NESTEA Love the Beach: A Call to Chillax Responsibly

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NESTEA is partnering with Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), launches this summer’s most anticipated event in Boracay,  "NESTEA Love the Beach!"

NESTEA raises the bar by giving back to the beach we love as it launches the NESTEA Love the Beach campaign on March 15 at the Palace Pool Club.

On its 19th year, NESTEA Love the Beach takes the lead in preserving Boracay’s shores through responsible tourism and various activities that keep the island clean.

To make the advocacy bigger and more sustainable this year, NESTEA is partnering with Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), a non-profit organization composed of over 150 members representing Boracay’s leading establishments, residents, and expatriates, which aims to bolster the island’s environmental, business, and social needs.

Together with BFI and NESTEA brand ambassadors Jessy Mendiola, Tom Taus, Joyce Pring, Sam YG and Arisse De Santos, NESTEA is enjoining everyone to take part in coral rescue & replanting and shore & underwater cleanups.

“With the NESTEA Love the Beach campaign, NESTEA aims to encourage everyone to chillax responsibly—that is, to instill that sense of accountability and stewardship that is required of partygoers, tourists, locals, and consumers alike to keep Boracay one of the most beautiful and loved beaches in the world, while still setting the bar for fun, refreshing, and relaxing experiences.”, says Sherilla Bayona, Business Executive Manager for the Beverages Business Unit.

Everyone is given a chance to have fun with NESTEA ambassadors while giving back to the beach by signing up with the NESTEA Love the Beach squad of their choice assigned on each day of the three-part shore cleanup sessions. Interested volunteers can log on to www.nestealovethebeach.com.ph, powered by PLDT ALPHA Enterprise & SMART, to register and get more information.

Further championing its love for the beach, a portion of the proceeds from the NESTEA pitcher and merchandise selling will be donated to the Boracay Foundation Inc. to fund a beach cleaning machine that will help keep Boracay clean not only during summer but all year round.

NESTEA Kiwi Lemon

To make this year’s NESTEA Love the Beach a more chillaxing experience, NESTEA launches its newest variant and ultimate summer drink, the refreshingly exotic NESTEA Kiwi Lemon Blend. Made from real tea leaves and light at only 19 calories, this is NESTEA with a kiss of kiwi—the perfect thirst-quencher for a refreshing and relaxing summer. 

Leanne Jacinto, AVP Consumer Marketing for NESTEA, shares, “NESTEA is a brand that draws inspiration from the energy & youth of our consumers and wants to be at the forefront of always providing innovative, healthy and relaxing beverages.”True to its mission of being a delicious and relaxing drink that is light on the belly, NESTEA presents its brand new Kiwi Lemon variant that is the perfect company at the beach this summer.”

L-R) Michelle Gumabao, Ella De Jesus, Coach Ottie Camagian, Leanne Jacinto, Melissa Gohing, Cha Cruz during the launch of "Nestea Love the Beach' held at the Palace Pool Club, March 15, 2016.

19th NESTEA Beach Volleyball Tournament

On April 26, NESTEA opens the weeklong summer event with a 2-day volleyball clinic for the local youth in Boracay. NESTEA Love the Beach, in partnership with Mikasa, the official volleyball of the 19th NESTEA Beach Volleyball Tournament, also promises an exciting time for volleyball fans and players alike with the return of its iconic intercollegiate beach volleyball competition on April 28. The country’s biggest volleyball belles Abigail Marano, Ella De Jesus, Melissa Gohing, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Michelle Gumabao, Cha Cruz, and Sheila Pineda will also be facing each other in the ultimate beach volleyball showdown in the 2nd NESTEA Fantasy Volleyball Match on April 29-30.

Summer Party Plunge

Finally, in the tradition of hosting the best and most anticipated LaBoracay parties, NESTEA partners with ZoukOut to bring international DJ Kaskade, electronic duo DVBBS, and the country’s hottest DJs to this year’s epic beach party on April 30 and May 1 on Boracay shores. You may get your tickets at SM TICKETS [https://smtickets.com/events/view/4158], Valkyrie, and The Palace Pool Club.

NESTEA ove the Beach Ambassadors (L-R) Tom Taus, Arisse de Santos, Sam YG and Joyce Pring during the launch of "Nestea Love the Beach' held at the Palace Pool Club, March 15, 2016.

NESTEA Love the Beach Ambassadors

The NESTEA Love the Beach Ambassadors are carefully chosen based on their clout and influence among Filipino young adults. They represent different fields in the radio and online community and also represent the cool, positive, and sexy personality of the brand. 

Arisse de Santos

Arisse is one of the standouts in today’s generation of lifestyle & beauty bloggers. This recent Marketing Management graduate is always raring to go out, have new experiences, & meet new people from different walks of life. 

Joyce Pring

Joyce is a TV & radio host, a musician, an artist of all sorts, & an online influencer all rolled in one. She thrives in a creative environment, and is always interested in growing her passion for travel, music, the arts, literature, and life in general. 

Sam YG

Samir Gogna, or more famously known as Sam YG, is a Filipino radio DJ, host, entrepreneur & all-around online personality. A third of famous DJ trio Boys Night Out with Tony Toni & Slick Rick, funny guy Sam always knows how to have fun, making everyday Manila traffic a lot more bearable for Filipinos on the road. 

Tom Taus

Former child actor Tom Taus is now back in the Philippines after more than a decade in the United States. Now known as DJ Tommy T, he has been making a name for himself in Hollywood as an international DJ.

Enjoying the wonderful world of NESTEA Love the Beach! See you at the Boracay!  

Hotel 101 celebrates Earth Hour

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Hotel 101, the newest Filipino-owned and managed hotel group of Mr. Edgar “Injap” Sia, joins the worldwide Earth Hour celebrations this March 19, 2016. 

“We are proud to participate in the global call to change climate change, and own up to our actions in lessening our carbon footprint,” Hotel 101 General Manager Lei Policarpio explains.

“All our hotels, Hotel 101 Manila, Jinjiang Inn Ortigas, Jinjiang Inn Makati, and Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo, will simultaneously switch off non-essential hotel lights for an hour, which will start at 08:30 in the evening,” she says. 

“Similarly, we have a turn down invitation encouraging our guests to switch off room lights and switch on to social media and join us during this year’s Earth Hour celebration,” Policarpio adds.

Hotel 101 manages several hotels in the Philippines, which includes Injap Tower Hotel, a 194-room hotel in the heart of the Iloilo Business District, Jinjiang Inn Makati and Jinjiang Inn Ortigas, with 59 and 95 business rooms and suites respectively, and Hotel 101 – Manila with 518 rooms in the Mall of Asia Complex. 

Hotel 101 is a subsidiary of Hotel of Asia, Inc., which envisions having a total of 5,000-room inventory by 2020. 

For inquiries you may contact Hotel 101 - Manila at +632 553 1111 or manila@hotel101.com.ph, Jinjiang Inn – Makati at +632 5768557 or makati@jinjianginn.com.ph, Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas at +632 638 1111 or ortigas@jinjianginn.com.ph, and Injap Tower Hotel at +63977 815 1374 or Iloilo@injaptowerhotel.com.ph

UNIQLO Collaboration with Liberty London

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UNIQLO announces its highly anticipated collaboration with Liberty London, launching on March 28th 2016. The quintessentially British brand, Liberty London and UNIQLO jointly creates a unique line that marries over a hundred years of history with modernUNIQLO LifeWear philosophy of Simple Made Better.

The Liberty London for UNIQLO collection is based on a selection of prints from the iconic London store’s archives, fusing Liberty’s signature heritage florals with a variety ofUNIQLO items. This unique melding of past and future creates a brave new fashion style perfect for the present.

Liberty London has collected ornaments, fabrics, and artworks from Japan and throughout Asia, offering the world printed designs and products inspired from the 42,000 images in its print archives. Dresses and textiles created from Liberty prints have been collected by The Victoria and Albert Museum, which specializes in art and design, and continue to exert a huge influence on culture, art, and fashion. 

Liberty London, which has assimilated culture from Japan, East Asia, and the entire world over its 140 year history, has teamed up with UNIQLO who are enriching peoples’ lives through clothing, to create a new collection fusing tradition and innovation. Beautiful Liberty prints in a variety of patterns have been combined by UNIQLO to create a collection to delight and present to customers around the world.

This will be available on March 28 in all UNIQLO stores nationwide. The range features T-shirts, dresses, tunic and tank tops, camisoles, full zip hoodie and RELACO shorts for women and kids; premium linen long sleeve shirts and printed short sleeve shirts for men; bodysuits, mini dresses and leggings for babies; and room shoes and accessories with pattern and color variations available. Price ranges from P390 to P1,690.

For more updates, you may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph.

Baskin-Robbins’ March flavor of the month rekindles the classic Belgian Waffle

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Do you love waffles? Are you an ice cream fanatic? 

Here’s an exciting treat from Baskin-Robbins that combines these two well-loved treats in one delicious offering for the sunny month of March. 

The world’s favourite ice cream brand is offering the classic ice cream flavor that brings back that warm, happy feeling of indulging in a rich, golden Belgian waffle. Baskin-Robbins’ flavour of the month is truly waffily good as it meldsmaple praline flavored ice cream with Belgian waffle pieces, praline pecans and a creme caramel ribbon. It has the authentic taste and texture of a real belgian waffleand is best paired with the classic Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavor, Pralines ‘n Cream. 

For the whole month of March, ice cream lovers can indulge in this luscious frozen treat from Baskin-Robbins in a cone, cup, or as a milkshake. It can also be relished as a 2-Scoop Sundae by mixing two scoops of Belgian Waffle Ice Cream, topped with Caramel Praline sauce, whipped cream, almonds and a cherry, served in a freshly baked waffle bowl or cup.

Get a taste of this limited edition delicious ice cream flavor by visitingBaskin-Robbins shops at the Central Square and SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City; Greenbelt 5 and Glorietta 5 in Makati; Fairview Terraces and Trinoma Mall in Quezon City; SM Southmall in Las Pinas; and Solenad in Sta Rosa, Laguna. For more information, log on to www.baskinrobbins.ph or check out their accounts: facebook.com/baskinrobbinsph, Twitter, and Instagram @baskinrobbinsph.

Filipina transgender Bemz Benedito Receives NY Award

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Many people have never heard of or don't understand things. Being transgender is something some people feel uncomfortable thinking or talking about. Transgender, the realization that they feel different from others also can be very difficult. They may face rejection, discrimination, and even anger from people who don't understand transgender identity, and it can be a challenge to deal with others' reactions. 

Life is a beautiful chance given to all to make the best of it, to learn and to provide others the best  of us. 

One blessed Filipina transgender Bemz Benedito was honored by a US organization with an award as one of four Global Transgender Heroes in celebration of International Women’s Day this March.

The award was given by the True Colors Fund, an LGBT organization based in New York. True Colors, co-founded by international pop star Cyndi Lauper, “is working to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth by creating systemic change”.

Benedito learned about the award when an article appeared on the True Colors website (https://truecolorsfund.org) announcing conferment of it on her and three other global transgender heroes: Lohana Berkins of Argentina (who passed away last February 5) Cecilia Chung of the US and Hong Kong, and Liesl Theron of South Africa.

The award’s primary criteria was how a certain individual challenged the status quo and as well as the ways and means of stereotypical boxes for the LGBT. Next to that, says Benedito, is how the awardee struggled to uplift the condition of her community to be recognized and respected.

The award made this year’s International Women’s Day more significant for her, says Benedito, “because I was affirmed as a woman and my small contribution for equality in my country was recognized”.

To be hailed a Transgender Hero is a very humbling experience.

“Just like what I always say in my interviews, I am not the best and there are others who are doing better than I do, but please be it remembered that there was a transgender woman who worked hard fearlessly in her little ways to represent the Filipino LGBT community as one sector fighting for equal rights."

The recognition, says Benedito, is a reminder to her that despite being elected into public office in 2010 and 2013, “the ray of light comes shining like it never was before, to continue with fight and to keep up with the challenges that cripples our dignity as human beings and citizens of our country.”

The award does not come with any monetary recognition, but according to the LGBT activist, it is more than enough for her and others working to advance the cause of LGBTs and keep them in the thick of the fight despite sometimes feeling that they are doing a thankless job and in the long run allowing even personal relationships and personal ambitions suffer.

“We owe it to the next generation that being LGBT must be kinder and dignified.”

In her own case, the award is encouragement to keep pursuing equal rights and recognition not just for other transgendered women, but for all members of the LGBT community.

“We (LGBTs) are only tolerated and our dream and our goal is to be accepted,” says Benedito. 

“Because if we are indeed accepted, policies and laws must be present to protect and uplift us. Hindi na sana second-class citizens ang tingin sa amin at sana may kinatawan na rin sa Kongreso ang sektor ng mga Pilipinong LGBT. At higit sa lahat wala na sanang mambabatas at boxing superstar na hahamakin kami at tatawaging mas masahol pa sa hayop. We are not exaggerating our struggles, we are here giving a face and voice to the oppression that dehumanizes us every day of our lives while living the truth in our being.”

Their biggest goal is the basic right to self-determination. 

“Then there is our common fight with our lesbian, gay and bisexual brothers and sisters for the passage of the anti-discrimination bill that has languished in Congress for 18 years. Imagine a human rights bill, the only one for that matter, that will protect LGBT Filipinos ay nabubulok sa Kongreso habang naghihirap ang maraming LGBTs sa diskriminasyon at opresyon. In an egalitarian society that has passed the Magna Carta for Women, Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Violence Against Women and Children, the LGBT community is ignored and discriminated.”

Benedito recalls what the struggle was like for her as a transgendered woman.

“It was difficult especially for me growing up in my province in Abra, which is laid-back, backward-thinking and conservative. While growing up, I would cry whenever I would see my naked body as a young child in the mirror because my anatomy was incongruent to what I thought and felt about myself. It took me a long time to realize that I am not a simple case of a girl trapped in a man's body. I found out about transgender people when I did my research during my college days. It was then that I found out that I am not an effeminate gay or thepa-girl na bakla but I am a transgendered woman. That is why, as in all journeys, the wrong has to be righted, the flaw corrected. In my mind, in my heart and in my soul, I am a woman, a Transpinay, the other Filipina.”

Finally, says Benedito, if there is a message that she, as a transgendered woman, would like to put out there, it would be this: 

“Stereotypes are like cardboard cut-outs; they do not form the complete picture. Not even a fragment of who we are. Our genitalia should not be the basis of one's right to self-determination and gender identity. We should not be defined by our bodies nor our sexual orientation and gender identity defined our capabilities, skills and strengths.”