Victorinox Swiss Army launches I.N.O.X. watch

Celebrating the 130th anniversary of its parent company in style, Victorinox Swiss Army launches a watch of sharp, versatile design that is so strong it defies your imagination. Victorinox Swiss Army has created I.N.O.X, a new watch that pays tribute to the history and industrial know-how of the brand by showcasing the values that have made it famous: authenticity, strength, quality, expertise, and Swiss design.

        From left to right ; Andrew Wolff, Marnie Chua – Brand Manager, Victorinox Swiss Army, 
Ivan Yao – Managing Director, Lucerne. Alexander Bennouna – CEO Victorinox Swiss Army
Axel Wenger – International Sales Manager, Asia Pacific, Emerson Yao – Managing Director, 
Lucerne, John Spainhour, Marc Nelson



The name I.N.O.X. comes from the French word for stainless steel, the solid, durable, and corrosion-resistant material that Victorinox adopted more than 50 years before it became the norm in the Swiss watch industry. Marking a shared link between cutlery and watches, I.N.O.X. is as iconic as the Original Swiss Army Knife. A concentrate of Victorinox’s DNA, it represents nothing less than the very quintessence of the brand.

An exceptional celebration requires an exceptional watch. I.N.O.X. watch demonstrates a level of robustness never before achieved in watchmaking. Designed to withstand unusual stress, it has passed with flying colors a ruthless battery of 130 strength tests. Beyond the standard certification tests of the Swiss watch industry, a series of new tests was developed specifically for I.N.O.X. watch. They reflect Victorinox Swiss Army’s passion for pushing boundaries and imposing new rules on resistance. Its robustness is incomparable to any other — an I.N.O.X. timepiece can resist eight tons of compression under a hydraulic press, and can resist being driven over by a truck of 25 tons or a military tank weighing up to 64 tons.

Friends of Victorinox Swiss Army Andrew Wolff and John Spainhour

Moreover, it can also withstand temperature shocks from -57 degrees to +71 degrees Celsius, set to a standard set by the US Army for the manufacture of missiles. Nothing comparable exists in the world of watchmaking. The I.N.O.X watch can also take on glacial cold; the watch will function non-stop and without complaint, even when frozen in an ice cube for 168 hours. Neither does it have a fear of heights; the I.N.O.X. watch can weather extreme conditions at a stratospheric altitude of 21,300 meters, which is twice the height at which airlines fly. It can also withstand a fall of 10 meters onto a smooth concrete surface, the approximate equivalent of a drop from a three-floor building.


Given its extreme robustness, one would expect the I.N.O.X. watch to look like a bunker. Its elegance, however, is evident at first glance. The refined design of the 43 mm stainless steel case is enhanced by a skillfully polished hexagonal bezel. The case is made with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflection treatment, and is water resistant to 200 meters. Available in three colors such as black, khaki, and navy blue, the I.N.O.X. watch can be further personalized with a bumper. An inventive new accessory in the watchmaking world, this removable protector in silicone and nylon lets you change the watch’s look to match your mood. Whether it’s the office, a mountain, a busy morning, or a leisurely evening, nothing beats the I.N.O.X. watch for versatility: it can be worn anywhere, anytime.

Marnie Chua – Brand Manager of Victorinox Swiss Army with Andrew Wolff and John Spainhour


This is the same thought that celebrities Marc Nelson, Andrew Wolff, and John Spainhour have with regard to the I.N.O.X. watch. Leading such busy and adrenaline-fueled lives, these three “friends of the brand” exemplify the qualities of the I.N.O.X. watch. Marc, an adventurer who dares to brave the outdoors, Andrew, who shows tenacity on the rugby field, and John, who courageously was a marine for several years, all find a companion in the watch. These three men capture the spirit of what it means to be strong, fearless, and passionate. With I.N.O.X. watch, they are free to scale the heights, to be fierce on the field, and to be brave in the face of duty. Although the watch’s primary functions are telling the time and date, its robustness, craftsmanship and style, make it the rightful heir of the famous Swiss Army Knife, and thus these three men’s perfect “companion for life.”

Victorinox Swiss Army Watch is available at SM Megamall Boutique, Century City Mall Boutique, Lucerne, Elemento, Chronos, Wrist Pod, Swiss Gear, L Timestudio, SM Department Stores and Robinson’s Department Stores.

Penshoppe is now available at ZALORA

Cara Delevingne who ranked number 17 on models.com's 50 Top Models for 2013 and is a previous face of Burberry now joins Penshoppe. The famous British millionaire model whose known for her   shapely eyebrows is now the perfect face to join Penshoppe.

ZALORA Philippines has widened its selection by teaming up with retail fashion giant Golden ABC, PENSHOPPE.

ZALORA, Asia’s leading online fashion destination, has expanded its assortment with the addition of the country’s leading fashion brand, Penshoppe.  ZALORA makes it easier for the brands customer to purchase pieces from their latest Holiday collection which starts November 3, 2014 at www.zalora.com.ph!

Penshoppe, who recently named British supermodel and It-Girl, Cara Delevingne as the face of their latest Holiday campaign, will showcase a large array of apparel on the ZALORA website. ZALORA Philippines’ Category Manager, Regine King said, “We, at ZALORA, are very pleased to be adding Penshoppe to our growing product offering, specially this Yuletide season. Our customers can expect to see a lot from this partnership, from on point fashion pieces and off the runway looks in very simple yet classy color palettes of white, black, grey and salmon.”

“This is a new season for ZALORA,” said Paulo Campos, Managing Director of ZALORA Philippines. “With our massive reach of 15 million visits per month, we have clearly positioned ourselves as the leading online fashion destination in Asia.”

“At the end of the day it is the consumer that we hear and decides where they want to get their fashion and ZALORA is offering an additional choice," added Campos. "Given our impressive reach, we want to work together with our brand partners to further strengthen their brand equity and awareness. In general we believe, it is important that online and offline go hand-in-hand to further offer excellent customer experience in fashion retail.”

Global Art Phils play hosts to the Annual International Competition on November 15

I have just witnessed the best painting session with these gifted children students, ages from 4 to 13 yrs old, last November 8 at Global Art in Sekai Center, Greenhils. with Yenny Saw, the Country Manager of Global Art Philippines.  I was amazed at how this kids could create such an artwork, how their creative moment took flight on a blank canvas. I wish I still have the creative juices to hone, given my age,I could not give justice to any simple drawings or art. I could have started at a very young age of 3.

 I learned that our human brain consists of two parts, the left and the right hemisphere.  The left hemisphere is used in analytical processes and logical thinking, this is when you count the change you received from a store,that is Math for you, and when you get excited over a thriller/suspense book, that you tend to finish it in one day.   The right brain is used in emotional perception, intuition and creativity.  It is the right brain that is mainly used when a person is involved in creative endeavors such as making art, drawing or painting.

 Kids should be exposed to the arts as their cognitive skills mature so that their right brain will be as developed as the left, and both hemispheres work in tandem, thus achieving the full potential of the mind.

At Global Art Philippines, a school where toddlers, kids and teenagers are encouraged to unleash their creative potential through world-class art enrichment programs, art does not only cleanse the soul but also frees the inner artists of students and guides them on how to turn these ‘soul dusts’ into works of art.

Self-expression through art

 Since education and competition are two of the universal ingredients of human nature, learning to express one’s self through art and linking one’s work with those of other young artists can help gauge how truly well they have advanced in their knowledge and how far they have come to enhance their gift and talent.

Connecting kids through the Global Art International Competition
As Global Art Philippines mentors students on their way to being little Picassos, little Da Vincis and mini Michaelangelos, the school also encourages them to join art competitions.

And this year, the Philippine franchise of Global Art plays hosts to the Annual International Competition with the theme “Heal The World.” It will be held at the SM Aura Convention Hall on November 15, 2004.

“It is both an honor and a pleasure for Global Art Philippines to be chosen to host this year’s competition,” says Yenny Saw, Country Manager of Global Art Philippines. Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have played host to the said event in the past years.

 Yenny Saw, Country Manager of Global Art Philippines

A total of 300 art students from Global Art Philippines will be pitted against 200 students from other Global Art campuses around the world. Young artists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, China, India and Hong Kong will gather together to compete with their fellow art students and showcase their artistic talents and skills.

 On the said date, Global Art Philippines will simultaneously hold a competition among students from local branches— the winners of which will advance to the International Level where they vie for a slot among the best artists of Global Art worldwide

Categories
The competition will be divided into four categories based on age groups. In each category, there will be specific directives and guidelines on each template (such as coloring and adding objects, drawing on a given blank template based on a particular theme, and adding personal ideas and objects according to the contender’s imagination) that contestants will follow and finish within a given time limit.

Category A is for kids ages 4 – 6 years old and they will be asked to color and add some objects on the given drawing template in 90 minutes.

Category B, meanwhile, is for 7 - 9 years old.  The contestants will be asked to add ideas and imagination on the given drawing template + coloring for 90 minutes.

  For 10 – 12 years old under Category C, kids will be asked to draw on given blank paper based on the given theme with a time limit of 2 and ½ hours.

  Category D for  13 – 17 years old, participants will  be given 2 and ½ hours to draw on given blank competition paper based on the given theme.

Judges for the Global Art International Level Competition are Mr. Mahair Goh; founder of Global Art);  Mr. Ajin Thong, Global Art Master Trainer and Ms. Gean Fong,  Global Art Assistant Trainer.

 Winners will be based on  these criteria: creativity - 40%; drawing skills - 20% and coloring techniques 20% and overall presentation 10%.

There will be a grand champion and several runner- ups per category/age group. Prizes include a trophy plus cash prizes for the grand prize winners.

Aside from determining who the best artists are, Saw and Global Arts Philippines hope that the said international competition will be an excellent opportunity for visiting delegates to realize, discover and explore the beauty of our country and the richness of our culture.

“We hope that our guests from other countries would also get acquainted with Filipino arts and culture and appreciate the wealth of lessons they would gain from this unique learning experience,” Saw expounds.

Global Art and the art of mentoring young minds

At Global Art, a company founded in Malaysia in 1999 by Mr. Mahair Goh, children are taught not only how to copy a drawing but to create their own artwork, design and interpretation through different techniques.

The school boasts of having touched over 500,000 young artists’ minds and hearts in 15 countries including Malaysia, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, China, USA, Cambodia, Myanmar, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, Global Art accepts students as young as 3 years old to adults and teaches them varying level of skills using diverse mediums like color pencils, oil pastel, poster color, acrylic paint, watercolor, glass paint, ink pens, and pencils. The multi-level programs allow each art enthusiast to learn at their own pace and use their own ideas to create an artwork.

“We provide our students with templates but we inspire them to do their own version and their own take on any pattern or blank sheets,” Saw explains. She and husband Dexter founded Global Art Philippines in 2009 from a small place in Greenhills but have since opened 11 more branches in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao city to accommodate the surge in the number of students and parents who want to experience their method of teaching.

Global Art Philippines puts a premium on the quality of teachers they hire and the teaching methods they practice. “Our teachers undergo training both on art techniques and on how to effectively transfer knowledge to an aspiring young artist,” Saw says.

Different programs are available for different age groups

The Junior Level (for ages 3-4 years old) introduces the toddler to the wonderful world of color and shapes through story-telling, coloring and handicrafts.

The Foundation Level (for 4-6 years old), motor skill and attention span are guided through dotted lines, addition of more objects in the template and coloring.

 The Basic Level (7-9 years old), the child is given the opportunity to tackle “projects” where he is required to come up with a story based on a particular theme and retell that story into the drawing board.

The Intermediate Level (10-13 years old) the child is taught how to further enrich his drawing and sketching skills, illustration and poster-making, acrylic painting and cartoon and comic making, this time, through the use of both dry and wet medium.

 “A lot of life-changing innovations come from the minds of young people who dream and think creatively. Global Art Philippines hopes to provide a place for children who dare to dream and create something, to teach them other life skills, to cultivate their creativity and equip them to be competitive globally in the future, towards a better world that fully embraces creativity and innovation,” Saw says.

(For further information and inquiries on Global Art Philippines and the International Art Competition, visit or call their main office at Unit 101, Sekai Center, 368 Ortigas Avenue corner Madison Street, Greenhills, San Juan; Tel no. 726-0435. Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/globalartphil or visit their website at www.globalart.com.ph )

Michael Buble to serenade Manila on January 31

Michael Bublé, the four-time Grammy award winner and Canadian superstar, is returning to Manila as part of his World Tour on January 31st 2015 - at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It’s been more than 10 years since Michael’s last concert in Manila and he is very excited to come back and serenade Filipino fans with his much loved, chart-topping songs.

Michael Bublé has been selling out Arenas across the globe, making this show one of the year’s hottest concert tickets. In London, he was originally slated to do six nights at the London’s O2 Arena, but had to add four extra shows when the first run sold-out in just five minutes!

“No one can accuse Michael Bublé of being anything but a crowd-pleaser,” The Telegraph raved, adding that the Canadian superstar “had the audience shrieking in appreciation”.

The London Evening Standard concluded: “This feel-good show was complete. Maybe nice guys don’t finish last, after all.”

Besides Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, Michael will now extend his fifth concert tour and biggest ever to Asia –to include stops in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Seoul, Tokyo, and for the first time ever, Shanghai.

But, of course, it’s all about the music, with the tour celebrating Michael’s latest chart-topping album. Michael says: “My new record is about love, happiness and fun.”Released in April 2013, To Be Loved debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200, becoming the crooner's fourth consecutive number-one album on the chart.Produced by fellow Canadian Bob Rock, To Be Loved features the hit single “It’s A Beautiful Day” – co-written by Michael – plus his interpretations of the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody”, Elvis Presley’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” and Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”. Reese Witherspoon also joins him for a delicious version of “Something Stupid”.

“I think it’s the best album I’ve ever made,” Michael says. “I know every artist on earth says that when their new album is coming out but, really, this time it’s true. I swear. You can ask my mother.”

Michael’s Christmas album was in the first place on the Billboard 200 for the final four weeks of 2011 and the first week of 2012, totaling five weeks atop the chart. It also made the Top 5 in the United Kingdom. With this, Christmas became his third consecutive number-one album on the chart.

Michael has also had several hit singles that Filipinos love, including “Home”, “Sway”, “Everything”, “Haven’t Met You Yet”, and the 2013 smash song, “It’s A Beautiful Day.”

Michael Bublé is always striving to make better albums and do better shows.

“Do not think I take my success these last 10 years for granted. I was anything but an overnight sensation, which inspires me to deliver big time for my fans – maybe even make some new ones this time out.

“Trust me, there’s no sitting back, no phoning in for me.”

The multi-awarded singer adds: “I just love getting in front of people. It’s so important to be in touch with your audience. They’ve paid their money; I want them to be entertained. If they want to cry or laugh or dance or sing or yell, they can do whatever they want.My responsibility is just to take them away.”

Proudly presented by Wilbros Live with Dainty Group International, tickets to Michael Bublé – Live in Manila 2015 will be on-sale on November 14, 2014 via www.smtickets.com or call 470-2222 or 374-22222.

Tom Hardy stars in this gripping tale of crime and passion "The Drop"

Tom Hardy heads up a phenomenal cast in this gripping tale of crime and passion in “The Drop” from a screenplay of world-renowned crime novelist Dennis Lehane.  At first glance nothing looks particularly unusual as the movie starts. But as the clientele of the bar put their hands on their hearts, Bob (Hardy) discreetly stashes an envelope of cash behind the bar. Indeed, there's more to Cousin Marv's bar than meets the eye. Cousin Marv (played by the late James Gandolfini) has been drawn into working with a group of nefarious Chechen gangsters, meaning his employee Bob has to go along with the scheme. Meanwhile, the bartender has found an abandoned pit bull puppy in a trash can, leading him to cross paths with the beautiful but troubled Nadia (Noomi Rapace) and her violent ex-boyfriend Eric (Matthias Schoenaerts). It's the set-up for an explosive, emotional drama with plenty of twists and turns.


Bob’s simple life becomes much more complicated when he discovers a battered pit bull puppy in a trash can. Turning to his neighbor Nadia (Noomi Rapace) for help, he nurses the puppy back to health, as their mutual concern for the dog sparks an unexpected attraction between them. But when Eric Deeds (Matthias Schoenaerts), the dog’s original owner and Nadia’s abusive ex-boyfriend, tries to reclaim both of them, and a robbery at the bar puts Bob in the crosshairs of the Chechen crime boss who owns it, Bob is forced to face the shocking truth about the people he thinks he knows best—including himself.

The story is, as Lehane points out, still quite simple. “A guy finds a dog. The dog allows him to reclaim a part of his life. But at the exact same moment, outside forces press in on him. The Chechen mobsters who own the bar where he works for his Cousin Marv are suspicious about a robbery. The guy who originally owned the dog wants it back and he’s not taking no for an answer.”
The film opens on the day Bob re-engages with the world he’s closed himself off from. It all starts with Rocco, the puppy. “Bob made a decision ten years ago to shut himself away from humanity, from feeling,” says Lehane. “Suddenly something begins to open up in him. He meets this woman. He starts to re-join the human race. The largest dramatic question of the film is, can Bob really be rescued?”

“Like most of the people in the film, he is chasing something that’s already in the rearview mirror,” the writer continues. “They’re trying to get back to a self that doesn’t exist anymore. That idea fascinated me as I was writing the script. I think the audience will feel an emotional connection with the characters that leads them to some sort of emotional truth about their own lives, about the moments when they seem to be stuck in gear. The people who successfully navigate those waters are the ones who will ultimately reach a happy ending.”

"This has been an intense shoot," says director Michael Roskam. "It is such a tense story, but there is also a huge amount of heart. That combination is really what made me fall in love with it." The cast and crew know that they are making something special. "It's a very beautiful story about daring to take a risk with your emotions," muses Rapace. "To let someone in, even though you have a smashed heart. Someone who has been beaten up really badly still finds a way to believe and to hope again. Through a dog!"

                “The Drop” opens November 12 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Paracetamol Calpol's "Himig ng Ginhawa" Music in Caring

I had a chance to witness how music affects and lifts mood of the young sick patients mostly suffering from upper respiratory diseases at the Pediatric Ward of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina last November 6.  This is the 12th hospitals in the Paracetamol Calpol campaign, Himig ng Ginhawa that music therapy volunteers has been visited. They have been  conducting a series of interactive activities that utilize Music Therapy strategies.

By working closely with doctors, Calpol is able to achieve its mission of creating a greater awareness Music Therapy and its application by health care providers in related medical fields.

 When we listen to music our brain releases dopamine which is a feel good chemical essential for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system; it has effects on emotion, perception and movement. Music reduces anxiety, raises motivation and helps combat insomnia and depression.

For several centuries, Music and Therapy have been closely linked in human history. In earlier times, music’s supernatural powers were attributed to the warding off of evil spirits, absolving of sins, and the placating of the gods.  By 1789, the first article on Music Therapy appeared and since then, music progressively gained recognition for its therapeutic value. Today, Music Therapy is known for a range of observable health benefits including but not limited to developing communication skills, helping decrease pain and anxiety and reducing of stress. Moreover, Music Therapy encourages creativity and happiness.

Certified Music Therapist, Annette Asuncion adds that mothers can use Music Therapy in caring for a sick child. “When a child has a fever, moms can use Music Therapy to help one relax, sleep better and even take medicine in a more pleasant way,” she explains.  To provide fever relief, doctor recommended Calpol provides solutions on extending soothing comfort and relief for children with fever  not only through its product portfolio but also advocating other therapeutic means such as  Music Therapy.

To help other children experience Music Therapy, Calpol presents Himig ng Ginhawa—a continuation of the brand’s successful 2013 campaign, Himig ng Kalinga. Through Himig ng Ginhawa,

Through Himig ng Ginhawa, Calpol is living out its advocacy of providing soothing comfort and relief for sick children. The brand believes in providing different forms of intervention—from medical technology to music therapy, and of course physical care such as warm towels to regular temperature, adequate rest and of course, proper medication like Calpol—to sooth young patients and improve their health. “We believe that Music Therapy has immense potential in bringing comfort to the sick, young members of our community,” says Rachelle Gamboa, Group Product Manager of GlaxoSmith Kline.

Led by a team comprised of musically inclined volunteers and one doctor, each lively and engaging session encourages young patients to interact with the volunteers, by playing instruments and singing along to live music. The result is a fun and relaxing activity that harnesses the healing qualities of music. At the end of the session, patients are given a music CD and a singing critter card.

Himig ng Ginhawa was launched in May 2014, with a successful run at the University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERM) in Quezon City. Ten UERM residents joined the Music Therapy activities. Calpol will continue to visit several hospitals across Metro Manila and Luzon.


To prepare volunteers for the Music Therapy activities, Calpol enlisted Annette Asuncion, a Special Education Teacher and Music Therapist at Connolly Middle School in Arizona. She is also a Visiting Professor for Graduate Studies in Music Therapy at St. Paul University Manila.   She explains: “To train the volunteers, I had them experience a Music Therapy session. This allowed them to distinguish the difference between performing and being interactive. I demonstrated strategies that they can use to promote interaction and learning. I showed them how to play music with different instruments and how to use their voice in order to encourage patients to interact, rather than to just listen.”

Calpol is giving mothers an opportunity to include music in caring for their children through a special tie-up with South Star Drug DOH-FDA CDRR Permit No. 237 s. 2014”.  For every minimum purchase of two (2) bottles of Calpol, customers will get a FREE Himig ng Ginhawa CD.


Himig ng GInhawa is sponsored by doctor-recommended Paracetamol Calpol. With its Acti-Fast formula, Calpol provides fast fever relief for bilis ginhawa na maaasahan.

Christmas Fever in November with Allan K and Ima Castro at Casino Filipino

CASINO Filipino guests are in for loads of fun and world-class musical treat this November as funny man Allan K and Filipina actress-singer and former “Miss Saigon” Ima Castro top bill a series of special celebrity shows dubbed “Christmas Fever in November”.

The two veteran artists will make a much-awaited comeback in Casino Filipino after a respite from doing live performances before casino patrons.

Allan K, a mainstay of noontime variety show “Eat…Bulaga!” and a popular stand-up comedian, guarantees to make his audience roll in laughter as he combines forces with the hilarious tandem of AJ and Le Chaz.  They will be at Casino Filipino Angeles on  Casino Filipino Pavilion (November 12), Ronquillo Satellite (November 20), Casino Filipino Olongapo (November 21) and Casino Filipino Tagaytay (November 26).

“Kung naaliw sila sa mga ipinakita ko noon, siguradong mas maaaliw sila sa mga gagawin namin sa darating na shows ko sa Casino Filipino.  Pinaghandaan ko ito ng husto kaya’t tiyak na hanggang sa pagtulog nila ay may maiiwang ngiti sa kanilang mga labi.  Riot ito,” Allan K vowed.

Ima Castro, meanwhile, will be displaying once again the world-class singing flair that landed her a spot in the international stage via the mega musical “Miss Saigon”.  She performs with the all-male PAGCOR homegrown artists K Menn at Malabon Satellite on November 12 and at Casino Filipino Tagaytay on November 22.  K Menn returns onstage at Casino Filipino Angeles on November 28 with the all-female singing group Pretty Young Thing.

“It’s been quite a long while since I last performed for Casino Filipino, so I’m so excited about my upcoming gigs with them.  Doing live performances before the casino crowd always gives me a different kind of high.  Nakakahawa ang energy nila,” she said.

According to Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Entertainment and Bingo Department, the special celebrity spectacle they prepared for November are guaranteed to bring excitement and top-rate entertainment to guests of Casino Filipino who enjoy watching their fun-filled shows.

“With a mixture of laughter and world-class entertainment, our celebrity shows this November will certainly capture the fancy of casino guests and satisfy their craving for a rare musical treat,” Quintana said.

For more information on “Christmas Fever in November” and other entertainment offerings of Casino Filipino, please call the Entertainment and Bingo Department at 708-2046 or 526-0337 local 2401 to 2404. You may also visit and ‘like’ us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/casinofilipino; www.facebook.com/pagcorartists) or follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/casinofilpino).

MYNP foundation held the first Best Nanay Awards 2014

Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation held its first circle of the Best Nanay Awards last October 29 at Windmills and Rainforest Restaurant QC. MYNP recognized the 10 deserving mothers for their accomplishments and sacrifices, regardless of educational attainment and popularity.

“I’m happy with the result,” MYNP founding chair Boy Abunda expressed, “Pulido ang pagkakapili ng mga winners and through them we can proudly say that MYNP is truly here to pay tribute to mothers and acknowledge the noblest job in the world: motherhood.”

Most of the winners came from provinces, namely, Abucay, Bataan natives Gloria Baltar (57) and Rosa Balana (90), Ilocos Norte pride Carmen Ragonjan (68), Josefina G. Olorocisimo (53) of Taytay, Rizal, Angelita Guiteng (61) of Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, Palo, Leyte’s Lorna Garnace (43), and Magdalena Aquino (78) from Batangas.

Two awardees came from Marikina City --- Zoraida Motil (63) and Cecille Sibunga (62), while Pasig City’s Leonarda Camacho (90) completed the list.

Nominators were also given plaques of appreciation for their initiative to help MYNP in finding the deserving women. They were led by former First Lady Imelda Marcos who attended on behalf of Governor Imee Marcos.

The Best Nanay Awards, according to MYNP, chose “10 exemplary mothers who have made significant achievements and thereby made positive impact on their families and communities." 

The recipients’ ‘claim to fame’ are as follows: Baltar leads an organization for mothers and women in the town of Abucay, Bataan while her town-mate Balana, founder of Kundirana, made a living and raised her seven children by conducting private piano lessons.



Leonarda Camacho, established the Metro Manila Council of Women Balikatan Movement, Inc.

A retired public school teacher, Ragonjan is an active member of the federated Senior Citizen Association of Pagudpod while Olorocisimo is head writer of “Tinig ni San Juan Bautista”, the newsletter of St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay, Rizal.

Three had interesting stories as Guiteng made a living by selling metal scraps, newspapers and other junk materials, Aquino sold movie tickets in a local theater as well as worked as meat vendor in a public market, and Motil collected “kaning-baboy” in the neighborhood.

Garnace made waves recently when she served as coordinator of an evacuation center that housed around 3,000 evacuees after Typhoon Yolanda’s wrath. Sibunga, on the other hand, often serves as a DSWD Volunteer in evacuation centers when typhoons and floods in Marikina City occur.

The event, which served as part of Tito Boy’s birthday celebration, also saw people raving over and getting copies of the MYNP Book that was recently launched at the 2014 Philippine Literary Festival.

The said book, published by ABS-CBN Publishing, comprises of testimonials on their mothers by some of the most remarkable figures in business, entertainment, politics, and sports. Some of the personalities who shared stories include Kris Aquino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Kiefer Ravena, James Yap, Herbert Bautista, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Coco Martin, Luis Manzano, Nancy Binay, among many other noted names.

MYNP managing director Bemz Benedito said it aptly in explaining the content of the book, “Much time and effort were devoted to the collection of quotations, essays, and artworks of people who uniquely responded to the question, ‘How do you make your Nanay proud?’’

MYNP also tightened its hold to stronger grounds with Selfie with Nanay and Sine Nanay. The former is a yearly nationwide photo contest that encourages participants to submit ‘true mother and child self-photo’ with caption embracing the theme “This is how I make my Nanay proud.” The latter is a short-film festival that will take off in schools.

Globe introduces TATTOO NXT the new-next generation broadband solutions

Globe recently launched Tattoo Nxt last November 6, at SM Aura featuring the latest next generation in broadband solutions that covers both home and personal broadband connected devices. TATTOO NXT presents a new range of products ranging from wearables to home automation.

By 2015, 25 Billion IoT (Internet of Things) devices are expected to be deployed, satisfying the needs of the hyper-connected customer. According to Cisco, there will be 50 billion devices on the Internet of Things by 2020 – translating to the biggest revenue potential in the next six years for telecommunication companies.


IoT allow more people to stay connected with an array of smart devices other than mobile phones, allowing automation in nearly all fields and powering advanced applications and services. Covering consumer industries such as home, transportation, health, and wearables, this explosion is foreseen to define the competitive landscape in telecommunications and consumer electronics in the next 10 years.

With IoT’s up welling growth, Globe’s broadband brand Tattoo saw the opportunity to further expand its product portfolio. As one of the fastest growing brands of Globe, Tattoo enters a new frontier, going beyond internet access by offering next-generation solutions that covers both home and personal broadband connected devices.

With the widest and most innovative range of devices backed by the largest 4G mobile network and the fastest fixed fibre products, Tattoo introduces TATTOO NXT. TATTOO NXT is the brand’s latest product range that showcases devices that power every customer’s digital lifestyle whether at home or on the go.

As Senior Vice President for Consumer Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao shares, “the launch of TATTOO NXT cements Tattoo as a technology and innovation leader offering new devices that go beyond the basic tablets, internet dongles and mobile WiFis. More than just a connection, Tattoo aims to reinforce itself as a lifestyle brand with these next-generation devices that give customers more enriching ways to stay connected.”

Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao showcases the latest line-up of broadband gadgets and devices during a pocket presscon in SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Taguig City.

Car Connect allows customers to turn their cars into mobile hotspots and be connected while in transit. Customers can get it for free on a Tattoo GoSURF Plan 999 that comes with 5GB worth of data, 3 months Spotify Premium and access to your own personal cloud storage via Globe Cloud on a 24-month lock-in period. Car Connect is also available with other Tattoo GoSURF Postpaid plans with a one-time fee of as low as P350 for a 24-month lock-in period.

Cam-Fi is TATTOO NXT’s wearable camera that allows one to shoot and share on the go. The PixPro Heroine camera has 1GB internal memory, HDMI Port, and a fixed-focus 120 degree FOV wide-angle lens which lets it take photos and videos of up to 8 megapixel and 1080p resolutions, respectively. It also comes with accessories such as a waterproof case, handlebar mount, helmet mount, and remote control. Tattoo Postpaid Tablet customers can get it for a low one-time cash-out of only P3,800.

Revving up all your devices at home is the WIFI Xtreme.  It ensures complete and seamless WiFi coverage throughout the home so that all devices receive bandwidth for surfing and streaming. WIFI Xtreme comes with either a WiFi repeater and/or Powerline network devices depending on your home layout. WiFi repeaters re-broadcast the WiFi signal from a router or access point to increase the range of the WiFi network. The Powerline device on the other hand uses electrical wiring in the home as a network/LAN cable to provide network access to areas without needing additional wiring. All new and existing Tattoo Home Broadband customers can get the WiFi Repeater for only P1,399 and the Powerline Network devices for only P2,599. New Tattoo Platinum customers on the other hand can avail of both devices for free.

A device designed to bring the productivity and entertainment of the Android operating system to different parts of the household, the NXT Tab is an all-in-one gadget that brings together an Android tablet with a full HD 1080p TV-ready display. Aside from the 24-inch Full HD 1080p screen, it sports a Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-Core 1.6ghz processor, 1 GB RAM, 16GB ROM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and HDMI and USB ports, while running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. All new and existing Tattoo Home Broadband customers can get the NXT Tab for P19,999 while new Tattoo Platinum customers can get it for P12,999. Deferred payments for 24 months are accepted via credit card.



Finally, you can make sure your home is safe anywhere you are with Home Sync. Home Sync is a suite of devices that allows you to monitor, control and secure your home from anywhere as long as you have a connected device such as your mobile phone or tablet. Home Sync’s first offering is the Belkin NetCam HD, which allows you to check on certain areas and activities at home. All new and existing Tattoo Home Broadband customers can get the Belkin NetCam HD for only P6,599 while new Tattoo Platinum customers can get it for free.

Early next year the Home Sync suite will also be expanding to cover home automation and security. Tattoo NXT will partner with the world’s most popular WiFi connected switch manufacturer as a well as the premiere local provider of end-to-end home security solutions to bring customers the best possible technologies for their homes.

All Tattoo NXT products will be available online and select stores starting November 15, 2014.

To know more about TATTOO NXT and their latest line-up of products visit tattoo.globe.com.ph, visit any Globe store nearest you, or call 730-1010. Like Tattoo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlobeTattoo and follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ChooseTattoo

Lenovo partners with MediaTek for VIBE X2, the world's first layered smartphone

Lenovo’s new flagship smartphone delivers high-speed performance with latest MediaTek True  processor and new VIBE Xtension accessories

Lenovo launches VIBE X2 the world's first layered smartphone to the media last November 5, 2014 at 12 Monkeys Music Hall at Century Mall.  The VIBE X2 turns heads with its signature design which frees users to express their multi-faceted lifestyles.

The layered motif is a quantum leap in terms of smartphone design. The thin and light VIBE X2 uses MediaTek’s latest 4G LTE mobile processor, promising consumers True Octa-core processing power.

“Becoming a PC Plus leader with a focus on smartphone is the most crucial challenge for Lenovo. We are well positioned to succeed as we have the innovation and in-house manufacturing capability to bring new and exciting products to the market quickly and efficiently,” said Michael Ngan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Philippines.

World’s First Layered Smartphone 
To create the VIBE X2, Lenovo meticulously designed countless samples of each hue. Utilizing robotic arms and clean rooms, three coats of paint were applied for each tone, totaling nine coatings per phone. To achieve a smooth finish, expert hand craftsmanship was employed as a final touch to further refine the layers.

Cutting-edge performance and power efficiency
Lenovo is the first to ship a smartphone with the latest MediaTek MT6595 True Octa-core processor with 4G LTE. MediaTek applied its CorePilot technology to the VIBE X2 to unlock the full  power of all eight cores. This allows the MT6595M to deliver superior multi-tasking performance and excellent, sustained performance-per-watt, allowing users to enjoy great multimedia features, fast 4G data transmission rates and long battery life on the VIBE X2.

With the Lenovo VIBE X2 running on Android 4.4 KitKat, system performance is also taken to an all-time high through memory optimization and improvement of touchscreen responsiveness and accuracy.

Multi-layered accessories for Multi-layered lifestyles
The Lenovo VIBE X2 packs two advanced cameras equipped with multiple shooting modes and editing features. Users can capture crisp, vivid photos and video whenever the moment strikes. Selfies are effortless with the VIBE X2’s 5MP wide-angle front camera with auto-shutter that is activated by the blink of an eye or a smile. The13MP auto-focus, rear-facing camera comes with a back-illuminated sensor and LED flash to produce sharp, brilliant shots. And with 32GB of internal storage, users will have ample room to store their digital content.

Lenovo also introduced two new innovative click-on accessories, known as VIBE Xtensions: VIBE X2 Battery and VIBE X2 speaker. The VIBE Xtension1 cases add a fourth layer to the VIBE X2’s multi-layer design, immediately extending battery life and cranking up high-fi sound. The ultra-thin (5.1mm) X2 Battery does double duty by protecting the phone while also extending its battery life by nearly 75 percent , lasting from day to night without having to recharge. The X2 JBL Speaker amplifies music and movie audio. A stand allows for hands-free use and a built-in mic for group conference calls.

“Uniquely crafted with three layers of distinctive colors, the VIBE X2 is the ideal smartphone for design trendsetters and style followers. Combined with the all-new VIBE Xtensions which gives the VIBE X2 its fourth layer, these innovations will drive Lenovo’s leadership in the PC Plus era,” said Dino Romano, Country Head, Lenovo Smartphones. “Our partnership with MediaTek delivers powerful performance in the stylish VIBE X2 and this will appeal to our discerning customers who value best-in-class features in their smartphones.”

“Lenovo is one of our most important partners, and we have been enjoying a full relationship over the course of the smartphone evolution from our single-core chip, through our latest True Octa-core LTE-enabled MT6595M SoC. MT6595M delivers high-end, powerful performance and is embedded with some of our leading technologies such as CorePilot and other premium multimedia features, making VIBE X2 one of the best devices to enable consumers to reach their potential and be, what we like to call, an Everyday Genius,” said Ching-Jiang Hsieh, President of MediaTek.


Pricing and Availability
The Lenovo Vibe X2 will be available in white, gold, red and dark grey and will be available on the market by mid-November with SRP of Php18,999 at all Lenovo Mobile Exclusive Stores and authorized resellers of Open Communications, Lenovo’s exclusive smartphone distributor.


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