PRO-Friends Gives Back To The Community At Lancaster New City

How do you describe an ideal town, city or village? I can gather different answers and it may depend on one's perspective so it may contradict. But I can probably share one nice example.

When you pass by Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite, it will be hard for you to not notice the Pro-Friends sign along the highway. But after I got invited to tour and see what's happening around their Lancaster New City property in Imus, I didn't expect what I discovered.

At the showroom of Lancaster, we were oriented about the property. Originally called One Lancaster, it changed its name to Lancaster Estates, then to Lancaster New City. Usually, when a homeowner is now finished with his/her paying obligations, the property developer's role ended there. But that is not the case with Pro-Friends.

For the holiday season, Property Company of Friends Inc. or Pro-Friends for short; is giving back to the Lancaster community by giving gifts to the children of the homeowners. I got to witness this myself at their Clubhouse. This is how Pro-Friends show appreciation to their homeowners and the kids enjoyed it. If I have kids, I would love to see them grow in such an environment.

Besides that, Lancaster already holds traditional Simba de Gallo or Simbang Gabi at their Church Of The Holy Family and it will be a regular thing since there is already a resident priest who can officiate all sacraments.

During my visit, I regret not seeing what Lancaster has in store when the day breaks because there are areas that are lit up for the holidays. Thanks to the rainy weather. Lancaster New City has the ideal institutions needed for this community to grow. It has its own commercial district and a school which is just a walk away.

Since travelling is now less hassle via Cavitex, Lancaster has a shuttle terminal that can bring you to Coastal Mall terminal so it won't be hard if you work in Manila. But the best part of the tour was looking at the model units. It in really quite a good investment especially if you know how to design the interior.

What makes an ideal place? It's a community and Pro-Friends commits to that by transforming lives in the community. If you like this post and interested to make an investment at Lancaster New City, visit any Pro-Friends showroom now so you can schedule a siting at Lancaster New City and see the colorful Santa's Workshop at their activity center. For more updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Recycled Christmas Lanterns Brings Holiday Spirit to LRT-1 passengers

For the holiday season, it is not surprising that it is hard to go anywhere because of the holiday rush. It may require us commuters to be patient which is why LRT-1 decorated each station with a recycled Christmas lantern made by the students from different campuses across the Metro.

The lanterns will be displayed until the first week of January and it will be judged the best work. What's good about these lanterns were the art and the ingenuity of the students to make one which means that we only need to recycle things when it can still be maximized and provides environmental concern.

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Follow this blog as we await the results and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

2nd SM Bowling Millionaire's Cup

Bowling is one sport my family is interested in. Mom started to build up the interest. Whenever she has tournaments in the company and the alumni, she always bring us there and have our own tournament and Mom always won.

Hadji Baracal on the lane https://www.instagram.com/marktemplar/

It is good thing that the malls got it all in one place including an in-house bowling lane. SM Malls is not left behind. Years ago, I tried playing bowling at SM in a different way. I was invited to bowl in a crazy way like throw the ball between your legs. SM Bowling Lanes calls it Funky Bowling.

Mr Ed Tejerero(Far left),, Dianne Galendez(2nd from left).

For the first time, I was invited to attend the last leg of 2nd SM Bowling Millionaire's Cup Tournament held at SM Clark last December 16. Not only it is my first time to visit the mall there but it is also the first time I saw a fully operational bowling lane in the activity area even though it is just two lanes.

Hadji Baracal, Classified Masters champion

Prior to this date, there are other competitors in different categories took place in different SM Bowling Lanes all over the country but it all ends in SM Clark. Two categories are taking place to compete in this last leg: The Classified Masters and the Opens Masters.

Dianne Galendez, Open Masters champion

Hadji Baracal won the Classified Masters division and Davao's 20y/o Dianne Galendez  defends her title  and won the Open Masters division. Noel Abad and Glenn Geluz are runner-ups in respective categories. It was a tough tournament but it was well played.

For more SMLI events coverage, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

World’s largest youth football program enters finals in PH

Press release

Manila, Philippines—The first Coca-Cola Cup in the Philippines culminates on 6 December and football aficionados are looking forward to an exciting, spirited match. Two teams of 18 are set to meet each other in the local finale of the world’s largest grassroots football program for the youth.

Dream Big Pilipinas Futbol Academy, Loyola Meralco Sparks Footbal Club and the local city of Taguig opened the officially opened the Coca-Cola Cup. (L-R: Edmund Qua Hiansen, Chairman of Dream Big Pilipinas; Atty.Adel Tamano VP for Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Philippines; Jorge Bocobo,City Economic & Investment Promotions Officer of Taguig City; Simon McMeneny, Training Director, Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Academy)

The Coca-Cola Cup, which piloted locally in Taguig City last November, aspires to bring about the same team spirit, friendship and respect that the Coca-Cola Cup has fostered among 1.4 million other teenage players in over 60 countries around the world since it started in Zimbabwe back in 1995.  Over the past few weeks, Filipino youth have participated in a series of football clinics ran with the help of partners, Manila Electric Futbol Club, Inc. (MEFCI) and Dream Big Pilipinas Football Association (DBPFA).

Bit By Bit presents Children's Plays For Adults

I first got to see a Virgin Labfest event when it opened in a campus tour in selected educational institutions and I never expected that one of the short-plays will make an impact to me. In this production, Bit By Bit showcases two stories that is both visually entertaining that it may appear like stories for children but it really has adult tones.

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The first story is from the Labfest. Maria Isabela at ang Guryon ng mga Tala is a story set during Spanish era about a young lady who wished to impress her object of affection. She began an impossible journey to achieve it.

What I like about the story was the use of different art forms and combining it in one like traditional acting, ventriloquism, and shadow puppetry. It's funny but it also bittersweet at the same time.

For Games People Play, is a modern setting in a probably traditional Visayan town where three children: two boys and a girl grew up together. Just like Maria Isabela, both stories can be real and relevant to any adult especially when it comes to relationships. But in Games People Play, it also made a darker tone.

Children's Plays For Adults opened at Power Mac Center Spotlight last weekend and will have it's last run this coming weekend. For more theatrical productions, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL TO AIR RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS SPECIAL FEATURING PRESIDENT OBAMA, ACROSS ASIA PACIFIC

Press release

11 December, 2015 – Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific today announced it will be airing RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS featuring President Barack Obama.  This special, acquired from Electus International and Bear Grylls Ventures, features President Obama trekking through the Alaskan wilderness with Bear Grylls while on a visit to observe the effects of climate change on the area.  It is scheduled to air on Discovery Channel across Asia Pacific from 18 December at 10pm, immediately after its premiere in the US on the evening of 17 December.

Discovery Channel will also be premiering the second season of RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS on 5 January 2016, at 9pm(PH).  This season follows Bear Grylls as he takes Hollywood’s biggest celebrities – including stars such as Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, Michelle Rodriguez, Ed Helms, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Michael B. Jordan, James Marsden and Drew Brees – on a one-on-one adventure that tests their survival skills and pushes their mental and physical boundaries. From the Nevada Desert to the Italian Alps to the Panama Jungle, Grylls and each celebrity push both their minds and bodies to the limit in these extreme environments to successfully complete their journey.

December on Discovery Kids

Press release

Science is both fun and heroic this December on Discovery Kids!

Science doesn’t just make you smart – it makes you brave, and funny too!

What happens when you amplify the crazy, gory, peculiar side of science? You give rise to a new formula for learning! Enjoy a lighthearted science class combined with wit and humour in Horrible Science, a new Discovery series to premiere this December 7, Mondays at 5pm.

Kids today are the next generation’s future leaders. And what better way to start the practice than with a hands-on immersion guided by their adult counterparts? Working alongside certified coastguards, fire service, and mountain rescue teams from across the country is indeed a fulfilling experience. But can these heroic kids hold out to what’s expected of them? Find out in Hero Squad, premiering this December 10, Thursdays at 5pm.

Investigation month on Animal Planet

Mysteries of our planet will be revealed this December on Animal Planet!

This month, join field researchers in their quest to find sasquatches in North America territory. With their trail of gathered records, evidences, and witnesses, will they be able to prove the existence of Bigfoot? Gap in closer to the truth with the new season premiere of Finding Bigfoot this December 10, airing Thursdays, 9PM.

New shows on Discovery Science!

This month on Discovery Science, the hunt for only the coolest big boy toys begins!

Travel all over the world in search for limited-edition fast cars, private jets, the best beer, wine, food, and cigars. Stay up-to-date with all the latest gears you can add to your list with the new season of Tech Toys 360 starting December 9. Catch it Wednesdays at 9PM.

A new season of Alaska: The Last Frontier on Discovery HD World

Life is not without its challenges. This December, Discovery World HD brings you an update on the life of the Kilchers!

For four generations, the Kilcher family has lived a subsistence lifestyle on their Alaskan homestead. After one of the harshest Alaskan winters on record, the Kilchers’ supplies are running low, making the short summer prep season even more precious. Will they be able to spring back up? Find out in the new season of Alaska: The Last Frontier, premiering every Thursdays at 9PM.

Hotties Spotted at SM Mall Of Asia

December 6, 2015. Mall Of Asia. Ten male hotties roam all over the mall wearing red pants and white shirt with written messages, "Follow Me and Get WiFi for free".

The game was if you spotted any of them in the mall, take a photo of them or selfie with them then post it on Instagram with hashtags #HotSpotHottieSpotted and #ExperienceHuawei .If you able to upload and post all ten hotties, you get a prize.

This event was done all over the mall and those who completed the task went to the newly opened Cyberzone where the Huawei set up in the middle to claim their prices. The prices are not WiFi connections but the newest WiFi devices of Huawei.

The Huawei Lightning is a LTE CPE WiFi Router can deliver maximum speed of  LTE CAT4 connections up to 150Mbps through its Gigabit ethernet port. The Huawei Flash is a mobile WiFi hotspot that can download 150Mbps and upload 50Mbps that can support ten WiFi enabled devices. Like the Flash, the Huawei Spark can also support ten devices up to 21Mbps and upload up to 5.76Mbps.

Ten winners were given new Huawei devices upon completing the tasks of posting ten Hotspot Hotties Spotted. Even though the some were not able to win the devices, I am sure the women are winners just having a photo with the Hotties.

Check out these new devices of Huawei in their new store at the SM Cyberzone in Mall Of Asia. This is indeed the newest gift that you can give this holiday season. For more new updates on Huawei devices, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Soundtrip with Elecom Headsets and Earphones

My old earphones are already battle-damaged and it's probably the best time to look for a new one and this event may probably get the one I needed.

I tried different types of headsets and earphones that may suit my taste. There's one earphone that is really good for my ear because it has good bass sound. For the headsets, I tried the ones via bluetooth and it gave me comfort for once because it has no wires tangled over.

But the best headsets Elecom has is not yet available until sometime in 2016.These headsets may look bulky and still has wire and jock because they are more durable for home use but ideal for movie viewing.

The best things with these headsets from Japan are that even though you are using them, you can still hear if someone wants to talk to you and respond to them. It also has a warranty. I think I made my choice and I will just head to their kiosk in Megamall to purchase it.

Until January 31, 2016 only.

If you are reading this blog now, Elecom is offering discount just for you, my readers. Just show this voucher which I uploaded and show it to any Elecom outlet and don't forget to mention my blog.  Until January 31, 2016 only. Besides headsets and earphones, Elecom also has accessories like cables, speakers and more. Elecom has outlets or kiosks in SM Malls. For more techy posts, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

SEAFAIR Boat Show 2015 ushers in festive Christmas season

THE festive Christmas season takes on a novel, fun and sports-flavored twist as the country’s biggest marine and yacht exposition, the SEAFAIR Boat Show 2015, opens on Saturday at the SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

The  leaders in the local boating and nautical industry gather together once more in a new and accessible venue to showcase their products and services  during the two-day affair, while giving the general public a glimpse of the lush and glamorous lifestyle of the rich and famous.

“We have as our trade fair theme this year ‘An Extraordinary Outdoor Boat Show Experience.’ What could be more extraordinary than having the SEAFAIR Boat Show 2015 during the festive season of Christmas,” said Geraldine Castillo of Organizing Legworks Events.

Castillo bared that they have packed a lot of activities both on and offshore for those who will be going to the event sponsored by SM by the Bay, Shakey’s, Bacardi, Cream Factory and supported by ALS Marine, Solanda, Nautimus, Realship Yacht Rentals, Tronqued Boats and Tow and Stow Industries.

Among the featured sports attractions, she said, will be the  beach volleyball and beach tennis competitions at the SM by the Bay sand court and yachting and dragon boat rowing regattas organized by the Philippine Sailing Association and Philippine Dragon Boat Rowing Federation, respectively.

A highlight will be the challenging “Poker Run”  on Sunday pitting the country’s premier speedboat enthusiasts in a 50.2-nautical circuit from the SM by the Bay pier to Corregidor Island and back again where a total pot of P100,000 will be at stake according to Eymare Po.

“Local Poker Run pioneer Liloy Salilican is even fielding two boats during our competition,” Po noted, adding that the overall champion will also be awarded P40, 000.00 worth of the world-class MBL Wines.  

Entries will pass through five checkpoints and, just like in the real poker game, will be dealt a card each at every stop. The team with the highest hand will be declared the winner in the exposition also backed by the Manila Yacht Club, Subic Bay Yacht Club, Punta Fuego Yacht Club, St. Luke’s Global, Lifeline, Camaya Coast, Hotel Fleuris Palawan and Hotel Soffia Boracay.

Of course, also on display at SEAFAIR Boat Show 2015 are some the country’s premier luxurious yachts where enthusiasts can go on a cruise on top of the equally exciting helicopter trip for a birds-eye view of the Metro Manila, both at reasonable rates, said Po.

Aware of the impact of the nautical industry on the environment, organizers have lined up talks on marine conservation and eco tourism to be handled by resource speakers in the event likewise supported by Travel Life, WheninManila, C Magazine, Calibre, Asian Traveler and DMC Marketing Services.

Admission tickets are priced at P150 for each whole day with the part of the proceeds going to the marine conservation programs of World Wildlife Philippines.

Museo Orlina Opens A New Wing To Exhibit

I got to see the Museo Orlina when it first opened in Tagaytay. Upon returning, I am glad that to see that there are regular visitors who also toured the museum. 

The "museo" is owned by sculptor Mr. Ramon Orlina whose works can be seen all over Ayala commercial establishments. If you passed by a life-size metal horse somewhere, that's an Orlina masterpiece.

For the new exhibit, Mr. Orlina introduced to us his new glass works using optimal glass which he had imported. Like his previous glass works, it shows his craft that it can be viewed at all angles and still looks beautiful.

Mr. Orlina explains what makes optimal glass special. When you place it to any background, it adapts to any background and makes it part of the sculpture. When you add apply good lighting mood, it becomes soothing in the eyes.

The optimal glass also has the same principle like a prism. No one ever tried this but if you use a flashlight or laser pointer, it will spread out at all angles. In addition of the new glass works, the new wing also has classic sculpture based on renaissance works like the iconic Pieta which shows the grieving Mother Mary holding the dead Jesus after removed from the cross.

Even though I've been here. The Museo Orlina still gives you new insights about the works displayed. I will posts more about the visit in my next posts. Museo Orlina is currently making changes in the museum structure as it will be soon be an artwork itself as it will display the Museo Orlina logo design made of glass with matching lights. For more updates about Museo Orlina, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.