BDO strengthens opportunities for Japanese companies in the PH

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As the Philippine economy is poised for growth, BDO fuels national development by providing essential support to Japanese businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in the country.

In a significant move, BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) and Japan’s Ashikaga Bank, Ltd. (ABL), signed a business alliance agreement through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster partnership that enables Japanese companies to thrive in the Philippines’ diverse markets.

ABL, a leading regional bank based in Tochigi Prefecture, is the 17th Japanese bank which has partnered with BDO. With 134 branches including satellite offices and commercial banking services, ABL has been keeping the major market share in the region.

The MOU with December 23, 2024 as the mutually agreed execution date aims to further strengthen the relationship between these two banks as BDO provides banking support services to Japanese business entities who are ABL customers and have existing operations or plan to build or expand their business in the country.

Incorporated in 1895 with over 70,000 corporate clients, ABL expects to grow its roster of customers in the Philippines with new investments and business matching deals.

As the only bank in the country with comprehensive international desks, BDO offers a multicultural team of relationship managers and advisors who possess extensive international and local banking experience. Established in 2007, BDO’s Japan Desk has grown, with Japanese speaking personnel dedicated to market and service Japanese companies operating in the Philippines, and service the retail needs of Japanese customers.

BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management. The Bank has the country’s largest distribution network with over 1,700 consolidated operating branches and more than 5,700 ATMs nationwide, and has 16 international offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The Bank also offers extensive digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and more secure for its clients.

GCash broadens global reach, allows users to scan to pay in over 3 million merchants in Japan

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GCash expands its global reach, enabling users to scan and pay at over 3 million merchants 

across Japan

Filipino travelers can now enjoy the convenience of cashless payments in more places in Japan with GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem.

With GCash Global Pay’s expanded coverage, users can scan to pay everywhere in Japan, from metropolitan areas to countryside destinations, thanks to the partnership of Alipay+ with PayPay. This unlocks access to cashless payments at over three million merchants spanning shopping and leisure. Users can enjoy dining out, booking accommodations and tours, souvenir shopping, and availing services, no matter where their trip takes them—all with the digital wallet they can trust.

“As more Filipinos make Japan their top travel destination, GCash is committed to pursuing partnerships that enable them to make the most out of their experience there,” shared Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International. “GCash users no longer need to worry about the constraints of limited payment options, knowing there’s a readily available and secure payment method they can rely on.”

Since becoming available in Japan in 2023, GCash has sought to empower more users through its affiliation with Alipay+. With the latter’s expanded partnership with Japan’s leading QR payment operator, PayPay, GCash has become part of the country’s mission to promote in-depth tourism. Today, going cashless with GCash goes beyond major city centers like Tokyo and Osaka. Smaller towns and rural charms in Japan are now included, allowing Filipino tourists to enjoy a more immersive experience in the country. The expanded coverage means access to a more diverse set of merchants, too by enabling cashless payments local businesses like izakayas, wagashi shops, guesthouses, and anime merchandise shops.

GCash users heading to Japan can make payments by scanning PayPay QRs and enjoy a seamless and familiar QR scanning experience: Customers can scan the merchant’s PayPay QR or show the merchant the QR code generated by the “Pay abroad with Alipay+” option on the GCash app. After completing their transactions, they may also view their receipts in the local currency and Philippine pesos.

GCash users enjoy benefits such as real-time and low foreign exchange rates, and zero service fees, allowing them to maximize their travel budget. GCash adds to this experience by offering exclusive promos on the GCash app through A+ Rewards. Here, users can avail of exclusive discounts when they pay with Global Pay QR.

Just in time for the holidays, Alipay+, in collaboration with PayPay merchants, will offer an exclusive 10% discount (up to a maximum of JPY 1,000) to GCash users paying via PayPay QRs in Japan from December 20, 2024 to January 10, 2025.

“Through the partnership between Alipay+ and PayPay, we are making a crucial step forward in bridging a gap in global tourism through seamless, cashless payments,” shared Albano. “So whether this holiday season takes our users to Japan’s metropolitan cities or off-the-beaten-path tourist destinations, we at GCash look forward to them unlocking the best travel experience.”

To discover more travel promos, tap “A+ Rewards” on the GCash app and, in the upper left corner, select “Japan” as your destination. To learn more about GCash Global Pay, click here.

Globe’s near-local roaming promo GoRoam expands to more destinations Now covers Japan, Canada, Vietnam, and Australia

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(Philippines) Making travel plans for the upcoming long weekend? Globe’s got some news that will keep you connected on your next trip in a simpler, more convenient way.

Globe has expanded the reach of its country-exclusive offers at never-before-seen rates to popular destinations including Japan, Canada, Vietnam, and Australia.

GoRoam’s expansion builds upon its successful “Roam Like A Local” promos earlier launched in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

Now, Pinoy travelers can enjoy the convenience of using their Globe SIM in more countries while paying rates that rival local SIMs— a breakthrough in international roaming.

"This is a complete game-changer for Filipino travelers, saving them time, effort, and even money,” said Paula Rivera-Castillo, Globe's Head of International Business.

"We heard the call of our customers to expand GoRoam to their favorite destinations, and we listened. These -ber months, when you travel to Tokyo, Sydney, or Vancouver, you’ll immediately have access to data packages at prices within your reach without changing your Globe SIM. That's the power of GoRoam."

The new GoRoam offers include:

● Japan: 10GB for 30 days at Php 1,600

● Vietnam: 5GB for 10 days at Php 800

● Australia: 10GB for 30 days at Php 1,000

● Canada: 10GB for 30 days at Php 2,000

Globe has also supercharged existing GoRoam packages for the following destinations:

● Taiwan: 3GB for 5 days at Php 600

● Hong Kong: 5GB for 10 days at just Php 800

● UAE: 10GB for 30 days at Php 1,000

● USA: 20GB for 15 days at Php 2,000 or 30GB for 30 days at Php 3,000

GoRoam is also available in the following countries at current offers:

● Thailand: 15GB for 8 days at Php 800

● Indonesia: 25GB for 30 days at Php 600

● Malaysia: 5GB for 10 days at Php 800

● Singapore: 20GB for 30 days at Php 1,500

● South Korea 30GB for 10 days at Php 1,600

Activating GoRoam is a breeze through the GlobeOne app, with the option to subscribe up to a year in advance. Travelers can also easily track their data usage via GlobeOne, ensuring they stay connected.

GoRoam ensures that Globe customers can share their experiences, stay in touch with loved ones, and manage work responsibilities abroad.

With its unbeatable combination of close-to-local rates, generous data allocations, and the convenience of using one's existing number, GoRoam is poised to become the default choice for Filipino globe-trotters.

Looking forward to more trips this year? Good news: You can now conveniently book your data roaming offers up to 1 year ahead! Simply open the GlobeOne app, click Shop, and look for the Book in Advance banner to enter your country of destination, promo of choice and trip date. Even better is that you can cancel your booked promo for free, should trip plans change.

Download the GlobeOne and GCash apps to subscribe to GoRoam today. To learn more about Globe Roaming, visit glbe.co/roam.

Toshiba Lifestyle Announces Strategy to Strengthen its Market Presence in Asia Pacific and Reveals Innovative Product Launches in Vietnam

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Major Japanese electronics brand, Toshiba, recently announced its strategic plans to tap into the growing middle-class population in Asia Pacific (APAC) and become the number one Japanese home appliance brand in the region, during its dealer conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.

With the event’s theme of Beyond Details, Innovate Tomorrow, the brand also revealed Japandi and Master of Flow, both solution-based and innovative concepts that their products have been designed upon. During the event, Takashi Sorimachi, celebrated Japanese actor and singer, was also unveiled as Toshiba Lifestyle’s new Regional Brand Ambassador, with the aim of strengthening its connection with consumers.

The Toshiba Lifestyle Asia Pacific 2024 Strategic Dealer Conference gave the brand the opportunity to highlight its focus on innovation, and showcase 65 of its latest products that will be available in the market over the next 12 months, some of which are based on its two concepts of Master of Flow and Japandi.

“At Toshiba Lifestyle, we believe we are well-placed in the Asia Pacific region to deliver our innovative solutions to our consumers. Since 1875, we have established ourselves as a household name in the appliances industry in the region, and we aim to accelerate our growth from here, and give our consumers the ultimate convenience in their daily lives. Looking ahead, we will increase our investments to strengthen our research, retail services, digital marketing efforts and consumer engagement in this key region. We will also work closely with our partners and key stakeholders, with the aim of amplifying our presence and achieving our goal of being the number one Japanese home appliance brand in the Asia Pacific region,” said Zeal Jiang, President of APAC Regional, Toshiba Lifestyle.

Two Unique Concepts, Two Innovative Solutions – 

Japandi and Master of Flow

The event’s theme, “Beyond Details, Innovate Tomorrow”, stems from Toshiba Lifestyle’s 149-year track record of invention and innovation in Japan, one that is steeped in rich, craftsmanship spirit, and in a country that is famous for their highest attention to detail and dedication to achieving perfection. The brand’s focus on detail – from product design to development – combined with its expertise in invention and a desire for a better world, are strongly reflected in all its product solutions.

As part of its growth strategy in Asia Pacific, and staying true to its innovation roots, Toshiba Lifestyle announced Master of Flow, their innovative water technology concept and Japandi, their new product line dedicated to design innovation. Both concepts are aimed at bringing the right production innovation to life to solve consumers’ pain points and improve their quality of life, as well as delivering affordable, premium household solutions to the rising middle-class in APAC.

Master of Flow

The Takumi Spirit[1] is embedded in Master of Flow, Toshiba Lifestyle’s whole house water solution category, which aims to enhance everyday life by improving domestic water quality for drinking, cooking and living with its leading water technology and products. It aims to help consumers achieve a healthy lifestyle, enable easy housework, and ensures long-term durability of water-related home appliances, thus setting new standards for living comfort and efficiency.

Japandi

A blend of Japanese Fuji White and Scandinavian aesthetics, Japandi perfectly embodies the philosophy of Beyond Details, Innovate Tomorrow as it emphasizes minimalism, functionality and aesthetic harmony, serving as the foundation for future innovations in interior design. By meticulously considering every detail, the Japandi concept ensures quality and durability, and with the comfort and well-being of consumers as its priority, the Japandi style anticipates evolving lifestyle demands through its human-centric designs. Thus, making the Japandi style a testament to how timeless design principles can be reimagined to meet future challenges and opportunities.

Toshiba Revolutionizes Rice Cooking with its new series of Advanced Rice Cookers

In Asia where rice is a daily essential, Toshiba also unveiled during the event its latest innovation in the form of a series of digital rice cookers that have been designed to revolutionize rice cooking. Based on 69 years of studying rice and its culinary techniques in various countries in Asia, Toshiba Lifestyle created these state-of-the-art appliances that offer unparalleled control over cooking quality, ensuring each grain is perfectly textured, richly aromatic, and optimally nutritious in terms of sugar content, all to the household members' preferences.

Achieving Greater Heights in a Sustainable Fashion

While Toshiba Lifestyle aims to be the number one Japanese household appliance in the region, the brand is committed to environmental, social and good governance for sustainable growth. For example, under the Green Factory Initiative, the brand only uses energy-saving products with high efficiency, with 28 factories under its remit that are certified as a National Green Factory.

#BeyondDetailsInnovateTomorrow

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[1] In the Japanese culture, when an individual has developed his skills with experience, judgement and expertise, he receives the title of “Takumi”, meaning, master craftsman. Whether it’s about the time, the effort or the attention to the smallest details, the Takumi Spirit is a cherished manufacturing philosophy, brought to life by the pride of both the creator and the recipient of his creation. Source.

Philippine stint at Tourism Expo Japan 2023 reaches PHP297 million in sales

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Osaka, Japan – The Philippines’ participation at Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ) 2023 garnered impressive negotiated sales leads amounting to around PHP297,833,650.00 during its four-day run on 26-29 October 2023 at INTEX Osaka, Japan.

Through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) Osaka, the country’s delegation at TEJ sustained its strong presence in Japan's largest and most prestigious travel event, while also offering a platform for Philippine travel and tour suppliers to connect with Japanese counterparts and engage with stakeholders and consumers from around the world.

“Our commitment to participate annually in Tourism Expo Japan shows how much the Philippines values our partnership with the Japan travel trade industry. The remarkable number of negotiated sales leads in this year’s participation demonstrates our promotional efforts coming to life and evinces the developments we have being doing to grow Japan as one of the leading source markets of the Philippines,” said TPB Philippines’ Chief Operating Officer, Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

Organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the event drew over 148,000 visitors and was participated by 70 countries/regions including the Philippines, and 1,275 companies and organizations.

With the theme “Open the Door to the Future”, the expo featured the future of Japan's diverse tourism offerings in the aftermath of the pandemic. The event started with business-to-business meetings to strengthen partnerships among tourism industry practitioners. The expo site formally opened on October 28, allowing visitors to explore and experience tourism products from various suppliers.

The Philippine booth presented Cebu, Palawan, Batangas, Bohol, Boracay, and Manila's culture, adventure, wellness, and gastronomy offerings.

The country’s delegation consisted of 10 stakeholders namely, Attic Tours Phils., Inc., Bohol Beach Club, Cebu Pacific Air, Earth Explorers Travel and Tours. Hotel 101 Group, Philippine Airlines Inc., Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts, and The Manila Hotel. Kaulayaw Coffee and Destileria Limtuaco Inc. were also present at the Philippine pavilion to showcase the country's coffee and liquor.

From traditional ryokans to manga-themed stays: Top 10 most wishlisted Airbnb Stays for your next trip to Japan

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It’s time to include Japan on your travel destination list! The Land of the Rising Sun fully reopened for visa-free, individual travel earlier this month and the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines has announced that they are now accepting applications for all visas.

According to latest data from an Airbnb survey conducted among Filipinos this October, 9 in 10 Filipino adults intend to travel to Japan when they are able to and 45 percent ranked Japan their number one travel wishlist destination. The data also showed that 71 percent of Filipino respondents would like to visit a major city in Japan. Approximately a third indicated that having a unique accommodation was important when traveling to Japan.*

Airbnb has further revealed the top searched destinations in Japan by global travelers on the platform:**

1. Osaka

2. Tokyo

3. Shinjuku

4. Shibuya

5. Fukuoka

6. Kyoto

7. Taito

8. Sapporo

9. Okinawa

10. Niseko

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “We greatly welcome the lifting of Japan’s travel restrictions, as it is an extremely popular destination for international travelers including Filipinos. We know that many are excitedly gearing up to plan holidays for the end-of-year festive season and next year.”

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the buzzy vibes of downtown Tokyo, indulge in Osaka’s incredible culinary scene, or go off-the-beaten-track and discover something new in lesser known but equally beautiful regions like Tohoku — Japan definitely has something to offer for every type of traveler. To help you plan your much-awaited adventure, here are Airbnb’s top 10 most globally wishlisted stays in Japan.*** Dou itashimashite!

For a taste of Japanese living

● [Private room] An old folk house guest house with a goat! Equipped with Wi-Fi - Matakitai (Iwate)

● [Inn house] Yanagi-dori west wing Asakusa A modern Japanese-style luxury house with an open-air bath limited to two people (Tokyo)

For an eccentric yet exciting experience

● Handmade strawbale house Tida House (Hokkaido)

● MANGA design, all-you-can-read comics, 1 bed, free snacks included, free WIFI [Hotel Tavinos Kyoto] (Kyoto)

For the minimalist enthusiast

● 4beds in Tokyo/3min. from the station : Studio B (Tokyo)

● 【Ginza/Tokyo area】 Junior Suite (Free Wi-Fi) (Tokyo)

● YANAKA SOW STANDARD TWIN (Tokyo)

● [Shinagawa Oimachi] Good access to the airport and Shinkansen! A stylish designer hotel that can be used for both business and travel (Tokyo)

For some off-grid exploration

● Enjoy the superb view of Lake Nojiri, a detached house with private sauna Anoie (Nagano)

● Elegant, secluded cabin for couples & families (Nagano)

As travel returns, Airbnb recently announced an exciting new partnership with MUJI Japan to renovate empty homes, shopfronts and government-owned real estate to drive new and creative types of travel accommodation in towns across the country. To start, both parties are converting accommodation owned by Shimizu-cho, Hokkaido into unique stays for travelers – with two MUJI-designed and styled homes now bookable exclusively on Airbnb here and here. Both feature local Hokkaido timber furniture and MUJI-branded tableware, cooking utensils, and home appliances.

*Based on data from a YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb, that polled 1063 respondents in the Philippines between 6-12 October 2022.

**Based on guest locations that generated the most searches for Japan on the day of the

Japanese government’s announcement, 23 September.

***Based on most wishlisted listing data from Sept 1 - Sept 22, 2022. All Homes referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Home listings on the Airbnb platform.

Japanese pop superstar Hikaru Utada returns with the music video release of new single “One Last Kiss”

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Hikaru Utada has finally dropped her long-awaited new single “One Last Kiss,” which serves as the theme song for the anime film, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice upon a Time.

The music video of “One Last Kiss” was directed by Hideaki Anno who is the author, screenwriter, and director of the film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time. The visual accompaniment was released on Tuesday the 9th of March at midnight, the same time the song was released.

The collaboration, which has finally come to fruition with the conclusion of the "Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition" series, has received rave reviews from fans of both Hikaru Utada and Evangelion. The music video has already garnered more than 200,000 views on YouTube in the first 30 minutes, and has amassed over a million views in less than a day since it premiered.

By request from Hikaru Utada, Anno readily agreed to work on the video, saying "under the present circumstances [requiring measures for COVID-19], a possible way to create a music video without actually directing a video shoot would be for the artist to film herself and any other footage on her end, then sending them to me to cut and edit into the final video." Anno sent specific instructions via email including some requests for eye focus and lip sync.

With minimal staff help and implementation of all the necessary COVID precautions, the artist filmed the music videos in the outskirts of London. The video footage gathered during shoot , was then sent to Anno and his team in Japan for finishing.

The music video of Hikaru Utada’s “One Last Kiss” is available here.

Asvel for Filipino Homes

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It’s a normal image for a Filipino family to have rice on their table during a meal. We are naturally known to be rice lovers as majority of our dishes are best paired with it. Being a staple food in the kitchen, we normally purchase rice by the sack. But in order to prolong the shelf life of it, we must ensure that its storage will maintain its freshness and Asvel has found the perfect solution to that with their wide variety of rice dispensers.

Asvel offers an extensive lineup to suit any need with useful measuring functions, drawer-type rice bins that are convenient in modular kitchens, and airtight rice stockers to protect the contents from moisture and dust. It comes in three variants: automatic colored, automatic clear, and manual clear.

The automatic colored variant is an easy one-touch rice dispenser. It comes in a sleek design perfect for modern-themed kitchens. The measurements on its window will provide you accurate information on the level of rice left inside its container. This variant is available in 6kg (Code 7527 – P3,499.75) and 12kg (Code 7528 – P33,999.75).

The automatic clear variant is also an easy one-touch rice dispenser but boasts a clear exterior all throughout. It comes in a slim body with a top lid for an easy refill. It is available in 6kg (Code 7504 – P1,599.75) and 12kg (Code 7503 – P2,499.75).

Lastly, Asvel’s manual clear variant is perfect for those who prefer to keep rice in the fridge for an even longer shelf life. It comes in a slant bottom design and top opening for easy access when scooping out rice using its provided measuring cup. It also has indicator on the body to show remaining rice quantity. This variant is made from PP material, BPA-free, and comes in 2kg (Code 7509 – P699.75), 6kg (Code 7505 – P1,199.75), and 12kg (Code 7506 – P1,599.75).

Asvel also boasts of an array of Luntus lunch box sets which is perfect for your everyday baon. It keeps your family’s food warm, fresh, and ready to eat like a home-cooked meal even after a long day. Luntus price points start at Small P1,689.75 (Item # 3258), Medium P2,109.75 (Item # 3260) and Large (P2,899.75 (Item # 3256).

Asvel is currently available in Make Room, Rustans Department Stores, Cash & Carry, and selected The SM Stores (SM Mall of Asia, Makati, Aura, Megamall, and North EDSA). It will also soon be available in select National Book Store branches nationwide.

Share your Asvel stories with the hashtag, #KrisLovesAsvel and #AsvelPhilippines. 

For further information, visit www.asvel.co.jp and check out Kris Aquino’s Asvel Experience in Japan:

Samurai Drum Rock: Drum Tao returns to Manila

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“DRUM TAO – SAMURAI DRUM ROCK”, the return of the Japanese troupe with a spectacular show will be on April 19th – 22nd, 2018 at the Kia Theatre, Quezon City.

The world-renowned Japan martial arts and drum-playing extraordinaires, Drum Tao, have an exciting stage show for 2018 with costumes created by fashion designer Junko Koshino.

The Samurai Drum Rock show with Drum Tao is mainly involving drums but also uses other traditional Japanese instruments. One of the most exciting parts that viewers are looking forward to is the glorious blending of martial art routines with the performance.

Watching the show, you will be amazed at how dynamic and lively the performers are on the stage. The stage show usually starts with peaceful, traditional Japanese music, the kind you will usually hear in Japanese restaurants. This, however, provides little clue to the energetic show that is to come.

Watching the show, you will be amazed at how dynamic and lively the performers are on the stage.ard to is the glorious blending of martial art routines with the performance.

The whole performance lasts two hours and presents an innovative world-class Japanese production that has impressed a lot of people around the world. It is great how it is able to present a traditional Japanese art that was mainly only used for festivals in a way that is appealing to contemporary viewers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RQcEsI9sTy4

Drum Tao has been performing as an ensemble since 1993. While the performances are mainly reflective of Japanese culture, Drum Tao’s work also makes use of Indonesian, Maori and Korean influences.

The members of the ensemble do daily practices and workouts starting 5 am until 10 pm. Each day involves a combination of martial arts training, dance routines, music practice and drum playing. This rigorous daily schedule is done to make sure that they will be able to do the 500 shows that they perform on an annual basis.

Filipino audiences will be spellbound for sure by the perfectly curated combination of melody, beats, choreography, rhythm and martial arts movements. Make sure not to miss out this incredible show.

After playing to audiences of more than 7 million, in 400 cities in 23 countries that include Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, USA, Australia, Spain, Belgium, UK and Germany, critically-acclaimed Drum Tao, will explode onto the Manila stage with its mix of dance and martial arts as the dynamic and innovative Japanese performers beat their Wadaiko Drums in a spectacular 2 hour show.

Drum Tao is world class entertainment at the highest level and a show to be experienced by Filipinos.

The Drum Tao-Samurai Drum Rock will be presented on April 19-22 at the Kia Theatre, Quezon City. Tickets will be available at Php 800, Php 1500, Php 2500, Php 3500 and Php 4500. Passes can be booked through Ticketnet through their online and phone reservation systems.

Make back-to-school kawaii with Daiso

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The ordinary just won’t fly in Japan—the Land of the Rising Sun sets the standard for imaginative lifestyle, influencing all aspects of life with a hint of fun and a healthy dose of curiosity. 

From home living to school supplies, recreation, and hobbies, the Japanese find a way to spruce up and Daiso-fy life! Such is the defiant charm of Daiso Japan, the truly Japanese store in the Philippines. The store houses multi-functional items and cool finds, hatched from creative and, sometimes, startling ideas.

Cool picks, fresh off Japan

Only Daiso Japan can transform run-of-the-mill desk supplies with added charm and features. While its shelves may be abound with sticky notes, styled paper clips, crepe flowers, calligraphy instruments, and other ubiquitous items, Daiso Japan is still best known for kawaii supplies and surprisingly smart products.

Don’t let your most creative ideas go down the drain with this water-resistant notepad from Daiso. 

One ingenious item is the water-resistant notepad. Unlike regular notebooks, these are designed to withstand water exposure, with leaves that protect the ink from running, to keep precious notes fully intact, even under heavy showers.

Another steal from Daiso Japan’s unconventional stock is the no-dust, rolling eraser. Handy for keeping workspaces looking crisp and spotless, this item is definitely among the store’s most practical finds.

Neat freaks can make sure every nook and cranny is free from dust with this magnetic broom and dustpan set, available at Daiso. 

Other items in Daiso Japan’s unique list are colourful compact staplers, mini LED lamps, and animal-shaped erasers. These desk knickknacks and other nifty products are guaranteed to stall shoppers for hours, as they make their way along Daiso Japan’s aisles. 

Liven up your workspace and make note-taking more fun with colorful stationery from Daiso.

From unlikely accessories like mini magnetic broom and dustpan sets, creative implements and craft materials,to adventurous beauty and fashion finds, Daiso Japan gives shoppers the lifestyle options that are too kawaii and too brilliant to let go of.

Explore the nearest Daiso Japan store today and take your pick from the curator of all things Japanese in the Philippines. Follow the store on Facebook @DaisoJapanPH and try your hand at making life your own kawaii canvass.

Elementary School Students Use Moverio Smart Glasses as Class Communication Tool

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“Let’s make healthy forests!” and used Epson’s Moverio* smart glasses as a communication tool to make school work even more engaging. 

(Japan) - Takashima Elementary School in Nagano, Japan, has introduced a unique extracurricular activity in which each class decides what to study every year. 

Epson engineers began their activities with the children a year ago (Stargazing using Moverio) with the aim of making learning fun. 

Using the help of the same engineers, the children, who had been studying forests, wanted to communicate using leading-edge information products to ensure that people could understand the importance of nature.

On July 7, the children were divided into nine groups. Based on themes decided through discussions with the engineers, they uploaded to the Moverio photos and videos that they had taken themselves of the forest alongside materials they prepared on a PC.

Using an application on a tablet device, the same images were displayed on multiple Moverio units. With this feature, each group could share their thoughts about the forest among the entire group. The presenting group had created a quiz, and the children wearing Moverio all cheered when the slide appeared before their eyes, as if it were floating on a big screen in front of them.

By participating in the activity, the children clearly identified who they wanted to communicate to, with comments like, “I want my grandparents to enjoy these images of the forest since they can’t go themselves.” They plan to make some changes to the content, and improve the quality of their presentation using the ‘magic glasses.’

*Worn like glasses, Moverio smart glasses offer users the ability to enjoy crystal clear video entertainment, games, music, and web content, anytime and anywhere. It displays what appears as large semi-transparent images floating against the surrounding background. 

The Moverio BT-200 is intended for ages from junior high school and older, but for these extracurricular lessons, our engineers were present to ensure safety, and time limits were set for use of the glasses.

Fine Japan’s Premium HyC150 formulation wins the 2015 Monde Selection International High Quality Award

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 Premium HyC150, touted as the country’s modern-day “fountain of youth,” recently showcased its world-class quality formula of Hyaluron & Collagen + Ubiquinol by winning the International High Quality Trophy under the Diet and Health selection during the Monde Selection Quality Awards for 2015.

Fine Japan’s Premium HyC150 sold only in the Philippine market

The International High Quality Trophy is awarded to a product after having achieved three consecutive years of high level of quality and a grand gold and/or gold award, which HyC150 already achieved since its introduction in the Philippines. HyC150’s superior “lifting” formula regains youthful vitality in your skin by renewing its elasticity and firmness. As Fine’s newest conceptualization, its lifting supplement aims to incorporate skin and body beauty into your daily lifestyle effortlessly and effectively. 

Fine Japan’s Hyaluron, Collagen+Ubiqui

HyC150 also won the prestigious Monde Selection Gold Award in 2014. Monde Selection, created in 1961, is an annual non-competitive award open to food and drink products. It is run by the commercial company, International Institute for Quality Selections, based in Brussels, Belgium. Consumer products are tasted and tested in order to grant them a quality label. Monde Selection states that “this bronze, silver, gold or grand gold quality label can be compared to the quality stars of a hotel or those of the Michelin Guide.”

The award thus highlighted HyC150’s proven effectiveness in improving overall health and restoring undeniable youthfulness that emanates from within.

HyC150, manufactured by FINE Japan Co., Ltd., has since become the Filipina woman’s secret weapon when it comes to looking young and vibrant, living a physically fit life, and a “feel good and confident” mentality overall. It provides the modern Filipina of today the ability to stay beautiful inside and out, and the vigor and vivacity to help her get through a busy and challenging day whether at work or at home.

Potent supplement drink HyC 150 contains three youth-inducing elements to achieve overall health and vitality: Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, and Ubiquinol, plus other active ingredients such as Vitamin C, Biotin, Elastin and Pearl Coix.

Collagen, one of the plentiful proteins in the body, is found in the skin, muscle, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and bones and keeps the body structurally sound since 70 percent of our skin is composed of collagen.

Hyaluronic Acid, on the other hand, is nature’s moisturizer. It nourishes and hydrates the skin so it looks younger than ever, plus lubricates joints and eye tissues, regenerates healthy gums, plus supports, nourishes and hydrates the scalp for healthy and glistening hair. It even aids in the absorption of nutrients in the body and helps regulate protein for better wound healing.

Finally, Ubiquinol is the body’s natural protector and fighter against harmful environmental toxins that may enter the body. It also helps keep the body’s vessel walls, nerve tissue and organ linings from weakening due to physical stress, pollution, poor diet and the usual physical “wear-and-tear” due to advancing age.

This unique supplement drink is thus far the only beverage that excellently fuses together these three potent ingredients to give unmatched benefits to the body. According to clinical studies done in Japan, North America, and Europe, around 93 percent of users stated marked improvements in their bodies when it comes to their hair, nails and skin with continued use.

HyC150 is manufactured by FINE Japan Co. Ltd. and is distributed in the Philippines by Bright Ray Enterprises. For more information, visit our website at www.HyC150.com; “Like” us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HyC150); follow us on Twitter (#HyC150) or Instagram (@HyC150), or call (02) 5467297, 09177750779. HyC150 is available at selected Watsons stores nationwide and online at Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph). 

"Mahalagang Paalala: Ang HyC150 ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit."

Epson to Triple Inkjet Printhead Production with new factory in Japan

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Akita Epson Corporation, a group company of Seiko Epson Corporation (SEC), will invest a total of approximately 3.4 billion yen (approximately USD $28 million) on the construction of a new factory to increase production capacity of printheads for inkjet printers. Construction will begin in November 2015. The new factory, which will begin operations in the autumn of 2016, will triple Akita Epson's current printhead production capacity.

Epson's printing solutions business provides products and services based on original Micro Piezo inkjet technology to customers in the consumer, office, commercial, and industrial markets. The new factory at Akita Epson will manufacture and assemble inkjet printheads, the core devices used in Epson's high-capacity ink tank printers and business inkjet printers.

Epson's high-capacity ink tank printers are new concept products that meet customer needs for low printing costs while providing genuine Epson print quality. Sales of these printers were strong in the 2014 fiscal year (ended March 31, 2015), with annual unit shipment growth topping 40% and future growth in demand expected. The office market is also seeing annual growth in demand for high-speed business inkjet printers that produce outstanding image quality at a lower cost per print and lower energy consumption than laser printers.

"Akita Epson is an important domestic production site with advanced technological capability and a close working relationship with Epson's corporate R&D function," said Takashi Mitsui, president of Akita Epson.

"We make a significant contribution to the manufacturing capability of the entire Epson Group, sharing with Epson's overseas manufacturing plants the technical expertise we have gained from manufacturing core devices. By using Epson's original production equipment and automating and rationalizing production lines, the new plant will further raise our production capability."

In the Philippines, Epson’s ink tank system printers were instrumental in propelling the digital imaging leader to the Number 1 position.

“Our ink tank printers provide the best value in the market – with a printing cost of only 7 centavos per page, unmatched durability and reliability, and unequalled print quality, Epson is the undisputed brand of choice of Filipinos,” said Epson Philippines Product Manager Russer Cabrera.

Epson is committed to advancing its original technologies and to delighting customers by exceeding their expectations with products and services based on original core devices.