'Investing in our children'

Do good for the children and you will be rewarded.

The efforts of three local non-government organizations were recently honored by HSBC when the bank awarded these NGOs with over P4 million ($100,000) through its global education program called Future First.

SOS Children’s Village-Lipa, SOS Children’s Village-Manila and Childhope Asia Philippines were recognized in a ceremonial check turnover and lunch gathering held at Tosca restaurant in Dusit Thani Manila. These NGOs were awarded $50,000, $22,668 and $26,008 respectively.

SOS Children’s Village-Lipa will fund its “Family Strengthening Program,” which aims to provide assistance in educational materials, education fees as well as provide vocational training and short term courses to children and their families. Its Manila counterpart, on the other hand, will use the money for its “Educational Fund for SOS Children.” Childhope Asia Philippines will use its funds for its program titled “Outreach and Protection/Education On the Streets in Metro Manila,” which focuses on bringing education and other activities to children on the streets.

Future First is an initiative of the HSBC Global Education Trust that aims to help street children, children in care and orphans by collaborating in programs with SOS Children’s Village  the world’s largest NGO organization for orphans  and other charitable organizations where HSBC has a presence. It aims to provide the children with education, healthcare, counseling and shelter.

SOS Children’s Village-Manila village director Vicente Tejada, HBSC SVP-group communications Johanna Garcia and HSBC group communications officer Denise Roque.

This year’s Future First winners have been longtime partners of HSBC Philippines. The bank has been conducting weekly volunteer activities with them for the past four years. The HSBC staff clocked over 7,000 volunteer hours in 2010 alone.

President and CEO of HSBC Philippines Tony Cripps said, “We are very happy for the winning NGOs. We’ve worked closely with them for a long time and know that their projects make a meaningful difference in the lives of the Filipino street children that they help.”

Initially launched in the Philippines in June 2007, Future First has provided support to local NGOs, namely SOS Children’s Villages, The Philippine Christian Foundation, Hope Worldwide Philippines, Young Focus for Education and Development Foundation, Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns and Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation.

Future First has reached nearly 35,000 Filipino children since 2007.

Radio High chairman and CEO Francis Lumen (third from left) with Meralco executive Al Panlilio with wife Angela and Splash’s Eric Domagas.

Jazzing up Manila radio

The airwaves recently got some classy and jazzy treat with the introduction of Radio High 105.9. The FM band airs contemporary jazz, new age, world music, retro, down-tempo, classical and new pop fusion forms. It is also the first broadcast venture of the newly minted Hi-Definition Radio, Inc. chaired by Francis Lumen of former jazz stations Citylite 88.3 and Joey @.92.3 Manila.

Francis says, “Radio High is a concept built on the inverse principle of limited supply and high demand, the right medium for the right message. The reality of radio is that listeners tend to tune out during long commercial breaks. That’s why we came up with the ‘four commercials per gap’ formula. By limiting our commercials, we hope to lessen the probability of a tune-out, and our advertisers, in turn, may get their messages across more effectively.”

Because of its greater ad recall formula, the station has attracted commitments from global brands and even non-traditional advertisers such as Jaguar, Maserati, Range Rover, Ferrari, Citibank, Visa, BPI, Mercedes-Benz, Philippine Airlines, Lexus, Robinsons Luxuria, Airfrance-KLM and McDonald’s.

The station has been on test broadcast since early July, treating friends to a special performance of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the CCP last June as part of its soft launch.

Andi Manzano, Regine King and Erik Cua.

On Nov. 4, the station is going full throttle with an exclusive, by-invitation-only concert by jazz musician Chris Botti at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. The two-time Grammy nominee is well-respected for his expert fusion of styles and virtuosity on the trumpet.

Chris Botti Live! is just one among many marketing initiatives lined up by Radio High 105.9 on its initial year, including the Philippine theatrical debut of Stomp! this October, and the grand staging of Mamma Mia! in January 2012.

(For sponsorship inquiries, prospective advertisers may get in touch with HDRI through 706-1580, e-mail [email protected] or call marketing manager Ronald Esguerra at 0918-9182068.)

The final journey

Manila is dampened with rains. What better way to bring back the sun by remembering one hot party that took place on the paradisiacal island of Boracay.

Boracay Bound, the summer party adventure series that spanned 10 long years, finally did its final journey by proving its supremacy on the island one last time.

Those who participated in this last adventure  including celebrities and media personalities  trooped to Boracay in full force via Seair’s 35-minute flight headed by party engineer Stephen Ku.

Revelers found themselves enjoying big time at the Epic Boracay where they ventured into the most exciting games like the Iceberg inflatables by Republ1c, extreme relay games, beach volleyball and Frisbee tournament courtesy of Hygienix. Ray-Ban also dared the Boracay Bound loyalists to step out and be proud with its “Never Hide Campaign.” Guests were given a chance to bag an iPad by just upgrading their existing Yahoo Mail account to the Yahoo Mail Beta powered by Globe Tattoo.

Ornussa Cadness and Manolet Dario.

At this last venture of Boracay Bound, Manila’s lounge and restaurant Opus invaded Epic Boracay with DJs Manolet Dario and GP Reyes turning up the heat on the first night. The second night couldn’t get any hotter with a display of golden tanned bodies that sashayed down the runway garbed in the latest must-haves from Ray-Ban, Vibram FiveFingers, Republ1c and the hottest swimwear line Solara. Afterwards, Manila’s Republiq took Epic with DJs Acid Burn, Ronian Poe and Funk Avy who brought the house down.

 (Boracay Bound X: The Final Journey was produced by Eventscape Manila and Worldwide Womb Production.)