Monthly Archives

August 2022

Lifestyle

In Lipa City, VPX and Astral Fuel have opened a one-stop auto repair shop and petrol station

Mr. Mark Saberola, General Manager of ValuePlus Auto Services Philippines Inc., and Ms. Amalyn Penix, Operation Director of Astral Fuel sign the franchise agreement as Ms. Zarah Lynn Peralta, VPX’s Admin and Finance Manager, and Mr. Alan Dimayuga, Operation Manager of Astral Fuel look on.

In order to offer drivers in Lipa City one-stop auto services, from fueling up to tuning up, ValuePlus Auto Service Express (VPX), the franchising brand of ValuePlus Auto Services Philippines, Inc., and Astral Fuel Corporation, an innovative player in the retail fuel industry, recently signed a co-branding partnership.The Astral Service Center Powered by VPX will offer ValuePlus’  top-of-the-line auto repair and maintenance services, including preventive maintenance, oil changes, mechanical and electrical repairs, wheel alignment, and tire services, to Astral Fuel’s clients. In order to save time and money, drivers can get their vehicles inspected in addition to having their gasoline tanks refilled at a single visit.

This partnership paves the way for ValuePlus to serve more customers in Batangas province. In June 2021, ValuePlus opened its branch in Libjo, Batangas City through its franchise partnership with Jandusay and Sons. This is ValuePlus’ fourth branch in the country, with the other two in Metro Manila and one in Sorsogon in Bicol province.

Mark Saberola, General Manager of ValuePlus, said of the co-branding partnership: “We are delighted to partner with Astral Fuel to provide more customers with ease and convenience. By bringing our car maintenance and repair services to the gas station, we help the drivers maximize their time and ensure smooth and safe travel.”

The tie-up with Astral Fuel also marks a new milestone for VPX as its first co-branding partnership. The co-branding partnership is a new hybrid program offered by VPX to provide independent fuel companies and homegrown car repair shops with a more accessible option to carry and offer ValuePlus’ auto repair and maintenance services.

This year, VPX aims to bring its co-branding partnership program to more fuel retailers in the country, like Astral Fuel.

Astral Service Center Powered by VPX is equipped with the same top-quality tools, equipment, system, and competent auto mechanics and technicians trained by ValuePlus Auto Service.

Amalyn Penix, Operation Director of Astral Fuel, remarked: “When we were seeking a partner for this endeavor, ValuePlus became our top choice. The company has a strong reputation for its quality services and after-sales care. We believe in providing our customers with the highest quality fuel products and services. ValuePlus is very much aligned with what we believe our customers deserve.”

Motorists in Lipa City can start fueling up and tuning up at Astral Fuel Station Lipa City on September 15. Drivers may schedule or inquire about auto care services on ValuePlus’ website www.valueplusph.com or contact them via email at [email protected] or mobile at 0917-637-2122. If you want to learn more about VPX’s co-branding partnership program, contact 0917-637-2085.

Astral Fuel brings Astral Hub to Lipa City

Customers can visit the Astral Hub, which offers a variety of services all in one location, including a drugstore, motorbike shop, medical clinic, and diagnostic center, among others, while they wait for their automobiles to be serviced at the VPX Astral Service Center.

The Astral Hub in Lipa City is the first of several hubs that Astral Fuel plans to construct across Luzon in the near future with the goal of providing convenience to every Juan in the community.

 

About Astral Fuel Corporation
Astral Fuel is a dynamic corporation that aspires to provide outstanding customer services to every Filipino on the road. Offering its top-quality brands, Astral Fuel is a complete fuel hub that will cater to everyone’s needs. A gas station, car services, drug store, medical diagnostics, logistics, bills payment, money remittances, convenience store, and coffee shops. With Astral Fuel, we make your travel easy!
Lifestyle, News

FIRST REAL ESTATE CONFAB IS HOSTED IN CEBU

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the first-ever Real Estate Salespersons Congress will take place in Cebu City with over 700 participants, the majority of whom are PRC-registered salespersons from across the nation. The Accredited Real Estate Salespersons in the Philippines (ACRES Philippines), which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will host the congress to bring together professionals in the real estate selling industry to formally introduce ACRES Philippines and its Vision and Mission, recognize its interim officers across the country, honor charter members, and raise awareness of and address current issues in real estate selling. The first and biggest association for accredited real estate salespeople in the nation is ACRES. It was established in 2021 to promote salespeople’s efforts to advance their knowledge, ethical standards, protection of their rights to free and fair practice, improvement of their well-being, and appropriate representation and inclusion on issues affecting their trade and success.

Founded in 2021, it supports the endeavors of salespersons in furthering their learnings, ethical standards, protection of their rights to free and fair practice, upliftment of their well-being, and due representation and inclusion on matters of their trade and prosperity. At present the association has already set up nationwide chapters with interim officers in Metro Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Bicol, Sorsogon, Legaspi, Pampanga, Palawan, Tacloban, Ormoc, Bohol, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Kabankalan, Iloilo, Roxas, Aklan, Calbayog, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Northern Cebu, Southern Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, Catbalogan, Davao, General Santos, Caraga, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Surigao, Ozamis, Dipolog, Pagadian, Digos, Iligan and Gingoog.

These interim officers will take oath during the congress. Cebu was picked as the host for this year’s Congress to showcase the city’s progressive real estate industry whose vibrance could only be kept and achieved by proactive industry practitioners, including real estate salespersons. According to Anthony Gerard Leuterio, president of A Better Real Estate Philippines (ABREP), the advisory group of ACRES, the formation of ACRES came timely as the real estate sector experiences a rebound from the economic stresses brought about by Covid-19 pandemic.

He said unifying all the salespersons involved in real estate will further advance the country’s real estate sector and make it one of the strongest economic pillars amid the headwinds. “Since real estate is a selling business, we also need to get the salespersons onboard and actively involved them in advancing the sector alongside the brokers,” he said. Leuterio stressed that since real estate salespersons are significant contributors in the continued expansion of the sector, they must be well represented. “These practitioners need to have a voice too, especially when policies and laws are crafted. We need to include them so we could really a ‘Better Real Estate’,” he said.

Real estate salespersons comprise the biggest number of professionals in the real estate service. Moreover, ACRES seeks to work harmoniously and collaboratively with the professionals in the real estate service, regulatory agencies, real estate organizations, property companies, policy makers and advocacy groups.

In order to take part in campaigns against unauthorized developers and salespeople, Leuterio stated that the association is eager to collaborate with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The group also hopes to encourage accreditation for all salespeople engaged in real estate selling operations by collaborating with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

 

 

Lifestyle, Sports

National Heroes Day riders retrace the path to freedom

In a pleasant ride for a good cause called “Ride for Valor,” cyclists from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and surrounding provinces pedaled along the route traveled by the nation’s heroes. The non-competitive 160-kilometer “Race for Valor” cycling ride earned money to preserve the historical markers honoring the sacrifices of our soldiers. The money will be given to the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME), a nonprofit group that looks for the mile markers along the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

In the past, Bataan Death March markers had been destroyed, uprooted, and neglected due to drainage and other road projects. Ten (10) Death March historical markers in Mariveles, and four (4) in Limay, Bataan have to be relocated soon due to road widening and other repairs.

The Death March markers serve as a reminder of the route taken by Filipino soldiers who defended the country against Japanese forces during World War II some 80 years ago. About 10,000 brave soldiers died along the route; many of the bodies were never identified or recovered.

The ride is part of the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families. As part of its charter, PVB allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of its shareholders.

During World War II, the Japanese military forced about 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac; only about 54,000 made it to the camp, and about 20,000 perished from diseases, starvation, dehydration, and the brutality of their Japanese captors in addition to starvation.

Visit www.veteransbank.com.ph for additional details.

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Leading educators are invited to participate in a virtual conversation on school reopening in the new normal by the Rotary Club of Greenfield District

IN PHOTO: Our panelists from L-R: Rossana Llenado, President, Rotary of Greenfield District Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, President of University of Asia and Pacific Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, President of De La Salle University Raphael A. Guerrero, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Science and Engineering of Ateneo de Manila University Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DRPH, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of University of Santo Tomas Elena E. Pernia, PhD, Vice-President of Public Affairs, University of the Philippines

Since the beginning of the pandemic, all schools in the nation have been closed. The nation’s education system is grappling with a significant dilemma as schools get ready to return soon: how to manage the transition and reopen safely amid risk brought on by the ongoing pandemic.

Top education leaders are invited to participate in a virtual discussion hosted by the Rotary Club of Greenfield District as part of its kick-off activity to discuss how they managed their schools during the height of the pandemic and how they plan to transition from online learning to a “new normal” once the schools reopen in August.

The Rotary Club of Greenfield District adapted AHEAD Education’s Leadership Strategies for School Managers (LESSM) as one of its core services hosted the virtual discussion entitled “Educators in Action: Adapting to the new culture of education.”

Br. steered the online conversation. De La Salle University President Bernard S. Oca, FSC; University of the Philippines Vice-President for Public Affairs Dr. Elena E. Pernia; University of Santo Tomas Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta; University of Asia and the Pacific President Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog; and Ateneo de Manila University Dean Raphael A. Guerrero, Ph.D. Ms. Rossana Llenado, President and Founder of AHEAD Education and President of the Rotary Club of Greenfield District, conducted the debate.

“The entire education sector faced an unprecedented major crisis. With COVID-19 making it downright dangerous for students to go to school at the height of the pandemic now transitioning from online education back to face-to-face classes is both imminent and imperative,” said Rossana Llenado.

Visit www.facebook.com/RotaryGreenfieldDistrict for more details on The Rotary Club of Greenfield District and forthcoming projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

With their brand-new global single “The Ones We Once Loved,” Ben & Ben provide a fresh perspective on forgiveness

 

 

 

With heartfelt songs that connect with listeners on a deep level and more than a billion streams, Ben&Ben continue to make generation-defining statements. They currently have 3.5 million Spotify subscribers. The nine-piece collective, who are regarded as one of the most commercially successful artists in the Southeast Asian region, recently took home the Best Asian Band honor at the 2022 BandLab NME Awards and received numerous accolades for their innovative work on the sophomore album Pebble House, Vol. One is Kuwaderno. In a virtual event with Ben&Ben I was able to acquire new learnings from them and was delighted at how amazing their new song will surely hit the listeners.

Taken during the virtual event

The success of 2020’s “Doors” and “Leaves,” a collaboration with Korean singer-songwriter Young K of Day 6, led the Filipino hitmakers to return with another international release. They have an impressive discography and an upcoming North American tour. Their most recent song, “The Ones We Once Loved,” was put out by Sony Music, and it’s a softly shocking confessional that even in its seeming weightlessness sounds emotionally profound. The song, which was written by Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben, ascends to a private and intimate space while providing a fresh viewpoint on love, forgiving others, and ending relationships.

 “It’s a song that owns up to one’s faults, makes proper apologies, but also expresses hurt, as breakups are often two-way things,” says the band in an official statement. “It’s also one of the hardest songs we’ve written, because it requires the writer to forgive himself for his past and own up to his faults and mistakes. The painstaking process towards that state, the cycles of anxiety and catharsis that the writer went through, and the eventual expression of all of that in the form of this song, as an encapsulation of such a heavy journey, is what makes this song stand out among our other songs.”

Produced by Johnoy Danao and Jean Paul Verona, the song takes a deceptively stripped-down approach in terms of musicality, but careful not to lose the earnestness that defined their recent hits. According to the folk-pop outfit, they wanted to keep the arrangement as bare and as transparent as possible while still maintaining a certain depth, weight, and storytelling within instrumentation.

“Supporting the vocals is the staple piano sound, as one would hear when being sung the humblest and sincerest of songs, slowly followed by more and more melodic instruments as the singer opens up and exposes vulnerability,” the band explains the sonic motif behind the release. “At the end of the day, we wanted to make an arrangement that would provide no barrier to taking in each meaning of every word of a song that has so much to say.”

Backed by rich but sparsely layered instrumentation, the song, particularly its chorus, captures “what so many of us are often too afraid or unprepared to say after a difficult breakup.” Hoping that listeners would take responsibility in making amends with one’s self, and the person on the other end of the grieving process, the band shares, “We are hoping that this song somehow helps people bridge that gap and feel the importance of really letting go through a multi-faceted forgiveness: one of the other, and of the self.”

“The Ones We Once Loved” serves as Ben&Ben’s official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022. It also marks their first collaboration with globally renowned photographer Geloy Concepcion, whose work was recently featured in Vogue Magazine, and other notable publications and exhibits worldwide.

“We’ve always wanted to do a collaboration with Geloy Concepcion as most of the band members look up to him, that when we realized he would be the perfect artist to work with for The Ones We Once Loved, we instantly took a chance and set a meeting up with him,” Ben&Ben shares. “In Geloy’s current project ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did’ we saw how resonant and resemblant his messaging was to The Ones We Once Loved and that he may be the best artist to communicate the song’s message. Geloy’s eye and his way of introducing a space to let out feelings and emotions was one we wanted to emulate in this campaign—a space where people sit safely and quietly with their feelings.”

As part of its Twitter activation campaign promoting the international release of “The Ones We Once Loved,” Ben&Ben urged their fans to use the hashtags #BenandBen #BenandBenTOWOL #TOWOL and #TheOnesWeOnceLoved. The hashtags revealed official Ben&Ben Twitter emojis and unlocked a special preview of the song on August 24, 2022.

Sony Music Entertainment has released Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” on all digital music platforms across the world.

Learn more about our creators and labels here.

 

 

Lifestyle, News

Modernizing the educational system with cloud technology

From left to right – Mr. Bong Abela (Business Consultant), Mr. Ermelo Rañola (COO of eDRIS Inc.), Mr. Joshua Wahiman (Subway Marketing Manager), Dr. Annabelle S. Alob (Public Schools District Supervisor – Bantayan II), Mr. Victor S. Ungod (School Head of Patao National Highschool), Mr. Lorenzo Cañares

One school in Bantayan Island, Cebu, is a step closer to achieving Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s goal of modernizing the educational system by utilizing technology.

Patao National High School in Bantayan Island, Cebu received the School in a Box digital system from Subway® Philippines in collaboration with e-DRIS Inc. One of Bantayan, Cebu’s remote barangays is Patao. One of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) last mile schools, it takes four hours by land, an hour by ferry, and an additional hour by car to get to it from Bantayan’s main port.

The School in a Box system is a micro-cloud system that can provide for the creation, selection, curation and distribution of tens of thousands of updated relevant content to thousands of users at a time. For teachers and students alike, it is also embedded with the Foundation Learning Management System to make the e-learning process a productive and quantifiable process. Moreover, these e-learning content and modules are made accessible to students and teachers online or with intermittent connection or no internet connectivity at all. This innovative platform is definitely a game changer for the last mile schools and those located in internet – challenged areas.

EDRIS emphasize that the program will allow access to educational modules, interactive lessons, simulated videos, reference materials comprising of a vast array of knowledge for Grade 1 to Grade 12 students through online and offline connectivity.

From left tp right – Joana Gersale ( Project Coordinator – Estrat ), Mr. Bong Abela (Business Consultant), Mr. Ermelo Rañola (COO of eDRIS Inc.), Mr. Joshua Wahiman (Subway Marketing Manager), Dr. Annabelle S. Alob (Public Schools District Supervisor – Bantayan II), Mr. Victor S. Ungod (School Head of Patao National Highschool), Mr. Lorenzo Cañares, Ms. Elisa Sarabia (Teacher of Patao National Highschool)

 “Content in the form of texts and other resources can be centrally curated in the C3 Cloud Control portal by those responsible for curriculum and distributed to any authorized C3 Micro-Cloud, “ explained Ermelo Ranola COO of e-DRIS Inc.

During the turnover ceremony, Patao National High School Principal Victor S. Ungod said the arrival of the system was very timely and that it would help fill in the gaps for students who are behind in their lessons.

“The School in the Box program can enhance the learnings of the students and in fact we or the students have benefitted from this because we are in the process of exploring the contents of this device. We are very thankful for this because we are the very first recipient of this program,” Ungod said.

For his part, Subway® Philippines Marketing Manager Joshua Wahiman reaffirmed Subway’s promise of being the better choice for everyone, not just in serving fresh and healthy foods but also in amplifying the importance of education and how a healthier approach in learning can maximize the potential of students regardless of their location.

“We are delighted that we are able to empower the community and this last mile school with this School in a Box device. As we want to highlight all the better for your meals from Subway, we also want to highlight or bring about a healthier approach and, in terms of their studies, would be better in their field before they go out into the real world,” he said.

The following people should be contacted for more details about the project: Through [email protected], contact Mel Ranola, COO. [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, Lifestyle

McDonald’s joins Brigada Eskwela 2022 and increases support as in-person instruction resumes

Employee-volunteers from McDonald’s Philippines pose for a photo with Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte during the Brigada Eskwela 2022 Kick-Off.

The QSR behemoth McDonald’s Philippines, through its charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities, once again provides its assistance to schools for the annual Brigada Eskwela, reaffirming its commitment to make a difference through initiatives that support Filipino children’s need for education.

Every year, Brigada Eskwela, an initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd), brings together volunteers from the public and private sectors to aid in the pre-opening of public elementary and secondary schools. Since 2015, partner schools have received meals, cleaning supplies, and Ronald McDonald Read-to-Learn kits from McDonald’s and RMHC.

McDonald’s employee-volunteers distribute Burger McDo to educators, volunteers, parents and guardians who participated in the program.

This year, the company distributed over 20,000 Burger McDo to educators and volunteers, while 1,000 Happy Meal toys and 20 sets of Read-To-Learn kits were provided to elementary schools. These kits are part of RMHC’s Read-To-Learn program, a program in partnership with DepEd, which provides reading materials to Grade 1 and Grade 2 learners in public schools as well as trains educators on teaching beginning reading.

Grounded by its core value of malasakit, employee-volunteers from McDonald’s also took time from their daily routine to help prepare and distribute meals, and clean school premises, to ensure that both students and teachers alike, can hold classes in a safe and conducive learning environment.

McDonald’s crew members sweep the classroom floor in San Antonio Elementary School in Quezon City.

A brand new look. McDonald’s employee-volunteers aid in the maintenance of the schools by cleaning and repainting classrooms.

Meanwhile, the company also allocated streamers, welcome banners, and safety signages to over 4,000 schools, in an effort to ensure that government-mandated COVID-19 protocols are still being followed as face-to-face classes resume.

“On behalf of our Chairman and Founder Dr. George Yang and President and CEO Kenneth Yang, congratulations to the Department of Education led by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte on the launch of the 2022 Brigada Eskwela program. Makakaasa kayo na nandito ang McDonald’s at ang kaniyang charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities, para makatulong sa inyong paghahanda para sa simula ng bagong school year,” said McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director Margot Torres during the Brigada Eskwela Kick Off.

RMHC can accomplish more with the help of volunteers, partners, and the generosity of the Filipino people. Donations can be made at rmhc.org.ph/donate by anyone who wants to spread happiness to those in need.

 

Lifestyle, News

School in Batangas is energized by the Sinag Schools program

SM Foundation and Maxeon Solar Technologies formally held the community launch of the Sinag Schools Program at Lemery Pilot Elementary School in Batangas.

Through the Sinag Schools initiative, the SM Foundation (SMFI), the SM group’s corporate social responsibility division, and Maxeon Solar Technologies recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas. This socially beneficial partnership between SMFI and Maxeon intends to install solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses, in order to deliver clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroots areas.

In addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts.

Through the Sinag Schools program, SMFI and Maxeon installed 21 solar panels— estimated to produce 6510 watt-p—on an SM school building in Batangas.

“Through this program, we want to power up the learning and development of young people. We want to help teach young people about solar energy, about renewable energy. We want to power up the next generation to help save our planet,” Maxeon Fab4 General Manager Glenn Everett said.

The SM school building at the LPES, which was donated by SMFI in partnership with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) in 2017, now boasts 21 solar panels—estimated to produce 6510 watt-p. With the savings on electricity, the school may realign their budget to more efforts and other innovations that will give the students an environment more conducive to learning.

It takes a village to raise a child

SMFI executive director Debbie Sy underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing the learning experience of every student in the country: “We believe that collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good in addressing societal challenges. CSR partnerships can create solutions that improve society by fostering learning, promoting innovation and gaining access to new technologies, such as the Sinag schools program. CSR collaboration can pool resources, both financial and human resources – between multiple organizations which can amplify social good impact.”

“The establishment of an ever-evolving CSR strategy and partnerships will help companies and non-government organizations in developing and implementing crucial social good programs over decades while having procedures in place that integrate social and environmental priorities into CSR core strategy – all in close collaboration with stakeholders,” she further added.

Moreover, Everett mentioned how SMFI and Maxeon share the similar set of values and interest when it comes to helping Filipino learners: “We have this concept of powering positive change in the world. We are happy to be working together with SM Foundation to power up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.”

“Individually, we can do so much. But together we can do actually more. For us to bring our solar technology and SMFI to bring in their schools, these things are much better together than they would be apart,” he concluded.

Spreading social good all the way

SM Supermalls employee volunteers led the distribution of donations from SM Foundation to the students of Lemery Pilot Elementary School.

SM Foundation made sure to truly touch the lives of the learners and teachers of LPES as it donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags with school supplies, and more than 160 pcs brand new kinder and elementary books to further promote the love for reading among the students. Clothing items for parents were also distributed.

For more information about this initiative, follow SM Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube: @SMFoundationInc.

The headquarters of Maxeon are in Singapore. Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels are created, produced, and sold by the business. Maxeon operates sales activities in more than 100 nations, some of which operate under the SunPower brand outside of the United States. With products that cover the global rooftop and solar power plant markets, Maxeon is a leader in solar innovation. It does this through a network of more than 1,700 reliable partners and distributors. Maxeon, a leader in environmentally friendly solar manufacturing, benefits from a +35-year heritage in the sector and multiple accolades for its innovation.

Through its School Building Program, the SM Foundation actively participates in DepEd’s Adopt-a-School initiative. By constructing classrooms across the country, this social good program seeks to promote high-quality public education. It has handed over more than 100 school structures to local communities thus far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Lifestyle

8th Brigada EsKwela 2022 is held by Enchanted Kingdom at Macabling Elementary School

Enchanted Kingdom offers their assistance in creating a stimulating and healthy learning atmosphere for pupils once more. Currently in their eighth Brigada EsKwela, EK has adopted the kindergarten classrooms at Macabling Elementary School, which will be turned over on August 22, 2022, following repairs and repainting.

Due to the success of the first Brigada EsKwela, which took place on May 30, 2012, Enchanted Kingdom is continuing to advance in supporting education by sponsoring a school. Through their Adopt-a-School program, the Department of Education (DepEd) and I have produced this exercise together. The emphasis of this year’s theme, “Tugon sa Hamon ng Ligtas na Balik-Aral,” is on the value of a secure and hygienic learning environment, particularly in light of the Covid-19 virus.

Through this activity, Enchanted Kingdom aims to share and uphold Eldar the Wizard’s virtues of kindness, humility, patience, honesty, diligence, generosity, and love for God and family, and encourage the students to do the same. Cast members will extend their helping hands in this special activity by bringing Eldar’s magic to the school by transforming the kindergarten classroom into an Enchanting Learning Zone through designing of murals.

The program will begin at 8am followed by activities prepared by the cast members. Students and volunteers will witness a special number from the Enchanted Kingdom Circle of Artists, Boulderville Buddies and EK Royalty – Eldar the Wizard. Turn over ceremony to be led by EK President and CEO, Mr. Mario O. Mamon and will be attended by DepEd City of Sta. Rosa Schools Division Superintendent and other officials.

Additionally, Enchanted Kingdom’s Enchanting Classroom and Edutainment Programs are recommended for students to participate in. Let’s make learning magical and exciting! Visit www.enchantedkingdom.ph or contact (02) 584-3535 or (02) 830-3535 for additional information.

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

Long-Term Cleanergy Agreement Between SM Prime and AboitizPower

(From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, AboitizPower Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Sandro Aboitiz, SM Engineering, Design and Development President Hans Sy, Jr., SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement David Aboitiz, AboitizPower Vice President for Retail – Commercial Operations Business Unit James Byron Yu, and SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong gather for a luncheon on Thursday, August 4, after sealing a long-term partnership with the commitment to helping build a cleaner and brighter future.

One of the top property developers in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), achieves its aim of raising the percentage of renewable energy in its portfolio to more than 50% by signing a long-term agreement with AboitizPower for Cleanergy supply. This is in support of the Department of Energy’s plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the nation’s energy supply to 35% by 2030.

According to the deal, AboitizPower will be able to provide energy from the Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, as well as PV Sinag’s Power Plants, which are run and managed by a subsidiary of AboitizPower called Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). By the end of 2022, SM Prime properties under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), including malls, vacation homes, offices, hotels, and other institutions, will be powered by this long-term contract.

“This partnership with AboitizPower is aligned with our unwavering commitment to being a catalyst for economic growth and steward of nature. We will continue providing world-class amenities within our sustainable lifestyle cities that have been beneficial and inspirational to millions of Filipinos,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s President.

SM Prime builds legacy communities based on its core sustainable pillars: Economy, People, Environment, and Community. It is dedicated to generating value sustainably through its diverse business segments.

“AboitizPower is thrilled to be SM Prime’s partner in building sustainable lifestyle cities. We thank SM Prime for trusting us to be their partner in their transition to clean and renewable energy. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to power various SM Prime properties with our renewable assets”, said Sandro Aboitiz, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Operations Business Unit.

“We consider it a great milestone for our group to be in support of SM’s transition to renewable energy and are working to rapidly expand our renewable portfolio as the demand for Cleanergy grows. We have supported a growing number of corporations transitioning to clean and renewable energy and we are excited at the prospect of seeing a future where Cleanergy is the norm.” said David Aboitiz, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI) Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement.

In order to support the government’s goals to grow the nation’s renewable energy industry, the top provider of renewable energy intends to increase the size of its Cleanergy portfolio over the course of the next ten years. By 2030, AboitizPower hopes to have a mix of thermal and clean energy capacity that is roughly 50:50.

Find out more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement