In honor of the country’s ‘Doers’

It was a night celebrating the Filipino spirit when Rexona, in partnership with Rappler, held the first ever Do More Awards at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La.

The event, hosted by KC Montero and Apples Aberin, was a very timely tribute to 24 individuals who have taken the initiative to go beyond their call of duty and ultimately do more.

Unilever regional category vice president Gina Lorenzana and president and CEO of Rappler Maria Ressa kicked off the night as they shared their words of wisdom and personal Do More philosophies. Ressa said, “In a time of disruption there is no excuse to not do more. Old problems will get new solutions through technology.”

Sen. Bam Aquino, Illac Diaz, Bianca Gonzalez and Phil Younghusband were some of those who presented the awards. Other presenters included Rags2Riches CEO and co-founder Reese Fernandez, actor and entrepreneur Marvin Agustin, Google Philippines country head Narciso Reyes, sculptor Olivia d’Aboville and Sen. Nancy Binay.

Winners of the eight categories were Red Tani (The Digital Trailblazer), founder of Filipino Freethinkers, an organization that advocates for reason, science and secularism; Susan Ople (The Global Pinoy), president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center; Rolando Dela Cruz (The Innovator), president and CEO of Bulacan’s Darwin International School System; Mimi Lucas (The Challenger), South East Asian Games bronze medalist; AG Saño (The Artist), artist and peace muralist; Daniel Razon (The Luminary), award-winning broadcaster and CEO of UNTV; Mark Ruiz (The Social Entrepreneur), co-founder and president of Hapinoy; and Luis Oquiñena (The Civic Hero), executive director of Gawad Kalinga. 

All awardees were given a cash prize of P50,000 to be given to their chosen charity.

Aquino gave the night’s closing remarks. He said that the Do More Awards is “a call to action for those who don’t do more.” Though the night recognized eight winners, Aquino said that the night was a tribute to the unbeatable Filipino spirit saying, “They’ve shown us what being Filipino is all about.”

Such spirit was also displayed as all winners reminded the audience of the challenges that Filipinos faced due to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda. The Civic Hero winner Luis Oquiñena and The Artist winner AG Saño offered their victories to the typhoon survivors and volunteers.

The awards night included performances by SinoSikat? and Cara Manglapus.

Priceless family escapades

Travelling together with one’s family is a priceless experience that should never be missed in one’s lifetime.

MasterCard made priceless family escapades possible for cager LA Tenorio and former seaman Jesus Montiel with its Cross-Border raffle promo.

Tenorio and Montiel automatically earned a raffle entry after respectively spending $50 in a single overseas transaction on their MasterCard. In a lunch held for the winners at Felix Restaurant in Greenbelt 5, Makati City, both shared that they are grateful for their purchases, which gave them the chance for family bonding with an  exclusive VIP experience.

Tenorio, a basketball player, snagged a MasterCard Priceless Holiday package for four to Toronto. He plans to take the trip next year after his wife Chesca gives birth to their second son.

The Cross-Border raffle promo’s Toronto package includes breakfast on an exclusive sailboat overlooking the city skyline, a six-course tasting dinner from a Michelin-star chef at Café Boulud, and a breathtaking private helicopter tour over Niagara Falls followed by dinner and wine tasting.

Tenorio said, “We’re really looking forward to the trip. It will be like our honeymoon since we never had the opportunity to travel because of our tight work schedules.”

Winning was also a most pleasant surprise for Montiel, whose family has never travelled together. Montiel won after using his EastWest Bank MasterCard to pay $68 for a room reservation fee for his layover in Cambodia. The reward: a priceless MasterCard holiday to Singapore for four, which began with the luxury of flying business class with Philippines Airlines.

“The experience was indeed super special,” described Montiel’s wife Linda. She added, “From the airport, we felt like VIPs. We also had two private cars waiting to ferry us to and from our hotel.”  In addition, the MasterCard Priceless Holiday package consisted of a VIP tour and lunch at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore, a premier sky dining experience with magnificent views atop the Singapore Flyer, and access to Singapore’s best entertainment shows.

Montiel also revealed that his daughters had the time of their lives at the Universal Studios Singapore and enjoyed luxury accommodations at the Fullerton Hotel, a guided VIP tour of Singapore’s famous landmarks and VIP seats at the MasterCard Theatres in Marina Bay Sands to see the acclaimed musical Phantom of the Opera. All of which came with the services of a 24-hour personal concierge. The Christmas ‘Aura’

The lights were all aglow during SM Aura Premier’s Christmas tree lighting activity at the mall’s Atrium. Adorned with giant reindeer figures, wispy white flora and a grand Christmas tree, the venue was transformed into a winter wonderland that truly captured the holiday spirit.

The event started with the assistant vice president for operations of SM Premier 3 Malls Perkin So welcoming the guests to the night’s festivities.

The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Herminigildo Ranera, played Christmas pieces. The mood built up to the momentous lighting of the Christmas tree led by president of SM Prime Holdings Inc. Hans Sy and deputy city administrator of Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Jorge Bocobo. After pressing the button, the Christmas tree’s full brilliance came to life.

As the tree continued to sparkle, soprano Rachelle Gerodias sang classic Christmas melodies such as O Holy Night and Carol of The Bells as a solemn homage to Christ the Child.

Have a wonderful 2014! Drive safely tonight everyone!