Monthly Archives

January 2021

Lifestyle, News

Smile Train Philippines Live Streams Cleft Con

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Smile Train Philippines, will be holding Cleft Con Philippines, a ground-breaking, first-of-its-kind conference by and for the global cleft community. The virtual conference will include a series of discussions from experts who will provide education materials, tips and guidance for parents and families who have children with clefts.

The world’s leading cleft organization will live stream recorded sessions with its local experts through Facebook, which will run until February 5, 2020 every Fridays from 4 to 5pm. Interested individuals may refer to the schedule below and follow the Smile Train Philippines Facebook page for updates: facebook.com/SmileTrainPhilippines

Oral Health and Orthodontics: January 15

With Dr. Janet Pandan, President, Association of Philippine Orthodontists and Dr. Mia Go, Pediatric Dentist

Surgery and Post-Op Care: January 22

With Dr. Bernard Tansipek, Plastic Surgeon and President, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.

Speech Therapy: January 29

With Teacher Naomi Sambo, Speech Language Pathologist and Teacher Elma LatayanSpeech Language Pathologist

Well-Being: February 5

With Dr. Arsenio Alianan, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology – Ateneo De Manila University and special guests: Cris Daryl Magallanes (Real Estate Professional) & Paul MarneyLeobrer (Singer/Guitarist)

Hosted by Ms. Menchie Silvestre of AlagangKapatid, TV5

You may catch the 1st episode on Feeding and Nutrition aired on January 8 below:

facebook.com/SmileTrainPhilippines/videos/149064303657706

“We are grateful for the continuous support and collaboration of our donors, partners and ambassadors who made Cleft Con 2021 possible. We hope that this will also serve as an opportunity for other patients to continue their learning and speech sessions amid the quarantine,” said Smile Train South East Asia Area Director Kimmy Flaviano.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

 

 

.

January 12, 2021 by
Entertainment

T1419 marks highly anticipated debut with ‘Before Sunrise Part.1’

K-Pop boy group, T1419, the newest nine-piece global launching under MLD ENTERTAINMENT(MOMOLAND, JT & Marcus), has finally released their highly anticipated single album, BEFORE SUNRISE Part.1 is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music and MLD Entertainment.

The 3-track release showcases T1419’s affinity for pop, hip-hop, and electronic music influences, seamlessly blending the elements to create an infectious chart-topper for the modern audience to consume and enjoy.

A concept ‘single album’ that marks the beginning of the group’sfour-part series, BEFORE SUNRISE Part.1 embodies different celestial phenomena, each linked with the growth and life of T1419.

BEFORE SUNRISE Part.1 opens with debut single, ‘ASURABALBALTA’—a genre-mashing banger infused with hard-hitting beats and trendy sounds. The song deals with the K-Pop group’s quest of emerging triumphant above the chaos. “This is the very first step into T1419 universe, where they strive to realize and overcome their obstacles,” according to the group’s official statement. “ASURABALBALTA is a spell that make one’s wish come true, which also portrays the wishes of all nine members of T1419 for a bright future that will unfold in the coming days.”

The second track in the single album is “Butt Out”—an upbeat track that tells the story of teenagers yearning to live by their own will, and not by the rules of others. BEFORE SUNRISE Part. 1 closes with the instrumental version of the lead single ‘ASURABALBALTA’.

BEFORE THE SUNRISE Part. 1TRACKLIST

  1. ASURABALBALTA
  2. Butt Out
  3. ASURABALBALTA (Inst.)

T1419

About T1419

Consisting 5 Korean and 4 Japanese members. Ahead of their debut, T1419 had not only released G-STAR 2020’s title song ‘ROW’, but also unveiled their pre-debut music video ‘Dracula’ which had garnered 7 million views on YouTube. This multi-faceted, multilingual mega group is set out to showcase their top-notch talents in vocals, rap, performance, and producing to the world.

For more information, please visit: Instagram | Twitter|YouTube

 

January 11, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

Bonifacio Global City partnership with Moovr PH, can now use Philippine’s first ever bike and e-scooter

The first ever bike and e-scooter sharing platform powered by Keepr Storage PH continues to provide easy and sustainable mobility for Filipinos wanting to beat the city traffic. Bikes and e-scooters are already available for use starting this January 2021!

This partnership with Moovr PH can help BGCitizens to easily traverse within the city in the comfort and safety of Personal Mobility Device (PMD) network situated around BGC. These dedicated lanes provide connected safe routes which residents and employees can enjoy to get to their offices and move around the city.

Personal Mobility Devices That Promote Safe Outdoor Leisure and Sustainability

Moovr PH is the Philippines‘ first ever PMD-sharing mobile application for Filipinos who wish to engage in leisurely outdoor activities while practicing safe, physical-distancing. The app empowers the public with immediate and 24-hour access to personal mobility devices (PMD) that come in two options: a single gear bike and an easy-to-use electric scooter built for safe and comfortable rides in-and-around BGC. The whole fleet of bikes and e-scooters will be regularly disinfected and sanitized, and can be accessed through Moovr Hubs that are within walking distance in strategic locations in Bonifacio Global City.

Aside from safety, Moovr PH also practices sustainability by promoting the use of their bikes and e- scooters which produce only 1% of the carbon released by standard cars. With the objective of serving as a last mile commute within BGC and looking to extend to more locations in the Metro — something many Filipinos will benefit from.

Bringing last-mile solutions to the Philippines, Moovr PH uses the same technology and user-friendly platform as those used in Europe, the US, and Canada. The application is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

How Does Moovr PH Work?

  1. Create an Account

Download the Moovr PH app on your mobile device and follow the form to create an account through e-mail, Facebook, or Google.

  1. Find Your Ride

Once your profile is activated, simply find your ride by walking to the nearest Moovr Hub in BGC. Don’t forget to have your personal helmet ready!

       3. Travel to Destination

Upon reaching the Moovr Hub, select your vehicle and unlock it by scanning the QR code to start riding. Vehicles can be rented for a maximum of 24 hours and e-scooters must be returned if the battery is below 15%. Remember to drive only on the designated lanes and obey traffic laws of BGC.

The Moovr Hub will direct you to the nearest designated parking area closest to your destination between rides.

  1. End in a Moovr Hub

Once your journey is complete, simply park and lock your bike in the nearest Moovr Hub in their designated spots in BGC and end the ride on your app.

Moovr PH: Mobility for Every Juan

Moovr provides easy and sustainable mobility for Filipinos living and working in Bonifacio Global City. Rates for use of the bikes start for as low as PHP 15 for every 15 minutes, or a fraction thereof. While the standard rate for e-scooters is PHP 50 for every 20 minutes, or a fraction thereof. Payments are also cashless, users can top up their Moovr credits through online transactions using their credit or debit cards.

With these efforts, BGC and Moovr PH aim to create a safer and more conducive environment for its BGCitizens and more. For more updates, you can also visit Bonifacio Global City’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph.

January 11, 2021 by
Entertainment

Trippy visual album, Repack: the join forces of Singapore rapper Ihasamic and producer Wovensound

Singapore hip-hop/visual artist Ihasamic! and producer Wovensound show their creativity in full force with the release of Repack— out today on all digital platforms worldwide via Umami Records.

Redefining the visual album format with infectious lo-fi sounds and impeccable direction, the 4-track EP and short film tell the journey of a person struggling with his mental health and how sometimes life can fall into what feels like an endless loop, the same experiences and conversations you have with yourself repackaged into different days.

“These 4 tracks were meant to be like a short, reflective therapy session,” Wovensound shares. “They cover the theme of repetition and mundane cycles that we go through daily, on a much more personal level – an internalized conflict instead of an externalized struggle. Ihasamic! wanted it to play like a slice-of-life story that loops daily, when repackaged into a different vessel, will you be able to tell the same shit apart on different days? That’s the question that pops in our head during the entire production process.”

Featuring local artists CHAE, Shai and Raina Sum, the visual EP meld surreal visuals with an incisive commentary on mental health awareness. Rap artist Ilhasamic! adds, “Sonically the EP is played in a cinematic way, four acts one after another, and makes sense when repeated start to end in a loop. The visuals of the accompanying short film completes it.”

Directed by Ihasamic!, the 10 minute short film weaves the entire EP into a visual story that mirrors the musical journey of REPACK. It premiered to fully sold out screenings on 7 January 2021 at the Ultra Super New Gallery, Singapore.

Wovensound and Ihasamic! are also collaborating on their 6-track debut EP Vertigos Fulfilled, dropping in June 2021.

Listen to REPACK via Umami Records: https://www.umamirecords.sg/repack/

 

 

January 8, 2021 by
Fashion, Lifestyle

GUESS PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES MOBILE APP

GUESS PHILIPPINES makes holiday shopping a breeze with its new online shopping experience and strengthens its online presence and brings a more convenient shopping experience to its Philippine customers by launching the GUESS Mobile App.

Perfect for the holiday season, the GUESS Mobile App provides a faster, easier, and more user-friendly way of browsing through the latest GUESS collections online, giving customers a new and seamless shopping experience.

Complete Online Selection Customers can easily browse and shop Guess’ newest arrivals and exclusive offers, including the latest GUESS Holiday collection featuring Michele Morrone.

Save, Shop, and Share Customers can save their favorite items with the Wishlist feature and share their top picks with their friends and followers on social media.

Points and Rewards Guess List members can link their accounts through the mobile app to gain points and avail of exclusive rewards this season.

The GUESS Mobile App is now available for Android and will be available for Apple next January. Download the Guess Mobile App at the Google Play Store now at LINK. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GUESSPhil/ for more updates and visit www.guess.com.ph for more information

January 8, 2021 by
News

Geje Eustaquio Wishes a Title Shot for Danny Kingad in the New Year

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of the famed Team Lakay from Baguio City, Philippines treats his teammates like his own ‘brothers.’ Which is why the 31-year-old veteran has no qualms about stepping aside for Team Lakay junior Danny “The King” Kingad in a race for the world title.

“My wish is for Danny [Kingad] to take the title this year. He has a good chance at earning another shot at the belt,” said Eustaquio.

“The kid is seriously talented and very strong.”

Kingad is currently ranked #2 in the official athlete rankings in the flyweight division for mixed martial arts, sitting just beneath former UFC Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, and reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.

Kingad is a winner of seven of his last eight contests, with a lone defeat to Johnson himself. He previously challenged Moraes in 2017 in his first shot at the world title. Since then, Kingad has improved by leaps and bounds, and Eustaquio believes he will do much better in rematches against either Johnson or Moraes.

“He’s consistently growing! He’s not the same fighter who fought Adriano and DJ the first time. Danny is a difficult matchup for anyone at this point,” said Eustaquio.

Team Lakay is looking to put together a massive 2021, following a year marred with disappointment. The team spent the holiday time each with their families and close relatives to re-energize and refocus their efforts, in preparation for the next 12 months, before reconvening in Baguio City to support a teammate whose mother had recently passed away.

“I spent the holidays with close family by my side. It was indeed a very happy new year. We went on a getaway trip, took the kids out to go swimming. My son Cage loved it. It was just the kind of trip I needed to nourish my soul, after all that we went through in 2020,” said Eustaquio.

“However, it was definitely a sad start on the 1st of January, as we all met up at Lito’s [Adiwang] house to mourn the passing of his mother. But I’m glad we could be there for our brother.”

Eustaquio bares that most of Team Lakay has already started their training and are back in the gym to resume the hard work they are known for.

“Everybody on the team is excited and very motivated to win. Spirits are very high and we’re all ready to get the year started. Most of us already started our preparations and are back in the gym training,” said Eustaquio.

Eustaquio, on the other hand, believes he has one more good title run in him and is putting in the time and effort to make that dream a reality.

“For myself, I am hoping to make one more run at the title. I’m working very hard to put myself in a position to compete at the highest level. My victory last year was a good start, and now I have to build on that,” said Eustaquio.

“This is going to be a busy year for the team. Everyone wants to get better and we want to make a big statement in the Circle.”

 

 

 

January 6, 2021 by
News

Holcim launches new easy-to-use and multipurpose mortar product

Holcim Philippines has launched a new product as part of its stronger focus on innovative building solutions to help partners.

Holcim Philippines, Inc. is one of the leading building solution companies in the country has launched new product that can help contractors and masons improve the quality of walls, floors, and tile installation in their building projects which called Holcim Multifix.

The product is a combination of sand and cement enhanced with polymer for better performance that can be used just by adding water. Holcim Multifix is produced in the company’s drymix plant removing the need for masons to combine materials on site thus ensuring uniform quality and right proportions for the application of the mortar. Being factory produced significantly reduces wastage of building materials such as sand thus making the product friendlier to the environment.

Holcim Senior Vice President for Marketing and Innovation Ram Maganti said the new product helps address common challenges of builders in producing mortars such as high-quality raw materials and varying skill levels of workers. Poor quality of mortars is one of the main reasons that impact the quality of walls. Aside from being an excellent wall plaster, Holcim Multifix can also be used for screeding, a finishing layer of concrete slabs for levelling floors. It can also be used for tile laying.

“We developed Holcim Multifix in line with our company’s commitment to continuously produce innovative building solutions that do not just bring value to our customers but are also sustainable for the environment. Holcim Multifix helps make it easier for our partner builders to produce good quality walls. It is factory-mixed using Holcim cement and quality sand for superior performance. It is modified with polymer for outstanding adhesion compared to on-site mixed mortars as well as better crack resistance. Since we are not screening sand, there will be lesser material wastage. And last but not the least, Holcim Multifix is the only all-in-one drymixproduct in the Philippines. These are the Five Star Advantage of Holcim Multifix,” he said.

“Holcim Multifix’s Five-Star Advantage means more business for contractors as it helps improve building quality and lessens reworks that can eat up time for additional projects. The simplicity of Holcim Multifix, meanwhile, provides homeowners convenience and value for money,” Maganti added.

The product will be initially available as 25-kilogram bags in select locations in Luzon by December and introducedin Mindanao in the first quarter of 2021. Holcim Multifix is the latest in the company’s line of drymix products which includes Holcim Skim Coat and Holcim Tile Adhesive.

 

 

January 6, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

BDO honors Medalla’s legacy

A LEGACY TO HONOR. David Medalla visited the BDO Corporate Center Ortigas during the inauguration of his sculpture, “Cloud Canyons No. 31,” on August 31, 2019.

BDO Unibank honors Filipino artist David Medalla, who passed away on December 28, 2020.

It commemorates Medalla’s legacy with the continued display of his sculpture, “Cloud Canyons No. 31,” at the lobby of its Corporate Center in Ortigas (CCO).

“Cloud Canyons No. 31” found its way to CCO for bank employees, clients, and visitors to enjoy in 2019. Before coming home to the Philippines, it was exhibited in the Hepworth Wakefield art museum in England when Medalla was one of the shortlisted artists for the inaugural Hepworth Wakefield Prize for Sculpture in 2016. It is made of plexiglas tubes, wood, fibreglass, water, soap, and oxygenators, and is part of a series often referred to as the “bubble machines.”

Mara Coson, who oversees the BDO Art Collection, said of Medalla’s passing:

“David Medalla was magnetic. He lived a life that drew people in while he himself could not be contained. He left the world with stories so wild and infinite they can never all be told.

“Medalla was born in Manila in 1942, with literary and visual genius uniquely attributable only to his bright spirit. His biography is too vast for a short note, and is kept alive by the many who encountered him along his life’s adventures, strangers and friends, periods from explorations of kinetic art in the 1960s and beyond to performances anywhere, and travel whether physical or otherwise. He spent his life around the world, at home everywhere and still home was also the Philippines, where he died peacefully.

“More than ever, we must make sure the bubbles of Cloud Canyons No. 31 continue endlessly and fully in our care—and most of all, welcome to the public to experience these clouds for always. We will do Medalla proud.

“When you visit the bubble machine, I encourage you take a moment to wish David the best for his next life, as he dances with ease among the brightest galaxies.”

 

January 6, 2021 by
Sports

Honorio Banario Hopes for Another Run at the World Title in 2021

Honorio Banario

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines, is looking to embark on another run at the ONE World Title this year.

The 31 year old feels re energized and extra motivated to build on his sole victory in 2020 — a close split decision against fellow top featherweight Shannon Wiratchai of Thailand.

After spending the holidays with close family, and helping out Filipinos in need with his brethren at Team Lakay, Banario wants to tell fans to expect an epic resurgence for the Philippines’ premiere martial arts troupe.

“New Year with my family was very fulfilling. It was my second New Year celebration with my son and wife. We spent it in our province with our loved ones,” said Banario.

“I met with the team before New Year’s Eve, and we spent the end of 2020 giving out aid to people in need. Coach Mark and the team agreed to all do a small donation program. There are so many people out there who had a rough year, who had to go through the pandemic, through floods and calamity, and endured days of hunger. The very least we could do was help out in our own little way.

“This year, the team is very motivated to bounce back as we adapt ourselves and our training methodologies to the ‘new normal.’ We are all reinvigorated and fired up to return to our dominance in the Circle.”

Banario was one of the few bright spots for Team Lakay in 2020. The team suffered a series of painful setbacks as former champions Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon, as well as rising star Lito Adiwang all experienced defeat late in the year.

Once the inaugural ONE Featherweight World Champion, Banario wants nothing more than to return to his former glory, and to wear the gold around his waist again.

“I want to fight more in 2021, and reestablish myself as a top fighter in my division. Hopefully, I can claw my way back up to a title shot by the end of the year. Of course, my other wish is to  be healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. I wish that for all, not just for myself,” said a determined Banario.

“I really want to become a champion and hold that belt again. To do that, I have to stay strong in challenging times and constantly move forward to pursue my dreams. That goes for the rest of the team also. We will prove once again that here at Team Lakay, champions are not born, they are made.”

 

January 5, 2021 by