Meralco Appliance Calculator (M.A.C): my electricity budget buddy

Have you heard about the new Meralco website and Meralco Appliance Calculator? 

Yes, Meralco has a new website! and they have this new Meralco appliance calculator which can help you better manage your electric consumption, electric bill; make wiser decisions in buying home appliances and help you get energy efficiency tips!

 

The Meralco Appliance Calculator (M.A.C.) has been a consumer’s electricity budget buddy since 2003.  The M.A.C. is designed to be an electricity bill management tool of Meralco residential customers to help them: a) better manage their electric consumption and their electric bill; b) make wiser decisions in buying home appliances, and; c) get home energy efficiency tips that are customized to their home electricity consumption. Any consumer can access the M.A.C. from Meralco’s website: www.meralco.com.ph.

Although the M.A.C. has been around for many years now, new features and enhancements are constantly being introduced to enable it to cater to the growing demands of electricity users.

With the new Meralco Appliance Calculator (M.A.C), users can now have the option of using either “My Appliance Calculator” or “My Bill Manager”. “My Appliance Calculator” allows the user to calculate the estimated consumption cost of appliances - one at a time.

“My Bill Manager”, on the other hand, allows the user to calculate the estimated consumption cost of appliances in a table format. It allows the user to get an estimate of the household’s total electric consumption cost and see which appliances consume more electricity.

Other features of the “My Bill Manager” menu include: consumption manager, energy efficiency adviser and target bill amount estimator. Consumption manager allows the user to see the corresponding electric consumption pie chart and some text description of the chart based on the information provided by the user. The energy efficiency adviser, meanwhile, allows user to see some energy efficiency tips based on the information provided by the user. The target bill amount estimator, on the other hand, allows the user to see an estimate of his “monthly target kWh consumption” and “estimated price per kWh” by just inputting the “target electric bill amount”.

Other new features of the M.A.C include: a) e-mailing of the M.A.C web link to friends through the “email” button; b) sharing the M.A.C web link to Facebook and Twitter accounts through the “share” button; c) sending feedback to Meralco regarding the new M.A.C through the “feedback” button; d) printing the computation results of “My Bill Manager” through the “print” button (for easy access and future reference of the computations), and; e) viewing the basis for computing the estimated electricity consumption of home appliances for the M.A.C application through the “formula” button (so that users can validate the results of the computations).

The M.A.C. is truly a user-friendly, interactive and valuable tool for cost conscious

electricity consumers. Go give it a try!

Join the McHappy Day Fun Run for RMHC’s ‘Bright Minds Read’ Program

Calling all families, friends and running enthusiasts! It’s time to run, have fun and help thousands of kids learn how to read as McDonald’s celebrates McHappy Day with a Fun Run this November 28 at the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. 

For only P350 per individual or at a discounted rate of P1,250 for a group of four runners, participants can run the race of their choice- 3K (individual and family category), 5K, 10K or the 500 meter dash for kids 7 years old and below. To qualify for the family category in the 3K distance, the group/family should be composed of 2 Adults regardless of gender and two Kids 12 years and below. The fun run will also feature games, prizes and other exciting surprises for the whole family to enjoy.

The McHappy Day Fun Run is a special run that aims to raise P1 million for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the charity of choice of McDonald’s and its banner program, Bright Minds Read (BMR). Bright Minds Read is a program in partnership with the Department of Education that provides reading toolkits to different public schools all over the country to help grade 1 students learn beginning reading. To date, over 2,600 public schools nationwide are under the BMR program.

So get on your feet, put on those running shoes and lend a helping hand for a good cause. Registration for the McHappy Day Fun Run is from October 15 to November 21 at selected McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila or you can visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph for more details and updates.

Launch of Total Fitness Magazine

Last week, we got an invite from our media friend at the Trinoma activity center. It was a whole day event of fitness and wellness - with lots of games, sports activities, free health consultations, product exhibits for the invited guests and participants.


That day also marked the formal unveiling of Total Fitness magazine.  Total Fitness is the culmination of A&F magazine’s five years of covering the health, wellness, sports, and fitness genres. It is packed with all the fitness-related articles in one handy monthly magazine that can be shared and enjoyed between couples and even within a family or among friends.

yum

The event aims to promote the holistic active and healthy lifestyle to its target market. Total Fitness Live also had an array of surprises for their guests in the event - my colleague got a Reebok shoes, other lucky ones got GCs, Sony MP3s, Redfox, signature watch, not sure if they gave away Oakley shades...it was really an exciting event!  

Everyone also got a lootbag filled with products from their sponsors and partners, and a copy of the Total Fitness Magazine with Daniel Matsunaga on the cover....he was in the event too! <kilig>

Blaire is lucky that night!!!

Congratulations to the organizers and team behind Total Fitness!

Total Fitness Live partners are :Fitness First, Mizuno, Fit Inc, Oakley, Ajinomoto, Fruitmagic, Sennheiser, Brooks, Jkexer, Calcium Cee, Vitwater, Gardenia, Figaro, Redfox, Goody, Finix, Dermplus, Sexy Chef, Trinoma, Ayala Malls, Tribu, Toby’s, PDBA, Blue Water Day Spa, Biokos, Osim, PAC, Decisive Moments, Digital Worx, Myphone, Nesvita, Milo, Geronimo Photographico, Sony, 360 Resto, Yoshinoya, Century Bangus, Nestle Pops and Lasermaxx.

Media Partners: Speed magazine, The Manila Times, Business Mirror, One Sport, UNO magazine, Solar sports, Basketball TV, AXN, Auto Review, Auto Extreme, NU 107, Jam 88.3, Dream 106.7, Real Sports, 99.5 RT, Her World.com, Etc, 2^nd Avenue, Jack TV, Runnerspeak, Sports 37, Takbo.ph, Padyak.ph, MJ46 Center, Padyak.ph, Philonline.

First packaged tour to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela now available in the Philippines

The Spain Tourism Board, Thai Airways, and 10 local travel agencies have partnered to form a consortium that will promote the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage tour in the Philippines.

The Spain Tourism Board sees this as an opportunity for Filipinos to visit Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the three most sacred Roman Catholic sites in the world after Jerusalem and Rome.  For many a century, millions of pilgrims have walked along the road to Santiago de Compostela.  Traveling the breadth of Northern Spain, the road to Santiago stretches from the scenic Pyrenees Mountains of France all the way to Galicia, where Santiago de Compostela is located.

This year also marks the Holy or Jubilee Year wherein the door of St. James Cathedral is opened — an occasion that happens only when the feast of St. James, July 25, falls on a Sunday — and will be walled up again a year later.  The next Holy Year will be in 2021, 11 years from now.

Participants can choose between a walking tour and a bus tour.  The Pilgrimage tour is scheduled by batch on the following departure dates: September 29, October 13, and October 27.

For booking and inquiries, you may contact Donnette Sison of Thai Airways at tel. +63 (02) 816-7017.

For more details, visit us in Facebook: “Walk the Way of St. James: The Philippine Expedition.

Back to basics with Giordano

Giordano remains one of the few that still evoke the identity of having quality imported items among the many clothing brands that have been welcomed by the Philippine market. For 21 years, Giordano has been the go-to brand when it comes to quality basics. 

Like many brands which formed an affinity to Filipinos, Giordano evokes a unique brand heritage that reflects its unwavering drive to provide quality clothing.

The birth of Giordano

Giordano was established in 1981 in Hong Kong and opened its first store in the Philippines on November 18, 1989 at SM North EDSA Annex.

During the 90s, Filipinos enjoyed the simple look of Giordano essentials as it provided a comfortable fit and a clean look that was easy to mix and match.

Since then, Giordano has expanded its apparel. Currently, its apparel is comprised of Giordano, Giordano Concepts, Giordano Ladies, and Giordano Junior.

Fitting in with Filipinos

Like most Filipinos, Giordano banks more on simplicity as its fashion statement. This vision is realized through its products comprised of polos, denims, crewnecks, khakis, chinos, linens, and other apparel.

Alongside its growth in market share comes an improvement in technology. Giordano currently uses Nutra Dry fabric for Tipping Polo designs which help keep the wearer dry amidst perspiration, perfect for the tropical weather in the Philippines.

Truly, the classic look of Giordano never goes out of style. Fashion isn’t always about standing out. One should always consider a comfortable fit and a simple look rather than risky mixes and matches, or following a foreign trend in the country.

Giordano currently has 1,800 shops over 40 territories all over the world. In the Philippines, it has 45 outlets nationwide.

 

Women's WWS Hoodie Jacket (P 1399)

Women's Essential Khakis (P 999.00)

Alagang Super Mom Kid got talent!

 Mom and kid tandems showed off their creative talents in a free cookie and cupcake workshop sponsored by Bisolvon at Marta's Cake Serendra last August 7.  The event served as introduction to Bisolvon's Alagang SuperMom Kid Promo.

From August 8 to October 8, 2010, SuperMoms are invited to share photos of their child's various talents and achievements in sports, arts, music, academics and other activities by simply uploading a photo in Bisolvon's Alagang Supermom Website.

 

For more information on Bisolvon and the promo,

visit www.alagangsupermom.com.ph

Cougar Fashion

Jules Cobb (Courtney Cox) discovers that 40 is the new 20 in the TV series Cougar Town. Laugh at every episode as Jules, a feisty 40-year old single mom tries to balance motherhood while enjoying her cougarness at the same time. Check out her fashion and follow her journey as she gets back on her feet on Cougar Town, airs every Monday at 8:30 p.m. on Star World.

- Sassy office couture. A Versace floral print belted dress for a fashionable first-day impression.

- Easy glam. A pendant necklace will make this maroon halter gown stand out.

- Take out the trash in style. A mini gray halter dress for a comfy day-out with friends.

- Looo-king Gooood! Give a more stylish twist to the ‘70s tie-dye with this plunging printed dress.

- Rocker chic. Cook up that biker chick look, but make sure to soften with delicate gold neckpieces.

- Cha-cha-cha. Flaming orange asymmetrical dress paired with chunky open-toed heels makes for a good dance partner at the nearest club.

- Yabba dabba doo! A printed halter dress goes well with this white-stones necklace ala Wilma Flintstone.

Star Movies offers an exciting mix of the best films from around the world

SUNDAY MEGAMOVIE
STAR MOVIES offers an exciting mix of the best films from around the world. Gain access to an array of international blockbusters and Hollywood epics, providing non-stop drama, action, adventure, suspense, comedy, classic westerns and romantic tearjerkers.

Premieres Sun, 1 Aug @ 9pm
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN
Starring Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams
Directed by Shawn Levy

Night has fallen upon the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The guides have gone home, the lights are out, the school kids are tucked in their beds - yet something incredible is stirring as former night guard Larry Daley (Stiller) finds himself lured into his biggest, most imagination-boggling adventure yet in which history truly comes alive. In this second installment of the Night at the Museum saga, Larry faces a battle so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum. Now, Larry must try to save his formerly inanimate friends from what could be their last stand amid the wonders of the Smithsonian, all of which, from the famous paintings on the walls to the rocket ships in the halls, suddenly have a mind of their own.

Premieres Sun, 8 Aug @ 9pm
CITY OF EMBER
Starring Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway
Directed by Gil Kenan

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights - underground. Built as a refuge for humanity and powered by a massive generator, this city will only sustain for 200 years. But as the generator starts to fail, the dazzling lights of Ember begin to flicker and fade. Two teenagers, in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever.


Premieres Sun, 15 Aug @ 9pm
DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION
Starring Justin Chatwin, Chow Yun-Fat and Emmy Rossum
Directed by James Wong

Dragonball Evolution is the long-awaited, live-action motion picture based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama.

Justin Chatwin stars as the heroic Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the Universe and controlling mystical objects - Dragonballs. Throughout his quest he gets help from Bulma (Rossum), a beautiful woman intent on retrieving the mystical Dragonballs for her own reasons; Chi Chi (Jamie Chung), a young martial artist who captures Goku's eye; and Roshi (Chow), the Master who guides Goku on the young man's epic quest to save the Earth from the forces of darkness.

Premieres Sun, 22 Aug @ 9pm
HANNAH MONTANA THE MOVIE
Starring Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lucas Till
Directed by Peter Chelsom

In this big-screen feature, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona. And when Hannah Montana’s soaring popularity threatens to take over her life, she just might let it. So her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled with the kind of fun, laughter and romance even Hannah Montana couldn’t imagine.


Premieres Sun, 29 Aug @ 9pm
STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI
Starring Kristen Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough and Robin Shou
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak

In this action-packed big screen translation of the iconic videogame "Street Fighter", female fighter Chun-Li (Kreuk) embarks on a quest for justice. Powerful forces are converging on the streets of Bangkok. There are warriors, some of whom possess extraordinary abilities, all of whom are determined to see their side prevail. Some fight for justice; the others for unlimited power. Now, they are preparing for the ultimate battle — of terror versus beauty, light versus darkness, and good versus evil.


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LUNCH PASS
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Starting in August, STAR Movies presents viewers with a LUNCH PASS! Every day at 12:30pm, take a break and serve up lunch with your favourite movie! This month, the lunch line-up includes blockbuster hits guaranteed to keep you entertained including The Day The Earth Stood Still, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Bangkok Dangerous, Die Hard, Max Payne, Race to Witch Mountain, There’s Something About Mary, Valkyrie and more!



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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH ON STAR MOVIES
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Mon, Aug 02 @ 4pm
CAPTAIN MIKE ACROSS AMERICA
Starring Michael Moore
Directed by Michael Moore

Opinionated documentary filmmaker Michael Moore takes an up-close look at the political leanings of college students in George W. Bush-era America with this effort shot during Moore's 60-city college campus tour in the months leading up to the 2004 election.

Mon, Aug 02 @ 9pm
NOBEL SON
Starring Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Danny DeVito and Eliza Dushku
Directed by Randall Miller

Barkley Michaelsen (Greenberg) is a college student living under the shadow of his monstrous, arrogant father, Eli (Rickman), who has just been awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry. As for Barkley, on the night that he goes home with a sultry poet named City Hall (Dushku), his life takes an unexpected turn for the dangerous. Barkley is kidnapped and the requested ransom is the two million in Nobel prize money. When Eli refuses to pay, a venomous tale of familial dysfunction, lust, betrayal and ultimately revenge begins.

Tue, Aug 03 @ 7:20pm
GENOVA
Starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener and Willa Holland
Directed by Michael Winterbottom

In the wake of a family tragedy, an English ex-patriot living in the United States decides to relocate himself and his daughters to Italy, only to discover that tragedy may have followed them overseas when the youngest girl proves unable to move past her acute emotional pain.

Wed, Aug 04 @ 7:15pm
FRANKLYN
Starring Ryan Phillipe, Eva Green and Sam Riley
Directed by Gerald McMorrow

Franklyn is a psychological sci-fi drama set between contemporary London and the dystrophic Meanwhile City, where the separation between church and state has been obliterated to make way for a religion-dominated society. As atheist vigilante Jonathan Preest (Phillippe) prepares to seek revenge against Meanwhile City's powerful leader Emilia (Green), who finds her cynicism and depression accelerated by the difficult relationship she shares with her mother. Meanwhile, sensitive Milo (Riley) attempts to recover from a recent heartache, just as deeply religious Peter (Bernard Hill) arrives in London to search for his missing son, a haunted Gulf War veteran.

Wed, Aug 04 @ 10:55pm
STIR OF ECHOS: THE HOMECOMING
Starring Rob Lowe, Marnie McPhail and Ben Lewis
Directed by Ernie Barbarash

Upon returning home from the line of duty, National Guard Captain Ted Cogan (Lowe) thought his life would go back to normal, until he started seeing visions of a group of innocent bystanders he inadvertently killed in Iraq. With his family on the brink of destruction, Ted turns to a psychic that aids him in understanding what needs to be done to put these restless souls at peace - even if it means giving up his own life.

Thu, Aug 05 @ 00:30
ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED
Directed by Maria Zenovich

Marina Zenovich's award-winning documentary examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary director Roman Polanski's sudden flight from the United States.

Thu, Aug 05 @ 21:00
THE HURRICANE
Starring Denzel Washington, Dan Hedaya and Vicellous Shannon
Directed by Norman Jewison

In June 1966, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (Washington) was a strong contender for the middleweight boxing title. When three people were murdered in a New Jersey bar, Carter's dreams were destroyed. Driving home from a nearby club, Carter was erroneously arrested for the murders and sentenced to serve three life terms in prison.

Several years later, Carter's published memoir, The 16th Round, inspired a Brooklyn teenager (Shannon) and three Canadian activists (Deborah Unger, John Hannah, Liev Schreiber), who believed in the truth, join forces with Carter to prove his innocence. Their extraordinary efforts, commitment and love ultimately secured his release, leaving "Hurricane" to sum up his 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit by simply stating, "Hate got me into this place, love got me out".

Fri, Aug 06 @ 9pm
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR
Starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale
Directed by Kenny Ortega

In High School Musical 3: Senior Year, high school seniors Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) face the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High’s talented ensemble.

Tue, Aug 10 @ 4:10pm
NOT FORGOTTEN
Starring Simon Baker, Paz Vega and Michael DeLorenzo
Directed by Dror Soref

Soon after exchanging wedding vows with his second wife, a haunted man becomes obsessed with discovering the true fate of the missing daughter from his first marriage. Later, when the man and his new wife consult with a mystic, it quickly becomes apparent that some things are better left forgotten. With the help of a sheriff and two FBI agents, Jack searches the seedy underbelly of Mexico City for his daughter and discovers that there's no escape from his past.

Thu, Aug 12 @ 9pm
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Starring Mickey Rourke, Ariane and John Lone
Directed by Michael Cimino

When a prominent businessman-mob leader in Chinatown is assassinated by a member of a Chinese youth gang, Vietnam vet and highly decorated cop Stanley White (Rourke) is assigned to Chinatown and ordered to clean up the gang problem. White soon realizes that the teenage hoodlums are under the control of an ambitious young crime boss, Joey Tai (Lone). White becomes obsessed with destroying Tai. Prone to breaking rules and unlikely to make compromises, White goes after his target, vowing to spare nothing and nobody, including himself.

Fri, Aug 13 @ 4:20pm
BIRDS OF AMERICA
Starring Matthew Perry, Hilary Swank, Ginnifer Goodwin and Lauren Graham
Directed by Craig Lucas

Morrie (Perry), who gave up most of his youth raising his younger siblings, Jay (Ben Foster) and Ida (Goodwin), after their father's death, now lives in an idyllic home with his wife, Betty (Graham). Ida has become a promiscuous and perpetually broke artist while Jay is a recluse who frequently conducts antisocial experiments. While it's been quite a while since the siblings have all been together, the childhood dynamics quickly return when Ida comes knocking at the exact moment Jay goes supernova. As neurosis and instability suddenly cascades through their home, Morrie and Betty suddenly find their delicate attempts to secure Morrie's work tenure washed down the drain right while he attempts to make amends for the trouble his free-spirited brother and sister cause about town.

Sat, Aug 14 @ 9pm
DIE HARD
Starring Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia and Alan Rickman
Directed by John McTiernan

The action-packed classic follows New York cop John McClane (Willis), who has just arrived in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to reunite with his career-driven wife, Holly (Bedelia). At Holly’s Christmas party, a group of German terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Rickman), enter the building and take everyone hostage in hopes of stealing the millions in negotiable bearer bonds that are in the safe. Now it’s up to John to rescue his wife and the hostages.

Sat, Aug 21 @ 9pm
DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER
Starring Bruce Willis, Dennis Franz and John Amos
Directed by Renny Harlin

In this sequel to the classic action movie, renegade commandos seize a major international airport to rescue a drug lord from extradition. Detective John McClane (Willis), there to meet his wife, must battle incompetent airport security, gung-ho anti-terrorist squads and a deadly winter snowstorm to break the terrorist's grip before his wife's plane runs out of fuel. Once again McClane finds himself deep in a terrorist plot that only he can prevent.

Fri, Aug 20 @ 9pm ♥ Can't wait to see this movie again! ♥
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
Starring Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon and Ben Stiller
Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

There's something about Mary (Diaz) that still bewitches Ted (Stiller). Although he hasn't seen her in over a decade, since his prom-night date with her ended in disaster, his heart still flutters at the memory of her. Still crazy about her after all these years, and curious to know her whereabouts, he hires private eye Pat Healy (Dillon) to track her down in Miami.

The 1st ELEMENTS National Songwriting Camp

As its first offering, 7101 Music Nation presents “The 1st ELEMENTS National Songwriting Camp” to be held on November 14-18, 2010 in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Set against Dumaguete's beautiful beaches and rain forests, Elements aims to gather aspiring and professional songwriters from various disciplines and provide them with a venue to learn, collaborate, interact, and create music in a natural setting.

For five days, more than two dozen respected and renowned Artists and practitioners from the Philippine music industry will come to share their talents and experiences through case studies, interactive outdoor sessions, music games, group activities, and one-on-one consultations. A total of sixty (60) aspirants will be accepted to be the first batch of ELEMENTS participants. There are Twenty (20) slots each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that will be made available. The process of selection will be through online application and live auditions. It will be handled and overseen by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and his working team of distinguished songwriters.

The application period is from July 20 to August 15, 2010. The final list of participants will be announced on September 22, 2010. All news, information, and updates can be accessed through the official camp website at http://www.7101musicnation.com.ph.

The 5-day workshop will present modules on Musikang Pinoy: History 101, Basic Music Creation, Lyrics, Beyond Music and Words, Commercial Music Structures, The Music Producer, Publishing & New Business Trends, Music & Technology, Music Videos & Production and Music & Inspiration. Speakers, Lecturers, and Team Facilitators include such luminaries as Jim Paredes, South Border's Jay Durias, Side A's Joey Benin, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Gary Valenciano, Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar, Gabby Alipe of Urbandub, Sponge Cola's Yael Yuzon, Jonathan Manalo, Jungee Marcelo, Trina Belamide, and many more.

Visit http://www.7101musicnation.com.ph/home

Growers advocates a cleaner and a healthier lifestyle

 with Blaire - at the start of the race

Professional and amateur runners, eager to help promote a healthy lifestyle, gathered as early as 5:30 a.m. to run in the 3K, 5K, and 10K races at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus in Quezon City, to take part in the first ever Growers NutriBar Hip 2B Fit Fun Run. A special 3K parent-child race was also held.

Presented by Growers NutriBar in cooperation with the UP Mountaineers, the race will benefit the UP Padyak project which promotes biking within the UP Diliman campus as a means of transportation to promote health and fitness and lessen the dependence on fossil fuel-driven vehicles.

Growers NutriBar donated bike racks to be installed around the campus where UP Padyak members can safely park their single-speed cruiser bikes. Each rack can securely accommodate cable-locked bikes.

     NutriBar is a healthy snack buddy available in choco chips, apple & cinnamon and peanut butter flavors.

The winners of the races in 3k, 5k, and 10k category are as follows:

10k male:

First place: Jujet de Asis    31:32

Second place: Rafael Poliquit Jr.  31:40

Third place: Desaminto Bernardo Jr. 31:41

10k female:

First place: Luisa Raterta   37:38

Second place: Dalyn Carmen   39:31

Third place: Mirasol Abad   40:06

5k male:

First place: Wenlie Maulas  16:54

Second place: Ramie Lacson  17:04

Third place: Robino Javier  17:15

5k female:

First place: Josie Malacad  21:36

Second place: Michelle De Vera  21:49

Third place: Adjene Delos Santos  22:20

3k male:

First place: Jerald de Asis  9:42

Second place: Jan Derek Amarante  9:44

Third place: Joma Bongcales  9:47

3k female:

First place: Nancy Pelaro  10:05

Second place: Cristine Delfin  11:23

Third place: Trishia Ramirez  12:42

3k parent-child:

First place: Laurimar Diaz  13:51

Second place: Jonathan Galo  14:32

Third place: Rogelio Dela Fuente  15:21

 

Prizes for each category:

10k:

First place: P7, 000 and a medal

Second place: P5, 000 and a medal

Third place: P3, 000 and a medal

5k:

First place: P5, 000 and a medal

Second place: P3, 000 and a medal

Third place: P1, 000 and a medal

3k:

First place: P3, 000 and a medal

Second place: P2, 000 and a medal

Third place: P1, 000 and a medal

3k (parent-child):

First place: P3, 000 and a medal

Second place: P2, 000 and a medal

Third place: P1, 000 and a medal

NutriBar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010

Another fun run with a cause!!!  We'll join this event on July 11, 2010, Sunday at 5:30 am (UP Film Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City)


Here's a copy of the invite:


“NutriBar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010”



Come and be a part of the Growers’ Nutribar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010 and support the UP Mountaineers and the UP Padyak Project Foundation.



The UP Padyak Project Foundation promotes a healthier, cleaner and environment-friendly lifestyle through its bicycle rental scheme for UP students and faculty members.



Nutribar will be donating bike racks that will be stationed all over the campus, where students and faculty members can safely park their UP Padyak bicycles.

Celebrate the Gran Via Centenary

If you happen to travel to Madrid and time is not a luxury for you, then the best place for you to stay is a cozy hotel in the most prominent street in all of Madrid, Gran Via. And if you’ve already made arrangements of going there this year, you’re lucky because Gran Via is celebrating its 100 years anniversary.




The Madrid Tourist Board has included the celebration of the Gran Via in its guided tours program, which also provides decent background information on buildings and sites within the Gran Via. The most recent celebration Madrid for the renowned destination was held on April 11 at the Plaza del Callao. The feast was a special treat prepared by the City of Madrid, as well as the the Friends of Gran Vía and the Association of Shopkeepers of Calles Preciados, Carmen, Arenal and adjoining streets (APRECA). The city dedicated a cake filled with a hundred candles commemorating the street’s birthday celebration.



Your temporary residence

A great place to stay in Gran Via is at the Emperador Hotel Madrid, situated right in the middle between Plaza de España and Plaza del Callao. Guests can view premier sights of Madrid such as the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral from its roof deck swimming pool. From here, you also have a better look at the winged ornaments on the apexes of nearby buildings. These figures, symbolizing victory, are used not just in the buildings along Gran Via, but throughout Madrid as well.



But regardless of your choice of hotel, the beauty of staying in the Gran Via is that everything else is simply a short walk away. For such a grand street, street traffic is very light, which makes going around a lot more pleasurable.



Now, after 100 years of constant change, there are literally hundreds of places to go, things to do, food to delight on, clothes to try out, performances to catch, and movie premieres to watch. However, one should try not to be so overwhelmed with Gran Via as to miss out a few of the essential stops.



How to enjoy Gran Via

There are many approaches to experiencing the city. The techie way of doing so is going online and preparing an itinerary of sorts as to where to go during the trip. Another way is to simply wing it and ask locals for directions.



The best way to start your small voyage into Gran Via is to begin at the historical Plaza de España and work your way through the many destinations along the way. By the time you reach Calle de Alcala, you can choose whether to go to Paseo de Recoletos, Paseo Del Prado next, or continue through Calle de Alcala.



The people in Madrid are easy going and delightful. And the people in Gran Via are no different. Because of the year-long festivities, people in this area of the city are more than happy to point you to their preferred destinations. A delightful conversation might even ensue if you happen to talk about the right kind of wine, or a beautiful place to go to at night. Many secrets abound that only locals might know, like how Museo Chicote used to be Ernest Hemingway’s favorite cocktail bar during his stay in the 1930s, or that the Telefonica Building was Madrid’s first Sky Scraper. It’s always such a pleasure to learn things from residents rather than tour guide pamphlets.



Basking in culture

Like most guests, tourists go to Madrid for the culture more than anything else. Culture, arts, and entertainment are interwoven into Gran Via much like musicality within most Spanish poems. This grand street reflects this with a wide showcase of pristine disciplines like architecture, theater, fashion, and music.



The structures along Gran Via are unique examples of classical Spanish architecture. Spanning from centuries of practice, these buildings showcase a combination of modernist, classical, and neo-Mudejar, especially the buildings near the Plaza del Callao portion of Gran Via. Here you can see buildings such as the Edificio de España and the Torre de Madrid. Both 20th century structures, they were the tallest buildings in Madrid decades ago.



One of the most compelling piece of architectural magnificence is the Metropolis Building. It is located at the end of Gran Via, right before Calle de Alcala. With its awe-inspiring apex piece supported by a rotunda of Corinthian columns, Metropolis towers above Gran Via and the rest of the structures nearby.



With all that looking up at the intricate designs of the buildings, one would surely work up an appetite. Surely guests don’t want to waste the experience on simply dining in the hotel where they checked in. One must go out and give his or her taste buds a vacation as well.



Theaters in the Plaza del Callao showcase some western broadways like Chicago from time to time, but are also homes to local production. Like the many dining destinations along Gran Via, guests will also experience a unique entrée for the mind and soul.



With a steady budget of Euros70, guests can enjoy the great tasting and authentic cuisines like Paella Valenciana, as well as other meals cooked with their own unique Spanish twist. A great place to dine is the famous Torres Bermajes. It’s known widely for its Sirloin steaks, as well as its Paella Valenciana and grilled food like entrecote, lamb chops, and salmon. Torre Berjames is also known for its incredible Flamenco shows



And if Flamenco isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps the beats of Arena will suite you well. A multi-purpose venue, Arena is known for holding big events like movie premiers, large-scale parties, and concerts. Just think of Space Ibiza when you’re thinking how big the parties they throw are here.



And lastly, for the fashion seekers, there are several shops and boutiques that feature both international brands, as well as locally-made items. Salvador Bachiller is probably one of the most famous brands when it comes to bags, and its roots come from its store in Gran Via. Salvador Bachiller is known both the quality and exclusivity of their leather handbags, footwear, and suitcases. Other brands like Springfield, H&M, and Zara also have shops along Gran Via.



So whether you’re in Madrid for a week of just a few days, you simply must dedicate a day or two to get to know and celebrate Gran Via’s 100th year. It’s not just a tourist destination, or some road that connects one part of Madrid to another. It’s a masterpiece carved with 100 years of change, thousands of dedicated people, and the sum of Spanish culture.



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Walking the road not-so-less traveled: Following the Way of El Camino de Santiago

Walking the road not-so-less traveled: Following the Way of El Camino de Santiago






It has been said that the real essence of traveling is in the journey itself and not the destination. For friends Luz Lorenzo and Bunny Fabella, this adage became a reality as they set across Spain’s pilgrimage route to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.



Economist Luz Lorenzo was first intrigued by the artistry of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral while doing research for a college humanities assignment. Fascinated by its history, Romanesque interiors, and pilgrimage, Luz vowed that she would one day go on the pilgrimage and see the Cathedral for herself.



Fast forward to 2002, after much planning and several postponed travel arrangements, Luz finally found herself with a credencial or a “pilgrim passport,” backpacking the Spanish pilgrimage route via the Camino Frances. On her own and on-foot, Luz mapped out a self-guided 800-kilometer trek to Santiago de Compostela to begin her six-week expedition.



A web of interconnecting routes which extend throughout Spain and across parts of Europe, “The Way of St. James” or “El Camino de Santiago”1 leads pilgrims to the shrine of St. James (or Santiago in Spanish) at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the endpoint of the El Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims who complete the camino to the Cathedral are believed to earn plenary indulgence for their perseverance and faithfulness.



Walking the camino unaccompanied is quite common and easy. Guided group tours are also available. Pilgrims can either walk, bike, or travel on horseback on any of the four roads: the Camino Frances, Camino Portuges, Camino del Norte, and Camino Ingles. Similar to the varied modes of traveling the camino, Compostela’s pilgrims nowadays have different reasons for tackling the road: it could be spiritual upliftment, athletic endeavor, cultural immersion, or simply marking a turning point in life. Whatever mode or reason modern pilgrims have, since the medieval times, droves of people still find fulfillment in completing the pilgrimage.



Scallop-shaped road markers and arrows strategically dot the entire route. Friendly locals also gladly help disoriented peregrinos or pilgrims to the right track. The pilgrimage’s growing popularity assures peregrinos that they’ll bump into fellow travelers along the way.



Though she took the trip alone, Luz said the solitary walk gave her an opportunity to bump into people she wouldn’t ordinarily meet if she was on the pilgrimage with a group of friends. “It’s different because I didn’t feel isolated; I wasn’t cocooned off from my fellow travelers. I met different groups of people, especially in the beginning since I was walking by myself,” said Luz.



Families or friends who plan to do the pilgrimage together will find it a good bonding activity as well. Professional caterer Bunny Fabella was part of a group of five who navigated the 112-km camino from Sarria to Compostela. While each of them treaded the camino at their own pace, they found comfort and encouragement at the thought that their companions were just a few paces away.



Peregrinos like Bunny and Luz would walk an average of 20 kms a day and stop before nightfall to rest at refugios or albergues de peregrinos, also known as pilgrim shelters. These room or dormitory-type hostels ask a minimum fee or donativo donation to certified peregrinos. According to Luz, most refugios have rudimentary facilities — mainly a bed, bathrooms, and wash area. Managed by hospitaleros, these overnight accommodations also give free medical treatment to sick or injured pilgrims and even allow them to extend their stay.



Food is also not a problem for those walking the Way. Some albergues offer homemade Spanish meals to pilgrims at inexpensive prices. Travelers who prefer to dine at authentic Spanish restaurants will also enjoy discounts with the pilgrim menu.



One major consideration peregrinos should think about though is traveling and packing light. Bunny and Luz agree that people planning to walk either 100 kms or 800 kms of the El Camino de Santiago should pack lightweight, quick-drying essentials that can be worn in the sweltering heat, unpredictable rain showers, or gusty wind.



Sleeping mats, walking sticks, medicine kits, toiletries, drinking water, and some food like the customary Spanish bocadillo or sandwich baguette is enough to sustain pilgrims.



Peregrinos, who have completed all stamps in their credencials, receive a certificate of accomplishment or compostela. They can hear the Pilgrim Mass which is held each noon at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. As with other churches throughout the route, peregrinos who receive the compostela have their country of origin and starting point announced during the mass. Priests administer the Sacrament of Penance to enable pilgrims to fully attain the plenary indulgence. Furthermore, pilgrims get their scallop shells upon reaching Santiago de Compostela to remind them of their trip across the Spanish countryside.



“There are plenty of aspects to the trip. There’s a religious aspect. There’s also a cultural aspect because you see a lot of good architecture, and you get to meet people and witness their culture, language and way of life,” said Luz.



Bunny said that the pilgrimage gave them not only a first-hand taste of Spanish hospitality but also authentic Spanish gastronomy. The far-reaching and comprehensive scope of this one-of-a-kind journey is proof that anyone who decides to step foot on the camino is guaranteed to have a wealth of experiences, if not enlightenment. “If you really want a pilgrimage, you do this, because it’s multi-faceted. It’s fun, uplifting, relaxing and definitely a trip of a lifetime,” said Bunny.

Leaders like bus drivers by Francis J. Kong

Here's another interesting read.....

Every day of my life, I have to take EDSA, which is crowded most of the time, as vehicles travel at the lightning speed of 30 kilometers per hour, many times slower. When traffic is light, I watch out for those negligent, reckless, dangerous bus drivers who race one other to get to their stops.





Now this got me thinking.






Bus drivers have a vision. They set goals and set their sight on those goals. They seem to be ready to run over anything and anyone just to reach their goals. At times, they even manage to destroy lives in the process.






Many leaders in business organizations lead like bus drivers. They set goals that are so specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely, they make a business consultant like me want to applaud them. But there is one problem. Like bus drivers, they run over their own employees, and crash through their closest and most loyal people. All in the name of accomplishing their goals. Their slogan in life? “The end justifies the mean-ness!” Some do this consciously. These are Machiavellian monsters adorned with the charm and grace of a serial killer; others are more clueless that they are actually doing it.






Are they able to achieve success? Perhaps, but success such as theirs is short-lived. It takes an inspiring leader who knows he cannot succeed alone to achieve true and lasting success. It takes a humble servant-leader whose mission on the job is not just to achieve goals, but to make his people become better in the process.






No one creates success alone; winning in business is winning with people. Running over people will only take you so far. To create true and lasting success you must nurture and invest in your people. Here are four essential ways to do this:






1. CONNECT WITH YOUR PEOPLE






Great leaders know they deal with people who have feelings, not lifeless machines. The more you connect with your people, the more you learn about them and the more you really know them. I offer an assessment tool in my two-day leadership workshop seminar, and 90 percent of the time, participants are stunned to realize they’ve been working with the same people for years yet do not know them that well.






2. CARE FOR YOUR PEOPLE






People hate the feeling of being used, of being taken advantage of. Work in itself is extremely challenging, but if done for a leader who cares about his team members, it becomes bearable. Meanwhile, work becomes unbearable the moment leaders behave like jerks who use his team members to accomplish his or her goals, and dispose of them like used tissue pieces when they’ve served their purpose. Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said it all too well: “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” People become more engaged at work and would work at their highest potential when their leader cares about them.






3. CARRY YOUR PEOPLE THROUGH






Great leaders guide their people, work with their people, and bear the burdens with their people. When things go wrong, great leaders accept responsibility, carry the blame, and own the problem. This creates a tremendous impact on the people, as they become inspired to support their leaders through as well. Leaders who grab the credit for their team’s labor then blame them for messed-up jobs are jerks. They are the main reason why good people leave organizations.






4. CREDIT YOUR PEOPLE WITH RECOGNITION






Very high on the list of reasons why good people leave is the fact that people feel they are not appreciated. Many leaders do not realize that something as simple as a personally-written “thank you” note creates a strong and lasting impact on the recipient’s life.






Leadership is not just about what you do. It’s about bringing out your people’s best – inspiring them to be at their best and to give their best. This kind of leadership benefits everyone in the organization.






Leadership is not just about rules. Author Andy Stanley said, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” And rebellion does not necessarily mean picket lines and work stoppage; disengagement from work is another, and it actually costs more.






Don’t drive your people the way those jerks drive their buses recklessly along EDSA and many of our highways. Inspire your people, engage them and invite them on the bus with you. Allow everyone to experience an amazing ride.






You know very well that you ought to “do unto others…as if you were the others…..”






(Learn inspiring leadership skills with Francis Kong as he presents Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing The Leader Within You” program this June 29-30 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. at 632-6872614 or 09178511115.)