The International Museum Day on June 27, 2014

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The ICOM International Museums Day Celebration (IMD), ICOM-PH and Habitat for Humanity Philippines imvites you to an event entitled “IMD2014 Forum” echoing he ICOM theme, “Museum Collections make Connections” to be held on Friday, the 27th of June 2014 in Manila, Philippines.

The International Museum Day of the International Council of Museums-Philippines (ICOM-Philippines), is an international organization of museums and museum professionals committed to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible. ICOM has a unique professional network of institutions and museum professionals worldwide collaborating and participating in discussions and reflections concerning museum development.

The International Museum Day is in partnership with the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Habitat for Humanity Philippines, University of the Philippines – Diliman, International Federation of Social Science Organizations, Philippine Association of Museums Inc, International Movement for Development Managers, Hiniraya Cultural Heritage and Development Foundation, GULF AIR, and other institutional partners.

Thousands of Youth Gather for Habitat Youth Build 2014 “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

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This year’s Youth Build is expected to be one of the biggest youth gatherings in the country. Over 5,000 youth will converge at Habitat Youth Build 2014 “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

“Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!” as this year’s Habitat for Humanity “Youth Build”, happening simultaneously on May 3, 2014 in five key provinces in the country, to make a commitment to help rebuild homes across calamity-stricken areas in the Philippines. 

Beginning May 3, young volunteers will sweat it out as they get their gloves, hard hats, and shovels ready to begin the construction of Habitat houses in earthquake-hit areas in Bohol, and Yolanda-affected communities in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga. After Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) destroyed parts of the country in November last year, Habitat launched its “Re-Build PH” campaign with a target to rebuild 30,000 houses. This year’s Youth Build aims to rally the youth to do their share to meet this target.

“Rebuilding the Philippines is everyone’s responsibility. This time, we want to gather our youth and tap into their passion and energy to help get the job done while at the same time serving as role models to the younger generation,” shares Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity Philippine’s CEO and Managing Director.

“Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

Since the build-sites are mostly around the Visayas region, this year’s theme was taken from the local Visayan dialect-- “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!” (Let’s gather. Let’s build. Let’s do it.) It hopes to speak more urgently to the Visayan youth to rise to the challenge of helping their own neighbors, friends, and kababayans rebuild their own communities by taking part in the Youth Build.

“For us to be able to truly move forward from the horrors of the earthquake and typhoon, we need to work hand-in-hand as one community-- the progress of one is the progress of all. We encourage the Boholanos to help their kababayans, because by doing so they are helping the entire province,” Ayco adds.

Rebuilding 7,000 houses in Bohol

In October last year, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked parts of Bohol leaving houses in shambles and families homeless. The Youth Build targets to rebuild 7,000 homes in 16 municipalities across the province providing decent shelter to families still living in tents and make-shift houses.

To kick-off festivities in Bohol on May 3, a motorcade of celebrity youth supporters will take place in the morning leading all the way to the Habitat site in Loon, Bohol where Habitat’s Youth Council will begin the initial build. To cap the day, a youth concert open to the public will be staged to further urge the Boholano youth to respond to the call.

Other local festivities to kick-off the “Youth Build” will also happen in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga.

The Habitat Youth Build is a movement that engages young people to raise funds for, and awareness of the poverty housing situation in the Asia-Pacific region where one in eight people live in slums, according to the United Nations.

Now on its third year, the annual campaign challenges the youth to do something concrete to help. Young people from 11 other Habitat countries across the region will also participate and build or repair homes for low-income families. 

Habitat for Humanity Philippines is a global non-profit organization committed to addressing the housing backlog in the country.

To know more about Habitat and its programs, log on to www.habitat.org.ph.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines and BPI gives thanks with Zalora

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Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP), a non-profit organization that serves Filipino families in need of decent homes, bring together partners who share the same vision of transforming lives through building responsible and sustainable communities.

Recently, Habitat for Humanity Philippines (Habitat), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Zalora Philippines (Zalora) launched a promo that encourages BPI Cardholders to help Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) survivors by shopping online.

“People have the heart to help, but sometimes don’t know how,” says Habitat CEO & Managing Director Charlie Ayco. “This partnership with BPI and Zalora is a good and easy way of doing so as we now move towards rebuilding the lives of those affected by Haiyan. We have a long way to go and every amount helps in giving these families back their homes.” ends Ayco.

Habitat aims to distribute 30,000 Shelter Repair Kits and build 30,000 core shelters for those affected by Haiyan depending on availability of funding.

BPI VP for Marketing Strategy and Development Angie Florentino says that “with BPI’s more than 1 million credit cardholders, and Zalora being the leading online fashion store in the country, we hope to generate a lot of donations while they shop.”

 “Thank you, Habitat and Zalora for undertaking this role with us as we continue to help those who survived Haiyan,” Florentino adds.

“Thank you for letting us be a part of this initiative,” Zalora Philippines Co-Founder and Managing Director Paulo L. Campos III says. “We are very excited in launching the promo with BPI. I’m sure our online shoppers will be thrilled with the 15% discount voucher they will receive when they donate to Habitat.” ends Campos.

The BPI-Zalora promo is open to all qualified BPI credit card holders. BPI cardholders may donate a minimum of P1,000.00 using any BPI Card variant via www.give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines. 

They will then receive a 15% ZALORA discount voucher code via e-mail which may be used upon checkout when they shop at ZALORA.COM.PH. Discount is not valid for sale items and brand exclusions apply. Terms and conditions apply. 

Promo is from March 15 – June 15, 2014.

Julia Fordham Stages Two Intimate Shows This Valentine's Day

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British jazz pop singer-songwriter Ms. Julia Fordham returns for the fourth time in the Philippines with two very special and intimate shows.

Experience romantic moments this February 14, 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroon of Solaire Resort and Casino and be serenaded through "Love Moves: Julia Fordham Live in Manila".

Popularized songs as Where Does the Time Go, I Can't Help Myself, River, Love and Forgiveness, Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Someone to Watch Over You, Happy Ever After, Invisible War, Loving You and Girlfriend, hear Julia Fordham sing them all live. The show also features the “Prince of Jazz” Richard Merk and Rachel Anne Wolfe.

This February 15, the Julia Fordham show will be at the Lobby Lounge of EDSA Shangri-La with the country's queen of Jazz, Annie Brazil, titled “Up Close and Personal.”

Proceeds of the shows will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation's trauma and healing sessions for the typhoon Yolanda victims. 

“We are supporting her foundation (NGF) which helps promote a better understanding of depression Natasha Goulbourn Foundation’s trauma and healing sessions for the Yolanda victims,” Fordham said during the press conference yesterday, February 11, held at the Eclipse Lounge, Solaire Resort & Casino. 

“Love Moves: Julia Fordham Live in Manila is brought to us by Laurel Media, PLDT Telpad, McCormick, RCBC, Fort Victoria and Solaire Resort and Casino. In cooperation with Astroplus, Philippine Concerts, Manila Concert Scene, Radio High 105.9, Crossover 105.1, EnergyFM 106.7 and BusinessWorld.

Ticket prices are as follows: VIP (Php10,000), Platinum (Php7,000), Gold (Php5,000) and Silver (Php3,000). You may get them at www.ticketworld.com or you may call 891-9999 for reservations.

Coca-Cola, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity enjoin the entire nation and global community to continue small act of kindness for Yolanda survivors

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Every act matters. Share whatever you have. Do whatever you can. Donate, volunteer, share, help. . . rebuild lives . . . warm hearts . . .  spark hope . . .

Coca-Cola Philippines, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and Habitat for Humanity have teamed-up to campaign for a volunteer round-up and donation drive towards Yolanda-recovery, dubbed RebuildPH. 

The tripartite movement takes inspiration from the kindness of the Filipino people. Motivated by the idea that no action is too small to make a difference, Coca-Cola has been helping raise awareness and public participation in the rebuild efforts, while Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity serve as recipients of monetary and in-kind donations culled in the process. 

Guillermo Aponte, General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines share his advocacy and inspiration.  “If there is one lesson learnt from Typhoon Yolanda - is that no act is too small. Rebuilding rests in the hands of every one of us, not merely a few. This is what our campaign RebuildPH is all about, and we hope that through this campaign by Coca-Cola, Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Philippines Red Cross, the Filipino people and the global community will continue to be inspired to volunteer and donate. We have a long way to go and a lot still needs to be done.” 

Right after Typhoon Yolanda struck the country, Coca-Cola immediately brought relief and aid to over 200,000 families through its partnership with the Philippines Red Cross, Department of Social Welfare and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Coca-Cola System has also diverted its advertising resources, including Php10-M worth of cell phone load, to aid survivors of the super typhoon. As part of its rebuilding efforts, Coca-Cola commits to implement its key sustainability programs on education, nutrition, livelihood and water access to Typhoon hit areas. 

Coca-Cola also donated more than $2.5 million to aid in the relief operations for Typhoon Yolanda last November. Its social development arm, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, also obtained donations amounting to more than Php 4-million from the company's employees, later used in various humanitarian efforts. 

Among other Coca-Cola assets that have been used for relief are trucks lent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Red Cross and the Tacloban bottling plant, which was used by UN World Food Program as a warehouse.

“Our partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines has enabled both parties to act fast and send relief after the typhoon struck. With water and other goods ready since September, all we had to act on was logistics,” said Red Cross Chairman Dick Gordon.

To date, after a full transition from relief to the rebuild stage, there are seven priority sectors identified by the government, namely: Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Capiz, Aklan, and Palawan that need both humanitarian and resettlement aid. 

Prior to the recent partnership with Coca-Cola, Habitat for Humanity has already been acting since November by distributing shelter repair kits and building homes for those affected by the typhoon.

“At present, Habitat for Humanity is targeting to build 30,000 core houses and distribute 30,000 shelter repair kits for Yolanda victims. We want to achieve this in the next three years but it would take an estimated P6-billion for the construction of the core houses alone. We thank Coca-Cola Philippines for taking this endeavour with us, because we certainly won’t be able to do it alone,” says Charlie Ayco, CEO and Managing Director of Habitat for Humanity.

“Yolanda came last November but everyone still remembers it so vividly. Picking up from one of the worst natural disasters in history, it’s going to take a lot of effort from both individuals and big businesses. While our partners have done much already, we’re positive that our teaming together can make an even bigger difference,” adds Dick Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

Gordon, along with Ayco and Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines, led the RebuildPH volunteer round-up at Araneta Center last January 30.

Coca-Cola is helping in the rebuild and recovery process of the Philippines, brought about by the typhoon Yolanda. It has embarked on a landmark partnership with Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and its other partner organizations to rally volunteers, raise money for sustainable rebuild program and community rehabilitation such as rebuilding schools, water systems and infrastructure, and assist small independent customers with reconstruction of their businesses throughout the year.

Earlier in December, Coca-Cola Philippines launched the RebuildPH donation and volunteer portal to gather additional support subsequent to the rechanneling of its committed advertising space to support relief and rebuilding efforts. Those who wish to help may go to www.cokeurl.com/rebuildph. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Habitat for Humanity welcome volunteers, cash, and in-kind donations.

For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com,
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo
 www.coca-colablog.com or find us on
LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

Coca-Cola Philippines in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity for #RebuildPh

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On January 2014, Coca-Cola Philippines in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity will be embarking on a massive program to help our brothers and sisters in Visayas get back on their feet.

This is Project Rebuild. Believing that no act is too small to make a difference in the lives of Yolanda survivors, the project proponents are calling for more donations and more hands to aid in full reconstruction and recovery.

For more information about Project Rebuild, check out the online updates via #RebuildPH. You may also visit #RebuildPH Website: http://cokeurl.com/rebuildph and contact them through #RebuildPH (02) 462-1333.

Patti Austin Live in Manila for the Holidays

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As Filipinos celebrate the holiday season, it’s time for a fun-filled occasion that warms the heart, fills the soul, and looks forward to a better 2014 for The Philippines. 

Headliner Patti Austin will be joined by some of the Philippines’ most popular performers and a fantastic live band in a concert celebrating the New Year, commemorating the indomitable Filipino spirit, and contributing to a better future. 

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the victims Typhoon Haiyan for relief efforts. Patti Austin will personally lead a continuing effort to design and build houses in Tacloban through Habitat For Humanity. 

The overall tone of the event will be joyous and upbeat, signifying a “Brand New Day” in the Philippines as the country and the world join together in gestures of celebration, goodwill and support. Patti will perform the hit songs which have made her a huge star in the Philippines and worldwide.

Throughout the evening, pre-recorded messages from international singers and actors of greetings and hope will flow onto the Solaire ballroom’s large screens. 

Also, OPM Icons have pledged their support for the said concert which includes Richard Merk, Martin Nievera and Lea Salonga as her special guests during the night at the Solaire.

The promoters and producers are working to arrange for live telecast of portions of the event in the Philippines and countries in adjacent time zones. Viewers will have the opportunity to join the party via social media, and to contribute to this all-important cause. 

Another fund-raising performance will take place at the Fairmont Raffles Hotel (in Makati) on December 31, 2013 as Patti Austin celebrates New Year.

Tickets will be marketed and sold through Laurel Media outlets, the Solaire Casino and Resort (for the December 29, 2013 show) and Fairmont Raffles Hotel (for the December 31, 2013 show), and thru TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.

Manila Water Foundation donates P5 million to Habitat for Humanity for relocated families in Laguna

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Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, gives P5 million to relocated families in Southville Site 2, Calaun, Laguna through the Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

According to Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, the donation is dedicated for the implementation of the water system project designed for 1,100 housing units. 

“This support reflects the Foundation’s vision to improve the lives and contribute to the holistic development of marginalized communities by becoming a vehicle of delivering one of their basic needs, water,” says Dela Cruz.

Photo shows (from left to right): JP Orbeta, Group Head, Ayala Corporation; Charlito Ayco; Yvonne Lih, CFO, Habitat; Luli Heras-De Leon, President, Ayala Foundation; Carla May Beriña-Kim, Executive Director, Manila Water Foundation; Gerardo Ablaza, Jr.; Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President, Manila Water Foundation; Ruel T. Maranan, Trustee, Manila Water Foundation

The undertaking by Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, is part of an agreement entered into by the Ayala group in 2010 which aims to provide a decent life to Base of the Pyramid (BOP) communities by providing their primary necessities such as shelter, community association, water supply and sanitation. With this, Manila Water Foundation allotted P6 million to support the construction of a facility that will deliver safe, clean, and affordable water to the homes of Southville Site 2 residents. The beneficiaries of the said project were relocated from Pasig City after typhoon Ondoy left them homeless. To serve the residents’ immediate need for water, the Foundation initially refurbished a deep well pump, installed a control panel, and set up two temporary static tanks which are refilled with potable water every week. The amount incurred for this undertaking was deducted from the original amount pledged.

Manila Water Foundation has also provided a technical design of a water system that may be implemented to the area to ensure the effective and efficient transmission and distribution of water.