Newest sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” Makes Impressive Debut, Ranks #1

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The Kapamilya network’s newest sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” made strong first impressions upon the airing of its pilot episode last Sunday (January 5), topping the rating charts and ranking number one nationwide.

According to data from Kantar Media, “Home Sweetie Home” raked in 19.9% in TV ratings, making it the most watched TV program among last Sunday’s shows in both urban and rural areas. Feedback from viewers via social media also proved the show was a hit, with many becoming instant fans of the John Lloyd Cruz-Toni Gonzaga tandem.

This coming Sunday (January 12), catch another light and romantic episode and find out how Romeo (John Lloyd Cruz) and Julie (Toni Gonzaga) ended up with each other—from obstacles the two faced as a couple leading up to a kind of marriage that is uniquely their own.

Find out how their love story played out in the next episode of “Home Sweetie Home,” airing Sundays after the kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit”.

Meanwhile, the fun goes even further with the Banana Split gang on two other Kapamilya comedy shows this 2014, as “Banana Split: Extra Scoop” lets the laughter start early on Saturday nights after“Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Banana Nite” makes weekday nights tons lighter with all-new special guests and even more hilarious gags and sketches.

Watch out for a special episode of the “Banana Nite” segment in the coming week featuring Jayson "Tito Vhoy" Gainza as he goes face to face with a showbiz personality that he has gained a reputation for impersonating, the King of Talk Boy Abunda.

Catch “Banana Split: Extra Scoop” on Saturday nights after “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Banana Nite” from Monday to Friday after “Bandila”.

Japanese singer AISAKU in love with Filipino Culure, Humor, Family Ties and OPM!

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AISAKU is a pure Japanese who sings Tagalog and Japanese oldies and favorites with a taste of Jazz. Honed to be the next Ted Ito, Aisaku performs with a Filipino twist of Tagalog oldies and favorites.

Recently released his own rendition of the 90s classic pop ballad, Ted Ito's Diamond Hit record “Ikaw Pa Rin.” The choice is not merely because it's of Japanese origin. But ironically due to his high regard for OPM, with him even counting Gary Valenciano as his main musical influence.

AISAKU 

“I know more OPM than Japanese songs now. I have more Filipino friends than Japanese friends on Facebook. And I guess I am a Filipino by heart even though my pair of eyes makes me look like I'm asleep,” Aisaku said.

His name interestingly meaning “make love,” Aisaku recently put out his self-titled debut album of OPM classic covers led by “Ikaw Pa Rin,” (popularized by Ted Ito and originally “Saigo No Iwake” in Japanese). His cover of the song won “Best OPM Cover” at the 2013 Gawad Musika Awards & Consumers Quality Awards.

The album package is produced by Janette Ito of Japan's i&i Records in tie-up with Japan Home Centre and distributed by Universal Records Philippines.

Born from a Christian family, this pure Japanese moved to the Philippines years back and the long stretch made him a Pinoy by heart. He takes pride that his knowledge in the Filipino culture and language is almost on a native level. 

He shared, "Modern OPM music is something I really love. I give credit to OPM artists who bring the genre to a new level of classy music, like my current favorites Noel Cabangon, Sitti, Gloc-9, JayR, Ogie Alcasid, and a whole lot more!" 

He confirmed his utmost respect for Mr. Pure Energy, "My most favorite singer is Gary Valenciano. I live in a church so I had the chance to learn good music first from Gary V's songs. His music covers a lot of genre from pop, dance, soul, jazz to ballads. The first live concert I ever watched in my life was his as well." 

Aisaku actually is a combination of two separate words: "AI" which is another word for love, and "Saku" meaning "to make". His parents want him to be "a person who can spread love to the world."

IKAW PA RIN - AISAKU (Official Music Video)

This Japanese trying his best to sing in smooth Tagalog appeared on Lucky Me’s KARI & PO-KU advert. He also endorsed Platinum Karaoke, with his songs already available on the karaoke itself and iTunes. As a child he had speech impairment. Then he met a speech therapist from Operation Smile who helped him with his condition. He is now one of its ambassadors. 

Other songs in Aisaku's album are “Remember Me” (popularized by Renz Verano), “Honey My Love So Sweet” (popularized by April Boyz), “Isang Tanong Isang Sagot” (Popularized by Donna Cruz), “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” (popularized by Leah Navarro), and other Tagalog songs of Japanese roots.

Vocal about his love for Filipinos. He explained, “I find the Filipinos more fun to be with, and the country itself as well. I love the Filipino humor, the culture, and the best of all, the close family ties. I love my parents and I am glad that I know how to show my love to them like a Filipino son can do.”

With his talent and charm, Aisaku already bagged a number of awards, including the 2013 Asian Star Entertainer Awards for Best New Male OPM Artist. He will host and perform at the Little Tokyo Sunday Festival in Makati (Pasong Tamo near Makati Cinema Square) on November 24, 6 pm.

Google Best Apps of 2013 Winner “whoscall” Released on LINE

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LINE whoscall, a free call-filtering and number management app for Android.

Google Best Apps of 2013 Winner “whoscall” Released on LINE Access a Worldwide Database of Over 600 Million Phone Numbers to Identify Unknown Numbers in Real Time and Protect Against Malicious Sources

LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform with 320 million users worldwide, today announced the release of LINE whoscall, a free call-filtering and number management app for Android developed by Gogolook Co., Ltd., a world leading caller ID service company.

LINE whoscall for Android devices will allow users to identify the source of incoming numbers and filter out unwanted calls and messages. The app is a reworked interface for LINE users based on whoscall, which has been downloaded more than 5 million times worldwide, and was selected for the Google Best Innovation Award of 2013 in eight regions, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

LINE whoscall utilizes a database of over 600 million numbers, including businesses and shops, sourced from the Yellow Pages and other public data resources to automatically identify and display the source of incoming calls and messages as they arrive. This allows users to filter out suspicious numbers before they answer a call or message.

Important Notes

1. Contacts found on mobile devices will not be automatically collected by the LINE whoscall service.

2. The app will not include a feature that offers LINE account authentication on its release. For this reason, messages and calls received inside the LINE app will not be affected by the filtering settings made with LINE whoscall.

LINE whoscall Supported devices: Android

Supported languages: English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Japanese

Supported regions: Global

Service begins: January 9, 2014

Cost: Free

Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gogolook.callgogolook2

For more information, please visit http://whoscall.com

About LINE

LINE, the world's hottest mobile messaging platform, offers free text and voice messaging, voice calling and group chat with up to 100 people, integrated with various interactive elements such as Stickers, Home & Timeline and Official Accounts. Since its release in June 2011, the cross-platform mobile messenger has been releasing a series of add-on apps that range from games to an anti-virus app. Today, LINE has become a hot cultural icon with 320 million users in 230 countries. LINE has also held the coveted No. 1 spot in the 'free apps' category of app stores in 60 countries. For more information visit: http://line.naver.jp/en/.

About LINE PLUS Corporation

LINE PLUS Corporation, the world's leading mobile platform innovator, is a joint-venture entity between Naver Corporation (former NHN Corporation) and LINE Corporation (former NHN Japan Corporation), newly organized in March 2013. As a global smartphone life platform provider, LINE PLUS services LINE and its family applications to bring together an innovative mobile messaging tool and new communication lifestyle. LINE PLUS Corporation was created to promptly react to the ever-changing mobile messenger market and to strengthen its global business based on the industry expertise of its parent company, which furnishes a wide range of innovative and convenient online services. LINE PLUS Corporation is located in Seoul, Korea. For more information, please visithttp://www.nhncorp.com/nhnen/index.nhn .

About Gogolook

Gogolook, founded in 2012, was acquired by Naver Corp. in December, 2013 and joined ranks with one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, LINE, as a sister company. Gogolook has always aspired to create a global contact network of trust. It was the commitment to this visualization and the hopes of creating the ultimate calling experience that whoscall was developed as an unknown number identification and filtering app. whoscall received public praise from Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt and has been awarded multiple international accolades including the Google Best Innovation Award and BNext Award. whoscall has also been featured on TechCrunch and TechInAsia, amongst other global tech media outlets. whoscall currently services over 600 million users worldwide and identifies over 10 million calls daily.

19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in 2015

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA (PIHABF) ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

The organizers of the longest running balloon event in Asia – the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF): “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” maintains its decision not to hold the 19^th PIHABF this year, but instead, prepare for a bigger event scheduled for February 12-15, 2015.

Amidst reports of a balloon event taking place in Clark, Pampanga in April 2014, spearheaded by Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office, the PIHABF Organizing Committee has issued the following statement:

Preparation for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is a major undertaking.

The decision not to hold a Fiesta this year was not undertaken lightly. From the perspective of the PIHABF organizers, our 2013 event (featuring more balloons than ever, the highly impressive Breilting Jet Acrobatic Team, and the myriad of other flying, ground and static events) would be a hard act to follow without allowing sufficient time to plan, prepare and book new and interesting activities.

We believe that by suspending the 2014 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, allowing our organizing committee more time to secure a suitable venue for the fiesta and investing more time in planning, securing sponsorships and implementing enhancements, we can offer our public spectators a truly safe and world-class event in 2015.

The summer weather is not suitable in hot air balloon safety.

PIHABF will not be part of the April 2014 event in Clark, Pampanga. We will not participate in the planning, organization or staging of the event. We disclaim any association with the organization or management of the said event.

                                                                                                                                

Safety concerns raised by PIHABF pending approval of CAAP for ‘The Philippine International Friendship Balloon Festival 2014’

We hope that the organizers of the April 2014 event, headed by Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico, have carefully looked into the many safety requirements and issues involved in staging an event of this scale. PIHABF is concerned that the length of time allocated for them to learn the processes and preparations for this kind of activity is too short. We also hope they are not misrepresenting their expertise in implementing an airshow to prospective sponsors, participants and especially the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The PIHABF organizers have worked hard to develop operational and safety procedures.  With an admirable safety record, we have built trust with event participants and other valued partners.  We value this reputation, built on a foundation of 20 years of experience. 

We recognize that the balloon fiesta is an activity that the international aviation community looks forward to.  Any untoward incident would impact on the good name of PIHABF organizers and damage the reputation of the Philippines.

We assure the public that we are already working hard on the planning and preparation for a bigger and even better 19^th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in 2015.  We are excited for everyone to be a part of it.

Metro Magazine's Silver Anniversary Issue : Metro Body, with Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida

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To kick off its 25th anniversary year, Metro is bringing its readers the boldest and most daring edition of its highly anticipated Metro Body Issue, where Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida sizzles on the cover in one of the season’s hottest trends.

This Saturday (January 11), get the chance to be part of her meet and greet plus autograph signing of the magazine at National Bookstore in Glorietta 1.

Ara looks fresher and fiercer than ever in tropical prints, divulging what she’s really like underneath it all—the title, the glamour, and the limelight. She opens up about life after the world’s most prestigious pageant, revealing things she’s never revealed before.

Joining Ara in this ultra exciting issue are today’s most talked about personalities in entertainment, modeling, and sports, alongside fresh faces whose stars will shine brighter, and some of the most standout names from Metro Body features past.

Among those that took on Metro’s challenge of baring their all in the truest sense of the word are the likes of Brent Javier, Carlos Agassi, Cristine Reyes, Dennis Trillo, Enrique Gil, Jake Letts, Janna Tee, Jason Abalos, JC de Vera, Jessica Yang, Joaco Cañas, John James Uy, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Randy See, Raphael Robes, Rayver and Rodjun Cruz, Rufa Mae Quinto, Sam Concepcion, Sky Yang, Sunshine Cruz, Tom Rodriguez, Valerie Weigmann, Victor Basa, Vince Ferraren, the Viva Hot Babes, and Wendy Tabusalla—shown wearing only the must-have accessories from the Resort 2014 collection.

Metro also gives its readers a closer look into how to sport Resort 2014’s hottest trends, from nautical and white, to denim and tropical prints—carefully putting together the best selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Apart from all that, get tips on how to be a fresh-faced, glowing beauty with our tips for luminous skin, and take a closer look at the spectacular event that was, the Metrowear Icon: Francis Libiran gala.

The Metro January Issue is out in bookstores and newsstands nationwide for only P150.

Like Metro Magazine on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Metro.Magazine)

 and follow Metro on Twitter or Instagram (@MetroMagPH).

Don’t miss out on the chance to bear witness to some of the hottest stars featured in the Metro Body Issue in the flesh, including covergirl Ara Arida herself at Metro’s special meet and greet event this Saturday (January 11). 

Registration opens at 2:00pm.