Witness A Christmas Season in Kawit Cavite

Every year as we celebrate the yuletide season many of our fellow citizen often spend the holidays in the mall, watching movies, shopping, eating etc. same as what we do in the family for years now. But this time around, discover a better way to spend the season in a place where history never fades.

Kawit Cavite has its own share of historical sites that holds timesless beauty and priceless stories.  The municipality has been a big portion of Philippine history.  Some of Kawit historical spots that you should give visit not only for story behind its wall but the colorful Christmas celebration as well.

• AGUINALDO SHRINE

As you go to the heart of the city, it will not be complete without dropping by at the Aguinaldo Shrine wherein the Philippine flag that we know of today was first waved publicly declaring our Independence by none other than the first Filipino President Emilio Aguinaldo. Nowadays, the home of the late president is very much preserved including his personal belongings. It opens to the public for free entrance.

• BALDOMERO SHRINE

Who is Baldomero Aguinaldo? Hailed towards the cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo and grandfather of Cesar Virata who as a prime minister in 1980's.  There's also a lot to learn by going to his place in "Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo". His home for many years also preserves the memories of old times. 

• PANDAYAN

Learn the craft of making knives (Bolo) by a local blacksmith in Pandayan.  The blacksmithing shop is still active and you can still purchase handcrafted knives and bolos made the same way during the Revolutionary era. Blacksmithing is an endangered craft that needs to be promoted and preserved because only few from this present generation is seem to be interested to inherit this kind of craft. 

• ST. MARY MAGDALENE PARISH

Holiday spirit is in every corner of this church with all the Christmas ornaments that displays around it makes this place so pretty amusing.  It is also known as Kawit Church built in 1737, one of the oldest churches in the municipality of Kawit Cavite.

• FREEDOM PARK 

Other significant feature and tourist attraction of Kawit Cavite is the Freedom Park or the Liwasang Aguinaldo where Kawit celebrates Christmas season through a spectacular display of lights. The Christmas lighting event was held last December 14, 2019 and a number of distinguished guests and celebrities joined in celebration of the event. A fireworks display and lighting of the Christmas lights at the Freedom park was also held.

• PUTO BUMBONG

Before you end the heritage tour, treat your taste buds to this Christmas specialty – Puto Bumbong or rice cake with shaved coconut and muscovado sugar is a staple food trip stop that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Kawit. 

Make sure to visit Kawit Cavite this Christmas Season and enjoy the season filled with pride of our own heritage and historical sites in Kawit. The Municipality of Kawit welcomes everyone who wishes to visit Kawit during the Christmas season. 

#PaskongKawiteño #TaraSaKawit 

December 14, 2019 (Saturday) Kawit Cavite

Glad to Give Smiles Family Fair

For the love of humanity that makes a charity drives its purpose. Helping the needy and suffering are the main mission and vision of every charitable institution such as the world’s leading cleft charity, Smile Train together with the food storage and cooking solutions provider Glad® Philippines recently held the Glad®-To-Give Smiles Family Fair to help spread smiles to Filipinos this Christmas season. Smile Train Partners with Glad® Philippines to Host “Glad® To Give Smiles” Family Fair to Raise Awareness and for Children with Clefts.

Smile Train Area Director for Southeast Asia Kimmy Flaviano presents a plaque of appreciation to Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu for her support to Smile Train Philippines. From left to right: Kimmy Flaviano, Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Glad Philippines Sales and Marketing Director for Southeast Asia, and Ms. Suzi Abrera.

Smile Train Area Director for Southeast Asia Kimmy Flaviano presents a plaque of appreciation to Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu for her support to Smile Train Philippines. From left to right: Kimmy Flaviano, Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Glad Philippines Sales and Marketing Director for Southeast Asia, and Ms. Suzi Abrera.

“As part of the Glad®-to-Give Smiles program, we held this family fair to help raise awareness and funds for Smile Train and babies born with clefts,” said Mr. Paulo Lao, Sales and Marketing Director for Southeast Asia of The Clorox Company, which owns Glad®. This program is the product of our long-standing relationship with Smile Train, as well as the company’s commitment to helping more consumers, including children and their families. Glad thrives on feasts and celebrations, especially during the Holiday and what better way to reinforce this message by bringing back the smiles of children affected with cleft lip and palate so they too can have happier mealtimes this Christmas,” Lao added.

It was such a fun experience with kids and their families to have this kind of family fair, it doesn't just bring each and everyone closer together but of course a smile in every individual that had been part of this year's Glad®-To-Give Smiles Family Fair. The event was filled with fun activities, delicious food stations and a cooking demonstration prepared by Glad®'s Ambassador, Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu. The Glad®-To-Give campaign is Glad®’s global corporate social responsibility platform. 

Slime Making

Kids' Zumba

Fun Games

Food Station

"I am very proud to be a part of this meaningful campaign this holiday. It is an honor for me to help raise funds and awareness about Smile Train’s work in the Philippines,” said Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu. 

The program was hosted by Ms. Suzi Abrera.  Other supporters include The Medical City, Alveo Land, Beyond® Yoga, Swell Sweets Cake Lab, and Ms. Natalia Santamaria Escano, who performed with Smile Train beneficiaries during the program.  Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Smile Train’s cleft programs in the Philippines.

“As we celebrate our 20th year in the Philippines, we are grateful to our partners like Glad® Philippines who have been enabling us to fulfill our vision to raise awareness and create a better future for children with clefts,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train’s Area Director for South East Asia. “We also thank the families for giving their time for the Glad®-to-Give Smiles Family Fair. With their help, we are able to raise funding for more cleft surgeries this holiday season.”

Approximately 5,000 new babies with clefts are born every year in the Philippines. Without access to proper cleft treatment, these babies often have difficulty eating, breathing, speaking, and ultimately thriving. Smile Train’s sustainable model empowers local medical professionals with training and resources to provide 100 percent-free, quality, comprehensive, and safe cleft care to children in need in their own communities. 

For more information about Smile Train's global efforts and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s programs in the Philippines, follow Smile Train on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

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About Glad® Philippines

Glad is the leading brand when it comes to food packaging safety. We are at the forefront of every celebration because we know that people who love good food understand the importance of food safety and proper handling. Our flagship products consist of quality foil, wraps, holiday trays and containers. Here in the Philippines, Glad products are available in leading supermarkets – SM, Rustans, Unimart, Landmark, Robinsons, and Puregold.

Glad® Philippines 

Paulo Lao, Sales & Marketing Director, South East Asia

Paulo.Lao@clorox.com

63.999.8849049

Rhoda Delos Reyes, Brand Manager, South East Asia

Rhoda.DelosReyes@clorox.com

63.928.503959 

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

Smile Train Philippines

Kimmy Flaviano, Area Director, South East Asia

kflaviano@smiletrain.org

63.999.8849049

#GladPhilippines #SmileTrainPhilippines #GladToGiveSmiles

November 23, 2019 (Saturday) - Alveo Corporate Center

Eurotel Naga Offers In-House Tour Package in Bicol Region

There are so much to explore in the Bicol Region, from beautiful old churches to the picturisque view of Mayon Volcano's perfect cone shaped plus other magnificent natural features, you'll find it so convincing you just got to see & visit Bicol. While staying at this province, where can you book your accommodation that already has travel tour offers for your convenience?

Eurotel Naga revamps to boost tourism Bicol region is about to get a boost in tourism, following the grand relaunch of Eurotel Naga as it shapes up to take travel and leisure on another level. Eurotel Naga, one of the leading hotels in the Queen City of Bicol Region, promotes local industry in greater heights through incorporating its own in-house travel tour. Featuring five tourist hotspot locations, Eurotel Hotel takes its guests on an exciting and unforgettable experience they will surely treasure. Whether it’s the thrilling ride around Mayon Volcano, island hopping in Caramoan, extreme watersports in CamSur, island escapade in Calaguas, or an up-close and personal encounter with a whaleshark, Eurotel’s #LoveLokal tour packages will surely bring summer all-yearlong in your calendars. 

“Our main goal is to simply improve the local tourism industry here in Bicol with our own tour packages. We offer the top tourist destinations to the guests for them to truly enjoy what Bicol region has to offer,” Ms. Sue Geminiano, Marketing Manager cited. 

Ideally situated near the central district of Naga City, Eurotel Hotel has been one of the top choices by many tourists visiting Bicol region, since it first opened in October 2013. Almost 100 smartly designed rooms, therapeutic massage services and conveniently located near the business, medical, and commercial district, Eurotel Hotel-Naga caters to every guest in different walks of life. The hotel also offers a 24/7 wide selection of international cuisine - alongside the best local dishes of Bicol Region and different function rooms to cater receptions or corporate events. Truly, Eurotel Hotel is a wonder in Naga City, blending superb service and relaxing stay at an exceptional rate thus meeting the demand for unique lodging services. 

Function Halls

Rooms

 “Aside from the picturesque tour packages, we’re also proud to bring you the local cuisine of Bicol, filling your stomachs at your heart’s content. Enjoy some of the local’s best delicacies such as the Lokal Naga Ensalada, Pancit Bato, Tinumok (similar to pinangat and laing), Kandingga, and Tinutong na Manok,” Ms. Sue added. 

Eurotel Hotel offers guests a unique cultural and comfortable experience paired with extraordinary service and hospitality. Indeed, Eurotel Naga is the perfect home away from home. So what are you waiting for? Experience a yearlong summer with Eurotel Naga now. For reservations, call us at (02) 8353-6000.

AIM MBM ’95 Launched the First Ever Notables

Every individual deserves equal treatment so we can live together a normal life. This can be achieved by making sure that everyone is supported in the community. 

In time for the latest issue in our country regarding LGBT  rights, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Master of Business Management (MBM) Batch 1995 has launched  the first-ever Notables at AIM, a nontraditional speaker series hosted by an array of luminaries with expertise and insight on relevant topics. Thought leaders and captains of industry are invited to engage not only with the AIM community but with the public in attendance as well. The speaker series kicked off Thursday, November 28 at Fuller Hall, AIM, Makati City. 

 With the event open to controversial figures in order to spur intelligent dialogue on challenging issues, the organizers saw it fitting to invite as their first featured speaker the first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, Hon. Geraldine Roman, who has snagged headlines for her bold efforts in advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights. The Bataan representative’s talk focused on equality and inclusivity in the society. In her speech, Roman explained how Filipinos are being discriminated especially in the workplace in terms of age, religion, ethnicity, physical appearance, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity and expression or SOGIE. 

 “If we are willing to fight against discrimination on the basis of these personal circumstances that have nothing to do with one’s capacity to work, why are we not able as a society to fight against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression?” Roman said. “But I have to insist, these circumstances are not chosen and these circumstances are irrelevant especially when looking for a job or qualifying for a post in government. They should not be used as criteria in determining who should receive services from the government or who should be able to enter a public establishment like a hotel or a restaurant.” 

 The congresswoman is known as one of the champions of the SOGIE Equality Bill. She reiterated that the bill is an anti-discrimination bill “that seeks to protect Filipinos who just happen to be LGBT, from discrimination at the workplace, in schools, in the delivery of government services, as well as access to commercial and public establishments. It also seeks to guarantee that Filipinos who happen to be LGBT will not be insulted in the streets, that they will be ‘outed’ without their consent.” Roman also defended the bill based on the many accusations thrown by those who are against it. 

 “They say that the SOGIE bill is same-sex marriage. It is not. In fact, in one of the provisions where there was reference to professional licenses…we were careful to specify that these do not refer to marriage licenses,” Roman explained. 

She further clarified that the bill will not infringe or violate religious freedom nor is the bill a gender recognition law. Roman closed her speech with an appeal to treat the members of the LGBT community with respect, “There are people who may have different sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. But these people have to be treated with dignity and respect. And their rights have to be guaranteed under the law.” 

 Marc Ablaza, MBM ‘95 Batch Representative, explained that the speaker series is no ordinary speaking engagement. “It provides a much-needed arena for informed and purposeful exchange on relevant issues,” said Ablaza. He also emphasized the relevance of creating conversations about the event’s topic, “The third out of the seven fundamental human needs is the need to belong or connection. It comes after subsistence and security; and growth and understanding. Inclusivity addresses and fulfills that need. How do we achieve it? We temper if not altogether do away with discrimination. How do we go about it? We start with intelligent discourse. Inclusivity is a critical yet complicated humanitarian issue. Let’s start engaging with it.” 

 AIM MBM Batch ’95 organized Notables at AIM to further the renowned international management school’s advocacy in providing quality education. The batch also hopes to raise funds for scholarships. 

 For more information about Notables at AIM, you may visit our social media pages: Facebook: facebook.com/NotablesAim95 Twitter: @NotablesAim95 Instagram: @NotablesAim95 #NotablesAtAIM