Coping with earthquakes and its aftershocks

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After an earthquake, don’t just rush in the house or building! Remain alert for aftershocks! Immediately survey the home or building for structural or physical damages.

If there are signs of damage, have a licensed city engineer investigate for its safety or structural integrity.

After inspecting the home, check water pipes and electricity lines for leaks or dangling wires. If there are broken pipes, do not flush the toilet or open faucets. If there are dangling electrical wires, don’t turn on the light switches and electrical appliances.

If you suspect a gas leak, switch off the LPG tank immediately then open all the windows for circulation. Don’t switch on the stove, lights and appliances to avoid a spark until the smell is completely gone.

When it is determined that it is safe to enter the property, immediately clean debris like broken glass to prevent any secondary injuries.

If one resides near a beach, be alert for tsunami warnings or advisories. Stay glued to the news for other earthquake-related information.

Always remember that during calamities like earthquakes, the wellbeing and safety of one’s family should be the priority. Always stay in contact with them, and sources of information.

To prepare for emergencies, it helps to have emergency plans in place. Aside from have an emergency kit, Go bags, emergency evacuation plans, it makes sense to protect one’s properties — like home and cars— with insurance to ensure ease of recovery.

Malayan Insurance can help in emergencies like the July 27 earthquake that affected most of Luzon, not to mention the recent floods in Ifugao and Davao. Visit its e-commerce site at www.malayan.com.

The Lasting Relationships Behind the Conti's Menu

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In the highly dynamic, ever-evolving, fast-changing world of business, relationships come and go. This is especially true for big brands that have been around for decades.

(L-R): Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant founders Angie Conti-Martinez, Carole Conti-Sumulong, and Cecille Conti-Marañon

It is a testament, then, to the shared values of Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant and some of its partners that they remain integral to each other’s success since the early years of the popular homegrown food chain.

Two of those partners, Vicky and Lofrie, have been with the brand founded and owned by the Conti sisters of Batangas for at least 15 years.

“We are very fortunate to have found partners who shared our values and goals early on,” says Patricia Marañon-Tan, daughter of one of the Conti sisters and current Conti’s General Manager. “And we are very glad that we have grown together through the years. Conti’s would not be known for the high quality of our food if not for the high-quality products of our partners.”

Conti’s long time supplier, Vicky

Patricia notes that Vicky actually began as a regular source of seafood for family gatherings and parties in the Conti home in Paranaque.

She is an owner of a small stall in a nearby wet market and the year was 1997, which marked the birth of Conti’s. “Sa bahay nila ako nagdedeliver ng seafood para sa mga catering ni ma’am Carole,” Vicky notes.

Vicky and her husband showing their perfect car for their growing business

The market stall is a family venture. The catering deliveries for the Conti family affairs soon evolved into regularly supplying shrimp guisa and shrimp medium tiger for the restaurant.

Through the Conti’s partnership alone, she was able to make a very good living for her family.

“Napa aral ko ang mga anak ko sa private school since nursery until college,” beams the entrepreneur who got her studies in public schools. “Nakabili din ako ng sasakyan. ‘‘Yun talaga ‘yung ‘Salamat Conti’s.’”

She says she did not expect the partnership with Conti’s to last this long. And she attributes a lot of its success to the valuable inputs and learnings she got from the Conti sisters.

“Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanila, lalo kay ma’am Carole. Natuto ako na dapat mag sorting ka ng supply. Talagang kailangan strict sa quality, tapos sa size.”

She also sings the praises of the Conti sisters for how they value their partners. They have never been about just selling products. They also take care of the people who work with them and make sure everyone feels happy and comfortable when they're with Conti’s, like they are at home.

“Ang isa pang maganda sa kanila, is kapag nag oopen sila ng bagong stores, iniinvite pa rin nila ako. Tapos kahit saan kami magkita nila ma’am Carole, Angie, at Cecille, talagang kukumustahin ka nila. Iba yung pakikiharap nila, Accommodating talaga sila kahit saan kami magkita.”

Another supplier, Lofrie, has exactly the same thing to say about the Conti sisters. “Sobrang bait po nila. ‘Di ka dededmahin. Nakikipagkwentuhan talaga.”

Conti’s long time supplier, Lofrie

Her own enterprise has been a Conti’s partner for 15 years now. In the beginning it supplied mainly prawns but has since expanded to other seafoods including squid, tilapia, and bangus.

She has likewise been able to grow her assets through the partnership with Conti’s. Among those assets are her family’s own home and car.

“Bago po ako mag supply sa Conti’s, nangungupahan lang po kami,” she notes. “Lumaki din ang negosyo nung magsimula kami mag deliver sa Conti’s.”

Among her key learnings is to put a premium on the quality of the products and punctuality in delivering them. Having built this good reputation has helped the enterprise gain more clients through the years.

Lofrie and her husband showing their hard-earned car and beautiful house

That’s been one of the secrets to their success and longevity, something that they actually prayed for in the early part of the relationship with Conti’s. “Pinag pray din namin na sana tumagal din po ‘yung Conti’s para tumagal din kami.”

That prayer wish has clearly been granted. And it’s one of the things that make the mouthwatering seafood meals of Conti’s like Baked Prawns, Seafood Madrileña, Garlic Squid Adlai, Soy Ginger Shrimp Adlai, Squid Salad, Linguine in Pesto Sauce with Seafood, and Pasta con Gambas even more special.

To know more about Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant, visit their website at http://www.contis.ph/ or check out their Facebook (@contisph) and Instagram (@contis_ph) pages. Other pages bearing our name and images are fake. They do not in any way represent the brand. 

Graciella Lehmann's mythical 'Tikbalang' wins Best in National Costume at Binibining Pilipinas 2022

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Graciella Lehmann was hailed the Best in National Costume for Binibining Pilipinas 2022 out of the 40 candidates.

The announcement was made during the coronation night held at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday. The candidates first showcased their fabulous national costumes during the fashion show at the New Frontier Theater last July 16.

Designed by well known celebrity Paolo Ballesteros, Graciella's national costume is inspired by the Philippine mythological creature Tikbalang.

Paolo described his creation as "ethereal and sublime it may be, be wary of its eyes—blood red, glowing in the darkness of night. Gaze and marvel in awe, and forever be lost in enchantment."

Congratulations Paolo Ballesteros and Miss Graciella Lehmann! 

Global Video Streaming Service Prime Video Increases Investment for Viewers in the Philippines

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 Starting August 1, viewers in The Philippines can enjoy a local content slate and a localized user experience on Prime Video   

Prime Video announces first local Amazon Original Comedy Island: Philippines in cooperation with Base Entertainment, which will launch in 2023, and underlines its commitment to the local creative community

 

The increased support of local production companies comes as Prime Video launches its first local marketing, created with Filipino producers and featuring Anne Curtis

SINGAPORE—August 1, 2022—Global video streaming service Prime Video today announced it will be increasing its investment for customers in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Beginning today, customers will find a localized content slate and user experience (in local language) on Prime Video and the Prime Video app. 

The streaming service also underlined its commitment to the local creative community by revealing the first local Original Comedy Island: Philippines and exclusive licensing deals for local, Korean, and anime titles.  The news comes as Prime Video launches its first local marketing campaign featuring superstar Anne Curtis in the country.

Now for an introductory offer of 149 PHP per month*, after a seven-day free trial, viewers in the Philippines can sign up for a Prime Video membership and enjoy a great selection of entertainment, from Original productions created by local production companies, local licensed top titles, Korean content, global Amazon Original movies and TV series, and popular Hollywood titles. Prime Video members can stream, download, and watch anytime, anywhere through the Prime Video app on compatible mobile devices, tablets, Smart TVs, or online at PrimeVideo.com.

*Promotional price from 1st August 2022 to 31 December 2023. T&Cs Apply. Learn more at primevideo.com.

“We’re delighted to be increasing our investment in Prime Video for customers in Southeast Asia, making it a truly localized experience—from local content specifically sourced for our customers,  to a localized user experience, and the first full-scale local marketing campaign,” said Josh McIvor, director of International Expansion, Prime Video. “Our support of local production companies in Southeast Asia is a significant step towards our broader international expansion plans and our ambition to become the most local of global streaming services.”

Increasing investment in local Original content and licensed content 

The first local Amazon Original Comedy Island: Philippines is a unique, off-the-wall situational improvisation comedy challenge show. In Comedy Island: Philippines, the mysterious island of Tawa-Tawa reappears after 100 years to commence the so-called ‘centennial games’ starring the best 8 players, consisting of comedians and celebrities. Only one will emerge as winner and will receive an essential gift that humanity needs. Comedy Island: Philippines will be will be produced by Base Entertainment and launch on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world in 2023.

Viewers will be able to enjoy more local exclusive titles such as Big Night, How To Love Mr. Heartless and Whether the Weather Is Fine, in addition to a selection of popular Korean titles such as Nothing Serious and Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete, anime hits such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Ron Howard’s new movie Thirteen Lives, Hollywood blockbuster No Time to Die, global Amazon Originals like The Boys, The Terminal List, licensed US hit shows such as The Good Doctor S1-5, and the highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

The new local Originals are supported by local licensing deals as well as popular exclusive Korean titles and anime hits. Local highlights include Big Night (streaming today), a dramedy starring Christian Bables and directed by Jun Lana, How To Love Mr. Heartless (launching August 15), a romance starring Sue Ramirez, and Award-winning surreal drama Whether The Weather Is Fine (launching October 10) starring Daniel Padilla. Viewers in the Philippines will also be able to enjoy popular Korean titles such as Nothing Serious (streaming today), a romantic film featuring Jeon Jong-seo, Son Seok-gu and Gong Min-jung, and Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete featuring Julien Kang which will launch on Prime Video in August. The slate is complemented by exclusive anime hits such as Demon Slayer (streaming today) and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (launching December 21),  the number one title in Japanese theatres in 2021. All this is on top of Hollywood Blockbusters such as No Time to Die (streaming today), global Amazon Originals like The Boys, The Terminal List, licensed US hit shows such as The Good Doctor S1-5, and the highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (launching September 2). On August 5, Prime Video will premiere the new Ron Howard movie Thirteen Lives starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell. Thirteen Lives premieres on August 5, and recounts the incredible true story of the tremendous global effort to rescue a Thai soccer team who became trapped in the Tham Luang cave during an unexpected rainstorm.  

“Southeast Asia is a tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, and there has truly never been a better time to be a content creator or a content consumer in this part of the world. We are thrilled to be bringing our first local Amazon Original featuring Filipino talent, the hilarious world of Comedy Island, to customers around the world. This will complement our growing selection of local and Korean series and movies, alongside our amazing global content on Prime Video,” said Erika North, head of Asia-Pacific Originals, Prime Video. “We are committed to supporting the local TV and film industry and working with the most innovative creative talent in the region to bring the very best, most authentic and local storytelling to life, for our customers not only in the region but also Prime Video members around the world. This is just the start.”

First local marketing campaign featuring superstar Anne Curtis

Prime Video today also launched its first marketing campaign created in cooperation with local producers. Featuring local superstar Anne Curtis, the campaign introduces Prime Video to local audiences as a premium video streaming service that entertains, delights and engages.  The first campaign plays with the stereotype that the Pinoy’s are always late – and self-ironically claims that Prime Video is no different.  Prime Video is indeed late to the region, but it definitely was worth the wait just like all things fabulous. The campaign highlights the different content pillars that will make Prime Video the home of entertainment: strong local content, the most loved regional content featuring Korean and Anime titles, and US hits.

 

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About Prime Video

Prime Video offers customers a vast collection of TV shows and movies—all available to watch on practically any device:

●       Included with Prime Video: Watch thousands of popular movies and TV shows, award-winning Amazon Originals and other exclusives, and more. Think global Amazon Original series such as The Boys, The Terminal List, The Wheel of Time, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Grand Tour, and the upcoming highly anticipated series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, as well as critically acclaimed Amazon Original movies like Coming 2 America, The Tomorrow War, and exclusive local titles such as Comedy Island: Philippines, Big Night, and How To Love Mr. Heartless, Korean titles such as The Ghost Station, anime hits such as Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and many more. All available at no additional cost as part of Prime Video, which is available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

●       Instant Access: Watch at home or on the go with your choice of hundreds of compatible devices. Stream from the web or using the Prime Video app on compatible smartphones, tablets, game consoles, or select smart TVs.

●       Enhanced Experiences: Control how much data you use when streaming and downloading videos by choosing between Good, Better and Best visual quality settings, all of which utilise Prime Video’s state of the art video compression technology to use less data without reducing visual quality. Make the most of every viewing with High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favourite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing.

●       Personalized: Customers can browse the user interface in their own language and watch popular TV shows and movies with subtitles.

 

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit Amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

 

 

 

 

 

ePLDT bags Microsoft Country Partner of the Year award

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ePLDT Inc., the ICT arm of PLDT Enterprise and the country’s leading enabler of digital solutions, has been awarded by Microsoft as its 2022 Country Partner of Year for the Philippines.

Victor S. Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT, has expressed his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting their long-standing partnership to deliver solutions that create real value through Microsoft’s leading cloud technology.

“We are grateful to Microsoft for this award. This recognition affirms ePLDT’s thrust to digitally enable organizations and help enterprises accelerate their business goals. We will continue to offer Microsoft solution packages, combined with our capabilities, as we journey with our clients in pursuit of their infinite potential,” said Genuino.

The said award signifies ePLDT’s outstanding achievements and innovations over the past year, as it leverages Microsoft cloud and platforms to build solutions and services, and in turn, drive substantial growth in its customer base and revenue.

“We are honored to receive the Country Partner of the Year award from Microsoft which is proof of our commitment to delivering customer-focused digital innovations. We look forward to creating a more promising future with Microsoft as we further this collaboration through enabling more local businesses,” said Jojo Gendrano, FVP and Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise.

Since 2015, ePLDT has been an active partner of Microsoft, co-innovating to offer a slew of cloud-based solutions such as infrastructure services, cloud productivity, and collaboration tools to enable businesses.

Nico Alcoseba, PLDT Enterprise FVP & Head of Product Management & Marketing Group, noted that through the years, ePLDT and Microsoft have empowered businesses all over the country to further boost and enhance their operations.

This was made possible through ePLDT’s relentless efforts to grow its cloud business by not only doing license push but also making Professional Services and eventually Managed Services become the primary source of revenue with the deployment of solutions such as Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise Plans, Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security, Microsoft Surface bundled with Intune, ePLDT Calling for MS Teams plus ePLDT’s Professional Services related to Modern Work and Security plus Azure Public and Azure Stack which is hosted in ePLDT’s Vitro Data Center.

Every year, Microsoft offers a variety of awards for its partners with the aim to inspire and drive partner success in driving Microsoft’s business by leveraging on Microsoft technologies that provide relevant solutions across all industries and market segments

These awards celebrate the successes and innovations related to partner competencies, cloud technology, and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as highlight the great work done by partners in various industries and philanthropy arenas.

Other recognitions received by ePLDT through the years include Microsoft Country Partner of the Year in 2017, Tech Intensity Partner of the Year (Philippines) in 2020 and 2021; Para Sa Bayan Award (LearnAsOne Initiative) in 2020, and Azure Customer Recruit Partner of the Year (Philippines) last year.