Giving Back is Easy with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s 2013 Giving Journal

Press Release:

Sharing compassion, celebrating kindness, and finding joy in the act of giving.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® is once again rewarding its customers with the gift of making a difference with The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf®’s Giving Journal for 2013.

A brand built on compassion, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® has long supported charities, foundations, schools, and other organizations in need. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf®continues its support for the Real LIFE Foundation by dedicating proceeds from the Giving Journal to the organization.

“As our initiatives continue to grow, and as part of our 10th year anniversary in the local market (and 50th around the globe), we’re happy to announce that beginning October 31, 2012, we’re going to start handing out stamp cards to bring people closer to giving back through the 2013 Giving Journal,” shares Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf®. “What’s different this year is we’ve lowered the number of stamps to just twelve. This makes it easier for people to share the gift of giving, and be inspired to share in our passion for genuine kindness all throughout the year.”

The Giving Journal was made to celebrate the relationships the brand has built with their partner organizations and to raise awareness on the local advocacies The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® has been supporting over the years.

More than just a journal to write thoughts on, the Giving Journal has pages upon pages of great features centered on giving back. The 2013 Giving Journal has sheets that show moments where the brand has helped many of its loyal customers carve out their own way of kindness in the hearts of many, making it the perfect avenue for people to embark on a journey of giving.

Apart from sharing and celebrating the joy in giving back, this year’s Giving Journal is also packed with monthly coupons that are sure to bring smiles with The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® treats—the brand’s simple way of expressing gratitude for joining in the cause.

Visit any of the 50 The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® stores nationwide to get hold of the stamp card and start collecting opportunities to make lives merrier this season. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® 2013 Giving Journal—the perfect way to do your share in changing lives this coming 2013.

Mechanics:

A minimum single-receipt purchase of any Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based, or Tea-based Beverage, or Frozen Swirl, qualifies you to get a stamp card. Each card consists of 12 stamp boxes, with corresponding drink assignments. These are as follows:

a.  1 Original Ice Blended (any flavor, regular or large)

b.  1 Espresso Drink

c.  1 Tea Latte (any flavor, regular or large)

d.  1 Red Velvet Hot Cocoa or Red Velvet Ice Blended (regular or large)

e.  Any 8 Regular or Large Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based or Tea-based Beverages, or Frozen Swirl

Each purchase of the said product from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® entitles the bearer to a stamp on a corresponding box on the card.

Once all the 12 boxes have been stamped, the bearer can claim his Giving Journal by surrendering the accomplished card to any of our 50 stores all over the country, during which the cashier will punch a hole in the card to prevent reuse.

Promo period is from October 31, 2012 to January 6, 2013.

Giving Journals may be claimed all throughout the promo period and until 60 days after the promo has ended.

Tricks and Tips for a Healthy Halloween!

Press Release:

It’s the Halloween season! The time when places are decorated with webs, monsters and ghosts; and kids (as well as kids at heart) dress up in the scariest costumes. But most of all, Halloween is the time for Trick or Treat - an exciting event when children carry their jack-o-lantern buckets and go around the neighborhood to collect lots and lots of candy! This makes Halloween a really fun and much awaited holiday for kids.

Although Halloween may be considered a favorite among kids, some parents may find this holiday a bit worrisome. Every Halloween, concerns about children's health arise as their kids fill their buckets with unhealthy snacks and sugary treats from the different houses they visit.   But parents need not worry this Halloween! By following a few tips and by complementing this fun celebration with Aqiva, parents can now celebrate Halloween with less worry for their child’s nutrition.

Eat before ‘Trick-or-treating’

We can’t stop our kids from tasting the treats that they’ve collected; it’s part of the celebration after all! As parents, what we have to do is to ensure that their nutrition is not neglected despite the celebration. One way to keep their nutrition in check is to give them a healthy meal or snack before they go out.  You can even pair this healthy meal with a glass of Aqiva to help ensure their nutritional needs are provided.  This way, they not only get the right nutrients they need to support their tiring door-to-door visits, they would also tend to remain full during the celebration, preventing them from eating the candies right away!

Count the treats

Add excitement to Halloween by challenging your kids to a game! You can tell your kids to collect as many treats as they can, but they should not eat their sweets until they get home!  When trick-or-treating is done and everyone’s settled, the one who has collected the most number of sweets wins! This way, the children would not eat the treats that they’ve collected until they’re counted, and you also get the chance to check all the treats that they’ve collected to make sure they are safe for your kids to eat.

Manage their sweets

Another good way to deal with all the Halloween treats is to manage how much and when these can be eaten. Without making them feel deprived of their loot, agree on the time and quantity that they can consume in a day.  This way, they could avoid eating all the sweets at the same time because they don’t have the “rush” to taste all in one sitting.

Balance their unhealthy diet

The treats from Halloween are mostly full of sugar but empty in important nutrients.  Parents need to balance this Halloween indulgence with a supplement that can provide the right nutrition for their children, and this can be found in Aqiva.  Aqiva is formulated with Adequate, Quality and Important (A.Q.I.) nutrients that help ensure balanced nutrition. AQIVA contains more than 40 ingredients including 25 essential nutrients, to help supplement a growing child’s nutrition while parents teach him healthy eating habits.  AQIVA comes in great-tasting vanilla flavour, making it delicious and healthy for children!  Now, you can let your kids embrace the Halloween spirit without compromising their nutrition!

For more information on Aqiva, parents may call the Wyeth Careline at 81-WYETH (81-99384) for Metro Manila, and 1-800-10-884-2222 (toll-free) for provinces.   Parents may also log on to

www.facebook.com/AqivaPH.

Zonta Club of Muntinlupa & Environs Presents: Bollywood Madness Bazaar

Press Release:

The Zonta Club of Muntinlupa & Environs (ZCME) is holding its annual fundraising event on November 3 and 4, 2012 (Saturday and Sunday), from 8AM to 8PM at the Cuenca Covered Court in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City. Featuring a festive Indian theme, the Bollywood Madness Bazaar is inspired by India’s vibrant colors, attractive ethnicity, exotic cuisine, and the global emergence of Bollywood movies.

“After the highly successful Moroccan bazaar last year, we want to reinforce the iconic branding of our annual fundraiser,” explains Nancy Harel, Public Relations Officer of ZCME. “A different theme each year allows us to differentiate our bazaar from all the others.”

Established in 1988, ZCME is composed of professional women working together to elevate the state of marginalized women and children in the city of Muntinlupa. Through the organization’s various projects, issues such as education, politics, health, and economics are addressed, thereby empowering women to become contributing and productive members of the society.

The annual 2-day bazaar aims to raise funds needed for the Club’s numerous community service projects. Two major beneficiaries of this event are SAGIP (Saklolo at Gabay ng Ina at Pamilya), a 24-hour crisis response center for abused women and children of Muntinlupa and TDZ (Tulong Dunong ng Zonta), a high school scholarship program granted to underprivileged but intelligent young girls in the city.

Participating at the bazaar is Republiq of Asia, who will offer its selection of handmade clothes, jewelry, accessories, and home furnishing. Some of these fair trade products are directly sourced from all over Asia, Australia, and Europe. Another participant to look out for is Silnag, a local company that sells native hand-crafted jewelry made from sustainable indigenous materials.

The Bollywood Madness Bazaar is made possible through the generosity of YKK Philippines, Pioneer Insurance, Hans Brumann Jewelry, Bay & Hec Senares Gasoline Station (PHOENIX), Graman Fashion, EJ Litton Foundation, and Crocs Philippines.

Join THE WOLVERINE Chat!

Join this epic event where Hugh Jackman and Director James Mangold will answer fan questions live From The Wolverine Set!

Press Release:

Fans around the world are invited to tune-in and participate in a live chat with Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold from the set of The Wolverine in Sydney, Australia. This extraordinary event will take place on Monday, October 29th at 1:00 pm PT (Los Angeles time) / Tuesday, October 30th at 4:00am (Philippines) on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thewolverinemovie and the film’s official website at www.TheWolverineMovie.com. Marvel’s own Agent M will host and provide fans special access to this highly anticipated movie.

Hear the details directly from Hugh Jackman and James Mangold themselves in this exclusive video from the set: http://youtu.be/bJ0TysDdbBk

Have questions about the The Wolverine’s epic story and thrilling action? Visit The Wolverine on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about this exciting opportunity and submit questions for the chance to have them presented to Jackman and Mangold.

Be sure to include #TheWolverineMovie when sending questions.

The live chat will be available across all The Wolverine, X-Men and Marvel social pages; additionally Hugh Jackman and James Mangold will provide the chat directly to their fans.

Official Site: 

www.TheWolverineMovie.com

YouTube:   

www.youtube.com/thewolverinemovie

www.youtube.com/xmenmovies

www.youtube.com/20thcenturyfoxph

Facebook:        

www.facebook.com/TheWolverineMovie

www.facebook.com/xmenmovies

www.facebook.com/Marvel

www.facebook.com/HughJackman

www.facebook.com/20thCenturyFox(Philippines)

Based on the celebrated comic book arc, “The Wolverine” is an epic action-adventure that takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.

“The Wolverine” opens in cinemas on JULY 25, 2013 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Launches Two New Machines

Press Release:

(Manila, Philippines, 24 October 2012) No mess, no fuss, and a perfect cup every time. This is the promise of the two new machines that NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto brings to the market this November. The all-new automatic machines brew the right cup for you all in just one click – so pop, lock, and drop away without the wait.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Business Manager, Yayin Bangcoro,
helps demonstrate the new machines

Introducing the new additions, the Genio and the Melody 3, which come in compact, modern, and smart designs. What makes the two stand out, apart from the obvious stylish touch, are their automated preparation of drinks through the Flowstop Technology, which lets you get the perfect cup each and every time. They come with a selection wheel and a built-in LED that recommend the dosage to make the perfect drink.

The Genio looks like a hybrid of the classic Piccolo machine, only smarter and equipped with Flowstop Technology. The only tasks you have to take control of are turning it on, filling up the water tank, deciding the flavor you like to brew, inputting the recommended dosage, and you can leave the rest of the work to this genius.

Similar to a coffeehouse machines, the Genio has a 15-bar pressure system equipped to provide you with a foamy froth, rich créma, and a delectable flavor. Believe it or not, this machine just knows how to please any coffee drinker.

The first and the original Melody machine comes even more alive with its 3rd generation. The Melody 3 has evolved from its classical look into a more sophisticated machine. It is definitely eye-candy on the kitchen worktop, or on any office station with its sleek curves. Similar to the Genio, it has 15 bars of pressure, which is ideal to brew your steaming cup of espresso.

These NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto machines can handle both hot and cold drinks, but for those who like it hot, these machines come with the exclusive Thermoblock Technology, which heats water fresh every time, in less than a minute. They also let you save energy with its automatic switch-off feature.

Don’t feel a little less powerful though, because you can still maneuver the machine. It allows you to take control as you scroll the selection wheel to customize the coffee strength and mixture. This works best for multi-capsule drinkers who like switching from coffee, tea, to chocolate drinks. So go on and experiment with the strength, just like a boss.

Jiggy Cruz with the two new NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machines

Now giving you a wider selection to meet your high-quality coffee needs, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto gives you four machine variations that meet the requirement of providing the closest thing to a barista-brewed drinks. The brand has been innovative with its selection of 9 capsule flavors, and now offering the market with new machine options.

Jiggy Cruz, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Consumer Marketing Executive, leaves us with this assurance, “As the family grows, you can only expect that meeting Filipinos’ demand for high quality drinks remains our core priority. Our goal is to give them more reasons to enjoy the perfect cup they deserve, whether automated or not, in a convenient and classy way.”

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NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto machines and capsules are available in S&R, Rustans, Shopwise, Landmark, Market Market, Cash & Carry, Makati Supermart Alabang, Gaisano Cebu, SM Hypermart & Supermarket, Robinson's, in Lopues Iloilo and now online at www.dolce-gusto.com.ph

Piccolo is sold at P4,999 and Circolo for P7,999. All capsules are sold at P400 per box.

Spooktacular Treats at the Araneta Center

Looking  to go trick or treating and shopping this Halloween season? Hit two birds with one stone at Araneta Center!

Press Release:

It’s time to bring out the spooky and magical costumes and head over to the Araneta Center for a Spooktacular Halloween this October 27! It’s going to be one big Halloween party for kids at the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza Activity Areas!

Go trick-or-treating with cosplayers, be amazed at the magicians when they do their mind-boggling tricks, see how balloon twisters turn balloons into works of art, reach for the skies at the inflatable castle, and more!

For only a minimum single-receipt purchase of P300 from Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza, kids can enter the fair grounds and participate in all of the activities!

It’s going to be an all-day affair with loads more activities for the kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy! Other activities in store for kids are the face painting, costume contest, photo ops with cosplayers, and a surprise mascot dance. As a special treat, kids who will come in dressed as their favorite Disney princess or hero can get a special discount when they buy Disney on Ice: Princesses & Heroes tickets!

Plus, enjoy great discounts during the Halloween/Pre-Holiday Sale on October 30 to November 4 when you shop at Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, and SM Cubao!

The Spooktacular Halloween at the Araneta Center will be from 10:00am to 6:00pm. This special Halloween party is brought to you by The Araneta Center. See you there!

INDRA’S Accessible Technologies For PCPI’S Cerebral Palsy Therapy

Press Release:

Indra, the premier IT company in Spain, partnered with the Philippine Cerebral Palsy Incorporated (PCPI), for the use of Accessible Technologies in the physical therapy of cerebral palsy patients.

Indra’s trademark – innovation for all – is known worldwide and here in the Philippines as continually improving health, transportation and government processes. Indra believes that technology can be fully effective and pervasive if all kinds of people will be able to use it.

With the establishment of the Accessible Technologies program as Indra’s corporate responsibility program, this technology aims to address the needs of PWDs when it comes to accessing and using technology. The program, made up of innovative solutions and services that promote accessibility and social inclusion, is actively promoted and utilized in Europe and parts of North and South America.

Here in the Philippines, Indra is promoting the use of two of the program’s foremost solutions, the Headmouse and VirtualKeyboard. The Headmouse, with the use of an ordinary webcam, allows a user to control a computer’s cursor with head movements. The Virtual Keyboard, on the other hand, is an onscreen keyboard with predictive capabilities, reducing the number of keystrokes needed to type out a user’s most commonly used words and phrases. Both softwares can be downloaded for free from the program’s website http://www.tecnologiasaccesibles.com

PCPI saw the potential of the two computer applications for cerebral palsy patients and approached Indra to present and demonstrate their use during the Scientific Congress of the recently concluded National Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week last September.

With the favorable response from the cerebral palsy community, Indra and PCPI decided to be partners in using the softwares for the physical therapy of the children with cerebral palsy under PCPI. Indra will be providing a computer unit, installed with the Headmouse and Virtual Keyboard, to support the physical therapy sessions of the organization. Indra is also working closely with the organization’s therapists so that the softwares will be fully utilized by the patients during their therapy sessions.

Indra hopes that with this therapy, the cerebral palsy patients in the future will be able to use the Headmouse and VirtualKeyboard for its intended use – that is to operate and navigate a computer. Indra aims for the patients to have a more independent interaction with technology – exploring the internet, communicating through email or instant messaging, or using other computer software for education or employment.

The Indra Accessible Technology computer hub with the Headmouse and Keyboard was recently turned over to PCPI during a ceremony prepared by Indra. After the ceremonial turnover of the computer hub, Indra gave an overview on how to use the Headmouse and Virtual Keyboard.  Indra employee volunteers then assisted the therapists and caregivers in teaching the cerebral palsy patients on how to use the two softwares.

For Indra in the Philippines, this is just the start of reaching out and partnering with PWD organizations to promote their Accessible Technologies. Indra believes that the technology that will be accessed should be available in the first place, and the company is very much willing to make that possible. With PCPI, Indra not only provided them additional tools for therapy, but also the medium to make it possible.

Individuals or groups interested in creating a program with Indra’s Accessible Technologies may contact Charissa Venturina, head of the Accessible Technologies program of Indra in the Philippines, at cventurina@indracompany.com.

Partners For Life, Now And Forever

Wow, men can get osteoporosis too! Please read on.

Press Release:

For years, Anlene has been the respected expert in bone nutrition and a dedicated advocate for bone health and the awareness of osteoporosis among women. This lifestyle crippling disease decreases bone density, making bones porous and susceptible to breakage. This results to significantly debilitating effects such as “pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in some cases, death.” The most common sites for fractures are the wrist, the hip and the spine.

Based on statistics, between two women amicably chatting over lunch, one of them will unfortunately be at risk for severe bone breakage after a seemingly minor fall or bump in their more advanced years.  Luckily for these women, Anlene’s insistent efforts to raise osteoporosis awareness have always been accompanied by proposed means for reducing risk. Together, these three keys can help reduce risk of osteoporosis: frequent exercise, a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet accompanied by Anlene.

Anlene is a formula milk that is rich in calcium and Vitamin D and has been proven to reduce the rate of bone loss among women. In fact, it only takes two full glasses a day to meet 100 % of the Philippine Calcium and Vitamin D requirements for mature adults—which is hardly an extra effort outside a woman’s daily diet.

However, recent findings have revealed that that the vulnerability to osteoporosis is not limited to women, and that it is no longer just a “woman’s disease.”  According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 1 out of 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer from an Osteoporotic fracture.  Locally, data on osteoporosis in men is limited, but Anlene Bone Health check results (from August 2011 to July 2012) revealed that 43 % of men (26-65yo) in the Philippines are at risk.  This implies that action to be taken for the early prevention of osteoporosis among men is just as urgent. For as men mature in age, their levels of testosterone decrease, resulting to gradual but significant bone thinning. Moreover, lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption also more common to men have been found to result to bone loss, and the inhibition of calcium absorption and bone formation. 

RJ Ledesma having a bone health check

Notwithstanding, osteoporosis is still rarely among the first diagnoses doctors give to men. More common diseases such as cholesterol problems, heart disease, strokes, blood pressure, and prostate cancer always precede even the suspicion of osteoporosis, highlighting the need for doctors to be informed of the occurrence of the disease in men as well.   This awareness may help prevent the incidences of irreparable injury to men who are caught by surprise by fractured bones over minor accidents. If they are made aware in advance, the risk of fracturing bones over getting into an awkward position in sports, or over a clumsy move while tinkering around the garage is reduced.

Patricia and Vince Hizon

Now that women have their husbands to be concerned about for osteoporosis in addition to themselves, preventive action against the disease becomes increasingly important. Wives understand how much value their husbands give to their independence and to their physical mobility, and that these are factors essential to their wellbeing. Moreover, essential also to the wellbeing of their marriages are the activities they share, such as sports, travel, and even joint business ventures.  Many couples in fact credit much of the success of their marriages to their shared hobbies, and see this disease as a threat to the time they value and enjoy together. With the possibility of osteoporosis hanging over their heads, this special time they share and value may be cut short.

Thus, convinced that neither age, nor diseases like osteoporosis should prevent couples from living healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives—Anlene invites those who are partners for life to be its partner for life, now and forever.  

“Bully” Film To Launch Anti-Bullying Campaign

Press Release:

The Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC), in cooperation with Solar Entertainment, is bringing the acclaimed documentary “Bully” to the Philippines. The film, directed by Lee Hirsch, will have a limited theatrical run in November, after the by-invitation premiere on November 13, 6:30 PM, at Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 4.

The film focuses on the alarming rise in bullying faced by teenage students in America. It chronicles the experiences of victims in high schools in Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, focusing on the cases of Tyler Long and Ty Smalley, both of which tragically ended in suicide.

JBEC will use this powerful documentary to launch the anti-bullying campaign, “Not in Our School,” endorsed by the popular sportsman, Chris Tiu.  The advocacy is aligned with the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy which seeks to defend the student from any form of abuse, including bullying. In light of recent local and international headlines about bullying, this film can be a timely wake-up call for all involved: parents, teachers, administrators, and especially students.

In addition to its theatrical screening, JBEC is offering several Saturday block screenings in Robinson’s Galleria for schools who want to show the film exclusively for their community. In addition, schools can also sponsor campus screenings for a minimal fee. To enhance its use as a formative tool, JBEC will provide teachers and parents with a discussion guide to facilitate processing of the complex message of the movie. Interested schools may contact jbec@xs.edu.ph or moviesnevents@solar-entertaiment.com for bookings.

Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, JBEC chair, hopes this campaign will lead schools to adopt a pro-active stance against bullying, with each stakeholder committing and contributing to a nurturing and bully-free school environment that is the right of every student.  “We hope this movie can reach as wide an audience as possible, especially among our students,” he says. “At the very least, it should heighten awareness of this issue and begin productive discussions and reflections about a real problem that can no longer be ignored.”

The “Bully” hits theaters starting November 14. It is rated PG-13 by the MTRCB.

Link  to the facebook bullyproject.philippines  http://www.facebook.com/TheBullyProjectPh

Link to the official Bully trailer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUy2ZWoStr0&feature=fvwrel

Precious Moments: The Art of Being a Mom

Press Release:

Going to work everyday, running a busy household and calculating expenses are part of a mom’s daily routine – and unfortunately, it can leave very little room for quality time with their children.

“I leave the house very early in the morning to go to work, and when I get home in the evening, there are still so many things to be done. Plus, my kids go to bed early for school the next day, so my time with them is really quite limited,” admits 32-year old banker Nicole, who has three kids aged 9, 6 and 4.

Photo borrowed from http://ccrr.darton.edu/

And even if Nicole thinks that being Mom is the best job in the world, she knows that there are still some not-as-fun things that need to be done first. “I have bills to pay and errands to run – things that keep the house running. Of course, I’d rather be watching a movie with my kids or playing with them, but there are some responsibilities that just can’t be ignored,” she says.

Juggling multiple roles at the same time can be daunting, and at the expense of enjoying precious time with the family – but there are a few simple ways to spend more time together and share quality moments with each other.

Grocery Shopping

Who says grocery shopping can’t be fun? Children are immediately drawn to the variety, colors and buzzing atmosphere in the supermarket – and if moms are feeling creative, a trip to the grocery can mean a world of activities. Kids can help out with meal planning, or do simple math with prices and savings.

Photo borrowed from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com

When it’s time to get dinner at the table, children can help out in the kitchen, too. Helping to mix ingredients or being designated “taste-testers” is a wonderful way for moms to spend time with their kids, and is one step closer to making dinnertime a bit more special.

Keep In Touch

When it’s crunch time and there seems to be no time to spare, it doesn’t mean children have to take a backseat. Moms can leave Post-Its on the nightstand, or little notes on the mirrors for kids to wake up to. Sometimes, it could also be possible to sneak into kids’ school books and leave a short message or two, which can also add a happy element of surprise.

Bedtime Stories

After a long day of school, sports and activities, children can come home tired and go straight to bed. Scheduling a few minutes every night before bedtime to talk, tell stories and share about the day’s events can draw moms and kids closer together. It doesn’t have to be long novels or straight from a storybook – sometimes, a simple “How was your day?” can do the trick. Pair it with a glass of NIDO FORTIFIED and moms do a quick storytelling session.

Photo borrowed from sheknows.com

Grab the Opportunity

When time permits, make the most of it. On weekends or special occasions, moms can plan activities with their families – movie nights, Saturday picnics and out-of-town trips can make a world of difference and bring everyone closer to each other, making lasting memories for families.

Dealing with a Rubik’s Cube of work commitments, household errands and personal needs doesn’t have to be tiring, and it definitely doesn’t have to put family time in the backseat. Quality time with kids can be as simple as possible, depending on their needs and interests.

After all, mother knows best.

Taylor Swift’s New Album, Red, Set For Nationwide Release On November 5th

Press Release:

Taylor Swift’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album will be released nationwide on November 5. Entitled RED, the album will be released under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and will contain 16 tracks. After writing her last album (Speak Now) entirely by herself, for this record Taylor collaborated with several artists, producers, and songwriters she had always wanted to work with.

“For the last two years, I've been working on an album called Red,” Taylor says. “I called it Red because of the tumultuous, crazy adventures in love and loss that it chronicles. In my mind, when you experience love that's fast paced and out of control and mixes infatuation, jealousy, frustration, miscommunication, and all of those lovely emotions… in retrospect, it all looks red.”

Also catch the following Taylor Swift fan gatherings where fun, freebies and more exclusive Taylor Swift items await all fans!

>>  “The Taylor Swift Fan Slumber Fest!” at TriNoma Cinema Lobby on October 27, 10:00 am onwards

>> “The Taylor Swift RED T-Party!” at Robinsons Galleria Cinema Lobby on November 10, 1:00 pm onwards

TAYLOR SWIFT’s new album “RED” will be available in CDs on November 5 at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via iTunes or www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Special thanks to KEDS Philippines, Luxasia Philippines, PHILLIPS, COVERGIRL, Snapbox Photobooth, 3G Balloon Puffs and VerJube Photographics. 

This Is Not A Chicosci Record Out This Oct. 31 at Eastwood Central Plaza

Press Release:

Three years since the release of their last studio album and after endless gigging and touring, Chicosci is finally releasing their much-anticipated sixth album, This Is Not A Chicosci Record. The ever-so-dynamic rock group has been in the lab the past year, writing and recording new material with producer Eric Perlas of Tower of Doom Studios, and is set to make waves again with this new album under MCA Music Inc.    

Always evolving with each album, the band has once again pushed themselves creatively with this new outing. Chicosci wants their listeners to be devoid of any preconceived notions of who the band is or how they should sound like.

“It shouldn’t be important who the artist is,” says singer Miggy Chavez.  “We hope people like the album because it’s good music and not because it’s Chicosci. And if people don’t like the record, we hope it’s because they actually listened to it and hated the music or (not like it) because it’s OPM.” The album features 14 tracks including the first single “Stealing Kisses”, the feel-good “Raspberry: Girl” and the rock ballad “Sleep Station”.

This Is Not A Chicosci Record will be released digitally on iTunes on October 22 and on mymusicstore on October 23. Fans can purchase the CD on October 31 during their album launch at Eastwood Central Plaza at 7pm. Since it will be the first day the This Is Not A Chicosci Record will be sold, those who will buy the album for only P290 at the venue will get a free baller ID. Also available is the Chiscoci T-Shirt Bundle which includes a Chicosci shirt, the new Chicosci album for only P499 with a free baller ID. The free baller ID and the Chicosci T-shirt bundle will be just for the launch only so better save up and spend your Halloween at Eastwood Central Plaza this Oct. 31.

Kapatid Network Takes On The Small Screen With Tech Giant HP

Press Release:

Injecting the airwaves with creative, praiseworthy entertainment shows such as Talentadong Pinoy, Pinoy Explorer, and cutting-edge news programs such as Aksyon and Pilipinas News, TV5 is the country’s most creative alternative television network. With its slew of awards and ever growing audience base, big stars such as Sharon Cuneta and Aga Muhlach have flocked to this new upstart network, further establishing its image as a formidable Filipino broadcasting company.

Behind the scenes of the popular TV network’s rise in this demanding, 24/7 production environment is Hewlett-Packard (HP), the world’s largest technology firm. With its array of high-performance workstations, HP gives a strong backbone that supports the intense and time-bound requirements needed by the network.

Head of Post Production and Engineering of TV5 Armando Atienza Jr. shares his account of the huge boost using HP workstations provided for delivering their programs. “One of the key contributions to the recent successes of our network is the reliability and efficiency of our HP workstations. In our industry, it’s great to know that our tools can help make our programs a lot better,” he says.

Taking TV5 shows to new technology heights

From managing on-air delivery of programs such as Good Morning Cub to primetime hits like Wil Time Bigtime, and powering monitoring systems, HP workstations deliver high-quality and on-time output for TV5. Through this, the station is able to keep operations round the clock with the least number of downtimes.

Showing his confidence in HP’s quality workstations is Armando Atienza, Jr.,
Head of Post Production and Engineering at the country’s fastest-growing television station, TV5

Atienza narrates, “When I first came to TV5, they were already using HP workstations. Through the years, the units have proven their efficiency. Up to now even as we acquired new hardware like HP Z800 workstations, the units we used back then are still working. Thanks to their reliability, our newsrooms and high-end editing newscutters that handle our iNews facilities run well-managed throughout our local stations nationwide.” 

Combined with numerous features that further enhance TV5’s programs, HP workstations are able to give more savings for the network. By spending less on technical infrastructure and spending more on creating quality shows, TV5 is assured a winning streak for years to come.

One of the satisfied graphics artists of TV5 works with 

cutting-edge 3D graphics with the HP Z800 workstation

“Our long-running ties with HP prove our confidence in the brand. We look forward to having an even better experience with their quality products so we can provide better service in turn for the Filipino people,” he concludes.

Standard Chartered Announces the “Capturing Timeless Visions” Nationwide Photo Competition Winners on World Sight Day

I announced the call for entries of this photo contest in my other blog last July. Time does fly very fast! 

Press Release:

To mark World Sight Day, Standard Chartered Bank, the first international bank in the Philippines since 1872, announced the nationwide winners and launched a four day photo exhibition of the ‘Capturing Timeless Visions’ photo competition. World Sight Day is celebrated annually on the second Thursday of October to raise awareness of visual impairment.

The ‘Capturing Timeless Visions’ nationwide photo competition was launched in conjunction with Standard Chartered Bank’s 140th anniversary in the Philippines. The competition took place from 9 July to 1 September and yielded thousands of captivating entries from across the nation, which aimed to capture images that depict the unique and colorful culture of the Filipinos. 

The photo competition aimed to raise funds in support of ‘Seeing is Believing’, Standard Chartered’s global initiative that helps tackle avoidable blindness. To further raise awareness about ‘Seeing is Believing’ and coinciding with World Sight Day (October 11), the original photographs were exhibited at the Shangri-La Plaza from October 11 to 14. Mall visitors were given the opportunity to submit bids for the exhibited art works or offer donations to support ‘Seeing is Believing’. The winning photos will also be showcased in Standard Chartered’s coffee table book, 140 Years in the Philippines: Capturing Timeless Visions. 

Out of the 60 finalists in the competition, there were 12 winners. The winners for the best entries in the Professional Division received Php100,000 each, while three winners in the Enthusiast Division won PhP50,000 each. Three runners-up and 20 Juror’s Choice were selected from each division as well. The donors and winners were delighted that they could contribute their photographs, to support the elimination of avoidable blindness.

Mahendra Gursahani, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Philippines, said:  “The ‘Capturing Timeless Visions’ nationwide photo competition was launched in celebration of the Bank’s 140th anniversary. We are truly and deeply grateful to the many talented photographers who have dedicated their time and energy to producing such imaginative and exciting works and for us to auction some of the submissions for the cause of preventing blindness and restoring sight. Our ‘Capturing Timeless Visions’ initiative is an important way in which, together with the nation, we can make a huge difference to the lives of many of our fellow humans afflicted by blindness. It is harsh reality today that a person goes blind every five seconds, a child goes blind every minute and less than 10% of blind children are in schools receiving education that they deserve.”

Standard Chartered in collaboration with the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the leading umbrella organisation for non-governmental organisations working in the field of eye-care,  ‘Seeing is Believing’ has already raised over USD50 million for blindness initiatives and plans to raise a further USD50 million by 2020. As part of the Seeing is Believing program, Standard Chartered has pledged to match all donations dollar for dollar to reach the target of USD 100 million. Standard Chartered committed US$1 million to address preventable blindness in the Philippines through our Seeing is Believing (SiB) program. The funds will be used over a three year period in partnership with CBM and Cataract Foundation of the Philippines. 

‘Seeing is Believing’ is the single largest contributor to the development of ‘Vision 2020 – The Right to Sight’, a global campaign launched by the World Health Organisation and IAPB to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.

Jollibee Kids Meal October 2012 Features Tom and Jerry Adventures

Press Release:

Get ready for a Tom and Jerry adventure, starting October 1 as Jollibee Kids Meals send boys and girls on an exciting adventure with the Cartoon Craze Collection! Kids can choose from the duo’s funny antics themed toys with the Cheese Bowler, Mad Board Ride, Barrel Blast-Off, and Pinball Action Maze toys.

Score a strike with the two-of-a-kind pals with the Cheese Bowler toy by loading the Jerry Ball into the Tom launcher. Simply aim for the slice of cheese bowling pins, press Tom down to fire, and watch as Jerry goes for his favorite treat!

See Tom and Jerry dash with the Mad Board Ride. All you need is to push and let it roll. For some skateboard action, simply take Tom off the board and let your fingers take control.

Make Jerry fly with the Barrel Blastoff. Just place Jerry inside the barrel, press to launch and send Jerry soaring up in the air.

Play Pinball Action Maze with Tom and Jerry by simply pulling and releasing the lever to launch the ball into the cool maze. Tilt the toy to the left and right to roll the ball towards the exit. Jerry will light up when you finish the game!

                                                                               

With every purchase of a Jollibee Kids Meal, boys and girls can catch a free toy from the Tom and Jerry Cartoon Craze Collection. They can choose among the Yumburger Meal (P80), Spaghetti Meal (P82), and 1-piece Chickenjoy Meal (P99).

Hurry now to the nearest Jollibee store and complete the Tom and Jerry Cartoon Craze Collection, available until October 31, 2012 or until supplies last.

The Tom and Jerry Cartoon Craze Collection for Jollibee Kids Meals is available in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Global Handwashing Day 2012: Safeguard Promotes Handwashing After Playtime

On the 5th year of Global Handwashing Day, Safeguard encourages handwashing with soap after playtime through the donation of the 1st sustainable playground with handwashing station.

Press Release:

October 15 marks the 5th year of celebrating Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines. This day stresses the importance of handwashing with soap through a simple message: Clean hands save lives. The simple yet lifesaving act of handwashing with soap can reduce the incidence of diarrhea among children under five by more than 40 percent, and respiratory infections by nearly 25 percent. In the Philippines, pneumonia and diarrhea are the 3rd and 4th leading cause of deaths among children under five respectively.

Global Handwashing Day also aims to educate the public that there are 5 critical times for handwashing: before eating, before handling food, after using the toilet, after handling your pets and after playtime. These are key moments when there is a high risk of transmitting germs from the hands to the mouth. As such, instilling the habit of handwashing with soap during these critical times among young children is an important intervention to help reduce child morbidity and mortality.

In line with its mission to promote proper hygiene and health education among Filipino families, Safeguard first celebrated Global Handwashing Day in 2008. Five years later, Safeguard continues to lead the celebration of Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines by making it even bigger and better.

On this 5th birthday of Global Handwashing Day, Safeguard promotes handwashing with soap after playtime, one of the five critical times, by donating five playgrounds with handwashing stations. At a media event held in Sitio Una, Taguig, Safeguard proudly unveiled its birthday gift to the community - the first playground.

Mr. Chad Sotelo, Country Marketing Manager for Safeguard, explains, “Outdoor play is an enjoyable activity for children but it is also important in their development.” However, based on a recent study, many mothers prevent their children from playing outdoors because they are worried about their children’s safety. Furthermore, 75 percent of children play on the streets while only 3 percent play on a public playground.

“Through the donation of these playgrounds, Safeguard wants to enable children to play in an environment safe from harm and disease-causing germs,” says Mr. Sotelo. In order to ensure that the playgrounds are sustainable and safe, Safeguard partnered with play experts Play Pilipinas.

  

“We at Play Pilipinas believe that every child should be given the chance to play, and to play in a safe and sound environment. Our advocacy is to provide low-cost, sustainable, and child-safe playgrounds for Filipino children. We are happy to have a partner in Safeguard that ensures kids will also have immediate access to soap and water after playing,” says Ms. Sigrid Perez, co-founder of Play Pilipinas.

Mr. Paul Perez, who co-founded Play Pilipinas with Sigrid, explains that the design of the playground differs per site, reflecting the character of the city. “For Taguig, we tried to mirror the emerging high-rises and so the playground has high and low spaces as well,” added Mr. Perez.

This new playground at Sitio Una, and 4 others to come, will represent not only the past 5 years of Global Handwashing Day, but also Safeguard’s continued commitment to promote proper hygiene and health education for many more years to come. “Handwashing education is and will continue to be the primary advocacy of Safeguard – not just on October 15, but every single day,” says Mr. Sotelo. Together with partners UNICEF and Fit for School, Procter & Gamble, through Safeguard, has reached over a million children in ten provinces in the country, teaching them the lifesaving habit of handwashing with soap.

Safeguard invites everyone to join our 5th year of Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines. Join the celebration by tweeting with the hashtag #Happy5thGHD. Watch out for more activities from Safeguard in the coming weeks. But, most importantly, don’t forget to wash your hands with Safeguard especially during the five critical moments! 

“THE THREE STOOGES” in Theaters on October 24

I grew up watching reruns of The Three Stooges on TV and found them really funny. I'll be sure to watch this movie version when it comes out in Philippine theaters :)

Press Release:

Peter and Bobby Farrelly, makers of knock-out comedies like “There’s Something About Mary,” “Dumb and Dumber” and “Shallow Hal” gas out another outrageous adventure comedy, “The Three Stooges.”

The Farrelly brothers, being introduced to the antics of The Three Stooges since kids following it on television has influenced their slew of blockbusters.  Bringing it in to the contemporary setting recreating the classic and iconic Stooge sounds, the Farrelly brothers searched high and low for the right actors to play the Stooges and finally came upon Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso. 

In the movie, the Stooges are introduced as newborns being left on a nun’s doorstep.  Bereft of the outside world growing up, the Stooges grew up stumbling their way to uncharted levels of knucklehead adventures.  Years later, Moe, Larry and Curly have left the nuns bruised, battered and bewildered.  Even worse, it looks like the orphanage will be forced to close its doors due to financial difficulties.  But the three, employed as the home’s inept maintenance men, are determined to come to the rescue. 

Out to save their childhood home, only The Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot... while also stumbling into starring in a phenomenally successful TV reality show. For the first time in their lives, the three make their way through the big city streets.  As they try and save the day, Larry, Curly and Moe engage in plenty of their trademark antics,  including a saturating situation involving bundles of wet diapers in a hospital nursery; more hallmark hilarity at a private, black-tie party at a splashy mansion; and Moe's newfound stardom on reality television.

On filming a full length as opposed to television’s shorts, Bobby shares that “Making this movie definitely makes me realize how hard it was to do what they were doing, and they never really got a lot of credit for it either. They did it for about 25 or 30 straight years and every one of those years they were under the assumption that this was their last year of doing it, so they kind of did it for cheap. They never got the A-list recognition that we feel they had coming to them.”

“A lot of people are really rooting for this movie, but there are also people who are Stooge purists who think it’s wrong that we are making it. They think it’s sacrilege that anybody would try to duplicate what these people did. Well first of all, we’re not duplicating what they did. We’ve come up with all new stuff and we’ve taken their characters, but my argument to that is, as Bobby said, that they never got the acknowledgement they deserved. They were always behind Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers - they were considered second rate by the critics and public. But to us they were first rate and they were funnier than all those people, and we want to honor them by doing this movie,”  Peter concludes.

“The Three Stooges” opens very soon this October 24 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.