Month: September 2018

  • Changing the way we view real estate Microsoft and HomeSpace360 bring immersive virtual tours to all realtors

    Everyday, we see or hear how technology is revolutionizing various industries. From AI, machine-learning, to blockchain, digital technologies are changing the world as we know it. And Microsoft is making sure its partners are equipped to drive innovation in this age of digital transformation.

    Microsoft sees its partner’s success as its own and is squarely focused on delivering a true, two-way partnership with its partner network. It continues to build on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and growth to help its partner companies deliver cutting-edge technology to millions of customers. It’s through this ecosystem that Microsoft helps its partners innovate, grow, and differentiate their businesses across all industries…including real estate.

    Real estate in the Philippines, like in the rest of the world, is a valuable commodity. In 2015, final results of the 2015 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) showed that a total of 4,826 establishments in the formal sector of the economy were engaged in real estate activities. That same year, real estate also contributed the major share in income and expense as the sector generated a total income of PHP534.5 billion.

    But the real estate industry has, for the most part, remained static throughout the years. Traditional practices are still commonplace, especially in the Philippines. This means that there is a significant opportunity for real estate brokers to innovate and reach a bigger share of the market.

    Virtual and augmented reality

    Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are often viewed as technology of the future. But the reality is it’s already being used today. Mostly popularly utilized in gaming, virtual reality has a slew of other uses, some of which have truly transformed their respective industries.

    From academic research to engineering, design, business, the arts and entertainment, there are many more uses of VR. But no matter how you look at it, VR produces a set of data which is then used to develop new models, training methods, communication and interaction. In many ways the possibilities are endless.

    In the real estate market, VR is becoming more popular among consumers and businesses as well. 3D cameras have educated the marketplace, creating an impact. Forward-thinking realtors are already moving beyond photos — and even 360-degree video — and offering clients 3D virtual property “tours” right on their devices. There are different levels of 3D aggregators on the market, but they are still in the early days for real estate.

    Democratizing immersive virtual tours 

    VR/AR has revolutionized the way real estate businesses generate revenue. There are now a number of firms providing VR technology for virtual home viewings, staging and other uses. When real estate agents are looking for an edge in marketing their listings, they turn to 3D virtual tours. Nothing grabs attention quite like 3D, as 3D virtual tours get clicked on more often, get more phone inquiries, and generate more email inquiries versus those without.

    Today, when a real estate agent wants to create a virtual tour of a home, he or she has to use special capture equipment. 3D cameras are expensive, complex, and are very time-consuming to operate. This led Simon Gemayel, CEO and Founder of HomeSpace360, to utilize smartphone technology to create, share, and display 360 content in 2D and 3D, at a fraction of the cost.“Technology is the great equalizer. And we want to enable all realtors by democratizing immersive virtual tours through user-friendly technology. With HomeSpace360, we use smartphone technology to bring high quality 3D virtual tours within reach of every marketer,” said Gemayel.

    HomeSpace360

    HomeSpace360 offers brokers an all-in-one mobile app for creating high-quality 8K 2D and 3D photographic and video VR experiences directly on a smartphone. Together with the HomeSpace360 Cloud, the end-to-end automated system offers property marketers a solution for quickly and inexpensively capturing, distributing, and visualizing properties in 2D and 3D on web, mobile and in VR. It is a low-cost alternative to a 3D camera for providing immersive virtual tours.

    The first of its kind, HomeSpace360 is a platform that allows real estate marketers to deliver gorgeous, immersive 360-degree virtual tours to prospective buyers and renters at scale, using both smartphones and virtual reality headsets. High quality 3D virtual tours used to be locked behind expensive, complex, and cumbersome equipment…until HomeSpace360.

    How does it work? HomeSpace360 is very intuitive and easy to use, not to mention fast. A kit provides realtors everything they need to create and share high quality 360 virtual tours immediately. A HomeSpace360 kit includes: a (1) Mobile VR viewer, (2) battery-free smartphone rotator, (3) lightweight tripod with carrying bag, and an (4) HD fisheye lens for 3D capture.

    Built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, HomeSpace360 is redefining how people view and acquire properties in today’s digital age. “With our technology, marketers can easily transport their clients to 10, 20, even 30 properties in an hour,” added Gemayel.

    Through its robust partner ecosystem, Microsoft gives its partners access to the latest technology and guidance on how to extend that technology to build tailor-made solutions. “It’s exciting to see partners like HomeSpace360 create democratizing solutions to today’s problems with Microsoft technology. Microsoft Partners such as HomeSpace360 are at the center of our digital transformation as they continue to enable our customers to achieve more,” said Eileen Ong, Microsoft Director of Commercial Partners & Small Medium Corporate Business Units.

    About Microsoft

    Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. 

    For more information, please contact:

    Yna Maclang
    Communications Lead
    Microsoft Philippines
    v-marmac@microsoft.com

    Cathy Llanes
    Media Relations Manager
    M2.0 Communications
    (M) +63 917 5820573
    (E) cathy.llanes@m2comms.com

  • Durex launches campaign to curb rising HIV cases in the country

    Durex launches campaign to curb rising HIV cases in the country

    Globally, the incidence of new transmissions of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has slowed down. In the Philippines, however, official data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show that there has been a 174 percent increase in HIV cases since 2010.

    “There is an urgent and pressing need to curb the infection. While the rest of the world has decreasing rates, we are going the opposite way. This is something that is very alarming,” said Karol Canlas, Brand Manager of Durex Philippines.With its rising HIV numbers, the Philippines is of special interest to Durex. The world’s leading condom brand launched its Always Come Prepared campaign that amplifies the message of protecting one’s self from the threat of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).

    The campaign, which uses a quirky visual of a toy soldier using a condom as a parachute, wants to bring the conversation of the HIV threat into a more understandable level and easy to digest way for the general public, particularly the young adults.

    The numbers tell a grim picture of the situation in the country—an estimated 12,000 new cases reported in 2017, with an estimated 61,000 to 76,000 Filipinos living with HIV.

    “Contrary to the global rate of new HIV cases, which has been decreasing by 18 percent, the Philippines sings a different tune. There is a need to ring the alarm bells, to bring the conversation of HIV to more Filipinos in a more understandable way,” said Dr. Louie Ocampo, Country Director of UNAIDS in the Philippines.


    The Always Come Prepared campaign will also banner the trio of Boys Night Out – Sam YG, Toni Tony, and Slick Rick as campaign advocates, HIV-testing advocacy group Love Yourself, and UNAIDS.

    Despite the alarming numbers, condom use is still relatively low in the Philippines. Condoms are still the only known effective method of preventing the transmission of HIV and other STDs aside from abstaining.

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros
    Public Relations Department
    Strategic works, Inc.
    +63.893.7472 | +639. 17.158.7918

    john.caparros@stratworks.ph
    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • JG Summit to Upgrade Employee Experience Through Microsoft Office 365 and the Cloud Platform

    JG Summit to Upgrade Employee Experience Through Microsoft Office 365 and the Cloud Platform

    With a vision to become the leading digital conglomerate in the Philippines, JG Summit Holdings Inc. aims to achieve this goal through a digital transformation journey that will embed digitalization in its core business strategies to meet the evolving needs and lifestyle not just of its customers, but also of its employees. 

    “Our vision is to be the leading digital conglomerate in the Philippines. To achieve that goal, multiple groups within the JG Summit Business Units, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates have been working behind the scenes to bring about this transformation,” said JG Summit President and CEO Lance Y. Gokongwei.

    Among the initiatives will be to upgrade the employee experience across the entire conglomerate through the use of Microsoft Office 365 and the cloud platform. JG Summit is transitioning from on-premise systems to Microsoft’s cloud services. 

    Office 365 is a set of Microsoft applications that allows users belonging to the same network to store files and share information.  Compared to earlier versions of Microsoft applications, Office 365 uses the cloud platform, which offers agility, greater efficiency and security benefits.

    JG Summit’s move to the cloud platform will further enable its employees to transform their environment into a digital workplace. With this project, the conglomerate envisions a New Culture of Work where employees will be introduced to the Modern Digital Workplace which will empower people across the organization to achieve more by enabling better communication, collaboration, and sharing of information from computers to mobile phones in a single cohesive platform.

    The first step is to migrate everyone away from current e-mail platform and put everyone up unto the cloud platform accessible from anywhere in the world and enable collaboration on any device.

    Ricky Kapur, General Manager, Enterprise Operating Unit, Microsoft Asia Pacific, reiterated how JG Summit’s initiatives closely aligns with Microsoft’s mission. “At Microsoft, we empower every person and every organization to do more. The fourth industrial revolution is here, and organizations must digitally transform not just to optimize operations, but to enable their people. We’re very excited to work with JG Summit and be part of their digital transformation journey.” 

    (L to R): Jackie Buenviaje, Account Executive, Microsoft Philippines, Carlos Santos, Group Chief Information Officer, JGSHI, Lance Y. Gokongwei, President and Chief Executive Officer of JGSHI, Andrea Della Mattea, President, Microsoft Asia Pacific, Alberto Granados, Vice President, Microsoft Asia Pacific, Ricky Kapur, General Manager, Enterprise Operations Unit, Microsoft Asia Pacific, Tanya Aguila – Loo, Specialist Technology Unit Lead, Microsoft Philippines

    JG Summit is one of the largest and most diversified Filipino conglomerates, engaged primarily in businesses that serve a growing middle class with rising disposable incomes in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.  These businesses include branded snack foods and beverages, commodities, agro-industrial businesses, air transportation, banking, real estate, and petrochemicals.

    Catherine Llanes
    Media Relations Manager
    T. +63 2-332-10-31 loc. 103
    M. +63 917 582 0573

    M2COMMS  | M2SOCIAL  | M2LIVE  | PROI

  • 4 leadership principles startup entrepreneurs must know

    4 leadership principles startup entrepreneurs must know

    The road to business success is one that can be lonely and dreary. The unrelenting passion of entrepreneurs and startup CEOs, while initially beneficial for the organization, can soon become a deterrent to the growth of the business and even its people. And with their current knowledge and skillset, it is inevitable for any startup entrepreneur to seek help in developing and running the business.

    According to the world’s leading executive coach and best-selling author, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the organizational dysfunction starts when the leader makes all the decisions and everyone else merely accepts them. As much as it is not enabling and maximizing the full potential of the employees, it is also extremely taxing on the top honcho. But that shouldn’t be the case, according to Dr. Goldsmith.

    Having trained a number of corporate leaders across the globe, Dr. Goldsmith believes there are certain leadership principles that entrepreneurial leaders and start-up CEOs must adopt for self-improvement and re-assessment towards creating a positive impact on an organization.

    1)      Develop an exit strategy. “It is a good exercise to take and think of what you would want to achieve before you exit,” said Dr. Goldsmith. Drawing small and big finish lines helps diffuse the pressure of success, especially for startup businesses. By celebrating both small and milestone wins, it motivates the individual to continue to reach for the bigger goal without just banking on the big one.

    2)      Be a great client. “30 years ago, no CEO would have admitted wanting or needing to be coached. Coaching has come out of the closet and is something that people are no longer ashamed of,” said Dr. Goldsmith. It is important to understand that through coaching, entrepreneurial leaders are receiving mentoring which is hard to come by in the nature of the business. In the process, they are also creating a learning environment for themselves and their people.

    3)      Don’t get lost in logic. “A lot of your suggestions are going to become orders even if you didn’t want them to. I really have to caution people about saying ‘have you thought of this?’ or ‘have you tried that?’ because once you start saying that, they just salute the flag and do it your way,” said. Dr. Goldsmith. He added that success is now defined as how much you can empower others and not how much you can do yourself.

    4)      I know less than you do. Most startup businesses are created with intense passion from its founders – knowing the ins and outs of the business more than anyone else. However, as the business starts to grow, the game also changes as more people are hired who know more how to navigate the business landscape. When someone knows more than you do, it’s OK – that’s what the organization is for, it is about being able to lean on each other and working towards the same goals. “You can’t tell a knowledge worker what to do, you have to ask them what to do,” said Dr. Goldsmith.

    Dr. Marshall Goldsmith (center) joins executive coaches Serely Alcaraz and Dr. Peter Chee for a CEO, HR, and Senior Leaders conference in Manila on October 26, 2018.

    Dr. Marshall Goldsmith will headline a two-city CEO, HR, and Senior Leaders conference in Asia this October, with Manila as his last stop on October 26, 2018. He will be joined by top coaching gun Dr. Peter Chee, and master trainer and chief coach Serely Alcaraz. The leadership conference is organized by ITD, the global leadership development expert. For more information and registration, call ITD World Philippines at +632 887 7428 or email at itdmanila@itd world.com.

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros
    Public Relations Department
    Strategic works, Inc. 

    +63.893.7472 | +639. 17.158.7918
    john.caparros@stratworks.ph
    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Mapúa students enjoy cashless convenience with RCBC MyWallet ID Card

    Mapúa students enjoy cashless convenience with RCBC MyWallet ID Card

    From meeting new friends to learning new things, students have a lot to look forward to as soon as they enter the university. However, much is also expected from this new generation.

    As young adults who will soon help grow the country’s economy, it is important that these individuals are educated, empowered, and financially literate. And taking the lead to begin their financial journey, RCBC ties up with Mapúa University to introduce a dual purpose MyWallet–Mapúa ID to all its freshmen students for the upcoming academic year.

    The Yuchengco-led bank innovates the typical school ID to double as a prepaid card that students can use to pay for everyday necessities and for transactions inside or outside of Mapúa. This new system will pave the way for both RCBC and the university to build a digital ecosystem that includes the students.

    “A big part of the unbanked and underserved market are the college students who do not have their own bank accounts or who are not yet qualified to get their own payment cards. We want to change that and teach them money management and good financial habits, starting with the RCBC MyWallet–Mapúa ID card,” said Margarita Lopez, Digital Banking Group head.

    The RCBC MyWallet-Mapúa ID card both serves as the students’ admission to the school’s premises as it contains their identification details and as a prepaid card which can be used to pay for their tuition and other school-related purchases. The card also provides parents a more secure way to transfer their child’s allowances; and a means for students to store and build their savings.


    Other students can also enjoy the benefits of a MyWallet Visa Prepaid Card. They simply need to go to any RCBC branch nationwide and fill-out the enrollment form, present a valid ID, and pay a P150 fee to start enjoying the convenience of cashless transactions in their school, online shopping and 24/7 online access via RCBC Online Banking.

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros
    Public Relations Department
    Strategic works, Inc. 

    +63.893.7472 | +639. 17.158.7918
    john.caparros@stratworks.ph
    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Daring to build the Whole Classroom for the Whole Child

    Daring to build the Whole Classroom for the Whole Child

    In the year 20 BCE, a Roman poet named Horace invoked these two words: sapere aude. By loose translation, this means “dare to know” or “dare to be wise“. As time passed, the quote came to be associated with other thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, who used the phrase to describe the historical period of great advances in scientific knowledge and culture called the Age Enlightenment.

    Widely used as a guiding principle by educational institutions worldwide, perhaps it is time to rethink sapere aude and reclaim and reclaim what “daring to know” or “daring to be wise” means in our present time: the digital age, wherein knowledge, information, and dynamic learning experiences are facilitated and accelerated by the rapid advancements of technology.


    Platforms for critical and creative thinking

    With the effects of the 40th Industrial Revolution radically changing how we live today, the way education shapes the future has become more challenging and critical. To sustain a healthy, safe, supportive, engaging, and challenging environments for learners, it is necessary to understand and leverage today’s emerging technologies which could help connect us all through communicative and collaborative platforms that foster critical thinking and creativity.

    In the past years, cloud computing technology has become one of the most transformative advances in terms of information sharing. Simply put, cloud computing enabled users to access and store data, applications, and other forms of automated service online, instead of merely having these stored on a local device’s own hard drive or flash storage. By removing the limitations of hardware and pooling the available computing power of thousands of machines, cloud computing helps solve one of the most complex problems of our time: how to effectively manage an immense amount of data.

    In the field of education, managing information about learners and educational institutions with their own data systems can be taxing, expensive, and often requires logistical muscle. Apart from data management, educational institutions also recognized the need to open communication channels for collaboration and communication amongst educators, students, and other stakeholders – parents and communities to create a more dynamic learning environment.

    Enhancing the learning experience

    The delivery of personalized and experiential learning is essential in preparing the future generation. In response to the growing demands for education to catch up with the current times and take advantage of available technology to innovate teaching, REX expanded its symphony of learning solutions beyond printed materials. It aims to provide stakeholders of education of the Whole Child.

    Cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) such as Schoology were developed and adopted to address the problem of scalability and access to educational materials. Schoology helps improve the task and workflow of educators and academic institutions by providing a platform for the creation and storage of engaging content, tools for designing lessons, as well as providing native tools for assessment. All this is built into one integrated platform that is easy to access for both learners and educators, a space for open communication wherever they may be, a platform built to connect all the people, content, and systems that fuel education.

    Tools for the future

    The capabilities of Schoology are further enhanced and extended through its pairing with the REX 21C Digital Edition Performance Tasks, a tool popular with grade school to junior high students, which is now redesigned and integrated with Schoology. Preparing the whole child, with the guidance of a community, is now made easier and more efficient, helping both learners and educators achieve more and prepare better for the 21st century. With access to curated content provided by TWIG’s educational science resources, learners are able to study engaging materials, and educators are also enabled to match this learning materials with their curriculum.

    To provide more personalized learning experiences for each learner, the whole classroom must be ready to measure important milestones in a students’ journey. This entails proper designing of assessment framework and tools to enable both parents and teachers to respond to the needs of every child. With assessment programs like the REX ACES+, An internationally benchmarked, outcome-based, P21 Skills alligned, standard-based assessment program to measure the holistic (cognitive and non-cognitive) development of a student, both parents and educators can work together to secure the success of every learner.

    With its thrust in the Whole Child Approach, REX Book Store acknowledges that the world is continuously transforming and believes that because the impact of these changes are already felt in the field of education, the approaches and frameworks for building the classroom of the future today must also adapt and level up with innovative learning solutions. REX Book Store’s symphony of learning solutions are integrative and interoperable, cogently designed and developed to engage learners and stakeholders; ensuring that the holistic learning experiences they gain will benefit them in the long-term, equipping each learner to become globally competitive and successful.

    Nurturing Filipino learners since 1950, REX Book Store’s mission to engage and enable both educators stakeholders learners to become whole and joyful citizens reflects the signs of times, echoing what Horace has dared us to do over two thousand years ago: sapere aude,  dare to think, and dare to build the classroom of the future, today.


    To learn more about REX Symphony of learning solutions, continue reading here — www.rexbookstore.ph

    Reference: Jerome Samson
    Globe No.: 09178961568
    I55 Talent House Corp.

  • The story of every drop of water

    The story of every drop of water

    Coca-Cola continues to strive for water leadership throughout its value chain

    More than a main ingredient in Coca-Cola beverages, water is one of the most crucial resources essential to the health and survival of individuals, communities, and our business.

    This is why The Coca-Cola Company developed and adjusted various aspects of its value chain in order to achieve water leadership status. From ensuring that raw materials are grown with efficient water use, to bottling facilities with minimal impact on the water supply, to bringing water access to water-deprived communities, and in ensuring that critical watersheds are cared for and conserved, the Company has stayed true to its commitment of returning to the communities and the environment every single drop of water used in the production of its beverages.

    #nppaimages #CocaCola

    The beverage company initially looked at 2020 as the year to achieve 100 percent water replenishment, but this goal was achieved in 2015. To date, Coca-Cola has returned over 330 billion liters of water to the environment and the communities through various water programs and initiatives.

    In the Philippines, the Company has audited an estimated 108 percent water replenishment rate through its various programs and activities, primarily through the Agos program. Under the program, Coca-Cola provides water access to 180 communities in rural parts of the country, developed more efficient water use in all bottling facilities, and contributed in the conservation efforts of critical watersheds.

    #nppaimages #CocaCola

    From one end of the value chain, Coca-Cola has partnered with the Department of Agriculture to bring water access to small sugar farmers in impoverished parts of the country. Sugar is one of the key ingredients in the various beverages under the Coca-Cola line.

    The Agos program of Coca-Cola Philippines has provided far-flung water-deprived communities with access to safe water through simple technologies such as ram pumps that elevate water without the need for electricity, gravity installations that bring water to lowlands, and rainwater catchment facilities.

    #nppaimages #CocaCola

    To further serve the water-poor communities, Coca-Cola also deployed a mobile potable water treatment plant which produces 2,000 liters of potable water per day. Earlier this year, the water treatment plant has helped 4,300 internally-displaced persons (IDPS) at the Upper Hinaplanon and Buru-un School of Fisheries Evacuation Centers in Iligan City. At present, the mobile potable water plant is being deployed across various barangays in Marawi and has served water needs of 55,800 returning residents in the city.

    #nppaimages #CocaCola

    Aside from giving back to communities, the Company returns water to nature by supporting the restoration and conservation of critical watersheds including the Ipo Watershed-Sapang Munti and the Sapinit Sub-Watershed within the Marikina Watershed.

    #nppaimages #CocaCola

    Despite achieving their global goal, Coca-Cola vows to continue with the commitment of returning to the community and the environment, every drop of water used in the production of its beverages.

    The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros
    Public Relations Department
    Strategic works, Inc.
    +63.893.7472 | +639. 17.158.7918
    john.caparros@stratworks.ph
    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Coke Studio returns with an amazing line up of local and international artists

    Coke Studio returns with an amazing line up of local and international artists

    Did you find home with music and a bottle of Coke?

    There are many things that make us feel at home – laughing and spending quality time with our favorite people, munching on our go-to comfort food along with a refreshing drink, or even listening to a song that brings back precious memories.

    When we return to where we feel valued and accepted, when we’re reunited with the things and the people we love, when we look gratefully at our past experiences both good and bad, and when we remember the passions that inspire us, we come home.


    These unique instances are our own moments of homecoming. When we recall a special moment, the memory comes with a tune that was playing in the background, a lyric that stood out, a beat that fit the mood, and sometimes even a Coke in hand.

    With the perfect jam playing and a bottle of Coca-Cola, simple moments with our friends and family become more fun, more memorable and more uplifting.


    Music has always been weaved in the history of Coca-Cola. In the Philippines, each generation remembers a certain song they can relate to the brand, like “Tomorrow’s People” sung by Lilet along with hundreds of teens all over the world, and “Sana” performed by Nikki Gil as she hands over bottles of Coke with a smile while singing an inspiring message.

    Now, music and Coca-Cola come together once more to give young music lovers and Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists a new home at Coke Studio Homecoming.

    In line with the Company’s thrust to empower the youth, Coca-Cola tapped into young Filipinos’ love for music through Coke Studio PH in 2017. Coke Studio PH shed the spotlight back on OPM and provided a platform for artists, both veteran and new, to showcase their talents and collaborate.

    All-around performer Sam Concepcion

    This year, Coca-Cola connects to Filipino teens once again as Coke Studio PH returns to make them feel at home with the familiar sounds of OPM, giving them an avenue to show their love and support for local music.

    For its second season, Coke Studio PH also further establishes itself as a hub of Pinoy talent, as it introduces a stellar lineup of local and international Filipino artists across various genres.

    While the previous season brought together veteran artists and budding musicians, Coke Studio Homecoming calls Filipino artists who have shared their talents to the world to return to their roots and bridges them with homegrown talents who have yet to stand on the international stage.

    Spoken Word Artist Juan Miguel Severo


    Among the Season 2 artists are funk-rock band IV of Spades, spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo, rapper Shanti Dope, hip-hop and R&B artist Quest, Filipina K-Pop sensation Kriesha Chu, singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre, Fil-Am acoustic/pop singer and YouTube personality AJ Rafael, DJ Patty Tiu, alternative/indie band December Avenue, 22-year-old actor/singer Khalil Ramos, all-around performer Sam Concepcion, multi-awarded singer KZ Tandingan, nine-piece Filipino folk-pop band Ben&Ben, and a surprise artist!

    Each episode of the season will focus on the artists’ own stories of homecoming – whether to their homeland, to a memory, or a person – a place or moment where they truly feel they belong.


    From this colorful mix of talented Filipino singers and bands, Coke Studio Homecoming will feature groundbreaking collaborations between artists, as well as unique renditions of their songs, each a reflection of what coming home means to them.

    “We received such an overwhelming response during the first season of Coke Studio PH and this really inspired us to work harder this second season and explore ways to take it further. Last year, Coke Studio became a home for OPM and now we want to continue and strengthen that legacy, making sure that the younger generation and the new lineup of artists can feel that same sense of belonging,” said Stephan Czypionka, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing.

    Coke Ambassadors Lilet, Nikki Gil, and Abra


    While uniting teens through music, Coca-Cola takes it a step further by enabling them to do their part for a greater cause. This year, Coca-Cola announced an industry-first goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030—a goal in line with the Company’s vision of a World Without Waste. This is why during all Coke Studio events, Coca-Cola encourages teens to deposit their PET bottles in designated recycling bins.  The Coke Studio TuneCycle, a stationary bicycle that also grinds PET bottles, will also be a staple in Coke Studio events. These ground PET bottles will later on be turned into eco-bricks.

    Coca-Cola revealed its exciting lineup of artists at the Coke Studio Homecoming Launch on September 1, 2018 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. During the event, memorable Coke Ambassadors Lilet, Nikki Gil, and Abra performed a mash up of iconic Coca-Cola songs, Tomorrow’s People and Sana.


    Catch all seven episodes of Coke Studio Homecoming, as well as its Christmas special, every Sunday, starting September 16 on ABS-CBN at 11:15 a.m. and on the official YouTube Channel (YT.com/CokeStudioPH). There are plenty of mash-ups, covers, and surprises in store so stay tuned and let the sounds of OPM call you home!

    About The Coca-Cola Company

    The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros
    Public Relations Department
    Strategic works, Inc.
    +63.893.7472 | +639. 17.158.7918
    john.caparros@stratworks.ph
    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH