PLDT HOME enriches lifestyles at home with undisputed broadband dominance in the country

Tweet

The ultimate connectivity and entertainment experience can be found right at home with PLDT HOME’s contemporary suite of digitally connected services.

The leading broadband and digital services provider wraps up the first half of 2015 with a fresh and power-packed lineup, treating families to an ensemble of strong connectivity options and the most popular movies and TV shows all from their monthly subscription.

PLDT HOME joined forces with Smart Communications to establish the Entertainment Everywhere movement, first introduced through their breakthrough tie-up with Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service iflix. Families are given the sweet escapes and binge-watching moments they deserve with hit TV series and movies from the best content providers from around the world including top Hollywood, European, Asian and even local studios.

Entertainment Everywhere was levelled up immediately after with PLDT HOME and Smart’s partnership launch withFox International Channels, a global entertainment company and Asia Pacific’s leading broadcaster. Offers go beyond subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) content to include live and catch-up television on various Fox channels. Families are thus granted the power to keep up with every moment of the most thrilling sports events through live-viewing and enjoy the most popular blockbusters at their convenience through catch-up TV.

Having maximized its offerings within the home with voice, data and cable television services, the organic next step for PLDT HOME was to add a mobile offer, equipping consumers with the same strong and reliable connection when they step out of the house. With mobile connectivity completing the country’s first quadplay service, consumers can now also text, call, surf and enjoy iflix and Fox content anywhere and anytime without worrying about sky-high mobile bills.

“The first half of 2015 is momentous for PLDT HOME because of all the new opportunities that we introduced to Filipino families,” PLDT and Smart EVP and Consumer Business Group Head Ariel P. Fermin said. “From boundless entertainment to connectivity solutions, we are able to bundle all digital needs at home and even beyond the home. We still believe that the strongest connections are at home and we are committed to adding more and more value to our home-based offerings, fortifying a digitally connected lifestyle.”

“We are pleased to maintain PLDT HOME’s status as families’ broadband of choice this first half of the year with a commanding market share of over 70 percent. Our massive consumer base helped us create and develop these recent innovations which all funnel towards the digital sphere,” PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Head Gary Dujali added. “It is our mission to give more families access to these connectivity and entertainment services to enrich their lifestyles at home and wherever they go.”

For more information, visit pldthome.com.

Eastwood City Launches Food Artistry

Tweet

Eastwood City has unwrapped yet another mouthwatering surprise that is sure to excite certified foodies with the launch of Eastwood Food Artistry. 

The newest dining campaign of Eastwood City, aimed to shine the spotlight on the talented chefs behind its newest restaurants, was formally unveiled during star-studded degustation dinner held recently at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel. 

Opening the glitzy gustatory event hosted by Tim Yap was Megaworld First Vice President and Commercial Division Head Kevin L. Tan. 

“Apart from highlighting the talents of our chefs and their masterful creations, Eastwood Food Artistry was also envisioned to inspire up and coming chefs to master their craft and eventually become part of Eastwood City as retail partners,” Tan said during his opening remarks, which was followed by a heartwarming mini-documentary featuring Eastwood City’s most respected and sought-after chefs who also prepared the degustation menu. 

Celebrities and media guests were among the firsts to get a taste of the Eastwood Food Artistry Exclusives—masterful food creations handcrafted and intricately prepared by Eastwood City’s topnotch chefs, which will be available exclusively at participating Eastwood City establishments starting August.

Among the celebrities who attended the exclusive event were Liz Uy, Christian Bautista, Tweetie De Leon, Aubrey Miles, Troy Montero, Phoemela Baranda, Camille Co, Mikhaila Lagdameo-Martinez, Arnold Van Opstal and Carlo Orosa. 

Indulging the guests in the 8-course degustation dinner were Eastwood City’s top chefs including James Torres of Potts Point Café who served Risotto Balls as Hor D’Oeuvers, Hideaki Tohyama and Ben Gon of Sandaime who served the appetizer Volcano Roll, Pat Obia of Eastwood Richmonde Hotel who showcased his Trio of Pinoy Antipasti, Robby Goco of Green Pastures who gave guests a taste of his new creation Mushroom and Kale Paella, Chiloy Santos of Kettle who dished up a delectable serving of Brisket Sisig Taco, Chef Avi Shani who delighted guests with his newest gelato creation Tequila Rose Gelato and Gregory Guy of Cheesecakes by Guy who came out with his three of his signature cheesecakes Sugar-free Queso de Bola, Lemon Cheesecake, and Triple Chocolate.

 

Coinciding with the degustation is the launch of #Eastwood30Days Foodstagram Promo. From August 1-30, 2015, Instagram users can post their most creative photos based on the particular day’s challenge with the hashtag #Eastwood30Days and #EastwoodFoodArtistry. Contestants must follow and tag Eastwood Mall’s Instagram account @eastwoodmall_ for a chance to win exciting prizes. 

For more information on Food Artistry at Eastwood City, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888 or 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

Quality learning for children of all abilities

Tweet

"Spending time with children of all abilities brings priceless moments, and they are captured through these precious smiles." 

For some children, their life would always be different from the rest of the world. Some cannot find the right words to speak their hearts’ desires, others curiously ask what each color looks like, while some walk to their everyday tasks, trusting the touch of a companion and the friendly sound of nature to lead their way. 

They are different, they are unique, and they are unlike anyone else. 

"Opportunities to observe, explore, and perform experiments are provided to ensure active participation and utmost understanding of the lesson." 

Still, like all children in the world, each child is a promise waiting to be fulfilled. A promise of a celebrated and colorful life, experienced and seasoned with everything the world has to offer. Each child has a chance to live and be the person they wish to be—whatever they are capable of doing so, physically and mentally. 

One World School in Makati City wishes to be the second home of children of all abilities, their haven in becoming the best individuals they could be, both at the comforts of their families and in the society. 

"Discovering one’s strength and talent produces limitless possibilities, such as this boy’s captivating painting."

Let One World School be your partner in honing your child’s potentials and grow to be the best versions of themselves with its extensive educational programs carefully planned for every child who yearns to learn. 

The Preschool and Elementary (Grades 1 to 4) programs give each child the chance to play and learn with peers and friends who understand and accept them as they are. Through these programs, each child grows with a diverse group of kids, fostering unity and bolstering social skills. 

Every classroom is only composed of eight to nine students, all of whom have been selected based on their own strengths and challenges, keeping the school’s ambiance intellectual and emotional sensitive. Guided by two specially trained teachers, each child will be given ample attention ensuring both learning and discovery. 

With the colorful set of individuals inside the school, the unique traits of each child come to light, thus, the Individualized Education Program (Preschool to High School) offers a more comprehensive curriculum specifically catering to the specific needs and skills of the pupil. Various extensive therapies and intervention programs may be provided for to the child to carefully develop the different skills he or she has. 

Every classroom will only have a small number of students, each of whom has their own personalized curriculum, crafted for each one’s capabilities, with one special education teacher guiding the class. With an education as personal and distinctive as this, a child could grow and evolve more as an individual.

This kind of quality education forges lasting relationships not only between students, but also with the school community and each family touched by the unique circumstance of every child. 

Unfortunately, education has become a pricey luxury instead of a basic necessity. All children deserve a chance to be the people they dream to become, and learn from the best set of people. Nothing, not even their condition or financial situation, should hinder a child from being educated. 

Thus, One World School launched a scholarship program, which could give a chance to those children in financial need to learn from a quality school. Children living in the Guadalupe Viejo, where the school resides have a chance to be part of the community. 

The project “Be Part of Culture Change. Nation Building One Community at a Time” dares to change the culture in Metro Manila about special needs education by strengthening awareness in the community that typically developing children can learn with children with special needs. 

The scholarship program would promote a new learning environment for each child enrolled, with typically developing children learning with, and learning from children with special needs, advocating an ideal and truly inclusive setting. 

Studies show that children with special needs learning in a general education classroom have improved communication skills, reading and math skills. Moreover, every child feels they belong, regardless of their social background or their health condition.

Contrary to the myth that children without any conditions will be negatively affected by children with special needs, the presence of each individual with their own stories to tell, serve as a learning opportunity and an experience to unravel in an early age, raising appreciation for human diversity. 

The school believes that inclusive education, benefit all individuals may it be in academics or character development. Quality education is not the only priority in school, but more importantly, acceptance and value for every unique individual— instilling values that each child would bring for the rest of their lives. 

A bigger and better community means a wider and bigger horizon for these children to conquer and learn upon. Every child enrolled can help another child to unravel attitudes and skills that make one individual develop holistically. Every child educated is another promise fulfilled. 

For more information about One World School’s programs and activities. 

Check its website at http://www.oneworldschool.edu.ph/ 

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/oneworldschool.

New Ekogadgets for Ekotek

Tweet

Meet the newest additions to our growing line up.

First up is the Ekopack Slim 6000mAh. It comes in the same slim and sleek design you’ve come to know and love. Only this time, it has more juice to power up your gadgets whenever, wherever. Best part is… it's compatible with most phones, tablets and other USB devices and comes in 4 eye catching colors: Lime, Orange, Black and White. 

And of course, the Ekotab you’ve all been waiting for. You wanted 3G, we’re giving you 3G!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the Encore is back and this time it’s equipped with 3G functionality! Not only does this 7” Quad-Core beauty come with the Kitkat OS, the Encore 3G is now armed with an enhanced camera as well as an upgraded memory and storage system. You can now take more pictures, update your Facebook, Instagram and so much more without having to look for WiFi! 

Get your Ekotab Encore 3G for an introductory price of only P4,799 until August 31, 2015.

The Ekopack Slim 6000mAh and Ekotab Encore 3G are available in all 10 of our kiosks and online:http://j.mp/ekoteklazada. The Ekopack Slim 600mAh is also available in selected Office Warehouse Branches.

Encore 3G Specs:

Android 4.4 Kitkat

MT8382 Quad core Cortex A7 1.3GHz Processor 

7" 5-point IPS capacitive touch screen (1024*600 pixels, 16:9) Display

1GB RAM

8GB ROM

WCDMA 2100MHz (850MHz,1900MHz Option); GSM 850/900/1900/2100MHz 2G/3G Band

2.0MP front /5.0MP Rear camera

2500mAH Li-Polymer rechargeable battery

3G/2G; wifi; GPS; BT;

Dual SIM Card Capabilities

*Online Prices may vary

*Office Warehouse Branches: Power Plant, Paseo de Roxas, Ever Commonwealth, Alabang Town Center, Eton Centris, South Gate, Tomas Morato, SM Manila, SM MOA, Festival Mall, Starmall EDSA, Landmark Makati, Shangrila, Eastwood Libis, Greenhills, Starmall Alabang and SM Fairview

P9.48-M released to begin undergoing major rehabilitation work and restore Manila Metropolitan Theater

Tweet

P9.48M has been released by the DBM in order to jumpstart rehabilitation work on the Manila Metropolitan Theater. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts purchased the heritage building from the Government Service Insurance System last May.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P9.48 million to cover the initial conservation work on the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET), after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) purchased the historic theater from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) with a P270-million fund release made available by the budget agency.

“The Aquino Administration had made the first step in purchasing this iconic landmark from GSIS, and now the NCCA can begin the worthy task of restoring the MET to its former glory. Ultimately, funding the MET’s rehabilitation will not only preserve a piece of history from our country’s storied past. It is also a cultural investment for future generations of Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

The amount of P9.48 million is a special budget release that will be charged against the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). The latter represents the NCCA’s 10-percent share from the travel tax collected by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA, formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority), and is treated as an Automatic Appropriation. 

The release will fund the conservation efforts to rehabilitate the theater, which includes the mobilization expenses for the physical cleaning as well as the establishment of security.

“Rehabilitating the MET will restore dignity to the Crown Jewel of Manila Theaters after years of neglect and disrepair. Bringing the MET into the modern age will also boost our country’s tourism industry, as the proper management of our cultural heritage will support the gains of our economic growth,” Abad said.

Designed by architect Juan Arellano and opened in 1931, the MET was constructed in the Art Deco style. It had undergone restoration and rehabilitation several times through the years, especially in the wake of the damage it incurred after World War II. Despite being a National Cultural Treasure, it had been closed due to the theater’s state of decay and issues with regard to its ownership since 2012.

dbm.gov.ph