"DreamPlay by DreamWorks” , the world's first "Edutainment" Center

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“DreamPlay by DreamWorks” will be the first of its kind in the world when it opens later this year, in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, Melco Crown Entertainment introduces the education-based, interactive entertainment concept. This will be at the City of Dreams Manila, a leisure, gaming and entertainment destination resort currently under development at Entertainment City, Manila, Philippines.

Last Thursday, a media launch when we discovered where ‘Dreams Come to Play’, during the announcement of the City of Dreams Manila held in White Space in Makati City, hosted by Joey Mead.

Melco Crown Entertainment’s leading integrated resort brand, City of Dreams, offers world-class entertainment to its guests from across Asia. The brand’s new resort, City of Dreams Manila, is delighted to bring the DreamWorks brand to Manila, with an exciting ‘World’s First’ education concept based on creating PLAY, CREATE, LEARN experiences.

DreamPlay Blends Entertainment and Learning with Interactive Experiences Featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Most Beloved Characters and Worlds

City of Dreams Manila’s Entertainment Leadership Contributes to Philippines’ Rich Tourism Diversity

Integrated casino resort developer Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation ("Melco Crown Philippines" or the "Company"), a company listed on the Philippines Stock Exchange (“PSE”) with trading symbol “MCP” and a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (“Melco Crown Entertainment”), a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia, today announced a collaboration with global branded entertainment company DreamWorks Animation to develop the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired “Edutainment” center at City of Dreams Manila.

Inspired by the mantra of learning through play, “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” is a revolutionary approach to family entertainment. Each experience is designed exclusively for City of Dreams Manila by the artistic and creative forces of DreamWorks Animation and iP2 Entertainment to combine the best elements of the DreamWorks library with the hands-on activities of an education inspired play-center to create a truly one-of-a-kind family adventure.

“DreamPlay” represents an exciting blend of integrated live and digital play spaces, featuring DreamWorks’ popular characters and creative storytelling combined with innovative educational play, appealing to children and adults alike.

Guests will immerse themselves in the world of DreamWorks Animation, interacting directly with their favorite characters through revolutionary experiences. Interactive environments, featuring the very latest digital technologies, will enable kids to engage in a wide range of thrilling activities, interacting with beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s world-famous franchises including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon. 

“Melco Crown Philippines is delighted to be introducing DreamWorks to the Philippines as we continue our strategy of delivering innovative leisure and entertainment offerings that enhance the leisure destination appeal of Manila,” explained Clarence Chung, Chairman and President, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation.

“Our collaboration with DreamWorks is a further illustration of our expertise in developing world-class, innovative and ground-breaking entertainment for leisure seekers both in the Philippines and internationally. The ‘DreamPlay’ concept delivers an education experience through spontaneous and sensory play that represents an industry first.

Paul Kurzawa, Head of Retail Development & Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation said: "We are very excited to work with Mr. Lawrence Ho and Melco Crown Entertainment to build something that we believe is a truly unique way for children to experience, learn and interact with the characters and worlds of DreamWorks Animation. 

“As a global entertainment brand, we continue to expand our footprint with immersive, year-round fan experiences and ‘DreamPlay’ provides a distinctive opportunity for visitors in a fun and educational setting.

“Harnessing leading digital technologies, this attraction is going to be unlike anything that currently exists and will undoubtedly become a new type of destination for families, both in the Philippines and across the rapidly growing leisure-destination markets of Asia.

In January 2014, City of Dreams Manila introduced Hollywood-celebrity trendsetting Nobu brand, marking the first Nobu Hotel in Asia. With the addition of the world’s first “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” edutainment center, City of Dreams Manila is a further step in realizing its overall vision to deliver world-class and diverse innovative lifestyle and entertainment offerings, and to support the Philippine government’s strategy to broaden the appeal of the Philippines as a leading leisure destination in Asia.

City of Dreams Manila's DreamPlay is set to open this year at Entertainment City Manila by Melco-Crown Philippines, DreamWorks Animation Studios and SM Group of Companies. Thank you Fleishman-Hillard Philippines for this great opportunity to see wonderful world of City of Dreams Manila's DreamPlay.

For more information and updates please visit http://www.melco-crown.com/eng/cod.php,

Lifestyle Made "Fun with Philip"

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“It’s More Fun with Philip” and “Philip Lifestyle Guy” were known as Philip Abadicio's lifestyle talk show magazine for years. As a PR practitioner, he established RPA & Communicate where he mastered the ropes of the lifestyle industry. Abadicio, meant to be a lifestyler.

Lifestyle is simply a life lived in style. There are many styles, choices and preferences. Philip Abadicio wants to make sure that we all have fun while living our different lifestyles in his latest TV show, 

“Fun with Philip,” on GMA News TV every Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. starting on June 14, 2014.

He was meant to be a lifestyler indeed. After finishing college in U.P. Diliman, Philip and his pals setup Wild Life, a clothing store catering to cool high school and college kids. They used the heartthrobs and sweethearts of the top schools and this marketing strategy gave them sales beyond their expectations. The lifestyle editor of the Manila Times took notice of Wild Life and invited Philip to be a contributor.

The initial half page that he had to fill up would eventually be extended into 2 pages with various lifestyle news—food, fashion, parties, beautiful people, travel. The job opened doors and several lifestyle experiences for Philip. 

“My network expanded and I realized I really loved lifestyle news and coverage,” he shares.

Philip also interacted closely with the PR’s and publicity industry. He learned how PR is done effectively and opened RPA & Communicate, a PR agency specializing in lifestyle and society clients. “In the 90s and 2000’s lifestyle was mostly for the affluent, done in English and always featuring high-end products and services,” he relates. Things have changed since then.

In the age of reality TV, lifestyle is no longer just for the rich and those who can afford it. “I’ve always maintained that lifestyle should not just be aspirational but more importantly, it should inspire people to live their lives in style, no matter what circumstance you are in,” he explains.

After 2 seasons each of “It’s More Fun with Philip” and “Philip Lifestyle Guy,” the objective of making sure lifestyle is understood and appreciated by a wider audience has been started. In the latest offering, “Fun with Philip,” the agenda to help and entertain is pushed even further.

Chosen letter senders will experience the food, beauty treatments, fitness regimen, etc. that are featured on the show. More than this, contests both on-air and online via www.philipabadicio.com will give viewers more chances of enjoying the lifestyle features on the show.

“Fun with Philip” is a show made for lifestylers. As they say on the show, “mga Kapusong Lifestylers, we will give you the surprises for you to win the prizes!” A segment called Kwentuhang Kumot, where Philip interviews a celebrity under the sheets as he or she reveals untold secrets, will be there. Philip will also bring the occasional American tourist, Jeffrey Whitney, around the Philippines so he will be obliged to speak Filipino and try the various food, culture and lifestyles.

Philip will be joined by his FunKicks, the sidekicks who will help provide more fun. They are Lucky Mercado as the arrogant, macho man in “Lucky Strikes”, Madam Venus roaming the streets of Metro Manila and letting people try various lifestyle elements as she suddenly reads their fortunes in “Larangan ng Kapalaran”, Bryan Santos is a real fitness coach and will be the conscience of the show after too much eating as the “Exercise Expert”, and Hilda Ehrenberg will be  the ditzy female model “Bru-Hilda”.

“The show will be a lot of fun while you learn something new and you can apply it in your lives plus, you just might win prizes too,” Philip says. “Fun with Philip” will not have a formula, so expect the unexpected.

GMA Network VP for Program Management Joey Abacan and The Lifestylers Media Philip Abadicio contract signing for the TV program "Fun with Philip" airing on GMA News TV every Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. starting on June 14, 2014

Experience New Zealandat Glorieta with Singapore Airlines

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The New Zealand Embassy, Singapore Airlines and Ayala Malls, recently launched a mall-wide promotion, giving shoppers a chance to experience the beautiful and scenic sights of New Zealand.

The promo will run from May 23 to June 22, 2014, leading up to the exciting three-day Experience New Zealand Fair from June 20 to 22 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive. The fair offers mall-goers a taste of the finest food and beverages New Zealand has to offer, as well as the best deals en route to this picturesque destination. 

There will be raffling off two "Experience New Zealand" packages, one for six days and five nights and another for five days and four nights. These packages include round-trip economy class tickets via Singapore Airlines, accommodations, and tours. 

Here's how to join the raffle:

1 - Purchase purchase a Singapore Airlines return air ticket to either Auckland, Christchurch or both, plus a P2,000.00 single and/or accumulated worth of receipts from any Glorietta 1 to 5, The Link and/or 6750 merchants between May 20 and June 22, 2014.

You can do this via www.singaporeair.com, the SQ mobile app, accredited ticket and reservations offices, and travel agents.

2 - Present ticket and receipts to avail of raffle coupons on or before June 22, 2014. Ayala Mall’s AMORE and VIPinoy card holders, as well as Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer members may also double up their chances of winning by simply presenting their membership cards along with the proof of purchase to increase their raffle coupons. 

3 - Raffle tickets may be claimed at the concierge at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive upon presenting the aforementioned requirements. 

4 - Two lucky winners will stand the chance to win an ‘Experience New Zealand’ tour package for 5 or 6 days to Auckland, New Zealand, inclusive of a Singapore Airlines return ticket from Manila, Cebu, Davao or Kalibo, accommodations and tours. 

For more information on this promo, you can contact the Glorietta concierge at (02) 752-7272.

Participating travel agents are also offering tour packages to New Zealand starting from USD 1,197.00 per person, for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together. Shoppers availing of the tour packages are also entitled to join the raffle promo. 

For more information, you may contact the following agents:

RAKSO Air Travel and Tours, Inc at 812-9667 (Makati)/ 353-4809(Manila) support@raksotravel.com 

Travel Specialist Ventures at 928-7487/373-1449/9210580 atrowena.coloma@travelspecialist.ph

Trends Travelmart at 478-5401/478-5654 marissa@trendstravelmart.com;

Interlink at 524-0016 to 18 ditsalcain@yahoo.com

Ecozone at (045) 887-0332/332-8961

The Marvels of Travel at842-7548 or email at lilianne6500@yahoo.com

Land and Sky Travel at (032) 254-5434 or email at richelle.landskytravel@gmail.com

I Love Travel at 232-1366/242-7281/340-3034 ilovetravelntours@yahoo.com

Log on Travel at 313-6319/313-6337 or email at log_ontravel@yahoo.com

Singapore Airlines Tours Desk at 753-5151 to 52 or 756-8899local 7001/7002 or email at tours_mnl@singaporeair.com.sg, cc reservations@siaholidays.com.ph. 

For bookings and more details, visit www.singaporeair.com. You may also contact the Glorietta concierge at 752-7272 for more details on the promo

(photos credit to Tourism New Zealand)

The Azkals, poised to punch ticket to Semis of the AFC Challenge Cup

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ABS-CBN Sports+Action, the official broadcaster of the 2014 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, will air the crucial match between the Philippine Men's Football squad, the Azkals, and the 2010 and 2012 AFC Challenge Cup runner-up Turkmenistan in this year’s tournament live at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives on Saturday (May 24) at 7 PM.

The Azkals are trying to clinch a return trip to the semifinal round with a win over Turkmenistan in a tournament where only the top two teams of each group will advance to the crossover semifinals.

The country’s national football team is currently tied in first place with Afghanistan with four points in Group B after notching a 2-0 victory over Laos in their second assignment of the tournament last Thursday (May 22). Simone Rota and Patrick Reichelt provided the goals for the Azkals, who are smelling blood entering Saturday’s match.

Their upcoming opponent, Turkmenistan, is coming off a stunning 3-1 defeat against Afghanistan – a team held to a goalless draw by the Philippines. The loss proved costly for Turkmenistan as it dropped to third place with three points.

The Central Asian nation also suffered big blows during the loss as it saw starting goalkeeper and captain Nikita Gorbunov and defender Serdar Annaorazov sent off due to straight red cards. As a result, Gorbunov and Annaorazov will be serving suspensions against the Philippines.

In addition, Turkmenistan will also be missing the services of defender Shorat Soyunov as he received his second yellow card of the tournament in the loss to Afghanistan.

However, the Azkals are not without their wounds as they will likely be without key players Neil Etheridge and Juani Guirado due to injuries. First choice keeper Etheridge sat out the match against Laos with a recurrence of his thigh injury while defender Guirado was stretched off in the second half with what appeared to be an injured right knee.

The match on Saturday will be the fourth meeting between the Philippines and Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan won the first two meetings, including their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semifinal encounter, where it scored two goals in the last ten minutes to beat the Philippines, 2 – 1.

The Azkals, though, prevailed during their last meeting in the Challenge Cup qualifiers held at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium last year with a 1-0 win.

Will the Azkals clinch a semi-final berth or will Turkmenistan prevail and add drama to Group B of the AFC Cup?

Find out as ABS-CBN Sports+Action airs the final match of the Azkals in the group round against Turkmenistan live on Saturday (May 24) at 7 PM. Catch the pre-game coverage of the match at 6:30 PM and its replay on Sunday (May 25) at 2 PM.

Globe-linked Southeast Asia-Japan Cable system begins network upgrade

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Network upgrade delivers an increase of 6.5 terabits per second data capacity 

The Southeast Asia-Japan Cable system, operated by an international consortium of leading telecommunications and technology companies that includes Globe Telecom, began implementing a network upgrade to further enhance capacity amid steady growth in bandwidth demand in the region.

The upgrade to the undersea cable system brings an increase of 6.5 terabits per second of capacity utilizing the latest 100 gigabits per second transmission equipment. The sharp increase in transmission technology from the usual 10 gigabits per second, followed by 40 gigabits per second technology, underscores the upsurge in internet usage especially mobile internet. Once completed, the upgrade will set a new benchmark in global data and information connectivity. 

“The upgrade runs parallel with Globe Telecom’s network transformation initiative. As we optimize our modernized network to further build capacity, the SJC upgrade allows better network availability and delivery, providing additional support for expanding business requirements for data,” Globe Chief Operating Officer Gil Genio said.

TE SubCom, an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology, was commissioned by the SJC consortium to carry out the network upgrade. Full system construction of the SJC cable system was completed in June of last year at a project cost of $400 million. Globe Telecom’s interconnection with the SJC cable system, which strengthened the country’s connectivity with the region and the rest of the world, was formally launched in inauguration rites led by President Benigno Aquino and Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala in September last year. 

The undersea cable project consists of 6 fiber pairs with an initial design capacity of up to 28 terabits per second, one of the fastest speeds an undersea cabling system can provide, to meet bandwidth-intensive applications such as internet TV, online games and enterprise data exchange. To illustrate, the cable’s design capacity can support simultaneous streaming of up to 3 million high-definition videos.

The SJC is an 8,900-kilometer cable system, which could further extend to 9,700 kilometers. The cable system links 7 territories that include Brunei, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines, including the option to link with Thailand. 

Aside from Globe, the SJC consortium is composed of Brunei International Gateway Sendirian Berhad (BIG), China Mobile International Ltd. (CMI), China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), China Telecom Global Limited (CTG), Donghwa Telecom Co. Ltd (DHT) (a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom, Co., Ltd.), Google, KDDI Corporation, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin a subsidiary of PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk), and TOT Public Co., Ltd. (TOT).