Piolo Pascual returns to tv drama with family soap “Hawak Kamay”

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ABS-CBN’s newest drama series “Hawak Kamay,” will redefine the Filipino family starting on Monday (July 21). 

The kick-off of the series also marks acclaimed actor Piolo Pascual’s much-anticipated return to television drama following the success of his movie “Starting Over Again” earlier in the year. Piolo will be taking on “Hawak Kamay” along with three of the country’s most powerful child stars, Zaijan Jaranilla, Andrea Brillantes, and Xyriel Manabat. The series will also introduce Grand i-Shiner Yesha Camile, who was under the mentorship of Piolo during her stint in the Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp.

Although he has done a number of television shows in the past, Piolo Pascual said he is still very excited about his upcoming family soap, “Hawak Kamay.”

Pascual said the new ABS-CBN series will focus more on the family as compared to the past projects he’s done.

“First of all, I’m working with four kids, these are child superstars. I’m also working with Iza. It’s different because it’s a family thing. Usually love triangle or love story pero ito, it’s more on the family side. Filipinos are very family-oriented so I believe na makaka-relate ang maraming pamilya. Para sa mga Pilipino talaga ito,” Pascual said.

Asked if he feels pressured for it to do well in the ratings game, Pascual quickly said, “Hindi naman mawawala ang pressure. You have to live with it.”

“I’m just thankful and I guess, what I have to focus on is the fact that I’m given work to do and it’s a blessing. I’m just giving my best and take things one day at a time,” he added.

“Hawak Kamay” will also star Piolo’s “Starting Over Again” co-star Iza Calzado, who will be joined by singer-actress Nikki Gil and “Banana Split: Extra Scoop” and “Banana Nite” mainstay Ryan Bang. The show will also feature Victor Neri, who makes a comeback through “Hawak Kamay,” with “She’s Dating the Gangster” cast member Sofia Andres, and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Axel Torres.

This cast will be behind the story of Gin (Piolo Pascual), a failed musician who becomes the guardian of the three orphans that his dearly departed sister adopted: Emong (Zaijan Jaranilla), Dara (Xyriel Manabat), and Ningning (Yesha Camile). 

Tough attorney Bianca (Iza Calzado) and her sister Lorrie (Andrea Brillantes) witness how the reluctant and unprepared Gin ends up as a potential father figure to these three kids. 

Gin falters in his new role and gives up at one point. Eventually, however, he becomes fond of the kids and even accompanies them in a vacation.

As they encounter different trials, Gin gains sight of the more important things in life, and little by little, they all realize what exactly makes a family.

“Hawak Kamay” will mark the third major project of Pascual and Calzado together, after the films “Milan” (2004) and “Starting Over Again” (2014).

The primetime series will also be a reunion for Pascual and Jaranilla, who both top-billed the action-fantasy series “Noah” in 2010.

The cast of “Hawak Kamay” will be making things exciting at Fairview Terraces, the day before the show launches. Join Piolo, Iza, Zaijan, Xyriel, Andrea, and Yesha as they put on a mall show for fans on Sunday (July 20) at 4:00pm.

Catch the story of “Hawak Kamay” as it begins to unfold on Monday (July 21) after “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit “Hawak Kamay’s” official website (hawakkamay.abs-cbn.com), like "Hawak Kamay" on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HawakKamayTV), and follow @HawakkamayTV on Twitter and Instagram.

Nelson Mandela International Day

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Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner

(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Today we celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, a global movement to honour the great man’s public service and diplomacy, a day of service celebrated on July 18, Mandela's birthday.

During his long life, Mandela inspired countless individuals. In 2009, the United Nations declared July 18th, his birthday, Nelson Mandela International Day. The day was unanimously approved in 2009 by the U.N. General Assembly. It was created to honor Mandela and inspire others to carry on his efforts to "take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time," according to a statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation Initiative.

An Interactive Google Doodle pays tribute to Mandela who has been called both '"The World's Most Famous Political Prisoner" and "South Africa's Great Black Hope"

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.

People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and 

enhances the freedom of others.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall.

During his time in prison, Mandela was restricted to a 2m x 2.5m cell, with nothing but a bedroll on the floor and a bucket for sanitation in it. He was consigned to hard labour and was, at first, only allowed one visitor and one letter every six months.

Nelson Mandela received honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities.

Mandela, the former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Price recipient, died at the age of 95 on Dec. 5, 2013. This is the first time the day has been celebrated since his death.

Let us honour his memory by doing our part in making a positive change and to work towards making this world a better place.

Happy #MandelaDay 

DepEd turns over school building in Batangas

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Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project Phase I, the Department of Education (DepEd) handed over an eight-classroom, two-story building with provisions for Persons with Disability at Julian D. Luna Elementary School.

“Sinigurado natin na may toilet para sa Persons with Disability. Ito ay may mas malaking ramp para magamit ng mga mag-aaral na PWD,” Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro said adding that as a learner-centered public institution, DepEd establishes child-friendly, safe, and motivating learning environments, where differently-abled learners would be able to achieve their full potential.

Luistro said that DepEd ensured that the classroom building was complete -- from electric fans to toilets -- before the turnover. PSIP involves the design, construction, financing, and maintenance of the said classrooms equipped with school furniture, fixtures, and toilets.

Classrooms built under PSIP have a design life of 25 years, as part of the Department’s technical requirements. Under the PSIP I contract, the contractor covers major maintenance such as structural assessment, termite control, and repainting of the school-building within 10 years. 

Continued commitment to basic education

The Aquino administration remains committed in addressing the growing needs in basic education. Even in the "last two minutes" -- as President Benigno S. Aquino III likes to call the remaining years of his administration -- DepEd will continue to provide basic inputs to address incremental enrolment, regular wear and tear, and senior high school (SHS) requirements.

“Ang atin pong itatayo sa ating “last two minutes” ay ang senior high school,” Luistro said. He added that DepEd shall construct more classrooms in this year to prepare for the full implementation of SHS (grades 11 and 12) in 2016.

DepEd begins rapid damage assessments in Glenda-affected areas

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The Department of Education reported that there were 115 school divisions in 12 Regions affected by Typhoon Glenda. Over 50 school divisions have resumed classes and operations as of today, July 17.

To date, a total of 187 schools have been used as temporary evacuation centers since the preparations for the typhoon began. 

DepEd division offices are in constant coordination with their respective local government units (LGUs) for clearing operations and class resumption. The Department is also initiating rapid damage assessments in affected areas.

DepEd urges the public to participate actively in reporting school damage by sending photos and other relevant information to DepEd’s official Twitter Account (@DepEd_PH) and/or via email at communications@deped.gov.ph. Together the LGUs and other national government agencies, the Department remains committed to ensuring the delivery of basic education services.

All DepEd personnel are requested to report on their status to their respective superiors, if they have not yet done so.

For disaster-related queries or concerns, the public may contact DepEd-Disaster Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) at (02) 635-3764, (02) 637-4933, 0908-2630-378, and DRRMOdeped@gmail.com.

“’Dyesebel’ taught me to be stronger .." - Anne Curtis

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“’Dyesebel’ taught me to be stronger and made me realize how committed I can be. We continued to work, rain or shine, because that’s how much we love what we’re doing,” said Anne Curtis.

Anne Curtis admits that all the trials she faced in ABS-CBN’s primetime fantasy series “Dyesebel” made her value her craft as an actress even more.

The “Dyesebel” star said that all the sacrifices were rewarded with the warm support of the viewers every night.

“It is a great honor to hear people call me Dyesebel. It just means the character made a mark on their hearts and minds,” she said.

Anne Curtis admits that all the trials she faced in ABS-CBN’s primetime fantasy series “Dyesebel” made her value her craft as an actress even more.

Since “Dyesebel” started airing last March, it has won over TV viewers and dominated its timeslot because of Dyesebel’s exciting journey with Fredo (Gerald), Liro (Sam), and Betty (Andi), and its focus on protecting the environment.

The “Dyesebel" series where she starred with Sam Milby, Andi Eigenmann, and Gerald Anderson, will air its finale this Friday (July 18). In the last week of the latest TV adaptation of the Mars Ravelo classic, the war between humans and mermaids will reach its climax as Dyesebel fights for her kingdom against Dyangga (Eula Valdez). 

How will Dyesebel protect the world she is destined to reign now that she is married to Fredo? Will their love unite and promote peace between mermaids and human beings?

The powerhouse cast of “Dyesebel” is completed by Dawn Zulueta, Gabby Concepcion, ZsaZsa Padilla, Gina Pareño, and AiAi delas Alas. It is directed by Don Cuaresma and Francis Pasion, and is under the production of Dreamscape Entertainment Television.

Don’t miss “Ang Huling Kabanata ni Dyesebel” on Friday after “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. 

For more information about “Dyesebel,” visit the show’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/Dyesebel.TV and Twitter.com/Dyesebel_TV.