SM Cares, UNICEF, Tanghalang Pilipino and Camera Club celebrate the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, with guest of honor VP Leni Robredo

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Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor at the  National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week opening at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, July 18, 2016 

Every child is uniquely gifted. Let"s talk about posibilities as we celebrate the abilities of children with disabilities through photo exhibit and stage play in selected SM malls.

The  National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week was launched at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia last Monday, July 18, 2016 with Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor.

SM Cares programs on PWD and Children, in partnership with UNICEF, Tanghalang Pilipino, and the Camera Club of the Philippines, celebrates the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week starting July 18, 2016.

NDPR Week celebration's objective is to raise awareness and help create an inclusive environment for Children with Disabilities (CWDs) by highlighting their abilities instead of their disabilities.

This will be dramatized via informative and educational activities for mall-goers through Tanghalang Pilipino’s stage play entitled “Sandosenang Sapatos,”, and the Camera Club of the Philippines’ photo exhibit entitled “See What I Can Do” that depict the everyday lives of Children with Disabilities.

Here's the SCHEDULE OF National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week

This initiative is just one of the collaborative efforts of SM Cares and UNICEF since being partners in 2008 to further the advocacy of SM to uphold the rights and welfare of children and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc., is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. As a responsible mall developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change for the community.

SM Cares has six advocacies, mainly are programs for:

• Persons with Disabilities
• Senior Citizens
• Children and Youth
• Women and Breastfeeding
• Overseas Filipino Workers (The SM Global Pinoy)
• Environment

​SM and UNICEF have worked together in various projects such as the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene or the WASH Project wherein a portion of the sale of SM’s bottled water goes to the organization’s efforts to provide clean drinking water to various provinces in the country. To date, it has already helped more than 113,000 school children across the country.

To know more about SM Cares’ programs for Children, and PWDs, you may visit:www.smcares.com.ph or www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares

Handwashing rates lowest in low-income countries; Lack of access to hygiene could endanger new Development Agenda

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Handwashing with soap is dangerously low in many countries, UNICEF reports, despite its proven benefits to child health.

The eighth Global Handwashing Day comes less than a month after the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, including hygiene for the first time in the global agenda. One of the SDG targets is to achieve ‘access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene’ by 2030. 

UNICEF says improvements in hygiene must supplement access to water and sanitation, or children will continue to fall victim to easily preventable diseases like diarrhoea. 

“Along with drinking water and access to toilets, hygiene – particularly handwashing with soap – is the essential third leg of the stool holding up the Goal on water and sanitation,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, global head of UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. “From birth – when unwashed hands of birth attendants can transmit dangerous pathogens – right through babyhood, school and beyond, handwashing is crucial for a child’s health. It is one of the cheapest, simplest, most effective health interventions we have.”

Sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest child mortality rates globally, also has particularly low levels of handwashing. The latest report from UNICEF and WHO says that in 38 countries in the region with available data, levels are at best 50 per cent. Health care facilities often lack handwashing places;some 42 per cent of them in WHO’s Africa Region have no water source available within 500 metres.

Meanwhile, according to the UN’s latest estimates, over 800 of the approximately 1,400 child deaths from diarrhoea each day can be attributed to inadequate water, sanitation or hygiene. 

“Infants are especially vulnerable during their first 1,000 days of life, which is why handwashing with soap before breastfeeding, before preparing and eating food, and before feeding young children is so critical,” explains Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Representative in the Philippines. 

A survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute found that only 25 percent of mothers with children aged zero to 35 months wash their hands with soap after using a latrine;and as few as 14 percent of mothers wash their hands with soap before feeding their children. These factors put Filipino children at increased risk of diarrhoea, intestinal worms, and malnutrition. 

In the Philippines,the Department of Education encourages all division districts nationwide to organise school-based activities to celebrate Global Handwashing Day. City governments, schools and day care centres around the country will participate in parades, poster making competitions, poetry and song writing contests;andhandwashing demonstrations.

The Department of Health, with support from UNICEF and CHSI, launched the initial rollout of a new communications campaign (Goodbye Dumi, Hello Healthy) to strengthen the use of improved sanitation and hygiene practices, in selected regions. 

About Global Handwashing Day:

Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on October 15. The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap initiated Global Handwashing Day in 2008, and it is endorsed by governments, international institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private companies and individuals around the globe. Visit www.globalhandwashingday.org

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Please visit UNICEF Philippines at http://www.unicef.ph or follow us on Facebook at /unicefphilippines and on Twitter at /unicefphils.

DepEd supports preparedness efforts of Albay LGU, ensures continued delivery of educ needs in affected schools

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In its mission to ensure the safety of students and school personnel, the Department of Education (DepEd)—in close coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Albay—has implemented preventive measures such as organizing a skeletal force and safeguarding records and equipment in schools within the permanent danger zone (PDZ) and extended danger zone (EDZ), and preparing evacuation centers ahead of actual evacuation in areas affected by the Mayon volcano disturbance.

Of the 724 schools in the province, 76 have been identified as affected. These affected schools are those within the PDZ and EDZ. Of these, 28 have already resumed classes as of September 23. To date, 676 out of 724 schools have regular classes in the province despite Alert Level 3.

DepEd has implemented interventions to foster a sense of normalcy among learners. The Department has worked together with the local government of Albay and UNICEF for the deployment of 155 tents for the 38 schools used as evacuation centers in five towns and two cities in the province. These evacuation centers are closely monitored and co-managed by DepEd school personnel.

These 38 schools used as evacuation centers are also accommodating the student enrolment of displaced schools to ensure the continued delivery of education needs. For instance, San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot, Albay has taken in Calbayog ES pupils. On September 23, some 1,200 students are expected to report, to be accounted for, while 18 tents are being set up to provide for their needs. School personnel are likewise tasked to do daily tracking of all students by grade level.

Together with the Albay provincial government, DepEd continues to work toward class resumption in affected schools in Albay, Legaspi, Tabaco, and Ligao.

Shop, Learn and Play at Baby and Family Expo PH set in December 2014

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BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014, the country's biggest family expo where families love to shop, learn and play is on its 2nd year!

The BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014 is a one-stop shop for all baby, children, pregnancy and family needs, happening this coming December 5 - 7, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The three-day event will cover the stages of family growth from maternity, newborns, infants, toddlers and children. Parents can learn the latest trends and relative tips from country’s experts about pregnancy do’s and don’ts, newborn and infant care, child development tips, parenting 101 and more.

Last year’s Baby and Family Expo became the main event of the year for all maternity, baby, early childhood and parenting needs, with over 200 exhibitors as well as experts and celebrity parents like Regine Tolentino, Gladys Reyes-Sommereux, RJ Ledesma, Edric Mendoza, providing free seminars to expo visitors and fun-filled activities for the whole family.

This year, a gallery showcasing fascinating toys and creations will spark the awe in children and rekindle the inner child of every visitor in the Baby & Family Expo’s Toy Museum inside the hall. Children can also enjoy fun and exciting rides and games with the World of Wonder. Fun-filled activities specially organized to widen children’s horizon will also be set up at The Imagination Kitchen, an arts and crafts station.

Highlighting the exciting roster of events is the first ever Baby Idol and Kid Idol talent contest, where babies and kids can shine bright like a star showcasing their singing, dancing, and acting skills.

Other activities to look forward to are the Family Olympics 2014, where moms and dads can show-off their diaper changing and grocery shopping skills, together with their kids for a cake decorating challenge. Another highlight of the expo is the annual Baby & Family Expo Awards Night, where outstanding celebrity families and entrepreneurs will be recognized through the Golden Family Awards and ParentPreneur Awards.

During this three-day family event, visitors will get todiscover the latest products & services for the whole family, and avail of exclusive discounts from much loved stores and brands.

“The BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES is going to be bigger and better this 2014 with over 5,000sqm of space area and over 400 exhibiting brands. We invite a variety of brands that have never been seen before in the country and created larger activity areas to give babies, kids, parents and entire families a great bonding experience” says MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC. President and Expo founder, David Abrenilla.

The BABY & FAMILY EXPO 2014 is organized by MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC.- “Making Lives Better”, Philippines’ leading media, events-led marketing, communications, exhibition and convention organizing company. Part of MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC’s social advocacy is to nurture family development and child care, in partnership with leading foundations such as World Vision and UNICEF.

BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014 will be an experience families wouldn’t want to miss this year!

Stay informed and get current updates by joining their community - Baby Expo Facebook Page www.facebook.com/babyexpoph , Twitter: @BabyExpoPh and visiting the website at www.babyexpo.ph. For queries, call +632-509-4792 or email babyandfamilyexpo@gmail.com.

Filipina bags Global Educator’s Award of UN affiliated body

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Teacher Sam handing out some IamSAM ballers to the gleeful Aeta children of Pampanga.

Filipina educator and international lecturer Rayla Melchor Santos received the prestigious Global Education Motivators (GEM) Award for 2013-2014 for her advocacy on the empowerment of children in schools under the I Am SAM Foundation. 

Rayla Melchor Santos, of Muntinlupa, Philippines, accepts the GEM Global Educator Award at the 9th Annual United Nations Conference on Teaching Peace and Human Rights on Saturday morning, April 4, 2014. Wayne Jacoby, President of Global Education Motivators looks on as Santos thanks the people and organizations who helped make her, I AM S.A.M Foundation, successful. 

Santos co-founded the I am SAM foundation in 2010 following her mother Merci Melchor’s long years of advocacy to help abused women and children to be aware of their rights and be able to rebuild lives after suffering from various forms of abuse.

The teachings of the I am SAM foundation are based on two fundamental UN treaties- the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Their flagship program, IamSAM Prevent-to-Empower Protocol (PEP), was created to teach children and women the values of self worth and uniqueness, respect and responsibility for self and for others. 

SAM stands for Shakers and Movers whose campaign was launched in 28 public elementary and high schools in Muntinlupa City. A similar campaign will soon be launched in all 38 public elementary and high schools in Makati City. 

Shakers And Movers, according to Santos, is a person that makes things happen, anchored on the belief that one takes full responsibility for his/her own evolution as a person. 

Afton Beutler of Mother’s Legacy, Bill Yotive of UN Global Teaching & Learning Project, Rayla Melcho Santos of I am SAM Foundation and Ellen Firestone of Youth for Human Rights at the UN HQ on April 4, 2014.

Wayne Jacoby, president of Philadelphia based GEM Inc. surprised Santos by presenting her the Global Educator Award at the 9th annual United Nations Teachers Conference on Human Rights and Peace held last April 4 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Jacoby said Santos and the I am SAM Foundation have been successful in “making its mark in helping and protecting the world’s children.”

“I have seen you expand from the Philippines and now working with teachers and children in Canada, China, United States and Taiwan. It is important for you to bring your message back to the UN,” said Jacoby in his letter of invitation to Santos.

Now fondly called by her students and fellow teachers as Teacher SAM, Santos said she “feels honored to have received the prestigious award from GEM that has a long history of affiliation with the UN.

She did not realize that her advocacy would be recognized at the UN Teachers Conference on Human Rights and Peace event.

“It was a moving experience to receive such a prestigious award from GEM which is a partner of the UN in promoting human & child rights and peace at the global education level,” said Santos.

GEM is a Philadelphia-based non-government organization founded by a group of educators in 1981 to put a global perspective in all aspects of learning.

The NGO started working with the UN Department of Public Information in 1986 and received the prestigious UN Peace Messenger Award in 1989 for its work on behalf of UN promoting world peace and human rights.

For Santos, empowering a child with awareness of her inherent rights has a far reaching impact to grow as fulfilled individual.

“Self-worth is the greatest tool we can give a child,” she said.

Inner strength and the realization that every child is special, precious and unique is deeply expounded and made easy to understand in the campaigns of the I Am SAM Foundation.

Santos said every child should realize the meaning of two powerful Tibetan words: “Tashi deley” which means ‘I honor the greatness in you’. Each child should recognize the greatness in himself/herself and the greatness in each other. 

When teaching this as an official greeting of the foundation said in schools where the IamSAM works with, Santos recalled one high student shared his amazement, “How can two words mean so much and do so much upliftment!” 

The foundation provides schools covered by its campaign some educational posters written in Filipino that state: “I am special, unique and precious because I am a human being.” The message encapsulates the soul of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The campaign message further expounded in succeeding banners that carry the messages: “I am special, unique and precious because I am a child”; and, “And because I am a unique, special and precious, no one can abuse me, even my parents.” 

Santos said the banners capture the whole message of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She pointed out that is necessary to teach against abuse because of the staggering incidences of violence in schools. The focus of the IamSAM protocol is the development of self-worth and the restoration of human dignity. 

Santos believes that it is important to spread the values of self-worth to children as it has far reaching impact in their development as respectful, responsible and compassionate persons and citizens.

She says schools should not just be a place for academic excellence, but a safe ground for children to develop inner strength.

The I Am SAM Foundation also honors guidance counselors who are often neglected in their critical role of protecting the rights of children while at school. She said various forms of abuse happen in schools, particularly through bullying and teacher abuse against students.

Santos fell in love with the teaching profession and children when she worked as a pre-school director of the Family School of Manhattan in New York.

She pursued advanced studies and training on early childhood education in the United States and London and later became the head of the Institute for Child Advancement in Magallanes, Makati City.

She set up her own preschool, Center for Little Learners in her Mom’s house and also co-wrote beginning reading books with her mom, who also illustrated these. She founded Stonyhurst School and used CSR (corporate social responsibility) to build its first building. 

Her stint as global educator inspired her to partner with the Calvert School of Maryland to set up the McKinley Hill International School and Academy for Children in Batangas.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the United Kingdom cited the McKinley Hill International School as one of the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools outside the UK in November 2011 when Santos was invited to speak at the UNICEF UK Conference for Rights Respecting Schools in London. 

IamSAM hosts two annual UN conferences convened by GEM. These are the UN Teacher Conference on Human Rights and Peace and the UN Student Leadership Conference on Development. 

Santos felt the need to engage her fellow Filipino teachers in the UN initiatives of teaching human rights and peace and involve Filipino students on global issues with veritable global institutions like the UN. 

This has helped Filipino educators and students interact with their global partners while in the Philippines.

Last year, she also spoke to a global audience of civil-society groups organized by the United Nations in Geneva where she tackled the foundation’s advocacy which has led to serious consideration and current discussion for IamSAM in Africa. 

Santos says every teacher has a special passion to fulfill, that is seeing a child grow in love and peace and achieve her dreams.

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta gears up for its 19th year

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The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF),  gears up for its next staging of the established aviation event. The 19th fiesta is set on February 12 to 15, 2015, at the Philippine Air Force (PAF) ADAC Hangar in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Also known as “A Weekend of Everything that Flies”, PIHABF held yesterday, April 15, 2014 (Tuesday) the Signing of Memorandum Agreement by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Casanova, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano, and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Inc. (PIHABF) president Capt. Joy Roa at the Asian Air Safari hangar in Pasay City.

The organizers of the longest running balloon event in Asia – the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF): “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” maintains its decision not to hold the 19th PIHABF this year, but instead, prepare for a bigger event scheduled for February 12 - 15, 2015.

To explain its decision not to hold a balloon fiesta this year, the PIHABF Foundation issued an official statement to clarify its disassociation from another organization staging a balloon event in Lubao, Pampanga. (Official Statement of the PIHABF Organizing Committee)

“The decision not to hold a Fiesta this year was not undertaken lightly. From the perspective of the PIHABF organizers, our 2013 event (featuring more balloons than ever, the highly impressive Breilting Jet Acrobatic Team, and the myriad of other flying, ground and static events) would be a hard act to follow without allowing sufficient time to plan, prepare and book new and interesting activities.

We believe that by suspending the 2014 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, allowing our organizing committee more time to secure a suitable venue for the fiesta and investing more time in planning, securing sponsorships and implementing enhancements, we can offer our spectators a truly safe and world-class event in 2015,” reads the statement.

Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta has been an extremely successful event that attracts thousands of spectators both local and international. Aside from the display of a plethora of multi-colored hot air balloons, the festival also features a number of expedition events such as aeromodelling demonstrations, ultralights, and fixed-wing aircraft competitions, kite-flying and more!

For this coming hot air balloon fiesta, there will be more breathtaking performances as PIHABF is a gathering of aviation’s finest from the Philippines and the world. Attendees next year can look forward to non-stop flying activities from kite flying to radio control fliers from electric to turbine jets coming from regions like Dumaguete, Bacolod and Davao. 

There will be paramotors from different parts of the world doing exhibition and formation flying. The public can also look forward to sky diving demonstrations and a chance to do tandem jumping. Ultralight and microlight aircraft will be performing formation flying and holding fun flying competitions. 

Just like cars, private airplanes and helicopters will also be doing a rally in the air to hone their flying and navigational skills.

An aerobatic formation team will once again be invited to demonstrate a heart-stopping aerobatic show.

There will also be a bigger display of local aviation schools for increased public awareness on aviation opportunities in the Philippines. 

The Aviator of the Year Award will once again be awarded to pilots who have made outstanding contributions in upgrading the standards of safety and aviation interests in their regions.

“We want to fuel the passion for aviation in the Philippines, and to showcase the endless possibilities in this field,” Roa said. 

Proceeds of the PIHABF is funneled to a scholarship program which helps underprivileged but deserving youth to pursue a career in aviation. Since 2008, fifteen young men and women have been recipients of the scholarship grant, enrolled in different aviation schools.

The Asian Air Safari hangar where the MOA signing was held is an aviation enthusiast’s dream. Parked in the hangar are different types of fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Displayed alongside the aircraft are radio-controlled aircraft models, balloon baskets, paramotors, as well as kites brought in by members of the organizing committee. 

The PIHABF, according to the organizers, was borne out of love for aviation. What began as a “passion project” has now evolved into the longest running balloon event in Asia flocked by aviation enthusiasts and professionals from all over the country and around the world.

Capt. Joy Roa introduced the members of the PIHABF organizing committee, many of whom have been volunteering since the first balloon fiestas held in Clark. Made up of highly experienced aviators in each of their fields, the committee has worked together to maintain a carefully planned and safety-oriented activity.

The organizers expressed that their longtime objective for the fiesta is to instill discipline in participating young pilots so they can develop into safe aviators, as well as to impart a spirit volunteerism and cooperation to the community.

PIHABF’s new poster for its 19th year was designed by no less than renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor. The poster features colorful renditions of Filipino life and culture within a community setting. An internationally recognized artist known for being frequently featured in UNICEF cards, Baldemor specializes in simplified geometric forms with elements of folk art.

Ambassador Jose Zaide, a fiesta volunteer in charge of external affairs, says, “The fiesta is an opportunity to share and exchange cultures and traditions with visiting pilots from all over the world. They are given a taste of Filipino hospitality and the fiesta spirit, and the visiting pilots become contributors to chosen beneficiaries of the foundation.”

“By creating aviation awareness, educating the young about flying machines, teaching discipline to current and aspiring aviators, and encouraging people to work from the heart and do things with passion, we will strive to bring back the Philippine aviation industry’s good standing in the international community, ” Roa emphasizes.

A very remarkable yearly event in Clark Airbase, Angeles, Pampanga. The PIHABF is the longest running balloon event in Asia. Thousands of visitors from the country and from around the world come annually to see the event.

(17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012)

The 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will surely continue with these traditions.  

 (17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012!)

For more information and updates on the 19th PIHABF, visit www.philballoonfest.net.

(A weekend of everything that flies! (Hot Air Balloons 2010)

Other related Post : 
A Weekend of Everything that Flies at 17th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012

The 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Everything Flies ! Hot Air Balloons at Pampanga

Official Statement of PIHABF Organizing Committee

18th Philippine Intenational Hot Air Balloon

Shop, Learn and Play at the 2nd Baby and Family Expo PH set in August 2014

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The country's biggest family expo "BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014,"  where families love to shop, learn and play is on its 2nd year!

The BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014 is a one-stop shop for all baby, children, pregnancy and family needs, happening this coming August 01-03, 2014 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The three-day event will cover the stages of family growth from maternity, newborns, infants, toddlers and children. Parents can learn the latest trends and relative tips from country’s experts about pregnancy do’s and don’ts, newborn and infant care, child development tips, parenting 101 and more.

Baby and Family Expo part one last 2013 became the main event of the year for all maternity, baby, early childhood and parenting needs, with over 200 exhibitors as well as experts and celebrity parents like Regine Tolentino, Gladys Reyes-Sommereux, RJ Ledesma, Edric Mendoza, providing free seminars to expo visitors and fun-filled activities for the whole family.

For this year, a gallery showcasing fascinating toys and creations will spark the awe in children and rekindle the inner child of every visitor in the Baby & Family Expo’s Toy Museum inside the hall. Children can also enjoy fun and exciting rides and games with the World of Wonder. Fun-filled activities specially organized to widen children’s horizon will also be set up at The Imagination Kitchen, an arts and crafts station.

Highlighting the exciting roster of events is the first ever Baby Idol and Kid Idol talent contest, where babies and kids can shine bright like a star showcasing their singing, dancing, and acting skills.

Other activities to look forward to are the Family Olympics 2014, where moms and dads can show-off their diaper changing and grocery shopping skills, together with their kids for a cake decorating challenge. Another highlight of the expo is the annual Baby & Family Expo Awards Night, where outstanding celebrity families and entrepreneurs will be recognized through the Golden Family Awards and ParentPreneur Awards.

During this three-day family event, visitors will get todiscover the latest products & services for the whole family, and avail of exclusive discounts from much loved stores and brands.

“The BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES is going to be bigger and better this 2014 with over 5,000sqm of space area and over 400 exhibiting brands. We invite a variety of brands that have never been seen before in the country and created larger activity areas to give babies, kids, parents and entire families a great bonding experience” says MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC. President and Expo founder, David Abrenilla.

The BABY & FAMILY EXPO 2014 is organized by MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC.- “Making Lives Better”, Philippines’ leading media, events-led marketing, communications, exhibition and convention organizing company. Part of MEDIACOM SOLUTIONS INC’s social advocacy is to nurture family development and child care, in partnership with leading foundations such as World Vision and UNICEF.

BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2014 will be an experience families wouldn’t want to miss this year!

Stay informed and get current updates by joining their community - 

Baby Expo Facebook Page www.facebook.com/babyexpoph

Twitter: @BabyExpoPh and 

visiting the website at www.babyexpo.ph. 

For queries, call +632-843-2174 or email babyandfamilyexpo@gmail.com.

David Beckham's Valentine in Tacloban helping Yolanda survivors

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The International  Football legend and formerly LA Galaxy midfielder, superstar David Beckham arrived in Tacloban on Thursday, February 13, 2014  to visit the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda. David Beckham first landed at Cebu-Mactan International Airport via Hong Kong at around 11:00 AM via Cathay Pacific flight CX 931, a few hours later he arrived at Tacloban City.

The recently retired player arrived in Cebu at around 11 a.m. and then left for Tacloban on board a Dornier 228 plane with registry UNO 117H along with seven other people.

Beckham is visiting Tacloban with the United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Beckham is accompanied by seven other passengers from UNICEF as they boarded a Dornier 222-200 aircraft flight UNO-117H to depart from Cebu at 12:00 noon and arrived at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban at exactly 12:30 PM.

He will also spend his Valentines Day with the survivors of the super typhoon.

This is the second visit of the legendary soccer player in the Philippines when he previously played in an exhibition match in the country on Dec. 3, 2011 with his former club Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer against the Philippine Azkals.

David Beckham is one of the UNICEF ambassador since the year 2005, his visit in the country is to oversee the relief and recovery efforts of the UN agency focused on children in Tacloban City. 

Aside from being a UNICEF ambassador, David Beckham and his wife Spice Girl Victoria, also raised funds for the typhoon survivor and personally donated a total of 20 boxes of clothes to the British Red Cross.

Photos of David Beckham’s Arrival in Tacloban City: (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Calling all kid superheroes for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

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Calling all kid superheroes! Register for FREE and get your Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF kits from anyToy Kingdom (Official) branch until October 31, 2013. 

UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat Year 2 Now Nationwide

To celebrate October as National Children’s Month, UNICEF kicks off Trick-or-Treat Year 2 in a big way by making it nationwide!

The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Superheroes campaign brings special meaning to Halloween by giving children an opportunity to learn the value of helping other children in need. Instead of asking for candies and treats, children can collect money in a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box. This year's Trick-or-Treat focuses on children affected by the conflict in Zamboanga. The funds raised will help them go back to school, give them access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and ensure their good health and nutritional status.

"UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund its work for children in the Philippines and worldwide. With Toy Kingdom's support, we hope to raise more funds and awareness on how children can help other children in Zamboanga through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. The situation in Zamboanga profoundly affected a large number of children so every contribution counts and everyone can do something to help," said UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Tomoo Hozumi.

The grand launch party held in the SM Megamall Event Center on October 5 featured fun games, superhero appearances and a special performance by UNICEF National Ambassador Gary Valenciano.

Dubbed as the original Kids Helping Kids® campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is celebrated by many children and families around the world and has since raised more than US$167 million to help children in need globally. Launched in the Philippines last year, the program raised over PhP400,000 and distributed over 4,000 donation kits in malls and participating schools.

Register for your free Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF donation kits at all Toy Kingdom branches nationwide from October 1 to 31 or until supplies last. All donations can be turned over to any SM Bill Payment counter (SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore) nationwide. Children and families who turn in their donations before November 30 will receive a certificate of appreciation and surprise gift via mail!

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2013 is made possible through Toy Kingdom, SM Megamall, SM Supermalls, SM Cares, Philippine Star, Summit Media, MagnaVision, Media Pool, Sumo Sam and Krispy Kreme. Participating Toy Kingdom branches include SM Aura, SM Bacolod, SM Bacoor, SM Baguio, SM Batangas, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Cebu, SM Davao, SM Fairview, SM General Santos, SM Lanang, SM Iloilo, SM Lucena, SM Makati, SM Marilao, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Pampanga, SM North Edsa, The Podium, SM Southmall, V-Mall and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

For more info, call (02) 758-1000 or visit www.unicef.ph

About Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

The tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 in the United States, when Philadelphia schoolchildren first went door-to-door at Halloween collecting money in decorated milk cartons to help children in need around the world.

They raised a grand total of US$17, kicking off a campaign that has since brought in millions of dollars each year to help UNICEF provide medicine, better nutrition, safe water, education, emergency relief and other support to children in more than 150 countries.

Millions of children now participate in Halloween-related fundraising campaigns in the United States, Canada and Hong Kong, China, among other places. In these campaigns, children go far beyond trick or treating in scary costumes with the familiar orange UNICEF collection boxes in hand. Children and young people take part in various fun and educational events that help them gain a better understanding of child rights and the challenges facing children around the world – including poverty, killer diseases and armed conflict.

This global campaign, now in the Philippines, has raised more than US$167 million around the world and remains an inspiration to the young (and the young at heart) to further the cause of children everywhere.