GEM Features An Outstanding Line-up from Japan this October!

This October, GEM fills your primetime viewing with the best of Japanese entertainment! Start the month with fun and laughter with variety shows The Quest Season 6 and I’m Old Enough. Join the teachers and students of Kyomeikan Private High in the high school drama My High School Business, which premieres same week as Japan! Finally, follow the crime-solving adventures of genius detective Hajime Kindaichi in two murder mystery specials: The Files of Young Kindaichi -Lost in Kowloon- and The Files of Young Kindaichi -Jungle School Murder Mystery-

The Quest Season 6

Have you ever been curious about the world that we live in? Whether it is on land, at sea, or in the air, the earth is filled with mysteries and adventures waiting to be discovered. Join the hosts of The Quest, now on its sixth season, as they travel to different parts of the world where they must complete a certain challenge assigned to them as well as find the answers to these mysteries. Along the way, their hilarious antics and nail-biting stunts are bound to leave you hanging at the edge of your seats!

The Quest Season 6 premieres 6 October, every Friday at 10:10pm, first and exclusively on GEM.

My High School Business

Kyomeikan Private High School is a school with students scoring on the lower end of the national average and has barely enough students to meet the minimum requirement to continue its operations. Ryosuke Narumi (Sho Sakurai), an elite 35-year-old corporate employee of a large trading company, is assigned the role of high school principal tasked to revitalize the school’s operations despite not having previous experience as an educator. Will Narumi succeed in turning Kyomeikan High School around? What lies ahead for him and the teachers? 

My High School Business premieres 21 October, every Saturday at 7:30pm, same week as Japan, first and exclusively on GEM.

I’m Old Enough

Peek into the fascinating world of children as seen from their point of view! Discreetly filmed by a team of disguised production staff, the children’s candid behaviour are revealed when their parents have them run errands alone for the first time. Will they forget what they were sent out for? Will they bring home the correct groceries? Will they be distracted by the sights and sounds of the city? All will be discovered and caught on camera!

I’m Old Enough premieres 26 October, every Thursday at 10:10pm, first and exclusively on GEM.

The Files of Young Kindaichi -Lost in Kowloon-

Hajime Kindaichi (Ryosuke Yamada) may look like your average high school student. However, underneath his playful exterior, he possesses a high IQ of 180 which he uses to solve the most bizarre murder mysteries. This time around, Kindaichi goes to Hong Kong with his childhood friend, Miyuki Nanase (Haruna Kawaguchi), to attend a fashion show. But when Miyuki is mysteriously kidnapped, Kindaichi is dragged into a murder case revolving around a legendary treasure from twenty years ago. Will he be able to uncover the truth and save Miyuki in time?

The Files of Young Kindaichi -Lost in Kowloon-  premieres 22 October, Sunday at 10:30pm, first and exclusively on GEM.

The Files of Young Kindaichi -Jungle School Murder Mystery-

As Hajime Kindaichi (Ryosuke Yamada) struggles with his school grades, he joins a summer prep school together with Miyuki and Saki. However, one by one, the students start to disappear and their bodies are discovered in the most bizarre manner. In addition, Youichi Takatou, Kindaichi’s long-time nemesis also seems to be involved in the murders. It is now up to Kindaichi to solve the seemingly impossible tricks behind the murders and stop Youichi’s schemes and the murderer before it’s too late.

The Files of Young Kindaichi -Jungle School Murder Mystery- premieres 29 October, Sunday at 10:30pm, first and exclusively on GEM.

GEM is available on SKYCable Channel 116 in Metro Manila and on Channel 222 in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Baguio. 

About GEM 

GEM is the glittering jewel of Asian general entertainment.  A joint venture between Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation, GEM enjoys access to more than 500 hours of Japanese content per year exclusively from Nippon TV. 

The channel features first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other Asian territories including China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This includes selected prime time dramas on the same day and within the same week of their broadcast in Japan.  GEM also made history for being the first channel to broadcast Nippon TV’s music festival ‘THE MUSIC DAY’ LIVE, and for simulcasting the Japanese drama series ‘Guard Center 24’ at the same time as Japan.  In addition, GEM takes its shows beyond the screen and into the lives of viewers, and most recently brought Japanese star Hayami Mocomichi on promotional tours to meet with his fans in Hong Kong and Singapore.

GEM Vietnam, which is also part of the Asian channels portfolio, is wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.

See www.GEMtvasia.com for more.

About Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia was established in 1997 with Singapore as the Asian headquarters of Sony Pictures Television’s networks business. It operates five ad-supported 24/7 channels which are wholly-owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

AXN is Asia’s home of thrilling entertainment; Sony Channel is the premier destination for female-skewing Hollywood entertainment; Animax offers anime for all; ONE is powered by prime and current South Korean entertainment content; and GEM serves up star-studded and popular general entertainment programming from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. The company also operates joint-venture Indonesian telenovela channel FMN and children’s content channel BabyTV. 

About Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV)

Nippon TV is recognized as Japan’s viewer ratings champion having topped all timeslot categories for three consecutive years and garnering the largest profits in the country’s broadcasting industry. One of the biggest successes for the nation’s finest producer of all genres of programming is “Dragons’ Den,” a globally successful business show format that has sold into more than 30 territories including the UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, Germany, India, Italy and Nigeria. The Emmy award winning version, “Shark Tank”, airs in the US. Following closely is the success of “Mother,” a scripted format that has become a big hit in Turkey and has sold into many territories around the world. With well-established companies that deal in a broad range of businesses from animation, movies, events, to fitness clubs, Nippon TV is leveraging its coveted platform to revolutionize digital media in an ever-changing industry. Launching a channel in Southeast Asia named GEM through a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television Networks, and leading the digital content market through Hulu Japan- a subsidiary that boasts the largest SVOD subscriber base in the country, Nippon TV is steadily solidifying its presence and brand as a global media powerhouse.

UNDP, QBO, PDRF, and DTI Launch Disaster Resilience and Recovery ASEAN Startup Competition

“We want to create more success stories for startups. By creating a platform for startups to pitch and potentially activate their ideas, we’re giving them the opportunity to grow, deliver meaningful impact to relevant communities, and make the world a better place.” ~Rene “Butch” Meily, President of both QBO and IdeaSpace

QBO Innovation Hub (QBO), the Philippines’ public-private initiative for startups, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced STARTUPS TO THE RESQUE, an ASEAN-wide startup competition to develop the best innovation solutions related to disaster resilience and recovery to be held during DTI’s annual Slingshot event on October 20, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

This challenge empowers startups from across the region to come up with ways to use their existing products, services, and business models to form creative solutions to pressing global issues, including environmental disasters, outbreaks/pandemics, or violence and conflict. The Slingshot ASEAN event also provides a platform for startups to network, build regional market access, and gain international exposure. 

The first prize winner will receive $10,000; second prize winner will receive $4,000; and third prize winner will receive $2,000. Scores are based on both the innovativeness and feasibility of a startup’s idea, and those with the most promising solutions will have the opportunity to work with the UNDP and deploy their solutions with PDRF, one of the world’s leading private sector disaster resilience consortia comprised of the Philippines’ top corporations. 

More than just a competition, STARTUPS TO THE RESQUE promotes awareness on the different crises faced by ASEAN countries – like the devastating typhoon Haiyan that ravaged Tacloban or the current armed conflict happening in Marawi – and inspires startups to play a more proactive role in preventing and mitigating these disasters. Together, the startup ecosystems across ASEAN can innovate and collaborate with each other with the shared goal of promoting preparedness and resilient recovery. 

Criteria

• Must be an existing startup with an existing model
• Startup may apply from any ASEAN country
• Startup can be of any funding stage or vertical (not necessarily disaster-focused)
• Startup must integrate their model with the theme of disaster preparedness or resilient recovery
• Disaster preparedness and resilient recovery integration/ solution can be just an idea

Mechanics

To apply, startups need to:

• Submit their application to: https://bit.do/RESQUE
• Fill out the form and complete the necessary information
• Upload their startup deck, which must include their existing model and its integration to the theme of ‘disaster preparedness’ or 'resilient recovery'. The solution can just be an idea! No MVP required

From the applications, 20 startups will be selected to participate and showcase their ideas at the SLINGSHOT ASEAN event, from which the top 6 finalists will be invited to pitch on stage. The top 3 startups with the best pitches will be selected as winners. 

Deadline of submissions is on Sept. 30, 2017.

BIKE-RUN EVENT WITH SUNPIOLOGY

“We recognize cycling’s growing popularity in the Philippines, and this is our share in helping encourage more people to get into the sport. Just as it is in our fun run, Sun Life Cycle PH will cater to different ages and will offer different categories. With Sunpiology Duo, we can now cater to even more Filipinos who are eager to get a boost in their fitness journey and contribute to worthwhile causes while at it. It’s surely going to be an exciting event. We look forward to seeing our Sunpiology regulars, and we’re also eager to welcome those who will be joining us for the first time.” ~Mylene Lopa said, Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer

#SunpiologyDUO will come in two parts: Sun Life Cycle PH @BGC and Sun Life Resolution Run.

Sun Life Cycle PH will take place on November 18, 2017 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Sun Life will be mounting the event in partnership with Sunrise Events, Inc., which is known for its flagship projects that focus on race organization and sports tourism. The contract signing between the two companies was held recently in Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu, with Sun Life CEO and Country Head Riza Mantaring, Sun Life brand ambassador Piolo Pascual, Sunrise Founder Wilfred Uytengsu, and Sunrise General Manager Princess Galura in attendance.

Sun Life Cycle PH will have a total of seven categories: Tricycle Ride (100 meters for 2-3 year olds), Kids’ Ride (500 meters for 4-5 year olds), Family Ride (30 minutes for 6-15 year olds with adult companion), Solo Ride (30 minutes for 6-15 years old), Short Distance Ride (20km for 10 years old and above), and Long Distance Ride (40km for 10 years old and above). A charity category called Bid2Bike lets the fans of Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Inigo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, and other Star Magic celebrities, bid for a chance to bike alongside their idols, an exclusive photo souvenir, and have their jersey signed. For cycling enthusiasts, they can bid to ride with legend Robbie McEwen

Meanwhile, the Sun Life Resolution Run will happen on January 20, 2018. As with the previous years, Sun Life will once again mount the event with Run Rio and will offer 3k, 5k, and 10k categories. It features an obstacle course that illustrates the steps to prevent diabetes, like watching what you eat and why exercise is important. More details will be revealed in the coming months, which includes an expanded payment facility like PayPal and DragonPay.  

Interested to do both Sunpiology Duo events? Sign up for Sun Life CyclePH @BGC and get P100 off Sun Life Resolution Run registration fees. Registration for both races is now open at www.sunpiology.com. 

Promoting physical fitness, supporting worthwhile causes Sunpiology Duo will likewise retain its charitable components, where it will continue to raise funds for the different causes it has been supporting for the past seven years. These include the education of scholars from Hebreo 12:1 Foundation and Star Magic’s chosen charities. 

Moreover, Sunpiology Duo will continue to be a star-studded happening, with Star Magic celebrities, as well as ambassadors of Sun Life’s wellness community GoWell, expected to participate. 

The Sunpiology list of sponsors are also growing every year, staring with the following partners for Sun Life Cycleph @BGC: F2P, Powerade, Rudy Project, Cignal, Philippine Star, 2Go, Alcopllus, and Garmin. 

For updates on Sunpiology Duo, follow @sunlifeph on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter. Visit www.sunpiology.com for registration details.  

The highly-anticipated annual fun run organized by Sun Life Financial Philippines, will soon cater to both running and cycling enthusiasts, as it evolves into a two-fold event dubbed Sunpiology Duo.  

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2016, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $903 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

JobStreet.com Philippines joins Project Inclusion

A program of Unilab Foundation, Project Inclusion champions the employment of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Armed with its mission of improving lives through better careers and the advocacy of a job for every Filipino, JobStreet.com, the country’s number 1 job site, takes part in Project Inclusion. Joining the JobStreet.com contingent headed by Country Manager Philip Gioca (far left) are representatives of Unilab Foundation headed by Grant Javier (middle, in white), Project Inclusion’s Program Manager.    

Sports Barbers SM Mall of Asia: A Stylish Male Grooming for today's Generation

“Most women like being whisked away to a secluded world of pampering for their beauty treatments. The same can’t be said for men—most guys expect an efficient and clear-cut service—but not at the expense of style. The idea is to create a go-to destination for men where they can expect the reliable, time-honoured techniques of traditional barbering and yet know they are in the hand of people who will be able to tell the difference between a short sides with brush top versus buzz crop or a pompadour versus a slick back.” ~Arvin Amaro, Marketing Head of Sports Barbers Barbershop

Boy Next Door, Bad Boy Look, Bossy Aura, Papogi Looks or even Millennial styles Sports Barbers can give you an excellent look without even worrying about the result. 

This gave way to a new breed of barbershops—one that delivers the kind of service that they expect; one that essentially gives a modern take on an old classic. And while there have been a few cropping up here and there, none have been more accessible or as successful in providing the stylish sense that today’s grooming generation seeks than Sports Barbers. 

With 13 branches all over the country, Sports Barbers recreates the traditional concept of your go-to neighbourhood barbershop and offers a destination that is modern and stylish yet stays true to what men have been used to. 

Its ambience and service, strongly anchored on its team’s ability to provide everything from on-trend cuts to classic styles, is a compelling reminder of inherent masculine values—adventure, straightforwardness, humour and at the end of the day, natural good looks (as opposed to self-conscious preening).

The entire concept of Sports Barbers is to deliver the best cuts for clients, inspired by traditional hairstyles and the most stylish men. The brand’s crop of barber-stylists, a term derived from the fusion of Vidal Sassoon trained cutting and styling mixed with the efficient sensibilities of old-school barbers, mean clients can confidently step into any branch and emerge looking as dapper and effortlessly good as they can be. 

Sports Barbers Barbershop has locations in

UP Town Center

Ayala Fairview Terraces

SM Clark

SM Southmall

SM Bacoor

SM Bicutan

SM Cebu

SM Bacolod

SM Mall of Asia

To know more, like Facebook.com/sportsbarbersph; Twitter.com/sbbarbershop; Instagram.com/sbbarbershop.

Book your appointments today: 0915-5067655

French Tips Nail Parlour Eco-chic Nail Salon is now finally open at Estancia

It’s a nail salon unlike any other, mostly because of the way it combines eco-chic pampering experience with a one-of-a-kind French themed ideal. And from the moment you step in, you’ll be ushered into a luxe escape from the daily grind. 

To sneak in a luxurious and eco-friendly treat at French Tips is to be catered to for a few hours. Here, you become a woman of leisure and nature that is doted on and attended to, where you can choose to zone out or chatter idly, depending on your mood and pamper without putting your health at risk.

The scent of lavender gently ushers you to the gardens of Provence as you begin your luxurious, eco-chic journey, where you will be asked how you want a healthy French Tips experience using toxic-free nail polishes, beginning with a luxurious hand or foot washing using all-natural soaks (all of which are designed to whisk you away and take you to a lazy sunny day spent in the quaint orchards of the French countryside using Formaldehyde free and Paraben free materials.

The interiors certainly lend itself to the vibe. Impeccably designed to reflect the quiet luxury of France, each element inside French Tips Nail Parlour lets you bask in the elegance that the country is known for—from the high back armchairs that invite you sink yourself in to the intricate details that pepper the salon interiors like the faux grass and white reindeer heads that adore its walls. The team, all expertly trained to provide the best possible eco-friendly service, are attentive and accommodating—all intent on providing you with a few hours to escape and enjoy this rare, but much deserved opportunity to indulge in a salon which never use animal-derived ingredients in any of their products.

French Tips has 6 branches nationwide:

SM Megamall

Nuvali Solenad

Ayala Terraces

SM Mall of Asia

SM Aura

Estancia

For more information, check out www.frenchtips.com, Facebook.com/FrenchTipsNailParlour, Twitter.com/_frenchtips and Instagram.com/frenchtips_ecochic_nailsalon

PadamihAnne sa CityMall raffle Win up to P100,000 cash

The TVC of Anne Curtis where she’s joyfully, ecstatically, and energetically enjoying the many fun things to see and do at CityMall? Great news for you! You can win up to P 100,000.00 cash when you watch and take part in the exciting PadamihAnne sa CityMall raffle promo! 

Joining has never been this easy. All you have to do is watch CityMall’s newest commercial featuring Anne Curtis and answer the question: “In the video, how many Anne Curtises can you see around the CityMall logo?” Once you have the answer, simply register at https://goo.gl/forms/yop4LqWGPG4fHrPY2  to join! Sobrang saya at dali, diba?

Share this with your friends and make sure to use the hashtag #PadamihAnneSaCityMall. Who knows, you just might be the next big winner courtesy of CityMall, your everyday mall.

Per DTI FTEB permit #14417. Series of 2017.

Ariel’s #JuanWash The modern Juan paves the way for gender equality at home

“For a long time, it has been common for women to have a bigger share in terms of household chores. With the rise of double-income homes and a more open-minded cultural landscape, men are now much more accepting of the idea of contributing to the housework.” ~Luisito Morante, Regional Brand Communications for Procter & Gamble, ASEAN Fabric & Home Care 

Where household tasks were once viewed as “women’s work” decades prior, nowadays, a more equal division of tasks for cooking, cleaning, laundry duties, and the like in the new millennium is far from unusual. 

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Filipino men are getting more and more involved in household work. In fact, statistics show that a significant increase was seen in the beginning of 2000s, with employed men allotting an average of 5 hours working on chores. This is a big jump, compared to the average of 1.87 hours from the numbers gathered on employed men from 1979.

With these findings, it’s exciting to see how this would continue to take off to new heights. A contemporary and fresh perspective on equality always starts from the core of the community, the family, and this is precisely why Ariel wants to keep the conversation going for every Juan.

As an homage to the men who show their support with the simple yet powerful act of contributing to housework, Ariel’s #JuanWash campaign seeks to inspire men to embrace one of the crucial roles in making a house a home by simply chipping in on the laundry. On September 1, 2017, Ariel will be launching the campaign online as a thank you to the Juan Washers, or the men who confidently help with the laundry thanks to Ariel Power Gel that makes washing clothes easily done in no time at all.

Many homes have their laundry washed twice a week. If the men of the household were to set aside one day for laundry, this can mean a world of difference for the family as a whole. As a convenient reminder of how each week gives men an opportune moment to show their support, Ariel is looking to dedicate Fridays as #JuanWash days. With this slight addition to their weekly routine, the men of the household can be a New Man as an expert in laundry, all thanks to Ariel Power Gel that makes superior clean effortless. Especially formulated for better stain removal, anyone can now reach the new standard of laundry with Ariel #JuanWash.

By celebrating the men who take a stand for equality through #JuanWash, Ariel continues to break barriers after coming from the successful launch of #AhonPinay – a project in partnership with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) that sought to provide women with more work opportunities by training them in commonly male-dominated jobs. Through #JuanWash, Ariel further emphasizes the advocacy of empowering Filipinos by showcasing the modern Juan’s role in laundry chores as a critical step towards welcoming the change to lead. Because someone who is man enough to do laundry, is someone who cares enough to let the women in their lives have the same opportunity to progress even more.

In partnership with Eat Bulaga, Ariel will be scouring through many different barangays in Metro Manila to find Juan Washers every Friday, starting on September 1. Not only is this meant to put the spotlight on individual Juan Washers, but it’s a way to show everyone how valuable their role is in further pushing equality in the family and in the community.

A lot is in store for Ariel’s #JuanWash initiative, and we hope you can also take part in spreading the word for this nationwide movement! Go ahead and be a part of the change by contributing to your share of the household chores with #JuanWash – one wash at a time.

To learn more, visit Ariel’s website, Ariel Facebook, and Youtube Page.

Perhaps no era has prompted a more dramatic shift in gender norms than this one; and these changes are most evident in one of the most basic facets of daily life — chores.  

Careline Girl Gang

(L-R) Regine Lacanienta, Alyana Chapman, Andrea Brillantes, Azusa Masu, and Megu Demetrio

Everyone loves a good makeover! And Careline, the teen brand of Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc., just got a revamp beginning with the launch of its Girl Gang, led by:

• Regine Lacanienta
• Alyana Chapman
• Andrea Brillantes
• Azusa Masu
• Megu Demetrio

The girls, with their diverse style and looks, capture Careline’s inclusive message of being Better Than Basic through a new digital film. To know more about the new Careline and watch the Girl Gang in action, visit https://careline.com.ph/, and follow them at www.facebook.com/CarelineCosmetics, www.youtube.com/channel/Careline PH Official, www.instagram.com/CarelinePH, and www.instagram.com/CarelineGirlGang.

Sustainability: Forefront of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines’ Community Building Efforts

“Our advocacies in the Philippines have to do with education and environmental consciousness,” said Martinez. “Coca-Cola FEMSA is always thinking of how we can help nurture generations of kids that take care of water, that recycle, that know about proper nutrition. And the best vehicle to do this is education. This, we believe, is a natural part of the journey to progress, which we share with the communities with whom we work. We found, with Teach for the Philippines, a perfect match with our initiative. This program is really good because Teach for the Philippines has the agenda of teaching kids, while our CFL program at Coca-Cola FEMSA provides tools to orient families about values, and about how they can grow as a family and help their kids. So we are sharing this journey with not only the community, but also with like-minded organizations. The people who founded this company 126 years ago were big entrepreneurs. The company has faced a lot of difficulties in that time, with the Mexican Revolution in the early 19th century, and with the Great Depression in the United States. After the company fell down again, our founder thought of how to create something that goes beyond profits. He decided to focus on creating social value. We are working to give our small part in a big journey to improve education. This is one of the major ways for us to help the Philippines.” ~Jose Ramon De Jesus Martinez Alonzo, Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF) corporate affairs director  

Partnership Between KOF-PH and Teach for the Philippines

Martinez met with Coca-Cola FEMSA’s partners in implementing the Coordinates for Life (CFL) program, Teach for the Philippines (TFP), an NGO whose vision is to provide children with access to relevant and excellent education. 

CFL is an education program originally launched by Coca-Cola FEMSA in Mexico, which seeks to go beyond academics, equipping children with values roadmaps that can help them develop maturity, discipline, and the ability to cope with the challenges of growing up.  The program was launched in the Philippines in 2014, and will be implemented nationwide this year.

Martinez speaks to Delgado in the Teach for the Philippines office.

One advocacy took center stage in his itinerary— sustainability, which he believes is an integral aspect in KOF’s shared journey with the communities in which they operate. 

Martinez sat down with Margarita Delgado, TFP co-founder, to discuss their experiences with education, and both of them quickly acknowledged the need for a holistic education that prizes values and morals as much as it does on traditional academics. 

“When Teach for the Philippines started, we realized that our teachers could not teach academic lessons effectively in the classrooms, because the students were in dire need of basic life skills and behavioral management. Aside from focusing on teaching academic lessons, the development of life skills in our students is essential for them to become responsible and independent adults. TFP partnered with Coca-Cola FEMSA to implement CFL because we strongly believe that the program can help build in our students the resilience they need to face and overcome the challenges of poverty, which impede them from attaining opportunities for success.” ~Margarita Delgado, TFP co-founder

The Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines team together with Principal Felix Alviar, as well as Jun San Juan of Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation in front of Gat Andres Elementary School.

Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines’ Invaluable Contribution to Gat Andres Elementary School in Taguig

Martinez’s trip to the Philippines also took him to Gat Andres Elementary School in Taguig City. The school is one of the primary beneficiaries of Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation’s Adopt A School Program. 

In line with its philosophy of helping improve education by looking beyond academics, KOF-PH, whose office is based in Bonifacio Global City, immediately agreed to sponsor the construction of the school’s guidance office and clinic. Martinez visited the school to inspect the donated facilities, and to meet and interact with some of the teachers and students. 

“KOF-PH has been a huge help to us. There really has been a huge improvement, thanks to the help of stakeholders and the Taguig local government. If you saw this place just a few years ago, it was just a lot of unused land. Now it’s much better. The best part is, now that we have a clinic and a guidance office, the LGU has also assigned regular employees here. We have guidance counselors and dentists now, and soon, I think they’ll provide us with a dental chair.” Felix Alviar, School Principal 

Martinez emphasized that all these initiatives by KOF-PH stem from a long history of creating what the company refers to as “social value.” 

Citi cardholders in the Philippines can now shop with points at Amazon.com

“At Citi we are focused on making banking easier for our customers by leveraging digitization, mobile technology and innovation which includes delivering a remarkable client experience in key digital ecosystems. We have seen that the rapid adoption of mobile and other digital channels has truly transformed how people shop and we are delighted to collaborate with Amazon.” ~Anand Selva, Head of Asia Pacific Consumer Banking for Citi

Not enough points? Cardholders can also redeem their points to pay for a portion of their purchase and charge the rest to their Citi credit card. With this new offering, Citi credit card customers in the Philippines can also enjoy a USD $15 rebate on the portion of their purchase charged to their card, that is a minimum of at least USD $100, until September 30, 2017. They just need to make sure they enter the promo code LOVE2CLICK in the Gift and Promotional Codes box upon checking out.

“We expect this partnership to be well-received by our clients, just as they have embraced our earlier digital initiatives. Over the years, Citi rewards points have become a powerful currency.  Clients use it to shop at their favorite physical stores, or redeem anything from air miles to gasoline to rides around town.  We are excited that our loyalty points are now also available at Amazon.com.” ~David Stoughton, Head of Credit Cards for Citi in the Philippines

The announcement marks another key digital relationship that reinforces Citi’s objective to be increasingly relevant in key digital ecosystems where the banks’ clients are more active. 

In 2016, Citi announced partnerships in Asia including:

• Grab
• WeChat
• Line
• Lazada
• AirAsia
• Airbnb

Starting this month, Citi credit cardholders in the Philippines who shop at Amazon.com will be able to use their Citi rewards points to pay for their entire purchase at checkout.

First Deluxe Theatres in Palawan is now open in SM Cinema

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Luciro Bayron (4^th from left) and Palawan Vice-Governor Victorino Socrates (5^th from left) led the opening of the Director’s Club Cinema inside the SM City Puerto Princesa. Joining them are (from left) SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. SVP for Cinema & Exhibition Anicia Naval, Department of Tourism Director Aileen Amurao, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. chairman of the executive committee Hans Sy, and Shopping Center Management Corporation SVP Steven Tan.

SM Cinema’s 60th branch nationwide, the Director’s Club, located at the SM City Puerto Princesa along Malvar Road offers a different kind of adventure with five theatres—three digital cinemas and two Director’s Club cinemas—to form the biggest chain of movie houses in Palawan, to date.

The Director’s Club Cinema boasts of an intimate and totally-convenient movie watching experience with 48 LA-Z-Boy-type recliners per theatre. With an uncompromised screen size, top-notch sound system, and meals served to movie patrons at a push of a button, the Director’s Club Cinema is the ultimate chillax activity.

Adding variety to the Palaweños’ movie experience, SM Cinema will also have three digital cinemas with wall-to-wall screens and top-quality surround sound systems. The cinemas can each accommodate 156 patrons at a time, creating an undisturbed and relaxed space for movie adventures with friends and family.

Take a break and see the latest movie in the newest entertainment destination in Palawan, the Director’s Club Cinema. For more information, like and follow @SMCinema on facebook or visit www.smcinema.com.

Palaweños can now enjoy the first deluxe theatres in the province with the opening of the SM Cinema Director’s Club Cinema, plush movie houses with automatically-reclining leather seats, an exclusive food menu, and a dedicated butler.

Millennial Mom with Wilkins Mommyhood 101

“The Wilkins Moms Light Group Discussion is our way of giving back to moms everywhere who have helped us become the most trusted water brand. We want them to feel our drops of expert care every step of the way.” ~Stephan Czypionka, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing

Modern moms celebrate motherhood and get drops of expert care from Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water during the Light Group Discussion at the Manila House in BGC.

To show their support for women on their journey to motherhood, Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water hosted a Moms Light Group Discussion, gathering fifty millennial moms at the Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Highlight of the event was Mommyhood 101, a discussion facilitated by life coach, Rissa Singson Kapweng, wherein the millennial moms were encouraged to share their stories of challenges, rewards and their own experiences on what it means to be a modern mom.

Among the Wilkins Moms Light Group Discussion participants were celebrity moms Regine Angeles, Helga Krapf with daughter Amelie Biatrice, Melissa Ricks with daughter Kiera Kelly, and Roxanne Guinoo.

The light and easy vibe among the group drew out lots of interesting stories and insights as the moms felt comfy in the presence of people who knew their similar struggles, along with Wilkins providing drops of expert care throughout the event.

Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water, the #1 most trusted water brand by moms and recommended by pediatricians, gives millennial moms the freedom to enjoy motherhood as well as their many other roles, without risking the safety of their babies.

Millennial moms listen as life coach, Rissa Singson Kawpeng, shares expert mommyhood tips at the Wilkins Moms Light Group Discussion.

The Wilkins Moms Light Group Discussion gave the participants an opportunity to express their feelings about challenges and motivations, share motherhood tips and learn from each other’s experiences. The discussion was able to foster support and trust among the millennial moms.

Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water aims to uphold the same trust that mothers have given them by providing drops of expert care, ensuring moms everywhere of the safest quality drinking water for their family.

Rissa Singson Kapweng encourages millennial moms to share their stories of challenges and motivations during her Mommyhood 101 discussion.

Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water is available in leading convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide. It comes in 330ml, 500ml, 1L, 5L, and 7L sizes. Follow the Wilkins Water facebook page for more updates. 

Being a mother is no easy feat. It’s a journey filled with highs and lows. Rewarding as it may be, it can also be very overwhelming. This is why moms need all the help and support they can get.

Solane distributor announces 50th anniversary raffle winners

Cebu-based Solane distributor JET Sales has announced the third batch of winners for its 50th anniversary raffle promo where five winners will be drawn for three consecutive quarters.  Each winner will win a year supply of LPG while their respective trade partners will take home P5,000 gift certificate of LPG refills.  The winners for its third quarterly draw are Hazel Beverly Ong, Arlyn Pacombaba, Jenaline Jayme, Leizyl Mahilum, and Renneth P. Ylaya. The draw was witnessed by Department of Trade and Industry representative Sylvia Canete (leftmost). Also present were (from left) Isla LPG Corporation (ILC) account manager in training Lian Acas, JET Sales commercial sales agent Bel Ivardolaza, JET Sales president Francis Yu, and ILC account manager for Central Visayas Haidee Alverne.

THE WORLD TO BLUE PLANET II A UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN RADIOHEAD AND HANS ZIMMER

“Bloom was inspired by the original Blue Planet series so it’s great to be able to come full circle with the song and reimagine it for this incredible landmark’s sequel. Hans is a prodigious composer who effortlessly straddles several musical genres so it was liberating for us all to work with such a talent and see how he wove the sound of the series’ and Bloom together.” ~Thom Yorke of Radiohead

Radiohead, one of the world’s most acclaimed rock bands, and Hans Zimmer, one of the planet’s most successful movie and TV composers, are joining forces to produce an exclusive track for the forthcoming BBC natural history landmark Blue Planet II.

“Bloom appears to have been written ahead of its time as it beautifully reflects the jaw-dropping lifeforms and seascapes viewers are introduced to in Blue Planet II. Working with Thom, Jonny and the boys has been a wonderful diversion and it’s given me an interesting peek into their musical world. They’ve been incredible to work with and I hope everyone likes the track.” ~Hans Zimmer

The piece will be featured in a five-minute prequel, which will be released globally by BBC Worldwide at midday (BST) on September 27th. Inspired by the sounds and musical palette of Blue Planet II, Radiohead and Hans Zimmer are recording an orchestrally reimagined version of the Radiohead song Bloom, from their 2011 album The King of Limbs, at London’s iconic AIR studios with the BBC Concert Orchestra. The collaboration, which will also see Radiohead’s Thom Yorke rerecord the vocals, is being produced by Russell Emanuel of Bleeding Fingers Music, the company which also crafted the BAFTA & Emmy-nominated score to BBC’s Planet Earth II.

“This collaboration between an iconic Grammy-winning band and an Oscar-winning orchestral composer is simply mouthwatering - and (ocean) bloom doesn’t disappoint. It’s an incredibly powerful companion to the scenes we’ve spent years capturing. What a great curtain-raiser to the upcoming series that we just can’t wait to share with everyone.” ~James Honeyborne, Blue Planet II’s Executive Producer

This world-exclusive introduction to the show, which is narrated by series presenter Sir David Attenborough, also features an array of some of the most awe-inspiring shots and highlights from the new series, as well as several exclusive scenes that will not feature in any of the seven episodes which are set for UK broadcast on BBC One later this year. Blue Planet II will be scored by Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and Dave Fleming for Bleeding Fingers Music.

“It is such an honor to be bringing together Hans and Radiohead, who are at the top of their fields. As a longtime fan of Sir David Attenborough’s work, my team and I at Bleeding Fingers are so excited to be producing the music for Blue Planet II and can’t wait for the world to fall in love with this particular piece, just as I have.” ~Russell Emanuel, Bleeding Fingers’ Chief Creative and CEO

A short tease of the prequel and reworked track, titled (ocean) bloom, will be released online on Tuesday September 26th and the full prequel will make its debut in stunning 4K at the World Premiere of Blue Planet II at London’s BFI Imax on September 27th

Blue Planet II will take viewers on a revelatory and magical journey into the greatest, yet least known part of our planet – our oceans. The seas are by turn tempestuous and serene, exquisitely beautiful and bleakly forbidding, and are the lifeblood of the planet: driving our weather, regulating our climate and ultimately supporting all life on Earth. In recent years, our knowledge of what goes on beneath the waves has been transformed. By using cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology to explore this final frontier, Blue Planet II will reveal the astonishing characters, otherworldly places and extraordinary new animal behaviours. Warm and compelling stories about marine habitats and their characterful inhabitants will build people’s emotional relationship with our oceans and bring a new perspective to this little-known world.

Broadcast in 2001, multi-award winning The Blue Planet was the BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s unprecedented look at the world’s oceans, the scale and breadth of which had never been seen before. Twenty years on, the Blue Planet II team have spent four years mounting.

Blue Planet II, a 7x60’ will air in the near future on the BBC Earth channel in Asia. In Asia, BBC Earth channel is available in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam.

Blue Planet II is made by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, co-produced with BBC America, WDR and France Télévisions in partnership with The Open University. It is Executive Produced by James Honeyborne and Series Produced by Mark Brownlow, and was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content and Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist.

“Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” Dick Wolf Expands Law & Order Franchise

New drama premieres September 27, Wednesdays at 8:50pm within 12 hours of U.S. telecast!

From executive producer Dick Wolf comes the first installment of a series of true crimes that shocked America in the anthology series Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, which premieres on Sony Channel this September.

The true crime series is an in-depth dramatization of the notorious murder case of brothers Lyle Menendez (Gaston Villanueva) and Erik Menendez (Gus Halper) for the 1989 brutal killing of their parents at their Beverly Hills mansion. 

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Edie Falco stars as defense attorney Leslie Abramson, who defended the Menendez brothers in the court case that became a national sensation.

From the players involved to the media hype that ensued, the eight-part series presents in detail the crime and the protracted trials that followed which ended in the 1996 conviction of the infamous brothers on two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. 

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders premieres on September 27, every Wednesday at 8:50pm, within 12 hours of the U.S. telecast. First & Exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on SKYCable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and Cablelink Channel 39.

About Sony Channel

Sony Channel is the premier destination for female-skewing entertainment with the biggest and best of Hollywood. Designed for the socially connected viewer, Sony Channel features some of the most captivating and talked-about drama, comedy, lifestyle, and reality programs on TV, all airing close to the U.S. telecasts, together with popular feel-good movies.

Fresh, confident and stylish, with a dash of clever wit, Sony Channel is visually stunning with a brand identity that perfectly complements its line-up of high calibre programming. Sony Channel appeals to a female-skewed, male-inclusive audience who loves to escape, engage, and lose themselves in premium content. Viewers are modern, social, stylish, and aspirational.

Sony Channel is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia, which also operates pay-TV channels AXN, Animax, ONE and GEM. 

See www.SonyChannelAsia.com, and join the conversation on www.facebook.com/SonyChannelPH and https://twitter.com/SonyChannelPH for more.