Coding ~ The Language of Tomorrow: Microsoft's WeSpeakCode Campaign

Computer Literacy and Skills have become increasing important!

Coding particularly has been identified as an item of special interest amongst our young. And this is understandable as coding is slowly becoming the language of the future! There is no denying that it is an important tool in our children's future careers, regardless of specialization.

 

Microsoft YouthSpark in partnership with Code.org, Microsoft Asia Pacific's #WeSpeakCode campaign aims to promote coding as a language for everyone.  The movement connects aspiring student coders of all skill levels with the tools, resources, and experience they need to turn their innovative ideas into reality.

 

 

I was very delighted to have been invited to attend Microsoft  #WeSpeakCode Philippines' campaign and my kiddos were equally excited. 

It was truly a fun learning experience for my boys, who are both so much into computers (yup, and gaming ~ Minecraft included)!

 

 

 

The children were given hands-on tutorials on basic coding, by young volunteers who were so eager to teach and inspire.

 
Who knew, writing computer codes and creating your own program  can be so simple and fun?

 

For more information, news and perspective from Microsoft Asia Pacific, you may visit the Microsoft Asia Pacific News Center at http://news.microsoft.com/apac.  

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Microsoft was founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is a worldwide leader in software, services, devices, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft YouthSpark in partnership with Code.org, Microsoft Asia Pacific's #WeSpeakCode campaign aims to promote coding as a language for everyone.  The movement connects aspiring student coders of all skill levels with the tools, resources, and experience they need to turn their innovative ideas into reality.  Please visit www.wespeakcode.net to find out more about this advocacy.

PRESS RELEASE: Creating a Benchmark for Volunteerism and Social Responsibility: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has long been committed to social responsibility and volunteerism. 

In 2008, in their “Give In, To Giving, 12 Cups with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf” campaign, they started sharing this corporate mission to its loyal customers.

"It began by taking something that was relevant to customers at the time - the "planner craze," if you will - and creating something more meaningful that could be an extension of our commitment as a brand to giving back.  What spurred out of this intention was a Commemorative Notebook that became a medium  for us, and our patrons to support advocacies in need and share their blessings.  It was and continues to be the only journal that encourages more purposeful action towards ones' social responsibility," explained Paulo del Rosario, VP for Marketing of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.


Customers were asked to collect 12 stamps and choose from any of the 12 advocacies and organizations that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was supporting. These ranged from women’s groups, to children, animals, the environment, indigenous people or those with disabilities and illnesses. Completing all 12 stamps meant the customer could bring home the commemorative notebook that featured artworks from contemporary Filipino artists and proceeds collected went to each customer’s chosen organization. The original artworks featured in the covers of the Commemorative Notebook were also auctioned and were donated to the charities

The entire campaign was such a success that not only was it well received by loyal patrons; it also won numerous awards.

The following year, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® introduced its follow up with “24 Cups of Goodwill”, where proceeds from the campaign were given to its 24 partner organizations. In 2010, for “Changing Lives with Every Cup”, they shifted their focus on sending scholars to school by partnering with Real Life Foundation and their Adopt-a-Scholar program, where the company was successfully able to send 8 scholars to university.


In 2012, they continued their efforts with the “iBuild” campaign, which helped raise sustainable housing solutions for impoverished families. And by 2014, they introduced the “Brew Your Best Year” campaign, which evolved their efforts into giving back to their loyal patrons by helping them give back to themselves as well. Through this initiative, they hope to help each person in their journey towards becoming the best version of themselves.


Their efforts through the years prove how a brand can become meaningful in addressing social change. 


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Companies today, locally and worldwide, are putting more focus on developing a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility—recognizing how working together can make a real difference in the community, while at the same time opening up opportunities for learning, cooperation and leadership within the organization.


WHAT makes The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s efforts stand out however, is the sincerity that drives their initiatives, where they have managed to uplift the true essence of what it truly means to care.

Consistently, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brings people together to participate in various community outreach events. “We place great effort into putting such events together not only for the sole purpose of helping the community, but also to encourage our own Customers and Team Members to spend meaningful time bringing joy to others in an impactful and sincere way,” explains Nella Lomotan, Engagement Marketing for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.


These pocket initiatives, held monthly, are part of the Caring Cup series. And whether it’s a simple story telling event in a hospital, a physical fitness session with public school students, a tree planting project, an art workshop for children with disabilities, each event is designed to foster the spirit of volunteerism and giving among its participants.

In fact, last February 14, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® made sure to create an avenue to give love and receive love as they mounted the “Paint the Town Red this Valentines’ event”. Volunteers spent the day of love giving love to children with disabilities at AIME home via a t-shirt painting activity with the intent of giving kids something that they will always remember.

 

“The Caring Cup is a way for us to expand and uphold a vision that we have long established for the company, where we hope to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism in our Community. We strongly encourage everyone who wants to be a part of something that impacts the life of others in a meaningful way to visit our stores and sign up for our next events.” ends del Rosario.

Follow The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's social media pages and subscribe to www.brewyourbestyear.com to stay updated on their Caring Cup events.


Facebook: facebook.com/coffeebeanphilippines
Instagram: instagram.com/cbtlph
Twitter: twitter.com/cbtlph
 

Smart and Easy Travel Tips You Have to Know

Want to Travel?

There are about fourteen long weekends in 2015, if you are planning to go out of town or out of the country, check out these travel tips from seasoned travelers and see how you can get cool travel upgrades:

 

From coach to business class

If you want to get upgraded from your cramped coach seats up to roomier business class, then you have to dress the part. Sure a t-shirt and flip-flops might be comfortable for your flight, but the airline will be less likely to put you with their top paying clientele if you don’t look the part.

 From deluxe rooms to suites

The only time tardiness might actually be worth something. Checking in later in the afternoon or even evening gives hotel front desks a better idea of their occupancy; which means asking for an upgrade at this point might be more feasible. Remember to be polite (you are boldly asking for an upgrade, after all) and do so when there are no other guests around.

 

From casual to cosmopolitan

 

It’s hard to be fashionable when you’re essentially trying to fit a week’s worth of outfits into a single suitcase while making sure they’re comfortable, but it is possible. For instance, bring flat shoes that run a half size bigger (feet swell while on air and you’ll need the respite from all that walking), bring clothes that you can layer depending on the weather, try to keep your color palette strictly basic—blacks, whites, navys and nudes are easy to mix and match.

 

From falling into tourist traps to taking the road less travelled

 

Smart travellers know that most popular tourist destinations are expensive and sometimes, not even all that interesting; so try going for the road less travelled. If you absolutely have to or want to go to a popular tourist destination, go on a weekday and at a weird hour to minimize lines.

From holding up security lines to breezing through

 

Here’s a quick tip on how to make sure you don’t bumble through the security checks—place your shoes (and coat) on the first bin, your laptop and liquids in the second bin, and your purse or carry on in the third. As you wait for your things on the other side, your shoes and coat come out first giving you time to grab your bag and place your laptop back inside. Also, it pays to not wear belts and thigh high lace up boots to the airport.

 
From being unprepared to staying healthy

Stay healthy and pack your vitamins to boost protection for your immune system.

 

Travellers who have to share cabin space with 100 other humans who could possibly have cough and colds have to arrive at their destination healthy. It’s no fun exploring a new city when you’re running a flu, nursing a cold and dealing with a cough.  

 

Check Conzace!  Conzace multivitamins is proven to activate more immunity cells compare with other Vitamin C.  And when your immunity is in top shape, you can better manage illnesses – allowing your body to prevent catching common viruses or recover faster if you do fall ill.

As an added plus, Conzace also contains zinc and vitamins A, C and E, which all contain anti-oxidants good for maintaining healthy skin.
 

(It’s available per piece and only for P12.40 per capsule, but when you’re trying to keep yourself healthy for a cross-Atlantic journey, you might as well keep a generous stock. Conzace is also easily available from all major drugstores and supermarkets over the counter).