Monthly Archives: July 2018

MONSTERS LURKING IN THE DEEP

The marine world continues to be a source of folklore given that a whopping 95 percent of the planet’s oceans remain unexplored, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unsurprisingly then, many creatures living beneath the waves have inspired monstrous fantasies, from the kraken mentioned in Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick, to the Leviathan of biblical scripture.

The most famous of these aquatic myths is the mermaid, thanks to stories such as Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid made famous by the animated film of the same name, as well as other pop cultural gems such as the 1984 movie Splash. These half-fish, half-human hybrids, unfortunately, weren’t always the demure creatures often depicted in today’s fiction.

In British folklore, mermaids were associated with doomed ships and stormy seas, which was why seafarers in the past avoided sailing in areas where they thought they saw these creatures. The English pirate Blackbeard once recorded an encounter in his logbook, which described how he and his crew had sighted these demi-humans in so-called “enchanted” waters.

While not fearsome-looking, mermaids might have conjured fear from sailors because of their association with another mythical beast, the siren. In Homer’s The Odyssey, sirens were winged women that sang hypnotic songs to lure sailors to their deaths. Over time, these attributes were passed down to mermaids, becoming part of their threat as much as their charm.

Speaking of charm, not all sailors believed mermaids were pretty. One of them was Christopher Columbus. The Italian explorer claimed to have witnessed these creatures while exploring the Caribbean and described them to be half as beautiful as the ones in paintings. That might have sounded mean, but only because what he and sailors at the time had been seeing were the gentle manatee or its cousin, the dugong. Both possess broad, mermaid-like tails as well as upper-body features that make these marine mammals easily mistaken for lumbering humanoids from afar—not quite the slender merfolk of fantasy.

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The enchanting mermaid remains in our imagination reflecting our innate fear and desire for the unknown. In the American drama series Siren, this fear and desire come to life when mermaids suddenly surface to cause chaos in the fictional coastal town of Bristol Cove. Ever wondered how the world would react today if folklore turned out to be real? Catch the popular American drama series Siren every Monday at 9:45PM first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment.

Other than mermaids, many popular nautical beasts also have their origins in real animals. One is the mighty kraken, which may have been based on sightings of the giant squid or the much larger colossal squid—both of which have been caught in video when they suddenly appeared off the coast of Japan and Antarctica, respectively. Another is the slithering sea serpent. Whether it’s the World Serpent of Norse mythology or the Ancient Greek monster Cetus, these creatures may have been inspired by sightings of the largest bony fish alive today, the oarfish.

Blue Ant Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).

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

The new Jollibee Bistek Burger Steak is a flavorful, savory-sour hit!

MANILA, July 23, 2018 – Craving for the distinctly savory flavors of the Pinoy favorite Bistek Tagalog? Jollibee, the country’s number one fast-food brand, has you covered with its latest offering: the all-newBistek Burger Steak!

This savory-sour twist to a classic Jollibee favorite evokes all the deliciousness of Bistek Tagalog with the 100% pure beefy goodness of a Burger Steak patty, a generous serving of sauce with just the right sourness, and fried onion toppings. Indulge in the Bistek Burger Steak with a serving of steamed white rice and you’ve got a delightful, Bistek-Sarap, Beefy-Linamnam Ulam that will hit all the right spots.

“Introducing this distinctly Pinoy twist to a classic favorite like Burger Steak is proof of Jollibee’s commitment to continuous product innovations and delivering new flavor profiles aligned with the Filipino palate,” said Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee Marketing Director for Core Products. “Our development team has worked tirelessly to ensure that this new offering packs all the goodness of Bistek, from the 100% beefy-linamnam patty to the savory-sour sauce and onion toppings.”

The Bistek Burger Steak will be available for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide starting July 23, 2018 for only PHP 55.00* for the one-piece Solo meal.

For more information on Jollibee’s latest products and promos, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook and follow @Jollibee on Instagram and Twitter.

Tanduay partners with Shopee to launch online store

MANILA, Philippines, July 18, 2018 – Tanduay Distillers Inc., makers of the world’s number one selling rum brand, has recently partnered with Shopee, the leading Singapore-based e-commerce platform with 12 million users in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, to launch the Tanduay brand international online store. The e-commerce store features carefully curated products previously available only at the Tanduay store in Century Park Hotel such as original apparel, bags, and accessories. This dedicated in-app space will allow shoppers to easily access authentic premium items and products from one of the country’s well-loved Filipino brands.

Paul Lim, chief marketing officer of Tanduay, said the partnership with Shopee is aligned with the strategy of the company to continuously improve ways and find new avenues to make Tanduay accessible to a broader market. “Tanduay is now an official Shopee partner. Online shopping has continued to gain traction in the region with the increasing internet and smartphone penetration.

We are excited about the opportunities that our partnership will open for our business. As of now, the move is consistent with our core strategies to reach a growing global market of online shoppers,” Lim shared. Brand manager Edzel Ty further said that more products are expected to be added to the Tanduay Brands International online store in the succeeding months. “We have
chosen to partner with Shopee because insights from all our marketing efforts point towards the future of commerce online. With Shopee, we are making our products available to them with several payment and delivery options all for their convenience,“ he explained.

Last June, global spirits think tank Drinks International revealed Tanduay has taken over the world’s number one spot from a list of rum brands that has long been dominated by Bacardi. Tanduay Distillers Inc. is a member of the LT Group of Companies. Tanduay is the Philippines’ top rum maker, which is also distributed in the United States. Likewise, the company produces whiskey, brandy, gin, vodka and other flavored spirits.

What’s Stopping You from Eating Your Breakfast Today? Look Good, Feel Great with the Power of a Healthy Breakfast

“Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” This adage suggests that breakfast should constitute the most important meal of our daily diet, followed by lunch, and end off with a light dinner. Studies have shown that a healthy breakfast has wide-ranging benefits for the human body, such as supporting metabolism, boosting mental alertness and improving digestionsays Susan Bowerman, Senior Director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife.

Yet according to the Healthy Breakfast Survey conducted in 11markets across the Asia Pacific region by Herbalife, 21 percent of the Filipino respondents do not consume breakfast daily. While those who do, have an unbalanced meal that comprises mainly carbohydrates in the morning. Too often, breakfast is little more than toast, white rice, noodles or a cup of coffee, tea or chocolate drink – all of which digest quickly, leaving people hungry by mid-morning.

Skipping a breakfast meal might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but the side-effects could be detrimental to your health in the long run. For a start, skipping your breakfast could lead to more cravings later in the day which makes it harder to manage your weight.

Bowerman adds, “In general, we tend to make bad food choices when we are starving, as we would be more likely to indulge in food. Also, research has revealed that skipping your breakfast could increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.” By contrast, starting the day with a good breakfast has many benefits. Consuming your breakfast could do wonders for weight management, as food consumption releases gut hormones which control appetite, having a sustained effect throughout the day and helping to reduce the number of cravings. "Plus, there's less risk of heart disease and diabetes, while you can improve muscle health, memory, energy and mood by starting the day right.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that people who consume a high-protein breakfast tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day compared to those who do not, due to the appetite-suppressing effect from dietary protein, thus providing satiety between meals. But how can we practically incorporate a healthy breakfast into our daily eating habits?

According to Herbalife’s Healthy Breakfast Survey, the top three motivators for Filipino respondents to adopt a regular breakfast diet are if consuming breakfast contributes to health and well-being; if their breakfast can help in giving them more energy; and if their breakfast can be made more accessible to them.

With this in mind, perhaps making a few simple changes to daily living might do the trick – such as waking up 15 minutes earlier, opting for a quick and nutritious breakfast fix, or getting a friend or loved one to join you for breakfast. While this marks a positive start to a long-term change in lifestyle habits, the type of breakfast choices one makes will also have an impact on overall health and well-being.

When it comes to selecting just what to eat for breakfast, Bowerman advocates following Herbalife’s Global Nutrition Philosophy, according to which our total daily calories should be comprised of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fats, along with 25g of fibre and eight glasses of water. A healthy, balanced breakfast should provide you with an adequate amount of protein, while a few pieces of fruit or vegetables can provide sustained energy and fibre.

For healthy fats, nuts or avocado can serve as a delicious energy source for your body, adds Bowerman. And if time is pressing, consider having a protein shake, like the Herbalife Formula 1 Shake –which is easy to prepare and provides all the nutrients required to start your day right.

So, all you need to have a healthy breakfast each day is a little time and commitment. Choose ingredients that are enjoyable and nutritious, and you can make it a habit to start the day right and will soon enjoy the benefits as you feel and look better, with more zest for life.

The new Jollibee Bistek Burger Steak is a flavorful, savory-sour hit!

Jollibee’s latest rice meal variant is sure to be your newest go-to!

Craving for the distinctly savory flavors of the Pinoy favorite Bistek Tagalog? Jollibee, the country’s number one fast-food brand, has you covered with its latest offering: the all-new Bistek Burger Steak!

The Bistek Burger Steak will be available for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide starting July 23, 2018 for only PHP 55.00* for the one-piece Solo meal.

For more information on Jollibee’s latest products and promos, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook and follow @Jollibee on Instagram and Twitter.

*Prices may vary across different locations; delivery charge not included.

AXA supports young athlete’s dream

AXA supports young athletes dream photo

AXA supports young athlete’s dream. AXA, official insurance partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the Philippines, was one of the marketing partners of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska National Training Camp (NTC). The program attracted the most promising and aspiring basketball players aged 10-14 from different parts of the country. One of the participants, Jam Lachica, 12, made it to the NTC with support from AXA. The insurance company provided apparel and training to Lachica for the Manila Regional Selection Camp prior to the NTC. For more information on AXA’s partnership with the NBA, visit www.axa.com.ph.

FPG Insurance bags back-to-back wins at the 2018 BSP Stakeholders Awards

FPG Insurance, the major player in the general insurance industry and leader in motor insurance coverage, bags back-to-back wins at the 2018 BSP Stakeholders Awards given by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last July 10, 2018 at the BSP Assembly Hall.

BSP Monetary Board Member and Chairman of the BSP Stakeholders Awards Board of Judges Antonio Abacan, Jr., FPG
Insurance Philippines President and CEO Ramon Dimacali, and BSP Resource Management Sector Deputy Governor Maria
Almasara Cyd Tuaño-Amador

On its 25 th year, BSP employs the theme, “Reinforcing Partnerships, Defying New Challenges,” as the financial institution’s commitment to dynamic stakeholder engagement. According to the BSP, the Philippines remains to be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia with sustained and uninterrupted economic expansion for the past 77 consecutive quarters. This strength is largely attributed to BSP’s partnership with its stakeholders.

FPG Insurance Company, Inc. won two awards under the Information Support category: the Outstanding Respondent among Small and Medium Firms Award, and the Outstanding Respondent for Services Sector Award. The said awards are given to respondents who regularly and comprehensively provide supporting industry data necessary for the BSP to draw its business projections and formulate monetary policies. FPG Insurance Philippines President and CEO Ramon Dimacali accepted the two awards.

“We thank the BSP for these awards and just like this year’s theme, FPG Insurance is committed to becoming resilient amidst challenges, and to continue to develop programs that will shape the general insurance industry, “ said FPG Insurance Philippines President and CEO Ramon Dimacali.

Annually, the BSP holds the BSP Stakeholders Awards to reinforce its partnership with members of the different concerned industries. This underlines the institution’s seal of gratitude and trust. Every year, the number of awards being given increases as the BSP demonstrates its appreciation to the growing base of its stakeholders, recognizing those who rise to the occasion of providing outstanding support to different advocacies.

The event was opened by BSP Deputy Governor for Monetary and Economics Sector Diwa Guinigundo, followed by the address of BSP Deputy Governor for Resource Management Sector Maria Almasara Cyd N. Tuaño-Amador on behalf of the Chairman of the Monetary Board and BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.

L-R VP for Finance Mario Rely Perilla, Investment Analyst and Treasury OIC Ismael Villanueva,
President and CEO Ramon Dimacali, Comptroller and Credit and Collections Manager Rosario Amor,
and Accounting Assistant Vice President Anita Bool

FPG Insurance offers a comprehensive suite of insurance products from motor insurance, property insurance, to travel and personal accident coverages.

WEAR TO INSPIRE WITH INSPI AT SM CITY SAN JOSE DEL MONTE!

A Japanese clothing brand that upholds positive values through its designs and quality recently opened at SM City San Jose del Monte!

Positive. Polite. Clean. Honorable. Kind. Fun. These are the values that the founder of INSPI admires about the Japanese culture, and we cannot deny that Filipinos are also known with
these kind of values especially with being positive and motivated.

07 02. Inspi FB post

INSPI Philippines is a retail company that markets several brands that will holistically inspire and promote a positive outlook in life. INSPI wanted to advocate and celebrate such important values, making it unique with the other clothing brands.

07 02. Inspi 1

INSPI designs, develops, manufactures, and markets its own apparel from newborn to adult. Some of their products include T-shirt, Polo Shirt, Sando, and other lifestyle products.

Visit INSPI’s first store with SM at the upper ground floor of SM City San Jose del Monte, and use the hashtag #WearToInspire to join in spreading the good vibes.

FIRST FILIPINO ANIME SERIES “BARANGAY 143” TO AIR IN GMA 7

Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc. has announced that their upcoming TV Series will go on air on GMA 7 starting this October. The announcement was made today by Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO of August Media Holdings; Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc. and Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation, International Business Department of TV Asahi. Barangay 143 – as the series is known is the first-ever Filipino Anime series. Co-produced between Synergy88, TV Asahi (Japan) and August Media Holdings (Singapore), Barangay 143 will feature a glittering celebrity cast including Cherie Gil, Alice Dixon and John Arcilla and millennial heartthrobs, Julie Anne San Jose, Kelley Day, Migo Adacer, and Ruru Madrid.

Barangay 143 is a feel-good coming of age story of a young Korean boy whose search for his father brings him to the Philippines. Lost and desperate for answers, is here in this foreign land that he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits whose only ambition is to bring glory to their hometown. It’s a story about love and family set against the action-packed world of street basketball, where the stakes are always high and life the biggest game you can win.

“Philippines has a vibrant TV and film industry with a rich culture of storytelling. Right from the onset we were determined develop the show right here so that it captures the essence of life in Manila. I am immensely proud of what we have finally created in Barangay 143”, said Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO, August Media Holdings

Fans can enjoy Barangay 143 not just as a TV Series but digitally, in print and as consumer products. The Barangay 143 Street League mobile game is already available on the Google Play Store for Android and the iOS App Store. The narrative story within the mobile game leads to the suspense and drama that drives the story for the upcoming TV Series.

“Within the series, the comic strip and even the game we have tried to capture the real-life experiences of the Philippines through the art and the sounds.,” said Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Digital. “With Barangay 143 Street League we also created a unique experience that helps players compete with friends in cyberspace but get their wins rewarded in the real world.” Set against the backdrop of gritty Tondo, the series also features original music from a whole host of celebrity Filipino singers and musicians. The series is painstakingly designed and produced here in Manila with the help crew from across Japan, South Korea, USA, Malaysia and Singapore.

“When we first came across Barangay 143 during its development phase, it seemed like a natural choice for us to be a part of. We hope that Japanese creativity will bring light into the Filipino story and characters to life.”, said Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation at International Business Department of TV Asahi.

Leading up to the start of the broadcast, fans will be treated to a series on Barangay 143 themed concerts featuring music stars like Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Julie Ann San Jose and more. We expect to also treat our audiences with many other “GMA has always been known to support anything that champions Filipino talent and promotes our culture. We are immensely proud to be the network carrying the first Filipino anime drama series,” said Joey Abacan, First Vice President, Program Management at GMA. Executive Producers of the TV Series have mentioned that they are committed to develop the property further and are already contemplating more content surrounding Barangay 143 the brand.

Sneak Peek: Level Up Your Flights with PAL’s Brand-New Airbus A350 and A321neo Planes

Inflight comfort and luxury are redefined with Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) brand-new Airbus A350-900 XWB and A321neo airplanes. Generous legroom, enhanced entertainment, and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity await passengers across all travel classes beginning July 2018.

“PAL aims to provide excellent standards of service for its passengers throughout the entire travel experience and be at par with the world’s best airlines. We are taking our flights to the next level by modernizing our fleet and enhancing our cabin amenities and inflight offerings, on top of ensuring that we consistently provide that distinct brand of heartfelt service PAL is known for,&said PAL President and COO Dr. Jaime J. Bautista.

“The arrival of the Airbus A350 and A321neo forms part of our journey towards attaining our goal of being the only 5-Star airline in the next few years from our 4-Star global airline rating. he added. In partnership with airline design specialist LIFT Strategic Design, PAL equipped the new planes with both function and form in mind, promising an enhanced passenger experience.

“With state-of-the-art modifications based on the latest technologies, these new aircraft will bring more benefits not only to passengers and crew but to the environment as well,” said Bautista.
Here are four things you can expect from PAL’s brand-new planes:

A Whole New World of Flights

These planes unlock PAL’s true potential with the new long-range aircraft capable of flying non-stop, up to 17 hours for the A350 and up to 8 hours for the A321neo. The new A350 will open a whole new world of access to long-haul destinations in North America and Europe. Starting October 2018, passengers can enjoy travelling to New York City nonstop for the first time in ultimate comfort and style with the introduction of the A350’s Tri-Class cabin experience. The A321neo, on the other hand, has commenced non-stop flights to Brisbane last July 2nd and will soon explore Sydney, Port Moresby, and Sapporo.

Space for Days (Or hours)
The new A350 and A321neo pack an impressive space in the cabin so that every passenger, regardless of class of service, enjoys the maximum comfort possible during the flight. These new aircraft also feature an innovative cabin layout and seat design. Business Class passengers aboard the A321neo can enjoy full-flat seats up that extend up to 78 inches, a first in PAL’s narrow-body fleet and a first for A321neos worldwide. Meanwhile, all Business Class passengers aboard the A350 have direct access to the aisle with the 1-2-1 seat configuration. Business Class passengers aboard the A350 enjoy top-level comfort that matches the best competitors globally with seats that can be reclined to full-flat beds, equipped with adjustable air cushions and massage functions. Plus, with enhanced amenities and services such as our new plush duvets and Dine-on-Demand meal service, passengers can expect a cozier and more enjoyable long-haul journey.

The Premium Economy Class onboard the A350 – a first of its kind to be offered on PAL’s destinations in the US Mainland and the UK – offers passengers an upgraded experience without the lavish price tag, with 38-inches of legroom and seats that can recline up to eight inches. Passengers seated in the Premium Economy Class also enjoy privacy and exclusivity with only 24 seats available and a dedicated lavatory in the cabin. Economy Class on the A350 has also been enhanced with seats that recline up to six inches and a spacious legroom with seat pitch of up to 33 inches, offering industry leading comfort.

Put Boredom Behind
The A350 and A321neo provides more options and control to passengers seeking personal entertainment during a long-haul flight. All seats are equipped with personal TV screens with an up-to-
date selection of movies, TV shows, music and more for every generation. Starting October 2018, passengers will have more control to select content from their mobile phone aboard the A350 via the myPAL Player App. Guests simply need to download the app, pair it up the personal TV screen assigned, and have full control on the entertainment.

The A350 boasts of having the first high-speed Wi-Fi in the PAL fleet – so you can surf and watch videos on Facebook or YouTube, or even shop online starting October 2018. The new aircraft is also equipped with experience-enhancing mood lighting with scenes designed specifically for PAL, giving the cabin a “distinctly PAL” ambiance.

Less Noise, More R&R
You can sleep soundly when flying via the A350 and the A321neo — their state-of-the-art engines produce less noise both inside and outside the cabin, compared to other previous-generation aircraft. In fact, the A350 has four times less noise than its competitor aircraft, making it the quietest twin-aisle aircraft to date.

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The arrival of the A350 and A321neo is just a preview of what PAL has up its sleeves. Committed to providing Filipinos a better flying experience, PAL expects a total of 27 new aircraft – with 6 A350s and 21 A321neos – bringing the average age of the flag carrier’s fleet to 5 years by end-2018. The arrival of new planes is an exciting phase in the flag carrier’s journey towards a 5-Star Skytrax Rating in 2020.

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