Are you thrilled of the grandest Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024?
National Book Development Board Philippines (NBDB) has announced of the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 during the PBF Medial Launch 2024 recently held on April 03, 2024 at Pardon My French, Jupiter Street, Makati City.
The publishers, authors, artists, educators, and readers from the diverse cities will support the country’s biggest travelling book festival that will held on April 25 to 28, 2024 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The PBF will promote the richness of Philippine literate, culture, and arts. Besides, this book fair will consolidates education, entertainment, tourism, and shopping for everyone who will attend the family-friendly event.
Teachers, educators, readers and other concerned citizen are encourage to to buy or invest books related to the literature, culture and art of the Philippines as references or investment of the readers, researchers, educators & historians this day & beyond in general. The vision and mission that everyone have the access or able to read the books despite the differences of the status of life in the community.
The PBF 2024 is open to the public form 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on April 25-28, 2024, with no entrance fees. For more information on the Philippine Book Festival and to register for free, visit www.philippinebookfest.com.
Who else will participate or join the New Clark City Marathon on May 19, 2024 at New Clark City (NCC) Athletics Stadium, Capas, Tarlac?
In partnership with New Clark City (NCC) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Race Organizer RUNRIO Inc. has announced the New Clark City Marathon Returns for Bigger Challenge in 2024 during the New Clark City Marathon Media Launch 2024 last April 02, 2024 held at NCC Athletics Stadium, Capas, Tarlac.
Rio de la Cruz, a UP Diliman alumnus, accomplished international marathoner, and esteemed running coach RUNRIO Inc.
RUNRIO Inc. is established in 2007 by Rio de la Cruz, a UP Diliman alumnus, accomplished international marathoner, and esteemed running coach. He stated that the New Clark City Marathon is not just the race, it’s the ultimate fusion of speed, stamina, and pure adrenaline! This advocacy event will also promote tourism in the New Clark City’s parks, establishments and notable places of the eco-friendly bio diverse city.
Engr. Randy S. Viacrusis, BCDA Vice President for Strategic Projects Management
Engr. Randy S. Viacrusis, BCDA Vice President for Strategic Projects Management, stated that they are thrilled to welcome runners to New Clark City’s world-class facilities and extensive road network. He also mentioned that RunRio’s involvement is a testament to New Clark City’s status as a premier sports tourism destination in the Philippines.
Photo caption: (From left) Clark International Airport Corp. Chief Strategic Communications and Corporate Events Officer Augusto Sanchez, RunRio Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Rio de la Cruz, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vice President for Strategic Projects Management Randy S. Viacrusis, and national athlete Raymund Torio unveil the finisher shirt for the upcoming New Clark City Marathon on May 19, 2024.
The enthusiast and competitive runners who will participate the New Clark City Marathon for its second year this coming May 19, 2024 will experience the breathtaking scenery and challenging course that will test their perseverance to finish the race. In fact, the participants will experience to conquer a full marathon route, taking taking runners through the iconic Sacobia Bridge, then to longest bike lane in the country—the Airport to NCC Access Road (ANAR). Capping off the journey with an exhilarating finish line experience in front of the world-class NCC Athletics Stadium.
Encourage your loved ones, your team in a particular group or organizations and your co-employees or associates in the company or associations to join the New Clark City Marathon to experience and challenge the distances for runners of all abilities, with categories for 5K, 10K, 21K, and the prestigious 42K full marathon in the community and beyond.
With the New Clark City’s world class facilities and extensive road network, you will experience the ease of conquering and finishing the race with all your body, heart and mind. Consider the Official Sports Drink and Official Hydration Sport Drink, Gatorade and Le Minerale, respectively.
Please refer the link: https://newclarkcitymarathon.com/ to register and know more about the New Cark City Marathon Returns for Bigger Challenge in 2024 on May 19, 2024.
[Capas, Tarlac – April 02, 2024] – Calling all competitive runners! The New Clark City Marathon returns for its second year on May 19, 2024, promising an exhilarating journey through breathtaking scenery and a challenging course that will test your GRIT.
For this year’s New Clark City Marathon inaugural race, RUNRIO Inc., the most sought-after race organizer company in the Philippines, has once again partnered with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a prime mover of national development that transforms former military bases into premier centers of economic growth to bring another marathon to New Clark City, following the New Clark City Half-Marathon held in December last year.
Engr. Randy S. Viacrusis, BCDA Vice President for Strategic Projects Management, enthusiastically states, “We are thrilled to welcome runners to New Clark City’s world-class facilities and extensive road network. RunRio’s involvement is a testament to New Clark City’s status as a premier sports tourism destination in the Philippines.”
Participants stand on the brink of making history as the pioneering group to conquer a full marathon route, taking runners through the iconic Sacobia Bridge, then the acclaimed world’s most beautiful airport—Clark International Airport, the Clark Parade Grounds, and the longest bike lane in the country—the Airport to NCC Access Road (ANAR). Within this route lies the recently coined “unli-ahon” and “up-hells” – being one of the toughest courses, it features four formidable heartbreak hills that will push participants’ endurance to the absolute limit.
Photo caption: (From left) Clark International Airport Corp. Chief Strategic Communications and Corporate Events Officer Augusto Sanchez, RunRio Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Rio de la Cruz, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vice President for Strategic Projects Management Randy S. Viacrusis, and national athlete Raymund Torio unveil the finisher shirt for the upcoming New Clark City Marathon on May 19, 2024.
The New Clark City Marathon offers distances for runners of all abilities, with categories for 5K, 10K, 21K, and the prestigious 42K full marathon. Be among the first to conquer this historic route, which takes runners across the iconic Sacobia Bridge, the Clark International Airport, the Clark Parade Grounds, and the longest bike lane in the country, the Airport to NCC Access Road (ANAR).
Sprint to https://newclarkcitymarathon.com/ and register today and join us on May 19, 2024, as we witness you conquer the “Unli-Ahon” and “Up-Hells” of the New Clark City Marathon!
Reference & Contact:
Mary Grace C. Padin Public Relations Officer IV Public Affairs Department Bases Conversion and Development Authority Contact No. (Manila): +63 2 8575 1732 Contact No. (Clark): +63 45 499 8617 CP No. +63 936 424 9102 Website: bcda.gov.ph
Are your looking for a playground for Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training for a healthy lifestyle in the community?
For me. those persons who will join the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training has the passion and love of facing challenges as part of attaining their goals of being physically, mentally and spiritually fit in the diverse city. We have to evaluate the requirements, factors and aspects before joining the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training because we don’t want wasting our time, money and energy. In the first place, we’ve to consider the basic principles of the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training, until eventually, we’ll continuously enjoy doing it and consider it as part of art, fashion and lifestyle in our very day living in the community. Discipline is one of the aspects to consider for a successful training related to fitness and obstacle course race in the Obstacle Central.
We to consider also the reasonable cost, location, ventilation, coaches, equipment and others before joining the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training. A playground where you can focus, love and enjoy your training from the start until the end of the day. Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training includes 8Ft Wall, Multi-Rigs, Olympus Wall, Monkey Bar, Rope Climb & Atlas Carry and others.
Obstacle Central is your destination for Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training strategically located at at Unit Anchor-03, The Portal, Greenfield District, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1552, Philippines. An eco-friendly community and recreational place where the citizens will eat, play, drink, relax, exercise, work and many more applicable to the settings in the community. Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training are relevant in the community (hobby, sports, military training, team building, & others) in the past, this day & beyond.
(Abu Dhabi) – The International Trade Centre (ITC) signed a letter of intent with Microsoft Corporation on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, to develop and roll out training for small businesses to strengthen their digital skills, on topics ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) for trade to cybersecurity and e-commerce.
This collaboration is aimed at addressing the gap between an increasingly digital trading landscape and the lack of knowledge and skills of small businesses in developing countries to sell online.
Through the partnership, ITC and Microsoft will also advocate for inclusive digital trade practices and policies, as digitalization of – and by – small businesses helps contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Exchanging best practices, upgrading skills
As part of ITC’s Inclusive Digital Entrepreneurship in the Agri-food Sector (IDEAS) project in Nigeria, Microsoft will offer tailored capacity building, including courses on Microsoft 365 products such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint, as well as entrepreneurship courses aimed at fostering entrepreneurial thinking, business management, finance management and market research. Additionally, Microsoft will deliver training on using AI for trade and strengthening cybersecurity skills. Certified trainers will ensure beneficiaries apply the newly acquired skills in practice.
ITC will offer tailored e-commerce content for Microsoft’s Digital Skills Nigeria Training Portal. This new content will enable more businesses in Nigeria to acquire the latest e-commerce knowledge and skills.
The partnership with Microsoft is central to ITC’s mission to support small businesses to trade and enhance their competitiveness and is a step towards achieving digital inclusivity and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in developing countries.
‘The partnership with Microsoft means small businesses from developing countries will gain the digital and entrepreneurial skills they need to succeed in fast-changing global markets,’ said Pamela Coke-Hamilton. ‘Digital is the game-changer in global trade – and now small businesses will be able to benefit more from it.’
‘There is a lot of research that demonstrates the impact small businesses have on a community and a nation’s wider economy,’ says Caroline Mutepfa, Philanthropies Lead at Microsoft. ‘According to the World Economic Forum, small businesses make up 95% of all registered businesses and contribute 50% of GDP in sub-Saharan Africa. It is, therefore, crucial that these businesses receive the support they need to thrive in a digital economy. Our work with the ITC aligns with Microsoft’s mission to help individuals and organizations achieve more. Through digital skills building, we hope to leave no business behind.’
Notes to the editor
About the International Trade Centre – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
About Microsoft –Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
About the Inclusive Digital Entrepreneurship in the Agri-food Sector (IDEAS) project-ITC’s IDEAS project, funded by the Government of Japan, aims to promote the development of inclusive e-commerce in Nigeria, particularly for small-scale food processing companies from disadvantaged communities, by enhancing their technical and managerial capacities, strengthening market linkages, and creating a conducive environment for their growth. By providing innovative, effective and fast-acting solutions tailored to the needs of diverse processed food manufacturers, the project aims to expand access to emerging business opportunities that e-commerce offers and to create a more conducive and supportive digital trade ecosystem that works for all toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About Digital Skills Nigeria Training Portal – Digital Skills Nigeria (DSN) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder private-public-non-profit partnership designed by Microsoft to build the capacity of key government ministries, departments and agencies to offer sustainable, scalable reskilling and employment services aligned to the local labour markets. The programme focuses on providing access to digital skills training (from digital literacy to advanced training) for young people in Nigeria between the ages of 16-35 years. DSN is implemented as a collaboration between Microsoft, the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, strategic non-profit implementing partners like Wootlab Foundation and Data Science Nigeria, and private sector stakeholders.
Who else was excited of the Grand Opening of OBSTACLE CENTRAL in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City?
Are you ready to visit the new destination for Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training in Greenfield District with an eco-friendly environment landscape, innovative recreational facilities and a convenient place for an ease of doing your daily activities as part of art of modern healthy lifestyle in the community this day & beyond?
The management, guests, and other persons involved was delighted of the OBSTACLE CENTRAL Grand Opening on March 20, 2024 held at Unit Anchor-03, The Portal, Greenfield District, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1552, Philippines. Obstacle Central is a playground or recreational place where an individual or group of persons, families, organizations and companies from different communities in the city or nearby cities are able to do an activity related to team building or may join the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training for personal growth in mind, physical body and spirit as part of art, fashion, sport and healthy lifestyle in the society.
Dr. Marc Laurenze C. Celis, Managing Partner/General Manager of Spartan Race Philippines and Obstacle Course Camp, Inc. launched the Grand Opening of Obstacle Central through Ribbon Cutting and Facility Blessing together with its management and guests from different companies and organizations in the community.
The event is filled with activities and programs that thrilled and captivated the guests of the Obstacle Center Grand Opening. It’s all about the art of Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training to achieve their goal of a healthy lifestyle in general.
A “Run Faster and Longer” is an interesting topic and activity about Strength Training, Endurance and Speed was shared by Coach Seannah to the participants of one of the activities in the Obstacle Central.
Another necessary activity during the event was the Obstacle Class by Coach Ken & Jaypee who shared the Obstacles (8Ft Wall, Multi-Rigs, Olympus Wall, Monkey Bar, Rope Climb & Atlas Carry) and Osbtacle Simulation.
Other activities are Pound Class with Coach Pach, Yoga Class and MetCon with Head Coach PX with Guest Coaches from Spartan SGX Kalabaw.
In general, all of the activities during the OBSTACLE CENTRAL Grand Opening are successful and necessary for the brand positioning of the Company, Obstacle Course Camp, Inc. in the community. With its strategic location, the participants and guests will be able to reach the Obstacle Central with ease and convenience to participate the Obstacle Course Race and Fitness Training this day & beyond.
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) urges policymakers, educators, community leaders, and stakeholders to prioritize readership and literacy initiatives, while also involving parents in efforts to make reading more accessible to all segments of the population.
This call follows the release of the 2023 National Readership Survey (NRS) results, showing a notable decline in non-school book readership among Filipino adults and children. The survey revealed adult readership at 42% and children at 47% in 2023. Access to books emerged as the primary reason for the decline, with limited awareness of public libraries and constraints like time and distance cited as barriers to visits.
These results have prompted the NBDB to reaffirm its commitment to bolstering existing programs and policies to reignite a love for reading among Filipinos.
“These findings, which provide a much-needed nuanced understanding of Filipinos’ reading habits and preferences, reinforce the fact that access to quality books remains a pressing issue in book publishing and education, so the sectors’ focus now clearly has to be on addressing gaps in access,” said NBDB Chairperson Dante “Klink” Ang II.
Moreover, Chairperson Ang stated that the NBDB and its partners will examine various proposals to develop meaningful policy directives aligned with the objectives of Republic Act No. 7743, which aims to establish congressional, city, and municipal libraries, along with barangay reading centers nationwide. According to a 2018 study by the National Library of the Philippines, only 3% of LGUs have local libraries across the country.
“One of the main hindrances to reading revealed by the survey is access to reading facilities such as public libraries, particularly in the provinces. Some of them are really beyond the reach of those living in mountainous areas, for example. Besides expanding the Book Nook project, we will also work to bring libraries closer to the people,” Chairperson Ang added.
Meanwhile, NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade emphasized the significance of enhancing NBDB’s readership efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Book Nook project. This project establishes reading and storytelling centers across the Philippines, featuring locally published books and serving as distribution hubs for publishers. By offering quality books in various Philippine languages, the Book Nook project addresses access and literacy issues in a single space, fostering education and community engagement in a safe and inclusive environment where visitors can participate in activities, borrow books, and take them home at no cost.
Additionally, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) promotes a robust reading culture while providing guidance on institutional book purchases. Like the Book Nook project, the PBF brings quality books to readers nationwide while facilitating collaboration between major buyers of educational resources and Philippine publishers.
To encourage involvement in the local book economy, NBDB launched Booklatan sa Bayan, inviting both avid and passive readers to explore literature and culture. NBDB collaborates with reading advocacy groups such as the Reading Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc., and the Adarna Group Foundation, Inc., to synergize efforts in enriching the nation’s reading culture.
“Programming must work hand in hand with policy. Besides readership programs, we will push for policies that democratize distribution and enable publishers to publish more affordable books,” Executive Director Tugade emphasized.
“These survey findings should serve as a call to arms: an opportunity to acknowledge and better understand the current state of readership, to reframe the problems they pose in a way that we are pushed to act and change them rather than dwell on them. If attitudes toward reading are less than desirable, then the responsibility to create environments that make reading possible lies with us. The NBDB is hopeful and renews its commitment to better its programs and policies,” Executive Director Tugade added.
The NBDB highlighted that, according to the survey findings, overall attitudes towards books and reading remained positive. The majority of respondents recognized the importance of books beyond educational and professional contexts. Key insights from the survey included the most popular non-school book (NSB) genres among adults (the Bible) and children (picture books), the preferred reading language (Filipino for both age groups), preferred formats (printed books for both age groups), and primary considerations when selecting NSBs (availability for both age groups).
The NBDB enlisted the Social Weather Stations (SWS) to conduct the 2023 National Readership Survey from November 14th to 20th, 2023, with a sample size of 2,400 adults aged 18 and above, and 2,400 children aged 8-17. This survey is the most comprehensive examination of Filipinos’ reading habits and preferences and is expected to provide invaluable insights for the agency’s readership-focused initiatives.
Reference: (PRESS RELEASE ON THE 2023 NATIONAL READERSHIP SURVEY – March 22, 2024)
Gold Fortune Textiles (GFT) is making a mark in the local textiles industry by building its capacity in order to become a world class supplier for manufacturer’s textile needs. The Philippines used to be a major supplier not only of fabrics but also apparel products and GFT, through its 23 year old President and CEO Enrico Sy is positioned to help the industry regain its former glory.
The company recently inaugurated its flagship showroom in Taytay, Rizal. Here, customers can check out their product in a well-lit and comfortable facility and queries can be addresses immediately by courteous staff who are trained in sales. They have also expanded their range of product to keep up with the trends from overseas not only in apparel but also in linens. Sy has likewise harnessed the power of social media to engage and build a customer base that has the distinction of putting a priority on quality products for their apparel brands.
From his parent’s 30 year old RTW business, Sy has transformed the company into a modernized solution to address local entrepreneurs’ textile needs, such as more variety and better quality fabric blends and prints, providing a one stop shop with their accessory products, and customization service for bull orders. “As time went by, we saw a demand and started to upgrade production.
We realized that the Philippines is following fashion trends in countries like Bangkok, so we decided to import different kinds of fabric instead of just pure cotton.”
