3 Philippine cities emerge as national finalists in WWF’s One Planet City Challenge

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The Philippine cities of Batangas, Muntinlupa, and Santa Rosa have been selected as national finalists in this year’s World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) One Planet City Challenge (OPCC). Over 250 cities from around the globe, including 13 from the Philippines, joined the OPCC’s 2020 leg.

Originally known as the Earth Hour Challenge, WWF kicked off the OPCC in 2011 as a friendly competition that allows participating cities to share best practices in climate mitigation and develop adaptation plans anchored in their crucial role towards building a sustainable and climate-safe future. With cities accounting for 70% of carbon emissions globally and generating 80% of the total GDP, their political and economic power are considered instrumental in the transition to a more stable climate.

With cities in 53 countries participating, approximately 66% of the global population is represented in this year’s run.

WWF-Philippines Executive Director Jose Angelito Palma expressed his appreciation for the Philippine cities that participated in this call for transformational governance.

The award-winning e-jeepneys of Muntinlupa City bested other entries from all over the world in an international transportation summit. Photograph © City Information Office of Muntinlupa

“In these trying times, being business-as-usual in the way we do things is no more sufficient to secure a safe and sustainable future. I would like to acknowledge the cities that participated in this initiative for pursuing innovative ways towards sustainable and healthy cities for the current and future generations.”

Meanwhile, Atty. Angela Ibay, Head of the Climate and Energy Program of WWF-Philippines, noted the role of citizens in building a climate-safe future. 

“Even as cities around the world increasingly advance climate actions, we cannot underestimate how citizen engagement and participation play integral roles in the implementation of these actions, and their active participation help shapes how sustainable and resilient cities can be in years to come.m"

Batangas City is the capital of the province of Batangas. As the largest city in the region, it serves as the industrial port of CALABARZON. Photograph © City Information Office of Batangas City

Santa Rosa City is a first-class city located in Laguna which houses several industrial parks, theme parks, and housing developments. Photograph © City Information Office of Santa Rosa

The three Philippine finalists, along with those from other countries, have also qualified to participate in the OPCC’s We Love Cities campaign, which aims to bridge better communication between city officials and the citizens they represent on climate and sustainability issues.

All finalists are set for evaluation by the OPCC jury - a jury composed of urban sustainability experts from across the globe. A national winner per country, as well as a global winner, will be recognized and awarded in a ceremony set to take place in mid-2020. For more information and updates, log on to http://panda.org/opcc. 

8 tips to help your TikToks stand out

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When you hear the song “Don’t Start Now” by English singer/songwriter Dua Lipa, what initially comes to mind? Do you imagine the visually stunning music video tied to it, or is your mind flooded with mental images of a plethora of dance covers on TikTok?

Indeed, TikTok has become a global phenomenon and, lately, has sort of become a therapy for most people especially in light of the community quarantines enforced worldwide. And with millions of active users on the platform, coming up with fresh and unique videos may seem like a daunting task.

Fear not because collecting plenty of views, likes, and followers on this rapidly growing platform is not impossible. Here are 8 tips on how to make Tik-Toks that stand out:

Immerse yourself in the “For You” page

Developing ideas and crafting them into your latest TikTok might be difficult due to the sea of clips already out there. But who says you can’t draw inspiration from these clips? Binge watch videos on the “For You” page to get a sense of what’s hot, what’s not, and what hasn’t been created yet.

Use your own audio clips

While TikTok has a vast library of songs and audio clips, they are only offered in segments lasting no more than a minute. Got a favorite? Why not use a separate device to play audio clips of your choice. Be wary of copyright infringement though.

Make every second count

To get a higher viewership count, make sure that the first few seconds of your TikTok has an impact that will easily reel people in. Try baked-in captions or brief and creative intros on your videos to entice viewers to watch your clips entirely.

Showcase your “talent,” but be yourself

TikTok is considered a safe space for people who want to explore and broadcast their skills and talents. Whether it’s dancing, singing, acting, cooking, or showing how talented you are at being talentless--that actually garners a lot of engagement--show the world what makes you, you. Just make sure to maintain authenticity because that is what the audience likes.

Go all out

While you’re at it, make sure to give it your all and showcase the best version of you. Don’t be ashamed of being a bit “extra”. Put on your best outfits, apply makeup, and unleash a burst of energy--it’ll only be a few seconds anyway.

Be relatable

Another way to make your TikToks stand out is to make them as relatable as possible. Try kickstarting ideas with a few unique questions like “How do I react during monumental scenes in a certain renowned movie?” or “How do I look when I wake up on different days of the week?”

Add in multiple hashtags

Maybe you’re thinking: “...but having a ‘gazillion’ hashtags is so 2013.” While that may be true for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, there is certainly zero judgement on the use of hashtags by the TikTok community. In fact, using a ton of hashtags like #fyp and #tiktokph, increases your chances of landing on the “For You” page.

Engage in a “Duet”

Joining forces with fellow “TikTokers” not only allows for wider audience engagement, but ensures a fun and interactive experience. Plus, you get to make new friends in the process.

Bonus tip: Follow influential profiles

Much like in fashion and design, it’s always good to have pegs that are consistent with your style and taste. 

Follow your favorite TikTokers and celebrities to be in the loop for latest trends. And while you’re at it, follow the brand on TikTok at @vivophilippines to get fresh and creative updates on products and services.

Resourceful Filipino volunteer uses Brother sewing machines to produce PPEs for frontliner

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Photo from Rod Jean Claire Dullan

As the Philippines undergoes its enhanced community quarantine to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19, many Filipinos are stepping up and helping out in any way they can, serving as an inspiration to many others to also do their part for everyone in need.

One such inspiring story is that of volunteer Rod Jean Claire Dullano, who shared how they relied on Brother sewing machines to produce a number of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and facemasks for medical frontliners.

Photo from Rod Jean Claire Dullano

“Your products have been so helpful to us,” said Dullano in her e-mail to Brother Philippines. “Thank you so much for your great effort in making quality machines for us. God bless you.”

Brother Philippines is truly honored to power meaningful efforts such as Dullano’s, and we salute everyone giving their time and dedication to help our country’s frontliners in these challenging times.

If you are using our sewing machines or any Brother product to help in the fight against this crisis, please do send us your stories at marketing@brother.com.ph. We would like to thank you personally and share your story with the world.

For more info and updates, you may visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside/. 

For any inquiries or concerns, please call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898, through the toll-free line at 1-10-BROTHER, or send an e-mail to helpdesk@brother.com.ph.

Globe appoints Martha Sazon as new Mynt’s new CEOi

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Globe has appointed Martha Sazon as Mynt’s new CEO effective June 1, replacing Anthony Thomas who led the fintech company in the last three years.

Sazon has 12 years of leadership experience across various business units in Globe such as postpaid mobile, small and medium business, and broadband.

“Inherent to her is the ability to pioneer and execute breakthroughs that led to significant and sustainable results, all anchored on addressing the most important customer needs such as the MySuperPlan, SME solutions-selling, and Home Prepaid Wifi and Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid, while transforming operations through agile and digitalization,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“Martha, as a leader, is a clear embodiment of Mynt’s current state that is ready to take on the future, fired up for sustainable growth and armed with an evolved, progressive approach to customer experience,” he added.

Globe also said that Thomas will remain to serve as an adviser to the board of Mynt.

“Mynt’s unwavering commitment in delivering world-class e-wallet services for the Filipinos has brought the brand GCash to its undisputed leadership position in the Philippine Fintech space today. This achievement would not have been possible if not for the leadership of Anthony Thomas in the last three years,” said Cu

Owned by Globe, Ayala Corporation, and Alibaba’s Group affiliate Ant Financial, Mynt is a mobile financial services company aimed to accelerate financial inclusion through mobile money, micro-loans, and technology, providing secure, accessible, and convenient fintech solutions to individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Mynt operates fintech companies GCash and Fuse. Both tech-based lending companies enable Filipinos to get microloans to business loans

Three Simple Recipes Based on Your Pantry Basics

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Exploring recipes using fancy ingredients that aren’t normally seen in the pantry can mean a lot of work since this requires going to the grocery store and making it through a long line of people. But having the pantry well-stocked with basic items is like having savings in the bank. When it comes to whipping up quick comforting meals, pantry staples are everyone’s best friend. 

With a little creativity, basic ingredients from the pantry and a multi-purpose kitchen appliance, special home-cooked meals for the family can easily be created. With Samsung Smart Oven which is designed as an all-in-one cooking partner that works as a convection oven and a microwave, anything special can be whipped up in just a few steps. This special oven can be used for baking, grilling, roasting, slim frying, heating, defrosting, steaming, and even making yogurt which can cover appetizers and even desserts.

Below are some simple recipes that can be done with the Samsung Smart Oven:

Samsung Smart Oven 32-liter

Samsung Smart Oven 35-liter          

                   

Baked Potato Skin with Garlic Cream Dip

Yield: 4-6 servings

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

8pcs. small potatoes, cleaned

1 cup chopped bacon

1 cup grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese 

2 tbsp. sliced spring onion for garnish

Garlic cream dip:

1 pack 125ml Nestle All Purpose Cream

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 clove minced garlic

1 tbsp. sliced spring onion

1 tbsp. minced parsley

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

½ tsp. fine salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Wash the potatoes. Cook potatoes on Crusty plate on a high rack using Microwave + Grill mode. Set aside to cool.

For both MC32K & MC35J: Select Microwave + Grill. Set at 600W for 15 minutes.

2. Saute bacon until crispy. Strain and set aside.

3. To make the garlic cream dip, mix Nestle All Purpose Cream, lemon juice, garlic, spring onion, parsley, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until use.

4. Cut the cooked potato in half and carefully scoop out the middle part. Use scooped out potato for other recipes. Add bacon and cheese. Bake the potato halves on Crusty plate on a high rack using Grill mode.

For both MC32K & MC35J: Select Grill. Set cooking time to 5 minutes.

5. Transfer into a serving plate and garnish with spring onion. Serve with garlic cream dip.

Slim Fry Honey-Sriracha Chicken Wings

Yield: 4-6 servings

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

¾ kg. chicken wings, halved

1 sachet Maggi Magic Sarap

⅛ tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 tsp. paprika 

1 tbsp. soy sauce

2 tbsp. honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. sriracha hot sauce

1 tbsp. sliced spring onion

1 pc. carrot, cut into sticks

1 pc. cucumber, cut into stick

Garlic cream dip:

1 pack 125ml Nestle All Purpose Cream

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 clove minced garlic

1 tbsp. sliced spring onion

1 tbsp. minced parsley

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

½ tsp. fine salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Season chicken wings with Maggi Magic Sarap, pepper, and paprika. Add soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sriracha.

2. Place chicken on Crusty plate on high rack and cook using respective modes:

For MC32K: Select Slim Fry button. Set program code to 3-3 (Chicken Wings). Select serving size and set time to 14 minutes. Turn over as the beep sounds. Press start to continue. 

For MC35J: Cook using Hot Blast mode. Set to 230 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes or until crispy. Turn over after 10 minutes. Press start to continue.

3. To make the garlic cream dip, mix Nestle All Purpose Cream, lemon juice, garlic, spring onion, parsley, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until use.

4. Transfer chicken wings on a serving plate and garnish with spring onion. Serve with vegetable sticks and dip.

Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Yield: 16-24 servings

Cooking time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 bar 225g unsalted butter

1 cup 340g dark chocolate chips

¼ cup walnuts (or any nuts available)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups sugar

¼ tsp. fine salt

6 pcs eggs

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup + 1 tbsp. cocoa powder

1 cup powdered sugar

¼ cup Nestle All Purpose Cream

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Combine butter and chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl. Melt butter and chocolate chips using Microwave mode. Gently mix after melting.

For both MC32K and MC35J: Select Microwave. Set at 450W for 3 minutes or until fully melted.

2. Stir in vanilla and sugar into the bowl. Whisk in eggs one at a time.

3. Sift flour and ½ cup of cocoa powder. Gradually mix in the wet mixture. Fold in walnuts.

4. Lightly butter the baking pan using a wrapper of butter. Dust with 1 tbsp cocoa powder.

5. Pour batter and bake using respective functions. Set aside to cool for 1 hour.

For MC32K: Select Hot BLast button. Set to 180 degrees Celsius for 35 minutes.

For MC35J: Bake using Auto Cook mode. Set program code to A12 (Brownies). 

Adjust time to 40 minutes if needed, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the brownie.

6. Make glaze by mixing powdered sugar, Nestle All Purpose Cream and vanilla extract.

7. Remove brownie from pan and cut into serving pieces. Lightly drizzle the glaze and serve. 

Note: Recipe includes automatic pre-heating once baking details are entered in the oven.

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