Experience superior sleep with Uratex Premium Mattress

Experience superior sleep with Uratex Premium Mattress

Did you know that getting a full night’s sleep is actually good for your health? A number of studies have shown that sleep affects your well being in different ways. Researchers have found that there is a link between insufficient sleep and serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes and obesity. Likewise, lack of sleep lowers your pain threshold, places you at a greater risk for injuries, affects your mood, causes you to be hungrier and eat more, and affects clear thinking.

As a matter of fact according to Dr. Deborah A. Bernardo, Head of the Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center and Chief of the Section of Neurology at St. Luke's Medical Center, "Insomnia is the most common sleep problem. Shift work disorders are getting more common because of the BPO, entertainment and media industry. Obstructive sleep apnea, which manifests as loud snoring and stopping of breathing during sleep, is also very frequently unrecognized."

Uratex, the leader in providing the best sleep solutions, has been supporting the advocacy on the importance of a good night’s sleep. Through tie ups with the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine and with the studies of Dr. Deborah A. Bernardo.

"Sleep is as important as diet and exercise for good health. It is necessary for clear thinking and memory formation, protection of the body against diseases and repair of cells and tissues of the body." Dr. Bernardo elaborates more.

This is the reason why finding the right mattress is important.

Uratex constantly innovates the way people sleep by using the latest in technology, the best design, and luxurious materials. This is called Sleep Science, and it is this discipline that is behind the creation and design of Uratex Premium Mattress Collection.

Uratex Premium Mattress Collection features the best materials for soothing sleep. A variety of state-of-the-art foam are used in creating each mattress, including Senso Memory foam, latex foam, and Hydragel foam. Used in combination with premium pocket springs, Tencel fabric and 3D spacer fabric, you are assured of quiet sleep at the end of the day.

Uratex Premium Mattress has crafted four unique mattress collections that take into account each person’s needs. Each mattress was designed to specifically fit your body’s needs for a more personalized sleep solution.

The Perfect Serenity Collection is the very definition of perfection. The combination of innovative foam and fabric technologies provides tranquil sleep the moment your body touches this mattress. The advanced 3D spacer fabric supplies ample ventilation throughout its surface for constant airflow for a cool, fresh feeling as you sleep. It also ensures that your mattress is clean and fresh even with constant use.

The Senso Memory collection utilizes memory foam that conforms to your body shape to evenly distribute pressure for a more comfortable sleep. The Visco-elastic foam used in this mattress remembers the shape of your body for a personalized sleep experience. The use of Tencel fabric in the main panels also keeps the mattress cool and fresh as you sleep.

The Premium Touch collection combines high performance pocket springs and world-class materials. Each individually wrapped pocket spring follows the shape of your body, even as you turn on your bed. To add comfort, the mattress is topped with natural latex foam to relieve the body’s pressure points. It is covered with Tencel fabric making it soft and smooth to the touch.

For those requiring better support as they sleep, the Orthocare collection supports the body’s key pressure points and keeps them aligned to reduce aches when you wake up in the morning. The inter-connecting cell structure in high-quality foam distributes pressure equally and evenly, letting your body feel relaxed while you sleep. It also uses 3D spacer fabric to keep your mattress cool and fresh, while Tencel fabric adds a soft and smooth feel.

All mattresses under the Uratex Premium Collection are treated with Sanitized, a technology that keeps mattresses free from bacteria or microbes. It protects your body, so you sleep on a mattress that is clean and comfortable.

Uratex Premium Mattress, the leader in the premium bedding industry in the country, and Our Home, the leading home and furniture store, collaborate by providing the public a chic and modern venue for finding the right mattresses for their homes.

Dindo Medina, Uratex Corporate Sales Director, says the partnership between Uratex and Our Home will provide a venue where the public can find sleep solutions that will help improve the quality of their lives.

Medina also shared that Uratex have guests that will share their experiences in using Uratex Premium Mattress. Special guests would be actress-model Solenn Heusaff, 2013 Ms. Universe 3rd Runner-up Ariella Arida, Brazilian model Vanessa Matsunaga, celebrity chef Rolando Laudico, DJs Sam YG, Slick Rick and Tony Toni of Boys’ Night Out, and fashion blogger Camille Co. “These individuals possess unique qualities that have made them role models in their respective fields, the same way that the Uratex Premium Mattress Collection will become the benchmark for luxurious soothing sleep”, concludes Medina.

About Uratex

For superior sleep solutions, visit Uratex Philippines at www.uratex.com.ph, follow twitter @uratexfoam IG Uratex_ph or call 888-6800.For more about Uratex Premium Mattress, call the Uratex Consumer Care Hotline at 888-6800 or visit www.uratex.com.ph

THIS SUMMER, GET COOL WITH UNIQLO LINENS

THIS SUMMER, GET COOL WITH UNIQLO LINENS

I hardly go out these days because of the hot weather and humid condition here in our country.  As much as possible, I just stay indoors because I don't want to end up dead because of heat stroke. But sometimes, one is left with no choice but to attend to some important commitments. The least that I can do when I really have to go somewhere is to dress appropriately for summer. High-street brand UNIQLO understands that so well, that’s why it’s rolling the Premium Linen Shirts in time for your travel adventures and summer soirees.  It combined French sartorial sensibility with Japanese clothing engineering so you and I can get the most essential shirt for the dry season

Linen breathes and wicks away moisture naturally, to help keep your skin dry in the heat. Linen is a UNIQLO LifeWear essential, and a centerpiece of the brand’s Spring/Summer collection. The entire range is made of 100% premium French linen, created from long, soft fibers that are smooth on the skin.

Linen is derived from the fibers of the flax plant. It requires intense labor to manufacture, but linen is prized for the refreshing coolness it provides. The fabric is strong, durable, doesn’t stretch and is resistant to damage from abrasion.

“Our linen is available in diverse colors, from long-sleeved shirts in paler hues for spring through early summer, to more vivid colors for mid-summer—helping you to look your seasonal best. Our men’s Linen Cotton Shirt is now available in both plain colors, and refreshing Madras plaid. The subtly wrinkled texture expands your summer casual fashion options,” says Katsumi Kubota, Chief Operating Officer of Fast Retailing Philippines Inc. – Uniqlo.

The men’s Premium Linen Shirts has an updated silhouette, for great lines whether you want the shirt tucked in or not. The women’s range, meanwhile, brings long-sleeve, three-quarter-sleeve and sleeveless options.

“Our women’s long-sleeve and sleeveless shirts now have gussets on both sides of the hems. We added a chest pocket to our three-quarter sleeve shirts, and introduced Madras plaid and other patterns for summer. We also reduced the flare on our sleeveless items, to enhance the vertical lines—particularly effective for more mature wearers. UNIQLO’s Premium Linen Shirts perfectly completes any wardrobe,” Kubota adds.

It won’t be surprising if Filipinos make these linen shirts their summer staple. With the linen’s weave allowing more airflow and its fabric possessing high air permeability, your body will be free of moisture, especially under the punishing heat of the tropical sun.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing
UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under seven main brands: Comptoir des Cotonniers, GU, Helmut Lang, J Brand, Princesse tam.tam, Theory, and UNIQLO. With global sales of approximately 1.14 trillion yen for the 2013 fiscal year ending August 31, 2013 (US $11.62 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2013 rate of $1 = 98.36 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world’s most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a truly global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 1,400 stores in 16 markets worldwide: Japan, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. and the U.S. In addition, Grameen UNIQLO, a social business established in Bangladesh in September 2010, currently operates several Grameen UNIQLO stores in Dhaka. UNIQLO manages an integrated business model under which it designs, manufactures, markets and sells high-quality, casual apparel. The company believes that truly great clothes should be supremely comfortable, feature universal designs, are of high quality and offer a superb fit to everyone who wears them.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2015 MUST DO

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2015 MUST DO

I believe in God. But I think there is nothing wrong if we try this ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui for the upcoming Chinese New year 2015. For me, it is merely practical suggestions on what we must do in order to have more good luck. Welcoming New Year be it the beginning of the calendar year or Chinese New Year, it always marks a new beginning for each one of us. Starting fresh means making changes that will hopefully bring us more blessings in the year to come. Infeng shui terms it means ushering in new energy to bring in abundance and success. I already posted the suggestions below last December 2014 in another blog, but I believe it is still applicable for the coming Chinese New Year. So here it goes. Philippine feng shui expert, Master Hanz Cua recommends that you include these 8 essential tips to observe when welcoming Chinese New Year 2015:

General Cleaning and Cleansing. Prepare your home by doing a general cleanup of both the inside and the outside of your house. Clean up any clutters that are lying around inside the house and get rid of broken appliances or gadgets. Broken objects and shabby surroundings invite poverty. Do your cleaning before New Year’s day itself. When all is done, “cleanse” the premises by burning incense.

Wear Red for Power and Green for Wealth.

New Haircut. A new hairdo will help activate the Peach Blossom Star of Romance, especially for those singles who are hoping to find their special someone.

Bountiful Chinese New Year Spread. Celebrating Chinese New Year’s Eve in a bountiful manner guarantees a year of prosperity. Meat, fish and greens should be represented and different types of fruits and cakes for good luck. Don’t forget to leave some leftovers of each dish, this symbolizes that you will not run out of food for the rest of the year.

Twelve Different Kinds of Fruits. Choose twelve kinds of fruits to symbolize each month of the year.

Pineapple-is the one fruit that you must always have in your basket. The Hokkien word for pineapple is ông-lâi, which means 'fortune comes.'

Orange-represents gold in Chinese tradition; its round shape means signifies money.

Apples- the Chinese word for apple in is ping, which means harmony.

Grapes-represent luxury; traditionally, it was eaten by kings and royalty.

Banana-they come in clusters, which symbolize unity; its yellow color stands for happiness.

Mangoes-the sweetness of ripe mangoes signify the sweetness that is among family members.

Lemon-its fragrance and essence is known to cleanse or remove negative 'vibes.'

Watermelon (Pakwan)-its color means prosperity and many seeds stand for abundance.

Papaya-like the orange its color is symbolic of gold.

Lychees-its round, red body stands for happiness and good fortune.

Avocados-green or purple color both symbolize prosperity.

Pomelo (Suha)-its bright red or pink pulp represents good health.

Check the Plumbing and Electrical System. Any leaks in your pipes and faucets correlate to leaks in your finances. Light bulbs, outlets and switches should all be in good condition. Burned out light bulbs and faulty wiring signifies poor chi flow, which means your good luck suffers too.

Red Envelope (Ampao). These small red envelops decorated with gold Chinese characters are given as gifts by the elderly to the children or younger generation on the eve of New Year. There is always a certain amount of money inside. This represents a “payment” to appease the ghosts so they won’t harm the recipients of the ampao. In general the red envelop signifies protection and good luck.

Making a Loud Noise. The Chinese believe loud noise drives away evil spirits.

For personal forecasts, Tarot card readings and feng shui consultation you can contact Master Hanz at Level 1 EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Phone:(+63)9228290382

MONEY SENSE: Manulife Helps Investors To Make Sound Judgement

MONEY SENSE: Manulife Helps Investors To Make Sound Judgement

Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. 

Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Their international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. They also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$637 billion (US$597 billion) as at June 30, 2014. Our group of companies operates as Manulife in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. 

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com. 

Philippines investors look far and wide for opportunities, but stay close to home for investment and advice – Manulife Survey

• Philippines investors favor developed economies over emerging Asia and show least home-market bias of any investors in Asia 
• Personal networks, bricks and mortar dominate approach to investing 
• Philippines investors remain most optimistic in Asia

Investors in the Philippines are among Asia's most optimistic and most outward-looking, given their willingness to invest outside the Philippines to gain returns, according to the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index* covering the second quarter of 2014.

Philippines investors reach across emerging Asia to mature markets

When asked which region they think is best to invest in, Philippines investors point to developed Asia, Australasia and North America over emerging markets, including emerging Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.

Fig. 1 – Philippines investors favour developed and distant markets over China and emerging Asia

Philippines investors seem less affected by home-market bias than any other investors in the survey. Given a selection of single markets, they show most enthusiasm for Canada (76 points) and Japan (73) above the Philippines itself (51), and show least for China (44), which most other Asia investors rank relatively higher.

When it comes to growth, Philippines investors are also most optimistic about Japan and Canada, with 19 percent believing that Japan’s economy will be the fastest growing in the next two years, followed by Canada, China and Australia. This contrasts markedly with the average Asia investor, 27 percent of whom expect China’s economy to grow fastest, followed by much lower expectations for Japan Australia and Canada.

Fig. 2 – Philippines investors’ views of which markets will grow fastest contrasted markedly with investors elsewhere in Asia

"Our research suggests that Philippines investors’ preference for Japan is likely related to Japan’s first quarter GDP growth which came in at 6.7 percent on strong consumer demand ahead of the implementation of a new goods and services tax," said Aira Gaspar, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of Manulife Philippines.

“It's also interesting that Philippines investors seem so keen on Canada. We think there is a sound basis for this given that Canadian equities outperformed their developed market peers in the first quarter."

Philippines investors rely on friendly advice, ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolios

Despite their international outlook, Philippines investors place their faith closer to home when it comes to making investment decisions, with 88 percent relying on or referring to family, friends or colleagues as a source of advice – the highest level in the region and well above the regional average of 58 percent. They are less dependent on industry staff, mass media or online sources of investment advice.

Philippines investors also have a very ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolio composition, with 61 percent saying they own investment property (against the Asian average of 19 percent) and 75 percent owning their own home (against an Asian average of 50 percent). Cash and property together make up the bulk of their portfolios. Conversely, they have much lower ownership of stocks (15 percent versus the Asian average of 48 percent) and mutual funds (6 percent versus 23 percent) – even though their sentiment towards equities is the highest in Asia.

“Philippines investors rely largely on their own networks for their investment decisions" said Ryan Charland, CEO of Manulife Philippines. "While it is comforting to speak with family and friends for investment advice, investors would benefit from consulting investment professionals, who could help them build a sound and diversified portfolio that meets their medium to long-term financial goals.”

Philippines investors are Asia's most optimistic

In addition to their positive views about investing overseas, Philippines investors remain optimistic about investing at home with the sentiment index for domestic investment at 59, the highest in Asia. This optimism was spread across all asset classes in the survey, which all saw increases except cash. Fixed income saw the biggest increase, up 5 points to 50; followed by stocks, up 4 to 45. Mutual funds rose 1 point to 36. Property has taken the lead as the most favored asset class, with home property highest at 75, up 1 in the quarter, while investment property rose by 4 points to 74. Cash was the only asset class to see a decline, down 9 to 73, but still remains high.

”Filipino respondents were generally upbeat, despite weaker-than-expected first quarter 2014 GDP growth and uninspiring corporate earnings for the same period,” confirmed Ms. Gaspar. “We believe sentiment was boosted by a credit rating upgrade from Standard & Poor’s and an increase in government spending on much-needed infrastructure projects. The country’s resilient private consumption, rising investment cycle, recovering manufacturing industry and favorable consumer and business confidence bode well for economic activity and a positive earnings growth story. However, investors’ sentiment could turn sour if policy reforms aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies and fostering inclusive economic growth stall.”

For more findings and related information from the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia, please visit www.manulife-asia.com.

*About Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia

Manulife’s Investor Sentiment Index in Asia is a quarterly, proprietary survey measuring and tracking investors’ views across eight markets in the region on their attitudes towards key asset classes and related issues. The Index is calculated as a net score (% of “Very good time” and “Good time” minus % of “Bad time” and “Very bad time”) for each asset class. The overall index is calculated as an average of the index figures of asset classes. A positive number means a positive sentiment, zero means a neutral sentiment, and a negative number means negative sentiment.

The Manulife ISI is based on 500 online interviews in each market of Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore; in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines it is conducted face-to-face. Respondents are middle class to affluent investors, aged 25 years and above who are the primary decision maker of financial matters in the household and currently have investment products.

The Manulife ISI is a long-established research series in North America. The Manulife ISI has been measuring investor sentiment in Canada for the past 15 years, and extended this to its John Hancock operation in the U.S. in 2011. Asset classes taken into Manulife ISI Asia calculations are stocks/equities, real estate (primary residence and other investment properties), mutual funds/unit trusts, fixed income investment and cash.

About Manulife Asset Management

Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife, providing comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of public and private asset classes, as well as asset allocation solutions. As at June 30, 2014, assets under management for Manulife Asset Management were approximately C$300 billion (US$281 billion).

Manulife Asset Management’s public markets units have investment expertise across a broad range of asset classes including public equity and fixed income, and asset allocation strategies. Offices with full investment capabilities are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, Manulife Asset Management has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. The public markets units of Manulife Asset Management also provide investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. John Hancock Asset Management and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Additional information about Manulife Asset Management may be found at ManulifeAM.com.

Sharp’s air conditioning technologies make cool air safe and clean

Sharp’s air conditioning technologies make cool air safe and clean

Good news to those people who often get allergies when they are in an air-conditioned environment.  Finally there is no need for you to undergo the same ordeal again. You can now upgrade your air-conditioning unit to a model that not only cools the air but also gets rid of harmful bacteria.

A lot of airborne—and potentially dangerous—viruses, allergens, and bacteria are present in our environment today, making necessary protection from the health risks they bring, especially to our kids.

Today, Sharp (Phils.) Corporation has air conditioners bring not only cool but also clean air to homes, offices, and any type of establishment on any given day and weather. Its impressive line of air conditioning products offers enhanced and “healthier” cooling efficiency compared to other brands in the market today.

What sets Sharp air conditioners apart from other brands today is the air purification system called Plasmacluster Ion (PCI) technology, a technologically advanced airflow filtration system that helps free the air from dangerous airborne threats. This helps produce cleaner and fresher air that’s 99 percent free from airborne threats – clean and safe air, inspired by nature, indeed.

The PCI technology involves the generation of an electrical discharge that helps make and releases positive and negative ions into the air. These positively and negatively charged ions, similar to the ones found in nature, go after airborne bacteria and viruses, attach themselves to them to form highly oxidizing radicals, then finally draw out hydrogen, effectively breaking down the protein’s membrane to make them inactive. These hydrogen and oxygen radicals then combine with hydrogen and return to the atmosphere as water.

Dust, pollen, and other forms of air contaminants are also some of Sharp air conditioners’ targets. The charged ions neutralize static electricity to help prevent these contaminants—even odors—from sticking to walls and fabrics for easy collection and filtering. Because PCI technology mimics how nature cleanses the air around, it allows us to breathe fresh and clean air that is safe and chemical-free. This makes PCI air conditioning units ahead of others in the market.

A lot of people, especially in enclosed, air-conditioned rooms, will be happy to note that Sharp air conditioners are effective in protecting the home and the family, the workplace, and other establishments like airports, museums, and other public places, from unhealthy air.

Besides PCI technology, Sharp air conditioners are also equipped with Powerful Jet Stream Technology which makes everyone in the room feel cool, regardless of where they are located.

The Powerful Jet Stream Technology has a strong and direct airflow that instantly cools the body and the room 30 percent faster than the conventional split-type air conditioners. The Coanda Technology, on the other hand, throws cool air through a soft, indirect airflow from far distances to provide soothing coolness to the room, which works best for babies and sometimes the elderly. Finally, the Inverter Technology enables faster and quicker cooling, reduces start-up time, and promises effective energy operation by avoiding the cycling of compressor. The process also helps you avoid power surges, thereby saving you energy and more money.

All these technologies designed to make the customer’s life more comfortable are available in each Sharp Deluxe Split-Type Air Conditioner, as part of the company’s “Our Brand, Our Pride” philosophy; this is a commitment to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos by providing them with exceptional home appliance products – no frills, no fuss, just simple engineering marvels for you and your family.

To find out more about Sharp’s outstanding line of air conditioners and other home appliances, visit www.sharp.ph.

Lamoiyan Corporation: Pinoys' Pride

Lamoiyan Corporation: Pinoys' Pride

Fully Filipino-owned Lamoiyan Corporation has more reasons to smile as it continues to bring world-class quality yet affordable products that never fail to earn the peoples' trust and loyalty, especially now that the company is in its 25th year of existence.

In perfect time with its Silver anniversary this year, the company now has more than 30,000 fans in leading social network site Facebook, and still continuously growing – a feat that only proves the unstoppable patronage it gains from the local market.

’s Facebook page served as a venue to connect with the brand’s market, most of them Filipino moms. Not only that the site served as a tool for to reach out to its market, but also it served as a page where fans can get practical household tips and useful parenting advice for everyday. And when the page reached its 10, 000 mark, took the chance to hear more from their fans and asked them: "Bakitang toothpaste mo?"

From among the thousands of statements made during the campaign, one of the most convincing ones was that of Daisy Villadores de Belen, who admits that their family already tried almost all the toothpaste brands available in the market and yet they still stuck to for her kids really love the taste that is not too spicy. With this, she writes: "Happing happy kami sa."

The same reason was also given by Era Mae Dagondon, who particularly liked ’s flavorful taste, not to mention its refreshing effect to the mouth and the softness of the bubbles she feels every time she brushes her teeth. Meanwhile, Filomena Villanueva swears that it's "really worth it without the need for a mouthwash”.

Apart from its world-class quality that is comparable to other more expensive brands, what's also keeping consumers loyal to toothpaste is its reasonable price. According to Michelle Talaboc, while prices of some commodities continue to go up, it's good to know that Lamoiyan remains affordable, especially for those who have less in life. This, in turn, gives her a reason to smile amid life’s challenges.

For practical mothers who want only the best for their family, toothpaste is indeed the right choice for them. Belinda Maravilla, who considers herself so meticulous in choosing every product she buys, shares that it's only that her family is very satisfied with given the kind of dental care it provides and yet friendly to the budget.

The self-confessed frugal Merly Onayan, on the other hand, cites that she, who values the hard-earnings of her husband, won't settle for something expensive if there's an alternative that can also give the best result in oral hygiene. Because Rho-anne Repre considers the brand as the "ness ng pamilya ko, ness pa ngbulsako!" she indeed gives the consuming public a convincing statement that they need not have to spend more just to have a beautiful smile.

Beyond the wonders of toothpaste as a product, the legacy behind it also contributes to its big following. It is a known fact that Lamoiyan Corporation is a 100 percent Filipino firm established in March 1998 by no less than its visionary owner, Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro who, despite the unfortunate closure of his first business venture Aluminum Containers, Inc., was not discouraged but instead opted to challenge the big multinationals by introducing a purely local brand that is of the same quality as theirs.

Seeing the company's humble beginnings, Cristina Lim stresses that toothpaste truly reflects the very distinct Filipino quality that is "masikap" or "diligent," which can be at par with the best in the world. Proud of the company and its founder's success, Ria Tacderas Bahri, meanwhile, says that it is but proper to love and patronize a brand made by a Filipino for the Filipino. What's more, Lamoiyan sets a good example as a firm that offers equal employment opportunities for hearing-impaired individuals which, for Ace Mendoza, only shows that it truly cares for the people.

These responses, which also share the same sentiments with the rest, clearly reflect this: That toothpaste is truly a world-class yet affordable brand in the market today made by a homegrown company that is Lamoiyan Corporation, whose mission to produce quality products as well as create opportunities for the people for the betterment of the country, is truly a source of Filipino pride. Visit www.facebook.com/HapeeToothpaste, for more household tips and to know more about toothpaste.

BORACAY: Nestea Ice Tea Beach Party on April 18-21, 2013

BORACAY: Nestea Ice Tea Beach Party on April 18-21, 2013

NESTEA ICE TEA: Ang Gaan Ang Sarap in Boracay!

Celebrate summer with Nestea RTD. Turn up the heat, turn on the fun, and share the summer goodness with everyone!

Summertime, and the living is easy, and nowhere is summer living easier than in the Philippines. With PAGASA predicting that the heat can go up to 35˚C, it’s now the time to look for the hottest things to cool you down for the season.

Plan a trip with friends and family – with numerous holidays and long weekends coming up, now is the perfect time to take advantage without dipping into your bank of leaves.

Explore new activities. Be adventurous and go for a hike, camp in the forest, climb a mountain, or better yet, learn a new skill. Because summer time is family time, it’s the chance to bond and catch up with the whole family, while recharging your brain cells too.

Start exercising. It’s never too late to get a beach-ready body, especially in a tropical country. Look for fun activities that will keep you interested, and update them regularly. This lowers your chances of getting bored, and increases your body’s resistance as well.

Lastly, find creative ways to cool down. There could be nothing else cooler than having a refreshing drink right at your hand. Escape the scorching heat with Nestea Ready-To-Drink, the ultimate summer companion this summer. Why fear the heat when you can enjoy the heat with Nestea Ready-To-Drink iced tea to give you that instant, refreshed feeling you’ll love.

The convenient and classic iced tea bottled up in our memories is back. Taste the mouthwateringly cool Nestea Ready-To-Drink with variants that contain an extra delight you can bring when you’re on the go. It comes in three exciting flavors, Lemon, Lemon Ice, and Apple. Be among the first to enjoy the splash of Nestea Ready-To-Drink at its re-launch at Nestea Beach, Boracay.

The 16^th Nestea Beach from April 18-21, and combine all these tips in one exciting go. Come with friends and family to bare your beach bod and catch the country’s hottest bands, celebrities, and international DJs partying from sun up to sun down to celebrate this summer’s theme: Ang Sarap, Ang Gaan. Expect exciting activities and prizes as you celebrate the season of the sun, sea, sand and skin.

In addition, watch the intense spikes of the country’s greatest collegiate volleyball teams as they face the finals of Nestea Beach Volley to be held at Crystal Sand Resort, Boracay this April 19 to 21.

So what are you waiting for? Bring the whole barkada with you, and don’t forget your ultimate summer companion, Nestea Ready-to-Drink, Plunge Anywhere, especially at the beach.

For more information, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nestea.ph.

CLUB BALAI ISABEL: Win Your Dream Wedding Promo

CLUB BALAI ISABEL: Win Your Dream Wedding Promo

On April 20 to 21, 2013, Club Balai Isabel will hold its first bridal fair entitled, “The Wedding Caravan” organized by R & A Events Specialist by Ricci Ang, hosted by Vet Lauzon.
 

This grand event will be held at Club Balai Isabel, located on the romantic shores of Lake Taal in Barangay Talisay, Batangas City from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The Wedding Caravan is designed for couples who desire a memorable and tailor-fit wedding. The event will showcase different wedding specialists and designers dedicated to making dream weddings happen.

This two-day event is packed with exciting activities and prizes to be given out to lucky couples. A series of bridal talks, makeovers and more will take place in this gathering. There shall also be a sumptuous food tasting by Juan Carlo the Caterer, a renowned catering service group. A fashion show highlighting the wedding collection of couture designers of the Fashion & Wedding Designers of the Philippines shall also be included in the line-up of events.

Club Balai Isabel will launch their first ever “Win a Dream Wedding” promo during the event. To join the contest, the couple must produce a three-minute creative video telling their love story and their idea of a dream wedding. The winning couple shall be entitled to a first-class Dream Wedding at Club Balai Isabel. The prize package will include a wedding gown by designer Joel Bautista, a special wedding cake by Hearts and Bells, photo and video coverage by Nice Print Photography, wedding invitations by Printrade Society Printers, photo souvenir by Smack Shot Photo Booth, catering by Juan Carlo the Caterer and other services by event partners such as Creations, Dragon Fireworks, Blessed Sacrament Flower Shop, and Ground Zero.

The Wedding Caravan this April at Club Balai Isabel shall be the befitting destination for couples, wedding enthusiasts and specialists taking part in the celebration of love and marriage. 

For more information about Club Balai events and promos, you may call (02) 897-1740, (+63) 9258260323 or (+63) 9178402820 or e-mail weddings@balaiisabel.com. Like Club Balai on Facebook, www.facebook.com/clubbalaiisabel or log-on to their website at www.balaiisabel.com.

C3 Spread the Love

C3 Spread the Love

C3 stands for Customer Contact Channel. They are located at One Bonifacio Technology Tower in Taguig City. And they've been in the country since. They are committed in giving job-seekers and employers alike something to think about?

C3 is not just another call center company. It infuses energy into the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry backed by the experience and the technical knowhow of a team of leaders headed by Andy Sarakinis, vice president and country manager. In a recent press conference held onsite, he shared how C3 came about in the Philippines.

C3 or Customer Contact Channels is a global provider of contact center services unlike any other in the market today. Services include sales, service, performance optimization, reputation management and complete customer interaction management via traditional, web, and emerging communication channels. C3 positively engages and promotes our clients’ brands with every contact we make with their customers. With a global team that is thousands of employees strong, the company is headquartered in Plantation, FL. 

“I was here in the Philippines in 1999 from South Florida to test the waters. Before, 70% of the call center agents were females with the remaining 30% males. Now, it’s 60% women and 40% men. There’s been a shift in the age in today’s BPO agents where the older ones are increasing in number. In 2000 alone, 95% were below 30 years old. To date, there’s an increase in those older than 30, with a few in their 50s joining the industry. Every one of these agents could rise to the next level after three months like one of our fast-rising employees April Torrecampo, who thought she had none of the qualities required of a call center agent, but proved that her latent skill just needed to be harnessed," says Sarakinis.

Human Resources director Crystabel Cardenas, who has worked in the BPO industry with three other BPO firms, added, "A career path with C3 is equated with opportunities for growth. Globally, about 9 out of 10 C3 employees are promoted from within.

C3 offers above industry benefits to its employees and is constantly outfitting its human relations policies to fit the needs of its workforce. Kevin Urrutia, the Vice President of Operations asserts, “When we talk about pay scales among call centers in the Philippines, C3 is at the 80th percentile - meaning if there are 100 call centers, C3 pays higher than 80 of them.”

“Inexperienced agents, those who have no prior call center experience, receive P16,000 starting pay. Those with a degree of experience receive up to P18,000 monthly wage. Plus they receive HMO benefits that they can share with a family member as long as they remain employed. It could be for a spouse or child, parent or sibling. Beneficiaries are named and could be changed at the start of every contract cycle. Lateral transfers are not done here in Manila yet but in our US branches they do,” she continued.

She also shared why C3 is literally different from the pyramid hierarchy of most corporate set-ups. “We are employee-centric and follow the inverted triangle approach wherein the grievance approach is immediate. This is made possible through regular supervisory visits. Our focus is on the entry level; mostly for support people and agents,” she enthused. Crystabel talks from over 13 years of experience in Human Resources dealing with fast-paced, rapidly-expanding local and multinational companies, and it is no mean feat that C3 now is counted as one of the most effective and productive BPOs in the Philippines.

C3 is definitely making an impact in the Philippines’ customer care industry with its own brand of performance optimization. Performance optimization, an element of C3 University, is where re-training for a new field and/or higher position takes place. It is the ‘silver lining,’ as its mentoring process helps employees climb the corporate ladder of success in their work life.

C3 University is an on-line training tool wherein an employee undergoes an aptitude test. Meanwhile, the Cadet-ship Program runs at an average of three months. The term can be extended depending on an applicant’s performance and evaluation rating. These promotion avenues provide the means to step up the C3 ladder.

When C3 opened on Nov 1, 2011, it started with 30 people on opening day. Now, the employee roster has risen to make C3 one of the fastest growing BPOs to date, as evidenced by an ever-increasing human resource inventory and a steady vote of confidence from its serviced clientele.

C3 is also strong on the value that charity begins at home. Cardenas emphasized that “C3's core values include open communication systems, accountability and helping the community through our CSR efforts. By community, we begin with our very own agents. For example, the people serving our pantry must be related to an employee. And as long as they have the support and patronage of our staff, they continue serving us with whatever type of food they make available at the refectory. Also during the Habagat, a number of agents were trapped in C3 and couldn't go home because the floodwater in their respective areas was really high. So our 11th floor recruitment section was turned into a shelter for them and their families and C3 contingency funds were used for logistics."

C3’s other international locations include Guatemala City, Guatemala and Panama City, Panama in Central America; Glasgow, Scotland and Sofia, Bulgaria in Europe; and Dalian, China and Mumbai, India in Asia. Its U.S. locations are in Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas, with headquarters located in Plantation, near Miami, Florida.

More information can be found at www.c3connect.com and http://jobs.c3connect.com/manila.

The recruitment line: Direct Line 479-7470 / Trunk Line 479-7400. 

Lamoiyan Corp. brings Hapee smiles to Filipino kids

Lamoiyan Corp. brings Hapee smiles to Filipino kids

Lamoiyan Corp. the leading Filipino oral, dental and personal care brand manufacturer , makers of the popular “Hapee” toothpaste, recently strengthened its support for Operation Smile Philippines, the local subsidiary of Operation Smile, by donating a total of One Million Pesos to the group in order to help provide reconstructive surgery to children and young adults with “cleft” problems or facial deformities under its “The Journey Home” medical mission. Shown in photo are (from left) Kathleen Magee, co-founder and President, Operation Smile, Inc.; Dr. William P. Magee Jr., co-founder and Executive Chairman, Operation Smile, Inc.; Dr. CecilioK.Pedro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lamoiyan Corp.; and Roberto Manzano, President and Executive Director, Operation Smile Philippines, Inc., during ceremonial turnover ceremonies held recently at the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City.

This year’s mission coincides with the global celebration of Operation Smile’s 30th anniversary and is a month-long, multi-site effort. It is the group’s biggest international mission ever mounted in the country and in the world, with 1,000 Filipino and foreign volunteers from 35 countries providing 3,000 free dental treatments.

SONY LIFESTYLE: A GLIMPSE TO AN UNBEATABLE WORK OF ART

PRESS RELEASE

SONY LIFESTYLE: A GLIMPSE TO AN UNBEATABLE WORK OF ART 
 
Sony has yet again launched not just one but three remarkable products that will definitely grab
hold of our attention. Held at Dusit Thani, Manila last Friday, November 23, 2012 was the Sony
LifeStyle: A Glimpse to Unbeatable Work of Art. 

The event was set off with an opening remark from Mr. Mike Bangayan, President of Banbros Commercial, Inc., the official distributor of Sony RME products immediately followed by Mr. Takayuki Takemura, Deputy Director of Sony South East Asia Recording Media and Energy.
The Sony South East Asia RME, introduced three of their newest product line, the Micro Vault™ TINY, HD-E1 Hard disk drive, and USB Stick Charger unveiling it through a fashion show showcasing these products as part of the clothing design or as an accessories embodying our society’s diverse genre and lifestyle. 

Small doesn’t mean less.
 
Sony RME makes sharing and storing data easy with the new Micro Vault™ TINY Series.
Available at 4, 8, 16 and massive 32GB, this compact size storage device brings a twist of
electrifying colors to choose from. Transfer large files with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 plus an illuminated flashing LED light. 

Data Armor 
 
Seamlessly crafted, Seamlessly Integrated. Sony HD-E1 USB 3.0 External Hard Drive combines great and strength in a perfect seamless form. At 500GB and 1TB storage capacity with Data Transfer Accelerator software securing high-speed transfer, Password Protection Manager provides greater data security and automatic backup with preloaded Back Up Manager software to guarantee that important files will certainly be well-stored and protected.
 
Empowered Power up your smartphone anywhere, anytime with Sony’s CP-ELS USB Portable Power Supply. 

Stylish and handy, Sony CP-ELS with a battery capacity of 2,000 mAh, is compatible with most
smartphones, provides an emergency back-up power to your smartphones. It’s Instant Power
On-The-Go.

ZEN INSTITUTE: Skin and Body Center Opens in Batangas

ZEN INSTITUTE: Skin and Body Center Opens in Batangas

"Some guys say beauty is only skin deep. But when you walk into a party, you don't see somebody's brain. The initial contact has to be the sniffing." - James Caan

Here is a piece of good news to Southern residents! “Skin and Body Center” by Zen Institute opens first branch outside the metro. You no longer need to drive all the way to Manila just to have your beauty fix.

The chance to be physically transformed inside and out has come of age south of Manila. The Zen Institute has reached out to the province of Batangas located at St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center, Maharlika Hi- way, Brgy. 2, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. This is the first ever Zen branch outside the metro.

The newly opened medical spa “ Skin and Body Center”, managed by the Zen Institute, reflects the kind of inspiration evoked by its guiding philosophy : “Elegance in its simplicity” where true beauty rises from the inner well-being. True to the ambience that permeates all centers of the Zen Institute—the main one in Bonifacio Global City, Hotel Sofitel branch, and another one at Sct. Rallos, Quezon City—“Skin and Body Center managed by Zen Institute also combines a sense of creativity, taste and aesthetics, in the pursuit of perfect health that creates perfect beauty through non-invasive and non-surgical treatments.

Zen founding president, Dr. Mary Jane “MJ” Torres, shared, “The need to reach out to the rest of the Filipinos, all over the country and the world in the promotion of total health, wellness and beauty without the risk of surgery. This is the primary purpose of the birth of this new Skin and Body Center.”

Men and women of all ages from south of Metro Manila who want to attain a beautiful face and body now no longer need to go to Manila for various non-invasive expert services like skin pampering treatment, facial contour, and anti-aging treatment, body sculpting with weight management, and hair revitalizing treatment, among others.

Dr. MJ revealed that the different treatments are all based on a medical protocol. “Skin and Body Center” by Zen creates a program protocol to assist its clients to live a healthy lifestyle through personal coaching. The Center seeks to deliver effective and immediate solutions for stress-induced conditions like muscle pain, weight management, sun-damaged skin, aged-spots, anti-aging —all these through non-surgical means and some breakthrough solutions tested in more advanced countries and here.”

The Skin and Body Center by Zen Institute is one solid statement that soon it will be able to realize and complete its dream of crafting perfection as it reaches out to every Filipino wherever they are… and whoever they are.” 

“As the essence of the ‘Zen’ concept: Perfection comes from harmony and flow, a natural consequence of a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. MJ ended.

Gano Cordyceps : A health and energy booster for people on the go

Gano Cordyceps : A health and energy booster for people on the go

 

Trusted by athletes worldwide. Cordyceps , for people with an active lifestyle,may help enhance physical stamina and fight fatigue, promote healthy respiratory and lung function. It helps reduce bad cholesterol, blood sugar and increase good cholesterol. It may alleviate back and knee pains, and may have anti-aging value. It may also help alleviate sexual dysfunction in males.  

If your fast-paced lifestyle, sports-filled days, frequent partying and/or tedious work demands get you wondering where you’d get the next outburst of sustained energy, not to mention, aid to health, you now have the answer. (Or in certain cases, if your health condition prevents you from pursuing an active life, like some people interviewed with liver or some specific ailments, you may now have the answer.) A food supplement trusted by athletes worldwide, which occupies, in fact, a long history in the tradition of the Olympics, is now in the country through the trusted brand Gano Excel, distributed locally through Gano iTouch Phils. But Cordyceps is not only for the sporty and athletic people, it’s also for those of you who off and on feel that your energy is zapped but simply need to get going.

According to the Gano Excel Founder, Sir Leow Soon Seng “Nutritious and safe to take, Cordyceps is an all-natural, organic capsule made out of an edible mushroom species named Cordyceps, which is used as herbal medicine. It is thus taken not only for energy and stamina, but also for good health.”

“Traditionally called Cordyceps Sinensis, which widely known and used in traditional Chinese medicine,it has been given names in both China and Japan: the Chinese call it ‘DongChongXiaCao’or DCXC, while the Japanese refer to it as ‘Tockukaso’, which means ‘winter-insect and summer-plant’.“

“It is as old as the Qing Dynasty of the 1700s and has been written about by noted Chinese scribes, as something made up of proteins, fibre, crude fats, carbohydrates, cordycepin, cordycepic acid, polysaccharide, and different vitamins, among others; it also increases oxygen utilization and enhances the production of ATP—Adenosine triphosphate, which transports chemical energy within the cell for metabolism,” he adds.

Other Gano Excel research findings about Cordyceps Sinensis: other bioactive components are nucleotides, needed to produce RNA and DNA; ergosterol, which is an important precursor of vitamin D2;amino acids which are protein building blocks; fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, which help in lowering blood lipids and protect from cardiovascular diseases; and metal elements, such as Zn, Mg, Mn, which are good for the gonads and kidney. This is verified by the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, which in 2008 stated that Cordyceps Sinensis has a protective effect on organs. From the said journal, one can gather that it deters liver fibrosis, hastens macrophage phagocytosis, and enhances the immune function of organisms with its strong capacity to clear the virus.”

What’s more, Cordyceps was found to boost the weak immune system and suppress overactive immune reaction. This is according The Journal of Leukocyte Biology Volume 85, June 2009. Several studies are available to conclude that Cordycyeps may help enhance physical stamina and fight fatigue, and may promote healthy respiratory and lung function. It helps reduce bad cholesterol and blood sugar and increase good cholesterol. It may alleviate back and knee pains, and may have anti-aging value. It may also help alleviate sexual dysfunction in males.

Sir Leow adds, “There are studies that indicate that Cordyceps has anticancer, anti-metastatic, immuno-enhancing, and antioxidant effects. This is according to Gene Bruno of the 2009 clinical trials MHS of Huntington College of Health Sciences, which support the efficacy of Cordyceps especially on the liver, kidney and the immune system.”

Bruno also made a statement on how Cordyceps aids in endurance. He cites the testimonial of eight female champion Chinese athletes, who vied in 1993 for a track distance event in the Stuttgard World Championships who broke several world records in 1993 in the Chinese National Games in Beijing and won a series of medals at the German World Athletic Championships. The athletes said in unison that they included Cordyceps in their diet along with intense training and dedication. There are now even Filipinos who have tried Cordyceps and will soon be giving testimonials on its efficacy.

Find out more about the Cordyceps food supplement by calling these numbers: (02) 7063152 and 7063137.  Read up on Gano iTouch corporate and product information by visiting their websites www.ganoitouch.com and for the international parent company Gano Excel International, http://www.ganoexcel.com.

Press Release

UNIQLO AND NOVAK DJOKOVIC:Launches Project "Clothes for Smiles"

UNIQLO AND NOVAK DJOKOVIC:Launches Project "Clothes for Smiles"

                                

Guys and gals a piece of good news from your favorite clothing brand UNIQLO!  

 

UNIQLO announces last October 16, 2012, the launch of “Clothes for Smiles,” a program developed in collaboration with professional tennis player and UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic.

 

 

Through this initiative, the company will establish a U.S. $10 million* fund and use it to bring smiles to kids all over the world, nurturing their dreams and giving them the tools to build a better and brighter future. The fund will be established from the sale of HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down items during the 2012 fall/winter season.

“Clothes for Smiles” will be comprised of two programs, at U.S. $5 million* each:

•  One program will accept ideas from around the world to give children a better tomorrow
•  The second will be an initiative to provide support to programs aimed at improving children’s education, through a global alliance agreement signed between UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and Fast Retailing.

Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President & CEO of leading global Japanese retailer Fast Retailing, said, “I am very pleased to launch today ‘Clothes for Smiles,’ the first fund to be established by UNIQLO, in partnership with Novak Djokovic. This is an innovative CSR initiative in terms of its scale, type of support provided, and its style of accepting ideas for the fund worldwide. ‘Clothes for Smiles’ will serve as one of UNIQLO’s major CSR activities alongside ongoing initiatives such as the All-Product Recycling Program and the social business.”
Commenting on the launch of “Clothes for Smiles,” UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic said, “I feel honored, and indeed very excited, to have collaborated with UNIQLO in developing ‘Clothes for Smiles,’ a totally new program that aims at giving children of all ages a chance for a better future. I hope many people from all around the world will help to support this initiative and in doing so will bring smiles to children everywhere.”
 

Details of “Clothes for Smiles”

“Clothes for Smiles” will be comprised of two programs, at U.S. $5 million* each. One program will accept ideas from around the world to give children a better tomorrow, and implementing them. The second program is intended to provide support to programs aimed at improving children’s education, through a global alliance agreement signed between UNICEF and Fast Retailing. The program will initially provide support to Bangladesh, China, Philippines and Serbia, with more countries to follow.

*Dollar amount of the fund may vary according to the exchange rate.

How to be Involved in “Clothes for Smiles”

UNIQLO welcomes ideas for how to give kids a better tomorrow from people everywhere. The company would like to receive ideas for how to use the fund and asks the public to do so via a dedicated website www.uniqlo.com/smiles. Customers can support “Clothes for Smiles” just by purchasing one or more HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down items sold during the 2012 fall/winter season.

How to Share Ideas for the Fund/Idea Selection Process

Through our project website, www.uniqlo.com/smiles, UNIQLO welcomes ideas from around the world to give kids a brighter future. The website will be available in 9 languages: Japanese, English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Thai, French, Russian and Serbian, and it will accept entries for ideas in a total of 13 languages (Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, in addition to the above 9 languages). Japanese and English websites will be available initially, with other languages to follow.

Entries will be accepted from October 16, 2012 to December 31, 2012, and they will be available on the website for the public to view freely and comment on. The final selection will be made by a panel of judges that include, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, architect Tadao Ando, Novak Djokovic and Fast Retailing Chairman, President & CEO Tadashi Yanai. The ideas selected by the panel are scheduled to be implemented from around March 2013.

 

Background and Launch of “Clothes for Smiles”

Since the appointment of Novak Djokovic as UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador, announced in Paris on May 23, 2012, both parties have been discussing various measures to realize their common, mutual desire to improve people’s lives and contribute to society. As a result, UNIQLO has come to a decision to launch “Clothes for Smiles,” a program aimed at bringing smiles to kids all over the world, nurturing their dreams and giving them the tools to build a better and brighter future.

Global Alliance Agreement with UNICEF

UNICEF and Fast Retailing have signed a five-year global alliance agreement that will provide support to programs aimed at improving children’s education, initially in Bangladesh, China, Philippines and Serbia, with more countries to follow.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit www.unicef.org

Novak Djokovic, Co-Founder of “Clothes for Smiles”

Born in Serbia on May 22, 1987, professional tennis player Novak Djokovic has captured a total of five Grand Slam titles to date - the 2008, 2011 and 2012 Australian Open, 2011 Wimbledon and the 2011 U.S. Open. In addition, he won the Men’s Singles title at the China Open in Beijing, on October 7, 2012.

Djokovic serves as a UNICEF National Ambassador in Serbia, and he established the Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007. Through his foundation, he supports projects that help improve the lives and educations of young people in Serbia. For more information on the Foundation, please refer to www.novakdjokovicfoundation.org

Novak Djokovic is involved with the “Clothes for Smiles” initiative in his capacity as UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under six main brands: Comptoir des Cotonniers, g.u., Helmut Lang, Princesse tam.tam, Theory, and UNIQLO. With global sales of 928 billion yen for the 2012 fiscal year ending August 31, 2012, FR is the world’s fourth largest apparel retail company and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

Today UNIQLO has more than 1,100 stores in 13 markets, namely in Japan, China, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. and U.S. UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a truly global brand. UNIQLO operates an integrated business model under which it designs, manufactures, markets and sells high-quality, casual apparel in line with its ‘Made for All’ philosophy.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, FR is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information abodsut UNIQLO and other FR brands, please visit www.uniqlo.com or www.fastretailing.com

“Clothes for Smiles" Panel of Judges

Muhammad Yunus- Professor, Founder and Managing Director of Grameen Bank

A Bangladeshi banker and economist, Professor Muhammad Yunus pioneered the concept of microcredit, the practice of extending small, collateral-free loans to the poor. In 2006, he and the Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize for contributions to spurring economic and social development among the poor through microcredit. In 2010 Professor Yunus established Grameen UNIQLO LTD., a joint venture between the Grameen Group and UNIQLO, in order to conduct social business in Bangladesh.

Tadao Ando- Architect

Tadao Ando founded the company Tadao Ando Architect and Associations in 1969. Since then he has received numerous awards, including the Architectural Institute of Japan Annual Prize for his Azuka House in 1979, the Japan Art Academy Prize in 1993, the Pritzker Prize in 1995, and the UIA Gold Medal in 2005. Mr. Ando has had solo exhibitions at the MoMA in New York in 1991 and the Pompidou Center in Paris in 1993. He has also taught at Yale, Columbia and Harvard universities. In 2000 Mr. Ando established the Setouchi Olive Foundation, and since 2011 he has been serving as Vice-Chairman of the Reconstruction Design Council for the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition, Mr. Ando is Chairman of the Momo-Kaki Orphans Fund.

 

Novak Djokovic -Professional Tennis Player

Born in Serbia on May 22, 1987, professional tennis player Novak Djokovic has captured a total of five Grand Slam titles to date: the 2008, 2011 and 2012 Australian Open tournaments, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships and the 2011 U.S. Open tournament. In addition, he has won the Men’s Singles title at the China Open in Beijing on October 7, 2012. Mr. Djokovic serves as a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia, and he established the Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007. Through his foundation, he supports projects that help improve the lives and education of young people in Serbia.

Tadashi Yanai-Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture on February 7, 1949, Tadashi Yanai graduated from Waseda University and worked in the retail sector for a major company in Japan before taking over his father’s company, Ogori Shoji Co., Ltd. (later renamed Fast Retailing). Mr. Yanai has led and grown UNIQLO to become Japan’s largest casual wear retailer. In addition to his role at Fast Retailing and UNIQLO, Mr. Yanai is a member of the Board of Directors of SOFTBANK CORP., and a director of Nippon Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Japan.

 

UNIQLO and Novak Djokovic Join Hands to Set Up “Clothes for Smiles” U.S. $10 Million Fund to Give Kids a Brighter Future