SM Men and SM Youth #DenimCitizens Series

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Denim has played a major role in fashion. Through its #DenimCitizens fashion show series, SM Men and SM Youth celebrated this undisputed fashion staple, known as one of the most quintessential fabrics, present in every era and surpassing every trend and that has come and go.

In every #DenimCitizens show, a variety of denim ensembles were featured including patched denim jackets and chambray long-sleeved tops, muted blazers and bomber jackets, basic shirts and striped tees, and denim pants. These pieces can be easily mixed and matched to create timeless yet updated denim looks. SM Youth Ambassadors Tommy Esguerra, LA Aguinaldo, Janna Tee, Richard Juan, Kyle Perry and Kaila Estrada, and seasoned model Joan Bitagcol also walked for SM Men’s featured brands. As looks came down the runway, SM Youth DJ Carlo Atendido spun his best beats to match the crowd’s energy. 

 
The #DenimCitizens fashion tour went to key SM Malls locations including SM Seaside City in Cebu, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM Lanang Premier in Davao and SM City North EDSA.

SM Men and SM Youth are available at all The SM Stores nationwide.

To know more, follow @SM_Men and @SM_Youth on social media, visit www.facebook.com/smmenlifestyle and www.facebook.com/smyouthlifestyle and check the hashtag #DenimCitizens.

Suzuki and Motorjoy Touching Lives in Padada, Davao Del Sur

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Suzuki in partnership with Motorjoy Depot – Motortrade’s arm in Mindanao worked hand in hand to help improve lives specifically the education of the students of Maria Cleta R. Delos Cientos National High School in Piape, Padada, Davao Del Sur. 

The turnover ceremony was held recently at the school grounds, which was attended by the school’s benefactors both from the private and public institutions. The journey in helping Piape began when Motorjoy’s Executive Vice President Mr. Romeo Noro passed by the area and his attention was caught by the makeshift rooms made of bamboo and nipa. His curiosity got him leading him in the discovery of the National High School which was an extension of the Maria Cleta R. De Los Cientos High School located in the more accessible part of Padada. 

Finding a new purpose, Mr. Noro opened the idea of extending help to Piape to his Motorjoy family of which their President, Mr. Paulino Ongtenco amicably committed to. Motorjoy’s initial plan was to donate two concrete buildings – one 21.56 m2 faculty room for teachers and the other – an 86.25m2 3-classroom establishment for the students. 

For the effort to be more holistic, they encouraged their trusted partners to lend a helping hand too. As one of Suzuki Philippines’ strongest partners, the brand immediately affirmed their participation by filling the rooms with supplies and extended an aid by also donating sports equipment. 

Through the Suzuki Philippines Foundation, the heart of the brand’s CSR programs in coordination with Suzuki Helps, Aids and Rebuilds (SHARE), the Japanese giant provided the school with classroom facilities comprising of students’ arm chairs, whiteboards, teacher’s tables and chairs, wall fans, computer sets, emergency lights, bookshelves and sets of sports equipment including basketball ring boards which can be found on the school’s open grounds. 

The turnover ceremonies seemed like a festival which opened with the very warm welcome of students and teachers followed by the blessing of the new buildings and items for donation officiated by Rev. Father Jupiter Canoy, DCD. Performances were also made by the students and teachers to the delight of the guests. 

It was well attended by the supporters of the school from both the private and public sectors - Motorjoy Depot President Mr. Paulino Ongtenco and EVP Mr. Romeo Noro were present, Suzuki Philippines President Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki also graced the event with his presence, Yamaha President Mr. Toru Osugi also came, the Rotary Club of North Davao was represented by Mr. Bong Cristobal, the local government office of Padada was also in attendance led by Mayor Pedro Caminero, Vice Mayor Francisco Guerrero Jr. and the municipal councilors. Along with them were the School Board of Maria Cleta R. Delos Cientos National High School led by Mr. Carmelo De Los Sientos IV. 

On behalf of the recipients, the school head Dr. Elizabeth Solano, Ed. D. expressed her gratitude to the donors and wished them more blessings as they continue to give back to the community. 

In his inspirational speech, Mr. Suzuki urged the students to study hard to be part of the development of the country and expressed his gratitude to all who became part of the activity. 

Suzuki’s help did not stop at the school as they also have programs in conjunction with the TODA community of Piape wherein the brand provided an AX4 with 6-seater capacity sidecar which will certainly be of great help for the locals in their transportation needs and to aid them in earning a living. 

To know more about Suzuki’s CSR activities and SHARE, visit their website www.suzuki.com.ph or join our growing community at www.facebook.com/SuzukiMotorcyclesPhilippines.

AXN Reveals Two Pinoy Teams Included in The Amazing Race Asia Season 5

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AXN, the number one entertainment channel in Asia, today revealed the 11 fearless teams who will compete for USD$100,000 in The Amazing Race Asia Season 5. Pinoy power is strongly represented with two energetic teams: beauty queens, Parul and Maggie, and married couple Rona and Eric.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to our casting call for The Amazing Race Asia,” Mr. Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, said at the official announcement today. “This season’s audition videos were creative, witty, clever and very surprising, so it was a tough selection process. We’re thrilled with the 11 teams – they embody AXN’s brand personality, which is passionate, determined, unexpected and high-octane. This is not just a show – it’s an adrenaline-fueled adventure for everyone involved, including our viewers.”

Slated to premiere in October, the fifth instalment of the popular reality adventure series will be hosted by Asian-American actor Allan Wu, who was the ‘face of the race’ for AXN’s first four seasons, and most recently the host of The Amazing Race China: Celebrity Edition.

“This season is going to be a huge adrenaline rush and a race like no other. The racers and AXN viewers can expect more thrills, more drama and more twists than ever before,” said Allan. “The teams will be transformed during the race, for better or worse – but one thing is for sure, it will be the ultimate adventure of a lifetime!”

NEC Philippines Showcases Innovative Technology and Solutions at 20th Anniversary Event

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NEC Philippines announced it successfully held an event to celebrate 20 years of presence and growth in the Philippines with a conference and exhibition themed “NECPH@20: Providing Breakthrough Technologies for a Breakout Economy” on 20 July 2016.

Held at the Makati Diamond Residences, 2F Legaspi Ballroom, Makati City, the event was opened by Mr. Tetsuro Akagi, Chief Executive Officer of NEC Asia Pacific and Senior Vice President of NEC Corporation, who delivered the welcome remarks. His Excellency Mr. Kazuhide Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines, then gave his congratulatory message to NEC Philippines on its contribution to the country’s technological advances in both the private and public sectors. This was followed by an insightful presentation by Mr. Jubert Alberto, Head of Operations, IDC Philippines, who spoke on the impact of disruptive technology on Philippine business and the economy.

The programme consisted of morning and afternoon conference sessions and an exhibition of NEC’s technology and solutions which ran concurrently. The conference sessions featured NEC’s thought leadership in topics such as big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), safer cities and social infrastructure solutions, as well as innovative offerings in enterprise solutions. The event attracted over 420 participants.

The exhibition featured solutions covering 8 industries: transportation, next generation retail, hospitality, telecommunications, smart enterprise, public safety, broadcast and healthcare. The range of breakthrough technologies demonstrated NEC’s contribution to the development of technology that improves the safety, security, equality and efficiency of society. In addition, participants also had a chance to have an in-depth look at utilizing NEC’s software-defined networking technology to create a robust and secure IT network.

Globe Telecom Most Awarded PH Telco Operator in 1H of 2016

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Globe Telecom was declared first runner-up in the Best in Ethics & Governance category during the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Awards 2016. Globe Corporate Brand Management OIC EJ Francisco (center) and Globe Corporate Communications’ Strategy and Management Operations Head Mitchel Cloyd Masaudling (right) receive the award from Dr. Oscar P. Bulaong, Jr. (left), Executive Director of Ateneo Ethics Center.

Globe Telecom is the Philippines’ most awarded telecommunications operator in the first half of 2016 following a series of recognition given to the company by various institutions.

“The string of awards given to Globe testify to the company’s excellence in creating shared value to all our stakeholders even in the face of intense industry competition amid a continuing customer adoption of a digital lifestyle,” Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto said.

Photo above shows Sandip Gupta (right), Vice President, Cloud Business, Singtel, receiving the Telecom Service Provider Award on behalf of Globe Telecom from Manoj Menon (right), Senior Partner and Asia Pacific Managing Director, Frost & Sullivan.

Two of such awards conferred on the company are Frost & Sullivan Philippines Telecom Service Provider of the Year Award and Mobile Service Provider of the Year Award. Both awards were given to Globe for having demonstrated exemplary growth and performance in 2015. Both awards were evaluated based on the number of subscribers, subscriber growth, revenue growth, EBITDA margin and net margin.

Breaking Insights on Global Freelancing Economy as Freelancer.com Hits 20 Million Users

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Freelancer.com further cements its status as the world’s largest online freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace, celebrating 20 million users­­a community of online freelancers and employers that has been growing steadily since the company’s inception in 2009. 

Inspired by its mission to improve the world of work by providing employment to one billion professionals globally, the company has significantly grown seven years later, with offices in Sydney, Australia; Manila, Philippines; Vancouver, Canada; Buenos Aires, Argentina; London, United Kingdom; and Jakarta, Indonesia. “We at Freelancer.com are inspired by the many lives we have positively changed from across the globe,” says Matt Barrie, Freelancer.com Chief Executive. “We dedicate our hard work to the millions of professionals who stand by us and believe in our vision to innovate the way we work.” 

Joining Workers of the Developed and Developing World Freelancer.com’s users are present in 247 countries, regions, and territories, in both the emerging and developed markets. Freelancer.com has over 900 job categories as diverse as Aerospace engineering, Biotechnology, Sales, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering. 

From Freelancer.com’s research on its users, top skills of developed and developing countries are almost alike, with professionals from developed countries mostly possessing talent related to Data Entry, Graphic Design, Excel, Photoshop, and Articles (Writing); while those from developing countries having skills related to Data Entry, Excel, HTML, PHP, and Articles (Writing). 

Fujitsu Philippines, Aspect Software collaborate to accelerate cloud offerings

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Fujitsu Philippines, a leading Information Technology (IT) solutions integrator, has joined hands with Aspect Software to integrate its Workforce Management solution on the cloud.

The partnership with Aspect Software—a leading provider of fully integrated consumer engagement, workforce optimization and self-service solutions—will enable companies specifically contact centers to optimize their operations and meet customer demands without setting up an on-premise platform.

Since manpower accounts for the bulk of a contact center’s expenses, Aspect Software believes that contact centers need to manage dynamic workloads and staffing requirements across multiple skills, channels and sites. The efficient utilization of these resources will go a long way in optimizing business processes and empowering customers.

“The Philippines, being one of the contact center hubs in the world, is a rapid growth market for workforce management and can be optimized through a robust cloud-based platform. Aspect and Fujitsu are excited to support contact center companies with the right tools needed in expanding their business,” says Sanjay Gupta, Head of Aspect’s Cloud Business in the Asia Pacific of Aspect Software.

With the new partnership in place, customers will be able to enjoy a complete end-to-end cloud portfolio solution, enabling Aspect Software’s Workforce Management platform to be best delivered by a robust cloud solution to help them drive instant value and boost employee productivity.

“We are pleased to partner with one of the leading Information and Communication Technology service providers in the Philippines and offer through their Fujitsu Cloud Services, a robust and reliable Workforce Force Management solution,” says Richard Loberas, Head of Sales, ASEAN & Korea of Aspect Software.

The cloud-based Workforce Management solution hosts a myriad of features that include an intuitive dashboard-based UI; a centralized visibility into employee characteristics, preferences, schedules and performance; sophisticated forecasting algorithms that support multiple business objectives; and a simplified management of workforces across multiple sites and outsourced locations, among others.

Furthermore, operating the Workforce Management system in the cloud gives customers the ability to convert capital expenditures to operating expenditures; rapid scalability; elimination of software and hardware maintenance; and the lowest possible total cost of ownership.

According to Raul “Cricket” Santiago III, president of Fujitsu Philippines, Fujitsu is privileged to run Aspect Software’s Workforce Management because “it is one of the major steps in achieving a more hyper-connected society.”

He adds, “Our cloud solutions are the very foundation of our digital services, delivered in such a way that meet customers’ demands for business agility, optimum security and data regulation. This is why we are glad that a company as trailblazing as Aspect Software engaged with us—this proves our track record of offering new ways to innovate and modernize businesses the way they foresee it. Together, we can help contact centers maximize their value.”

BulSU OSO Proudly Presents Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016

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Ahoy! Come and join BulSU Office of the Student Organizations (OSO) as we navigate the ship on the first fresh wave of Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016 (PAP '16) This is one of the newly pondered project of the BulSU OSO, a daylong event, in line with the Freshie Week themed Handog ni BulSU para kay Bunso of the University which will help the university-wide and college-based student organizations to officially acquaint every BulSUan about their corporality, to recruit members, and to serve as an opportunity in boosting their pecuniary status for the Academic Year 2016-2017.

Pamamalakaya and Pondohan was conceptualized based on the general and annual theme of the BulSU OSO exploring the boundless breadth and depth of the sea. Pamamalakaya is a biblical term where some disciples were sent and Jesus said "Come & follow me", "and I will send you out to fish for people" – Mark 1:17 NIV (only the notion of the verse was adapted and not the religion aspect) Pondohan is a place where caught fishes will be delivered and it will be market through the middle men.

Look what is in store for us in Pamamalakaya and Pondohan 2016 (PAP '16) — happening this August 11, 2016 @BulSU Activity Center; 12:00nn- 6:00pm

For more inquiries, you may reach us through our official facebook page, BulSU OSO. You may also email and contact us at bulsuoso@gmail.com. Let us see your feedbacks by using our official hashtag #BulSUOSO #PAP2016.

Lamudi Ranks Most Searched Neighborhoods in the Philippines

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Familiar neighborhoods top list of most-searched areas in the Philippines, according to latest Lamudi data

The first half of 2016 saw the continued dominance of Metro Manila areas or neighborhoods among places in the Philippines most searched for by online property-hunters. Sixteen of the top 20 areas or neighborhoods viewed by users of the Lamudi website were in Metro Manila, with interest shifting slightly among the areas as the year progressed.

Fairview in Quezon City was top among the areas or neighborhoods searched by online property-hunters. This Quezon City district was the most searched area in Metro Manila and the Philippines in the first half of 2016, according to Lamudi data. Although Fairview remained the most searched area from April to June 2016, search volume for this popular Quezon City location dipped 22% from Q1 to Q2 2016.

Fairview is followed by the Fort Bonifacio area in Taguig. Home to Bonifacio Global City, this area generated almost 150,000 page-views of properties in the first half of 2016. Furthermore, interest for this location among online property-hunters increased 14% from Q1 to Q2 2016.

Fort Bonifacio was followed two other Quezon City locations: Tandang Sora and Batasan Hills. However, similarly to Fairview, it looked that online property-hunters’ interest for these areas also waned between Q1 2016 and Q2 2016. Page-views for Tandang Sora dropped 38% between the first two quarters of 2016, while those for Batasan Hills dropped 15% during the same period.

Fifth on the list is the highly popular BF Homes in Parañaque. Properties in this gentrifying residential area, home to many restaurants, generated almost 130,000 page-views in the first half of 2016. In addition, search volume for BF Homes increased 9% between Q1 2016 and Q2 2016.

Wrapping up the top 10 most searched areas/neighborhoods in the Lamudi website are Legaspi Village (Makati), Novaliches (Quezon City), Talon Dos (Las Piñas), Poblacion (Makati), and Cubao (Quezon City).

From highest to lowest, the top 11 to 20 most-searched areas/neighborhoods included Talamban (Cebu), Malate (Manila), Don Bosco (Parañaque), Banilad (Cebu), Guadalupe (Cebu), Commonwealth (Quezon City), Salcedo Village (Makati), New Manila (Quezon City), Lahug (Cebu), and Bel-Air (Makati).

Together, these 20 areas/neighborhoods made up more than 24% of all searches conducted in the Lamudi website in the first six months of 2016. There were a total of 4,536 areas/neighborhoods all over the Philippines included in this data analysis.

According the Lamudi, the results of this analysis offer insights on which specific locations property-hunters are researching for online. Although certain locations definitely are easily remembered due to high real estate activity, notably by major property developers (e.g., Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village, and Fort Bonifacio), some definitely are constantly in prospective homebuyers’ mind, perhaps because they have been popular residential areas for many years (e.g., BF Homes, Tandang Sora, Batasan Hills, New Manila).

Fox Sports Philippines to Air WSOF Global Championship 3

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FOX Sports, synonymous with being the exclusive provider of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) worldwide, is now home to World Series of Fighting Global Championship (WSOF-GC) in Philippines.

A programming license agreement was reached between WSOF-GC and FOX Networks Group, seeing FOX Sports Philippines as the Official Media Partner for the Manila event this Saturday, July 30, and the exclusive Philippine Pay TV home for the 2016 WSOF Global Championship Events. WSOF Global Championship 3 airs July 31 at 10am on FOX Sports Philippines, with multiple repeats the following week, and will likewise be available via linear streaming and via video-on-demand via www.FOXsportsasia.com and FOX Sports Play shortly after.

Jude Turcuato, SVP and GM of FOX Networks Group Philippines said, "FOX Sports has always aligned itself with the biggest, top-tier international sports properties. At the same time, we realize the value of local relevance and being able to cater to the Filipino sports fan. We are excited to work with World Series of Fighting Global Championship, to help further their global brand to this market, and we hope to contribute in growing MMA in the Philippines through this partnership.”

“Today marks a huge step in the direction that WSOF Global is taking on airing our events around the world,” stated Dunesa Hesser, Owner of WSOF-GC. “We may not have the brand that UFC has, but we certainly have the talent. Our first fight with FOX Sports Philippines airs the day after the live event, which includes a main event with our reigning heavyweight champion, Evgeny Erokhin, on a 9-fight KO win streak, against 11-2 Richard Odoms, who was previously signed with the UFC but was released due to injury before he could make his debut there. Our event also showcases a 4-man tournament featuring four of the best flyweights in the world, as well as undefeated prospects from Philippines, Pakistan, and India. This exposure will be great for our company, the fighters, and for FOX Sports, as we continue to be the leading brand in the Asian market.”