Shell Helix Ultra Drive Launch Today!

No matter the challenges on the road, Shell Helix Ultra is designed to meet every motorists’ needs. Developed using groundbreaking technology, Shell Helix Ultra is the first natural gas-based fully synthetic oil that can withstand it all, enabling its users to drive on uninterrupted. Made with PurePlus technology, it has less of the impurities and sediments found in crude-based oils that can cause engine damage and corrosion over time.

By delivering superior protection for ultimate engine performance, car engines are fully protected from extreme temperatures to urban city stresses. Shell Helix Ultra stays stronger for longer to provide superior protection against wear, up to 32% better resistance to oil degradation and up to 50% less evaporation to deliver on fuel and engine efficiency. With its active cleansing technology, it also protects from harmful sludge and deposits that can seriously affect the car’s engine power and performance.

With confidence in the long-lasting engine performance of Shell Helix Ultra, Shell is now offering drivers added peace of mind and the confidence to drive without worry. AXA Partners Philippines, one of the largest and fastest growing assistance solutions companies in the country, joins Shell to provide Shell Helix Ultra users with an extended engine warranty for up to 12 years (or 200,000km). Because Shell stands by its products, the warranty will cover engine problems caused by lubrication issues. For added protection and value, Shell will provide Shell Helix Ultra users with two roadside assistance every six months for peace of mind on the road. Incidents can include towing and minor repairs like accidents, breakdowns, flat tires, battery boosting, emergency fuel delivery, and sending of a locksmith.


On top of the extended engine warranty and free roadside assistance, Shell Helix Ultra users can experience world-class service at Shell Helix Oil Change+ centers, one of the most convenient, affordable, and best quality service centers available in the market. Shell Helix Oil Change+ service centers are fully equipped with a complete vehicle servicing set-up and comfortable customer lounges with Wi-Fi access and viewing windows. All technicians are highly trained and certified by the Don Bosco Technical Institute, a premier institution for driver education and for technical-vocational training. Shell Helix Oil Change+ goes the extra mile by providing comprehensive historical data for future visits and free service reminders for car owners’ ease and convenience.

With over 100 years of experience, Shell has proven time and again why it is one of the most trusted leaders in the energy and petroleum industry, and the number 1 global lubricants supplier for 11 years now according to the Kline Global Report. Shell's partner OEM manufacturers globally and locally including Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Ford, Mazda, Subaru, Mercedes Benz, Jeep, and Hyundai are confident that Shell Helix Ultra lives up to its guarantee. Fueled by these smarter mobility partnerships, Shell Helix Ultra keeps car engines running stronger for longer, enabling the passion for driving.

For more information on the extended warranty, free roadside assistance, and Shell Helix Oil Change+ locations, visit http://share.shell.com/consumer/ph

*This is Press Release

Philippines and Russia follow through JCTEC and PV Initiatives

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo and Ministry of Economic Development Deputy Minister Alexey Gruzdev met in Manila on April 19, 2018 for the co-Chairs meeting of the Philippines-Russia Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC). The JCTEC is a mechanism to improve bilateral economic relations between the Philippines and Russia. During the meeting, the following areas for collaboration were discussed: trade and investment promotion, industry development, labor, higher education, agriculture, energy, transport and atomic sphere and space exploration.

The co-chairs expressed that with the highest level of support from President Rodrigo Duterte and President Vladimir Putin, both sides are geared towards enhancing trade and investment relations. This is achieved through the following initiatives: trade promotion, accreditation of products for export, utilization on the the Eurasian Economic Union Generalized System of Preferences (EAEU GSP), proposal for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and updating of the 1992 Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

On trade promotion, the Philippines solicited the support of Russia for increased participation in their trade fairs and promotional activities. In this regard, the Philippines expressed its interest to participate in World Food Moscow on September and MEBEL Furniture Fair on November to showcase its food and furniture products to Russia.

To enhance trade, both sides agreed to exchange the final results of the mutual veterinary missions for the audit of Philippine seafood and seafood products and Russian meat products, once finalized. The audit was undertaken to ensure the safety of consumers against diseases and contamination from these export products. Updates on established business arrangements related to import and export of products, supply of engineering and design for steel structure, supply of automobile and trucks, and pipeline transport and construction that were initiated during the official visit to Russia of President Duterte last year were reported during the meeting. 

The Philippines sought the assistance of Russia on fully utilizing the EAEU GSP. The EAEU GSP is a unified system of tariff preferences granted by the Customs Union between Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Selected products covered by this scheme that are imported from developing country beneficiaries, such as the Philippines, are eligible for a 25% discount on customs duties.

To enhance market access, the Philippines proposed to engage in dialogue the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which is the regulating body responsible for the integration of the EAEU, through a proposed Memorandum on Understanding to understand the market, operations, and regulation of the EAEU.

Both sides also agreed to commence discussions to update the 1992 Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) as a means to attract and enhance investment relations.

The co-chairs meeting was preceded by a business round table attended by fifty-three local and Russian representatives from the following sectors: aerospace, automotive, chemicals, construction, infrastructure, food, mining, energy, oil and gas and consultancy.

Following the co-chairs meeting, the Russian delegation made a courtesy call to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez. Deputy Minister Gruzdev shared the interest of the Russian side to further enhance trade and investment relations through the JCTEC. Secretary Lopez positively remarked that “coupled with the highest level of support from President Rodrigo Duterte and the thrust of the administration towards re-balancing our economic relations by pursuing non-traditional markets in the Asia Pacific region, the engagement of the Philippines with Russia will steadily increase.”

Undersecretary Rodolfo expressed his satisfaction on the outcomes of the meeting. He stated, “We hope to explore further the cooperation in other areas and take advantage of the complementarities between our economies in time for the 2^nd JCTEC in Moscow in the second half of 2018.”

Russia is the Philippines’ 29^th trading partner, 37^th export market, and 24^th import supplier in 2017.

*This is Press Release

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open starts May 3

A SLEW of talented international players vying for tournament points are arriving today as they brace for the main draw of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open set to open later this week at the Sands SM By The Bay. 

Paraguay's Michelle Amarilla, who with Gabriela Filippo battled with the legendary United States pair of April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings in the first knock-out round of the 2015 Beach Volleyball World Championships, will banner the 16-pair women's cast. 

The highest rated team in the field, Amarilla will have Erika Bobadilla as her partner in the competition which the Philippines is making its hosting debut. The Paraguayans hope to bounce back in Manila after the duo failed to make it to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Malaysia Open semifinals in Langkawi last Sunday.

Ayumi Kusano, who played for Japan that won the Spike for Peace beach volleyball crown in 2015 at the Philsports Arena with Akiko Hasegawa, will return for another run at glory, this time with her partner Takemi Nishibori.

The young Netherlands pair of Katja Stam and Julia Wouters, who lost to Russia’s Ksenia Dabizha and Daria Mastikova in the women’s gold medal match of the Malaysia Open last Sunday, will also be worth-watching in the $10,000, one-star tournament organized by the Beach Volleyball Republic

Another player to watch out in the Manila Open is Lindsey Fuller, the 2014 US NVL Most Improved Player who will be paired with Kaley Melville for United States.

In the men's division, Austria’s Simon Fruhbauer and Jorg Wutzl, who earned their first FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour gold medal at the Malaysia Open last Sunday at the expense Russia’s Petr Bakhnar and Taras Myskiv, will be the tandem to watch out.

The Austrian pair has been playing together since 2016.

Silver medalists Bakhnar and Myskiv will also be here in Manila along with Germany's Paul Becker and Eric Stadie, who lost to Thailand's I. Nuttanon and P. Sedtawat in the bronze medal match in Langkawi Open last weekend.

The highest-rated team in the men's division is Sweden's Martin Apprelgen and Simon Boman, who placed ninth in Langkawi. 

Among those early arrivals is Israel, which split its four tune-up sets with Filipinos James Pecaña and KR Guzman, and Ranran Abdilla and Edwin Tolentino Monday night.  Israel is among the 16 teams vying for four men's slots in the main draw.

The Philippines has entered four women's pairs in the main draw, with high-flying University of Santo Tomas standout Sisi Rondina and Dzi Gervacio leading the charge.

Rondina, a three-time UAAP beach volleyball champion, is no stranger to international tournaments, having represented the Philippines in last year's 29th Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in Singapore with Bernadeth Pons.

Other Filipinas competing are sand court veterans Charo Soriano and Bea Tan, two-time BVR national champions Karen Quilario and Lot Catubag, and wildcard entries DM Demontaño and Jackie Estoquia.

     

BVR national champions Jade Becaldo and Calvin Sarte and Kevin Juban and Raphy Abanto complete the men's cast.

     

The competition will commence with the men's division qualifiers on Thursday and before moving into the main draw for women and men on Friday.

       

The round of 12 and the quarterfinals are scheduled on Saturday with the semifinals and finals on Sunday. 

The event is promoted by E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd and organized by Beach Volleyball Republic Inc.