Enjoying Wonderful World: 2016-09-25

October 1, 2016

ABS-CBN makes partnership with PLDT-Smart for mobile entertainment content

PLDT and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III (third and fourth from left, respectively) lead the groundbreaking partnership of PLDT Home, Smart and ABS-CBN for iWant TV with (from left) lawyer Ray Espinosa, PLDT head of regulatory affairs; Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO; and Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO

ABS-CBN Corp. has entered a partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications for distribution of its television content and movies.

ABS-CBN Corp. shows will be available for streaming to millions of subscribers of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its mobile unit, Smart Communications, as the country's largest media and entertainment pursues a shift to digital services.

Chairman Eugenio Lopez III of ABS-CBN Corp., President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and PLDT-Smart Chairman Manuel Pangilinan signed an agreement that will give the telecommunications company's subscribers access to the network's iWant TV service.

"The strategic partnership between ABS-CBN and PLDT underscores our vision to make our content avialable online to more Filipinos," Katigbak said in a statement.With the partnership, ABS-CBN shows will be available on an estimated 30 million smartphone and tablet screens that run on the Smart network, said Oscar Reyes Jr., PLDT First Vice President and head of home businesses.

Led by PLDT and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio Lopez III, also at the groundbreaking partnership of PLDT Home, Smart and ABS-CBN for iWant TV are Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Oscar “Renren” Reyes, FVP and head of Home Business for PLDT; Katrina Luna-Abelarde, FVP and head of Smart Wireless Consumer Division; Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT Home Marketing; Kathy Carag, VP and Head of Smart and Sun Master Brand; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO; Aldrin Cerrado, ABS-CBN CFO; Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO; Cat Lopez, ABS-CBN head of finance for Broadcast; and Mellissa Limcaoco, ABS-CBN head of Digital Transformation.

“In a groundbreaking partnership, the country’s leading digital services providers PLDT Home and Smart Communications have teamed up with multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN for iWant TV, the streaming service of ABS-CBN for its TV shows, movies and exclusive digital content,” said a press release.

The statement added, “Using iWant TV, subscribers may stream the past and current ABS-CBN shows like On the Wings of Love, Dolce Amore, Ang Probinsiyano and Til I Met You, as well as News and Current Affairs shows, among many others — anytime and anywhere.”

To activate iWant TV, users can register for an account via www.iwantv.com.ph or download the iWant TV app on their Android and iOS devices.

The specials and shows will be available for streaming starting October this year.

September 30, 2016

Samsung provides the modern family with ‘Partners in Life’

Today’s millennial parents are modern-day heroes in their own right. Most of them keep a full-time job but give equal if not greater importance in spending time and taking care of the family.

Everyone could use a little help, especially today’s career-driven and time-strapped homemakers. Samsung addresses this need through its suite of smart digital appliances that are designed to be the millennial family’s “Partners in Life.”

Samsung is proud to offer state-of-the-art home appliances that intuitively understand and care for the family’s needs. Samsung’s newest digital appliances are known to go beyond the usual functions of a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, and air conditioner. These products are loaded with innovative features to make life easier and more convenient for its users.

“Filipino parents work their hardest so they can provide the best for their family. We at Samsung want to give them the ease and efficiency that they deserve through Samsung Digital Appliances. Our products can be their ‘Partners in Life.’ Samsung’s cutting-edge technology can help accomplish house work with greater comfort and efficiency, so modern homemakers may spend more of their time and energy with their loved ones,” said Stephanie Chua, Head of Product Marketing, Digital Appliances.

Each of Samsung’s digital appliances carry an important role in the household. With its capability to keep food fresh up to two times longer, the Samsung Twin Cooling Refrigerator is the modern home’s partner in freshness. Keeping food fresh longer means tasty and healthy meals at the table and less trips to the grocery to enjoy more quality time with the kids.

Samsung’s AddWash technology for washing machines makes laundry days easier by allowing more clothes to be added in the middle of a wash cycle so there’s no need to wait for the next laundry day to wash missed items. With its Wi-Fi capability, the Samsung AddWash Washing Machine allows homemakers to monitor the laundry via their smartphone while they do other tasks. Lastly, Samsung’s innovative Ecobubble™ Technology uses air, water, and detergent to create powerful cleansing bubbles that ensure a faster and thorough clean. Laundry days can be a breeze with the Samsung AddWash Washing Machine, making it the modern home’s partner in convenience.

As the home’s partner in comfort, the Samsung’s Split-type Air Conditioner offers hours of reliable cooling and unparalleled energy efficiency through its Digital Inverter. It is the first to use an 8-pole inverter that ensures a more efficient operation with less vibration and noise, while its Wi-Fi function via Smart Control enables the user to control the air conditioner using their smartphone or tablet. Altogether, the Samsung air conditioner ensures a comfortable sleep or leisure time without a worry about noise and steep power costs.

Lastly, the Samsung Microwave Oven gives access to easy and healthier cooking. This microwave oven can do much more than heat meals. It uses Samsung’s revolutionary Slim-Fry technology to cook crispy food with just a touch of oil. It also reduces cooking time, grills meats, and even ferments dough or yogurt, making it a partner in delight in the kitchen.

Now is the best time to upgrade to smart digital appliances. Samsung’s innovative products are currently offered at flexible payment options or with generous discounts through the Flexi Home Deals promo. The promo is now on its final stretch and is valid only until September 30.

Customers can save up to Php30,000 in discounts if they purchase Samsung Digital Appliances in full cash payments. For those who opt for easy deals on installment, discounts are also available for payment periods of 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months at 0% interest.

Catch Samsung’s Flexi Home Deals promo until the end of September at selected Samsung dealer stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.samsung.com/ph/offer/flexideals2016/.

Why are Pinoys so jolly and joyful?

The answer might be as simple as the company we keep, the things around us that make us smile and the food we enjoy.

There’s no doubt that Filipinos are among the jolliest people on the planet. Wherever one might go in this country, he or she will most definitely be met with a smile, a warm greeting, or a hearty laugh. Foreigners often wonder how an entire nation of over 100 million can extend kindness and good cheer even to complete strangers.

In the Gallup 2015 Positive Experience Index, the country ranked fifth in the list of happiest citizens in the world, despite the many socio-economic issues they face every day. However, these survey figures do not completely explain why many Filipinos consistently choose joy over negative emotions.

What’s the real secret behind the trademark Pinoy cheerfulness?

This is a question that Jollibee, the country’s number one fast food brand, answered in an online campaign released last September 10, 2016.

“Jollibee, as a homegrown Filipino brand, is happy to answer why Pinoys are among the happiest people in the world,” said Francis E. Flores, Jollibee Global Chief of Marketing and Philippine Marketing Head. “Throughout Jollibee’s nearly four decades of serving the Filipino people all over the country and the world, we’ve discovered many reasons behind our innate joy, which we’re proud to showcase in the latest Chickenjoy Nation video.”

The Jollibee team went around the country to observe the lives of ordinary Filipinos and seemingly simple reasons behind their day-to-day happiness. The “stars” of the video cited sense of humor, appreciation for music, an easy-going spirit, and good food (including Jollibee’s crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy) as some of the core ingredients of Pinoy joy.

The video, however, implies something more profound about the Pinoy psyche: even in the most dismal of situations, the Filipino heart is filled with hope and optimism. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of their lives and the circumstances they find themselves in, they smile, laugh the bad vibes away, they are always to sing and dance, and share their favorite meals with the people they value the most. For them, joy is something that can be discovered in even the most mundane of things they encounter every day.

“Through our best-tasting Chickenjoy, we serve the perfect complement to our customers’ most joyful moments,” added Flores. “We’ve made it our mission to unite Filipinos under one joy, one nation—a Chickenjoy Nation.”

To find out more about Chickenjoy Nation, like Jollibee’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/Jollibee Philippines), follow @BestFriendJollibee on Instagram and @Jollibee on Twitter and Snapchat.

The future of travel media : TBEX Asia-Pacific 2016 set on October 13-16

To visit and go someplace you’ve never been before.... Travel and Adventure is worthwhile.

The Philippines is all set for the Asia-Pacific leg of the world’s largest conference of travel bloggers, writers, content media creators and tourism industry professionals - the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX), on October 13-16, 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Presented by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in coordination with NMX Events, TBEX is expected to bring in hundreds of delegates from North America, Europe and Asia to the Philippines for the first time and will serve as the best venue for bloggers to acquire knowledge, as well as expand their networks and linkages. It will also create a good opportunity for the participants to experience the best of the Philippines through exciting tours.

Highlighting this event will be a series of talks presented by some of the world’s renowned speakers including New York Times #1 international bestselling author and veteran travel journalist Patricia Schultz, host of the award-winning podcast Slice of Sci-Fi Evo Terra, and Filipino travel blogger and founder of OurAwesomePlanet.com Anton Diaz.

Talks will cover various travel-blogging topics such as the proper use of social networking sites, video blogging, content management, marketing techniques to building brands and challenges and opportunities in blogging. The conference will also allow the participants to interact with each other and have in-depth discussion on travel blogging opportunities.

The group will also be treated with exciting tours to the country’s premier destinations including iconic landmarks, world heritage sites, scenic views, natural wonders, entertainment venues, lifestyle spaces, and top attractions. The list will include a visit to the historical walled city of Intramuros, the Eighth Wonder of the World Banaue Rice Terraces, the world’s Best Island Palawan, UNESCO World Heritage site Ilocos and the world’s most perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano.

By hosting this four-day event, the Philippines is once again set to take the spotlight for being a premier travel destination among the world’s most successful travel bloggers and the industry’s most creative and influential minds.

To register and know more about the upcoming TBEX 2016, visit http://tbexcon.com/2016-asia/.

#1 music video community Musical.ly seals partnership with Globe

Gives Filipinos access to a platform to enjoy their favorite hits and create their own videos

Musical.ly President Alex Hofmann joined the Globe family all the way from the U.S. for the 11^th Wonderful World with Globe to officially announce its first ever telco partnership.

Musical.ly, the currently rated #1 music video community seals its first ever telco partnership with the Philippines’ #1 mobile brand, Globe. Musical.ly is the world’s fastest growing online video community for creating, sharing and discovering 15-second videos.

With this collaboration, Musical.ly and Globe aim to give the best online experience to customers through easy access to a platform that allows creation of original content, and published by users themselves.

“We are delighted to have this partnership with Musical.ly because their platform combines 2 of the biggest things that Filipinos love – music and original video creation. There are countless trending videos online showcasing how talented Filipinos express themselves through original content and Musical.ly will be an enjoyable platform for that,” says Globe Chief Commercial Officer, Albert de Larrazabal.

Top Musical.ly PH musers are joined by (leftmost) Musical.ly Asia Marketing Manager Mauricio Lievana, (middle) Musical.ly US President Alex Hoffman and Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan

Musical.ly US President, Alex Hofmann also said that, “This partnership with Globe sets a global trend for us at Musical.ly. With a partnership focusing on consumer content, Musical.ly is sure to be the future of creation and engagement. With Globe we hope to provide a more seamless access to more Filipinos so they can enjoy the app right on their favorite device.”

On the Musical.ly app, community members are called musers who are young, creative and enthusiastic individuals who love to express themselves through social media. They create the trend by creating viral materials that create traffic and trending topics on sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Musical.ly President Alex Hofmann and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu

The app allows users to shoot and upload their own material using Musical.ly’s online library of the best hits from a wide variety of music genres like hip-hop, as well as themes such as comedy and movie clips with each lasting for about 15 seconds.

With a following that continues to grow organically since its launch in August 2014, Musical.ly now has over 100 million users globally and create over 10 million new musicals every day! It is currently ranked #1 in the app chart in more than 19 countries including US, UK, and Germany. It is also consistently within the top 50 apps in the App Store and Google Playstore since 2015.

Guests at the recent 11^th Wonderful World with Globe got to enjoy exploring the Musical.ly app and coming up with their own music videos

Globe customers can enjoy and try the Musical.ly app for FREE via Globe Switch as part of its exclusive hot deals. As a special launch treat, for a limited time only, Globe is giving the first 500,000 Globe Switch users free 7 days access to the app of their choice! Users can avail of the "Special Launch Day Treat" option under the OFFERS tab to choose their free app.

Globe Switch is free and available for download on Google Playstore. To learn more about Globe Prepaid and its latest offers, visit www.globe.com.ph/Prepaid. Globe Switch is also available for TM subscribers.

About Musical.ly

#1 music video community. Musical.ly makes it easy and fun to create amazing videos and impress your friends. Simply select a sound and start lip syncing! Anyone can be an awesome singer with musical.ly!

Select from millions of tracks or use music from your own device. Create lip sync videos to your favorite songs. Add cool video effects: filter, fast motion, slow motion, time lapse, reverse, and other "time machine" effects. Share your videos on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Vine to impress your friends and get likes! Save videos to your camera roll. Discover brilliant music videos created by the musical.ly community. Get likes from the musical.ly community and see how your music videos rank on the leaderboard.

About Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. Follow Globe Telecom on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlobePH as well as @EnjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram.

1,000 concrete houses completed for super typhoon survivors

Concrete from floor to ceiling, two hundred brand new houses were turned over recently in Ormoc to complete the targeted 1,000 units for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in various parts of the Visayas region. The houses were donated to the beneficiaries and are part of a project that was initiated immediately after the historic storm that devastated thousands of lives and property in November 8, 2013.

The housing project – initiated under SM Cares, and a division of SM Foundation – covered areas that were hardest hit by Yolanda. It started with the turnover of 200 houses in Bogo, Cebu a year after the typhoon in November 2014. In October 2015, 200 more houses were given to survivors in Iloilo. Early this May 2016, 400 houses in Barangay Kawayan, Tacloban were given to chosen beneficiaries.

The houses were designed and engineered to withstand disasters like super typhoons that may hit in the future. Aside from the disaster-resilient concrete houses, each SM Cares housing village is also planted with vetiver grass to help manage slopes and control soil erosion, sewage treatment, materials recovery facility, and rainwater catchment system.

Each beneficiary is carefully selected with the help of various NGOs and community groups, which conducted interviews and profiling. Melba de Luna, a 43-year old housewife, expressed her positive outlook by volunteering as a cooperative member in their community in Bgy. Kawayan.

“Dininig ng Diyos ang panalangin namin na bigyan kami ng bahay na safe. Ngayon kahit sobrang lakas ng hangin sa labas, hindi namin halos maramdaman. Sa kinikita ng asawa ko sa pagmamaneho, naglalaan kami para lalong pagandahin itong bahay naming.” (God heard our prayer to give us a safe house. Now even when the wind is strong outside, we can hardly feel it. With my husband’s earnings from driving, we save up to make this house look better.) Her husband drives a taxicab for a living" de Luna attested.

SM Cares’ housing project for the survivors of Yolanda was made possible by the selfless support of its customers, business partners, service providers, employees and local communities. Through these donors, SM was able to raise the necessary fund to complete 1,000 concrete homes where its owners can feel safer and more secure after what they went through three years ago.

Licealiz launches Kilusang Kontra Kuto for Head Lice Awareness Month

With September being Head Lice Prevention Month, Lamoiyan Corporation has created a health education campaign designed to help communities all over the country address the problem of kuto (lice).

Led by Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz head lice treatment shampoo, in partnership with the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP) and supported by the UP Manila College of Public Health, the Kilusang Kontra Kuto was formed as an educational movement seeking to spread awareness about lice infestation issues and prevent and treat head lice.

“A study by the DepEd in 2009 estimated that 8 million public school students aged 7 to 12 years old* were infested with head lice,” stated Dr. Arlene Bertuso, an entomologist and professor from the UP Manila College of Public Health.

Dr. Bertuso also shared that head lice can live for up to 30 days in a human head and that female lice can lay up to 100 eggs in their lifetime.

This cycle produces more and more lice that can cause severe itchiness and infection of the scalp. But itchiness could be the least of these children’s worries. The social stigma associated with having kuto can leave lasting psychological damage, as it has been found that kuto-infested children were subject to bullying and teasing, leading them to miss school for days at a time.

However, since kuto can be easily transmitted through direct contact with an infested person or object, the solution is not just to treat the heads affected but through a joint effort by homes, schools, and communities.

“Nurses all over the Philippines, especially those assigned in schools, commonly encounter children with kuto,” shared Balbina Borneo, President of the MCNAP. “Because this problem easily affects a huge number of people, I can say that kuto really is a social concern that needs to be addressed by the whole community.”

Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines president Ms. Bambi Borneo, celebrity mom Love Anover, and UP Manila College of Public Health professor and entomologist Dr. Arlene Bertuso support the Kilusang Kontra Kuto led by Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo.

To help prevent the spread of head lice, experts like Dr. Bertuso recommend that parents regularly inspect their children’s hair, as well as the hair of everyone in the household.

“Communities can start a regular program wherein school nurses or barangay health workers can diagnose people with head lice and advise them on proper head lice treatment and prevention. Head lice might not be deadly, but the social stigma associated with having them makes kuto infestation a public health problem worthy of concern,” Dr. Bertuso said.

Meanwhile, MCNAP President Balbina Borneo advised, “We have to take action in keeping our households kuto free through simple activities like avoiding sharing of combs, towels and other materials that touch the hair, as lice spreads through physical contact with infested objects. We should regularly replace our beddings and pillowcases to avoid the transfer of lice.”

Celebrity mom Love Añover also shared her experience dealing with head lice and another effective solution she discovered to fight it – Licealiz head lice treatment shampoo.

“We were very careful with my daughter’s hygiene and surroundings, so I couldn’t believe it when she started scratching her head. Sure enough, we found head lice! We didn’t think it was possible for my daughter to get head lice given how young she was at the time, but eventually we found out that she got them from our household help. When I was a child, we only used suyod, which was quite inefficient in getting all the lice out. For my daughter, we wanted to try something clinically tested and proven in removing lice. We tried Licealiz head lice treatment shampoo and after two weeks of use, my child was lice-free!” she shared

Licealiz Anti-Lice shampoo conducts shampooing programs for public school students all over the Philippines.

This September, Licealiz will continue arranging shampooing programs and activities for public school students all over the country and will also be posting educational materials on head lice and how to fight them in its Facebook page.

Activations ambassador Dr. Maria Michelle Vita, who travels with the Licealiz team and gives lectures to parents of public school students about head lice prevention and treatment, has this to say about the program. “We formed the Kilusang Kontra Kuto to help stop the spread of misinformation about kuto and to remove the stigma associated with being infested. Kuto is a public health problem that can be solved with the help of everyone from the community.” explained Dr. Vita.

This Head Lice Prevention Month, Licealiz invites everyone to join the Kilusang Kontra Kuto in changing the public’s perception about kuto infestation and spreading correct information regarding head lice prevention and treatment.

Children learn about kuto from educational coloring books provided by Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo.

Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo comes in 60mL bottles and 10mL sachets in regular and soothing coolness variants at only P71.75 and P12.00 SRP.

For more information on lice prevention, visit Licealiz’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/licealiz.

New Drama Series Westworld Premieres on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am, Same Time as the U.S.

Set in the wild west, the sci-fi blockbuster is expected to be the HBO's next smash hit in a long line of popular programs.

WESTWORLD is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

The brand-new one-hour drama series WESTWORLD and starring an ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden, kicks off its ten-episode season premiere on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am, exclusively on HBO, with same day primetime encore at 9pm. New episodes premiere on subsequent Mondays at the same time.

Based on a 1973 film of the same name, WESTWORLD will also be available on HBO GO.

Created for television by Jonathan Nolan (“Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight,” “Person of Interest”) and Lisa Joy (“Pushing Daisies,” “Burn Notice”), both of whom are executive producing and writing, with Nolan also directing, the series was inspired by the 1973 motion picture “Westworld,” written and directed by Michael Crichton.

Co-creator Nolan explains, “Building on the incredibly evocative concept of the original film, we wanted to pose the question: If you could be completely immersed in a fantasy, one in which you could do whatever you wanted, would you discover things about yourself that you didn’t want to know?”

Co-creator Joy adds, “We also wanted to explore what it means to be human from the outside in – through the eyes of the ‘hosts’: the lifelike AI characters that are the main attractions of the park. It’s a meditation on consciousness – the blessing and the burden of it – beautifully portrayed by our remarkable cast.”

WESTWORLD’S exceptional ensemble of cast members:

Anthony Hopkins (Academy Award® winner for “The Silence of the Lambs”; Academy Award® nominee for “Remains of the Day,” “Nixon,” “Amistad”)

Ed Harris (Golden Globe winner and Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “Game Change”; Academy Award® nominee for “Pollock,” “Apollo 13”)

Evan Rachel Wood (Golden Globe nominee for “Thirteen”; Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee for HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”)

James Marsden (the “X-Men” films)

Thandie Newton (“Mission: Impossible II”)

Jeffrey Wright (HBO’s “Confirmation”; Emmy® and Golden Globe winner for HBO’s “Angels in America”)

The series also stars :

Tessa Thompson (“Creed”)

Sidse Babett Knudsen (“Borgen”)

Jimmi Simpson (HBO’s “The Newsroom”)

Rodrigo Santoro (“Focus,” “The 33”)

Shannon Woodward (“Raising Hope”)

Ingrid Bolsø Berdal(“Chernobyl Diaries”)

Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia” films)

Simon Quarterman (“The Devil Inside”)

Angela Sarafyan (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”)

Luke Hemsworth (“Infini”)

Clifton Collins, Jr. (“Star Trek”)

In the WESTWORLD universe

Among WESTWORLD’s main players are:

Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), the brilliant, taciturn and complicated creative director, chief programmer and founder of Westworld, who has an uncompromising creative vision for the park.

The Man in Black (Ed Harris) is the distillation of pure villainy into one man.

Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) is a provincial, beautiful and kind rancher’s daughter, who begins to discover that her entire idyllic existence is an elaborately constructed lie.

Teddy Flood (James Marsden), a new arrival to a small frontier town, quickly proves both his charm and talent with a revolver.

Beautiful, razor-sharp madam Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton) has a genius for reading people and a knack for survival, but her seen-it-all-before worldview is about to be challenged.

Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) is the brilliant and quixotic head of the park’s Programming Division, whose keen observation of human nature provides him with boundless inspiration for his life’s work: creating artificial people.

Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson) is a mysterious and savvy provocateur with a unique perspective on Westworld.

Theresa Cullen (Sidse Babett Knudsen), Westworld’s head of Quality Assurance, is responsible for keeping the park from sliding into unscripted chaos.

A first-time visitor, William (Jimmi Simpson) is initially wary of the park’s more lascivious attractions, but slowly uncovers a deeper meaning.

Hector Escaton (Rodrigo Santoro), Westworld’s perennial “most wanted” bandit, subscribes to the theory that the West is a wild place, and the only way to survive is to embrace the role of predator.

Elsie Hughes (Shannon Woodward), a sardonic rising star in the Behaviour Department, is charged with diagnosing the odd quirks of behaviour in the park’s hosts.

Armistice (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal) is a savage fighter and brutal bandit, whose ruthlessness is surpassed only by her abiding loyalty to her fellow outlaws.

Logan (Ben Barnes) is a veteran guest whose hedonistic romp through the park is equally motivated by self-indulgence and a desire to help his friend, William.

Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman) is the head of Narrative, whose storylines tantalise the guests, while his temperament grates on his colleagues.

Clementine Pennyfeather (Angela Sarafyan), one of Westworld’s most popular attractions, is perfectly beguiling, by design.

Stubbs (Luke Hemsworth) is the no-nonsense head of Security, charged with monitoring host and human interactions and ensuring the safety of the guests.

Lawrence (Clifton Collins, Jr.), a charming but lethal outlaw, has a knack for manoeuvring and negotiating the various criminal elements of Westworld.

Here are the video interviews with the cast and crew of Westworld:

Executive Producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy

Thandie Newton

September 29, 2016

Homtime digital alarm clocks, ultimate bedside companion!

Want a really fun way to wake you up with music? Or want to enlighten one’s bedroom’s mood... And for those who are seeking a more exquisite and premium experience on bedside clock technology, alarm clock is always best for all especially for heavy sleepers and needs to be awake for work, school, or for tasks and scheduled activities.

Homtime digital alarm clock, an ultimate bedside companion! Great things come in small packages, and this comes true in the form of Homtime digital alarm clocks.

Homtime is a Shanghai-based company that has been producing electronic for years, and is now making innovative clock technology that complements people’s bedside lifestyles.

With Homtime one could do more with its packed features, sleek and compact design. More than just simply displaying time, one could check temperature, charge multiple devices at once, and play music through its Bluetooth speakers with Homtime’s topnotch and one-touch features of which exude quality and bespoke comfort.

Homtime can handle more than one device as it features USB dual-port with smart charging function – 5V3A for smartphones and tablets. Simply plug, play, and sleep as users will no longer worry about rushing out of house with an empty battery.

Moreover, one of its simple ingenious specifications is its rotary dial that users can simply tap and touch to enable and disable the alarm.

Simply turn and set, the dial could be used to adjust the brightness of the clock’s display during the night, for a seamless, uninterrupted sleep.

Allowing user’s personal touch and customization, Homtime bedside clocks also lets its user set an alarm using their favorite tunes through its MicroSD card slot. No more jarring and harsh tones, users can wake up to their favorite music and start the day with a smile with Homtime’s revolutionized bedside alarm clocks.

Tiptop quality at affordable prices

Homtime showcases a variety of lifestyle devices ranging from products that are quality and affordable, up to high-end/premium devices that are also available at a budget- friendly price as compared to its counterparts.

Users can choose to wake up into a brand new definition and experience the simple and smart design of Homtime products :

C1 Pro, a Bluetooth alarm clock speaker with dual USB charger for only Php2,199

C1, digital alarm clock with dual USB charger with the price of Php1,699

M9 (wood-made) Bluetooth alarm clock and speaker box for only Php 3, 499

C12 genuine bedside speaker which is a perfect alarm clock, radio speaker for Apple devices available at Php3, 499

C12 Pro , upgrading into a more suitable and powerful device for the price of Php4, 399

B11 Pro (premium) for the price of Php4, 999

Homtime products have a one- year warranty upon purchase. Not your ordinary bedside clock (MFI Apple-licensed)

Veering away from the usual bedside clocks, Homtime products can also be used as speakers. It can be paired with any Bluetooth electronics to project audio through its built- in bass speakers, ranging from mono to dual ones.

It also has a dock station which is compatible with iPhone, iPod and iPad seeing that its products are MFI (Apple licensed), EC and FCC certified. Simply dock the Apple device and it will automatically sync in the time and personal music play lists. It can also cater to any Android devices through USB cables that can be plugged into its ports and from there, users can play their favorite tunes or listen to an audio book while tucking themselves in bed.

Viewing at any angle

To fully draw the line between Homtime and its counterparts, the team behind the brand incorporated Vertical-alignment LCD to the products, which allows wider viewing angle for better comfort with high contrast ratio. This means users can clearly view the time at 25-degree angle from different points of distance. This certain feature mimics the digital tachometer technology that are being used in car devices.

Homtime products were perfected through time and are considered to be bedside devices that are well thought of. All of it were developed into several prototypes and subjected into rigorous assessments to fully ensure its quality and unique performance.

Waking up has never been so easy with Homtime digital alarm clocks, which are used and trusted by premiere hotels around the world. Enjoy the same luxury and convenience in the comfort of your own home.

Homtime products will be available in the Philippines beginning early October through lazada.com.ph or directly from Homtime Philippines with office address located at: 901 Apacible cor. Leon Guinto Sts. Ermita, Malate, Manila.

Learn more about Homtime products visit their website: www.homtime.com, Homtime Facebook (/homtimeph) and Instagram (@hometimeph).

Homtime is distributed through its luxurious partner hotels globally such as Crowne Plaza and Sofitel (Australia); Radisson (Los Angeles, USA); Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Westin Hotels & Resort (New York, USA); MERCUR (Europe); Holiday Inn (Turkey); Holiday Inn Express (USA); Pullman Hotels & Resorts (Europe, Australia and China); ROSEDALE and GDH (Hong Kong); and Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts (both in Singapore and Shanghai); Le MERIDIN She Shan Shanghai, KEMPINSKI, M Oriental Ginza, JW Marriott Hangzhou, Yue and Hotel Nikko Xiamen (China).

#MoveOnNaLang and Join FILSCAP and Pioneer's Songwriting Competition

FILSCAP and Pioneer partner for College Songwriting Talk, Competition

This 2016, FILSCAP, the sole and official music copyright society in the Philippines, together with Pioneer, one of the top life and non-life insurance companies in the country, are proud to launch the FILSCAP Campus Caravan, a college songwriting talk that aims to guide aspiring musicians in the different aspects of songwriting.

During its run, the FILSCAP Campus Caravan is set to visit De La Salle University-Manila, San Beda College Alabang, UP Diliman, University of Santo Tomas and University of Makati. Each visit is set to have a songwriting talk to be conducted by FILSCAP, a face-to-face session with a well-known Filipino songwriter, and introduce the collaboration’s second event – the #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition.

The #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition aims to give musically–inclined college students a venue to showcase their songwriting skills on the Filipino trait of resiliency – bouncing back from setbacks.

Interested applicants can visit www.moveonlang.ph to register and submit their entry. Over Php 260,000 in cash will be given away, with Php 100,000 being the grand prize. Winners will also receive insurance coverage from Pioneer, while a special prize will also be awarded to the Online Favorite.

A staunch supporter of the arts, the Pioneer Group of insurance companies constantly finds fresh ways to reach out to the Filipino with insurance that covers what they value most. Finding inspiration in media such as visual arts, film, music, and theater, Pioneer gives back by sponsoring, covering, and promoting events and concerts, which include Beyoncé’s "The Beyoncé Experience: Live in Taguig,” Eraserheads’ “The Final Set,” Aerosmith’s “The Global Warming Tour,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way Ball,” Jennifer Lopez’s “Dance Again World Tour,” and Madonna’s “Rebel Heart Tour,”as well as music festivals such as Good Vybes, Wanderland, Paradise International Music Festival, and MTV Music Evolution 2016.

Established in 1965, FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc.) is a non-stock, non-profit association of composers, lyric-writers and music publishers, with currently over a thousand members including Ryan Cayabyab, Jose Mari Chan, Jim Paredes, Danny Javier, Rey Valera, Noel Cabangon, Rico Blanco, Yael Yuzon, and Ebe Dancel. ComCo Southeast Asia is the official PR partner of the FILSCAP Campus Caravan and #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition. Reference: #MoveOnLang video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxQtSR7VIho

http://www.moveonlang.ph/

September 28, 2016

PAL Mabuhay Miles seals partnership with Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

PAL Mabuhay Miles formalized its partnership with Holiday Inn and Suites Makati as part of the frequent flyer program's thrust to sustain engagement and patronage of its growing membership base of over 3.5 million members.

Dubbed 'Stay, Dine and Fly', the collaboration gives Mabuhay Miles members a chance to enrich their travel, hotel and airline experience and receive additional perks and privileges during their stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Makati.

Under this partnership which runs from September 15, 2016 to April 30, 2017, Mabuhay Miles members will earn a guaranteed 500 miles for every qualified night stay and 50% off on best available rates for every weekend stay at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Members are in for a treat as they are also qualified to earn 500 miles for spending a minimum of Php 2,000 on buffet lunch or dinner at the hotel's Flavors Restaurant.

“We continuously think of ways to provide Mabuhay Miles members a more rewarding experience. Our card holders may now enjoy reaping the benefits of staying in a world-class hotel and earn Mabuhay Miles that can be used to redeem award tickets and service class upgrades,” said PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista.

As the national carrier's frequent flyer program, Mabuhay Miles has forged partnerships with establishment representing the given pillars of the program – flying, shopping, dining, driving and unwinding. Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is the latest addition to the growing roster of luxury and chain hotel partners of Mabuhay Miles. The business and leisure hotel joins Holiday Inn Manila Galleria and Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria as an elite partner of PAL’s revamped loyalty program.

PAL Loyalty Program AVP Marietta T. Casanova said, “The possibilities of earning Miles with Mabuhay Miles are endless. Mabuhay Miles constantly looks for ways to make the customer experience more engaging and rewarding. This latest tie up not only allows our loyal patrons to experience the lifestyle they desire but also to earn and redeem their miles."

Present in the contract signing were PAL President Jaime Bautista, PAL Assistant Vice President for Loyalty Program, Marietta T. Casanova; Area General Manager, Philippines, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and General Manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Makati Christian Pirodon, and Area Director of Sales & Marketing, Philippines, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Director of Sales & Marketing of Holiday Inn & Suites Makati Maricor Aquino.

For reservations and inquiries, members can book directly through Holiday Inn & Suites Reservations Office at +63 2 9090888, via email at hism.reservations@ihg.com or by simply clicking this link: http://bit.ly/PALxHolidayInn

To enroll and enjoy the rewarding experience with Mabuhay Miles, visit www.mabuhaymiles.com.

About Mabuhay Miles

Mabuhay Miles is the frequent flyer program of Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country's national flag carrier. Members can earn miles by engaging with Mabuhay Miles' program partners. More partnerships are slated to be forged with establishments representing the five pillars of the Mabuhay Miles Program – flying, shopping, dining, driving and unwinding. Among its innovations is the Mabuhay Miles Travel Card, the first Membership and Universal Prepaid Travel Card card in one. The Mabuhay Miles Travel Card can soon be used to redeem hotel stays, products , perks and services from our participating Program Partners. At Mabuhay Miles, Members are provided with award choices, specifically, with options to redeem their Miles according to their needs. There are no blackout dates for award travel. For more information, visit www.mabuhaymiles.com, www.facebook.com/MabuhayMiles and twitter.com/PALMabuhayMiles.

About Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is part of Intercontinental Hotels Group, the global hotel company that operates a broad portfolio of preferred hotel brands with more than 5,000 hotels in almost 100 countries. It is located in the heart of Ayala Center and offers a direct access to the renowned Glorietta shopping mall. Known for its genuine service, modern & spacious guest rooms, free Internet access, hip sky lounge, rooftop swimming pool and smart casual all-day dining restaurant, this hotel is the smart choice for both business and leisure travelers. Traveling with children will be a breeze with the hotel's weekend activities & family-friendly amenities under the Kids Stay and Eat Free Programme. All guest rooms are fully equipped with coffee & tea making facilities, 40" LED TV, IDD/NDD telephone, mini-bar, work desk with wired and wireless Internet access and a multimedia panel. For guest's business needs, other facilities include nine (9) meeting and function rooms, a boardroom, a business center, and an Executive Lounge. Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is your home away from home in the midst of the Makati Business District and a mere 20-minute drive from the Manila International Airport.

Biodiversity Bazaar At Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Opens October 15

The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in partnership with EnPraxis, Inc. is organizing a Demonstration of Biodiversity-Friendly Bazaar to be held at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC), Quezon City.

This is in line with one of the goals of BMB, to promote biodiversity-friendly practices such as the development of Biodiversity-friendly enterprise. These are economic activities and practices of micro, small and medium enterprises, local government units and people’s organizations that promote the sustainable use of biological resources, create wealth and value and open opportunities for the equitable sharing of benefits among stakeholders and in the protection of the environment.

EnPraxis (LUGAR Advocacy Cooperative) envisions creating Agro-Ecological Hubs that pilot, incubate and model Ecopreneurship towards inclusive land and enterprise development.

The Bazaar will be held every weekends from October 15 to December 2016. The event shall be a venue for local producers and community partners within protected areas, Biodiversity Partnership Program (BPP) sites, among others to showcase their products.

As an enterprise engaged in activities that promote the sustainable use of biological resources, EnPraxis invites the public, individuals and organizations to join in promoting environment-friendly products.

For exhibitors of social enterprise, organic and /or environment-friendly products and enterprises, kindly email Ms. Maritess V. Agayatin of the Caves, Wetlands and other Ecoystems Division at (02) 925-8950 or at cawed@bmb.gov.ph.

For visitors, the park fees apply: PhP8.00 for adults, PhP5.00 for students and free for Senior Citizens and PWDs.

McDonald's gives Chicken McDo to thousands of magkapangalan customers nationwide

For FREE? Yes, for FREE!

McDonald’s held an in-store celebration of its best tasting chicken as it gave away FREE 1PC Chicken McDo to customers with the same name or similar sounding names during the #PaChickenMcDo para sa mga Magkapangalan event held yesterday.

This is McDonald's way of treating more customers with its best-tasting Chicken McDo that is marinated, breaded, and fried to a golden perfection! Magkapangalan customers who dined in select McDonald’s restaurants nationwide confessed that the juicier and tastier Chicken McDo is indeed"McMcMc-Masarap!"

In April this year, McDonald’s treated thousands of Joy to a FREE 1PC Chicken McDo in select stores in Metro Manila. Now, more customers like Carlo, Karlo, Mary, Marie, Jayson, Jason, Paulo, and Paolo, have enjoyed Chicken McDo not only within the metro but across the country!

Like them, you can try Chicken McDo anytime at McDonald's stores nationwide. You can also avail of it via Drive-Thru or McDelivery (86-2-36, www.mcdelivery.com.ph, or the McDo PH app).

Share your photos enjoying Chicken McDo on Facebook, facebook.com/McDo.ph or tag @McDo_PH.