10th year Red Charity Gala with Rajo Laurel

Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga with Rajo Laurel

The Red Charity Gala, the country’s most awaited annual fashion affair for a cause, celebrates a milestone this year, its 10^th anniversary on October 27, 2018, at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriot Hotel Manila.

The inimitable Rajo Laurel will be the designer in focus.

Society figures Tessa Prieto–Valdes and Kaye Tinga, Red Charity Gala’s founders, have been unwavering and tirelessly committed to championing the best in Filipino creative talents in fashion while supporting the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation since they held the first event in 2009.

This year, the Red Charity Gala is partnering with BENCH and Marriott Manila, as main presenter and co-presenter, respectively, for what may yet be its most unforgettable night yet.

For his special collection, Rajo, a creative and entrepreneurial powerhouse who is marking his 25^th year in the fashion industry, will pay homage to Philippine history and culture, its roots and origins, through the persona of his modern muse—the intelligent and quietly powerful Filipino woman.

Trained in the New York Fashion Institute of Technology and the Central Saint Martin’s in London, Rajo has received several local and international awards for fashion design and entrepreneurship, his creations infused with elegance, romance and luxury - modern yet feminine, a blend of hard and soft elements. Rajo’s works are always new, organic, sensual and almost pieces of art.

He joins fellow Filipino designers and past honorees:

• Dennis Lustico
• Furne One
• Michael Cinco
• Cary Santiago
• Ezra Santos
• Jojie Lloren
• Lesley Mobo
• Chito Vijandre
• Joey Samson

This year, the Red Charity Gala 2018 will have a new beneficiary, the MINT School of Fashion, an innovative partnership with Meridian International College to provide scholarships to aspiring and deserving students of fashion.

On its 10^th year, the Red Charity Gala, Manila’s premier fashion and philanthropic event, is bigger than ever—with an all-new and grander venue, more generous sponsors and a new beneficiary. It also remains committed to bringing Philippine fashion and Filipino creativity to the world stage while touching the lives of others in a meaningful and profound way.

The Red Charity Gala 2018 is presented by Bench, in cooperation with:

• Marriott Manila
• Globe Platinum
• Jewelmer
• SunLife Financial
• Ulthera
• Fuentes Manila
• Remy Martin
• Robert Blancaflor
• Royal Gem
• Tresemme
• Adworks Manila
• Crimson Hotel Filinvest City
• Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay
• The Discovery Leisure Company, Inc.,
• The Manila Hotel
• W/17
• Lifestyle Asia
• Philippine Daily Inquirer
• Philippine Star

For inquiries, contact Maggie Gineta at 0917-8325570.

Cuteness Overload: #BabyMarathon Celebrates Hundreds of Babies in Southeast Asia to Co-Create Record-Breaking Video to Celebrate Lazada’s Super Brand Day with Pampers!

“We are proud to be partnering with Pampers, one of the world’s leading diapers brands for Super Brand Day to showcase the unstoppable energy of babies while offering moms exclusive offers and delight. It is also a chance to spotlight their babies through fun experiences.” ~Robin Mah, Lazada’s Group Chief Business Officer

A 42-minute virtual #BabyMarathon and exclusive product offers await shoppers on Pampers Super Brand Day is happening this August 29! On this special day, Pampers will be offering exclusive deals with up to 35% OFF to all the amazing SuperMoms out there! Read more about what's happening on the 29th.

To celebrate the babies’ prowess, Southeast Asia’s biggest e-commerce portal Lazada and the world’s top-selling diaper brand Pampers, are joining hands to produce the first-ever virtual #BabyMarathon. It’s no secret that babies are unstoppable at play. In fact, they can run the equivalent of a marathon in a week! The only thing hampering their fun: wet, lawlaw diapers. The Asian Games are here, bringing with them a flurry of excitement to fans all over the continent! But while we expect the best athletes to show up, we keep overlooking the most skilled players - our babies.

“Pampers recognizes that one of mom and baby’s biggest frustration are sagging diapers, and how this can affect babies’ ability to move and learn from their surroundings. The #BabyMarathon is part of our My Baby Can Do That Campaign, where we hope to show how babies can do nakaka-WOW and amazing things when they have the freedom to move, especially in a less lawlaw diaper. Lazada, given its massive footprint across Southeast Asia is the ideal platform to amplify our efforts.” ~Akhil Meshram, Pampers Philippines Brand Manager

This one-of-a-kind feat is part of the Pampers x Lazada Super Brand Day, which will take place on August 29. For one day only, Super Brand Day allows customers to discover the best of what a brand offers, which include exclusive vouchers, limited edition products at its best prices and even offline events. It’s no secret that babies are unstoppable at play. In fact, they can run the equivalent of a marathon in a week! The only thing hampering their fun: wet, lawlaw diapers. To showcase our babies’ prowess, Southeast Asia’s biggest e-commerce portal Lazada and the world’s top-selling diaper brand Pampers, are joining hands to produce the first-ever virtual #babymarathon.

This one-of-a-kind feat is part of the Pampers x Lazada Super Brand Day, which will take place on August 29. For one day only, Super Brand Day allows consumers to discover the best of what a brand offers, which includes exclusive gifts, limited offers, and even offline experiences. 

Be Part of the Record-Breaking #babymarathon

The 42-minute #babymarathon video montage, which will be aired on August 29, will feature hundreds of babies and toddlers in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore, all “running” in a relay race. In the final video, parents may even find their children racing alongside Seve, son of Filipino celebrity and Pampers ambassador Toni Gonzaga.

Ready, get set, go!

All diapering babies aged 5 months and above are welcome to join Lazada and Pampers in creating this one-of-a-kind record! The virtual #BabyMarathon featuring the little athletes who joined across Southeast Asia will be aired on Lazada on Super Brand Day on 29 August.

You can join the fun in two ways

• Take a video of your baby walking, playing or running about in their Pampers diaper and post it using this link, with the hastags #BabyMarathon and #PampersxLazadaPH
• You can also join our professional crew at Gymboree Greenbelt 5 on August 27, 2018, to film your little one in action during the #babymarathon celebration. Register in advance at this LINK.

Not all videos can be featured in the 42-minute video montage. But the most liked videos will win a cash prize of PHP 30,000.00 or 6-month supply of Pampers diapers.

Join a marathon of Pampers Deals on Lazada

To help babies enjoy their weekly marathons free from wetness and the discomfort of lawlaw diapers, Pampers has put together a series of exclusive offers on 29^th August 2018:

Starting from 12am midnight, there is promotion offers up to 35% off on Pampers Baby Dry Newborn Diapers and PHP100 discount vouchers for minimum PHP3000 purchases, which are limited to a 1000 units only.

For more information on Super Brand Day, visit Lazada.com.ph and its social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lazadaph/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LazadaPH

For more information on Pampers, visit Pampers.ph and its social media pages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PampersPh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pampersph/

About Lazada Group

Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number-one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia –present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As the pioneer of the eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada has 155,000 sellers and 3,000 brands serving 560 million consumers in the region through its marketplace platform, supported by a wide range of tailored marketing, data, and service solutions. With 300 million SKUs available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, sports equipment and groceries. Focused on delivering an excellent customer experience, it offers multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, comprehensive customer care and hassle-free returns through its own first and last mile delivery arm supported by approximately 100 logistics partners. Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA).

About Pampers®

For more than 50 years, parents have trusted Pampers to care for their babies. Pampers is a part of The Procter & Gamble Company and is the #1-selling diaper worldwide. Every day, more than 25 million babies in 100 countries around the world wear Pampers. Pampers offers a complete range of diapers and pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage of baby’s development. Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep and play.

Maxicare inaugurates new Wing at ManilaMed

Maxicare inaugurates new Wing at ManilaMed. Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, recently opened its newest in-patient facility, the Wing, at the 8th floor of ManilaMed in Ermita, Manila. The new Maxicare facility will provide members with a fast, seamless admission and discharge process, as well as quick access to ManilaMed’s medical practitioners and facilities. It features 20 feel-at-home rooms, along with a dedicated Maxicare Liaison Officer assigned who will address members’ concerns during the course of their confinement.  The new Maxicare Wing is at the 8th Floor of ManilaMed, 850 UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila. Photo shows (L-R) ManilaMed president Bombit dela Cruz and medical director   Susana Padilla-Campos with Maxicare vice president and medical director Erlinda Tiuseco,  president & CEO Sean Argos, ManilaMed vice chairman of the board Danilo Dolor, and board of director Jose Paulo Campos. For more information, visit www.maxicare.com.ph.

A Newvie Cupid's Guide to Matchmaking Reality TV Show

Reality TV show First Dates reveals the ins and outs of matching potential lovebirds

We all have that one datable colleague who seems to be the perfect match to that single, lovelorn friend from college. Playing the matchmaker sounds like harmless fun, but setting them up without knowing what they want in a partner, or whether they have anything in common, might just put them in an awkward situation that you unwittingly helped make.

Without practice and experience, you might end up with more misses than hits that could have terrible consequences on your friendships. It would help to pick up a few tips from the pros, like maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his crew on Blue Ant Entertainment’s British reality show First Dates. Not only do they give romantic hopefuls a chance at love over cocktails and dinner, they also pair people based on their personality and what they’re looking for in a partner.

So don’t let the excitement of romance get ahead of you. Before letting loose Cupid’s proverbial arrows, there are a few basic things to keep in mind that will up your chances of successfully matching singletons in your circles, or at least convince them to go on a date without risking your friendships with them.

 

Are they interested?

• You might think it’s sweet to set single friends up behind their backs. NEWSFLASH: Not all singles are unhappy being single! They may not even be ready to date, so your “sweet gesture” might just turn against you. If you think two of your friends might work out as a couple, best to ask them first if they’re interested in dating.

No two singles are alike

• Singlehood won’t automatically match two people. Find out what your single friends are after in a date, like personality, hobbies, or career, so you know who among them are compatible. Be detailed. Don’t just tell them you know someone who looks great and is looking for a relationship. Still, be ready with a few pictures—with consent, of course.

Movie vs. coffee date

• You wouldn’t want the first date in the movies where your potential lovebirds will end up glued to the big screen and not talking to each other. Encourage conversation by having them meet in a cozy café or a hip but family-friendly restaurant. Just avoid locations that are too “off the beaten path” so they don’t feel trapped or forced into a romantic situation.

Want more matchmaking tips? Catch First Dates Mondays to Wednesdays at 8:50PM (7:50PM JKT/BKK), first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment. Blue Ant Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).

Follow Blue Ant Entertainment at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram for more updates.

Blue Ant Entertainment

Blue Ant Entertainment is a general entertainment channel with the best mix of reality, drama, comedy, and daily programmes. Featuring hit series and late-night television, airing day-and-date with the U.S. and U.K. markets, including competition series The X Factor UK; dailies Entertainment Tonight, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show with James Corden. The channel also ‘LIVE’ broadcasts some biggest award shows in the world, including The Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards.

From UP Fight to UP Flight

“This is not the first time we are partnering with educational institutions or talent. We do what we can to support and provide tools, resources, and knowledge. We believe that the UP Men’s Basketball Team is a talent worth investing in.” ~Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director, and a UP alumnus

After the 1986 UAAP championship, UP’s performance in the premier collegiate league could be described as uneventful, even dismal, save for two seasons back in 1996 and 1997 when the team reached the Final Four.

The UP community grew indifferent. And with a string of bottom-dwelling and sometimes winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013, the community seemingly lost all interest. Recruitment suffered. Aspirations towards a championship fizzled out. The UP Maroons continued to battle in the UAAP, but unlike their competition, they appeared less inspired, playing like boys against men.  

Perhaps one reason was that the team operated on a bare-minimum budget. This resulted in so-so recruitment and short-term, season-to-season systems that failed to develop the young players from competitors to winners. Eventually, the once-mighty Maroons of 1986 and the late 90’s lost their winning ways, lacked the will to win and sank into a dismal losing culture. Sad but true, but when the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team was mentioned, the name became synonymous with losing.

So pathetic was the Maroons’ ability to win that in Season 77 in 2014, the team and a community of Maroons fans celebrated their lone win of the season against Adamson U with a bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden. The win had snapped a 27-game losing streak and a loss-soaked 720 days. Some ridiculed UP for celebrating mediocrity with the bonfire. Had the team really sunk so low?

In reality, it was the beginning of a turnaround. Following that bonfire, a UP alumnus posted an article on his Facebook account that bemoaned the sorry state of the UP basketball program, citing hungry athletes, lack of resources including transportation, lack of electricity in their quarters and other woes. The Facebook post became viral. The article sparked outrage, concern, then an outpouring of support from the alumni community. That year UP won just 1 game, but that one game meant everything. It changed the mindset of the players, changed the perception of the UP community towards the athletes and gave birth to the biggest and strongest grassroots support base for the team, the nowheretogobutUP movement. That one game became the spark that started the resurgence of the UP Fighting Maroons. 

Four years after that fateful day in 2014, the Maroons have thrived. Thanks to a strong team management and coaching staff. Thanks to exciting recruits and alumni, fans, friends and students who rallied to the cause. Thanks to sponsors, supporters, and donors who have given in big and little ways, the improvement in the team with regards to coaching, line-up and performance has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through Seasons 78 through 80, the UP Fighting Maroons have become Final Four contenders once again. The team that celebrated on the basis of just one win is now poised to target the Final Four in Season 81 and, who knows? Maybe even the championship.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team got its biggest break in the off-season with the support and commitment of 3M Philippines. The global science company that never stops inventing and applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily has always believed in talent and most importantly, potential. Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director, and a UP alumnus, said 3M became intrigued with the UP team and its story. Through its long and many struggles, the team never gave up. It kept chipping away at its challenges and solved its problems proudly and creatively. 3M loved the grit and the never-give-up attitude of the UP Fighting Maroons and decided it would take a chance on the UPMBT. It formalized a long-term partnership with the team that will support it through UAAP Season 81 and in other leagues that it would participate in as well.

Come September when the UPMBT faces its most important battle which is UAAP Season 81, the team as well as the entire UP community can’t wait to show how grateful they are for 3M’s faith and generosity. The team will fight to show 3M their trust in the team was all worth it. A new winning tradition is here. There’s #nowheretogobutUP.

For a time it looked as if the UP Fighting Maroons had nowhere to go but down.

Trade In for a TechnoMarine

TechnoMarine Cruise JellyFish 44 mm Black Dial and Silicone (L) and TechnoMarine Ocean Manta 48mm Black Dial and Silicone Strap (R)

For those who are keen to own a TechnoMarine watch, here is your chance! TechnoMarine is running the “No Time To Wait Tour” that will let you trade in a pre-loved wrist watch – of any brand in working condition – for a TechnoMarine watch at a 40 percent discount in participating branches.

Catch the TechnoMarine “No Time To Wait Tour” and trade in to own the TechnoMarine watch you have always wanted at the following branches and on the following dates:

• August 18, 2018, at TriNoma Mall in Quezon City
• August 19, 2018, at SM North Edsa Main Wing in Quezon City
• August 25, 2018, at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City
• August 26, 2018, at SM Megamall

The trade in is time bound and can only be offered within 1:00PM to 6:00PM in each stop.

TechnoMarine timepieces instill a carefree coastal resort spirit with their water-inspired elements. A bright mix of colors and premium components let urban souls dream of international destinations when sporting the watches by innovative designers who enthusiastically develop each collection concept. 

For more information, follow https://www.facebook.com/TechnoMarinePH/ on Facebook and https://www.instagram.com/TechnoMarinePH on Instagram

SM Cares forum tackles disaster preparedness for youth with disabilities

“Children and youth with disabilities are at a disadvantage during disasters due to their limitations on mobility. We at SM Cares provide the best assistance not only in our malls. We extend our help by teaching survival measures to those in need.” ~Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP for Mall Operations and SM Cares Program Director

Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. president Manuel Agcaoili (bottom leftmost) with forum participants and (top from L-R) Mall Operations SVP, SM Cares Program director Engr. Bien  C. Mateo; Disaster Risk Reduction Department of Science and Technology undersecretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr.; UNICEF Philippines country representative Lotta Sylwander; Office of Civil Defense assistant secretary Nicanor Faeldon; National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council former executive director Alexander Pama and International Disaster Response Network operational medicine instructor Dr. Ted Esguerra.

Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and officer-in-charge of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) talked about “The Big One” and the possibility of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila.

Disaster Risk Reduction of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) undersecretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr. talked about the possibility of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake to hit Metro Manila.

More than a hundred participants in wheelchairs, crutches and accompanied by caregivers, attended the first Emergency Preparedness Forum at the SMX Convention Center.

International Disaster Response Network operational medicine instructor Dr. Ted Esguerra shared survival measures for those with limited mobility, vision, and hearing.

Hosted by SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, the forum enlightened the audience on the possibility of a potential earthquake in Metro Manila, as well as other disasters and calamities. Participants from different PWD organizations and learning institutions attended the event including young people who are blind, deaf, children with physical or orthopedic impairments, with Down Syndrome, Autism, and those with rare disorders.

The forum ended with an earthquake simulation exercise with Dr. Esguerra, MMDA officials and volunteers from the audience.

To know more about SM Cares, please visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@prime.com.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ted Esguerra, operational medicine instructor of the International Disaster Response Network taught specific survival measures for those with limited mobility, vision, and hearing. 

World’s #1 Leadership Thinker and Global Coach says 3 minutes daily is all that’s needed to change your life

“I do this exercise daily with a peer coach. I have someone call me to listen to me ask myself questions I wrote and provide the answers I wrote every day. Why I do this? I’m Marshall Goldsmith and I’m too cowardly to do this by myself. I’m too undisciplined. I need help, and that’s ok. I know how difficult it is to go. The Daily Question Process requires the individual to write several questions on a spreadsheet, with each question representing a behavior that is important yet often easy to neglect. The questions usually begin with “did I do my best to…” and must be answerable with a yes or no.”  ~Goldsmith in a podcast with EntreLeadership

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, a best-selling author, and the world’s #1 leadership thinker and executive coach from the USA, said that it’s OK to ask for help from others. While most people veer away from asking for help, Goldsmith actually urges everyone to get over the idea of being able to do everything alone. Even the world’s top leadership coach admits he needs a helping hand to navigate through life and the decisions he has to make. And that’s perfectly okay.

Dubbed as the Daily Question Process, it requires an individual to ask themselves a series of questions every day. The 3-minute exercise can help people change their lives for the better when done regularly. While the skepticism is expected, Goldsmith said that most people usually quit the exercise after two weeks – not because they failed, but because it has already impacted them.

The leadership coach adds that once there’s an admission for the need for help, life gets better. 

The process helps the individual to confront how they actually live out their values every day. The mere process of writing the questions allows for introspection on what really matters to them.

Hailed by Harvard Business Review as the “World’s #1 Leadership Thinker”, Dr. Goldsmith has had more than 40 years of successfully coaching CEO’s from many of the world’s most renowned organizations such as Ford, Pfizer, GSK, World Bank, Toyota, Goldman Sachs & Co. He is also an author of numerous #1 bestsellers, with the latest book “Triggers” as #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. 

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith will headline a two-city CEO, HR and Senior Leaders conference in Asia this October, with Manila as his last stop on October 26, 2018. He will be joined by top coaching gun Dr. Peter Chee, and master trainer and chief coach Serely Alcaraz. The leadership conference is organized by ITD, the global leadership development expert.  For more information and registration, call ITD World Philippines at +632 887 7428 or email at itdmanila@itdworld.com. 

National University UAAP Season 81 at the Mall of Asia Arena

“This season, we will bring the best out of our student-athletes as we showcase different sports events for the most-awaited university sports league in the country.” ~Nilo Ocampo, President of the Board of Managing Directors of UAAP

Celebrate and show off campus pride as the National University hosts UAAP Season 81, drumming up a bigger and bolder season-opening ceremony, packed with fun surprises and special performances from Spongecola, James Reid, and more happening on September 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena!

After hosting its 75th season in 2012, the biggest collegiate sports league in the Philippines makes a comeback to the home of the Bulldogs, National University, for UAAP Season 81 – treating athletes, students, and sports fans alike with a must-experience season opening.

Don’t miss out on one of the biggest sports events of the year as school spirit comes alive this September at the UAAP Season 81 at the MOA Arena – it all begins here.

For updates on UAAP Season 81 tickets, visit https://smtickets.com/.

Essilor Eye Can Succeed campaign wins award at the 16th Philippine Quill Awards

Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed has once again bagged awards from yet another prestigious award-giving body, the 2018 Philippine Quill Awards held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed, which received the merit award for Communication Management under the Corporate Social Responsibility category, aims to help Filipino senior high school students achieve better sight by providing free eye check-ups and giving free eyeglasses to those in need. The Eye Can Succeed campaign is a program launched last year by Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF), the philanthropic arm of Essilor which is committed to eliminating poor vision and providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight. The Philippine Quill Awards is presented by the local division of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and honors dedication, innovation, and passion of communicators on a global scale. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph, and follow https://www.facebook.com/EssilorPH/ on Facebook, Follow https://twitter.com/EssilorPH on Twitter, and Follow https://www.instagram.com/EssilorPH/ Instagram.

Roman Alvarez and Daichi Takenaka are looking to make mighty splash in ONE Championship’s Bantamweight Division

A pair of bantamweight prospects will try to make an impact in ONE Championship’s 65.8-kilogram division when former Pacific Xtreme Combat standout Roman “Sonic Boom” Alvarez of Guam meets former Shooto Pacific Rim featherweight champion Daichi Takenaka at ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON on Saturday, 8 September at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China.

Born and raised in Guam, Alvarez began his professional mixed martial arts career with a bang, emerging victorious in his first seven matches in regional promotions such as Trench Warz and Pacific Xtreme Combat.

Alvarez’s first career defeat came at the hands of Thailand-based Filipino-Kiwi Mark “Tyson” Abelardo, who recently scored a unanimous decision victory over Iran’s Ali Motamed in the second season finale of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series.

Following the disappointing loss, Alvarez bounced back in spectacular fashion by returning to Trench Warz and capturing the promotion’s featherweight championship with a second-round submission win over Robin Eclavea.

This past June, Alvarez made his ONE Championship debut in Yangon, immediately facing a tough test in the form of Brazilian bantamweight contender Leandro “Brodinho” Issa.

Issa made quick work of Alvarez, submitting the Guamanian newcomer in just one round at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR.

Still looking for his first taste of victory on the ONE Championship stage, Alvarez seeks to redeem himself on an astounding note by being the first mixed martial artist to put an end to Takenaka’s unbeaten run.

A grappling specialist out of Osaka, Japan, Takenaka, who is also set to make only his second appearance on the ONE Championship stage, made a name for himself in Japan-based mixed martial arts promotion Shooto, winning five of his first eight wins under the promotion’s umbrella.

In 2016, Takenaka captured the vacant Shooto Pacific Rim featherweight championship with a dominant first-round submission conquest of Takuya Ogura.

After scoring one more victory in the regional circuit, the 28-year old submission wizard finally directed his path to ONE Championship in early 2018.

While Takenaka was indeed triumphant in his promotional debut, it was not how the Japanese standout would have wanted to get a win, as he was on the receiving end of an illegal spike from former ONE Bantamweight World Championship challenger Dae Hwan Kim.

The illegal move left Takenaka unable to continue competing, which resulted in a disqualification for Kim.

At ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON in Shanghai, Takenaka plans to make the most of his second opportunity in ONE Championship by taking out Alvarez in dominant fashion and keeping his unbeaten record intact.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Citi sees sustained economic growth and investment opportunities despite global market volatility

“Citigold clients look for trusted advice and up-to-date information, especially during times of market volatility. Despite market concerns, there appear to be opportunities in technology, financials, healthcare, and industrials due to continued earnings growth in these sectors.” ~Manoj Varma, Citi’s Consumer Banking Head 

Citi Philippines consumer banking head Manoj Varma (2nd from right) joined speakers who shared their expertise with Citigold clients at the 2018 Mid-Year Market Outlook (L-R): Kelvin Lam of Allianz Global Investors, Anis Tiasiri of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Julian Tarrobago of ATR Asset Management Inc., and Ramon Tejero of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc.

Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, remains positive about economic growth in the Philippines despite current global market volatility. At a series of mid-year outlook events, Citigold clients heard expert views on the current market environment and implications for investment strategy shared by Citi and guest speakers. 

“Despite market concerns, there appears to be opportunities in technology, financials, healthcare, and industrials due to continued earnings growth in these sectors. Investors can focus on diversification across asset classes and geographies and income themes, while watching out for tactical opportunities.” ~Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) Investment Product Head

According to Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services, and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head, market data shows that we are in the midst of the second longest and third strongest equity bull market since 1970. Recent market volatility has been primarily caused by rising interest rates, potential trade wars, and geo-political tensions.

Citi Philippines Retail Bank head Rene Aguirre (right) welcomes clients to the 2018 Mid-Year Outlook along with Citigroup Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines president Lester Cruz.

In the Philippines, Citi believes the country’s economic growth momentum will be sustained in the coming years. Citi forecasts GDP will grow by 6.8% in 2018 and 6.7% in 2019. A primary source of growth will be the government’s infrastructure program. 

“The world is indeed shrinking and when, where, and how we invest is largely influenced not only by domestic factors but also by global market events. As trusted advisors, we help our clients grow and protect their wealth. In recent months, 10 new investment products have been launched and digital innovations continue to be developed, such as the recently unveiled next-generation Citi mobile app.” ~Rene Aguirre, Citi Retail Bank head

However, businesses and consumers are showing cautious optimism on the back of ongoing inflation concerns. Citi expects inflation to top 5.3% in the third quarter of 2018 before declining to below 5.0% in the following quarter. 

For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph.