Top 40 Binibining Pilipinas 2014 hopefuls were officially presented to media

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The forty most beautiful Filipinas were presented to the members of the press and other guests during the Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Official Press Presentation held at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel last February 19. 

The stunning young Filipinas who came from all over the Philippines walked the ramp in front of sponsors, guests, and the media.

The 40 beauty queen hopefuls were trimmed down from over a hundred aspirants during the rigorous four-day screening back in January. Since 1964, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) has been the country’s prestigious discoverer and trainer of young ladies who represent us in well-known international beauty tilts. In a span of five decades, BPCI has proven its caliber as a credible institution that eyes these potential candidates, vaunting a resume that begins with Gloria Diaz’s Miss Universe win in 1969. In the last few years, the Philippines has been rising through the ranks as a beauty powerhouse with the impressive top five finishes of Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and Ariella Arida in the last four Miss Universe contests. 

Last year’s golden batch of winners, led by Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago and Miss Supranational 2013 Johanna Datul, Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner up Ariella Arida, and Miss Tourism Queen International 2013 Top 10 finalist Cindy Miranda, brought immense pride to the country by doing well in their respective international competitions. 

This year’s roster of candidates include local pageant winners, graduates from top schools, artists, working professionals, and models who went through months of extensive training even before they joined the pageant. 

The 2014 Binibining Pilipinas candidates still have a lot on their plates leading up to the Grand Coronation Night. The Fashion Show is set on March 6, and the much-anticipated Parade of Beauties will be held on March 22.

The Grand Coronation Night will be held on March 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and telecast live at ABS-CBN.

Miss Universe 2013 Maria Gabriela Isler of Venezuela and Russian pop star Emin will be two of the special guests in the Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Grand Coronation Night. Gabriela will be one of the judges during the pageant and will help crown this year’s winners, while Emin will lead the list of the hotly-anticipated performers in the 51st edition of the most prestigious beauty contest in the country.

Tickets are available through Ticketnet Online www.ticketnet.com.ph or inquire at (02) 911 5555. 

The Binibining Pilipinas 2013 pageant is presented by the Araneta Center, ABS-CBN, PLDT Home, JAG Jeans, AVON, PAGCOR, Titan Watches—the official watch sponsor, Manhattan Garden City, Pizza Hut, Sofitel—the official residence, Manila Bulletin—the official print partner, David’s Salon, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Gold’s Gym, J.A.C. Motors, Picture City, Dale Carnegie Training Center, Entrepreneur School of Asia, Charter Ping An Insurance Corporation, and Raymond Saldaña Photography.

Pioneer kicks off 60th anniversary with Stories of Friendship Video Competition

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“A friend is someone who shares your dreams through life’s ups and downs.” – Pioneer Insurance

To celebrate its 60th year in serving (the) Filipinos as a friend whom you can depend on to get through life’s ups and downs, Pioneer is launching an exciting contest entitled “Stories of Friendship Video Competition” to college students nationwide.

Using today’s technology, participants – who are 15 to 24 years old – are encouraged to produce a three-minute (or less!) video showcasing their take on friendship. Whether narrative or music video, it’s up to them how they can put their imagination into reality.

Interested students can now submit their masterpiece in a brown envelope containing the following requirements:

• Filled-out Submission Form (downloadable at www.storiesoffriendship.com)
• Photocopy of Student ID for SY 2013-2014
• Three (3) DVD copies of the official video entry with a maximum resolution of 280/720, in video encoding format of MPEG-4/H264, and saved in MP4 video format.

The envelope should be labeled “Pioneer Stories of Friendship Video Competition” by (NameofParticipant–School) and addressed to Marketing and Services Communications, 4F Pioneer House Makati, 108 Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

They have until April 21, 2014 to send in their video entries.

A group of judges composed of practitioners from the Film and Advertising Industry will pick eight (8) entries that will be invited to an awarding ceremony. The exciting part is that, the chosen videos will make their debut on the big screen. Selecting will be based on the following criteria:

• 30% Content 

• 30% Technical Excellence 

• 20% Creativity 

• 20% Impact

Relevance to the theme Production design Overall video presentation Emotional engagement

Online Favorite Award will be given during the awarding ceremony that is set to take place on May 23, 2014. In addition, two (2) lucky voters will be picked in a raffle to win P5,000 each plus insurance coverage from Pioneer.

Pioneer House Makati 108 Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229, Philippines Tel: +63 2 812 7777 • Fax: +63 2 817 1461 • www.pioneer.com.ph.

Meanwhile, final winners of the “Stories of Friendship Video Competition” will receive cash prizes with insurance coverage from Pioneer.

Grand Prize P120,000 + Insurance Coverage
2nd Place P80,000 + Insurance Coverage
3rd Place P40,000 + Insurance Coverage
Online Favorite P20,000 + Insurance Coverage
Consolation Prizes P10,000 + Insurance Coverage

For the complete details of Pioneer’s “Stories of Friendship Video Competition,” feel free to visit www.storiesoffriendship.com or www.facebook.com/PioneerIsYourInsurance.

For inquiries, call Kris Ngitngit at (02) 812-7777 local 455.

Sweet deals from Allphones for Panagbenga 2014

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ALLPHONES JOINS PANAGBENGA 2014 WITH A SWEET DEAL: THE EASIEST, MOST AFFORDABLE UNLIMITED POSTPAID LINE FOR P599 A MONTH

The flowers of the 2014 Panagbenga Festival are again showcasing the beautiful blooms of Baguio City this February, as the month-long celebration continues. The name “panagbenga” is a Kankanaey word that means, “season of blooming”.

Joining the celebration this month is the fastest-blooming telecoms retail company, Allphones. Allphones has bloomed into almost 50 outlets across the nation, and it is doing its part to make the Panagbenga Festival an even better experience for visitors. 

“As a company, we have great respect and appreciation for the history, traditions, and values that the Panagbenga Festival celebrates. A reverence for beauty, a respect for nature, hard work, industry, a sense of play, and joyful hope—all of these take center stage every Panagbenga season and we, as a company, have similar values. 

“Each Allphones store is a showcase for the beauty of design and the wonders of technology. Our customers are allowed to play with actual demo. Members of our staff put in a lot of hard work in learning about all the mobile phones in our stores and in assisting each customer at their best,” said Maureen Laus-Gallant, Head of Allphones Marketing.

She added that the true beauty of the customer experience in Allphones stores is also found in how convenient they make the process of purchasing phones and obtaining a postpaid account. 

Allphones stores use an iPad-based, digital, and paperless process for postpaid applications. Subscribers who apply for postpaid accounts in Allphones stores no longer have to sign a lot of paper forms or bring a lot of required documents. The customer data they provide is protected by military grade security protocols. 

More than just convenience and ease, Allphones stores offer the best postpaid deals. One deal that is available in Allphones stores nationwide, as well as in the Panagbenga festival, is the UNLI 599 SIM Only. 

Allphones stores offer customers the choice of the following services under the UNLI 599 plan: 

1) Unlimited Calls and Texts to Globe/TM;

2) Unlimited Calls to Globe/TM and Landline Calls; and 

3) Unlimited Texts to All Networks.

There’s no lock-in period and the only requirement for a subscriber to apply is one valid ID. Allphones stores make owning a postpaid line with unlimited services the most convenient, easiest experience ever. 

UNLI 599 is made possible through a partnership with Globe Telecom. The plan gives postpaid subscribers maximum service from their mobile phones while also being easier on the pocket. 

The convenient, affordable, leveled-up retail experience in their stores has allowed Allphones Philippines to establish 40 new stores all over the country in the latter half of 2013. This year, on first quarter alone, at least twelve more Allphones stores are expected to open.

Besdes the sleek, beautiful interiors of Allphones stores, customers also enjoy how they can try out real demo units. This helps them sample the various phones’ functions—so they can pick the phone that fits their needs and lifestyle perfectly. Allphones stores stock the widest range of mobile phone brands and models.

DepEd and AusAID boost Philippine education

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) signed the Memorandum of Subsidiary Arrangement (MSA) for the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) Program to boost the education agenda at Neptali Gonzales High School in Mandaluyong, Friday.

“DepEd and AusAID have been partners in pushing the educational agenda for 15 years. This new partnership signifies the commitment of both parties to attain quality education for Filipino learners,” Secretary of Education Armin Luistro said adding that AusAID had always helped the education sector by implementing projects across the country—some of which covered Basic Education Assistance in Mindanao (BEAM), Technical Vocational Educational Project, School Building Projects for Basic Education, and other projects in partnership with DepEd.

The BEST Program, a Aus$150M six-year program, aims to assist the Philippines in improving learning quality and access to education in the context of the K to 12 program. The program would aid in teacher development, boost a unified management and information system, enhance education leadership and management, promote gender sensitive education, and advance curriculum, assessment and materials.

“Through BEST, there will be additional 1,000 classrooms, 40 science and computer laboratories, and two Indigenous Peoples’ Learning Centers for our learners,” said Luistro.

In addition to this, scholarships and trainings for teachers would be provided. A technology and research center focusing on Assessment, Curriculum and ICT in education would be established through this program. It would also aid in strengthening DepEd’s capacity for disaster preparedness.

The program would improve teaching and learning and strengthen systems within the Department. BEST would work at the national level and would provide intensive support to six regions initially—National Capital Region, Bicol, Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Present at the signing of MSA were Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell, Commission of Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr.

COMPLICATED Exhibit opens at Lopez Museum and Library

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Lopez Museum and library presents Complicated.

"It's Complicated", a phrase popularized by social media, has become the catch all for all undefined and problematic relationships typical of the post-modern world.

Seeing parallels between these and the complex relationship of the Philippines with its colonial pasts, the Lopez Museum and Library, in partnership with Tin-aw Art Gallery, opens its first exhibit for the year, Complicated on February 21, 2014 featuring commissioned works by guest artists Mike Adrao, Leslie de Chavez, and Ea Torrado, juxtaposed with works by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juvenal Sanso, Bencab, Ang Kiukok, Jerry Elizalde Navarro and other artworks from the Lopez Museum collection.

Mike Adrao's charcoal on paper works collectively titled "Colony" comprise of intricately ornamented, larger-than-life anthropomorphic pillars and delicately drawn insects whose patterns were researched from the Lopez Library collection.

Representing various forms of colonization our country has undergone, his works reference the interplay of our living culture and those of the colonizers that have reached our shores.

Several of these pieces were selected for the curated "platform exhibits" representing Southeast Asian art trajectories in the recently concluded Art Stage 2014 in Singapore.

Leslie's de Cahvez's mixed media instalation entitled "I Just Ca't Stop Loving You" featuring Michael Jackson inside the basin with water and holding a hose. 

Leslie de Chavez

Leslie de Chavez presents several installations and paintings that focus on colonization, not just as the context of our history, but as an ongoing process in which we are very much a part of. 

Known for his acerbic cultural commentary, his works take a critical stance that aims to jolt audiences to reflexivity, awareness, and realization.  One work in particular is created in reaction to the museum's collection of Per Pacem et Libertatem (For Peace and Liberty) studies.

These studies are what remains of a mural-sized work by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo commissioned by the American colonial government and exhibited during the 1904 St. Louis Exposition where villages were set up in St. Louis, Missouri and people from various ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines were shipped and exhibited to the American public.

His other works are likely premised on touchy subjects in our culture and history.

Here's Choreographer and dancer Ea Torrado.

Choreographer and dancer Ea Torrado presents a three-channel video installation based on the frantic search of Jose Rizal's Sisa and reflections on the museum's iconic España y Filipinas by Juan Luna. Using Sisa's search for her missing children as a metaphor of post-colonial identity, Torrado presents the search for the many desaparecidos and victims of extrajudicial killings in recent history as premised in the promises of modernity and progress which are both at the core of nation-building and Luna’s painting.

This film is produced with the support of Tuchi Imperial, sound designer Chris Aronson, cinematographer and film editor Dan Pamintuan and the ABS CBN Film Archives.

These commissioned works are contextualized amid various collections from the museum's painting and archival collections.

Visit: www.eatorrado.com

Great works by Juan Luna, Fabian Dela Rosa, Juvenal Sanso, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, Bencab, Ang Kiukok, among others, are exhibited with select books from the library's collection and rich archive of colonial photographs, maps, travel journals, sketches and cartoons, including those done by Tony Velasquez (known for his creation of the early Filipino comics series Kenkoy), Liborio Gatbonton, and Mario Dangan.

The exhibit is further supplemented by loaned artworks by Juvenal Sanso and contemporary artist Anton del Castillo.

Complicated is curated by Ricky Francisco and Ethel Villafranca. It will run from February 21 to August 2, 2014. It is presented with support from Tin-aw Art Gallery. For more information, call Tina at 6312417 or email lmmpasig@gmail.com

Visit Lopez Museum and Library at the G/F Benpres Bldg., Meralco cor. Exchange Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Museum hours are 8-5pm Mondays through Saturdays except Sundays and holidays.