Smart brings you the most exquisite Filipino contemporary art at ALT Philippines 2020

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After a multitude of reimagined experiences it has brought to its customers, Smart Signature now dares consumers to reimagine the way they see local art. Introducing ALT Philippines 2020, a first-of-its-kind collaborative project among 10 galleries in Manila that aims to not only showcase contemporary Filipino art, but also to reframe the notion of the art show itself.

The landmark art event, which will be held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Aura on February 13 to 16, brings together galleries Artinformal, Blanc, Finale Art File, Galleria Duemila, MO_Space, The Drawing Room, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, West Gallery, and 1335 Mabini. This epic collaboration will result in a showcase of over 150 leading contemporary Filipino artists, in a groundbreaking and dynamic way that involves the immersion of viewers and the engagement of artists and professionals.

“We are truly excited to be part of this momentous event in the local art scene. This is just one of the many ways we provide meaningful connections by bringing subscribers closer to their passions,” said Smart President Alfred S. Panlilio. “Through this, we enable our subscribers to live the life they want, including the kind of life fueled by art.”

Amongst the anticipated highlights at ALT Philippines 2020, is the digital art wall that will be brought to life by artist Derek Tumala. “Derek’s work in collaboration with Smart is a coming together of art and technology. His “Pure Impermanence” 10-channel video in portrait orientation mirrors how we view images on our mobile phones. It represents the endless cycle of experience and image-making through a network of fleeting connections,” according to a statement released by ALT Philippines 2020.

Reimagine the way you see art

Smart subscribers will have the opportunity to freely reimagine the way they see art, as they can avail of exclusive passes to ALT Philippines 2020 as part of the elevated customer experience that Smart provides its valued customers.

With Smart Signature Plans, subscribers can also enjoy the best postpaid and overall experience. Smart Signature affords for its subscribers the capacity to live the life they want because their passions are supported by Smart Signature's bigger data allocation and Smart LTE, the undisputed fastest mobile network in the country, as awarded by third-party organizations such as Ookla, OpenSignal, Tutela, and P3 in their respective crowdsource-based studies on mobile internet services in the Philippines.

But Smart doesn’t stop with data and network speed that customers deserve. Smart also serves perks and privileges to its subscribers, in this case, the levelled-up Signature lifestyle that allows loyal customers to pursue their love for art by getting free tickets and ticket discounts to ALT 2020 Philippines.

To score tickets and discounts to ALT 2020, Smart Postpaid subscribers may submit their entries by answering the question, “What are you looking forward to the most at ALT 2020?” Just go to the comment’s section of Smart’s ALT 2020 ticket giveaway post on Facebook and include the hashtag #SmartALTPH2020.

For more levelled-up love-for-art experiences, follow Smart on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications or @ReimaginePH on Instagram. Keep tabs on the hashtags #Reimagine and #SmartALTPH2020 for more updates as well as ALT Philippines on social media at Alt Philippines on Facebook and @altphilippines on Instagram.

Click on the link for additional event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/222715622076541.

JRS Express partnered with GCash as its Cashless Merchant Partner

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JRS Express, the country’s first courier service and one of the leaders of the Philippine logistics industry,  has partnered with the nation’s leading mobile wallet GCash to secure payments for their patrons.

There are a total of 430 branches now on-boarded with GCash’s Quick Response Code (QR Code), which enables customers to pay with ease using the app on their smartphones.

Since JRS Express’ humble beginnings in 1960, it has grown to over 430 branches and satellite stations operating a substantial fleet of delivery vehicles nationwide – including a modernized operation and a tracking system for its delivery network. They have also been well-awarded and recognized in the field of courier services and logistics.

“We have been looking forward to this partnership as we know that going digital and going cashless is the way to go! We know that through digital payments, we can ensure faster and convenient transactions, shared by JRS Chairman, CEO and President, Mr. Antonio M. Claparols.

Meanwhile, Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt, the operator of GCash, also shared that “This partnership with JRS is a welcome collaboration which enables us to share fast, secure and convenient cashless technology to their customers. We continue to be true to our commitment to onboard more and more partners to embrace this innovation.”

JRS Express being equipped with GCash Scan to Pay is only the beginning. They are also looking forward to expanding their partnership with GCash by adopting more services in the near future. 

Downloading the app is easy, one can just go to Google Play Store for android smart phone users or go to the App Store for iPhone users. To enjoy the use and the full features of the app, you can have your account verified, cash in through your bank online or go to over 16,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide. Once done, the customer just needs to tap on “Scan QR,” point the phone’s camera at the partner’s QR code, and pay.

For more details about the promotions, customers can visit the official Facebook page of GCash at www.facebook.com/gcashofficial.

Renowned Fine Artist Leeroy’s “Kulambo” Weaves Stories on Fight Against Malaria

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Known for decades, "Kulambo" is the mosquito net, a type of meshed curtain that is circumferentially draped over a bed or a sleeping area, to offer the people a barrier protection against bites and stings from mosquitos, flies, and other pest insects, and thus against the insect-borne diseases include malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever.

People from 60s,  symbolize the Kulambo as their parents’ efforts to keep them safe from sickness.

As today, the modest kulambo has transformed into a symbol of hope in the battle against malaria.

Mosquitos have been called one of the most dangerous insects in the world, spreading some of the world’s most prevalent and destructive diseases today. Malaria is one such infection, affecting tens of thousands of Filipinos, but we have since bitten back.

"Fortress" by Leeroy New

Recently,  an artwork created and dubbed as “Fortress” by renowned fine artist Leeroy New, presented at Bonifacio Global City. 

To celebrate the two decades of milestones that mark the fight against malaria, resulting in a 90 percent reduction of reported cases, Leeroy  has created “Fortress,” an installation that creatively weaves together used kulambo or anti-mosquito nets, collected from malaria-affected places.

“It made sense to transform and bring new life to these pre-used medicated mosquito nets, originally intended to act as protective shields against disease-carrying mosquitoes, into an immersive and ethereal fortress-like structure complete with pointed spires that attempts to represent the substantial preventive effect it has made on the fight against malaria,” said New as he described his inspiration for the piece.

(L-R) Shell Philippines President and CEO Cesar Romero, PSFI Director Cesar Buenaventura, PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiñones Jr, Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates and PSFI Deputy Executive Director Marvi Trudeau

Commissioned by Shell Companies in the Philippines (SCiP), the artwork aims to symbolize the company’s drive to eliminate malaria. New explained that it also represents the constant struggle to maintain control over threats to humanity’s well-being, be it physical, mental, or emotional.

“Also, meandering about the floating castle is what appears to be a serpentine like form made from the same mesh material that resembles the threatening beasts from fantasy stories that always aim to invade or destroy,” said New.

The piece will be placed in front of Daiichi Properties’ The Finance Center in Bonifacio Global City until the end of April.

“This artwork is the symbol of the collaborative effort made to eliminate the malaria infection from the Philippines,” said New. “It serves as a concrete example that we can fight against this deadly infection and win.”

Through the combined effort of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), the Department of Health (DOH), and local government units across the nation, malaria cases have dropped from over 50,000 in Palawan alone in 1999, to less than 5,000 in 2018.

“In the common Filipino household, the kulambo symbolizes the ultimate protection against mosquitoes,” said New as he described his inspiration for the piece. “An entire family can seek protection under the kulambo and spend the night, huddled but safe.”

Meanwhile,PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiñones Jr. noted the challenge in helping indigenous peoples fight malaria because their nomadic nature makes it difficult to monitor their treatment.

(L-R) Moderator Michelle Ong, World Health Organization (WHO) Medical Officer on Malaria, Vectorborne and Parasitic Disease Dr. Gawrie Loku Galappaththy, PSFI Deputy Executive Director, Program Manager Externally Funded Programs Marvi Trudeau, Vice Governor of Palawan Dennis Socrates, Renowned Contemporary Fine Artist Leeroy New.

In order to tackle the challenging circumstances, PSFI sends regular volunteer expeditions into the mountains, and the Foundation has hired anthropologists to study the groups in order to develop non-disruptive methods for providing aid.

“At Shell, we believe in being a good neighbor, so we do not wish to disrupt their way of life,” said Quiñones. “Our goal is to promote the well-being of our communities, forge strong partnerships with various sectors, and make all of these initiatives sustainable, so that our legacy and mission will continue with our respective communities.”

The program received another grant for 2018-2020 to tackle the last four highly endemic provinces, which has made Quiñones confident that the Philippines can achieve its goal for the country to be malaria-free by 2030. These are the provinces of Palawan, Sulu, Occidental Mindoro and Sultan Kudarat.

For the last 105 years of its operations in the country, Pilipinas Shell, with the Department of Health, has remained committed to helping not just the communities that it serves, but all communities throughout the nation. By combating dangerous diseases such as malaria, the company aims to make the future safer for all Filipinos.

Make It Another Day To Remember At Max’s

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MANILA, Philippines –  If you’re looking to make your February an unforgettable one, head on over to Max’s Restaurant for flavorful dishes and sumptuous treats that will make your gatherings twice as memorable – enjoy the newest Red Sinigang, and Max’s Corner Baker Bakery’s Strawberry Chocolate Roll and Chocolate-Coated Caramel Bars.

For only PHP529, the Red Sinigang is an elevated classic to a traditional Filipino dish. Its base is a savory indulgence of beef and fish cooked in a rich, sweet-sour soup made up of tamarind and tomato. A medley of fresh vegetables like string beans, radish, and okra are generously tossed for added taste. Jazzed up with crispy kangkong, this unique dish when served to your special someone is certainly a gesture of love and appreciation that’s worth remembering.

The Red Sinigang is also the perfect partner to the all-time favorite Max’s Sarap-To-The-Bones® Chicken. For only an upgrade of PHP 150 from the House Classics Birthday Bundle Plus, you can enjoy this duo of crispy, golden fried chicken and warm, comforting soup that’s sure to amp up your gatherings with the people special in your life.

Finish it off with something sweet to be shared with your loved ones in the Strawberry Chocolate Roll and Chocolate Coated Coated Caramel Bars. 

Starting only at PHP259, the Strawberry Chocolate Roll is a fluffy concoction of chocolate chiffon that’s lavishly-filled and frosted with whipped cream, piped with strawberry fruit filling and adorned with chocolate cut-outs and shavings. Surprises should come anytime, so excite them with a classic made more indulgent with Chocolate Coated Caramel Bars. Starting only at PHP249, Max’s classic caramel bars is brought to a whole new level as it’s beautifully-covered with luscious dark, white chocolate, and dressed in elegant toppings.

What are you waiting for? 

Max’s Restaurant’s Red Sinigang and Max’s Corner Bakery’s Chocolate Coated Caramel Bars is available nationwide for dine-in or take-out, while the Strawberry Chocolate Roll is in Luzon stores only. 

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant/.

LG Sustains the Love with its 2nd Laundry Love for Taal

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Even if the Alert Level of Taal Volcano has been downgraded, the threat of a destructive volcanic eruption is still very real. Those affected by last month’s phreatic eruption are slowly trying to get their lives back together, but a lot of families, especially those in the volcano’s immediate vicinity, are left without anything to come home to.

While the worst might seem to be over, all of the evacuees still need a lot of help. LG Philippines was one of the organizations who were first to lend a hand last month by staging its popular Laundry Love Project which provided commercial grade washing machines so that Taal evacuees could have access to clean and hygienic clothing. LG, together with its team of employees and volunteers, visited the evacuation centers in Alfonso Central School, Kaylaway National Highschool, and DOH Rehab Center over the course of a week for the Laundry Love program and to provide medical missions to give physical and optical checkups for the evacuees.

LG paid a visit again to the evacuation centers in Batangas since there’s still work to be done. They re-staged the Laundry Love Project like last month but seeing the demand and the need for it, the company brought even more washing machines to cater to more families. #TeamLG visited the evacuation center in Laurel, Batangas for four days to ensure that everyone gets a chance.

LG also donated to the evacuation center 2 refrigerators, 2 LED Television sets, and 2 X-Boom speakers each, bringing the grand total of 25 refrigerators, 16 LED TVs, and 25 X-Boom speakers donated and distributed across the different evacuation centers. Speaking more about the program, LG Philippines’ Managing Director, Inkwun Heo, said “We’re here for the people of Taal. We sincerely hope that the worst is over, but rest assured that LG is fully committed to help in bringing this remarkable community back to its feet. Their resilience is a true testament to the strength of the Filipino people.”

To formally receive the donations, LG turned them over to Mayor Joan Lamero-Amo, Mayor of Laurel, Batangas. “It is with utmost gratitude that we accept LG’s generous support during this tumultuous time. You have our heartfelt thanks”.