Right 2 Race (R2R) online game promo from MICHELIN returns with Pilot Sport Experience drive prize

The tyre company, MICHELIN brings back Right 2 Race (R2R) online game promo! Winners from selected countries get a chance to join the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience (MPSE) in Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia.

To join, participants may log on to www.theright2race.com from May 13 to June 16, 2015 and play the game on the digital version of Sepang International F1 Circuit. The players’ driving skills on different racing lines and braking points will be tested in the game. Three players from the Philippines with the best and fastest lap times win a trip to Sepang, Malaysia and join in the once-in-a-lifetime MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience on July 18.

The MPSE is a unique and specialized motorsport event organized annually by MICHELIN. Participants get to ride and drive with professional racers on high-performance vehicles such as the Formula 4, Renault Clio Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and the legendary Formula Le Mans.

The first Right2Race was launched successfully last year in Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines. One of the winners from the Philippines – Ivan Isada, emerged as the overall Champion at the 2014 MPSE. As the ultimate winner, Mr. Isada received an exclusive all-expense paid trip to witness the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in Le Mans, France in June 2015.

For more information log on to www.theright2race.com or www.michelin.com.ph .

LG G4: The most ambitious Smartphone to date

Today, LG Electronics globally unveils the most highly anticipated LG G4 smartphone in six cities including New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Istanbul and Seoul. Approximately 1,000 guests around the world gathered to witness the successor of the LG G3 which excelled in all sales charts and industry recognitions. Among the first users of the LG G4 will be 4,000 lucky customers who will receive the coveted smartphone as part of the company’s largest-ever consumer experience campaign.

Unrivalled design

The LG G4 is available in handcrafted, full grain leather in six beautiful colors. The vegetable tanned leather is not only environmentally friendly but also luxurious, using genuine leather instead of the usual faux material that other smartphones use. Other material options for the G4 rear cover are pure Ceramic White with 3D patterns, artisan-forged Metallic Gray and lustrous Shiny Gold

The comfortable elegance of the LG G4 is a refreshing change from the uniformly flat, full metal designs that have been become standard across the industry. The LG G4’s design is defined by the Slim Arc, which runs along its entire body, highlighted by a display with a subtle curvature. More than just a design accent, Slim Arc offers more durability than a flat smartphone in face-down drops and gives the smartphone a more comfortable and secure feel in the hand.

Superb visual experience

LG designed the 16-megapixel camera in the LG G4 to capture stunning images even under less than ideal lighting conditions. The camera module features an industry-first wide F1.8 aperture lens that allows 80 percent more light to reach the sensor. LG improved low-light performance even further with OIS 2.0, which doubles the performance of the OIS+ by expanding the range of image stabilization from one degree to two degrees on the X- and Y-axis and adding a third axis for the first time.

The advanced camera in the LG G4 is complemented by Color Spectrum Sensor (CSS), the first feature of its kind to find its way into a smartphone. CSS improves color accuracy by precisely reading the RGB values of the ambient light in a scene, as well as the infrared light reflected from objects. And for selfies good enough to frame, LG included an industry-leading eight-megapixel front-facing camera for sharp, detailed portraits and group shots.

Taking a quantum leap in display technology, the LG G4 is the first smartphone to use LG Display’s new 5.5-inch IPS Quantum Display, which offers 20 percent greater color reproduction, 25 percent improvement in brightness and 50 percent greater contrast. This new display is calibrated for DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) standards for color expression, championed by top Hollywood studios.

With the LG G4, the higher quality display doesn’t come at the expense of battery life. The G4 is equipped with a high-capacity 3,000mAh removable battery, a rare feature in today’s high-end smartphones. Combined with the benefits offered by the snappy yet energy-thrifty Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 processor, the LG G4 has no trouble getting through a full day of normal use.

“We are thrilled to globally introduce the outstanding LG G4, letting consumers see and feel optimal greatness in a smartphone,” LG Mobile Philippines Vice President Jay Won said. “From the design to the camera to the display to the user experience, the LG G4 is undoubtedly the most ambitious phone LG has ever created, promising world-class performance and no disappointment.”

The LG G4 will start its global roll-out on April 29 in Korea and will eventually be available on approximately 180 carriers worldwide. Prices and carrier availability will be announced locally in each market.

To learn more about LG’s most ambitious smartphone yet, visit www.lg.com/ph or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram. And for a chance to become one of the first owners of an LG G4 in the Philippines, like LG Mobile Philippines on Facebook and join the LG G4 promo.

50th Anniversary of the British Invasion

Ever wondered why The Beatles are so popular here and abroad? And on why One Direction, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith are all loved even if they are British? Well it is because back in 1960’s the British Phenomenon occurred when rock and pop music acts from the United Kingdom, as well as other aspects of British culture, became popular in the United States, and significant to the rising"counterculture" on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pop and rock groups such as The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits and The Who were at the forefront of the invasion.

The British Invasion had a profound impact on popular music, internationalizing the production of rock and roll, establishing the British popular music industry as a viable centre of musical creativity, and opening the door for subsequent British performers to achieve international success. In America the Invasion arguably spelled the end of instrumental surf music,pre-Motown vocal girl groups, the folk revival (which adapted by evolving into folk rock), and (for a time) the teen idols that had dominated the American charts in the late 1950s and 1960s.

And this 2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of the British Invasion, with six bands coming over to manila in a one night only performance. Almost two hours of superb and top charting hits that will be performed by The Tremeloes, The Troggs, Marmalade, The Animals, Mike Pender’s Searchers and Spencer Davis.

The Animals who began in Newcastle as the Kansas City Five were a major influence among R&B-based British bands in the early Sixties. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound. The band balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm and blues-oriented album material. Some of their greatest hits are “House of the Rising Sun”, “I’m Crying”, “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” and “It’s My Liife”. The Marmalade was a Scottish pop rock group from the east end of Glasgow, originally formed in 1961 as the Gaylords, and then later billed as Dean Ford and the Gaylords. In 1966, they changed the group name to The Marmalade. The most successful period for the band, in terms of UK chart success was between 1968 and 1972. Hits do include “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da”, “Loving Things” and “Reflection of My Life”.

Mike Pender’s Searchers was the voice of the Searchers, one of the most influential band to come out of Liverpool in the early 1960’s. Pender also played the trademark Jangly Rickenbacker twelve string riffs on such quintessential hits as “Needles and Pins” which gave way to the West Coast folk-rock revolution closely identified with the Byrds. Garnering UK#1 hit in the 1963, “Sweets for my Sweets”, “Sugar and Spice”, “Love Potion No.9” and “Don’t Throw Your Love Away” are some of the recognizable and adored songs of this group.

Spencer Davis produced some of the most dynamic R&B singles of the sixties, hailing from Wales, Spencer founded the famed Spencer Davis Group in 1963, producing a dozen top 10 hit songs, helping to bring British rock n’ roll to the rest of the world. Hits include “Gimme Some Lovin”, “Keep on Running” and “Somebody Help Me”.

The Tremeloes was a band chosen by Decca Records over the Beatles when they both audition for the recording company on New Year’s Day, 1962. Decca Records chose the Tremeloes over the newcomers because, as a London based outfit, they would be more easily accessible. The Tremeloes did produce some hits for Decca Records, ultimately placing thirteen songs in the British top forty. Some of the hits of the band were “Twist and Shout”, “Do You Love Me”, “Here Comes My Baby” and “Silence is Golden”.

Last band on the tour list is The Troggshave continued to embrace both hard rock and alternative music during their more than 45 years together. The Troggs is an abbreviation of their original name the Troglodytes meaning cavemen.

This concert is presented by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Redstone Media Productions Inc.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld, SM Tickets, Ticketnet and Resorts World Box Office.

ONE Fighting Championship™ presents Ana Julaton

The largest mixed martial arts event is set on May 2, 2014 as ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC): RISE OF HEROES promises a stacked fight card featuring the explosive battle for the ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship title belt in the Main Event.

It will be an all-night slam-bang action as Ana Julaton will now make her mixed martial arts debut this Friday in a highly anticipated bout against Middle Eastern kickboxing champion, Aya Saeid Saber. The California-based Julaton, is the first Filipino American boxer to win the Women's WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles and ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES marks the first time she competes before a hometown crowd since she made the switch to MMA.

"Aya Saber is an experienced MMA warrior and champion in kickboxing. I know she will bring her very best on May 2nd. I'm training for my ONE FC homecoming fight in Manila harder than ever before and what gives me strength through my ups and downs are the hearts of my Kababayan all over”, according to Julaton.

On the other hand, the Egyptian kickboxing champion Saber is the first female MMA fighter from Egypt to fight in ONE FC. “I can't wait to get into the cage and beat Ana and make my fight team and family proud. Unlike Ana, I am not new to MMA,” she said.

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES are on sale now at SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com). Ticket categories begin with the full Red Carpet and cageside experience for VIPs at PHP 6,360, followed by Patron PHP 3,180, Lower Box PHP 1,280, Upper Box PHP 640 and General Admission PHP 220. Prices include ticketing fee.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visitwww.onefc.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter @ONEFCMMA and Facebook atwww.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

LAZADA Eyes Rapid Growth

In just two years, Lazada has rapidly established itself as the number one e-commerce retailer in Southeast Asia. The Company has brought the convenience of Internet shopping to customers across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Lazada is owned by Germany-based start-up incubator Rocket Internet.

Lazada’s growth has been exponential, driven by its unique offering as an online shopping mall, which understands the differing needs of consumers across a diverse region. It has tapped into the growing trend for consumers in Southeast Asia to shop online, particularly in rural areas where there are few physical retail stores. To date, the company now receives over a million of visit to its website every day. From small number of employees, Lazada has now grown significantly across the five regions and is equpped with state-of-the-art distribution center in every market it operates. .

Lazada  has raised approximately $430 million from leading investors including JP Morgan, Kinnevik and Tesco, which has helped further fuel its growth.

According to Maximilian Bittner, the firm's chief executive officer, “Lazada is a destination website which meets the demands of customers across a complex region. We have successfully broken down the barriers to e-commerce in these markets through solutions such as owning our own fleet of delivery vehicles and offering cash on delivery.

“The Company has seen exponential growth over the past two years and we are now the leading online e-commerce business in Southeast Asia. I am proud to be leading a team of people who strive for perfection every day and work relentlessly to deliver incredible services to our customers”, he adds.

In the Philippines, Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is considered as one of the largest online shopping mall, which provides fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. It continuously strives to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns.

BPI Family Brings Housing Madness to Pampanga

BPI Family Housing Loan recently opened the 3-day Housing Madness at the activity area of Marquee Mall, Ayala Center. This brought excitement in Pampanga as eight (8) residential developers featuring their local projects, each one backed with exclusive home acquisition packages to offer, were put together under one roof.

The Housing Madness was participated in by real estate developers that include Alveo Land, Inc., Avida Sales Corp (Avida Towers Vita), Avida Land (Madera Grove Estate), Ayala Land, Inc., Central Country Estate (Lakeshore), Filinvest, Hausland Development Corp. and St. Catherine Realty.

The housing madness was made even more exciting this year with BPI Family Housing Loan’s summer special offers that include: BPI’s guaranteed best rates at 5.5% p.a. fixed for 1 year and 6.88% p.a. fixed for 5 years and waived processing fee. These offers are valid for loan applications received during the BPI Family Housing Madness event and loan proceeds released on or before June 30, 2014. Clients will also get a FREE BPI Gold Master Card with their approved and availed housing loan.

“When Filipinos become conscious of their money and change the way they think about it, they are able to grow and make the best happen. With Northern Luzon doing so well economically, we are excited about the potential of the real estate here in Pampanga,” said TG Limcaoco, BPI Family President, at the opening of the event.

Limcaoco invites prospective homebuyers to take advantage of the 3-day Housing Madness because “we are here to answer your questions. You won’t know what you can own unless you ask.”

Join in BPI Family’s 3-day Housing Madness invasion and know more about what you could own. Let BPI Family help you make your best decision now. Visit www.bpiloans.com for more information.

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and PFA join hands on 2014 SME Prospects

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) in partnership with Go Negosyo continue its efforts in sustaining the country’s economic growth through entrepreneurship and franchising.

The bank teamed up anew with the country’s largest franchise association, PFA, in bringing a free franchising expo dubbed as “Franchising neGOsyo Para Sayo,” held recently at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City. The two-day free expo offered franchising opportunities for Filipinos especially for OFWs in the food, retail, and service sectors.

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo shared its franchising loan ideas and other product offerings during the expo. The BPI Family team also offered on-site business loan inquiry, loan application, loan processing of as fast as 3 to 8 hours and optional online inquiry through the bank’s interactive website, BPIloans.com wherein the “Franchise Finder” can be accessed. It is a franchise directory that provides a catalogue of comprehensive franchise information of various brands including available packages, updated contact details, and an option to inquire online. The most promising Philippine franchise brands are also included in the website noted under BPI Family Ka-Negosyo’s Best List Brands, providing a wide array of dependable franchise choices for aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Franchising neGOsyo Para Sayo” is one of the avenues that Filipinos who want to engage into business can take advantage of. The expo is unique in a way that it veered from the traditional business expos held at convention centers. Here, people can do their usual mall shopping but at the same time get the opportunity of getting closer to their dream business before going home. BPI Family Ka-Negosyo sees this opportunity to make the best happen to the expo attendees so we offer them business advice, loan inquiry, and application.” says Ms. Cedoy Roces, Vice President and Head of BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loans Division.

The bank’s interactive website is proof of its commitment in making the best happen for Filipinos who aspire of owning their own business.

“We would like to serve as enablers to our fellow Filipinos who are working hard to put up their dream business. We would like to instil that they are empowered to be the boss of their own rather than being an employee majority of their career lives. They can make the best happen now if they choose to and we are here to assist them achieve their goals” Cedoy Roces concluded.

The Expo also featured Senator Bam Aquino as Keynote Speaker. In his speech, Sen. Aquino highlighted the opportunities that entrepreneurship can offer to Filipinos, emphasizing the 3Ms of entrepreneurship, which he defined as Money, Mentorship, and Mindset.

To find out more about the offerings of BPI Family Ka-Negosyo and Ka-Negosyo Franchise Finder, log-on to www.bpiloans.com.

You may also call 754-NEGO, email kanegosyo@bpi.com.ph, text 0917-852NEGO or 0922-869NEGO, or visit any of the 800 BPI and BPI Family branches nationwide.