The new SSS contribution schedule effective January 2014

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The new SSS Contribution table, as per approval by President Benigno Aquino III, will take effect this January 2014. The new SSS contribution table has a 0.6% increase in rate from its previous 10.4% of one's salary.

Employers (ER) are expected to shoulder 7.37% of the contribution rate, while the employee (EE) 3.63% of it.

Meanwhile, Self-Employed, Voluntary and OFW members who have already made payments for their contributions for January 2014 onwards are advised to do the following:

-Those with advance payments at the minimum monthly salary credit (MSC) of Php 1,000 (Php 5,000 for OFW members) shall settle an underpayment amounting to Php 6.00 per month (Php 30.00 for OFW members). Failure to pay the lacking amount will result to ineffectivity of the contrbutions.

-Those with the advance payments at an MSC other than the minimummay opt to pay the corresponding increase in contributions to retain postings at the same MSC. Otherwise, such advance payment shall be posted at the applicable lower MSC.

Please be guided accordingly. For more information, visit the Web site at :www.sss.gov.ph

and also View the SSS Circular

It's back and American Idol Season 13 spells an exciting landmark at Star World

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The American Idol is back! This is the real it! Star World premieres American Idol yesterday (January 16, Thursday) night continues to present the new idols hopefuls to be the American Idol 2014! The most successful reality TV show returns for its 13th season for another round of bombastic performances from hundreds of aspiring singers aiming to be American Idol.

American Idol Season 13 hits TV screens yesterday only on Star World! The most successful reality TV show returns for its 13th season for another round of bombastic performances from hundreds of aspiring singers aiming to be American Idol.

We had the viewing party and as we witnessed how the judges, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban make and break the dreams of initial hopefuls at Star World's American Idol Season 13! As this is the new batch of amazing hidden talent, presents, make and break it through the auditions to the semi-finals.

I really enjoy Jennifer, Harry and Keith as the judges so much more peaceful and joyful to watch. Harry,  is hilarious and so much fun to watch. I think the judges have great chemistry. I love the chemistry between all of them!

Thousands of American Idol hopefuls turned out during the nationwide auditions held in different cities around the US: Salt Lake City, Utah; Detroit, Michigan; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; and Omaha, Nebraska. The show left no stone unturned in looking for the brightest singing talents in the US, ensuring a diverse mix of backgrounds and personalities for candidates who make it through the auditions to the semi-finals. Expect to see a showcase of mind-blowing talent and an array of colourful personalities throughout the much-anticipated episodes of the screening process.

American Idol Season 13 spells an exciting landmark for the show with a great mix of judges on the panel who will screen this season’s candidates. Country sensation Keith Urban, who was a first-time judge in Season 12, is returning for his second year on the show, while pop superstar Jennifer Lopez is coming back to the judging panel after leaving it at the end of Season 11 – a first in American Idol history! 

The newcomer judge and multi-awarded singer Harry Connick Jr., joining the team to complete the panel, and Rickey Minor returns to the show as musical director. These four celebrities together comprise a powerhouse of talent and experience in the entertainment industry that will see the show’s contestants through as they sing their way to becoming the next American Idol.

Star World has been the home of American Idol since the very first season aired, and has consistently garnered a strong viewership throughout all 12 completed seasons of the show. Viewers and the most stir-crazy American Idol fans have enjoyed not just Star World’s live broadcasts of the show to keep updated with the latest developments, but also the channel’s locally produced American Idol specials featuring highlights of each season.

As I am, long-time followers of the world’s most successful reality TV series in Asia know that Star World is where it’s at to get your best fix of American Idol.

Catch American Idol Season 13 when it premieres last January 16, 2014 at 6 PM, live via satellite, and relive its great moments during its encores at 8 PM and 11 PM – only on Star World!

(Photos : By Myrns Roman during the American Idol 13 exclusive viewing party held at the Prive Luxury Club, The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.)

A Benefit Concert Titled “Heal Our Land” with International Jazz Artists

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The jazz scene’s brightest stars will be coming together in a night filled with the finest music, which will also be a benefit concert titled “Heal Our Land,” set to be mounted at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 31, 2014, produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners.

The benefit concert is set to be the most star-studded Jazzfest yet, unique in that it will be led by pianist David Benoit and singers David Pack and Kevyn Lettau, with keyboardist Brian Simpson, American saxophonist and singer Jessy J, percussionist Richie “Gajate” Garcia, and guitarist-singers Ray Parker, Jr. and Jonathan Butler, whose song has inspired this concert’s title.

“Heal Our Land” with Filipino-American saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas—and Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band.

Some of today’s local talents will also be joining the Jazzfest, including host Billy Crawford, Sitti, Side A, South Border, Free Style, Mulatto, Bituin Escalante, Zoo, True Faith, Chad Borja, and recent “voice of the Philippines” contender Thor Dulay. The concert will be directed by the Philippines’ own Bert de Leon.

All the participating artists in “Heal Our Land” chose to generously wave their fees for this concert, directing proceeds to the relief efforts of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and Gawad Kalinga projects.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets. For more information, please contact 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets .net.

Is 2014’s first babynaryo about to be named on “Bet On Your Baby”? Judy Ann Shares Her Dreams

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Each and every parent has dreams for his or her own children. For “Bet On Your Baby” host Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, the dreams and wishes she has for her own kids, Yohan and Lucho, is simple—that they grow up to be good, with unwavering faith in God.

Judy Ann has also said that if ever her children decide to follow in her and her husband Ryan’s footsteps, taking them into showbiz, she won’t stop them.

“It’s inevitable that they get exposure to this industry, especially since they see that this is their parents’ career,” she explained.

This Saturday (January 18) on “Bet On Your Baby,” find out what the different dreams of the show’s contestants are for their own kids.

Joining the show this weekend are three hopeful parents along with their babies.

 Baby RC Arguna (Cavite)

For Jimbo and She of Cavite, it is their dream for Baby RC Arguna to eventually decide to join showbiz.

Baby Ashton Jumaquio  (Tondo, Manila)

Parents Celo and Len Jumaquio from Tondo, Manila, on the other hand, dream that their son Baby Ashton will be able to complete his education.

Baby Jayjay Sapuras (Malabon)

Baby Jay-jay Sapuras' parets Gie and Jen from Malabon also have that same dream for their child.

Will one of these babies be able to bring home the grand prize of P1 million, making him or her the first babynaryo for 2014?

Catch “Bet On Your Baby,” airing on Saturdays on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit and like “Bet On Your Baby” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/betonyourbabyph ; ) and follow @betonyourbabyph on Twitter or betonyourbabyphilippines on Instagram. For comments on the show, don’t forget to use the hashtag #BetOnYourBabyPH.

Boy band 1:43 excites social media with gay-themed song

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FOREMOST FILIPINO boy band 1:43, the original hit makers of the song “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” has once again stirred the interest of Pinoy netizens and radio listeners with their catchy gay-themed single.

1:43 is composed of four talented, charming, and stylish lads namely, Anjo Resurreccion, a University of Santo Tomas (UST) Psychology graduate and a MYX VJ Search finalist; Argee Golding, an international taekwondo medalist from UST; Gold Aquino, an entrepreneur and a Business Administration graduate from the Centro Escolar University (CEU); and Yuki Sakamoto, a Hotel and Restaurant Management student from CEU-Makati and the main vocalist of the group.

  Argee Golding,  Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion and Gold Aquino

Now a certified radio hit, the song “Hayop Sa Ganda” composed by the group’s road manager and musician Urie Tesorio, pays tribute to the incomparable pulchritude of Filipino transgender women. Its official music video featuring Vice Ganda’s prominent sidekick Negi and Miss Tourism Queen International 2012 Kevin Balot is expected to break online two week from now. 

Just days after a teaser video showing the images of the most gorgeous Filipino transgender women was released on Youtube, “Hayop Sa Ganda” garnered thousands of views and received positive feedbacks from the gay community.

“Galing ng OPM! 1:43 you rock! Salamat po. (The song is) inspiring and very uplifting for the Filipino trans women,” comments transgender beauty queen Maki Gingoyon on the Youtube video.

Respected blogger WhenInManila was quick to predict that the song and its video would become an online sensation anytime soon. “The song is pretty catchy but the music video itself has lots of viral potentials. I can see this hitting the hundreds of thousands, or even into the million views no too long from now,” the blog writes.

Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot

Likewise, “Hayop Sa Ganda” has validated its promise of becoming a monster hit by being named “The Most Wanted Song of the Week” 97.1 Barangay LS and right away landing on the station’s weekly chart “The Big Ten.” 

“I have a good feeling about 1:43’s latest single. I am confident that it’s going to be my boy band’s next big hit, probably even surpassing the success of their definitive song ‘Sa Isang Sulyap Mo’ which became the Song of the Year in the 5th PMPC Star Awards For Music,” says manager Chris Cahilig. 

“We are optimistic that the song’s comic official music video featuring Kevin Balot and Negi will further boost its popularity,” related the group’s spokesperson Anjo. 

“It has funny references to Filipino pop cultures—from the Hagibis-inspired dance steps, a memorable biscuit television commercials, and the Snooky Serna-starring fantasy film ‘Blusing Itim’ in the 80s,” he adds.