Scavenger with big dreams hailed as global kids’ inspiration

The first Southeast Asian, Kesz Valdez to receive the award from the 2012 International Children’s Peace Prize by the Netherlands-based Kids Rights Foundation.

Maltreated by his own parents, Cris “Kesz” Valdez ran away from home. He was four years old at that time. Growing up, he kept himself alive by sleeping atop tombs and begging in the slums of Manila. Despite the challenges he faced at a very young age, Kesz channeled the negative into positive. As a result, he was awarded with the 2012 International Children’s Peace Prize by the Netherlands-based Kids Rights Foundation. He is the first Southeast Asian to receive the award.

A kind-hearted man saves the dayz. Cold, hungry, and covered in scabs, Kesz was spotted by Harnin “KB” Manalaysay, founder of local Christian charity group Club 8586, who eventually enrolled him in an alternative learning program known as the Kariton Klasrum.

Developed by KB and CNN 2009 Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida, the Kariton Klasrum is a program where volunteers wheel wooden pushcarts filled with learning materials and sanitation supplies into shantytowns to teach basic education and hygiene practices to out-of-school children. It was through the Kariton Klasrum that Kesz learned how to read, write, and care for himself.However, upon returning home, Kesz was forced to scavenge once again. KB took him in and treated him as his own after Kesz met an accident that severely burned parts of his arms and back.When Kesz turned seven, KB offered to throw a birthday celebration. It could have been Kesz’s first time to experience such, but he thought of others before himself. Instead of receiving a birthday treat, he asked KB if he could give gifts to street children in Cavite instead. With KB’s full support, he gave out slippers, snacks and other items that he aptly called Gifts of Hope. That same year and at such a young age, Kesz made the bold decision to reach out to more children by starting his very own organization.

Kesz makes his own mark in society. Filled with compassion for others and inspired by people who continually give without expecting anything in return, Kesz founded the Championing Community Children or C3. 

“My classmates and I were thrilled when the construction of the second floor began,” says Kesz Valdez, founder of Championing Community Children (C3). Kesz along with other grade nine students take their classes inside the classrooms donated by Universal Robina Corporation.

“We hope to make a difference by teaching kids four basic things: hygiene, rights, nutrition, and gardening.” Kesz firmly believes that by teaching kids the importance of proper hygiene, informing them about their basic rights, distributing nourishing snacks, and sharing ways on how to create a greener environment for all, out-of-school youth will be more prepared in the challenges life offers.

Since its inception in 2005, C3 has helped thousands of kids and is continuously making significant changes in the lives of many. Because of this organization, Kesz rose to fame as the first Southeast Asian to receive the International Children's Peace Prize award. 

“I was given a trophy, an international podium where I can talk about children’s needs and supplementary educational support until I graduate from college,” shared Kesz. The awardee cleared that he did not receive any money from the foundation that bestowed the recognition.

An abundance of blessings. Kesz still leads a humble yet inspiring life with his foster parents in Cavite City, where he is a grade 9 pupil in DTC’s educational program. Kesz and his classmates take their classes in the URC Learning center, an educational facility sponsored by Universal Robina Corporation (URC). Adding fun and excitement to their classes, the walls of the learning center are adorned with colorful murals of URC brands such as Jack ‘n Jill Knots, Chiz Curls, Magic Flakes, Fun Fries, Wafrets, Roller Coaster, Refresh, C2, and Payless Instant Mami.

Titleist Launches New 915 Fairways and Hybrids

New Active Recoil Channel™, Ultra Thin Face Deliver Lower Spin and

Higher Speed for More Distance in a Forgiving, High-MOI Design

The new 915 driver, fairways and hybrids have been launched and introduce to the golfers and media last November 5, 2014 held at the Wack Wack Golf Course, Mandaluyong City. 

New Titleist 915 fairway metals and hybrids, designed using new Active Recoil Channel™ technology to produce lower spin and higher speed, deliver longer distance with exceptional forgiveness from both the tee and turf.

The fastest fairway and hybrid designs Titleist has ever developed, the new 915F, 915Fd 915H and 915Hd models significantly increase distance for serious golfers of all swing speeds while maintaining high MOI for forgiveness.

Available in golf shops worldwide beginning Nov. 14, Titleist 915 fairways and hybrids provide improved performance through three key advancements:

• The proprietary Active Recoil Channel, a long, deep, forward-positioned sole channel that actively flexes at impact and recoils to launch the ball off the face with higher speed and lower spin;

• An Ultra Thin Face, a high-strength, uniformly thin high-speed face insert that increases ball speed across the face; and

• A precise, high-MOI design with a low center of gravity (CG) location that delivers stability and forgiveness by preserving ball speed across the face for more distance, more often.

Those technologies, combined with the fitting precision of Titleist’s industry-leading SureFit Tour hosel and tour-validated looks, sound and feel, make for the most complete, consistent metals performance in the game.

“The new 915 fairways and hybrids really bring us to another level from a distance perspective,” said Dan Stone, Vice President of Research and Development, Titleist Golf Clubs. “The combination of the Active Recoil Channel and Ultra Thin Face is powerful in creating more speed with spin reduction for maximum distance. And with our high-MOI design strategy we’re able to provide golfers with the best combination of distance and forgiveness.”

Titleist R&D designed 915 fairways and hybrids to maximize their low-spin, high-speed potential, with the SureFit Tour weight placed in a low, central position behind the Active Recoil Channel on each model to help create ideal CG properties. Golfers can select their models – 915F or 915Fd, 915H or 915 Hd – based on head shape, forgiveness or ball flight. 915F and 915H feature larger profiles for all-around performance with maximum forgiveness; 915Fd and 915Hd offer smaller head shapes for workability and forgiveness, with slightly lower launch and spin and therefore lower flight than F and H.

The first week they were available on the PGA Tour, 15 new 915 fairway metals and nine new 915 hybrids were put in play at the World Golf Championships event at Firestone. The following week at the PGA Championship, there were 29 new 915 fairways and 13 new 915 hybrids in players’ bags, including Jordan Spieth, Bill Haas, Victor Dubuisson, Jason Dufner and Webb Simpson.

“The new 915 fairways and hybrids, just like our new 915 drivers, really exemplify our R&D team’s design strategy of ‘distance with forgiveness’, ” said Steve Pelisek, General Manager, Titleist Golf Clubs. “And from our player testing on tour and with amateurs, we know that these products are longer, more consistent and more playable than ever.”

LOWER SPIN, HIGHER SPEED THROUGH NEW ACTIVE RECOIL CHANNEL: The Active Recoil Channel – a long, deep channel, positioned along the sole of the club head, close to the leading edge – delivers more distance by actively flexing at impact to launch the ball with lower spin and higher speed.

The Active Recoil Channel (ARC) allows the entire clubface, both crown and sole, to deflect at impact for high speed. (Clubs without ARC technology have a more rigid sole and deflect mostly in the face and crown at impact resulting in less speed and higher spin.)

“With the Active Recoil Channel, the ball is compressing in a different manner and doesn’t have the chance to gather as much rotational energy so it departs the club face with less spin,” Stone said. “It also creates a greater recoil effect, which imparts more speed, particularly low on the face.

“With fairways and hybrids, because you’re often hitting those clubs off the ground, you tend to hit them lower on the face and when you hit lower on the face you generally get more spin. That’s when the Active Recoil Channel really kicks in to help reduce spin.”

On 915 fairway metals and hybrids, ARC is narrower, deeper and positioned further forward than on 915 drivers in order to optimize the performance of the fairway and hybrid heads.

“Fairways and hybrids have a lot more loft than drivers, and more loft can cause more spin. Hitting it off the turf, lower on the clubface, also creates spin. So in order to have maximum effectiveness in terms of spin reduction, we had to make some adjustments by making ARC deeper and positioning it further forward,” Stone said.

INCREASED BALL SPEED FROM ULTRA THIN FACE: Titleist 915 fairway metals and hybrids feature a new Ultra Thin Face that works in combination with the Active Recoil Channel to deliver increased ball speed across the entire face. The high-speed, constant thickness face insert, made of high-strength Carpenter steel, is the thinnest face insert Titleist R&D has ever developed.

“If you think about how the Active Recoil Channel works, with its flexibility it actually takes some load off the face. We found through our testing that we could thin the face further without compromising durability. And because we’re not at C.O.R. limits like with drivers, we were able to make the insert thinner. Those two improvements have allowed us to maximize ball speed across the entire face to make these clubs longer. You get more speed off the turf from ARC, and more speed when you hit it off the tee with the Ultra Thin Face,” said Stone.

MORE DISTANCE FROM FORGIVING HIGH-MOI DESIGN: Titleist 915 fairways and hybrids feature a low CG, high-MOI design for stability and ball-speed preserving

forgiveness.

“When you add new technologies like Active Recoil Channel and the Ultra Thin Face, the last thing you want to do is counteract their effectiveness,” Stone said. “The high-MOI construction assures we don’t give any performance back. High MOI isn’t only about accuracy. It’s about distance consistency. It’s about maintaining speed across the face.

“Our main focus was to get that CG low, not too far forward or too far back,” Stone said. “Since fairways and hybrids have higher lofts, when you start to push the CG too far back, your spin goes up drastically which hurts the overall performance. And we’re not interested in going supremely low and forward because, similar to drivers, you are giving up a lot of forgiveness. It’s a balance.”

Titleist engineers made several improvements to each chassis that allowed them to redistribute mass low to maintain MOI. The ultra-thin crown is cast thinner to .55mm, just .05mm thicker than 915 drivers. Thicknesses were reduced in the topline (fairways only) and face flange. The addition of the Active Recoil Channel also benefited CG by adding mass low on the head. Furthermore, the SureFit Tour weight was placed low in the center of the sole of each model.

INDUSTRY-LEADING ADJUSTABILITY WITH SUREFIT TOUR HOSEL: The distance potential and complete performance of Titleist 915 fairways and hybrids can be maximized through the precision fitting of Titleist’s patented, industry-leading SureFit Tour adjustable hosel technology.

The dual-angle SureFit Tour hosel, inspired by the customization previously available only on a tour van, allows golfers to set loft and lie independently to optimize ball flight – higher or lower, and for more draw or fade for improved shot control and maximum distance.

“The SureFit Tour hosel continues to be a significant competitive advantage for us,” Stone said. “Through our testing, we know that putting a golfer in the most precise fit unlocks the technology and distance potential in 915 even further.”

The SureFit Tour hosel features a sleeve and ring, each with four settings. The sleeve settings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and the ring settings are lettered A, B, C, D. In total there are 16 settings, each creating a unique loft and lie combination.

A Titleist authorized fitter will utilize the SureFit Tour hosel, coupled with interchangeable shafts and SureFit Tour weights, to determine a player’s optimal setup so they are playing 915 fairways and hybrids fit precisely to their game.

Titleist 915 fairways and hybrids are compatible with 913 model shafts.

915F VS. 915Fd FAIRWAY METALS: The new 915F and 915Fd fairway metals provide golfers with low-spin, high-speed performance in two distinct chassis options.

915H VS. 915Hd HYBRIDS: Like their fairway counterparts, 915H and 915Hd hybrids offer low-spin, high-speed performance in two different shapes and sizes.

PLAYER TESTING RESULTS: In player testing, golfers who had previously played a 913F experienced up to 3.5 mph more ball speed with an average of 200rpm (and up to 750rpm) lower spin with the new 915F model, resulting in an average of 3 yards (and up to 11 yards) more carry distance.

Golfers who previously played a 913Fd saw up to 3.2 mph more speed with an average of 150rpm (and up to 500rpm) lower spin with the 915Fd model, resulting in an average of 3 yards (and up to 9 yards) more carry distance.

With the 915H, players experienced up to 4 mph more speed with an average of 250 mph (and up to 330 mph) less spin than the 913H, resulting in an average of 6 yards (and up to 16 yards) more carry distance.

With the 915Hd, players saw up to 3.3 mph more speed and an average of 150rpm (and up to 290 rpm) lower spin than 913Hd for an average of 8 yards (and up to 16 yards) more carry distance.

In general, every additional 1 mph of speed results in 2 to 3 yards additional carry distance.

Here are What PLAYERS are saying :

Jordan Spieth: 

“The Active Recoil Channel on the 915 really feels like the ball shoots forward even faster… You can see the ball jumping a little more and spinning less. … I’m able to adjust my 3-wood to an A•4 (SureFit Tour hosel) position to where it’s knocked up a degree in loft so when I’m hitting off the fairway it just looks like it’s easier to get it up in the air. The ball sticks on the face and shoots off harder and higher. And from there, I feel like I have every shot that I want. I can use it off a tee and it’s going to stay in the air longer. I’ve hit it further than ever off a tee and then into the green I’m able to still stop it on par-5 greens if I need to hit them in two.”

Geoff Ogilvy:

“I’ve always used a 15-degree 3-wood, but (with 915) I’ve gone up to a 16.5-degree loft and I’m hitting it further than my 15-degree, which is a massive advantage. Loft is your friend and it makes it easier to hit it straight. It looks easier to hit and it is easier to hit. … It’s really that perfect blend between one that you can really get hot and hit hard and one that you can try to feel into the green as well. It’s got a consistent, great face with the channel taking a lot of spin off the ones you hit hard.”

Kevin Na: 

“The mishits are coming off the face just as hot, and even for a tour player, I do mishit it. I’ll hit it off the toe a little bit, off the heel, sometimes a little thin. It’s very minor, but knowing that even though you mishit a little bit it’s not going to affect it as much is a nice feeling…. I put the fairway wood in play the first day. The previous fairway wood I was playing with, I’d been playing it for seven years.”

PLAYER BENEFITS:

• LONGER DISTANCE through high speed and low spin from both tee and turf.

• HIGHER SPEED across the face from the Ultra Thin Face and ARC.

• LOWER SPIN from the forward-positioned ARC for trajectory control.

• FORGIVENESS from the low CG, high MOI Design

• PRECISION FIT through our industry leading SureFit® Tour Hosel technology.

• PREMIUM SHAFTS provide high performance options to maximize your speed and timing.

• SOLID FEEL and sound from the higher standard of acoustic engineering.

• GREAT LOOKS from the pear profile and rich appearance.

Visit  www.titleist.com.sg; www.titleist.com.my

Here's LINE POP 2, the sequel to the hit LINE POP

LINE introduces a new version of its hexagon-based game with LINE POP 2; adds LINE Sweets to the global gaming platform

LINE, the world’s leading life platform, has officially released two new and exciting games: the sequel to LINE POP and LINE Sweets!

The Philippines is home to the most downloaded mobile games in Southeast Asia. Because of this, LINE is happy to offer Filipinos with engaging new puzzle games for recreation.

LINE POP 2 is a hexagon-based puzzle game where players can move blocks in six different directions. Your favorite LINE characters are used as labels for the blocks. Align three or more similar-character blocks to eliminate them and gain higher scores.

As the successor of the first LINE POP, which garnered over 47 million downloads worldwide, the sequel welcomes a huge following of puzzle-game gurus. 

LINE Sweets, on the other hand, is a map-based puzzle game that features LINE characters in 3D! Each character has a unique skill, which can be strategically used to gain higher scores. New characters can be unlocked using Gacha or by clearing stages within the game.

Players can clear the mission by lining up three or more blocks with the same type of sweets to proceed to the next level. Your LINE friends can view your scores, making this a very fun and competitive engagement!

Be part of the growing puzzle game saga and download LINE POP 2 and LINE Sweets from Google Play or iTunes. Enjoy its exciting features and more only with the best messaging and call application, LINE.

To learn more information about each game, check out below:

About LINE

LINE, the world's leading life platform, offers free text and voice messaging, voice calling and group chat with up to 200 people, integrated with various interactive elements such as Stickers, Timeline and Official Accounts. Since its release in June 2011, the cross-platform mobile messenger has been releasing a series of add-on apps that range from games to an anti-virus app. Today, LINE has become a hot cultural icon with 170 million monthly active users in 230 countries. LINE has also held the coveted No. 1 spot in the 'free apps' category of app stores in 70 regions.

For more information visit: http://line.naver.jp/en/ .

Loyal patrons delight in Jollibee’s new and modern store look

Jollibee is the largest fast food chain in the Philippines, operating a nationwide network of more than 800 stores. Jollibee is so well-loved everytime a new store opens, especially overseas, Filipinos always form long lines to the store. It is more than home for them. It is a stronghold of heritage and monument of Filipino pride. Dining at Jollibee has been an unspoken tradition for generations of Filipino families. With more than 800 stores in the country and over 100 branches abroad, the leading fast-food chain has, in a way, become a second home to Filipinos, a perfect place to bond and create joyful family memories while enjoying langhap-sarap comfort food. 

Through the years, Jollibee continues to introduce new design elements and store fixtures to further enhance total customer experience, while still keeping the comfortable feel of being a second home for food lovers across the nation and the world. 

New stores feature sleek and modern designs, with well-lit and comfortable interiors that appeal to every member of the family, while branches that have served generations have undergone renovations to be more in touch with the times and create an even more welcoming feel.

One such store is Jollibee Festival Mall in Alabang, where the store lay-out now boasts an extended seating capacity to accommodate large groups of families. This is a welcome development for Money Sense Sub-editor Ruth Floresca who has been frequenting the branch for the past eight years. It has been an obligatory stop-over for her family after doing their grocery shopping at the said mall.

Ruth Floresca : For Money Sense Sub-editor Ruth Floresca, Jollibee is the fast-food restaurant that captures her family’s taste. Other than Jollibee Festival Mall, Alabang, she and her loved ones also frequent the Jollibee branch in Star Plaza, Muntinlupa.

“I really liked that they added different-sized tables which you can put together to make an even bigger table for when you’re dining with your family and loved ones. It really helps foster family bonding. Filipinos, after all, love having everyone in their group in one table as much as possible,” Floresca said. She added that the spacious rows in between each table are very convenient for customers since they do not bump into one another when passing through. 

Pinoy Food Network Online Editor Linda de Leon is also delighted by the changes in her favorite Westgate Filinvest City branch in Alabang. More than the space, De Leon found the new contemporary design of the branch more inviting.

Linda De Leon: One of Linda De Leon’s most unforgettable family time at Jollibee – when her first nephew, Jordan Mari marked his birthday with Jollibee. He now works in Singapore, but can always have a taste of home at the Jollibee store in Lucky Plaza. 

“Modern lighting fixtures have been installed and that gave off a world-class feel. The harmonious blend of red and orange hues gave the whole store more warmth, like it was sleek and chic yet still retains that ‘homey’ vibe,” she said. 

De Leon also noted that Jollibee truly knows who its customers are, making sure that everyone can have a good time in every store and that it caters to any type of diner. “They renovated the flooring with non-skid tiles, which is a great thing for senior citizen guests and families with kids that like running around,” said De Leon.

Jollibee has become a well-loved family brand because of its classic langhap-sarap favorites, alagang Pinoy service and its ability to evolve and adapt to the changing lifestyles of its patrons. Food blogger and contributor for Breakfast magazine Jill Bantang watched how her favorite Jollibee Roosevelt branch along Ortigas Ave. has changed throughout the years. 

“It’s my go-to branch—I’ve been visiting this store since I was a child, until my college and working years. It used to be just an affordable place with good food, but now it has become modern with a touch of cool and fun colors. It no longer looks like a fast-food store, but a cozy restaurant,” said Bantang.

Jill Bantang : From a vibrant school girl to a young professional, Jill Bantang has been a loyal Jollibee patron with most of her fondest memories basically spent in Jollibee Roosevelt. She said that nothing beats Jollibee’s langhap-sarap classics, saying “we could try a bunch of fancy restaurants, but we’ll always go back to our favorite Jollibee store.”

Apart from the casual yet comfortable dining experience, Bantang said that the best thing about the Jollibee Roosevelt branch is the staff, who are always welcoming and courteous. She added that the crew is what keeps her coming back and makes her feel most at home. 

Come home to your favorite Jollibee store now and enjoy a welcoming venue for bonding with the whole family, the entire barkada, and everyone you love. 

AffiniTea Presents Brown Race: A Benefit Run for Grace to Be Born Foundation

AffiniTea Philippines presents the Filipino runner's high through a fun run aptly dubbed as the "Brown Race" at the CCP Complex on December 14, 2014.

Seasoned fun run participants know all too well that it takes focus, commitment, and preparation to get past the finish line. That is why it is always encouraging and motivating to run with a community. Running activities help reduce stress while earning extra mental health points. Aside from the physical benefits of raising one's fitness and confidence levels, a fun run is also a great way to raise money for charity.

AffiniTea Philippines, the tea that binds, will be boosting the "Brown Race" that aims to deepen one's faith, identity, and love for the country by standing firm to the key characteristics that identify the uniqueness of Filipinos among other races. The race will benefit the mothers and children of Grace to be Born Foundation. Grace to be Born is a ministry dedicated to saving the unborn from abortion, providing sanctuary to unwed pregnant mothers in crisis, and temporary shelter for abandoned babies. From 1979 to the present, they have ministered to more than 200 mothers in crisis who lived in the GTBB shelter and delivered babies. 

Registration Venues include: Mizuno Outlets in Mall of Asia, Megamall, Hi Street BGC, Trinoma, Ayala Town Center; AffiniTea branches in Leon Guinto St. Benilde – St. Scholastica, CEU Legarda, Binakayan, Cavite, and Dolores, Pampanga; and Health Express - Glorietta.

Registration fee is inclusive of singlet, bib, certificate, and raffle:

3k                       – Conquerors – Php 550.00

5K                      – Excellence – Php 650.00

10K                    – World Class – Php 750.00

16K                    – Champion – Php 900.00

16K Buddy        – Angat Lahi – Php 1,750.00

Get together with your friends and loved ones for this memorable event! You're not just running for yourself but for a mighty cause.

For more information, check out http://affiniteaphilipines.com.

Kris Aquino as newest Chowking franchisee

Taste of success: the result of good luck and hard work

Chowking welcomes Kris Aquino as newest franchisee. Last October 29, 2014, Wednesday, the newest Chowking franchisee, Ms. Kris Aquino, talks about how to become as successful as an Empress by achieving harmony between luck and skills. 

‘Just an endorser’ no more. Today, the Philippines’ Queen of All Media will open her first Chowking franchise this November 2014, located at Ali Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Endorsements play a big part in Kris’ incessantly thriving career, that’s why it isn’t new to see her on TV or billboards mounted along highways all across the country. Between businesses and promotions, however, one brand seemed to harmonize well with Kris’ taste and beliefs.

“I feel that if you’re going to endorse a brand, it should be something that’s both aspirational and reachable,” says Kris. “But it’s different if it’s about being a franchisee. One should invest on something they really trust and love.

For a hardworking career mom like Kris Aquino, a woman who juggles acting, hosting, endorsing, and parenting, finding time to celebrate success seems almost impossible. But being the type of person whose passion is fueled by happiness, Kris has learned to appreciate every day wins, no matter how big or small.

From squeezing in a home-cooked meal after a long day of taping, to planning short out of town trips with her two boys, Kris makes sure to reward herself for her hard work.

“A lot of things happened this year—good and bad—but I see them all as contributors to building my character,” Kris shares. “I can say that I am really blessed with everything that has come my way so it’s important for me to find ways to celebrate every day wins.”

In spite of Kris’ triumphs, she doesn’t stop pursuing more. “I want to be successful for my kids. They keep me going.”

“That’s what I felt when I chose to partner with Chowking. Not only do I really love their food, it’s a brand I’ve found that’s comforting and one I trust that can bring me more success.”

Kris recounts how making stops at Chowking during long road trips for KrisTV tapings has been a ritual for her crew. 

“I really love their menu! Believe me, I’ve had countless takes in the shoots and the food is just irresistibly good,” she shares.

The partnership between Kris and Chowking says a lot about the trust and harmony between Kris and the largest network of Chinese restaurants nationwide—an ultimate testament of support, a clear indication that the relationship is not just for “commercials”. 

The union commenced when Kris endorsed some of the fast food’s Chinese favorites earlier this year, Chinese-Style Fried Chicken and Chunky Asado Siopao. 

A harmonious partnership

At present, Chowking currently boasts of over 400 branches in the Philippines. Some of the leading delicious Chinese favorites in their roster are the Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Chunky Asado Siopao, Pork Chao Fan, and the Meaty Wanton Mami.

Ferns Yu, President, Chowking

“We have always served our food to satisfy and energize our customers, keeping in mind that they deserve only the best as a reward for putting in the effort to create better lives every day for themselves and for their loved ones,” says Ferns Yu, President, Chowking.

Yu notes that Kris’ practice of celebrating every day wins is in sync with the brand’s principle behind serving good food to its consumers and, ultimately, key to Chowking’s success.

“2014 has been yet another positive year for Chowking. We are aggressively renovating and opening new stores and this move with Kris is one of the best highlights of this endeavor,” says Yu. “It’s a rare opportunity to have your endorser as a franchisee. Perhaps, there’s really harmony between Kris and the brand.”

Yu adds that they knew how Kris favors home-cooked meals, as she mentioned it during the interviews they had during the shoots for the ads. “But it’s really heartwarming to know that she wouldn’t mind having a Chowking take-out to share with her family during the days that it’s really impossible for her to cook. 

“That’s why this partnership says a lot about Chowking—it complements her taste and her appreciation towards good food; and given that we are a brand that continues to grow because of hard work, we find her as the best embodiment of our success.” 

Indeed, when you see a celebrity shopping from the store of the brand he or she endorses, you could probably say that it’s an expected commendation. But when that endorser becomes a franchisee, it becomes a totally different story—a bond forged in trust and harmony.

The great Chowking feast as we try our luck, bringing us fortune and prosperity, held at the White Space, 2314 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City.

Finland’s Amazing Magic Theater’s "Wally Watthead and his Lost Glow" set to open Nov. 14

PETA Theater Center’s upcoming treat for the whole family! Light bulbs falling in love? Photo frames as leading ladies? How about simcards as dashing sidekicks? All these and more !

This November 14-16 and 21-23 every 10 am and 3pm, the PETA Theater Center stages Finland’s Amazing Magic Theater’s Wally Watthead and his Lost Glow.

Join Wally Watthead, his best friend Simon the Simcard and leading lady Polly the Picture, as they try to find out: where did Wally’s light go?

In this children’s show devised by magician Janne Raudaskoski, lead character Wally Watthead levitates, shrinks and grows right before your very eyes !

Raudaskoski not only does magic tricks, but also acts onstage with multi-media characters such as screen-projected Polly Picture, played by Tuija Nuojua Raudaskoski, and an interactive robot-like mascot of Simon the Simcard, voiced by Jonathan Hutchings. 

Wally Watthead and his Lost Glow combines magic, clowning, mime, black light theatre, video, various special effects, and plenty of laughs for kids, parents -- and even grandparents -- to enjoy!

Once again, the PETA Theater Center flips the cliché “all the world’s a stage” through its latest offerings, and becomes ‘a stage to all the world’ by hosting unique international performances such as Finland’s Wally Watthead and his Lost Glow. 

Tickets are Php 800 for VIP and Php 600 for regular audiences. 

For tickets contact Ticket World at 891-999 or Ticketworld.com 

or contact the PETA Theater Center at 725 – 6244 loc 21-23, 0915-4933728 

or email peta.theatercenter@gmail.com

“Beauty and the Beast” is staged in Manila in January, 2015

Celebrating its 20th year, the Disney Theatrical Production is bringing to the Philippines the “Beauty and the Beast” international tour. The hit Broadway musical that drew record audiences during the past 20 years with its wonderful songs and music, spectacular production, fabulous costumes and superb acting will awe and enthrall Filipino music and theater enthusiasts when Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is staged in Manila in January, 2015.

The beautiful and timeless story of love and transformation behind one of the most-loved fairy tales of all time will hold fans spellbound when the original Broadway musical spectacular makes its debut on January 9-25, 2015 at the Main Theater (Nicanor Abelardo Hall) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks, Broadway Entertainment Group are collaborating together with Ovation Productions in bringing to the country the Broadway musical as part of its ongoing 10-country first-ever international tour in celebration of its 20th anniversary on the stage.

After debuting in Istanbul (Turkey), the musical will play in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Thessalonik (Greece), Trieste (Italy) and Milan (Italy) before heading to Manila (Philippines), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Jakarta (Indonesia), Kazakhstan and, finally, Macau, marking the first time it will be seen in these areas.

The selection of Manila as part of the musical’s international tour is in recognition of the Philippines’ stature as a promising area in mounting huge productions of live entertainments, according to Liz Coops, producer for Broadway Entertainment Group.

“The Philippines is today’s premier Asian market in theater production,” she said, “that’s why our team have decided to make Manila the first stop in the Asian leg of the international tour of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions, which is observing this year its 35th anniversary in music and entertainment promotion, expressed elation over the opportunity to handle the Manila staging of “Beauty and the Beast,” as he thanked Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks and Broadway Entertainment Group for their trust and confidence in Ovation’s capability to mount the production.

“’Beauty and the Beast” is simply an incredible theatrical experience that will tug on everyone’s emotions,” De Guia said. “All the characters – from Lumiere, Gaston, Belle and the Beast – are spot on, captivating and brilliant in their roles.”

“The stage props are fabulous and as are all the colorful and cheery costumes. The music, the songs, the choreography are spectacular. Everything about it is mystical and magical and fun for both children and adults. It will have you want to watch the musical every night,” he added.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the classic tale of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. The story goes that if the Beast can learn to love and be loved in return, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed forever.

The international touring production is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West. Completing the original Broadway creative team in the tour are Tony Award-winning Ann Hould-Ward, costume design; Natasha Katz, lighting design; Stanley A. Meyer, scenic design; John Petrafesa, Jr., sound design; and Michael Kosarin, music supervision.

Behind the music of the stage production is Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”, “Tangled”), with lyrics written by the late Howard Ashman (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”), additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice (“The Lion King,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”).

The book is written by Linda Woolverton (screen writer of “The Lion King,” “Alice In Wonderland” and the upcoming “The Maleficent”). 

Based on the 1991 Academy Award-winning animated feature film of the same title, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” premiered on Broadway in 1994 and was nominated for nine prestigious Tony Awards and ran for 13 years. It still ranks as one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time.

(Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will be staged at the CCP Main Theater on Jan. 9-25, 2015 at 8 pm with matinees at 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. It is presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, Inc., NETworks, Broadway Entertainment Group, MKFAE and Ovation Production and supported by GLOBE BUSINESS, VISA, FOX International Channels, DIAMOND HOTEL, the Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and BusinessWorld. Tickets are priced at P7,895, P6,845, P5,790, P4,740, P4,210, P3,160 and P2,105, plus applicable service charges. They are available at Ticketworld outlets (891-9999) and online at www.ticketworld.com.ph, beautyandthebeast.com.ph and Facebook.com/beautyandbeastph.)

The Fab and Fierce Way to Go and Love Life!

Love makes the world go round... love makes the people happy... love makes the world beautiful...love makes life colorful... Love is love... Love is Life ... Loving life to the fullest!

What takes most of your time? For most women, the answer will only revolve around family and work. As we all know, it is natural for women to focus on taking care of others.  But as they concentrate on the people they love, they tend to lose focus on their own lives. Some women even end up neglecting their own health and looks.

Merck Philippines launched Sangobion Go Love Life - a campaign that aims to revive a modern woman’s love for life. Last March, Sangobion kicked off the campaign by reminding women of the importance of taking care of oneself and by showing them all the great things that can happen just by changing one’s lifestyle habits.

Through social networking sites, Sangobion challenged women to join the Sangobion 15-day challenge and commit to change for the better. To further promote the challenge, Sangobion launched an online promo that tasked women to submit their pledges to change and to take Sangobion everyday. 

Last August 16, Sangobion treated forty lucky ladies to a beauty blowout by expert stylists courtesy of Shu Uemura and Blo Blow Dry Bar. Now, another set of forty lucky ladies were given a fabulous treat! Last October 18, the winners went on a shopping spree and had their own little fashion show at Shine Bakery & Café. Each one was given a chance to shop for her own outfit and to strut like a model. These promo winners proved that Sangobion can truly help empower women to go on and live a better life! 

It was one fun, fab, and fierce afternoon that inspired women to push the Go Love Life challenge, to make Sangobion part of their daily habits, and to continue living a healthy lifestyle. More than all the glitz and glam, it was also an educational afternoon as Merck Head of Marketing for Consumer Healthcare Debbie Go and Sangobion brand manager Jio Igual gave tips on how women can look, feel, and be at their best despite their crazy schedules and responsibilities. They also highlighted how Sangobion can help women achieve their ‘better self.’

Taking Sangobion everyday can help boost your iron, so you can look and perform at your best. It has Ferrous Gluconate, an organic iron that helps fight the different signs of iron deficiency such as paleness, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of focus and concentration. This ingredient also puts Sangobion above other iron supplements as it allows better body absorption and has less gastrointestinal side effects. Each capsule is chocolate-scented and leaves no metallic after-taste.

And more than iron, Sangobion also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Copper, and Manganese sulfate to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also has sorbitol that is an anti-constipating agent that helps manage the side effects of iron supplements! This is definitely the supplement a woman needs to focus on loving life and conquering her day-to-day challenges. 

Merck Head of Marketing for Consumer Healthcare Debbie Go

There are 24 hours a day, so make sure you spare at least an hour or even just a couple of minutes for ‘me-time.' And even if the spotlight may always be on your family or career, it is not an excuse to lose focus on yourself and to stop you from living the life you love. 

Keep on visiting the Sangobion Facebook page for updates. 

Go to www.facebook.com/SangobionGoLoveLife.