by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 31, 2023 | Events
The stage is set for the most anticipated event of the year — the biggest sports gathering in the country — the Philippine Sports Expo, happening on June 30 to July 2, 2023, at the iconic Crystal Pavilion. It is a grand celebration of athleticism, perseverance, and prowess, where sports stakeholders and enthusiasts from all corners of the country will gather to witness the spectacle of talents, teams, associations and federations, and sports brands.
The Philippine Sports Expo is an annual gathering of our country’s sports athletes and stakeholders and a celebration of their significant contributions to our sports industry. The 3-day event will draw in over 20 associations and federations, teams, icons, and celebrities and will showcase extensive collections of notable sports brands, from apparel, shoes, wearables, gadgets, and equipment to sports nutrition, clinics, medicine, supplements, and the latest advancements in fitness and sports science and technology.
The expo is set to take place at the sprawling Crystal Corridor Okada Manila, which will be transformed into a vibrant sports paradise. The venue will be adorned with colorful banners, showcasing the various sports disciplines that would be featured during the event. Inside, there are multiple brands and booths of sports associations and federations, each dedicated to a specific sport.
On the day of the expo, the doors swing open, and a wave of energy sweeps through the crowd. Athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and families will flood into the Crystal Corridor, ready to experience the thrilling world of sports.
In one section, basketball courts will be set up with hoops of different heights. Budding young basketball players will dribble and shoot, emulating their favorite Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars. Coaches from renowned basketball academies will offer tips and guidance to aspiring players, nurturing the next generation of Filipino basketball talent.
Across the way is a stage where our official national sports and martial arts of the Philippines, also known as “Kali” or “Eskrima,” will be situated to create buzz and intensity in the venue. Children of all ages are welcome to join the demo and learn about sports from renowned coaches and players from the Philippine national team. Special appearances by gold medalists in the sports are also planned to inspire young players as well as aspirants and enthusiasts.
In another hall, martial arts will take center stage. The air crackles with anticipation as spectators gather around the elevated platform where local and international martial artists will display their mastery of different disciplines. From the lightning-fast strikes of Arnis to the powerful kicks of Taekwondo, the crowd will witness a mesmerizing showcase of the Philippines’ rich martial arts heritage.
The expo isn’t just about traditional sports; it will also present emerging sports and recreational activities. In one hall, a rock-climbing wall will tower over the crowd. Climbing enthusiasts, both young and old, will test their skills and conquer new heights.
Amidst all the action, some booths will promote health and wellness and showcase the importance of proper nutrition, fitness routines, and sports-related products. Display the latest sports equipment, clothing, and technology, enticing visitors with their innovative offerings.
There will be interactive sessions throughout the expo where attendees can participate in workshops and try their hand at different sports. From billiards to table tennis, volleyball to badminton, the expo provided a platform for people to discover new passions and explore their sporting potential.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 13, 2023 | Business
SunAsia Energy Inc. and Blueleaf Energy have secured contracts from the Philippine government to build and operate the world’s largest floating solar project in the Philippines, which has a cumulative capacity of over 610.5 megawatts (MW).
The move is viewed as a milestone in the country’s energy sector, with the Department of Energy (DoE) issuing the first set of Solar Energy Operating Contracts (SEOCs) for a total of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) in floating solar projects.
In September 2022, Blueleaf Energy, a stand-alone portfolio company of Macquarie, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Singapore. The company made a commitment to significantly increase its sustainable infrastructure investments in the Philippines.
In partnership with SunAsia Energy, Blueleaf Energy is jointly developing the large-scale floating solar facility on Laguna Lake, spanning the growing cities of Calamba, Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao, and the towns of Bay and Victoria.
During the contract turnover ceremonies, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla reiterated his promise to strengthen the renewable energy sector and declared the DoE’s strong support for the commercialization of floating solar facilities as an emerging technology.
Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM and Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong were among those who attended the event at the DoE office in Makati City. The program echoed the need to accelerate the realization of the country’s decarbonization targets by 2040.
Raghuram Natarajan, CEO of Blueleaf Energy, said that “as an active investor in sustainable infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region, we believe the Philippines holds great potential to add significant renewable energy capacity to its energy mix and at the same time delivering green energy at an affordable cost compared to fossil fuels.”
The recent announcement of the removal of foreign ownership restrictions, Mr. Natarajan said, “is an important step in attracting the much-needed foreign direct investments in Philippine Renewable Energy (RE) sector to accelerate the energy transition for meeting the country’s decarbonization and net zero targets.”
After the signing of the SEOCs, Blueleaf Energy’s top executive said his company would push for cooperation among public and private stakeholders to ensure the successful development of the project.
This will “not only contribute to the country’s RE goals but also spark green job growth locally during construction and the long-term operations of these floating solar projects, enable local supply chains through the manufacturing of critical components, and bring about notable benefits to the local community,” Mr. Natarajan said.
The SEOC is a testament to the viability of this emerging technology. Tetchi Capellan, president and CEO of SunAsia Energy, noted that “land use is becoming a big issue for renewables.”
“People are worrying about competing uses of land, and in some markets, you might struggle to find land,” Capellan said. “There is a strong incentive to build on water as the Philippines gears up for an ambitious 46 GW solar energy installations in 2040 and at the same time, increase power supply in the country.”
She said that this first 610MW floating solar project “is our collective legacy, our immeasurable contribution to the body of knowledge in the renewable energy space and to the growing solar energy installations worldwide.”
“Once built, we are certain that it will stand as one of the engineering wonders of the world. It will capture the imagination of developers, it will be published in multiple journals, shared in social media, visited by hundreds of practitioners, and studied by academics,” Capellan added.
Since 2019, SunAsia Energy has been operating a testbed on Laguna Lake to study the behavior of waves, the movement of wind, the intensity of the sun, as well as the variability of the temperature in the locality. The wealth of experience has contributed to the growing knowledge of floating solar panels on the lake.
SunAsia Energy further explained that like land-based systems, floating solar panels generate electricity from the sun’s rays. But the bodies of water that these farms rest on also help to cool the panels, allowing them to be more efficient than terrestrial solar, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
Solar-on-water will definitely boost clean power as the world races to cut carbon emissions. Massive solar farms can now be found atop bodies of water in South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Portugal.
Developing solar-on-water projects, in the country’s largest lake, will help achieve not only the government’s ambitious decarbonization target but also much-needed power to run industries, light homes, and energize cities.
More importantly, it will be a legacy of the Philippines to the global renewable energy space, SunAsia Energy said.
In the last two decades, Blueleaf Energy has developed and built almost 2 GW of solar capacity across the globe, including 250 MW in the Philippines. It currently has over 7 GW of solar, wind, and storage projects project pipelines across the Asia Pacific region.
SunAsia Energy, a developer of sustainable solar energy in the country, has since its inception in 2013 partnered with various entities to develop solar projects including the 60 MWp Toledo solar project in Cebu and the 20 MWp Dagupan solar project in Pangasinan.
About Blueleaf Energy
Blueleaf Energy is a leading Pan Asian Renewable energy platform that develops, finances, owns, and operates renewables and storage assets to accelerate the energy transition towards net zero and beyond.
Committed to upholding the highest environmental, social, governance, and safety standards, Blueleaf Energy serves both corporate and industrial consumers and large utilities, providing our customers access to competitive and green energy mixes and solutions to achieve their sustainability targets.
Blueleaf Energy has a development pipeline of solar, wind, and storage projects in excess of 7 GW and a historical track record of developing and building 2 GW of capacity globally which includes over 500 MW in the Asia Pacific. Blueleaf Energy is a portfolio company of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), operating on a standalone basis. In the Philippines, Blueleaf Energy is managed by the Macquarie Capital operating group of the Macquarie Group.
SunAsia Energy
SunAsia Energy Inc. is a pioneer renewable energy developer in the Philippines harnessing the power of the sun to provide environmental and business solutions. Founded in 2013 by innovative entrepreneurs from real estate and agriculture, SunAsia Energy continues to deliver megawatts of clean electricity in support of the energy security goals of the country and contribute to global efforts to transition toward a net-zero carbon emission future.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 12, 2023 | Art and Science, Events
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
“We looked for volunteer artists by posting publicly on Facebook who was willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” relates Bernardo. The call for volunteers had a positive response and hundreds of artists all over the Philippines expressed interest.
The Manila Hotel’s creative consultant Rachy Cuna, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez, Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and thespian Dolly De Leon are some of the participating artists whose works are featured in Project Hulmahan.
Project Hulmahan is the brainchild of Zena Bernardo, one of the members of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya. Ms. Bernardo met with shut-down shoe manufacturers in her hometown, Marikina, and their group purchased almost 500 pairs of shoe molds to transform them into artworks to earn funds for community-based activities.
“It is fitting that The Manila Hotel collaborates with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates ladies, especially mothers, in the month of May,” says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team comprised of Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ of the famed Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally acclaimed actress, Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They were the founders of the community kitchen, which assisted many people during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proceeds from the artworks will benefit the advocacy efforts of these three organizations: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood programs, The Community Kitchen Project for national disaster response, and a community-based art school for kids.
“Sa akin napaka-deep ng story ng [Project] Hulmahan. We want to give dignity back to the community; we consider them as partners in our community-based projects and not beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be transparent and accountable. [Project] Hulmahan is about molding a person and molding a society. The success of this project will depend on working together and pooling resources so we can ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these challenging times,” says Bernardo.
Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.
To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6 PM to 11 PM. This is by invitation only.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 10, 2023 | Technology
May is upon us again, which only means that the spotlight shines extra bright once more for our moms as we celebrate Mother’s Day. If you’re thinking of the right surprise to give to the number one lady in your life, then we’re here to give you a clue. It starts with an A and ends with an R. It’s a kitchen favorite, one that will help our number one chef flex her amazing cooking skills.
It’s Air Fryers! At least according to the latest data from OnBuy which has reported a big surge of sales on this nifty appliance weeks before the annual celebration of Mother’s Day. This kitchen must-have has boomed in popularity in the last couple of years and for good reasons. In this article, we’ll walk you through all its benefits by putting the focus on one of the most powerful models in the market: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. Below are all the reasons why you should #BringBrevilleHome.
Air frying is a better alternative to traditional deep frying.
When you deep fry, oil is heated into high amounts that can lead to increased concentrations of inflammatory compounds that are absorbed by the food. With air frying, you minimize the use of oil or can even entirely remove it. The way it works is that it uses convection heat to cook food, similar to the way a fan oven works.
It can help you cook healthier versions of your favorite fried dishes.
Regular consumption of deep-fried food has been known to be correlated to the development of chronic ailments like cardiovascular disease. The use of convection heat to fry can create the same crispy exterior that we all love so much from our favorite fried treats. The result is healthier versions of meals with lower saturated fat that are better for our diets.
It’s versatile!
The versatility of this kitchen partner is something all cooking aficionados will definitely appreciate. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a perfect example of this. On top of having a dedicated air frying setting, this unit from the premium home lifestyle brand comes with nine other cooking functions which include toast, roast, bake, crumpet, and even pizza. It’s like having 10 appliances, all in one powerful model.
It’s perfect for busy bees.
Talking about power, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is also ideal for anyone who wants to be efficient with cooking. Its dual-speed convection feature reduces cooking time by 30 percent which is perfect for all busy moms out there.
It’s very user-friendly.
Air frying food is a no-brainer because you can easily pick settings for your recipe. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer takes this a notch higher with its Element IQ System which has a smart algorithm that creates the ideal cooking environment for a range of different cooking techniques. Forget about cold, uneven spots and ideal rack positions. This air fryer does it all for you and more, regardless of your cooking skills.
This Mother’s Day, give the gift of innovation to the special woman in your life by turning their dream kitchen into a reality. We already know that our moms are geniuses when it comes to creating meals that we love, but it doesn’t hurt to bring home an equally smart partner that can help them make even more cooking wonders. If you’re into it, you can even go the extra mile and take a crack at cooking by bonding with her to make your own Mother’s Day feast.
It’s time to #BringBrevilleHome this Mother’s Day. Want to know more about the Smart Oven Air Fryer? Visit their website to get the full deets about this appliance. Don’t forget to also follow their official Facebook and Instagram to get updated on their other releases.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 5, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Who says you can’t enjoy the delicious taste of roast beef every day? Thanks to the number one pizza chain in the country, Greenwich, you can now get roast beef anytime you have a craving for it with the Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza. This innovative overloaded offer is a premium flavor under Greenwich’s Overload Creations pizza line, starting at P345!
Greenwich Overload Creations Roastbeef and Cream Cheese Pizza
“This is our most indulgent, premium beef pizza yet. The Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is full of flavor and savory goodness! As always, we want to give you a deliciously awesome food trip with the barkada, with an overload pizza creation that is incredibly filling,” said Ali de Torres, Greenwich’s Head of Marketing.
Fresh from the oven, Greenwich’s Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is filled with cream cheese, generously topped with savory and juicy roast beef complemented with sauteed onions and mushrooms. It will be offered in two sizes—Double (P345) and Barkada (P585).
A Mothe’s Day Treat
Because moms deserve to be celebrated, Greenwich will also offer a special Mother’s Day Bundle that includes one Double Size 9-inch Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza with three Lasagna Supreme® Chicken Combo for only P699!
The Mother’s Day Bundle will be available in all Greenwich branches nationwide for dine-in and take-out only, starting May 8, 2023. Meanwhile, Roast Beef & Cream Cheese Overload® Pizza is also available for dine-in, take-out, online at www.greenwichdelivery.com or via GrabFood and Foodpanda. You may also contact their hotline at #5-55-55.
For more information, visit Greenwich’s official Facebook page, Greenwich Barkada, or message Greenwich Barkada on Facebook Messenger.
About Greenwich
Greenwich’s story began in 1971 as a small, family-owned store selling a selection of pizzas at the former Greenhills Commercial Center. As the brand’s pizzas grew in popularity, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) took notice. In 1994, JFC acquired majority shares in Greenwich, infusing what was a family business with industry-leading competitiveness. New pizza variants and a variety of products were introduced through the years, creating a reputation for Greenwich as a maker of mouthwatering pizzas and pasta for the Filipino “barkada.” Today, Greenwich is the country’s biggest pizza and pasta chain with over 270 stores and counting, and home of the best-selling Hawaiian Overload®, All-in Overload®, and Lasagna Supreme®.
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
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