DepEd: Palaro 2015 to highlight peace and camaraderie

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What started in 1948 as a quaint inter-school sporting event in Manila became an annual petri dish of discipline, teamwork, excellence, solidarity, and sportsmanship among others.

This event is now popularly known as the Palarong Pambansa.

Over the last 65 years, Palarong Pambansa has produced outstanding athletes in different fields of sports. The road to their success, however, was paved not only by victories but also by defeats and humbling experiences. As such, the Palaro has served as a training ground for opportunities and challenges.

Conducted and spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd), Palaro became the pinnacle event of student athletes who are hailed as regional champions in their respective hometowns after a series of sporting events starting from the school-level to the district, provincial and regional level. The thumping heart of this year’s Palaro “Breaking Borders, Building Peace”, signifies peace and unity in religion diversity through athletic rivalry and camaraderie.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC emphasizes, “More than being a sports event, Palaro depicts the crucial role of sports in inculcating a sense of well-roundedness among the Filipino youth. This year, we are taking it further by not only aiming to produce holistic and strategic-minded young individual, we are also promoting respect for fellowmen regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender." 

In line with this, DepEd Tagum City division office recently held the "Run for Palaro 2015"—a fun run event where more than 3,000 runners participated to help raise additional funds for the Palaro athletes and coaches.

DepEd recognizes the significance of sports in developing the youth’s full potential to become globally competitive citizens while contributing greatly to building the nation. Hence, the Department puts a premium on the Palaro as an avenue to showcase the abilities of future Filipino world class athletes.

The 58th Palarong Pambansa will be held on May 3-9 in the city of Tagum, Davao del Norte. More than 10,000 athletes from both public and private elementary and secondary schools are expected to compete in various sporting events. Playing fields, billeting, hygiene facilities and provision for nourishment are already in place for the athletes, coaches and trainers participating in the week-long sports development program. 

A Home in Datem Horizons East Ortigas

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DATEM Homes launched last year, its pioneer residential development – DATEM Horizons East Ortigas, located at the conveniently accessible Ortigas Extension, this mid-rise development composed of six modern residential buildings spanning five floors with spacious 1-3 bedroom units. 

DATEM Horizons has ensured that homeowners are greeted with carefully crafted, well thought-out designs for a contemporary and innovative architectural home. Built according to our homeowners’ needs, DATEM Horizons has developed comfortable living spaces, clean and well maintained surroundings, and a wide range of amenities for young professionals and starter families to enjoy. 

A New Living Experience 

DATEM Horizons East Ortigas is a home where residents can expect and experience a convenient and relaxing lifestyle. The condominium boasts of amenities and facilities every homeowner desires, starting from within their very own unit.

Offering a mix of one to three bedroom units, each unit is spacious, and complemented with kitchen and dining areas which are closely placed together for functionality, a living area with enough space for family bonding, cozy bedrooms, and bathroom complete with basic features homeowners can decorate and make their own. The best part is that each unit has its own balcony where residents can enjoy some fresh air. It is the perfect home for families and upwardly mobile individuals looking for a secure and convenient living environment, where they can spend a lovely weekend in the community as a family or entertain guests for a night cap or weekend BBQ. 

Getting up to the units is another experience on its own with DATEM Horizons East Ortigas glass elevators giving residents a scenic view of the atrium garden and different amenities. With the elevator, Residents can also enjoy easy access to the property’s garden on the rooftop, and its two gardens on the 5th floor. 

Convenience at Its Best

Once they step outside their home, everything they need for leisure and enjoyment are within reach. On hot days, homeowners can just hop over to the clubhouse and have a nice swim in the pool to cool down. They can also enjoy a day of biking along the property’s trails or bring their kids to the playground. Active individuals can get daily exercise either in the well equipped fitness gym or along the jogging paths. Residents can even get some of their neighbors together and enjoy a friendly competition of basketball over at the court. The garden atrium also has free Wifi connectivity for people to enjoy should they want to lounge around somewhere peaceful. 

For utmost convenience, homeowners’ basic needs are also just a few steps away. With a laundry station, water station, and convenience store within community grounds, there is no need to step outside the property to get everyday necessities

“At DATEM Horizons East Ortigas, we want our residents to find a home in DATEM. We are offering them a smarter living option that goes beyond location, price and size. We provide an array of amenities that cater to young professionals and starter families, a place that has easy access to commercial centers, places of work, schools and medical establishments to provide the best environments for every family,” said DATEM Homes President Architect Arnold de Asis. 

Homeowners at DATEM Horizons East Ortigas will surely find a home in DATEM. DATEM Homes gives every opportunity for Filipinos to create and enjoy a relaxed, convenient, and worry-free lifestyle in a secure, luxurious, and functional residential home. 

For more information on DATEM Homes, DATEM Horizons East Ortigas and what is around the area, please visit www.datemhomes.com.ph and join the Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/DatemHomes. Or visit the DATEM Horizons East Ortigas sales office at Ortigas Ave. Extension, Cainta Rizal to get a glimpse of the smartest home choice today. 

Fire prevention starts in your kitchen

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Is something burning in the kitchen? According to the National Statistics Board, 25.9 percent of fire incidents nationwide from 2010 to 2013 were caused by unattended open flame. 

“As March is recognized as Fire Prevention Month, it is the perfect time for homeowners to fireproof the most delicious room in the house—the kitchen,” says RJ Buenaventura, Philips General Manager for Consumer Lifestyle. 

The kitchen is one of the biggest fire hazards inside the house, making it a top priority in terms of home safety. Last year alone, more than 150,000 of home fires were said to have started inside the kitchen.

But with simple easy-to-do tips, RJ says you can make a big difference in creating a safer home for you to live, work, play, and cook in.

Keep your eyes on the pan

“Neglect is the primary cause of kitchen accidents,” says JC Gallegos, Business Development Manager for Philips Kitchen Appliances. “Keep your attention on what you are cooking and try to avoid leaving it unattended.”

Unattended cooking—particularly open flame—causes more injuries, deaths, and property damage than all other causes of home fires. 

Have a fire extinguisher within reach

Where you place your fire extinguisher is very important. Fire safety hazards recommend storing it 10 feet away from the stove, preferably in a place near the kitchen exit. 

Its weight should also be considered. Make sure that everyone in the family can lift the fire extinguisher and knows how to use it.

Keep the kitchen clean

Good housekeeping plays a big role in ensuring kitchen safety. Dispose rubbish, paper, and other flammable materials properly. Also, try to avoid storing items near or on the stovetop. Since these surfaces generate a lot of heat, it can quickly start fires from wrappings and product packages. 

Go flameless in the kitchen!

If open flame is the root of kitchen fires, why not entirely take it out of the equation? 

“Flameless cooking solutions, like induction cookers, can fire up your meals without the flame,” shares Gallegos. “They definitely add an extra layer of protection for your home and are safer to use as well.” 

The Philips Induction Cooker offers superior, flameless cooking appliance. It also cuts cooking by 1/3 and better seals in the nutrients of food, making it a perfect partner for health aficionados. What’s more, it comes with a host of smart features that allow for effortless cooking. 

Make sure everything is turned off

After you’re done using the kitchen, be sure to pull out all the electrical appliances you used. 

Buenaventura adds, “Diligence plays a big role in minimizing fire hazards. Making sure that appliances are powered down does not only ensure the safety of your home, it’s also a basic principle in energy savings.”

He closes, “From practicing the right kitchen habits to investing in fireproof cooking partners, there are a lot of simple ways to keep a bird’s eye view of your home and your family’s safety.”

On secrets to inner strength and happiness by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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Here's an inspiring talk by world renowned humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on secrets to inner strength and happiness.

He travels to nearly 40 countries a year and has started programs and organizations that have touched the lives of over 300 million people in over 150 countries and on the 8th of April 2015, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, one of the world’s icons for human values and peace, will be visiting the Philippines, to inspire the public for one night only with his globally recognized wisdom.

Art of Living BeST program for survivors of Yolanda

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar believes that a peaceful society starts with the peaceful mind of every individual. He started organizations such as “The Art of Living Foundation” to share best practice techniques and ancient Wisdom to help people from all over the world manage their mind and negative emotions - thereby helping them lead healthier and happier lives. 

The Art of Living's programs include breathing techniques, Yoga, Meditation and simple yet profound life guiding principles. The core technique known as the Sudarshan Kriya, is a powerful and revitalizing breathing technique scientifically proven to be beneficial for the mind and body. Art of Living’s global website, http://www.artofliving.org, states that “Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath which harmonize the body, mind and emotions,” It has been proven to be very effective in managing stress, fatigue and negative emotions such as anger, frustration and depression.

Founded in 1981, Art of Living Foundation – is now one of the largest international volunteer-based, non-profit, educational, charitable and humanitarian organizations having a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

In the Philippines, the Art of Living has conducted numerous courses and workshops. In 2009, Bienvenido “Donnie” Tantoco, President of Rustan’s Supercenters Inc., was quoted saying, “Once you know proper breathing, it is effortless to be in the present moment. I’m calmer, my mind is more lucid. Basically, I don’t feel so stressed and I have been sleeping better now than I have in years.” 

The Art of Living programs benefit all sectors of society – people from all backgrounds and all walks of life have enjoyed the various courses and techniques offered by the foundation. Apart from addressing the stress and negative emotions of the general public, Art of Living also includes poverty alleviation, women empowerment, environmental sustainability and conflict resolution in their mission. 

In the Philippines, the service arm of the Art of Living deploys volunteers and teachers to conduct workshops free of charge to various sectors of society. One such workshop, BeST (Breath & Sound Therapy) is for marginalized, depressed or traumatized people and communities including victims of calamities in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda and Ondoy. The BeST program is effective regardless of the number of participants, making it recognized by other NGO’s as an effective psychosocial remedy to address deep trauma in large communities where one-on-one sessions are impractical and costly. 

BeST has been conducted throughout the Philippines from Metro Manila, through Visayas and Mindanao working occasionally with other NGO’s such as the Red Cross and Save the Children. The Service arm has also conducted regular workshops for prisoner rehabilitation in Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City as well as Makati City Jail – over 1000 inmates have been through the program till date. 

In light of the recent violence and tragedies that have befallen the nation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s visit complements the national and global call for peace and harmony. “Difficult and unpleasant times come in everyone’s life,” he says, “What is important is to keep the faith intact. On a completely dark night, even a flickering lamp can help you find the way.” 

Sri Sri’s visit to Manila marks the end of his Asian Tour where he is expected to inspire thousands of people across Cambodia, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. 

In Manila on April 8, the public speaking engagement of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. 

Tickets are available at Php 300 and P100 for Students, seniors, teachers, NGO workers, Gov. Employees. Group rates are also available.

For more information about this event as well as courses offered, contact the Art of Living Foundation at 09178400049 09178484898 or (632) 6222-566/63, info@artofliving.org. To learn more or register online visit www.artofliving.org

Cebuana Lhuillier and UnionBank teams up for more convenient bills payment service

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The country’s leading financial solutions company, Cebuana Lhuillier, partnered with one of the leading banks in the country, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), to provide clients with a new option to pay their bills, through a Memorandum of Agreement signed recently in Makati City.Through this partnership, UnionBank clients and collection partners can settle their payments at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch. 

“With Cebuana Lhuillier’s large network of branches-- we have more than 1,700 branches to date --and UnionBank’s elevated system and standards, clients’ payment transactions will be quicker and easier than ever,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. "I am very excited about this partnership. This is a symbiotic relationship between Cebuana and Unionbank. With Cebuana’s extensive branch network and UnionBank’s large customer base, we will give both our customers more access and convenience. We are excited to work together and are committed to grow this relationship into a successful partnership that adds value to both our franchises," said UnionBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Justo A. Ortiz.

Through the partnership between Cebuana Lhuillier and Union Bank, clients across the country can settle their bills at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch. With its large network of branches and Union Bank’s use of high-end technology, clients’ transactions will be quicker and easier than ever. 

In this photo are (from left): Cebuana Lhuillier Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier; Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier; UnionBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Justo A. Ortiz; and UnionBank Senior Executive Vice President Edwin R. Bautista. 

For more information about Cebuana Lhuillier bills payment services, visit any of the more than 1,700 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide. \

You may also visit the official Cebuana Lhuillier Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop and follow its official Twitter account: @kaCebuana