Get a taste of your best life at Maxicare MAXIFEST

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, highlighted new and interesting ways to improve one’s fitness level in its highly anticipated family fitness event, Maxicare MAXIFEST: Live Your Best Life held at Central Park SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

“Getting fit is always better when it is done together with friends and loved ones. By gathering thousands of runners and fitness enthusiasts, we are able to build and live a better life through exercise and proper nutrition. At the same time, we hope this event helps us spread awareness on the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle, to encourage others to live healthy as well," said Maxicare Healthcare Corporation president and CEO Christian Argos.

Banding together thousands of runners and health enthusiasts, MAXIFEST took family bonding to the next level as celebrity couple Drew Arellano and Iya Villania joined the fun while sharing their insights on fitness and wellness. Drew is fond of triathlons, and enjoys sports like hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and surfing, among others; while Iya is also known for living an active lifestyle. She does CrossFit, even when she was pregnant with her second child.

Maxicare has partnered with one of the premiere race organizers in the country, RUNRIO, Inc., for an exhilarating MAXIFEST run which will feature a 500-meter dash for three to 12-year-old kids, a 2k Senior Sprint for 60-year-olds and above, the basic 3k, the easy distance of 5k, and the athletic 10k and 16k.

Aside from the run, Maxicare Market, a one-stop shop for ready-to-eat plant-based alternatives, was also featured where over 50 food stalls promoted health and wellness through plant-based nutrition.

The highlight of Maxicare MAXIFEST was setting a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously with the help of thousands of runners and guests who were given a Maxibear, Maxicare’s official stuffed plushie.

This was done to help support the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event. Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

The highlight of Maxicare MAXIFEST was setting a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously with the help of thousands of runners and guests who were given a Maxibear, Maxicare’s official stuffed plushie.

This was done to help support the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event. Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

Sun Life - 2020 looks more brighter for PH economy

Last Friday December 6, 2019, held at Discovery Primea Ayala Avenue Makati City held a press conference  which entitled Sunlife's Market Outlook for brighter economy on 2020 .

The Philippines' economy is projected get better and grow faster based on the observation of Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc.

According to Sun Life Chief Investments Officer Michael Enriquez, after reviewing the fundamentals, they are confident that the economy is set to significantly improve in the coming year. "While we can still expect challenges along the way, these should be tolerable and may be balanced by the positive developments."

Some of the factors that are in a favorable position to act as a springboard for the Philippine economy in 2020 are lower prices and accelerated government spending.

 "While inflation fell to a low of 0.8B in October 2019, we expect prices to slowly inch up as we foresee the year 2020 inflation at 24%. This figure is much lower than 2018 inflation of 5.21%," Enriquez added.

Sun Life also expects the government to go full force on capital outlays, with the administration having only two year left in its mandate.

Meanwhile, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) may also be in for a spike. According to Enriquez. Sun Life sees a 2019 GDP of 5.8% with the 2020 GDP getting stronger at 7%, strongly caused by the combination of base-effects, the recovery of consumer spending, and a stronger government spending adapting from the errors leading to the budget delay of 2019.

For currency, Enriquez said that a range of PHP 50.70 to PHP 52.50 to a dollar is possible "Our year-2019 USDPHP forecast is at 51.00, and 2020 slightly higher at 52.50, he explained.

For equities, although this year proved to be fairly volatile in nature, Sun Life expects the Philippine Stock Exchange index to end at 8.600 on a best-case scenario. "Our PSEI target for 2020 is at 9.460 with a price-earnings multiple of 18.2 times, while we foresee the earnings to have a growth rate of 10.40%, Enriquez mentioned.

DISCLAIMER Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI makes representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information  thisd This material was prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended provide, and should not be led on for investment accountinglegal or tax advice. Projections contained herein are not to be fed upon as advice or interpreted as a recommendation.

SEA Games 2019 recognized as best ever, receives SPIA Asia 2019 Excellence Award

Senator Manny Pacquiao and Naomi Osaka winners of Asian Sportsman and Asian Sportswoman of the Year

MANILA – No amount of rain was going to stop these honors from being handed out. With Typhoon Tisoy raging outside, SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference, held its fifth edition at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City Philippines on December 2 and 3, 2019. After two days of panels, case studies, and interviews on the business of sports, the business of football in Asia, sports and new technology, sports and tourism, and integrity and inclusion, the SPIA Asia Awards were also handed out, recognizing and celebrating sporting excellence of the industry,

For hosting the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) was awarded a special Excellence Award by SPIA. PHISGOC Chairman and Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano received the honor from SPIA Chief Executive Officer Eric Gottschalk.

Football legend Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, more popularly known simply as Ronaldo, was awarded the Sport and Beyond Award, an honor celebrating both his career as a legendary footballer as well as his accomplishments beyond the football pitch. The three-time FIFA Footballer of the Year, two-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, and three-time winner of the FIFA World Cup was a goal-scoring machine for Brazil on the international stage and for club teams like FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid CF, A.C. Milan, and Corinthians. Following his retirement from competition, “El Fenomeno” became the majority owner of Real Valladolid in 2018 and hopes to bring the club to new heights.

L-R) MMC Sportz Marketing LLC CEO Eric Gottschalk, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband and Dr. Edwin Moses. 

The Best Asian Sports Team honor was handed to the Japanese Rugby Team who shocked the world at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they served as hosts. After winning the Pacific Nations Cup earlier in the year, Japan was grouped with Russia, Ireland, Samoa, and Scotland. The Brave Blossoms’ 28-21 win over Scotland made them the first Asian team to top their group at the Rugby World Cup and the first Asian team to make it to the knockout stage.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka was named Best Asian Sportswoman of the Year. After being named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, Osaka famously defeated Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 US Open to become the first Japanese Grand Slam singles champion. She followed that up by defeating Petra Kvitova to win the 2019 Australian Open and became the first Asian player to be ranked first in the world in singles. Only 22-years-old, many believe that the best is yet to come for Osaka.

As if he doesn’t have enough accolades already, the only eight-division boxing champion in history, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, was awarded the Best Asian Sportsman of the Year. Pacquiao started the year by retaining the WBA (Regular) welterweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision over Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seven months later at the same venue, “the Pac-Man” won the WBA (Super) welterweight championship via a 12-round split decision over Keith Thurman.

PHISGOC’s Ramon Suzara, Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham Tolentino, MMC Sportz Marketing LLC CEO Eric Gottschalk, Dr. Edwin Moses, Speaker Peter Alan Cayetano, Ronaldo Nazario and PHISGOC’s Jojit Alcazar

Other notable winners at the SPIA Awards included The Chongqing Major as Best eSports Event of the Year in Asia, Shopee and Cristiano Ronaldo from SportQuake as Best Brand Activation of the Year, Atrium Sports – Kilsyth Basketball Connected Stadium from Atrium Sports with the Best Use of Technology in Sports, the Rugby World Cup in Japan from World Rugby/Rugby World Cup Limited won both Best International Sporting Event of the Year and Best Sports Digital Platform of the Year, while the WTA Finals 2018 from Lagardere Sports of Singapore was named Best Integrated Marketing Campaign of the Year.

The Best Mass Participation Event in the Philippines was given to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the National Milo Marathon while Honda Philippines won Best Sponsorship of Sport, Team, Individual, Venue, or Event in the Philippines for the Honda Philippines Nationwide Tour. Meanwhile, the Football 7s Youth Program was awarded Best Youth Sports Development Program in the Philippines.

Football playing brothers Phil and James Younghusband were also recognized during the awards gala as Phil, who recently retired from his international football career, had a statue of himself auctioned off for charity. Another Philippine sports personality that was recognized was gymnast Carlos Yulo who won gold at the SEA Games for the All-Around and Floor Exercise as well as silvers in the Pommel Horse and Still Rings.

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Aside from Ronaldo, also present at the two-day conference and awards night was track and field icon Dr. Edwin Moses, chairman of the education committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The American is a sporting legend in the 400m hurdles, having won gold medals at both the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Yet on top of his many accolades, Moses has arguably accomplished even more after his track and field career as he has served as chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy in 2000 which seeks to promote and increase participation in sport at every level, and also to promote the use of sport as a tool for social change around the world. Moses joined Ronaldo onstage for the “Icon 2 Icon” talk as they discussed their lives both during and after their athletic careers ended.

The SPIA Asia conference saw over 600 delegates and over 60 speakers, with over 450 submissions in 25 categories nominated for awards.

For more information about the conference program, visit www.spiaasia.com.

MAPFRE INSURANCE raises capital to P900M; Takes the lead in non-life insurance

IN PHOTO (L-R): Jean Israel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Maria Theressa Abrahan, Vice President and Technical Head; Hector Castellano Nuñez, Senior Vice President; Mr. Tirso C. Abad, President and CEO; Mildred Rabena-Hugo, Chief Information Officer; Malou Santiago, Vice President and Operations Head; and Kimmy Sanchez-Alegarbes, Vice President and Human Resources Director

MAPFRE INSURANCE recently announced last November 26, 2019  in a media launch held at Ortigas Pasig City that it has raised capital to P900 Million, having complied with the minimum net worth requirement set for 2019. Marking its 85 years in the business, the company is anchored on three main objectives: to offer non-life solutions with relevant products, to be efficient in claims service, and to better serve the Filipino people.

MAPFRE INSURANCE, formerly MAPFRE INSULAR, recently announced in a media launch that it has raised capital to P900 million, having complied with the minimum net worth requirement set for 2019 by the Insurance Commission, according to the New Insurance Code of the Philippines (RA 10607).

Amended in 2013, the law states that a domestic life or non-life insurance company should have at least a net worth of P250M by June 30, 2013, P550M by December 31, 2016, and reached P900M by December 31, 2019.

At the helm of MAPFRE Insurance is Mr. Tirso Abad, President & CEO, who shared the company breakthrough during the said event held on November 26, 2019. “This development shows the strengthened presence of MAPFRE Insurance in the Philippines, with a significant investment that will contribute to the industry and most especially improve the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

Marking its 85 years in the business, the company is anchored on three main objectives: to offer non-life solutions with relevant products, to be efficient in claims service, and to better serve the Filipino people.

Owned by MAPFRE Sociedad Anonima Spain at 75% majority, and Insular Life at 25%, MAFPRE INSURANCE is one of the non-life insurance companies with the highest capital and solvency in the Philippines.

In 2018, it introduced digital services and innovations such as the: MAPFRE INSULAR Virtual Office, centralized policy services and claims, QR code for verifying policies, 24/7 claim reporting, and expanded payment channels. The MAPFRE Insular Virtual Office is the first digital office portal for use of non-life insurance intermediaries – where partners can access accounts for renewal, draft quotations instantly, and make online payments.

“As we leap towards the digital future, we are presented with more choices to connect with people. This is a great opportunity to be more efficient and agile to serve our client’s unique needs. Since our launch last year, we have been continuously developing our channels and we look forward to be a digital leader as well for the insurance industry,” Mr. Abad added.

MAPFRE INSURANCE offers general insurance for optimum financial protection and risk management covering fire and allied lines, motor vehicles, personal accident, casualty, liability, engineering, marine cargo, and surety. The company has developed a wide network nationwide expanding from 10 branches to 16 sales offices in NCR, Isabela, Lipa, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, among many others.

For more information about the MAPFRE INSURANCE, you may visit http://mapfre.com.ph or email info@mapfreinsular.com

Customize your childs play with PROMIL® FOURs Pop-up Theatre kit

In every family, each child has a unique personality and interest. And as a parent, youve probably observed that one kid may happily play with toys, while another one can spend hours drawing with a pencil, sketching to his hearts content.

Luckily, there is an easier way to nurture your childs gift! Introducing PROMIL Fours Pop-up Theatre book, a customizable kit that allows kids to play and learn at the same time. Avail this kit with every purchase of PROMIL® Four 1.8kg in select stores nationwide.
And because PROMIL® Four believes that nurturing the gift starts with discovering it, the book is best paired with PROMIL® Fours Spot the Gift test (https://www.promilnurturethegift.com.ph/stg-home), a tool that is designed to help parents discover their childs innate gift.

According to Aci Bornea, mother of two girls, PROMIL® Fours Pop-Up Theatre is truly one-of-a-kind. I know that PROMIL Four is there with me every step of the way as it consistently nurtures the gifts of my little ones. Through this book, I was surprised that my girls were able to come up with a story almost in an instant, she said.

Meanwhile, Berlin Domingo loves how her sons talent shines as he goes through the pages of the Pop-Up Theatre kit. With such a keen interest in visual arts, he readily invented a story out of the figures. And he must have been so inspired with his new toy that in our next homeschool activities, he drew plenty images seen in the book, she noted.

Once moms retrieve the results from PROMIL® Fours Spot the Gift test, it is easier to tailor-fit the pop-up theater according to your childs particular gift. The book includes drawings of Intramuros in Manila, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Mt. Apo in Davao, and a little kids bedroom filled with toys and books.

Children will surely have the most memorable experience playing with this Pop-Up Theater kit as it encourages creativity and imagination.

Be it art, dance, music, or theatre, PROMIL® Four continuously enables parents to help nurture their childs gift, so they can bring out the best in them.

PROMIL® FOUR believes that every child is born with a gift, and they deserve nothing but the best care to help nurture that potential for their success. Customize your childs playtime depending on his unique gift with PROMIL® Fours My Little Play: A Pop-up Theatre kit.

Mindanao-based restaurateur is top 2019 CMA recipient

Eduardo Azores of Koronadal City, South Cotabato was named National Winner during the recent awarding ceremonies of the 17th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Manila. This microentrepreneur successfully developed variants of a food product and wisely used his initial success to grow his business and brand.

The owner of Ali-Ali Pastil restaurant, Azores sells the popular pastil, a Muslim dish of steamed rice and shredded fish, chicken, or beef wrapped in banana leaves; and offers close to 30 other kinds of toppings including laing and seafood. From his restaurant’s earnings, Azores was able to open a convenience store, a catering business, a lodging inn, and another restaurant branch. Azores credits his success to Rizal Micro Bank that granted him loans to raise his capital.

Also honored during the event were Regional Awardee for Luzon Lea Mancera, owner of Daniel’s Handicraft Weaving and Metal Frame; Regional Awardee for Visayas Merly Domingo of Ebina Garment Manufacturing; and Regional Awardee for Mindanao Lucrecia Neri of Manna’s Alternatives Herbal Products and Ati Manna Organic Hub.

Romualdo Blanco, Jr. of San Pascual, Batangas and who owns PK Maja’s Special, received the Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Award. Two deserving microentrepreneurs were chosen as Special Awardees for Agri-Micro business- Rolando Pega, a spring onion farmer in Pangil, Laguna; and Rosanna Sinapilo, owner of Coco Deli in Candelaria, Quezon Province. Caroline Jamias of Carol Line’s Ethnic and Fashion won the Special Award for Preservation of Traditions for her enterprise that showcases the Kalinga culture.

In his keynote address, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said, “The CMA honors the men and women whose transformed lives and journey as entrepreneurs demonstrate the power of microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool.  Most of these microentrepreneurs started with close to nothing, and yet were able to build and grow a business that support their families and even their communities. Theirs is a story of empowerment. And this is what microfinance is truly about."


Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed, in his welcome remarks, said, “The compelling stories of the CMA winners speak volumes about the winning spirit of the microentrepreneur. This highlights the need for recognizing and rewarding the journeys of these outstanding entrepreneurs who have overcome a multitude of challenges to grow their businesses, improve the lives of their families, become catalysts for motivating other aspiring microentrepreneurs and contribute to employment and development within their respective communities. We are thrilled at having the opportunity to contribute to financial inclusion through the CMA program. Additionally, we would like to highlight that 76% of the awardees over the last 17 years have been women.”

Since its inception in 2002, the CMA has recognized 141 outstanding microentrepreneurs who overcame struggles and showed determination to bring their businesses to a higher level of success. The awards program is a signature initiative of the Citi Foundation; and highlights the efforts of partners BSP, Citi Philippines, and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. to strengthen microfinance and enterprise development, and financial inclusion in the country.

Azores and the seven other winners were chosen by the National Selection Committee co-chaired by Governor Diokno and Mr. Ahmed. The committee members are: Mr. Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, President and CEO, RFM Corporation; Ms. Teresita T. Sy-Coson, Vice Chairperson, SM Investments Corporation; Hon. Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Ms. Imelda M. Nicolas, President, Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran; Ms. Marixi Rufino-Prieto, Former Chairperson, The Philippine Daily Inquirer; Dr. Michael L. Tan, Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman; and Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President, Ayala Corporation.

The national winner received a cash prize of PhP200,000; while each of the regional winners and the special awardees were given PhP100,000. They also received a laptop; life and health insurance coverage for one year; and access to grassroots entrepreneurship management and basic computer literacy training at the Citi Microenterprise Development Center, another Citi Foundation program in partnership with Bayan Academy. The winners’ loan officers and microfinance institution partners were also given a plaque of recognition and cash incentive of PhP10,000 each.

GROHE Dual Tech awards first batch of internationally certified students

Leading global bathroom and kitchen solutions brand GROHE is all set to award its first batch of internationally certified students who have completed their vocational courses at the GROHE Dual Tech training facility in Don Bosco Youth Center, Tondo Manila. Along with the awarding, GROHE will also be inaugurating the newly-constructed public restroom in St. John Bosco Parish Tondo.

“Today marks a milestone for many of us as we award the first batch of internationally certified GROHE Dual Tech students,” says GROHE management board member Michael Mager. “It gives us so much pride to see these young people gain self-confidence and improve their career potential through these trainings.”

GROHE Dual Tech is a partnership program of GROHE and Don Bosco Youth Center to empower young people to better their lives by offering vocational apprenticeship programs with widely accepted graduation certificates, and consequently open opportunities for them in the form of secure jobs with competitive salaries.

This collaboration between GROHE and Don Bosco Youth Center was first launched in 2009, in Mumbai-Kurla, India. It was initially born out of a demand for more skilled workers in emerging countries, but became more meaningful as it gave more opportunities for the youth to start a new life. Following the success of this project—winning first prize in the “Innovation Competition for Vocational Training Projects in Developing Countries” from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)—it then expanded to the Philippines, building its center in Tondo, Manila on October 24, 2015.   

“We chose Tondo because of its dense population and the low educational and job opportunities for its youth,” shares Mager. “We want to take them out of the streets and open doors of opportunity for them through our educational programs so they can develop their talents and skills, and eventually help them earn a decent living.”

Meanwhile, Fr. Manuel Nicolas SDB, Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center (TVET) director, is very grateful for this partnership with GROHE. “We thank GROHE for its continuous collaboration with Don Bosco. Because of this project, we have seen many positive changes not only among the students of Dual Tech but also in our community.”

The students who will receive international certification completed a program called General Maintenance Technician (GMT) course and  it runs for a total of 15 months—10 months in the training center, trained by Filipino mentors accredited by GROHE, and five months internship in Don Bosco-partner companies. It covers TESDA-certified electrical and ref & aircon courses and is also tied up with a special plumbing course, which is internationally certified by GROHE. A total of 42 graduating students passed the International Certificate on GROHE Standards assessment exams, qualifying them to work for GROHE in the country or abroad.

Part of the graduation requirement of students is the construction of the public restrooms of the St. John Bosco Parish. Through the generosity of GROHE, Lixil Philippines, together with American Standard and Tostem, and Wilcon Depot, the students were able to produce a 40-sqm separated men and women’s restrooms of quality facilities located in front of the parish. The restrooms feature GROHE, American Standard and Tostem products, along with products from Wilcon Depot.

GROHE’s training centers around the world has transformed lives of young people. In the Philippines alone, GROHE and Don Bosco’s collaboration has produced hundreds of certified workers.

Seeing more collaborations in the future, Mager concluded, “This is only the beginning for GROHE and Don Bosco as we inspire and encourage a bigger chunk of the youth to transform their lives at the GROHE Dual Tech training centers.” 

To know more about GROHE and the GROHE Dual Tech training, visit their website https://www.grohe.com/

PCGE holds biggest celebration of National Gifted Week

The biggest celebration that aims to nurture the gift of every child is happens last Sunday November 24, 2019. in this.the National Gifted Week spearheaded by the Philippine Center for Gifted Education, Inc. (PCGE) in partnership with PROMIL® FOUR and support from the Kite Association of the Philippines.

Happening last November 24th up to the 30th, the National Gifted Week featured a whole-day kite flying event and a two-day conference to be attended by giftedness experts.

“This event aims to celebrate the gift that every child possesses. It is a great way for parents to encourage the creativity of their children, have fun and spend some time together. We will also be gathering the most notable experts who will discuss and share their knowledge on how to nurture a child’s gift,” said Dr. Leticia Peñano-Ho, president of PCGE.

The celebration kicks off with the biggest kite making and flying event in Manila. Children and their parents will be able create colorful kites and watch them rise in the air during the activity which will be held at Burnham Green Park across Luneta from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arts director of Masterpiece Movement Kara Escay will be facilitating the said activity. Attendees can also look forward to exciting games, entertainment, a parade, and other surprises.

To promote discussion and share learnings on giftedness, the PCGE will also be a gathering of experts for a two-day conference. Happening on November 29-30 at Hive Hotel & Convention Place in Quezon City from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days, the conference will focus on revisiting the Multiple Intelligences.

Sharing their expertise are experts that include Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, Ms. Shaira Luna, Ms. Kara David, Ms. Roselle Ambubuyog, Dr. Carlos Arcilla, Mr. Ryan Tumbocon, and Mr. Kim Atienza. They will discuss how to nurture a child’s gift based on their dominant intelligences which can be among Musical-Rhythmic, Visual/Spatial, Verbal Linguistic, Logical Mathematical, Science, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, or Body-Kinesthetic.

For more information, visit https://www.promilnurturethegift.com.ph/promil-four-nutrissentials or https://www.facebook.com/promilfour/.

New Certificates of Authenticities to be launch by Fundacion Sanso

Auction prices for Philippine art have been reaching incredulous levels lately, a success that one must take with caution. In the past few years, there has been a serious spate of fakes entering the market. They even often include forgeries of certificates of authenticity from various estates by the National Artists and of noted Philippine Visual artists.

A case in point back in 2012, a prestigious  international auction house was offering a purported 1976 work by National Artist Vicente Manansala, sourced to be from a prestigious private Asian collection as a part of Southeast Asian Modern Art sale in Hong Kong. This was despite a similar artwork being in the possession of a noted lady collector based in Manila, that was reproduced in the monograph on the artist back in 1980.

The dubious artwork was subsequently withdrawn upon an agreement between the auction house and the art foundation that preserves the legacy of Manansala. In the subsequent year, a dubious drawing reputed to have been made by National Artist Benedicto “Ben Cab” Cabrera was being offered in a fundraising sale for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. It was deemed a fake by the artist himself.

These incidents show that there is a necessity for a concerted effort to tackle this plague harming the art community as a whole. Fundacion  Sanso is among those who are taking up the challenge to ensure that only genuine works by Juvenal Sanso enter  the art market.
In line with its efforts to continuously strengthen its Authentication Services, Fundacion Sanso has started issuing Certificates of Authenticities (COA) with stronger security features. Fundacion Sanso Certificates of Authenticity have a pair of numbered hologram stickers.

One stickers will be placed on artworks authenticated by the museum, while its pair is on the certificate which itself has several security features, including microtexts and invisible marks which only show under a specific spectrum of UV light.

The sticker will be attached by an authorized staff of the museum to the frame of any part of the artwork, keeping in mind the proper handling and conservation of artworks. This process is an additional security feature that will be included in the museum’s  database of authenticated works.

This endeavor is to ensure an improved security protocol to protect our collectors and patrons from art fraud. The public is advised to have their works duly authenticated by Fundacion Sanso in order to eradicate fakes from entering the art market.

Canva launches #CanvaPasko Designed By You Contest

Design a Canva Christmas Card for a chance to see it in EDS

To help Filipinos celebrate Christmas, Canva is launching #CanvaPasko Designed By You, an online contest where for the first time ever – lucky winners will see their Canva Christmas cards live on a huge billboard in EDSA!

“Christmas is a very special occasion for many Filipinos. It’s a time when we come together to express our love for family, officemates, barkada, and our special someone. For times when words aren’t enough, we’re encouraging every Filipino in the Philippines and worldwide to mark the occasion with a very special tribute - design a beautiful Christmas card on Canva for free for a chance to see it displayed on a huge billboard in EDSA. Sitting in traffic has never been so meaningful.” shares Yani Hornilla-Donato, Country Manager of Canva Philippines.

“With our festive Christmas-themed Canva templates, Filipinos will be able to easily share their stories and messages of pagmamahal and pasasalamat to the people dearest to them and get a chance to show that love to the whole city.” Yani added.

How to join:

● Visit the contest homepage, https://www.canva.com/canvapasko/.
● Register for a free Canva account to design your own entry. During the registration process, you must key in your name and email address.
● Use any of the pre-made Instagram Portrait templates, 1080x1350 px to design a greeting.
● Each entry must be limited to a one-page design.
● Submit your entry on the website and register your contact details through the link provided on the download page.

○ For those using Facebook, you may post your entry as a comment on Canva’s pinned Facebook #CanvaPasko post and include a caption telling us who you’re sending love to and why you want to show them love this Christmas. Include the hashtag #CanvaPasko in your comment.

○ For those with Instagram, you may post your entry directly on your personal, public account, tag @canva_ph and add the hashtag #CanvaPasko and include a caption telling us who you’re sending love to and why you want to show them some big love this Christmas.

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines, 13 years old and above and will run until December 18, 2019.

Five designs will be chosen each week between December 2 to December 8; December 9 to December 15; December 16 to December 22; and December 23 to December 29. If your design is one of the lucky 20 winners, Canva will contact you for details on when you can expect to see your design live.
For more information, visit https://www.canva.com/canvapasko/ or follow Canva Philippines on Facebook.
*Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-21509 Series of 2019. Contest runs from November 11 to December 18, 2019.

ABOUT CANVA

Launched in 2013, Canva is an intuitive online design and publishing platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast library of templates ranging from presentations, social media posts, posters, invitations to resumes, a huge collection of stock photography, illustrations and fonts, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on web, iOS and Android.

The wonder of Christmas is coming to Filinvest City

Filinvest City lights up the wonder of Christmas this holiday season as the ultimate 

holiday destination in Metro South!

Starting November 15, the much-awaited annual holiday celebration brings the
festivities to Filinvest City’s newest attraction and center of convergence – the Water
Garden at Festival Mall, and promises to be even bigger, brighter and more magical
this year.

Set against a beautiful garden setting, the Water Garden at Festival Mall is transformed
into a Christmas wonderland with lights and sights, becoming a perfect stage for fun
activities, weekend performances and fireworks display that will surely delight Filinvest
Cityzens and visitors as they come together to create wonderful yuletide memories.
Families and friends can watch, touch, feel and enjoy the holidays with life-sized
Christmas installations, including a magnificent 42-foot tree all set in a Magical
Christmas Village.

What’s more, every Saturday, merry-makers and shoppers will be treated to musical 

performances by some of the country’s best local performers such as I Belong To The
Zoo, Unique, Hale, This Band, Wicked Adobo, Leanne and Naara, Silent Sanctuary and
Orange and Lemons, just to name a few. A spectacular fireworks display caps the
stellar entertainment that would surely ignite everyone’s festive spirit.

And the Christmascelebration  will not be complete without Santa Claus! On Sundays,
Santa will be there to brighten up and bring cheer to every little boy and girl, listen to
their Christmas wishes and pose for those merry family photos. The best part is, you
can experience all of these for free!

“Every year, we aim to make Filinvest City the ultimate go-to destination in the south,”
says FilinvestAlabang Inc. vice president for townships, Don Ubaldo. “For this year, we
made sure to go bigger and brighter with Light Up the Wonder at Filinvest City,
highlighting our newest attraction – the Water Garden at Festival Mall, which we
transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland where families and friends can bond
together and create new, unforgettable memories.”

The festivities do not end at the Water Garden, Festival Mall. Enjoy the entire city from a
new perspective with open spaces lit up with cheery Christmas decorations, Filinvest
City roads illuminated in sparkling lights, and corporate buildings adorned in splendid
holiday designs.

The garden city truly makes for a perfect Christmas destination. With every detail
planned and designed to provide residents, workers and visitors a stress-free holiday
with a wide array of shopping, dining and entertainment options. With easy accessibility,
less traffic, cheerful, positive vibe and the soothing, cool southern breeze, celebrating
the yuletide season at Filinvest City will leave you with time and energy for what truly
matters – creating wonderful Christmas memories to cherish with your loved ones.
For more details about “Light Up the Wonder at Filinvest City”
visit www.facebook.com/FilinvestCityOFFICIAL

Workbank a New Job Portal enters the PH Market

A game-changer for candidates to reach their dream career with the right tools of 

self-improvement and preparedness

Present at the launch are (L-R) Workbank Country Head Reggie Fernandes and Fe Nuñez, Head of Digital Marketing 

Last Wednesday November 13, 2019, launch WORKBANK, the only jobsite with #malasakit was exactly their goal and mission as a business , which means that they does not only think of how to get more money through it but rather help their applicants as to what they deserve to become by giving them seminars , training and other kind of leadership style and  work ethics.

Purpose and growth might seem like mere buzzwords one wishes to anchor a career
on, but such is the business of Workbank, a talent solutions platform that matches
job hunters with companies.

A game-changer in the conventional, otherwise tedious and nerve-wracking job-hunt,
Workbank is not a one-way street that favors only the companies. By putting people
first, this platform ensures that applicants are ready and can stay in their ideal job,
which is what recruiters ultimately look for in ideal candidates. It’s a win-win for both
sides of the recruitment fence.

Taking that extra leap to encourage self-improvement and preparedness, Workbank
partnered with companies like Grab and Zalora to provide discounts to job hunters
who want to better present themselves. In addition to this, this job portal also has
been providing free training to scale up a job hunter’s chances at getting employed.
And all of these is anchored on a virtue that is uniquely Filipino, malasakit.

In the recent press launch of Workbank, its country head Reggie Fernandes said,
“As a very young institution, we have a lot ahead to position ourselves differently. We
are dynamic, we are agile, we have strong technology backing, and we have
investors overseas that have put a lot behind what they believe is the story of
malasakit. This is very important for us because we know how hardworking and
talented Filipinos are.” Their job-seeking development strategy comes with an E-Card that marks exclusive perks to Workbank users. The E-Card can be used for discounts at partner
merchants such as ClassPass, Electric Studio, Urban Ashram and Wendy’s. Anyone
who registers on the page and reaches a 70 percent profile progress can avail this
E-Card in just a few clicks.

Workbank will continue to strengthen their job hunters’ skill set and credibility with
the right partnerships and smart-match technology. This ensures that candidates are
always provided opportunities for growth, not just through trainings but also through
jobs that meet their skill and experience.

Fernandes also added that Workbank will not just be a portal but will have a unique
roadmap for job hunters in search of a purpose-driven career. “Our philosophy is
investing in people, so we operate in the principle of ‘Invest in good people and you
get back in multiple fold for all the companies in our platform.’”

About Workbank

Workbank is an online job portal that invests in Filipinos not only by connecting them to job
opportunities across the country, but also by ensuring they are equipped with information and resources to help them be the most productive they can be. Established in 2018, Workbank is a Filipino-ran tech company with a heart. Their "malasakit" for the Filipino talent manifests in their exclusive perks and free trainings for job seekers.

PH’s First Integrated Permit Application System Debuts in Valenzuela

Present at the launch are: Department of Trade and industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (center), Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian (to his right), Vice Mayor Lorena Natividad-Borja (to his left), and the City Council of Valenzuela.

Starting November 13, an integrated permit application system called the 3S Plus
Valenzuela City Online Services will provide a single platform for the application of
permits and request for documents. This is the first and the fastest of its kind in the
country, which spares applicants from the cost and time required of personal
applications at the city hall.

With the City’s commitment to be in full compliance to the Ease of Doing Business
(EODB) Law, the highlight of the system is the “Paspas Permit”, the 10-second
business permit application system. It allows the issuance of a provisionary business
permits within ten seconds after the payment confirmation. Prior to this project, the
issuance of business permits at the City Hall takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

The introduction of the ‘Paspas Permit’ system will accelerate Valenzuela’s adoption
of digital technology to streamline services for more than 18,000 businesses in the
city. According to Mayor REX Gatchalian, “the new platform demonstrates the local
government’s commitment to make services more efficient and innovative, which in
turn can attract more investors and spur further development. Entrepreneurs are
indispensable to our country’s growth and so we are empowering them through
improved systems of service delivery.”

“At this point, the adoption of digital technology has become essential to fostering
growth. The launch of 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services shows how we are
leveraging on the innovative use of new technologies for better, faster services to our
constituents,” he added.

City of Valenzuela’s efforts uphold E-Governance have earned accolades from
numerous reputable institutions. It is a Hall-of-Famer to the Most Business Friendly
Highly Urbanized City award of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(PCCI), a distinction that it held in 2012, 2014, 2015, and again, in 2019 after a
mandatory three-year hiatus from the Search.

Using the 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services, permit applicants can apply for
the following documents and services:

● Renewal or Application of New Business Permits
● Building and Construction Permit application
● Real Property Tax (RPT) payments
● Requests for Certified True Copy of Tax Declaration, Tax Mapping Certificate,
Certificate of Non-Improvement and Appraisal of Real Property
● Requests for Certified True Copy of Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificate,
and Court Decision

Actual business permit and documents can be delivered within three to five working
days through Wide Wide World Express (formerly DHL Philippines) or Grab Express.
Payments, on the other hand, can be processed via Visa, Mastercard, debit cards,
Bancnet or PayMaya.

Documentary requirements submitted through the platform are reviewed realtime
between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays to Fridays. Those who were applied
beyond office hours shall be processed promptly on the next morning.

Provisionary Building and Construction permits shall also be obtained through the
system within 10 second upon confirmation of payment. A provisionary permit shall
be sent to the applicant’s email and they can commence construction. However, the
applicant must submit the original documents to the Office of the Building Official
(OBO) within 15 days, so they can get their actual permit. Failing to do so will
revoke their provisionary permit.

“Simpler and faster processes reflect good governance and this is what we want to
achieve through our 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services. This platform is a one-
stop shop for permits and documents needed by residents, investors, and
entrepreneurs who want to do business in our city,” Gatchalian concluded.
To register an account at the 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services and start
applying for permits and documents, visit www.valenzuela.gov.ph.

Over 14 million kids and counting: McDonald's strengthens its commitment to help Filipino children through Ronald McDonald House Charities

Its main fundraising initiatives Happy Meal and Stripes Run celebrate milestone anniversaries this year.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — McDonald’s Philippines has helped in making a difference in the lives of Filipino children by giving back through its charity of choice— Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines. In a press conference held on November 7, 2019 in McDonald’s McKinley West, it strengthened its commitment to continuously support RMHC.

The press conference not only aimed to give a better understanding of how McDonald’s has and will continue to support RMHC and its programs, but also revealed its newest RMHC celebrity ambassador— Alden Richards. McDonald’s Happy Meal and Stripes Run
Through initiatives like Happy Meal and Stripes Run, McDonald’s is able to fund Ronald McDonald Read to Learn program— a beginning reading program in partnership with the Department of Education that aims to improve the literary skills of Filipino students while they are at the beginning stages of learning.

Under the program, educators are trained on Beginning Reading by providing reading kits to grades 1 and 2 learners. For Read to Learn program alone, over 12 million public school students have benefited and over 28,000 educators have been trained.
Since 2003, the iconic Happy Meal has been the biggest contributor of McDonald’s donations to RMHC, with a portion of every Happy Meal purchase being donated. This November 21, Happy Meal celebrates its 40th global anniversary and as a special treat, will be introducing a limited edition-Surprise Happy Meal, featuring favorite throwback toys from the past four decades.

On the other hand, Stripes Run— now on its 10th year— returns on December 1, 2019 at the SM MOA Concert Grounds. Since its first run in 2010, more than 35,000 Stripes Runners have contributed to RMHC. Kids and adults alike are invited to get their red and white striped socks out and run for reading with running categories of 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K to choose from! 25 years of RMHC and its programs. For 25 years since being established in the country in 1995, RMHC has made a difference in the lives of Filipino children through programs that support their need for shelter, education, and happiness. Aside from the Stripes Run and Happy Meal-supported Read to Learn program, RMHC also provides help to
Filipino children through Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit and Ronald McDonald Bigay Tulong programs.

Through the annual Stripes Run, Happy Meal sales contribution, the annual RMHC Golf Tournament, donation canisters in McDonald’s stores, and the newly launched RMHC online portal, funds are continuously raised to expand the reach of the different programs to benefit more Filipino children. RMHC Executive Director Marie Angeles also introduced the newest RMHC celebrity ambassador, Alden Richards, who will help raise awareness on RMHC’s programs and fund-raising initiatives. Kids from the Bahay Bulilit Learning Center in Quirino, Manila were also surprised with a live reading session by Alden and McDonald’s Chief Happiness Officer Ronald McDonald. With one of the books from the Read to

Learn reading kits, Alden gave the kids an engaging and memorable experience— proving he's a perfect fit for the role of RMHC ambassador with the spirit of happiness and giving that he embodies. “Sobrang honored ako to be part of the RMHC family because I’ve seen what they’ve done and what they continue to do to help children all over the country. Excited na ako to encourage more people to help RMHC so we can support more kids,” shares Alden.

Like Alden, you, too, can help give Filipino children a brighter future. Register now for Stripes Run 2019 at https://www.mcdostripesrun.com.ph or in the nearest McDonald’s store to you. You can also purchase the Surprise Happy Meal starting November 21 to relive your childhood days with an iconic McDonald's toy while still giving back.

For more updates, follow McDonald’s Philippines at @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram and McDoPH on Facebook. Learn more about RMHC and its programs at https://www.rmhc.org.ph/

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

For many Filipinos, home is not a place.  Home is family.  For the season 3 Coke Studio episode that focuses on family feels, the artists featured feel a strong and particular resonance for the idea of family. 

Sarah Geronimo has often been praised for her love and devotion to her family.  “I really love my family and all the sacrifices they have made for me. Whatever happens in life, wherever my career takes me, God gave me a gift that grounds me and keeps me humble, so that I know who I am,” she declares.  She also adds that being invited to be part of Coke Studio Season 3 is like being invited to a family reunion of sorts.  “When I used to see the Coke Studio billboard, when I would get stuck in traffic, I found it so cool, and I really thought to myself, ‘Wow, I wish that I could be a part of that.’"

This Band are Andrea Manzano (vocals), Euwie Von Loria (guitar), Miccael Galvan (bass), John Kenneth Macaranas (drums), Melvin Carson (keyboard) and Reymart Gubat (lead guitar).  They consider themselves as a family, since they all grew up near each other.  They started their career jamming in the food parks around their neighborhood. They also consider Sarah part of their extended showbiz family because of their management group.  Euwie says, “But at first, we couldn’t believe that this early in our career, we could be working with her. It’s as if our career will be fast-tracked, things are going beyond what we imagined.” 

Andrea adds, “And we’re so happy that we get to remake her song, because her music is really part of the soundtrack of our lives."

And just like in a real family, Sarah feels like an older sister, and she can pass on some wisdom to her young colleagues.  Sarah reminisces,  “When I was starting out, what was important, yung maging plakado. But now, the young ones, they’re so free.  And that’s great because what really matters with any performance, is that you put your heart into it.  So I would just remind them to always put your all into a performance.” 

Watch how Sarah Geronimo and This Band collaborate for Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them this coming October 26, at 10:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN or online at www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH .

Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation Inc. Presents Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in November 2019

The Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation, Inc (VAHHFI), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, is exhibiting Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project, its second major exhibition on 12 November 2019, Tuesday.

The exhibit is for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and of selected mental health advocacy groups, namely: Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines, Buhay Movement, Silakbo and #MentalHealthPh, as well as to support VAHHFI’s healthcare initiative for practicing visual artists and artist support practitioners like curators, art critics, art professors, and established gallery workers and other support professions.

Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project serves as the VAHHFI’s inaugural launch and coming out event, following its initial 2017 exhibition by its founding members to raise funds primarily for visual artists’ welfare and hospitalization assistance, which resulted in the eventual creation of the foundation.

“Creating and registering the foundation took two years,” shared sculptor and founding member Daniel Dela Cruz, who spearheaded the initiative of putting together both the initial exhibition and the foundation, “it is the artists in service of other artists and those in the community.”

“That is the VAHHFI’s contribution to Philippine art. Since the foundation is something bigger than any individual artist, it will surely stand the test of time as artists continue to pay it forward,” he expounded.

Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project expands VAHHFI’s reach and generating awareness not only among the visual arts community but among the general public.  More than providing collectors a chance to purchase unique artworks is the opportunity to help not just the artists but the professionals who support the artists in the visual art ecosystem.

Using “The Empty Chair” as a visual metaphor, the exhibit tackles the current and timely subject of Mental Health, and the idea that art heals.

VAHHFI challenged the crème de la crème of the Philippine visual arts scene to interpret, translate, and realize what an empty chair means and to conceptualize a chair series that embody the message of “hope, kindness, and positivity to all.”
By providing them with designer chairs and stools sourced from BoConcept and Casa Bella to work on, the artists not only to provide “support” to those suffering from anxiety, depression, and similar psychological issues but also to engender and encourage mental fitness as a part of one’s own overall well-being.

“In as much as our foundation focuses on physical fitness, mental fitness should also be part of our regimen to protect and safeguard our overall well-being,” explained Dela Cruz.


“We spend time and energy exercising and going to the gym, but we also need to remember to take time to relax, de-stress, and rest our minds and our soul.  Art, and all creative endeavors, soothes the soul and nourishes it,” he continued. 

This much-awaited biennial gathering of creative minds and generous spirits to produce one-of-a-kind masterpieces worthy of collectors discriminating tastes to pool enough money for VAHH’s medical endowment funds.

This indeed embodies VAHHFI’s raison d’etre and philosophy as its flagship program: To give back to the visual arts community by providing funds to institutional partners and medical assistance to members of the visual arts community.

The biggest health charity art-and-design event for the visual arts community revolving on the theme of chairs, Chapter 2 is participated in by Leo Abaya, Fruitjuice Factory Studio with Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, Annie Cabigting, Valeria Cavestany, Charlie Co, Louie Cordero, Jayson Cortez, Marina Cruz, Kawayan de Guia, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Dexter Fernandez, Dino Gabito, Nona Garcia, Guerrero “RG” Habulan, Gregory Halili, Riel Hilario, Nilo Ilarde, Pete Jimenez, Erwin Leaño, Raul Lebajo, Luis Lorenzana, Gene Paul Martin, Jason Montinola, Leeroy New, Rando Onia, Jim Orencio, Bernie Pacquing, Lynyrd Paras, Richard Quebral, Marc Aran Reyes, Jose Tence “Bogie” Ruiz, Stanley Ruiz, Luis Santos, Ciron Señeres, Rodel Tapaya, and MM Yu.

Ricky Francisco was tapped by VAHHFI to curate the exhibition with Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s team headed by Tina Colayco, who expressed pride and gratitude in having been an integral part of Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project.

“We fully support the mission of the VAHHF and express solidarity in their advocacies in promoting healthcare initiatives and extending medical assistance specifically for those in need from the local arts and culture community,” Colayco shared.

“It is a meaningful exhibition with a powerful metaphor and message on mental health awareness and related help.  The participation of so many generous artists in this exhibition without any doubt conveys an equally forceful expression of empathy for others and unity for a cause,” she further explained.

“We sincerely thank VAHHF President, Mr. Daniel dela Cruz, and the VAHH Board of Trustees for working with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila for this project, and for their support for the museum and its education programs. The museum acknowledges its appreciation to the exhibition curator Ricky Francisco and exhibition designer Ar. Jonathan Dangue who have worked very closely with the Met Museum team for the Chapter 2: The Empty Chair exhibition,” Colayco closed.

Providing Medical Aid to the Visual Arts Community

Dr Joven Cuanang, chairman of the VAHHI being a medical doctor, with Dr Steve Lim on the Medical Team, has enabled the organization to evaluate the health needs of applicants from the visual arts community—not just members—and recommend medical interventions to benefit everyone in the field including art critics, art writers, and art professors.

Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project will run from November 12, 2019, Tuesday, to January 31, 2020, Friday—with the opening reception on November 12—at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The project is supported by Meralco, PLDT, AXA, Casa Bella and Bo Concept.  For more information, visit metmuseum.ph, call +632 708 7828, or email us at info@metmuseum.ph.

Check out, too, VAHHFI’s website www.visualartshelpinghands.org for updates, news, and application information.