CFA Society Philippines Holds First Philippine Retail Investment Conference

CFA Society Philippines, the premier association of investment professionals in the country, will hold the first Philippine Retail Investment Conference on 28 May 2014 at SMX Aura Premier to help raise financial literacy among Filipino investors. The conference will bring together top Filipino finance executives and foreign investment professionals to share investment best practices and advice on how to become smart investors.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. will be the keynote speaker in the conference. Other speakers include Charles Yang, CFA, chair of the board of governors of CFA Institute together with Andrew Stotz, CFA, president of CFA Society Thailand who will share about the core principles to managing wealth; and Alan Lok, CFA, director of capital markets policy, Asia Pacific, at CFA Institute based in Hong Kong, will discuss lifestyle planning for investors.

Let the “Sneakers Clash” Begin!

All roads lead to Fairview Ayala Terraces on May 10 as Converse—the number one sneakers brand that lets you live out loud—unleashes the power of color in a series of simultaneous activities to herald its Spring Summer collection for the year, which is led by the re-issue of the Chuck Taylor All Star 70’s.

Dubbed the “Sneakers Clash,” the event invites the public to step into a kaleidoscope world where squeaky clean white totes, shirts and sneakers will be spun in a Clash Box and come out with a swirl of colors, customers will leave vibrant sole prints on an immaculate floor, models in painted tattoos will magically blend into dazzling background and photographs will be transformed into unique works of art.

Be the next Michael Christian Martinez!

As the first ever South East Asian figure skater to enter the 2013 World Junior Championship and giving an impressive performance at the recently held Soichi Winter Olympics, there’s no stopping Michael Christian Martinez in reaping honors for the Philippines as he recently bagged the much coveted gold medal from the Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Competition in Jesenice, Slovenia.

Inspired by skaters spinning and jumping at the SM Skating Rink in SM Southmall, Martinez took up figure skating when he was eight and began training in 2010 in the United States. Since then, he has been transformed into a world-class athlete and has garnered over 190 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions.

Student Leaders Gather for a Morning Workshop of Event Planning.

Not every person is cut out to organize and plan for events. However, organizing events is an important tactic nowadays if you wish to let your target audience notice you and experience your brand amidst competition and the busy and usually traffic world of traditional and social media. With proper training, tools, and practical insights, one can learn how to organize an event effectively. This is what PR firm BrandSpeakAsia believes in as they organize the second installment of a workshop for students, #CoffeeTalk: Creativity At Work, held recently at Commune Cafe, Makati City.

New High Performance Facility Rises In Laguna

The country’s national Rugby team, the Philippine Volcanoes have found a home in Laguna. Tucked away in Southern Plains Subdivision in Calamba is a high performance facility built by Randell Carman, long time Philippine resident and founder of the HMR Group of companies. An avid Rugby supporter, Randell built the facility to as the headquarters of the Alabang Eagles Rugby Club and to meet the Volcanoes’ need for a training camp. The field is also used by the PRFU’s local leagues and Rugby development programs

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and PFA Bullish on 2014 SME Prospects

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) in partnership with Go Negosyo continue its efforts in sustaining the country’s economic growth through entrepreneurship and franchising.

The bank together with the country’s largest franchise association, PFA, teamed up anew in bringing a free franchising expo dubbed as “Franchising neGOsyo Para Sayo,” held recently at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City. The two-day free expo offered franchising opportunities for Filipinos especially for OFWs in the food, retail, and service sectors.

In this photo: (left to right) Mr. Antonio Radovan, Business Head for Metro Manila, PLDT SME Nation; Ms. Rowena Tomeldan, Vice President and Head of Operations and Support Services of the Commercial Business Group of Ayala Land; Ms. Bing Sibal-Limjoco, CFE, PFA Vice Chairman and CEO of Francorp Philippines; Ms. Elma Tetangco, Multi-brand franchisee, Mr. Tommany Tan, CEO of Fern-C; Mr. Richard Sanz, Director for MSME Promotions and Development of PFA and President of Bar-B-King and Bibingkinitan; Senator Bam Aquino; Dr. Alan Escalona, CFE, Director for External Relations and Advocacy and President of Fruit Magic; Ms. Siu Ping Par, Director for South Luzon and President for Franchising of PR Gaz; Mr. Noel Altamirano, Vice President for BPI Family Loans Product Marketing; Mr. Carl Balita, President of PCCI-Quezon City; Mr. Mark Sablan, General Manager of TriNoma and Mr. Mon Lopez, Executive Director of Go Negosyo.

The Search for Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth Philippines

For over two months, we have scoured the archipelago in search of young beauties who embody the advocacies of conservation, preservation and protection. We looked beyond their physical attributes and chose girls who conveyed a genuine love for mother earth and who are capable of becoming 'Earth Champions' even at a young age. 

It all began in January where hundreds of hopefuls aged 4-9 and 13-17 flocked to auditions in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Naga, Baguio, Batangas, Pampanga and Manila. Nearly a thousand girls took part over the course of several weeks. Through a series of preliminary eliminations, the list was narrowed down to 20 teens and 20 little girls. 

Binibining Pilipinas Queens Treats Kids To Food and Fun

Less than a month into their reign as Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Queens, the newly crown beauty queens held a thanksgiving in the form of an outreach program. Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. and Dairy Queen jointly organized "Queens Give Back" charity event last April 29 at the Gateway Mall benefiting kids from the diocese of Novaliches Pastoral Care for Women and Children.

More than pretty faces, the girls displayed golden hearts as they spent a whole morning giving love and attention to the orphaned and the abandoned. Showing their full support were Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa, Bb Pilipnas International 2014 - Bianca Guidotti, Bb Pilipinas Tourism 2014 Parul Shah, Bb Intercontinental Kris Tiffany Janson, Bb Pilipinas Supranational Yvetthe Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner Up Laura Lehmann and Bb Pilipinas 2nd Runner Up Hannah Sison, together with executives from Dairy Queen Philippines.

MUSIC LYF: Flashback Friday Concert with Bill Medley and Sonny Turner at Solaire

Before the Black Eyed Peas The Time (I've Had The Time of My Life) and Patti Austin's Smoke Get's In Your Eyes, there was the original artists who made them into big hits first, The Righteous Brothers and The Platters. Many of their hits have been used in movies such as Ghost, Top Gun, etc.

From these legendary music groups, Bill Medley and Sonny Turner now comes to the Philippines for a one night concert at the Solaire Grand Ballroom. Joining them is Bil's daughter McKeanna Medley who will perform their hits on stage on May 9, 2014 8PM.

Volcanoes Getting Pumped for Their Next Battle

Just like the Summer heat, the Philippine Volcanoes are in heat and pumped up for their upcoming matches internationally. And with the upcoming Rugby World Cup in 2015 still a year away, they are making a mark in Philippine sports by bringing rubgy more popular and accessible to the Filipino people. As of today, they are competing in the Asian 5 Nation Series which the second half will start this May.

They also introduced their new facility in Laguna which serves as training grounds, quarters, and arena all dedicated to the sport of Rugby. Though the sport still has a long way to go to get the basketball-loving pinoys to notice, they Philippine Rugby Team continues to prove themselves and make the country proud with each victory.  For more information you can also check the video of the presscon below.