SM Supermalls, SM Cares recognized for programs on inclusion, sustainability, employee experienc

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From encouraging mall-goers to adopt more sustainable ways to dispose of their solid waste, to promoting emergency and disaster preparedness that is inclusive of persons with disabilities and the elderly, to employee engagement efforts that ensure a happy and productive workforce, SM Supermalls and its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares are known for their advocacies that continuously leave a positive impact on communities and the environment.

SM Supermalls and SM Cares took home a total of three Silver Anvils at the recently concluded "Gabi ng Parangal" of the 58th Anvil Awards last March 8 for SM Cares' Environmental Programs on Solid Waste Management, Emergency Preparedness Forum 2022, and SM Life. Shown in the photo are (from left to right) Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability Engr. Liza Silerio; Director of SM Cares Program on Persons with Disabilities Engr. Bien Mateo; and SM Supermalls' Human Resources Vice President Cheryll Agsaoay, holding their respective awards.

In recognition of their unwavering commitment to these advocacies, SM Supermalls and SM Cares took home a total of three awards at the recently concluded “Gabi ng Parangal” of the 58th Anvil Awards, organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines last March 8 at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

SM Cares took home a Silver Anvil award for its efforts to help address solid waste pollution in the country through its Trash-to-Cash and Plastic Waste Collection initiatives, which are part of its Environmental Programs on Solid Waste Management.

By the end of the eligibility period, SM Cares successfully collected a total of 1,247 tons of solid waste, and has helped many SM mall-goers develop the habit of disposing of their solid waste properly.

SM Cares also took home a SIlver Anvil award for the 2022 iteration of its "Emergency Preparedness Forum," an event designed to provide emergency preparedness training that is tailored to the unique needs of PWDs and senior citizens.

Held from July 13 to August 3, 2022 in four of the most disaster-prone cities in the country--Baguio City, Quezon City, Legazpi City, and Cebu City--the forum was able to help more than 1,900 participants become better equipped to keep themselves safe during disasters.

Meanwhile, SM Supermalls won a Silver Anvil award for its initiative SM LIFE, which aims to promote purpose, performance, and passion and help employees adapt and grow to the evolving needs of the business, and to stay happy, resilient, and productive at work.

Through the initiative, SM Supermalls was able to retain 93 percent of its high-potential talents, and saw an average of 98 percent in terms of training coverage, with participation in engagement programs at 100 percent, among other positive results. The company also recovered and sustained its mall revenue, foot traffic, and occupancy through 2021 and 2022.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Aside from the program on PWDs, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Ebe Dancel to stage repeat of “Sa Wakas: 20th Anniversary” Concert

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The award-winning singer-songwriter will be joined by ex-Sugarfree drummer Mitch Singson to honor the album’s lasting impact in the Philippine music scene

Due to insistent public demand, Filipino singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel stages a repeat of Sa Wakas: 20th Anniversary Celebration, happening on March 31, 2023 (Friday), from 6pm onwards at 123 Block, Mandala Park.

Celebrating the enduring legacy of Sugarfree’s iconic debut album, Sa Wakas The Repeat: 20^th Anniversary Celebration will feature a longer, full-length set by Ebe Dancel and drummer Mitch Singson, as well as guest performances and surprises.

Presented by GNN Entertainment Productions and Backspacer Records, in partnership with 123 Block and Balcony Entertainment, the headline show will accommodate more people in the venue as requested by fans who were not able to attend the first one, which sold out in less than a day.

Part of the earnings will be donated to Parokya Ni Edgar guitarist Gab Chee Kee’s hospital and medical expenses. Sa Wakas: official merch is also available via Backspacer Records official website, and will also be sold at the venue.

Sugarfree's Sa Wakas, which came out in 2003, took confessional songwriting to a new level with anthems that reveal stories and experiences that are too embarrassingly painful to talk about in public. Critically acclaimed when it first came out in the early 2000s, the influential album eventually inspired a huge following, and prompted a fan to write/produce an award-winning rock musical centered on its narrative.

Tickets to Sa Wakas The Repeat: 20th Anniversary Celebration are available for purchase starting March 13 (Monday) at 6pm via bit.ly/sawakas20.

Ticket Packages Available:

Regular Admissions (P1,500) - entrance to the event grounds

VIP (P2,200) - entrance to the event grounds, plus meet and greet with Ebe Dancel before the show, and a signed event poster.

VIP + Vinyl Bundle (P3,500) - entrance to the event grounds, a Habangbuhay 10-inch signed silver vinyl, plus meet and greet with Ebe Dancel before the show and a signed event poster.

 

LG's Inverter Direct Drive motor reaches milestone with 100 million units produced

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A Key Component of Premium LG Washing Machines for More than Two Decades, Company’s Innovative Motor Technology Continues to Evolve for Excellence

LG Electronics (LG) announces that production of its Inverter Direct Drive™ (DD™) motor has exceeded 100 million units. The company’s differentiated motor technology is a major factor in the strong, reliable performance and continuing global popularity of LG’s industry-leading laundry solutions.

From 1998 to the end of 2022, the company produced, on average, over 12,000 Inverter DD motors per day. LG’s Inverter DD motor connects directly to the washing drum, an innovation that helps make LG washing machines more durable and dramatically reduces noise and energy consumption during operation.

LG has refined the Inverter DD motor over four generations, continuously improving the technology and its performance capabilities to deliver greater customer value. The company holds over 240 Inverter DD motor related technology patents in Korea and internationally. In 2019, the company applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Inverter DD motor to further enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. Used in LG’s premium washing machines and dryers, the AI DD motor leverages deep learning technology to detect the weight of each load and the types of fabrics being washed. It then selects the optimal combination of drum movements from the company’s proprietary 6 Motion tech – which enables six discrete drum movements – to care and clean for users’ laundry.

Last year, LG brought its advanced Inverter DD motor to its dryers for the first time. Like the company’s washers, LG dryers also offer 6 Motion (Tumble, Swing, Rolling, Stepping, Scrubbing, and Filtration) technology to boost drying performance and minimize fabric damage. LG’s inverter motor technology – specifically, the AI DD – became the first home appliance technology to earn Deep Learning AI Verification from global safety science company, (UL) Underwriters Laboratories.

“The number of Inverter DD motors produced points to the excellence of the motor technology LG has developed for its premium laundry solutions,” said Kim Yang-sun, head of the Component Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We will continue to create highly efficient core components that boost the performance and reliability of our products while also reducing carbon emissions during operation.”

Barbie Forteza And David Licauco Star In Ben&Ben’s “The Way You Look At Me” Music Video

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Following the digital release of Ben&Ben’s impressive cover of “The Way You Look At Me” just last January, Universal Records Philippines is set to unveil its official music video this March, as part of the label’s epic 20th year anniversary tribute to OPM hitmaker and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista.

Every single #BarDa fans out there are in for a lovely treat as two of the biggest and sought-after young stars of today will be starring in this visual spectacle.

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco are bringing their acting prowess and undeniable star power to the music video that depicts a melancholic tale of love and loss.

“It’s as if my heart knows you’re the missing piece” — perhaps is one of the most amorous lines in “The Way You Look At Me”. But what if that missing piece isn’t going to be found or will never return again?

The music video for the song unfolds a story of a guy (played by David) who was asked to try a dating app so he can get over his lost love.

There is something that makes him like this girl (played by Barbie) instantly and he cannot explain it. Maybe her looks are just “his type”? But there’s something more to unravel from there. Eventually, an intense twist will be revealed towards the end of the music video, so fans really have to watch it from start to finish.

Also starring in this short cinematic visual is Kapuso star Shuvee Etrata, best known on TikTok as @smilingshuvee with over 2.2 million followers.

The official music video will be released later this month and its official teaser poster has been revealed today on social media. It quickly became a top trending topic because of the very supportive BarDa fans and “Investors” (Barbie and David’s fandom) on Twitter.

Right now, Ben&Ben’s cover of “The Way You Look At Me” has over 1.6 million streams on Spotify. It will be part of Christian Bautista's 20th anniversary tribute album which will come out very soon!

FOLLOW UNIVERSAL RECORDS PH!

Facebook: facebook.com/universalrecordsph

Twitter: @universalrec_ph

Instagram: @universalrecordsph

TikTok: @universalrecph

MICECON 2023 lauded for successful run in Davao

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Top MICE professionals and key government officials praised the successful execution of MICECON 2023 in Davao City held last March 1-3, 2023. The event was organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Davao Organizing Committee composed of private and public sector representatives from the host city.

Among the attendees was Vice President Sara Duterte, who spoke at the farewell dinner of the event hosted by TPB at Azuela Cove. In her speech, she said, “For Davao City, being the host of this year’s MICECON 2023 is an opportunity to showcase one of the tourism gateways in Mindanao. Davao City is honored and proud that Davao is considered one of the safest cities in the world, offering visitors a complete tourism experience through the convergence of culture, nature and adventure.”

During the event, she also urged tourism stakeholders to increase investments in the tourism sectors’ amenities to diversify the country’s opportunities and potentially increase industry revenue streams. “I enjoin our tourism stakeholders to work with other industry leaders to invest in medical tourism, heritage tourism, retirement havens, entertainment spots, open-space recreation, and more community-based travel destinations,” Duterte said.

The event was attended by over 640 professionals from the MICE industry including representatives from events management companies, associations, travel agencies, tour operators, destination management companies, local governments, members of the academe and tourism executives in government.

For Christina Garcia Frasco, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, the MICECON 2023 serves as a blueprint for the Philippines to become a top MICE destination in Asia. “MICECON paved the way to achieve our President’s goal for the equalization of tourism project development and promotion all over the country. MICE serves as a venue for us to reinvigorate and revitalize the tourism industry, and Davao has become a model for others to follow and a springboard from which we can launch even more exciting MICECONs in the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles commended the opportunity to showcase the Filipino brand of service through every experience the MICECON delegates went through.

“I am confident that this conference provided an invaluable opportunity for us to gain insights, forge new connections and gain fresh perspectives…We believe that by providing exceptional service, and going above and beyond for all our visitors, we can provide tourism experiences that exceed expectations,” Nograles said.

She further stated that integrating sustainability has grown in importance in the ecotourism experience. In recognition of this, MICECON 2023 delegates pledged to donate to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), which operates a sanctuary for the protection and conservation of the endangered Philippine Eagle. Delegates were able to tour the sanctuary and were also enjoined to take part in its conservation efforts.

Showcasing Davao’s attractions

Beyond the conference, foreign speakers, media, influencers, and MICE organizers were treated to various tours across the different MICE facilities in Davao City. These tours showcased the bleisure offerings of the city from retail experiences, culinary options, islands to highlands adventure travel opportunities, and key resort and beach destinations. These included the Kadayawan adventure wherein guests were acquainted with the native dwellings and livelihoods of the 11 tribes of Davao; a trip to the Poblacion Market famous for its diverse shopping, dining and lifestyle offerings; a full island experience at the Pearl Farm in Samal Island; a boat ride to the Lubi Plantation Resort island, and a chocolate and cheese tasting experience courtesy of Malagos Farmhouse Cheeses.

After the successful MICECON 2023, the conference will be hosted in Clark Freeport Zone come 2024 to highlight the developments of Central Luzon. The Clark Freeport Zone bid, represented by Clark Development Corporation (CDC), had a comprehensive presentation of not only its logistical support but several additional values as well, for participants of MICECON 2024. Clark Freeport Zone was selected by the MICECon Selection committee composed of members of the MICE Advisory Council – private and public sector representatives from different MICE organizations convened by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines.

Atty. Agnes Devanadera, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Clark Development Corporation, expressed her commitment to follow through with the examples set by Davao City.

“Just as Davao has shown us the way to transform MICECON into an impetus of sustainable development, Clark shall follow suit and bring forth inclusive growth not just for Clark but for Region 3,” Atty. Devanadera said.

Check out www.tpb.gov.ph for more information.