Western Digital Announces Q1 Revenue of $3.8 Billion and Non-GAAP Net Income of $514 Million, or $2.12 Per Share

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Western Digital® Corporation today reported revenue of $3.8 billion and net income of $495 million, or $2.05 per share for its first fiscal quarter ended Sept. 27, 2013. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $514 million or $2.12 per share.1 In the year-ago quarter, the company reported revenue of $4.0 billion, net income of $519 million, or $2.06 per share. Non-GAAP net income in the year-ago quarter was $594 million, or $2.36 per share.

The company generated $680 million in cash from operations during the September quarter, ending with total cash and cash equivalents of $4.9 billion. During the quarter, the company utilized $150 million to buy back 2.3 million shares of common stock. On Sept. 19, the company declared a $0.25 per common share dividend, which was paid on Oct. 15.

“We continued to perform well in the September quarter as we remained focused on delivering value to our customers through differentiated and innovative storage solutions in all of our served markets,” said Steve Milligan, president and chief executive officer. “Our HGST and WD subsidiaries continued to execute very well. Outstanding linearity drove strong operating results, with gross margins above the midpoint of our model range and earnings per share well above the high end of our guidance. Longer term, we are very excited about our ability to enable the ongoing creation, storage and management of digital content by consumers and businesses.”

The investment community conference call to discuss these results will be broadcast live over the Internet today at 3 p.m. Pacific/6 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call webcast can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com. The telephone replay number is 1-800-685-6364 1-800-685-6364 FREE in the U.S. or +1-402-998-0553 +1-402-998-0553 FREE for international callers.  

Happy Bread Day at Gardenia's Bread Town !

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Gardenia has opened the Bread Town last Monday, October 28 at Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City. 

Happy Bread Day with the bread makers and bread lovers advocate the philosophy of “sharing” and “breaking” of bread as a significant and symbolic humanitarian act.

Gardenia opened the gates of Bread Town, a wondrous place where lots of fun activities, prizes, games, surprises and overflowing breads shared to those who join the celebration. This event is made even bigger with the culmination of Gardenia’s search for the Next Big Sandwich Hit; a sandwich-making and business idea generation competition among 10 universities in Manila with HRM or Culinary course.

Gardenia Bakeries Philippines, Inc. (GBPI), the company that makes the household favorite Gardenia breads famous for its good taste, freshness, softness, oven-baked aroma and nutritive-value, celebrates yet another exciting “Happy Bread Day,” at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City, invited all families, friends and anyone who just love to eat bread to celebrate with them during this special day.

“Gardenia Happy Bread Day”, on its third straight year, commemorates the role of bread as a vital part of everyone’s daily nutritional and sustenance. 

“Happy Bread Day” is also Gardenia’s own way of reminding Filipinos to have fun and show their love for bread in line with the “World Bread Day” celebration which is held every October 16, where all bread lovers from all over the world share the goodness of bread.

Visitors of Gardenia Bread Town experience exciting activities from different booths starting with the Wheat Bread Boulevard where health buffs get to sample Gardenia’s healthy-licious breads. “Kids and adults alike had ga-ga for muffins while having their photos taken at the Muffin Studio. While those who love cream rolls and fun buns were happy to play at the Cream Roll Nook and Fun Bun Playground.

For curious minds who want to know more about Gardenia’s rich history, the Gardenia Museum provides all the answers to their questions. Then after having a long and tiring stroll around the Gardenia Bread Town, visitors come, chill and relax in the “Pandesal Café” or savor sweet treats from the Gardenia “Flavored Bread Station.”

Meanwhile, the G-Lock Wall held thousands of G-locks; a color coded tag which guarantees the freshness of Gardenia breads. Each G-lock donated by visitors corresponded to two loaves donated to Gardenia’s chosen charities. Happy visitors write their memorable Bread Town experience in the Toast Wall and taken home tokens which they pick from the Bread Tree.

The teams from different schools went through grueling qualifying rounds before they were able to earn the right to represent their schools.But it did not stop there, teams got to test the saleability of their sandwiches and experience real life business challenges at the Midnight Mercato leg at Bonifacio Global City. Teams competed among other schools for the most peso sales which is part of their final scores.And the finale of “The Next Big Sandwich Hit” is by no means a pushover when it comes to grandeur, for the winners stand the chance of bringing home more than P200,000 worth of prizes!

This is the ultimate bread experience for all. Here are some of the pictures I shot during the Gappy Bread Day. 

Dengue Defenders : Captain Green Trains Children against Dengue

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Captain Green goes to a school for a visit and there's an important message to all! 

                  

In an effort to turn youngsters to be “Dengue Defenders,” Green Cross Insect Repellent Gentle Protect is bringing an interactive program featuring Captain Green to schools all over the country. Helped by a chock-full of visuals, song-and-dance presentations and audience participation, the hero will deliver the newest information about the disease and the ways to zap its culprit —the dreaded dengue-lamok. The mosquito villain will also be present buzzing around but will ultimately be defeated by Captain Green.

“We are aware of the gravity of the dengue disease,” says Vince Camua, Senior Brand Manager from Green Cross. “Statistics show that almost half of the people who contracted dengue last year were children from ages 1-10. This is the reason why we are bringing our advocacy to schools and educating them on the myths surrounding the dengue disease.”

While a simple presentation may already deliver the information, only an interactive program can impress the importance of dengue protection in the minds of children. “We really want it to be an opportunity where children are not only listeners but participants,” Vince added. “They can move, sing and dance with Captain Green as they absorb and understand information.”

Hailing from a planet devastated by dengue, Captain Green comes to Earth to inform children about the dreaded day (Aedes aegypti) & night (Aedes albopcitus) dengue-lamok, how to stop the mosquitoes from multiplying, the tell-tale signs if they are infected, and the precautions they can take to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites.

For instance, Captain Green tells them that, aside from their usual breeding grounds (old tires and vases), dengue-lamok can also thrive “in a drop of water as small as a coin,” making it important to dry areas with stagnant water no matter how tiny they may seem.

As for the tell-tale signs of infection, Captain Green enumerates the following as possible symptoms of dengue: “high fever for more than three days, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle or bone pain, rashes, mild nose, gum bleed, easy bruising and low white blood cell count.”

Captain Green emphasizes that the disease, which many people think can be contracted only during the day, is now a round-the-clock concern. It is true that the more popular Ae. aegypti is a day-biter, with peak biting hours between 6AM-8AM and 4PM-6PM.  However, another dengue-lamok, the Ae. albopictus, strikes when we least expect it, with peak biting hours during the night: from 6PM-8PM and 11PM-1AM.

Near the end of the program, Captain Green unveils his secret weapon: Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect. Applied once in the morning and once in the evening, the lotion offers clinically-proven 8-hour protection against both day-biting and night-biting mosquitoes. Hypoallergenic, non-greasy and fresh-smelling, it is tested safe on the skin of children—and adults as well!

After their stint in the “Dengue Defenders” training camp, the children will receive interactive comic books and a letter to their parents with product samples of Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect for them to gain headway in their fight against dengue.

“We believe in the two adages of ‘Starting them young’ and ‘An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,’” says Vince Camua, Green Cross Senior Product Manager. “By arming children with knowledge, we at Green Cross hope to contribute to the lowering of dengue incidents and keeping our young safe and protected.”

Soirée Beaujolais 2013: The Streets of Paris

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The Streets of Paris on Soirée Beaujolais will be on 21st of November 2013 at the elegant Manila Hotel Tent City to accommodate up to 1,500 elite guests from the diplomatic, corporate and social registers which is also a reunion of all French nationals in the Philipines.

Soiree Beaujolais 2013 is the annual celebration of the opening and tasting of new wine gathered and processed from the vineyards of Beaujolais in France and opened on the third week of November. For the last 22 years, the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines - Le Club has been celebrating the "Soiree Beaujolais" in keeping the tradition, to celebrate French culture, its food and wine in particular and also the strong involvement of French businessess and entreprenuers.

The French party will celebrate the launch of Beaujolais Nouveau - the "new' wine from the rich, fertile grape fields and wineries of Beaujolais Region. 

According to Mr. Jean Caillard, Managing Director of FCC-Le Club, the whole gala will recreate scenes and firmed moments of a day in the life of Paris, starting off with the cooing of doves, early moorning scenesm musicians on the streets and theater performances, with elegant couture and jewelry show. A nonstop dancing which will be commence with the Major Impact Band.

All the wine, cheese and delicatessen are being especially flown in from France while the Manila Hotel will prepare the hors d' ceuvres, the charcuterie, the oysters, the slads, hot French cuisine, the pastries and fabulous desserts which the hotel is noted for.

The French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines—Le Club recently the Exhibitors and Sponsors meeting, press conference with food and wine tasting held at the Roma Salon of The Manila Hotel, October 24. 

So glad and honored that I am one of the few guests invited to attend this elegant affair, French style! I am with the media and well known online digital writers/bloggers. Thanks to Ms. Arabelle Jimenez, FCC-Le Club Publicist and Managing Director of e-Crit Com.

The high point of French-Philippine social life, formal event gathering French businessmen, Filipino Francophile executives, wine lovers, and personalities enjoying parties, the Soirée Beaujolais is a yearly event organized by the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and one of the largest event of its kind organized in Asia.

This is great opportunity  those who would like to enjoy this totality of a French cultural  and gastronomic experiences and to savor the Beaujolais Nouveau.

For reservations and ticket sales, please contact the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines - Le Club  at telephone number 813-9005 or e-mail events@leclub-fcc.org.

Thanks to major partners and participating sponsors for Soirée Beaujolais 2013: The Streets of Paris.

Baby & Family Expo Philippines 2013 Launched

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The BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2013 – “Welcoming Life, Love and Care”, the country’s biggest family expo for all maternity, baby, early childhood and parenting needs was officially launched last October 24, 2013 at Fun Ranch, located at Frontera Verde, Pasig City. 

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2000 winner and celebrity mom Nina Ricci Alagao-Flores, together with Dr. Regina Carmela Y. Santiago-Aquias, MD of The Medical City, David Abrenilla of MediaCom Solutions Inc., Huiying Tan of Cordlife Philippines and Maricel Cua of MedelaMomsPhilippines

The media launch was hosted by Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2000 winner and celebrity mom, Nina Ricci Alagao-Flores and was attended by personalities like ANC’s “On the Money” host and The Master’s Academy President, Edric Mendoza, Medela Moms’ co-founder, Maricel Cua, and the wife of Azkals Coach, Yoshiko Weiss.

Also present during the conference were representatives from The Medical City, Cordlife Philippines, who is set to have a talk on pregnancy preparation, cord blood banking, childbirth and staying sexy while pregnant. Association partners like World Vision, Right Start, Grace to be Born and the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association were also there to support the event.

Across the three-day expo, the whole family can also enjoy and participate in exciting activities like the Family Olympics, Family Fashion Weekend, and much awaited Baby & Family Awards featuring the Golden Family Awards, ParentPreneur Awards and the crowning of the Bibong Baby of the Year.

Baby and Family Expo 2013 speakers - Dr. Regina Carmela Y. Santiago-Aquias, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Consultant of The Medical City; Edric Mendoza, ANC's "On The Money" host and President of The Masters Academy;  David Abrenilla, organizer of Baby and Family Expo 2013; Huiying Tan, director of Cordlife Philippines and Maricel Cua, co-founder of MedelaMoms Philippines (left to right)

“Our vision was to come up with a fun and meaningful event where families can bond and learn together. With our tagline –Welcoming Life, Love and Care , we want to give a message that having a new baby in the family is not just the mom’s responsibility but the entire family’s – no one is left out. We encourage Filipino families to come to the expo because we have invited industry experts. From there, they can get the latest information about maternity, babies, early childhood, parenting and everything they need to know when planning and having a family. Together with our partners and sponsors we want to nurture family development and raise the awareness on responsible child care." says David Abrenilla, MediaCom Solutions, Inc. president and Baby & Family Expo Philippines 2013 organizer.

Organized by MediaCom Solutions, Inc., Philippines preferred stakeholders’ advocacy communications and events enterprise and co-presented by Cordlife Philippines, the BABY & FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2013 will be held on December 06-08, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. 

It covers the stages of family growth from pregnancy to early childhood with educational seminars by Medela Moms, The Medical City, Mercato founder RJ Ledesma, ANC host Edric Mendoza, MTRCB Chairman Atty. Eugenio Villareal, Azkals Coach, Michael Weiss, DigitalFilipino.com founder Janette Toral, Beauty Queen Nina Ricci Alagao-Flores and actress/entrepreneur RegineTolentino, actress Jade Lopez and many more. 

The Baby & Family Expo Media Launch was supported by FM Group Fragrance Philippines, Evian, Attipas, Unimom, Bebebocas, Jeweltone, Urban Ashram Manila, Absolute Distilled Drinking Water, Consumer Care Products Inc. (Guard Insect Repellent), Ever Bilena, De La Salle University Medical Center, Perfetti Van Melle, The House of Cuppy Keyks, Fernando’s Bakery, Metro Deal, Sharpie, Mongol, AMSPEC, Island Rose and Cordlife Philippines. 

Be a part of this fun-filled family event of the year. Register for FREE at http://babyexpo.ph/registration.php, join the community at http://www.facebook.com/babyexpoph. For inquiries, call +632.843.2174 or e-mail info@babyexpo.ph.