Last Call for Orgs to Showcase Innovations at 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is calling on organizations to join the 2018 East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress Exhibition happening on November 27 to 29, 2018 at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

With only two months left before the EAS Congress, a few booths remain up for grabs for organizations who want to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of sustainable coastal and ocean management, including tools, technologies, products, experiences and best practices. The triennial exhibition coincides with the EAS Congress International Conference that will see some 1,000 local and international delegates in attendance.

Themed “25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda”, the 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition aims to share information on various initiatives and tools contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 14 or Life Below Water), the Sustainable Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS- SEA) and blue economy development in the region.

With categories such as Governance & Management, Science & Technology and Blue Economy & Industry, the exhibition aims to provide a venue for sharing contributions and initiatives within the ocean community, as well as provide a platform for partnership/networking to connect with other experts and organizations towards accelerating the achievement of sustainable development targets for coasts and oceans.

The 2018 EAS Congress Environmental Exhibition is open to institutions, organizations and groups who wish to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of the sustainable coastal and ocean management, not only in the East Asia Seas but also around the world.

Registration for the exhibit is until September 30, 2018. For more details on how to participate, download the 2^nd Exhibitors’ Prospectus by visiting the EAS 2018 Congress website at http://eascongress2018.pemsea.org/.

Palawan Store Owners Benefit from Smart Load Sales

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Store owners and small business proprietors in Palawan have reported a boost in their livelihood, thanks to additional income streams brought about by sales of Smart Communications prepaid products, specifically, load credits.

For Glecy de Lima, owner of a sari-sari (small grocery) store at a fishing community in Roxas, being a Smart retailer has given her another source of income. “I get an additional amount of at least P500 a week from selling Smart load, which I use as additional investment for my business,” said De Lima.

Load retailers are part of Smart’s Ka-Partner loyalty and rewards program, which gives incentives to help them grow their businesses and enhance their livelihood, while enabling communities to stay connected.

Ka-Partners or load retailers are usually found at our neighborhood sari-sari or grocery stores. Sometimes, they can also be our friend or relative from whom we can buy load, wherever they may be.

De Lima, who has been a Smart load retailer for three years now, said most of her load buyers are students and fishermen. “They are Smart users because the signal here is strong,” De Lima said.

Ryan Abadilla, customer development manager, sees more opportunities for Smart Ka-Partner retailers in Palawan, considered one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world. “With improved connectivity, tourists can upload photos, update their social media, and keep in touch with their families via messaging apps faster.” With more tourists coming in, “local businesses will also flourish.”

In Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay area store owner Evelyn Juntado has seen more than 100 percent increase in her Smart load sales. From P2,000 last year, she is now able to sell about P5,000 worth of load in a week.

Load sales account for a significant share of Smart’s revenues—a fact that does not go unrecognized. To pay tribute to load sellers for their significant contribution to the company’s growth, Smart holds an annual national convention for its Ka-Partner retailers.

Thousands of load retailers from all over the Philippines attend the Smart Ka-Partner retailers conventions, which feature entertainment, games, and raffle prizes. Up for grabs are grocery items, mobile gadgets, a brand-new motorcycle or car, and cash prizes of up to P1 million.

This year, Smart will hold five retailer conventions in various locations across the country, with the theme “Bilis Asenso sa LTE,” as more and more load retailers are seeing increases in their earnings because of Smart LTE.

Smart’s fast LTE connection is felt by De Lima’s customers, who usually avail of regular Smart load or call, text and data packages such as All Out Surf 30 and Giga Surf 50. “They use it to surf the internet, browse Facebook, and call relatives abroad,” she said.

The data bundles allow mobile users and tourists to share with their family and loved ones photos and videos of their beach and island getaways, plus give them free access to YouTube for one hour daily.

High-speed internet also allows store owners like Juntado to earn more. She is active on Facebook because she also has an online selling business, which has gotten more inquiries and transactions with the fast LTE network of Smart.

Smart is rolling out more LTE sites across Palawan, the country’s largest province in terms of land area. Initial internal tests in areas like the Puerto Princesa International Airport and Honda Bay wharf have shown LTE download speeds between 12 and 60 Mbps, depending on the device.

DOE Spurs Energy Sector Typhoon Readiness

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The Department of Energy (DoE) yesterday kicked into high gear to ensure appropriate contingency measures and response mechanisms are in place to minimize the adverse impact of Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) on energy infrastructure and people’s lives.

Acting through the inter-agency Task Force on Energy Resiliency, Energy Secretary Alfonso G.  Cusi directed energy industry players to secure the safety of personnel and facilities, as well as the strategic supply of power and oil.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Ompong is expected to cross the area of Northern Luzon after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon.

“We directed the energy family and the industry players, particularly those who will be hit by the typhoon based on the forecast, to monitor and report the situation in their respective areas of responsibility,” Sec. Cusi said.

Cusi also advised them to undertake precautionary measures and adopt established safety protocols, contingency and action plans to prepare for the onslaught.

The DOE and the Philippine Information Agency are continuously releasing #ESafety tips to guide consumers on the safe utilization of energy in times of emergency.

Some #ESafety tips to observe during typhoons include:

•preparing fully charged flashlights, moving electrical equipment to higher ground, turning off electrical switches, and unplugging electric appliances before evacuating to safer places

•after the storm, consumers are advised to avoid downed and drowned electric posts and wires, wear safety gear such as rubber boots and gloves, have their electrical system tested by licensed electricians, and check the fuse of their main switch before turning it on.

Get a Free Star Wars: Jedi Challenges with Select Lenovo Legion Laptops

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Lenovo, a global leader in PCs and smart devices, is currently having a promo that is sure to please gamers and Star Wars fans alike. Until supplies last, every purchase of selected Legion gaming laptops will now come with a free Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges augmented reality (AR) bundle.

The Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges bundle is Lenovo’s first foray into the AR gaming space. Launched last year, the gaming bundle features a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Tracking Beacon, a Lightsaber controller that looks exactly like the one in the films, and hours of Star Wars gameplay.

With the Jedi Challenges main game, players can hone their Jedi talents across a variety of augmented reality-based experiences, each offering multiple levels of deep and immersive gameplay. 

Some of its game features include:

·         Lightsaber Battles.  With their own lightsaber controller, players can duel legendary dark side villains like Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, and Darth Vader.

·         Strategic Combat. Players marshal the forces of the Republic, Rebel Alliance, and   Resistance against the might of the Separatists, Empire, and First Order in epic battles across their living room floors. Players can hone their skills in strategy and tactics as they engage in battles.

·         Holochess. Perhaps one of the most iconic board games brought to film, Holochess captured the hearts of moviegoers when it was played on the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars™: Episode IV - A New Hope™. Brought to life in Jedi Challenges, fans can direct their holographic alien pieces across the board, wrestling for territory and control.

“We see tremendous opportunity to continue bringing cutting-edge innovations to the gaming community in the Philippines. Beyond PC gaming, Lenovo is also increasing its foothold in developing immersive AR experiences, as seen in Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges. We will continue to excite Filipino gamers with the best-performing devices,” saidMichael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager.

Included in the list of participating Legion products is the Legion Y520. With its 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti 4GB discrete graphics, it can handle graphics-heavy games with ease. It comes up to 2TB HDD storage, 2 x 2W Harman™ Certified Speakers with Dolby Audio™ Premium, and an optional backlit keyboard, wrapped in a smudge-resistant body. It is only 25.8 mm thick and weighs a mere 2.4 kg, making it a perfect gaming laptop for on-the-go players. The Y520 is available at major electronics stores with a starting price of ₱64,995.

Other Legion laptops that will be bundled with Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges include:

·         Legion Y520

·         Legion Y720 Cube

·         Legion Y710 Cube

There will also be gaming devices not part of the Legion lineup but will included in the promo:

·         IdeaPad Y700

·         Y70-70 Touch

PHILBEX Cebu 2018 Opened its Doors to a Sustainable Future

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Now on its 16th year, PHILBEX Cebu affirms its commitment to the lead the region’s construction and design industry into a future of sustainability and progressive innovation with another ground breaking instalment. Officially opening its doors last September 13 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall, the grand launch for the highly-anticipated trade event was well-attended by select VIP personalities from the government as well as representatives from the construction and design trade.

Among those who graced the momentous occasion and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were, Mr. Mario Montejo, Mr. Miguel Antonio Magpale, Idr. Ryan James Mantuhac, Dr. Herbert Buot and Ms. Herley Ann Herrera with Worldbex Services International’s Joseph L. Ang, Levi Ang, Archt. Francisco Flameño, Jr.,Rene Ramos and Jill Aithnie Ang.

Towards a self-sustaining future

Led by theme of “Shaping Innovations Toward Sustainability”, this year’s PHILBEX Cebu aims to unite architects, engineers, interior designers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts in its endeavor to promote the value of ingenuity and innovation in shaping the industry into one that is self-sustaining and adaptive to the ever-evolving demands of the times. Furthermore, as PHILBEX Cebu moves closer to its Silver Anniversary, this year’s theme also aligns itself with the organization’s core thrust of leading the region’s construction and design trade at the forefront of global ascendance.

Unsurprisingly, the industry has eagerly expressed its trust and full support for the goals and aspirations of PHILBEX Cebu 2018 as evidenced by the impressive number of participants taking part in the four-day trade event. From last year’s 105 booths, PHILBEX Cebu 2018 houses over 120 booths and over 78 exhibitors across its 1,158sqm-wide exhibition space.

Apart from various local exhibitors, something new to watch out for at this year’s PHILBEX Cebu are the roster of international exhibitors from countries such as China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. No doubt a testament to the growing global reach and influence of PHILBEX Cebu, industry professionals and investors are expected to benefit from this year’s show as it offers everyone a unique opportunity to tap into a foreign network. It would come as no surprise if PHILBEX Cebu 2018 easily outnumbers its previous visitor count of 28,000 show attendees.


Upholding value-laden strategies

PHILBEX Cebu may be highly-regarded for showcasing the most extensive display of the latest and most outstanding product and service innovation from the market but its compelling line-up of signature events is what truly sets the show apart from its contemporaries. And this year is no different as it returns to deliver another insightful range of event highlights.

Among these include the Architect’s Gallery, a venue that showcases the unique design perspectives and insights into the latest trends by the region’s top architects and their respective firms. Participating at this year’s show are Abadia Architects and Designers, Archiglobal, Inc., Nueast, Arkitecture, Pont Architectural + Design Studio, the Philippine Institute of Architects Cebu Chapter, and the United Architects of the Philippines.

Another highly-anticipated PHILBEX Cebu event is the Projéto Cebu Furniture Design Competition. Now on its 3rd edition, Projéto engages participants with the challenge of creating a studio-type condominium unit that will address a student’s need for a relaxing and work-conducive haven. This year, the shortlisted participants are students from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University, the University of San Carlos-Safad, and the University of San Carlos-Talamban.

This year, PHILBEX Cebu is also thrilled to return with the PHILBEX MiniCons. Considered as a platform for the free-flowing exchange of information about innovative solutions that will address issues that concern the industry, the PHILBEX MiniCons is an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to expand their knowledge and get acquainted with likeminded individuals.

The PHILBEX MiniCons 2018 kicked off with the 3rd General Membership Meeting and Technical Seminar of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) last September 13 while another General Membership Meeting (GMM) for the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations Inc. (CREBA) will be held on September 14. Most notably, on September 15 to 16, the PHILBEX MiniCons in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) chapter will present the Business of Interior Design Conference.


Nurturing an empowered community

Over the years, PHILBEX Cebu, in partnership with Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) chapter, has championed the value of interior design in the construction of spaces through the longstanding Interior Designers Gallery. By hosting this year’s PIID – VisMin caravan, PHILBEX Cebu affirms its commitment to nurture Visayan interior design.

Viewed as direct actualizations of the various goals that PHILBEX Cebu have for each of its edition, these highlights serve to engage industry practitioners in relevant discussions and activities that will further the growth and development of the community. As stated by IDr. Joan S. Reyes, President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers – Panay Chapter, PHILBEX Cebu marks the “mutual effort to equip the professionals with learning tools in undertaking a higher set of responsibilities as our nation pursue the mandate to building infrastructures.”

Indeed, this year’s PHILBEX Cebu is shaping up to be the show’s biggest and most ambitious installment yet. As captured best by the remarks of IDr. Shiela Sandino-Gumba, President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) – Eastern Visayas Chapter, PHILBEX Cebu 2018 “presents a preview of the future for industry professionals in the field of construction and interior design.”

Organized by Worldbex Services International, the 16th PHILBEX will run until September 16, from 10am to 8pm, at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall. Admission is free. For more information, follow Worldbex Services International on Facebook and @worldbex on Instagram, call (02) 656-9239, or email info.worldbex@gmail.com.

Philippines is Country of Focus at Fukuoka Asian International Film Fest 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With a partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival joins and celebrates Philippine Cinema for its One Hundred Years by highlighting a Special Feature on Filipino Films for its 2018 edition. Considered as a Country of Focus celebration, the Agency will lead the delegation of Filipino filmmakers, artists, and academicians this September in Fukuoka, Japan. 

"The City of Fukuoka which organizes the Festival has given importance to Philippine Cinema since way back. Just a year after its inception in 1991, Lino Brocka's Insiang already found its way as the Philippines’ first official entry to the Festival. Since then, many other important Filipino films and filmmakers have been invited in Fukuoka to participate in discussion sessions as well as symposia which brought about a relationship of exchange with the audience of Fukuoka. This is why we are very proud that this year, we finally get to partner with them so we celebrate the centennial of Philippine Cinema together and looking forward to the future of our films," said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño. 

The Special Feature entitled “Drawn and Attracted to the Sacred Chaos" will feature the outstanding Filipino films directed by young filmmakers to represent the future of the country's cinema, including Nervous Translation directed by Shireen Seno, Bagahe by Zig Dulay, Smaller and Smaller Circles by Raya Martin, and Women of the Weeping River by Sheron Dayoc. The Festival will also feature on Omnibus of regional short films with Hilom by PR Patindol, Gikan sa Ngitngit Nga Kinaidlaman by Kiri Dalena, Babylon by Keith Deligero, Si Astri Maka si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez, and Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad. 

Fukuoka’s special program entitled Restoration Asia VI will feature another Filipino classic masterpiece from the 1970s, “Nunal Sa Tubig" ("Speck in the Water") directed by Ishmael Bernal will be screened in the Festival as a digital restoration of the 35mm film print archived under the collection of the Fukuoka City Public Library (Film Archive). The film will be screened with both Japanese and English subtitles.

This will be followed by a discussion on restoration which will be chaired by Hisashi Okajima, Director of Nationa Film Archive of Japan and will include Leo Katigbak, Head of Film Restoration and Archives of ABS-CBN, Adrian Wood, Founder & Coordinator, Restoration Asia, Fukuoka and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.

FDCP will also host the SPOTLIGHT: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks which the agency features in its participation to international markets and film festivals where Philippine Cinema has made a mark whether currently or in the past. For Fukuoka, the topic will focus on the PHILIPPINES’ ALTERNATIVE and ARCHIPELAGIC CINEMA on September 16, 2018, 4:00PM at United Cinemas Canal City 13. The speakers in the panel include Laila Ulao, Lead Actress of Women of the Weeping River, Director Zig Dulay of Bagahe (The Baggage), Director Shireen Seno and Producer John Torres of Nervous Translation and Teng Mangansakan, Festival Director of Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival to be introduced by FDCP Chairperson Diño.

A Philippine Night will also be held to introduce the Filipino delegation to Asian and international partners for exploration and discussion of collaboration and partnerships. 

Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival runs from September 14 to 23, 2018 in Fukuoka, Japan. 

6 Email Marketing Tips for HR Professionals

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These days, HR professionals don’t exclusively work for one company. In recent years, demand for HR consultants has grown steadily. This trend shows no signs of slowing in the near future.

That said, HR professionals who want to take advantage of this opportunity need to successfully  market their services. Email can be particularly useful, as it remains one of the most effective digital marketing channels.

If you’re designing your first email marketing campaign, it’s essential to pay attention to best practices like personalizing subject lines and using anemail address checker. Keep the following tips in mind to achieve the best possible results.

Optimize for Mobile

These days, more people check email on mobile devices than on computers. Thus, it’s important that your messages are easily scannable on mobile devices. Avoid large sections of text and use formatting options like headers to organize your content. Include images, graphics, or video to break up the text.

Be Casual

When sending emails, you obviously want to convey to potential clients that you are a professional. That doesn’t mean you need to rely solely on technical language. It’s important that people receiving your emails feel like you are a real person. Using a casual and friendly tone can help you make the right first impression.

Offer Value

People who sign up to receive your emails do so because they believe you can offer them valuable content. Deliver on this expectation by making sure you have something to say whenever you send a message.

Merely promoting your services isn’t enough. You need to provide content a recipient can use in a practical manner. This can be as simple as sending emails with tips for navigating common HR situations.

Include the Recipient’s Name

An email marketing campaign won’t yield a substantial return on investment if no one actually opens your emails. That’s why it’s important to leverage tactics that can boost your open rate. Simply including a recipient’s name in the email subject line is an easy and effective way to do so. Personalized subject lines have been shown to boost email open rates by as much as 50%.

Edit Carefully

This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Too many marketers are in a rush to send out emails the moment they finish drafting them. This can cause them to send messages that contain numerous errors. You won’t make a good impression on a potential client if you appear like you don’t pay attention to detail.

Take the time to edit your emails, and have others look them over as well. They may spot mistakes you otherwise would have missed.

Monitor Your Progress

This might be the most important tip you can remember as you plan an email marketing campaign. You shouldn’t automatically assume a campaign will deliver results. It’s essential to monitor your performance by tracking open rates, conversions, and other key metrics on a regular basis.

Applying these tips to your email marketing strategy will help you attract more clients to your HR consulting business. However, you also need to monitor your campaigns. Doing so will help you learn how to improve them in the future.

UK Experts Partner with HURIS to Revolutionize HR Industry in PH

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BOOSTING THE LOCAL HR INDUSTRY. (L-R) Human Resource Innovations and Solutions, Inc. (HURIS) President Ramon S. Medina, HURIS Chairman Oscar L. Contreras, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) Regional Director Karen Blal, and CIPD Market Development Officer Alvin De Jesus formalize the partnership that brings world class training programs to revolutionize the HR industry in the Philippines.

UK-based global professional organization The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) recently appointed the Filipino HR consulting firm Human Resource Innovations and Solutions, Inc. (HURIS) to be its exclusive representative in the Philippines. Together, they will be offering CIPD’s high-value management and development programs that help organizations address business challenges, drive performance, and inspire action.

CIPD is the only Chartered Institute in the World for Human Resource Management Professionals. Through its internationally recognized and award-winning programs, CIPD sets the gold standard for HR and people development globally. HURIS, on the other hand, is the Philippine expert of HR and OD (Organization Development) Innovations that focuses on solutions for Organization Effectiveness.

As the first of a series of programs, HURIS and CIPD will be launching the Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) Program that allows HR Professionals to develop a business mindset while building professional credibility. The HRBP program will cover topics on the Business Savvy HR professional, Mining Data for HR Insight, HR as an Influential Partner, and the HR Professional as an Organization Coach. These modules will be delivered by professionals from the UK and Asia Pacific.

“HURIS believes that an organization’s greatest asset is its people. As we continuously seek to move the industry forward, we forge partnerships that will empower local HR practitioners to become more business savvy. The kind of training that CIPD offers can only be obtained in the UK and select cities internationally so HURIS is bringing it here to make it more cost-effective for Filipino HR practitioners,” said Ramon S. Medina, president of HURIS.

The partnership is seen as a welcome development that will revolutionize the local HR industry as the country’s professionals are starting to position themselves more strategically within the organization.

“Over the years, we have seen radical and unprecedented changes in HR practice in Asia. These changes, along with a complex and constantly evolving business environment, are placing a demand on HR to become more responsive. We need to evolve,” said Karen Blal, Regional Director of CIPD.

Unlike other programs that offer standard, one-approach-fits-all modules, CIPD takes a consultative approach in understanding the specific needs of a company. It defines, diagnoses, builds, recognizes, and sustains the functions of the HR team always in the context of the organization. Consequently, businesses that benefited from CIPD programs have seen a significant rise in the professional capability of their HR function.

“The rapid growth of the Philippine business environment will place a lot of pressure on business leaders – particularly on the HR Function. We feel there is a wealth of potential that can be unlocked by developing your local HR practitioners into business savvy professionals that can play a critical role in the growth of the organization. We feel the best partner for CIPD to deliver these programs is HURIS due to the breadth and depth of their experience in the industry,” Blal added.

Apart from HR managers, professionals belonging to the upper to top management of medium- and large-scale businesses or anyone responsible for formulating and/or implementing strategy are invited to take advantage of the program. With the course now being offered in the Philippines at a reasonable price, Filipinos no longer need to travel to the UK and Asia Pacific to learn from the best.

Medina said, “We seek people who see themselves as trailblazers, innovators, and enablers of meaningful change to bring the profession to a higher level of proficiency. We are inviting driven individuals who are business managers first and people managers second to enroll in the program.”

Reservation is on a first come, first served basis. Limited slots are available for the program in order to optimize customer experience. For reservations or inquiries on the course, contact Harriet Dimayuga or Jaia Aguas at (632) 746-2961 and (632) 651-5954.

PH Gamers Unite for Valor Cup Season 3

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Get the full Arena of Valor experience as Globe brings you Valor Cup Season 3 and free 2GB data for video gaming!

Gear up for more thrilling gaming moments as Globe and Garena bring you Valor Cup Season 3: Road To Arena of Valor International Championship (AIC)!

Since the announcement of the company’s venture into Esports, Globe continues to cement its partnerships with the world’s best Esports companies, bringing video gaming and Esports into homes, mobile devices, malls and competition venues. 

After the successful Globe Conquerors Manila 2018 tournament for League of Legends held last August, Globe now launches the AOV Valor Cup Season 3. The winning team will represent the country in not one but two international tournaments—Grand Finals: Road to AIC in Manila, andPVP Esports Championship in Singapore.

At the PH National Finals this September 23 in Ayala Feliz Activity Center, the country’s best Esports gamers will face each other in a battle that will test their skills and strategies. The winning team will not only advance to the Grand Finals: Road to AIC, but will also represent the country at the PVP Esports Championship.

At the Grand Finals: Road to AIC, cheer on the Philippine team as they battle it out to be the best in the region! Drop by Ayala Malls Circuit on September 29 to support the country’s representatives as they face off against teams from Singapore and Malaysia. The team who emerges victorious will advance to the Arena of Valor International Championship.

Keep the Filipino pride going as the Philippine team heads to PVP Esports Championship in Singapore on October 5 to 7! Launched by Singtel Group, this multi-title league in Asia-Pacific features teams from India, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and Philippines battling it out for the top spot.

Itching for more AOV?

Join in on the fun and get your game on with free 2GB for Arena of Valor when you register to GoSURF 50 and up! Now you can play AOV without worrying about consuming your GoSURF MBs or getting charged regular browsing rates.

Globe Prepaid customers can also use this free 2GB data for other games such as Clash of Clans, and Clash Royale as well as for video streaming on YouTube, HOOQ, Netflix, Tribe, Cartoon Network, Disney, and NBA.

For more information, follow Globe onFacebook and Twitter.

Choosing The Right Drink To Pair With Your Meal

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The perfect meal is a mixture of more than just the food. It is the seasonings you use, the way you cook it, and the quality of the ingredients you choose. But it also includes an often overlooked component – the beverage that you serve with it.

Choosing the right drink to pair with your meal can complement the flavors of your food in ways you may never have expected. For instance, you can’t just cook a perfect rack of lamb and serve a soda with it. The harshness of the drink will conflict with the soft flavors of the lamb and detract from the taste.

A prime example of this is when you barbecue your food. While beer and wine are a much better choice to serve with a grilled menu, even these beverages require technique to determine the right flavor or brew.

The drink you choose depends on the way you barbecue your food and the sauce and seasoning you use. There are a few general rules that you should use when you pair a wine with your barbecued meal.

Always match a dominant aspect of the sauce to your wine. If your sauce is tangy or tart, find a wine that corresponds. These types of wine are often white and citrus-flavored. However, if you use a gas smoker for your meal, you need to find a rich, red smoky wine.

Beer is always another option to serve with your barbecue, but again, you need to ensure that you match the flavor components. Many barbecue sauces have a vinegar base to them. Sauces like these need to be paired with a strong beer. Others that are more mustard-based should be paired with a sweet flavor to balance the mustard taste with something more in the citrus area.

However, if you are not a wine or beer connoisseur, it can be difficult to wander the aisles of the liquor store and decide which whites and reds are sweet enough or tangy enough to complement the choice of sauce and style of barbecue you are going to use. Short of testing every drink before you serve it with your meal, you may not have an easy way to determine which beverage will be the complement to your perfect finished creation.

You are not the only one in that situation, though. Because of this, there are places for you to turn to so that you do not have to spend hundreds of dollars to sample all of the wine and beer to choose your match (although it may be fun to do so!).

Instead, guides like this one can show you exactly which beverages to pair with which foods to ensure your dinner is a raving success.