Ballet Philippines celebrates 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season with the much-awaited homecoming gala set on Sept. 28

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PROMISES TO BE AN UNFORGETTABLE ONE-NIGHT ONLY TRIBUTE CONCERT LIKE NO OTHER

Ballet Philippines, the country’s flagship dance company is celebrating its 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season with the much-awaited HOMECOMING GALA set on Sept. 28, 2014 – 8 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines – Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

How will a 45-year old ballet company celebrate its ‘homecoming gala’? With the return of around 20 distinguished alumni with a whopping total of over 200 students in tow, no less!

45 years of sharing the gift of dance is a rare feat. And to mount this concert, Ballet Philippines will share the stage with the different ballet companies, dance schools and artists who have sprung from the company’s rich tradition of excellence.

In the BP Company Room in 1974

The participating artists are from Ecole De Ballet Manille, Seven Contemporary Dance Company, De La Salle Zobel Ballet Program, Portland Festival Ballet, Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc.; Edge N’ Pointe Dance Centre, Dance Theatre Arts, Locsin Dance Workshop, Tlg Ballet, Far Eastern University Dance Company, Maquiling Ballet, Effie Nañas Ballet, Airdance, Dancepull Project, Inc.; Garcia-Sanchez School Of Dance (Bacolod City); Perry Sevidal Ballet; Daloy Dance Company; Steps Dance Studio, Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio School Of Performing Arts (Iloilo City); and the CCP Dance School.

The biggest names in the field of Philippine dance shall present their works from various genres --- classical ballet, modern, pop and ethno-modern.

The who’s who list comprises of distinguished alumni of the company and includes: Eddie Elejar, Agnes Locsin, Effie Nañas, Perry Sevidal, Luther Perez, Eduardo Malagkit, Robert Medina, Dwight Rodrigazo, Georgette Sanchez, Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio, Annette Cruz-Mariano, Ela Rodriguez, Verna Fajilan-Brazil, Ryan Bautista, Brezhnev Larlar, Toni Lopez Gonzalez, Nina Anonas, Christine Crame, Ava Maureen Villanueva-Ong, Ea Torrado, and Sofia Zobel-Elizalde.

Annette Cruz-Mariano

Dwight Rodrigazo

Eddie Elejar

Effie Nañas

Georgette Sanchez in Alden Lugnasin's Aku

Luther Perez

The 45th Anniversary Sapphire Season. Rare scenes of power and grace. Love, valour and redemption. Under the artistic directorship of Paul Alexander Morales, this is a toast to 45 years of dance excellence!

Verna Fajilan-Brazil

Don’t miss this rare treat!

For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.

For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

The Manila International Book Fair 2014

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Now on its 35th year, the MIBF gathers Philippine publishers to showcase their latest books and offer big discounts for their popular bestsellers. Vibal is a regular participant of this annual event that attracts bibliophiles and other book readers alike, along with book sellers and authors to celebrate the power of books, reading, and knowledge.

More than 50 titles will be launched by Vibal Group to celebrate Filipinos' love for reading and literacy at this year's edition of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), on September 17 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. 

Starting the lineup is the Unang Diksiyonariyo Caton series, translated in various Philippine dialects and designed to complement the Mother Tongue Program espoused by the Department of Education. 

New children's books for young readers will be launched under Vibal's Chikiting Books imprint, such as Jomike Tejido's Why Do Squids Squirt Ink?, Nati Santos' Nobody's Hat, and Russell Molina's Salamat Po! translated in Binisaya and Ilokano.

Aside from new Chikiting Books, Vibal will also launch new books under Vibal Foundation. More American Than We Admit features scholarly essays edited by Julian Go, reflecting the cultural interactions between Filipinos and the American colonial masters. Dear Lady S features advice by Lady S - resident love columnist of the Philippine Online Chronicles.

Pagmumuni-muni at Pagtatalak ng Sirenang Nagpapanggap na Prinsesa is a compilation of essays by John Iremil Teodoro, one of the pioneers in gay literature in the country.

Bekibolaryo, on the other hand, is a comprehensive lexicon explaining terms, words, and expressions used by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual (LGBT) community.

K to 12: RA 10533 and Relevant Education Policies by Atty. Joseph Estrada and Atty. Kristjan Gargantiel meanwhile elaborates on how the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 can affect existing policies and laws in education.

These books can actually be previewed for free by mobile device owners by scanning designated QR codes posted along the booth's illustrated panels. Vibal's booth will also feature tablets, all-in-one PCs, and other mobile devices to feature e-book editions of their printed books, along with interactive games, video documentaries, and other rich media content for MIBF visitors. 

During the five-day event, Vibal will also be organizing various activities at their booth: an interactive storytelling-cum-zumba session featuring Eugene Evasco's May Lakad Kami ni Tatay will be held on September 19. Meet-and-greet sessions with various authors and illustrators will also take place. 

For September 17, Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada will headline the meet-and-greet sessions in the morning followed by Bebang Siy and Ronier Verzo in the afternoon. Genaro Gojo Cruz is set to attend the morning session on September 18, while illustrator Jonathan Ranola will grace the afternoon session on the same date. The morning session for September 19 will mark the presence of author Eugene Evasco and three illustrators - namely Brent Sabas, Ariel Santillan, and Leo Ang -while Lady S of the Philippine Online Chronicles, alongside illustrators Jamie Bauza and Valerie Jan Villaflor will be there in the afternoon. 

Authors Rhandee Garlitos and John Teodoro, together with illustrator Tokwa Penaflorida are set to appear in the morning of September 20 at the Vibal booth.

For the afternoon session on the same date, another group will be present to interact with their fans - authors Heidi Abad and Lem Garcellano, alongside illustrators Wiji Lacsamana, Christian Oliver Cruz, and Doms Agsaway. To cap off the fair, the husband-and-wife tandem of Jomike Tejido and Haraya Ocampo-Tejido will be at the Vibal booth on the afternoon of September 21. 

MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and the Overseas Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. 

PH+SocialGood: Manila #2030NOW, Globe celebrates ’0916′, ’0917′

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Globe pushes for social good as it celebrates ’0916′, ’0917′

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom, which is well known for its “0916” and “0917” prefixes, celebrates September 16 and 17 with the Social Good Summit which will examine the role of technology and new media in addressing difficult challenges that the country faces particularly in the area of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

Dubbed PH+SocialGood: Manila #2030NOW, the two-day Manila leg of the New York-based initiative to be held at The Mind Museum, will particularly focus on how technology can be used to deal with climate change and the impact it leaves behind; how businesses can transform and empower women; how efforts to collapse the digital divide are helping bring the Internet to everyone; and finally, how people can help ensure that there will be no casualties when the next typhoon comes.

“Telecommunications is a vital component of DRRM, thus, Globe continuously works on ways to limit the impact of any disruption in its operations especially during calamities. It has a business continuity management policy in place which prioritizes the safety of the people and ensures the delivery of products and services even during disasters,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications.

While nothing can provide absolute guarantee that a severely disruptive event will no longer occur, Globe has a commitment to its stakeholders that it is ready to respond to and recover from any incident, including those not anticipated.

For instance, despite the massive damage inflicted by Super Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City which left the area isolated from the rest of the world, Globe network people were fast to respond to the emergency through partial restoration of communications services within two days.

Globe is, likewise, very active in helping communities affected by disasters not only through quick assistance such as Libreng Tawag and charging activities and relief operations but more importantly, by providing them the means to get back on their feet and live normally again.

The company is currently the development sponsor of Aklan, one of the 14 provinces severely hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan in November last year. Through the project “Bulig 4 Aklan,” Globe has committed to provide education, housing, health, and livelihood assistance to seven affected towns, namely: Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Batan, Altavas, Balete, New Washington.

Globe Telecom is a major sponsor of PH+SocialGood: Manila #2030NOW organized by Rappler, Microsoft, and the Global Center for Journalism and Democracy where international and Filipino speakers will talk about their passions and how technology has helped them. Among them are: Praveen Agrawal, Country Director, UN World Food Programme; Kelli Arena, Executive Director, Global Center for Journalism and Democracy; Jackie Chang, Product Partnerships Manager, Facebook; Luli Heras-de Leon, President, Ayala Foundation, Inc.; and Lucille Sering, Vice Chairperson, Climate Change Commission.

Globe Telecom

Essential tips to protect your family and home from water damage this rainy season

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Jardine Distribution Inc. has a total solution for your waterproofing needs.  Super Thoroseal, Waterplug and Optimum Flex are cementitious waterproofing to help you in protecting your home from the damage of leaks.

In a tropical country like the Philippines, where we experience several months of monsoon rains, floods, and typhoons, it is essential to waterproof our homes to protect our investment and maintain the most important shelter for our family.

During rainy season, water damages houses and there are situations like leaks and moisture accumulation will make your precious home look ugly. Think of the dark stains that turn into “maps” on your ceiling, or the water marks in your bathroom. Second, leaks and moisture can cause costly, even serious damage like having your basement walls turn “sweaty” or even having “waterfalls” spouting from them because of leaks. Water accumulation in the house can even damage or peel off your flooring. Also, doors that get filled with moisture can swell-up to the point where they don’t fit door frames anymore. Moisture accumulation in the home can reach electrical wiring—flickering house lights may be a sign of this. That’s a fire hazard right there.

Here are some essential tips on how to keep our family and our house protected from water damage this rainy season.

Focus on prevention. Preventing water damage is always the better option than having to fix it when it happens. Effective prevention means using the right product to waterproof your home. Some people think that elastomeric paint is a good solution; however, it is a temporary one at best.

Elastomeric paint eventually peels off as moisture sets in the walls, ceilings, and floors. It becomes brittle over time and flakes or fades away. Another downside is that elastomeric paint is toxic—something that many homeowners don’t usually know about. 

The total waterproofing solutions by Jardine Distribution Inc. are available in hardware and do it yourself stores across the country. 

A superior alternative to elastomeric paint is a “cementitious” or cement-based waterproofing product. Such a product bonds with the concrete or cement surface where it is applied. It becomes part of the wall or the ceiling, or the floor. It does not peel off like paint. It does not crack or flake. If you’re waterproofing anything concrete or cement, especially, your best bet is a cement-based waterproofing product like Super Thoroseal. 

Super Thoroseal seeps into and bonds permanently with the concrete or cement surface, effectively sealing even the tiniest pores or spaces so that moisture does not go through. Best of all, Super Thoroseal is non-toxic. It can even be used in swimming pools and be in contact with drinking water. Be sure to use Super Thoroseal to waterproof your toilet and bath, your firewall, and basement. 

Super Thoroseal may be applied even on wet surfaces. Simply mix 1 gallon of Super Thoroseal with 1.5 liters water, then it is ready to use. It is strong enough to withstand extremes of temperature, weather, abrasions, and even exposure to environmental chemicals.

Plug active leaks ASAP. What if there are cracks on your concrete wall and the rain is pouring outside, sending water into your house? What you need is Waterplug, a cement-based product that immediately plugs the leak and seals the cracks— it is specifically formulated so you can apply it even while a leak is ongoing. 

Waterplug is a fast-setting, fast-drying hydraulic cement designed to plug active leaks in concrete surfaces and structures (even concrete water tanks). Amazingly, Waterplug sets in just three minutes so you’ll have your leak plugged in such a short time. 

Waterplug is non-toxic and very strong. Once it is set and bonded with the concrete, it can withstand a force of up to 1,500 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI). In comparison, an open faucet has a force of about 40 PSI. Waterplug can also be used to seal cold joints and even anchor bolts of gates and other fixtures. 

Flexibility. Some parts of a house are more prone to experiencing movement or tremors—for example, a roofdeck, the upper floors and walls of a house, or a tall building. For such structures, it’s best to use Optimum Flex, a cement-based, flexible waterproofing product; its optimum flexibility keeps concrete surfaces sealed against water and moisture despite movement and tremors. Without such flexibility, an ordinary sealant would crack. 

Optimum Flex is very easy to use thanks to its pre-packaged, pre-measured components. It’s composed of a powder and an emulsion that are simply mixed together without having to do any measuring anymore. It only takes a short time for Optimum Flex to dry, set, and bond permanently with the concrete surface. It may be applied in wet areas. 

For real and effective protection against water damage, remember to choose cementitious or cement-based products like Super Thoroseal, Waterplug, and Optimum Flex.

Depending on which area of your house, building, or establishment you need to waterproof, these products provide superior protection. 

Super Thoroseal, Waterplug, and Optimum Flex are distributed in the Philippines by Jardine Distribution, Inc.

To know more about these waterproofing products, call or text the Engineer Lunas Hotline 0920-910-2629 or go to www.jardinedistribution.com .

Philippines gears up for ASEAN SME gathering this year

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To provide industry market intelligence to boost the business of SMEs, MEDIACOM Solution Inc. is staging the 2nd Philippine Small & Medium Enterprise Business Expo 2014 (PhilSME) with the tagline “Boost Your Business”. PhilSME 2014 is the largest trade show dedicated to the ASEAN SME Community in the Philippines with 238 exhibiting businesses from 18 business sectors and 20,000 expected visitors.

This is set to be the focal point in the business community this year as it happens in November 21-23, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City, Philippines.

For the past years, the Philippines have emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, impressively rivaling the growth rates of fellow Asian countries. From being referred to as the “sick man of Asia” in headlines, it has turned around to being referred to now as the “new breakout nation”.

Integral to the economic development and growth of the Philippines are the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as they largely outnumber large enterprises in both quantity of establishments and share of the labor force they employ. 

“We aim to put together under one roof SME business owners, senior level executives, professionals, government agencies, trade associations from the Philippines and the ASEAN region to synergize their efforts in order to boost their businesses and the Philippine economy at large. The ASEAN economic community will become the 7th largest economy in the world with a combined consumer market of over 600 million people,” said David Abrenilla, Founder and Managing Director of PhilSME 2014 and CEO of MEDIACOM Solutions, Inc.

Philippine Trade Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Zenaida C. Maglaya recognized the pivotal role SMEs play in fuelling the economy as they account for 99.6 percent of total registered enterprises, according to recent trade department data.

In response to this, Abrenilla added, “We would like to provide the gateway for this new market brought about by the ASEAN integration. The PhilSME 2014 will be their one-stop shop for all their business needs from seeking advice from qualified experts to networking with key decision makers to gathering market intelligence.”

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Alfredo M. Yao, in his speech at a recent event listed factors challenging the private sector’s readiness and competitiveness under the economic integration in 2015 and cited the need for initiatives, such as workshops, to prepare SMEs for the upcoming ASEAN integration.

Yao listed the challenges such as: high cost of power and logistics, inadequate transport infrastructure and access of SMEs to financing and technology.

With PhilSME 2014, the agenda is to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be competitive with large corporations, especially with the rising global competition. It shall be the venue for small and medium sized businesses from the Philippines and the ASEAN region to build new relationships, help network with local and international decision makers, business owners, senior level executives and do business amongst SMEs and its supporters.

To BOOST YOUR BUSINESS towards success in an economically integrated world register at www.philsme.com or call +63.509.4792. 

Stay connected to the PhilSME community via Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo and twitter: www.twitter.com/PhilSMEexpo.