CONVERTIBLE TRAVEL GEAR OF VICTORINOX

Victorinox has always been associated with the legendary "Original Swiss Army Knife" for its famed quality craftsmanship and timeless style. It has then trickled down to a variety of other functional products aside from Swiss Army Knives. Since its first collection of cutlery in 1884, the iconic Swiss brand has already expanded to offering other valuable quality products that combines practical usefulness for various lifestyle needs all over the world. From Swiss Army Knives, available as well are household and professional cutlery, timepieces, fashion, fragrance, and travel gear – the latter being a popular choice for discerning travelers here in the Philippines.

Exclusively distributed here in the Philippines by the Primer Group of Companies, a premiere brand builder of lifestyle and outdoor gear from all over the world, Victorinox launched its latest travel gear collection called “Seefeld” through a unique Coffee Art Exhibit on June 2, 2011. Victorinox invited popular artists such as Lito Ballaran, Ella Hipolito, Jerel Limayo, Kathleen Lei Limayo, Mike Melchor, Dante Palmes and Jenifer Romulo showcasing their own landscape interpretations of Seefeld, a scenic place in Switzerland, where the new Victorinox collection was named after.

Described as a fuss-free collection that still offers extra functionality to its customers, Victorinox’s Seefeld Collection is another exciting line of travel bags to watch out for. Seefeld is an actual place in Switzerland known for its artistic atmosphere. The six—piece collection highlights the use of convertible bags reinventing versatility and style especially with its stylized duffel bag. As duffels have become commonly used for carrying personal items during trips, Victorinox has “leveled up” this popular travel bag of choice by turning it into a convertible piece that can easily take you from leisure to business/formal travel in just five minutes.

Thoughtfully designed and crafted to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s travelers, the Seefeld Collection seamlessly blends form and function while utilizing every inch of its lightweight, stylish design to provide customizable packing space for a variety of travel needs. It’s one bright idea after another that’s sure to contribute to a more pleasurable travel experience.

“We envisioned its launch to be something different from the usual Victorinox event. Recently, Alamid Cafe Xpress joined our Primer family by building its first cafe in R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street. One of the key pillars of Victorinox is innovation. As such this is a value we want to espouse in everything that we do for the brand. Given as well that the main feature of our new collection, Seefeld, is versatility. Alamid Cafe Express has been a very generous and gracious partner of Victorinox Travel Gear in the launch of the Seefeld Collection,” shares Stephanie Elumba, Brand Associate of Victorinox Travel Gear.

It has been indeed a collaboration that speaks of the innovation of the brand in terms of its design and empowerment of renowned artists.

FIVE PESOS FOR DONSOL'S WHALESHARK

Shown in photo from left to right: WWF-Phils Trustee Elizabeth T. Sy ; BDO President Nestor V. Tan; WWF-Phils Chairman Vince Perez; BDO Head for Branch Banking Jaime C. Yu; WWF-Phils President Lory Tan

Digital technology has made finding and funding ways to help the environment easier. And WWF-Philippines in collaboration with Banco De Oro Unibank is making it accessible and pocket-friendly for Filipinos to do their share.

In establishing an exclusive one-year partnership with BDO, WWF-Philippines launched the first ever ATM donation program within the global network of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

“Technology has made everyone’s lives easier, from the way we interact with people to the way we consume information. Everything is just a click away and we’ve harnessed this convenience into a first-of-its-kind partnership with BDO to benefit the environment and ultimately, us all,” explained WWF-Philippines CEO Lory Tan.

From now until February 2012, BDO ATM cardholders who withdraw at any of BDO’s 1,290 ATMs nationwide are introduced to the concept of “electronic microgiving.” After each cash withdrawal transaction, a WWF screen will pop up on the screen asking if the cardholder would like to make a P5.00 donation. If the cardholder clicks yes to donate, the P5.00 will automatically be deducted from the account.

“Everyone’s five pesos, collectively and in the long run, create a significant impact,” said Tan. “After a few months of running this program, Filipinos have really put their loose change to good use: raising substantial enough funds to make a difference in the environment.”

If you don’t have a BDO ATM account yet, opening one is quick and easy. Just go to your nearest BDO branch and bring two valid IDs to open your very own ATM account.

With at least 3,000 people contributing daily, the donations made through BDO ATMs will be alternately funding four different WWF projects: the Donsol whaleshark ecotourism program, climate change environmental education program, watershed management program (Ilagan), and fisheries management program (Palawan). For this month, the donations for the Donsol whaleshark ecotourism program will be used for the implementation of interaction guidelines, research activities and environmental protection program.

For more information, log on to www.wwf.org.ph