2018-12-16 ~ SBNLifestyle

December 21, 2018

TFC Welcomes Newly Reopened Philippine Consulate General in Houston, Texas

A full quarter of a century since it closed, the Philippine Consulate General in Houston, Texas reopened this year to provide the consular needs of the fast-growing Filipino population in Texas and south central U.S. It is now serving some 179,000 Filipinos in the states under its jurisdiction, namely, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, the second largest state next to Alaska in the U.S. Just to show scope, Texas alone is about two times bigger than the Philippines in land size.

ABS-CBN North and Latin America, through its Sales and Distribution team under Ray Olano, assigned Houston-based Territory Account Sales Head for Midwest Joy Espinosa to reach out to the new consular team under Consul General General Jerrill Santos and offer assistance through TFC services. An IPTV demo unit was set up at the Consulate. Consul General Santos thanked ABS-CBN TFC for the warm welcome and support.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano had previously said that “the reopening of our Consulate General in Houston is consistent with the priorities laid down by President (Rodrigo) Duterte for us to bring our services closer to Filipinos overseas.”

“Through our Consulate General, we will endeavor to serve all Filipinos living on this side of the United States,” Secretary Cayetano said.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 06:50:00 PM

"Aquaman" Rules the International Box-Office, Breaks Record for Biggest December Opening Weekend Ever for a Foreign Title

Warner Bros. Pictures’ first-ever Aquaman standalone feature is making huge waves at the box office, coming in at #1 internationally for the second week in a row, and taking in an impressive Php 230.4-million in its opening weekend in the Philippines.

The epic action adventure, directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa in the title role, opened on approximately 643 screens on December 12, with sold-out shows and fans lining up to be among the first to see the film. The opening weekend marked the All-Time Biggest December Opening Weekend for a Foreign Title, surpassing 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Php 188-million.

Other notable records broken are the All-Time Biggest Opening Weekend for a James Wan Film, outgrossing 2015’s Fast & Furious 7 with Php 98-million; and the year’s Biggest Opening Weekend for a Warner Bros. Title (beating last November’s Php 109.5-million gross of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.)

Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. Philippines, stated, “This weekend’s results prove that Aquaman is king of the box office as well as the seven seas. We are thrilled with these extraordinary numbers, and equally excited to see audiences comprised of movie fans, DC aficionados, and families filling the cinemas this holiday season. We anticipate strong word of mouth will carry these terrific results well into the New Year.”

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes Aquaman, the origin story of half-surface dweller, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry that takes him on the journey of his lifetime - one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king. The action-packed adventure spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, and stars Jason Momoa in the title role.

The film also stars Amber Heard as Mera, a fierce warrior and Aquaman’s ally throughout his journey; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (“The Florida Project”) as Vulko, council to the Atlantean throne; Patrick Wilson as Orm, the present King of Atlantis; Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, King of the Atlantean tribe Xebel; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the revenge-seeking Black Manta; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours”) as Arthur’s mom, Atlanna. Also featured are Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, an Atlantean Commando, and Temuera Morrison as Arthur’s dad, Tom Curry.

Wan directed from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall, based on characters created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger for DC. The film was produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.

Wan’s team behind the scenes included such frequent collaborators as Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“Forrest Gump”), Wan’s five-time editor Kirk Morri, production designer Bill Brzeski, and visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain. They were joined by costume designer Kym Barrett and composer Rupert Gregson-Williams.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Peter Safran Production, a James Wan Film, Aquaman. The film is being released worldwide in 2D, 3D, 4D, and ScreenX in select theatres, and in large screen formats, including Dolby Cinema and IMAX, by Warner Bros. Pictures.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 06:20:00 PM

GSK Philippines Celebrates 9 Years of "Orange Day Volunteer Program" in the Philippines by Visiting 16 Gawad Kalinga and 2 Smile Train Sites Nationwide

Volunteerism involves a person or a group of people participating in projects that are beneficial to the community’s wellbeing. Volunteerism is the spirit behind GSK’s Orange Day, when employees get one paid day off to volunteer at a non-profit organization of their choice.

On November 23, 400 employees of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Philippines visited 16 Gawad Kalinga sites and two Smile Train partner institutions in the country, including Antipolo in Rizal, Sagay in Negros Occidental, Naga in Camarines Sur, Quezon Province, Laguna, Pasig-San Rose, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Sta. Mesa, Bataan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Caloocan, Davao, Gen. Santos, La Union and Las Pinas.

“We encourage our employees in GSK to volunteer and contribute to our local communities. It helps our employees gain new experiences and skills, creating a deeper understanding of patient needs. Employees come back with a different view and serve as change agents in GSK,” said Sriram Jambunathan, General Manager for GSK Philippines Pharmaceuticals.

All GSK employees are entitled to employee volunteering, which means they can take one paid day off per year to pursue an authorized charity activity. Although there are multiple ways of volunteering at GSK, Orange Day is a key flagship program launched in 2009.

The company believes that by volunteering, employees are challenged to think differently, develop leadership skills, and heighten cultural agility. Further, GSK believes that they can also be instruments in helping create positive, sustainable change for non-profit partners, and the communities they serve; and that through their experiences, they bring fresh ideas and new energy back to the company.

“One day of volunteering can have impact on the health and well-being of local communities where we operate. As well as this, volunteering is also a great way to demonstrate and live our values outside of the organization,” said Ritesh Pandey, General Manager for GSK Philippines Consumer Healthcare.

GSK Values are Patient Focus, Integrity, Respect for People, Transparency.

“We believe that we can do good and do good business at the same time, embedding ‘responsible business’ in the core of our operations, the patients at the heart of everything we do. GSK will not be GSK without Orange Day,” said Sarabjit Paul, Site Director for GSK Manufacturing Plant in Philippines.

As GSK medical representative Maan Bacila puts it, Orange Day serves as reminder of how blessed employees are to be part of the company, “We are given a chance to share our blessings of love and abundance by inspiring people to do more, feel better, thus live longer, through improving and working on our current situations, no matter, how hard or challenging it may be.”

Leah Inigo, also a GSK medical representative, shared, “From the bottom of my heart, I felt fulfilment because as we are all focusing to deliver business performance this 2018, we pause for a while to share our blessings with others, not only material things but also our precious time, and warm hugs, and contagious smiles.”

This year, GSK commemorates its 50th year in the Philippines, committing to continue helping Filipinos do more, feel better, live longer.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 06:16:00 PM

Feel the Luxury at Director’s Club Cinema - The Podium

Be treated with a unique kind of comfort and luxury at Director’s Club by SM Cinema at The Podium, its newest location.

Situated at the business district of Ortigas, Director’s Club Cinema The Podium will surely be a favorite hang-out spot for those who want to unwind while watching much-awaited blockbusters.

Director’s Club Cinema The Podium offers a unique cinematic experience through extraordinary facilities and premium services that take movie watching to the next level.

Be in charge at Director’s Club Cinema The Podium as comfortable leather recliner seats easily adjust and favorite Snacktime treats are just push of a button away through the in-house butler service.

Make movie nights more exciting in any of the three (3) Director’s Club Cinemas, each with a 48-seating capacity, at The Podium.

Utilizing the latest technology in digital surround sound and quality projection and screen, this cinematic experience is sure to be a visual and sensory treat!

Enjoy the latest blockbusters at SM Cinema’s latest offering at Director’s Club Cinema The Podium.

Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 06:05:00 PM

5 Ways to Celebrate Family Christmas Inside BGC's Play City

After the holiday rush at work and school, it’s finally time to spend precious moments with our greatest love - our family. Give the gift of wonderful memories to our children by taking them to KidZania Manila, the premier play city where the whole family can bond over its #YuleBeTogether themed activities.

Here are five ways to celebrate the Family Christmas at KidZania Manila:

1.    Take the Christmas Family Challenge.

The main square will be filled with exciting challenges for the whole family as they are called to help keep the Christmas spirit strong, and earn KidZos in return. These activities include delivering gifts, sorting letters, and arranging logs. Join the fun from December 23 to January 1.

2.    Decorate for the holidays at the Christmas corner.

Let the kids take on the Yuletide cheer at the Christmas corner, where they can color DIY themed placements or create ornaments. At the end of the activity, they can take home their masterpieces for the whole family to enjoy or complete at home together.

3.    Play with your mom or dad inside selected establishments.

No better way to teach young kids work values than by working together with them and sharing them your thoughts, memories, and learnings. Take on the role-play challenge at the Acting Academy, tour the Marine Research Lab together, and explore the Disaster Preparedness Training Center to train them early on facing emergencies.

4.    Play and learn through the city challenges.

Take the adventure in Nido 3+/5+ City Challenge with your little ones. Children ages four to six years old may join the Play, Learn, and Let go challenges with their parents in featured Nido establishments until December 31.

5.    Jumpstart your kids’ savings.

It’s the perfect time of the year to start teaching the kids how to save, especially since they will get their ‘pamasko’ from their godparents. Check out the BPI Jumpstart^ launch from December 18 to 22 and avail of the P100 deposit to open a BPI Jumpstart^ Savings Account.

Celebrate #FamilyIsLove at KidZania Manila this Christmas while leaving skills and values that go a long way.

For more details, visit manila.kidzania.com or follow the Play City’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) @kidzaniamanila.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 06:00:00 PM

JC Santos, Bela Padilla and Revilla Brothers Star in Pay-Per-View Offers from Sky

Fresh 2018 movies starring JC Santos and Bela Padilla, “The Day After Valentine’s Day,” and the Revilla brothers’ “Tres” lead the exciting line-up of pay-per-view offerings that are perfect for a holiday movie marathon this December.

After the highly talked about 2017 box-office movie “100 Tula Para Kay Stella,” Bela and JC reunite with director Jason Paul Laxamana in “The Day After Valentine’s Day.”

This movie was one of the entries in the 2018 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and tells the story of moving on from heartbreak. Lani (Bela) is a simple girl who likes “broken things” and Baybayin, the Filipino ancient alphabetic writing system. She stumbles upon Kai (JC), who is suffering from a heartbreak, and tries to help him move on as they spend Valentine’s Day together.

Other movie treats to enjoy include “Single Single: Love is not Enough,” “Harry and Patty,” “Petmalu,” “Unli Life,” and “The Hopeful Romantic.”

To avail of this movie pack, subscribe to SKY Movies Pay-Per-View for only P30 for a 5-day access. Call 418 0000 or visit mysky.com.ph/moviesppv or text MOVIESPPV to 23662 to subscribe.

Giving viewers a dose of adrenaline rush, meanwhile are the Revilla brothers, Jolo, Luigi, and Bryan as they band together for the first time in the action trilogy movie, “Tres,” a timely movie that revolves around the high-stakes world of anti-drug law enforcement, drug traffickers, and drug users.

According to Jolo, “Tres” is only the first of the Revilla brothers’ joint projects as they plan to make more action and fantasy films in the near future. This movie also serves as the comeback film of Imus productions which produced the films of Jolo’s grandfather, “Nardong Putik,” “Pepeng Agimat” and “Ang Panday.”

Also in the Star Cinema on SKYcable Pay-Per-View bundle are “K9,” “Kasunduan,” “Riding In Tandem,” “Corpus Delicti,” “We Will Die Tonight,” and Pinoy Pride 45.

The Star Cinema movie pack offer is available until January 4 for only P30 for a 5-day access. SKYcable subscribers can also access these movies from the comfort of their home or on any device anytime, anywhere via SKY on Demand. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office, visit www.mysky.com.ph/starcinemappv or just text STARCINEMAPPV to 23662.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 05:26:00 PM

#TeamLie Face #TeamJelai in PBB Otso Concert

Pinoy Big Brother Otso housemates and Camp Star Hunt Star Dreamers join forces for a special concert tomorrow, December 21 inside the PBB house, after Home Sweetie Home.

The concert will feature performances from the teams of Jelay and Lie.

Jelay will be joined by Rhys, Karina, Sansan, Krist, Lienel, Kurt and Aljon. Together, they will face the team of Lie, which includes Missy, Reign, Seth, Kaori, Achilles, Gian and Gabby.

What exciting performances have they prepared? Who will emerge as the winning team? And, will they win this week's challenge of having 888,888 views on Facebook during the concert?

Find out tomorrow on Pinoy Big Brother Otso, after Home Sweetie Home, only on ABS-CBN.

By: JENG On 12/21/2018 05:24:00 PM

December 17, 2018

Catriona Gray Wins Miss Universe 2018 Crown

Catriona Gray, the 24-year-old Filipino-Australian beauty from Bicol, Philippines was crowned Miss Universe on Monday, December 17, at the Impact Arena, Thailand.

During the final question, Catriona was asked "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?"

She replied: "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is... it's poor and very sad. And I've always taught myself to look for the beauty of it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces. Thank you."

Tamaryn Green of South Africa was first runner-up followed by Miss Venezuela.

By: JENG On 12/17/2018 11:14:00 AM

December 16, 2018

Nicolas Cage is Spider-Man Noir in Acclaimed “Spider-Verse” Film

The character of Spider-Man Noir is finally in a Spider-Man film.

In the new animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Oscar®-winning actor Nicolas Cage (Moonstruck, Leaving Las Vegas, Adaptation) voices the role of Spider-Man Noir. "He is from a dimension that is literally black and white," explains Cage. "Spider-Man Noir is hard boiled, he's probably the edgiest of the Spider-Men — think Raymond Chandler, Paul Cain, those great old detective novels. He's a 1933-era private eye and he's fighting Nazis, so he's a real hero."

The actor says he enjoyed voicing Spider-Man Noir because the directors allowed him to have fun with the role and to pay homage to some of his favorite classic actors, such as Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney. He explains, "I felt like we were doing something new and something original with the character. In addition, the movie is really about positive qualities like being heroes and doing the right thing for the community. It's also great for families, because everyone is represented. I can also tell you it has a terrific sense of humor."

Cage says to him Spider-Man is one of the most iconic comic-book characters and the ultimate superhero. "He is the most highly watchable action character with a great sense of humor. I think Stan Lee also felt that Spider-Man is one of his greatest achievements. And it's no secret that I like to play with different sources. It was fun to go back in time and pull back a little of that Humphrey Bogart essence. I think it will be interesting for young people because they may watch the movie and want to learn more about this Humphrey Bogart character—let me check out his movie Casablanca and find out! So, I think there's something in this for everyone, for the adults who like the old movies like I do, and also for the kids or the young people who will want to learn more about them."

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that's the first of its kind. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, the screenplay is by Phil Lord. The film is produced, in association with Marvel, by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Christina Steinberg.

Now playing in Philippine cinemas nationwide, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

By: JENG On 12/16/2018 10:21:00 PM

Southeast Asia’s First IMAX with Laser Now at Vista Cinemas’ Evia Lifestyle Center , Vista Mall in Alabang

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

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

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

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

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

Visit Vista social media pages at

www.facebook.com/vistacinemas

www.facebook.com/evialifestylecenter

www.vistacinemas.com.ph

By: JENG On 12/16/2018 10:06:00 PM

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