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.

LG Electronics Philippines joins Metro Manila Shake Drill

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LG Electronics Philippines (LGEPH) has provided mobile communications technology to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Digital team for use in the recently held Meto Manila Shake Drill. In photo during the turnover of the LG smartphones at the MMDA headquarters are LGEPH Corporate Marketing Head Ana Salapantan (second from right) and officers and members of the MMDA digital team.

With data powered by Globe SIM cards, the MMDA digital team utilized the LG smartphones to deliver real-time updates during the metro-wide Earthquake Drill.

Food and Family take center stage on TLC

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Relish the fine taste of travel with the sweet relief of familial ties this August on TLC! 

Best-selling author, reluctant food celebrity and culinary adventurer Anthony Bourdain returns with an all-new season of ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN. This season, Anthony has carved out a distinct place as a gastronomic Indiana Jones and his quest is the perfect dining experience.

 Join his travels to parts unknown in places like Jamaica, Tokyo or London and beyond, on the new season of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, premiering on August 4, airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Vietnamese chef Luke Nguyen stars in his new series LUKE NGUYEN’S UNITED KINGDOM. The show follows Luke as he travels and cooks his way across the length and breadth of the UK, discovering the wide and wonderful food delicacies of this fascinating island.

Explore London, now widely acknowledged as one of the finest food capitals in the world, through Luke’s eyes as he discovers regional specialties, local culinary secrets, meets a host of local producers and characters and visit some of the world’s most historic iconic locations. Luke Nguyen’s United Kingdom premieres on August 10, airing Mondays at 9 p.m.

In an all-new season of CAKE BOSS, Buddy Valastro goes bigger as he makes seemingly-impossible cakes. And as he does so, he and his family struggle to manage the growth of Carlo's Bakery. Buddy is challenged week after week with escalating cake orders – from slot machines that really work to replicas of Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty. Cake Boss season seven premieres on August 12, airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

Life is not slowing down for THE LITTLE COUPLE as they become new parents in the show’s latest season. After returning from their once-in-a- lifetime adventure to China to adopt their 3-year-old son William, the couple tackles the challenges of parenthood. Jen struggles to balance motherhood with her career as a doctor while Bill and Will bond over their love of cars. 

The couple stands strong in the face of Will's medical needs, and always tempers the struggle with their own brand of fun and optimism. And, after a long wait, they finally get approval to travel to India to meet and bring home their adopted two-year-old daughter, Zoey.

The new season of The Little Couple premieres on August 26, at 10 p.m.