Pinoy Boyband Superstar finalist Mark Oblea release debut single 'Langit Pag Nandiyan'

23-year-old singer-songwriter Mark Oblea was first discovered in the hit reality singing competition Pinoy Band Superstar (the show originally aired in 2016), in which he made it as one of the Top 7 finalists.



Though he did not win the competition, Mark, with his penchant for writing his own songs and playing guitar, still decided to pursue his music career.



Having signed a recording deal with Universal Records in December 2017, Mark is now set to release his first single entitled 'Langit Pag Nandiyan.' The song was written by Gracenote lead vocalist Eunice Jorge, and produced by hit-making producer Ito Rapadas. Talking about the meaning behind the song, Mark says "The song is about honoring someone [special in your life]. It can be a song for a friend, a loved one, a relative, or [anyone who's always there to support you despite different setbacks and challenges.] At the same time, it is also a personal anthem for all the people who've been a part of my journey to pursue my dreams"



With his rugged good looks, charm, and musical talent, Mark is bound to win the hearts of many fans worldwide.

Mark is also slated to sing the theme song ‘Fiona’ for an upcoming indie film “Bakwit Boys,” produced by T-Rex Productions. Next on his list is his debut EP, which feature songs written by Mark himself.


Langit Pag Nandiyan is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon under Universal Records.

Honor 9 Lite and Honor 7X is now available on Shopee

I remember owning Honor 4C as my 2nd phone, 3 years ago. The phone camera has perfect shot, long before selfie was invented. I remember taking my selfies with it. The screen and design was perfectly crafted.  I never had an issue with it. It is still working up to this day. Im glad that Honor phones partners with Shopee, my favorite online shopping store,   with the latest Honor phones the  Honor 9 Lite and Honor 7X.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and  Taiwan, has signed an official exclusive partnership with Honor for its launch in the Philippines.

The partnership will allow around 11 million Shopee users in the Philippines to purchase the Honor 9 Lite, Honor’s first quad-camera smartphone, at 7,990 Php exclusively on Shopee on May 5, as part of the 5.5 Shopee Super Sale.

“We are pleased to be selected as the exclusive e-commerce partner for Honor’s launch in the Philippines, and for the premiere of the hugely popular Honor 9 Lite. This strategic partnership is in line with our goal to continuously expand and diversify our product selection to cater to the needs of Filipinos across the country. Also, being a major e-commerce player in the region, we aim to assist more brands in expanding their online reach and further growing their businesses,” said Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer of Shopee. 

“We are excited to partner with Shopee for our foray into the Philippine market and through the debut of the Honor 9 Lite, our very first four-camera phone. We believe deeply in the potential of the region, especially in the Philippines, and we are continuing to focus our efforts where we can have direct impact in providing consumers with top quality and innovative mobile devices”, said Wang Yang, Country Director of Honor Philippines.

“As a leading global smartphone e-brand, it is crucial for us to partner with a trusted platform of equal reputation and are confident that this partnership will be a fruitful one. We are excited for this milestone and to have the opportunity to cater to the Filipino people,” Wang adds.  

Users can look forward to the exclusive Honor flash sale on Shopee on May 5, in line with the biggest online mid-year sale - 5.5 Shopee Super Sale. The flash sale will feature the exciting premiere of the Honor 9 Lite and Honor 7X at unbeatable prices. First 500 users who pre-register their interest from April 25 to May 4 will stand to receive a 250 PHP voucher, which can be used to buy other products on Shopee.

Honor 9 Lite – The Fashion Icon (7,990 Php) 


The Honor 9 Lite is the most sleek and stylish device there is and its quad cameras are perfect to record your lively moments. Featuring exquisitely designed 2.5D glass and 5.65-inch edge-to- edge Full View HD Display, the Honor 9 Lite is a fashion statement.

Honor 7X – The Ultimate Gaming Monster (10,990 PHP)

The Honor 7X is irresistible in terms of both performance and pricing. Equipped with the powerful octal-core Kirin 659 and graphics processing unit (GPU), coupled with Full View display, the Honor 7X is the perfect competitively-priced gaming monster. Its track record speaks for itself.

Also currently ongoing is the 5.5 Shopee Super Sale campaign, the biggest mid-year online sale in the Philippines happening from now until 5 May; featuring massive promotions including 55 peso deals, daily in-app vouchers and surprises, as well as discounts up to 90% off across a wide range of categories. For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/55shopeesupersale

Visit the Honor Official Store on Shopee: https://shopee.ph/honorph.officialstore 
Pre-registration for Honor 9 Lite and Honor 7X: https://shopee.ph/shopeexhonorsignups

Download Shopee app for FREE via App Store or Google Play

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) supports “Build, Build, Build” projects

I don’t usually post about business or any of that economy stuff as I know very little about GDPs investments and all those statistics. The only “economics” I know of is when its affecting the demand and supply of my favorite skincare products.

This week however, I got invited to the recent Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) summit held at the Shangri-La The Fort and was quite impressed by how confident the Chinese is about our local economy, and if the government holds true to its commitment of Build Build Build, we may see a totally different Philippines in the coming decade or so.

Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Sunwah Group


I read an article last month that rising operating costs and wages in China are actually prompting manufacturers to evaluate countries like the Philippines, which is quite surprising given all those stuff written about those sweatshops in China.

Vivienne Chee, a director with HKTDC’s Singapore office said in the article that they are looking at the Philippines as a relocation destination for factories in China and that our viability as a manufacturing hub rests on our large English-speaking population of skilled workers and available land for economic zones offering incentives to locators.


The Philippines is Hong Kong’s 12th largest trading partner and 19th largest export market.If that holds true then it will mean more jobs for Filipinos especially those living in our economic zones.


The event I mentioned was attended by high-level Hong Kong-Shanghai joint investment mission to explore cooperation and investment opportunities driven by the growing intra-regional cooperation in Asia, notably under the Belt and Road Initiative.


The Belt and Road Initiative promotes connectivity and economic cooperation among countries along the Belt and Road routes to further market integration in the region.

                                 HKTDC Chairman Vincent HS Lo



The delegation, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in association with the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, consists of some 40 Hong Kong and Shanghai business leaders and services providers coming from a wide range of industries including consultancy, architecture, energy, waste and water treatment, engineering and construction, legal and accounting, transportation and other sectors.

During the three-day Manila visit, the delegation met with local government officials, agencies and business leaders to explore and discuss potential collaborations between Hong Kong, Shanghai and the Philippines on investment opportunities. The delegates also participated in project briefings and attended the “Hong Kong and Shanghai: Your Investment Partners” luncheon organized by the HKTDC on 24 April.



Belt and Road facilitators: Hong Kong and Shanghai

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano spoke to the delegation citing the rich history and strong ties between the Philippines and the Chinese even in the early 1900s. He also assured the guests that this is the best time to make use of those ties to invest in the Philippines.



At the luncheon, Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a facilitator for infrastructure development and doing business with the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world were promoted. These advantages include the city’s international network, rich talent pool, sound financial system, fair legal structure and efficient infrastructure.



HKTDC Chairman Vincent HS Lo said the Belt and Road Initiative is bringing real opportunities and benefits to the Philippines and around the region. “Our economic, trade and cultural ties are closer than ever with the growing outreach and exchange, such as our mission. Offering a combination of capital, professional expertise and production capability from Hong Kong and Shanghai, we hope to collaborate with partners in the Philippines to turn investment opportunities into bankable ventures.”

Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Sunwah Group

Speaking at the “Hong Kong and Shanghai: Your Investment Partner” luncheon, Co-Mission Leader Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Sunwah Group, said: “The delegation is impressed by the prospects of upcoming projects in the country. Apart from capital needs, we also see high demand for total solutions for infrastructure development. In our delegation there are representatives of a wide range of services providers, from architectural and engineering, construction, information technology, project management and operation to legal and risk managements. They are ready to contribute their expertise to the planned development projects.”

Timely visit to develop closer ties

The visit of the delegation is timely as Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has made infrastructure development a top socio-economic development priority. Under his “Build, Build, Build” initiative, a list of mega infrastructure projects amounting to US$160 billion is in the pipeline. Infrastructure spending is ambitiously targeted to expand to 7 per cent by 2019. Infrastructure investment is expected to be a major economic driver over the next few years. The Belt and Road Initiative can provide the much-needed infrastructure financing to partner countries.


Close economic and trade links

The Philippines was the 19th largest export market for Hong Kong in 2017. Hong Kong’s total exports to the Philippines rose 12 per cent year-on-year to US$3.6 billion. Over the same period, Hong Kong imports from the Philippines increased by 27.6 per cent year-on-year to US$9.8 billion. Major import items were semi-conductors, electronic valves and tubes (US$6.8 billion, 69.7%), computers (US$604 million, 6.2%), and telecom equipment and parts (US$458 million, 4.7%).

Show some love for your furniture with JDI’s Woodshine

Red roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped balloons . . . the tell-tale signs that lovers everywhere are in romantic mode. While passion and romance take center stage during the much touted Valentine month, who’s to say what love means to each one of us?

For those who care for their homes and their prized possessions, love can mean treating your cherished wooden furniture with the care and nurturing they deserve.

That is why in this season of love, trusted industry leader Jardine Distribution Inc. urges you to “love your furniture” by using Woodshine, a tried and tested furniture polish from timber expert Solignum, to protect these from scratches, dirt, and potential damage.

Formulated to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of your furniture and make it last through the years, Woodshine is a special liquid emulsion, wax-based formula that has anti-static property, which creates a natural barrier that repels dust particles and grime, prevents smudges and light scratches, and even removes coffee and water stains.

Woodshine can be used on all varnished, laminated, and treated wooden furniture like chairs, tables, and cabinets. It can also be applied on vinyl and leather surfaces.

Unlike other similar products in the market, Woodshine has no strong and irritating odor—just a pleasant, mild lemon scent.

Woodshine carries the heritage of Solignum, the leading company in timber protection and is a Superbrand Awardee since 2010, assuring consumers of Woodshine’s world-class quality.

Woodshine has no termite protection property so it is advisable to use Solignum wood preservative before painting and finishing to protect the timber from the infestation of termites, wood borers, and fungi.

Spray some love on your furniture this February with Woodshine, available in 150 ml and 330 ml aerosol cans.

Woodshine is available at Rustan’s Supermarket, Marketplace and Wilcon stores nationwide.

For more information, visit www.jardinedistribution.com.ph.

UniKitty! debuts on Philippine TV to brighten your day!

This April, it’s all smiles and good vibes as Cartoon Network is set to premiere its newest animated comedy show UniKitty! to give you more reasons to laugh and be positive!

UniKitty! is the story of Princess Unikitty, the cheerful and whimsical ruler of Unikingdom, whose mission is to spread happiness and positivity throughout the kingdom and prevent Master Frown from doing his bidding. Aiding her in her mission are her clueless but kind-hearted brother Prince Puppycorn, her bodyguard Hawkodile, her friend scientist and inventor Dr. Fox, and her trusted aide, Richard.

The Danish-American fantasy comedy is one of the newest shows on Cartoon Network, developed by Ed Skudder and Lynn Wang based on the character of the same name from the 2014 animated adventure film The LEGO Movie by Warner Bros. Pictures. In the show, Unikitty is voiced by veteran voice actor Tara Strong, who is known for her work on The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 and Teen Titans, among others.

Unikitty first appeared on The LEGO Movie in 2014 as a Master Builder from Cloud Cuckoo Land. The character was considered one of the highlights of the film by fans and critics alike, leading to her getting her own line of mini-figures and playsets, and later, her very own show full of adventure, excitement and dance parties!

Get ready for a whirlwind combo of sparkles, monster punching and fun with Unikitty and her friends every Saturday! Tune in to the first episode of UniKitty! this coming April 28 at 10:15am, only on Cartoon Network.

Watch out for more UniKitty! and enjoy exclusive content featuring your favorite Cartoon Network characters by visiting CartoonNetworkAsia.com or be in the loop on social media by connecting with the number 1 kids’ channel on Facebook.com/CartoonNetworkAsia and Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial.

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. 

Carter marks the second HOOQ Original series to arrive from Hollywood

HOOQ – the largest Video on Demand service in South East Asia – is proud to build on its HOOQ Originals offering with yet another Hollywood title.  In a deal with Sony Pictures Television, HOOQ has acquired the new series, Carter, a light-hearted detective procedural that blends small-town charm with big-city crime.  The series premiered on 6 April, with new episodes dropping every Friday.  HOOQ is the first to premiere the series worldwide and Carter marks the second Hollywood Original to arrive on the service following the gripping police drama, The Oath, from Sony Pictures Television.

Chief Content Officer of HOOQ, Jennifer Batty said, “We understand the need to offer a variety of genres and tones to our loyal subscribers which is why we loved Carter.  Thanks to creator Garry Campbell’s (MADtv) quirky vision and writer John Tinker’s (Chicago Hope) skill with drama, Carter truly has a unique voice.  We’re confident that this fresh take on the detective drama is well poised to be a hit among our audience on HOOQ.”  

Produced by Amaze Film + Television, Carter tells the story of Harley Carter (Jerry O’Connell), a detective on a hit American TV show who is forced to return to his sleepy hometown after an embarrassing public meltdown in Hollywood.  Upon his return, Carter taps into his acting experience to become a real-life detective, partnering with his two best friends, Sam Shaw (Sydney Poitier Heartsong) and Dave Leigh (Kristian Bruun).

Each episode will be a self-contained crime story, delivering mysteries as well as the occasional murder, and surrounded by fun and quirky characters.  Carter is also a story about true friendship as our protagonist returns to his hometown and faces the people of his past, who all took different paths in their lives but remain the best of friends.  But, above it all, viewers can expect a smartly written detective drama delivered with a tinge of comedy.

Carter stars Jerry O’Connell (Stand By Me, Sliders, Mission To Mars and the latest season of The Big Bang Theory), Sydney Poitier Heartsong (Death Proof, True Crime), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), and John Bourgeois (Ginger Snaps, X-Men: Apocalypse).


It’s shaping up to be a big year for HOOQ, with a fresh lineup and the most popular TV shows and movies. “HOOQ has been successful because we have content for everyone—from Pinoy movies to Hollywood blockbusters and, now, our second HOOQ Originals series, Carter. We are very excited for the next three quarters of 2018 because we have a lot of new content available for subscribers,” said Jeff Remigio, HOOQ content and programming head.

DC fans will be thrilled this month as well, as HOOQ also strengthens its library of DC shows (Supergirl, The Flash and Arrow), with the latest addition: Krypton, a new DC series set 200 years before Superman came to Earth, which premiered on March 29 with two episodes. New episodes will then release on HOOQ every Friday, within 24 hours of US telecast.

 “HOOQ is very proud of our new content because we only want the best for subscribers, whatever their viewing preferences are,” said HOOQ Philippines country manager Sheila Paul.

Premier Date on HOOQ:
06 April 2018

Huawei P20, P20 Pro changes the photography experience at Earth + Lens exhibit

Manila Bulletin partners with Huawei for the Earth + Lens exhibit held at S Maison Conrad Manila last April 22. It features images from Manila Bulletin's Edgard Hilario and Art Samaniego,  selected bloggers and photographers using Huawei’s latest flagship smartphone models, the Huawei P20 and the Huawei P20 Pro.

The Manila Bulletin and Huawei special photo contributors were all tasked to capture Mother Nature’s gratifying glory and unexplainable beauty using a professional camera and a mobile phone, respectively. The Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro are not ordinary, run-of-the-mill smartphones since they are all made by Huawei, one of the world’s leading ICT and telecommunications brands.

The Huawei P20 comes with the Leica dual camera while the Huawei P20 Pro beats everyone to the punch with the world’s first and revolutionary Leica triple camera that totally changes  how intelligent photography should be done. This triple-camera feature of the Huawei P20 Pro also trumps the competition with an unbelievably high mark of 109 at DxOMark.com, the world’s trusted industry standard for camera and lens image quality measurements and ratings.

No doubt, the Huawei P20 Pro packs the highest-ever total pixel count compared to any smartphone today. The main camera boasts of a 40MP count next to an f/1.8 lens for unmatched image vividness and sharpness while the secondary camera comes with 20MP behind a f/1.6 lens. Finally, the telephoto camera trots an 8MP count with an f/2.4 lens with matching optical image stabilization technology. This lofty pixel count makes photography using the Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro become a superb and enriching experience. The 5x Hybrid zoom capability, meanwhile, lets users take awesomely stunning photos and deliver outstanding results. Both have Master AI features with AI-driven professional photography via the super powerful Huawei AIS (AI Image Stabilization) technology.

Capturing photos in low-light conditions will not be a problem since the Huawei P20 Pro is a definite beast, with a sensitivity of up to ISO 102400, while the 4D Predictive Focus feature enables the camera to calculate and predict the movement of subjects and shoots an astonishing 960fps in super slow motion.

Coupled with timeless design features, plus the NPU on a Kirin 970 chipset and EMUI 8.1 based on Android 8.1, Huawei certainly brings to life ultimate performance and a premium, leading-edge smartphone experience. And possessing the Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro is a sure-fire, attention-grabbing fashion statement wherever you go with its new gradient color effect that makes these phones look like it comes in different colors.

In line with this exhibit, Huawei also announced a pre-order promotion for interested customers. To qualify, customers must pre-order their chosen Huawei P20 series phone at select Huawei Experience Stores and retail stores by paying P1,000. The amount will be deducted from the total amount upon full payment on redemption date. Pre-order period will be from April 21-27, 2018.

The customer will then be given an Official Receipt and a Pre-Order card for every successful pre-order. Customer must completely fill up the card as proof of pre-order and present it on redemption date to claim the unit. Redemption date is on April 28, 2018. A high-value freebie, a Canon CP1300 printer, will be given for every successful pre-order and full payment of purchase price of the P20 or the P20 Pro.

Also, on April 28, 2018, Huawei will offer a “First-Day” promo offer for its Huawei P20 Lite. For every purchase of the Huawei P20 Lite, customers will get a special Huawei Gift Box, which can only be redeemed only on the promo date itself. Participating Huawei Experience Stores include those located at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, SM Southmall Las Piñas City, SM Megamall Mandaluyong City, Robinson’s Ermita, Manila, and at E-Phone in Glorietta, Makati City.

Power couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla #Kathniel graced the Perfect Shot Vivo V9 mall tour

I remember seeing Daniel Padilla (DJ) in person 4 years ago for an event that I have attended at BGC. I was on time when he was featured as one of the endorsers of a chichirya. I instantly became a fan not because of his good looks (okay that was given)  , but because I love how he takes care of his mother and siblings. He is a good son. His priority is always his family.

Plus, he is a Padilla, just like his tito Robin Padilla. I will forever be a fan. And I will support this loveteam Kathniel as well.

So when I got an invite from Vivo, I said yes right away.  I bought 3 phones just to get a good shot from him. I was I should say in heaven. Seeing him in person was surreal again.  I have attached their pictures here for the fans.

Vivo, one of the top smartphone brands in the Philippines, recently welcomed to its roster of brand endorsers Ivan Dorschner, Edward Barber, and, Elisse Joson--the other  half of the McLisse love team--reuniting with her loveteam partner McCoy De Leon.

They joined love Vivo Philippines power couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, lovingly known as KathNiel to their avid fans, who were launched as endorsers of the smartphone brand in September 2017.

Last April 21, Saturday, the two local teen royalties graced the Perfect Shot Perfect View Vivo V9 mall tour and consumer launch held at the SM Mall of Asia. The event was even more special since it was KathNiel's first Vivo V9 mall tour.

KathNiel on April 21, 2018, Saturday enjoyed visiting the different booths at the Vivo V9 mall tour in SM Mall of Asia.

Both Kathryn and Daniel are thrilled over Vivo’s newest flagship phone, the V9. A self-confessed selfie addict, Kathryn has always said she loves the V9’s camera.

“I love taking selfies so having a reliable front camera is important [to] me,” she said when asked what she appreciates about V9’s camera features. 

“[I like it] that the Vivo V9 has a 24 megapixel AI selfie camera with an AI Face Beauty feature [as these] enhance my natural looks.” 

Moreover, Kathryn is excited about the V9’s dual camera. A travel enthusiast, Kathryn can now take flawless shots using the V9’s dual rear camera and make them more interesting by with the special bokeh mode.

Daniel, on the other hand, makes good use of his Vivo V9 when playing video games. With his busy lifestyle, Daniel can relax while playing with the V9’s upgraded Game Mode to create a customized, uninterrupted gaming experience.

“[When I am on my free, relaxing time, there is no problem] blocking message alerts and calls when I am on my phone playing a video game.” Daniel testifies. 

Because of the V9’s Snapdragon 626, a powerful chipset, Daniel is also able to experience a smoother performance when playing a video game on his Vivo V9.

Kathniel, being movie stars are likewise movie buffs. With the Vivo V9’s 6.3 inch Full view display, watching films whether or not they are on the go makes for a better visual experience.

Both Kathryn and Daniel personify the young and hip Filipino demographic that it is why Vivo had no second thoughts signing up the love duo to represent the brand. With the impact of their huge following on and off social media, Vivo is set to earn a surefire top spot in the hearts of smartphone users nationwide.

-
Myx VJ Ai with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, two of the  most sough after stars, during their first mall tour with Vivo

Kathniel’s Vivo mall tour is only one of Vivo Philippines’ efforts to introduce their latest flagship smartphone, the Vivo V9 closer to the smartphone users. The Vivo V9 is an artificial intelligence (AI) selfie camera with a 16 MP+5 MP dual-camera setup.

Much like its predecessors, the V7 and V7+, the V9 also rocks a 24 MP selfie camera that comes with features like AI Face Beauty Natural Light, Studio Light, and Monochrome background which brings selfie-taking with the new Vivo smartphone several notches higher in the quality scale. Selfie-fans will also benefit in the ample phone display of the Vivo V9 as it could improve the overall composition of every photograph taken, with enhanced clarity and definition.

PH Ice Hockey Team concludes their first match of the year at SM Skating Mall of Asia

PH Ice Hockey Team concludes their first match of the year at SM Skating Mall of Asia



The Philippine Ice Hockey team finished their first game of the year by taking home the bronze medal at the Challenge Cup of Asia (CCOA). The International Ice Hockey Foundation (IIHF)-sanctioned competition was held at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink and marks the country’s first time to host the regional event.



Team captain, Steven Fuglister, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament with his split 14.5-second goal hit in the Philippines’ last game against Singapore.

The Philippine Ice Hockey Team, together with their family and friends, celebrate at the close of the Challenge Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink.

“We want to thank everyone for their great show of support at this year’s Challenge Cup. Our families, friends, and fans gave us an incredible source of strength and motivation during this run, testament to our podium finish,” said Jonathan de Castro, the Philippine Ice Hockey Team’s new coach.

The national team will next play at the Philippine Ice Hockey Tournament in June. Although this will not have any direct impact to their IIHF standing, it will further promote the sport as some of the competing teams will come from neighboring countries.


The 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will play a big role towards the team’s overall direction as they look to defend their gold title and advance to the IIHF World Championships. With the Philippines as SEA Games host, the team also looks forward to having the home crowd cheer them on.

 “We are currently starting preparations for the men’s and potentially the women’s teams for next year. Riding on our motivation from CCOA, the coaching staff is currently breaking down film from our last game to move forward and create the roster for the upcoming 2019 SEA Games,” de Castro added. 

Future ice hockey games of the national team will be held at SM Skating Mall of Asia, which boasts an Olympic-sized ice skating rink that was unveiled last October 2017. SM Lifestyle Entertainment’s support for figure skating and speed skating alongside ice hockey goes hand-in-hand with SM Group’s vision to help and build homegrown talents.



For more updates and announcements on tournaments and events of the Philippine Ice Hockey team, visit SM Skating’s website at www.smskating.com or follow the official social media accounts at @smskating.

Huawei, Manila Bulletin Partnership Reinvents Nature Photography

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the adage goes, but no one can argue with the objective beauty our planet has to offer. That fact is what inspires most photographers (professional and casual alike) to point their lens of choice at nature and capture just how breath-taking it all is. Still, it takes a considerable amount of skill to replicate the captivating details of a flower, a landscape, or a rushing waterfall in a photograph.

Huawei seeks to bring this pro-level skill to smartphone owners, with the result being the new P20 series equipped with Leica camera systems. The P20 and P20 Pro is distinct from previous P generations with the heavier emphasis on Intelligent Photography – that is, leveraging the power of A.I. features that make the cameras more dynamic in any given situation.


Earth + Lens: An Exhibit to Behold

At the official launch of the P20 Series in the Philippines, Huawei recapped one of their previous events that underscore the new device’s camera prowess: the Earth + Lens Exhibit held last April 22, 2018 at the S’Maison at Conrad Manila.

Photo courtesy of Mae Ilagan

The Earth + Lens Exhibit is the collaborative product of Huawei and the Manila Bulletin, showcasing images of Mother Nature shot on the P20 Pro. Coinciding with Earth Month, the exhibit served to celebrate the deep appreciation we all have for nature’s beauty enabled by the triple camera systems on the P20 Pro. The P20 Pro also provided the cover of the April 28, 2018  issue of Manila Bulletin, further proving its merit as a serious photography tool.

Professional Skill in the Palm of the Hand

What made the event more interesting is the different takes each photographer had on the theme, composed of media personalities and pro photographers handpicked by Huawei. These remarkable people share some insights on how mobile devices have made people interested in photography and the subjects explored by the field:

Art Samaniego of Manila Bulletin has similar sentiments, sharing his takeaway from a conversation he had with a renowned National Geographic photographer who prefers setting everything to auto: “Great photography is not the technique that you use – modern technology could do better than you do.”

Edgard Hilario of Manila Bulletin also notes the perception shift brought about by smartphone cameras and the empowerment they provide to people: “Having a good camera phone makes you always ready to take pictures,” Edgard says as he whips out a Huawei P20 Pro and expressing satisfaction with its portrait, black and white, and selfie features.

Mae Ilagan of When in Manila raves about the Huawei P20 Pro’s auto mode, especially its AI-powered scene recognition feature: “Sobrang ganda kasi talaga ng photos na napo-produce niya (The photos it produces are just so beautiful)… it's more convenient to use. It captures moments and immortalizes memories just the way how my mind sees it.

PJ Icogo of Gizguide loves taking scenery pictures, and he’s grateful for the Pro mode the P20 Pro offers which lets him compose the shot he wants. PJ is also delighted with the P20 Pro’s low-light capabilities, saying “Just click it, point mo sa subject mo and after that, may magic na nagyayari, ang ganda na agad (Just click it, point at your subject and after that it’s like magic, it’s instantly beautiful).”

A Testament to Flagship Camera Perfection

The feedback from the Earth + Lens participants illuminates just how powerful the P20 Series cameras are. When experienced photographers talk about how “leaving the DSLR at home” becomes more sensible than outlandish, it’s a testament to the hardware and software perfection Huawei has achieved with their flagship devices.

Indeed, smartphone photography in recent years has become a viable alternative to dedicated camera equipment, but Huawei takes it to a new level: by giving P20 users an incredibly capable, pro-level photography tool, beholding nature in all its intricate and captivating glory just became much more accessible.

Pricing and Availability

The Huawei P20 Pro is available for Php 44,990 in three eye-catching color options: Twilight, Midnight Blue, and Black. The Huawei P20 comes in Black and Midnight Blue for Php 34,990, and the Huawei P20 Lite is available in Klein Blue and Midnight Black for Php 15,990.

Own the best smartphone camera around through the country’s top mobile networks and other financing options. For Globe postpaid subscribers, you can get the Huawei P20 Lite for free with ThePLAN 1499, the Huawei P20 with P2149 (ThePLAN 1999 + 3,600 cashout), and the Huawei P20 Pro at P2599 (ThePLAN 1999 + 14,400 cashout). All plans are customizable, but include unlimited texts + calls, Free Facebook data, and 3 months of Spotify for free as standard.

For SMART subscribers, you can get the Huawei P20 lite and P20 at plans 1299 and 1699 per month respectively while the Huawei P20 Pro at Php 2399 per month. All plans include 4.5/5 GB for all Apps & Sites, 10GB for videos (Youtube, iFlix, Fox+, iWantTV), unlimited all-net text, 50/60 all net-minutes, discounted calls to Smart & TNT, free 1-month gadget shield, and data rollover.

CITI Bank, BDO, BPI, HSBC, Metro Bank, and Eastwest Bank credit card holders may avail the Huawei P20 and P20 Pro in installment for 12 to 24 months at 0% interest. Promo runs from April 28 to June 30, 2018 at select Huawei Experience stores, Experience Kiosks, and partner retailers nationwide.


You can also get the P20 Lite through Home Credit, available for 0% interest installment over 6 to 9 months.

For more information about Huawei devices in the Philippines, you may check out facbook.com/HuaweiMobilePH.

Giordano Ladies launches Spring Summer 2018 Collection

The modern-day Filipina is out to dominate the world. Whether it's in politics, science and technology, or business and commerce, more and more Filipinas are making their mark and leading a revolution. Balancing their careers with their family life, Filipinas are proving themselves as powerful forces both at work and at home.



Giordano Ladies believes in the passion, wit, and innate beauty of every Filipina. These traits partnered with great style can bring any woman to anywhere she desires. And Giordano Ladies knows that great style means bringing out and enhancing the inner beauty of every woman through simplistic, modern, classic, and timeless clothes.

"Filipinas today are on their a-game. They are making a difference in their professions and in many instances, they are in leadership positions. Not only this, they also live lives outside of work, pursuing their passions and changing the world around them. That's why we wanted to give them clothing options that resonate with their lifestyle; clothes that are comfortable, modern, and timeless,” Beatrice See Lim, VP for Marketing of Giordano Ladies said.

In designing its latest collection, Giordano Ladies kept the modern-day woman in mind. Focusing on clean and refreshing pale color tones, the collection espouses comfortable and classy style. It is composed of items that are modern, stylish, and especially designed to bring out the best in every woman.



This collection contains various harmonious color palettes, comfortable fabrics, and stylish details. Primarily inspired by colors that evoke nature and the spirit of the season, Giordano Ladies’ Spring Summer 2018 Collection invites every woman to slow down and enjoy the beauty of living.

Borrowing from the beautiful colors seen during sunrise, the airy pleated trench coat and color block skirt show a contrast between darkness and light. Another evocative pairing is the cotton lawn boxy sweater and skirt, paired with square toe leather mules that echo the colors of dawn.


Another palette in the collection are inspired by foliage and earth tones. Like the moss green layered top and skirt. The drawstring in this ensemble adds a layer of texture to the color giving it body and movement.

To celebrate summer, a palette of yellow-to-orange is apt to brighten any day. Reminiscent of a sunny day, the two-way tank top, color blocking culottes, and the tassel detailed knitted top, are some of the pieces in the collection that best capture the dynamism and excitement of the season.



Aside from these, Giordano Ladies’ Spring Summer 2018 Collection also includes sensible footwear, scarves, and even accessories like necklaces and sunglasses.

"This collection aims to translate everyday sights into functional fashion pieces that can accentuate the undeniable beauty of the Filipina," Lim said. "We believe that through these clothes they can show the world not only their impeccable taste and great style, but also their identity. And to us that's the most important."

Visit Giordano Ladies at SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall Bldg. D, The Shoppes, Solaire Resort and Casino, and in The Podium Mall. For more information about the latest collection from Giordano Ladies, visit www.giordanoladies.com, or like and follow its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/GiordanoLadiesPH, or on Instagram at @giordanoladiesph.