Cotton Council International (CCI) launches new brand identity

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Cotton Council International (CCI), the marketing and promotions arm of the United States cotton industry, has formally re-launched its 26-year old flagship brand, COTTON USA, in the Philippines. 

Since 1989, over 50,000 product lines and three billion products have proudly carried the name COTTON USA. This translates into about 100 million bales of cotton spun, woven, cut, sewn, and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Cotton Council International ASEAN Representative Kraipob Pangsapa recently flew to Manila to officially launch the new COTTON USA Mark here. With him is Dr. Ana Palabyab-Rufino who discussed the importance of using natural fibers such as cotton in our everyday wear, especially for babies, during the event. Cotton being non-irritant, breathable, and safe, she added, may help prevent skin conditions such as contact dermatitis.

“Our brand has been highly successful,” CCI President Dahlen Hancock said.

“However, the global marketplace has changed dramatically and has become more competitive because petroleum-based fibers are often cheaper. The new generation of consumers needs to hear why cotton is such a wonderful product and why U.S. cotton is the premier cotton for textile and garment manufacturers and consumers, especially families.”

In the Philippines, the COTTON USA Mark was introduced to garment manufacturers and consumers in 1994. The Mark, often displayed on garments and merchandizing shelves, has been a symbol that assured Filipinos that the items being purchased were 100 percent cotton, 50 percent of which was cotton sourced from the United States of America.

To date, CCI has 19 licensees divided into six categories – women’s wear, men’s wear, men’s innerwear, children’s wear, home textiles and personal care – in the country.

The benefits of cotton on skin

Cotton is a common fabric that makes up our everyday wear and clothing needs from innerwear, shirts, jeans, towels, and bed sheets. It is a natural fiber preferred especially for babies because it rarely causes allergic reactions to the skin, preventing irritation and excessive sweating.

Dermatologist Dr. Anna Palabyab-Rufino echoed the importance of using natural fibers like cotton to help prevent more complex skin conditions like textile contact dermatitis. 

“When choosing clothes, one should not just consider the aesthetic aspect. You should feel comfortable and pleasant when the fabric touches your skin,” she said.

Dr. Rufino added that choosing non-irritant, absorbent, breathable, easy-to-wash, and natural fabrics is one way of preventing or treating these skin manifestations. In comparison, synthetic fabrics may contain formaldehyde finishing resins, dyes, glues, chemical additives and tanning agents that can be harmful to the skin. 

U.S. Cotton – purity, quality and responsibility 

In addition to a new logo, the re-launch includes a revitalized brand vision emphasizing three key attributes that set U.S. cotton apart from others – purity, quality and responsibility. Further, new promotional and merchandising tools will be rolled out in stages globally over the next year. 

Purity 

U.S. cotton is shipped pure from the field. It’s clean, non-irritating, and safe. It is the standard by which all other fibers are measured.

Quality

U.S. cotton producers take meticulous care to produce high quality U.S. cotton. Cotton grown with care is soft and white, but it takes hard work, sophisticated technology, and true craftsmanship to bring out the very best in nature. COTTON USA licensees use U.S. cotton to manufacture high quality apparels and home textiles.

Responsibility

From U.S. cotton producers to manufacturers, they are dedicated to creating a better world. Since 1980 to 2011, as result of continuous improvement, U.S. cotton producers significantly reduced five resources to produce cotton fiber. Land use has been reduced by 30 percent, soil erosion by 68 percent, irrigation water applied by 75 percent, energy use by 31 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent. And, at the end of its journey, U.S. cotton is biodegradable and can be safely returned to earth.

In conjunction with the National Cotton Council, CCI works to promote U.S. cotton exports through COTTON USA in more than 50 countries globally, including the Philippines. With offices in Washington, Memphis, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai and dedicated representatives in numerous other countries, CCI plays the lead role in educating and strengthening the market for U.S. cotton and U.S. cotton products around the world. 

For more information on CCI, please visit www.cottonusa.org.

Laguna Water wins World Bank-PPIAF PPP Competition

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Laguna Water, the biggest water service provider in Laguna, was hailed as the Case Study Category Winner of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Short Stories Competition organized by the World Bank Group and the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), which recognizes innovative ideas for increasing private sector participation in infrastructure in developing countries. 

The Manila Water subsidiary’s case study, “Alternative PPP Model: The Laguna Water Story,” examines how Manila Water through a joint venture with the Provincial Government of Laguna has significantly improved access to clean, safe, and reliable 24/7 piped water in the cities of Binan, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa since it took over operations in 2009. From only 14 % service coverage six years ago, Laguna Water now supplies 120 million liters of potable water per day to 62% of the service area. The company has also lowered systems losses due to leakage and pilferages from a high 48% to 12%, and has prioritized water provision and income generating programs for the low-income communities in the Province.

The entry was evaluated and selected by a judging committee composed of independent panel of global PPP experts looking for innovative solutions and best practices for developing and implementing PPPs, who found the Laguna Water Story to be very compelling on how an innovative solution was set up in the Philippines to help leverage PPP projects in water infrastructure. 

The competition received 153 submissions from students and practitioners in over 50 countries around the world, and included examples of innovative PPPs in emerging markets across a broad range of sectors, such as transport, water, energy, and health. A number of factors were considered, ranging from the identification of actionable ideas, replication potential, and relevance to the World Bank Group’s twin goals — ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.

Reliving the Charm of a Truly Intimate Escape

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This is a photo composite of Mahogany and Linden Towers against the Tagaytay Highlands landscape. Surrounded by ridges, aromatic trees and undulating hills of Tagaytay lies Woodridge Place, a Colorado-inspired condominium development providing the comforts of a fast-paced life, yet in a much more natural and peaceful setting.

As Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living, it offers yet another innovative project where families may live with only the finest things in life – the Woodridge Place.

The Woodridge Place, which is only 70-minute drive from Metro Manila, is a 9-building condominium development inspired by the architectural design of the mountain resorts and ski lodges in Colorado, USA. It is located at 1,715 feet above sea level in Tagaytay that gives you unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauties.

“Woodridge Place perfectly shows sophistication in the countryside. Most people would think that to be able to have a true sense of serenity, you need to go to the farthest places and leave the comforts of modern life behind.”, said Ms. Lennie A. Mendoza, Senior Vice President.

Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living as it offers more and more innovative projects like the Woodridge Place where families can live with the finest things in life.

Live your life at the top, literally and figuratively. The last two buildings – namely Mahogany and Linden – are oriented on an east-west axis which allows smooth passage of natural daylight and mountain breeze. Both buildings have 11 residential floors where units’ sizes vary from one-bedroom to four-bedroom that are carefully planned and designed with the client’s comfort and convenience in mind. Each unit has large picture windows that allow homeowners to witness nature’s everyday miracle.

This photo is just a representation of the architectural theme of Woodridge place. 1,715 feet above sea level lies Linden and Mahogany Towers, Colorado-inspired condominium buildings that offer first-class facilities and services.

The two buildings also share a viewing deck that can be used as an activity area for intimate group soirees. Families may go on picnics or strolls in the two pocket parks on bright sunny days. Designed to provide first-class amenities and unparalleled services, Tagaytay Highlands is also home to the first and only Swiss Cable Car System in the country, the funicular train, and two world-class golf courses.

Truly the perfect place to relax and unwind, Woodridge Place brings families together and gives a whole new meaning to countryside living.

Fuel up to help drive public senior high school learning

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By fuelling up in participating Caltex stations from June 15 to July 15, motorists can help provide vital teaching equipment to the highest-need public senior high schools in Metro Manila. For every four-liter fuel purchase, Caltex will donate P1 to fund classroom projects submitted by teachers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Caltex Fuel Your School (CYFS) program will help STEM educators more effectively teach their students who will be among the first batches of grades 11 and 12 in the country.

Photo above shows staff at Caltex station inviting motorists to support and promote CYFS by posting and sharing online to their Facebook friends. 

CFYS is part of the Caltex Energy for Learning Initiative, which supports educational programs that help individuals to acquire knowledge and gain new skills. CYFS is supported by the Department of Education and the American Chamber Foundation as partners.

For more information about CYFS, visit http://www.caltex.com/ph/fuelyourschool or Caltex Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaltexPhilippines .

About Chevron Philippines Inc.

Chevron Philippines Inc. has been operating in the country for more than 90 years. Caltex, its retail brand, offers high quality products and services. There are close to 700 service stations strategically scattered throughout the Philippine archipelago and employees working in several areas of business such as Marketing, Lubricants and Terminal operations. The Chevron products that are available in the Philippines include Caltex with Techron fuel and Caltex Diesel with TechronD, Havoline and Delo oils. More information on Chevron Philippines Inc. is available at www.caltex.com/ph.

Meet Kevin, Stuart and Bob in "Minions" in theaters this July 2015

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Meet Kevin, Stuart and Bob, main characters in "Minions" in theaters this July 2015. 

Directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin and written by Brian Lynch, "Minions" with the stars Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm and Michael Keaton.

After gaining fame as clumsy but loyal assistants to villainous Gru in Despicable Me and friends to his cute adopted daughters in Despicable Me 2, these famous yellow henchmen star in a movie of their own in "Minions."

Minions are yellow henchmen, who have existed since the beginning of beginning, evolving from a yellow single-cell organisms into beings who have only one purpose: to serve the most ambitious villains. After their masters were destroyed, they decide to isolate themselves from the world and start a new life in Antarctica. Sometime in the 60s, the lack of a master drives them into depression, so bravest minion and two other volunteers set out to find a new one.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks on a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind from annihilation.

Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob  arrive at a villain convention, where they compete for the right to be henchmen for Scarlet Overkill, a stylish and ambitious, a super-villain who determined to dominate the world and become the first female super-villain, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, "Minions" is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film.

Opening across the Philippines on July 2015, "Minions" is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Here's the teaser trailer of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming comedy adventure.

Enjoy the wonderful world of the "Minions!"