Tax court voids P65.93-million assessment of MyPhone’s liabilities
LOCAL MOBILE phone brand MyPhone won in its bid to cancel the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s assessment of tax liabilities worth almost P66 million.
AirAsia Philippines sets #DaretoDream initiative in time for SEA Games
IN connection with the upcoming 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia and its commitment to help in growing the local sports scene, AirAsia Philippines recently launched its #DaretoDream sports initiative.
Through a series of Web videos, AirAsia Philippines, the official airline of the country for the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, highlights the journey of different Filipino athletes in the hopes of inspiring them to do good in the Games, rallying support for them as they compete, and inspire others to dare to dream big in sports.
“The #DaretoDream initiative is part of AirAsia’s continued commitment to grow the local sports scene. Through the Web video series, we are sharing the hard work and passion that drives our athletes. We also want to gather support for them from every Filipino — we want everyone to watch them compete and cheer for them during this year’s SEA Games,” said AirAsia Philippines Brand Manager David Viray during the launch of their campaign.
Videos that AirAsia will be posting include those of volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, swimmer Jessie Lacuna, and long jump athlete Marestella Torres-Sunang.
As part of the campaign, AirAsia Philippines will be posting video updates of the 2017 SEA Games on its Facebook page, which will be hosted by volleyball player and TV personality Michele Gumabao.
The 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 29th edition of the biennial sporting meet, will take place from Aug. 19-30. The Philippines will be sending 490 athletes who will compete in 37 out of a possible 38 sports.
To learn more about AirAsia’s #DaretoDream campaign, visit the AirAsia Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPH. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Jimmy Alapag’s appointment as Alab Pilipinas coach a long overdue, says team manager
AS early as last year, Alab Pilipinas team manager Charlie Dy has been wooing Jimmy Alapag to become the coach of the Philippines’ representative to the Asean Basketball League.
But Mr. Alapag has to fulfill his commitment with the Meralco Bolts first and Mr. Dy had to wait until the next season before finally securing his services.
“We’ve been trying to get him as early as last season, but he’s still under contract, so we couldn’t get him on board,” added Mr. Dy.
Mr. Alapag wrapped up his PBA season, emerging as the all-time leader of three-point shots made. He is now a member of the Bolts’ coaching staff while also serving as deputy of coach Chot Reyes in the Gilas Pilipinas team, which is currently playing in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon.
The Mighty Mouse’s appointment as head coach of the Alab Pilipinas team, a squad which was reinforced by Ray Parks and later on, Kiefer Ravena, was made official Saturday, giving the former Most Valuable Player a chance to rebuild a team.
Mr. Alapag, himself, is going to embark on a new challenge in his PBA career, but Norman Black and Alex Compton, who worked with the 5-foot-9 guard in different capacities, believe the future PBA Hall of Famer will be up to the task.
“I think he’ll be up to task. Jimmy is a smart player and I think he could be a smart coach as well. We’ve been talking basketball almost everyday. He told me about this during one of our conversations. Jimmy is dedicated person, he has great work ethics and he’s got the leadership qualities. I think he’ll do good coaching,” added Mr. Black.
Messrs. Black and Alapag won a PBA championship together in 2012 with the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters and the multi-titled mentor believes the young coach could bring his winning ways to his new club.
Like Mr. Black, Mr. Compton sees Mr. Alapag as a valuable addition to Alab Pilipinas.
“I think Jimmy Alapag’s appointment as head coach of Alab Pilipinas is logical in the sense that he could bring a lot of things to the team. He’s got great leadership qualities. He’s one of the finest leaders ever to play basketball. He’s got great work ethics. I’ve been with him in Gilas Pilipinas in 2015 and I’ve seen how he inspired the other players during the team’s workouts. Aside from that, he has the reputation for winning. Jimmy is a winner,” said Mr. Compton.
“Jimmy has gone full circle. As a player, you’ll start learning being an assistant coach and from an assistant coach, you’ll start learning being a head coach. We’ve seen coaches like Tim Cone winning with his triangle offense, we’ve seen coach Chot Reyes having success with his dribble drive. We’ve seen coaches like Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao having success with their own system. But whatever system Jimmy is going to run, I do believe that he’s going to have success based on the qualities he could bring to his new squad — his leadership, his great work ethics and the inspiration he could instill in his new squad,” added Mr. Compton. — Rey Joble
Fewer ingredients set Taiwan skincare apart from Korean brands
KOREAN SKIN PRODUCTS make up most of the international brands found at local beauty counters, including masks and moisturizers of different “flavors” and ingredients including the unique and the unusual — charcoal, snail essence, pig collagen, donkey milk, and horse oil. On the other hand, Taiwanese beauty products, which are also making their way to local stores, and are appealing for two things: the products are a closer match to Filipino skin and the ingredients used are fewer and simpler.
Taiwan, which is less than two hours away from Manila, is situated at 23.5° north of the equator — the Tropic of Cancer — thus its land and seas welcome direct sunlight. Unlike other areas on that latitude which are dessert, Taiwan is the “Magical Green Belt of the Tropics” because of its abundance of greens and fruits.
A Taiwanese skincare brand highlights this location and its attributes by calling itself 23.5°N, and focusing on “farm to face” concept to bring simple skincare line without the frills. Unlike Koreans’ extensive skincare routine (the infamous 10 steps), the Taiwanese, like Filipinos, adhere to the basics: wash, tone, mask, moisturize.
Available at Beauty Bar, 23.5°N products use four to 20 ingredients only and do not contain alcohol, parabens, and perfume, which means pregnant women can use them, said its general manager, Helen Ho, at a press launch on Aug. 9.
The main active ingredients used in the products are tea (for oily and acne-prone skin), bamboo extract (for normal skin), barley (for uneven skin tones), and rice (for dull and dry skin).
“We share the same hot and humid weather [as the Philippines] making the products suitable for Filipino skin,” said Ms. Ho. — Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman