Panagbenga Festival 2015 - "Across 20 Years of Blossoming Together"

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Panagbenga Festival 2015 with the theme "Across 20 Years of Blossoming Together" will be celebrated on February 1 – March 8, 2015. Panagbenga is an annual flower festival celebrated every February which takes place in Baguio City, Philippines.

Through the years, the Panagbenga festival has steadily become the best avenue where Baguio people can shine and innovate what best depicts their community – with everyone co-owning the festival. The term “Panagbenga” comes from a Kankanaey term meaning “season of blooming,” “a time for blooming.” This festival reflects the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras.

The Panagbenga Festival 2015, also known as the Baguio Flower Festival (BFF) will  surely attracts the most number of tourists both local and foreign. During the five week celebration, different activities are scheduled primarily for the amusement of the visiting public.

On its 20th year, the Panagbenga Festival has flourished to be a huge annual event in Baguio City. Panagbenga Festival 2015 will not only be Baguio's but the flower festival of BLISTT. The 20th celebration of the Panagbenga festival promises not only the Summer Capital's best but also the best of the neighboring municipalities especially La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay.

February 1, 2015 marks the commencement of the Panagbenga Festival filled with dancing and competition.

The highlight of the Panagbenga Festival, the Grand Street Dancing Parade, to be held on February 28, 2015. 

The parade will start at the Panagbenga Park going down Session Road and will take a left turn to Harrison Road until eventually it reaches Athletic Bowl. During the street dancing, the rich and colorful cultures and traditions of the Cordillera will take center stage.

The closing ceremony of the Panagbenga Festival will be held on March 8, 2015, to be concluded by an extravagant firework display that is anticipated to be grander from last year’s. The venue for the closing ceremony is at the Athletic Bowl but smaller versions will be done simultaneously in various areas of Baguio’s Business Central District.

Here's the program schedule of the Panagbenga Festival 2015:

February 1, 2015

• Opening Ceremonies and Street Dancing Parade Competition
  (Drum and Lyre Dance Competition – Elementary Division)
  Locations: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Harrison Road, Melvin Jones
• Opening Concert
  Location: To Be Announced
• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 2 – 14, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 15, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Handong ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio
  Location: Melvin Jones
• Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom
  Location: Melvin Jones
• Panagbenga 2015 Kite-Flying Challenge
  Location: Melvin Jones
• Panagbenga Variety Show
  Location: Melvin Jones
• Fireworks Display
  Location: Melvin Jones

February 16 – 18, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park

February 19, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Chinese Spring Festival
  Location: City-wide

February 19 – 22, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• PMA Grand Alumni Home Coming
  Location: Philippine Military Academy, Loakan Road

February 23 – 27, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Floral Arrangement Competition and School-based Landscaping Competitiong (Judging)
  Location: Elementary and Highschools in Baguio City

February 28, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Grand Street Dancing Parade
  Locations: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl
• Sponsors’and Exhibitors’ Day
  Location: Athletic Bowl

March 1 – 6, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Grand Float Parade
  Locations: DILG, Session Road, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl
• Sponsors’and Exhibitors’ Day
  Location: Athletic Bowl
• Session Road in Bloom
  Location: Session Road

March 7, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Session Road in Bloom
  Location: Session Road
• Pony Boys’ Day
  Location: Athletic Bowl

March 8, 2015

• Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
  Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
• Session Road in Bloom
  Location: Session Road
• Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display
  Locations: Athletic Bowl and various areas in Baguio’s (Central Business District) CBD
• Mar 01-08 Session Road In Bloom
  The most popular street in Baguio will be closed to traffic to allow pedestrians to walk freely and enjoy the various food and non-food
  products and entertainment on offer.

Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015. See you there and enjoy the wonderful world of Panagbenga 2015! 

Disney on Ice Dare to Dream at Araneta

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Disney on Ice Dare To Dream, features the stories of Disney princesses Snow White, Cinderella, Tiana and highlight of the show was Tangled, with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy follow four of Disney’s most inspirational princesses on their adventures to fulfill their dreams in Feld Entertainment’s newest ice spectacular, Disney on Ice presents Dare To Dream.

Last December 24, Araneta Group's charity arms Julio Amado Araneta Foundation and Bb. Pilipinas Charities invited thousands of their beneficiaries for a special Disney on Ice charity show.

Filipinos were invited to join the charity especial Disney show as they begin their magical, musical voyage and combining the contemporary stories of two modern-day princesses, Rapunzel and Tiana, with the classic elegance of Cinderella and Snow White, Dare to Dream whisks audiences away on exciting journeys where dreams really do come true.

Disney on Ice Dare to Dream, officially opened on December 25 and will have shows until January 4.

Get your tickets at all Ticketnet outlets or call 911-5555 now!

Photos here,

BSP phasing out old bills, Replacement Process of Old Banknotes (New Design Series, NDS) with New Generation Currency Banknotes

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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is phasing out old banknotes or New Design Series bills starting new year.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo announced that the demonetization of old banknotes will start on Jan. 1, 2015 to preserve the integrity of the Philippine peso as well as to benchmark with other countries' central banks practice of demonetizing banknotes every ten years to prevent counterfeiting.

Guinigundo said the move is in line with the provisions of Section 57 of Republic Act No. 7653, or the New Central Bank Act, that authorizes BSP to replace banknotes that are more than five years old. The NDS banknotes have been in circulation for almost three decades, he said.

These NDS that will be phased out include old 20-peso bill; 50-peso bill; 100-peso bill; 200-peso bill; 500-peso bill; and one thousand-peso bill.

The NDS banknotes have been in circulation for almost 3 decades:

Demonetizing NDS will result in the circulation of a single currency series in the country – the New Generation Currency (NGC) series.

Issued on December 16, 2010, the NGC banknotes are using new and enhanced security features to help thwart counterfeiting.

The two old designs of 10-peso bill bearing the face of Apolinario Mabini alone and Mabini together with Andres Bonifacio as well as the five-peso-Emilio-Aguinaldo-design bill are included in the demonetization. These three old banknote designs have no formal demonetization in the past years even they were replaced with new 10-peso and five-peso coins.

The NDS bills that will be demonetized are set to replace with the New Generation Currency or the latest designs of paper money introduced by the BSP in December 2010.

The central bank official said the public may continue to use the old banknotes until December 31, 2015 in paying and buying of goods and services and other business or financial transactions requiring the use of cash.

By Jan. 1, 2016, old banknotes can no longer be used in day-to-day transactions. However, from the said date up to Dec. 31, 2016 the public may exchange the NDS for NGC with authorized financial institutions such as universal and commercial banks, thrift banks, rural banks, and cooperative banks or with the BSP at full face value and without charge.

Guinigundo also said that for overseas Filipinos, who have NDS banknotes which could not be exchanged within the prescribed period, they may register from October 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015 through the BSP website. The NDS banknotes may be exchanged with the BSP within one year from date of registration.

By January 1, 2017, the old banknotes will no longer have monetary value and will be considered demonetized.

Guinigundo said that there are 729 pieces of old banknotes or about P192 billion to be demonetized. These are 25 percent of the total volume and 26 percent of the total value in the circulation.

The demonetization of NDS will result in the circulation of a single currency series in the country -- the NGC series.

The BSP had stopped the production of old banknotes since last year.

BSP Announces the Replacement Process of Old Banknotes (New Design Series, NDS) with New Generation Currency Banknotes 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announces today the start of the demonetization process on 1 January 2015 for the old banknotes (New Design Series, NDS) as part of its objective to preserve the integrity of Philippine currency. This move is in line with the provisions of Section 57 of Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as the New Central Bank Act, which authorizes the BSP to replace banknotes that are more than 5 years old. The NDS banknotes have been in circulation for almost three decades .

The public is advised of the following important information:

* The public may continue to use the NDS banknotes up to 31 December 2015 in paying and buying of goods and services and other business or financial transactions requiring the use of cash. Thereafter, the NDS banknotes will no longer be accepted for payment transactions;

* From 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016, the public may exchange with authorized financial institutions, namely universal and commercial banks, thrift banks, and rural as well as cooperative banks, their NDS banknotes with the New Generation Currency (NGC) Series at full face value, without charge. The public may also opt to exchange NDS banknotes with the BSP or any of its regional offices/branches around the Philippines ; 

* Government institutions holding in trust NDS series which could not be exchanged during the prescribed period, such as banknotes used as evidence in a litigation case, will have to request the BSP Cash Department in writing, within the period of exchange, for a special exchange arrangement;

* For Overseas Filipinos (OFs) abroad, who have in their possession NDS banknotes which could not be exchanged within the prescribed period, they may register online starting 1 October 2015 to 31 December 2015 through the BSP Website. These NDS banknotes may be exchanged with the BSP within one (1) year from date of registration; and

* Starting 1 January 2017, NDS banknotes that have not been exchanged shall no longer have any monetary value, and are considered demonetized. 

* The demonetization of the NDS will result in the circulation of a single currency series in the country – the NGC Series. The NGC banknotes which were issued on 16 December 2010 use new and enhanced security features to protect the safety of the public against counterfeiters. 

www.bsp.gov.ph

Beauty: The best gift you can give your friends this Holidays

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It is said that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." But we think it's actually in the eye of the woman who gets the most sleep, drinks the most water and follows daily regimen.

Looking your personal best may be an all-day ritual. There's something we do everyday, an investment that will have you not only looking beautiful but feeling that way, too.  Always take care of yourself. 

All day long, be mindful of your stature. Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Walk tall and think positive thoughts. Offer up your happiest smile. Let your inner beauty shine outward.

You are a beautiful gift to the world.

Everyday, and for special occassions, like birthdays and holidays, you can share or gift something to your friends, loveones and to yourself - a wonderful, helpful and memorable one. 

Youth and beauty – these are two things that you and your friends might put on your must-have list at any given time. To always look young and energetic, dazzling everyone with your attractiveness and a winning spirit that shows your can-do attitude. To always have that adrenaline flowing through your veins, confident that you can move and act in the pace you want.

While you can’t turn back the hands of time, there’s a better way to give yourself, friends, and loved ones these two desirable, yet priceless gifts this holiday season. Experience the pleasure of tapping on a new source of power that can delay the aging process and usher in a new phase of rejuvenation, both physical and mental. The good news is, the gift of youth and beauty can be yours in one lovely gift – the new Premium HyC 150!

This powdered collagen drink manufactured by FINE Japan Co. Ltd. Is now distributed in the Philippines and easily accessible to anyone who wants to feel young, move young and look young. This new product has been called the new fountain of youth because it contains the optimal combination of effective anti-aging nutrients, plus more in one sachet. Mix with your beverage of choice or just add plain water and its semi-sweet flavor makes it even more enticing to drink during breakfast, snack time, or an after dinner refresher. 

The Premium HyC 150 makes rejuvenation possible through its two main nutrients: collagen and hyaluron. Collagen slows down the aging process and prevents dryness of skin, wrinkles, and age pores. It also counters the effects that excessive sun exposure, pollution, and bad weather can do to our skin. Meanwhile, hyaluron gives you moisture to lubricate joints and tissues allowing you to stay active.

More than the potent combination of collagen and hyaluron, Premium HyC 150 also contains a good dose of Pearl Coix Extract that brightens skin, making you look fairer. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, it also helps eliminate freckles, heal tumors, and remove inflammation from the body. Complementing this is Vitamin C, which makes your skin healthy, spot- and blemish-free. Make it a habit to take Premium HyC 150 daily – then see and feel the difference in just a few days. 

Youth and beauty in one sachet. It’s a convenient gift you can give your friends this holidays – and see its lovely effects last longer than the season.

For more information, visit our website at www.HyC150.com; like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HyC150, follow us on Twitter #HyC150 or Instagram @HyC150. Or call (02) 5467297. Premium HyC 150 is now available at selected Watsons stores nationwide.

Backroom, Inc. looks ahead for a more blessed and brighter 2015

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Backroom, Inc. wrapped up a blessed and meaningful 2014 with a Christmas Party last December 18 held at the Village Patio, 185 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City.

For Backroom, Christmas is always a joyous and much-anticipated season of the year. It is a time of merry-making and thanksgiving for all the blessings received. The Christmas Party was also a continuation of Backroom’s 25th anniversary celebration.

The party began with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Reverend Fr. Allan Samonte followed by a sumptuous dinner.

After dinner, exciting parlor games were played participated in by Backroom staff, artists, and guests.

One of the highlights of the party was the videoke singing competition among Backroom staff and guests. Junnel Manansala, Backroom artist and member of NYOBG, emerged as the First Place winner with his rendition of the song Let Me Be the One. Jamie Almario who sang You bagged Second Placewhile Philip Rojas who sang Bituing Walang Ningning won Third Place.

A video presentation reminiscing the company’s 25 years was presented. Happy memories of the good old years were recalled as the staff and the guests watched old photos on the screen.

As part of its annual tradition, Backroom had its raffle draw and exchange gifts. Raffle prizes were also drawn for lucky guests.

It was a fun and intimate Christmas Party. Backroom, Inc. is now optimistic for a more blessed and brighter 2015!