Silvia Sanchez sa Silviahera!

Nagkaroon ako ng pribilehiyo at napakagandang pagkakataon na makilala ng personal ang isa sa maituturing nating haligi sa propesyon na kanyang kinabibilangan. Ito ay walang iba kundi si Silvia Sanchez.

Si Jossette Campo-Atayde na mas kilala bilang Sylvia Sanchez ay isang artista sa Pilipinas. Siya ay may-asawa sa Arturo Atayde at ina ng mga artista na si Arjo Atayde at actress na si Ria Atayde. Ipinanganak at lumaki sa Pilipinas, gumawa ng madaming mga teleserye and mga pelikula, alam kong hindi lamang ako ang makakapag sabi kung gaano karami at halaga ang kanyang mga naging kontribusyon sa entertainment industry. Mula sa La Luna Sangre, Ipaglaban Mo!: Testigo, Pangako Sa 'Yo, Eva Fonda, mga episodes ng Maalaala Mo Kaya ito ay ilan lamang sa mga pagkakataon na nakita natin siya sa telebisyon. Sa mga pelikula naman ay naroon siya sa Mama's Girl, The Trial, Bulong, Miss You like Crazy, Forevermore, Esperanza: The Movie, Seth Corteza, Darna ay ilan sa kanila. Portrayed a variety of roles bilang Nanay o Kontrabida. Pumunta siya sa Maynila bilang breadwinner at provider para sa kanyang pamilya, nadiskubre ni Peque Gallaga nung kabataan nya and the rest is history ika nga at ngayon isa siyang matagumpay na actress na may mga mabibigat na parangal karugtong ng kanyang pangalan. Best Supporting Actress(Takbo... Talon... Tili!!!), Best Single Performance by an Actress(Calvento Files), Best Single Performance by an Actress(Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Aswang"), Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Single Drama/Telemovie Program(Untold Strories: Kahit ako'y mangmang), Movie Supporting Actress of the Year at Best Supporting Actress para sa The Trial, Best Drama Supporting Actress(Ningning), Best Performance by an Actress in a series at Best TV Actress in a Drama Program para sa The Greatest Love. Madami at hindi basta basta hindi po ba? Bukod sa mga ito si Silvia Sanchez ay patuloy pa din ang pag aaral, pag alam ang pagpapabuti sa sarili.

Siya ay nag aral ng Culinary hindi para matuto magluto kundi para ma enhance pa ang kanyang skills sa pagluluto bukod sa mga nalalaman niya na mga local na putahe ay gusto din nyang pag aralan ang ilan pang mga ulam o lutuin sa ibat ibang lugar. Ngayon ay nais pa niya itong itaas pa ng isang antas sa pamamagitan ng pagbahagi ng kanyang mga natutunan hindi lamang sa larangan ng pagluluto kundi tungkol sa buhay.

Ngayong darating na pasko mayroon siyang nais ibahagi sa ating lahat lalong lalo na sa mga kababayan nating OFW na hindi kasama ang kanilang mahal sa buhay. Silviahera, ito ang pamagat ng kanyang palabas, ito ay cooking/travel show na kung saan ito ay pagsasalamin sa kanyang buhay at mga hilig na pagtravel at pagluluto. Binigyan niya kami ng istorya ng kanyang buhay na makikita din sa mga episodes ng kanyang show. Naantig ako at nagulat na napagdaanan pala niya ang mga iyon nung kabataan niya, gaya ng pag wala silang makain kailangan nilang sumisid ng dagat para kumuha ng sea urchin o sea weeds para ipang ulam, na ang ilan sa mga ito ay naibahagi niya din sa kanyang mga anak at tinuruan niya din ito ng mga gawain sa probinsya kung saan siya nagkamalay. Para sa akin ito ay napakagandang panoorin dahil hindi lamang tungkol sa pagluluto ito kung hindi ibabahagi ni Silvia Sanchez ang kanyang istorya simula sa kanyang buhay sa Butuan ang mga unang episodes ng Silviahera, namangha ako sa pagkakagawa nila dito dahil hindi talaga siya cooking show, para ka lang namamasyal, nakikinig, nanonood ng isang istorya na dokumentaryo o indie ang atake. Inaanyayahan ko kayo na mapanood ito dahil hindi lamang ulam ang matututunan dito kundi pati na din aral na maibabahagi sa iba. Sa tulong ni Direk Dante Nico Garcia nagkaroon ng buhay ang magandang palabas na ito.

Ang “Sylviahera” ay ipapalaba sa  Casa Nieves TV sa December 25, 2018, 12:01AM na magiging available sa youtube and facebook. Click here: Casa Nieves TV youtube at https://www.facebook.com/CasaNieves.TV para sa facebook

DTI’S PRD CHEAPER RICE PROGRAM NOW AT SM

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Presyong Risonable Dapat (PRD) Program was launched at SM Makati on 21 December to give the public more access to cheaper rice. Consumers can now buy imported well-milled rice at Php 35 per kilo in 230 SM Supermarket, Hypermarket, and Savemore branches in the Greater Manila Area and North Luzon. SM now joins Robinsons Supermarket and Puregold in recently launching the PRD program this month. DTI’s PRD Program, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), allows retailers to directly import rice and sell it at Php 38 per kilo and below. The program also removes traders from the equation as retailers can now source directly the rice and sell them directly in their stores, increasing access points of affordable as well as quality rice varieties.  The SM group also announced that the program will be available nationwide by early next year. The launch was led by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez(4^th from L) and SM Supermarket President Joey Mendoza (3^rd from L). Also present were DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo(leftmost), Assistant Director Lilian Salonga (2^nd from L), NFA Director Rex Estoperez (rightmost), Savemore Market President Jojo Tagbo (2^nd from R),  and SM Hypermarket SVP for Operations Arnold Daluz (3^rd from R). Other retailers such as Metro Gaisano and Rustans are set to launch the PRD Program soon. 

AC Bonifacio is All About It!

AC Bonifacio took retro to a whole new level as she celebrated her 16th birthday in her first solo concert “AC All About It”at SM North EDSA Skydome last December 14, 2018.

Over a thousand excited fans flocked to see AC showcase her multiple talents onstage. Apart from performing her hit singles “Sumayaw, Sumaya” and “Touch and Move,” she also lent her killer moves and vocals toremarkable hits from Michael Jackson, Sarah Geronimo, Queen, and Rihanna.

To give the audience a chance to recover from the adrenaline of AC’s head bopping hits and powerful dance numbers, she also swooned the audience with iconic OPM songs “’Di Na Muli” and “’Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw,” that left the audience swaying through her smooth vocals.

Just when the fans thought the night couldn’t get any better, the fast-rising 16-year-old singer and dancer brought with her the best fresh artists to serenade the crowd. AC’s friends Janah Zaplan, Jeremy Glinoga, Ken San Jose, and Ryle Santiago also graced the stage

With AC All About It being the dance marvel’s very first solo concert, AC couldn’t express how thankful she is for the chance to perform her best in front of a crowd she adores. With a happy heart, AC expressed how huge of an opportunity was given to her, and she wanted nothing more than to make the people who believed in her proud.

Aside from the concert, she said she will always cherish the hard work of everyone behind the production. “I think my favorite part aside from performing for my fans was the preparation we did. Everyone worked as a team to help everything run smoothly. I owe everything to them as well,” she said.

Above everything, AC expressed she wouldn’t be where she is now without her lovely fans. When asked for a message, she said “Thank you for your unconditional love and genuine support! I pretty much said everything sa show, but I love you guys always! You keep me going.”

Catch AC Bonifacio in ABS-CBN’s Playhouse every Monday to Friday before It’s Showtime, and make sure to watch out for her next single in 2019.

AC All About It is presented by Ivory Music & Video in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. and World Balance, Inc.; in cooperation with Megasoft, Inc. and Top-O Oxygen Supplement. Special thanks to the following: Voices Studio Co., Legit Status, GAOC, Fernando’s Bakeshop, Skin Buffet, and Jollibee; as well as media partners MYX and Pinas FM 99.5.

Stream and download AC Bonifacio's Sumayaw, Sumaya on Spotify and other music stores: bit.ly/SumayawSumayaACBonifacio

4 Hacks to Stay Healthy and Fit during Christmas

The holiday season is just around the corner, and that means stuffing our faces with all the guilty pleasures served to us in giant servings.  Let’s face it, Christmas is the season for eating—and maybe a bit of booze.

Still, it’s important to remember the reason for the season and of course, taking care of yourself throughout so you can live more and do more out of your day.

No need to wait for the new year to make a resolution. Below are some things to keep in mind while celebrating this Christmas so you can fit and healthy during the festivity.

Know your Alcohol Limit

Christmas parties are all about celebration and memories but, make sure you’re sane enough to recall these things. Drinking moderately allows you not only to live in the moment but also to be kind to your body.

There’s no need to abuse yourself with the alcohol. As they say, “May bukas pa!” so, knowing when to call it a night will surely have your head filled with grateful thoughts in the morning.

Drink Your Water

Drinking water before, during, and after a night out will help keep your body hydrated. Contrary to popular belief, urinating while out should be an honor, not a hassle. It means that whatever toxins that might be lurking in your body are being flushed out.

While hydration, in general, is important, keeping your H2O intake high will help your brain stay alert, wash down as much alcohol as it can, and save you from that terrible hangover when you wake up.

Sweat It Out

Reaching the end of the year shouldn’t mean reaching the end of your exercise! Stay active as much as you can. Walk your dog, run with friends, or take your strong independent self to the gym.

It’s important to keep moving throughout the festivities. The food, drinks, and long nights may cause bloating. Your bed might tempt you to stay in the morning after, but a study at the University of Georgia says that staying active can boost your energy levels by 65%. Definitely, a better way to enjoy your holidays!

Eat Often, but in Small Amounts

Don’t panic! We’re not saying to only eat one piece of lechon every 2 hours. All we mean is to not fill your plate to the brim in one sitting. Pacing yourself when you eat is a way to help your digestive system process the food you eat.

If you overwhelm your stomach in one go, you’ll feel bloated and your energy level will hit a scary low. Eating in smaller amounts will not only stabilize your energy, but it’ll also control your sugar level and fatty acids in your blood.  It’s okay to wait a little bit for your second round. There’ll still be food left… We hope.

Since Christmas is mostly the time for family and friends, being present and energized is key. Keeping your stomach filled with the right kinds of food and drinks can get tricky, but when all else fails, Santé Pure Barley Canister can keep you healthy through the crazy celebrations. It contains vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Now you can get all the goodness that multi-nutrient, chlorophyll-rich food has to offer while indulging yourself with the foods you love this season.

More time to eat and enjoy the holidays, while staying healthy and fit. So, the only question left now is: Which Christmas party do we go to first?

Christian Lee To Rematch Edward Kelly at ONE: ETERNAL GLORY

Former ONE Featherweight World Title challenger Christian “The Warrior” Lee of Singapore is set to face the Philippines’ Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly in a highly-anticipated rematch at ONE: ETERNAL GLORY, set for the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia on 19 January. The two warriors have met each other before, with Lee dropping a disqualification loss to Kelly after an illegal suplex.

The two featherweights are tops in their division, whose champion is none other than Australia’s Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen. A victory for Lee or Kelly would certainly bring either closer to a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Title.

The first time they met at ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON last September, it started off as a heated battle. Kelly had his moments early, tagging Lee with a couple of hard shots, while the young Singaporean dominated the grappling exchanges. An ill-fated suplex ultimately led to the disqualification ruling, with Kelly landing on his head and the referee calling a halt to the contest shortly after.

Matters are expected to be resolved in the do-over bout, and this time, fans expect a more decisive finish.

The 20-year-old Lee is one of ONE Championship’s top prospects. Even at such a young age, “The Warrior” has shown incredible poise and polish. Guided by his father Ken Lee at United MMA in Hawaii, and by the world champions at Evolve MMA in Singapore, Lee is a martial arts prodigy.

He is the younger brother of reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee and often trains with her. In May 2018, Lee was on the wrong end of a split decision when he challenged Nguyen in his first shot at the ONE World Title. This championship experience however has made him a better fighter.

Kelly, on the other hand, is a prominent member of the famed Team Lakay, one of the top martial arts outfits in the world. The stable includes World Champions such as Eduard Folayang, Joshua Pacio, Geje Eustaquio, and Kevin Belingon, who Kelly trains with on the regular.

ONE: ETERNAL GLORY features a headline bout between ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and Japanese challenger Yosuke Saruta.

Ganador Promotes Responsible Pet Ownership

Ganador Premium high-quality dog food recently supported the “Pet Ko, Luv Ko” project of the local government of Mandaluyong City at the A.T. Reyes Garden, City Hall, Compound.

The project was implemented by Mandaluyong City in a bid to promote responsible pet ownership among its constituents. The activity gathered more than 700 dog and cat owners giving them better access to animal services, such as spaying and neutering, as well as opportunities to adopt pets. It also seeks to strengthen public safety and security through free rabies vaccination and dry grooming.

According to Charisse Abalos-Vargas, Mandaluyong City Councilor and founder of the project, a codified ordinance on responsible pet ownership is now underway in their local government. With initiatives like “Pet Ko Luv Ko,” the council has gathered insights on the needs and capabilities of Mandalenyos as pet owners.

"I have always loved dogs and, it hurts me whenever I see so many of them tied up or caged the whole day. I also get stories about abandoned animals that cause problems in the community. The data on animal bites have not decreased as much, leading to more animals, dogs, in particular, being harmed and abandoned," added Vargas. “I’m glad that every year more and more people are showing their interest and intent of participating in making the change happen."

As a way of supporting the project, Ganador, a brand committed to strengthening the bond among dogs and their owners, provided free products, as well as information dissemination on responsible pet ownership during the event.
“Projects like the “Pet Ko, Luv Ko” is close to our hearts, especially since our brand is founded on values that strengthen, deepen, and encourage the bond with products that guarantee wellness and health for every dog,” said Johanna Emata, marketing manager, Ganador Philippines. “At Ganador, we believe that the quality of food that we provide to our pets is one way we can promote responsible FURenthood.”

Daniel Olivo, marketing director of Neovia Philippines, could not agree more. He said that "our company has always been committed to providing wellness to animals, especially our pets, for we treat them as members of our family. On our part, Ganador hopes to contribute to advocating responsible pet ownership through projects like Pet ko Luv ko."

The “Pet Ko, Luv Ko” project is a bi-annual event, slated every February and September. Aside from Councilor Vargas, the project is also headed by the Mandaluyong Pack Leaders and the City Veterinary and Philippine Birth Control Center.

Increase in E-Wallet Users in Malaysia According to Carousell Survey

·       Over 50% of Carousellers are E-wallet users

·       GrabPay, Touch n’ Go eWallet, and Boost Lead the Pack

Kuala Lumpur, 20 December 2018 - Carousell, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing classifieds marketplaces, conducted a voluntary response in-app survey on e-wallets with its Malaysian users recently and found that there is a group that keeps more than RM250 in their e-wallets. This proves there is a sizeable segment of frequent e-wallet users.

“We present an analysis of our Malaysian users’ fascinating perception and usage habits of e-wallets, from how many are using them to the amount of float they keep on them. We also look at some of the more popular e-wallets including, GrabPay, Touch n’ Go eWallet and Boost,” said Tang Siew Wai, Country Head of Carousell Malaysia.

About Carousell

Carousell is a classifieds marketplace that makes selling as easy as taking a photo, buying as simple as chatting. Launched in August 2012, Carousell began in Singapore and now has a presence in seven markets across Asia. With over 171 million listings, we are one of the world’s largest and fastest growing marketplaces in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is backed by Rakuten Ventures, Sequoia India, 500 Startups, Golden Gate Ventures, DBS and EDBI. In Malaysia, Carousell has a diverse range of products in 34 categories, including fashion & beauty, lifestyle gadgets and muslimah fashion. Download the app for iOS or Android, and visit www.carousell.com for more information.

Win a Xiaomi Mi 8 Daily by Watching Sinio and TNC Predator Pro Team’s Armel and Tims via Nimo TV

Manila, Philippines – Live streaming app Nimo TV together with the country's well-known game streamers are giving away prizes for its lucky viewers this Holiday.

From December 16 to 31 2018, lucky spectators will have a chance to win a Xiaomi mobile phone, prepaid loads or gaming items daily. To win, a spectator should watch the live streaming of the scheduled gamer of the day, and it will be drawn randomly via Nimo TV’s in-app draw feature.

Hosting the promo are various gaming stars from Nimo TV’s streamer pool.  One is TNC Predator Pro Team’s Armel and Tims who will host on December 18-20 from 8:30 to 10:30 PM; December 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM; December 26 from 8:30 to 10:30 PM and December 27 – 28 (exact schedule will be posted via Nimo TV FB Page).  Popular Fliptop Artist / Gamer Sinio have recently hosted the giveaway last December 16 and scheduled to do another round on December 23 and 30 from 9:00 to 11:00 PM.
Watch out for the upcoming schedule of some streamers via Nimo TV’s official Facebook page. 

Enjoy a truly merry Christmas with Nimo TV! For more information on the promo follow Nimo TV’s official Facebook page and go to Nimo.TV to watch out for the live streams.

Download the NiMO TV app at Apple app store and Google Play store. Click link here. https://nimotv.onelink.me/B6cW/25ba46b7

About NiMO TV

Nimo TV is a leading global platform that allows millions of gamers from all around the world to play and broadcast their games to other like-minded players building a community of players, gamers, and fans that drive conversation, and allows peer-to-peer rewards and recognition. Utilizing a high-quality interactive technology, audiences can interact with streamers, and gain access to exclusive esports events and tournaments, along with unprecedented access to the top streamers from across the region.

OLX Reveals Most Searched Vehicles and Motorcycles

Wondering which vehicles were trending in 2018? According to leading classifieds portal OLX, the Honda Civic and the Yamaha Mio are the most searched car and motorcycle models, respectively, from January to November 2018.

Known for its performance, durability and versatility, the Honda Civic has been a consistent most-searched vehicle on OLX and has remained as a popular choice in the pre-owned market. It can function as a daily driver and even as a race car. The Japanese car is also popular among enthusiasts who love to pimp their ride.

The Toyota Fortuner comes close as the second most searched and is followed by the Toyota Innova. The other popular models are the Mitsubishi Pajero, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, the Toyota Hilux, the Toyota Vios, and the Mitsubishi Lancer. Completing the top 10 most searched list are vans: the Toyota Hiace, and the Hyundai Starex.

Two-wheeled rides are also becoming more popular because of their affordability. And when it comes to the most searched motorbike model, the Yamaha Mio scooter tops the list. Coming in second is the Suzuki Raider, which is known for its powerful engine.

In terms of motorcycle brands, internet users have been curious about aspirational brands Ducati, Vespa, and Harley-Davidson. Kawasaki and Rusi, though not as upscale as the previous brands, are also frontrunners. When it comes to motorcycle body types, many users searched for “scooter” followed by “big bike,” “400cc,” and “café racer.”

The data presented are based on the searches from January 1, 2018 to November 21, 2018 on OLX, the classifieds platform that has the most number of car and motorcycle listings in the Philippines.

“It’s interesting to see which car models the market is looking up online. The most-searched list, which has some regulars and new nameplates, reveals consumers’ preference in 2018. Because of the upswing in motorcycle demand, the first-ever roundup of the most popular motorbike brands and models in terms of search this year is also available,” says Manuel Roman, OLX Philippines’ Head of Cars. “We value our customers’ needs, so we make sure we are leading in both volume and quality of listings. Our platform should be able to help people find the ride they are looking for, whether it’s a car or a motorcycle.”

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. Having 17 brands worldwide, OLX Group is available in more than 40 countries, where its market-leading trading platforms are being used by more than 330 million people monthly.

About OLX

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. It is available in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy or sell brand-new and pre-owned items and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post a listing through their mobile phone or on the web. Every month, hundreds of millions of people in local markets around the world are already using OLX’s online marketplace to find and sell a wide range of products, including furniture, musical instruments, sporting goods, cars, kid and baby items, motorcycles, cameras, mobile phones, property, and much more.

Digital Technology in Building Infrastructure

Hans T. Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., delivered the keynote speech at the 44th National Convention and Technical Conference of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), held recently at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. With this year’s theme: “Integrating Advanced and Digital Technology in Building Infrastructure”, Sy talked about the benefits of advancing technology in construction, as well as SM’s Disaster Resiliency efforts. He also highlighted the importance of Disaster Risk Resilience and the role of engineers as critical players in nation building. More than 15,000 civil engineer members of PICE attended the event.

ASUS Launches its First Android GO ZenFone!

Just when ZenFans thought the surprises ended with the recent launch of the ZenFone Max Pro M2, ASUS Philippines throws another one just before 2019. This comes in the form of yet another compelling ZenFone, but this time for the budget-friendly, yet tech-savvy – the company’s first-ever Android GO powered smartphone – the ZenFone Live L1 Android GO Edition! ZenFans are now sure to enjoy highly optimized Android experience without the need to break the bank.

With its predecessor making a statement a few months back, the Android GO variant of the ZenFone Live L1 is still made with everything well-loved about its older ZenFone Live L1 sibling: an 18:9 HD+ display on a stylish 5.5-inch body, a 5MP selfie camera for one of the best quality photos, as well as a highly efficient 3,000mAh battery capacity. This time, however, it will have an Android GO twist – making for a uniquely optimized performing smartphone.

Google definitely pulled out all stops in giving the best smartphone experience to all kinds of people; especially with 2 billion active Android users, as Google tweeted out last May of 2017, in tow. Of course, thrifty ones in mind too – which is why the Android GO was created.  With special exclusives meant for the entry level mobile users, there are definitely benefits to getting an Android GO smartphone. Let’s list to see some of the top reasons on why you’ll enjoy ASUS Philippines’ latest smartphone offering:

SPACE FOR THE BUDGET FRIENDLY

Android GO is designed to maximize the performance of smartphones with memory space that range from 512MB to 1GB. In other words, budget-savvy mobile phone users can enjoy the best device experience as Android GO allows massive effectivity with very little expense in both the wallet and the space.

SURPRISINGLY FAST AND SMOOTH

The fact that it is lighter and less reliant on resources and hardware specs, this particular version of Android actually allows 30% faster start-ups. Along with that, Android GO ensures smoother activity! Entry-level users will definitely have no problems catching up with everything they have to do on their smartphones.

GOOGLE IT!

Android GO comes with apps that are exclusive for Android GO users. This ranges from the GO edition of Google Assistant to Google Maps GO! These uniquely designed applications are also made for lag-free usage. This also means, people with Android GO smartphones can enjoy hassle free video streaming with YouTube GO!

Bonus to this, Android GO’s Google Play helps highlight third party apps that are best for entry level smartphones.

BEST BACK-UP

Android Oreo GO devices have Google's data saver feature. It will provide the user with more control over their data usage by managing applications without the need for users watching it closely. The Android team said it first: “it’s like having your own sidekick, but for data”.

Starting today, anyone can get the ZenFone Live L1 Android GO edition just for the price of PHP 4,995.00. Check out this list right now to find out where to get one!

For more information on any of the ZenFone series and other incredible ASUS products, tune in to the ASUS Philippines Facebook Page and the ZenTalk Philippines Forum.

About ASUS

ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies, and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow’s smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR and IoT. ASUS employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and over 5,500 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,511 awards and earned approximately US$13 billion of revenue in 2017.

RINGSTAR PROMOTER SCOTT FARRELL’S PAST FUELS HIS DRIVE TO SUCCESS

Boxing fans seem to never tire of the age-old story of the boxer who came from a hard scrabble, dead-end background and made it to the top with nothing but true grit, determination and the sheer force of his will.  It’s a timeless and commonplace tale that keeps all followers of the sweet science continually coming back for more.
It’s not often, though, that we come across a boxing promoter with similar hard luck credentials.  But for Scott Patrick Farrell, the tough life of his youth informs and infuses everything he’s about today. And as the Ringstar founder looks towards another lineup of major promotions in 2019, those experiences will continue to influence and drive everything he does.
Farrell’s journey to building one of Asia’s largest media properties began in the early 1970’s on the grey and grim streets of Hucknall, a small, dreary mining town in the county of Nottinghamshire, England. As a kid, the future seemed as bleak as the surroundings, and your options were slim.
“You had three choices in my neighborhood,” Farrell recalled recently.  “Glue sniffing, being bullied, or fighting. I was bullied quite bad as a kid. I had ginger hair, freckles and was from an Irish family background. The 1970’s were quite tough growing up, especially on the council estates where you regularly had to fight just to get home from school. I chose after being beaten on most occasions to learn how to fight.”

Like so many boxing fans, Farrell learned to love the sweet science by watching fights at the side of his dad. “My first memory of boxing is watching with my dad one Saturday afternoon, on a black and white TV,” Farrell said. “All you could see was the two pugilists in the ring surrounded by a cigarette smoking audience and some awful commentary. However, I was hooked and just needed to know more.
“My dad loved boxing and was quite a tough guy himself, all the big fights that we could see we would watch together. Or if there was a local fight happening around Nottingham we would go along and support.”
Farrell recalls two names that made the most impression on him as a kid; Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano.

“They were the first two names that stuck in my head as a kid,” Farrell said. “Reason being my dad always had his version of them and why he respected them as professional boxers and human beings. At that time I was too young to know very much about them and their careers, but I was fascinated by the stories of their fights and lives in and outside of the ring. This was another hook when I knew I wanted to be a boxer.” But while Farrell remained fascinated with Ali and Marciano, he remembers one particular fight that pushed him to take the big leap into the ring; the 1990 war between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, which has become a classic in boxing lore.

“I loved that fight and the build-up. I liked them both for different reasons. I had been spending time in the boxing gyms, hitting bags, doing some work on the mitts and the occasional sparring but after that fight I just wanted to take things a step higher and compete myself.” Farrell took several amateur fights, but quickly realized his limitations. “I had tons of heart, and I will fight anyone you put in front of me,” he said. “But I seemed to lack certain skills other fighters seemed so natural to develop.” Farrell would eventually end up a half a world away in Singapore and China. He started a family, got into business, had plenty of ups, and an equal amount of downs. But like anyone who learns to love boxing at an early age, the pugilism itch never left him.

Several years ago, Farrell found himself in transition and decided it was time to go all in. Asia was home to so many great fighters, he thought, but nobody has tried to tie them all together into one promotion that all of Asia, and the world, would want to watch.  And he didn’t want to start just any promotion based solely around hype. The fights had to be really good, with quality fighters engaged in strong matchups, and great story lines. Thus, Ringstar was born in October 2016. It doesn’t take a business school degree to grasp that being a success as a boxing promoter is a one in a million shot. What made Farrell think he could succeed where so many others have failed?
“You gotta have 100% belief in yourself, and your vision,” Farrell said laughing. “The reason so many fail is they are not committed, they only see what’s in front of them at that moment in time. From the very beginning I have visualized my promotion to be valued in the billions, even before I knew what I would name it. “I have never doubted my ability as a man to bring the great sport of boxing to every home in Asia. I will bring the great fights people want to see, good 50/50 matchmaking where the fights are important and the titles mean something again.”  But wasn’t this the era of mixed martial arts, which has seemed to get bigger and bigger with countless promotions springing up all over the world? Farrell wasn’t blind to this trend, but, outside of one particular MMA promotion, he’s never been much of a believer that the trend will outlast a historic sport such as boxing.

“UFC, amazing branding and some even greater fights and just very smart people that saw a real opportunity and maximized it,” Farrell said. “Any other MMA promotion is a very poor second place in my opinion.”

“Boxing stands the test of time and is soaked in the blood, sweat and tears of sporting history. It has created greats such as Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Shavers, Marciano, the list goes on and on. Even after they have long finished boxing their names are shouted and the days of their glory are brought back to life through conversations or old films of their fights… heroes who didn’t know how to quit, who sacrificed everything sometimes for no reward at all, but yet inspired us all. There are so many strengths in boxing. I ask you, how many heroes of MMA have the same appeal as Ali, Foreman or Frazier? In fact, are they even called heroes or worthy of that label?”

With five successful promotions already under his belt, Farrell knows his journey to boxing greatness in Asia and the world is just beginning. But he likes what he’s seen so far.
“We are already a global broadcast and I haven’t even really started yet. Just watch out in 2019, as this is where I will make my mark.” Where others might blink, Farrell intends to stare down the tempest that is big time boxing promoting and emerge a winner. Where some may waiver and fold, he will stay the course to see his hand raised in glory. It’s all because of his love for boxing, a sport that had become a part of his DNA since the day of his birth.
“In my life, more than once, I have lost everything,” Farrell said. “I’m not perfect and yet I try improve on who I am every day as I walk this earth. The only thing in my whole life that has never left me, or have I lost, is my love for boxing and its love for me in return.”

About Ringstar

Founded in 2016, Ringstar Boxing is Asia’s number one media boxing sports property with a broadcast footprint of over one billion potential viewers in over 60 countries.

Ringstar boxing features highly acclaimed boxers from around the world. The company’s mission is to promote and foster sportsmanship between fighters, position Ringstar as a leading boxing sports media property.

Since incorporation, Ringstar Boxing from launch has now reached a global audience. This has been achieved through a combination of the vision and the genuine matchmaking skills of the company’s Founder and CEO, Scott Patrick Farrell.
“As CEO the most important assets of this business are my team, fighters, shareholders and the fans, they are the people I want to see rewarded every time we promote a show “
Scott Patrick Farrell
CEO & Founder
Ringstar Management Pte Ltd.

Time-Saving Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

With the holidays just around the corner, expect things to get a little more frantic, with traffic bound to escalate to bumper-to-bumper levels and offices feeling the pressure to get things done before the year ends. Here are some useful tips you can follow to avoid stress — and save time and money while you’re at it — this holiday season:

Buy from your local small-scale business. Avoid the jam-packed malls and think of your friend, relative, or the shop down the street that sells homemade or artisanal stuff. Not only would your gifts or décor be unique, you may also be able to get them at relatively cheaper prices. Even then, shop smart: Make a list and stick to it. If they have an online store, even better.

Re-think gift wrapping. Consider the environment: How much paper goes to waste as gift wrappers? Maybe you don’t need to wrap some gifts. You can give them in the shopping bags they came with or use recycled paper if you still must go with the element of surprise. Add a personalized note to your gifts for a warm touch.

Order in. Instead of slaving in the kitchen, find a caterer or restaurant that can make and deliver everything from appetizers to desserts. With the time you saved, you can focus on cooking your specialty dish for your loved ones.

Go to one-stop shops that can cater to all your needs. With the traffic situation getting worse as Christmas nears, snaking in and out of city streets is the last thing you want to do. Plan your errands and shopping so that you can do them all in one place to save time, gas, and parking or commuter fees.

As with Christmas preparations, looking for different insurance products to cover all your needs should not be so time-consuming. AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, now offers both life and general insurance so that you only need to remember one name, whether it’s life insurance or a health plan you need or coverage for your car, house, or business. For all that you value, choose AXA. For more information, visit www.axa.com.ph.

Logistikus’ Express’ “Scooter BAES” Ride out for Snapshot Promo

A new delivery service is fast gaining popularity among city dwellers who are looking for a faster method of sending goods while seeking to reduce Metro Manila’s carbon footprint.

Logistikus Express has wheeled out their electric scooters as they step up their operations this holiday season to serve your needs.

Initially available to transport goods to and from Bonifacio Global City, this fast-growing company has even rolled out their Scooter Baes for a special surprise for BGC-based folks!

All they have to do is snap a photo with Logistikus’ roving "BAES” in the streets of BGC from now until December 21, 2018. Then simply upload the photo with the Scooter BAES on Facebook or Instagram and use the official hashtag #logistikusexpress.

Three daily winners will take home Logistikus Express merchandise, while the grand prize winner will take home an Electric Unicycle worth PhP50,000 during the grand draw on December 21.

Logistikus Express’ Commercial Head Joanne Ramos says: “This promo is our way of giving to the market what they have given us: an opportunity to make their life easier through our services. We simply want to offer another option to meet fast delivery demands- while doing our own share to care for the environment”.

So seize this day to take a quick photo with the Logistikus’ roving BAES! Check out what Logistikus Express does for the environment- and what they can do for you. Visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/logistikusexpress.

Carousell Brings Community Groups Together for Orphans of Ti-Ratana Welfare Society

Carousell, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing classifieds marketplaces, brought Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC), Easy Parcel, Pgeon Delivery and various influencers together to Ti-Ratana Welfare Society (Ti-Ratana) in Salak South today as part of their ongoing #PrelovedwithLove donation drive to treat the orphans to an array of fun activities.

The drive was launched recently by Carousell for selected charities across its seven markets and over 40 orphans from Ti-Ratana were treated with a day of fun-filled activities such as Light SabreTraining by SWMFC along with caricature and Sand Art.

“We are delighted to receive tremendous support from the public and the various fan clubs for this drive. Our platform can do more than just assist Malaysians to buy and sell, but also gather the power of the community for worthy causes. Community is at the heart of everything that is Carousell and we hope that more Malaysians will join us in our efforts to build a stronger community to help the orphans of Ti-Ratana,” said Tang Siew Wai, Country Head of Carousell Malaysia.

“Carousell has set a precedent by leveraging on technology to connect people all across Malaysia for this worthy cause. I am very confident that this will open more doors for us to obtain the items that we need through public participation. We would like to thank everyone that has contributed to this campaign, and we hope that more will utilise this platform to help those in need,” said Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, founder of Ti-Ratana.  

Ti-Ratana is a community service society that was set up in the spirit of compassion to both serve and provide shelter, education and care to the underprivileged. It is also a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan and non-denominational organisation offering a wide scope of community services.

Members of the public who are interested in participating in the campaign can list their items on Carousell with the hashtag #PrelovedwithLove tagged with an RM0 price tag. Members of the Ti-Ratana will select the items needed from the listings where EasyParcel will collect and deliver the items on a complimentary basis.

For more information and to participate in the campaign, visit https://my.carousell.com or 

download the Carousell app on Apple Store or Google Play Store.

About Carousell

Carousell is a classifieds marketplace that makes selling as easy as taking a photo, buying as simple as chatting. Launched in August 2012, Carousell began in Singapore and now has a presence in seven markets across Asia. With over 171 million listings, we are one of the world’s largest and fastest growing marketplaces in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is backed by Rakuten Ventures, Sequoia India, 500 Startups, Golden Gate Ventures, DBS and EDBI. In Malaysia, Carousell has a diverse range of products in 34 categories, including fashion & beauty, lifestyle gadgets and muslimah fashion. Download the app for iOS or Android, and visit www.carousell.com for more information.

About Ti-Ratana Welfare Society

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society is a charitable organisation registered on 9th February 1994 under the Registrar of Societies Act. It has a President and committee elected yearly by its members to oversee its operations, with Chief High Priest Most Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayake Maha Thera as its Founder and Advisor.

Shopee Wraps Up a Record-Breaking 2018 with Over 12 Million Orders on 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up a record-breaking year with its highly successful Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. On 12 December, Shopee saw over 12 million ordersacross the region, surpassing all past records including the recent Shopee 11.11 Big Sale.

Supported by more than 450,000 brands and merchants, Shopee recorded 48 million visits as users shopped60 million deals across all categories. Shopee’s in-app games were also highly popular; Shopee Shake was played 46 million times throughout the campaign, while the newly launched Shopee Quiz saw 11 millionparticipants tuning in from across the region.

In the Philippines, Mobile and Accessories, Health and Personal Care, and Women’s Apparel were the top three most popular categories. Leading brands, including Maybelline, the SM Store, Xiaomi, and Pampers emerged as favourites amongst users.

Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer, Shopee, said, “Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale marks another significant milestone as we celebrate a year of exponential growth. Following the success of Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale in November and Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day in September, it has been an exciting and fulfilling quarter for us as we surpass past records and set new benchmarks to reach next year. As we wrap up 2018, we would like to thank our loyal users, sellers, and partners for their continued support; and we look forward to having everyone join us in attaining even greater heights in 2019.”

Shopee’s achievements in Southeast Asia and Taiwan

Since launching in 2015, Shopee has seen tremendous growth across its seven markets, achieving over 195 million downloads across Southeast Asia and Taiwan^[1]. In the third quarter of 2018, Shopee saw 158.8 million gross orders and US$2.7 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), a respective 24.0% and 21.1% increase from last quarter.

Shopee Philippines’ key milestones in 2018

2018 has proven to be an exciting year for Shopee Philippines. Key highlights include:

• Scaled up partnerships with leading brands: To date, Shopee has widened its product assortment to around 800 leading brands and retail partners on Shopee Mall; including Maybelline, Platinum Karaoke, Vivo, The SM Store, Head and Shoulders, Asus, Robinsons Appliances, Bosch, and Xiaomi. This year, Shopee also partnered with top brands to hold major events; including a beauty workshop in partnership with Maybelline and Palmolive to celebrate female empowerment, and an exclusive fashion show with Avel x Matteo in line with the launch of Shopee Celebrity Club.

• Deepened engagement with users: Launched popular in-app games to drive user engagement, including the iconic Shopee Shake; and the latest in-app game, Shopee Quiz, which saw 400,000 participants throughout the entire Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.

• Extended reach across the Philippines: Worked closely with top Filipino celebrities including Anne Curtis, Shopee Philippines’ first brand ambassador; and Jose Mari Chan, Shopee’s Christmas ambassador; to reach out to even more users and fans across the country.

To round off Shopee’s Christmas celebrations, users can shop one final round of Christmas treats at the Shopee 12.12 Thank You Sale happening from December 13 to 14.

Shop the Shopee 12.12 Thank You Sale at https://shopee.ph/m/thank-you-sale

For more information, https://shopee.ph/

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.