Coca-Cola kickstarts Christmas celebration with gathering of women micro-entrepreneurs

Campaign release material

Manila, Philippines (October 13, 2014) — Coca-Cola Philippines is brewing a landmark Christmas celebration for the year with the participation of its biggest business drivers: women sari-sari storeowners. In a full-scale brand thrust that is integrated with its social development commitments, the country’s leading beverage company would go back to communities and make Filipinos feel the magic of Christmas in every corner with the help of the women behind sari-sari stores.

STARs of the celebration

The celebration kicks-off with the STAR Program Christmas Convention (SPCC)—a series of events happening within October that would assemble close to 5,000 women in 6 different cities, all of whom have been helped by the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program of Coca-Cola Philippines.

In 2010, The Coca-Cola Company made a global commitment to economically empower 5 million women within its value-chain by 2020. This spurred the collaboration of Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) towards the development of a local program that will enhance the business knowledge and skills of women sari-sari store owners and operators. That program is now called STAR.

Now on its third year, STAR has impacted over 30,000 women learn how to better run their businesses—from merchandising, to cash flow and inventory management.

“The STAR Christmas Convention serves as culmination of all our achievements for the year, as well as the start of a Christmas celebration like no other. By this time, all the women who will attend SPCC have graduated from four business modules and would then be entering the next phase of the program called Access to Resources,” says Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola Philippines.

The second phase involves patching the women entrepreneurs to various microfinance partners to further infuse capital and grow their business—these partners are Alay Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI) for Luzon, Negros Women for Tomorrow (NWTF) for Visayas and Palawan, and First Community Cooperative (FICCO) for Mindanao. They would also be given access to new merchandising and store assets as well as other forms of social development interventions.

“Coca-Cola recognizes the significant role of women in the development of business and communities. In the case of the Philippines, we always find sari-sari stores in every corner managed by women. We try to include them in our value chain development programs and create enabling environments for their businesses to thrive and become sustainable. This Christmas season – by providing the sari-sari stores with merchandising support – we hope that this will help drive customer traffic to their stores which we hope will increase their sales. As we know, when women earn they tend to reinvest their income to the welfare of their family,” added Tamano.

A Christmas like no other

To mark the company’s continued commitment to the partnership, Share Sari-Saring Happiness will take people to the sari-sari stores of the women who are enrolled in the STAR Program for a nationwide lighting ceremony on November 8.

Attendees of the SPCC were given special parol kits to be assembled, decorated, and placed in their respective stores in time for the November lighting. The move is poised to transform their businesses into new and iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Hubs.

“Our parols would serve as a marker. Those who enjoy the refreshing Happiness of Coca-Cola should be able to celebrate Christmas in a place that is accessible and familiar—and these are the new Christmas Hubs,” concluded Tamano.

The Star Program Christmas Convention takes place at Manila, Davao, Batangas, Pampanga, Bacolod, and Tacloban. For more details, you may check www.coca-cola.com.ph or the official Facebook page of Coca-Cola Philippines.

Without Stars/There We Have Been by James Cousins Company

This is the first time I heard of a dance that interprets a novel. There We Have Been and Without Stars are part of Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. Instead of words, you can understand the story through the movements of the dancers. It's like blocking in a stage play but with graceful movements.

James Cousins seated at the center

What impressed me was from There We Have Been were the female never touch the floor and the male lifts her up the whole time, Because of this, I am compelled to read the book. We were fortunate that the Philippines was the first to see it in Southeast Asia for the tour.

I got to watched it at PETA in Quezon City before it will be staged in CCP. For more theatrical productions, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S.blogs on Facebook.

Professional Blogging Summit: Learn Blogging From Some Of The Big Names In The Social Media Industry

In my 5 years of blogging, I aim to upgrade in the industry. Some of the best contacts I worked with in the past introduced me to blogging while some mentored me in the past 5 years. Among them were Sai Sayson, Janette Toral and Joselito "Toots" Tolentino.

On October 18, there will be a professional blogger summit from 1PM to 5PM at A-Venue near Best Western Plus Antel Hotel as the people I mentioned will speak about getting clients, blogging ethics, becoming Social Media Entrepreneurs and more. If you are already blogging professionally or just starting up in blogging business, this is the right venue.

The summit will only limit itself to 100 participants via invitation only. To get included, fill up the registration form and wait for response from the organizers. For more updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Imperfect is the New Perfect

Release material

By definition, fashion has always been about following rules.

Fashion abides by a certain theme, typically attributed to a particular decade, strictly adhering to a general set of guidelines on what, how and when each new trend should be worn.

Within those standards, Parisian style—as embodied by French shoe brand, Bensimon—stands as a testament for fashion imperfection. Through every decade, the brand has bent the rules and strayed from fashion laws—yet somehow, it has stood the test of time.

It’s a reflection of the city’s je ne sais quoi—an inherent quality that defines everything about their culture; evident in their classic architecture, creative cuisine, diversity in art, exceptional way of life and most especially, covetable style.

A perfectly imperfect pair, every time

Designers Serge and Yves Bensimon, whose heritage is strongly anchored on this world renowned French aesthetic understands this; and it became the inspiration for the creation of a brand that grew to become an iconic symbol of style.

Nearly half a century ago, the brothers recognized the need for a pair of shoes that would reflect the stylish sensibilities of Parisians—one that would mirror the color, elegance and joy of living onto the feet of its wearers. With that in mind, Bensimon sneakers were born. It had the classic rubber sole of casual sneakers, but designed in such a way that it was more versatile and elegant, allowing it to keep up, not just with the Parisian way of life, but their inherent style as well.

It’s a fashion statement that focuses on versatility—celebrating individual style personalities than can go from trendy, if you so wish, to classic elegance. The idea is to highlight how a single piece in your outfit can make a definitive statement about your sartorial sensibilities, focusing on not only on comfort but on the idea that real, lasting style doesn’t have to try too hard; it’s carefree and relaxed yet still timeless, much like the city where it hails from.

“The idea that a pair of shoes can embody chic practicality by virtue of the quality and craftsmanship that Bensimon sneakers are known for is an attractive draw for anyone who understands that style is a reflection of who you are and your lifestyle. It’s the reason that we eagerly introduced the concept of being perfectly imperfect in terms of style in the country,” shares Jheric Delos Angeles, Bensimon’s Assistant Marketing Manager.

Each pair, and note that no two are made exactly alike, can cross the line between formal and informal, casual and luxe—and Bensimon’s seemingly inherent ability to do so has become renowned. It has become a staple for Parisian sartorialists who understand that style is about finding the confidence to make it your own, no matter how imperfect it may be.

Its versatility is actually the best way to express yourself, to showcase what’s different about your fashion sense, to highlight your personality and to bring focus to your distinct eye for what works and what doesn’t. After all, through the years of fashion evolution, the world has finally arrived at a point where trends have taken a backseat to make room for lasting style.

Maybe it’s a way of standing up to the fads that come and go decade after decade. Or it could be a simple acknowledgement of the reality that style has to answer to the functional as well as fashionable inclinations of its wearer. Either way, it’s a welcome shift from the precision that fashion always seemed to strive for—but one that looks like is here to stay.

ANIMAL PLANET OCTOBER 2014 HIGHLIGHT

Animal Planet release material

WILD MEXICO

One-hour special premiering on Sunday, October 12 at 9:00 p.m. Encores on Tuesday, October 14 at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of Animal Planet

Wild Mexico is a journey through an extraordinary land, full of diversity and mystery. Two thousand years ago, the Mexican wilderness was home to the mysterious Ancient Mayans. But the jungle has swallowed their cities and the forest has a new leader – the fearsome Jaguar. Also, meet the world’s only vegetarian spider, recently discovered and never filmed before.

In the oceans, take the plunge with leaping Mobula Rays, Kemp’s Ridley Turtles, Gray Whales and a unique gathering of the oceans gentle giants – Whale Sharks.

The desert is home to the strangest of Mexico’s creatures – meet the elusive Mole Lizard and explore an oasis of water surrounded by salt dunes. Venture into the underworld, into caves where Boa Constrictors lie in ambush for bats. 

2014 Kiddo-Preneur Christmas Bazaar

Last quarter, I witnessed how the kids does business at Kiddo-Preneur Summer Bazaar held at Robinson Place Atrium. Now that Christmas season is fast approaching, it will be a perfect time to scout for your Christmas gifts or giveaways for the occasion. I've seen three sisters trying to sales talk to me about buying their products and they were quite convincing that I can't help but buy it.

I encourage everyone reading this blog to visit the 2014 Kiddo-Preneur Christmas Bazaar on November 23 at Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive for the following reasons. First, it is a kid initiative. Most of the booths are being manned by kids with supervision of their adult guardians or parents. Second, you will see products that are made by these kids or products that this bazaar has and not available anywhere. Lastly, it is fun and this will encourage the kids to learn about being an entrepreneur at a young age.

Kiddo-Preneur Summer Bazaar early this year

The kids will learn from this experience about working hard to establish a business and will learn the value of money and save for it. It will also teach them to use portion of their earnings for charitable cause.

Your kid can also be part of this experience. If your kid is age 5 to 17 years old and has an interest in business, he/she will just present a business plan with the help of their Mom or Dad by contacting the KP Secretariat via their website, http://www.kiddo-preneur.com/ . The secretariat will provide a format for the business plan or just check the format in the web page.

The designated slot will be provided if your business plan is approved for the duration of the mall hours. Each slot will be provided with a table about 80 inches in width, 16 inches in length and 30 inches and two chairs. There are limited slots available. Each slot cost only P3,000.

Not only your kid's booth will be given exposure and earn from it but it will also be judged by the event organizers at the end of the day for the best booth on the following categories: Best booth design, Best Concept, Highest Sales and Best Service.

This is the fifth year of Kiddo-Preneur and the bazaars are held twice in a year. Check out Kiddo-Preneur website for more information. For more updates about Kiddo-Preneur, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.