Sarap Diva Meets with Machete on Season 2

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Sarap Diva is a cooking and talk show created by GMA7 Network, and  hosted by Asia's Song Bird Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. The show  have various guests for the host to chat and cook with. 

This Saturday, January 5 in Sarap Diva Season 2 , there will be “Machete” episode with Aljur Abrenica and  Gardo Versoza.  Ms. Gladys Guevarra will also show her cooking talents.

They will share their  special recipes and secrets in cooking delectable dishes.

The one-hour program airs every Saturday, 9:40 am on GMA7 directed by Treb Monteras II.  Raul Mitra is  the musical director of the show.

For more updates , follow   Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/SarapDivaGMA and  
Twitter https://twitter.com/SarapDiva. 

SM North City end of season SALE !!!

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SM North City opens the  biggest  End of Season Sale on January 4 to  January 13 !  

Up to 70% off on selected items from fashion brands, beauty products, shoes, bags, and more!

Get your shopping bags ready and head on over to SM City North EDSA, Northern Shoppers. 

Go, Shop and Enjoy the Wonderful World of  SM North City !!!

New Year, New You at SM!

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Out with the old and in with new! It's the classic theme on everyone's mind as we usher in the coming year. As the ball beings to drop, so should our bad habits and old selves. That's why this new year, start it right. Why not sparkle like fireworks and come out with a new and improved look! Your first New Year's resolution, welcome in a brand new you!

So get ready to brush up and touch up with some new makeup finds! To get the smashing new makeover, it's as much a what-you-put-on as it is a how-you-put-it-on. And that's exactly why we're here to give you the 101 on what you should you be rubbing and dabbing on your skin. Because only the Beauty Section at SM Department store has the right stuff for you! From your lips to your lashes, everything in between and all around it, we'll help you get a good-looking new year and an even better looking new you!

My Lips, My Lips, My Lips

Love your new, hip and revamped lips. The most attractive lips are also the most luscious. So never leave without putting on some moisture where it matters. Lube up those lippity-lips of yours and shine like a bright new star! Sparkling!

Loreal Paris Shine Caresse (595)  For every young woman who’s dreamed of wearing sensual colors combined with a light, modern shine for naturally luscious lips!

Fresh, sensual brilliance Shine Caresse redefines shine to make it more natural and more modern thanks to a moist-look effect. New-generation lip color for dual results: beautiful shades infused with a fresh shine to bring out the natural beauty of your lips with the gleam of a candy-colored caress.

Shine Caresse, a one-step, easy-to-apply fluid texture for uniquely brilliant, fresh, modern results.Shine Caresse’s ultra-light fluid texture immediately melts onto the lips for a long-lasting moist-effect combined with completely unprecedented comfort and freshness, redefines shine with an all new sensation of soft, moist lips.

8 BABY DOLL SHADES

Easy-to wear, bright, candy-colored shades from the most vibrant fuchsia to the softest nude. From corals to peach to gentle pinks, the Shine Caresse palette flatters your complexion, enhances your smile and lifts your spirits!

Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting Lipstick – Very Cherry (P399)

The secret to Angelina's ruby red lips are here! Draw attention to your kissable lips with Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting lipsticks in Very Cherry, Are You Red-dy, and Red Revival. The satin texture and long-lasting moisture will make your lips sensationally smoother.

Color is purer, crisper, and creamier. The intense color pay-off and luxurious feel create a new indulgence in lip color. Fall in love with red lipsticks all over again with Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting Lipsticks!

Available in 20 eye-popping shades.

Cheek To Chic

Blush, gloss, glow, bronze! These are the magic ingredients to wildly exciting and flawlessly healthy cheeks. Go with a pink flush, rosy up with red or get a natural blush. The cheeks are the legs of the face. So, don't a make a mistake and leave these unattended. Make them look splendid!

Majolica Cream de Cheek (P495) Supple and glossy colored cheeks in an instant. A cheek color that blends in effortlessly. Leaving a natural healthy glow.

A gel cream type with gloss that spreads on smoothly. Its soft texture leaves no sticky feeling. Blends in perfectly to moisturize and maintain a long-lasting color.

Treatment effect to keep dry-prone cheeks moisturized at all times.

Contains

Macadamia nuts oil and vitamin E derivatives. This gel cream spreads evenly without clumping. Great color in an instant and a long-lasting

gloss finish.

In Raspberry cream, Coral cream, Shell Pink cream and Custard cream.

Max Faxtor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush (P545) Foundation might perfect your skin but a hint of cream blush is the secret weapon to a healthy glow. Now you can create the ultimate skin finish yourself with new Miracle Touch Creamy Blush. Designed to perfectly compliment the flawless results of Miracle Touch Foundation, this blend-easy blusher adds a radiant, dewy flush to all skin-types. Unlike powder blushers it also stays looking freshly applied throughout the day.

Elf Studio Contouring Blush & Bronsing powder (P249.75) Create a healthy and natural glow all year long with the Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder. The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color, while the Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition. This convenient compact has just what you need to achieve a gorgeous glow anytime, anywhere.

Lashes & Eyes Surprise

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. So let everybody know the beauty you hold. Glam and glitter your eyes so your beauty exudes inside and out. Line those lashes with product that lasts. Make those eyes burst with intense color. Then you can look to the new year with bright and beautiful lookers!

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Liner (P399) Maybelline New York, the world’s leading cosmetics brand, introduces superb liner technology in one of our most beloved products. Eye Studio Gel Liner takes eye artistry to a whole new different level. Thanks to a high concentration of pigments, it gives an intense color payoff that lasts all day. Its creamy formula gives this liner the smoothest glide for application. Oil-free, waterproof, and it lasts for 24 straight hours. It’s everything you’d want in an gel liner, and more.

Maybelline Eye Studio Lumineyes (P449) Want an eye color that you can wear all day until you party all night? The Eye Studio Lumineyes Eye Shadow palette comes with the first-ever illuminating color-control primer, with smoothening and adhering ingredients that evens out and brightens the eyelid, creating a perfect canvas for eye shadow pigments. The result? Eye shadow lasts longer, color is more even and more luminous.

Each palette is the perfect marriage of concentrated pigments and a luminizing topcoat. Sweep on this brilliant eyeshadow on your lids and watch your eyes transform from drab to fab. Its patented Lumineyes eyeshadow technology has ultra-smoothening and adhering ingredients that even out and brighten eyelids, creating the perfect canvas for eyeshadow color that truly dazzles.

The result? Dazzling party-perfect shades that last longer, appear more even, and illuminate the eyes.

Elf Studio Mineral Infused Mascara (P249.75) Mineral Infused Mascara creates fuller, healthier looking lashes. It enhances lashes for a naturally thicker and more volumized look. The long-wear formula and unique silicone brush creates clump free and defined lashes that last all day.

Majolica Trick on Liner (P595) A gel liquid eyeliner that delivers long lasting glossy and defined lines for lashes and body tattoos. Can be used as an eyeliner or to create designs on body. A liquid gel type liner that defines with precise and intense colors. Sweat, oil, tear and waterproof. Glides on smoothly and evenly on skin. Long-wearing color stays true and looks natural all day long. Glides on Treatment effect to keep dry-prone cheeks moisturized at all times. Contains Macadamia nuts oil and vitamin E derivatives. Fine brush type. In black clown and rose clown.

Nail That Look

Doll up those delicate fingers. It's a cute and pretty accent that will add to your overall hotness! This time you don't have to worry about the tediousness of it all. Nail art is best enjoyed with ease. Grab this DIY nail salon find and you'll get fingers looking good in no time!

Loreal Paris le nail art (P395) Discover the new generation of nail stickers, with the most qualitative offer ever.  Inspired by the most luxurious fabrics from Couture houses in Paris, L’Oreal Paris comes up with the newest nail sensation – Color Riche Les Nail Art.

For the 1st time in 3D, L’Oreal offers a full nail art sticker range for the most avante garde nail look. So quick, so chic. Nail art has never been this easy!

BYS Nail Polish (P249) All the classic shades you've grown to love or find something more individual. Over 80 colours and counting!

The new year will be exciting! Think of all the wonderful things it will bring. And now, you have more things to be thrilled about as you imagine the awesome things your new looks will bring! So gear up the makeup. Rub, dab and line. Experiment, have fun and keep your skin protected at all times! From the Beauty Section at SM Department Store, have a merry holiday season and may you have a happy new year with a pretty new you!

PhilPOP 2013 is on higher level and is now accepting entries

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After a successful debut earlier this year, the illustrious Philippine Popular Music Festival songwriting competition is gearing up for its 2^nd run this 2013.  As early as January 1, entries are accepted on www.philpop.com.ph, with the deadline running until February 28.

The group behind this this endeavour is the PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Inc, which involves itself in nation building through music.  It seeks to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine. 

Expecting to break the record of 3,000 participants in the initial run, Philpop, under the baton of its Executive Director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, laid out a more comprehensive and arduous screening process to find the top 14 finalists. 

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, participant must be of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join, the song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights. It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”.  The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. First runner-up award went to Australia-based  Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion.  Young composer Toto Sorioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel while first timer James Leyte, who works in an IT department, won the Smart People’s Choice Award for his reggae-influenced song entitled “Brown” co-interpreted by Brownman Revival.  Maestro Cayabyab clarifies that even the past winners can still join the competition.

“We are continuing to promote the songs from the Philpop and the album while drawing up strategies to further thrust these songwriters and songs into the spotlight” shares Maestro Cayabyab.  “We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious song writing competition in Philippine history with an even more songwriters vying for the 1 million pesos grand prize this 2013”.

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.   

Marvin Agustin considers 2012 a landmark year

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The year 2012 is undeniably a landmark year for Marvin Agustin, for it is this year that he has been lauded on basically all his endeavors – as a TV/movie actor, entrepreneur, restaurateur, entertainment producer, and a society mover.

Before the end of the year, Marvin bagged two important entrepreneurial awards – the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the annual Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and being one of the recipients of the MVP Bossing Awards. These awards highlight the immense contribution of Marvin as a young entrepreneur, being one of the men behind one of the most successful food chains Sumo Sam.

These achievements were acknowledged by various brands’ support to Marvin by asking him to be their endorser. Currently, Marvin is the face of brands like Knorr, Carbtrim, Tupperware, among others.

Marvin also proved the he continues to be one of the versatile movie personalities in the land by appearing in two important movie projects – the hit comedy vehicle Moron 5 and the internationally-acclaimed horror flick The Road.

On TV, he also showed his mettle as a host when he did Artista Academy on TV5, where he exhibited both wits and empathy towards the contestants.

As a TV and movie personality, Marvin was also named by the Optical Media Board as Anti-Piracy Ambassador.

With all the blessings he has received, Marvin paid it forward by helping the lesser fortunate by participating in Operation Smile Outreaches.

The year 2012 proved that, through having good time management, Marvin Agustin has played his different roles in various industries well.

“I really hope I can do even better in 2013, but really, I have no doubt because I have been blessed with a competent team,” says Marvin. “I really hope everyone will have blessed 2013!”

Gee Canlas: From being TV’s fastest talker to Amazing Race Philippines’ surprise frontrunner

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TV host Gee Canlas impressed audiences when she was introduced in the now-defunct ABS-CBN show Music Uplate Live, where he made a name for herself as Speedy Gee because of her ability to talk really fast.

She then was given a hosting assignment in Pilipinas Win Na Win, alongside Pokwang, and Kris Aquino. The show however was axed after only a few months.

Recently, however, Gee made a surprise, bold move when she figured as one of the finalists of TV5’s Amazing Race Philippines, where she is paired with her good friend Sheena Vera Cruz.

Her inclusion in the program also showed her transformation. Since she started her stint in the business, she lost considerable weight.

 

“Joining Amazing Race Philippines is an opportunity that presented itself, so I grabbed it. In fact, even before this local edition, I auditioned for the regional show,” says Gee. “Pero ngayon, with a new partner Sheena who is a very good friend of mine, we were chosen to be part of the show, so thankful talaga kami.”

In the reality show, Gee and Sheena were tagged as the “reunited friends” because Sheena lives in New York. Their team became the 4^th top team.

The “reunited friends” positioning served the team well because their friendship became one of the strongest assets of their partnership.

“We know each other since we were in College. We both love to dance. She is a member of the Philippine All Stars. Kabisado naming ang isa’t-isa,” adds Gee. “Pero her being an Inglisera also became a problem for us.”

Gee recalls that in one challenge, where they should have the same answer to a question, Sheena mistook the word “malas” to “malakas,” which obviously made the two have different answers.

In retrospect, however, Gee feels that their sense of humor made their team last that long in the competition.

“Malaking bagay talaga yung marunong kaming pagtawanan yung mga pangyayari,” admits Gee. “Pero, one thing I’ve really learned was that we were guided by two things as we joined the competition- FAITH and FATE.”

Their journey on the show, according to Gee, is something she would cherish for the rest of her life.

Any regrets?

“Nothing really. It is just that after I saw the episode where we got eliminated, I felt na sayang, andun na e. That’s the only painful part,” says Gee. “But it is something that I will never forget.”

Aside from her participation in the show, Gee has been reaping commendations for her portrayal in the independent film Melodrama Negra. Which won Audience Choice award.

“I welcome every opportunity that comes my way – hosting, acting, dancing,” enthuses Gee, who is now part of MediaNation, management of Marvin Agustin, Aiza Seguerra, David Pomeranz, among others.

Chikungunya virus on the move

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DOH:  cases of dengue-like mosquito-borne disease now rising

Little did we know that aside from dengue, there are many other life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases that have hounded Filipinos for decades.  Though there is no vaccine available in the country to cure these illnesses, preventive measures are available to assure safety of adults and children alike.

Last October, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public to take extra precautions against the chikungunya virus.  The DOH confirmed that there were 150 recorded cases of this dengue-like disease last month.  And last year, more than 1,000 cases of chikungunya were recorded in the country.

The origin

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus first reported in Africa in 1952 and has spread in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and United States, infecting millions. Believed to be derived from an East African dialect that means “to be contorted,” chikungunya describes the curved posture of patients experiencing severe joint pain.

Just like dengue, chikungunya virus was caused primarily by Aedes aegypti, the daytime biting mosquito and by Aedes albopictus, a species of mosquito that bites most actively at night.

DON'T take mosquito bites for granted. Mosquitoes carry several potentially deadly viruses, including the dreaded Chikungunya virus. A Chikungunya infection may be fatal if left untreated--so it's best to prevent the infection by keeping away those pesky mosquitoes. Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion and level-up your kids' protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

The warning signs

Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with dengue as both manifest skin rashes and a high fever.  Its most distinctive characteristic though is severe joint pain which usually ends within a few days or weeks. Although a number of patients fully recover after a few days or weeks, there are some cases that joint pain or arthritis may persist for several months, or even years. Another distinct factor between dengue and chikungunya is that the former affects mostly children, while the later affects adults.

The transmission

DOH expressed fear that the virus might spread more widely because it survives in temperate climates, the Philippines included.    Increases in global travel and climate change might have encouraged its spread.

Though no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease has been discovered yet and treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms only, there are preventive measures against the virus.

Level-up protection

Prevention and control rely heavily on getting rid of the natural and artificial water-filled breeding grounds of the mosquitoes.  Unattended bottles, cans and tires with water inside are the usual breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and if left unchecked, a single pool of water can produce hundreds of chikungunya virus-carrying mosquitoes.

CHILDREN need to be protected from the Chikungunya virus, a potentially fatal dengue-like infection transmitted by day-biting and night-biting mosquitoes. Level up their protection with Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion.

Though clothing which minimizes skin exposure to these vectors is advisable; it is more prudent to use insect repellent lotions that can be applied anytime. And the most ideal insect repellent lotion is one that is effective not only against daytime-biting mosquitoes, but also mosquitoes that bite at night.

The new Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion is proven effective against both day and night mosquitoes, known carriers of both the dengue and chikungunya virus. It is ideal for families because it has long-lasting protection of up to10 hours, is hypoallergenic, and provides anti-bacterial protection that the Green Cross brand has always been known for.

The breakthrough discovery on day and night dengue-lamok teaches us to level up our anti-dengue measures. Now, with an additional threat on the move – chikungunya virus – this further teaches us to act on an urgent threat:  we need to change our mindsets and recognize the fact that insect repellent lotion may effectively protect us against these disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

A single mosquito bite may be deadly.  Do not let these pesky bugs come near you or your loved ones.  Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion as it may not only save your body from big red marks but also from serious illnesses like the chikungunya virus.

Inspirational New Year Quotes 2013!

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Always inspired by reading quotes - especially now,  New Year Quotes , New Year Wishes and Greetings. This activity gets a great head-start for New Year, being a time for new beginnings.  We think of what we have learn and experiences. This is the start of a new adventure with motivations, along with things to ponder upon.

Here are some  quotes I hope to leave you with a special significance in your mind to kick-start 2013 for you and your love ones.

- Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you   a better man. - Benjamin Franklin

- For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. - T.S. Eliot

- Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. -Hal Borland

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. -John Burroughs

- May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early. My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall. - Aleister Crowley

- Let the new year be an entirely fresh start towards achieving all our goals. Lets kick start and era of excellence! - Pearl Aman

- It's the year of cakes and candles, new songs, celebration and decoration, laughter and love. Wishing you a lovely 2013 that brings with it great love and luck for you. Happy new year! - Pearl Aman

- No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam. -Charles Lamb

- Begin another new chapter and remember that you have 365 days to make every page of the chapter worth remembering when you finish the year. - Pearl Aman

- Let the new year be an entirely fresh start towards achieving all our goals. Lets kick start and era of excellence! - Pearl Aman

- The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for - Ankit Aggarwal

- If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people." -  Confucius 

- Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.-Oprah Winfrey

Here is my favorite New Year’s quote from one famous and inspirational person:

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller

Hope you enjoy reading these quotes . . hope these quotes to convert your dream into reality in this New Year 2013! 

Enjoy our wonderful world!

Wishing you all Blessed , Meaningul, Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights & Sounds Show 2012

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Enjoying the wonderful world of the Ayala Triangle Gardens! 

The Ayala Triangle Gardens spectacular holiday display dancing lights and sounds from Nov. 16 - Dec. 30, 2012,  and the lights come to life every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

The Lights and Sounds Show is very enchanting and million joyous twinkling lights in 15-minute glittering dance in popular lively  Christmas tunes. Some of the Christmas songs played were Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Santa Clause is coming to Town, Joy to the World , We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Twelve Days of Christmas, Angels We Have Heard On High, The Chipmunk Song and others.

 The show is a collaboration of acclaimed lighting designer Voltaire de Jesus and Liquid Post’s Mikey Amistoso and Jazz Nicholas, according to the Make It Happen website.

We enjoyed Symphony of Lights and Sounds Show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens  last year. The lights display were giant stars. This year are spherical Christmas lanterns adorn the trees, synchronously dancing to Christmas tunes.

Ayala Triangle’s spot is the center of Makati’s business district. The place is the ideal spot for people who want to distance themselves from the everyday hustle bustle to relax, unwind and get in touch with nature. It's really a wonderful place to spend with your family every Christmas season.

I still shot this picture while leaving the place ! 

Enjoy the Holidays! May this Christmas and a New Year fill your life with happiness, peace of mind, good health and prosperity. ^_^

Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sounds Show 

(Personal Videos, I uploaded at my Youtube Account)

“Life of Pi" , The Journey of a Lifetime

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 “Life of Pi,” is a great movie by Oscar winning filmmaker Ang Lee and  based on a screenplay by David Magee. “Life of Pi's” newbie thespian Suraj Sharma nominated in 18th  CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS.

“Life of Pi,” a breathtakingly beautiful story of a boy named Pi played by newcomer Suraj Sharma who is lost at sea with a Bengal tiger, following the loss of his family in a shipwreck. 

Suraj Sharma who hails from India never expected a “Life of Pi” when he accompanied his brother to the movie’s casting call.  Born and raised in Delhi, India and raised by mathematician parents, it seemed that from more than 3,000 hopefuls who auditioned for the role, Suraj was destined to play the role of Pi, a mathematical constant transcendental number.

He has recently been nominated in the upcoming Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Actor for his role in “Life of Pi” along with other actors/actresses such as Elle Fanning (“Ginger & Rosa”) and Logan Lerman (“Perks of Being a Wallflower”).

The story revolves around Pi, a delightfully enthusiastic teenager who lives with his zoo-keeping family in Pondicherry, India. Inquisitive and intelligent, he explores different cultures and spiritual traditions. Pi has open-minded parents who allow him to become a free thinker, finding his own path. Due to a worsening economic climate, Pi’s parents decide to emigrate to start a new life in Canada. But the ship sinks.  Eventually only Pi and the tiger are left alive on the lifeboat and the unlikely pair embarks on an Odyssey that is fraught with danger.  On the precarious lifeboat he shares with the tiger, Pi finds inner strength and becomes aware that some kind of higher power is in charge of his destiny.

The heightened emotional connections presented in the movie required exceptional performances from its cast, none more so than the neophyte thespian who would take on the titular hero.   

“We searched for a young man who had the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts, and the physicality needed to embody Pi on his journey,” says director Ang Lee. "During his audition, Suraj filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes. His natural ability to believe and stay in the world of the story is a rare treasure.

“Suraj’s investment in the story made us really believe that whatever challenges we faced, the film was really going to happen,” adds the director.  “When we saw Suraj, we saw the movie.  Mr. Lee marvels at Suraj’s innocence and efforts, noting, “We are all experienced and perhaps a little jaded.  Suraj reminded us why we want to make movies. Every day was a miracle.”

For Suraj Sharma, the experience of landing the starring role was surreal. “It was all so new for me,” says Suraj. “I had never been out of India. I didn’t know how to act or swim. I learned how to swim and now it’s my favorite thing to do.  Shooting the film in Taiwan and meeting people from all over the world in the crew was fantastic. You get an idea of how diverse the world is. I was really inspired by everything I saw and everyone I got to know.  I wanted to give it everything I had.”

Sharma also went through rigorous workouts to increase his stamina, which gave him an inner discipline and strength that enabled him to empathize with the character. 

“What defines Pi is his never-ending will to survive, he has a belief in the world and I think that’s what sets him apart from everyone else. He survives by instinct. But he also possessed a strong sprit from the beginning, right from being a child. But Pi kept that innocence inside him and with innocence comes belief.”

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in 3D and 2D theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.