PR campaign on eye-care in the Philippines join the winners of the 2018 IPRA Golden World Awards

The IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence (GWA): the world’s most prestigious PR awards scheme, announces a total of 80 winners for 2018, up some 25% on last year. Many entries tackled social and health issues such as eye-care amongst children in the Philippines, and activities with an extraordinary 1 billion reach to promote World Water Day.

The IPRA GWA judges flew to Brussels, Belgium to make their final decisions: little knowing the atmosphere of the Belgian capital would be charged with World Cup fever. The jury comprised judges from all over the world including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Holland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UK.

“This year the competition showed method, excellent planning and superb creativity,” explains Bart de Vries, IPRA’s President and chairman of the jury: "It was good to see our new categories of Influencer Management and Sport PR attracting quality entries. Some entries moved the heartstrings and others made us laugh."

The prestigious Grand Prix was also chosen but the judges have been sworn to secrecy. Along with the UN award for PR with an objective of meeting one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Grand Prix will be announced at the Golden World Awards Gala Dinner in Barcelona, Spain on 19 October 2018. “I look forward to meeting all the 80 winners in Barcelona,” adds Bart de Vries.

Background to IPRA

IPRA, the International Public Relations Association, is the leading global network for Public Relations professionals. Membership is individual not corporate. It aims to further the development of open communication and the ethical practice of public relations. 

IPRA fulfils this aim through networking opportunities, its code of conduct and intellectual leadership of the profession. IPRA is the organiser of the annual Golden World Awards for excellence – PR's global awards scheme. 

With 60 years of experience, IPRA, recognised by the United Nations, is now present throughout the world wherever public relations are practiced. IPRA welcomes all those within the profession who share its aim and who wish to be part of the IPRA worldwide fellowship. For more information please visit: www.ipra.org. 

Background to the Golden World Awards for Excellence

The annual IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA) initiative, established in 1990, recognizes excellence in public relations practice worldwide in a variety of categories. Recipients of the award take particular pride in the recognition granted to their entry as meeting international standards of excellence in public relations. 

An overall IPRA Grand Prix for Excellence is presented each year to the entry judged as representing the highest standards that year. While there are many national and regional PR awards, there is only one truly global scheme: the GWA.

Shopee Fashion Week Gathers Leading Fashion Brands in the Philippines, Offers Up To 95% Off The Hottest Fashion Items

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, teams up with leading fashion brands including Bench, Silverworks, CLN, Watch Republic, Banana Peel, Avel Designs, and Unisilver to kick off Shopee Fashion Week. From 19 to 25 September, users can indulge themselves with up to 95% off men’s and women’s fashion categories including apparel, shoes, and accessories.

To cater to the diverse fashion tastes of all Filipino shoppers, Shopee Fashion Week will contain six themed collections namely Fresh Finds, Sneakerfest, Aegyo! Korean Fashion, Denim + Leather, Holiday Glam, and Accessorize. Featuring unbelievable deals starting from ₱1.00, shoppers can save even more when purchasing their fashion essentials on Shopee. 

Shoppers can also look forward to the Everything Must Go flash sale on September 25, where the most in-demand fashion items will be available at unbeatable prices. 

Shopee Fashion Week will also mark the official launch of Bench, the top fashion brand in the Philippines, on Shopee Mall.

To celebrate the opening, Bench will be offering 20% off storewide for fashion hunters to fill their wardrobes. 

Bench Apparel and Bench Body will also offer exclusive bundles for as low as ₱259.00 on a limited time only, so fans of the brand can usher in the festive year-end shopping period with Bench on Shopee. 

Lastly, the first 100 Bench shoppers will win a free cosmetics set and limited-edition postcards signed by celebrities Max Collins and Marco Gumabao.

Jane Lim, Director of Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is dedicated to bringing a customised shopping experience that caters to the unique tastes of our users. With dozens of the most beloved local fashion brands on board, Shopee Fashion Week aims to give users first-hand access to exclusive deals on a wide variety of clothes, shoes, and other fashion accessories. Together with themed collections and various other attractive promotions, we are confident shoppers can save even more on their favourite fashion products at Shopee Fashion Week.” 

For more information about 

Shopee’s Fashion Week, visit: https://shopee.ph/m/fashion-week

For more information about Shopee, visit https://shopee.ph 

Download the Shopee app for free on App Store or Google Play Store. 

12th Philippine Grand Barista Cup and 5th Latte Art Throwdown

Allegro Beverage Corporation, the Philippine preferred coffee solutions provider, in partnership with LNA Management Group, will be staging the ultimate and the longest running barista competitions in the country.  The 5th Latte Art Throwdown will be held on September 13, 2018 and the 12th Philippine Grand Barista Cup (PGBC) on September 14, 2018 at the Asia Food Expo (AFEX) in the World Trade Center, Manila.

These events have grown popularity and are celebrated by industry and coffee aficionados, showcasing the exceptional talent and craftsmanship of Filipinos in the art of coffee - the process of blending, style, creativity, and presentation.

The objectives of these competitions are:

• To promote the excellence and recognition of the barista competition
• to increase the appreciation for specialty coffee especially Philippine Arabica beans
• to raise the bar for Filipino baristas competing in world championships.  Our highest ranking has been 13th place out of 60 countries at the World Barista Championships.

Leo De Leon, President of Allegro Beverage, is pleased to announce that the Grand Winner of each event will receive a Championship trophy, a Franke fully automatic espresso / cappuccino machine worth Php100K, a Barista Kit worth Php15K, free overnight hotel stay at Midas Hotel and Casino and Allegro gift bags from our valued sponsors. 

De Leon said that these coffee competitions in the last 12 years have highlighted the technical and creative skills of the barista Finalists in service presentation, creativity and passion for coffee.  He notes that more than half of our past winners have relocated overseas for greener pastures as there is a large demand for experienced Filipino baristas in cruise ships, hotels, casinos, restaurants, and coffee shops.

At a World Barista Championship that De Leon attended in Dublin, Ireland, there were 4 natural born Filipinos competing but representing countries from the Middle East and Austria.

Major partners for these events are EXPOBAR, MOAK Special Bar, Routin 1883 and Fruiss, Nuova Simonelli, and Franke fully automatic machines from Switzerland.  Other sponsors are MILKLAB, Malongo Atelier, Barista Philippines, UCC Coffee, UCC Academy, Blizzard Ref Sales Corporation and Far Eastern University.