Miss Earth 2019 National Costume Competition held at Century Park Hotel

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Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the finest hotels in Metro Manila, recently hosted the very festive Miss Earth 2019 National Costume Competition round at its Grand Ballroom.

Former Miss Earth winners (L-R) Miss Angelia Ong (2015), Miss Nguyễn Phương Khánh (2018) and Miss Karen Ibasco (2017) graced the affair and awarded the medals to the winners.

More than 300 guests witnessed a visual spectacle of colors as over 90 delegates from various countries proudly displayed their national costumes for everyone to enjoy. The competition is one of the most anticipated and most celebratory pre-pageant contests. Relevant environmental issues like forest fires, recycling and climate change were integrated in the costumes.

The event was made possible in cooperation with Carousel Productions, Inc., the official organizer of Miss Earth. Guests from the government sectors as well as ambassadors from different countries were also in full attendance.

The winners in Best National Costumes per region were as follows:

Africas

Gold – Kenya, Ms. Susan Kirui

Silver – Zambia, Ms. Venus Vlahakis

Bronze – Nigeria, Ms. Modupe Susan Garlan

Asia and Oceania

Gold – Mongolia, Ms. Azzaya Tsogt-Ochir

Silver – Philippines, Ms. Janelle Tee

Bronze – Vietnam, Ms. Hoàng Thi Hanh

Americas

Gold – Chile, Ms. Fernanda Mendez Tapia

Silver – Panama, Ms. Marianna Fuentes

Bronze – Peru, Ms. Alexandra Caceres Drago

Europe

Gold – Spain, Ms. Sonia Hernandez

Silver – Czech Republic, Ms. Klara Vavruskova

Bronze – Crimea, Ms. Anastasia Lebediuk

The international pageant will be held on October 26, 2018 at Cove Manila at Okada, Manila.

At the forefront of technology with Taiwan Excellence

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Dubbed as the heart of Asia, Taiwan beats with a fiery passion that attracts many Filipinos.

In fact, the number of Filipinos who visited the island republic increased in 2018 by 44.13% from 2017. 

For some, Taiwan is a food destination and picturesque views. To many others, it is the home of cutting-edge technologies and life-changing innovations. 

Over the past year, Taiwan has grown into a global leader in innovation by supplying solutions to our modern problems. The value they provide is so gigantic that the Taiwanese economy lists global powerhouses such as Google, Apple, Microsoft and IBM as part of its clientele. 

It's easy to get lost at the rate Taiwan churns out game-changing products. So, for those who are looking to get the best Taiwan can offer, look for the seal of the Taiwan Excellence Award. 

"Products selected for the Taiwan Excellence Awards serve as shining examples for the domestic industry. Apart from the distinction, these products and brands are also promoted by the Taiwanese government on many international stages," said Tony Lin, deputy director of the Strategic Marketing Department of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). 

The Taiwan Excellence Awards covers different products that are used in various sectors such as manufacturing, education, healthcare, transportation, e-commerce, smart living, green energy, and public service. 

"Taiwan Excellence works to connect people through innovation and excellence, which they can feel in their lives every day," Lin added. 

Real world innovations 

Under its umbrella are companies and brands that provide concrete solutions to real world problems, effectively transforming the dreams of a smart future into reality. 

For one, tech giant Acer has been developing a self-driving car that will usher in a new age in smart transportation. During the project, they partnered with Yulon Group, one of Taiwan's top car makers. 

In the realm of robotics, there is the TTRobotix's SeaDragon XLR, a remote-controlled robot and submarine, that can dive 300 meters deep to aid in surveillance, rescue, or marine research. 

Also updating the way we learn in the classroom, Everest Display Inc. boasts it Cloud Touch Projector. Unlike traditional projectors, the device can be used independently with its built-in Android system and a range of unique functions and features. 

Revolutionizing personal hygiene is the Eleclean disinfectant spray, made of 100% pure water with no chemical additives. Housed in a compact device, the water is electrolyzed to create reactive oxygen species that are strong enough to kill most disorder-causing microorganisms, while remaining gentle so that it doesn't cause skin irritation. 

To help people adjust to rising air pollution rates, Edimax created EdiGreen Airbox, a smart air quality detector with temperature and humidity sensors. It accurately measures the levels of harmful miniscule particulate matter present in the air. 

A triumph in the field of smart healthcare is being developed by AmCad Biomed. Their AmCadUT Thyroid Cancer detection machine uses the power of algorithms to automatically classify thyroid tumors. According to Peter Wu, president of AmCad, the machine can analyze whether a tumor is benign or malignant. In addition, it has an average accuracy of 90 percent, 15 to 25 percent higher than that of the most superior experts. 

Unparalleled excellence for the world 

With so much innovation to offer, Taiwan, with the help of Taiwan Excellence, is improving lives all over the world. Later this year, Taiwan Excellence will showcase some of its great products for Filipinos to enjoy. 

To experience many other wondrous innovations, Taiwan Excellence is inviting everyone to the Taiwan Expo, which will highlight Taiwan's experience and expertise in various industries such as technology, agriculture, design, medical care, education and tourism on November 8-9 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao.

Philippines lands starring role in film tourism under DOT and FDCP partnership

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The Philippines’ cinematic arts industry is a vital part of the growth of the nation’s well-being because it promotes, enriches, and disseminates Filipino values, culture, and heritage. 

For the past hundred years, Pinoy Cinema has been the vessel of various voices and an agent of change, so much so that no less than the President acknowledged its importance by proclaiming September 12, 2019 to September 11, 2020 as the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema.

In support of this cultural milestone, the Department of Tourism (DOT) broke yet another barrier in marketing the Philippines by linking hands with Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in its filmmaking support program aimed at local and foreign film production partnership.

Under DOT’s Branding and Marketing Communications department together with FDCP’s Film Philippines office, the agencies crafted and launched the "Let’s Create Together" campaign to promote film tourism in the Philippines.

“The campaign aspires to feature the country’s cinematic spots and talents through the screens around the world – boosting international awareness of the Philippines as a premiere tourist destination while generating tourism-driven income for the local creative workforce in the process,,” said Howard Uyking, DOT’s Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications.

The Program shall offer two incentive options for foreign producers, provided that they work with duly-registered Philippines-based line producers or co-producers. These are: 

(1) Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP), where feature films in any genre, television series, and web content may be applied for; and 

(2) International Co-production Fund (ICOF), applicable for feature films in any format (live action, documentary, or animation). To qualify, production cost in the Philippines must be at least PHP 8 million ($155,000). Upon approval, as much as PHP 10 million ($193,000) cash rebate may be availed through FLIP or ICOF.

“There is no better way to underscore the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema than to finally give our Filipino filmmakers and the Philippines the leverage that it needs to be globally competitive," FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra says of the new Film Philippines incentive program.

The Let’s Create Together campaign was officially launched during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) this October. The possibilities are endless for creative content - from reality series, animation, and even documentaries, this campaign anchors on seven (7) key reasons why the country is a premier choice for international producers. They are:

(1) Locations – Composed of more than 7,000 islands and diverse cultural wonders, the Philippines is a broad spectrum of settings for practically every story, inspiring hits then and now from Apocalypse Now to The Bourne Legacy; 

(2) English-Speaking Talent and Crews – Blessed with a supreme English literacy, the local workforce promises better understanding, teamwork, and rapport; 

(3) One-Stop-Shop for Permits, Visas, and Tax-Free Importation – Ease of doing business has never been better with integrated services, thereby saving time and energy; 

(4) Skilled Artists and Technicians – A newly-instituted National Registry, a database of film professionals, provides a broad selection of film industry manpower; 

(5) Available and Dependable Equipment and Facilities – Smooth planning, coordination and execution of all production activities while in the country shall be ensured with the assistance of accredited Filipino line production companies; 

(6) Enhanced Security in Cities and Countryside – Assurance in safety is well-coordinated whether they be in urban or rural areas; and 

(7) A Location Incentive that Cuts your Costs – A financing grant designed to optimize the potential of a film project whether it’s undergoing pre-production, production, or post-production phase. With all these in place, there’s no wonder why it’s more fun to film in the Philippines.

For more information, visit http://www.filmphilippines.com/.

Cherry Prepaid Launched Ganda Data Promos and Vice Ganda as brand Ambassador

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Cherry Prepaid has officially launched the phenomenal comedian, TV host Vice Ganda, as its newest ambassador and their latest “Ganda Promos”. 

Set to level-up the mobile data experience of its users, Cherry Prepaid, a data-centric prepaid sim, has further enhanced its offerings from the very affordable rates of CMSurf to its newest and leveled-up version, the ‘Ganda Promos”.

Powered by one of the telecommunication network giants in the Philippines, Globe Telecom, Cherry Prepaid was launched last 2015, becoming a sulit telco provider with affordable data, call and text promos. 

Vice Ganda and Jacy Chua

During the Ganda Data Promos grand launch held at the Novotel Hotel, Araneta City,  Jacy Chua, Chief Finance Officer of Cherry Mobile Communications Incorporated’s (CMCI), shares “Since Cherry Prepaid’s inception in 2015, we have activated more than 5 million subscribers nationwide. Our goal for Cherry Prepaid is to provide Filipinos with a diversified prepaid mobile service from data, call and text packages at affordable prices allowing them to be connected every day of the year. Our CMSURF packages offer the most affordable rates for data connectivity given its long validity. Now, with the new “Ganda Promos”, we are able to further enhance the data experience of Cherry Prepaid subscribers by providing even more data allocation with the same long validity Cherry Prepaid promos are known for. We are extremely excited to have Vice Ganda as Cherry Prepaid’s newest ambassador as we feel Vice best embodies the value that the ”Ganda Promos” represent, which is SULIT!”.

Ganda Promos

Knowing the Filipinos to be heavy internets users, the Ganda Promos are said to be the upgraded versions of their top data promos. It is comprised of three (3) packages: Ganda15, Ganda30 and Ganda60. 

Stay updated with the latest happenings on Facebook with Ganda15 which has 250MB for 3days for only Php15. 

They can also browse through the internet and answer emails and messages on the go with Ganda30 that comes with 550MB consumable in 7 days for just Php30. 

You can watch the latest trending video on YouTube, stream their favorite songs on Spotify, or play day and night on Mobile Legends when they register to Ganda60 which has 1.3GB worth of data valid for 15 days for only Php60. 

These promos are indeed sulit especially for those who heavily rely on their mobile data connectivity on a daily basis. Cherry Prepaid users can now enjoy bigger data and longer validity at an affordable price. 

‘’I am happy to be part of Cherry Prepaid family. The three (3) Ganda Promos were specifically created for the Filipinos so they can enjoy surfing the internet longer at very affordable prices, SULIT! to be exact’’, says Vice Ganda.

Together with Vice Ganda and the Ganda Promos, Cherry Prepaid is set to make internet surfing more exciting through these affordable packages.

For more details on Cherry Prepaid’s Ganda Promos, and other updates from the brand, visit:

Website: www.cherry.com.ph

Facebook: facebook.com/cherryprepaid

Instagram: @cherryprepaid

Cherry Mobile Communications Incorporated (CMCI) is the company of the telecommunications network service of Cherry Mobile, the Cherry Prepaid. Powered by Globe Telecom, Cherry Prepaid was established in November 2015. Cherry Prepaid services are set to give more Filipinos the access to faster mobile internet connection and cost-efficient calls and texts rates.

Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez at 2-night Iconic concert

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Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez will be sharing the stage for the first time! 

The Megastar and Asia's Songbird will finally sing together in one epic, unforgettable concert – ICONIC on Oct 18 and 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Iconic will be directed by Rowell Santiago alongside musical directors Louie Ocampo and Raul Mitra.

The real Icons in the entertainment industry, the two big stars unrivaled and unmatched in the music industry, whose enduring fame and stature are still what every aspiring singer and actress strives for.

‘Iconic’ concert dream-come-true for both

During the Iconic mediacon at Novotel Hotel, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, the two stars shows how they're getting so much fun as they recalled how their friendship with each other started.

Regine said that she is so fan of Sharon..."Sharonian talaga ako ever since.”

And Sharon also told us thst she is so fan of Regine.

After years of being in their showbiz frienship, this Iconic concert is their dream come true! 

In Iconic, “We have a total of 19 production numbers with so many songs in them, kasi marami roon, medleys,” says Sharon “And for the first time, magsamama ang McDonald’s at Jollibee na pareho naming sponsors.

“We’ll have many duets. Palitan kami ng kanta. I’ll sing her hit song and she’ll sing mine.” adds Regine.

Do not miss Iconic! This is really one big musical event that might not happen again in a long, long time, so get your tickets now from the Araneta Coliseum box office or at Ticketnet.