Month: April 2015

KidZania Manila and its Industry Partners Set the Wheels in Motion for Empowered Play

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The global leader in children’s educational entertainment, KidZania, is bringing the ultimate role playing experience to the Philippines this 2015. To-date, over 40 of the country’s most respected brands have signed up to help bring this indoor play city to life as KidZania Manila’s Industry Partners – working towards the common goal of giving kids fun as they gain life skills that will help them learn how to build a better world.

KidZania Manila introduced and paid tribute to its growing community of Industry Partners during an event held at the Hotel InterContinental Manila. Over 100 officials representing the different partner brands, along with members of the media and other guests, were in attendance, as they celebrated the wonderful play experience in store for Filipino kids.

Immersive, interactive role play rooted in real-life activities and establishments is at the core of the KidZania experience. And that is where Industry Partners support the experience: with their expertise in their respective industries, these brands help bring realism to the kid-sized city, providing children with truly engaging activities and skills that they can use in real life.

Incorporating knowledge and expertise shared by Industry Partners, educators develop KidZania Manila’s role play activities to ensure that the play city complements classroom learning, focusing on key areas such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, confidence, and collaboration.

Making Learning More Fun
At KidZania Manila, kids can be anything they want to be, with over 100 role playing activities to choose from. Inside almost 9,000 square meters of play space built just for them — the play city provides kids with the ultimate role playing environment. Through realistic establishments ranging from industrial, retail, cultural, and utility services, kids can experience hands-on what it takes to run a city.

Kids can learn traffic regulations and vehicle operations, and apply for their own driver’s license at the Driving School (A-1 Driving), operate the gas pump as well as learn about car maintenance and safety at the Gas Station (Shell), or make their own automobile design and be car engineers at the Honda Car Design and Dealership and Honda Car Assembly stations.

“The best way to educate the children of today is by learning through play,” said A-1 Driving Assistant Vice President Aljun C. Garcia. “This generation will keep our roads safe because of what they’ll learn from A-1 Driving at KidZania Manila.”
According to Honda Cars Philippines President and General Manager Toshio Kuwahara, the company is happy to be a part of the KidZania Manila community that drives children to learn and have fun. “Together, we share the joy of leading children to roads of endless possibilities,” he added.

“Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation is proud to partner with the play city in preparing the Filipino youth for the big world,” said the company’s President and Chairman Edgar Chua. “We look forward to stimulating the minds and seeing smiles on the faces of the kids who visit the KidZania Shell station.”

A city where kids rule—where they can imagine and actually get to experience what they want to be when they grow up—this is KidZania Manila.

SM Marks 10th Listing Anniversary, cites Tremendous Growth

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SM Investments Corporation (SM) marked its 10th year as a publicly-listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

SM listed on March 22, 2005 with an adjusted price of PHP 191 per share. As of March 26, SM closed at PHP888 apiece, representing a growth of 365%.

In his remarks during the anniversary ceremony, SM Chief Finance Officer Jose T. Sio said that the company’s growth has been tremendous over the last ten years.

“More compelling is how our operating companies in retail, property and banking have emerged to be market leaders in just ten years. Such leadership is backed by having one of the largest footprints in the country consisting of highly productive assets and delivering superior value, margins and returns. These assets have evolved to cater to more sophisticated lifestyles of our customers by providing a world-class look and feel, a sense of completeness and an exciting experience for every member of the family,” Mr. Sio said.

In 2005, SM had total assets of PHP153 billion and a market capitalization of PHP127 billion. Today, , SM’s assets are worth over PHP711 billion with a market capitalization of PHP732 billion. Its assets grew almost seven -fold, delivering an average annual growth of 21% over the last ten years. Market capitalization grew by 19% during the same period.

Revenues also accelerated in the last ten years for an average growth of 20.6% per annum with net income showing an average growth of 21.4 percent each year.

“Indeed, the story of SM has inspired and surprised many, ourselves included, as we witnessed its phenomenal growth from humble beginnings to what it has become today. SM is a story of leadership, innovation, commitment, focus and a collective effort to advance the great legacy that Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. built,” Mr. Sio further said.

Pret-a-Portea at Raffles Makati

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Raffles Makati launches its second Prêt-à-Portea series at its Writers Bar. The high tea recreates Furla’s Neo Pop collection at P1,550+ for two. Sip on your tea of choice while nibbling on teacup sandwiches, from ham and cheese layered in apricot chutney spread to a bruschetta tapenade topped with sliced olives and cherry tomatoes.

Chocolate aficionados should try the orange-coated macarons, lip-shaped truffles, and nutty pralines — all inspired by Furla’s spring collection. Relish the taste of the season with a three-tier assembly of raspberry beignets dusted with pink snow powder, apricot-flavored scones, and a vanilla éclair decked with edible silver leaves. The highlight includes toasted marshmallow macarons flashing Furla’s Neo-Pop print design and the Candy Bag taking form in a black and red religieuse. Add a sparkling glass of rosé champagne for P1,000+.

Promo is ongoing until May 16 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

 

Ayala Land ranks # 1 in FinanceAsia’s Best CFO and Best Investor Relations polls

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FinanceAsia, a leading financial publishing company, has named Ayala Corporation as the best managed public company in the Philippines for the second year in a row. Ayala was a runaway winner in this category scoring a high of 41 points, followed by 2nd place by Ayala Land, which scored 21, and Globe Telecom ranking 4th with 14.

On the corporate governance front, Ayala held onto the top spot for the fourth straight year, while Ayala Land and Globe ranked 2nd and 7th, respectively.

The same strong scores were also noted for the Ayala group in the best investor relations and commitment to good dividends categories. Ayala Land, Ayala, and Globe filled the higher ranks of the investor relations poll, placing 1st, 2nd, and 4th place, respectively. Meanwhile, Globe, Ayala Land, Ayala, and Manila water were recognized for their dividends payments policies.

The publication also named the three Best CEOs and CFOs, with Ayala execs winning the prized plums. Ayala Land’s Jaime Ysmael was named top CFO, a repeat of last year’s performance, while AYala’s Delfin C. Gonzalez, Jr. followed in 3rd place. Globe’s Ernest Cu ranked 2nd in the CEO category.

The poll respondents include over 250 managers and buy-side analysts from around the world, running mandates that include, or were dedicated to, Asian listed companies.

Double win for Kia in the 2015 Red Dot Design Awards

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The Kia Motors design team has swept the board yet again in the annual Red Dot Awards, picking up two ‘Red Dots’ for the outstanding product design of the Kia Soul EV and all-new Kia Sorento SUV.

The Red Dot Awards program is one of the most highly-respected international design competitions in the world, and celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2015. This year, the jury – made up of design experts from a range of industries – awarded a ‘Winner’ and ‘Honourable Mention’ distinction to the Kia Soul EV and Kia Sorento, respectively, in recognition of their exceptional design details.

Ever since receiving its first award at this internationally-recognised design competition in 2009, Kia’s design-oriented products have been successful every single year. In total, 13 Kia models have now won a Red Dot Award, in addition to many other design prizes.

These aren’t the first awards for the recently-launched Kia Soul and flagship new-generation Sorento, both of which have been awarded coveted iF Design Awards in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The Kia Soul – the sister model to the EV electric version – also received a Red Dot Award in 2014.

“Our international design teams have every reason to be proud of the honours we have won at the 2015 Red Dot Awards, which show just how successful they have been in mastering the different design challenges of these two models”, said Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of the Kia Motors Corporation and the Hyundai Motor Company.

“The third generation of the Kia Sorento has a subtly altered character and has made a great leap forward in quality. The new model combines a classic SUV spirit with a premium look that is particularly noticeable in the interior.

“The cabin of the Kia Soul EV also features exceptional material and design quality. When designing this car, the aim was to grasp the specific challenges of an electric car as a fresh opportunity, and our design team has achieved this brilliantly.”

The ‘Red Dot Award: Product Design’ is the world’s biggest and most international product design competition. This year, 1,994 companies from 56 countries entered 4,925 new products for one of the highly coveted Red Dots.

The official presentation of the 2015 Red Dot Awards will take place on 29 June in Essen, Germany at the Aalto Theater, an opera house designed by Alvar Aalto.