SM shares PWD social inclusion efforts in US Embassy Forum

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Photo shows (L-R) SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia,  US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, SM VP Bien Mateo and United Architects of the Philippines’ Committee on Accessibility Chair, Arch. Jaime Silva during the event.

Just days after the culmination of the Philippine National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the U.S. Embassy held a forum to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act. The forum, entitled “PWD Rights: Diversity and Social Inclusion”, served as an avenue for inclusive dialogue between PWD advocacy groups and various stakholders like the academe, the government, and private companies.

Distinguished members of the panel included Senator Sonny Angara, Honorable US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga, Executive Vice President and CEO of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Joy Cevallos-Garcia, Be-medaled Paralympian Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong, and SM Vice President for Operations and Program Director of Disability Affairs Bien Mateo.

US Ambassador Goldberg expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders present during the forum, with special mention to SM, which according to him has done so much in the area of disability affairs.

SM VP Mateo affirmed during his talk that SM is strongly advocating for PWD inclusion and that several programs under SM Cares underscore this advocacy. Some of the projects he mentioned were the Angels Walk for Autism, the Happy Walk for Down Syndrome, the earthquake resilience briefing for Senior Citizens and PWDs, and the SM Supermalls’ special screening of audio descriptive movies for the blind and the deaf.

The forum concluded with the agreement that providing equal opportunities and helping PWDs to become active and contributing members of the community are necessary in creating a caring, nurturing, and more sustainable society.

Seven heritage places in the Philippines worth visiting

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Vigan Ilocos Sur - Calle Crisologo

It's more fun in the Philippines! Explore the diverse culture of the Philippines as MyProperty.ph lists some of the most popular heritage towns and cities in the country.

If you attended a Filipino school as a kid, chances are you know that whenever August rolled around, it was time to polish your skills in declamation, singing, or slogan making in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika . As a nationalistic event, it aims to celebrate the Filipino language while also embracing our linguistic diversity.

This month is also an apt time to visit some of the country’s towns and cities that helped shape our history and heritage. You can make a holiday out of your visit to any of these sites, as many of them are located in distant provinces, although some of them are close enough to Metro Manila for a day tour.

Kawit Cavite - Aguinaldo Shrine by Antonio V. Oquias

Kawit

Province: Cavite

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Chavacano

Considered as Cavite’s oldest municipality, Kawit was founded in 1587 for the Spanish Crown and referred to by the Spaniards as “Cavite El Viejo.” Its most famous spot is the Aguinaldo Shrine, the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo and the site where the Philippine independence from Spanish rule was declared. It is also home to St. Mary Magdalene Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines; as well as the Battle of Binakayan Monument, which commemorates a struggle between Spanish and Filipino soldiers in 1896.

Malolos

Province: Bulacan

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Kapampangan

Malolos is recognized as the Premiere Heritage City of Bulacan for its ancestral houses, Spanish colonial churches and chapels, and historical landmarks. The Barasoain Church, for one, is the site of the First Philippine Congress in 1898. Also worth visiting is the neoclassic Bautista-Uytangcoy Mansion, known as home of Aguinaldo’s interior secretary Don Antonio Bautista, but is more recognizable as the site where Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar spoke with the 21 women of Malolos in 1892.

Pila

Province: Laguna

Spoken language: Tagalog

Pila, specifically the Pila Historic Town Center, was declared a National Historical Landmark for being an early pre-Hispanic center of culture and trade, owing to the discovery of clay potteries during excavations in Pinagbayanan in 1967. Some of the Spanish- and American-era architecture found in the locale are the 19th-century Baroque church Diocesan Shrine, and the Parish Church of San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1578 and regarded as the country’s first Antonine parish.

Taal

Province: Batangas

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Spanish

Most famous for its namesake lake and for balisong (fan knife) and barong (local garb) making, Taal has been labeled a National Historical Landmark because of its well-restored ancestral houses. One such property is the Agoncillo-Mariño House, considered a national shrine by the National Historical Institute where the national flag was first made by Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo. Other historical landmarks include the Old Taal Church ruins, where the original Church of St. Martin de Tours was built in 1575; and Escuela Pia, built in 1885 and considered the central school during the American regime.

Vigan

Province: Ilocos Sur

Spoken languages: Ilocano, Pangasinan, Tagalog

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and recently named as one of the New7Wonders Cities, Vigan is one of the few Hispanic towns in the country where visitors can appreciate intact buildings that display a fusion of Filipino, Oriental, and European aesthetic. Its most famous attraction is Calle Crisologo, a cobblestone street flanked by Spanish-era homes and traversed by horse-drawn carriages or calesas. Other points of interest include the earthquake Baroque-style Vigan Cathedral, the history of which can be traced back to 1574; and the Archbishop’s Residence, which was built in the 16th century.

Silay Negros Occidental - Balay Negrense

Silay

Province: Negros Occidental

Spoken languages: Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Tagalog

Silay is often referred to as the Paris of Negros and considered by the Department of Tourism as Western Visayas’ seat of arts, culture, and ecotourism. The city is known for its artists and numerous cultural shows, but its most prized attractions are its well-preserved heritage houses, which were built during the heyday of the Philippine sugar industry. Some of the more famous homes are Balay Negrense, a late-19th-century home that has been transformed into a museum; and Hofileña Ancestral House, which was constructed in 1934 by Manuel Severino Hofileña and continues to be occupied by one of his heirs.

Dapitan

Province: Zamboanga Del Norte

Spoken languages: Cebuano, Subanen, Zamboangueño, Chavacano, Tagalog

Known as the “Shrine City in the Philippines,” Dapitan’s popularity lies in its historical significance as the place of exile of Rizal. In fact, its most famous sites are ones related to Rizal, such as Liwasan ng Dapitan, which the national hero helped designed; Punto del Desembarco de Rizal, where he disembarked from the steamer “Cebu” in 1565; and Rizal Park and Shrine, where he lived from 1893 to 1896.

Source : MyProperty.ph,  a leading Philippine real estate online and print brand that brings property buyers and sellers together. The website’s main offerings are listings of pre-selling properties and properties for sale and for rent. Both website and magazine also provide relevant and updated industry news and information for its clients and consumers.

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Cooking a tastier Madrid Fusión Manila 2016

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The team of chefs and organizers behind the success of Madrid Fusion Manila 2015

“We are excited to host the second edition of Madrid Fusión Manila, which brings international culinary experts from the East and West and provides our local chefs a significant platform to perform for the international audience. This is not an accidental occurrence, but the continuation of an activity that will put Manila to its rightful place as one of the centers of culinary excellence in the world,” says Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. at the contract signing in Fairmont Makati.

DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

After its delectably successful debut edition in April, Madrid Fusión Manila (MFM) will return next year for a bigger and tastier culinary extravaganza. Supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), MFM is set on April 7 to 9, 2016. It is expected to draw together another line-up of Michelin-starred chefs from Spain, Japan and other parts of the globe, including both 3-Michelin-starred Chef Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, and Chef Eneko Atxa of Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, Spain; and 2-Michelin-starred chef Yoshihiro Narisawa of Les Créations de Narisawa in Tokyo, Japan.

Formally signing the agreement to stage MFM 2016 were DOT Secretary Jimenez, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr., DOT Head of Market Development Group - Director Verna Buensuceso, Foro de Debate General Manager Lourdes Plana, and Arum Estrategias Internacionalizacion Director Iñigo Cañedo and Gastronomic Coordinator Mielle Esteban.

Secretary Jimenez also awarded plaques of appreciation to the sponsors, industry partners and local chefs who contributed to the success of the first MFM, including chefs Margarita Fores, Myrna Segismundo, Claude Tayag, J. Gamboa, Fernando Aracama, J.C. de Terry, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Pepe Lopez, Rob Pengson, and Bruce Ricketts.

L-R: TPB COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Madrid Fusión Director Lourdes Plana and Arum Estrategias Internacionalizacion S.L. Director Iñigo Cañedo

DOT Director Verna Covar-Buensuceso and TPB OIC for Media Relations Arnold Gonzales 

Chef Margarita Fores and DOT Undersecretary Bong Bengzon 

Chef Claude Tayag and Chef Myrna Segismundo 

From left: Chef J. Gamboa, Chef J. Luis Gonzalez, Chef Tatung Sarthou and Chef Fernando Aracama 

From left: Chef Pepe Lopez, Chef Francisco Coque and Uri Singca 

Glenda Barretto and Angelo Comsti

From left: Joel Pascual, Anton Diaz and Josh Botwood

“Madrid Fusión Manila 2016 will hopefully reaffirm the Philippines’s place on the global culinary map and will help attract more foreign tourists to come and sample our dishes,” says TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III. “With Filipino foods being heralded by foreign food reviewers as the next ‘it’ in international cuisine, expectations are high. The whole culinary world is looking forward to the event.”

Buddy Valastro is back with an all-new season of Cake Boss on TLC

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TLC, the number one travel and lifestyle channel in the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, will be premiering an all-new season of CAKE BOSS this August! Starring famed baker Buddy Valastro and his cake crew family, the team is back and whipping up amazingly crazy cakes and confections.

Over the years, the team has successfully made their burgeoning bakery, Carlo’s Bakery, a household name. And as the business has grown, so have their responsibilities. But at the end of the day, Buddy wants to be true to his roots: cake and family. Whatever the challenge, the Valastros prove that no matter how sticky the situation, the family that bakes together stays together!

CAKE BOSS is now a partnership between Discovery Networks International (DNI) and TLC in the United States with seasons seven and eight produced by original series producer Jon Sechrist, High Noon Entertainment and Valastro’s own Cakehouse Media. The new partnership enables more creative control globally, giving the show a truly international flavour and appeal. 

Catch Buddy Valastro and his team create the cakes of your dreams, starting August 12, airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on TLC. 

Episode Descriptions:

• EP 1: Everything Old is New Again. After 50 years and millions of customers, it’s time to renovate the original Carlo’s bakery. It’s a bittersweet process as the family reminisces over the memories they’ve made spanning the past half a century.
• EP 2: Kid Crush and Carnival. Buddy hopes nothing gets lost in-translation when he creates a colorful Carnival cake for a local Brazilian restaurant. Back at the bakery, love is in the air as the Valentine’s Day rush has everyone pitching in, old school style. At home, Buddy helps his 7 year-old son, Marco, impress his Valentine by doing what Valastro guys do best… bake!
• EP 3: Naked Fishing. Things quickly get out-of-hand when Buddy fills an order for an ice-fishing cake. An important client requests a naked cake as a “naked trend” makes its way to New Jersey, but Buddy struggles to embrace the controversial design.
• EP 4: The Butcher and the Baker. Things really get cooking when the guys go for a consultation at a butcher shop and take a slab of inspiration home for lunch. There's more than a "meat" covered cake to eat when Buddy, the baker, also tries to become a butcher.
• EP 5: Bacon, Banana and Bling. One part St. Patrick’s Day… one part pig roast… it is St. Piggy’s Day, and it’s a huge deal in New Jersey. This year, the event coordinators asked Buddy and his team to make a cake fit for a pig – both inside and out.

Hitachi Launches 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative : “ASEAN Perspectives on the Social and Environmental Challenges of Designing and Implementing Public Transportation Systems”

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Hitachi Asia Ltd. held the 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) with the 31 students selected from over 230 applications from 51 universities in the region.

High-profile regional leaders gather in Manila to address pressing transportation issues.

This year, 31 top university student leaders from eight countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan gathered in Manila and held meaningful discussions with high-profile regional opinion leaders on pressing transportation challenges facing the ASEAN region.

All student applicants were put through a rigorous selection process based on their academic results, participation in extra-curricular activities, leadership capabilities, fluency in the English language and knowledge of current regional issues.

The students, divided into four groups, were tasked to present what they’ve learn in the past three days and were allowed to make recommendations with regards to the over-all theme.

The event, which is held between 27 and 30 July 2015, sees a strong line-up of speakers from the region. 

Mr. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya

Mr. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines, graced the event as Guest-of-honour.

Under the theme “ASEAN Perspectives on the Social and Environmental Challenges of Designing and Implementing Public Transportation Systems”, the first two days of forum discussion will centre around the following three sub-themes:

A snapshot of the current state of urbanization and sustainability in ASEAN 

An overview of the infrastructural options for people-centric and environment-friendly transportation systems  

Shaping a culture of sharing: Lifestyle changes for efficient transportation 

“For almost two decades, it has been extremely encouraging and heartening for us to be supported by many of the most respected and prominent leaders in the region. Their passion and enthusiasm in grooming the future generation has allowed HYLI to cultivate a strong community of leaders in ASEAN with a sound understanding of the region’s challenges. Our HYLI alumni will prove to be an important asset to bring about a brighter future for the region,” said Mr. Hirohiko Morisaki, Managing Director, Hitachi Asia Ltd. 

This year, providing significant insights on Southeast Asia’s transportation issues to the HYLI delegates during the four-day event are (in order of speech): 

Mr. Arnel Paciano Casanova, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from the Philippines 

Ms. Nana Soetantri, Transport Specialist, Regional and Sustainable Development Department, Asian Development Bank 

Prof Dr. Danang Parikesit, President of the Indonesia Transportation Society 

Dr. Somprasong Suttayamully, Director of Business Development, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand 

Mr. Nobukazu Nagai, Director, International Policy and Project Division, Railway Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan 

Mr. Jiro Yasuda, Division Director, International Business Development & Sales Division, Hitachi, Ltd., Rail Systems Company 

Mr. Mohinder Singh, Advisor, LTA Academy, Singapore 

Mr. Laurence Cua, General Manager, Uber Manila 

Ma. Pham Thanh Tung, General Director of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Transportation Vietnam 

Honorable Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Senator, Senate of the Philippines and 3rd HYLI alumni also graced the event on the second day. 

Mr. Ichiro Iino, Chief Executive for Asia, Hitachi, Ltd. said, “HYLI provides a unique platform to broaden the regional and global outlooks of students through interactive discussions with regional subject experts. In addition, it also allows Hitachi to understand real issues faced in the world, which is crucial in ensuring that Hitachi develops solutions that answer society’s challenges."

Apart from various forums and workshops designed to ensure students rich networking and learning opportunities, the students will also visit Gawad Kalinga Village and Bonifacio Global City on the third day of the programme. These visits will provide students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the various types of transportation systems used in different parts of the country, to understand how transportation and urban development affect the lives of residents. 

Finally, students will share what they have learnt over the course of HYLI at the Student Presentation. Their recommendations will subsequently be published in a white paper, and shared with the business, government and academic sectors for their consideration.

Tsunehiro Takahashi, Vice Chairman, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar (JCCM) 

About Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI)

The "Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative" (HYLI) is a community relations programme that aims to identify and nurture potential Asian leaders by bringing them together to discuss regional issues with influential government officials, prominent business leaders, academics and NGO representatives. Since its inauguration in Singapore in 1996, the HYLI has been successful in bringing the best and brightest students in Asia together. From 2015, Myanmar will join existing participating countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan in the program. The initiative offers student participants a unique platform to broaden their outlook on regional and global issues while promoting Asian values and cross-cultural understanding.

For more information, please visit http://www.hitachi.com/csr/sc/activities/hyli/. 

About Hitachi Asia Ltd.

Hitachi Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. and established in Singapore in 1989, has offices across seven Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). Focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, Hitachi Asia’s business includes information systems, power and industrial systems, R&D, international procurement and Centre of Excellence. For more information on Hitachi Asia, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.sg.