the first Boy Abunda LGBT Awards (BALA)

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Dr. Boy Abunda

Boy Abunda, the television host, publicist, talent manager, celebrity endorser, known as "King of Talk" and an advocate, honored LGBT Champions - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders in Philippine society at the first ever Boy Abunda LGBT Awards (BALA).

The awardees included individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to create further visibility of the LGBT advocacy and raise awareness about LGBT struggles.

The list was an exciting combination of respected personalities in the LGBT community, young and up-and-coming voices, as well as institutions that have committed to uplifting the LGBT plight. The trophies were distributed to the winners last May 17.

BALA may be considered by some as bold and brash, mirroring the personality of its founder– Boy Abunda, Ph.D.

Dr. Abunda and his team of close-in panel of advisers and advocate/activist friends selected the winners through a tedious deliberation process. Dr. Abunda, who is a known television host and gay rights advocate, was the final determinant of the list of winners.

BALA is Dr. Abunda’s own personal recognition of the awardees’ work as LGBT advocates. It is an award that recognizes the leadership and contributions of LGBT leaders and personalities in different fields of society. The award is his modest contribution to the LGBT community, with the goal of motivating the younger generation of LGBT-rights advocates and activists.

Bemz Benedito Managing Director of Make Your Nanay Proud with J. Neil Garcia,
BALA awardee

True enough, the awardees were not the ‘usual suspects’ and amid the expected raised eyebrows, the merit of the awardees and their bodies of work for the advocacy speak for themselves. Even the awards ceremony was unconventional. Instead of the usual fête for awardees in glittery and glamorous ceremonies, the awards were formally and personally given to the awardees without much fanfare.

The trophy designed by Badon

Vice Ganda holds his BALA trophy

Dr Abunda was inspired by his GLAAD Media Awards and Eric Butler Philanthropy Award in establishing BALA. The awards are as brave and as no-nonsense as the giver. The awardees are as follows: 

* VENIR CUYCO - the founder of UP BABAYLAN, the first LGBT STUDENT ORGANIZATION, and LAGABLAB, the earliest LGBT organization in the country

*   J. NEIL GARCIA - champion of LGBTs in Philippine Literature and the Academe

*   CHRISTIAN BRYLE LEANO - student leader and activist

*   KRISTINE MADRIGAL – one of the founders of TAO, Transpinay of Antipolo Organization 

*  DANTON REMOTO – founding chair of ANG LADLAD Party-List — the first and only LGBT party-list in the world

*   AIDA SANTOS - lesbian and women’s rights development worker and poet

*  JOHN L. SILVA - Filipino writer, arts and culture savant, blogger and modernist vanguard

*  JOSE MARIE VICERAL - LGBT Superstar in multimedia platform

*  MONIQUE WILSON - world-renown artist actively advancing issues that matter to LGBTs

*  PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION OF GAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES

(ProGay Philippines) - for more than two decades of service as an LGBT organization in the Philippines

* TEAM MAG - the only existing LGBT lifestyle magazine in the country today, courageously facing the odds to publish content that reflects the lives and concerns of the Filipino LGBT community

*  OUTRAGE MAGAZINE - the brave and trustworthy online source of LGBT stories, editorials, and opinions in the Philippines

* NIKE – LGBT ally and corporate brand that promotes pride, terminating Manny Pacquiao as endorser after he made homophobic remarks

*  PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION (PETA) – a theater company that features LGBT themed plays and performances

The certificates 

Dr. Boy Abunda is also the founding chairman of the Make Your Nanay Proud (MYNP) Foundation. 

Congratulations to LGBT Champions and more power to Boy Abunda LGBT Awards (BALA).

World Barista Champion Hidenori Izaki visits Manila for the Latte Art Throwdown

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World Barista Champion 2014 Hidenori Izaki recently visited the Philippines to judge the Latte Art Throwdown held at the Coffee Project in Macapagal Blvd, Pasay City. 

The Latte Art Throwdown Competition gathered baristas from all over the country showed their creativity and passion for coffee. The event was participated by different baristas from different coffee shops all over the country. This includes some baristas from Coffee Project, Starbucks, Figaro, Krispy Kreme, Toby's Estate and from others companies.

Hosted by TV personality and foodie Xandra Rocha,  and the panel of judges includes celebrity former MTV VJ and actress and now a food blogger Donita Rose, Chefs Jackie and Rolando Laudico and Silvester “Sly” Samonte and Hidenori Izaki will choose the winner in the final round. 

The winner for the Latte Art Throwdown is Andy Abergas Luyugoy of Toby's Estate Philippines bring home his very own Espresso machine and bunch of supplies from sponsors.

The Latte Art Throwdown was sponsored by Allegro Beverage, Victoria Arduino espresso machines, Jolly Cow Fresh Milk, Lotus Biscoff, and Coffee Project.

Before the competition started, the first ever Asian to win the premiere global barista competition from 60 countries, Hidenori shared his experiences and his journey how he became a barista! "I kept competing as I am completely obsessed with [barista] competitions and attracted to how beautiful the coffee community is,” he said.

Hidenori founded the ​Samurai Coffee Experience​, a global coffee consulting company where he travels more than 200 days a year all over the world to educate people about coffee, conduct consultancy, professional barista training, coffee roasting and product development. On top of that, he also serves as a technical consultant for an espresso machinery company.

As Hidenori started his coffee journey and honed his skills with Maruyama Coffee, a cafe chain and roasting company known worldwide for buying top auction lots of coffee, especially Cup of Excellence premium varieties. Maruyama is one of the most dominant coffee companies in the world, having won the Japanese Barista Championship for 5 straight years.

Before going into barista competitions, Hidenori had his fair share of ups and downs. He was in and out of school, he also studied in England when he finally realized that he would need a formal education to thrive. During his time abroad, he was able to learn the English language while interacting with people from different backgrounds. All his experiences both in Japan and abroad made him culturally-diverse, strong-willed and a passionate barista with an immeasurable thirst for coffee knowledge.

This made him confident to compete on the center stage of the barista world which requires not only coffee mastery but also great communication and rapport with the judges and the audience. “I was sure that I could communicate with people from different backgrounds and [it] helped me so much to get a more diverse point of view for who I am,” he shared while recounting how and why he decided to join the competition.

After two years of joining the said competition, he won and received the coveted World Barista Champion title in 2014 in Rimini, Italy.

“Hidenori opened the doors for many aspiring Asian baristas who compete in the global competitions. And that includes our very own Silvester Samonte who will compete later this year in Korea,” said Allegro Beverage Corporation president, Leo de Leon. Allegro is the preferred end-to-end coffee solutions provider in restaurants, hotel chains, and third wave coffee shops in the country. It is the exclusive distributor of world class espresso machines like the Victoria Arduino which is used during the World Barista Championships.

 Leo de Leon, Allegro Beverage Corporation president

In partnership with Nuova Simonelli, the leading manufacturer of espresso machines used in the competition, Fly Ace Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Lotus Biscoff biscuits and Jolly Cow Fresh Milk, and Coffee Project, the newest cozy coffee shop chain the country, Allegro put together this event to showcase the barista skills and passion of a true champion, facilitate and exchange of ideas, and educate the public about serving specialty coffee.

After all, de Leon said “Coffee is the nectar of the gods, the life blood of offices and a tonic drink for productivity.”

ALLEGRO BEVERAGE CORPORATION

Allegro Beverage Corporation (ABC) is the country’s leading provider of complete coffee solutions. It is the exclusive distributor of the finest espresso machines, brewers, coffee beans, syrups, sauces and teas from Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. Its products cater to hotels, casinos, culinary and educational institutions, restaurants, cafes, and franchise chains. www.allegrobeverage.com

FLY ACE CORPORATION

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods companies in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino consumers, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes house brands and exclusively distributed brands.

JOLLY COW

The milk loved by the whole family for its deliciously creamy taste, is also a proud supporter of the coffee making industry in the country. JOLLY COW FRESH MILK is the official milk partner of the 2017 Philippine Barista Championships and 2017 Philippine National Latte Art Championship. Jolly Cow actively participates in latte art competitions in third wave coffee shops. Thick, creamy, and comes from the free-ranged “happy cows” of Europe, Jolly Cow Fresh Milk produces milk froth that is silky white and microfoam froth and it gives your coffee natural sweetness so that you can enjoy your coffee even without adding sugar that makes it highly recommended by every professional baristas in the country. Jolly Cow is exclusively distributed by Fly Ace Corporation in the Philippines. Follow Jolly Cow PH on Facebook for more information.​

LOTUS BISCOFF

The Lotus Biscoff coffee has been a favorite since 1932 among Europeans as the perfect coffee companion. The brand name itself “Biscoff” represents the marriage of biscuit and coffee. The unique caramelized taste of a Lotus Biscoff is formed during the baking process, resulting to typical aroma components, some of which are similar to the aroma components formed when roasting coffee. What is even more important than simply resembling each other is that together, Lotus Biscoff and coffee are complimentary. A Lotus Biscoff cookie creates an extra flavour experience that is in complete balance with coffee. The magic is that neither product ever tries to dominant the other, and that their individual character is maintained. Lotus Biscoff is exclusively distributed by Fly Ace Corporation in the Philippines. Follow Lotus Biscoff PH Official on Facebook for more information.

COFFEE PROJECT

Coffee Project aims to provide excellent coffee and gracious service creating memorable experience for people by serving good quality concoctions of espresso based drinks and mouth-watering food, and exceptional interior design. Every coffee outlet of Coffee Project is filled with flowers and greens to create a happy and vibrant mood among costumers. With this extraordinary concept, their valued customers consider Coffee Project as the Most Instagram-worthy coffee shop. To date, Coffee Project already has fourteen branches in Luzon and is planning to further expand to more locations in the coming months.

Arnel Pineda: The 50th Birthday Concert at Okada

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Partake in a heartfelt celebration of Arnel Pineda’s colorful life as he turns 50. The Filipino rockstar is marking his golden year with an intimate birthday dinner show on September 5, 2017 at Okada Manila, where he will be singing the songs of his life. 

The night’s setlist follows Arnel’s life story, from his beginnings in local bands to conquering the world stage as frontman of the legendary Journey. The artist will delight the audience with renditions of his personal favorites and original compositions. Surprise performances await both the audience and the artist himself.  With acclaimed video and event director Paul Basinillo at the helm, the night will surely create lasting impressions for those in attendance.

Our Cause

Arnel’s humble beginnings has shaped him into a man of goodwill. Majority of the event’s proceeds will go to the Arnel Pineda Foundation, Inc. (APFI), a non-stock, non profit, and independent foundation that provides underprivileged children quality education, health services and medical attention. Arnel and his family personally oversee the Foundation and are always present in its events.

The Celebrant

Arnel Pineda is the lead singer of celebrated American rock band, Journey. Since landing the coveted gig in 2007, he has showcased his powerful pipes at the biggest venues including the Hollywood Bowl, Wembley Arena, and Tokyo Budokan. He has collaborated with the likes of Foreigner, Deep Purple, Santana, Joan Jett, Rascal Flatts among others.

Arnel was born on September 5, 1967 in Sampaloc, Manila. After his mother’s illness and eventual death put the family in a dire financial situation, he volunteered to live independently, taking on odd jobs to provide for himself at the age of 14. At 15, he became the lead singer of the band, Ijos. In 1986, along with some members of Ijos, he formed Ammo and the band went on to win the Rock Wars contest. In 1988, Ammo won the Philippine leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion and competed in Hong Kong for the finals.  In 1990, Pineda and other Ammo members formed another band called Intensity Five which came first runner-up at the Yamaha World Band Explosion, with Arnel winning Best Vocalist. Arnel also fronted the bands New Age, 9mm, Most W@nted, and Zoo.

Our Venue

Okada Manila impresses anyone who enters its halls. This biggest and grandest integrated resort in the country occupies an astounding 44 hectares of land in the Entertainment City. With a five-star hotel, a wealth of dining destinations, exciting retail options, and gaming experiences, Okada sets the bar high in the hospitality and gaming scene.

Tickets

Tickets to the event are now out at Ticketworld branches and online atticketworld.com.ph. A seat is PHP 7,040.40, inclusive of a full-course sit-down dinner and covering tax and other mandated charges.  

For inquiries, get in touch with Up North Productions at upnorthproductionsinc@gmail.co m, or at mobile number +63 917 652 7463. 

OPPO F3 dominates 15k-20k price range with 48.5% share

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GFK May 2017 shows strong OPPO F3 sales and retains No.2 smartphone ranking in PH

OPPO Philippines recently launched the mid-range smartphone OPPO F3 with its unique dual-selfie camera feature, sleek body and attractive package. In the latest GFK Philippines May 2017 report, it shows that OPPO F3 emerges as the No.1 smartphone for the price band of Php15,000 to Php20,000 smartphones, with a dominating 48.5% market share.

OPPO F3 started well in the market with 22,000 unit sales in the first three days of availability last May 2017. This reflected its strong acceptance from consumers because of the unique dual-selfie camera setup. The groufie camera enables an extraordinary experience in capturing amazing selfies with more range at any situation. Plus, the metal body and sleek body gives customers the luxurious feel appropriate for its price, along with ample 4GB RAM for multitasking and 64GB storage for all files needed.

Additionally, OPPO also retains its No.2 smartphone brand position in the Philippines. A sign that the Philippine market well accepts the wide range of lifestyle-centric lineup of the brand.

"The OPPO F3 is a well-received smartphone since the beginning, our competitive package, sleek design and trending dual selfie camera setup are the reasons why it is successful.” said Stephen Cheng, OPPO Philippines Brand Marketing Manager.

Last June 16, OPPO released the F3 Black edition for more color options to choose from. Customers may now select from three colors available which are Gold, Rose Gold and Black for a more lifestyle-centric smartphone experience.

The OPPO F3 is available nationwide in any OPPO concept and dealers stores for a special discounted price of Php15,990, under the Back-to-School Promo until July 31, 2017. All unit comes with a pre-installed screen protector and soft-transparent case for added value and protection.

For more details about the OPPO F3, please visit https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/ or log on tohttp://www.oppo.com/ph/index.html.