Dream Theater is in for a treat this 2023!

Dream Theater, comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, and Mike Mangini, were in the middle of a sold-out world tour in support of their last release, Distance Over Time, and the 20th anniversary of Scenes From A Memory when a global pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters), a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage facility, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via Zoom on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined himself, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album, A View From The Top Of The World, ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency. 

  

"We just love to play our instruments," observes Petrucci. "That never goes away. I love to be creative, write, and exercise that part of my mind. We’ve been able to do this for a long time, and we don’t take it for granted. Whenever we get together, we know we can’t disappoint ourselves or our fans, so we manage to try even harder." 

"We approach every album like it’s our first," adds LaBrie. "It’s been such a great ride, but we’re not going to stop." 

  

"My takeaway from Manila, for the first time, is that "it was incredible" and I really don’t know how to describe it better than we have. We didn’t know what to expect; we did get there, and finally, we’re doing the concert. It was an amazing experience; the fans were absolutely fantastic, and we could tell that they were having an amazing time and a great experience. Go, the first time there was phenomenal, and that’s why we’re coming back. Absolutely!" answered Labrie when asked about their takeaway from their first concert in the Philippines. 

Their "Top of the World" tour in the Philippines will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 4, 2023 (8:00 p.m.), presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets are available at ticketnet.com.ph. Tickets are priced at PHP 2,750 (lower box), PHP 4,750 (patron C), PHP 5,750 (patron B), PHP 6,750 (patron A), and PHP 7,250 (VIP). 

  

For more details and updates about the concert, please check the official website and Facebook page of Ovation Productions at https://ovationproductionsmanila.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/ovationproductions/. 

The trailer for Marvel Studios “Secret Invasion” is now available

The trailer for Marvel Studios’ espionage thriller “Secret Invasion” is now available. Key art and stills are also available for the live-action, original series premiering June 21, exclusively on Disney+.

In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.

Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, with Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman, and Don Cheadle.

Ali Selim directs the series and executive-produces, along with fellow executive producers Kevin Feige, Jonathan Schwartz, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali Selim, Kyle Bradstreet and Brian Tucker. Kyle Bradstreet is also the head writer, and Jennifer L. Booth, Allana Williams and Brant Englestein serve as co-executive producers.

RHEA Generics shares some healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your heart health

In a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – or diseases of the heart and blood vessels – are responsible for more than 30% of deaths in the Philippines in 2021. Often referred to as ‘silent killer’, these are diseases that cause minimal or no symptoms and are capable of causing death if not treated, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Most people are not even aware that they have it consequently, and do not know how to protect themselves against it.

Now, more than ever, actions must be taken to prevent these silent killers, and understanding how to take care of our hearts' health can be the first step. RHEA Generics, one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine, shares some healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your heart health: 

Stay away from tobacco

Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells that line blood vessels to swell and inflame which can narrow the blood vessels and lead to various cardiovascular conditions. One of the effective ways to live a heart disease-free and healthy lifestyle is to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco. RHEA Generics suggests that even if you’re not a smoker, you need to veer away from secondhand smoke. After a year of quitting, the risk of heart disease is about half that of a smoker. Fifteen years after quitting, the risk of heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker.

Prevent alcohol use

According to the WHO, alcohol consumption has been linked to more than 200 diseases and injury conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. While most Filipinos report their alcohol drinking occasionally, binge drinking is common in the country. There is no safe level for drinking alcohol, so RHEA Generics recommends that it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether to protect your heart.

Keep a healthy weight

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) mentioned that 28.7% of Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 years old are overweight while 9.3% are obese. Being overweight — especially around the middle of the body — increases the risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase the chances of developing heart disease — including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. With this, RHEA Generics emphasizes stress reduction, healthy eating, exercise, and regular exercise.

Be active by increasing physical activities

Improved levels of cholesterol and other blood lipids, as well as improved blood pressure and weight management, are all benefits of physical activity. RHEA Generics recommends that even as part of their regular daily routines, inactive adults might begin with small amounts of physical activity and gradually increase its duration, frequency, and intensity. Adults are advised to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise each week (such as brisk walking, stair climbing, dancing, gardening, or household chores that may cause a mild increase in heart rate).

Get regular health screenings

Normal blood pressure and blood sugar check by a health professional are crucial in maintaining a healthy heart.  Some people do not exhibit symptoms even if they already have high blood pressure – and it can hurt your heart. RHEA Generics encourages discussing any behavioral concerns with your healthcare provider, such as an unhealthy diet, a lack of exercise, or the use of alcohol or tobacco, so they can help you plan the lifestyle changes you need to make to improve your heart health.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

One's risk of developing heart disease can be minimized by consuming a balanced diet that prioritizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins while limiting saturated and trans fats, added sweets, and sodium. That said, RHEA Generics promotes eating healthy by avoiding the consumption of processed, canned, and fast food. Replace sweetened snacks such as doughnuts, cookies, and the like with fresh fruit and vegetables and if thirsty, substitute sweetened beverage sodas and sweetened juices with water. 

However, access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for an active and healthy life often comes at a high cost.

On top of this, most basic healthcare services are sometimes inaccessible and expensive. In fact, 99 percent of Filipinos are unable to buy prescription medications due to their price, according to the Ulat ng Bayan September report of Pulse Asia released by the DOH.

To help Filipinos attain affordable healthcare, RHEA Generics remains accessible and affordable without compromising its world-class quality and safe health products.  

“Every Filipino has the right to accessible quality health care which is why we in RHEA Generics make sure that our products remain affordable. We continue to innovate and improve our product to reach every Filipino family,” said Philusa Corporation President and General Manager Neogin Evangelista.

RHEA Generics recently partnered with international pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Sanofi to ensure that Filipinos have access to medicines, especially for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke prevention assuring every Filipino that their partner in healthcare is associated with reliable medical professionals around the world.

To know more, you can drop by the nearest Mercury Drug store near you. Always make sure to only purchase medicine with a doctor’s prescription, as medicine taken without one can be harmful.

 

Begin your international studies journey with Assumption College

Selecting the right school is a significant decision for both students and parents. Schools play a critical role in shaping a young adult's personality and worldview. Moreover, a proper learning environment enables young adults to explore and enhance their holistic potential.

 

That is exactly what Assumption College offers: enriching opportunities that allow students to go beyond the four walls of a classroom environment and to have the world within reach.

Championing transformative education

 

When choosing a school, various factors need to be taken into account, from programs and opportunities to costs and location. Assumption College makes the decision much easier, with its esteemed reputation for delivering excellent education for each and every student.

[Media: Top 10 reasons why you should choose Assumption College]

 

Assumption College has two main departments: liberal arts under the Marie Eugenie School for Innovative Learning (MESIL) and business administration and management under Milleret School of Business and Management for Women (MSBMW). The institution’s roster of excellent academic programs range from communication, interior design, psychology and education, to accountancy, business administration, and entrepreneurship..

Championing transformative education, Assumption College is future-proofing students with a fresh approach to learning. Known as Ability-based Learning or “ABLe”, this student-centered method of education puts an emphasis on developing Prime Life Abilities centered on Assumption College’s Core Values, preparing students to face the real world.

 

On top of high-quality academic programs, Assumption College also boasts an accessible international student exchange program that opens up the world to its students.

 

An accessible student exchange program

 

An international exchange program can be a life-changing experience for students, but factors like high costs can deter them from pursuing such programs. Assumption College’s International Student Exchange Program addresses this concern. With the program, students do not need to pay additional tuition fees at their chosen overseas partner institution. This gives more students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, allowing them to:

 

●      immerse themselves in a brand new culture and meet new people from all walks of life

●      take the opportunity to learn a new language 

●      experience different styles of learning under the guidance of various esteemed educators; and

●      widen their employment opportunities on a global scale.

Participants all echo their love and enjoyment of the Assumption College’s life-changing exchange program. 

As such, Assumption College students are able to grow independent, confident, and capable of taking on life’s challenges, preparing them to find success in their endeavors both in the local and global scale.

 

Assumption College has partnered with reputable institutions around the world, such as Monroe College in New York, Assumption University in Massachusetts, Hiroshima University in Japan, Kobe College in Japan, Reactor School in Singapore, and Universitas Kristen Indonesia in Jakarta, as well as other institutions in the UK, Australia, and South Korea.

 

Students who have participated in the international student exchange program can testify to how much the program has helped them change in better ways. 

 

[Media: Assumption College International Student Exchange Program - Facebook Video]

 

“I was able to grow into the woman of faith, community, and action through the help of the Assumption education and family,” shared Alexandra Victoria Adriano Boccone, who took part in Assumption College’s student exchange program to Assumption University, Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

“It was an eye-opening experience where I realized that we live in a big world with a lot of opportunities to grow and world,” said Clarisse Ambray, who went to Kobe College under the same student exchange program. “If I’m allowed to enroll again, I’d do it. That’s how much I loved the experience.”

 

“It’s one of the highlights of my college years,” Bea Marbella, who also attended Kobe College for a semester. “Words can't express how grateful I am that I joined this program. It's really fun and I hope you guys get to experience what I did as well.”

 

The program is an eye-opening experience that exposes students to opportunities in partner schools such as

those in Hiroshima University or Kobe College in Japan, and other reputable institutions around the world, such as Monroe College in New York, Assumption University in Massachusetts, Reactor School in Singapore, and Universitas Kristen Indonesia in Jakarta, as well as other institutions in the UK, Australia, and South Korea.

Begin your international studies journey now with Assumption College

 

It’s time to broaden your horizons and step out into the world. Enroll in Assumption College and get ready to study abroad without paying additional tuition fees to your chosen overseas institution. Application for School Year 2023–2024 is currently ongoing, so don’t miss this chance! Sign up now through this registration form: bit.ly/AssumptionCollegeRegistrationForm.

 

For more information, visit the Virtual Admissions Hub or contact the College Admissions Office through email at admissions@assumption.edu.ph or mobile at +63 927 966 2341 or +63 926 728 0980.

 

Ortigas Malls has adjusted its schedules in Greenhills Mall, Estancia Mall, and Tiendesitas in observance of Holy Week.

This year’s Holy Week is a very long five-day weekend, from Maundy Thursday to Monday, Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor. Thousands of Filipinos will definitely hit the beaches for hot summer fun while many others prefer to enjoy the quietness of the city with their families and, as Catholic traditions go, do their panata or vows such as Visita Iglesia and Stations of the Cross.

 

Ortigas Malls has adjusted its schedules in Greenhills Mall, Estancia Mall, and Tiendesitas in observance of Holy Week.

 

From April 3 to 5, Greenhills will be open from 10am to 8pm, Estancia will be from 11am to 9pm, and Tiendesitas will be from 10am to 9pm. All three malls will be closed on Maundy Thursday (April 6) and Good Friday (April 7).

 

The malls will resume regular operations on Black Saturday (April 8) and Easter Sunday (April 9). Greenhills Mall will be open from 10am to 9pm, Estancia Mall will be from 10am to 10pm, and Tiendesitas will be from 10am to 10pm.

Delicious, meatless food options for all

Ortigas Malls has numerous restaurants that offer seafood and vegetarian dishes, such as 101 Korean Hotdog at Estancia (you must try their tuna teriyaki sandwich), and Sweet Ecstasy at Greenhills (don’t miss their Filet-X-Shrimp and Filet-X-Fish sandwiches). 

 

Modern Table at Estancia also has a special menu featuring hearty seafood dishes for only P299, like Seafood Amatriciana and X.O Crab Fried Rice. For the sushi roll and tempura lovers, Ebi 10’s best-sellers include Crispy Torched Salmon Skin Roll, Jumbo Shrimp Tempura, and Spicy Tuna Salad.

 

For a relaxing merienda with loved ones, Southbank Cafe + Lounge offers a wide range of coffee creations, as well as healthy meals like Smashed Avocado Toast and Falafel Wrap. Another spot is Kandle Cafe, which is a pet-friendly cafe that also serves different coffee concoctions and desserts, from cookies to flavored mousses.

 

Stations of the Cross and other church activities

For the Catholic faithful who want to do the Stations of the Cross, Capitol Commons has provided  a space for them to reflect on their faith. Capitol Commons will have the 14 Stations of the Cross spread out at the Park from April 4 to 9.

 

Stations of the Cross is a Catholic tradition of prayerful meditation on Good Friday. The faithful commemorate the Passion of Christ at 14 stations that have pictures or carvings of these events. This devotion is done by individuals, families and groups as they visit and pray at each station depicting Christ’s journey, from the time He is condemned to death to when He is crucified, and finally put inside a sepulcher.

 

On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, families can visit Catholic churches near Ortigas Malls: Mary the Queen Parish near Greenhills Mall in San Juan; St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel and Sta. Lucia Parish near Estancia Mall in Pasig; and Sto. Rosario de Pasig Parish Church and Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel  near Tiendesitas in Pasig. Or they can visit the Chapel of the Holy Family inside V Mall in Greenhills Mall.

 

Easter activities for kids and kids at heart

Greenhills goes to the farm with its Barn Eggsploration on Easter Sunday. Kids will have fun hunting Easter eggs with farm animals at the mall. Register by scanning the barcode on your Ortigas Community Card, and spend an accumulated or single purchase worth P1,500 from March 17 to April 9 to register and participate. You may claim your tickets at the concierge area on the second floor of Centermall.

 

At Tiendesitas, Easter Sunday takes on a Hawaiian luau theme. The Hawaiian Eggventure will feature balloon twisting, and egg and face painting from 1 to 2 pm, an egg hunt from 2 to 3 pm, and a luau mini musical show from 3 to 4 pm. Scan the barcode on your Ortigas Community Card, and spend an accumulated or single purchase worth P1,000 from March 17 to April 9 to register and participate.  

 

Meanwhile, Estancia Mall will feature Pororo and Friends for an Easter Eggventure where kids hunt for eggs with them. Simply register by scanning the QR code on your Ortigas Community Card, spend an accumulated or a single purchase worth P2,000 from March 17 to April 9 and join! You may claim your tickets at the concierge area at the ground floor of the East Wing.

 

Join the Easter fun and enjoy many other perks by registering for an Ortigas Community Card via the Ortigas Malls app.

 

Ortigas Malls makes it worthwhile for families to stay in the city and create new Holy Week memories.

 

For more information, follow Ortigas Land on Facebook and Instagram. Download the Ortigas Malls app, like  Ortigas Malls on Facebook, and follow @greenhillsph, @estanciaph, @tiendesitasph, and @industriaph on Instagram. 

 

Samsung launches the new Galaxy A Series in the Philippines

 

Samsung’s Awesome Together launch party unveiled the new Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G series at the Marriott Manila Ballroom, bringing awesome content creation and entertainment to life in a spectacular and immersive event.

In a program hosted by content creator and singer Renee Dominique, Samsung shared a walkthrough of the A Series’ awesome innovations, from amazing photography and videography features, including improved Nightography, video stabilization and editing tools to make content creation a breeze, Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate, to its sleek design and aesthetic made with eco-friendly and recycled materials; Samsung’s newest A series was designed to make great experiences into awesome memories for life.

Style icons and it-girls Claudia Barretto and Juliana Gomez led guests on an experiential journey to the Awesome Zones revealed by an upbeat performance from Upeepz, that actualized the feeling of awesomeness the Galaxy A series could give as the Gen Zers’ new best friends.

 

Awesome Content 

Samsung has transformed several features in its latest Galaxy A series to make content creation more enjoyable. The spectacular lime-green Awesome Content Factory Zone allowed guests to capture, customize and print their amazing photos, letting them play with the awesome editing tools and personalization features of the Galaxy A54 5G and the A34 5G like the photo remastering tool, object eraser, custom stickers and even built-in Snapchat AR filters.

 

Awesome Interactive Zone

Guests also experienced the style, power and durability of the Galaxy A Series in the deeply engaging and amazingly fun violet hued Entertainment Hub!

 

At the Awesome Vibes Only station, guests were invited to take a mirror selfie using the Galaxy A54 5G to see how the phone’s awesome design instantly elevates their style while the Awesome Champions station had guests battling it out on fun mobile games, proving the awesome speed of the Exynos 1380 processor for Galaxy A54 5G and MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor for Galaxy A34 5G. 

The last stop It’s Giving Awesome highlights the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G’s amazing durability as the devices were submerged in water – these devices are Rated IP67, and they can withstand dust, sand and up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, making them perfect for summer adventures!

 

Aside from creating awesome content with the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G, these devices are also entertainment powerhouses. They come with AMOLED displays, 6.4-inch on the Galaxy A54 5G and 6.6-inch on the Galaxy A34 5G also allow for an immersive viewing experience, with its FHD+ resolution giving ultra-realistic colors.  With 5G connectivity and super-fast charging  - get up to 50% at only 30 minutes of charging and get more than 2 days of power with a single charge – they are also perfect for uninterrupted video playback and gaming sessions. 

 

The Galaxy A54 5G retails for PHP 26,990 for the 256GB variant and PHP 24,990 for the128GB variant and comes in three trendy colors: Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime, and the online-exclusive Awesome Violet. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A34 5G retails for PHP 21,990 for the 256GB variant and PHP 19,990 for the128GB variant and comes in two colors: Awesome Graphite and Awesome Violet.

 

Get your Galaxy A54 and A34 5G with awesome offers like flexible payment deals from Home Credit and  0% Credit Card installment plans. If you want to trade in your old device, you can also enjoy savings of up to PHP 10,150. Bundle deals are also available with other Samsung devices – get 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Galaxy Buds2, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. And you’ll also continue to enjoy  a Free Travel Adapter together with their devices.

 

The Galaxy A54 and A34 5G is available through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com and MemoXpress Online. 

 

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/

Red Ribbon is making the NEW Chocolate Heaven, their best chocolate cake yet, available in over 150 stores in Metro Manila

If you have been dying to get a taste of Red Ribbon’s NEW Chocolate Heaven Cake since its launch last September 2022 but couldn’t find a store offering it nearby, this one’s for you! 

 

Red Ribbon is making the NEW Chocolate Heaven, their best chocolate cake yet, available in over 150 stores in Metro Manila, North Luzon, and South Luzon starting April 1, 2023.

Now’s your chance to experience the heavenly layers of premium chocolate that come with this highly talked about breakthrough cake! Indulge in the moistness of its chocolate fudge cake, the creaminess of its chocolate icing, and the richness of its chocolate ganache – all of which come together to give you that heavenly taste that everyone has been raving about.

 

Check this link for the list of Red Ribbon stores in Luzon offering Chocolate Heaven and get yours starting at only P899 for Junior size and P1239 for Regular size. You can also have it delivered straight to your home by ordering through the Red Ribbon app, website, hotline #87777, or through the GrabFood and foodpanda apps.