Celebrations 2010 - A Bridal Show and Events Expo

Soon-to-wed couples, debutants, and other individuals can start planning their parties by meeting up with local wedding and events suppliers during Celebrations! A Bridal Show and Events Expo to be held on May 22 – 23, 2010 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Celebrations! is created with the idea that all of life’s big events deserve a special celebration. Hence, Celebrations! covers it all: venues and facilities, catering, entertainment, event styling and decoration, photo and video services, invitations, souvenirs, wedding rings, cakes, flowers and balloons, lighting and sound facilities, audio visual equipment, special effects and more.

Celebrations! aims to make your special event exactly what you have hoped for – perfect weddings, successful corporate events and fun private parties. With this goal, Celebrations! will showcase only the best and most credible in the industry to help save time in the process of selecting the right suppliers for your every event need.

Numerous activities have been lined up for attending guests. Admission is free for pre-registered couples, debutants and guests. P100.00 will be charged for walk-in and non-registered guests.

Celebrations! A Bridal Show and Events Expo is partnership with Eloquente Catering Service, Goldilocks Bakeshop, 4th Wall Designs, BDO, Fotoloco, Great Image Photography, Mr. Hardinero Landscaping and Flower Shop, Weddings at Work, Tambayan 101.9, Lifestyle Network, and Metro Weddings Magazine.

For more information, contact Chu-U-Yen Events at (632) 456-2104, (63919) 681-0600, fax (632) 361-7670, e-mail chu_u_yen@yahoo.com or visit their website at http://www.celebrations.com.ph.

Tarlac to Host Palarong Pambansa 2010

The provincial government of Tarlac will host the 53rd edition of the Palarong Pambansa to be held on April 11-17, 2010 at the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP) in San Jose, Tarlac.

Prior to the event, a launching was held last February 18, 2010 simultaneously in four other towns -- Bamban, Concepcion, Camiling and San Manuel-- as a signal for the start of the Palaro 2010 countdown.

Tarlac province has started the counting from the 53rd day before the event as this is the 53rd Palarong Pambansa. The theme for this year is “Play for the Region, Win for the Nation”. The activity kicked off at 6:30 a.m. with all the 17 municipalities and one city in the province held a firecracker launch, simultaneous with the ringing of all church bells. This was followed by a province-wide cycling and motorcade.

The launching also introduced “Palaro” this year’s mascot. “As first time host, we mark this event with this mascot. We named “Palaro”, -- a multi-faceted yet roundly unified ball to symbolize the energy, the discipline and the verve that go with every jump, every kick and every bounce made during the games.” Gov. Yap said.

He also said that “much like Tarlac, dubbed as the melting pot of Central Luzon where diverse cultures meet and mix, mascot ‘Palaro” also represents convergence and oneness.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Tarlac government also conducted a press briefing at the TRP where mechanics, security, fraud, accommodation of athletes, transportation, traffic and other matters about the competition were tackled.

Governor Victor Yap said that he was excited with the staging of the Palarong Pambansa in the province. He said that although there are some facilities that have not yet been completed, he assured that it will be done before the event. The DepEd, for its part, said that accommodations, mechanics, safety measures and other concerns were already been set.

Gov. Yap also emphasized that Palaro is a dream come true to all Tarlaquenos. “This is our chance to showcase our warm hospitality, our ability to handle the big sports event and to show not only to our countrymen but to the whole world as well the beauty of our province,” he said.

The Palarong Pambansa 2010 hopes to boost the province’s economy, especially the tourism industry. Some 25,000 guests from the country’s 17 regions are expected to attend the annual sporting event.

The 53rd Palarong Pambansa is in cooperation with the DepEd Task Force on School Sports and sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc., and SM.

For more information about the event, contact the Palarong Pambansa - Tarlac Secretariat at (6345) 6114148, (63910) 387-3956, email palaro2010@gmail.com or visit the Palarong Pambansa 2010 blog at http://palarongpambansa2010satarlac.blogspot.com/ or Tarlac Government website at http://www.tarlac.gov.ph/

Digital Forensics and Network Security Conference Slated

Digital forensics is playing a more prominent role in law enforcement, network security, and information assurance. The field of study encompasses not just digital evidence, but also the areas of cyber law, sociology, and security to name a few. Its increasing importance is reflected in its growing role within crime investigations, civil cases and security.

In this light, Globalknowledge Philippines, Inc., will stage the 2010 GK Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law on March 19, 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City.

The aim of the conference is to bring together IT managers, system and network administrators, security specialists, academics, security solutions vendors, practitioners and anyone interested in computer forensics its role and application, and techniques in detecting, responding and investigating computer and related security incidents. The event shall also serve as an avenue to share their views, experiences and knowledge with those involved in the forensic computing field.

Topics include Forensic Acquisition, Forensic Process, Digital Forensic Education, Mobile Device Forensic, and Network Forensics, which will be discussed by practicing IT Forensics Experts from the Philippine National Police, EC-Council, and Guidance Software.

For more information, contact Globalknowledge Philippines, Inc at (632) 721-4380, 724-1891, email roselle@globalknowledgeph.com, sandra@globalknowledgeph.com or visit their website at www.gkphilippines.com

NAPPS To Hold 11th National PREx Convention

The National Association of Parish PREX Secretariats (NAPPS) announces the holding of its 11th National PREX Convention on February 19-21, 2010 at Lagao Gym in General Santos City, South Cotabato. The Convention is a biennial gathering of all graduates of the Parish Renewal Experience (PREx) Seminars from various parishes all over the country.

The Theme of the Convention is: “The Call to Social Transformation”, which seeks to place under its umbrella relevant and contemporary social issues, and what the response of a Catholic should be. Social transformation is the conversion of society into a community guided by love, in which the power of the resurrection is witnessed in righteousness, justice, liberty and wholeness according to God’s plan. PREx graduates are called upon to be the “salt of the earth ” and the “light of the world ”. (Mt. 5:13-14).

Among the speakers are Most Rev. Dinualdo D. Gutierrez, D.D., Bishop of Marbel, Cotabato, Most Rev. Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, D.D., Bishop of Maasin, Most Rev. Jose Colin M. Bagaporo, Rev. Fr. Domingo Salonga, and Rev. Fr. Ramon Ramos, CP.

Those interested to attend may get in touch with the their respective PREX Secretariats, or may contact Mr. August and Mrs. Beth Perez, NAPPS President-couple, at (632) 932-0326; (63920) 610-7878; email atebethperez@yahoo.com; or the Convention Chair-couple, Mr. Nap and Mrs. Raquel Malimas at (632) 896-2208; (63917) 848-6443, email atty_nap@yahoo.com, or Mr. Ted and Mrs. Ruby Ramores, at (632) 417-3452; (63928) 322-0838; email rubyramores@gmail.com.

For more particulars, visit the PREX website www.prexnapps.org or http://prexworld.ning.com.

2010 Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Summit Hopes to Define Online Child Safety in Internet Cafes

Officials of the different internet café associations and internet cafe operators in Mindanao will converge for the 2010 Mindanao Internet Café Association Summit (MICAS), scheduled on February 18 and 19, 2010 at SM City Davao in Davao City.

Organized by the Internet Café Association of Davao (ICAD) and I-Café Pilipinas, the event will carry the theme, “Bringing the Benefits of Information Communication Technology to the People of Mindanao through the Internet Cafes”

According to Mr. Adolfo Solanor, president of ICAD, the Second MICAS would definitely be bigger, better and bolder this year. It is bigger, in terms of participants, as the event brings together the different internet café associations and other stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Mindanao.

The event will be better because this year, MICAS 2010 offers are two simultaneous events. First is an ICT Trade Exhibit that will showcase the latest advances in computer hardware, software and internet related services. The other is the workshop of the officials of the internet café associations and operators to come up with an action plan that would further the development of the internet cafes industry in Mindanao. It is bolder as the participants set their goals to they claim their leadership in ICT access at the community level.

Since majority of the customers of internet cafes are children, the Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Associations Summit hopes to be the venue for the adoption of the “Davao Declaration” which will define the initiatives of the different internet cafe associations in the promotion of Online Child Safety in internet cafes. It hopes to become a forum in which discussions could be initiated that could lead to an increase in awareness of the great responsibility of internet cafe operators as ICT access centers at the community level in ensuring the online safety of their customers.

“We truly believe that the 2010 MICAS will serve as a vehicle in the further development of the internet cafes as a leader in community ICT access for peace and development in Mindanao” stressed by Mr. Ed Zafra, Chair of I-Café Pilipinas, a national organization mainly composed of the internet café associations and operators in the Philippines.

The Second Mindanao Internet Cafe Associations Summit is supported by Intel Technology Philippines, in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, Inc., and Genuine Equity for Mindanao (GEM) Project, Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), and Department of Trade and Industries (DTI). The event is sponsored by ICT Davao Inc., and iGlobe Technology.

For more information about the event, contact the Internet Café Association of Davao at (6382) 297-7594, fax (6382) 297-7593, email mindanaosummit@yahoo.com or visit the event blog site at http://2ndmicas.wordpress.com/.

Manila Night Sky to Brighten Up during First Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Every Sunday starting February 14, 2010, Valentines Day and Chinese New Year, the Manila night sky will brighten up as the best pyrotechnic experts take part in the First Philippine International Pyromusical Competition, scheduled from February 14 – March 14, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City.

Present by SM Mall of Asia this annual event will put on a never-before-seen spectacle of lights and colors where the night sky and sea meet as staged by the world’s leading pyrotechnic experts from nine countries – Australia, United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, United States of America, and the Philippines.

This competition will not only pain the Manila sky with brilliant bursts of vivid colors, but will also be the venue to showcase the emerging artistry and evolving sophistication of Filipino fireworks technology. The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition will be imbued with the awesome fanfare and delightful displays of the world's leading pyrotechnic events, but done with that distinct Filipino flourish that will surely bring together eager audience from all over the region.

The Philippines will fire up the opening salvo of pyrotechnic artistry on February 14. As host country, the Philippines will not take part in the competition but will showcase its unique pyrotechnic presentation during the opening and closing ceremonies. Other countries will show off their entries during the following days:

• February 14 - Australia
• February 21 – United Kingdom and China
• February 28 – France and China
• March 7 – Singapore and Malaysia
• March 14 – USA

The 1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is in cooperation with Platinum Fireworks, Inc., and Department of Tourism. Official Residence is Traders Hotel Manila.

For ticket inquiries, call Ticketnet at (632) 911-5555 and Ticketworld at (632) 891-999. For more information about the event, contact Platinim Fireworks, Inc., at (63917) 926-4625, (63939) 317-5476, email platinumfireworks@gmail.com or visit the event website at www.pyrophilippines.com/.

DepEd Understanding By Design Staged

The Department of Education’s (DepEd) National Conference entitled “Understanding by Design: Getting into the Core of the 2010 Secondary Education Curriculum” will be held this February 2010 at two venues, to accommodate participants from all over the Philippines.

Previously scheduled last November 5-7, 2009, the conference will still be held at the Manila Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila, on February 4-6, 2010, for Metro Manila and Luzon participants. For Visayas and Mindanao participants, it will be at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City, on February 8-10, 2009.

A registration fee of Php 8,500.00 (inclusive of lunch and two snacks per day, a conference kit, and 3 ASCD books) will be charged per participant.

The conference aims to orient school heads and teachers on Understanding by Design (UbD), a worldwide “teaching for understanding” model that links curriculum, instruction and assessment to improve learning outcomes. UbD was introduced in 1998 by Jay McTighe and Grant P. Wiggins, and it adopts the process of “backward design” in the development of a school curriculum.

Backward design aims at eliminating two common flaws in the traditional method: coverage-focused teaching and activity-focused teaching. In coverage-focused teaching, educators try to cover all topics as specified by a textbook for the whole school year, but end up with students who do not understand why they are being taught this much information. In activity-focused teaching, educators come up with all sorts of activities that students participate in and enjoy, but again, students do not completely understand why. This is what backward design aims to resolve: to make students understand and gain a deeper insight into why they are being taught information or made to participate in activities.

Internationally-renowned speakers Everett Kline and Jeanne H. Purcell from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) in the United States are invited to conduct the conference.

Presented by DepEd in cooperation with Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), the conference shall be conducted in support of the implementation of the 2010 Secondary Education Curriculum in public and private secondary schools.

FAPE was established in 1968 to promote the development of private education in the Philippines. It pursues this mission by helping private schools in their quest for academic excellence, managerial competence and financial viability, through the extension of logistic and technical support. Over the last three decades of its existence, FAPE has already become an institution in the Philippine educational system.

For more information about the conference, you may call FAPE at (632) 818-7923, (632) 381-8071, e-mail info@peac-fape.org.ph or visit their website http://www.fape.org.ph.

Renowned Medical Experts to Grace First International Autism Conference

Medical experts from here and abroad will share their knowledge and expertise to empower parents and care groups on how to deal with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during the First International Autism Conference to be held on February 3-5, 2010 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The International Autism Conference will gather 16 medical experts all over the world who will present the most current research, knowledge, information, diagnosis, assessment, treatments and policies surrounding ASD in support of people under the spectrum and their families.

Thirteen of the 16 doctors presenting in the conference are leading experts from the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute of the University of California Davis (MIND Institute)/, an international, multidisciplinary research organization based in Sacramento, California, USA.

Included in the agenda of the three-day conference are infrequently, if not, never-before discussed topics such as the Genetics of Autism, the Neurobiology of Autism, the Epidemiology of Autism, Social and Neurocognitive Development in Autism, as well as Identification and Pursuance of Scientific Research to address the needs of Autism in the Philippines where about half-a-million Filipinos are diagnosed to be afflicted by the disease.

More topics will be discussed by doctors from MIND Institute including Medical Interventions for Autism of All Ages, Play and Imagination in Children with Autism: Guiding Social Experiences with Peers, Training on the Use of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and Diagnosis and Evidence-based Treatment of Adolescents with Autism, among other topics.

Three experts from Autism Speaks USA will also join the 13 experts from MIND Institute in the conference to discuss the Identification and Pursuance of Scientific Research to Address the Needs of Autism in the Philippines.

According to Autism Hearts Philippines Executive Director Christine Roa, “Concerned individuals including health practitioners and teachers from all over the world will definitely find their participation greatly beneficial as the conference will help them understand the many facets of the disorder to be able to better assist their family, friends and acquaintances suffering from the developmental disorder.”

The conference will also mark the start of the New York-based autism advocacy group Autism Speaks’ Global Autism Public Health Initiative in the Philippines (GAPH), which is dedicated to service delivery and research collaboration on Autism.

“The conference will mark the beginning of united efforts to create change in the lives of people with Autism. We enjoin all Filipinos especially families living with autism to support our advocacy by registering their participation in the International Autism Conference,” said Roa.

The First International Autism Conference is supported by Autism Hearts Foundation, MIND Institute, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Education.

For more information and online registration, contact the International Autism Conference Secretariat at (632) 819-3724, 818-9926, email info@iacphil.com, or visit their website at www.iacphil.com

Livestock and Poultry Industry Take Part in INAHGEN 2010

The country’s largest and most prestigious agribusiness exhibition, the 3rd International Animal Health, Genetics and Nutrition Congress (INAHGEN 2010): The Farmers’ Congress is scheduled on February 3 – 5, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Organized by the Philippine Veterinary Drug Foundation Inc. (PVDAFI) and the Philippine Swine Industry Research and Development Foundation Inc. (PSIRDFI), the event will be participated in by livestock and poultry industry leaders from the Philippines and from around the world.

This bi-annual event provides excellent business and networking opportunities and will also feature educational programs, farmers meeting, and linkages among major industry players here and abroad.

During INAHGEN 2010, there will be live animal displays and trade shows for latest trend in livestock and poultry products, displays and innovations in latest equipments, information, and services that will focus on animal health, genetics, and nutrition. There will be plenary sessions, conference and seminars on up-to-date research, latest technologies, commercial findings, veterinary medications, and other interesting topics from top Filipino and foreign resource speakers.

The 3rd International Animal Health, Genetics and Nutrition Congress is co-presented by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, Livestock Development Council, National Meat Inspection Service, Bureau of Agricultural Statistic, Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners, Inc., Philippine College of Swine Practitioners, Inc., Philippine College of Veterinary Feed Practitioners, Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, and Philippine Society of Animal Science.

The event is sponsored by Adepta, Ariela Marketing Co., Inc., Broadchem Corp., Cargill http://www.cargill.com/, Data Serve Management International, Inc., Hypig Genetics, Inc., INFARMCO Group of Companies, Inphilco, Inc., JSN Group of Companies, LNB, Nuevo Milenio, Inc., Pfizer, PHILCHEMA, San Miguel Animal Health Care, Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) Party list , Bayer HealthCare, Boehringer Ingelheim, and I Feed Philippines, Inc.

Admission is Free. Register at http://www.inahgen.com. For more information, contact Delta Management Consultant Service at (632) 654-5523, 654-5609, 782-9531, fax (632) 654-5523, or email deltaman.mildred@gmail.com

3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference Set

Women entrepreneurs as well as those who would like to know how to start their own business are invited to join the 3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference on January 30, 2010 at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Hosted by the Network for Enterprising Women (NEW), the conference aims to give women and small and medium-business owners the tools to start or grow their businesses.

The conference will include topics on building business foundation, financial planning and funding, marketing/selling to get results, legal aspects of managing business, social entrepreneurship and finding the right networking group. Also, there will be business counseling and networking opportunities at the event.

Get inspired at this informative, fun half-day conference, with concurrent sessions for existing women entrepreneurs, business owners and those wanting to start a business. Guest speakers are Ms. Emily Abrera, Chairman Emeritus of McCann, Ms. Chit Juan of Echostore, Ms. Alice Guererro of Tesoro, and other prominent women entrepreneurs.

Participant fee is only Php 600. Register online at . For reservations or further inquiries, contact NEW at (632) 710-3711, 754-8058, (63917) 540-8697 or e-mail info@newomen.net.

PHP Developers Summit 2010 Set

Web programmers inclined in using hypertext pre-processor (PHP) are invited to take part in the PHP Developers Summit 2010, scheduled on January 30, 2010 at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

PHP Developers Summit 2010, organized by PHP-User Group Philippines, is this year’s biggest gathering of the best tech-talents, professionals, and web developers promoting the use of PHP and open source solutions in the enterprise and schools.

Among the invited experts for the event include Happy Mobile Inc CEO Dominick Nowell A. Danao, Brewed Concepts President and CEO Bing Bryan Tan, Friendster, Inc. Senior Developer Paolo Alexis Falcone, Microsoft Developer Evangelist Alezandra Nicholas, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Mr. Rodney Jao, and Computer Professionals’ Union Coordinator Rick Bahague, Jr.

PHP Developers Summit 2010 is in partnership with Microsoft Philippines and sponsored by Zend and Globe Labs.

Register online by sending your name, position, company and contact details to chean@phpugph.com. For more information, contact PHP User Group Philippines Inc. at (632) 975-6976, (63917) 865-2412, or visit their website at http://www.phpugph.com/.

Top Local, Foreign Lensmen To Speak at Photo World Asia 2010

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to take the chance to hear and learn tips and techniques from master photographers in the educational series during the Photo World Asia 2010, which will be held from January 29 to February 1, 2009 at the SGV Halls of the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.

Organized by the Federation of Philippine Photographer Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) the theme for this year’s PhotoWorld Asia 2010 is “Philippine Photography in Changing Times.”

The scheduled guest speakers include US master photographer Kevin Ames, who will reveal his secrets on photographing women and his masterful Photoshop tricks; Thailand-based photographers Manny and Jose Librodo, will share their portraiture techniques, and design elements, respectively; Mr. Hugo D. Yonzon III will discuss harnessing the creative energy; and Mr. John Silva on Philippine photography history. Other speakers include Mr. Jason Magbanua, Mr. John Tronco, Ms. Isa Lorenzo and Mr. Bernie Ledesma,

A special trade show will be open to the public from January 28 – February 2, 2009 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. Visitors can view the latest cameras, gadgets and other photographic equipment at the various booths and stalls of the participating exhibitors. The trade show will also feature an exhibition of vintage cameras and a display of iconic images that chronicle various historical moments.

Registration is required for the educational series. For inquiries, contact FPPF at (632) 524-7576, 528-0371, email fotoatwork@gmail.com or visit their website at http://photoworldmanila.com/

CCP Sets Stage for First Philippine Guitar Fest

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The Guitar Friends will hold the First Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 from January 28 to 31 at the CCP in Pasay City. With the objective of promoting the Classical Guitar, the festival offers exciting musical performances by outstanding guitarists from the Philippines and abroad.

Maestro Jose Valdez, who is considered to be one of the best guitar teachers in the country, is the director of the Festival. Maestro Valdez, who has 35 years of teaching experience, is a lecturer and professor at the University of the Philippines, Philippine Women’s University, St. Scholastica’s College, Philippine National University, La Concordia College and St. Paul University. He is a pioneer of all major guitar courses in most schools in the Philippines. The CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts ranks him as one of the pioneers of classical guitar in the country.

Among those performing in the Festival are Mr. Steve Lin, Mr. Michael Dadap, Mr. Jose Valdez, Mr. Perfecto de Castro, Mr. Sixto Roxas, Mr. Kasilag Guitar Trio, Tabs, UP Guitar Orchestra, Fundacion Centro Flamenco and the winners of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists 2009 Guitar Category. More artists and groups, including the Manila Symphony Orchestra, are expected to be added to the list of performers in the Festival. One of the highlights of the Festival will be the concert by a Spanish guitar soloist to be brought in by Instituto Cervantes.

Mr. Steve Lin is a renowned international artist who has concertized throughout the US, Italy, the Philippines and Taiwan. An award winning guitarist and a recording artist, Mr. Lin teaches guitar at the San Jose State University and Northern California School of Music. He has a master’s degree from Yale School of Music and is completing his doctorate at the New England Conservatory under Eliot Fiske.

Mr. Michael Dadap has been artistic/music director and conductor of The Children’s Orchestra Society since 1984. He studied at UP, the Mannes College of Music and the Juilliard School. As a conductor, he has conducted and collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned concert artists. As an accomplished classical guitarist, he made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1974 and has since performed in numerous concerts internationally.

Mr. Sixto “Butch” Roxas is a highly respected guitarist currently helping reestablish as well as playing for the UST Jazz Orchestra together with conductor/saxophonist Mr. Tots Tolentino. He studied at the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston and took guitar courses in various institutions abroad such as the Schola Cantorum in Paris and in Barcelona, Spain with Maestro Josep Henriquez under a grant from the Agencia Española. He is a faculty member of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Mr. Perfecto de Castro is hailed as one of the best Filipino guitarists. A graduate of PWU School of Music, he studied with Maestro Jose Valdez. The Laudarra, or the Ten String Classical Guitar, is Castro’s instrument of choice. He has collaborated with composers all over the world to add to the repertoire of the Ten String Guitar. He is a founding member of the Kasilag Guitar Quartet.

Fundacion Centro Flamenco is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the art of flamenco music and dance.

The Guitar Friends, which is spearheading the Festival, is composed of guitar aficionados of varying levels of expertise in guitar performance brought together by their love for guitar and their association with Maestro Jose Valdez, the Festival director. The Guitar Friends support the Guitar Immersion Program of Maestro Valdez and conducts activities such as campus concerts and master classes.

The 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 will offer master classes and lectures on topics such as “Building a Performing Career,” “Flamenco,” “A Guitarist’s Pain,” “Jazz Improvisation,” “Ensemble Playing” and “Musicality, Intelligence and Technique.” The Festival will also feature booths and displays by guitar makers and manufacturers.

The 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival 2010 is sponsored by CCP, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), SMART Communications, Inc., and Rudolf Lietz, Inc.

For details, call (63917) 526-6377, (63920) 498-2720, (63915) 921-3440, e-mail philguitarfest@gmail.com or visit http://philguitarfest.blogspot.com.

Philippine Feng Shui Convention Reveal s Secret To Success for 2010

Secrets to success and good fortune will be revealed during the staging of 5th Philippine Feng Shui Convention on January 23, 2010 at the Center Stage of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Organize by World of Feng Shui (WOFS) Philippines, the event carries the theme, “Feng Shui Spectacular 2010: Riding the Golden Tiger”. WOFS Philippines President Marites Allen will grace the convention and reveal the challenges and opportunities in the Year of the Tiger. With well-known TV personality Boy Abunda as co-host and Club Mwah performers providing spectacular numbers, the event promises to be another insightful and entertaining experience for the entire family.

The convention will reveal both the positive and negative outlook for everyone in 2010 and specific forecast for each animal sign in the areas of wealth, career, romance, health, and other personal aspirations.

For more details call any WOFS Boutiques at (632) 571-6898 (The Podium), 909-7088 (Serendra), 818-8858 (Glorietta 556-0616 (Mall of Asia), 442-0113 (The Block North EDSA), and (6332) 231-4088 (Metro Cebu), email wofsphilippines@gmail.com, or visit www.maritesallen.com

RPDEV Launches Eco-Mismo Conference Roadshow

In a timely initiative to raise environmental awareness, the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) launched “Eco-Mismo”, a series of conferences on new and productive ways of protecting the environment through sustainable tourism development across the country.

A landmark road show project by RPDEV Chairman and former president Fidel V. Ramos, Eco-Mismo comes in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, which triggered the most devastating flood in the capital over the past 40 years. According to experts, the Ondoy phenomenon ran in line with an observed abnormal pattern of unusually extreme weather conditions likely to prevail should climate change remain unaddressed.

With the theme “Ecotourism and Eco-Productivity: Best Practices and Challenges”, Eco-Mismo aims to help the country position itself as one of the top destinations for eco-tourism and the pioneer in eco-productivity. It is expected to bring together key players and stakeholders in the environment and tourism industry. The initiative is expected to gather more than a thousand individuals from the government, tourism industry, academe, media, church, business, and youth sectors.

Eco-Mismo paves the way for a cross-section of industry players and multi-sectoral stakeholders to discuss problems and map out solutions on matters concerning eco-tourism, eco-productivity, and sustainable development.

The first leg of Eco-Mismo was held in Manila last October 8, 2009 at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati City. World Wildlife Fund Philippines Vice Chairman Lorenzo Tan delivered a presentation on the dire effects of changes to global temperatures and precipitation, entitled “The Challenges of Climate Change and Tourism”.

The road show is slated to make major stops across key cities in the country: January 22, 2010 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City in Cebu; January 23, 2010 at the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island, Bohol; February 19, 2010 in General Santos City, South Cotabato Province; and February 20 at Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, Sarangani.

The conferences will tackle specific areas that will facilitate public and private sector cooperation in streamlining eco-tourism’s strategic directions as a key contributor to the local and national economy. It seeks to promote green travel through eco-productivity -- a practical solution that pushes efficient and productive use of resources, environmental protection, and poverty eradication.

Aside from Tan, conference speakers will include former President Ramos, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza, as well as Asia Pacific Projects President Narzalina Lim; Cleanway Technology Corporation Chairman Herminio Esguerra; Ten Knots Development Corporation CEO Leigh Perez; and ABS-CBN Foundation’s Batay Kalikasan President Regina Paz Lopez.

Each of the provincial legs of Eco-Mismo conferences will concurrently feature a One Town, One Product (OTOP) exhibit under the DTI. The OTOP is a government program to promote entrepreneurship and spur job creation. Under the program, each city and municipality across the nation is to develop and promote a specific product or service that gives a competitive economic advantage to its locale.

Ultimately, Eco-Mismo hopes to provide a blueprint for tourism industry stakeholders in such areas as supply management, water resource management, energy efficiency, clean development mechanism, and solid waste management and community participation in sustainable development practices.

Eco-Mismo is in partnership with DOT and supported by DTI, DENR, Asia Productivity Organization – Development Academy of the Philippines and Asia Pacific Projects, Inc, in cooperation with Herma Group of Companies.

For more information about the event, contact the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation at (632) 8878964, fax (632) 8878966, email inquiry@rpdev.org or visit their website, http://www.rpdev.org.

Philstar.com bares Christmas Celebrity Run 2009

Celebrating a more meaningful Christmas this year, philstar.com is calling online community members, lifestyle aficionados, sports enthusiasts and race buffs to join the Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 on December 20, 2009 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

“We invite everyone to celebrate the yuletide season with us and support our campaign to connect Philippine public high schools to the world by joining Christmas Celebrity Run 2009,” said philstar.com General Manager Katrina-Sandejas Mañosa.

The event was designed as a venue where philstar.com online community members can interact with celebrities, who share the same passion for running, healthy lifestyle, online literacy and charity work.

Heading the celebrity roster, according to Manosa, are Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Maricel Laxa, Anthony Pangilinan, Gary Valenciano, Rovilson Fernandez, Marc Nelson, Claudine Barreto, Raymart Santiago, KC Concepcion, Piolo Pascual and Drew Arellano. Business tycoons Jaime and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Fred Uytengsu and Lance Gokongwei are likewise expected to put on their running gear during the event.

Special prizes await the top three runners in the male and female divisions of the 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and 10-kilometer races. In the 21-kilometer race, two winners will be chosen (one male and one female) in each of the five divisions: 18-25 years old, 26-30 years old, 31-29 years old, Male (40 and above) and Female (35 and above). More prizes await those who come in costumes looking like celebrities. Three participants will be named Best in costume (Celebrity Look-a-like).

“More than the social and healthy benefits of running, philstar.com’s Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 will also help fund the computerization program of GILAS (Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students), a multi-sectoral initiative spearheaded by the Ayala Foundation program,” Ms. Mañosa explained “This is in line with our corporate social responsibility of nurturing not just the online community but helping spread online literacy as well.”

Initially scheduled Oct. 11, the race was postponed to give way to relief, clean-up and rehabilitation efforts in Taguig, one of the urban areas badly hit by tropical storm Ondoy last Sept. 26.

The philstar.com Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 is sponsored by Adidas, Yahoo! Philippines, E-Games, Brazilian Agaricus 8-in-1 Herbal Coffee, Crocs, Nutribar, SMART Communications, Inc., Coppertone, Aqua Blue, Sport Beans, Timex, Chris Sports, Vitwater, Mizuno, Paul Calvin's Deli, McKinley Hill, and One Tagaytay Place, Action and Fitness Magazine, Men’s Health Philippines, Women’s Health Philippines, Magic 89.9, AXN-Asia, Jack TV, Jobstreet, Chikka, People Asia, The Philippine STAR, NU 107, and takbo.ph.

For more information, contact project director Mr. Ian Alacar at (63929) 6496762 or philstar.com at (632) 527-6856, email marketing@philstar.com, or visit www.philstar.com.

Christmas Gifts Made Affordable at 2nd Manila Toys and Gifts Show

Hundreds of toys and gift items will be sold in affordable prices at the 2^nd Manila Toys and Gifts Show (MTGS) on December 16 – 22, 2009 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2 and 3 in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Organized by Megatrade Hall and MCT Events Management, The seven-day event will feature toys and collectibles, apparel and shoes, fashion, home, and kids’ accessories, food, and even novelty gift items, just in time for the Christmas Season.

Last year’s event drew over 80,000 guests of all ages. This year, the event expects an even bigger crowd with a wide array of products perfect for the last-minute Christmas shopping.

Within the MTGS flag is the highly-anticipated 4^th Annual Toys and Collectibles Christmas Fair, to be held on December 19 – 21. The event has already been dubbed the ultimate event for collectors and hobbyists with its extensive range of collectibles and rate toys offered both on direct sale and on auction. In addition, new and exciting activities have been lined up for the attendees, such as Holiday Cooing Demos, Meet and Greet Santa, Fashion Shows, Toy Auctions, Cosplay Competitions, Arts and Crafts, and other games and surprises.

More than a selling fair, MTGS also aims to share the Christmas cheer to the children of Bantay Bata 163 by raising funds for the “Light the Tree, Light a Hope” project. A portion of the show proceeds will be donated to Bantay Bata 163. The visitors will not only get to shop for toys and gifts, they will also be given the opportunity to share their blessings with less fortunate children.

For inquiries, contact Megatrade Hall at (632) 633-1697, 634-7617 or MCT Events Management at (632) 799-0230, 747-0529, 701-1759 or email mctevents@gmail.com

First Special Education Expo Slated

Parents of special children, special education schools, therapy centers, toy manufacturers, suppliers of special tools and equipment, specialized food sellers, book publishers, and other special education (SPED) industry practitioners are invited to take part in the First Special Education Expo scheduled today, December 1, 2009 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

Organized by Etera Events, Special Education Expo 2009 is the first fair on special education to be held in the country. With the theme “A World of Possibilities”, the event aims create awareness on the needs of special children and provide options for these individuals to ensure they live a happy and normal life. Furthermore, it aims to deepen awareness on the current situation of Filipino children with special needs and the condition of special education in the Philippines.

Simultaneous to the exhibition is a SPED forum, exhibitor’s presentation, storytelling, learning block sessions by SPED practitioners and experts, raffle draws, entertainment, games and celebrity guest performances.

Proceeds for the said event will be given to Support and Empower Abused Deaf Children (SEADC), a non-profit organization dedicated at defending the rights of deaf children who are victims of sexual abuse and maltreatment.

The First Special Education Expo 2009 is sponsored by World Vision Foundation, with the following media partners: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net, Manila Bulletin , and Philstar.com.

For more information about the event, contact Mr. Ronald Salvador at (632) 391-5673, (63906) 295-6153, or Ms. Faith Salazar at (63922) 845-7380, email, spedexpoph@gmail.com or visit their website at http://spedexpo.blogspot.com/.

COMDDAP Expo Manila 2009 Set to Showcase Best of Philippine IT

The best and the latest technology of the information technology (IT) industry will be present in this year’s biggest IT selling exhibit, the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines (COMDDAP) Expo Manila 2009, to be held on December 3 - 6, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Aptly titled “Maximum Exposure,” the event serves as the biggest one-stop-shop for IT products and services. The event will be highlighted by four major activities designed to exhibit the best of Philippine IT.

Twelve of the best minds and companies of the local IT industry will be featured in the special exhibit, Open Pinoy Solutions (OPS). It aims to place the Filipino IT geniuses into the spotlight and give them their well-deserved recognition.

3D Philippines Initiative or 3DPI is a one-of-a-kind program, featuring incredible and usable virtual models of the Philippines’ breathtaking sites found on Google Earth using Google SketchUp.

Reprising its widely popular shootout events, COMDDAP Expo Manila stages the back-to-back blockbuster this 2009. Now sharper, brighter, and with more brands in the running, The Great Projector Shoot-Out and LCD Monitor Shoot-Out are sure to help experts and consumers determine which brands are the most superior.

Finally, in the tradition of the COMDDAP Shootouts comes the latest showdown of pixel proportions. Visitors will train and challenge their sights in choosing the best quality inkjet printers at the Printer Shootout. The most popular printer brands will face off in a showdown of printing prowess by displaying photographic printouts for display and intense scrutiny.

Aside from this year's series of special events and seminars, offering the most up-to-date discussion and hottest tech trends on Adobe, Microsoft Windows 7 and data loss prevention, lucky expo-goers have the chance to win amazing gadgets and other exciting prizes in the daily raffle.

For inquiries, contact COMDDAP Secretariat at (632) 8103814, 8927947, 7509456 or visit their website at www.comddap.org for more details.

Bigger Defense and Sporting Arms Show Set

The country's major gun manufacturers and dealers are ready to show their latest firearms and shooting paraphernalia at the 2009 Defense and Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) Part 2 scheduled on November 12 – 16, 2009 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1-2 in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

As a result of the success of the previous DSAS events, Atty. Hector Rodriguez, President of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, the organizers of the event, said that they are expanding the exhibit hall area to cater to the increasing demand for more show booths for new firearms and shooting accessories and the heavy influx of gun aficionados.

DSAS Part 1, held last July 16 – 20, 2009, occupied the same venue and attracted hundreds of visitors interested in gun ownership, target shooting, and airsoft. Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Versosa and other officials of the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) and the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (PNP-FED) graced the opening rites.

Aside from gun displays and product presentations, seminars were also conducted during the event. The PNP-FED gave a free seminar entitled: “Legal Aspects of Gun Ownership”, aimed at encouraging gun owners with delinquent licenses to renew them to avoid payment of penalties. They also set-up a one-stop shop firearm license renewal booth during the event.

Director Versosa as well as PNP-FED Director Chief Supt. Alfredo Caballes will again grace the opening of DSAS Part 2. Seminars and product demonstrations will again be staged during the 5-day event.

The 2009 Defense and Sporting Arms Show is sponsored by Dream FM 106.7, Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, 105.1 Crossover, DZRH 666, NU 107, Ansmann Energy, Manila Bulletin, The Daily Tribune, People's Journal, Philippine Graphic, Event Ads, Philstar.com, The Philippine Star, and Total Security Systems, Inc.

For more information about the event, contact Tradeshow International, Inc., at (632) 671-3122, 671-8381 to 82, email info@tradeshow.com.ph or visit their website at http://www.tradeshow.com.ph