LG Joins RE100 Initiative, Committing to Transition to Renewable Energy

Accelerating Journey toward Carbon Neutrality, Company

Continues Efforts to Realize ESG Vision of ‘Better Life for All’

LG Electronics (LG) has joined RE100 (Renewable Energy 100), a global initiative advocating for businesses to convert to 100 percent renewable energy for all their electricity requirements. The decision to become an RE100 member is yet another example of its strong commitment to sustainability and to fulfilling its responsibilities as a global corporate citizen.

The company has finalized plans to convert all its business sites to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. To reach this goal, LG will gradually increase its usage of electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, to 60 percent by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040, arriving at its target of 100 percent by 2050.

Along with expanding the generation and usage of renewable energy via the installation of high-efficiency solar panels at LG offices and manufacturing facilities, the company will be implementing a variety of additional measures, such as acquiring renewable energy certificates (RECs), signing renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) and, in South Korea, paying Korea Electric Power Corporation’s (KEPCO) green premium.

As part of its ongoing efforts in this area, last year, LG signed a direct PPA with GS EPS, a Korean power generation company, to build a solar power station equivalent to the size of three soccer fields on the roof of the existing integrated production building at LG Smart Park in Changwon, South Korea by 2025. Some solar panels have already been installed and have generated power for select buildings since last December. Around the world, the company has installed solar panels on rooftops of several of its offices, including the LG Sciencepark R&D complex in Seoul, South Korea; the North American Headquarters campus in New Jersey, USA; LG India’s office building in greater Noida, India; and the Rayong home appliance factory in Thailand.

LG had already established plans to speed up its transition to renewable energy and accelerate its journey toward carbon neutrality. By converting to renewable energy, the company is also reducing indirect carbon (scope 2) emissions generated while using power. In 2019, LG announced its Zero Carbon 2030 pledge to reach net-zero (direct and indirect) carbon dioxide emissions (scope 1 and 2) by the year 2030.

“Through ongoing efforts and innovation, LG is well on its way to achieving its goals of converting to 100 percent renewable energy and becoming a carbon neutral business,” said Lee Sam-soo, chief strategy officer at LG Electronics. “LG remains fully committed to realizing its ESG vision of creating a Better Life for All.

Life's about more than having the latest technology, rather, it's about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers consumer electronics through top-of-the-line home entertainment, home appliances, and air solution products that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring "Innovation for a Better Life" nationwide - from Luzon, to Visayas, and Mindanao.

For more information about LG products in the Philippines, visit the official website at lg.com/ph. You may also follow the official social media accounts @LGPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG’s four companies – Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Vehicle component Solutions and Business Solutions – combined for global revenue of over KRW 80 trillion in 2022. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, service robots, automotive components and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.

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KLASICAL concert set on June 10

Ephesus Teatron Group Inc., after an absence of more than three years, is proud to present its first major live musical concert “Klasical”, which will be performed on the 10th of June (Saturday), 2023, at the OnStage Theatre, Greenbelt 1, Makati at 7:30 pm.

"KLASICAL is a musical of Philippine history featuring “Tribu” and is produced to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

Featured artists are Sweet Samaniego (also the director of show), Marga Roco, Terence Guillermo, Onyl Torres and Nazer Salcedo.

 

Special guests are Pinky Marquez, Miguel Braganza and Gala Dance Company.

KLASICAL is a repertoire of traditional classical Filipino music with improvements on instruments, symphony, melody, harmony, orchestra, and vocal that make up a combination of traditional local and Western music. The inspiration of this collection is to preserve national culture in these traditional Filipino songs and to achieve renewed vigor by means of upgrading sound to be appreciated across generations.

Filipino music has grown from its grassroots origin of a highly emotional and romantic love song into a highly developed piece of art with a universal appeal. Even if you don't understand a single word, you'll likely find classical Philippine music to be a great way to relax and enjoy this unique style of Filipino culture.

“Klasical” is a repertoire of unforgettable kundiman songs such as Ako’y Kampupot, Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Bituing Marikit, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Folksong Medley, Kalesa , Ay, Ay, Ay, O Pag ibig , Katakataka.

It is a musical show about love, heartbreak, Filipino culture of courtship and serenade, passion, and poetic expression of love for country and history. Included in this rich collection are a few arias and opera pieces like O Mio Babbino Caro, Canto Patriotico De Maria Clara, and others.

All these songs and themes that transcend time and place will be carried out by Tribu’s immense talent and their unwavering commitment to musical excellence. Listeners can expect an updated and well-arranged musical score by one of the most sought-after musical directors, Pifo Cifra.

Be inspired by this collection of classical Filipino music, which is reflective of our country’s rich history and culture.

Be entertained by the repertoire of unforgettable patriotic dances and songs of freedom, love and inspiration, to be performed by Tribu and a cast of world-class artists from the world of musical theatre.

Indeed, an evening to remember.

Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.

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Jon Santos Back on Stage in a Filipino Staging of Every Brilliant Thing

Multimedia artist, comedy icon, and master impersonator Jon Santos joins The Sandbox Collective’s SANDBOX FEST 2023 to bring a Filipino-translated performance of Duncan Macmillan and Johnny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing to the local stage.

Santos has made his mark on the Philippine theater scene, recently playing roles in Ang Huling El Bimbo and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Santos is best known for writing and producing comedy shows, and for impersonating pop culture and political personalities such as Vilma Santos and the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

More recently, Santos made waves in the Philippine drag scene after being one of the alternating judges on the hit reality show Drag Race Philippines, a local franchise of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Every Brilliant Thing is a one-act, interactive play that follows the story of a young child growing up with a parent suffering from mental illness. The show has been staged in multiple countries and has also been translated into different languages such as Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, and Hebrew. Tasked with Every Brilliant Thing’s Filipino translation is award-winning playwright, translator, actor, and director Guelan Luarca.

Luarca was the recipient of the 2022 Gawad Rolando Tinio Translator’s Prize by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

With its Filipino version ready to take the stage, Every Brilliant Thing expands its reach and potential by giving Filipino audiences the opportunity to discuss mental health in a safe space and through their native language. What The Sandbox Collective hopes to achieve through this original translation is to continue to normalize the conversation on mental health and to encourage healthy discourse in the Philippines where depression and grief continue to be taboo topics among more traditional households.

Santos is thrilled to be taking the reins and starring in the Filipino staging of Every Brilliant Thing as the project also marks his return to Philippine theater. He shares, “In my experience, the takeaways in shows are much more intense when the setup is an actor-to-live audience. You look at the eye of an actor and the message is shot right through your heart. It’s exciting and overwhelming, but also heartwarming to realize that an actor can help change perspectives or spark conversations about mental health.”

Joining Santos and reprising their roles in the solo-actor show are model, actress, and TV host Teresa Herrera and theater actress, multimedia host, and entrepreneur Kakki Teodoro. Both Herrera and Teodoro received Gawad Buhay Award nominations for their previous Every Brilliant Thing runs, with Teodoro bagging the prize for Female Lead in 2020.

Teresa Herrera, Jon Santos and Kakki Teodoro for Every Brilliant Thing

Jenny Jamora returns to the director’s chair for both the English and Filipino versions of Every Brilliant Thing. Jamora directed the 2019 run of Every Brilliant Thing and received the Gawad Buhay Award for Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play in 2020.

Every Brilliant Thing will run alongside Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs in a twinbill (two shows, one ticket) experience in this season’s SANDBOX FEST 2023.

SANDBOX FEST 2023 will run at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, 2/F Maybank Performing Arts Theater, 9th Avenue cor. 26th Street, BGC, Taguig City from June 17-July 15, 2023. Tickets are now available through Ticketworld or through The Sandbox Collective at +63917 152 5560. 

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SM wins ICSC MAXI Awards 2023

Multi-mall Vaxx Program gets recognized in the global shopping center arena

SM Supermalls received a Silver Award at the prestigious International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) MAXI Awards 2023 for its multi-mall COVID-19 vaccination efforts under the Marketing Excellence Community category. The award was conferred at the recently concluded awarding ceremony held at the Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada last May 21, 2023.

“Winning another award from the ICSC reaffirms our commitment to creating fun, safe, and convenient malling experiences for our shoppers. This award recognizes the hard work of our government partners, local government units, even the healthcare workers, and of course, the Filipinos who got themselves vaccinated in our malls,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

Aside from the Silver award, SM China was also one of the finalists for the Community Category for SM Xiamen 1864 Panda Tour Exhibition, and the Experiential Category for SM Chengdu Bamboo Wish.

This is not the first time the company received recognition from the prestigious international group. SM is a three-time Albert Sussman International Community Support awardee and has also earned two Gold and one Silver awards since 2011. Meanwhile, SM China has also received two Gold and six Silver awards since 2016.

ICSC is an association of the global shopping- center industry, with over 70,000 members from more 100 countries worldwide. Its members comprise shopping center owners, retailers, developers, investors, managers, brokers, public officials, and academics. Through the ICSC Global Awards, the organization promotes professional excellence in the shopping center industry, including the MAXI Awards which recognizes innovative events, programs, and technology that add value to the marketplaces industry.

SM Supermalls’ award was accepted by Ms. Liza Silerio, Vice President of the SM Corporate 
Compliance Group.

To know more about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

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AI Powered HVAC Systems: An Innovative Way to Save Energy

The global energy crisis has intensified due to increased demand and depleted resources, compelling us to reduce energy usage and switch to renewable sources. Accelerating the global decarbonization trend, many organizations and private citizens are finding ways to shrink their carbon footprint and transition to cleaner energy. For commercial buildings, an effective way to do both is by installing an energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. The latest HVAC systems not only cut energy consumption and costs, but also create a comfortable indoor environment that supports the well-being of tenants and visitors, leading to positive business outcomes and sustainable building operation.

In office buildings and other commercial properties, HVAC systems are vital for maintaining comfortable indoor spaces, preventing them – and their occupants – from becoming too hot, or too cold. However, HVAC typically accounts for a significant portion of a site’ energy consumption – around 40 percent, in fact, with more than half of that figure coming from heating and cooling operation.

This is of particular concern for specialized facilities like hospitals, hotels and data centers, where HVAC systems run continuously throughout the day. The need for round-the-clock heating or cooling, and the high cost that comes with it, presents facility managers with a sizable challenge: How to optimize HVAC operation in the most energy-efficient way possible. And given the global energy crisis, the need to successfully address this challenge is now greater than ever.

As the call for buildings to be more energy-efficient and eco-conscious continues to grow worldwide, the role of advanced, AI-equipped HVAC has become even more important. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has become an integral part of our daily lives, embedded in devices as diverse as home appliances and smartphones. AI is also being used to enhance the performance of HVAC systems, enabling them to simultaneously optimize operation, reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.

To meet this rising demand, LG recently launched its new Multi V™ i Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) solution in Europe, with availability soon to follow in other regions around the globe. Equipped with a highly advanced AI engine, the Multi V i offers impressive energy savings, not to mention a range of differentiated smart features that can boost indoor comfort and make management easier.

Efficiently Maintaining a Comfortable Environment
A building’s HVAC load is influenced by various and continuously changing factors. To maintain optimal operation and energy efficiency, a solution must have the ability to detect and adapt to changes as and when they arise. This is where AI technology comes in.

The AI engine LG has applied to its Multi V i enables the sophisticated AI Smart Care feature, which elevates the VRF solution’s operational efficiency and cuts down on its energy consumption. The AI engine collects and stores indoor temperature, indoor humidity and set temperature data from each indoor unit, and uses AI algorithms to specify a predefined ‘Clustering’ level for each indoor unit. Once the Clustering level has been specified, the most appropriate operation mode or amount and type of airflow, along with various other settings, are automatically controlled. For the first 10 minutes of operation, the AI engine optimizes the cooling or heating performance of the Multi V i to increase indoor comfort. Then, while still maintaining a pleasant atmosphere, it switches to power-saving-oriented operation to prevent unnecessary energy usage.

Thanks to the implementation of AI and cutting-edge sensor technology, LG’s Multi V i can increase energy savings by up to 24.7 percent and reduce the amount of time needed to reach the set temperature by 28.5 percent.

Tracking Energy Savings in Real Time

Collecting operational data when the AI engine is active, the AI Smart Metering feature provides an easy way to keep track of how much energy the Multi V i is using, and how much it is saving.3 The AI Engine collects and saves outdoor and indoor energy usage data – captured during normal operation and AI Smart Care operation – via ‘Smart Plug logic,’ which is embedded in the outdoor units. Leveraging the collected data, AI algorithms create an Energy Consumption Estimation Model. Based on eight hours’ worth of operational data, AI Smart Metering is able to estimate total energy savings for different lengths of time (daily, weekly, monthly and annually), displaying this information on the controller screen so that users can get a clear picture of the Multi V i’s energy footprint.

Proactively Lowering Energy Costs
While the AI Smart Care and Smart Metering features save energy, the AI Energy Management feature intelligently predicts and controls energy usage, making the Multi V i one of the smartest HVAC solutions currently on offer. The AI Energy Management feature collects operational power-use data, creates a database, and calculates the predicted operating rate to generate an Energy Pattern Model. And by utilizing the AI algorithm, it can control the operation of the Multi V i’s outdoor unit according to monthly energy usage targets. This can prevent excessive power use and help decrease monthly energy expenditure.

For small- and medium-sized sites where a building energy management system is not installed, energy consumption can be easily managed predicted, monitored and managed through the AI Energy management functions of the Multi V i. Conveniently, all of the outstanding smart features offered by LG’s VRF solution can be managed via the Standard III Wired remote controller or ACP 5/AC Smart 5 controller.

With its state-of-the-art AI engine, the LG Multi V i delivers enhanced energy savings and a more comfortable indoor environment. What’s more, the AI engine applied to LG’s latest VRF solution is continuously improving, with new algorithms and data sources allowing it to introduce new and better performance optimizations over time. Through data collection and analysis, LG’s AI engine can finetune its prediction and control strategies, paving the way to greater operational and energy efficiency. As AI keeps evolving, HVAC systems will become more efficient at identifying changes in conditions and adjusting their operation in real-time – lifting performance and lowering energy consumption even further.

Prioritizing sustainability, LG’s AI-powered Multi V i increases energy efficiency, decreases energy usage and minimizes carbon emissions during operation. The low-impact high-performance VRF solution is just the kind of eco-minded innovation that customers worldwide have come to expect from LG, a company that understands the paramount importance of investing in the future, today.

LG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, LG responds directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. LG is the partner your business has been looking for, and is well prepared to integrate our leading technology into day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/business/about-lg-air-solution

Follow @LGAirSolutionsPH and @LGPhilippines on Facebook and @lgphilippines on Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok for more HVAC offers and stories.

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Catch sneak previews of The Flash nationwide on June 13 - earlier than wide release!

It’s barely a week before “The Flash” opens in cinemas! Want to watch it ahead of everyone else? Catch a sneak preview in select cinemas nationwide on the evening of June 13, one day before the film opens wide across the Philippines. Hurry and book your tickets!

If you need more convincing, here are five top reasons why The Flash movie is a must-see. Watch the trailer here:

Electrifying action

There’s plenty of action happening at breakneck speed in “The Flash.” With two speedsters running around to save the world, we can’t expect anything less. Add to that more than one Batman, one very awesome Supergirl, and an alien baddie with lots of evil lackeys intent on annihilating our world – from start to finish, there’s never a dull moment.

Trippy time travel

When Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time to save his mom, he inadvertently alters the future and turns it into one where the villainous General Zod has returned threatening Earth’s annihilation, and there are practically no superheroes to turn to. Barry must then rely on his younger self (“This is mad trippy…” says college-age Barry after seeing future Barry) and a retired Batman to help him make things right.

Classic Batman

“It’s like bringing back a classic,” says “The Flash” director Andy Muschietti of bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman. Keaton played the first Batman in Warner Bros. Batman film franchise, in the two films directed by Tim Burton, in 1989 and 1992. Fans are very excited to see Keaton as the superhero again, but they’re not the only ones hit with nostalgia. “The first time Michael Keaton came to see the Batcave, he was so shocked that he actually filmed it to send to Tim Burton,” shares producer Barbara Muschietti.

The humor

Funny lines, comical meet-cutes, easy chemistry between the cast – this movie will make you laugh… and laugh some more.

Heart… lots of it

But despite all the funny moments, “The Flash” has a very deep emotional core. Take it from best- selling author Stephen King, who Tweeted this reaction after an early screening of the film: “As a rule I don’t care a lot for superhero movies, but this one is special. It’s heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping. I loved it.”

The ticketing site for “The Flash” is already live at https://www.theflashmovie.com.ph/. Don’t forget to calendar your “The Flash” movie date!

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Double Dream/a Disco Factory production of an Andy Muschietti film, “The Flash.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters across the Philippines beginning June 14, 2023. Sneak previews are available on June 13.

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The Space Museum - SM City North Edsa's new multimedia art destination

Looking for something new and exciting to do north of the metro? SM City North Edsa just launched The Space Museum, a multi-media art destination perfect for content creators and fun seekers.

Marvel at the beauty of space in "Celestial Cracks"

With nine themed transitions from “The Portal” to “Off-Course”, this 4D space odyssey invites you to explore the universe's mysteries – inside the mall.

Best of all, passes for four (4) are FREE with a minimum single or accumulated purchase worth P1,500 from partner tenants. Additionally, every SM Cinema ticket purchase is given one pass. 

Share your awe-inspiring moments at the Space Museum by posting content on TikTok with the hashtag #SpaceMuseumAtSMNorth. Get a chance to be featured on SM Supermalls' and SM City North Edsa's social media accounts, too.

Don’t miss this cosmic adventure called The Space Museum at The Block, SM City North Edsa from June 1 to August 31.

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