60th Anniversary of Pioneer: Stories of Friendship Video Competition

Friday, February 28, 2014


A few days ago, I was invited to a gathering in Makati by buddy Gian Viterbo of www.gadgetpilipinas.net indicating "Pioneer" on the invite. I didn't pay attention too much because I knew these guys were friends... so I figured whatever it was, I'm good with it! Since he's a tech blogger, I was under the impression that we were going to a tech event so we could check out electronic devices with the same brand name. Finding a whole lot indicating "Pioneer House" on the building we went to, I was a little dumbfounded when our other friends told me it's an insurance company. I was afraid of these things precisely of their "functions" because I feared they were always going to wait for my untimely demise. I went up their office and did the best thing any civilized guy of my stature would do, I sat down and listened.


They introduced themselves nicely and we all got comfy. They catered to different levels of clientele including huge Hollywood productions to that street vendor who had so little. That last part, of which I found really noble. Micro insurance is a really something they went serious with; and they delved explaining the difference of their company compared to others. Therein lies I guess a more meticulous way of explaining standards, plus rules, plus why they've got to stay in the industry for 60 years and survive as a business. I got more of the answers when their President and CEO Lorenzo Chan Jr. did his part. 


At Pioneer Life Inc. he mentioned that aside from their quest to bringing in business, their main difference is having a "heart". 

Then I said to myself, Heart?! Wait a minute... Where am I?! Care bear land?! 


He shared one of their client's stories; and in a nutshell, they probably would on a normal circumstance only give the benefits when they're in dire straits - medically tested and proven that the person's health is at risk or if they already passed away just like any insurance company. They learned that the claim was for a man who was in the brink of having aneurysm; a condition that would worsen as days go by; and an operation was needed to get him out of harms way. They probably didn't have any responsibility legally if you talk about what's written on paper. He convened the people involved and talked about what would ""humanely" happen if they didn't act fast. Pioneer Life knew that they had to do something for the guy in this situation and got the good man a few days later the money expeditiously. They got so touched when the wife got back to them with a letter saying "Thank you!" in so many ways. He recovered from that ordeal and is still living a few more years with his family. That alone is a priceless thing for Pioneer Life Inc. to see and said that's what they mean by having a heart. Isn't that amazing?

   
Vice President for Marketing Services and Communications Ms. Len Pozon agrees with their Chaiman and CEO. The reason why they've built so much dreams in the years that Pioneer Insurance has been in this country is because they've made it a point that all their claims are made fairly within the limits of the various coverage programs that they have issued. They also have times when they've got to stop, listen and act not just to fulfill what is legally correct and rightfully "within the bounds" of what you have signed up and worked hard for. They have been here helping Filipinos build their lifetime dreams and all we have to do now is ask what they can also do for you.  



Aside from that, they're holding a contest named "Stories of Friendship Video Competition" to university or college students ages 15 to 24 years old. They know how much Filipinos value relationships and this time, they're asking how you would produce a 3 minute or less video showing the value of FRIENDSHIP. It can be a narrative/music video or would be up to the student how to interpret it. Students can submit their entries on a brown envelope  with a filled out submission form (found in www.storiesoffriendship.com) together with a photocopy of their current Student ID, 3 DVD copies of the entry (max resolution 1280/720p MPEG-4/H264) and saved in MP4 video format. Make sure you label it "Pioneer Stories of Friendship Video Competition by (Name of Participant - School) and send it to Marketing and Services Communications at the 4th Floor Pioneer House Makati 108 Paseo de Roxas Legaspi Village, Makati City. This will run until April 21, 2014. Film and Advertising industry experts will judge and pick 8 entries and invite them to an awarding ceremony. Winners could win up to Php 120,000 in cash plus insurance coverage. There's also an Online Favorite Award to be chosen on May 23, 2014. Lucky voters for that part would win Php 5,000 and insurance coverage by the one and only PIONEER. If that isn't great news, I don't know what would!

For criteria and other information regarding the competition, please visit their channels below.

Ciao!
COW

For more information about their contest and company:
Pioneer Is Your Insurance
Pioneer Is Your Insurance
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.storiesoffriendship.com

Jillian Ward's Birthday Celebration!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A girl that has been able to capture an audience unprecedented in GMA and continues to be blessed with projects here and there is child star Jillian Ward.



She's adorable, cute and super talented which made us not surprised why she's getting the breaks she deserves. Aside from that, this celebration just became VERY special as she and GMA Artist Center chose to include children from Virlani Foundation for Street Kids and a couple more from the streets of Manila. FUN RANCH in Ortigas became the venue where these kids had the activities like Cupcake Decorating Contests and the experience to RIDE ALL THEY CAN at Fun Ranch with Jillian herself.


Best of all, Jillian made sure the kids were happy by giving them gifts from her sponsors. Imagine that, the birthday celebrant was the one giving gifts... A noble gesture from the cute kid.


It was also the first time that I've seen her sing. She's really got a good voice, she must have trained a lot to be that good.


The kids also had some games played with her. It was fun at the red barn that day and I'm not surprised that she celebrated it this way. Jillian is a good kid and she's destined to have a good career ahead of her! Happy birthday Jillian!

Thank you also to your sponsors Fun Ranch Ortigas, Sweet Kiss for the cupcakes, Barbie who got her equally cute dresess, Elle, Waffle Time, Zagu, Minute Burger, Leon Phelipe (who's got good goat's milk and tdf pastillas!), Fernando's bakeshop and GMA Artist Center who made the lives of thes kids a tad better during Jillian's birthday! You guys are awesome!




COW

For more information about their artists:
Official GMA Artist Center
Official GMA Artist Center
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

CENTURY TUNA Superbods Super Challenge 2014


Everything happens for a reason. When we got to Makati during the presscon of Century Tuna Superbods a few days ago I was a little hesitant to even work out because that was the activity mentioned that evening. Admittedly I was a little out of shape, and a cardio workout wasn't my cup of tea since I only indulge in lifting weights when I'm in the gym. I don't like people telling me what to do and I usually turn my ears off when people tell me I'm fat and lazy. As hard as that sounds, I also want change to happen and it should start from me. I want to change things, and I've heard great news that could make me start my journey!


You might think this is a ploy to get you interested about a good product, but the executives themselves went in and tried the workout regimen and diet indicated on the website http://www.centurytuna.ph/superbodschallenge/ and you know, he's got six pack abs underneath that suit and showed it to the audience. If it worked for him, who knows... it might just be the thing that could work for me too. It's already summer and everyone's gearing up to show their bodies on the beach. Aside from that, Centrury Tuna's annual contest Century Tuna Superbods on April 25-27, 2014 in Boracay... if I win that I'll be famous just like Jon Spainhour haha!


The actual web site has two sections that will make this challenge work. On the photo above is dietician to the stars Ms. Nadine Tengco. She has designed the all new Century Tuna Superbods Meal Plan which can get you in shape in a promised duration of 6 weeks! 


 The meal plans consist of well balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner meals that can get you the right amount of nutrients that you need while in this 6 week program. It's functional because the goal of tightening the human mid section needs something like this to work, because as the lady in gold puts it... it doesn't work with plain workout. It must also be accompanied by a whole lifestyle change which in this case... is food.

 
On the website too is the Century Tuna Superbods Workout Plan made by popular Biggest Loser coach Jim Saret. This is his expertise and he's made 6 weeks worth of workout videos designed to make you the superman you want to be in that period.


You can also download the meal plan and this workout regimen in calendars if you want to be a little more organized. Though if you want to be easy, the thing is already on Youtube so anyone with a smartphone can access it anytime, anywhere! He also has a workout plan for those who couldn't exert too much effort and start light. I wouldn't argue with Coach Jim Saret if I were you, he's probably got one of the nicest physique I've ever seen in person. It's not too big or bulky, it's just right for his height. I envy him for that!


Century Tuna doesn't want you to be perfect, they want you to be a better version of you! Now with the right amount of food intake, aerobic, cardiovascular, weight training, stretching and various exercises you can get to your goal of becoming just that. Would you like to do start and get that better version of you to appear? Get on with the plan and do this for 6 weeks and see what you've been missing all these years with the help of Century Tuna!

Rush over to the channels below or http://www.centurytuna.ph/superbodschallenge !

COW

For more information about their stores:
Century Tuna
Century Tuna
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.centurytuna.ph/superbodschallenge

Short Video: G2B Finale Press Conference

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

It was a nice day to celebrate but most of the personalities I've seen in the press conference of the popular show "Got To Believe" were a little sad because they've finally come to realize that good things must come to an end. 



I'll share with you the last few minutes of the G2B Finale press conference as the lead cast gave their message to the supporters of their show. Truly, they value the help of their fans to its success and they will give back through a fair in March 2. I'll update this post also to add more photos. In the mean time, enjoy this video!




Ciao!

KUMAGCOW
Men's Lifestyle Redefined!

JasMINE the Series on TV5


Jasmine Curtis might have been startled because she's seeing a real life stalker in the crowd while we were interviewing her for her upcoming project JasMINE the series. She's an award winning actress and one of the most sought after commercial models in the country. Seeing her being hounded by admirers probably is quite normal, but what if it goes beyond being an admirer or a fan? What if she suddenly fears for her life? What about her privacy? What would she do in the event that her admirers publicly posts creepy stuff and make her each move monitored, knowing where she goes and taking locks of hair as if he's obsessed with her?


That's exactly what people from advertising firm Ace Saatchi & Saatchi told us during blog conference a few days ago. You enter something so close to real life and extend the boundaries of what reality and what fiction is. That particular moment when it's either "bended or blurred" is where this story will stand. With the addition of the characters that Alwin Uytingco and Mathew Padillla also plays, it'll surely be an interesting mix of trying friendships, boundaries of respect, work and different facets of life. Jasmine Curtis adds that "This interesting role is the best because I get to play myself!"


Watch out for Alwin's role who's a blogger in the series because he's one of the interesting personas in the series. Check out http://showbizscoopsbywendell.tumblr.com/ and his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/showbizscoopsbywendell to know more about him. If you watch this series, you'll get to participate virtually in the program because they'll introduce updates on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram account that would also add a different dimension to the story. 


This is a first in Philippine television and the only program where Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, UNITEL and TV5 is putting their bet on (while serving as producers). Something out of the ordinary, something unprecedented and well thought of, I'd like to see how this develops when it shows in March. There's no specific date yet on when this will be shown, but like the team behind it I want to see how the general public reacts to situations that are foreign to them. When I asked about why they want to do this most viewers are probably in the "Moms" age, they answered that the Filipino audience is smart... they also add that the social media channel part won't be too foreign for them because they probably all have Facebook, much like a staple nowadays. Plus the fans of the stars which they think will be the "most number" of audience they'll have would have the capabilities to follow all the social media channels and interact with them. Again, this is a feat that has not been done in any program in Philippine TV.That alone amazes me. Don't worry though because they'll still have some light moments in between.

I hope none of the STALKING things they do on the episodes would rub off on watchers because the last thing they probably would want is to see more stalkers in the streets LOL nah just joking! Thanks to Goldilocks, TV5, UNITEL and Ace Saatchi & Saatchi for having us! Can't wait to see it!


COW

For more information about their show and dates:
TV5 Manila
TV5 Manila
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.tv5.com.ph

CloseUp Forever Summer featuring Thomas Gold!

Monday, February 24, 2014


My toothpaste of choice CloseUp is about to launch the eagerly awaited party this season called CloseUp Forever Summer! It's Closeup’s freshest beach party that's gonna be held in the city and they're letting YOU the public call the shots. Closeup has been monitoring your requests through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram til now asking and inviting you to decide if you want electronic dance music or go indie.

Closeup Forever Summer was well attended last year when they held their first music festival Closeup Summer Solstice. For 12-hours straight, they held a grand outdoor party featuring dance music acts from Afrojack, Cedric Gervais, Alex Gaudino, Dev and Cobra Starship. It was a dream for EDM music lovers like me! They called off the November 2013 date because of super typhoon Yolanda but now they're going to have you up in arms rejoicing in a trance the greatest spins and dance music DJ's could put out for the crowd!

Here's Thomas Gold during Tomorrowland

 

Don't fret people! You can still have your say by telling CloseUp what you want to happen through their social media channels like their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/closeupphilippines), their Twitter account (www.twitter.com/closeupph) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/closeupph).

Closeup Brand Manager Gem Laforteza says “We want people to own summer and have it exactly how they want it. This year’s Closeup Forever Summer is about creating lasting moments by getting everyone together to decide how they want the party to go down” 

An announcement party will happen on February 26th featuring the good looking DJ on the photo above DJ Thomas Gold. You'll know the full details of the party and the artist lineup too while in this event. I'll be giving away tickets for two so you better be reading this article :) By the way, Closeup Forever Summer is sponsored by MYX, Folded and Hung, Havaianas, Greenwich, Republiq and Yellow Brick Media.

How to win? You just have to Tweet and tag me on Twitter @kumagcow or post in the KUMAGCOW Facebook page why you deserve the tickets on the 26th. It will be held in Republiq, a very posh place so don't forget to better dress up to look the part too (friendly reminder)!

Just post this using your Twitter or Facebook accounts (Follow me of course!):

I want to win tickets to @kumagcow's @closeupph #CloseupForeverSummer giveaway because _______________.

Sample:

I want to win @kumagcow's @closeupph #CloseupForeverSummer giveaway because I wanna know the lineup earlier than the public!


Hurry I'll choose the winner and announce it tomorrow morning! Winners must be willing to pick up the tickets in Makati. :) It's easy, just convince me you deserve the tickets! :D

COW

For more information about their product:
Closeup Philippines
Closeup Philippines
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.closeupforeversummer.com

New Store In SM Megamall Fashion Hall: GIORDANO concepts


Off the posh hallways of Megamall's new Fashion Hall is an addition to the great brand that we Filipinos loved all these years, this is GIORDANO concepts. We've already got them as staple on shirts and other garments but they have particularly leveled up a notch as they introduce this more premium brand that will cater to executives, yuppies and those who want a more luxurious line of clothing. Fact is, they've taken those well designed products from Korea and introducing them through this one, pretty cool right?


Their vision: is to provide consumers like us a more upmarket brand or kind of Giordano that still presents casual attires and shows a "less is more" retail approach that will be attractive to a more high end buyers.This innovation will make  majority of its collection in modern black, whites, grey and monochromes but still make it available in a large variety of styles. This approach and attitude will provide a more upscale, dreamy line which will be very much at par with other international brands like Armani, Polo by Ralph Lauren and Lacoste. They can even be greater for some of the items I've seen in the store. Start spending.


I love the colors. Even if they are getting a little adventurous, the collared shirts and tshirts are proving to be quite classy; plus the materials are obviously a wee bit thicker than usual without compromising comfort. It's soft on the skin and primarily cotton based. I think I've already seen their market, mostly professionals who want to splurge on more luxurious things. Like some execs in my office who only seldom shop but invests in more classy clothing. Nothing wrong with that because you only deserve the best if you've worked hard for your money. Getting what's worth every cent is the key.

Since it's the first GIORDANO concepts store in the Philippines, what great way to start the day with some of the Philippine's brightest stars and personalities. You might recognize some of them :)


Giordano's Chairman and CEO Peter Lau was there and was pretty happy that aside from the regular Giordano stores, there's Giordano concepts now in the Philippines. He's promising that they will bring more high end products to the Philippines through Giordano concepts. It'll be easy he laments and seeing the celebrities who already enjoyed the clothing, they are sure that the most discriminating Filipino consumer will make this the better choice when it comes to premium clothing.


Giordano concepts partnered with Preview magazine's stylists so they can experiment with the celebrities who went to the store that afternoon. They did a swell job and got the mostly seriously dressed wear a relaxed upscale outfit which all came from the Giordano concepts store.


Just ask the good looking host of Midnight Snack and model Mikael Daez. He brightened up the room with his chiseled facial features and winning smile. He also donned Giordano concepts shirts later on in the evening. Twa's nice meeting you again :)


My friend Ruth aka Ruthilicious of http://www.ruthdelacruz.com/ also enjoyed her time with model Brent Javier. He's cute as a button and he's dapper on this bit, then he wore some of the collared shirts later on as he was dressed up by Preview's style team. Effortless.

The people are as equally hot as the clothes in Giordano concepts and judging from what I've seen in the store, there are some items that I really like especially the long sleeved shirts and accessories on the other tables. If you want to check out what classy stuff they have in the store, please do give them a visit at the 3rd Floor Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. They are open the same with mall hours so you better give them a visit.

I'm shopping there tomorrow :)

COW

For more information about their stores:
Giordano Philippines
Giordano Philippines
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.giordano.com.ph