Anne Curtis on the METRO’S HOLIDAY headstart issue

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On the cover is Anne Curtis like you’ve never seen her before: Risqué in luxe showgirl pieces by Metrowear Icon Francis Libiran, perfectly celebrating her one-of-a-kind star status as the Princess of All Media and the first Filipina to have her own E! News Asia Special. 

From being a teenybopper actress, she has become a household name, a brand of her own, and an icon in the truest sense of the word. Metro gets the real deal on what it’s like to be her nowadays.

With Christmas coming up, Anne’s personality serves as the perfect way to brighten up the season that’s just around the corner.

Also in Metro’s November issue, the magazine goes into how the time for gift-giving is well on the way—and in the month of November, wrappers and ribbons are being rolled out to take readers’ Christmas shopping skills to a whole new level that’s stylish and stress-free.

Check out over a hundred products featured in the Metro Gift Guide, with a Metro exclusive on Giorgio Armani’s newest fragrance, Si.

All these and more are in Metro’s November issue, so grab a copy now and be a chic and smart shopper. Metro is available at bookstores and newsstands nationwide. Like the magazine on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Metro.Magazine) and follow Metro on Twitter and Instagram (@MetroMagPH)

Manila Water Foundation donates P5 million to Habitat for Humanity for relocated families in Laguna

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Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, gives P5 million to relocated families in Southville Site 2, Calaun, Laguna through the Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

According to Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, the donation is dedicated for the implementation of the water system project designed for 1,100 housing units. 

“This support reflects the Foundation’s vision to improve the lives and contribute to the holistic development of marginalized communities by becoming a vehicle of delivering one of their basic needs, water,” says Dela Cruz.

Photo shows (from left to right): JP Orbeta, Group Head, Ayala Corporation; Charlito Ayco; Yvonne Lih, CFO, Habitat; Luli Heras-De Leon, President, Ayala Foundation; Carla May Beriña-Kim, Executive Director, Manila Water Foundation; Gerardo Ablaza, Jr.; Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President, Manila Water Foundation; Ruel T. Maranan, Trustee, Manila Water Foundation

The undertaking by Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, is part of an agreement entered into by the Ayala group in 2010 which aims to provide a decent life to Base of the Pyramid (BOP) communities by providing their primary necessities such as shelter, community association, water supply and sanitation. With this, Manila Water Foundation allotted P6 million to support the construction of a facility that will deliver safe, clean, and affordable water to the homes of Southville Site 2 residents. The beneficiaries of the said project were relocated from Pasig City after typhoon Ondoy left them homeless. To serve the residents’ immediate need for water, the Foundation initially refurbished a deep well pump, installed a control panel, and set up two temporary static tanks which are refilled with potable water every week. The amount incurred for this undertaking was deducted from the original amount pledged.

Manila Water Foundation has also provided a technical design of a water system that may be implemented to the area to ensure the effective and efficient transmission and distribution of water.

Deutsche Post DHL promotes educational opportunities through partnership with Teach for the Philippines.

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Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics company has partnered with Teach for the Philippines as it expands its efforts to promote educational equity in the Philippines. Teach for the Philippines is an official network partner of Teach For All which Deutsche Post DHL has been supporting since 2010. With this new partnership, Deutsche Post DHL is now supporting the Teach For All network partners in seven countries – Argentina, Chile, Germany, India, Peru, Philippines and Spain.

From left to right: Stephen Ly, Country Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Philippines; Teacher Theresa Carlos, one of the teacher fellows, part of the Teach For the Philippines Program; Clarissa Delgado, COO, Teach For the Philippines; Suzie Mitchell, Country Managing Director for DHL Supply Chain Philippines; Dr. Frank Appel, Global CEO Deutsche Post DHL; Margarita Delgado, CEO, Teach For the Philippines and DHL Express Philippines Country Manager, Nurhayati Abdullah posed together during Appel’s visit to Manila last October 9, 2013.

“Education plays a vital role in every country’s economy and companies need to contribute to creating educational equity and improving employability worldwide. This belief has been the driving force behind our partnership with Teach For All which started in 2010. The long-term success, sustainability and innovative power of the economy and society depend on a strong educational system and targeted professional development. Therefore, an investment in the education and training of young people is an investment in the future,” said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL.

In addition to financial support, individual DHL employees get involved in their respective partner countries. Through meaningful volunteering activities, employees support their local organization. Last year, more than 800 Deutsche Post DHL employees engaged directly with students and teachers through internships, career planning sessions, mentoring and donation drives.

DHL Express Philippines Country Manager, Nurhayati Abdullah, sits in an on-going class in one of the Teacher Fellows of the Teach for the Philippines Program during the school visit.

“Employee volunteerism is key to the success of the Teach For All program, and it gives the young people some very practical – and useful – insight into working life,” Frank added.

Teach for the Philippines is a for-purpose, non-stock, non-profit organization that works to provide all Filipino children with an inclusive, relevant and excellent education. Teach for the Philippines identifies, selects, and trains the most promising recent graduates and young professionals to teach in the nation’s highest-need public schools. Throughout their two-year Fellowship, the Teacher Fellows have access to professional development opportunities that enhance their teaching skills and reinforce their leadership skills.

“Teach for the Philippines Fellows hail from diverse backgrounds,” said Clarissa Delgado, COO of Teach for the Philippines. The Fellows have demonstrated a bias for action, and drive, resilience, a sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to our vision,” Clarissa added.

The partnership is central to Deutsche Post DHL's contribution to promoting educational opportunities and employability around the world. Its commitment to education is one of three Corporate Responsibility programs towards fulfilling the company's motto of Living Responsibility. The three programs focus on environmental protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach).

Regine Velasquez’s Hulog Ka Ng Langit album tour set

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Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez’s much-awaited album Hulog Ka Ng Langit celebrates the joy of love and motherhood. And, the Asia’s Songbird wants her fans to celebrate her blessings with her in a string of special shows.

The Hulog Ka Ng Langit album tour goes to Robinson’s Magnolia (Nov. 16, Saturday), Robinson’s Manila (Nov. 20, Wednesday), SM Marilao (November 28, Thursday), SM Pampanga (December 1, Sunday), and SM Sta. Rosa (December 11, Wednesday). All shows start at 5:00 p.m.

The album, composed of songs that give inspiration to wives and mothers, has the beautifully-pennedHulog Ka Ng Langit as debut single and title track of the album. The song truly embodies what the album is all about – unconditional love between husbands and wives, and mothers to children.

With Regine’s gift of amazing vocals, she has given new life to songs like Hele Ni Inay, Someone’s Waiting For You, Happiness, You, God Gave Me You and Just The Way You Are, a duet with husband Ogie Alcasid. The songs included in the album also feature some of the best arrangers, musicians in the country.

Hulog Ka Ng Langit Tracklist:

1. HULOG KA NG LANGIT

2. RAINBOW CONNECTION

3. AMAZING

4. MY CHILD

5. PAG-IBIG

6. TOMORROW

7. SOMEONE’S WAITING FOR YOU

8. ARAW, ULAP, LANGIT

9. JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

10. NATHANIEL (GIFT OF GOD)

11. THE ONE REAL THING

12. HAPPINESS

13. HELE NI INAY

14. YOU

15. SA‘YO NA LANG AKO

16. YOU GOT IT

17. GOD GAVE ME YOU

Miss Universe 2013 is Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler

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Miss Universe 2013 is Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler.

The 2nd Runner up is Miss Ecuador, Constanza Baez, 3rd Runner up is Miss Philippines, Ariella Arida and the 4th Runner up is Miss Brazil, Jakelyne Oliveira.

The 62nd edition of Miss Universe was held at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Russia. 

Here's what the 'Top 5' contestants said in the final Q & A round.

Miss Ecuador

Question: What would happen to the world if we could no longer use the internet?

Answer: Technology has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that we are no longer as close together with our families. We must use the methodology of computers and internet for the positive. In a positive. It's never too late to start. Let's start right now.

Miss Brazil

Question: What is your opinion about places that do not allow women to vote, or drive cars?

Answer: We as women have achieved our independence through time. We need to keep our open minds because now we are capable of doing anything.

Miss Spain

Question: What is the most significant thing we can do to help elect women to political offices around the world?

Answers: In order to select a good woman, she must posses good qualities in order to perform a good job.

Miss Philippines

Question: What can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting their career around the world?

Answer: I do believe we should invest in education and that is my primary advocacy. Education is a primary source and a ticket for better future.

Miss Venezuela

Question: What is your biggest fear and how do you plan to overcome it?

Answer: We should overcome all our fears and this in turn would make us stronger. As soon as we overcome our fears, we can face any challenge.

This year's hosts include Jeannie Mai, Olivia Culpo, Nick Teplitz, Thomas Roberts, and Mel B.

Judges for the finale are as follows:

Russian-born supermodel Anne Vyalitsyna; super-model, multi-award winning actress and author Carole Alt; highly acclaimed chef Nobuyaki Matsuhisa, also known as "Chef Nobu"; one of the pageant's sponsors Farouk Shami; designer Italo Fontana; Russian pop artist Philip Kirkorov; Aerosmith's frontman Stephen Tyler; and gold medalist skater Tara Lipinski.

Stephen Tyler performed along with Panic! At the Disco, and Russian pop-star Emin.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Miss Universe 2013  - Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler

The 2nd Runner up  - Miss Ecuador, Constanza Baez

The 3rd Runner up - Miss Philippines, Ariella Arida

The 4th Runner up is - Miss Brazil, Jakelyne Oliveira

Top 5 Finalists

Ecuador - Constanza Báez

Brazil - Jakelyne Oliveira

Spain - Patricia Rodríguez

Philippines - Ariella Arida

Venezuela - María Gabriela Isler

Top 10

Spain - Patricia Rodríguez

Philippines - Ariella Arida

Great Britain - Amy Willerton

India - Manasi Moghe

Brazil - Jakelyne Oliveira

USA - Erin Brady

Ukraine - Olga Storozhenko

Ecuador - Constanza Báez

Venezuela - María Gabriela Isler

Dominican Republic - Yaritza Reyes

Top 16 (in no particular order):

Costarica - Fabiana Granados

Ukraine - Olga Storozhenko

China - Jin Ye

Ecuador - Constanza Báez

Great Britain - Amy Willerton

Indonesia - Whulandary Herman

Venezuela - María Gabriela Isler

Dominican Republic - Yaritza Reyes

Puerto Rico - Monic Pérez

Spain - Patricia Rodríguez

USA - Erin Brady

Nicaragua - Nastassja Bolívar

Switzerland - Dominique Rinderknecht

India - Manasi Moghe

Brazil - Jakelyne Oliveira

Philippines - Ariella Arida

Special awards

Best in National Costume - Nicaragua – Nastassja Bolívar