Wounded Marawi Soldiers Get Care from SM Foundation Fit for Heroes

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At least two medical facilities at the AFP Medical Center in V Luna – the Heroes’ Ward and Convalescence Ward – are giving proper recovery care for wounded soldiers from Marawi courtesy of a health and wellness program by SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI).

Under SMFI’s program, health facilities and dispensaries of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are renovated to improve the facilities and services for soldiers deployed and injured from armed conflicts in various parts of the country . The program has so far renovated 22 military health facilities that provide medical treatment and care to the Philippine Army, Navy, and Air Force.

As of June, at least 240 soldiers coming from Marawi are being cared for in the two renovated wards of the AFP Medical Center , SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Project Manager Albert Uy said. The Heroes’ Ward serves as the recovery facility, after which the patients will be brought to the Convalescence Ward where they will go through therapy that will help them back on their feet and into their normal lives.

“We are deeply thankful for our beloved soldiers’ service to the country, risking their lives so that we may enjoy our own with utmost freedom. SM Foundation’s program is dedicated to improving AFP’s health facilities so that our wounded soldiers can have the best medical care fit for heroes,” said Connie Angeles, Senior Assistant Vice President and Executive Director for health and medical programs of SMFI.

Medical facilities that go through renovation and rehabilitation under SMFI’s program get full enhancement from new paint to improved toilets, air conditioning systems, hospital beds, and other necessary reconstruction. The program has been recognized with an award by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, citing SMFI’s sincere efforts in alleviating the plight of injured personnel of the Philippine military forces.

Nokia 8: Three firsts in one precision designed flagship

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First new generation Nokia smartphone to feature ZEISS optics

Tell both sides of the story with real-time live streaming using Dual-Sight mode

Introducing Nokia OZO spatial 360° audio

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announced the Nokia 8, a high performance, beautifully crafted smartphone, designed with content creators in mind. The Nokia 8 brings three world-firsts to Android smartphones, including a debut collaboration with ZEISS optics. With performance and pure Android at its heart, as well as the most advanced aluminium unibody design to date, the Nokia 8 represents all the hallmarks of a true flagship Nokia smartphone.

Be less Selfie, be more Bothie: The Nokia 8 introduces a world-first in enabling Dual-Sight video to be livestreamed natively and in real-time to social feeds such as Facebook and YouTube. Dual-Sight simultaneously harnesses both the front and rear cameras in a split screen visual for both photos and videos. With just one touch, this world-first livestream capability gives more immersive experiences for those who love to create and share special memories.

Nokia 8 is also the first smartphone to feature Nokia OZO Audio, placing exclusive Hollywood technology in the palm of your hand. OZO spatial 360° audio brings a fully immersive audio experience to your 4K video. Leading-edge 360° audio capture ensures the playback lets you truly relive the moment so your memories never fade.

4.6mm thin at the edge and just 7.3mm slim on average, Nokia 8’s seamless unibody is precision milled from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and its pure design has been refined through a 40-stage process of machining, anodizing and polishing. Select models feature a high-gloss mirror finish that has taken over 20 hours to complete to achieve a flawless look. The phone features Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon^TM 835 Mobile Platform and paired with the pure, secure and up to date Android experience ensures outstanding performance.

Be less Selfie, be more #Bothie

There are two sides to every story and the Dual-Sight feature of Nokia 8 is designed to help you create and share the full picture. The front and rear-facing cameras on the Nokia 8 have been co-developed with ZEISS optics for an optimum all round experience. Content creators can natively broadcast their unique #Bothie stories to social media through the Dual-Sight functionality located within the camera app. Fans can also enjoy unlimited[i] photo and video uploads to Google Photos.

A new dimension of sound with OZO Audio

Featuring OZO Audio, Nokia 8 combines three microphones with exclusive Nokia acoustic algorithms to capture audio with immersive 360° spatial surround sound. Share your 4K videos with OZO Audio anywhere – binaural codecs enable high fidelity playback even on devices without OZO Audio.

Innovation and precision engineering

Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon^TM 835 Mobile Platform, Nokia 8 doesn’t compromise on performance.

The Nokia 8 has been designed from the ground up with the consumer in mind to deliver unique content capture and sharing experiences. This requires it to be as meticulously designed on the inside as it is on the outside. To keep your phone working harder for longer, the design, innovation and engineering teams worked hand-in-hand to deliver. The result is a full-length graphite shielded copper cooling pipe that dissipates the heat generated by the high performing system across the full length and breadth of the handset. The Nokia 8 runs cooler in even the most demanding situations.

Nokia 8 is Qualcomm® Quick Charge^TM 3.0 compatible, meaning when your battery is running low you can get back to recording your important moments sooner.

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer of HMD Global, said:

“We know that fans are creating and sharing live content more than ever before, with millions of photos and videos shared every minute on social media. People are inspired by the content they consume and are looking for new ways to create their own. It’s these people who have inspired us to craft a flagship smartphone which perfectly balances premium design, an outstanding experience and powerful performance.”

Always pure Android

Nokia smartphones always offer a pure Android experience, with no unnecessary apps slowing down the performance of your device. And with Nokia 8, pure Android combined with our innovative engineering processes unleashes the full potential of the Snapdragon^TM 835 Mobile Platform. With monthly security updates, the Nokia 8 is safe and up-to-date. Your device is secured with biometric fingerprint authentication, delivering enhanced security and making Nokia 8 a versatile companion whatever your needs.

Accessories 

We offer a range of accessories perfectly tailored to suit the active lifestyle of any Nokia 8 owner. The Nokia 8 works beautifully with the Nokia Active Wireless Headset – a lightweight, water, sweat, and dust proof premium headset. Carved from aluminium for the perfect match, this headset features a beautiful diamond cut design. The full portfolio of accessories for Nokia phones includes a range of headsets, portable speakers, in-car chargers, cases and screen protectors.

Availability

Nokia 8 will be available in four colours: Polished Blue, Polished Copper, Tempered Blue and Steel and will be available at a global average retail price of €599 with roll out throughout September.

Technical specifications for Nokia 8

·         Networks:

• GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
• WCDMA: 1, 2, 5, 8
• TDS-CDMA: 34, 39
• LTE:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
• Network speed: LTE Cat. 9, 3CA, 450Mbps DL/50Mbps UL
• Available in single SIM and dual SIM variants
• OS: Android Nougat 7.1.1
• Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 Mobile Platform
• MSM8998 (4* 2.45GHz Qualcomm® Kryo™ + 4* 1.8GHz Kryo)

• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB^[iii] internal memory with external MicroSD card slot (support up to 256 GB)
• Form factor: Splashproof IP54 touch monoblock with capacitive system keys
• Display: 5.3” IPS LCD QHD 2560 x 1440, 700nts screen brightness, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, 2.5D Glass
• Camera with ZEISS optics:
• Primary camera: 13MP (Colour + OIS) + 13MP (Mono), 1.12um, f/2.0, 76.9˚, PDAF, IR range finder, dual tone flash
• Front facing camera: 13MP PDAF, 1.12um, f/2.0, 78.4˚, display flash
• Connectivity & Sensors: Type C, USB3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 3.5mm headphone jack, Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, E-compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Sensor, Hall sensor, Barometer, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (MIMO), BT 5.0, GPS/AGPS+GLONASS+BDS, NFC, ANT+
• Battery: Integrated 3090 mAh battery^[iv] with Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 3.0 compatible (18W, 5V/2.5A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)

·         Audio: MP3,M4A, AAC,OGG,WAV,AMR,AWB(AMR-WB),FLAC,MIDI(MID,MIDI,XMF, MXMF,IMY,RTTTL,RTX,OTA)

·         Video: MP4, 3GP, 3G2, AVI, MKV, WEBM

• Dimensions: 151.5 x 73.7 x 7.9mm (camera bump 0.4mm)
• Weight: 160g

Anne Curtis launches Dream Machine platform vs Dream Shaming

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The undisputed “Diyosa” and style icon of Philippine showbiz Anne Curtis launched her passion project, Dream Machine platform.

The Dream Machine platform hopes to stop dream shaming and empower dreamers to reach for and live out their dreams.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine https://twitter.com/DreamMachinePH/status/899611618123948032

Anne confessed that she entered showbiz with big dreams and she’s grateful that most of these dreams have come true. 

“I have always been a dreamer. In my 20 years in showbiz, I have worked hard to reach for my dreams. I am blessed to have already achieved most of my dreams and it’s now my turn to be a blessing to others through the Dream Machine platform,” Anne said during in an intimate press conference, held August 21, 2017.

Anne, who has been doing charity works quietly for many years, decided to put up the Dream Machine after hearing stories of dream shaming. 

“It is sad when people set dreams in their hearts only to be dream-shamed by people either because of their color, their status in life, their current skills. It gets worse when it is their own family or their loved ones who shoot down their dreams. The Dream Machine platform hopes to encourage dreamers to continue chasing their dreams and we will do our best to help them,” she adds.

Anne Curtis-Smith with sister Jasmine Curtis who hosted the event launch

Anne revealed that she also was a victim of dream shaming when people called her out for holding the Annebisyosa concert, saying she did not have the right chops to sing, much less do a concert. 

“To sing before a huge audience was my dream. And I worked hard to make it happen. It was not something that I did just for myself, but the Annebisyosa concert was also my way of encouraging people to always fight for their dreams in the face of those that say you can’t do it,” Anne recalled.

Through Dream Machine, Anne hopes to connect with dreamers and learn more about their dreams through the Dream Machine website. 

There are three categories of dreams that Dream Machine will be supporting:

Youth, Education and Empowerment.

“Before the school year started, we were approached by the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City for support in their school renovation. Dream Machine was very happy to help and we are hoping that the renovation will inspire the students to study better,” Anne shared.

To officially kickstart the platform, Dream Machine is hosting the Color Run to empower the dreams of disabled children under the auspices of UNICEF. Anne has been a UNICEF ambassador for 2 years already. 

“Proceeds of the Dream Machine Color Run will all go to the children with disabilities being taken care of by UNICEF. These children are dreamers, too, and you’ll be surprised that some of their dreams are not really for themselves but for their families,” Anne said.

Dream Machine will also roll out the red carpet for the dream weddings of three couples on the first quarter of next year. Couples are invited to share their love stories with Anne through the Dream Machine website. Three couples will be chosen and will be provided their own dream weddings by the Dream Machine.

“The Dream Machine wants to put a stop to dream shaming and instead would like to inspire and encourage more people to dream big. The Dream Machine wants to connect with the dreamers, the dream chasers. The platform serves as the dream-weaver, and will try to find ways to finally turn dream chasers into dream catchers,” Anne explained.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine

Anne said she’ll be happy to welcome other people who would want to be part of the Dream Machine as dream-givers as much as she would love to hear the stories of the dreamers. 

“At the end of the day, what Dream Machine hopes to achieve is to be able to inspire the dreamers, help them achieve their dreams and hopefully be able to start a dream revolution where there’ll be a lot of dream-givers to help the dreamers. The world will be a much happier place when that happens,” Anne said.

Dreamers may start sending in their dreams via the Dream Machine website http://www.dreammachine.ph/.

Ogie Alcasid celebrates 50, dedicates concert to Filipino music and World Vision

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The country’s respected Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer-composer and hitmaker Ogie Alcasid celebrates his 50th birthday with a one-of-a-kind concert dubbed “NakakaLokal!” based on his recently launched album of the same title.

Happening on August 25, 2017 at the KIA Theatre, the awaited musical event will also feature a star-studded line-up including Angeline Quinto, Basti Artadi, Davey Langit, Erik Santos, Iñigo Pascual, Jaya, Kyla, Lara Maigue, Leila Alcasid, Lovi Poe, Men and Music, Solenn Heussaff, and Yeng Constantino. 

The concert will benefit child-focused humanitarian agency World Vision and its advocacy campaign, “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation against Children”. For years, Alcasid has been a staunch advocate and ambassador for World Vision, an NGO which currently assists over 75,000 children nationwide. One of World Vision’s successful sponsored children and now a tenor singer Richard Supat, formerly with FORTEnors, will also join Alcasid in a number offered for the children, especially those living in poor and vulnerable conditions.

For tickets and reservations, visit www.ticketnet.com.ph

Ticket prices are at P3,000 (VIP,) P1,500 (Orchestra A,) P1,000 (Orchestra B,) P800 (Loge,) and P500 (Balcony).

This event is presented by World Vision and A-Team in cooperation with PLDT Home.

BPI-Philam offers easy adulting and total wellness to millennials

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Financial planning is a topic most millennials rarely consider. This is often seen in behaviors of impulse purchases—using their hard-earned money in things that are temporarily meaningful, that at times lead to a feeling of regret, or what is simply called a grudge purchase.

A Goldman Sachs study revealed that generation "ME ME ME" would rather save up for vacations and leisure activities to enjoy their life now than invest in their future--marriage, a home, their own business, retirement plans. This despite financial institutions constantly encouraging them to favor savings and investments.

For Surendra Menon, CEO of BPI-Philam, millennials can choose to have the best of both worlds.

“They can live their present life to the fullest and have a secured future at the same time. It's a misunderstanding that has to be clarified—protecting your future is simply making sure you can enjoy the lifestyle you have now and for the years to come." - - Surendra Menon

Hierarchy of needs

For Menon, gone are the days when insurance is seen as a contingency plan for sickness and death. 

BPI-Philam now offers themselves as a partner for total wellness – securing both physical and financial health, providing better value for money.

He mentions BPI-Philam’s comprehensive health products that lend a hand in living a better life all throughout, and not just when illness strikes.

"Millennials have been hailed as the most health-conscious generation," Menon attests. 

"For them, wellness is a priority. They are willing to spend money to exercise regularly and eat healthy. Our priority is the same, that's why we've integrated ways for them to maintain that lifestyle with our products."

One of the ways BPI-Philam does this is by providing Philam Vitality with their policies—a wellness program designed to reward the policy owner for being and staying active.

“Through Philam Vitality, we’re encouraging them to take that first step to wellness and keep at it by giving them unparalleled rewards and exclusive access to partners like gyms and medical facilities,” said Menon.

The Adultier Adult

He understands that taking the first step to financial planning through insurance might be a big leap from what millennials are used to. Menon assures them that they are on the right track of independence, or simply put, getting better at adulting.

"This new generation of consumers is just wary of where they put their money. They aren't ignorant of insurance," he said. "They just want to be assured that they are getting the value in return of what they pay for. Convenience and customizability are also a factor. We have all of those, but what we truly offer is peace of mind and a way to the wellness of the body.”

To make it simpler for millennials to step out, BPI-Philam eases them into planning forward through platforms that will keep up with their mobile lifestyle.

"These products are available and offered in all BPI branches across the country," Menon enthused. "Whether offline or online, we are prepared to serve.”

Aside from a bancassurance team ready to assist them anywhere in the Philippines, getting a hold of the most fitting policies have been made easier online through their website as well.

Menon also urges them not to look at these plans with the future as an ultimatum to get adulting done but to look forward to an assured future and live a life of total wellness.

"These plans aren't short nor long-term," he adds. "one should always look at what’s an appropriate term for yourself to ensure you get the best value for your money. Our products are based on the appropriate term for your needs.”

Menon hopes informing this generation better of what financial wellness plans are available would align them to the direction they dream their lives would go. 

He believes that with the right financial mentor encouraging them, they will surely gain and win in each key moment in their lives.

"I think they are done hearing what they could do," he said. "It's time we show them that we believe what they can do."

To take the first step in living life to its fullest, visit: https://www.bpi-philam.com/en/our-products.html

About BPI-Philam

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp., is a strategic alliance between two leading companies in the country – The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philam Life) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Philam Life is the premier life insurance company in the Philippines and the market leader for over 60 years. BPI is a leading commercial bank in the country with over 160 years of experience in the local banking industry and an extensive branch network of more than 800 branches and 1,500 ATMs.

BPI-Philam’s professional and expertly trained Bancassurance Sales Executives are assigned in BPI branches nationwide to render financial advisory services that address customer’s financial and protection needs.

With the combined expertise and resources of these two trusted companies, BPI-Philam policyholders are assured that their insurance is backed by financial strength and stability.