FX TEAM OF “PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE” FUELS `HOTTEST' ANIMATED FILM EVER

From the beginning, Disneytoon's “Planes: Fire & Rescue” was destined to break new ground. “Not only is it the biggest visual effects movie we’ve ever done here at Disneytoon Studios,” says producer Ferrell Barron, “nobody had ever really attempted to do an animated movie featuring fire of this magnitude before—the size, scope, scale and frequency of smoke and fire in this is really extraordinary. So the first thing we had to do is dig into the effects side of the film, because it was so important that we get fire right. It had to be real.”

John Patton was tapped as the effects animation lead for the film. “Out of 1224 total shots in the film, more than half feature some kind of effect: fire, smoke, water. And ‘fire’ is in the title of the film—it’s a key element in the story—we had to make sure we nailed it.”

So the team studied the science of fire through online research, books and talking to a host of firefighters. Says Patton, “We referenced a lot of live-action fire footage to understand how it looks from different distances and with varying intensity. A lot of variables—the fuel source, weather, size—affect how a fire looks.”

Filmmakers decided to build a library of smoke and fire, creating more than 80 effects with more than 800 frames each that could be selected by effects artists and adjusted to fit the needs of the scene. They were able to select and dial up or down accompanying smoke, too. “The idea was to create and shoot fire from various distances with differing details,” says Patton. “Each one can be very time-consuming, so rather than reinvent the wheel every time, we created a library of options that could be used to populate a scene with a number of unique fire effects.”

But not every fire in the film comes from the library. Patton estimates that half of the fire in the film was custom designed. “If it was something that needed very specific art direction from the director—a specific look, motion or timing to the fire—we did a custom simulation.”

Filmmakers also had to be aware of the level of light each fire might emit, taking into consideration the time of day and the scope of the fire. Says Patton, “In the Augerin Canyon sequence with a massive blaze, we had to be careful about having everything go completely red or orange. We wanted it to be threatening, but not overpower the action.”

The climactic sequence included a 571-frame shot, according to Patton. “Dusty flies through what we like to call an effects extravaganza—water, smoke and atmospherics like smoke and embers—and ends up in the valley that’s entirely ablaze. That was a big challenge for the team, but it all came together: the lighting, the flight, the camera composition and the effects—I think everybody is proud of that shot.”

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new adventure-comedy about a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire.
When world-famous air racer Dusty Crophopper learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited air tanker Dipper, heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Opening across the Philippines on August 20 in 3D and 2D cinemas, “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

TW Steel gives you the best of both worlds, for slim or oversized watch

Who says you need to choose between a slim or an oversized watch? TW Steel gives you the best of both worlds, and introduces the newest addition to its roster of bold and elegant timepieces, the TW Steel Slim Collection

There’s no doubt that the renowned Dutch brand TW Steel is constantly innovating and carving a niche for itself in the watchmaking industry. Known for being a giant in the oversized watch market, TW Steel raises the bar by creating a new concept — a dressier, slicker oversized watch that bodes well with crisp white shirts and perfectly tailored suits.

“I think it was important for us, as a brand, to be able to offer a collection of models that are more directly suited for formal, business or dress attire,” stated TW Steel’s Chief Design Officer, Ton Cobelens. “In order to do that, a slim watch was the only option as functionality becomes a priority for the wearer, in particular the need to have a timepiece that fits well on the wrist and equally under a shirt.”

The Slim Line range is comprised of 10 executions, available only in 45mm dimension, with either steel or A-grade PVD rose gold plated cases. All models utilize a Miyota 1S13 slim movement housed in a case which features a shine finish, adding an additional visual appeal to these sleek and slender pieces.

The TW1300 to TW1305 models sport a stylish turn edge leather croco-print strap, with the familiar two dots amended in position and size slightly in keeping with the slender design.

The TW1306 and TW 1307, on the other hand, feature steel bracelets while TW1308 and TW1309 are presented with steel bracelets resplendent in A-grade PVD rose gold plating.

All models in the Slim Line Collection are embellished with sapphire crystals, while additional highlights of the new range include the use of sunray dials, with matching hands and numbers, all with a shine finish in keeping with the cases. Championing both form and function, each model is also 5 ATM water resistant.

In this new collection, TW Steel clearly proves that a slim and oversized watch is not an oxymoron as a fashion statement. It eloquently challenges what a regular watch should be, and should look like. Why just be an oversized watch when you can also couple it with a slim strap, and take on a more formal look?

Friends of TW Steel Sebastian Ripoll, James Younghusband and Nico – TW Steel Global Marketing Manager, with Ivan Yao and Alan Dacanay – TWS Asia’s Managing Director

With this in mind, the Slim Line Collection’s grand entrance in Manila is set to the #WhyNotBoth theme, a campaign that highlights three personalities in the social scene who have successfully balanced a multifaceted life.

Nico Bolzico, a successful and well-traveled economist, also doubles as a polo aficionado when he’s not dressed in his bespoke suits. Sebastian Ripoll, an accomplished strength and conditioning coach, also works as a producer for a documentary series with ABS-CBN called Team U. James Younghusband, on the other hand, is a celebrated football player and right midfielder for the Philippine Azkals, and also spearheads the Younghusband Football Academy.

Bolzico, Ripoll, and Younghusband lead very vibrant lives, and are each committed to not only living out their dreams, but also making sure that they share that with others as well. They embody the qualities that the Slim Line Collection espouses — that there is no either or, but simply, a delicate balancing act. Are there any signs of them slowing down? Slim chance.

ABOUT NICO BOLZICO

Nico Bolzico had been traveling for five years doing macro-economic analyses in different emerging countries like Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Philippines was his first stop in Southeast Asia, and what was supposed to be a six-month project became a full-fledged agribusiness developer corporation, LM10.

“LM10 is an extension of our company in Argentina,” Bolzico shared, “My father had advised that we can contribute here to make the agriculture sector more efficient.” Since its beginnings in February 2012, Bolzico went on to several provinces in the country and is already well-versed with the Filipino culture. His projects are scattered all over the country with some in Cagayan de Oro, Tarlac, General Santos, Bulacan, and Camarines Sur. “We go to those places and we get to know the country better. It’s not the tourist side that everyone knows,” he said. An example of LM10’s joint ventures is Siembra Directa Corp, which has paved the way for the first mechanized corn planting in Isabela.

“The most rewarding aspect is collaborating with the farmers, and then seeing the job done,” Bolzico said. Although there’s no regular work day for him, he relishes in the fact that he gets to have the perfect mix of field work in CDO, or office work at the Fort.

When he’s not busy with work, Bolzico makes time for one of his other passions: playing polo. He credits his love of polo to his brother, who introduced the sport to him two years ago in Buenos Aires. He played once, twice, and on the third time, he developed a keen interest in it and sought to play it regularly with family and friends. But the beginnings of polo, Bolzico said, roots back to his childhood. He had been riding horses at the tender age of three, thanks to their family farm in Argentina.

“I love the rush of adrenaline that playing polo gives me,” Bolzico said. He also mentions that polo is a way to bring people together, and to establish a common ground for new friends.

Asked if he ever had to struggle with having to choose one over the other, Bolzico calmly replies: “You need to mix it up because no extreme is good. You can’t just work or just have fun. Balance is the key to everything.”

ABOUT SEBASTIAN RIPOLL

A former University of the Philippines football player, Sebastian Ripoll was drawn to sports from an early age. “My family’s always been into sports,” Ripoll said, “Even my brother became a football coach.” From high school all the way to his university years, Ripoll was always involved in athletic teams, and even tried out a number of individual sports. Little did he know, though, that he was starting a life-long affinity for it, and would eventually share this dream with a wider audience.

Ripoll pursued his love of sports by finishing with a sports science degree from UP. He went on to teach at his alma mater, and is now a strength and conditioning coach and a consultant for the Department of Education. Adding to his impressive resume is his ongoing project with fellow producers Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson, the documentary series Team U. The show, which airs on ABS-CBN Sports + Action, highlights the efforts of public schools in creating world-class sports programs for the youth.

“Our target population when we started was mostly college students, but we saw that the greater need was in the public schools, especially the younger ones,” Ripoll stated. He stressed that apart from adding to the holistic development of the child, research over the years have shown that sports and arts programs are indispensable to excellent academics.

“It’s about contextualizing the academic curriculum and having sports on parallel ground,” Ripoll said, “so being a coach is not only an add-on to a program, but a coach is now equal to a faculty member.” His advocacy spearheads the professionalization of coaching, and putting sports in a league of its own. Team U espouses this philosophy, and works to raise the visibility on the need for quality sports education around the country.

When asked which profession he likes the most — that of an educator, coach, or a producer — Ripoll chuckled lightheartedly and replied, “it’s hard to pick! It’s like having three kids.” Despite his hectic schedule, he finds time to play football, teach, and produce his show. He advised that it’s okay to juggle different things at the same time, because when he needs it the most, all the new skills he learned from his different jobs come into play.

ABOUT JAMES YOUNGHUSBAND

James Younghusband has been a household name for several years now. He’s on the pages of glossy magazines, on billboards dotting the long stretches of highways, and of course, on the televised football games when he’s leading the Philippine Azkals to victory. Growing up in England, it seemed only logical that he would learn to love football. With a father who was a huge football fan, and a brother who equally loved the sport, James would be a regular at their local football club, and would always play at their nearby park. It could be said that he grew into it by osmosis.

“The thing I love most about football is that it’s a team game,” Younghusband said, “In other sports you can rely on one or two star players, but in football, everyone needs to work together well.” Being honored as captain of the Philippine national team, and leading his teammates into the field with the Philippine national anthem playing in the stadium is his proudest moment in his football career.

It’s not enough that he brought glory to the country by putting the national team on the international spotlight; Younghusband is also the director of The Younghusband Football Academy. With his brother Phil, and his business partners Cathy Nazareno-Rivilla and Jojo Durian, James created the academy to nurture young and aspiring football players.

“What inspires me most in the academy is the kids,” he shared, “players like me are going to get older one day, so you have to keep the kids playing as much as you can.” For him, the academy is a way to share his love of the game to other kids. Apart from that, it also gives him a different perspective in the sport — he gets to be a coach. Although being a player is physically exhausting, being a coach can be mentally taxing as well. Younghusband said that it gives him the chance to grow in the sport, and that it would be a profession he sees himself committing to in the long run.

“It’s a great feeling when you coach kids and you see them smile when they take your advice and get better at it,” he said. He becomes animated when talking about the academy, and his passion for the sport — whether it’s through coaching or playing —clearly translates to his success.

TW Steel is available at the following TW Steel Boutiques (The Podium, Marquee Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Aura Premier, Century City Mall, SM City North Edsa), Lucerne, Chronos, Swissgear, WristPod, Adora, and Le Temps.

Samsung Electronics and Yuchengco Museum partner up for Relative Realities Digital Art Experience

Samsung Electronics Philippines and Yuchengco Museum
Present Relative Realities Digital Art Experience

Samsung Digital Gallery and Yuchengco Museum brings you a month-long digital art exhibit Relative Realities: Creating New Dimensions of Art through Technology, and is supported by a mobile app FACETS. It showcases the artworks of printmaker Ambie Abaño, painter Ernest Concepcion, painter Jason Montinola, sculptor Leeroy New, visual artist Arturo Sanchez, Jr., and multimedia and performance artist Josephine Turalba. They were  presented to the media last August 7, 2014 together with their art pieces.

 Relative Realities is powered by Samsung’s Ultra High Definition Smart TVs and tablets,  which uses augmented reality technology to create new museum experiences. Relative Realities is on view at Yuchengco Museum from August 7 to September 8, 2014.

Relative Realities is a collaboration between one of the world’s most recognized technology brands and one of the country’s most trailblazing museums. The exhibit showcases the artworks of six especially invited Filipino artists from a wide range of creative practices:

The exhibit promises to be exciting and novel for today’s young generation, which the museum hopes to further attract through supporting youth programs and tours on digital art. Relative Realities goes beyond the traditional museum experience of simply presenting art on a pedestal or wall.

 By scanning an artwork with an Android smartphone or tablet, museumgoers can experience the works they see in a whole new light. The exhibit is supported by a mobile app called FACETS, which presents to visitors a different side to the artwork, whether it’s information about the work and the artist or even 3D graphics, video, animation, or sound. “We want to break the practice where the museum’s curatorial direction of an exhibition collection sets the pace for the appreciation and understanding of art. Would not art be best understood in the pureness of subjectivity—where the artist presents and the viewers formulate their own understanding and experience of the artwork?” shares Jeannie Javelosa, curator of Yuchengco Museum.

FACETS mobile app
The exhibit is supplemented by the Futuristic Art Creations Enabled by TVs and Smart devices (FACETS) app, which is especially developed by Samsung Electronics Philippines. The mobile application features not only the artworks in Relative Realities, but also select paintings on view at the Yuchengco Museum’s Masters Gallery. Through the app, guests can learn about the museum’s master works, their styles, the meaning of their works, and their place in the development of Philippine art.
FACETS is available on Android smartphones and tablets through the Google Play Store: http://bit.ly/FACETS

Samsung Digital Gallery

After the month-long exhibit, the artworks highlighted in Relative Realities and select pieces from the Yuchengco Museum Collection will be incorporated into the new Samsung Digital Gallery at the museum’s third floor. The space will offer visitors an opportunity to create new human experiences where they can interact and learn more about the artworks they see at the museum. The Samsung Digital Gallery is due to open to the public in September 2014.
Relative Realities: Creating New Dimensions of Art through Technology is on view at Yuchengco Museum from August 7 to September 8, 2014. The museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.

"PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR" FULL LENGTH TRAILER REVEAL - SPIES ON THE HATCH!

Dreamworks Animation reveals the latest full length trailer of "Penguins of Madagascar" where we get to see our favorite penguins as toddlers and follow them through as they grow up to become the world's most reliable yet hilarious spy quartet.

"Penguins of Madagascar" is a spin-off from the blockbuster "Madagascar" franchise where the scene-stealing penguins started out composed of Skipper, Rico, Private and Kowalski who are now stars of their own self-titled movie.

In "Penguins of Madagascar," Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (John DiMaggio) and Private (Christopher Knights) join forces with a super-secret animal organization called North Wind to fight the many-tentacled menace North Wind's leader, meanwhile, is a wolf known only as Classified (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

The core group of penguins will be joined by actors  including John Malkovich, Peter Stormare, Ken Jeong, Annet Mahendru and Werner Herzog as new voices.

"Penguins of Madagascar" (3D) will open in cinemas nationwide on November 26 from DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

latest trailer reveal from the movie THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR.

TRAILER LINK:

http://youtu.be/mweohDZd_Og

Say “Aloha” to Teddy’s! Bigger Burgers

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Hawaii’s number one burger chain, marks its entry into the Philippines with the opening of its first store on August 23, at Level 3, Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

Awarded multiple times as the best burger in Hawaii, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers takes pride in its signature fare: its 100% cornfed ground chuck made-to-order burgers served with a sweet and tangy special sauce; and its super thick milk shakes.

Established in 1998 by Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula, Teddy’s has 11 locations in Hawaii and recently opened mainland locations in Washington and Iowa, with stores soon to open in California and Texas. The Philippines is Teddy’s 2nd international location, following Japan.

To celebrate its Philippine debut, Teddy’s will treat its first 100 customers with free Original Teddy’s Burger (5 oz.) on its August 23 opening day.

Early birds will also be rewarded as the first five in line will receive one year supply of burgers (one burger a week, for 52 weeks). The 6th to 10th in line will get six months supply of burgers (one burger a week, for 26 weeks); and 11th to 20th in line will receive three months supply of free burgers (one burger a week for 13 weeks). From the remaining 80 in line, five lucky winners will also win a weekly supply of burgers of one month (one burger a week for 5 weeks), to be drawn via raffle.  Line starts at 7 am in front of Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Store on August 23.


From now until September 3, 2014, mall patrons at the Greenbelt Mall also have the chance to win a free burger from Teddy’s by taking a burger selfie with either the Teddy’s Bigger Burgers store board up or Teddy’s Bigger Burger standees around the mall. Participants must upload their photos on Facebook or Instagram account with the hashtag #teddysburgersph. The first 100 entries will win a free 5oz Original Teddy’s Burger.

For complete promo mechanics, and more information about Teddy’s Bigger Burgers PH, visit the official Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/TeddysBurgersPH).

Shane Filan returns to Manila this October

Shane Filan, former front man of the super group and worldwide phenomenon Westlife fulfills a promise he made to Filipino fans last year, as he holds his much-awaited solo concert on October 1, 2014 at the World Trade Center Manila.

This will be Shane’s first ever major show in Manila after the Irish group’s fond farewell tour back in 2011 and is part of his ongoing You & Me World Tour to promote his debut album.

Shane’s new album is way more than ballads that Westlife and has been described as a “progression from Westlife’s sound..the end result is a collection of adult contemporary songs that mix a variety of musical styles.”

The record is dominated by up-tempo and mid-tempo songs, a reflection of his own record collection, mixing pop, soul, country and even a hint of traditional Irish music. With this first solo album, Shane emerges as a pop writer to be reckoned with. Shane chooses the very first song he wrote, the catchy Everything To Me, to be his first single.

Born July 5, 1979, Shane Steven Filan grew up in Sligo, a busy commercial town in the northwest of Ireland. The youngest of seven children, he has three brothers and three sisters: Finbarr, Peter Jr, Yvonne, Liam, Denise and Mairead. His parents owned a diner in Sligo named Carlton Café located on Castle Street and Shane used to work there as a waiter from a very early age.

Shane found his passion in music at a young age. Together with school mates Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and later joined by Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden the group would eventually create Westlife. Their eponymous first album was released in 1999 and shot the band to fame.

Ten albums and over 50 million sales later, the band came to an amicable split with a wonderful, sell-out farewell tour in 2012 after which Shane decided to embark on a solo career. His first solo album You & Me was released in November 2013 under MCA MUSIC.

Shane Filan’s first solo gig in Manila, featuring several of Westlife’s greatest hits, is definitely not to be missed! Presented by Midas Promotions, Shane Filan You & Me Tour Live in Manila 2014 is held on 1 October 2014 at the World Trade Center Manila. Tickets to the show are on sale through SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com; tel: 470-2222), Ticketnet (www.ticketnet.com.ph; tel: 911-5555), and TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph; tel:891-9999) from 16 June 2014.

Shane Filan You & Me Tour Live in Manila 2014
Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Time: 8pm
Venue: World Trade Center Manila
Tickets: PHP 4,500 (Platinum Seated), PHP 3,000 (Gold Standing), PHP 2,000 (Silver Standing)
Tickets are now available through SM Tickets, Ticketnet, and TicketWorld outlets.
Our ticketing partners apply a customer service fee to all tickets purchased via its network. This fee is additional to the face value of the ticket and is payable upon purchase of tickets. Visit Shane Filan official website: http://shanefilan.com/

Wendy's Salad Bar is back!

Die-hard Wendy’s fanatics, as well as today’s generation of adventurous foodies, can all look forward to the much-awaited comeback of the Wendy’s Salad Bar in the Philippines—what could be considered as one of the most memorable dining concepts in modern food history. And what better way to usher it back than by letting the people themselves choose what they deserve in the salad bar that they have so greatly missed?

Re-debuting at an affordable price of P199 and piloting in six Metro Manila outlets, the new Salad Bar is proudly the first-ever Wendy’s crowd-sourced salad. This means that Wendy’s Facebook fan page community selected and voted for their favorite salad toppings and dressings to be served at the salad counter.

Now customers can make their very own salad masterpiece from a bounty of “People’s Choice” fresh ingredients laid out for the picking: lettuce greens, cucumber slices, tomatoes, grated carrots, macaroni salad, gelatin (now enhanced with lychee), grated cheese, and additional options like potato salad with bacon bits, hard-boiled egg, and tropical fruits. Wendy’s now also offers three salad dressings—the classic Thousand Island, the all-time favorite Caesar, and the refreshing newcomer, Strawberry Vinaigrette.

Diners are allowed one dine-in trip to the Salad Bar to fill their plate with ingredients, including dressing. Those going for any of Wendy’s Sandwich Combos can avail of a trip to the Salad Bar for only P150.

Wendy’s was the first fast-food chain in the world to roll out a salad bar option in 1979, broadening the offer into a comprehensive dining buffet that featured themed stations almost ten years later. In the Philippines, the salad counter at Wendy’s similarly acquired pop culture cult status in the 1980s and well into the ‘90s, as customers eagerly embraced fresh salad as a complement to the restaurant’s burger and fries fare.

Diners became artists and engineers of their own salad creations—some would pile on ingredients and drizzle dressing rather ingeniously to maximize the space on their plates, while others would combine flavors with extraordinary technique to create the most memorable salad combinations. Everyone, from solo diners to romantic couples, as well as groups of families, officemates, and school barkadas, created many fond memories along Wendy’s Salad Bar counter.

The return of Wendy’s Salad Bar, in addition to the store’s regular salad offerings, is a shout-out of one of the brand’s key messages that going green and eating healthy is a choice at Wendy’s. For health buffs, Wendy’s is the one special, convenient dining place they could go whenever they had a craving to go green and eat fresh, much ahead of when healthy dining came in vogue.

Beyond introducing innovative healthy salad options in a fast-casual setting, Wendy’s has way before been engaging with its diners by offering the opportunity to customize their own plates. So that while the buffet-style, build-your-own dining concept may seem an exciting trend to current foodies, it is hardly really novel for those truly in the know: American burger brand Wendy’s has long pioneered this value-for-money option with its Salad Bar that took the local food and beverage industry by storm decades ago when it was first introduced.

News of the Salad Bar’s rebirth continues to generate massive interest, with people even making their personal countdown and tracking how many more sleeps to go before it reopens. One Facebook commenter posted: “go go go, bring back my favorite salad!”, proof positive that Wendy’s Salad Bar doesn’t offer just any ordinary type of salad, but an amazing experience worth repeating. Or in the words of another Wendy’s Facebook fan: “excited to try it again and again.”



Wendy’s Salad Bar will initially be offered at the following selected outlets: SM Megamall; Greenfields Portal; Glorietta 4 Cinema Level; SM Annex North EDSA; Boni corner EDSA; and SM Centerpoint Sta. Mesa. Food lovers are invited to start building their stunning plate of fresh ingredients today, or they can order any of the other tasty regular salad offerings like Taco, Chicken Caesar, Macaroni, and Garden Mix at the nearest Wendy's branch.

Mr. Michael Kho, CEO & President, Wendy’s Philippines (center); Ms. Marizu Baser (Left), Marketing Director and Mrs. Yvette Pardo-Orbeta, Chairman of the Board posed beside the Salad Bar of the Greenfields Portal branch

Get in on the action by sharing online your buzzworthy Salad Bar experiences using hashtag #WeDeserveThis. Be there as the brand brings sexy back to those who yearn for the good ol’ salad days, as well as to new customers who feel they deserve something better.

Another classic reinvented: Wendy’s Salad Bar is now open, because you asked for it!

Lindsay Lohan's comeback movie "The Canyons"

“The Canyons” starring Lindsay Lohan is a contemporary thriller written by Bret Easton Ellis (“Less Than Zero,” “American Psycho”) directed by Paul Schrader (“Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Affliction,” “Auto-Focus”)and producer Braxton Pope,  “The Canyons” documents five twenty-something's quest for power, love, sex and success set in the year 2012 in Hollywood.  The filmmakers partly financing the film themselves through Pope’s new company Sodium Fox in order to maintain complete creative control of the distinct source material.  According to Schrader, “We all experienced the frustrations of financing and institutional censorship. But now, with advances in digital photography and distribution, we can tell a story in the manner we choose. Movies are changing and we’re changing with it.”

                “The Canyons” tells the searing indictment of Hollywood culture and the year's most controversial film. Young trust-fund baby Christian (James Deen) is working on financing a horror film simply to keep his dad off his back. His girlfriend-turned-plaything Tara (Lindsay Lohan) is helping him with casting, and his producer, Gina, is trying to get her boyfriend Ryan the lead role. But unbeknownst to Christian and Gina, Ryan and Tara were once a couple, and as soon as the two meet again at an audition, their romance is rekindled. When Christian discovers that Tara has been having an affair, he begins to play a series of cruelly escalating mind games with both Ryan and Tara, leading to an act of violence from which there can be no redemption. Featuring fearless and unprecedented performances from its young cast, “The Canyons” is a thought-provoking examination of privilege run amok.

                “The Canyons” will open in cinemas on August 13 from Crystalsky Multimedia.
Check out the film’s trailer at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2rXjVBLMM

Takeru Satoh and the cast of Rurouni Kenshin held its presscon at Glorietta

 Japanese action-epic movie Ruruoni Kenshin with its lead actors Takeru Satoh, Munetaka Aoki and its director, Keishi Ohtomo held its presscon at the Glorietta Activity Center last August 7, 2014.  The show was hosted by Sam Oh and attended by the media and fans all over the Phils. Takeru Sato thanked everyone for the warm welcome he and the cast of Rurouni Kenshin got from all the fans and  media. The fans got wild everytime Takeru talks, winks and waves. While  Munetaka Aoki, his sidekick in the movie greeted the audience "Magandang Gabi and Mahal ko kayo and repeated the word "astig" three times, much to the adulation of the fans. Warner Bros. Japan releases the film and starts its regular showing in the country on August 20, 2014.

Keishi Ohtomo, Takeru Satoh and Munetaka Aoki

Two years after the release of the shocking prologue: Rurouni Kenshin, the time has come for the great climax to begin. The first half of an epic two-part finale, "Kyoto Inferno" finds the reformed assassin desperately trying to avoid the violence promised in the next film “The Legend Ends”.

Based on the Kyoto arc of the popular manga series written & illustrated by Watsuki Nobuhiro, the sequels follow the story of reformed assassin Kenshin Himura going up against pure evil Makoto Shishio who is attempting to overthrow the Meiji government. The fate of the country hangs in the balance as Kenshin Himura takes up the sword that he vowed to never draw again.


Returning as director is Keishi Otomo, highly respected around the world for such works as Ryomaden and Platinum Data. Gathering his production staff from the first Kenshin movie, he combines painstaking attention to detail with spectacle on a grand scale in his single-minded pursuit of a world-within-film like no other. The theme song is by the internationally popular band ONE OK ROCK, who has written two individual songs for both films.

Supersized, super fast, supercharged HUAWEI X1, world’s lightest and narrowest 7-inch phablet, now in PH

The world's lightest and narrowest phablet -- a new HUAWEI 7-inch Android tablet that lets you make phone calls, download 1GB movie in a minute, and use it as powerbank to charge other mobile devices is now in the Philippines.

HUAWEI, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced the market availability of the world’s slimmest and narrowest 7-inch LTE Cat4-enabled all-in-one phablet.

First launched during the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HUAWEI X1 combines the functionality of a smartphone and tablet with 4G LTE connectivity to provide an all-round mobile experience. HUAWEI X1’s full aluminum alloy unibody is compact and weighs less than a canned drink at 239 grams. Ultra-slim at 7.18mm, the device provides outstanding comfort and ease of use, even when operated with a single hand.

 Its 7-inch 1200 x 1920 FHD LTPS 10-point capacitive touch display provides an incredibly crisp and dynamic visual experience and features an outstanding 80 percent screen-to-body ratio.

HUAWEI X1 features content adaptive brightness control (CABC) technology together with a 515 nits brightness level to allow amazing visual clarity under direct sunlight. It also includes intelligent grip suppression so you can hold and scroll simultaneously.

HUAWEI X1 is powered by a Kirin 910 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The ultra-long lasting 5000 mAh battery provides an exceptional 21 days of standby time, more than five full days of continuous video or web surfing, and also powers additional mobile devices with its reverse charging function. HUAWEI X1 uses the ‘Super Decode Media Files’ function to differentiate between file types to ensure the smooth streaming of media while preserving battery power and the ‘Mail Grouping Service’ which differentiates between various types of signals and mobile phone ringtones to organize messages.

HUAWEI X1 makes professional-quality photography possible on a phablet with an advanced 13MP Sony Exmor R BSI rear-facing camera that has a five plastic elements (5P) lens featuring panoramic shooting and an IMAGESmart engine with auto-scene recognition. Its 5MP front-facing camera has a four plastic elements (4P) lens and HUAWEI’s proprietary self-focus tips, preview screen, 10-level auto-facial enhancement and voice-activated hands-free capture, to take the best ‘selfies’. The phablet adds an extra dimension to photos with the ‘Voice Photo’ function, which takes photos accompanied by a 10-second audio clip that can be shared via Facebook and WeChat. The IR blue glass infrared filter also enables filming or photographing in low light.

LTE Cat4-enabled to make connectivity faster and more reliable than ever, HUAWEI X1 downloads work files in seconds and a 1GB movie in one minute with speeds of up to 150 Mbps. With in-built WiFi routers, 2.4/5G dual mode WiFi support, as well as voice call and SMS capabilities, the device provides on-the-spot connection to friends and family. The AirSharing function enables screen sharing and the transfer of images via cloud photo sharing. Navigating HUAWEI X1 is a breeze with the latest intuitive and easy-to-use interface, Emotion UI 2.0, featuring easily customizable home screens, enhanced ‘Standard’ and ‘Simplicity’ UIs and more than 1,000 diverse themes.

The Huawei X1 is available in black and white at PhP19,590 suggested retail price.

Globe Telecom boosts work efficiencies for enterprises with Canvas mobile app

Canvas channel and partnership manager for Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific Dan Stevens and Globe Vice President of IG Rey Lugtu

Globe Telecom, through its IT-Enabled Services Group (IG), is taking business innovation a step further by introducing an enhanced mobile business offering which converts paper-based processes to dynamic, feature-rich mobile apps.

In partnership with Canvas, a global leader in mobile apps for business, Globe IG launches the cloud-based software service that empowers business users to collect, share and integrate information using mobile devices with existing backend business systems. As a result of this new partnership, enterprise and small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers of Globe can unlock the potential of their smartphones and tablets by shifting key business processes from paper forms to dynamic mobile apps with functionalities.

Every Canvas app is customizable and can incorporate functionality such as GPS, image capture, dispatch, barcode scanning, electronic signatures, push notifications and access to business data such as parts catalogs, price lists and patient records.  Canvas eliminates paperwork, captures more information and allows collected data to be shared instantly - anytime, anywhere.  

With Globe Telecom being the first and exclusive partner of Canvas in the Philippines, its business customers will be able to leverage on Canvas’s cloud-based service and mobile business app store, which currently has more than 14,000 business apps ranging from inspection forms and work orders to surveys and checklists. According to Globe and Canvas officials, business customers “going paperless” can reap the significant cost, productivity and efficiency gains, saving up to 75% on paper costs and achieve annual productivity savings of about P175,000 per user on the average. A P500 monthly investment per account includes unlimited access to Canvas Application Store, unlimited creation of forms & unlimited submissions.

Excited with the new synergy between Globe and Canvas, Globe Vice President of IG Rey Lugtu shares, "Local businesses of all sizes and across all industries are shifting core business processes to mobile devices as they are drawn to the ability of mobile apps to solve challenges associated with traditional paper-based processes. With this shift in the way businesses operate, Globe IG takes a proactive stance in providing them anew with best-in-class IT solutions beyond telco core services through Canvas. With the collaboration between two industry leaders, our enhanced mobile business offerings will ultimately enhance productivity, heighten collaboration, and generate quick returns on investment.”

Canvas channel and partnership manager for Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific Dan Stevens added, “Forward-thinking telecommunications service providers such as Globe Telecom recognize they must deliver services that not only improve communications and collaboration, but also empower their customers to be more productive by unlocking the full potential of mobile workers. In fact, in our 2014 survey of business and IT decision makers, 63 percent of respondents indicated that they see value integrating core business applications with mobile devices and tools. We are thrilled to partner with Globe Telecom on this mobile business offering and believe that this solution will positively resonate with its customers.”

Canvas’ mobile business app solutions run on Android, iOS or Windows platforms on any smartphone, tablet or laptop. Globe Business customers interested to learn more about the Canvas mobile business app service can visit canvas.globe.com.ph. Those interested in signing up for a 30-day free trial may send an email to canvas@globe.com.ph.

The Information Technology (IT) Enabled Services Group of Globe Telecom serves the IT requirements of Philippine businesses from small and medium enterprises to large corporations, empowering them with a large platform of best-in-class infrastructure such as industry-accredited data centers, cloud solutions and managed services as well as a complete portfolio of business applications like machine-to-machine and productivity tools. To learn more, visit www.globe.com.ph/business.

Canvas is an easy, fast and economical way for businesses to find, customize and create mobile forms to replace paper forms. Canvas is a cloud-based software service that enables users to collect information using mobile devices, share that information and integrate with existing backend systems. Canvas also offers the first mobile business application store of its kind, allowing businesses from diverse industries to find mobile forms specific to their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.GoCanvas.com.