‘The Final Pitch’ Season 9: Open Edition to start airing on CNN Philippines this July 9

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The Final Pitch, the Philippines’ groundbreaking business reality TV show, is set to premiere its ninth season exclusively on CNN Philippines starting July 9, and will air every Sunday at 8:30 pm with replays every Friday at 10:00 pm and Saturday at 5:30 pm.

Hosted by the show creator John Aguilar, the 10-episode series themed “Open Edition” will feature aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech start-ups across all industries to share their creative and unconventional business concepts and vie to secure funding and mentorship from the distinguished investor-judges.

In its new season, the show took a bolder step in emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the business world and beyond tech start-ups, allowing non-technology entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level. The show has captured the imagination of audiences since its first season and served as a launchpad for promising entrepreneurs, providing them a platform for fostering innovation and propelling business ideas into successful ventures.

"We decided to embrace the 'Open Edition' approach, recognizing the vast pool of talented entrepreneurs across diverse industries beyond the technology sector. By doing so, we provided them with a valuable platform to interact, negotiate, and engage in discussion with the judges.” said Aguilar

The show will feature a roster of judges meticulously evaluating entrepreneur contestants’ business proposals and determining the most promising ventures equipped with insightful feedback, expert guidance, and engaging discussions. This season’s exceptional panel of investor-judges includes Rico Bautista, President and CEO of Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines; Brian Poe Llamanzares, President of Pantheon Holdings; Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank and Convenor of GoDigital Pilipinas; Robert Scott, Vice President-Hotel Operations of Okada Manila; Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ilan Fluss; and the British Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Laure Beaufils.

In addition, this season will also showcase an episode of ‘Open House Mentorship Sessions’ on August 6. The mentorship sessions involve insights and expertise of outstanding mentors on diverse topics such as business strategy, social media and influencer marketing, and pitching.

The episode’s esteemed mentors include Joel Santos, the founder of Thames International Business School; Vince Golangco of When in Manila; Dean Bernales of Uniquecorn Strategies; Paolo Rentero of TechShake; Atty. Marlon Valderama of LexMeet; and Chris Peralta of Silicon Valley HQ.

Mark your calendars for July 9, 2023, and tune in to CNN Philippines to witness the thrilling premiere of The Final Pitch Season 9: Open Edition, showcasing the bright spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the extraordinary potential of Filipino entrepreneurs.

 

 

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ABOUT THE FINAL PITCH

The Final Pitch is a reality TV show where viewers see the coming together of the best and brightest startup entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders searching to back and support their enterprises. The idea was spawned to create a platform to not just serve as a guide and inspiration to those who will trek the long and winding road of entrepreneurship, but for investors to find and invest in the ones they are willing to back. The Final Pitch is produced by independent television production company Streetpark Productions Inc.

For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph.

‘The Final Pitch’ invites entrepreneurs across all industries with the launch of its 9th edition

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The ‘Open Edition’ aims to promote inclusivity and democratize access to opportunities for entrepreneurs beyond tech startups

The Final Pitch,  the Philippines' premier business reality TV show, is back for its ninth season on CNN Philippines, with the theme "Open Edition." The new season provides opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups from all industries to present their innovative business solutions catering to a diverse panel of investor-judges looking to fund and back their initiatives. 

The show's creator and host, John Aguilar, stated that the Open Edition is poised to be a breakout season for the series as it emphasizes the significance of inclusivity and diversity in the business world, particularly for non-technology startups seeking investment and partnership opportunities and aiming to take their businesses to the next level.

"We have decided to make this an 'Open Edition' to be able to give a chance to entrepreneurs of different sizes, industries, and verticals to be able to participate in both the fundraising, mentoring and market reach that The Final Pitch has been able to give the entrepreneurs who have pitched their enterprises on the show. This is also a way for us to democratize access to everything that show stands for, to go beyond tech startups, which have traditionally been the majority," said Aguilar.

This season's roster of judges also hail from different industries, bringing diverse perspectives and valuable insights to aspiring entrepreneurs. The panel of investor-judges includes Rico Bautista, President and CEO of Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines; Brian Poe-Llamanzares, President of Pantheon Holdings; Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank and Member-convenor of GoDigital Pilipinas; and Robert Scott, Vice President-Hotel Operations of Okada Manila. For the first time, the show will involve judges from the diplomatic corps with the participation of the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ilan Fluss, and the British Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Laure Beaufils. According to Aguilar, the judges will serve as not just potential investors, but as strategic partners to the future contestants.

 

In a virtual press launch on May 9th, Rico Bautista expressed his desire to collaborate with entrepreneurs who have strategic, feasible, and technological ideas with clear business opportunities.

Bautista stated, "I am personally looking for startups who can help expand our business in Etiqa, especially when it relates to insurance, customer service, and distribution. I am also looking for an entrepreneurial and passionate leader and a strong business team with the ability to combine art with technology. Their passion in starting up and innovating, to come up with something so simple and yet very relevant, both to the market they're playing in and to the company that they will be helping. Lastly, future potential and clear commercial teams resulting in early Return of Investment (ROI).”

According to Brian Poe-Llamanzares, he is seeking business solutions that directly address significant problems in the country and are both usable and accessible to the public.

"As an investor and entrepreneur, I am always on the lookout for innovative solutions that address real problems and benefit the general public. Simultaneously, I am also keen on identifying opportunities that align with our family business at Pantheon Holdings. However, my ultimate belief is investing in the entrepreneurs themselves. In the Philippines, entrepreneurship is the driving force behind many successful companies, particularly at the startup level, and the person behind the venture is what ultimately makes it successful. I am thrilled to engage with entrepreneurs who possess a clear vision of what their company requires to grow and thrive, whether it be a technological solution, marketing assistance, or networking opportunities," expressed Llamanzares.

Expressing his enthusiasm for finding the next big thing in the Philippine startup scene, Henry Aguda said, "Our main focus in UnionDigital Bank is to provide banking service to the under-banked, unbanked and SMEs, that is why we have an open mind coming into this show to find the ‘diamond in the rough’, an SME that will become a unicorn one of these days. My excitement is here also looking for solutions that we can take to the government and be the ones to scale up. Maybe an entrepreneur or a startup can solve a problem that the government is trying to solve and the government becomes the accelerator to make them a unicorn." Aguda is looking for game-changing ideas that can transform the industry and provide solutions to the government's problems.

Aguilar also announced that this season's mentoring sessions, previously exclusive to the contestants of the show, will be open for the first time to participants outside of the program. The Final Pitch will invite the show’s contestants, students, startups, and other organizations to come together for a one-day learning experience during the filming of the Open House Mentoring Day episode on May 23 at Thames International Business School.

The mentorship program will involve a diversified group of business mentors who will guide the participants. These mentors include Dean Bernales, Founder & CEO of Uniquecorn Strategies; Chris Peralta, Founder of Silicon Valley HQ; Vince Golangco, CEO & Founder of When in Manila; Atty. Marlon Valderama, founder and CEO of LexMeet; Joel Santos, President of Thames International Business School; and Paolo Rentero, Co-Founder of TechShake. Aguilar will likewise give a pitching masterclass based on his best-selling book The Art and Science of the Pitch. 

"We are excited to offer opportunities to a varied range of entrepreneurs and startups to take advantage of the fundraising, mentoring, and market reach that The Final Pitch Open Edition can provide. This is our way of promoting inclusivity and diversity on the show, and we're eagerly anticipating the incredible concepts and companies that will emerge from this season," Aguilar added.

To join The Final Pitch, interested applicants will be required to fill out and submit an online entry form through the link: TheFinalPitch.ph/application via its official website TheFinalPitch.ph. The deadline for submission of applications is until May 13, 2023. Participants who wish to join the May 23 Open House Mentoring Day can register through https://TheFinalPitchOpenMentorship.eventbrite.co.uk or visit the The Final Pitch Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

 

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ABOUT THE FINAL PITCH

The Final Pitch is a reality TV show where viewers see the coming together of the best and brightest startup entrepreneurs, and investors and business leaders searching to back and support their enterprises. The idea was spawned to create a platform to not just serve as a guide and inspiration to those who will trek the long and winding road of entrepreneurship, but for investors to find and invest in the ones they are willing to back. The Final Pitch is produced by independent television production company Streetpark Productions Inc.

For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph.

Gretchen Ho Lives Out ‘Woman In Action’ Advocacy in new Travel Infotainment Show on One News

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From being a star athlete in college to becoming a respected news anchor and sports host, Gretchen Ho has come a long way in charting her own path and making a name for herself. She has been dubbed as a “woman in action” and an empowered one at that, with her projects and advocacies making a big difference in people’s lives.

This October, Gretchen becomes a fearless wanderer in her new travel infotainment show, Woman In Action, where she explores remote places in the country, highlighting not just their beauty, but also the unique stories of the communities that will inspire and move people to action.

“I’ve found that traveling is best done by going off the beaten path. As a runner, I’ve made it a point to run in each destination I go to, and the streets always reveal something that tourist destinations won’t. It’s in connecting with the people that we really understand and learn about a place. What you will find in this show is not just a sense of adventure, but also a desire to create sustainable impact everywhere we go. That impact isn’t a one-way street though, as we, together with the audiences, seek to be moved and changed by what we see, hear and know” said Gretchen Ho, host of Woman In Action.

Premiering on October 1, 7:30 pm on Cignal TV’s One News, with a catch-up airing the next day at 8:00 pm on One PH, Woman In Action celebrates life and the countless adventures the world has to offer. Gretchen will take viewers on a riveting journey of awesome discoveries, and at the same time, bringing to light the situation of each community.

With Gretchen’s combined passion for travel, adventure, and public service, Woman In Action delves into each escapade, sharing How To’s and challenges, featuring stories about different individuals and communities, and addressing social problems with a call to action.

“What I’ve found in my years working in the media is that there are many young brilliant people all over the country just waiting for an opportunity. My show seeks to be a vehicle for that – to connect those people to local communities and to our audiences, in an effort to create, not just memories, but also, opportunities. I’m excited for this chance to be able to write and document some of the stories and take a more active part as producer of the show”, added Gretchen.

As an all-around and hardworking woman-in-action, Gretchen has been on a blazing path from her college volleyball days up to her illustrious hosting career. Honed by her dedication and passionate work, Gretchen has become an icon among this generation’s empowered women who weather the proverbial storms in pursuit of their life goals. The success of her recent campaign, #DonateABikeSaveAJob, helped a thousand families, with more than 1,500 bicycles donated to frontliners and workers for easier transportation during the height of the pandemic. Truly a Woman in Action, Gretchen inspires women to stay true to their calling, find their courage and willpower, and forge their own path to success.

‘Changing the world: one story, one action at a time,’ Woman In Action encourages viewers to be socially responsible travelers and, through its featured stories, inspire people to take action and help entire communities. Join Gretchen Ho in her travels and explorations in Woman In Action, starting this October 1, 7:30 pm on One News via Cignal, available on CH. 8 SD and CH. 250 HD. You can also catch Woman In Action on SatLite CH. 60 and on the Cignal Play app. Re-watch the episodes the following day at 8:00 pm on One PH, CH. 1.

Shopee Launches an Exciting 11.11 Big Christmas Sale TV Special with Over ₱12,000,000 Worth of Prizes and K-Pop Boy Band NCT127

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 Get into a festive mood with ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 10% off daily at the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, invites Filipinos to tune in to the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale TV Special this November 11, 9:30-11:30 PM on GMA-7 and Shopee Live for a night full of amazing prizes and the best entertainment. Viewers have plenty to look forward to during the show, such as over ₱12,000,000 worth of giveaways including a brand-new car and two houses & lots, and exhilarating performances from K-Pop superstars NCT 127. Meanwhile, shoppers can beat the holiday rush and enjoy big savings with promotions such as ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 10% off daily at the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, Shopee’s biggest sale of the year.

Here are the highlights of the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale TV Special:

Prizes worth over ₱12,000,000 with in-app Shopee games

●       During four Shopee Shake sessions, one player gets ₱300,000 and a brand-new MG 5 subcompact sedan from Morris Garages, two players each get ₱300,000 and a brand-new house & lot from BellaVita, and several players get to share a ₱1,000,000 coin pool.

●       Users can also activate and verify their ShopeePay accounts to join Pera Pamigay for a chance to win ₱100 worth of free ShopeePay credits.

●       Two Shopee Milyonaryo players each get to take home ₱1,000,000.

Performances and appearances by the hottest local and international celebrities

Aside from performances from K-Pop boyband NCT127, viewers can also enjoy appearances from local celebrities Carla Abellana, Jessy Mendiola, Max Collins, Juancho Trivino, Rocco Nacino, Klea Pineda, Andre Paras, and Gil Cuerva, who will host the show alongside Shopee brand ambassador Willie Revillame. Talented artists such as Aira Bermudez, Ashley Rivera, Athena Madrid, Faye Lorenzo, Analyn Barro, Ashley Ortega, and Sef Cadayona will also wow audiences with high-energy performances.

Flash deals from leading brands

Shoppers should also stay tuned as the TV show hosts will announce exclusive deals and discounts available for a limited time only from personal care, infant care, tech, and food brands such as Unilever, Mikana, Kleenfant, Colgate-Palmolive, Bonchon, Mcdonald's, Goldilocks, Huawei, Enfagrow, Lactum, Abbott, Potato Corner, Gong Cha, Candy Corner, and Tiger Sugar.

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, which ushers in the year’s busiest shopping season, gives Filipinos plenty of reasons to celebrate with ₱1 Deals, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 10% off daily.

Users can also enjoy first dibs on exclusive 11.11 Big Christmas Sale deals across different categories with Shopee’s Add to Cart: https://shopee.ph/m/add-to-cart. They can discover top deals, add the items to their shopping carts before the sale, and immediately check them out on November 11 at the discounted price.

More deals with ShopeePay

To enjoy more deals this 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, shoppers can go cashless with ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, where they can Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay at thousands of partner merchants nationwide. On November 11, users can get more savings when they check out their Christmas purchases with ShopeePay promotions such as free shipping with no minimum spend, 30% cashback, and 10% off vouchers.

This 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, users can get up to 50% off on mobile load for all networks and up to 50% cashback on bills when they pay via ShopeePay. Additionally, users can get ₱100 off from participating billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, Globe, Metrobank, and more. Whether it be essentials or food items, users can also purchase exclusive ShopeePay ₱1 Deals on the Shopee app and redeem discounts when they pay with ShopeePay at BonChon, Puregold, Potato Corner, Goldilocks, Tiger Sugar, and more.

To avail of these exciting deals, users should activate and cash in their ShopeePay wallet. They can also enjoy free and instant cash-ins when they cash from their bank apps via InstaPay. Until November 21, users can get up to ₱25 cashback on their InstaPay fee.

For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

FRIENDS: The Reunion to premiere May 27 exclusively on HBO Go and HBO

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Could Filipino fans BE any more excited?

 

Friends: The Reunion special will debut same time as the U.S. on Thursday, May 27 at 3.01pm exclusively on HBO GO, with a same-day broadcast on HBO at 9pm. Friends stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer return to the iconic comedy’s original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank. Filipino fans can finally enjoy a real-life unscripted celebration of this beloved show.

For the first time in 17 years, the cast of Friends reunites for a special celebration of the smash-hit comedy series. Taped on the original soundstage, Friends: The Reunion finds the cast joined by moderator James Corden and a star-studded roster of special guests as they relive the show's fan-favourite and unforgettable moments. This once-in-a-lifetime special event honours the iconic series, which continues to permeate the zeitgeist today, with a hilarious and heartfelt night full of laughter and tears.

Friends: The Reunion, an HBO Max Original, will feature a variety of special guests including David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin, Mindy Kaling, Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai.

Ben Winston directed the special and executive produced along with “Friends” executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The special hails from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Fulwell 73 Productions and Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions. Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer executive produced the special. Emma Conway, James Longman and Stacey Thomas-Muir co-executive produced.

Liofer Pinatacan of Zamboanga del Sur named “PBB Connect” Big Winner!

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Liofer Pinatacan, the ‘Dong Diskarte ng Zamboanga del Sur,’ was voted by fans and viewers as the Big Winner of “Pinoy Big Brother Connect” during the first virtual Big Night on Sunday (March 14).

Liofer Pinatacan garnered 20.90% of combined Kumu and text votes followed by Andrea Abaya, the ‘Cheerdance Sweetheart ng Parañaque,’ with 16.60%. Clinching the third and fourth Big Placer titles were Kobie Brown, ‘Ang Charming Striker ng Parañaque, that earned 3.36%, and Jie-Ann Armero, ‘Ang Kwelang Fan Girl ng Sarangani,’ that got 2.66% of votes.

Big Winner Liofer turned emotional and speechless after the big reveal after the many challenges they faced in more than three months inside the ‘PBB’ house wherein they were challenged to stay true to themselves, believe in their capabilities, and connect with people from various backgrounds.

“Grabe. Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa lahat lahat ng sumuporta sa akin dito,” the newly-minted Big Winner said, who also shared during the Big Night that the first thing he would if he wins is to help his mother.

Liofer won a house and lot from Phirst Park Homes and P1 million from Brilliant Skin Essentials. Andrea Abaya, Kobie Brown, and Jie-Ann Armero will also take home P500,000, P300,000, and P200,000, respectively.

Big Winners from the different “PBB” editions were also present to welcome Liofer to the outside world, including Nene Tamayo, Kim Chiu, Bea Saw, Ruben Gonzaga, Ejay Falcon, Slater Young, Daniel Matsunaga, Jimboy Martin, and Yamyam Gucong.

Besides the Big Winner announcement, netizens on Twitter were also hooked on the world-class performances from BGYO, the heart-swooning number of the KarJon and KaoRhys love teams, and the reunion of the “PBB Connect” ex-housemates.

Kapamilya stars and other personalities were also in attendance at the Big Night to spread fun and love like Charlie Dizon, Denize Castillo, Edward Barber, Francine Diaz, Heaven Peralejo, Jem Macatuno, Maris Racal, Michelle Vito, Nikki Valdez, Nikko Natividad, Pamu Pamorada, Ryan Bang, Tony Labrusca, Vivoree Esclito, Yves Flores, and Zeus Collins.

Meanwhile, “PBB Connect” fans can look forward to seeing the housemates on Kumu as all of them will have their own Livestream on Kumu to continue spreading light and joy.

The first virtual Big Night of “PBB Connect,” which was a sold-out virtual event on KTX.ph, was hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Melai Cantiveros, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Maymay Entrata, and Richard Juan. All proceeds of the tickets will go to charity.

917Ventures joins The Final Pitch in search of “new heroes”

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Business reality TV show, The Final Pitch, kicks off its sixth season on CNN Philippines with 917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat on board to scout for ‘new heroes’ who will help rebuild the country and improve the lives of Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

For the show’s “Heroes Edition,” Yamat joins an esteemed panel of investor-judges who will evaluate the business proposals presented by the contestants to address the economic and social impact of the global health crisis.

 

The successful venture builder may join 917Ventures’ Velocity program, a three-month Bootcamp that aims to bring out the external talent and their ideas, as well as create ventures with the growth levers and network advantage of operating within 917Ventures and Globe.

 

917Ventures is Globe’s corporate venture builder that ideates, launches, and accelerates new businesses that have the potential to grow and scale fast. Among the successful and innovative companies under its wing are GCash, KonsultaMD, AdSpark, HealthNow, PureGo, and RUSH.

 

“We offer an opportunity for talents to join an entrepreneurial program where they will be able to turn their dream idea into reality.  Not only will they be able to tap the expertise of 917Ventures but they will also be able to unlock Globe’s Unfair Advantage which consists of a user base of over 80 million, with one million distribution points, and 150,000 enterprise partners nationwide to begin with,” said Yamat.

917Venture’s Velocity, which will be fully online due to mobility restrictions, is set to start as early as May this year. The corporate venture builder will provide funding, product and technology development, operational support, and network access. The deadline for entry submission is on March 28, 2021.

 

“We are in search of what we call a venture builder, someone with grit and the right attitude who is passionate about solving a problem.  Our focus is on FinTech, E-Commerce, HealthTech, and AdTech but we also welcome great ideas in other fields,” said Yamat, who is looking forward to The Final Pitch Season 6 to be aired Sundays starting March 21.

 

The Final Pitch creator and host John Aguilar, FWD Insurance President and CEO Li Hao Zhuang, UBX President and CEO John Januszczak, and Thames International Business School President Joel Santos join Yamat in the panel of investor-judges.

 

To know more about 917Ventures and Velocity, visit https://velocity.917ventures.com/

Celebrity guests talk about Mental Health in 2nd BRATS on July 25

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Following its successful launch last month, BRATS (Boy R. Abunda Talk Series) is holding another interesting round of sharing life stories from guest speakers, interacting with the audience and delivering inspiring message from Boy Abunda on July 25, 7 p.m., at the Satin Room 2 of Seda Vertis North.

BRATS will focus on the topic about Mental Health in an aim to encourage people to speak up about their own experiences and share their points of view with individuals who may be struggling to explain what they are going through. According to mentalhealth.gov, Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. If one experiences mental health problems, his thinking, mood and behavior could be affected.

Just recently, news involving the suicide deaths of fashion designer Kate Spade and chef, author and TV host Anthony Bourdain shocked the world. The cause of the disheartening act was linked to depression. No one knew what was going through inside of them days or even hours before they cut their lives short.

What's best for any individual is to never be ashamed to openly talk about how he/she feels and share what goes through the mind to identify early on the source of the problem. 

As what Boy said in his BRATS opening remarks, people need to talk to each other. "We need to touch each other's lives. We need to listen to each other. We are in a wired generation. One of our goals is to go back to the basics. To enjoy laughter, aspirations and conversations. And it should be experienced live."

In BRATS: Mental Health, guest speakers Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, actress and model Jasmine Curtis Smith, actress and screen writer Bela Padilla, NGO advocate Quennie Maravillas and student Nykko Bautista are ready to share their own stories with the audience and listen to what anyone wants to say without the need to ask for anybody's permission.

Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza

Jasmine Curtis Smith

Bela Padilla

For registration and other information call Ms. Bemz Benedito at +639179984584 or Rufino Hirang at +63917.8254214 or email boyrabundatalks@gmail.com

Boy R. Abunda Talk Series (BRATS) Officially Launched

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The Boy R. Abunda Talk Series (BRATS) was officially launched last June 8 at Artist Playground, Arts Above, 112 West Avenue, Quezon City (Penthouse, BIR Building).

Boy Abunda

BRATS is an 8-minute onstage talk with a speaker and an audience. The speaker takes centerstage to share real and empowering personal stories. BRATS takes inspiration from inspiring talks and talk series around the world like Ted Talks, the Gel Conference, Ignite, PopTech, Big Think, etc. Boy previously delivered an interesting and provocative speech titled Why Can’t We Have a Gay President? for Ted ADMU.

In his BRATS opening remarks, Boy emphasized the need for people to talk to each other.

“We need to touch each other’s lives. We need to listen to each other. We are in a wired generation. One of our goals is to go back to the basics. To enjoy laughter, aspirations, and conversations. And it should be experienced live.”

“We are hoping that BRATS becomes a celebration of life where ideas merge with inspiration and passion. We would like to be able to tackle issues that deal with the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual journey that a person takes when moving from pain to wisdom, from being wrong to becoming right, from being a victim to becoming a victor, from being a failure to becoming a success, and from being a bigshit to becoming a bigshot,” he added.

BRATS encourages people to tell their stories, to share, to listen, and to open their hearts. “We want to remind people that you can tell your stories, inspire and empower, and you don’t need to ask anybody’s permission to do good,” Boy said.

BRATS Speakers- (From left to right) Almed Garcia, Santy Layno, John Ace Hernandez, Atty. Kathy Merza

The four speakers who shared their personal stories were Atty. Kathy Merza, Santy Layno, Almed Garcia, and John Ace Hernandez. 

Atty. Kathy did not give up after failing the bar examination twice. The failure became a renewal of faith for her. She enumerated some valuable lessons during her talk:

1. There’s no shortcut to success.
2. Accept your shortcomings.
3. Start fresh.
4. Go out of your comfort zone.
5. Pray hard 6. Never stop trying.

Santy Layno talked about her life as a transgender woman and sex worker. Santy, now a proud LGBT advocate, explained the joys and hardships of being a sex worker. She also defined what a prostitute is, as opposed to a sex worker. “A prostitute is a victim while being a sex worker is a choice. I refused to be a victim.” She displayed courage which she defined as “telling your story with all your heart.” 

Almed spoke about breaking the stereotypes of women as dictated by society and shared her life’s experiences.

Ace is a proud gay daddy of three biological daughters. He talked about raising his daughters: one is a graduate in Psychology, another finished Medical Technology while the youngest is a Grade 11 student at La Salle. Ace who is now separated from his wife added, “Mahirap na masarap maging magulang. Kapag magulang, hindi mo iisipin ang sarili mo. Para sa anak mo lang.” 

Boy synthesized the talks at the end.

“From Kathy, it’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and get a new perspective. When you have limited time, use it properly. Santy, thank you for teaching me what courage is all about and what’s the difference between a prostitute and a sex worker. With Almed, there is no law that a woman cannot give flowers to a man and what a wonderful experience it is to have a father who says ‘umuwi ka’ whatever happens outside of home. With Ace, we can’t go wrong if we embrace the truth.”

Boy promised that BRATS will continue, “For as long as you’re willing to listen. For as long as you’re willing to tell your stories, we will be here. We want to go to schools, to companies, to organizations, and to the provinces. We will organize BRATS for you. Magkukuwentuhan tayo.” 

The main coordinators of BRATS are Ms. Bemz Benedito and Mr. Ruffy Hirang.

For more info, please contact Ms. Bemz Benedito at 0917-9984584 and email address bemzbenedito@gmail.com

Filipina Singer Alisah Bonaobra Returns to The X Factor UK

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Twenty-two-year-old Alisah Bonaobra won UK’s heart and made it back to the live shows on The X Factor UK. Viewers were asked to vote for an eliminated act from the Judges’ House round whom they want to come back and compete in the live shows.

On Sunday’s episode, it was a battle between the Boys and the Girls categories with the theme “Express Yourself.” The X Factor UK hopefuls performed a song of their choice related to the theme.

While introducing her wildcard winner, Sharon Osbourne was very thankful to the public for bringing Alisah back.

Alisah performed This is My Now by Jordin Sparks, which greatly impressed the judges and the audience. After her performance, the judges were on their feet and had nothing but compliments for her.

“That song is absolutely perfect for you because this is your now and you deserve to be back on the show. You always should have been on the show!” said Louis Walsh. “It’s almost like a winner’s song, and I love a power ballad with a key change from a great singer and you are a great singer! You’re a great performer. You got great soul and I love the way you fight back!” he added.

Nicole Scherzinger agreed with Louis and referred to Alisah as her little Disney warrior princess. “You just hiya-d and karate chopped all through that song! But you did it with grace. You did it with poise. You did it with strength. I freakin’ adore you!” she expressed. “I look at you and I’m like that’s my little ninja Filipina sister up there! You were meant to be up there, like [what Louis] said, this is your now, because that’s your stage, and you just took it tonight, honey!” she added.

“Everybody says in this contest that they really want this, and they really need to be here. I know your story. I know what you’ve gone through. And you know what? With a voice like yours, you’re gonna be here ‘til the end, Miss! I am so happy for you, so, so happy!” said judge and Girls category mentor Sharon Osbourne.

On the taped interview, Alisah called herself the “comeback queen.” She looked back at her journey where she was let go but asked to come back and fight for her spot at the Six Chair Challenge. Now she is back again as the wildcard winner.

When host Dermot O’Leary asked the judges who they thought won the night, the lady judges Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne both favored Alisah.

Alisah survived week 1 of the live shows and will continue with her journey on the competition.

Watch out for Alisah’s next performances on The X Factor UK on RTL CBS Entertainment. 

For more updates follow RTL CBS Entertainment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RTLCBSEntertainment, @RTLCBSEntertainment on Instagram and @RTLCBSEntertain on Twitter.

The X Factor UK airs first and exclusive on RTL CBS Entertainment same day as the UK on Sundays and Mondays at 10:30am with primetime encores Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00pm. 

RTL CBS Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37(SD) and 313(HD).

Coca-Cola Philippines brings a new taste to the sound of Pinoy music thru #CokeStudioPH

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“Coke has always been about encouraging personal expression among the younger generation of teens, and what better way to unite them but through a universal language, which is music. This is what Coke Studio is all about. We are making music our tool of choice to connect with teens.” 

                            - - -  Stephan Czypionka, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing

The first of its kind as Coca-Cola turns up the volume on OPM music with Coke Studio! 

The sounds of Pinoy music will get a refreshing taste as Coke Studio opens in the country, bringing a fresh experience for the local music industry.

The first of its kind in the country, Coke Studio is a music TV show that encourages collaborations among Filipino artists – bringing together different musical genres, the young and seasoned artists, and the mainstream with the indie. Coke Studio is a celebration of the rich diversity in OPM and the central unifying role of music among Filipinos.

Coke Studio also serves as a stage that will showcase and highlight the wonderfully surprising new music that comes out from the collaborations between OPM legends and upcoming artists: 

• Noel Cabangon
• Curtismith
• Moonstar88
• Jensen and the Flips
• Sandwich
• BP Valenzuela
• Gabby Alipe and John Dinopol of Urbandub, 
• The Ransom Collective
• Abra
• Gracenote
• singer-composer Ebe Dancel
• Autotelic
• Franco
• and singer-songwriter Reese Lansangan.

• Noel Cabangon and Curtismith 

Coke Studio is hosted by OPM powerhouse Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, both from Eraserheads – one of the country’s most iconic rock bands. More than just a TV show, Coke Studio brings the viewer to the real experience – giving a first-hand, front seat view of the collaboration and how each artist bares their soul in the performance.

“As soon as they started playing their instruments, they just forgot about everything else,” said Marasigan on the experience inside the Coke Studio. “And a great artist will really come out with something, will produce something! Some artists may have come unprepared, but once they were in there, they just brought it out.”

Abra

But the Coke Studio experience does not stop there. An interactive Coke Studio truck will roam around the country to give university bands an opportunity to perform and interact with the artists.

Coke Studio is also joining some of the biggest fiestas and festivals nationwide with the Coke Canreaoke – an interactive installation loaded with OPM hits for anyone who wants to showcase their singing prowess. 

Taste the sounds of pinoy music as Coca-Cola launched Coke Studio at SMX Hall 1, Pasay City.with live viewing party of the pilot episode, sing along with your favorite Pinoy music artists and enjoy tons of fun activities. 

Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes the strong influence of music in the lives of Filipinos – a unifying thread that goes beyond language and dialect, political views and boundaries, and even religion.

With Coke Studio, Coca-Cola Philippines brings a new taste to the sound of Pinoy music.

Ebe Dancel