#JaDine stories of fan love and joy surprises TFC's #OTWOLKapamilyaFansDay

“This is unscripted reality television.  And it shows what true love for a customer and fans is – they become our own extensions. We at TFC become them, they become us.  We become one.” – Ricky Resurreccion, ABS-CBN North America head of ad sales, events & trade marketing

“In my many interactions with the people of ABS-CBN, whether in the Philippines or overseas with the global employee force behind TFC, I always ask them this question about our customers: 

‘Minahal mo ba sila?’ (Did you truly love them?)”

On January 10, on the steps and inside the storied halls of Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) put into action the words of former ABS-CBN Corporation President & CEO Charo Santos-Concio at the “On The Wings of Love Certified Kapamilya Fans Day”. The event was headlined by On The Wings of Love (OTWOL)teleserye’s breakthrough love team of James Reid and Nadine Lustre, known together as JaDine, joined by heartthrob co-star Paulo Avelino and the voice behind the show’s theme song, Philippine R&B Queen Kyla.

“Yes, thousands attended, but this is not about that,” explains Ricky Resurreccion, ABS-CBN North America head of ad sales, events and trade marketing. “It’s more about people driving for hours or flying from as far as San Diego, Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Canada, New Zealand and even Macau to show their love and come together as a fan community. Yes, they cheered and shrieked in glee at very high decibels, but this event is more than that. This is about fans sharing the spotlight with the stars on stage, blurring the lines between fan and celebrity, having a real voice in an authentic engagement that impacts both parties.”

“Anybody can do a flashy show, but very few can create meaningful encounters and memorable moments for both fans and stars,” Resurreccion emphasized. “This was what we in TFC had in mind when we offered this Fans Day because we truly believe that anyone who sows such deep commitment and emotional investment should reap the rewards of life-enhancing experiences.” 

The Magic and Meaning of #Blakedine
If there was one iconic moment at the #OTWOLFansDay that captured what Resurreccion explained, it was the surprise first face-to-face meeting between Lustre and an 5-year-old American boy named Blake from Chicago who was introduced to OTWOL by his Auntie Angel, a TFC subscriber and JaDine follower.

For several months, Auntie Angel captured Blake’s reactions and comments on watching OTWOL (with English subtitles on TFC) and his profession of love for Lustre, who he calls “Naddie”, posting these on the Instagram account, Jadinefied. Immediately, the show’s fans started following the account, Blake became a viral sensation and #Blakedine (a portmanteau of Blake and Nadine) was born.

Last Sunday, TFC, Lustre and Auntie Angel conspired benevolently to surprise Blake with an onstage meeting in person.  The result was captured in video and photos that exploded in real time on social media.

The happier consequence is that a budding friendship has developed between Lustre and her true-blue 5-year-old American fan.  The lasting impact is that TFC’s firm decision to put English subtitles in almost all of its programs proved effective in connecting to the non-Tagalog speaking Filipino American generations and non-Filipinos.  Filipino content has crossed over and broken the barrier of language differences.

A TFC Live Experience
Television is all about storytelling. When something magical happens on TV (that is, TV in whatever viewing platform like TFC), viewers want to be part of the story that they’ve seen and heard. Fans get invested because they receive so much emotionally by identifying with the stories and characters behind their favorite shows.

TFC extended the magic of OTWOL from TV to real life by creating an #OTWOLFansDay environment, ambience and schedule of activities.  The games were named after OTWOL characters, catchphrases, buzzwords and social media hashtags, like “Achieve Mo ‘Yan (Shoot The Ball)”, #JuiceColored Exclusive Picture with the Stars, Certified Otwolista Ka Ba?, Fan Time with Paulo and Kyla at the Charot Lang Olivar Family Jeepney and Golden Gate Photo Booths, respectively, Simon Says and Ikaw Na Leah Look-alike Contest.

TFC also utilized real time video teasers on the large screen so fans could see where the stars are prior to the main show: in the dressing room, at the press con area, at the photo op booths.  Every time these video updates are shown, fans scream in unbridled delight, excitement and anticipation.

When the main show started, Kyla raised the energy level even higher with her Beyonce medley and a goosebump-inducing rendition of the show’s theme song as she let the fans sing the soaring chorus part.  The dashing Avelino got many a heart throbbing when he serenaded the crowd and played Simon Says with a lucky lady from the audience.  Then #Blakedine happened, followed by the thrilling solos and love duets of Reid and Lustre, charming the audience with their relaxed but palpable chemistry on stage. The crowd was in stitches as they joined in the fun when Reid had to listen to the candidates personal pitches and select the winner of the Ikaw Na Leah Look-alike Contest.

More than this, the TFC Live Experience spread beyond the four corners of the prestigious auditorium.

“Believe it or not, fans who are strangers to each other offered their hotel rooms to fellow JaDine fans who didn’t have a place to sleep in prior to event day.  Fellow fans offered rides from and to the airports for those who flew in. Kyla’s husband, Rich Alvarez, had an impromptu mini reunion with some of his high school friends – all children of navy men and women coming from the Bay Area, Sacramento, Las Vegas, San Diego and Japan – who happened to be OTWOL fans and attended the Fans Day. This is a true live experience of the love that shines from this TFC show,” said Resurreccion.

The Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone, explaining fan psychology in an article, hit the nail on the head when he wrote that studies show precisely that “the sense of goodwill, bonding and shared purpose that comes with being a fan has a ripple effect that can benefit all aspects of living.”

In Stone’s interview with Murray State psychology behavior and fan behavior expert Daniel Wann, the latter explained: “If you are… fans, it’s pretty hard to feel lonely. It’s pretty hard to feel alienated…. People you’ve never seen before… are high-fiving you. There’s a sense of community and connectedness that comes with it.”

All these positive memories were captured by an attendee with account name mmmarielc in a quote from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Edith Wharton:

“One of the great things about travel is you find out how many good, kind people there are.”

“She posted a shot with her, me and fellow OTWOL fans and expressed how she felt about the whole experience with that quote.  This is unscripted reality television.  And it shows what true love for a customer and fans is – they become our own extensions. We at TFC become them, they become us.  We become one,” concludes Resurreccion.

Converse launches Cons One Star Pro for Spring 2016

New Innovative Collection Reveals
New Style and Colorway Iconic Silhouette

The generation of skaters will have to look up to Converse Cons One Star Pro as a go-to skate shoe of the moment, created for the skaters that features Lunarlon sock liner, which has been adapted to withstand impacts.

A must have essential from Converse this Spring is the Converse Cons One Star Pro for the active guy that’s out with his crew, skating the streets all day and night.

Originating in 1974, the Converse Cons One Star Pro was reintroduced in Fall 2015 as an essential skate sneaker and features updated technology for heightened comfort and purpose. A Lunarlon sock liner, Cons traction rubber and a gusseted tongue make fit and function for skateboarding and daily wear a priority, while the simple, yet iconic star logo stays true to the classic design. The One Star Pro footwear collection for Spring 2016 introduces many new colorways of this classic silhouette.

The new Converse Cons One Star Pro is available at Converse retail stores starting this month for a suggested price of Php 4,950 (black) and Php 4,550 (camo).

Alaska encourages youth to participate in The Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016

The Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska will return to the Philippines for the ninth consecutive year from Jan. 23-April 24.  The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program is free and open to boys and girls between the ages of 10-14. It has more than 36,000 players and 2,700 coaches who have participated in the in the program since 2007. The Online Registration is now live at www.jrnba.asia/philippines -

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.  During the 2015-16 season, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program will reach more than 6.5 million youth in 32 countries.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska is comprised of four stages: skills clinics in schools and communities, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and an NBA experience trip.  The skills clinics will be held nationwide from January through April with stops in Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa, and first-time locations in Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite.  Select players from these clinics will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in tryouts during the Regional Selection Camps, which will be held in Baguio (Feb. 20-21), Davao (Feb. 27-28), Cebu (March 5-6) and Metro Manila (April 9-10).  The top 50 boys and 24 girls from the Regional Selection Camps will advance to the National Training Camp in Manila April 22-24.

An NBA and WNBA player or legend will be in attendance at the National Training Camp to help train and inspire the finalists.  The program will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars who will travel on an overseas NBA experience trip together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia.  The 2015 Jr. NBA All-Stars traveled to China to watch the NBA Global Games in Shenzhen featuring the Charlotte Hornets and the L.A. Clippers.

“The Jr. NBA Philippines is the league’s longest-running youth basketball program outside the United States,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson.  “The program continues to positively impact the lives of children, parents, and coaches, and reinforces the positive values that go beyond the four corners of the court.  Together with Alaska, we are committed to providing world-class basketball instruction to more communities to further our mission of encouraging an active lifestyle among Filipino youth.”

“These holistic programs train children to be confident, disciplined and hardworking because Alaska Milk Corporation aims to prepare them to be winners in life in the future,” said Alaska Marketing Director Blen Fernando.  “Moreover, this year’s program includes new locations such as Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite to reach more children and coaches and discover unique talents across the country.”

In addition to the player camps and clinics, the search for the 2016 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year will begin on Jan. 22 in Manila, which will be led by Jr. NBA Head Coaches Craig Brown and Chris Sumner along with Alaska Power Camp Coach Jeff Cariaso.  Ten Jr. NBA and four Jr. WNBA coaches will be selected as finalists and trained at the National Training Camp.

Through the promotion of proper nutrition and an active lifestyle, Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska continues to be an effective platform in implementing Alaska Milk’s NUTRITION.ACTION.CHAMPION. program that helps address the issue of overweight and undernourished children in the Philippines.



CloudFone, Gatorade, and Globe Telecom serve as Official Partners of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA in the Philippines, while Spalding is a Supporting Partner.  ABS-CBN Sports + Action, Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV are the Official NBA Broadcasters of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA in the Philippines.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program is free and open to boys and girls ages 10-14.  Coaches and participants can now register online at www.jrnba.asia/philippines, where the program terms and conditions can be found.

Fans can also follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines.  For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philsnba) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/nba_philippines).

To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.

Its Adventure time party at Goldilocks!

The lovable duo of Cartoon Network's Adventure Time is now available at Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop. Your kids can have the Adventure Time gang customizable Adventure Time theme cakes to their party!

To a child, a birthday is a time when everything just goes from great to awesome. You get to have a party with your friends, play games—win some, lose some—and eat cake. It’s a full adventure compressed within a day!

No one else loves adventure more than Adventure Times’ mathematical duo, Finn and Jake. Add in a dash of Princess Bubblegum’s wit and LSP’s sass and you’ve got yourselves a party.

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, now has customizable Adventure Time theme cakes that let you invite Finn and the gang to your birthday bash.

Get ready to shout “Slamacow!” in delight when you taste the amazingly soft chiffon and fondant cake topped and draped with your favorite Adventure Time characters and scenes.

Pick up these algebraic cakes from any Goldilocks branches nationwide. For more information, you may also follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldiclocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph

Getting up close and personal with Vice Presidentiable Gringo Honasan

When I got the invitation to be part of the first group of bloggers to interview Senator Gringo Honasan, the first thing that came to my mind were memories of EDSA—the original one of course in ’86.

I was still a young girl back then but I vividly remember us joining the burial of Ninoy Aquino, and how my father excitedly cooked some food that we would later bring to Channel 4 to give to the soldiers. In a way, meeting with one of the pillars of EDSA revolution, one of the younger leaders back then, brought back the feeling of hope and optimism—that real change was going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong, ending the dictatorship did bring about change, but not just enough to steer us to the real progress everyone back then was probably expecting. I mean, we do enjoy our freedom and democracy, but there are still some pre-EDSA problems that I think continue to exist—even after 30 years.

Sen Gringo Honasan has been called a lot of names soldier, rebel, revolutionary, and coup plotter , in his lifetime and I guess one couldn’t be blamed for expecting him to be gruff, brusque and strict, just like most military men. But surprisingly he is the opposite when you meet him in person. The years may have toned him down, perhaps, but when he starts to speak about his favorite topic—GOD, COUNTRY AND FAMILY—you’ll quickly realize that the passion of that once young solider in full battle gear facing a dictatorship, has never wavered.

In his 17 years as a soldier, Honasan led his battalion against who he believed were the enemies of the people. Not in the war room but in the battlefields of Mindanao where he was injured, bruised and shot at day and night, but Sen. Honasan said that wasn’t the scary part. What scared him most during the gunfights was losing his men, seeing him die or get wounded.  “Seeing your men die was the hardest part of being a leader, because you failed them," he recalled

He would later realize that the bigger enemy however were not hiding in the mountains but in the offices of the military and the government, and that is why they decided to risk their lives in going up against the Marcos regime.

After EDSA, however, he again found himself fighting the government he helped established when they realized that things didn’t change and from being a HERO at EDSA he became a rebel, a destabilizer that suddenly no one wanted to be associated with.

Nine years after EDSA, he would continue his fight in a different battlefield—the political arena as he ran for Senator in 1995. He was the first independent candidate in Philippine history to have won a seat in the Senate.  He was re-elected in 2001 and again in 2007.

He has served the senate for the past 16 years and has filed hundreds of bills and resolutions focusing on the environment, social reforms, national security, good governance, education, youth and sports.

He is the author of the landmark legislation, the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and co-author of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. He also shepherded the CARP Extension with Reforms or CARPER Law which  has recently ended and the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2009.

His other notable accomplishments also include a better Fire Code, improving the promotion system of the Philippine National Police, across-the-board increase for public sector employees and stiffer penalties for illegal and unlawful possession and manufacture of firearms and explosives.
Senator Honasan is currently the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform and its oversight committee. He likewise vice-chairs two other committees: Environment and Natural Resources and the committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs. He is a member of 22 major permanent committees and ten oversight committees.

He was looking forward to finally enjoying his retirement when his term ends in 2019, but as he told us it seemed fate still had other plans. He takes one last run for national office as the running mate of Vice President Jojo Binay. “In our younger days VP Binay and I often found ourselves on opposite sides and we would be hunting each other down, but I think a higher power has brought us together this time, as we attempt to bring one big change to the Filipino people one last time.”

We asked him why he chose Binay, someone who has often been accused of corruption. Sen Honasan admitted he was reluctant to accept at first but since he was part of the UNA and he was appointed by his party to be their vice presidential candidate, he accepted the challenge like a good soldier.

Under the platform of PATAS ANG LABAN kay GRINGO HONASAN , Sen Honasan, says he will prioritize, Peace and Order and Public Safety.  I then asked him how he planned to unite the government if he wins and he answered; “Uniting the government is an important issue. Even with bureaucracy which is about 5,000 strong, dagdag yan ng dagdag eh. Every administration may bitbit na mga political supporters na kailangan bigyan ng trabaho. Kasama yan siguro sa selection process, na yung magagaling kahit na galing sa kung kaninong administrasyon, kailang i-retain. Para wala ng learning process, wala ng breaking in. ang nangyayari, palaki ng palaki ang bureaucracy natin. Now, unite it with salary standardization. Actually, pinag-usapan yan ditto sa last salary standardization law na parang pwinera yung mga retired military, hindi nagiging automatic yung pag-akyat ng sahod nila. That’s one basis for uniting the bureaucracy  but more importantly, Lou, making it more professional. Yun naman yung hindi naman namana dun sa mga kumolonize nung British Commonwealth no? an efficient, honest bureaucracy. Tignan mo yung Singapore, meritocracy. Mataas ang sahod sa gobyerno pero pag nagkamali ka talagang sisante ka. So ganun dapat ang kailangan ipromote natin sa atin pero sabi ko nga, easier said than done. It has to be a process of building. Gagawin ito this administration, yung susunod itutuloy… no?at patuloy ng patuloy hanggang we reach some level of efficiency and productivity.

I also asked him what department he wants to lead if he becomes Vice President. “Well, sabi ko kay Vice President Binay, eto I have to tell this one. From my experience as a soldier and as a rebel, I would rather go up against all the rebel groups, the terrorist groups combined rather than go against drug lords. Pag drug lord kasi kayang ipapatay yung aso mo eh. Pati yung kasama mo sa bahay, yung driver mo. So mas gusto ko, Lou, na nasa background ako into serious policy planning. Meron tayong mga models niya, yung PAOCTF under President Erap pero mga nauna yung media eh, diba? Parang nabuhay sila sa press release, nauna yung kuwan, orderbility and visibility. Mas gusto ko yung tahimik lang, malalaman na lang ng publiko pag may resulta na para protektado yung opisina, protektado yung pamilya ko dahil pag may nangyari sa pamilya ko that’ll be a different story. I become another person. So, keep me away from that so I can work quietly but more effectively. That’s what I explained to the Vice President. I think he’s inclined to, maybe, look at me as a national security adviser, not even a Secretary of National Defense. Masyadong limited yun. Mas gusto ko yung may… lowkey, nasa background lang no into serious internal and external security planning.

Asked what he believes is his advantage compared to the other candidates, Sen. Honasan said his track record will speak for itself.  “I have served my country all of my life, 17 years as a soldier 7 years as a rebel.  In the senate. I have authored hundreds of bills that have become laws. I will put that on the table and see if they can match it… and ask them one question….a play of words actually, HONASAN ba sila nung EDSA?”

The Pearl White Lenovo VIBE Shot, Now Available in Retail Stores

The Pearl White Lenovo VIBE Shot, Now Available in Retail Stores
Just in time for the New Year, consumers can now purchase the Lenovo VIBE Shot in white variant

From uncompromising smartphone performance to great camera features, the latest update to Lenovo's VIBE Shot is the good news that its fans have been waiting for. Building on the success of its flagship smartphone product under the VIBE ON campaign, Lenovo today announced the availability the Lenovo VIBE Shot in pearl white.

The VIBE Shot is targeted for both shutterbugs and savvy socials who want a sleek and stylish design. With the VIBE Shot’s dedicated shutter button, users can instantly activate the camera function 6to take the perfect shot. This premium smartphone also has on-board infrared auto-focusing (AF) system that works twice as fast as a conventional autofocus* and tri-color LED flash – a world’s first for smartphones, that ensures more realistic skin tones. The VIBE Shot features a 16-megapixel rear camera with Auto mode and onscreen “point & shoot” guidance along with Pro mode that lets seasoned photographers adjust manual controls like aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings, enabling limitless compositions to unlock their creativity.

Aside from outstanding camera features, the VIBE Shot boasts of Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor – an octa-core chip engineered for multitasking. It is equipped with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, which is expandable up to 128GB through a microSD card. The VIBE Shot is also 4G / LTE capable for a smooth web browsing experience.

The Lenovo VIBE Shot is also available in two other color: carmine red, and graphite grey and can be purchased at all authorized Lenovo dealers nationwide for only Php 17,999.

Edward Benosa is moving forward in 2016

If youre in the process of moving on from a jilted relationship and would love to feel good after all the pain you have been through then its time to listen to Edward Benosa's album. From falling in love, to losing and moving on. The album and his carrier single "Di Man Lang Nagpaalam" which Id like to play on repeat,  calms and somewhat became therapeutic to some extent. Im not even going through a heartbreak, but I already had an LSS to "Di Man Lang Nagpaalam" so there goes.

I got to interview Edward Benosa last year of December, fresh from winning the PMPC Star Awards Music Best New Artist of the year, the singer's influences are Michael Bolton, Bruno Mars, from the local is Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano.  His carrier single official music video "Di Man Lang Nagpaalam" which uploaded to Youtube has garnered close to 1million up to this date.  This singer who has the looks and the voice is excited to enter showbiz if given the chance. He said he could do justice to a role based from what he has been through his life. But he have to ask for his manager's permission first, (from the actor and composer himself Arnold Reyes).

This year, another Edward Benosa presscon was held at Limbaga 77,  Sct Limbaga QC last January 8. The singer rendered a Bruno Mars original and his carrier single "Di Man Lang Nagpaalam" to the media. The heartthrob sang from the heart, that was his edge to other aspiring singers , his manager believed that he could go far given his talent and discipline. When asked for a song collaboration with today's roaster of singers, he would gladly love to pair with Sarah Geronimo or  Bamboo.

In 2015, Edward—most known for his hit song “Di Man Lang Nagpaalam” which made it to the country’s top music charts and won for him a loyal following—won two awards, one a Best New Artist trophy from the Star Awards for Music and another, from the MOR Awards of radio station 101.9FM. He sees these awards as an affirmation that he is in the right place, and that he should continue pushing forward with his career in 2016. “Sa isang nagsisimula na tulad ko, o kahit sinong nagsisimula, mabigyan ka ng Best New Artist of the year, parang enough reason na ‘yon na ipagpatuloy mo itong ginagawa mo. Susundan na kailangan, ipagpatuloy ang sinimulan,” he says.


Edward’s goal is to sustain the momentum of his achievements in 2016. He wants to get into new things, maybe do a concert, record another album and even try more theater.

He is making the phrase “moving forward” his goal for next year. He is happy that groups like the Philippine Movie Press Club (which is behind the annual Star Awards for Music) and MOR 101.9 have seen his potential and by giving him awards and recognition, are encouraging him to do more with what he has.

“Siguro nakikita ‘yung potential ko to be this person na malaki pa yung pwede ko ma-achieve as a singer, sa craft ko, na-a-appreciate nila na ako ‘yung bago ngayon, as a pop rock balladeer.”

His manager, stage and screen actor Arnold Cruz Reyes, believes that Edward will go pretty far in 2016. When Edward won the awards in 2015, he was surprised but says things aren’t going to stop there. There is much more for Edward to achieve in 2016.

Arnold says it is obvious that Edward, while a newbie singer and occasional actor, is meant to go places and encourages him only to work harder and pay attention to the advice of people who want to see him succeed even more next year. “Consistent naman kasi, na-nominate siya na Best New Artist of the Year. Nu’ng nangyari nga, sabi ko, ‘Uy nakakatuwa, napapansin tayo,” says Arnold, who’s hoping Edward will be able to build on his past achievements to have an even greater year in 2016.

Edward says that one way of ensuring a better year in 2016 is also to stay positive and not to mind the bashers and critics. Like when he won those two awards, there were people who didn’t think he deserved to win and asked: “Sino siya? Hindi namin siya kilala.”

He just wants to be positive going into 2016. Regardless of what people say, he will keep pressing forward. Even if there are critics, he says, he intends to see things constructively and make positivity his motto for next year.

He just wants to take everything in a positive light, criticism or not. He has a goal, and he knows what he has to do to get there. He will not let negative talk or criticism get in the way. “Kung meron man mang-bash, okay pa rin ‘yon, at least napag-uusapan pa rin,” says Edward. “Hindi naman maiiwasan ‘yung gano’n, kaya sabi ko, i-positivize na lang.”

Edward has high hopes for 2016. He is excited about all the new things coming his way, and is eager to get things started.

“Ang daming bonus ni God para sa akin,” he says with a big smile. Edward is grateful for all the things that happened in 2015, and is looking to make an even bigger splash in 2016.

Gumbo treats you to a Combo Delicioso Buy 1 Take 1

Gumbo welcomes 2016 by treating it’s guests to a Buy One, Take One Combo Delioso (combination of Bourbon baby back ribs, boiled shrimps, and flavored chicken wings) until February 8  at all Gumbo branches located at the 2nd Level Entertainment Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay; 3rd Level Robinsons Manila Midtown; 2nd Level SM City The Block, North EDSA: Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao; Robinsons Magnolia; and at the 2nd Level Atrium Bldg. in SM Megamall.

Other mouth-watering and well-loved New Orleans dishes at Gumbo includes Seafood Jambalaya, Bayou’s Stuffed Crabs, Shrimp Etouffe, Bourbon-Style Baby Back Ribs, Southern-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Cajun-Style Fried Chicken, Seafood Boil, New York Style Grilled Steak, Blackened Steak, Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak, among others. For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 6353015, 5671820, 4404632 and 5271925.

Ebenezer Junior: British School Manila KS2 Production

The final week of Term 1 in British School Manila featured the Key Stage 2 extravaganza Ebenezer Junior, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Combining both traditional elements and contemporary, the story unveiled the spirit of Christmas in all of us.

Excitement built as parents eagerly queued up outside on Tuesday evening 8th of December 2015. There was PTA-provided mulled wine, nibbles and Christmas props carefully arranged in the foyer area. Excitement grew further on entering the hall and there were many wows as parents saw the scenery and set up for the first time, feeling they may have walked into a West End production by mistake. It was really breath-taking. Carols rang out, the lights were dimmed, the fire glowed in the hearth, snowflakes sparkled and the stage and backdrop looked truly spectacular.

That was all prior to the show. The show itself matched the heights of the set. The singing was joyous and powerful, and quite rousing. The dances were a real joy and a wonderful way to round up and the children clearly loved performing them. Actors and actresses brought characters to life with clarity and purpose and all the children looked the part in their period costumes. Confident public performance is an important part of developing children’s life skills at BSM, and they worked hard rehearsing to reach this standard.

Ebenezer Junior was a truly wonderful production, one of those special BSM community events that roused the Christmas spirit. The cast sang ‘Charity’ as part of the show and Christmas is about giving. The parents were very generous over the two shows in donating almost PHP 80,000 to the community service partners.

Start your health regimen with the Philips Power Juicer

With the abundance of delicious food last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s not surprising that most have gained a few pounds over the holidays. There’s nothing wrong with taking a well-deserved break from diets and weight-loss goals to enjoy the season, but now it’s over, it’s time to go back to healthy living.

An easy yet delicious way of returning to a healthy regimen is juice cleansing. By consuming fresh fruit and vegetable juice as part of a diet program, the body is able to get rid of built-up toxins from unhealthy food and habits. It also helps the body absorb the nutrients it needs to jump-start metabolism for weight loss.

Make juicing so much easier by using a power juicer that can provide you with everything you need and more. As a leader in health and wellness, Philips, a leader in health and well being,  has come up with the Viva Collection Juicer—the perfect appliance for both beginners and long-time juice enthusiasts.

Thanks to its 700 W motor, fruits are effectively blended, mixed, and crushed, creating up to two liters of juice in one go. Its 75 mm extra-large feeding tube allows you to juice larger fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and beetroots without pre-cutting. Every use results in the maximum amount of juice with minimum fuss.

The Philips Juicer is as easy to clean as it is easy to use. Regular juicers often make cleanup very difficult since a lot of pulp fibers get stuck in the sieve. With the Philips Juicer’s QuickClean technology, the entire surface of the sieve is smooth, allowing for the quick removal of fibers with only a standard kitchen sponge. Pulp collection is also convenient since everything goes to the pulp container; you don’t have to remove pulp in other parts of the appliance.

“We at Philips believe in the power of home-made food and how it can change the lives of consumers. That’s why we continue to create products that make it easier to prepare delicious and healthy food,” says Reah Ronsayro, Business Development Manager for kitchen appliances. “The Philips Viva Collection Juicer is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of juicing, especially after the holidays. The Juicer ensures that consumers get delicious juice with every single use, making it the perfect gift for any health buff out there.”

Available at leading retail stores. To learn more about Philips products, log on to www.philips.com.ph or check the Philips Home Living Philippines facebook fan page.

Cartoon Network premieres Adventure Time miniseries and Lego-animated Scooby Doo

Jumpstart 2016 with awesome adventures and good-old mysteries!
Cartoon Network premieres Adventure Time miniseries and Lego-animated Scooby Doo

This January, indulge in only the best mysteries as Adventure Time spinoff miniseries Stakes and Lego Scooby Doo! Knight Time Terror premiere on Cartoon Network.

Go back in time and find out how Adventure Time’s Marceline became the vampire queen in Stakes.

The miniseries starts with Marceline wishing to be mortal again and finally be cured of her vampirism. In her quest to do so, she accidentally releases five of the toughest vampires from her past.

Now powerless, Marceline and her friends must take on the vampires and restore things back to what they were before.

This eight-part miniseries, which features flashbacks from the long life of Marceline and the gang’s quest to hunt down the vamps, airs on January 16 to 17 at 10:15am.



On January 10, join the Lego-animated Scooby gang as they investigate the Grimsley Mansion, an old haunted house that recently opened to the public.

Reports say that a legendary “Black Knight” roams the mansion’s dark corridors to keep visitors away from the gold treasure left by the prospector-owner. Don’t miss the action- and laughter-packed Lego Scooby Doo! Knight Time Terror, premiering at 9:45am and 4:45pm.

Cartoon Network is available on SKYCable Channel 43, SKYCable HD Channel 178, Cignal Channel 35, Cignal HD Channel 110, Destiny Cable (Digital) Channel 43, Destiny Cable (Analog) Channel 51 and Cable Link Channel 26, Dream Satellite Channel 15.



MORE FROM CARTOON NETWORK THIS JANUARY:

SONIC BOOM New Episodes
Starts January 2, weekends @ 8:45pm
It’s a Sonic you haven’t seen before — an ensemble comedy that pokes fun at action-adventure storytelling, but still manages to deliver plenty of adrenaline. Think malfunctioning giant mech-monsters, bizarre inventions, evil interns and ridiculous conversations at high speeds. Don’t miss the new adventures every weekend only on Cartoon Network!

Clarence New Episodes
Starts January 18, weekdays @ 5:45pm
Daily life is a funny, thrilling adventure for Clarence – a spirited, optimistic, quirky 8-year-old boy who’s excited by life and wants to do everything, because everything is amazing! Celebrate the best of childhood with his epic dirt fights, awkward crushes, trampoline combat, sleepover pranks and more! Catch the brand new episodes as part of Laughternoons!

GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTER TRY New Show 
Starts December 12, Saturdays from 10:15am
In the near future, the invention of new technology that allows people to animate and control plastic models in sporting competitions known as "Gunpla Battles" takes off. Seven years after, Sei Iori and Reiji Asuna wins the 7th Gunpla Battle World Tournament with new rules and new battle modes that make the sport more popular than ever! Catch the new adventures every weekend only on CN!