Win Big with MR.DIY's Cool School Craze!

Leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY is thrilled to announce its "Cool School Craze" promotion, offering customers the chance to win an educational fund just in time for the back-to-school season.

From July 1 to 31, 2024, customers who visit MR.DIY stores can shop for participating back-to-school essentials and stand a chance to win an educational fund.

For a minimum spend of P500 including three (3) participating items, three lucky winners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will get a chance to win P10,000 each. So whether you’re

looking for stationery, school supplies, or other essentials–MR.DIY has everything you need to start off the school year right.

Don’t miss out on this chance to make your back-to-school shopping experience rewarding. Visit your nearest MR.DIY store today and be part of the Cool School Craze!

MR.DIY's Cool School Craze runs from July 1 - 31, 2024 in all MR.DIY stores nationwide. For more information about the Cool School Craze promo, visit https://www.mrdiy.com/ph/cool-school-craze-2024 or follow MR.DIY Philippines on https://www.facebook.com/mrdiyPH/, Instagram and TikTok, and Youtube.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-195768, Series of 2024.

About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money,

holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mrdiyPH/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mrdiy.philippines/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@mrdiy.philippines) for more details.

“Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY” Optical Mission brings clarity to CarSiGMA Communities

Beneficiaries of all ages eagerly await their turn for eye check-up at the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission

Gray skies did not deter residents of Silang and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) Cavite from making their way to Bulihan National High School in Silang for the “Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY” Optical Mission.

The event buzzed with anticipation as 400 adults and 100 children from Silang availed of essential eye care services–a rare opportunity to have their eyes examined to achieve clearer vision.

Representatives from MR.DIY, volunteer optometrists, local government officials, and beneficiaries come together for the 'Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY' Optical Mission.

As part of MR.DIY’s overarching CSR program–Acts of Kindness (AOK) –this initiative highlights the company's steadfast dedication to enabling and empowering communities by harnessing the power of goodwill to address healthcare needs, in partnership with the local government units of Carmona, Silang, and GMA (CarSiGMA).

In her message to the community, Carmona Mayor Dr. Dahlia Loyola emphasized the importance of eye health, sharing stories of how clear vision can transform lives by helping children excel in school and enabling adults to work more efficiently.

Mayor Dahlia Loyola of Carmona, Cavite, who is also a medical doctor, welcomes the beneficiaries of the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marla Papas, Integrated Marketing Communications Manager of MR.DIY articulated the goals of MR.DIY’s Acts of Kindness Campaign, highlights the necessity of caring for one’s eyesight, a vital aspect of health that is often overlooked.

Optometrists conduct comprehensive eye examinations to identify vision issues and ensure optimal eye health, carefully assessing patients depending on their eye care needs.

Ms. Marla Papas, Integrated Marketing Communications Manager of MR.DIY, shares the importance of taking care of one’s eyesight and the objectives of MR.DIY’s Acts of Kindness Campaign. 

Selected patients received reading glasses, while more advanced cases received referrals for prescription eyewear and cataract surgery, courtesy of the local government.

The 'Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY' Optical Mission catered to 500 beneficiaries from the towns of Carmona, Silang and GMA (CarSiGMA) in Cavite.

What started as a gloomy Saturday morning turned bright and clear, as the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission demonstrated the profound impact of collaborative efforts in addressing healthcare needs, ultimately making a meaningful impact in people's lives for years to come.

About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money,

holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more details.

UnionBank Maintains Strong Position Among PH's Strongest and Most Valued Brands

“The growth in value of the most valuable Philippine brands echoes the positive sentiments of their nation’s economic outlook. Brands in the banking and real estate sectors benefited from strong post-pandemic economic rebound, improving financial literacy as well as continued urbanization and gentrification.” ~Brand Finance in their Report

In the Brand Directory 2024 report recently released by Brand Finance, UnionBank retained its position as part of the Top 10 Most Valuable and Strongest brands in the PHILIPPINES. This is UnionBank’s second consecutive year in this esteemed list since entering it in 2023. 

Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy firm based in London, released the study that gauges Brand Value and Brand Strength. The report cites that UnionBank’s brand grew in value by 22% from $557M in 2023 to $679M in 2024.

UnionBank is locally and internationally recognized and awarded as one of the best digitally transformed banks that has changed the way consumers view and do banking.  As early as 2016, UnionBank bet on the digital future of banking, even before it was fashionable, and has not looked back since.  The underlying motivation for UnionBank’s digital transformation was to provide consumers with a better banking experience, where customers would actually look forward to transacting with their bank rather than seeing it as a dreaded chore.

Making it again to this year’s Brand Finance ranking affirms that investing on the customer and placing them at the core of product and technological innovations pays off.

“We are delighted to see that our efforts to provide our customers with advanced, innovative and user-centric banking services have once again placed us among the Philippines’ best brands.  With now serving over 14 million retail customers, we are motivated more than ever to ensure we never stop looking for ways to deliver a better banking experience tailored to our customers’ ever-evolving lifestyle in this digital world.” ~Albert Cuadrante, UnionBank Chief Marketing Officer

For more information, visit the UnionBank website at www.unionbankph.com, or follow for updates on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Youtube.

For reference:

https://brandirectory.com/rankings/philippines/table

Teachers for a Day: MR.DIY, World Vision, empower Baseco Youth through ‘Brigada Pagbasa’

The Department of Education launched Brigada Pagbasa, an after-school reading intervention program that collaborates with community partners to enhance students' reading abilities. It uses the Lit DAPAT tool to evaluate reading readiness and comprehension levels, allowing for targeted interventions to meet particular learning needs.

For Alex, one of MR.DIY's employee volunteers, who has long been searching for a chance to instruct young people, it was a Saturday to remember.

He finds satisfaction in witnessing pupils grasp concepts and derive meaning from their tasks while developing sincere relationships with their "teachers for a day."

Claire, an employee turned volunteer, felt that teaching the kids was a gift because she saw how appreciative and selfless they were, which made her realize how fortunate she is.

Along with Alex and Claire, 16 other staff members and volunteers from MR.DIY, a well-known home improvement store, teamed up with World Vision International on Saturday, April 20, at the Baseco Compound in Manila, to empower youth through the Brigada Pagbasa Program.

Volunteers from MR.DIY engaging in fun activities with 34 schoolchildren from the Sen. Benigno Aquino Elementary School during the Brigada Pagbasa last April 22.

The partnership with World Vision acknowledges the significance of education in ensuring a better future for children, grounded in one of Acts of Kindness (AOK), the overarching corporate social responsibility program of MR.DIY. This program is based on the core pillar of youth and education. 

The program's goal was to help 34 Sen. Benigno Aquino Elementary School students in Grades 4 through 7 become more proficient readers. As soon as these students complete all 16 sessions of the Brigada Pagbasa Program, they will be scheduled for a post-test to evaluate their development. 

Ms. Mydee David, MR.DIY Philippines’ Head of HR, delivers her remarks for the volunteers and participants of the Brigada Pagbasa program.

Mr. Charles Salecina, MR.DIY Philippines’ Deputy Head of Marketing speaks before school children participating in Brigada Pagbasa.

He affirmed that education is a priceless gift that will never fade and that MR. DIY is prepared to help students become better understanders. He also emphasized the significance of reading as a foundational skill for students' futures.

This cooperative project by Mr. DIY, World Vision, and DepEd's Brigada Pagbasa is a ray of hope that demonstrates the transforming potential of community partnerships in creating a more promising future for future generations.

Farming futures

Jayson attends the SM City Clark’s Weekend Market to observe best practices and gain insights into new agricultural techniques.

All within 15 minutes: Urban planning concept city to rise in Pasay

An artist’s render of a 15-minute city, where work, food, housing, education and cultural activities are easily within reach.

For the modern urban dweller, 15 minutes is a lot of time.

A lot of productive things can be done – a high-intensity, interval training (HITT) workout or run a 1.5-kilometer route, clearing your emails, meditating, catching up on the news, or preparing a quick smoothie – all within 15 minutes.

But for the Metro Manila commuter, 15 minutes is barely enough to get from point A to point B. During rush hour, it is most likely that within this time, you still haven’t moved an inch.

Ever heard of the 15-minute city? It’s a modern urban planning concept that puts people and the planet first. The term was coined by Paris-based urbanist and Sorbonne University professor Carlos Moreno wherein he said that the ideal neighborhood or city is built in such a way where work, food, housing, education and cultural activities can be easily accessed within 15 minutes, whether by foot or by using a bike.

An artist’s rendition of a soon-to-rise 15-minute city in Pasay

This assures lower transportation costs, less carbon emissions, and most importantly, healthier and happier people. No more long and tiring queues at the EDSA bus carousel or sitting hours on end in the middle of EDSA traffic.

The project has been thoughtfully planned and designed for many years, and finally it has received the green light by government to proceed. In fact, no less than Albay 2 nd district Rep. Joey Salceda highlighted how the Pasay-led project is expected to earn billions in real estate assets for the government.

Revenues from the project will generate a massive multiplier effect on our gross domestic product (GDP) and an estimated 300,000 new jobs from 2027 to 2040. By 2035, it is projected to employ 4% of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) total work force.

The Pasay 360 Project will be a city that nurtures lives and livelihood, is expected to revitalize the economy, and hone the next generation of Filipino leaders. It can be a source of pride for Filipinos as we push towards the 22nd century.

Filipinos love concerts, but venue infrastructure gaps are a threat to the experience

Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

Photo credit to Stanley Quek. An empty Singapore National Stadium, viewed from the front stage.

Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending.

Driving tens of thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts was an economic stimulus for countries worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan. Filipino fans alike had to spend big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail, and transport industries significantly.

While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance piqued interest and likewise piqued its neighboring countries, the strategic move sparked conversations and brought to light what the Philippines can improve on in terms of concert venues.

1. Location is key

The Philippines doesn’t lack in big venues. In fact, it boasts of venues that can rival Singapore’s National Stadium and Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Accessibility to the location as well as public

transportation and nearby commercial establishments are key.

2. Concert Experience

Singapore’s pride, the National Stadium, has innovative features such as the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof and comfort cooling technology for spectators’ convenience. Its innovation, strategic location, and efficiency bring positive and immersive experiences for enthusiasts and concert fans, making it a magnet for entertainment acts from all over the world. A similar concert venue and experience is something that Filipino concertgoers are hoping the country can replicate.

3. World-class concert amenities and facilities

Accessing the venue's amenities and facilities should offer a premium music experience for concert enthusiasts or convenience in a sporting event.

Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held in SM Mall of  Asia Arena – Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

Take for example the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – a flexible indoor arena developed in 2012 by leading integrated property developer SM Prime – that has been a top-of-mind venue for all sorts of events and offers a unique concert experience. With a full house seating capacity of 20,000, it has been a haven for thrilling sports events, remarkable OPM shows, and unforgettable international superstar performances.

Meanwhile, the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City is likewise an enormous outdoor venue that can accommodate at least 50,000 people. Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour and Rivermaya The Reunion were among the performers that have graced the stage recently.

4. Achieving Filipinos’ concert dreams

One of the most forward-looking plans of SM Prime is its 360-hectare smart city development which is envisioned to bring in a centerpiece to the country’s entertainment and sporting events – larger in capacity and a more enhanced venue infrastructure that would attract legendary icons in the entertainment scene and compete against Southeast Asia and the world’s best. It will feature an estimated 70,000-capacity stadium and concert arena connected to one of the island’s main destination paradises called Central Park. The sizable arena is envisioned to be the Philippines’ biggest concert venue, with world-class facilities and sustainable features, comparable to other big concert venues worldwide. Once that’s built, Filipinos won’t have to fly overseas because they can watch top-tier performances right from the comfort of their home country.

An artist’s render, visual sketch of the proposed concert venue at Pasay 360 project.

Without a doubt, Pinoy's live and breathe entertainment shows. In fact, Filipinos are the 4th top concert spenders in Asia-Pacific according to digital payments company Visa, proof of how passionate we are about concerts. By investing in the development of modern, smart, and accessible concert venues, Filipino concert enthusiasts can continue to embrace and celebrate live performances with the convenience, comfort, and enjoyment they deserve. Beyond entertainment, well-curated, smart, and innovative concert facilities can further drive economic benefits to the Philippines’ national and local economies, including ancillary local spending in retail, tourism, and hospitality.