Metrobank honors teachers through World Teachers’ Day celebration

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To culminate the 2014 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Teachers’ Month Coordinating Council (NTMCC) spearheaded the advanced Philippine celebration of World Teachers’ Day at the Victorias Sports and Amusement Center in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

This was the first time the celebration staged in the Visayas to especially honor the teachers who went beyond the call of duty in the wake of the magnitude 7.2 Bohol-Cebu earthquake and the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, both of which are nearing their anniversaries.

Department of Education Press conference , Natures Village Hotel and Resorts , October 3, 2014 

“We made it a point to be in the Visayas for this year’s World Teacher’s Day celebration as a show of solidarity and support. Through this effort, we want to concretize our message to our Visayan teachers that we are committed to uplifting their morale and in rebuilding their lives following the calamities,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepena, who co-chairs the NTMCC together with Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

A motorcade preceded the program, which coincided with a teachers’ fair outside the venue. The Metrobank Group and the Metrobank Purple Hearts Club Sugarlandia chapter have a booth at the teachers’ fair and participated in the program.

“The NTM makes the Philippines the only nation in the world to celebrate teachers for one whole month and serves as a profound expression of gratitude to our teachers who shape minds and touch hearts, for learning cannot take place without professional and well-supported teachers within our midst,” Sobrepena added.

The participation of the Metrobank Group in this year’s NTM also included the 6th Doña V. Tytana Memorial Lecture Series, with the theme “Let’s Build Healthy Schools,” last Oct. 2 at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City organized by the GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF).

The lecture series was the Metrobank Group’s tribute to teachers whose hands have not only made schools as places for learning and growth, but also painted a bright, healthy future for our children. 2000 Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators president and UP College of Nursing professor Dr. Josefina Tuazon delivered the main lecture targeted at getting schools into the healthy lifestyle mindset.

Jollibee celebrates World Teachers’ Day with exclusive treats

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In celebration of 2014 World Teacher’s Day, Jollibee lets students pay tribute to their second parents with specially-designed appreciation cards that entitle teachers to exclusive Jollibee treats.

Say ‘Thank you, teacher’ with Jollibee Langhap Sarap Meals.

A teacher’s dedication and hard work go a long way in shaping the future of every student. And there’s probably no better person to thank them for all their efforts than the students themselves.

Jollibee lets students pay tribute to their mentors with an exclusive treat. From October 1 to 10, students will get free specially-designed postcards which they can use to greet their teachers and let them avail of special discounts and freebies. In celebration of World Teacher’s Day, the postcard entitles teachers to a P9 discount on the 1-pc. Chickenjoy Super Value meal, and 3 pieces Peach Mango Pies, free, with every purchase of the 6-pc. Chickenjoy Bucket Favorites!

Students can also thank their teachers, past or present, via an online promo. Simply follow @jollibee on Instagram, take a selfie with their favorite teacher and upload the photo along with their personal thank you message. 

They can tag @jollibee and use the hashtag #Thankfie for a chance to receive surprise treats.

This Teacher’s Day, express your gratitude to the educators who have taught valuable lessons on and off the classroom, and who have treated you like their own. 

Visit any Jollibee store nationwide or follow @jollibee on Instagram.

e-PLUS Tap to Pay Holds 2nd Movie Marathon

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Enjoy this exciting treat from SM Lifestyle Entertainment – the SM Cinema Movie Marathon 2!

SM Cinema Movie Marathon is a special treat for all e-PLUS Tap to Pay cardholders and SM Advantage cardholders for their steadfast support to SM. To stretch appreciations to these cardholders, this month, SM Lifestyle and Entertainment Inc. is giving them a first-rate movie experience!

On October 4, all e-PLUS Tap to Pay and SM Advantage card holders can claim a movie passport and watch 6 different movies for free in just a tap of a card! 

The e-PLUS card allows its users to enjoy faster and easier transactions initially with SM Cinema branches. Now, e-PLUS transaction has expanded to retail stores (SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket, the SM store, Savemore, Penshoppe, Oxygen, ForMe, Memo), fast food chains (Snack Time, Wendy’s, and select SM foodcourts and McDonald’s branches), SM Tickets, Mall of Asia Arena, Exploreum, SM Bowling and SM Ice Skating, and even parking spaces and UV Express Shuttles in SM Passenger Terminals in Mall of Asia. 

The e-PLUS card also comes with discounts and freebies from the various participating establishments. 

With your e-PLUS card, you will be able to watch Committed, The Prince, Pudsey The Dog, The Expendables, Under The Skin and Wish I Was Here all for free! There are two way to avail this promo: (1) register online on www.eplus.ph or www.smcinema.com (2) go to an ePLUS booth in the SM Cinema branch near you. 

Getting the SMAC 80 Combo Card gets you a 50 peso load on your ePLUS card, a Super Saver Popcorn, and your Free Movie Day passes. All that you need to do is proceed to an e-PLUS booth to have your free movie passport processed. 

To know more about e-PLUS Tap to Pay and the SM Cinema Movie Marathon promo, you may visit www.eplus.ph and www.smcinema.com.

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated or SMLEI is the lifestyle and entertainment solutions company of SM Prime Holdings Inc. that offers the best in movies, events, leisure and technology. Starting with SM Cinema, the largest cinema exhibitor in the country, as its sole marque, the company grew into 12 major brands. Currently tucked under its belt are brands such as SM Cinema, Director’s Club Cinema, IMAX Theatre, WM Cinemas, SM Skating Rink, SM Bowling and Leisure Center, Exploreum, Snack Time, e-PLUS Tap to Pay, e-PLUS Digital, Mall of Asia Arena, and SM Tickets. SMLEI aims to promote bonding activities among Filipino families and friends, through entertainment and leisure facilities, while advocating the ease of use and personalized service created to complement the Filipino lifestyle.

Asia's Next Top Model OPEN CASTING this weekend!

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The casting process for Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3 has already begun, and on-ground auditions in Manila will be held on October 4, Saturday and October 5, Sunday at Maxims Villa on the 5th Level of Resorts World Manila.

Aspiring Filipina models aged 16 to 27 may attend the open casting from 10 AM to 5 PM and find more information at www.asntm3.com.

ILO urges immediate passing of Nograles’ green jobs act

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“All the laws that aim to protect the greater good… are urgently needed. The Green Jobs Act, couldn’t come at a better time than now, given the interest from the public and private sector on addressing the urgent climate change and environmental sustainability issues,” said Georginia Pascual, ILO’s project officer for Greener Business Asia.

A greener economy will not only reduce environmental hazards but will also pave the way towards more sustainable development, says an officer of the International Labour Organizaton (ILO).

ILO supports the passing of Nograles' Green Jobs Act, says it is needed more than ever.

As a complement to the existing Climate Change Act, Congressman Karlo Nograles of the first district of Davao City has filed House Bill No. 4969 or the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2014, which aims to expand employment opportunities by utilizing green technologies or innovations that conserve natural resources or reduce environmental risks. Congressman Nograles is chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment at the House of Representatives.

First District of Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles pushes for the passage of Philippine Green Jobs Act to create green jobs that will help curb the ill-effects of climate change.

Recognizing the urgent need for climate-smart industries and services, Pascual emphasized that environmental sustainability is a challenge that is interlinked with social and economic issues.

"There are two criteria to be applied when creating green jobs—environmentally sustainable activities, products, and services and conditions for decency of work," Pascual said.

She lamented that people fail to acknowledge the extreme effects climate change and environmental degradation have on work and business conditions that lead to health risks for workers and damaged facilities for businesses.

“An ordinary worker would have to deal with potential occupational safety and health risks and hazards when he goes to work during extreme weather conditions,” Pascual said. “Business facilities can be damaged. Eventually the losses and damages incurred by businesses could lead to closure and loss of jobs.”

But if the bill is passed and utilized well, it will open new ventures for businesses and expand employment opportunities while offering positive benefits to the environment.

“This will create space for new businesses and practitioners to come in. And, in turn, create new opportunities for employment and demand for production resource,” Pascual said.

Nograles, on the other hand, hopes that the bill will help prepare the local labor force and enable them with the correct skills and techniques to cope with the innovations that are expected as greener, newer and more environment-friendly technologies and industries are introduced globally and, more importantly, in the ASEAN region.

Pascual agreed by saying, "The major adjustments and investments would have to be done in the area of human resources and skills development. In terms of government contribution, this would mean rationalizing portions of the national budget towards programs that can support this objective, as well as sponsoring a process that can facilitate it efficiently."

Pascual further said that any change like this one will require adjustments in the private sector but businesses should see it as a long-term investment and their contribution to environmental preservation.

“Any measure that would try to institutionalize a particular change will initially have its costs and maybe entail some sacrifices. This will only be detrimental to businesses’ financial aspect if they will not treat this as investment and as a contribution to a common effort to ensure their business’ sustainability,” Pascual said.

As an incentive to businesses, the proposed bill entitles participants to special deduction from gross income amounting to 200 percent of the total grants over and above the allowable ordinary and necessary business deductions under the National Internal Revenue Code, to be administered by the Department of Finance.

The United Nations Climate Summit was held recently in New York City where nations have vowed to take bolder measures to halt the perils of climate change, while agreeing that measures should be undertaken hand in hand with efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Nograles has also filed House Bill No. 5011 or the "Green Buildings Act" which promotes environment-friendly construction innovations to reduce negative building impacts on environment and human health. This measure is co-authored by Pampanga Representative Juan Pablo Bondoc.

Both the Green Jobs Act and the Green Buildings Act are expected to revolutionize the country’s labor force to prepare them for a greener and more environment-conscious market.

-- Cong. Karlo Nograles of first district of Davao City passes House Bill No. 4969 that promotes climate-smart industries and services .