Enjoying Wonderful World

March 20, 2014

Re-Live Abba Magic with Abbamania!

Re-Live Abba magic! Abbamania is back by popular demand!

Abbamania the acclaimed ABBA tribute group from Europe that provides the closest thing to a true ABBA experience in concert are here in the Philippines this month for a series of shows. This is in response to the demand from ABBA-loving Pinoys to bring Abbamania back to the country after its successful concert series a year ago.

A production of Viva Live, Inc. and Redstone Media Productions, Abbamania will be held at the Solaire Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resorts & Casinos on March 21 and at the Plenary Hall of the PICC on March 22. The shows will be followed by other performances at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio City on March 25; the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, March 27; the L.L. Macias Sports & Cultural Center in Dumaguete City, March 28; and the Lagao Gym in General Santos City, March 30.

Now Filipino music lovers can experience the ABBA-style showmanship as the group dish out the songs of the ‘70s legendary pop-vocal group like “Dancing Queen”, “The winner Takes It All,” “Chiquitita,” “Money,Money,Money,” “I Have A Dream,” and “Mama Mia,” among others.

ABBAMANIA’s show is a wonderful tribute to ABBA’s LIVE Concert that fans throughout the World were enthralled with back in the 70′s. They have taken the wonderful music of ABBA to places such as: Denmark; England; Portugal; Scotland; Belgium; France; Ireland; Germany, and Holland.

Abbamania media launch held at the Solaire Resort & Casino, Paranaque City, March 19, 2014.

Check this Abbamania teaser!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202329823019951&stream_ref=10

Formed in 1998, ABBAMANIA, touted as the original Abba tribute band. AbbaMania was formed in 1998, has performed in sold-out concerts in Denmark, England, Portugal, Scotland, Belgium, France, Ireland, Germany and other parts of the world. Playing the singers and the band are Ewa Scott, a classically-trained vocalist from Poland; Sharon Fehlberg, an actress, singer and songwriter from the UK; Steven Galert, the multi-instrumentalist musical director of Abbamania; Adam Robertson, another multi-instrumentalist from the UK; Bryan Smith, a guitarist from Scotland; guitarist Gareth Whitehead; and drummer Lee Brady.

Watching Abbamania in concert is an opportunity for fans of the legendary group from Sweden to approximate a real ABBA performance. The group was formed by Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in the early ’70s and broke into big-time after winning the Grand Prix at the Eurovision Song Festival with the song Waterloo. More hits followed until the group broke up during the late ’80s. The songs have remained popular and ABBA music was further immortalized in the stage musical and later motion picture Mamma Mia!

Abbamania will have audiences dancing in the aisles with their live show featuring nearly two hours of pure ABBA nostalgia with songs like Waterloo, Money Money, Take A Chance On Me, One Last Summer, The Winner Takes It All, Knowing Me Knowing You, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Lay All Your Love On Me, Super Trouper, I Have A Dream, S.O.S., Chiquitita, Fernando, Voulez Vous, Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight), Does Your Mother Know, The Name Of The Game, Dance (While The Music Still Goes On), Honey Honey, I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, Our Last Summer, Thank You For The Music and many others.

The official TV partners of Abbamania are PBO, Viva Channel, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, My Movie Channel and RTL-CBS Entertainment. The official media partners are The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin,Business World, People’s Journal, People’s Tonight, 105.1 Crossover and iFM 93.9 with PEP.ph, Manila Concert Scene, Philippine Concerts, ClickTheCity.com, Juice.ph and Rappler. Special thanks goes out to Bus TV, the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP), Graphitek and Mobeline Car Charter Services.

The official Abbamania residence while in Manila is the Solaire Resort & Casino.

Tickets to the PICC show are available at Ticketnet with tel. no. 911-5555; SM Tickets 470-2222; Ticketworld 891-9999; PICC 789-4734; and Viva Concerts 687-7236. Ticket prices are Flat Center P4,500; Flat Left/Right P3,750; Level 2 Center, Left/Right P3,750; Level 2 Side Left/Right P2,500; Level 3 Center Left/Right P2,500; Level 3 Side Left/Right P2,000; Balcony P1,000; and Gallery P600.

Cebu ticket prices are Platinum P3,500; Gold P2,500; Silver P1,500; and Bronze P600.

DepEd finalizing details of 2014 Palarong Pambansa

Top Department of Education (DepEd) officials met Wednesday to finalize details of the 2014 Palarong Pambansa (National Games) to be held May 4 – 10 at Sta Rosa, Laguna. Items discussed are logistical requirements for regional delegates such as food and billeting quarters.

“I am reminding everyone to be sensitive to cultural and religious needs as this is a national event,” Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC said. “Halal food, for example, must be made available to those who require it. “

The Palaro will be participated by almost 10,000 athletes from 17 regions, who will stay in Laguna for one week. The student athletes will be billeted in public schools near the venue, which were inspected Wednesday by the directors and sports coordinators of each region. The schools will be upgraded with the help of the host local government unit (LGU).

“The usual improvements that our schools undergo for Palaro are the installation of screens in classroom windows as well as a renovation of the bathroom facilities,” Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, Palarong Pambansa Secretary General, explained. “For schools in the host province, this is a quick ‘Brigada Eskwela’ that results in an upgrade of their physical facilities.”

Luistro, meanwhile, reistated the coaches and chaperones about the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy: “From the time they leave your province, through Palaro, and until they return they are under our care. Make sure that an adult is always present to supervise them,” adding that any decision regional officials make must take into consideration the welfare of the students, especially the younger ones.

The DepEd Secretary also asked everyone to continue the “Clean as you go” and garbage segregation policy for delegates. “Leave the host school cleaner than when you arrived.”

Palarong Pambansa is an annual event showcasing and promoting sportsmanship of Filipino learners. In May 2013, President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10588 or Palarong Pambansa Law institutionalizing the said event. This year’s Palaro is the first Palarong Pambansa under RA 10588.

Everywhere 3M, Everyday 3M

Can you imagine traveling at night on a highway without reflective signs that help show you the way? Can you stand car windows without UV-Protection that can’t filter the heat? Can you imagine washing the dishes with soap on your hands, maybe with a little towel instead of a sponge?

Imagine a world without 3M. Can you? More than one may realize, 3M’s products have been built-in to our lives making it better and easier.

Innovation and Transformation are One

Over the years, 3M innovation has improved daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. 3M has made driving at night easier through reflective signs, made buildings safer with protective window tints, and made consumer electronics lighter, less energy-intensive and less harmful to the environment by making light distribution more efficient.

Every day at 3M, one idea always leads to the next, igniting momentum to make progress possible around the world.

Today, 3M operates companies in more than 70 countries and manufactures and sells products in over 200 countries. 65 percent of sales come from the international markets.

3M has up to 89,000 employees with deeply-rooted commitment to make progress possible united by a unique collaborative culture. 3M operates research laboratories in more than 34 countries and have over 139 plant locations to keep us close to customers and invent the best possible solutions that are most relevant.

3M worldwide invests in Research & Development in its various sites such as the US, Latin America, Europe and other parts of Asia Pacific. With revenue of $30 billion as of 2012, around $10 billion (34%) is from products no more than five years old. As the race to create new and improved products becomes more competitive in the global scheme, 3M targets an increase in spending on R&D, aiming for a 40% increase by 2017.

A Culture That Represents a Unique Ecosystem of Bright Ideas & Creative Possibilities

The global innovation company has a uniquely collaborative culture that provides solutions to the world's most critical problems. Every day, 3M collaborates across disciplines - from scientists, engineers, business managers, manufacturers, academicians, consumers and more. 3M makes sure it fosters good relations among employees worldwide, and this includes the Philippines. Employees from across the globe- all committed to fulfilling the vision of 3M technology advancing companies, 3M products enhancing homes, and 3M innovation improving lives.

The 3M culture values and develops employees' diverse talents, initiative, leadership and love of innovation. The 3M culture is inclusive, built on Human Resource Principles: to respect the dignity and worth of individuals; encourage the initiative of each employee; challenge individual capabilities; and provide equal opportunity.

In 2013, 3M Philippines received a Bronze Award for Best Workplace Practices during The Global CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Summit and Awards in Davao City, Philippines.

The summit is Asia’s most prestigious event for corporate social responsibility, with over 500 entries from 100 leading companies in Asia competing for a chance to win in five award categories: Best Environmental Excellence, Best Community Program, Best Workplace Practices, CSR Leadership, and Product Excellence. The award recognized 3M for its efforts to build positive corporate cultures that maintain high employee morale, its sustainability initiatives and employee volunteerism.

Rich Connections, Authentic Collaborations, a Company with a Heart

In 2014 3M Philippines again committed to environmental sustainability, science education and community through its long terminvolvement inthe Haribon Foundation, the Mind Museum and science high schools, and the Virlanie Foundation.

The company spreads the love for science and ignites the passion for education where 3M employees live and work. Since 2011, 3M employees and their families have supported environmental sustainability through their participation in Haribon Foundation’s “Road to 2020” project, which includes an Adopt-A-Seedling Program, tree planting activities in critical areas, and fund-raising runs that fuel environmental stewardship.

Since the 1990s, 3M has also been supporting the Virlanie Foundation, a non-government organization helping street children in Metro Manila. 3M employees cheerfully volunteer to tutor Virlanie kids, engage them in sports activities and take them on adventure trips to the The Mind Museum of Taguig and Museong Pambata.

3M also partners with science high schools and student organizations by sharing 3M technology and expertise via Innovation Talks and and career talks.

3M also collaborates and supports government agencies like the Department of Health to help raise sterilization standards in hospitals and public health institutions, using available 3M products and technology to lead the way.

This February, 3M Philippines celebrates its 50th year of innovation in the country.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $31 billion in sales, 3M employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines and BPI gives thanks with Zalora

Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP), a non-profit organization that serves Filipino families in need of decent homes, bring together partners who share the same vision of transforming lives through building responsible and sustainable communities.

Recently, Habitat for Humanity Philippines (Habitat), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Zalora Philippines (Zalora) launched a promo that encourages BPI Cardholders to help Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) survivors by shopping online.

“People have the heart to help, but sometimes don’t know how,” says Habitat CEO & Managing Director Charlie Ayco. “This partnership with BPI and Zalora is a good and easy way of doing so as we now move towards rebuilding the lives of those affected by Haiyan. We have a long way to go and every amount helps in giving these families back their homes.” ends Ayco.

Habitat aims to distribute 30,000 Shelter Repair Kits and build 30,000 core shelters for those affected by Haiyan depending on availability of funding.

BPI VP for Marketing Strategy and Development Angie Florentino says that “with BPI’s more than 1 million credit cardholders, and Zalora being the leading online fashion store in the country, we hope to generate a lot of donations while they shop.”

“Thank you, Habitat and Zalora for undertaking this role with us as we continue to help those who survived Haiyan,” Florentino adds.

“Thank you for letting us be a part of this initiative,” Zalora Philippines Co-Founder and Managing Director Paulo L. Campos III says. “We are very excited in launching the promo with BPI. I’m sure our online shoppers will be thrilled with the 15% discount voucher they will receive when they donate to Habitat.” ends Campos.

The BPI-Zalora promo is open to all qualified BPI credit card holders. BPI cardholders may donate a minimum of P1,000.00 using any BPI Card variant via www.give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines.

They will then receive a 15% ZALORA discount voucher code via e-mail which may be used upon checkout when they shop at ZALORA.COM.PH. Discount is not valid for sale items and brand exclusions apply. Terms and conditions apply.

Promo is from March 15 – June 15, 2014.

March 19, 2014

#DearFutureMom: Your Child Will Be Happy

World Down Syndrome Day takes place on March 21st. Help spread the important message behind Dear Future Mom to help advocate the right to happiness and well-being of people with Down syndrome.

“What kind of life will my child have?”

A scared mom-to-be wrote to CoorDown (Coordinator of the National Association of People with Down Syndrome) when she learned she was expecting a child with Down syndrome. The organization, in collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi Italy, responded by creating this #DearFutureMom campaign:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU]