PIOLO PASCUAL: KEEPING HIS PROMISES

Relationships are built on promises: the promise to love, to care, to secure, to protect, and to provide. This is something that PioloPascual knows all too well, committed as he is to the promises he has made to his family as a son, a sibling, and a father.

But when financial troubles arise, bringing such promises to life becomes a challenge. 

“Like any other person, I want to give my family the best life possible. I am a man of my word, that’s why I work hard and seize every opportunity that comes my way,” Piolo said. “But more than just earning money, it’s how you manage your finances that makes a difference. Fortunately, I have the guidance and help of one very special lady: my very own sister, ChiquiPascual-Gonzales, who also happens to be my Sun Life Advisor.”

According to Piolo, Chiqui has been instrumental in ensuring that his dreams for his family will all come true. “It’s a partnership through and through. With her help, I’ve been able to make it all happen while still pursuing my own passions and advocacies,” he said.

Piolo and Chiqui’s story is but one of many in Sun Life Financial, where lifetime partnerships are developed and nurtured through the years. In fact, this has inspired Sun Life’s latest campaign, at the forefront of which is a new TV commercial highlighting Sun Life’s presence in a client’s life throughout the different stages of her life. It represents the many promises that Sun Life has helped bring into fruition for the past 123 years of its existence.

Sun Life hopes that the campaign, as well as Piolo’s own story, will inspire more people to take the same path in their financial journey. “As the longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines, we have witnessed many promises being fulfilled throughout the years and have served generations of clients. It is an honor for us to serve all our clients and help them secure their future and those of their loved ones” Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa said. 

“The promises we make to our loved ones are sacred, and Sun Life knows this. That’s why it’s committed to helping its clients achieve their goals, no matter what happens,” Piolo said. “You can’t ask for a better lifetime partner than that!” 

About Sun Life Financial 

Sun Life Financial Inc. ("SLF Inc.") is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management ("AUM") of $975 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

SM Strata

Photo by Paolo Rae Palmares Dehan

SM Strata is an 18-storey tower with 12 (7th to 18th) level designed to accommodate BPO locators and offices. The total area of the proposed project is 58,346.12 sqm. The project aims to provide job opportunities to the surrounding communities and to establish the BPO presence in neighboring towns where population is dense. The building is located at the Benigno Aquino Avenue, which serves as the city’s principal transport backbone. Thus, there will be ease of accessibility to public

transportation for employees. The building has a system that will minimize the threat of traffic build-up. Private vehicles may opt to drop their passengers at the front, main entrance or at the parking entrances on all four above-ground parking levels (2nd to 5th floors).

The SM Strata started construction last March 7, 2016 with an estimated project cost of more or less 2 billion pesos.The building is estimated togenerate around 12,300employees per shift not including

tenants coming in at the ground floor. The design of the building complements the existing mall

across, SM City Iloilo, the only Supermall in Iloilo which expanded by adding a building within the property and highlights SM Strata as the tallest structure in the City. The new SM Strata and

commercial spaces will be able to offer employment prospects and will propel economic benefits to

the communities., +63 917 852 8889 ; +63 917 305 4527 ; (+632) 8627047 for any further inquiries.

Hakab Na! 2018

In celebration of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August, the non-government organization Breastfeeding Ilonggas(BFI) in collaboration with Iloilo City Government and Iloilo City Health Office will organize a one-day breastfeeding activity called ‘Hakab Na! 2018’ as part of Iloilo Charter Day celebration.

Now on its fourth year, Hakab Na! 2018 will gather breastfeeding families, lactation experts, peer counselors, and breastfeeding advocacy supporters, to boost awareness of the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, promote the importance of providing proper support to breastfeeding mothers and ultimately, create a breastfeeding nation.

Central to this celebration is the act of mothers simultaneously breastfeeding their children for one full minute as part of The Big Latch On, an international activity where mothers latch on their babies from different locations around the world to create a world record.

Hakab Na! 2015 will be held simultaneously in Metro Manila (Mandaluyong and Alabang), Aklan, Bacolod, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and Singapore on August 4, 2018 (Saturday) at 10AM

EVENT DETAILS 

WHAT: Hakab Na! 2018 

WHEN: 4 August 2018, Saturday 

Registration starts at 9AM 

Event proper starts at 10AM 

Simultaneous Breastfeeding at 10:30 AM 

WHERE: Festive Walk Mall, Megaworld Boulevard

Abyan Ko Ikaw: A sucessful feeding & gift-giving activity

Christofer and Stephanie Guck of Texas, USA spearheaded the "Abyan Ko Ikaw" or translated as "You're my friend" feeding & gift-giving activity at Santa Theresa Elem School in the Province of Guimaras in cooperation with SEC Magdalo ST Therese MTCC & Medicine Students of West Visayas State University.

 

 The children looked happy upon attending this first outreach initiative by the sponsors.

 Congratulations and wishing you more successful endeavors!

King Cup: A Must-Have for every Kitchen

There’s no denying the fact that Coco Martin has bagged the title, “Hari ng Primetime” with his long-running show, “Probinsyano”. The show has been airing in ABS-CBN for the past three years which is not an easy feat especially with the new and bolder shows taking the spotlight.

But Martin has proven that the Filipino taste has not really changed much over the years especially when it comes to entertainment. His show which is a mix of action, suspense, drama and comedy has that distinct Filipino flavor stamped all over it.

So it came as no surprise when he became the face of a local brand of sardines – King


Cup -- “Hari ang Sarap, Hari ang Sardinas”.

Just as many Filipinos are making sure they come home from work early just so they can tune in to this popular show, this new brand of sardines will surely make you want to come home because of its delicious taste and distinct flavor – mapapauwi ka talaga sa sarap!

“Isang malaking kasiyahan sa akin na maging King Cup Sardines’ brand ambassador dahil naniniwala ako sa kalidad ng produktong ito. Naalala ko, bata pa lang ako, excited talaga ako umuwi sa lola ko– at ang paborito kong ginisang sardinas na hinahanda nya. Simple lang pero mapapauwi ka talaga sa lasa at sarap!” Coco excitedly shared.


Three Decades of Excellence

King Cup is just one of the many brands under Permex Producer and Exporter Corporation which has been around for more than 30 years. Hailing from the biggest sardine-making city in the country, Permex operates in Zamboanga which is considered one of the biggest and efficient tuna and sardine processing plants in the country. In fact, they employ about 1,500 workers and with rated capacity to process 70 metric tons of tuna and 150 metric tons of sardines per day.

This family corporation is headed by its President Jimmy Yap who was born and raised in Davao. The second generation currently takes an active role in running the family business with Engineer Jaydrick Yap as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Eugene Yap as the Chief Finance Officer.

Small Beginnings, Big Vision
As with most companies, Permex started small with an initial capacity of 10 metric tons of fish and a work force of 300 but they have expanded and grown so much in just three decades.

Permex owns seven separate warehouses, ice plant that can produce 180 metric tons of ice per day, a cold storage facility for 1,200 tons of fish storage at -25C that maintains fish freshness, and a fully air-conditioned tuna cleaning facility with temperature maintained at 70F.

“Our modern facilities and resources equip us to engage in deep sea fishing, ice production and cold storage, seafood canning, fishmeal production, ship repair, dry dock and maintenance. These resources enable Permex to provide fresh fish to the market and its cannery. Because of our modern facilities, we are able to enter markets in Asia and Europe,” Jaydrick shares.

World-Class Quality
“Permex takes pride in being the only Philippine fish cannery to attain a ‘Double Triple A’ rating by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada in 1991. This rare distinction has allowed the company to continue and enjoy preferential status of its products in Canada after passing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s rigid quality management program. The company was also awarded in 1991 with the Golden Shell Award for Excellence in Exports, the first fish cannery to be a recipient of this prestigious award from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM),” Eugene added.

Permex is also one of the few Philippine canning plant accredited by European Union, that produces both sardines and tuna for export to EU market.

Their excellence in their products has reached world-wide recognition which is a pleasant surprise since sardines has been known for far too long as a poor man’s food.


Sardines: A Filipino Kitchen Staple for Good Reason
If we were to scour your kitchen, how likely is it that we will find a can or two of these sardines sitting comfortably in your pantry or your kitchen cabinet? Considered a Filipino food staple, sardines can be found in almost every kitchen in the country because it not only boasts of its affordability, but it also prides itself in its taste and nutritional value.

Did you know that a single can of sardines is packed with high protein and is low in carbs? It is also a good source of calcium, iron and omega 3 fatty acids. That is why the American Heart Association recommends adding fatty fish to your diet at least twice a week to help lower cholesterol levels and improve your heart’s health.

Specifically created for mass market consumption, King Cup Sardines are made from fresh tamban fish cooked in tomato sauce with just the right amount of spices. Deliciously flavorful, King Cup Sardines has a firm, meaty texture rarely found in regular sardines.

Since Filipinons enjoy their sardines sautéed, this new brand is definitely suited for moms. Lola’s or Tita’s special recipe of ginisang sardinas!

That is why it is clear as day that sardines are here to stay and with the new brand of royalty in town, King Cup is sure to reign in the hearts—or in this case, the kitchen---of many.

King Cup has two variants: King Cup Sardines in tomato sauce and King Cup Sardines in tomato sauce with chili added are available at all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide. For more information, visit www.permex.com.ph and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KingCupA1Sardines/. Contact the Sales and Marketing at (02) 3666054 located at 232 Baesa Industrial Terminal Quirino Highway Q.C.

Premier group Ballet Philippines to perform at SM City Iloilo

The county’s premier dance group Ballet Philippines is set to perform in Iloilo’s premier mall.

The event dubbed Celebration, will be a showcase of Ballet Philippine’s best dances that pay homage to Filipino history, diversity and talent.

SM City Iloilo is proud to bring you another unparalleled performance by the country's flagship company in ballet and contemporary dance, this July 13, 2018, 6pm at SM Cinema 6.

This special presentation is a treat and a world class offering to theIlonggos who advocate culture and the arts and to those who wish to experience a one-of-a-kind performance from the group widely recognized today as a cornerstone of the Filipino cultural identity.

For inquiries, please visit the official Facebook page of SM City Iloilo or call the Marketing Department at (033)320 9609 local 16.

The Perfect Planners for the Wedding Expo 2018

Most of the time, planning for a wedding takes months. If the couple can find someone who has a lot of experience and connections in making things happen, that would be a great help. But for bigger events from conceptualizations to shoots, wedding day activities down to reception and honeymoon, The Perfect Planners are here to make things easier for you. 

Get special discounts when you book with them until July 8 at SM City Iloilo Activity Center. Contact numbers are 033 337 1458 and 09275502354.

SM City Iloilo pioneers eco-friendly shopping with green initiatives

SM City Iloilo continues to provide its shoppers eco-friendly shopping with environment-friendly practicesin mall operations.

As a pioneer in green initiatives in the region, SM City Iloilo launched its 2,904 panel solar power facility in a switch-on ceremony last September 5, 2017 yet.

Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III and former Dir. Rosario Cabrera of the Office of Civil Defense 6, together with SM Regional Operations Manager for Visayas 3 Girlie Liboon lead the switch-on and joined by SM City Iloilo Asst. Mall Manager Darrel John Defensor, Mr. Rabbie Chris Carvajal – Chief of the DENR-EMB 6 Environmental Education and Communication Section, Councilor RLeoneGeroche-Committee on Environment chairman, Provincial Information and Community Affairs Chief Nerio Lujan and Engr. Robert Escuto --Senior Environmental Mgt. Specialist and Chief of Pollution Control,Iloilo City CENRO.

SM Supermalls marked2017 with the completion of new solar panel projects in three SM malls – SM City Cauayan, SM City Cabanatuan, and SM City Iloilo.As the retail giant aims to lead private sectors in clean energy use in the country, months after that, SM launchedfive more solar powered malls – SM City TreceMartires, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Dasmarinas, SM City Olongapo, and the upcoming SM City Tuguegarao Downtown.

By the end of this phase, SM have approximately 33,000 solar panels capable of producing 8.9 megawatts of electricity – enough to fully charge around 1.3 million cellphones, light up 890,000 10-watt LED lamps, run 297,000 30-watt electric fans, or provide power to almost 6000 households.

“SM Prime has always been committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and maximize energy efficiency in our malls. This is just one of the many renewable projects we have been doing and we will continue with finding ways on how to make our operations more environmentally sound and sustainable,” said SM’s Hans T. Sy during the Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony between SM Prime and Solar Philippines in 2014.

As SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country, Solar Philippines is the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia. This rooftop format not only utilizes previously unused space, but also provides “green” roofs for the said malls.

In 2014, SM launched its first solar rooftop project in the country at SM City North Edsa, the first mall in the Philippines to become solar powered. SM Mall of Asia followed two years later with the inaugurationof a solar power facility with twice the capacity of the former’s rooftop installation.

As SM Supermalls aspires to be exemplary forcommercial and industrial establishments, this latest milestone on green energy projects reaffirms SM Prime’s commitment to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities that enrich the quality of life of millions.

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For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

SM City Iloilo launches its 2,904 panel solar power facility in a switch-on ceremony September 5, 2017. Photoshows Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Dir. Rosario Cabrera of the Office of Civil Defense 6, together with SM Regional Operations Manager for Visayas 3 Girlie Liboon(4th, 5th and 6th from the left) lead the switch-on and joined by (from left) SM City Iloilo Asst. Mall Manager Darrel John Defensor, Mr. Rabbie Chris Carvajal – Chief of the DENR-EMB 6 Environmental Education and Communication Section, Councilor RLeoneGeroche-Committee on Environment chairman, Provincial Information and Community Affairs Chief Nerio Lujan and Engr. Robert Escuto --Senior Environmental Mgt. Specialist and Chief of Pollution Control,Iloilo City CENRO.

 

SM Mall of Asia inauguratedin 2016 a 2.7-MW solar power facility almost twice the capacity of SM City North Edsa’s1.5-MW solar rooftop installation.In photo: Solar panels atop SM Mall of Asia.

SM launched its first solar rooftop project in the country in 2014 at SM City North Edsa, the first mall in the Philippines to become solar powered. In photo (from left): Solar Philippines President Leandro Levisteand SM’s Hans Syduring a viewing of the solar panels on the roof deck of SM City North Edsa’s carpark building.

Hope shines bright for SM Foundation scholar

The inspiring story of Ben Cantomayor from Oton, Iloilo is an example of trying to find the light amidst the dark realities hounding his present condition in life.

Ben is an incoming college freshmen who qualified in the SM Foundation Inc.(SMFI) college scholarship program this school year. One could not imagine that the frail physique of this boy walks kilometers on a daily basis just to get to school in the aim of giving his family a better future when he graduates.

Consistently on top of his class, the small nipa hut with the soil as their floor is the testament of Ben’s achievement—the wall is almost covered with his medals both from his academic and extra-curricular feats.

He is a self-thought artist—his paintings hang in a small room where he rests after his daily grind with his books and school assignments.

An exceptional student, so to speak. Despite all the challenges he faces every single day, he managed to surpass these and graduate with flying colors.

What is moving in Ben’s story is he had to do all these tasks with the help of a single light bulb. Yes, it is the only light bulb in the whole house. And the family has to prioritize Ben to use the light bulb so he can study and do his homework.

The sad reality is they could not afford to buy another light bulb to at least illuminate the other parts of the house. They have to make best the use of the only light that guarantees the future of Ben to succeed.

The Cantomayor family cannot let that single light bulb to flicker or else Ben’s future is at stake.

The apprehension of a dark future all changed when the team of SM Foundation headed by Ms. Ling Lansang, Assistance Vice President for Education, went personally to the Cantomayor residence unimaginable kilometers away from the town proper of Oton town in Iloilo, to tell Ben and his family that the former has qualified to be an SM Foundation scholar. 

His dreams for his family is now within reach as he will not worry with anything except to just focus on his studies in a university and course of his choice. His tuition and miscellaneous fees are covered and Ben will have a monthly allowance from SMFI.

SM founder Henry Sy, Sr. believes that education is the best defense against poverty. SM Foundation provide college and technical-vocational scholarship grants as well as access to primary education through school buildings to help the youth achieve their dreams.

SM also helps provide underprivileged children with better quality public education by donating school buildings and classrooms in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd identifies areas in need to help address the backlog of classrooms in accordance with national requirements. With the new and conducive environment for learning, children perform better in school and are more inspired to learn, while teachers also become more effective.

Ben may be using the same light bulb in his journey to college. But the future looks bright as hope shines with Ben’s dreams and aspirations.