37th Manila International International Book Fair 2016

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The country’s biggest book event is back for its 2016 edition happening on September 14 - 18, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Now on its 37th year, the MIBF continues to be the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair. It showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for leisure and academic reading. Everything you need from fiction bestsellers, to textbooks, to graphic novels, and even educational materials are all under one roof. Moreover, the MIBF is also the go-to venue for this year’s most awaited book launches and signings, dialogues with readers, contests, and other literary events.

Running for almost four decades now, it has evolved from an event for the publishing industry and the academe to one of the most-awaited exhibitions for all sorts of readers. The MIBF has become a gathering of sorts for bookworms of all ages and walks of life to celebrate the joys of reading and the knowledge each book brings about. It has also been providing a venue for the exchange of ideas amongst players in the publishing and academic industry.

Epson Gives Back to Community, Spreads Cheer to Bahay Tuluyan Home for the Girls

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Epson Philippines Corporation continues to strengthen its nation-building activities for various communities in the country.

As part of its annual activities, Epson Philippines encourages its own employees to take part in CSR initiatives. Among these CSR efforts was the special activity held in Bahay Tuluyan Home for the Girls last 16 July 2016. Through exciting games and activities, Epson employees joined in on the fun, spread good spirits and put smiles on the faces of girls aged from 2 to 17 years old.

As part of their outreach efforts, the Epson team also donated sacks of rice, personal hygiene products, a 40” LED TV and an Epson L120 ink tank system printer that Bahay Tuluyan Home for the Girls wholeheartedly received.

“Epson Philippines also gives importance to making a deep impact through long-term initiatives that are focused on helping groups that aid the youth and champion education”, shared Ms. Beth Alcantara, Department Head of HR and Admin, Epson Philippines.

“We are constantly in search of ways and means to provide support for various groups in the Philippines similar to Epson Philippines’ Gift of Brightness Program which is done in partnership with the Department of Education to provide Epson printers and projectors to public schools to help address the shortage of educational resources particularly in poverty-stricken areas in the Philippines”, Ms. Beth Alcantara further added.

“Epson Philippines is positive that through specific efforts such as the recent CSR activity for the Bahay Tuluyan Home for the Girls, we can be an instrument of change in the country”, concluded Ms. Alcantara.

Bahay Tuluyan Home for the Girls is a non-government organization that provides programs dedicated to help prevent and respond to abuse and the exploitation of children in the Philippines. The organization actively delivers social services in different communities in the Philippines such as Manila, Laguna and the Quezon province.

Cloverleaf Balintawak: Bringing modern comforts within reach

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Entrance Semi Aerial Artist Perspective

Ayala Land’s newest urban oasis will bring modern comforts within reach at Cloverleaf Balintawak.

Envisioned to become one of Metro Manila’s master-planned, contemporary green urban developments, Ayala Land’s Cloverleaf Balintawak is an 11-hectare estate that offers a balanced lifestyle, bringing residential towers, commercial and open spaces, office complexes, and a medical facility in one setting that is conveniently connected to northern Metro Manila’s major roads—EDSA-Balintawak, A. Bonfacio Avenue, and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

At the crossroads of some of the metro’s busiest thoroughfares, the mixed-use township will be home to safe, secure, and organized communities that offer privacy and serenity amidst the chaos of the city, without sacrificing accessibility.

Estate Aerial Artist Perspective

Located near the EDSA-NLEX intersection and directly connected to the LRT Balintawak station, Cloverleaf Balintawak will be one of the most accessible establishments in Quezon City.

Cloverleaf Balintawak is situated at the intersection of EDSA and NLEX to bring the best of the metropolis and the rest of Luzon together. It is also directly connected to the LRT Balintawak station and close to the soon-to-be-completed Skyway Stage 3 extension project along A. Bonifacio Avenue which will cut Makati-Balintawak travel time to a 20-minute drive. With its strategic location, Cloverleaf Balintawak will be one of the most accessible establishments in the northernmost tip of Quezon City.

Headlining the amenities are Ayala Land’s residential projects, Avida and Alveo, with a total of five towers in more than a hectare of land that brings a promise of new beginnings. The construction of a regional mall is also in full swing. With 2.2 hectares fully-equipped with a supermarket, a six-screen cinema complex, and a department store for leisure; local and foreign fashion brands for optimum shopping; and a wide array of dining options—elements that provide a new lifestyle experience for nearby and potential residents to enjoy.

Cloverleaf Balintawak will also be packaged as an urban haven with a work-conducive core, featuring office spaces—for various enterprises that will provide local employment and retail business opportunities—and lush foliage that will envelope open areas and mixed-use components of the city’s newest urban development.

To further address a growing trend of healthcare needs, as well as to solidify Cloverleaf Balintawak’s holistic approach to urban development, the 250-bed Qualimed Hospital—a flagship medical facility of Ayala Land’s hospital brand—will also be constructed within the vicinity, offering quality, affordable, and accessible medical care services.

With simultaneous constructions ongoing, Cloverleaf Balintawak is on track to opening Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and launching Avida Towers Cloverleaf Tower 2 in 2017. The Qualimed Hospital is expected to open in the next two years, while the Avida Towers Cloverleaf Tower 1 will be completed in 2019.

Indeed, exciting and promising new experiences are bound to unfold with the fast development of Cloverleaf Balintawak. Located at the heart of the metro’s busiest thoroughfares, Ayala Land’s urban haven brings modern comforts of living within reach.

To get a taste of this up-and-coming urban haven, visit the Avida Towers Cloverleaf Sales Pavilion, open daily, from 8AM to 5PM. 

For more details on Cloverleaf Balintawak, visit the official website www.Cloverleaf.ph, official Facebook page Cloverleafph.

Pokémon Go: Safety tips to catch 'em right

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From city streets to parks and malls, everyone is definitely on-the-go just to catch their next Pokémon to level up! Taking Filipino gamers by storm, here are some safety tips to remember the next time you and your friends go out to catch, drop lures and conquer gyms!

Globe Prepaid customers can extend the fun by downloading the new Globe Switch app! 

On Globe Switch, avail of the free 1GB mobile data and 30 days free access to Pokémon Go starting August 20, 2016. Globe Switch offers the best online deals as well as over 3 GB worth of free access to over 50 of the most popular apps in the market.

Solar energy use for homes, businesses get boost in form of financing options

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A media forum dubbed as "Usapang Maliwanag: Financing Solar Energy for Houses and Businesses" was held recently is part of the Solar Rooftop Challenge, which highlights the benefits of using solar energy while busting misconceptions that hinder individuals and companies from taking it up.

It showcases existing solar rooftop installations of urban middle class households, celebrities, churches, schools, government buildings and private establishments, as well as empowering stories of people who have joined the solar rooftop revolution in the country.

Proving that solar energy is accessible to common Filipinos, Greenpeace Philippines gathered financing institutions and solar providers to connect energy consumers to easy financing options available in the market and help increase solar energy use in homes and businesses.

Photo opportunity for the panelists of Solar Energy forum at the Kamuning Bakery Cafe, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, left to right: Moderator Wilson Lee Flores of Philippines Star, Julius Respicio of BPI, Yeb Saño, Executive Director for Southeast Asia GreenPeace, Voltire Tupaz, Head of Sales , Solar Philippines, and Mike de Guzman, President of Solaric Philippines. ©Greenpeace 

Availing of financing packages spreads the initial costs in putting up solar installations over the long term while already generating savings on electricity costs.

In particularly, Solar rooftops can create huge impacts in lowering monthly electricity bills and the growing availability of financial assistance for those who want to avail of solar installations is a great opportunity to harness the power of the sun and break away from our dependence on fossil fuel generated electricity, like coal.

"Now is the best time to switch on the power of renewables for each home and business to be at the forefront of our fight against catastrophic climate change. The call for the uptake of solar energy is not an empty appeal to each individual's altruism but, as we are attesting today, incentives await in the form of cheap and reliable energy. Financial solutions are widely available from many institutions, and after today, we are expecting more. For both homes and businesses, renewable energy is the way to go," said YebSaño, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

At present, the Philippines produces 29 percent of its electricity through renewable sources, with the Department of Energy looking to raise it to 40 percent by 2020. The mainstream adoption of renewable energy will result in creation of jobs and lower power generation costs that allow households to return the difference in savings to their budgets.

"It is important to note that while large-scale solar power plants are being constructed and going online in the Philippines, there is still a huge amount of solar energy potential that remains untapped. This is where solar rooftop installations on homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses can complete the picture of a country like the Philippines moving towards a higher share of renewable energy in its power generation mix. The energy revolution will happen right on the rooftops of Filipinos' homes," said Reuben Muni, Climate and Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia Philippines.

Muni also called for a more robust participation of both the government and business sector to further push the growth and development of renewable energy in the country.

“A strong relationship between the public and private institutions, as well as progressive legislations, should boost our transition to renewable energy. It encouragesand provides incentives to more people and businesses who opt to use the technology,” Muni added.

Greenpeace Philippines is joined by speakers from Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG IBIG Fund), who discussed how its members can avail of their Home Improvement Loan, which can cover the cost of purchase and installation of solar panels. Also in the forum are Solaric Philippines, Solar Philippines and Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Journalist, columnist and owner of the Kamuning Bakery Café, where the media forum was held, Wilson Lee Flores, also shared how his decision to use hybrid or partly solar-powered air-conditioning system in the 77-year-old café drastically lowered his monthly electricity bills.