Pru Life UK bags gold and silver honors at the 52nd Anvil Awards

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Pru Life UK's Brand and Communications team, led by Assistant Vice President Anna Gizelle V. Camua (front row, fourth from the right),received three honors at the 52^nd Anvil Award Gabi ng Parangal at the Makati Shangri-La on March 10, 2017.

Further demonstrating its excellence in the field of public relations, British life insurer Pru Life UK received three honors at the 52^nd Anvil Awards for its community investment initiatives and external communications.

Presented with a Gold Anvil Award for PR Tools – Special Events was “The Third Cha-Ching Educators’ Conference on Financial Literacy”. The initiative was recognized for bringing together 300 principals and teachers from both private and public schools nationwide for a two-day conference, highlighting relevant and valuable lessons to help them champion fundamental money-smart values in the classroom and in their daily lives.Held last year, the conference was central to Pru Life UK’s Cha-Ching Financial Literacy for the Youth Programme.

Cha-Ching is a multi-country, multi-platform programme that teaches fundamental money management concepts to children in Asia aged seven to twelve. It was launched in Hong Kong in 2011 by Prudential Corporation Asia, the regional headquarters of Pru Life UK. In the Philippines, Cha-Ching has benefitted over 100,000 students and 1,500 teachers from 100 schools and educational institutions. It has also received multiple honors from various international and local award-giving bodies, such as the International Gold Quill Awards.

Separately, the entry “Bantayan IV AVP”, a same-week edit video that showcases the highlights of the fourth leg of the Regional PRUvolunteer Programme in Bantayan, received a Silver Anvil Award for PR Tools – Multimedia/Digital. A core objective of the video was to instill in Pru Life UK employees an interest in helping people and communities by building awareness on the Bantayan housing and recovery initiative,as well as the programme as a whole.

Likewise, the entry “IMLinked Portal Educational Investment Videographs”, which is a series of videographs on complex investment and economics concepts, received a Silver Anvil in the same category. Produced in-house, the videographs support and complement Pru Life UK’s financial literacy advocacy that extends to mature markets.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the Anvil Awards – dubbed as the "Oscars" of the Philippine public relations industry – is a symbol of excellence in public relations. It recognizes outstanding public relations programs, tools, and practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

Pru Life UK’s growing number of accolades reinforces the Company’s legacy, which it has built for 20 years in the Philippines. In 1996, the Insurance Commission granted the British subsidiary the license to operate and sell life insurance products in the country. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 80 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force at 17,000 licensed agents, and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers. Pru Life UK holds headquarters in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

About Pru Life UK

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc. Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans. Prudential plc is a United Kingdom-registered company. Its regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia, is based in Hong Kong. Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (a US-registered company), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies).

For more information:www.prulifeuk.com.ph

“Throwback Thursday’ on April 27 at the Big Dome

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An interesting mix of soft rock and R&B classics shall take music fans on a nostalgic trip back to the ‘80s as three noted foreign acts get together in a retro concert in April that will showcase some of the era’s best in popular music.

For the first time ever, singer-songwriter El DeBarge, disco diva and vocalist Sybil and band Kalapana from Hawaii will appear on the same stage on April 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City to perform their greatest hits that have endeared to millions of Filipinos.

Ovation Productions is presenting the three foreign artists together in what is dubbed “Throwback Thursday” as it’s summer offering. Also featured is popular Pinoy band Passage.

Known for his signature falsetto, El DeBarge was the focal point and lead singer of the American family group DeBarge from the early to mid-‘80s. The group’s hits include “Time Will Reveal, “Stay With Me,” “All This Love”, “Rhythm of the Night”, “Starlight Express”, and “Who’s Holding Donna Now”, among others.

After leaving the group in 1985, he launched his solo career the following year with a self-titled debut album that contained the Number Three hit, “Who’s Johnny?,” which was featured in the film, “Short Circuit.”

Sybil Anita Lynch, known simply to music fans as Sybil, on the other hand, attained success as an R&B pop singer and songwriter during the mid-80s until the mid-90s. 

Recognized as an excellent vocalist and one of the finest among disco divas, the American artist from New Jersey began recording in 1986 with the release of her debut single, “Falling in Love,” which reached the Top 30 on the R&B and Dance charts, and which opened the door to her successful career through the release of her debut album, “Let Yourself Go.” a year later.

She scored huge crossover hits in the Philippines with her song “Make It Easy On Me” and her cover versions of Dionne Warwick’s “Don’t Make Me Over” in 1989 and “Walk On By” in 1990.

She attained her most successful hit in the United Kingdom with a cover of |The Love I Lost,” which peaked at No.3, while its follow up, “When I’m Good and Ready,” peaked at No. 5.

In 1997, Sybil released her greatest hits album, followed later that year by her last album to-date, “Still A Friend.”

The contemporary Hawaiian group, Kalapana, which is now on its 44th year in the music and entertainment industry, gained fame for its pop and soft rock music that have made its songs, such as “Night Bird”, “Naturally” and “The Hurt,” enduring island classics. 

Kalapana made a successful breakthrough in the international touring circuit when it performed with the LA-based fusion band Hiroshima, played at the grand opening of Hard Rock Café in Honolulu and performed in two-sold out shows in the Philippines with an attendance of 10,000 each night.

It also did extensive tours in Japan, US West Coast, Tahiti, Samoa, Guam, Saipan and other Pacific islands.

Its successful tour in Japan with Michael Paulo of Al Jarreau’s band and Tris Imboden (drummer for Chicago) boosted Kalapana’s popularity in that country, where it has one of its largest fan bases since the 1970s, and landed it a five-album deal with Pony Canyon Records.

In 2011, Kalapana received the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Achievement Award. \The recipients were Malani Bilyyeu, Mackey Feary (posthumously, John (DJ) Pratt, Kirk Thompson, Alvin Fejarang, Michael Paulo, Randy Aloya, Gaylord Holomalia and Kenji Sano.

Kalapana was last seen in the Philippines in 2012 when it had a three-night, three-city concert tour with folk rock band America produced by Ovation Productions. -- #

“ThrowbackThursday’ on April 27 at Smart Araneta Coliseum” is presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets prices are P4500, 4000, 3500, 2500, 1500, 1500, 750 are available online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or call (02)9115555. The show will also be staged at the SMX Convention Center in Davao the next day April 28 as “Flashback Friday”.

When farmers comes first: A choice of giving back to the farmers of Bicol

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For every one farmer in the world, there are 19 in the developing world. In a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2012, 12.09 million people work in agriculture. This amount figures to about 1/3 of the country’s total employment. However, even with all the people in that sector, the contribution of agriculture to the economy only makes up a mere 11%.

In Bicol, agriculture makes up 30% of the region’s GDRP and about 44% of the total population are employed in this sector. According to the Bicol Regional Development Plan of 2011-2016, most of the families in agriculture belong to poor and vulnerable sectors, most of whom are unable to complete their schooling due to lack of funds or access to quality education.

In 2001, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released a position paper on the role of agriculture in developing countries. They emphasized that agricultural productivity is key to poverty alleviation. More than just food security, agriculture can also contribute to economic development through increased export earnings. In light of this, national focus has shifted to the margins—policy makers, government, and non-government agencies alike have begun pumping support for our local farmers through irrigation programs, modernization projects, and supporting local entrepreneurs and cooperatives.

Cooperatives for socio-economic development

The Philippine Agricultural setting is mostly small farm holders after the land reform. So it is very important to organize the farmers to cooperatives and association for economy of scale in production and pricing.

Cooperatives play a crucial role in reducing poverty as well as pave the way for rural development. Through cooperatives, farmers who previously lacked access to the necessary resources are now able to access new technologies through government support from Dept. of Agriculture , Dept. of Trade & Industry and Dept. of Science & Technology.

Pili farmers of Bicol—once the poorest of the poor—are now able to augment their income through their cooperative with farmers from different provinces, harvesting and processing what we know now as Pili oil.

Pili oil is extracted from the pili fruit. it is only in the Philippines that the pili is commercially grown and processed. The nuts themselves have been found to contain 70% oil—akin to the Macadamia. The oil from other parts of the fruit itself is rich in Vitamin A and Tocopherol (Vitamin E), otherwise known as natural anti-aging components.

A beautiful partnership

Some farmers group from Sorsogon & Camarines Sur are already partners with PILI Beauty—an all-natural line of personal care products enhanced with pili and elemi oil. Through their harvest of pili oil, the farmers now receive a new source of income and through this, they can send their children to school & upgrade their standard of living.

The farmers are also taught zero waste management consciousness, making use of every part of the pili nut and pulp. This means less stress on the environment as well as reduced pollution in production.

PILI Beauty does not just want to provide short term livelihood solutions for these farmers, but to ultimately uplift the quality of life for those who belong to this sector. 

“Our goal is a long term relationship with these farmers that will help upgrade their standards of living,” said PILI Beauty’s visionary Founder Rose Tan.

At par if not better than Argan and Olive oil, PILI Beauty after extraneous research & creative innovation envision our very own Pili oil comparable to world class beauty product both local and international market. More than the beauty benefits the pili oil can provide championing a local product ,we are pumping life into the backbones of our society & leaving it better than we started it.

Bring home a new and exciting mamon treat your kids can’t resist! White Choco Almond Mamon blends white choco goodness with crunchy almonds!

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Bringing home food for everybody is one of the most enjoyable activity of everyone - family, friends and for gifts. Bringing home “pasalubong” for our kids have always been part of our culture. Whether there is an occasion or not, seeing our loved ones’ eyes light up brings warmth to our hearts and makes a stressful day seem worth it, especially, if the treat you bring home is joyfully appreciated by the people receiving it.

While there are many things that you can bring home as “pasalubong,” a new and delightfully different treat never fails to surprise your family, especially if it is from Red Ribbon, one of the most loved bakeshop chains in the country.

This time, Red Ribbon introduces another exciting and indulgent treat with the latest addition to its mamon staples—the new Red Ribbon White Choco Almond Mamon.

Red Ribbon’s While Choco Almond Mamon perfectly blends soft, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth white chiffon, creamy white chocolate and crunchy almond bits for a combination that is both heavenly and indulgent. It’s a sweet treat that kids and grown ups cannot resist!

“We, at Red Ribbon, are always finding ways to give our customers new treats that they will enjoy and love. The new mamon variant promises a new exciting experience,” said Ned Bandojo, head of marketing of Red Ribbon. “The right combination of white chocolate and almonds make this a treat that will turn even the simplest moments into a sweeter and more memorable experience.”

The new White Choco Almond Mamon joins Red Ribbon’s other mamon flavors like the Butter Mamon, Cheesy Mamon, Caramel Mamon, Creamy Mamon, Mocha Mamon, Cookies and Cream Mamon, and Ube Mamon. Like the other much-loved mamons, the White Choco Almond Mamon is sure to make a perfect pasalubong and pambaon treat.

Customers can now enjoy the new mamon for only PhP24 a piece. However, if they buy the five-piece bundle pack, they can get it for only PhP99.00, saving up to PhP21.00! 

The White Choco Almond Mamon is available in all Red Ribbon stores nationwide starting February 28, 2017.

As one of the fastest growing bakeshop chains in the country, Red Ribbon is dedicated to making everyday moments more special by bringing new, exciting, and delicious cakes, breads, and pastries. 

To know more about Red Ribbon’s many delights, visit www.redribbonbakeshop.com.ph.

Epson Named Among Top 100 Global Innovators for Sixth Consecutive Year

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TOKYO, Japan, February 28, 2017 - Seiko Epson Corporation was listed among the 2016 Top 100 Global Innovators announced by Philadelphia-based Clarivate Analytics, formerly the Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters. Epson has been named to the list every year since its inception in 2011. 

Hirofumi Hino from Clarivate Analytics’ office in Japan presented Toshiya Takahata, executive officer and general administrative manager of Epson’s Intellectual Property Division, with a trophy to commemorate the occasion.

Takahata (right) accepting the trophy from Hirofumi Hino of Clarivate Analytics

Reasons for selection (cited by Clarivate Analytics)

The Top 100 Global Innovators methodology analyzes patents across four main criteria (volume, success, globalization, and influence). Epson has been selected for the list largely in recognition of its success rate, a metric that indicates the ratio of patents granted to the number of applications filed.

Intellectual property at Epson

Epson files about 4,000 patent applications a year. It holds and maintains about 50,000 patents globally and is working with patent agencies in 20 countries or more at any given time. In the patent rankings for the 2015 fiscal year, Epson ranked 7th in Japan for the number of patents awarded, 16th in the United States, and 15th in China (among foreign companies). Epson possesses world-class IP capabilities and is an industry leader in patent quantity and quality in product categories such as inkjet printers and projectors. 

Comments from Toshiya Takahata, executive officer and general administrative manager of Epson’s Intellectual Property Division

“I am extremely pleased and proud that Epson has once again been honored with inclusion on the Top 100 Global Innovators list. Epson’s business strategies and intellectual property strategies are closely linked under the Epson 25 Corporate Vision. The acquisition of high-quality patents that contribute to our business is a high priority for us. I think Clarivate Analytics was able to see and appreciate what we have been doing, and that’s why we again made the Top 100 Global Innovators list. Intellectual property expands the potential of Epson’s current businesses as well as our future businesses. The Intellectual Property Division will continue to work closely with research and development departments to achieve Epson’s aim of becoming a truly indispensable company by creating products and services that help to make the world a better place.”

Top 100 Global Innovators

Clarivate Analytics analyzes intellectual property and patent trends based on proprietary data to determine the world’s most innovative corporations and institutions. The analysis covers four main criteria: volume, success, globalization, and influence. Begun in 2011, the Top 100 Global Innovators report is now in its sixth year.