Empowered Women Can

Press release

Three tips for you to become an everyday Wonder Woman

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

©DC Comics

Tough, driven and ambitious. These are just some of the words that describe the modern-day Maria Clara. Just like how Wonder Woman is lighting up the silver screen and breaking boundaries, women are just about done with the caged-stereotypes and roles imposed by the patriarchal society they grew up in. Whether single or married, women have found remarkable ways to share the load of keeping their families comfortable, all while building careers, and embarking on their own businesses.

As feminism flourishes online and social media sites so does the image of a financially-capable woman. But let’s face it, raising a family can be tough for any woman, especially if you’re juggling a job and two or more kids. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed and retail therapy just isn’t the answer anymore.

Make money off your past life

Whether you’re a full-time employee or a full-time mom, you’ll always be looking to get more bang for your buck. One way to stretch your Peso is by buying and selling pre-loved items through online marketplaces. After all those spontaneous trips to the mall in the past, you’re bound to have accumulated too many unused and underused items that are just lying around.

This is where online and mobile classifieds marketplaces, like Carousell, come in. Carousell lets you snap, list and sell your preloved items in just 30 seconds. Putting those underused tops up for sale has never been easier. It’s also a great to way to earn a bit of side income and unlock value in items you don’t use or don’t want to keep anymore.

Even if you’re deal-seeker, second-hand marketplaces like Carousell could be the solution, where you can snap up personal, or even household items at a fraction of the retail price.

Sense, space and style

A successful woman will always look inward first. To declutter her personal items before spreading the decluttering message to her family.

You can breathe new life into your personal style without breaking the bank.  Your closet should be one of the first stops of your decluttering journey and potential treasure trove. Take time to revisit your wardrobe for pieces you can sell online; you’d be surprised with what you find.

If you find pieces of clothing in your wardrobe that you haven’t used for six months, like a basic black blouse, why not try cashing it in? Not only would you free up space in your closet, but you can also earn some spare cash.

Vintage and branded handbags such as a Gucci leather tote bag or jewelry that you haven’t used or brought out from the closet in a long time, could also bring in the bucks.

Make space, get creative!

Even the most insanely weird and unique household items like this vintage camera clock can be put for sale.

That long-forgotten bedside drawer or coffee table may take up space in your room but may be a centerpiece for someone else.

Your children’s stash may also be a potential gold mine. With the kids growing so fast, instead of throwing the clothes they’ve only worn for a few months, you could look to sell it on Carousell. Not only would you be making some cash, but you would also be helping another mom pick up a nice set of clothes for their kid.

Even the toys your children have outgrown, but are still in good condition, can bring so much joy to another child. Just make sure you’ve got your kids’ permission before you start selling all their stuff. (Carousell will not be responsible for any kiddie meltdowns).

Use the extra income to make extraordinary memories. Take your family on a holiday getaway to unwind (it might make the kids more agreeable to parting with their old things too).

Get rid of all the unnecessary clutter that’s hogging precious space in your home. Build character with every piece you acquire and let go of the ones that you don’t like. Nothing screams empowered better than a Woman who’s got it all together.

Easy to use, easy on the pocket

What’s really great about living today is the existence of great mobile apps like Carousell. With over 1.6 million listings on Carousell, the application is thoughtfully designed and organized to make sure you easily find that special something. The site’s intuitive features makes shopping or selling a breeze.

On top of that, the app has a built-in Chat tool  that allows you to easily communicate with the seller or buyer without giving your personal contact information. You can also opt to meet your seller in person to be able to carefully inspect the item before paying.

Carousell empowers women and everyone else to get more and enjoy modern life.

Student techpreneur represents PH in global student entrep meet

Press release

MANILA, Philippines – Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) recently concluded the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), where student entrepreneurs from over 50 countries competed in Frankfurt, Germany for a chance of further boosting their own business ventures.

Adiel Sam De Jesus (8th from left, with family) of Diversified Computer

Learning Approach (DCLA) wins top honors for the local leg of the Global Student Entrepreneur

Awards (GSEA), while Shawntel Nieto (8th from right, with team) of BMB Solutions was

named as first runner-up. Joining them in the photo, from left to right, are: EO GSEA Philippines Committee and Judges Amon Chiong, Raymond Rufino, Debbie Rodrigo, Sheree Gotuaco,

Karla Campos, Merrick Sua, Rhyan Uy, Anton Gonzalez, Andoni Albert, and Tyler Olson.

Premier student entrepreneur competition

The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is the premier global competition for student entrepreneurs who actively run a business. An annual program hosted by the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), the GSEA gives young business owners a chance to win capital that could help grow their ventures. More importantly, the GSEA provides a platform where the students could be connected with key industry players locally and internationally, allowing them to gain valuable insights and learn best practices, which they could apply to their businesses.

“The Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards program is now on its fourth year in the country and hosting the GSEA is part of EO Philippines’ commitment to inspire a community of young entrepreneurs in the country” says Debbie Rodrigo, Chairperson of EO GSEA Philippines 2016-2017. “We tried to cast a wide net for student entrepreneurs to apply and compete in this year’s competition for a chance to represent the Philippines in the global finals, and we take pride in seeing how the competition has inspired more students to pursue entrepreneurship.”

Sponsored by COL Financial, the fourth local leg of the GSEA also provided an opportunity for participating student entrepreneurs and EO Philippines members to learn best practices and insights on entrepreneurship from guest speaker and former EO GSEA winner Tyler Olson, Chief Executive Officer of US-based social media consultancy firm SMCpros.

The PH student techpreneur

Adiel Sam De Jesus, a senior engineering student from De La Salle University, represented the Philippines after besting 15 other student entrepreneurs during the local leg of the competition. De Jesus showcased his company, Diversified Computer Learning Approach (DCLA), which provides an output-based computer education module and software for elementary and high school students, to an audience of seasoned entrepreneurs with different industry backgrounds, and coming from different countries.

According to De Jesus, DCLA aims to move away from traditional means of computer education through following a Learn-Explore-Apply (LEAP) approach that will allow students to practice basic computer skills such as web development, programming, and app development.

“I wanted to set standards for computer education by developing an innovative program that will develop the technical skills of students,” says De Jesus. “Instead of relying on concepts to teach the basics of computers to students, DCLA provides a platform for them to learn about computers through a hands-on approach, where they can apply their knowledge and skills to produce output.”

DCLA provides schools with free installation and maintenance of all involved software required for the curriculum, while also conducting a series of training seminars for teachers as part of the program’s curriculum management.

As a finalist to the Global Finals of GSEA, De Jesus was exposed to a network of studentpreneurs and key industry players from different countries. De Jesus mentions that having gone through the competition has pushed him to improve on DCLA, and challenged him to continue expanding it not just locally, but even potentially, to neighboring Asian countries.

Abe Herma: Youtuber and T.A.P. Actress

A year ago, I was introduced to Ampalaya Monologues by Theater In Alternative Platform on its first anniversary. I was hooked not because I can relate to the stories but because they were funny and presented with appeal to modern audience. The Ampalaya Monologues are written by Mark Ghosn.

After the Ampalaya Monologues at Perfomatura 2017(CCP)

The term ampalaya was used to describe bitter relationships we all experienced. One of the popular Ampalaya Monologues is Patola 101: The Art of Making “Patol” or better known as “Past Tense, Present Tense. Nakaka-Tense!” It was presented best by Abe Herma. This is one of the favorite monologues of Team Ampalaya fans including yours truly. Currently, she is giving advice about relationships via her Youtube Channel.

Happy natal day, Abe!

Ayala Land beyond Trinoma: Vertis North

Ayala Mall Trinoma is one of the busiest malls along EDSA. Not only that it is strategically located near the MRT North EDSA station, it also provides the transport terminal for commuters. Ayala Land continues to provide more options to than just malling.

Ayala Land introduces the Vertis North. Located just few-minute walk from Trinoma, situated the Seda Hotel Vertis North. Sedi Hotel offers not just temporary accommodation but also offers venue for different functions like events, parties, seminar and press conference like the one we just had.

We also toured Seda’s pool area, gym and of course, the rooms. Sedi Hotel is not the only facility in Vertis North. Ayala Mall has another mall in Vertis North. What makes it different from Trinoma is the cinema that housed a big movie screen that rivaled any IMAX screen. The seats are very comfortable and positioned like an amphitheater type that elevates from each row. On the rear, there are special Lazy Boy seats. We watched Transformers: The Last Knight because it was shot with IMAX cameras and it fit perfectly with the big screen.

Future movie premieres would be very exciting when it will be held in Vertis North Cinema. For more updates on Ayala Land and Vertis North, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Smart broadens Wifi footprint with super-speed Smart Wifi rollout

Press release

Close to a year after its first deployment, carrier-grade Smart Wifi can now be found in key airports and transport hubs, universities, hospitals and even entertainment hubs across the country, allowing more people to live their increasingly digital lifestyles to the fullest, like never before.

The Smart Wifi rollout is part of Smart’s network expansion program. It goes hand-in-hand with the ongoing Smart LTE rollout, which aims to improve LTE coverage and increase the capacity of Smart’s cell sites nationwide, so they can accommodate more calls, texts and ever-increasing data traffic.

With a backhaul capacity of up to one gigabit per second, Smart Wifi can support up to 3,000 connected users with robust Wifi connectivity.

Smart Wifi for travelers

Passengers waiting for their flights can now access super-speed Smart Wifi in the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as well as in 17 other key airports around the country.

Whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure, travelers from all networks can use Smart Wifi to check their flights and hotels online, update their social media and stream videos and music while waiting for boarding time.

Smart Wifi is also available in seaports in Puerto Princesa, Batangas, Calapan in Mindoro, Cebu, Dumaguete, Dapitan, Zamboanga, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, and in the gateways to premier island destination Boracay, the Caticlan Jetty Port and Cagban Port.

Uplifting quality of life

On June 12, coinciding with the nation’s 119^th Independence Day celebrations, Smart launched carrier-grade Smart Wifi on the MRT and along the stretch of EDSA to improve the mobile data experience of around half a million commuters who travel along the country’s busiest highway to get from their homes to their workplaces, and vice versa.

Commuters waiting for the MRT or riding on EDSA route buses can now stream music, watch videos or check email via robust Smart Wifi connectivity, which posted download speeds of between 200 to 300 Mbps from Taft Avenue station to North Avenue station during its first week.

Since the start of the year, several entertainment and lifestyle hubs called SmartSpots—high-traffic areas such as restaurant and bar clusters and malls where crowds often hang out—have also been launched, and are now also powered by Smart Wifi and Smart LTE.

Smart Wifi now also powers hospitals, government offices, city halls, provincial capitols, tourist spots and schools and universities across the country, making the digital lifestyle more accessible to people from all walks of life—a testament to Smart’s commitment to make #InternetForAll.

Subscribers from all networks can surf like never before on the Smart Wifi service, which is free for the first 30 minutes, without data cap. Load cards can be purchased to extend user sessions for P20 for 2 hours, valid for 2 days; and P50 for 10 hours, valid for 5 days. Smart subscribers can topup for as low as P10, for 30 minutes, valid for 1 day. 

Beat the traffic with ANGKAS

Press release

Mobile Motorbike Hailing Platform provides access to

Fast, safe and affordable motorbike transportation

Picture this: you’re seated inside a cab, jeepney or bus – the clock is ticking and you’re going to be late for that office presentation, final exam, or anniversary date. Your heart is beating fast, your legs moving up and down, you’re shaking your head and clicking your tongue. You’re practically bartering with god to make the traffic move faster.

If you’ve ever commuted around Manila, you’ve definitely experienced this. You’ve prayed, cried, sworn and wished for a way to teleport across the city that, according to the 2015 global survey conducted by a popular travel app, has the worst traffic in the world.

Now, imagine breezing through that traffic congestion, finding alternative streets that no 4-wheeled vehicle could pass through, and arriving at your destination in a fraction of time. With Angkas, you don’t need to stop at imagining!

Available on both iOS and Android, Angkas is a mobile on-demand motorcycle hailing platform that connects riders to a rigorously-trained, professional motorcycle driver. Angkas provides convenient, safe, and affordable motorbike transportation that will get you to where you need to go faster!

Simply download the app, add your destination, and, with the tap of a button, your biker will arrive shortly to bring you where you need to go.

Safety is the top priority for Angkas: all bikers go through rigorous background checks, skills assessment, and safety training. Rides come with a quality helmet and personal accident insurance. Raincoats are provided to passengers in case of rain, and face masks and hair caps are issued for hygiene.

  

Starting June 19, new users can book their first ride for FREE (up to PHP 80) with the promo code ANGKAS to make travel around the metro more convenient than ever. Say goodbye to the trains’ long queues, the hours of sitting in traffic in a packed jeepney, and the steep fare of cabs. Take back all the time you lose from the traffic with a tap on your phone, and conveniently hitch a ride with Angkas.

For more information and latest promos visit facebook.com/AngkasPH

Hitachi Data Systems Wins Two VMware Innovation OEM Partner of the Year Awards

Press release

Company Recognized for Extraordinary Performance Globally and in EMEA

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), today announced that it has been honored as a winner of two VMware Partner of the Year awards in the Innovation OEM Partner category for its exceptional efforts both globally and in EMEA at the VMware Partner Leadership Summit 2017 (see VMware press release here).

The two awards recognize the company’s accomplishments in 2016, including unprecedented year-over-year revenue growth and continued integration between Hitachi Unified Compute Platform (UCP) offerings and VMware vSphere, vSAN, vRealize and NSX solutions. Furthermore, with its next-generation Programmable Data Center concept, HDS enables customers to consume IT and data services from both traditional and cloud-native workloads, addressing the needs of the entire application portfolio. 

“Digital transformation requires a modern, agile IT environment to take advantage of emerging trends and requirements. In collaboration with VMware, we’ve focused on engineering new ways to deliver capabilities that meet customer business objectives, reduce business risk and anticipate future customer needs. We appreciate the recognition for all that we’ve accomplished over the past year and look forward to expanding upon that success with VMware to help customers realize the power of their data for both today and tomorrow,” said Mike Walkey, senior vice president, Global Partner Organization, Hitachi Data Systems.

“For years, VMware and HDS have worked together to help customers on their transformation journey. In 2016, we raised the bar for our partnership with VMware in EMEA and globally. Our successful collaborations have resulted in a digital platform that offers flexibility, agility and a point from which customers can achieve outcomes above and beyond infrastructure modernization,” said Steve Furniss, vice president, Solutions and Products, Hitachi Data Systems EMEA.

“VMware is pleased to recognize this year’s Global Partner Innovation Award winners, which are given to a select group of partners for their exceptional efforts in 2016,” said Ross Brown, senior vice president, Worldwide Partners and Alliances, VMware. “VMware is proud to see Hitachi Data Systems win these awards and we look forward to our continued collaboration.

@warriors Dominate #NBAFinals and the Twitter Timeline

Press release

Kevin Durant was mentioned over one million times during game 5

13 June 2017, MANILA - The Golden State Warriors (@warriors) proved that they are the better team and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) in dominant fashion. @NBA fans around the globe took to Twitter and Periscope for live#NBAFinals conversation to rant and rave.

NBA players took to Twitter to congratulate #DubNation.

Despite a disappointing finish, the @cavs took to Twitter to thank the fans for their support all season long.

The @NBA brought fans right to the podium for the postgame press conferences live on Twitter and Periscope for the first time ever during the #NBAFinals.

Twitter Data

The live conversation around the #NBAFinals spread across the globe since the series began. Here are moments that generated the biggest peaks of Twitter conversation in the series:

1.      Warriors win NBA Finals (Game 5)

2.      Warriors complete comeback, win 118-113, go up 3-0 in series (Game 3)

3.      Steph Curry 3-pointer gives Warriors 129-115 lead (Game 5)

These were the most mentioned Warriors players on Twitter during the series, led by #NBAFinals MVP Kevin Durant, who was mentioned over 1 million times during Game 5 alone.

These were the most mentioned Cavs during the #NBAFinals.

All of that and more unfolded live on Twitter! Check out this Twitter Moments for one last look at all of the #NBAFinalsconversation that happened on Twitter.

Trumpets Playshop 2017 Extends. The Third Wave

Press release

HOW WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT CAN BE A CAREER.

know why after almost 25 years Trumpets  Playshop is still on stage

At face value, summer workshops like those offered by Trumpets are classes to get kids busy while school is out. You pay for a three to four hours of a day in a month of singing, dancing, rehearsing, vocalizing, stretching, and most of all having fun. Some parents underestimate the meaning of those hours in Trumpets Playshop to their children. Yes, they are away from those tablets and technological devices. They are playing without a screen and they are making friends minus the friend request button. They run around, they sing, they dance a little.  To most, it looks like child’s play because it is child’s play but behind it is something so much more. Playshoppers get a chance to explore what they can do and who they can be for their rest of their lives. Take it from Audie Gemora, who together with Butch Jimenez, started Trumpets as doorway for young kids into the endless possibilities of the performing arts. “It is a space – an venue for them to play, to discover what they are gifted to do,” expounds Audie who admits that they didn’t have that space when they were younger.

At around 16 years old, Audie sang in a high school play and found fun. At the time, he just saw it as something fun to do and not really a career path. “It really was just laro (play),” shares the veteran performer. But later on, he finds himself in Repertory Philippines during the late 1970s.  In the middle of a performance in 1995 was when he realized that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. No one can deny that he was talented and passionate about performing. “But do not equate passion with talent. Those are two entirely different things… I had to earn passion,” he explains. Passion is when one perseveres to be better at what he or she is good at, which is his or her talent.

In Trumpets, Playshoppers get a chance to sharpen both their talent and passion. A perfect example would be Trumpets alumni, Sam Concepcion. At a very young age, Sam loved to sing and dance in front of crowds so his parents decided to place him in his first class with Trumpets, and was later on trained as a Trumpets Playshop Kid. . “I owe everything to Playshop,” Sam shares. “That’s the place I grew up in. Everything I knew about music, performing, acting, everything! At my very formative years, I was guided by Trumpets,” shares the singer, who is managed by Trumpets’ sister company, Stages. The actor, singer, dancer and host, cites Trumpets as a family to him and encourages people who like to perform to be part of that family.

And just like Sam, some of our young students turned professional talents as “Trumpets Playshop Kids” have been making waves in the current theater scene and as professional stage talents. Hand picked from the thousands of children who join the summer workshops, these talented kids have been honing their skills by performing on real live stages that include shows for various known brands and corporations, malls shows and musicals as well as being guests in concerts. These include Ericka Peralejo who played one of the orphans in Annie; Kaylene Francisco as Martha Cratchit, Andre Ruelo as Jonathon in A Christmas Carol; Gabo Tiongson as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol as well as Tommy in Playshop Playhouse’s Always Upon A Time; and Daniel Drilon and Anton Posadas in the upcoming musical, Newsies. And despite already having professional experience, these kids and teens always seem to come back home to Playshop every summer, to learn from the advanced workshop – turned theater group – Playshop Playhouse, which recently launched it’s first original musical last year called Always Upon A Time. Also, stay Tuned for the official launch of our new batch of Trumpets Playshop Kids on June 25!

On that note, even Audie can’t deny that in every Playshop, Playshoppers get a second family with no blood-affiliation except for everyone’s deep love for performing. “If you like to perform or like music and you don't have be great at it, that’s why you go to class: To learn. Everybody that I know joined never regretted it… It’s a family and it’s learning made fun,” Sam expounds. Joining the long list of Trumpets Playshop alumni are Alex Gonzaga, Nina Corpuz, Gab & Pao Valenciano, and of course, the new Engineer of Miss Saigon’s UK Tour - Red Concepcion - as well as alternate to Kim – Joreen Bautista, to name a few.

“I’m not saying all kids who are artistic will necessarily pursue it as a career but it will most definitely help develop any facet that they have. And they can use this later on, in whatever career they choose to pursue, even if it is not necessarily the arts,” Audie explains.  Nearing their 25th silver anniversary in the next year, Trumpets continues to be a haven and a home for young and aspiring talents. The secret behind lasting almost a quarter of a century is Trumpets’ genuine passion to nurture every child’s talent and skills beyond the stage. “We are after the child’s full development. Its not just talent but their whole character is built… and they discover what their talent is for. So there’s a bigger picture,” he emphasizes. Trumpets aspires to be a fun and nurturing place to develop any Playshopper’s heart, mind, and soul. “The spirit of the child is as important to us as his talents. In fact, that’s the more important thing,” Audie adds.

If you think that it’s all about jazz hands, memorizing lines, putting on a costume, and vocalizing do-re-mi, think again.  So for those who want to join our THIRD WAVE this year, ENROLLMENT IS ONGOING!

Trumpets Playshop’s Third wave of workshops will begin on July 16 in KIDZCITY at SM AURA and the 4^th level of THE PODIUM! Available classes and schedule are as follows:

CHILDRENS MUSICAL THEATER (6-12 years old) – Mondays to Fridays from 10am-12 noon.

MUSICAL THEATRE for Teens and Aduls (13-19 years old) – Mondays to Fridays from 12:30 Noon – 3:00 PM

Recital will be on July 2, with a run through the day before (July 1).

Enroll now! Because in Trumpets Playshop, #TheBestofMe is a guarantee!

Like and follow TRUMPETS PLAYSHOP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit www.trumpetsplayshop.com for full course descriptions, details, and to keep yourself updated with our very exciting promos, events and contests for summer 2017!

Call 901-4364 , 818-1111 loc 235 or 0917-5864177.