Sebago Auction For A Cause

Sebago is an established name for making trademark Docksides. Recently, they had an auction for a charitable cause in celebration of its 65 years. The products they auctioned are not the usual items they sell. The items they auctioned are customized docksides made by popular celebrities and the popular designers. Among the celebrities were Phoemela Baranda, Enchong Dee, Tessa Prieto-Valdez, Jett Pangan and more names to mention. The auction was done online. The bidders filled up a coupon including the details about which item and how much is the bid and will be send via e-mail. The proceeds of the auction will go to Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Every year, Habitat for Humanity builds houses in different areas all over the country. They build low-cost, quality houses along with the families with below-average income. With this means of helping them out, the expenses of the would-be owners of the houses will be lessened.

Phoem Baranda

Have You Seen The Alpha Males

Last June 28, the Alpha Males were spotted at the commercial district of Ayala, Makati to strut their way along the streets like in the catwalk.

Jeans are pants made of denim. Since 1850's, these were worn by cowboys in the Old West. Jacob Davis, a customer of Levi Strauss, came up with the idea that jeans should be riveted not because of fashion but to reinforce pockets but Davis had no money, he and Strauss both applied for U.S. patent. It was only until James Dean's movie, "Rebel Without A Cause", that made wearing jeans a trend among the youth because Dean is an icon of a young rebel. Since then, jeans are generic casual wear until now.

Dockers now combined the traditional denim jeans with the khaki color and dubbed it as the Alpha Khaki. The Dockers Alpha Khaki has three different finishes depending on the preference of the wearer. There's the 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year look. The Dockers Alpha Khaki will be available this Fall.

Coca-Cola and McDonald’s Extra-Value Fun with Coca-Cola Can Glasses

The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald’s Corporation are partnering to once again excite consumers with a limited edition series of colored Coca-Cola can glasses. The latest treats by the ultimate tandem in opening happiness all over the world, the Coca-Cola can glass will be exclusively available only at McDonald’s in 13 markets including Singapore, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, The Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia. 

McDonald’s, which has been a partner with Coca-Cola since 1955, will offer customers the chance to collect these quality Coca-Cola can glasses in six hip colors – pink, green, blue, lime, charcoal and purple starting July 2 to 15, 2011 only.

For the first time, the contemporary shaped Coca-Cola can glass will be available to millions of consumers within the Asia Pacific region through a McDonald’s meal promotion. A refreshing twist to the iconic Coca-Cola can recognized worldwide, the Coca-Cola can glass is an attractive classic Coca-Cola collector’s item, as you have never seen before.

Andrew Hipsley, Chief Marketing Officer - McDonald’s Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa, said, “Over the last few years our customers have come to expect a new, exciting and truly unique offer from McDonald’s and Coca-Cola each year and 2011 will be no exception. This year’s glass will be another great value to be enjoyed with the purchase of your favorite meal “

John Hackett, Coca-Cola Pacific Group Marketing, Customer and Commercial Director, said, “Coca-Cola glasses are unique collector’s items, and as we celebrate the125th anniversary of Coca-Cola in 2011 we are excited to offer the Coca-Cola can glass to McDonald’s Asia consumers for the first time. We know consumers will enjoy collecting the multiple colors, and the fizz of Coca-Cola at McDonald’s. ”

The Coca-Cola^® Can

The Coca-Cola can was first used to distribute Coca-Cola to the U.S. armed forces overseas in the 1950s, and by 1959 was available to the U.S. consumer.

In 1985 Coca-Cola was the first soft drink to be consumed in space in a special Coca-Cola can, aboard Space Shuttle Challenger.

Collect all six Coca-Cola can glasses now! Just follow these easy steps: Avail of any McDonald’s Value Meal with any Coke product, add P25 and get one Coca-Cola can glass! Hurry! Promo runs from July 2 to 15 in McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila and selected provincial stores so get them while you can!

SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA

Scene from season 1 episode 1:Past Transgressions

SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA, the audacious prequel to Spartacus: Blood And Sand, will premiere on Friday, July 1 at 10:00 pm on MAX. In these series, popular veteran actors John Hannah and Lucy Lawless reprise their roles as the scheming husband and wife team of Quintus Batiatus and Lucretia, who will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power, and bleed Capua dry in order to take control of the House of Batiatus during its ascent through the ranks of gladiator stables. Spartacus: Blood And Sand alumni Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett and Nick Tarabay also return to the production helmed once again by award-winning producers Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight, while Dustin Clare, Jaime Murray, Marisa Ramirez and Jeffrey Thomas join the cast.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena © 2010 Starz Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved.

Coca Cola and WWF Teamed Up To Unveil The First Eco-Friendly Billboard

Photo courtesy of Nick Yarte

Billboards have been controversial since it may be disastrous when storms come but when Coca Cola and World Wide Fund(WWF) for Nature Philippines unveiled the first eco-friendly billboard along EDSA between Buendia and Guadalupe on the Northbound lane, it was something to consider. The eco-billboard is made up of plants that can help out produce fresh air to counter smogs from the smoke belching vehicles that passes along the highway. It's simple really if you remember your elementary science. The 60 x 60 ft. billboard can absorb 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide, estimated by botanist Anthony Gao. This is probably one step not only to make our environment clean but also to promote awareness. For more information about the billboard and how to be ecologically aware, go to www.livepositively.com.ph and www.wwf.org.ph

Dell's New Notebooks

June 13, 2011. Makati. Dell Philippines launched their newest line of Dell Notebooks. For a Pinoy, being techie also means owning compact gadgets and choosing one that fits your preference. Computers are no exception for mobility and custom preference which is the reason why you should choose Dell’s newest Notebooks. You can choose from the Vostro 3x50 series, Latitude E3 series, XPS 15z, and New Inspiron R.

The Latitude E –Series laptops gives users enhanced security and mobile experience. The Latitude E5420 and E5520 are ideal for professionals that are budget-conscientious blend of mobility and at-your-desk computing.

The Latitude E220, E6320, and E6520, and E6420 ATG business-rugged laptops are designed for durability with its hard-wearing MIL-STD tested Tri-Metal™ casing. 

The Latitude laptops offers completely new design from ground up; Enhanced security, Dell Data Protection, Remove Data Delete, and Free Fall Sensor to protect against drops; Planned support or pre-integrate Citrix and VMWare, remote desktop clients; Latitude commonality across 26 models – 1 dock, battery, keyboard, footprint – making the management of systems easier; The only enterprise platform with backlit keyboard options for productivity anywhere; and Intel® 2^nd generation Core™ processors and new graphics and memory.

The new Inspiron™ R line expands Dell’s leading-edge portfolio of products with 2^nd Generation Intel® Core™ processors. Inspiron R is fun, stylish and fast featuring the latest technology, a superior enterntainment experience, impressive battery life and a new interchangeable lid option so you can jazzed up your laptop with your preferred style. Just pop.click.switch: New SWITCH by Design Studio lids allow for a new look at any moment. It’s like having many different laptops. Choose from 25 different lids with sporting vibrant colors and unique designs.

The new Inspiron R 14-, 15-, and 17-inch laptops deliver mobile entertainment, hi-def displays and outstanding battery life. 

The key features of the Inspiron R series are: 2^nd generation Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processor options and up to 8GB of memory; Weight starting at 4.94 lbs. for the Inspiron 14R; 6-cell battery included; SRS Premium Audio and hi-def video performance; Intel Wireless Display technology for wireless projection of full 1080p video and 5.1 surround sound to your home theatre for a breath-taking movie experience; Blu-ray 3D movie playback when equipped with the optional Blu-ray drive and connected to a 3D TV(HDMI 1.4 required); Integrated Dell Stage software, providing one-click access to photos, music, videos, social network sites, e-books, etc.; HD capable webcam; Chiclet™-style keyboard; Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium with option for Professional; Optional SWITCH by Design Studio lids.

The Inspiron R models are now available. The 14R comes with the SWITCH by Design Studio model with standard black lid for SRP PhP31,000. The 15R also comes with a SWITCH by Design Studio model with black lid for SRP PhP32,000. Each SWITCH by Design Studio lid ranges from PhP1,500 to 2,500 depending on design.

The new Vostro 3000 series are stylish and durable: Chiclet keyboard, durable aluminum finish with three premium colors – Aberdeen Silver, Lucerne Red, and Brisbane Bronze; Enhanced collaboration: Preinstalled Skype and ability to launch any video conferencing application via one customizable dashboard button; Top-notch security options: Backs up the business data 10 times faster with super speed USB 3.0, standard built-in fingerprint reader and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security; Increase productivity: Intel® 2^nd generation Core™ I Series processors, switchable graphics; ProSupport to Simplify IT: Businesses can choose their own level of 24x7 IT support with optional Dell ProSupport services.

The ultra-powerful XPS 15z is as thin as a ballpoint but packs a punch with 2^nd generation Intel® Core™ i5 & i7 processors , optional full HD screens and up to 8 hours of battery life.

HBO ACTION NATION RETURNS BACKED BY A BOLDER, FASTER AND STRONGER LINE-UP

PHILIPPINES, MAY 30, 2011 – Missed the adrenaline rush from last year’s HBO ACTION NATION movies? Fear not! From June 19 to July 17 on HBO / HBO HD, HBO ACTION NATION returns, bringing you the Asian television premiere of five high-energy, action-packed Hollywood blockbusters every Sunday at 9pm!

June 19, 9pm: THE KARATE KID (2010): A remake of the 1984 film of the same name, THE KARATE KID (2010) tells the story of a single mother who was forced to move to China with her young son due to work pressures. In their new home, the young bullied boy embraces karate as a form of self-defense; and learns to stand up for himself with the help of a martial arts mentor. THE KARATE KID (2010) stars all-time favorite action star Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.

June 26, 9pm: CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010): In this spectacular retelling of the classic myth, Greek hero Perseus, the mortal son of the Olympian god Zeus, is helpless to save his family from the clutches of Hades. With nothing left to lose, he volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth. With a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will triumph only if he can accept his power as a god, deft his fate and create his own destiny. CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010) stars Sam Worthington as Perseus, and Oscar^® nominees Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson as Hades and Zeus.

July 3, 9pm: THE LOSERS: An elite U.S. Special Forces unit is sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search-and-destroy mission. But the team – Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar – soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross, instigated from the inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max. Making good use of the fact that they’re now presumed dead and joined by a mysterious operative with her own agenda, the group, now known as The Losers, goes deep undercover in a dangerous plot to clear their names and even the score with Max. An explosive tale based on a comic book series, THE LOSERS stars Chris Evans, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Idris Elba.

July 10, 9pm: SALT: Beautiful and trusted CIA officer Evelyn Salt becomes the target of an agency manhunt when she is accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy sent to assassinate the U.S. President! On the run, she must use all her skills and experience as a covert operative to protect her family and find the real traitor before the agency can annihilate her and any proof of her existence. Academy Award^® winner Angelina Jolie stars in this action-packed thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

July 17, 9pm: IRON MAN 2: In this highly-anticipated sequel, billionaire inventor Tony Stark seeks to underscore the benefits of the Iron Man suit by re-launching his late father’s extravagant Stark Expo, a showcase for the humanitarian innovations inspired by its own technology. As the U.S. government insists on Tony turning over the revolutionary weapon to the military, a mysterious figure from the Stark family’s past, Ivan Vanko, sets out to destroy Tony by revealing his own devastating weapon based on Stark’s technology. Overwhelmed on all fronts, Tony must call on both old and new allies to help him confront the gathering forces that threaten to destroy him and all of mankind. Golden Globe^® winner Robert Downey Jr. and Academy Award^® winner Gwyneth Paltrow return as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, joined by Academy Award^® nominee Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johansson.

Get the best of Hollywood action with the new HBO ACTION NATION line-up that’s bolder than before, faster than expected and stronger than ever imagined – every Sunday at 9pm from June 19 to July 17 2011, only on HBO / HBO HD! Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information and play times.

About HBO HD

The first regional movie channel to broadcast in high definition (HD) in Asia, HBO HD offers commercial-free Hollywood blockbusters and award-winning HBO Original productions and series with better clarity, sharper pictures in wide-screen format and superior sound enhancement from the comfort of the viewers’ home. HBO HD is available in the Philippines on Cignal HD (Ch 50) and SkyCable HD (Ch 166).

About HBO Asia

Singapore-based HBO Asia is able to bring the best of Hollywood to Asia first because of its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood studios - Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. In addition to the proprietary and award-winning HBO Original programs that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers, HBO Asia works with a large number of major independent production companies to secure exclusive rights to a host of quality movies. HBO Asia offers five subscription movie channels with uninterrupted programming – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY, HBO HITS and MAX (a refresh of CINEMAX) – as well as a subscription video-on-demand service, HBO ON DEMAND and HBO HD, the first regional movie channel to broadcast in high definition in Asia, in selected markets. HBO Asia is a joint venture of HBO (a Time Warner company) and Paramount. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information and playtimes.

HBO, HBO HD and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.

Caritas Financial Combi Plan

Caritas Financial Plans, Inc. is known for its mother company, the Caritas Health Shield. For years, Caritas was able to provide assistance in health concerns in various hospitals nationwide. Besides the recognized hospitals, Caritas also has its own hospital.

From Health Shield, Caritas also opened its horizons with Caritas Financial Plans, Inc. Unlike any insurance, Caritas Financial offers non-traditional financial programs that can help you for your needs in the future. I mentioned non-traditional because Caritas Financial is the only one that offers a combined pension (Caritas Fund Provider) and health plan (Caritas Expanded Core) in one package called the Combi Plan. 

I know you have reservations regarding insurance because of what happened with other insurance companies that closed down. I know that feeling. I was also affected by that but I was able to get the benefits. It won’t be the same with Caritas Financial because unlike other insurance companies that got closed, Caritas Financial also generates income from its hospital.

Unlike the insurance I benefitted from, I find the rates of Caritas Financial cheaper. Let’s use the Combi Plan F (ages 12 to less than 55) as example. The Full Contract Price is PhP80,530, which is the sum of the Fund Provider (40,750) and Expanded Core (39,780), if there are five who are availing of the plan. If it’s spot cash, it will be only 72,877. The program year of this plan is ten years. If you are paying on annual, semi-annual, or quarterly, it’s only five years to pay. On year 1, you have a max. coverage of 40,000 and a daily room rate of 400 and it succeed each year. By year 10, you already have max. coverage of 90,000 and daily room rate of 1,400. At the maturity of the plan, you will have the benefit of 50,000.

The privileges of having a Combi Plan are hospitalization benefits in Caritas-accredited hospitals, Special Diagnostic & Lab Procedures in Caritas-designated diagnostic centers, Emergency Care, Out-Patient Services, Annual Physical Exam, Dental Care, Credit Life Insurance(Pays the Fund Provider installments in case of plan holder’s death), Disability Benefits(Pays the remaining unpaid, Fund Provider installments in case plan holder becomes permanently and totally disabled), Term Life Insurance(In case of death of natural cause, pays the beneficiary an amount equivalent, to the Fund Provider Maturity Benefit), Accidental Death Benefit(In case of death by accident, pays the beneficiary an additional amount equivalent to the Fund Provider Maturity Benefit).

If you are based in Metro Manila and interested  for a presentation, text 0922.864.0029 to schedule a date. You can text this number if you wish to be part of Caritas Financial.