Dunlopillo meets the best of interior design, Ital Design

Dunlopillo at the Ital Design Showroom

After a hard day's work, a nice comforting bed and a cuddly pillow is all we need to lull ourselves to sleep. Did you know that a good mattress contributes to our sleeping habit? If you sleep on a poor quality mattress, you will have to toss and turn for a long time before getting a good sleeping position. When buying a mattress, it should deliver quality for a long period of time, and you should prefer comfort thus test drive the mattress in store for 10 to 15 minutes. Look for and shop at a mattress specialty store.

Dunlopillo, a certified name in quality sleep , partners with Ital Design, an authority in home décor, to create a one-of-a-kind showroom and launch mattresses and furniture pieces last July 16 at MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City.

When it comes to matters of the home, even the smallest details count for a great deal. Dunlopillo, a certified name in quality sleep, has partnered with Ital Design. 

An expert on luxury in the home, Dunlopillo is the perfect partner for Ital Design, whose elegant yet uniquely designed bedroom vignettes provide an inspiring display of mattresses and furniture pieces for a variety of customers. Since 2003, Ital Design has been carrying exclusive European and Asian designed furniture and fixtures, ranging from mid-range to high-end offerings in designs that settle for no less than first-class quality and apparent individuality.

Known for its thoughtfully engineered mattresses, Dunlopillo has created for itself a legacy of comfort through the years. The latex boasts of being the best in the world, providing unparalleled support and high elasticity. Its mattresses allow for exceptional air ventilation and breathability for ideal temperature control. To prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, the mattresses incorporate the use of silver, which is proven to possess antibacterial properties.

 For minimal partner disturbance, its springs are designed to ensure uninterrupted slumber. Carefully crafted to ensure a restful night, Dunlopillo puts a premium on comfort and sleep.

Ital Design’s Managing Director, Jam Chan, is enthusiastic about their newly renovated showroom at MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City. “Instead of doing a cluttered display of mattresses, we decided to play with the store and make it more visually appealing to our clients.” Ten decorated vignettes of different themes are on display to encourage customers to imagine the possibilities the mattresses and furniture hold. Bedroom displays tastefully decorated in neutral colors and rustic accents provide a classic and homey appeal. Nothing spells bold femininity more than bright crimson, an eye-catching arrangement with an elegant feel.  The twin set designed to symmetrically split the room between a teenage boy and a teenage girl is a practical option for those who share a space without compromising individuality.

Each vignette has its own style, function, and personality. Chan emphasizes, “We want our customers to feel that their bedroom is a truly personalized space.” The showroom is designed to equip customers to build the bedrooms of their dreams.

Truly a creative space where every customer can find inspiration for the home, the new Ital Design showroom is a great space where the best sleeping solutions meet the best of interior design.
Dunlopillo is also available at the Libis Showroom, the Edsa-Cubao Showroom, MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City, MC Home Depot in Pasig, Ayala Center Cebu, and Abreeza Mall Davao.
Follow Ital Design on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/ITAL-DESIGN-Furniture-Depot and on Instagram through @italdesignph

Ital Design Offers Dunlopillo Mattresses at Special Prices in Celebration of Its New Showroom
In line with the launch of the newly renovated showroom at MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City, Ital Design will be providing special prices for its premium Dunlopillo mattresses from July 16-19, 2015.

This generous gesture celebrates their one of a kind luxurious showroom, innovated to enable customers to imagine the possibilities that the mattresses and furniture hold. Ten uniquely decorated vignettes in styles appealing to every type of customer feature the Dunlopillo mattresses, which are highlighted in every display. Whether you’re a bachelor, a student, or a mother of five, Ital Design and Dunlopillo have furniture pieces and sleeping solutions for your personal haven in store.

What can customers expect from visiting the new showroom? An introductory discount for Dunlopillo’s new model mattress Elena, which will be sold at the special price of 50% off. All-time favorite mattresses Romero Premium and Firmest Luxe will also be included at reduced prices.  With premium goods at reasonable prices, those who are looking to decorate and furnish their homes certainly have every reason to visit the new Ital Design showroom.

OPPO solidifies global presence with FC Barcelona partnership

The ascent of global smartphone brand OPPO has mostly remained industry buzz for much of the company’s 10-year history. However, all is set to change for the emerging mobile phone powerhouse thanks to a new three-year partnership with FC Barcelona, which is sure to increase public awareness and interest and cement OPPO’s status as a truly global player.

The partnership, announced on May 31st, will see OPPO serve as Barcelona’s official partner for the mobile phone category starting from the upcoming season until 2018. The agreement covers a wide range of activities including soccer events, fan activities, TV advertisements and accessories. OPPO’s logo will also be prominently displayed at the Spanish football club’s home stadium, the Camp Nou.

With Barcelona’s position as one of the world’s most recognized sports brands, this groundbreaking partnership is set to bring OPPO closer to the legions of fans that follow every move of the football club and its star players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar. Barcelona is the first sports team to amass more than 50 million fans on Facebook, with many of them in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil, and Mexico.

FC Barcelona Chief Executive Officer Ignacio Mestre expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "We are thrilled to team up with OPPO and hope that the partnership will excite fans around the world. As a global leading smartphone brand that values artistry in design and innovation in technology, OPPO is more than at home in Barcelona.” 

Driving expansion forward with cross-brand partnerships and campaigns

This deal with Barcelona comes as the smartphone maker charges forward with a new global expansion strategy that was put in place in 2014, as an integral part of OPPO’s mid- to long-term growth strategy. As of April 2015, the brand has been registered in 116 countries.

“OPPO is focusing heavily on overseas expansion in recent years,” says OPPO CEO Tony Chen. “From the very beginning, we have positioned ourselves as a global company and our dynamic expansion strategy fully demonstrates this commitment.”

Founded in 2004, OPPO started its business journey as a global electronics and technology service provider by manufacturing high-quality MP3 and MP4 devices before adding Blu-ray DVD players to its line-up of products, the latter of which continues to do well in the US market. It started its foray into the mobile phone market in 2008 and made its first step overseas the following year, outpacing many of its rivals in terms of global outlook.

In 2009, OPPO entered its first overseas market, Thailand, with lively campaigns and creative marketing strategies. Today, it is a top smartphone brand in the country. OPPO smartphones are currently available in over 20 markets globally and via 3rd party online store OPPOstyle.com, is being sold online in more than 50 additional countries.

Oliviers&Co.’s latest collection adds a new-level of eloquence to Philippines kitchens

It’s been a little over a year since the SSI Group introduced France-based olive oil company Oliviers&Co. to the Philippines and redefined local kitchens everywhere.

Putting quality to the fore, Oliviers&Co. is renowned for its superb catalog of gourmet olive oils, condiments, and seasonings, committing to only the finest ingredients and sound processes. With sensory analyst Eric Verdier and CEO Albert Baussan as guardians of the company’s hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as the best in the industry, Oliviers&Co. continues to push for precision—from hand-harvesting the olives to tasting pre- and post-bottling with a third test at the boutiques and finally, to packaging. Verdier measures the oils “by taste, by nose, and by luminescence.”

– Oliviers&Co.Singapore General Manager May Tan; Oliviers&Co.Co-founder and Director of International Sales, Melanie Costaris; and Oliviers&Co.Singapore Managing Director Michel Beaugier

From a humble history of affiliating with families and small cooperatives to now partnering with 300 mills in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Portugal, Oliviers&Co. maintains the standards that have made them invaluable to internationally acclaimed chefs. Outlets in Central Square, Bonifacio Global City, and Greenbelt 5, Makati City, make this elegant culinary must-have accessible for Manila cuisiniers, too, and it’s quickly become a pantry staple. Now, even home kitchens can have that sophisticated touch of flavor, thanks to Oliviers&Co.

As Oliviers&Co. settles to be a regular in local cooking, the company continues to innovate and surprise the palate with new concoctions. This year, 10 new olive oils have been meticulously selected as part of a new collection that offers deeper eloquence to dishes.

The Agrolaguna is a rare oil from Croatia. Leccino and Picholine olives create a smooth but intense taste, and a flavor that’s both vegetal yet nutty makes it a versatile ingredient for vegetables, meat, cheese, and even desserts.

More delicate profiles like seafood and chicken breast benefit from an oil like the Moulin La Cravenco, which was harvested from Baux de Provence, France. It’s exceptionally creamy—almost like butter—and with sweetness reminiscent of apples, it would also complement baked goods and fruits.

Oliviers&Co. also bottle oils in the tradition of the finest wines, identified with the label “Grand Cru.” One of these is the Monva olive oil. This Spanish gem comes with robust tart notes that could certainly inject life in lighter fare or add extra zing in ice cream! The Sao Sebastiao, from Madural Cobrancosa, and Verdeal olives, hails from Portugal. Undertones of dry grass, olive leaves, and tomato leaf bring out the best sides of cooked vegetables and meats like veal, chicken, and beef.

Oliviers&Co. prepares their oils in small, limited batches, and this set is no exception. Whatever you’re cooking, you’ll find that nothing can better articulate flavors than Olivers&Co. It’s truly a testament of taste, in all aspects.

“MAGIC MIKE XXL” hunks answer on male friendship and performing in front of screaming women

Joining Channing Tatum in Warner Bros. Pictures' “Magic Mike XXL” are his bros Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello and Adam Rodriguez who dish out interesting details and insights about the making of the film in the following interview.


Question: This film looks like it was so much fun to shoot. Can each of you share an anecdote or moment that was particularly memorable for you?

Adam Rodriguez: I can’t get Michael Strahan out of my head. Just baby oil from head to toe. [Laughs] In a tight pair of gold shorts. This Hall of Fame NFL player jumping six feet in the air over a woman on a table that he’s massaging. I don’t know. I can’t get the image out of my head.

Matt Bomer: For me in particular, it was seeing the mini-mart scene with Joe [Manganiello], who I’ve known since we were eighteen, seeing the culmination of all those years just come to fruition in that moment. To me, that was so mind-blowing and epic that I literally just stood behind the camera, just so wanting popcorn or really any carbohydrate to eat while I watched, with my jaw on the ground, just thanking God that this moment happened for humanity. [Laughs]

Joe Manganiello: Well, I’ve known Matt since he was eighteen, and we did come up through drama school together. I mean, Matt is such a humble guy and I feel like sometimes I’m Matt’s agent, kind of hanging behind him, letting people know Matt could sing. And I remember talking to Channing and I was like, ‘You know, you’ve got to get Matt to sing.’ So, I’m so happy that the world will now know, or at least, the audience that hasn’t seen him sing on `Glee' is now going to know that he killed that D’Angelo song, which is once again not an easy feat.

Q: The movie says a lot about male friendship. Can you talk about why it was important to have the friendship and the love these guys share in the movie?

Adam: We all really made friends that we’ll have for the rest of our lives, and through that, through blowing each other up, there was just a whole lot of gold to be mined. And that came through in the movie just very naturally. I think it’s the skin that gets you in the movie and then it’s the humanity of these characters and their friendships that you actually end up falling in love with.

Matt: I know that early on, [director] Greg Jacobs said, ‘Look, we’re going to get to the end of this movie and at the end, people are going to have tears in their eyes when they say goodbye to these guys.’ And I was thinking, ‘We’re making a male stripper movie here. People are going to be crying in the male stripper movie?’ [Laughs] And sure enough, when we got towards the end, man…whew! That last day was really hard. It was hard to say goodbye to my friends. And I think the ending was smart, too—to go out in this kind of `Diner'-esque way, where you don’t know what’s going to happen on Monday morning with these guys, but you care about them and you’re rooting for them.

Q: What was it like to perform in front of a giant room full of screaming women?

Adam: To put it in one word: A-W-E-S-O-M-E. Awesome! It was a rush. It was a thrill. You felt like a rock star. In the moment, that scene was probably the most memorable because it was so thrilling. You felt so alive.

Joe: It was electrifying. I haven’t witnessed anything like that. It was deafening. My ears were ringing like I’d just come out of a rock concert. It just makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. It’s just electric.

“Magic Mike XXL” reunites Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias, stars of the 2012 worldwide hit “Magic Mike.”

Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.



Opening across the Philippines on July 15, “Magic Mike XXL” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Chef Rob Pengson whips out delicious food using Midea small kitchen appliances

When I am at the mall, the first place that I have been checking out (next to skincare products) are the kitchen appliances. I have always been on the look out  for what is efficient and the brand that is easy on the pocket and would save me a lot on electricity bill. I was glad that I was able to attend (despite the bad weather)  the launch of Midea with Chef Rob Pengson as their Chef celebrity.

Chef Rob Pengson demonstrates how to whip out delicious meals in just 15 minutes at the Marmalade Kitchen, BGC  using Midea's small kitchen appliances last July 7. Chef uses the Midea induction cooker with its small size but powerful feature.  It is energy efficient than that of gas stove because of lesser heat,  it has lesser time to cook and saves more on electricity bill. Because of its flameless heat it is child-friendly. The cooker also has an auto shut off feature, so it reduces the risk of kitchen fire.

Chef Rob Pengson shows his cooking prowess by preparing Salpicao and Pad Thai in  just 15 minutes, the thai dishes tastes delicious, soft and tender.

Pad thai

Salpicao cooked with Midea Induction cooker

World class brand Midea brings a new twist to your kitchen appliances! Its line of microwave ovens, induction cookers, digital multi-cookers and electric kettles is sure to make any homemaker’s life a lot easier without burning a hole in your pocket. Energy efficiency, solid performance and compact designs make these essential additions in any start-up household.

Microwave Ovens

Studies show that the use of microwave ovens in the Philippines is very low. This is mainly because of the common misconception that a microwave oven uses up a lot of electricity but a Midea Microwave Oven uses power efficiently that you only spend P1 in electricity per three-minute cooking time.

Because of the way Midea Microwave Ovens work, you can cook faster and more efficiently. Contrary to popular misconceptions that microwave ovens zap food nutrition, Midea Microwave Oven promises a better retention of nutrients because of the short cooking time.

Digital Multi-Cookers

Rice cookers have evolved through the years into multi-cookers that are versatile to cook a number of dishes.

Midea’s Digital Multi-Cookers are equipped with Thermal Circulation Technology, which ensures even heating in the cooking pot for perfectly cooked rice. In case you add too much water, its smart fuzzy logic control automatically adjusts the temperature and cooking time of rice. The honeycomb texture of the pot also allows it to retain heat efficiently, ensuring your rice is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

These digital multi-cookers come with a number of presets that take the guesswork out of cooking. Just press a button, and you get perfectly cooked dishes in a matter of minutes. Aside from cooking rice, you can also use it to cook congee and stews, steam seafood, rice cakes and vegetables, make soup, and boil eggs.

Midea’s Multi-Cookers come in two models. One model can even double as a pressure cooker. With it, you can cook the toughest cuts of meat until they are tender in a short time. Midea’s Multi-Cooker/Pressure Cooker have a 10-Dimensional Protection System and self-locking lid with auto/manual release function that ensure safety during cooking.

Induction Cooker

Midea’s Induction Cooker is a space-saving alternative to a gas range. Its slim design and sturdy construction make it a fitting addition to any kitchen.

An induction cooker is more economical than gas range, and uses 37% less power than an electric stove. It cooks 40 percent quicker than an electric stove due to dual-coil technology that makes it heat up faster. It is safe to use around children because of its flameless heating and an auto shut-off feature.

Electric Kettle

Midea’s Electric Kettle is one of the safest kettles in the market. It has a number of built-in features that make boiling water not only economical, but also safe.

In just three minutes, Midea’s Electric Kettle can boil water. It also has lower power consumption than other electric kettles.

Midea’s Electric Kettle comes with double wall technology that prevents its exterior from heating, as well as keeping boiled water warm for a longer time. With its patented UK Strix control that ensures against dry boiling and protection from overheating, you and your family are safe from electric shocks, injuries or fire.

It also has integrated cord storage for safety and convenience. When not in use, you can easily wind the cord under the kettle to keep it away from accidents.

True to their commitment of enriching the different lifestyles of people, Midea lets you experience the same quality of innovative appliances but at a reasonable price.

Indeed, live different, choose different.

GrabCar celebrates first anniversary with LTFRB accreditation

If there is one thing admirable about Grab car is the company's persistence to make sure that the commuting public gets the best and safest ride ; legally. And they achieved that mission after getting an accreditation from the LTFRB.

GrabCar, the private hire vehicle booking service available through the GrabTaxi app, recently celebrates its anniversary last July 7 at Black Olive, Capitol Commons by announcing its accreditation as the first private hire vehicle of the  Transportation Network Company (TNC) by the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB) .

Natasha Bautista, Head of GrabCar Philippines, said this GrabCar accreditation validates the company’s efforts in providing the safest and most convenient rides for passengers in the Philippines.

“With full accreditation, more Filipino commuters will be able to use GrabCar and be confident that we offer a legitimate and safe private hire service. We will now focus on rapidly expanding our GrabCar service to serve more passengers across the Philippines,” said Bautista.

“Our GrabCar accreditation by LTFRB is a historical occasion. We commend the Philippine government for collaborating with our team to revolutionize transport in the Philippines through the development of game-changing regulations that champion innovation and public safety for society,” she added.

To celebrate its full accreditation by the Philippine government, GrabCar is giving away an unlimited P100 discount on all GrabCar and GrabCar+ rides! Just use the promo code LEGALLYGRAB on every booking from July 7 to July 21, 2015.

First and only legal service
When GrabCar first entered the market, the service operated on par with the current industry standards. In May 2015, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced that it would create a new classification to accommodate mobile app-based booking services. On July 3rd, GrabCar became the first company to complete all the requirements and receive full accreditation as a TNC.

The requirements for TNC accreditation include: business permit, certificate of registration duly issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), business model proposal with proposed fare rates and service charges, and complaint mechanism against vehicle owners and drivers.


Safety remains top priority
“The stringent safety and training process we’ve implemented since day one has ensured that GrabCar complies with the new TNC regulations seamlessly and can be the first to be fully accredited by LTFRB. We are committed to screening and training our GrabPeer drivers for GrabCar in full compliance with the TNVS accreditation requirements set by LTFRB. In fact, we’re working with our Regional Head of Safety and the LTFRB to consistently ensure that our screening and safety measures are of the highest standard possible,” said Bautista.

“GrabCar has been very collaborative. Since day one of operations, they have been working closely with us to ensure that the policy on TNCs prioritizes passenger safety. We are happy to announce that GrabCar has already been accredited upon meeting all government requirements, and we are positive that this will revolutionize the Philippine transportation industry," said Roberto Cabrera, LTFRB Executive Director.

GrabCar aims to complement the current transportation options in the country and provide passengers with another safe and affordable ride option. GrabCar believes that with full accreditation by the Philippine government, TNCs will be able to provide a fast, safe and convenient transport option for passengers.

Who were with you on your first heartbreak? They were with Q in "Paper Towns"

              How many miles would you go for a friend? In the very endearing coming of age movie, “Paper Towns” based on bestselling tome by John Green, high school friends drove and rode more than a thousand miles for a friend to find the girl he’s smitten with since he was nine.


              From the same team that produced “Fault In Our Stars,” “Paper Towns” tells the story of Quentin (Nat Wolff), a romantic and studious teenager, who is in love with Margo (Cara Delevingne), his beautiful and enigmatic next-door neighbor.  Good friends as children, they have since grown apart. But one night, towards the end of high school, Margo persuades Quentin to join her on a wild, night long adventure, which involves a series of outrageous pranks.  But the next day, Margo disappears, leaving behind a trail of clues. Q and his friends set off on a road trip to track her down.

              Directed by Jake Schreier, Q’s story began when he was nine when the lovely Margo moved into the house next door. A studious boy who has his life mapped out, Q is close to his similarly clever and slightly nerdy classmates, Ben (Austin Abrams) and Radar (Justice Smith).  In finding Margo, the group bonds along their journey and what begins as a mission to find the missing girl turns into a fun-filled, transformational journey of discovery, as they head for a ‘paper town’, called Agloe in New York.

              While the story centers on the relationship between Q and Margo, the supporting cast have their own interesting trajectories. “Everybody is at the center of their own story and I wanted them all to have arcs,” says Green. Justice Smith plays Q’s friend Radar who is on the road trip with his girlfriend Angela. “He’s nicknamed Radar because he looks like Radar from M*A*S*H, but the only similarity is that they both have glasses and they're both very intelligent,” says Smith. “Radar is obsessed with looking up facts and solving puzzles and mysteries. He is obsessively organized.

              Smith and Jaz Sinclair who plays Angela, were actually friends before landing the roles in “Paper Towns.” “It was a huge coincidence that we ended up playing boyfriend and girlfriend. We have lots of chemistry and a solid connection; it’s awesome,” Sinclair shares. Also on the road trip is Q’s friend Ben (Abrams), who is obsessed with Lacey (Halston Sage) but considers her to be way out of his league. “Lacey is known as the pretty blonde girl in high school but you find out that she is actually very smart and she has a brain, there’s a lot more to her than her looks,” says Sage of her role.

              Director Schreier brings an inimitable style and enthusiasm to the film, but it’s the author’s original story that gives “Paper Towns” its heart.  “John really admires teens and sees them as thoughtful and emotionally questing human beings,” adds Isaac Klausner. “He identifies high school years as a time when your intellect is fully formed and you're deeply curious. His characters don’t feel like the generalized whitewashed teenagers you often read, they feel like real people.   It is the sort of coming of age story that we haven't seen in a very long time,” concludes Isaac Klausner. “It has adventure, comedy and mystery and it explores big ideas. I think the film is going to be really great fun and incredibly touching.”

              It’s a date with friends when “Paper Towns” opens July 22 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Live the "Smart Life" with SPINNR and get a chance to watch Ariana Grande and Imagine Dragons

Trust the total music experience service of Smart Communications (Smart) SPINNR – now enjoyed by more than a million registered users, to come up with larger-than-life opportunities to be within arm’s length of your favorite music superstars.

This August, music fans everywhere have a chance to win VIP tickets to the Manila concerts of Ariana Grande and Imagine Dragons just by living the ‘Smart Life’ with SPINNR, the Best Mobile Music App of the 20th Global Mobile Awards presented by the prestigious Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA).

“SPINNR allows users to enjoy the music that they love anytime they want to – or have access to ‘entertainment everywhere’ through music – and this is one of the ways that Smart subscribers get to truly live the Smart Life. But more than that, SPINNR offers the complete and most awesome experiences any music lover could ever enjoy – that is, the chance to see, perform, meet and greet their entertainment idols and be right where the action is,” explained Lucille Tang, Product Manager for SPINNR.

More than a million subscribers enjoy SPINNR’s vast music library, streaming millions more of full-length international and local songs, apart from thousands of daily downloads and digital purchases.

‘Honeymoon’ and ‘Smoke + Mirrors’ tours

Ariana’s “The Honeymoon Tour” on Aug 23 and Imagine Dragons’ “Smoke + Mirrors” on Aug. 27 are only four  days apart but SPINNR made sure it will be giving fans more than what they want with VIP tickets and other treats from both music events.

Just by texting LIVE to 4067 and subscribing to SPINNR packages, users earn raffle entries that may lead to VIP tickets for “The Honeymoon Tour” and “Smoke + Mirrors,” both concerts to be staged at the Mall of Asia Arena. The SPINNR Live Package comes with 30 days All-Day Streaming with five (5) raffle entries to the concert promo joined.

“The #SpinnrExperience extends the Smart Life to making it possible for you to be in the moment, and live and breathe the same air as your idols in the hottest and most anticipated concerts here and abroad. And all that you need is to be a SPINNR subscriber,” continued Tang.

For more about this sweet deal, download the app, login to www.spinnr.ph or access SPINNR’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter  (@SpinnrPH) accounts

Essilor supports Philippine ambassadors of this year’s Social Impact Summit

Essilor Vision Foundation has joined non-profit humanitarian organization Special Olympics in support of the country’s chosen ambassadors Sashi Montana (fifth from left) and Brina Maxino (sixth from left) in this year’s Social Impact Summit, a six-day summit  designed to generate critical change around  pressing issues facing people with intellectual disabilities. The delegates recently visited Essilor’s Manila office to meet with executives of the brand and discuss activities for the upcoming event.

Photo shows (from left): Special Olympics-Philippines Head Coach Kaye Samson, Essilor Philippines General Manager Dr. Emelita Roleda, Essilor Vision Foundation Director of Communications Laura Viscovich, Essilor Vision Foundation ASEAN Head Yvonne Siow, Special Olympics International Director of Operations for Asia Pacific Simon Koh, Essilor Philippines Marketing Manager Jinky Navo and Essilor Philippines General Manager-Commercial Dr. Kyle Galias

JAMIE BELL ROCKS AS THE THING IN THE NEW “FANTASTIC FOUR”

   
      
 Multi-faceted actor Jamie Bell who came to prominence with his award-winning performance in the British dance drama “Billy Elliot” now transforms into a hero with epic strength as Benjamin Grimm aka The Thing in this year’s highly anticipated superhero film “Fantastic Four.”

              Directed by Josh Trank, “Fantastic Four” brings Bell to co-star with equally talented young actors such as Miles Teller in the role of Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as Sue Storm aka the Invisible Woman and Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch in the stand alone and contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s first (original) superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961.

              Written by blockbuster maker Simon Kinberg (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”), the latest “Fantastic Four” resets everything as it introduces an origins story of a young group of friends who are dynamic, intelligent and courageous before being transformed into powerful heroes the world has ever known.   In this cutting-edge version of director Trank,  “Fantastic Four” brings the brilliant and brave young friends in what could be mankind’s first journey to an alternative universe. But during the mission, each of their physical form is altered, granting them unmatched strength and abilities.

              More than playing The Thing who possesses unimaginable strength, Bell’s Ben Grimm is best friends with the brainy Reed Richards. As Ben, he is someone who is conflicted, who is inside himself, who's kind of stuck.  He thinks that maybe baseball is his way out.  Ironically he then gets stuck and can't find a way out but along with Reed and their newfound friends and his altered appearance, he has finally found a way to channel his inner strength to greater heights.
             
              On filming scenes where he appears as The Thing, Bell shares that director Trank was unmovable that his character still retains his human soul through his eyes. “On every setup where I would play The Thing, there was always six to 10 reference cameras shooting my face, sometimes even just the back of my head, just to get everything, to capture reactions.  The performance aspect always remains the same, in that you 100 percent come to life as a different being.  It's so immersive, and it kind of has to be.  For the technology to really work, you have to focus on every tiny little physicality.  I would say, “When I come to a stop, can we just make sure that dust comes off me?”  I just wanted to make sure that we never lost his organic matter. Fortunately, Kevin Mack (Visual Effects Supervisor)’s kind of a genius with that stuff,” enthused Bell on filming his scenes.

              “Jamie’s someone I’ve always been a fan of, since Billy Elliot. I’ve followed his career and always wanted to work with him. Knowing him in real life I knew there was a shade of his personality that could organically embody who I feel this character needs to be in this movie. I suggested it to the studio, they loved it, they knew he was a great actor. So I called him up. I think he was a bit surprised to get the call but we had a great conversation about the character and the next day he read the script and said, “If you want me, I’m in!” said Trank on casting Bell.

              Prepare for a rocking new experience in theatres when the new “Fantastic Four” opens on August 5 nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Smart Communications presents the NCAA standouts 'Smart Elite'

Smart Communications presents the 10 outstanding basketball players of the National Collegiate Athletics Association into its roster of sports ambassadors known as the "Smart Elite" last July 8 at Outback Steakhouse, Libis QC.

In a bid to encourage the Filipino youth to cultivate a passion for sports, undisputed mobile leader Smart Communications named 10 outstanding basketball players of the National Collegiate Athletics Association into its roster of sports ambassadors known as the “Smart Elite.”

Inducted into the prestigious group was NCAA Season 88 Finals MVP Baser Amer of San Beda College, who is determined to help the Red Lions get its sixth straight basketball championship this year, the league’s 91st season.

Also named into the Smart Elite were Season 90 MVP Earl Scottie Thompson of University of Perpetual Help and Jiovani Jalalon of Arellano University. Amer, Thompson, and Jalalon were part of the Sinag Pilipinas team that won the gold medal for men's basketball at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Completing the group are Rey Nambatac of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jonathan Grey of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Francis Munsayac of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Tey Teodoro of Jose Rizal University, Joseph Gabayni of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Andretti Stevens of Mapua Institute of Technology, and Bradwyn Guinto of San Sebastian College.

"We encourage young Filipinos to take inspiration from these athletes who have displayed outstanding basketball skills and fierce passion for the sport,” said Smart EVP and consumer business head Ariel P. Fermin.

"We support the Smart Elite as they continue to live more by pursuing their passion, in the same way that we are enabling millions of Filipinos to fully enjoy their passions - be it music, films, urban living, or sports - through meaningful innovations. This is what the Smart Life is all about," he added.


NCAA fans can catch games wherever they are by using their mobile devices to view the official livestream at the ABS-CBN Sports site (sports.abs-cbn.com). Smart, along with PLDT Home, partnered with ABS-CBN for online livestreaming of NCAA events to enable more Filipinos to live the "Smart Life” by using digital innovations to enjoy their passions more.

Smart is a staunch supporter of sports development in the Philippines. It is a major sponsor in this year’s NCAA, and has backed national teams like Gilas Pilipinas, Sinag Pilipinas, and the Azkals, as well as the activities of various sports organizations. Its chairman Manny V. Pangilinan is known as one of the country’s foremost sports patrons.