#OwnIt now at Smart Launchpad Upload Stations and get a chance to fly to LA!

I admit, I still go to tutorials when I do my winged eye and arch brows, and all those contouring. Its easier said than done. I still have to check those YouTube tutorials and learn over and over again. Its a trial and error session everytime I do my winged eye and eyebrows. It took me an hour to semi perfect that arches. Up to this day, I still have to practice. I am just thankful that when you google "strobing", "contouring",  "cat eyes", "arch brows", hundreds of videos pop up and you just check what site would suit you best.

Generations of today are luckier that in just a matter of googling, everything is within reach, with just the right and stable connection. You can share or upload to YouTube your original content for everyone to get their fair share of the information and learn to monetize your own content as well. Be it makeup tutorials, uboxing, or how to bake that sponge delicious cake, and basically "how to's" under the sun.

Smart unveils Smart Launchpad on July 23 at SM Megamall Atrium. This program helps budding content creators upload their own work on YouTube and broadcast it to the world via Upload Stations all over the country.

Not having a stable connection to upload videos can be a problem. So is the lack of knowledge and expertise. Aside from basic know how in video production, many aspiring online creators don't know the variety of content they can upload on YouTube.

"We understand that it may not always be easy for the young Filipino to express themselves on a digital platform there’s always the challenge of having the right equipment and of course, not having access to internet connection strong enough for video uploading." says Katrina Luna-Abelarde, Head of Wireless Consumer Operations for Smart.

Smart, recognizing the creative potential of Filipino youth as an untapped resource for new ideas and raw talent, encourages the use of YouTube and aims to break the aforementioned barriers experienced by the country’s digital generation. Smart continues to inspire change in the way the Filipino youth productively use technology and the Internet by empowering them with the tools to discover their passions, channel their creativity, and broadcast their talents to the world.

"We want to address these barriers because we have seen many of the world's digital generation get their start in content creation on the platform, showcasing their talent on video, and sharing their talent with the widest audience available on the web. We want to encourage the Filipino youth to explore this alternative medium not only for self-expression, but also as a way to secure a career for their future," she added.

Smart recently unboxed its slew of digital innovations, including “Own it" campaign, a platform that encourages everyone, especially the youth, to share their passions to the world, giving them a voice larger than themselves.

Selected malls in key areas nationwide will be chosen as the homes of Launchpad Upload Stations. During weekends, Smart subscribers can hang out, collaborate and create their own videos, and upload in real time using Smart's fast internet connection and Samsung devices. Upload Stations will also be deployed in different campuses and hotspots to bring the experience to where the Filipino youth is.

Aspiring content creators will get the chance to participate in Launchpad Workshops where they will learn from industry professionals and top YouTubers. Smart subscribers can join the workshops by creating an account on YouTube.

Upload their original videos on their account and register online.

Registration is open until September 15, 2016. In these sessions, they will learn how they can make content creation into a profession with modules available on hand.  How to monetize their YouTube channel, and create content plans.

By the end of the workshop, Smart will choose content creators to fly to Los Angeles, USA to collaborate with YouTube International Stars.

Visit www.smart.com.ph/launchpad for more information

How to live a #SmartLife at #SmartUnbox event

Smart held another big event for media as it introduced some new and innovative digital services at the very first Smart Unbox event held at Shangri-la at The Fort on July 13.

Everyone get excited with their new Smart android phone as guests downloaded Smartlife app to their brand new phone with a free load of php130. With the SmartLife app, you can quickly discover exciting perks and enjoy free digital content right at your fingertips. This is one way to upgrade your digital lifestyle.

The Smartphone Prepaid Kit is only P1,288, making it easier for Filipinos to connect to mobile Internet and get accustomed to using online apps and services.

“Smart has built a legacy of bringing mobile innovations into the life of all Filipinos, and with the digital wave upon us, we have come up with innovative products and services to bring the real-life benefits of connectivity to as many Filipinos as possible,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan.

PLDT/Smart Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan talks about the newest line-up of digital services at the first Smart Unbox event.

“Our multi-pronged efforts range from bringing the smartphone to the hands of more digital newbies, to providing the most awesome content for young digital natives, to making sure that everyone will enjoy the best data experience. Our goal is to make sure no one gets left behind by this digital shift,” said Smart Wireless Consumer Operations Head Katrina Luna-Abelarde, who led the aptly titled Smart Unbox presentation at Shangri-la at the Fort.

For those with multiple gadgets, sharing connections is also now lot easier with Smart Bro Pocket WiFi, available at only P888.

#SmartUnbox3
Get Rewards by downloading the SmartLife App on Android and iOS
Because speed and size matter in the online world, Smart also announced its Super Speed LTE SIMs as well as Giga Surf 50, its biggest data offer with 1GB data for surfing and apps, plus free 300MB for video streaming on YouTube and iflix, valid for three days at only P50. As an innovative feature, this 1GB data can be shared with other prepaid subscribers through the Smart’s Pasadata service.#SmartUnbox4

Putting customers first

Keeping customers at the center of everything it does, Smart has teamed up with Twitter to further enhance its customer experience via @SMARTCares with live feedback and a faster response system. Smart is the first brand in the Philippines to use Twitter as its main Customer Service touchpoint for customer care needs and account inquiries in real-time.

To help subscribers maximize their data experience, Smart is powering Marty the Smarty, everyone’s go-to guy for all kinds of questions and concerns about mobile data and the Internet, accessible via his website www.martythesmarty.com and official account on Twitter @martysmarty.

Smart also further enhanced its My Smart mobile app so prepaid and postpaid subscribers can manage their accounts 24/7 – anytime and anywhere. Downloadable on Google Play Store and iTunes, this simple and convenient app also allows subscribers to register and check the status of promos, load up their account and even redeem perks.

Creating rich digital and real-life experiences

To create rich experiences for subscribers, Smart unveiled its “Own It” campaign, a platform that encourages everyone, especially the youth, to share their passions to the world, giving them a voice larger than themselves.

Under this campaign, Smart has teamed up with YouTube for Smart Launchpad, a program to help budding content creators upload their own work and broadcast it to the world via Upload Stations all over the country. Smart will be tapping industry experts for workshops that will lead to a selection of the most deserving content creators to fly to LA for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of collaborating with the biggest YouTube Stars.#SmartUnbox1

Along with MCA Music, Smart also kicks off Smart Music Live! on July 14 in a free-for-subscribers concert featuring Ely Buendia, Up Dharma Down and Nathan Sykes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Smart Music Live will also feature perks and meet and greet events for upcoming concerts of hit artists like Selena Gomez’s on July 31; In the Mix featuring Third Eye Blind, Panic! At the Disco, James Bay, Elle King and Twin Pines on August18; and Shawn Mendes’ in October.

Rounding off Smart’s major announcements is the Smart Life app, a breakthrough app featuring daily exclusive digital perks, videos, music, and games for mobile users.#SmartUnbox2

Currently on its initial phase, the app will roll out exciting new functionalities as well as host top-rated content from D5 Studio, feature sports coverage such as FIBA and the upcoming Olympics, and other compelling digital content created for and by users for even more delightful experiences.

Most extensive and data-capable network

PLDT/Smart Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan at the Smart Unbox event to launch Smart's newest line-up of digital services to empower Filipinos in their daily lives.



“At the center of all these new products and services is our effort to transform our networks into the country’s most extensive and data capable infrastructure, so we are able to deliver faster, more reliable and more affordable Internet services across the country,” Pangilinan added.

La Maison Cointreau presents the winning cocktail at Belle and Dragon

Cointreau, the French orange spirit brand established in France (Loire Valley) over 165 years ago, recently presented the Philippine edition cocktail competition of La Maison Cointreau.

Winning cocktail: Gossip by Cedric Cello

An exclusive, by-invitation only competition, La Maison Cointreau sought out the best innovative talents in Manila’s hot cocktail scene and together in one night were tasked with the featured Cointreau challenge “The Muse’ –- to create a serve based on an iconic French muse that inspires the entrants – along with other brand challenges. This year’s La Maison Cointreau is also a full portfolio competition bringing to fore, the family of brands together under the La Maison Cointreau roof.

These are Cointreau, Remy Martin cognac, Mount Gay rum, Bruichladdich single malt whisky and The Botanist gin with focus on the unique aspects of each brand to bring new and challenging tasks for the bartenders hoping to claim the title.

-  Sean Carlo De Vera of Mandalay Whisky and Cigars

The evening was electric as final judging commenced with the very popular Belle and Dragon on Carlos Palanca street, Legaspi Village serving as the perfect venue. Part of the excitement were the identities of the judges being kept secret, only to be revealed right after the competition scores were tallied. This means that the contestants must serve their original cocktails with every guest treated like a judge.

-   Joey Pineda, Cheryl Tiu and Lee Watson

Norman Bagao of Long Bar at Raffles

The challenge for each of the finalists would be to serve their original Cointreau based cocktails with outstanding taste & flavor as a paramount criteria and with technique, presentation and consistency as the clincher for a winning cocktail. “It is a real world competition whereby each of the seven bartender finalists prepped over 100 cocktails for the guests to sample and only one hour to serve their respective concoctions. Each bartender will decorate their station as if it’s their own mini bar.  It’s a high volume bar environment which tests their speed, and their ability to engage the crowd,” enthused competition master Lee Watson.

LuigiTabuena,  Veronica Callanta, Lee Watson, Deanna Rubiano

Inspired by Cointreau Privé in Paris, La Maison Cointreau was first launched internationally in New York City, with the aim to introduce Cointreau as the avant-garde & Parisian style spirit that enables mixologists to explore limitless cocktail variations using Cointreau, the heart of cocktails.

Jessica Lee Nieva, Michael Aviles and Christina Misko

The winning cocktail for this year’s La Maison Cointreau is Gossip by Cedric Cello of Smith Butcher and Grill Room with his inspiration…his Muse: Marion Cotillard. The evening’s judges were Cheryl Tiu, editor at large of Lifestyle Asia; Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara of Mesclun, Paulene Chocolats Suisses, Chuck's Deli, and the well-known Japanese whisky bar, Lit and Mr. KC Queyquep representing Remy-Cointreau.

Misay Mata, Cheryl Tiu and Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara

The Grand Winner of La Maison Cointreau cocktail competition will be awarded a cash prize of PHP 50,000, including a trip to Phuket, Thailand to represent the Philippines and compete in the regional finals of La Maison Cointreau.

The Winning Cocktail:

Gossip by Cedric Cello
Muse: Marion Catillard

The Mix:
Cointreau 30ml; Greygoose L’ Orange 30ml; Basil leaves-3sprigs;
Green mango-30ml; Watermelon-100gms; Giffard watermelon syrup-20ml;
A dash of Angustura bitters; serve in dbl rock glass
Garnish: basil green mango and watermelon
The Procedure:
Muddle 1 slice of fresh watermelon in a dbl rockglass. Add in the mix and shake vigorously, then add some ice.  Garnish with basil, green mango and watermelon

Starbucks celebrates 3rd anniversary with Manila and Cebu new cards!

In celebration of its 3rd year, Starbucks releases three new cards and tumblers designs inspired by each city’s journey from past to present.

The new Philippine edition items evoke a sense of pride about the rich history of the city.

Inspired by “Summer Night in Manila”, the card design focuses on the popular jeepney travelling the busy city at night. (*Available in Metro Manila stores only starting August 8.)

Manila Starbucks Card and Tumbler

Cebu Starbucks Card

Cebu Starbucks Card and Tumbler

Cebu Starbucks Card
The card and tumbler highlights the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and Mactan-Mandaue Bridge as if viewed from the hilltops of Cebu that are decked with the Sinulog flower.Cebu-Starbucks-Card-and-Tumbler

(*Available in Cebu stores only starting August 8. Available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱300.)

In addition, Starbucks is also releasing the SPECIAL EDITION SIREN STARBUCKS CARD
The Siren is at the heart of Starbucks as we evolve without ever losing sight of our heritage. The card will be available in all stores starting August 8 for an initial consumable load amount of ₱300.Special-Edition-Siren-Starbucks-Card_2

Purchase limit of two (2) activated cards are allowed per customer per day.

As an added treat Starbucks customers who reload their My Starbucks Rewards can earn 3 complimentary stars!

1. From July 26 to August 1, customers who reload their My Starbucks Rewards (MSR) account through www.starbucks.ph/card with at least ₱1,000 will earn three (3) complimentary Beverage Stars.
2. The complimentary beverage stars will be automatically credited to their My Starbucks Rewards account after the successful reload transaction.starbucks reload online.

3. Interested customers who do not have an MSR account may register through starbucks.ph/card anytime during the promo period to avail of the promo.
4. Maximum value of ₱10,000 may be stored on any Starbucks Card or account at any given time.
5. Online reloading may be done using a Visa or MasterCard Credit or Debit Card.
6. Visit www.starbucks.ph for details.
7. This promotion applies to both new and existing Starbucks Cards.
8. This promotion is only valid for all Starbucks Cards issued in the Philippines.

Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit # 5956, Series of 2016.

Delight in the sweetness of Fresh Mango and Strawberry fruit Jelly Yogurt only at Starbucks!

                             

Everyone knows that yogurt contains probiotics, calcium and protein, which have been correlated with better gastrointestinal health. Mix that with your favorite fruits and jelly and you are good to go! Its a fun healthy way to enjoy your yogurt!

Starting July 26, get that much needed zesty boost with these new beverages boasting a delicious combination of chilled yogurt and fruity swirl blended with ice.

Mango Fruit Jelly Yogurt and Strawberry Fruit Jelly Yogurt. 

“The all new Mango Fruit Jelly Yogurt and Strawberry Fruit Jelly Yogurt Frappuccino Blended Beverages are a delightful combination of fruity taste in a sweet jelly, layered with the smooth texture of yogurt. Reminiscent of a creamy parfait, these Frappuccino Blended Beverages are inspired by our customers’ love of sweet fruit, making them the ideal beverage to lighten up one’s day,” said Keith Cole, head for marketing at Starbucks Philippines.

“Starbucks continues to innovate with new flavor and texture combinations to meet our customers’ expectations for the Frappuccino Blended Beverages,” said Cole. 

Delight in the sweetness of fresh mango or strawberry perfectly balanced by a hint of tartness from the yogurt for a mouth-watering beverage. To energize your day, the Mango Fruit Jelly Yogurt Frappuccino perfectly blends honey-citrus sweet mango sauce with yogurt, topped with a layer of mango fruit jelly with real mango bits. Meanwhile, the equally refreshing and irresistible Strawberry Fruit Jelly Yogurt Frappuccino features a visual treat with the yogurt blended with strawberry sauce puree topped with strawberry jelly with strawberry bits.

Mango Fruit Jelly Yogurt

Strawberry Fruit Jelly Yogurt. 

For a total gastronomic experience, pair these new  beverages with Starbucks featured food item, Triple Chocolate Truffle Cake – a moist buttery white chocolate sponge cake with generous layers of milk and truffle finished with dark chocolate ganache and white chocolate shavings.

Triple Chocolate Truffle Cake

Maple Pecan Danish

You can also go for light but filling new core food items like the Maple Pecan Danish, a light and flaky Danish pastry with maple filling and topped with chopped pecans, perfect for a quick breakfast;

Chicken Cannelloni

Chicken Cannelloni, an al dente pasta filled with chicken flakes and topped with creamy tomato sauce, you can have for your lunch.

Pan Au Chocolat

Pan Au Chocolat, which features two chocolate batons wrapped in 100% French butter croissant dough and finished with chocolate drizzle that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Philam Life partners with World Vision for Child Sponsorship

International humanitarian organization, World Vision, has been making a profound impact on the lives of children in need. Through the help of sponsors and donors, the organization continues to improve the lives of impoverished children and their communities by giving them access to opportunities for a full and better life.

Philam Life, one of the country’s leading life insurance companies, shares the same sentiment and have since partnered with World Vision to provide sponsors the gift of leaving a legacy by allowing them to help their sponsored child even after the sponsor’s lifetime.

“Here at Philam Life, we’re not just selling insurance, we’re fulfilling our mission of bringing a Philam Life policy to every Filipino family. We are actively taking steps to enrich their lives and secure their future,” explained Philam Life's director of agencies for Corporate Solutions Cary Casipit.

(From left) Philam Life’s agency manager Nelia Laudico and director of agencies for Corporate Solutions Cary Casipit with World Vision’s Executive Director Josaiasdela Cruz and Resource Development director Jun Godornes during the MOA signing




He added, "I was actually excited when I first heard of this partnership. I, myself, am a child sponsor of four kids in World Vision.  Now I am assured that my sponsorship for them will continue even after my lifetime.” 

With World Vision as the beneficiary of this program, sponsor parents are guaranteed that the children they sponsor will be taken cared of and have access to food, shelter, healthcare, education, and safety.

“For almost 60 years, World Vision has been engaging sponsors who pay it forward by sharing their blessings to the country’s most vulnerable children. This endeavor will help transform the lives of children for generations to come,” said World Vision Executive Director Josaias dela Cruz.

Sponsors can subscribe to the life insurance plan through a minimal annual feel. The coverage amount ranges from P50,000 to P500,000, and funds will be used for World Vision’s programs for children and their families.

“This is just the start of a beautiful partnership. We are happy to work with World Vision in investing in the future of our children, and staying true to a commitment to fight poverty through sustainable development,” said Philam Life agency manager Nelia Laudico.

Essilor Vision Foundation supports Eye Fair for Special Olympic athletes

Excitement and laughter filled the air as athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families visited booth after booth of games testing visual acuity, visual memory, depth perception, color vision and eye tracking at “Eye Can Play: A Healthy Eyeffair.” The event was sponsored by Essilor Vision Foundation, one of the philanthropic giving initiatives of Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company.

Held at SM Sucat Entertainment Hall, “Eye Can Play” specifically used an “edutainment” approach to help Special Olympics athletes, their caregivers and their families learn more about the importance of healthy vision through interactive and engaging games. After undergoing quick vision screenings with Essilor volunteers, excited participants played “Pop the Bubble”, “Twister”, “Name It Quick”, ‘Finding Nemo”, “Finding Dory”, “Catch the Marble” and “Eye Can See”.

Brina Maxino and Sashi Montaña, the founders of “Eye Can Play”, saw the need for Filipino athletes with intellectual disabilities to test their eyes as good vision can affect not only their sport scores but also their overall quality of life. The two teens, who are part of the Special Olympics Philippine team, also envisioned the event as a venue to encourage people with intellectual disabilities to excel in sports and games. They presented the project at the 2015 Social Impact Summit, held during the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California that same year, where it earned a spot in the Top 5 out of 70 proposals.

“Essilor and Essilor Vision Foundation feel passionately that healthy vision is fundamental for every individual,” stated Essilor marketing manager Jinky Navo. “Our mission is to improve people’s lives by improving their sight, for everyone and everywhere. In line with this objective, we want to help people with intellectual disabilities to see the world better so that they can achieve more and aim higher, which is what some of the athletes have already done at the Special Olympics ” she added.

Special Olympics Philippines executive director Kaye Samson remarked, “We believe that youth leaders, through the examples of Brina and Sashi, can be powerful advocates in leading behavioural change in the society towards accepting and respecting our fellow Filipinos who have intellectual disabilities.” She added, “We also thank our friends from Essilor and Essilor Vision Foundation in supporting this event by setting up a booth and deploying a team of volunteers to check our athletes eyesight.”