Buon Giorno for Repertory Theater for Young Audiences for staging Pinocchio

Nurturing the imaginative minds of young audiences

Theater has an undeniable charm that has transcended eras. It has withstood wars and famines, it has documented the rise and fall of empires and regimes. It is a powerful cultural treasure that has been an important part of humanity’s development. In the past few years, theater has enjoyed a resurgence and more and more people troop to Broadway and West End to watch the best musicals and plays. But with the advent of modern technology, some of us seem to forget the beauty and mystique of the stage.

This year, Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) artistic director, Joy Virata aims to enrich the lives and imagination of children with the restaging of the award-winning musical, Pinocchio, which premiered on August 16 and will continue to show until the end of the year at the OnStage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati.

“I am very happy that Pinocchio has had such a good response—not only by the sale of tickets and the reviews, but with the way the children react when they watch the show,” said Virata.  “Even the littlest ones are quiet and mesmerized. I hear them singing ‘Buon Giorno’ when they leave the theater.”

Pinocchio features several segments of audience participation where everyone is encouraged to learn the Italian words and songs. Theater, in general, develops a deep appreciation for the arts—music, dance, visual arts and literature—and creates an atmosphere of connectedness between the artists and audience like no other medium. As it exercises the creative ability to suspend disbelief, demanding one to overlook the limitations of the medium, theater also improves language comprehension and listening skills, and promotes the value of culture and people.

Pinocchio is not only a wonderful learning experience for children, it is also a visual marvel. One of Virata’s favorite things about the play is the beautiful set design of the Land of the Toys by Oliver Roxas and the light design of John Batalla. She also adores the costume designs of Liz Batoctoy and Ogie Reonal. Virata always manages to insert a bit of classical dance in her shows. “The dancing of the ballerina and the acrobatic moves of the clown are quite spectacular,” she said. “I also like the movement of Pinocchio when he is still a puppet on strings.”

Beginnings of Repertory Theater for Young Audiences

Aside from Pinocchio, RTYA has staged many plays since its establishment in the early nineties, including Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Seussical, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Snow White, Mulan, Annabel Broom the Unhappy Witch, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Alice in Wonderland. Pinocchio was picked this year because it was a RTYA favorite that hasn’t been done in a decade.

“One day, I saw some children waiting outside the theater for their parents who were watching an ‘adults only’ production,” explained Virata of the beginnings of RTYA. “I thought to myself why not provide children with their own theatre?”

Virata surfed the internet for plays and found one written by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy, the same writers of this theatrical adaptation of Pinocchio, for their company The Prince Street Players Ltd.  “I was particularly struck that their productions were of the same quality as professional, adult productions, and by their belief that this was what children deserved,” she said. The play was Sleeping Beauty, which had simple, catchy tunes, and was funny and short—the principles which have guided Virata’s choice of plays ever since.

“To make a long story short, the enthusiasm from the actors, artistic staff, and friends, that greeted RTYA was so great, I got carried away and ended up with a great set and marvelous costumes which ran way over my budget,” shared Virata. “But, the opening performance was a sell-out.  We had more walk-in sales than any production we have ever had. With only around 16 performances, I was able to recoup all the costs and more. And that’s how it started.  And it has been going on ever since.”

AXN Asia adds Blacklist, The Voice, Amazing Race to its Day and Date lineup

AXN  announces day-and-date with the U.S. of hit crime thriller The Blacklist (S2) and the Emmy-winning singing talent search show The Voice (S7).

“By airing The Blacklist and The Voice day-and-date with the U.S., we provide our viewers with quicker access to these highly popular series while at the same time leveraging the shows’ real-time buzz across social media,” said Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

The two shows join popular adventure reality competition The Amazing Race (S25), which AXN has offered day-and-date since its second season.

The Blacklist (S2)
Premiering on Tuesday 23 September, The Blacklist returns to follow the exploits of James Spader’s (Boston Legal) criminal mastermind Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington. Last season, he turned himself in and began helping the FBI eradicate his ‘blacklist’ of politicians, mobsters, spies and international terrorists, under the condition that he works only with rookie FBI agent Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Keen (Megan Boone, Law & Order: Los Angeles).The Blacklis

In the new season, Red lives with the threat that enigmatic antagonist Berlin (Peter Stormare, Fargo) remains at large. The relationship between Red and Liz continues to grow, although their actual ties remain a question, while Liz moves on from her unravelling relationship with husband Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold, 90210) whose fate remains a mystery. Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) joins the cast as Naomi Highland, a character inextricably linked to Red.

The Voice (S7)

Premiering on 23 and 24 September is The Voice, which this year earned 10 Emmy nominations after last year becoming the first talent search show to win the Emmy for “Outstanding Reality-Competition Program”. The Voice will feature Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams as celebrity musician coaches for the first time, joining Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in search of America’s next Voice.

The Amazing Race (S25)

Premiering on 27 September is the 25th season of the 14-time Emmy-winning The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, the adventure reality competition will see 11 pairs, including surfers, urban bike racers, food scientists, realtors, fire fighters, professional wrestlers, and dentists, race each other around the world for the US$1 million prize money.

The Blacklist Season 2 premieres on 23 Sep 2014, airing on Tuesdays at 10pm.
The Voice Season 7 premieres on 23 and 24 Sep, airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8.10pm.
The Amazing Race Season 25 premieres on 27 Sep, airing on Saturdays at 8.10pm.

On the days of the US telecast, first and exclusively on AXN

AXN ASIA to Premiere Asia's Got Talent

Kicking off the search for a new generation of stars, AXN has commissioned the pan-regional version of the global hit ‘Got Talent’ format, which is co-owned by FremantleMedia and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment. ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ will premiere on AXN in early 2015 across 20 territories including South East Asia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Asia’s aspiring individual and group acts of all ages are invited to share their amazing skills on ‘Asia’s Got Talent’, for their chance-in-a-lifetime to make it big in front of millions of AXN viewers and take home the ultimate winning crown.

Budding stars can log on to www.axn-asia.com/AsiasGotTalent for registration and audition details.

The ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ team will be talent scouting in 13 countries across Asia.

“Talent has a thrilling new home on AXN and we’re excited to provide the ideal platform for contestants to showcase their skills in front of our huge regional fan base. Asia is an incredible melting pot of exceptional talent so we look forward to discovering the next generation of Asia-based stars on AXN,” said Ang Hui Keng, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

The semi-finals and grand final shows will yet announced the place to be broadcast.

Earlier this year, ‘Got Talent’ won the Guinness World Records title for being the world’s ‘Most Successful Reality TV Format’. With the addition of ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ an impressive 63 versions of the international ratings phenomenon have now been commissioned worldwide across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle-East.

AXN is a leader of regionally produced original content in Asia, with notable ratings successes including four seasons of the international Emmy-nominated ‘The Amazing Race Asia’; the Asian Television Award-winning ‘Cash Cab Asia’; ‘The Apprentice Asia’; ‘Cyril: Rio Magic’; ‘Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition’; and the Asian Television Award-nominated ‘Cyril: Simply Magic’.

Ten New Adventures. Ten New Destinations. AXN brings back TEN with Jason Godfrey

Conceived from bright ideas translated into cool concepts, AXN’s original travel lifestyle show Ten is a creative factory of seemingly never-ending engaging themes applied to the most intriguing places around the Philippines.

The first season was a hit as Jason Godfrey, Ten’s host and designated guide, accomplished a mission with each of his trips. The six-part series opened with a road trip from Manila to Northern Luzon. It went on to explore the Queen City of the South, Cebu by cleverly taking the local dialect as its guide. Jason then made friends with the locals of Negros, relived the old charm of the country’s capital, gained new skills as souvenirs from his trip to Panay, and reveled at the breathtaking sights of Busuanga.

All good things of course lead to a new season so the show’s avid fans can look forward once again to ten more good doses of Jason’s must-do’s and must see’s. It is sure to gain new viewers as well with the contagious vibe that one cannot help but get into.

In this new season, which is co-produced by Culture Shock Productions and Magnetic Sphere Productions Inc. in partnership with Shell, each episode of Ten promises to be a fun mix of culture and adventure. Jason’s destinations this season are: Bicol, Batangas-Mindoro, Ifugao and Kalinga, Davao, Quezon, Puerto Princesa, Bukidnon, Marinduque, Surigao and Negros Oriental – Siquijor. And as to what exactly will be explored in each place, one has to stay tuned and it will be worth the wait.

As always, Jason’s travels are filled with fun and laughter, and each episode concludes with a sense of accomplishment. Ten believes that worthy travel has direction and requires the traveller to not only witness, but to experience each place he visits and connect with the people he meets.
Appreciate the fantastic experiences that the Philippines have to offer on Ten.

Ten Season 2 premieres September 26, Friday, 8.05pm

AXN is seen on Cable Link Channel 38, Cignal Digital TV Channel 61, Global Destiny Cable Channel 61, Dream Channel 20, Gsat Channel 12, SKYCable Channel 49.

Under Armour supports The Pink Run, D' Feeting Breast Cancer

The Philippine Society of General Surgeons partners with Under Armour, an elite athletic performance brand for The Pink Run.  A campaign for the breast cancer awareness, held its presscon last Sept 15, 2014 at Packo's Grill and Restaurant, Sgt Esguerra QC. Jeremy Callegher, the marketing manager of Grupo Athletica  (Under Armour's local distributor)  graced the event together with The Pink Run ambassadors, Gretchen Ho, Natasha Alquiros, Emmanulle Ada, and Mia Cabalfin.

The Pink Run has been helping raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatments. Throughout its existence, the Pink Run has attracted thousands of runners to support the cause. The funds raised are utilized by the Philippine Society of General Surgeons (PSGS) to subsidize research activities and treatments for indigent sufferers of the disease.

Gretchen Ho

Emmanuelle Ada

Natasha Alquiros

This year, The Pink Run was supported by Under Armour, an elite athletic performance brand. Jeremy Callegher, Marketing Manager of Grupo Athletica (UA’s local distributor), felt that the purpose of the Pink Run is in perfect alignment with the brand’s core values. “Many people think that being on the defensive is the only way to deal with breast cancer,” Jeremy said. “But [the Pink Run and Under Armour] choose to defy and challenge that notion. We also have to be on the attack by finding ways to remedy and, ultimately, eliminate the disease,” he continued.

Jeremy Callegher

To support the Pink Run, Under Armour will donate 10% of all their sales from the Under Armour Power In Pink women’s performance line to the PSGS.

Under Armour has also been globally active in promoting the “I Will What I Want” campaign. A movement that pushes forward a new standard of beauty that goes beyond face value – a standard that regards a woman for her strength, tenacity, and toughness amid insurmountable odds. A description that perfectly fits those who are fighting against breast cancer.

The 2014 Pink Run will be held at the Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill, Taguig City. Runners may grab their three-, five-, ten-, and fifteen-kilometer category race kits at the Under Armour Store in Bonifacio High Street and many other locations.

Pink Run 2014 D’Feeting Breast Cancer
October 5, 2014
McKinley Hill, Taguig
3K/5K/10K/15K

Registration Fees:
3K/5K – P600
10K/15K – P700

*** FREE Clinical Breast Examination and Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

Gun start:
16K – 5:30AM
10k – 5:40AM
5K – 5:50AM
3K – 6:00AM

Registration Venues:
1. PSGS Secretariat – 2/F PCS Building 992 EDSA Quezon City (0918-9081795)
2. Under Armour – BHS
3. 100 Miles Cafe – BGC
4. A Runners Circle – Quirino Avenue

For more information on how to register, please visit The Pink Run’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThePinkRun

DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND: “THE MAZE RUNNER” NOW IN CINEMAS

                Can W.C.K.D. be good? Find out in the thrilling and out-of-your-breath action adventure film “The Maze Runner” starring a group of amaze-ing young boys and a girl – headed by Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, Aml Ameen, Blake Cooper and Kaya Scodelario.

                Directed by Wes Ball, the movie opened in Philippine cinemas (last September 17) with fever-pitch anticipation from movie enthusiasts especially from the young adult crowd from whom the book has enjoyed immense success catapulting it to one of YA bestselling series of all time.

                In the movie, Thomas (O’Brien) wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, they call it the Glade, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D.  Within the glade stands a massive series of walls that forms a dangerous maze where their only hope to escape lies at the end of each cluster, but the walls change every single day, as such they assign runners, the fastest of the bunch to track and take mental notes of the maze’s secrets.

                “The Maze Runner” also brims with a cast full of talent within its action-packed and visually stunning production, director Ball and producer Wyck Godfrey assembled an impressive cast to form a highly functional society as they perform their daily jobs, look out for each other and engage in power struggles as they try to solve the mystery of the Maze. Godfrey says, “The casting was one of the most exciting things about the project.  The actors really believed in this world, and we went far afield to find them.”  

Thomas, played by Dylan O’Brien is the boy who takes that step forward when everybody else takes a step back.  He’s curious and comes to learn that he is just one of many who have come up on that elevator once a month over a three year period.

The leader of these Gladers is Alby, who’s the closest thing to a father figure.  “Alby is the main dude,” says Ball.  “He was the first Glader, the first boy sent up the elevator, and he had to survive an entire month by himself not knowing where he was and without any help.  Then the next guy showed up.  Alby figured out that order and discipline were necessary to survive in this world.  He’s very protective of it.”

Thomas’s nemesis in the Glade is Gally.  Smart and intimidating, Gally wants to maintain the status quo and clashes with the new arrival.  “But Gally and Thomas are really two sides of the same coin,” notes Ball.  “Thomas fully embraces and charges into the unknown and Gally is all about self-preservation and keeping things safe and normal.”

Alby’s lieutenant, Newt, is played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster (voice of Ferb in “Phineas and Ferb”), who appears in the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” and first gained attention for his performance in “Love, Actually.”  Newt walks with a limp that’s not fully explained because it’s something he’d prefer not to talk about.  Nevertheless, Brodie-Sangster says the character is “the fun one of the group, the one that everyone gets along with.  The Gladers come to Newt with their problems because they like and trust him.”



British actress Kaya Scodelario plays the only young woman among the Gladers, Teresa, who has a mysterious connection with Thomas. Having made her name with the UK TV series Skins, Scodelario impressed the filmmakers by being “one of the guys,” as Godfrey puts it. “She’s badass, which is what you need to be if you’re going to be thrust into the world of the Glade with all these young men.”

The elite among the Gladers are called Runners, whose athleticism propels them through the Maze each day, which helps them compile a map of the foreboding structure and, maybe, figure out a way to escape.  Their captain is Minho, played by Ki Hong Lee.  The young actor grew to understand his position of leadership among the Gladers in a very individual way.  “I looked at the Marines and the Army and, and I consider Minho like a general of the Gladers,” Lee explains, “It’s his job to rally the troops.”

“The Maze Runner” is now playing in cinemas across the Phils. from 20th Century Fox distributed by Warner Bros.

Kakao Talk features the top downloaded game SundayToz’s "Anipang"

Anipang for Kakao capturing the hearts of Filipinos

The summer heat may be over, but the popularity of SundayToz’s Anipang for Kakao seems to be reaching its apex. The puzzle game available on KakaoTalk’s mobile social platform is climbing up the charts and ranking among the top downloaded games in various app stores.

Anipang was featured last month on Pinoy Big Brother All In. In the episode, current housemates took on eliminated cast members in a heated game of Anipang for Kakao, with the winners receiving limited edition character items. With user interest in the game high, Kakao Philippines made Anipang a featured app within KakaoTalk for both Android and iOS so user could gain easy access.

Anipang is already a blockbuster hit in Korea, where it has been downloaded more than 30 million times. Approximately 80% of all smartphone users in Korea have played Anipang, making it the undisputed no. 1 game on mobile platform. Many of the country’s top stars, including G-Dragon of Big Bang, Lee Byung-hun, as well as members of TVXQ and SNSD, have expressed their love for Anipang and its characters.

A major part of Anipang’s appeal is the ability to send and receive hearts with other KakaoTalk friends. Hearts function as play tokens within the game, and with Anipang being the perfect game to enjoy with friends and family, exchanging heart messages has emerged as huge cultural phenomenon among players since it debuted two years ago.

“Kakao Game is one of the successful aspects of KakaoTalk’s various social platform services, with around 520 million subscribers worldwide,” said Jean Lee, Head of Kakao Philippines. “The key reason for its popularity is the fact that you can compete and compare scores with other KakaoTalk users, making it a very social, connective experience. Anipang is certainly a great example of this, and we’re glad Filipinos are embracing this great game,” Lee added.

For more information on KakaoTalk’s features and offerings, visit www.kakaotalk.com.ph/

Sharp Calculators on the look out for the TEN OUSTANDING YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS 2015

This year, Sharp Calculators furthers its advocacy by partnering with more educational institutions such as the Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR), Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines (MTG), Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), Philippine Council of Mathematics Educators, Inc. (MathTEd)as it launches the very first search for the TEN OUSTANDING YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS (TOYM) from National Capital Region.

The launch was held September 12, 2014 at the Makati Shangri-la and was hosted by a Math Wiz himself, Atom Araullo.

Atom Araullo

In the latest World Economic Forum WEF Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-2014, the Philippines has been ranked 96th out of 142 countries in perceived quality of Math and Science education. The survey questioned business executives around the world to rate the quality of education, among other things, in their respective countries.

Although it is a considerable improvement from being ranked 115th(WEF 2011-1012), but still far behind our other Asian counterparts such Indonesia (35th), Japan (34th), Malaysia (27th), Taiwan (11th) Hongkong (10th). Singapore continues to be on top of the list.  The importance of mathematics has never been greater than now and for the foreseeable future and is crucial for a wide array of analytical, technological, scientific, and economic applications.

Six years ago, Sharp Calculators through Collins International Trading Corporation launched the SHARP Minds Program to help uplift the standard of education in the Philippines particularly in teaching Math subjects.

Partnering with two of the biggest Mathematics organizations in the country, Mathematics Trainers Guild, Philippines (MTG) and Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP), the SHARP Minds Program sponsored Mathematics activities and programs in member schools with the goal of recognizing the sharpest math minds and transforming the pedagogy of mathematics teaching in the Philippines.

“With TOYM Awards, Sharp Calculators aims to foster the academic excellence of the Filipino Youth in Math as we recognize their extraordinary math skills to motivate them further in becoming the future think tanks of this country. We also hope to raise the status of mathematics in society — to stimulate the interest of the students, the academic and the general public to the significance of Math in the development of the society,” said Collins International Trading Corporation’s Assistant Vice President Mr. Lucero Ong.

Lucero Ong AVP Collins, Ruby Cristobal Div Chief Science and Technology Manpower Educ Research and Promotion-DOST and Julie Lim Vice President Collins Internationl Inc (distributor of Sharp Calculators) 2

“Notable Filipino mathematicians such as Raymundo Favila, Casimiro del Rosario, Gregorio Y. Zara, Amador Muriel, Tito A. Mijares and Jose A. Marasigan have all been recognized for their contributions to diverse fields of physics, astronomy, biophysics and biotechnology. Who knows maybe the next great Mathematician would be among our TOYM awardees,” Mr. Ong added.

The search is open to all public and private high school students in the National Capital Region who have completed at least two years of high school. They must be Filipino citizens, either naturalized or born. The nominee must be among the Top 3 students in math as certified by the school principal and the award will be based primarily on the nominee’s performance on national and international competitions.

A recommendation from School principal / Mathematics head with supporting documents will be the basis of judging. For students who are chosen to the top 20, each involvement on activities included in the recommendation of the principal/math head or other recognized authority will be reviewed and assessed by judges/co-presenters. The said recommendations will be the basis of the judges’ questions for the panel interview.


The Deliberation/ Final interview of finalist will be conducted by representatives from Department of Education NCR, DOST-SEI, MTG Philippines, MSP, MathTed

The TOYM awardees will be the first batch of Sharp Calculators’ Youth Ambassadors that will inspire and encourage the Filipino youth to strive and achieve academic excellence through school tours and mathematics symposiums. They will be receiving plaque of excellence, cash prizes and gifts from Sharp Calculators and sponsors.

The deadline for nominations will be on January 5, 2015, with the awarding ceremonies scheduled on February 2015.

Nomination kits are now available at selected National Book Store Branches in National Capital Region or can be downloaded through www.sharpminds.ph For more information please contact Sharp Calculators at 681-6161/646-2867 and look for Ms. Mary Rose Rocha or Ms. Clara Camille Ocampo.

NOMINATION MECHANICS:
1. Open to all public and private high school students in the National Capital Region who have completed at least two years of high school. They must be Filipino citizen either naturalized or born.
2. Nominee must be among the Top 3 students in math as certified by the school principal.
3. The award will be based primarily on the nominee’s performance on national and international competition. These competitions must be recognized by the Department of Education or Department of Science and Technology.
4. Presentations or publications of original work in mathematics are desirable.
5. Students who contribute to the promotion of Mathematics and show leadership skills are desirable. Good moral character will be considered

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

CRITERIA PERCENT
Performance in Mathematics Competition 75%
Research and Publications in Mathematics 10%
Leadership and Promotion of Mathematics 15%
TOTAL 100%

a. Performance in Mathematics Competitions 75%
Nominee’s performance on international, national and regional mathematics competitions that are recognized by the Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology.

b. Research and Publications in Mathematics 10%

c. Leadership and Involvement in Promotion of Mathematics
A recommendation from School principal / Mathematics head with supporting documents will be the basis of judging. For students who are chosen to the top 20, each involvement on activities included in the recommendation of the principal/math head or other recognized authority will be reviewed and assessed by judges/co-presenters. The said recommendations will be one of the bases of the judges’ questions for the panel interview

SCREENING PROCEDURES

The screening procedure is summarized in the diagram below. All nominees will undergo a pre-screening process by pre-screening committee. On the basis of a nominee’s performance in mathematics competitions and their research and publications, 20 nominees will be selected for an interview by a panel of judges. Interview questions may be based on the nominee’s involvement in activities that promote mathematics, as indicated in (1) the recommendation from the school principal/mathematics head, (2) the nominee’s essay, and (3) other information submitted.

Rico Blanco sings for Valda Pastilles

 My father has been buying Valda since I was in college, you can always find Valda pastilles in our home. When he thinks that a cold is coming, he will pick Valda instead of an antitussive medicine. It has been a reliable pick-me-up anti colds, sneeze pastille. I am glad that it is still available in the country.

Valda Pastilles recently launched its new ambassador Rico Blanco at Alphonse Bar last September 11, 2014. On the day of its launch, a new Valda Pastilles TV commercial was revealed, which showcased no less than Rico and the brand’s single that he wrote and composed entitled, “Time For You”. Just like Valda pastilles, "Time For You", is catchy and one song that soothes and cools. I still have the last song syndrome.

Believe it or not, your throat is as hardworking as you are. It also gets stressed and experiences a lot of wear and tear, especially when your profession requires you to sing or speak every second of every day or night. So as much as you want time to relax your mind and body, your throat should also be given time for some R and R.

Valda Pastilles, a green, conical-shaped, chewy pastilles, has been known for soothing and cooling throats for more than a century now. Recently, with its launch event held last September 11, 2014 at Alphonse Bistro in Pasig, the brand has upped its cool ante by showcasing its newest endorser, Rico Blanco.

As we all know, Rico is one of the most talented musicians in the Philippines. He is every inch a rock star, oozing with a cool persona. His voice alone holds a refreshing power that can captivate the hearts of every Filipino with just the first note, much like how Valda Pastilles gives instant cooling sensation in every chew. No wonder Rico is the perfect face for the brand.

With the brand and Rico’s collaboration, they have created a fresh song that leaves nothing but cool vibes.

In addition, the feel good song’s full-length music video was also unveiled, which was as soothing as the song alone.

So, now that Valda Pastilles has teamed up with Rico Blanco, there will always be time for you to soothe and cool your throat wherever you are and whenever you feel like it.

For more highlights of the event, visit facebook.com/VALDAPILIPINAS.

Healthy lifestyle begins with Medicard-Metafit Fitness Boot Camp 2014

Nowadays, filipinos are more aware of their health, everyone is into vegetable juicing, counting calories, yoga, running, zumba, and enrolling in a gym.  Getting healthy is a lifestyle change.  Total wellness involves getting enough exercise, ample sleep, reducing stress, eating right and more. Whether you’re looking to make an overnight, complete change or gradually develop positive habits, advice from experts is always helpful. Now comes, the Medicard-Metafit Fitness Boot Camp, now on its 4 season. After engaging in their 4 minutes repetition exercise, I was convinced that I have to join and be healthy for the rest of my life.

Medicard Philippines, Inc., a leading HMO provider, caps the year with Season 4 of the Medicard-Metafit Fitness Boot Camp at the Centris Walk, Eton Centris in Quezon City, beginning September 30, 2014. This is part of Medicard’s mission of encouraging the public to live healthier lifestyles.

“It is our privilege and pleasure to the partnership with Medicard in this Fitness Boot Camp. It is a great opportunity for fitness enthusiasts to have this type of activity. Rest assured that Eton Centris will always be in support of all Medicard’s future endeavors.” Maria Victoria L. Santiago, AVP for Centris Operations.

Dr. Nicky Montoya, President of Medicard Philippines Inc. , welcomed Eton Centris as the new partner for the boot camp’s fourth season.

“With the success of our first three seasons, we feel that it has become our duty to continue the goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

MediCard-Meta Fit Fitness Boot Camp, which started in February 2012 at the Medicard Lifestyle Center in Makati, gives participants a chance to challenge and motivate themselves for comprehensive training and high-intensity workouts with proper guidance from and supervision of expert fitness instructors including ABS-CBN’s Biggest Loser coach and Meta Fit developer Jim Saret, together with other coaches.

Its success has produced three legs of the program across Metro Manila.

With Toni and Jim Saret of ABS-CBN Biggest Loser

“The boot camp is a perfect venue for health and wellness advocates as we help provide them a more comprehensive health and fitness package,” Saret said. “Meta Fit provides physical training part while MediCard provides the health service.”

MediCard-Meta Fit Fitness Boot Camp Season 4’s 12-session program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online registration for interested participants is open until September 30, 2014 through the official Facebook page through the official Facebook page

Who will vie for The Miss CF 2014 crown?

From a hundred aspirants who participated in the regional screenings, twenty-nine (29) beautiful Filipinas will vie for the coveted Miss CF 2014 crown during the pageant’s grand coronation night on September 19, 2014 at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City.

Hailing from the various provinces in the Philippines, the candidates were selected from hundreds of aspirants who participated in the nationwide Miss CF regional screenings from July 25 to August 30, 2014. The screenings were held in CF branches in Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Malabon, Hyatt and Pavilion.

The finalists from the Visayas and Mindanao are Roselyn Corilla, Joy Magielen Jontilano, Saiphil Nipales, Rogelie Catacutan, Julienne Hazel Penserga, Maria Fatima Saudia Al-Sowyed, Mary Grace Castillo, Gladys Comandao, Darlene Paula Dichoso, Zairah Marie Agsaluna, Jenny Babes Puda and Eiseley Kyle Pragados.

Luzon bets are Berna Bail Penales, Camille Laylay, Emylyn Perez, Johvielyne Co, Martina McKinsey, Donna Velasco, Gel Dacion, Emma Mary Tiglao and Maolin Yalung.

Meanwhile, the candidates representing Metro Manila are Danita Joan Ruazol, Jannie Alipo-on, Abbygale Rey, Dale Ivory Lee, Ivy Meerry Enriquez, Haydee Gumasing, Angela Aninang, Rose Turner and Agatha Lei Romero.

Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Entertainment and Bingo, said this year’s batch of Miss CF candidates is a mix of young professionals and college students. “We have an engineer, a pharmacist, a nurse and graduates of Speech Pathology and Hotel and Restaurant Management, among others. We are happy that the pool of our Miss CF candidates is improving every year,” he said.

Quintana added that all of the candidates have a common goal when they joined the Miss CF pageant. “Apart from winning the crown, the contestants are also motivated to join Miss Casino Filipino because they see this pageant as a means to pursue their respective advocacies. They know that winning the crown would allow them to lend a helping hand to those in need since PAGCOR will be donating P200,000 in cash to their preferred charitable institution,” he said.

Apart from participating in PAGCOR’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects and being able to help various charities, the past winners of Miss Casino Filipino were also given career opportunities. “We have discovered many talented ladies through our nationwide beauty contest. Some of them are already part of PAGCOR’s stable of artists who are performing regularly in our different Casino Filipino venues,” Quintana added.

Big cash prizes await the winners of Miss CF 2014. The grand winner will take home P500,000 in cash. Meantime, the runners-up will receive P400,000 (1st), P300,000 (2nd), P200,000 (3rd) and P100,000 (4th). PAGCOR will also award special prizes such as Best in Talent, Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, meanwhile, the candidate who gets the most number of ‘Likes’  in the online media voting in CF Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/casinofilipino  will be awarded the ‘Social Media Darling’ and will be given fabulous prizes.  The winners of the other special awards will get P10,000 each.

The Miss CF 2014 grand coronation night will be hosted by Binibining Pilipinas 2009 Bianca Manalo and TV host, model Marc Nelson. Among the panel of judges who will be selecting the winners are Celebrity Actor Mr. Gabby Concepcion, Basketball Star Vince Hizon, Reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2014 Glennifer Perido,  Hospitality Headhunter, Trainer and Consultant Vic Alcuaz among others.
Guest performers are Randy Santiago, Ariel Rivera, Kyla, Merjohn Lagaya, Marcus Davis and back-ups Whiplash and Buganda Dancers.

For inquiries and details, please contact the PAGCOR Entertainment and Bingo Department at (02) 708-2046 –  526-0337 loc 2401 / 2403 or visit www.facebook.com/casinofilipino, www.facebook.com/pagcorartists or www.twitter.com/casinofilipino. #