ANGKAS Joins Fintech Philippines As E-Commerce Advisor

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Angkas, the very first app-based motorcycle ride-hailing service in the Philippines, has joined the Fintech Philippines Association (FPh) as advisor to the board of trustees. 

Fintech Philippines Association (FPh) announced that Angkas will take seat as member of the organization’s advisory board. This was announced in the April edition of FPh’s monthly forum held recently at The Ark in Makati City. 

Dubbed the “Fintech April Mixer,” the forum saw major players in financial technology and related industries coming together to discuss the role of transport and logistics in the rising e-commerce industry as well as issues related to water technology and social enterprises.

George Royeca, Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs of Angkas, the ride-hailing app that changed the way people think about public transport in the Philippines, led the panelists in the discussion of their vision of a more financially inclusive country where smaller entrepreneurs can use their platform to scale up their businesses.

“Fintech and e-commerce are largely interdependent because fintech provides online payment platforms that allow e-commerce to thrive,. Without fintech and payment innovations, global e-commerce will not grow as much as it did in recent years,”  Royeca notes. 

“The teching up of small e-commerce players in the country is something that we in Angkas, in our capacity as advisor to Fintech Philippines, will recommend as a priority undertaking for the near future,” Royeca reveals.

Fintech Philippines executive director and trustee Amor Maclang, in turn, underscored fintech’s role in shaping global e-commerce. “Fintech Philippine’s Association strives to promote all e-commerce players, and recognize all contributions to global and micro e-commerce players by creating access to the constant development and improvement of online payment systems,” she stresses. 

“Our mission in Fintech Philippines is the democratization and access to the technologies by allowing online merchants and service providers to also target as many people as possible through safe and secure means,” she adds.

The association’s board of trustees was also presented during the forum. 

The FPh board is composed of : 

- Justo Ortiz of Uniobank, chairman 

- Mark Vernon of TagCash,  vice chairman and treasurer 

- Mark Gorriceta of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, corporate secretary  

- Amor Maclang of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc., executive director and trustee

The  Trustees : 

- Arvie De Vera of Unionbank  

- Edison Tsai of Seedin Technologies Inc.,  

 -  Ida Tiongson of Opal Portfolio Investments  

- Gerry Cruz 

During the last forum featured 5 leaders in the e-commerce industry :

- George Royeca, Head of Regulatory & Public Affairs of Angkas  

- Ronald Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of eebeelee  

- Steve Sy, Founder and CEO of Great Deals eCommerce Corp  

- Au Soriano, Founder and CEO of PinoyTravel  

- Archit Anand, Founder of Omnirio

The Fintech Philippines Association is the largest and most inclusive association in the Philippines that promotes digital entrepreneurship, among other things.

K-Pop sensation BTS performs at the "2019 Billboard Music Awards"

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SKY brings the highly-awaited debut of global superstars BTS on the ‘2019 Billboard Music Awards” stage as they perform their newest collaboration track with chart-topping singer and songwriter Halsey, “Boy With Luv,” this May 2 live on Blue Ant Entertainment.

After the hit Korean group made history by becoming the first Korean group to win at the Billboard Music Awards last 2017 with a nod in the Top Social Artists category, the group went on to nab the same award last year. The group is out to reclaim the recognition this year but it is also up for the Top Duo/ Group Award this time around, up against Dan + Shay, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, and Panic! at the Disco.

Apart from the performances from BTS and Halsey, viewers can also anticipate the return of the Jonas Brothers after 10 years as they join forces to sing their No. 1 smash hit “Sucker.” The said comeback track made them the first group to open at No. 1 of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart in more than 20 years.

Other performers at the ‘2019 Billboard Music Awards’ are Lauren Daigle, Khalid, Panic! At The Disco and Sam Smith & Normani, and 2019 ICON Award recipient, Mariah Carey. Kelly Clarkson will also return as the host.

The “2019 Billboard Music Awards” will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 2 at 8:00AM on Blue Ant Entertainment available on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), and SKYdirect channel 35.

A Trip Down the Memory Lane: 7 Manila Churches during Visita Iglesia

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As a dominantly Catholic country, one of our practices every Holy Week is Visita Iglesia. Traditionally, Catholics visit around 7 churches to pray, reflect, and honor the Blessed Sacrament during Holy Week. The visiting of churches is done to commemorate the suffering of Christ, as well as to meditate and ask for penance. 

Here are churches within the Metro which you can visit this Holy Week:

1) Binondo Church 

Photo by Lawrence Ruiz - Own work, 
CC BY-SA 4.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51373004

Start your journey in one of the oldest churches in Manila. Binondo Church is also known as Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. It was built by the Dominicans and is located in Binondo, Manila. It became a place of worship to converted Chinese Christians back in the day when the trade between Chinese and Filipinos started to increase. Today, a number of Binondo dwellers and curious tourists still visit the parish. 

2) San Sebastian 

Photo by Geela Garcia

San Sebastian, also known as Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, boasts Gothic Revival architecture, and is the only steel church in the Philippines and Asia. The original structure was actually built using bricks, but because of a Chinese Filipino uprising which burned down the original structure, the current edifice was built to be fire and earthquake-resistant. 

3) Quiapo Church

Photo by By Judgefloro - Own work, 

CC BY-SA 4.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49290514

Quiapo Church, also known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is one of the most famous basilicas in the Philippines. It is because of the said-to-be miraculous sculpture of the Black Nazarene which was carved in Mexico and was burned on its way to the Philippines. Large numbers of devotees visit every Friday, edging their knees forward to the sculpture to ask for miracle and or forgiveness. 

4) Baclaran Church 

Photo By Ramon FVelasquez - Own work, 

CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25183238

The Baclaran Church is also known as the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is one of the largest Marian churches in the Philippines. The shrine was established by Redemptionists when they began the novena in 1948. At first, only 70 people attended the novena, but after several sessions, the attendees doubled, and is now reaching thousands of devotees. Today, the church serves as home to many Marian devotees. 

5) San Agustin

By Patrick Roque (talk) (Uploads) - Taken using camera with model DSC-HX5V, CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61019655

San Agustin Church is one of the two religious sites inside the walled city of Intramuros, and is the Philippines’ oldest church. Built by the Augustinians, the structure was modeled after beautiful temples in Mexico. It boasts a grandeur in architecture, very rich and grounded to the Spanish colonial history. The building has its own museum inside, which features great artifacts about the Philippines’ cultural heritage. 

6) Manila Cathedral

By Patrickroque01 at English Wikipedia, 

CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61234185

Manila Cathedral is a neighboring church to the San Agustin Church inside Intramuros, and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception or the Virgin Mary. Initially built as a simple parish back in 1571, it received multiple reconstructions after several calamities hit the city. The cathedral was then upgraded with LED lighting, advanced sound system, and carbon-retrofitted structural foundations which add a modern detail to its beautiful Roman stone facade. 

7) Malate Church

By Ramon FVelasquez - Own work, 

CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30755713

Last but not the least is Malate Church, also known as Our Lady of Remedies Parish. It follows a Baroque style of architecture and houses a statue that travelled from Spain-- it is of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, the patroness of childbirth. The small but beautiful house of prayer is also strategically located in front of Plaza Rajah Sulayman and Manila Bay. 

After a long day of Church hopping and driving around Manila, have a quick stopover and unwind at Century Park Hotel (CPH). Grab a soft and fluffy bibingka and hot chocolate at Cafe in the Park before heading back home.

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience. To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 528-8888.

MADONNA AND MALUMA TO TAKE THE STAGE FOR WORLDWIDE TELEVISION PREMIERE PERFORMANCE OF “MEDELLÍN” AT THE “2019 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS”

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Global Superstar Returns to the Stage for Her First Performance of New Music on Television in More Than Four Years

Hosted by Kelly Clarkson, the “2019 Billboard Music Awards” Airs Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 AM on Blue Ant Entertainment

© Andy Lecompte

dick clark productions announced thatrevolutionary global icon Madonna will take the stage with Latin superstar Maluma for the worldwide television premiere performance of their brand-new track “Medellín” at the “2019 Billboard Music Awards.” Madonna and Maluma join previously announced performers BTS featuring Halsey, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Daigle, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Panic! At The Disco and Sam Smith & Normani, as well as 2019 ICON Award recipient Mariah Carey. The “2019 Billboard Music Awards,” with returning host Kelly Clarkson, will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 2 at 8:00AM on Blue Ant Entertainment available on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channel 37, and will feature this year’s hottest musical acts, unexpected collaborations and buzzworthymoments.

Returning to the award show performance stage with new music for the first time in over four years, four-time BBMA winner Madonna last performed on the BillboardMusic Awards in 2016 with a tribute to Prince.Maluma will be making his BBMA debut. “Medellín” is the first track from Madonna’s highly anticipated 14th studio album Madame X which will be released on June 14.

Talent Billboard Chart Facts:

· Madonna

Queen of Pop Madonna has long been royalty on Billboard’s charts. The superstar was named the most successful solo artist in the 60-year history of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, based on a special ranking to honor the chart's anniversary last summer, and holds the record for the most top 10 hits of all time among all artists on the Hot100 (with 38). Further, she also holdsthe record for the most No. 1s by anartist on any single Billboard chart (46 on the Dance Club Songs tally). Throughout her career, the Billboard Music Award-winner has claimed eight No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 (of 21 top 10s in total) and 12 No. 1s on the Hot 100. Further, shecontinues to hold the BillboardBoxscore record as the highest-grossing female touring artist ever, with over $1.3 billion earned from herconcerts.

· Maluma

Since Maluma’s Billboard chart debuta little more than five years ago, he’sscored 12 No. 1s on the Latin Airplay chart, a pair of No. 1s on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and has seen both of his albums hit No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums tally. In 2018 he scoredboth his first top 40 effort on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, and hisfirst top 40 single on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. In total, his catalog of songs have collected nearly 2 billion on-demand streams in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.

“Billboard Music Awards” nominees and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the chart period of March 23, 2018 through March 7, 2019. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.

The “2019 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman, Kelly Clarkson and Robert Deaton are executive producers.

For the latest news on the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), exclusive content and more, be sure to follow Blue Ant Entertainment on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram and @BlueAntEnt on Twitter.

STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2019: Unfinished Business: the pursuit of rights and choices for all

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Despite remarkable achievements in the past five decades, much more must be done to break the barriers that prevent women, men and couples from fully exercising their reproductive rights and choices, says new UNFPA report released today

POPCOM Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III with UNFPA Philippines Representative Iori Kato at the turnover of the State of World Population 2019 Report, entitled “Unfinished Business: the pursuit of rights and choices for all”

The year 2019 is unique as it marks two important milestones in the field of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights: 50 years since the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) began operations globally, and 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo where 179 governments agreed on a call for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, and safe pregnancy and childbirth services. UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2019 traces advances in reproductive health on the anniversaries of these two important milestones.

These two events—the launch of the first United Nations agency dedicated to addressing population dynamics and the reproductive health needs of the world’s people with Filipino national Rafael Salas as its first Executive Director, and the declaration of a global commitment to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights—have fundamentally shaped the lives of women and families, and the societies in which they live, in the decades that followed. The revolutionary changes have been made in measurable and immeasurable, profound and trivial, permanent and fleeting ways.

Activists, advocates, government agencies like the Philippine Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) – which also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year - and UNFPA have jointly advanced the transformations that ordinary citizens see around themselves today and have helped tear down various and evolving social, economic and institutional barriers that women and young people have faced in exercising their reproductive rights over the past 50 years. As a result, more women today have access to the information and services they need to decide for themselves whether, when or how often to become pregnant.

Much has been achieved in the Philippines since 1969. The average number of births per woman was 6.0 in 1973. Today it is 2.7, even though the country has the highest total fertility rate in the ASEAN region. In order to reach the national target of 2.1 average number of births per woman under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the Philippines needs to step up its efforts. 

“UNFPA takes pride in having partnered with the Philippines and witnessed together so many remarkable achievements together in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in the last five decades. And yet, there should not be complacency. Much more needs to be done to empower those who are not yet able to enjoy their rights and whose choices are still constrained,” says UNFPA Philippines Representative Iori Kato. 

According to the 2017 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey, about 17 percent of currently married women aged 15-49 have expressed intention to space or limit their children but are not using any method of family planning. Such proportion of unmet need for family planning services is highest among adolescents at 28 percent. 

The fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is key to reducing poverty in the country. The PDP 2017-2022 contains a specific chapter on Reaching for the Demographic Dividend; this chapter emphasizes the fact that reducing fertility through increasing access for young people to reproductive health information and services is a necessary pre-condition for the demographic dividend to be realized. 

The Philippine Government is a champion of the ICPD and President Rodrigo R. Duterte is committed to ending the unmet need for family planning, reflected in the recently revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP) to accelerate the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.

“The Philippine Government remains strong in its commitment to fulfill the promise of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, to put people at the center of sustainable development and to pursue the realization of every Filipino’s sexual and reproductive rights,” said Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III, Under-Secretary for Population and Development and Executive Director of POPCOM. 

To finish the unfinished business of the ICPD, governments, activists and stakeholders will rally at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 to be held on 12-14 November to sustain the gains made so far, and fulfill the promise of the ICPD agenda. Most countries, including the Philippines, need to build on the foundation of the past achievements to reach those who have been left behind and make sexual and reproductive health and rights a reality for all.

Facts and figures on the Philippines:

• Number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births: 121 in 1994; 114 in 2015 (SWOP, 2019)

• Modern contraceptive prevalence rate among currently-married women: 11 in 1973; 25 in 1993; 40 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

• Total fertility rate, or average number of births per women: 6.0 in 1973; 4.1 in 1993; 2.7 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

• Percent women 15-19 years old who have begun childbearing: 6.5 in 1993; 8.6 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

The fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is key to reducing poverty in the country. Much has been achieved in the Philippines since 1969. The average number of births per woman was 6.0 in 1973. Today it is 2.7, even though the country has the highest total fertility rate in the ASEAN region. 

Website: www.unfpa.org/swop