TV Viewers Make History by Voting El Gamma Penumbra as the First Ever Winner of “Asia’s Got Talent” on AXN

Television viewers across Asia made history by voting the Philippine act El Gamma Penumbra the inaugural winner of “Asia’s Got Talent,” the thrilling hit talent competition series on AXN.
Impressing audiences through shadow plays of meaningful stories, El Gamma Penumbra was declared winner in the 10th and concluding Grand Final Results episode that premiered this evening at 8.05pm first on AXN.

The 12-strong El Gamma Penumbra team brings home the coveted “Asia’s Got Talent” title, the prize of US$100,000, and the opportunity to perform at Marina Bay Sands, where “Asia’s Got Talent” semi-finals, Grand Final and Grand Final Results shows were held. In addition, Jetstar added US$10,000 worth of flights to its network of 60 destinations across 16 countries in Asia as prizes, which were shared between the top two acts.

"Thank you so much for all the support and prayers for El Gamma Penumbra. We've been dreaming of this for a long time. Now that we've reached our dream it's time for us to pay it back by giving wonderful and inspiring performances. Thank you to the Judges who inspire us to be more like you, to all Filipinos, to AXN, and to FremantleMedia for giving us the opportunity to perform on ‘Asia's Got Talent’,” said Marvin Mendoza Marfa of El Gamma Penumbra.

Their winning Grand Final shadow play to the song "Colors of the Wind" was a touching tribute to Mother Earth that conveyed the importance of conservation. It brought judge Anggun to tears and earned David Foster’s praise for being “beautifully profound”.

Following the Grand Final episode that aired last Thursday, viewers’ votes were cast over four days via SMS, Facebook and the “Asia’s Got Talent” mobile app.

Towards the climactic end to this evening’s episode, El Gamma Penumbra and Mongolian throat singing band Khusugtun were revealed as the top two acts. Both reprised their Grand Final performances, El Gamma Penumbra with their tribute to Mother Earth while Khusugtun took viewers on their spellbinding vocal and instrumental musical “journey” through Mongolia, before the Filipino act was declared the winner.

In the Grand Final, El Gamma Penumbra also beat two other golden buzzer semi-final acts, the newly-engaged Chinese dancers Gao and Lin, and exuberant Filipino dance group Junior New System; together with five other acts voted by viewers into the Grand Final including Japanese dance group Triqstar; Filipino classical singer Gerphil Flores; aspiring Thai rockers The Talento; 10 year old Filipino singer Gwyneth Dorado; and young Singapore tap dance group Dance Thrilogy.

El Gamma Penumbra was fast-tracked into the Grand Final at Marina Bay Sands as the joint golden buzzer decision of the judges from their semi-final shadow play performance around the theme of world peace. Prior to that, El Gamma Penumbra wowed with their first piece that told the touching love story of a couple and won Anggun’s golden buzzer in the judges’ auditions.
In addition to crowning the winner, all nine Grand Finalist acts featured in a dazzling medley of “Turn Up the Music” by Chris Brown.

Performing together for the very first time were “Asia’s Got Talent” celebrity judges including 16-time Grammy-winning Canadian musician and record producer David Foster; UK pop sensation and former Spice Girl Melanie C.; Indonesian rock icon and international recording artist Anggun; as well as Taiwanese-American pop idol and actor Van Ness Wu.

The four stars sang a crowd-pleasing rendition of the catchy single ‘Let’s Groove’ by Earth, Wind and Fire. The special track is now available for download with all proceeds donated to the earthquake victims of Nepal.

David Foster was also reunited with his protégé, Filipino songstress Charice for a duet of the song “Lay Me Down’. Charice was the first Asian solo artist in history to make it into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Anggun performed her signature hit song, ‘Snow on the Sahara’ complete with awe-inspiring orchestral accompaniment. The single was first released in 1997 in 33 countries worldwide, topped music charts in Italy and Indonesia, and made the top 20 in Finland, France, Japan, Spain and the US.
Australian illusionist-escapologist Consentino, himself the runner-up of “Australia’s Got Talent” in 2011, also graced the occasion. Consentino had audiences transfixed with his breathtaking grand staged illusion for the first time in Asia.

The Grand Final Results show brought the curtains down on “Asia’s Got Talent” which has made AXN the no.1 rated pay-TV channel collectively in Southeast Asia (which include Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines) and Taiwan, among all pay-TV audiences in its timeslot.

Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said, “‘Asia's Got Talent’ has been an incredibly thrilling success and the ratings speak volumes about the fantastic quality of the series. I would like to congratulate El Gamma Penumbra on winning the first ‘Asia's Got Talent’ and to all contestants who have contributed to our inaugural season. We extend our thanks to FremantleMedia Asia, Syco Entertainment, our wonderful judges and all of our partners for believing in the dreams of Asia's emerging talent.”

Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director of FremantleMedia Asia said, "El Gamma Penumbra's powerful performance last week exemplifies the creative story telling we’ve come to expect from the shadow play troupe.  Their ability to combine strong emotion with meaningful messaging that overcomes the barriers of language has, and will continue to, touch the hearts of viewers everywhere. We congratulate them and thank all of the acts that have delighted and entertained us, awed and inspired us, and showed the world that Asia's Got Talent."

George Levendis, Head of International, Syco Entertainment said, "Congratulations to El Gamma Penumbra! And thank you to all of our brilliant partners and to the production team for all their passion and hard work in making this such a fantastic series."

Billed as the biggest talent competition in the world, “Asia’s Got Talent” features some of the region’s most breathtaking, jaw-dropping and mind-blowing performing artists competing for the coveted title. It is the 63rd adaptation of the Guinness World Record-breaking hit “Got Talent” format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia. The “Got Talent” format is officially the most successful reality TV format in history and currently airs in 186 countries.

In the judges’ auditions of “Asia’s Got Talent”, each act had to receive at least three “Yeses” from the esteemed celebrity judging panel who then selected 24 of the most dazzling performances from 240 hopefuls from 15 territories across Asia. Those who made it into the semi-finals and the Grand Final gave their all to win the hearts and votes of viewers who ultimately decided the winner of “Asia’s Got Talent”.

“Asia’s Got Talent” spanned 10 weekly episodes, including five audition episodes, three semi-finals, a Grand Finals episode and the Grand Final results episode. In addition to enjoying the performances, audiences got to know about their favorite acts as “Asia’s Got Talent” told the life stories behind some of the most colorful individuals and groups in the competition.

“Asia’s Got Talent” was proudly presented by Marina Bay Sands, Big Cola, Pantene, Caltex, Jetstar, and GrabTaxi (also known as MyTeksi in Malaysia).

GSK’s Polident embarks on a campaign to educate the public on the proper maintenance of dentures

 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in collaboration with the Philippine Prostho-dontic Society (PPS) today (May 15) launched a metro-wide advocacy campaign to pro-mote proper denture care among Filipinos to help them rediscover uninhibited joy and re-gain the confidence to eat, speak and smile.

A recent study revealed that 9 million Filipinos wear dentures, making the Philippines the country with the highest incidence of denture wearers in Asia.

This was revealed in the study “Oral Care U&A: Market Understanding  Study Middle East & Asia’’ conducted by Ipsos Marketing for GlaxoSmithKline(GSK).

“The qualitative research titled ‘The Emerging Consumer Denture Journey,' conducted by Nick Newall and Rachel Kern for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) revealed that in the Philippines, majority of denture wearers are between 35-69 years old. Wearers have full, half, or partial dentures,’’ said Isa Marfori, GSK Polident product manager.

Another study, ‘’Oral Care U&A Market Understanding Study Middle East & Asia’’ con-ducted in July 2014, also revealed that sixty one percent of denture wearers are female, while thirty nine percent are male.

“The same study reported that eighty four percent of denture users reside in Metro Manila, with nine percent in Metro Cebu and six percent in Metro Davao. Fifty six percent cited careless oral regime as a reason for wearing dentures, while nineteen percent attributed wearing dentures to loosing teeth in accident, and twelve percent to illness,’’ Marfori added.

STIGMA
Nevertheless, a lot of Filipinos experience denture problems, resulting to loss of joy and confidence in performing daily activities such as eating, smiling, speaking and socializing.
Dr. Danny Magtanong of the Philippine Prosthodontic Society said that over the years, there has been a stigma attached to wearing pustiso mainly because a lot of embarrassing mishaps are associated with wearing dentures.

“It is not uncommon to hear stories of false teeth coming off while speaking or while eat-ing. In fact, in YouTube, there are a lot of videos posted which show these embarrassing moments featuring people from all walks of life. Whose confidence wouldn’t be demol-ished once a denture wearer finds himself in this situation,’’ said Dr. Magtanong.

The PPS official also noted that as a result of these humiliating situations, some denture wearers become very shy. “Others would cover their mouths while speaking, some would refuse to attend social functions. To be safe, others would not eat food that require much biting, thus they are inhibited,’’ Dr. Magtanong added.

Evelyn Del Mundo, registrar at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), knew that the latent risk of dentures falling off could be disastrous to her reputation as a univer-sity official. “Since I face and interact with students on a daily basis, my dentures need to be solidly secure.  It’s really difficult when I speak while my dentures rattle about.  I espe-cially become wary when I eat; I do not know what happens in my mouth when I chew: have the dentures fallen off?  Was it food or was it my dentures?” admitted Del Mundo.

Wearing dentures gave Lina Santiago, 32, a resident of from Mandaluyong,  great relief from lacking the essential teeth to be presentable. “I could not get the job that I wanted because of my bad teeth. As soon as I got the money to finance it, I went to a dentist to have dentures fitted. True enough, I gained back confidence and more importantly, I found a satisfying job,” said Lina.

COMPLACENT ATTITUDE
The problems being encountered by Filipino denture wearers are mainly caused by com-placency in consulting dentists and in engaging in proper denture care, the two studies confirmed.

Dr. Magtanong said that generally, Filipino denture wearers lack knowledge and vigilance on the proper practices before wearing dentures, while wearing them, and before they go to bed at night.

“There are responsibilities that come with wearing dentures, lack of proper maintenance measures lead to more serious problems like bad breath, swollen gums, or loose fit. While it is true that wearing dentures is tedious, a change in habits and lifestyle will help give back self-confidence to the denture wearer,” said Dr. Magtanong.

Among these responsibilities is to make sure that the dentures are regularly and properly cleaned, and that they snugly fit in the mouth which only professional dentists can do for the patient.

While forty nine percent of the more than 200 denture wearer-respondents in the “Oral Care U&A Market Understanding Study” have had it for five years or less, a high fifty three percent visit dentists only when they have specific problem such as broken or cracked dentures.

“Denture wearers also lack information in the proper way to care for their dentures. For instance, sixty four percent do not remove it before going to sleep at night. By not removing dentures and soaking in proper cleansers, bacterias build up and cause more problems in the mouth,’’ the study further cited.

Clearly, denture usage is very high but knowledge and use of products like denture adhesives and denture cleansers is low, Marfori said.

“Denture cleansers are not very popular and most use regular toothpastes for cleaning dentures, which should not be the case because toothpaste contains abrasives that scratch dentures, leaving small holes where bacteria can collect and grow. Toothpaste also contains bleaching chemicals that may damage the dentures and whiten its pink portion,’’ Dr. Magtanong stated.

On the other hand, denture adhesives usage is low because denture wearers do not see the importance of having snugly fit dentures. “As much as possible, dentures should be firm and stable in the mouth to stop food particles from getting into the dentures,’’ Dr. Magtanong advised.

GSK, one of the largest global healthcare companies and is currently one of the key play-ers in the oral care strategy, has come up with Polident, an ally of denture wearers in maintaining and caring for false teeth to give back to denture wearers their self-confidence and allows them to pursue regular activities such as speaking and eating without fear or shame.

Polident is the leading denture care brand in the Philippines. The “Take the Polident Challenge!” PR campaign is part of the brand integration program that will alleviate the perceived complacency of Filipino denture wearers on their dental health. In collaboration with Philippine Prosthodontic Society (PPS), this campaign aims to erase the stigma of social, emotional and physical tortures brought about by improper denture care and will feature GSK’s Polident Denture Adhesive Cream and Polident Denture Cleanser.

Polident Denture Adhesive Cream, for instance, helps secure dentures properly. Applying Polident Denture Adhesive Cream on the dentures once a day helps fasten it securely for up to twelve hours.

Polident Denture Cleanser, on the other hand, is formulated to clean dentures, remove stains and kill 99.9 percent of odor-causing particles.

Polident dares denture wearers to live a healthy life free of inhibitions by taking the Poli-dent Challenge. For free samples and delivery nationwide of both Polident Denture Cleanser and Polident Denture Adhesive Cream, call 924-2475.

Lenovo partners with Lazada for the launch of A7000 on May 21!

Lenovo launches  A7000, the world's first smartphone that features Dolby Atmos technology last May 13 at 4DX Cinema 4, BGC. The 5.5 HD displays the Dolby Atmos difference with its crisp sounds and music that comes around with clarity, richness and depth. The moment you use A7000 and hear the sound via your headset, you will already tell the big difference between other smartphones. I am just as excited as everybody else, because I won the A7000, unboxing and review to follow upon claiming of my unit. You can purchase the much awaited Lenovo A7000 through Lazada online store on May 21!

 The Lenovo A7000 smartphone is built for entertainment on a budget. If you are the one who would like to upload movies, series and videos this is perfect for you,  the A7000 has a 5.5” HD screen and MediaTek 4G LTE True8Core processor and 2GB RAM that delivers quick and smooth responses with the Android 5.0 Lollipop VIBE UI.  Rounded out with dual 8MP and 5MP cameras that comes with beautification app that enchances your selfies.  The A7000 is a responsive multimedia performer which promises a fulfilling user experience.


Philippine customers may also purchase the A7000 on Lazada Philippines’ online store during a flash sale to celebrate the launch. This is the first time Lenovo is doing a concurrent launch across six ASEAN countries.

“Due to the rapid growth of mobile internet, e-commerce and interactive marketing, we see a significant change in the traditional business model. Lenovo as a market leader needs to adapt fast to remain innovative and to seize opportunities to be ahead of the game. The partnership with Lazada has allowed us to take that step forward to meet our common goal,” said Dino Romano, Country Lead, Lenovo Smartphone, Philippines. 

According to the January 2015 "Digital in the Philippines" snapshot of We Are Social, Internet access in the Philippines has grown by 500% in the last four years – fastest rate in Southeast Asia. The said report also cited Philippines’ lead in average "Time Spent on the Internet" through laptop and desktop, and is one of the highest via mobile worldwide. From a global average of 4.4 hours/day, the Filipino spends an average of 6.3 hours/day online via laptop and 3.3 hours/day via mobile.

Lenovo has adopted the use of the online-to-offline (O2O) business model to emphasize customer engagement, quicker response and effective social media communication. This model was successful in India and Indonesia and will be adopted for Lenovo’s tie-in with Lazada to penetrate key markets in the region such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We are excited to exclusively retail the Lenovo A7000 Smartphone across the six Southeast Asian countries that Lazada operates in, having already experienced our successful partnership in Indonesia. I am confident that our market leadership and reach to approximately 550 million consumers in the region, along with Lenovo’s business strategy and brand presence, will pave the way to a win-win partnership,” said Mr. Inanc Balci, CEO and Co-founder, Lazada Philippines.

Online buyers of the Lenovo A7000 are assured of worry-free ownership as the handset will be covered by Lenovo’s official one-year warranty and supported by the thirty (30) Lenovo Mobile service centers and collections points nationwide.


The patented Dolby Atmos makes sound flow above and around the user for a dramatically different listening experience. Users can simply plug in their headphones into the A7000 and enjoy being true surround sound.

 The Lenovo A7000 delivers high quality sounds and graphics with hardware optimization that boosts battery life.

The Lenovo A7000 is preloaded with apps that include Guvera Music, a streaming music service with a wide selection of over a million songs. Finally, this smartphone also offers lightning-fast LTE speeds for streaming audio and video whenever and wherever users want mobile entertainment.

Pricing and Availability

The Lenovo A7000 will be available exclusively on Lazada.com.ph starting 12noon on May 21 and is priced at Php7, 390.
For the latest Lenovo smartphones and tablets news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo Mobile on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/LenovoMobilePH) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/lenovomobileph).

Jacob Benedicto, the fresh face of OPM

Fans of classic and newer OPM alike will be delighted to learn that the talented singer, heartthrob, and Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) alumnus Jacob Benedicto has been launched as one of Star Music’s newest singers, on the compilation album “OPM Fresh”. Jacob –  along with the other artists featured on “OPM Fresh” –  were recently introduced to the members of the press and music bloggers during an eventful launching activity.

“OPM Fresh” is the latest project of Star Music, acting as a platform to introduce up-and-coming stars of Pinoy pop music. This compilation album introduces the hottest new names and faces in OPM right now, thus living up to its name. Part of the pioneer batch includes JC Padilla, brother of Teen King Daniel Padilla, and Jacob’s former PBB housemate Maris Racal. “The first batch of artists were chosen not only for their talent, but for the unique and refreshing sound they can deliver,” said Star Music Head Roxy Liquigan.

Jacob’s track “Pagka’t Ikaw” is a melodious downtempo ballad, that is surprisingly mature for someone who has been primarily known for his boyish good looks. Although his talent agency Fame Factory was aware of Jacob’s exceptional singing voice from the beginning, it was only recently that his fans realized that he is so much more than a handsome face. “Even when I lived abroad, I loved singing in both Filipino and English, it taps into my soul the same way acting does,” said Benedicto.

“OPM Fresh” is now available in all record stores, and music sections nationwide for only P199. You can also download or stream the album on iTunes, Spotify and StarMusic.ph. For more details please visit starmusic.abs-cbn.com

Beat the Heat with Goldilocks Thirst Quenchers

There’s no denying that the freedom of summer in the Philippines comes hand-in-hand with an intolerable blast of hot weather. Still, it’s that time of the year when your sunnies and flip-flops beg you to take them out for some fun in the sun. Whether your idea of a perfect summer is an out of town adventure or relaxing hangout in the city, the only way to survive the stifling heat is to keep cool and hydrated. There’s nothing quite like a nice, frosty, and gently perspiring pampalamig to freshen up a sizzling summer afternoon.

Beat the heat with a special selection of truly Pinoy Thirst Quenchers from Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop. Indeed, after almost fifty years of giving delight to local consumers.

Goldilocks can provide the perfect taste of summer with these specially mixed Filipino classics. Coast through this heat wave with the classic Goldilocks Thirst Quenchers: Halo Halo, Mais con Hielo and Sago’t Gulaman. Starting at Php 39.00, the Thirst Quenchers are sure to add a cool edge to your summer memories in only the way Goldilocks can.

Add Goldilocks Thirst Quenchers to your summer Must-Have list to stay cool! For more details, head to your nearest Goldilocks Bakeshop or visit http://www.goldilocks.com.ph/.

Jollibee Chickenjoy made more Affordelicious!

Loyal fans of Jollibee’s crispylicious, juicylicious Chickenjoy are in for a real treat as everyone’s all-time favorite langhap-sarap fried chicken is now available at a more Affordelicious price.

The 1-piece Chickenjoy Value Meal can now be enjoyed at a more wallet-friendly price—from P87 to only P79. At the same time, Jolly Spaghetti lovers can delight in the Chickenjoy with Jolly Spaghetti Solo Meal more often—from P117, this favorite is now priced at P99. Sharing the well-loved Jollibee Chickenjoy with family and friends becomes more fun as well, now that the 8-piece Chickenjoy Bucket is down from P479 to P429. 

With the price rollback, talaga namang ang sarap ulit-ulitin ng mas affordelicious na paborito nating Jollibee Chickenjoy!

Every day is a cause for celebration with the all-time favorite Chickenjoy, now at a more affordelicious price. 

Asia Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Aims to Bring Audience To Their Feet—And Dance in the Aisles

”The younger generation has not had a chance to witness the impact of the movie 'Saturday Night Fever' made in the '70s.  I'd be great to see a new generation of theatergoers dancing in the aisles to the timeless tunes of The Bee Gees,” says Patrick Bywalski, deputy chairman of Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. , which co-produces the upcoming Asian Tour of the hit West End and Broadway dance musical SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER alongside Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) and Ten Bridges Media Corp.

In fact, the dancing crowd doing the hustle is expected to spill out of The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino, where a '70s disco-themed party will take place at a nearby venue to aptly kick off the tour running in Manila (July 3-26), Kuala Lumpur (Septmber 1-15), and Singapore (September 25 to October 11).

“Since SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER opened in the West End in 1997, we've nurtured the musical around the globe with each production contextualized [and recontextualized] to please the local customs,” adds Bywalski. Apparently, the recent UK productions and the upcoming Asian Tour of the musical have been more fearless—definitely more provocative—than their sanitized predecessors in the West End and on Broadway by staying true to the authentic, gritty realism depicted in the landmark film.   

“The film was, finally, so authentic...it was more of a documentary,” Karen Lynn Gorney, the actress who played Stephanie Mangano, the love interest of John Travolta's Tony Manero in the film, told Vanity Fair in December 2007. “We improvised for two weeks, so that by the time it came to filming, [film director] John Badham just shot what was happening. It wasn't acting.”

With the stamp of approval to reimagine SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER onstage for Asian audiences, multi-awarded stage director Bobby Garcia has set his eyes on reliving the authentic coming-of-age in a tough world story of the film—amid the backdrop of the pulsating strobe lights of the infamous retro '70s disco era.

For Garcia, nothing would be more authentic than asking Broadway choreographer and child of the '70s Vince Pesce to join his creative team.  Pesce, who's a longtime associate choreographer of Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, where the movie was filmed.  “I've a clear memory of the movement/dance and how it made us feel,” says Pesce.

Based upon music critic Nik Cohn's magazine article “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,” which was published in the June 7, 1976 issue of New York, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER tells the story of Italian-American Vincent (later renamed to Tony Manero) and his gang in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn who are stuck in dead-end jobs but rule the dance floor at the discotheque 2001 Odyssey. Vincent or Tony is a tough cookie; an outstanding dancer, his ultimate dream was to escape the mean streets of Brooklyn.

“I did go back and look at the movie again just to make sure I capture the gritty, dynamic, and social movement that shifted popular dance as we know it,” Pesce continues. “With that in mind, Bobby Garcia, our director, and I felt we needed to expand the dancing in the show and make it more relatable to modern audiences yet remain true to the original choreography.  You'll get to see the hustle, Travolta's finger point, and lots of exciting disco dancing but much more is needed to be done.
“Today's sophisticated audiences are accustomed to intricate, dynamic dance styles on TV, e.g. 'Dancing with the Stars.' We have to deliver expanded dance sequences that will thrill. On the other hand, we also have to create a world of movement that doesn't only take place in the disco.

 Essentially, we need to capture the pulse, frustration, and energy of the streets of Brooklyn and the '70s social movements.”

A show that's heavy on the dance side yet demands authentic emotions onstage, a triple threat casting is equally crucial.  “We auditioned for the roles of Tony, Stephanie, Tony's friend Double J, and a [Latin] dancer in N.Y.,” says West End and Broadway casting director Tara Rubin.  “We were looking for great actors, singers, and dancers who seemed authentic to the show's time and place.  We needed actors experienced enough to star in the show and play these iconic roles.”

Pesce adds, “The culture in Brooklyn is all about bigger than life and fun loving personalities.  We didn't stop looking until we found them.”

At the end of the auditions, Brandon Rubendall (“Spider-man” on Broadway), Jenna Rubaii (“American Idiot”), and Nick Varricchio (“A Chorus Line”) were cast as Tony, Stephanie, and Double J, respectively.
Thespians Marie Rose, Rafa Giguion-Reyna, Yanah Laurel, Jamie Wilson, and Carla Guevara-Laforteza are also joining its 20-strong cast.

Besides Garcia, Pesce, and Rubin, Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Gallo, original lighting designer of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER on Broadway Paul Miller, costume designer Eric Pineda, and musical director Ceejay Javier are also part of the show's first-rate creative team.


For tickets and more information, call ATEG at (632)650 5144 or (63917) 8381534; visit TicketWorld at ticketworld.com.ph.

Like ATEG on facebook.com/ATEGasia.

MUST WATCH! Pru Life UK: Filipino Spirit Never Gives Up

On an island in the Philippines which was almost washed away by typhoon Yolanda, hope is what the locals had left. Through Pru Life UK, the locals of Bantayan Island were given the courage to fight against the challenges in life.

Asia's Got Talent TV Ratings soars high

Asia's Got Talent achieved its highest television rating to date during its 9th episode last May 7.

The biggest talent competition in the world got 3.93 rating with 175% increase against the eight episode according to Kantar Media Philippines.

AXN was the #1 pay TV channel commanding a 93% share among 22 English GE (General Entertainment) channels. Moreover, Asia’s Got Talent was the highest rating pay TV program of the day, rating way ahead of the next closest program which had a 2.48 rating.

Asia’s Got Talent was also the highest rating English program of the day overall, even among FTA (free to air) channels.

Last May 7 airing was highest rating ever on AXN programming history (record going back to 2008).  The 2nd and 3rd highest were also Asia’s Got Talent, Episode 5 at 2.05 and Episode 6 at 1.97, respectively.

Aside from sports, Asia’s Got Talent was the next highest rating English program on pay TV since 2013.The grand finals performance of one of the most successful "Got Talent" franchise was held last May 7 where four Filipino Grand Finalist namely Gwyneth Dorado, Gerphil Flores, Junior New System and EL Gamma Penumbra earned a standing ovation from the judges.

Results of the grand finals will air on May 14, Thursday, 8:05 pm on AXN Network.

“Asia’s Got Talent” is proudly presented by Marina Bay Sands, Big Cola, Pantene, Caltex, Jetstar and GrabTaxi.

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”.

That’s it for now!

New Zealand Food Connection features eight quality food and beverages in Manila

New Zealand Food Connection presented their Eight food and beverage offerings last May 8 at Ballroom 2, Fairmont Hotel. An exclusive trade show was presented to the food enthusiasts and media, designed to connect New Zealand's quality food and beverage, if you are into healthy and organic food and drinks then New Zealand has it for you.

The first booth that offered me a taste of New Zealand ice cream was at  New Zealand Natural Ice cream stall.  I enjoyed their Vanilla regular ice cream and Vanilla Sugar-Free ice cream, it tasted the same with its creamy, milky taste to it. You cant distinguish between the two, now diabetics or those who are on a diet can enjoy their ice cream without the guilt.   Ms. Teefanie Chunpeng VP-Finance New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Inc., told that they only put fresh milk to their ice cream, that's why its creamy and fresh. No artificial flavorings and powdered milk. I had 3 cups of delicious goodness for my first stop.

Next was the Rockit Apples, I thought these are gala apples with its red intense blush colour. The Rockit apple is incredibly sweet, crunchy, cute and has no bitter after taste to it. It offers a healthy snack alternative for both children and adult. It is the best apple that I have tasted so far. I love their packaging.

What caught my attention was the Charlie's Organic Drinks, I had a free taste of non alcoholic and sweet Ginger beer. It is best served cold.  I love that its organic, since Im cutting on sodas and iced teas, this is the best alternative healthy drink for me and to all those watching their sugar intake.

More than 100 Philippine food and beverage influencers enjoyed a taste of great New Zealand products this week as New Zealand Food Connection kicked off in Manila.

Featured products included New Zealand wines and all natural, non-alcoholic beverages. Wine and beverages are among New Zealand’s fastest growing export products to the Philippines, with nearly two million litres exported in the year to March 2015 – growth of nearly a third in just one year.

New Zealand dairy is a household staple in the Philippines, one of New Zealand’s top dairy export destinations. New Zealand Food Connection highlighted the household name Anchor products, as well as a brand Filipinos love: New Zealand Natural ice-cream, which is known for its natural ingredients and huge variety of delicious flavours.

“The Philippines is a close friend of New Zealand, and it’s great to see Filipinos enjoying New Zealand products,” says Hernando Banal, New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner to the Philippines. 

“While New Zealand dairy has always been popular, more diverse New Zealand products are now found in stores, hotels and restaurants like wine, non-alcoholic beverages and meat.”


The value in New Zealand exports to the Philippines has increased 21% in the last two years to March 2015, with a value of more than 22 billion Pesos.

Midea unveils a complete suite of airconditioners for PH market

There are window types, split types, centralized or floor mounted, it comes in different horsepower HP and offered by a lot of brands. But have you ever noticed that airconditioners only come in white?

So why, after all these years, haven't brands ever think of putting some color to our favorite summer appliance.

I still don't know, but i'm sure glad one brand finally decided to offer aircon in different colors.

Midea has recently launched a full line of cooling solutions last May 6 at Cafe Romulo. Midea is a world class appliance manufacturer and one of the biggest in the global appliance industry in China. It is engineered to meet the unique challenges faced by consumers on a daily basis.

Today’s technological innovations are changing the way Filipinos live, work, and play. Instead of technology shaping the way people live, innovations are now being optimized to even more suit the lifestyle of its users. In the appliance industry in particular, appliances are no longer just still figures but rather partners in homes and businesses, making them indispensable parts of everyday life.

“The growing economy opens new doors for young Filipinos and businessmen,” said Phillip F. Trapaga, General Manager of Concepcion Midea Inc. “But when it comes to cooling, each of these opportunities comes with distinct needs and preferences. So these hardworking individuals need a partner that can understand their needs.

Anchored on energy efficiency, affordability and quality, Midea’s new range of air conditioners features Window RAC, Split Type, Floor-Standing, Under Ceiling, and Cassette models. Each cooling system brings a unique set of advantages to the table.

Finding the right air conditioner, according to Trapaga, depends on a number of considerations—including size of area to be cooled, total heat generated within the space, and even architectural dimensions.

So, what exactly does Midea’s latest cooling systems offer to Filipinos?

The starter’s choice


The new homeowner has different priorities in mind, ranging from designs to costs in buying and operating. Still, energy efficiency, affordability and quality remain top-of-mind for these new homeowners and independence seekers who have just moved out of their parents homes and are moving into their new condominiums.

Taking this into consideration, Midea offers a range of home cooling solutions worthy of the hard-earned money of these starting homeowners. The Window Type air conditioner, for example, is a great option for first-time air con buyers. Trapaga said about the model, “This unit offers affordable cooling for the Filipino family.”

For those looking for Split-type air conditioners, Midea has three models that offer a variety of user advantages: the Primera, the Genesis White, and the Mirror Black.

As the entry-level model, Primera offers unparalleled functionality. The Eco Mode and Turbo feature combine optimum energy-savings and high-speed cooling in one air-conditioner. It also comes with specially designed silver ion filters, which help clean and disinfect rooms.

The Genesis White, on the other hand, is engineered for homeowners who place a greater emphasis on quiet operation. When Quiet Mode is engaged, its large diameter fan minimizes the indoor unit’s noise level—so owners can sleep soundly at night. It is designed for homeowners who want to have their first inverter split type air conditioner.

Finally, the Mirror Black is Midea’s top-of-the-line inverter split type air conditioner. Its Turbo DC Inverter and D-Tech function delivers premium energy efficiency and highly intelligent operation. At the same time, its sleek black finish makes it a beautiful design complement to any living space it’s installed in.

Superior cooling for larger spaces

Small commercial establishments and industrial businesses need the same level of comfort required by homeowners but on a larger scale. For this, Midea is rolling out three new models: Under Ceiling, Floor Mounted, and Cassette. Each unit is engineered for different installation parameters, making them convenient additions to any space.

The Midea Under Ceiling offers flexible installation, as users can place it on the ceiling or mount it on the wall. To supply better airflow, it is designed with Swing Torsion Angles. This cooling unit is available in fixed speed and inverter versions to meet a wider budget range.

Similarly, the Midea Floor Mounted comes in fixed speed and inverter. This air conditioner is engineered to deliver superior and efficient cooling. At the same time, its metallic accent instantly enhances interior aesthetics.

Last but not the least, the Midea Cassette Inverter can be installed in the ceilings of offices or even small living rooms. It boasts 360-degree Air Outlet that enables it to deliver comfortable cooling in every corner of the room. It even comes with a Built-In Drain Pump that can lift the condensing water by up to 750mm.

“Quality is not the only consideration that small business owners have to factor in. A strong aftermarket service is also essential because it assures consumers that they will not suffer from loss of business opportunities in the event of a breakdown,” Trapaga said.

Midea’s cooling solutions power international projects which include Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 1 and Beijing National Aquatics Center used in the 2008 Olympics. In the Philippines’ the brands cooling solutions are present in major projects like The Raven Bar in BGC.

MideamyPAL Nationwide Service

Midea brings these products to the Philippines with an unparalleled Global Quality standard and are backed by a very reliable and wide Midea MYPAL Nationwide service.

“Midea’s tried and tested global reputation is now complemented by local expertise,” commented Trapaga. “At the same time, we share the same standards of world-class quality in all our products.”

He closed, “Air-conditioning is just one cornerstone of Midea’s extensive portfolio. We are looking to roll out more appliances throughout 2015.”