Anne Curtis launches Dream Machine platform vs Dream Shaming

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The undisputed “Diyosa” and style icon of Philippine showbiz Anne Curtis launched her passion project, Dream Machine platform.

The Dream Machine platform hopes to stop dream shaming and empower dreamers to reach for and live out their dreams.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine https://twitter.com/DreamMachinePH/status/899611618123948032

Anne confessed that she entered showbiz with big dreams and she’s grateful that most of these dreams have come true. 

“I have always been a dreamer. In my 20 years in showbiz, I have worked hard to reach for my dreams. I am blessed to have already achieved most of my dreams and it’s now my turn to be a blessing to others through the Dream Machine platform,” Anne said during in an intimate press conference, held August 21, 2017.

Anne, who has been doing charity works quietly for many years, decided to put up the Dream Machine after hearing stories of dream shaming. 

“It is sad when people set dreams in their hearts only to be dream-shamed by people either because of their color, their status in life, their current skills. It gets worse when it is their own family or their loved ones who shoot down their dreams. The Dream Machine platform hopes to encourage dreamers to continue chasing their dreams and we will do our best to help them,” she adds.

Anne Curtis-Smith with sister Jasmine Curtis who hosted the event launch

Anne revealed that she also was a victim of dream shaming when people called her out for holding the Annebisyosa concert, saying she did not have the right chops to sing, much less do a concert. 

“To sing before a huge audience was my dream. And I worked hard to make it happen. It was not something that I did just for myself, but the Annebisyosa concert was also my way of encouraging people to always fight for their dreams in the face of those that say you can’t do it,” Anne recalled.

Through Dream Machine, Anne hopes to connect with dreamers and learn more about their dreams through the Dream Machine website. 

There are three categories of dreams that Dream Machine will be supporting:

Youth, Education and Empowerment.

“Before the school year started, we were approached by the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City for support in their school renovation. Dream Machine was very happy to help and we are hoping that the renovation will inspire the students to study better,” Anne shared.

To officially kickstart the platform, Dream Machine is hosting the Color Run to empower the dreams of disabled children under the auspices of UNICEF. Anne has been a UNICEF ambassador for 2 years already. 

“Proceeds of the Dream Machine Color Run will all go to the children with disabilities being taken care of by UNICEF. These children are dreamers, too, and you’ll be surprised that some of their dreams are not really for themselves but for their families,” Anne said.

Dream Machine will also roll out the red carpet for the dream weddings of three couples on the first quarter of next year. Couples are invited to share their love stories with Anne through the Dream Machine website. Three couples will be chosen and will be provided their own dream weddings by the Dream Machine.

“The Dream Machine wants to put a stop to dream shaming and instead would like to inspire and encourage more people to dream big. The Dream Machine wants to connect with the dreamers, the dream chasers. The platform serves as the dream-weaver, and will try to find ways to finally turn dream chasers into dream catchers,” Anne explained.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine

Anne said she’ll be happy to welcome other people who would want to be part of the Dream Machine as dream-givers as much as she would love to hear the stories of the dreamers. 

“At the end of the day, what Dream Machine hopes to achieve is to be able to inspire the dreamers, help them achieve their dreams and hopefully be able to start a dream revolution where there’ll be a lot of dream-givers to help the dreamers. The world will be a much happier place when that happens,” Anne said.

Dreamers may start sending in their dreams via the Dream Machine website http://www.dreammachine.ph/.

Ogie Alcasid celebrates 50, dedicates concert to Filipino music and World Vision

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The country’s respected Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer-composer and hitmaker Ogie Alcasid celebrates his 50th birthday with a one-of-a-kind concert dubbed “NakakaLokal!” based on his recently launched album of the same title.

Happening on August 25, 2017 at the KIA Theatre, the awaited musical event will also feature a star-studded line-up including Angeline Quinto, Basti Artadi, Davey Langit, Erik Santos, Iñigo Pascual, Jaya, Kyla, Lara Maigue, Leila Alcasid, Lovi Poe, Men and Music, Solenn Heussaff, and Yeng Constantino. 

The concert will benefit child-focused humanitarian agency World Vision and its advocacy campaign, “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation against Children”. For years, Alcasid has been a staunch advocate and ambassador for World Vision, an NGO which currently assists over 75,000 children nationwide. One of World Vision’s successful sponsored children and now a tenor singer Richard Supat, formerly with FORTEnors, will also join Alcasid in a number offered for the children, especially those living in poor and vulnerable conditions.

For tickets and reservations, visit www.ticketnet.com.ph

Ticket prices are at P3,000 (VIP,) P1,500 (Orchestra A,) P1,000 (Orchestra B,) P800 (Loge,) and P500 (Balcony).

This event is presented by World Vision and A-Team in cooperation with PLDT Home.

BPI-Philam offers easy adulting and total wellness to millennials

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Financial planning is a topic most millennials rarely consider. This is often seen in behaviors of impulse purchases—using their hard-earned money in things that are temporarily meaningful, that at times lead to a feeling of regret, or what is simply called a grudge purchase.

A Goldman Sachs study revealed that generation "ME ME ME" would rather save up for vacations and leisure activities to enjoy their life now than invest in their future--marriage, a home, their own business, retirement plans. This despite financial institutions constantly encouraging them to favor savings and investments.

For Surendra Menon, CEO of BPI-Philam, millennials can choose to have the best of both worlds.

“They can live their present life to the fullest and have a secured future at the same time. It's a misunderstanding that has to be clarified—protecting your future is simply making sure you can enjoy the lifestyle you have now and for the years to come." - - Surendra Menon

Hierarchy of needs

For Menon, gone are the days when insurance is seen as a contingency plan for sickness and death. 

BPI-Philam now offers themselves as a partner for total wellness – securing both physical and financial health, providing better value for money.

He mentions BPI-Philam’s comprehensive health products that lend a hand in living a better life all throughout, and not just when illness strikes.

"Millennials have been hailed as the most health-conscious generation," Menon attests. 

"For them, wellness is a priority. They are willing to spend money to exercise regularly and eat healthy. Our priority is the same, that's why we've integrated ways for them to maintain that lifestyle with our products."

One of the ways BPI-Philam does this is by providing Philam Vitality with their policies—a wellness program designed to reward the policy owner for being and staying active.

“Through Philam Vitality, we’re encouraging them to take that first step to wellness and keep at it by giving them unparalleled rewards and exclusive access to partners like gyms and medical facilities,” said Menon.

The Adultier Adult

He understands that taking the first step to financial planning through insurance might be a big leap from what millennials are used to. Menon assures them that they are on the right track of independence, or simply put, getting better at adulting.

"This new generation of consumers is just wary of where they put their money. They aren't ignorant of insurance," he said. "They just want to be assured that they are getting the value in return of what they pay for. Convenience and customizability are also a factor. We have all of those, but what we truly offer is peace of mind and a way to the wellness of the body.”

To make it simpler for millennials to step out, BPI-Philam eases them into planning forward through platforms that will keep up with their mobile lifestyle.

"These products are available and offered in all BPI branches across the country," Menon enthused. "Whether offline or online, we are prepared to serve.”

Aside from a bancassurance team ready to assist them anywhere in the Philippines, getting a hold of the most fitting policies have been made easier online through their website as well.

Menon also urges them not to look at these plans with the future as an ultimatum to get adulting done but to look forward to an assured future and live a life of total wellness.

"These plans aren't short nor long-term," he adds. "one should always look at what’s an appropriate term for yourself to ensure you get the best value for your money. Our products are based on the appropriate term for your needs.”

Menon hopes informing this generation better of what financial wellness plans are available would align them to the direction they dream their lives would go. 

He believes that with the right financial mentor encouraging them, they will surely gain and win in each key moment in their lives.

"I think they are done hearing what they could do," he said. "It's time we show them that we believe what they can do."

To take the first step in living life to its fullest, visit: https://www.bpi-philam.com/en/our-products.html

About BPI-Philam

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp., is a strategic alliance between two leading companies in the country – The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philam Life) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Philam Life is the premier life insurance company in the Philippines and the market leader for over 60 years. BPI is a leading commercial bank in the country with over 160 years of experience in the local banking industry and an extensive branch network of more than 800 branches and 1,500 ATMs.

BPI-Philam’s professional and expertly trained Bancassurance Sales Executives are assigned in BPI branches nationwide to render financial advisory services that address customer’s financial and protection needs.

With the combined expertise and resources of these two trusted companies, BPI-Philam policyholders are assured that their insurance is backed by financial strength and stability.

5th Nutrilite™ Health Run kicks off this October

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Nutrilite™, world’s No. 1 selling vitamins and dietary supplements brand, is hosting the 5th edition of its annual Nutrilite™ Health Run, a national initiative that advocates wellness and healthy living.

This year, Nutrilite™ aims to gather more than 12,000 runners in Manila and Davao.

“Amway advocates a holistic, healthy, and active lifestyle. We are committed to our advocacy to encourage more people to prioritize their personal wellness. We want more people to live healthy by eating right, taking the right supplements, and being active. Our annual Nutrilite™ Health Run is our proof of providing a health sustaining activity for all,” said Leni Olmedo, Country Manager, Amway Philippines. 

This year’s Nutrilite™ Health Run will cover four categories—1K, 5K, 10K, and 21K respectively. It will kick off in Manila on October 15 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex Grounds. This will be followed by the Davao leg, which will be held on October 29 at the at SM Ecoland.

“This year, we are adding the 21K together with the other distances. We acknowledge the fact that Filipino runners want to challenge themselves. That is why having this distance as part of the race, participants are assured with first class race organization, management and, more importantly on the safety of our event. We partnered with RUNRIO, Events, Inc. to bring just the best experience for them. The run is something we are highly committed to as we continue to encourage healthy and active lifestyle among the Filipino community,” Olmedo added.

All 21K Finishers will receive a Finisher’s Medal and Finisher’s Shirt. The 1st 21K runner to cross the finish line, on the other hand, will get a P20,000 Cash Prize while the 1st 10K Finisher will get a P10,000 Cash Prize.

During the race proper, runners will have the chance to win exciting raffle prizes and experience Amway Brands through the Race Ville Expo. The event will also highlight the live performance of Sponge Cola, a notable supporter, and participant in the Nutrilite™ Health Run.

Meanwhile, to help the participants prepare for the run, a Free Running Clinic will be held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City every Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm starting this August 16. The same activity will also be held at the People’s Park in Davao City every Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on September 5.

The registration fee for the health run is PhP250, for the 1K, 5K, and 10K, and PhP850 for the 21K, respectively. All the participating runners will also get free Nutrilite™ Health Run shirt and race bib.

Registration is open until October 13, 2017, in all Amway Distribution Centers (Makati, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, and Davao) or online through amway.com.ph or runrio.com. In-store registration for select Toby’s Stores in Manila will start on August 28.

Gun time is 5:30 am for 1K, 5:30 am for 5k, 5:00 am for 10k and 3:30 am for the 21K distances respectively.

The proceeds of the run will go to the Amway One By One Campaign for Children, a program initiated by the company in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). This program is in line with the government agency’s “Adopt-A-School Program” (ASP), which seeks to promote literacy through storytelling.

Since 2015, Amway’s campaign has completed six library projects that benefited more than 10, 000 students annually in six beneficiary schools nationwide. Among these schools are:

• Francisco Benitez Elementary School, Makati City
• South City Central Elementary School, Cagayan de Oro City
• Carreta Elementary School, Cebu City
• Urdaneta South City Central Elementary, School, Pangasinan City
• Highway Hills Integrated Elementary, School, Mandaluyong City
• Lacson Elementary School, Davao City
• Rafael Palma Elementary School, City of Manila

Nutrilite™ is exclusively distributed by Amway Philippines.

Sisters endorser Myrtle Sarrosa: Dreams do come true

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Myrtle Sarrosa, actress, cosplayer, host, singer and song writer, one of the Star Magic Angels of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's home based talent agency. She is the Official VJ or Anime Jockey for Hero TV, a court side reporter for ABS-CBN Sports and Action's NCAA Basketball Championship (Philippines) Season 91 and a feature host for the morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda.

Myrtle just fulfilled her dream of graduating Cum Laude in UP Diliman, with a degree in Broadcast Communication, She also received good vibes from her graduation facebook post as evident from more than 700,000 likes, 60,000 shares and 16,000 comments. She's now playing a dream role, starring in a rom-com episode, playing a fantasy-like character in a teleserye La Luna Sangre and now renewal contract as endorser of sisters sanitary napkins and pantyliners.

With all of these fulfilling things on her life, Myrtle believes dreams do come true.

Some related to her struggles and also wanted to pursue their education. Others were touched and even cried while reading her post. All seemed to agree that her journey is empowering and inspiring.

Myrtle feels that her graduation story opened new opportunities and paved the way for her other dreams to come true. 

Her dream role of playing a fantasy-like character in a teleserye came true when she was given the role of Therine, the right hand vampire of supremo in La Luna Sangre.

Another dream come true for this hopeless romantic is when she starred in the rom-com episode of Wattpad Presents Afgitmolfm, where she became Ianne, the girl in the middle of a love triangle. 

With her recent sisters contract renewal, Myrtle will continue to live her dream of being part of an advocacy- the school is cool campaign of Megasoft hygienic products, makers of sisters. Again, they will be visiting public schools around the country, giving recognition to outstanding students and providing talks about menstrual hygiene management awareness. 

“I’m very thankful to my big sis, Ms. Aileen, for believing in me, her love, encouraging words and support. Her hardwork and passion are contagious. She never rests from coming up with new ways and products to better the lives of the filipino family,” Myrtle shares.

She is referring to Ms. Aileen Choi-Go, Megasoft VP for Marketing.

“I’m just so happy for my little sis. She is a dreamer. She is a fighter. Nothing is given to her easily. She knows that she needs to work hard for things to happen for her. And i think these are what achievers are made of. She is being showered with all the blessings she deserves. Congratulations and we are so proud of you,” Ms. Aileen expresses.

Myrtle recently performed with fellow Megasoft ambassadors - Cherub endorser Kristof Garcia and super twins endorser mommy Jolina Magdangal at the successful super twins and sisters day celebration in Starmall Alabang.

On Sept. 16, Myrtle will be in Cebu, 10am at the Megasoft Warehouse in Mandaue City, which will be aired via facebook live. Together with Kristof, she will also visit Gaisano Grand Dumanjug activity center for a meet and greet at 4pm, and will proceed to Gaisano Grand Moalboal activity center mall show at 6pm.

Kristof and the CT GuyZ will be in Puerto Prinsesa City Palawan on Sept. 26 and Isetan Recto Manila on Sept. 29, 3pm.

Other activities and events are posted on facebook @sistersph and instagram @megasoft_ph. 

“Dreams do come true. Kailangan sabayan ng hardwork, discipline, and faith in God. All these dreams have been happening while I am part of my sisters family. So with my renewal, I’m looking forward to more dreams coming true this year,” Myrtle believes.

This means she is already claiming to do an indie film, rom-com teleserye, and more challenging characters.

“In pursuit of education, career or ways of helping others, never stop learning, evolving and improving. Continue dreaming because everything starts with a dream,” she smiles.