Feel the sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City

This holiday season, experience the unique Christmas sparkle only Filinvest City can offer as it brings Christmas closer to the community! Dubbed as “Sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City,” this year, the city literally sparkles as it adorns more streets with lights and as it enjoins its building locators to participate in its the first-ever Building Christmas décor contest where winners will receive generous prizes. Top billing the celebration is the annual Musical Lights Show that transforms the newly opened Spectrum Linear Park into a Christmas Wonderland. The festivities open on November 23, 2017 for the whole family to enjoy:  a curated bazaar and a magical, never before seen lights show!

“Definitely, we are bringing in something new to this year’s Light Show to make the holidays even merrier and more delightful. It is not just a light show but a holistic in-city Christmas celebration, which means more activities for families and friends to enjoy. So, it is really a community celebration. We are opening more space where people can converge and enjoy the holiday sights and sounds with the garden city as the backdrop,” shares Kate Ilagan, Executive Vice President of Filinvest Alabang Inc., developer of Filinvest City.

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First, there’s the Festino Market that brings together passionate artisans, curated merchants, and talented, up-and-coming chefs who source, grow, bake, make, and create products and wares that they sell, ensuring their goods are delicious, original, and designed to truly inspire–all in a chic and tastefully set-up alfresco market that’s also pet friendly!

Come night fall, gather around the major highlight of the “Sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City”—the dazzling, state-of-the-art light show together with the amazing and futuristic 3D-mapped giant Christmas tree, a unique visual treat in the Metro that’s sure to delight, excite and leave viewers in absolute awe.

Then, there are the scheduled live performances and enthralling musical entertainment to be kicked-off by Christian Bautista on November 23 at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by other weekend performances by Spongecola, Ebe Dancel, Sandwich, and many more.

You can also take part in the arts and craft workshop sessions that add to a totally enriching and inspiring day, while other events to look forward to are the Festino Café pop-up coffee experience where you can savour third-wave brews, as well as the automotive trunk show and test drive showcasing the iconic Mini, the sporty Lotus, and endearing Vespa!

All these are situated in an expansive green park setting—the Spectrum Linear Park, Filinvest City’s verdant green spine—the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the event’s many fun offerings!

“We, at Filinvest City, have always been keen about transforming the lives here in the Metro South, thus the idea of hosting an activity during Christmas to give back to the community was created. We are delighted that the Annual Christmas Musical Lights Show has become part of the holiday celebrations, not just of those in Alabang, but of people in neighboring locales as well. That is what inspires us to improve this tradition that we have started year after year,” Ilagan furthers.

 

Indeed, the holiday season becomes extra special as you savor the invigorated Christmas sparkle only at Filinvest City!

The Sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City runs every weekend from November 23 to December 31, 2017. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/FilinvestCityOFFICIAL/.

SM commits to a better tomorrow at SM City Trece Martires solar system launch

SM Supermalls marked another milestone in its pursuit to make each day better for all at the launch of SM City Trece Martires’ solar system, held in Trece Martires City, Cavite. At the ‘switching on’ ceremony, SM highlighted that the solar system rollout all over the country was only part of the many sustainability programs SM has been doing for years.

The SM City Trece Martires solar facility houses 2,914 solar panels capable of generating 0.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to fully charge 130,000 cellphones, light up 15,500 10-watt LED lamps, run 4,500 30-watt electric fans, and provide power to 300 households. The use of solar energy promotes clean air and saves the environment by helping reduce carbon footprint from electricity produced from combustion of fossil fuels.

Other sustainability programs of SM include the ‘Trash to Cash’ recycling markets in SM malls, and the integration of transport terminals in malls to mitigate traffics for cleaner air. With disaster risk reduction taking center stage on sustainability, SM has been building ‘resilient’ malls with water catchment basins to help manage flood-prone areas.

SM Prime, alongside UNISDR and ARISE Philippines, also hosts the Top Leaders Forum. The theme for 2017 is ‘Business for Resilience – Towards a Resilient Philippines.’ As a private sector conference aspiring to find concrete measures to make businesses more resilient against disasters, the Forum this year underscores invaluable collaboration between the science and technology community and the private sector towards global disaster preparedness.

SM, in partnership with Solar Philippines, first ventured into renewable energy in 2014 with the launch of its first solar system in the Philippines at SM City North EDSA – the first mall in the country to promote solar energy. SM Mall of Asia then launched its solar facility two years after. This year, SM has announced expansion of green programs with more solar systems in eight more malls.

At the helm of SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country is Solar Philippines Founder, Mr. Leandro Leviste. Leading the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia, Mr. Leviste was recognized in the Forbes Magazine 2016 30 under 30 Asia, a roster of young game-changers, entrepreneurs, and social leaders who are under 30 years old.

With SM’s solar system rollout and other green programs, SM continues to go beyond mall development and management as it integrates environmental sustainability into its operations to ultimately support communities for a better tomorrow.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

Casa Ibarra presents the total events package for your next party

The name Ibarra’s is now associated with the best events memories in generations of Filipinos. Starting with Ibarra’s Garden in Padre Faura in the early 2000s, countless brides, debutantes and other celebrants have found an Ibarra’s location for their special occasions.

Today, Ibarra’s Party Venues and Catering officially unveils its fifth and grandest events venue, Casa Ibarra in MOA Complex, Pasay City. The impressive Casa Ibarra stands out from other buildings in this business and commercial district for its modern Filipino design.

Guests drive up to the porte-cochere for drop-off and enter the lobby dominated by the 11 x 3.5m Homage to Monet artwork of French-Filipino artist Olivia d’Aboville. Specially commissioned for Casa Ibarra, this artwork is made of 365 meters of handwoven silk from Palawan and Aklan. It is the artist’s largest work to date, and evokes an air of lightness and romance.

Putting the grand in grand ballroom is Casa Ibarra’s main centerpiece, the 600-sqm. Sala de Amor on the second floor. The grand ballroom accommodates as much as 350 guests and features six majestic capiz chandeliers and lighted onyx pillars. Each chandelier is made of over 20,000 capiz shells. On one side of the room is a grand stairway where steps light up one by one as the celebrant comes down to meet guests from a landing with two facing staircases. If a bride and groom ever wanted to make an entrance ala Beauty and the Beast, this is the way to do it.

For smaller events or parties, Casa Ibarra offers two function rooms on the ground floor, the Alegria and Hermosa rooms. Each room can fit 140 persons or can be combined to become a larger room.

An even more intimate venue would be the porte-cochere’s balcony, offering lively views of the district, or of the moonrise. The area can fit as much as 80 guests for a small wedding set-up or for open air cocktails. It is also often used for photo shoots.

No party would be complete without glorious food and Ibarra’s has become known for offering a wide Filipino and international selection. Casa Ibarra carries Western, Mediterranean, Oriental, Spanish, and Filipino menu choices. Some of their specialties and signature dishes are Ibarra’s hickory pork spare ribs, braised beef shank and seafood paella. Ibarra’s also provides off-site catering services for parties and corporate events. Clients range all across the metro and provinces, and yes, even international clients searching for great food and service.

Ibarra’s has over 17 years of experience in the party venue and catering business. Each location is distinctive in design and architecture. Ibarra’s Garden in Manila is a classic home from the 1920’s, with a garden inspired by American Art Deco architecture. Plaza Ibarra along Timog Avenue, Quezon City is a Mediterranean-themed garden with elegant ballrooms and lighted grand staircase. Bella Ibarra in Quezon Avenue was built around a timeless and elegant theme and is suited for both small and large gatherings. Villa Ibarra in Tagaytay is a small hotel offering stunning views of Taal Lake. It has often been booked primarily for weddings.

Casa Ibarra offers a modern Filipino take in its design and concept. Wood, capiz, raffia fabric and T’nalak, a special handweave from Mindanao, accentuate a lot of the interiors. The venue exudes quiet sophistication and Filipino pride. No wonder it gained many bookings upon its soft opening. Weddings, debuts, a baptismal, corporate events and a golden wedding celebration have made Casa Ibarra very busy, very fast.

A typical Ibarra’s package starts at about P133,000 all-in. This already includes numerous amenities but all still customizable to the client’s preferences. The company believes in giving great value for money for a hassle-free and enjoyable client event.

Ibarra’s banquet sales associates are also knowledgeable about many fine details like a church schedule or the duration of a ceremony. They assist a client from the preparation stage all the way to the end of an event. Now who wouldn’t want that kind of service?

So if you’re planning a baptism, a kiddie birthday, debut, wedding, product launch, graduation or the company’s next big office party, consider Casa Ibarra as your new partner in memory- and merrymaking.

Great Goodyear Sale this Holiday Season

This yuletide season, Goodyear is inviting families to take some time off to enjoy the perfect bonding experience– the road trip!

Gear up for your holiday drive with up to 65% off on selected tires at the Great Goodyear Sale, happening in select Goodyear Autocare Outlets from November 18 – December 31, 2017.

For over 100 years, Goodyear has created some of the world’s most innovative and category-defining tire products, designed to help customers gear up for the drive and enhance their driving experience.

The love of driving is an integral part of the brand’s DNA as it believes that driving goes beyond just physical transportation; rather, it is an emotional transformation, recharging the body, freeing the mind and boosting the spirit – what they call “Road Therapy.”

The idea of Road Therapy has become even more relevant for Filipinos today, with the rise of both local and international tourism.

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In today’s busy and fast-paced lifestyle, a simple weekend road trip is a great way to relax, rejuvenate and share quality time with loved ones – and the upcoming Christmas season is the ideal time to make special memories with the family.

To ensure that your Christmas road trip is smooth and stress-free, get brand new tires at fantastic discounted prices at the Great Goodyear Sale.

Among the great offers available are Buy 3, Get 1 Free (or Buy 1 Get 1 at 50% off) for most tires with rim size 16 and above and a chance to win a brand new Ford EcoSport and other exciting prizes.

And not only can families choose from a variety of high quality tires, they can also enjoy a safer drive through Goodyear’s Worry Free Assurance, which has a number of benefits to ensure peace of mind on the road.

Offered exclusively in all Goodyear Autocare outlets, the Worry Free Assurance Membership Card offers benefits such as a 5-year limited warranty, emergency roadside assistance like tire repair and free towing, and complimentary servicing. Drivers of the covered vehicle can even get up to Php 50,000.00 insurance coverage.

So pack your bags, update your playlist and get the tires you need for a worry-free holiday road trip at the Great Goodyear Sale Kick-off!

For more updates on the Great Goodyear Sale and their great offers, Goodyear is inviting customers to visit its Facebook Page www.facebook.com/GoodyearPhilippines or their website www.goodyear.com.ph/offers.

Novartis promotes awareness on Dry Eye Syndrome, a common condition among Internet users

Filipinos spend more time on the Internet than people in any of the other 29 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, North America, and Europe profiled in the “Digital in 2017 Global Overview” report. Produced by global advertising agency We Are Social and social media management platform Hootsuite, the report shows that the average Filipino Internet user spends 9 hours online each day, with mobile Internet access accounting for more than three and a half of those hours.1

 

“It is a welcome development that more Filipinos now have Internet access. Digital connectivity brings many socio-economic benefits such as improved communication, knowledge dissemination, and economic opportunities, among others. However, spending too much time online also has its drawbacks,” said Ms. Cheryl Maley, President & Managing Director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

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The prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES, also known as dry eye disease or simply dry eyes) is increasing worldwide and is now an important public health problem. One reason for the rapid rise in the number of cases of dry eye disease over the last few years is thought to be prolonged visual display terminal (VDT) exposure because of increased computer use. VDT exposure is also becoming common in the general population because of the widespread use of Internet-based mobile technology and portable information terminals, especially smartphones, among all age groups.2

 

“When we work at a computer or use our smartphone or other portable digital device, we tend to blink our eyes less frequently. This leads to greater tear evaporation and increased risk of DES,” said Dr. Richard L. Nepomuceno, Cornea and External Eye Disease Specialist.

 

Ms. Maley and Dr. Nepomuceno spoke during a media briefing held by Novartis Healthcare Philippines to promote awareness on DES and highlight Systane Ultra Lubricating Eyedrops. Developed by the Novartis eye care division Alcon, Systane Ultra Lubricating Eyedrops are clinically proven to deliver extended protection and high-performance dry eye symptom relief that lasts. Also present during the media briefing held on November 8, 2017 at the Ludo BoardGame Bar and Bistro in Makati City, were filmmaker and model Janina Manipol and homeschool teacher and mommy blogger Joy Mendoza. The two Systane Ultra brand ambassadors shared their personal experiences on eye care given their busy lifestyles.

 

DES is a common condition that occurs when your tears are unable to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons. For example, dry eyes may occur if you don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears. DES signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include a stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes; stringy mucus in or around your eyes; sensitivity to light; eye redness; a sensation of having something in your eyes; difficulty wearing contact lenses; difficulty with nighttime driving; watery eyes; and blurred vision or eye fatigue.3

 

To help prevent DES among office workers, call center agents and other individuals who spend long hours online, experts recommend the “20-20-20 rule”: Look away from the computer/ smartphone/portable digital device screen every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away, and look at it for at least 20 seconds.4 Dr. Nepomuceno also recommends the use of artificial tears, such as Systane Ultra Lubricating Eyedrops, to lubricate dry eyes and help maintain moisture on the outer surface of your eyes.

 

Systane Ultra is available in all leading drugstores nationwide. For more information about Systane Ultra, visit the Novartis Healthcare Philippines official website, novartis.com.ph or like us on Facebook via Facebook.com/SystanePH  or follow @systaneph on Instagram.

 

References:

  1. We Are Social. Digital in 2017 Global Overview. Available at: https://wearesocial.com/special-reports/digital-in-2017-global-overview. Accessed November 3, 2017.
  2. Dogru M et al. A Field Test of Web-Based Screening for Dry Eye Disease to Enhance Awareness of Eye Problems Among General Internet Users: A Latent Strategy to Promote Health. J Med Internet Res. 2013 Sep; 15(9): e209. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3785952/. Accessed November 3, 2017.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Dry eyes. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/basics/definition/con-20024129. Accessed November 3, 2017.
  4. Healthline. 8 Tips to Prevent Eyestrain. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-strain#overview1. Accessed November 3, 2017.

 

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

 

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.

 

McDonald’s Stripes Run 2017: You Run, They Learn How to Read

Whether you have little ones or just want to share the happiness of running with the people that matter the most, the annual McDonald’s Stripes Run is the ultimate family bonding experience.  More than just a day of active lifestyle and fun, you are also able to help grades 1 and 2 public school children learn how to read.

 

Now on its 8th year, the highly anticipated run will be held on November 25, 2017 at Garden Bloc, Cebu IT Park, Cebu City and on December 3, 2017 at McKinley West, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

 

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Proceeds will be used to help public school children learn to read through the Ronald McDonald House Charity’s (RMHC) Read to Learn program.

 

To date, Ronald McDonald Read To Learn has reached over 8,000 partner schools, trained 28,000 educators, and helped close to 12 million students all over the Philippines. This initiative, in partnership with the Department of Education, aims to raise the literacy level among Grade 1 and 2 public school students.

 

Register yourself and your family for the McDonald’s Stripes Run from October 13 to November 23 for Cebu registrants and until December 1 for Manila registrants. Registration is simple with these three options:

 

  1. Fill out the registration form and pay at select McDonald’s stores.
  2. Download the form on mcdostripesrun.com.ph, and settle the registration fee at select McDonald’s stores.
  3. Register and pay online at mcdostripesrun.com.ph.

 

Each registrant will receive a race kit, which includes a pair of the iconic red and white striped socks, a singlet, a race bib, and a stub for a free McDonald’s breakfast meal at the venue.

 

This year’s fun run opens 7 categories including the 5K Squad Stripes, the newest division that’s perfect for the whole gang. Categories for this year’s run are as follows:

 

 Kiddie Stripes  1 kilometer run for ages 8 years old and below
Young Stripes 3 kilometer run for ages 8-15 years old
3K Stripes 3 kilometer run for ages 16 years and up
Family Stripes 3 kilometer run for teams with 2 adults (aged 16 and up) and 2 kids (aged 15 and under)
5K Stripes 5 kilometer run for ages 16 years and up
5K Squad Stripes 5 kilometer run for teams with 4 adults (ages 16 and up)
10K Stripes 10 kilometer run for  ages 16 years old and up

 

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Exciting game booths and activities await the entire family and barkada at McDonald’s Stripes Run 2017 in Manila and Cebu. Sign-up today and tell your family and friends all about it! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #McDoStripesRun and tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. For more information and to view the list of McDo stores you can register in, visit mcdostripesrun.com.ph or follow McDonald’s Philippines’ Facebook page, facebook.com/mcdo.ph.

 

 

 

 

 

The responsible choice: Unioil cares with its “Doing Our Part” campaign

Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. launches its ‘Doing Our Part’ campaign to encourage Filipinos to make a difference in society through the small, everyday actions and responsible decisions they make, including the decision to choose a cleaner fuel.

As pioneers of advanced fuels in the country, Unioil introduces its Euro 5 compliant fuels to give consumers a cleaner and better alternative without the extra cost.  Unioil once again becomes the first and only retail petroleum brand to provide the cleanest range of high performance fuels.

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“People are now becoming conscious about their actions and how it affects society. With our latest campaign, we want to encourage Filipinos to make small yet meaningful decisions that can leave positive and lasting impact to the community,” said Janice Co Roxas-Chua, Chief Financial Officer, Unioil Petroleum Philippines

With Unioil’s Euro 5 compliant fuels, motorists can have access to the cleanest range of fuels that have significantly less sulfur content at 10 ppm (parts per million), 5 times cleaner than Euro 4 standard fuels. Based on actual tests conducted by the DENR-EMB, Unioil’s Euro 5 fuels can provide up to 77% less emissions compared to Euro 4 fuels.  With this, motorists are able to get better engine performance  and making a conscious choice to contribute to the environment.

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Towards a greener Philippines

As part of the company’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint from its own operations, Unioil began its “Hybrid” station program with the installation of Smartflower solar technology in one of its newest retail stations.  The Smartflower is equipped with an automated sun tracking technology allowing it to track the sun’s movements across the sky resulting to as much as 40% higher efficiency compared to conventional fixed type solar panels.

Together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Unioil has also put up Airvisual nodes in selected locations to help monitor air quality. The petroleum company is also the first to have a commercially-available electric vehicle (EV) charger in one of its retail stations to advocate the use of more EVs for a cleaner environment.

The right fuel choice

“For the past 50 years, Unioil has always been putting innovative petroleum solutions in the hands of consumers.  Today, we continue this by introducing breakthrough ways to harness solar power, promote the use of electric vehicles, and drive with cleaner fuel,” said Kenneth Pundanera, President, Unioil.

Unioil’s “Doing Our Part” campaign engages everyone to make meaningful decisions for the community through every day driving with Unioil. With this advocacy, Unioil presents itself as the reliable and cleaner alternative for motorists on their journey towards a healthier society and a greener environment.

With its programs and Euro 5 performance fuels, Unioil invites motorists, environmental advocates, and families to join its advocacy in making responsible choices for a sustainable and healthier tomorrow.

About Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc. traces its roots back to 1966 when it established its own blending facility in Valenzuela. Unioil is currently engaged in fuels trading, lubricants blending and distribution, specialty oils marketing, and distribution of bitumen (asphalt). This makes Unioil one of the country’s most diverse and innovative petroleum companies.

In 1997, upon the deregulation of the oil industry, Unioil became the first independent petroleum company to operate a retail franchising network of service stations. Unioil has also been the exclusive licensed blender and distributor of Idemitsu lubricants since 1994. Idemitsu is the eighth largest lubricants brand in the world.

Unioil has become the pioneer in offering the cleanest and most innovative products in the market. On September 2017, Unioil became the first and only retail station in the Philippines to release a complete line of Euro5-compliant fuels. Euro 5 fuels have further reduced sulfur levels, producing cleaner emissions. Unioil’s Euro 5 fuels are 5x cleaner than the current Philippine standard – with a maximum sulfur content of 10 parts per million (10ppm)

SM Lifestyle Entertainment opens new Olympic-size ice skating rink at MOA

Sweeping in time for the cool breeze of the ber month, SM Skating oens an all new Olympic-size ice rink at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) complex in Pasay City.

Located at the main mall’s recently opened third level, the 1,800 square meter rink is the perfect venue to cool down with the family and friends or learn the country’s only range of ice sports.
The coolest place in town boasts of a standard size Olympic rink, big enough to fit 300 people at a time. Catering to sports such as figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey, the rink is equipped with complete facilities such as a digital scoreboard, player’boxes, scorekeeper and penalty boxes as well as locker rooms, each with a hot and cold shower. A multi-purpose room serves as a venue for sports training, meeting, and other social functions while a clinic provides immediate first aid assistance for any minor sports-related injuries. Families, friends and bleacher fans can conveniently watch practices, training, exhibitions, show, games, and tournaments at the 200-seater stands located around the rink. Those wanting to take a quick bite can easily head to the Snack Time booth for hotdogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, coffee cakes, pastries and ice-cold beverages and relax at the rink’s spacious lobby and lounge area.

“It was Mr. Henry Sy Sr.’s vision to introduce the finesse and grace in ice sports through a fully-equipped ice skating rink. The unveiling of this new facility is both a step forward in our commitment to help grow winter-based sports and our way of inviting more families to step inside the rink and create a fun, memorable experience together,” said Herman Medina-Cue, COO of SM Lifestyle Entertainment. Inc.

This October, try a new sport on ice or create unforgettable skating experiences with family and friends at SM Skating’s newly-opened ice rink. For more information, log on to www.smskatingrink.com or follow@SMSkating on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Visa Launches “Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog” and Uses National Heroes to Provide Financial Education to Young Filipinos

Visa launched Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog (Crumpled, Round), an interactive play featuring national heroes, developed with Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) designed to educate and empower the Filipino youth to make informed financial decisions. This is the first program of its kind launched by Visa in the Philippines in support of the government’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion spearheaded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog will showcase common scenarios faced by a Filipina senior high school student protagonist named Gwyneth who is challenged to make decisions between her needs and wants. Native Filipino heroes such as Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini will also ‘come alive’ from the crumpled bills and rounded coins to help the main character make wise decisions.

The launch also included a panel discussion on the importance of financial literacy in the Philippines, including panelists such as Dan Wolbert, Visa Philippines Head of Sales, Pia Roman-Tayug, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Head of Inclusive Finance Advocacy, Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director, and Patricia Feria-Lim, Teach for the Philippines Chief Strategy Officer.

“At Visa, we strongly believe in the importance of financial literacy and it is a key area of focus as part of our corporate social responsibility efforts. Hence, with the support of BSP, we created this financial literacy program and interactive play through Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog where the Filipino youth can relate to various scenarios on making money management decisions. With millennials forming a large population in the Philippines, we believe it is crucial to spread the knowledge of how to manage their money at a young age, and to highlight the importance of making smart monetary decisions,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

Starting October, the show will be performed in close to 10 different schools to make financial literacy education more accessible to the students. This program is aligned with the government’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, in particular, the pillar on financial education and consumer protection.

“We believe that financial education should be introduced to learners early on, especially key concepts including budgeting, investing, and setting financial goals. Innovative approach such as blending education and art are most welcome and can help the existing programs of the government. This is a tangible support from the private sector of the objectives of the NSFI, particularly the pillars on financial education and consumer protection,” says Pia.

“The informative and interactive performances will stimulate creativity and challenge its audience on their perception of money,” says Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director. With the creative direction of TP, the play will spark critical thinking in these youths on the value of money. “By presenting economic concepts in realistic and entertaining situations, we hope that audiences will find it easier to apply their learnings in their daily lives,” added Nanding.

Visa’s financial literacy initiative also aims to reach out to students under Teach for the Philippines, a program Visa has been actively involved with previously.

“Experiential learning has been proven to be an effective method for encouraging mastery and understanding. At Teach for the Philippines, we believe that programs which incorporate financial literacy and theater arts in academics develop the critical life skills of our learners. We look forward to a continued partnership with Visa Philippines, BSP, and Tanghalang Pilipino to bring our learners closer to their full potential and enable them to contribute meaningfully to nation building,” said Patricia.

“We want to secure the future of the Filipino youth and are committed to forging the path to financial literacy and inclusion. We envision the program to reach more students throughout the country in the coming years,” added Stu.