ASUS Ushers The New Age of Intelligent Phones with the Unveiling of the All-New ZenFone 5 Series

The highly-anticipated ZenFone 5 Series that had roused the curiosity of many worldwide finally made its ground-breaking introduction in Barcelona, Spain, taking center stage during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018. The 5^th Generation of ZenFones boasts of the newest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, innovative full-screen designs, industry leading Qualcomm processors, and flagship dual-camera systems – both for rear and front.

KEY POINTS 

·         ASUS CEO Jerry Shen reveals the next-gen ZenFone 5 Series smartphones powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and 636 Mobile Platforms

·         ZenFone 5Z harnesses the best-in-class performance of Snapdragon 845 with its Artificial Intelligence Engine for a superior experience

·         ZenFone 5 is a 6.2" smartphone featuring the Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform with AI capabilities for enhanced photography and communication experiences 

·         ZenFone 5 Lite is a stylish 6" smartphone featuring the world's first globally-announced true quad-camera system with front and rear 120° wide-angle cameras

BARCELONA, Spain, February 27, 2018 — ASUS CEO Jerry Shen today unveiled the all-new ZenFone 5 Series at a special event in the Italian Pavilion at MWC 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

The lineup includes ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5, exciting high-performance 6.2-inch dual-camera smartphones that are the first ever ZenFone models to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI), and which feature ASUS’ first-ever 19:9 all-screen displays with a 90% screen-to-body ratio in a remarkably compact size that's comparable to a standard 5.5-inch smartphone.

ZenFone 5Z is an extreme-performance version of ZenFone 5 powered by the latest flagship Qualcomm^®Snapdragon^™ 845 Mobile Platform with the Qualcomm Artificial Intelligence Engine (AIE), featuring 6GB RAM and 64 ROM for breathtaking performance and the most accelerated AI experiences. ZenFone 5 is the first smartphone available worldwide to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform.

ZenFone 5 Lite is a stylish 6-inch smartphone featuring the world's first globally-announced true quad-camera system with fully independent high-resolution and wide-angle cameras at both front and rear.

“We embarked on the ZenFone project four years ago with the idea to create empowering luxury for everyone to enjoy,” said Mr. Shen. “Today, the ZenFone 5 Series is the most intelligent ZenFone series ever, utilizing advanced AI algorithms and big-data analytics to provide users with a unique slate of intelligent camera, communication and convenience features.”

Joining Mr. Shen on-stage for the announcement, Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon commented, “We are excited to continue to work with ASUS to bring the latest advancements in mobile to consumers with the ZenFone 5 Series. Powered by powerful Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, ZenFone 5Z (Snapdragon 845 with the AIE) and ZenFone 5 (Snapdragon 636) will support superior user experiences that include dual cameras and artificial intelligence.”

Following the press event, OK Go — a multi-award-winning rock band from the US, whose honors include a GRAMMY® — performed live at the after party. OK Go has joined in partnership with ASUS to work on the ZenFone 5 marketing campaign.

A Dawn of the New Era with ASUS’ Intelligent Phones, ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5

ZenFone 5Z is an exciting next-generation 6.2-inch, dual-camera smartphone that comes with a beautiful 19:9 all-screen display featuring a 90% screen-to-body ratio, packed in a 5.5-inch body size. It’s the first-ever ZenFone model to harness the power of the latest Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with AIE, featuring a 3rd Generation AI platform that includes the Hexagon 685 Vector DSP, Adreno 630 Graphics, and Kryo 385 CPU.

ZenFone 5Z also benefits from the Snapdragon X20 Gigabit LTE modem, delivering speeds that surpass the gigabit barrier for a 'wireless fiber' experience, as well as integrated 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth^®5 for ultra-low-power wireless earbuds. The extreme-performance ZenFone 5Z comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB ROM, offering breathtaking performance combined with outstanding energy efficiency for long-lasting battery life.

ZenFone 5 features an exquisitely crafted design, an amazing dual-camera system, and is powered by thelatest Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform. For an instant blast of extra power, the exclusive ASUS AI Boost— available on both ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 5Z — optimizes performance for games and other demanding tasks.

ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5 feature intelligent dual-camera systems that adapt and learn, delivering perfect photos every time. Equipped with the latest flagship Sony^® IMX363 sensor with large 1.4µm pixels, an f/1.8 wide-aperture lens, 120° wide-angle secondary camera, four-axis optical image stabilization (OIS) and AI-enhanced camera features — including AI Scene Detection for 16 different scenes and objects, AI Photo Learning, Real-time Portrait and Real-time Beautification — ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5 encourage creativity and free the user to concentrate on the subject rather than the camera.

A Stylish and Chic Phone for Lovers of Life and Photography, the ZenFone 5 Lite

ZenFone 5 Lite is a stylish 6-inch smartphone featuring the world's first globally-announced true quad-camera system with high-resolution and wide-angle cameras at both front and rear. ZenFone 5 Lite removes the limits on photographic creativity, with a high-resolution main camera — 20MP Sony at the front, 16MP at the rear — and, uniquely, a secondary 120° wide-angle camera at both front and rear. Unlike rival systems, each camera works independently every time for perfect selfies, wefies, landscapes, portraits or groups shots. The 6-inch Full HD+ IPS display has a Full View 18:9 aspect ratio and an ultraslim bezel, making the pocket-friendly ZenFone 5 Lite as compact as a standard-aspect-ratio 5.5-inch phone. Powered by the Snapdragon 630 Mobile Platform, ZenFone 5 Lite combines incredible performance, optimized power efficiency and a 3300mAh battery with advanced security and convenience features — including NFC, triple-slot SIM/microSD card holder, rapid face unlock and fingerprint recognition — for a mobile experience like no other.

Market Availability

The generation of Intelligent Smartphones is said to be available in the Philippine within the second quarter of the year. For more information on this and all other incredible product from ASUS, follow ASUS Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, and the ZenTalk forum for more updates.

ASUS Philippines would like to thank Juanito’s Bistro for being the official venue partner.

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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 5,000 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.

IT Report: Philippines Investment Guide Launched

KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG RGM&Co.), the Philippine member firm of KPMG International, recently held Let’s Talk Tech – a series of IT discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Data & Analytics (D&A), Blockchain and Tax Intelligence Solution (TIS), at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. It also launched its 2018 annual investment guide entitled IT Report: Philippines which highlights the dynamism of the IT-BPM industry which has proven to be among the country’s economic game changers for the past 20 years or so and will continue to provide support for strong growth in the years to come. Present during the event were: (from left) KPMG RGM&Co. vice chairman and chief operating officer Emmanuel P. Bonoan, KPMG Australia’s Michael Rochanakij, KPMG RGM&Co. chairman and chief executive officer Sharon G. Dayoan, IT veteran Joel H. Garcia, KPMG RGM&Co. tax partner Leandro Ben M. Robediso, advisory partners Jallain S. Manrique and Michael H. Guarin.

QBO Innovation Hub, The Country's First Public-Private Initiative for Startups, is Set to Launch virtual Hub

The Philippines’ first public-private sector initiative for startups, QBO Innovation Hub (QBO), will launch its own app where startups can connect with top-notch mentors and consultants who can help them grow their business on March 1 at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati.
QBO (‘ku-bo’) was formed through a partnership between Ideaspace Foundation Inc., J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It is a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. Spurred on by the vision of Filipino startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines. The QBO App is an extension of QBO’s on-ground efforts.
“In this fast-paced, always-on world, we saw the need for startups to get easy access to our services and resources. This is why we created the app,” said Katrina Chan, Director, QBO Innovation Hub.
The QBO App is downloadable on iOS and Android devices (search for ‘QBO Innovation Hub’). It is a digital space where startups and entrepreneurs can come together to connect and collaborate with other players in the startup ecosystem and contribute their own knowledge with the community.

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Access to top-notch mentors

QBO recently launched its impressive mentor roster, consisting of successful startup founders, experienced venture capitalists, and veteran company leaders, among others. They were selected to provide mentorship to startups that qualify for the INQBATION program, which was created in partnership with J.P. Morgan.
The INQBATION program was designed to support highly promising yet underserved Philippine startup companies. Once selected for the program, startups gain access to a customized development program that provides targeted interventions to help them achieve their unique goals, overcome barriers to growth, and scale.
“A significant number of startups fail, and the reasons vary. Among the most common include lack of focus and lack of motivation or commitment. However, there is one factor that proves to be even more dangerous to the success of a startup: the lack of mentorship,” said Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO Innovation Hub.
“We didn’t want to waste the great potential we see in a lot of local startups. And we believe that our mentors can help them move forward and grow,” Chan said.
Here are the seven mentors, and why they’re perfect for Philippine startups:
Chito Bustamante, CEO, Chikka Asia, Inc.
The Silicon Valley engineer has enabled Chikka to grow and develop into what it is today. During his term, Chikka was awarded triple ISO certifications and a rare CMMI maturity level 5, which is the highest in the industry. Aside from being a CEO, Bustamante is actively taking on mentorship roles to help young startup founders succeed. 


QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Ambar Machfoedy, Managing Partner, Rekanext Venture Capital Partners.
In his current role, Machfoedy manages a Singapore-based Venture Capital firm that is focused on a portfolio of technology ventures that target Southeast Asian markets. Machfoedy is also well versed in analyzing and assessing deals, conducting due diligence, and executing exit strategies via IPOs/M&As, all of which are important for any startup founder. 


Joey Vilar, Head of Marketing Services & OIC of Market Education, Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
Running a successful startup requires a good understanding of financial matters. Recruiting a mentor who has a strong background in finance spells the difference between a successful startup and a floundering one. Vilar, who has been at the helm of the PSE’s marketing services and market education for 10 years, is the perfect match for any startup that wants access to financial knowledge. 


Jojy Azurin, Founder and CEO of Horsepower.ph. Azurin has co-founded a number of startups as well as IT companies. He has pioneered tech companies in the fields of BPO, IT outsourcing, online content publishing, and eCommerce. He is also co-director at Manila Chapter of Founder Institute, the world’s largest startup incubator. A seasoned leader and entrepreneur like him can definitely help any startup founder navigate the choppy startup waters.

Francis Simisim, CEO of Social Light, Inc.
Simisim’s experience as an entrepreneur through various startups such as WhenInManila, Blogapalooza, and Social Light, Inc. is valuable to any fledgling startup. His current position as partner at a Philippine-based VC firm, Original Pitch Venture Capital, can give startup founders invaluable insight when it comes to pitching to potential investors and coming up with out-of-the-box creative solutions. 

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Noel Lorenzana, a Venture Capitalist with years of experience in key leadership positions 
Insight from someone who has successful experience in various posts as CEO, COO, President, and Managing Director and served in various roles across functions in General Management, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Innovation Management is gold for anyone who is just starting out. Lorenzana has weathered many challenges as an executive, making him the perfect mentor for newbie founders. 


Joseph Lacson, Chief Investment Officer at Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Lacson has accrued various leadership experiences spanning a wide range of departments in his 20 years of professional experience. Currently, he is the CIO of Metro Pacific Investments. He has also been at the helm of many sales and marketing departments, as well as strategy and business development. Insights from someone who has experience in moving and growing various companies can prove helpful to anyone just starting out.
Starting March 1, QBO startups will have unfettered access to these mentors and more through the QBO App.

For more information about QBO’s INQBATION program, please visit www.qbo.com.ph.

*This is Press Release

Kamuning Bakery Cafe Burnt, but Continues to Bake

Quezon City’s pioneeer, artisanal and iconic 79-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe wishes to express sincere gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of concern and support by multi-generation customers, friends, the general public and others including many artists, intellectuals, government and business leaders, diverse NGOs, etc. after it suffered an accidental and destructive fire last February 6, 2018.

            Special thanks to the media for support in this difficult and sad crisis.

            Kamuning Bakery Cafe also wishes to thank the Quezon City local government and firemen as well as many Filipino Chinese volunteer fire brigades of Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Kalookan, Valenzuela, Bulacan and others for their assistance.

            The plan of Kamuning Bakery Cafe is to somehow, in time and after good planning, rebuild with a special focus on restoration and heritage preservation. The two antique “pugon” or wood-fired brick ovens, parts of the building facade and some memorabilia survived the fire.  

            

Despite the burning of Kamuning Bakery Cafe on February 6, 2018 from   12:52 a.m.to 2:43 p.m., which destroyed most of the establishment and its equipment’s estimated by the Quezon City Fire Department in its February 21, 2018 official report at P22,384,054.46 million pesos in total losses or damages, KBC announced that it has resumed selling some breads and pastries outside the old site at Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Quezon City starting February 22, 2018. Its selling hours are shorter from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., due to lack of electricity. 

            Before the fire, Kamuning Bakery Cafe has already operated two small branches at 100 Scout Delgado Street, Quezon City (beside Annabel Restaurant, Morato Avenue) and at SM North Edsa’s 2nd-floor East Bridge (between parking building & main mall, near SM Cinema). These two small branches continue to serve customers despite the fire, with some baking facilities at the Scout Delgado branch.

            Kamuning Bakery Cafe shall continue its various socio-civic undertakings, such as the non-partisan and tertulia-inspired Pandesal Forum with media and intellectuals. Pandesal Forum hosts leaders, newsmakers, artists, and reformers for dialogue with media and intellectuals, with the goal of helping elevate the quality and idealism of public discourse on issues.

Concepcion Carrier delivers Fast, Simple and Easy with the revolutionary Smart+Cool

Today’s consumers have been exposed to a wide range of cutting-edge technology that eventually becomes mainstream. These innovations end up being part of their daily lives, thus shaping both their behaviour and their expectations for life in general. 

After much research, Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company (CCAC) found that many consumers want experiences that revolve around three aspects: Fast, Simple and Easy. In response, it is now making efforts to deliver these in the air conditioning category.

The company’s goal is to provide end-to-end solutions for customers that make their cooling experiences the best they could possibly be with less fuss and in less time, with the ability to be customized to their specific needs and wants.

Making this happen requires a combination of cutting-edge technology, excellent products and reliable after-sales service, something which the company has steadily been preparing for.

Because of this, CCAC recently unveiled the Carrier Smart+Cool System at the Maybank Theater in BGC. This revolution in the Philippine cooling industry will bring the practical benefits of smart aircons to the mainstream market, making life easier faster and simpler for its customers.

Together with its companion app, the Carrier Smart+Cool System can help you manage your monthly budget. It allows you to monitor and track how much energy, in peso amounts, your aircon has consumed in real time, and even alert you before you go past your electrical consumption limit. The system informs you when your aircon is no longer working efficiently and making you use more power. No more bill shock!

With the new Carrier Smart+Cool System, you can have cooling just the way you like it. You can turn on your aircon from wherever you are. You could be a few feet away, or stuck in traffic on the way home and still look forward to a cool welcome when you arrive.

Want your aircon to turn on and off at different times on different days? You can do that too, and even change the temperature. These controls are simple to use but give a much more complete experience.

The Carrier Smart+Cool System also makes cooling more relaxing and easier for you. It warns you when your aircon needs to be cleaned, and makes getting service easy with a customer service chat function. You will even have updates on the status of the service personnel during cleaning, and you can even pay for it online. Much easier for you than ever before!

The company plans to make the experience of its Filipino customers very painless and stress-free by providing information on DIY repairs, giving them complete knowledge on their warranties with notifications on when they will expire, and offering rewards such as special gifts or discounts for being loyal customers.

At the event, CCAC also launched innovative products for Filipino consumers. Among these was the Klarwind Duo 2 In1 Bundle, a first in the retail market that combines a slimpac and a high-wall aircon with one multi-split outdoor unit. It gives you triple savings on acquisition, installation and maintenance costs, and is inexpensive to run with a high energy efficiency rating of 19 combined performance.

The company’s plans for 2018 show how it is changing along with the evolving needs of the aircon market. Making things fast, simple and easy is the right way to delight and satisfy its customers, whom it always puts at the heart of its business. This is what drives the company to deliver the unique Carrier experience.

*This is Press Release

Exploring wealth management opportunities with Citi market outlook 2018

The country’s leading global bank recently held its annual Chinese New Year market outlook, focusing on wealth management opportunities in both local and global perspectives. Centering on the theme, “Navigating a Maturing Bull Market”, Citi’s financial analysts along with senior resource speakers presented investment opportunities and risks; global earnings growth and inflation rates; and effects of the ongoing administrative and economic developments on the financial markets, among others. These events held in the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Cebu were attended by more than 600 Citigold clients. As the preferred wealth management partner in Asia and in the country, Citigold helps clients grow, manage and protect their wealth, and secure their financial future with its team of experts, unmatched research services, world-class products, global access, and exclusive privileges and rewards.   Welcoming guests were (left to right) Citi Philippines Consumer Business head Manoj Varma, Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed and Citi Philippines Retail Bank head Rene Aguirre.

*This is Press Release

Honda Flagship Shop in Davao excites motorcycle enthusiasts with new Honda Big Bike Showroom

Following the launch of its latest big bike collection in Makati and Cebu, Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, just unveiled its new Big Bike Showroom in its Flagship Shop in Buhangin, Davao City.

The new showroom is expected to excite motorcycle enthusiasts in the region as it highlights a new feature to the flagship store. As a premium hub for Honda’s growing community, this modern-design showroom was built in partnership with DESMARK Corporation, one of the leading motorcycle dealership of Honda.

Covering approximately 6,960 square meters, the store features an extensive, multi-rack display of Honda products, a well-appointed riders’ lounge, and a test ride area. These features are intended to showcase Honda’s cutting-edge motorcycles, innovative power products, and genuine spare parts.

With the addition of the new Big Bike Showroom, the flagship store now highlights the latest collection of Honda Big Bikes. These new bikes are designed especially for thrill seekers and adventurers who require tough and heavy-duty motorcycles with bigger engine displacements. They are also made to deliver the speed and performance, suited for highway cruising and taking on rough terrains.

“Last December 2017 and January 2018, we first launched our latest Big Bike collection in Manila Flagship Shop and Cebu Flagship shop, respectively,” said Mr. Daiki Mihara, president of HPI. “However, since we consider Davao as one of the important markets, we also see the value of showcasing our latest Honda Big Bikes collection to the Dabawenyo public, here, in our flagship store.”

A total of eight new Honda Big Bike models will be housed in the showroom categorized into four types: Roadster, Sports/Racer, Traveler, and New Adventure.

ROADSTER

Honda introduced its roadster category, starting with the Rebel 500, which is designed for both laid-back cruising and a more active sports riding. It features a rider’s triangle, as well as its 471cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin cylinder, four-stroke engine that is tucked in a low chassis with a minimalist design.

Also available is the CB650F, a middleweight, naked street-style motorcycle with stylish exhaust pipes that wrap around its four-cylinder, 649cc, DOHC inline engine. It also comes with a new six-speed ratio gearbox, a two-channel ABS, a 41mm SDBV telescopic fork and a fully adjustable Showa suspension for smoother riding.

The CB1100EX, on the other hand, has a classic design integrating modern features with its seamless fuel tank, deep chrome exhausts, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, and a hand-built look. It also has an air-cooled, inline four-cylinder, 6-speed transmission, 1140cc engine, a two-piece front fork, remote reservoir rear shocks, four-piston caliper brakes, floating discs, and a sharper chassis. This model is set to arrive in the Philippine market very soon.

SPORT/RACER

Meanwhile, for sports enthusiasts, Honda has the CBR500R, a big bike infused with a next-level, inline-twin 471cc engine with power suited for racing. Designers of the bike fused aggressive styling with its comfortable framework for riding, as well as a traditional bike image and modern, sleek design.

This middleweight sports bike has an aerodynamic fairing and air ducts, specially designed all the way to the two-channel ABS and 41mm SDBV telescopic fork.

There is also the CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP, which is designed with the MotoGP racing DNA in mind. It is engineered to have lightness, precision, and controllable handling as evidenced by its Selectable Torque Control and Engine Break Systems, New ABS Brakes, Quickshifter, Riding Mode Select System, Power Selector, and an ӦHLINS Smart EC Suspension. This model is set to be available in the Philippine market very soon, along with the CB1100EX.

TRAVELER

Honda’s Traveler Big Bikes include the CB500X, a mid-displacement bike, designed for all-around use. It is also suited for taking on any type of terrain. This bike also features a liquid-cooled, 471cc, parallel-twin engine, suited for both short and long-distance rides, while still being fuel efficient.

Honda also unveiled the CRF1000L Africa Twin. It has a 998cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel-twin engine and has the exclusive Honda Selective Torque Control for efficient power delivery on a wide range of road conditions. It is also perfect for adventure riding that requires natural and athletic movements, especially since it is built with Biaxial Counterbalance for strength and handling to deliver a smooth and vibration-free ride.

NEW ADVENTURE

Finally, Honda introduced its New Adventure Category of Big Scooter (Automatic) with the X-ADV featuring a unique crossover platform. It is built around a strong, tubular-steel chassis and has a 745cc twin-cylinder engine and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for firm handling on different road surfaces and conditions.

To handle dirt roads, Honda X-ADV is also built with a 41mm upside-down fork, a preload-adjustable Pro-Link rear shock, and a ground clearance of 162mm. It is equipped with a five-way adjustable screen, tapered aluminum handlebar, Africa Twin hand guards, Rally-style instrument display, and center stand.

These Honda Big Bikes are now available in HPI’s Flagship Shops in Davao, Cebu, and Makati, except for the CB1100EX and CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP, which are set to excite Filipino motorcycle geeks this 2018.

The Big Bike Showroom is open to Honda’s community of riders in Davao. The shop is located at Km. 5, Buhangin Road, Davao City and is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

For more information on Honda Big Bikes and Flagship Shops, visit www.hondaph.com or like Honda’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/HondaPH.

*This is Press Release

Binibining Pilipinas Beauties Learn Financial Literacy

The captivating candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 were warmly welcomed by top executives of AXA Philippines during a courtesy call at the corporate offices of the leading global insurer and its non-life insurance subsidiary, Charter Ping An.

AXA Philippines chief of retail propositions Alok Roongta, chief of commercial business Ninoy Rollan, Charter Ping An director Robert Yu, head of partnership Emmanuel Que; and head of commercial underwriting Edwin Salvan greeted the candidates.

As part of AXA’s thrust to empower people to live better lives, the 40 Binibinis were given a brief financial literacy talk.

The highlight of the event was the awarding of insurance coverage certificates to the candidates, who now enjoy full personal accident, medical reimbursement and travel insurance benefits, be it here or abroad.

For ten years now, Charter Ping An, a subsidiary of AXA, has been the official insurance provider of the prestigious beauty pageant, providing the lovely candidates with full personal accident insurance coverage for the duration of the competition.

Superbods Ageless 2018 go-see events in Cebu and Manila

Showcase your sexy, fit and healthy body at the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 go-see happening on February 17, 10 am to 5 pm at Gold’s Gym, Ayala Center, Cebu City; and on February 18, 10 am to 5 pm at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center, Makati City. 

The search for the country's fittest and healthiest men and women is open to individuals 18- to- 37-years old for the Superbods category, and 38- to- 50-years old for the Superbods Ageless category. 

Four winners will each receive P500,000 cash; an appliance showcase worth P250,000 from Indesit, Mabe, and Philips; an editorial campaign contract from Zalora; a training contract from Star Magic; and a 1-year unlimited elite membership for Gold’s Gym. To top it all off, one lucky Superbods contestant will win a Chevrolet Trax!

For more details and updates on events, and to register, visit Century Tuna Superbods on Facebook: www.facebook.com/centurytuna.

Superbods Ageless 2018 go-see events in Cebu and Manila

Showcase your sexy, fit and healthy body at the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 go-see happening on February 17, 10 am to 5 pm at Gold’s Gym, Ayala Center, Cebu City; and on February 18, 10 am to 5 pm at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center, Makati City. 

The search for the country's fittest and healthiest men and women is open to individuals 18- to- 37-years old for the Superbods category, and 38- to- 50-years old for the Superbods Ageless category. 

Four winners will each receive P500,000 cash; an appliance showcase worth P250,000 from Indesit, Mabe, and Philips; an editorial campaign contract from Zalora; a training contract from Star Magic; and a 1-year unlimited elite membership for Gold’s Gym. To top it all off, one lucky Superbods contestant will win a Chevrolet Trax!

For more details and updates on events, and to register, visit Century Tuna Superbods on Facebook: www.facebook.com/centurytuna.

ARTISTS LIBERATE INTRAMUROS!

THE FIRST OPEN CITY FESTIVAL of the MANILA BIENNALE 2018

Bring Back the Soul of the City! Give an offering to the spirits of Intramuros by witnessing The Open City Performance Festival of the first Manila Biennale on February 21-25, 2018.  Participate in live artistic rituals, art interventions with local and international artists in the forms of music, dance, fashion, street art, installation, performance, sound, and film over a four-day extravaganza, the likes of which have not been seen before in Old Manila.

Performances highlights listed below with photographs and biography.

HIGHLIGHTS:

FEBRUARY 21, 2018 WEDNESDAY

THE OPENING OF THE STREET ART PROGRAM
Tram tours of Street Art Program curated by Adrian Alfonso
3:00PM Baluarte San Diego (Starting Point)

THE OPENING OF THE OPEN CITY FESTIVAL 

Vernissage of OPEN CITY FESTIVAL 

3:00PM Baluarte San Diego 

MODELAB

JOL3NA
5:30PM Plaza San Luis (Cocktails by Don Papa)
Performances:
TINA HAVELOCK STEVENS
MALE GAZE 

BT4A

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 THURSDAY
LIVIN' LA VIDA IMELDA by CARLOS CELDRAN

4:30PM
Teatrillo at Plaza San Luis

OPENCITY FESTIVAL AT THE PLAZA SAN LUIS

7:30PM

Featuring
M.O.B. (USA)
CAROLINE GARCIA (AUSTRALIA)
RAQUEL DE LOYOLA (PHILIPPINES)
JEF CARNAY (PHILIPPINES)
VIM NADERA (PHILIPPINES)
KHAN OF FINLAND + JOTA (GERMANY/BOLIVIA)

FEBRUARY 23, 2018 (FRIDAY)
DON PAPA INTRAMUROS ARTISTS BALL

6:00PM

Plaza San Luis
Dress Code: Be creative. Artists go free. 

Performances:

#VIVAMANILA PASYAL AND CREATIVE OPEN MARKET
HENRI LAMY
THIRD WORLD IMPROV
RHOSAM PRUDENCIADO
MIA CABALFIN
VIC Co.Lab
MAYLEE TODD

SHIGEKI FUKUDA

ATSUKO SATORI

DEX FERNANDEZ

FEBRUARY 24, 2018 (SATURDAY)
PINK SHORTS: Manila Biennale Queer Performance Program by Short + Sweet 

A TWO DAY FESTIVAL

February 24 and 25, 2018

Separate ticketing: Cost: Php300.00 / Php500.00 / Php600.00

7:00PM

Teatrillo
Text Rhadem Morados +63 9150211768

TOQA: MANILA, LUZON SEASON ONE:

Fashion show/Art Intervention and Dance Party by Toqa 

Please RSVP AT www.toqa.tv 

3:00PM

Puerta Real Gardens

FEBRUARY 25, 2018 SUNDAY
MANILA TRANSITIO MEMORIAL CONCERT AND COMMUNITY RITUAL

PRE TRANSITIO RITUAL

Ioana Georgescu 

Neo-Angono

3:00PM 

Fort Santiago 

PROCESSION TO TRANSITIO FROM FORT SANTIAGO TO PUERTA REAL

4:00PM

COMMUNITY RITUAL

6:00PM

Featuring:

Carlos Celdran

Goldie Soon

MUSIC

Bayang Barrios
The Executives Band

MARCH 4, 2O18

ART+ MANILA BIENNALE 2018 FINISSAGE

3:00PM 

Plaza San Luis (Meeting Point)

A final tram tour of the Manila Biennale 2018 by Art+ Magazine 

Description:

Much like the Glastonbury Festival in England or the Burning Man of Nevada, the Open City Festival is envisioned as a new tradition for Intramuros, an international art festival which promotes self-expression as a means of activating a sacred space. Under the umbrella of the first Manila Biennale, Open City provides the ephemeral component to the Biennale's critically acclaimed visual art installations that were unveiled on 02 February.

Curator Carlos Celdran says, “This festival caps a month long celebration using art to activate, commemorate, and reinvigorate the City of Intramuros.  We want to foster a community which will keep the City alive, not only during biennales but beyond. Proceeds from the event will benefit the succeeding Manila Biennales and will ensure that this new tradition in Philippine arts will be passed on to future generations."

Art festivals such as the Manila Biennale and its Open City Festival are a key aspect of art tourism, social development, and urban transformation. The art and artists are on show as much as the city.

This program is OPEN to all Art Passport Holders and Day Pass Holders.

BE A PATRON OF THE ARTS!

Purchase an art patron passport for Php 5,300 and support the next Manila Biennale in 2020! This passport not only gives you an all-access pass to the exhibitions, performances, talks, and film showings, but also places you as a patron of Intramuros’ revival. Each passport holder will be credited in the soon-to-published Manila Biennale 2018 catalogue. 

#MNLBNL2018 ART PATRON PASSPORT: Php5,300.00
Inclusives:
- Access to MNLBNL lounge at the Plaza San Luis.

- Access to privately planned picnics and tours. 

- Bespoke access to exhibitions.
- Unlimited access to all 3 Manila Biennale exhibition sites inside Intramuros
- Transportation to exhibition sites via kalesa ride
- Entrance to the OPENCITY Festival Performance Art Series February 21 to 25, 2018
- Entrance to the Artists Ball on February 23, 2018, Friday.
- Entrance to Manila Transitio Memorial Concert February 25, 2018, Sunday.
- Priority reservations for all lectures, movies, programs, and performances of the OPENCITY FESTIVAL 21-25 February 2018.
- Discounts and special deals with Manila Biennale partners.

- Priority Reservations of the Manila Biennale Limited Series Art Book Catalogue.
- Valid for one month (February 3, 2018 - March 5, 2018)

For more information, please come to the MNLBNL Lounge in Plaza San Luis (Barbara's), open Tuesdays to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, 

or message us through our Facebook page: Manila Biennale:Open City.  

SELECTED OPEN CITY FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL ARTIST BIO:

Photo: MODELAB - INSTALLATION/ART INTERVENTION

Exhibition Date: February 21–25, 2018

Collaborators: Brisa Amir (PH), Arca Ceramics (MX), Dulce Chacón (MX), Jose Mari Cuartero (PH), Tad Ermitaño (PH), Indy Paredes (PH).

Baluarte de San Diego Gardens, Manila

MODELAB is an artistic initiative that explores public space attending its past, current dynamics, and the role it plays in society both as environment and architectural materiality. Since 2014, Modelab has organized different projects, in different cities, in close collaboration with artists, scholars and scientists. Modelab is devised by Claudia Arozqueta and Rodrigo Azaola of Mexico City, United States of Mexico.

"WAYS OF SOLITUDE" is a public art project curated by Modelab in the Baluarte de San Diego gardens that explores the role of solitude in the history of Manila. Through a series of interventions involving different media (installation, sound art, painting, gardening, ceramics, stencil art) the project reflects on three periods of Manila’s history in which solitude has a strong presence: the colonial era, the post-war period and the present. An e-publication, including an essay by scholar Jose Mari Cuartero from Ateneo de Manila, will be available for download on the day of the opening at www.modelab.info

Photo: Tina Havelock Stevens (Australia) - PERFORMANCE/VIDEO

Performance date: February 21, 2018 Wednesday

TINA HAVELOCK STEVENS is an artist from Sydney, Australia who works across performance, video, sound and experimental documentary. Havelock Stevens’ background as a documentary film maker and drummer in the post punk music scene has a direct influence on the way she practices. She makes portraits exploring the state of the contemporary world and works in a spontaneous open-ended way that allows for unexpected outcomes. Havelock Stevens’ works have been exhibited at institutions and festivals worldwide with recent shows at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Australia 2017 (Winner Fisher Ghost Prize); Fremantle Biennale 2017; UNSW Galleries, Sydney (John Fries Award Finalist); Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney 2017 (The Big Anxiety Festival); MILL 6 Foundation, Hong Kong, 2016; Performance Space, Carriageworks, Sydney 2017 -2015; Bulletspace,, New York, 2014; Dark Mofo  & Mona Foma, MONA, Hobart 2016/2013; Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne 2015/2013; PS 122, New York ,2013; and Artspace, Sydney 2010.

"BEATS OF DARKNESS" is a video and sound work produced in the time frame of a week specifically for Manila Biennale:Open City. Made with a methodology of spontaneous response the artist uses a combination of experimental documentary and drumming performance that tunes into the frequencies of specific sites and place. Using the 1979 film ‘Apocalypse Now’ as a departure point BEATS OF DARKNESS features sites that were once locations for the production shot in areas of Baler. When projected at Intramuros the work acts as a double echo to reflect on the Philippines relations with the US economically, politically and culturally. For Open City the artist will perform the soundtrack as an improvised live score in front of the projection in collaboration with local ethnomusicologist and percussionist Tusa Montes.

Photo: Khan Oral (Germany) and Jo-ta (Bolivia) - PERFORMANCE / VIDEO

February 22, 2018 Thursday. Plaza San Luis 

KHAN OF FINLAND, born of Turkish-Finnish parents in Frankfurt/Germany. 1992-2002 living in New York City, he owned the electronic record shop Temple Records NYC, hosted downtown art events and parties, run three record labels, produced and performed with a variety of artists and projects: Captain Comatose, Tiefschwarz, Air Liquide, Diamanda Galas, Julee Cruise, Kid Congo Powers, Little Annie or Brigitte Fontaine. 2002 he moved to Berlin where he works and lives as a producer, performer, and visual artist. His catalog counts more than 300 physical releases. Group and solo exhibitions worldwide. Theater and soundtrack work for television and feature film including cameos. Khan presented “Angels Of Disguise” photo-book/box-set (Fantome Verlag) at Kassel’s documenta13. 

JO-TA, born in Bolivia, he made studies in environmental engineering (BOL) and Master of Arts, Visual and Media Anthropology (DE). In 2009 he started as a Vj working at the Festival LaPazTook, shortly after he joined the collective Oi Mas Bass, with which he organized the Latin American festival Kiebre (2011-2012) in La Paz. He performed with artists like Efecto Mandarina and Bolivia National Symphony Orchestra among others. Also he participated in different audiovisual festivals worldwide. 2014 he was called as Secretary of Culture at the Embassy of Bolivia in Berlin, Germany. Jo-Ta currently works as a Video Artist for Rebeam creating International Networking and he is a partner of VisualCom. His last show was a collaboration with Monom Sound at the opening, founded by 4D Sound in Funkhaus-Berlin. 

“PHONE CUE" is a site-specific installation/performance with video projections, sound stream, and light. Artist Statement: "Today we barely see the stars. Bright city lights bleach the skies. We'd rather look at the glow on our cell phones. Today’s stories are told on our Facebook walls. The gods we evoke come as shiny electronic gadgets. We dance in line on eBay sales, we leave our marks on the corner of Instagram and Snapchat. The modern city is the place of our desire. We come to meet our dreams. A dream that seems to expand endlessly and is shared by millions. Still we feel isolated. This project proposes that we have a choice and that there are alternatives to a normative commercial life where citizens are more than mere “purchasing powers”. We do not stand in line for summer sale, we stand in line to dance and celebrate life in the city." 

Photo: Ioana Georgescu  - PERFORMANCE / ART INTERVENTION

February 25, 2018 Thursday. Fort Santiago and Puerta Real 

IOANA GEORGESCU is an artist and novelist born in Bucharest, Romania. She lives in Montreal, Canada. Her work is presented worldwide and encompasses performance art, video-installation, photography, drawing, painting and literary fiction. Her projects are often site-specific and process-based, They interrelate and trigger chains of reactions. They address memory, identity and displacement in relation to body and site. Ioana has exhibited and performed in Barcelona, Berlin, Vienna, Novi Sad, Lisbon, Ljubljana, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, New York, Cairo, Yogyakarta and Beijing. She has participated in three international action and media arts festivals in Manila : Tupada’05, Tama’06 and Tutok’08. Open City Manila Biennale 2018 is in continuity and marks her fourth return to the Philippines.

"MANILA CITTÀ APERTA" Two parts work with performance and video-installation components. Water Monument, a collaborative art action at Fort Santiago and Dust Monument: a video projection at Puerta Real. The Manila “open sequence” is part of the Mobile Monuments series. Memory and intersecting histories are experienced and expressed through performing bodies and performing sites. Several bodies are at play: human, architectural and even microscopic. They evolve and interact, crossing virtual and real spaces. A dialogue between past, present, life and death takes place and generates a new narrative.

Photo: Maylee Todd - PERFORMANCE / VIDEO / INSTALLATION

February 23, 2018 Friday. Teatrillo at Plaza San Luis

MAYLEE TODD is a Canadian independent musician, performance artist, producer based in Toronto, Canada. She released her first solo album, Choose Your Own Adventure 2010, and her second record Escapology 2013 on the Do Right Music label. "Baby's Got It" reached number 10 on the Billboard charts throughout Japan. Todd has performed on the Billboard Live Stage and CrossOver Jazz Fest. Her music covers a wide variety of genres including pop, indie-rock, soul, jazz, electronica, and bossa nova. She has a taste for exotic instruments, and sequencers such as the Paraguayan harp. She is distinguished as a stage performer by her flair for comedy and the dramatic arts. Maylee Todd's latest project is Virtual Womb.

"VIRTUAL WOMB" is a visual and auditory show, where the audience walks through her work and interacts with video projections. Her work is a place of gestation, rebirth, death, mediation, new ways of thinking and tapping into a collective consciousness; a multimedia show containing interactive therapy, installation, projection mapping and dancing all set to a live musical performance. 

Photo: Hamish Lang - Sound Art

Exhibition Date:February 21– March 4, 2018. Plaza San Luis

Hamish Lang is a Melbourne based sound artist.  

‘Buhat (Since) Broken’ is a reinterpretation of the classic Filipino love song ‘Buhat (Since)’ and a homage to the actor Rosario Moreno through a haunting soundscape. Unfortunately, Rosario’s career came to a tragic end during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Before this, she featured prominently in some of the earliest examples of pre-war Filipino cinema, earning her the title ‘Queen of Tearjerkers’. One of her boldest roles was playing the character Magdalena in the movie Tunay na Ina (or True Mother). The story focuses on Magdalena’s attempt to hide her secret child who was a product of rape from her soon-to-be husband. The story is one of loss, redemption, secrets and, above all, love. The film famously features the song ‘Buhat (Since)’, which is sung multiple times to convey hope and celebration. For the piece ‘Buhat (Since) Broken’, the original song has been reinterpreted into a melancholy soundscape, which stretches and breaks the original song into something familiar yet unsettling. The piece has been eroded using both modern and vintage recording techniques and is broken down, much like the walls of Intramuros were in 1945. 

Photo: M.O.B  - PERFORMANCE / ART INTERVENTION

Photo: Caroline Garcia - PERFORMANCE 

February 22, 2018 Thursday. Teatrillo at Plaza San Luis.

CAROLINE GARCIA is a culturally promiscuous, interdisciplinary artist. She works across live performance and video through a hybridised aesthetic of cross-cultural dance, ritual practice, new media, and the sampling of popular culture and colonial imagery. Caroline’s practice is shaped by alterity. In her work, she centers peripheral bodies by adopting the role of shape shifter - sliding into the gaps between cultures, experiences of otherness, and timeless clichés of exotic femininity. She takes an intersectional approach to contemporary dance (read: twerking), the politics of diasporic identity and notions of cultural piracy. She is concerned with reimagining forgotten choreographies, alternate ways of viewing images of the past that eschew classical myths, and the mimetic capacities of the Filipina. Caroline has presented at The Art Gallery of NSW, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Institute of Modern Art (QLD), The Art Gallery of Western Australia and Fremantle Arts Centre for Proximity Festival (WA), Underbelly Arts Festival, Channels: The Australian Video Art Festival (VIC), Junction Arts Festival (TAS), and Art Month Sydney, among others. She has exhibited at the ACMI, CCP, The Substation, Firstdraft, Sydney Contemporary, The Sydney Film Festival Hub, BLINDSIDE, Blacktown Arts Centre, Penrith Regional Gallery, and UTS ART. Caroline’s latest work Flygirl, was recently developed at The Curtis R. Priem EMPAC Residency in New York, facilitated by Australia Council for the Arts. 

THE BREATH OF DEATH is a new and interdisciplinary work, that will be presented across the platforms of performance, dance, installation and video art. The main performative component of this work will explore the practice of using a ‘blowgun,’ a simple weapon consisting of a narrow, long tube for firing light projectiles or darts. This weapon uses force created by one’s breath to give the projectile momentum, limited by the user’s respiratory muscles. The blowgun, also known as the sumpit is still used by indigenous groups from the Philippines, including natives from Palawan and Sabah (formerly part of Mindanao) for hunting or warfare. This blowgun performance interrogates ethnographic images of ‘the savage’ as well as subverting gendered forms of labour and war, especially in regards to the military.