K to 12 key to social economic development - Salceda

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Albay Governor Joey Salceda expressed his full support to the government’s K to 12 Program amidst calls for the Supreme Court to declare the program unconstitutional. 

Salceda said it is necessary to add 2 years to the current basic education program to give Filipino graduates a chance to compete in the international labor market.

“Number one talaga para sa kabutihan ng ating mga graduates kasi kung kulang din naman talo sila sa international labor market so hindi sila napo-promote. Sa dami naman ng graduates natin taun-taon na umaabot ng 450,000, kulang sila ng dalawang taon, so kailangan talaga matugunan natin,” Salceda said.

He also stressed that the general public should look at the additional years as added value that the government is providing for free. 

“Dati binabayaran ng government 10 taon lang (ng basic education), ngayon 12 na, ayaw mo pa ba ‘yun? Nakatipid ang mga pamilya ng two years,” he added.

As a policy maker, the governor said he has long been advocating for the program, believing that the K to 12 Program, partnered with 4Ps and health programs, will finally put an end to the inter-generational transmission of poverty in the country.

“Itong triumvirate na ito sa pananaw ko ang solusyon para finally hindi tayo pabalik-balik sa napakataas na poverty ratio at mabibigyan ng chance ang mga ordinaryong pamilya na maging competitive o makilaban po hindi lang dito sa loob ng Pilipinas kundi sa labas. Kailangan globally competitive po ang bawat indibidwal pati na po ang mga komunidad so talagang puspusan ang aming pagma-market ng K to 12 bilang pillar ng ating socio-economic development,” Salceda emphasized. 

He is also calling on the public to be open to the K to 12 reform admitting that, while it may not be easy to change a system that we have all been used to in the past, it is also not acceptable for the citizenry to remain shortchanged. 

Salceda believes that if the vast majority accepts system change pushed for by the government, this will lead to social cohesion which allows the necessary sacrifices to make reforms work for everyone.

The Joy of Printing Memories at the 1st Wonder Photo Shop in Ph

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Print more photos to preserve our family memories, feel and relive their cherished moments like never before.

I have many boxes of old photos as they span decades, piles of photos - from the time when I was a kid, high school, college, my wedding, and with our children and all! It's really great to look through them, memories, memories. Printed old photos is a great way to preserve memories.

I am a photo girl. Every occasion, events, travel and almost all activities in my life are preserve through in my camera, mobile phones and iPad. Many clicks, and photos are save in my files. But some photos deserve to be printed. My love and passion reminds me that just printing them is the important part of my life. However I choose to memory keep, share it with my family and friends.

How do you keep those photos from getting lost and make your memories last a lifetime?

Before social networking sites became popular, people preserved memories by capturing important milestones, family traditions, and every little discovery and printing these photos. In every household, you would find family albums, tomes of snaps in hard copies, lifetimes’ worth of printed memories.

Being the number one country that loves to take photos, the Philippines was an easy choice for the famed photographic brand.

YKL Color, Inc., a FUJIFILM distributor, revives the habit of printing photographs by launching the first Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo, a photography and printing store originated in Tokyo, in the Philippines at the Ayala-U.P. Town Center last June 19, 2015

The Wonder Photo Shop Opening  at Ayala-U.P. Town Center, Quezon City, June 19, 2015.

“We believe that we can show the Filipinos the excitement in capturing memories and bringing their memories to life by printing their photos,” says Yu Tung Tung president of YKL Color, Inc.

Established in 1934, FUJIFILM Corporation is the first Japanese producer of photographic films. In the decades that followed, the company diversified into other markets. The company has survived and thrived even in the era of digital photography by focusing on the user experience. YKL Color, Inc., a distributor of FUJIFILM products, runs Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo with support from FUJIFILM Philippines Inc.

A fun, enjoyable, multi-pronged experience is what awaits the public at the first Wonder Photo Shopin the Philippines.

Part store, part print center, and part workshop hub, Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo in U.P. Town Center is a one-stop boutique and learning center that offers an array of products and services: a Selfie Studio, where customers can delight in taking and printing complex photos; printing services with high-quality professional paper, photobook service, WPS (Wonder Print Station) kiosk printer, which provides a variety of quick photo printing; photo accessories such as washi tapes, fancy photo albums, photo frames and stickers and Fujifilm Instax and digital cameras.

The Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo in U.P. Town Center closely resembles the two-year-old Wonder Photo Shop in Tokyo. It is almost the same except that there are more printing options at Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo in the Philippines. Customers can print on different materials like glass, cork boards, sintra boards, wood boards and canvasses. There are also the much-anticipated complex prints. 

In the age of selfies, the process of actually printing a photo for younger generations has become a tedious chore. YKL Color, Inc. embraces the so-called selfie generation and brings back excitement to the art of photo printing by giving it a fresh, young, trendy take. 

“The photo itself is necessary and interesting, and as long as we provide excitement to printing photos, people will enjoy prints,” stresses Tung Tung. 

Filipinos are a sentimental lot. They love chronicling moments in their lives spent with family, friends, and loved ones. They take pleasure in looking at and sharing to the world snaps taken during a child’s graduation day, an office outing, a relative’s birthday, their many travels, a dinner date with one’s spouse. These photographs serve as mementos that remind us of days well spent, challenges met head-on, friendships forged along the way. And nothing beats having these memories printed bursting with colors on vivid prints.

With YKL Color, Inc. and at Wonder Photo Shop-Tokyo, the task of printing memories becomes a communal activity where everyone we hold dear can take a part in.

Shop in RP YKL Color, Inc. brings back the joy of printing memories at first Wonder Photo.

Just printing the photos is a step in preserving our family’s memories.

Here's "Keeping the Memories Alive" by Mikoy Morales and Issa Rodriguez.

For more information, visit www.yklcolor.com. Contact +632 743-6601 to 06 or email digital_info@yklcolor.com.

Photos : Art & Travel Magazine

Teaming the Art of Football with Exquisite Phones: FC Barcelona & OPPO Announce Partnership

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Local fans of smartphone brand OPPO and Spanish football team FC Barcelona, two winning global brands that have become more and more popular in the Philippines, have twice the more reason to cheer nowadays after the recent teaming up of the art of football and exquisite phones.

After a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on May 30 (Spanish local time), FC Barcelona announced their partnership with smartphone brand OPPO.

Thus, starting from the new football season this year, OPPO will be collaborating with FC Barcelona as their official partner for the mobile phone category.

The players of the first team gave a warm welcome to OPPO

FC Barcelona Chief Executive Officer Ignacio Mestre expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “OPPO is a global leading smartphone brand known for its exquisite product design and state-of-the-art camera technologies. We are more than happy to welcome OPPO to our family and hope this partnership can bring us closer to our supporters all over the world.”

According to Tony Chen, CEO of OPPO, the company chose FC Barcelona not only because of their status as an iconic world class football club but also because they represent the art of football. He described the partnership with FC Barcelona as an important step in OPPO’s global marketing strategy.

Teaming with OPPO was both unexpected, yet balanced for FC Barcelona, who always follows strict criteria when selecting partners. FC Barcelona is known for playing football as a fine art, supported by superb skills and excellent teamwork of their players and making every match a feast for the eyes.

Such competitive artistry is very much in line with OPPO’s pursuit of perfection and artistry of their products by combining inspired design and sophisticated manufacturing.

Another point which unites FC Barcelona and OPPO is their shared ability to lead trends. From the Dream Team in the Cruyff era to the four-time Champions League winners, FC Barcelona have always been at the forefront of football.

FC Barcelona just won the Copa del Rey for the 27th time

In the case of OPPO, over the ten years since their inception, they have introduced a stunning range of awesome products, from eye-opening MP3 devices to world-renowned Blu-ray players.

Creating the then world’s thinnest phone ‘Finder’, the globe’s first motorized rotating camera phone the ‘N3’ and the planet’s fastest rapid-charging technology VOOC, OPPO has never failed to impress and delight.

The two partners – each with an army of fans around the world including in the Philippines – also have much in common in repaying their audience in a similar fan culture. 

Ollie, the mascot of OPPO, stands alongside FC Barcelona

Though details of the partnership have not been disclosed, it is certain that they will cooperate in extensive fields including football events, fan activities, TV advertising, and accessories.

FC Barcelona fans will be able to see OPPO’s presence in the club’s matches from the new season this year. In a couple of days, FC Barcelona who have won two consecutive championship titles to their name, will kick off the last push towards the Champions League final, whetting the keen anticipation of fans worldwide.

About FC Barcelona 

FC Barcelona was founded on November 29, 1899 by initiative of a Swiss gentleman called Hans Maximilian Gamper, popularly known as Joan Gamper. Since it was founded, the club has had 44 different presidents. From Walter Wild to Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barça has grown into a massive social phenomenon that reaches far beyond the bounds of mere sport. The club has grown along with the city around it, and has come to represent Barcelona and Catalonia all around the world.

FC Barcelona is one of the football clubs with more members in the world and its achievements have also made it one of the most successful. The many famous victories and all-time greats that have played for the club (Kubala, Cruyff, Maradona, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi, and so many more) form an important part of the Barça legacy. But these would be no more than historical anecdotes if it wasn’t for the extraordinary social reality behind the events.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global technology brand dedicated to providing consumers across the Americas, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and Asia with pioneering products that never fail to inspire and excite. At OPPO we design, manufacture, and promote our own products, combining innovative technology with unique design, to ensure our customers always receive the best.

Founded in 2004, OPPO quickly proved itself in the market with its intense obsession to details. Each OPPO product encompasses a carefully selected array of attributes to specifically cater for users, combining impressive features with elegant designs. After entering the mobile phone market in 2008, OPPO quickly expanded into overseas markets a year later. OPPO mobile phones are currently available in over 20 markets and offered for online purchase in over 50 additional countries, with the brand already registered in 116 countries as of April 2015.

But OPPO doesn’t stop there. Using our passion for design and commitment to new technologies, OPPO has made a big impact in the audio-visual market by offering world-renowned, premium Blu-ray players in the United States and across Europe. For more information, please visit http://www.oppo.com/en/.

Dremel partners with skilled hobbyist Sonny Limjap

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Multi-tool industry leader Dremel recently welcomed renowned Cab1net founder and administrator Sonny Limjap as the brand’s newest Rotary Tools ambassador. Dremel’s partnership with Sonny aims to showcase Dremel tools’ powerful features that will benefit any craftsman as he creates his projects. 

Woodworker hobbyist Sonny Limjap (Right)

“We at Dremel offer products and services that deliver the best results, such as our line of multi-tools and accessories,” says Michelle Espinosa, Brand Manager of Dremel Philippines.

“We are delighted to welcome Sonny to the Dremel family. With his technical know-how and vast experience in craft making, we are confident that our joint efforts will promote the complete and flexible solutions of Dremel.”

Sonny has been using Dremel tools since 1982. A skilled woodworker, DIY enthusiast and hobbyist, Sonny has worked with various materials such as acrylics, teal, metal, and stone, but wood, according to Sonny, is special. 

He started woodworking in 2006 after a long career as a professional in the automotive industry. He inherited his passion for woodworking from his grandfather, who Sonny says is a “jack of all trades and master of all”. He is Sonny’s inspiration in pursuing this craft. “As a child, I spent a lot of time with my Lolo. I was always curious about his impressive old toolbox for home repairs, so I decided to tinker with it and created my first project – a computer case,” Sonny said. 

He continues to hone his craftsmanship skills by studying woodworking lessons online and recreating them using his Dremel tools. “It’s one thing to know something, and another thing to do it,” he said. 

“To become genuinely good, you must apply the things you learn. I strive to do that with my craft everyday.”

Sonny proudly shared that Dremel is his go-to brand of tools for his smaller projects, which enable him to finish quicker without compromising craftsmanship and quality. “It’s perfect for the application. I can get into the micro-details, unlike other tools. The wide selection of accessories and its industrial design are just bonuses to an already very good Dremel tools lineup,” he said. “Dremel stands out because it definitely makes my life easier.”

From miniature home embellishments to 14-foot conference tables, Sonny now has a collection of customized furniture which patrons may purchase from his own shop. Aside from woodworking, Sonny maintains his founding website www.Cab1net.com, an online network of builders, carpenters and architects. 

To check out Sonny’s creations, visit his YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/timber175. 

For more info about Dremel, visit www.dremel.com.ph and www.bosch-pt.com.ph or visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DremelPH

German-PH trade and investment remain on upswing

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German trade with the Philippines continues to be on an uptrend, with bilateral trade registering a record-high of 38.1 percent increase in the first quarter of 2015 amidst positive feedback of the country’s business climate.

Trade volume between Germany and the Philippines showed a landmark increase to US$ 1.57-billion in 2015 from US$ 1.17-billion registered for the same period last year.

Trade growth remains in favor of the Philippines with exports increased to US$860.6 million during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the US$758.2 Million during the same period last year, according to data by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) lauded the double digit growth saying it is proof of the growing interest of German companies in the country. 

GPCCI executive director Peter Kompalla cited the latest P3.77-billion contract of German company Voith Turbo to supply railway components and drive-lines for the new 48 light rail vehicle train sets for the MRT3 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Voith Turbo, represented in the Philippines by Maschinen & Technik, Inc. (MATEC) in the last 36 years is a leader in German drive technology.

Likewise, Kompalla said he is confident that German firms such as Matec Solar Power, engaged in Renewable Energy, will increase presence in the Philippines, which is rich in natural energy resources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric.

Total trade between the two countries reached US$5.24 billion in 2014 from US$ 4.48 billion in 2013.

Kompalla said the double digit growth valued at US$760 million can be attributed to the growing interest of German companies to trade with and invest in the Philippines.

In a press statement, he said the aggressive promotion of the Philippines as an emerging investment destination in Southeast Asia has paid off.

“The Philippines is indeed back in the radar screen of German investors,” the GPCCI official said.

He said many factors contribute to the growing interest in the Philippines such as governance reforms of the Aquino administration and the positive investments grade outlook by credible institutions such as Moody’s and Standard and Poors.

Increase in bilateral trade volume remains in favor of the Philippines with export growth to Germany at 16 per cent to US$3 billion in 2014 compared to US$2.59 billion in 2013.

At the same time, German exports to the Philippines grew by 18 per cent to US$2.24 billion in 2014 from US$ 1.90 billion in 2013

Kompala welcomed the renewed interest of German investors in the Philippines following a more than ten year lull.

GPCCI figures showed that top Philippine exports to Germany include data processing equipment, electrical and optical products; electrical equipment; clothing; food and fodder; as well as chemical products.

On the other hand, top German exports to the Philippines include data processing equipment; electrical and optical products; food and fodder; other vehicles; pharmaceuticals and related and chemical products.

Top German investors in the Philippines include Continental, Lufthansa, car manufacturer Volkswagen, Steag, Bayer, Deutsche Bank and SGV.

German investors are also expanding Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations in the Philippines for their accounting and banking services as the country becomes the world’s top BPO center surpassing India.