Flourish Pilipinas: Flour-Based Delicacies are More Fun in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Food conglomerate Universal Robina Corporation- Flour Division and the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board prove once again that when government and the private sector collaborate, great things can happen!

With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supporting food tourism, both parties have formally launched Flourish Pilipinas, a campaign that recognizes and celebrates Filipino flour- based delicacies either through time-tested traditions or bold innovations.

The event was hosted by Anthony Suntay, and was attended by members of the media. Everyone there were serenaded by the celebrity couple awesome singers Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez while we were having a sumptuous lunch.


Food conglomerate Universal Robina Corporation- Flour Division and the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board prove once again that when government and the private sector collaborate, great things can happen!With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supporting food tourism, both parties have formally launched Flourish Pilipinas, a campaign that recognizes and celebrates Filipino flour- based delicacies either through time-tested traditions or bold innovations.

DOT, NHCP launch Byaheng Bonifacio

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
As part of the year-long commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) launched Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan at the activity center of SM The Block in North EDSA.

Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan is part of the long list of activities and events slated in 2013 to celebrate the accomplished and heroic life of Andres Bonifacio, which culminates in the sesquicentennial of his birth on 30 November 2013. It aims to renew the public’s interest in appreciating and taking pride of the history of these often forgotten, if not overlooked, sites which played an important role in the life of the Supremo, Katipunan, and Philippine Revolution of 1896. It identifies 16 important sites tracing Bonifacio’s trail from his birthplace in Tondo, Manila; to the Katipuneros’ secret meeting place in Pamitinan Cave in Rodriguez, Rizal; to his place of martyrdom in Maragondon, Cavite.

Philippine SME Business Expo 2013

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
This 2013 the Philippines economy has started on a great high and the growth forecast for this year is very optimistic. MEDIACOM Soltuions Inc. in partnership with ESQUIRE Financing Inc. present the PHILIPPINE BUSINESS EXPO 2013 (PHILBEX 2013) -“Your Business Gateway” Philippines biggest business Expo, held at the World Trade Centre (Metro Manila) on May 17-19, 2013, with over 500 exhibitors and expected 25,000 visitors, dedicated to empower the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

At the PHILBEX 2013 business owners and professionals will have the possibility to explore new business opportunities, learn the latest SME market trends, establish contacts, enhance networks, exchange views & ideas and an opportunity to promote products and services as well as acquire the latest news in technology and financing.

The New Rufo’s Famous Tapa in Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
After 29 years, the original moves to a bigger and better home in A.Venue.

The iconic Rufo’s Famous Tapa Makati in Kalayaan Ave. had been a favorite go-to place for delicious and affordable Pinoy dishes since its inception in 1984. It was one of the few places open 24/7 and customers came at all hours of the day. The humble, hole-in-the-wall ‘tapsihan’ became popular among International School (IS) teachers and students, employees, over-timers, and party-goers who wanted quick, affordable and satisfying comfort food.

When the landlord decided after 29 years to no longer renew the lease, Rufo’s Management quickly moved to re-locate a few steps away to its current location in A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave. “The New Rufo’s Makati” at A.Venue is now a 2-level restaurant which seats 150 people, with multiple air-con and al-fresco sections, function rooms for parties and seminars, and a 2nd floor balcony. Rufo’s A.Venue commits to maintain the same affordable prices, 24/7 operations and laid-back ambiance of the Kalayaan Ave. store while offering a safer (24-hour Security), more mainstream site beside well-known international cafes and restaurants.

Flourish Pilipinas : Bake It Fun In The Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Calling all baking enthusiasts! Join the URC Flourish Pilipinas Bake-off Competition. Simply submit your recipe in the Recipe Contest tab at their Facebook page.
#BakeItFunInThePhilippines

https://www.facebook.com/pages/URC-Flourish-Pilipinas/295110023949303

Now this is something interesting to witness, a tie-up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote "bread" and "tourism".

Starting the project off with a Baking Academy and Bake-Off Competition, I would love to know more about this particular project and how everything will fit in. We would normally see "tourism" partnered with handicrafts, scenic spots, beaches, cultures, and ethnic people, airlines and other means of transportation, travel agencies, etc. It will be exciting to find out more.



Wazzup Pilipinas !

URC Flourish Pilipinas Baking Academy and Bake-off Competition

Mechanics:

This competition is open to all eligible Filipino Citizens who are 18 years of age as of January 2013 who meet the requirements stated herein. All employees and relatives up to the second degree of affinity and consanguinity of URC Flour, its subsidiaries, affiliates, agencies and sponsors are automatically disqualified from entering this contest.

There will be three awards in two categories:


PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

FOR OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF BAKERIES and BAKESHOPS, INDEPENDENT BAKERS, BAKING INSTRUCTORS AND PROFESSIONALS


1. GLOBE AWARD – This category is open for all recipes using hard flour (URC’s Globe or Blend 100 Flour).

2. SAMPAGUITA AWARD – This category is for all recipes using soft flour (URC’s Sampaguita Soft Flour).



NON- PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY


FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CULINARY, BAKING, FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT COURSES:

1. DAISY AWARD – This category is for all recipes using cake flour (URC’s Daisy Cake Flour).



HOW TO JOIN THE CONTEST

All Contestants must fill out an entry form which can be accessed through the Recipe Contest tab in the URC Flour/Flourish Pilipinas Facebook page. It can also be downloaded from the URC Flour website.

All finalists must agree to participate in a bake-off in the following designated areas:


GMA Manila June 15

LUZON Baguio July 6

VISAYAS Cebu July 27

MINDANAO Davao August 10

Where applicable, URC Flour shall provide the transportation, food and accommodations of qualified finalists in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. URC Flour shall cover only the transportation, food and accommodations of a qualified finalist in a URC designated hotel.



JUDGING CRITERIA

All entries must meet the requirements of the Recipe category entered. Recipes not meeting contest criteria will be disqualified. Entries must be the original recipe of the entrant.

Judging will be done by a panel consisting of a representative of URC Flour Technical Group and two other food professionals designated by URC Flour using the criteria outlined below:

Taste 20%

Appearance,creativity and plating 15%

Use of local and indigenous ingredients 10%

Extent of use of URC flours in required category 30%

(Globe / Blend 100, Sampaguita, and Daisy)

Extent of use of eligible products 25%

(See list below for corresponding points)

TOTAL 100%


Eligible Products and Points Assigned (5 points each):

Bakewell Siliconized Paper, Saf Yeast, McCormick Flavors and Colors/ Suchero Sugar, Corman, Brim, and Tulip Chocolate

Judges will disqualify previously published recipes such as but not limited to those in cookbooks, magazines, from food companies, food blogs or recipe website and winners in cooking contests.

Contestants are required to certify on the information, or belief, that their recipes are their original creation and have not been published or publicized and have not won a cooking or baking contest. All submitted recipes automatically become the property of URC Flour.

Judges reserve the right to disqualify an entry that does not meet contest criteria. Decisions of the board of judges are final in all matters pertaining to this Contest.


Deadline of Submission of Entries:

Entries from GMA and Luzon April 30, 2013

Entries from Visayas, Mindanao May 31, 2013

All recipes/ entries must include a 4R (4” x 6”) color photograph of the finished product. All recipes/ entries must be submitted to the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page or emailed to Kayla Andrea at operations@dtc.com.ph.

All recipes shall be screened and tested by the URC Technical Group which shall determine the finalists who will compete in each area.



BAKE-OFF

For each area, there will be two (2) finalists for Globe Award, two (2) finalists for Sampaguita Award, and two (2) finalists for Daisy Award.

All finalists will be required to participate in the area-wide bake-off.

GMA Manila June 15

LUZON Baguio July 6

VISAYAS Cebu July 27

MINDANAO Davao August 10



ALL STUDENT FINALISTS must agree to demonstrate his/her recipe entry to the URC Technical Team in a separate session in his/her school or home prior to the actual Bake-Off.


Each student finalist will be given ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000) to cover the cost of this demonstration.


SELECTION OF WINNERS:

There will be one (1) winner per category in each area : Globe, Sampaguita, and Daisy.

Venue of the bake-off will be determined by URC Flour Division.



PRIZE STRUCTURE:


All twelve (12) winners i.e., three (3) winners per area will receive the following prizes:

Globe - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid K45 Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products

Sampaguita - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid K45 Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products

Daisy - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products


Companies and Schools represented by the winners shall also receive a trophy.


All recipes/ entries must be submitted to the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page or emailed to Kayla Andrea at operations@dtc.com.ph ON OR BEFORE April 30, 2013 (For Entries from GMA and Luzon) and ON OR BEFORE May 31, 2013 (For Visayas, Mindanao). For more information, contact Kayla at 02-892-5842 or visit the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page.


Bake It Fun In The Philippines!

#BakeItFunInThePhilippines

https://www.facebook.com/pages/URC-Flourish-Pilipinas/295110023949303


Per FDA Permit # 0324 Series of 2013

Globe Launches BlackBerry Z10 with Best Plan Deals, Offers LTE Version at No Extra Cost

Globe Telecom officially launched the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone with its suite of fully-customizable unlimited mobile surfing plans bundled with unlimited browsing, consumable amount for calls and texts, and freebies. The leader in postpaid is also offering the BlackBerry Z10 LTE at no extra cost.

Subscribers can get the BlackBerry Z10 for free at Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799 over a 30-month contract. With Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799, subscribers get unlimited and worry-free mobile surfing, P800 monthly consumable amount for calls and texts, and three (3) call and text freebies.

For consumers who opt for a shorter lock-up period, they can avail of the BlackBerry Z10 for free for as low as P1999 monthly at Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799 with P200 monthly cashout over a 24-month contract.


“Finally, the BlackBerry Z10 has arrived in the Philippines and Globe is very excited to offer the latest BlackBerry smartphone to our subscribers under our roster of postpaid plans. Filipinos are huge fans of BlackBerry and as such, we expect a strong demand for the new BlackBerry Z10. With our strong partnership with BlackBerry, subscribers can definitely rely on Globe for the best BlackBerry Z10 offers and deals,” said Martha Sazon, Head of Globe Postpaid.

Sazon added, “The BlackBerry Z10 works best with an unlimited surfing plan from Globe so you can enjoy unlimited and worry-free mobile surfing, a monthly consumable amount for calls and texts, and freebies. Subscribers can further boost their plans with unlimited add-on services available for as low as P349 monthly. Finally, with the Globe Guarantee and an upgraded Globe network with a more aggressive LTE rollout nationwide, subscribers get the best BlackBerry Z10 experience that no other network can provide.”

The new BlackBerry Z10 is the first BlackBerry smartphone to launch with the re-designed, re-engineered and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform, giving customers a powerful and unique new mobile computing experience. The BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet, and offers customers a smarter experience that continuously adapts to their needs. With BlackBerry 10, every feature, every gesture, and every detail is designed to keep customers moving with new advancements that customers will love.

“We are excited to launch the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone with Globe in the Philippines. We believe customers will be delighted with the faster and smarter experience from the powerful BlackBerry Z10 running on the Globe LTE network to keep them moving,” said Cameron Vernest, Country Director for the Philippines at BlackBerry.

Interested subscribers can pre-order the BlackBerry Z10 from Globe starting March 9, 2013 at www.globe.com.ph/bbz10. The BlackBerry Z10 will be officially available in Globe Stores nationwide starting March 19, 2013.

Binibining Pilipinas 2013: A Treasure Trove of Beauty and Talent

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Beyond beauty of face and figure, the golden batch of Bb. Pilipinas is also teeming with talent.

I was excited to attend this event - the same way I was excited when I watched the Talent Competition of Miss Philippines last year. But this one was open for the public to watch at the sidelines.

Miss Philippines organizers chose to present it to an exclusive few, but the organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas has chosen an open area instead so many people will have the opportunity to watch beauty and talent unfolding right before their eyes.

Sixteen of the fifty official 2013 Binibining Pilipinas candidates strutted their stuff at the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Talent Competition recently held at the Gateway Mall Activity Area.



The lovely girls displayed an array of talents that ranged from singing to magic to hula hooping. The roster of judges included Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head , Tim Yap Philippine Star Columnist, Samboy Lim, Ginebra San Miguel Coach, RJ Ledesma, TV host and Uno Magazine Editor, Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner Up, Chit Guerrero, ABS-CBN Special Projects Head, and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) board member Conchitina Bernardo, and artist Betsy Westendorp.