BDO Insure and Pioneer Partner Up for Your Fur Babies!

Have you already insured your kids with 4 paws? If not, then here's good news from BDO Insure and Pioneer. See, they've managed to get more affordable but customizable plans for your cats/dogs. They teamed up just to make sure you get them the protection they need but give you the freedom to choose what you need in it.

The VP for BDO Insure Ed Ramirez says "This Pet Dog and Cat insurance will certainly give paw parents peace of mind when the unexpected happens to our fur babies. The Philippines remains the highest in terms of dog ownership in Asia while we place second in owning cats as pets. The love we have for them inspired us to come up with these insurance plans that can be personalized, easy and affordable too."  

They've got 4 different plans that you can get for as low as Php 560 and get you coverage for fractures, burns, drowning, bites and a couple more on the list. You can customize that and add in those for different illnesses, dental conditions, accidental death, pet travel (for emergencies), if they get abducted or owner's fault. They also welcome different breeds, even mixed ones as young as 3 months. If you've got an older one, they can still be insured as long as they don't go beyond 6 years. Then it can also be renewed til they get to 12 years. This was showcased during the SM Super Pets Club Caravan during weekends at SM Malls. Other activities were also enjoyed by furparents and furbabies like the Doggie Boot Camp, The Super Pet Fur Show, Meet and Greet with TikTok superstar Show Suzuki with his cute Gonta. So if you're around SM Malls, go there from August 12 to September 3 only on 8 pet friendly SM malls. If you want to know more about the BDO Insure Pet Dogs and Cats Insurance, it's all online at bdo.com.ph/bdo-insure/personal/pet so go get them covered!

Pioneer Insurance Announces Songwriting Competition Finalists

We've witnessed how Pioneer Insurance has been able to bring forth playwrights and art competitions a few years back and this time they're turning to music. With their partnership with FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) to bring you Pioneer Insurance's #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition. They've held various campus caravans and done the legwork to get songwriters to submit their work. They just recently announced the finalists.

The jury composed of FILSCAP's honchos like artists Rico Blanco, Yael Yuzon, Gloc9 plus Pioneer Insurance executives Marketing FVP Len Pozon, Retail Organization Head Lorenzo Chan Jr. and others chose the best of the best of these entries and now they've got a mix of different genres that you'll surely love! You may head on to www.moveonlang.ph from January 4 to 23 so you could vote. 

1. “Aking Mundo” by Benjamin Quijano of University of the Philippines Los Baños 2. “Alive” by Kenneth Roquid of University of the Philippines Diliman 3. “Chronosphere” by CK Sabillo of University of Santo Tomas 4. “From Now On” by Julien Cloma of STI College Novaliches 5. “Hand in Hand” by Julia Dichoso of Sorsogon State College 6. “Invincible” by Yosef Escoto of San Beda College Alabang 7. “Make It Through” by Luigi Balazo of University of San Carlos 8. “Martsa ni Martha” by Marie Maureen Salvaleon of Southwestern University PHINMA 9. “The Biggest Leap” by Marie Bernadette Tayag of De La Salle University Manila 10. “Time” by Patricia Monsod of University of the Philippines Diliman

The finalists will win Php 100,000 for the first place, Php 50,000 for the second place and Php 30,000 if they place third. The others will also receive Php 10,000 and insurance packages from Pioneer Insurance worth Php 100,000. If you want to know more about the competition, go to www.moveonlang.ph and their page Facebook.com/PioneerIsYourInsurance.

KUMAGCOW

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Yael Yuzon for Pioneer and FILSCAP's Campus Caravan Music WritingWorkshop

I could feel Yael Yuzon was a little nervous when he went up the elevator and even said it was like his first day of school when we did Pioneer and FILSCAP's Campus Caravan and Music Writing Workshop today at University of Santo Tomas. They just did the one in University of the Philippines with Rico Blanco and this time, Thomasians are up for a great afternoon of learning (the writing part) and of course playing music.

Some Tigers went out and played a couple songs before the workshop proper started, which was quite amusing because it looked like they already have music learned to begin with. 

Rico Blanco was there too to explain what FILSCAP was doing and their thrust is to try and go all over the country and teach or inspire soon to be writers. He also introduced Yael Yuzon for this leg's speaker. 

Yael had a knack of rambling so he tried to put up some bullet points to talk about while he was doing the workshop. He also told the story of how he wrote some of his hits like "Makapiling Ka" which stemmed from longing for his Mom who was a Flight Attendant and had to work and not come back for several days. He also connects music appreciation to comparing songs like Gangnam Style and Hotel California, to relationships and how to take care of it, then goes on and proves his point about production of easy songs with just a few chords, break them into different ways to do it so it won't be branded as the same as an existing one. He says it's not a problem because you can do it in a million different tempos and it would already different. He encourages to read books, watch films, in different languages, watch plays, as what you see would only be the thing that you could give back to the art. He adds "The power resides where the people believe. There's no bad idea if you do things with your process. There are a lot of variables when you are making a song."

"Songs don't actually have to be finished at all, because that's an opportunity to team up with another artist. If you can't finish it, set it aside and work on new ones. Either that or just finish it even when it's ugly. It's important to have closure, in any craft or skill it's hard on the first try and move on. Don't be so pressured because the good news is you can make a new one. Not all songwriters make good songs. It should be real and natural, like if you see it too polished people in Youtube would find it not good. But you can write a lot of songs, that's the good news. Orignality touches on the survival of mankind, we learn that by experiencing it. We understand, we share the information and communicate it. A lot of people are doing it but you can do it your way with your own songs, we are all unique. What will be original is the perspective. Filipino music can be anything. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Just challenge yourself and maintain your excitement because you were knowing the relationship of it, you go from guitar to piano even if you don't know it, just play and pick up stuff from other people." Rico Blanco adds.

It'a nice to see students were REALLY enthusiastic about this whole thing. If you see how their faces would light up after getting their questions answered by these artists, you'll get a sense that the future is bright for the Philippine music industry. I'm a songwriter too, it kinda made sense on some instances for me even if I'm not a music major, and for these guys who are into it, I think they just need more inspiration because there are no rules in music, measurements perhaps but it won't have to be something that would be forced on your throat . I'm sure they've given enough mojo to these students and might give them more reasons to join the songwriting competition at www.moveonlang.ph (visit the website to know the fine print). You too can do that. You can win as much as Php 100,000 in cash for the grand prize. 

KUMAGCOW

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FILSCAP and Pioneer Launches College Songwriting Competition

It looks like a brighter outlook for Philippine music as the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Incorporated together with Pioneer one of the top insurance firms in the country launched the FILSCAP Campus Caravan which is a songwriting workshop-talk that aims to guide budding songwriters and musicians in the aspects of songwriting. The tour will include a visit to schools like De Lasalle University in Manila, San Beda College in Alabang, University of Makati and Ateneo de Davao. The workshop will be facilitated by artists and noted veterans from the FILSCAP organization and will also introduce the #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition. This isn't entirely about the songwriter's lovelife but about the Filipino's esteemed trait of resiliency, like bouncing back from challenges in life. Those who would want to submit their entries can just visit www.moveonlang.ph so they can register and submit their work. 

Winners won't be empty handed as they are set to win up to Php 260,000 worth of prizes of which Php 100,000 is the grand prize. All winners will get Pioneer Insurance coverage and one will be judges as the online favorite. Pioneer has been doing this for a long time now as they have been a staunch supporter of the arts. In the past, they have been doing it for the stage plays and literature but now it's going to be the turn of music. Pioneer has also sponsored international concerts and this move to work with local musicians, artists and songwriters definitely came at a better time.

To qualify, you must be 15-24 year old college students, with a maximum of 5 entries for each participant. The length of the songs must be 3 1/2 minutes or less. All entries must be submitted by October 21, 2016 via www.moveonlang.ph.

KUMAGCOW

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Join Pioneer's Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition

Do you have the knack for telling stories? Do you have the talent and play with words? You might want to think about submitting an entry to Pioneer Insurance's Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition as you can get to win Php 25,000 in cold cash and insurance coverage for yourself. Imagine putting in your work into something that could eventually be a material for a play, having actors and actresses utter those same words for audiences to enjoy if it's that good.

You must be a college student, 15-24 years old, a Filipino and have the passion for writing. If I were still that young, I would have submitted mine. But since I'm already 25 this year LOL.. anyway, it would really be a good stepping stone if you want your writing career to have a jumpstart. I heard there are several entries already and with the Virgin Labfest Tours going to schools, I wish they get inspired more so they can get those materials out there for the ordinary Filipino to enjoy.

Go to http://www.storieslab.ph to know more about it.

For more information about their contest:

Pioneer Is Your Insurance

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.pioneer.com.ph/

60th Anniversary of Pioneer: Stories of Friendship Video Competition

A few days ago, I was invited to a gathering in Makati by buddy Gian Viterbo of www.gadgetpilipinas.net indicating "Pioneer" on the invite. I didn't pay attention too much because I knew these guys were friends... so I figured whatever it was, I'm good with it! Since he's a tech blogger, I was under the impression that we were going to a tech event so we could check out electronic devices with the same brand name. Finding a whole lot indicating "Pioneer House" on the building we went to, I was a little dumbfounded when our other friends told me it's an insurance company. I was afraid of these things precisely of their "functions" because I feared they were always going to wait for my untimely demise. I went up their office and did the best thing any civilized guy of my stature would do, I sat down and listened.

They introduced themselves nicely and we all got comfy. They catered to different levels of clientele including huge Hollywood productions to that street vendor who had so little. That last part, of which I found really noble. Micro insurance is a really something they went serious with; and they delved explaining the difference of their company compared to others. Therein lies I guess a more meticulous way of explaining standards, plus rules, plus why they've got to stay in the industry for 60 years and survive as a business. I got more of the answers when their President and CEO Lorenzo Chan Jr. did his part. 

At Pioneer Life Inc. he mentioned that aside from their quest to bringing in business, their main difference is having a "heart". 

Then I said to myself, Heart?! Wait a minute... Where am I?! Care bear land?! 

He shared one of their client's stories; and in a nutshell, they probably would on a normal circumstance only give the benefits when they're in dire straits - medically tested and proven that the person's health is at risk or if they already passed away just like any insurance company. They learned that the claim was for a man who was in the brink of having aneurysm; a condition that would worsen as days go by; and an operation was needed to get him out of harms way. They probably didn't have any responsibility legally if you talk about what's written on paper. He convened the people involved and talked about what would ""humanely" happen if they didn't act fast. Pioneer Life knew that they had to do something for the guy in this situation and got the good man a few days later the money expeditiously. They got so touched when the wife got back to them with a letter saying "Thank you!" in so many ways. He recovered from that ordeal and is still living a few more years with his family. That alone is a priceless thing for Pioneer Life Inc. to see and said that's what they mean by having a heart. Isn't that amazing?

   

Vice President for Marketing Services and Communications Ms. Len Pozon agrees with their Chaiman and CEO. The reason why they've built so much dreams in the years that Pioneer Insurance has been in this country is because they've made it a point that all their claims are made fairly within the limits of the various coverage programs that they have issued. They also have times when they've got to stop, listen and act not just to fulfill what is legally correct and rightfully "within the bounds" of what you have signed up and worked hard for. They have been here helping Filipinos build their lifetime dreams and all we have to do now is ask what they can also do for you.  

Aside from that, they're holding a contest named "Stories of Friendship Video Competition" to university or college students ages 15 to 24 years old. They know how much Filipinos value relationships and this time, they're asking how you would produce a 3 minute or less video showing the value of FRIENDSHIP. It can be a narrative/music video or would be up to the student how to interpret it. Students can submit their entries on a brown envelope  with a filled out submission form (found in www.storiesoffriendship.com) together with a photocopy of their current Student ID, 3 DVD copies of the entry (max resolution 1280/720p MPEG-4/H264) and saved in MP4 video format. Make sure you label it "Pioneer Stories of Friendship Video Competition by (Name of Participant - School) and send it to Marketing and Services Communications at the 4th Floor Pioneer House Makati 108 Paseo de Roxas Legaspi Village, Makati City. This will run until April 21, 2014. Film and Advertising industry experts will judge and pick 8 entries and invite them to an awarding ceremony. Winners could win up to Php 120,000 in cash plus insurance coverage. There's also an Online Favorite Award to be chosen on May 23, 2014. Lucky voters for that part would win Php 5,000 and insurance coverage by the one and only PIONEER. If that isn't great news, I don't know what would!

For criteria and other information regarding the competition, please visit their channels below.

Ciao!

For more information about their contest and company:

Pioneer Is Your Insurance

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.storiesoffriendship.com

Party University 3: The Aftermath!

It was one awesome evening for music. It was one hell of a party. I had fun watching these guys dance their hearts out. It was my first time to also see quite a phenomenal BBOY battle in the Philippines and DJ's making real music like they were supposed to. I'll have to cut to the chase because this will be another photo heavy article but you'll definitely LOVE what you'll see when I went to PARTY UNIVERSITY 3!

For starters, I don't think I saw every single dance number but the ones I did catch were damn great!

This one was a little reminiscent of Showtime dance crews. They had comedy parts on this last bit. 

This is Xtreme Connection, where this kid was flying literally. We also had a few laughs when these guys stripped naked, well almost LOL! 

These guys were called Choreo Masters, funky but a bit boring since there were only two kids screaming and cheering them on. Honestly they won't win with this number.

 

Techno Jazz was quite awesome! These flying all gay group kept twisting and turning like a dead carcass. It was unbelievable! These guys are veterans I'm sure since they won a weekly finals spot in showtime. That maybe a drawback though because the contest might have called for something urban/hiphop.

Royalties had some cute ones, but overall the dance steps were not too complex and with the contest calling for a higher level of competition this wasn't that bad but not to great either. I had a booboo on the next crew and they were Crewlab, I think because I watched their performance I forgot to take a photo of them. They were like professionals with a clear street urban vibe. They were really in sync and felt like they've been doing this for a long time; it ended a little weak though. I even thought they were special guests LOL

Now what a treat to see these awesome guys in that event! This intermission number by LDP who had quite a number fast rappers just made me love this genre a little more. I saw Joseph Emara of Beatbox Philippines had a hard time doing his thing but when the rest of the guys joined in I was at awe! The guy called Abra raps so fast my jaw dropped. Rj was like a white guy, with his tone you'll end up mistaking him with nick lache... it was smooth. I love these guys.

As you can see this event was sponsored by the good looking people from urban athletics. These guys are awesome! I felt so good spending time with these people. (Ambait sobra!)

The competition started again. Streetcrew4 was quite good but felt something was missing. I just can't pinpoint what, but they were very in sync. I saw on this bit that some other sponsors on the floor like Wip caps and Pioneer Dj were mentioned. I want to have one of those headphones soon. =)

Honestly I couldn't move around that much because the place was packed! As you can see this is just a part of the place and the judges are in the middle of that chaos somewhere LOL. I'm sure they had the same feeling I had when people were getting thrown into the air haha!

Pinoy Hiphop had a very street vibe and their athleticism was quite evident but their costume was reminiscent of my boyscout uniform in highschool... Oh wait that is my uniform LOL! They had swag and moves were very complicated technically very badass skills.

 

 Join The Quest had a few theatrics in the beginning, I thought I was in showtime but the girl they had with them was awesome and did every single move the guys did, maybe even better but I don't think they were first timers judging from how they presented it. The stage looked too small for them.

E Stars had several sync problems and it wasn't that much for show, they were quite not technically at par with the frontrunners but good attempt on the pyramid plus their version of the gyrating booties. They cleaned it up on the latter part of the dance. 

Fusion had a kpop - robotic - classy - urban number and the kid that was with them was uber cute! It was probably a good decision to include this kid there. The crew had nice acrobatics overall.

Judging from the reaction of the crowd, these ladies are famous. Their group's name is PAGFA. They had some pretty nice members, all ladies. And oh boy they were hottttt! They had some sync problems but the amount of booty and splits made up for it. Plus they do stunts on heels that made me feel Missy Elliot would hire them right now.

Unschool also performed fresh from their win in Australia, they represented the Philippines there. And they really had swagger, I guess that's the reason they are guests here and made a good impression with the crowd.

 

Jay Masta and Peeps from Philippine All Stars were judging the BBOY competition, I saw them doing their thing at the back and I'm not surprised why people were closely watching them. You get respected here when you dance well. There were that good! It was also nice to see MC Dash keeping the crowd alive. This guy is just so good he deserves his own album! Did you already get a copy of it? =)

It was one of the most well attended parties I've ever been in. These guys know what they were doing. The crowd, the ambiance and everything on stage was awesome!

The BBOY Competition started!

Judges stood on the center whilst crews were on the right. When you win a round you stand on the left side of the stage. This was when it gets so competitive!

This last one where you see the guy flying was one of a few things that these BBOY artists did on the floor. He eventually won. Imagine the painstaking things they did to achieve one move after another, it was something I'd only see on dance battles outside the country. I honestly didn't know we have something like this on our own backyard!

I didn't get to stay that long for the DJ battle but I've got the list of winners here!

URBAN ATHLETICS' THROWDOWN DANCE COMPETITION

Champion: Pinoy HipHop (Php 25,000 cash and Pioneer Steez Type-S)
1st Runner-Up: Next To Innocence (Php 10,000 cash)
2nd Runner-Up: Fusion (Php 5,000 cash)

WIP CAP'S 7 To Smoke B-Boy Battle

B-Boy JOLO (Php 5,000 cash, Wip Cap and Pioneer Headphone)

PIONEER DIGITAL DJ BATTLE

 TOP 3 (Will advance to the Finals on August 14 at Prive)

(Prizes-- Pioneer H-DJ 500 Headphones each)
DJ Jeff Almighty
DJ Cklaze
DJ Jeff Almighty

Congratulations and I wish the guys who's going to win on August 14 a greater battle for the best DJ in town! I'm so happy the scenes getting bigger and better, I'll try and be there next time we have something like this! Thank you also to sponsors Urban Athletics, Wip Caps and Pioneer DJ! Here's to awesomeness and more of the urban and hiphop scene right here on my site! ;)