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Friday, February 28, 2014

Thank You for the Music 7107's Red Hot Chili Peppers



I started listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the early 90's and  were the reasons my siblings and I got hooked to NU107 (when it was still cool) and MTVs as we patiently waited for their music videos all day.

Rumors of the RHCP performing in the Philippines first surfaced 12 years ago, unfortunately it seemed negotiations didn’t work out.




Fast forward January 21, 2014, I was sitting together a crowd of media at the Aracama listening eagerly to the confirmation that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were going to be part of the 7107 International Music Festival—at that time I still had my last minute doubts as the project seemed too ambitious.

As part of the generation who grew up with RHCP, it brought back a lot of flashbacks, from singing along with my friends and imitating Flea’s guitar solos.

So the thought of watching them live brought back those memories—unfortunately I also have the same problems then as I did back then-- their tickets were quite…make that very expensive.


Seeing them live, was part of my bucket list and seeing them now, 20 years later was all the more intriguing. I wanted to see how Anthony Keidis would like without his shirt off, or if he still sounded the same.

Thank God for blogging—and friends from Fleishman Hillard Ph.

I could barely sleep the night before, from all the excitement and messages from my brothers who are working abroad asking me for photos of RHCP to prove that I was indeed watching their concert, and friends asking if I still had tickets or if I wanted to sell them my ticket—As if the thought ever crossed my mind.

Trying to hide our excitement we were quite (very) early at the meeting point in Centris Quezon Avenue, last February 23. The travel time was about two hours to Clark GGLC and we waited for another half an hour for the gates to open.


Security was very tight and we had to leave all our “baon” (water and chips) back at the van and were advised that there was strictly no re-entry.

As soon as we entered, I was awed by the spacious grounds. It was HUGE I guess almost 3 to 4 times the size of the MoA concert grounds, there was a loooong row of portalets near the entrance, food tents on the left and on the far right were the two stages. One with a carabao horn where our local artists performed and the International stage decorated with the rays of the Philippine sun.



It was no wonder that many had been comparing the event to other international festivals like Coachella. It wasn’t just a concert event it was really a festival area.

There were souvenir booths selling souvenir Tshirts of RHCP Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and other artists a long food tents with almost every kind of food you want and a separate beverage station for liquor, water, juice and of course the Jamba Juice truck.


As long as your wallet is full, your stomach will never go empty.




Besides the VIP area there was also a more noticeable Guess stay in tent with the small pool inside for those who want to take a dip but unfortunately it was for VIPs so even the media couldn’t get in.


Near the international stage was the Smart Hangout tent where Smart subscribers got pampered as they could watch the concert inside the airconditioned tent, get freebies and use the charging station to recharge their gadgets.

As the first bands like Pulso played we were still exploring the grounds and taking souvenir photos of the 7107 markers before deciding to cool it down at the Media tent.


It was quite difficult shuffling back and forth the two stages, and it was a good thing there was the 7107IMF app that would alert you of the bands currently playing on stage so you could choose which stage to go to.

In the early afternoon, we could go as near as the very front of the stage but as the crowd started to gather and set up their own areas with those mats, it became more difficult to get closer. And when Kendrick Lamar got on stage there was no getting
back once you leave your spot.



It was only fellow blogger Earth Rullan who braved the crowd and stayed at her spot for the next few hours to get the best view of the stage. The rest of us, on the other hand were content on seeing them from a distance instead of trying to squeeze our way back.

I enjoyed most of the local acts that day including Rocksteady, Itchyworms, and Radioactive Sago Project, which I should say made an impact on the audience especially with his witty lines and spiels.


I even noticed this teenage boy banging his head continuously as Lourd sang
Walang Basagan ng Trip and Alak Sugal Kape Babae Kabaong--- who afterwards sat in the middle of the field looking quite dizzy from all that headbanging.

As Empire of the Sun wrapped up their performance you could see the people lining up like ants to the stage as they prepared for the final act of the two-day festival.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared on stage at about 10:30 pm and as much as we tried to squeeze ourselves closer but it already impossible as the crowd has gotten so dense near the stage.


The crowd erupted as soon as Flea struck the first chords of their opening song, and as soon as Anthony voiced out the words, it became a frenzy.

Everybody was in high spirits and there was generally a good vibe amongst the crowd. People would make way to let you pass and would even shine their cellphones so you wont trip over.

The stage was lighted up in different colors and I felt like I was watching them in a foreign land. The LED screens and the Sound system was by far the best I have seen in the country.


Contrary to rumors, the RHCP was in their groove and the only reason why people were not jumping and singing as much was because everyone was trying to steady themselves as they took videos of every performance.

Anthony gyrated topless before the audience, Flea nailed Californication, it was an awesome performance from RHCP,  everything  at the moment was truly amazing and we went a notch up for the international scene, we made history for 7107.

I was on cloud nine when RHCP made their final encore with  my personal favorite Give It Away, they ended up at 1200 am, with a grand fireworks display marking the end of the first of hopefully a yearly 7107 music festival. I just wished my siblings were with me to share the moments.

I did keep my promise of sharing the memories through pictures, and yes, I was a living witness to the history that was 7107. I instagrammed, twitted and FB status everything happened for the fest.  Long live the music scene!


And thank you Red Hot Chili Peppers it was worth my 20 year wait.


Share the Instant Fast, Fujifilm Instax Share Mini Printer.

Share the Instant Fast,  Instax Share Mini Printer.




In a world of instagram, twitter, pinterest and facebook. Now comes another exciting app, the Fujifilm Instax share to the world of social networking. With this app, you can print pictures the size of a credit card to the Instax mini printer,  you could print your favorite pictures in 16 seconds plus different templates that you could choose to play and design on.


If you are a fan of scrapbooking, this is the perfect time to decorate your own via Instax share mini printer.




Everyone had fun printing our own pictures at a recent event of Instax Share, I have 5 pictures printed via my instagram photos. Just download Instax share and install  to your smart phones, select pictures from your gallery and connect via wifi to your Fujifilm instax  mini printer and print fast and easy. It is user friendly. The best part is you can print anywhere, anytime you want to, the mini printer is portable and lithium battery operated.



SPECS:
SRP: Php 9,990
Film: Fujifilm instant Color Film "instax mini" (sold separately)
Film size: 86mm x 54mm
Image size: 62mm x 46mm
Printing Resolution: 10 dots / mm (254 dpi)
Printing Levels: 256 levels per color (RGB)
Supported image format: JPEG
Printing time: Image recording - photo output (fed out): Approx. 16 sec.
Power supply: Two CR2/DL CR2 Lithium batteries, AC Power adapter (sold separately: AC-5VX)
Printing capacity: Approx. 100 prints (when CR2 lithium batteries are used based on test conditions)
Power consumption: 2.5W
Dimensions / Weight: 101.6mm x 42mm x122.5mm / 253g (without battery and film pack)

Tex-Mex Fusion at TGIFriday's

I love spicy food so much  that I could not eat without them stinging up my palate. Then I read somewhere that spicy food can help you lose weight, and let you enjoy your food either way. I am a fan of quesadillas and nachos I love the taste and combination of melted cheese with chili tucked inside or sprinkled on top . That made me one dedicated spice girl, for you. Good news to all quesadilla lovers, nachos, tacos and enchiladas . Here comes TGIFridays's Tex-Mex. 




The taste of Texas. The passion of Mexico. These can be savored with every bite of hearty dishes deep in the heart of Tex-Mex cooking.

And now, there is no need to cross the ocean to sink your teeth into this cuisine. TGIFriday’s celebrates the flavors of Mexican and American Southwest with its new Tex-Mex menu featuring enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas and tacos.
But what’s all these without ice cold beer? TGIFriday’s has a Buy Take One offers on Corona Extra when you order any of the new Tex-Mex dishes. This special offer is on until end of April 2014.

TGIFRIDAY'S BALLPARK NACHOS

In the good old days, ‘Tex-Mex’ is a term that was used to refer to half-Texan and half-Mexican cuisine. The term first saw print in 1945 to mean Mexican peasant food prepared with cowboy fare by cooks, evoking images of cantinas, cattle drives and ranch hands or vaqueros. These were staple at dinner tables across South Texas which was heavily influenced by the food of neighboring northern Mexico. Tex-Mex actually began with a taste for cabrito (kid goat), barbacoa (barbecued cow heads), carne seca (dried beef), and other products of cattle culture which were common for cowboys.

TGIFRIDAY’S SMOKED SALMON QUESADILLAS

Tex-Mex dishes went “gourmet” in the 1970s when Mexican culinary expert Diana Kennedy recommended “Americanized Mexican food” as a trendy fare and a “must-eat” cuisine for a younger generation. When the word adopted an exciting ring to it, a number of restaurants offering Tex-Mex dishes became a trend that spread across Europe, Asia, South America and even in the Middle East, particularly in places which have substantial Hispanic population.

These days, it generally means mouth-watering platters of enchiladas, tacos and tortillas. Just hearing these words can send anyone on a Tex-Mex rush.

Tex-Mex has indeed come a long way evolving to almost everyone’s hot and vibrant comfort food.

TGIFriday’s is turning up the heat with a new, zesty Tex-Mex menu featuring dishes that are sure to pepper your palates.

TGIFRIDAY'S RANCHERO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
The Ranchero Chicken Enchiladas has tender, slow-cooked chicken breast mixed with spicy ranchero tomato sauce and melted Monterey Jack cheese rolled in corn tortilla; topped with cheddar, pico de gallo, cilantro and sour cream and and served with chorizo rice.

TGIFRIDAY'S BBQ PORK TACOS

Friday’s Chili Ballpark Nachos, meanwhile, are great as a snack or an appetizer when you’re hanging out with family or chilling with friends. Enjoy a serving of deep-fried tortilla chips covered with rich cheese sauce, chili and pico de gallo and served with fresh salsa.


Quesadilla is also known as “Mexican Cheese Sandwich” that is sure to satisfy your light and easy cravings. Friday’s Smoked Salmon Quesadillas—brimming with a savory mixture smoked salmon, pico de gallo, tart apples and Monterey Jack cheeses n crisp tortillas and served with mango lemon slaw—is spot on!

On the other hand, crispy and light tacos are widely popular at TGIFriday’s. Its BBQ Pork Tacos, filled with shaved pork tenderloin in the restaurants signature BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, frizzled onions, southwestern sour cream, pico de gallo and freshly chopped cilantro and served with fries, will get your get you and your loved ones crunching away and wanting for more.

Then there’s Friday’s Tostada Nachos, crispy tortillas loaded with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, served with salsa and sour cream, the topped with spicy jalapenos for that extra kick.

With TGIFriday’s new dishes, your dining experience will be one zesty adventure and A celebration of the heart of Texas and the passion of Mexico. Simply put, TGIFriday’s new Tex-Mex meals are delicious and authentic dishes from both sides of the border served straight on your plate.

To know more about TGIFriday’s, check out : www.fridays.com.ph Facebook: welovefridays; Twitter: ; Instagram: tgifridaysph

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Matteo Guidicelli Perfect for Mentos



“I’m hyper, I can’t stay in one place!” Hunky dynamo and newly-minted Mentos endorser Matteo Guidicelli sure lives up to his claim. Just take a look at his career path thus far and you’d be hard-pressed to pigeonhole the 23-year-old who pursues a variety of passions.

“If I’m not working, I’m working out or training. I don’t like wasting time so I try to be productive.”

So whether it’s tarmacs or TV screens, billboards or boxing rings, triathlons or runways, this guy is always prepared to kick it up a notch so he can enjoy whatever thrill-seeking ride he’s on.

“I guess I naturally attract opportunities to be active,” says the multi-talented man with a game plan. “What keeps me excited about life is knowing that there are always bigger challenges for me to take on.”

His have-a-blast blueprint for 2014 includes a newly-inked deal to be the new face of fun, Mentos, so expect to see surprising things from this perfect pair up. (Fun fact: The big Mentos HQ is in Italy so half-Italian Matteo should feel right at home with them.)

“It’s all about living fresh,” Matteo muses on making 2014 matter. “Open your mind, become the best version of yourself…Create change.”

What sort of fresh change is in store from the hot young leading man in the coming months? We’re just as stoked as you are to see for ourselves.

“The best thing about life is all the things that happen without you even expecting them to happen.” We couldn’t have said it any better, Matteo.

Expect more exciting things to happen this year from Mentos and Matteo!

GEAR UP WITH LAZADA’S ULTIMATE GADGET CRAZE!


GEAR UP WITH LAZADA’S ULTIMATE GADGET CRAZE!

An early summer treat awaits all tech enthusiasts and gamers as Lazada Philippines—the largest online shopping mall in the country—has launched an ultimate gadget craze campaign.

One of the campaigns is the “Great Samsung Sale” which is tagged as Samsung’s biggest sale of the year. Buyers can get a discount of up to Php3,500 and get to have cool freebies along with it. In addition, gamers can enjoy playing the latest Sony PlayStation 4 console for only P23,500! The bundle package is priced at P26,200! Playing with your favorite games will not be complete without a new LED TV. Lazada is offering My View LED TV that can go as low as P4,999.

Change your mobile into something nicer and smarter. Buy the new HTC One for only P25,185!  This Smartphone is equipped with quad-core processor, ultra-pixel camera, and long battery endurance that guarantee meeting your daily needs—whether for work or play.

If you like local brands, then you might enjoy the exclusive Torque Mobile Bundle—Torque Droidz Edge phone and Torque i20TV for only P2,979 (available only in Lazada). Or maybe a touch screen laptop?  The new line of Haibook Android Laptops will surely meet your needs and budget since it’s now available for only P4,599.

So hurry and gear up this coming summer with Lazada’s incredible gadget craze!  Avail these awesome bargains, great price, and even better service only at Lazada!  Log on at www.lazada.com.ph. Follow @LazadaPH on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay updated.


About Lazada

Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

LAZADA EYES GROWTH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA



LAZADA EYES GROWTH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

When Berlin-based Internet incubator Rocket Internet launched the online marketplace Lazada in five Southeast Asian countries in early 2012, it has placed a big bet in the region.

Unlike other regions of the world, which have dominant destination websites such as Amazon in the Western World, Alibaba's Tmall in China, or Flipkart in India, Southeast Asia is a territory of niche players. It also lags behind other regions in e-commerce maturity.

According to Maximilian Bittner, CEO of Lazada Group, “The main opportunity that we took advantage of is two-fold: one is that people are becoming more Internet savvy and the mobile phone penetration is also going up; and second, Southeast Asian countries have strong developing economies. Economic growth is not only in the capital cities but also across the whole countries. What you have in these countries is a lot of offline retail presence moving to second and third tier cities. We are also taking advantage of the opportunity to bring these offerings to people who, for the first time, can spend money and using disposable income."

Bittner added, “The vision is to build a general merchandize destination website that shoppers would think of as a place to find good buys from consumer electronics to fashion to home appliances to books to about anything that they need. This was from same company that also built Zalando in Europe, Linio in Central America, and Zalora in Asia-Pacific.”

Bittner explained, “The challenges are huge, but learnings come everyday. We really tried to address the key challenges that exist on a day to day basis, including challenges in logistics or being able to bring packages to anyone across the country at an acceptable time, finding the right mix of products in specific markets and being able to offer them at good prices, and supporting third-party sellers using the platform.”

Early on, the company realized that to make it as the dominant regional e-commerce player, it has to be very innovative and use its strengths as well as opportunities in the market.

ONLINE SHOPPING 

Bittner, said, “Each of the Lazada markets—Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnamn, and the Philippines have stengths. Indonesia, for instance, has the biggest population, with close to 300 million people. Malaysia and Thailand are more developed from the GDP perspective and people have more disposable income. Vietnam's GDP is catching up and has a geographically dispersed population, which makes it a good market for online retail. And the Philippines also has a big population—a steady market and increasingly becoming investment friendly.

"Initially, we focused more on consumer electronics—mobile phones, tablets, cameras. In the last six to 12 months, we started focusing on lifestyle products from home appliances to fashion to sports. In the Philippines, we are selling more small home appliances, in Thailand beauty products rule, in Malaysia the electronics side is strong. Our product mix is getting diverse," he said.

Meanwhile, Stein Jakob Oeie, CFO & CMO of Lazada Southeast Asia Pte Ltd, said, “Southeast Asia is a region dominated by Facebook. Thus, Lazada’s effort is big on social media.

Oeie shared, "We not only use Facebook but social media overall for engagement to attract new customers and retain customers. What we did initially was start on the engagement side. We started communicating with the customers and we started getting feedback—what we were doing good, what we were doing better, what we did wrong and we adjust to that. Its a very cost efficient way to get feedback. Its much easier to get people aboard.”

With a fan base of over six million people on the social networking site, Oeie said Facebook has become its main customer acquisition platform. Facebook works to Lazada's advantage because of its regional presence. Currently, its advertising and customer engagement efforts have yielded impressive results: 90 percent reach of the online population in Philippines, 80 percent reach of online population in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand; and 60 times fan growth in one year to five million fans.

"This strategy has three big benefits for us: almost everyone here is on Facebook, they are on Facebook most of the time and we can target them and very customized personalized messages, which make it incredibly efficient for marketing," added Oeie.

Another strategy, Oeie further explained, is the shifting focus from the big cities to rural areas where consumers are looking for products they wouldn't have access to in the neighborhoods.

Bittner believes “that while US and Europe and even second tier of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations were ahead of the e-commerce development curve, the Southeast Asian market has a lot of potential and room to grow. "he market is still very young and we are helping pioneer that market. The population is very tech savvy, willing to try new things. So we strive to provide them with tools they need to have a good online shopping experience, gain their trust by providing safe payment methods, and introduce mobile apps so they can have access on any device.”

Despite its success in the online space, Bittner said building a physical store is not part of the plan. Lazada will remain a pure-play e-commerce destination website. And this strategy has its advantages. You have the ability to provide offer to anyone who comes to your website. Your reach is much bigger. You can have unlimited shopping.”


About Lazada
Lazada ( www.lazada.com.ph) is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free

Monday, February 24, 2014

Psorphil's PsorCOACH to Support Psoriasis Patients.



Psoriasis affects over 125 million people worldwide. "In the Philippines, it is estimated that as much as 2 % of the population, or about two million will likely be diagnosed with psoriasis as of this year. Psoriasis comes to number 3 of the most depressed patient in the world, after schizoprenia and lung cancer, mas malungkot ang mga may psoriasis kaysa sa mga may cancer and HIV". Josef de Guzman (Psorphil President) told reporters at the recent Psorphil Psorcoach event at Max's Restaurant P. Tuazon on February 13, 2014.

Josef de Guzman (Psorphil President)


Psoriasis is a serious chronic inflammatory non communicable disease (NCD) that affects the skin and joints. It has severe physical, mental and socio-economic burden and carries a hosts of other serious co-morbidities such as depression, Uveitis, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other immune-related conditions such as Crohn's disease - that puts the patients into greater risks and shorter life span.

Ginny Sinense-Marksl (Lose2win Nutritionist & Lifestyle Coach)

Dr. Vermen Verrallo-Rowell, MD-FPDS (Medical Adviserl, Dermatologist)



Filipinos are suffering in silence with this disease. It is also believed that most sufferers are either  undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and consequently untreated. There is no known cure for psoriasis yet, but empathy and understanding will enable sufferers to endure the pain and discomfort of the disease.


Dr. Lorna Frez, MD-FPDS (Medical Adviser Dermatologist)

Enter Psorcoach, it is conceptualized in the context of trained Psorphil members as experts supporting psoriasis patients: to guide them in their psoriasis journey and cope better with their conditions. Psorcoach is intended to support the doctor- patient relationship by helping the patients to have a better understanding of his/her disease underlining the need to improve adherence to treatments and medications prescribed by their physicians.

To learn more about Psorphil's PsorCOACH program, please visit www.psorphil.org or email us at info@psorphil.org



NYOBG's Not Your Ordinary Variety Show This Summer.




Summer is just around the corner and what better way to beat the sweltering sun than to join the fun as NYOBG (Not Your Ordinary Boys and Girl) heats the runway in the extra hot special show titled Not Your Ordinary Variety Show live at various Pagcor Casino branches.

A whole night of rollicking performance awaits the audience on March 1 (Casino Filipino Pavilion), March 14 (Casino Filipino Mimosa Satellite), March 20 (Casino Filipino Hyatt), March 22 (Airport Casino Filipino), March 29 (Casino Filipino Olongapo), April 3 (Casino Filipino Olongapo), April 9 (CasinoFilipino Hyatt), April 12 (Airport Casino Filipino), April 23 (Casino Filipino Angeles), and April 26 (Casino Filipino Pavilion).

NYOBG, Backroom’s latest addition to its league of talented artists, is composed of Carlo Sawit, PJ Go, Avery Paraiso, Benj Bolivar, Kaye Chua, Maui Lumba, and Bon Jovi Osorio.

Carlo enthused, “I get an adrenaline rush whenever I perform in-front of a crowd. Since it’s a live show, may feedback agad from the audience so alam agad namin kung nage-enjoy ang manonood.”

“Since joining NYOBG, we have been together for over a year now. We’ve bonded together and it shows during our performance dahil comfortable na kaming magkakasama. We consider ourselves as one big, happy family,” said PJ, Benj, and Avery.

Kaye and Maui shared, “We’ve been friends since college. Now that we’re in NYOBG, mas lalo kaming naging close sa isa’t isa. Although we’re working, parang gimik na rin ito para sa amin lalo pa’t we’ve met the other guys. Sabi nga, the more, the merrier.”

Bon Jovi added, “I always look forward to our performances at Pagcor. Not everyone is given the chance to perform live onstage. It also prepares us for our future activities. Plus, it’s lots of fun!”

Joining them onstage as special guests are Krazy Chikz and Pagcor artist.

Aside from being busy with their Not Your Ordinary Variety Show, these new breed of young artists have their hands full of activities in their individual careers. Carlo is the newest endorser of Yellow Cab. He recently finished taping a special role in an upcoming ABS-CBN series and is now preparing for a role in a new project. Benj is part of a forthcoming series on ABS-CBN. Avery is currently shooting a movie under Skylight Films (Star Cinema’s sister company).

Meanwhile, after appearing on Maria Mercedes, Bon Jovi is now preparing for a special project. PJ and Maui will be launched as the latest product endorsers of a leading brand. Kaye is training in preparation for her big dream.

For Inquiries, call Backroom Inc at 4351108, 4351120 and 9280717 or email us at backroominc@hotmail.com. Like Backroom Inc. on facebook at www.facebook.com/backroominc and or follow Backroom Inc. on twitter at www.twitter.com/BackroomArtists.

#ShowitOff and Win a Galaxy Tab 3.0

#ShowitOff and win a Galaxy Tab 3.0




In 2012, Time magazine included the word “selfie” among its Top 10 buzzwords of the year. Last year, “selfie” not only earned its inclusion in the dictionary but was also chosen as word of the year by the Oxford English Dictionary.


From Hollywood and local celebrities, athletes, and even politicians, “selfies” have seemingly become the norm in social networking sites, making up a majority of the pictures taken by smartphone users—both young and old.
Its appeal not only lies on just how easy it is to create and share, but because it also gives self-photographers control on how they present themselves. Presenting yourself to get “likes” and be noticed by your peers, however, can often be quite different from who you really are.

And there lies the problem with selfies—when it becomes more of a projection rather than a reflection of who you really are.

But there is a rising online movement, a growing surge of positivity that urges the youth to be true to themselves. To accept who they are, and be proud of what they have become.

The mysterious website “www.showit-off.com” centers on the hashtag #showitoff, and calls for everyone to post their selfies that showcase who they really are, their unique fashion style, their true sexuality, their real passion — raw, unedited, honest.

You were born unique. You were created to stand out. Don’t just Be In. Its more about Being True. Being You. It’s time to unleash the real you. Unleash your reality! #showitoff




“MANNY: THE MOVIE” TO PREMIERE AT SXSW FILM FESTIVAL IN TEXAS




“MANNY: THE MOVIE” TO PREMIERE AT SXSW FILM FESTIVAL IN TEXAS

The South by Southwest Film Festival and Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas recently announced that it will host the premiere of the Hollywood-produced “MANNY: THE MOVIE.”

The festival which runs from March 7 to 15 will mark the global debut of the highly anticipated documentary movie of the celebrated Filipino sports icon.

Narrated by Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson, “MANNY” chronicles  the untold story of Manny Pacquiao-- from his impoverished childhood years in war-torn Mindanao, his struggle to survive in Manila by working in construction sites and warehouses after running away from home at the age of 14-- to his dramatic  rise as a ten-time boxing world champion.

As the first boxing congressman in history, his Cinderella-man story has awed and inspired countless fans from all walks of life; and his continuing saga adds only to the checkered and amusing story of this remarkable global superstar.

The film is directed by Ryan Moore and Academy Award winner Leon Gast.

Gast had previously done the boxing documentary “When We Were Kings” which showcased the epic match between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

For “MANNY: THE MOVIE” both directors had to go through thousands of hours of film and video footage to create a thorough documentation of Pacquiao’s storied career, beginning with his first few bouts in small venues to his most classic rivalries with some of the greatest fighters in boxing.

The film also includes interviews with actor Mark Wahlberg, comedian Jimmy Kimmel, Jeremy Piven and many other international celebrities and features original music from acclaimed Hollywood composer Lorne Balfe (Inception, Dark Night, Iron Man).



The film’s SXSW debut holds some significance for Pacquiao as it was in Texas where he won his 8th world boxing title --- a feat yet unmatched in history. The subsequent Philippine commercial exhibition on March 12 also segues perfectly to his upcoming rematch with American boxer Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on April 12, 2014.

While trainer Freddie Roach had previously mentioned the need for Paquaio’s undivided attention to knock down Bradley, his fans remain hopeful that the People’s Champ would take some time off to join them in this momentous event.

MANNY: THE MOVIE opens in Philippine cinemas nationwide on March 12, 2014, and is distributed locally by Solar Entertainment Corporation.   

Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Day I Celebrate Goya with Kim Chiu



As soon as I entered the room, I saw a very familiar name on the stage that made me smile, “GOYA

Each step felt like a stroll down memory lane for a kid who grew up in the 80s and knew chocolate by only one name—GOYA. And when I saw their chocolate buffet which included every Goya product available, I could imagine my former classmates crying tears of joy at such a sweet sight.

Everyone I knew grew up (or big) with Goya. Back then we could buy a handful of chocolates with our “baon.” Goya was affordable, but it tasted just as good as those more expensive brands and that’s why we loved it more.


Their chocolate treats have the kick up taste of cocoa that is perfectly balanced with milk and their variants can satisfy anyone’s sweet cravings for the day. I remember my father would even use Goya Gold coins in his coffee instead of sugar.

We would even joke about our girl classmates who were won over by their suitors who gave them chocolates and would tease them “Na-Goya ka no!”


And through the years, I’m glad that their commitment to create deliciously sweet chocolate for every Filipino continues.

Goya, one of the most enduring chocolate brands shows the way in celebrating life’s simple pleasures as it held its “Celebrate Everyday with Goya,” thanksgiving event at the Circle Events Place last February 20, 2014.

The “Celebrate Everyday with Goya” featured lots of games, fun, prizes and surprises that guests and media surely enjoyed after a hard day’s work covering important events and writing their stories.

But by the end of the night, I think I was the one who had the biggest reason to celebrate as I won the GRAND PRIZE OF THE NIGHT–a 1-YEAR SUPPLY OF GOYA CHOCOLATES!

And I think that’s more than enough reasons to celebrate each day with Goya chocolates! Thank you GOYA! You made the kid in me–with the sweet tooth for dark chocolates—very very very happy!

“Every day we work tirelessly for our family and loved ones and whenever we accomplish something, it is but fitting to celebrate it in our own way, whether alone or with friends. Celebrating our life’s events helps make us more positive and therefore allows us to be even more motivated to continue and pursue our objectives and dreams,” Goya General Manager Josenilo Chincuanco shared over dinner.

Chincuanco explains that the road for Goya was not easy and it took a lot of effort from both management and workers to bring Goya back to where it once was, in a level where it can effectively compete with other more established brands already in the market.

That is why the “Celebrate Everyday with Goya” event is the company’s own way of thanking its supporters and the media for continuing to patronize Goya and recognizing the efforts to uplift Goya’s potential to even greater heights and be able to go head-to-head with competitors in terms of taste but at a wallet-friendly price level.

“With Goya, we now make delicious, world-class and premium-quality chocolates that are within their reach. They don’t have to spend more or wait for their relatives’ ‘padala’ or ‘pasalubong’ to enjoy delectable chocolates. It’s now available right here in our country, the finest chocolate at a price they all can afford. That alone is worthy enough to celebrate,” he relates.

The event also marked the special appearance of Goya’s celebrity brand ambassador, actress and TV host Kim Chiu, who gamely participated in all the games and other activities that night.

Chincuanco also recognizes the fact that Kim Chiu was very much instrumental in elevating the awareness level on Goya, particularly among the younger set who may have not known that there is a fully homegrown chocolate brand that is as tasty as the other imported brands but not as expensive.


“Credit goes also to Kim Chiu for tirelessly helping us in promoting Goya as part of everyone’s lives. Her association with Goya was a big plus factor in increasing awareness about Goya. Our chocolate products, in particular the Goya chocolate bar, is the most preferred chocolate bar in the market. A big thank you to Kim for helping us” Chincuanco relates.

“We strive to become better every day and we hope that in Filipinos’ celebrations, holiday or not, they could make Goya a significant part of their celebration,” he adds.

Goya now offers wide-array of products from chocolates bars, to dragees, chocolate covered-pretzel twists, chocolate wafers and even chocolate spreads.  All manufactured using Swiss chocolate-making technology.

For certified chocolate aficionados out there, visit the Goya Chocoholics Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/GoyaChocoholics.







California Pizza Kitchen and Your Best Selfie + Pizza Story Ever.

Share your pizza stories with California Pizza Kitchen


California Pizza Kitchen invites pizza lovers everywhere to share those pleasurable moments in a storytelling campaign with two main stars:  you and your CPK pizza.  Just grab a bite of your favourite CPK pizza in any size, any flavour, anytime, anywhere.  Have a slice at home, at the park, in the office, by the pool, at the tennis court, by your car, or even in a famous landmark.  Show us how much you enjoy your CPK pizza by taking a selfie or a groupie with family or friends.
Tell us your best selfie story together with your favorite  CPK pizza now!


Starting February 24, upload your pizza story snapshot or short video to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.  Add the hashtags #MyPizzaStory, #EveryPizzaTellsAStory and #CPKPhilippines.  To get a free treat from your friends at CPK, like CPKPhilippines on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and share the link of your pizza story to mypizzastory@cpk.com.ph with your full name, mobile number, date of birth and your favorite CPK location.

Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato Pizza


“Our latest campaign rides on the massive popularity of “selfies”, Oxford Dictionary’s 2013 word of the year,” says Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts Inc., 

The Original BBQ Chicken
the local partner of CPK. “People come to us for memorable dining experience of unique pizzas.  As we believe that every pizza tells a story, we invite our guests to share their fun CPK moments on social media and reward them with special pizza treats.”

Every selfie or groupie will be rewarded with classic personal pizza favorite – Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato, The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza or Untraditional Cheese.  A CPK Pizza Voucher will be emailed to them complete with details on how to redeem their prize.  A participant will only be rewarded once regardless of the number of selfie or groupie entries.  Submissions will be accepted until April 13, 2014.

 CPK Philippines is the first franchise to operate outside the United States.  As a testament to its popularity in the country, the restaurant has been expanding its presence for 16 years.  CPK has been exciting its growing band of loyal diners over the years with gourmet pizzas, pasta dishes, appetizers, desserts, and beverage menu.

CPK’s eight branches in Metro Manila are located at the Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Greenhills Promenade, Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, W Global Center in Bonifacio Global City, Eastwood Mall, and SM Mall of Asia. Two years ago, CPK opened in Harbor Point Mall in Subic, its first branch outside the metro.
For the latest news and updates, join and follow the CPK Philippines community on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CPKPhilippines) and Twitter & Instagram

Untraditional Cheese

From a legendary pizza to a global brand.
CPK opened their first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1985. Former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their passion for food with fresh high-quality ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, Thai Chicken and Jamaican Jerk Chicken, cooked in an open kitchen. The restaurant gave California a place in the pizza pantheon alongside Chicago and New York. Our California twist on global flavors resonated with guests, and almost immediately, CPK became a bustling spot for business and family gatherings.
Almost immediately after the first location opened, CPK expanded from California to more than 250 locations in more than 30 states and 11 countries.  But it doesn’t stop there; you’ll also find them bringing smiles to the pizza aisle in your grocer’s freezer, taking the edge off travel fatigue in major airports all over the world, feeding eager fans at sports stadiums and students on college campuses.
California Pizza Kitchen completed an initial public offering in August 2000 and traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol CPKI. Only July 7, 2011, Golden Gate Capital completed the acquisition of CPK and as a result of the acquisition, the company’s common stock is no longer publicly traded
Global Restaurant Concepts Inc., a Filipino-owned company, brought the world famous brand in the Philippines. In 1998, the first CPK restaurant outside the United States opened its doors in Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City.


Locations:

Greenbelt 5
Contact nos.: 4017160 / 5725965

Power Plant Mall
Contact nos.: 8953447 / 8955250

Alabang Town Center
Contact no.: 8505771

TriNoma
Contact nos.: 9013881/ 9013882

Eastwood Mall
Contact no. 5845150


Promenade Mall, Greenhills
Contact no.: 7257377

W Global Center, 30th Street Corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City
Contact no.: 6683912

Mall of Asia
Contact no.: 8238291

Harbor Point, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Contact nos.: (047) 2511084 / (047) 2511085 / (047) 2511086



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