The Epson Solutions &Technology Convention 2017: Helping Local Businesses Be Future Ready

Epson, a world leader in digital imaging and printing solutions,showcased its winning products and solutions in the Epson Solutions & Technology Convention 2017. Held at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, the convention aims to support local businesses to be competitive amidst economic uncertainties, controlled labor market conditions and increased foreign competition.

The one-day event showcases Epson’s intelligent and innovative solutions that will help the business community meet the demands of the future through the integration of self-service, augmented reality, interactive projection and other technologies. It showcases Epson’s solutions across print, projection, label and smart glasses in an enterprise setting; as well as showcases Epson’s latest products in the pipeline. Invited guests include partners, reseller base, media and select customers and end-users from various industries.

“The Epson story has always been about creating Inspirational Technology for a Better Future. Always at the heart of these developments is our deep commitment to understand the changing needs of customers. Epson owns innovative technologies that are continuallyexceeding their expectations,” explains Mr. Cris Sanchez, Sales Division Head, Epson Philippines.

The Epson convention will demonstrate how the adoption of the company’s print, scan, label and projection solutions will strengthen Philippine businesses in facing the challenges of the future. During the program, Epson experts will provide insights on how to develop a holistic strategy when investing in technology. This integration across devices will help drive cost savings, process improvement and realize gains in productivity.

A guided SolutionsTour will feature several booths on various solutions and applications for every business department including Customer Service, Marketing, Training, Finance and Logistics and Warehouse.  Some of the innovation products to be unveiled are the Moverio smart glasses in the Customer Service booth, Epson’s interactive projectors and large format printers in the Training Department and Marketing Department booths. Epson’s Moveriosmart glasses will be used to let guests appreciate the immersive Customer Service experience that the Moverio smart glasses can offer while the interactive projectors and large format printers will be used to show guests the convenience and efficiency of the solutions offered by Epson.

“In the past few years, Epson Philippines has gained the leading market share in its key categories, a testimony to the successful product designs and solutions that the company has created and offered to our customers.  We hope that through this convention and our other undertakings for the corporate segment, we can help boost the successful integration of technology to Philippine businesses. This way, Epson can be a partner in making Filipino business owners pursue a global approach that will help them flourish, even with stiff competition from local and foreign providers,” concludes Mr. Ed Bonoan, Senior General Manager and Head of Marketing, Epson Philippines. 

For local businesses who would want to have an in-depth consultation on their technology requirements, they may reach out to Ms. Sheinne Padilla of Epson Philippines through sheinnep@epc.epson.com.ph

Vivo V5 Plus is likely to win the hearts of a nation of selfie-lovers

Vivo V5 Plus, the flagship model of the top five premium global brand Vivo, is expected to dominate the local market for selfie-centric smartphones.

Dubbed as the perfect selfie phone, the Vivo V5 Plus is likely to win the hearts of a nation of selfie-lovers, with the Philippines now known as a certified selfie hot-spot and with Filipinos putting a premium on selfie-friendly camera features when purchasing smartphones.

The Vivo V5 Plus, features the most advanced selfie technology to date, which includes a dual 20-megapizel front camera, a true bokeh effect—the aesthetic blur or out-of-focus impression of a photo—on the spot, without editing; a selfie soft light; and a face beauty mode 6.0.

Globally, Vivo has been known for its competitive premium-range offerings, becoming the top five global smartphone vendor for the third quarter of 2016, a spot it has held for four consecutive quarters now.

This is according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, which provides detailed and timely information on total mobile phone and smartphone markets across the globe.

According to the market-research firm IDC, the worldwide smartphone market grew 1.1% year over year for Q3 2016, with 363.2 million shipments. Of these shipments, global smartphone brand Vivo shipped a record amount of 21.2 million smartphones, giving the brand a 5.9% share in the smartphone market.

The continued upward trajectory of Vivo is attributed to a growing following in China and India, the world’s two biggest smartphone markets, and to a significant growth in Myanmar. The remarkable growth is also recorded as Vivo expands to different markets in Southeast Asia.

Known for its competitive premium-range offerings, the top five premium global brand is also poised to develop one of its biggest markets here in the Philippines.

Vivo is largely known for its first-to-market innovations such as the Vivo X1, one of the slimmest phones in 2012, and the world’s first smartphone to feature a Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converter Hi-Fi chip, and the Vivo X3 in 2013, the first smartphone in the world with a 2K resolution display.

Now, the global manufacturer has produced the Vivo V5 Plus, the world’s first smartphone to have a dual 20-megapixel front camera.

Aside from its front-facing dual cameras, the Vivo V5 Plus also has a 16-megapixel rear camera that captures candid moments beautifully.

These outstanding camera features, however, make up just one aspect of the Vivo V5 Plus. The phone is revealed to have a 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Qualcom Snapdragon 625 processor, and Funtouch 3.0 OS, for superior power and efficiency.

Additional features include a 3160 mAh battery, a fast-charging feature, an upgraded fingerprint sensor, and an ultra-slim bezel technology.

Consumers may now experience the Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone, available for Php 19,990.

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts. #

1according to International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (http://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/vendor;jsessionid=7595C1498F4F0FBF496CC767E273121B)

10 Foolproof ways to lead a healthier lifestyle this 2017

As we enter the New Year, many of us promised to commit to a healthier lifestyle as part of our New Year’s Resolutions. Sticking to a resolution is easier said than done, but as long as we have a plan to fall back on, it shouldn’t be as daunting or as difficult as it seems. To help us out, here are 10 foolproof ways to ensure that we live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you can make the most of 2017 towards a healthier and happier you.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- The health benefits of eating a diet with generous servings of fruits and vegetables are endless. Not only are they dense sources of a variety of essential minerals and nutrients, they are generally high in fiber which will keep your digestive system happy and smooth-running. Pro-tip: fruits and veggies have unique antioxidant properties depending on their color. Eat the rainbow!

2.    Go for regular check-ups. 
- Don’t leave your body to take care of itself. We all need a little help sometimes, and your doctor’s job is to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition and to provide solutions when needed.

3.    Stay stress-free. 
- While diet and exercise are very important in leading a healthy lifestyle, your mindset and attitude may be sabotaging their benefits. Stress can affect your sleep, your tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors, and your productivity. Ensure that your lifestyle is as stress-free as possible by organizing your financial and work life; create a long-term financial plan to alleviate financial pressures and increase your financial security.

4.    Avoid foods high in saturated fat and simple sugars.
- Swap out your white bread for wholegrain, and use canola or olive oil instead of butter in your cooking. Complex carbohydrates give you slow-release energy which will keep you energised throughout the day, and unsaturated fats will promote healthy cholesterol levels, keeping you trim and combating fatigue.

5.    Find an exercise program you enjoy. 
- It is no secret that exercise gives you more energy, helps keep your head clear, and keeps you in shape. Find what you enjoy and stick to it! If you hate jogging, try dancing. If you don’t like exercising alone, look to join a basketball or frisbee team.

6.    Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
- Give your body a well-deserved break, so that it can re-energize and prepare itself for a happy and productive day.


7.    Ditch your unhealthy vices. 
- Smoking, drinking, or consuming too much caffeine is toxic to our bodies. Replace your unhealthy habits with healthier ones, such as exercise. If you are struggling to give up smoking, join a program that offers support and guidance.

8.    Make time for friends and family. 
- Social interaction is essential to human well-being. Appreciate the supportive people in your life and invest in the meaningful connections that will ultimately lead you to a happier lifestyle.

9.    Stay hydrated.
- The common recommendation for water intake is eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Drinking a sufficient amount of water promotes healthy skin and will prevent headaches and other symptoms of dehydration. Additionally, for those of us trying to lose weight, a common sign of dehydration is the feeling of hunger despite having eaten adequately. Drink up!

10.   Set and track fitness goals by using apps and devices.


Having fitness goals is a sure fire way of ensuring happiness; overcoming hurdles, whether small or big, can increase your confidence. One fitness app that helps you track your progress and remind you to hit some benchmarks is Philam Vitality Active, a free mobile app that allows you to enjoy immediate and free rewards such as free cinema ticket, free game of bowling to name a few, upon completion of your weekly goals. To experience a whole new journey to being fit and healthy.

You may download the Philam Vitality Active app now available in Apple Store Phils or Google Play and sign-up using the promo code “liveactive”.

The Sweetest Success for Estela Belen

When faced with challenging circumstances or seemingly impossible choices, there are only two categorical responses: fight or flight. Almost every person in the world has experienced being at such a decisive moment. For Estela Belen, it was when her husband of 25 years suddenly died. She was 44 years old then, and was suddenly faced with the responsibility of maintaining a household and raising 13 children… by herself. Difficult as things may seem, she chose to fight.

All throughout her married life, Estela has always been a housewife. While she managed most of their domestic affairs, she had no job experience whatsoever, and was relying on her husband for their household’s financial resources. When her husband suddenly passed away, she knew she had to provide the financial support that was now lacking. She needed a source of income, especially since 11 of her kids were still going to school then.

In her search for employment, a good friend led her to become a financial advisor for Philam Life, the largest insurance company in the Philippines. She went through the motions and found that her natural management aptitude, with running her 13-plus-one household, was helpful to the job.

It was, of course, a rough start because she had no background on the insurance industry, but she trudged on and learned what she could as quickly as possible. She also had to make the transition from being a housewife to a career woman, which was no small feat. She struggled to balance her new working life with her family life, but she persevered -- selling insurance policies and providing very good service to her clients for her clients. Eventually, through hard work and pure grit, Estella was able to work her way up to become a bona fide top earner, an achiever in her industry.

Fast forward to the present -- twenty one years after taking on the job, Estella was awarded with one of the company’s highest and most elusive honors: Top Associate of the Year. This accolade is given to the financial advisor with the highest premiums in one year

Her exceptional work ethic and her positive outlook contributed a lot to her success. Through her earnings and performance bonuses, she was able to financially support her children, all of whom are grown up and some of whom chose to work with her at Philam Life. Thanks to the schedule flexibility of being a financial advisor, she did not have to take too much time away from her family.

Estella is proud of how far she has come in the company, but remains humble, choosing instead to focus on the good that her work brings to her clients. “More than anything, it feels fulfilling,” Estella said. “I get to help my clients with their financial planning, to give them peace of mind and security about their financial future, at the same time, I also get to help my family. It’s a happy, win-win situation for all,” she concluded.

Estella has proven to be the personification of perseverance, tenacity, and determination and she is eager to continue her work with Philam Life for years to come.

ARP 2016 with my manager Rick Jared Belen, VIP client Susana M. Ipapo, and my secretary James Y. Sunico

(L-R standing)) Ma. Katrina B. Licudine (1), Enrico C. Belen, Jr. (2), Ria B. Trillo(3), Rachel B. Salapa (6) Eve Stella B. Valdez(grand daughter 8), Susana M. Ipapo (VIP client), Eric C. Belen(5), Estela C. Belen, Kris C. Belen (7), Kristal C. Belen (11), Ma. Estela B. Valdez(12), Maura Luz c. Belen (13).
(Kneeling center) Francis C. Belen (9),
(Kneeling L-R) Dan Louie O. Salapa(son in-law to #6), Rick Jared C. Belen (8), Charles C. Belen (10), James Y. Sunico (Personal Secretary).

(L-R) Ma. Katrina Belen-Licudine, Enrico Belen, Jr., Ria belen-Trillo,Richard Belen,Eric Belen,Rachel Belen-Salapa,Kris Belen,Rick Jared Belen,Francis Belen,Charles Belen,Kristal Belen,Ma. Estela Belen-Valdez,and Maura Luz Belen.

Casa Italia’s HEARTy Treat This Valentine’s Day!

If you haven’t eaten your way across Italy yet, and you’re on a quest for a romantic place to awaken your senses this Valentine’s Day, find your way to Casa Italia and take pleasure in their premium Italian pizzas, now served with a twist!

Make way for Casa Italia’s “V-Day” special- as it serves up authentic heart-shaped pizzas! Using only the finest and freshest ingredients, the house’s variety of uniquely styled treats perfectly complements the season of love.

Heart-cut Quattro Formaggi Pizza

Your taste of Italian cuisine starts off with the heart-cut Quattro Formaggi Pizza – blended layers of four of the world’s most famous cheeses: Cheddar, Formaggio Bianco, Emmental, and Mozzarella.

Sure to fancy the palate with every bite is Casa Italia’s version of Mexicano Pizza. Made with ground beef, lettuce and chips arranged delicately atop a bloody red sauce, this heart-molded creation makes for a crunchy surprise.

Love is in the air for those who want a mix of sweet and salty with the Parma Peach Premium Pizza- flattened heart dough oozing with mushroom garlic cream sauce and graced by a combo of prosciutto parma ham and sliced sweet peaches.

A panoply of sumptuous Italian pizza selection at Casa Italia wouldn’t be complete without the heart-shaped Uovo and Mushroom Pizza – equally-salty eggs and fresh Shiitake and White Button mushrooms layered on top of white cream sauce, championing one’s ultimate Valentine’s Day food list.

And when your plates are all cleared, take your authentic Italian experience further with Casa Italia’s signature comfort food this month– the Valentine gelato concoctions.

Red Velvet gelato

A “love at first bite” promise can be had in every scoop of Red Velvet gelato – a sweet mix of already luscious Cream Cheese gelato and tidbits of all-time favorite Red Velvet cake.

White Chocolate Raspberry gelato

Another flavor sure to grip your hearts is the White Chocolate Raspberry gelato- a medley of smooth White Chocolate gelato with raspberry coulis topped with almond shavings.

Have a taste of Italy and romance this Heart’s Day and find your way to this must-see hotspot located at Forbes Town Road, Burgos Park at Bonifacio Global City and at The Block in SM North EDSA, Quezon City.

HOOQ, welcomes the arrival of the Year of the Fire Rooster with a free screening of MANO PO 7: CHINOY at the Globe Iconic Store

HOOQ Hangouts presents the block screening of Mano Po 7: Chinoy at the BGC Globe Ampitheatre last February 4.  Mano Po leading stars Richard Yap and Jean Garcia together with HOOQ and Globe executives graced the event.

MANO PO 7: Chinoy features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Richard Yap, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee and Jake Cuenca. It also stars Jean Garcia, Eric Quizon, Kean Cipriano, Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel. Mano Po 7 is fresh from it’s theatrical release last December.

HOOQ Hangouts, presented by Globe Live in cooperation with Samsung, is a series of outdoorscreening events that showcases HOOQ’s vast library of carefully curated content.

“We chose Mano Po 7 for this month’s HOOQ Hangouts not only to celebrate the Chinese New Year but also to emphasize that HOOQ will be the first to have the newest local movies after their theatrical run,” says  Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines.

“Now movie fans don’t have to wait as long since we will try to make it available on HOOQ as soon as possible.Mano Po 7 whichwas released in cinemas last month will be on HOOQ by this summer.” adds Walker.

HOOQ subscribers can now enjoy over1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost five decades of film making, and over 4,000 hours of local television leaving other video-in-demand services way behind in terms of Filipino content.

Among the most anticipated movies that will soon be available only to HOOQ subscribers include; CampSawi, I Love You To Death, That Thing Called Tanga Na, My Rebound Girl, The Escort, Bakit Lahat ng Guwapo May Boyfriend?, Working Beks and Mano Po 7: Chinoy.

In addition, viewers can also watch catch up episodes of the latest GMA 7 TV series including Alyas Robinhood; Someone To Watch Over Me; Meant To Be; Ika-Anim na Utos and more in the coming months.

“As the exclusive presenter of the Metro Manila Film Festival, we will soon have the 2016 MMFF top grosser Die Beautiful and the Nora Aunor starrer Kabiseraavailable on HOOQ. The rest of the entries will also soon find its way onto HOOQ!” Says Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines 

THE HUB OF HOMEGROWN CONTENT

Besides having thousands of foreign movies and TV series, HOOQ is the prime destination for Filipino entertainment on demand with the largest library of local movies amongst any video-on-demand service in the country.

“Pinoy films and TV shows are closest to our hearts because it tells the stories of our lives and we can all relate to them.  That’s why it’s so importantly for us to continuously enrich our growing library with more quality local content from the top Philippine production studios,” Cruz-Walker added. “One of which is Erik Matti’s On The Job:The Series, co-produced with Globe Studios, which will be the very first local production to be exclusively shown on a video on demand service.” 

From romantic flicks such as JaDine’s Diary ng Panget and This Time, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo One More Chance, Close To You and The Mistress; Pinoy action blockbusters such as On The Job, Muro Ami, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano; thrillers Feng Shui, Sukob, Shake Rattle and Roll series and The Healing; to comedies like Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora, Wang Fam, My Amnesia Girl and Girl,Boy,Bakla, Tomboyare all on HOOQ.

HOOQ is also home to a rich collection of independent titles such as Metro Manila, Sonata, Six Degrees Of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay, Zombadings, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros; and the works of top Filipino directors such as Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, Real Florido and award-winning writers Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone and Michiko Yamamoto.

HOOQ has over 10,000 movies and TV shows available for streaming or download. Globe At Home customers can get up to 6 months access to HOOQ with plans P1,299 and up, while Globe mobile customers can also get up to 6 months trial on selected prepaid and postpaid plans.   You may also visit www.hooq.tv to sign up for a 7-day free trial. 

HOOQ, starts the New Year with a bang with the #HOOQTimeAnytime Hong Kong Getaway Promo

All you have to do is show us where you HOOQ!

Do you do it in bed or while you’re exercising on the treadmill? Do you HOOQ in the morning while having breakfast or when you’re stuck in traffic on the way home?

Wherever or whenever you spend your HOOQ time, those special moments can win you and your friends a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland!

Take a photo of your best and most creative HOOQ moments and post them on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram. Tag HOOQ’s official accounts and use the #HOOQTimeAnytime hashtag. Just make sure your account is set to public!

Every Monday, HOOQ will choose the most deserving entries to win some awesome prizes and for the grand raffle draw the lucky winner will win a trip for 4 to Hong Kong Disneyland inclusive of a two-day pass to HK Disneyland including airfare, pocket money and accommodations! The Grand Prize will be picked via draw lots.

This promo is open to all active HOOQ subscribers (free and paid) who have availed of the service direct from the website or the app.

For complete details of the promo mechanics check out https://www.facebook.com/notes/hooq/hooqtimeanytime-promo-mechanics

So what are you waiting for? Download HOOQ now and enjoy the latest episodes of your favorite Superhero TV Series, binge watch on thousands of movies, and enjoy the largest collection of Filipino content available on any video on demand service.

M&M’s treat a lucky couple with a breath-taking helicopter ride to the scenic city of Tagaytay

- Love is literally in the air as M&M’s treat a lucky couple with a breath-taking helicopter ride to the scenic city of Tagaytay to enjoy the most romantic date this Valentine’s.

Traditionally, men are the ones who shower women with flowers and chocolates but this year with the help of #MMsFunFirstMove project, Jessa Bernales was the one who surprised her husband with a bouquet of flowers and an epic helicopter ride to an unforgettable date in Tagaytay.

This romantic surprise will surely take them, and their love to different heights, just ask the chopper pilot!

A moment of confusion followed by the euphoria of realizing his wife’s surprise

Aside from our grand winner, nineteen other romantics surprise their loved ones with the help of M&M’s Red, Green and Yellow.

M&M’s Red and his boy band make the winners’ significant others swoon and blush with their ‘kilig’-infused songs and charming demeanor. M&M’s Yellow, on the other hand delivers a big surprise, with the perfect cuddle buddy that will always remind them of the feeling of being in love - a giant teddy bear! And to take it up a notch, M&M’s Green brings along a hot real-life cupid!  The hottie with the arrows shower the winning couples with gifts and affection.

Congratulations to all the lucky winners of M&M’s Fun First Move Project. And don’t fret, you can still spoil your loved ones this Valentine’s day, show how sweet you are and gift them with M&M’sand your undying adoration.

The Promo ran from January 9 to February 5 2017. For more updates, visit www.facebook.com/MMsPhilippines.

Chinese Marriage and Broken Mirror

When a marriage is falling apart, should you stay or should you go?

Will life be better alone, even if that means single motherhood? Or is every marriage still worth sticking with, however troubled when you have kids to compromise.

These were the questions I had years ago. It was a tough decision for me and my kids,  however tough decision I made. It made me a better person that I am today.

I had the privilege of attending Coylee Gamboa's Broken Mirror book launch on Jan 27, (Chinese New Year) at Manila Opera Hotel. The book launch was attended by the author and bloggers.

The author told us that Broken Mirror is a true story of her classmate friend "Aurora".  She turned it into a book with her friend's permission. She changed the names of the characters depicted in the book. It was a story of Aurora from her childhood up to her marriage life, being a battered Chinese wife and how she took courage and fight for what was right for her and her children.

Aurora shows us the secret world of Filipino-Chinese marriages. In a culture where a woman's silence in the face of abuse and maltreatment is viewed as a virtue because of self-sacrifice and submission. Aurora defies tradition as she breaks the code of silence and divulges secrets of a Chinese marriage.

In the preface of the book, I wanted to share this with you from Aurora Teo Mei Ling

"What can bring back that light? Only hope. But what is there to hope for when you have lost everything? I cannot answer that because the answer would differ from person to person. But I can tell you this ---you find something to hope for. When you do, it will sustain you and, one day, the light will dance in your eyes again".

I have read the first part of the Broken Mirror. It was interesting, this book could save you and your marriage. If its not worth saving for, the book will help you cope up and according to the author " ..there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel, this exercise of baring my heart would have been worth it all"...


Broken Mirror is available at National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches.

Starbucks invites you to its “Meet Me At Starbucks for a Date Night” event on February 14

It often starts with “What do you do?”, “Kamusta weekend mo?” or “Kamusta traffic sa area mo?” Then, eventually, this small talk turns into conversations revolving around families, hobbies and passions. And, in those moments where two people do nothing but simply talk about their lives and open up their souls to one another, good things happen.


This is true for the two couples who started their relationship with a good conversation over Starbucks coffee. Alvin and Deborah first met at Starbucks, while study buddies Luis and Jet got to know each other better after a Starbucks coffee seminar.


In 2013, Alvin invited Deborah to meet up at Starbucks i2 Point in Cebu after being introduced to each other through Facebook by a common friend. They talked for the first time over Java Chip Frappuccino, Caramel Frappuccino and a Cinnamon Roll. In less than a month, they made their relationship official.

After three years, Alvin, a self-proclaimed poet, proposed to her through a 14-stanza poem. “I gave her one stanza of the poem every month during our coffee dates at Starbucks. It started on September 25, 2013, and went on for a year. After that, I never wrote her a poem again.  I decided to fulfill my plan to propose to her last March 25, 2015 and created photo slides of us with each stanza of the poem in it, but now with the culminating stanza asking her to be my wife,” Alvin shared.

Last year, they had their prenuptial photoshoot at the Starbucks store where they first met. They are now married for eight months and expecting their first born very soon.

Meanwhile, Luis and Jet’s story is a bit different. They were part of a study group that regularly met at Starbucks to review for the board exams. One Sunday after the exams, the two met again at Starbucks just to read books and spend alone time together, until a barista invited them to join a coffee seminar.

They obliged and had a wonderful coffee experience by discovering the different growing regions and types of coffee. After the seminar, they got to know each other on a more personal level as they were able to talk more comfortably. “That same day, I came to know that he loves to go to the movies and dreams about being Batman. He also allowed me to share a laugh with him about his funny childhood antics, which I still laugh about to this very moment. The coffee experience loosens up people and makes them more comfortable, and I think this is why the term ‘COCOL’ (Coffee-Coffee Lang) also became popular,” Jet shared. They agreed to attend the  following week’s coffee seminar, and the rest, as they say, is history.


Now about to get married, they still remember that first time they had a good conversation and the friendly faces of the baristas who invited them to the coffee seminar.

These, and more, happened at a place where people meet to bond and enjoy each other’s company. Starbucks, from the very start, has strived to be the third place between home and work – where one can form and keep meaningful relationships.

And, in the spirit of encouraging meaningful connections over good coffee, Starbucks invites everyone to its “Meet Me At Starbucks for a Date Night” event  on February 14, 6-8PM at EVIA Daang Hari in Las Piñas and The Venice Grand Canal in Taguig, and 7-9PM at Axis Entertainment Center in Cebu and E- Lopez in Quezon City. Live musical performances, food and beverage samples, and special treats await you during the event.

Celebrate love over a cup of your favorite handcrafted beverages and share your photos and stories at www.meetmeatstarbucks.ph – because good things happen when you get together.

Philam Asset Management, Inc partners with The Asset Magazine for their first Economic Outlook

(Left to right) Philam Asset Management (PAMI) CEO and President- Eric S. Lustre, AIA  Head of Investment Strategyand Investment Advisory- Kevin Ng, Philam Life Head of Fixed Income and Corporate Finance Vincent Daffon, Writer and Economist- Bernardo Villegas, Secretary of Budget and Management- Benjamin Diokno, PAMI Head of Investments Eduardo “Junie” Banaag Jr., and The Asset Magazine Editor-in-chief Daniel Yu. 



Philam Asset Management, Inc. (PAMI) in partnership with The Asset Magazine, recently held their first Economic Outlook for the year, entitled “2017 Unboxed: Unleash the Market’s Potential” at the Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in Taguig City on January 18.

With over 200 PAMI distributors and clients in attendance, the event brought together Secretary of Budget and Management Mr. Benjamin Diokno, famed writer and economist Bernardo Villegas, AIA Head of Investment Strategy and Investment Advisory Kevin Ng, PAMI Head of Investments Eduardo Banaag, and Philam LifeHead of Fixed Income and Corporate Finance Vincent Daffonto share their economic outlook for the year.

Experts Exchange

Kevin Ng covered Global Macroeconomy with key points on global economic growth specifically the US, China, and Europe while Secretary Diokno spoke about infrastructure development, human capital development, competitive tax regime, and plans to lower the cost of doing business. He presented Php 8 trillion to Php9 trillion spending on public infrastructure from 2017 to 2022 which is projected to generate 700,000 jobs annually in the medium term. Sec. Diokno also presented the goal to achieve high-middle income status by 2022 and initiatives to reduce red tape with Project Repeal.

Dr. Bernardo Villegas, on the other hand, shared his insights on the growth of emerging markets andthe Asian economic and consumer trends. He enumerated engines that will drive the Philippine economic growth such as young population, BPO industry, Infrastructure, Domestic Tourism, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Public-Private Partnerships, Agriculture, and Manufacturing. He foresees a maximum economic growth rate of 8% for the Philippines.

For the local equity market, PAMI Head of Investments Eduardo Banaag, addressed questions related to risk, political climate, increase in the US interest rates, the weaker Peso, changes in the local tax policy, and the increase in government spending to support growth while Philam Life’s Head of Fixed Income and Corporate Finance, Vincent Daffon shared the fixed income yield by the end of 2017.

Philam Asset Management, Inc. (PAMI) CEO, Eric S. Lustre, closed the event with his key takeaways from the panel discussion.


A Surge in Investment
2016 had many unexpected turns but PAMI executives and the economic experts look forward to what lies ahead. With uncertainty at a high, opportunities run deep. All speakers agreed that the Philippine Economy will continue to stay strong and that now is definitely the most perfect time to invest.