PLDT and DPC Launches 29th Visual Arts Competition!

We were at the launch at SM Annex this afternoon and got to see enthusiasts, people from the academe and executives from the corporation to launch PLDT and DPC's 29th Visual Arts Competition.

Ms. Julieta Tañeca of PLDT says "We are acknowledging the change of times and we have embraced digital photography. This partnership with DPC has been going on for years already. Our participants have made pieces with oil and various media. It enabled us to discover tons of talents and we have evolved from painting to digital photography. DPC has been reaching out to students via www.visualarts.ph and their Facebook page. Gadgets today lets us documeny almost everything today and creativity will come to the floor as the do "Past meets Present" a theme that's already part of us, easy with the digital age. Thank you to all the schools, professors and students for promoting VAC29 and you have until February 24 to upload it on the website. Thank you also to Canon for being our official imaging partner and SM for hosting our venue. We at PLDT DPC just like you are excited to launch this event!"

The project will run from January 21 to February 24, 2015. Awarding ofnprizes will be on March 24, 2015. Only enrolled college students 15-24 years old can join. Entries must be shot this January, DSLR or High Res at least 10Megapixels, 8x12 in JPEG Format. Initial submission can be in 72dpi, Final submission will be 300dpi. Every entry must also be taken within the Philippines. Removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast. HDR is not permitted. It must have no watermark, not entered in other photo contests, or published previously. It must also not have the Philippine flag or Philippine currency as the main dominant element in the composition. Every photo must be their original work, own their intellectual property rights. Talent/models should also have a release form. If underage, a signed consent should also be there. Top 50 finalists must agree to transfer ownership to PLDT DPC, agree to publish their name abd school as well. If entry is a finalist, online application form, parental consent and model release form must be signed as available on www.visualarts.ph. Templates are available too if entry is going to be a requirement in school. Packet must contain their full name, mobile number, email address, address and other personal data as needed. The title of entry, subject, location and how it relates to the theme must be included. Any entries submitted after 11:59 PM on February 24 will be disqualified. Each participant will also be allowed 3 entries.

They encourage you to submit entries early as site traffic might delay uploads due to the queues. Criteria for judging is 25% Visual Composition, Originality 25% Adherence to Theme 25%, suitability to cover 10%, and Overall impact 15%. Finalists will be informed of submissions via mobile and email. Raw and unprocessed file must also be submitted. Original documents must be submitted sent via courier/registered mail. 

Top 51 to 70 will also be informed if they need to replace someone from the top 50 finalists. If they've completed requirements, they will be included in major awards like People's Choice (via online voting, one vote per finalist per day) and the actual winners of the contest. Independent auditors will sign off for accuracy before releasing for announcements of winners. They will receive cash donations and prizes in kind. Special prizes will also be given to schools with the most entries and the most number if qualified finalists. Prizes will be as follows:

Canon is generously also giving away cameras and printers for those who will win. So what are you waiting for? Join the biggest Visual Arts Competition in the country! Join VAC29 now!

For more information about their services:

PLDT Home

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Visit their official website

http://www.visualarts.ph

Coca Cola Philippines Wins US Government's ACE

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg (center) together with Director of HR and Corporate Affairs of Coca Cola Femsa Philippines Juan Carlos Rodriguez (left) and Atty. Adel Tamano the VP for Public Affairs and Communications for Coca Cola Philippines accepting the US State Department's Award for Corporate Excellence last December at Sofitel Manila..

Coca Cola Philippines just got the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence for their efforts in relief and rehabilitation during Typhoon Yolanda. US Ambassador Philip Goldberg gave them the award in ceremonies done in Sofitel Manila and received by VP for Public Affairs and Cimmunications Atty. Adel Tamano.

Coca Cola Philippines was one of the first few companies to respond for calls to help with the crisis as Western and Central Visayas was hit by Typhoon Haiyan and donated around 2.5 Million US dollars from its main office. It was given to various relief, humanitarian efforts and partnerships with the Philippine Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. They also pooled donations and volunteers during this time so they could address basic needs like water, nutrition and education. 

They suspended all advertising for Christmas and realigned programs so they could rechannel the funds for the same purpose. Right now, they are implementing programs like the Agos Ram Water Pump (to help improve water quality and sanitation), the NutriJuice Program (to help 35,000 school children from malnutrition), and Little Red School House (built 300 classrooms to benefit thousands of kids in the province) plus a 5by20 Program so they would be economically empowered women entrepreneurs and provide 1000 sari sari stores in the province of Leyte. They also partnered with USAID for the rehabilitation of ravaged stores in both Leyte and Samar. It helped ensure commerce, the flow of goods in the community which is a crucial part of bringing normalcy in the province. They also provided loans and programs for Negros Women of Tomorrow Foundation, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. with the help of the Department of Education, Philippine Business for Social Progress and local government units among others. 

Coca Cola Philippines is now one of three companies to win the Secretary of State's 2014 Award for Corporate Excellence. It's given to American companies to recognize leadership and commitment to innovation, responsible practices and positive contributions to local economies. Congratulations to you guys and I hope I get to visit your plant again soon!

For more information about their foundation:

Every Bottle Has A Story PH

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Visit their official website

http://www.livepositively.com.ph/

TV5's Rising Stars Philippines - QC Auditions Now Ongoing!

It's here! It's big and it's going to take the Philippines by storm! RisingStars Philippines, the country's biggest and grandest talent competition is now holding auditions all over the Philippines to find out who among the 100 Million strong Filipinos would be the ultimate singing superstar - and we were at the Quezon City auditions last Sunday at the Cinema Floor of Trinoma Mall (4th Floor), North of Edsa, in Quezon City.

RisingStars Philippines is also going to be televised on Kapatid Network TV5 from February 28 to May 3, 2015. They will also be holding auditions all throughout the country including far flung barangays so there's no excuse if you would like to be discovered in this competition. They also have released the RisingStars Philippines App that is available on the Google Play Store for free. Just choose the songs and you could already have your entry be included among thousands expected to join this through regional contests. Aside from that, you can also opt to join through their website RisingStars.ph if you want to do it through laptop or desktop computers right in the comforts of your home. Else, you can do it via these recording booths in major malls and landmarks nationwide.

Again, this specific one for Quezon City can be found on the 4th Floor of Trinoma Mall beside the cinemas. All these entries from Metro Manila will go through a series of screenings, then eliminations, then a semi-finals event. The top 7 semi-finalists will then have a live singing battle on February 1, 2015. If you get to be the top 2 there, you'll be seen on primetime telecast on its airing via TV5. Don't forget to check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Risingstars.ph.

Ogie Alcasid during the launch ot TV5's newest shows.

The show by the way is going to be hosted by no other that OPM President himself, Mr. Ogie Alcasid together with the Philippines' very own Miss Universe Venus Raj. You will also be treated with stories and happenings in the back stage by Mico Aytona, so whatever they're going through during the competition, you'll see it like what reality shows are on TV5. It's going to be exciting, just bring out your secret Karaoke moves and who knows, you might win something big that could ultimately change your life. 

There's no reason why anyone in the Philippines wouldn't join RisingStars as it gets you to join them via so many channels in the RisingStars.ph arsenal. Come join them through the Recording Booths too if you can't do it with your phones and tablets. There will be more of this real soon in your Barangays as well. So what are you waiting for? Come be part of the biggest and grandest singing competition in the Philippines. Come and be that Rising Star!

For more information about their program:

Rising Stars Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.Risingstars.ph

Public Advisory From Our Friends at Smart

Wondering why there's no signal on your phone lately? Why is there no Internet too? Are you near in some places where Pope Francis is celebrating mass in Manila? Well if you put two and two together, you probably know why. We got this notice from our friends from Smart and Sun Cellular.

"Public Advisory :

In compliance with government orders, Smart and Sun Cellular have temporarily suspended mobile phone services in parts of Metro Manila that His Holiness Pope Francis will hold his activities today. This includes the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park and other areas of Metro Manila. This is part of comprehensive efforts to ensure the safety of the Pope and the public."

So you should understand, this is for the security of his holiness. Bear with it for a few days. Let us pray that he's going to be safe while he's here and when he goes back to the Vatican.

Ciao!

Kumagcow