Shanti Dope, the wildcard who will join IVOS for an exclusive Coke Studio Collab!

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“Shookt,” sums up Zild Benitez of IV Of Spades when he and his bandmates Blaster Silonga and Badjao de Castro when they were told of their Coke Studio collaboration. “Although, we have to admit that there was also some fear,” admits Badjao. “But even if there was that fear, we still had to do it. We’re just enjoying it.” ZILD then turns philosophical and says, “There’s a saying that you should grab opportunity, but sometimes you should also grab the fear.” Known for their distinctive and some would say, brave sartorial choices, fear is not exactly what we would associate with this groundbreaking band that makes not just music but also creates a super stylish and cool vibe for their fans. 

Just going into music, even though they are all from musical families was a big act of audacity for these three musicians. “People think that because our parents were musicians, they encouraged us, but it’s actually the opposite. They were always pointing out to us how hard it is to choose a life in music,” Zild begins. And Badjao and Blaster nod in agreement. “We still did it!” Blaster says . Of the collaboration itself, they come up with the words unusual, challenging and exciting to describe the whole process. Badjao adds, “Very challenging and exciting.” ZILD adds, “We are part of a generation that’s not boxed in by genre. We knew that Shanti Dope is edgy so we just wanted to enjoy the collaboration.” 

Teen prodigy Shanti Dope exploded onto the rap scene at age 16, but he himself says that even as a child, he wasn't like other children. He discovered rap at age 9, as he was sound tripping with his friends, and it created a space where he could be himself. His parents separated when he was young and he was shuttled among various relatives. Though adults expect teenagers to be obsessed with puppy love and such, Shanti Dope raises the big questions. His songs tackle such weighty topics as the futility of materialism and biting social commentary. “Bata pa ako, inuusisa ko na ang mga bagay na hindi pang-bata.” (Ever since childhood, I would be curious about matters that are not just for children.) Now mentored by rap legend Gloc 9, Shanti Dope just waves aside any fancy titles as the next big thing in rap, just happy to keep on experimenting on his music. “Lahat lahat puedeng i-adapt,” he muses, echoing the open and experimental attitude to music as the IV Of Spades guys. 

When asked how to describe their song, Shanti Dope, quips, “Parang vintage na classy barong.” Zild pipes in, “It’s like a big work of graffiti.” “That has been enhanced by photoshop,” adds Blaster. 

They all marveled at how effortless and seamless their chemistry emerged. Maybe it’s their shared openness to experimentation. Maybe it’s their youth. Or maybe it’s just that when you love creating and performing, your shared artistry just flows. 

Watch how Shanti Dope and IV Of Spades collaborate for a refreshing kind of music that celebrates their own genres in the first episode of Coke Studio Season 2. 

Catch them every Sunday at 11:15a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

Electrolux challenges women to change the way they do laundry at the FashionCare Season 2 Launch

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Electrolux Philippines hosted Timeless Style: The FashionCare Season 2 Launch Party last August 30, 2018, at Whitespace Manila, Chino Roces Ext., Makati.City.

At the FashionCare Season 2 Launch Party, Electrolux Ambassador Rajo Laurel and FashionCare Council Members Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Janice Villanueva challenge women to change their ideas about caring for their timeless pieces of clothing. 

The FashionCare Council and Electrolux representatives (from left: Electrolux Philippines General Manager Chad Sotelo, Electrolux Philippines Country Marketing Manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla, FashionCare Council Member Amina Aranaz-Alunan, FashionCare Ambassador Rajo Laurel, Electrolux Philippines Product Manager Erika Depositar, FashionCare Council Member Janice Villanueva and event host Patty Laurel-Filart)

Washing machines have become a reliable partner of many Filipino households in doing their laundry as it saves more time than washing by hand. Yet when it comes to caring for clothes, many women still have trust issues when it comes to their washing machines. That is the concern that Electrolux seeks to address as it launched the second season of its FashionCare Campaign, which seeks to change the way women do their laundry. 

Laundry Woes 

To find out more about women’s laundry woes, Electrolux Philippines conducted a research in partnership with Mommy Mundo, one of the country’s leading mom communities. When asked about what fabrics they were afraid to wash using their washing machine, 67% of the respondents say that they are afraid to machine wash their silk clothing, followed by delicate wear (52%), cashmere (40%), and wool (39%). 

Among the top reasons why women hesitate to put their clothes in washing machines are more than half of them (58%) think it might ruin the clothes, while some think that machine wash can cause fabric shrinkage (17%) or fading of colours (4%). 

When it comes to doing laundry, women worry about more than just cleaning. Fabric care remains one of the unfulfilled needs of women as 77% of them look for fabric care features when they buy washing machines, and among their top 3 laundry concerns are pilling of clothes or what we call himulmol, stubborn stains and misshaping of clothes – two of which are related to caring for the fabric. 

The FashionCare Challenge 

With women’s laundry concerns in mind, Electrolux created the UltimateCare™ range of washing machines, designed to help women care for their clothes. 

At the FashionCare Season 2 Premiere Party, Electrolux Philippines FashionCare Ambassador Rajo Laurel and FashionCare Council Members Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Janice Villanueva put the UltimateCare™ washer dryer to the test as they challenged Electrolux to wash their designer dress, silk scarf and wool jacket, respectively. 

The FashionCare Council themselves demonstrated how to use Electrolux UltimateCare washer-dryers, proving how easy and convenient they are to use, and how effective they are in keeping your clothes clean, fresh and vibrant. 

Amina Aranaz-Alunan, founder, executive director and teacher of SoFA Design Institute, and Creative Director of fashion accessories and bag label ARANÁZ, was pleased to find that her silk scarf was just as colourful after washing as when she bought it.

“I could keep using this over and over again thanks to Electrolux’s UltimateCare™ washer dryer which has features that care for delicate pieces and keeps them looking new and vibrant,” shared Amina during the event. 

Meanwhile, Janice Villlanueva, successful mompreneur and founder of Mommy Mundo, was initially apprehensive about ruining her wool jacket, but found it undamaged and soft to the touch after the washing and drying was finished. 

“I used to hand wash wool sweaters like this one because I was afraid it would get stretched out of shape. So I’m excited that the Electrolux’s UltimateCare™ washer dryer can safely wash woollen items and make sure they look their best,” Janice said. 

Rajo Laurel, renowned fashion designer and Electrolux FashionCare Ambassador, was sure that his designer dress would come out of the wash unscathed.

“I know that Electrolux understands how important our clothes are to us, and I’m grateful for it. I feel safe knowing that my clothes are in good hands with Electrolux’s UltimateCare™ washing machines,” shared Rajo. 

Designed to care for clothes 

Electrolux is confident that its latest range of washing machines would rise to the challenge as its UltimateCare™ washing machines comes with UltraMix™ technology to help women not only get better stain removal but better fabric care, helping them retain the colour, shape, and softness of their clothes from delicate wear to designer pieces. 

The UltraMix™ technology gives women the results of a hot wash for better stain and dirt removal, yet uses a lower, gentler temperature. Detergent and water are pre-mixed in a special chamber before the beginning of the cycle to maximize cleaning power at a lower temperature. It delivers deeper clean and 31% better colour care, to ensure your favorites look newer for longer.

Besides the powerful yet gentle cleaning of UltraMix™, Electrolux UltimateCare™ washing machines extend the life of clothes with Vapour Action, designed to soften fabric while reducing allergens by up to 99.9% that’s gives women the assurance of better care for your clothes for years to come. The Woolmark certified cycle approved by the Woolmark Company, the global authority on wool, will safely launder these precious garments. 

Electrolux UltimateCare™ washing machines also has Eco Inverter technology that offers high energy efficiency that reduces energy consumption by 75% and save time by 44%. Women can also enjoy the flexibility and convenience to toss in forgotten items during the washing cycle with add clothes feature. 

“For today’s modern woman, clothes are a way of expressing herself, which is why she doesn’t trust washing machines with her priceless pieces of clothing. But we at Electrolux want to share that now, there is a washing machine that cares for your clothes as much as you do,” shared Andrea Soto-Pionilla, Country Marketing Manager of Electrolux. “With the FashionCare Campaign, Electrolux wants to introduce a better way of taking care of our machine wash-sensitive clothes. With the Electrolux UltimateCare™ washing machines, you not only get cleaning, but fabric care that makes clothes look newer for longer.” 

In line with its FashionCare campaign, Electrolux is offering several great deals on its washing machines, with offers up to 25% off on selected front load washing machines and washer- dryers. Women can also avail of selected Electrolux Front Load Washing Machines and get 25% off on an Electrolux Front Load Dryer. Also included is a free stacking kit and installation valued at PhP 3,049 with this fantastic bundle deal. Promo period runs from July 1 to September 30, 2018. 

To learn more how Electrolux can help keep favourites clothes looking new for longer, vist at bit.ly/ElectroluxFashionCare and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram. 

Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 7072 Series of 2018 

Electrolux shapes living for the better by reinventing taste, care and wellbeing experiences, making life more enjoyable and sustainable for millions of people. As a leading global appliance company, we place the consumer at the heart of everything we do. Through our brands, including Electrolux, AEG, Anova, Frigidaire, Westinghouse and Zanussi, we sell more than 60 million household and professional products in more than 150 markets every year. In 2017 Electrolux had sales of SEK 122 billion and employed 56,000 people around the world. For more information go to www.electroluxgroup.com.ph

Hypersonic Signal Beams for Christian Bables

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Christian Bables has cemented a place of his own in the acting world, following a win at the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, for his portrayal of Intoy in Signal Rock. Christian has proven to all and sundry that he is an actor to reckon with. He has also erased the notion that he was stuck to playing gay roles.

While he played the “bagtik” (astig in Tagalog), Intoy who decides to remain in a remote island with his family and courageously climbs steep rock formations just to get a cellphone signal in Signal Rock, Christian in reality is also a “bagtik” actor - camera ready, focused and steadfast.

His most recent triumph, a Special Jury Award for Outstanding Acting in Signal Rock (while the movie won the Critics’ Choice Award at the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino), is an amplified signal that all the forces of the universe are aligned in his favor.

Describing his acting style, Christian says, “Each actor has his own style of dealing with life. That is the main purpose of acting, to deal with the truth of life. Ang mga actors, merong reference na technique pero the acting skill should be coming from who you are as a person and your sensibility as a person. For me, there’s no specific style in acting. Only your own style of dealing with life.”

What does he look for in a role? “I often look for the core of the story at sa puso ng karakter. As an artist, I also try to find a way how to relate the character to me. If there’s a common denominator then it’s easy to connect to the role.”

He is passionate about his work as he is with life. “I always believe that everything is about choices. As long as I choose what is right and do what satisfies my heart and God, then I’ll be fine. I just have to put my trust in God and let go. His purpose is always better than the promises of this world.”

A keen observer of people, Christian values the importance of training and preparation. He arrives on the movie set ahead of time, ready to face the cameras. It may sound weird but Christian dreams of playing a suicide bomber. “Its life has many colors of different shades.”

He refuses to be defined by popularity alone saying that being famous is just part of being an actor. “Neither will it define you nor make you as a person. I keep myself intact to my truth.”

On the television front, Christian pits talents with Jericho Rosales and Sam Milby in the ABS-CBN teleserye Halik. Other projects are being negotiated.

Christian Bables is co-managed by Asian Artists Agency, Inc. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day clocks best ever performance in history; hits over 5.8 million orders in 24 hours

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up its biggest annual regional shopping event of the year, Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day, surpassing last year’s record at 7:43am on 9 September. This year’s Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day achieved a new milestone with the highest-ever single day sales performance in Shopee’s history, with a total of over 5.8 million orders recorded; amounting to 3 times more than an average day.

Over 15 million items were sold within 24 hours. Within the first 9 minutes of 9 September, a total of 99,999 items were snapped up by shoppers from all across the region.

Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer of Shopee, said, “As the third instalment of Shopee’s annual regional shopping event, this year’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day is our biggest one yet. The performance of this year’s campaign far exceeded our expectations on all fronts, and we are proud to have achieved record breaking sales with the support of our loyal Shopee users, brands and partners.”

Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day boasted the support of more than 7 million sellers, and 10,000 brands across the region. In the Philippines, Health and Personal Care, Mobiles and Accessories, and Home and Living, emerged as the top performing categories as Filipinos shopped over the 11-day event from 30 August to 9 September. 

Both sellers and brands enjoyed extended reach and sales uplift, with the top performing brands includingMaybelline, P&G, Colgate-Palmolive, The SM Store, Silverworks and Drypers, recording significant increase in order volume and traffic.

The debut of back-to-back themed days during this year’s Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day proved to be highly popular. Super Flash Sale Day and Super Brands Festival were the most well-received among Filipinos, as users shopped mega flash sales and exclusive deals from brands.

As a special surprise for users, celebrities including It’s Showtime hosts Teddy and Jugs; Hashtags dance group’s Zeus Collins and Jameson Blake; comedian and host, Ramon Bautista; designer, Avel Bacudio; and actor, Kyle Velino; joined Shopee in celebrating the success of Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day by personally delivering Shopee orders to users’ doorsteps. The event was broadcasted on Facebook Live with more than 200,000 people tuning in to the reactions of surprised users, and to take part in a special post 9.9 giveaway. A few lucky viewers of the live giveaway won themselves an Oppo F5, Infinix Hot 6 Pro, and exclusive bundles from different brand partners.

“We would like to thank everyone who has played a part in helping to make Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day a tremendous success. We look forward to bringing even more exciting initiatives in the months ahead,” closed Pang.

For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Prudence Foundation inks partnership with PH Red Cross to strengthen first-aid awareness

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In conjunction with the celebration of World First Aid Day 2018, Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential in Asia, has established a partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to strengthen SAFE STEPS First Aid awareness in the country.

From left: SAFE STEPS First Aid Ambassador Dr. Maria Guevarra, Prudence Foundation Director Justin Chang, Pru Life UK Chief Financial Officer Lee Longa, PRC OIC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, PRC Assistant Secretary General Dr. Zenaida Beltejar, PRC Safety Services Unit Manager Von Ong

Hosted by PRC, this year’s World First Aid Day celebration in the Philippines focuses on the enhancement of public awareness of the importance of first aid skills in relation to road accidents. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), injuries claimed 4.9 million lives in 2016, 29% of which were due to road traffic injuries.

A regionally implemented program, SAFE STEPS First Aid aims to contribute to lowering these statistics by providing people with fundamental first aid information and knowledge, enabling them to be less vulnerable in an emergency situation and help others in need. The program consists of videos, safety cards, posters, and other educational materials covering basic first aid topics, including burns, broken bones, choking, CPR, severe bleeding, and stroke. The SAFE STEPS program also includes SAFE STEPS Road Safety which provides similar materials covering key road safety topics to help the public be safer on the roads.

In the Philippines, the partnership with PRC will boost SAFE STEPS First Aid’s education materials reach among Filipinos as the educational materials will be distributed locally in PRC’s offices, blood centers, website, social media pages, and its soon-to-be-relaunched first aid mobile app.

Prudence Foundation Executive Director Marc Fancy said, “It is with great pleasure we are able to announce on World First Aid Day our partnership with the Philippine Red Cross to provide SAFE STEPS First Aid’s life-saving information to as many Filipinos as possible. Prudence Foundation aims to secure the future of Asian communities and having the Philippine Red Cross as a partner – together with the strong support from Pru Life UK – helps ensure that together we can achieve this.”

Filipino-American humanitarian Dr. Maria Guevarra, one of the ambassadors for SAFE STEPS First Aid, graced the event and shared her experience doing humanitarian work and advocating first aid awareness.

“In my line of work, I’ve witnessed how first aid can be the difference between life and death. First aid is a vital life-saving tool – we will never know when we will be able to put the knowledge into action, but when we do, we can save lives,” she shared. “This is why I am very excited for the partnership to touch more lives and make a difference in the Philippines through SAFE STEPS First Aid.”

Launched in 2017, SAFE STEPS First Aid was developed in partnership with IFRC and National Geographic. 

The program builds upon the successful SAFE STEPS Natural Disasters and SAFE STEPS Road Safety programs launched by Prudence Foundation in May 2014 and February 2016 respectively with the aim to promote awareness of life-threatening issues in the hope of saving lives and building more resilient communities. 

SAFE STEPS reaches 250 million people across the region every day through partnerships with the private sector, governments and humanitarian organizations.