Transport Groups All for NCAP

A number of transport groups in Metro Manila have come out in support of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). 

One of them is the Taguig transport group, headed by Mr. Ricardo Alde, president of FTI Taguig transport group, which consists of jeepney and bus drivers whose members are more than 100, as well Councilor Nicky Supan, committee leader of Taguig transportation sector.

During the grand opening of WALI second hand cars and auto supply in Panam Village, Taguig City, Councilor Supan reiterated the importance of the lifting of the TRO of NCAP. 

“I am proud to say that Taguig is one with the Metro Manila Council in implementing the NCAP. We are one of the first cities to sign and support NCAP because of the benefits it will give to our drivers, which will in turn have a positive effect to the traffic situations as well as the passengers” said Supan. “NCAP is a great deterrent for erring motorists. Ff you are a disciplined driver, like what we are advocating here in the city of Taguig, there is no reason for you to worry” added Supan. 

Together with Councilor Supan who voiced out their approval of NCAP are those present during the event that include Enrico Caluen, president of Guadalupe – FTI Jeepney Drivers Association, Conrad Synshioco, LTFRB Liason Officer, Epe Lepasana, Mobility Officer, Sonny Osorio, Chief of Transportation – Taguig and Danilo Canabiral, Chief of Traffic Management Office – Taguig. 

Since the issuance of the temporary restraining order (TRO), the technical group, in cooperation with the stakeholders, including the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila Council, has already improved the implementation of NCAP. Transportation groups have supported NCAP since day one said that it is a fair, impartial way to enforce traffic laws, as it does not rely on the discretion of traffic enforcers. During the time that it was implemented, studies show that NCAP has helped reduced traffic congestion and improve road safety. 

Another group, the transport advocacy group The Passenger Forum (TPF) has been an ardent supporter of NCAP. 

According to TPF Convener Primo Morillo, “We think NCAP is a first step towards making our roads more friendly towards pedestrians, commuters, and even bicycle riders. In our view, traffic rules are here to protect people and make motorists more responsible. NCAP is a good start for us to move towards the right direction” said Morillo. 

Morillo explained that NCAP not only promotes road safety and motorist discipline, it also removes the discretion of traffic enforcers in apprehending drivers who violate traffic laws.

Another important transport group that supports NCAP is the Motorcycle Rights Organization of the Philippines (MROP). In a statement, the MROP said that the NCAP is a “necessary step” to improve road safety to have added protection for motorcyclists. MROP acknowledge that before the TRO, NCAP has helped reduce the number of motorcycle-related accidents. 

If the NCAP will be implemented in the coming months, this will be a welcome development for all motorists and stakeholders with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announcing the use of body-worn cameras while apprehending traffic violators. MMDA Chairman Artes strongly believes that this will be the perfect combination to prevent incidents of bribery and extortion.

 

MCCI’s Bakery World 2023 to help grow small, medium-sized bakery businesses

New products and technology for the bakery business take center stage in the upcoming 2023 Bakery World exhibition set on September 14 to 16, 2023 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City.

Start-up bakery businesses have the potential to grow through innovation and technology. This is the goal of the Bakery World 2023, an event organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

MCCI President Kelie Ko, chair of the Bakery World exhibit, said the exhibit aims to enable bakeries and café owners, especially the small and medium, to level up.

“We’re going to see a lot of bakery and café related suppliers, from ingredients to equipment and a little bit of packaging. They will see different ways of using products, and come up with new products. We will also have food photography sessions,” Mr. Ko said.

He explained the importance of taking good product photos. “It’s a digital age. We want them to put up good pictures so they can sell their products. 

MCCI past president Stanley Go recalls that the chamber decided to organize the first Bakery World Exhibition in 2018, during his term as chamber president. The Bakery World exhibition is part of MCCI's efforts to provide business opportunities to various stakeholders in the baking and food industry in the Visayas and Mindanao. The goal was to help home-based bakers grow their businesses. 

The theme for this year’s Bakery World is “Learn. Innovate. Grow.” Participants will see and learn the latest technologies, innovations, and trends in the baking industry. This will help entrepreneurs improve their products and services and be more competitive as well as open more markets for their products. 

 “With Bakery World we can bring in ways to help these small bakers. By giving them access to ingredients and equipment they can use, such as a mixer, they can increase productivity, improve the product quality, and even create new innovations,” Mr. Go explains.

He added that in the past, bakery exhibitions were always held in Manila. By holding the Bakery World in Cebu, MCCI can help bakers not only in Cebu but also those based in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Mr. Ko said that the chamber is inviting owners of bakery businesses and cafés to come so they could see what the exhibit could offer. “They could come up with new products, and for would-be investors to start their own business. There’s a market for bakery products in Cebu island alone,” he said.

 

Bakery World 2023 will also feature international and local chefs who will conduct seminars and share their expertise. All those interested can attend the seminars for free.

On the opening day, the exhibit will also feature competitions on Wedding Cake Decoration, the Love Philippines cake decoration featuring the country’s tourist attractions, and Bread Art Showpiece.

The prizes for each category is P100,000 for the first prize, P60,000 for the second prize, and P30,000 for the third prize. This competition aims to encourage creativity, adding that anyone can join the competition.

The first Bakery World exhibition, held at the then JCenter Mall in Mandaue City, had 57 exhibitors with 113 booths that featured leading brands in the baking and food industry. Over 5,000 visitors attended the 2018 exhibit.

 

Love Above All : Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center Celebrates 3rd Year Anniversary

It was a success!

After three years of running the business, Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center can finally scream the continuous success of the brand. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, Dear Self was able to run the company through their relentless willpower and unceasing trust in the process and to our Lord Almighty.

To celebrate this and to give thanks to everyone who has been part of the sweet success, they mounted a mini Thanksgiving concert titled Love Above All: Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Clinic Anniversary Concert at the Elements, Centris, Quezon City, July 24.

“This event is not just to celebrate Dear Self’s success, but more of, us, giving thanks to everyone who has been an instrument to this success- our employees, our investors, our partners, family, and closed friends,” Madam Krystal Tecson- Garalde, CEO of Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Clinic said in an after event interview.

Moreover, the event also celebrated the International Self- Care Day. An annual opportunity to put a spotlight on self-care and the benefits that effective self-care can bring to both individuals and healthcare systems as a vital foundation of health which has been Dear Self’s advocacy since day 1.

“Self, you must remember the importance of loving yourself, embracing your imperfections, accepting your flaws, and turning them into opportunities to be a better version of yourself are the greatest gift you can give not only to yourself but to a hundred more people around you,” Madam Tecson-Garalde stated in her heart-warming opening message.

“Dear Self Family with you I am truly LOVED,” she ended

The Concert Event

Showtime’s Boom Boom Neri, Gace Abina, and Amina Magat brought the house down with their sizzling hot opening number. This was followed by Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 1’s grand finalist and Star Music Artist, Lucky Robles, who serenaded the crowd while having their sumptuous dinner.

Brand Ambassador Ric Abasola and Theatre Actor and Director Allan Dale Alojipan, event hosts, introduced power women of the music industry: Ms. Pinky Marquez, TV and movie actress, singer, and theatre Idol, amazed the crowd with her rendition of Broadway favorites while Ms. Bituin Escalante, left the audience in awe with her interpretation of Aretha Franklin’s classic, Respect, and Natural Woman.

The audience went wild when Ebe Dancel went up to the stage to perform his band’s classic, Hari ng Sablay, Prom and Wag Ka Nang Umiyak and his very own single Bawat Daan, which lasted for an hour.

“All these songs are meant to promote self-importance and self-love, kaya mas meaningful sa buong team namin. And our guest artists are all the best, we would to thank them from the bottom of our hearts, for responding to our invite, kahit hindi kami one of the top companies,” Mr. Christian Tecson, Dear Self’s Chief Financial Officer said.

Other Event Highlights

The company also awarded loyal employees for Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center.

“Thank you to our very loving EMPLOYEES, such as staff, branch managers, customer service team, hr team, OM team & marketing team. They are too many to mention, but I swear they are the best,” Ms. Vivien Tecson- Cadivida mentioned in her parting speech.

Moreover, Manufast CEO Clarence Cadivida introduces a new product line that will surely contribute to Dear Self’s business landscape in the next coming years.

On the other hand, the all-pink-themed concert event, aside from it as the brand’s official color, was derived from Japan’s Hanami Festival where people enjoy flower viewing. An event that denotes renewal and new beginnings.

“We chose to have this theme because just like the meaning of Japan’s Hanami Festival, Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center is now on another milestone where it can already stand on its own, operate well with all the trainings and the constant education, unti-unti rin nakikilala na sa aesthetic and wellness industry, so indeed a new beginning for the brand” Mr. Ric Abasola, Dear Self’s Brand Ambassador, Marketing Consultant and one of the event’s hosts, mentioned.

Lastly, madam Tecson-Garalde sent her message of thanks to everyone who supported the company in many different ways, “Mama, papa Dennis, mga anak, Christian, Kenneth, Clarice, Michelle, Clarence, Mhean. Tecson and Garalde family, sir Ric, ma’am Amy, ma’am Jhezel, sir Wayne, our influencers at sa lahat ng kasama namin sa buhay at hanapbuhay Salamat.”

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Visit their social media pages to know more!

https://www.tiktok.com/@dearselfaesthetic.center

https://www.instagram.com/dearselfaesthetic/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_PjtJko9-eXk1stBnEpX7g

https://www.facebook.com/dearselfaestheticandwellness

Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center 9  Branches:

CAINTA

Junction, 3/F Jose Margarita Building Ortigas Ave Ext, Cor A Bonifacio Ave, Santo Domingo, Cainta, 1900 Rizal

09665348694

CONGRESSIONAL

12 Congressional Ave, Project 8, Quezon City, Metro Manila

09175580930

LAS PIÑAS

362 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Las Piñas, 1747 Metro Manila

09232349681 / 0270052072

MAKATI

St corner, 614 J.P Rizal, J.B. Roxas, St, Makati, 1207 Metro Manila

09772919164 / 0270920384

MANILA

1928, 1004 Leon Guinto St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila

09057943990

MONUMENTO

284 Samson Rd One Kalayaan Place Bldg Unit 7, 2nd Floor, Caloocan, 1400 Metro Manila

09279711584

NORTH CALOOCAN

Lot 8 Blk 4 La Forteza Subd., Camarin, Zabarte Rd, Barangay 175, Caloocan, 1422 Metro Manila

09668895181

NOVALICHES

789 Quirino Hwy, Novaliches, Quezon City, 1117 Metro Manila

09662481897

TAGUIG

3/F Andoks Waterfun, Cuasay, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila

09163727504

 

All PCPPI manufacturing plants receive recommendation for Food Safety System Certification

 

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) continues to embody how excellence is best demonstrated through commitment and consistency. PCPPI recently announced that all its manufacturing facilities across the country received recommendations for the coveted Food Safety System Certification (FSSC), with its Naga Plant being the most recent site to be certified.

Frederick D. Ong, the president and chief operating officer of PCPPI, said completing the FSSC status fulfills the organization’s unswerving commitment to developing a strong food safety and quality culture.

“At PCPPI, it has always been our mission to produce safe, high quality, and reliable products that deliver the best experience for our customers. It is imperative for us to adhere to global industry standards through continuously raising our performance. We do this by adapting to regulatory requirements and consumer demand, and embracing industry innovation,” said Ong.

Obtaining FSSC recognition provides PCPPI an advantage, as the certification recognizes its capacity to produce safe food and food packaging products, reduce hazards and incident risks, roll out resource optimization initiatives, reinforce its supply chain relationships, and maintain food safety protocols and programs.

The FSSC status was recommended by SGS, one of the top global audit and certification companies, following a period of undergoing a rigorous review process which was led by a dedicated Plant Audit Team. This team comprises representatives from across the facility’s functions: from food safety and logistics, to human resources and environmental health, safety, and security.

SGS tested the plants’ processes and policies in accordance with FSSC standards, which are aligned with ISO 22000 upon onsite inspection. FSSC evaluation is done annually, with scheduled and unannounced audit visits done.

“As we successfully complete our FSSC status, we are optimistic that this will enable more market opportunities for PCPPI and further grow the confidence of both internal and external stakeholders in our organization,” Ong added.

PCPPI operates 12 manufacturing facilities across the country. The FSSC-recommended facilities are Muntinlupa, San Fernando, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Tanauan, and Cebu City.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. Other than Pepsi, it distributes well-loved brands such as Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton Iced Tea, Milkis, Chum Churum Soonhari, and Premier Purified Water. For more information about PCPPI and its products, please visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.

IS METRO MANILA NOW READY FOR NCAP?

RETURN OF NCAP. As we experience pre-pandemic traffic, it is ideal in terms of safety and discipline to lift the TRO of NCAP.

DETERRENT. Metro Manila Mayors believe that the NCAP is an effective deterrent to erring motorists to avoid road accidents.

Last August 2022, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) for traffic violators in Metro Manila.

The TRO stops the implementation of NCAP-related programs and ordinances and any apprehensions through the said policy and ordinances "shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court."

The order also halted the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and all parties acting on its behalf from giving out motorist information to all government units, cities, and municipalities enforcing NCAP programs and ordinances.

But last June 14, 2023, renewed calls to bring back NCAP were revitalized after a fatal accident happened at the EDSA Shaw Boulevard tunnel where a motorcycle driver was hit by an SUV drive. Both motorists happened to be in the EDSA Carousel Bus Lane  resulting in the former getting run over by a tanker driver in the adjacent lane.

Because of this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wasted no time in coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General in the filing of a motion before the Supreme Court to consider lifting the temporary restraining order on the implementation of the NCAP.

It’s sad to know that a gruesome incident had to happen but aside from this, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said they will use the data they obtained in the past months showing an increase in the number of road accidents and traffic violations after the NCAP was suspended in August last year.

“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” said Artes. “We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” Artes added.

Aside from MMDA, Metro Manila Council President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora is also leading the discussion to raise the TRO on NCAP.

According to Zamora, MMDA data shows from August 2022 to May of the present year has already resulted in an average of 25,926 per month as compared to a monthly average of 9,500 before NCAP was suspended.

“This data shows that we have more than a double increase in the number of violations. Having been Mayor of San Juan for the last four years, it is close to impossible to have traffic enforcers all over the city of San Juan, more so all over the entire Metro Manila. Having NCAP deters motorists from committing traffic violations” shared Zamora.

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For those with an interest in road safety, NCAP represents a step forward, in terms of our enforcement of traffic laws.

In the few months it was implemented in San Juan, Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City and Paranaque City, NCAP did bring benefits that some would say were unfairly ignored in the debate.

These cities that have fully implemented NCAP cited decrease in obstructions, choking of traffic from apprehended vehicles, reckless driving, and hazardous motorists’ habits.

It is unfortunate that we needed to wait for a fatal accident in order for us to see the benefits of NCAP. And aside from this incident, many agree that it is now time for the TRO to be lifted. With NCAP already addressing a lot of the public’s concern, this July the handheld device for the Single Ticketing System (STS) will have a pilot test to be spearheaded by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

With the STS in place, it will enable the Metro Manila local government units to strictly enforce traffic laws, at the same time, harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement to establish an effective transport and traffic management system.

 

Unleash the Gaming Power of Victus 15 by HP powered by Intel®: The Ultimate Gaming Laptop for Avid Gamers

Elevate Your Gaming Experience with Victus 15 by HP, built for the next generation of gaming with 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor. Immerse yourself in lifelike graphics and experience every deta

If you're an ardent gamer searching for the ultimate gaming experience, look no further than the Victus 15 by HP. As one of the best gaming laptops in 2023, the Victus 15 combines cutting-edge technology and exceptional features to take your gaming to new heights. With its powerful performance and immersive capabilities, this gaming laptop will elevate your gameplay, ensuring you have the edge over your opponents and experience gaming at its absolute best.

At the heart of the Victus 15 lies the 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, a true gaming powerhouse that brings unrivaled processing power to your fingertips. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors use a performance hybrid architecture design to transform your gaming and computing experience by integrating two all-new core microarchitectures (Performance core and Efficiency core) into a single die to increase compute efficiency and delivers intelligent workload optimization.

The Intel Thread Director does the behind-the-scenes magic that seamlessly coordinates the performance-cores (P-cores) and efficient-cores (E-cores) to work together harmoniously. This intelligent coordination ensures you experience the perfect balance of clock speed, cores, and threads, delivering immersive experiences and low latency during competitive gameplay.

The Victus 15, however, is more than just a gaming machine; it offers users the freedom to multitask without compromising performance. Whether you're chatting with friends, browsing the internet, streaming content, editing videos, or recording gameplay, this laptop effortlessly handles it all. With its powerful capabilities, you can seamlessly switch between tasks without missing a beat, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your gaming experience.

Graphics are a crucial component of any gaming laptop, and the Victus 15 excels in this department. Powered by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti Laptop GPU, it delivers stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensures that every detail comes to life with breathtaking clarity. You'll be fully immersed in the virtual world, with fluid motion and reduced motion blur, making your gaming experience truly captivating.

The Victus 15 boasts immersive audio tuned by B&O and dual speakers to enhance your gaming immersion further. From thunderous explosions to subtle ambient sounds, every audio detail is amplified, creating a rich and realistic soundscape that truly draws you into the game. With the Victus 15, you'll experience gaming audio like never before.

Extended gaming sessions can strain a laptop's cooling system, but the Victus 15's upgraded cooling system ensures optimal performance even during intense gaming marathons. Say goodbye to overheating and performance throttling, and enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions with peace of mind. This laptop is designed to keep up with your gaming demands and maintain peak performance throughout.

Connectivity is made effortless with the Victus 15, which supports multiple 4K displays and features Thunderbolt™ technology. Whether connecting to external displays or organizing your peripheral suite, the Victus 15 provides the flexibility and convenience to create your dream gaming setup. Stay prepared and ready to dive into the gaming action at any moment.

Customization and optimization are key to achieving your gaming goals, and the Victus 15 offers just that through the Omen Gaming Hub. This centralized control center allows you to fine-tune your settings, monitor system performance, and connect with other gamers. It's your one-stop shop for enhancing your gaming experience and staying ahead of the competition.

The Victus 15 by HP is a gaming beast that will take your gaming experience to the next level. With its sleek design, powerful performance, immersive display, enhanced audio, and upgraded cooling system, it stands out among the best gaming laptops available in 2023. Whether you're a casual gamer or a serious esports enthusiast, the Victus 15 is the ultimate gaming companion that will take your gaming journey to the next level.

Unleash the full potential of your gaming experience with the Victus 15 by HP. Gaming happens with Intel®, and with the 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, this laptop is built for the next generation of gaming. Don't miss out on this exceptional gaming companion. Visit the official HP stores on Shopee and Lazada to discover the Victus 15 and elevate your gaming experience to new heights. Get ready to conquer the virtual world like never before.

 

Luciano Armand Copok Excels in Both Academics and Sports

 Images from Ms. Tiffany Chua Copok (@tcopok) https://www.instagram.com/p/CuovNSPucJ2/?hl=en

Manila, Philippines - Luciano Armand Copok recently made headlines by winning Bronze in the 4th Copernicus Math Olympiad and 2 Championships for Golf in the US Kids Hudson Valley Tour and the Oceanside Invitational by SCJGT, all held in the USA.

Luciano Armand, 14 Years Old and a Grade 8 Student from British School Manila, has remarkable success in both fields as he juggles his studies and training simultaneously.

In the recently concluded 4th Copernicus Math Olympiad Global Round, He won Bronze in the Grade 7 - 8 division out of over 100 finalists from 22 countries, demonstrating his intelligence and dedication to the subject. Fellow Filipino Math Wizard Francis Deinmel Legaspi also won in his category. The Copernicus Olympiad is an international competition joined by students from Grades 3 to Grade 12, which aims to enhance and develop their potential by honing their logical deduction abilities and connecting with a like-minded group of people from around the globe.

Luciano Armand was also named Champion for two separate US golf tournaments. He first competed in the US Kids Hudson Valley Tour for Boys 13-14 Years Old Category last July 8 in Freehold, New York. Then moved and claimed another Championship in Oceanside Invitational by SCJGT last July 18 in Ormond Beach, Florida.

His success is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. He has proven that it is possible to excel at two seemingly unrelated activities and that it is possible to achieve success even when it requires juggling two different pursuits.

Armand's Mom, Ms. Tiffany Chua Copok, is thankful for the support they received for their son's competition journey.

The success of Luciano Armand in both the Math Olympiad and the Golf Tournaments is a reminder of the power of hard work and dedication and a testament that it is possible to succeed in multiple fields.