Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez Redefines Excellence as Toshiba's Takumi Master for Interior Design

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Toshiba, world’s leading manufacturer of artisanal home appliance solutions, elevates artistry and innovation to new heights with its Beyond Details initiative—a tribute to purposeful design and cutting-edge technology in the world of home solutions, redefining excellence in every detail.

In 2024, the brand unveiled a groundbreaking product line that harmonizes cutting-edge technology and timeless design, pushing the boundaries of modern home solutions. This year, Toshiba takes this vision to new heights of excellence by formally introducing its Takumi Masters—esteemed individuals recognized for their dedication to their craft, exceptional achievements, and commitment to a greater purpose.

Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez is Toshiba’s Takumi Master for Interior Design

Toshiba’s Takumi Master for Interior Design is Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez, a renowned leader in the furniture design world. As the Managing Director of one of the country’s leading handcrafted luxury furniture brands, Philux, she has made a transformative impact on the industry, embodying the essence of Takumi—a ‘master craftsman’ whose work transcends technique to become an art form.

Kienle Gonzalez expressed her excitement about the collaboration, "In my work, every detail is crafted with purpose and precision. I see the same passion in Toshiba’s commitment to creating home solutions that combine functionality, design, and sustainability. I’m honored to be part of this journey as a Takumi Master.”

A Synergy of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Her visionary approach to furniture design seamlessly integrates modern innovation with timeless craftsmanship, mirroring the essence of  Toshiba’s philosophy.

The Toshiba Multi-Door Refrigerator in Premium Black Glass

Designed for the modern, eco-conscious lifestyle, The Toshiba Multi-Door Refrigerator merges functionality with elegance. It features the Origin Inverter, which boosts cooling efficiency while conserving energy, and Pure Air Technology, which actively sterilizes and deodorizes to ensure ingredients stay fresh and safe. Its TSmartLife Connectivity also provides intelligent, digital features for a seamless and interactive user experience.

Redefining the Art of Home Living

Toshiba’s Beyond Details campaign elevates the home experience by offering products that provide comfort, elegance, and reliability. These innovations enhance the daily lives of individuals seeking balance and convenience, helping them focus on what truly matters.

Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez redefines elegance and functionality 

as Toshiba’s Takumi Master for Interior Design

With its Takumi Masters, Toshiba underscores its dedication to blending artistry with technology, proving that every detail makes a significant impact.

Kienle Gonzalez was among the three Takumi Masters introduced by Toshiba during the launch of its Beyond Details campaign, including Takumi Master for Design Amina Aranaz-Alunan, and Takumi Master of Food and Culinary Chef JP Anglo. Together, the Takumi Masters exemplify a lifestyle that goes beyond boundaries, promoting a purpose-driven approach to design and innovation.

To see how Takumi Master Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez redefines innovation and craftsmanship, visit Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines’ Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. For more information on Toshiba’s newest product line-ups and campaign of redefining excellence and going beyond the details, visit https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph.

Schneider Electric has contributed to restoring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

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●        Schneider Electric donated state-of-the-art solutions for energy management and facility security.

●        This symbolic act demonstrates Schneider Electric's ability to mobilize resources for a multi-secular historic monument.

●        The success of this project is a result of ingenious solutions used to address logistics and complex constraints encountered on site.

Rueil-Malmaison (France) – Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, recently contributed, by means of donations, to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The donated solutions have made it possible to secure and monitor the site's electrical facilities. The company’s Building Management System (BMS) is able to manage and optimize the monument's energy consumption, incorporating 21st century innovations into a cathedral that represents a high point in medieval art, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

 

Schneider Electric contributed, by means of donations, to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The donated solutions have made it possible to secure and monitor the site's electrical facilities.

The fire that severely damaged the cathedral on April 15, 2019, sparked an incredible wave of solidarity that Schneider Electric wanted to be a part of. "It's an obvious move for Schneider Electric to support actions of this type for symbolic and prestigious sites, as we have done in the past for the Comédie Française state theater and the Antarctic station," highlights Gilles Vermot Desroches, Director of Citizenship, and Institutional Affairs at Schneider Electric.

Innovations for the Future

Schneider Electric provided expertise, products, and solutions thanks to a donation agreement. As such, the Group supplied all the equipment required to supply power to the site and for its security (20 kV HV cells, a 20 kV/410V 1250 kVA transformer, general and divisional electrical switchboards, inverters, safety lighting, devices etc.), as well as the tools for the technical management of the building, making it possible to monitor the functioning of the network and control its power consumption (automatic control systems, sensors, controllers, communication buses etc.).

In addition to the equipment, Schneider Electric is carrying out some of the maintenance of the electrical distribution equipment, providing some of the engineering, studies, commissioning, and programming of the installed systems, as well as the training of future users.

The old electrical installation was inoperable due to the fire and without electricity, reopening was impossible. The new network ensures the distribution and security of the energy supply, incorporating innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies that optimize the management of its electricity consumption and help ensure the safety of the cathedral.

A Shared Commitment

The project team had to deal with a large number of technical issues demanding ingenuity and preparation.

One such issue was the delivery and installation in early 2024 of the connected TRIHAL transformer, a key element of the cathedral's power supply. Delivered by truck and then raised onto the site above the construction area, this 3.2-ton block was then lowered via a hoist into position in the basement of the presbytery. A specific study had to be carried out for the lifting operation.

Installing the high-voltage substation in an underground vaulted cellar with considerable access and space constraints was also an issue resolved with customized equipment and support.

"This is a project for which the logistics have been quite tricky and required excellent coordination with the other players on site," said Cédric Larcher, Regional Manager of the Electrical Distribution Application Center at Schneider Electric France, responsible for management, performance, and monitoring on site.

In addition to providing infrastructure, around 60 Schneider Electric employees (from factory workers to the site’s network designers) contributed knowledge and expertise as part of a skills transfer program. Schneider Electric’s support also included training partner companies such as the panel builder Ateliers Electriques de France (based in Val-de-Marne) to install the main low-voltage cabinet, FBS Electricité (based in Seine-Maritime) to install the high-voltage substation, ERM (based in Eure) to create specific support structures and Transport Avex (based in Val-de-Marne) to carry out the extremely tricky handling operations in the basement of the presbytery.

To learn more: web page

IABC Philippines and COMCO School of Communications Launch The Communications Olympiad with the Theme ‘Rewrite Climate Change’

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The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the country chapter of the leading worldwide network of communication professionals, and COMCO School of Communications, the communication training and education arm of global award-winning communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, join forces to mount the first ever Communications Olympiad in the Philippines.

The Communications Olympiad is a nationwide communications training program for collegiate students taking up Mass Communication, Communication Arts, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Marketing Communications, Journalism, Broadcast Communication, Communications Research, Development Communication, Digital Marketing, and other related disciplines. A partnership between COMCO School of Communications and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, The Communications Olympiad aims to empower the next generation of communicators by providing them with transformative knowledge with real-world applications. The initiative envisions providing a learning journey with practical exercises through an Olympiad-level competition for the participants to advance their skills as the next communications professionals.

A champion of talent development, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises was awarded in 2024 with the much-coveted Global IABC Gold Quill Award for Communication Training and Education for its long-running and industry-renowned Camp COMCO Mentorship Program. This time, COMCO Mundo makes communication education even bigger as it reaches out to more students across the country with its partnership with IABC Philippines for the inaugural Communications Olympiad.

The Communications Olympiad is another student initiative of IABC Philippines in partnership with COMCO School of Communications and is distinct from the Philippine Student Quill Awards. The Student Quill Awards highlights performance and results through a competitive recognition platform while The Communications Olympiad centers on hands-on learning and guided experience culminating in a competition.

Inaugural Theme: Rewrite Climate Change

This year’s Olympiad revolves around the theme: "Rewrite Climate Change." The focus is not on developing scientific solutions but on reshaping the narrative and practices surrounding climate change through effective communication. Participants are called to inform, educate, and inspire, emphasizing the role of storytelling and advocacy in driving awareness, shifting behaviors, and fostering collective action.

As a nation and part of a region being among the most vulnerable to climate impacts yet contributing minimally to global emissions, the Philippines provides a critical perspective in this conversation. The initiative urges to help build communication strategies open to be adopted and applied for the benefit on a realistic scale for a secured sustainable future through purposeful communication.

Learning Journey: Training, Activities and Competition

The program will have three phases: the Qualifier Phase, the Elimination Round, and the Grand Championship. Phase one or the Qualifier Phase will require one team per academic institution which is comprised of 5 undergraduate students from the mentioned programs. Each team can be comprised of a project leader, a writer, a designer, a head researcher, and a lead presenter. 

The chosen team representing the school will need to submit their position paper and an entry form which information can be accessed through website www.comcomundo.com/the-communications-olympiad/. The requirements shall then be emailed to communicationsolympiad@comcomundo.com on or before March 14, 2025. The position papers which serve as Qualifier Phase entries will be thoroughly evaluated and 30 finalists and participants will be selected to proceed to the Elimination Round.

The second phase which is the Elimination Round will comprise of pilot class and training sessions which will be made available to participants to help them build the expected skills set for the program. This shall include the Best Practices in Communications, the Role of Communications in Environment Conservation, and Innovations in Communications. Afterwards, the participants will be briefed and be given 24 hours to create a 10-slide communications plan which will be deliberated to see the best works to proceed to the final round.

The final phase is the Grand Championship where the 15 finalists strained from the 30 participants will get a chance to vie for the category medals. At this junction, the top 3 finalists will be announced to present their communication plan to the jury composed of experts in the industry. One team will emerge The Communications Olympiad Grand Champion, along with the first and second runners-up. Exciting prizes await the top winners along with a prestigious trophy that their schools will bring home!

Call for Sponsors and Partners

IABC Philippines and COMCO School of Communications invite companies, brands, media outlets and student organizations to be part of this initiative through sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Companies and brands can participate as a co-presenter or sponsors while media groups and student organizations can join as partners of the program. For more details, interested parties can email communicationsolympiad@comcomundo.com.

Ferdinand L. Bondoy, Corporate Secretary and Lead for Youth and Education of IABC Philippines as well as Group Chief Executive Director and Overall Lead for Strategic Communications / Partner and Co-Founder of COMCO Mundo shared, “The Communications Olympiad drives the power of Meaningful Storytelling in facing head-on real-world issues on climate change. With COMCO’s expertise in communication training and education fueled with grit and excellence together with IABC Philippines’ strong support in the promotion of sustainability, we aim to make this a very productive learning journey not only for the students but for the industry and relevant stakeholders as well, which can help propel action for the environment.”

Belle Tiongco, President of IABC Philippines and Vice President and Co-Founder of Football for Humanity, meanwhile said, ““At IABC Philippines, we believe that effective communication has the power to drive real change. In line with the organization’s focus on sustainability as demonstrated by last year’s Triple P Awards, IABC is now embarking on a new chapter, together with COMCO School of Communications, combining both thrusts on education and advocacy, which is The Communications Olympiad. We aim to achieve bigger social impact by putting sustainability as one of our stepping stones for development."

To know more about The Communications Olympiad, please visit www.comcomundo.com/the-communications-olympiad/ and follow us at www.facebook.com/communicationsolympiad on Facebook and www.linkedin.com/company/the-communications-olympiad on LinkedIn.

For more information on sponsorship and partnership packages, email us at communicationsolympiad@comcomundo.com.

Korean-Speaking Agents join DOT's tourist hotline

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Beginning in February, tourists can access support from Korean-speaking agents through the Department of Tourism's (DOT) expanded Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC).

The DOT made the announcement on Saturday (Feb 1) on the expansion of the tourist hotline to provide Korean-speaking support, reflecting the Department's commitment to enhancing service for travelers from South Korea, the country’s largest source of inbound tourists.

Inquiring travelers can now receive direct assistance from a dedicated Korean-speaking agent available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

“As South Korea continues to be our top inbound market, this initiative ensures that Korean travelers can easily access assistance, allowing them to fully enjoy the warmth, hospitality, and attractions that make the Philippines a destination to love,” stated Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “In alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a digitally empowered government, the DOT is dedicated to improving its platforms to deliver accessible, efficient, and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international.”

This enhancement aligns with the government's broader goal of digitizing public services, promoting a seamless, responsive, and tech-driven approach to tourist assistance.

The TACC has facilitated over 13,502 transactions as of January 30, 2025, servicing tourists from 71 different nationalities, with the Philippines, the United States, and Australia being the most represented. Common inquiries include general tourism questions, travel and tour services, DOT accreditation, and career opportunities.

A flagship program of the DOT under Secretary Frasco, the TACC was recognized as one of Asia’s premier customer support platforms, and was recently awarded "Best in Service – Customer Support (Regional Level)’ award at the prestigious Asia Best of Best Awards 2024 at Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai UAE.

In its ongoing commitment to tourist convenience and inclusivity, "the DOT is working to expand multilingual support services including Mandarin and other languages for a more diverse range of travelers. We understand the role of language accessibility in creating a smooth and enjoyable travel experience,” added Secretary Frasco.

In 2024, the Philippines welcomed 1,574,152 visitors from South Korea, representing an 8.1% increase from 1,455,977 arrivals in 2023. This figure also indicates a 2.5% growth compared to the 1,539,402 arrivals in 2019, demonstrating a complete recovery that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. South Korea remains the Philippines’ largest source of foreign visitors, capturing over 26.46% of the total tourist arrivals.

For seamless and responsive assistance, tourists can contact the TACC through various platforms. The DOT emphasizes the updated mobile hotline at +63 954-253-3215, ensuring a more efficient communication channel for travelers. Additionally, landline users can reach the center via 151-TOUR (151-8687), while inquiries can also be sent via email at touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph. 

For real-time assistance, travelers may connect through Facebook Messenger at Department of Tourism – Philippines or utilize the Click2Call and Live Webchat services available on beta.tourism.gov.ph.

Tanaw Collective celebrates new beginnings in debut single “Landslide”

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Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas bring new meaning to a timeless classic

Tanaw Collective, a newly formed supergroup comprised of celebrated singer-songwriters Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas, releases their first official single, “Landslide,” today across all digital music platforms worldwide.

A poignant and minimalist cover of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic 1975 hit, “Landslide” represents their shared sentiment of letting go and embracing new beginnings both in careers and personal lives. The track conveys a collective journey of maturity, acceptance, and spiritual growth, marking another chapter in their musical evolution.

“Landslide is a song that we all know and love,” shares Barbie Almalbis. “I think each of us has covered it at some point. The first version I actually heard was the Smashing Pumpkins cover. I was in high school, and I immediately connected with it. The song’s themes of life, love, and the shifting seasons have only deepened in meaning for us as we’ve all grown older together.”

Aia de Leon recalls the pivotal moment when Hannah Romawac sparked the idea to record the song. “This seems to have launched the habit of us recording songs after we have jammed it,” the Sundo act explains. “I can’t stress enough how awesome it truly is to be able to have all these tools and technology available to artists nowadays. All of us have recording capabilities at different levels. For this track, we recorded in different places—Barbie’s home studio became the hub for Acel, Lougee, and Hannah, while Kitchie recorded her vocal takes with her trusty Rode condenser mic in her home in Spain. I also recorded my vocal tracks here from home on the south side.”

Almalbis adds, “Recording with the girls is always such a fun experience—50% work and 50% catching up. It’s a blessing to do something we love with people we love.”

The stripped-down version of “Landslide” was mixed and mastered by Angee Rozul and is being distributed via House of Tunes.

Tanaw Collective stands as a testament to the power of women-led collaborations, with this new initiative set to explore a wide range of creative ventures, including collaborative music releases, live performances, and other projects that amplify female voices in the music industry.

Fans can look forward to hearing the special arrangement of “Landslide” live at the Tanaw: The Repeat concert, scheduled for February 9, 2025 (Sunday), at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City at 8:00 PM. The sold-out concert celebrates the enduring bond between the iconic artists and their devoted fans, offering new interpretations of their beloved original songs and enhanced by a symphonic backing from The Manila String Machine on select tracks.

Tanaw: The Repeat is presented by Newport World Resorts, co-presented by GNN and Wow Fiesta, with official hotel partner Holiday Inn Express. Major sponsors include JB Music, Ming’s Pei Pa Koa Candy, David’s Salon, Apartment8, and Globatronics, while minor sponsors include Greenwich, Palladium, UGEC, Payaba, and Meiji Chocolates.

This concert marks a monumental moment for Tanaw Collective, as it brings together the talents of these women whose individual and collective contributions have profoundly shaped the Pinoy rock scene for decades.