Enjoying Wonderful World

November 13, 2013

Baguio-based band Even wins at #ConverseGetLoud band competition

Baguio-based band Even gets the crown as the first-ever Converse Get Loud winner among the five semi-pro bands representing the best in the independent rock scene. #ConverseGetLoud song-writing band and musical competition ends last November 9 held at Excess Superclub Quezon City.

For "Get Loud", Even performed their winning piece entitled “Luminary.” Composed of Dyanne Licudine (vocals), Jam Bumanlag (guitars), Coco Saupan (bass) and Dan Allan Acosta (drums), Even from North Luzon is a Baguio-based band that describes their music as “dark and melancholic.” They take pride for their songs for their “well thought-out lyrics woven into heavy chugs and bass, unisoned into drumlines.”

Aside from the honor of being the country’s first “Get Loud” champ, Even take home P150,000 of cash and Converse products. Even also bagged The People’s Choice award.

“After selecting these bands through an exhaustive nationwide search, rallying their supporters through various online initiatives and organizing bar tours to get them revved up for the big day, we are down to the wire and eager to know who will be the chosen one,” says Eli Bonsol, Converse Philippines’ advertising and marketing manager.

“It’s just really a matter of giving an explosive performance on stage and establishing that unique connection with the audience.”

The first and second runner-ups and the two finalists were awarded with P100,000, P60,000 and P40,000 of cash and Converse products respectively.

“Even, Brisom, Kissbone, Bethany and Jad Montenegro are on the verge of making music history,” says Bonsol. “While we see the culmination of this year’s edition of ‘Get Loud,’ the winning band will start on an exciting journey that will offer them a multitude of possibilities.”

Converse Philippines officially launched #ConverseGetLoud band competition last October, with five local bands vying to be hailed as the first “Get Loud” over-all champion.The five bands for the “Get Loud” competition are Even from North Luzon, Brisom from the National Capital Region, Kissbone from South Luzon, Bethany from Visayas and Jad Montenegro from Mindanao.

Brisom, from NCR, is composed of Brian Sombero (vocals and guitar), Jeffrey Castro (drums and beats), Jason Rondero (bass), Tim Abbott (synthesizer and keys) and Terence Teves (guitar). Most of Brisom’s songs are based on Brian’s “soul-changing travels and life-changing realizations,” capturing the sound of soulful indie rock with “straightforward clarity” and “lyrics from the heart.” Their song is entitled “Waking Lives.”

Brisom

Representing South Luzon, Kissbone is composed of Armin Joseph Pepito (guitar and vocals), Justine Sioson (guitar and vocals), Renz Jerome Villanueva (drums), Parker Cataquian (bass) and Allan Paulo Luching (rhythm guitar). Beginning with punk rock to emo-screamo genre during their days at Sienna College Taytay, Kissbone now regularly unleashes hardcore and rock metal music. The band performed their song titled “Distance and Motion.”

Kissbone

From the Visayas, particularly Cebu, Bethany is composed of Luis Quibranza III (lead vocals and guitar), Angelo Quibranza (lead guitar and vocals), Paolo Miguel Quibranza (drums and vocals) and Kevin Borromeo (bass). The Quibranza siblings immersed themselves into songwriting in 2008 and began performing soon after Kevin’s addition. The band takes pride in their delivery of alternative rock music that has “a lot of curve balls, intense guitar work, smart lyrics and infectious melodies.” Bethany performed the song “Keep Moving On.”

Bethany

Jad Montenegro, from Mindanao, takes its name from its lead vocalist. Completing the band are Dave Ibao (guitar and backing vocals), Eric Luzada (lead guitar), Pjoe Sabanpan (bass) and Carlo Garcia (drums, backing vocals). After performing as a solo acoustic act in Davao, Jad felt the need to expand her musical horizons by forming a band with friends. For “Get Loud,” Jad Montenegro did “The Escapist.”

Jad Montenegro

The Converse Get Loud Philippines was hosted by Carl McFly of K-Lite 103.5FM. Judges for the finals were Francis Reyes, Ebe Dancel, Mark Lacay, John Hendrix, and Dan Mindanao.

For more info , visit www.facebook.com/ConversePhilippines.

Smart, Sun and Globe offer 25 free local and int’l SMS to Eastern Visayas and northern Cebu subscribers

To help the communities severely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the country’s three mobile phone operators -- Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular -- have agreed to provide 25 free SMS per day for five days that may be used for local and international text messages.

The joint offer will be available to subscribers in Tacloban City and the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Leyte, northern Cebu and the Samar.

"This is a time for Filipinos to come together and help our countrymen in their hour of great need. This joint effort will help Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk 'N Text subscribers in the typhoon-struck areas to communicate with their loved ones at home and abroad," said Charles A. Lim, executive vice president of Smart and chief operating officer of Digital Mobile Philippines.

“This free service is open to all Globe Postpaid, Globe Prepaid, and TM subs in these Eastern Visayas provinces. This is the company’s way of giving assistance to our customers who are suffering from the typhoon’s onslaught and who need to reach out to their family and friends in the country and abroad,” said Peter Bithos, Chief Operating Advisor for Globe Consumer Business Group.

The free 25 daily SMS bundles are available from November 13 to 17 and can be used to send text messages across all networks. There is also an allocation for international SMS. It will be pushed automatically to subscribers at the start of each day. Subscribers will receive SMS notifications once the bundles are sent. No registration is required.

The three operators came to this unprecedented agreement in response to the extreme devastation caused by the super typhoon. They are also working to restore their respective services and assist emergency relief activities of the government and humanitarian agencies.

For Globe and TM subscribers, the free service can be availed by texting BangonPinoy to 8888.

Free local and int’l SMS for Smart, Sun and TnT subscribers in Yolanda-stricken areas

To augment the existing Libreng Tawag services in several typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is providing free all-network and International SMS bundle to Smart, Sun and Talk ‘N Text subscribers to help them connect with families and loved ones.

The free SMS bundle, comprised of 25 all-net text and three international text messages will automatically be available daily for five days beginning midnight of November 13, 2013 for both postpaid and prepaid subscribers. The service does not require any registration.

The offer is initially available in hard hit areas Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Leyte, Northern Cebu, Palawan and Samar, where an estimated five million subscriber base stand to benefit.

Restoration of network facilities in these areas commenced immediately in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in order to provide vital communication services to the various institutional partners and local government units involved in coordinating post-disaster response efforts. As of November 12, 82% of the network has been restored.

Libreng Tawag stations continue to operate in the following areas:

· PNP Headquarters, Tacloban City, Leyte

· PLDT Office, Jones St., Tacloban City, Leyte

· DSWD booth, Tacloban City Hall

· Smart cellsite near VNG Subdivision, Tacloban City, Leyte

· Municipal Hall, Palo, Leyte

· Smart Store, Ormoc City, Leyte (with free mobile phone charging)

· Ormoc City Plaza, Ormoc City, Leyte

· Ormoc airport, Ormoc City, Leyte

· Municipal Hall, San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu

· Cebu Cultural Center, Bantayan Island

· Smart cellsite in Sta.Fe, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)

· Madridejos Municipal Hall, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)

Charging of mobile handset batteries are also being offered for free in the Smart cell site facility in Roxas City, Capiz and in Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

Neurogen-E Launches Life in Your Hands Campaign Embarks on Creating Better Opportunities for Women by Fighting the Effects of Nerve Aging

STRENGTHENING its resolve to curb the discomfort of nerve-aging among Filipinos, Neurogen-E has recently launched “Life In Your Hands,” an advocacy program that seeks to touch the lives of mature Filipino women through initiatives that enable them to do more and be more.

In the Philippines, 40.5% of the elderly population is suffering from nerve damage attributed to a deficiency in Vitamin B12, the vitamin responsible for nerve regeneration and growth. Nerve-aging is commonly detected through symptoms like numbness, tingling sensations and burning pain in the hands and feet that may progress to total loss of sensation. Among Filipinos, this condition translates to profound effects on their physical faculties that may hamper them from living a full and active life.

Photo of Ms. Diaz: Beauty icon and 1969 Ms. Universe winner Ms. Gloria Diaz is a staunch advocate of Neurogen-E's "Life In Your Hands" campaign to empower Filipino women who are suffering from nerve-aging.

“Aging should not compromise productivity nor hinder anybody from doing the things that they are passionate about. This is the core message of Neurogen-E’s Life in Your Hands program. Through this campaign, we endeavor to touch the lives of elderly Filipino women by enabling them to embrace their passions and create milestones regardless of their age or status in life. With the help of Neurogen-E, countless women can be liberated from the discomforts of nerve aging, and be given a chance to perform the activities that they once enjoyed. They can start living an active and full life once again,” shared Missy Cheah, Assistant Product Manager for Neurogen-E.

From October to November, Neurogen-E will be hosting a series of lifestyle activities dedicated to enabling women to pursue their passions. Enrichment workshops will be conducted in venues like the Alabang Country Club and Zonta Alabang, highlighting topics like the Art of Ikebana with Japanese Floral Art Master Professor Searpion Metilla, and featuring demonstrations on gift-wrapping and food-styling for the holidays with domestic arts expert Ms. Frieda Colet-Lim.

Changing the Lives of Women

Stepping up its initiatives to create positive change in society, Neurogen-E is also rolling out a livelihood program that seeks to provide opportunities for women living under difficult circumstances. In partnership with Haven for Women, a non-government organization that supports battered Filipino women, Neurogen-E will be helping the victims reclaim their lives through workshops featuring income-generating activities like soap-making and dish gardening. Neurogen-E’s partnership with communities like Zonta Alabang and Haven seeks to provide a sustainable livelihood program and open doors of opportunities for underprivileged Filipino women.

Group Photo: Neurogen-E's brand ambassador Ms. Gloria Diaz is flanked by representatives from Unilab Missy Cheah (far right), Raine Calma (second from left) and emcee Lea Doria (far left) during the launch of "Life In Your Hands" advocacy campaign.

Engaging the public to participate in the advocacy to uplift the community of Haven for Women, products from Neurogen-E’s Life In Your Hands workshops created by the participants themselves will be sold in holiday bazaars all over Metro Manila. Christmas gift items like stylish and functional tarpaulin bags, dish gardens, and food products like fish paste, chili sauce, and peanut butter will be made available at the Filinvest Tent in Muntinlupa from November 23 to 24, 2013 and December 7 and 8, at the Ayala Alabang Cuenca Covered Court.

“Neurogen-E deeply understands the challenges that Filipino women face because of aging. Through its Life in Your Hands campaign, we want to re-ignite their passions by enabling them to embrace a lifestyle that is positive, active and free from nerve aging,” Cheah concluded.

For more information about Neurogen-E, log on to www.unilab.com.ph.

B+E More with Neurogen-E

Neurogen-E is a multivitamin (Vitamin B Complex + E) formulated to treat nerve aging. It has a high dose of Vitamin B Complex (Vitamin B1, B6 and 1000 mcg of Vitamin B12) to effectively regenerate the nerves plus the added benefit of Vitamin E , an antioxidant to prevent further aging.

WHAT IS NERVE AGING?

Nerve aging, or neuropathy, occurs when the outer protective covering of the nerves called the myelin sheath gets damaged. Think of your nerves as an electric wire. When the coil of the wire gets damaged, the flow of electricity gets disrupted, resulting to abnormalities in transmission. The same is true for nerves. When the myelin sheath gets damaged, nerves don’t get to transmit signals as effectively as they used to, resulting to discomfort usually felt in the hands and/or feet.

THREE SIGNS OF NERVE AGING

Three of the most common symptoms of nerve aging are as follow:

1.) Numbness (pagmamanhid)

2.) Glove and stocking sensation (pangangapal)

3.) Pins and needles (parang tinutusok-tusok)

HOW DO YOU FIGHT NERVE AGING?

The cause of nerve aging is a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining and regenerating the myelin sheath. Specific to mature adults, nerve aging occurs because the body produces less stomach acid needed to absorb Vitamin B12. This, in effect, leads to a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

According to reports, mature adults need to take a high dose of Vitamin B Complex (500 – 1000 micrograms everyday) to effectively treat nerve aging.

NEUROGEN-E IS THE BEST NERVE VITAMIN TO FIGHT NERVE AGING

Neurogen-E is the best nerve vitamin to fight nerve aging because specific to mature adults, it provides the RIGHT DOSE at the RIGHT PRICE.

RIGHT DOSE

Neurogen-E has a high dose of Vitamin B Complex (300 mg of Vitamin B1, 100 mg of Vitamin B6, 1000 mcg of Vitamin B12) per tablet. Unlike the generic brands that contain a much lower dose of Vitamin B12, Neurogen-E can provide the recommended B12 dosage in just one tablet. On top of this, it has the added benefit of Vitamin E (100 IU) that helps prevent further damage.

Despite Neurogen-E’s therapeutic dose, each ingredient complies with daily safety levels, which means that it is safe to be taken every day.

RIGHT PRICE

There are some brands that are very affordable but contain a low dose of B12 / tablet. To get the recommended dose, one will have to end up taking 3 or more tablets, which means that he will end up spending more without even realizing it.

With Neurogen-E, you get the right dose per tablet for only P7.50 SRP.

November 12, 2013

Sweetest Christmas with SM City San Lazaro

Christmas for children is all kinds of fun, presents, food, sweets, toys, and Santa Clause. This year's Christmas for kids is really with rejoicing and laughter.

SM City San Lazaro shares the Sweetest Christmas, held at the SM San Lazaro Activity Center last Sunday, November 10, 2013.

This is with gift-giving with 100 kids from Manila Department of Social Welfare. SM City San Lazaro have been developed a partnership with several sponsors to make this event truly memorable for the kids.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno graced the event and gave an inspiring message of hope and commitment to make the City of Manila more progressive during his term.

The program started with the Christmas Medley songs by the Coro Angelitos, all boys choir and pride of Tondo, Manila, and a great performances with the graceful ballet dancers.

The people in SM San Lazaro enjoyed the time of unveiling of the “Sweetest Christmas” displays!

You favorite brands of chocolates are now available for the season, get the best and sweetest deals only from SM City San Lazaro.

Here are the sweetest Christmas moments at SM City San Lazaro:

November 15, 2013- January 5, 2014, Choco Bazaar

December 6, 2013 - Choco Battle

December 21, Sweetest Parade (chocolate mascots and other participating brands from the mall)

Santa Meet & Greet - all Saturdays of December

Boys Choral - all Sunday of December

For the whole family and friends, there will be upcoming exciting online games and sweet Holiday surprises only from SM City San Lazaro and other participating brands from the mall.

The true spirit of Christmas is something fruitful and memorable to the children. Sweetness and happiness can be shared, can spread joy, peace, love and charity throughout the year.