The PR & Events Circuit

Finding the right connection has never been this easy with GoWiFi! Now available in over 1,500 locations nationwide, GoWiFi allows more Filipinos to connect to fast and reliable internet up to 100Mbps. Share your own personal love story and get a chance to watch Sam Smith live in Manila! Visit GoWiFi on   Facebook  for more details. GoWiFi is a public hotspot service by Globe Telecom that provides customers a better WiFi experience. GoWiFi had already expanded its services last year to over 1500 locations and more than 10,000 access points all over the Philippines. These include major malls (Ayala Malls, Robinsons Malls, SM Supermalls, Megaworld Malls), select convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants, airports, LRT/MRT train stations, hospitals, and schools. Anyone can connect to the public hotspot through their WiFi-enabled phone or gadget, regardless of the network provider.

While dressing up has become more relaxed in recent years, elegance is timeless. And Salvatore Mann Shoes and Bags highlight contemporary classics for today’s man of style at SM.    Salvatore Mann shoes give a fresh look to footwear for more formal occasions. These include brogues, the workhorse shoe perfect with everything from jeans to suits; lace up derbies that give a dressed up – but not too dressed up – look, black cap-toe oxfords for every dressed up occasion, as well as preppie loafers and slip-ons.

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), the leading local housing developer in VisMin for both horizontal and vertical developments, forged an agreement with The Ascott Limited to develop Citadines Bacolod. A partnership with CLI and Capitaine Inc., CLI Bacolod Hotels Inc. today signed a service management deal with The Ascott Limited to develop the first hotel in the city carrying an international brand. The 200-room serviced residence is CLI's fourth project with the world’s leading service residence operator and is expected to boost the Cebu-based developer’s hotel portfolio to 969 rooms. “CLI sees a lot of opportunities in Bacolod," said Jose Soberano III, CLI president, after the contract signing on June 19 in Bacolod. "Our growth in this city – and in the rest of VisMin—will hinge on tourism as well as the IT-BPM industry – both drivers of the region’s economy.

Globe Business, the information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, brings out an array of powerful tools and solutions that will enable enterprises to build and secure their business and digital ecosystems for seamless connections with customers. Together with world-class providers Amazon Web Services, Google, RightCloud, GoCanvas, Trustwave, and Bitsight, Globe Business was able to capitalize on Cloud and Cybersecurity innovations to help companies glide smoothly in their journey towards digitalization. These tools took center stage during the “Breakthrough with Globe Business Solutions” event at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel attended by key leaders and executives from various industries. L-R: ES Solomon-GoCanvas APAC Sales and Product Engineer, Marlon Cruz-Trustwave Country Director, Peter Sharples-Amazon Web Services APAC Head of Major Initiatives, Channels and Alliances, Pebbles Sy-Manalang- Globe Chief Information Officer, Albert M. De Larrazabal-Globe C...

Days of basking under the hot summer skies are over and it’s time to prepare ourselves for the rainy weather. Daiso Japan might just have the necessities to help you cope with the wet days ahead.  Visit Daiso Japan’s newly opened branch at the second level of Robinsons Place Pavia Ilo-Ilo, your one-stop-shop for rainy season items!

The 2018 Green Film Festival (GFF) continues to mold the minds of the young generation, by presenting documentaries about climate change and current environmental issues in a film showing at SM Cinema 8 in Iloilo City last June 19, 2018. The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 6 and SM City Iloilo with the support of the Department of Education, worked together to mount this project which has been a long time partnership since it was launched years ago.

Mang Inasal, the fastest growing fast-food restaurant that serves the 2-in-1 sa Laki, Nuot-sa-Ihaw Sarap Chicken Inasal loved by everyone, celebrates a milestone as it formally opens its 500th store in the city where it all began - Iloilo City. The well-loved grillery chain already gave Filipinos a preview of the milestone store located at the Iloilo City Center, West Diversion Road in Mandurriao, Iloilo City when it made a soft opening in April. Mang Inasal kicked off the grand opening festivities on June 19, with the unveiling of a commemorative 500th store marker. It is made up of banana leaves encased in resin and arranged in Pintados pattern. The inscription takes pride of Mang Inasal’s growth in the past 15 years. 

ePerformax Contact Centers & BPO is one of the first contact centers in the Philippines, first opening their doors on our shores back in 2002. The company has primarily focused its operations on providing the highest levels of BPO and customer service to a select group of Fortune 500 companies. ePerformax provides support for their English-speaking customers in locations around the globe.    In the heart of Capiz, ePerformax officially celebrates the grand opening of their newest facility in the country. Located at the Pueblo de Panay TechnoPark in Roxas City, this new site is further proof of the company’s continued commitment to growing and developing the Philippines as one of the leading BPO service providers in the world. “We want to be more than mere employers here. We want to become stakeholders in this vibrant community as well,” shares Teresa Hartsaw, President and CEO of ePerformax, as she looks forward to the company becoming a long-term partner in g...

Active Sneakers from KICKS It has been said that apart from diamonds, shoes are a woman’s best friend.  And it’s not surprising. Christian Louboutin, who is known for his iconic shoe designs, has said, that “a woman can be charming, witty, sexy, or shy with her shoes”.  Versatile Wedges from PARISIAN Designer Tracy Reese, on the other hand, has her take on the power of wearing the right shoe: “shoes are the finishing touch on any outfit and it is important to complete a look with the perfect pair.”

Globe Telecom joins the Department of Education’s (DepEd) BrigadaEskwela 2018 with the theme, “Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan,” as part of its effort to encourage more Filipinos to take on volunteer initiatives via Time Please, a collaboration between the telecom firm and The Walt Disney Company, Philippines. Globe Employees doing a #GlobeofGood at Bangkal National High School in Makati joined by Globe Chief Human Resource Officer, Renato Jiao and Chief Human Resources Officer and Group Head for Corporate Resources of Ayala Corp, JP Orbeta.  Tapping into the selfless hearts of Filipinos, Globe aims to make volunteer activities, especially during the BrigadaEskwela season, accessible and fun to do with friends and family. Through Time Please, non-government organizations, government agencies, private companies,  the academe, and even individuals can easily connect with communities to continue spreading acts of kindness t...

Mynt, the fintech company of Globe Telecom, Ant Financial, and Ayala Corp. which operates GCash, announced yesterday that the GCash QR-based mobile payment technology is now  available in all restaurants and outlets of FooDee Global Concepts in the country.  In photo (From left to right) Mynt CEO Anthony Thomas, Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu, FooDee Global Concepts President and CEO Rikki Dee and COO Eric Dee, Jr.  As one of Manila’s largest multi brand food groups, FooDee Global Concepts continues to dominate the culinary scene with over 30 years of experience under its belt. Starting with homegrown brands for the Philippine market, it now brings foreign brands from all over the world to cater to its sophisticated clientele. Brands include Tim Ho Wan, Todd English Food Hall, POUND by Todd English, Flatterie, HOOK, Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles, FOO’D by David Oldani, MESA Filipino Moderne, llaollao, Bench Café Kam’s Roast and Sunnies Café.

VisMin’s leading local developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is one of BCI Asia’s Top 10 Developers in the Philippines for 2018 and the only one from the Visayas and Mindanao region.  CLI joined the country’s ten leading developers of 2018 in accepting the distinction by the annual BCI Asia Awards which seeks to recognize top developers and architects that had “the greatest impact on the built environment in Southeast Asia.”  “Having become a prestigious awards body in Asia for the building and design industry, we are very honored to be among the top ten developers, alongside the biggest names in the real estate industry in the country,’’ said CLI president and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III.  The BCI Asia Top 10 Awards judging criteria is based as a whole on the aggregate value of construction projects reported during the preceding year. It also gives premium to green and sustainable buildings by giving a higher multiplier to green projects....

Globe Telecom has launched its long-term conservation and sustainability plan for Boracay, starting with its initiatives to help address untreated sewage that is causing pollution into the waters of the island. Globe executives recently signed a memorandum of agreement with key leaders from Manila Water Foundation and Boracay Island Water Company (Boracay Water) for the donation of a communal septic tank in Sitio Ilaya, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.  Globe and its partners will also provide 8,000 packs of Vigormin – a low-cost, organic solution to boost the removal rate of organic pollutants in septic tanks for improved quality of used water –– to more than 4,000 households in Boracay.  “I am very happy Globe came to us and asked what we can do. Because of our ties with Globe and Boracay Water, we sat down one afternoon and shared some ideas. In Boracay, there are low-lying areas that sewer lines cannot reach,” Manila Water Foundation President Geodin...

Around 2,300 participants joined the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at SM City Iloilo last June 12, 2018.  SM Supermalls has long been a witness of different Pinoy milestones, family bonding moments, and national celebrations brimming with Pinoy SMiles! The celebration is a tribute to Pinoy pride with Pinoy SMiles at SM, a one-of-a-kind celebration of Independence Day, through fun happenings and promos in 70 malls nationwide.

Megaworld subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) is launching a new residential development in its Renaissance complex along Meralco Avenue,Ortigas Center in Pasig City. To be called The Fifth, it will be the fifth residential cluster to rise within the Renaissance community, in close proximity to the business district of Ortigas Center, and the cities of Quezon, Pasig, San Juan and Mandaluyong. It is strategically located right beside St. Paul’s College-Pasig and just less than 5 minutes away from the Asian Institute of Management, Poveda College, University of Asia and the Pacific, and The Medical City. Rising 36-storeys, The Fifth will offer units ranging from Studio (up to 37 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 86 square meters), two-bedroom (up to 137 square meters) and three-bedroom (up to 229 square meters). All units will have their own balconies offering cityscape views of Ortigas, Quezon City and the Antipolo mountains.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is all set to simultaneously conduct this year’s Fire Office Examination (FOE), Penology Officer Examination (POE), and Basic Competency on Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE) on June 24, 2018. School assignments for FOE in Luzon are La Union National High School (San Fernando City, La Union); Cagayan National High School (Tuguegarao City); Pampanga High School (San Fernando, Pampanga); Batangas National High School (Batangas City); Bicol University-CIT, Bicol University-CSSP, Divine Word College, and Divine Word College-HS/GS (Legazpi City), Ramon Magsaysay High School (Cubao) and Don Alejandro Roces S&T High School (Quezon City); and Baguio City National High School (Baguio City). For Visayas—Iloilo National High School (Iloilo City); University of Cebu-Main Campus (Cebu City); and Leyte Normal University, Eastern Visayas State University, Leyte National High School, Sagkahan National High School (Tacloban City);

In reaction to latest news reports and blogs about the speed test results in the Philippines, Globe reiterated its commitment to improve internet speeds and the overall quality of experience (QoE) of internet services. The Philippines is now the most improved country in Southeast Asia when it comes to Internet connection, clocking 5 times faster fixed broadband download speeds according to a recent infographic released by Yugatech using the latest Ookla data. The new infographic is a welcome update to previous infographics portraying the country as Asia's laggard. Based on the 2018 report by Ookla, the average fixed broadband download speed in the Philippines is 5 times faster than in 2014. Infograph courtesy of Yugatech. Released with permission from Yugatech According to Speedtest Global Index Report by Ookla for April 2018, fixed broadband download speeds have increased dramatically by 403% to 17.62Mbps as of April 2018, from 3.5Mbps in 2014. The country is followe...

Phenomenal Kapuso star and Pambansang Bae Alden Richards is all set to make his big comeback on primetime TV as he headlines GMA Network’s upcoming drama series – Victor Magtanggol. During his interview on 24 Oras, Alden shared what his role is all about. “Si Victor Magtanggol ay isang simpleng tao na nabigyan ng isang extraordinaryong misyon sa buhay na masusukat ang lahat sa buhay niya: pagsubok sa pamilya, pagsubok bilang kapatid, pagsubok bilang kaibigan, lahat.” Alden didn’t think twice accepting the project since he has been dreaming of doing something like this. “Natuwa ako at naexcite kasi yung puso ng character naramdaman ko agad nung binasa ko pa lang yung first week ng script,” he said.

ILOILO is heading towards a progressive future with so many reasons to prove why the ‘City of Love’ is one of the country’s must-visit, must-experiencedestinations today. A huge part of this growing equity is rooted on real estate giant Megaworld’sefforts in redefiningthe cityas a world-class hub throughthe 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park – the company’s multi-awarded township development in Western Visayas. PropertyGuru recently recognized Iloilo Business Park as the “Best Township Development” during the prestigious 2018 Philippines Property Awards. The award was one of the historic feats for the company, which was made even bigger when it won the “Best Developer of the Year” award that same night – its third in as many years – along with four more overall winner and three highly-commended awards.

Globe Telecom formally announced its fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology adoption in the Philippines, with the first 5G Globe At Home service to be commercially available by the second quarter of 2019. The 5G network will boast of higher speeds, lower latency, and better capacity. This will enable Globe to deploy fixed wireless broadband at a fiber speed. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu announces Globe to be among the 1st carriers to commercially rollout 5G services in the Philippines. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said the 5G technology would enable Globe to use Air Fiber technology in relation to deployment of fixed wireless broadband that would benefit individual customers at home and business clients alike. “Air Fiber internet, which makes use of  fixed lo-cation wireless radios instead of fiber, could provide speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps,” Cu added. Globe will start rolling out 5G services commercially in the Philippines mid-2019.  “W...

Journey to a galaxy far, far away with the new app, powered by Globe Postpaid ThePLAN! In need of a refresher on the whole Star Wars series for the latest installment, Solo: A Star Wars Story? There’s no better way to do so than with the newly-launched DisneyLife app! In the new film, moviegoers will see how Han Solo—the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy—meets his mighty future co-pilot Chewbacca, encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, and becomes one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld. With the new DisneyLife app, brush up on the epic space saga with a movie marathon of past Star Wars movies! The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Return of the Sith, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are all available on DisneyLife for your binge-watching pleasure.

Property giant Megaworld has sold around 70 percent of its Shophouse District in its Capital Town development in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The 6.3-hectare Shophouse District, composed of 98 lots ranging from 276 square meters to 680 square meters, allows lot owners to build their own three-level shophouse in neoclassical and art deco architecture. They can use the ground and second levels of the shophouse for commercial purposes while the third level may be used as business owner’s residence. Businesses such as retail, food and beverage, pet shops, fashion boutiques, out-patient clinics, product showrooms, out-patient clinics and boutique hotels may be allowed in the Shophouse District.

Megaworld, the country’s pioneer and leading developer of integrated urban townships, announces that it has launched its first residential development in its 35.6-hectare Capital Town in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.  To be called Chelsea Parkplace, the 12-storey residential tower offers 193 units ranging from studio (up to 31 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 45.5 square meters), and two-bedroom (up to 88 square meters). It takes inspiration from the boroughs of New York City, with its façade pegged on the brownstones of the Big Apple’s Upper West Side. Taking cue from New York City’s charming apartments and edifices, all units of Chelsea Parkplace will have balconies, offering views of the landscape of Capital Town.

Megaworld, the country’s leading developer of integrated urban townships, has launched a new residential development in its 34.5-hectare McKinley West township development in Fort Bonifacio. Rising along the township’s Le Grand Avenue, the 25-storey Park McKinley West offers spacious unit layouts ranging from one-bedroom (up to 48.5 square meters); two-bedroom (up to 110 square meters); three-bedroom (up to 212 square meters); four-bedroom (up to 229 square meters); and five-bedroom penthouse units (up to 336 square meters). “In this residential development, we focused on a wider choices of unit layouts to cater to the varying requirements of urban condo dwellers who are looking for properties in this side of Fort Bonifacio,” says Noli D. Hernandez, senior vice president for sales and marketing, Megaworld.

I must admit, among the first things I do when I wake in the morning is to get hold of my mobile phone and go online. I check my messages on Messenger, browse my Facebook timeline for happenings, monitor what’s trending on Twitter and on my FB pages, update my IG stories and check out my blog. Throughout the day, in between work, errands, blogging events, etc – the same cycle continues. At night, it’s an online recap of the day in all these social media channels. And most of the time, I “lull” myself to sleep watching “anything & everything” on YouTube. Social media has definitely taken me over – and maybe you too!

Over 120 units of construction and heavy equipment is up for bidding this June 30, during HMR Auctions’ public auction event.   HMR Auctions has partnered with Sunwest Group Holding Company Inc. to showcase a wide selection of brands to contractors, traders, and the general public. The event will be held from 10 AM onwards at the Magna Industrial Park, Diversion Road, Barangay 41, Botong, Legazpi City, Albay. “We are pleased to present HMR’s biggest auction event of the year. You will be able to buy quality units for only a fraction of the retail price. Plus, we make sure that the units are priced to sell, ready to work, fully refurbished, and has genuine parts,” said Mr. Samuel Powell, CEO, HMR Auctions.

As part of their employee volunteerism program, SM City Iloilo's team went out of their usual work routine to extend assistance to the Brigada Eskwela project being implemented in the country. The employee volunteerism program is one of the many efforts spearheaded by SM City Iloilo to be in touch with the community. The efforts is a way for SM Employees to exercise their social responsibility and to directly immerse themselves with the community SM serves. SM City Iloilo managers pose for a ceremonial turnover of the paints and materials as well as chairs and the window mesh to Nabitasan Elementary School led by principal Dr. Clarissa Ojera(2nd from left). Managers present were Asst. Mall Manager Jasmine Maquiling, PR Manager Troy Camarista, Marketing Manager Luisi Lim, Leasing Manager Helmar Tupas, Regional CRS Manager Tristan Yana and HR Manager Irene Caumban. Not in photo are Leasing Managers Algie Surita and Jonalyn Lim. This year, the Nabitasan Elem...

Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), Megaworld’s subsidiary that develops integrated tourism and leisure estates, has sustained its growth momentum this year as first quarter earnings soared 27% to P399-million from P315 million during the same period last year. Net income attributable to parent company ended at P407-million, up 25% from P326-million during the same period last year. Consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2018 amounted to P1.66 billion, which tallies similarly from its output during the same period last year. GERI’s rental income for the first three months of the year tripled to P87-million from P27-million during the same period in 2017 as the company opened Southwoods Mall, its first full-scale mall in Biñan, Laguna. The three-level Southwoods Mall offers 58,000 square meter of gross floor area and features innovative contemporary design with touches of interior greenery, a 24-hour Food Hall, four state-of-the-art cinemas, supermarket, hardware ...

"The alarming rise of death rate attributed to cardiovascular disease has prompted PhilHealth to partner with The Medical City Iloilo to provide Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery," said PhilHealth-VI Regional Vice President Lourdes F. Diocson, Regional Vice-President.  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Region VI (PhilHealth VI) and The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) formalized the partnership for the Z-Benefit Package for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG), last June 1, 2018. The said launching event was graced by PhilHealth representatives from the Central Office headed by its 01C-SVP HFPS Dr. Israel Francis Pargas, Regional Vice President Lourdes Diocson, and Medical Officer and HCDMD Chief Dr. Bernadette Reynes. TMCI Executive Committee Members and Dr. Jared Billena were also present together with representatives from the Department of Health Region 6 (DOH-6) headed by Regional Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar and Dr. Ma. Julia Villanueva.