Team Lakay’s Joshua Pacio Driven By Hunger To Recapture World Title

If there is one thing that Joshua “The Passion” Pacio wants to regain heading into his rematch with ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “Tobizaru” Saruta, it is his never-say-die mindset in a crucial bout.

Pacio admitted that he lost a bit of confidence in their first outing, and he vows to showcase that when they go at it again in the co-main event of ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, set for 12 April at the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

“Now I need to focus even more, I need to be more confident,” he said.

“From what I saw in our last bout, my confidence was really low, and now I need to be more confident than ever.”

Saruta put together a tremendous performance, scoring a monumental upset of Pacio to capture the ONE Strawweight World Championship.

The Japanese phenom was relentless with his chain wrestling, taking Pacio down on numerous occasions while trading powerful combinations on the feet.

Throughout five action-packed rounds, both Saruta and Pacio put forth their best effort. In the end, it was Saruta who was able to garner two of the three judges’ nods to win by split decision.

Although Pacio truly believes that he won the first contest, the 23-year-old Team Lakay standout understands where the judges are coming from and it is one of his key takeaways from his first meeting with Saruta.

“I hope to showcase the things that I wasn’t able to show last January,” he stated.

The difference for Pacio now is he comes in as a hungry challenger, who is eager to prove himself as a mixed martial arts competitor.

“I need to be more aggressive, especially being the challenger. I’m hungry to prove myself again and bounce back,” he declared.

Now that he gets his rematch, in his home country nonetheless, Pacio is certainly fueled to get back to the top of his division and give the hometown crowd something to cheer about.

There is pressure, especially with the hopes of the country resting on his shoulders. But rest assured, his drive and willingness to win far outweighs that.  

“It’s pretty much the same. I’m excited and even more motivated because the rematch will happen here in the Philippines,” Pacio shared.

“I must admit that there’s a bit of an added pressure on my part to perform, but at the same time, the hunger and the will to win far outweighs that.”

PANCRASE ENTERS EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

14 March 2019 – Tokyo, Japan: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced that it will be an exclusive partner of Japanese martial arts organization Pancrase. Following a similar partnership announced in January with Shooto, this partnership will likewise see ONE Championship work together with Pancrase to provide Pancrase athletes the opportunity to showcase their martial arts talents and further develop their skills on a global platform. Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “Following our partnership with Shooto, ONE Championship is excited to offer the same opportunity to Pancrase athletes and World Champions to compete on the world’s largest stage for martial arts. We are fully committed to developing Japan's martial arts ecosystem from the amateur up to the professional level. Our partnership with Pancrase once again marks the world's top martial arts organizations coming together to create a new era of martial arts in Japan.” Masakazu Sakai, President of Pancrase, stated: “Pancrase is excited to announce our partnership with ONE Championship, which will help to raise the profile of our athletes, as well as provide them with greater development opportunities on a global stage. We believe that this partnership is the start of a long-term relationship with ONE Championship, and we look forward to shaping the future of martial arts both in and outside Japan together.” Under the terms of the partnership, all Professional Pancrase World Champions will receive the opportunity to compete in ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization. Athletes who compete in Pancrase's Neo-Blood Tournament will also receive the opportunity to compete in ONE Championship's ONE Warrior Series. In addition, select amateur Pancrase athletes will receive the opportunity to train at Evolve MMA in Singapore for a year. Pancrase has already produced a number of ONE Championship's top Japanese athletes. This includes Yuya Wakamatsu, a Pancrase Flyweight Champion who will be facing off against 12-time Flyweight World Champion Demetrious Johnson in the upcoming ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix taking place at ONE: A NEW ERA on March 31 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Other Pancrase World Champions that are currently competing in ONE Championship include Daichi Abe, a former Pancrase Welterweight World Champion, and Kazuki Tokudome, a former Pancrase Lightweight World Champion. Evolve MMA is Asia’s No. 1 martial arts training facility boasting of a world-class instructor team which features the most number of World Champions available anywhere in the world in martial arts disciplines such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and boxing, among others. It is the largest and most experienced martial arts team in Asia with over 1,000 years of World Championship experience collectively. Pancrase is a mixed martial arts organization founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki, with the origin of its name based on pankration, a form of combat sport in the Ancient Olympic Games. Pancrase combines various forms of martial arts, including wrestling, judo, boxing, sambo, karate, kenpo, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. Pancrase has produced some of the world's top martial artists, including Yuki Kondo, Bas Rutten, Josh Barnett, Ken Shamrock and Frank Shamrock. Pancrase has since become one of the most popular and well-established martial arts organizations both within and outside Japan. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Capture picture-perfect moments like a pro at the SM City North Edsa Cyberzone Shutter Expo

Do you have an imaginative mind and like to explore different angles and play of light? Are you someone who has a keen eye for camera-worthy moments?

Get your shuttersup and running asCyberzone gives photography enthusiasts a platform to capture picture-perfect shots, navigate cameras like a pro, and catch the latest trends at the Cyberzone Shutter Expo – a photography convention happening on March 16 to 17 at the Cyberzone of SM City North EDSA.

“Professional and aspiring photographers will definitely learn a lot from this convention as we give them the latest trends and exclusive deals on camera accessories, equipment, and drone models from various brands,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing.

Meet, connect, and learn tips from industry experts through the different workshops led by representatives from well-loved camera brands. Participants also get to put their photography skills to the test in fun and exciting booths, play with lights and animate objects to life, or even turn a simple photo into a masterpiece!

Post your photos taken at the event booth and use the hashtag #CYBERZONESHUTTEREXPO for a chance to win a top-notch camera equipment!

No matter what your tech interest is, whether it be photography, music, digital art, serious gaming, virtual reality, or cosplay, there will be something for you at the Cyberzone Shutter Expo!

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share photos about your fun memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

8990, Megawide sign first horizontal development contract

(L-R): Megawide Construction Corporation precast assistant vice president

Einstein Chiu, 8990 Holdings president and chief executive officer Willie J. Uy, and

chief operations officer Alexander Ace Sotto

8990 Holdings, listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the symbol “HOUSE” and one of the fastest growing real estate developers in the Philippines, expands its partnership with Megawide Construction Corporation with the signing of a contract to build its newest housing project in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership beyond just vertical developments. With the addition of Deca Homes Meycauayan to our list of projects with Megawide, we are certain that we will be able to deliver quality homes to every hardworking Filipino,” said 8990 Holdings president and chief executive officer Willie J. Uy.

Megawide will bring in its precast expertise that would produce approximately 5,000 townhouses within 8990’s 41-hectare property located in Barangay Saluysoy, Meycauayan, Bulacan. This is 8990’s second project in the province. In 2016, 8990 started developing a 14-hectare property in Marilao. The residential development currently offers a mix of townhouse units and medium-rise buildings.

Bulacan is already a popular residential choice for families who like to work in the city but prefer to come home to a place where modern life and rustic living meet. It is poised to benefit from the major infrastructure projects that will build the province into the next high growth area. It is a mere hour away from Quezon City via the North Luzon Expressway and soon it will be made more accessible with the completion of MRT-7 connecting EDSA North Avenue and San Jose Del Monte. It is also an hour away from the Clark International Airport. Plans are underway to build an International Airport in Bulacan.

Megawide is currently constructing 8990’s two large scale developments, the 13-building Urban Deca Homes Tondo located in Tondo, Manila and the 22-building Urban Deca Homes Ortigas along Ortigas Avenue Extension.

Caring for our most overused body sense

The eyes are perhaps the most misused, ignored and overused part of the body. We use it while working in front of the computer, staying connected throughout the day via our mobile phones and tablets and even while entertaining ourselves watching movies and videos. Until we feel there’s something wrong, we tend to ignore our eyes because they are just there.

Now, more than ever, our eyes suffer even more abuse. According to Dr. Joy Go, assistant vice president for marketing and merchandising of  Ideal Vision Center (IVC), Because of all the electronic gadgets we use continuously throughout the day IVC deemed it necessary to upgrade its campaign from combating computer vision syndrome to digital vision syndrome.

“In the early 2000s, we had PCs so we’re talking about computers then. But now that almost everyone has a smartphone or a tablet, our eyes are constantly exposed to harmful blue light and at such a close range that they are easily absorbed by our eyes,” said Dr. Go,  a graduate of optometry from the Centro Escolar University. Since she became a doctor and joined the family business, she has been involved in various eye health care campaigns to educate the public on the importance of eyecare and prevention of vision problems.

Staring at our gadgets for eight straight hours can be very harmful because they emit harmful blue light. Our eyes have holes, called iris, through which lights pass, she explained.  “These harmful lights, when absorbed excessively by our retina, can cause eye damage and blindness.”

So how does one prevent vision problems? First, Dr. Go said, one should set a time limit on electronic device usage.  “Don’t stare at your gadgets continuously for long hours, especially not at night before going to bed because that’s the time when our body needs to “heal and recuperate.””

Those who are working in the office must practice the 20/20 rule. “After every 20 minutes of working in front of the computer, take a break and look outside for about 20 minutes, or if not possible, five to ten minutes. Then you go back to working again.”

She added that proper distance from the computer should also be observed. “It helps a lot. Kasi hindi lang mata ang masisira, pati ulo at likod.”  It is a must to blink and rest our eyes from time to time.  

Lastly, Dr. Go stressed on the importance of wearing protective glasses with right lenses. “We want to raise awareness on the importance of wearing protective glasses which mean fewer headaches and less eye fatigue and damage caused by harmful lights from computer and devices screens.”

As a testament to their advocacy campaigns, IVC has been working with Essilor, the leading ophthalmic company in the country, for more than three decades now. Both companies share the same vision of raising awareness on proper eye care. The partnership also helps IVC provide advanced products to their clients.

Among the Essilor brands available at Ideal Vision are Crizal, Essilor’s flagship brand that provides complete protection against harmful UV rays; Transitions, the leading photochromic lenses that adapt to the changing light indoors and outdoors; and Varilux, the world’s most advanced progressive lens for those 40 years old and above.

Dr. Go is hopeful that one day, people will realize how important vision care is. She considers it a challenge and finds the thrill in finding new ways to raise awareness on quality eye care for Filipinos.

Eddie Alvarez Will Face Any Obstacle On The Way To the ONE Lightweight World Title

Multiple-time Lightweight Mixed Martial Arts World Champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez is on a mission for the ONE Lightweight World Title.

He has made his plans to go after the belt crystal clear since joining the promotion late last year.

As Alvarez finally makes his ONE Championship debut this 31 March at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, his goal comes even closer in proximity.

Alvarez faces Russian knockout artist Timofey Nastyukhin in a quarter-final bout of the highly-anticipated ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix on the main card of ONE: A NEW ERA, and the American is quick to remind fans of his success rate in the tournament format.

“I have traveled the world in the last 15 years fighting the best guys I can get my hands on everywhere,” Alvarez said.

“I have won every single World Title from every major organization and ONE Championship is the only organization that I don’t have their World Title.”

Alvarez has indeed traveled the world and has defeated some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. The 35-year-old owns victories over the likes of Shinya Aoki, Roger Huerta, Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Justin Gaethje.

Moving halfway across the world to showcase his skills in Asia, Alvarez acknowledges the talent level in ONE Championship, and is not underestimating the competition. He knows exactly what he is up against, having competed in Asia early in his career. Nevertheless, “The Underground King” fully expects to add another World Title to his trophy case.

“I am coming here to win my World Title,” Alvarez said.

“I have made some space on my shelf for the ONE Championship belt. I know the fighters are tough and this group understands the integrity of the sport and what it means to be a martial artist and I want to be a part of that.”

Alvarez takes the first step towards the ONE Lightweight World Title at ONE: A NEW ERA. If he can defeat Nastyukhin, Alvarez will advance to the semi-final round where fellow American Lowen Tynanes is waiting.

Tynanes absolutely smashed the Philippines’ Honorio “The Rock” Banario earlier this year to advance in the tournament, and could be another tough test for Alvarez. However, Alvarez is not looking past his Russian opponent at the moment, and says he had himself asked for an opponent of Nastyukhin’s ilk for his ONE debut.

“Like I said before, I’ll fight anyone, whoever the baddest, toughest, most dangerous guy that’s who I want,” Alvarez concluded.

“Take me to him and we will have a good fight.”

AXA Philippines posts record premium income growth

Total Premium Income (TPI) is four times higher than average growth of topcompetitors

 AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, posted a growth in Total Premium Income (TPI) of 22%, ending 2017 with more than P26 billion.

Based on data from the Insurance Commission, AXA Philippines' TPI growth is double the average industry growth of 11%. It also exceeded the combined growth of the top four insurance companies in the Philippines.

“AXA’s impressive growth is very much a result of the continuous expansion of our distribution network across the country and the constant introduction of new solutions to address the evolving needs of our customers,” says Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines CEO. “We beefed up our suite of products to serve very specific markets: launching new ones like MyAmbition, Retire Smart, and Smart Traveller; and improving existing ones like Global Health Access and HealthMax. This year, we expect to ride on this robust growth trajectory as we move towards achieving market leadership.”

Hora also attributes AXA’s success to the company’s commitment towards customer centricity and leveraging on technology to aid its distributors in reaching out to more customers. He says the overall improved economy also contributed to the rise in its 2017 figures.

Its general insurance arm, Charter Ping An, outpaced the market growth rate of 17%, moving up to number three in the rankings from last year’s number four spot. AXA acquired Charter Ping An in 2016 and now offers products such as motor, business, and home protection, becoming the only insurance company in the country’s top five to provide both life and non-life coverage.

In 2017, AXA Philippines introduced MyAmbition, the first single premium variable life plan for young professionals that can be completely availed online; Retire Smart, a regular premium variable life plan intended for disciplined fund build-up paid until retirement date; and Smart Traveller, the travel insurance that offers personal accident and medical coverage plus 24/7 helpline anywhere in the world. It also widened the scope of cover of Global Health Access to include hypertension and high cholesterol, and presented a more convenient way to pay for HealthMax via HealthMax 10-Pay.

AXA entered into a partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to become its official insurance partner in the country. The strategic partnership highlights both companies’ shared principles of teamwork, integrity, courage, and innovation; and allows AXA to reach a broader audience.

In order to empower more people to live the life they choose, AXA also launched its Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) platform in 2017, a service and tool that an AXA financial coach uses to explain to the customer in easy terms why life protection is important, especially in cases of unforeseen setbacks and emergencies.

AXA Philippines is a joint venture of Paris-based AXA Group and Metrobank, one of the largest financial conglomerates in the country. To date, it has around 4,000 financial advisors serving one million customers nationwide.