BUY A DELL AND BE REWARDED WITH A SWATCH WATCH!

For every purchase of Inspiron 14R (5420), Inspiron 14Z (N411z)
(preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium),
you will get a Dell voucher (worth Php 2,500) that you may use to redeem a Swatch watch.
Promo runs from September 15 to October 15, 2012

OUT ON STREETS WITH DOCKERS® ALPHA KHAKI

September 2012 – One of Dockers® Alpha Khaki designers wanted to see how Alpha would hold up against a day of skating in San Francisco.  See what they came back with, search ‘Dockers® Alpha Skate Test’ on Youtube.

“The fact that these skaters choose to skate in these pants, demonstrates and reinforces the Alpha message that khakis are just as durable, strong and versatile as denim” said Bobet Romualdo, Dockers® commercial director for Asia.

For updates Like Dockers® on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DockersKhaki or follow Dockers® on Twitter, www.twitter.com/DockersKhaki_Ph.

About the Dockers® Brand

The Dockers® Brand has embodied the spirit of khaki for more than 25 years. Since their introduction in 1986, Dockers® has been perfecting khakis—and the essential goods to go with them—for men and women all over the world. No compromises in quality. Just versatile, essential style. Day to night. Monday to Sunday. Wearing the pants has never looked so good. For information on Dockers® and its products, please call +632-889-9301 or visit www.Dockers.com.

MULTIPLY PHILIPPINES COMMUNITY DRAWS RELIEF FOR HABAGAT VICTIMS

Post Release:

Relief efforts turn to Multiply Philippines to facilitate the delivery of aid to flood victims

During the onslaught of torrential monsoon rains that flooded a big part of the Philippines’s Luzon island last August, Multiply’s e-commerce platform was transformed into an avenue for businesses and ordinary citizens to extend their help to victims of the calamity.

Multiply lent its online network and online payment gateways to receive donations for the Philippine Red Cross. On its first day, Multiply received Php70,000 (US$1,600) in donations on behalf of the Philippine Red Cross, and in one week, it collected almost Php200,000 (US$4,800) for the relief organization.

“Our online tools and robust and flexible platform made it possible for concerned citizens to conveniently give donations to the flood victims,” said Jack Madrid, Multiply Philippines’s Country Manager. Multiply’s existing payment facilities allowed donors to conveniently and safely send donations through credit cards, bank payments and mobile payments. These donations were disbursed within 48 hours.

Moreover, the Philippine Red Cross page on Multiply.com (redcrossph.multiply.com) outlines the donation process in only four clickable steps, even providing pre-determined denominations for donors to choose from and giving them several payment options. The page is still active and continues to receive donations for the flood victims.

Multiply merchants also found their own way to make use of the e-commerce site to extend their help. Fastfood company Binalot accepted 7,450 pledges of hot meals through the site in just three days, and offered free deliveries of the meals to flood victims. Multiply itself allocated 50 per cent of the net proceeds of its official online stores Deals, Discounted Deals and Outlet Store to the Philippine Red Cross. Also joining the cause were other Multiply merchants who volunteered to donate a percentage of their sales for relief efforts.

Long established as a tool for e-commerce, Multiply’s e-commerce tools and solutions, such as product listing, virtual shopping cart, inventory management, order tracker, daily disbursal, buyer protection program and multiple payment gateways, have made it an effective business enabler for both big and small enterprises. With the recent calamity in the Philippines, Multiply saw itself turn into more than an e-commerce site, and become a tool for enabling people to extend assistance to those in need.

“We are simply the enabler,” said Madrid. “We have changed so many lives by helping entrepreneurs bring their business ideas to life, but now we also saw how Multiply can change lives by making it possible for people to share,” he said.

ABOUT MULTIPLY

Multiply is the biggest e-commerce site in Southeast Asia, carrying items from 16 product categories. Multiply launched its Philippine operations in August 201, and today, it has 5.5 million users and 130,000 merchants in the country. On December 1, 2012, Multiply will complete its transition into an e-commerce platform in response to its growing number of online sellers and shoppers.

Its advanced customization features have attracted a continually growing number of big and small clients who have found many uses for the site beyond creating virtual storefronts for their businesses.

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR THE 2012 ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD

Triathlon coach Ani de Leon-Brown shares her foolproof tips to getting run-ready for the KOTR

Last year's KOTR. Photo courtesy of Mark Cerbo

With this year’s adidas King of the Road (KOTR) coming up this September 30, it’s time to begin your preparations for the run.

If this is your first running event and it actually took you a while to finally gather the courage to join, then keeping that motivation alive is your number one priority. You may follow the dozen or so helpful tips online (like adidasrunning on Facebook), but without the proper motivation, all your preparations are for naught.

Set Your Goals. “Preparing for a race is like preparing for an exam-- you have to study the specific subject so you will not be shocked and will have the answers on race day. It pays to have a plan for whatever distance you are aiming for,” said Coach Ani de Leon-Brown, Filipina Ironwoman, triathlete, race director and proud mom.

When asked what she usually does to keep her motivation intact, she answered, “I visualize the excitement of race day.” She adds, “Visualize that you are going through the race already, and finishing it happily. It is great to have certain goals in your mind in terms of time, effort level, pacing, etc. If you have already planned these things ahead it will be much easier to actually execute them.”

Eat Right. Now is not the time to obsess over that bag of chips in your cupboard or that triple chocolate-flavoured ice cream in the fridge. When preparing for a race, a balanced diet is vital. If you’re training for a light to moderate session, Coach Ani advises not to eat too much before the run. “Maybe a banana or a slice of bread with peanut butter, or a small bowl of oatmeal will do,” she suggests.

“If you are doing a very long session you can plan to eat a much more solid meal at least two hours beforehand,” she adds. After your workout, she recommends, “focus on taking in some lean protein along with carbs for optimal recovery.”

Hydrate. Aside from your food intake, always remember to hydrate. Coach Ani advised, “During short runs, only water is necessary. For runs longer than an hour, some sports drinks or gels can help.”

Use the right gear. It may not be wise to start buying new gear. Stick with what you have. According to Coach Ani, “all you need is your favorite pair of running shoes.” If you have nothing to wear yet, test out your gear before the race and make sure you break in your new shoes. You don’t want to commit the common mistake of ending the race with blisters on your feet or, worse, dropping out of the race before crossing the finish line because of extreme pain.

Always take comfort into consideration. You may want to wear light running shoes to increase your speed and lessen stress on your leg muscles or heavier, but flexible, shoes that move with your feet to reduce the risk of injuries. “I choose the most responsive models which also offer good support and stability from adidas,” said Coach Ani.

Plan a training routine and stick to it. If you’re a beginner and only signed up for shorter 3km or 5km distances, Coach Ani recommends a very basic regimen of running at least three times a week, with one 45-minute session, even if you have to walk part of it, and two 30-minute sessions.  For advanced runners, she suggests, “more than just aiming to finish the required minutes or distances, they have to train at their target race pace. So some sessions would have to have some speed involved.”

You may want to join a running group such as the adiNation of Runners Philippines, which provides another great approach to sticking to a routine. They have set schedules every week around Metro Manila and registration is free. It’s also a good way to meet new running buddies to train with you for the 2012 King of the Road. If this will be your first time to run, it would be a great venue to get tips and recipes for the proper diet for runners like you. Having running buddies also means surrounding yourself with like-minded people who can surely motivate you when you needed a nudge towards the right direction.

Signing up for the 2012 King of the Road is just the tip of the iceberg. Being physically and mentally prepared is what will separate you from the others and allow you to win that race. “It is an icon of a running race, one of the best and the oldest in the country. Consider yourself lucky to be part of this wonderful event, and savour every moment,” said Coach Ani, a KOTR regular.

For more information on adidas King of the Road, visit adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph or www.facebook.com/adidasphilippines.

WFP SCALES UP SUPPORT IN DISASTER-PRONE SORSOGON PROVINCE

Sorsogon City, Philippines – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a new phase of programmes in Sorsogon province aimed at helping communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.    

Warehouse in Sorsogon

“Vulnerability to natural disasters is one of the major challenges facing the people of Sorsogon, who are constantly exposed to natural hazards such as floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and typhoons,” said Ms. Sally Lee, former Sorsogon Governor and current Sorsogon Provincial Management Office Executive Director.

 The new phase will include organizing information and education campaigns for communities on the risks they face, and the training of local government units (LGUs) to use geographic information systems to enhance preparedness and response planning.  

WFP is also tapping the expertise of Bicol University, which will be working with LGUs, communities, and families to design appropriate family disaster plans and preparedness kits. Bicol University will also be introducing specialised, home-based agricultural equipment (such as a simple tunnel type structure made out of very fine mesh net and steel braces) designed to protect crops during extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain and extreme heat.

The new phase is being rolled out in the municipalities of Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, and Sta. Magdalena, as well as the province of Sorsogon.

Sorsogon is only one of several areas covered by the WFP’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Programme, which is being implemented in close partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, and the provincial and local governments.

“Rather than reacting post-disaster, WFP Philippines is doing its utmost based on our capacities and expertise to support the Philippine Government’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives at national and local levels. By strengthening the capacities of first responders, WFP can help save lives and protect livelihoods,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

The WFP programme is made possible through generous support from the United States Agency for International Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which has this year given a total of US$3.75 million (approximately Php160 million), as well as from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through WFP’s global initiative on Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning, which has contributed US$1 million (approximately Php42.6 million).

During the programme’s pilot phase last year, with support from USAID/OFDA, WFP worked with the municipalities of Juban and Irosin to build an Emergency Operations Centre, upgrade three frequently-used evacuation facilities, and train LGUs and communities on how to prepare contingency plans.  

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

Follow us on Twitter: @wfp_media and @wfp_asia  and @wfp_philippines