Katie Holmes moonlights as vigilante on "Miss Meadows"

One would never assume a tap-dancing preschool teacher with perfect manners, perfect clothes and a perfect garden would moonlight as a vigilante, but then, Katie Holmes' Miss Meadows is on a league of her own.

Myriad Pictures' dark comedy "Miss Meadows" stars Holmes as a dainty teacher who takes it upon herself to right the wrongs of this world by whatever means necessary. But when Miss Meadows falls in love with the town sheriff (James Badge Dale), she needs to decide what's more important: love or her little secret.

It took writer/director Karen Leigh Hopkins 14 years to get the film made, and having Holmes come on board was the tipping point. She's found her perfect Miss Meadows, a woman whose exterior has little to do with her inner life.

"Katie does not suffer fools and is not a fool," says Hopkins. "She's delicious and warm. It's what I would teach my kid: You show people who deserve it who you are. The rest can make their own judgments.''

Holmes "treats everyone with great manners and respect,'' Hopkins adds. "I love that she keeps a mystery. It's intriguing. What's important is the work."

Hopkins explained how the story came to be, and how it took 14 years to make. "I would say there were many versions of 'almost' happening, and then life takes many left and right turns," Hopkins says. "I'm not too much of a believer in cliches – the one that especially goes around where 'everything happens for a reason' and 'it all happens in good time.' I buy it half the time, but in this case, getting Katie Holmes to play Miss Meadows, it was a phenomenal gift,” she adds.

As for why Holmes decided to sign on, the actress said she connected with and was excited to play a strong woman.

"I loved Karen's writing and reading about a strong female character that was also so extreme in her actions that you really wanted to read more and it made me think I'd really want to watch more of this person. And I liked the juxtaposition of her manners and her actions," Holmes says of playing Miss Meadows. "I liked her spirit, because she was delightful and believed in what she was doing and I liked the integrity of her mind ... And I'm a fan of strong women and I'm a fan of seeing strong female characters on the screen, so I was so excited to be a part of it." 

The 35-year-old actress also was delighted by the fact that her character wears tap shoes and often dances around in public, when she's not busy taking out the bad guys.
"I hope it promotes more dancing in the streets. I really hope 'Miss Meadows' has that effect," Holmes said.

From the producers of the Academy Award-winning “Crazy Heart” comes the quirky, satirical comedy, “Miss Meadows” from writer-director Karen Leigh Hopkins (“Because I Said So,” “Stepmom”).  The film will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting April 15.


* Photos courtesy of Myriad Pictures

GET READY FOR “THE LONGEST RIDE’S” FEELS AS IT CLIMBS TO BLOCKBUSTER STATUS

                Recent estimates and predictions at the box-office certify that Nicholas Sparks’ most charming love story “The Longest Ride” is climbing to blockbuster status amidst strong competition.  Produced by blockbuster makers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey who made films such as the “Twilight” series, “The Fault In Our Starsm,” “Dear John,” “Safe Haven” and the upcoming “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” and “Paper Towns,”  “The Longest Ride” poises to be one unforgettable and lingering love story to have been adapted on film. 

                “The Longest Ride has an epic quality that applies to both love stories,” continues the author.  “It covers the love story between Ruth and Ira, which starts before World War II, and it’s contrasted with the entirely different world of professional bull riding.  What differentiates this film from the other adaptations of my work is its epic quality and the dual love story.  It’s about the way the two love stories come together.”

                Sparks continues: “When you meet the person with whom you fall in love, the feeling’s the same, whether you’re in the 1930s or in the present day.  Everybody goes through the same emotions. There’s universality to the way we feel and that’s what I wanted to show.  I think the fun of the film is trying to figure out how on earth these two stories are going to come together in the end.”

                Scott Eastwood plays Luke, a bull rider who meets Sophia (Britt Robertson), an art history student who hit it off right away.  One fateful day they are driving along a country road in treacherous weather and notice a car in flames on an isolated embankment. Trapped inside the car is Ira (Alan Alda). The young couple rescue him and take him to the nearby hospital. Sophia accompanies Ira to the hospital, bringing a box of letters that she had found in the wrecked car. They were written by Ira to Ruth, the love of his life, during the course of their long marriage. As Ira recuperates, Sophia reads the letters aloud to him and learns about Ira and Ruth’s story: how Ira went off to fight in World War II, how he returned a changed man. She learns that Ruth, who died several years ago, was an art lover and the couple collected paintings over half a century.  As Ira reflects back on his life, Sophia also finds out how Ira and Ruth navigated a long marriage that was always loving, but rarely free from obstacles, some formidable. It emerges that there are parallels between Ruth and Ira and Sophia’s own relationship with Luke.

                An interesting theme in “The Longest Ride” is the multi generational nature of the story. What’s also fascinating is that coincidentally, four out of the five leading actors come from generations of esteemed filmmakers and artists. Acting, they all say, is in their DNA. Oona Chaplin’s grandfather was Charlie Chaplin and she is the great granddaughter of American playwright Eugene O’Neill. Her mother is the actress Geraldine Chaplin; her father is Chilean cinematographer Patricio Castilla. Scott Eastwood is the son of Clint Eastwood. Alan Alda’s father was the actor Robert Alda.   Jack Huston is the grandson of the legendary director John Huston. He is the great grandson of the Oscar winning actor Walter Huston, the son of Oscar nominated screenwriter Walter Anthony (Tony Huston), and the nephew of actors Danny and Anjelica Huston.   

            

                Opening this April 15 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros., “The Longest Ride” explores the magic of falling in love, but also the courage it takes to make marriages work in the long term.

NDRRMC supports CDR Peter Negrido'sPSDMN-RESCUE RECON Team

 The Private Sector Disaster Management Network -Rescue Recon team together with  Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN) Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño was presented to the media last April 8, at Victoria One Bldg, Quezon Ave, QC. The PSDMNR5 are the group of men and women who responded to the typhoon "Chedeng" that made a landfall in Baler, Aurora Quezon.

The man behind the Rapid Response team is CDR Peter P. Negrido, a professional rescuer, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), who has a PHD in Criminology. He is the one who conceptualized the Rescue Recon Reliable Response (PSDMNR5) Team. He was a part of the search and rescue team for the ill-fated Cebu Pacific Flight 387 that crashed in Mt. Sumagaya in Cagayan de Oro in 1998.

Mr. Negrido told the media that they are still in need of volunteer rescuers for First Aid and Rescue and Administrative (logistics). They should be 18 yrs old and above, physically fit for those who will be giving first aid to the victims. He or she has no limitation.  As of the moment, he already has 130 professional volunteers. The rescue operation is on rotation for 4 hrs, 8 hrs and 12 hours respectively.  The required training is 60 hours or its 5 days equivalent. The volunteer journalist rescuer has a separate sets of requirement for training.

The Rapid Response team succumbs to brotherhood. Thus  collaboration, cooperation, and coordination is reinforced to their team.  It is in working together that they can accomplish goals.

CDR Peter P. Negrido PCGA and PSDMN Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño

Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN) Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño declared during the debriefing that he will be looking for more resources to enhance the team’s disaster logistics by adding more ambulances as he envisions more Rapid Response Teams in the immediate future so that more areas can be assisted in case of more disasters take place.

When Typhoon Chedeng (International Name Maysak) hit Baler, Aurora,  it was not as destructive as it was anticipated; hence, no loss of lives has been reported with minimal economic impact and disruption to business and livelihoods.

When the Typhoon was also detected to hit other towns, namely, Dilasag and Casiguran, the Rapid Response Team split into two where the other half proceeded to these towns known for landslides during heavy rain.

The idea of sending a private rapid response team is part of NRDMC’s whole-of-society approach to disaster response and management. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emphasized this during the debriefing meeting at the NDRRMC Conference Room last April 7, when the PSDMNR5 Team returned home to Manila from their provincial deployment.

The creation of a Rapid Response Team was the idea of CDR Peter P. Negrido PCGA. His first  Rapid Response Team under the Rescue Recon banner was in response to Typhoon Yolanda where his team was deployed in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. After this, they also responded to Typhoon Ruby last December 2014 and went to Borongan City, Eastern Samar, this time under the banner of the combined PSDMN-Rescue Recon.

  Aurora Province Governor, Atty. Gerardo A. Noveras, Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa, San Luis Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson, Dilasag Mayor Victorio Briones and Casiguran Mayor Dr. Ricardo Bitong expressed their thanks to the group as well as to the NDRRMC for demonstrating the commitment of the national government to provide support to local government units (LGUs) affected by typhoons and other disasters.

The PSDMNR5 Team also worked closely with the local counterparts from the provincial and municipal DRRMOs, Bureau of Fire, Coast Guard, PNP, 7ID, DOH, DSWD, DPWH and DOST-PAGASA. The PSDMNR5 Team comprised of volunteers remains committed to be in places where they are needed. Their motto captures the team spirit and passion -  ready to serve, ready to save so that others may live.

Repertory Philippines presents the sexy comedy "Run For Your Wife"

As part of its 2015 lineup, Repertory Philippines launches RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, a sexy comedy written by Ray Cooney. Since its launch in 1983 at London’s West End, it had a successful nine year run in the UK. After that, the show has been staged most notably in New York, Paris, Stockholm, and Manila.

RUN FOR YOUR WIFE trails John Smith, a taxi driver in London who has two wives: one in Streatham and another in Wimbledon. After he gets mugged and winds up in the hospital, the police department from each district calls Mrs. Smith: Mary Smith and Barbara Smith.

The show has been praised for its hilarious storyline, complex choreography, and impeccable timing. The Daily Telegraph called it a triumph, while the New York Post promised “virtually continuous laughter.”

Repertory’s production of RUN FOR YOUR WIFE is the third time the company has staged the show, the first in 1986, and the second in 2001. Miguel Faustmann, the taxi driver in the first two runs, returns as the director of this exciting play.

“Even if it’s an old play, it’s such a funny and well-written play,” said Faustmann. “Let’s just have a good time laughing because it’s better to laugh than to feel angry or sad. Humor, as they say, is the best medicine, right?” 

Besides the biting wit of the script, one of the fun things to take note of for RUN FOR YOUR WIFE is the intricate blocking and choreography for the actors. The play relies on missed connections, or a precise schedule of entrances and exits, with one stage sharing the two homes of both wives.

Theater veteran Jamie Wilson plays John Smith, a physically demanding role that would literally see him running across the stage throughout the entire show, with only two exits.

“My challenge here is to get everything so linear. I should be confused as John Smith but not as Jamie Wilson,” he shared. “I’m literally running the whole time, answering phone calls, lying, and fabricating stories. I have to keep my secret from coming out. It’s exhausting but fun.” 

He is joined by Goldie Soon, who plays the motherly wife Mary, and Mikkie Bradshaw, who plays the bombshell wife, Barbara. Rounding out the cast are Jeremy Domingo as John’s best friend Stanley Gardner, Steven Conde as the flamboyantly gay neighbor Bobby Franklin, James Stacey as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Troughton, Paul Holme as the easygoing Detective Sergeant Porterhouse, and Mara Javier as the inquisitive journalist.

The humor is distinctly British, but the cast and director believe that the premise of having two wives is a universal concept.

“It’s not accepted here but it’s done,” Wilson shared. “Remember the humor in it, not the taboo. RUN FOR YOUR WIFE shows the humor of this ridiculous situation. You could put the same situation, take all the humor out of it and be a heavy drama like a typical Filipino teleserye. But nobody has shown the humor in it. And this is what it’s showing.” 

RUN FOR YOUR WIFE will be staged from April 10 to May 3, 2015 at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Ticket prices ranges from P400 to P600. For more details regarding RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, call Repertory Philippines at        843-3570. You can also book tickets through TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Cignal subscribers can now make the Good Choice.

For a limited period, subscribers of Cignal can avail of, not one, but two smartphones whenever they sign up for a Sun Plan 399. With unlimited calls and texts to Sun and 250 texts to other networks, Cignal subscribers can enjoy seamless connectivity, especially when powered by their new Alcatel OneTouch Scribe Easy and the 20.05D.

To sweeten the deal, the new Sun Plan 399 comes with unlimited access to Facebook, providing Cignal subscribers with multiple options to keep connected!

The Alcatel OneTouch Scribe Easy is a smartphone that provides a great, all-around multimedia experience on-the-go. The Scribe Easy runs on Android and is powered by a Dual-Core 1.2 GHz processor. It sports a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen that is protected by scratch-resistant glass, and features a 5MP rear camera for great snapshots. It also includes a stylus for easier navigation.

Completing the bundle is an Alcatel 20.05D, the perfect phone for all your basic communication needs. It features dual-sim and dual-standby capabilities, a 2.4 QVGA screen and a 2MP fixed-focused camera.

All of these can be enjoyed for a very affordable price of only P399 a month, with a holding period of 18 months. The promo, which is offered exclusively to all Cignal subscribers, is valid until June 15, 2015.

So what are you waiting for? Apply now! Just go to the nearest Sun Shop, present one valid ID and your latest Cignal bill to be on your way to success.

To know more about the different products and services of Sun Postpaid, visit www.suncellular.com.ph or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/suncellularph and follow @suncelldeals on Twitter.

Not yet a Cignal TV subscriber? Visit www.cignal.tv to learn more about Cignal TV’s subscription plans.

Stay online while vacationing abroad with Sun Postpaid’s All-Day Data Roaming

Headed to your favorite Asian destination this summer? Make your summer getaway overseas more memorable with an affordable “always-on” mobile Internet connection through Sun Postpaid’s All-Day Data Roaming, which allows you to surf online, post updates and enjoy all your favorite online apps for only Php430 per day.

Available to postpaid subscribers travelling to select Asian destinations, the Sun All-Day Data Roaming levels up your summer experience with non-stop mobile surfing to enable you to search for highly-recommended restaurants and food streets, new sights or places to visit,  to access real-time traffic updates and online maps, and even to check weather apps when booking sightseeing and tour schedules .

With Sun All-Day Data Roaming, you also won’t have to scour the city for free WiFi just so you can instantly upload your travel photos and updates on all your social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share amazing moments with friends and loved ones right away.

You also have access to all top apps that let you stay updated on important stuff at home and work, as well as easily reach out to new friends you met on the road.

"Gone are the days when traveling overseas meant being off the grid. Sun All-Day Data Roaming offers the most affordable mobile connectivity abroad so you can enjoy all useful online information and mobile apps at your fingertips for a fun and remarkable getaway,” said Ruth Eva Ritumalta, Senior Manager for Sun International Services. 

You can roam conveniently by tapping Sun’s reliable Roaming Partners in select Asian destinations, including Singapore (M1); Hong Kong (Smartone); Malaysia (Celcom); Saudi Arabia (STC); Taiwan (FarEasTone); Macau (Smartone); Qatar (Qtel Ooredoo); Cambodia (Smart Axiata); Bangladesh (Robi Axiata Limited); and Sri Lanka (Dialog Sri Lanka).

Make sure that your International Roaming is activated at least 24 hours before departure by contacting the Sun Cellular hotline at 395-8000 (landline) or 200 (mobile), or dropping by any Sun Shop.

Upon landing at your destination, just manually connect to the designated Roaming Partner before enabling data roaming. You can enjoy Sun All-Day Data Roaming between 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on your date of activation.

For more information and updates on Sun Cellular’s international services, visit http://suncellular.com.ph/international/roaming.

Globe Telecom has established leadership in the Philippine mobile industry

Challenger brand becomes No. 1 in mobile in the Philippines.

On the strength of a remarkable company performance in 2014, Globe Telecom has established leadership in the Philippine mobile industry on multiple business fronts, making it the Number One mobile brand in the country.

“Against mounting odds, we maintained a defiant and fighting stance against a long-time industry giant to achieve a phenomenal financial feat. From being a challenger brand, Globe has successfully waged a revolution in all fronts, from digital, technological and business, all the way to our corporate culture as well as making our financial growth sustainable in the long run,” said Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu.

The Globe chief executive added that, “The numbers reveal that we have already gained foothold in leadership in the local telco industry. We plan to sustain our momentum for the long haul as our driving force to continuously provide Filipinos with innovative products and services that will cater to their digital lifestyle.”

As early as the fourth quarter of 2013, Globe already made significant headway in taking over the leadership position over its rival company in postpaid and mobile data businesses in terms of consolidated mobile revenue market share, continuously widening its gap as of the same period in 2014. Meanwhile, its prepaid value brand TM has reached a virtual deadlock with Sun Cellular in the same category in terms of consolidated revenue market share.

The company disclosed during its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting that it achieved milestone-setting financial feats last year, bannered by a new high of P99-billion consolidated service revenues, besting the previous mark of P90.5 billion in 2013 representing a 9% year-on-year growth. It also generated in 2014 a core net profit growth of 25% to a record level of P14.5 billion and registered total consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, deductions, and amortization (EBITDA) of P39 billion, 8% higher than 2013. These were driven by the solid performance of its business segments amid sustained demand for data connectivity in its mobile and broadband businesses.

During the proceedings, the company also mentioned that its share price reached a new all-time high, closing at P 2,140 per share, up 22.3% from P 1,750 at the beginning of the year.

Mobile revenues, which contributed 79% of consolidated revenues, grew 7% year-on-year from the prior year’s P72.8 billion to P78.1 billion in 2014. Mobile voice revenues, which accounted for 44% of total mobile service revenues, posted a year-on-year increase of 7%. Mobile SMS, which accounted for 37% of total mobile service revenues, closed the year at P29.1 billion, 1% above from P28.8 billion of end 2013, driven by the continued popularity of bucket and unlimited promotions. Globe closed the year with a total mobile subscriber base of 44.0 million, up 14% from 38.5 million subscribers last year. Fourth quarter’s gross subscriber acquisitions registered a quarterly-high of 10.1 million subscribers, 14% higher than last quarter.

In postpaid business, Globe claimed the top spot hinged on revenue market share, the new global standard for leadership claim and a reliable measure of market leadership used for telecommunications around the world. The company dominated this aspect in 2014 bolstered by P29.9 billion in revenues, as well as a 58% market share in a two-player environment, versus that of its two rivals which tallied P21.7 billion for a combined 42% revenue market share.

To sustain market leadership this year, Globe continues to revolutionize the postpaid segment with the new myLifestyle Plan to enhance the digital lifestyle experience of its customers who have harnessed data and content usage on their phones starting at P499 a month, with built-in unlimited calls and texts to Globe and TM. These come with premium freebies, Globe Cloud and Gadget Care. Other variants available are Surf Packs for mobile internet browsing with Spotify and NBA League Pass bundles, Lifestyle Packs for a richer data experience through music, productivity, life, shopping and social apps, as well as Classic Packs for extra calls and texts, both local and international.

In the mobile data front, Globe maintains its superior stance in the industry with revenues and data traffic growing faster than competition, powered by partnerships with global content providers such as Facebook, Viber, Spotify, NBA, and online entertainment service HOOQ, as well as better network performance to provide faster and more seamless browsing experience to enrich the Filipino digital lifestyle.

The modernized Globe network also carried a higher volume of data traffic equivalent to 87,000 terabytes of data, a 270% jump from the year before because of the surge in mobile browsing and higher smartphone penetration among its customers. Mobile browsing and other data revenues generated P14.3 billion in 2014, 23% higher than the previous year. These figures were higher than competition which stood at P8.1 billion, giving Globe the upper hand in revenue market share with 64%.

Sustaining its digital roadmap for 2015, Globe unveiled its partnership with HOOQ to enable access to thousands of movies and TV shows from international and local content providers. Filipinos can access over 10,000 movies and TV shows including titles from Sony, Warner Bros., ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Regal Entertainment, and Viva Communications across their computers, smartphones and tablets.

The growth of the telco’s mobile data business will also draw support from the continuing network upgrade and expansion of its LTE TDD and LTE-FDD footprint. To enhance its wireless network infrastructure, Globe is activating more cell sites with the LTE-TDD and LTE-FDD ultra broadband access technologies for a more pervasive Long Term Evolution (LTE) coverage to ensure reliable and fast mobile internet service for its customers.

The telco also underscored its own brand of “sustainable revolution,” driving cost and efficiencies, leading to the company’s operational excellence and optimized profitability. It also trumpeted the “cultural revolution” by Globe employees whose invaluable contributions have propelled the company to a position of leadership not only in the Philippines, but also in the rest of the world.

Alison Brie plays a gold-digging fiancee in "Get Hard"

She's well known to TV audiences for her role as the adorable but tightly wound Annie Edison, on the hit comedy "Community” and as Trudy Campbell on the Emmy Award-winning drama "Mad Men.” And she was last heard as the voice of Unkitty in the 2014 blockbuster “The LEGO Movie.”
Now, Alison Brie stars in Warner Bros. Pictures' adult comedy “Get Hard” as Alissa, the gorgeous but hopelessly superficial woman and fiancee of James (Will Ferrell) a millionaire fund manager who's headed to prison.

As Alissa, Brie brings new definition to the term gold-digger, saying, “Alissa’s a little spoiled, and she’s also quite a sparkplug. I think that under the best circumstances — those being that James is incredibly wealthy, their lives are just wonderful and they’re moving into a new giant mansion that’s being built just for them —Alissa loves him unconditionally. She’d do anything for him. But, when things don’t go her way, or he embarrasses her by going to prison, all bets are off.”

“She’s all about the money,” co-star Will Ferrell states. “As soon as it becomes apparent that James won’t be able to provide her with the prosperity and luxury she demands, she turns on him.”
The two actors were lucky to fall into an easy rapport from the start, considering that their first big scene together was a little short on wardrobe. As Brie recounts, “Our first day we shot my big lingerie scene and for most of the day I was walking around in this skimpy outfit while Will was in a three-piece suit, and I was thinking, ‘This is so unfair.’ Then we took a break and moved on to another scene where the director was saying to Will, ‘Here’s where your naked butt hits the window,’ and suddenly I felt over-dressed. The tables had turned.”

Brie will soon begin production on the New Line comedy “How to be Single,” starring opposite Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson.

Her other film credits include “Five Year Engagement” with Emily Blunt and Jason Segel and “Scream 4,” with Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Neve Campbell.

In “Get Hard,” when millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in prison, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison.

Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to “get hard” and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.

Opening across the Philippines on April 29, “Get Hard” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

UNICEF prepares for Super Typhoon Maysak/Chedeng

Super Typhoon Maysak (local name Chedeng) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is expected to make a landfall on the eastern coasts of Luzon over the weekend.

According to latest reports from PAGASA, the country’s weather bureau, Maysak has maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h and gusts of up to 210 km/h making it a Category 2 typhoon. This typhoon has slightly slowed down from its previously recorded sustained winds of 215 km/h.

Latest estimates forecast Maysak’s landfall on the eastern coasts of Aurora and Isabela provinces in the evening of 5 April (Sunday). Residences particularly in the said provinces are warned to be ready to evacuate as moderate to heavy rainfall may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The Philippine government has also issued a warning against possible storm surges of up to four metres on the eastern coastal areas of Samar and Bicol regions, as well as in Aurora and Quezon provinces.

“UNICEF is ready to support the government with pre-positioned emergency supplies from our local warehouses in Manila, Tacloban, and Cotabato once the emergency hits. In times of disasters, children face the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, violence and disrupted education. Our priority is to ensure that children and their rights and welfare are protected before and after disasters,” said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative.

UNICEF has pre-positioned essential supplies that include water kits, hygiene kits, water purification units, school tents, student and teacher materials, child friendly space tents, medical supplies, nutritional therapeutic food items to combat malnutrition, oral rehydration salts, tarpaulins and generators enough for at least 10,000 families.

UNICEF has staff on standby ready to be deployed in rapid assessments as soon as it is safe to travel. UNICEF, with the Philippine government, co-leads the joint response in the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Nutrition and Child Protection.

Samsung is Made to Fit with every family to build happier homes

Samsung recently staged Made to Fit: A Musical at Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in Taguig City last March 26 featuring their latest digital appliances line-up and showcased how each appliance perfectly fits every kind of family.

 The Samsung Musical stars the seasoned theater performer 2014's Best Actress in a musical for her role as Fiona in Shrek, The Musical,  Ms Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Sam and stage actor Topper Fabregas as RJ. They sang their way thru Bruno Mars hits, from the time they hit it off , engaged, married and had a kid of their own. Together, they embraced life with the help of Samsung Appliances.

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) understands how boundless Filipino mothers are when it comes to her family's welfare. ln-depth understanding of these concerns
propels them to fulfill the goal of being an integral partner in addressing the wants and needs of
Filipino families to build happier homes.

"We decided to introduce our products differently and creatively to demonstrate how Samsung Digital Appliances’ innovation keeps up with changes in consumer's life stages, from being independent yuppies, to getting married, and eventually starting a family,” Jun Filart, Business Unit Head for Samsung Digital Appliances said. ”This shows that Samsung Digital Appliances are
the answer to the ever-evolving needs and diversity of the Filipino families.”

Aside from the musical, the event featured an experiential area, giving guests the opportunity to take a closer look at the latest Samsung Digital Appliances. The guests witnessed and experienced how and why each appliance plays an integral part in creating a happier home. Mothers, in particular, appreciate how Samsung digital appliances perfectly fit their needs around the house, providing them more ways to give the best possible care for their family.

The new Samsung Top Load Fully Automatic Washing Machine with ActivDua|Wash. With its dedicated sink, washboard, and water jet built right into the washer, pre-treating laundry is now more convenient. This can help reduce back pains by 43 percent* when washing. Moreover, this fully automatic washing machine addresses common laundry problems such as tangling, detergent residues, and lints that may damage clothes. It features Wobble Technology that creates powerful vertical wash motions to prevent clothes from tangling; a Magic Dispenser that uses a propeller to dissolve detergent in the dispenser and spread it evenly; and Magic Filter located at the water level that traps the lint, fluff and particles coming out of clothes during the washing process.


Addressing space constraints

Mothers, especially those who have a bigger family, usually face the challenge of organizing grocery and food items in their refrigerator. These needs can be catered by Samsung, which offers a wide range of refrigerator sizes from 6.4 to 28.7 cubic feet. Apart from large storage capacities, Samsung also incorporates design that maximizes space efficiency. The Samsung Food Showcase Refrigerator (FSR), for instance, has a revolutionary "fridge within a fridge” design which features two independent areas, which can offer more space and wider range of storage and organization options. The first layer, also now as the showcase, provides clearly defined zones for frequently used food and ingredients.

”Samsung truly understands the heart and mind of Filipino mothers, specially their concern for their families. With its latest innovative, smart and high quality digital appliances line-up, Samsung is once again offering a whole new home experience for the Filipino Family,” Mr. Filart concluded


Visit the Samsung Philippines Facebook page (facebook.com/SamsungPH) or follow Samsung
via Twitter (twittencomzsamsungph) for more information

Klio Food Keepers can be your partner in summer activities with your kids

Aside from Christmas, summer vacation is the kids' favorite time of the year. Finally, a respite from months of pouring over books and struggling over homework.

But summer break should not be an excuse for kids to just laze around for two months. There are many fun, productive activities your children can engage in.

Are your children interested in athletic activities? Why not enroll them in sports clinics or let them take swimming lessons?

For the artistically inclined, get in touch with local artists who hold summer art workshops. Those who love music can enroll in voice, guitar or piano lessons.

If you don't have the budget for professionally taught lessons, you can also teach your children how to cook in your very own kitchen. 

Klio Food Keepers can be your partner in all of these activities. Store ingredients in Klio Food Keepers' clear containers and help the junior chefs identify each food item. Teach them that ingredients should be separated from each other to avoid spoilage. You can also use Klio Food Keepers for food preparations like marinating.

If your children have lessons outside the home, prepare baon for them and store these in Klio Food Keepers to ensure that hazardous chemicals are not leached into their food. Klio Food Keepers can also be sealed tightly, avoiding spillage.

A bonus is that these products come in different vibrant colors perfect for the season. Have a fun, colorful summer with Klio Food Keepers!