SEBAGO 65th ANNIVERSARY

                            SEBAGO DOCKSIDES

The Art & Advocacy of Sebago

Sebago celebrates 65 years with an art exhibit for Habitat

Few brands can boast of a long and rich heritage, and fewer can gather the top names in entertainment, fashion and design to celebrate an important milestone. New England-born footwear brand Sebago® is one of the exceptional few. In celebration of its 65^th anniversary this year, it launched Sebago x 65, an exhibition of its iconic Docksides® transformed into unique works of art and auctioned for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity.

Using paint as well as unusual materials such as fur, beads, croc skin, gold leaf, a stellar line-up of the country’s most prominent individuals had delivered the most extraordinary and unexpected collection of footwear art. These design masters include actors Enchong Dee and Joseph Marco; TV host Phoemela Baranda; band vocalist Jett Pangan; top Filipino designers Rajo Laurel, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rhett Eala, Joey Samson and Kate Torralba; fashion stylists Noel Manapat and Sidney Yap; columnist and fashionista Tessa Prieto-Valdes; architects Gil Coscolluela and Nix Alanon; shoe designer Maco Custodio; Team Manila’s Mon Punzalan and Jowee Alviar; columnist Leah Puyat; interior stylist Anton Barretto; fashion editor Liza Ilarde; and artists Martin Honasan, Julianne Tarroja, Nix Puno, Rory Morales, Carlo Ongchanco, Nelz Yumul, Niño Hernandez, Mike Nakayama and Raymond Lauchengco.

The artworks were officially unveiled and presented to Habitat for Humanity and special guests last June 23 at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Sebago® Philippines officials Gilson and Gifford Chu, along with Bill Mirecki, Vice President of Sebago® International, led the ribbon cutting rites.  Sebago® Philippines donated an initial fund to Habitat in behalf of the artist participants, and a silent auction was also held to raise more funds for the charity organization.

“We are honored and grateful to be celebrating our 65^th in this unique and meaningful way,” said Gifford Chu, President of Shoemaker’s Shop, Inc., the official distributor of Sebago® in the Philippines.  “It is quite humbling and inspiring to see the artists deliver with such passion and creativity their personal works.  They had spent time and effort in doing this not only for Sebago®, but more importantly for our beneficiary Habitat for Humanity. They all represent our brand’s ideals and we are proud to have them join our celebration.” In the coming weeks, Sebago x 65 shall also be traveling to different commercial centers all over Metro Manila.

Sebago Docksides® has become iconic not only among sailors but also for fashion lovers as well.  Appreciated for their hand sewn moccasin construction that wraps the foot in a single piece of leather, each pair promises seamless comfort and hardwearing durability.  And while Docksides® themselves haven’t changed, they have inspired countless collaborations that continue to bring the brand to the forefront of fashion.

For more information, visit the Sebago Docksides (Official) fan page on Facebook or go to www.sebago.com.  

     JUNE 23, 2011  " PRESS LAUNCH" 

COCA-COLA 1ST PLANT BILLBOARD IN RP

 

COCA-COLA & WWF UNITE TO UNVEIL 1ST PLANT BILLBOARD IN RP

Manila, June 23, 2011 – Coca-Cola Philippines and World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF) today unveiled the first plant billboard in the country, an iconic structure to represent the long-standing partnership between the two organizations to make a positive difference in the environment.

The partnership spans across two areas of Coca-Cola Philippines’ Live Positively sustainability program:

• Water Stewardship -- Since 2008, Coca-Cola Philippines has partnered with WWF in an effort to help conserve critical watersheds in the country. It is one of the environmental initiatives implemented by Coca-Cola Philippines to strive to be a water sustainable business and replenish the amount of water equivalent to what the company uses in all of their beverages and their production.

• Climate Protection -- Coca-Cola Philippines is a major corporate partner of WWF in this year’s Earth Hour and in the other programs throughout the rest of the year challenging individuals, companies and organizations to go “Beyond the Hour.”

The 60 x 60 ft. plant billboard, located along Northbound EDSA-Forbes, utilizes a thriving species of Fukien tea plant, which absorbs air pollutants. According to botanist Anthony Gao, each plant can absorb up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year, on the average. “This billboard helps alleviate air pollution within its proximate areas as it can absorb a total of 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, on estimate.” Gao says.

Recyclable materials were used for the overall make-up of the billboard. 3,600 pots were used, recycling old bottles of various Coca-Cola products. These bottles were filled with a potting mixture made up of a combination of industrial by-products and organic fertilizers—a formulation that is stable and light-weight. These bottles were also designed to contain the plants securely and to allow the plants to grow sideways. Additional holes were made for proper drainage and for holding the drip lines in place.

A drip irrigation system, also known as trickle irrigation or micro-irrigation, was especially installed for efficient water distribution. This irrigation method saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters. The system is operated on a schedule to distribute water with nutrients to the plants. It provides the plants with what they need when they need it.

With all the eco-friendly mechanism it employs and the relevant advocacy it stands for, this innovative advertising is a salient reminder for Filipinos to take an active hand in protecting and saving the environment.

“We are proud that we have brought to life the first plant billboard in the country. It is an embodiment of our company’s Live Positively commitment to making a positive difference in the world by incorporating sustainability into everything that we do. With this, we hope to inspire Filipinos to join us in our journey, because we know that together, we can make a positive impact,” said Guillermo Aponte, president of Coca-Cola Philippines.

“We’re grateful for Coca-Cola Philippines’ commitment to a partnership with WWF, focusing on water stewardship and climate protection”, said Lory Tan of WWF. “Through these partnerships, we will work to help Coca-Cola Philippines achieve its Live Positively environmental targets and strive together towards environmental sustainability in the Philippines.”

For more information about Coca-Cola Philippines and WWF, please visit their websites at www.livepositively.com.ph and www.wwf.org.ph. 

     JUNE 23, 2011  "PRESSCON"

SAMSUNG GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9

Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9 - Taking You to Life 2.0

Galaxy 8.9

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation, a leader in Android™ mobile devices, announced two new additions to its family of GALAXY Tabs, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9.

“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are remarkable examples of Samsung’s constant innovation and dedication to designing premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world”, said Mr. Glenn Glinoga, Director of SEPCO's Handheld Phones business. “By combining Samsung’s innovation in design, display and user interface, we have created a new class of products that will sustain Samsung's  leadership in the tablet market.”

Better User Interface

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 run on the new Android Honeycomb 3.1 OS. Together with the Samsung TouchWiz user interface, it gives an optimal tablet experience like no other.

Samsung’s TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu that users can customize to display a variety of content on the home screen including digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.

Better Entertainment

Both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 deliver unparalleled entertainment on-the-go. Whether on a 10.1" or 8.9" WXGA TFT LCD display (1280 x 800), both tabs are perfect for sharing and enjoying media content with family and friends. With its  full HD video playback and dual surround speakers, the viewing experience is made even more engaging and immersive.

In addition to viewing videos and listening to sound clips, users also have access to thousands of free applications offered in the Android Market like games, business and lifestyle applications.

Better Web Browsing

Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 offer a PC-like web surfing experience. Unlike other tablets, it supports Flash-based multi-media content. Finally, playing your favorite Facebook games whenever, wherever is now possible!

Both tabs support HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21Mbps as well as Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver faster mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. 

Better Multi-tasking

Powered by a 1GHz dual core processor, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 provide users unmatched multi-tasking capability. Users can seamlessly switch from one application to another.

Using the QuickOffice application, users can view, create, and edit their work documents. Users can also enjoy their favorite books, magazines, and newspapers via an ebook application. By accessing its multi-task window, users can easily jump to their other favorite application in a matter of seconds. Work and play has never been this easy.

Better Design

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 both boast of a sleek and premium design. At only 8.6mm thin and 565g and 465g respectively, both tabs are convenient to carry around. The perfect combination of style and convenience. 

Better Connectivity

The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature a 3 megapixel rear camera that is perfect for taking quality pictures and videos, plus a 2 megapixel front camera for video calls. Both tabs are pre-embedded with the latest version of G-talk, so users can make video calls to anyone, anywhere in the world.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9, and soon the Galaxy S WiFi 5.0, will give users more options when it comes to the right tablet that fits their lifestyle. These new models will join the original 7-inch Galaxy Tab in making everyday experiences extraordinary for more people, upgrading their lives to Life 2.0.

NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S II

Samsung GALAXY S II:  The Smartphone Evolution

GALAXY S  II 

Manila, Philippines - Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (SEPCO), the leader in Android smartphones, announced that the Samsung GALAXY S II (Model: GT-I9100) is finally here. The Samsung Galaxy S II is the first 4G phone to hit the country that is faster, brighter, smarter and slimmer versus its highly successful predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S. The Samsung GALAXY S II bears with it the latest Android smartphone OS, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Complementing this latest operating system is an uber fast 1.2GHz Dual Core processor, unparralled display quality on a 4.27” Super AMOLED Plus screen,  an ultra-smart voice solution feature that enables the user to call, text, email and even surf the internet hands-free.

"In 2011, we will take Samsung’s leadership in Smartphones to a whole new level,” said Glenn Glinoga, Business Unit Director of SEPCO’s Mobile Communications Business. "With the SAMSUNG GALAXY S II, Samsung wants to set the new standard of image and video quality, processing speed and cutting-edge modern design.”  The GALAXY S II builds on the phenomenal success of the original Samsung GALAXY S. “We are proud to unveil the ultimate smartphone,” added Glinoga.  “Consumers will no longer have to limit themselves because the Samsung GALAXY S II allows them to design their own smart lives.”

 "We're are very excited and proud to bring in the first 4G Android smartphone in the country that not only pleases the eye but delivers the most delightful smartphone experience," added Coco Domingo, Product Marketing Head of SEPCO’s Mobile Communications Business.

Faster: 1.2GHz Dual Core Processor

Incorporating a dual-core application processor, the Samsung GALAXY S II has the speed and power to provide the best mobile performance. The 1.2 GHz Dual-core processor offers features such as faster web browsing and better multi-tasking capability.  This allows the user to instantly switch between applications with ease, allowing the user to do more in less time.

The Samsung Galaxy S II is also the first 4G smartphone in the country. With HSPA+ connectivity, it offers unprecedented download and upload speeds like no other.  

Brighter: Super AMOLED Plus

The Samsung GALAXY S II is equipped with Samsung’s new crystal-clear Super AMOLED Plus screen. This is the most advanced mobile visual display ever created. With this display, Samsung sets a new standard of quality viewing on mobile handsets. The Super AMOLED Plus introduces the best quality in color gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness. Plus with a wider viewing angle, you get to experience the vibrant display of the screen from different viewpoints.

Even better is that the Super AMOLED Plus display does not compromise battery performance. A significant reduction in power consumption from Super AMOLED display makes it more energy-efficient than other comparably-sized devices.

Smarter: Voice Solution

The Samsung Galaxy S II is truly smarter than the ordinary smartphone. With its pre-loaded voice solution feature, Samsung Galaxy S II users can command their phone to call, text and even send emails hands-free. Simply activate the voice solution with these simple words “Hi, Galaxy” and the phone automatically responds by asking the user what he would like to do. This unique solution translates uttered words into both commands and actual text so SMS and emails can be dictated and sent without the use of one’s fingers.

Slimmer: Ultra sleek design

The Samsung Galaxy S II packs in all of these powerful features in a sleek 8.49mm thick device. Never before has there been a marriage of cutting-edge performance and design when it comes to mobile devices.

Witness the beginning of the Smartphone Evolution with the Samsung Galaxy S II. Faster. Brighter. Smarter. Slimmer.

     JUNE 21, 2011  "PRESS LAUNCH"

THE FIRST YAHOO! OMG! PHILIPPINES AWARDS:

Yahoo! Philippines rolls out the purple carpet for the inaugural OMG! Awards

June 21, 2011, MANILA – Yahoo! the premiere digital media company announced the launch of OMG! Awards – the first of its kind purple carpet event that will recognize the most-searched celebrities on its newest and leading entertainment property in the Philippines. The Awards combine Yahoo! Search and rich news content from Yahoo!’s celebrity and entertainment news site, OMG! to recognize the top trending web celebs, those who have propelled to stardom in cyberspace and used the power of the Internet to reach their fans

The awards ceremony which will take place on June 21 comprises 72 nominees in 18 categories; the winners of which will be selected through popular search queries and polling methods.

The categories for the most-searched award include OMG! Celebrity of the Year and OMG! Major Impact, while the winners for Hottest Actor/Actress, Funniest Comedian/Comedienne, Breakthrough Artist Male/Female, Awesome Young Actor/Actress, Favorite TV Host Male/Female, Amazing Newcomer Male/Female, Coolest Singer Male/Female, Coolest Band categories and Designer of the Year will be selected through popular polls. The poll site is located at http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/omgawards/

Amazing newcomer – female: 
Ritz Azul

Amazing newcomer – male: 
Alden Richards

Awesome young actress: 
Kathryn Bernardo

Awesome young actor: 
Albie Casino

Funniest Comedian: 
Vice Ganda

Funniest Comedienne: 
Eugene Domingo

Hottest actor: Piolo Pascual

Breakthrough artist – female: 
Cristine Reyes

Breakthrough artist – female: 
Cristine Reyes

Hosted by JM Rodriguez and Andi Manzano, Yahoo OMG! Awards will feature acts by top local performers including Someday Dream, Johnhoy Danao and Up Dharma Down, and appearances by popular Filipino celebrities. Noted fashion designers Joey Samson, Jun Escario and Kate Torralba will present a purple themed fashion show while “Cosplay Queen” Alodia Gosengfiao will live blog from the event scene. An after hour party will be hosted by DJ Chris Myk.

Erwin Lemuel Oliva, Country Editor, Philippines, stated, “To determine the winners in each category, our editors will do a thorough trend analysis by assessing the percentage increase in the online searches to identify the most-searched Filipino celebrities. From this short-list, readers will be asked to vote for their favorite.” 

The Awards show will be presented by Wi-Tribe and sponsored by Ponds, Sunsilk and Clear. In a true celebrity style, OMG! icons will be escorted in luxury cars provided by Jaguar and Land Rover while Pernod Ricard, producer and distributor of premium wines and spirits will be the official beverage sponsor.

“OMG! Awards is a direct response to the increasing popularity of Yahoo!’s entertainment site which was launched in March this year and has quickly grown to become the number one property in the Philippines. http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/ consists of the latest news on the local and global entertainment scene receives 682,000 unique visitors per month[1],” stated Oliva.

Updates from the OMG! Awards event will be posted on Yahoo! Philippines’ Facebook Page on http://www.facebook.com/yahoophilippines while Tweets from the purple carpet can be followed on http://twitter.com/yahooph. A Flickr page has also been set up for Filipinos to share photos with their favorite celebrities on http://www.flickr.com/groups/omgphilippines/.

     JUNE 21, 2011  "PURPLE CARPET EVENT"  

THE WINNERS:                                                                                         

Hottest actor: 
Piolo Pascual 
Hottest Actress: 
Jennylyn Mercado 
Funniest Comedian: 
Vice Ganda 
Funniest Comedienne: 
Eugene Domingo 
Breakthrough artist – male: 
Coco Martin 
Breakthrough artist – female: 
Cristine Reyes 
Awesome young actor: 
Albie Casino 
Awesome young actress: 
Kathryn Bernardo 
Favorite TV host – male: 
Luis Manzano 
Favorite TV host – female: 
Toni Gonzaga 
Amazing newcomer – male: 
Alden Richards 
Amazing newcomer – female: 
Ritz Azul 
Coolest singer – Male: 
Christian Bautista 
Coolest singer – Female: 
Charice 
Coolest band: 
Parokya ni Edgar 
Desinger of the Year: 
Joey Samson 

OMG!  Celebrity of the Year:    Shalani Soledad

OMG!  Major Impact:     Shamcey Supsup