PLASTIC: CASTING THE FRAUDSTERS

Brilliant college student Sam has the perfect credit card scam until his crew robs the wrong man. Now they have two weeks to repay ruthless gangster Marcel two million dollars or they will be dead. Sam and his team devise a scheme to clear their debt by heading to Miami to poach enough cash and merchandise.

But they come up short. So Sam and his gang set their sights on a daring jewelry heist that could make them hugely wealthy for life. Their plan turns sour, however, when the team members start turning on each other. Now it’s up to Sam to finish the brazen heist and turn the tables on Marcel before they all go down.

High Octane from start to finish, PLASTIC is based on the incredible true story of the UK Fraudsters from Manchester who stole £20 million worth of diamonds from jewelers in Beverly Hills back in 1997.

The film stars Ed Speleers (Sam), Alfie Allen (Yatesy), Sebastian De Souza (Rafa), Will Poulter (Fordy), and Emma Rigby (Frankie).

Producers Terry Stone and Dan Toland wanted to use the premise of the real story, but decided to change the characters and setting in order to make it more stylish and modern. It meant finding the right people for the characters was even more important to fit in with the Gilbey brother’s vision.
The central ensemble is led by control-freak, Sam, who is played by Ed Speleers (Downtown Abbey, A Lonely Place to Die). Ed had previously worked with Julian before on A Lonely Place to Die so their working relationship was already closely established. Julian was fully aware that Ed was a talented actor who really works at his craft. “He really came up with some good character ideas. He’s a solid leading man and a great guy to work with,” says Julian. Ed had heard of the script not only through his manager but also through Julian. When he realised they wanted someone a lot younger than originally planned, he jumped at the chance to play Sam.

When they approached Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones, Attonement) the crew were thrilled that he was interested in the script. Julian says: “I was in Miami when I got the call that Alfie really wanted to play the role and we just jumped about. He was perfect. Yatesy is a great role; he’s a dreadful, wonderful, spiteful and conflicted character and Alfie puts on a very honest performance. Although the character is very vain, Alfie isn’t at all.” Alfie himself said he loved playing the cheeky rogue and that the entire cast got on really well. “[The producers] got the dynamics of the characters so right,” he says.

The part of Fordy went to Will Poulter (We’re the Millers, The Chronicles of Narnia) who has received nothing but praise for his work on set and his attitude off set from both cast and crew. Poulter explains that he liked the character of Fordy as soon as he read the script. “I got sent the script by my agency and read it and l really enjoyed it. It’s a really fun. I loved the character of Fordy; he’s a lot more intelligent than me.” Julian and Will sat down many times to discuss how to keep Fordy on the side of the audience but still have that level of ambiguity about the character. “I really love Will, he really grounds this film. Playing the straight character is a very difficult thing to do but the truth of the matter is, is how straight is Fordy? He’s working in credit card fraud so he’s still a criminal.”

The character of Rafa, who is seemlingly closer to Yatesy than any of the other boys, is played by Sebastian De Souza (The Borgias, Skins). Plastic is his first feature film after a background in television and he was very “pleased and grateful” to be offered the role after hearing about it through his agency. When speaking about the character, De Souza says “initially you’d read him as a joke of the four boys, but eventually he earns his keep by coming up with the idea that in theory will save them from death by Marcel.”

Last, but not least, is the character of Frankie, played by Emma Rigby (Hollyoaks) who’s also new to the film scene, this being her first lead role in a feature film. “When we originally looked at Emma we just thought well here’s someone really glamorous, she’s got the look of a great Hollywood starlet. The camera absolutely loves her plus she’s a great actress so her central performance is amazing along with Ed’s and there’s that real vibe between them” says Dan Toland.

When talking about the script, Emma says: “I was really interested in it being based on a true story. I also liked the aspect of it being a heist and that the cast were really young.”

When discussing the main cast, Toland says there’s a real vibe and dynamic that really centres all performances. “They all play off each other which really brings the story to life.”

As Julian Gilbey puts it, Plastic is “not another film where a bunch of cockney geezers are blowing people’s heads off in Range Rovers!” What it is is an emotive story about five students, who get out of their depth in the shady world of credit card fraud. Toland describes it as hugely entertaining with “Robin Hood themes” running throughout. It’s British film-making at its best and features an amazing up-and-coming young cast that is set to wow audiences aged from teenagers to adults.

PLASTIC OPENS IN CINEMAS August 26, 2015 (Wednesday) AND IS RELEASED BY SOLAR PICTURES

TINGTING COJUANGO: Icon of Elegance and Substance

For those who only see her on the glossy pages of magazines or on the society columns of newspapers, it’s easy to dismiss Tingting Cojuangco as just one of the elites belonging to one of the most prominent political clans in the country.

But Margarita “Tingting”Delos Reyes Cojuangco,wife of current Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, has achieved so much in her storied life.

“Tingting Cojuangco, still slim, and trim and beautiful as no woman of a certain age has any right to be, has traded the flatteries of the ‘70s for the more substantial expectations of the ‘80s and ‘90s. She raised five achieving daughters, wrote 9 books, fought for freedom and Mindanao causes and Philippine Public Safety College that Trains the Police, Fire and Jail public safety Personnel, and when her women colleagues and peers were discussing the topnotes of the scents of Dior and Carolina Herrera, she became governor of her province, Tarlac working with AFP as a Reserve Full Colonel.”(100 Women of the Philippines – Celebrating Filipina Womanhood in the New Millennium)

She is proof that elegance knows no age and that living a life of substance is truly what completes a woman.

In her youth, she drew the attention of the world to the Filipina beauty, in marriage became the ideal wife in Tarlac who relished in the joys of motherhood, and as a public servant who focused on health, agriculture and women’s livelihood.

It is understandable to be in awe of this woman who exudes affluence, grace and sophistication when you first meet her, but she’s hardly haughty, contrary to how socialites are perceived to be.

MOST BEAUTIFUL
Even during her youth, Tingting,had already gained attention of the entire world after appearing twice Harper’s Bazaar, and the second time being selected by Harper’s Bazaar magazine as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Women In The World in 1968 with Jacqueline Kennedy, Dona MarellaAgnelli, Queen Sirikit, Gloria Vanderbilt, also known as Mrs. Wyatt Cooper, Mrs. Winston Guest, Madam Grés, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn Marlene Dietrich, China Machado, Princess Ira von Fürstenberg to mention just a few.

“Harper’s Bazaar first came to the Philippines in 1967, and they asked to see three women, and I was one of them. They returned with photographer James Moore for an 8-page spread in the magazine. I didn’t know I was going to be included until I got a call, again in their 1968 World’s Most Beautiful Women,”Tingting recalls.

She held the international fashion world enthralled with her exotic beauty, and with her rare pedigree and breeding she easily became the toast of glittering parties of Manila society.
Modeling, however, was just a hobby for the young Tingting, like all young and pretty girls of her age. No one was paid for modeling then.

VALUING EDUCATION
Tingting married Peping, President’s Benigno Aquino’s III uncle, when she was only 18. They have five daughters, Liaa Cojuangco-Bautista, Josephine Cojuangco, Mikaela “Mikee” Cojuangco-Jaworski,  Margarita Demetria“Mai-Mai” Cojuangco-Zini, Regina Patricia “China” Cojuangco-Gonzalez.

“I married Peping at an early age so I wasn’t able to finish college. Finishing my education had always been a dream and a promise I made for myself.”

She completed her college degree in three years, took her master’s degree at the University of Santo Tomas and later took up her Masters in National Security Administration at National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), and earned doctorates in criminology and Philippine history.

Aside from being the president of the Philippine Public Safety College, Tingting also became the chairman of the Alumni Foundation of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), a director in the Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Foundation (DARE), a Board of Trustees of the Collegio San Agustin, and a member of the Board at the Baguio Country Club. She is also a full colonel in the Army Reserved Force.

Promoting education she says has always been her advocacy, “I believe everyone should have a proper education. It’s a basic right. Education should be made available to them. They must learn how to read, write and do math and be taught the country’s history and our heroes for them to have good role models.”

Her thirst for knowledge and travels all over the country has resulted in several books about history such as: Kris of Valor (1993); Konstable: The Story of the Philippine Constabulary 1901 to 1991 (1994); History of Tarlac: Pre-History to World War II (1996); A Handful of Pearls: Essays on My Mindanao-Sulu Sea Travels (2002), and several others as well as a book of her published columns Sisters Act, Mom Reacts (2007); The Samals in History and Legend, A Doctorate Degree Dissertation; and Northern Woman, Southern Seas(2007).


OF BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE
Throughout her life and career, there is one thing that remained constant for Tingting-- her elegance.
“When she first appeared in those fashion glossies posed astride a carabao and against the backdrop of the rice fields, she gave America and Europe the first positive image of the Filipina, a world-class beauty, modern, intelligent – a far cry from the colonial-period betel nut-chewing women in the Andrews and Geraurdier lithographs literate Europeans were familiar with.”(100 Women of the Philippines – Celebrating Filipina Womanhood in the New Millennium)

Tingting has undoubtedly set standards of style and elegance, good manners and consistently so, that society belles and beauty must attain in vain.

Because elegance, after all, is more than just high cheekbones and “branded” fashion style. It’s practically “in born” taught by mothers.

“There are lots of beautiful women, especially this generation, but elegance is a lifestyle that takes years to develop. Elegance is about being educated, being cultured. It is about being refined in your actions, how you talk, how you walk, how you live your life, not just when you are in public, but every single minute of your life,” she explained.

It is for this reason that Tingting has found a new advocacy, a list so to speak, that recognizes not just beauty, but elegant Filipinas who have strived to make a change and impact in their respective professions.

“Tingting’s List: The Elegant Filipina” has the vision of uplifting the Filipina, whose impeccable taste in social grace and fashion, transforms women to respect one’s self, inspiring others, and to contribute to one’s community, society and the country.

The proceeds of the event will go to the Kabayan Weaving Arts and Crafts, Kabayan, Benguet Province and women scholars from Tanauan, Leyte who are training to become dressmakers under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

The awarding event is scheduled on September 22, 2015 at the Diamond Hotel Ballroom.
“Tingling’s List: The Elegant Filipina” is made possible by Diamond Hotel, DMCI (Vic Consunji), Berjaya Philippines, GlobeTelecom, Century Tuna, Baguio Oil, Ralph’s Wine and Spirits, Malaysia Airlines. Special thanks to Sheridan Hotels, Toni&Guy, Seven Fridays, Uratex Philippines, Eskaya, Florsheim, Wacoal, HyC 150, Carlo Rossi.

Via Mare brings you filipino comfort food at its best

I remember dining at Via Mare Makati back in the early 90s. They got the best savory thick peanut sauce for kare kare, and the best pair of dinuguan with puto. I have gone to some filipino restos but nothing beat Via Mare's version of steaming bowl of arrozcaldo. That developed my love for arrozcaldo and lugaw with egg. They have become my comfort food. When I feel like the cold is coming, a bowl of arrozcaldo or lugaw is right enough to take the sickness away with tokwat baboy.

Via Mare has been serving filipino classic food for 40 years now, and mind you they have retained the same filipino flavor that I have been visiting them for, for decades.   If you are craving for any Filipino Al-Tang-Hap (Almusal, tanghalian,hapunan) and or merienda food. Via Mare is the right place to satisfy your cravings.  Their famous Bibingka with cheese and Itlog na Maalat is on the menu round the clock, you dont have to wait for Simbang gabi to have a bite of the creamy, cheesy, soft bibingka.

What's best for Via Mare is that you dont have to spend more for the food that you like, take the case of the Shooters; the trio, Maiz con Hielo, Guinomis and Halo Halo,  dont forget to order this trio for your dessert, theyre the creamiest with the right amount of sweetness, gulaman, pinipig,  maiz and banana saba, and munggo.

Unlike other cuisines’ penchant for presentation, Filipino cuisinodase is served in a more family-oriented manner–without the pomp and frills. And just as many islands there are in the country, so is the number of variations a single dish could possibly have.

But things changed in September 1975 when Via Mare Seafood Specialty Restaurant opened its doors to the public. After the very first dish was served, Filipino cuisine was never the same again.

The restaurant did not only change the Filipino’s perception of its own cuisine, it also brought global recognition to the sophistication and complex flavors of the Philippines. Via Mare’s chef Glenda Barretto, who has been at the helm of the restaurant since its inception, and her strong belief in the Filipino cuisine’s potential to be world class is what pushed the restaurant to keep outdoing its achievements.

While Barretto’s contemporaries would focus on intercontinental cuisine as their piece de résistance, she opted to highlight and present well-loved Filipino dishes with modern touches that made it more palatable to foreign guests. If lumpia was known as a roll, the Via Mare version had the filling wrapped in pouches held together by spring onions. The tinola was also given a fresh take by serving the soup in a carved papaya or as a flan, inspired by the Chawanmushi of Japan.

“The past 40 years is not only the story of a restaurant, it is a story of the Filipino people,” Barretto said. “Via Mare is our pride as we helped a lot of Filipinos enjoy and be proud of the cuisine that we have here, of recipes that we have enjoyed throughout our childhood, and of what Filipino fine cuisine truly tastes like.”

Enduring legacy of taste
Since 1975, no other Filipino restaurant has been the top-of-mind when it comes to hosting dinners for dignitaries, heads of state, international celebrities, and international events. From beauty queens during the 1995 Miss Universe pageant in Manila, the papal visit of then Pope John Paul II, the 1996 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the gala of the Philippine-run of West End’s Miss Saigon, the 2007 ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the weddings of illustrious families, and other milestones in Philippine history, Via Mare was always the top choice.

Via Mare, with Barretto herself leading the kitchen, was also the choice of First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos whenever she hosted gala dinners for visiting dignitaries at the Malacañan Palace. The former first lady’s penchant for elegance was apparent even in the food that she served her guests. In one instance, she requested for a more upscale version of the adobo – a request that Barretto easily managed by marinating the chicken in simmering adobo sauce with red wine. Another anecdote from the halls of presidential residence was how Barretto recreated a Mexican dish of squash, baked and topped with cream and caramel sauce based only on the narrative of Mrs. Marcos. The first lady nearly squealed in delight after the first bite.

The restaurant itself has changed over the past 40 years. While it maintained to be the premier Filipino restaurant, it branded itself according to the demands of its wide clientele. Café Via Mare was introduced to the market, dubbed to be a pioneer in introducing the first authentic Filipino café. The Via Mare Oyster Bar was also launched to cater to the more discriminating taste and specialized in serving the most succulent of oysters.


Filipino favorites loved for generations
True to its Filipino heritage, Via Mare serves Filipino cuisine that matches the eating pattern of Filipinos: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and merienda – a meal that is served in between the main meals of the day. Pan de sal is a breakfast staple among Filipinos and Via Mare serves it fresh every day, grilled with sides of corned beef, Vigan longganisa, Laguna cheese, and queso de bola. Other breakfast favorites, but can be enjoyed any time of the day, like tapa, smoked bangus, tuyo flakes, and tocino are served under the Altanghap section of the menu, an abbreviation for almusal, tanghalian, and hapunan – Filipino terms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The lunch and dinner menu of Via Mare is not complete without crispy binagoongan, kare-kare, and pinais na alimasag among its wide selection. An extensive array of salads with native greens is also on offer, as well as comfort food like arroz caldo and tokwa’t baboy.

Merienda, or light snacks, are as important as main meals for Filipinos. At Via Mare, diners can choose from well-loved Filipino fare such as puto bumbong, palitaw, and guinataang halo-halo.
Ending scrumptious feasts on a sweet note are iced deserts such as halo-halo and guinomis.

“At 40 years, we have shown the world and most especially our fellow Filipinos, what Filipino cuisine is all about – it is about the freshest of ingredients cooked in influences of our ancestors and the rich heritage of the Filipino nation, sprinkled with the love and affection of a Filipino chef,” Barretto said.

Delight in the well-loved Filipino flavors and savor your classic family favorites at Via Mare. For more information, visit www.viamare.com.ph or like its official Facebook page (@ViamarePH).

AFAM sighting at "Kano Luvs Pinay" with Lee O Brien and Tuesday Vargas at TV5

I was once pursued by an afam,  (he is American) he got the bluest eyes I have ever seen and he reads a lot,  which qualifies him to my guide of to-date-list now,   but because of our age gap. I was in my early teens and he was in his late 20s. the relationship did not push through because of peer pressure. We were introduced to each other by a friend, who as of this writing married a foreigner and is now happily living in San Diego, California. I wonder where the guy now and what he is doing.

Upon learning that Pokwang's American actor boyfriend Lee O Brien, will play Matthew to Tuesday Vargas's Cookie, it excites me to know more and secretly anticipating to watch Kano Luvs Pinay comedy sitcom.

Kano Luvs Pinay lead cast headed by Tuesday Vargas, Lee O Brien, Ces Quesada, Boboy Garovillo, Martin Escudero, Wilma Doesnt, Kiki Baento and Chok Chok Venida held a media presscon last August 19 at TV5 Reliance. We had the chance to see the first episode, it was good enough laugh trip of a series,  I promised myself I have to watch it soon and promote it to my friends who has foreigner for a boyfriend. .



When asked about marriage to his real life partner (Pokwang) , Lee O Brien told us that there is a possibility of marriage but its not an urgent priority as of the moment, he and Pokwang is in the process of having kids first.

One trait that he love about filipinos is that we are a "caring" culture, and the thing that he hates most is the heavy traffic in the metro.

Afamsterdam – it’s a world most Filipinos see every day, interact with, and sometimes, if lady luck would have it, marry into one. Commonly known as AFAM or a foreigner assigned in Manila, these are the usually Caucasian or Middle Eastern men who work or are visiting the country for a long period.

The often misunderstood world of Afamsterdam takes a humorous twist in Kano Luvs Pinay, the latest offering of TV5. Lead by premier comedienne Tuesday Vargas as Cookie and American actor Lee O’Brien as Matthew, the romantic comedy and situational comedy show mixes Filipino humor, kilig, and family values while taking a look at the intricacies of interracial and intercultural relationships between a Filipina and her American fiancé.

But it’s not as simple as a Filipina loving an American show. Cookie sired a child, Jon Jon, during her younger years, played by Chok Chok Venida. And there’s the can’t-live-with-Americans guy, played by Martin Escudero, who happens to be Cookie’s brother.

Also starring in Kano Luvs Pinay are veteran actors Boboy Garovillo and Ces Quesada as the overbearing parents of Cookie. Model turned actress Wilma Doesnt is Osang, the ever-afam-supportive best friend of Cookie, and theater actress Kiki Baento is Girlie, the other best friend who has a strictly no afams policy with regards her love life.

Watch the lives of Cookie and Lee unravel as they prove to the world that love conquers all and that it is the universal language that knows no grammar, pronunciation, and form. Discover the various spontaneous reactions of the Filipino family and community to the presence of Matthew in their lives. Or how Matthew tries to cope and understand the culture he has thrust himself into.

Find out if despite all the hurdles and conflict that their cultural differences may bring about, will love for Cookie and Matthew still win in the end? Will there be a happy ending? Will Cookie become an official Mrs. Afamsterdam?

Kano Luvs Pinay will air every Saturday evening starting September 05, 2015 on TV5.

Perfect pair of shoes for the career woman

It’s often said that a good pair of shoes can take people to great places. This adage takes on a deeper meaning among women trying to conquer the corporate world, where one’s personal style is usually seen as a reflection of professionalism, creativity and work ethic.

“A fine, smart, comfortable pair of shoes ties up the entire look, lends the wearer good gait, helps highlight one’s assets and keep one’s mind in focus. Most importantly, it lets a professional woman express herself in the workplace, and walk around with poise and a palpable sense of confidence,” explains Ging Pajaro, the lady CEO behind the famed Via Venetto shoe brand.  Designed and handcrafted for women of style, Via Venetto shoes bear the mark of a 40-year tradition of fine shoemaking by skilled Filipino artisans. Each pair is made of carefully picked Italian and European leathers, and carries the brand’s timeless design aesthetics. 

For lady executives, the iconic label presents numerous options for footwear that help women pull together a look that spells ‘corporate chic’.

Hoping to impress those who depend on your decisions or the bosses, perhaps? For strictly corporate affairs, choose among Via Venetto pumps and platforms in slingback, D’ Orsay, maryjane, T-strap, or ankle-strap styles with peep-toe, round toe, or pointed-toe , almond-toe box or the ever reliable simple classics.

Pick the footwear that will fit your distinct sense of fashion. Note that your shoes need not always be the same style – in fact, you could probably buy another pair to give some balance to the look. The same thing goes for color – consult color palettes online for combinations that will work for your set of apparel.

Via Venetto offers a wide selection for today’s career woman: high heels for board meetings and power lunches; medium-height heels for office appearances and flat shoes if you need to be on your feet all day for a series of meetings and client calls. These are all made for comfort and are more fashionably appealing with the eyelet, bow, buckle, sequin, detail, tassel, or weave detail. Both the flat and heeled lines are available in Nappa, sheep, calf, or kid leather, and come in suede, patent, snakeskin, metallic, or muted finish, to suit different work attires.

The key is to strike a balance among these factors: height, material finishing, color, adornment, and style. For instance, to make otherwise boring ballerina flats interesting, go for those in bright color, or with embellishments on the toe cap. Patent leather is shiny, so muted colors like nude and black are your best bet. Straps and buckle details are also good adornments to compensate for plain designs. For casual Fridays and exciting Friday nights out, the brand also presents a selection of boots, loafers, sandals, wedges, and mules, in appealing colors such as aqua, fuchsia, blue, gold, and silver as well as neutral shades like off-white, sand, grey, jet black, and tan.

Each pair of Via Venetto shoes for the career woman is meticulously crafted in the brand’s fatto a mano (made by hand, handcrafted with years of experience and innovation) tradition, to provide that delicate balance between comfort and durability. And Via Venetto understands that work footwear are an investment, it shares shopping tips for women in the lookout for shoes with just the right blend of corporate chic, comfort, and style: For stylish corporate shoes that are handmade to perfection, visit a branch of Via Venetto located at Greenbelt, Glorietta, Alabang Town Center, Trinoma and SM Megamall. Theirs is a first-class line of shoes made for the ultimate career woman – one who thinks that the boardroom, if not the world, is hers for the taking.

Spandau Ballet Live in Manila!

One of the most successful and influential British bands of the 1980s, Spandau Ballet, will bring their ‘Soulboys of the Western World Live’ Concert to Manila for one night only on 21 September 2015 at Mall of Asia Arena.

All five original band members of Spandau Ballet, Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp and Steve Norman will come together to perform their smash-hit anthems for Philippine audiences for the first time.

Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, scored numerous multi-platinum albums and amassed 23 hit singles across the globe which have endured for more than three decades. Spandau Ballet’s hits include True, Gold, Through The Barricades, I’ll Fly For You, Lifeline, Round And Round, Communication, Highly Strung, and Only When You Leave, among many others.

Tickets prices at P6750, 5750, 4750, 3750, 2750 available starting July __, 2015 at all SM tickets outlets and online at www.smtickets.com.

Spandau Ballet’s Soulboys Of The Western World Tour 2015 live in Manila is presented by Ovation Productions in association with Dainty Group Asia.

GrabTaxi receives over US$350 million in additional funding

GrabTaxi Holdings Pte Ltd (“GrabTaxi”) announced it has raised its largest ever funding of over US$350 million (PHP 16.1 billion), from Coatue Management, L.L.C. (“Coatue”), a US investment firm that invests in technology worldwide, China’s sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corporation (“CIC”), and Didi Kuaidi (“Didi”), along with support from existing shareholders.

This brings GrabTaxi’s total funding to approximately US$700 million and makes it one of the best funded startups in the history of Southeast Asia. GrabTaxi first launched in Manila, Philippines in July 2013, and quickly expanded into Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod and Baguio.

Putting Southeast Asia on the map

Southeast Asia has continued to increase in prominence in the global startup ecosystem as more investors seek exposure to the fast growing mobile-first region. GrabTaxi has become the gold standard for the region and provides a benchmark in technology innovation and success.

Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co-Founder of GrabTaxi said, “This investment is not only a statement on GrabTaxi’s dominance in the region, but also the growth potential of Southeast Asia on a global level. GrabTaxi is at the forefront of the startup industry in Southeast Asia and it is a mantle we carry proudly. As one of the leaders in the region we've been able to attract top global talent to our brand as well as secure investment from great partners like Coatue and CIC”.

On Didi Kuaidi’s investment, Tan added “Didi Kuaidi is the leading player in China with strong multi-product experience. We look forward to working with our peer in China, leveraging off each other’s experience to continually deliver the best service possible”.

Jean Liu, President of Didi Kuaidi said “A cooperative approach with the dominant player in Southeast Asia will enhance both our businesses. Anthony and the team have achieved incredible growth so far, and we look forward to helping continue that momentum”.

Where the funds will be used

GrabTaxi has successfully diversified its offering beyond taxis to include private cars and motorbikes. The funds will be used to rapidly grow these exciting new offerings to replicate the success of GrabTaxi’s taxi product line. GrabCar is a private hire vehicle service available in all countries where GrabTaxi is available. GrabExpress is an on-demand, same-day delivery service that is currently available in Manila. Both GrabCar and GrabExpress are available through the same GrabTaxi mobile app.

“We exist to solve the region’s transportation challenges. Diversifying into private cars and motorbikes has allowed us to touch people of varying income levels and commuting needs. We are the only app in the region that has such an extensive network and range of transportation choices”, says Tan.

The funds will be used to further develop GrabTaxi’s technology offering as it continues to invest in expanding its engineering offices that now span over Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Beijing.

Launched in 2012, GrabTaxi has continued its aggressive growth throughout Southeast Asia with presence in 26 cities across 6 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. GrabTaxi continues its explosive growth with over 110,000 drivers under its banner across Southeast Asia.

When Eczema strikes, use the effective treatment of Elica

Eczema can be unbearable for children because it can interrupt their sleep at night. If you see them rubbing their affected skin on bedsheet, pillows or other things in an attempt to relieve the itch, chances are they may get infection just by doing that.

Eczema is a non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by itching, redness, and scaly rashes. These symptoms can be painful, cause skin coloring changes, and blisters. It mostly appear on the legs, arms, face and hands. It is treatable,  always keep your child's skin properly moisturized to help keep away from being dry.

For your first aid, you can always apply petroleum jelly on the affected part because it contain moisturizing oil than and is effective on keeping the skin moisturized.

Elica ambassadors celebrity mom Cheska Kramer and kid Scarlett graced the launch of Elica on August 19 at Ascott Hotel, BGC and shared her daughter's itch story in the “Sweet Dreams with Mometasonefuroate (Elica)”  “Scar couldn’t sleep talaga when she gets eczema flare-ups kasi it’s so itchy and she keeps on scratching,” Cheska said. During the event, the causes of Eczema and how it could negatively impact children were discussed.

Such is the case for celebrity mom Cheska Garcia-Kramer and her daughter Scarlett. According to Cheska, Scarlett used to cry at night because of her itchy rashes. But after their doctor recommended mometasonefuroate or Elica, a topical steroid from Bayer Philippines, both mom and child saw results within 24 hours. The peaceful rests returned and since then, both mother and daughter have had sweet dreams.

“Our pediatrician recommended Elica and it really helped relieve Scarlett of the itch, redness and swelling because of her eczema,” Cheska said.


Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by several factors, including dust mites, family pets, heat or harsh soaps. “These triggers should be controlled in order to avoid the symptoms of eczema,” Dr. LyraYamat iterated.

When a child can’t sleep at night, it’s usually because of the monsters under the bed. And that keeps mommies awake too. That’s why they do everything in their power to drive away the scares so that kids can have a good night’s rest. But there’s one monster that is difficult to put to sleep: the monster that attacks the skin, eczema.

Eczema is characterized by red, dry, itchy rashes on the skin.It is more common in children than in adults. It can also have a huge negative impact on a kid’s life, like sleep deprivation.

Flare-ups may require more than just moisturizers and in such instances, a fast and powerful treatment is needed. Elica, a topical steroid, is considered to be the first line of defense for eczema. It can help relieve eczema symptoms with visible results in 24 hours, and needs only to be applied once daily, unlike most topical steroids that are applied twice a day. Moreover, clinical studies have demonstrated Elica’s efficacy and safety profile. Elica has also been recommended and prescribed by doctors for many years.

“Eczema should be treated immediately, because it can affect a child’s self-esteem, social activities and of course, sleep,” Dr. Yamat further explained.

When Eczema strikes, use the effective treatment of Elica and see results in 24 hours, so that both kids and moms can sleep tight.


Elica comes in cream and ointment formats, available over-the-counter without doctor’s presciption. For more information on Elica, go to www.treateczema.ph or visit www.facebook.com/ElicaPH.

PAINTING A BETTER FUTURE FOR STUDENTS OF TAGUIG

Many public schools in the Philippines require constant maintenance, owing mostly to the torrential rains and high humidity brought about by local weather. This makes their upkeep a race against nature.

While some school buildings may have lost their sheen, it takes a bit of help to make them look bright and conducive to learning.


Taguig National High School is an example of such an institution. Through the DepEd’s “BrigadaEskwela” program, Philam Life Foundation has recently repainted and turned over a brand new-looking building to the school, which currently educates about 2,000 students in its K-12 program. The Math building includes eight newly-repainted  classrooms, complete with about 40 desks and a blackboard for each classroom.