Making SMS relevant

Learning should be fun. With this in mind, Nokia launched the fourth phase of Text2Teach to deliver educational video materials to 850 elementary schools in the Visayas and Mindanao with a purpose of creating more interactive and student-focused learning environment.

Since 2004, Text2Teach, the local name of the global BridgeIT educational program conceptualized by Nokia with the International Youth Foundation, Pearson, and the United Nations Development Program, has been aiding in improving the performance of students in English, Math and Science by utilizing existing technologies like satellite infrastructure, television and mobile technology. Text2Teach is spearheaded by Nokia in partnership with Pearson, the Ayala Foundation, the Department of Education (DepEd), Globe Telecom and SEAMEO-INNOTECH. 

The telecommunication company’s director for community involvement Gregory Elphinston, DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, Ayala Foundation co-vice chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu signed the memorandum of agreement to formally start the implementation of the Text2Teach Phase4, which will also do an upgrade for the 205 satellite schools included in the earlier phases.

The fourth phase also marked the beginning of a stronger partnership with local government units, which will provide bigger counterpart funding for the program.

With the completion of Phase 3 last month, the total number of Text2Teach-enabled schools will have reached 555, benefiting 40,000 pupils, and almost 1,800 school heads, teachers and DepEd officials.

Nokia Philippines corporate communications manager Nikka Abes with Globe Telecom corporate communications head Yoly Crisanto and external affairs officer Gold Endriga.

An Argentine feast

Wine enhances food. The truth behind this oft-repeated line was once again experienced when Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, in partnership with the Philippine Wine Merchants, hosted a wine dinner at The Fireplace to showcase Trapiche  a New World wine produced with the finest grapes harvested from the most recognized winery of Argentina’s Mendoza region. 

Guests were treated to the finest selection of Trapiche wine paired with a five-course menu, featuring the locally produced Kitayama Wagyu beef. The evening’s hosts were the hotel’s new F&B director Ranjeet Rajebhosale and Philippine Wine Merchants’ Ronnie and Raymond Joseph.

The five-course meal started with the Trapiche Broquel Chardonnay 2010 paired with seared US scallops, organic greens and citrus vinaigrette. The Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2009, an intense purple red wine with notes of black fruit jam and a hint of smoke, was paired with ravioli of forest mushrooms and tomato basil confit. The Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 with a subtle bouquet of smoked peppers was paired with pan-fried duck breast with asparagus spears and bell pepper coulis. The Kitayama Wagyu Striploin 6+ from the Philippine province of Bukidnon with oven-roasted vegetables and red wine glaze prepared in the restaurant’s iconic wood-fired oven was perfectly complemented with a Trapiche Iscay, Merlot-Malbec 2006, an exquisite wine renowned for its bold flavor of mature plum. Desserts of chocolate tart made with Grand Cru Felchlin chocolate, homemade banana ice cream and Baileys sauce capped the evening’s gourmet feast.

Horsing around with Pinoy rockers

(From left) Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero, Joy De Mesa, Ranjeet Rajebhosale, Raymond Joseph and Irene Bernadette Gregoria.

Some passion for original Pinoy rock music was witnessed recently at the Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban Rock Challenge, the country’s leading amateur rock band competition. The event gathered some of the biggest rock bands at the Hard Rock Café while spectators feasted on great food and beer. Hosts Sanya Smith and Francis Brew gave away premium items from San Miguel Brewery in between sets.

Red Horse Beer Muziklaban ambassadors Slapshock, Greyhoundz, Kjwan and Wilabaliw were at the event, as were the grand champions  Mayonnaise, Ibarra, Gayuma, Even, Hatankaru and Light of Luna. Pepe Smith performed the iconic Juan de la Cruz band song Beep Beep, to the delight of the crowd.

Now on its 13th year, the competition continues to be a unique venue for cultivating passion for original Pinoy music and encouraging creativity in younger musicians.

The Muziklaban Rock Challenge is open to all amateur bands with members who are 18 to 34 years old. Bands must submit an entry form along with a demo tape containing an original song, a cover of a song by a local or foreign artist and a jingle for Red Horse Beer and pictures of the band members. Bands can also participate in studio auditions held around the country. Deadline for submission of entries is on Sept. 30. Eliminations will be held from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5, with the semi-finals also in November. Grand finals will be held in January 2012. The grand champion will get a million worth of prizes including a tax-free P500,000 in cash. A special prize of P50,000 will be given to the band that comes up with the best Red Horse Beer jingle.

Pepe Smith with daughter Queenie.

(For entry forms and other requirements, please log on to www.redhorsebeer.com or call contact Rona Beano at 0916-6446778.)