Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Synthesis: an Exhibit on Architectural Photography at the SM Aura Premier
When two beautiful things come together, it creates another dimension of aesthetics that the human eye will perceive. Such as the exhibit recently held at Taguig.  It's a mix of two kinds of art. Architecture and Photography is such an unbeatable tandem.
As part of SM’s Nationals Arts Month celebration this February, SM Supermalls invites everyone to Synthesis: an exhibit on Architectural Photography by Ar. Marc Henrich Go from February 28 to March 8 at The Upper Ground Atrium of SM Aura Premier.
Showcasing the harmony between two arts, Synthesis features both the talent of Marc Henrich Go, and the worksof renowned architecture and design firm Budji+Royal, underscoring the intuitive collaboration of creative minds.

A first-of-its-kind demonstration at SM Aura Premier, the evocative photos are set to indulge with meaningful spatial experiences of atmosphere and emotion through architectural photography.
A multi-awarded photographer, Ar. Marc Henrich Go is a talented lensman who has won numerous competitions and completed many international commissions. Specializing in architectural, travel, and commercial photography, his works have been featured in the covers and pages of major publications and magazines such as the Philippine Tatler, People Asia, Bluprint, and Cocoon. 
He recently topped the January 2018 Architect Licensure Exam. Being both an architect and photographer, his approach is a fusion of both professions that enables him to capture the essence of architecture and design through his own extraordinary perspective.

Budji+Royal is design firm led by the visionary tandem of Budji Layug and Royal Pineda, who together conceived a Total Design approach where architecture, interior design, furniture, styling and landscaping are planned into an integrated whole, specifically for the unique needs of each project.



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Jollibee Tuna Pie is the perfect snack for every go-getter
Our favorite creamy tuna filling in a crispy crust is the best partner for today's hottest fitness activities
Jollibee, the Philippines' number one fast-food  brand, brings its customers exciting lifestyle activities partnered with the best on-the-go snack, Jollibee Tuna Pie.

 Jollibee celebrates the first of summer by treating its fans to exclusive fun-filled indoor cycling classes. Indoor cycling, also called 'spinning' is one of today's trendiest workout that utilizes high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a stationary bike.  The free sessions start with a quick Cycling 101 and other important tips and tricks on the bike to help prep participants for the intense workout.
The perfect partner to this fun workout? Jollibee Tuna Pie, of course! With its cheesy, creamy tuna filing, in a crispy golden pie crust, Tuna Pie is definitely the best post-workout treat!

 Jollibee opens its free indoor cycling sesions on March 9 and 16, 2018, together with several fitness and lifestyle influencers.

 Everyone can expect more fun and exciting activities with Tuna Pie this season.
Available for dine in, delivery, drive thru or take-out transactions for only P45.00 (solo), Jollibee's Tuna Pie can also be enjoyed with a regular drink for P59.00 with a drink and another meat-less favorite, the Jolly Crispy Fries for only P89.00! Trio packs for sharing-or hoarding are also available for P130.00.  For more information on Jollibee's products and latest promos, like the Jollibee Philippines Facebook page and follow @Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

 *Prices may vary across different locations
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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Jobstreet.com: Philippine job outlook on a positive note



Hiring and Job-hunting activities are both set to increase in 2018

 Manila, February 27, 2018 2018 is supposed to be a good year in the Philippines job market, with those employers and talents expressing an optimistic view in relation to their hiring and job search activities, according to this year's JobStreet.com job outlook report.

The report, now on its second year, asked companies of their job market outlook in 2018. On a 7-point scale, employers averaged a 5.01 showing an increase in outlook optimism versus 2017, while candidates maintain their optimism at 4.68.

This positive sentiment among employers and candidates is backed by indications of increased hiring and job-hunting activity, as 60% of Philippine company claim to be expanding and hiring a more personnel, while 88% of talents will be either monitoring the job market or applying for jobs in 2018. Confidence among employers is also seen in the increase in job postings, which experienced a 14% increase year-on year and is driven by growth in the top three hiring industries – call center/IT – enabled services, retail, and manufacturing.


 While candidates also managed to display a more positive outlook, they expressed concerns about their job-hunting journey, saying that increased competition in their fields and diversification of skills and jobs are most likely to happen, signifying that searching and applying for good job opportunities may be more challenging to them this year.

The study also revealed another cause for candidates to be more active and searching for better opportunities this year – the benefits they most prefer or not necessarily offered to them by their present employers.

Close to 80% of candidates pointed to health and medical insurance for themselves and their dependents, but only 52% claim to enjoy it. On the other hand, 86% listed family care leave as there most desired form of time-off, but only 13% enjoy this type of leave benefit.

"While more candidates see themselves to be participative in the job market this year, companies are also foreseeing robust hiring activity, which means the competition to attract and retain top talent will be more vigorous. What will make or break employers this year is how attentive and primed they are to address the emerging needs of employees," said Jobstreet.com Philippines country manager Philip Gioca.
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Digitizing Financial Services in PH with Blockchain
Digitizing Financial Services in PH with Blockchain
UnionBank partners with Microsoft to pursue blockchain technology in PH

Today, digital technology is pushing people, businesses, and governments to rethink the way they work and operate. In the banking and financial industry, fintech companies are disrupting conventional methodologies and introducing innovative products to cater to mobile and connected customers that demand state-of-the-art digital services.

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is in the midst of a digital shift as it pursues a three-point plan. This aims to transform its operations with digital technology, put up a digital bank, and engage fintechs in catering to the local market.[1]

As part of its endeavours, UnionBank has partnered with Microsoft to conduct blockchain trials on Azure.

“Similar to our mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more, UnionBank is committed to making lives better and enriching the lives of Filipinos through greater financial inclusion. We stand together in the belief that financial service institutions need to ramp up digital transformation efforts to engage users and transform products,” said Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director and Country General Manager of Microsoft Philippines.

Blockchain for greater financial inclusion

A recent BSP survey found that 86 percent of Filipino households remain unbanked.[2] Blockchain can push for greater financial inclusion by allowing financial institutions to provide accessible, useful, and affordable products and services that meet client needs. Whether it’s transactions, payments, savings, credit, or insurance, these can be delivered in a responsible and sustainable way via blockchain.

Arvie de Vera, Head of Fintech at UnionBank, said: “Blockchain technology will revolutionize financial services, and more so in a context like the Philippines where financial inclusion is such a challenge.”

Blockchain is transformational technology that brings down the cost to serve the mass market. At its core, it is a form of data structure used to create a digital transaction ledger that, instead of resting with a single provider, is shared among a distributed network of computers.[3] This promotes financial inclusion by:

Modernizing legacy banking infrastructures. With blockchain technologies, banks can increase efficiencies by addressing the settlementk process across the board. Speeding payments, trading of all financial instruments, and automatically outputting regulatory information will massively disrupt the industry and shift labor into better customer service.

Securing transactions. Blockchain technology offers secure transactions through an encrypted ledger. This addresses cyber threats by establishing authenticity and tamper-proof record systems. The decentralization of the command systems in blockchains is critical to safeguarding cyber security.[4]

Azure – a secure blockchain platform

UnionBank is currently conducting and has had successful blockchain trials on Azure.

As an open, flexible, and scalable platform, Azure supports a rapidly growing number of distributed ledger technologies that address specific business and technical requirements for security, performance, and operational processes. Microsoft’s data and AI solution provides unique off-chain data-management and analysis capabilities not offered by others. The vast Microsoft partner ecosystem extends the capabilities of UnionBank’s platforms and services in unique ways that fit specific workload and industry needs.

Azure is secure and provides a rapid, low-cost, low-risk, and fail-fast system for organizations to collaborate on by enabling them to experiment with new business processes—all backed by a cloud platform with the largest compliance portfolio in the industry.[5]

“The Microsoft partnership has also been about sharing best practices and experiences. UnionBank is grateful to have the guidance of such a technology leader—one who has also undergone its own transformation,” de Vera said.

Revolutionizing PH banking

As a tech-savvy organization, UnionBank is embracing digital transformation through its strong culture of innovation and leadership. It is the first bank in the Philippines to pursue blockchain trials.

“It’s an exciting time. The arrival of blockchain in the Philippines is groundbreaking and can revolutionize the financial services industry and lead to greater financial inclusion in the country. As the first bank to pursue blockchain, UnionBank is making big strides in its digital transformation, and Microsoft is committed to helping them make Filipino lives better,” said Bayaborda.
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Setting new standards of excellence with Filigree
Filigree residence
For such a young luxury real estate brand, Filigree was able set new standards in the local property industry both as a marque of excellence and exclusivity. Launched last year, Filigree was able to deliver on their promise of luxurious developments with meticulous attention to detail and quality, and on-time completion of their projects.
Two of Filigree’s signature upscale developments in the Metro South – Botanika Nature Residences and The Enclave Alabang, are being turned over on schedule.
botanika facade
Botanika Nature Residences is noted for its exceptional luxury with generously-sized units and garden-inspired amenities. Comprised of three mid-rise low-density condominium towers, Botanika Nature Residences has already welcomed Tower 1 residents starting last quarter of 2017.
The Enclave
For The Enclave Alabang, Filigree’s masterplanned luxury sanctuary, its 1,500 sq.m Clubhouse with private function rooms interior designed by no less that the celebrated firm of BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design, relaxing lap pool, and fitness gym are ready for the enjoyment of The Enclave Alabang’s discriminating residents.
The Central Park, boasting of lush, verdant flora, an impressive man-made lagoon with calming waters, and a canopy of trees, already stands as an inviting oasis in the low density 13-hectare residential community.
Bristol Skygarden
Bristol at Parkway Place, meanwhile, is set to be turned over in the first half of this year, where unit owners can soon revel in Bristol’s prime, desirable location, first-in-class architecture and design, as well as its plethora of features and amenities such as a posh retail promenade, a calming swimming pool, a cozy library, and screening room.
The Beaufort, the preferred address of the affluent few in Bonifacio Global City, has also welcomed most of its residents, and has only a few units left available.
And putting each of these masterpieces together is a most impressive lineup of world renowned consultants: apart from BUDJI+ROYAL, there is AECOM Singapore, L.V. Locsin Partners, H1 Architecture, Architecture International, and Miaja Design Group.
Filigree has indeed proven itself worthy as a premium real estate brand, with every project bearing iconic architecture, generosity of space, incomparable finishes and build quality, plush amenities, and exceptional property management—each one situated in prime, desirable locations. More importantly, Filigree has shown its ability to finish projects on time, a testament to their passion and commitment, giving homeowners and investors superb returns on their investments.
And this 2018, Filigree will continue to push the boundaries, further raising the bar and setting standards in luxury real estate in the country. To know more about Filigree’s exceptional property developments, visit www.filigree.com.ph.
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Monday, February 26, 2018

LBC Allies with PNP-HPG Towards Safer Roads
PNP-HPG Director Police Chief Superintendent, Arnel Escobal with LBC Express Inc. Senior Vice President for Philippine Operations, Oliver Valentin 

LBC and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has renewed another fruitful year of partnership which shows how private companies and government can work together in making a difference in the lives of the publics they serve. 
Recently, the two groups reinforced their Memorandum of Understanding on the importance of road safety and security through "The Disiplinadong Driver- Road Safety Marshal Orientation" held at the Camp Crame Grandstand last February 3, 2018.

Led by LBC Senior VP Oliver Valentin and HPG Director Atty. Arnel Escobal, 40-50 LBC delivery managers, supervisors, drivers, and riders underwent training with the HPG-PNP staff. Here, they were taught how to follow street signs; observe proper road etiquette; detect and avoid danger on the streets; and, gear up for each and every delivery. In exchange for the valuable instructions given to them, LBC provided the classrooms for training. 

LBC says the partnership is essential to their operations because they move almost 96,000 parcels and cargoes daily through their 1,800 combined fleet of motorcycles and trucks. In 2017, HPG was able to train 560 NCR-based drivers of LBC which significantly reduced the number of recorded vehicular accidents.
Highlight of the event was the oath-taking of LBC employees who undertook the drills and the ceremonial posting of “Road Safety Mashal” stickers on LBC-marked delivery vans & motorcycles.
Valentin is proud to say that LBC is the first Corporate Supply Chain recognized by PNP-HPG as Road Safety Ambassador for "Ang Disiplinadong Driver". He says: “We are well aware of our civic duty to adopt and adhere strictly to public safety policies. By advocating safer roads, we want to impart the message that entities can do their job both successfully and responsibly, if they set their minds to it”.
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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Aspiring ice athletes assured of full support towards winter Olympics dream



SM Skating, a major patron in the country’s ice sports program, has vowed to continue developing the talents and skills of young, aspiring athletes, to keep alive dreams of qualifying and making a strong finish in future winter Olympics games and other tournaments.

SM Skating executives reiterated their commitment to provide training and offer world-class ice skating facilities to Filipino ice athletes after welcoming home figure skater Michael Christian Martinez at the Olympic-size rink inside the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices made and dedication shown by Michael Martinez in the just concluded winter Olympics. He has become not only a source of pride but also an inspiration especially for the budding ice athletes who, I believe, will carry our country’s colors in future international competitions,” said Herman Emiliano Medina-Cue, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. chief operating officer.



Martinez represented the country in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea where he came up short in his bid to advance in the men’s single figure skating event. Despite the setback, the winter Olympian is honoured to be given the chance to compete once more in the global ice tournament.

“Competing at that level of the winter Olympics, in the company of world-class figure skating talents, and performing in front of the world, is already a reward. I am honoured to have represented the country in that tournament and hope I have become an inspiration to the next generation of ice athletes,” said Martinez.

Martinez was welcomed home by his family, supporters and fans. He was also presented with a certificate of recognition for his efforts in representing the country and heralding ice skating in the Philippines to new heights.

Martinez had a relatively short time to prepare as the Philippines was only advised and allowed to compete as a first alternate after Olympic qualifier Sweden withdrew in January. Prior to his return to the winter Olympics, Martinez won the silver medal in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.



Home of the country’s ice athletes

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. has been supporting the development of Filipino ice athletes, including the Southeast Asian Games gold medal-winning Philippine Ice Hockey team, and various ice sports in the country by implementing the SM ice skating sports program and maintaining Olympic-size ice skating rinks in Metro Manila and Cebu City.

Some of the young athletes who train at SM Skating are figure skaters Jules Alpe, Alisson Perticheto, Samantha Cabiles, and Sofia Guidote.

The ice skating rink at the SM Mall of Asia can host not only recreational and competitive figure skating and speed skating events but also ice hockey games.

Located at the main mall’s third level, the 1,800-square meter rink boasts of complete facilities for hockey games such as a digital scoreboard, players’ boxes, scorekeeper and penalty boxes as well as two locker rooms with hot and cold shower.

Visitors can conveniently watch practices, training, exhibitions, shows, games and tournaments at the 200-seater stands located around the rink. Those wanting to take a quick bite can head to the snack booth for hotdogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, coffee cakes, pastries and ice-cold beverages.

The ice skating rink also has a spacious lobby and multi-purpose rooms for sports training, meetings, and social functions while a clinic provides immediate first-aid assistance for any minor sports-related injuries.



About SM Skating

Starting as a leisure rink built by the inspired Henry Sy Sr. whose interest was piqued by the grace and class of figure skating, the SM Skating Rink possesses the only Olympic sized ice skating rinks in the entire country. Aside from being a venue for events and leisurely skating, the SM Skating Rink also provides lessons for Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and other sports on ice. Proving right of Henry Sy Sr.’s vision of a tropical country excelling in a winter-based sport, the SM Skating Rink has been home to world class figure skaters, such as Michael Martinez, who internationally compete in prestigious championships such as the Winter Olympics in Sochi. This year, the SM Skating Rink will introduce more sports and activities to learn on the ice, and events that will cater to the existing and new winter-based sports.



For the skating lessons, please visit: http://smskatingrink.com/rates-and-packages/
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