TPB and Color Manila Run celebrate fun with Blacklight Run

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An enthusiastic crowd of 700 gathered to participate in the first ever black light edition of Color Manila Run held at the SM Lanang grounds in Davao City. Co-organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), Color Manila Run is part of the Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 campaign as one of several activities lined up throughout the year to entice travellers to come to the country and participate in their favorite sports while enjoying the breath-taking natural wonders found throughout the archipelago.

The event started with a rousing Zumba to warm up the runners. To help them navigate through the race routes, LED headlamps were distributed to the participants along with Color Manila Run’s signature color powder packs. Davao favorites Tribu K’ Mindanawan and DJ Torch Gacuma pumped up the crowd by providing riveting entertainment, which culminated in a lively dance party with the runners glowing with different splashes of color. 

“Color Manila Run offers tourists a chance to experience how a unique athletic activity can be more fun and memorable with the help of Filipino creativity”, shared TPB’s Chief Operating Officer, Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III. “The Tourism Promotions Board is happy and proud to support these kinds of events as they highlight both our people’s innate love to share happiness and our goal of creating the Philippines as a top choice for sporting and wellness events,” he added.

Southern Mindanao Regional Director of the DOT Roberto P. Alabado III welcomed the runners by saying, “Color Manila Run is important for us in Davao because we need to be reminded of the region’s rich biodiversity. DOT and TPB invite you to plan trips to experience the wealth of natural wonders our country has to offer.”

For the rest of 2016, health buffs can look forward to more local and international adrenaline-filled activities happening in the Philippines such as Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, MAYON 360 Albay Ultramarathon 2016, and Sky-athon 2016 Boracay Beach Run among several others. 

To know more on upcoming sports-related events, visit www.tpb.gov.ph and www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.

A salute to independence with Philippine flags in SM Supermalls

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Patriotism will be rekindled among today’s families and the youth when all 58 SM Supermalls nationwide unite to celebrate Philippine Independence Day from May 28 to June 12, 2016.

“Our heroes went into battle full tilt so we can have our independence, which we enjoy until today. June 12, 1898, was the day the Philippine flag was formally raised as a symbol of that hard-fought freedom. This year, SM is reliving that important part of our history by holding activities that put emphasis on the significance of the event. It’s our way of celebrating with our communities,” SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing, Jon Jon San Agustin said.

The highlight of the festivities is a simultaneous flag raising ceremony in all SM Supermalls nationwide at exactly 8AM on June 12. Joining the SM teams are representatives from LGUs, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, academe, the private sector, among others. It will immediately be followed by a Freedom Parade inside every mall, passing by stores decked with their own Philippine flag displays.

To make the event more relatable to today’s youth, SM will be installing iconic Philippine Independence Day centerpieces that customers can use as background for their “selfies.” A special one-day mallwide sale dubbed #PINOYFUNSALE will also happen on June 10-12, offering up to 70% discount on select items.

SM Supermalls has been engaging customers in Independence Day celebrations for many years, acknowledging its crucial position of being at the center of every community where an SM mall operates. The country’s largest shopping mall operator serves millions of customers daily, giving the company a great opportunity to push this event’s objective forward.

Disney and Globe Telecom launched Disney Channels App in the PH

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Disney Mobile Smartphones, mobile accessories and Disney-branded retail spaces 

now available in Globe Gen 3 stores

“We’re excited to offer Disney fans of all ages more opportunities to watch, interact, personalize and enjoy Disney shows when and where they want it. The Disney Channels Apps feature a fun and engaging online Disney environment, designed around Disney characters and storytelling on a simple, child-friendly user interface. Parents will love the Disney Channels Apps as it provides a secure viewing environment to keep their kids engaged and entertained.” ----  Natasha Malhotra, General Manager, Branded Media and Content, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. 

Disney fans in the Philippines can now watch all their favorite Disney programs, whenever and wherever they want. Disney Southeast Asia together with Philippines’ number one mobile brand Globe Telecom, will launch a new mobile video streaming service via three new entertainment apps - Disney Channel App, Disney XD App, and Disney Junior App –  starting 27 May.

The Disney Channels Apps are available for download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store, and feature both live streaming of the Disney Channels and Video-On-Demand (VOD) service offering more than 100 full episodes for eligible Globe subscribers.

All Globe Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers who sign up for their Globe Interactive Account will enjoy an initial 30-day free trial. After the free trial period, users can continue to enjoy full access to premium content with Globe stand-alone offers “Disney129” or “Disney299” subscription plans, or when they sign up for or re-contract on GoSURF 999 and up subscription plans. Users without a valid Globe Interactive Account can still download the apps to access limited VOD content.

Designed specifically for kids to watch their favorite Disney entertainment anytime and anywhere, the Disney Channels Apps will provide hours of fun in a safe and kid-friendly digital environment that will immerse viewers in Disney’s magical world of storytelling and characters.

The Disney Channel App will tap into the world of kids and families through imagination, laughter and optimism via favorite Disney movies and shows such as The Descendants, Phineas and Ferb, The 7D, Gravity Falls, and Art Attack. 

Designed for preschoolers, the Disney Junior App will bring to life engaging storytelling featuring characters that kids love deeply from series’ such as Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Miles from Tomorrowland, Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Meanwhile, the Disney XD App will transport kids into worlds of hilarious, outrageous fun and inspiring adventures with series such as Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man vs the Sinister Six, Marvel’s Avengers Ultron Revolution, Star Wars Rebels, Pickle and Peanut, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Disney and Globe also announced recently that Disney Mobile smartphones will be available in all Globe stores from 27 May, and will come with price plans that bundle 6 months’ access to the Disney Channels Apps. 

“Collaborating with Walt Disney Southeast Asia has expanded our opportunities here at Globe to provide more quality products and content for the whole family. Since we formalized the collaboration in 2015, we’ve been able to bring exciting movie experiences for our customers. This year, we further strengthen our association with the iconic Disney brand by not only exclusively carrying the first ever Disney Mobile smartphones but this time also giving our customers the Disney Channel Apps so that they can enjoy the best Disney programs on their mobile device,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan.

Globe Telecom is the first telco in Southeast Asia to exclusively offer Disney Mobile smartphones through its most affordable myStarter postpaid plans for as low as P750 per month. 

Created for the trendsetting Disney fan and themed around popular Disney franchises, these smartphones carry the signature aesthetic of the Disney brand from its lively colors to matching themed accessories. The first Disney Mobile range for the Philippines comes in 3 design themes – Mickey Mouse, Frozen and Disney Princess. Customers can go to any Globe store or online to get the plans. 

Completing the Disney experience for Globe customers are the Disney-branded retail corners in all Globe Gen 3 stores nationwide. Disney fans can also purchase select Disney-themed mobile accessories.

The Disney Channels Apps are available on supported devices including any iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch running on iOS 7.0 and above, and Android smartphones and tablet devices running Android 4.1 and above.

For further information on Disney Channels Apps, please go to:sea.disney.asia/Disney-app

To know more about Globe Postpaid and its Disney Mobile offers visit http://www.globe.com.ph/postpaid/disney-mobile

DepEd receives over Php 8.4M worth of donations during Brigada Eskwela Kick-off

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Private partners turn over bicycles, boats, solar-powered lamps, school supplies, and ceremonial library keys to Department of Education officials during the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Nueva Vizcaya.

With the Brigada Eskwela 2016 kick-off and the preparation for the opening on June 13, various partners from the private sector donated boats, bicycles, solar-powered lamps, and school supplies that amounted to at least Php 8.4 million.

San Miguel Foundation, Inc. donated 1,000 bicycles worth Php 3,000,000 for several schools nationwide. 81 bicycles were distributed to students of Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, while 150 bicycles were given out to students of Kakiduguen National High School in Nueva Vizcaya.

Meanwhile, a boat was donated by Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation to ferry 24 children to and from school in a remote community in Nueva Vizcaya.

ICAD Foundation donated 1,443 solar lamps while One Meralco Foundation, Inc. donated 10,000 lamps.

The Latter Days Saint Charities likewise donated a total 2,825 solar-powered lamps worth Php 847,500.00.

In addition to these, the National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. donated an additional 5,000 sets of school supplies and also pledged to build libraries in 5 schools in Nueva Vizcaya.

The donations amounted to Php 8,397,500 benefitting thousands of students from various elementary and secondary schools.

Brigada Eskwela kick-off program

The bicycles, boats, solar lamps, and ceremonial library key were turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) officials at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, where the Brigada Eskwela 2016 natonal kick-off program was held.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide program that aims to bring together teachers, parents, and community members to prepare schools for the start of classes in June. 

In his welcoming remarks, DepEd Nueva Vizcaya Schools Division Superintendent Samuel Soliven expressed gratitude to all the donors “who have come here to share their resources to the last, the least, and the lost.”

DepEd Region II Regional Director Estela Carino said she is deeply thankful for giving her office the chance to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program before DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC steps down as education chief.

“We have decided to hold Brigada Eskwela here in Nueva Vizcaya. Every year, we bring the national kick-off ceremonies to different regions to convey the message that Brigada Eskwela is for all,” Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito said.

Deriquito added that, “We have been doing this for 14 years since 2003. Let us make sure that everything in our schools gets fixed... let us emphasize and give priority to safety. Let us identify the underserved schools and let us help them.”

“Brigada Eskwela is not just for schools but for the whole community,” Luistro said. 

‘Kayang kaya pa’

In a separate press conference, Luistro said that DepEd wanted to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program in an indigenous community.

Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School caters to learners from indigenous communities.

“K to 12 is about the last mile also. It’s also about non-formal education. It’s also about the IP (indigenous peoples) communities. It’s also about 6th class municipalities,” Luistro said.

“If you look at the map of where we are putting up the senior high schools, we wanted to make sure that all the way to the 6th class municipalities, there are senior high schools. The special groups that we have included in the last mile efforts—street children, those with disabilities, IP groups—they are all part of this,” he added.

“Looking at the landscape, Kayapa has the best population of all of those last milers; besides, Kayapa can also be read as ‘Kaya pa.’ Last push, kayang kaya pa,” Luistro noted.

80 Years and Counting: Lotus Biscoff’s Sweet, Sweet History

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Before Lotus Biscoff biscuits traveled the world and became a favorite in-flight treat, it first made its rounds door to door in the Belgian town of Lembeke on a signature red truck. The Boone brothers, founders of the Lotus Bakeries, opened their first shop in 1932 and came up with a recipe that gives biscuits a unique caramelized flavor and crunchy texture. More than eight decades later, this recipe—which uses only the highest-quality ingredients—remains the same.

In the 1950s, Lotus popularized the pairing of their biscuits with a fresh cup of coffee (hence, “Biscoff”, from the combination of the words BIScuit and COFFee). What used to be a hometown specialty soon became the national coffee break tradition. The pairing became a part of the everyday Belgian’s routine and was served even in various coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels all across the country.

Lotus Biscoff’s caramel flavor and crunchy texture goes so well with coffee that it didn’t take long for its popularity to spread to Belgium’s neighboring countries. By the 1960s, cafés throughout Europe have also started serving the biscuits with their coffee, and Lotus Biscoff has earned the reputation of being “Europe’s Favorite Cookie with Coffee.”

In 1985, the United States first got a taste of Lotus Biscoff through in-flight samples. Whether they were flying out for business or coming home from a vacation, exhausted on a long trip or rushing through multiple connections, travelers have found an added comfort and sweetness in their flight in Lotus Biscoff. Europe’s favorite biscuit with coffee became America’s favorite biscuit with air travel, and three decades later, it is still being served on a majority of domestic airlines in and outside of the US.

The demand and excitement for Lotus Biscoff became worldwide, so it was made available to its fans outside of Europe, first through catalogues and mail orders in 1990 and then a decade later through Biscoff.com’s online store. In the succeeding years, Lotus Biscoff’s distribution continued to expand to major retailers across the world.

Lotus Biscoff’s product line also evolved to include the Lotus Biscoff Spread—an irresistible alternative to nut butters and chocolate spreads made with original Lotus Biscoff biscuits—that first appeared on Belgian television show “De Bedenkers (The Inventors).” Culinary enthusiast Els Scheppers created a recipe that transformed Lotus Biscoff biscuits into a sweet, creamy spread, which earned her a spot in the show’s finals, besting 2,000 other Bedenkers. The Boone family contacted and worked with Els to perfect her deliciously innovative creation. Lotus Biscoff Spread (or Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter) sold out within three hours of its initial release in Belgium and a worldwide culinary phenomenon was born.

Today, Lotus Biscoff continues its mission of bringing a touch of delectable comfort to those enjoying their coffee break, flying miles and miles in the air, and savoring their Lotus Biscoff-infused snack. From its humble beginnings in Lembeke to 80 years and counting of crunchy, caramel magic in every bite, Lotus Biscoff is still making sweet, sweet history.

To know more about Lotus Biscoff, visit www.biscoff.com or join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/LotusBiscoffPH.

Lotus Biscoff is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Fly Ace Corporation and is available in all leading supermarkets. The biscuits are available in 125 g, 124 g, 156 g, and 250 g packets, while the spreads are available in Crunchy and Smooth variants.

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods companies in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino homes, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes strong house brands,such as Jolly, Dona Elena, Goodlife, Al Dente Vermicelli, and Goodlife and leading global brands such as Happy Day, Old Orchard, Welch’s, May, Mott’s, Cocio, Gerolsteiner, Franzia Wines and , Concha Y Toro Wines. . Learn more at www.flyacecorp.com.