Manila International Dance Festival 2023 commences on September 8

Tweet

The Manila International Dance Festival or MIDFest 2023 will officially take its opening salvo on September 08 at the historical grounds of Rizal Park, Manila. It will have its festival run for three days.

This is a collaborative project with Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto in its continuing efforts to promote and enhance the promotion of culture and the arts in line with its belief in sustaining peace and respect to diversity.

 Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto

Vice Mayor Yul Servo stresses that, “it has always been my belief that the creative arts can take us to the better understanding of our differences and can forge unity to our goals. It’s empowering to all and especially to the treasures of our heritage.”

The festival in its greater theme for 2023 encapsulates, “Celebrating, Diversity, Peace and Unity Through Dance and Music.”

Mr. Archie Dema-ala, Festival Director

“It is our aim at MIDF or MIDFest 2023 to use the dance art form in the promotion of peace and unity among diverse communities while strengthening our resolve to continue propagating our cultural dances in our modern world,” enthuses Mr. Archie Dema-ala, Festival Director.

It will be participated by renowned 18 cultural dance groups from The Philippines and 5 countries joining the festival and imparting their very own cultural heritage like indonesia, India, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.

The festival will run for three (3) days and will be going on a performance art tour by showcasing these dance groups in the partner malls and universities in Manila with the main highlights to be staged at the historical and prominent Rizal Park and Fort Santiago, Intramuros Manila.

Festival Director Archie Dema-ala was surprised on the positive response of the participants when the call was echoed for the MIDFest 2023. “I was so thrilled when unexpectedly local participants started to flock in to register their groups and as well to the participaring countries by sending their own groups. This alone makes my heart full as it shows an unfolding of an ultimate dream to have an exchange of culture and heritage among locals and with our international counterparts, thus reminding everyone to always treasure our traditions and culture.”

It is in the festival’s aim in its inaugural to focus in the City of Manila being the seat of power where Malacañan Palace is located and as well as Intramuros, a walled city during colonial times in the heart of the Old Manila and the Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and former military prison.

The Manila International Dance Festival 2023 is in partnership with the utmost support of the Office of Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Department of Tourism, National Parks Development Committee, Concert at the Park, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila , Senator Loren Legarda, Hotel Sogo, Lyf Hotel, Archiestic Events Production and VERDE Creatives.

For partnership and sponsorship please email us at midf2023@gmail.com

Amiya Raya celebrates World Photography Day

Tweet

With 360-degree views of the city skyline and the hills of San Mateo, Rizal, it can feel like witnessing some of the most beautiful sights in the city. Located at the very heart of this scenic locale is Amiya Raya, who joins enthusiasts all over in celebrating World Photography Day with the launch of “Captured: The Amiya Raya Photography Contest.” The competition is open for entries until September 05, 2023.

Photography Fun Learning Session at Amiya Raya - Antonni Cuesta with Amiya Raya officers and participants to the photography workshop

Photography hobbyists and enthusiasts gather to capture the best views from the top.

With the sun out and a cool breeze blowing, Community Creators, Inc. AVP for Marketing, Arlene Jacosalem, welcomed everyone to Club Vihara, officially marking the kick-off for photography competition, and the day’s activities. 

To get photography enthusiasts excited to work on their entries was a two-hour seminar led by De La Salle – College of St. Benilde Photography Program Senior Professional Faculty, and founder of Photography Chismis PH, Antonni Cuestas. Entitled “Photography Essentials: History, Craft, and Art”, the session broke down the elements of good photography, the artistry behind a great photo, crafting photography from a hobby to a profession, and anecdotes behind the works of known Filipino photographers. It focused on harnessing creativity and imagination to capture the audience’s attention through their images. It was a great learning experience for the attendees as Cuesta invited everyone to be more sensitive to what they see in their surroundings. Since photography has already become an integral part of our daily lives, there are many interesting subjects given the right conditions.

Photography Workshop to Capture the Best of Nature in San Mateo - Amiya Raya AVP for Marketing Arlene Jacosalem presents the certificate of appreciation to Antonni Cuesta for holding a photography workshop for enthusiasts and hobbyists.

The activity was the perfect foundation for “Captured: The Amiya Raya Photography Contest.” Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome to join, and head up to Amiya Raya to capture the beauty of the area through the lens of either a conventional or mobile camera. Located 240-meters above sea level, the views are magnificent from every angle! 

Photos should showcase either the stunning views, locations, and subjects in and around Amiya Raya – with no manipulated subjects – playing around with the idea of “life is more beautiful at the top.”

Registered participants will have access to the grounds of Amiya Raya every weekend – Saturdays and Sundays - to shoot their photos from August 19 to September 03, 7:00AM to 5:00PM. Designated areas

for photography area within the community are Kala Commons, Araucaria Street, Club Vihara, and the Rotonda at the end of Amiya Raya Main. The real challenge will be to decide which pretty spot it will be to take a snapshot of first, and which one to submit as the final entry!

“CAPTURED: The Amiya Raya Photo Contest” will feature two categories for contest entries:

1. CONVENTIONAL – Photos shot with any conventional camera, including SLR or Digital SLR, compact cameras, and the like.

2. MOBILE - Images captured with any mobile application on smartphones, tablets, drone-mounted cameras, or action cameras.

Only one entry per category may be submitted by each participant. Entries from registered participants must be submitted via email to marketing@community-creators.com. Only submissions via email will be accepted. Deadline for entries is on September 05, 2023. Winners will be announced on September 09.

Lucky winners will get the chance to win up to P10,000.00 in cash, plus vouchers to Club Vihara. There will also be a special People’s Choice Award, which will be based on the number of likes collected from followers of the Amiya Raya official Facebook page from September 7 to 8.

For complete mechanics, please visit Captured: The Amiya Raya Photography Contest – Full Mechanics.

To register as a participant, sign up here.

Bring out those cameras – mobile or traditional – and head out to Amiya Raya! Stunning views await, and it’s time to get “CAPTURED”!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Office address: 2504-A Tektite Tower East, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

On-site address: Amiya Raya, Bgy. Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal

Tel. no. (02)8938-6288 / (02)8667-3456 or 57 / (0917)529-0955

Email address: sales@amiyaraya.com.ph

--------------------------------------------------

ABOUT AMIYA RAYA

Amira Raya is a master planned residential development that is just a quick 15-minute drive out of the city. The developments boasts of a 270-degree unobstructed view of the Metro Manila skyline from 160 to 240 meters above sea level. It is fused with its natural landscape, offering its homeowners a dream sanctuary, amidst cool weather and a pollution-free environment. At the end of a long day, there is nothing better than coming home to a place where you can relax and breathe in fresh air. For inquiries on how you can own a piece of nature, visit their website www.amiyaraya.com.ph or @AmiyaRayaOfficialPage on Facebook.

ABOUT COMMUNITY CREATORS, INC.

CCI has been in the business of real estate development for 18 years – conceptualizing, developing, and selling close to PhP3.0 billion in both ‘lot only’ and ‘house and lot’ inventories. These are spread out over six property developments situated in the easter part of Metro Manila, in and around Rizal and Bulacan. Four of these have been fully completed – Monte Brisa and Fiorenza in Rodriguez, Rizal, and Valle Rosa and Altana in Malolos, Bulacan. Their two developments in San Mateo – Amiya Raya, and Shanti Condominium – are works in progress. CCI strives to offer to the market, high quality real estate properties on budget-friendly price points.

Bayad Partners with Go VIP Center to empower Filipinos with more payment options

Tweet

Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system, has partnered with Go VIP Center, a leading business solutions and financial services provider, to enable customers with more convenient ways to pay their bills.

REDEFINING ONE-STOP-SHOP PAYMENT SOLUTION: Executives of Bayad and Go VIP Center meet for the signing of the partnership to provide customers with more bills payment options. Seen in the photo are (from L-R) Go VIP Center Chief Finance Officer Paul Wilson A. Gardon, Go VIP Center President and CEO Julie M. Estares, Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer, and Bayad Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer Dennis S. Gatuslao.

Under the partnership, more than 1,000 Go VIP payment centers can now accept bills payments for different utilities and government contributions including the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), PLDT, and Metro Manila Development Authority.

The new feature is on top of the usual money transfer, remittance, airtime loading, delivery, and microinsurance services offered in Go VIP payment centers.

Go VIP Center President and CEO Julie M. Estares said the partnership with Bayad is aligned with their mission to deliver innovative and convenient financial solutions to Filipinos.

“By integrating Bayad's payment collection system into our services, we can enhance the convenience and accessibility of bill payments for our customers, further streamlining their financial transaction,” she said.

For his part, Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer said the partnership aims to provide customers with more accessible physical touchpoints for bills payment.

“Partnering with Go VIP Center continuously inspires us to rethink the level of convenience we can provide to the customers that we both serve. This is why we’re proactively expanding our biller ecosystem as we maximize a one-stop-shop payment experience especially for our kababayans who are always on the go. Our goal has always been centered on elevating the financial experience of Filipinos,” he said.

A wholly owned unit of Meralco, Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing.

Change Make Her: The Coca-Cola Foundation Joins Forces with Microloan Platform Kiva to Support up to 45,000 Entrepreneurs Around The World Including the Philippines

Tweet

The Coca-Cola Foundation has announced its support for Change Make Her, a new five-year partnership with microloan nonprofit Kiva to improve financial access for under-represented entrepreneurs around the world.

The announcement was made at the Coca-Cola “Level the Playing Field” DEI Summit in Sydney as the company builds on its long legacy of support for the FIFA Women’s World CupTM. Coca-Cola continues to work with influential partners around the world in a broader push for progress for women and under-represented groups across business and society.

Kiva is best-known for its global lending platform, which provides a simple way to connect lenders with borrowers through crowdfunding microfinance. This is an effective strategy to help get loans to people who would not otherwise have access to commercial bank services.

Over the next five years, Change Make Her will act as a revolving loan fund, supporting entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia, South Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Europe across a number of impact areas, including sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, water and retail.

Saadia Madsbjerg, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation, said repayments from borrowers will return to the fund, allowing funding to be loaned and re-loaned to borrowers around the world. This structure will allow a $1.1 million grant in 2023 to have up to a $4.5 million impact on loan volume by 2028.

“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Kiva, which goes beyond traditional forms of giving,” Madsbjerg said. “By joining forces with like-minded lenders and partners from around the world, the Change Make Her fund will enable us to lend, and relend, alongside thousands of others. It is a partnership based on a shared belief in the power of access to finance to uplift communities.

“Micro-enterprises are important contributors to job creation and global economic development,” Madsbjerg said. “We hope that in addition to directly supporting entrepreneurs, Change Make Her will create a ripple effect for generations to come as these entrepreneurs go on to create new jobs and drive prosperity in their communities.”

Over the past 17 years, Kiva has deployed over $2 billion to 4.7 million borrowers globally, more than any other crowdfunding platform. More than 80% of Kiva loans go to women, with a 96% repayment rate. In the Philippines, Kiva has provided loans of over $185,000 or nearly P10.5M to more than 587,000 borrowers across the country.

“Kiva is honoured to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation in expanding our work of financial access through life-changing loans,” said Vishal Ghotge, CEO of Kiva. “Together, we will be able to serve thousands more individuals than we would be able to do alone, demonstrating the collective power of value-aligned organizational partnerships. We are grateful to The Coca-Cola Foundation for its commitment and look forward to working alongside one another as we continue to advance gender equity, refugee financial inclusion, and climate-smart solutions in communities across the globe.”

Over the last four decades, The Coca-Cola Foundation has supported many economic empowerment programs across the world, including the decade-long 5by20 program, which together with The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners, enabled the economic empowerment of over 6 million women.

Through the Change Make Her program, Coca-Cola employees will be able to help direct Kiva loans to entrepreneurs and directly engage in supporting The Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission. To find out more about Kiva’s platform, visit www.kiva.org.

------------------------------------------------

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in communities around the world where The Coca-Cola Company operates and where our employees live and work. We support transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges and that leave a measurable and lasting impact. Our giving is focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting our hometown community. Since its inception in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants of over $1.5 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the world.

-----------------

About Kiva 

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. With as little as $25, you can support entrepreneurs and small business owners in the U.S. and across the globe with critical access to funding. Over two million people have invested $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 90 countries and 4.7 million borrowers. 

Discover an extra satisfying meal that will fill you up — Jollibee Super Meals!

Tweet

A trip to Jollibee means instant happiness because you get delicious food which is loved from all over the world, guaranteed. But there are days when we long for an extra filling meal to keep us satiated for the rest of the day, or as we end the day.

For those pursuits for something extra filling, you can opt for a Jollibee Super Meal, an all-in-one meal which features its best-tasting hits through winning set combinations. Customers can enjoy set combinations of some of their favorite menu items like the Crispylicious, Juicylicious Chickenjoy, the Sweet-Sarap Jolly Spaghetti, the Langhap-Sarap Yumburger, the Beefy-Saucy Linamnam Ulam Burger Steak, and more.

“Super Meals are Jollibee’s best option for those who want an extra big meal because they can be sure that each component of that meal will be delightful,” said Mari Aldecoa, Assistant Vice President. “The Super Meal is extra sulit as it has no subpar fillers—just pure goodness in every bite—and it will be finished off without any waste!”

Customers can choose from a variety of set combinations:

1. Newly launched Chickenjoy, half-Jolly Spaghetti, Jolly Crispy Fries, rice, and drink

2. Chickenjoy, half-Jolly Spaghetti, Jolly Crispy Fries, rice, and drink

3. Chickenjoy, half-Jolly Spaghetti, Burger Steak, rice, and drink

4. Half-Jolly Spaghetti, Yumburger, Jolly Crispy Fries, and drink

The Jollibee Super Meals start at Php 125.00 in all Jollibee stores nationwide. Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and treat yourself to an extra-filling, extra-satisfying meal via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru only.

For more information and updates on Jollibee’s products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

#JollibeePH

#JollibeeSuperMeals