New CITEM Head Keen to Elevate PH Creative Industry Thru CREATE Philippines 2018

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The new head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), gears up the Philippine creative industry as a key driver for economic growth in the upcoming CREATE Philippines 2018.

“Create Philippines serves as a development platform where Filipino artists, professionals, developers, and other content creators can showcase their innovative ideas, collaborate with other talents, and look for new business opportunities in the global creative market,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan in a media preview last September 18.

Launched last 2017, CREATE Philippines is the country’s first international creative industry trade platform that promotes continued learning, knowledge exchange, and business networking. Its second edition will be held on September 22-23 at the basement 1 of the Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The line-up of activities includes masterclass and lecture sessions, portfolio exhibit, business consultation and networking event, and workshop and talks.
PH Creative Industry as Economic Driver

CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan shared a light moment with a lifestyle reporter and CDAP President Jowee Alviar during an interview at the CREATE Philippines 2018: Media Preview on September 18, 2018.

As a former editor-in-chief of Preview magazine for 15 years, Suaco-Juan emphasized the role of Philippine creative industry as an engine of economic growth, particularly in mobilizing innovation and job generation.

In 2014 alone, the Philippine creative industry has contributed over P660 billion to the economy based on a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is equivalent to about 7.34 percent of the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) on that same year.

In terms of employment, the contribution of Philippine creative industry to the economy is among the highest in the world.  Filipino workers in the advertising, film, and video, music, performing arts, publishing, broadcasting, visual, game development, and graphic arts make up around 11 percent of our labor force as of 2014.

However, Filipino creatives only ranked 22nd in their contribution to the country's GDP despite taking up a big portion of the labor market based on the same WIPO report.

“There is a significant disconnect between how much we depend on the creative industries for employment and how much we value their contributions to the economy,” Suaco-Juan said.

“That is why there is a strong need to advance the Philippine creative industry. While relatively in its infancy development stage, the sector continues to demonstrate its economic potential and viability largely thanks to Filipino talents who are recognized worldwide,” she added.

2018 Theme: Communication Design
With an aim to develop the new emerging creative industries, CITEM has decided to focus on a sector for the next editions of CREATE Philippines. Communication Design was chosen for 2018 which led to a renewed partnership with the Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP).

Suaco-Juan said focus allows CREATE Philippines to “highlight the capabilities of creatives in their particular specialization.”
Communication Design is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The form it takes can be physical or virtual and can include images, words, or graphics.

CDAP President and TeamManila co-founder Jowee Alviar said that the focus on Communication Design has inspired their sector to “organize everyone in terms of design standards, training, and education up to engagement with the government to support the development of the industry.”
“CREATE Philippines serves as a great opportunity for Filipino creatives to really explore their passion and be in an environment where they can thrive and ideate,” said Alviar. “With these kind of events, I can say that the future looks good for the next generation of creatives since we can count on the government to support us.”

For those interested in joining CREATE Philippines 2018, kindly visit www.citem.com/createphilippines and register now.

You may also follow CREATE Philippines on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get more updates on its upcoming events and activities

PUV Modernization Program Gains Steam, 484 Cooperatives Formed

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The PUV Modernization Program, the biggest transformational initiative of the Duterte administration, is gaining steam with 484 transport cooperatives formed within a year of implementation.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are currently processing over 400 applications from cooperatives as part of effective industry consolidation. This strategic merging of smaller transport industry players aims to give drivers and operator better access to funding and other benefits. 

The DOTr-LTFRB has set up a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) facility in Mandaluyong, which houses different government agencies for faster and efficient processing of franchise and new route applications, among others. 

“The scale and the impact of this program is huge. At ito po talaga, direkta na mararamdaman ng mga kababayan natin.  Mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at mas ligtas na ang kanilang pag-biyahe. Kaya kahit marami pong pagsubok sa implementasyon nito, hinding-hindi po natin yan susukuan,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade. 

Apart from consolidating franchises, the DOTr-LTFRB is also currently in the process of identifying and studying new and developmental routes all over the country.

As of 17 September 2018, 49 out of 59 batches have finished the two-part course in drafting the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP). The route plan is tasked to the Local Government Units (LGUs) who are in a better position to identify local public transport service requirements. Capacity Building is expected to conclude on 05 October 2018. 

“From the start, we have been campaigning for better public transport and accessibility options for the public. We have been engaging our LGUs to help us move things forward. They know the needs of their constituents better because they are on the ground, and with this, we hope that all routes nationwide will be properly served,” said DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Mark Richmund De Leon.

Since its launch last year, the PUVMP has opened 15 operational routes for modern jeepneys in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region VI and Region VIII. 

Four Habits That Can Make A Successful Gambler

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Every gambler who has visited a casino like Novibet can relate with the fact that there must be ups and downs at any point in time. However, there are some habits which when adopted can maximize a player's returns.

These habits or methods have been implemented by the most successful gamblers in recent times, and here are some of them.

1. The art of self-control

Gambling comes with a significant amount of fun for players. Therefore, it's a no-brainer that anything that produces such fun also comes with a compulsion that influences those who are attracted to it. You can easily get carried away.

That's where developing self-control is important as it ultimately helps significantly in the long run. A good gambler must be able to keep a level head regardless of the various enticements. It ensures that you derive fun but also don't throw caution to the wind.

Regardless of how long you've been in the game, always monitor your bankroll. You must be able to decide how much you're willing to spend before going in.

2. Adopt a positive outlook

It's no more news that gamblers treat their adventures in a casino in a similar way to going out to see a movie or witness a concert. Therefore, it is only natural that no one would force themselves to sit through or stand through an unappealing movie or concert.

The same ideology should be applied to gambling. Once you discover that you're getting pissed or frustrated over the outcome of the game you're playing in a casino, the wisest thing to do is to take a step back and take a break.

3. Make clear goals

You must identify the target you want to achieve in the process of gambling. Everyone is looking forward to hitting a jackpot, but a wise gambler must not be deluded and be realistic in his targets.

What is your target for your bankroll? Before you answer, remember that the higher the goal in this context, the more difficult it will be to reach it.

Identifying your goals is one of the habits that will make you a highly effective gambler but you must stand by the choice you make and stick to it like a ritual when it starts bringing benefits.

4. Embrace patience

You must learn to bide your time and avoid chasing losses. The habit of chasing losses never ends well and this is one habit a gambler who aims to be successful must avoid.

You must understand that you don't wield any supernatural powers to make you determine when the games you play will start paying out. You must put a halt to your playing if you discover that your entire planned budget has been lost in the process.

It is advisable to consider how you place bets and adopt a more conservative approach in the future.  If you decide to keep on playing even after your playing budget has been exhausted you'll end up losing significantly more than you envisaged.

Universal Records' New Breed of Artists to Perform at Ayala Mallls

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Universal Records, the Philippines' leading independent record label is proud to present its New Breed of artists in "THE NEW VIBE: LIVE," at Ayala Malls.

The New Breed is composed of young, fast-rising, and talented artists that bring about a new generation of Original Pilipino Music. Each artist has their own take and genre of OPM, already having made several achievements individually and as a collective. In total, the New Breed has 100 Million cumulative streams on Spotify, with many of these artists being featured as the cover of New Music Friday Philippines, being added to various Spotify-curated playlists, and charting in multiple countries all over the world.

The New Breed line-up for the Ayala Malls shows include millennial heartthrob Donny Pangilinan and his sister Hannah, singer/songwriter/producer Fern., ambient pop singer TALA, Spotify Sensation Kyle Juliano, pop-rock artist Mark Oblea, indie pop singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas, acoustic darling Angelina Cruz, and YouTube personality Janina Vela. Also joining them in the shows is Claudia Barretto. 

THE NEW VIBE: LIVE is happening on September 21 (Friday) 6pm at Ayala Malls Vertis North, September 22 (Saturday) 6pm at Ayala Malls Feliz, and September 30 (Sunday) 6pm at Ayala Malls The District, Imus.

Two Bidders Arrested Over Falsified Documents During Airport Project Bidding

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Two bidders for the M’Lang Airport Development Project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) were arrested for falsifying public documents.

During the Opening of Bids for the airport project in Cotabato yesterday afternoon, representatives of Granby Trading and Construction and Kwan Sing Construction were asked to submit a list of equipment that their companies will pledge as part of the contract. 

However, upon careful evaluation, the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the DOTr Bids and Awards Committee found that the two companies submitted similar LTO documents. 

The Certificates of Registration for the vehicles showed different company details, but some reflected same registration dates and chassis numbers.

It was also found that both companies authorized the same person, Alexander Ullani, to drop the bidding documents and represent the companies, hinting at a possible conspiracy. 

Meanwhile, Raymundo Vargas, Sr., who claimed that he was representing Granby Trading and Construction on behalf of a colleague, was not allowed to represent the company due to lack of authorization. He was allowed to stay as witness to the proceeding. 

Ullani and Vargas denied that they knew each other. However, a TWG member who could understand Ilocano overheard the two speaking in the vernacular and that their conversation hinted that they did.

When both bids were opened, the TWG noted that the bidding documents had the same format and showed several similar details. 

“What these people did was an insult to the institution. Our government does not deserve to be treated this way. Ang lalakas ng loob na lokohin ang gobyerno, pero sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi uubra ‘yan sa amin. Gusto namin ipakita na mabilis tayong umaksyon at mag-desisyon pagdating sa mga ganyang bagay,” said Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Vice Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Giovanni Lopez.

The DOTr-BAC called the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) police to the DOTr Central Office in Clark to handle the situation. Ullani and Vargas were then turned over to the Mabalacat Police were they were charged with falsification of public documents and are currently detained. Inquest proceedings are scheduled for tomorrow.

“Let this be a warning to individuals and companies who think they can fool the government and then get away with it. Ibahin niyo po kami. Kung akala nila makakalusot, nagkakamali sila,” added Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Chairman of the DOTr-BAC Mark Steven Pastor.

The Opening of Bids was livestreamed via the DOTr Facebook Page. 

Livestreaming of all bidding processes was ordered by Secretary Arthur Tugade last year to promote transparency in government. He also required bidders to file their bids and other correspondences via e-mail to foster a fast, free, convenient and secure bidding procedure.

Here is the link to the livestreaming of bids yesterday. You may check starting 2:00:00 to see how the Bids and Awards Committee found the discrepancies: 

https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/videos/2090226104574229/

Energy Forum Highlights Mini-Grids

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Department of Energy Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi during the opening of the Philippines Mini-grid Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum. The three-day event was launched Wednesday, 19 September, at the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila.

In his speech, Cusi encouraged forum participants to focus on innovative electrification solutions not only to help expand electricity services but also ensure the most reliable and cost-effective technologies and services to the unserved and underserved areas as the country scales up the utilization of clean energy.

The forum aims to identify opportunities for investments in rural electrification through mini-grids and renewable energy, share knowledge of innovative technical solutions and link key players in the Philippine energy sector with international mini-grid experts and potential financiers.

The event was organized by the Department of Energy and Alliance for Rural Electrification with the support of the European Union through its Access to Sustainable Energy Programme.

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Food Security Forum 2018

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Be part of the first ever Climate-Smart Agriculture Forum in the Philippines!

“UPLB Climate-smart Agriculture in Food Security Forum 2018”  is a joint-project of Upsilon Sigma Phi, UPLB Grange Association and UP Guild of United Minds - UP Praefects which aims to introduce the concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture in different agri-stakeholders in the country.

This is a one-day national conference with the theme “Recognizing the Role of the Integration of Agricultural Development and Climate Responsiveness in Food Security” to be held on October 22, 2018 from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm at D.L. Umali Auditorium and a simultaneous exhibit from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Baker Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

It aims to strengthen the national leadership and coherence of agriculture and environment by integrating the link between climate change and agricultural modernization, and to serve as an avenue for a productive discussion between different sectors concerning food security in the Philippines.


Most relevant people in the country were invited to talk about this pressing issue. This forum aim to widen the knowledge of the agricultural sectors from the government, academe, research institutions, NGOs, private industries, and leaders of farmer and fishermen organization, regarding social issues, specifically on alleviating poverty and mitigating climate change. 

This forum is co-presented by Coalition for Agricultural Modernization of the Philippines (CAMP), UPLB Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (CTTE), Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development (DOST - PCAARRD), School of Environment Science and Management (SESAM), and Project Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI).

Don’t forget to register at http://bit.ly/CSAForum2018.

For more inquiries and details about this event, send an email to csaforum.uplb@gmail.com, and visit the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/csaforum2018.

FEU Short Film Competes in Austria

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A short film about a fat girl, who is afraid to show up in her class reunion after being bullied by her former classmates due to her physical appearance, will compete in the annual International Youth Media Festival YOUKI in Wels, Austria from November 20 to 24.

Fat You, written and directed by Far Eastern University (FEU) senior Communication student and FEU Film Society treasurer Ronnel "Thirdy" Rivera III, is among the short films officially selected from about 500 entries to "Austria's biggest up-and-coming media festival with an international focus."

The film, which bagged first prize in the 19-21 age group category of the Manila Student Film Festival, stars Marry Grace Yagi, Lexcel Quina, Robby Delgado, Ron Christian Alos of FEU Theater Guild and FEU courtside reporter Sydney Allison Crespo, among others.

Rivera shot the film with the help of director of photography/editor Pj Muñoz, production manager Jamilla Chua, production designer Winter Delos Reyes, assistant director Diana Manguiat, associate producer Neo Torres and location manager Roselene Ariola.

YOUKI, which "offers an important platform for showcasing young Austrian and international filmmakers," was first held in 1999 as part of the KINOVA film festival. Previously called Young KINOVA, it screens outstanding films from directors aged 10 to 26.

A panel of judges awards prizes in three different age categories (10–14/15–20/21–26). The winners for the three groups will get cash prizes of 700, 1,100 and 1,500 euros, respectively.

In addition, the jury will also select the winner of an "Innovative Film Award," which focuses more on theme, content and current media developments rather than cinematic perfection, to receive 800 euros in cash.

Househusband Docu Vies for La Union Filmfest Prize

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A documentary from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will compete in the open category of the Pagwanawanan Festival short film competition on October 5 to 7 at PUÓN/Alfredo F. Tadiar Library along Ortega Highway in San Fernando City, La Union.

Househusband, directed by James Fuentes Garcia and Eluigi "Luigi" Macalintal, follows the life of Oliver Siao, a 49-year-old father who breaks the norms and gender stereotypes "by choosing not to become the breadwinner of his family and letting his wife work abroad." Their film previously won Best Documentary at Sinepiyu XI, an annual intercollegiate film competition organized by the Far Eastern University Film Society and the FEU President's Committee on Culture.

"I wasn’t expecting that it would be accepted in film festivals. First was in SinePiyu XI, and now in Pagwanawanan," Garcia shared. He and Macalintal are set to graduate from the Digital Filmmaking Program of the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts on October 6.

Househusband will contend against John Joseph Buenaventura's Alt, Kyle Jumayne Francisco's Whereabouts, Maria Isabel Jose's Pantun, Khurshid Kalabud, Jr.'s Mountain to Cry For, John Marco Pitlo's Sad Boys Club and Arjanmar Rebeta's Manoy Taghoy.

Meanwhile, "due to the many good film submissions that the festival received this year," the organizers have decided to add a student category. The selected films are Halal (Cebu)by Dahren Tagtag, Layag (Pangasinan) by Romsky Chelle Dela Cruz, Maling Akala by Elvin Jay Macanlalay and Arvileen Yongzon, Marangle (Pampanga) by Angeline Tabilog and Si Kokak at Ako (La Union) by Winstone Arradaza, Vince Basa and Ralph Santos. They will be shown on September 21 at the same venue. Awards night will be on September 22.

Pagwanawanan is organized by the La Union Conventions and Visitors Bureau and United Artists of La Union, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, La Union Soul, Local Government of San Juan, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Provincial Government of La Union and San Juan Film Camp.

Elements to Home Coziness

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            A home is a place to relax yourself and dump away all your negativity behind, with all the frigid hassle on weekdays, weekends are the best time to be spent indoors. Hence, coziness in your Bandar Sri Damansara newly bought home is the key for escaping from your tense week.

Lighting

            You may have the impression of coziness like sitting near a fireplace with your favourite person, warm socks on your feet and drinking cocoa with s’mores; however a fireplace is not applicable in tropical countries such as Malaysia. However, you may achieve this coziness using lighting in your home. Bright, white lights may boost your productivity in workplace but in home it might stress you out. 

Yellow and dim lights can boost the coziness and make you space warmer. You may also swap alternatives to candles or table lamps for a comforting feel. If you are worried with flames in the house, you may use a battery-operating candle to prevent any fire breakouts. Additionally, you may make use of string lights in your home too. For a starry look in your bedroom, lightweight LED string lights behind your translucent drapes may enhance your sleeping quality. 

You also may use string lights under your cabinet to prevent any accidents while navigating in the dark. String lights also come in handy when you need to accent the spotlight of your hanging décor in your home. If you would like a fancy table lamp, you may put some string lights in a jar or an old lantern to create an artsy lamp.

Greenish and scent

            A slight green is always good for a cozy home as they bring liveliness and freshness to your space. Greenery in your home may bring positivity to you such as walking down in a pine forest. You may include plants into your home décor by placing them on your floating shelves with your books or accessories to create a fresh and comforting look after a long reading. 

You may include some plants in your bathroom too by mounting them into your stones or wood accent bathroom walls. Ferns are a suitable choice in a bathroom. In the kitchen, you may place some little cactus, spice or tomato plants on the rack underneath your kitchen window. This may come in handy when you need a little spice leaves in your cooking. 

Flowers in your living space also a good aromatherapy option if you are not into scented candles and need a natural scent. You may have some flowers which give a strong yet comforting smells such as lavender and lemongrass in your living room to keep it fresh from time to time. Colourful flowers such as daisies and tulips also may add a little colour to your living space.

Music

            What feels better than soft jazz or soul music in a cosy living room at night with your beloved ones? Music in the air always accent the coziness in a space. With a good stereo system and soft music, you may relax your tired soul after a long day at work. Soft jazz or instrumental music are always the best choice to accent the atmosphere in the room. 

Bear in mind that the music shouldn’t be too loud to disrupt conversation in the room while you mingle with your guests or family members, also do not be afraid o explore more musical genre to create different atmosphere.

Textiles choice

            Most of us enjoy a soft yet warm blanket in a comfy bed that enhance our sleeping quality. You may have decorative pillows on your sofa too add some colours and comfort to your dull living room, also creating the impression of coziness using warm plaid made of natural wool. 

If you would not like cold feet on your floor, you may have a choice of your own rug on the floor to change the feeling of your space. A fluffy rug which favoured by people who likes a joy of fluffiness; natural fibre rugs can bring a little more classy to your space. You may also add crochet or knitted rugs on your coffee table to create the warm atmosphere in your living room. 

For curtains and drapes, there are variations of fabrics choices to achieve your desired looks in you rooms. Translucent fabrics may create a soft light into the room daytime without sunlight shines too much into your room making you stress; UV or sunlight cancelling drapes for those who like a dark room to sleep in during the weekends or holidays, and lastly some colourful drapes bring liveliness to the room.

Sign Up Now for ‘Adventure Time Run’ Happening on September 23

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Enjoy a fun-filled ‘Adventure Time Run’ this weekend, as ColorManila brings you the CN ‘Adventure Time Run’, which will be held on September 23, 2018, at McKinley West Event Grounds, in Taguig City.  

ColorManila VP Justine Cordero says, “We would like to invite all the Adventure Time fans out there to experience and enjoy Cartoon Network’s ‘Adventure Time Run’, set to take place this Sunday, September 23, 2018.  There’s still time to register, and enjoy a fun-filled weekend with your family and friends.”

There are 3 race kits which you can choose from, the Deluxe Kit, which is prized at P950, which comes with the event shirt, race bib, sunglasses, finisher’s medal, and a color packet.

The Rockstar Kit, on the other hand, priced at P1,500, comes with the event shirt, race bib, sunglasses, finisher’s medal, color packet, drawstring bag, and a P250 CM Lifestyle merchandise GC. 

While the VIP Kit, which costs P1,850, includes the event shirt, race bib, sunglasses, finisher’s medal, color packet, drawstring bag, finisher’s pillow, a P250 CM Lifestyle merchandise GC, and a VIP Access Pass.

Runners can choose from three (3) race distances - 3K, 5K and 10K.  Hurry up CN Adventure Time fans, register now at www.colormanila.com.

AXN Welcomes Judges David Foster, Anggun and Jay Park to a New Season of Asia’s Got Talent

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Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia announced today that celebrity judges David Foster, Anggun and Jay Park will return to the judges’ table for a sizzling third season of the record-breaking Asia’s Got Talent on its flagship channel, AXN. The dynamic trio have arrived in Singapore to start filming the series’ first five episodes.

“David, Anggun and Jay are a fantastic team and we’re delighted to welcome them back for season 3. Each judge brings a very different vibe to the show as they draw on their respective talents and vast industry experience to critique the acts,” said Virginia Lim, SVP and General Manager, SPT Networks, Asia. “The new season will be our most surprising yet, with a bigger variety of acts and incredible stories of dreams and determination.”

The Asia’s Got Talent casting team concluded its pan-regional open audition tour in July and has shortlisted over 150 colorful acts from 17 countries in Asia. The three judges will take the hot seats to help discover Asia’s next superstar.

Commenting on his return, David Foster, the 16-time Grammy award-winning producer said, “Asia remains my favorite part of the world for discovering new talent. The cultural diversity is truly breathtaking and I love seeing such a rich tapestry of acts making the stage their own. Asia’s Got Talent season three is going to be awesome. Every act knows what Anggun, Jay and I expect to see so I know the level of talent will be sky high this season.”

International recording star and World Music Award winner, Anggun, added, “As an Indonesia-born performer, I know what it takes to pursue a career in the performing arts. It’s an unwavering belief in your ability to succeed and a drive that gets you up every day to take the next step towards your dream. During the auditions, my heart is on stage with every single act, and I can’t wait to be inspired yet again by season three’s new generation of budding stars.”

Jay Park, the award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and entrepreneur said, “I was so inspired and had so much fun last year that I wanted to come back and do it again alongside the great David Foster and lovely Anggun.”




Billed as the biggest talent competition in the world, Asia’s Got Talent features a variety of acts of any age and with any dream competing for the winning crown and a grand prize of USD100,000. Over 15 countries were represented in season two and were beamed into 46 million AXN households in 19 countries across the region. On social, Asia’s Got Talent content garnered over 310 million collective video views on Facebook and YouTube, making the show the region’s hottest entertainment series of the year.




Asia’s Got Talent is supported by regional sponsors Princess Cruises, the official cruise line of Asia’s Got Talent and Great Eastern, the market leader and a well-established trusted brand in Malaysia and Singapore.

The Got Talent franchise was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced and owned by Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia. It is entered in the Guinness World Records as the Most Successful Reality Television Format in history with 70 local versions produced across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle-East, Africa and the Americas. Around the world, the Got Talent format airs in a total of 186 countries.

AXN is a leader of regionally produced original content in Asia, with notable ratings successes including two record-breaking seasons of Asia’s Got Talent, five seasons of the award-winning The Amazing Race Asia; The Elements: Cosentino; Adventure Your Way; Cash Cab Asia and Cash Cab Philippines; The Apprentice Asia; Cyril: Rio Magic; Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition; and Cyril: Simply Magic.

Launched first in Asia in 1997, AXN is a global channel brand with a presence in Latin America, Africa and Europe. In Asia, the channel is enjoyed in 126 million households across 20 territories and is available in both SD and HD.

AXN Asia is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, which also operates leading channels including Animax, Sony Channel, ONE and GEM.

@AsiasGotTalent / #AXNAsia / #AsiasGotTalent / #AsiasGotTalentAudition

www.AXN-Asia.com/AsiasGotTalent

Functional Living and Grand Amenity Spaces Merge in DMCI Homes’ Satori Residences

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Derived from the Japanese word meaning “to awaken,” ‘Satori’ is a feeling of sudden intuitive enlightenment in Zen Buddhism.

Inspired by this concept of finding one’s inner peace amid the chaos of everyday living, DMCI Homes has launched Satori Residences, a five-building development primed to be a place of harmony and balance along the bustling Santolan, Pasig district in Eastern Metro.

The resort-inspired development along F. Pasco Avenue is ideal for people who want to be conveniently connected to everything that matters but sheltered from the pressures of hectic city life.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Santolan station of the LRT Recto Avenue-Masinag, Antipolo line, a holistic lifestyle awaits homeowners with multiple access going in and out of Eastwood and Ortigas business centers, top universities like UP and Ateneo, and other places of interest in the city.

Additionally, the property’s excellent proximity to shopping malls as well as lifestyle venues, department stores and restaurants, ensures loads of recreational activities for the whole family.

At Satori Residences, one can find quiet contentment while having a leisurely stroll around an expansive open space which constitutes 70 percent of the 2.9-hectare development.

Residents can just enjoy being in the moment in the lounge area, pool complex, landscaped atriums, tree court and jogging path or spend quality time with family and friends at the gazebo, children’s playground, game room, basketball court, audio-visual room, fitness gym, function hall, and picnic grove.

Portraying a harmonious blend with the tranquil gardens and lush green spaces are the five neo-Asian minimalist architecture themed-buildings - Amani, Hacana, Lana, Rahu and Yasu - which all feature DMCI Homes’ Lumiventt® Design Technology.

The design innovation uses three-storey high Sky Patios, garden atriums and single-loaded hallways to let natural light penetrate the building’s common areas and allow fresh air to circulate within the condo’s residential floors—saving    energy expenses and making vertical living not confining.

An additional source of delight is the breathtaking view of the mountains of Antipolo which is best observed from the roof-decks of Hacana and Rahu buildings.

Reasonably priced at P3.5 million onwards, Satori Residences’ offers a mix of finely-crafted 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom unit with gross floor area ranging from 27.50 to 82 square meters (sq.m.).

All residential units, made out of the quality workmanship of the country’s first Quadruple A developer, are equipped with fire alarm and sprinkler system as well as provisions for CATV, metered utility, and telephone line.

For added comfort and convenience, a team of property management professionals will oversee the day-to-day needs of residents including the upkeep and 24/7 security of the exclusive community.

On the other hand, all residential buildings will have passenger elevators, mailbox area, garbage room, deck utility, provision for CCTV cameras, and standby electric generator.

The development will also have a laundry station, convenience store, and water refilling station, letting residents enjoy the benefits of modern living.

Two of the residential buildings, namely Hacana and Lana, are targeted for turnover to unit owners in February 2023 and August 2023 respectively.

Satori Residences is one of the developments of DMCI Homes, the country’s first Quadruple A developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. Each of its properties is built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from D.M. Consunji Inc.'s over 60 years of expertise in the construction and development industry.

To learn more about Satori Residences and other DMCI Homes projects, call (632) 324-8888 or log on to www.dmcihomes.com.  News and other updates are also posted on the company's official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

Digital Enterprise Enabler ePLDT Cited as Dell EMC Partner of the Year

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(center) ePLDT representatives Roby Villanueva, ePLDT Partner Management Officer, and Lalaine De Persia, ePLDT Head of Strategic Partnership, receive the Dell EMC FY18 Tier 2 Partner of the Year and FY18 Top Tier 2 Enterprise Storage Partner Awards during the recent Dell EMC Partner Appreciation Night event held in Makati City. Dell EMC Country General Manager Ronnie Latinazo (left) and Dell EMC Senior Director & General Manager for South Asia Channels Tiang-Hin Ang (right) hand over the awards. 

ePLDT, the industry-leading enabler of digital enterprise solutions in the Philippines, was recently recognized as FY18 Tier 2 Partner of the Year and FY18 Top Tier 2 Enterprise Storage Partner Award from Dell EMC. These milestones underscored the company’s strong partnership with Dell EMC in helping Philippine customers’ IT transformation journey throughout fiscal year 2018. Both awards were given at the recent Dell EMC Partners Appreciation Night, an annual event that gives recognition to Dell EMC’s channel partners across the country.

“We thank our business partner, Dell EMC, for these very prestigious awards. These accolades only prove that we are on the right track in fulfilling our customers’ business needs by providing the tools and technologies required for their digital transformation journey,” said Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “As more businesses recognize the importance of digital technology for growth and development, the demand will certainly accelerate within the short-term horizon.”

Jovy Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT and SMART Enterprise Groups, adds that the two awards are a testament to ePLDT and PLDT Enterprise’s unwavering commitments to helping customers achieve their business objectives.

He shared, “Dell is one of the global leaders in developing state-of-the-art ICT technologies, and we partnered with them in order to make their products more accessible to organizations here in the Philippines. These awards reflect how our team strives to provide only the best level of service and experience to our clients. We will continue our mission of enabling businesses with the latest in technologies, supported by our global-class expertise and practices.”

ePLDT provides ICT and data infrastructure services. Early last year, ePLDT and Dell EMC inked a strategic partnership to align their strengths and technical expertise in offering transformational business value to clients in the country.

ePLDT enables its customers by supporting day-to-day business operations through its cloud, cybersecurity and Managed IT solutions. Furthermore, ePLDT manages the largest data center network in the Philippines with 10 facilities that are strategically spread across the country.

For more information about the services of ePLDT, visit https://www.epldt.com/.

Full Force Power Restoration Re-energizes 54% of Affected Households –Cusi

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The Department of Energy (DOE) led Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) reported that 54% of the affected households in Typhoon Ompong hit areas already have electricity.

Of the 2,253,230 affected households, a total of 1,216,727 have been energized, while 1,036,502 are still undergoing power restoration, according to the latest data from the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

“We are now at 54% and continuously mobilizing our people to areas of concern for the speedy restoration of power, among other forms of assistance from the energy family,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

On generation, the National Power Corporation-Smalll Power Utilities Group (SPUG) reported normal operations of its diesel power plants (DPP) in the areas of Batanes (Itbayat and Sabtang); Isabela and Aurora areas (Maconacon and Casuguran). On the other hand, the NPC-SPUG DPPs in Calayan, Minabel Balatubat, Kabugao, and Palanan are either under assessment or impassable due to the occurrence of landslides, while the one DPP in Basco is undergoing distribution side line maintenance with feeder 1 restored by 11:37 am today.

NPC’s dam status report indicates that water-spilling operations generally decreased, but were still on-going at the Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque dams. Spilling operations at the San Roque dam are forecasted to end by Friday (21 September).

On transmission, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines deployed 22 line crews totaling 176 field personnel and augmentation teams to expedite the restoration of the remaining transmission facilities still offline.

NGCP recently energized the transmission systems of Ifugao, Mt. Province and Benguet, while transmission services in Cagayan, and Apayao are still under rehabilitation.

On distribution, target timelines for power restoration per area of concern are as follows:

Region I (5 ECs): Ilocos Norte (INEC with 52.42% restored, full restoration  is targeted on 16 October), Ilocos Sur (ISECO 0%, 6 October), La Union (LUELCO with 77.43%, 23 September), and Pangasinan (PANELCO I & III, 100% restored)

Region II (7 ECs): Cagayan (CAGELCO I with 6.74%, 30 November and CAGELCO II with 0%, 16 October), Isabela (ISELCO I with 86.36%, 22 September and ISELCO II with 39.45%, 15 October), Nueva Vizcaya (NUVELCO with 0%), Quirino (Quirelco with 77.33%), and Batanes (BATANELCO, 100% restored)

CAR (5 ECs): Kalinga-Apayao (KAELCO with 0%, 15 October), Mountain Province (MOPRECO with 0%, 30 September), Abra (ABRECO with 0%, no timeline yet), Benguet (BENECO with 50.37%, 6 October), and Ifugao (IFELCO with 0%, no timeline yet)

Region III (3 ECs): Aurora (AURELCO with 92.99%, 18 Sept.), Nueva Ecija (NEECO II-Area 2, 100% restored) and Zambales (ZAMECO with 96.61%, timeline for confirmation)

Region IV-A (2 ECs): Laguna (FLECO, 100% restored) and Batangas (BATELEC II, 100% restored)

NCR: Meralco expects to restore today (17 Sept.) the coastal areas of Paombong and Hagonoy, Bulacan.

For the oil industry, the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau reported that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products, with stocks ranging from 2 to 15 days, depending on the area.

The DOE reminds the oil companies that a price freeze for household LPG (11 kg) and kerosene products is now being implemented in Cagayan, Abra, Benguet, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga and Mayoyao, Ifugao following the declaration of a State of Calamity in the areas. The price freeze will be enforced for 15 days upon said announcement.

 The DOE assures that public that the energy family is working non-stop until the energy services affected by Typhoon Ompong are brought back to normal conditions.

4 Major Guidelines You Should Consider When Buying Your Own Home Gym Equipment

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A healthy lifestyle is something on nearly everyone’s priority list, according to reverehealth.com. A healthy lifestyle is as a result of choices like the type of food you eat. Your body is what you make it. Be wise and feed on foods that will have a positive impact on your body. This will reduce the chances of you ever going to the hospital because of health issues related to your weight. The gym is liked by many because of different reasons. Losing weight and gaining muscles are the common reasons why many attend gym sessions. Those who are a bit well-off tend to have a gym installed in their homes. The gym requires various equipment. These are the top tips you should consider when buying equipment for your private home gym;

Agenda

In life, you must always have an agenda. The best way to achieve an agenda is by setting measurable and achievable goals. When you are scouting for gym equipment, you need to identify what type of exercise program will benefit you. If you want a leaner body with muscles, you can invest in buying a treadmill. A treadmill will be very useful for high-intensity training since you can walk and run on it. You can visit a review website that lists just a few of the benefits of owning a treadmill in your home to help you understand more. Running is an exercise that can help you burn body fat. If you are into weight lifting, then you can buy adjustable dumbbells that will help you shape your body muscles. All these are possible end results you can achieve when using gym equipment. All you need to do is ensure that you know what you want before you buy something that will not be of help.

Space

Gym equipment varies in shape, size and weight. Before you can purchase any equipment for your home gym, you should always consider the space available in your house. While you assess the pros of the equipment, you also need to consider the vertical height and surface area of the space you intend to put your gym equipment in your home. You should take proper measurements to ensure you don't bring home an equipment that will not fit in the space allocated.

Cost and installation

Gym equipment is usually very costly. You therefore need to have a budget in place that will help you refrain from buying unnecessary equipment. Your home gym should have equipment tailored for you. When considering the price of the equipment, always consider the installation fee as well. Some equipment have a complicated installation process. As such, you will require professionals to do the installation for you. This might attract more charges which might be beyond your budget.

Research and reviews

If you are planning to buy gym equipment for the first time, always ensure that you do your homework right. Gather enough information about the company and its reputation. Reputation can be gathered from reviews by previous clients. Reviews will always give the pros and cons of any product. From this, you will be able to know whether to buy the gym equipment or not.

Email Marketing for Small Business Owners: Why Aren't You Doing It Yet?

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There’s an immense amount of data that supports how helpful email marketing is, particularly for small business owners. Marketing expenses are no joke, and it’s important to carefully determine where to spend your dollars.

Email marketing is one of the most cost-friendly tactics that establish your presence and help you reach customers where they go every single day: their inbox.

Most companies might tell you that the best way to promote your business is through social media, where everyone is constantly consuming content. The difference here is that when people check their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram feeds, they do so out of habit, almost a reflex that happens when they look at their phones in the morning.

On the other hand, we all make a conscious decision to check our emails for important updates. This is what makes email marketing more personal, and therefore more effective, in helping your business acquire new customers.

Yahoo! Messenger may be obsolete now, and even some social media platforms have disappeared or lost its appeal through the years (does anyone remember Multiply? Plurk? Friendster? MySpace?) but email is here to stay.

If you are a small business owner, then chances are you have a limited budget to spend for marketing, and you know you have no leisure to spend this budget on tactics that do not appeal to your target market, or on advertising platforms that have become too saturated, like social media.

WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN EMAIL MARKETING?

Email not only provides a more direct channel through which small business owners can connect with their customers, but it is also more efficient and simpler in format, which can turn leads into customers, and eventually, into organic promoters of your brand or business.

Put yourself into a consumer’s shoes. Do you not engage with brands that you trust? More than looking at brands that look “cool,” or brands that have gone viral, smart consumers will look at your reviews, and sniff around your content to see if you are genuinely offering something valuable.

Email marketing is personal, and signing up for a newsletter is a conscious decision that people make because they think your content is informative and your authority is something they can trust.

People can read your email newsletter and can tell right away if your business is the right fit for their needs.

It has also become so accessible, much like social media! You can open your email right on your phone, or your tablet, which is something many people find incredibly convenient. They can scroll back to a previous email you sent about discount or coupon codes, pull it up on their screen, and redeem your special offers in a click.

Through email segmentation, you can also forge closer bonds with your consumers. Every single day, we are all flooded with information, most of which we don’t need or care for. Email marketing and email segmentation allows you to personalize your message and send specific content for a specific set of consumers on your list.

Email marketing also allows your business to offer last-minute deals, and instantly get the word out about these offers without spending hours creating promotional videos or posters like you would have to do on social media. It saves you time, resources, and has a great return on investment.

WHAT DO I PUT ON MY EMAIL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS? 

Unlike social media advertising, email marketing does not overwhelm its subscribers. Ideally, people prefer to receive emails from a brand once a week, and they generally sign up for emails or newsletters that tell them about:

• Reward programs
• Contests
• Sales and discount promotions
• Free content like e-books or guides
• Information about a new service or product
• Exclusive access to a premium service before anyone else has tried it
• News and updates about the company/ brand

When done at the right time and with the right offer, email marketing can generate leads. A

well-timed campaign is essential to its success.

HOW DO I KNOW A CAMPAIGN IS SUCCESSFUL?

For email marketing, key performance indicators (KPIs) should track the following metrics:

• Open rate
• Click-through rate
• Conversion
• Bounce rate
• Spam complaints
• Unsubscribe rate
• Time spent on site
• Time spent before making a purchase
• Cost per lead (pay per click)
• Brand growth and awareness

It’s important to look at what content you published before your readers decided to unsubscribe to your newsletter. It tells you what kind of content does not work. On the other hand, open and click-through rates are metrics that tell you when your email’s subject line is eye catching and sparked the reader’s interest.

HOW DO I GET STARTED? 

You’re probably wondering how to roll out your first email marketing campaign. First and foremost, it’s important to start with an eye-catching design!

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a master at Photoshop in order to do this. In fact, you can have all your email marketing needs addressed through just one platform. Start with Email Designer, a drag and drop feature that allows you to customize an email template and fill it with personal images and text that you need for your campaign.

As you toggle around with the email designer, you can actually enjoy the live editing feature, and see all your changes reflect on your screen right as you make them. The email designer also saves you the time from worrying about responsiveness - whether you view it on mobile, tablet, or on a smartphone, your emails will always look their best.

If you want to include images on your email design, there’s also a built-in Photo Editing feature, so you don’t have to download Photoshop to tweak a photo. You can customize your email design by color, and if you have a knack for HTML, have fun experimenting with our Code Editor.

After you’re done designing your email newsletter, you’re ready to distribute it to your audience! Try out the Marketing Automation feature, wherein you can set triggers, like when someone clicks on subscribe, or add to cart, or checkout, and an automated welcome message will be sent to your consumer’s inbox. If they didn’t respond, you don’t have to worry, because all you have to do is set a schedule for when a follow-up email should be sent.

The simple steps of our marketing automation will welcome your new subscribers, convert your leads into customers, and help you confirm purchases, and you don’t have to do a thing. Just let us do it for you, so you can focus on other important aspects of your business!

If you’re ready to get started, check out here!

Written By: Joy Aspacio