May 17, 2012

Register Now for the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2012!

March 4, 2012 By 2 Comments

Every year since 2006, Gawad Kalinga has staged the GK Bayani Challenge, a 5-day test of courage, endurance and love for country. Teams of 15 people go on an adventure to plant hope on ground by building communities and fostering friendships that are critical to nation-building.

The urgent call of building this nation will be answered once again this April 9-14. This year’s Bayani Challenge will gather volunteers not only in one but in FIVE provinces around the country. “PILIPINAS, NGAYON NA!” will challenge more volunteers to change lives, bring hope to others, and build sustainable communities in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental and two areas in Negros Oriental (Dumaguete and Amlan). We invite you take this unique opportunity as an individual or as a group of 15 (or more). Register online and choose among the following activities:

1. Building of Homes
Build an actual home for a family and experience everything from laying the foundation, attaching the roof, painting the walls, and landscaping.

2. Paraisong Pambata
Create an environment of fun and learning for children aged 6 to 10 years old through feeding programs, story-telling sessions, games, and a Sports Clinic.

3. School Build
Make public schools conducive to learning by refurbishing rooms, painting walls, landscaping gardens, and repairing tables and chairs.

4. Environment
Be a hero for the environment by planting trees and organizing clean-up drives.

5. Community Health
Share the importance of health by conducting a nutrition program, medical check-ups and health consultations among the different barangays.

We will cap off each spirited and fulfilling day with the following activities:

  • Blogging Rights Day: Sharing of experiences and inspiring stories of heroism.
  • Empowerment Talks: After-dinner talks and sessions to process the experience and harness the heroism in everyone.
  • Kalinga Night: Brings together the volunteers for a night of celebration and commitment.

Aside from this exciting line-up, we will also be hosting a series of SPECIAL EVENTS this year:

  • Bayanihan Race: Teams will compete in a unique race around the island.
  • Master Kusinero: The team that cooks the best dish using an endemic ingredient from the island will be rewarded.
  • Concert: At the end of the Bayani Challenge, we will celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experience through a culminating activity that will feature bands and other exciting surprises.

Hurry and register here as slots are on a first come, first served basis.

See you at the Bayani Challenge!

For inquiries and more information, please visit this site and navigate through the sidebar: GK Bayani Challenge 2012.

Filed Under: Events, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Globe-powered TATTOO unleashes the new faces of global resistance

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The resistance begins now. Globe-powered Tattoo starts a new revolution as it becomes faster, bolder and more powerful than ever. Armed with topnotch innovation, Tattoo revolts against uniformity, fights against mediocrity and breaks through limitations all with stronger bandwidth, better devices, wider reach and faster speeds at unbeatable value.

As the #1 most preferred broadband in the country, Tattoo breaks barriers and overcomes limits. Impossibilities are set aside as Tattoo gives every user an out-of-the-box experience – Resisting the tired and traditional broadband model.  With a new and empowered broadband that packs a punch in a super sleek and stylish package, Tattoo reveals the new and progressive face of internet technology.

Pushing the bounds of connectivity, Tattoo has taken on the challenge that continues to make Filipinos more mobile, powerful, global and consequentially, revolutionary. Get ready for a new domination in your broadband – with three reasons to resist the slow and unreliable broadband internet that plagues the market. With an empowered prepaid and postpaid portfolio Tattoo outdoes competition yet again in etching a permanent mark in the minds of the young, mobile, and techno-savvy. More to these, it is their new brand ambassadors, it seems, that causes the most buzz in the beeline.

Proof that Tattoo packs a punch in providing value for money for the best deals, the “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire raises his fist in resisting mediocrity with the tired old broadband we all have been accustomed to. The current World Bantamweight Champion has risen from jaggedness and aims for prominence. And putting up the same stance for the country’s #1 most preferred broadband, Tattoo promises internet service that is uninterrupted, with strong and powerful signals at unbeatable speeds.

With his perma-lined eyes, black swept hair, and his melodic howl, vocalist Miggy Chavez has raised a strong following for a religion he calls Chicosci. Armed with hypnotic guitar riffs, surreal lyrics, and, Chavez’s addicting vocal styling, Chicosci has reared a legion of head-banging cronies for their “Vampire Social Club”, a historic hit for Philippine rock. And with Tattoo on his side, Miggy Chavez can take his ‘vampiric’ social network following to virally fanatic proportions, with reliable bandwidths designed for instant updates, super-sonic uploads and downloads, and unlimited interaction. Backed up by Tattoo, Miggy breaks through limitations caused by slow, unreliable internet access, as he puts his rock-cult status in the burning spotlight and paves the way to musical innovations that would bring the Pinoy sound to the international arena.

Model marvel Georgina Wilson on the other hand, with her multi-faceted persona has invaded the international fashion consciousness and left an indelible mark all her own. From the face that launched a thousand billboards, to her display of Filipina beauty in the global stream of America’s Next Top Model, Georgina has proved, time and again, that the Pinay supermodel is more than just a pretty face. Above all, professionalism, personality, and panache transcend a model into an invading icon.

And this resistance against Uniformity of modeling stereotypes has transformed Wilson into a global household name, her tweets instantly becoming the first words on anything from fashion, social graces, to the elusive pursuits of the finer things in life. Her @iloveGeorgina Twitter account has caused quite a social network traffic this holiday season when Georgina asked her followers “What will you RESIST this 2012?” And judging from the amount of replies she received, her words fronted by a pretty picture will always be irresistible. With Grace, Glamour, intelligible Grasp, and a Gorgeous face, Georgina Wilson displays the 4G that could launch a thousand hits, likes, and followings, and that is exactly what Tattoo does with its new generation Superstick, that outfits 4G in a super sleek and stylish package.

Tattoo challenges you to RESIST all your old notions of what your broadband can be. It is time to RESIST the undependable, and start living your connected lives without limits, as it takes you to the new generation of global broadband domination.

Join the resistance and choose your weapon, visit www.tattoo.globe.com.ph

Filed Under: Press Release Tagged With:

Contemporary art exhibit showcases Cebuano talents

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Paintings and sculptures of contemporary Cebuano artists were featured in the art exhibit, dubbed Contemporary Cebu, which opened last Jan. 4 at the Cebu City Museum.

 

The exhibit, which is curated by JV Castro, is designed to bring national attention to contemporary Cebuano artists and their works. It is open to the public until Jan. 31.

 

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, during the opening ceremonies, lauded the initiative undertaken to make the exhibit possible, saying it is a way to recognize Cebuano talents in visual arts as well as to promote the Cebu City Museum.

 

The Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), and The Grove by Rockwell, partnered together to launch this annual exhibit. The first exhibit was held in June 2011 in Manila at the Ateneo de Manila University and Picasso Boutique Hotel.

 

This year’s Contemporary Cebu art exhibit features the works of Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, Kidlat of the Junks Collective, Karl Roque, Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, Vidal Alcoseba, and Tito Cuevas. Russ Ligtas will give Butoh performances on Jan. 12 and 13.

 

“It is an exhibition that features some of the finest artists we have in Cebu. All the works in the exhibit are done by Cebuano artists who specialize in contemporary works, meaning the portrayal of subjects are different. In a way, we want to promote Cebu in a different light,” Castro said.

 

Dennis “Sio” Montera, one of the participating artists shared the inspiration and stories behind his paintings.

 

“My art is more on expression of the things that have been relevant in my life—happiness, sadness, loss of loved one, any life experience. For me, the best way I can communicate or deal with my emotions is to paint. It is more likely the reflection of a current situation of my life. It’s like a diary, mirroring what is happening around me,” he said.

 

 

The exhibit’s curator, JV Castro (far left), introduced to the public the participating contemporary artists: (second from L-R) Marvin Chito Natural, Karl Roque Jr., Sio Montera, Tito Cuevas, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, and Ritchie Quijano.

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio and RAFI have been partners since Contemporary Cebu’s inception in 2011. This year, they took in The Grove by Rockwell as a major partner. The other sponsors of the exhibit are the Cebu City Government, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of Cebu City, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Blue Shield Risk Management, Gothong Southern, Michelangelo Pizzeria, and Hola España.

“Contemporary Cebu is a good opportunity for introducing the Cebuano audience to contemporary arts and for them to be familiar who the Cebuano contemporary visual artists are,” said Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of Culture and Heritage of RAFI. (Hannah Reoma/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. intern)

The Contemporary Cebu art exhibit was formally opened last Jan. 4. The ribbon cutting was led by (L-R, foreground) Amaya Aboitiz, executive director of the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, vice-chair of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of Cebu City; Massimo La Magna, over-all supervisor of Pizzeria Michelangelo; and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Culture, Featured Post, Press Release, Society Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Bounce forward as you push off with the Skechers ProSpeed SRR running shoes

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Running has become a national pastime in thePhilippines. Weekend warriors who used to jog around Greenhills and then find themselves in surrounding coffee shops after their run, now find themselves in the streets ofBonifacioGlobalCityor the paved roads around Mall of Asia in sponsored Sunday runs.

As more and more people take to the streets to pound the pavement, there emerged a resurgence of interest in the right footwear to use as you see people in these runs wearing a variety of shoes from normal street rubber shoes to technical running shoes that offer a myriad of benefits.

This has led to the development and introduction of a new kind of lightweight running shoe from Skechers for active enthusiasts and serious athletes — the Skechers ProSpeed SRR.

Chinggay Andrada, one of the trainers in the Biggest Loser Philippines show and a certified professional fitness expert; and SkechersPhilippinesnewest fitness spokesperson said: “This new footwear technology by Skechers will greatly help in getting more Filipinos to run more comfortably and efficiently whether they’re taking on their first 3K or training for a marathon.”

The ProSpeed SRR features the patented Smart Shoe™ Technology, the rocker-bottom that guides runners into mid-foot strike position. This mid-foot strike design transforms the energy of impact, through the Kinetic Return System, into forward motion with every stride.

“The shoes literally give runners a spring in their step as they feel a distinctive bounce forward upon toe-off or push off,” Andrada adds.

The Skechers ProSpeed SRR is also lightweight due to the Resalyte™ cushioning with memory retention that reduces impact for a supported, comfortable ride during runs. Each ProSpeed comes in just under 10 oz. per shoe depending on the size.


Check out www.skechers.com.ph and www.facebook.com/SkechersFitnessPhilippines for more information on ProSpeed SRR.

Filed Under: Featured Post, Press Release

MEB KEFLEZIGHI, SKECHERS new endorser

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

MEB KEFLEZIGHI ACHIEVES NEW PERSONAL BEST AT 2011 ING NYC MARATHON WEARING SKECHERS GO RUN RACING FOOTWEAR


SKECHERS USA, Inc., a global leader in the footwear industry announced last August 2011, that it has signed an agreement with distance runner Meb Keflezighi to endorse SKECHERS Fitness performance footwear and apparel in a worldwide multiple-medium marketing campaign.

Elite runner and Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi achieved a new personal best time of 2:09:13 and was the fastest American at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon today. Wearing SKECHERS GO Run racing footwear, Meb surpassed his 2009 New York Marathon winning time of 2:09:15.

“It felt amazing to beat my previous personal best and 2009 winning time. It was an extremely challenging race with very fast and intense competition, and I am pleased with my achievement,” began Keflezighi. “I felt strong going into it, training at high altitudes in my SKECHERS GO Run racing shoes, which definitely made a positive impact on my running. I’ve been a heel strike runner my entire life, but SKECHERS’ mid-foot strike technology has helped me adjust my stride to be more efficient. My shoes are my most essential piece of equipment and right now SKECHERS has the footwear I need to succeed. I’m excited to be partnering with this groundbreaking company.”

SKECHERS GO Run is an innovative new minimalistic lightweight running line featuring revolutionary mid-foot strike technology and GO Impulse sensors for enhanced sensory feedback. Meb has provided SKECHERS with expert insight by testing and consulting on the design of SKECHERS GO Run as well as other high-performance products currently in development.

The GO Run shoe weighs just 5.9 ounces and has a 4mm drop to promote a midfoot strike. Key technical features include a barefoot last that is wider through the ball of the foot with a lower heel drop that moves the center of pressure forward. GO Impulse circular sensors on the outsole are positioned where impact points are greatest and are designed to provide traction, stability and reaction to the terrain. The GO Run also has a SmartShoe curved bottom that promotes natural motion, proprietary Resalyte injection molded cushioning with memory retention, and an OrthoLite anti-microbial sockliner.

Skechers entry into performance running comes at an interesting time as more people are running than ever before and the success of Meb proves the credibility of Skechers GO Run as a line of performance-oriented running shoe. The shoe has been featured in several runs around the country as well including the recently held Cebu Marathon last January 8, 2012 at the Cebu I.T. Park in Lahug, Cebu, and will be officially launched in the Philippines in early 2012.

For hardcore athletes or running hobbyists, this is definitely a good shoe choice to help improve your run. Skechers GO Run—the way you’re supposed to run.

For more information on Skechers GO Run, visit www.skechers.com.ph/gorun and like Skechers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SkechersFitnessPhilippines

Filed Under: Featured Post, Press Release

New SM MALL Set to open at the SRP

November 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As the City of Cebu thrives and its economy flourishes, SM Supermalls, the country’s largest chain of malls, gives their vote of confidence in the city’s growth potential by developing what will become a major new landmark at their South Road Properties (SRP) site.

A new mall, aptly called SM Seaside City Cebu will be one of the first developments in the masterplan of SM Properties for their 304,100 sq. m. site, which stretches from the northern part of the SRP to the sea. Designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design and planning firm from Miami, Florida, the grand, first-of-its-kind urban development at the SRP will dramatically change the landscape of the city with its nautilus-inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space.

A large church – a sleek, modern all-white structure nestled among lush foliage – will be the first to be built and completed in the SM SRP complex. Hotels, a conference and convention center, residential buildings and community facilities will follow, and will be designed to span out from the SM Seaside City Cebu mall, which will be located at the center of the entire development. The mall will be interconnected with these other structures through elevated walkways.

With a lot area of 93, 570 sq. m. and a gross floor area of 291,043 sq. m., SM Seaside City Cebu will be a 4-level, circular-shaped, world-class retail mall with multiple anchors, including a two-storey SM Department Store and SM Hypermart, a 5-theater Cineplex and IMAX Theatre, an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and a food court flanking an ice skating rink. In addition, the mall will have over 800 food and retail shops, including international brands.

Retail shops will occupy the outer arc of the mall on the ground floor. This area will include a furniture zone as well as a fashion boulevard to showcase the talent of Cebu’s many local designers. Numerous new wining and dining outlets will face an inner circular garden, increasing in number as shoppers proceed to the higher floors. On the third floor, these outlets will have verandas facing the garden below while the fourth floor will have restaurants and bars on the outer circuit of the circle with verandas on the north side of the mall looking out to the sea. The mall will also have a covered event area for concerts and shows at the fourth floor as well as a roof garden with ponds and trees, as well as restaurants to enjoy the beauty of the greens from.

Keeping with the nautilus-inspired theme, the mall’s car park will be incorporated into the structure, helping to define the semi-circular volume of the building. The mall’s layout induces traffic to flow inwards and upwards. The second-level garden has a drop-off area for private vehicles whereas public vehicles will have their own transport interchange at the ground level with different areas dedicated to taxis, public utilities and buses. The retail and food outlets at the ground level will be easily accessible to the riding public while service and delivery bays for tenants and SM anchors are set aside at strategic areas.

An Iconic Viewing Tower will be an attraction in itself, offering sensational panoramic views of the entire city of Cebu while serving as a new landmark for the city. SM Seaside City Cebu will be one of the first establishments to create an address in this district of metro Cebu, and will pave the way for development in the area.

Filed Under: Press Release, Real Estate, Tourism

Cebu is still a Priority Destination for Philippine Airlines

November 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Asia’s first airlines, Philippine Airlines still has its eye in Cebu in its promotional efforts. This is the news released from the news section of the airlines’ website.

“Philippine Airlines (PAL) said today (24 November 2011) that Cebu remainson top of its list of local destinations that the flag carrier is prioritizing in its international roadshows to boost tourist arrivals in the country.

 In a press briefing, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline is “100-percent committed” to sell Cebu in its 26 international destinations including selected points in its domestic network.

 To jumpstart its intensified tourist promotion campaign, PAL flew in eight(8) candidates of the Miss Earth Pageant to visit and document some of

Cebu’s best tourist attractions. The group’s photos and videos will be featured in PAL’s promo materials for distribution abroad, particularly the United States, Canada and Asia.

PAL flies eight (8) times a day between Manila and Cebu using mostly wide-body jets like the Boeing 777ER, B747-400 and the Airbus A330. The flag carrier also flies directly from Cebu to Narita, Japan six (6) times weekly and thrice a week to Incheon, South Korea. Effective December 2, flights to Incheon will double to six (6) times weekly.

“Cebu continues to enjoy positive load factors despite the recent tsunami in Japan and other natural calamities. In fact, even during the height of PAL’s spin off/outsourcing program, flights to Cebu were largely unaffected with load factors of more than 80 percent,” said Glenn Vallecera, PAL AVP-Visayas Sales.

In coordination with the Department of Tourism, PAL’s intensified tourism promotion campaign comes on the heels of PAL’s restoration of flights and frequencies to pre-outsourcing levels.

Starting today (November 24), all PAL flights depart from and arrive at its exclusive hub at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. Prior to October 1, the effectivity date of PAL’s outsourcing program, some flights were temporarily housed at NAIA Terminal 3 to decongest the Centennial Terminal.”

Source: www.philippineairlines.com

Filed Under: Press Release, VBS2011 News

Only the best speakers for the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit 2011

November 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Visayas Blogging Summit or VBS 2011 promises to bring the best of “Blogging and Beyond” as bloggers from provinces in the Visayas flock to SM City Cebu on November 26, 2011 for biggest social media gathering of the year.

“It will be an experience of leveling up in terms of skills and perspectives designed to make the Visayas blogging community perform a vital role in community-building online and offline,” said Ruben Licera, Chairman of the VBS 2011 Organizing Committee.

“To achieve this, we invited speakers who are not only reputable bloggers but have also made significant contributions in their own fields with the help of social media,” he said.

The summit proper, Licera said, will begin with three speakers on helping personal bloggers improve not only their skills but also in finding their niche online, and achieving excellence:

Vernon Joseph Go, former president of the Cebu Bloggers Society and CAMMA Awardee for Personal Blogging. Mr. Go will share his experiences and give a few tips on “Personal Blogging.”

The founder of Cebu Blog Camp and an active member of the CBSi, Evanjohn Mendoza, will talk on finding one’s niche in the Blogosphere.

Recent Philippine blog award winner Max Limpag will focus on “Blogging and Excellence”. Max Limpag is also the current Business Editor for Sun Star Cebu.

From personal blogging, virtual CEO and founder of Live2Sell Group of Companies Chris Ducker, the keynote speaker, will raise the ante as he focuses on blogging as a profession.

“Mr. Duckerhas made it big in the professional blogging industry. We thought that inviting him over would greatly benefit bloggers and would-be bloggers who are looking into making a career out of blogging,” shared Mr. Licera.

With social media and blogging becoming indispensable for business, the next batch of speakers will talk about the importance of blogging as a social media tool as well as the responsibility that goes with it.

Joanne Apat of Gwion Limited Hong Kong will speak about the ABC’s of using the social media as a tool for business.

The next speaker works for a big name in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Coy Caballes of Globe Telecom will be dishing out useful tips for successful social media campaigns.

Another popular name in the blogosphere is Mr. Bradley Geiser, the co-founder of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications. This multi-awarded figure in social media marketing and online public relations will share his expertise on “Online Content Warfare—the next wave of digital PR”.

“Blogging is not only about making money. Over the years, it has become an effective tool for social change—good or bad. This is why we have invited a few key persons who will talk about the responsibility behind the power of the social media tools,” Licera said.

Philippine Internet Marketing Queen and the Mother of the E-Commerce Law, Miss Janette Toral, will discuss blogging as a tool for social change. Miss Toral is a published author of books such as Blogging from Home and Digital Filipino: An E-Commerce Guide for the e-Filipino.

Kabataan Party List House Representative Raymond Palatino, an activist, legislator and regional editor for Southeast Asia of Global Voices, shall delve on the “Role of the Social Media for Change”.

With the help of blogging, a lot of community projects have also pushed through. Sharing her experiences on the topic, “Community Projects that need Social Media Assistance” is the Communications Officer for Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., Haidee Emmie Palapar.

A respected name synonymous to extending help to the less fortunate Filipinos, Gina Lopez who is the Managing Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., will talk about blogging for a social cause.

 With this slew of world-class speakers pooling all their ideas and expertise, the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit is sure to go beyond expectations.

Now this is something to blog about.

Filed Under: Blogging, Featured Post, Press Release Tagged With:

Ateneo – DigitalFilipino Digital Entrepreneurship Program launched Blog & Social Media Entrepreneur Course

November 9, 2011 By 1 Comment

The Ateneo – DigitalFilipino Digital Entrepreneurship Program launched this Blog & Social Media Entrepreneur Course with the aim of creating a movement – to encourage the growth of online entrepreneurship and serve the growing needs of businesses locally and internationally.

It is a joint project of Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center, DigitalFilipino.com and e-Learning Edge.

This is an intensive 9-week online mentorship program with our Subject Matter Expert, Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino.com. We combine online course access, hands-on activities, and consultations via webinar. 


This is perfect for out-of-towners and those with unusual schedules who can now learn at any time of day and from anywhere as long as there is Internet access.  
It has 3 major modules (click on the course titles for more details).

Modules:
Registration Fees:
Early Bird Deadline: November 9, 2011
Option 1: Pay per module – P10,000.00
OR pay only P9,000 per module if you pay 2 weeks before the start date
Option 2: Pay for the full program – P25,000 and save P5,000
*Fees inclusive of VAT, online course access and certification fees

Two installments can be made on the following schedule:
(not applicable to early bird rates) 
50% upfront upon registration 
Balance before December 2, 2011

For the third run, CBSi Membership Chairman, blogger and entrepreneur Fleire Castro will be helping out as one of the online facilitators for this course. Also, If you have other students or entrepreneurs who want to add digital marketing to their awareness or lead generation efforts, kindly forward them this email.

Filed Under: Featured Post, Press Release

Jolly Toy Scouts converge at SM City Cebu

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

17th Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko: setting the stage for a new Pinoy Christmas family tradition

 

Now on its 17th year, Jollibee’s Maaga ang Pasko intensifies its nationwide campaign of spreading cheer to less fortunate children with the help of its army of Jolly Toy Scouts composed of its customers, partner schools, companies and now – Filipino families who want to bond together while reaching out to others in this season of giving.

To officially signal the start of the Maaga ang Pasko season, Jollibee has set up five Jolly Family Toy Scouts Christmas hubs in partnership with SM Supermalls including SM City Cebu. Last October 30, Cebuanos recently witnessed the fun and memorable kick-off activity cum media launch held at the Event Center of SM City Cebu. In attendance were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the new batch of Jolly Toy Scouts partner schools and companies from the region, Jolly Toy Scout families as well as Jollibee executives led by Jollibee Operations Director for VisMin District 1 Grace S. Mercado.

“We would like to invite Filipino families not just here in Cebu but across Visayas  to celebrate the season by becoming instruments of sharing and giving—specifically by making Maaga ang Pasko a part of their family Christmas tradition,” says Mercado.

Various family-themed booths were set up in the Event Center of SM City Cebu to enable participants and mall goers to enjoy the time with their families while contributing to the campaign. All they had to do is present old toys and books in exchange for tickets to join in the fun.

Among the morning’s program event highlights were the induction of the 2011 batch of Jolly Toy Scouts in Cebu, as well as the symbolic hanging of commitments in the Maaga ang Pasko Pledge tree by representative families including the Garcia Family of Cebu City, Suplido Family of Silay City, Negros Occidental, Jollibee Family Values Awards winner from Visayas and Mayor Michael Rama. These family pledges are meant to inspire other Filipino families to do something together for others through Maaga ang Pasko and experience a more meaningful Christmas.

“It’s that time of the year again when kind-hearted Filipinos create a meaningful, earlier Christmas celebration through the magic of toys and books. I think there is no better way for families to bond than to work together in bringing the joy of the season to those who need it most,” adds Mercado.

“Generosity is one of the important things that a family can learn together at Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko. We’re happy to be given a chance to join in this worthy cause and further strengthen our family ties in the spirit of giving,” says Mardi Suplido.

The Maaga ang Pasko Pledge tree will be on display at SM City Cebu so other families can hang their pledges.  These pledges can range from simple donations or gifts for their chosen orphanages or foundations, as well as outreach activities.

To date, Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko has spread the holiday cheer to thousands of children through almost two million toys and books collected and distributed over the years. Last year, students from 60 schools and employees from 33 companies worked together to gather 200,000 toys. Known collectively as the Jolly Toy Scouts, these volunteers gave less fortunate children a more memorable Christmas celebration.

“Maaga ang Pasko owes its success to the participation of our Jolly Toy Scouts.  If we get to engage their whole families this year, it will help the campaign touch more hearts and lives, strengthen family ties and promote positive family values,” Mercado adds.

To become Jolly Toy Scouts, Filipino families can simply set a day to gather their old toys and books in their homes and drop them off in the Maaga ang Pasko boxes in any of more than 730 Jollibee stores nationwide.

# # #

 

 

For media inquiries:

Please contact Dennis Reyes at dennis.reyes@jollibee.com.ph or Chele Mendoza at (0915) 236-6129 or chele.mendoza@stratworks.ph or Kezia Romblon at (0917) 815-7800 or kezia.romblon@stratworks.ph

Image credit:   echusera.com

 

 

Filed Under: Press Release
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