US EMBASSY: Notice to the Public

US EMBASSY: Notice to the Public

Please be advised that the US Embassy Manila will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 in observance of President's Day in the US.

UNIQLO: Lifewear

UNIQLO: Lifewear
 
I was invited at the recent Uniqlo LifeWear Spring Summer 2013 Fashion Show held at Venice Piazza Mc Kinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City. I was seated at the second row just at the back of Uniqlo's managing director Mr. Katsumi Kubota and Uniqlo's endorser Miss Iza Calzado.

Looking at all the fashionable people on stage that night, I can't help but admire the models in their summer clothing labelled as Uniqlo's lifewear! Lifewear line of clothing looks so comfortable and so right! The models wore lifewear as if the clothing they have on is their second skin. It is like an old favorite from the moment you discovered them. This is what clothing is meant to be. This Japanese company never fails to ensure to provide the best casual clothes for all kinds of people. After all Uniqlo is made for all.

                               
Oh, la la! I was thrilled to learn last Thursday night that Uniqlo is set to open 10 more stores in the Philippines this year and will carry Filipino designs here and abroad.

Katsumi Kubota, Uniqlo managing director, said that they would be opening four stores in the first half, including one in (BGC) Bonifacio Global City and its first provincial store in SM Pampanga and possibly Cebu.

Uniqlo is set on expanding and opening ten more new stores in different locations all over the Philippines.  Uniqlo is on its track to meet their target of 50 stores by the end of 2015.

Uniqlo will soon be carrying clothing lines made by local designers.

Katsumi Kubota said Uniqlo stores in SM Mall of Asia and SM North Edsa sold more than 300,000 pieces of garments during Christmas, the fastest growth in Asia and close to US sales.

The SM North Edsa branch is expected to match the first store in SM Mall of Asia, where the retailer sold 300 million pieces of garments in more than three months.

The Japanese retailer has invested more than $1 million for its second branch.

Kubota said the company sells up to 500 styles, and its best sellers are jeans, T-shirts and shorts.
 
Uniqlo has 1,100 stores in 13 markets, including Japan, China, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K., and US. It posted 928 billion yen in global sales for fiscal year ending August 31, 2012.

C3/CustomerContactChannels:To Hire Over a Thousand Customer Service Agents in Manila

C3/CustomerContactChannels:To Hire Over a Thousand Customer Service Agents in Manila
    


Great news to Filipinos looking for work! C3 or CustomerContactChannels, a global provider of customer management solutions, announced recently that they are actively seeking to hire over a thousand new customer service agents for its Taguig City, Metro Manila customer contact center.

C3’s hiring surge will support clients in the

•  telecommunications
•  healthcare
•  and social commerce industries 

In preparation for increased call volume through 2013 and beyond. Although the majority of the positions are for customer service representatives, management positions are also available.
As a pioneer in handling multichannel customer care, C3 continues to develop new technologies and sign exclusive partnerships to provide its clients with the most advanced customer care solutions in the market. Many of the job opportunities will include solutions to support customers via social media channels and forums.

“We are looking for people with patience and enthusiasm. If you think you are that type of person, we have a great opportunity for you at C3,” said company president and COO Rick Ferry. “Our company is growing rapidly, and each position offers opportunity for advancement.”

C3 differentiates itself among other customer contact companies because of its one-of-a-kind company culture encouraging employees to thrive. “One of our main goals at C3 is to hire good people and keep them as a member of our team for years to come,” added Ferry. “We are not only a call center business; we also work to train people for a career and hope our entry-level employees will eventually become our future leaders. Manila continues to provide an extremely skilled workforce with an affinity for the American culture that helps them serve customers well.''

Andy Sarakinis, the Philippines’ country manager, has been in the Business Process Outsourcing industry for well over a decade and brings with him best practices from the industry. He and his Manila team put systems in place adapted to the Filipino culture.

The company’s offices are located on four (4) levels of the building it occupies and is equipped with the latest in computers and facilities, including rooms for resting and four (4) cafeterias.

C3 also provides activities and opportunities that enable its employees to reinforce company camaraderie, as well as career advancement. These include bazaars, vacations as rewards for accomplishments, sports fests, tree planting, museum trips with family members, financial wellness seminars, etc.

Career advancement is provided through the C3 University platform, which focuses on self and career development curricula. The free program is open to all employees regardless of their tenure. Those who are willing to attend classes in their spare time for career and skills enhancement undergo particular courses that fit the level of skill that needs to be enhanced.

C3’s other international locations include Guatemala City, Guatemala and Panama City, Panama in South 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, FL.

The company serves the energy and utilities, financial services, healthcare and insurance, telecommunications and wireless, and travel and hospitality verticals. It offers forward-thinking customer management solutions for medium to large-sized companies in a wide-range of industries, servicing sales, performance optimization, reputation management, and end-to-end customer interaction management.

C3 is looking for applicants with prior contact center/customer service experience, but will consider candidates with customer service expertise outside of the call center. Interested parties can apply online by visiting http://jobs.c3connect.com/manila


About C3

C3/CustomerContactChannels 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. More information can be found at www.c3connect.com and http://jobs.c3connect.com/manila

LILOAN CEBU: Host of Vaseline Men Xterra Championship Weekend

LILOAN CEBU: Host of Vaseline Men Xterra Championship Weekend

Last February 5, 2013, a press launch was held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati attended by Vaseline Men celebrity endorser Jericho Rosales. The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series kicks off next month with the Vaseline Men Xterra Championship Weekend in Liloan, Cebu.
 
Everybody was in high spirit especially when Mr. Fred Uytengsu announced what's on stake for this year's finisher. Everyone's ears almost pop out when they hear that at stake is the top purse of $15,000 for the professionals and P120,000 for the top Filipino finisher plus 41 slots to this year’s Xterra World Championships, considered the Olympics of triathlon, in Maui, Hawaii.
                                    
"This year's Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series is bigger and better than last year and has a tougher, more difficult course," said Fred Uytengsu, Alaska CEO and organizing Sunrise chief.
  "This is definitely not for the light-hearted," he added.

The annual Sunrise-organized meet will feature a pair of triathlon events, the Xterra Lite and the Xterra Philippines Championship at a tougher, more challenging course that will bring the local and foreign participants to the pristine waters and rough but picturesque terrains of Liloan, Cebu.

The Xterra Lite will have participants negotiate a 500-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-km run while the Xterra Phl Championship will have them tackle a more gruelling 1.5-km swim, 35-km bike and 10-km run race – all done in one weekend.
Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

A trail run on March 3, which will feature a more demanding course in 21-km, 10-km and 5-km races for males and females, is expected to spice up the weekend.

Over 300 triathletes, including pros from over 40 countries, have confirmed participation in this event presented by Vaseline Men and sponsored by The Philippine STAR, LBC Solutions, Alaska, Summit Water, Multisport, Studio 23, Gatorade, Canon, Aqua Sphere, David's Salon, Intercare, Rocktape, Timex, Smart and Municipality of Liloan, Cebu.

Ben Allen will be back to defend his title against a super strong field that will include last year's runner-up Oliver Marceau, Dan Hugo, Sam Gardner, Matt O'Halloran, Rory Downie, Shahrom Andullah and Bradley Weiss while two-time world champ Lesley Patterson will be the favorite in the women's side.

Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Cua said they like what they're seeing in the second year of hosting the Xterra event. Registration for the March 3 trail run is ongoing at www.xterraphil.com and in all Runner Stores nationwide.

"After two years, we're happy with our partnership and we're looking at a more exciting event this year," said Cua.

Same goes with LBC Solutions.

"We are very honored to sponsor this year's Xterra triathlon event," said LBC Solutions president Mike Camahort. "LBC, beyond services, supports the Filipino athletes and believes in the sports values of discipline, determination, endurance."

To know more on the event, log on at www.xterraphil.com or visit www.facebook.com/vaselinemenph or interested parties may also visit ROX and Runnr stores nationwide for more details.

MR.UBE:The souperstar of the House

MR.UBE:The souperstar of the House
                           
In the competitive space of the culinary business, only the toughest survives. The saying “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen” is indeed true for most food entrepreneurs.

But for Gerry Chua, a businessman with both a vision and a mission, the heat in the kitchen even more fires up his passion to offer the best dining experience. Try visiting his restaurant, Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House, and you’ll find out for yourself why this food mecca is already making noise among culinary connoisseurs.

Although Chinese cuisine constitutes majority of Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House’s menu, there are an array of food offerings that will surely tickle your taste buds. Take your pick: noodle soup, rice toppings, stir fry noodles, dimsum, and a lot more.

“We take pride in the restaurant's specialty: our noodles. Our noodles are made fresh every day. We use state-of-the-art Japanese technology in making them,” said Chua. “Our ingredients are natural and they have no preservatives. I am proud to say that the food we serve at Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House are MSG-free and they are non-greasy.”

From the very basic chicken noodle soup to wanton noodle, Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House also features a variety of international noodle soups. Want to try Thai? Order Thai Tom Yam. Hungry like a lion? The Singaporean Laksa is for you. Craving for Japanese? Sip some Japanese Shoyu. If Chinese is your choice, then Gokong Noodle should be on your plate. These and more will let you experience a gastronomic adventure in this noodle house.

Since Mr. Chua is also the visionary behind Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli, some of its varied product ranges can also be ordered at Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House. Its most famous ube hopia and all-time favorite tikoy can be had when you visit any branch of this Noodle House.

With a rich history that can be traced from humble beginnings in Ongpin, Eng Bee Tin has mastered the art of producing world-class Oriental delicacies. Because Chua knows his way around this business, he found a way to reinvent a rather usual hopia by blending it with ube, the most popular ice cream flavor at that time. The rest is history as Eng Bee Tin’s ube hopia became a household name.

Eng Bee Tin products are locally available in various supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, office, and school canteens. The company is also one of the biggest international exporters of hopia, delivering to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA.

Chua also ensures that quality is key. The company uses automated hopia manufacturing processes and implements a strict hygienic standards of quality control by running the final product through metal detectors, and packaging it in a hygienic pillow pack.

Though a businessman, Chua knows his responsibility to the community where his businesses operate. In Ongpin where Eng Bee Tin is found, the company donated to the local volunteer fire brigade as evidenced by the purple firetrucks that make their way to fire incidents and situations in the vicinity. His other business, Cafe Mezzanine, is also making an impact on the community as its revenues are completely donated to Binondo Paco Fire Volunteer. Recognizing the efforts and hard work fire volunteers put into their job, they get a 20-percent discount when they dine at Cafe Mezzanine, located at the heart of Chinatown. That is if their free coffee is not yet enough.

“Our commitment to our society should be never-ending,” said Chua. “Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House aims to acquire five units of ambulance to serve the indigents who can’t afford to pay for ambulance service to hospitals.”

Indeed, Chua’s entrepreneurial vision is deliciously complemented by his life mission to touch lives. No wonder he is one accomplished man and his businesses, successful without a doubt.

For more on Eng Bee Tin, visit http://www.engbeetin.com.
 
MR. UBE RICE & NOODLE HOUSE BRANCHES:
 
707 ONGPIN ST. BINONDO MANILA
TEL 288-8888 LOC. 131
 
284 E.RODRIGUEZ SR. AVE. QUEZON CITY
TEL 722-4505
 
GROUND FLOOR GU-16  LUCKY GOLD PLAZA
ORTIGAS EXT. PASIG
TEL. 791-7389
 
ENG BEE TIN CHINESE DELI BRANCHES
 
628 ONGPIN ST. BINONDO MANILA
288-8888 ; 241-9999
 
650 ONGPIN COR. E.T. YUCHENGCO ST BINONDO MANILA
288-8888 ; 232-1223 LOC. 219
 
518 QUINTIN PAREDES ST. BINODO MANILA
TEL 522-2289
 
ONGPIN COMMERCIAL CENTER 
ONGPIN COR. G.PUYAT  ST. STA.CRUZ MANILA
735-4658
 
UNIT G-84 ODEON TERMINAL MALL
C.M. RECTO COR. RIZAL AVE. MANILA
TEL. 735-0755
 
GL 8 WELCOME PLAZA
TAFT AVE. PASAY CITY
TEL 8836-2670
 
LEVEL-2 WALTER MART CENTER
CHINO RECES COR A. ARNAIZ MAKATI
TEL 843-7256
 
G-41 VICTORY CENTRAL MALL
MONUMENTO CALOOCAN CITY
TEL 332-1579
 
B-16 LG VICTORY PARK & SHOP MALL
ANTIPOLO RIZAL
TEL 661-7615
 
GROUND FLOOR CASH & CARRY MALL
SOUTH SUPER HI-WAY MAKATI
TEL 401-6229
 
LEVEL 1 PADREA FAURA WING ROBINSON'S PLACE
ERMITA MANILA TEL 401-3063
 
CAFE MEZZANINE BRANCH
 
MEZZANINE FLOOR - 650 ONGPIN COR E.T. YUCHENGCO
BINONDO MANILA
TEL 288-8888 ; 241-9999 LOC 230

Marina's Oysters Seafood Grill Surf and Turf Promotion

Marina's Oysters Seafood Grill: Surf and Turf Promo

 

Details

• Promotion runs February 1 to March 31, 2013.
• The Crispy Pata is P570 buy 1 take 1 as for the Blue Marlin steak it depends on the size you get an example 100grams is P125. Either way you're getting two for the price of one.
• Customer can avail a Buy 1 Take 1 Crispy Pata or Buy 1 Take 1 Blue Marlin (Any available Size).
• Customer can also avail additional Buy 1 Take 1 Coco Quench.
• To avail the promo: Customer must present a flyer or a print out of promo Flyer from Facebook Page. Click here to print the flyer.
• For inquiries, please call or text 0932-8564685.

Locations

• MARINA SM North
• MARINA Timog
• MARINA Metrowalk
• MARINA Magallanes
• MARINA Mall of Asia
• MARINA Batangas

DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES: End of Season Sale Up to 70% Off

DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES: End of Season Sale Up to 70% Off

Details 

• Duty Free End of Season Sale is from February 1 to 28, 2013.
• Up to 70% OFF on selected items.
• Happening only at the Duty Free Fiestamall.

Who can shop at Duty Free?

• Arriving passengers (Regular Filipino Travelers / Foreign Tourists / Balikbayan / OFWs), immediately upon arrival from a foreign country, at an international airport or seaport.
• Departing passengers with confirmed bookings destined to foreign countries immediately before boarding their flights or vessel at an international airport or seaport of entry / exit..
• Diplomatic personnel/personnel of other foreign governments and offices of international organization, institutions, associations and agencies entitled to tax and/or duty exemption as endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs may purchase tax and duty free merchandise through their respective embassies, legation, institutions, organization, association, consular offices or agencies provided that the purchase/sale shall be done through a Purchase Authorization/Order.

Arriving passengers (regular travelers/foreign tourists) can shop within 48 hours upon arrival from a foreign country. Balikbayans/Overseas Filipino Workers' purchases must be made within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of arrival.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: Love Fares Promo

PAL's LOVE FARES…. promo treat to their passengers going to domestic destinations!

Valid only on PAL operated flights.

Selling Period: 05 February – 09 February 2013
Traveling Period: ZCF and WCF:17 June 2013 –15 October 2013

• Free check-in baggage allowance
• Free newspapers and in-flight entertainment
• Free snacks on board
• Exclusive amenities
• More legroom
• Earn Mabuhay Miles

Book and buy through www.philippineairlines.com using MasterCard, Visa or JCB credit card or BancNet ATM card. Or, purchase tickets at any Philippine-based PAL ticket office or DTP travel agents or call our reservations office in Manila at (632) 855-8888.
Limited seats only!

One way fare	Travel Dates	Base Fare	Base Fare + Surcharges (YQ) 1	Aviation Security Fee (ASF)	Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC or NAIA Terminal Fee)	All-In Fare  in PHP ONE-WAY 2
FIESTA DEAL (ECONOMY CLASS) Fare Basis: WCF
From Manila
Laoag	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	689.00	1,019.00	N/A	200.00	1,342.00
Bacolod/ Cebu/ Iloilo/ Kalibo/ Tagbilaran		689.00	1,039.00			1,364.00
Davao/ General Santos		989.00	1,439.00			1,812.00
From General Santos
Iloilo	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	689.00	1,039.00	15.00	N/A	1,181.00
To Manila
Laoag	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	689.00	1,019.00	15.00	N/A	1,159.00
Bacolod/ Cebu/ Iloilo/ Kalibo/ Tagbilaran		689.00	1,039.00			1,181.00
Davao/ General Santos		989.00	1,439.00			1,629.00
To General Santos
Iloilo	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	689.00	1,039.00	15.00	N/A	1,181.00
MABUHAY CLASSIC (BUSINESS CLASS) Fare Basis: ZCF
From Manila
Laoag	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	3,500.00	3,830.00	N/A	200.00	4,490.00
Bacolod/ Cebu/ Iloilo/ Kalibo/ Tagbilaran		3,500.00	3,850.00			4,512.00
Davao/ General Santos		4,500.00	4,950.00			5,744.00
From General Santos
Iloilo	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	3,500.00	3,850.00	15.00	N/A	4,329.00
To Manila
Laoag	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	3,500.00	3,830.00	15.00	N/A	4,307.00
Bacolod/ Cebu/ Iloilo/ Kalibo/ Tagbilaran		3,500.00	3,850.00			4,329.00
Davao/ General Santos		4,500.00	4,950.00			5,561.00
To General Santos
Iloilo	17 June 2013–15 October 2013	3,500.00	3,850.00	15.00	N/A	4,329.00

Notes: ¹Applicable One-way Surcharges (YQ): Luzon-PHP330; Visayas-PHP350; Mindanao-PHP450; Visayas to Mindanao-PHP350 ²ALL-IN One-way fares are INCLUSIVE of Surcharges, VAT, Aviation Security Fee (ASF) and Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC or NAIA terminal fee). 
Fare Conditions:
Application:

• Fares above are valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on business class for ZCF and economy class for WCF
• Restricted for sales and ticketing in thePhilippines

Reservation, Payment and Ticketing:

• Must be booked during the promo period only. Go-show is not allowed.
• ZCF  fares are refundable with PHP 600 fee per sector. Rebooking on the same booking class is not allowed; must be upgraded starting from fare types IPR / D / C / J1. Change fee is PHP 400 per sector. 
• WCF - Nonrefundable. Rebooking on the same booking class is not allowed; must be upgraded starting from fare types KPR / XPR / BPR / VFB / QPR / HPR / MPR / LPR / SPR / N3 / Y3 / IPR / D / C / J1. Change fee is PHP 800 per sector
• Non Users Fee (Also called No Show Surcharge) is PHP 600 per sector for ZCF and PHP 1,000 per sector for WCF. Non Users Fee applies for booking not cancelled 24hours prior to flight departure.
• Child discount/Infant discount
• No Child Discount
• Infant without seat – 85% discount of the accompanying adult fare

Mileage Accrual

• 25% mileage accrual on Fiesta (Economy) class
• 125% mileage accrual on Mabuhay (Business) class.  

Free Baggage Allowance

• 15 kgs. for Fiesta (Economy) class
• 30 kgs. for Mabuhay (Business) class