Tens of thousands of Citi volunteers celebrate Global Community Day in the Philippines

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Citi recently celebrated its annual Global Community Day, as more than 5,000 Citi volunteers in the Philippines engage in service activities in their local communities. 

In the days leading up to and including Global Community Day, more than 100,000 Citi colleagues, alumni, clients, family and friends in more than 450 cities across 90 countries and territories volunteer on 1,400 service projects that are helping address a range of community needs, from feeding the hungry to revitalizing schools for a better learning environment to preparing young people for jobs.

Annual event contributes nearly four million hours of service since launch

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed is joined by more than 300 volunteers to paint chairs and cover books for “Brigada Eskwela” at the Upper Bicutan Elementary School in Taguig, as part of Citi’s worldwide Global Community Day celebration

On Global Community Day, Citi volunteers invest their time and efforts alongside community and nonprofit partners on service opportunities that help create thriving neighborhoods. Some of these volunteer efforts complement the year-round philanthropic and business-led initiatives, including the Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress, that help make our communities stronger. 

“Citi is committed to making a positive difference in the Philippines. Participation in our Global Community Day continues to grow every year and I’m proud to volunteer alongside more than 5,000 of my colleagues and their family members,” said Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed.

Since the inaugural Global Community Day in 2006, Citi volunteers have contributed nearly four million hours of service to Global Community Day projects in hundreds of cities. 

For this year’s GCD, volunteers got to take part in the Brigada Eskwela where they painted classroom desks and chairs, cleaned classrooms, potted plants and refurbished textbooks for the new school year. They also helped build and paint 10 homes and clear and plough nearby plots in Cavite; conducted workshops on career readiness and finance and legal matters; donated and sorted clothing and toys and watched a movie in cinema with street children; and took part in the Freedom Walk to raise awareness and respect for people with disabilities.

This year’s GCD partners were the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Gawad Kalinga, Bayan Academy, ChildHope Philippines, Habitat for Humanity, GMA Kapuso Foundation, World Vision Foundation and the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD).

To learn more about Citi’s citizenship efforts across the globe and to review the 2017 Global Citizenship Report, visit http://citizenship.citigroup.com.

MIDAS PROMOTIONS PRESENTS, VIRAL VINTAGE SENSATIONS POST MODERN JUKEBOX LIVE IN MANILA!

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Have you ever thought how Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” would have sounded if it came out in the 60’s or if Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” could make a 1950’s prom even more romantic?

The once-popular phrase may be “everything old is new again,” but for Scott Bradlee, it might read everything new is old again.

Instead of just doing covers, music arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee formed an ensemble band of throwbox minstrels called Post Modern Jukebox (PMJ) that takes modern pop hits and plays them in ragtime, vintage jazz and other retro musical styles.

 “Today's hits, yesterday” was the inspiration behind Post Modern Jukebox’s unique retro-reworkings of modern pop and rock hits. The multi-talented collective reimagines contemporary pop, rock and R&B hits in the style of various yesteryears, from swing to doo-wop, ragtime to Motown – or, as Bradlee himself puts it, “pop music in a time machine.”

It’s an idea Bradlee had as far back as high school.

“When I was in high school, I was getting into really like early jazz, stuff like ragtime and New Orleans music and things like that,” Bradlee said. “You can imagine that most of my peers weren’t really into that kind of music. They didn’t play a whole lot of ragtime at school dances back then. So I wanted to be able to share this with my friends, and one thing I wound up doing since I had pretty good ears—I taught myself a lot by ear—I would just kind of pick out pop songs that they liked and turned them into ragtime or jazz and stuff.”

PMJ had its humble beginnings in the cramped basement of Bradlee’s apartment in Queens, New York, where he shot videos with a small group of college friends. 

The group’s big break came after doing a jazzy cover of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ ‘Thrift Shop’ which became viral, reaching over a million views in its first week and climbing to #8 on Billboard magazine’s Jazz Albums chart. Bradlee and crew then followed it up with Miley Cyrus’ ‘We Can’t Stop’ and true enough there was simply no stopping PMJ as it found its way out of Bradlee’s basement apartment and into bigger, more elaborate venues and mainstream consciousness.

Post Modern Jukebox’s choice of material ranges from the ‘80s hard rock of Guns N’ Roses to the most current hits of today and they are performed by a rotating cast of musicians, including numerous American Idol alumni, wearing the same fashion pieces as their version’s particular era or genre.

To date, they have amassed over a billion views on their YouTube channel, and they have covered artists ranging from Lady Gaga to Radiohead, Taylor Swift to  Maroon 5 and many others, giving their hits a vintage makeover like jazz, swing and ragtime.

“I take pride in putting together the right powers and personalities to create a unique and amazing experience for our fans,” Bradlee says in an interview. “We want them to escape reality and join us for the most sensational 1920s party this side of The Great Gatsby. We want them to experience what it was like to be at the New Years' Eve show that Sinatra would have hosted in the 1940s. We want them to feel the excitement of hearing the greats of Motown live and up close. Our goal is to give our audiences their favorite show again and again and still have it feel like the very first time.”

The Houston Press proclaimed, “Scott Bradlee’s project has turned into a worldwide phenomenon in quite a small amount of time, having sold out shows in more than 60 countries around the world – and rightly so.”

And as any Post Modern Jukebox fan can tell you, the experience is never the same twice, with new songs, new sounds, and new members added to the ever-growing family each time around.

Finally, Pinoy enthusiasts can now experience Pop Music in a Time Machine as Midas Productions presents Post Modern Jukebox Live in Manila at the Kia Theatre  on Friday, 14th September 2018.

Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, June 15, 2018 at 10 am onwards.

Ticket Prices:

VIP Gold Package: P9,600

VIP Silver Package: P6,645

VIP: P4,500

Orchestra: P3,500

Loge: P4,000

Balcony: P2,500

VIP GOLD PACKAGE DETAILS

Package name: Postmodern Jukebox Gold VIP Package

Package price: P9,600.00

Ticket limit per order: 4

Package offsale: 5 days prior to show date

Each GOLD package includes:

- 1 Premium Seat Location in the First 2 Rows

- Post Show Meet & Greet and Photo Opportunity with members of Postmodern Jukebox

- 1 Exclusive Postmodern Jukebox Limited Edition Tour Print

- 1 Commemorative VIP Laminate (Your pass to access the Meet & Greet)

VIP SILVER PACKAGE DETAILS

Package name: Postmodern Jukebox Silver VIP Package

Package price: P6,645.00

Ticket limit per order: 4

Package offsale: 5 days prior to show date

Each SILVER package includes:

- 1 Premium Seat Location in the First 3 Rows

- 1 Exclusive Postmodern Jukebox Limited Edition Tour Print

OPPO explores the threshold of smartphone possibilities

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For years, leading global smartphone brand OPPO has been introducing a number of exciting new technologies to the industry. These concepts, at the brink of smartphone possibilities, will help define the future generations of OPPO smartphones to come.

5x Dual Camera Zoom

As one of the forerunner smartphone brands to make "photography" a key R&D direction, OPPO has been advancing photography technologies for years.

OPPO announced the exclusive “5x Dual Camera Zoom” technology at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017. Inspired by the submarine’s periscope, “5x Dual Camera Zoom” technology uses a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. The telephoto lens applies a periscope-style structure, where its angle is rotated at 90 degrees, giving the lens enough space for a deep zoom. Thanks to this construction, the new dual-camera guarantees a better performance while at the same time keeps the device thin. The 5x dual camera module is only 5.7mm thick, which is even 10 percent thinner than a traditional 2x optical zoom lens in a smartphone.

Full Charge in 15 Minutes with Super VOOC

OPPO’s VOOC Flash Charge is widely acknowledged as the safest and fastest charge technology in the world. The most iconic version of OPPO’s fast charging technology is Super VOOC Flash Charge, released at MWC 2016. Based on a brand new low voltage pulse algorithm and exclusive customized super battery developed by OPPO, it can fully charge a 2500 mAh battery within 15 minutes.

3D Structured Light + 5G Network

In January 2018, OPPO announced the 5G pilot program in cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies. Later on May 10, the OPPO Global Research Institute (Shenzhen) successfully demonstrated the World's First 5G Video Call Demo using 3D Structured Light Technology. 5G network and 3D structured light technology provide consumers with potentially lifestyle-changing innovations such as Secure Payment, 3D Reconstruction, AR, Gaming, etc.

These innovative concepts carry the spirit of OPPO’s continuous exploration. The company is committed to providing innovative application scenarios for new technologies in the future, with a particular focus on user needs, for our consumers around the world.

For more information on OPPO’s cutting-edge products, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page or follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

10 Ways to have an extra special Father’s Day

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When it comes to gift giving and celebrations nothing can be more difficult than preparing for a surprise for Father’s Day.  After all, what else can you give to a person who has the means to thoughtfully provide for all of your family’s needs day in and day out? Of course there’s nothing wrong with giving the ubiquitous tie, money clip or wallet but if you really want your dad to have an extra special day, then it’s time to plan activities or presents that he will truly enjoy. 

• Let him indulge in a little “me” time

Dads have some of the busiest schedules. They juggle work and family time, and are left with almost zero time for themselves. This Father’s Day, deliberately give them a day off. Keep the kids preoccupied with tasks or playthings so dad can focus on things that will make him relax and enjoy like watching his favorite game or series, uninterrupted time online, or even a quick jog outdoors. 

• Spend the day playing his favorite sport

Father’s love to share their interests with their family. Whether it’s a sport like running or football to restoring vintage cars or collecting vintage LPs, dads feel a special bond with their families when they have a shared interest. Spend the day on the field and talking shop and techniques so the entire family can improve their game. A visit to a sport shop afterwards is also a fun way to cap a tiring yet fulfilling game. Athletic dads who love football for instance, will enjoy a trip with the entire family to a specialty store like Nike Bootcamp where they can try on the latest football boots and cleats, or buy an extra pair of pro gloves and shin guards. To him, it will seem like outfitting an entire team.

• Let him live out a dream

Let’s admit it, guys, father’s included, have a thing for driving. For dads who secretly dream of riding of into the sunset on a two-wheeled muscle machine, they can now live out their fantasy by enrolling in the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE). Drop by the Ducati shop at the Commercenter to book a class where they will be trained by Ducati Certified Instructors. Not only will they brush up on their motorcycle riding skills, dads will get a DRE kit, certificate, practical session, and of course hours of riding time on a Ducati motorcycle! Sweet! If you want to make your pop’s day even sweeter, get him an accessory or two which can serve as a memento.

• Support his hobbies

If you’re father is more of a cyclist than a biker, a trip to Epic Cyle at the Commercenter might just be the highlight of your dad’s day. From performance footwear, helmets, handle bars and frames, the store has everything a hard core cycling enthusiast needs for a perfect ride. Be ready to while away some time as its easy to get enthralled with all that gear.

• Give time to play with his “toys”

It wouldn’t be surprising if your dad spent considerable time tuning or jazzing up his car when he still had spare time in his hands. This Father’s Day let him spend time doing what he used to do over the weekends – taking care of his second “baby,” his car. To top it off, literally gift him with a new set of Bridgestone wheels like another set of passenger tires, new wet tires for the rainy season or a 4x4 set for off-road adventures.

• Send him to boot camp

All father’s wear different hats. Some are even serious athletes or weekend warriors. These sporty dads now have a chance to up their game by joining a high performance sports program that can help them reach their full potential. Enroll your dad into a Sports or Performance Training Program at Focus Athletics to help him achieve his fitness goals faster. Or better yet, tag along and be his workout buddy so you can bond and encourage each other over drills and exercises.  

• Encourage him to relax, refresh and recharge

For the dad who needs rest and relaxation, a chance to unwind at the Commercenter’s Centro Holistico might just be the thing. The wellness center offers acupuncture, IV Nutrient Therapy, detox, lymphatic dry brushing and other programs that can soothe the senses. 

• Zone out with a little screen time

Who doesn’t enjoy a little screen time? With the Commercenter’s spacious and luxurious cinema, dads will surely be able to focus and lose themselves in whatever film they’re watching. 

• Let him feast like a king

After a fun-filled and eventful father’s day weekend, treat dad to steak and more steak at the Black Pig. If he’s into burgers, he can dive into the pork belly sandwich which is just as satisfying. 

• Cap off the day with a toast

To cap off the day, throw a toast to dad and tell him how much you appreciate him with a premium bottle of wine from Bacchus wines. If he’s more into hard drinks, give him a cognac or a whiskey to let him feel valued. 

Throwing a memorable Father’s Day celebration doesn’t have to be that difficult. As long as each activity is centered on your dad’s enjoyment and demonstrates how much you appreciate him, it will sure be a celebration that he will treasure throughout the years. Drop by the Comercenter in Alabang this Father’s Day weekend to show your dad how much you care.

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Lenovo’s Star Wars special edition Yoga 920

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It’s not too late to buy the perfect gift for Father’s Day. We all want to “gift” our dads with something both aesthetic and practical. It’s time to help him upgrade his tech with a device that serves him at work, at home and everywhere in between.

Enter the Yoga 920, an award-winning, 2-in-1, and ultra-modern laptop offered by Lenovo. In the Philippines, it is available in a Star Wars special edition design featuring the logos of the two opposing forces in the series—the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire.

Star Wars Special Edition Yoga 920 Galactic Empire Star Wars Special Edition Yoga 920 Rebel Alliance 

Its outstanding performance and cool design is geared towards every kind of dad, including:

The Handy Dad – It’s been said that a man without tools is nothing, with tools he is all. The Yoga 920 is a veritable digital tool chest for modern working men. Powered by an 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor and Windows 10 OS, its performance is also boosted with Cortana, a voice-activated intelligent assistant for better productivity, and twin Thunderbolt 3 ports for incredibly fast data transfers. With all these features, the Yoga 920 has what it takes to get things done.

The Creative Dad – Right-brained dads will fall in love with the Yoga 920’s optional Lenovo Active Pen 2 with 4,096 levels of pen-on-paper sensitivity and Windows Ink compatibility. It emulates the easy comfort of a pen-on-paper writing experience, whether he’s sketching out a new work design, building a family photo album, or taking notes during a meeting, creative dads can easily produce, publish and share files with a touch of the pen.

The Trendsetter Dad – Trendsetter dads are always up-to-date—they take great pride in having the latest tech and being updated with what’s new in pop culture. Trendy dads will be delighted with the Yoga 920’s far-field mics that allows Cortana, a voice-activated intelligent assistant, to recognize his voice commands from up to four meters away. The integrated fingerprint reader and Windows Hello™ functionality will allow dads to enforce an extra layer of biometric security for PC log-in.

Apart from these extraordinary features, the Star Wars Special Edition Yoga 920 comes with a beautiful all-metal unibody design with logos of either the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire etched on visually striking and head-turning Gorilla® Glass cover.

The Mobile Dad – On-the-go dads will love the portability of the Yoga 920, weighing just 1.37kg (3.02 lbs) and is only 13.95mm (0.55in) thick. With up to 10.8 hours battery life, he can leave his charger at home.

Whether he is traveling for work, hitting the gym, or grabbing a quick bite, mobile dads can take the Yoga 920 with him to keep track of errands, check emails and stay constantly connected with continuous downloads in standby mode.

The Family Dad – Sharing family photos and vacation videos using the Yoga 920’s nearly bezel-less 4K IPS touchscreen in 720p UHD will be a great experience for family gatherings. The Yoga 920 comes with Dolby Atmos’ immersive audio. Paired with a Lenovo Explorer immersive headset, he can take the kids through vivid virtual travel and gaming in Windows Mixed Reality.

The 13.9-inch Star Wars Special Edition Yoga 920 is available in major stores for P139,995.