Christian Bables Receives Bright Star Award at the 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema

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Christian Bables,  one of the brilliant young actors of his generation, is an award-winning actor to be reckoned with.

Gaining international attention, Christian won Bright Star Award in the prestigious 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema for "Signal Rock." Previously, he won the Best Actor Award from the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival for the same movie “Signal Rock.” He has won Best Supporting Actor Award at many film festivals, which included “Die Beautiful” in which he plays a transgender woman.

Christian breathes life into every character he portrays and enjoys being an actor because he can express himself, touch other people’s lives, and execute his passion.

Christian always takes his work seriously and values the importance of training and preparation. He remains focus on his craft as an actor that is why blessings continuously keep pouring in for him. 

“Like what my mentors tell me, acting is a lifestyle of learning. Kahit na sino, kahit hindi actor, ay dapat hindi tumigil sa pag-aaral. Dapat laging bukas na matuto,” says Christian.

He has proven to all and sundry that he is an award-winning actor to be reckoned with. 

“Acting is a venue to express myself. I enjoy giving empowerment to every character I portray because through that ako mismo ay nae-empower.” 

Christian is in high spirits these days. Fresh from the box-office success of Panti Sisters, Christian is deeply overwhelmed with the outcome of the movie which revolves around the story of three gay siblings whose rich father wants to bequeath his inheritance to a son who can give him a grandchild.

“Nakakatuwa na tinanggap ng Filipino audience and maybe the foreign audience ang pelikula namin. Thank you very much but more than anything else, I am ecstatic because we were able to relay the message of the movie. Likewise, we become proud allies of the LGBT community. Personally, this is my way of giving back because ang laki ng utang na loob ko sa LGBT community. If not for my role as Barbs in Die Beautiful, I wouldn’t be here. Hindi mabubukas ang pintuan ng mga pangarap ko. Ang mapapangako ko ay hindi ako magsasawa at mapapagod na gumawa ng mga makabuluhang istorya para sa LGBT community.”

He just came back from Chicago to personally accept his Bright Star Awa in the prestigious 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema for his sterling performance in Signal Rock. In the film, Christian plays Intoy, a poor high school dropout who resides in a far-flung fishing island with his family and courageously climbs steep rock formations just to get a cellphone signal. (He won the Best Actor Award at the Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) in Vietnam last year.) 

Christian shares his experience attending the event. 

“They were all nice. The founder is Ms. Sophia Boccio. She was very accommodating. I received a warm welcome from the people in Chicago most especially the Filipino community. Grabe iyong suporta nila sa Signal Rock, sa akin, at sa pagpunta ko. I enjoyed my stay there. It was a heartwarming experience. It is one of my most memorable film festivals.”

Also recently, he won the Best Actor Award at the Urduja Film Festival for his role in Signal Rock which also received the Movie of the Year (Drama) Award. Urduja Film Festival is a yearly competition which promotes student short, feature, and independent films in Northern Luzon.

Despite his achievements, Christian remains humble. How does he handle fame? 

“For me, being known is just part of the job. Iyong real job for me, ang totoong batayan sa akin ay kung gaano ka kadiligent at kung gaano ka kagutom as an actor. You’re just as good as your last work. So ang pagiging masipag (iyong kaya mong i-assess kung tama ba o hindi ang ginagawa mo) ay ang totoong batayan for me at hindi ang fame.”

Christian is grateful for all the good projects coming his way. Aside from upcoming movies, and stageplay, he is part of a new teleserye in ABS-CBN. 

“I am thankful to ABS-CBN for giving me such a good and challenging role. Please watch out for my new television series soon.”

For inquiries, please call (02) 88554765 or (02) 34054423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

All set for political comeback for Team Pilipinas (Gilas) and NLEX Road Warriors Coach Yeng Guiao

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Popularly known as “Coach Yeng”, the former Pampanga Vice-Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao is all set for a political comeback and will brace for his campaign in 2019 despite his double-duty as Team Pilipinas and NLEX coach.

Having served as a board member and three-term vice-governor of Pampanga and held the same congressional seat in 2013, this year, Coach Yeng wants to retake his former congressional seat in Pampanga’s first district.

In an exclusive interview with bloggers , Guiao said that he is running under the Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) party to retake his former congressional seat in Pampanga’s first district.

Sports person, Coach Yeng is no stranger to politics but the works he has and always been doing is full with advocacies. His legislative platform has been and will be centered on healthcare, education and other basic social services. Guiao also bared plans to strengthen more programs for senior citizens.

Coach Yeng added, stressing that the district, now more than ever, needs more basic services. “We are looking at more health care security for the people of the district as well as more access to education.” 

Coach Yeng's love for sports will also be reflected in his programs as he will push for youth development under sports. 

“As a politician you have to be aware of the everyday needs of your constituents: mga tulong sa ospital, mga namamatayan, mga naggagamot, nag da dialysis. Of course we are also putting emphasis on that. Some of our major advocacies are education and health and the protection of the environment.” says Coach Yeng Guiao.

“I have been a coach for 2 and a half years, in different teams, 7 championships in the PBA and also made the world cup with Gilas Pilipinas. We are preparing for the World Cup in China, where the best of the best will meet. These are good teams but we hope to pull some upsets. There are 4 teams in a group and if we win two games, we are going high in the rankings. Angola is the African champ, Italy and Serbia is world ranked. This time I have a different challenge, to represent the 1st District of Pampanga. I have ran for 3 terms as a Vice Governor of Pampanga, so I have both basketball and politics all my life. This is a challenge, in any way or form, I have an advocacy to have continuous improvement of the Clark Airport which is in my district. We now have more tourists, bills and resolutions have been passed. We now have a new terminal, there are other items like the North Rail too, hopefully work it out so we can run from Tutuban to there and be finished in two years. Clark is also the sports capital of the country, in hosting the SEA Games, this will be true. We have been pushing for this ever since. Hopefully this will benefit much of my constituents, together with the usual things they need for education, health, and life. Clark is progressing because all the places around it us benefiting from it now. We are also doing a lot in improving the educational system, and the health advocacy. The new law applied for universal health care is one example, we support that fully and hopefully we find ways to improve that.”

“Since I am in Basketball I am focused on it but I am a sports fan and enthusiast, to improve the other sports in general is part of that. We need to make every sport especially the ones we excel at be done and officiated better. We want to promote sports with weight categories because we have a lot of talent. I am one of the main authors of giving bigger rewards for sports winners. It is what is being used today. Funding is of course a problem, other countries are spending more but my take is that to concretely make this better, we filed to do an existing law to get 5% of gross to go to sports. Right now, 2.5% is sent to law, while the other half goes to the office of the President and nobody challenged it but I did. I am still waiting for the decision, that is 13-15 Billion pesos and it would be a big help in the yearly income of sports for that. In order to answer to solve it, we need to have that reinstated.”

“Clark has 120,000 employees, improvement of educational system and making them a part of that plus run for more investments in the district will make it a whole lot better. Living a healthy and active lifestyle is the best thing to have rather than us waiting to get sick. I will support legislations to improve the environment. If I win the district, I will still be coaching, I don’t believe we have to stop as long as we can do both. Being disciplined in the management of your time, in basketball and legislation, I have already done that in the last few years and we didn’t have a problem in commitments because I have done both. Politics and Sports have similarities, you cannot go to a game or office unprepared. There are also intrigues, but you have to be emotionally stable, you will see bashers, the pressure is great and you can lose your job. You are only as good as your last term or game, it is part of our job and we have to accept that. It is a competition, you are joining the PBA for results, same with your district, coaching for 30 years, I have seen how it happens and I can focus on service for constituents. It is both stressful, one is for 48 minutes, the other for 3 years. I constituents asking for help 24/7 and you get used to it, to handle it. I am under a local party.”

Coach Yeng is supported by team members at Team Pilipinas (Gilas) and Team NLEX Road Warriors.

Asi Taulava says “In international competitions, our team, it’s a different game. Our coach as a congressman can boost that. We are all rooting for him.”

Kieffer Ravena says “The short time I have been with them, he is very genuine. He says it when you need to improve on, every opportunity he gets to help in the youth of Pampanga. In my scenario, it would have been easy to let me go but they supported me, it helps to have leaders who gives you confidence to do your own thing. A lot of players know and want to play for him, to become the best person possible, he does it a lot. He makes students be in their best position, I am open to help in his campaign. I believe in what he is fighting for, not because he is my coach, but his sincerity, if he gets elected Pampanga will be benefiting from it.”

Gelli De Belen says versatility is one of the secrets to her longevity in showbiz, loving it at ABS-CBN

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Award winning actress and host Gelli de Belen, believes that versatility is one of the secrets to longevity.

Being in the entertainment business for 29 years, Gelli has built quite an impressive resume, thanks to her versatility as an actress.

Equally adept in both comedy and drama, Gelli takes pride in being able to dabble in both genres. However, she does not think it is necessary to be good in both when you can be a master of one. But to be able to do comedy and drama allow for more opportunities.

Gelli had her television debut in 1994 as a mainstay of the sketch comedy show Tropang Trumpo, which aired on ABC 5 (now known as TV5). 

The film Gagay: Prinsesa ng brownout has earned her a Best Actress Nomination in the Manila Film Festival. In 1995, Gelli won the Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress for her role of Sarah Jane Salazar in the movie The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo, a film about the true-to-life story of AIDS victim Sarah Jane Salazar.

​​Her adaptability for any given role assigned to her has opened many doors over the years, one of which led her back to ABS-CBN in 2015. 

Her first hosting job on TV was for the defunct noontime show ‘Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. After it went off the air in 1998, Gelli switched networks twice. First she went to GMA Network and stayed there for several years before moving back to ABC 5 (which had become TV5 by then). But now that Gelli’s back with ABS-CBN, it’s clear that she’s thriving—personally and professionally.

​“I was excited to be working with ABS-CBN again after a long time. I felt a bit anxious too because I knew I’d have to adjust to a relatively new environment again. But I said yes to becoming a Kapamilya kaagad because I’m always willing to work and try new things. I felt a sense of nostalgia when I walked the halls of ABS-CBN again. I kind of grew up there. I started working there when I was fifteen years old until I was twenty-four, so of course I was very happy to be back. It felt great to see my old colleagues and friends again. It was fun to meet new faces as well.”

On working exclusively for major networks, Gelli explains the pros and cons:

  "I think there are pros and cons to being signed exclusively with any network for us old-timers (hehehe). The pros would be being secure that you have a job for the length of your contract, that you are relevant enough for them to invest on you and that raises your status as an actor, so to speak. Cons would be, not being able to work elsewhere, I guess options and opportunities are limited as well since unlike the younger actors, we the older ones would have more roles open to us since we usually do not play the lead as much, so more roles are available. Not having an exclusive contract would give us the freedom to choose more roles and work for any network. So for me, at this point where I think I have established myself already, I prefer not being exclusive to any network."

​​Since returning to ABS-CBN, Gelli has done two teleseryes—FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Magpahanggang Wakas, the latter of which saw her play against type.

​“It felt great to have been part of such exceptional shows. Especially when I did Magpahanggang Wakas. My role on that show was my first as a full-on antagonist, and I loved doing it. I have to admit that it was a big adjustment for me, but I welcomed the challenge and I hope I did justice to the character I was given.”

​Gelli’s latest project is the action-packed, top-rating teleserye La Luna Sangre, where she plays Betty Torralba, the doting aunt of Daniel Padilla’s character Tristan.

​“Daniel is a sweetheart. His Mom Karla Estrada brought him up well. He is a natural. I think he was born to be a star,” she says.

​Gelli is having the time of her life on La Luna Sangre and says she’s open to doing fight scenes should her character get caught up in the war brewing on the show between humans, werewolves and vampires.

“I hope for my character to continue to be the grounding factor to keep Tristan's fearlessness in check. I’m looking forward to seeing Betty evolve and grow as a character. Of course I’m open to doing fight scenes. It will be challenging but I do miss doing scenes like that. It has been a while since I did action. I’d like to see if I can still handle such scenes in the event I’m called upon to do them.”

Gelli shares that she’s also thinking about doing an independent film in the future. Right now, however, she’s still looking for the right script.

“Of course I’m open to doing films again. I did a short film and an advocacy film recently and I’m also willing to do indies. Right now I’m not sure what kind of film I want to do or who I want to do it with because there's an infinite amount of possible plots and stories, ‘di ba? But siguro as long as it’s interesting, I’ll do it gladly.”

Aside from acting, Gelli also loves hosting.

“Hosting is another passion of mine and I am grateful to have been able to learn a lot from my hosting stints. As a host, I can express myself as me and address the audience directly, as opposed to acting where I become someone else. Hosting is one of the things I love most about this business, so I’d love to find a way to do it again now that I’m a Kapamilya.”

For inquiries call or email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765. 

Aiko Melendez In Her Acting Best in Wildflower

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Award winning actress Aiko Melendez now plays as the villain, the politically powerful, cruel character Emilia Ardiente-Torillo in the ABS-CBN revenge drama Wildflower, directed by Onat Diaz, starring Maja Salvador.

Aiko prays that her character, the politically powerful Emilia Ardiente-Torillo, who doesn’t mind committing bloody murder to protect the family reputation, stays on the set.

Aiko Melendez

Aiko who is a mother of two beautiful kids, Andrei and Marthena says, she snaps out of her character the moment the director shouts "cut."

She prays before and after facing the camera? 

“I am Christian, so I always pray, ‘Lord, role lang po ito. Make me effective without sacrificing my real being and attitude,” she says.

And because she knows the lead character is just as good as the villain, Aiko not only gives her all. She loves getting “meaner” by the day.

She also knows that Maja Salvador’s (the lead female protagonist/antagonist Lily Cruz) fans are cursing her on Twitter. 

“As the villain, I’m expecting the worst,” she laughs. And she loves getting meaner by the day. 

That means Aiko is playing her cruel character very well.

Aiko knows her character inside out. What she discovered about Emilia moved her to pity.

Emilia according to Aiko is a victim of circumstances, a woman pushed to the wall because of things beyond her control.

“I understand where her attitude is coming from,” Aiko says.

"I love my Wildflower team." Aiko is all praises for her co-actors. She admires how Maja attacks her role and her dedication to her job.

“Working with her makes me so excited. She’s the best in her generation. Maja delivers, and her acting nuances are great!” gushes Aiko.

She shared to us that they are doing the production, shootings everyday to offer the daily episode of the Wildflower series. 

Wildflower airs right after Minute to Win It on ABS CBN.

Vincent Soberano's action horror thriller film "Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids" stars Sarah Chang

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"Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids" is an action-packed fantasy/martial arts film by director Vincent Soberano. 

Vincent Soberano

One exclusive interview with Director Vincent Soberano, a real martial art expert and eight times Muay Thai world Champion shared to us that his main motivation in doing the action thriller film Blood Hunters is to promote Filipino martial arts in Filipino movies to the international audiences. This sets the stage of a new era of Filipino action films penetrating the international market. " They’ve used Filipino martial arts in blockbuster action films like John Wick, Jason Bourne, Frankenstein and other films, no one knows its Filipino because its always portrayed by Hollywood stars. I think it's time to change it. A cultural, martial arts, fantasy action film is always a great combination if done right. This is the perfect blend that we want to achieve."

We also meet "Blood Hunters" lead female star Sarah Chang, American Born Chinese action actress and Wushu Practioner, Sarah Chang, five-time USA National Wushu Team member.

Growing up influenced in martial arts from childhood and having trained with the likes of those familiar with action star Jet Li. Sarah now is candidate for Mulan movie. Excitingly, Sarah shared that an independent trailer for The Rise of Mulan show her in the title role.

She said that in the Blood Hunters movie, her character as Gabriela, "never gives up on conquering the pain, conquering yourself. Gabriela never gives up, Vince (Soberano's character) will never give up on his dream. Blood Hunters will conquer the world." 

Sarah said that the film will promote and showcase different kinds of martial arts from all over the world.

“And what it is to work with all different cultures in the world. Like martial arts is its own community, we all speak martial arts,” said Sarah.

"Blood Hunters" combines bone-crunching martial arts action with mysterious and mythical characters from ancient Filipino folklore. A secret organization hires ruthless mercenaries to hunt down the queen of aswang, an underworld species. Their goal: to extract her blood, which has the capability of bringing humans back from the dead and transforming them into aswang creatures.

The 1st Filipino International Action-Fantasy-Martial Arts Movie "Blood Hunters" is set to show the world that Asian actors for Asian roles is the new Hollywood.

Watch out for beauty queen title holder Candice Ramos to show The Fiercest of them All

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A beauty queen title holder, popular pageant host, UP college graduate and MA student, here is Mary Candice Ramos.

Candice Ramos, the beautiful young professional woman is one of the models battled off in the craziest tv reality show – The Fiercest of them All to start airing this March at GMA7 News TV. 

Hailed from Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, but grew up here in Manila, Candice Ramos took a four-year BS Tourism Management in University of the Philippines and she also has her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the UP Diliman.

She loves reading and she appreciates herself more as she works hard. She starts joining modeling for money, fun and continue to go on the flow, continue graphics design and modeling. 

Here's  more about Candice

She's been into different national beauty contest including Miss Earth Philippines in 2012, where she was crowned Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism and who won the crown in the Miss Global Philippines 2015.

"The Fiercest of Them All", the craziest reality show and modeling competition on TV , also dubbed as "fanta -reality" show is directed by Martin Aviles and written by Ino Habana. It will be showing at GMA News TV starting March 5, 9:00 - 10:00 pm.

To know more about Candice, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F97KeCSPNk

Daiana Menezes hosts modelling reality search for "The Fiercest of Them All "

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Daiana Menezes

Filipino-Brazilian celebrity Daiana Menezes, model, actress and popular TV show host, returns to GMA via modelling competition reality search "The Fiercest of Them All" to be aired this March.

"The Fiercest of Them All", the craziest reality show and modeling competition on TV , also dubbed as "fanta -reality" show is directed by Martin Aviles and written by Ino Habana. It will be showing at GMA News TV starting March 5, 9:00 - 10:00 pm.

Former Eat Bulaga co-host Daiana Menezes, Brazilian living in the Philippines for 10 years,  expressed her joy and excitement to do different show from her past projects. 

"This project is a totally different thing from what I used to do. It’s really challenging. It’s not just a reality show, it’s not just a modelling show. There are some twists. It’s really challenging. Pag nakita nyo, hindi sya biro, and nakakaloka!" - Daiana 

This show challenging everyone, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Beyond good looks, The Fiercest Of Them All is also a test of character. 

“Talagang nakakaloka siya. You’ll see real things happening not seen on other reality shows. Wala pa akong napapanood na reality show na ganito yung nangyayari sa lahat," Daina said. 

"Ang kagandahan, hindi na importante dito. Ang importante kung magaling ka, kung kaya mo. It’s a life challenge. And also, life lessonf for me,” she shared.

Daiana Menezes with the cast of  'The Fiercest of Them All' at the press conference held January 9, 2017, at Ka Tunying Cafe, Timog, Quezon City.

The 'fiercest' girls will be going through amazing challenges! 

"Nakakaloka, na nakakaiyak, nakakabaliw at nakakatuwa so sana panoorin niyo po 'yan,” Daina said. 

Director Martin Aviles, Daiana Menezes with the cast of  'The Fiercest of Them All' at the press conference hosted by producer and writer   Ino Habana 

The Judges 

The craziest modeling competition on TV. Because in the modeling world, its a jungle out there!

Visit The Fiercest of Them All Facebook page for more updates.

"Just The Way You Are" showing on June 17 in cinemas nationwide

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Just The Way You Are is a 2015 Filipino teen romantic-comedy-drama film directed by Theodore Boborol, starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano.

"Just The Way You Are," the big-screen debut of Enrique and Liza as a love team following the success of their primetime hit "Forevermore."

Directed by Theodore Boborol, the romantic-comedy film is based on the hit best-selling Pop Fiction novel ‘‘The Bet’’ which was originally published on Wattpad by Kimberly Joy Villanueva (ilurvbooks).

Director Theodore Boborol

The story: 

"The Bet" and follows Drake (Gil), a school heartthrob who tries to make nerdy transferee, Sophia (Soberano), fall in love with him to win a bet in 30 days. Drake loves to win but when he loses in a bet with friends, he’s determined to make up for it through another one. He needs to make a girl fall in love with him in 30 days. But she’s not just any other girl, she’s Sophia Taylor (Liza Soberano), a nerdy transferee who isn’t into playing games. In the end, whose heart will be played? Who will win in this game of love?

The movie "Just The Way You Are" also presents supporting cast Yayo Aguila, Alexander Diaz, Jon Lucas, Chienna Filomeno, Marco Gumabao, Myrtle Sarros, Yves Flores, Sue Ramirez as Driana Sison, Erin Ocampo, Miguel Vergara, Kyra Custodio and Anjo Damiles.

And special participation of Tonton Gutierrez and Sunshine Cruz as Drake's mother.

Just The Way You Are" will hit cinemas nationwide on June 17.

Visit the movie page at http://bit.ly/JustTheWayYouAreMovie

Subscribe to the ABS-CBN Star Cinema channel: http://bit.ly/ABSCBNStarCinema

For the latest news, visit our official website www.starcinema.com.ph

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“Let’s Talk About Career” on DZME 1530 Radyo Uno with New Anchors

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“Lets Talk About Career”, the radio show on DZME will discuss about career opportunities in general including the latest trends on finding the opportunities available left and right. 

DZME, home of the top caliber national broadcasters of today in the Philippines is set to glare all the radio listeners starting October 18 as it re launches its much awaited radio show that tackles about the latest trend on career planning, recruitment, job opportunities and professional advancement anchored by no other than Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas with Mr. Rod Magaru.

The show will also include discussion on tips on how to win those powerful interviews, dressing up on the occasion and preparing to knock the panel discussion. 

The show will also discuss social media, lifestyle and events that all Filipinos specially job seekers will benefit. The show will also invite respectable and successful individuals who possess winning credentials in the marketplace including top elite professionals and personalities who followed their vision and learned key competencies while climbing the ladder of success.

Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas is an entrepreneur, marketing professional and project manager for 11 years from different industries; Construction, Tourism, Online Gaming and Telecommunication who manages to send her advocacy across using different platforms as the columnist to 4 local newspapers that tackles things about careers in Business Process Outsourcing, Call Center, Network Planning and Optimization, Tourism and Lifestyle. She also have a segment twice a month under Youth Power Radio at DZME 1530 Radyo Uno entitled “Social Grace” with discussion about earning from digital marketing. She is also a public speaker and currently working as the marketing & branding head under the umbrella of Elabram Systems Group which is based in Malaysia with offices in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. 

Mr. Rod Magaru is a successful finance professional that trains key finance people from various country offices in an organization. He is also the famous celebrity blogger that blogs and writes about lifestyle and entertainment. He is also a Social Media Manager and Brand Ambassador to different multinational companies promoting various campaigns of international and local brands. Both of them are successful in their respective profession and both top bloggers in their niches. 

The tandem will surely ignite the job seekers in rethinking their ways of preparation for job hunting and finding the career path that suits them. 

Lets Talk About Career airs every Saturday from 4pm to 5pm at DZME Radyo Uno 1530khz. 

For more information, contact careertalksDZME@gmail.com, 

Like our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/LetsTalkCareerDZME and follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/CareerTalksDZME