City Time Square at Gaisano Iloilo City Center

Launched a few months ago, the City Time Square Iloilo will be among the first projects top rise at the PhP 12B Gaisano Iloilo City Center.

Envisioned to be a dining, shopping and nightlife hub in the multibillion peso township of Gaisano, it will house restaurants, boutiques, cafes and a nightclub, among others.

Patterned after an existing entertainment complex of the same name in Cebu City, it will be the latest addition to the ever growing entertainment-dining-shopping scene in Iloilo City competing with the already established places like Smallville, Boirdwalk, The Shops at Atria, and other malls.

It will also compete with the upcoming Streets of Festivewalk over at Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park and SM City Iloilo's Southpoint, which will also be opening before teh year ends.

Among the confirmed tenants of City Time Square Iloilo are Yaki Mix buffet restaurant and LIV Super Club - the biggest luxury club in Cebu.

Photos courtesy of Gaisano ICC Sales and LIV  SuperClub

KIA brings Family Care 2016 caravan to Iloilo City

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the Philippines exclusive distributor of KIA vehicles and its After-Sales brings Family Care 2016 Caravan to Iloilo City. This year for the first, KIA is in Iloilo to show its Ilonggo clients that KIA is at the forefront of providing service and fun, rolled into one, for its loyal customers.

To be staged at the Plazuela de Iloilo parking lot on July 9-10 from 8am to 5pm, KIA aims to bring this Family-like Care service closer to people via its nationwide service caravans that it has been doing for the past few years. 

An Ilonggo welcome to KIA Family Care Caravan!

The event was graced by KIA officers Apollo Rosal, After Sales Director; Jose Lugtu, National Service Manager; Jocelyn Tingzon, Central Parts Manager; Evanie Asuncion & Erika Joy Banayat, Marketing Associates; Eleazar Morata, CAC Technician; May Jean Montes, Marketing Associate; and Blanche Arreza, Total Phils OEM Area Manager, among others.

The KIA Family Care caravan will do rounds in various cities across the country throughout the year. Its master technicians will provide check-up and diagnosis to customers’ KIA vehicles for free during the event days. To complete the family setting, various activities will be held to make sure everybody enjoys the bonding time. Activity booths, refreshments stands and freebies available during this two-day affair.

 Among the activities in store at Plazuela de Iloilo are the following:

• Test drive your KIA dream car as various models of KIA cars are available for a hand-on experience
• Free check-up/diagnosis for KIA customers automobiles.
• Freebies, Food and Refreshments 
• Entertainment for the whole family (magic shows, mini payground, 3D virtual reality booths, etc)

Ready for the test drive!

KIA customers can avail other promo exclusive of this caravan - Get THREE Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) for the Price of TWO. It is offered to customers who visit the caravan within the two-day period. 

The annual and year round event kicked off at KIA Global City last February as the Kia Family Service will have more rounds all over the Philippines in the months that followed.

So bring your family and your KIA today at Plazuela de Iloilo for a wekeend of family-care service, the KIA way!

Philippines AirAsia Announces Leadership Change

The Board of Directors of Philippines AirAsia Inc. today announced that Captain Dexter Comendador has been named interim Chief Executive Officer effective July 30. He replaces Joy Cañeba who has resigned after three years of service in the company.

Captain Comendador has over 34 years of experience in the aviation industry as officer of Philippine Air Force and commercial pilot for various airlines. He joined Philippines AirAsia in 2011 as Director of Flight Operations and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2015.  

Philippines AirAsia Chair, Maan Hontiveros said, "The Board would like to thank Joy for her significant contribution to AirAsia. It was under her dynamic leadership that we successfully integrated and merged two airline companies in the Philippines, leading to the launching of Philippines AirAsia. We understand and fully support her decision to leave and wish her all the best in her legal career."

Hontiveros added, "We are pleased that Captain Dexter has agreed to step into the interim CEO role and we are excited about the important change and strategic direction that we are committed to bring for our guests and travelers here and abroad. We remain focused on driving solid growth with emphasis on quality and innovation"

Philippines AirAsia was able to embark on its turnaround phase with revenue and passenger load improving year-on- year. The number of guests carried in 2015 increased significantly which enabled the airline to boost its passenger load, from 70% in 2014 to 81%. The airline has recently expanded its network in China with the addition of Manila - Shanghai route last June 10.

 AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, "We would like to thank Joy for her valuable contributions over the past years. Her leadership has driven Philippines AirAsia to grow and expand from strength to strength. We are fortunate to have Captain Dexter serve as interim CEO as we continue to build our presence in the market. I am confident that together with our passionate and dedicated team, Captain Dexter will bring Philippines AirAsia to new heights"

Joy Cañeba for her part said, “I enjoyed working with the strong team in the Philippines, it’s been a great honor to lead and work with them. I have no doubt that under Captain Dexter’s leadership, the team will continue to succeed. I am thankful for the support of the Cañeba has served the company as Legal Head, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer in the last three years. She was appointed CEO in April 2014.She will resume her post as Partner at the Santiago, Gaspar, Caneba &Franco law firm.

Globe partners with Netflix in the Philippines

Further strengthening its content offering to customers, Globe announced its much-awaited partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading internet television network. Home to some of the best original series and extensive library of TV and movie titles, Globe and its partnership with Netflix will provide Filipinos access to the streaming giant’s top quality entertainment via their mobile or broadband service. 

Fans of Netflix original titles and content can now subscribe to the internet television network through Globe Direct Carrier Billing services

On June 24, Globe announced its partnership with Netflix making it the first Philippine mobile and broadband to offer Netflix on its mobile/broadband platform. Soon, Globe customers will be able to subscribe to Netflix through Globe, and enjoy its content anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connect screen, while conveniently charging the monthly subscription to their Globe mobile or broadband accounts. 

“The Filipino’s swift adaption to the digital lifestyle and our shift to smartphones also changed the way we enjoy entertainment. Today, everyone demands primetime shows, anytime. Our partnership with Netflix gives us this extensive library that will allow us to give our customers their much-awaited TV and movie titles whether they are at home or on-the-go”, says Globe Chief Commercial Officer, Albert de Larrazabal.

To date, the Philippines is now the fastest growing smartphone market in ASEAN according to the International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Asia/Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, with 3.5 million smartphones shipped to the country in the 1st quarter of 2016.

“Today, Netflix is bringing the joy of entertainment to over 81 million members in 190 countries through our great content. Our partnership with Globe brings us closer to consumers who love entertainment and enables us to connect even more Filipinos to our top quality Netflix original shows and movies like Marvel’s Daredevil, Orange is The New Black, Narcos and many more,” says Tony Zameczkowski, Netflix Vice President,Business Development, Asia Pacific.

Netflix will also soon be available to customers on the new customized Broadband plans. Customers can now mix and match their preferred internet speeds that can be bundled with access to  content and entertainment devices ranging from smart HD TVs, speakers, streaming devices, gaming consoles and even security cameras.

Larrazabal continues that, “this new way of putting together a broadband plan makes the selection process not only easy, but enjoyable for the Filipino family.  With our new plans, our families will be in full control, allowing them to discover their digital lifestyle by being able to WATCH exclusive movies, TV shows and enjoy concert-like experiences; LISTEN to millions of songs and PLAY games for endless hours, as they want.”

By signing up for a Netflix account, members can watch today’s top original Netflix series and renowned movie hits. Netflix adds TV programs and films all the time. As members start using the service, Netflix’s algorithms will start to shape each member’s personal profile with recommendations based on what each member likes. Depending on the subscription plans, members can create up to four profiles within a single Netflix account. Profiles allow different members of the household to have their own personalized Netflix experience built around the films and TV programs they enjoy. There are also parental control settings to ensure a safe-viewing experience for kids. This will limit a child’s profiles to child-friendly titles.

For more information on Globe Telecom and its latest line-up of content partners and services, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Uniqlo launches newest apparel line - Uniqlo Sports

Fitness, fun, and fashion merge as Uniqlo joins the high-performance sphere with the launch of its newest line, UNIQLO SPORTS, in the country. 

Current World No. 1 Male Professional Tennis Player Novak Djokovic in a Dry EX short sleeve polo shirt and shorts.
The Dry EX line features conventional quick-drying items.

Designed not only for sports scenes but also for daily life, UNIQLO SPORTS features athletic function without compromising comfort and style.

“UNIQLO makes the good life better by continuously producing high-quality and innovative products that address the changing lifestyles of Filipinos,” says Geraldine Sia, UNIQLO Philippines General Manager. “We are thrilled to showcase UNIQLO SPORTS in the Philippine.”

Uniqlo’s newest line, UNIQLO SPORTS, brings together fashion and function.
Photo shows runner Lauren Young in a Light Pocketable Parka, AIRism tank top, dry sweat pants, and comfort bra.

UNIQLO SPORTS is part of the UNIQLO LifeWear collection that highlights apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity.  Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes building blocks of each individual’s style.  LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

Dancer Sonoya Mizuno in Women AIRism racerback bra sleeveless top,
Women AIRism UV Cut mesh full zip hoodie, and Women Dry sweat pants.

Featuring highly functional DRY EX and AIRISM products, UNQILO SPORTS makes use of a special material and design to help you perform in style. The new line is not only for the gym or for the court; it’s for the contemporary way of life.  Two products that showcase style in sports are the DRY EX-Polo for Men and the AIRism Full Zip Hoodie for Women.

Yoga Instructor Waka Nozawa in a Women ‘s UV Cut long sleeve full zip hoodie, dry sweat pants, and comfort bra.

Whether you plan to work out at the gym or are anticipating a day with intense physical activity, UNIQLO’s Dry EX Polo Shirt is perfect for you. This men’s polo is made with next-generation, high-tech DRY-EX material that can dry excessive sweat with rapid speed. Although it is 100% polyester, the texture is similar to cotton pique material. The cut is designed to allow excellent mobility, and the high-performance material is great for casual scenarios.

The Women AIRism UV Cut mesh full zip hoodie has a light, supple fit.

The The AIRism Full Zip Hoodie for women, on the other hand, is great for both warm-weather exercising and everyday casual wear. It disperses moisture, helping the body feel cool, while its breathable mesh material lets you slip it on easily. Its UV Cut function also blocks UV rays and the thumbholes in the sleeves let you keep even your hands covered from ultra-violet rays.

Professional Golfer Adam Scott in a simple, comfortable, easy to move in Dry Pique designed polo shirt,
Dry Stretch active shorts and Pile short socks.

Stay active and fashionable by upgrading your style with UNIQLO SPORTS. With its distinct innovation and basic style sensibilities, UNIQLO is the brand of choice for all Filipinos.

For more updates, consumers may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and social media accounts, Facebook (facebook.com/uniqlo.ph), Twitter (twitter.com/uniqloph) and Instagram (Instagram.com/uniqlophofficial).

Professional Tennis Player Kei Nishikori in a Dry EX crew neck short sleeve t-shirt,
Dry EX shorts, and Pile mesh short socks.

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under seven main brands: Comptoir des Cotonniers, GU, Helmut Lang, J Brand, Princesse tam.tam, Theory, and UNIQLO. With global sales of approximately 1.6817 trillion yen for the 2015 fiscal year ending August 31, 2015 (US $13.88 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2015 rate of $1 = 121.18 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a truly global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 1,700 stores in 17 markets worldwide including Japan, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. and the U.S. UNIQLO manages an integrated business model under which it designs, manufactures, markets and sells high-quality, casual apparel. The company believes that truly great clothes should be supremely comfortable, feature universal designs, are of high quality and offer a superb fit to everyone who wears them.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

Globe offers bigger and better GoSURF50

Globe Prepaid’s top selling GoSURF50 promo is now upgraded and supersized with 1 GB of mobile data for surfing alongside unlimited all-net texts and Free Facebook for just 50 pesos, valid for 3 days.

The new GoSURF50 is packed with more than double the data at 1 GB compared to its original 350 MB allocation, together with unlimited All-Net Texts and Free Facebook. GoSURF50’s 1 GB of data gives customers 700 MB to surf all sites while the remaining 300 MB can be used to access free content from the roster of lifestyle packs available.

Customers can choose from lifestyle packs such as Social (access to Snapchat); Chat (Viber); Music (Spotify); Video (YouTube + Daily Motion); and Games (Clash Royale, Clash of Clans)

Starting July 2, customers can subscribe to the new GoSURF50 and choose their free content via *143#. To check remaining MBs just send GoSURF STATUS to 8888. Customers will be notified immediately upon consuming 100% of the MB allocation.

To know more about the new GoSURF50 visit globe.co/B1GGERGoSURF. For Globe Prepaid’s latest offers, visit http://www.globe.com.ph/surf/plan/gosurf50. 

Smart Makes Big Splash with GigaSurf50, Country’s First 1GB Data Offer at P50

Enjoy 1GB of surfing and apps plus 300MB for streaming on YouTube, iflix and more, valid for 3 days

Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications is changing the way Filipinos enjoy their smartphones as it unveils GigaSurf50, the country's first 1GB data offer at P50.

Valid for three days, GigaSurf50 also comes with an additional 300MB for streaming on sites YouTube, iflix and more, empowering subscribers to ride the digital wave and enjoy more data, video and music right at their fingertips. 

To enjoy this latest offer, simply text GIGA50 to 9999. 

Bigger and better digital lifestyle

"With the country’s first 1GB offer at only P50, Smart is truly changing the way Filipinos enjoy their mobile phones for a much bigger, better and richer digital lifestyle," said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, Smart Wireless Consumer Operations Head. 

"This huge data offer allows you to go bigger on your passions – whether you are an info junkie who likes to surf all the time, a social media butterfly with constant updates on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter, or a music and video buff who likes streaming on sites like YouTube and iflix, among many others.”

Pasadata with GigaSurf50

GigaSurf50 is also big enough for subscribers to share with others through Pasadata, Smart’s innovative feature that lets subscribers pass on a chunk of their data to friends and loved ones. To share part of your GigaSurf50, simply text PASADATA <Recipient #> <Amount>MB and send to 808.

With GigaSurf50, you can go beyond your usual mobile Internet activities, from speaking your mind on the latest trending topic on Facebook and Twitter, watching the latest viral videos on YouTube, and binge-watching your favorite movies and series on iflix.

GigaSurf50 also lets you record more of your day’s best moments on Snapchat and Instagram, share more of your latest musings on your personal blogs, and connect more withyour groups on Messenger, Viber and Whatsapp, among many others.

Bridging gaps and breaking barriers 

GigaSurf50 follows a string of awesome products and services that Smart launched since it refreshed its brand last June 13 to show a stronger commitment in empowering Filipinos to live a digital life without barriers.

Smart recently launched its P1,288 Prepaid Smartphone kit to offer the most value-packed big-screen smartphone in the country today, meant to break barriers for many Filipinos to own a smartphone. 

Smart also recently unveiled its Smartlife app, a breakthrough digital discovery portal that lets subscribers enjoy exclusive daily perks, movies, music and games at their fingertips.

Network boost nationwide

All these new products go hand in hand with Smart’s rapid LTE deployment and network expansion to deliver faster, more reliable and affordable Internet services throughout the country.

To keep updated with Smart’s biggest offers, follow its official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications), Twitter and Instagram (@LiveSmart).

2016 International Travel Festival in Cebu this July

Showcasing both both domestic and foreign travel destinations, the 3rd International Travel Festival (ITF) reels off on July 15-17 at the Ayala Center Cebu. With the theme: “Don’t Dream, Just Go” and organized by MyEventology, the three-day 2016 ITF brings together over 50 exhibitors including national tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agents, financial institutions, and insurance agents.

The ITF was initially staged in 2014 and has attracted thousands of visitors as well as gained positive sales results for the exhibitors. In the 2014 ITF, exhibitors earned a whooping P12 million from credit card sales, while the foot count reached about 270,000, according to Ayala Center Cebu’s matrix. The regional tourism show eventually became a genuine meeting point for tourism stakeholders and consumers as it duplicated its inaugural success in the 2nd ITF last year. 

“We are happy to note that our visitor rate has grown steadily and that we have provided positive results to our participating exhibitors,” said Stephanie Villahermosa, ITF project director. “It’s really gratifying for us knowing that the show has not only generated sales for the exhibitors, but has likewise enabled them to reinforce their relationship proximity with their clients,” Villahermosa added.

Event organizers will also hold the 2nd Cebu Travel Exchange as a precursor to the 3rd ITF on July 14 at Radisson Blu Cebu. 

The Cebu Travel Exchange (CTX) is a business-to-business session among ITF exhibitors from the airline industry, hotels, resorts, and travel agencies.

According to Villahermosa, the 2nd CTX promises to be much bigger affair as prospective international buyers from the different ASEAN countries, India, and the Middle East will be in attendance this year.

The one-day CTX session will be held at the Nina Ballrooms of Radisson Blu.

Out-of-School-Youth Now a Professional Baker

A father is usually the one expected to lead his family,provide their necessities and ensure that the children get good education to protect their future. This is not an unfamiliar experience for Wilfredo Cardinal Jr. of Barangay San Julian, Janiuay, Iloilo. 

Being a son to a single mother, Wilfredo did not hesitate to carry on his shoulders the responsibility of being the head of the family and a father figure to his sister and two brothers.

At a young age of 20, he learned the bitterness of life and became familiar of ignoring both physical and emotional injuries, enduring all the pain just to lay down a platter of food to his family’s table. 

While he did not finish a formal education, everything he does selflessly while providing for his siblings’ school fees and to at least lessen his mother’s burden.

Being an exemplary citizen to their society and a good son and brother to his family, Wilfredo was elected President of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) in 2007 in his town under the Unlad Kabataan Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Although laden with the responsibility to his family, Wilfredo never failed his duties as the PYAP President and even with his time divided, he still managed to have an active involvement in their youth activities such as seminars, trainings, conventions, meetings, youth encampment and conferences, setting a good model to his fellow youth in their community.

Finally in 2007, Wilfredo’s family status hinted improvement when he decided to join the Tinapay ng Bayan (People’s Bread) Livelihood Training and Hunger Mitigation Project of DSWD, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL), Chamber of Flour Millers (CHAMFLOUR) and US Wheat Associates.

Wilfredo underwent trainings for professional bakers conducted by the Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation. 

His undeniable persistence and determination once again won him a title of PYAP Tinapay ng Bayan SEA – K President on September 21, 2008. For Wilfredo, nothing more is priceless than the trust and companionship he earned from the people around him.

He continued to become a good leader for three years until he was hired as a baker in Dubai on July 4, 2011. As much as it pains him, he decided to leave his family and grab the once in a lifetime opportunity to improve their economic status. There is no other better timing than this as his brothers and sister started to go to college by that time.

With his positive outlook in life coupled with his family’s support, Wilfredo became a successful baker. Since then, he provided his family’s needs like a father should. 

One by one, his siblings finished their college degrees and built their own dreams, learning from the principles their elder brother held.Indeed, for a good man like Wilfredo, best things fall in place at the right moment and perfect timing.

Luckily for Wilfredo, he finally has a family of his own – loved by a caring wife and a wonderful daughter.They are now residing in Dubai.

With the surge of a familiar feeling to lead his own family, being a good father may not be too difficult anymore, remembering the times when he had to deal with the responsibility on taking care of his siblings and leading his fellow youth. 

Perhaps, that have prepared him to be a better person, the best that he is. Perhaps, his success didn’t start when he became a baker but when he became a real father.

National Museum of the Philippines now permanently Free of Charge

Admission to the National Museum is now permanently free of charge for all visitors, Filipino or foreign, to its museums nationwide. 

A policy of free general admission has been established, effective July 1, 2016, by the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, in order to build upon significant spikes in viewership, especially among younger Filipinos, that have been observed in 2013-2015 and to date in 2016, when general admission has been made free of charge for various traditional reasons such as National Arts Month in February, National Heritage Month in May, and National Museums and Galleries Month in October.

Enhancing universal access by all Filipinos to what we proudly exhibit as our national patrimony and heritage has always been a primary concern, and with this new policy we hope to reach more people than ever before, both by encouraging visits to our museums, and by bringing the National Museum's programs and resources to communities throughout the national capital and all the regions of our archipelago.

By this measure of free admission, which is supported, in terms of the nationwide operations of the Agency, by a solid institutional budget drawn ultimately from all Filipino taxpayers through the national budget, we hope to better achieve our goals, and fulflling expectations, of serving as a true national museum institution dedicated to the benefit of the entire Filipino people and the wider world.

/ Press Release from the National Museum of the Philippines

Megaworld’s GERI spending P10-B to complete five hotels by 2019

Tourism and leisure township developer Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), a subsidiary brand of property giant Megaworld, is expected to complete five hotels in its townships in Boracay and Alfonso, Batangas near Tagaytay in the next three years. Four of these hotels are within BoracayNewcoast, a 150-hectare integrated tourism and leisure township in Boracay Island, while the other one will be in Twin Lakes, a 1,200-hectare development near Tagaytay.

The company is spending around P10-billion to build the five hotels, which will offer a total of 1,850 rooms including multi-level retail spaces.

In BoracayNewcoast, these hotels include Fairways and Bluewater, which has been completed and now fully-operational; Savoy Hotel Boracay, which will be completed by the end of this year; Belmont Hotel Boracay, to be completed in 2018; and Chancellor Hotel Boracay, to be completed in 2019. The Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay, on the other hand, will be completed next year, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the Taal Lake and a real vineyard surrounding the development.

“One of GERI’s forefront roles in nation-building is to support the country’s tourism industry. We will strive to maintain our leadership in integrated tourism and leisure estates as BoracayNewcoast and Twin Lakes mature and become fully operational. With our new hotels, we hope to accommodate at least 700,000 tourists yearly in Boracay and Tagaytay,” says Monica Salomon, president, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc.

A report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that foreign tourist arrivals this year would hit 5.5 million with an annual growth of 6.6%. This means that by 2026, foreign tourist arrivals will reach 9.19 million. This is on top of the 40 million domestic tourists who spend more on travel and leisure in the last five years. 

“In Boracay alone, we hope to capture around 20-30 percent of the tourism market when our hotels become fully operational. Our vast BoracayNewcoasttownship will set the bar of a world-class island destination that Filipinos will be proud of, as far as facilities and infrastructure are concerned,” reveals Salomon.

This year, GERI expects to maintain its 30% target of annual growth in net income as new projects are expected to be launched in BoracayNewcoast and Twin Lakes. 

Monsanto, GK complete final phase of Monsanto Village in Iloilo

As part of the shelter recovery efforts in areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda and Typhoon Ruby, Monsanto Philippines, Inc. and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GK) officially turned over 24 more permanent shelter units in Barangay Aldeguer, Sara, Iloilo.    

Monsanto Philippines and Gawad Kalinga officially turned over the remaining housing units to identified family-beneficiaries in Sara, Iloilo. Present during the turn-over were (from left to right) GK Executive Director Jose Luis Oquinena, Vice Mayor of Sara Neptali Salcedo Jr.,Vice Mayor-elect Jesus Salcedo,Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome,housing beneficiary Liza Lacival,housing beneficiary Josie Grapa,land owner Ruth Tirol Jarantilla,Monsanto Philippines Country Commercial Lead Rachel Lomibao, and Monsanto Philippine Corporate Engagement Lead Charina Garrido-Ocampo

Monsanto Philippines Country Lead Rachel Lomibao, together with GK Executive Director Jose Luis Oquiñena and key representatives from the Municipality of Sara led by Mayor-elect Ermelita Salcedo and Vice Mayor-elect Jesus Salcedo, led the official housing turnover to the selected beneficiaries. 

“Almost three years after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, access to safe shelter and sustainable livelihoods remain a challenge among communities that were hardest hit by the calamity. As in any other recovery effort, we see it important to ensure that these communities have the solid foundation to start anew and the resilience to withstand future shocks from the environment,” Lomibao said. 

The turnover was the second phase of the Monsanto-GK housing initiative in Iloilo. The first phase of the housing project, which comprised 30 core shelter units, was first completed last February 2015. There are now 54 completed housing units in the village, benefiting a total of 232 families.

According toGK Executive Director Luis Oquinena, each housing unit is disaster-resilient that can withstand strong winds of possible super typhoons in the future. The housing project is also a holistic approach towards development of the community’s overall well-being as it incorporates livelihood development programs and values formation training.  

Blessing and Turn-over of the Mary the Queen Chapel in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro

Beside the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro stands the Mary the Queen Chapel built to serve the spiritual needs of the residents of the village and nearby places.

On a 1,500 sqm lot, the chapel occupies around fifth of the area (326 sqm to be exact) with a perimeter fence to secure the place of worship.

As a new structure, the places exudes an aura of an immaculate house of prayer with gleaming tiled floors and shiny pews.

It also invites the surroundings in as the structure lets the natural ventilation and lightning complement the electricals.

This chapel was funded and built by the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation through the efforts of Sen. Franklin Drilon and the Iloilo City government.

The spouse of mall magnate Henry Sy, was among the guests of honor during the blessing and led the turnover of the chapel to the Archdiocese of Jaro led by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo who also celebrated the mass and blessed the altar.

Mrs. Felicidad Sy and Arch. Lagdameo (both at the center) during the turn-over ceremony

VIPs were present during the ceremony representing religious, political and business societies. Aside from Mrs Sy and Archbishop Lagdameo, also present were Mrs. Teresita Sy-Coson, Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, Congressmen Jerry Treñas (Lone district of Iloilo City) and Arcadio Gorriceta (2nd dsitrict) and Iloilo City Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III, among others.

The Iloilo River Plains Subdivision is the relocation site allotted by the Iloilo City Government for the informal settlers displaced by the various infrastructure projects in Iloilo including the Iloilo River Esplanade. It is the biggest NHA project in Iloilo that accommodate some 1000 families which enjoy these free housing.

The presence of this chapel complements the holistic community life goals the Iloilo City LGU and its partners for the residents of the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision.

Digital TV arrives in Iloilo via ABS-CBN TV Plus

 ABS-CBN TVplus, dubbed as the ‘mahiwagang black box, by broadcaster Ted Failon, has officially arrived in Iloilo! This ushers in the digital era of digital terrestrial television, yet another innovation introduced by the Philippines’ largest multimedia conglomerate. 

Through ADTEL, technology provider for telecommunications and broadcaster and IONTECH, distributor of information technology products, ILOILO is among the first areas in the Visayas to get access to digital TV  through ABS CBN TV Plus. which was launched last June 23 in a ceremonial switch on during a press conference in Iloilo City, 

ABS CBN TV Plus Switch-On Ceremony
From L-R: GLEN ENGINCO (Sales Cluster head Vis-Min), MARK AWITEN (CineMo Channel Porgramming Head), TWEENY DIVINO (Brand Communications Manager) and REGINA NAPILE (Product Marketing Head)

ABS CBN TV Plus units are available at the following outlets in Iloilo:

• SM Department Stores
• SM Hypermarket
• Octagon
• Itech
• Concept Computers
• Robinsons Appliances 
• Solid Service Center 
• Delta Merchandising

Here's how to install your Mahiwagang BlackBox

Digital signal coverage for Iloilo includes the following cities and towns:
Ajuy, Alimodian, Anilao, Badiangan, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Cabatuan, Calinog, Concepcion, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, Guimbal, Igbaras, Iloilo City, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, leon, Maasion, Miag-ao, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Passi City, Pavia, Pototan, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, Tubungan and Zarraga.
Here are several reasons to get your own ‘mahiwagang black box’ now and see how it will transform your TV viewing experience:

1)   Crystal clear picture and sound

Having trouble watching your favorite Kapamilya shows because of poor analog signal? You don’t need to worry about that anymore because ABS-CBN TVplus promises crystal clear picture and sound that will make you feel as if you’re watching cable TV. You have to see it to believe it.

 2)   Four free exclusive channels

Free TV has never been this exciting. Aside from ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, and all the other channels broadcast on digital, ABS-CBN TVplus also offers four free exclusive channels CineMo, DZMM TeleRadyo, Knowledge Channel, and Yey! to offer viewers more choices and cater to every member of the family.

3)   Affordable ONE-time fee of PhP1,999

Want clear TV viewing with extra channels but don’t want to shell out for monthly fees? No problem. ABS-CBN TVplus is offered at an affordable one-time payment price of P2,500 only, with no additional fees. For a limited time, each box comes with an ABS-CBNmobile prepaid SIM card with P50 load that can be used to call, text, surf the Internet, or watch Kapamilya programs through the iWantv! app. 

4)   CineMo

Free digital TV’s first-ever all-day movie channel is for the household’s father and kuya who can’t get enough of action, comedy, and blockbuster movies. These movies range from those that star favorite Pinoy idols such as Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy, and Robin Padilla, to the likes of Van Damme, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, and Charles Bronson, and even Asian martial arts movies starring Jackie Chan. 

5)   DZMM TeleRadyo

The family’s news junkies can get their daily dose of news, news, information, commentary, and public service from no less than DZMM TeleRadyo, which airs the live TV broadcast of programs from the leading AM radio station DZMM Radyo Patrol Sais Trenta.

6)   Knowledge Channel

Studies show that the use of video materials in learning can make students perform better in school. Armed with this vision, Knowledge Channel brings curriculum-based programs and content that aim to teach kindergarten, primary, and secondary students to enhance their learning experience. Aside from programs that tackle basic subjects approved by DepEd, Knowledge Channel also airs alternative programs such as “Kwentong Kartero,” a series on population education, “Kwentong Pambata,” an animated series based on Adarna House storybooks, “Pamilya Masigasig,” an edutainment series on skills training and entrepreneurship, “Payong Kalusugan,” which tackles tropical diseases, and “Agri-COOL-ture,” a video series about crop production and harvest, poultry raising, and aquaculture and fisheries.

7)   Yey!

Kids definitely want have to fun. This is where Yey! comes in, with its mix of all-day wholesome action, fun, adventure, and edutainment programs for boys and girls. It airs localized versions of well-loved children’s programs such as “Spongebob Squarepants,” Princess Sarah,” “Marcelino,” Japanese anime such as “Naruto,” “Beyblade,” and “Yo-gi-oh,” live action movies, and edutainment programs in the morning such as “Dora the Explorer,” “Diego,” and “Wonder Pets.”