KakaoTalk in now in the Philippines!

Online News Feed: KakaoTalk, Korea’s no. 1 mobile social app is now in the Philippines!

With our busy schedules nowadays, we as human beings will always have a need to socialize with friends and family, as present times dictate, we rarely get to meet our friends and do some chitchat, but something great is indeed coming and it's gonna change how we communicate and express our feelings with each other, enter Kakao Talk, Korea's No. 1 mobile social app is now in the Philippines.

Launching today August 7, it aims to the one app you will only need to better communicate yourself with all your friends.  So what is it about KakaoTalk that makes it the best mobile social app.

• KakaoTalk is FREE of charge.
• It is available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, Bada and PC.
• Able to send pictures, messages, video and more.
• Supports voice call and group calls up to 5 people.
• Now has 100 million users and growing!

It gives us the following key features:

• Group Chat and Multimedia Sharing
• FREE 1:1 and group voice call
• Animated/sound/still emoticons and themes
• Security with encryption

  

 Visit KakaoTalk's official social media account:

• Facebook : www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph
• Twitter : www.twitter.com/kakaotalkph
• YouTube : www.youtube.com/kakaotalkph

See pop princess Sarah Geronimo and Korea's boy band Big Bang, as they do the KakaoTalk.

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Mandaue Foam expands more in the Metro

Mandaue Foam opens in Mandaluyong City

Mandaue Foam continues its expansion in Metro Manila with the opening of its 5th showroom at 489, Shaw Blvd., Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. Originally from Cebu, what first started as a manufacturer of foam in the early 1970s has transformed into a complete home store offering everything your house may need. They first expanded their operations in neighboring cities in Visayas and Mindanao before penetrating the Luzon Market in 2007. Their first showroom opened in Ortigas Avenue Extension, and was soon followed by branches in Las Pinas, Quezon City, and Cainta.

Ryan Uy, AVP for Operations, says entering the Luzon market came at the right time, “We’re happy with the response we have received since we entered the market in 2007.” The positive response and feedback from loyal consumers encouraged Uy and his team to expand further by opening their biggest showroom to date in Shaw.



Uy says the bigger showroom is perfect for the company’s vision to provide more to their consumers, “As we expand, we are also looking more into the needs of the market and finding ways to provide those needs to them."  And guess I'm one of their loyal customers, just recently buying 2 mattresses in one vistit.  Visit their showroom now and experience the best of Mandaue Foam

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Be one of the first to own a Starbucks card - FREE!!!

Be one of the first to own a Starbucks Card FREE

Turn your visits into rewards!  Starbucks brings to us the Starbucks Card.  A loyalty / rewards card, that you would want to get.  Available at Starbucks stores nationwide with a P300 activation fee soon, where you can use to purchase any handcrafted beverage from Starbucks.

More details will be shown to you at the launch, but here are some good news, you can get to have an invite to the launch and of course be the first few to have a Starbucks Card and it's FREE.  What do you have to do?

Just purchase any Starbucks handcrafted beverage from July 31 to Aug. 7, keep the receipt as proof and be the first 100 to present the invoice from 4:30 pm to 6 pm, at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center wins one (1) invite to the launch and a Starbucks Card with P300 pre loaded.  Good luck and see you there!

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The Philippines is All In for the Biggest Race Across Southeast Asia

adidas Crowned the Philippines’ 

King and Queen of the Road 2013

adidas King of the Road 2013 proved to be one of the biggest and most anticipated races in the Philippines. Over 7,000 runners gathered at Bonifacio Global City to strive for the title of King and Queen of the Road.

adidas, an advocate of the running sport all over the world, continued its commitment by providing an opportunity for runners to engage in their passion. King of the Road does not only promote a healthy lifestyle, but camaraderie through healthy competition. 

This year’s race garnered more than 8,000 registered runners spread over three categories, 16.8k, 10k, and a new category, the 10k School Championship relay, which allows pairs to run 5k each. Race routes were marked with specific race distances and volunteer cheerleaders to encourage runners to cross the finish line. Celebrities like Sam YG, Karylle, Ramon Bautista, Isabelle Daza, Erwan Heusssaff and Rovilson Fernandez also supported the race.

The Philippines’ King and Queen of the Road, placing first in the 16.8K Closed (All-Filipino) category, are defending champion, Eduardo Buenavista with a running time of 54 minutes and 24 seconds, and May Joy Tabal with a running time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 47 seconds, beating last year’s Queen Mary Grace delos Santos by around 2 minutes. Buenavista and Tabal were both awarded Php25,000 and will be representing the Philippines in the King of the Road Southeast Asia, which will be happening on October in Malaysia.

For the 16.8K Open (International) category, the winners were Josphat Kiptanui Too with a running time of 51 minutes and 41 seconds, and Joan Aiyabei with a running time of 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 12 seconds. 

The race also signaled the launch of the new colors of the adidas Energy Boost. Featuring the ground-breaking cushioning technology BOOST™, which provides the highest energy return in the running industry, has set a new benchmark for adidas running footwear. Launched in the Philippines earlier in the year, now, BOOST™ is being rolled out to more adidas running products and colors. The shoes were on display at the race through a selling booth and on celebrities as they ran.

To see the complete race results, go to www.proactive.ph. For more information on adidas products and events, follow www.facebook.com/adidas.

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TOOTHLESS AND HICCUP SOAR ONCE AGAIN “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2” Trailer

How to Train your Dragon 2 trailer released

The recent release of DreamWorks Animation’s “How To Train Your Dragon 2” trailer thrilled fans worldwide as the faithful dragon Toothless and his best friend Hiccup soared on air once again.  (View latest trailer here:  http://youtu.be/BsFdEt_OAhI).

At the tail of the success of the first movie, Toothless and Hiccup are back for bigger adventures, laughs and battles as additional voice cast were revealed in this year’s Comic-Con event.  From the phenomenal series “Game of Thrones,” Kit Harrington voices an amusing dragon-trapper named Eret whom he describes as very cocky and brazen; Cate Blanchett who’s known for her role in “The Lord of the Rings” franchise also joins the cast as Valka, a savior of dragons while Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”) is cast as the voice of Drago Bludvist who chases dragons for personal vendetta.

Directed by Dean Deblois, “How To Train Your Dragon” soars five years after best friends Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and Toothless united dragons and Vikings on the island of Berk.   DeBlois shared that the film starts where the first one left off – the Vikings are now on the backs of the dragons with the entire world in front of them.  When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.

Landing June 2014 in theaters, “How To Train Your Dragon 2” is a DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox presentation to be distributed by Warner Bros. (Phils.).

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“THE WOLVERINE” in a maze of powerful foes and allies

The most iconic character in the X-Men universe embarks upon on an epic journey in modern-day Japan in “The Wolverine.”  Inspired by the celebrated Marvel comic book arc, Logan (Hugh Jackman), the century-old mutant known to the world as Wolverine, is lured to a Japan he hasn’t seen since World War II – and into a shadowy realm of Yakuza and Samurai. 

Director James Mangold embraced the opportunity to take Logan directly into the heart of present-day Japan, which is as full of sleek, high-tech modernity as it is rife with deep traditions and hidden codes of honor.  “This story takes Logan into a kind of fever dream of today’s Japan, full of Yakuza, Ninja, Samurai, Industrialist crime, mystery and mysticism,” the director explains.

The Japanese setting allowed director Mangold and Jackman to re-imagine Logan in a fresh guise:  as a Rōnin. “In feudal Japan, the Samurai belonged to a master, and a Rōnin is a Samurai who no longer has a master to serve.  So, he is a kind of a warrior without a purpose, without a cause,” Mangold explains.  “Many of the people who made Logan feel part of a cause are now gone.  So, he’s essentially a lost man, capable of doing anything, with no mandate. That’s an iconography that American Westerns and Samurai films share and now we’re bringing a comic book character into it.” 
   
First-time actor Rila Fukushima, plays Yukio - the fiery, sword-wielding bodyguard of Logan.  A native of Tokyo, Rila Fukushima says it was Yukio’s colorful intensity that intrigued her.  “What interested me were her physicality and her ruthless nature,” she muses.“I was really excited to have the chance to do such strong action sequences– but I also saw great potential for humor with her.”

Fukushima threw herself into the high spirit and trials of the role.  “It was an amazing, challenging journey for me,” she says.  “I trained with our terrific stunt team, learned all the physical stuff, including sword work, kick-boxing and fighting, and also did lots of weight training.  I’d never done anything like this before, but it was great fun.”

Tao Okamoto plays out Mariko’s complicated love story with Logan.  Okamoto was drawn to the background of her character as the daughter of a powerful industrialist who was never there for her, and has arranged a marriage for her to a man she does not love.  “Mariko could never be a normal woman,” Okamoto observes.  “At the start of the story, she is someone very desperate. Then she meets Logan, and she starts to realize what she wants in life, and she begins to change.  That transformation was very interesting to me.”
   
Another powerful and complex woman is brought to life by Svetlana Khodchenkova, who takes on the green-eyed Viper, a cunning and treacherous mutant.  Khodchenkova, who hails from Russia, is best known in the West for her recent breakout role in the acclaimed spy story Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, as the Soviet operative Irina. 

“The Wolverine” in 3D opens July 25 in more than 200 screens nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Check out “THE WOLVERINE’S” heart-stopping action here http://youtu.be/Kx9JhjtM3Rk

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Sebago, Cushe and Hush Puppies Warehouse Sale in Binondo!

 Warehouse Sale in Binondo!

Shoemaker’s Shop Inc. was founded in 1994 initially as a footwear materials trading company.

The company then acquired the license and distributorship for world renowned Hush Puppies brand in 2002. In 2005, the company acquired the distributorship of Sebago, the New England footwear brand that was established in 1946. In 2009, the company acquired the distributorship of Cushe, the UK-born footwear brand that offers uniquely designed comfortable footwear catering to enthusiasts of alternative culture.

This coming July 15-21, 2013 from 10:00am to 7:00 pm these global brands will be having their first ever Warehouse Sale at State Center Building, Juan Luna St., Binondo, Manila.  Selected Shoes, Bags apparels and other accessories will be sold up to 70% off.

Free entrance for all RCBC Bankard Cardholders. For more information about the event, please call the Shoemakers hotline at 9417877.

You may also follow us through our Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/MCT-Events-Management or in twitter: @mcteventsmngmnt for more updates on this event.

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The Omakase Dish Festival Photo contest

To join, you need to like Omakase's Facebook and upload your photo on the Dish Festival app, or follow @iwantomakase on Twitter or Instagram and post your photo with the hashtag #iwantomakase to join the contest. Contest ends on July 31, 2013 at 11:59pm. Five (5) winners will be picked on a weekly basis to get a Dynamite Roll and Miso soup (valued at P300).

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY 

Winners will be contacted via e-mail with instructions on how to claim their prizes. Prizes are non-transferable. No cash value.

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Havaianas gives to public school kids

Havaianas gives back!

I don't usually do these kinds of posts, but we do indeed need some good news!  Best of all we now know there is still someone who cares for the less fortunate.  Little as may be, this may have changed the life of someone and have shown the people, that we indeed care.

Havaianas showed over 3,000 public elementary students that they care as they gave out a pair each to these jolly kids.  The colorful Havaianas surely brightened up the day of the students from Sto. Tomas Elementary School – Annex and Dayap Elementary School – Annex in BayaniJuan in Calauan, Laguna.    The class adviser of the students pictured here looks pleased to see the kids showing off the gift they just received. 

The distribution of goods was done by ABS-CBN Foundation’s Programa Genio.  Programa Genio is the educational advocacy arm of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.  It is committed to working with public elementary school children and communities nationwide to discover and develop the inherent genio or genius in every child.  Programa Genio, in partnership with the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, works to ensure that the disadvantaged child is empowered to live in hope and define his own path towards a full and productive life.

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T.G.I.Friday presents The TGIF Philippines Bartender Championship!

T.G.I. Friday’s holds 18th Annual Shake, Rattle and Pour

To honor the trend-setting and remarkable bottle-tossing style of their bartenders around the world, T.G.I.Friday’s started the first ever World Bartender Championship in the mid-80’s. Ever since then, the bars have been set higher for bartenders across the globe, and Philippines is no exception.

Now on its 18th edition, Shake, Rattle and Pour is not only an attraction, but a tradition of T.G.I.Friday’s Philippines. Witness who among the T.G.I. Friday’s Stars Behind the Bar will emerge the brightest for this year’s ultimate bartending battle. The ultimate bartender will represent the Philippines in the Asia Pacific regional championships, which will take place in Manila in September.

Over the years, Shake, Rattle and Pour has paved way for homegrown talents to compete in international competitions. Notable examples are Matthew Burgos and Ronald Valencia, both of whom ended up as 1st runners-up in World Bartending Championship 2007 and 1998 respectively; and of course, our very own champion, Erik “El Terible” Martinez, who bagged the highest place during the World Bartending Championships 2006.

Vying for the top place this year are 16 bartenders, who are the most brilliant in their respective branches around the country. Watch out for Eduardo “The Wild Card” Manabat, Christian “The Believer” Tuazon, Joel “El Presidente” Delos Santos, Sean Emmanuelle “The Striker” Zuniga, Lorenzo Miguel “The Rockstar” Salazar, Philip Eleazar “The King” Tamparong, Kristofer Rhay “Nokkie” Sencil, Donn Mark “The Dawn” Celestino, Michel “Unstoppable” Rabago, Genrev Paul “The Revolution” Bacasno, Wilfredo “The Entertainer” Marcelo Jr., Gino Carlo “The Boy Next Door” Simbillo, Paulo Eiron “Eiron Man” Layao, Rommel “The Rookie” Layos, Harold “The Juggler” Puno, and  Aldrin “The One” Javar.

Catch them live this July 11, 2013, 4PM at T.G.I.Friday’s  Robinsons Place Manila as they dazzle you with their stellar flipping and tossing skills. Avail your Shake Rattle and Pour ticket for only PhP450, and have a choice of San Miguel Light or Pale, Soda or Iced Tea with Chips and Salsa for free. The 18th annual Shake Rattle and Pour is made possible in partnership with Smirnoff and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.

See all the action unfold.

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Philippine SME Business Expo 2013 - “Your SME Business Gateway”

Philippine SME Expo presents SME Leaders Talk

July 12 - 24, 2013

THE PHILIPPINE SME BUSINESS EXPO is “Your SME Business Gateway”, the country’s premier business expo to be held at the SMX Convention Center Taguig, located at the 3^rd floor of SM AuraPremier, on July 12 to 14, lays down a roster of prominent personality to speak during the three-day event.

On this three-day expo, participants and visitors will get the latest industry insights through the country’s leading business experts and leaders. Visitors will also be able to enjoy exciting discounts and raffle prizes which include gift certificates, an iPad and a brand new car.

Register online for FREE at http://philippinesmebusinessexpo.com/registration.php and get updated through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo and Twitter: http://twitter.com/PhilSMEexpo via #EmpoweringSME.

July 12, 2013 (Friday):

2:30-3:30pm  "THE IMPACT OF THE TAX SYSTEM ON SMEs" with Mr. Mon Abrea, President, CSR Philippines and Chief Strategy Officer, Abrea Consulting Group

4:00-5:00pm - "SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND ECO-FRIENDLY CONCEPTS" with Ms. Charlene Tan of Good Food Community, Ms. Reese Fernandez, President of Rags2Riches & Ms. Noreen Bautista of Jacinto and Lirio.

5:00-6:00pm - "HEALTH, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS ENTERPRISES with Ms. Cory Quirino, Health and Wellness Guru and Coach Rio de la Cruz, Running Coach and Event Organizer.

6:00-7:00pm - "COMPANY BRANDING & DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES" with Mr. Ralph Wunsch, President, MetroDeal Manila.

July 13, 2013 (Saturday):

2:00-2:45pm - "4 SITUATIONAL MODES OF MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP FOR SMEs" with Mr. Rowen Untivero, Partner, Senior Consultant & Head of Sales Practice, Mansmith and Fielders, Inc.

4:00-4:45pm - "DIGITAL ENTREPRENEUR MINDSET" with Ms. Janette C. Toral, E-commerce Specialists, DigitalFilipino.com

4:45-5:30pm - "SECRETS OF TYCOONS SMEs CAN LEARN FROM" with Mr. Wilson Lee Flores, Palanca Award Winner and Philippine Star Columnist.

6:00-7:00pm - "WHY VALUES MATTER IN BUSINESS" with Mr. Judah Paolo, President, Lead Out Coaching & Consultancy, Inc

July 14, 2013 (Sunday):

11:00am-12:00nn - "UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS" with Mr. CHINKEE TAN, Motivational Speaker & Wealth Coach.

3:00-3:45pm - "A TALK ON PERSONAL FINANCE" with Mr. Randell Tiongson, Director of Registered Financial Planner Institute of the Philippines.

3:45-4:30pm - "CRISIS MARKETING MANAGEMENT" with Mr. Alex Flores, Philippine Marketing Association.

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MEET TURBO’S CREW: ZOOMS NATIONWIDE ON JULY 19

Turbo in theaters July 19

“Turbo” (in 3D and 2D) is a heart-stopping action adventure with lively characters starring the voices of Ryan Reynolds as Theo/Turbo, Paul Giamatti as Chet, Samuel L. Jackson as Whiplash, Snoop Dogg as Smoove Move, Maya Rudolph as Burn,  Ben Schwartz as Skidmark, Mike Bell as White Shadow, Michael Peña as Tito, Luis Guzman as Angelo, Bill Hader as Guy Gagne, Ken Jeong as Kim Ly and Michelle Rodriguez as Paz.

 
The family film from DreamWorks Animation centers on the engaging crew of snails starting with a garden snail named Turbo  who leaves his snail community behind to begin his journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a racer in the Indy 500. Swept from a freeway overpass onto the hood of a sports car, and is then propelled into the muscle car’s air intake valve, Turbo is then charged with  explosive nitrous oxide, altering his molecular structure.  
The freak accident infuses Turbo with incredible speed – he can reach 200 miles per hour – and he now blazes across the streets of Los Angeles like a neon bullet.

Along the way, Turbo and his brother Chet meet new snails who help achieve his dream of joining the Indy 500 race.

Check out “Turbo’s Snail Crew” clip here - http://youtu.be/7OOCo1phfxo

WHIPLASH

The charismatic leader and reigning champ of the Racing Snails voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.  A warm jovial guy who treats his crew like family who helps Turbo realize his dream. 

Whiplash has great inspiring abilities. He's able to rally people around him and to make them think that they're capable of doing things that they ordinarily wouldn't be able to do.

SMOOVE MOVE

The Zen-like, laid back racing snail voiced by multi-platinum artist, actor and entertainment icon Snoop Dogg. 

A super-cool-low-rider with a blinged-out shell whose motto is derived from what his mamma taught him “Don’t mess with what you’ve been blessed with.  I’m S-to-the-M-to-the-double- O-V-E! Wouldn’t change that for the world!  Preach.”

BURN

Burn is the only female in the crew voiced by SNL icon Maya Rudolph. A toughie who doesn’t have trouble holding her own amidst the testosterone-fueled, speed-worshipping teammates.  Sly and sassy and always chewing gum, Burn hides her soft side under a hard outer shell (adorned with shooting flames).

SKIDMARK

Skidmark or Number 13, this master of skids is voiced by Ben Schwartz.  Sentimental and gravity-defiant, his shell is souped-up like a dragster prone to make long skidding noises. 

WHITE SHADOW

White Shadow resembles an intriguing cross between Jabba the Hut and Evel Knievel voiced by Mike Bell (a former DreamWorks Animation storyboard artist who initially done the temp voice but the short-term gig became a co-starring voice role due to the perfect voice initially rendered).   Full of false bravado and real laughs, White Shadow considers himself to be “fast, like a shadow” – ignoring the fact that shadows aren’t inherently fast.  White Shadow prefers to be mysterious and his dream is to have a burrito named after him to be called White Shadorrito.   

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