Filipino skater Michael Martinez after historic Winter Olympics stint

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The lone Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez, 17, ranked 19th at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics men's figure skating finals on Saturday morning (Manila time). He garnered 119.44 points in his final free skate routine for a two-day total of 184.25. Martinez skated third and held an early lead after six performances.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan won the gold medal with a score of 280.09, while Patrick Chan of Canada won silver. Kazakhstan’s Denis Ten, who finished ninth after the short program, moved up to third place to earn bronze honors.

Filipino skater performed to the tune of "Malagueña" of Ernesto Lecuona which lasted for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds and drawing applause from the crowd!

Congratulations Michael Martinez! We are proud of you! 

           

Michael Christian Martinez performs in the Men's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 14, 2014.

(Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

JDI partners with National Historical Institute to preserve and protect Philippine historical sites

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NHI Solignum Interior Turnover

Historic places give background to great stories of triumphs, conflicts and challenges only made known through history books. 

Just recently in Bohol, many heritage sites have sustained damage from the strong earthquake that hit the area in 2013.  Most of these damages are almost irreparable. Unknown to most people, many other historical structures suffer damages as well. From the structure’s wear-and-tear through time as an aftermath of water damage resulting to the growth of molds; influx wood-boring insects and the most common and most destructive, termite-infestation.       

In 2007, Jardine Distribution Inc. (JDI) a known distribution company and Osmose Protim, the maker of Solignum wood preservatives, formed a partnership with the National Historical Institute (NHI) to protect the heritage structures from damages caused by termites.

Last January 24, JDI and NHI further capitalized on this partnership by joining hands in restoring the Museo ni Apolinario Mabini located at PUP Sta. Mesa. 

As part of the repair and restoration done to the Museo ni Apolinario Mabini, Solignum Interior wood preservative was applied to the wooden structures to prevent a new termite infestation.  Apart from donating Solignum for the site’s restoration, JDI also trained the NHI curators on total termite solutions.

With heads and curators

“Our historical sites are tangible reminders of our identity as Filipinos. They re-tell stories of heroism and love for country that will inspire future generations of Filipinos. Because of their invaluable historical and cultural value, JDI has committed itself to help in their protection and preservation,” said Edwin Hernandez, President and General Manager of Jardine Distribution.

Jardine Distribution, Inc. represents a number of local and global companies that provide world-class crop protection and construction chemical products. They are focused on the safe use of these products, providing technical support, and with due consideration of environmental protection.

Dining experience, the Max's way: Max's Brings Premium Seafood Spread to classic Filipino Fish Dishes

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Holiday festivities may not be over just yet as Max's Restaurant rolls out its newest 4Sharing Meal, an offering that highlights the Filipino's penchant for great food and fun, bonding moments with family and friends.

Let's have a dining experience, the Max's way. 

Starting the year with an innovative and mouthwatering spread, Max's beckons its avid diners to bite into the freshest seafood catch and revel in a unique dining experience, the Max's way. 

4Sharing Sumptuous Seafood Spread

Max’s latest 4Sharing Meal is delectably satisfying to the palate and light on the budget. Diners get to enjoy Max’s Fish Fillet in Black Bean Sauce, a lightly breaded cream dory fillet with red bell pepper strips, spring onions, ginger strips in delectable black bean sauce. For those craving for a sweet seafood twist, they may opt for Max's Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, breaded fish in bite-size portions simmered in a delicious sweet and sour sauce. Foodies may choose between these two delightful dishes and pair it with one whole, regular, sarap-to-the-bones Fried Chicken.

Of course, any Filipino meal will not be complete without steaming cups of white rice and cool glasses of iced tea or any Pepsi soft drink. This amazing offering is perfect for customers dining in groups of 4. Any food aficionado looking for a delicious and value-for-money offering may avail of this mouthwatering feast for only PhP 799. That's PhP221 worth of savings.

Max's 4Sharing Meal offering will run from January 6 to February 26, 2014.

“With every wave of Max’s 4Sharing meal bundles, we seek to excite and satisfy our customers more and more with the most delicious dishes and affordable deals. Whether they are groups of teenagers hanging out together, young professionals meeting up for lunch, or seasoned Max’s customers craving for their favorite comfort dishes, they get the best of everything – delectable dishes that are signature to Max’s and the most budget-friendly price.

As we welcome a very promising year, we want everybody to create new memories and enjoy our freshly- prepared dishes to their heart’s content,” shared Bobby Simborio, Corporate PR and Media Manager for Max’s Group of Companies.

Learn more about Max’s 4Sharing Meals by logging on to www.maxschicken.com. Visit www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant and be the first to know about the most 'sarap-to-the-bones' offerings from the Filipino’s most loved brand.

Love is in the air this February on Animal Planet's Valentine's Weekend

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Discover how animals seduce a potential mate, go through interesting courtship rituals and express love and attraction in Animal Planet’s two-hour, four-part series, Love is in the Wild.

Venture into the animal kingdom’s world of romance, extraordinary love stories, unusual mating rituals and everything else in between on Animal Planet’s VALENTINE’S WEEKEND! In this three-day special, discover how various animals pursue their ideal mate and explore the amazing courting approaches exclusive to each species. Also, tune in to the tales of remarkable bonds shared between animals and human beings.

The love fest airs back-to-back for two hours beginning Friday, February 14 from 9:00 p.m., kicking off with the premiere of a brand new four-part series, LOVE IS IN THE WILD. 

Witness a classic romance between two young monkeys in Romeo and Juliet: A Monkey’s Tale. 

Catch Wildwives of Savannah Lane and uncover how the real queens of Savannah impose their law and outdo their male counterparts in the wild.

Plus, get to know dedicated pet lovers who sometimes love their animals more than human beings on Dangerously Devoted, and follow a heartening story about love and friendship between a man, his wife and three pet African cats on Daniel and Our Cats.

Visit and watch https://discovery.box.com/s/cuef8n67ae4bem8l6owf.

Here's the latest news from Animal Planet! 

On LOVE IS IN THE WILD, witness the tricky path of feral love and unravel how animals in the wild go through a succession of diverse and well-organised rituals to find a companion. Visit the habitats of baboons, Barbary and Japanese macaques and orangutans, and learn about their lifestyle and behavioural differences such as eating habits, social nature and sexual behaviour. Observe birds of the forest – coots, tits, grebes, mallards and hen harriers – in their most important activity of the year, seducing, mating and creating nests. Journey to the Masaï Mara nature reserve, in the southwest of Kenya and watch how animals, both predator and prey, maintain their social relations in the brutal African plains. 

Then, visit the landscapes of Australia and unearth the unique, and sometimes bizarre, courting strategies used by males to lure females. Some of which include “boxing fights” carried out by red kangaroos, mating dances Victoria’s riflebirds fulfill to attract their partners and a synchronised display of courtship bows performed by rainbow lorikeets to impress their lifelong companions. 

Also happening this VALENTINE’S WEEKEND, tune in to a classic romance story of two young monkeys in ROMEO AND JULIET: A MONKEY’S TALE. Offering quirky, new insight into relationships in nature, discover the destinies and adventures of the real queens of the savannah, where females impose their law and rules and outdo their male counterparts on WILDWIVES OF SAVANNAH LANE. Meet DANGEROUSLY DEVOTED pet lovers who sometimes love their animals more than human beings and follow the heartwarming story of love and friendship shared between “lion man” Daniel Radziej, his wife Catherine and their three pet African cats on DANIEL AND OUR CATS.

LOVE IS IN THE WILD encores every Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Sunday at 4:00 p.m. and Monday at noon.

About Animal Planet

Animal Planet is the world’s only brand that immerses viewers in emotional, engaging and passionate content devoted to animals – from wildlife to pets. Animal Planet connects humans and animals with rich, deep content and offers animal lovers access to entertainment, information and enrichment via multiple platforms including television, online and merchandising extensions. Animal Planet is available to 390 million subscribers worldwide. Animal Planet launched in Asia-Pacific in 1998 and is currently distributed to more than 175 million subscribers in 30 countries and territories in the region. For more information, visit Animal Planet at asia.discovery.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than two billion cumulative subscribers in 224 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 196 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3.

In Asia-Pacific, eight Discovery brands reach 590 million cumulative subscribers in 36 countries with programming customised in 15 languages and dialects.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND

EPISODE GUIDE

LOVE IS IN THE WILD

Episode Descriptions

A Monkey’s Life

This documentary follows four families of primates – baboons in Kenya, Barbary macaques in Morocco, and macaques in Japan and orangutans in Borneo – to uncover the differences between each species. Some of these differences include social relations, eating habits and mating behaviour. 

One Day In The Forest

In this documentary, follow the outland road to the woods and fields and see how nature comes back to life during spring. Join the birds of the forest in their most important activity of the year courting, mating and creating nests. Also, meet one of the rainforest’s most fabulous inhabitants- the red deer.

One Day In The Savannah

The African Savannah may be a place where predators reign mercilessly. Nevertheless, animals in the plains of Africa spend a lot of time maintaining their social relations, be it predators or prey. Spend a day in the Masaï Mara nature reserve – in Southwest Kenya – and experience a land brimming with life. 

One Day In Australia 

Australian landscapes are among the oldest in the world. Since its isolation from the rest of the world some forty million years ago, this huge island has become abundant with flora and fauna. Visit this rich wildlife and uncover the wonders of Australia that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND

10 BIZARRE MATING RITUALS

1. The male octopus's penis breaks off during mating and will grow back the following season.

2. The male porcupine showers the female with a long stream of urine before mating.

3. The female bedbug mates by getting jabbed in the abdomen by the male's penis.

4. During the mating season, the red-sided garter snake will engage in a massive orgy, with one female taking on hundreds of partners.

5. The male slug's penis is so large he must find a mate of comparable size, or risk having it bitten off.

6. Cichlid fish eggs are fertilised by the male while they are being carried in the female's mouth.

7. The male anglerfish latches onto the female like a parasite, living off her food and fertilising her when she is ready to lay eggs.

8. In certain midges, intercourse appears to include kissing, but it is in fact the female sucking out the male's bodily fluids.

9. Flatworms are hermaphrodites and duke it out with their penises to decide which one will be the woman.

10. The male hippopotamus attracts a female by using his tail to spray her with his faeces.

How many ways can you say Happy Heart’s Day? KakaoTalk shows you how.

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It’s that time of year when everything is filled with heart shaped candy, flowers, and dinners at fancy places are getting fully booked. Everyone has already geared up to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

So, whether you’re in a romantic relationship or not, there are still ways to celebrate the “most romantic holiday”.

Expressing your love becomes much easier with the advent of new technology. Now, people are on the hunt to find better and more creative ways to get their message across.

Still in the dark about how to get your message across? Impress your girlfriend, boyfriend, friend or parents, by sending them a personalized greeting on KakaoTalk, the number one Social Networking App in the iOS App Store.

Love knows no bounds – It’s no secret that long distance relationships are a bit harder to maintain. This is why couples rely on technology, such as messaging apps, to help them stay connected at minimal cost.

KakaoTalk is best known for its free chat and call feature. The free app especially helpful for those in long-distance relationships because it allows you to make calls and send unlimited messages across the globe.

Group love – You can create groups with up to five members for group calls, which makes keeping in touch so much easier. 

Don’t have a girlfriend/ boyfriend to celebrate?

Don’t worry – find your own fun with your best buddies, and organize a guys/girls night out in an instant! Plus, KakaoTalk is also the worlds’ first to provide free group calls in HD quality, meaning your voice calls will be clearer than ever!

Show your emoticons with action – As body language helps verbal communication, actions on emoticons help deliver fuller and deeper emotions.

KakaoTalk exclusively offers hundreds of moving emoticons that will help expand your breadth of expressions.

They’re also so much more enjoyable to see, and the dancing emoticons are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Get help from Kakao Friends – Kakao is also the only place where you will be able to meet Apeach, Jay-G, Frodo and Neo who will help send your message across.

If words aren’t enough to express your emotions, the mischievous Apeach is here to help you. Bursting with energy, Apeach’s infectious charm ensures a fun time filled with adventure.

To impress your date, ask help from the cool and collected Jay-G. Known for his signature sunglasses and afro, Jay-G is image of a calm, cool-headed and professional dude who is really as clumsy as a bear, has the heart of a pussycat and is hungry for affection.

You can also take your cue from Frodo and Neo, two complete opposites, who despite their differences, always manage to find a way to settle things.

Frodo is a wealthy and spoiled city dog with a small inferioirity complex but a happy-go-lucky attitude. He takes the time to enjoy life, even if it’s something as simple as savoring his morning coffee. On the other side, we have Neo, who is the love of Frodo’s life. Neo is a prim and self-oriented cat who is very self-centered and is obsessed with her bob cut wig. This couple can help you express your affections and make peace with your friends.

Make date planning easier – KakaoTalk’s location sharing feature allows you to share your location or a location of choice to your friends. Simply slide out the hidden menu, click on ‘location’ and designate the location information you want to share. Instead of having to type in difficult directions or opening up a separate app, Kakao allows users to send your location, with address, direction and all, with a single tap. As it makes use of your smartphone’s default map, you never have to worry about your friend not having the same map app for proper view.

“The celebration doesn’t have to be all hearts and flowers. KakaoTalk’s features allow you to get your message across – no matter how simple or how far. We take messaging to the new heights by making them interactive, fun and customizable to fit your mood. Plus, KakaoTalk is very user friendly so anyone can use it!,” says Jean Lee, country head of KakaoTalk Philippines.

KakaoTalk is also running a Valentine’s treat on Facebook and Twitter! You just need to use KakaoTalk’s Valentine’s e-cards and you may get a chance to win an iPad Air! For details, please like www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph and follow @kakaotalkph on Twitter. 

KakaoTalk is available on the iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, Bada, Nokia Asha and PC. For more information, visit KakaoTalk’s website at http://www.kakaotalk.com.ph/

About Kakao Corp.

Kakao Corporation is the provider of KakaoTalk, a mobile messaging application and global mobile social platform based in South Korea. Since the launch of its app in 2010, Kakao has solidified its position as a leader in the mobile industry, expanding its service beyond messaging to a social platform encompassing games, digital contents, marketing, commerce and more. KakaoTalk currently has more than 133 million registered users from 230 countries, and as many as 5.2 billion messages are delivered every day in form of text, photos, video and voice. As a global, cross-platform application, it is available in 14 languages, on Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Nokia Asha and Bada OS. Kakao’s mission is to build a symbiotic mobile ecosystem at the global scale, offering a mobile social platform that provides win-win solutions for users and third-party partners alike. For more information, visit www.kakao.com.ph