Here’s to a world without strangers

In its bid to encourage shoppers to embrace a world without strangers, Giordano successfully held its first ever music festival at the Palm Drive of the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. The music festival, dubbed World Without Strangers, was a free event that featured 15 of the hottest local bands today.

“A world without strangers is a borderless one where people walk hand in hand and celebrate life as one,” said local music icon and the newest Giordano brand ambassador Rico Blanco.

The event was the perfect venue for Blanco to perform his latest single, World Without Strangers. Featuring a light, upbeat tone, Blanco’s latest single shows a world wherein there’s no class or cultural divide, a world wherein people are able to live as one — without prejudice or hate.

The audience was captivated by Blanco’s performance as he was able to easily convey the predominant message of the brand’s campaign through his signature musical style. In addition to his performance, the song’s official lyric video was also launched during the event.

The musical celebration was hosted by the wacky Boys Night Out trio of Sam YG, Slick Rick and Tony Toni. Other musical acts that made the night more exciting were Callalily, Sponge Cola, Urbandub, Franco, Up Dharma Down, Gracenote, Techy Romantics, Taken By Cars, Kala, Autotelic, Join The Club, Cygnet, Maude, Hidden Nikki and Yolanda Moon.

Aside from the launch of the official lyric music video and a bevy of hot local acts, the event also served as the venue for the announcement of winners for the brand’s Statement Tee Design contest. This contest attracted a large number of entries, which revolved around the “World Without Strangers” theme. After a rigorous judging, the following were adjudged as winners: Gino Jardinico, Timmy Joy Raymundo, John Angelo Tan, Ivan Marc Robinson, Nadine Encarnacion, Benedict Lim, John Francis Pasicolan, Katherine Francisco and Cathleen Kay Bayani (whose design for both male and female categories were chosen). Their winning designs will be released in Giordano stores by the end of July, something that shoppers can look forward to.

Another highlight of the event was the announcement of the awardees for Giordano’s World Without Strangers Citizens. These are 12 individuals who serve as the perfect role models for Giordano’s campaign of creating an ideal world. The awardees are from various backgrounds, ranging from social workers, writers to taxi drivers. They are Alex Eduque, Habitat for Humanity volunteer; Jose Yap Dalisay, Palanca award-winning writer; Benji Reyes, sculptor and furniture designer; Karen Jimeno, lawyer and social worker; Donnalyn Bartolome, artist and songwriter; Efren Peñaflorida, teacher; Sophia Deliu, policewoman; Jovy Sasutona, handicapped painter; Creo Baylon, inventor; Nelson Balmores, a handicapped social worker for Gawad Kalinga; Edita Queras, a tricycle driver; and Doroteo Ochavo, a taxi driver who made news in 2012 for constantly returning things left behind by his passengers in his cab.

“We are proud to recognize our first batch of World Without Strangers Citizens. They deserve this recognition because they are doing their share to build a world without strangers, and, in doing so, have inspired others,” said Bea Lim, Giordano Philippines’ vice president for marketing.

(For photos of the event and updates about the World Without Strangers campaign, please visit www.facebook.com/GiordanoPhilippines.)

One remarkable mother

The role of a mother is a daunting task. For some moms, being a mother is sometimes a “thankless job.” That’s why mothers who are raising their children and excelling in their own careers at the same time are nothing but exceptional.

Recently, Citi Philippines managing director and consumer banking head Bea Teh-Tan was recognized by Sofitel Philippine Plaza for her notable industry contributions and excellent fulfillment of her role as a mother.

 A proud mother to two sons and one daughter, Tan bagged the honor as one of Sofitel’s Remarkable Mothers together with seven other awardees. Tan attributed her achievements to God, her very supportive family and an extraordinary team of men and women from Citi.

 Apart from the awarding ceremonies, Sofitel showcased the Mother’s Legacy Fashion Show featuring Ryan Madamba’s Abelissimo collection. The wedding gown designer provided all awardees, including Tan, their evening wear.

 Other recipients of the award were Natividad Alejo, Cristina Garcia, Merlee Jayme, Mel Lerma, Rizalina Mantaring, Debbie Namalata and Mildred Vitangcol.

 Tan joined Citi in 1998 and has held a variety of roles including strategic planning head and head for cards marketing, sales and distribution. She has been instrumental in driving the growth of Citi’s consumer banking business by retaining its top market position in credit cards.

Under Tan’s leadership, Citi launched the PayLite Installment platform, which is now widely used by Asia Pacific countries offering installment facilities, as well as a number of other award-winning products. She forged key partnerships with other industry leaders and as a result, Citi has an enviable portfolio of credit card products as well as personal loans today.

Tan was also earlier recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the financial services industry by The Asian Banker.  She was awarded in 2008 as one of the best bankers under the age of 40 in Asia Pacific and Gulf Region.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)