Uncategorized – Page 6 – Ruel Umali Photography

P&G, and Philippine Red Cross’ COVID-19 Bakuna Buses partnership vaccinates over 52,000 people

21 June 2022June 21, 2022Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines has helped Philippine Red Cross vaccinate over 52,000 vulnerable individuals – more than three times its initial target of 15,000 individuals in the CALABARZON area.

In September 2021, P&G donated over 5 million pesos to fund PRC’s COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinics, popularly known as “Bakuna Buses”. The initiative prioritizes reaching highly vulnerable Filipinos who find it difficult to go to LGU vaccination sites, which includes senior citizens, persons with disabilities, bed-ridden patients, and persons with special needs. P&G’s support was able to deploy three mobile vaccination mobile clinics to at least 150 barangays in the CALABARZON area and has helped inoculate 52,427 individuals—a total of 123,224 COVID-19 doses.

To further boost PRC’s ongoing vaccination efforts, P&G Philippines also partnered with Robinsons Supermarket through the Victory Over Virus donation drive program. With every selected P&G hygiene product such as Safeguard, Head & Shoulders, and Oral B purchased in participating Robinsons Supermarket and Robinsons Easymart stores, P15.00 was donated to the cause. After 2 months, P&G and Robinsons raised a total of Php 1,691,880.00 and will help vaccinate over 2,000 senior citizens in rural areas in Region IV-A. The donation drive ran from November 15, 2021, until January 14, 2022.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Procter and Gamble (P&G) for its generous support of the PRC’s vaccination program. P&G is one of our significant partners in delivering efficient and effective vaccination services. With their help, PRC was able to administer 123,224 COVID-19 vaccine doses, fully vaccinating 52,427 individuals,” said Sen. Richard J. Gordon, Chairman of PRC.

PRC will continue to support the government efforts on COVID-19 vaccination for the next two years until the end of 2023. In fact, the organization has already brought its Bakuna Buses to Mindanao, targeting to vaccinate 50,000 more people across the Philippines by the end of the year. The Bakuna Buses in the Mindanao region are currently being supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

UNIQLO Introduces Its Latest EZY Ankle Pants Collection With Its 2Way Stretch Fabric and New Silhouettes

16 February 2020February 16, 2020Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

Japanese global apparel retailer, UNIQLO, updates its EZY Ankle Pants lineup that features comfortable, elastic fabric in sleek style and colors that can be worn with ease on any occasion.

In line with UNIQLO’s commitment to continuously innovate its LifeWear pieces, the latest EZY Ankle Pants has a 2-Way stretch fabric that stretches vertically and horizontally for ultimate comfort and fit. It also has a front open design and waist with hidden rubbers, belt loops and drawcords. These pants are updated to a clean and flattering trouser-look that can be styled from day to night along with other key LifeWear pieces.

For Work Wear

Pair your UNIQLO’s EZY Ankle Pants (2Way Stretch) with UNIQLO’s EFC Oversized LS Shirt and U Crew Neck SS T-shirt to elevate your style at work. This easy-care pants is made of wool-like material and improved with two-way stitch for a more comfortable fit and trendy modern look.

For Casual Days

Featuring a flared silhouette for a more flattering look, UNIQLO’s EZY Flared Ankle Pants (2Way Stretch) can be matched easily with Uniqlo Rayon Long Sleeve Blouse and U Crew Neck Shirt for the casual weekends. The EZY Flared Ankle Pants is wrinkle-resistant for easy care, even after washing.

For After Hours

Wear your EZY Ankle Pants (2Way Stretch) with Packaged Dry Color Crew Neck Shirt, Linen Blended V Neck Cardigan, and Supima Cotton Crew Neck LS Sweater for a cool relaxed fit, in style and comfort for anytime of the day.

The latest lineup of UNIQLO EZY Ankle Pants is available in all UNIQLO stores nationwide at PHP 1490.

For more updates, customers may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and follow social media accounts, Facebook (facebook.com/uniqlo.ph), Twitter (twitter.com/uniqloph) and Instagram (Instagram.com/uniqlophofficial).

About UNIQLO LifeWear

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, Helmut Lang, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam and J Brand. With global sales of approximately 2.2905 trillion yen for the 2019 fiscal year ending August 31, 2019 (US $21.53 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2019 rate of $1 = 106.4 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world’s most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has more than 2,200 stores in 25 markets including Japan. In alphabetical order, the other markets are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. U.S. and Vietnam. In addition, UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank in 2010, and today there are several Grameen-UNIQLO stores in Dhaka.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant at Resorts World Manila

11 February 2020February 16, 2020Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

The Place He Wants to Come Home to for His Dad’s Original Recipes, Leveled up!

Entrepreneur Henjie Carmona launches Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant at Resorts World Manila to share his father Rafael’s passion for home-cooked dishes, his mother Petronila’s elegant homemaking, and his penchant for art collecting to the upscale hotel-casino complex’s food, wine, and fun loving clientele of high rollers, junkets, and the fancy set. “I want to offer them a place to come home to not only for familiar but original home recipes that have been leveled up for their discriminating tastes,” he said, “but also to cozy up, chill, and unwind after spending hours playing and gaming.”
Although he’s a communication research graduate by degree and initially a banker by profession, Carmona has been in the hotel and restaurant industry for more than two decades now. His group having pioneered the condotel (condominium + hotel) format and the executive breakfast lounge, he wanted to challenge himself further by offering ala carte.

Appetizer such as PINTXOS, Pulpo Kinilaw, Graviax, Ricotta Hummus, Nicol express wings.
Tapa’s like Dinuguan, Entourage, Patatas Bravas, Duck Sisig,, Ribeye Salpicao.
Drinks such as Edsons Vision, Val’s Orgasm, Meg’s Delight, Sheila’s Sexcapade, Deks on the beach,
Rafael’s Smash, Mich’s Freshnesh and Chef’s Fav.

Lessons from Father

“Opening Rafael’s isn’t a childhood dream, but everything that went into it has been inspired by my dad who taught me all I need about food and cooking,” Carmona confessed. “First, good food is all about freshness—meaning, nothing stays long in the freezer, nothing canned is used, and everything is made in-house, even the pasta and especially the sauces.” He reminisces how his father never allowed helpers to cook, reserving that privilege and honor for the head of the family, and made sure to prepare their meals himself every weekend despite being swamped by his business all week.
“I’d remember craving for his signature dinuguan (pork blood stew) and lechon (roasted suckling pig) pairing while Matt Monroe wafts in the air,” he recalls, adding that this time it’s not just about taste, but also being Instagrammable. Thus, all Rafael’s dishes are plated with delicate artistry worthy of being photographed and shared (pun intended).

“Second, you never ask your guests if they have eaten already or if they want to eat or not,” Carmona explained. Not only would it put off guests as an excuse for lack of preparation or not having enough food, it would also give an impression that hospitality is not one’s forte, He assured that there’s no compromising quality in the dining experience at Rafael’s, where groups of 10 to 15 can avail of the posh Petronila VIP mezzanine room for a consumable reserve price of P200K which comes with the mandatory Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV that can be hooked up to Resort World shows. “For that, it’s the sky’s the limit from cocktail drinks at P400 per pop to exquisite bottles of Remy Martin Louis XIII and Dalmore 25!”

“Third, food is everybody’s game,” Carmona concluded, “just like my father said everything’s done with food: deals closed, relationships opened, victories celebrated, wrongs amended, and sins forgiven.” Nobody loses with food and the best businesses invest in it.

Thus, Rafael’s is that rare mall space where you not only find the most original tasting dishes but also the most fastidiously interior decorated restaurant where diners eat and drink surrounded by towering Toto Aguilon wire spires, commissioned paintings from artists Tanya Gaisano Lee and Angelo Tabije, John Lloyd Cruz photographs, red and black draped tables, golden trumpet chandeliers, and a golden washroom!

Rafael’s Specialties

“All our dishes are all-time familiar favorites that offer a unique twist in taste and presentation,” Carmona beamed as he introduced Rafael’s house specialties, which have interesting, oftentimes intriguing, names.

For their signature tapas or appetizers, they have their ritzy rendition of chicken skin—Chicken that Crossed the Road (P380) served with chili malt vinegar, pickled carrot, and radish puree, which are extra crunchy along with their classy version of gambas—Miss Gump in Hot Flashes (P720) with black garlic and Chardonnay roasted chilis and lemon.
For dinner, they have First Love (P1150)—spicy soft shelled crab risotto with homemade chorizo and chicken thigh charged with lemon—which is as crispy as they are tasty and Blackened Angus Ribeye (P2900)—prime steak with corn and zucchini succotash and chimichurri sauce—which is the most expensive standalone item on the menu.

Capping every meal or visit, guests ought to make sure they try The Big Bang Theory (P390)—a delicately sweet triple nut, three-layered cake of butter and dark chocolate cake revelation, their version of “Choc Nut”, revealed Chef Jinggoy Fernando—for dessert to complete the Rafael’s experience.
“The concept behind all these is simple,” Henjie Carmona said summing up: “I want Rafael’s to be that kind of place where you always want to come back to every day because it’s home and the food reminds you of family,”

For the full menu, reservations, and more information, please visit @rafaelsrwph
on Instagram and Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Facebook.

Giving Filipinos more financial freedom and flexibility by using Cashalo

21 August 2019August 21, 2019Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

“
Cashalo introduces the first-of-its-kind e-commerce digital-credit payment solution
Cashalo enables fly-now, pay-later solution on Cebu Pacific flights

Cashalo, rolled out its latest innovative product, Pay with Cashalo—a cutting-edge digital-credit payment solution designed to provide a transparent and consumer-friendly payment alternative to cash and traditional credit. Echoing its mission of making digital financial services more easily accessible to everyone, including unbanked and underserved Filipinos, Pay with Cashalo gives unrivaled choice, freedom, and flexibility to address lifestyle needs and provide a convenient, transparent and secure digital credit payment facility.

On top of making payments easier and more convenient, Cashalo’s solution helps broaden the e-commerce experience of Filipinos. Pay with Cashalo empowers Filipino consumers to easily pay for their online purchases over time, even without a credit or debit card. Data from the Bangko Sentral shows that less than 16 million Filipinos, or roughly only 23% of the population have bank accounts, with even less owning credit cards.

Kicking-off Pay with Cashalo, the fintech company partnered with Cebu Pacific that will enable more Filipinos to fly now and pay later. Through Pay with Cashalo, travelers can book flights worth a maximum of PHP7,000 on Cebu Pacific, use the new digital-credit solution as a payment alternative, then pay later in affordable installments over three or six months.

Hamilton Angluben, General Manager of Cashalo, said: “Through innovation, we are able to unlock greater financial possibilities for more Filipinos. As a first-of-its-kind solution, we firmly believe that ‘Pay with Cashalo’ can transform how Filipinos from all segments of society transact online and build a more secure financial future. We’re thrilled to launch this product with our valued partner Cebu Pacific who shares our mission to empower every Juan with more opportunities and create memorable moments.”

Pay with Cashalo is fully integrated into the booking system of Cebu Pacific. Travelers can easily choose Pay with Cashalo and enjoy its benefits as they book their domestic flights, with credit approval processed in less than three hours.

Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, Cebu Pacific said, “As Cebu Pacific enables every Juan to fly by broadening the base of travelers with affordable and accessible flights, our partnership with Cashalo will harness more potential travelers through a fly now, pay later scheme. It will enhance payment options for our customers and even provide assistance to those who have urgent travel needs.”

In the coming months, Cashalo will be partnering with many more e-commerce platforms and merchants to integrate Pay with Cashalo as a payment alternative.

By continuing to develop innovative and purpose-built financial products, Cashalo pushes financial inclusion forward while simultaneously promoting financial literacy. The company recently launched CashAcademy, a grassroots financial education program that makes accessible online and offline free learning modules and training resources to benefit more Filipinos. CashAcademy aims to cultivate a generation better equipped to make sound financial decisions, making them “Pera Experts”- financially aware and responsible.

About Cashalo
Cashalo is a leading fintech platform used by millions of Filipinos to build financial identities, access fast, secure, affordable credit and other financial services, and take control of their financial health. Since its launch in 2018, Cashalo has already helped over 1.5 million previously ‘credit-invisible’ Filipinos build a financial identity. The company continues to see rapid growth, with the Cashalo app in the phones of more than 3.5 million users and counting.

Cashalo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oriente, a Hong Kong-headquartered technology and data science company committed to financial inclusion in emerging Asia. Oriente’s founders include visionary leaders behind internet giants Skype and LU.com. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. is an important strategic partner and investor in Oriente’s regional efforts to build the future of finance and unlock economic value for the millions of unbanked people, underserved communities and merchants across Southeast Asia.

Media Contacts:
Patti Dizon
Communications Lead, Cashalo
patti@cashalo.com
09173282088

Inspiring the young minds as they celebrate 2019 Global Youth Summit

20 August 2019August 20, 2019Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

A total of 15,000 student leaders proved that young people can achieve great things during the Global Youth Summit 2019, the largest gathering for young Filipino leaders that aims to engage and inspire the world’s future experts, held recently at the SM MOA Arena.

Hosted by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation, the Global Youth Summit aims to engage and inspire young minds by providing a space where they can share their ideas and utilize their diverse skill-sets, knowledge, and networks to effectively address today’s persistent problems.

“If you do not make a move to change the world, who else will make the Philippines the best it can become? That is why we enjoin everyone to use this forum as a platform to build a very strong foundation and uplift the role of the youth in decision-making. Today, we work harder to create an impact and start positive change by being the example of change to a global community that truly cares,” said SM Cares Children and Youth program director Royston Cabunag.

A highlight of the event was the awarding of five innovative youth ideas, namely BoluntirMISMO, ToReal Peace, Project 97, Cafesidad: Good Food Crafted by Good Hearts, and Mindify (Mental Intuitive Device for Filipino Youth). All these ideas can be implemented in Filipino communities to advance this year’s topics: inclusive education; youth-responsive health services; creating youth-enabling employment and self-employment; ecosystems in sustainable tourism; civic awareness and participation; and creating safe spaces and reducing all forms of violence against children. These targets are aligned with the priority areas of the UN Youth Strategy for Sustainable Development launched in September 2018.

International and local speakers, as well as influencers, also gave inspiring talks about their advocacies and the role of youth in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Guest speakers were Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, UNICEF National Goodwill ambassador Anne Curtis, United Nations development programme ambassador Antoinette Taus, G Talks Host and HealthXPh co-founder Dr. Gia Sison, Education Assistant secretary G.H. Ambat, Consuelo Foundation president and CEO Greg Auberry, and Asian Institute Management’s Dado Banatao Incubator executive director Prim Paypon.

“Every child has the right to grow up in an environment where they feel safe and secure, have basic services and clean air and water, can play, learn and grow and where they voice is heard and matters,” said UNICEF national goodwill ambassador Anne Curtis.

SM Cares works with various organizations, corporations, shareholders and people from the community in coming up with innovative solutions that pave way to living more sustainable lives. Other advocacies include Environment Sustainability, Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy.)

SEAOIL Lifetime Free Gas promo returns for its third year

17 July 2019July 18, 2019Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

SEAOIL, the leading independent fuel provider in the Philippines, will be giving away a lifetime supply of free gas to 4 lucky motorists starting this July. The “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo, which continues to be the only one of its kind in the world, makes a comeback on its third year.

“Following our success from the past two years of the lifetime free gas promo, we want to continue this giveaway to thank our loyal customers for their continued patronage of SEAOIL. The response has been overwhelming, and we are more than happy to return with it once again,” said SEAOIL CEO Glenn Yu.
SEAOIL customers can also expect to win over 100,000 instant prizes through peel-off cards. A total of half a million worth of SEAOIL gift cards will be raffled off in monthly draws.
The winners of the promo from the past two years came from different walks of life. Last year’s winners include Michael Sulit of Caloocan City, a SEAOIL user since buying his own car, is the youngest winner at 24 years old and the “bunso” in the family. He uses his free fuel for field work and trips with family and friends and shares it with his siblings who have families of their own.
Ernie Linarez is a TNVS operator and driver from Rizal. His monthly fuel savings help pay for his car loan. He is a SEAOIL Believer for years, and his trust and support for the brand paid off when he was drawn as last year’s first winner.
Joel Dinque, an entrepreneur from North Cotabato is able to provide more for his family, thanks to his fuel savings. As an owner of an auto repair shop, he endorses SEAOIL to his customers because he is a firm believer of their products.
Jidy Detuya, a jeepney driver from Agusan del Norte, shares that it was one of his kids who convinced him to gas up at SEAOIL and try his luck at winning free gas. He was skeptical of SEAOIL’s fuels at first but now he endorses it to his relatives and fellow churchgoers.
To qualify, a customer must gas up at least P500 worth of Extreme 97, Extreme 95, Extreme U, Extreme Diesel fuels and/or SEAOIL Lubricants at any SEAOIL station nationwide. Customers can double their chances of winning if they register at www.lifetimefreegas.com.
The “Oh My Gas!” promo runs from July 18 to October 18, 2019. Winners of this year’s promo will be determined via electronic monthly draws in August, September, and November, and a dropbox raffle draw in November.

Filinvest City celebrates Philippine Independence Day

11 June 2019June 11, 2019Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

Filinvest City, the premier central business district in Metro South, is joining the whole country in celebrating Philippine Independence Day by putting up flags within the city. Not only will this commemorate a momentous occasion in our history, but it will also instill the spirit of patriotism in the citizens, workers and visitors of Filinvest City. Apart from Independence Day, Filinvest City has been actively showing its love for the country by practicing a responsible and more sustainable urban planning.

Pan-Asian insurer FWD and non-profit Humanity & Inclusion to help hundreds of young people with disabilities in Asia find employment

18 October 2018October 19, 2018Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

FWD Life Insurance, the most exciting insurance brand in the country, together with its partner Humanity & Inclusion (formerly known as Handicap International, an independent international aid organization), celebrated the beginning of the Forward Together project, helping young people with disabilities find employment opportunities in the Philippines and beyond.

Through the regional partnership initially announced by the insurer in the first half of 2018, both
organizations will work towards advocating equal opportunities and empowering people with
disabilities in Asia. With FWD Group investing USD 1million, the Forward Together project will train
at least 380 youth with disabilities in the Philippines and Indonesia and help them secure sustainable
employment or business opportunities.

“FWD Life Philippines aims to end the stigma that disability corresponds to inability,” FWD Life
Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Grimes said. “Through our partnership with
Humanity & Inclusion, we hope to provide a platform for people with disabilities to showcase their
strengths and abilities. We want to encourage everyone to help create a future with a difference for
people with disabilities with opportunities to become valuable and equal contributors to the
community.”

“Developing countries are encouraged to invest in youth, but unfortunately, young people with
disabilities are usually overlooked in employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” said Bryan
Andrew Marsalis, Humanity & Inclusion Regional Operation Coordinator. “That is why we are very
delighted to have such strong support from FWD Group in our advocacy of improving the lives of
youth with disabilities. Through this project, we will work with selected employers – including FWD
Group – across the two target countries to improve their capacity to employ youth with disabilities.”
“At FWD, we are committed to promoting social inclusion and active participation of persons with
disabilities, and are very excited to kick start our work with Humanity & Inclusion,” said FWD Life
Philippines Head of Marketing and Community Care Country Lead Roche Vandenberghe. “With the
Forward Together project, we are enabling businesses and organizations such as ours to become
catalysts for quality job creation.”

FWD Life Philippines and Humanity & Inclusion celebrated the beginning of its Forward Together
project with a media event, an interactive visual language activity, and escape room challenge
participated by volunteers from both organizations as well as members of the media, held on
October 17, 2018 at Century City Mall in Makati City.

About FWD Philippines

FWD Life Insurance Corporation (“FWD Life”) is the first life insurance company licensed by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines under the new Insurance Code. FWD launched its commercial operations in September 2014. By March 2017, FWD Life is the highest-capitalized life insurer in the Philippines with PhP 2.3 billion in paid-up capitalization.1 Base on premium income data published by the Insurance Commission2, FWD Life now ranks 10th in the insurance industry in
terms of weighted new business premiums.3 FWD Group spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan, offering life and medical insurance, general insurance, and employee benefits across a number of its markets. Established in Asia in 2013, FWD is the insurance business arm of investment group, Pacific Century Group. In the Philippines, FWD has 12 business hubs located in key cities nationwide with its headquarters in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

FWD is focused on creating fresh customer experiences, with easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD aims to become a leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.
For more information, please visit fwd.com.ph
1 www.insurance.gov.ph> Statistics > 2017 > Based on Paid-Up Capital
2 www.insurance.gov.ph> Statistics > 2017 > Based on Premium Income
3 Weighted New Business Premium Income: 100% of first-year premium on regular-pay plans + 10% of single-pay premiums

About Humanity & Inclusion

Founded in 1982 in refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodian border, co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, Humanity &
Inclusion (the new name of Handicap International) is an independent and impartial organization working in situations of
poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster.

We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to
respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental
rights.

Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity
and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity.

At present, Humanity & Inclusion works in 59 countries globally, with additional offices in 8 high-income countries.
For more information, please visit www.handicapinternational.ph.

Hamilo Coast & WWF: Nurturing a Sustainable Partnership

24 September 2018September 28, 2018Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

The Philippines ranks third in plastic pollution in terms of dumping plastic into our oceans. This is largely caused by inefficient waste disposal in the country and poor awareness of the problem. Because of this, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, has been closely involved in coastal cleanups and other initiatives around the country to instill the importance of tackling this issue.

On its 11th landmark year, Hamilo Coast and WWF-Philippines’ partnership now stands firmly on environmental programs aimed at not just ending plastic pollution but also at preserving its surrounding nature. Hamilo Coast, with the help of WWF-Philippines, has gone way beyond annual coastal cleanups and has carefully planted sustainability within its day to day operations.

Warriors of the Waters

Acknowledging that everything that happens on the ridge has a direct effect on the reef, WWF-Philippines and Hamilo Coast continue to implement programs for its Ridge to Reef Management. This includes the declaration of Hamilo Coast’s three coves into Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – Pico de Loro and Etayo coves, and Hamilo Coast’s main marine sanctuary, Santelmo Cove, where giant clams are being cultivated and a vibrant marine life thrive. Ongoing projects to protect coastal and terrestrial resources include mangrove reforestation, pawikan conservation, marine mammal rescue, and reef monitoring.

From Solid Waste to Zero Waste

With efforts to keep the property and surroundings clean and green, WWF-Philippines developed a solid waste management plan for Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast, including a vermicomposting site aimed at attaining zero green wastes to be sent to landfill.

Early this 2018, Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club and Pico Sands Hotel shifted a few of its operations to become more environmental friendly. The use of plastics have been replaced with paper straws and cups, good grade stirrers, and takeaway packs, which will eradicate the dumping of non-biodegradable waste of 180,000 plastic straws and 27,000 plastic stirrers annually.

The Club and Hotel also partnered with WWF-Philippines in implementing a food waste management system, an initiative aimed at urging staff, members, and guests to be more conscious about food resources and waste. With leftover rice noted as one of the highest food waste contributor in the property, the restaurants’ menus now offer rice separately, also considering diners who are non-rice eaters. A campaign to encourage guests to only get the food they can consume in a buffet was also launched in the middle of the year.

Keeping a resort development clean involves maximum effort. Water quality is regularly tested and monitored while waste water from the different locators within Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast are processed and recycled to keep the lush landscapes clean and green.

Living in Harmony with Nature

Green building strategies were carefully considered in Pico de Loro Cove’s latest luxury beach condominium development, Freia. This mid-rise contemporary tropical condominium building, which offers a spectacular panorama of the sea and verdant mountains, takes pride in its features that allow sustainable green living and consider cost-efficient operations. For instance, natural lighting and ventilation was considered in the building design and solar energy will be used for certain common areas. An efficient waste management system will also ensure reduced carbon footprints on the part of the residential community, thus promising a lifestyle that is not just close to nature but is one with its surrounding environmental bounties.

Through the years, Hamilo Coast continues to champion sustainable practices through luxury seaside living at par with environmental awareness. Achievements and recognitions, such as its Bronze Benchmark Status from Earth Check in 2015 and 2017, and its exemplary practice on solid waste management given by the Department of Natural Resource’s Annual Environmental Summit in 2017, proves Hamilo Coast is not just a destination, but is also becoming a premier sustainable beach resort community.

Hamilo Coast is the SM Group’s premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas, approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road. Its maiden development, Pico de Loro Cove is home to the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, an exclusive membership club with a plethora of land- and sea-based recreational facilities, and the Pico Sands Hotel, a seven storey, 154-room hotel offering spacious rooms with modern amenities and captivating views of the lush mountains and tranquil lagoon. For inquiries, call (632) 945-8000, or visit www.hamilocoast.com.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines has been successfully implementing various conservation projects since 1997 to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. For more information, visit wwf.org.ph.

Pico de Loro Cove is one of several marine protected areas in Hamilo Coast where marine life is preserved and enhanced in partnership with WWF-Philippines since 2007

Di Na Muli Official Music Video Press Release

23 June 2018June 23, 2018Ruel UmaliLeave a comment

Di Na Muli was written in 2016 by long-time friends Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola. They entered the song into the 5th Philippine Popular (PhilPop) Music Festival, performed by The Itchyworms, where it won the grand prize. Now, in 2018, the song has been given new life in the official soundtrack of the hit film Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) (Viva Films, starring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, directed by Irene Villamor).

Somewhere in between PhilPop and Sid & Aya, the Itchyworms set out to immortalize the song. The result was a visually stunning and emotional music video, directed by Paolo Abella. Help also came along in the form of the video’s co-director Juno Oebanda, longtime friend of the band, and the generous indulgence of none other than the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The link to the CCP is Teddy Hilado (d. 2015), recognized as the father of lighting design in Philippine theater, who is also the uncle of Oebanda

The song’s themes of love, loss, and words left unspoken, are embodied in the elegant performances of Rosky Balahadia Hilado (Teddy’s widow, formerly of the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company) and Carissa Adea (Ballet Philippines), and in the video’s sweeping visuals, all captured within the hallowed halls of the CCP. The music video seeks to serve as loving tribute to Teddy, whose influence is still felt and recognized to this day.

The Itchyworms are now proud to share what is probably the first-ever music video shot inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and extend heartfelt thanks to those who helped bring the music video to fruition.

Youtube link for Di Na Muli official music video: https://youtu.be/rgHHJkzn5TU
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Video Credits
Di Na Muli
Words and Music by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola

Starring
Rosky Balahadia Hilado
Carissa Adea
and The Itchyworms

Executive Producers: Juno Oebanda and The Itchyworms
Directors: Paolo Abella and Juno Oebanda
Director of Photography: Arvin Viola
Lighting Director: Shakira Villa-Symes
Drone Pilot: Paolo Jaminola
Editor: PJ Corpuz
Colorist: Marilen Magsaysay

Special Thanks to:
Audio Video Solutions Corporation
Soundcheck Inc.
Forerunner Technologies Inc.
JB Music
Forscink Inc.
Digital Fusion Productions
Aero 360 International
Creative Control Group

The administration and staff of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Di Na Muli
Words and Music by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola
Performed by The Itchyworms

Verse:
Nung araw kay tamis ng ating buhay
Puno ng saya at ng kulay
Di mauulit muli

Ang oras kapag hinayaang lumipas
Madarama mo hanggang bukas
Di mababawi muli

Chorus:
Ang dami daming bagay na hindi naman kailangan
Kung pwede lang bawasan natin ang mga tampuhan
Hindi mo lang alam hindi mo pa nararanasan
Kahapon sana natin di mo na pinahirapan
Patawad muli
Di na muli

Verse:
Ang oras kapag hinayaang lumipas
Madarama mo hanggang bukas
Di mababawi muli

(Instrumental)

Bridge:
At natapos ang himas ng sandal
Di kukubli aking tinig
Nang lumipas na’t di man lang nasabi
Salamat hanggang sa muli

Binawi buhay mo ng walang sabi
Binubulong ko sa sarili
Mahal kita hanggang sa huli
Mahal ko hanggang sa huli

Digital Events and Snapshots

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