Focus Global Inc. welcomes you to its second home.

Focus Global Inc. welcomes you to its second home.

In celebration of its 19th year as a progressive marketing company, Focus Global Inc. opens its second design center at Greenbelt, Makati.

The 330 square meter display area showcases the latest Ethan Allen modern contemporary pieces in 12 distinct set-ups, cutting-edge kitchen designs from SieMatic, and state-of-the-art appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf.

Like its flagship design center in Pioneer, Mandaluyong, it also has a working kitchen designed to hold events such as product launches and cooking demonstrations by acclaimed chefs.

Manned by highly trained design consultants who provide complimentary design assistance, this new Makati design center epitomizes style, heritage, excellent craftsmanship and great value.

Focus Global Inc.’s latest showroom sits plush on the ground floor of The Residences at Greenbelt, San Lorenzo Tower, along Esperanza Street in Makati City. It is open daily from 10am to 8pm and can be reached through 794-2095 to 97.


About Focus Global

Established in Manila on October 1991, Focus Global Inc. (FGI) exclusively distributes 12 of the most trusted consumer, home furnishings and needlecraft brands.

Coleman jugs and camping equipment, KitchenAid mixers, Oster small home appliances, and Silverdot bathroom scales comprise the Consumer Division. Under the Home Furnishings Division are luxury brands Ethan Allen furniture, Miele home appliances, Pella windows and doors, SieMatic kitchen cabinets, Sub-Zero refrigerators, Wolf cooking appliances, and Tempur pillows and mattresses. The biggest manufacturer of high quality embroidery threads, DMC, makes up the Needlecraft Division.

Focus Global Inc. is located at Pioneer corner Reliance Streets, Mandaluyong City with contact number 634-8587 and email corporate@focusglobalinc.com. Showroom hours are from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 7pm and Sunday, 1pm – 6pm.


About Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen is one of America’s strongest quality home furnishings brand with a global reach. It is known for being a design authority with a modern attitude, a high-quality manufacturer, an innovative retailer, and a destination for the one-stop shopper.

At Ethan Allen, quality is at the root of everything. Focusing on excellent craftsmanship, style and comfort since 1932, they believe that living with quality just makes sense. Creating pieces that are not only beautiful and functional but lasting as well has become a trademark for the brand.

In their never-ending pursuit of the well-designed home, Ethan Allen does it all: furniture, lighting, rugs, mirrors, bed coverings, mattresses, window treatments, shelves, artwork, frames, wall coverings, wall-to-wall carpeting, and all the other finishing touches.

With an in-house design team that has created a kind of signature, three-dimensional interior design manifesto ready to make home calls, the brand has come up with seven distinct and eclectic vibes that reflect the way people live and want to live: the Metro, Glamour, Estate, Country House, Global, Villa and Loft Lifestyles. Each Lifestyle embodies the brand’s fundamental design philosophy: Classic design. Modern perspective.

Ethan Allen is not just a showroom, it is a design center where clients experience the design, feel the pieces, and see which designs suit their lifestyle the most.

About SieMatic

SieMatic is a premium kitchen cabinet brand from Germany that has, for decades, been at the forefront of kitchen design. Since its founding in 1929, SieMatic has been producing quality kitchens that have won great acclaim for both their unique features and impressive designs. The timeless design concept of the handleless kitchens was introduced to the world by SieMatic in the 1960s. SieMatic is also the innovator that first introduced built-in multimedia system into the kitchen with its S1 kitchens where you can watch cable TV, browse the internet, connect your IPod to the IPod dock and listen to music with the sound system that’s incorporated into the kitchen.

Known for its many innovative ideas and patented developments, SieMatic kitchens have become a daily source of pleasure for its owners. From its dust and insect proof cabinets, to the very flexible shelf adjustments, and the silent, self-closing cabinet doors, SieMatic is very much into the details.

With the belief that technical innovation is nothing without aesthetics, SieMatic offers an exceptionally wide selection of design themes, door styles, materials and color combinations that satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

The concept of “quality in its finest form” pervades every aspect of a SieMatic kitchen—the unique satisfaction that every SieMatic kitchen brings draws on a very long tradition of excellence stretching back to the time the company made its first kitchen in 1929.

By using only the finest materials available, the latest production technologies and the most stringent quality control standards, SieMatic makes sure that the clients get the kitchen they’ve always wanted.


About Sub-Zero & Wolf

Unlike many manufacturers, Sub-Zero and Wolf are specialists focusing solely on making the best refrigeration and cooking appliances possible. Everything is built to the highest standards and their workmanship is uncompromised.

Since the 1940s Sub-Zero has been the food preservation specialist. Pioneering in dual refrigeration technology, Sub-Zero refrigerator preserves food freshness for longer periods of time. Built and tested to the highest standards, Sub-Zero is more than just refrigeration, it is a preservation system designed to guard food’s freshness. Controlled by a sensitive microprocessor, food is sure to be always stored at the optimum temperature set point.

With the introduction of Built-In Series, Sub-Zero has taken food preservation to the next level by including an air purification system that eliminates odors, bacteria, viruses, and ethylene gas that causes fruits and vegetables to ripen faster. This system scrubs the air every 20 minutes making sure that freshness will be sustained.

Distilling seven decades of professional cooking into easy-to-use technology, Wolf has created cooking equipment that can be commanded with confidence. For generations, Wolf’s designs have been carefully tailored to satisfy the most demanding professional chefs and domestic cooks worldwide. Its intuitive technology, easy cleaning and superb ergonomics goes to show that Wolf is not one to compromise.

Blending powerful cooking technology with precise control and exceptional ease of use, Wolf is the able, amiable partner every cook needs. Take the Dual Fuel Ranges for example. Its impressive gas cooking on the topside allows refined control that can go from the lightest simmer to a furnace like heat in seconds with its dual-stacked, sealed gas burners. Below it is the massive dual convection electric oven that lets you control its two fans and four heating elements by selecting from 10 cooking modes to suite the dish being prepared.

What started out as corporate companions eventually turned into kitchen soulmates. Combining design flexibility, superior food preservation, and outstanding quality, Sub-Zero and Wolf creates kitchen perfection.

Focus Global Inc. welcomes you to its second home.

In celebration of its 19th year as a progressive marketing company, Focus Global Inc. opens its second design center at Greenbelt, Makati.

The 330 square meter display area showcases the latest Ethan Allen modern contemporary pieces in 12 distinct set-ups, cutting-edge kitchen designs from SieMatic, and state-of-the-art appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf.

Like its flagship design center in Pioneer, Mandaluyong, it also has a working kitchen designed to hold events such as product launches and cooking demonstrations by acclaimed chefs.

Manned by highly trained design consultants who provide complimentary design assistance, this new Makati design center epitomizes style, heritage, excellent craftsmanship and great value.

Focus Global Inc.’s latest showroom sits plush on the ground floor of The Residences at Greenbelt, San Lorenzo Tower, along Esperanza Street in Makati City. It is open daily from 10am to 8pm and can be reached through 794-2095 to 97.

Asus WGT Winners 2010

WGT Lists of winners:
Call of Duty 4 : Modern Warfare
First Place : TFK-R (Php 100,000)
2nd Place : Q (Php50,000)
Third Place : TFK-S (Php25,000)

Street Fighter 4
1St Place : Marc Madle (Php15,000 + WD Caviar Black 1TB HDD)
2nd Place : Ben Gonzales (Php10,000)
3rd Place : Luigi Penzones (Php5,000)

Cost Play Winners:
First Place: Neo Knives Skariot as Hades from Saint Seiya (Php 5,000)
Second Place: Cykah Malagad as Ybrahym from Ragnarok (Php3,000)
Third Place: Tie between John Rey Sabangan as Noctis from Final Fantasy VS. XIII
and Matt Simon De Mesa as Conan from Detective Conan (Php2,000 each)

PH Gamers to Experience Top Notch Gear at WGT 2010 Finals

July 17, 2010 Manila, Philippines – After showing off their best moves and strategies during the preliminaries, the top gamers of the World GameMaster Tournament will again be facing each other today for the final battle at Cyberzone, SM Manila.

The eight finalists of the Street Fighter 4 game that was held last July 4 will be showcasing their killer combos using the ASUS N61Jv notebook. The multimedia notebook boasts of clear and crisp audio with the ASUS exclusive SonicMaster technology. Players will enjoy great performance without sacrificing battery life as the ASUS N61Jv is with the world’s 1st notebook with NVIDIA Optimus™ Technology and it is also powered by an Intel Core i5 processor for the perfect multimedia computing experience.

The top four teams of Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare namely, TFK-S, TFK-R, Q and UX2 will also compete today using the ASUS Ultimate Gaming Rig. ASUS, the recommended hardware sponsor will be showcasing their ASUS P7P55D LE motherboard in the gaming PC. This motherboard is part of ASUS’ Xtreme Design series. As design provides the foundation for a superior performing motherboard, ASUS has devoted great effort in developing Xtreme Design boards so users experience ultimate performance, ultra-cool operations, and safer computing. The gaming PC also includes the ASUS EAH5750 Formula video graphics card. At first glance, this video graphics card looks more like a race car than a piece of powerful computer hardware. This unique design enables the ASUS EAH5750 Formula to perform 13% cooler than the generic Radeon 5750 – important for gamers and enthusiasts who love to run their machines using the best settings for long periods of time.

This rig also features a SATA III 640 GB Caviar Black HDD from Western Digital, Gold Series Memory from OCZ, Cooler and Power Supply from Thermaltake and gaming peripherals from Logitech. This ultimate gaming rig will be available for gamers and enthusiasts at PC Gilmore stores with a 15% off discount.
Winners of the two games will be taking home up to Php200,000 worth of cash and hardware. The audience will be treated to a Cos Play competition and performances by top bands Up Dharma Down and Franco.


About ASUS:
ASUS, maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading company in the new digital era, with a broad product portfolio that also includes notebooks, netbooks, multimedia, graphics cards, and displays, desktop PCs, servers, wireless solutions, mobile phones and networking devices. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home, office and person. ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company's revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion. ASUS ranks among BusinessWeek's InfoTech 100, and has been on the listing for 12 consecutive years.

ASUS Motherboards: No.1 in the World
ASUS, maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, commands the biggest market share globally. Today, one in every three computers houses an ASUS Motherboard. ASUS is the pioneer of numerous innovations that have gone on to become industry standards. Recent examples include Dual Intelligent Processors (TurboV Processing Unit/Energy Processing Unit), Core Unlocker and Anti-Surge Protection. With decades of expertise and dedication to pushing the motherboard design envelope, ASUS is poised to continue leading the industry in performance, safety and reliability.

About WGT:
The mission of the WGT (World GameMaster Tournament) is to provide a healthy environment for the best gamers around the world to share the fun and excitement of PC gaming while challenging each other to be the best that they can be.

The meaning of WGT
•One of the world’s largest game tournaments.
•A rapidly growing tournament that has attracted the elite players to compete against each other for the title of World GameMaster.
•A worldwide youth festival held annually to celebrate the growing popularity of e-sport.

Media Contacts:
Jaime Ysrael
ASUS Technology Philippines Inc.
Office Number: (632) 6340309
PH Mobile: +63 9175787873
Email: jamie_ysrael@asusph.com

Angie Linbaco
Firsttier Branding Solutions
Office Number: (632) 8125764
PH Mobile: + 63 9178628638
Email: info@firsttierbrands.com

Global City Innovative College: Changing with the Times By Lisa Rosales

Education is a great equalizer – different economic classes are deemed on the same level when put in the same school, getting the same information and knowledge that would equip them for the world. And beyond textbooks and factual intelligence that schools teach us, education and awareness arms people with things not taught inside the classroom, such as open-mindedness and the skill to always seek further knowledge.

Times are always changing. What is relevant a decade ago might not be true today, and what is considered important right now might not be in ten years down the line. Globalization has taken over the world, and borders between countries have blurred. The continuing challenge of keeping up with the trends and demands of the modern economy is a task for educational institutions, those that provide training for the future workforce of the world.

Global Competencies

Eight years ago the Global City Innovative College (GCIC) was founded by a group of dynamic individuals. Starting with 500 students in their first year and concentrating mostly on their Nursing program, now GCIC is a full-pledged college that offers a total of 8 programs to date, including Business (major in Marketing, Finance, and HR), Education (major in Early Childhood, Secondary Education, English or SPED), Caregiving, Nursing, Information Technology, Tourism, Hospitality Management, and Culinary Arts.

The Nursing program curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students for all examinations the students will take after graduation. The Commission of Higher Education has currently ranked GCIC as the 9th Top Nursing Schools in the National Capital Region.

Dr. TeresitaPedrajas, a Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Awardee and Dean for the College of Education, calls for more enrollees in the Bachelor of Education program. Teaching professionals are fast dwindling, she says, either they move to another profession because of the low-paying nature of the job, or they get imported to first-world countries to teach their children.

If that trend continues, no one would be left at home to teach our own students. The GCIC Education program only started two years ago but under the guidance of Dr. Pedrajas, aims to produce excellent teachers in the years to come. Teaching is a very noble profession, and more often than not, it is a calling. Teachers have the very big responsibility of shaping our children’s minds; those who will grow up to eventually run the country.

This 2010, GCIC will be introducing two new programs in their curriculum, Tourism and Information Technology.

The Hospitality Industry

The innovative Culinary Arts program was first offered in 2009, and it features a diploma to degree system. After taking the 8-month diploma course, the students have the option to proceed to the HRM program to eventually earn a bachelor's degree. The International Hospitality Management programs of GCIC include the Hospitality Management and Tourism courses. In 2008, the Commission on Higher Education granted GCIC the authority to the Bachelor degree course.

The Diploma for Culinary Arts program combines several methods of teaching including hands-on, classroom sessions, field trips, career development seminars and chef mentoring among others. The subjects include classical cooking, international cuisine, Asian cuisine, baking and pastry, and the more practical side like restaurant and catering business, safety and sanitation, cost control, nutrition, and event management.

The College of International Hospitality Management's newest program, the Bachelor in Tourism provides a comprehensive course that exposes students to various areas in the tourism industry such as travel, hotel, transportation, leisure, resort and destination management.

The current worldwide high demand for skilled workers in the hospitality industry has prompted a lot of schools nationwide to enhance their curriculums. GCIC's programs are competitive, all to provide students with a global outlook and strong industry exposure.

Together with strong business and liberal arts foundation, students are provided with comprehensive language instruction. The ever-increasing world tourism statistics is an indication of how big the market is. Equipped with sound education and solid training foundations, GCIC students are more than ready to take on the world after leaving school.

Strong Foundation for the Changing Times

All programs have carefully selected faculty based on the value of their industry exposure, leadership, communication efficacy supported by their academic achievements and psychological preparation to teach.

Furthermore, in addition to the regular subjects, students are required to take up Life subjects. In Life Skills, necessary things for everyday are taught, such as how checking accounts work, budgeting, parenting, or even dealing with relationship problems. Personality development and training are also included.

GCIC also have “college houses”, named after the Greek gods Aeolus, Gaia, Hephaestus, Poseidon, and Apollo. Students and staff are assigned their houses according to the last digit of their ID cards. These houses compete against each other in sports, cultural presentations, and other contests.

The facilities available at GCIC are state-of-the-art, such as the Mini-Hospital, where nursing students are able to practice their skills in a simulated hospital environment. GCIC also has fully-equipped laboratories such as the Chemistry Lab, Computer Center, and Instrumentation Lab.

Enrolling at GCIC gets you the best value for your money. Compared with leading universities, the tuition fee is very affordable. And it's more than what you pay for - with their excellent faculty members that are top in their fields, and the proximity of the location to one of the best commercial establishments in the metro, it all goes together to give the student a first-rate educational experience. The students are also highly employable with GCIC's assistance after graduation.
GCIC has the flexibility of adapting to the changing needs of the times balanced with the good solid foundation of the old. Engr. Michael Tan, president of GCIC, said "We want our students to be successful not only in their professional life. We don’t just teach our students Competency but build positive Character as well.” Global City Innovative College is what schools of the future are made of. Anticipating the needs of the society, GCIC is preparing students not only for the immediate demands, but for the long-term needs as well.

The location of GCIC at the heart of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City is very ideal - close to commercial establishments such as Market! Market! andBonifacio High Street, and the entire Fort Bonifacio business district as well. Together with top restaurants, medical institutions such as St. Luke's Hospital, and the upcoming Shangri-La Hotel, the location of GCIC plays an integral role in the whole educational experience. Students enjoy a safe, secure, clean and uncongested environment with GCIC.

Tempur's Ambassadors Testimonial

“Don’t spend a lot of money on a big, giant mattress with double padding
on both sides and all that. Just go out and buy a normal firm mattress.
Then go buy the three-inch Tempur-Pedic pad, the memory foam, and
put it on top. I’m telling you, take my tip. It’s the perfect pressure. I take
full credit for the discovery. You will sleep in bliss forever more… unless
you’ve got a six-week old.”
- Brad Pitt, International Actor

Tempur Celebrates 5 Years in the Philippines

It’s been 5 years since Tempur entered the market. At that time, while the brand was already making waves in the US and in Europe, in the Philippines, there was still very few who have heard of the product that has been hailed as the biggest revolution in sleep technology in the last 75 years.

Armed with confidence in the product’s promise and a strong commitment to helping improve the quality of sleep and of life, the Focus Global team set off to find a home for Tempur. So in 2005, the very first Tempur showroom was opened in Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Initially occupying a 100 sq. m. space, the brand quickly gained popularity as positive word of mouth spread from one satisfied client to another. Today, the flagship store has expanded to over 200 sq. m. to showcase an almost full line of pressure-relieving mattresses and pillows. There are also 2 more branches that have opened since then – the Tempur showroom in Bonifacio High Street, and the Tempur showroom in Greenbelt 5 – thus proving how much people appreciate the value of a good night’s sleep.

Tempur works by relieving the body of pressure caused by unnatural sleeping positions. Unknown to many, unnatural sleeping positions are the usual cause of back and neck pains. Unlike ordinary mattresses which spring back to position as soon
as you lie down on them, Tempur is made of a revolutionary visco elastic material that provides little or no counter pressure as it perfectly moulds to the exact contours of the body. So the mattress conforms to the shape of the body, and not the other way around. The result is proper support and an even distribution of the body’s weight on a Tempur mattress. Studies have shown that tossing and turning at night, which greatly affects the quality of rest, is reduced by 80% on a Tempur mattress.

Many users attest to the effectiveness of the product in delivering its promise of a better night’s sleep. NASA, for which the product was originally invented for, has recognized Tempur for its significant contribution in transferring space technology to help improve the quality of life. Tempur was used for the NASA space programme, in order to reduce the pressure on the backs of astronauts during take-off and landing. In its commercial application, Tempur is being recommended by over 75,000 medical doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths worldwide.
Among the celebrities who recommend Tempur are Brad Pitt, who has said in an interview that the three-inch Tempur-Pedic pad on top of his mattress provides the perfect pressure and now, he sleeps in bliss. Paris Hilton on the other hand, upon realizing that she hadn’t packed her Tempur pillow chose to miss her NY C flight just so she can leave the airport and buy herself a new one before the trip.
On the local front, we also have many happy and satisfied Tempur users. Ms. Kris Aquino is a very loyal client. Former President Cory once said in one of her interviews that Ms. Kris gave her a Tempur mattress. Among our other loyal Tempur clients are – Edu manzano, Leyte Congresswoman Lucy-Torres Gomez, DJ Mo Twister, Producer/Director Jeric Soriano, UN chiropractor Dr. Walter Brush and TV Host/DJ Grace Lee.

Be one of the satisfied users of Tempur today.
Visit any of the Tempur showrooms located at Level 5 Shangri-la Mall, Mandaluyong City (Tel.#:631-1391), Bldg.5 Bonifacio High St., Global City (Tel.#: 856-4700) and Lower Ground, Greenbelt 5 (Tel#: 728-3015) and experience foryourself why people are raving about Tempur.

The Promise Of A Perfect Night The Promessa Bed by Tempur®

If stunning design and superior comfort is what you value, then take a look at the new Promessa Bed by Tempur®. It is like no other bed you have ever experienced. The beautiful material and gentle wave form of the mattress combine to give an elegant, contemporary design for supreme relaxation.

The wave topper is made of “soft touch” TEMPUR material and delivers comfort, beyond
comparison, encouraging your body to relax into an undisturbed, serene sleep. Soft
where you need it and firm where you need itTM, the mattress allows your joints to rest in their natural positions, resulting in less pressure and more comfort all night long. This overlay mattress has taken these supportive, pressure relieving qualities and added a new dimension of seductive comfort, with the ultra “soft touch” TEMPUR Wave topper.

Visit TEMPUR Showrooms at Shangri-la (631.1391), Bonifacio High Street (856.4700) and
Greenbelt 5 (728.3015) to experience lying back on the gentle waves of The Promessa
Bed by Tempur®.

For more details visit philippines.tempur.com.

The Promise of a Perfect Night

Ideally, we spend a third of our 24-hour day, sleeping to revive our bodies from hectic activities.A good night’s rest may be an elusive fantasy to some but the promise of a perfect night canindeed be a reality.

The new Promessa Bed

The new Promessa Bed by Tempur is like no other bed you have ever experienced. The
world class Tempur material and gentle wave-form of the mattress combine to give an elegant and modern design for supreme relaxation. With a stunning look to complement both the contemporary and classic bedroom, the wave topper is specially developed to deliver a luxurious feeling of relaxing comfort – a long sink in feeling – along with the pressure relieving benefits associated with Tempur.
Tempur is the No. 1 brand of pressure-relieving mattresses and pillows and became renowned for the benefits it offers that improves the total sleep experience. Tempur helps prevent and relieve the pressure that causes headache, circulatory problems, back, neck and joint problems. The material is able to virtually eliminate the pressure points that cause you to shift positions when you sleep. The Promessa bed has taken these supportive, pressure-relieving qualities and added a new dimension of seductive comfort with the ultra-soft touch Tempur wave topper.

Five years in the Philippines

Tempur, through its exclusive distributor Focus Global Inc.,was launched here in the Philippines on August 2005. Tempur celebrates its 5th Year anniversary in the country this month with several activities that continuously support the brand’s
phenomenal growth. Aside from the launch of the Promessa Bed, Tempur shares the gift of a good night’s sleep to even more Filipinos, by bringing back prices from 5 years ago for a limited time only. This special sale event will be from August 28
to 30, in all Tempur showrooms.

FOCUS GLOBAL INC.

Tempur prides itself in being the only mattress & pillow line originating from and recognized by NASA, and duly certified by the Space Foundation. Tempur molds perfectly to the contours of the body and distributes the weight evenly across the entire surface area of the material. It exerts less pressure than conventional mattresses thus relieving pressure points, as it does not create any counter-pressure on the body. This translates to reduced tossing and turning at night by 80 percent, increased blood circulation, and over-all improved sleep quality. Over 75,000 medical doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths worldwide
recommend Tempur mattresses and pillows. They firmly believe in the value of the material to ease and prevent back and neck problems, as well as providing the best conditions for a good night´s sleep. Loyal consumers, both locally and internationally may have different Tempur favorites but they all share the same sentiments—Tempur has been a life-changing experience and one of their most worthwhile investments. Many cannot seem to leave home without it. Locally,
our loyal Tempur users include Ms. Kris Aquino, who bears witness to the effectiveness of the Tempur pillow in relieving shoulder blade and neck pains. Another devoted Tempur consumer is Leyte Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, who can’t remember life before Tempur. In the international front, Jim Carey has demonstrated the unique visco-elastic quality of Tempur in his film, Yes Man, by jumping on the mattress without spilling the glass of water on it.

Donate-A-Mattress

Finally, the brand continues its celebration by giving a better night’s rest to our little brothers at Boys Town Marikina with the Donate a Mattress program. Tempur extends a 10% discount to any customer who purchases a Tempur mattress and donating their old usable mattress. There are currently 17 mattresses being enjoyed by the children at Boys Town. Because of the success of this campaign, Tempur will be extending this program to other institutions like Gawad Kalinga, with more than 19 mattresses collected as of press date.

FOCUS GLOBAL INC.
Tempur’s Promise The brand´s promise of nighttime renewal for body and mind covers relief of back and neck pain & stress by bringing comfort. As such, its message is anchored on three words: serenity, renewal and comfort. Serenity is that feeling of calmness, tranquility and inner peace. Renewal, on the other hand, is that feeling of being born again; the feeling you long for after stressful periods. While comfort
is that feeling of complete relaxation, satisfaction and sufficiency. Values that you truly long to go home to at the end of each day. The next time you head to bed, make sure you´ll really get a good night´s sleep; and all your worries of bodily aches are laid to rest as well. Experience a rejuvenated sleep with Tempur. It
truly has changed the way the world sleeps!

For more details, simply visit www.tempur.com and/or drop by any of the showrooms and
experience lying back on the gentle waves of the Promessa Bed. They are located at Level 5,Shangri-La Mall (631-1391), Building 5, Bonifacio High Street, Global City (856-4700) and at the Lower Ground Level, Greenbelt 5 (728-3015).

Media contacts
Florence Yao Focus Global Inc.
(632) 634-8587
Florence.yao@focusglobalinc.com

Angie L. Limbaco First Tier Branding Solutions Inc
(632) 812.5764
firsttierbrands@gmail.com

Grandslam Victory for the Philippines

Cara Marcelo’s Narrative for Her Winning Entry in the 2004-05 Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest:

Being a family well known for having one of the biggest restaurant chains in the country, the homeowners thought it was high time to update their old kitchen into an open welcoming space where they can entertain guests, have family meals, and concoct new recipes to add to their menu. A modern kitchen with clean lines, granite countertops, glass elements, beautiful garden views and fully integrated appliances was the homeowners dream. We expanded the space by tearing down the walls that divided the kitchen, dining and service areas. A picture window lets the homeowners enjoy their Zen inspired garden as well as let natural light illuminate the space. Sub-Zero inspired vents on the top of the window ties in perfectly with their stainless freezer and glass door refrigerator. Having Wolf cooking appliances for their restaurant kitchens, there was no question that the 48” Wolf professional range and the microwave and warming drawer combination would be their cooking equipment of choice. By incorporating a Sub-Zero 424 wine storage in the center island, the homeowners dream comes full circle, as this allows them to wine and dine their guests and encourage family interaction in a space that is perfect for their lifestyle.


Ed Calma’s Narrative for His Winning Entry in the 2008-09 Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest:

Kitchen Art
It was really exciting to design my own home. As an architect, I have acquired a lot of art and furniture through the years and in designing my family’s house, I wanted every piece of art to have its own space and that the artwork dictated the design of the space it occupies. I wanted to continue this idea in the design of the kitchen. The kitchen counter is the focal point of an open plan and it bisects the area of the kitchen space and the living and dining area. I wanted to emphasize this division spatially by continuing a framing element on the second floor to become a bar counter of the kitchen. The cooking counter thus becomes an integral part of the interior architecture. The continuous frame also allowed me to hide the split-type air conditioners in the ceiling bulkhead as well as the exhaust ducting of the kitchen and the audio speakers. Hiding all these components created details in the ceiling which made the frame an interesting architectural element. Also, cladding the cooking exhaust fan in the same wood veneer the frame was made of made it part of the architectural composition. The counter not only has the Wolf gas cooktop and other cooking appurtenances but also a wine cooler and the wireless audio equipment were within reach making entertaining easier. I had two blocks of wood which I found in an antique store several years ago which I used as a sculpture stand but I made them into bar stools which added to the robustness of the design.
The rest of the kitchen area I left empty like a small gallery space where the Sub-Zero 736TCI made it possible for me to conceal it into the rest of the storage pantry cabinetries. Specifying graphite cabinet doors, concealed handles and customizing my own handles in brushed stainless steel flat plates, I created a sort of wall relief installation. To design the sink counters, I had difficulty looking for a large sink that would be able to wash large pans or woks so I customized a rectangular stainless steel sink that could be concealed with a sliding stainless steel plate which also doubles a large cutting board. Concealing the sink also makes an extra buffet counter for dessert or drinks. For lighting, I concealed latest energy efficient T-8 fluorescent lights into ceiling coves to create a clean ceiling to enforce the gallery space idea.
The central location of the cooking counter and its design integration with the rest of the architecture makes it a main topic of conversation when guests come in. It’s not surprising they hang out there more than the living room.

Grand Slam Victory for the Philippines at the Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest

Sub-Zero and Wolf created a Kitchen Design Contest to honor the professionals who have helped make these brands the quintessential components of the uncompromised kitchen. Occurring once every two years, this competition is the most respected within the design industry and is judged by a panel of professional designers representing the various disciplines under kitchen design.

Architects and interior designers from all over the world participate in the Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest. Each entry must include at least one full size Sub-Zero refrigeration unit and Wolf cooking appliances as its primary food preparation equipment. Floor plans and elevations, kitchen photos and a written narrative describing their design, the design challenges, and how they overcame those obstacles must be submitted to Sub-Zero and Wolf Headquarters. No names must appear in any of these to avoid any bias on the part of the judges.

The contest dates back to 1992 when it was only open to entries from US and Canada. It was only in 2004 when the contest was opened to entries from the international market, and for three consecutive times since then, the Philippines has won in the prestigious Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest.

In 2004-05, interior design board top-notcher Cara Marcelo won the International Category Award for best kitchen design. Her winning entry was a modern kitchen designed for a family well known for having one of the biggest restaurant chains in the country. The homeowners thought it was high time to update their old kitchen into an open welcoming space where they can entertain guests, have family meals, and concoct new recipes to add to their menu, so Cara designed a kitchen with clean lines, granite countertops, glass elements, beautiful garden views and fully integrated appliances. The homeowners dream comes full circle, as this allows them to wine and dine their guests and encourage family interaction in a space that is perfect for their lifestyle.

In the following contest in 2006-07, Architect Ed Calma won the same award. His winning kitchen design was for a kitchen that was almost as large as a chapel with two double doors that provide a cathedral-like entry to the kitchen. It boasts high ceilings with clerestory glass windows bathing the kitchen with natural light and views of the sky and surrounding trees. It has two zones defined by a large center stainless counter for food preparation with a Wolf double oven and five integrated modules. On the opposite side of the counter, three Sub-Zero 736TCI units placed side by side make an imposing wall. The other zone is a breakfast area defined by a multi-level bar counter made of solid wood.

For 2008-09, not only did Architect Ed Calma bag the International Category Award again, he also bested all competition and won the First Place Award for Contemporary Kitchen in the overall Sub-Zero and Wolf 2008-09 Kitchen Design Contest! This is the first time that the international winners could compete for the overall categories as well. The winning entry that bested 1,400 other entries is no other than Arch. Calma’s own kitchen. The kitchen counter is the focal point of an open plan, and it bisects the area of the kitchen space and the living and dining area. Arch. Calma wanted to emphasize this division spatially by continuing a framing element on the second floor to become a bar counter of the kitchen. The cooking counter thus becomes an integral part of the interior architecture. The rest of the kitchen area was left empty like a small gallery space where the Sub-Zero 736TCI made it possible to be concealed into the rest of the storage pantry cabinetries. The central location of the cooking counter and its design integration with the rest of the architecture makes it a main topic of conversation when guests come in.

The Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest pays tribute to the best kitchens by showcasing the best designers and their best designs. The Philippines prides itself with having three wins in a row.

Whatever vision one has for home kitchens, top of the line refrigeration from Sub-Zero and professional performance cooking appliances from Wolf will fit in beautifully. Sub-Zero and Wolf are distributed by Focus Global Inc. Visit the Showroom located at Pioneer corner Reliance Streets, Mandaluyong City. Showroom hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10AM-7PM and Sundays, 1PM-6PM. For inquiries, call (632) 634-8587 or email subzero@focusglobalinc.com. You may also log on to www.subzerowolfintl.com

About Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest

The Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) honors the world's leading designers who have helped make Sub- Zero and Wolf the quintessential components of the uncompromised kitchen.

The most respected contest within the design industry, the Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest occurs once every two years. Architects and interior designers from all over the world participate in this contest.

Entry is free. Rules are simple. Time frame ample. Prize money lavish.


Categories & Prizes
The contest is divided into two categories: International and National.

For the National Category, two first place national winners will be selected – one for a Traditional kitchen and one for Contemporary kitchen. A second place national winner (any style kitchen) and a third place (any style kitchen) will also be selected.

For the International Category, one winner for Middle East/Asia Pacific region will be selected. Historically, the National Category has only been open to entries from US and Canada. Starting with the 2008-09 Contest, the International Winner now automatically qualifies for the National Category too.

Aside from lavish cash prizes, all winners of the 2008-09 Contest also received a luxurious trip for 2 for a 4-day celebration to The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida last March 2010.


How to Join
1. Each entry must include at least one full-size Sub-Zero refrigeration unit and Wolf cooking appliances as its primary food preparation equipment.
2. All entries must include at least one full-size Sub-Zero built-in or integrated unit for refrigeration and Wolf cooking appliance as its primary food preparation equipment.
3. Only professionals including kitchen dealers, kitchen designers, interior designers and builders/remodelers are eligible to participate.
4. Each entry must include pictures, floor plans/elevations and a narrative describing the kitchen design, design challenges faced and how these were overcome.
5. All these can be mailed to Sub-Zero and Wolf Headquarter in the US or submitted electronically.


Judging
No names should appear on any plans, photos or narratives to avoid any bias on the part of the judges.

With 1,400 entries from around the globe, a panel of seven design experts representing various disciplines under kitchen design served as judges in the 9th biennial Kitchen Design Contest in 2008-09:
· Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates, New York, NY
· Jeffrey DeMure, AIA, of Jeffrey DeMure + Associates, El Dorado Hills, CA
· Cheryl Hamilton-Gray, CKD, of Hamilton-Gray Design, Carlsbad, CA
· Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria Ltd., Atlanta, GA
· Barbara Houston of Houston + Associates, Vancouver, BC, Canada
· Dalia Tamari of Dalia Kitchen Design, Boston, MA
· Doug Durbin of nuHaus, Highland Park, IL

All but Doug Durbin, Cheryl Hamilton-Gray, and Dalia Tamari have previously served on the Kitchen Design Contest panel of judges. This year will be Jamie Drake’s seventh time as a judge, while it marks the fourth time for Jeffrey DeMure. Matthew Quinn was a first-place national KDC winner in 2004; Barbara Houston was a third place national winner in 2002.

Sub-Zero and Wolf: True kitchen companions for kitchen perfection

About Sub-Zero and Wolf


Sub-Zero and Wolf: True kitchen companions for kitchen perfection

Unlike many manufacturers, Sub-Zero and Wolf are specialists and focus solely on making the best refrigeration and cooking appliances possible. Everything is built to the highest standards and their workmanship is uncompromised.

Their expertise has been honed over generations. Sub-Zero has been designing the ultimate in refrigeration for more than 60 years. Wolf has been building cooking equipment to satisfy the most demanding professional chefs and domestic cooks for more than 70 years.

Two brands, but with only one driving passion: to build outstanding kitchen equipment that looks great and delivers the professional performance that instills real cooking confidence.


A Short History
Sub-Zero’s founder Westye Bakke was a world pioneer in ultra-lowtemperature storage – which is how the firm got its name. It was Westye’s groundbreaking products that first made refrigeration a reality for the modern home. A shrewd businessman and an inspired engineer, he was driven by a personal motive too: he needed a reliable domestic fridge himself to store insulin for his diabetic son Bud. Those first products set benchmarks for quality, performance and reliability right back in 1945.

Wolf’s reputation for outstanding professional cooking equipment dates back even further. Acquired by Sub-Zero in 2000, Wolf brings its own lineage with more than 70 years of expertise with professional cooking equipment.

Sub-Zero and Wolf are still a family-run business, headed by Westye’s grandson, and are proud to atill maintain those same traditions of excellence today. Products are still made in the United States offering the ultimate in performance, reliability and design.


Brand Beliefs
· Iconic Design
Form has always been born of function. When Sub-Zero started out six decades ago, it quickly became a world pioneer in ultra-low-temperature storage. In 1954, Sub-Zero also pioneered built-in residential refrigeration and over the years has continued to expand the line with its innovative integrated and wine preservation products. For generations, Wolf’s designs have been carefully tailored to satisfy the professional chef, and perfected for the domestic cook with intuitive technology, easy cleaning and superb ergonomics.

Their uncompromising vision impressed even legendary architect and father of modern architecture Frank Lloyd Wright, who commissioned Sub-Zero equipment for the visionary homes he designed.

Their design ethos today is still the same as it has always been, combining great looks and professional performance. Their heritage can still be seen in such timeless details as Sub-Zero’s classic louvred grille, or in Wolf’s sleek contemporary lines. Their equipment is built to last in every way. It never goes out of style.

· Enduring Quality
In today’s throwaway culture, real workmanship is rare. But it’s immediately apparent with Sub- Zero and Wolf equipment. The quality of materials is unmistakable: the 18-gauge stainless steel in our refrigerators, the cherry wood slats in our wine storage, the solidity, fit and finish of our cookers.

The products are built to the highest standards in Wisconsin and Arizona, USA, from the very best materials. Even opening and closing the magnetically sealed doors of a Sub-Zero fridge is a pleasure, like hearing the tuned slam of the door of a beautifully engineered car. Quality is their hallmark. Everything they make is crafted, then rigorously tested to ensure perfection.

· Superior Performance
Sub-Zero and Wolf products are designed to look beautiful, but the ultimate goal is to make your food taste great. A Sub-Zero refrigerator is controlled by a sensitive microprocessor, because that way your food is always stored at the perfect temperature. A Wolf dual-stacked burner has a refined control that can go from the lightest simmer to a furnace-like heat in seconds, because that’s what a cook needs.

Their equipment is built to professional standards, but you don’t need to be a professional to appreciate them. Whatever your level of skill in the kitchen, their easy-to-use technology is designed to make cooking a pleasure, inspiring you to cook with confidence and to achieve perfect results, time after time.