PHILBEX Cebu 2018 Opened its Doors to a Sustainable Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now on its 16th year, PHILBEX Cebu affirms its commitment to the lead the region’s construction and design industry into a future of sustainability and progressive innovation with another ground breaking instalment. Officially opening its doors last September 13 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall, the grand launch for the highly-anticipated trade event was well-attended by select VIP personalities from the government as well as representatives from the construction and design trade.

Among those who graced the momentous occasion and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were, Mr. Mario Montejo, Mr. Miguel Antonio Magpale, Idr. Ryan James Mantuhac, Dr. Herbert Buot and Ms. Herley Ann Herrera with Worldbex Services International’s Joseph L. Ang, Levi Ang, Archt. Francisco Flameño, Jr.,Rene Ramos and Jill Aithnie Ang.

Towards a self-sustaining future

Led by theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability”, this year’s PHILBEX Cebu aims to unite architects, engineers, interior designers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts in its endeavor to promote the value of ingenuity and innovation in shaping the industry into one that is self-sustaining and adaptive to the ever-evolving demands of the times. Furthermore, as PHILBEX Cebu moves closer to its Silver Anniversary, this year’s theme also aligns itself with the organization’s core thrust of leading the region’s construction and design trade at the forefront of global ascendance.

Unsurprisingly, the industry has eagerly expressed its trust and full support for the goals and aspirations of PHILBEX Cebu 2018 as evidenced by the impressive number of participants taking part in the four-day trade event. From last year’s 105 booths, PHILBEX Cebu 2018 houses over 120 booths and over 78 exhibitors across its 1,158sqm-wide exhibition space.

Apart from various local exhibitors, something new to watch out for at this year’s PHILBEX Cebu are the roster of international exhibitors from countries such as China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. No doubt a testament to the growing global reach and influence of PHILBEX Cebu, industry professionals and investors are expected to benefit from this year’s show as it offers everyone a unique opportunity to tap into a foreign network. It would come as no surprise if PHILBEX Cebu 2018 easily outnumbers its previous visitor count of 28,000 show attendees.


Upholding value-laden strategies

PHILBEX Cebu may be highly-regarded for showcasing the most extensive display of the latest and most outstanding product and service innovation from the market but its compelling line-up of signature events is what truly sets the show apart from its contemporaries. And this year is no different as it returns to deliver another insightful range of event highlights.

Among these include the Architect’s Gallery, a venue that showcases the unique design perspectives and insights into the latest trends by the region’s top architects and their respective firms. Participating at this year’s show are Abadia Architects and Designers, Archiglobal, Inc., Nueast, Arkitecture, Pont Architectural + Design Studio, the Philippine Institute of Architects Cebu Chapter, and the United Architects of the Philippines.

Another highly-anticipated PHILBEX Cebu event is the Projéto Cebu Furniture Design Competition. Now on its 3rd edition, Projéto engages participants with the challenge of creating a studio-type condominium unit that will address a student’s need for a relaxing and work-conducive haven. This year, the shortlisted participants are students from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University, the University of San Carlos-Safad, and the University of San Carlos-Talamban.

This year, PHILBEX Cebu is also thrilled to return with the PHILBEX MiniCons. Considered as a platform for the free-flowing exchange of information about innovative solutions that will address issues that concern the industry, the PHILBEX MiniCons is an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to expand their knowledge and get acquainted with likeminded individuals.

The PHILBEX MiniCons 2018 kicked off with the 3rd General Membership Meeting and Technical Seminar of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) last September 13 while another General Membership Meeting (GMM) for the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations Inc. (CREBA) will be held on September 14. Most notably, on September 15 to 16, the PHILBEX MiniCons in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) chapter will present the Business of Interior Design Conference.


Nurturing an empowered community

Over the years, PHILBEX Cebu, in partnership with Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) chapter, has championed the value of interior design in the construction of spaces through the longstanding Interior Designers Gallery. By hosting this year’s PIID – VisMin caravan, PHILBEX Cebu affirms its commitment to nurture Visayan interior design.

Viewed as direct actualizations of the various goals that PHILBEX Cebu have for each of its edition, these highlights serve to engage industry practitioners in relevant discussions and activities that will further the growth and development of the community. As stated by IDr. Joan S. Reyes, President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers – Panay Chapter, PHILBEX Cebu marks the “mutual effort to equip the professionals with learning tools in undertaking a higher set of responsibilities as our nation pursue the mandate to building infrastructures.”

Indeed, this year’s PHILBEX Cebu is shaping up to be the show’s biggest and most ambitious installment yet. As captured best by the remarks of IDr. Shiela Sandino-Gumba, President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Eastern Visayas Chapter, PHILBEX Cebu 2018 “presents a preview of the future for industry professionals in the field of construction and interior design.”

Organized by Worldbex Services International, the 16th PHILBEX will run until September 16, from 10am to 8pm, at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall. Admission is free. For more information, follow Worldbex Services International on Facebook and @worldbex on Instagram, call (02) 656-9239, or email info.worldbex@gmail.com.

Philippines is Country of Focus at Fukuoka Asian International Film Fest 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With a partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival joins and celebrates Philippine Cinema for its One Hundred Years by highlighting a Special Feature on Filipino Films for its 2018 edition. Considered as a Country of Focus celebration, the Agency will lead the delegation of Filipino filmmakers, artists, and academicians this September in Fukuoka, Japan. 

"The City of Fukuoka which organizes the Festival has given importance to Philippine Cinema since way back. Just a year after its inception in 1991, Lino Brocka's Insiang already found its way as the Philippines’ first official entry to the Festival. Since then, many other important Filipino films and filmmakers have been invited in Fukuoka to participate in discussion sessions as well as symposia which brought about a relationship of exchange with the audience of Fukuoka. This is why we are very proud that this year, we finally get to partner with them so we celebrate the centennial of Philippine Cinema together and looking forward to the future of our films," said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño. 

The Special Feature entitled “Drawn and Attracted to the Sacred Chaos" will feature the outstanding Filipino films directed by young filmmakers to represent the future of the country's cinema, including Nervous Translation directed by Shireen Seno, Bagahe by Zig Dulay, Smaller and Smaller Circles by Raya Martin, and Women of the Weeping River by Sheron Dayoc. The Festival will also feature on Omnibus of regional short films with Hilom by PR Patindol, Gikan sa Ngitngit Nga Kinaidlaman by Kiri Dalena, Babylon by Keith Deligero, Si Astri Maka si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez, and Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad. 

Fukuoka’s special program entitled Restoration Asia VI will feature another Filipino classic masterpiece from the 1970s, “Nunal Sa Tubig" ("Speck in the Water") directed by Ishmael Bernal will be screened in the Festival as a digital restoration of the 35mm film print archived under the collection of the Fukuoka City Public Library (Film Archive). The film will be screened with both Japanese and English subtitles.

This will be followed by a discussion on restoration which will be chaired by Hisashi Okajima, Director of Nationa Film Archive of Japan and will include Leo Katigbak, Head of Film Restoration and Archives of ABS-CBN, Adrian Wood, Founder & Coordinator, Restoration Asia, Fukuoka and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.

FDCP will also host the SPOTLIGHT: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks which the agency features in its participation to international markets and film festivals where Philippine Cinema has made a mark whether currently or in the past. For Fukuoka, the topic will focus on the PHILIPPINES’ ALTERNATIVE and ARCHIPELAGIC CINEMA on September 16, 2018, 4:00PM at United Cinemas Canal City 13. The speakers in the panel include Laila Ulao, Lead Actress of Women of the Weeping River, Director Zig Dulay of Bagahe (The Baggage), Director Shireen Seno and Producer John Torres of Nervous Translation and Teng Mangansakan, Festival Director of Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival to be introduced by FDCP Chairperson Diño.

A Philippine Night will also be held to introduce the Filipino delegation to Asian and international partners for exploration and discussion of collaboration and partnerships. 

Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival runs from September 14 to 23, 2018 in Fukuoka, Japan. 

6 Email Marketing Tips for HR Professionals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

These days, HR professionals don’t exclusively work for one company. In recent years, demand for HR consultants has grown steadily. This trend shows no signs of slowing in the near future.

That said, HR professionals who want to take advantage of this opportunity need to successfully  market their services. Email can be particularly useful, as it remains one of the most effective digital marketing channels.

If you’re designing your first email marketing campaign, it’s essential to pay attention to best practices like personalizing subject lines and using anemail address checker. Keep the following tips in mind to achieve the best possible results.

Optimize for Mobile

These days, more people check email on mobile devices than on computers. Thus, it’s important that your messages are easily scannable on mobile devices. Avoid large sections of text and use formatting options like headers to organize your content. Include images, graphics, or video to break up the text.

Be Casual

When sending emails, you obviously want to convey to potential clients that you are a professional. That doesn’t mean you need to rely solely on technical language. It’s important that people receiving your emails feel like you are a real person. Using a casual and friendly tone can help you make the right first impression.

Offer Value

People who sign up to receive your emails do so because they believe you can offer them valuable content. Deliver on this expectation by making sure you have something to say whenever you send a message.

Merely promoting your services isn’t enough. You need to provide content a recipient can use in a practical manner. This can be as simple as sending emails with tips for navigating common HR situations.

Include the Recipient’s Name

An email marketing campaign won’t yield a substantial return on investment if no one actually opens your emails. That’s why it’s important to leverage tactics that can boost your open rate. Simply including a recipient’s name in the email subject line is an easy and effective way to do so. Personalized subject lines have been shown to boost email open rates by as much as 50%.

Edit Carefully

This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Too many marketers are in a rush to send out emails the moment they finish drafting them. This can cause them to send messages that contain numerous errors. You won’t make a good impression on a potential client if you appear like you don’t pay attention to detail.

Take the time to edit your emails, and have others look them over as well. They may spot mistakes you otherwise would have missed.

Monitor Your Progress

This might be the most important tip you can remember as you plan an email marketing campaign. You shouldn’t automatically assume a campaign will deliver results. It’s essential to monitor your performance by tracking open rates, conversions, and other key metrics on a regular basis.

Applying these tips to your email marketing strategy will help you attract more clients to your HR consulting business. However, you also need to monitor your campaigns. Doing so will help you learn how to improve them in the future.