Smart provides 15 days of free calls and texts for displaced Marawi residents

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As part of its ongoing efforts to help and support those affected by the Marawi conflict, mobile services provider Smart Communications has opened up its network to provide free calls and texts catering to Marawi residents affected and displaced by the ongoing crisis.

Starting on June 23, Friday, Marawi residents who are Smart, TNT, and Sun prepaid subscribers will benefit from free calls and texts within the three networks, valid for 15 days, allowing them to get in touch with their loved ones. The service also coincides with the observance of Eid’l Fitr, or the end of Ramadan, on June 26, Monday.

The public service is open to residents still caught in Marawi City, as well as residents who have evacuated the besieged area.

Eligible Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers shall receive a notification within the next few days to inform them how they can avail of the call and text services without incurring charges.

“We realize that mobile communication serves as a vital lifeline in disaster and crisis situations. By providing our special service to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Marawi, we enable our brothers and sisters to reconnect with their loved ones and draw strength from each other in these trying times,” said Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head.

Smart’s call and text services are part of the PLDT group’s ongoing efforts to support government and military operations, and help those affected by the conflict not just in Marawi City but also in neighboring areas, where most of the residents have gone to for help and safety.

Smart has put up Libreng Tawag stations at evacuation centers in Iligan City, and assisted in distributing relief goods and personal hygiene kits at evacuation centers in Lanao del Norte.

Smart has also donated Php2 million worth of mobile services to soldiers deployed in Marawi, and has teamed up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide communications support to civil military operations and rescue groups.

Smart, along with PLDT, is also providing Internet connectivity at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center in Iligan City.

City Garden Grand Hotel invites you in a Grand Wedding Experience

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For a wedding to be perfect, it is important that it is scheduled at the right time and is planned very well. Timely enough, this month of June, City Garden Grand Hotel invites you and your partner in an event that will give you an insight of an ideal wedding experience.

City Garden Grand Hotel invites you to experience your dream wedding and help you turn it into reality. “THE GRAND AFFAIR” is a grand wedding and food tasting event wherein City Garden Grand Hotel will allow guests and clients to get a taste of the best-selling dishes from appetizers, main course, and down to the desserts. This will also give you the opportunity to have a glimpse of the hotel’s wedding set-up and experience a real event at the Rosemary Ballroom of City Garden Grand Hotel.

The GRAND Affair is a wedding showcase that will help you plan and prepare for your perfect dream wedding. In this year’s wedding theme, City Garden Grand Hotel will present to you the “Rustic Chic” and “Whimsical Garden” theme set-up. Aside from the wedding theme set-up and food tasting, there will also be suppliers that will exhibit their services and products, which can be really helpful in every last detail on your wedding.

Event coordinators such as “Wedding Bachelors” and “Event Tree” will be present to help you with all the planning, and a photo and video company, “Photo Farm”, will also be there to help you on some ideas in capturing the perfect moments on your wedding day. 

For style inspiration, a mini fashion show will also be held in the event, showcasing popular trends in wedding gowns and barongs from some of the local designers. And the event will be serenaded by a quartet performance of SJT Music.

The GRAND Affair is the 2nd wedding event of City Garden Grand Hotel and it will be on June 25, 2017, 10am-4pm, at the 31st Floor Rosemary Ballroom. Take your partner in the event and get insights and inspirations for your dream wedding. 

For event inquiries, please feel free to contact +639175533179 or 09178533902, or email us at banquetteam@citygardengrandhotel.com.

OPPO smartphones now officially available in Shopee!

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OPPO and Shopee Philippines are now partners offering customers hassle-free nationwide delivery with Free Shipping and Cash on Delivery option for all OPPO smartphones

Shopee, the fastest growing ecommerce site in the Philippines is now officially carrying OPPO smartphones. Through the partnership of OPPO and Shopee, customers may avail of free shipping nationwide and cash on delivery payment option on any OPPO smartphone.

In time with Shopee's  2nd year anniversary this June, the eCommerce platform now provides a wider offering of brands and products to customers nationwide.

Complete lineup

The OPPO Official Shop on Shopee will carry the complete lineup of the brand’s smartphones, including all color options such as gold, rose gold and black. These smartphones are the F3 series OPPO F3 and F3 Plus, best-selling F1s Upgrade, mid-range best-value A57, entry value A39 and A37.

Shopee Guarantee

At Shopee, customers can be assured of their order with Shopee Guarantee, which protects both buyers and sellers as Shopee holds payments in escrow until buyers receive their order. Only then will the payment be released to the seller -- this makes buying online safer, earning an increasing number of loyal buyers at Shopee.

Furthermore, Shopee partners only with trustworthy and credible brands to establish Official Shops on the platform, further giving users peace of mind on their purchases. Aside from Shopee’s Free Shipping program, it also offers its services at no additional fees, commissions or hidden charges.

"E-Commerce in the Philippines is indeed growing and we can’t deny its potential in the future. Our partnership with Shopee will further increase our online reach and give customers more options to buy official OPPO products,” said Stephen Cheng, OPPO Philippines Brand Marketing Manager.

Visit OPPO Shopee store, https://shopee.ph/oppophilippines and http://www.oppo.com/ph/index.html to know more about the smartphones. 

You can also download the official Shopee app for free via on Google Play and the App Store.

Director, Producer , Actor Albert Martinez finds a deeper purpose being a supportive dad and family man

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Albert Martinez with daughter Alissa and son Alfonso

Undeniably a formidable actor with immense talent, Albert Martinez,   even with the many awards and critical acclaim under his belt, Albert’s greatest trophies –his most precious rewards –are truly his kids: Alyanna, stylist and fashionista; Alissa, online entrepreneur and foodie; and Alfonso, certified car nut and restaurateur. 

“From a happy-go-lucky lifestyle, I became more responsible. Being a father really gives you a more purposeful way of looking at life, and makes you more success-driven in order to provide a better future for your family,” as Albert is first to admit how fatherhood completely changed his life and his outlook. 

The untimely passing of his loving wife Liezl two years ago dealt a painful blow to family. While the void will forever be felt, Albert is grateful that Liezl did an excellent job in laying a strong foundation for their kids as they were growing up. “They’re all very focused and grounded,” he beams with pride.

And indeed, the Martinez brood is a picture of a contented, tight-knit family that is supportive of each other’s diverse interests and respective of each other’s personalities, where they make time to bond – to live deeper — just like friends. And what better symbol of this filial bond than the gift of a TechnoMarine watch for dad Albert on father’s day.

“My dad and I have a lot of things in common,” shares eldest child Alyanna. “We love traveling, we love the outdoors, and we’re both moody at times,” she confesses. And while Alyanna was steadily making a name for herself in the world of fashion, Albert was always around to lend his support, attending shows and launches even with his hectic schedule. He even took a break from the hit series Ang Probinsyano just to be with Alyanna on her winter wedding in the US last year.

For Alissa, on the other hand, her being a foodie and love for animals are the ties that bind her close to her dad. Apart from helping set-up her online business PoppyLuca, an online pet accessories store, they can often be found in the kitchen together trying out new recipes. “My dad and I love to cook and we both love to eat!” she shares with a laugh.

And then, of course, there’s Alfonso, the unico hijo and bunso, whose love for cars and karting is something he picked-up from his dad. “My dad loves tinkering with cars during his free time,” he relates. Alfonso recalls fondly how he and his dad would join car clubs and go to car shows. “It’s really his passion aside from acting, and a hobby that I enjoy myself!”

Another thing that runs common among the Martinezes is their love for animals. They currently have seven dogs and translated this passion into a thriving family business: Ask a Vet.

With all these blessings and more, Albert Martinez is no doubt the perfect embodiment of TechnoMarine’s Live Deeper spirit. “For me, living deeper is all about knowing yourself more, being yourself, and enjoying life to the fullest!” 

Albert wears the new TM-616002 from the UF6 line, the premium watch collection from TechnoMarine. TechnoMarine is available in Trinoma, Greenbelt 3, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Cebu, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza and all My Diamond boutiques nationwide. Like TechnoMarine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechnoMarinePH/ and follow them on Instagram @technomarineph.

Marawi situation poses risks to children’s well-being

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Iligan City --- Child-focused aid organization World Vision began its relief operations last June 8, 2017 after more than 200,000 people were forced to flee the city of Marawi in Mindanao.

“We have started distributing relief items to at least 1,000 families today. It is heart breaking and heart-warming at the same time but knowing that there are people standing with them brings them so much hope and comfort,” shares Associate Director for Operations Jocelyn Mariscal.

Child-focused aid organization World Vision begins its relief operations after more than 200,000 people were forced to flee the city of Marawi in Mindanao. At least 1,000 displaced families now sheltering in evacuation centres and in their relatives' house were provided with hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, laundry soap, bath soap, undergarment, malong or tube skirt, sanitary pads) and non-food items like blanket, mosquito net and plastic mat.

Child-focused aid organization World Vision begins its relief operations after more than 200,000 people were forced to flee the city of Marawi in Mindanao. At least 1,000 displaced families now sheltering in evacuation centres and in their relatives' house were provided with hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, laundry soap, bath soap, undergarment, malong or tube skirt, sanitary pads) and non-food items like blanket, mosquito net and plastic mat.

The relief items include hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, undergarment for men and women, bath soap, laundry soap, sanitary pads, nail cutter, malong or tube skirt) and non-food items like blanket, mosquito net and plastic mat. The distribution catered to those who are in evacuation centres and the home-based (those living with relatives) internally displaced families in Sta. Elena, Iligan City.

The clash started on May 23 after the Philippine Army conducted a raid operation in Marawi City where an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader was hiding. The government forces were met by gunfire coming from ASG’s local armed allies the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Maute group. This escalated to a massive firefight causing 175 deaths and displacing thousands of people. The still on-going clash has also affected 132 schools and more than 22,000 school children, said Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART).

World Vision hopes to reach at least 10,000 people or 2,000 families. In the next days, child-friendly spaces will also be set up in two evacuation centres to provide psychological first aid to the children affected by the conflict.

The Child Friendly Spaces created by World Vision are designed to let the children play and have the opportunity to interact with other children. It helps to provide an opportunity for children to express themselves through art, play and also to connect with other children facing similar distressing experiences.

6-year old Husnia joins her mother in getting the relief items. Until today, she and her mother are still waiting to hear from her father who was left in Marawi when they left for Iligan City.

World Vision is now in close coordination with the Department of Education to provide 10 schools with Temporary Learning Centres (TLCs) and 18, 000 learner’s kits for the students.

“We thank all the donors and sponsors who have supported us in responding to the needs of the affected children and their families. We also continue to appeal for support as World Vision continues to work with the government and other humanitarian actors in providing aid to the people of Marawi,” says Acting National Director Rommel Fuerte.

To extend your help to the people displaced by Marawi crisis, visit www.worldvision.org.ph/help-people-marawi or call 372-77-77, for more information.