DTI CHIEF TO LONDON OFWS: USE REMITTANCES TO START BUSINESSES

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez encouraged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their relatives to use remittances to start their own businesses back home to take advantage of the fast growing economy under the Duterte administration. This was conducted at the sidelines of the Philippine government’s trade and investment roadshow in London on Sept 21 – 26. Secretary Lopez, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) president Richard Sanz, and PFA Director Chris Lim pitched franchising as a viable business model during the Kapihan sa Pasuguan in London last September 22. The event was organized by DTI and the Department of Foreign Affairs Philippine Embassy headed by Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Lagdameo.

Mega Sardines Announces Exciting New Variants and Piolo Pascual's 2nd Year as Ambassador

Passionate and fun-loving Filipinos have a new cause for celebration—heartthrob Piolo Pascual has extended his term as Mega Sardines’ brand ambassador, coinciding with the reintroduction of an exciting array of Mega Sardines variants.

It was a veritable fiesta as Piolo signed his new contract with Mega Sardines, a Filipino staple that is loved by people across the country. Piolo, after all, reflects the heart and passion behind Mega Sardines, as well as its promise of #MegaGandaAngBuhay, which is word play of the phrase “may igaganda ang buhay.”

The relaunch of Mega Sardines’ variants evokes the joy that comes with a true Filipino fiesta. The variants are a festive assortment of exciting flavors and create a feast of the senses, with new offerings such as Mega Sardines in Spanish-Style, Mega Sardines in Natural Oil, Mega Extra Hot Sardines, Mega Fried Sardines Tausi, and Mega Fried Sardines Hot and Spicy. Through the years, these well-loved flavors have become an important part of family meals and have come to define the Filipino way of life.

Piolo’s association with the Mega Sardines brand is deep-rooted. Not too long ago, Piolo starred in Mega Sardines’ multi-awarded TV and radio ad, which showcased the brand’s unique and meticulous 12 hour catching-to-canning process. The process captures the company’s dedication to bring only the best to Filipinos, para sa ikagaganda ng buhay. In the ad, Piolo takes Mega’s fishing boat as a witness to the hard work of the men and women who bring Mega into the tables of thousands of Filipinos around the country. It also shows Mega Sardines’ state-of-the-art equipment, which ensures the freshness, cleanliness, and quality of its products.

“Mega Sardines is part of Filipino life so much so that it’s a staple in Filipino homes, and so is Piolo Pascual. His presence on our screens––whether big or small––has been impactful over the years and truly shows Filipino excellency, and that’s why he’s perfect as Mega Sardines’ brand ambassador,” said Mr. Marvin Tiu Lim, VP of Sales and Marketing of Mega Global.

Mega Sardines will also be launching a series of short films called #MegaGandaAngBuhay which features inspiring short films that is sure to touch the hearts of Filipinos everywhere. The short films will showcase contemporary Filipino stories about their struggles, passions, and unwavering resilience.

With the renewed collaboration between Piolo and Mega Sardines, Filipinos can look forward to enjoying the brand’s promise that #MegaGandaAngBuhay.

All variants of Mega Sardines are available in supermarkets nationwide. The new Mega Fried Sardines, though, are exclusively available in SM Supermarkets, SM Hypermarkets, and SaveMore stores nationwide. For more information, please visit the website www.megaglobal.com.ph and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/officialmegasardines/.

Danny Kingad Banked on Continuously-Improving Grappling Game to Ground Hard-Hitting Foe at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES

Filipino flyweight phenom Danny “The King” Kingad recorded another impressive victory as he edged out Japanese newcomer Yuya “The Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES last 22 September in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Team Lakay stalwart claimed his third-straight win and his eleventh mixed martial arts career win overall.

Making Kingad’s performance all the more impressive was that he had to weather an early striking storm from the hard-hitting Wakamatsu to grind out a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of action.

In the first round, Wakamatsu showcased his much-talked about power as he rattled the Filipino with a hard low kick and then followed that up moments later with a right straight that dropped Kingad.

“That punch caught me off-guard,” Kingad admitted. “I really felt his power in that punch. That’s when I knew I had to switch things up.”

Looking to survive the onslaught, Kingad relied on his wrestling to grab hold of Wakamatsu and take the Japanese striker down to the mats.

On the mat, Kingad imposed his will and took over the match.

“When I got hit hard, I decided that I need to shoot for his legs,” he explained. “When I was able to get him down with relative ease, I saw that I probably won’t be having any trouble trying to take him down, and I stuck with that game plan for the rest of the match.”

“Coach Mark Sangiao drew up a game plan, and that was to throw strikes to set up a takedown, because we knew that wrestling would be my advantage,” Kingad added.

After the tumultuous opening moments of the first round, Kingad executed the game plan perfectly, mixing up his punches and kicks to time his takedowns well and get the action to the ground almost at will.

Having it his way on the canvas, Kingad displayed his continuously-improving ground game as he threatened to end the bout with a submission on a number of occasions.

“We knew coming in that he was a striker, a knockout artist,” he expressed. “After taking him down the first time, I felt that my power over him was my wrestling and my ground game, so that got me energized, and that’s where I attacked him throughout the whole match.”

After a hard-fought fifteen-minute contest, it was Kingad who had his hand raised in front of the martial arts fans at the Jakarta Convention Center.

“I’m really happy with this win. It was a tough one, but God is good and He helped me get this win,” he claimed.

With a winning streak going, the former ONE Flyweight World Championship contender is inching closer and closer back to top contender status in the stacked 61.2-kilogram weight division.

“I’m ready for anyone. Whoever ONE Championship wants to put in front of me, that’s who I’ll prepare for,” he concluded.