On its fifth consecutive year, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will once again hold Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) on May 27, 2011.

From nine museums last year, 11 museums and seven heritage sites will open its doors to the public from 6 p.m. to midnight for this once-in-a-year unique nighttime heritage tour in Cebu. Gabii sa Kabilin, the only one of its kind in the Philippines and in Asia, aims to reinforce the belief that local museums are venues for the understanding and appreciation of Cebuano history and culture. But beyond that it also discounts the stereotype of museums as mere repositories of “dead objects”; rather, as venues for live cultural activities.

This award-winning event is also organized in celebration of the National Heritage Month and International Museum Day in May.

This year, the participating museums are Casa Gorordo Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Fort San Pedro, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Museo Sugbo, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) - Rizal Museum, Museo Parian sa Sugbo (1730 Jesuit House), Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery, Cebu Normal University (CNU) Museum, Cebu City Museum, and Mandaue City Central Plaza, while the heritage sites include Plaza Independencia, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Sacred Heart Church, Heritage of Cebu Monument (Plaza Parian), Plaza Hamabar, and Plaza Sugbo.

The participating museums will feature different cultural attractions during the Gabii sa Kabilin, such as performances by Izarzuri Vidal and Children’s Orchestra Marigondon Public School at Casa Gorordo Museum; storytelling at Cathedral Museum of Cebu; tribal band at Fort San Pedro; Santacruzan sa Parian procession at Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House; Cebuano dances at Museo Sugbo; nigh market of Colon Street vendors outside USPF Rizal Museum; Cebuano songs and harpist performances at the Museo Parian sa Sugbo; art fair at Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery; World War II memorabilia collections at CNU Museum; paintings at Cebu City Museum; and cooking demonstration of native delicacies of Mandaue at the Mandaue City Central Plaza.

The upcoming Gabii sa Kabilin will also feature a walking tour of the participating plazas in Cebu City to be conducted by Ka Bino Guerrero.

For a Php 150 ticket, a visitor can already enter all the participating museums and heritage sites and avail of bus and tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) rides. Visitors can choose where to start first.

The routes will be secured by the Cebu City Police Office as well as tanods from the nine barangays in Cebu City—Santo Niño, Tinago, San Roque, Tejero, T. Padilla, Cogon Ramos, Pari-an, Zapatera, and Day-as. The barangays will also provide volunteers to man information desks and drive designated buses back and forth selected venues.

Parking spaces are available at Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Fort San Pedro and Sacred Heart Parish.

For ticket inquiries, please call Casa Gorordo Museum at 418-7234 loc. 703 and look for May, or contact any of the participating museums. Visit also www.rafi.org.ph for more information.

TThe Cebu blog Camp is an event organized annually by the Cebu Bloggers of the Blog and Soul Movement which is the educating leg of the Philippine Blog Awards Inc. which has been running for already four years. This is the largest gathering of bloggers in Cebu. And the Cebu Blog Camp 2011 will be at Sacred Heart Center, May 28, 2011!

THE CEBU BLOG CAMP 2011

is co-presented by

Bronze Sponsors

Media and Institution Partners

DONOR

1. It’s Awesome!
2. Meeting New Bloggers, Newbies and Friends!
3. Learn New things and Stuff!
4. FREEBIES!
5. Did I mention it is AWESOME?

Cebu, get ready for the sights and sounds of Fete de la Musique 2011! Now on its 4th year in the Queen City of the South, the event promises to bring Cebuanos closer to how France and over a hundred countries all over the world experience World Music Day, also known as Fete de la Musique.

Drawing from the success of last year’s multi-stage set up at Ayala Center Cebu, the music kicks off at 1pm at Level 1 in front of Beauty Bar and at 2pm across Oh Georg. The Activity Center Stage fires up at 3pm, and by 5:30pm, the action takes place at The Terraces, where more musicians are set to share their talents and artistry all the way until midnight.

Expect smashing musical performances brought to you by Cebuano performers such as Happy Days and Bambu Spliff, new talents Undercover Grasshoppers, Wonggoys, and Carlo Pez, SUCH from Iligan, and American pop music producer Ben Patton. Highlights of the evening include classical interpretations by the Peace Philharmonic Youth Ensemble, super percussion group Grand Slam Tambulan, the internationally acclaimed UV Choir, and ska sensation Island Joe. With their catchy pop hooks, a special guest performance by the highly successful and multi-awarded OPM group Callalily is guaranteed to entertain crowds of all ages and musical preferences.

From old school to new school, classical, experimental and everything else in between, Fete de la Musique 2011 takes you on a musical journey that you only experience once a year. And as always, it is absolutely FREE! Fete de la Musique 2011 is proudly presented by Alliance Francaise de Cebu and The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu in cooperation with ABS CBN, ML Kwarta Padala, Sledgers, Kickers and Delsey, with the generous support of Major Sponsors, Studio 23, Maayong Buntag Kapamilya, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu and DYLS FM 97.1. It would not be possible with out Minor Sponsors, Yehey dot com, Kate’s, Soundballoon, Bioderm, Casino Ethyl Alcohol Femme and Crossover 90.7 Cebu.

Fete de la Musique 2011 performer/s profile and line up (in alphabetical order):

560th Airbase Wing Band
If you have no connections with the Philippine Airforce, then you have very slim chances of catching the 560th Airbase Wing Band performing live. Fortunately, this is their 3rd year to indulge Fete de la Musique audiences, with movie soundtracks in 2009 & Abba classics in 2010. What marching band arrangements have they got in store for 2011? All shall be revealed at The Terraces on June 18.

Bambu Spliff
Time and time again, Bambu Spliff sets the stage and proceeds to burn it down with their original material that breathes the smoke of reggae. Bambu Spliff’s music defies precise categorization, touching on jazz, soul, hip-hop, rock, blues—with reggae as the backbone of every song. Still fresh from their stint in Manila, Bambu Spliff is here to bridge the gap of our ever so classified musical genres. They have energetic and keep-you-moving performances with artistic transitions from song to song that will leave your body moving all night long in a positive way.

Ben Patton
Ben Patton is an American songwriter whose diverse tastes and talents span the breadth of pop music, from rock to musical theater. He is also cofounder of Muller and Patton Productions, a pop music production company, with collaborator Jaye Muller. They have worked with local celebrities, having composed two songs for KC Conception’s new album & a song for Nikki Gil. In addition to writing songs for dozens of international artists, Ben has performed his own rock material on five solo albums, five "Muller and Patton" duo albums, and two live concert DVD's, and penned a comic operetta entitled "Simply Wonderful".

Bethany
In the summer of 2008, three brothers decided that instead of giving out Christmas gifts to their friends that year, they’d pool time, talent and treasure to come up with a full-length album. By December 23, their first “digital” album “At Last! Our First” was made available for free at their official Multiply site. They have since added a friend to their line up and proceeded to make a name for themselves in the Metro Cebu scene, playing at album launches and music festivals. The name of their band is Bethany.

Budoy & Coolie Dread
In 2005, Budoy exploded into national consciousness with “Ako Si M-16” by his band Jr. Kilat, followed by a stint in Pinoy Big Brother’s Celebrity Edition. On tv, radio or onstage, Budoy the endorser-performer-celebrity whirls, twirls, talks, jumps, jokes and keeps his audience hostage.
In stark contrast, Coolie Dread’s cool and calm composure belies his mastery of rhythms, beats, melodies and sound in general, chilling behind the deck for his main band CDMC and other acts. Together, they represented the Philippines at the World Expo in Shanghai 2010, where they captivated audiences with their experiments on sound & music.

Callalily
With their brand of pop-injected alternative rock, Callalily has been a presence in the Philippine music scene since their breakthrough in 2006. They had been paying their dues as musicians by playing in small productions and fronting for then bigger artists like 6CycleMind. Now with 3 major label albums under their belt, Callalily continues to play music which never fails to stir up the emotions, music that is filled with catchy pop hooks and lyrics that they feel speaks directly to their audience.

Carlopez
Carl packed up his life in Manila and brought his guitar to Cebu in 2009. Since then, he has been performing regularly at The Outpost in Lahug; most of the time, after the scheduled musicians have finished their sets, in between sets, and during the open-mic evenings. To date, he has performed in various events and at different venues, and still continues to pop up whenever and wherever the stage is empty. He is currently recording songs for his first album, The Disappearing Act.

Cuarenta
As performers, they trace their history to the band scene of the 80s, and two of the band’s original band members remain: Anot Ang on electric guitar and Lyndon Banzon on bass guitar. Together with Henri Tradio and Randy Pages on guitar, Juel Zuleta on drums and Kay Luna Tradio on vocals, this band is phenomenal. Their usual repertoire includes classic rock and blues covers of Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, AC/DC, Jimmy Hendrix and Led Zepellin. It doesn’t matter that they’re better known as “40” The Band from way back, these days, they are called Cuarenta.

Drop Out Club
They say they sound like a group of people getting drunk and making loud noises that makes you dance and party. It’s true. Every gig by Drop Out Club is like a loud, crazy, rock-infused college party with lots of devil-may-care fun. Actual booze and hang-overs optional. This is the band parents warn their kids about (but this band is really all about clean good fun). That’s Dee-Oh-Cee baby.

Grae
He is a humble public servant by day, a fixture in the Palace of Justice at Capitol. He is a lawyer by profession, with a black belt in aikido, and a passion for rock music. He is simply known as “Grae” in local music circles and is best known for his repertoire of 70’s rock, blues, and folk covers. Grae is a fixture on Open Mic Nights at The Outpost and this will be his second time to perform for Fete de la Musique. He is supported on guitars by Cuarenta’s Anot Ang, and arguably Cebu’s best bassist, John Blanco Cinco.

Grand Slam Tambulan
This power group is made up of individuals from five different bands and influences. Their collective years in the music industry explains why a band so new is able to produce beats and rhythms that are felt with the heart and soul. They are fast gaining popularity by captivating audiences in Subic, Baguio, Puerto Galera, and now Cebu.

Happy Days
Happy Days started as a four piece indie outfit who were engineering students from the University of San Carlos. The idea was to make original music, as they were tired of listening to other bands playing cover songs. That was over 10 years ago, well before the words “indie” and “DIY” were used to describe the music scene. Happy Days became known for their raw geek rock sound, who wrote lots of new songs and played every show they could get. They are currently a 3-man band who list shoegaze, punk, ska, noise rock and disco as their musical influences.

Island Joe
Few bands in Cebu have staying power like reggae-ska band Island Joe. Their originals are flaming hot and their audiences are always looking to sing and dance along wherever they find the band performing. This despite not playing regular gigs, not having major studio albums, and without any of their songs playing over the radio. Island Joe is THAT good. Their tight musical arrangements and onstage presence are enough to make viewers remember who they are and keep an eye out for when they are next performing.

Juress
Juress the band was formed in 2005 with its first gig at the old Handuraw on MJ Cuenco. Their music is a blend of alternative, pop, jazz, blues, and rock, and is influenced by acts such as Heather Nova, Liza Phair, Jewel, Sade, and Frank! Their sound is familiar yet uncommon, and it’s hard to find another band in Cebu to compare them with. Their solid musical skills are fronted by a voice as unique as the name the band carries.

Peace Philharmonic Philippines Youth Ensemble
The PPP Youth Ensemble are part of a larger group of musicians known as the Peace Philharmonic Philippines Orchestra, which is recognized by the government as the official orchestra for southern Philippines. They are supported by the Sala Foundation, are veterans of countless public and private performances. They have been literally and figuratively instrumental in bringing classical music to many audiences.

SUCH
The band SUCH was molded from the idea of clashing musical diets. In 2009, this Iligan City rock outfit released their self-titled debut EP which channelled collective strengths in song-writing and musical arrangement, resulting in a disc full of fairly memorable tracks such as "Nothing", "Out in the Open" and "Far". After a flurry of line up changes, SUCH managed to release a music video for the song "Far" before going on hiatus. SUCH is now back and working on new materials for their upcoming full length album slated for release this year.

UV Chorale
Composed of high school and college students from the University of the Visayas, the multi-awarded UV Chorale has been the pride of Cebu in the arena of chorale competitions. They have performed in Australia thrice and have reaped awards on a national level, as well as in Busan South Korea and Sulawesi, Indonesia. They continue to bring Cebuano-stamped music to the international stage by releasing a debut album containing classic Visayan recordings such as “Usahay,” “Bulan” and many more.

Undercover Grasshoppers
The Undercover Grasshoppers emerged into the Cebu music scene in 2009 as a 4-piece indie rock group. Their sound is heavily influenced by 60's rock, post-punk sounds, nu wave music, and other sounds in between. Their music depicts their understanding of their day-to-day existence through the religion called Rock & Roll. “Frantic Static” and “Finding Marvin” are the two singles they have released so far, and a full length album is in the works under 22 Tango Records.

Womb
As an act they are only about 2 years old, but as individual musicians, they have been performing in and around Cebu for the last couple of years, playing pop, alternative and world music. As Womb, they experiment with music in the trip-hop genre, and the result of their experimentations is what you will hear at FDM. Womb is composed of Chai Fonacier, Fender Figueroa, Anthony Uy and Doogie Pagaduan.

Wonggoys
The Wonggoys is the name of the band of 3 guitar-playing brothers. Their 2-syllable, single-word name belies their proclivity for multi-word song and album titles such as “Chase The Girl Or Rule The World” and “I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway.” Their lyrics are infused with their wicked sense of humor, set against guitar-driven backdrops and tight insider jokes, the way only brothers can achieve.

A Nutrition advocacy group called (MIND-7: Media Information Network for Nutrition and Development for region 7) was recently launched and also had it's general assembly at Harold's Hotel, Cebu City. The Media Information Network for Nutrition and Development-VII presented their purpose and objective to create a media network that would help sustain efforts for nutrition advocacy and promotion.

Parolita Mission, NNC-7 director, revealed that this year’s Nutrition Month, which is in July, will revolve around the theme “Isulong ang breastfeeding. Tama. Sapat. Ekslusibo,” or in short “BF TSEk.” DYLA station manager Jun Tagalog stands as it's current president with the other officers showed series of activities that include a region-wide information campaign to promote breastfeeding, appropriate feeding, improve hygienic practices including proper hand washing, establishment of home gardens and Ten Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos and the like activities.

The newly created group is composed of legitimate media practitioners from print, television, radio, social media community with a mission to establish a regional information and documentation network to serve as a “vehicle to strengthen the flow of food and nutrition information” from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the local government units and other government agencies and the nutrition network to the general public.

Aside from the launching, MIND-7 members representing Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental also ratified the Mind-7 Constitution and by-laws during the general assembly. There was also an oath-taking of its members.

New members of the organization also took their oath of membership in order to help implement a more aggressive and sustained nutrition awareness drive on exclusive breastfeeding. Follow MIND-7 and Nutrition Related activities via Facebook (Nutrition Advocates PH) and via Twitter @NutriAdvocates

Globe Telecom pioneers another milestone in the Philippine telecommunications industry with the first Annual Report that integrates its financial performance, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and sustainability programs in 2010.

With commitment as the theme for its 2010 Annual Report, Globe showcased how it is helping enrich the lives of its subscribers, communities, and investors through its products, services and programs. The report came with a free Globe prepaid SIM, another first for the industry, to provide shareholders an opportunity to experience and enjoy its suite of innovative and relevant services. In keeping with the company’s mission of putting its customers first, the 2010 Annual Report also included feedback from actual Globe subscribers. Feedback came in various forms – suggestions, recommendations and appraisals on how Globe services enhanced their personal lives and businesses.

On the other hand, the CSR and sustainability report documented its compliance to the global practice of integrating socially-responsible practices in its business operations. The report adhered to the guidelines of the internationally-recognized Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 standard. GRI is the most accepted international reporting framework applicable to corporations of any size, type or location. It sets the standard on which organizations shall measure their economic, environmental, and social performance.

The company’s sustainability report is a self-declared B level, the scope of which has been determined by available data and metrics tracked by different customer facing units and business enabling groups.

“We have achieved significant milestones this past year despite the challenges we faced. Apart from gaining momentum in our core businesses and growing our subscriber base, we have continued to practice responsible corporate citizenship and ensured that our programs have the necessary support for long-term commitment and engagement, including care for the environment, entrepreneurship, youth development and disaster response,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “We are very pleased to be on top of our game with the publication of this integrated Annual Report. It only goes to show that Globe remains committed to the policies of corporate transparency and disclosure without sacrificing creativity and quality of content.”

To sustain the level of engagement and understanding about the report, readers were introduced to another innovation with an online pop quiz which can be accessed via http://bit.ly/TheGlobeQuiz. The online quiz has 4 questions whose answers were found from the report. Five lucky respondents who answer the questions correctly will get the chance to win Globe Tattoo sticks with free P300 load as tokens.

Here’s a cool and rewarding treat from Nokia, the world’s number one mobile phone brand. Every purchase of the Nokia X2-01, the hip smartphone designed for easy messaging, entitles you to play the Where’s Critter Game . The objective is to look for one (1) of the Critter Characters in the Nokia Wall/Poster display within the time limit. If successful, you are given a game code to use and play the Where’s Critter Game on the Nokia Philippines Facebook page for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a trip for five to Boracay!

Similar to the Where’s Waldo game, look for the Critter characters in the picture at the fastest time possible. The best time to beat will be displayed in the game’s leader board on the Nokia Philippines Facebook page. Each week, the top 5 players will receive two (2) Ayala Cinema Passes each. And at the end of the gaming period, the winner with the best time will win a trip to Boracay with four (4) of his/her friends!

The Where’s Critter Game is inspired by the Message Critters App, which offers your very own Critter – a digital creature on your Nokia X2-01 that you can dress and style according to your preference. The Critter characters include personalities like Emo, Diva/Billionaire, Jock/Cheerleader, Geek, Beach/Surfer, Corporate, Student, Rockstar, Hippie, and HipHop.

You can play the Where’s Critter Game in all Nokia Stores nationwide and in other participating stores: 8Telcom, Abenson, Cellcom, Junrex, Megacellular Network, Pacific Prime, POS, Wellcom Telecom, and Wiltelcom.

Promo runs until June 5, 2011.

Get into this latest mobile trend and enjoy a cool game with chances of winning awesome prizes. You can download these cute digital creatures to your Nokia X2-01 by registering in the Ovi Store at www.store.ovi.com.

Kabag-uhan: Now and Then Photo Contest by Aboitizland which is in line of RAFI - Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s Gabii sa Kabilin 2011 Celebrations! See poster for more information!

"Gabii sa Kabilin" is Cebuano for Night of Heritage, and patterned after the long night of museums (Lange Nacht der Museum) in Germany and other European countries. The event is designed to draw foreign and local tourists, but most especially Cebuanos, to visit the museums. It aims to reinforce the belief that local museums are venues for understanding and appreciation of Cebuano History and culture. But beyond that it also discounts the stereotype of museums as mere repositories of "dead objects"; rather, as venues for live cultural activities.

To know more about it Just Click Gabii sa Kabilin sa Sugbo 2011!

4PM - Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
5PM - Blessing of Tartanilla & Buses, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House: Santacruzan sa Parian Procession Start
5:30PM - Opening Program at the Cebu Normal University
6PM - All Museums Open; Museo Sugbo: Cebuano Sayaw; Yap-Sandiego: Dinner for a cause; Plaza Independencia Fiesta Band
7PM - Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House: Cultural show of folk dances, Jesuit House: Harpist performances; Fort San Pedro: Movie on Cebu History
7:30PM - Casa Gorordo Museum: Youth and Music (Featuring the Children's Orchestra Marigondon PUblic School)
8PM - Fort San Pedro: Cultural Dances
8:30PM - Plaza Parian: Awarding of AboitizLand Photo Exhibit
9PM - Casa Gorordo Museum: Performance By: Izarzuri Exhibit; Fort San Pedro: Tribal Band; Cathedral Museum of Cebu: Story Telling; Plaza Parian: Haran and Baile by Barangay Parian
10PM - Jesuit House: Cebuano Songs; Plaza Independencia: Trivia Night; Casa Gorordo Museum: Panagtagbo Festival launch by Barangay Tejero
11PM - Plaza Independencia: Fire Dance; Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery: Performance Art by Russ Ligtas

Other Activities:

University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizal Musuem - Night Market at Colon Street Vendors and Book fair of Cebuano Magazines and books with performances by USPF Orchestral Band

Cebu Normal University Museum - World War II memorabilia

Cebu City Museum - Paintings Depicting the rich history of Cebu from pre-Hispanic period to contemporary times, cultural dance performances and lecture on the Battle of Tres de Abril

Mandaue City Plaza - Demo of Delicacies of Mandaue with presentation of Mandaue School for the Arts

Global climate change is a widespread and growing concern that has led to extensive international discussions and negotiations. Many of the activities we do every day such as turning the lights on, cooking food, or heating or cooling our homes rely on energy sources like coal and oil that emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. We are taking millions of years worth of carbon, stored beneath the earth as fossil fuels, and releasing it into the atmosphere. By now the planet has 392 parts per million CO2 – and this number is rising by about 2 parts per million every year.

The world's leading climate scientists have now revised the highest safe level of CO2 to 350 parts per million. Unless we are able to rapidly return to below 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts that are detrimental to all lives existing on Earth.

One option for slowing the rise of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and thus possible climate change, is to increase the amount of carbon removed by and stored in forests. Aside from this, forests reduce flooding, improve water quality, improve air quality, preserve and increase the diversity of plants and animals and increase the beauty of the environment.

But over the years, the Philippines’ forest resources degenerated because of massive logging activities, fuelwood gathering and charcoal making, shifting cultivation and permanent agriculture. With continued deforestation, some species are now endangered or even extinct. In fact, the Philippines is one of the biodiversity ‘hot spots’ or areas of concern in the world.

The reasons for failure in reforestation efforts are legion, ranging from technical to social issues. Poor species-site matching, inadequate monitoring, corruption and social conflict are some of the major reasons. Addressing these problems in parallel with any environmental rehabilitation and protection undertakings can significantly increase our forest cover.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) formed the Generation, REdemption, and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines (GREENIN’ Philippines) to provide effective ways to arrest degradation of forestlands with the end view of making the country greener and healthier.

About GREENIN:

The GREENIN’ Philippines is anchored on the lessons and insights gained from years of undertaking sound and viable environmental interventions. It is designed to enhance and/or maintain environmental integrity by restoring biodiversity. It seeks to develop, protect, enhance and co-manage denuded forestlands, brushlands and degraded residual natural forests. The program is expected to have more partners that will share its vision of rehabilitating the environment through the use of native trees. Moreover, in the next three to five years, there will be forest patches created throughout the Philippines brought about the initiatives undertaken by its stakeholders and partners. These forests, which shall be the future homes of wildlife, shall be carefully protected and managed to ensure a healthy population of the wildlife residing therein. It is also the hope of the Program that the Filipinos will be more assertive and responsive in addressing the important environmental issues that already have greatly affected us all.

The reforestation component of GREENIN’ Philippines deviates from the traditional tree planting activities in the country which have reportedly not reaped much success. GREENIN’ Philippines will orchestrate to make real forests in critical areas like watersheds and denuded forestlands by developing value-based capabilities of the Program’s stakeholders and partners to co-manage program implementation. Post-planting activities are performed to ensure that planted seedlings grow to become forests.

Native tree nurseries are maintained as support mechanism of the program. GREENIN’ Philippines strongly advocates the planting of native tree species as these species promote biodiversity restoration faster than exotic ones. These make GREENIN’ Philippines a different strategy from the rest.

The GREENIN’ Philippines has the Province of Cebu for its pilot area. Taking from the Cebu model, the Program shall be gradually implemented in the different regions of the country. This is to ensure that the Program will be properly managed and implemented while building up relevant lessons and best practices from those who have implemented the program ahead.

Globe supports Coalition for Better Education in its 10 years of empowering learning communities! Cebu Mayor Mike Rama graces the opening of the Coalition for Better Education photo exhibit at the second floor of Ayala Center in Cebu City. The exhibit kicks off the six-month celebration leading to the 10th year anniversary of the Cebu-based multi-sectoral organization and includes various projects undertaken by CBE with Globe Telecom.

Globe Telecom throws its support to the Cebu-based Coalition for Better Education (CBE), a multi-sectoral and membership-based non-stock, non-profit organization which is celebrating its 10 years of commitment to initiate and support education development all over the country.

CBE, being an expert on research and development of ICT integration in teaching and curriculum development, was tapped by Globe to become its major partner in the Global Filipino Teacher (GFT) and Global Filipino Schools (GFS) programs.

GFT is a teacher-enhancement training where CBE helps in developing capacities of teachers to conduct ICT-enabled learning activities in the classroom. Following its success, Globe and CBE together with the Department of Education, are now looking at further improving the capability of ICT-mature public high schools to become the community expert in ICT through GFS.

Globe is a pioneer member of CBE and has so far donated 30 desktop computers, internet connection, and phone lines to CBE’s Center for Teacher Excellence training center.

Putting its GREENIN Philippines Program’s advocacies into action, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will hold “Run 2 Plant for GREENIN Philippines” on June 25 in commemoration of the Philippine Environment Month and World Environment Day in June.

The run and plant event is organized in collaboration with the Cebu Provincial Government, local government units, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and various government institutions and corporate groups.

The Run 2 Plant for GREENIN Philippines is linked with the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) Our Cebu Program’s environmental protection and enhancement component. eGwen Our Cebu Program is a joint development program of the Province of Cebu and RAFI with the aim of making Cebu an ideal place to live, work, play, invest and do business.

“The event has two segments, the running and the planting. This event is an approach to promote health among people by running and health of the environment by planting native tree species, thus benefitting both people and environment,” Neil Papas, program coordinator of the GREENIN Philippines Pogram, said.

The central event will be held in a 30-hectare forestland in Jaclupan, Talisay City. The area, which is within the critical Mananga watershed, shall be developed into a forest model through a co-management agreement among DENR, Cebu Provincial Government, Talisay City Government, Metro Cebu Water District, and RAFI.

Simultaneously, the other 50 municipalities and component cities of the Province of Cebu will hold the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines in their respective jurisdictions, making the event a province-wide endeavor.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has recently issued an executive order, mandating the implementation and institutionalization of the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines throughout the province.

The Run 2 Plant for GREENIN Philippines targets to plant 160,000 native tree species simultaneously all over Cebu on the said date.

“The activity does not end on June 25. Through the eGWEN Our Cebu Program, the Cebu Provincial Government and RAFI will undertake post-planting activities in collaboration with DENR, various LGUs, partners and volunteers to ensure that the native tree seedlings planted will grow and become forests after a few years,” Papas added.

RAFI’s GREENIN Philippines Program, which stands for Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines Program, seeks to develop, protect, enhance and co-manage denuded forestlands, brush lands and degraded residual natural forests by planting native tree species.

Earlier, RAFI expressed support and committed its GREENIN Philippines Program to complement DENR’s National Greening Program developed under Executive Order No. 26 issued by President Benigno Aquino III last February 24.

RAFI is the only non-government organization being considered to undertake activities in support of the National Greening Program in Region 7 along with 16 government agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned and controlled corporations.

For more information about the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, please contact 418-7234 loc. 515 and look for Neil Papas or Myryl Mendoza.

• Up to 5 million downloads per day
• More than 40,000 apps represents nearly eight-fold growth in one year
• 158 developers pass 1 million downloads each

Nokia has announced that its Ovi Store has grown by nearly eight times over the last year and now reaches up to 5 million downloads per day, propelled by the latest Symbian devices – the Nokia N8, Nokia C6-01, Nokia C7 and Nokia E7 – which account for about 15 percent of the daily downloads.

Increased demand for apps from the approximate 200-million-strong Symbian consumer base has seen the Ovi Store catalogue grow to more than 40,000 apps, with about 1,000 added per week. This momentum has resulted in 158 developers from 41 countries now surpassing the million download milestone each for their apps.

“As consumers continue to download Ovi Store content with increasing frequency, developers have an immediate opportunity to reach consumers worldwide and capitalize on the approximately 150 million Symbian devices we plan to ship in the coming years,” said Tero Ojanpera, Nokia’s Executive Vice President of Services and Developer Experience. “This momentum continues to demonstrate consumers’ appetite for Nokia’s global and locally relevant apps, and will help us plan the future apps store experience for improved and new Symbian devices, as well as Nokia smartphones based on the planned collaborative opportunities with Microsoft.”

Nokia’s new monetization opportunities for developers are tailored for local markets and include integrated operator billing with 112 operators in 36 markets, more than 25 times more operator billing integrations than Nokia’s nearest competitor. Ovi Store has seen integrated operator billing increase consumer transactions by up to four times and this, coupled with Nokia’s beta programs for in-app billing and in-app advertising, means more revenue opportunities for developers on Symbian.

These opportunities are also being extended to Nokia Series 40 devices, which will enable apps for the next billion mobile phone consumers. The refreshed Ovi Store experience, previously available only for the new Symbian devices, has resulted in more than 35-percent growth in downloads for Series 40 devices in the last two months, making up about a quarter of the total downloads.

Developers and publishers, large and small, are using Ovi Store’s global reach and rapid growth to cultivate new communities. These communities are driven by deeper user connections within their apps, further driving downloads and potential monetization opportunities for developers.

Developer examples:

Singapore developer Breakdesign, created its Barking Seed site as an independent mobile gaming community built for players using Nokia Symbian and Series 40 devices. The site tracks top scores, lets gamers compete with other top players around the world and host contests to win Nokia devices and accessories. In just over a year, Breakdesign has reached more than 6.5 million downloads and more than 70,000 members in more than 170 countries. Its top Flash games found on Barking Seed are That Roach Game South Africa, Ninjani – Emperors Revenge, and Dawn of the Fly Chapter 1 and 2.


Denmark’s Gedda-Headz has built a mobile social gaming community for Java supporting Nokia devices. It blends multiplayer head-to-head gaming and in-game chat and challenges to offer players a unique mobile experience. High scores and player rankings are determined by game play and their gaming experience can be enhanced with the purchase of virtual goods. Through Ovi Store’s scale, Gedda-Headz has reached more than 1.3 million downloads in more than 190 countries.
Moodagent, created by the Danish based Syntonetic, is an intelligent music mobile app that uses cloud-based technology to automatically select music and create playlists based on a user’s mood. It also allows them to share their mood and music with their network on Facebook and Twitter. To date, the number of Nokia Moodagent users has reached more than 4 million from Ovi Store and the total number of Nokia user tracks in the Moodagent cloud is more than 4 billion. Both of these numbers are expected to grow even more with its recent availability for Series 40 devices and the soon to be released Moodagent 3.0, with all the same great features of the original app plus music recommendation.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device – from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) launched its comprehensive program for Education during the RAFI Brand Launch for Education last May 3, 2011 at Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu. The event intended to present to the public the refreshed brand of RAFI, especially to key education partners and stakeholders. It also highlighted RAFI’s new Education plans and directions.

The launch featured the education initiatives of RAFI, including a new campaign for the rehabilitation of dilapidated public school buildings in Cebu. The campaign provides an opportunity for the various stakeholders to take part in improving the quality of education in Cebu, generating commitment among partners and stakeholders for RAFI’s education programs specifically for the repair of dilapidated public school buildings in Cebu under RAFI’s School Rehabilitation Program.

DepEd Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Francisco M. Varela was the keynote speaker. DepEd is a major partner of RAFI. The Brand Launch for Education of RAFI was participated by DepEd officials, local government units, academe, corporate individuals, business sectors, and other non-government organizations.

School Rehabilitation Program FAQ

What is School Rehabilitation Program?

The School Rehabilitation Program is one of programs of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) under its Education focus area. The School Rehabilitation Program aims to address the pressing gap in physical facilities of mass-based Philippine public education.

The program presents an innovative architecture of support that will provide safer and more conducive learning facilities for public elementary school children, and contribute to the improvement of the quality of education.

The project covers public elementary schools all over the Cebu Province. As of this date, the project has repaired and rehabilitated a total of 458 classrooms in 136 schools in 34 towns all over Cebu Province benefiting over 18,000 learners.

SRP also provides a platform for collaboration among the various stakeholders in education, such as the Department of Education (DepEd), the local government units, school administrators and teachers, the PTCAs, and the private sector, and employs a participatory approach wherein local stakeholders are empowered to contribute for the successful implementation of the project.

Why did RAFI develop and implement the School Rehabilitation Program?

Cognizant of this pressing gap in physical facilities of mass-based Philippine public education, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. launched in 2004 the School Rehabilitation Program. RAFI developed and implemented SRP to contribute to the government’s efforts of providing better learning opportunities despite the limited resources, and is aligned with DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program, which encourages private sector participation.

RAFI’s School Rehabilitation Program specifically aims to:

• Improve and prevent further damage to existing dilapidated public elementary school buildings;
• Provide better educational opportunities to public elementary students through a safe and conducive learning environment; and
• Encourage and enhance community participation and establish a sense of partnership through involvement in the repair/rehabilitation process.

Why is RAFI upscaling the School Rehabilitation Program?

This year, RAFI is once again gearing up towards strengthening its commitment and broadening its impact in the field of education. RAFI aims to help promote quality education even beyond Cebu Province by helping more school learners have a conducive, stimulating learning environment.

Since RAFI promotes community participation, the School Rehabilitation Program is one way of encouraging corporate individuals, business sectors, local government units, the community, and other non-government organizations to do their share in promoting quality education, and thus, helping these children become good leaders in the future.

What does the partnerships with various sectors entail?

The main proponent of the project is the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). The project is managed by the Office of the Humanitarian Relations and Services. Implementation of the project is done in collaboration with the Department of Education-Cebu Province (DepEd-Cebu Province) and the local stakeholders.

A School Rehabilitation Committee composed of representatives from RAFI and DepEd-Cebu Province has been organized to act as the core group in the implementation of the School Rehabilitation Project. The Committee aims to ensure a smooth flow of the project, anticipate problems and make immediate actions to address concerns/problems during the implementation of the project; identify areas for improvements; and closely coordinate with the different partners and stakeholders.

The program defined some of the roles of partners involved: Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. shall provide for the needed construction materials for the repair and rehabilitation of the school building; DepEd shall provide policy guidance and directions to ensure the proper implementation of the project and assist in the identification, inspection and evaluation of schools for repair; the Local Government Unit shall provide for the labor counterpart of not less than 30 percent of the total material cost which shall be utilized for the payment of wages of manpower; and the recipient school partner shall act as resource mobilizer and responsible for negotiating with the LGU, PTCA and other community sectors to be the counterparts of RAFI and DepEd for the school repair and rehabilitation project in their localities.

What are the strategies and approaches of the School Rehabilitation Program?

RAFI will continue raising funds for the School Rehabilitation Program. RAFI will continue generate commitment among identified partners for RAFI’s education programs specifically the repair of dilapidated public school buildings in Cebu.

RAFI will launch the Gabaldon School Restoration Project, a partnership undertaking with the Cebu Provincial Government and its campaign and present the various opportunities and modes where the people or public can contribute (i.e. through the School Rehab Program webpage and other resource mobilization mechanisms); RAFI will generate support or pledges for the campaign that will accrue to the benefit of the public schools.

Will the School Rehabilitation Program be sustained?

RAFI will continue to create awareness among key education stakeholders, as well as private entities and other interested groups on significant trends and scenarios in the public education sector, specifically in Cebu.

With more funds raised from various fund-raising activities, the School Rehabilitation Program aims to repair more dilapidated schools even beyond Cebu.

Education is one of the five focus areas of RAFI, which creates a better environment to nurture the love of learning. Other focus areas include Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Leadership & Citizenship.

This Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the Ayala Center Cebu, Style Origin Fashion Beats, featuring Rico Blanco will be there! Ayala Malls brings together an explosive fusion of fashion and music thru Style Origin’s Fashion Beats. Beyond fashion immersion, Fashion Beats is also a testament to the Filipinos’ passion for creating music that inspires an individual’s lifestyle.

If you love fashion and music, this is the perfect place to be on a hot summer Sunday. Just from telling from the name, Fashion Beats, you would be thrilled at the thought of listening to great beats and watching the latest fashion trends.

Fashion Beats takes on the first unique collaboration on fashion and live music on the runway. Launched last March 25, the first installment of the series was recently held at Greenbelt. Express and cultivate your unique and personal sense of style as your senses witness and listen to fashion moving to the live local sound at Style Origin.

Be there!

The Cebu Business Month 2011 has the theme, Beyond Business Boundaries. The Cebu Business Month 2011 will have its launching on May 4, 2011. The Grand Opening Salvo will be on June 1 and the whole month will be jammed pack with various events from CCCI.

Cebu Business Month 2011 Activities:

June 1-4: Gallery of CCCI's Achievements and Initiatives - Ayala Center Cebu
June 8: Cebu ICT & BPO Conference
June 10: Developers Connect Road Show
June 15: Environmental Business Industry by ITDC/United Nations
June 16: Emerging Industries: How we see the Future? -Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
June 17: Business-in-Golf Tournament
June 18: CCCI Outreach Program @ Cebu Technological University
June 21-22: 1st Creative Industries Summit
June 23-26: Entrepinoys Expo - Trade Hall 2 & 3 SM City Cebu
June 23: GO NEGOSYO SEMINAR, Highlighting: Meet the Business Icons @ Conference Hall SM City Cebu
June 24: Multiplying the Business via Franchising Seminar (PFA-Philippine Franchising Association) - Conference Hall, SM City Cebu; Tourism Congress (Morning Session); Afternoon-Eco-Heritage Tour Options; Tourism Congress Night @ Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu
June 25: Tour Options; Building an Entrepreneurial Organization Seminar (By: PMAP - People Management Association of the Philippines) @ Conference Hall, SM City Cebu; Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs Seminar (By: Financial Executives Institute - FINEX) @ Conference Hall SM City Cebu
June 26: Cebu Regional Retail Conference & Expo (Philippine Retailers Association of the Philippines) @ Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu
June 30: Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night @ Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu

It's a HOT HOT SUMMER and the Search is on for the next Premiere Max's HOT BODY 2011. Premiere Max's HOT BODY 2011 is a bikini open competition and a foam party which will be held at the BlueJaz Beach Resort and Waterpark, Island Garden City of Samal; May 28, 2011, 5PM - 5AM.

Premiere Max's HOT BODY 2011 will cost Php500.00 with Dinner, Boat Ride, overnight stay, a bottle of beer, a pack of Premiere Max Condoms and a chance to win the raffle! Join the Premiere Max's HOT BODY 2011 when you are in the area!

IWKA (International Wing Tjun Kung Fu Association) and Plantation Bay Resort & Spa) present a Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Seminar by Grandmaster Sergio Iadarola, a renowned Kung Fu Grandmaster. This Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Seminar will be on May 14, 2011; Saturday 1-6PM, THE PENINSULA, PLANTATION BAY RESORT AND SPA (Free snacks).

Seminar Coverage: Focus on Mind, Spirit and Body; Learn Kung Fu History; Understand Martial Arts Theory, Wing Chun Footwork, Punching, Structure and Chisao, Learn Applied Wing Chun Kung Fu Techniques straight from one of the world's greatest grandmasters. Feel the difference, experience the power of real kung fu!

PUMA Social is a global campaign that celebrates the after-hours athlete – those unsung heroes of the night who, after work or any undertaking takes time to relax, grab a pingpong paddle, dart pin or bowling ball while a drink on the other; those who take life not too seriously.

Believing that life itself is a sport and that everyone should be its champions, PUMA unveiled its new campaign at Manila’s happening club Republiq recently. Dubbed PUMA Social, the event paid tribute to Manila’s ‘after-hours athletes’, personalities who are top scorers in table tennis, foosball, darts, asking for a girl’s number, or any other social challenge that can be played with a beer in one hand.

Last April 30, 2011, Puma Social was brought to Cebu City with after-hours games held at the Ayala Activity Center. Challengers took their best shot in either ping-pong or foosball after purchasing a Puma shirt or jacket. Winners from the elimination round advanced to the finals on May 1, 2011.

The championship round for the Foosball competition pitted a battle of the sexes! Seth and Grace were the last two standing and it was one hell of a close fight wherein Seth took home the prize. Congratulations to Seth (foosball) and Neilben (ping-pong) for being the Puma Social Games Cebu champions and for winning Php10k worth of Puma products each!

Puma Social continues until May with Social Games featuring ping-pong and foosball matches. Next stop will be Cagayan de Oro, followed by Bacolod and Davao.

The Puma Store located in Ayala Center Cebu's Activie Zone.

About PUMA:

For more information and updates on Puma Social in the Philippines and around the world, visit www.puma.com/social, www.facebook.com/Puma and follow them on Twitter @PUMA or www.twitter.com/PUMA.

PUMA is one of the world’s leading ‘sportlifestyle’ companies that design and develop footwear, apparel and accessories. PUMA starts in sports and ends in fashion. Its sport performance and lifestyle labels cover ‘sportlifestyle’ categories such as football, running, motorsports, golf, sailing—and social sports. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com.