Searching for Saints Among Us : Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award 2016

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The canonization of Mother Teresa on September 4, 2016 puts the spotlight back on modern day saints as the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) opens its search for these selfless individuals.  

JCI Manila and AY Foundation launches the 29^th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious humanitarian award giving body in a press conference among business, good news, broadcast media and bloggers, held at Hexagon Lounge of RCBC Makati, April 19, 2016.

The event highlights Mother Teresa’s “Road to Sainthood” and her compassion that goes beyond the borders of age, gender, nationality, and religion. 

1979 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and known as the “Living Saint”, Blessed Teresa’s name is synonymous to compassion and her life’s works of service to the poor has inspired many to follow the same path. It was in this context that the BTCA was formed in 1983 between the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco (AY) Foundation, Inc. and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila to celebrate these individuals who have given back to the community through their own social causes that benefit the marginalized members of society.

BTCA’s mission is to encourage the public to focus on the importance of helping others by recognizing individuals who have dedicated a significant part of their lives by serving the “poorest of the poor” just like Blessed Teresa. The winner is set to receive a grant worth Php 1,500,000.00 in cash and in kind.

“In honor of this historic event and through the rich generosity of our benefactors who also share our mission of providing development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change, the grant for this year is at a record high,” says Gio Valencia, 2016 Chairman of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award.

Nominations are open to any living individual, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality and religion, who has dedicated his/herself fully and selflessly to humanitarian work among underprivileged Filipinos for at least 25 years. In addition, nominees will be likened to the degree in which they follow the example of Blessed Teresa, both in integrity and in the simplicity of their lifestyle.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award encourages everyone to nominate exemplary individuals by filling up the nomination form on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BTCAward). Only completed nomination forms shall be accepted. Full list of rules and regulations can also be found at the back of the nomination form.

Deadline of nomination forms is July 9, 2016.

Chef Rob, A Food Rebel with a Cause

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All of us must maintain a healthy lifestyle - to live life to the fullest and enjoy a wonderful life. If we are having healthy diet, it’s important to be able to understand the nutritional information of the foods you eat. You should be able to get the majority of vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs from a healthy variety of foods. Of course, we must know what food we should be eating - - and what we should be avoiding. 

The Filipino taste is highly selective and conservative when it comes to tradition. Even with food, our palate is very discerning as we always yearn for that Filipino flavor no matter where we are around the world. But there is one rebel who is brave enough to shake up the status quo. He has revolutionized the local cuisine by challenging stronghold traditions and infusing intercontinental culture and heritage into his food—a feat that he has accumulated through his years as a global chef. And he has done so successfully with pure ingenuity and nerves.

Chef Rob Pengson

Chef Rob Pengson -  An award-winning chef, a mentor, a business owner, a TV host, a creative, a risk-taker, a rebel in the food scene, and now a brand ambassador, he does all of these for his most important role: a husband and a father. 

‘My family is everything to me. I strive to be the multifaceted individual that I want to become because I want to give the best to them,’ shares Chef Rob when he is asked about the cause of his revolutionary approach in and out of the kitchen. 

‘Of course, my family is the top force that drives me to keep going in life. But I also need a partner that can keep up with my busy and active lifestyle. A partner that can provide me with mental and physical energy to literally keep me going! Good thing I have discovered Pharmaton!’

Pharmaton combines vitamins and minerals with ginseng G115® and deanol for improved mental and physical performance. This dual combination helps combat stress and fatigue, and raise body’s immune system for better protection from viral and bacterial infection, while managing inner physical and mental energy. Moreover, it also improve overall mood, memory, and attention. Along with other vitamins and essential ingredients combined, you’re guaranteed to keep going in life!

‘As a chef, ingredients are key in transforming any dish into a lavish cuisine. I also apply the same principle when choosing my multivitamins,’ Chef Rob describes. He further explains, ‘I’ve tried a lot already, but nothing compares to Pharmaton. With vitamins + minerals + ginseng G115® + Deanol, what more can you ask for?’

When asked what’s next for Chef Rob, he shares - 

‘I want to continue to innovate the Filipino cuisine that I serve in my restaurants. Perhaps think of new concepts with my wife. She’s also a chef and a Pharmaton user. So you can just imagine how energetic our brainstorming is!’ 

With this surplus of energy, Chef Rob even has the bandwidth to also spend quality time with his family. This is the meaning of work-life balance for him – sharing his successes, time, and energy to people who mean the world to him.

Chef Rob is just one of the many users who have strived for success with Pharmaton as their partner. And now, you can start your own success story too. 

59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa ends

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After a grueling week of intense competition, it is finally time to close the curtains on the 59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa 2016 at the Albay-Bicol Sports and Tourism Complex in Legazpi City, Albay.

The event started with the closing parade of all 18 regions followed by a parade of bands and pretty majorettes from various schools and universities in Albay.

Present for the closing ceremony were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC; DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Tonisito M.C. Umali, Albay Governor Joey Salceda, and Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“It is certainly an honor and a source of pride for the people of Albay to be given the opportunity to serve you. That is the heart of our hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2016. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” said Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Once again, the National Capital Region (NCR) dominated the week-long sporting event, leading the medal tally by a huge margin with Region IV-A and Region VI finishing second and third, respectively. Newcomer Negros Island Region (NIR) finished with an impressive sixth place overall standing.

“Gumaganda po ang performances ng mga regions. Dati po bihira lang ang makakuha ng medal ang ibang region, ngayon po dumadami na ang mga medals. Medyo pumapantay na ang laban dito sa Palarong Pambansa, dahil sa mga coaches, sports directors and teachers who take their time to train our athletes,” PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez said.

As for this year’s special awards the winners were: Region X for the Most Organized

Delegation, Region IV-B for the Most Disciplined Delegation, Region X for the Best

Billeting Center, Region VIII for the Delegation with the Most Number of Participants, and Negros Island Region for the Cleanest and Greenest Delegation. All winners will receive P40,000 plus a trophy.

The annual sports festival is not just about achieving personal glory but also a time for gratitude, “Huwag na huwag ninyong kakalimutan kung saan kayo nanggaling. Huwag na huwag ninyong kakalimutan ang inyong unang coach, mentor at unang technical official na tumulong sa inyo. Dahil kung marunong kayong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, malayo ang inyong mararating. Maraming maraming salamat sa mga nagbigay ng kanilang buong sarili sa pinaka-maanghang at pinaka-mainit na Palarong Pambansa,” Secretary Br. Armin Luistro said.

The Palarong Pambansa is the largest grassroots sporting event in the country that aims to develop the potential of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens.

It is DepEd’s way of promoting physical education and sports as an integral part of the Basic Education Curriculum.

Globe Telecom opens world-class ICONIC Store by June 2016

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Debuts its superior entertainment center with PH premiere of hit musical Green Day’s American Idiot

True to its commitment of providing a wonderful experience for its customers, Globe Telecom is redefining the Philippine retail platform anew with the opening of its flagship ICONIC store, a world-class destination that is home to the latest in retail, entertainment, music, and everything about the Filipino digital lifestyle. The ICONIC store promises to deliver a more exceptional retail space experience that is more innovative, dynamic, and interactive from its predecessor, the highly-successful GEN3 concept store.

Designed by Tim Kobe of Eight Inc., the same designer of the Globe GEN3 stores as well as the acclaimed Apple store in New York, the ICONIC store will soon rise as one of the most renowned landmarks in the country located at the Bonifacio Global City Central Square in Taguig. One of its most ambitious elements of the ICONIC store is the glass bridge that will link two Globe stores from opposite sides of the BGC Central Square.

“The opening of our GEN3 stores in 2014 set the tone on how customer experience in telco has evolved from purely transactional to more dynamic and engaging. GEN3 has given our customers a new way of discovering their digital lifestyle with our topnotch service and innovative products and services. As we near the launch of the ICONIC store, we are thrilled to deliver a new world-class entertainment experience right at the heart of Bonifacio Global City that does not only bring up the ante in retail and entertainment, but also elevates the customer experience to a whole new level,” says Globe Retail Transformation and Stores Management Head Joe Caliro.

Launching in two phases, the first phase of the opening on June 2016 will unveil the entertainment piece that will house shows, concerts, and a variety of on-ground events and activities. It will feature massive LED screens and top-quality lights and sounds equipment for an outdoor entertainment experience at par with global standards. It will also boast a fully-functional Chroma key studio set-up that can be used by media partners, making the ICONIC store the first ever all-in-one retail and entertainment space in the world.

When Globe ICONIC opens, Filipinos will have a new and one-of-a-kind venue where they can take part in world-class productions such as plays, concerts, and musicals, among others.'

Green Day’s American Idiot in PH

To officially launch and showcase the entertainment piece of the ICONIC store, Globe, together with 9Works Theatrical, will premiere the award winning Broadway musical Green Day’s American Idioton June 22, 2016.

Green Day’s American Idiot is a sung-through stage adaptation of punk rock band Green Day's 2004 rock opera album American Idiot. It features the story of three disaffected young men, representing the exhilarating journey of a new generation of young Americans in a post-9/11 world. The musical is also deemed relevant to today’s youth as they develop the habit of responsible use of social media.

The American Idiot musical received over 9 nominations from various award giving bodies including the Tony Awards, and won more than 5 prestigious awards including the “Best Musical Show Album” in the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Visit www.facebook.com/globePH orwww.youtube.com/user/GlobeP and follow @enjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram for more details and to stay updated on how to get passes to the premiere.

With OPPO F1 Plus, “get the perfect shot on the first snap, anywhere and anytime.” - Sarah G

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OPPO Philippines’ brand ambassador Sarah Geronimo at the OPPO F1 Plus launch held at Shangri-La the Fort, BGC, April 16, 2016

OPPO’s camera phone with a 16-megapixel front camera has been officially launched in the Philippines. The F1 Plus, the second device after the F1 in the camera-centric F series, is being touted as the “bigger, better Selfie Expert.”

OPPO, the global electronics and technology service provider presented the new device retails for P21,990 and is available for pre-order nationwide from April 16 to April 29. Down payment is just P1,000, and you get a free OPPO selfie stick along with the unit as soon as you pick it up starting April 30.

Great selfies whenever, wherever

The F1 Plus has a 16-megapixel front-facing Hi-Light Camera that captures clear, vivid photos in any lighting condition.

Four times more sensitive than standard cameras, the F1 Plus’ Hi-light Camera excels in low-light, back-lit, and night-time photography. The camera also offers twice the dynamic range of cameras without the Hi-Light technology, and captures photos with four times less noise.

“Selfies will always turn out bright and clear no matter the time of the day because of the F1 Plus’ unique sensor technology and wide f/2.0 aperture lens,” said Marton Barcza, OPPO’s product expert. 

“The F1 Plus also has the highest front camera resolution on the market.”

The OPPO F1 Plus features a custom-built Hi-light Camera that takes vibrant pictures in various lighting conditions.

The phone comes with the new Selfie Panorama and Beautify 4.0 features, and the front-facing Screen Flash. Its custom-built sensor arranges pixels in a unique pattern to create clear and bright photos that are strikingly rich in color.

Sarah Geronimo, OPPO Philippines’ brand ambassador, said all these camera features allow users to “get the perfect shot on the first snap, anywhere and anytime.”

OPPO has likewise upgraded its built-in selfie beautification app with Beautify 4.0. After six months of testing and 150 revisions, Beautify 4.0 is optimized to enhance one’s look in a snap.

By highlighting the user’s best facial features and minimizing flaws, Beautify 4.0 produces natural-looking photos.

“You’ll never have to take bad selfies again thanks to Beautify 4.0, which serves like your own styling team,” Geronimo said.

With the Selfie Panorama feature, you can take extra-wide 120-degree shots, as the F1 Plus seamlessly combines three photos to ensure that everyone in the group is in the photo.

“I’m sure everyone will look good in every ‘groupie’ because of the F1 Plus’ easy-to-use Selfie Panorama,” Geronimo said. 

Light, thin and comfortable

The smartphone has an elegant frame that’s fit for style-minded users. The F1 Plus has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 4th Generation Gorilla Glass. But with ultra-thin 1.66-mm bezels, the F1 Plus looks like a smaller 5.2-inch phone.

“It doesn’t only take great selfies and groupies, it’s a fashion statement, too,” pointed out Geronimo.

The OPPO F1 Plus has ultra-thin 1.66 mm bezels.

“When we designed the F1 Plus, we wanted to create a light, thin, and comfortable device, so our O-Fans can effortlessly carry the smartphone and take photos anywhere they want,” Barcza said. “The frame went through 68 polishing processes before we finally attained what we believe is the perfect grip for a smartphone.” 

“With its non-slippery metal surface, users won’t worry about this phone slipping from their hands,” he added.

The F1 Plus’ Comfort Grip helps keep the phone safe in users’ hands.

Fast, convenient, secure

Who says the F1 Plus is only good for taking selfies? With a 4GB RAM and an 8-core processor, this smartphone promises users a faster and smoother experience while gaming, browsing the Internet, or using resource-heavy apps.

The smartphone is fit for people on the go, with a VOOC Flash Charge feature that requires only 30 minutes of charging for its battery to reach 75 percent capacity. The battery also can last up to 14 hours and 5 minutes of constant use.

“‘Charge for five minutes, talk for two hours’ became an iconic slogan for OPPO in China last year. It convinced more than 18 million users so far to say goodbye to dead batteries,” Barcza said. “The F1 Plus is set to bring the convenience and safety of VOOC to even more users around the world.”

The new phone is the first to feature the all-new ColorOS 3.0. This software offers a tidy and refreshing new look, along with increased efficiency and speed.

The updated ColorOS 3.0 comes with a new, elegant look and faster system performance.

Overall system speed is now 25 percent faster when compared to ColorOS 2.1, with home screen loading speed increased by 35 percent, and app installation speed boosted by 41 percent.

You can likewise save time with the F1 Plus’ Touch Access technology, which makes unlocking the phone faster and easier. It is OPPO’s first phone to use front-facing fingerprint recognition.

Front-facing fingerprint recognition

The phone’s advanced ceramic material recognizes its owner’s fingerprint and unlocks the phone in just 0.2 seconds, one of the fastest in the industry. 

“The F1 Plus not only captures moments in greater color resolution and detail than ever before, it also brings a smooth and enjoyable user experience,” said Barcza.

Visit: Sarah Geronimo at the 

https://www.facebook.com/myrns.roman/videos/10207466232306973/

About OPPO

OPPO is a global electronics and technology service provider that provides customers with the latest and most exquisite electronic devices and mobile Internet service. OPPO delivers customers with the most delightful electronic experience that is full of surprises, through meticulous designs and smart technology. 

For more information, please visit http://global.OPPO.com.