Western Union expands into the Philippines’ bank channel

Online media release material

Offers international Direct-to-Bank money transfer in minutes¹to over 40 banks

in the Philippines

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, December 5, 2013 – The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, today significantly expanded into the Philippines’s bank channel paving the way for international Direct-to-Bank remittances in minutes to over 40 banks in the Philippines from nine countries.

Western Union consumers in nine countries – including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, France, Italy, Norway and United Kingdom – can now send Direct-to-Bank money transfers from select Western Union^® Agent locations to 59 banks including majority of the top banks in the Philippines.  Money sent to 49 of these banks will be credited into the bank accounts in minutes¹.  For the remaining 10 banks, it will be within one to three working days.

Patricia Riingen, Senior Vice President, East & South Asia, Western Union, said: “The Western Union Direct-to-Bank service is aimed at servicing our consumers with a preference to receive funds directly into bank accounts.  Our global vision is about offering choice to our consumers immaterial of their channel preference.  Therefore, strengthening our retail channel as well as making major in-roads into the banking channel is about serving an even bigger consumer base, delivering on our service hallmarks of reliability, speed and convenience and continuing to enhance our overall brand loyalty.” 

According to The World Bank, remittances to the Philippines exceeded US$24 billion in 2012, making the country the third largest remittance recipient in the world. 

To send money directly to a bank account via Western Union, consumers simply need the recipient’s full name, the name of the recipient’s bank and the recipient’s bank account number. 

For more information on Western Union, please visit www.westernunion.com

ADIDAS UNVEILS BRAZUCA: THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™

Online media release

Design of brazuca inspired by vibrant colours, passion and heritage of Brazil

 Herzogenaurach, 4 December 2013 – adidas today unveiled brazuca, the official 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ match ball. The ball was revealed with a spectacular 3D light projection launch event held at the iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro. 

brazuca was named back in September 2012 following a public vote in Brazil involving 1 million football fans; the name “brazuca” is an informal local term which means “Brazilian”, or to describe the Brazilian way of life. The colours and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolise the traditional multi-coloured wish bracelets worn in the country (fita do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia), in addition to reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with football in Brazil.

brazuca went through a thorough testing process over a two and a half year period involving more than 600 of the world’s top players and 30 teams in 10 countries across three continents, making it the most tested ball ever by adidas and ensuring that it is suited to all conditions. Clubs involved in testing included AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese. Players involved in the process included global football stars Leo Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zinedine Zidane. The ball has already been tested in competitive international matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ with a different print design, and was also used in a friendly match between Sweden and Argentina in February 2013. 

The technology incorporated into the bladder and carcass of brazuca is identical to the Tango 12 (UEFA Euro 2012™), Cafusa (FIFA Confederations Cup 2013) and the ever popular UEFA Champions League™ Official Match Ball. However, a new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch. brazuca has been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed all FIFA metrics for an official match ball, ensuring top performance for every condition.

adidas has called on players and fans to "Love Me or Lose Me" with the unveiling of brazuca as part of its "All In or Nothing" World Cup campaign. adidas is launching @brazuca on Twitter, where fans will be able to track the build-up to the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil through the eyes of the ball as it travels the world and offers an alternative take on the game. brazuca will visit footballing nations, meet players and celebrities, and take part in major cultural events before landing in Brazil for the first game in June, and will be tweeting all the way.

Brazilian star Dani Alves said: "My first impression of brazuca is of a ball that is fantastic and we’re going to have a lot of fun with it. adidas has created an incredible-looking ball fitting for a tournament as big as the FIFA World Cup. Most importantly it plays well on the ground and in the air. I'm sure all the players will love it. It's increased my levels of excitement even further and I honestly cannot wait for the opening game!”

FIFA World Cup™ winning Spanish captain Iker Casillas said: ”brazuca has a stunning design that feels inspired by Brazil. Now the ball has been launched the tournament feels a lot closer. I’m looking forward to playing in Brazil with a great ball. Hopefully with brazuca we can get the same result as in 2010.”

The launch of brazuca marks the next phase of adidas’ “All in or Nothing” 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ campaign, following the launch of seven national federation FIFA World Cup™ kits and the Samba Collection, a Brazilian-themed football boot collection. The FIFA World Cup™ is the world’s largest football event and the ultimate platform for the adidas state-of-the-art apparel, hardware and footwear. adidas has made every FIFA World Cup™ ball since 1970, and recently extended the partnership with FIFA until 2030, including the supply of the official match ball.

brazuca is available to purchase in the Philippines from today (December 4^th) in selected adidas and sports retail outlets. The brazuca Official Match Ball retails for PHP 6,495. Also available are the brazuca Top Glider (PHP 1,295), brazuca Glider (PHP 1,095) and brazuca Mini Ball (PHP 795).

Rise Up and Rebuild

The world is affected by what happened to those ravaged by the storm Yolanda and the earthquake victims and everyone is doing their part to help whether big or small. The world may not be the same again after what happened.

Although giving relief is OK but it is not enough to make their lives back to normal. They not only need food but the other basic needs. One of those basic need is a home. Coca Cola Phils. in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Phils. are starting up an plan to make it happen.

But Coca Cola and Habitat can't do it on their own. They also need supplies and volunteers. This is where you come in. You can do your part either donating or volunteer. The houses needs sponsors for the affected families. You can donate money for supplies or sponsor the whole house.

You can also volunteer and work along the victims to build their house. You can also do both. Watch the video above. I am seeing this now in a biblical sense. I recall the account of Nehemiah during the exile when he felt the urge to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. His powerful words were
"Let's rise up and build".

I am seeing this in that same manner and I am sure that there's a call to rebuild their homes. It's either you be part of history or just sit there and watch. For more updates, follow this blog or like the Facebook page and spread the word. #RebuildPh

SeaFair 2014 Media Launch

If you are a Manila resident like me, you probably jog at CCP and notice the yachts of different shapes and sizes that are docked at Manila Yacht Club. This is an expensive lifestyle not because it's luxurious but it has many expenses like docking fees, fuel, and crew.

But there is a fascination of the sea that all walks of life cannot ignore. Every summer, people go to beaches and resorts and engages in any water activity. There is more advantage in traveling by water because not all areas have airstrips for planes to land on.

Starting February 2014, Manila will host the first ever SeaFair 2014. It will set on the CCP terminal bay parking area were different booths will showcased the marine life businesses and will demonstrate the different ways and themes for a yacht parties.

On this aspect, it will also help boost the different tourist destinations that offers seafaring activities. It will also help boost businesses in relation to marine lifestyle. This event is for specific audience because not all may not be target market for the event. You may find the event very exclusive as it narrow down right audience.

Sea Fair 2014 will be on February 20 - 23. Watch out for more updates about SeaFair 2014 by following this blog or like the Facebook page.

Project Headshot Clinic 2013

December 1 is World AIDS Day. In support of the event, Project Headshot Clinic was born. I had my first Headshot photo four years ago. Photographer Niccolo Cosme initiated this unique campaign for his friend who got HIV positive.

My headshot courtesy of PHC 2013

On it's sixth year, I am once again participating for the second time. As update, Manila is not the only one who's having Project Headshot Clinic but it's going global. There's also Headshot Clinic in Kuwait and Paris. 

Project Headshot Clinic is not just a photoshoot. It's also a cause to orient people about HIV and AIDS. Most misunderstood the disease and sometime causes fear rather than awareness. As a commitment like last time, I will take the HIV test. Because of the lack of space, I will have it in a laboratory within my vicinity as arranged.

Having a Headshot photoshoot is one thing but part of being its advocate is to set an example yourself. You can't encourage someone to take the test if you yourself haven't took it. So others will not be afraid and follow suit. Most are fearful about AIDS and HIV but the real danger is misinterpretation.

To know more about Project: Headshot Clinic, visit their website: http://headshotclinic.com/

ETC MOVES TO SBN-21 STARTING NOVEMBER 30

Online media release

November 21, 2013 - Solar Entertainment Corporation (SEC) announces a new channel assignment for its leading youth channel, ETC. Starting November 30, 2013 ETC can be seen on UHF channel 21, Sky Cable and Destiny Digital Ch. 16, Global Destiny Ch. 28, Cignal Ch. 9, and Cable Link Ch. 34. 

With the move, SEC has laid down plans to boost the reach of ETC to viewers. According to SEC’s Chief Technology Officer Ralph Joseph S. Roy, by early next year a new state-of-the-art analog/ digital 60KW transmitter will be built for the channel. 

Running at a higher capacity and with a higher elevation, this looks to boost ETC’s reach to viewers in Mega Manila by 30 percent. For the rest of the country transmitters will go up in key areas such as Bacolod, Cebu, Zamboanga, Davao, and Legazpi. 

From Monday to Saturday, ETC offers viewers the hottest and latest shows and episode’s straight from the United States. Stay up to date in the world of entertainment with the channel’s vast lineup of Match-Airing titles that include: award-winning musical Glee, hilarious sitcom’s New Girl and Super Fun Night, supernatural drama’s The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Ravenswood, and Beauty and the Beast, and the colorful 80’s teen drama The Carrie Diaries. 

This coming 2014 the channel is working on airing more of its popular series day and date with the U.S. just like the airing of its hit show Glee that ETC airs via satellite. Adding to ETC’s Match-Airing line-up in January is the return of the mystery-thriller Pretty Little Liars, and the long-running reality singing-competition American Idol. Also joining the channel in 2014 is the period drama Reign, which follows the early years of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the sci-fi romance drama Star-Crossed that tells the story of a relationship between a human girl and an alien boy. 

Viewers can look forward to more big movies under the channel’s movie block “ETC Flix” including Bridesmaids, Crazy Stupid Love, and The Devil Wears Prada. As ETC embarks on a stronger reach on the airwaves, they also look to conquering online too. Fans of the channel can log onto http://www.blink-now.com to watch ETC’s free live streaming on a computer, with mobile services being rolled out in the coming months for even more ways to watch. 

Starting November 30, 2013 ETC is seen on UHF channel 21, Sky Cable and Destiny Digital Ch. 16, Global Destiny Ch. 28, Cignal Ch. 9, Cable Link Ch. 34 and various cable operators nationwide.