LUCKY YEAR OF THE HORSE

LUCKY YEAR OF THE HORSE

With the arrival of the Year of the Horse comes a whole new change in fortune. For some, 2014 might even usher in bigtime winnings. As the saying goes, “money won is often sweeter than money earned”.

To foster the prosperity of the Chinese New Year, Pacific Online Systems Corporation – distributors of the hit-game Scratchit – has unveiled its new Lucky Horse game. For as little as Php 20.00 per game card, lucky winners can take home as much as Php 200,000.00!

With Lucky Horse, finding your luck has never been easier! Just scratch off the game area on the card and if three numbers match, lucky winners can collect a prize which corresponds to this value. Moreover, each card comes with a BONUS area for a chance to win more prizes. Indeed, finding luck with Scratchit is as easy as A-B-C.

Lucky Horse is the latest addition to an exciting roster of Scratchit games, which includes Bee Lucky, Red Hot 7s, Go Bananas and many more. Each game has its own unique way of winning, providing hours of entertainment and prize opportunities. The game cards are available in Php 20.00 and Php 50.00 denominations and prizes can go up to Php 500,000.00.

Run to your nearest Philippine Sweepstakes Charity Office (PCSO) lotto outlet or to any Lucky Circle branch and try your luck with Scratchit now! []

Paint the Town Gold this Valentines Day

Paint the Town Gold this 
Valentines Day

Time is precious as gold, especially when it is spent with your special someone.  And what better way to express your love than giving the premium BENCH PREMIUM GOLD COLLECTION
BENCH, one of  the country’s leading lifestyle and clothing boutique has been producing quality watches since 2004.

This Valentine’s month,  enjoy the classic yet modern design of gold watches, crafted especially for couples.  The collection boasts of its sophistication, beauty, and elegance, making it the best gift for you and your partner.
Couples will definitely enjoy letting time swift gently with the ergonomically designed styles of the ROYAL Collection with gloss dial and polished bracelets. This selection is also available in Stainless Steel and Black Steel which lovers can choose from.

Meanwhile, the SLIM Collection is also meticulously custom-built from the minute parts to its nicely woven mesh gold finished bracelet.  Tiny details such as the size and shape of the crown and slightly contoured case has to be considered to create that nice and comfortable fit in your wrist.
For the perfect gift to the most important women in your life, check out the LADIES collection. One can select from three array of watches with a sexy, sleek design perfect for the fashionable yet classic women out there.

Cynthia’s mother of pearl dial and crystal zones on bezel will definitely top ladies’ favorites because of its simplicity yet elegant look.
For those who prefer to keep it sassy and classy, the Chloe design, available in rose gold, stainless steel and two-tone, is the perfect time-telling accessory to have because of its timeless champaign dial and date display.

Meanwhile, ladies can always come fashionably late with Paige’s elegant look, which will surely make a statement.  This is also comes in stainless steel and two-tone selection.
This February, love will definitely be in the air, couples will find a perfect fit not only between them, but also in the Bench Premium Gold collection. With the exquisite look of these time pieces, time spent will just pass by in a modish way.

All watches are stainless steel in Rose Gold/ Yellow Gold Plating and  all fitted with Top Grade Japanese Movement . These Bench Gold Premium Collection are available in Bench and L Timestudio stores nationwide.

Michael Martinez Filipino Figure Skater Road to Olympics 2014

PH's Olympic Winter Bet on Thin Ice

Figure skater Michael Martinez is the Philippines’ first athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics ever. In this year’s games held in Sochi, Russia, he is our lone representative.
Entering his final two months of preparation for the games, the young phenom admitted he was already feeling the heat.

“My training is not yet complete,” said Michael in an interview after a training session at the skating rink of the SM Mall of Asia. “I need four hours with a coach, but we can only afford one hour. We lack the budget.”
At 17 years old, Michael is up against 29 other top figure skaters in the Sochi games. Despite his youth and frequent asthma attacks, Michael managed to rank 28th among the best senior-level figure skaters in the planet!
Early in 2013, he landed 7th at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany that qualified him for this year’s Winter Olympics. To reach the finals, he needs to be part of the top 24 competitors in his category.
The absence of government support compelled Michael to seek sponsors elsewhere. One of his biggest supporters is SM, which donated Php 1 million for his training and other expenses related to his Olympic participation. He was actually “discovered” in SM Southmall in Las Piñas when he was still in his formative years as a figure skater.

Michael’s main supporter is his mother, Teresa, who accompanies him in his training and competitions abroad. She also knows first-hand how much the pursuit of Olympic gold can cost. “It will cost you half-a-million pesos per competition. You also pay for the airfare and hotel of the coach who charges $400 a day,” Teresa recounted, adding that Michael has already competed five times in 2013.
“One of his coaches in the US charges $100 an hour, he has an Olympic coach that charges $150 an hour, and a choreographer that charges $130.” She said that adding ice time, the daily cost of training could easily amount to $500-600.

The need for the coaches could not be stressed enough as Michael is yet to learn a crucial skill – quad jumps – a jumping technique with four revolutions. His Filipino coach Ted Domingo underscored the necessity of training abroad. “We’re talking about high level competition. In the Philippines, we still don’t have that kind of training,” he said.

The Philippines has yet to win an Olympic gold, and winning one in figure skating, in Winter Olympics at that, would be sweeter. But Michael needs more than just a dream. SM has broken the ice, so to speak, and that is enough to help him make history – for now.

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SMART C- A REFRESHING HEALTH CHOICE.

SMART MOVES

More and more young people are breaking the "young and reckless" stereotype as they make smarter and healthier choices in their fast-paced lives. Take for instance the young and unstoppable Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited grand winner, Slater Young.  Amidst his engagements, Slater has chosen to get his immunity boost in one refreshing and convenient drink, Oishi Smart C+.
So, make the clever move and #thinkaboutyourdrink. Your best ally and defense is your daily dose of resistance-building Vitamin C; Smart C+. Now you can cope with the daily demands of your dynamic life which then makes you unstoppable and ready whenever, wherever.
As Slater put it, “Why just drink to refresh when you can also drink to get your daily dose of Vitamin C? With Smart C+ you get both and I think that’s really smart.”
Smart C+ comes in three thirst-quenching flavors: Lemon Squeeze, Orange Crush and Pomelo Grapefruit. Each refreshing flavor contains 500mg of Vitamin C+ to keep up with your daily tasks and passionate pursuits.
Smart C+ is available at leading supermarkets and grocery stores nearest you.
For more information, visit www.oishi.com.ph .

Scratchits Give Reasons to Celebrate,

Scratchits Give Reasons to Celebrate

Many of us could use some extra money every month and starting your own business is a good way to get it. But as they say, it takes money to make money.
Luckily, it doesn’t take that much to get started. Believe it or not, an investment of only P1800 could be the start of a viable business, right out of your own home? Lucky Circle, distributor of the popular Scratchit game cards, started a reseller program to accommodate those of you who want to start a small business. Resellers make a 10% profit every time they sell a whole sheet of Scratchits. All you have to do as a reseller is go to Scratchit outlet, purchase a sheet of Scratchit cards and sell them out of your store and/or home. No license required.

 Aside from the resellers, players are also enjoying the excitement Scratchits bring. It offers an instant gratification that no other gaming experience can quite match. Unlike the Lotto, which requires waiting for the day of the draw and the numbers to hit, Scratchits let you know instantly when you win. If you win, you need only go to any Scratchit or Lucky Circle outlet to claim your prize if it’s less than P1000. True to the concept of “high risk, high reward, the higher the denomination of the Scratchit card you buy, the bigger and better the top prize is; a P20 card could win you Php200,000, while a P50 card could potentially win you P500,000! Furthermore, when playing Scratchits, there’s a 1-in-4 chance of winning something, compared the astronomical chances of winning the Lotto.
To learn more about the Scratchit game cards and/or the Scratchit reseller program, drop by the nearest Scratchit outlet or reseller today and try your luck with Scratchits! [][][]

LBC Moves Love this Valentine’s Day.

LBC Moves Love this Valentine’s Day

The month of hearts is upon us once again. Though for some, distance may be a factor in keeping them from expressing their love. For a bashful few, they may find it too overwhelming to articulate how they really feel for someone and would prefer to express their love more subtly.

To those who are met with these challenges for Valentines’ Day, LBC is pleased to announce Flowers Express, a delivery service made especially for the month of love and even all year round. Place your orders in advance from now up to February 15, 2014.

For as low as Php950, your¬ may send roses to your loved ones to let them know how special they are.
For those interested in this heart-warming service, place your orders in any LBC Branch nationwide. You may also send an electronic message of up 200 characters to go with the flowers.
Now is the time!  Send love via LBC Flowers Express.   Hurry and visit any of the more 1,000 LBC branch nearest you.  
To find out more about Flower Express, please visit www.lbcexpress.com or call the LBC Hotline at 8585-999 for Metro Manila or 1-800-10-8585-999 toll-free for provincial.

About LBC Express
LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950’s as a brokerage and air cargo agent. Known as the largest Express Courier, Cargo, and Money Remittance Service Company in the Philippines, LBC now offers its services in over 18 countries in North America, Canada, Middle East, Australia, Asia Pacific, Oceania, and European Territories. Currently, LBC operates in over 3,000 branches and partner agents in the Philippines. Since then, LBC has been moving anything and everything for the global Filipinos. For more than 60 years, LBC has provided hassle free delivery via air, land, and sea cargoes; from cash remittance to simple packages and container loads of business logistical needs.  Its clientele comprises of local and multinational corporations, and several government agencies.

Goldilocks offers Sari-Saring Sarapinoy Meals

SARI-SARING SARAPINOY

Set meal choices are a staple in most quick service restaurants, to the point that they may have become too familiar and similar. There may be a tendency to find ourselves eating the same meal in the same place, which can get somewhat bland or boring. This leaves us hungry for something new, delicious, and satisfying.

With this in mind, Goldilocks Foodshop proudly offers two new choices in its popular Sarapinoy menu.

The new Chicken Fillet with steamed rice and Breaded Porkchop with Garden rice add more variety and flavor at affordable prices. Moreover, the Sarapinoy Meals come with dessert drinks like the Goldilocks Classic Halo-Halo, Sago Gulaman, Mais Con Hielo, Ube Nata Cooler, and the new Salted Caramel Cooler to round out a filling and ultimately tasty meal.

Of course, the classic favorites – Jumbo Pork Barbecue with Java Rice, Chicken Tenders Barbecue, Dinuguan Jr., and Lumpiang Shanghai – are still among the choices, as well as the super sulit Golden Chicken and Pork Barbecue Unlimited Rice meals. Each meal goes for 99 pesos or less.

To know more about the Sarapinoy menu, come on over to any Goldilocks Foodshop and try the delightful new Sarapinoy Meals, or call the Goldilocks Delivery Hotline 888-1-999 []

Gone Girl and Sharp Objects from Gillian Flynn.

I stumbled upon Gone Girl last year when I was in UAE.  Books there are not cheap unlike here in Manila,  I was between job hunting, homesickness and saving money for bus fares.  I asked a good friend on how to upload an e-book for my phone and laptop, after figuring out the hows of installing and uninstalling. I was reading Gone Girl like a maniac..It was a feat reading an e -book from your phone, it requires talent, patience and whipping of  granny glasses every now and then,  I finished the damn e- book for one week,  It was addicting,, moving and compelling. My desire to see Gillian Flynn is added to my bucket list. Now comes another thriller.

 FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GONE GIRL, NOW COME SHARP OBJECTS.

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming..

Cried buckets after reading this, see for yourself why.


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RTL CBS Entertainment Presents Intelligence.

INTELLIGENCE
Every Tuesday starting on February 11 at 9:55pm

A dramatic thriller starring Josh Holloway as Gabriel, a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain. With this implant, Gabriel is the first human ever to be connected directly into the worldwide information grid and have complete access to Internet, WiFi, telephone and satellite data. He can hack into any data center and access key intel in the fight to protect the United States from its enemies. Leading the elite government cyber-security agency created to support him is Director Lillian Strand (Marg Helgenberger), a straightforward and efficient boss who oversees the unit’s missions. Strand assigns Riley Neal (Meghan Ory), a Secret Service agent, to protect Gabriel from outside threats, as well as from his own appetite for reckless, unpredictable behavior and his disregard for protocol. Other skilled members of the Cybercom team include Chris Jameson (Michael Rady) and Gonzalo "Gonzo" Rodriguez (James Martinez), two resourceful federal investigators. The brains behind the design of the chip is Dr. Shenendoah Cassidy (John Billingsley), whose son, Nelson (PJ Byrne), is jealous of Gabriel’s prominent place in his father’s life. As the first supercomputer with a beating heart, Gabriel is the most valuable piece of technology the country has ever created and is a U.S. secret weapon.

"Intelligence" stars Josh Holloway ("Lost") as Gabriel, Marg Helgenberger ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") as Lillian Strand, Meghan Ory ("Once Upon a Time") as Riley Neal, Michael Rady ("The Mentalist") as Chris Jameson, James Martinez ("Gravity") as Gonzalo Rodriguez, John Billingsley ("True Blood") as Dr. Cassidy and P.J. Byrne ("Wolf of Wall Street") as Nelson Cassidy.

Michael Seitzman, René Echevarria, Tripp Vinson and David Semel (for pilot) are executive producers for ABC Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

Intelligence will be aired at Skycable Channel 53 RTL CBS Entertinment HD on Feb 11, 2014 . Showing soon on March at  Cablelink and  Destiny Cable on April, 2014.

Monster Energy Drink Lets You Experience Japan with Professional Rally Driver Ken Block.

What makes Monster Energy drink different from the rest of the energy drinks?

Aside of course from giving you the much needed boost to keep you going stronger,  Monster also gives you the chance to visit the Land of the Rising Sun to meet Professional Rally Driver  Ken Block as he drifts his Ford fiesta at the Gymkhana grid course.

Monster Energy and Ellen Adarna dares you to Unleash the BEAST with the KEN BLOCK’s JAPAN EXPERIENCE promo.

Monster Energy Drink is gearing up to unleash professional rally driver phenomenon Ken Block in Japan in July with the “2014 Ken Block’s Japan Experience”! Block will be in Japan, along with the top drift series, D1, and 16 of their best drivers for an all-out energy-filled weekend you won’t want to miss.
Roughly 10,000 spectators gathered in 2013 to enjoy the sounds of the engines and the intoxicating smell of burning rubber, and 2014 will be even bigger and better, including new obstacles, top racers and notable Monster athletes and personalities.

Monster will be showcasing Ken’s Ford Fiesta ST car across the country, culminating in two final days of Gymkhana on July 26 and 27, and ultimately, a YouTube release of the entire program for fans to enjoy.
Gymkhana is a motorsport phenomenon gaining popularity across the globe.  Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are complex routes filled with various obstacles that drivers must navigate through, racing against the clock as they go in an attempt to finish with the fastest time.  Beyond just being a skilled driver, memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time.

Once the flag drops at the starting line, the driver must maneuver through a predetermined “track” performing many different driving techniques. What separates gymkhana from traditional autocross events is that the gymkhana requires drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s, and other mind blowing skills. Drifting is also encouraged where helpful or necessary. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of “obstacle” to get through, around, or by, all within a certain time limit.  However, if you are thinking of competing or riding along in an event with Monster Energy and Ken Block, you better get ready to take it to the next level with features such military tanks, giant dinosaurs, beautiful Monster Girls, and other surprises.

This year, three lucky fans plus a guest will get a chance to meet Ken Block and check out his new ride in the Land of the Rising Sun. What’s more, the winning auto enthusiasts will be accompanied by showbiz’s most desirable, Ellen Adarna!

For your chance to join Ken Block in Japan, be sure to pick up a Monster Energy Drink at any participating store nationwide & text “MONSTER <OR#/store location>” to 2600. The complete details of the mechanics can be found at www.monsterenergy.com.

Mechanics:
How to join and who are eligible to join:
For a texter to qualify, he/she must:
a) be a subscriber of Smart, Talk n Text, Sun Cellular, Globe or TM, whether in post paid or pre- paid plans;
b) be at least 15 years old
c) be registered to MONSTER ENERGY DREAM RIDE PROMO. 
d) have purchased any variant of Monster Energy drink in participating stores nationwide within the promo period.
e) have sent the Official Receipt Number of the purchase by texting MONSTER <OR#/store location> to 2600. (Example: MONSTER 1234567/ABC Supermarket Makati). P2.50/txt for Globe, TM, Smart & TnT; P2/txt for Sun Cellular.
f) have sent his/her entry within February 15 to April 15, 2014

How to earn entries in the raffle:
1. Buy any variant of Monster Energy drink between February 15 to April 15, 2014 and text the official receipt number to 2600. Each OR# submitted will be awarded 1 raffle entry (regardless of how many Monster Energy drinks purchased).
Syntax: MONSTER <OR#/store location> to 2600. (Example: MONSTER 1234567/ABC Supermarket Makati).
2. Entries with the correct syntax will receive a confirmation of their entry
3. An Official Receipt Number can only be used once. (Part of the verification process is for the potential winner to produce the winning Official Receipt together with the winning SIM card).

How to register for the weekly raffle:    
1. Subscribers have to register to validate their entries for the raffle. Only one name per mobile number is allowed, but a user may register his/her name using several mobile numbers.
2. To register, subscribers have to enter the following information in the correct format and sequence as shown below.
Txt MONSTER REG <name/address/age> to 2600.
Example: MONSTER REG Jo Uy/#4 Atis St, Cubao/30.
3. Registration is one-time and is free of charge.

Besides the grand experience, other prizes include, Monster Energy Gears (inclusive of shirt, cap, hoodie, backpack) and Ken Block Rally Fiesta RC Cars.

The grand draw will be held on April 21, 2014.

SM Cinema Exclusive for All is Lost.

ALL IS LOST

I can feel Robert Redford's anguish as he is surviving alone in an open water, with all the negativity around him. With no one to turn and talk to, watch out what one can do, how he never give up until the end.

ROBERT REDFORD PLAYS AN UNNAMED MAN
IN JC CHANDORS ALL IS LOST


Q. You choose your projects very carefully. What appealed to you about ALL IS LOST?

A. I saw it as an opportunity to do something I was longing to do, which was to have a complete experience as an actor and not think about anything else. It was to be a bold and pure cinematic experience without special effects, hardly any dialogue and a lot of challenges.

Q. Due to the lack of dialogue, the script was quite short. What did you think about the script when you first read it?

A. As soon as I read the script I knew I was in good hands because it was so carefully woven.

Q. Were you interested in sailing before getting involved in this film?

A. I grew up in Los Angeles close to the water; so, I surfed and swam and had a mild interest in sailing, but I was never in the deep sea alone. I had sailed to Catalina Island and in various other places in California, Canada and even off the coast of Mombasa, but it was always in somebody else’s boat, never by myself or in a storm. So I was familiar with water, but not like this. ALL IS LOST was a whole new experience for me.

Q. How was it to work with filmmaker J. C. Chandor?

A. I felt very comfortable in his hands. And, like my character in the movie, I was also learning on the job.

Q. What are the lessons your character is forced to learn during the course of the story?

A. Well, when things go beyond my character’s ability to cope with them he has to figure things out in the moment and improvise. So, in that way I felt connected to him.

Q. We don’t know your character’s name or much about him…

A. One of the things I loved about this film was precisely that we had little information about my character.  J. C. wrote a film that he understood completely. Due to his experience, he also knew enough about sailing to create details in the story that would have their own dramatic value. I enjoyed the fact that it didn’t have much information or dialogue because it created a challenge for me as an actor to be more fully inside the character.

Q. What is it about ALL IS LOST that makes it different than other films?

A. Well, if you go to the movies you can see that most of them are full of action and special effects but this was more pure. And the fact that there wasn’t too much said allowed the opportunity for the actor to provide his own sense to the character and for the audience to come more into the picture with him.

Q. What did you think of ALL IS LOST when you finally saw it completed?

A. I saw it at the Cannes Film Festival and thought: “Wow!” I mean, people could have booed it because it was so open; but they didn’t.

Q. What moments did you especially enjoy in the movie?

A. There were a couple of moments I especially liked when you could allow the audience to imagine how my character felt, which were when he wasn’t fighting something or taking care of business. In those moments of peace he would just look out and contemplate what was there.

Q. What could he see in those moments?

A. He could see a vast expansion of nothing but space. And then what was underneath him on that small boat was just miles and miles of deep water.

Q. What do you think the cinematographic storytelling reason was for those shots?

A. To make the audience feel a sense of aloneness. I can’t imagine how you can feel more alone than that! You don’t have ground under your feet to walk on or a tree to climb. I just thought that feeling was a very powerful element in the film that you hoped the audience would capture.

Q. What back-story did you imagine for your character?

A. I didn’t imagine anything more than what was there. At the beginning of the movie, when my character says that he is sorry and that he tried, it allows us to imagine that there is a family involved and that he isn’t a horrible person, but also that he failed at something. So, maybe this journey that he is on is his way to complete himself and find out if he can do something. That’s all I had, and it was enough for me because I didn’t want to go outside that too much.

One of the things I like about ALL IS LOST is that it lets the audience have their own interpretation instead of telling them how they are supposed to feel.
Q. Can you talk about the relevance of the title of the movie?

A. This film satisfied a lot of things for me, but one of them was that it was about something I am interested in, which is at what point, when things are really awful and all is lost, some people quit and others keep going.

Q. So, why do you believe your character keeps going on?

A. Because there is only continuing for him and nothing else for him to do. So, he keeps going because he can.

Q. You worked on another film years ago about a man who is also pushed to the limit and keeps going on, JEREMIAH JOHNSON. What are the similarities you see between them?



A. What these two films have in common is that they are about a character who encounters such hardship that it seems like it’s all impossible and he just can’t go any further. He is alone, either in water or on land, and one obstacle after another just keeps coming, each one greater than the last one.

Q. J. C. Chandor’s previous movie, MARGIN CALL, was very different than ALL IS LOST.

A. That was one of the things that impressed me about him! MARGIN CALL was about a bunch of people in a room talking about money, and this was so different and completely away from that. It made me feel like he was a guy I’d be happy to trust just as an actor.

Q. How was the physical aspect of spending all those hours on and under the water during the shoot?

A. It was very hard! I was okay in the water because I like to swim, but to be wet all the time all day long did wear me out physically. That was the toughest part of the shoot for me.