Melanie Griffith's Daughter Dakota Johnson Stars for "Need for Speed"

BEFORE “50 SHADES OF GREY,” SEE DAKOTA JOHNSON IN “NEED FOR SPEED”

Scott Waugh, the director of DreamWorks Pictures' new action-adventure “Need for Speed” was looking for someone special for the role of Anita, the girl the film's hero let get away. Waugh found her in Dakota Johnson, the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, and one of the hottest, new stars in Hollywood, having taken on the coveted role of Anastasia Steele in the upcoming “50 Shades of Grey.”

“Need for Speed” centers around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a blue-collar mechanic who races muscle cars on the side in an unsanctioned street-racing circuit. He and Anita have a long history, but he lost her to the big city and arrogant, rich rival, Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper).

Waugh says, “Dakota is the siren we have in this movie. You can’t take your eyes off of her when she’s on screen. You just get totally sucked into her world and she’s incredible.”
Following her motion picture debut in “Crazy in Alabama,” Dakota Johnson went on to give critically acclaimed performances in “The Social Network” and “21 Jump Street,” among others. She will soon be seen in the coveted role of Anastasia Steele in “50 Shades of Grey.”

Johnson says that working with Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper was a very fulfilling experience. “Aaron is so gifted and so accessible. Dominic is the same. It’s so nice to work with actors who accept what you’re giving them and they give it back to you. It’s so much fun to watch them work.”

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption.
Struggling to keep his family-owned garage afloat, Tobey reluctantly partners with the wealthy, ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster. But just as a major sale to car broker Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save Tobey's shop, a disastrous race allows Dino to frame Tobey for a crime he didn’t commit, and sending Tobey to prison while Dino expands his business out West.

Two years later, Tobey is released and set on revenge — but he knows his only chance to take down his rival Dino is to defeat him in the high-stakes race known as De Leon — the Super Bowl of underground racing. However to get there in time, Tobey will have to run a high-octane, action-packed gauntlet that includes dodging pursuing cops coast-to-coast as well as contending with a dangerous bounty Dino has put out on his car. With the help of his loyal crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic supercars, the underdog can still finish first.
Based on the car racing video game of the same name, “Need for Speed” captures the freedom and excitement of the game, while bringing to life the passion for the road that has made our love of cars so timeless.

Opening across the Philippines on March 12,“Need for Speed” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

                Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world is in the country’s premiere malls this weekend (March 8 and 9) for a rollercoaster ride through history!

                Treat your family and friends this weekend and catch Mr. Peabody tomorrow (March 8, Saturday) at Robinson’s Manila (2:00pm); SM Manila (4:00pm); SM Manila (5:00pm) and at Lucky Chinatown (7:00pm).  Mr. Peabody will also be seen on Sunday, March 9 at SM Megamall (2:30pm) and at Robinson’s Metro East (6:30pm).

                In the movie, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman”, the father-son tandem use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history.  Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era:  figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.

                “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is now showing nationwide in more 120 screens nationwide –  A DreamWorks Animation presentation from 20th Century Fox distributed by Warner Bros.

#SunsilkHairkada with Sarah Geronimo, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Julia Montes

Fun and adventure begins with the #SunsilkHairkada

Girls  were treated to a night of fun, pampering and adventure at a recent #SunsilkHairkada event. There were booths provided to style  your crowning glory and explore your creativity. You could style and put blings on headbands and flipflops of your choice. The good thing is you can bring home your own creation afterwards. As everyone is excited to witness the new endorsers of  #SunsilkHairkada.

 Fun, spirited and outgoing – these are the words that aptly describe young ladies of today. They love to bond with their close friends by embarking on new adventures and pursuing shared passions. They are keen on trying out new things and find ultimate fun in all-day adventures with nothing to hold them back.

Yet, there are times when outgoing girls are hesitant to join the fun, especially when their hair is not on their side. Sports, shopping and even taking a stroll outdoors can take its toll on hair at the end of the day.  Good thing there is a trusted haircare brand like Sunsilk for every barkada that allows them to be carefree and to enjoy all day bonding with smooth and fragrant hair.

These bonding moments are in sync with the lifestyle of three of today’s hottest young stars who, together, make up the most sensational barkada in town. The #SunsilkHairkada is comprised of pop princess Sarah Geronimo, the chic and sassy Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and primetime princess Julia Montes.

Despite their hectic schedules, each young lady never fails to find time to indulge in what pretty lasses their age love to do – to take a moment to be spontaneous, expect the unexpected, and have fun pursuing new adventures, without compromising their beautiful hair.

Sarah, Jasmine and Julia are just among the thousands of young girls who are rearing to follow their passions and go for an adventure. Fortunately, Sunsilk’s promise of smooth and fragrant hair all day never fails to bring out the fun and adventurous side of these three women. “Sunsilk’s Smooth and Manageable contains 5 natural oils that deeply nourish each strand leaving your hair smooth and fragrant from day to night. So now, hairkadas like Sarah, Jasmine and Julia can stay out under the sun, go to crowded places, even venture out to new locales without worrying about how their hair will look or smell every minute,” says Sunsilk Brand Manager Ann Esteves.

Sunsilk aims to inspire barkadas all over the country to take on every adventure that comes their way with great hair as their ally. Just like Sarah, Jasmine and Julia, there is no stopping hairkadas from pursuing their goals together, now that they have help from Sunsilk.  Girls can now leave their worries behind and enjoy life to the fullest.


Get to know our #SunsilkHairkada

Sarah’s shining star

The country’s pop princess is no stranger to adventures. Looking at the milestones of her illustrious career is like reading an adventure book itself – from her humble beginning as a contestant in a singing competition to a string of record-breaking concerts, sell-out albums and box office hits. Sarah’s never-ending adventure goes on even after the klieg lights are turned off. Behind the camera, Sarah loves to dine out and watch movies with her close friends. She even throws movie marathon sessions in her place from time to time. She also loves to travel and hike up a mountain or two whenever her hectic schedule permits. Whether giving a stellar performance or trekking a beaten path, Sarah is confident that her hair stays smooth and fragrant with Sunsilk. Sarah and Sunsilk do make good music together – always in harmony whether she’s on top of the concert stage or a scenic mountain.

Jasmine on the rise

Jasmine has definitely stepped out from the shadows of her celebrated big sister, as she is currently being groomed by her home network to be one of its primetime stars. She surely has what it takes to be a star in her own rights, given her talent and captivating screen presence. Her dedication to her craft is also reflected on her passion to pursue her interests with her friends. Jasmine never fails to see the hottest concerts in town, loves to take fun pictures with her friends, and takes good care of herself through Pilates. Always on the go, the energetic young actress keeps her hair on check with Sunsilk. She loves the way it leaves her hair smooth with long lasting fragrance. With Sunsilk as her constant hairkada, Jasmine can only agree that pictures may fade, but having smooth and fragrant hair all day never goes out of style.

Julia’s coming of age

Julia first graced local television screens as a child performer, playing bit roles in soap operas until she became one of the cast members of a children’s gag show, where she made a name for herself. Her legions of followers have seen her grow from a bubbly little girl to a sophisticated young lady, playing lead roles opposite some of the biggest stars in show business today. Her taste for what’s hot and what’s not might have changed over the years, but her gusto for good food never wavered. Julia is still adventurous when it comes to trying out epicurean delights. She is more than willing to try out a new restaurant, scout a food bazaar and even check out a night market for a delicious find.  Despite spending hours outdoors, Julia is confident that her hair is still smooth and fragrant, thanks to Sunsilk.

The #SunsilkHairkada bandwagon   

Sarah, Jasmine and Julia invite hairkadas all over the country to leave their hair worries behind and embark on a fun-filled adventure. The #SunsilkHairkada philosophy believes that every young girl should be able to live out their passions with the confidence that smooth and fragrant hair can bring. It’s the same philosophy that keeps the winning trio of Sarah, Jasmine and Julia on the go and ever ready to take on the challenges set before them.

It’s high time to get barkadas together and brace for an epic adventure. The #SunsilkHairkada celebrates the joys of being young, free, and more importantly, having hair that stays smooth and fragrant all day, which is every young girl’s greatest dream.

SMDC's GRACE Residences Luxurious Amenities in the City of Taguig.

One of the most exciting projects of SMDC is the Grace Residences in Taguig, touted as SMDCs property boasting with the biggest open space ratio and sprawling gardens.

Any weekday spent in the cityscapes of Makati, Ortigas or Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is an adventure. Amid all the fast-paced movement, one can sense the collective pulse of human interaction and the steady bellowing of rushing vehicles. Going home the quickest way possible, whether to retire for the day or to freshen up for a night out, is a challenge because of rush-hour traffic.

Fortunately, there is a residential escape from this feverish pace that is easily accessible. SM Development Corporation’s (SMDC) Grace Residences offers a sanctuary where slowing down is embraced. The sprawling project is designed with a generous open space for tranquility and luxurious amenities that fit the demands of the modern urban professional.

Staying home at Grace Residences is a wonderful option for the city-weary. Its garden concept involves different areas that will benefit every resident, whether single or with family. Lush greens complement subtle swirling patterns reflected on its towers’ facades.

Grace Residences is SMDC’s first mid-rise property development in Taguig. It is near main thoroughfares like C5, EDSA and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The thriving commercial and financial hub of Bonifacio Global City and the Central Business District of Makati are only minutes away. This proximity to business and commercial areas allows residents to make quick trips to modern facilities like shopping malls, boutique stores, sports halls, arts and culture hubs, and entertainment spots.

Grace Residences is one of the many projects under the SM brand, making it a major investment consideration. SM is acknowledged as a dominant figure in property development, mall operations, banking and finance, retail, hotels and conventions. As a property developer, the quality of SMDC’s projects is compared to that of 5-star hotel. And with a concept like a garden in the city, one can expect a gift of serenity waiting at home by the end of each frenzied day.

SM Development Corporation’s (SMDC) Grace Residences offers a sanctuary where slowing down is embraced. The sprawling project is designed with a generous open space for tranquility and luxurious amenities that fit the demands of the modern urban professional. It is near main thoroughfares like C5, EDSA and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The thriving commercial and financial hub of Bonifacio Global City and the Central Business District of Makati are only minutes away.

Pillars 5 and its Life Enzyme

A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet or healthy eating plan.
But creating a healthy eating plan is not as easy as it sounds. It comprises of  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, raw and unprocessed foods as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts, and those foods that is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and no added sugars-- and eating all of these in a day, or even preparing them can be quite difficult.

Pillars 5 now introduces LIFE ENZYME Fruit & Vegetable Enzyme + Probiotics. It is naturally extracted from 150 fruits and vegetables using an ancient oriental fermentation technique that allows for the full retention of their nutritional and enzyme potency. This supplement  helps boost your immune system by delivering the enzymes needed for proper absorption of nutrients.

Pillars 5' s Chairman and CEO Ramon Garcia is a seasoned Management Practitioner, an MBA degree holder from the Ateneo Professional Schools. He is a major force behind the success of Ramon Garcia and Co. CPAs (RFG & CO), a top notch firm with more than 30 years of service and  trusted experience in helping business enterprises and corporate groups through Accounting, Audit and Management Consultancy Services. He is joined in the business by Managing Executive  of Enzyme Village Mr Tony Cheng, an MBA graduate from the University of Taiwan, he is the one responsible for bringing LIFE ENZYME in the Philippines. Mr Cheng and his company  Enzyme Village, have been engaged in the art of producing  the highest quality enzyme products for almost 40 years, and believe that everyone's health can benefit from taking Life Enzyme.

PILLARS 5, INC. is a company established to promote health and wellness through a network of home based entrepreneurs. Its products are directly sold through this organization of independent home -based entrepreneurs called distributors. Its slogan, "Helping people build on dreams one dream builder at a time", embodies the Company's commitment to the progressive development of every Distributor who has put his trust and confidence in the Company's ability to help them grow their business and help keep alive their dream of attaining financial freedom.

The Pillars 5 is the exclusive distributor of Life Enzyme which holds office at: 407W Tektite Towers, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For more information, call 635-6566, 635-6568 or text (Smart) 0998-470-5164, (Sun) 0943-702-5266, or (Globe) 0917-579-8523.

No Hope Lost: Get Your Child Vaccinated

A mother’s love to her child, as everyone knows, is of deep devotion and of great sacrifice. It is endless, unselfish and enduring. She guides, nourishes and protects her child to the best of her ability.

To lose a child is the most heartbreaking experience a mother can ever have. But having a mother whose care is unconditional; she won’t let this happen at all. To her last breath, she will do anything to save her child, especially from death and disease.

Parents and society in general will do anything to prevent the loss of their children and thus a campaign called “No Hope Lost” has been launched. It is an awareness campaign on the heavy burden of pneumonia and diarrhea as the top leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines, specifically among children 5 years old and below, and if left unchecked can potentially lead to devastating consequences.

PNEUMONIA AND DIARRHEA: The top two leading causes of death among Filipino children less than 5 years of age.

PNEUMONIA 
Pneumonia is the single greatest cause of death in children worldwide. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of illness and death among Filipino children less than 5 years old. National statistics show an estimated 37 Filipino children die of pneumonia every day.1

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung which affects primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. The typical symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium S. pneumoniae also known as pneumococcus which can result to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia. It can also result to Acute Otitis Media (AOM) which is an ear infection, a common and highly prevalent disease. It also includes severe diseases such as meningitis, complicated pneumonia, and sepsis (blood poisoning), which occur when the pneumococcus “invades” the blood. The invasive forms of the pneumococcal disease are a category called Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD).

DIARRHEA 
Globally, diarrhea is the second leading killer of children under 5 years of age, accounting for 1.4 million child deaths annually. Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RVGE) is the common cause of diarrhea and severe dehydration in young children. It is also the leading reason of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children. It is most severe and frequent in infants aged 3-24 months.

Rotavirus infects virtually every child within the first 5 years of life, irrespective of race or socio- economic status.

That is why it is called a “democratic virus.” In the Philippines, diarrhea is the second leading cause of child mortality accounting for almost 5,000 deaths yearly, translating to more than 13 Filipino children dying due to diarrhea every day.

Dr. Sally Gatchalian Dept Exec Director Phil Foundation for Vaccine and Pres Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Phil 2

Prevention is KEY
But no child has to die because of pneumonia or rotavirus diseases, especially since these are both highly preventable. Early protection is the key to reduce disease burden.

Among the ways to get your child protected aside from breastfeeding, hand washing, preventing air pollution, and adequate nutrition, is through vaccination.

“It’s the best time to raise awareness on pneumonia and diarrhea prevention. These diseases should not cause unnecessary suffering to young children,” says Dr. Sally Gatchalian, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Director. “Sometimes it’s just that parents don’t know enough about these diseases, and they don’t know that there are actually vaccines for them.”

In 2012, the Philippine government has already acknowledged this burden and addressed it by introducing Rotavirus Vaccine (RV) in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) where 700,000 Filipino children aged 6 weeks up to 6 months of age were given free rotavirus vaccines.

In 2013, the Department of Health (DOH) leveled up the fight against the top killer of Filipino children by including another novel vaccine called Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the EPI.

This combined effort to protect Filipino children against pneumonia and diarrhea contributes to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 of reducing infant and child mortality by 2/3 by 2015. RV and PCV are novel vaccines introduced by the DOH in the last 5 years and the Philippines is the first country in the ASEAN region to introduce both vaccines in the EPI.

GSK’S SUPPORT IN THIS CRUSADE
As one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, GSK continues to be a committed partner of both private healthcare practitioners and the government in the fight against childhood diseases, death and suffering around the world by offering health solutions for the reduction of overall diseases.
The “No Hope Lost” campaign from GlaxoSmithKline, which embodies the need for immediate action to get children vaccinated against pneumonia and diarrhea, will soon be launched through radio ads, print notices, flyers, and posters.

“With the help of our dear pediatricians, and the Department of Health, we are committed to the reduction of pneumonia and diarrhea cases nationwide by supplying high quality vaccines. These diseases account for an alarming almost 50 mortalities per day in the Philippines. GSK is here to support the Filipino medical community and the government’s drive to make health services accessible to everyone,” added Philip Cruz, GSK Medical Director.

Ask your pediatrician about preventive measures against pneumococcal and rotavirus diseases.

Dunk your Oreo Cookies and Win Prizes.

OREO and Family Time: Better Together

LET’S PLAY! Videogames are a good way to bond with your children at the comfort of your own home. Get a chance to win an Oreo couch set, a 40” Samsung Smart TV, and an Xbox 360 with Kinect in the Oreo Better Together Dunk Game on Facebook.

Getting the family together is always enjoyable. Going out of town and trying new things are great ways to spend time with your loved ones but sometimes, something as simple as watching TV, playing games, and catching up are just what your family needs. Oreo has been making family moments more delicious and joyful for many years. A product of Mondelez Philippines, formerly Kraft Foods, Oreo is milk’s favorite cookie. It’s no wonder really because of its chocolate cookie and cream combo. A bite of the crisp chocolate cookie reminds you to savor everyday moments. A lick of the cream in the center tells you that the best things in life are in fact, simple. Apart, the cookie and cream are delicious by themselves. But put them together and you’ll realize they’re better together! Just like family bonding and Oreo cookies.

Just like enjoying Oreo and family time, everything is better if done together. In hindsight, there is also nothing wrong with having a cool couch, a shiny 40” Television and a high-end videogame system – put them all together and family bonding would be definitely more enjoyable!


Just recently, Oreo kicked off their latest promo which gives participants a chance to win a limited-edition Giant Oreo and Milk couch set, a 40” Samsung LED Smart TV, and an Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect. All you have to do is ‘Like’ the OREO Get Dunked Facebook page and click on the Oreo Better Together PROMO or go to OreoBetterTogether.com and play the Oreo Better Together Dunk game. There you can dunk Oreo cookies in a virtual pachinko board to earn points.

To earn cookies which you drop in the said pachinko board, you can either register your details in the game or buy an Oreo Better Together nine-pack in leading stores and supermarkets. Registering will instantly give you 3 free chocolate cookies while buying an Oreo pack will also give you a free Oreo notepad that has a unique promo code inside (which you will input in the game) and this code will automatically give you 65 cookies. Each Oreo Vanilla creme pack gives you 65 vanilla cookies and each Oreo Chocolate creme pack gives you 65 chocolate cookies.

After loading up on cookies, pick the prize you would like to win. Vanilla cookies unlock the couch and TV set while Chocolate cookies unlock the couch and Xbox. After picking your desired prize, dunk your cookies in the pachinko board. As you dunk your cookies, you earn points for your chosen prize. The more points you have, the higher your chance of winning. Remember, you goal is to be number one in the leaderboard of your preferred prize. Enjoy dunking your cookies as you race towards the top of the leaderboard!

To learn more about the Oreo Better Together Dunk game, simply go to the OREO Get Dunked page on Facebook (facebook.com/oreogetdunked.ph) and click on the Better Together PROMO tab or go to OreoBetterTogether.com

Liam Neeson Talks About Manny Pacquiao in ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Hollywood celebrities talk about “Manny” 

Liam Neeson and Mark Wahlberg may be among the biggest names in Hollywood action movies, but when it comes to “real action stars” both celebrities admit to being fans of Filipino Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao.

Neeson who narrates the documentary “Manny” says he has been a fan of Pacquiao “for many, many years.”

“What a boxer. He is one of the greats,” the Irish actor said during his most recent guesting at ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Kimmel and Neeson then chatted about co-starring together in “Manny,” which will be having its world premiere during the week-long South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2014.

“After I narrated [our] film, the producer sent me an email with a little film footage of Manny saying to the camera; ‘Hello, Liam, I look forward to meeting you,’ and I’m showing it to everybody!” Neeson shared with the TV host.  “I haven’t met him… but he is a fantastic boxer.”

Pacquiao has appeared on the Kimmel show several times, and Kimmel shared those moments as one of the guest celebrities interviewed for the documentary.

Another very vocal Pacquiao fan is Mark Wahlberg, who often visited the 8-division champion at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles whenever Pacquiao trains there.

Wahlberg even credited Pacquiao as his model when he portrayed retired boxer Mickey "Irish" Ward in the movie, “The Fighter.”

“Every time he was training at Wild Card Gym, I watched him because my whole approach was, I wanted to look like a Manny Pacquiao-caliber fighter. I didn’t want to look like another actor who’s doing an okay job,” he was quoted in one of his interviews.

Other personalities appearing in the documentary include; actor Jeremy Piven; boxers Oscar de la Hoya and Evander Holyfield, singer Dan Hill, respected sportswriters and boxing analysts as well as friends and family of Pacquiao.

Directed by Ryan Moore and Leon Gast, ‘Manny” takes a look at the inspiring life story of Pacquiao who rose from poverty to become a ten-time boxing world champion, congressman, and international icon.

Gast won an Oscar for best documentary feature (1996) for “When We Were Kings” a film about the classic match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman which happened in Kinshaha, Congo, in 1974.

The film also features original music by composer Lorne Balfe (Inception, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes) and songs by Yardnoise with Chad Hugo (The Neptunes/NERD).

“Manny” opens in theaters on March 12th in Philippine theaters nationwide and will be distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation.

Website: http://www.mannypacquiaomovie.com
Twitter: @MannyTheMovie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiaoMovie
YouTube Trailer: http://youtu.be/Qqi_DVcSMPY

Rodrigo Santoro: Hot as Xerxes in 300: Rise of An Empire

RODRIGO SANTORO IN ALL HIS SPLENDOR AS XERXES IN “300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE”
            An award-winning actor in Brazil when he gained fame around the globe, Rodrigo Santoro  now reprises his role of the magnificently adorned Persian God-King Xerxes from Zack Snyder’s 2007 worldwide hit “300” in the companion film, “300: Rise of an Empire.”

Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel “Xerxes,” and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.

In “300: Rise of an Empire,” it is revealed how Xerxes became a God-King, a metamorphosis in which Athenian general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) and Persian navy commander Artemisia (Eva Green) each played a significant part.  Rodrigo Santoro says, “In the first film, you had no idea where he came from, so seeing his transformation brings more dimension to this character, and you understand the power behind his throne.”

Artemisia has the will to destroy the Greeks but, alone, lacks the power to wage war on them.  However, with the death of Persia’s King Darius, at the hands of Themistokles, she sees her opportunity…and seizes it.  Twisting Darius’ deathbed warning that “only the gods can defeat the Greeks” to her own ends, she convinces his son and heir, Xerxes, that he must now become a God-King.

Director Noam Murro says, “I have always felt that the relationship between Artemisia and Xerxes is one of the most intriguing facets of this movie.  Is it only she manipulating him or is there manipulation from both sides?  Is she using him to take her revenge on the Greeks, or is he using her to get the power he wants because she is a brilliant general and can fulfill his ambitions?  It was important that we not make Xerxes look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing.  He’s warped and evil, but he is not a fool.”

Santoro notes, “The great thing about ‘Rise of an Empire’ is that we get to see Xerxes as a young man and understand how he transformed himself into this amazing being.  The way I see it, it was an act of courage on Xerxes’ part because he had to commit himself to a kind of death before he could experience this rebirth.”
Producer Bernie Goldmann says, “Through Rodrigo’s performance, you feel the power of Xerxes in his godlike form, but he also has moments early on where you get a glimpse of the man he had been.  I think it adds more depth to the character, and Rodrigo did a terrific job bringing that duality to light.”

“The origin story of Xerxes came out of one of Frank Miller’s concepts,” producer Zack Snyder offers.  “I think the fun of telling it is making mythology out of reality, which has been happening around campfires since the dawn of time.”
Physically, perhaps the most daunting task fell to Santoro who, almost seven years after filming “300,” had to appear onscreen as if no time had passed.  The actor had to measure up to the standards of a god to portray Xerxes.  Santoro attests,
“The process was as intense as the first one—hours and hours in the gym and weeks and weeks without ice cream or chocolate.  But that’s the price you pay to be a God-King,” he smiles.

            Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, March 06 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D, 2D and 30mm format, “300: Rise of an Empire” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Asian V8 Championship Series to Boost Racing Tourism in the Phils.

The Philippine Formula Autosport Foundation, Inc (PFAFI) has signed a memorandum of agreement with NASCAR representatives to become its exclusive regional partner in mounting the first-ever Asian V8 Championship Series, a set of races to determine top Filipino and Asian drivers who will participate in NASCAR-sanctioned United States and European events.

The agreement was signed by PFAFI founder and president Tom Pastor, Ed Cox of Orion Motorsport representing US NASCAR West Coast and Euro Nascar, at the Resorts World Manila Atrium.

"We are excited to finally partner with one of the world's largest motorsports franchises and earn the distinction of hosting the Nascar-qualifying event in the entire Asian region," said Pastor, "With this partnership, we are all revved-up to bring the Philippines back on the global map of motorsports."

On hand to witness the signing ceremony were top executives of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) led by COO Mark Lapid; selected consuls and ambassadors; proponents of Circuit Showdown,  a grassroots motorsport event which holds both time trial and wheel-to-wheel racing; and renowned stock car drivers: Enzo Pastor from the Philippines, Christian Jones and Callum Whatmoore from Australia and Joe Merzei from Macau.

The Asian V8 Championship  Series will feature eight late-model NASCAR racecars with brand-new engines and 16 International stock car drivers.

The races are slated on April 5, 6 at the 2.8-kilometer Clark Intl Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga; May 3 and 4 at the 3.4-kilometer  Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas; July 5 and 6 at the Clark Intl Speedway. Official tests and celebrity test runs is on March 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Winners in the Asian V8 Championship Series Open and Pro categories will be qualified to race in the Nascar Whelen Euro Series in Europe and the K&N Pro NASCAR Series in the United States respectively.

LESLIE MANN COMEDIC TALENT SHINES IN “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN,” “THE OTHER WOMAN” & “RIO 2”

LESLIE MANN’S COMEDIC TALENT SHINES IN “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN,” “THE OTHER WOMAN” & “RIO 2”

Leslie Mann’s impeccable timing and improved skills will soon be seen in the upcoming comedy movies “Mr. Peabody & Sherman, “Rio 2”” and in “The Other Woman.”

In DreamWorks Animation’s “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” Mann is the voice of Patty, parent to Sherman’s friend Penny where they set foot in Peabody’s home to settle the brawl that happened between their children. Director Rob Minkoff was thrilled to be working with comedy actress Leslie Mann, “Leslie has incredible charm and a great and unexpected attitude in her voice,” he says.

The worldwide smash hit “Rio” by Blue Sky Studios brings the wacky group of Blu and Jewel back in the height of adventure in “Rio 2” with Carlos Saldanha at the helm once again where Mann lends voice to Linda who is now married to Tulio (voiced by Rodrigo Santoro), Blu’s best pal.  The newlyweds are exploring the Amazon, where they discover there may be more Blue Macaws, and set out to find them.    Mann describes the game-changing discovery in “Rio 2,” “From the sky, a little blue feather falls between Linda and Tulio.  He tastes it and he realizes it’s a Blue Macaw feather.  And they go off in search of more Blue Macaws.”

In the upcoming hilarious estrogen-filled comedy, The Other Woman, Mann plays wife to a cheating husband played by Nikolaj Coster- Waldau.  Together with Cameron Diaz , whose role as Waldau’s girlfriend who is unaware that his boyfriend is married, teams up with Mann’s character to teach their man a lesson and hit him where it hurts the most. Uncovering yet another philandering act, the two women further find out another ‘other woman’ in the mix played by Kate Upton.  In this laugh-out-loud comedy, three women are brought together by the same man who have wronged then and ultimately become the best of friends, forming a bond like no other.
Leslie Mann’s comedic timing and standout performances captivate audiences and critics alike. She recently starred opposite Paul Rudd in Judd Apatow’s “This Is 40.”  Mann’s stand out performance as Debbie in “This Is 40” earned her a Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nomination in the category of Best Actress is a Comedy.
Mann continued her recent voice performance work in the Oscar nominated “ParaNorman,” an animated 3D, stop-motion film from the team behind “Coraline,” including writer/director Chris Butler, Focus Features and LAIKA.  In 2011, Mann starred opposite Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman in David Dobkin’s “The Change-Up” and in 2009 was seen in the indie hit “I Love You Phillip Morris” alongside Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.
Among her other feature films are “The Bling Ring,” “17 Again,” “Big Daddy,” “Little Birds,” “George of the Jungle,” “Timecode,” “She’s the One,” “Drillbit Taylor,” “Orange County,” “Funny People” and “The 40 Year Old Virgin.”

A native of Southern California, Mann studied acting with the improved troupe the Groundlings whose alumni include most of the familiar faces in comedy today. One of her first big breaks was Ben Stiller’s “The Cable Guy” with Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. While auditioning for the film she met future husband Judd Apatow. This film marked their first collaboration and the beginning of their creative professional partnership.
Mann and Apatow are longtime supporters of the non-profit organization 826LA. Founded by Dave Eggers, the organization focuses on encouraging disadvantaged youth’s writing skills by offering a range programs on-site at their tutoring center and for teachers to implement in their classrooms. Mann and Apatow’s philanthropic contributions were honored earlier this year with the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program’s 2012 Children’s Choice Award for their work with children, and their families, who are dealing with pediatric cancer.  In 2009 the couple was also recognized by The Fulfillment Fund who honored them at their annual benefit gala.