The Jazz scene’s finest musicians to perform on Philippine shores! Stars coming for "Heal Our Land"

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International jazz fusion and smooth jazz pianist, composer, and producer David Benoit, a five-time Grammy Award nominee, will be heading to the Philippines with yet another noble cause—joining the line-up of the star-studded benefit concert “Heal Our Land,” which is set to be mounted at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 31, 2014.

Benoit, having made a name for himself time and time again, gained popularity through both his moving solo performances and notable collaborations. Over the years, he has arranged, conducted, and performed musical numbers for many popular artists, including the likes of Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Faith Hill, Brian McKnight, and the Walt Disney Company.

Apart from his numerous accomplishments in his career as a musician, he is also the music director for the Asia America Symphony and the Asia America Youth Orchestra.

“Heal Our Land” will also definitely not be the first of Benoit’s participation in causes that go far beyond plain performances, as he has been active in a number of benefit concerts around Asia, including Korea and the Philippines.

Also joining “Heal Our Land” are 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. Saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band will also be part of the concert’s lineup.

Joining the Jazzfest, some of today’s local talents will also be including in the concert - Sitti, Side A, South Border, Free Style, Mulatto, 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.

“Heal Our Land” is produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners.

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.

This Weekend on Lifestyle Network - "Metrowear Icon Francis Libiran: TV Special"

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Francis Libiran, famous designer to the stars was recently named the latest Metrowear Icon and as featured in Metro Magazine’s 25th anniversary. In commemoration of this, Metro will be airing a television special to celebrate Libiran’s unique talents, set to airthis Saturday (January 25) at 9pm and Sunday (January 26) at 10:30pm on the Lifestyle Network (SkyCable channel 53).

Libiran has gained renown for his elegant style and great skill with draping fabrics and doing intricate beadwork. His creations have drawn the attention of fashionistas in both local and international circles.

Among the stars that have been fortunate to wear his beautiful dresses and bespoke suits are the likes of Anne Curtis, Sam Milby, Shaina Magdayao, Billy Crawford, Xian Lim and Kim Chiu. For major events like the Star Magic Ball, the brightest (and most fashion-savvy) of stars look forward to wearing his creations. His latest fashion coup was creating the dresses and gowns worn by 2013 Miss World winner, Megan Young. His coral beaded evening won him raves all around.

A major career highlight for Libiran was when his whimsical creations – made using all kinds of Hello Kitty merchandise – was worn by the model-contestants for one of their photo shoots in the 18th season highly-rated program “America’s Next Top Model.” No less than host Tyra Banks wore one of his gowns when she attended the 4thAnnual Blossom Ball in New York earlier this year.

Don’t miss out on the Metrowear Icon Francis Libiran: The TV Special this weekend.

For more of style embodied, grab a copy of Metro Magazine’s latest issue at bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

For updates, visit Metro Magazine on Facebook (www.facebook.Metro.Magazine) or follow them on Twitter / Instagram @metromagph. For more program schedules, visit and like the Lifestyle Network on Facebook (www.facebook.com/LifestyleNetwork).

The Morning Episodes collaborate with Solenn to create “Until The Sunrise”

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After breaking through US Radio last year, The Morning Episodes kick off 2014 on a high with the release of “Until the Sunrise” -- a collaboration with actress / singer Solenn Heussaff. The track is the official theme song of Solenn’s new movie “Mumbai Love”, which is hitting theaters this January.

The film was directed by Benito Bautista, produced by Capestone Pictures in assoc. with Wanderlustproject Films and is being distributed by Solar Entertainment.

“Until the Sunrise” is a breath of fresh air to the local music scene with its unique elements, arrangement and delivery. According to band frontman Miguel Escueta most of the song was written using an iPad. “Its amazing how that square piece of technology can help you so much creatively”, he shares. “Solenn heard the demo more than a year ago through a common friend and she got in touch with me right away, saying that she wanted to work on it together. Her voice was just perfect for it and it turns out that the song sounded even better as a duet.”

In the early stages of filming “Mumbai Love” Solenn shared the song with director Benito Bautista and producer Emma Francisco. They immediately fell in love with the track and, at that instant, knew that they had just found their theme song for the film. They shot the music video while filming the movie, in between all the takes in several locations. It can now be viewed online via Youtube (youtube.com/wanderlustproject) and it set to air on MYX this week.

“Until the Sunrise” is available exclusively via iTunes, released by MCA Music Inc.

In mid 2013, the Morning Episodes, in partnership with their LA based label Slydoggie Productions and Music PR Firm The Planetary Group, launched their first ever US College Radio Campaign. Since then, songs from the band's current album "Never Felt So Alive" have been receiving airplay on 100 different college radio stations across all 50 states in America. 

The album hit the Top 25 charts at three stations, with peaks at WIPZ in Kenosha, Wisconsin (#8), KRZA in Alamosa Colorado (#10) and WVPH in Piscataway, New Jersey (#25). Some of their songs were also featured on long time US Drama “The Young and The Restless” and TV Promos by the CBS Network.

The Morning Episodes' album Never Felt So Alive is available digitally via iTunes. CDs are also available at Odyssey Music Stores. This release is done via MCA Music Inc. and brought to you by VANS, Audio Technica, Police, Rayban, Deca Homes, Dental First and Southern Musician.

"Boarding Pass", the newest TV magazine program with Atty. Mike Templo

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"Boarding Pass" is a new weekly TV magazine hosted by immigration experts, Atty. Mike Templo with co - hosts US-based lawyers, Atty. Rio Guerrero and Atty. Tsui Yee,  which airs every Saturday afternoon, from 5:10 pm to 5:45 pm in GMA News TV.

This informative program "Boarding Pass" aims to provide answers to problems faced by Filipinos living abroad and those who are planning to work outside the country. This TV program is to answer all concerns about immigration and working abroad.

With the help of agencies, companies and authorities in immigration, Boarding Pass will provide informative and trusted legal advice and will cover topics including visa requirements, studying abroad, family petitions, employer petitions, approvals, denials, deportation, removal and a lot more.

Atty. Mike has worked as Host in "Crossing Boarders" on ANC 21 that ran for five seasons. It was self-help show for Filipinos around the world. It tackle issues such as immigration, employment issues, human trafficking, personal finance management and legal issues. He was also worked as Host of TV 5 news achor.

Now, Atty. Mike is the newest Kapuso to join the roster of respected and trusted hosts of GMA News TV where programming consists of rolling news coverage and other news programming, along with documentaries, public affairs shows, entertainment news programs, and selected lifestyle programs.

Some of the topics and segments of Boarding Pass :

Balikbayan Box  - feature on the inspiring stories and life of filipinos overseas or those who have worked abroad.

Sikap Pinoy - will showcase business ideas and investments for OFW and for their families.

Happy Trip - will present fun activities fit for friends and families and travel destination and tips for hassle free travel. 

A media launch hosted by Miss Mae Bautista, held at Sir Boy's Republique, Panay Avenue, Quezon City last January 20, 2014, with guests Yexel Sebastian, the Happy Trip host; singer Vincent Daffalong, and 80's singer/actress Mildren Ortega-Templo, Atty. Mike's mother.

"Boarding Pass" is under Esquire TV Productions.

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For more info and updates, visit facebook.com/boardingpassph 

and Twitter - @BoardingPassPH

Is health a part of your New Year’s resolution? Find a healthy lifestyle!

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Medical checkups address one of the New Year’s toughest challenges—maintaining your health.

After a well-earned holiday vacation filled with feasts and merrymaking, the New Year gives Filipinos the perfect opportunity to plan and reassess their health for the next 365 days. And it starts with a simple medical checkup.

“Yearly medical checkups are vital in ensuring your health and well-being,” says Sarah Gatpolintan, Wellness Center Supervisor of Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC). “Even though everything appears to be normal, you cannot take risks when it comes to your health. The only way to validate your wellness is to visit a doctor.”

Heart problems are particularly relevant for Filipinos, who typically find it difficult to resist the allure of oily and fatty foods—especially during the long Christmas break. The National Statistics Office says five of 10 deaths in the Philippines are related to cardiovascular complications, making their early detection and prevention all the more necessary.

CSMC conducts checkups for around 60-80 patients every month, and most of them have made these medical consultations a regular part of their yearly health regimens. According to Gatpolintan, these visits are comprised of comprehensive head-to-toe checkups, including blood work, urinalysis, and lipid profiling.

The wellness expert adds: “Checkups easily detect the onset of lifestyle-related diseases, like hypertension and other heart-related illnesses. For such cases, early detection can be the difference between preventing the condition and living with it for the rest of your life.”

Early detection and prevention are just some of the many benefits that regular checkups offer. Essentially, the results of a medical examination become the basis for a person’s health plans for the next year.

Find a healthy lifestyle

After the results of a checkup are finalized, a doctor evaluates them and imparts befitting lifestyle advice to the patient. For most adults, maintaining a clean bill of health can be achieved by a simple combination of regular exercise and well-balanced dieting.

“A thirty-minute walk three times a week can keep you in functional physical shape, while adding some color to your plate (fruits and vegetables) is a small adjustment that can make a big difference in living a healthier lifestyle,” explains Gatpolintan. “Of course, it is always best to consult doctors and specialists to discover specific workout programs and diet plans tailor-made for your body’s needs.”

Build a relationship with your doctor

Checkups also give patients an opportunity to build rapport with their doctors. Established relationships influence a person’s willingness to visit a physician or get a checkup regularly, and they also let doctors guide the progression of the patient’s long-term health.

“Trust is essential in building a patient’s confidence to visit a doctor,” says Gatpolintan. “Once trust is established, even the most fearful and apprehensive patients become more comfortable with the process and they begin consistently scheduling appointments on their own.”

Design a blueprint for your health

Typically, personal resolutions for the next 12 months focus on working harder or traveling more; but ensuring one’s health and well-being is a prerequisite to fulfilling these aspirations.

“Certifying your health for the next year is a worthwhile investment and it only takes a few hours,” says Gatpolintan. “Learning about your health today lets you know the medical risks you might face tomorrow—and this goes a long way in securing your health and wellness.”

About Cardinal Santos Medical Center

CSMC is a leading hospital in the Philippines, and is most known for its expertise in Neurosurgery, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Care, Minimally Invasive Surgery, as well as Rehabilitation Medicine.

Instituted in 1974, CSMC prides itself in delivering excellent, personalized healthcare to its patients. Throughout its decades of service, the hospital has been characterized by passion, commitment, and professionalism, which are directed towards providing the best experience for its patients and guests. At CSMC, the organizational framework is built on trust, leadership, loyalty, and teamwork.

The 235-bed tertiary hospital is also a proven training facility for aspiring doctors and healthcare practitioners in the country.

Cardinal Santos Medical Center is managed by Colinas Verdes Hospital Managers Corporation (CVHMC) under Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), its sister companies include Smart Communications, PLDT, Meralco, Maynilad Water Services, Manila North Tollway, and ABC/TV5 Network.