Finally! UNIQLO Opens its First Makati Store!

"You are not doing business in the Philippines if you are not doing it in Makati." - Katsumi Kubota

Those are the words that put a smile on Makati Mayor Jun Binay after hearing from UNIQLO Philippines' Chief Operating Officer Katsumi Kubota during the ribbon cutting and special opening day of the first UNIQLO store  in Makati City last June 26, 2013.

Located at the prime building of Glorietta 5 in Ayala Center, Makati City, UNIQLO Philippines finally debuts in the Central Business District of the Philippines to cater to the hard-working and fashion-forward people of Makati.

The Search for the Next Philippine Gems is On!

Aiming to promote the next mainstream tourist destinations of our country, Isla Lipana & Co. recently launches the search in finding the next top destinations through an online campaign called the Philippine Gems.

In line with its 91st anniversary, as a corporate social responsibility project of Isla Lipana & Co. that is set to support of domestic tourism, Philippine Gems aims to recognize up and coming destinations in the country through online voting at www.philippinegems.com.

The Currency: Set to Redefine Work, Play and Live

"Yes, we are in full swing. The Currency is in full swing." Those are the words uttered by Beth Kalaw, Division Head of  Vista Residences Inc. - High Rise Division, during the mini bloggers conference they hosted for the The Currency, Vista Residences Inc.'s newest offering in the very heart of the business district of Ortigas.

A BCI Asia 2011 awardee, The Currency is set to change the game in the "work-play-live" industry by giving and setting a world-class standard suit for homeowners' needs and wants. Standing along the gleaming office towers of the prestigious business district of Ortigas, The Currency is ready to offer a 36-floor architectural breath-taker that offers a myriad of leisure opportunities

Destined to become a landmark with its glass-clad tower that expresses itself into two wings (one for the residences, the other for the offices), The Currency, is sitting on 2,015 square meters of precious real estate. Boasts in the center of everything: right in the corners of Ortigas’ most famous streets, namely Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue (formerly Emerald Ave) and Garnet Road, it is a prime location which is indeed ideal not only for place to work in and live in but to invest in too.

Action-Packed Weekend with the Philippine Punishers!

Who would've thought that with a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, they have already earned themselves a reputation across Asia. Nah, I'm not talking about some basketball team or soccer team here, I am simply talking about the team that making its way to the international sports scene. And yes, they are tough, clad like warrior titans and fight for every inch of dirt in their teams - and they call themselves the Philippine Punishers!

Tim Beasley, head coach of the Philippine Punishers, the country’s internationally competitive American football team, gathered his boys yesterday at the Army Support Command (ASCOM) at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City to practice and to seek support from the growing fans of American Football.

I honestly didn't know that I'm about to witness this kind of football yesterday, for I never thought it exist in the country. I'm not a fan of the sports for I find it too physical, but seeing the way these guys practice and battle it out among their team members to prove that we, Filipinos, are ready for this kind of sports, well, they somehow got my attention and support.

Meet The Medical City's TMC Partner Link

In its continues effort of giving the easiest and fastest-way possible kind of service, The Medical City (TMC) launched recently an innovative service that is set to provide its patient-partners an easy and secure access to their medical records via the Internet - and guess what, its all free-of-charge. Meet The Medical City's TMC Partner Link.

An on-line facility that allows patients to view their laboratory and radiology diagnostic results, as well as their discharge summaries wherever they are, TMC Partner Link, also features various health trackers that enable patients to monitor their vital signs via a graphic interface. Though, it does not provide medical advice,  TMC Partner Link is certainly unique according to Dr. Mike Muin, Health IT Head of The Medical City, because it is integrated with the hospital Electronic Medical Records, and allow doctors to monitor their patients without frequent hospital visits. 

For now, TMC Partner Link can share blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar and weight, but eventually as it fully embraces the concept of patient-partnership, TMC Partner Link is set to change the hospital setup in the country.

Alaska Nutribuild 345: Your Child's Much-Needed Nourishment

When schools open their doors in a few weeks, there is only one question that mothers would ask themselves:  “Is my child ready?”

This question weighs heavily on mommies with children in the pre-school ages of 3, 4 and 5. Perhaps the most interesting, and maybe even the most mishap-prone period, the 3-4-5 stage is when the vital years of developmental milestones of a child are achieved.   

This is the period when every moment becomes snapshots of discovery.  They simply burst onto a scene with unbounded enthusiasm, trying out new activities and exploring the world around them. At this time also, confidence building in terms of achievement of their developmental milestones is essential.  Thus, proper nutrition and guidance are the key elements.

“The school is a "new world" for the child – a new environment where he or she can explore, try new things, test their limits, and create new relationships. It is best that they're equipped with nutrients to support their brain and body development so that they can do these things.  Proper diet enhanced by milk that is most appropriate for their age would help them cope, adjust and succeed in that unfamiliar and exciting setting,” said resident nutritionist and dietitian for Alaska Nutribuild 345,  Tiffany Anne Santuyo.

The 2013 Elan Awards: Vote Now!

The search for the modern Filipino gentleman is on as McJIMM Classic Leather officially announces the names of 12 finalists for the very first Elan Awards: The Search for the Modern Filipino Gentleman at Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City last June 17.

Out of about a hundred eligible names that came up for the said prestigious title, only 12 were chosen by the panel of judges composed of society columnist Tim Yap; actor and top male model Victor Basa; and radio and TV personality Sam YG.

In a press conference, which is led by McJIM Classic Leather project manager, Chris Cahilig shared to us that the three criteria for the 2013 Elan Awards are Elegance of Style,  Manners and Etiquette, and Accomplishment. He added that each of these 12 Elan Awards finalists is a role model for every Pinoy to be successful, stylish and elegant in our manner of dress, grooming, accomplishments, etiquette, and overall lifestyle - aside for being distinctly and proudly Filipino. 

It’s Skin Opens at SM City North EDSA

With the rampant invasion of KPOP to Filipino culture, no wonder that from the outfits, dance craze and now even to make-ups, more and more Filipinos are going cray-cray over these new-world culture. And now, as another Korean store opens in one of the metropolis' prime malls, SM City North EDSA welcomes It's Skin to Manila!

The first store in the country, It's Skin SM City North EDSA opens last June 15 at the 3rd Level of the City Center building to introduce and to share one of Korea's clinical skin solutions. Under Descopr Incorporated, It’s Skin offers dermatologist-prescribed clinical skin solutions to help consumers achieve their ideal skin the best way possible.

With every product being formulated and prescribed by dermatologists from Seoul University, It's Skin Philippines levels of popularity among Filipino consumers by offering a wide range of products - from cosmetics to skincare to accessories.

Samsung SM Aura opens with Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8

As the most premier mall of SM Supermalls opens on the upscale space of Global City, Taguig, Samsung, the country's leading digital brand, hits SM Aura Premier with their most interactive and widest store in the Philippines ever with Samsung Experience Store.

Introducing the newest and biggest Samsung store in the country, gadget aficionados can now experience the latest and the best from Samsung inside the 250 square meter of sensorial space within the SM Aura fashion zone.

I was invited to check out the place, together with a number of media personalities and bloggers last June 07. And with a number of models all dressed up in this couture outfits simply showing to us how premier is premier, Samsung Philippines, also unveiled that day their latest innovations in mobile entertainment under the names of Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8.

The 26th Corporate Giveaways Annual Buyers’ Show

“We have an obligation to provide our exhibitors with the market they want,” says Raquel Romero, General Manager of World Expos and Concepts Inc. “Just think about it, how many sure buyers can you really get from making cold calls? At Corporate Giveaways, the customers come to you. At this point, they have a market to pitch to; all they have to do is impress with their products and services.”

For the past 26 years, Corporate Giveaways has been the one-stop shop for many companies here and abroad when it comes to business gifts, premiums, promotional ideas and merchandise incentives. It has been the company's goal to provide an excellent choice of gifts for their customers fit to their clients and partners. And now, withstanding the test of time, Corporate Giveaways is about to showcase, yet again, a magnificent exposition of  marketing solution through Corporate Giveaways Annual Buyers’ Show 2013.

This annual fete that has been gathering a specialized group of exhibitors under one roof, Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show actually started when Worldexco Chairman Lynn Romero needed to find a ready and reliable source of specialized gifts for their hotel’s clients and partners back when she was still the PR director of one of country’s leading hotels. What began as a personal quest eventually turned into a wonderful solution for marketing professionals who were experiencing the same dilemma.

The Discover-E Food Festival is ON this Weekend!

From Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, this is set to be a history in the making as Electrolux Philippines brings the best from the regions this coming June 15 and 16 for the Discover-E Food Festival. A gathering of the most sumptuous Filipino dishes, indulge on this 2-day festivity, which aims to promote creative and mouth-watering Neo-Filipino dishes! 

Carrying out the Department of Tourism slogan, it is indeed More Fun in the Philippines with these delightful native delicacies set not to just fill everyone's tummy but also their mind as they present the iconic Filipino dishes in a modern and contemporary way. Just don't forget to get your Electrolux Food Passport, your ticket on this nationalistic food adventure that you'll ever have.

Discover-E Food Festival will also feature a lot of fun-filled activities that will not only let you appreciate delicious native cuisine, but they'll also give you a chance to create your own unique dish with the help Electrolux kitchen appliances. With the presence of of an open functional kitchen, everyone can come in as chef-in-the-making or a Filipino food connoisseur through a hands-on kitchen experience.

Alaska Milk to hone Future Azkal Players

As of June 4, the Azkals had again set forth to take on a number of international challenges in the football arena. Starting with a win at a pitch in Hong Kong, they continue their journey in fulfilling the grandest achievement in the history of the sport – to compete against and level with the best football teams all over the world, as they carry the nation’s flag.

And like any other champion football club, making a mark internationally is the biggest challenge for the Azkals. “It took a while until the Filipinos caught on the Azkals’ potentials. But motivation and passion are contagious feelings. The team owes its achievements to having a common goal. Staying focused on a common vision takes a lot of team discipline. Determination to follow through to reach that goal requires hard-work, lots of practice, coaching and guidance,” said Azkals Team Manager, Dan Palami.

And today so as to share the Azkals vision of championing Philippine Football, Alaska Milk Corporation supports young, aspiring players who are out to become the best players in the country.  Through-out the years, even when there was little enthusiasm for football, Alaska has carried through in fostering and preparing young athletes for the triumphs of this game.

#ItoNa - The Coca-Cola New Box of Happiness

At exactly 2 p.m. tomorrow, expect a GLEE-ful surprise as Coca-Cola, together with some local and international artists unbox the mysterious crates that carries the words #ItoNa, which are located in Trinoma, Market! Market!, Glorietta and SM Masinag.

Together with the local brand ambassadors Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, Joseph Marco and Kathryn Bernardo, the icon of happiness is welcoming its brand new offering with Becca Tobin, Dean Geyer, Melissa Benoist and Jacob Artist of GLEE through a larger-than-life simultaneous launch. 

With these  mystery crates peppered across different locations in Metro Manila, ready your sweetest and most beautiful smiles as we are all invited to witness the big reveal of the new Coca-Cola drinking experience.

The Fight Against Illegal Recruiters

Every now and then, our local news includes stories of our poor fellows who were victimized by some devilish illegal recruiters, who instead of helping of our "kababayans" to reach for their goal, stole their money and runaway and victimized more. This is one sad story that Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and JobStreet.com want to end - and they mean it!

In a recent press conference of JobStreet.com and POEA, held at POEA PST Hall last June 5, a resounding  pledge “Matalino ako! Hindi ako magpapaloko!” echoed all over the place as they launched their latest battle against illegal recruiters in the land.

To promote “safe and real jobs” for overseas intenders, POEA partnered with the number one job site in the Philippines, Jobstreet.com, last February 2013 in pursuant of the 2013 Anti-Illegal Recruitment. POEA Administrator Atty. Hans Cacdac discussed to us the series of co-branded educational resources  that will empower 2013 Anti-Illegal Recruitment and let everyone knows the do's and don't's in overseas employment.

Samsung NX300 Camera: Surpassing the Test of Time

What do you get when you combine modern technology and the needs of today’s generation in photography? Samsung proved once again that they are the leader in digital technology as their stepped up to the challenge and come about with the world's fastest camera to date - the Samsung NX300.

Presenting a smart camera with record-breaking features, Samsung Philippines also introduced during the recent launch of NX300 at Bonifacio High Street their lifestyle ambassadors whose accomplishments resonate the camera’s dedication to speed - the Iron Man 7.3 Philippine record holder Noy Jopson, the national record holder in Olympic Distance Nikko Welgas, and the 4-time Filipina Elite champion in Iron Man 7.3 Philippines Monica Torres. 

Samsung NX300 offers the fastest shutter speed at 1/6000th of a second to capture fast moments in the clearest and most precise way possible. Together with a 20.3 megapixel sensor, it also shoot continuously at an ultra-fast rate of 8.6 frames per second that brings crystal clarity to fast-moving subjects and helps capture fleeting moments before the subject moves out of frame. An advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system is also a part of it to determine the distance of the subject while fine-tuning the focus for maximum contrast.