HBO ORIGINAL SERIES TRUE BLOOD RETURNS TO ASIA FOR ITS SIXTH SEASON

After the season 3 finale of Game Of Thrones, let's take a break from Westeros and get back to Bon Tempts for the sixth season of True Blood. So our Saturday Nights won't get boring.

HBO Release

Used with permission from Home Box Office,Inc

PHILIPPINES, JUNE 22, 2013 – Entering its sixth season is this “fangtastic” HBO Original Series by Oscar^® and Emmy^® winner Alan Ball, TRUE BLOOD. Premiering in Asia on Saturday, July 6 at 10pm exclusively on HBO and HBO HD, the ten-episode season six introduces several jarring storylines that threaten what little sense of normalcy remains in and around Bon Temps.

 

The Authority is in flames. TruBlood is in short supply. As Bill comes to terms with his newfound powers after emerging reincarnated from a pool of blood, humans are in open conflict with vampires like never before. Meanwhile, Sookie and Jason must steel themselves for an encounter with their parents’ killer: the mysterious and ancient Warlow.

 

TRUE BLOOD follows waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and vampire Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård). Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, the show takes place in a world where vampires and humans co-exist, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means vampires no longer need humans as a nutritional source.

 

In addition to Paquin, Skarsgård and Moyer, who also directs the season premiere, the returning cast includes Ryan Kwanten as Sookie’s trouble-prone brother, Jason Stackhouse; Rutina Wesley as Pam’s newly-turned progeny, Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell as Sookie’s shape-shifting boss, Sam Merlotte; Nelsan Ellis as Tara’s clairvoyant sharp-tongued cousin, Lafayette Reynolds; Carrie Preston as Arlene Bellefleur, a Merlotte’s waitress; Todd Lowe as Terry Bellefleur; Chris Bauer as Terry’s cousin, sheriff Andy Bellefleur; Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby, Bill’s vampire progeny; Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam, Eric’s vampire progeny and business partner; Lauren Bowles as Holly, a Merlotte’s waitress; Joe Manganiello as werewolf Alcide; Michael McMillian as vampire Steve Newlin; Lucy Griffiths as Nora, a former chancellor of the Vampire Authority; Kelly Overton as werewolf Rikki; and Anna Camp as anti-vampire crusader Sarah Newlin.

 

New cast members this season include Arliss Howard as Louisiana Governor Truman Burrell; Rob Kazinsky as Ben, a stranger with faerie ties; Rutger Hauer as Niall, a faerie grandfather; Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Nicole, a pro-vampire activist; and Amelia Rose-Blaire as Truman Burrell’s daughter, Willa.

 

Be sure to catch the season premiere of this sexy, scary and wildly entertaining HBO Original series, TRUE BLOOD on Saturday, July 6 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD. Brand new episodes air weekly at the same time.

 

In addition, HBO Asia will also be launching a TRUE BLOOD: TRUE SURVIVAL Facebook game application, where top scoring players from Asia can stand to win exclusive TRUE BLOOD prizes.

TRUE BLOOD was created by Alan Ball; based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris; executive producers, Alan Ball, Brian Buckner, Gregg Fienberg, Mark Hudis,Alexander Woo and Raelle Tucker; co-executive producers, Angela Robinson and Rob DesHotel; supervising producer, Robin Veith; co-producer, Christina Jokanovich.

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About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia is able to bring the best of Hollywood to Asia first because of its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood studios - Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros., as well as a large number of major independent studios. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO Original programs that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers. HBO Asia offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY and HBO HITS – as well as HBO GO, HBO ON DEMAND, CINEMAX and RED. HBO Asia is the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and WarnerTV in Asia and a joint venture of HBO (a Time Warner company) and Paramount. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

TRUE BLOOD, HBO and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.

Victoria Court's Newest Thematic Suites

Two years ago, I featured Victoria Court thematic suites as an ideal venue for party packages. Now, I am featuring their two newest rooms that will enticed your senses.

 

It is a fact that our society especially us Pinoys has no positive view about motels. We cannot change the way people think just like that. Our minds are also clouded by what we want to know which is why I am writing this.

 

Almost the same time after publishing my previous article, one conservative and close minded acquaintance of mine found out about that I got a free 5 hour certificate at the Court. He ask(more like demanded) to have it. I said that I am using it for a group party package. He didn't believe me one bit and said that I am not qualified to use it because I am not yet in a marrying relationship. This is one example why most people have perverted thoughts about motels.

 

Unlike some motels, Victoria Court accepts families with children except for specific group parties i.e.  stag parties. Victoria Court is also ideal for photo shoots. When I toured the Canley branch last time, I came across a crew from a magazine preparing for a photo shoot at their White House theme. Victoria Court also have packages for photo shoots.

 

Back to the new thematic rooms. The first one I toured was the Fifty Shades room which is inspired by the popular bestseller. Upon entering you will feel like you are going up the elevator to the penthouse of fictional character Christian Grey. This was conceptualized by Victoria Court's resident architect Mr. Mark Sia. He said that he had to cross reference the novel and reimagined it in this themed suite. There's a replica  of a grand piano that has a pole on top of it for pole dancing purpose with a matching view  as if you are looking out the city window and the red room of pain.

 

What makes this room unique is the effect of being interactive. Like a normal residence it has regular house lights with classical music on the background  and when it turns to the red room of pain, the lights are switch to red with heavy background music. There are four chambers with sexy costumes and the red room itself is equipped with  "toys" on display and "torture devices" like the strapping device that can rotate a human being at 360 degrees at the foot of the bed. I volunteered to try and be strapped on and got rotated up side down.

 

The next new room is the Asgard room. Inspired by the recent Marvel's Thor movie which coincidentally has new movie coming this year. The room was painted with 19 karat gold all over and the room's Jacuzzi pool is designed with Odin's throne. The interactive part of the room is when you use the prop Mjolnir, Thor's hammer, in any a surface or even just swing it in the air, the room will simulate the lightning powers with light/sound effects equipped all over the room. The prop is equipped with a sensor.

 

These rooms can be flexible. They are not just for parties and photo shoots, you can also have launch events there as well. The Fifty Shades room is in Victoria Court Canley branch only while the Asgard room is in Victoria Court. Canley and Malate branches. For more features about Victoria Court and its advocacy and events, visit and like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

 

See you in Court!

THIRD SEASON OF HBO ORIGINAL SERIES GAME OF THRONES CONCLUDES ON A SHOCKING CLIMAX

HBO Media Release

 

Don’t miss the two final episodes on HBO / HBO HD - Saturdays June 22 and 29 at 9pm

PHILIPPINES, JUNE 10, 2013 – The Emmy^® and Golden Globe-winning HBO Original Series GAME OF THRONES approaches the final stages of its third season with a shocking penultimate episode - The Rains of Castamere, premiering Saturday, June 22 at 9pm exclusively on HBO and HBO HD. The season finale, Mhysa, airs the same time the following week on June 29.

 

Game of Thrones, HBO and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc.

In the wildly anticipated and intensely shocking episode, The Rains Of Castamere, Robb presents himself to Walder Frey and Edmure Tully meets his bride. Meanwhile, Jon Snow faces his harshest test yet and Bran Stark discovers a new gift. Tensions run deep in Daenerys Targaryens’s camp as Daario Naharis and Jorah Mormont debate on how to take Yunkai. And finally, House Frey joins with House Tully.

Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, GAME OF THRONES is an epic story of honor, ambition, love, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of the continent of Westeros.

The cast of GAME OF THRONES this season include: Emmy^® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Aidan Gillen (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Richard Madden (Robb Stark), Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) and Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon).

Additional regulars this season include: Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane), Conleth Hill (Varys), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), James Cosmo (Commander Jeor Mormont), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Sibel Kekilli (Shae), Rose Leslie (Ygritte) and Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell).

Recurring cast members on GAME OF THRONES this season include: Natalia Tena (Osha), Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Oona Chaplin (Talisa Maegyr Stark), Julian Glover (Maester Pycelle), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Esmé Bianco (Ros), Gemma Whelen (Yara Greyjoy), Hannah Murray (Gilly) and Art Parkinson (Rickon Stark).

New cast members for the third season include: Ciarán Hinds (Mance Rayder), Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell), Mackenzie Crook (Orell), Clive Russell (Brynden “The Blackfish” Tully), Nathalie Emannuel (Missandei), Kerry Ingram (Shireen Baratheon), Paul Kaye (Thoros of Myr), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed), Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed), Richard Dormer (Beric Dondarrion), Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Philip McGinley (Anguy), Tara Fitzgerald (Selyse Baratheon), Tobias Menzies (Edmure Tully), Anton Lesser (Qyburn), Ian McElhinney (Barristan Selmy), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton) and Noah Taylor (Locke).

Filmed in Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iceland and Morocco, season three of GAME OF THRONES is executive produced by David Benioff (Troy, 25th Hour), D.B. Weiss (the novel Lucky Wander Boy), Carolyn Strauss (Boardwalk Empire), Frank Doelger (John Adams) and Bernie Caulfield (Big Love). Co-executive producers: Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin, Vanessa Taylor. Produced by Chris Newman and Greg Spence.

In 2012, GAME OF THRONES received six Emmys^®, tied for the most of any program, including Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (tied with HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”), Outstanding Costumes for a Series, Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic), Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) and Outstanding Special Visual Effects.

Don’t miss the two final episodes Saturdays at 9pm on HBO / HBO HD. Tweet your thoughts and reactions to @HBOAsia #HBOAsiaGOT

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About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia is able to bring the best of Hollywood to Asia first because of its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood studios - Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros., as well as a large number of major independent studios. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO Original programs that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers. HBO Asia offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY and HBO HITS – as well as HBO GO, HBO ON DEMAND, CINEMAX and RED. HBO Asia is the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and WarnerTV in Asia and a joint venture of HBO (a Time Warner company) and Paramount. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.