PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: WFP Supports DSWD in Strengthening Logistics Information System for Disaster Response Preparedness

Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and World Food Programme Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen the DSWD’s disaster response capacity. The partnership, funded by the USAID/Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, aims to use information and communication technologies to improve logistics information flow within DSWD, which will be of particular relevance in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, providing the Philippine Government with timely and accurate information that will allow for swifter emergency responses. WFP National Ambassador Against Hunger KC Concepcion witnessed the signing.

Photo Credit: WFP/Philipp Herzog/Philippines

AXA Philippines Opens Marikina branch

AXA Philippines comes closer to its Marikina customers as it opens its new branch at the 2nd Floor of the RR Building located at187 Shoe Avenue, Sta. Elena, Marikina City. The new branch is the latest addition to AXA Philippines’ ever-growing nationwide network; it assures that customers will always have personalized solutions that fit their financial goals, whenever they need them.


The Marikina branch is under the management of Mary Ann Uyching, the Executive Branch Head of Amazing Life and the Immediate Past President of the General Agents and Managers Association (GAMA) Philippines. According to her, the new AXA office in Marikina would allow the life insurance company to serve more clients.

REEL DEAL: This Mean War/Chronicle SPOTLIGHT


10-MINUTES OF WAR IN “CHRONICLE”

The highly intense edgy teen thriller “Chronicle” tags 10-minutes of “This Means War” footage when it opens in theaters nationwide on February 2 (Thursday).

“This Means War” stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy in a love war triangle when CIA agents and childhood best buddies find out they are dating the same woman.  Hilarity and hard-core action ensue as the trio try to work on the situation the best way possible brought by Hollywood’s ensemble of hit filmmakers.  “This Means War” is helmed by director McG whose worldwide hits include “Charlie’s Angels,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Terminator Salvation,” written by scribe Simon Kinberg who penned the incredibly thrilling films “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “”X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes,” and produced by Will Smith to create  2012’s most enjoyable adult romantic-action-comedy.
            
Consecutively opening this February  - “Chronicle” (February 2) and “This Means War” (February 22) are from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. in theaters nationwide.­

XSTIG: More About 3D Vizion

By Filipinos, For Filipinos: Proudly Pinoy Company Aims to Change Country’s Advertising Landscape

Filipinos have always been at the forefront of innovation. As it is in more developed countries that a life that can dedicate itself to the pursuit of knowledge for its sake can create such great invention, it is at the other end of the spectrum—a dire need to focus on day-to-day matters which the Philippines has found itself. Strangely enough, the difficulties that have plagued the country for so many years have made innovation a real survival act. 
Following this tradition of Filipinos stumbling towards modernization in the process of seeking a better way of doing things, a budding company named 3D Vizion has come up with a ground-breaking technology that takes the best of high-definition 2D technology and the latest in 3D technology to come up with a platform that is set to change the way companies in the Philippines advertise—glasses-free 3D screens.

The company was founded on the premise of providing the best for Filipinos—by Filipinos.

“When we decided to pursue this, we had only one intention in mind—to come up with a company, that will revolutionize the way we do advertising here in the country—to provide our countrymen with the best available technology out there,” shares Katrina Bantug, President and CEO of 3D Vizion. “Myself, Mr. Mohan Kulkarni and DEMIKK Holdings, Inc., as represented by Ruben Tiu, came up with this idea of having a fully-operational Filipino company that offers world-class, first-class products and services.”

Why It's More Fun In The Philippines!

There are so many reasons why it is more fun in the Philippines, and aside from breathtaking views, one can find himself in an adventure anywhere and anytime in the country especially when it comes to food tripping. This is why I never get bored of exploring starting from by birthplace and home city Manila.

I also explored several places in the country but I'm looking forward to traveling to more this year. It's indeed fun and addicting at the same time.  It's really more fun in the Philippines!


This is a pre-qualifying entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 by IntramurosManila.Asia. This campaign is fully supported by the Intramuros AdministrationBarbara's RestaurantCeldran ToursMabuhay GuidesPilgrimage Pilipinas,Castillan ToursFederation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., and Payless Pancit Shanghai.

REEL DEAL: Chronicle - Alex Russel SPOTLIGHT


UP AND COMING AUSTRALIAN ACTOR ALEX RUSSELL IN “CHRONICLE”

A young man flies between the buildings, lifting cars into the air with the power of his mind - based on an original story by director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis, “Chronicle” is the tale of three teens who find a power beyond their imagination, and the struggle they face in learning to control it.

Like so many of us, they’re obsessed with chronicling their lives, however mundane – or in their case, however extraordinary.  For Andrew, Matt and Steve have stumbled upon something beyond their – or anyone’s – understanding. They’re now capable of, well, almost anything.  They can move objects just by thinking about them, crush cars through force of will.  They learn to fly…the ultimate wish fulfillment, until things get dark.

As the story opens, Matt is a cynical, know-it-all, too-cool-to-care teen.  But like his two new cohorts, Matt undergoes radical changes after an encounter with a mysterious force leaves him with incredible powers.  The two other members of the newly empowered high school trio are Matt’s cousin, Andrew (portrayed by Dane Dehaan), and campus king Steve (Michael B. Jordan).  Australian actor Alex Russell reflects on playing the all-American high schooler in the following q&a:

Q: It's not like a traditional Marvel or DC superhero movie.  Was that part of the attraction?
A: You get to do all these incredible action sequences.  You get to do superhero stuff, but the characters are so layered. Not to say that isn't always the case, but if there's a superhero movie the prime thing is to sell that aspect of it—the superpowers and the function of a superhero. This is more about characters learning about themselves and developing as people. It's interesting to think about what Matt, Andrew and Steve would have been like if they hadn't had  superpowers. 

LAKBAYAN: Boracay Garden Resort offers 70% off room rates


Boracay Garden Resort offers 70% off room ratesat the 19th Travel Tour Expo

Visit Henann Resorts’ booth at the 19th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) at the SMX Convention Center from February 17 to 19 and get as much as 70% discount on Boracay Garden Resort’s packages. Based on twin sharing, pay as low as P3,812 net per person for a three-day stay in a deluxe room. The package is inclusive of two-night accommodation, roundtrip transfers via Caticlan, and daily breakfast and dinner.

Boracay Garden Resort is a subsidiary of Henann Resorts, owner and operator of Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa, Regency Lagoon Resort, Boracay and Henann Resort at Alona Beach Bohol.

The resort rests on a two-hectare property located at the center of Station 2. It has 201 well-appointed deluxe and premiere rooms with charming and elegant interiors. It features premiere rooms with direct access to the pool and family rooms that can fit up to six persons.

Quick Blogs: Facebook and Other Sites Down

After going home, the first thing I did is to check on m accounts especially mail and facebook which are my main channels of communications to friends and clients. However, I just wondered why I cannot access Facebook and Hotmail. I thought the internet was not really available but when going to other sites like google and plurk, everything is doing fine.

After ranting and asking on twitter about this hassle, me and blogger/online friends found out that the reason for this is the connection which is provided by Globe. No word or official annoucement was made about the outage but areas affected includes Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pangasinan and Cavite. 

As of the moment, Yahoo, Hotmail and Facebook are the main sites that I (on my end). I hope this is addressed and fixed soon as we do depend on these sites not only for socializing but also for business and network building. I think I will just sleep and hope to be able to log in to facebook via my dreams...

#GlobeInternetFail

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Bloggers' Meet Up With World Vision Philippines

Many people would think that helping others requires one to be materially blessed and stable. That is how many people see the world right now. And it was a great pleasure to be invited to a great organization that sets its eyes on promoting a holistic approach in helping poor communities especially the children who needs education and nutrition.

World Vision actively promotes education to underprivileged children and  malnourished kids. And aside from those they also provide sustainable livelihood and spiritual support. In the Bloggers' meet last Jan 26, I got to know more about world vision aside from its booths found in malls. 

Though it is an international organization, they make sure that they provide programs that fit Filipino needs. Also its not that hard to sponsor a child which is basically 20 pesos a day! I do want to have a sponsored child soon when I have a stable income so I can be consistent virtual parent which can follow the footsteps of community heroes like Efren Penaflorida, who is a World Vision sponsored child back then.
They have reached 33 provinces and 44 cities, but the mission does not stop there because there are still a lot of people and places needing help to survive  but also to help themselves out of poverty and despair.
Like World Vision on Facebook and visit their Website at http://www.worldvision.org.ph/


EastWest Bank Lookson a Great Yearand Looks Forward For A Greater One

Seventeen years since it first opened its doors to the public, EastWest Bank is now one of the country’s fastest growing and most profitable banking institutions.

The year 2011 was marked with performance milestones that have set the stage for a bigger and bolder 2012 for one of the country’s top performing banks.

From 2006 to 2011, EastWest Bank has displayed exceptional growth. In 2006, the bank registered total assets of P30 billion. As of last year, the bank has over P90 billion total registered assets which is a compounded annual growth rate of around 29 percent since 2006.

Last year, the bank made great strides in its core businesses which exhibited healthy growth. Unaudited figures as of December 2011 show that bank deposits grew by 16.9% year-on-year while corporate loans moved up 11.2% on the same period. The bank also saw a 24.9% year-on-year increase in consumer loans as of the last quarter of 2011.