Hails from Albay, Catriona Gray crowned Miss World Philippines 2016

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Catriona Gray, a model, host and blogger who hails from Albay, crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 

At the grand coronation night held at the Manila Hotel on Sunday, she was asked why she should be Miss World Philippines, Gray said:

  "To be a Miss World is to be passed a torch that burns with passion and purpose. If I am to become MIss World Philippines, I will dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight, such as my personal advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project. And I would focus on passing on this torch to empower others because I believe together there is no darkness in this world that our light cannot overcome."

Catriona Gray, 22-year-old Filipino-Australian beauty beat 24 other candidates from all over the Philippines and was one of the competition favorites from the start. 

Miss Manila Hotel, Miss Hannah, Best in Fashion Runway, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown and Best in Fashion Runway.

During the Miss World Philippines gala charity night last week, she was named Miss Organique, Miss Figilia, Miss Folded & Hung and Miss Talent.

She will represent the Philippines at the Miss World competition to be held in Washington DC, USA on December 20.

Here is the full list of winners announced that evening: 

Miss World Philippines: Candidate 13, Catriona Gray

First Princess: Candidate 5, Arienne Louise Braga Calingo

2nd Princess: Candidate 18, Ivanna Kamil Su␣ciencia Pacis

Jack Purcell Signature Twill Shield Canvas Low

3rd Princess: Candidate 21, Marah O Munoz

4th Princess: Candidate 8, Sandra Raymundo Lemonon 

A number of special award winners were also announced:

Miss Manila Hotel – #13, Catriona Gray 

Miss Hannah – #13, Catriona Gray

Miss Photogenic – #8 Sandra Raymundo Lemonon

Best in Long Gown – #13, Catriona Gray

Fashion Runway Award – #13, Catriona Gray 

Best in Swimsuit – #13, Catriona Gray

Top 5:

5, Arienne Louise Braga Calingo 

13, Catriona Gray 

8, Sandra Raymundo Lemonon 

21, Marah O Munoz

18, Ivanna Kamil Su␣ciencia Pacis 

Top 12:

7, Sarah Margarette Joson 

5, Arienne Louise Braga Calingo 

13, Catriona Gray 

2, Shenna Mae Monrpyo Zaldivar 

24, Yuri Yu Caunca 

21, Marah O Munoz 

12, Arah Alvero Salientes

23, Ralph Lauren Hernandez Asuncion 

8, Sandra Raymundo Lemonon 

18, Ivanna Kamil Su␣ciencia Pacis 

10, Kristine Reyes Lopez

4, Alyanna Cagandahan

ABS-CBN makes partnership with PLDT-Smart for mobile entertainment content

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PLDT and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III (third and fourth from left, respectively) lead the groundbreaking partnership of PLDT Home, Smart and ABS-CBN for iWant TV with (from left) lawyer Ray Espinosa, PLDT head of regulatory affairs; Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO; and Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO

ABS-CBN Corp. has entered a partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications for distribution of its television content and movies.

ABS-CBN Corp. shows will be available for streaming to millions of subscribers of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its mobile unit, Smart Communications, as the country's largest media and entertainment pursues a shift to digital services.

Chairman Eugenio Lopez III of ABS-CBN Corp., President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and PLDT-Smart Chairman Manuel Pangilinan signed an agreement that will give the telecommunications company's subscribers access to the network's iWant TV service.

"The strategic partnership between ABS-CBN and PLDT underscores our vision to make our content avialable online to more Filipinos," Katigbak said in a statement.With the partnership, ABS-CBN shows will be available on an estimated 30 million smartphone and tablet screens that run on the Smart network, said Oscar Reyes Jr., PLDT First Vice President and head of home businesses.

Led by PLDT and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio  Lopez III, also at the groundbreaking partnership of PLDT Home, Smart and ABS-CBN for iWant TV are Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Oscar “Renren” Reyes, FVP and head of Home Business for PLDT; Katrina Luna-Abelarde, FVP and head of Smart Wireless Consumer Division; Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT Home Marketing; Kathy Carag, VP and Head of Smart and Sun Master Brand; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO; Aldrin Cerrado, ABS-CBN CFO; Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO; Cat Lopez, ABS-CBN head of finance for Broadcast; and Mellissa Limcaoco, ABS-CBN head of Digital Transformation.

“In a groundbreaking partnership, the country’s leading digital services providers PLDT Home and Smart Communications have teamed up with multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN for iWant TV, the streaming service of ABS-CBN for its TV shows, movies and exclusive digital content,” said a press release.

The statement added, “Using iWant TV, subscribers may stream the past and current ABS-CBN shows like On the Wings of Love, Dolce Amore, Ang Probinsiyano and Til I Met You, as well as News and Current Affairs shows, among many others — anytime and anywhere.”

To activate iWant TV, users can register for an account via www.iwantv.com.ph or download the iWant TV app on their Android and iOS devices.

The specials and shows will be available for streaming starting October this year.

Samsung provides the modern family with ‘Partners in Life’

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Today’s millennial parents are modern-day heroes in their own right. Most of them keep a full-time job but give equal if not greater importance in spending time and taking care of the family. 

Everyone could use a little help, especially today’s career-driven and time-strapped homemakers. Samsung addresses this need through its suite of smart digital appliances that are designed to be the millennial family’s “Partners in Life.” 

Samsung is proud to offer state-of-the-art home appliances that intuitively understand and care for the family’s needs. Samsung’s newest digital appliances are known to go beyond the usual functions of a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, and air conditioner. These products are loaded with innovative features to make life easier and more convenient for its users.

“Filipino parents work their hardest so they can provide the best for their family. We at Samsung want to give them the ease and efficiency that they deserve through Samsung Digital Appliances. Our products can be their ‘Partners in Life.’ Samsung’s cutting-edge technology can help accomplish house work with greater comfort and efficiency, so modern homemakers may spend more of their time and energy with their loved ones,” said Stephanie Chua, Head of Product Marketing, Digital Appliances.

Each of Samsung’s digital appliances carry an important role in the household. With its capability to keep food fresh up to two times longer, the Samsung Twin Cooling Refrigerator is the modern home’s partner in freshness. Keeping food fresh longer means tasty and healthy meals at the table and less trips to the grocery to enjoy more quality time with the kids. 

Samsung’s AddWash technology for washing machines makes laundry days easier by allowing more clothes to be added in the middle of a wash cycle so there’s no need to wait for the next laundry day to wash missed items. With its Wi-Fi capability, the Samsung AddWash Washing Machine allows homemakers to monitor the laundry via their smartphone while they do other tasks. Lastly, Samsung’s innovative Ecobubble™ Technology uses air, water, and detergent to create powerful cleansing bubbles that ensure a faster and thorough clean. Laundry days can be a breeze with the Samsung AddWash Washing Machine, making it the modern home’s partner in convenience.

As the home’s partner in comfort, the Samsung’s Split-type Air Conditioner offers hours of reliable cooling and unparalleled energy efficiency through its Digital Inverter. It is the first to use an 8-pole inverter that ensures a more efficient operation with less vibration and noise, while its Wi-Fi function via Smart Control enables the user to control the air conditioner using their smartphone or tablet. Altogether, the Samsung air conditioner ensures a comfortable sleep or leisure time without a worry about noise and steep power costs.

Lastly, the Samsung Microwave Oven gives access to easy and healthier cooking. This microwave oven can do much more than heat meals. It uses Samsung’s revolutionary Slim-Fry technology to cook crispy food with just a touch of oil. It also reduces cooking time, grills meats, and even ferments dough or yogurt, making it a partner in delight in the kitchen. 

Now is the best time to upgrade to smart digital appliances. Samsung’s innovative products are currently offered at flexible payment options or with generous discounts through the Flexi Home Deals promo. The promo is now on its final stretch and is valid only until September 30.

Customers can save up to Php30,000 in discounts if they purchase Samsung Digital Appliances in full cash payments. For those who opt for easy deals on installment, discounts are also available for payment periods of 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months at 0% interest. 

Catch Samsung’s Flexi Home Deals promo until the end of September at selected Samsung dealer stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.samsung.com/ph/offer/flexideals2016/.

Why are Pinoys so jolly and joyful?

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The answer might be as simple as the company we keep, the things around us that make us smile and the food we enjoy.

There’s no doubt that Filipinos are among the jolliest people on the planet. Wherever one might go in this country, he or she will most definitely be met with a smile, a warm greeting, or a hearty laugh. Foreigners often wonder how an entire nation of over 100 million can extend kindness and good cheer even to complete strangers.

In the Gallup 2015 Positive Experience Index, the country ranked fifth in the list of happiest citizens in the world, despite the many socio-economic issues they face every day. However, these survey figures do not completely explain why many Filipinos consistently choose joy over negative emotions.

What’s the real secret behind the trademark Pinoy cheerfulness?

This is a question that Jollibee, the country’s number one fast food brand, answered in an online campaign released last September 10, 2016. 

“Jollibee, as a homegrown Filipino brand, is happy to answer why Pinoys are among the happiest people in the world,” said Francis E. Flores, Jollibee Global Chief of Marketing and Philippine Marketing Head. “Throughout Jollibee’s nearly four decades of serving the Filipino people all over the country and the world, we’ve discovered many reasons behind our innate joy, which we’re proud to showcase in the latest Chickenjoy Nation video.”

The Jollibee team went around the country to observe the lives of ordinary Filipinos and seemingly simple reasons behind their day-to-day happiness. The “stars” of the video cited sense of humor, appreciation for music, an easy-going spirit, and good food (including Jollibee’s crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy) as some of the core ingredients of Pinoy joy.

The video, however, implies something more profound about the Pinoy psyche: even in the most dismal of situations, the Filipino heart is filled with hope and optimism. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of their lives and the circumstances they find themselves in, they smile, laugh the bad vibes away, they are always to sing and dance, and share their favorite meals with the people they value the most. For them, joy is something that can be discovered in even the most mundane of things they encounter every day.

“Through our best-tasting Chickenjoy, we serve the perfect complement to our customers’ most joyful moments,” added Flores. “We’ve made it our mission to unite Filipinos under one joy, one nation—a Chickenjoy Nation.”

To find out more about Chickenjoy Nation, like Jollibee’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/Jollibee Philippines), follow @BestFriendJollibee on Instagram and @Jollibee on Twitter and Snapchat.

The future of travel media : TBEX Asia-Pacific 2016 set on October 13-16

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To visit and go someplace you’ve never been before.... Travel and Adventure is worthwhile. 

The Philippines is all set for the Asia-Pacific leg of the world’s largest conference of travel bloggers, writers, content media creators and tourism industry professionals - the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX), on October 13-16, 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

Presented by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in coordination with NMX Events, TBEX is expected to bring in hundreds of delegates from North America, Europe and Asia to the Philippines for the first time and will serve as the best venue for bloggers to acquire knowledge, as well as expand their networks and linkages. It will also create a good opportunity for the participants to experience the best of the Philippines through exciting tours.

Highlighting this event will be a series of talks presented by some of the world’s renowned speakers including New York Times #1 international bestselling author and veteran travel journalist Patricia Schultz, host of the award-winning podcast Slice of Sci-Fi Evo Terra, and Filipino travel blogger and founder of OurAwesomePlanet.com Anton Diaz. 

Talks will cover various travel-blogging topics such as the proper use of social networking sites, video blogging, content management, marketing techniques to building brands and challenges and opportunities in blogging. The conference will also allow the participants to interact with each other and have in-depth discussion on travel blogging opportunities. 

The group will also be treated with exciting tours to the country’s premier destinations including iconic landmarks, world heritage sites, scenic views, natural wonders, entertainment venues, lifestyle spaces, and top attractions. The list will include a visit to the historical walled city of Intramuros, the Eighth Wonder of the World Banaue Rice Terraces, the world’s Best Island Palawan, UNESCO World Heritage site Ilocos and the world’s most perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano.

By hosting this four-day event, the Philippines is once again set to take the spotlight for being a premier travel destination among the world’s most successful travel bloggers and the industry’s most creative and influential minds. 

To register and know more about the upcoming TBEX 2016, visit http://tbexcon.com/2016-asia/.