A Retrospect in a Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011

In 2006, the Magsaysay Group of Companies welcomed a new sibling in its fold with the rise of the Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA). In such a short span of time, MIHCA established itself as the leading culinary arts and hospitality institution in the country, and has successfully launched careers for promising professionals. 

MIHCA’s fully-equipped commercial and specialty kitchens, dining rooms, bars, food science laboratories and computer rooms adhere to current industry standards and enable the students to simulate professionals in the real world. This also ensures that the level of education offered is up-to-date with current trends and techniques practiced locally and globally, thereby equipping graduates with strong foundations about the hospitality and culinary industries.

  
The school has also been avidly participating in activities aimed at highlighting the culinary prowess of Filipinos. Perfect examples are the school’s participation in the Guinness World Record setting feat of producing 5,845 cheese-based dishes and culinary competitions both locally and abroad where the school bagged countless awards. 

Add to that, the institute works closely with industry experts and leaders to guarantee that the level of education offered will equip graduates with strong foundations about the hospitality and culinary industries. This also ensures that graduates are up-to-date with current trends and techniques practiced locally and globally. 

MIHCA’s affiliation with the other learning units of the Magsaysay Group of Companies graduate can avail of supplemental upgrading and certificate courses for the maritime profession at the Magsaysay Training Center and the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (Cavite), while available through Magsaysay Global Services in Manila and Star of Asia in Bacolod, are healthcare certification programs. MIHCA also offers tourism courses certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011 

The one-day event highlighted the school’s programs and accomplishments via a guided facility tour of the Manila and Makati campuses wherein guests (from different schools and universities) and friends from the print and social media had the opportunity to witness the students in actual classes. Held last July 22 (Manila) and July 29 (Makati), the two-part activity coincides with MIHCA’s Anniversary month that showcased hands-on training programs, laboratories and facilities – that have been designed according to industry standards. This allows for students’ intense immersion in real production kitchens, a real hotel room, real restaurants and bars and even a real ship’s cabin.

During the Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011, those who were present got the chance to taste the student’s productions via food and beverage sampling activities. All were treated to a scrumptious buffet lunch prepared by MIHCA’s senior Professional Culinary Arts Students under the supervision of their highly-esteemed chef instructors.

A View from the Bloggers

“MIHCA provides hands-on training to student that helps them prepare for future work and assignments.” 

Alwin Aguirre
http://cityroamer.blogspot.com 

 

“MIHCA provides a structural training from basic to expert level so it’s easy to learn.” 

 Stacy Lyn Liong
http://crumpyliciousblog.b​logspot.com

“International standard for every students and can win international competitions.” 

Resly George Amador
http://www.cablayextraordi​narylife.info

“MIHCA is a venue for World-class standard training for students with qualified trainers.” 

Mark Vince Nuñez

http://walanghiyaanangtaka​w.blogspot.com

MIHCA is Career-focused

The industry-relevant and globally-oriented curriculum aims to provide solid foundations for students to have a good head-start in their chosen careers in hotel service, restaurant service, cruise line service as well as travel and tourism service anywhere in the world. 

MIHCA is an integral part of the People Resources Group of the Magsaysay Group of Companies. Its exemplary graduates are highly qualified and competent candidates for deployment in the world’s largest cruise lines, hotels, resorts and tourism operations among others.

MIHCA graduates can take advantage of the overseas and local placement opportunities through Magsaysay Global Services, Inc.

 

For more details about MIHCA, you may visit their website http://www.mihca.com.ph and their campuses located at the following addresses:  

Makati Campus – 5th Floor Waltermart Mall, Chino Roces Ave. corner Arnaiz Ave., Makati City Tel: 887-53-29 / 889-1707

Manila Campus – 3rd Floor Times Plaza Building, U.N. Ave. cor. Taft Ave., Manila Tel: 524-9996 ext 600/601. 

Jakarta – Jalan Tanjung Karang No.5, Jakarta 10230 Indonesia, Tel: +6221-390-8812, Fax No.: +6221-390-8894. 

Email: admissions@mihca.com.ph / makaticampus@micha.com.ph

 

Additional pictures here

Berlin Triumph Inspiration Award 2011

Press Release

The Triumph Inspiration Award (TIA) is an international design competition that challenges fashion students to create a lingerie showpiece for the year’s design theme. The TIA is by one of the leading underwear manufacturers, Triumph International. It is now on it’s fourth year and the culminating events were previously held in Beijing, Milan and London. This year the TIA was held in Berlin, Germany on July 6, 2011 during the Mercedes Benz fashion week.

Triumph International was founded in Heubach, Württemberg, Germany in 1886. The company is also celebrating its 125^th year in the industry as an underwear manufacturer. All design entries to the TIA were inspired by the slogan “125 years of celebrating women.”

More than 2,100 young designers from all over the world joined the TIA this year. 37 countries participated and the winner in each country’s nationwide competition was sent to the TIA finals in Berlin.

The Berlin Press Con

The accomplished panel of judges composed of model and actress Lily Cole, star photographer Ellen von Unwerth, the model and photographer as well as face and ambassador of Triumph Essence Helena Christensen, the international singer Coco Lee, the owner and CEO of the Premium Exhibition GmbH Anita Tillmann and Jos Berry who is Brand Executive Director for Triumph were introduced to the press in Nhow Berlin, a music and lifestyle hotel.

A representative from the Philippines asked the panel “If they prefer style over comfort with lingerie?” Anita Tillmann replied, “It depends on what you want to do.” The international press chuckled with her answer. Most of them agree that it should be both stylish and comfortable at the same time.

Backstage

As in any event, everyone backstage was hard at work. The scene was chaotic but at the same time it looked like everyone knew what they were doing. The models were being made-up, some were in make-up and the others were doing hair. The designers were anxiously waiting for their models to get ready and some of them were carefully examining their pieces once again.

Representatives of the international press were given backstage access to interview the designers, see their pieces, and meet their respective models. Excitement was definitely in the air!

The Show

The show was hosted by George Lamb, an English radio and TV presenter. His own daily radio show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2008 to 2010 was the breakthrough of his career for which he was also awarded the prestigious Sony Rising Star Award 2008 as voted for by the public. George’s co-host was top model Franziska Knuppe. She has impressively hosted awards and TV-shows: in 2006, 2007 and 2009 she presented the “GQ-Men of the Year” and in 2008 the young mother hosted the casting show “Supermodel” for the Swiss television, the counterpart to Heidi Klum’s “Germany’s Next Top Model.”

The Triumph Inspiration Award 2011 was a sexy visual treat from all over the world. The models paraded each designer’s art gracefully. The audience connected to the designs as if they almost understood the statement of the designer without listening to the audio being played in the background.

Some designers opted for color but most of them chose the neutrals such as black, white, nude and beige for their sexy creations. Others played it safe and kept the designs simple yet stylish and elegant but Belgium’s Tom Van Der Borght was bold enough to design a matching headgear that looked perfect for winter as part of his entry.

Philippine Representative

Pristine De Guzman of School of Fashion and the Arts represented the Philippines in the TIA 2011. She was inspired by the power dressing of the 80’s and incorporated Triumph’s history as a corset maker in her design. Instead of the usual hidden boning in corsets, she made it visible outside to create a stronger silhouette. According to her, “women of today are strong, reliable and powerful, they are not afraid to take center stage as winners and leaders of the world.”

TIA 2011 Winners

As soon as George Lamb announced the winner, Ms. Boglárka Bódis was visibly touched and moved when her design was presented on the runway for the grand finale. “I still can’t believe that I won! The past days were so exciting – and I am very proud that “Les Fleurs du Mal” impressed the judges the most!”

Lily Cole graced the catwalk in Boglárka Bódis’ winning piece. That was a great moment for both Boglárka Bódis and Lily Cole!

1st place: Boglárka Bódis from Hungary with the design Les Fleurs du Mal


2nd place: Nurten Yüksel from Turkey with the creation Hezârfen


3rd place: Diana Bobina from Romania with the creation AVA 1236

The Prize

The TIA winner, Boglárka Bódis from Hungary, received a cash prize of EU 15,000 and Triumph will work with her to produce a limited edition commercial garment of her design. This would give Ms. Bódis a significant career boost as Triumph continuously reaffirms its promise of “perfection in female shape.”

Philippine Representative:  Beauty and Power Piece by Pristine De Guzman of School of Fashion and Arts

 

Excellence with MIHCA

July 22, 2011 Manila -  M.I.H.C.A. (Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts) hosted their bi-annual open house, July 22 at their Manila Campus at the 3rd Floor of Times Plaza Bldg. UN Ave.

 

Opened in 2006, this training center is more than what your eyes can see.  From the facade of the building, one would think that this place would feel cramped inside but once you see their facility, you would be amazed with the spacious training area, classrooms, computer laboratory, 2 restaurants (The Papel and Illumine) and even a function room which is open to the public.

By far,  Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is the most competitive when it comes to the course fee. Being a frustrated "chef" myself, I am considering to enlist in MIHCA's Certificate in Professional Culinary Arts Studies.  Aside from the fact that the program is affordable to people with a passion for cooking,  I am very much enamored with the schedule of classes they are holding at their Manila campus, 5 days a week (Mondays thru Fridays, 8am-2pm) for 7 months with the inclusion of 300 hours of externship training. Talk about extensive training!  This program includes:  

• Kitchen Orientation 
• Product Identification 
• Starches 
• Stocks 
• Soups 
• Fish 
• Butchery  
• Cooking Techniques 
• Breakfast 
• Pantry
• Baking 
• Sanitation 
• Basic Computer Communication 
• Professionalism and Teamwork

Another certificate course that MIHCA offers is the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts Studies.  Everything from making different kinds of breads to desserts would be covered in this course in a span of 7 months with also 300 hours of apprenticeship.  With this long duration of being in the kitchen, this would surely propel one into being an excellent Pastry Chef.

MIHCA offers other courses (out of the kitchen) such as Housekeeping Services.  Their facilities for this course includes a simulation of a hotel room and authentic cabin rooms from cruise ships wherein students do the actual hands-on for bed-making and a considerable spacious area for lectures and hands-on for cleaning procedures.  The program duration is 5 weeks with 500 hours of externship training.  I was amazed when some students demonstrated to us how to make a bed looking so nice, clean and pristine under 5 minutes.  This training center is also responsible for the impeccable cabin room appearance of Aida Cruise Line and Costa Cruise.

Actual cabin rooms of AIDA Cruises (above) and Costa Cruises (below).

The Food and Beverage Services certificate program will equip the student with the skills they would need to efficiently work at a restaurant or a bar.  From introduction to food and beverage, sanitation, service skills and to wine appreciation, this course would definitely give the edge needed to stand out amongst the crowd of "mediocre" service staff.

 
A month-long Bartending Program will provide the necessary know-how in preparing hot or cold beverages, be it alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Other course offerings includes Barista 101, Flairtending 101, Professional Messman Course, Personality Enhancement Training , Public Health and Sanitation and Lifestyle Courses which varies from month to month.  I might enroll in their Advanced Course in Baking this coming September to further enhance my baking skills.

During this open house event,  we were given a tour through the training center's very spacious kitchens and visitors were able to partake in food sampling as we go from one kitchen to the other.  As we went through the kitchens, we also peeked on some of the food that will be served to us for lunch and had a glimpse on how the food was prepared (or was it just me since I broke away from the rest of the group for a little while trying to move ahead on to the next area to visit?).

A light chat with one of the Sales and Marketing Manager, Dyan Fernandez, we found out that the training center currently has 1,200 enrolled and is still growing.  She informed us that during this open house event, most of the attendees are representatives from different schools who has some of the same courses with MIHCA.  Why do you ask?  There are times when a school are not able to fully conduct their classes/lesson due to the lack of modern facilities such as working kitchen laboratory or baking laboratory, hence, the school partners with MIHCA and the students are sent to MIHCA's training center to use their kitchen and do hands-on activities necessary to pass their particular course.

At least 8 years in the industry is one of the requirements to be part of the faculty and staff at MIHCA so you'd know you're getting the best kind of tutelage from your teacher.  The chefs of MIHCA are not only limited in the kitchen teaching students but are constantly participating in different expo or food showdown to be up-to-date with industry standards.


MIHCA's job placing system which endorses promising graduates to hotels and luxury cruise lines is one of the bonus of being enrolled here.


For more information, please refer to their website at www.mihca.com.ph

Fitness First Partners with ABS-CBN for The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition

The world’s largest health club, Fitness First, true to its “Real People, Real Results” motto, partnered with ABS-CBN to support its hit reality program The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition  whose contenders are seeking to change their lives through improved health and fitness.

To this end, Fitness First set up a satellite gym, with its world-class standard equipment, within The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition camp for the contestants, who have been following a rigorous training and nutrition plan to achieve their life-transforming weight-loss goals.

“Committed to a fitter Philippines, Fitness First partnered with The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition to continue to inspire Filipinos to first set then really go for that goal to change their lives through fitness,” said Fitness First Country Manager Mark Ellis. “The real-life success stories of Fitness First members and past Biggest Loser contestants have already shown us that nothing is impossible if you stick to a plan and push yourself a little bit more. This certainly aligns with our ‘Real People, Real Results’ motto for motivating Filipinos and making that connection between improved fitness and better performance in everything else in our lives.”

The satellite gym for the contestants abides by the same world class Fitness First standards. That consistency is how Fitness First strives to feel like ‘second home’ and to make every member feel that they count  even as it has grown to over 1.4 million members in over 540 clubs worldwide with over 50,000 members in the Philippines. Ellis said, “As The Biggest Loser contestants’ stories show, it is no longer just about helping people lose weight. It’s about changing lives. Working with them and Fitness First members to achieve whatever motivates them—that’s the business that we’re in.”

The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition airs weekdays at ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. To learn more about Fitness First, visit  www.fitnessfirst.com.ph.

Franchise Asia 2011

Good news to all Filipinos!  The Philippines through the Philippine Franchise Association won the bid to host the twin international meetings of the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) and the World Franchise Council (WFC).  Franchise Asia 2011 is the biggest franchising event in Asia.  This 4-in-1 prestigious international event will be held from September 19 - 25, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center.  Attendees are National Franchise Associations delegates from 43 WFC member-countries.

• The International Franchise Conference (September 22-23, 2011)

The International Franchising Conference will feature international experts and speakers who will talk about franchising updates and opportunities across the globe. This event is a high-level education forum that will provide the best opportunity to learn from the best minds in franchising and designed to help stakeholders stay ahead in today’s demanding and ever-changing market. 

This year, the conference will be led by industry leaders such as Jollibee Foods Corporation chair and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong; Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation International senior vice president Jeff Welch; 7-Eleven International senior vice president Chris Tanco; and Mang Inasal founder and vice chairman Edgar Sia III, who make up the roster of powerhouse speakers.

• The International Franchise Expo (September 23-25, 2011)

Designed as the biggest one-stop shop event this side of Asia, the three-day International Franchise Expo will provide the platform for Asian brands to expand their markets internationally as well as for global brands to penetrate the ASEAN market.  Exhibit hours are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM on Sunday.  

• The Educational Sessions and Seminars (September 23-25, 2011)

A key component of Franchise Asia 2011, the Educational Sessions and Seminars aim to provide the proper learning venue for participants to understand where they fit best in a variety of franchise opportunities - franchisee, franchisor and international master franchisee. Seminar topics include Investing in a Franchise Wisely, Franchising Your Business Right, and International Franchise Opportunity.

• International Meetings:

·          Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) September 19-20, 2011

The 13-member Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation, which meets annually, was created with the goal of cultivating bilateral cooperation among member-franchise country associations in the As-Pac rim with the hope of strengthening the sector in the region. The APFC meeting in Manila hopes to further develop and bolster this goal and take full advantage of the optimistic Asian economic outlook.
 
 

·         World Franchise Council (WFC) September 21-22, 2011

The World Franchise Council, composed of 43 National Franchise Associations around the world, will hold its bi-annual meeting in Manila. WFC is tireless in its efforts to promote franchising – with its many benefits, particularly its multiplier effect in terms of enterprise and job creation – as a tool for positive economic growth.  The meeting will set strategic directions to further strengthen the role of franchising in forging a robust global economy, as well as articulate policy guidelines that will foster the fair and ethical conduct of the franchising business, thus protecting the good name of franchising globally.

For full details on conference proper/agenda, log on to www.franchiseasia2011.com.ph 
Registration may also be done online.

“Kodak by Me”

Trigger-happy Filipinos are in for a summer treat as Kodak Philippines officially announced the launch of “Kodak by Me,” an on-line domestic travel photo competition housed in Kodak Philippines’ official Facebook page.

This project resulted from the continued revitalization of the local travel industry combined with Kodak’s philosophy of capturing and sharing priceless moments that jives with Filipinos’ love for photo taking. Kodak Philippines’ “Kodak by Me” campaign aims to give Filipinos a platform to place local tourism in a positive light through their photos showcasing the breathtaking sights and many adventures that only the Philippines can offer.  

In line with the launch of this travel photo competition, Kodak Philippines unveiled 3 new digital cameras and 1 pocket HD cam with instant online sharing capabilities: Kodak Easyshare Mini, EasyShare Touch, EasyShare Sport digital cameras and Kodak PlaySport HD pocket video camera that allow Filipinos to let the world see the country they love, through their eyes. These product introductions are a testimony to Kodak Philippines’ commitment to ongoing innovation that helps people stay connected and share life’s moments.

Starting this May, monthly domestic travel photo themes will be announced – from traveling-couples photos to underwater shots to barkada vacation videos, everyone can send in their photo and video entries and instantly be qualified to win the latest Kodak digital cameras–Kodak Easyshare Mini, EasyShare Touch, EasyShare Sport digital or Kodak PlaySport HD pocket video camera—twice every month! All they have to do is be a part of the Kodak Philippines community on Facebook and stay tuned for the announcements of the monthly themes.

Minor weekly themes will also be rolled-out where participants can win amazing prizes such as digital frames, printing coupons, memory storage, one-of-a-kind travel kits and accessories.

“We at Kodak Philippines are very excited to roll out the ‘Kodak by Me’ online domestic travel photo competition. This campaign couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with the resurgence of local tourism, and with so many Filipinos re-discovering not just their love of travel, but of country as well. Kodak wants to be a part of the Filipinos’ journey, as they discover the many things to love about the Philippines, and we want to enable them to share these breathtaking discoveries with the world,” said Angie Francisco, Business Development Manager of Kodak Philippines.

To learn more about Kodak’s newest offerings and to get a chance to join the Kodak By Me travel photo competition, join Kodak Philippines official Facebook page today.