November 6, 2017

Hamilo Coast takes leadership position in sustainable practices

Hamilo Coast is a sprawling seaside sanctuary along Nasugbu, Batangas, encompassing three major mountain peaks and thirteen coves, three of which are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

SM’s premier beach resort development in Nasugbu, Batangas has once again received the Bronze Benchmark Status from EarthCheck, the world’s leading environmental management and professional services group for the travel and tourism industry. 

This status recognizes Hamilo Coast’s environmental impact through its commitment in achieving sustainable operations based on global standards. Hamilo Coast received its first certification of a Bronze Benchmark status from EarthCheck in 2015.

Pico de Loro Cove is Hamilo Coast’s maiden development. Here, environmental and social sustainability is ensured in its operations to provide premier beach resort living in the country. Pico de Loro Cove was also declared a marine protected area (MPA). 



As can be seen in its maiden development, Pico de Loro Cove, the design and architecture of key structures clearly show attention to energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and proper waste management.

“Sustainability has always been at the forefront of Hamilo Coast’s vision of providing premier beach resort living in the country and what better way to realize this vision than being recognized with such milestone that further intensify our unfailing commitment to flourishing a sustainable beach resort community,” stated Shirley C. Ong, Executive Vice President for Hamilo Coast.

Together with WWF Philippines, coastal and terrestrial resources are also managed to protect and nurture biodiversity. Ongoing projects include mangrove reforestation, pawikan conservation, marine mammal rescue, and reef monitoring. Marine sanctuaries have also been created such as that located in Santelmo Cove where giant clams are being cultivated.

Santelmo Cove, one of Hamilo Coast’s marine protected areas (MPA), is also an important site for marine biodiversity, where preservation programs such as giant clam seeding and regular reef monitoring are being sustained.



Such initiatives are also intended to benefit neighboring communities. It is of paramount consideration to Hamilo Coast to enhance not only the areas where they live, but their sources of livelihood as well. And with the assistance of the SM Foundation, community members are involved, motivated, and educated to be prime movers themselves of these sustainability efforts.

EarthCheck CEO Steward Moore has said that Hamilo Coast has taken a significant leadership position in sustainability.

Moore further added: “I would like to congratulate the whole team on their achievement. Hamilo Coast is an advocate of sustainable tourism who dares to make a difference.”




Hamilo Coast is the SM Group’s premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas. Hamilo Coast is now approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road. For inquiries, call (632) 945-8000, or visit www.hamilocoast.com

Philippines' Karen Ibasco crowned Miss Earth 2017

Miss Philippines Karen Ibasco, a 26-year-old University of Santo Tomas Physics Instructor, bested 84 other candidates at the pageant's coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, November 4.

Named as Miss Earth Air 2017 was Nina Robertson (Half Filipino) from Australia, Miss Earth Fire 2017 was Lada Akimova from Russia, and Miss Earth Water 2017 was Juliana Franco from Colombia.



In the much-awaited question and answer portion, the finalists had to answer the question, "Who or what do you think is the biggest enemy of Mother Earth and why?"

Karen Ibasco answer,   
“I believe that the real problem in this world is not climate change. The real problem is us because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds and redirecting our steps because together, as a global community, our micro-efforts will have a macro-effect to help save our home, our planet.”


Winning three gold and two silver medals in the pre-pageant competitions -  Ibasco won gold in both Darling of the Press and Best in National Costume - Asia and Oceana wearing a Louis Pangilinan creation,  and in Group 2 Swimsuit Competition. She bagged silver medals for Resorts Wear Competition and Long Gown Competition.

 Ibasco succeeds Miss Earth 2016 Katherin Espin from Ecuador.

This years Miss Earth theme is "Heroines Fighting Climate Change." The Miss Earth pageant is an International Environmental Event channeling the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool to promote environmental awareness.


Here is the full list of winners:

Miss Earth Fire: Russia, Lada Akimova
Miss Earth Water: Colombia, Juliana Franco
Miss Earth Air: Australia, Nina Robertson
Miss Earth: Philippines, Karen Ibasco

Top 8

Australia, Nina Robertson
Philippines, Karen Ibasco
Thailand, Paweensuda Drouin
Venezuela, Ninoska Vasquez
Colombia, Juliana Franco
Czech Republic, Iva Uchytilová
Netherlands, Faith Landman
Russia, Lada Akimova

Top 16

Thailand, Paweensuda Drouin
USA, Andreia Gibau
Russia, Lada Akimova
Tonga, Diamond Langi
Colombia, Juliana Franco
Angola, Ermelinda de Matos
Guatemala, Maria José Castañeda
Vietnam, Le Thi Ha Thu
Switzerland, Sarah Laura Peyrel
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lela Karagic
Australia, Nina Robertson
Philippines, Karen Ibasco
Venezuela, Ninoska Vasquez
Netherlands, Faith Landman
Cameroon, Angele Kossinda
Czech Republic, Iva Uchytilová

Miss Earth 2017 Grand Pageant is hosted by CNN Philippines' anchor James Deakin.

Miss Earth is produced and owned by Carousel Productions, Inc. For more information, visit www.missearth.tv.


OPPO F5 Sale Starts Strong with Successful Celebrity-filled Roadshows

Manila, Philippines  — The first day of sale of the OPPO F5 started strong nationwide, welcomed by customers who availed the pre-order promotion and led by carnival roadshows at SM City North Edsa and SM Megamall with OPPO influencers Alex Gonzaga, Ronnie Alonte, Coleen Garcia and Sanya Lopez. Thousands of customers enjoyed the fun-filled activities, freebies, and surprise activities OPPO had prepared. More importantly, it was also the day customers were able to experience the F5’s A.I. Beautify Technology, 6” FHD+ Full Screen Display and other innovative features. 




OPPO influencers Alex Gonzaga and Ronnie Alonte welcomed by fans at the OPPO F5 Carnival Roadshow at SM City 



OPPO F5 Carnival Roadshow at SM Megamall

OPPO Influencers Bring Joy to Roadshow Customers

OPPO Influencers Alex Gonzaga and Ronnie Alonte joined the fun-filled activities at the OPPO F5 Carnival Roadshow and the opening of SM City North Edsa Concept Store, where they shared the real selfie experience from the experts in selfies. 

Alex Gonzaga and Ronnie Alonte participated in the carnival’s activities, where both have completed the OPPO F5 Carnival Selfie Hunt challenge and tried out the karaoke booth, basketball hoops, racing games, beautification booth, and the 360-selfie-go-round using the OPPO F5. 


Newest Concept Store Design



Opening of the OPPO Concept Store at SM Megamall with Coleen Garcia

OPPO’s latest concept stores have been officially unveiled at SM City North Edsa Annex and SM Megamall showcasing its new open space and modern design. With a brighter store and modern metallic feel, the new concept store design delivers a more experiential and spacious ambiance for customers to enjoy. 



The new OPPO concept store at SM North Edsa Annex


Experience the OPPO Roadshow

Customers can still catch the OPPO F5 Roadshows at SM North Edsa Annex and SM Megamall Event Center A for a chance to win one (1) F5 smartphone by simply completing the Selfie Hunt Passport to be given upon registration. Get instant freebies as you visit and complete all booths, experience fun-filled activities, and learn why OPPO F5’s A.I Beauty Technology delivers natural looking selfies. 
“Our OPPO F5’s compelling features and overall impressive package are a sure hit to our customers. This is why we want to give back by giving them fun-filled and memorable experiences that will truly show how great the OPPO brand is. Along with our new concept store design, we are redefining how a smartphone brand connects to its customers,” said Stephen Cheng, Brand Marketing Manager, OPPO Philippines.


Non-Stop Freebies and Roadshows


The OPPO F5 is now available in the market for SRP Php15,990. Customers can get freebies and a chance to win a premium item worth Php71,000 when they register via www.capturetherealyou.ph

For more information about the OPPO F5, please visit www.oppo.com/ph/smartphone-f5 and check out the future roadshows on OPPO’s official Facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/.

November 5, 2017

When Shopping Is Bad For You


International Pop Star Rihanna was once quoted in an interview- “Making music is like shopping for me. Every song is like a new pair of shoes.”

The pop star was on point— the recent launch of her line of cosmetics (culled from her last name) was a hit among beauty gurus and make-up lovers worldwide. Women snapped up bottles of foundation, highlighter and lip gloss from Rihanna’s line almost immediately.

And as the shopping season moves into full-swing with the holidays just around the corner, the thrill of buying that much-coveted item or snagging a product on sale will be heightened.

“Shopping gives us a rush. There’s a positive emotion, the feeling of pleasure after buying an item, especially if it is something you’ve been wanting to have for a long time,” says psychiatrist Dr. Maria Bernadette Arcena.

Arcena says the thrill of shopping, even the occasional impulse buy is perfectly fine and normal. However, when that positive emotion turns into an urge that you find irresistible and hard to suppress, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.

Impulsive vs Compulsive buying

Experts define impulsive buying as something unplanned and spur-of-the-moment, and usually triggered by an object of interest. Emotions play a role in the decision to buy the item. Arcena says, the occasional impulse buy is relatively harmless. Of course, when done excessively can lead to financial trouble.

Compulsive buying, on the other hand, is triggered by the irresistible and uncontrollable urge to shop.

“The feeling of pleasure, the elation is in the act of buying and not necessarily with the item itself. When the purchase has been made, usually, the individual ends up feeling distressed or guilty,” she says.

According to a 2006 study from Stanford University in the American Journal of Psychiatry, about 6% of women and 5% of men are compulsive buyers.

The consequences of compulsive buying can be devastating to the individual and even their loved ones. A person pre-occupied with this kind of behavior will spend less and less time with family or friends. This behavior can also lead to serious financial problems such as bankruptcy, defaulted loans, a ruined credit history, theft or embezzlement of money, causing a devastating impact to one’s relationship with family or friends. 

While compulsive buying is not a mental disorder by itself, this type of behavior could be a symptom of a much deeper psychiatric disorder such as substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or depression.

This becomes even more relevant now that a Philippine Mental Health bill is being discussed at length and is awaiting passage into law.


Signs of compulsive buying behavior

An individual suffering from this kind of behavior usually becomes anxious while shopping. Dr. Arcena attributes this to the individual’s knowledge that he or she is already spending more than what he or she can afford.

“A compulsive shopper also tends to seek reassurance or flaunt their capacity to buy,” Arcena explains.

During the point of sale, an individual may also appear restless. There is a high tendency to use more than one credit card, to accommodate their purchase. People with this kind of behavior also spend an unusual amount of time in a single store. Other signs include shopping when a person is angry or lonely, hoarding or buying enormous amounts of products and hiding these purchases from friends or family.

Paradoxically, compulsive buying can be harmful to retailers because a core symptom of compulsive buying is an intense feeling of buyer’s remorse.

Buyer’s remorse creates high incidence of product return and negative views about the retailer and can even lead to feelings of victimization attributed to the retailer.

In the United States, product returns have had adverse effects on businesses. Researchers have estimated that manufacturers and retailers spend more than US$100 billion (or more than Php5 trillion) each year on return-related logistics, an average loss in revenues of nearly 4% per year.


Healthy retail, happy customers

“As a retailer, returns and complaints are not good for business. What we strive for is a healthy retail experience where we can cultivate relationships with our customers,” shares entrepreneur Yuval Mann.

Mann believes retailers have the responsibility to ensure their sales personnel are educated on how to approach customers when buying products. “Sales personnel can create a happy and healthy experience, especially for first-time buyers, by trying to turn them into repeat buyers and not go for the one-time big-time sale.” He adds.

Some key signs of compulsive buying that retailers should look out for include first-time customers making excessive purchases that seem to be for personal consumption. The average first-time customer will tend to buy a few products to try. Whereas an individual with this kind of behavior will buy products well more than what an average person will buy in terms of quantity and variety.

Mann believes the best trait a retailer can have is compassion and sincerity when dealing with their customers. This, he says, is the surest way to have happy and satisfied customers.

When dealing with customers with this kind of behavior, Mann does not recommend being confrontational, nor outright discouraging them to buy. Rather sales personnel can modify their approach by taking time to know the customer, encourage them to try and buy the products they are most interested in and then encourage them to come back and visit again. This way, the chances of a customer having buyer’s remorse, returns or complaints is minimized.

Arcena, for her part, says families and friends also play a crucial role in helping individuals with compulsive buying behavior. “Encourage the person to adopt a new activity or hobby. Have someone accompany that person when shopping. If possible, purchase using cash instead of credit or debit cards.”

It is also best to advise the individual to seek help by talking to an expert to have a better understanding of what he or she is going through. Arcena says, people who are experiencing these symptoms need not feel alone, because treatment is available.

                                                                               

Is your refrigerator the perfect fit for your home? Here are smart tips in buying the right cooling partner

The days of boring, old-fashioned refrigerators are gone. Today, manufacturers are constantly innovating technologies that make them more attuned to the needs of today’s buyers. But with the many brands available, how can you be sure that you are making the right choice? 

Dyeun Zapanta, Sales and Marketing Head of Beko Philippines said that households still put great value on the quality of the food that they eat. Despite the hectic pace of today's lifestyle, it is still important to serve only fresh and nutritious meals to your family. That is why your fridge must have all the right features to help you store your food items as best you can. 

To help you make the right choice, Beko, one of the largest appliance brands in Europe, listed a few things to consider when buying a new refrigerator.


First things first: Type and Size

The first thing to consider when buying a new refrigerator is what type and size best suit your household needs. There are two general classifications of refrigerators- the Static (Direct Cool) and the No Frost. Static refrigerators form ice build up on freezer wall which is the source of cold temperature while No Frost allows you the full usage of the freezer space since it uses cold air to cool or freeze your food inside. Freezer and Fridge capacity varies by model or brand. 

For families that buy more of the frozen items like meats and poultry products, freezer space is very critical. Big freezer space allows you to store bulky frozen items over an extended period. This is also ideal if you have a habit of cooking many dishes at the same time with the intention of storing them so that it can be eaten during the next few days. Fridges, however, can be used solely for your cooling needs. This compartment is ideal for storing all your fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairies and drinks.

There are also different types of refrigerators to choose from based on freezer location. Some of the examples are Single Door, Two Door Top Freezer, Two Door Bottom Freezer, Side-by-Side, Bar Fridges, among others. 

Before buying, make sure to measure the space first where the appliance will be placed in your kitchen. Refrigerators are usually the biggest appliance that you'll have in your kitchen so it pays to plan the space well.




Cooling systems keep foods fresh, longer

Now that you know the type and size you need, the next thing you should familiarize yourself is the defrost system. Some refrigerators use the Manual or Semi-Automatic Defrost technology. If you choose the manual defrost system, you will need to defrost at least once or twice a week to clean and clear the compartments of ice build-up. 


Then, there is also the Frost Free technology, which defrosts itself automatically. It uses sensors to automatically activate the heater to melt ice build-up at the back of the freezer walls, which block the air vents. The fan inside helps circulate the cold air to help freeze the food item inside the freezer or cool the food placed in the fridge compartment. 

Beko refrigerators are best in its class as the brand developed the NeoFrost+® Technology. This innovative technology sets Beko Refrigerators apart from the others as it uses powerful Active Dual Cooling systems. It has a separate fan and evaporator on freezer and fridge compartment, which allows two times faster cooling. It also makes it possible for food items to stay fresh longer.

The NeoFrost+® Technology’s Active Dual Cooling System keeps humidity up to 90 percent in the fridge section for longer freshness. It also prevents odor transfer between the compartments keeping the air quality inside at maximum levels.

Moreover, it also keeps the fruits and vegetables fresh and crisp better because of its Active Blue Light Technology. This breakthrough technology continues the process of photosynthesis making it possible for fruits and vegetables to retain their natural flavors and nutritional value for up to 30 days.


Energy efficiency 

Finally, make sure that you get the most of your refrigerators by referring to its energy efficiency factor ratings. Higher the EEF Rating means lower electricity it consumes.

For instance, Beko refrigerator model RDNT230I20VP has 325 EEF Rating consuming only 0.77kW per 24 hours of usage. Other Beko refrigerators are made in with the brand’s environmental vision in mind. These refrigerators have A+++ and A++ ratings. An A+++ refrigerator consumes up to 64 percent less energy than the identical A product. Similarly, an A++ product consumes up to 40 percent less energy than an identical A product. It is made possible with its ProSmart Inverter Compressor Motor which comes with a 12-year warranty.

Be sure to check this information with your dealer before making a purchase since this is one appliance you will use ‘round the clock.

Since 2015, Beko Philippines already doubled its distribution and tripled its sales through its improved and aggressive product line that continuously meets the need of the Filipino market.

Beko Philippines is now on expansion phase as it opens its door to other retail business partners as it aims to reach more Filipinos and become their Official Partner of the Everyday.

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