“Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) pocketbooks available in bookstores and newsstands

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It’s time to flip through the pages of the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) pocketbooks once again, as ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. brings back stories for Filipinos to stay tuned for; stories that are set to not only thrill, but to serve as reflections for real people with real tales to tell—of love, family, career, or country.

Two stories will be hitting bookstores and newsstands to kick things off—“Popcorn” and “Fishball” by favorite “komiks” writer and editor KC Cordero.

“Popcorn” details different kinds of love—the love of a boy named Earl for a girl named Maya who has overcome obstacles, the love of Maya as a daughter for her mother Aling Clara, and the love of a mother that asks for nothing except the well-being of her children.

On the other hand, “Fishball” goes into how “puppy love” plays out—between two innocent young ones who are faced with the obstacle of living in two different worlds.

Apart from the romance, “Fishball” also contains life lessons such as respect for one’s family, the importance of making the right decisions, and the necessity of keeping an open mind. Bear witness to the story of Ian, a fishball vendor named Imee, and her older sister Leslie as it unfolds at the turn of each page.

These two inspiring MMK pocketbooks today are available at National Bookstore, 7-11, and BookSale stores and outlets nationwide. Grab copies now and enjoy!

LINE Theme Shop lets you decorate your messaging experience

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Newly launched LINE shop opens your chat rooms for everyone’s favorite LINE characters.

LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform with over 350 million users, has unveiled its new Theme Shop for Android and iPhone users in the Philippines.

Through the store, Filipinos can purchase themes that decorate their LINE chat visuals with LINE characters Leonard and Sally. What’s more, the themes of the ever popular Cony and Brown are still available to users for free.

Since first being introduced in June 2013, LINE Themes have been downloaded more than 200 million times by users around the world to add a personal and colorful touch to their LINE interface.

“The Theme Shop already offers a wide variety of themes centered on the beloved characters of LINE,” said Greg Kim, Senior Manager of LINE Plus Corporation. “In the next months, we will be adding Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma themes, and we promise to deliver more fun-loving motifs as the year progresses.”

Filipino users can also purchase themes from the LINE Web Store (http://store.line.me) and send them as gifts to their LINE friends.

LINE is now available on Firefox Marketplace

The Firefox OS platform has been gaining particular traction among smartphone users, including Filipinos. In line with that, the mobile messaging app has continued to expand its reach and is now available on the Firefox Marketplace.

“We are glad to welcome Firefox users in the Philippines to LINE,” says Kim. “One of our main goals is to advance our accessibility to more Filipinos, so they can enjoy LINE’s unparalleled mobile platform services.”

1. Themes are only supported by the iPhone and Android versions of the LINE app.

2. iPhone users can only send Theme gifts to friends via Web Store only.

3. Purchased themes are supported for 180 days after sales end.

*Useful Links:

LINE Homepage

PC: http://line.naver.jp/en/

Mobile: http://line.naver.jp/app/en/

LINE Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/Line.Philippines

LINE Official YouTube Page

www.youtube.com/lineappglobal

LINE Official Blog

http://en.lineblog.naver.jp/

For LINE Partner:

http://line.naver.jp/partner/pc/index/en

DSWD launches Adoption Consciousness Week

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently launched the observance of Adoption Consciousness Week by setting-up Help Desks in selected SM and Ayala Malls to provide information on adoption for interested individuals and families.

The Help Desks are manned by social workers from DSWD Central Office, Field Offices IV-A, IV-B, and National Capital Region, as well as accredited child-placing agencies, such as Norfil Foundation Inc. and Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF).

 Information about adoption including the processes, requirements, and its benefits and effects are discussed here.

Prospective adoptive couples may visit the following malls on February 15, 16, 22, and 23: SM City Manila, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM City Southmall, SM Megamall, Market Market Mall, Glorietta, and Greenbelt.

With this year’s theme, “Legal na Pag-aampon sa Lahat ng Pagkakataon,” the awareness week aims to highlight the importance of adhering to the legal adoption process in every situation, including during disasters.

dswd.gov.ph

All Out Romance at the Araneta Center: Meet & Greet the Hunks of Juan Direction

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Juan Direction

The Araneta Center went all out on romance over the Valentine’s season as they dished out a slew of exciting events, promos and freebies for its patrons.

The hunks of Juan Direction titillated the fans in a Valentine’s date meet and greet at the Gateway Mall last February 15, 2014. A rowdy group of half Filipinos and Pinoy’s at heart, gained notoriety on the internet to their funny immersions into local culture are Henry, Daniel, Charlie, Brian and Michael.

These half-Pinoys from the group Island Media Asia, started their adventure online via their Youtube channel. Their own made videos about Pinoy life have gone viral, with over a hundred thousand hits, and counting. Now they’re bringing their brand of humour and sense of adventure in  Juan Direction, with the hope of instilling Pinoy pride by exploring the value of things truly Filipino. Juan Direction its newest reality show that features the lives of hunky Fil-foreign models, on a quest to reconnect and discover their Pinoy roots.

Half-Canadian Michael McDonnell, Half-Irish Daniel Marsh, and Half-British Brian Wilson, Henry Edwards and Charlie Sutcliffe on Juan Direction, with their self-entitled show debuting its second season on TV5 the boys, treated their fans to an afternoon of fun games, special numbers, and prizes as the Gateway Activity area.

As an added treat 5 lucky ladies won a romantic dinner dates with the boys of Juan Direction at Gateway Mall.

Mallgoers treated to loads of surprised throughout Valentines’s day weekend, as acoustic bands serenated shoppers at the Farmers Plaza , Ali Mall , and Gateway Mall last Feb 14-15. Araneta Center Malls also dished out special sales and Valentines dining promos.

For more information and event updates,  log on to www.aranetacenter.com.ph 

and www.facebook.com/aranetacenter.

Secretary Luisitro : Education sector, an active participant in the peace process

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"We are not only recipients of a successful peace process, we are also active participants in the process. We include peace in our curriculum; we bring the dialogue of different cultures.” - - Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC 

Koronadal, South Cotabato -- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC emphasized the role of education on the peace process in his keynote address on the 4th Regional Research Congress and 1st Communication Festival in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) held February 11.

“DepEd has always advocated peace. Even before peace process, we put “zone of peace” banners in our schools to emphasize our support to the process,” Luistro said, adding that students were the first affected by any armed conflict due to cancellation of classes and disruption of the learning process. 

Under DepEd Order (DO) no. 44 s. 2005, it is stated that all concerned personnel in the Central and field offices must make the necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of students in each school. This was reiterated by DepEd Memorandum no. 221, s. 2013 which ensures the rights of children even during armed conflicts.

“Kung may alitan sa labas ng lipunan, ang hindi pagkakaunawaan sa iba’t ibang kultura, lumalabas [ito] sa interaksyon ng mga bata sa isa’t isa,” Luistro said emphasizing the importance of inculcating tolerance among students to promote peace in schools.

The education also chief stressed that “in any conflict in the Philippines, for as long as it can be discussed, it can be resolved.”