The Muppets Most Wanted Makes Beautiful Music

“MUPPETS MOST WANTED” MAKES MUSICAL MAYHEM

The Muppets wouldn’t be the Muppets without the musical mayhem that’s made them fan favorites for almost four decades. With songs by Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar for the original song “Man or Muppet”in 2011’s “The Muppets,” and a score by Christophe Beck (Disney’s Oscar-winning hit “Frozen”), the soundtrack of “Muppets Most Wanted” features all-star vocalists, including Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Miss Piggy, Josh Groban, Constantine and Celine Dion.

To be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting March 19, “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal —and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two (Ricky Gervais).

“The ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ soundtrack is some of the best music by a frog, pig, bear, chickens, penguins and a—uh, whatever—ever recorded,” said Kermit the Frog. “It’s like going on tour with the Muppets, but without the messy cleanup afterwards.”

According to McKenzie, the songs are true to the Muppets’ musical reputation: they’re packed with puns, punch lines and Muppets mayhem. “All of the songs are quite story specific,” he said. “They’re very character driven.

“‘I’m Number One’ is about the bad frog Constantine being the number one criminal and his sidekick Dominic, being number two,” McKenzie continued. “It’s a power struggle, a classic rivalry song in a style that could be performed in a cabaret venue.”

“A lot of the old Muppets songs are like that—show pieces,” adds McKenzie. The soundtrack features a host of show pieces, including the fully orchestrated “We’re Doing a Sequel,” with special appearances by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, along with the whole Muppets gang.

“Something So Right” is a ballad written for Miss Piggy and celebrated performer Celine Dion. “Miss Piggy is wonderful,” said Dion. “She’s so charming and sensitive and filled with passion. She has a big heart and it was wonderful to sing with her.”

“I was magnifique,” added Miss Piggy, “With a little help from moi, I think Celine may have a big future in singing.”

The soundtrack also includes “Interrogation Song,” featuring Ty Burrell, Sam Eagle and the Muppets. It’s what McKenzie calls “a conversation put to music,” and actually started out as dialogue from the film. Additionally, Tina Fey, who plays feisty prison guard Nadya, takes center stage—complete with Russian accent—with the renowned Josh Groban in “The Big House.”

The “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack features 20 tracks—including 12 new recordings—plus five bonus tracks. Also featured is a score by Beck, who incorporated styles from around the world in a nod to the international locales the Muppets visit in the film. “This score was incredibly fun to write,” said Beck. “With characters spread across the world, there was opportunity after opportunity to explore many musical styles and settings.”

Beck introduced several character themes—Constantine has a Slavic theme, for example, and Kermit and Miss Piggy are accompanied by a love theme (of course) that is an extension of music from “The Muppets.”An 80-piece orchestra was sprinkled with unique instruments, including a banjo, Spanish guitar and a Russian balalaika. “The real fun was the 20-person Russian male chorus, which is heavily featured,” said Beck.

When it comes to the Muppets, Beck knows that comedy is key, but that doesn’t mean he needed to weave it into the score. His trick to supporting the funnier moments is to “let the comedy play out,” says Beck. “The Muppets exist in the real world in their films, and their hardships and triumphs are no less serious than those the audience experiences every day. The comedy comes from watching these personalities that we all love interact with each other and their surroundings. They don't need ‘funny’ music underneath—they need very serious music that supports the scale of what is happening on screen.”

“Muppets Most Wanted” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Filipino Breakfast ala IHOP

Just as the “Last Supper” framed portrait, and those hanging giant spoon and fork on the walls of our dining/kitchen area , the “sinangag” or fried rice has always been part of the Filipino breakfast—perhaps a testament to our resourcefulness for coming up with those endless variants of the “silog” meals.

And while those in other countries such as the US, get their early morning boost from fruits, cereals, breads or pancakes, we Pinoys prefer to have a complete meal to jump start our day.

So imagine my surprise when I saw several familiar Pinoy breakfast dishes as I entered IHOP.

Yes, IHOP. The same IHOP you saw several times on that last Superman Movie—the same IHOP which opened last year and created almost two hour queues of eager diners.

IHOP may be a US brand, but it has gladly embraced several Filipino faves in its menu.

Acknowledging the love of Filipinos for the staple heavy breakfast dishes, IHOP, has included five homegrown Filipino dishes such as the Classic Chicken or Pork Tocino; Lean Chicken Sausage; Breakfast Beef Tapa; and Savory Pork Longganisa—all served with a generous helping of fried rice.

And while its tempting to just call them “IHOP-silog” meals, it would be a great injustice to the research and efforts of the local IHOP team to have these dishes approved by the big bosses in the US.

All these entrees are served with garlic rice, and two eggs (any style) with atchara and seasoned vinegar on the side.  Each can also be ordered with a choice of IHOP Restaurant’s world famous Buttermilk Pancakes, Stuffed French Toast or Brioche French Toast.

Of the five, I suggest you try the Lean Chicken sausage, or the savory pork longganisa, the Beef tapa is also good especially if you like the tangy sour “kick” even without the vinegar dip!

“These Filipino breakfast favourites will be exclusively offered in the Philippines for a limited time.  IHOP Restaurant’s pancakes, omelettes, stuffed French toast, crepes, and other American breakfast items have become instant hits since we opened a year ago.  With IHOP’s enthusiastic approval, we’re proudly introducing a menu that expands our appeal just as we’re expanding our locations,” said Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts, Inc. (GRCI).  The company is the Philippine partner of IHOP Restaurants.

“As a global brand but a local business, our goal is to bring our guests both the classic breakfast items that have made IHOP famous around the world as well as menu items that celebrate and appeal to the local appetites of our guests,” said Daniel del Olmo, President, International, DineEquity, Inc.  “These new menu items bring our guests the best that IHOP has to offer with delicious dishes that are unique to the Philippines and truly brings the best of both our culinary cultures to our guest.

Besides the IHOP’s Filipino Five breakfast selections, IHOP is also introducing four cold desserts to cool you down this summer.

The four new ice cream parfait flavours co-created with Nestle Ice Cream include, Mango Peaches and Cream Parfait, a blend of mango and cheesecake ice cream; Childhood Memories, vanilla ice cream layered with strawberry and blueberry syrups and topped with crispy golden hash brown and cheesecake bits; Chocolate Decadence Butter Pecan Syrup, dark chocolate and white chocolate chips and maple candied bacon all perfectly topped on scoops of decadent chocolate ice cream and the
Mixed Berry Parfait, Chocolate ice cream smothered with cool strawberry and blueberry toppings, drizzled with creamy yogurt and finished with oatmeal streusels.

Chocolate Decadence

Mango Peaches and Cream Parfait

My favorite was the Mixed Berrry Parfait, although I’m sure the Chocolate Decadence would be the bestseller because who could resist chocolate and Bacon!

Mixed Berry Parfait

Childhood Memories

IHOP Restaurants are located in W Global Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, QC, and in the Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia.  The popular chain will open two more branches this summer in Century Mall and Filinvest, Alabang and is looking to open six more locations across Metro Manila before the year ends.

Take your KakaoFriends Look-Alike Photo and Win Prizes!

Who is your Kakao-Look-Alike?

“Take your KakaoFriends look-alike photo, and win an iPhone 5c or iPad Mini!”

The KakaoTalk messaging app invites users to become lucky winners of iPhone 5c or iPad Mini through a fun, easy Facebook competition. Users need to simply
 ‘like’ the KakaoTalk Philippines Facebook page, choose a KakaoFriends sticker, take a look-alike picture and post it up on their page with #KakaoTalkPH and #KakaoLookAlike hash tags.

The competition continues for two months until April 30th, and a total of 16 winners will be selected for the prizes, with two winners being announced at each week.

KakaoFriends are characters that are exclusively available on KakaoTalk as stickers and animated emoticons. The seven characters—Apeach the peach, Muji the yellow radish in rabbit costume, Con the mysterious crocodile, Frodo the chic dog, Neo the confident cat, JayG the shy mole, and Tube the two-faced duck—with their distinctive personalities and a myriad of emotions characters add fun and joy to users chatting experience. In particular, the animated emoticons of these characters add the ability to express deeper emotions that can’t be easily conveyed in words.

Kakao said, “KakaoFriends emoticons offer a way to express emotions that can’t easily be expressed in words. We hope this contest will help familiarize our users with the hundreds of emotions that our KakaoFriends characters represent, and eventually be able to enjoy a fuller and more exciting chatting experience.”
More information on the contest can be found at KakaoTalk Philippines official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph.


Get a chance to win one out of two iPhone 5c or iPad Minis every week by following these super easy steps:

1. ‘Like’ the official KakaoTalkPH Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph. ‘Like’ this page and get the fastest and most reliable updates on Kakao’s latest.

2. Choose a KakaoFriends emoticon to imitate, and take a look-alike photo of yourself. Is it the blushing Jay-G, Frodo confessing his love, Muzi throwing two thumbs up or Apeach exercising? How about Neo with a dozen shopping bags, or Tube blowing fire in anger? Whoever it is, observe carefully and become the character itself! Take that photo, and check to make sure that yours truly stand out!

3. Paste the emoticon you imitated on your photo. Let us know which emoticon you chose and channel this character to the best of your abilities.

4. Put a catchy caption with your KakaoTalk ID and use the hash tags #KakaoTalkPH and #KakaoLookAlike. Be creative and show us your wit. Come up with a catchy caption that will totally describe your photo or better yet, your relationship with KakaoTalk.

5. Upload it on KakaoTalkPH Facebook page. Share it with us and with the whole cyberspace. Be proud and let your fellow Kakao users see your photo.


About Kakao Corp.
Kakao Corporation is the provider of KakaoTalk, a mobile messaging application and global mobile social platform based in South Korea. Since the launch of its app in 2010, Kakao has solidified its position as a leader in the mobile industry, expanding its service beyond messaging to a social platform encompassing games, digital contents, marketing, commerce and more. KakaoTalk currently has more than 140 million registered users from 230 countries, and billions of messages are delivered every day in form of text, photos, video and voice. As a global, cross-platform application, it is available in 14 languages, on Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Bada, Windows Phone and Nokia Asha. Kakao’s mission is to build a symbiotic mobile ecosystem at the global scale, offering a mobile social platform that provides win-win solutions for users and third-party partners alike. For more information, visit  www.kakaotalk.com.ph/ 

Bruno Mars As "Roberto" Lends Voice to "Rio 2"

BRUNO MARS’ JUNGLE ADVENTURE IN “RIO 2”

There’s something that Jewel (Anne Hathaway) did not talk about with Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) in the first “Rio” family adventure outing – that is her childhood friend named Roberto (Bruno Mars).  In the upcoming adventure 3D movie “Rio 2,” Blu is suddenly pitted against Jewel’s childhood friend, Roberto who is the epitome of a Blue Macaw - a perfect specimen of a wild bird who charms everyone around him and makes Blu self-conscious.

Bruno Mars joins the vividly delightful and upbeat musical world of Blu and Jewel in “Rio 2” where director Carlos Saldanha brings the adventure into the wild thick forest of the Amazon.  With the success of “Rio” the call for a sequel came quickly.  Having already teased a new life together for Blu and Jewel – and their three new arrivals – in the film’s finale, Saldanha pitched his idea for a new story.  What if Blu and his family aren’t the last Blue Macaws, he posited.  What would happen to the family dynamic?

Saldanha decided to set his new story in the mammoth Brazilian wilderness.  “I wanted a setting very different from the one we explored in ‘Rio,’ he explains.  “I thought we should move away from the city.”   So, in “Rio 2,” it’s on…in the Amazon, not only visually, but musically.  “We wanted to look at different musical ‘flavors,’ sounds and exciting new beats that make the soundtrack for “Rio 2” even bigger than the first film’s,” says the director.

If meeting a critical father-in-law, Eduardo (Andy Garcia) weren’t enough, Blu must also contend with Jewel’s childhood friend Roberto, played by Bruno Mars. “Roberto is pretty much the opposite of Blu – all charm and suaveness – and he can sing like an angel,” says Hathaway.  Eisenberg notes that, “Roberto and Jewel have a history and an almost secret language.  So Blu feels not only threatened by Roberto, but is frustrated because Roberto seems like the perfect guy.  Everything he does is heroic – and he’s a great singer!”

Roberto owes his vocal prowess to the music icon who voices him: Bruno Mars. The Grammy winner, who has sold over 115 million records worldwide and has a catalog of 22 Hot 100 hits as a singer, producer and songwriter, enjoyed his first foray into feature animation.  “I like that Roberto has a good heart,” Mars explains. “He’s a genuine dude and he really has love for Jewel – genuine love.  They grew up together, so they have a bond that’s pretty special.”

The filmmakers considered a long list of candidates for the role, but a Mars appearance on “Saturday Night Live” helped sealed the deal.  “I saw a clip of Bruno acting on SNL, and I thought he was really funny,” Saldanha remembers.  Producer John C. Donkin notes that casting Mars “transformed our thinking about the character.   He added a unique quality we initially hadn’t envisioned for Roberto, which we came to embrace, and the character really blossomed.”

If Roberto’s looks, talent and friendship with Jewel weren’t intimidating enough for Blu, the songbird hosts the clan in his magnificent mansion, located in one of the Amazon’s most impressive trees.  Interweaving roots create open pockets, perfect for rooms housing Blu and his family.  As the family settles into this exciting new world, Blu finds his learning curve to be a steep one.

Bruno Mars lends his signature vocal stylings to the track “Welcome Back,” in which his character Roberto expresses his joy in reuniting with Jewel.  The song was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and John Powell, and produced by Bruno Mars and John Powell.

“Rio 2” (in 2D and 3D) will open April 9 (Saturday) nationwide in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Rexona: Do The Moves with Sarah Geronimo, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona

This generation’s troop of teens are constantly tuned in to what’s hip, and in the recent weeks there’s been a fresh new song that has been tickling their fancy. You may have heard it on the radio, on your favorite music channel, on blogs, or you may have come across a tweet or two about it.

Do The Moves, the new single featuring Sarah Geronimo, Apl.de.Ap, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona, is definitely a song that will make you get on your feet and dance to the beat. More than anything, however, it carries a strong and inspiring message that aims to empower today’s generation¬¬— on confidence and self expression. Sarah Geronimo danced to the beat of

Last March 16 at Glorietta Activity Center, Palm drive,  fans witnessed the new ambassadors for Rexona; Do The Moves, Feeling so Fresh, Feeling so Fly as Sarah Geronimo, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona danced and gyrated to this catchy beat, this is the newest theme song for Rexona's summer campaign which target teens of this new generation.

“Song and dance is always a good way to appeal to teens, especially with the rising popularity of dance music. It’s a really fun and upbeat song that, I hope, will get people dancing and encourage them to Do the Moves and Do More,” said Rexona brand Manager, Mar Corazo.

Confidence, doing more and staying fresh are what Rexona has been inspiring individuals to do. For teens, amidst battling insecurities and growing pains, confidence is most essential. Rexona’s new Do More endorsers Sarah, Apl, Enrique and Elmo, will play a huge part in being role models to Filipino teens today. By encouraging people to join their movement with this song, they will be able to excite teens to dance, express themselves and do more. This is especially relevant because it’s a really good way for teens to be active this summer.

“We wanted to impart the importance of daily hygiene to teens in a fun and exciting way,” said Corazo.

Utilizing dance as a vehicle to drive a strong commitment to proper personal care, Rexona created dance moves which they coined “pa simple moves” as a simple and fun way for teens to check that they are always dry and fresh.

Corazo said, “This comes from the insight that people do check their underarms subtly, or the term pa-simple in Filipino.”

Together with this initiative, Rexona is also planning to launch the country’s biggest Teen Dance Competition, which will involveon-going dance tours, an audition process, elimination rounds and a finale pegged to commence in July.


Rexona provides unbeatable protection from sweat and odor so that you can Do More confidently. With Rexona confidence, teens will feel like nothing can hold them back from doing more, and most importantly have fun with their barkada.

The Horrific Consequences of Devil's Due

After Zach and Sam’s emotional wedding ceremony, they take off for a honeymoon in the stunning coastlines of Dominican Republic. From the stunning sceneries, their honeymoon suddenly takes a bizarre turn after an encounter with a psychic who warns them that “he has been waiting.”

Much to their surprise, after a night of copious quantities of alcohol, the newlyweds wake up with nary a memory of their honeymoon’s first night.

Upon returning home, Sam (played by Allison Miller) finds out that she is pregnant. Despite the surprising news, Zach (played by Zach Gilford) announces to family and friends that they are expecting their first child…unknown to all, it will be a nightmare that they have to endure since it will be the “Devil’s Due.”

“Devil’s Due” is directed by a quartet of young filmmakers known as Radio Silence who rose to fame via their films posted on YouTube. The film takes us to a series of head-spinning moments that Zach and Sam goes through dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Soon, however, disturbing clues emerge that their situation is anything but normal: an ultrasound exam and amniocentesis take a troubling turn; on a grocery shopping expedition, Sam, a vegetarian, crams raw, bloody meat into her mouth; in a shopping mall parking lot, she cracks the rear window of a car with a strength and ferocity that doesn’t seem possible for a woman several months pregnant; and her belly seems to stretch and contort, as if the baby is pushing from the inside with extreme force.

Then, there’s a cabal of shadowy figures who begin spying on the couple from hidden cameras – as a malevolent spirit waits to be born unto the world. A film about a woman impregnated with…something powerful and evil, and dealing with the horrific consequences, has obvious narrative and thematic similarities to the classic horror film Rosemary’s Baby, directed by Roman Polanski. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, two of the directors of “Devil’s Due,”, note that they don’t shy away from comparisons to the 1967 film. “Rosemary’s Baby comes up a lot when people see the trailer for DEVIL’S DUE, and it’s not something were afraid of,” says the latter. “We’re all huge fans of that film. We knew when we read [Lindsay Devlin’s] script that there was an opportunity to borrow from it in a smart way, but more importantly, tell a more contemporary and accessible story.”

“Devil’s Due” was filmed on location in the Dominican Republic, at Carnivale and various other sites, including a nightclub in a ruined catacomb, where Zach and Sam spend the fateful final night of their honeymoon. The production then moved to New Orleans, where most of principal photography took place.

Radio Silence embraced the typical scheduling constrains that befall some genre fare shot with “guerilla-style” filmmaking. “We felt like we had an abundance of time and money, just based on the films we’ve made in the past,” says Gillett. “The biggest challenge was getting people on board for how we wanted to make the movie. That becomes as much a part of the creative process as actually filming DEVIL’S DUE. For example, we didn’t need four hours to shoot a given scene because we didn’t shoot coverage conventionally. We don’t need to light things in a typical way because we’re trying to create realism. We wanted to get everyone on board with the experiment of jumping in and lighting to shoot 360-degrees and really let the actors discover the scene.

“Devil’s Due” opens March 19 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Digital Quiz Show Declares Champs for SY 2013-2014

Digital quiz show declares champs for SY 2013-2014

Manila, Philippines – Samantha Amante from Colegio San Agustin in Biñan, Laguna won in the high school division while Jo Dee Salise from Rainbow of Angels Learning Center Inc. in Butuan City won in the grade school division of Pasiklaban sa Paaralan National Finals for school year 2013-2014. Taking first runner-up and second runner-up spots in the high school division are Ramon Galvan III from Huang Siong College of Iloilo and Star Lim from Misamis Union High School respectively. Grade school first runner-up is Daemian Johan Cesa from St. Joseph College-Olongapo Inc., and second runner-up is Vien Vincent Viloria from Centro de Cultura, Inc. in Cauayan City, Isabela.

The Pasiklaban sa Paaralan National finals was held last March 15 at The Mind Museum, Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc., Global City, Taguig. With Quizmaster Drew Arellano, the one-day showdown brought together some of the brightest students from all over the country to test their knowledge in Science, Math,
Languages, Literature, and General Information.

Since it began in 2009, Pasiklaban has brought its unique and exciting style of fun learning to more than 200 locations as far as Laoag City in the north and General Santos in the south, and to more than 2000 schools. To date, roughly around 5000 students have participated in Pasiklaban. While proud to be the only high-tech travelling quiz show in the country, Pasiklaban never stops to look for ways to improve the experience of its participants and spectators through better technology, format and program.



Pasiklaban sa Paaralan is organized by Diwa Learning Systems Inc, the country’s leading source of print and digital educational resources. Diwa has established its name in the publishing world as an unstoppable force in providing Philippine schools with innovative ways to access 21st century education and K to 12-ready tools. Pasiklaban is one of the ways Diwa lives up to that monumental reputation.

To learn more about Diwa and its products and services, log on to www.diwa.ph.

Diwa Asia Corporate Family
To keep itself responsive to the needs of its growing number of clients and to address better changing realities, Diwa has three divisions focused on the various aspects of its publishing operations - Diwa Learning System Inc (DLSI), Diwa DistriNet Inc (DDN), and University Press of First Asia (UPFA). Each division takes advantage of each other's unique strengths to maintain and to continuously improve the quality of its products and services in the industry. The fourth entity, Bato Balani Foundation (BBFI), carries out the group’s social development programs.

Each of these companies exercises and aims for a different discipline - product leadership, operational excellence and customer intimacy. DLSI, the corporate progenitor, is its heart and soul. UPFA, its brain. DDN, the arms and legs. And BBFI, its conscience.




Diwa Learning Systems Inc

Founded in 1983, DLSI is the eldest in Diwa Asia's family of companies. It is the distribution and marketing company of Diwa’s educational resources for students, teachers, and schools.
With its thrust of continuously innovating and introducing new technology in education, Diwa now has magazines, textbooks and e-learning resources for practically all the subject areas - Science, Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Technology and Home Economics, PE, Health and Music, Christian Living and Computer Education. It also distributes various library reference materials and glossy magazines for the school and the home.
The pioneer of the Diwa companies, DLSI also houses the executive body of the entire organization. Under this corporate division are the different administrative Departments of entire organization: corporate and marketing communication, warehouse and distribution, Human Resource Management and Development (HRMD), Finance, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Marketing and Product Management, Office of the President and Office Services (OS).

Asting-O-Sol and the Cool as Ice Confidence

Make or Break: How to turn mouth turn-offs into Ice Cool moments of Confidence.

What turns you on a person? Aside of course for having those physical attributes, wits and education. What if he/she has a poor oral hygiene, that would most likely turns you away.  Brushing your teeth three times a day is not enough nowadays,  with the variety of food that we are eating and everyday stress that we encounter, we need a mouthwash to have the proper oral health.

Did you know that 89% of adults aged 18 – 45 years old suffer from a variety of mouth issues ? That would mean millions of Filipinos are constantly struggling to ensure that they have proper oral health. These issues would range from mouth sores, gingivitis, plaque build-up, all the way to bad breath. Among these mouth issues that Filipino’s face, it is actually bad breath, which is of most concern to majority of the population, out ranking even cavities and gingivitis .

Though bad breath may sound trivial at the onset, one must ask why a lot of Filipino’s are concerned with bad breath? In a qualitative study done by Astring-O-sol, it was noted that good oral hygiene and fresh breath were highly associated with key needs such as confidence and preparedness, both of which were believed to eventually lead to things such as success, financial stability, physical desirability, respect and even a healthy love life . No wonder having fresh breath is a key concern of most; because having fresh breath can help people become more confident and in turn enable them to have more success in the different facets of their lives.

DJ Gino Quillamor, Jessy Mendiola, Randy Silva, Senior Product Manager, and Jeoffrey Yulo, General Manager of GSK Philippines Consumer Healthcare Business

No one knows this better than Jessy Mendiola who even sites herself as an example: “Before I used Astring-O-sol, I would really catch myself being conscious about my breath. Especially in my line of work where interaction is key, I really needed a partner to ensure that I was confident enough to deliver my lines and my scenes.” She goes on to mention that in order to succeed in showbiz, confidence is key and fresh breath is extremely important. Jessy’s sentiments seem to be supported by facts, as 49% of those without bad breath feel more confident, 37% are ready and prepared to socialize and 54% of users feel protected issue 

Jessy together with Astring-O-sol, leads the road to ice cool fresh breath that transforms you into your most confident self with the brand’s latest online video at http://bit.ly/astringosolcoolasice 

Jessy says that “we all need icy fresh breath to be our confidence ally and Astring-

-O-sol is my partner in facing my everyday challenges with confidence. I truly believe that everybody has the power to impress others and blow people away.  It’s just all about staying positive, being confident, believing in oneself and of course, having good oral hygiene with the help of Astring-O-sol.”   Astring-O-sol has a unique Tri-Defense formula that helps strengthens the teeth, protects the gums and, cleans the tongue.

So, the next time you feel you need that extra boost of confidence, remember that having fresh breath is a good start. And for fresh breath, use Astring-O-sol. 

Alicia Keys New Song "Its On Again" on "Amazing Spider-Man 2 "

“AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2” TO INCLUDE ALICIA KEYS' NEW SONG “IT'S ON AGAIN”

  Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that the highly anticipated motion picture “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” will feature “It’s On Again” by Alicia Keys featuring Kendrick Lamar, written exclusively for the film by Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, and Kendrick Lamar produced by Pharrell Williams.

The song will also be included on The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the musical companion to the film, which arrives in the U.S. on Tuesday, April 22, and will be released by Columbia Records and Madison Gate Records. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” will be released in Philippine theaters on April 30, 2014, and in the U.S. on May 2, 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Marc Webb, the film’s director, said, “We were looking for just the right song to close out the film – a song that would be upbeat and exciting, but also contain a note of foreboding. Alicia’s song, ‘It’s On Again,’ is the perfect end note. For the overall score, I’m so amazed by what Hans Zimmer and the Magnificent Six were able to achieve with the music in the film. Every director wants his movie to have a unique sound, but this is beyond unique. It’s completely unlike any movie score that’s come before.

Keys added, “I'm very excited to be a part of such a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer. This is the next chapter in the Spider-Man legacy and we really feel ‘It’s On Again’ captures the experience, the story—and most importantly—the meaning behind the film, which is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary. There’s a little bit of a Super Hero in all of us.”

Zimmer said, “When we came together to form a band to create the music of this film, we did the opposite of what composers usually do – we wrote songs, and from the songs came the themes. We embraced a rock-and-roll ethos on this movie, and it paid off.”

Williams said, “Hans has created an iconic score theme and it was exciting to collaborate with him again on this song. When I was making the song, I knew Alicia and Kendrick had to be on it. They take the song to a whole new level."

The film’s epic score was composed by Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer and The Magnificent Six, which features Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr (of The Smiths, Modest Mouse), Michael Einziger (of Incubus), Junkie XL, Andrew Kawczynski, and Steve Mazzaro. The soundtrack also features new songs exclusive to the film performed by Pharrell Williams, The Neighbourhood, LIZ, and Alvin Risk. In addition, Phosphorescent’s “Song for Zula” is also featured on the soundtrack.

About “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”:
We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important conflict has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Peter Parker finds that his greatest battle is about to begin.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: Oscorp.

Directed by Marc Webb. Produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. Screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner. Screen Story by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner and James Vanderbilt. Based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Book at Agoda.com Hotels in Davao and Shop Till You Drop for the Big Davao Fun Sale

Agoda.com Hotels for the Big Davao Fun Sale 2014


Calling out all shopaholics in the country! The first ever city-wide sale in the Philippines will launch next month in the biggest city from March 14 to April 16.
The Big Davao Fun Sale will take place for 4 long weeks where the city will be offering up to 80 percent discount on fantastic deals. Participating establishments include Robinsons Cybergate Davao, Abreeza-Ayala Mall, Gaisano Grand Mall, Gaisano Mall of Davao, NCCC Mall, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier.

Throughout the month, there will be specific themes per week for the shopping frenzy community: From March 14 to 16 will be general sale; March 16 to 23 will be Health & Beauty; March 24 to 30 will be electronics and gadgets; March 31 to April 6 will be Home & Travel; April 7 to 16 will be Active Lifestyle/Fashion; and March 14 to April 16 will be Dining, Fruits & Flowers

Agoda.com has prepared a list of recommended hotels for you to make sure that you get enough rest as you shop till you drop!

1. Seda Abreeza Davao (4.5*)

http://www.agoda.com/seda-abreeza-davao/hotel/davao-ph.html

This hotel can make any guest feel right at home because of their quality accommodation and great service. Advantage of this location is that it’s close to the Abreeza Mall to accommodate your shopping needs right away.


2. Home Crest Residences(3*)

http://www.agoda.com/home-crest-residences/hotel/davao-ph.html

Home Crest Residences has always been a very common choice for travelers. The establishment is known for their excellent service, superior facilities and the ambiance of their guestrooms. The hotel is also just a stone’s throw away from SM City Davao.


3. The Apo View Hotel (4*)

http://www.agoda.com/the-apo-view-hotel/hotel/davao-ph.html

The Apo View Hotel is one of the most popular establishments in Davao because of the following; their central location, 24 hour casino and the second oldest hotel after Manila Hotel . They take pride in their spacious clean rooms and their well-appointed facilities like the pool, gym and restaurants.


4. Park Inn by Radisson Davao (4*)

http://www.agoda.com/park-inn-by-radisson-davao/hotel/davao-ph.html

Park Inn by Radisson Davao is situated in the Davao City Center which is close malls like SM Lanang Premier and also the Davao Medical Center. The hotel lives up to the expectations of their guests because of their beautiful appointed guest rooms, complete list of recreational activities and their over the top service.


5. Banana Beach Resort (4*)

http://www.agoda.com/banana-beach-resort/hotel/tagum-ph.html

For those who want to experience a different side of Davao, Banana Beach Resort is the place for you. Just an hour and a half from Davao City, the establishment is situated in Tagum and is accessible to Tagum City Freedom Park and NCC Mall of Tagum, who is also participating in the Big Davao Sale. They are known as the world’s only beach inside a banana plantation. They offer impeccable service, casitas that is perfect for relaxation and top-class facilities.


Travelers can expect good deals ranging from 5% to 60% discount on the following hotels below by connecting to Agoda.com and through the Agoda Mobile App (available on Apple and Android) on the duration of the Big Davao

Fun Sale:
1. Hof Gorei Beach Resort, Samal Island
2. Banana Beach Resort, Tagum
3. Marco Polo Davao Hotel
4. Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao
5. Seda Abreeza Davao
6. Park Inn by Radisson
7. Tune Hotel Davao
8. The Royal Mandaya
9. Hotel Vicente
10. Hotel Tropika
11. Pinnacle Hotel and Suites
12. Home Crest Residences
13. Casa Leticia Business Inn
14. Greenheights Hotel and Convention Center
15. Big Apple Hotel & Bar
16. Piazza Luna Tower
17. White Mansion
18. ALU Hotel
19. Linmarr Apartelles and Suites
20. Courtview Inn
21. Humberto’s Hotel
22. Bagobo House Hotel
23. Hotel Galleria
24. The Apo View
25. Green Windows Dormitel
26. The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases
27. Ecoland Suites
28. GK Business Hotel
29. Casa Ruby Bed & Breakfast
30. The Metropolis Suites Davao
31. The Royale House Travel Inn & Suites

Check out more hotels all over the Philippines and learn about special deals & promotions by connecting to www.agoda.com. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Google+, Instagram, or Pinterest.

About Agoda Company Pte Ltd:
Agoda Company Pte Ltd (Agoda.com) is a leading Asia-based, online hotel reservations company, which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Agoda.com is part of the Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda.com’s network includes more than 360,000 hotels worldwide. The multinational staff of more than 1,400 professionals, located throughout the world, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.
In addition, Agoda.com customers can earn loyalty rewards, which can be used on future bookings. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda.com’s aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people. AGODA® is a registered trademark of AGIP LLC, used under license by Agoda Company Pte. Ltd.

Herve Leger Now Hugging the Manila Fashion Scene

MANILA BOUTIQUE OF HERVÉ LÉGER LAUNCHES IN ASIA

When you say Herve Leger all you could think of is that one tiny  bandage dress that is beautifully hugging and contouring someones body. Herve Leger make a statement with bandage dress originally called "bender" because of its form-fitting fashion.

Max Azria acquired the Hervé Léger fashion house in 1998.  In early 2007, Azria relaunched the Hervé Léger label with his own designs, which were quickly embraced by celebrities and trendsetters worldwide.

Herve Leger bandage dress comes in colors and styles that you could choose from. From a little black dress to a tight fitting gown to a one piece swimwear. Make heads turn, get ready to flaunt your figure,  Herve Leger is now opening its first store in Asia, the style capital Manila.

Originally founded in 1985, Hervé Léger was acquired by the BCBGMAXAZRIA GROUP where Designer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Max Azria brought new life to the label with his own fabulous creations, quickly embraced by today’s most renowned style-setters, inclu

ding Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Diane Kruger, Miranda Kerr and Jennifer Lopez.

Today, the exclusive and ultra chic fashion house responsible for pioneering the iconic “bandage dress,” comes to Manila fashion scene.

Flanked by equally high-end and luxurious brands, Hervé Léger opens at the upscale East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza.  Capturing the allure of the modern, powerful woman with its exclusive couture and dynamic ready-to-wear collections, the Hervé Léger look is designed with the infamous, body contouring dress in mind, seamlessly sculpting the female silhouette with signature banding construction.  Paying tribute to empowered femininity while maintaining the house’s heritage, it makes an unforgettable statement of glamour.