Gullibles Beware: It's April Fool's Day!...or Is It?

It's that time of the year again when pranks and jokes abound - it's April Fool's Day!

It's not a holiday of some sort, but this informal day of hoaxes and practical jokes is observed in many countries every April 1 where pranksters targets the gullible.
Usually meant without malice but embarassment, the victim is immediately made aware of the situation after they show signs of belief.

There is no concrete version of its origin. While Aprill Fool's can be observed for the whole day in the Philippines, some countries only observe it for the first half of the day as mentioned in Wikipedia:

in some countries, such as the UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool"

So be careful and be a little bit more discerning before you believe, it's April Fool's! :)

UPPC Pushes For A Greener Future

United Pulp and Paper Co.Inc (UPPC) in SCG was recently awarded the Green Choice Seal by Green Choice Philippines' National Ecolabelling Programme.

As a manufacturer of quality and cost-effecient industrial paper from 100% recycled paper, UPPC in SCG had its Container Boards underwent a standard environmental assessment which took two months.
At present, there are only 15 Philippine-made products which received the same recognition of having primarily a 100 percent utilization of recycled paprer and technologically advanced effluent treatment plant.

The environmental assessment included a check on the company's compliance on all Philippine environmental laws in addition to industry environmental leadership. At least 80% of product should also be made of recyclable materials and at least 25% is post consumer.

In the recent forum for business associates entitled ECO2 2010: a Green Outlook, UPPC President and CEO Montri Mahaplerkpong encouraged other industry players to participate in this advocacy and do their share for a greener future. Although turning real 'green' might seem initially costly, actual cost including environemental impact is costlier. He added that with enough volume, financial cost eventually goes down.

Check out websites uppc.com.ph and pdepsdi.org.ph for more information.

He also emphasized on sustainable development, with thrust from product-centric to people-centric with focus on people, economy, and the environment.

Last night was no ordinary night. Specifically at 8:30 to 9:30pm, it was the Earth Hour. And the Philippines is a participant in this green global advocacy.

Together with some friends, we were at the 13th anniversary celebration of Seven Suites Hotel in Antipolo where among other things, minimized electricity consumption during Earth Hour.


The highlight of the night was the stargazing activity on the roof deck hotel observatory. We saw the moon and Saturn.

Small as it may be, it was satisfying to look at the actual one in contrast to textbook pictures. I say it was cool. We had a better view of the moon though, obviously because it's nearer to earth. :)

The roof deck also revealed more than just about Seven Suites, we also had a good estimate of how much the nearby communities participated in the Earth Hour by at least turning off their light bulbs.

Seven Suites Hotel was on high ground and a good spot providing a good view of neighboring communities. And during Earth Hour, there was only a slight decrease of open lights in the horizon.

I hope the other places in Metro Manila, or the Philippines for that matter, did better at participating in the Earth Hour. (unverified: I heard the Philippines topped the Earth Hour participation scale similar to last year's).

Seven Suites is located at Hollywood Hills Subd., Sumulong Highway in Anitpolo. The hotel has facilities to handle corporate functions and weddings. With proper management, its good location lends it a good potential in succeeding in its intended market in the area. Contact Seven Suites at tel nos. (632)217-5446 and SevenSuites.net

Braveheart's Tour Of Hope 360

Fight cervical cancer this women's month. Be part of the Tour of Hope 360: Experience the Extraordinary and the Extreme.

Support Bravehearts as the Philippines witnesses the most number of women and celebrity bikers taking to the street to campaign against the only preventable cancer in women by biking 500km from Makati to Baguio.

They will race through the steepest most challenging bike trails in the nation for the benefit of cancer awareness. Prevent the death of 12 women everyday  by taking this important pedal forward.

Come March 20, 2010 Pia Cayetano, Francis Magalona's family, together with local celebrities and Philippine personalities will come together and create much needed awareness for cervical cancer--one of the most devastating, yet easily preventable diseases among women today.

Join Tour of Hope as they push for change, stop the disease, spread awareness --and show what pedal power can really do.


Date: 20 March 2010, Saturday
Time: 6:00 am
Venue:  Makati Park and Garden, J.P. Rizal Ext., W.Rembo, Makati
Braveheart's Tour Of Hope 360

82nd Academy Awards Winners

The  82nd Academy Awards has just been concluded. Although seemingly crowd-favorite "Avatar" did not get the best picture, 82nd Academy Awards Best Picture - “The Hurt Locker” by Kathryn Bigelow is equally praiseworthy.

This is the compiled list of 82nd Academy Awards winners sourced from Oscars.org

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Best Animated Feature Film - “Up” Pete Docter
Best Art Direction - “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
Best Cinematography - “Avatar” Mauro Fiore
Best Costume Design - “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell
Best Directing - “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
Best Documentary (Feature) - “The Cove” Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens
Best Documentary (Short Subject) - “Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
Best Film Editing - “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
Best Foreign Language Film - “The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina
Best Makeup - “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
Best Music (Original Score) - “Up” Michael Giacchino
Best Music (Original Song) - “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best Picture - “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers
Best Short Film (Animated) - “Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
Best Short Film (Live Action) - “The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
Best Sound Editing - “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
Best Sound Mixing - “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
Best Visual Effects - “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal

Photo and winners list sourced from wikipedia.org and 82nd Academy Awards website Oscars.org, respectively.

Vote with Your 7-Elections Cup!

The election fever has officially gone mainstream and has reached your friendly neighborhood convenience store 7-Eleven.

Starting March 10,2010, 7-Eleven Philippines will be giving the nation a 'gulping' voice in the upcoming Presidential elections through the 7-Elections.

Customers in cosmopolitan Manila and all over the country can show their support for a particular presidential candidate by buying the specially desinged Gulp cups. The Gulp cups are artistically printed with the presidential candidate's name in their campaign colors.

Even with a commercialized backdrop, I say that the concept is peachy. it would be exciting to anticipate how the market would react to the exercise, especially as election day nears.

For your vote to be counted, just visit any 7-Eleven store and pick up a 16oz Gulp® Cup that bears the colors and image of your Presidential bet. Undecided voters or those who will abstain can also choose to do so. The cashier will scan the bar code and it automatically gets counted.

 

  

  

  

 

Yes, adults and children of any age can 'vote' in this exercise that lasts until May 4, 2010. Cups are not sold separately from the Gulp products. The result is solely measured by the cups chosen by 7-Eleven customers for the Gulp products they purchased, without additional questions and restrictions as to the age and frequency of purchase.

"7-Eleven in the USA first conducted this in 2000 and has run for three consecutive elections," explains Jose Victor Paterno, President and CEO of Philippine Seven Corporation.

 

 

 The informal poll surprisingly produces the same election results with minor percentage discrepancy. :) Locally, 7-Eleven hopes to highlight the Filipino's Presidential options by making sure that all the Presidentiables--the top five, namely  Manny Villar, Joseph Estrada, Richard Gordon, Noynoy Aquino, and Gilbert Teodoro alongside fellow candidates Jamby Madrigal, JC de Los Reyes, Nicanor Perlas, Eddie Villanueva, even the voter's right to abstain, are represented. The idea is to engage the greater public in this national initiative anchored on the value of freedom of choice.

 

 

More 7-Eleven 7-Elections Photos Here.

This activity is for sales promotional activity done in the spirit of fun. Hence, the practice and results shall not be considered a sreflective of any sentiments regarding any official survey or any upcoming elections.

So, what is the color of your 7-Elections Cup? :)

Party + Beer + Foam = San Miguel Beer Foam Party

I've got some idea as to how foam parties go about but the first time I've seen one live was in a bar in Singapore where the active participants were actually foreigner Caucasians (not Singaporeans).

And it could really get pretty nasty, both in the physical sense and otherwise. And with the incoming (or is it here?) summer season, San Miguel Beer plays host to a  series of San Miguel Pale Pilsen "Sarap Mag Babad" Foam Parties.

Roughly translated in English, it means "It's cool to soak" foam parties.

Avid beer drinkers and party goers can head on over to the Sarap Mag Babad Foam Parties on March 5 & 6 and catch the following bands!

Venue	Bands
GREENFIELD District, Central Park, Mandaluyong City	Parokya ni Edgar, Sugarfree
PASEO de Sta Rosa, Greenfield District	Rocksteddy
PLAZUELA, Tarlac City	Cueshe
MEPZ, Cebu	Brownman Revival
RODELSA Circle, CDO	360

Sarap Mag Babad Kick Off Schedules:

    * March 5: Greenfield District, Central Park, Mandaluyong City; Paseo de Sta Rosa, Greenfield District
    * March 6: Plazuela Tarlac City, Tarlac; MEPZ, Cebu City; Rodelsa Circle, Cagayan de Oro City

Moreover, the foam party will also have : (some info from PinoyBeer.com)

• Dancers
• Basketball Hooopla Booth and win San Miguel Pale Pilsen Limited editon items.
• Foam gun at the Foam Shots area
• A San Miguel Pale Pilsen Photo Booth

Plus! Sarap Mag Babad Crown Collection promo from March 15 to May 15 2010. Win branded premium items: (some info from PinoyBeer.com)

• 80 pieces of San Miguel Pale Pilsen 320 ml crowns or 30 pieces Pale Pilsen Grande Crowns can be exchanged for a limited-edition branded T-Shirt
• 36 pieces of San Miguel Pale Pilsen 320 ml crowns or 13 pieces Pale Pilsen Grande Crowns can be exchanged for a keep-it-Cold SMC Beer Mug – a double walled mug designed to keep San Miguel Pale Pilsen fresh and cold. 

Derek Ramsey with San Mig Girls

 Don't forget to comment and share your San Miguel Beer Foam Party experience later on okey?!