Storytelling in Galileo Malolos with Tintin Bersola-Babao

Online Release

 

Children are naturally imaginative. Telling them stories fuels their imagination as well as increases awareness of the world that they live in. It also boosts their curiosity about other stories, thus motivating them to pick up a book and read for themselves.

 

Photo courtesy of Smart Parenting

In the Galileo Enrichment Learning Program, reading does not end in learning how to read. The program fosters their love for reading by exposing them with a wide range of topics that would cater to a child’s personal needs and interests.

 

In keeping with their advocacy on enrichment learning, Galileo Malolos is holding a Storytelling Session on October 5, 2013 at the Kulinarya, the Cabanas in Malolos, Bulacan featuring TV personality, mompreneur, author and Galileo parent Ms. Tintin Bersola-Babao.  She will be joined by her daughter Antonia who was enrolled in Galileo during summer of 2011 and 2012. Her son, Antonio will be present as well, who is currently enrolled in Galileo to experience the Galileo’s new way of learning.

 

Galileo Malolos is at N2- 2nd Floor, The Cabanas, Kms. 44/45 McArthur Highway, Longos, Malolos City, with email address: galileomalolos@yahoo.com; contact numbers: (044) 760.0426; 0917-543-1564 or visit Galileo’s FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/galileoenrichment

Voting for Philippine Gems extended until September 25

This is your last chance to vote for your favorite tourist destination here in our archipelago. I am not campaigning but I voted for Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte because I fell in love with the island.

 

Online Release

 

Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of PwC, has extended the voting period for Philippine Gems, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, until September 25.

 

Launched in June of this year, www.philippinegems.com is a campaign to determine the country’s top ten new tourist destinations. The campaign has drawn nearly 40,000 votes so far with online voting to identify 10 Philippine Gems out of the 25 shortlisted travel destinations.

 

“By extending the voting period, we are providing every opportunity available to promote our country to our citizens and to the rest of the world,” said the new Isla Lipana & Co. Chairman, Atty. Alex Cabrera. “We are grateful to everyone who supports this project and we hope that we are able to increase awareness and appreciation of the beauty our country.”

 

“To add to this, local tourism offices and local government have been rallying and inviting their constituents to vote and support their sites. This positive effect we have been getting has inspired us to extend it to give more time for other sites to also rally their supporters,” Cabrera added.

 

The Philippine Gems aims to showcase the many other magnificent natural wonders that the Philippines has to offer from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

 

This project of Isla Lipana & Co. is in cooperation with the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (PTB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) , and the University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism (UP-AIT). Aside from PTB/DOT and UP-AIT, other members of the screening committee were representatives from FleishmanHillard Manila, Management Association of the Philippines, travel blogger James Betia and media personalities Love Añover, Jing Lejano and Jose Javier Reyes.

 

For more information about the Philippine Gems and to cast your votes now visit www.philippinegems.com.

 

© 2013 Isla Lipana & Co. All rights reserved.

PwC refers to the Philippine member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. Isla Lipana & Co., PwC member firm, helps organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a member of the PwC network of firms in 158 countries with close to 169,000 people. We’re committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ph.

HBO ASIA’S FIRST ORIGINAL SERIES SERANGOON ROAD PREMIERES ON HBO / HBO HD

PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 – HBO Asia’s first original drama series SERANGOON ROAD is premiering on Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on HBO / HBO HD. A co-production with Australian Broadcasting Corporation Television, this ten episode hour-long detective noir series is set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1960s Singapore, when the global balance of power is shifting and Singapore is at its crossroad; a time when the British colonial rule is coming to an end, independence is on the horizon, and the island state can finally forge its own identity.

 

Photo courtesy of HBO Asia

SERANGOON ROAD is the heartbeat of the nation stemming from one main artery that runs through the island. Be it culture or crime, politics or patriotism, espionage or enterprise, all paths lead to Serangoon Road.

 

This is the world of Sam Callaghan (Australia’s Don Hany), Kang (Singapore’s Alaric Tay), Patricia Cheng (international Hollywood movie star, Joan Chen) and the clients of the Cheng Detective Agency. Sam Callaghan agrees to help Patricia Cheng after her husband is killed while working on a case. While Patricia may not be a detective, she knows the company needs a good investigator with contacts in the local communities, as well as among the ex-pats. Sam is all of that.

 

The Cheng Detective Agency’s cases range from the usual (straying spouses and petty fraudsters) to conspiracies and events with international implications. Sam’s contacts from his military days are useful - but they drag him back into a dark world that he would prefer to leave behind.

 

Filmed in Singapore and Batam, Indonesia, SERANGOON ROAD stars Don Hany (East West 101; Jack Irish: Black Tide) and Joan Chen (The Home Song Stories; Red Rose, White Rose), other series regulars include Hollywood-based actor Chin Han, (The Dark Knight; Contagion), Singaporean talents Alaric Tay (18 Grams of Love; The Noose) and Pamelyn Chee (Little Nyonya; The Princess of Nebraska), rising Indonesian star Ario Bayu (Java Heat; Dead Mine), and a stellar Australian cast including Maeve Dermody (Rake; Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms), Rachael Blake (Wildside; Sleeping Beauty) and  Michael Dorman (Daybreakers; Killer Elite).

Guest stars include some of Singapore’s most prominent actors, including Lim Kay Tong (The Photograph), Tan Kheng Hua (The Blue Mansion), Edmund Chen (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li), Xiang Yun (We Not Naughty), Priscelia Chan (My Sassy Neighbour), Bernard Tan (Point Of Entry), Melody Chen (The Teenage Textbook Movie), Randall Tan (Twisted), Joshua Tan (Ah Boys To Men), Nurul Huda (Singapore Idol finalist) and Timothy Nga (The High Cost Of Living).

 

Be sure to catch the premiere of this HBO Asia Original drama series SERANGOON ROAD on Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on HBO / HBO HD. Also available on HBO On Demand. Brand new episodes air weekly at the same time.

 

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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.

HBO, Home Box Office and HBO Asia Originals are service marks of Home Box office, Inc. Used with permission. © 2013 Serangoon Road Productions Pty Ltd, Infinite Frameworks Pte Ltd. HBO Pacific Partners, V.O.F, ScreenWest Inc. and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ©2013 HBO Asia. All rights reserved.

Maria Mercedes Blogger Conference

The Mexican soap operas are part of the television viewing of the Filipino. I never knew any Pinoy who doesn't know Mexican soap actress Thalia and she is a household name. When ABS-CBN is doing their adaptation of Maria Mercedez, Jessy Mendiola actually had a chance to talk to the Mexican superstar.

It was like passing the torch. Thalia was happy for Jessy to do the role.  Besides that, Jessy prepared for the role so it won't disappoint the fans. She did dancing sequences and also sang the title song. Jessy was chosen for the role because she thinks she is just as headstrong and independent as the character. She also gives some Pinoy spunk new look for the character.

Maria Mercedez also stars Jake Cuenca, Jason Abalos and Nikki Gil. Maria Mercedes airs primetime on ABS-CBN. For more blog coverages on upcoming shows, follow Mark_Templar on Twitter.

The Vikings Invades Asia

The Vikings are coming. This September, History Asia will premiere their newest mini-series, Vikings. I got to watched two episodes and I immediately got hooked. After the success of their mini-series like Titanic and my personal favorite, The Innovators, History is one of the cable channels I watched because they brought the mini-series production back in television.

 

Photo courtesy of History

 

About the Vikings, it is carefully, researched and it will educate audiences about their culture. It also a fact that before Columbus discovered the New World, the Vikings beat him to it. The mini-series also stars Gabriel Byrne.

 

Watch Vikings exclusively on History Asia starting September 29 at 10PM(Manila time). For more updates about History Channels upcoming shows, follow Mark_Templar on Twitter. Hashtag: #VikingsAsia

Galema: Anak Ni Zuma Media Conference

Your afternoon siesta won't be the same again when Galema: Anak Ni Zuma premieres in ABS-CBN September 30 after the Kapamilya Blockbusters. Based on Zuma comics and its spin-off title, Anak Ni Zuma, it will replace My Little Juan.

 

The title role will be played by Andi Eigemann. She was director Wenn Derama's first choice for Galema. Andi admits it wasn't easy this time since she is doing this series with live but trained snakes on set. Andi adds that the cast and crew were oriented with different kinds of snakes and which ones are poisonous and which ones are not. But the snakes on her shoulders are mechanical.

 

Wenn Derama is known for fantasy TV series like Kokei, Diosa and Kampanerang Kuba. Director Wenn says that he is a fan of the Zuma comics and movie adaptations where Max Laurel is known for and what makes this story unique is that this is the first time that you see a flashback on Zuma's past that was never done in the movies.

 

Zuma is a fictional Aztec demigod created by Jim Fernandez. Galema also stars Matteo Guidicelli, Sheryl Cruz, Sunshine Cruz, Carlos Morales, Lito Legaspi, Divina Valencia, Meg Imperial, and Derick Hubalde as Zuma.

My Pilates Orientation

I first heard about pilates from my sister. She was serious about getting fit because she is a ballerina. I was given opportunity to try it out. What I didn't expect that it will be done one-on-one. I was introduced to one of Options Studio's instructors, Ms. Joella Bustamante.

She explained the purpose of one-on-one sessions is to give more attention and focus for the individual. In addition to that, it will help the instructor examine the individual on the first day so he/she will have an idea how they will help the client progresses in the later sessions.

What I realized during my first session with Ms. Joella that I there are parts of my body that I never got to use and it felt good when it was stretch.  It is also different from traditional gyms which focus only on weight lifts and thread mills.

 

 

Ms. Joella told me that these sessions will develop my posture and balance in the future. I look forward how my next five private sessions will help me. There will be a time that I will join a group session. This is just a teaser post. Watch out for my actual article after finishing five trial sessions. Options Studio is located at the fifteenth floor of RCBC Tower One in Makati.

 

Araneta Center Honors Grandparents on September 8

Our lolos and lolas hold a special place in our hearts. We never fail to be fascinated whenever they tell us stories about their youth, and we love how they dote on us even when we’ve grown out of our pigtails and sandos. They discipline us, but they also always make sure we get to indulge on life’s simple pleasures. We cannot thank them enough for being such a big part of our lives.

 

This Grandparents’ Day, you can turn the tables and show your grandpa and grandma your love and appreciation by spending the day bonding at the Araneta Center. On September 8, create beautiful and memorable moments with your lolo and lola at Making Memories, a special photo exhibit showcasing life’s precious moments. The photo exhibit will also include tips on how to strengthen brain power.

 

The event will be made more unforgettable with a special performance by balladeer Chad Borja. The Binibining Pilipinas queens, Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism 2013 Cindy Miranda, and Binibining PIlipinas 2013 1^st Runner-up Pia Wurtzbach will also grace the opening of the Making Memories Photo Exhibit.

 

Lolos and lolas can also get exciting freebies when they visit the exhibit and dine at the Araneta Center. On Grandparents Day weekend, September 6 to 8, lolos and lolas are entitled to a free Minute Maid drink or a special limited edition Coke Tin Tray, when they present a P150 minimum single receipt purchase from Gateway Food Express, Ali Mall Food Gallery, Farmers Food Plaza, and Dampa sa Farmers Market. 

 

Also, free Sudoku and Crossword Puzzle booklets are to be given away for free; just have your lolo or lola present their Senior Citizen card at the exhibit area on September 8 to get this special gift pack from the Araneta Center.

 

The “Making Memories” exhibit will be at the Gateway Mall Activity Area for the whole month of September. For more updates on the latest events, shows, and developments at the Araneta Center, visit www.aranetacenter.net or like The Araneta Center on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AranetaCenter.

Manila, Are You All In for D Rose?

MANILA, September 3 – Derrick Rose will be participating in various activities in Manila as the last stop of his world tour. He arrives in the afternoon of September 14 and will make his way to the Marriott Hotel. On the 15^th, he will make an appearance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the adidas 3on3 Basketball Grand Finals, which is between the top high school teams in Southeast Asia. His last day, September 16, will start with a press conference in the morning, and will end with a video game tournament in the SM Mall of Asia Atrium, where he will play against the winner of the contest.

 

adidas Philippines is giving away 4,000 FREE tickets (two free tickets maximum per person) to fans who wish to see D Rose at the adidas D Rose Tour 3on3 grand finals, which will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on September 15, 2013. Reservation of tickets can be done online through Ticketnet starting 1 pm on September 7, 2013. Tickets can be claimed at the Smart Araneta Ticketing Booth starting September 8. The full details of how to avail of tickets are stated below.

 

 

ONLINE TICKET DISTRIBUTION MECHANICS

 

1. adidas will be giving out tickets to the adidas D Rose Tour 3on3 Grand Finals for FREE (two tickets maximum per person) on September 7, 2013 at 1:00pm to 6:00pm (or until supplies last).

 

2. In order to reserve your tickets to the event, follow the following steps: (a) visit the Ticketnet website: www.ticketnet.com.ph. (b) Fill up the online form: First Name (as seen on your valid ID), Middle Name (as seen on your valid ID), Last Name (as seen on your valid ID), Mobile Number and a E-mail Address, (c) click submit.

 

3. Upon clicking the submit button, please check your email for the confirmation of your two (2) reserved tickets.

 

4. Each person may only reserve online ONCE and each reservation is for a total of two (2) tickets. Only 4,000 tickets will be distributed through the online ticket reservation system. This is broken down into:
1. 1500 tickets for the Upper Box B section.
2. 2500 tickets for the General Admission section.

 

5. Claiming of the reserved tickets will be on the following dates and time:
1.  September 8, 2013 (from 1:00pm to 7:00pm)
2. September 9 and 10, 2013 (from 10:00am to 7:00pm) and
3. September 11, 2013 (from 10:00am to 5:00pm)

Tickets must be claimed at the Ticketnet Box Office (Yellow Gate of the Smart Araneta Coliseum).  Please present a copy or print out of your reservation’s confirmation letter (sent to your email) and a valid government-issued ID (no photocopy of ID will be allowed)

 

6. Any one of the following valid Government Issued ID’s will be accepted at the ticketing booth:
1. Philippine Passport or Foreign Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID
4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
5. Police Clearance
6. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
7. Social Security System (SSS) Card
8. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
9. Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)/Immigrant
10. Certification of Registration.

 

7. The individual who has made the reservation must personally claim the tickets. No proxies allowed.

 

8. Unclaimed Tickets by 5:01pm on September 11, 2013 shall be forfeited in favor of adidas.

 

9. This giveaway is only open to legal residents of the Republic of the Philippines.
   
   

Please click here to reserve your tickets to the adidas D Rose Tour 3on3 Grand Finals at

www.ticketnet.com.ph

 

The adidas D Rose Tour is supported by the official hotel partner, Marriott Hotel and the official hydration partner, Powerade.

 

For more information on the D Rose Tour in Manila, visit www.drosetourmanila.com and www.facebook.com/adidas, or follow the conversation on twitter with #DRoseTour and #teamadidas.

Lorenzo: A Theater Review

The College of Saint Benilde hosted the maiden run of Lorenzo, a rock opera based on the life of the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz. It is the first production of Green Wings Entertainment Network directed by Nonon Padilla with music by Ryan Cayabyab and produced by Christopher De Leon.

 

The story of Lorenzo Ruiz is a story of courage. He was martyred in Japan for not renouncing his faith when he was caught with the missionaries. It is also a timely play because we have OFWs(Overseas Filipino Workers) suffering the same fate in a foreign land. This is a story were all Filipinos can relate. I never knew a single Filipino who is not related to an OFW.

What's a mobile suit doing in a musicale?

 

Watching Lorenzo will be a different theater experience. It is also a play within a play. A modern story that progresses with flashbacks of Lorenzo Ruiz's experiences. Even though the musicale is done in Tagalog, there is an English subtitle for foreign audience. In my opinion, this story will make the audience theologize the situation. There are symbolisms that reflects in this musicale.

 

The production staff and cast of Lorenzo

Why do it in opera? Because opera has intense emotion. Although, I watched it with a contemporary band, it is already good. Mr. Cayabyab said to watch it with an orchestra. Hopefully, this production will not only end in Benilde campus. I am hoping that this will also be seen in other theater venues so it will attract more audiences. The cast are also professional theater actors.

all in for #my girls

adidas online  media release

 

adidas celebrates the bonds shared between girls in Southeast Asia with its first ever regional campaign for women

Philippines, September 1^st, 2013: adidas proudly introduces its first Southeast Asia campaign for women, all in for #mygirls. The initiative is driven by a refreshed cross-category brand direction which centres on the key insight that girls in Southeast Asia rely on their peers and communities as a source of strength and play an instrumental role in inspiring each other to go all in, whatever their pursuits.

Created by women for women, #mygirls is about providing inspiration, support and motivation through the sharing of real stories of real women through multiple touch points, to encourage Southeast Asia girls to go all in for their sporting passions.

adidas teamed up with local ambassadors from across the region – Fay Hokulani (representing Malaysia and Singapore), Karylle (Philippines), Si Phitsinee Tanwiboon (Thailand), Maria Selena Nurcahya (Indonesia) and Nguyen Thi Kim Dung (Vietnam) – bringing them together on one social platform to connect and share their experiences, sporting passions and personal motivations to spur each other and other girls on in their individual pursuits.

#mygirls for Southeast Asia kicks off with the release of the Fall/Winter FW13 women’s training collection. The first phase is themed around the girls’ love for dance, and the campaign will be launched across the region on 1 September 2013 supported by Retail, PR, digital and online activations through adidas’ Facebook page. #mygirls for Southeast Asia is set to launch simultaneously in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. 

WFP Donates Logistics Equipment to Strengthen DSWD’s Regional Disaster Response Capacity

In time for the typhoon season, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has donated US$130,000 of logistics equipment to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Region XIII (CARAGA) and Region XI (Davao Oriental) field offices. The equipment includes mobile warehouse/storage units, generator sets, pre-fabricated offices and wooden and plastic pallets that will help both regional offices strengthen their response capacities for future emergencies.      

The equipment had been procured in both regions as part of WFP’s support to DSWD and the larger humanitarian community’s logistics capacity for Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) relief operations in the provinces of Surigao del Sur (for Region XIII) and Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Norte (for Region XI).

In photo, WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal (second from left), DSWD Region XI Regional Director Priscilla Razon (second from right), DSWD Region XIII Regional Director Minda Brigoli (right), and WFP Philippines Logistics Officer Dragoslav Djuraskovic (left) sign the donation agreement.    

 

Photo Credit: WFP/Anthony Chase Lim/Philippines

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

 

For more information on WFP’s work in the Philippines, visit http://www.wfp.org/philippines.

Follow us on Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and

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