Grow A Million Trees (Earth Day Y2013)

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Trees are vital for a greener earth and healthy environment as they provide shade, clean the air and help cool the environment.

A commitment drafted and signed by SM Group of Companies and affiliates in the presence of DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) representatives held last Monday, April 22 at The Block, SM City North EDSA on the occasion of Earth Day 2013.

"SM's campaign for healthier and greener earth has never been this big." - Mr. Joey Mendoza

For years, SM has been an advocate of environmental conservation. The structures have evolved as the way new structures are designed not for aesthetcis alone. They are designed  in such a way that it also contributes to SM's vision. 

SM has a well-planned waste disposal system in every SM facility. SM has always been at the forefront of protecting and rehabilitating the planet. Programs for reforestation, coastal clean-ups and other environmental efforts have been created.

SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore's "Join the My Own Bag (Join the MOB) Campaign" started year 2009 as part of the vision of the Sy family to intensify the institution’s commitment to the 3Rs – Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle.

This was a bold move for SM Supermarket to take but SM was determined and prepared to endure the birth pains of pioneering such a program that aims to change aims the shopping habits of SM customers in exchange for the welfare of the environment.

Encouraging people to bring their own reusable bags in exchange for incentives for doing this. SM charged the costumers for every plastic bag request with a super minimal fee. Sm pushed the campaign that the people see and feel a big change with a small adjustments in their shoppng habits. People can see the bigger picture and in the end it was all worth it.

There are already 13 million people who regularly use the SM Greenbags preventing 39 million plastic bags from being released in circulation.

“The campaign rests in our hands; you, me, everybody. The key to success is for us to work together towards one goal,” Mendoza said.

“The money we've raised from the plastic bag sales during the M.O.B days have already begun funding several tree plantings and clean-ups nationwide but this time we've dreaming bigger. Just try to imagine how much trees we're targetting not just to plant but to nurture and to ensure that they grew into full healthy trees. 1 million trees ! That's enough trees to fill 500 soccer fields or almost 8500 basketball courts.” 

To ensure the longevity of the trees, SM will be planting them in DENR protected areas located in provinces: Nasugbu, Benguet, Calatagan, Cagayan De Oro, Banatocan, Bulacan, Cebu and Davao.

To date, the SM Group of Companies and Affiliates have already reached a third of the goal since 2009. They successfully planted almost 300,000 trees.

SM Group of Companies and affiliates come together towards a common goal - to make the dream of one million trees to make a reality.

More photos @ Facebook.

Iron Man 3

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I'm here on a mission: fighting back.

Marvel's "Iron Man 3" pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Iron Man 3 is a 2013 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

It is the sequel to Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Shane Black directed a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce, which is based on the "Extremis" story arc by Warren Ellis. Jon Favreau, who directed the first two films, serves as executive producer, along with Kevin Feige.

Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as the title character, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Favreau reprising their roles as Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, and Happy Hogan, respectively. Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, and Ben Kingsley round out the film's principal cast.

“It was important to us that the relationship between Tony and Pepper carry through all four movies including Marvel’s The Avengers and certainly into Iron Man 3, and it sort of reaches its pinnacle in Iron Man 3 in a very nice way.” 

– Marvel Studios President and Iron Man 3 producer, Kevin Feige 

Tony Stark [to Pepper] : "Things are different now, I have to protect the one thing that I can't live without. That's you."

See you Tony Stark! 

More bouts for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER

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ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP™ three additional bouts for

ONE FC: RISE TO POWER

KEVIN BELINGON VS MASAKATSU UEDA

EDUARD FOLAYANG VS KAMAL SHALORUS

PHIL BARONI VS NOBUTATSU SUZUKI

ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), presented by Casino Filipino and in association with Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), announced today three additional bouts for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER.

Kevin Belingon will battle Masakatsu Ueda in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. The winner will get a shot at the ONE FC Bantamweight Title. Plus, Eduard Folayang is back in action against Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) veteran Kamal Shalorus and fan favorite Phil Baroni will return to the famed ONE FC cage to take on the KO artist from Japan, Nobutatsu Suzuki. All the action takes place live on 31 May from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will launch in Casino Filipino branches across the Philippines starting on 22 April 2013. 

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv.

The first two undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge and the main card fights will be available for purchase at just US$9.99.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will feature some of the biggest names in Asian MMA as we return to the fight capital of Asia. I’m beyond excited to see Honorio Banario back in action in front of his home crowd at the state-of-the art Mall of Asia Arena. Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki has all the ingredients for a possible Fight of the Night with one of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters squaring off against a Japanese submission artist who is known for his impressive grappling game. I know fans cannot wait to watch these warriors collide on 31 May.”

The Bantamweight Grand Prix Final is also set and both fighters are ready to showcase their skills in Manila to earn a shot at the biggest Bantamweight title belt in Asia.

Bantamweight GP Finalist Kevin Belingon is a Filipino MMA champion and one of the best MMA fighters ever to emerge from the Philippines. It took him a few fights to become accustomed to competing inside the ONE FC cage but once he found his rhythm, the result was spectacular as he blasted through Yusup Saadulaev and Thanh Vu in less than a round to earn a slot in the Bantamweight Grand Prix Final. Known as “The Silencer” because he prefers to let his fists and feet do the talking, Belingon is a Wushu specialist with fast hands and devastating low kicks. He says that he is in the best shape of his life and nothing can stop him from earning a shot at the coveted ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship Title.  His opponent is a veteran who is not at all concerned about fighting on Belingon’s home soil on 31 May.

Masakatsu Ueda is a Bellator veteran and former Shooto Featherweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully three times. He has an outstanding 17-2-2 record which makes him one of the best Bantamweights in the world. He was a very successful college wrestler who won numerous national wrestling competitions in Japan as well as the all Japan Shooto Grappling Championship. A very well-rounded fighter, he submitted MMA legend Jens Pulver at ONE FC: KINGS & CHAMPIONS to earn a slot in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. Ueda understands the magnitude of this fight and knows very well that Belingon will be the toughest test of his career.

A Lightweight bout that is sure to get the crowd on their feet will pit Filipino MMA legend Eduard Folayang against UFC veteran Kamal Shalorus.

Folayang is a legend in the Philippines where he is universally regarded as MMA’s equivalent to boxing phenomenon Manny Pacquiao. A former school teacher, he is renowned for being humble and respectful outside the cage but a determined and relentless competitor inside. The Baguio-born mixed martial artist is never in a boring fight and the sight of Folayang struggling in a tough battle, but somehow finding a way to win in the end, is one which fight fans have become accustomed to. Folayang will square off against the resilient submission specialist from Iran, Kamal Shalorus.

Shalorus was born in the city of Khalkhal in Iran. He began wrestling as a teenager before moving to the United States to train in MMA. He is a UFC and WEC veteran with notable wins over Justin Milles and Bart Palaszewski. Shalorus will need to bring it all when he steps into the ONE FC cage for the first time at ONE FC: RISE TO POWER.

Manila’s favorite slugger Phil Baroni will be back in action on 31 May when he battles up and coming Japanese mixed martial artist Nobutatsu Suzuki.  Baroni has faced some of the toughest opponents in the world and is renowned for his one-punch knockout power. Despite being one of the hardest punchers to ever compete in MMA, it’s not just Baroni’s hard-hitting fists that the fans come to see. His brash and charismatic personality and inimitable swagger down the fighter’s entrance makes him one of the biggest showmen in MMA. Suzuki is the complete opposite in personality but identical in fighting style. Eight of his fights have been won via impressive KO. On 31 May, he will look to make Baroni number nine.

ONE FC: RISE TO POWER is headlined  by a ONE FC Featherweight World Championship bout between reigning champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario against number one contender Koji Oishi and pound-for-pound king Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki for the ONE FC Bantamweight Interim Title.  All the action takes place live from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Twitter @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

Sun, sand and shindig! Philips offers 3 tips on throwing the best beach party

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Partying may seem like the easiest thing to do, especially if it’s at the beach. But the perfect beach bash should be carefully planned out. So, if you’re planning to throw a mean beach party this summer, Philips offers these simple tips to make your bash one for the ages. 

Bring the dance floor to the shore 

Shoqbox

A party will never be a party without the best music blaring through powerful speakers. And if it’s a beach party, you need a speaker that can withstand some splashing and bumping. 

A small speaker packed with big sound, the Philips Shoqbox is portable, splash-proof and drop-proof. It carries powerful twin speaker drivers that deliver big sound that doesn’t crack. Operating on Bluetooth technology, it allows users to stream music from any Bluetooth device. 

You can also pair two Shoqbox speakers via Bluetooth to get stereo sound from left and right—resulting in louder, more party-ready music.

Prepare food that’s packed with flavor, and none of the guilt

When you’re preparing meals for a lot of people, fast and easy is usually the way to go. But there’s a way to make meals fast, easy and tasty—and good for your guests’ figures at the same time!

5 Philips AirFryer HD9220

Utilizing its patented Rapid Air technology, the Philips AirFryer lets you cook food without using oil. This means 80% less fat in your fried dishes, ensuring that everyone in the party enjoys delicious, healthy fried food. The AirFryer also features a food separator for frying multiple items at once. 

Turn heads with a stunning beach party look

You’ve got your music playlist and your Shoqbox ready. You’ve prepared a lot of deliciously healthy meals with the AirFryer. Now, all you need to worry about is yourself.

Since it’s a beach party, there’s no need for gowns or heels. Just slide into your favorite bikini and let your hair stun everybody.

12 Philips Curler HP8600

Create bouncy beach waves with the Philips Hair Curler HP8600. This curler makes use of a 32mm curling tong with ceramic coating to deliver naturally bouncy curls. It heats up fairly quickly at 60 seconds and is also safe to use with its cool tip.

Soak up the sun, feel the sand between your toes, and throw the most talked about beach party of the summer by following this simple checklist. The beach is ready for you.

Earth Day 2013 is the subject of Monday's Google doodle across the world

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Google today celebrates Earth Day with an animated doodle.

Earth Day 2013 doodle released by Google features a landscape and a static sun with a featured button inset inside. 

Clicked on the doodle's button, the sun starts moving and gradually sets in the west. As the sun sets, the moon rises in the glittering sky and it can be seen in different phases while moving across the sky.

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to create awareness among the masses on environmental issues.Events are held across the world to sensitize people about the need to protect our environment

This Monday's google doodle also features the cycle of seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. This shows the cycle of seasons represented with the rising and falling Sun and Moon in an animated Google doodle. This is Google's 13th Earth Day doodle, with each year the doodles getting more elaborate. For Earth day doodles click https://www.google.com.ph/.