Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 announces winners

My brother (Richard) is a professional diver and whenever he's in the country for a vacation, he keeps nagging me to join his diving trips to Batangas.

But I always say no because I feel claustrophobic wearing that diving mask; fearing that it won't fit my face and that I might drown because of that--or the fact that I really don't know how to swim.

I can float a bit, but that about sums up my swimming skill.

Still, I've always wanted to see what was beneath those corals, to see if his stories about differently colored fishes and beautiful underwater creatures were true and most importantly discover why he's become so passionate about diving.

Last week, after attending the #anilaounderwatershootout and seeing all the winning photos, I sent my brother a message and made him promise that he'd bring me to his next diving trip in Batangas. Now, I have to enroll myself in underwater photography.

Last Dec 1, we were invited to witness the awarding of the 6th Anilao Underwater Shootout winners mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort Mabini, Batangas.

DOT hosts the 6th edition of the Anilao Underwater Shootout from November 27 to December 1, 2018.

This event were joined by more than 220 divers and underwater photographers from all over Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America and to showcase Anilao’s immensely rich biodiversity and to promote the area as a world-class diving destination.

 The Awarding of Winners

Home to some of the rarest species underwater, the rich seas of Anilao were masterfully captured in photographs—Dubbed as the “World Cup of Photo Competitions” .

Here are the winners to the 6th Anilao Underwater Shootout, mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in Mabini, Batangas.

Divers/photographers competed for the  Open Class, Macro/Supermacro, Open-Marine Behavior, Nudibranch, Fish Portrait, Compact Class, the Macro/Supermacro, Marine Behavior, Compact Nudibranch, Fish Portrait categories.

In the Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category, winners are: Yun Na Thing from Indonesia, 1st place, with a photo of a wide-eyed fish, its vibrant orange color stand stark against the blurry background; China’s Cai Heng, 2nd place; and UK and France’s Henley Spiers, 3rd place.

Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category, Yun Na Thing

Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category China’s Cai Heng

       

France’s Henley Spiers

                                       

In the Open-Marine Behavior, Dennis Corpuz from the Philippines took home the 1st prize for his photo of a shrimp struggling from the grip of the cephalopod’s tentacles; Brook Peterson from the US, 2nd; and Cai Heng from China, 3rd.

Open-Marine Behavior, Dennis Corpuz

Philippines’ Bebot Esteban bagged first prize in the Nudibranch category with her shot of a pastel-colored nudibranch. Taking the next two spots are Hong Kong’s Lai Kam Moon, 2nd place; and Malaysia’s Mohan Thanabalan, 3rd place.

In the Fish Portrait category, Peri Paleracio of the Philippines bagged first place for his photo of a vibrant red fish with glowing eyes lurking in the shadows; PJ Aristorenas from the Philippines and Marco Steiner from Austria won 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.

Fish Portrait category, Peri Paleracio of the Philippines

Fish Portrait category, PJ Aristorenas

For the Compact Class, the Macro/Supermacro category winners were Ericson Yee from the Philippines, 1st place; Narumon Pimsirinath of Thailand, 2nd place; and Philippines’ Ex Liao in 3rd place

For Marine Behavior, Maria Nerissa Fajardo of the Philippines won 1st place for her photo of a translucent cephalopod against the pitch black waters; Jayson Apostol from the Philippines took home 2nd place, and Korea’s Gyoungmi Lee settled for 3rd place.

In the Compact-Nudibranch category, 1st place went to the Philippines’ Marc Stephen De Leon for his beautiful close-up shot of a glowing nudibranch “dancing” in the darkness; China’s Haojie Lin, 2nd place, and Ronald Dalawampo, 3rd place, complete the winners’ circle.

In the Fish Portrait category, the fish opens its eyes and mouth wide open in the photograph snapped by Philippines’ Regie Casia, 1st place. The two other winners were Sudong Lim from the US in 2nd place, and Indonesia’s Ajiex Dharma in 3rd place.

Special prizes were won by Ria Crucero of the Philippines in the Special Beginners category; and China’s Cai Songda in the Blackwater/Bonfire category.

China’s Cai Songda in the Blackwater/Bonfire category

FSH3 Marco Steiner

The Philippines took both titles for the DOT-PAL Photographers of the Year with Dennis Corpuz for his Open-Marine Behavior entry, and Regie Casia for his Compact-Fish Portrait photo.

The international event has been organized by the DOT since 2013, in line with the identification of diving as a priority tourism product in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).

This year’s panel of judges had some of the most respected names in underwater photography, namely, widely published French naturalist photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta; award-winning Belgian underwater and wildlife photographer Ellen Cuylaerts; macro photography expert and 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Indra Swari; renowned Singapore-based underwater photographer William Tan; and Underwater360 founder and Asia Dive Expo’s official organizer John Thet.

Even Santa deserves to look #LookGoodFeelGreat this season

Some of the best things about Christmas are the festive parties, reunions and get-togethers with our family, relatives, friends, and even those people we don’t often get to spend time with or see during the year. Whether it’s something big with all the festive decorations and gift-giving or something simple through a visit to the mall – parties, reunions and get-togethers with our loved ones are something we look forward to every Christmas season because it’s a time for fun, love, appreciation and sharing.

But have we ever wondered how the people who make our celebrations happen spend the holidays? Mall Santas, hotel employees, security guards, drivers of public utility vehicles are just some of the people who spend the holidays just like regular working days or even working overtime, entertaining and serving people just to make sure our celebrations are as merry as we want to.

Leading health & beauty retailer, Watsons, recently released a video about different Santas, dedicated to all the other “heroes” and people who give and give more than they should.

The heart-tugging video (http://bit.ly/WatsonsSanta) reminds them, with all their hard work and dedication serving other people, they also deserve to be treated especially during this season – with the gift of time or anything that can improve their health, wellness or appearance.  It reminds them that although their loved ones and all the people they serve are important, it’s also important to take care of themselves, to look good, feel great; so they have more energy, capacity and confidence to continue taking care of other people.

For more information, visit www.watsons.com.ph, follow @watsonsph on Facebook and Instagram. For exclusive benefits and promos, get the Watsons Card. Membership is free and non-expiring. Get one point for every P200 spend at Watsons.

This holiday season, let the happy memories of your get-togethers live on with Glad

Do you know that aluminum foil is the most common household product often used in cooking, wrapping and or storage of left overs this holiday season is also the most versatile?

You can bake a perfect pie crust by keeping the edges of your homemade pies from burning by covering them with strips of aluminum foil. You can also use it to scrub your pots by scrumpling up a handful of aluminum foil and use it to scrub your pots.

This time around, Celebrity mom Dimples Romana prepared her flavorful Steamed Pampano  using Glad Aluminum Foil (which is ideal for cooking, baking, barbequing and minimizing mess when cooking) at Mercato, BGC last December 7.

This season, Glad takes part in every kind of get-together - from setting warm, cozy holiday celebrations with the exquisite home collection of Pottery Barn to the lively festive nights’ scene at Mercato Centrale - Glad is at the forefront of every celebration because Glad knows that this time of the year, a feast is always the star. In every get-together, Glad has the food preparation and storage solutions to let the warmth of the gathering live on.

Glad teams up with celebrity and hands-on moms, restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu at the Pottery Barn Thanksgiving event and actress Dimples Romana at the Mercato Centrale BGC Food market as both prepared their favorite dishes to make a get-together extra special.

Happy Ongpauco-Tiu prepared her healthy and savory salmon belly with olives using Glad Cook n Bake Paper. Glad Cook n’ Bake Paper is the perfect partner because it is made from a high-quality baking and cooking paper with a specially designed non-stick coating, and is heat resistant up to 230 degrees celcius.

Glad Cook n' Bake Paper eliminates the need for fats and oils when cooking, enabling you and your family to eat healthier with less mess.

Meals are best prepared with the finest ingredients wrapped in seal-tight Glad Cling-Wrap- using the latest technology available, Glad Cling Wrap now has 1.5x tighter seal for long-lasting freshness and is even easier and safer to dispense.

Filipino celebrations always leave some room for leftovers and we only want the best storage solutions to extend the freshness of the food. Glad has an array of Storage Bags, Freezer Bags and GladWare reusable containers which are BPA-free and safe to use for microwave. GladWare containers are recyclable.

This holiday season, let the happy memories of your get-togethers live on with Glad

IMAX with Laser now opens at Vista Cinema Evia Lifestyle Center

​Outdating existing cinema experience currently available in the country, Vista Cinemas introduces an incredibly groundbreaking movie technology as it houses Southeast Asia’s first IMAX with Laser theatre in Evia Lifestyle Center Mall in Alabang. ​

​Launched last November 20, 2018, Vista Cinemas’ IMAX with Laser cinema now brings the audience a notch higher with its next-generation technology that delivers stunning images and heart-pounding audio for an unparalleled immersive cinematic experience.  Capturing true reality projected on  one of the world’s largest screens, the experience is set apart by its next-generation 4K laser projection system which features a new optical engine and a suite of propriety IMAX technologies that deliver increased resolution, sharper and brighter images, deeper contrast as well as the most distinct, exotic colors ever available on-screen. 

​Defying the standards  in immersive entertainment, Vista Cinemas’ IMAX with Laser theatre is consistent with its thrust to bring only the best experiences to its customers aimed to transport audiences into today’s most anticipated blockbusters with heightened realism that draws the audience into the movie and out from his own world.

​The IMAX with Laser technology has been designed from the ground-up exclusively for IMAX screens that delivers breathtaking images and makes us of IMAX’s 12-channel sound technology for an even greater dynamic range giving the ultimate in audio immersion.   

​Because the audience deserve more than just a movie, get ready to experience a world of difference at Vista Cinemas’ Evia Lifestyle Mall IMAX with Laser at Evia Lifestyle Center. Visit Vista social media pages at  

www.facebook.com/vistacinemas www.facebook.com/evialifestylecenter  www.vistacinemas.com.ph

Guess where the Shake Shack is and get a chance to win tickets to the Launch Party!

OMG Shake Shack is coming to Manila. Cant wait to try their famous gourmet burgers, crinkle fries, and milk shakes!

They're settin’ up Shack…but where?

New York’s critically-acclaimed, modern day “roadside” burger stand Shake Shack, in partnership with the SSI Group, is coming soon to Manila - in the 1st Quarter of 2019 to be exact!  The question is, where?!

As the countdown to opening day begins, starting today, Shake Shack is inviting Manila to guess the location of the city’s first-ever Shack.  Through an interactive digital campaign on the SSI Group’s Facebook and Instagram pages (@SSILifePH), fans can try their luck at predicting where Manila’s first Shack will land, with a chance at Shack swag and tickets to the Launch Party up for grabs.

Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram and Facebook for teasers and clues about Shake Shack’s first location, then try your luck and guess where the Shack will land!  Location will be revealed on Friday, December 7, whilst the winners will be announced on Saturday, December 8th.  Can’t wait to see ya soon!

BOYZ II MEN EXCITED TO PERFORM WITH DIVAS AND VISIT DAVAO FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Best-selling R&B group of all time, BOYZ II MEN is coming back to the Philippines! The group is set to perform in DAVAO for the first time on Thursday, December 13th at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier. They will also bring their grand show to MANILA Back-to-Back with power vocal tandem, DIVAS — comprised of KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Kyla and Angeline Quinto for a concert on Saturday, December 15th at the Araneta Coliseum.

Boyz II Men continues to tour globally, while also starring on their own residency at The Mirage in Las Vegas through 2019. Fall this year, they toured across America as special guests for Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic World Tour” with Charlie Wilson, Ciara and singer Ella Mai. In an exclusive interview, the Boyz share their passion in touring stating “...the fact that we still get to do what we love to do after 17 years, that's fulfilling for us.” They are set to share the stage with the Philippines’ DIVAS in Manila.

 They will also perform in Davao for the first time, and they are “...excited, and everytime we come to a place and we see the new talent... Actually, that puts us a little bit deeper into the culture because we get the chance to perform with the Philippines' hottest girl group. And you'll never know what comes out of it."

Consisting the all-star female DIVAS collaboration is Asia’s Soul Supreme, KZ Tandingan, Pop Rock superstar Yeng Constantino, R&B Queen Kyla, and Queen of Themesongs, Angeline Quinto. These four talented and empowered DIVAS equally hold numerous awards and hits to their name, making them renowned and respected songstresses in the Philippines.

Best known for their emotional ballads and acapella harmonies, Boyz II Men is comprised of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. The group’s biggest and most requested hits include “End of the Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You”, “On Bended Knee”, “Water Runs Dry”, “4 Seasons of Loneliness”, “Motownphilly”, “In The Still of the Nite (I’ll Remember)”, “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and “One Sweet Day” with Mariah Carey – which still holds the record of the longest running Billboard Hot #1 song, staying at the top for 16 weeks. The legendary group holds four Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, three Billboard Awards, and a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

BOYZ II MEN with DIVAS: Live in Concert is presented by Wilbros Live and Cornerstone Concerts. Tickets are now on-sale at TicketNet.com.ph or call 911-5555 for more details. For Boyz II Men Live in Davao tickets, visit SMTickets.com or call (02) 470-2222.

Indulge in the Ube goodness of this cake creation as you bite into the soft Ube chiffon with real Ube Halaya filling.

Creating beautiful and delectable cakes is an undeniable from of art. Those with a passion for cake artistry understand that it means constantly discovering new ingredients, exploring exciting flavor combinations, practicing different decorating techniques, and always seeking inspiration for unique designs.
Last year, Red Ribbon shared their expertise on cake artistry with the Red Ribbon Cake Creations, a line of elegantly designed, premium cakes fit for the most special occasions.

Now, the well-loved bakeshop shows their unwavering dedication for the craft as they introduce a sophisticated, new take on the classic Ube cake – the Ube Bloom. Red Ribbon perfects the familiar favorite into a splendid, new creation. 

“When we first launched the Cake Creations line, we wanted to highlight the artistry that goes into our cakes. We want to continue to showcase this which is why we’re always on the look-out for flavors and designs to play around with to ensure that we provide our customers with only the finest cakes for their most special moments,” shared Red Ribbon Marketing Head Kent Mariano. 

Cakes of Art
The Ube Bloom is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The sumptuous cake is covered with creamy, snow-white frosting and embellished with Ube crumble on the side. A blooming candy Cattleya accessory also sits on top of a flower-shaped Ube glaze at the center of the cake. Customers can indulge in the Ube goodness of this cake creation as they bite into the soft Ube chiffon with real Ube Halaya filling. 

Red Ribbon also brings back the classic Black Forest to the Cake Creation line. The well-loved cake is made with moist chocolate chiffon, loaded with cream and cherry bits in each layer. On top of the cake is a heap of chocolate shavings encircled by swirls of cream frosting and plump cherries.

For cake-lovers in search for a light and zesty delight, the Peach Mango Symphony can satisfy their cravings with its melt-in-your-mouth white chiffon and yummy mango filling. The fruity cake is coated with smooth, white frosting with a sprinkling of chocolate at the side. A lovely pili-shaped border of velvety icing surrounds juicy peach slices, drizzled with mango syrup in the middle. The cake is finished off with a single cherry at the center.

Enjoy an elevated cake experience with the Ube Bloom for P550, the Peach Mango Symphony for P600, and the Black Forest for P570.  The Cake Creations are available in all Red Ribbon branches nationwide. ###