Neurobion Presents The Ultimate Throwback with UMD, Manoeuvres and Sex Bomb Dancers

UMD, Manoeuvres, Sexbomb Reunite for Dance Concert

It's going to be the Ultimate Throwback event of 2014 as the Universal Universal Motion Dancers (UMD), Manoeuvres, and Sexbomb Dancers reunite for one Massive Dance Concert!

Watch these three iconic dance groups perform at the Trinoma Activity Center on Monday March 31, 2014, to raise awareness for Neuropathy or nerve damage – a condition with symptoms like pamamanhid, tusok-tusok, and pangangawit.
This event is organized by Neurobion, a Vitamin B-Complex with Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 that helps maintain healthy nerves, promote efficient nerve function, and reduce pain in the arms and hands caused by Neuropathy.
Besides the dance concert, there will also be free nerve clinics, games, and freebies to be given away throughout the day-long event.

Use the hashtag #FeelKoAngBuhay

"Get Hard" Comedy Flick Stars Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart.

WILL FERRELL, KEVIN HART HEADLINE NEW COMEDY “GET HARD”

 Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart join forces on the feature comedy “Get Hard,” which began filming on location in New Orleans Monday, March 17, for director Etan Cohen.
When millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison. Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to ‘get hard’ and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.

The film also stars Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie, and rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris.
Cohen marks his feature directorial debut with “Get Hard,” following a successful writing career, with credits including “Tropic Thunder.”

“Get Hard” is written by Jay Martel & Ian Roberts and Etan Cohen, with a story by Adam McKay and Jay Martel & Ian Roberts. It will be produced by Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and Chris Henchy, with Kevin Messick and Ravi Mehta serving as executive producers.

The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Tim Suhrstedt (“Little Miss Sunshine”); production designer Maher Ahmad (“The Hangover Part III”); editor Michael Sale (“We’re the Millers”); and costume designer Shay Cunliffe (“The Bourne Legacy”).

“Get Hard” is scheduled to open worldwide beginning March 27, 2015.
A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of a Gary Sanchez Production, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Paying your taxes made easy as RFP

When I first came across the RFP video on YouTube, I think the volume on my PC was a bit too loud as I saw the kids on the street dancing to the catchy beat, unaware that it was actually a commercial by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Even I must admit that it had an LSS effect on me.

Check out the video below:

So I guess, on that note I have to congratulate whoever did this ad for making a "cool" government ad.

The online video is part of the  “I love the Philippines, I pay my taxes right. campaign.  For this year, the tax collection target for the country is P1.456T, that’s 1Trillion and 456Billion pesos for the entire Philippines.

For a more detailed explanation all you have to do is go to the website http://knowyourtaxes.ph/ and click on the letters for the detailed step-by-step instructions.

How Matteo Guidicelli Pursues His Dream Girl!

It was a day of fun and excitement when Matteo Guidicelli was presented to the press as the new endorser of Mentos on March 20, 2014 at the Century Mall Cinema.  Meeting him in person, made us all girls fell in love right away with his charms. This boy is a total package. Mentos is lucky  to have him as their new endorser, as he is fresh, sweet, fun and surprisingly he sings well too.

We were treated to a guessing game of what is real or unreal with Matteo. That was fun because the media gamely participated. He made a  three-part mini movie. Of all the three that he acted in, I did like the second one "The Italian Lover" which made an impact to the audience because of the way he spoke Italian, which brings out the romantic side of him. You should hear the girls in front of me screamed with delight. He blew us all away.

This award-winning actor, accomplished athlete and all-around heartthrob won our hearts away.

The Filipino-Italian has never been one to shy away from stuff that may make your run-of-the-mill young star take a step back. With Matteo, it's all about pushing the limits in the pursuit of his passions, whether he's diving deep into an acting role or zooming towards breaking records on a racing circuit.

This year, the buzzworthy dreamboat gives us a chance to see sides of him we may be aware of, but have never witnessed firsthand. Genuine hyphenates are hard to come by these days, and Matteo will erase any doubt that he's a man of action...in every sense of the word.

That's why he signed up to be the star of the Mentos Strawberry Mix Thrillogy: a uniquely entertaining online experience that shows Matteo's multi-faceted persona. After all, a different kind of candy needs a different kind of leading man.

With the new Mentos Strawberry Mix, three surprising flavors are perfectly packed in one roll, giving you more than your usual candy. Feel the exciting tangy burst of Sour Strawberry, relish the rich sweetness of Vanilla Strawberry, or indulge in the reliable simplicity of Classic Strawberry.

The Mentos Strawberry Mix Thrillogy lets Matteo take us on three fun-tastic rides that showcase all that he has to offer as he tries to win the heart of the girl of his dreams... with two very special strawberry-headed accomplices in tow.  After all, even the man who can seemingly do it all needs a little help at times, making the Mentos Strawberry Hitmen the ideal quirky allies on Matteo's out-of-the box adventures.

In The Thrill of the Chase, Matteo's active, energetic side will make pulses race as he embodies his adrenaline driven “Action Star” persona. As you watch him run, swim, and practically do everything he can to earn honorary stuntman stripes, you're sure to get a refreshing kick like you would from a Sour Strawberry dragee inside Mentos Strawberry Mix.

Matteo also indulges in his romantic Italian roots in The Thrill of Declaring Your Love as he spouts poetry that would make even Michelangelo blush. Well, maybe not but it's worth it to see him try! You'll definitely find Matteo “The Italian Lover” just as irresistible as the full flavor of Sweet Vanilla (especially with his adorable Italian accent).

Some ladies prefer their suitors to be a little more straightforward though, and Matteo doesn't disappoint in The Thrill of Being Real. There's no denying the “Boy Next Door” charisma he exudes even without all the frills and his down-to-earth appeal will win you over like the uncomplicated delightfulness of Classic Strawberry flavor.

It will be plain to see that there's more of Matteo to love in the Mentos Strawberry Mix Thrillogy (Guys, be prepared to take notes if you want to make a girl swoon). So whatever you may be looking for, you're sure to crave exciting experiences of your own once Matteo's shown you how much fun it can be.

Because, really, why settle for the ordinary when you can triple the thrill? And Mentos has, through the years, taught us to get a kick out of the simplest things, and make every day a chance to live out loud and live fresh.

It's a kind of magic that's found in every Perfetti Van Melle product—the European company that prides itself in pushing the envelope of candy excellence around the world. Other famous brands like Fruittella, Smint, Alpenliebe and Chupa Chups are stamped with the same flavor of fun that Perfetti Van Melle has made its calling card.

Catch Matteo the Action Star, Matteo the Italian Lover and Matteo the Boy Next Door on the Mentos Strawberry Mix Thrillogy on www.facebook.com/MentosPhilippines.

Santoni World Renowned Italian Shoes, Now Made Available in the Philippines

You dont have to go to Italy to customize or purchase a pair of Santoni shoes. One of the world’s most admired Italian shoe brand, Santoni, opens its first store in the Philippines, at Shangri-La Plaza mall (2/F East Wing), bringing its decades old tradition of creating exquisitely hand crafted shoes to local shoe lovers. Craftsmanship at its best is what Santoni offers to the filipino shoepaholics as the Master Artisan told the press at its recent launch at Shangri-La Plaza mall on March 18, 2014.

“We are delighted to bring to Manila the first Santoni boutique here at the Shangri-La Plaza mall East Wing,” said Emerson Yao, managing director of Lucerne, the exclusive distributor of Santoni in the Philippines. “It is a brand that we believe in – with its creativity, elegance, and excellent craftsmanship, Santoni is indeed a name to beckon with in the field of luxury hand-crafted footwear.”

Not just for shoe lovers, but “shoe freaks” as Santoni Asia Area Manager Andrea Casavecchia described.

“Today we talk about Luxury, Design, and Perfection,” Casavecchia vowed before introducing the brand known for keeping the traditional way of custom made shoes alive.

The opening of the store in Manila finally gives Filipino shoe lovers access to the prestigious brand that was born with the creation of the haut de gamme shoes laboratory by Andrea Santoni in 1975.

Tradition and innovation. These are the parallel pillars Santoni built its success on, thanks to the perfect combination of traditional production techniques, as the ability of making entirely made-to-measure shoes, and the evolution in research and design.

The brand’s legacy has been handed to his son Giuseppe, making the brand an international icon with 490 employees and a turnover of more than 55 million Euros. The distinctive features of the pure Made in Italy shoes remained unchanged through time.

Quality, passion for details and rigorous handmade workmanship are the core elements of distinction from its competitors in the exclusive club of the most famous and recognizable luxury brands of the world.

Casavecchia said, Santoni has been synonymous with a tailoring practice applied to shoemaking, proposes a Spring/Summer 2014 collection that starts from the renewal of models and materials, personalizing them with new attitudes and behaviors, the gestures of a contemporary man. On the other hand, ideal worlds and cultural reminiscences create a women’s collection that combines the urban with the natural.”

As part of the celebration for the much-awaited arrival of the brand in the country, Santoni flew in Italian master artisan Francesco De Santis to showcase the art of shoemaking for the ultimate Santoni experience, which is always at the service of the client and his wishes.

Bearing in mind the desire of those who are hardly satisfied – style maniacs, connoisseurs and experts – Santoni also introduced the Fatto a Mano su Misura, a service, not a collection. The rituality makes this experience as unique as the final product. The creation of a handmade shoe follows a specific procedure: foot measurement, selection of the shape, of the hides, and of every slightest detail.

Every aspect of the shoe is adjustable ad libitum to the client’s request. The construction process takes over two months, starting with the lasting and ending with the coloring. The pleasure is amplified by the waiting for the perfect object. The outcome is one-of-a-kind shoes, impossible to imitate as they are fruit of true genius and human manual ability, instead of being the product of a depersonalized machine. Fatto a Mano su Misura represents the evolution and peak of Santoni’s craftsmanship.

Luxury and selection are the key values that led to the partnership with brands sharing the same philosophy of Santoni and devotion to excellence. The two exclusive lines created with Mercedes AMG and IWC Schaffhausen enhance the well-known mastery of Santoni, applying it to sports cars and precision watches. Fine Italian straps from Santoni have been developed for fine watches – the unique product of a thoroughly successful cooperation.

All variants of the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days are held by Santoni straps made exclusively for IWC Schaffhausen. They are available in two different shades of brown, as well as in black. Santoni processes the leather to have an exclusive patina before it even leaves the factory. In addition to this characteristic dyeing process, the exquisite straps are also recognizable from the orange-colored leather lining, typical of Santoni. Furthermore, they come complete with pin clasps as standard; folding clasps are available as an option.

Santoni for AMG shoes are a product of the know-how Santoni, which follows the Italian manufacturing heritage without neglecting the high performance while driving. Each model is made to perfectly fit the driver’s style enhancing performance and comfort. The collection features the FIA Approved shoes, dedicated to professional racing. Light and fireproof, the shoes comply with the FIA’s highest standards. The carbon sole improves the adherence on the pedal and wraps around the feet like a glove.

Besides collaborating with top brands, Santoni boasts Man, Woman Junior and Accessories collections. Fine sneakers for informal occasions and the most refined construction of Limited Edition men’s shoes stand out. Santoni collections are available in selected boutiques worldwide and in flagship stores in Milan, Rome, Cagliari, Lugano, Cannes, Baku, Beijing, Cannes, Doha, Dong Guan, Guangzhou, Moscow, Shanghai, ShenYang, Singapore, St. Moritz and Tokyo.

Santoni, Italy’s world-renowned shoe brand, is now in the Philippines with the opening of the first Santoni boutique located at Shangri-La Plaza mall (2/F East Wing).



Check out Santoni’s Summer/Spring collection

The Muppets Most Wanted Makes Beautiful Music

“MUPPETS MOST WANTED” MAKES MUSICAL MAYHEM

The Muppets wouldn’t be the Muppets without the musical mayhem that’s made them fan favorites for almost four decades. With songs by Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar for the original song “Man or Muppet”in 2011’s “The Muppets,” and a score by Christophe Beck (Disney’s Oscar-winning hit “Frozen”), the soundtrack of “Muppets Most Wanted” features all-star vocalists, including Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Miss Piggy, Josh Groban, Constantine and Celine Dion.

To be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting March 19, “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal —and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two (Ricky Gervais).

“The ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ soundtrack is some of the best music by a frog, pig, bear, chickens, penguins and a—uh, whatever—ever recorded,” said Kermit the Frog. “It’s like going on tour with the Muppets, but without the messy cleanup afterwards.”

According to McKenzie, the songs are true to the Muppets’ musical reputation: they’re packed with puns, punch lines and Muppets mayhem. “All of the songs are quite story specific,” he said. “They’re very character driven.

“‘I’m Number One’ is about the bad frog Constantine being the number one criminal and his sidekick Dominic, being number two,” McKenzie continued. “It’s a power struggle, a classic rivalry song in a style that could be performed in a cabaret venue.”

“A lot of the old Muppets songs are like that—show pieces,” adds McKenzie. The soundtrack features a host of show pieces, including the fully orchestrated “We’re Doing a Sequel,” with special appearances by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, along with the whole Muppets gang.

“Something So Right” is a ballad written for Miss Piggy and celebrated performer Celine Dion. “Miss Piggy is wonderful,” said Dion. “She’s so charming and sensitive and filled with passion. She has a big heart and it was wonderful to sing with her.”

“I was magnifique,” added Miss Piggy, “With a little help from moi, I think Celine may have a big future in singing.”

The soundtrack also includes “Interrogation Song,” featuring Ty Burrell, Sam Eagle and the Muppets. It’s what McKenzie calls “a conversation put to music,” and actually started out as dialogue from the film. Additionally, Tina Fey, who plays feisty prison guard Nadya, takes center stage—complete with Russian accent—with the renowned Josh Groban in “The Big House.”

The “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack features 20 tracks—including 12 new recordings—plus five bonus tracks. Also featured is a score by Beck, who incorporated styles from around the world in a nod to the international locales the Muppets visit in the film. “This score was incredibly fun to write,” said Beck. “With characters spread across the world, there was opportunity after opportunity to explore many musical styles and settings.”

Beck introduced several character themes—Constantine has a Slavic theme, for example, and Kermit and Miss Piggy are accompanied by a love theme (of course) that is an extension of music from “The Muppets.”An 80-piece orchestra was sprinkled with unique instruments, including a banjo, Spanish guitar and a Russian balalaika. “The real fun was the 20-person Russian male chorus, which is heavily featured,” said Beck.

When it comes to the Muppets, Beck knows that comedy is key, but that doesn’t mean he needed to weave it into the score. His trick to supporting the funnier moments is to “let the comedy play out,” says Beck. “The Muppets exist in the real world in their films, and their hardships and triumphs are no less serious than those the audience experiences every day. The comedy comes from watching these personalities that we all love interact with each other and their surroundings. They don't need ‘funny’ music underneath—they need very serious music that supports the scale of what is happening on screen.”

“Muppets Most Wanted” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Filipino Breakfast ala IHOP

Just as the “Last Supper” framed portrait, and those hanging giant spoon and fork on the walls of our dining/kitchen area , the “sinangag” or fried rice has always been part of the Filipino breakfast—perhaps a testament to our resourcefulness for coming up with those endless variants of the “silog” meals.

And while those in other countries such as the US, get their early morning boost from fruits, cereals, breads or pancakes, we Pinoys prefer to have a complete meal to jump start our day.

So imagine my surprise when I saw several familiar Pinoy breakfast dishes as I entered IHOP.

Yes, IHOP. The same IHOP you saw several times on that last Superman Movie—the same IHOP which opened last year and created almost two hour queues of eager diners.

IHOP may be a US brand, but it has gladly embraced several Filipino faves in its menu.

Acknowledging the love of Filipinos for the staple heavy breakfast dishes, IHOP, has included five homegrown Filipino dishes such as the Classic Chicken or Pork Tocino; Lean Chicken Sausage; Breakfast Beef Tapa; and Savory Pork Longganisa—all served with a generous helping of fried rice.

And while its tempting to just call them “IHOP-silog” meals, it would be a great injustice to the research and efforts of the local IHOP team to have these dishes approved by the big bosses in the US.

All these entrees are served with garlic rice, and two eggs (any style) with atchara and seasoned vinegar on the side.  Each can also be ordered with a choice of IHOP Restaurant’s world famous Buttermilk Pancakes, Stuffed French Toast or Brioche French Toast.

Of the five, I suggest you try the Lean Chicken sausage, or the savory pork longganisa, the Beef tapa is also good especially if you like the tangy sour “kick” even without the vinegar dip!

“These Filipino breakfast favourites will be exclusively offered in the Philippines for a limited time.  IHOP Restaurant’s pancakes, omelettes, stuffed French toast, crepes, and other American breakfast items have become instant hits since we opened a year ago.  With IHOP’s enthusiastic approval, we’re proudly introducing a menu that expands our appeal just as we’re expanding our locations,” said Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts, Inc. (GRCI).  The company is the Philippine partner of IHOP Restaurants.

“As a global brand but a local business, our goal is to bring our guests both the classic breakfast items that have made IHOP famous around the world as well as menu items that celebrate and appeal to the local appetites of our guests,” said Daniel del Olmo, President, International, DineEquity, Inc.  “These new menu items bring our guests the best that IHOP has to offer with delicious dishes that are unique to the Philippines and truly brings the best of both our culinary cultures to our guest.

Besides the IHOP’s Filipino Five breakfast selections, IHOP is also introducing four cold desserts to cool you down this summer.

The four new ice cream parfait flavours co-created with Nestle Ice Cream include, Mango Peaches and Cream Parfait, a blend of mango and cheesecake ice cream; Childhood Memories, vanilla ice cream layered with strawberry and blueberry syrups and topped with crispy golden hash brown and cheesecake bits; Chocolate Decadence Butter Pecan Syrup, dark chocolate and white chocolate chips and maple candied bacon all perfectly topped on scoops of decadent chocolate ice cream and the
Mixed Berry Parfait, Chocolate ice cream smothered with cool strawberry and blueberry toppings, drizzled with creamy yogurt and finished with oatmeal streusels.

Chocolate Decadence

Mango Peaches and Cream Parfait

My favorite was the Mixed Berrry Parfait, although I’m sure the Chocolate Decadence would be the bestseller because who could resist chocolate and Bacon!

Mixed Berry Parfait

Childhood Memories

IHOP Restaurants are located in W Global Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, QC, and in the Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia.  The popular chain will open two more branches this summer in Century Mall and Filinvest, Alabang and is looking to open six more locations across Metro Manila before the year ends.

Take your KakaoFriends Look-Alike Photo and Win Prizes!

Who is your Kakao-Look-Alike?

“Take your KakaoFriends look-alike photo, and win an iPhone 5c or iPad Mini!”

The KakaoTalk messaging app invites users to become lucky winners of iPhone 5c or iPad Mini through a fun, easy Facebook competition. Users need to simply
 ‘like’ the KakaoTalk Philippines Facebook page, choose a KakaoFriends sticker, take a look-alike picture and post it up on their page with #KakaoTalkPH and #KakaoLookAlike hash tags.

The competition continues for two months until April 30th, and a total of 16 winners will be selected for the prizes, with two winners being announced at each week.

KakaoFriends are characters that are exclusively available on KakaoTalk as stickers and animated emoticons. The seven characters—Apeach the peach, Muji the yellow radish in rabbit costume, Con the mysterious crocodile, Frodo the chic dog, Neo the confident cat, JayG the shy mole, and Tube the two-faced duck—with their distinctive personalities and a myriad of emotions characters add fun and joy to users chatting experience. In particular, the animated emoticons of these characters add the ability to express deeper emotions that can’t be easily conveyed in words.

Kakao said, “KakaoFriends emoticons offer a way to express emotions that can’t easily be expressed in words. We hope this contest will help familiarize our users with the hundreds of emotions that our KakaoFriends characters represent, and eventually be able to enjoy a fuller and more exciting chatting experience.”
More information on the contest can be found at KakaoTalk Philippines official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph.


Get a chance to win one out of two iPhone 5c or iPad Minis every week by following these super easy steps:

1. ‘Like’ the official KakaoTalkPH Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph. ‘Like’ this page and get the fastest and most reliable updates on Kakao’s latest.

2. Choose a KakaoFriends emoticon to imitate, and take a look-alike photo of yourself. Is it the blushing Jay-G, Frodo confessing his love, Muzi throwing two thumbs up or Apeach exercising? How about Neo with a dozen shopping bags, or Tube blowing fire in anger? Whoever it is, observe carefully and become the character itself! Take that photo, and check to make sure that yours truly stand out!

3. Paste the emoticon you imitated on your photo. Let us know which emoticon you chose and channel this character to the best of your abilities.

4. Put a catchy caption with your KakaoTalk ID and use the hash tags #KakaoTalkPH and #KakaoLookAlike. Be creative and show us your wit. Come up with a catchy caption that will totally describe your photo or better yet, your relationship with KakaoTalk.

5. Upload it on KakaoTalkPH Facebook page. Share it with us and with the whole cyberspace. Be proud and let your fellow Kakao users see your photo.


About Kakao Corp.
Kakao Corporation is the provider of KakaoTalk, a mobile messaging application and global mobile social platform based in South Korea. Since the launch of its app in 2010, Kakao has solidified its position as a leader in the mobile industry, expanding its service beyond messaging to a social platform encompassing games, digital contents, marketing, commerce and more. KakaoTalk currently has more than 140 million registered users from 230 countries, and billions of messages are delivered every day in form of text, photos, video and voice. As a global, cross-platform application, it is available in 14 languages, on Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Bada, Windows Phone and Nokia Asha. Kakao’s mission is to build a symbiotic mobile ecosystem at the global scale, offering a mobile social platform that provides win-win solutions for users and third-party partners alike. For more information, visit  www.kakaotalk.com.ph/ 

Bruno Mars As "Roberto" Lends Voice to "Rio 2"

BRUNO MARS’ JUNGLE ADVENTURE IN “RIO 2”

There’s something that Jewel (Anne Hathaway) did not talk about with Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) in the first “Rio” family adventure outing – that is her childhood friend named Roberto (Bruno Mars).  In the upcoming adventure 3D movie “Rio 2,” Blu is suddenly pitted against Jewel’s childhood friend, Roberto who is the epitome of a Blue Macaw - a perfect specimen of a wild bird who charms everyone around him and makes Blu self-conscious.

Bruno Mars joins the vividly delightful and upbeat musical world of Blu and Jewel in “Rio 2” where director Carlos Saldanha brings the adventure into the wild thick forest of the Amazon.  With the success of “Rio” the call for a sequel came quickly.  Having already teased a new life together for Blu and Jewel – and their three new arrivals – in the film’s finale, Saldanha pitched his idea for a new story.  What if Blu and his family aren’t the last Blue Macaws, he posited.  What would happen to the family dynamic?

Saldanha decided to set his new story in the mammoth Brazilian wilderness.  “I wanted a setting very different from the one we explored in ‘Rio,’ he explains.  “I thought we should move away from the city.”   So, in “Rio 2,” it’s on…in the Amazon, not only visually, but musically.  “We wanted to look at different musical ‘flavors,’ sounds and exciting new beats that make the soundtrack for “Rio 2” even bigger than the first film’s,” says the director.

If meeting a critical father-in-law, Eduardo (Andy Garcia) weren’t enough, Blu must also contend with Jewel’s childhood friend Roberto, played by Bruno Mars. “Roberto is pretty much the opposite of Blu – all charm and suaveness – and he can sing like an angel,” says Hathaway.  Eisenberg notes that, “Roberto and Jewel have a history and an almost secret language.  So Blu feels not only threatened by Roberto, but is frustrated because Roberto seems like the perfect guy.  Everything he does is heroic – and he’s a great singer!”

Roberto owes his vocal prowess to the music icon who voices him: Bruno Mars. The Grammy winner, who has sold over 115 million records worldwide and has a catalog of 22 Hot 100 hits as a singer, producer and songwriter, enjoyed his first foray into feature animation.  “I like that Roberto has a good heart,” Mars explains. “He’s a genuine dude and he really has love for Jewel – genuine love.  They grew up together, so they have a bond that’s pretty special.”

The filmmakers considered a long list of candidates for the role, but a Mars appearance on “Saturday Night Live” helped sealed the deal.  “I saw a clip of Bruno acting on SNL, and I thought he was really funny,” Saldanha remembers.  Producer John C. Donkin notes that casting Mars “transformed our thinking about the character.   He added a unique quality we initially hadn’t envisioned for Roberto, which we came to embrace, and the character really blossomed.”

If Roberto’s looks, talent and friendship with Jewel weren’t intimidating enough for Blu, the songbird hosts the clan in his magnificent mansion, located in one of the Amazon’s most impressive trees.  Interweaving roots create open pockets, perfect for rooms housing Blu and his family.  As the family settles into this exciting new world, Blu finds his learning curve to be a steep one.

Bruno Mars lends his signature vocal stylings to the track “Welcome Back,” in which his character Roberto expresses his joy in reuniting with Jewel.  The song was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and John Powell, and produced by Bruno Mars and John Powell.

“Rio 2” (in 2D and 3D) will open April 9 (Saturday) nationwide in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Rexona: Do The Moves with Sarah Geronimo, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona

This generation’s troop of teens are constantly tuned in to what’s hip, and in the recent weeks there’s been a fresh new song that has been tickling their fancy. You may have heard it on the radio, on your favorite music channel, on blogs, or you may have come across a tweet or two about it.

Do The Moves, the new single featuring Sarah Geronimo, Apl.de.Ap, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona, is definitely a song that will make you get on your feet and dance to the beat. More than anything, however, it carries a strong and inspiring message that aims to empower today’s generation¬¬— on confidence and self expression. Sarah Geronimo danced to the beat of

Last March 16 at Glorietta Activity Center, Palm drive,  fans witnessed the new ambassadors for Rexona; Do The Moves, Feeling so Fresh, Feeling so Fly as Sarah Geronimo, Enrique Gil and Elmo Magalona danced and gyrated to this catchy beat, this is the newest theme song for Rexona's summer campaign which target teens of this new generation.

“Song and dance is always a good way to appeal to teens, especially with the rising popularity of dance music. It’s a really fun and upbeat song that, I hope, will get people dancing and encourage them to Do the Moves and Do More,” said Rexona brand Manager, Mar Corazo.

Confidence, doing more and staying fresh are what Rexona has been inspiring individuals to do. For teens, amidst battling insecurities and growing pains, confidence is most essential. Rexona’s new Do More endorsers Sarah, Apl, Enrique and Elmo, will play a huge part in being role models to Filipino teens today. By encouraging people to join their movement with this song, they will be able to excite teens to dance, express themselves and do more. This is especially relevant because it’s a really good way for teens to be active this summer.

“We wanted to impart the importance of daily hygiene to teens in a fun and exciting way,” said Corazo.

Utilizing dance as a vehicle to drive a strong commitment to proper personal care, Rexona created dance moves which they coined “pa simple moves” as a simple and fun way for teens to check that they are always dry and fresh.

Corazo said, “This comes from the insight that people do check their underarms subtly, or the term pa-simple in Filipino.”

Together with this initiative, Rexona is also planning to launch the country’s biggest Teen Dance Competition, which will involveon-going dance tours, an audition process, elimination rounds and a finale pegged to commence in July.


Rexona provides unbeatable protection from sweat and odor so that you can Do More confidently. With Rexona confidence, teens will feel like nothing can hold them back from doing more, and most importantly have fun with their barkada.

The Horrific Consequences of Devil's Due

After Zach and Sam’s emotional wedding ceremony, they take off for a honeymoon in the stunning coastlines of Dominican Republic. From the stunning sceneries, their honeymoon suddenly takes a bizarre turn after an encounter with a psychic who warns them that “he has been waiting.”

Much to their surprise, after a night of copious quantities of alcohol, the newlyweds wake up with nary a memory of their honeymoon’s first night.

Upon returning home, Sam (played by Allison Miller) finds out that she is pregnant. Despite the surprising news, Zach (played by Zach Gilford) announces to family and friends that they are expecting their first child…unknown to all, it will be a nightmare that they have to endure since it will be the “Devil’s Due.”

“Devil’s Due” is directed by a quartet of young filmmakers known as Radio Silence who rose to fame via their films posted on YouTube. The film takes us to a series of head-spinning moments that Zach and Sam goes through dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Soon, however, disturbing clues emerge that their situation is anything but normal: an ultrasound exam and amniocentesis take a troubling turn; on a grocery shopping expedition, Sam, a vegetarian, crams raw, bloody meat into her mouth; in a shopping mall parking lot, she cracks the rear window of a car with a strength and ferocity that doesn’t seem possible for a woman several months pregnant; and her belly seems to stretch and contort, as if the baby is pushing from the inside with extreme force.

Then, there’s a cabal of shadowy figures who begin spying on the couple from hidden cameras – as a malevolent spirit waits to be born unto the world. A film about a woman impregnated with…something powerful and evil, and dealing with the horrific consequences, has obvious narrative and thematic similarities to the classic horror film Rosemary’s Baby, directed by Roman Polanski. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, two of the directors of “Devil’s Due,”, note that they don’t shy away from comparisons to the 1967 film. “Rosemary’s Baby comes up a lot when people see the trailer for DEVIL’S DUE, and it’s not something were afraid of,” says the latter. “We’re all huge fans of that film. We knew when we read [Lindsay Devlin’s] script that there was an opportunity to borrow from it in a smart way, but more importantly, tell a more contemporary and accessible story.”

“Devil’s Due” was filmed on location in the Dominican Republic, at Carnivale and various other sites, including a nightclub in a ruined catacomb, where Zach and Sam spend the fateful final night of their honeymoon. The production then moved to New Orleans, where most of principal photography took place.

Radio Silence embraced the typical scheduling constrains that befall some genre fare shot with “guerilla-style” filmmaking. “We felt like we had an abundance of time and money, just based on the films we’ve made in the past,” says Gillett. “The biggest challenge was getting people on board for how we wanted to make the movie. That becomes as much a part of the creative process as actually filming DEVIL’S DUE. For example, we didn’t need four hours to shoot a given scene because we didn’t shoot coverage conventionally. We don’t need to light things in a typical way because we’re trying to create realism. We wanted to get everyone on board with the experiment of jumping in and lighting to shoot 360-degrees and really let the actors discover the scene.

“Devil’s Due” opens March 19 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.