BGC Bus and AF Payments Inc. have announced that BGC Buses are now using the beep™ card system on limited public trial. Commuters who have a beep™ card may already use them to pay for their BGC Bus rides. Fare remains at P12 per ride.
“We are pleased to partner with BGC Bus as this will move us closer to our goal of making the beep™ card an all-in-one card for commuters in Metro Manila. BGC Buses serve thousands of commuters daily and our goal is to be able to provide them with a reliable and efficient payment system, especially those who hop from the MRT or the LRT to the bus,” said Peter Maher, CEO and President of AF Payments Inc.
“BGC Bus commuters can conveniently purchase and load their beep™ cards in the Ayala and Market Market Terminal. This is in addition to selected Bayad Center, Tambunting, Villarica and SM Bills Payment Counter locations, which also offer re-loading services for beep™ cards. There are also plans to add more loading locations in the coming months, including leading convenience stores,” added Maher.
“We are excited to announce this integration because this gives our BGCitizen commuters more convenience in their daily commute,” said Mr. Jun Galvez, GM of Bonifacio Transport Corporation.
The BGC Bus line connects BGC to EDSA and Ayala Center. It has a Euro-5 compliant fleet and operates 24/7 to serve thousands of commuters, mostly employees who work in BGC and Makati. BGC Bus also takes pride in its information systems, whereby waiting time for the next bus can be accessed using the BGC app, and are also shown in most bus stops within BGC.
BGC is a financial and lifestyle district in Taguig City. It is home to contemporary office blocks, storied high streets, and parks. It has grown into an urban oasis of unique selections for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
The beep™ card replaced the old Tap BGC stored value card. It can be purchased and reloaded at the BGC Bus Ayala and Market Market terminals as well as all LRT and MRT stations. It is reloadable and is valid for four years.
More information about beep™ is available at and on Facebook (beep card) and Twitter (@beep_card).
The AEOLUS Tyres Co., Ltd is a subsidiary of ChemChina – a leading tyre manufacturer in the region, and the biggest shareholder of both Aeolus and Pirelli tyres.
AEOLUS was founded in 1965, starting out as a producer of heavy duty and off-road tyres for trucks and earth-moving machinery around the globe. Today, the company’s over 50 years of experience has expanded into the fabrication of radials for passenger, private, and other commercial vehicles as well.
The group’s global headquarters and manufacturing facility in JiaoZuo in Henan, China sits on a total space of 1.3 million square meters and employs over 9,000 people. It boasts an annual production capacity of five million tires. This exceptional company sets out to constantly redefine international benchmarks, with quality control as one of the company’s highest priorities.
All AEOLUS manufacturing facilities across the globe operate according to strict quality guidelines and management standards, and are ISO 9001, ISO 9002, ISO 14001, ISO/TS16949, and ISO/IEC 17025 certified – along with other global safety and quality certifications.
Mr. Gerard Tan is President/CEO of Southgate Express Marketing, sole distributor of Aeolus Tyres in the Philippines.
AEOLUS invests heavily in tyre innovation and evolution, and has an advanced Technology Center and four Research and Development Institutes for elastomers and tyres. These make it possible to offer groundbreaking technology to millions of customers around the world. This emphasis on leading edge technology and the guarantee of exceptional quality is heightened by a strict focus on bringing together the requirements and needs of the market, a keen eye for detail, advanced materials, and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.
AEOLUS, the company and its products, are designed to offer eight key advantages:
1) They are ECO-FRIENDLY, the tyres are manufactured under the most stringent environmental conditions;
2) INNOVATIVE, the group’s developments correspond with the latest, cutting edge technology and science;
3) HIGH-QUALITY, all AEOLUS products are tested under the most rigorous conditions to the highest quality standards;
4) HOME-MADE, all the tyres are manufactured in the AEOLUS’ own production facilities;
5) SUSTAINABLE, the company is strongly committed to the preservation of the environment – each product is designed to reduce CO2 emissions and noise levels;
6) COST EFFECTIVE, AEOLUS works to guarantee an extremely good price-versus-performance ratio;
7) DURABLE, the tyres have a long service life, even under heavy loads; and
8) SAFE, AEOLUS’ products, manufacturing processes, and management systems conform to the highest safety standards.
Today, AEOLUS is the fifth largest Chinese tyre company, and one of the 23 largest tyre makers in the world. AEOLUS tyres are trusted by millions of users worldwide with the company’s global marketing footprint extending to over 140 countries – with a special focus on Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Introducing, the AEOLUS SteeringACE2 AU04
In the Philippines, AEOLUS, began by selling truck, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment tyres. About three years ago, the company introduced into the country their PCRs, or Passenger Car Radials, and in April of 2016, its second generation PCR’s hit the local market:
Welcome the AEOLUS SteeringACE2 AU04, a more advanced, and further enhanced Extreme Performance Summer Tyre developed for serious sports car, sports coupe, and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for superior traction and the best “stability of steering” and “brake performance” around.
The new AU04 belongs to the AEOLUS “ACE” series, a unique line of radials created to offer several advantages: Optimum grip on wet surfaces; long service life; good driving behavior; modern tread design; and, low rolling resistance.
The next generation AEOLUS ACE2 series was release in 2015; and, to date, has already passed the TÜV SÜD Tire Test Mark. TÜV SÜD is a global testing, certification, inspection, and training provider dedicated to assessing quality, evaluating sustainability, solving problems in technology, and adding tangible economic value to its customers. It is the top tire-testing facility in the world. Headquartered in Munich, Germany and founded in 1866, TÜV SÜD is one of the world's leading technical service organizations. The TÜV SÜD Mark on a product indicates exemplary quality, reliability, and sustainability.
The Aeolus SteeringAce2 AU04 is a very rare breed of tyre. It is an Extreme Performance tyre that beautifully melds top quality and performance backed by state-of-the-art technology and research, with an affordable price. The tyres cost nearly half the price of the world’s top tyre brands, yet tests have repeatedly shown that they’re just as good when it comes to road or driving performance!
Key to the AU04’s impeccable performance is its design features. It has been engineered with a technologically advanced silica compound, this nanotechnology improves handling, braking, and tread wear performance. Four longitudinal grooves with two linked V-shape shoulder blocks provide excellent water evacuation to avoid aquaplaning. A continuous, solid central rib transfers lateral forces to help provide excellent stability at highway speeds. The radials also have a large shoulder block design that provides long mileage and improves steering stability.
Proving a Point, Beyond any Doubt
AEOLUS Philippines didn’t just introduce the SteeringACE2 AU04 to the local market. They wanted to prove a point. The group confidently pitted the new AU04’s – globally classified as Tier 3 tires – against two top international Tier 1 tyres. Without revealing the brands of the competition tires, AEOLUS took its new tires to the Clark International Speedway to test all three brands on an Autocross slalom course to assess their handling, then on a drag strip to check their stopping or braking distance. Both tests were conducted on a dry road surface and a wet road surface to see how well the tyres perform, given the country’s dramatic weather conditions.
Driving the cars was one of the country’s top race car drivers who chose to remain anonymous, thus he was given the sobriquet “Astig,” after the famous Top Gear International racing expert “Stig,” who also chooses to keep his identity hidden.
Under the sizzling, tropical morning sun, AEOLUS PHILIPPINES treated its dealers from all over the country to a morning of mad driving skills and a chance to drive an Autocross course, or take the same course in one of the many Miatas loaned to the group by the Miata Club of the Philippines.
First, the tires were tested on a timed Autocross or “Autoslalom” course. These are courses defined by rubber cones, which are used to create a series of sharp curves, slaloms and zigzags, and are usually about 1 – 2 kilometers long. Cars go through a course one at a time and are timed. The shortest time wins.
Unlike track races like Formula 1 or Nascar, Autocross places more demands on car handling skills rather than engine power and speed. Here, the driver has to attack the course extremely hard, and straight off the bat. One can not build up speed. The cars must explode right out of the blocks. Drivers need to complete the coned course as quickly as possible, without hitting anything. Concentration, control, and traction are critical.
After the Autocross course, stopping distance was tested. One by one, the cars accelerated to 100 kph. When they passed a brake marker, the driver had to step on the brakes hard. The distance from the brake marker to the point where the car came to a complete stop was then measured. This demonstration revealed how quickly the tyres brake on dry pavement – showing how safe and reliable the tyres are.
Then the entire series of tests was repeated on a wet road. This time, the tests showed how well the tyres work to clear the water from the road. For the customer, it is very important that the tyres clear the water from the road, especially at high speeds, to make sure that the drive is as safe as possible, and the car does not hydoplane. That’s critical for a country like ours where it rains half of the year.
The objective was to show the Philippine AEOLUS Tyre dealers how good a product the new AEOLUSSteeringACE2 AU04 Tyre is by pitting it against two top international Tier 1 tires under the same extreme driving conditions. While the Philippine event was simply a demonstration and not a recorded test, actual subjective handling and objective stopping distance tests have been conducted around the world and the results have always been the same:
AEOLUS tyres’ scores came out equal to, or sometimes even better than, the top tier tyres! That proves without a doubt that AEOLUS Tyres have all the qualifications to be considered one of the major brands in the world – and because of its PRICE versus its PERFORMANCE, it’s really one of the best in the market all across the globe.
Top Marks for a Top Tyre!
The outcome of the Philippine demonstration came out the same as they have in actual recorded tests across the globe. AEOLUS tyres deliver the same quality and performance – if not better – than two of the world’s top Tier 1 tyre brands!
In front of most of AEOLUS tyre dealers from all over the country, the new AEOLUS SteeringAce2 AU04 proved its incredible quality, safety, traction strength, grip, and value. On the dry road surface, AEOLUS’ score on the Autocross slalom course – a course set to gauge handling – was a best time of 37 seconds. It would have been 36 seconds, but the driver knocked down one rubber cone, thus adding a 1-second penalty to the score. Tyre A scored a best time of 38 seconds, while Tyre B scored 37 seconds. The AEOLUS tyres landed the same time as two of the world’s top Tier 1 tiers. In the stopping distance or braking test. Tyre A, scored a best distance of 41.61 meters, Tyre B stopped at 47.77 meters, while the AEOLUS tyres stopped the car at 40 meters flat! Better than the Tier 1 tires!
On the wet road surface, both the Autocross slalom course proved a bit trickier. Tier 1 Tyre A scored a best time of 40 seconds on the curves of the slalom, while Tyre B scored 38 seconds. The AEOLUS tyres matched Tyre B with a 38-second time. During the wet surface braking test, AEOLUS outshone its Tier 1 competitors! It took Tyre A a best distance of 47.36 meters to come to a complete stop, while Tyre B took 55.46 meters. On the other hand, the AEOLUS tryes stopped completely after only 38 meters, attesting to the fact that if one needs to stop suddenly on a wet road, one will be much safer using AEOLUS tyres.
Not only did the scores prove that the new AEOLUS SteeringAce2 AU04 is a great product to sell and will effectively help grow one’s businesses, they also show that high price is no guarantee that one is getting the best quality and performance. That said, low price is no guarantee that one is getting the best value. What is crucial is the relationship between the two. AEOLUS delivers both high quality and a very affordable price – which is an advantage for the dealers, as well as the end-users. It’s a great quality, ultra-high performance tyre at a very competitive price.
Beyond this, AEOLUS understands that safety is always critical. This is why the company always puts so much into research and technology to create the best tyres for its customers, and the world.
This is why AEOLUS is a value leader all across the globe.
Manuel Wong, Managing Director of Acer Philippines, Inc., explains to the audience the extent of the partnership between Acer and Techtron Systems Corporation, the local tech titan's new Commercial business partner. Techtron was appointed by Acer to help explore and grow other business areas, particularly in the provinces, and continue to strengthen Acer's presence in the government and academe.
Local IT industry leader Acer Philippines continues to expand its horizon in the commercial sector with the appointment of Techtron Systems Corporation as its newest partner.
Acer Philippines, Inc. Managing Director Manuel Wong (left) and Martini Assey Chua, Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Techtron Systems Corporation, during the signing of their partnership agreement recently in Makati City. Under the agreement, Techtron was appointed distributor for Acer's Commercial products to help grow the local tech giant's business in other areas, particularly the small and medium-scale business sector.
The partnership with Techtron came at an opportune time for the tech giant as it aims to grow further its commercial line of computers.
“Techtron had been a very supportive partner ever since. We appreciate their dedication and passion in selling Acer products, especially our Consumer line where they have been a partner since 2007. Now that they are a Commercial business partner of Acer, we look forward to grow with them even further,” says Manuel Wong, Managing Director of Acer Philippines, Inc.
Mr. Wong said they will even work closer with Techtron particularly in exploring business in potential growth sectors such as the small and medium-size businesses in the National Capital Region and in the provinces.
Techtron is an aggressive business partner in selling Acer Consumer products and is a consistent top performer, bagging major awards during past Acer ePinnacle Awards, an annual event where Acer gives recognition to top Acer distributors and dealers.
For his part, Martini Assey Chua, Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Techtron Systems Corp., expressed elation over the appointment. “Since we partnered with them in 2007, we focused solely on selling Acer. That is our philosophy and we value the trust and total support Acer gave us in selling their Consumer line. That’s why we reciprocated that trust by being aggressive in selling Acer products,” Chua said.
To help grow its business and explore other growth areas in the Philippines, local tech giant Acer Philippines, Inc. recently appointed Techtron Systems Corporation as its Commercial Business partner-distributor. Shown in photo during the signing of the partnership agreement were Acer Philippines, Inc. Managing Director Manuel Wong (left) and Martini Assey Chua, Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Techtron Systems Corporation.
Under the partnership agreement with Acer, Chua said that Techtron formed an entirely new team or business unit that will sell the Acer Commercial products. “We want to grow in other business areas aside from the government and the academe, and empower or encourage new dealers to carry the Acer brand.”
For more about Acer Philippines’ innovative products and other updates, go to www.acer.com.ph, follow Acer via Twitter (twitter.com/acerphils) or www.Facebook.com/AcerPH.
Culture Club featuring Boy George Live in Manila on June 17 and 18, 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum presented by Royale Chimes Concerts and Events.
Culture Club is known for smash hits “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “Karma Chameleon,” “Miss Me Blind,” “The War Song,” “Love is Love,” among other chart-toppers.
Who would have expected that one of the biggest ‘80s pop groups, Boy George and the Culture Club, are back together for a major concert tour? This news doesn’t get much cooler for all their Filipino fans with the announcement of a Philippine Leg slated on June 17 and 18, 8PM at the Araneta Coliseum. As the title of their song says, “It’s A Miracle”!
Formed in 1981 in London, Culture Club achieved worldwide success in the Eighties, scoring three Top Ten U.S. hits from their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, and becoming the first group to hit that milestone since the Beatles.
Composed of Boy George (lead vocals), Jon Moss (drums), Mikey Craig (bassist) and Roy Hay (guitar), Culture Club rode a wave of pop hits and sold more than 10 million copies of their album Colour By Numbers and captured the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The said album is included in Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the 1980s.
The band broke up in 1986 and got back together in 1998. Their last album, Don’t Mind If I Do, was released in 1999. In November 2014 the band released “More Than Silence”, their first single from their upcoming album called Tribes, expected for release this year.
“There wouldn’t be any point in doing it if it wasn’t everybody. I think when bands try to come together and they got like a different singer or a different drummer, it’s never quite the same. There’s a kind of magic about those four people that created the band,” says the flamboyant Boy George about Culture Club’s reunion.
After all these years, Culture Club has not missed a beat! The group kicked off with their tour last year and their fans are really happy to see them back on stage.
Boy George, who is now regularly seen as a judge in The Voice U.K., is excited to perform for their Filipino fans. He expects it to be one big party and a celebration of one’s individuality.
George said, “We’re rewriting the story of Culture Club. This concert tour will be a new chapter and will definitely be part of the band’s history. And we’d like all our supporters, fans, and everyone to be part of that story.”
Culture Club Featuring Boy George is a must-watch concert as it happens live for the first time in Manila, presented by Royale Chimes Concert & Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (911-5555). For more info, call (0918) 497-2121 and (0906) 418-0786.
Culture Club is known for smash hits “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?,” “Karma Chameleon,” “Miss Me Blind,” “The War Song,” “Love is Love,” among other chart-toppers. The group achieved worldwide success in the Eighties, scoring three Top Ten U.S. hits from their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, and becoming the first group to hit that milestone since the Beatles.
Globe customers get special rates to start planning and booking fitness activities
Have you ever had those moments that you wanted to hit the gym or go to a yoga class but you just don’t know where to go or you feel that you don’t have the time? You can say goodbye to those moments because the solution is just between your fingertips and your mobile phone.
A start-up that is bound to change the fitness industry, KFit helps you discover, plan, and reserve fitness, beauty and wellness activities near you, anytime. Once you have the app on your device, it automatically gives access to a huge variety of activities that suit your needs, whether you want to relax at a spa, pamper yourself with a new haircut or go for a workout at a studio near you. You can choose to purchase individual fitness, beauty and spa activities, or opt for the KFit Pass, which entitles 10 fitness activities per month at only PH999.
In addition to conventional gyms and studios, KFit also gives customers access to a wider choice of fitness facilities including badminton and tennis courts as well as swimming pools. This eliminates repetitive fitness workouts. It lets you discover new fitness locations, and at the same time learn about the perfect activity for your busy schedule.
With KFIT, plan ahead and even discover new work outs around your area. One KFIT’s partners is L!FE YOGA at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
“As KFit continues to gain popularity, it goes to show that lifestyle apps change our awareness and access to fitness and health. As Globe partners with this latest fitness app, we want our customers to have the advantage over KFit’s large number of service providers that includes a wide selection of amazing fitness studios, gyms, and sports facilities, beauty salons, and spas. And the best part about KFit is that it is available in nine cities across Asia Pacific. You can stay active even while you are traveling for holiday or business across different locations,” shares Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business.
KFIT also has a fitness pass feature where you get 10 passes to a variety of fitness activities for only P999 each month. And for a limited time only, Globe customers who use or download the KFIT app can key in the code TAKEMETHERE to get P400 of the first month. The promo is valid until August 2016.
To get you started, Globe and KFit is giving Php400 off the Fitness Pass for every new sign-up exclusive to Globe customers. You just need to key in the promo code “TAKEMETHERE” in the “Promo Code” field provided. Each promo code has its value in its respective currency, and can only be used in that particular country. The promo code is valid until August 2016.
To learn more about KFit and how you can start setting your fitness goals, visit www.Kfit.com or download the KFit app.
For more information on Globe and its latest products and services, visit www.globe.com.ph.
