Home grown and Home-brewed

Leave a comment

Good coffee doesn’t always have to come from your favorite café. As they say, “there’s no place like home,” and this compliments the growing appreciation for home brews. This does not only mean coffee prepared at home but there’s also an increasing love for coffee sourced locally.

To support this movement, Robinsons Supermarket recently partnered with Silca Coffee to hold a simple coffee appreciation class at Robinsons Supermarket Ermita. Silca Coffee is a roasting company based in Silang, Cavite. It is a family-owned company, founded by Enrile M. Asuncion in 1996. Since then, they’ve been harvesting, roasting and exporting coffee worldwide.

At the appreciation class, guests learned how coffee was made from harvesting, drying to roasting. Most importantly, they also learned some of the best ways to prepare coffee at home. Whether it’s through a brewer, French press or pour over, the smell and taste of a freshly brewed coffee is enough to welcome the start of good day.

No matter how you like your coffee done, one just cannot deny, the joy a good cup of coffee brings.
Silca coffee is available at Robinsons Supermarket.

Intelenet® Global Services expands operations in the Philippines

Leave a comment

Intelenet® Global Services, a leading business process service provider backed by Blackstone, launched its newest facility in Manila, Philippines to consolidate its presence and support its growth in the region. The new facility is expected to double its employee count as compared to the existing numbers.

The facility located in the south-east of Metro Manila in Taguig, will provide a world class platform to the growing Intelenet® Global Services team, replete with state-of-the-art technology, next generation business process solutions and global best practices to draw from. The expansion will enable Intelenet® Global Services to increase its seating capacity by 100% from the existing capacity.The new facility will further serve to amplify Intelenet’s service delivery across geographies and will continue to offer critical services & processes in the BPM cycle to all its clients across the BFSI, Travel & Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail & Manufacturing verticals.

“Philippines is a key delivery location for Intelenet Global Services. Our new facility here will serve the growing demand from our clients to get serviced out of this region” said Susir Kumar, Executive Chairman, Intelenet® Global Services. With an established presence across several geographies, we look forward to expanding our global delivery footprint utilizing the talented workforce that Philippines has to offer. This would act as a major catalyst for growth and employment in the competitive and ever expanding global business process services market.”

Intelenet® entered Philippines in 2008 and is one of the leading firms, committed to delivering the best in class service to all its clients through its innovative capabilities and NextGen Tools. It has grown at a CAGR of 47% over the past 7 years. This expansion marks Philippines as a favorable market for business process management services. Intelenet® is playing a pioneering role towards driving this growth by investing in the talented youth of the country.

Backed by Blackstone (A leading global private equity player), Intelenet® Global Services is currently on a high growth trajectory and is looking at expanding globally with the aim being to become a world class BPM provider worldwide.

Solar Entertainment Corporation stays on top of its game

Leave a comment

Solar Entertainment Corporation remains to be the largest content provider and channel operator in Southeast Asia. The network is comprised of seven (7) channels—ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, CT, Solar Sports, Basketball TV, and NBA Premium. The viewers are in for a treat when they tune in to Solar Entertainment’s roster of channels on Sunday, October 16, as the first integrated rebranding execution of the channels will be revealed.

In hindsight, it was an effort done separately by the stations. Solar Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Wilson Tieng says, “[This year], we are doing the change of the broadcast design simultaneously for higher impact and to bring more excitement for the channels and its viewers. Through this venture, we aim to boost viewership and market share by giving a fresh take on our channels and topnotch content tied with the new look.”

While the technology of content delivery to the market is evolving, the TV network continues to grow and keep up with the changing landscape. “Solar has kept its fingers on the pulse of media-savvy Filipino audiences,” says Tieng. “We pay attention to emerging viewing habits while at the same time, setting the trend and changing mindsets.”

With the emergence of digital media, Solar stays on top of its game as the pioneer in providing Filipino audiences the access to international shows, sporting events, films, and eventually online content. Tieng confirms, “We have to open all the avenues for marketing and revenue. It creates the challenge of gaining traction with your audience, especially the millennials, and support from advertisers. There are more exciting announcements for this last stretch of the year and onto 2017, specifically for the channel content and digital assets of Solar. We are definitely going for more.”

Don’t miss the channel flip of ETC, 2nd Avenue, Solar Sports, and Basketball TV happening on October 16 at 8 PM.

ETC is on UHF channel 21, Sky Cable channel 16, Destiny Digital channel 16, Global Destiny channel 28, Cignal channel 9, or Cablelink channel 34.

2nd Avenue is seen on UHF Free TV Ch. 29, SkyCable Ch. 19, Global Destiny Cable Ch. 29, Cablelink Ch. 35, and Cignal Ch. 28.

Solar Sports is on SkyCable Ch.70, Destiny Ch.35, and Cablelink Ch.58 and Basketball TV is available on SkyCable Ch. 33, Cignal Ch. 35, and Global Destiny Ch. 34.

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp. launches Bancassurance Month Ayala Life FGU becomes BPI-Philam Life Makati

Leave a comment

BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp., the largest bancassurance company in the Philippines, kicked off Bancassurance Month this October during the unveiling of the new BPI-Philam Life Makati Building (formerly Ayala-Life FGU).

The month-long celebration led by BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp. (BPLAC) CEO Surenda Menon aims to educate Filipinos on the existence of bancassurance and importance of life insurance to help people with their long-term protection needs and to assist and support them throughout different stages of life’s journey.

Philam2

Mr Menon said: “Insurance penetration is still very low at around 2% based from the latest report of the Insurance Commission.1 We want to ensure that all Filipinos have access to the right protection solutions to provide adequate insurance coverage for their lifestyle requirements. We want to be able to provide insurance that is accessible and affordable to every market segment.”

“BPI-Philam continues to see strong potential for bancassurance given the continued rise of the middle-class, the continued economic growth brought by the high productivity in the country, and the increasing savings rate. These factors also present an opportunity to educate Filipinos on the importance of financial planning as a way to help them win during life’s key moments from marriage to parenthood, or from business management to retirement.

BPI-Philam’s trained Bancassurance Sales Executives (“BSEs”) are located at every one of BPI’s 800 branches to ensure that customers receive appropriate advice for every life stage.
BPI-Philam will also hold the Bancassurance Walk on October 5 where 200 employees will create awareness about bancassurance while walking along Ayala Avenue, Makati.

BPI-Philam is also launching iCare, the first policy owner after-sales servicing application in the Philippines. Policy owners can request changes to their policies be made electronically on a tablet device for unrivalled convenience. This follows the introduction of AIA’s highly successful interactive point of sale (iPoS) proprietary technology that improved the customer experience and promoted increased efficiency during the sales process.

Customers can find out more about Bancassurance Month through www.bpi-philam.com.

Shell Bike Fair 2016 at World Trade Center

Leave a comment

The Philippines is home to a strong 4-million motorcycle community that still continues to grow everyday. The recent rise in number of motorcycle riders for the past couple of years has cemented the popularity of the two-wheeled vehicle, making it an indispensable mode of transportation for Filipinos all over the country.

IMG_2783

Coming from a successful celebration of all things motorcycle last year, Pilipinas Shell takes things to the next level by hosting a bigger and grander Shell Bike Fair 2016. To show Shell’s appreciation for the motorcycle community, this year’s Shell Bike Fair is a series of three grand events in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The three-part celebration was made possible by Shell Advance, Shell V-Power Nitro+, and Shell Select.

Shell Bike Fair 2016 – the third and final leg of the Shell Bike Fair 2016 was held at the World Trade Center through a day filled with games and entertainment for the company’s valued customers. Upon entering the world-class location, the attendees were treated to fun demos and games at the different booths set up throughout the venue.

Exciting performances by Imago, Gracenote, Mocha Girls, Callalily and Parokya ni Edgar plus other surprise celebrity appearances brought the house down, with the crowd partying along to their favorite hits. The event ended on a high note as several motorcycle clubs received special prizes and three lucky guests brought home their brand new motorcycles.

Partners on the road

Shell aims to demonstrate that it is a trusted partner of motorists in their every ride. Using Shell Advance can help provide easier engine starts, as well as long-term cleanliness and overall maximum protection, for a smoother ride on the road. Shell’s world-class lubricants go hand in hand with the use of Shell V-Power Nitro+, Shell’s premium performance fuels, which are designed to fight gunk and corrosion. And lastly, Shell aims to make every visit to a gas station worthwhile through the wide array of snacks, refreshments and hot meals that Shell Select offers for riders on the go.

“For over 100 years, Pilipinas Shell’s products and services have evolved to meet the current needs of Filipino motorists. We want our customers to know that Shell is every Filipino motorist’s partner on the road. Aside from quality lubricants and fuels, offerings such as the Shell Select convenience store, Shell Helix Oil Change+, and other integrated services, Shell has evolved into more than just a gas station – it is a pit stop that fuels both you and your motorcycles,” said Anthony Lawrence Yam, Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Retail.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph.

Jolly Pinoy Collectibles and the launching of Jollibee first mobile app using augmented reality

Leave a comment

Jolly Pinoy Collectibles, featuring our favorite Jollibee and friends. Each limited edition collectible show different Pinoy icons and various functions that proudly represent our rich heritage.

Yum Kalesa Fun creates that familiar sound of the horse drawn carriage and Twirlie Pinoy Sorbetes will remind us of that familiar bell sound from your neigborhood ice cream  vendor.

IMG_2803

Hetty Vinta Getaway transports you down South to hear the calming sound of the waves.

Hetty Toy.jpg1

Jollibee Jeepney features the country’s most beloved mascot beside the Pinoys’ iconoic public transport with a jolly invitation to hop on and with Popo Carabao farm is set against the rice fields with our national animal.

Get the limited edition Jollibee Pinoy Collectibles for only P150 each every Jollibee Value Meal purchase. Hurry, as these collectibles are available from September 15 to November 14, 2016 only or until supplies last

IMG_2809

The country’s number one fast-food chain, Jollibee, recently unveiled its first-ever mobile application called JolliDance Showdown app that is sure to be a hit among Jollibee fans of all ages.

The all-new mobile app that will make use of augmented reality (AR) with the help of the Jollibee Kids Meal box. It allows kids to try some interactive fun with the fast-food chain’s famous mascot, Jollibee.

The app was developed by renowned Los Angeles-based mobile innovation agency, Trigger. The agency has produced applications for other clients like Sony Pictures, Lionsgate Entertainment, and Lucas Film.

This quick immersion of the app’s designers determined the features and the overall appeal of the app. Trigger President and Executive Creative Director Jason Yim explains the app plays on the sense of community. “Getting friends involved and getting your own avatar involved, that’s definitely the most fun part. You can’t help but smile when you do it.”

Other features of the JolliDance Showdown App were also discussed, including unlocking new characters with every visit to Jollibee branches and scanning the Jolly Kiddie Meal promo board located at the store counters.

Yim said, “The app is pushing how we can engage kids with augmented reality. It’s more than just having characters appear. It’s interactive and gives a much deeper experience.”

The JolliDance Showdown App is free for download in iTunes and Google Play Store. Get the app and watch the Jolly Joy Box go live. The Jolly Joy Box comes free with every purchase of the Jolly Kiddie Meal.

Don Papa Rhum

Leave a comment

 

Don Papa Rum, the premium aged rum from the sugar island of Negros Occidental, Philippines, introduces the new set of award-winning designs in its Don Papa Art Canister Series. Composed of the winners in the 2015 Don Papa Art Competition, the Series features the top three artworks being incorporated into the canisters and packaging of Don Papa Rum.

 

First to be made available this October 2016 is the design by grand prize winner Riel Hilario called “The Spiritual Landscape of Papa Isio.” On its heels are two other award-winning artworks by Barry Cervantes and Anjo Bolarda.

 

IMG_2741

“Don Papa and the Babaylan” is by first runner up winner Barry Cervantes, who also hails from Negros Occidental. The 3ft x 5ft acrylic on canvas painting is his nostalgic tribute to the stories he heard as a child growing up in Valladolid, Negros, about Papa Isio’s revolt against the Spaniards and the myths surrounding Mount Kanlaon. Papa Isio is Dionisio Magbuelas, the leader of the shamanistic babaylanes (priests, philosophers, and healers) who led a revolt in Negros in the 1890s. Mt. Kanlaon is an active volcano towering over the island, and is considered a sacred site by the people of Negros. “The painting depicts the soul of Papa Isio alongside a babaylan crowned with the images of struggle and the braveness of a true revolutionary icon that embodies the strong spirit of Negrosanons and the Babaylanes,” says Cervantes. Other images the artist portrayed in his painting include an erupting Mt. Kanlaon and a “bird that portrays death in a sacrificial way, in exchange for our sweet freedom.”

 

IMG_2753

Our version of Dona Collada

And the second runner up is a 2ft x 4ft ink on paper illustration by artist Anjo Bolarda. Inspired by the original packaging of Don Papa Rum, Bolarda chose to hand-draw the design of his “Untitled” piece as a nod to the hard work, meticulous craftsmanship, and the necessary time needed to produce excellent rum. His piece is also an appreciation for the exotic wildlife found in the dense rain forests surrounding Mt. Kanlaon, as well as a message of concern about the environment. “In the illustration you can find, peeking out from behind the stalks of the sugarcane, just some of the animals endangered and endemic to Negros Occidental,” says Bolarda. According to the artist, the animals in the design help localise the brand further, and make the packaging more relevant as it highlights the environmental issues of today.
Don Papa Art Canister Series launches the Riel Hilario Edition in four Don Papa Rum markets: the Philippines, France, Germany, and the Netherlands this October. The two remaining Art Canister Editions will simultaneously be available this November in key retail outlets, such as Rustan’s, SM, S&R, and Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, to name a few. By December 2016, all three artworks will be available in the four world markets.

 

Launched last November 11, 2015, the first Don Papa Art Competition yielded four award-winning artworks: the three above-mentioned, plus “Florescence of Endeavor” by Renz Bautista, which won the People’s Choice Award.

 

The second Don Papa Art Competition, launched on September 14 at the Mathilde Cafe along Kalayaan Avenue, Makati, is open to to both independent artists as well as artists represented by galleries. The top 10 finalists will be featured in a special Don Papa Exhibit at the 2017 Art Fair Philippines. The grand prize winning artwork will become the next featured design in the Don Papa Art Canister Series for 2017, while its artist will receive an Artist Residency Sojourn in Florence, Italy. For more inquiries on the second Don Papa Art Competition, please visit the Don Papa Rum Facebook page at www.facebook.com/donpaparum or contact Mr. Dannie Alvarez at join@bleedingheartrum.com (email) or 0915-6888269 (cell).

 

 

Gatorade Run on November 27, 2016

Leave a comment

 The world’s number one sports drink, in partnership with Runrio, will once again hit the road for the second year of the Gatorade Run.

It will be held on November 27, 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The run will have two distances—11K and 22K.

More than 6,000 runners registered in last year’s run which featured hydration stations where participants got pre-race hydration drinks, a post-run hydration test area where runners instantly learned about their hydration status, and a warm-up area where free sessions were available for those who wanted a full-on warm up activity before and after the run. Gatorade ambassadors Jeron Teng, Jaja Santiago, Chris Banchero, Jett Manuel and Ara Galang were among those who were present to support the runners.

This year’s run promises to be more exciting, while still focusing on the importance of pre- and post-run hydration. Pepsico Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde said, “Gatorade is a global leader in sports performance and we’ll definitely bring that expertise to the run. Learning the benefits of proper hydration is crucial for runners and we look forward to reinforcing that message through the Gatorade Run.  We’re excited to show runners how, whether in sports hydration or a unique consumer experience, NOTHING BEATS GATORADE.”

Registration for the Gatorade Run 2016 will start on September 12. Log on to runrio.com for updates and to register.