Enjoying Wonderful World

March 30, 2017

Go Green in the City 2017 pushes for women empowerment

Schneider Electric celebrates diversity and gender equality in the latest edition of the GGitC

Schneider Electric officially launched 2017’s Go Green in the City, at the Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The global competition aims to inspire business and engineering students to develop their minds for green and sustainable projects. For this year’s competition, Schneider Electric made a specific move to improve diversity, calling for all-female groups to join and have the chance at winning the Women in Business Award.

Schneider Electric’s Go Green in the City (GGitC) is an annual global competition that started in 2011. It is a global business case challenge that hopes to discover intelligent energy management ideas that will help in creating its vision of sustainable smarter cities. Through this competition, Schneider Electric grants students an opportunity to practice what they are learning in their classrooms and even contribute to the development of a better, safer, and more efficient future. GGitC pushes the envelope this year and works harder to promote diversity among its ranks and in the business and engineering industries by calling out to all-female groups to participate.

The 2017 edition of GGitC presents a new award called the Women in Business Award which will be given to an all-female group that qualifies in the top 100 semi-finalists of the competition. The recipients of this award will have the opportunity to win the top prize by being one of the Top 12 finalists in the global leg. They will also receive social media exposure, a chance to be guided and coached by Schneider Electric representatives, and $500 for each member of the team.

The Philippines has always been a strong contender of the competition. In the last four years, we’ve placed consistently in the top ranks along with China, Germany, and India. In 2013, two Filipino students took home the grand prize in the global championship held in Paris, France. Qualifying for the second time in the global leg, Filipino students secured the second runner-up spot in 2015. For 2014 and 2016, the Philippines took home the second and first runner-up in the regional leg of the competition, respectively.

“With the Philippines’ consistent performance in the previous competitions, we are confident that Filipino students can once again bring honor to our country because of their drive and passion for producing sustainable green projects. The impact of climate change to our developing country plays a part in shaping these students to become great contributors not only to Schneider Electric, but to the future,” shared Schneider Electric Human Resources Country Head for the Philippines Tes Portillo.

“Go Green in the City is Schneider Electric’s way of showcasing the creativity and curiosity of today’s young talents and using their projects as steps forward into achieving our goal of having greener and smarter cities all over the world,” shared Schneider Electric Philippines Country Manager for Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Rochelle Bulan. “For 2017, we are leveling up the challenge by enticing all-female groups to prove and empower women that they, too, are capable of becoming successful in the male-dominated fields of business and engineering.”

The deadline for submission of entries is on May 12, 2017. The top three country finalists will be announced on June 9, 2017 and will be representing their home countries in the regional leg of the competition. Announcement of the regional semi-finalists will be on July 11, 2017 and the grand winner of each region -- North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Greater China, and Asia Pacific -- will be competing in the global leg.

The Top 12 finalists, composed of 8 regional winners, 3 wildcard finalists, and the all-female group, will be announced on August 7, 2017 and will be flying to Paris, France for the grand finals and awarding ceremony on October 9 to 13, 2017.

To know more about the competition, visit http://www.gogreeninthecity.co m.

Make the most of your Easter Holiday at Buddha-Bar Manila’s Magical Easter Celebration

Buddha-Bar Manila, a world-class resto-bar-lounge that offers fine dining and entertainment experience, levels up the fun and excitement of the Easter Sunday celebration as it sets its exquisite place for a Magical Easter this April 16, 2017.

“We are glad to invite everyone to come and celebrate with us at Buddha-Bar Manila with our Magical Easter event. We’ve always been doing this to celebrate the Easter Sunday; and this year, we made sure that it’s more magical, different, and spectacular,” said Bernadette Castillo, Sales and Marketing Head of Buddha-Bar Manila.

Buddha-Bar Manila’s Magical Easter features an exciting lineup of activities that promises to make the celebration of the Easter Sunday for families more memorable than ever before.

Among these is the Easter Bunny Trail that kids will surely enjoy. Participants of these activities will receive exciting prizes and giveaways. Magical treats will also be given away for the first 30 reservations.

Aside from these, Buddha-Bar Manila also offers a sumptuous spread of delicious cuisines that will be served at the Easter Lunch Buffet. It opens from 11am to 2pm with free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks.

The Buffet with Magical Play Pass is priced at PhP475 for kids, (ages 10 and below), and PhP950 for Adults.

Part of the Easter festivities is the Search for the Magical Egg (Easter Egg Hunt), which will happen in the Magical Program at 1pm. The program also features magical shows and exciting games. Kids can watch this magical extravaganza if they purchase a Magical Play Pass priced at PhP250 only.

“This event is our way of treating our customers to an event that makes the most of the upcoming Easter Holiday. We encourage them to join us and spend a quality and fun time at Buddha-Bar Manila with their family and friends,” Castillo added.

Since it first opened in 2012, Buddha-Bar Manila has been dedicated to offering different themed events for its customers. It also carries the sophistication and the world-class service offered by the Buddha-Bar International franchise, based in Paris, France. It has also brought the luscious taste of Modern Asian and Western cuisine.

Buddha-Bar Manila is located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave, Makati City.

For inquiries and reservations, please call 8566719, 8566859, or 09989833918.

World Vision celebrates 60 years, launches advocacy campaign to stop sexual abuse of children in the Philippines

World Vision Ambassador for Disaster Risk and Reduction Marc Nelson and new World Vision Ambassador for Child Sponsorship Joyce Pring

World Vision celebrated its 60th year in the Philippines last March 23 with the theme “Caring for Children, Building Sustainable Communities,” at the press launch hosted by World Vision Ambassador for Disaster Risk and Reduction Marc Nelson and new World Vision Ambassador for Child Sponsorship Joyce Pring, held at Max’s Restaurant, Scout Tuason, Quezon City.

Led by acting National Director Rommel V. Fuerte and Board of Trustees Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, World Vision paid tribute to its partners and supporters, including key government agencies, like-minded organizations, individual sponsors and corporate donors who have faithfully journeyed with World Vision in the last few decades.

World Vision International Ambassador Marilee Pierce-Dunker, daughter of World Vision founder Bob Pierce, graced the commemorative event and delivered an inspiring keynote message. Dunker revisited World Vision’s beginnings and her father’s vision of hope, and left the crowd with a challenge to make the world a better place.

World Vision International Ambassador Marilee Pierce-Dunker

Dunker asked, as she closed her speech.

“Every one can be a world changer, but the question is – will the change you bring be for the better or for the worse?”

It takes a world to end sexual exploitation of children

One of the grim realities we face today is the sexual abuse of children. In the Philippines, 1 out of 10 children encounter sexual violence at home. Our country ranks 10th worldwide when it comes to sexual exploitation of children aged 10 to 14. And with the ready accessibility of the internet and rapid technological advancement, children are becoming more vulnerable to online abuse now more than ever.

To strengthen its efforts in child protection, World Vision launched an advocacy campaign entitled “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation of Children.” The 3-year campaign aims to reach three million children and to protect them from sexual exploitation and other forms of online and offline abuse that leave them vulnerable.

World Vision Board of Trustees Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo

World Vision launched the campaign in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Inter-agency Against Trafficking (IACAT), and other like-minded groups, in the hopes of raising more awareness and resources to bring people to action and to better address the issue of sexual exploitation of children.

Funding and volunteers for this campaign would be highly needed for prevention training, rescue operations, after-care and reintegration programs, and engagement of children survivors to be advocates of the cause.

During the press launch, World Vision also introduced its new online application “Caring for Communities,” as it strengthens its effort not just to improve children’s lives but to help communities to be self-sustaining in the long haul. The online gift program gives donors the opportunity to support other World Vision’s community-based programs which promote Economic Development, Child Protection, and Disaster Preparedness programs.

World Vision National Ambassadors Tippy dos Santos and Sam Concepcion

Other World Vision ambassadors who showed their support and attended the launch are World Vision Ambassador for the Youth Jasmine Curtis-Smith, World Vision Ambassador for Health and Nutrition Tintin Bersola-Babao, new World Vision Youth Ambassador for Education Bianca Umali, new World Vision advocate CJ Hirro, and World Vision National Ambassadors Tippy dos Santos and Sam Concepcion among others.

March 29, 2017

James Reid takes his photographic journey to next level with the new X-T20

James Reid, the face of the camera-loving generation called millennials, headlines the launch of FUJIFILM’s newest mirrorless innovation, the X-T20 on March 11, 2017 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

The extremely popular heartthrob has gone far in his photographic journey. James was drawn to photography while filming the hit series “On the Wings of Love.” He experimented on different cameras until he decided that FUJIFILM suited his needs best. In his last soap “Till I Met You,” James even played a FUJIFILM-armed photographer.

“We’re very happy with James Reid as our male brand ambassador. He embodies what the FUJIFILM brand is all about --- young, current, and innovative.” says Takuya Maeda, Fujifilm Philippines’ Division Head for Electronic Imaging and Photo Imaging.

And speaking of innovations, James is proud to announce that he has found a new favorite camera, the X-T20. Handy and powerful, the X-T20 is equipped with a 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III *1 sensor and X-Processor Pro image-processing engine. It is able to track moving objects with ease because of updated sensors, processors, and redone AF algorithm.

The X-T20’s touchscreen LCD monitor can be used to see before you shoot photos and videos, even at 4K quality to make those professional looking movies together with FUJIFILM’s proprietary Film Simulation modes.

Available in silver and black, the X-T20 is perfect for budding directors with its phenomenal autofocus speed. You can use 24 high-performance FUJINON X-mount lenses for ultimate versatility. You can also shoot in different conditions and still expect superb image quality.

If you want to conduct interviews and shoot scenes, you can take advantage of the X-T20’s output video which can be recorded to an external monitor via the HDMI port and input audio from an external microphone.

“It’s great to endorse a new camera that I love and use frequently,” says James of the X-T20. Being a strong and highly influential presence on social media, constantly updating his fans with well-defined photographs, expect more vivid photos and movie quality videos from James with his new X-T20.

Global Icon Britney Spears finally coming to Manila ! - #BritneySpearsMNL

Breaking News: Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears is coming to Manila on June 15, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena for her first-ever and much-awaited concert in the Philippines.

Iconic pop sensation Britney Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with nearly 150 million records worldwide. In the U.S. alone, she has sold more than 70 million albums, singles and songs, according to Nielsen Music. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “…Baby One More Time,” a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash and international hit that broke sales records with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is currently 14x Platinum in the U.S.

Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time

Her musical career boasts countless awards and accolades, including six Billboard Music Awards and Billboard’s Millennium Award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry as well as an American Music Award and the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award. So far, Spears has earned a total of six No.1-debuting albums on the Billboard 200 chart and 22 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 — four of which went to No. 1. Spears has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won for Best Dance Recording in 2005.

Britney Spears - Toxic (Official Video)

Her cutting-edge pop concert Las Vegas residency, “Britney: Piece of Me,” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” and “Best Bachelorette Show in Las Vegas.” Spears has also been creating fragrances for over ten years, and currently has 21 fragrances available in over 85 countries around the world.