by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 13, 2016 | Stories
Ipanema, Brazil’s fun, chic and colorful brand of sandals and flip flops, has opened its latest outlet at SM City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna as part of its expansionary thrust in time for the holidays. The new store is one of the new outlets that the company is eyeing to open this year in time for the holiday season.
With the opening of this latest branch, residents within the area can conveniently shop for the latest Ipanema footwear, especially for gift giving this Christmas. The new store carries the latest Ipanema styles and collections, each one inspired by the spectacular coastal neighborhood of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Cecille Loretizo, ELRO Sales and Marketing Head
“Our expansion in this part of the South couldn’t have come at a more opportune time as the holiday season is just around the corner,” explains Cecille Loretizo, Head of Marketing, ELRO Retail Corp.
“This new store which carries Ipanema sandals exclusively, boasts of a wider selection of the latest footwear from this iconic Brazilian brand.”
Aside from the newly opened Ipanema outlet at SM City Sta. Rosa, Ipanema store is set to open in SM City Dasmarinas and more stores on the upcoming months, signs of ELRO’s strong outlook in the market as it aims to further grow its retail footprint in the country.
The new Ipanema store is located at Level 1, SM City Sta Rosa. Ipanema stores are also located at:
- Ayala Abreeza Davao
- Ayala Centrio Cagayan de Oro
- Bacolod
- Cabanatuan
- Cauayan-Isabela
- Clark-Angeles
- Gensan
- Iloilo
- North Edsa
- Pampanga
- Roasales
- Robinsons Place, Antipolo
- SM City Lucena
- SM Lanang Premier in Davao
- SM Seaside Cebu
For more information you can follow Ipanema Philippines on their social media accounts:
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 6, 2016 | Stories
Citi – the country’s largest foreign bank launches Voice Biometrics in the Philippines, the first bank to roll out this groundbreaking authentication across Asia.
Starting October, clients of Citi Philippines will no longer need to remember passwords, or personal identification numbers, or answer a series of questions to verify their identities. The country’s largest foreign bank is the first bank in Asia to introduce Voice Biometrics, which simply means your voice is now your password.
Voice biometrics – now a reality in Philippine banking
Citi Philippines CEO Aftad Ahmed and Consumer Banking Head Bea Tan announced to the media the introduction of this groundbreaking technology being introduced to the Philippines.
With this launch, Citi’s more than 1 million clients in the country can now enroll in Voice Biometrics and let their voices be the means for authentication of their phone banking transactions.
In the press briefing attended by representatives of traditional media and bloggers Citi’s voice biometrics system was explained and demonstrated in several ways to showcase the level of security voice biometrics can give Citi clients.
First we set up the voice authentication system for one of the audience volunteers. It was a painless experience which lasted only a few minutes.
Next we tried to have one of the female audience members pretend to be someone else and midway through the call the real Citi customer took the phone and continued the call. Here voice authentication was not enough. Given the circumstances the client will either have to do one of two things … hang up and call again or answer a series of 3 to 5 verification questions.
Lastly, we had an existing Citi customer who had already enrolled in voice authentication call the Citi call center.
Aftad Ahmed, Citi Philippines CEO
“We are proud of our strong track record in innovation, and we are delighted to once again take the lead in introducing a game changer in the banking industry,” said Ahmed.
“We are relentlessly focused on making it more convenient for our customers to bank with us. Voice Biometrics will deliver convenience and additional protection for their accounts.”
The voice biometrics authentication capability identifies customers through their voice print, which, similar to a fingerprint, is unique to each person. Citi clients can opt to enroll by recording their voices, which the bank will use to generate and store their voice prints for matching subsequent calls to Citibank. Each voice print will be uniquely tagged and cannot be reverse engineered once stored.
Once available, customers who call into the bank’s contact centers will have their identity automatically verified within 15 seconds or less as they explain their reason for calling. This is a reduction from an average time of around 45 seconds currently or 66% less time spent verifying their details currently.
Bea Tan, Citi Philippines Consumer Banking Head
“Voice biometrics is a great example of how we at Citi listen to our clients and leverage technology to address their concerns,” explained Tan.
“With our client’s agreement, we can digitize their voice print and with a successful registration, the next time they call, we will do away with the three to five questions to verify their identity, which can take between 45 and 60 seconds.”
To date, voice biometrics authentication has been implemented in the following countries in Asia:
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
It will be rolled out throughout the region in 2016 and 2017 to cover all 12 of Citi’s consumer banking markets in Asia Pacific that represent more than half of the bank’s 19 consumer markets globally.
Citi targets to be the first financial services firm to deploy voice biometrics authentication across Asia Pacific as the bank builds further on its successful innovation in retail banking in the region.
Citi has around 15 million Consumer Banking customers in the region and the bank expects to have at least 1,000,000 customers actively using voice biometrics authentication in the next 12 months. Within three years the bank expects the number of users to grow to 3,000,000.
Asia is an important region for innovation at Citi. Six years ago, the bank launched its new branch design – called Smart Banking – in Asia for the first time. The Smart Banking concept involves using technology, architecture and design and new retail channels to connect customers to their money and provide them with a better way of banking. Over 200 such branches have since been rolled out globally since the Asian launch.
About Citi
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions.
Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.
For more information about Citi visit their website at www.citigroup.com or any of their social media accounts:
With Citi your voice is your password.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 5, 2016 | Stories
A total of 19 gorgeous married women and single moms successfully made it as finalists to the first-ever Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016, a competition that encourages women in the City of Smiles to be movers of society and symbols of inspiration.
Nineteen gorgeous married women and single moms made it as finalists to the first-ever Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016, a competition that encourages women in the City of Smiles to be movers of society and symbols of inspiration.
The Mrs. Bacolod Globe Competition
The pageant is a component of the national pageant Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016, a national competition established in 2012 under the auspices of Mrs. Globe, an international competition touted as one of the biggest international beauty pageants for married women and single mothers.
Carla Cabrera Quimpo, Mrs. Globe Philippines 2011.
According to Carla Cabrera Quimpo, National Pageant Director, franchise owner of Mrs. Philippines Globe, and Mrs. Globe Philippines herself in 2011, the turn out for the first Bacolod competition is very encouraging. “Each of the finalists embodies the positive traits of a true Bacolodnon woman. Their beauty, strength of character and achievements really shine through, making each a strong contender for the national title Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016.”
“Whoever advances to the national pageant will not only represent Bacolod well but will also serve as an inspiration to other married women in the province to become better versions of themselves,” added Ms. Quimpo.
The Finalists for 2016
This year’s Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016 finalists are:
- Rosalia Jamaybay Fransz
- Janice Dinorog Makilan
- Michelle Christie De Castro Sayo
- Ma. Irene Altes
- Julie Kristie Martelino Mondia
- Analyn Marie Gayatin
- Mary Jean Medianero Basiano
- Mae Belen Gonzales Imperial.
Also included are:
- Monica Jeselle Pido Estrella
- Jean Eyre Lobaton Salazar
- Maria Theresa Tomayao Uhlmann
- Felamie Lopez Demegillo
- Stefannie Labis Montaner
- Jinky Dequina Girasol
- Kristoffersen Estrope Jison
- Michelle Duyungan Boyero
- Maria Althea Rose Mauricio
- Irish Menente Vale
- Rasha Mustafa Demonteverde.
The 19 finalists will compete in the Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016 Finals Night on October 6, 2016, 7:00 PM at SMX Bacolod. Top actor Ian Veneracion will be gracing the event.
Candidates will be judged based on the following criteria:
- 50% beauty, personality and appeal, and
- 50% for physical physique.
The Awards and Prizes
The winner of the Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016 title will win P40,000 cash while the first and second runners-up will each take home P20,000 and P10,000 cash respectively. Special awards will be given to 10 finalists including Darling of the Press, Best in Evening Wear, Most Beautiful Face, Mrs. Body Beautiful, Personality of the Year and Woman of Charity.
After the coronation, the Mrs. Bacolod Globe 2016 title holder will fly to Manila to compete in the Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016 National Competition on October 23, 2016 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, Taguig City.
The winner of the Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016 title will then fly to Beijing, China to compete in the prestigious Mrs. Globe international competition this December 11, 2016.
Founded in 1996, Mrs. Globe is recognized worldwide as a competition that celebrates not just beauty, goodwill, and tourism awareness through pageantry and competition; but more importantly, it promotes and supports the admirable strength of mothers by giving them a chance to reinvent and unleash the better versions of themselves, and to communicate the deeper strength of every woman.
For ticket sales updates, please like MrsBacolodGlobe on Facebook or visit www.smtickets.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 29, 2016 | Stories
Dapat lang may quality time. Enjoy cooking with all the reliable safety features of Solane’s LPG
Solane, the country’s leading LPG provider has launched a campaign that advocates positive Filipino values and emphasizes the importance of family.
As the country gears up for change, ISLA LPG Corporation (ILC), the leading LPG solutions company and owner of the brand Solane, launches an advocacy campaign that aims to remind consumers of the importance of family and positive Filipino values.
Dapat Lang …
Drawing inspiration from the popular Filipino expression, which in English means, “That’s how it should be… Rightly so,” ISLA LPG launches the “Dapat Lang” campaign — a program that emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing, for the family, for others and society as a whole.
The campaign also touches on the importance of bringing back traditional Filipino values which have somehow been misplaced in our high-technology, fast-paced, modern setting. These values include commitment to the family, honesty, hard work, respect for others, and integrity.
“As we prepare for the many changes happening in our environment, we at ISLA LPG would like to remind everyone of the Filipino values that define us as a people and to put importance on the family, being a good neighbor and a valuable member of society,” said ILC-CEO Ruben Domingo.
“Our new campaign reminds all of us — our consumers, employees, and business partners — to do the right thing in everything we do, all the time, wherever we are, in order to truly bring out positive change in all of us.”
How will this advocacy of Solane be promoted?
The advocacy campaign will be communicated with various mediums — print and radio ads, social media, and online videos, showcasing a mom cooking the best dishes for her family, an employee putting in ample time at work, a chef preparing high-quality ingredients for his customers, a manager catering to the needs of the client, the Solane Hatid Bahay rider ensuring that LPG delivery is safe and on time.
As part of the Dapat Lang campaign, ISLA LPG is also launching a new website, which outlines the various ways with which Solane stakeholders can live out the new campaign principle in their everyday lives. The newly revamped site also features a blog that will serve as a way for ISLA LPG to communicate directly with its consumers, especially moms. The blog will feature quick and easy recipes and helpful and time-saving tips on cooking for the family, keeping a safe environment at work and home, and more.
Dapat lang good for the environment. Our expertise goes beyond our products. We aim for a better, cleaner, and greener environment.
For its part, ISLA LPG lives out the Dapat Lang campaign by doing what it does best since the brand Solane was launched almost five years ago — provide consumers with high-quality, safe, reliable LPG products.
“We value our consumers’ safety and we ensure that it is our key priority,” said Mr. Domingo. “We also value our customers’ trust by providing excellent products and services that are well worth their family’s hard-earned money.”
Moreover, ISLA LPG offers Solane Hatid-Bahay Service, an exclusive service provided to Solane LPG residential customers. ISLA LPG’s well-trained riders conduct a Weight Check in front of customers using calibrated portable weighing scales, assuring households of value for their money.
The Solane Hatid-Bahay riders also perform the 7-Point Safety Check free of charge to help ensure the safety of consumers and their families. This includes checking the surroundings, o-ring, regulator, regulator and valve connection, hose, hose connection, and flame quality.
Furthermore, ISLA LPG holds regular safety seminars for its customers as well as to various communities nationwide. The company’s employees and contractors follow strict compliance of safe LPG handling and fire safety. Through this, ISLA LPG has achieved a significant milestone of 13 million man hours without lost time injury.
This commitment to provide the best and safe product and service is, needless to say, reinforced with the launch of the company’s new advocacy campaign because as they say, Kapag LPG, Dapat Lang Solane!
To know more about the Dapat Lang campaign, visit Solane’s new website, www.solane.com.ph, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/solane.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 10, 2016 | Stories
Firefly Mobile took the smartphone industry by storm through launching their flagship unit they call AURII Envy. It has been hugely successful in the Philippine market as over 320,000 Filipinos have liked the product on Facebook. And now, Firefly Mobile has released their latest hit model, the AURII Secret Lite available at Lazada.com.ph.
Its first impressions are striking. The attractive colors and metal design will surely captivate you. If you’re up to some classic looking hue, then the Icy Champagne color is for you but if you are fascinated with darker shades, the Deep Ocean color would be a perfect choice.
My personal take …
- Deep Ocean for the gentlemen
- Icy Champagne for the ladies
Design-wise, its compact body sports a curved back making it easier and more comfortable to hold. With OGS (One Glass Solution) technology, the 5.0” HD Display is fused with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added protection and an immersive view.
Deep in its heart lies a 1.3Ghz Turbo Quad-core processor that runs with 1GB DDR3 RAM promising smooth, fast and lag-free performance. It comes with an 8GB Flash Memory expandable up to 128GB through MicroSD. Surprisingly for its price at Php 3,499, the phone is powered by a very feature packed and streamlined Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
And of course, the most raved camera. Its 13MP rear camera is powered by SONY IMX149 Exmor image sensor that comes with Dual color flash ensuring clarity and brightness for more accurate colors and details. For selfies, the front camera works with a 5MP wide-angle lens and on-screen flash.
Firefly Mobile’s Aurii shares it’s power with other phones
What’s more amazing is the Power Bank Feature of its fast-charging 3450 mAh Lithium Battery. This means that with a USB OTG connector, you can transform the phone into an instant power bank to charge up other smartphones and devices.
The Aurii Secret Lite is priced at P3,499 is available at Lazada. It comes with a free protective Armor Case and Tempered glass.
Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the mobile app now for free. Check out the Durability Test Video:
This is an official press release.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 8, 2016 | Stories
I confess, I am a big fan of James Reid. Not only for his looks but also for his abilities as an actor.
But then, I am also a HUGE fan of Century Tuna. My all-time favorite is the Century Tuna Hot and Spicy Tuna (a favorite of my family as well). We have it over rice, with pandesal, on a salad, made into a sandwich spread, eaten as a viand AFTER it was made into a spread, lol! The list goes on. But my favorite baon treats are the Century Tuna Vienna Sausage and the Corned Tuna.
Century Tuna products
So when I was invited to the presscon of Century Tuna I immediately said yes. And when I found out that James was going to be there, I decided to arrive at the venue early. 😀
After a big reveal that showcased a body reinvented by Century Tuna, stopped EDSA traffic, and sent fans on a social media frenzy, top actor James Reid appears anew in a TV commercial that gives a glimpse on how thinking like a champion has brought him to where he is now.
There’s no denying that James Reid is one of the hottest young actors today. He’s a social media phenomenon—with millions of followers online, not counting the various fan accounts that his devoted followers set up.
The highly bankable love team JaDine, in which he is paired with his reel and real life partner Nadine Lustre, has sent their legions of fans in a frenzy, whether in mall tours, concerts, meet and greets, and even online where they are constant trending topics.
There are his chart-topping albums including Reid Alert which hit certified platinum level status last May. Then there are his box-office film successes—the 2014 romantic comedy and his launch movie Diary ng Panget; and Talk Back and You’re Dead, the teen romance flick that followed a year later. No doubt, his biggest hit to date is On the Wings of Love, the top-rating primetime series with Nadine that kept viewers glued to their TV sets until its sensational finale.
Clearly, James Reid is on a winning streak and his steady career path is one that is marked by a succession of winning moves. Recently, he joined the ranks of Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsey as endorser of Century Tuna, the country’s number one tuna.
Derek Ramsey and Anne Curtis – celebrity endorsers of Century Tuna
#BodyoftheCentury James Reid stars in the newest commercial of Century Tuna now airing on primetime TV.
Becoming part of the Century Tuna family has certainly paid off for the young hunk. He is presently at his fittest—sculpted abs, toned muscles, firm biceps—which can be attributed to a rigorous fitness regimen and a proper diet consisting of good protein that Century Tuna can provide.
It’s no surprise then that James headlines their latest campaign, where he appears in a series of sizzling television commercials: the first, a TV spot focusing on metamorphosis that sent his fans in a frenzy and created a sensation; the second, which is presently airing, revolves around the idea of commitment and loyalty.
Century Tuna couldn’t be happier for having James in its roster of celebrity endorsers. From the very beginning, they already saw a champion in him. “His story is truly inspiring,” said Greg Banzon, Century Tuna General Manager. “It speaks of transformation, the relentless desire to improve oneself. It’s a winning formula that brings many positive lessons for everyone: perseverance, keeping the faith, while staying humble and true to yourself—qualities that make James a true role model.”
Meanwhile, for James, it’s really all about trust. “I liken it to a championship game,” he reveals. “If you want to win, you naturally want to surround yourself with a teammate you can put your total faith into. That to me is Century Tuna, and I can’t think of any other name that I’d trust to keep my body fit.”
With bated breath, we watch as James continues to transform—from a teen heartthrob to a more mature actor with the determination, the attitude and the body to conquer and win in the challenging world of show business.
Ipanema, Brazil’s fun, chic and colorful brand of sandals and flip flops, has opened its latest outlet at SM City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna as part of its expansionary thrust in time for the holidays. The new store is one of the new outlets that the company is eyeing to open this year in time for the holiday season.
As part of the Dapat Lang campaign, ISLA LPG is also launching a new website, which outlines the various ways with which Solane stakeholders can live out the new campaign principle in their everyday lives. The newly revamped site also features a blog that will serve as a way for ISLA LPG to communicate directly with its consumers, especially moms. The blog will feature quick and easy recipes and helpful and time-saving tips on cooking for the family, keeping a safe environment at work and home, and more.
Its first impressions are striking. The attractive colors and metal design will surely captivate you. If you’re up to some classic looking hue, then the Icy Champagne color is for you but if you are fascinated with darker shades, the Deep Ocean color would be a perfect choice.
And of course, the most raved camera. Its 13MP rear camera is powered by SONY IMX149 Exmor image sensor that comes with Dual color flash ensuring clarity and brightness for more accurate colors and details. For selfies, the front camera works with a 5MP wide-angle lens and on-screen flash.
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