Enjoying Wonderful World

June 26, 2014

Solaire soars to new heights ! #SkySolaire is now primed for takeoff ! Fasten your seatbelts!

Solaire Resort and Casino, the Philippines’ premier integrated resort, in partnership with Air Asia unveils a breakthrough branding project in the Philippines.

The new branding project of Solaire gives the country's premier integrated resort a new identity: an in-flight sensation. Solaire again raises the bar as it wraps its brightly colored livery on Air Asia’s popular Airbus A320, which is scheduled to embark on its maiden flight this July.

Solaire is the first-ever consumer brand in the country to fully wrap and brand a commercial airline, with an underlying thrust of further promoting tourism in the Philippines and in greater Asia.

This dynamic collaboration between Solaire and Air Asia represents another step forward in an on-going journey towards providing modern travel and leisure experiences for its customers, with a fresh new approach to their target market. This partnership will facilitate more passenger and cargo traffic in both regional and domestic flights, and foster stronger trade, cultural and tourism ties within Asia.

“This milestone is a key undertaking between two passionate brands with entrepreneurial and dynamic mindsets. This unprecedented branding project in the Philippines may be taken as a "leadership statement," which attests to Solaire's strong growth momentum in the industry. Yes we are again raising the bar; this time we're taking it to the skies.” says Donato Almeda, Board Director of Solaire Resort and Casino.

Currently, Solaire’s brand colors are donned by just one airplane, but nothing is stopping them from further rolling out this innovative wrap on additional aircrafts in the future with broader partnership arrangements. The campaign will continue until 2016 and it is envisioned that this high-impact ad in the sky will generate more hype and publicity as the partnership progresses.

Jasper Evangelista, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Solaire Resort and Casino said, “This aircraft-branding campaign is a strategic branding initiative which would allow us to literally take our brand to greater heights. We have created amazing moments for our customers since Solaire launched last year, and now we’re aiming to further connect with our local & foreign guests and travellers by reinforcing our brand presence in the country’s airports. Sky Solaire will enable us to get immediate traction on this effort and even take it to a level all its own.”

In-line with Solaire’s “Create Your Moments" campaign, which highlights Solaire as the perfect place to create unforgettable memories, this fitting partnership with AirAsia, one of Asia’s leading and multi-awarded airlines in their category, harmoniously evokes the key thrusts of customer service, hospitality, and excitement for both their industries. This marketing initiative is also primed to open up new revenue streams for both the integrated resort and the airline carrier.

AirAsia Philippines Chairman Maan Hontiveros said, “AirAsia Philippines is a sociable and innovative brand. We also take pride on our collaborative nature. This new livery demonstrates our creative approach to partnerships and marketing opportunities especially with companies that support our vision to grow tourism. We are thrilled to carry Solaire’s brand in the sky and on the grounds at the airports here and abroad extending to as far as our destinations in Malaysia, China and Korea.”

The Solaire experience is stamped with an unparalleled brand of service style, world-renowned Philippine hospitality, top-of-class luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options and impressive gaming facilities, which have all contributed to the way people people view resort casinos in Manila. Many have opted to extend their stay at the resort, to have simply grown to embrace the aspirational and stress-free lifestyle offered to them at Solaire. Solaire Resort and Casino clearly offers the utmost experience of comfort, elegance and luxury in the Philippines right now.

#SkySolaire is now primed for takeoff. Fasten your seatbelts!

Flying to local and international destinations soon!

The 1st International Business Summit on Mindanao

First International Business Summit on Mindanao, the frontrunner summit on Mindanao to be held at The Manila Hotel on June 28, 2014 as marks a significant milestone in the history of Mindanao as business leaders all over the world.

In line with the vision "RESTORE THE LOST GLORY OF MINDANAO", the summit aims to showcase Mindanao to the world business community and to encourage global investors as well as businessmen to personally interact with local community leaders and entrepreneurs.

Trade from here and abroad will attend the 1st International Business Summit on Mindanao. Shariff Ibrahim Albani, head of summit organizer Unity for Revival Foundation, said delegates from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Japan, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and European countries led by Russia are attending the summit along with some 500 local leaders, including governors, mayors and lawmakers from Mindanao.

The panelists to the summit will include, but not limited to, persons and entities which have more than enough exposure and experiences about Mindanao and have plans of further improving the overall development of the region.

Mindanao, with its rich mineral resources, ecological value, human talents and skills, and economic potentials was, in the past, regarded as one of the richest regions not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world.

The recent signing of the much awaited and historic Bangsamoro Agreement has tremendously enhanced the investment climate of Mindanao and has paved the way both for domestic and international investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Events changed the prosperity once enjoyed by Mindanao and its people. Diversities led to divisions and the unity of the people of Mindanao in the past was disrupted by selfish motives. Business was corrupted by the desire to make profits in dishonorable ways and means. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.

However, recent events have altered this unwanted environment. With globalization, Mindanao has started to change for the better. Mindanao is now stable and ready to cultivate and nourish intensive and harmonious business links and investment tie-ups with the global community.

Summit organizer, Unity For Revival Foundation (URF) Chairman Shariff Ibrahim Albani is confident that, with the active and productive participation of various sectors in the summit, bright and achievable ideas will emerge to make Mindanao PROGRESSIVE AND UNITED ONCE AGAIN.

Yahoo Celebrity Awards Receives Over 9 Million Fan Votes and Counting

The 4th Yahoo Celebrity Awards is proving to be the most exciting one yet! After only three weeks of voting, over 9 million votes were notched from online votes, surpassing last year’s total number of votes!

Yahoo Celebrity Awards (formerly Yahoo OMG! Awards) honors Filipino celebrities from the fields of movies, music, radio and television, who are voted into the top ranks by their fans from across the world. This is the fourth consecutive year of Yahoo Celebrity Awards, which are not only the most popular awards program in the country but also uniquely “Powered by You” - as fans have the exclusive power to vote for their favorite stars.

Kate Delos Reyes, Country Manager and Country Editor of Yahoo Philippines was ecstatic with the results.

“We all know how much Filipino fans love our celebrities! Now is the time to show them how important they are to you. Ask your friends and family to vote to make sure your favorites win in their respective categories,” she said.

This year’s awards is made more exciting with the addition of 10 new categories; Celebrity Couple, Celebrity Family, Male and Female Hothletes, Band of the Year, Male and Female ‘Kontrabida’, Emerging Band, Song of the Year and Social Media Star. There are 140 nominees across 28 categories.

Mike Constantino, Country Sales Director added, “After an early analysis, we can already see some celebrities dominating the votes in their respective categories. Regularly checking the voting is such an exciting exercise. We are so happy that Filipino fans are very passionate about their celebrities and turn to Yahoo as their source for celebrity news!”

Voting for nominees is open online at yahoo.com.ph/celebrityawards until July 12, 2014. Users may follow the awards on Twitter @yahooph #YahooAwards.

The winners will be announced at the awards night on July 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are available for FREE at SM Tickets.

The Yahoo Celebrity Awards is supported by leading brands in the Philippines, including McDonald’s, KakaoTalk, PLDT HOME Bro Ultera, JAG Jeans, Emperador Light, Jack & Jill Piattos and Pond’s.

Best defense against the threats posed by ants to your household

Do you know that an ant infestation can cause major problems for our health and home?

Don’t let ant size fool you. They are a health risk to your family. There are hundreds of ant species in the Philippines but households usually get invaded by three types of ants, in general: the black garden ant, the brown Pharaoh ant, and the tropical fire ant.

Below are the threats from an ant infestation:

Bites, stings, and venom. Ant bites are not only painful but can cause swelling or even rashes. There are ants, like the tropical fire ant, that sting and inject venom. These are more dangerous; people who are allergic to ant venom may need emergency treatment. Depending on its severity, an allergic reaction to ant venom can be fatal.

Contamination and diseases. Here’s another reason we should not take an ant infestation for granted: ants can carry harmful bacteria that cause serious diseases. Some ants eat decomposing plants and animals. When the ants go from their feeding area into your house, they are potentially carrying harmful germs. Pharaoh ants are known carriers of the salmonella bacteria, which causes potentially fatal infections.

Damage at home. One ant species, the Carpenter Ant, causes damage by burrowing tunnels through a home’s wooden structures. Species like the red fire ant or the Asian super ant are known to gather in places with flowing electrical currents.

This means that these ants may accidentally damage appliances or cause electrical fires as a result of a short circuit (according to http://www.antark.net/)

The most convenient and effective way to get rid of ants that invade your home is Optigard Ant Bait; it contains thiamethoxam, a powerful ingredient that kills ants. Optigard Ant Bait has dual action: first, it attracts ants so they take the bait.

Second, the ants exposed to the bait bring it back to their nests where they share it with the rest of the colony. This will expose more ants in the nest to the bait’s killing action, including the colony’s queen; therefore, eliminating the colony and making your home ant-free for at least three months.

Optigard Ant Bait kills not only the ants you see in your home but also the ones in the ant colony. Ants attracted to Optigard Ant Bait will bring the bait back to their nests, where it will be passed on to the rest of the colony, even to the Queen. It's your best defense against the threats posed by ants to your household.

Using Optigard Ant Bait is very convenient. It comes in a colorless gel form, so there’s no worry about staining or dripping. The gel is contained in a syringe applicator. It’s best to apply Optigard Ant Bait in areas where we observe ants frequently passing through.

Optigard Ant Bait is available in hardware stores and supermarkets. For more information, go to http://jardinedistribution.com/construction-products/home-pest-solutions/optigard-ant-bait/

FILA stores host the brand Ambassadors' meet and greet! The Volcanoes, Fabio Ide and Tessa Prieto-Valdez

FILA Philippines' Ambassadors - country’s national rugby team, the Philippine Volcanoes, celebrity/model Fabio Ide and socialite / fashionista Tessa Prieto - Valdez visited the Fila store of Glorieta and SM Mall of Asia to meet and greet their fans this weekend June 22, 2014.

FILA Philippines is the Official sponsor for the Philippine Volcanoes starting last year when the team vie for the Rugby World Cup held at Moscow Russia.

FILA has been in the sportswear business for many years. It comes from a long line of athletes who immersed themselves on the art of their sport. The brand has actively participated in several sports events and activities and have supported several national teams and athletes.

I'm also the fan of national rugby team! I really admired them for their power, tenacity and skill.

The fans had so much fun and excitements during the meet and greet with the Philippine Volcanoes, Fabio and Ms. Tessa! Aside from the fan, some fans had bought shirts and shoes and had been autographed by FILA ambassadors, plus more fun with the picture taking with them.

Fabio Ide really loves the Philippines, immersing himself in all things Filipino. Aside from modelling, he is busy improving his other craft now - acting and hosting in events.