James Hardie: Living Without Compromise

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Many people, when faced with time or budget constraints, or a decision between old and new ways of doing things, are forced to accept standards that are lower than desirable. Yet there is one aspect in life where there should be no room for compromise: the building of spaces where we live, work, play, and enjoy life to the fullest. 

James Hardie—a highly respected, admired innovator and world leader in the building materials industry—espouses elevating standards and prioritizing quality. As a result, its products, especially the HardieFlex brand of durable fiber cement boards, have become the top choice among discerning architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and homeowners since the brand’s introduction to the local market in 1996.

The brand trusted by the experts, James Hardie products, provide durability and design flexibility. And this is enhanced by James Hardie guidelines on how not to compromise when it comes to safety, sustainability and cost-efficiency. 

1. Put stock in things that last a long time

Founded in Australia in 1888, the company that pioneered state-of-the-art fiber cement technology in the 1980s has invested much in research and development for its cornerstone Philippines product range, HardieFlex. 

Now, the most trusted fiber cement brand by architects in the country, HardieFlex is the go-to material for withstanding the test of time and resisting a host of problems. Unlike plywood, HardieFlex is resistant to moisture damage, fire, termites, rotting, and impact. 

This durable product has also been tested on a variety of landscapes and weather conditions. The Philippines, in particular, is a tricky place in which to build homes and buildings, given its varying weather which ranges from hot and humid to cold and wet. HardieFlex® fiber cement products are specifically manufactured to perform superbly in the face of these unique factors affecting Philippine construction. It protects against moisture damage and rotting all year round, for many years to come. 

2. Think cost-efficient instead of cheap

When local homeowners economize on construction materials, are they truly saving their money or just compromising on quality? Some materials like wood and plywood may be less expensive initially, but since they’re not as durable, they need to be repaired and replaced more often. Result: they’re more expensive in the long run. 

Built to last, HardieFlex® is more pocket-friendly. It can be installed in various applications with minimal labor costs for homeowners. With HardieFlex®, construction can be cost-efficient without skimping on safety and structural integrity.

3. Choose both form and function

There are endless design possibilities with HardieFlex®. Initially marketed and known as material for ceilings and walls, the durable fiber cement boards has expanded its line, offering several applications such as eaves, fascia, flooring, wet areas, and external cladding. 

HardieFlex Ceilings, HardieFlex Walls, HardieFlex Wet Area Solution, HardieFlex® Senepa, HardieFlex Eaves, HardiePlank Siding, and HardieFlex Flooring all allow for a wide variety of sizes and applications to fit your design and decorative taste. 

4. Go for sustainable and health friendly

Years of experience, research and development, and knowledge from across the globe have made James Hardie products the ideal tool, not only because of their quality and durability. It aims to deliver an ideal and cost-efficient way of building spaces without forgetting two important elements: the people and the environment. With HardieFlex®, James Hardie delivers products that are both health- and eco-friendly. 

First, its products are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals emitted in the air which may be harmful to people and the environment. Secondly, asbestos, a common additive found in other fiber board products, are 100% absent from HardieFlex® products. Research shows that VOCs can cause serious respiratory problems in children and the elderly. Without these harmful compounds threatening to pollute the air people breathe, it is much easier to enjoy life without worry. 

HardieFlex® products are also energy-efficient and designed to provide thermal comfort. Moreover, the products use sustainable raw materials and goes through a manufacturing process which minimizes the impact on the environment. 

5. Always go the extra mile

Confident of the top-notch quality of its products, James Hardie provides a ten-year warranty on all HardieFlex fiber cement boards. This winner of 3 out of 4 feature awards at the Architects’ Choice Awards Philippines 2014 by BCI Asia, including Most Trusted Brand for cement boards, also comes with excellent after-sales service. The company has dedicated hotlines for customer and technical support (toll-free 1-800-1-888-5427; or (02) 895-5427.

Living life without compromise seems like a very difficult undertaking. But with HardieFlex®, you won’t need to settle for anything but the best. 

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Season 14 opens this Sunday

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The longest running franchise game show in the Philippines makes a grand comeback this Sunday, May 10, as TV5 premieres Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Season 14. Hosted by no other than the “Bossing of game shows” Mr. Vic Sotto, WWTBAM kicks off its new season this weekend with the return of the famous lifeline “Phone-a-Friend” along with a new and improved set.

In line with TV5’s continuous aim to make Filipino viewers happy, it is now giving greater chances for the contestants to take home the much-coveted Two Million Peso jackpot prize by reducing the number of questions which will be asked in this new season -- from the usual 15 questions, it has now been lowered to 12.

For the initial episode of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Season 14, Vic Sotto will be sharing the stage with the mother-daughter tandem of ace comedienne Ruby Rodriguez and showbiz newbie Toni Aquino. Kapatid viewers are in for a night of fun as Ruby works with Toni in trying their luck by answering the 12 hot seat questions. Will they be able to reach the jackpot round and win the P2 million grand prize?

Since it started airing on TV5 in 2009, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has been able to rekindle the Pinoy viewers’ game show craze. To note, the show has consistently maintained its status as a top-rating show of the Kapatid Network. Viewers have seen how ordinary Filipinos tried their luck in the game show and saw the biggest change in their live. Several celebrities also gamely played for their chosen charities – Sharon Cuneta, Dina Bonnevie, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Coney Reyes, Ruffa Gutierrez and Lucy Torres-Gomez, to name a few.

Be part of this latest season of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, airing every Sunday, starting May 10 at 9pm, exclusively on TV5. 

Power rates down this month

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Lower spot market charges and cheaper fuel prices lead to generation charge reduction

OVERALL DECREASE MAY 2015 05.05.15 – May 2015 overall rate decrease infographic

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said that overall rates went down by PhP 0.70 per kilowatthour (kWh) this May. Said decrease is due to lower generation costs from all power suppliers of Meralco. 

For a typical household consuming 200 kWh, the overall electricity bill will go down by PhP 140. At PhP 9.98 per kWh, this month’s rate is lower by PhP 1.46 compared to May 2014’s PhP 11.44 per kWh.

Lower generation costs from all suppliers

Generation charge decreased by PhP 0.60 per kWh from PhP 5.41 per kWh in April to PhP 4.81 per kWh this month. The reduction was mainly driven by lower charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), as well as a reduction in the National Power Corporation’s (NPC’s) Generation Rate Adjustment Mechanism (GRAM) collections. 

Cost of power obtained from the WESM decreased by PhP 4.19 per kWh due to less occurrences and shorter duration of power plant outages. The Luzon Grid remained on “normal” state throughout the period of the Malampaya shutdown.

Meanwhile, average cost of the Independent Power Producers (IPP) was lower by PhP 0.75 per kWh due to the improved utilization level of the QPPL power plant and cheaper fuel prices obtained by the First Gas plants. The effect of the Malampaya shutdown was moderated by lower prices of condensate and natural gas in the April supply month versus March. Malampaya natural gas underwent its quarterly repricing to reflect the lower cost of fuel. From $10.39 per gigajoule (GJ) the previous period, price of natural gas has been reduced by 19% to $8.44 per GJ. 

Average rates of plants under the Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) also decreased this month by PhP 0.06 per kWh. Finally, NPC’s collections of its GRAM similarly went down by PhP 0.06 per kWh.

The share of IPPs, PSAs, and WESM to Meralco’s total power requirements stood at 47, 43, and 10 percent respectively.

Adjustments in other bill components

In addition to the generation charge, taxes and other charges registered reductions of PhP 0.07 and PhP 0.08 per kWh, respectively. These offset a PhP 0.05 per kWh increase in the transmission charge.

Meralco reiterated that it does not earn from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges. Payment for the generation charge goes to the power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charge goes to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Of the total bill, only the distribution, supply, and metering charges accrue to Meralco.

Meralco’s distribution charge has not registered any adjustment and has remained at the same level for 10 months now or since July 2014.

RATES INFOGRAPHIC MAY 2015 05.05.15 – May 2015 overall rate decrease breakdown inforgraphic

Meralco supports Electrical Safety Month

Meralco also reminded its customers to observe electrical safety in line with its initiatives to support Electrical Safety Month.

The government has declared the month of May of every year as Electrical Safety Month. Meralco said it fully supports initiatives that raise public awareness and educate electricity consumers on the proper use of electrical appliances and gadgets so as to prevent and avoid electricity-related accidents.

Changes in Residential Bill 1 – Changes in residential bills, April vs. May 2015

For more electrical safety tips, customers may visit www.meralco.com.ph. 

They may also access Meralco’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/meralco) and Twitter account (@meralco).

TV5 surges with huge ratings for PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals Game 7

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If there was still any doubt as to why the Philippines is a bona fide ‘basketball nation’, then TV5’s live and exclusive airing of the still much talked about Game 7 between Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine during the PLDT Home Telpad PBA 2015 Commissioner’s Cup Finals should speak volumes on how much Pinoys just cannot get enough of the hardcourt action in the PBA.

With on-court controversies, off-court drama, new rivalries and the undeniably enthralling action between the two teams further hyping what was already an unprecedented match that marked a first in PBA history where a do-or-die Game 7 finals match would extend regulation to a double overtime, recent overnight data from Nielsen Media Research shows that the Kapatid Network’s coverage of the game raked in high viewership ratings, marking a total average of 6.2% AMR and 22.5% in audience share.

This proved to be more than enough to propel the telecast among the Top 9 most watched primetime shows, and the highest sporting program to be broadcast on that day in the National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM).

Aside from being the most watched offering of the Kapatid Network during the primetime block, it is also most worthy to note that at its peak, the game was watched by a whopping number of over 4.1 million viewers, with TV5 even lording over the ratings game against both ABS-CBN and GMA-7 within the channel’s coverage of the grueling overtime periods of the match. During this time, TV5 was able to rake in a remarkable average of 9.0% AMR and 34.1% in audience share.

The basketball fever was also clearly felt across all islands in the country, as translated by TV5’s dominance over the competition across key urban areas, including Urban Visayas and most especially in Urban Mindanao. The extended regulation of the Game 7 finals registered big numbers for the Kapatid Network with an average of 9.8% AMR and 37% in audience shares in Urban Visayas (compared to ABS-CBN’s 9.2% AMR, 34.6% shares; and GMA’s 3.0% AMR and 11.5% audience shares) and 9.8% AMR and 50% audience shares in Urban Mindanao (where ABS-CBN posted 6.4% AMR and 32.6% audience shares while GMA registered only 2.0% AMR and 10.4% shares).

With this historic game culminating what is arguably one of the most memorable PBA conferences in recent memory, hardcore fans and followers of the sport can look forward to even more edge-of-your-seat basketball action during the highly-anticipated 2015 PBA Governor’s Cup, as currently telecast on TV5, AksyonTV, Radyo5 92.3 News FM and via livestreaming on www.Sports5.ph.

LG Electronics and ABS-CBN bring the ‘Fight of the Century’ to more Filipinos

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As the most-talked-about battle planted a milestone in world history, global technology innovator LG Electronics partnered with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation to let more Filipinos witness this momentous event live.

On May 3, 2015 at 8:00 AM (Philippine time), the epic match between Pinoy pride Manny Pacquaio and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather came to life and brought the whole world together to see which of these world boxing champions would reign supreme.

To ensure that Filipinos would not miss out on the experience, LG and ABS-CBN held live pay-per-view sessions for free in select public areas: City of San Jose Del Monte covered courts, Philippine General Hospital, Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Quezon City Jail and Philippine National Police. LG LED TVs were mounted across these sites for as many viewers as possible to see the fight in all its glory and impactful clarity. 

“We are pleased to team up once again with ABS-CBN in bringing the ‘Battle for Greatness’ to areas which may not initially have access to a live-stream,” LG Philippines Managing Director Sung Woo Nam said. “Even though Mayweather won this fight, Pacquiao won the hearts of many and did the Philippines proud. It was an exciting event to watch, and it was our privilege to enable more Filipinos to come together and take part in this one-of-a-kind occasion.”

For more details, visit www.lg.com/ph or www.LGnewsroom.com, like LG official Facebook page “LG Philippines” or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.