Esquire Financing and Philippine Franchise Asia see fast growing future of SMEs

In the center ESQUIRE Financing Inc.'s CEO
Rajan Uttamchandani with staff at the inauguration
 of the new CAPITALIFE Business Center in Makati.

According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), franchising currently represents 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion worth of economic activity in the U.S. 

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines leads in terms of franchise concept development. Last year, more than 124,000 franchisees offered the products and services of over 1,100 franchisors in the country. The industry generated more than a million jobs while recording a total of $9.45 billion output—equal to five percent of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP).

PFA Chairman Lim said that the recent growth can be attributed to the entry of new players from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the continued rise of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, and the introduction of indigenous and food concepts.

"Protege" bids goodbye to North & Central Luzon's Reese Tayag

For most of the proteges, this week's gala night is just one of a series of nerve-wracking, anxiety-ridden activities that they have to go through as the road to the big artista break gets narrower each week.  But for North and Central Luzon protege Reese Tayag, this week's elimination night is the end of her journey in the competition.  Reese was eliminated after scoring the lowest in an acting performance wherein all proteges were given the chance to act alongside the "Diamond Star" Maricel Soriano in five short films directed by Cannes Film Festival awardee Brillante Mendoza and written by Palanca awardee Floy Quintos.

Win Katy Perry Part of Me 3D Tickets!

Katy Cats! Get tickets to see Katy Perry's most-awaited 3D documentary movie! The Philippine premiere on August 28, 2012 at the SM Megamall Cinema 2 at 7PM is brought to you by SOLAR ENTERTAINMENT, X-MINI, POLYEAST RECORDS and ASTROPLUS!


GET 1 TICKET!
* Buy 1 Katy Perry "Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection" album (PHP500) at any Astroplus/Astrovision branch or online (order here: http://bit.ly/JV2ZQp -- FREE SHIPPING!).

GET 2 TICKETS!
* Buy 1 X-mini™ II Capsule Speaker™ (X-mini V1.1, Gen 2 & Max V1.1 which price ranges from Php 999 to Php 1,790) at any of the following Astroplus/Astrovision branches: Greenbelt 5, SM MOA, SM Megamall, Shangri-la, Trinoma, Robinsons Ermita and V-Mall.

MUSIC LYF: Callalily - Pasasalamat (Album)

Callalily has every reason to sing Pasasalamat; releases new album this September

After seven fruitful years in the recording industry, rock band Callalily remains to be one of the country’s foremost acts, and the band has all the reason to be thankful. The band’s gratitude is lovingly expressed in their newest single Pasasalamat, which will be part of their soon-to-be-released first album under Universal Records.

The band is composed of Kean Cipriano, Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro.

“We have all the reasons to be thankful,” says frontman Kean Cipriano. “Seven years into the business and we are still here. We are grateful. Plus, we are with a new label Universal Records.”

Electrifying performances in Party Pilipinas O.A.

Be ready for over the top performances from the country's one and only concert party on television with Party Pilipinas O.A.!  

This Sunday, Premiere Singer-Songwriter Mr. Ogie Alcasid will celebrate his birthday and his 45 years in the business in Party Pilipinas. Also celebrating her birthday is the Fierce Songstress Rachelle Ann Go, who will embark on a unique vocal challenge. 

Stay tuned to witness a surely outrageous vocal showdown between resident divas and proud gay biriteras on this week's edition of "VOX Challenge". 

REEL DEAL: The Watch - Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn SPOTLIGHT

Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn Wards Off Aliens in THE WATCH

Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn reunite in “The Watch” along with Jonah Hill and British comedian Richard Ayoade who band together in the film to uncover the mysterious events happening in their neighborhood.  

Ben Stiller’s Evan is a senior manager at the superstore Costco, having made a not-so-lightning-fast ascent to that position from assistant manager.  Evan is a dedicated employee, but his heart is with the Glenview Neighborhood Watch, of which he is the founder and CEO.   “Evan is very community-oriented,” says Stiller, “because he has so few friends, and these clubs give him the opportunity to meet new people.” 

Ara Mina featured this week on 'Tunay Na Buhay '

In the late ‘90s, she was one of the many budding sexy stars in Philippine showbiz. But little by little, she gained her ground in the industry and even brought home several acting awards after taking on more challenging roles in a number of movies including “Minsan Pa,” “Mano Po 2” and “Huling Birhen sa Lupa.”

She also tried her hand at singing and even managed to produce the hit song, “Ay, ay, ay, Pag-ibig.”

She is Hazel Klenk Reyes or more popularly known as Ara Mina.

In her more than two decades in local showbiz, she became one of the most controversial actors of her time.

Derrick Monasterio leads National Youth Commission’s Barkada Kontra Droga

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism; and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. - 1987 Philippine Constitution

GMA Network Tween star and primetime actor Derrick Monasterio formally signed an agreement with the National Youth Commission to be an advocate of the Youth Drug Abuse, Prevention and Control project of the NYC.

During the contract signing held at the NYC office, Commissioner Earl P. Saavedra shared that Derrick is the perfect choice to be their youth advocate, "We know that Derrick’s character is definitely a good image of a typical Filipino youth. He is an example of somebody who shows to the young how they must conduct themselves. Magaling si Derrick in terms of talent, magaling siya in terms of pakikipaghalubilo. Yun ang gusto natin sa isang kabataang Filipino. May proper appreciation of values and may proper appreciation of the righteousness that they have to bear within themselves." 

FASHIONISTA: Uniqlo Undercover

UNIQLO To Releases Uniqlo Udercover Fall- Winter Collection On August 22

Final Collection of Uniqlo Collaboration With The Undercover Label 

UNIQLO announces that its final collection based on the collaborative design project with acclaimed designer Jun Takahashi, and his cult-hit Undercover fashion label released in the Philippines last August 22. Similar to the spring-summer collection, the 2012 fall-winter collection will focus on a family theme and include a line-up of apparel for women, men and children. The first phase of the new collection will go on sale at the UNIQLO store in SM Mall of Asia, as well as UNIQLO stores in 11 markets outside of the Philippines.

The     line, available exclusively at UNIQLO stores, has been very successful since its debut this past spring. The concept of this unique one-year project has been the family, with collections that offer stylish clothes for parents and their children. The　　　 offerings have won fans all around the world by combining UNIQLO’s high-quality casual clothing with designs that reflect the Undercover label’s distinctively edgy and fashionable look.

BPI Launches Facebook App!

In today's society, we tend to do a lot of online work/leisure to make the most of our time. And facebook is one of the things that takes a large chunk of our time. Sometimes, we need to be logged on almost all day just to keep ourselves updated, and even also do games.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has made another innovation with the use of our favorite social media site and made a facebook application that will serve the public with your financial inquiries. I actually tried the app myself to see if they would help me in building a better  financial future. And the best thing is that they are not robots! They are real human finance experts with different backgrounds but with great financial finesse. You can also create a appointment with a branch near you to assist you will  further services.

Try it yourself now, and this time , you don't have to log out of facebook to make you online banking questions!

Expert Financial Advice Made Easy through BPI’s new Bankers Online Facebook App 

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has launched its newest game-changing innovation called BPI Bankers Online, an app that promises to make getting financial advice easier for Filipino Facebook users.