Monthly Archives

March 2022

Lifestyle, News

SM Pulilan will host ‘MALCON RETURNS’ on April 8-9, 2022, by the MALCON TEAM

 

The Malolos Toys and Hobbies Convention (MALCON) is planned to return to SM Center Pulilan in Bulacan on April 8-9, 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. MALCON is one of the Philippines’ major toy and hobby events, with the goal of bringing together toy collectors, entertainment and gaming fans, cosplayers, collectors, and hobbyists once more.

The event is dubbed “MALCON RETURNS” because everything is returning to normalcy. It will feature over 5,000 toys from various anime and Japanese shows, movies, games, and art pieces.

Renowned Steampunk artist and metalsmith Ram Mallari will exhibit his masterpieces including a Batman-inspired lifesize 7-foot statue in time for the recently-released Warner Bros. film “The Batman.”

Mallari will also display his Superheroes art masterpieces inspired from classic materials: “Mazinger Z,” “Iron Man, “Mekanda Robot,” among others.

Aside from the Mallari exhibit, event partner Anime Cosplay Empire (A.C.E.) has organized a one-day cosplay competition.

Cosplay competition

The MALCON Cosplay Competition is open for all ages. Cosplay participants can wear costumes from anime, movies, comics and games genre. The free registration is strictly on-site at 10:00am to 12:00 noon on April 9, 2022.

To trumpet Bulacan’s impeccable talent, MALCON has again invited its very own Christian Rodil, the creator of MALCON mascot and the costume designer of ABS-CBN’s upcoming drama, “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series.”

MALCON will also highlight Maloleño’s ingenuity through scratch toy builder Kris Morato, who made countless figures from rubber matting.

Anime music experience

Echoing MALCON’s style of a full event experience, several local bands and music artists will perform various anime songs at the event which includes: “Shumi,” “10 AM Departure,” “Similar Sky, A Way To Stellar,” “Sayco,” “Mercurial Ecylpse,” “Quintuplets,” among others.

Gundam Bulacan Group (GBG) will also present their members’ rare and unique Gundam figures. Other Bulacan-based collectors will also unveil toys from: “Demon Slayer,” Marvel and DC franchises, “Power Rangers,” “Kamen Rider,” “Transformers,” “Attack On Titan,” among others.

New Normal’ event

“MALCON RETURNS” is emceed by host-vlogger Marlo “Anime Kabayan” Magtibay of FPS Media PH. The event is free and for all ages. Health protocols such as face mask, proper hygiene and physical distancing shall be observed on the event grounds.

The MALCON tradition started in 2018 and it has been a crowd attractor, breaching people count year-by-year from 6,000 to over 15,000 in attendance.

Like us on Facebook at fb.com/MalConPH for more information. You may also follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @malcon ph and @malconph. #MALCONRETURNS, #MALCON2022, and #MALCONCOSPLAY are the official hashtags for the event.

 

Lifestyle, News

Simulare Medical, a Smile Train division, has announced the development of a patent-pending bilateral cleft lip and palate simulator

Simulare Medical, a division of Smile Train, Inc., has introduced the first and only Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator, the latest addition to its growing series of high-fidelity cleft surgery simulators (patent-pending). In partnership with the Philippines Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, training workshops are being held today at the 79th Annual Meeting of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao in the Philippines to commemorate the launch (PAPRAS).

The Simulare Medical Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator was developed by leading plastic surgeons to help accelerate the learning curve in cleft lip and palate reconstructive surgical training. It is an anatomically correct, lifelike, and incredibly useful training tool that will reduce patient risk, reduce training costs, and elevate surgeons’ competence and experience globally.

Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organization. For more than 20 years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 1.5 million+ children globally.

“This latest innovation advances our vision of providing care for every cleft-affected person and demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology to further education and change lives,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and Chief Executive Officer at Smile Train. “We’re deeply invested in continuing to evolve training that creates more sustainable health systems. We look forward to seeing this Simulator have a positive impact on cleft surgeons at the beginning of their career and longtime professionals looking to refine their skills as well as on our beneficiaries — regardless of the type of cleft they have.”

Though children around the world suffer from both unilateral and bilateral clefts, traditional cleft lip/palate simulators have only addressed unilateral clefts. This Simulator goes beyond that, introducing a tool that can address bilateral clefts (i.e., involving both sides of the mouth). This additional functionality opens the doors for surgeons and trainees to be able to treat more children with refined techniques.

Built with 3D technology, the Simulator uses printed materials to resemble the anatomy and different kinds of tissue, such as skin, muscle, and fat, found inside the mouth to create one of the most realistic models available today. In addition to the advanced technology, the musculature and soft-tissue layers were developed from literature descriptions and consultations with expert cleft surgeons. When local surgeons have access to the most advanced tools, it builds their capacity to provide the best care possible and empowers them to perform surgery safely no matter where they are in the world.

“Surgeons in low- and middle-income countries often face significant barriers to ongoing training. This simulator is more than just a revolution in training technology,” said Dr. Roberto L. Flores, the Joseph G. McCarthy Associate Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Director of Cleft Lip and Palate at NYU Langone Health, and Member of Smile Train’s Global Medical Advisory Board. “It’s a way to advance equity, ensuring that a talented surgeon in Malawi has the same training opportunities as a surgeon in Dallas, and that babies born with a unilateral or bilateral cleft lip/palate have access to the same standard of care no matter where they live.”

“The Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS) is honored to be a part of this global launch,” said Dr. Benjamin G. Herbosa, PAPRAS President. “This technology does not only allow us to provide more opportunities for learning, but also helps to encourage and inspire new surgeons to learn more about cleft surgery.  We recognize Smile Train’s investments in innovation to further empower cleft professionals around the world.  We are grateful to be a partner in this endeavor,” adds Herbosa.

Simulare Medical can ensure that each product is of high quality and will have an even bigger influence on the patients who benefit from it by handcrafting Simulators at its facilities in Canada. Simulare Medical surgical simulators have continuously been recognized as a high-impact, hands-on, low-cost tool to improve and upgrade surgical skills with minimal danger to patients in international research and training workshops. Visit smiletrain.org/simulare to learn more about how to get safe, high-quality surgical training.

Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global operations. For updates on Simulare technology and training, follow @SmileTrain on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

UnionBank and CANVAS.PH are hosting a two-day webinar to assist artists and collectors in participating in the expanding NFT industry

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and the non-profit Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS.PH) recently co-hosted a two-part webinar series on digital art in the age of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to help artists, buyers, and collectors of digital art better understand how these tokens work and how they can participate in the NFT art economy.

The main speaker was NFT specialist Migui Planas, a member of UnionBank’s Digital Asset Markets Unit (DAMU), who shared vital NFT expertise as well as his experiences as an NFT art aficionado. Jonathan Roque, Product Manager at the Bank’s Blockchain Center of Excellence (BCOE), Miguel Elbinias, Liquidity Trader at DAMU, and Cathy Casas, Head of Blockchain and API Business Group, were among the panelists.

The conversation revolved around topics relevant to NFT artists — the impact of NFT on the ownership and sale of digital art, how to mint a piece of artwork as an NFT, how to determine the value of their art, and the marketplaces where they can sell their art.

On day 2 of the webinar, the discussion focused on learnings shared by NFT art buyers and collectors — how they can resell the NFT artwork that they own, how they can ensure a smooth transfer of ownership during purchase, and the various marketplaces where collectors can purchase NFT art.

Artists Jose Antonio Reyes and Ian Victoriano, among those who joined the well-attended webinars, expressed appreciation to the organizers for helping them gain a better understanding of NFTs and blockchain in general, and more importantly, for enabling them to better protect their ownership of their art while expanding their horizons when it comes to sharing them.

“It was very helpful for me as an artist. Learning about an avenue where I can focus on myself as an artist, while being exposed to a global market and seamless royalties is very meaningful. It’s the future, and I’m grateful we’re being taught how to adapt,” Reyes said.

“The talks helped simplify NFT concepts for me. Made me want to explore the possibility of using NFTs to help advance artists’ rights,” Victoriano said.

While still considered highly volatile, the NFT art market has proven to be a very lucrative space, with some artworks selling for thousands and even millions of dollars. In the Hiscox Online Art Trade Report which was released in October last year, it was revealed that NFT art sales in 2021 for the said month reached $3.5 billion in value.

NFTs have forever changed the game for artists and collectors, and many now see them as a staple in digital art moving forward. Being the first Bank in the country to fully embrace NFTs, UnionBank believes that there are more potential use cases for them that are yet to be discovered, which is why the Bank sees the value of knowledge sharing to assist more Filipinos understand the said technology better.

Through forums like this, UnionBank and CANVAS.PH wish that more stakeholders will be encouraged to join similar discussions to educate more people about NFTs and take advantage of the opportunities available in this growing market. UnionBank also hopes to have more banks’ participation in the space to help facilitate smoother transactions, given the important role of cryptocurrency in the sale of NFT art.

“We’re really happy to do this as this reinforces the Bank’s ‘Tech-Up Pilipinas’ advocacy,” said Casas. “We, at the Blockchain Center of Excellence, want to share our knowledge of blockchain technology, as the team is very much open to imparting what we know and also open to improving that learning by involving other industries in this discussion.”

The webinar is just one of UnionBank and CANVAS.PH’s initiatives to help artists and collectors navigate the emerging NFT art space, while also supporting CANVAS.PH’s advocacy for children’s literacy, exploring national identity, and deepening public appreciation for Philippine art, culture, and the environment.

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

The Avanzados’ spectacular Revelation tour brings their hit parade to the San Francisco Bay Area

 

The Philippines’ royal music family brings the Fox Theatre crowd to their feet with classic and new hits

The excitement was palpable throughout the nearly three-hour Revelation Concert featuring Filipino power couple Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza, as well as their daughter, Jayda.

The audience sang along and swayed to the songs belted out by Avanzado and Zaragoza, from their original sweet and tender love songs and ballads from the movies and drama series to the resounding medleys of hits from Bon Jovi and Filipino rock icon, Sampaguita. The walls of the 93-year-old historic Fox Theatre could hardly contain the euphoria as the audience sang along and swayed to the songs belt.

Jayda was quite the revelation as the multi-talented daughter of her celebrity parents. She held her own as she danced, played the keyboards, strummed her guitar,  and sang some of her original compositions.

Arlene Renelo was raving at how lively the concert was. She adds that “ Dingdong and Jessa – they did a great job entertaining everybody.”

Bay Area born and raised Reya Paulos happily admits, “It’s my first OPM concert ever and there was just so many entertaining parts. I loved seeing Jayda and ‘Bakit Pa’ was one of the songs I wanted to see, and I got to see it live.”

Edgar Prado and his wife Gem Prado had so much fun. One of their favorite parts was the original songs of Dingdong. Edgar admires Avanzado, saying “He’s very good. All his songs, I know. The couple is very good.”

Kimberly Dado summarized the event when she said, “It’s like we’re singing in a karaoke room with all our friends. It was a blast!”

Many from the audience held their cellphones high, recording the moment to be relished and shared with friends, while they sang along and danced to the familiar tunes.

ABS-CBN Managing Director for North and Latin America Jun Del Rosario acknowledges that “a concert where the crowd is engaged and having fun is a good concert.” He adds that “It was fun to see the performers and the audience having such a good interaction.”

During the second half on the concert, Avanzado shared how they had scheduled this concert for 2020, but due to COVID, plans took a back seat as the world stood still. And he declares that “The greatest revelation to me as a believer is that God is in control and this concert is a testament to that.” He continues to say that “Thanks to His faithfulness, we are here today in front of you doing what we love to do.”

Fox Theatre General Manager Ernie Schmidt was moved by the concert. At the end of the show, Schmidt went backstage to congratulate the family. He told Avanzado that “you got me dancing to your songs.” He adds, “I truly appreciated your testimony of your beliefs and I hope to invite you back so we can hear more.”

It was good to see the community gather in-person to enjoy live entertainment after many face-to-face gatherings were shut down due to the pandemic.

Del Rosario explains that for TFC to remain true to their mission of serving the Filipinos outside of the motherland, “we need to start investing in things that would somehow bring our community together again. We understand that people are also just starting to get used to going out and socializing again but we are hopeful that by slowly doing these gatherings we can bring big events back to North America, as this is our way of contributing to making our community whole again.”

Ding.com and Sendwave, along with Media Partners Philippine News Today, Inquirer.net, FilAm Star, and Asian Journal, made the Revelation Concert in Redwood City possible.

 

 

 

 

Tech

How this smartphone may help you with your everyday tasks without costing you a lot!

We’ve been working from our own locations for the past two years to optimize our work-life balance and keep connected despite the distance. We’re always seeking for ways to remain on top of our daily grind and decompress, working smarter rather than harder, from our 9-to-5s and side hustles to after-work downtime.

Our electronics have become a godsend, allowing us to maximize our time while juggling our personal and professional lives. The smart-performing OPPO A95 is designed to flawlessly sync up with your everyday bustle, allowing you to maximize productivity while also ensuring you get some well-deserved me-time.

Here are a few of the clever ways the OPPO A95 can help you achieve your goals:

Bringing Your Productivity to the Next Level

Enabling the OPPO A95 to maximize your productivity and efficiency while working is the Color OS11.1. Not only does this software allow you to customize your home screens, icons and wallpapers based on how you work, but it also lets you accomplish multiple tasks on the same screen thanks to FlexDrop. So you can take calls, note down minutes and even schedule deliveries all at the same time.

You won’t even have to fuss about lags as you juggle multiple tasks in a day. Thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 and a large 8GB RAM+128GB ROM that power the OPPO A95, smartphone lags will be a thing of the past.

Eye-Catching Content for Your Online Biz

For entrepreneurs and those who love a side hustle, content creation is crucial to boosting traffic to your page and growing your business. Play it smart with the A95’s AI-enhanced camera features, which give your photos and videos that professional touch in just a snap. With AI Scene Enhancement to optimize colors, saturation and brightness, and Night Mode to assist whenever you’re shooting during low-light hours, the only problem you’ll have is choosing which content to post on the feed.

Time to Focus on Me

There’s nothing like reaching the end of a long work day, and finally being able to put your feet up as you catch the latest episode of your favorite show, or log in to play on the virtual battlefield. The OPPO A95, powered by ColorOS11.1, helps you get there without the lags or the extreme battery consumption, thanks to its Hyper Boost technology. It even has special features like Game Space, Focus Mode and Bullet Notifications, to make sure you can stay in the zone during your after-work pick-me-up.

And with its All-day AI Eye Care, you won’t need to worry about eye strain from too much screen time. Thanks to AI Smart Backlight and DC Dimming features, you’ll have a comfortable viewing experience as you work and play.

Smart Performance All Day, Every Day

With 5G connectivity, the A95 helps you stay online so you can communicate with colleagues and loved ones, as well as stream and play without any interruptions.

All of these features won’t mean a thing if you have to keep your phone tied to a battery pack the whole day. Apart from its 5000mAh battery and 33W Flash Charging to get you started, the A95 is also equipped with several features to help prolong battery life so you can keep using your smartphone as if it was brand new. Battery Guard optimizes overnight charging by studying your sleep habits; Charging Heat Control manages your gadget’s temperature while charging; and Super Power Saving Mode and Super Nighttime Standby maximize the end of your battery life, so you can take calls even at 5%.

Although the struggle will never cease, it can be made simpler if you work smarter. You may now get PHP2,000 off the OPPO A95’s smart performance features! OPPO Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee, as well as all OPPO Brand Stores around the country, are offering the #SmartPerformer for only PHP13,999.

Visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

Sonic 2 Happy Meal toys are available now at McDonald’s PH, with a surprise reveal on April 9th

With the highly awaited sequel to the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog film hitting theaters today, fans of the franchise will be eager to see Sonic and his pals and foes again on the big screen. McDonald’s is introducing a Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Happy Meal to make the most of the pleasures of life with Sonic— even outside of the movie!

McDonald’s has released a new Happy Meal collection that includes ten toys to collect, including fan favorites Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, and even a surprise toy that moviegoers will be thrilled to see. On April 9, little ones may look forward to the reveal and release of the surprise toy, which will undoubtedly increase their Sonic fever! Kids will be able to feel Sonic’s lightning-fast speed with its fantastic collectibles, as each toy delivers more force power than traditional gearboxes!

But, the fun doesn’t end with the Happy Meal collection! Share adventure-filled bonding time with kids through the #SonicRingRun AR filter that will be available on McDonald’s Philippines’ Instagram and Facebook pages soon. This fun AR filter will enable kids and parents to race with their favorite Sonic characters and experience fun family bonding moments.

Experience the thrill of a lightning-fast adventure with McDonald’s NEW Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Happy Meal Toy Collectibles and catch the movie release only in cinemas starting today, March 30. Go fast and get them at the nearest McDonald’s store  for Dine-In, Drive-Thru, or Take Out, or order via McDelivery.

Visit McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more information and updates on this item.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

At Gruenheim, you should never stop learning

Even if you’ve been selling since you graduated from college, you’ll always find something new to learn. It’s possible that you’ll need to learn new sales methods, a new product to market, or how to improve your sales presentation.

With this in mind, Gruenheim Philippines held a training conference for its sales representatives with the goal of not only improving their sales talents but also their leadership abilities. The goal was also to ensure that the team will be able to successfully express Gruenheim’s product-related philosophies.

Gruenheim GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2014 and is based in Stuttgart, Germany and is a subsidiary of Luckner & Lahusen Group GmbH & Co. KG. It is a young and fresh trademark of high-end ecological, innovative and premium home appliances. It stands for products that combine functional, timeless and puristic design with impressive technical innovations. Gruenheim products are sold worldwide exclusively by authorized Gruenheim wholesalers.

Titled “Breakthrough in 2022 — Culture. Nurture. Future: Doing Breakthrough Business the Gruenheim Way,” Andreas Luckner, CEO (Marketing and Sales), flew in all the way from Germany to share his learnings and to support the efforts of Mike and Andrea Gamez, President and Corporate Secretary of Gruenheim Philippines.

Facilitated by Al Ian Barcelona and Ruben Lanot, participants underwent high-impact learning sessions on personal mastery, sales leadership, NLP communication skills, effective habits of sales champions, business strategic planning and team building.

“After two challenging years of being unable to meet our goals, we felt that this would be a good time to undergo these learning sessions. It’s like refresher courses that will help you jumpstart your path to selling success,” Mr. Gamez said.

Gruenheim Philippines also donated the home appliances that their clients exchange in for Gruenheim machines to Caritas Manila. This is one of their small contributions to the community.

Call 0917 5984968 or email [email protected] for more information about the Gruenheim Vacuum Cleaner and other items.

# # #

Gruenheim Philippines Inc. is a direct importer and distributor of GRUENHEIM HOME APPLIANCES from Germany, a line of high-end, ecological, innovative and premium home appliances. It is a direct sales marketing company aimed at promoting and distributing GRUENHEIM products in the Philippines.

Lifestyle, News

Smile Train Honors Women’s Month by Featuring Smile Makers

From the day-to-day work of Smile Train and that of its partners and volunteers, women have been undeniably the backbone of the organization’s cause. As we close National Women’s Month this March, join us in celebrating the women who have helped make Smile Train what it is today.

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft-focused organization, celebrates women who empower others to overcome bias and stigma caused by physical differences, and promotes a more welcoming and inclusive society for all individuals born with a cleft, in honor of National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day with the theme #BreaktheBias. People born with a cleft lip and/or palate are frequently bullied and stigmatized because of their physical peculiarities. They have to deal with these issues on top of other obstacles like eating, breathing, and speaking.

“Creating an environment that is welcoming and non-judgmental underpins our advocacy of helping those born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Our goal is not only to provide them with the proper cleft care treatment and services, but also to join others to help eliminate the bias and stigma they face,’’ shared Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Vice President, Smile Train South East Asia.

Smile Makers send messages to NWMC from woman to woman:

Celebrity Smile Makers

In time for the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC), Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray shared how Smile Train in the Philippines has supported over 65,000 free life-changing cleft surgeries. She shared, “We want to [deliver] treatment to girls and women, to give them the confidence and opportunities they need to pursue their dreams. Together we can all create a world where difference is valued and celebrated.”

Long time Smile Maker Marian Rivera expressed that all the women who have created an impact on one’s life should be celebrated since they have given care and guidance especially to those who are struggling with cleft. “This Women’s Month, we should continue to fight for our rights as women,” shared Rivera. Barbie Forteza also wished to bring the spotlight on all the women in the cleft community, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, dentists, and other medical professionals who have impacted the lives of children with clefts as well as their families.

Smile Train Partners

Smile Train partner and anesthesiologist Dr. Ny Arizala

Smile Train supporter and endurance runner Marge Camacho

Smile Train partner and anesthesiologist Dr. Ny Arizala said, “The role of women in today’s world can never be undermined. Let’s recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in improving access to cleft care here and around the world.” Smile Train supporter and Endurance runner Marge Camacho also expressed, “In today’s world where women have overwhelmingly shown we can do anything we put our minds to, there is no room for bias and discrimination. Let’s work together to empower and enable girls born with a cleft who continue to face stigma and difficulties.”

Smile Train Patients

Smile Train Volunteer and real estate professional, Cris Magallanes

From once being a Smile Train patient and beneficiary, and now a real estate professional and Smile Train supporter, Cris Magallanes shared “Sa Buwan ng Kababaihan, isulong natin ang isang mundong malaya sa diskriminasyon, kung saan lahat ay tinatanggap nang walang panghuhusga. Kasama ng Smile Train, tuloy kong susuportahan ang mga tao at mga babaeng may cleft upang maranasan nila ang mapagtanggap na buhay at marating ang kanilang mga pangarap.”

(For Women’s Month, let us advance a world free of discrimination, where everyone is accepted without judgment. With Smile Train, I will continue to support people and women with clefts so that they can experience a welcoming life and reach their dreams.)

While a mother of Smile Train patient baby Lexine, Noelyn Solano, shared a message to fellow moms, “Saludo ako sa lahat ng kababaihan, lalo na sa mga nanay ng mga batang may cleft, na patuloy na nagsisikap at nagsasakripisyo para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang mga anak. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Smile Train at sa lahat ng mga partners nito sa pagtulong sa amin na makamit ang pangarap na iyon para sa aming mga anak.” 

(I salute all the women, especially the mothers of children with clefts, who continue to work hard and sacrifice to provide a better future for their children. I am grateful to Smile Train and all its partners for helping us achieve that dream for our children.)

“We are thankful for the women in our organization, especially the mothers of those with clefts, who continue to encourage and support us and of course their children. It is through their encouragement that we can create an environment that is welcoming and accepting. It is our Smile Makers — women volunteers, mothers, and ambassadors, who help normalize cleft as a medical concern that can be treated through surgery, rather than it being a source of stigma and bias,” said Flaviano.

Smile Train aspires to offer life-changing experiences that can empower women via positive changes in their bodies, while continuing to fight the stigma associated with cleft. Smile Train strives to create a more open and accepting community for women in the Philippines through its cleft treatment and services.

Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to donate. Visit smiletrain.ph/get-help to learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines or to suggest a patient in need. Smile Train Philippines can be found on Instagram as @SmileTrainPh and on Facebook as @SmileTrainPhilippines.

Entertainment

OH MY GIRL’s colorful sophomore album, Real Love, is out now

**DOWNLOAD PRESS IMAGE HERE // CREDITS: WM ENTERTAINMENT**

OH MY GIRL, a seven-member Korean pop group, has released a new full-length album, “Real Love,” which follows their Dear OHMYGIRL EP, which was released in May 2021, and their 2019 album, The Fifth Season. Their sophomore album highlights perfumes and persisting aromas as narrative motifs in presenting stories of adolescent passion and love, with lyrical sensibility and colorful storytelling that takes their work to fascinating new realms.

The self-titled single “Real Love” stands out with its sweet, addictive brass sound and pop melodies.  Its lyrics unravel OH MY GIRL’s interpretation of what it feels like to fall in love, and how that special moment feels unreal and unfamiliar. Aside from the lead track, the album explores an eclectic range of music styles spanning pop, EDM, R&B, Latin, and hip-hop influences.

OH MY GIRL made their debut in 2015, and steadily climbed their way to become one of the biggest K-Pop girl groups. Approximately seven years into their career, OH MY GIRL charted No. 1 for the first time on Billboard K-Pop 100 with their hit EP release, NONSTOP. In 2020, “Dolphin” garnered greater success by ranking within the Top 10 for 21 weeks, surpassing BTS’ “Dynamite.” Their song “Nonstop” has charted on Billboard’s K-Pop 100 for 77 weeks, while their lead track “Dun Dun Dance” from their previously released EP charted for 45 weeks and continues to maintain its placement even to this day.

LISTEN TO ‘Real Love’ HERE

‘Real Love’ TRACK LIST

  1. Real Love
  2. Drip
  3. Eden
  4. Replay
  5. Parachute
  6. Kiss & Fix
  7. Blink
  8. Dear Rose
  9. Sailing Heart
  10. Real Love (Inst.)

Real Love, OH MY GIRL’s sophomore album, is now available globally via Sony Music Entertainment Korea on all digital music platforms..

Follow and visit:

YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK

Lifestyle, News

SM participates in Earth Hour 2022; lights will be turned down, and a Virtual Run will be part of the activities

SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, is once again joining the world in observing Earth Hour, with this year’s theme “Shape Our Future,” focusing on how we can work together to halt and reverse climate change and nature loss by 2030 as part of the company’s sustainability efforts.

The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) created the annual Earth Hour campaign in 2007 to encourage people to switch off non-essential lights as part of energy conservation efforts for the globe. Since its inception in the Philippines in 2008, SM has been a consistent supporter of the campaign, being one of the first in the commercial sector to do so.

This year, SM will continue to promote the campaign by being one of the official partners of WWF for the Earth Hour Virtual Run, to be held from March 26 to April 22. Aside from this, all SM malls will be joining the light switch-off on March 26 from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

“SM is proud to have been supporting Earth Hour throughout the last 14 years. Every year, we partake in this very important movement because we want to inspire people to action and tell them that no matter how small their contribution is, it will go a long way if we work together,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, SM’s Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Head of Sustainability.

“Through Earth Hour, we want to engage over a billion people worldwide and engage decision-makers whether in business, institutions, and governments, to move the agenda of nature up the priority list in the and hopefully, we’ll be changing the ending for the positive – for both people and the planet,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, Climate and Energy Program Head of WWF-Philippines

Aside from joining the campaign every year, SM has been active in environmental protection in many ways. For instance, all SM malls are equipped with energy and water conservation facilities. The company also regularly joins tree planting activities, and has waste management initiatives such as Trash-to-Cash, e-waste and used acid lead batteries collection programs, and the plastic waste collection program with the Plastic Credit Exchange.

SM has also been investing more in renewable energy. Eight malls in the country and three in China are now equipped with solar panels, with more to follow in the coming months. SM also pledged to increase its use of renewable energy to 50 percent of its overall energy usage by year-end.

SM City Tuguegarao Downtown Solar Rooftop

SM’s other sustainability initiatives include the annual Green Film Festival, promoting environmental awareness among students and the youth through films; the AweSMSeas project, promoting awareness on the negative impact of plastic waste on seas and oceans; and the International Coastal Cleanup joined by thousands of volunteers every year, to name a few.

SM Cares is SM Prime Holdings’ corporate social responsibility arm, promoting activities that benefit communities and the environment. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs for women and breastfeeding moms, persons with disabilities, older citizens, children and youth, and the Bike-Friendly SM Program, in addition to environmental programs.

For additional information, go to www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.