The PR & Events Circuit

After months of searching and showcasing Filipino homegrown talents all over the country, it’s going to be the battle of the best this Sunday (December 28) on the Grand Finals Showdown of GMA Network’s widest reality talents search Bet ng Bayan hosted by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Kapuso prime leading man Alden Richards. Happening at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, viewers will definitely witness spectacular performances from the contestants representing Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Mega Manila.

The Filipino history and culture has manifested its richness, diversity, and uniqueness with the distinct cuisine we call our own.  The food that has been identified with us is more than just a staple need; it is our culture ingested.  But Filipino food goes beyond the globally popular adobo.  It is as rich and broad as our multi-cultural lineage.  Lumpiang Ubod, Lechon Rondalla and Healthy Fish Tacos

GMA’s biggest reality talent show Bet Ng Bayan has started the second phase of it’s search with the semi-final roundslast Sunday featuring talents from Luzon. This Sunday,December 14, it’s our ‘kababayans’ from Visayas’ turn. BET SA KAKAIBANG TALENTO Western Visayas - Gerard Caigoy “Master Of Pain” of Leon, Iloilo City

It was a few days before the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ruby that we found ourselves in the province of Aklan to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Globe Platinum Noah's Ark project in the town of Balete. The event was attended by Globe Telecom and Habitat for Humanity executives as well as Aklan Provincial and Balete Municipal government officials, the local press, and the students and teachers of Balete Elementary School. Globe Telecom is the Development Sponsor for Aklan, one of the 14 provinces which were severely damaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan when it hit the Philippines in 2013. Globe supports the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), which was created to supervise the efforts in the devastated sites. 

FutureYou.ph participated in the Career Awareness Caravan organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Employment Services Office (PESO), and the Iloilo Government-Industry-Academe (GIA) Council in Leganes, Iloilo. The event was held to make students understand the economic situation and job demands in Iloilo.  FutureYou ph at the Career Awareness Caravan at Leganes Iloilo Ms. Velma Jane Lao of LEIPO discussed Economic Development in the region. Ms. Salome Siaton from DOLE weighed in on the differences between being self-employed and being employed by a company.  Also present to give the opening remarks was the Mayor of Leganes, Hon. Adolfo Jaen.

As part of our mission to bring #JoyInABox to the 7,100 islands, we’re opening our 59th store in the Philippines at SM City Iloilo this November 30. It will be the 4th store in the Visayas and is a "Hotlight Store" which means that once you see the hotlight sign come on, you’re sure that you will get that melt in your mouth doughnut freshness that Krispy Kreme is known for!

Old non-working phones are usually discarded or abandoned yet for Globe Telecom, even if these phones have outgrown their usefulness, they can still do something wonderful – build classrooms for the children of Aklan. Right now, Aklan needs hundreds of classrooms to accommodate its student population which was displaced after schools were destroyed or damaged by Typhoon Haiyan almost a year ago. Globe, a development partner for Aklan, committed to put up at least 40 school buildings in the province.

Real estate giant Megaworld posted a net income of P19.03 billion (inclusive of the P11.62-billion non-recurring gain from the acquisition and sale of a subsidiary and associate) for the first nine months of 2014, 192 percent higher than the P6.52-billion posted for the same period in 2013, due to strong residential sales in its various townships, particularly in Newport City, Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill, and Eastwood City, as well as higher leasing income from its office and retail portfolio. “We are confident that Megaworld can achieve another record year for 2014 as we further expand our township developments all over the country,” said Dr. Andrew L. Tan, chairman and CEO, Megaworld. Megaworld's Mckinley Hill at The Fort

Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC)gathered last ast October 18 to 19 to present the best practices they adopted. They were also recognized on their implemented school and community projects, such as study area contruction, tutorials, clean-up drive, old uniform donations, tree planting, feeding and waste segregation.  Alumni campers actively participated in the planning, preparation and implementation of their post program projects. 

“ Hello, world ” is one of the old-school default phrases you see when starting a blog or the first sample text used in learning to code. That’s why it was only apt that wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) kicked of its #HelloPH series of meet-ups all over the country together with local partners in order to highlight local stories and homegrown talents – all connected through technology. Stephanie Orlino, Smart Senior Manager for Education Programs, urges the participants  to  become local ambassadors of their hometowns  through Doon Po Sa Amin Community Mapping Competition. Through its Doon Po Sa Amin (DPSA) online community mapping competition and SWEEP open competition, Smart is helping promote the various regions with this collaborative meet-up series conducted in partnership with local groups.

Wireless services leader and the country’s biggest network Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) today announced it will offer iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the biggest advancements in iPhone history, beginning on Friday, November 14, 2014. Customers can pre-order iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus beginning on Friday, November 7, 2014 at www.smart.com.ph/iPhone . For more information on Smart Communications, please visit: www.smart.com.ph . For more information on iPhone, please visit: www.apple.com/iphone.

Halloween is just a few days away but at Days Hotel Iloilo, it is starting to feel like All Hallows’ Eve. A month-long Halloween celebration, The Promenade brings out popular cocktails, mixed drinks and brews with a twist. Witch's Potion With 14 various drinks to choose from, half non-alcoholic and the other half concocted to make you tipsy a bit, there's one that will surely capture your taste. The Witch's Potion, Gremlin's Brew, Goblin Mimosa and Dracula’s Booze will create quite a stir as they headline the alcoholic offering line up. These concoctions have rhum, vodka, brandy, tequila and kahlua mixed with different juices and coffee, spiced up with cinnamon and a lot more. Completing this dizzying list are Muddy Cappuccino, Citrus Champagne Tonic and Bloody Morgue-ritas. Goblin Mimosa But if you're no fan of alcohol or find it too early to booze up, check out the non-alcoholic line which is as exciting as well. How about some Vampire's Kiss, B...

More than 300 high school students from the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu underwent a personal leadership training facilitated by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc - Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC), with the last batch finishing theirs last October 21 to 23.  The program aimed to develop the participants’ leadership and decision-making skills.  KAC Youth Instructor Gabriel Lamparas (background, sixth from left) facilitates the introduction of camp names to participants of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu personal leadership training. The first two batches of students underwent the program last August and September, respectively, while the third and final batch did so this October. 

STARTEK , a leading provider of business process outsourcing services opened a new center located in Iloilo City in the Philippines with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local area business leaders and STARTEK management and employees on Friday, October 24, 2014.  Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (in light polo) with STARTEK big wigs during the openign ceremony STARTEK has been operating in temporary space since earlier this year as they waited for the new state-of-the-art building to be completed. The company will be located on three floors in the new building. "The addition of the Iloilo location is the fourth site for us in the Philippines," said Chad Carlson, STARTEK's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Iloilo City's provincial location is ideal for our expansion in the Philippines."   "We place a high value on providing a great environment for our employees and look forward to becoming involved in the c...

There is so much excitement coming up in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park (IBP) as it becomes the official home of the annual Bike Festival until 2024.  This, after Megaworld and the Iloilo government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the partnership. The partnership between Megaworld and Iloilo, signed by senior vice president Jericho P. Go and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, will promote a healthy lifestyle, road-sharing as bike lanes emerge and public safety practices in Iloilo.   The 1st Iloilo Bike Festival held last March at the Iloilo Business Park "The partnership solidifies the very purpose of this festival, which is to gather the Ilonggo community and show its commitment to healthy and sustainable living. We fully support Iloilo's bid to become the bike capital of the Philippines as we also build our own bike lanes in Iloilo Business Park," says Go. Environment-friendly township Future residents, BPO workers, mall-go...

As part of its commitment in developing sustainable townships, Megaworld, the country’s leading real estate developer, partnered with the Iloilo city government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Iloilo City Agriculture Office, McDonald’s, and PGA Green Global company, to lead an environmental initiative dubbed “My Mangroves, My Life,” where around 100 volunteers from Megaworld, local residents, students from University of San Agustin, planted nursed mangrove seedlings at a 2,500 sq. m. coastal area of Brgy. Sooc, Villa de Arevalo, Iloilo City.  (L-R) Harold Geronimo, head of public relations and communications, Megaworld; Romulo Pangantihon, agricultural technologist, Iloilo City Agriculture Office; Janica Ella Hondrade, Ms. Philippines-Earth finalist and Ms. Paraw Regatta Queen 2014; Ninfa Adolfo, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau; Norlito Bautista, administrator, Iloilo City; Ricardo Tugado, barangay captain, Brgy. Sooc; Geraldine Hautea, department ...

GUIMARAS—Eight years have passed since the M/T Solar 1 sank off the coast of Guimaras and Negros Islands causing, what is considered, the worst oil spill in the country. The oil tanker, carrying more than 2 million liters of bunker fuel, sank during a violent storm in August 2006, and adversely affected marine sanctuaries and mangrove reserves in three out of five municipalities in the island of Guimaras.  The area was once a rich fishing ground. Since then, the local government has stepped up efforts to conserve and protect the marine environment. Environment advocate Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) was among the private institutions that immediately responded to the call for assistance in the long-term rehabilitation of the area, particularly in sustaining the mangrove plantation of the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in barangays La Paz and San Roque in Nueva Valencia.   Smart joins hands with community stakeholders in sustaining the mangrove plan...

World-renowned Emperador Brandy will soon be produced on the most modern vineyard in Spain, also considered the largest vineyard in Europe dedicated to brandy production. According to Universidad Politécnica de Madrid professor José Ramón Lissarrague, who has over three decades of agricultural engineering expertise, the vineyard employs the most advanced technology in Spain. “With its modern and technologically advanced design, Emperador’s vineyard in Toledo is expected to yield approximately 30,000 kilos of grapes per hectare.  This is equivalent to five times the average yield of a typical Spanish vineyard,” said Lissarrague.  The professor is part of a team tapped to develop the best implementation strategies for the vineyard.  He has worked for many years with González Byass, one of the largest sherry, wine and brandy producers in Spain. Unlike traditional Spanish vineyards, Emperador’s Toledo vineyard features state-of-the-art technology called Precision ...

ILOILO CITY, Philippines, September 30, 2014— Megaworld, the country’s leading real estate developer and pioneer of townships, introduces another modern luxury residential condominium that is poised to be the tallest building in the region. Standing 80 meters high at 22 storeys, The Palladium will also be Western Visayas’ first residential tower with its own skygardens in various floors overlooking the spectacular views of the booming city.   The Palladium will feature skygardens, infinity pool and loft units “Since last year, we have been experiencing consistent growth in the demand for residential towers in Iloilo Business Park. Everyday, we get inquiries about new projects and everyone wants the best views and amenities from the condominiums that they look for. That is why selling the four towers of our first two residential projects, One Madison Place and Lafayette Park Square, was very easy. And now, we are on our fifth tower which will be offering another set of unique...

This October 5 (Sunday), the search for the Performing Artist Extraordinaire begins via GMA Network’s newest reality talent search Bet ng Bayan. Hosted by no less than the Asia’s Songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Kapuso Prime leading man Alden Richards, Bet ng Bayan showcases exceptional Filipino talents—dancing, singing, and extraordinary performances. BNB is a nationwide musical festival fostering the Filipino’s faith in the Filipino talent as the performer that is broad in orientation and scope. Since July, BNB has welcomed all hopefuls from all over the Philippines who are to show off the best of what they’ve got. The show encourages viewers to personally and passionately root for a specific local Filipino talent into becoming the nation’s best.  “ It’s the first talent show that I’ll be hosting na hindi lang singing. This one is different kasi may kakaibang talento at sayawan. And what we’re doing in Bet ng Bayan is that each category will have a winner—Bet ...

It is October so let us color the town pink!   Join the 11th Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 11, Saturday, from Fuente Osmeña Rotunda to Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. Assembly time at Fuente Osmeña is 5 p.m., with a pre-walk program at 5:30 p.m.  The program at Plaza Independencia, which would immediately follow after the walk, would feature testimonies of various cancer survivors. Among other guests, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale would grace the occasion. Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness is a unique collective advocacy campaign focused on early screening and detection of breast cancer through monthly breast self-examination and mammography. With records of 657 deaths out of the 1,349 cases in 2003-2007, the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI-EJACC) identifies breast cancer as the leading cause of death among Cebuano women. For t...

Technology is ever evolving, but it has always been aimed at aiding everyday tasks. Samsung has taken on the higher pursuit of offering people a better lifestyle. Thus, armed with state-of-the-art electronics and a passion for innovation, Samsung has come up with their new lineup of digital household appliances that will ensure a happy home. Air Conditioner With Triangle Design Among their breakthrough inventions is their new air conditioner with triangle design. In a country that is notorious for its sweltering summers, a proper air conditioner is almost mandatory. But the difference between this new Smart Air Conditioner and an conventional air conditioner is clear. It does not just produce cool air; it has been tailored to be more efficient and cost-effective in this task. Thanks to its carefully engineered triangle design which allows for bigger fans within a more compact body. Thus, it circulates cool air faster, farther, and wider while maintaining a sleek look. Th...

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and 12 local government units (LGUs) of Cebu yesterday (September 19) entered into an agreement for the repair and construction of 218 classrooms that would benefit an estimated 9,800 students. The classrooms include those in schools in towns severely hit by super typhoon Yolanda last November 8. Aside from building classrooms, RAFI would also assist the LGUs and the Department of Education in school governance. “The challenge is not on fixing the school buildings anymore. What we need is to prepare the students so that they can compete,” said RAFI President Roberto Aboitiz, adding that there is also a need to build the character, competence, and citizenship of the students. He likewise exhorted the LGUs to maintain the same enthusiasm in partnering with RAFI in this project.  Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) President Roberto Aboitiz gestures as he emphasizes the point that aside from building classrooms, all stakeholders ...

Casa Gorordo Museum is closed for eight months starting September 20 for upgrading. Committed to improve the entire facility, including the museum shop, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., which manages the facility, is doing so to enhance the museum. The new Casa Gorordo Museum will utilize state-of-the-art presentations, with additional galleries set up, to make the museum experience more interactive and exciting. Programs, exhibits and other activities will continue, however, in other venues.   Kabataan, Kultura ug Kabilin and Kids at the Museum are still set this month and in October, respectively. The museum will be re-launched and opened in May 2015.