Boost your kids’ digital, creative skills with Basecamp's Design Trail

Vision Hub for teens and young adults also available all year long

  

Kids today are considered as digital natives, making them more perceptive to developments in technology. But as it becomes even more advanced and fast-paced, it must be a challenge to catch up, especially if you are a busy parent. This is where Basecamp, Power Mac Center (PMC)’s official training provider, can step in.

Armed with a mission to equip kids, teens, and young adults with the digital skills critical in today’s modern world, Basecamp’s “Design Trail” and “Vision Hub” workshop series offer fun and age-appropriate digital courses on animation, game design, web design, video editing, and app development. Design Trail for Kids also has non-digital courses on drawing, painting, and science experiments. Enrollees in the Visayas and Mindanao region will also be provided with modules written in Cebuano. Courses will start on April 11, 2023 and will be ongoing all year long.

“Parents always want the best for their kids, and Basecamp is here to help them provide the best digital learning experience. Just like a real base camp, we serve as a storehouse of food for the imagination and equipment needed by kids to survive the digital wilderness and, figuratively speaking, to scale the mountains ahead. Our courses are conducted by expert mentors who can readily address kids’ natural inquisitiveness and ensure their holistic development,” said Maleng Raysag, Basecamp Head.

Basecamp prepares youngsters to be the Philippines’ future animation artists, programmers, and filmmakers. It harnesses the power of Apple technology and equips workshop participants with the knowledge, skills, and aptitude to succeed in their chosen path or simply enjoy exploring their talents and interests. In particular, they can improve the following skills:

Storytelling with iPad

Kids who love telling tales will learn to express their ideas through comics brought to life by technology after completing the Design Trail courses “The Art of Comics” and “2D Animation using iPad.” Designed for those aged 7-10 years old, these courses will strengthen their visual communication skills through creating new characters from basic lines, shapes, and colors.

Older teens and young adults aged 16-21 years old, meanwhile, can enroll in Vision Hub’s “3D Creation and Animation for Beginners,” which takes it to the next level through animation techniques and software tools actually used in the industry.

Programming and STEM skills

Today, everything is run by technology, which means that we will need more programmers in the foreseeable future. If your child is constantly immersed in game platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft, might as well get them a more structured training course that can teach them how to build their own Roblox game and publish it on Roblox Studio. They can also familiarize themselves with Minecraft for Education, which is a great tool for learning that builds science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, unleashes creativity, and engages students in collaboration and problem-solving.

Kids can learn the discipline involved in creating their own games through various software and programming languages, while teens and young adults can hone their skills in web design, video editing, and app development. These digital courses are conducted either online or face- to-face and available year-round so your kids can fit them in their free time.

Non-digital skills

Design Trail for Kids also offers courses designed to develop analog skills such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and manga-creation. In addition, young scientists are invited to discover scientific concepts through hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning.

These non-digital courses are conducted exclusively in person, in order to increase children’s appreciation for the value of hands-on work and imagination. The Basecamp training center is located at 3/L Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Design Trail classes are conducted in the course of 4 days, for 1.5hours each session. Digital courses are priced at P2,500 per student per course for online sessions, and P3,000 for face-to-face classes. Non-digital courses can be availed at P3,000 each. Vision Hub’s online courses are priced at P5,500 per head, per course, conducted over 5 days per course, for 15 hours in total.

For the full list of classes, schedules, and other details, visit Design Trail at https://bit.ly/3ZqS7FI and Vision Hub at https://bit.ly/40pLiWf.

Limited deals await

As a special treat to early registrants, the first five customers of Design Trail and Vision Hub can enjoy P500 off their training fee, which will be reflected in their invoice.

Ready to spark your kids’ curiosity and nurture their imagination? Book a course now at <https://bit.ly/3yN3ywe> or inquire via <basecamp@powermaccenter.com> or +63 908 885 6277. Follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube to be updated on promotions and special deals on Basecamp training fees.

About Power Mac Center

Power Mac Center is a recognized Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorized Education Reseller, Apple Authorized Training Provider, and Apple Authorized Service Provider in the Philippines. Power Mac Center has become a reliable retail shop and service provider of Apple products to the Filipino consumer.

The company has grown to over 90 retail branches, service centers, and training centers nationwide. Visit a Power Mac Center store near you and find more online:

powermaccenter.com Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Tiktok

UNIQLO Announces the Winners of the UTGP2023: MAGIC FOR ALL UT T-shirt Design Competition

A gorgeous collection featuring the winning entries on the themes of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars™, celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO today announces the launch of the UTGP2023: MAGIC FOR ALL UT collection featuring the winning designs from the UT Grand Prix 2023 T-shirt design competition. A total of 13 designs were selected from among more than 10,000 entries submitted from around the world on the themes of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary. This special collection, to be introduced from Late May, presents familiar characters beloved worldwide by people of all generations, creatively illustrated from diverse abilities.

Thirteen illustrations highlighting the appeal of richly expressive characters

The work selected to receive the Grand Prize from among the numerous submissions received from around the world is a dynamic pen drawing by Hiroyuki Morita of Wolverine, from Marvel’s X-Men. Other winning entries include a design depicting a moment of rest for a stormtrooper from Star Wars, a design with Flash, Disney Zootopia’s sloth from the Department of Mammal Vehicles (DMV), in a bold pose, and a unique design with Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 3 shown in a style resembling nutritional information label. All the designs spotlight characters in highly original creations only available in this collection.

Comment from Grand Prize Winner Hiroyuki Morita

“I tried to express my interpretation of the character in a straightforward way, penciling it with high energy that is my distinctive style. It was fun to draw. It thrills me to think that a lot of people will see and wear my artwork on a T-shirt. Thank you!”

Collection Overview

Launch date: Late May, 2023 

Lineup: MENS T-shirts, 5 styles, Php 790

              WOMENS T-shirts, 4 styles, Php 790

              KIDS T-shirts, 6 styles, Php 590

Availability: All UNIQLO stores in the Philippines and the uniqlo.com online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/contents/feature/utgp/2023/ 

*STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or it’s affiliates. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Judges

The select team of judges included, from The Walt Disney Company, Helen Pak, SVP Creative of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Stef Kardos, Head of the Global Character Art Team, and illustrator Jerrod Maruyama. UNIQLO was represented by UT Creative Director Kosuke Kawamura.

Award Ceremony

An award ceremony will be held in early May at The Walt Disney Studios, the corporate headquarters for The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, California in the United States. As an additional prize, winners will receive a special office tour from The Walt Disney Company, including a visit to the studios where popular characters are created, and the reading room filled with valuable archive material.

About the UT Grand Prix

UNIQLO launched the UT Grand Prix design competition in 2005 to foster creativity and talent, using T-shirts as a canvas to freely express ideas with graphics and messages. The contest is open to talented and imaginative people around the world, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Previous contests have featured such high-profile themes as Marvel, Nintendo, and Pokémon. The winning designs, selected from the numerous entries, will be produced as actual products and sold worldwide.

About UNIQLO LifeWear

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 the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.3 trillion yen for the 2022 fiscal year ending August 31, 2022 (US $16.6 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2022 rate of $1 = 138.7 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 global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. In 2010 UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank and currently there are around 20 Grameen-UNIQLO stores, mostly located in Dhaka.

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.

Choosing to give a voice amidst the silence: SM Scholar Alumna pursues a career in SPED

Teaching surpasses the realms of jobs or professions–it encompasses service, vocation, and life mission. 

Proving this day and night are millions of Filipino teachers who stand as second mothers to students. One of them is Rosalie Macaspac, an SM scholar alumna who chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED).

Life’s work

Choosing to teach, especially pursue SPED, is a path less travelled. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners.

Rosalie Macaspac (left) interprets the contents of the program for her students.

With much dedication and determination to have the right skills for her students, she pursued graduate studies in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, respectively. 

She currently teaches at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay, the only government-owned institution for the deaf in the country. Here, she spearheaded the numeracy skills training program for deaf learners.

Embedding grit, greatness

Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner. 

“In the early years of my life as a three year old, awareness of how hard life is became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on and promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.

The weight on their shoulder became heavier when her mother became bedridden for half a year. Instead of slowing her down, it did the opposite. She continued her studies with much determination. With the help of her uncle, the Missionaries of Charity, and the puto bigas she sold, they could get by. 

She finished primary school with good grades, and was a consistent honor student in high school, despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.

“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me as she was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.

“When I was in fourth year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education.  Then, God in all His goodness, stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.

She vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application at the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo and how she learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number has since become unforgettable for her. By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.

According to her, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success. The activities provided by SM Foundation, such as the scholars’ assembly, the orientation, leadership training, sports fest and annual retreat, were very memorable for her.

“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem and opened my world to service,” she said.

 

Rosalie at the Philippine School for the Deaf

Before teaching, she first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office, which was then located in Calle Echague, Manila. She was hired immediately after college.

Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today: “Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public-school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.”  

“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning and I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry “Tatang” Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars, most especially, my mother. They are all the instruments to why I chose to give back to a special community and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”

Gaining solid ground through education

Stability is the foundation of a well-lived life. With basic needs fulfilled, people have the opportunity to develop themselves, explore various facets of life, and contribute to the welfare of the community.

When aspiring youth, especially those from low-income households, are given the chance to stand on solid ground, they readily take the chance. They utilize it as a seedbed where they can cultivate their dreams and aspirations.

One testament to this is SM scholar alumna Jonnah Jane Sacamay, who grew up in a family where stability seemed like an uncharted territory. Years back, Jonnah’s family’s main source of living was flower farming. This made them walk on a thin line as the demand for flowers was seasonal, and they were also often affected by unpredictable weather disturbances. 

But while they had journeyed through life with uncertainty, they had always planted in her mind the power of education.

“Given that the nature of farming is very seasonal, our income is not stable. Aside from augmenting our daily needs, we also had to ensure that my education is secured,” Jonnah recalled. 

Holding on to the power of education

And so, to help her family, she studied hard in grade school as soon as she learned about others who had the opportunity to pursue college through the SM College Scholarship Program. With her whole heart dedicated to learning and her eyes set on the SM scholarship, she finished high school as the class valedictorian. Once the forms were available, she immediately processed her application at the SM Store in Cebu.

“I was informed that I got accepted as an SM Scholar. From then on, a huge weight was lifted off my parents’ shoulders. I could pursue my chosen degree in my chosen university,” she added.

Through the scholarship offered by the SM group through SM Foundation, she was able to focus on the development of her skills and knowledge not only in accountancy but especially in life. She became a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BS Accountancy at the University of San Carlos.

Jonnah (center) with her parents during her graduation

“The SM Scholarship helped me reach my dream of becoming a CPA, and this opened doors for me, enabling me to land a job that empowered me to help my family,” she said. 

“My experience in retail has given me wide knowledge in different areas. With this, I always make sure that my family makes informed decisions in all aspects of life. One thing that has become a tradition among SM Cebu scholars during my time was to have an outreach program. In our own way, we were able to pay forward the help that we received from SM. It was a fulfilling experience that we could share our blessings in our own little way,” she added.

Jonnah currently serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store, Cebu. Aside from financial security, she currently takes care of her parents’ medical expenses and lets them enjoy vibrant life experiences after retiring as flower farmers.

Jonnah Sacamay serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store in Cebu.

“Having a degree enabled me and my family to experience more in life. It paved the way for me to secure a stable job, which allowed me to travel, treat my family to a nice meal, take them shopping on special occasions, and most importantly, support my parents and their medical expenses. Aside from providing me with a scholarship grant, working in SM has provided a sense of security for me and my family,” she shared.

 

Opening doors to more

SM Foundation made it its goal to help create an environment where low-income families can thrive and achieve stability, just like how the SM College Scholarship Program paved ways for Jonnah and her family.

For the school year 2023-2024, the application period is open from February 1-March 31, 2023. The selected scholars may specialize in accounting, information technology, engineering, and education with full tuition and monthly allowance, including enrichment programs and activities. 

 

For more information about the SM College Scholarship program, visit https://www.sm-foundation.org/what_we_do/college-scholarship-program. 

 

MrBeast Burgers Now in the Philippines

Filipino Foodies Now Have Access to World-Renowned American Fast-Food Concept from Famed YouTuber MrBeast through GrabFood Signatures. 

GrabFood makes the impossible possible for Filipino foodies with the introduction of the world-renowned American fast-food concept of YouTube celebrity MrBeast in the Philippines as the newest member of GrabFood Signatures. 

MrBeast Burgers is founded by top YouTuber MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson. With its offerings being raved about by millions of the YouTuber’s fans from the world over, MrBeast Burgers successfully made its mark in the international food scene. Now, MrBeast Burgers is set to make an indelible mark in the local food landscape through GrabFood Signatures.

Grab Philippines Director for Deliveries Greg Camacho shares, “GrabFood has become the go-to platform for discerning Filipino foodies looking for unique culinary experiences.

With GrabFood Signatures, we go beyond just bringing delicious food to your doorstep – you don't have to leave your house or stress about traffic. We provide access to a variety of unique food experiences that make it easy and enjoyable for foodies to explore world cuisines without the hassle.”

In a recent study, GrabFood Signatures surveyed 220,000 Filipino customers, with 77% of respondents agreeing that their GrabFood experience helped them experience a variety of dishes from different restaurants without leaving their homes. This statistic is clear evidence that GrabFood Signatures is helping local foodies get their fill of the extraordinary dishes they want and need. Through GrabFood’s collaboration with MrBeast Burgers, even more, extraordinary dishes are now accessible to most Filipinos. 

Camacho added, “Amid the pandemic, GrabFood Signatures plays an important role in not just bringing great food to everyone’s doorstep but also helping different businesses create their unique digital presence. And now, thanks to GrabFood, special dishes like MrBeast Burgers are bringing us a taste of the world - delivered right to our doorsteps.” GrabFood Signatures is an ideal platform for food merchants to launch new brands and exciting offerings, giving them the reach and reliability of the GrabFood platform and the flexibility to customize their digital presence. Through collaborations with merchants like MrBeast Burgers, GrabFood is also uniquely positioned to help food businesses scale their presence and create unique experiences for Filipino foodies. 

Camacho concluded: “Our goal is to revolutionize not just the food delivery service in the Philippines but also the entire dining experience of Filipinos. We are proud to be at the forefront of this and to bring in more unique food concepts such as MrBeast Burgers through GrabFood Signatures. We are confident that with the help of GrabFood Signatures, even more, extraordinary culinary experiences await foodies in the Philippines.”

Among those that local foodies can now finally try is the set of burgers quirkily named after the founder and his content creator friends: the Chandler Style Burger (two smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, served plain with American cheese on a toasted bun); the Chris Style Burger, (two smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, American cheese, bacon, topped with crinkle fries on a toasted bun); the Karl’s Deluxe, (a patty melt served Karl’s Style with a crispy seasoned beef patty, caramelized onions, and cheese on a toasted inverted bun); and the famous Beast Style Burger, (smashed crispy beef patties with house seasoning, American cheese, pickles, diced white onion, mayo, ketchup, and brown mustard on a toasted bun). 

Pans Up Home Cooks!

 You #GataLoveJolly’s Coconut Cream and Coconut Milk

Are you a big fan of gata-based dishes? If you’re someone who loves using the magic of coconut milk in your favorite recipes, then you’re probably familiar with how challenging it is to handle sometimes. Not because it is hard to cook with, but because of the preparation process when using it as an ingredient.

For example, if you are someone who prefers using freshly squeezed gata, then you might need to do the tedious task of squeezing your own coconut milk. If you’re lucky enough to get an already squeezed version from your suki at the market, however, then you usually need to use it as soon as possible to keep it from spoiling.

This can be a little challenging because it means that you always have to plan to cook your favorite gata dishes. But what if your loved ones want to have a taste of them stat and you don’t have time to run to the market anymore?

As a homemaker, cooking our family’s favorite dishes is one of the best ways that we show and express our love. There’s nothing more heartwarming than the thought of creating something that they can enjoy anytime when they want it. Jolly, the leading brand of packed fruits, vegetables and condiments, aims to answer common kitchen challenges by providing freshly packed ingredients straight to the pantries of homemakers without sacrificing quality. In the case of coconut-based dishes, the brand has two standouts that can finally give moms the chance to cook their family’s gata favorites anytime— Jolly Coconut Milk and Jolly Coconut Cream.

 

Both ingredients are made with 100 percent real coconuts and are packed with the creamy goodness of fresh gata that is as good and flavorful as the ones you get from the market. Coconut Cream or Kakang Gata has a thicker and richer consistency because it is made from pressing four parts shredded coconut in one part warm water while Coconut Milk (Gata) has a more liquid consistency (similar to cow’s milk) that is made from pressing one part shredded coconut in one part water.

Gata, regardless if it is in cream or milk form, is very versatile on its own. Whether you and your family are craving savory or sweet dishes, there is definitely a recipe where you can use this wonder ingredient. Coconut cream is perfect for savory dishes because its consistency provides a creamier and richer texture common in curries,. Use it for standout Pinoy favorites like Ginataang Isda, Chicken Curry, Ginataang Gulay, Bicol Express, and Laing. Check out our very own recipe for Bicol Express using Jolly Coconut Cream below.

Bicol Express

Ingredients:

3 to 4 tablespoons canola oil

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 small ginger, finely chopped

1 can Jolly Whole Mushrooms 400g, drained and quartered

1/2 kilo pork belly, cut into cubes

1 tablespoon shrimp paste

250mL Jolly Coconut Cream

1/2 cup water

3-5 pieces siling labuyo, sliced

Procedure:

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat then sauté garlic, onion, ginger, and Jolly Mushrooms.

Add cubed pork belly and cook until the pork turns brown. Add shrimp paste.

Add Jolly Coconut Cream and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add water if the sauce becomes too thick.

Add chopped siling labuyo. Remove from heat and serve with hot steaming rice.

Coconut milk, on the other hand, has a unique taste and texture that can give your desserts and beverages a distinct flavor. Crack open a can of it if you’re craving sweet goodies like Maja Blanca, Bibingka, Ginataang Bilo Bilo, Biko, and Ginataang Mais. Here’s our very own recipe for Maja Blanca using Jolly Coconut Milk.

Maja Blanca

Ingredients:

2 cans Jolly Coconut Milk 400ml

1 1/2 cups fresh milk

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup latik

1 can Jolly Whole Corn Kernels 425g, drained

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated (for topping)

Procedure:

Combine Jolly Coconut Milk, fresh milk, cornstarch, sugar, cheese and Jolly Whole Corn Kernels in a mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.

Place in a large saucepan and cook while stirring constantly over low heat until thick.

Pour into small mold containers. Cool, then refrigerate until firm.

Top with grated cheese or latik.

As a brand that has always been dedicated to providing high-quality ingredients to Filipino households, Jolly allows homemakers to show their care to their families through hearty, memorable dishes that they can cook anytime. Jolly Coconut Cream and Coconut Milk, in particular, are a true testament to this brand promise because they come in easy-open cans that can be easily stocked in our pantries for times when we want to cook our favorite gata dishes. Not only are they high-quality because they are made from one hundred percent real coconuts, they are also irresistibly creamy so you can expect to enjoy the same goodness from the ones you get from the market. You #GataLoveJolly for that, don’t you think?

Jolly products are available in leading supermarkets, groceries and public markets nationwide. You can also order Jolly Coconut Milk and Jolly Coconut Cream online on AceMarket.ph and Fly Ace Corporation’s stores on Lazada and Shopee. Need more recipe inspirations that can make you and your family scream #YanAngJollyLove? Follow Jolly’s official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts now for more ideas.

SM Supermalls joins Earth Hour this March 25

SM Supermalls, together with its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, is joining the countdown to the Biggest Hour on Earth this March 25, 2023, when the rest of the world will converge around major world landmarks, cities, and communities to switch off their lights for 60 minutes starting at 8:30PM, as part of a global movement to save the planet.

This year's Earth Hour is all about "creating the Biggest Hour for Earth," and those who want to participate in the Earth Hour global activity are encouraged to spend 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet, on top of switching off non-essential lights for one hour in the evening as a symbol of their commitment to the planet.

The annual Earth Hour global celebration started as a symbolic event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has grown into one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements spanning over 7,000 cities and 193 countries and territories. The Philippines joined in 2008, making this year’s Earth Hour the fifteenth time the celebration is observed. Philippine national landmarks, office buildings, government offices, and individual houses will all join in as a sign of a broader commitment towards addressing our planet's sustainability.

SM Supermalls has been supporting Earth Hour and the WWF since the initiative was first held in the Philippines in 2008.

For Earth Hour 2023, SM Supermalls customers, tenants and employees across the nation are once again encouraged to “Give an Hour for Earth” as SM Supermalls joins the annual Global Lights Switch Off from 8:30 PM to 9:30PM on March 25.

This day also marks the start of the World Wildlife Fund’s Virtual Earth Hour Run, a self-paced run supported by SM Cares, to be held from March 25 to April 30, 2023. The run aligns with SM Supermalls’ bid to make “Earth Hour, Any Hour” as participants are encouraged to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle by running and win prizes along the way. Joiners may register here and tag SM Cares and WWF as they post their stopovers at SM malls with hashtag #BiggestHourForEarth and #EarthHourVirtualRun.

SM Supermalls has been pushing to minimize its carbon footprint in support of the global green movement through various programs ranging from responsible energy consumption to investing in renewable energy.

For instance, more than 50 percent of the energy consumed by SM malls all over the country now come from renewable sources. In terms of solar energy usage, SM now has 12 malls equipped with energized solar panels, with SM Mall of Asia as the latest mall to receive a solar panel installation, which has a capacity of 2.003 MWp.

SM has also been recognized for exceeding compliance with RA7920 or the New Electrical Engineering Law, which regulates the practice, licensing, and registration of electrical engineers and electricians. This is proof that SM is operated and maintained only by highly qualified engineers.

SM Cares' sustainability initiatives include the Trash-To-Cash Market and the Plastic Waste Collection program, which encourage responsible solid waste disposal among Filipinos; the annual Green Film Festival which promotes environmental awareness among students and the youth; and the International Coastal Cleanup which encourages stakeholders to do their part in keeping our seas and oceans clean.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the country’s biggest chain of malls built by one of Southeast Asia’s leading real estate developer, SM Prime Holdings. 

 

Visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares to learn more.

Silver Anvils on Conti’s Silver Year

(L-R:) Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Project and Business Development head Michael Martinez, general manager Patricia Marañon-Tan, marketing director Patricia Buzon-Chinjen, and Center of Excellence and Office of strategic management director Joan Despabiladeras

Leading food brand Conti's Bakeshop and Restaurant has won its first-ever trophies from the Anvil Awards, the Oscars of the public relations industry in the Philippines. It’s also the first time the brand entered the annual awards.

The homegrown company founded 25 years ago by the Conti sisters of Batangas received not just one but two Silver Anvils for its corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

“We are very elated with this recognition from the prestigious Anvil Awards by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines,” says Patricia Tan, second generation Conti who’s at the helm of the company as general manager. She led the team from Conti’s and its public relations agency, Comm&Sense, that received the trophies at the recent awards ceremonies.

She adds, “These awards are a symbol of our commitment to make a difference in the communities Conti’s is part of and to continuously drive excellence in delighting our stakeholders with purpose, particularly the farmers who are integral part of the Conti’s family and some of our youth beneficiaries who provide great inspiration and motivation to us.”

Conti’s won for its One Bag At A Time sustainability program and its Mango Farmers outreach initiative. 

One Bag was part of Conti’s silver anniversary celebrations. It involved the upcycling of the company’s used tarpaulins, banners, and streamers into 100 school bags that were donated to scholars of Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid and ChildHope Philippines. The project was undertaken by Conti’s together with upcycling company Side B Upcycling and Comm&Sense. 

One Bag reflected Conti’s’ passion to reduce its industrial waste by reusing and recycling its used assets. 

Mango Farmers spotlighted a group of farmers behind the signature Conti’s Mango Bravo cake, paying tribute to their hard work and commitment to plant, nurture, and harvest only the best-tasting mangoes for Conti’s. It captured the critical role of the farmers in food sustainability. Not only did Conti’s champion the country’s mango industry but it also empowered small-scale farmers in the country. The project involved a surprise visit by a team from Conti’s to one of the company’s mango farms to bring an afternoon treat of Conti’s food and pastries to the farmers. The activity was the first time the farmers got a look and taste of the beloved Mango Bravo cake.

Tan adds, “But more than the awards and recognition, we value the number of lives that we have touched and delighted through these initiatives. These honors will inspire us to serve and delight more people in front and behind the Conti’s counters.”

Conti's journey into the food industry always reflects its mission to achieve sustainability and perform ethical business practices. From sourcing materials from the best suppliers, down to prioritizing local farmers to boost the agriculture industry, Conti's believes in working together with every stakeholder in the community to create a sustainable, healthy, and green environment for everyone.  Education and environment are two strong programs that Conti’s continues to prioritize and give back to the community as part of their commitment to nation-building.

To know more about Conti's Bakeshop & Restaurant visit www.contis.ph or check out their Facebook (@contispastryshopandrestaurant), Instagram (@contis_ph), and TikTok (@contisph) pages. Other pages bearing the name and images are fake. They do not in any way represent the brand. 

HATCH: The 5th Edition

For the forthcoming Easter season, The Manila Hotel, in partnership with Manila Bulletin, brings back HATCH – a one-of-a-kind showcase of artfully crafted Easter eggs. Displayed as a focal point of the Grand Lobby of the hotel, guests will be treated to a delightful display of novel collaboration of Filipino artists.

With the aim to promote the local art scene and highlight the creative genius of local artists, HATCH: The 5th Edition features 18 uniquely customized acrylic eggs showcasing multitude of creative styles and distinct personalities of Filipino contemporary artists who come from different disciplines. Just as the artists adapted their respective unique styles of mixed media, each Easter egg has a different story to tell.

Featured artists include: Addie Cukingnan, Agi Pagkatipuna, Al Perez, Aner Sebastian, Carlito Ortega, Carlo Magno, Cindel Tiausas, Carlos Cee Cadid, Demet dela Cruz, Migi Sebastian, Egai Fernandez, Emmanuel Nim, Jinggoy Salcedo, Margie Organo, Maria Magdamit, Migs Villanueva, Monnar Baldemor, Reen Barrera, Remy Boquiren, Roger “Rishab” Tibon.

In 2020, Manila Bulletin won the gold award for HATCH during the 55th Anvil Awards. The exhibit moved from city to city where visitors were introduced to an exceptional showcase of Filipino artistry.

HATCH will be on display at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel until April 23, 2023.

About The Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel's signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.