Monday, August 29, 2022

Bikers retrace the road to freedom for National Heroes Day

Bikers retrace the road to freedom for National Heroes Day

Bikers from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and nearby provinces pedaled along the route traversed by the country’s heroes in a fun ride for a cause dubbed, “Ride for Valor.”

The “Ride for Valor” a non-competitive 160 kilometers long bike ride raised funds to save our heroes’ historical markers so that we may remember their sacrifice. The funds will be turned over to the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME) a non-government organization that maintains the kilometer markers of the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

In the past, Bataan Death March markers had been destroyed, uprooted, and neglected due to drainage and other road projects. Ten (10) Death March historical markers in Mariveles, and four (4) in Limay, Bataan have to be relocated soon due to road widening and other repairs.

The Death March markers serve as a reminder of the route taken by Filipino soldiers who defended the country against Japanese forces during World War II some 80 years ago. About 10,000 brave soldiers died along the route; many of the bodies were never identified or recovered.

The ride is part of the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families. As part of its charter, PVB allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of its shareholders.

Around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese military to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during World War II.  Only some 54,000 persons reached the camp, and around 20,000 died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors.

For more information, visit www.veteransbank.com.ph.









August 29, 2022


Thursday, August 25, 2022

Samsung Electronics and Prime Video Bring ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ to Life in 8K


Samsung Electronics and Prime Video Bring The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ to Life in 8K

Collaboration delivers exclusive 8K and early access content to Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs and displays in stunning detail from the screening room to the living room

 

SEOUL, Korea – August 25, 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world's leading TV manufacturer for 16 consecutive years, today announced a collaboration with Prime Video that offers fans the opportunity to experience exclusive 8K content from the much anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series only on Samsung’s cutting-edge screens.


 



Before the September 2nd series premiere on Prime Video, Tolkien fans and newcomers alike also will have early access to exclusive content only with Samsung. Today in New York City, Samsung will host an exclusive sneak peek screening event featuring 25 minutes of content from the series’ first two episodes on its three-story LED video wall at Samsung 837 – its flagship experience center. Starting this week, dynamic creative from the series will debut on Samsung's landmark LED digital screens overlooking New York City’s Times Square, London’s Piccadilly Circus, and Milan’s Piazza del Duomo.

 

Samsung will be the first to offer series content in 8K resolution through a custom sneak peek with exclusive scenes. Viewers will have the opportunity to experience the epic journey in unimaginable depth and detail on Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs. Opportunities for fans to access the exclusive 8K trailer will be announced soon.

 

“Collaborations such as this mark a major milestone in bringing 8K – the most premium display technology – to the forefront for viewers,” said Simon Sung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Sales & Marketing Team of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “For the first time, fans can experience the stunning imagery of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs.”

 




“When considering how to immerse our global fans in the world of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Samsung’s exceptional technology and screens felt like a natural fit,” said Andrew Bennett, Vice President of Global Device Partnerships at Prime Video. “Samsung’s depth, detail, and incredible passion for the series has started us on an amazing journey together – one we can't wait for audiences to experience.”

 

The leader in the development of 8K display technology, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K series TV’s deliver the most immersive home entertainment experience available today. Whether it’s the stunning vistas of Khazad-Dûm, the majestic forests of the elf-capital Lindon, or the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, fans can experience the Second Age of Middle-earth in pristine 8K resolution thanks to Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor 8K while being enveloped in the action thanks to Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound – a Samsung technology that follows the action on the screen.

 

For more details on the Neo QLED 8K TV, please visit www.samsung.com/ph/tvs/qled-tv/highlights/

 

 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

 

About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

 

More info on The Rings of Power can be found here: www.amazon.com/lotr.  

 


August 25, 2022


Tuesday, August 16, 2022

GUESS?, INC. ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF GLOBAL MUSIC SUPERSTAR AND FASHION ICON, J BALVIN WITH GUESS ORIGINALS x J BALVIN AMOR COLLECTION AND CAMPAIGN

GUESS?, INC. ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF GLOBAL MUSIC SUPERSTAR AND FASHION ICON, J BALVIN WITH GUESS ORIGINALS x J BALVIN AMOR COLLECTION AND CAMPAIGN 



Los Angeles, CA – GUESS Originals is proud to welcome back global music superstar and fashion icon, J Balvin, for the GUESS Originals x J Balvin Amor Collection. Inspired by Balvin’s documentary “The Boy from Medellin”, the collection ties into the GUESS DNA of iconic graphics and elevated fabrics while incorporating a deeper emphasis on who Balvin is beyond the fame, and his journey with mental health.The collection will be available on Friday, July 15, 2022 on guess.com.ph and in GUESS Glorietta, Trinoma, Robinsons Ermita, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia. 



Balvin notes, “We've been collaborating for a couple of years now. The chemistry is great. We have more than a business partnership, it’s a friendship – it's like my family working with Nicolai and GUESS. This newest collab is all about peace and love – that’s what we need right now.”

Imprinting the universal message of “amor y paz” or “peace and love”, the GUESS Originals x J Balvin Amor collection is a revival of happiness and positivity. Nicolai Marciano, Director of Brand Partnerships for GUESS Originals highlights, “Our partnership with Jose continues to give fans a deeper connection to what he cares about while honoring GUESS’ heritage of provoking a sense of celebration. The collection features a universal design language rooted in bright colors, peace and love – especially self-love.”



Colin Tilley, director of the campaign video, shares that “Collaborating with GUESS was a Dream, collaborating with Jose is always something special and combining them both for this epic campaign is one for the books! We wanted to celebrate togetherness.”

The collection offers a mix of vibrant and pastel colors in a variety of uplifting hues. Expressive graphics such as swirl stripes, hearts, and clovers are seen throughout the collection, adding to the playful vibe of the capsule. While staying true to the brand’s DNA, the men’s collection features a new take on the GUESS Originals cargo pant with relaxed profile and elevated twill fabric, as well as eco rayon camp. The women’s collection offers an array of easy-to-wear crop tops. Summery pieces such as the dresses and bright-colored accessories round out the line and lend to the laid-back, vibrant lifestyle of both GUESS Originals and J Balvin. 

This collection pushes the importance of mental health for all. The 15-piece collection ranges from P1,698 – P4,898. Look for the campaign and other GUESS x J Balvin content at www.GUESS.com.ph, on GUESS’ facebook page, and GUESS retail stores. 


About GUESS?, Inc.

Established in 1981, GUESS began as a jeans company and has since successfully grown into a global lifestyle brand. Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear and other related consumer products. Guess? products are distributed through branded Guess? stores as well as better department and specialty stores around the world. As of January 29, 2022, the Company directly operated 1,068 retail stores in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Company’s partners and distributors operated 563 additional retail stores worldwide. As of January 29, 2022, the Company and its partners and distributors operated in approximately 100 countries worldwide. For more information about the Company, please visit www.guess.com.

About J Balvin

Global superstar, entrepreneur and committed mental health advocate, J Balvin, is a highly-decorated music icon with wins across Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin GRAMMY’s and many others. As a Latinx artist, he has steadfastly broken cultural barriers and become one of the Top 10 most streamed artists globally developing legions of fans worldwide. Hailed by Billboard as "the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years" and Pitchfork as "the face of modern Reggaeton," Balvin is leading a second generation of Musica Urbana stars that have propelled Latin music to an unprecedented global embrace that transcends genres. The 2017 chart topping, “Mi Gente” with Willy William, and subsequently a remix with Beyonce, reached global success serving as a nod to cultural pride. His 2020 surprise performance as part of the Super Bowl halftime show with JLO and Shakira was history making with an all Latinx lineup. His latest album, JOSE, arrived on the heels of an eventful summer, following the release of chart-dominating singles "Qué Más Pues?" featuring Argentinian singer María Becerra, "Que Locura," and "In Da Getto" featuring Skrillex. His collaboration with Ed Sheeran in March 2022 on “Sigue” and “Forever My Love” landed him his 34th and 35th #1 on Latin Airplay, more than any other artist in history, cementing him as Latinx music's biggest success story of the decade. 

   

In addition to his many successes in music, J Balvin has been one of the first Latinx’s to forge partnerships with notable brands across lucrative categories. In 2019, he became the first male Latinx lead with a GUESS campaign, followed by the 2020 announcement of his highly-anticipated and successful J Balvin x Air Jordan 1, which marked him as the first Latinx artist to have an official collaboration with the iconic Jordan Brand. The second of his collaborations with Jordan Brand was announced in late 2021 with details on launch to come. An avid gamer, Balvin also created skins with Fortnite as part of their “Icon Series.” His knack for personal style and pioneer trends also finds him frequenting front rows of fashion shows across New York and Paris with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior. He also made his coveted Met Gala debut in 2021 with Moschino. J Balvin’s latest passion is raising awareness on the importance of mental health and mental health resources. He has been outspoken on his own grapple with depression and anxiety and hopes to destigmatize the topic and misinformation. 

 

Looking to mentors who went from artists turned moguls like Jay-Z and Pharrell, J Balvin’s goal is to inspire other Latinos to dream big and work hard to uplift themselves and their communities. 

 August 16, 2022

 





   


Jollibee to Open in the Heart of Times Square, New York on August 18

Jollibee to Open in the Heart of Times Square, New York on August 18


THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. Jollibee makes it to the heart of Times Square, right beside Good Morning America.



TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK CITY, USA. 12 August 2022  – Another first in its international expansion plan, homegrown restaurant chain Jollibee will open in the heart of the iconic Times Square, New York on August 18, 2022. The newest store opening forms part of the Jollibee Group’s aggressive overseas expansion and sustained growth in one of its key pillar markets, North America.

Also known as the “Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is a  top global commercial and entertainment hub. Jollibee Times Square will be located right beside Good Morning America and in the Bowtie, where the famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop takes place. The store is expected to attract new fans and introduce the brand to more mainstream American customers.



“We are excited to spread the joy of eating to everyone and contribute to the diverse and exciting food scene in Times Square,” shared Maribeth Dela Cruz, Jollibee Group’s President for Philippine Brands (Jollibee, Chowking, and Red Ribbon) in North America.

The Times Square branch will offer Jollibee menu favorites, including the world-famous Chickenjoy fried chicken and Chicken Sandwich–each with its own spicy variant, and other favorites such as Peach Mango Pie and Jolly Spaghetti.

Now with 84 locations across North America and over 1,500 restaurants worldwide, Jollibee continues to grow its presence in the U.S. and Canada, with plans of reaching 500 stores in the next five to seven years. Jollibee is the flagship brand of the Jollibee Group, one of the world's largest and fastest growing restaurant companies. To learn more about Jollibee and other brands of the Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.

August 16, 2022


PCPPI reinforces food safety system and culture across all plants

PCPPI reinforces food safety system and culture across all plants




Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—is bolstering the company’s food safety culture. It benefits its people and the customers in the long term, following the launch of its food safety education campaign.

PCPPI plants implemented the Talas ng Kaalaman on Food Safety program. It is to strengthen the knowledge of its employees on the standard food safety procedures. The goal is to improve its operations responsibly and sustainably.

“PCPPI is committed to meeting the highest food safety and quality standards. This is the reason we continuously implement programs and workshops that would improve the skills of our people. We ensure that they too become ambassadors of our food safety culture,” said Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI President and CEO.

The information campaign was executed through Facebook, bulletin board posts, and email blasts. It provided comprehensive information about food safety culture. It informed how to fight food fraud, product protection, good manufacturing practices, and allergen management. It also highlighted some of the cleaning practices. These include the pest control process, proper waste disposal, and locker sanitation and maintenance.

Throughout the program, PCPPI conducted random ambush interviews with employees. This is to measure their grasp of the food safety system. It recognized the departments with the cleanest space and well-informed personnel on the importance of food safety.

Aside from this, PCPPI completed the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) for its Metro Operations Services, Pampanga, Rosario, STRO, Davao, and Bacolod plant. The FSSC is a globally accepted standard. It recognizes companies’ processes that are at par with global standards— from employee selection to production and warehousing. Its goal is to evaluate the systems in place to ensure food safety.

PCPPI also assures that their products are safe for consumption as all PCPPI plants have the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate. All PCPPI products also have its valid certificate of product registration.

The company also recently completed other third-party food safety and social welfare audits. Some of which are the McDonald's Safe Water System (SWS) and Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) for the PCPPI San Fernando plant.

PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, and Premier.

August 16, 2022