AQUABEST TO LAUNCH NEW STORE FORMAT IN FRANCHISE ASIA

Aquabest, the country’s leading water refilling franchise is poised to launch its new condominium store format at the upcoming 2015 Franchise Asia Philippines.

The company is a long-time member of the Philippine Franchise Association and is considered to be among the leading players in the water franchising industry. The company recently developed a new condominium centric store format in response to the changing trends in the market.

The company recently opened two condominium based stores in SMDC developments namely SM Sea Residences and SM Blue Residences. These stores have a combined water station and laundromat setup.

Compared to conventional Aquabest stores the condominium store format has a larger floor area and has an increased emphasis on the laundry business. Prospective franchisees also have reduced delivery expenses since there is a large captive market available in the respective developments that house the stores.

The company has launched the new store format in response to the changing market trends. The strong growth of the Philippine property market has fuelled the growth of high density high rise vertical developments which has transformed the market.

Jardine Distribution Inc. BiyahEdukasyon goes to Panay with Mango Growers

True to its commitment to partnering Filipino farmers, Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) recently organized another “BiyahEdukasyon” bringing Mango growers to Iloilo City, Guimaras and Boracay, in the bustling island of Panay. 

“BiyahEdukasyon,” literally translated as educational trip, is an institutionalized program of JDI that is exclusively offered to its partner farmers who have been loyal customers for years. 

Participants of this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon” attend an Integrated Pest Management Seminar organized by JDI and its different sponsors.

“Byahedukasyon has been our way of pursuing continued education for our partners outside of their farms.  Aside from providing farmers solutions through the products that we offer, we believe that by providing them opportunities to learn more about their crop and exposing them to other income-generating ideas, we are able to help them in their business.  This in tern ensures that the partnerships we have with them are sustained,” says Kaye Aguilan, JDI product manager.

JDI and sponsors hold an Integrated Pest Management Seminar during this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon” to give back to the company’s loyal customers. (From L-R: David Lobo of Sumitomo Chemicals, Minako Nakatani of Nihon Nohyaku, Lawrence Yu of Sumitomo Chemicals, JDI President Edwin Hernandez, and resource speaker and BPI-NMRDC Senior Agriculturist Yondre Yonder.)

A total of 90  participants from the provinces of Pangasinan, Batangas, Davao, North Cotabato, Saranggani, and Cagayan De Oro took part in the trip.

The event included a seminar on integrated pest management and an actual demonstration of bagging mango fruits to prevent damage from pests at the National Research and Development Center Guimaras.  This was followed by a tour of the  MacNester Food Products, a food processing facility using Mangoes as one of its main ingredients for many food products; The participants were treated to an island hopping tour at Boracay and capped by a dinner by the beach courtesy of  Summit Agro International, one of JDI’s partners for its Mango brands.

JDI’s loyal customers who participated in this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon.”

Key Mango customers were also recognized during the trip.

“It was a fun and meaningful trip for the participants. We made sure that they would not only learn but also enjoy the activities held throughout the trip. After all, our loyal customers only deserve the best—like our products and this trip,” said Aguilan.

This year’s “BiyahEdukasyon,” with a theme “Mango Gilas sa Guimaras,” is composed of different activities including a seminar on integrated pest management, an actual bagging demo, a tour of the MC Nester Food Products, Boracay Island Hopping, and Applaud Night.

 JDI, a member company of Jardine Matheson Group, represents a number of leading brands in crop protection, local and foreign-made pesticides, plant growth regulators, hybrid rice seeds, and vegetable seeds.

AQUABEST ANNOUNCES NEW BATCH OF SCHOLARS

Aquabest the country’s leading water franchise is pleased to announce the awarding of its new batch of scholars under its Corporate Shared Values (CSV) program.

Under its CSV program the company offers scholarships to the children of its deserving employees.The company has always placed an emphasis in the welfare of its employees and their families. This is driven by the company's realization that its people are its prime assets and as part of its Christian values. 

 Every year the company sets aside funds to help with the education of its employees in good schools that offer quality education. With the scholarship grants, the children of its employees get to realize their dreams and reach their full potential. 

Since its inception the scholarship program has assisted dozens of children in getting the good education needed to succeed in their life. This year's scholars are: Fitz Geralde Palomar, Grade 2 at Creative Learning Center Educational Foundation Inc., Danica Marie Boton, 2nd year high school at Fortunato F. Halili Agricultural School and Scarleth Jane Cayetano, Grade 3 at Merry Mount Preparatory School.

Amaia Land celebrates 5th year of providing quality homes to more Filipinos

Aiming to help hardworking Filipino families have a house they can call their own, Amaia Land continues making those dreams come true as the company celebrates its 5^th year in the industry.

Amaia was borne out of the vision of its mother company, Ayala Land (ALI), to broaden its residential product line to cater to the wider Philippine population.  In 2010, this came into fruition with the incorporation of Amaia Land and its subsequent launch of the first Amaia Scapes economic housing project, thereby reinforcing ALI’s thrust of “enhancing land, enriching lives for more people.”

Amaia celebrates its fifth year of providing Filipino families quality yet affordable homes in an event last Feb. 6 at the Acacia Hotel Manila.

The company’s maiden project, Amaia Scapes Laguna established Amaia as a competitive brand in the real estate industry.   Amaia’s “Scapes” house-and-lot product line, which now consists of 16 communities, has revolutionized the economic housing segment. Some features that homeowners love about the community are its cluster type development, patio greens and full complement of shared amenities. Meanwhile, housing units are sought after for their attractive facades, modern design and efficient space planning.

he team heads of Amaia Land who work hard to give more families quality yet affordable homes during the company’s fifth anniversary at the Acacia Hotel Manila last Feb. 6. (From L-R: Francis Mallari, Amaia Land Human Resource Department Head; Bobby Dy, Ayala Land President and CEO; Ricky Celis, Amaia Land President; Nikie Lingad, Amaia Land Project Strategic  Management Group Head; Petes Gamboa, Innovation and Design Group Head)

In 2011, Amaia launched its condominium product lines: the mid-rise Amaia “Steps” and high-rise Amaia “Skies”.  Amaia Steps now boasts a total of nine communities. These homes are ideal for those who aspire for bigger living spaces within city limits. Meanwhile, there are now four Amaia Skies developments, which offer private abodes for urban dwellers and on-the-go working individuals desiring a balanced work-play lifestyle.

Amaia Scapes Cabanatuan’s model for its village patio.

Last year, Amaia introduced Amaia “Series”, a pure townhouse development designed for families with growing need for space, and Amaia “Square”, shophouses made for entrepreneurs who want their home and store in one convenient address.

Amaia Scapes San Fernando promises a dream home within your reach.

So far, Amaia has served over 12,000 families across the country.  The brand is present in key locations in North Luzon (Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Urdaneta), Metro Manila (Quezon City, Paranaque, Manila, Caloocan, Pasig, Mandaluyong and soon Las Pinas), South Luzon (Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon and soon Bicol) and the Visayas (Bacolod, Cebu and soon Iloilo). This year, it will venture to CDO, Mindanao.  Homes are made affordable by easy-on-the-pocket paying options such as cash, deferred, bank financing, Pag-ibig and in-house financing. 

The village patio of Amaia Scapes San Fernando is where families can do recreational activities.

The company opened a significant numer of jobs for Filipinos including a 17,000-man sales force in 18 growth centers and sales offices nationwide.  Its online followers has soared and includes over 500,000 facebook fans, propelling the brand’s dominance in the digital platform.

Amaia Scapes San Pablo offers an affordable yet picturesque home in Laguna.

“Our fifth year anniversary marks Amaia’s success over the years and the company’s mission in the years to come,” says Amaia Land president Ricky Celis. “We will continue to contribute to nation building by serving thousands of families with quality yet affordable homes in more locations nationwide.”

Amaia Scapes San Pablo is a horizontal development situated in Brgy. San Lucas 2—a site that gives homeowners a picturesque environment.

For inquiries, visit www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook/AmaiaLand.

McJim kicks off second season of Dreams Get Real talent search

WILL you be next big star of Original Pilipino Music (OPM)?

After successfully launching the careers of three of the most promising acts today, iconic brand McJim Classic Leather opens doors of opportunity for aspiring stars to become legitimate recording artists in the second season of “Dreams Get Real : The Search for the Next OPM Star. ”

“This year, we aim to make Dreams Get Real talent search even bigger, brighter, and better. We are now offering a full album and music video grant, P100,000 in cash prize, artist marketing support, and a talent management contract to the sole winner!“ said Chris Cahilig, Dreams Get Real project head. 

Fifth Dynamics. Fast-rising band Fifth Dynamics who released two chart-topping songs “Anyare” and “Pogi Kame” is a product of Dreams Get Real Talent Search last year.

Last year’s triple-tie winners, Fifth Dynamics, JBK and Neo Domingo, are rocking the music scene after recording chart-topping hits and are busy with television guest appearances, and mall and corporate shows across the country. The talents are likewise completing their debut albums produced by award-winning arranger and composer Jonathan Ong of SonicState Studio.

Fifth Dynamics, led by former The Voice of the Philippines contestant Mark Cordovales, is a fast-rising band. After winning the Dreams Get Real talent search, the group has released two chart-topping single titled “Anyare” and “Pogi Kame.”

Neo. Dreams Get Real Grand Champion Neo Domingo has released song “Pagbigyan Mo Na,” which is heavily played on different radio stations across the country.

On the other hand, vocal trio JBK, which is composed of Joshua, Bryan, and Kim, is making everyone’s heart melt. The group’s R&B-infused ballad, “Anong Meron Ka,” gets major airtime on popular radio stations nationwide.

Likewise, Neo Domingo topped national and local charts with his debut single “Pagbigyan Mo Na”. It was likewise named as the Most Wanted Song of 97.1 Barangay LS FM. His follow up single“Kaching-Kaching” featuring Fifth Dynamics is now heavily aired on Metro Manila and provincial radio stations.

This year’s contestants will work with award-winning musical talents and will have a chance to perform at big venues. “They will have a first-hand experience of the entire recording process and will get a chance to perform in shows while they are in the competition,” Cahilig said.

JBK. Vocal trio JBK composed of Joshua, Bryan, and Kim released the hit song “Anong Meron Ka” after winning the Dreams Get Real Talent Search and has been doing shows across the country ever since.

The talent search is open to all unsigned male and female solo artists, aged 15 to 35 years old, with Filipino lineage.

To audition, interested artists need to send a video recording or Youtube link of their performance/s (they may opt to submit a cover or an original song of any genre of their choice) together with the filled-out application form.

An initial pool of twenty contestants will undergo a series of weekly eliminations—starting in July—until only 10 finalists remain in the competition. The finalists will record and film viral videos to be posted on the TV Get Real YouTube channel of McJim Classic Leather, where the Top Six will be chosen from. The remaining six will then battle it out in an epic grand finals night, which will be held on November 15, 2015.

Dreams Get Real. The talent search that launched the careers of three of the most promising OPM acts today is back for another season.

“The contestants need to go through an elimination process to reveal who truly has star quality. They will also experience what it’s like to do a professional recording session,” Cahilig explained.

“The local music industry is very hard to penetrate; it’s a highly competitive arena,” Cahilig pointed out. “Dreams Get Real is here to help new artists break into the music scene. We will give them the platform—a ticket to possible stardom.”

Like the official McJim classic leather facebook page at www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM and get more information on how you can be the next OPM star.

Benefits Given to Employees to Loan with a Lowest Interest Rate from the Company

Recently, the Company I am currently working with were able to fulfill the benefits to lend a loan to its employees with a lowest interest rate.

However, it is a prerequisite to the employee to contribute a specified monthly contribution as savings and should be a regular employee.

For me, I was thankful that this policy was implemented for the benefit of both the employer and employees.

What’s cooking: TV5 resident chef’s recipe for a healthier lifestyle

Having dealt with food for most of his life, chef turned host Jeremy Favia never imagined seeing himself hosting his own show on television.

Growing up, Chef Jeremy always knew that he was born for the kitchen; not necessarily as a chef, but someone whose work involves food—be it a restaurant manager or an owner.

Unknown to many, however, the 29-year-old chef had different dreams. At one time he wanted to be a doctor; as a little boy, he wrote on his yearbook: “I want to be a priest!”

Years after, he now finds himself in front of the camera doing some hosting jobs for different cooking shows as TV5’s resident chef. Armed with his killer smile and natural charm, Chef Jeremy has gained popularity not only because of his culinary skills, but also because of his looks and the positive aura that he exudes.

While hosting a cooking show is something he truly enjoys, Chef Jeremy says he’s now more focused on his job at The Center for Wellness and Aesthetics of The Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig. It’s an immensely fulfilling job that allows him to help empower people who are suffering from various ailments to improve their health.

As the Wellness Center’s in-house chef, Chef Jeremy prepares special meals that are planned around an individual’s health problem, like hypertension or diabetes. The goal is for a client to cut down on his maintenance medicines as he benefits from the nutritional contents of the food Chef Jeremy cooks. Absolutely hands-on with his job, the chef even delivers the food right to their clients’ doorsteps.

“Isasabay mo ‘yung specially prepared food sa medicine mo hanggang sa mabawasan ‘yung tini-take mong gamot,” Chef Jeremy explains. “I have a client na diabetic, who subscribed to a meal plan for thirty days. After he completed his subscription, nagbawas na siya ng gamot.”

The venture inspires Chef Jeremy to be creative in doing the special meal plans, knowing that he plays a crucial role in setting his clients on the path to recovery.

Believing that the secret to a healthier lifestyle is smarter food choices, Chef Jeremy advises people to include fiber like C-Lium in their daily diet.

“Fiber naman talaga is very good for your digestive system and over-all health. May times namagluluto ka ng hindi ‘ganun ka-healthy so you’ll need fiber to help flush many of those unhealthy foods,” he says.

Chef Jeremy also relates that he used to eat a lot whenever he was stressed out. In such times he takes fiber supplements, specifically C-Lium Fibre, to help make him feel lighter.

“’Yung C-Lium hinahalo ko siya sa juice. I always feel lighter whenever I use C-Lium and there are times na kumakain ako ng ‘di ganun ka-healthy so C-Lium helps me to have enough fiber in the body,” he says.

C-Lium Fibre is made from natural psyllium plant, which is a good source of soluble and insoluble fibers. According to the National Fiber Council, the soluble fiber in psyllium absorbs water, turns into a gel, and attaches to food, sugars, cholesterol, and fats in the stomach and helps to expel these from one’s digestive system. A high-fiber diet also lowers the risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, and stroke. 

Chef Jeremy likewise says that with proper diet and active lifestyle, almost anyone can achieve optimum health.

This conviction is what drives Chef Jeremy to handle a new cooking show and other ventures outside television. Being in his best shape ever, he looks forward to even more opportunities coming his way.

C-Lium Fibre comes in two formats--husk powder and capsule form-- and is available in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.