MICHELIN takes the challenge for energy efficiency, safety and innovation in Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015

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Michelin, in global partnership with Shell, welcomes back the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia (SEMA) for its second year in the Philippines at Luneta Park, Manila on February 26 to March 1, 2015.

The Shell Eco-Marathon is an international competition wherein student teams must create a safe and energy-efficient vehicle that promotes sustainable solutions for mobility.

MICHELIN continues as the Official Global Partner and Tire Supplier of the event in 2015.

An increased number of student teams will participate in SEMA 2015, with 127 teams from 17 countries from the Asia-Pacific and delegates from Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman and South Africa. From the Philippines alone, 25 universities from all over the country with as much as 34 participating prototype vehicles are joining this year. The SEMA 2014 had 109 teams from 15 countries, and 15 teams from the Philippines among them.

Marketing Communications Director for MICHELIN Philippines Caroline Ablanida, Communication & Brands Director for MICHELIN East Asia and Australia Ruedee Euachongprasit, Customer Engineering Support Manager for MICHELIN Philippines Jaybee Atanacio and Chief Representative of MICHELIN Philippines Michael Nunag during the MICHELIN Press Conference on Energy Efficiency, Safety and Innovation at the Shell Eco-Marathon.

“The Michelin and Shell partnership are aligned with valuing innovation for better mobility, that also pursues energy-efficient and safe solutions for mobility.” said Michael Nunag, Chief Representative of MICHELIN Philippines.

The MICHELIN tires for Shell Eco-Marathon are well-designed tires that are lightweight and provide low rolling resistance, providing optimal traction and longer travel time for the prototype vehicles. These tires are approximately 6 times more efficient than one of the best energy efficient tires on the market (MICHELIN Energy EV).

MICHELIN will also be providing technical assistance and support to all the participant teams throughout the competition, by supporting them with safety advice and how to best utilize the tires for their vehicles to get the best performance.

Communication & Brands Director for MICHELIN East Asia and Australia Ruedee Euachongprasit discusses the importance of using the right tires for road safety and fuel efficiency during the MICHELIN Press Conference on Energy Efficiency, Safety and Innovation at the Shell Eco-Marathon.

Special types of tires from MICHELIN are the most commonly used for the urban concept cars and prototype vehicles for the participating student teams of Shell Eco-Marathon Asia.

photo 3 -- Communication & Brands Director for MICHELIN East Asia & Australia Ruedee Euachongprasit, Customer Engineering Support Manager for MICHELIN Philippines Jaybee Atanacio and Chief Representative of MICHELIN Philippines Michael Nunag discuss MICHELIN's aim for innovation in better, safer and energy-efficient solutions in road safety and mobility.

MICHELIN provides assistance and advice to student teams regarding proper tire inflation and tire tread depth for traction at the MICHELIN Technical Booth at the Shell Eco-Marathon at Luneta Park.

Kids and visitors to the Shell Eco-Marathon can learn more about basic road safety rules through fun games and activities at the MICHELIN booth at the Fanzone area.

Apart from the sponsor exhibition where the public will have a chance to see the product and performances of Michelin Tires, Michelin will host the MICHELIN Road Safety City 2015 at the Fanzone area at the SEMA 2015. A first for SEMA in Manila, the concept behind MICHELIN Road Safety City is to get everyone, especially the kids, in on the importance of road safety.

“Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility. With Michelin Road Safety City 2015, what we want to bring to all the participants is the basic but important knowledge that will keep them safe on the road.  This includes respecting traffic rules, the meaning of road signs, and how to avoid danger on the road. All the activities are designed to demonstrate the importance of road safety, with the hope that this will help to reduce road accidents,” said Ruedee Euachongprasit, Director of Communication and Brands, Michelin East Asia and Australia.

Barbie Almalbis is back with her “new heart”

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Barbie Almalbis is back on the music scene presenting a new chapter in her life through the launch of her latest album “My New Heart.”

Formerly the lead singer of the bands Hungry Young Poets and Barbie's Cradle, she pursued a solo career in 2005, now releasing her "new heart." Her music is characterised by a rather quirky, but endearing vocal style, and guitar work.

Barbie, started releasing solo records since 2005 after she made popular songs like 'Torpe' and 'Firewoman with Hungry Young Poets band, 'Tabing-ilog' and 'Limang Dipang Tao' with Barbie's Cradle band.

Her first solo album was 'Parade,' which includes songs like 'Dahilan,' 'Pag-alis,' and 'High' with The Speaks, followed by the album 'Goodbye My Shadow' in 2011 (her last before she released 'My New Heart').

Barbie considering her songs like her “diary" and the latest album 'My New Heart' her most special and most adventurous.

The songs blend happiness and sadness, not because Barbie feels down and out, but she can experiment with expressing as many feelings as she can in a song.

Barbie has been dormant for sometime from the music scene because as she said "while I was preparing for this new album, I was also becoming a very hands-on mother to my two kids. So I was thinking why not come up with an album that this time speaks so many themes and thoughts that are coming from and coming close to the heart. But at the same time not loosing the pop-rock beat I have become known for."

With her active lifestyle, and while maintaining her groove as a recording artist has experienced full growth with her kids and her ever supportive and handsome husband Martin Honasan, it is not a surprise that the pretty rocker does look younger and is all aglow. She has a healthy working collaboration with her husband who also happens to be an artist, a painter. In fact her husband Martin happens to be one of the main people who made the cover art of Barbie's new album.

The songs included in the album are: Say Goodbye, Emmanuel, Run For Cover, My New Heart, On This Train, We Are Slaves, Secrets, Joyful Joyful, and Ostrich Cowboy.

All nine tracks were produced by Barbie and Maly Andres, and Tommy Tanchanco under the 12 Stone Records label.

'My New Heart' is now available in leading record bars nationwide and even in some online music stores.

Here's one of my favorite songs of Barbie, "High",  a collaboraton with US based all-Pinoy band, The Speaks.

‘Aawitan Kita’ star Armida Siguion-Reyna launches biography : “Armida: Unfinished Memoir –The Singer And The Song”

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Best known for her multi-awarded musical TV show “Aawitan Kita, veteran actress-singer Armida Siguion - Reyna launched her highly anticipated biography last Tuesday (February 24) at Whitespace, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

Each page of "Armida" is filled with rich details of her vibrant life told by Armida heself side by side with an account penned by Nelson Navarro titled "The Singer and the Song."

The strong woman spent most of her life sharing the joys of music to her fans, Armida, is a Filipino celebrity, singer, film and stage actress, producer, television show host, and former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board during the Estrada administration. 

Her long-running musical TV show “Aawitan Kita,” has bagged numerous awards. With her lawyer-husband, she formed Reynafilms.

The unveiling of Siguion-Reyna’s biography, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” serves as a celebration in honor of her legacy as a pillar in both show biz and public service. 

Looking back at a wonderful life, a homage to this inimitable woman, “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is written by journalist Nelson Navarro and edited by her daughter Monique Villonco. 

“It gives readers an inside view of her private thoughts about her public and professional relationships with behind-the-scenes revelations; her one true love, her fears, her strengths. It’s her backstory,” she said. The book includes anecdotes on Armida’s childhood, her first relationship, her marriage and her family.

“It’s like a back story of her life. While I was editing the book, I saw her strengths, weaknesses and how passionate she is with her work,” Monique shared.

“My mom has always been surrounded by controversies, left and right, but she was fearless, she will always fight and stand for what she believes in. She would also always defend us and her friends no matter how unpopular they were,” Monique said.

Monique said, the book “breaks the rules of how traditional biographies are presented, just as my mom has been doing throughout her life.”

Armida’s biggest strength is her love for her children and her late husband Atty. Leonardo T. Siguion-Reyna. Monique noted how mom was driven by being “independent-minded.” “In the family, she has been the disciplinarian (but she) will always support us in all kinds of journey we want to achieve. Daddy was mom’s true champion. He would always say ‘yes’ to her requests,” Monique added.

The book launch was a reunion of the most respected names in entertainment and also in politics. Apart from family and friends, present at the event were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Joesph Estrada, Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero with wife Heart, Irene Marcos- Araneta,Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Lily Monteverde, Marichu Maceda, Tony Boy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto.

Also spotted during the launch were celebrities Susan Roces, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Tirzo Cruz III, Ricky Davao, Bimbo Cerrudo, Pen Medina, Amy Austria, Lucy Torres and Gina Alajar.

The book will allow the public a glimpse of the real Armida. Looking back at a wonderful life, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.

It is available at ABS-CBN Store and in National Bookstore branches.

More photos at Arts Travel Magazine facebook page.

Techbox Salutes Graduates With Up To 60% Discount As Graduation Blowout

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Graduation time is near. Student finishing up their studies, courses, and want their graduation to be a special. This marks a momentous occasion in the lives of graduates.

In celebration of graduation season, Techbox Philippines will be offering a 60% discount on LG G2 and a 50% discount on Nokia Lumia 620 handsets on all Techbox branches from March 1 to 30.

“These days, graduating is a real challenge. The workload is incredible, and the pressure to do well not only on academics but also on extra-curricular activities cannot be underestimated. Those who successfully hurdle all the challenges truly deserve recognition,” said Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines.

 “This is our way of celebrating with them,” she added.

Customers interested in the promo can go to the following Techbox stores: Alphaland Southgate Mall, Riverbanks, Tanay Town Center, Victory Mall Caloocan, Pavilion Mall in Binan, Tutuban Mall, Robinsons Dasmarinas, Xentro Neo Calapan, Mindoro, Robinsons Forum, and Metro Pacific in Lucena. 

For offering trusted handset brands and cellphone accessories at an affordable price, Techbox Philippines has become the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country.

To get the latest Techbox deals, visit www.techboxhub.com. 

Business venture turned philanthropic crusade to help, educate the poor

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Helping people, the less fortunate, is natural for Filipinos, particularly those who have achieved their success from humble beginnings. 

Nilo S. Gret, a former Bank Executive and native of Tiaong, Quezon province, is one of those Filipinos. He pioneered the first technical school in Tiaong, Quezon, where it is helping local students pursue paying careers with TESDA backed certified training.

Nilo and Zenny Gret during AITE's 8th Commencement Rites

It started in 2008, when Nilo was approached during a social gathering by a closed business colleague from Tiaong, Quezon, who openly suggested to him the opportunity to be part of running this technical training school based in their hometown province. Nilo was hesitant at first, but with his educational background and working experience, he agreed to be a business partner of that school.

Nilo invested in what is now The Asian Institute of Technology and Education (AITE). "I decided to be part of that school (AITE) in the hope that it would be a vehicle for myself to help other young people get a better education locally, where most people would normally travel to Metro Manila to pursue a college degree," recalled Nilo Gret.

But there was more to AITE that met Gret's business expectations. "AITE, the time I started investing on the school, was on the brink of closure, and it was only a matter of time before it ceases operation. I had to do something about it," said Gret.

The initial investment Gret put up to AITE, because the school needed to fill in the resources for its regular operational expenses, was short-lived. "It (investment) paid for the salaries of the employees, rental of the building, maintenance of the school's facilities, etc. Everything went on to those immediate expenses the school needed to pay off."

AITE School Building

Gret, with the school's depleting resources, had considered backing out of the business partnership. "My business partner, with the state of the school, backed out first, saying that he could no longer keep up with the school's expenses." AITE's fate was left hanging with Gret, who, at that time, knew little how to manage a technical school more so that it was in the brink of bankruptcy.

"We only had a few months to graduation, and with very limited funding to lean on, Gret decided to manage the AITE himself, slowly addressing the school's mismanaged operation. With over 100 students expecting to graduate with training certification, Gret worked to downsize the school's operation, keeping it to manageable levels.

"With my management, we were multi-tasking, keeping the school functioning for the remainder of the school year. It was a fresh start for AITE," said Gret.

Gret saw the bigger potential of AITE, not just as a technical school that offers vocation training, but a long term opportunity to help his townmates get proper education. Students could now get TESDA training or CHED’s 4-year education at a very low spending and without needing to sell a property so a family member can travel to Manila to get college education," said Gret.

Gret, with the help of his wife Zenaida, who is also now the Vice President for Finance and Administration of AITE, began focusing their time in the school's day-to-day management. "It was a difficult period for AITE, but sooner or later we were able to find benefactors willing to sponsor our students." AITE, with Gret's leadership and the school's trained technical trainers, began offering new courses and skills development training program.

By 2009, from the initial 100 students, along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) formal recognition of AITE in that same year, the school started offering new courses and skills development programs. It now included four year courses namely: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (BSED) (with majors in Mathematics and English) together with Bachelor of Science course in Information Technology (BSIT), Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology (BSAct), Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSEntrep) and Bachelor of Science in Office Management (BSOA).

As a recognized TESDA partner, AITE added more technical courses in bookkeeping, driving, massage therapy, tile setting, mobile training in tile setting and driving, and two (2) year ladderized program leading to BSIT.

With Gret's objective of providing opportunities to more low-income group families desiring to have their children courses that would lead to immediate employment after graduation, AITE, which is now affiliated with various employment agencies, said the initiative is his way of sharing the success he has experienced from training and hard work.

In 2010, AITE moved to its own building with improved training facilities and equipment. The 3-storey building, located along Maharlika Highway in Tiaong was constructed to house the school growing number of enrollees from the province.

"AITE is developing, offering certified and four year college courses. We want this development to continue helping more Filipinos from Quezon get the right education so they can be employed, help contribute to the family's meager income locally," said Gret.

For 2015, with new expansion plans set in motion, AITE is set to open another 4-storey building to accommodate the increasing demand for education and in preparation for the introduction of the government's K to 12 program through the Department of Education (DEPED).