This week is the last chance to sign up your kids for Goldilocks Junior Crew

The Goldilocks Junior Crew is a new summer tradition that began in 2015. It is Goldilocks' annual Kids Marketing program that encourages children to be responsible at an early age. The weekend program invites kids ages 6 to 12 years old to participate in a weekend of learning where they are exposed to the value of discipline and hard work. Now on its fourth year, the Goldilocks Junior Crew is expanding its reach to include 11 more Goldilocks stores in Visayas and Mindanao.

This week is the last chance to sign up your kids for this great learning experience!

For only P550, your child can take part in an enjoyable and valuable learning experience. The fee includes the Junior Crew kit, meals, certificate of participation, and a DYC kit for their Graduation activity on May 25.


Head over to your nearest Goldilocks store and register for the last Junior Crew workshop! For more information, visit www.goldilocks.com.ph or check out the official Goldilocks Facebook page at Facebook.com/GoldilocksPH

The look of love with Vivo V9

Calling red as a head-turner is an understatement. No color has the same impact as red. Red represents a myriad of emotions and occasions from both ends of the spectrum. But global smartphone brand Vivo owns the color by highlighting its elegance that transcends trends.

Vivo has released its flagship smartphone, the V9, in Velvet Red. 

The Vivo V9 in Velvet Red has the same power as its previously released Pearl Black and Gold colors. It has a 24-megapixel AI selfie camera, 16MP+5MP dual rear camera, and a 6.3-inch FullView Display with a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio—only in a more eye-catching finish.



With its standout color, the Vivo V9 in Velvet Red is as good as any glitzy fashion accessory. Pair it up with a monochromatic outfit, the smartphone can add a pop of color to your look. It will also go best with your outfits in green, blue, yellow, orange, and earthy hues. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can wear any color you wish with your Velvet Red in hand. 

Vivo Philippines Vice President for Sales Hazel Bascon explained that the Velvet Red represents the youthful vibe of the global smartphone brand.

“Red is for the bold, for the adventurous, for the youthful, for the fashion-forward, for the energetic. Our ardent users are mostly young, hip, and spirited and the Vivo V9 in Velvet Red is a fitting nod to them,” she said. 

The Vivo V9 Velvet Red is also retailed at Php17,990 at authorized shops nationwide

Road to the French Open 2018: Get to know Alex Eala, the next PH tennis superstar

After rising to rule the prestigious Les Petits As-Le Mondial Lacoste in France four months ago, burgeoning Filipino tennis star Alex Eala faces her stiffest challenge yet - the 2018 Roland Garros Junior French Open, which begins next week.


Eala, who started playing at the age of four after watching her brother play tennis, had been chosen as a wild card by the President of the French Tennis Federation after her impressive stint at the Les Petits As finals match.

 “I would turn 13 by then, so I am really excited to be playing at Roland Garros,” said Eala about her upcoming tournament where she is scheduled to play on May 31. “I won’t really know who I will be up against until the night before the match but, I am sure my opponent will be ranked at least in the top 100 for 18 and under girls in the world,” she added, knowing only that her opponents have that ranking they needed to make it to the French Open Juniors Qualifying Rounds.

Eala has already been competing non-stop starting at 6 years old and immediately won her first junior grand slam championship two years later at the Little Mo International Grand Slam Tournament in 2013 for girls 8 and under. It is said that the tournament is named the best tournament globally for kids 12 years and below, and when she won all three Little Mo International Tournaments in Colorado, New York and Florida, she was given the first and largest 6-foot trophy in the history of world junior tennis.


Beating other players from Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Czech Republic, she won the Dubrovnik Dud Bowl Championship for 11 and under girls held in Croatia in 2015.

There was more in store for her in 2017 when at age 12, she was already ranked #1 in Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and was given the Doubles Player of the Year Award by Tennis Europe with her Indonesian partner, Priska Madelyn Nughoho.


“We swept five doubles titles unbeaten in 21 consecutive matches in five different tournaments held in France, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium,” Eala added.


In December of that year, a month before Les Petit As, she also ended as a runner-up for 12 and under girls in the Orange Bowl Junior Tennis Tournament held in Florida. The said tournament was one of the most important and prestigious junior tennis tournaments in the world.

With all these under her belt and a lot more she wants to achieve, Eala is grateful she has the support of her family. “They provide me with everything I need and never fail to encourage me,” she said.


Eala reciprocates by excelling in her studies. “Of course it is hard being a student athlete because you compete a lot and dedicate a lot of time training but I always make sure I also have time for school,” she said. On top of that, she is also the class president and got second honors last semester.


While juggling training and school, she takes time to catch up on sleep and open her gadgets to surf for funny videos. She listens to chart-toppers on Spotify while she’s on training or on the road, and even manages to binge-watch her favourite Netflix shows, specifically Riverdale and Stranger Things.


Eala has always been determined to reach her dreams and this time, it’s no different as she has been preparing profusely for her stint at the French Open. “I’ve doubled up on my practice and have scheduled tough tune up matches by joining a couple of high caliber tournaments running up to the French Open,” she said.


And since she is turning 13 in a few days, she can now start competing in ITF tournaments for 18 and under girls.

“My next goal will be to win as many ITF tournaments (as I can) to get a lot of points which will get me to become one of the top junior players in the world and return to Roland Garros (and the other grand slams) and hopefully win one or a few of them!” she exclaimed.

While Eala prepares for her tournament, Globe has found a way to foster the spirit of sportsmanship and give Filipinos a chance to cheer for Alex in the French Open 2018 with #GlobeFOXPlus! Starting May 1, new Globe At Home customers of Plan 1299 and up get a free 6-month subscription to FOX+ where they can watch Alex’s match and other thrilling battles on the court in real time.


C:\Users\10010811\Desktop\FOX+\02 Alex Eala Interview\04.jpg


Plus, Globe At Home customers also get a chance to fly to Paris and watch the Roland-Garros Finals Live! Customers simply need to subscribe to any Globe At Home plan 1299 and Up and redeem their free 6 months access to FOX+. Promo period is until May 20, 2018. To register for the promo, visit globe.com.ph/broadband/fox-plus-promo-form.


To get more information about the promo, you may visit www.globe.com.ph/fox-plus-promo. To avail of the latest Globe At Home plans, visit shop.globe.com.ph/broadband.

Goldilocks celebrates “Junior Club Fun Day” at Kidzania Manila

If there is one educational and amusement theme park that is gaining popularity among the kids and is parents approved.  Its Kidzania. My grandkids love this magical place since day one. I was glad that Goldilocks chose Kidzania for their 2nd “Junior Club Fun Day” celebration.

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop recently concluded “Junior Club Fun Day” celebration held at  Kidzania complex in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Kids learned the value of earning one's money by role playing and participating in the establishment. For a day, my kids had fun  by being a  doctor, pilot, fireman, bank teller, newscaster, master baker, chef and a Goldilocks Crew (Cake Decorator). 

Last April 26, Goldilocks partners with Kidzania to celebrate Goldilocks "Junior Club Fun Day". Kids bonded with their parents by participating and joining establishments  inside the educational park. The highlight of the event was when we,  together with parents and kids went inside the Goldilocks booth and  had fun  decorated our own mamon cakes.

Everyone had fun!

It was the best day of our lives as we put whipped creams, star toppings and chocolates in our mini cakes. Finn got creative with his rainbow mini cake, adorned with colorful whipped creams. While mine looked blah and normal. =)

The successful event, which was on its second year, continued the Goldilocks tradition of giving importance and appreciation to the youth.

The festivities which started from 4:30pm – 9:00pm aimed to encourage Goldilocks Junior Club members to learn important life skills by partaking in the plethora of activities offered by the Kidzania establishment.

The secret to staying reed thin and strong is to start looking for a job as a Yaya...Im serious. . . I reached my 12k steps for 3 hrs just by running and staying with French Fries aka Madam at a recent GoldilocksxKidzania event. It was the most tiring day of my life. Hahaha 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️But Im not complaining, the habol and gigil is all worth it. 👁👁👁💋👄❤️ . She is soo adorable with big eyes and cute dimples. She calls me Mama. She is my grandkid. And I love her. .@angelventigan . . #melissa #calvinklein #uniqlo #goldilocks #kidzania #huaweip20pro

A post shared by lou sv (@lemon_wowa) on Apr 29, 2018 at 10:54am PDT

Such activities include, an indoor “play city” which taught the children the value of spending and earning money by applying for “jobs” one of which was a ability to work and create cakes in a mini bakeshop that has been partnered with Goldilocks, and much more!

In addition to the activities during the event, entertainment acts such as dance numbers were present, guaranteeing a fun filled day for everyone in attendance
The event was a hit to everyone in attendance as all members, both young and old were able to experience the joy of working hand in hand while simultaneously learning through the process of doing.

For more information about the Goldilocks Junior Fun Day, you may follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldilocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph

Plumcare DNA Advisor helps in the prevention, monitoring and treatment of potential conditions

If Plumcare DNA Advisor  was introduced 30 years ago. All of our loved ones who passed away would still be alive and may be  treated with their disease.  Just like my lolo and uncles who succumbed to Diabetes, hypertension and asthma. These life threatening disease would be detected immediately with a thorough analysis of the DNA of each family member. This knowledge can help in the prevention, monitoring and treatment of potential conditions.

This is done by collecting DNA from adults and children above the age of 6 years old using a saliva tube which is included in the collection kit.

Cordlife Genscreen introduces Plumcare DNA Advisor to the media last May 17 at Shangri-la Plaza Edsa. The launch was hosted by celebrity Ms. Iya Villania  Arellano and graced by Cordlife Genscreen doctors and executives, and  Cordlife Genscreen ambassadors Chito Miranda, his wife Neri and family

The Plumcare DNA Advisor was  developed by Dr Petros Tsipouras, a specialist in clinical genetics a an adjunct professor at the Yale University School of Medicine, and Dr. Paul Billings, a specialist in genomic medicine.

Disease can adversely impact one's ability to live a full, productive and meaningful life. While no one is immune from infirmity, some families carry a stronger predilection for certain diseases ones that are passed down the family tree.

Some of these conditions are relatively common -hypertension, diabetes, cancer and we see them manifested in our forebears. However, some may actually be lurking in our genetic makeup without any manifestation in the family. Unknown to most people at risk, these silent diseases can show up and rear their ugly heads at a time they are least expected to Sadly, for generations, there has been no way of getting this information before disease strikes...until now.

Introducing PlumcareTM DNA Advisor-now in the Philippines

Cordlife, the first and only DOH-registered, tso-certified and AABB-accredited cord blood banking facility in the Philippines, has been serving Filipino families for the last 8 years.

"Our commitment to the highest quality standards is our assurance to our clients. They can be confident that their children's precious st cells are secure for potentially life-saving use in the future said Michael Arnonobal, CEO of Cordlife Medical Philippines.

"It is also this dedication to the Filipino family's future health that is the driving force behind our bringing Genscreens, Cordlife's genetic testing service arm, into our country.” 

All testing is performed US-based facilities accredited by the College of American Pathologists ("CAP"), the global gold standard" for laboratory quality assurance.

PlumcareTM DNA Advisor can help Filipino families detect potentially disease-causing genetic variants, made possible through a thorough analysis of the DNA of each family member. Designed for families of 3 or more, the test relies on cutting-edge sequencing technology and on a wealth of big data to provide meaningful and actionable insights into a family's genetic make-up. Many hereditary diseases can be prevented or managed detected early enough.

Testing Now, Peace of Mind For The Future
Advances in the field of genetics are accelerating at an unprecedented rate, level of public awareness. In fact, more than 80% of Filipino welcome the idea of genetic screening.

“Awareness of specific genetic variants can enable families to make more informed health choices and even take proactive preventive measures, when and where applicable," said Michael Weiss, Group CEO of Cordlife Group Limited.

"We believe this new service will empower families to better manage health risks for conditions they may be predisposed to We wanted to specifically ensure the wonderful people of the Philippines could share in the benefits Cordlife's diagnostic business is delivering to other countries in the region."

Through PlumCare DNA Advisor, families can now be armed with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about health and lifestyle choices as a family.

How is DNA sequencing Done?

PlumCare DNA Advisor uses whole Exome Sequencing (wES), which effectively maps out the exact composition or sequence of approximately 20,000 genes where nearly 85% of disease-causing DNA variations are found.


The test specimens are then sent to the high-quality and reliable genetic testing laboratory in the US, where PlumCare is based, with results available within 60 days after receipt of sample by the US Lab. Genetic counsellors are then available to give advice to help you make the necessary lifestyle adjustment or preventive care.Take charge of your family's health with PlumCare DNA Advisor.

Find out more about PlumCare DNA Advisor at http://www.genscreen.asia/ph/DNAadvisor or schedule a consultation with us by calling our landlines at (02) 470 1735 and (02) 332 1888 or +63 998 848 6064 on mobile.

Starbucks PH partners with Paul & Joe for the exclusive Sophy Mechaly's beloved pet cat Gipsy collection

I remember buying a Paul & Joe Beaute's lipstick when I was abroad. Yes the cult -fave -cat shaped lipstick. It was the cutest, I swear. Now, wait the famous Paul & Joe partners with Starbucks PH for that exclusive Sophy Mechaly's beloved pet cat Gipsy collection

Starbucks PH is collaborating with acclaimed fashion house Paul & Joe to bring a touch of Parisian chic to the Philippines this summer. The limited-edition merchandise and Starbucks Card features Paul & Joe’s founder Sophie Méchaly’s beloved pet cat Gipsy – her inspiration and the symbol of the fashion house.

The exclusive collection includes stylish drinkware, tote bag, Starbucks Card and the beloved Starbucks Bearista dressed up in an outfit inspired by Gipsy the cat.

“Just as our customers are always looking out for new styles and trends, Starbucks is persistently seeking out sought-after designers from around the world that share our passion for fun, so that we can bring exciting new collections to stores here in the Philippines.” said Keith Cole, head of marketing for Starbucks Philippines. “Starbucks is thrilled to work with Paul & Joe on this fresh and fun collection for summer.”

The 2018 Paul & Joe + Starbucks  collection includes the following pieces: 

• Paul & Joe + Starbucks® Double Walled Mug (12 fl oz) – A double walled ceramic mug featuring Gipsy, the iconic Paul & Joe kitten sitting with his newly hatched chick friend in glossy full wrap decal. Its pastel green acrylic lid complements the clear glaze mug body. Comes in a collector box. 


 
• Paul & Joe + Starbucks® Tumbler (16 fl oz) – This limited-edition tumbler has a spill-proof double wall stainless steel body featuring the iconic Paul & Joe cat, Gipsy. Joining this feline is his cute newly hatched chick friend. A flip-style lid in pastel green color beautifully complements the blue color of the tumbler with Paul & Joe + Starbucks logo. 



• Paul & Joe + Starbucks Tote Bag – Poly-cotton tote bag with polyester lining featuring Gipsy, the iconic Paul & Joe Cat. Paul & Joe + Starbucks logo is printed on one side of the bag and a Starbucks logo wordmark on woven label is visible inside the bag. 


• Paul & Joe + Starbucks Bearista –Starbucks Bearista dressed in Gipsy-inspired outfit, accompanied by his best pal. This cute Starbucks Bearista is even made more collectible with the Starbucks wordmark that can be seen on its foot pad. Comes in a bright blue collector’s box. 



• Paul & Joe + Starbucks Card – featuring Gipsy, the iconic Paul and Joe Cat. Available for an initial activation of ₱1,000. 


The Paul & Joe collection is the first in Starbucks new designer collaboration platform, Starbucks X, which is exclusive to Asia. Starbucks X searches across the globe to bring customers unique cultural experiences through exclusive designer collaborations. Customers can follow along on the Starbucks X official website, which invites customers to participate in the journey of discovery as Starbucks X releases a series of clues to reveal the next sought-after designer collaboration.

Vlogger Riva Quenery celebrates birthday with her first major concert "RiVlog Live!" on May 27

If you are a fan of Vlogger/Youtuber Riva Quenery who has a 457k+ subscribers and counting as of this writing. The former Girl Trends membr will hold her first ever concert on May 27 titled RiVlog Live! at the SM Skydome.

She started her vlog 2 years ago.  Her first vlog is  "A day in Its Showtime" with her then all group girls Girl Trends.  Her first vlog garnered  around 251,487 views and she never stop making videos since then. She is vlogging videos to almost anything under the sun but mostly about her love for dancing.

She uses Final Cut Pro app for video editing.

Fiery performances, fun banter, good memories and a whole bunch of inspiration are just a few of the things that former GirlTrends member Riva Quenery promises to showcase on her one-night-only birthday concert next month.

In celebration of her 20th birthday, Riva finally ticks off a major goal on her and her supporters’ bucketlist this coming May 27 through her first-ever concert titled RiVlog Live! at the SM Skydome.



“Kasi para rin ito yun sa mga sumusuporta sakin na kapag pinanood nila ang concert ko para rin silang nanonood ng vlogs ko ng live,” she explained.

Riva has been quite a figure in the local vlogging scene with her naturally quirky and intimately personal vlog called RiVlog.  Her vlog, which she proudly runs solo, likewise earned its own stripe last year.

RiVlog received YouTube’s popular Silver Play Button award, a recognition that was given to vlogs that have amassed a total of 100,000 subscribers. But, now, roughly a year later, Riva’s subscribers have more than doubled for she now has more than 340,000 followers on the said video-sharing platform.

“Sobrang kinakabahan ako kasi sanay ako na magpe-perform lang as guest, pero this time, event ko talaga ito. It’s all about me. Dito ko i-sho-showcase kung ano ang kaya kong ibigay sa mga tao”, said Riva.

But, more than showing her snappy dance moves and some of her singing skills, Riva’s birthday concert would actually cater to the needs of less fortunate kids at the Tahanang Mapagkalinga ni Madre Rita.

“Every birthday ko, I make sure na tumutulong ako sa mga street children.  Parang naging advocacy ko na siya. Parang naisip ko rin na, what better way to celebrate it than to make my supporters happy and share it with less fortunate kids,”

Joining her on the show are her close friends  in the business Krissha Viaje and Sammie Rimando, as well as Hashtags member Zeus Collins and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano star Awra Briguela at Maris Racal.

“Pinaka-excited ako sa mga bagong genre na gagawin ko, kasi may mga gagawin ako sa concert na hindi ko talaga nagagawa before. Excited ako to explore new things para sa mga taong sumusuporta sakin kasi matagal na nila itong hinihingi sakin,”” said Riva, who hopes to encourage more performers of her age to just keep dreaming and working hard for it because they can eventually come true—just like what is about to happen to her.

Dancing has always been Riva’s passion, as seen on the countless dance covers on her vlog, and the fact that she was tapped to be part of It’s Showtime’s GirlTrends. One of her biggest dancing feats happened just last month, after becoming part of the local hip-hop dance group, Power Impact. Riva and the dance crew’s rigorous trainings and long hours eventually paid off as they placed third under the Team Division at the World of Dance Manila 2018.  She is also set to compete for World Dance Competition na gaganapin sa Los Angeles California.

Produced by Hermie Carreon, directed by Marvin Caldito, catch Riva Quenery on her one-night only-concert at the SMSkydome this coming May 27. For tickets, just call SM tickets at 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com

Award Winning Actor Christian Bables is back to pursuing his passion

It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon when I arrived at the venue of our pocket interview with Christian Bables.


There was a sudden downpour as I crossed Tomas Morato toward Mesa, the venue of our pocket interview with Christian Bables; and though there were a lot of other scheduled events that day, I declined my other invites simply because I was a fan of “Barbs.”


I was excited to get to know more about the guy behind the character I guess everyone fell in love with in the movie “Die Beautiful,” and was curious as to when his next big project was going to be.

I remember he was sitting directly in front of us us during the MMFF Awards night that year and I could still recall how he stood up almost hesitantly when his name was called as the best supporting actor.  We were all rooting for him and he really deserved the award.



I was thinking of that moment as he walked through the doors and made his way toward our small group. He was wearing a gray hoodie with ripped jeans and though he was just a few minutes late he kept apologizing because of the rain and the traffic.

As he settled down and we were about to ask our first question, Christian suddenly bowed his head and began to sob almost as unexpectedly as the rain fell from the sky that day.



Our eyes then all looked at his manager who told us that Christian was actually mourning, as his grandfather, had just passed away, and Christian was feeling guilty that he wasn’t beside him during his last hours.


“Even the heavens were mourning with him,” I thought.



He terribly misses him, because he grew up with his lolo, his manager said, buying his ward a little more time to compose himself.



Again I thought of his scenes in “Die Beautiful” and how Barbs could easily play with our emotions, but this time was different, this wasn’t Barbs in front of me, this was Christian and I really felt his sadness.



Instead of wanting to ask him why he hasn’t had another big movie after “Die Beautiful” and why he hasn’t lived up to his potential as an actor, all I wanted to do was go over to him and offer him a hug. To give him a bit of comfort as if to return the favor of how he made me feel whenever I was watching him on screen.

“Sorry po,” Christian said, before he began telling us how close he was with his lolo and how hard to see his lolo almost unresponsive during his last days.


Somehow, sharing that story helped him feel better and we were able to begin our interview.


He says he is busy taping for Halik, his upcoming series with Jericho Rosales , and that he is starring in the short film A Love Story In The Time of HIV, one of the three short films featured in A Trilogy of Love Stories.

He adds he is excited for the release of his next movie directed by no other than Chito Rono.

When also asked him about bashers and what he didn’t like in this industry. He told us that there was one article recently that really got to him because the writer of the story didn’t even bother to interview him. It got so bad he said, that he still hasn’t updated his social media platform or made any posts for the past couple of months saying he’d rather focus on improving his acting and pursuing his passion and becoming a better actor.

Christian has always been passionate about acting. "Maybe I had it in me since the day I was in my mother’s womb. But I guess it was in my college years that I learned how to use my talent properly. My first role as an actor was a hitch hiker with a girlfriend dying of leukemia. The character’s name was Rino,” Christian shares.

As an actor, Christian believes that his heart is his core. "I am not afraid to jump off a cliff and be torn into pieces. I do not act to perform. I act to be reminded how beautiful life is and that there’s a chance for me to win every chaos life may bring.”     

He explains that being an actor allows him to express himself, touch other people’s lives, and express his passion. “I always believe that everything is about choices. As long as I choose to do what is right and do what satisfies my heart and God, then I know I’ll be fine. I put my trust in God and let go. His purpose is always better than the promises of this world.” 



Christian takes his work seriously. “I improve my craft by making sure that I am intact with my core - who I am as a person. I prevent myself from being jaded. I observe people a lot. Most importantly, I value the importance of training and preparation.”



How does he see himself 10 years from now? “A successful artist. I envision myself to be in the international acting scene 10 years from now. I will be directing and producing movies for local and international markets. And I will be having a stable life and business. I’m claiming it!”



Christian is part of an upcoming ABS-CBN soap titled Halik (Love Will Lead You Back). In the series, Christian plays Barry Bartolome who is the boss and bestfriend of Lino Bartolome, Jericho Rosales’ character. 



A Trilogy of Love Stories also stars Lorenzo Santiago and Rahcir Tan (Young Love) and Eian Rances and Bernardo Bernardo (To Love and Not Be Loved which is also Bernardo Bernardo's last work for cinema).



The premiere night on May 17 coincides with the celebration of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

Christian Bables is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency 

EU holds children’s rights summit for children by children on May 24 at Museo Pambata

Who knows the situation of the children and advocate for their basic rights better than the children themselves?

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, a children's rights summit for children by children will be held on 24 May at the Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

“We at the European Union have always been fiercely dedicated to our duty as an institution to help uphold the rights of children everywhere,” shares European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen. “What we hope to accomplish with the children’s summit is that every child knows and understands what protections he or she is entitled to as a young member of society.”

The European Union Delegation to the Philippines remains committed to help protect children through this summit which bears the theme : "Una sa Lahat: Bata" (More than Anything: Children First),  a first of its kind being launched by the EU Delegation in the Philippines. 

"With this summit, the EU Delegation to the Philippines hopes to provide an avenue for children to be educated on their rights to help them shape the world as its future leaders".

The summit will gather more than 100 children from private and public schools as well as disadvantaged children including homeless children to raise their awareness and to empower them as advocates of their own rights. Two major resource persons in the summit trained by SOS Children's Village and Save the Children will speak on children's rights and their insights and experiences in their own communities. Facilitators will also be children and youth. Through theatre arts children will be taught about the basic principles of child rights. 

Participants of the summit will receive a copy of the recently-published book “Karapat-Dapat,“ a collaboration between the CANVAS and INK. To help children learn about their rights, selected articles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were rewritten in child-friendly language and colorfully brought to life by the country’s best children’s book illustrators. Save the Children will also distribute copies of books on rights and peace. 

This initiative is organised in partnership with the Museo Pambata, non-government organisations including Save the Children and SOS Children's Village, the Embassies of Austria, Czech Republic, and Sweden, non-profit organization Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS) and Filipino children’s book illustrators' group Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK).

Under the UNCRC, children have the right to have their basic needs met: survival, protection, health care, food and water. They also have the right to equal opportunities to help them reach their full potential: education, play, sports, freedom to express opinions and involvement in decisions that affect them.
Guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the EU recognizes that  children, described as any human being under 18 years of age, are important society members, who must be provided a healthy physical and emotional environment as they grow up. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the protection of the rights of the child by the EU institutions and by EU countries under domestic law and EU legislation.

For more information on the children’s rights summit and other activities, please follow the Facebook page of the European Union in the Philippines at https://www.facebook.com/EUDelegationToThePhilippines

5 Must-haves for a Perfect beach trip

With the temperature peaking at around 35 degrees Celsius daily, the warm weather in the Philippines beckons a trip to the nearest beach.

While packing for the road trip, there are some items you need to put in your weekender bag to make the most out of your short respite from the heat. 


Smartphone for selfies 

The Vivo V9 Velvet Red has a 6.3-inch FullView Display for a better smartphone screen experience. Photo from vivo.com. 

Never leave for a trip without your smartphone! Well, that is unless you are trying to get off the grid. Your smartphone can be your ultimate travel buddy that will document your getaways, help you stay on track with its GPS feature, and more. If you are looking for a new smartphone, consider getting a Vivo V9. The latest flagship of the global smartphone brand is a knockout for taking selfies and photos. It has a 24-megapixel AI selfie camera and a 16MP+5MP dual rear camera for capturing your best beach moments.


Water bottle for hydration   

Photo from KleanKanteen.com

Lounging under the sun may give you a great tan, but remember to keep hydrated with a bottle of water at hand’s reach. Make sure you ditch the single use of plastic bottles by bringing your own bottle. Klean Kanteen has a wide array of stainless steel water bottles including insulated ones to keep your drinks cold throughout the day. 


Beach blanket for convenience  

Photo from Lagu.com

Lying on the beach with a book in hand is one of the best ways to kill time—until you stand up only to spend minutes trying to brush off sand from your skin or your mat! Lagu beach blankets can help you. These blankets repel sand to keep them on the beach. Plus, their unique linen blend is allergen-free with quick-dry properties. 


Swimwear for extreme activities 

Photo from Speedo.com

Although there are now a lot of shops that offer fashionable swimwear, make sure you stick to those that are made for the rough waves—especially if you are planning to try different beach and water sports like volleyball or surfing. Speedo is a trusted brand by many athletes because of its high-quality swimwear and accessories. With the proper sizing, every Speedo swimwear has a snug fit to keep you focused on the game.

Sunblock for protection 

Photo from BeautyMNL.com

Your time at the beach can leave a mark—literall. While you can avoid the sunburn by staying indoors, you might miss out on all the fun. Instead, you may opt to wear rash guards and other protective accessories like wide-brimmed hats. You should also make sure you apply sunblock before going out to the beach.
Lightweight and water-resistant, the VMV Hypoallergenics’ Armada Sport 70 may be a sound choice. It shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays to prevent sun-related problems.

OPPO launches the OPPO F7 128GB Diamond Black exclusively online on Shopee

Purchase the OPPO F7 128GB Diamond Black on May 16 and receive an exclusive gift bundle worth ₱6380

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with global smartphone brand OPPO, in launching their newest variant OPPO F7 128GB Diamond Black. This special edition phone will be exclusively available online on Shopee, and can be purchased through a limited flash sale happening on May 16. Additionally, users who purchase the phone via the flash sale will also receive an exclusive bundle such as Olike accessories worth PHP 6,380, which includes popular gadgets such as the Magic Music Lamp, a set of bluetooth headphones, and a selfie stick.

“We are happy to be the exclusive partner of OPPO for the launch of the OPPO F7 128GB  Black Diamond. OPPO is best known for its many selfie technology breakthrough in the smartphone industry, and we believe that the OPPO F7 128GB Black Diamond will be a great hit among Shopee users. We aim to continually strengthen our brand partnerships and product selection to cater the growing needs of our Filipino consumers,” said Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer of Shopee.

The OPPO F7 Diamond Black comes with a stunning diamond-like finish on the back, setting it apart from the other colors of the F7 series, and is also the first smartphone from OPPO to feature a notched display. The OPPO F7 Diamond Black a whopping 6GB RAM and large 128GB internal storage for boundless opportunities. It also boasts a 6.23-inch Full HD+ Super Full Screen display, complete with a 2280 x 1080 pixels and 19:9 aspect ratio screen resolution - a definite delight for selfie lovers.



Key OPPO F7 Specifications:

●        MediaTek Helio P60 2.0GHz Octa-Core Processor

●        6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage

●        25-megapixel front with A.I Beauty Technology 2.0 and real-time HDR

●        16-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture and AI Scene Recognition Technology

●        3,400mAh Battery with AI Battery Management

●        Unique Glossy Design

“We are pleased to have Shopee as our exclusive partner for the launch of the OPPO F7 128GB Black Diamond. OPPO has experienced steady growth on Shopee since the start of our partnership last year, and we are confident that with Shopee’s extensive presence in the Philippines, the launch of the OPPO F7 Black Diamond on Shopee will receive tremendous response. Moving forward, OPPO fans can continue to look out for more enticing launches as OPPO continues to innovate and create new products that will transform the smartphone industry,” said Eason de Guzman, Public Relations Manager, OPPO Philippines.

For more information, visit www.shopee.ph

Download Shopee app for FREE via App Store or Google Play.

For more information on Oppo, please visit: https://shopee.ph/oppophilippines