New Creative Director Kosuke Kawamura Renews UT Line Inspiration taken from street scenes, pop culture, and art!

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO today announces the start of the 2023 Spring/Summer season for its graphic UT (UNIQLO T-shirt) line, renewed under new Creative Director, artist Kosuke Kawamura. Along with the classic UT silhouette, UT is available in a newly developed oversized fit to match the graphics. Long sleeve T-shirt styles are also appearing from this season, rounding out designs for real street trends in exacting patterns down to the millimeter. 

“The content features a formidable lineup of the world’s pop culture from universal artists, including manga, anime, and even games, beloved by people of all ages. The 23SS season kicks off by taking T-shirts back to their roots and featuring modern street culture. UT delivers LifeWear that lets wearers express their individuality and encounter new elements of culture.” ~Kosuke Kawamura, Creative Director

Collaborations inspired by street scenes

The Message is a line of T-shirts that convey a message, considered the origin of the graphic tee. Created with three modern artists, Cali Dewitt, Trevor Andrew, and Lakwena, who are driving the art scene in hotspots such as Los Angeles and London, the brightly colored expressions feature silhouettes reflecting the latest trends, with a heavier material. Skater Collection features images of skateboards, representative of street culture, in a collaboration with Los Angeles-born creator Alex Olson and Shinpei Ueno, who has made internationally acclaimed films while active as a professional rider. For the HYPEBEAST COMMUNITY CENTER line, four communities active in the modern culture scene freely expressed visuals conveying the culture of their generations through standard T-shirts, as well as coach jackets and long sleeve T-shirts.

Partnerships with world-renowned museums 

UNIQLO partners with museums boasting the world’s finest art collections, including MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art) in New York City, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Tate Modern in London, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The first partnership was launched with MoMA, in 2013, and over the years UNIQLO has sponsored a variety of programs to raise awareness of art among the general public. The Video Game Collection from MoMA is the latest collaboration line featuring a selection of beloved, enduring games with innovative digital designs, including TetrisTM, Space Invaders, and Pac-Man. The playful designs incorporate elements that express MoMA in the worldview of the games.

Enjoying past works from pop art masters with UT ARCHIVE 

The UT brand was first introduced in 2003 as the “UNIQLO T-shirt Project” and each year the company has been delivering an astounding variety of graphic tees. UT ARCHIVE Collection marks the 20th anniversary of UT, looking back into its past to bring carefully selected designs. For this season, UT is offering popular designs from artists in the very first UT collaboration, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring. This is a collection to fully enjoy the timeless masters of pop art who epitomized the 20th century.

Overview of the Collaborations

The Message

Scheduled launch date: Monday, January 23, 2023

Lineup: ADULTS T-shirts 6 items \1,990; Hoodies 3 items \3,990; Caps - 3 items \1,990

Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Japan, and the online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/XXXXXX

Skater Collection

Scheduled launch date: Monday, January 23, 2023

Lineup: ADULTS T-shirts 4 items \1,990; Long Sleeve T-shirts 4 items \2,990

Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Japan, and the online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/XXXXXX

HYPEBEAST COMMUNITY CENTER

Scheduled launch date: Monday, January 23, 2023

Lineup: ADULTS Long sleeve T-shirts 4 items \2,990; Coach Jackets 2 items \4,990

Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Japan, and the online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/XXXXXX

Video Game Collection from MoMA

Scheduled launch date: Monday, February 6, 2023

Lineup: ADULTS T-shirts 5 items \1,500

Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Japan, and the online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/XXXXXX

UT ARCHIVE Andy Warhol / Keith Haring / Jean-Michel Basquiat

Scheduled launch date: Monday, February 6, 2023

Lineup: ADULTS T-shirts 12 items \1,500; Hoodies 3 items \3,990

Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Japan, and the online store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/XXXXXX

About UNIQLO LifeWear

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.3 trillion yen for the 2022 fiscal year ending August 31, 2022 (US $16.6 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2022 rate of $1 = 138.7 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer. 

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. In 2010 UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank and currently there are around 20 Grameen-UNIQLO stores, mostly located in Dhaka.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.  For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

Enchanted Kingdom Brings Back Hug-A-Palooza this Season of Love

Celebrate Love Month as EK brings back “Hug-A-Palooza” this February 18, 2023 (Saturday). Hug-A-Palooza marks its 5th year this 2023, a celebration of romantic entertainment and fun-filled surprises that end with warm hugs to be shared with loved ones and friends. 

Hug-A-Palooza will take place at EK’s AGILA Grounds at 4pm with special performance by EK’s very own P-Pop girl group, and a serenade from its all-female and all-male vocal groups, Victoria’s Way and The Kings Men. 

To spread more “kilig” this season of love, get a chance to meet and greet the casts of iWantTFC’s newest series, TEEN CLASH. Get ready to have a great and memorable time with Jayda Avanzado, Markus Paterson, Aljon Mendoza, and more. 

Enchanted Kingdom will also launch its very first Eldar’s Fair that will relive your delightful school fairs memories. From the marriage booth, dedication booth, and jail booths, anticipate lots of exciting activities and special surprises for everyone who will visti the booths. Eldar’s Fair is open on Febrary 18, 19, 25, and 25, 2023. 

For more information on promos and ticket reservations and bookings, please visit Enchanted Kingdom’s official website www.enchantedkingdom.ph, online store https://store.enchantedkingdom.ph/ or official Facebook page www.facebook.com/enchantedkingdom.ph.  

Natatanging Nilalang: SM Cares, DSAPI celebrate people with Down syndrome through Happy Walk

As a song dedicated to people with Down Syndrome, Ronnie Lee's "Natatanging Nilalang," highlights all the characteristics that make these individuals special. Composed with a fondness for those who have the condition (he himself has a nephew who has Down Syndrome), Lee's song is one of empowerment not only for these individuals, but also for their loved ones.

Empowering people with Down Syndrome and their families has been one of the advocacies of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI). Since its establishment in 1991, the organization has been active in implementing initiatives that cater to these people, one of which is the Happy Walk for Down Syndrome in partnership with SM Cares.

Happy Walk for Down Syndrome is an annual event that gathers persons with Down Syndrome and their loved ones into a day-long family-oriented event filled with fun activities and entertainment. Held every February as part of the celebration of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, it aims to promote awareness and better understanding of those living with the condition.

“Happy Walk for Down Syndrome is all about bringing those with the condition and their families together. More importantly, the goal of the event is to give them a platform for their voices to be heard, so that the everyone can know more about them, about the challenges that they encounter every day, and what all of us can do to make life better for them.” ~Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs

After a three-year break, DSAPI and SM Cares are once again holding a physical version of the long-running event this coming February 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. Among the activities that the attendees can expect at this year's event are the Happy Walk Parade and the ShowDOWN segment, where those with Down Syndrome can show off their talents. They can also expect games and fun activities offered at booths within the venue.

Interested participants may register through DSAPI’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/downsyndromeassociationofthephilippinesinc) or register onsite on the day of the event by visiting the SM Employees Booth at the Mall of Asia Music Hall from 7:30AM.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, with programs that support communities, promote social inclusion, and care for the environment. Aside from the program on PWDs, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.

To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Sparkle and dazzle the New Year with Imono's Jewelry

Start the new year off right by purchasing some high-quality jewelry from the IMONO collection for yourself and your loved ones.

Perfect for anyone who wants to give their everyday look a little sparkle. Because it is made of surgical steel that is hypoallergenic, IMONO jewelry is safe for people of all skin types. The collection has a lot of glitter and gold pieces that you can wear and style however you want. They are simple, elegant, and timeless.

If you are new to the world of everyday jewelry and are still unsure of the kind of jewelry you should buy for your go-to look, No more searching! For her, IMONO has glamorous necklaces and rings that stack perfectly, for him, a stylish bracelet, or for them, a luxurious pair of earrings at a reasonable price, even for couples!

Imono is also giving away free engraving for the month of February!

So, make sure to visit IMONO’s official website, www.imonojewelryph.com or stop by at any IMONO branch, or visit their Lazada or Shopee page to get your daily dose of timeless glam!

A Gift from Authentic Japanese Ramen from Ramen Nagi

Ramen Nagi is providing us with yet another unbelievable authentic Japanese bowl experience following the successful launch of the Unbelievable Niboshi Ramen in January.

The Nori Niboshi King is the culmination of extensive collaboration with Ramen Nagi's chefs and was presented as a sincere present by Ramen Nagi's Ramen Master Chef Satoshi Ikuta-san. The Niboshi King is topped with chashu, peanuts, seaweeds, and the Nagi spice blend, and it contains fresh, handcrafted noodles and small dried fish infused with Tonkotsu broth.

You can now sample a true culinary masterpiece from Japan for just Php 590.

However, the Nori Niboshi King is only available for a limited time, just like all good things!

Get a taste of authentic Japanese Niboshi in a delicious bowl throughout the month of February at all Ramen Nagi locations nationwide or have it delivered to your door through Grab or Foodpanda.

For more details, check out https://www.facebook.com/RamenNagiManila on Facebook or https://www.instagram.com/ramennagimanila/ on Instagram.

UnionBank announces new leaders for CitySavings, UnionDigital

Ana Aboitiz Delgado has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of the thrift bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), according to City Savings Bank (CitySavings).

Delgado is UnionBank's Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Channels Officer, and Chief Customer Experience Officer simultaneously. Delgado was the driving force behind UnionBank's transformation and redesign of its branches to the Ark, which improved the customer experience in physical premises, and he made significant progress in expanding the digital customer base of UnionBank through its UB Online mobile app. In addition, she was instrumental in negotiating the landmark acquisition between UnionBank and Citibank N.A.

Lorenzo T. Ocampo was named Vice Chairman and CEO of CitySavings alongside Delgado, and Manuel G. Santiago Jr. was named President and Chief Operating Officer of the thrift bank.

Henry R. Aguda, the former CitySavings Chairman and Chief Technology and Operations Officer and Chief Transformation Officer of UnionBank, succeeds Ramon Vicente De Vera as President and Chief Executive Officer of UnionDigital. De Vera will be in charge of the Bank's new market expansion role.

“These leadership appointments are key to taking both CitySavings and UnionDigital to the next level of digitally-driven growth and scale, towards our aspiration to be a Great Retail Bank.” ~Edwin R. Bautista, UnionBank President and CEO 

As UnionBank's Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, Aguda was a key player in the pioneering digital transformation. By utilizing data science credit-scoring and acquisition models, CitySavings accelerated the approval of teacher and motorcycle loans during his tenure as Chairman, expanding its reach into mass and underserved markets.

Jollibee Group, Manila LGU partner anew to offer jobs for senior citizens, PWDs

Fostering Inclusivity and Diversity at Work. Jollibee Group and Manila LGU officials convened anew for the signing of a new memorandum of agreement that will create employment opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Jollibee-owned stores across Manila City. 

After renewing its partnership with the Manila city government, the Jollibee Group recently announced the resumption of its inclusive employment program to hire seniors and people with disabilities (PWD) in Manila.

 

The partnership is in line with the commitment made by Jollibee Group to offer diverse industries equal employment opportunities and to promote and practice inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

 

Through the city's Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Jollibee Group will employ 28 seniors and 17 PWDs as customer service representatives at the Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King locations in Manila. Before endorsing candidates for the position, Manila PESO will conduct a screening process to identify those who meet the requirements. Additionally, applicants must obtain a medical clearance from the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, the program's accredited hospital.

“We started this program in 2019 with the Manila LGU. Working on this program in the past few years have allowed us to see how our elderly and differently abled individuals have appreciated the opportunity find gainful employment. The Jollibee Group continues to support this initiative of the Manila LGU, and we have been very fortunate to have a partner that shares the same desire and passion as the company in looking after the interest of our elderly and PWDs. We look forward to forging more partnerships with other LGUs so we can improve more lives and find reliable staff who can join us in our mission to share the joy of eating with everyone.” ~Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head for Human Resources-Philippines and Global Organization, Leadership & Culture

Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto, and Atty. Secretary to the Mayor were present at the signing of the new memorandum of agreement on January 31. Marlon Lacson, in addition to representatives of Jollibee Group, who were accompanied by the Public Affairs AVP Atty. Anna Prado, director of human resources for Raul Academia and the Philippine Region.

 

The Office of Senior Citizen's Affairs and the Manila Department of Social Welfare can provide interested applicants with additional information regarding this employment program.

 

In 2019, Jollibee Group became the first restaurant chain in the Philippines to work with the Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) to hire over 100 qualified seniors and PWDs in the 39 Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Greenwich locations in Manila. In addition to Manila, Jollibee Group implemented the same inclusive employment program in 2019 in collaboration with the local government units of Antipolo and Pasay.

About Jollibee Group 

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 6,300 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, India, and Australia. 

Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand. 

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com