October 10, 2015

A Song Of Praise Music Festival - Year 4

A Song of Praise or ASOP Music Festival, Year 4 is here once again,  your one and only favorite praise song writing competition on the television. 

Twelve new songs, the cream of the crop, were chosen to be performed onstage by multi-talented and acclaimed Filipino singers at the grand finals night!


The event is an assortment of novice and experienced composers once again. Even first-time songwriters, who joined the competition at the drop of a hat, had reached the finals round! Some of them are professionals and others are amateurs presented at the press conference held at Elements in Centris.

Here are the songs to be watched out for onstage:



- “DINGGIN MO, OH DIOS” composed by Cris Bautista, interpreted by Reymond Sajor

- "ALABOK" composed by Jesmer Marquez, interpreted by Jeffrey Hidalgo

- "SABIK SA’YO" composed by Joseph Bolinas, interpreted by Ney Dimaculangan

- "WALANG HANGGAN" composed by Benedict Sy, interpreted by Maki Ricafort




- "JESUS, I LOVE YOU" composed by Timothy Joseph Cardona, interpreted by RJ Buena

- "MAHAL MO AKO" composed by Maria Loida Estrada, interpreted Sabrina

- "KUNG PAG-IBIG MO'Y ULAN" composed by Christian Malinias, interpreted by Leah Patricio

- "DAKILA KA AMA" composed by Ella Mae Septimo, interpreted by Ruth Regine Reyno



- "IKAW NA LANG MAG-DRIVE NG BUHAY KO" composed by Rolan Delfin, interpreted by Betong Sumaya

- "PAHINTULUTAN MO" composed by Leonardo de Jesus III, interpreted by Philippe Go

- "SALAMAT PO, AMA" composed by Dennis Roxas, interpreted by Jojo Alejar

- "PAKAMAMAHALIN DIN KITA" composed by Dennis Avenido, interpreted by Nino Alejandro

Respected names in the music and entertainment industry have graciously accepted the role of giving their insights and critique for each of the song. They are Ryan Cayabyab, Celeste Legaspi, Mon del Rosario, Jungee Marcelo, Jett Pangan, and Lachmi Baviera.

The prizes at stake are:

100 thousand pesos for the 3rd runner-up song.
150 thousand pesos for the 2nd runner-up song.
250 thousand pesos for the 1st runner-up song.
and 500 thousand pesos for the "Song of the Year"!
The best interpreter will also bag a prize of 50 thousand pesos.

ASOP Music Festival Year 4 Grand Finals night is on October 13, 2015, at 6pm, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

RE/MAX: The game is about to change

RE/MAX, an internationally recognized brand with a global presence and a proven track record  is about powerful, positive changes that are taking place in the many countries like, Philippines.

The World’s No. 1 Real Estate brand RE/MAX  has the largest global network of highly successful brokers and agents in 100 countries.

When you are starting a business, it is preferable to go for an international franchise because it is tried and tested not only in the Philippine setting but in other countries as well.

What RE/MAX, the world's top real estate franchise, brings to the table is what is known in the industry as the "Power of 8," which is made up of the company's core strengths.


The Power of the RE/MAX Name means the franchisee will have a brand with credibility to help him or her sell real estate. RE/MAX, a Denver-based company founded by Dave and Gail Liniger in 1973, is the #1 Global Real Estate Franchise in the world. It is also the top real estate franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and the leading real estate franchise on Franchise Times' Top 200. Last year, Entrepreneur Magazine named RE/MAX the #12 Global Franchise.

The Power of Recruitment Tools and Support is a multi-tiered approach to help you target and attract winning agents.

The Power of Marketing Support helps the Owner-Broker (franchisee) create awareness among millions of consumers and potential agents worldwide.

The Power of Technology Suite gives the Owner-Broker and Sales Associates access to RE/MAX's powerful proprietary platforms, including Designer, Mainstreet and iConnect.

The Power of On-Demand Education and Training provides complete access to all of the RE/MAX training and support systems which are considered the best in the industry. Part of the core benefits and services RE/MAX provides franchisees are the monthly live sales-training event and 24/7 on-demand e-learning courses through RE/MAX University online.

The Power of Business Development helps franchisees and sales associates with referrals with almost 100,000 agents in nearly 100 countries with more than 7,000 offices. The franchisee will also be able to network and promote their listings globally through the RE/MAX global Multiple Listing System, and do business to business with RE/MAX associates worldwide.

(Photo : https://instagram.com/msmyrnz/)

The Power of Freedom allows franchisees to own and operate his or her own business and even introduce other business models.

The Power to Launch gives the franchisee first rate opening support.

"We have a system that has worked since RE/MAX was founded. It has helped people be their own boss and provided them with opportunities beyond making money. We want to inspire more entrepreneurs, especially those who believe in what we do and its power to transform lives," says RE/MAX Philippines country manager Michelle Perlas.

"Everybody wins," is a key statement of the RE/MAX philosophy. 

This means that whether you join the company as a franchisee or an agent, you are a winner. You can also look at the properties for sale on the RE/MAX Web site and find your perfect piece of real estate.

RE/MAX Philippines head office is located at 25th Floor Citibank Tower II, 8741 Paseo de Roxas St., Makati City, Philippines.

For more information, call (63 2) 511-1429 to 30 or email info@remax.ph or visit www.remax.ph

More Photos: Facebook.

October 9, 2015

DepEd showcases conservation of heritage schools

(Photo : http://heritagefestival.ph/)
The Department of Education (DepEd) continues its efforts in the conservation of the Gabaldon and heritage school buildings recognizing its significant part in the history of Philippine education. 

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that the conservation of the heritage schools is important in bringing consciousness and awareness on the rich culture of the country, saying, “Education is about connecting with the stories of the past. Education is about passing on the core values and knowledge of the past.”

“Almost every school division has an old school building that brings with it many stories of the past. Many parts of our history are conjoined with these campuses and school buildings,” he added. 

In 2013, DepEd released the guidelines on the implementation of the conservation of Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings in the country. Since then, the Department has started compiling a comprehensive listing and mapping of the heritage schools. 

To date, there are reportedly 1,446 Gabaldon heritage school buildings all over the country. Many of them are now over a hundred years old and are considered part of the country’s heritage. It was in these schools that the public education system in the Philippines was born. 

The Gabaldon school buildings were named after the late lawmaker Isauro Gabaldon, who authored Republic Act 1801, which appropriated one million pesos for the construction of school buildings in every municipality in the country.

The education chief said that restoration of the heritage schools is not DepEd’s project alone, adding that while the government will work on the most urgent projects of restoration, DepEd needs the help of the whole community in this endeavor. 

“In cooperation with various government agencies, DepEd would like to make sure that the remaining heritage school sites continue to be part of what our nation will be proud of decades later.”

DepEd is showcasing its heritage conservation program through a photo series of Gabaldon and heritage schools at the Manila Art 2015 from October 8 to 11, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura.

Introducing Ekotek's Encore 2u!

We’re back for another Encore! That’s right, the Encore 2 just got a new upgrade! Still armed with the Kitkat OS as well as the AllWinner A33 Quad Core, it’s still twice as fast as the original. Only now, it comes equipped with the HD capacitive touch screen (1024*600 pixels, 16:9) and an increased storage capacity! 

Double the speed, double the power all wrapped in a sleek 7” tablet. We’ve stepped up the Encore 2u because we believe you deserve the most amazing user experience possible. Consider it, our gift 2 u.

Specifications: 

Display: 7" 5points P+G Capacitive Touch Screen (1024*600 pixels, 16:9)
CPU: Allwinner A33 Quad-Core
GPU: Mali400 MP2
Operating System: Android 4.4 (Kitkat)
Memory: 512MB
Storage: 8GB
Hi-Speed Micro USB2.0 (OTG and Host)
TF card reader
3.5mm stereo headphone jack
Support WIFI 802.11 b/g/n
Supports external USB 3G dongle
0.3MP Front Camera, Rear Camera 2MP
Built-in Speaker
3.7V, 2500mAh Li-Polymer Rechargeable Battery. 3.5 hours working time (80% blacklight, 80% volume, WIFI\BT OFF, 1080P AVI video playing)
G-sensor
Supported video formats: AVI, WMV, FLV, 3GP, MKV, MP4, VOB, ASF, MPG, MOV
Supported audio formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, WAV, AAC, APE, M4A
Supported picture formats: JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG
Multi-Language Support: German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Hungarian, Czech, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese, Italian, Finland, Romania, Greece, Russian, Polish, Hebrew, Arabic, Ukrainian, Japanese, Korean
Unit Dimensions: 188.5108.38.25mm
Unit Weight: 268g

In The Box: 1 USB cable, 1 AC adaptor (5V, 1.5A), User Manual, USB-OTG cable, Warranty Card

Now available in all Ekotek branches* for only P2999**

We’ve got branches in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Muntinlupa, SM Las Piñas, SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, SM San Fernando Downtown, SM Southmall, SM San Mateo, SM Manila, SM Valenzuela, Victory Mall Pasay and Victory Mall Antipolo

*SRP. Online Prices are subject to change.

No time to hit the mall? We’re also available online: http://j.mp/ekoteklazada

October 8, 2015

Pizza Hut & Taco Bell Philippines fight hunger with the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP)

(L-R) Martin Bettelley, WFP Philippines Deputy Country Director, and Teck Huack “TH” Lim, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Chief Operating Officer, give out food as part of their joint ongoing commitment to fight hunger among Filipino children. Photo: WFP/Faizza Tanggol

As part of its continued commitment to help fight hunger among Filipino children, Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, together with the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP), recently visited conflict-affected communities in Lanao to observe the WFP’s ongoing feeding programme for schoolchildren.

(L-R) Frank Gonzalez, Pizza Hut District Manager-North and VisMin; Lorent Adrias, Taco Bell Senior Marketing Manage; Martin Bettelley, WFP Philippines Deputy Country Director; Teck Huack “TH” Lim, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Chief Operating Officer; Erryl Ramos, Taco Bell Vice-President for Operations; and Jeanette Uy, Pizza Hut District Manager-South. Photo: WFP/Faizza Tanggol

The school-based feeding programme, which benefits thousands of children in conflict-affected Central Mindanao, is part of the annual World Hunger Relief Programme (WHRP), a campaign touted as the world’s largest private sector hunger relief effort to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds to benefit WFP. Established in 2007, the WHR is primarily focused on engaging Yum! Brands’ associates, franchisees and consumers in over 41,000 restaurants around the globe to end world hunger by contributing money to help feed beneficiaries of the WFP. 

“We’ve been a supporter of the World Food Programme since 2008, and we continue to support it by raising awareness about food and nutrition security among our customers and employees,” shared Teck Huack “TH” Lim, Chief Operating Officer of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. “In the Philippines, we have over 5,000 employees and by engaging them to be part of WHRP, we can make a huge contribution in alleviating hunger especially among children, while encouraging our employees to grow into socially responsible members of their community,” he added.

(L-R) Martin Bettelley, WFP Philippines Deputy Country Director; Teck Huack “TH” Lim, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Chief Operating Officer; Erryl Ramos, Taco Bell Vice-President for Operations; and Mayor Farhana Palawan of Poona Piagapo distribute loot bags filled with school supplies. Photo: WFP/Mei Nebreja-Santos
“We would like to thank Yum! Brands Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Philippines for their unrelenting support throughout the years,” said Martin Bettelley, Deputy Country Director of WFP Philippines. “Through their initiative, we get to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren in Central Mindanao who need them the most. In time, we can all achieve our goal to end world hunger.”

TH Lim and Martin Bettelley led in the recent distribution of nutritious meals and loot bags were recently distributed to 900 children from Denaig Elementary School in Poona Piagao, Lanao Del Norte, and Pindulonan Elementary School in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. Joining them were representatives from the Department of Education and local government units. 

The World Hunger Relief 2015 campaign to raise funds for school meals in conflict-affected Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao will start in November across all Pizza Hut and Taco Bell outlets in the Philippines. This year, Philippine Pizza Inc aims to sell tokens in exchange for donations, which cover coin banks and loose change. 

Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Philippines began their World Hunger Relief campaign in 2008, and have since raised over PhP25 million to help feed Filipino schoolchildren through WFP. This campaign is one of the largest private sector hunger relief initiatives spanning more than 125 countries and territories.

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, it assists more than 80 million people in around 80 countries.

For more information about World Hunger Relief 2015, visit the official Philippine websites of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell at www.pizzahut.com.ph and www.tacobell.com.ph respectively.



Be scar less and flawless with Vine’s CO2 laser

Scarring is part of the body’s healing process but scars need not stay on your skin forever. The same goes with skin hyperpigmentation. But through innovative solutions discovered by dermatologists, many patients are now faced with several alternatives on how to improve their skin condition.

One of the latest methods out there is the fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment. According to Dr. Emehly Sevilla of Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics, both young and old may undergo the treatment. In fact, her youngest patient was seven years old. Indications of the CO2 laser treatment include deep scars, big pores, stretch marks, fine lines, and skin conditions like syringomas, milias, warts, keloids, melasma, freckles, and hyperpigmentation in the face, underarm, under butt, knees, elbows, fingers and toes. It can also treat dark lines and ‘chicken skin’ on underarms.

Aside from erasing marks and blemishes, it is also a good anti-aging tool and can be done along with other treatments. Vine’s extensive and simple programs work in synergy for optimum effect. Dr. Sevilla said she erases wrinkles with fractional carbon dioxide laser and proceeds with the Botox procedure.

“If the patients do not have skin problems but want to tighten their pores, wants to have skin rejuvenation and remove fine lines, fractional carbon dioxide laser can do that. It’s a good maintenance as well. Even some 25-year olds already have mini-lines on their forehead because of the lifestyle today, so this treatment is the answer,” said Dr. Sevilla.

In the past, doctors only based their evaluation on the visual and history of the patient (background of what really happened) to know how deep the problem is. With the new fractional carbon dioxide laser machine, its skin analyzer can accurately assess the skin problem and recommend the ideal operation. It can tell if the skin is moist or dry and will set itself to the safest setting that the patient needs. However, Dr. Sevilla said that the new machine can also be set manually if the doctor wishes to. 

"If you overset the treatment for a certain problem because you’re only visually only looking at it, it may cause inflammatory hyperpigmentation that will leave dark marks,” noted Sevilla.


The advantage of fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment is that it is measurable, precise and safe. “The problem with peels is that you cannot control its absorption. There are patients where you put this percentage and they would absorb and peel so much, but if you apply the same percentage to other patients who have thicker skin, they won’t peel that much,” explained Dr. Sevilla.


Furthermore, she said that with needling procedures, doctors can only base on the visuals and history taking so it may not be precise.

For safety, the doctor, nurse and patient wear goggles during the whole procedure which usually lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. If the area to be treated is near the eyes, they use micropore tape so that the eyes remain closed.

“Laser is okay with treating eye bag area but for safety reasons, we don’t recommend treating on the upper eyelid (on top of eyeballs) even if the depth can be controlled,” remarked Dr. Sevilla.

Before the procedure, anesthesia cream is applied on the skin. It takes 30 minutes to numb the face and one hour for extremities. A slight discomfort may be felt on the first session. But none of that will happen in the succeeding sessions, said Dr. Sevilla. She explained that the tip of the machine emits air and distracts the patient from any possible pain.

The procedure will leave the patient with pinkish skin. To go back to their daily activities, patients need to undergo cryoporation before leaving the center to close the pores, relax the skin and infuse more serum. Post laser cream is given to enhance cell repair. 

After getting the laser treatment, avoid eating chicken, seafood and eggs. Do not wash the face or put on makeup for at least 12 hours after the treatment but sunblock lotion can be used as long as the skin has already absorbed the serum. Patients can come back for another session as early as two weeks but normal protocol is a month.

However, not everyone can just go and get the procedure. Contraindications include chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, allergies, fungal infection, eczema, rashes, measles and chicken pox. “Treat the skin problem first before doing the laser. But if the area to be treated is far away from area with disease, laser can be done,” related Dr. Sevilla.

Vine Aesthetics is located at Unit 2H Mezzanine Level, Grand Hamptons Tower II, 1st Ave. cor. 31st St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, call tel. nos. 09178590642, 217-2687, 843-3023, email vineaesthetics@gmail.com or visit www.vineaesthetics.com.



Experience natural care “down there”


Everyone’s going all-natural these days, whether we’re talking about organic food, health supplements from plant and animal extracts, and even personal care and beauty products. And, why not? Ever since, people have long used natural ingredients to effectively address their woes and concerns.

This is why pH Care bottled up nature’s wonders through two popularly used ingredients, papaya and guava leaves, to come up with their all-new pH Care Naturals line in pH Care Naturals Papaya and pH Care Naturals Guava. The folks behind best-selling feminine wash pH Care have an intimate understanding of the importance of caring for your feminine area, and they expertly combine the properties of these winning natural ingredients with their mild and effective intimate care products. 


pH Care Naturals Papaya

There are a lot of factors that can influence a woman’s confidence when it comes to donning that swimsuit, including puson problems and cleavage consciousness. But one other common insecurity many women have is dark skin in and around the feminine area, and this is something they can feel self-conscious about even in the comfort and privacy of their own rooms and bathrooms. And, while there are many products for whitening dark skin in other parts of the body, most of these aren’t safe or suited for use in intimate areas. But now, pH Care has a new whitening feminine wash variant that uses natural ingredients, so you keep the sensitive area fresh and fair. The new pH Care Naturals Papaya is powered with papaya extract, so you get fairer skin in as early as 14 days! And since we know papaya is one of nature’s wonders when it comes to skin-whitening, you’re sure to get only the best results with the mildest ingredients.

pH Care Naturals Guava

Even if you’re not overly concerned with dark skin, you may still want a feminine wash made from natural ingredients that will still keep your intimate area fresh and clean. After all, in a hot country like ours, sweat can lead to discomfort, even body odor, and infection—and it’s worse when it involves the feminine area! But no need to worry; pH Care Naturals Guava has been specially infused with guava leaf extract, which is well-known for its cleansing and anti-bacterial properties. In fact, the use of guava leaves for intimate care is a traditionally renowned practice passed on from generation to generation. So if you’re among the 33% of Filipinas constantly seeking for natural solutions “down there,” then give pH Care Naturals Guava a try. It will naturally deodorize the area so you can feel confident regardless of outfit, activity, or even weather. It has quite a refreshing scent, too!

Now, you can be assured of natural care “down there”, para fresh and clean na, odor-free pa!

The NEW! pH Care Naturals Intimate Wash is available for P49.50 (50mL) and P104 (150mL) at leading supermarkets, drugstores, and beauty stores. For more information, check out facebook.com/pHCare.

Visit FB: pH Care: Fresh, Sexy Secrets IG: @pHCarePhilippines Twitter: @pHCarePhilippines

#pHCareNaturals #NaturalCare

October 7, 2015

New online video highlights the power of family in inspiring success Award-winning filmmaker Dan Villegas directs

A heartwarming video that tells the intertwined story of family and success is making waves online.

The video, aptly titled Grandma’s Little Angel, tells the story of Kassie and her grandmother Linda who used to run her own local chocolate shop in Lipa, Batangas. After Lola Linda’s business closes down, Kassie continues the dream for her beloved grandmother who has instilled in her the love for chocolate-making and the passion to pursue her dreams.

The video tells the heartwarming story of Kassie and Lola Linda.

The heartwarming video’s emotionally powerful storytelling is courtesy of award-winning Filipino director and cinematographer Dan Villegas. Villegas’ impressive portfolio includes Cinemalaya entry Mayohan, and blockbuster hits like The Breakup Playlist, English Only, Please, Bride for Rent and She’s the One.
The video was directed by award-winning filmmaker Dan Villegas.
“The first time I heard the concept for Grandma’s Little Angel, I was excited to shoot it. Everyone has a Lola,or someone they love, so this is highly relatable,” he said. “I want the viewers to feel lucky that there are people who love them, and that they should tell their loved ones how appreciated and cherished they are.”

The video emphasizes a key aspect of success for many entrepreneurial and hardworking Filipinos who persevere despite the challenges—that it is best shared with people who inspired that success.

When it comes to running a business, most Filipinos are fueled, not by their personal desire for fame, power and wealth, but by their passion to give a better life for their loved ones, particularly their families. Ask a Filipino entrepreneur, and you’ll likely hear a story about their desire to let their parents or children experience a more comfortable life. Or a story about how they want to fulfill a dream for their loved ones who inspired them.

Here’s the touching video that will tug at your heartstrings.

Darren Espanto is on his “D’ Road Tour” across the Philippines!


D’ Total Performer Darren Espanto in on his way to conquer the Philippines at“D’ Road Tour” after the massive success of his “D’ Birthday Concert” at MOA Arena last May 2015.

Darren is now set to start his “D’ Road Tour” across the country, living his ultimate dream in captivating the hearts of his fans around the world since the onset of the tours at Canada and United States of America.

The course of Darren’s concert series will begin at Araullo University, Cabanatuan this Friday, October 09, which will be followed the next day, October 10 at AUF Sports Center, Angeles. D’ Road Tour will be on its way to SMX Convention Center, Davao on October 23, 2015 and will trail to University of Baguio on October 30. Fans from Cagayan De Oro will also get the chance to catch Darren’s concert in Lim Ket Kai on November 20. Batangueños will also witness his moves on Nov. 27 and will stretch going to La Salle Gym, Bacolod on December 05, 2015. Darren will also invade Cebu this November on which the exact date and venue will be announced soon.

He will be joined by special guests: The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 Grand Champion, Jason Dy, The Voice Kids Season 1 Finalist, Juan Karlos Labajo, and The Voice Kids Season 2 Grand Champion, Elha Nympha.

Fans can expect all-out performances of songs from his self-titled debut album, which features the singles, “In Love Ako Sa’Yo” and “Stuck”, “Makin’ Moves” and many more.

“I’m super excited for the “D’ Road Tours” because I’ll finally be able to perform for my supporters across the Philippines. This is a big milestone for me and I’m really looking forward to it,” Darren said.

Be part of Darren’s dream and journey and head out to the nearest SM Tickets, Ticketworld, and TicketNet. Tickets are available at P2,000 for Moshpit, P1,500 for VIP, P1,000 for Gold, P750 for Silver, P500 for Bronze, and P250 for General Admission.

Darren Espanto “D’ Road Tour” is presented by Talk N’ Text and Spinnr. “Darren” Deluxe Edition album is now out under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) on CDs at Astroplus and AstroVision outlets. It is also available through digital downloads via Spinnr at spinnr.ph and iTunes and streaming via spinnr.ph, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Guvera.





For bookings and inquiries, please contact Sammy Samaniego at (632) 9162504 local 107, (0920) 9682991, (0917) 8565174 or email sammy.samaniego@umusic.com. 

For more information about Darren, log on to www.facebook.com/mcamusic.

Oscar Winner graces the small screen in new medical drama

Photo : Sony Channel Phils
Academy Award winner for Best Actress Marcia Gay Harden (Polllack) stars in Code Black, a new medical procedural drama inspired by Ryan McGarry’s critically acclaimed documentary of the same title. 

Every episode presents extraordinary medical cases in creative but very authentic perspectives. Events unfold in the nation’s busiest ER, where medical professionals are the heroes. In a perpetual race against time, they solve one medical case after the other using limited resources. This is far from your usual medical drama. Get ready to be hooked as it fires up adrenaline, intrigues the mind and ultimately compels the heart.

Follow Leanne Royer (Harden), the gritty resident who leads her medical team through seemingly insurmountable odds.Completing the cast are Bonnie Sommerville (NYPD Blue), Raza Jaffrey (Homeland), Luis Guzman (Oz), Melanie Kannokada (Love, Lies and Seeta), Harry M. Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and William Allen Young. 

Michael Seitzman, Marti Noxon, Ryan McGarry, and David Semel are the executive producers of this series that premieres on October 7, Wednesday, 8:50pm (same week as the US), first & Exclusive at Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cable Link Channel 39.


About Sony Channel

Sony Channel is the premier destination for female-skewing entertainment with the biggest and best of Hollywood. Designed for the socially connected viewer, Sony Channel features some of the most captivating and talked-about drama, comedy, lifestyle and reality programs on TV, all airing close to the U.S. telecasts, together with popular feel-good movies. 

Fresh, confident and stylish, with a dash of clever wit, Sony Channel is visually stunning with a brand identity that perfectly complements its line-up of high calibre programming. Sony Channel appeals to a female-skewed, male-inclusive audience who loves to escape, engage and lose themselves in premium content. Viewers are modern, social, stylish and aspirational.

Sony Channel is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, which also operates pay-TV channels AXN, beTV, Sony Entertainment Television, Animax, ONE and GEM. See www.sonychannelasia.com, as well as follow www.facebook.com/SonyChannelPH and https://twitter.com/SonyChannelPH for more. 



Record-breaking prices at Leon Gallery’s Magnificent September Auction

The largest “Sabel” painting by National artist Benedicto Cabrera finds its new home after being acquired at a record-breaking P46.7M during the Leon Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2015. 

Another major piece auctioned at P14M is an untitled work by Juan Luna – signed and dated 1884 – oil on canvas, which features a comely European lady depicted in full figure in the formal dress of the time. 

Meanwhile, Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s “Lavanderas” circa 1957 was acquired at P39.71M, following the successful auction of her masterpiece “Fish Harvest at Dawn” sold at P52M during the Leon Gallery Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2015.

Ang Kiukok’s 1981 “Seated Figure” sold for P11.68M, Manansala’s 1975 “Adam and Eve” went for P6.42M, while Nena Saguil’s 1964 watercolor “Paris” sold for P1.99M

The recently held Leon Gallery Magnificent Auction 2015 also paid tribute to preeminent modernist master Romulo Olazo by featuring his Diaphanous series, which are considered as some of the canonical works in contemporary Philippine art.

Leon Gallery’s Magnificent September Auction 2015 followed the two equally successful Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2015 and “The Jim and Reed Pfeufer Collection: A four-decade friendship with Fernando Zobel,” which featured over 70 pieces that illustrate how the Spanish-Filipino artist's friendship with American couple Jim and Reed Pfeufer flourished throughout the years.

“It has always been our commitment to uplift Filipino talent, culture and history through the arts; and it is with great pride to bring these spectacular works to new homes and owners, who will surely value and treasure them like we do. This way, we are able to preserve the arts and constantly pass history from one generation to another,” said Leon Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon.

L-R: Audrey Zubiri, Jaime Ponce de Leon, and Dette Tan 

Anron and Tessa Mendoza 

L-R: Weng Domingo, Suzie Quiroz, Maritess Pineda and Patricia Pineda
Bong and Boboy Garrovillo 

Deanna Ongpin-Recto and Marivic Rufino 


Richie Quirino

Jamie and Tess Escaler

Marivic Vasquez and Paul Campos 
L-R: Olivia Yao, Trickie Lopa and Mel Francisco 


Ramon Orlina 
Ambassador Dondi Teehankee, and Christian Aguilar

Leon Gallery is located at the G/F, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. For more details, visit http://leon-gallery.com/.

NorthPine Land strengthens ties with Pag-IBIG Fund, vows to build more quality homes and communities for Filipinos

Community developer NorthPine Land, Inc. (NLI) recently paid a courtesy visit to the officials of Pag-IBIG Fund to present recent and future projects, as well as its other community engagements and advocacies.

“NorthPine Land is a big supporter of Pag-IBIG’s affordable housing program for Filipino workers with some of our property developments being Pag-IBIG-accredited projects including Forest Ridge in Antipolo City, Kahaya Place and Greenwoods Village in Dasmariñas City, Kohana Grove in Silang, and South Hampton in Sta. Rosa Laguna,” shared NLI Chief Finance Officer, Ben Tatunay.

Photo above shows (L-R): Amytis Banaag (AVP for HRODA, Sales Training and Corporate Sales), Wilma E. Fernando (VP for Corporate Services), Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Atty. Darlene Berberabe, Ben Tatunay (VP for Finance), Elmer Tugade (Developer Assisted Department Manager) and Paul Lamagna (AVP for Technical Management Group)

Active Pag-IBIG members have access to the Fund’s housing loan programs. They can avail of a Pag-IBIG housing loan to acquire a property from a community developed by a Pag-IBIG-accredited developer. NLI Vice President for Corporate Services, Wilma E. Fernando, said the recent meeting with Pag-IBIG has reaffirmed the company’s commitment of providing genuine, quality homes to the hard-working Filipino family.

“We’ve developed a comprehensive portfolio of prestigious projects over the years, making sure that we deliver on our promise of providing fine living to every Filipino worker who strives for his dream home. Our houses are built on excellence, and our communities on trust,” says Ms. Fernando.

NorthPine Land has been a prime mover in the middle-income housing market since it was founded in 1996 by four prominent companies led by Asia’s top property investment group, Hongkong Land; with local investors and trusted names in the country: San Miguel Properties, Inc., BDO, and Metrobank.


About NorthPine Land, Inc.
NorthPine Land Inc. (NLI) is one of the country’s trusted real estate prime movers with a prestigious portfolio of projects such as Kahaya Place, Greenwoods Village, Wind Crest, Kohana Grove (Cavite), South Hampton (Laguna), Forest Ridge (Antipolo City), and Lexington (Pasig City). Its distinguished shareholders are: HongKong Land, BDO, Metrobank, and San Miguel Properties, Inc. To know more about our lineup of products, visit www.northpineland.com or call +632 637.1531.


Feeling at home with the freelance lifestyle : A quick look at freelancing and the rise of online customer service

For freelancers, working at home is an incredibly attractive proposition. You don’t just get paid to develop your skills; you also get to exercise complete control over your own time and space as well. 

Global trends in the job market show that an increasing number of professionals are cutting their teeth on freelance work online, coinciding with the current ubiquity of the Internet in up to 40% of the world and its particular spike in demand for customer service agents.

According to industry statistics, the rising demand in customer care isn’t going away soon and this bodes well for the large number of skilled customer service people in the Philippines.

Thanks to the surge in online-based freelancer talent marketplaces like Upwork, customer service practitioners are in a position where they can successfully build entire international-standard careers for themselves, getting first-world pay without ever having to commute. 

This has proven to be incredibly appealing to businesses of all types and sizes —from bootstrapped startup to established enterprise—all over the world since they now have access to the talent they need to build phenomenal support teams thanks to an earth-sized talent pool of freelance professionals , giving an ultra-nuanced matching experience compared to traditional hiring methods.

The customer service category is one of the fastest growing categories on Upwork. Last year alone, companies spent 54 percent more than the year before. Increasingly companies are discovering the value of having a distributed customer support team – from reduced turnover to improved customer satisfaction and 24/7 multi-channel support.

If you are a passionate service professional looking to start practicing online freelance customer care, now is a great time to start.

The challenges of freedom

While the trend is unquestionably empowering for both businesses and freelancers, it is not without its quirks.

One thing that scares many aspiring online freelancers off early on is the fear of losing the distinction between “work time” and “home time.” For freelancers customer service professionals in the Philippines, the need to address this is particularly pressing.

Luckily, here are some tips to help you feel more at home with the freelance way of life:


Build your office

Your first step in kickstarting the freelance life is building the space you’ll be working in. While things should be welcoming and familiar for you, never forget that a clear work area goes hand in hand with a clear mind.

Remove unnecessary clutter from your table, and ensure that you have a professional-looking backdrop in case you need to face clients during your next online meeting. Also ensure that your immediate environment is quiet enough to work in. This will be your office from now on, so everything counts if you want to stay distraction-free, regardless if you’re offering email, chat, or voice support.

You may also need to secure a stronger or more reliable connection, as you may need the extra bandwith and speed for conference calls and long customer service sessions. Compare reviews and current product offerings from your preferred service provider.


Dress the part

The thought of going to work in your PJs is something many home-based professionals aspire for, but this may be particularly bad for you in the long run. 

A big part of the professional mindset knowing how to make the best possible impression when you present yourself to clients. The gesture alone shows them that you’re willing to be the best version of yourself for them, and it helps build trust between both parties.

While you may be incredibly talented, it’s hard to trust someone to deliver if they look like they just got out of bed all the time. Just think of it as something that cements your image as a working professional. Studies also show that a healthy self-image boosts productivity and motivation. It’s never a bad idea to dress up for work!


Develop a routine

People need a routine to ground them to certain aspects of their working lives. For many, this starts as early as the morning commute; something that may be foreign to the home-based customer care professional. I mean, how far do you have to walk to go from your house to… the other end of your house?

Try setting routine habits to get you into that working mood. Some would prefer a quick morning workout before the bulk of the day’s deliverables. Others cook, while others would prefer a simple walk to the nearest coffee shop for a good cup of coffee.

With opportunities to develop your customer service agent career, the comforts of home, and all the time you need for the things that matter in life; could you ask for a sweeter life? If you are a skilled customer service agent , online freelancing can make your dream of a freestyle life come true.


About Upwork:

Upwork is the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace. As an increasingly connected and independent workforce goes online, knowledge work — like software, shopping and content before it — is shifting online as well. This shift is making it faster and easier for clients to connect and work with talent in near real-time and is freeing professionals everywhere from having to work at a set time and place.  Upwork is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices in San Francisco and Oslo, Norway. 

For more information, visit the website at www.upwork.com, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Power-Up with ASUS Notebooks and Get a stylish, limited edition ASUS ROG Shuttle Backpack plus, 2-Year Global Warranty


Power up with ASUS Notebooks and enjoy incredible performance, style and 2-Year Global Warranty at an amazing price. From October 1st until November 30th, select ASUS Notebooks with Intel™ Core® i5 and i7 processors are now bundled with limited edition water-resistant Republic of Gamers Shuttle Backpacks worth PHP 4,995 so you can bring your device wherever you go! Bag is roomy enough to fit most devices even laptops up to 17”. Store all your cables, mice, powerbanks and even other belongings in this functional ROG Backpack. Rainy days won’t be a problem since the water-resistant ROG Backpack keeps all your gadgets safe and secure.

As a big bonus, select ASUS notebooks now also come with a 2-year global warranty to lessen your worries on parts and services.

Protect your investment with an extended global warranty worth Php2,500 available for select ASUS notebook models with pre-loaded Microsoft Windows 10.

Benefits you can enjoy from the extended warranty services:
· Provides you with peace of mind knowing that you device is covered for two-years. 
· Save money on laptop repair service and parts 
· Convenience of enjoying the warranty in any of the 57 countries ASUS service centers are present. 
· Whether you plan to travel with your ASUS Notebook or plan to purchase it as a gift for your loved ones abroad, ASUS 2-year Global Warranty gives you the best value for your device.

Bundled ROG Backpacks Mechanics:

1. Promo is open to all endusers who purchase select ASUS notebooks from October 1 to November 30, 2015.

2. Each enduser who purchase any of the select ASUS notebook from authorized ASUS resellers will get a free ROG Shuttle backpack. One notebook is equivalent to one backpack.

3. Redemption of free item starts from November 1, 2015 and ends on January 31, 2016.

4. Enduser may claim their free backpacks in two (2) ways:


Claim at ASUS Concept Stores:

· Enduser must present the photocopy of their official receipt, serial number

box cut-out and provide their name, e-mail, contact number in the

following concept stores:

• SM Megamall (ASUS Shop-in-Shop), 4th Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM North EDSA, 4th Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Fairview, 3rd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• Festival Supermall, 3rd Floor, Festival Supermall

• SM Lanang, 3rd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Bacolod, 2nd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Cabanatuan, 2nd Floor, SM Cyberzone


5. Ship to Customer’s Address

Enduser must email a copy of their official receipt, serial number box cut-out and provide their name, e-mail address, contact number and complete shipping address to: asusredemption@gmail.com.

Upon sending an email to ASUS from November 1. Customer just needs to wait up to 7days to receive the free item

6. Premiums are transferrable but not convertible to cash. Employees of ASUS Philippines, its advertising, PR and events agencies and their relatives up to the second degree of affinity or consanguinity are exempted from the promo.

Eligible model for free ROG Shuttle Backpacks



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