Director Brillante Mendoza talks about MA‘ ROSA

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2009 Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza talks about MA‘ ROSA, his inspiration, and the challenges in making the film.

Describe Ma’Rosa in one sentence

MA‘ ROSA shows us a glimpse of a Filipino family set on a typical district in Manila, giving us a slice of life in a community.

What made you pursue the story behind Ma’ Rosa?

The idea of this film came up four years ago when I became indirectly involved with the said incident. It captured my interest to tell this story because it shows a unique but also disturbing characteristic of a common Filipino family. That when a family member is backed against the wall for the wrong doings that he or she made, you will do everything to keep them out of trouble even if it means violating basic virtues. In a society where survival of the fittest is a fact that we have to live with, family becomes amoral.

What were the challenges in putting the story together for the screen?

The whole film was treated like a documentary film with a strong feel of realism, using found objects and locations in production design. But what seems to be a simple production endeavor is actually a formidable challenge to any filmmaker because even though this was filmed in a minimalist manner, the truth is we are still doing a feature film with real actors trained in different disciplines of acting. 

In able for us to capture the precision raw emotions, I told them to throw away everything that they have learned in their acting profession and just act plain and natural as their characters since they should blend with non-actors on screen. 

We heard that you shot the sequences without any script? Why is this?

That’s correct. The actors were never given a copy of the script and were only directed based on how I commute the script. Dialogs were delivered very naturally as they depend on their personal instincts throughout the film. In fact, sequences were filmed in the same order as the story so that the actors can relate to the plight of their character as the shooting progresses. The feeling of uncertainty must materialize on screen as the editing subscribes to the main character’s point-of-view as we follow their account of what transpired that evening.

After Ma’Rosa, what’s next?

A lot of films are in the pipeline. Also a bigger Sinag Maynila for 2017. There is of course the The Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop which is part of my advocacy to “rethink and redefine cinema”.  This is also my way of giving back and training new generations of film makers and storytellers.

Mendoza is known for his advocacies and groundbreaking films that tackle social issues. He is committed in sharing his knowledge and experience in filmmaking with a new generation through his works and workshops.

Ma' Rosa is Mendoza’s 4th film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The first one was Serbis in 2008, which was nominated for the coveted Palme d'Or (Golden Palm). In 2009, Mendoza won Best Director at Cannes for his film Kinatay, and in 2015, his movie Taklub was given the Ecumenical Jury-Prize Special Mention.

Ma’Rosa gave the Philippines and Southeast Asia its first acting award when Jaclyn Jose won as Best Actress in the 69^th Cannes Film Festival. Among the nominees were Charlize Theron, Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, and Kristen Stewart.

The Philippines will get to see what the buzz is all about come July 6 as Ma’Rosa opens in cinemas nationwide.

Ma’ Rosa SYNOPSIS

ROSA, owns a small community convenience store connected to their home in the slums of Metropolitan Manila. Together with her husband, NESTOR, they use their convenient store as cover-up for selling illegal narcotic, Methamphetamines. Their fate changes when their neighbor sets them up for a police raid leading to the couple’s arrest; a ploy for extortion. Backed against the wall, Rosa seeks help from her children, JACKSON, RAQUEL and KERWIN as they do the daunting task to buy their parent’s freedom.

Mark your calendar: July 4 is McDonald’s Welcome Change Day, celebrate with free Burger McDo in select stores

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Every day is an opportunity to embrace change, experience new things, and explore new grounds. Anyone who is ready to welcome change is invited to enjoy Burger McDo on Monday, July 4, from 2:30 to 3:30pm at select McDonald’s stores nationwide, for free!

Coined as McDonald’s ‘Welcome Change Day,’ you can bite into change and savor the new and improved Burger McDo. It’s one delicious hour that you definitely do not want to miss!

Burger McDo is now made with a beefier and juicier patty, tastier and sweeter sauce, all sandwiched in the same soft bun. 

As an added treat, you can also get limited edition stickers that will surely motivate and inspire you to welcome change everyday.

So mark your calendar and welcome change with the new Burger McDo at McDonald’s on July 4! 

Share your photos enjoying the new Burger McDo via facebook.com/mcdo.ph or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter or Instagram with #WelcomeChange. 

For the complete list of participating stores, visit facebook.com/mcdo.ph

Highly-Anticipated ASUS ZenFone 3, ZenBook 3 and Transformer 3 Series to Arrive in the Philippines this August

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ASUS gears-up to bring in the brand’s biggest product releases of the year in the country

After its successful grand reveal at the recent Computex 2016 in Taiwan, ASUS Philippines is gearing up for the massive August launch of the Zenfone 3, ZenBook 3 and Transformer 3 series in the country. 

These are the third generation of ASUS mobile phone, notebook and 2-in-1s, all designed to inspire and allow end-users to pursue their passions through their spectacular functionality and award-winning capabilities.

Making up the new incredible line-up are the ZenFone 3 family, consisting of the new flagship ASUS smartphone ZenFone 3 Deluxe, with advanced camera technology, the incredibly feature-packed Computex d&i Award-winning ZenFone 3, and ZenFone 3 Ultra, the 6.8-inch Full HD Display entertainment powerhouse that bagged the Best Choice Golden Award at Computex 2016. Also coming out in a Philippine debut are the ultra-sleek, lightweight and Computex d&i-awarded ZenBook 3, and the Transformer 3 Series featuring Transformer 3 and Transformer 3 Pro—PCs that pack unrivalled mobility, convenience and expandability.

“Our goal is to provide the inspiration and the reliable products to let our partners chase after their passions, to let them create incredible things, and this launch, this all-new lineup, is by far one of the biggest step we’ve taken to achieve that goal. This year, when we say ‘all-new,’ we really mean it. We at ASUS Philippines are all excited to witness this great milestone for the brand locally,” shares ASUS PR Head Anvey Factora. 

The ASUS official promises a series of exciting events and activations to welcome the arrival of the ZenFone 3 to the Philippines next month.

Factora recalled that the launch of the previous Zenfone generation, the Zenfone 2 line-up, created a huge splash in the Philippine market selling approximately 80,000 units of Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) in first wave and roughly 300,000 units of Zenfone Laser Series, making the brand a strong player in the smartphone arena.

“The new Zenfone 3 promises to be even more powerful and stylish than our previous generation and this early, we are receiving a lot of great reviews and feedback from reputable media outlets, and key organizations worldwide. Last June, Forbes Magazine said the Zenfone 3 “redefines the android super phone category”

“We expect the Zenfone 3 to be a hit in the Philippine market as well,” Factora added.

A closer look at the all-new ASUS incredible product line

ZenFone 3 Deluxe — World’s First Full-Metal Smartphone with Invisible Antenna Design

ZenFone 3 Deluxe is the flagship model of the ZenFone 3 family and the ultimate expression of ASUS smartphone design. It is constructed with a strong and light aluminum alloy unibody, and has a rear surface free of unsightly antenna lines and an ultra-thin 4.2mm edge.

ZenFone 3 Deluxe features a 5.7-inch Full HD (1920 by 1080) Super AMOLED display with a gamut of over 100% NTSC color space for rich, vibrant colors, even in harsh, outdoor lighting.
An ultra-thin bezel gives ZenFone 3 Deluxe a 79% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized display in a compact package.  

Inside, ZenFone 3 Deluxe has a powerful Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820 Series processor, Adreno™ 530 GPU, and integrated X12 LTE modem, as well as up to 6GB RAM to deliver the best performance and fast connectivity for demanding apps, games, and media. 

ZenFone 3 Deluxe raises the bar for mobile photography with its incredible 23MP camera featuring the latest Sony IMX318 image sensor, a large f/2.0 aperture lens, and 4-axis optical image stabilization for high-resolution, blur-free, and low-noise photos in almost any lighting condition. It also features 3-axis electronic image stabilization for steady 4K UHD videos. Coupled with an ASUS TriTech autofocus system that automatically selects 2nd generation laser, phase detection, or continuous autofocus to provide accurate and nearly instant 0.03-second focusing and subject tracking, as well as exclusive PixelMaster 3.0 technology, ZenFone 3 Deluxe captures truly stunning photos and videos. 

ZenFone 3 Deluxe has a built-in fingerprint sensor that's perfectly positioned on the rear of the phone to sit underneath the user's finger and unlocks the phone in just a fraction of a second. Quick Charge 3.0 technology reduces battery recharge times and a reversible USB 3.0 Type-C port that makes connecting charging and accessory cables effortless. 

ZenFone 3 Deluxe also excels at audio with its powerful five-magnet speaker and NXP smart amplifier that provides clear, defined sound and also protects the speakers from damage. When listening over certified headphones, users can enjoy Hi-Res Audio (HRA) that provides up four-times-better sound quality than CDs.

ZenFone 3 — Agility, Beauty, and Clarity

Winner of a Computex 2016 d&i Award, ZenFone 3 is a feature-packed smartphone that brings premium design and empowering performance to everyone. Built around a gorgeous 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 by 1080) Super IPS+ display with up to 500cd/m2 brightness, ZenFone 3 delivers an incredible visual experience that makes apps, videos, and games look their best. With a narrow bezel, ZenFone 3 provides a 77.3% screen-to-body ratio for a maximized viewing area in a slim and compact body. The front and rear of the phone are encased with scratch-resistant 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass that gently curves to make the edge of the phone completely smooth.

ZenFone 3 is equipped with a 16MP camera with ASUS TriTech autofocus that automatically selects 2ndgeneration laser, phase detection and continuous auto focus to achieve precise focus in just 0.03 seconds, resulting in sharp images in any condition.

ZenFone 3 is the first smartphone worldwide to be powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa‑core processor — the first Snapdragon 600 Series processor with 14nm FinFET process technology, an integrated X9 LTE modem, and 802.11ac MU-MIMO Wi-Fi connectivity — PC-grade graphics and up to 4GB RAM that together deliver outstanding mobile performance with improved efficiency and battery life. 

ZenFone 3 has a built-in fingerprint sensor that's perfectly positioned on the rear of the phone to sit underneath the user's finger and unlocks the phone in just a fraction of a second.

ZenFone 3 Ultra — Unleashed, Unlimited, and Unrivaled

Winner of a Computex 2016 Best Choice Golden Award, ZenFone 3 Ultra is a smartphone designed for multimedia lovers, featuring a 6.8-inch Full HD (1920 by 1080) display with a 95% NTSC color gamut for rich, vibrant images even outdoors in harsh lighting. It is the world’s first smartphone to have ASUS-exclusive Tru2Life+ Video technology, which harnesses a high-end 4K UHD TV-grade image processor to optimize every pixel in each frame before it is displayed, resulting in superior contrast and clarity. 

ZenFone 3 Ultra also excels at audio with its two new powerful five-magnet stereo speakers and a NXP smart amplifier that provides clear, defined sound and protects the speakers from damage. When listening over certified headphones, users can enjoy Hi-Res Audio (HRA) that provides up to four-times-better sound quality than CDs and the world’s first smartphone with virtual 7.1-channel surround sound with DTS Headphone:X.

Like ZenFone 3 Deluxe, ZenFone 3 Ultra has an incredibly slim and elegant full-metal unibody chassis — the world’s first to have no antenna lines. An ultra slim bezel gives ZenFone 3 Ultra a 79% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the viewing area while minimizing its overall size and weight. ZenFone 3 Ultra is equipped with the same high-resolution 23MP camera with ASUS TriTech autofocus system as ZenFone 3 Deluxe. 

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, Adreno 510 graphics, and up to 4GB of RAM, ZenFone 3 Ultra delivers outstanding mobile performance. A built-in fingerprint sensor is perfectly positioned on the front of the phone beneath the user's finger and unlocks the phone in just a fraction of a second.

ZenFone 3 Ultra also has a high-capacity 4600mAh battery for long-lasting performance and Quick Charge 3.0 technology for rapid recharge times. ZenFone 3 Ultra even works as a power bank with 1.5A output for quickly charging other mobile devices.

ZenBook 3 — The World’s Most Prestigious Laptop with Unprecedented Performance

The next-generation ZenBook is completely redesigned with a gorgeous, ultra-sleek 11.9mm chassis that weighs a mere 910g. To achieve its amazing lightness without compromising strength, ZenBook 3 is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, a premium material that is 50% stronger than the standard alloy used in laptops. As well as being strong and light, this material is also supremely elegant and features the signature ZenBook spun-metal finish.

ZenBook 3 is available in three exclusive colors — Royal Blue, Rose Gold and Quartz Grey — and a special 2-phase anodizing process is used to create stunning golden highlights on the diamond-cut edges.

ZenBook 3 delivers unprecedented performance with up to an Intel® Core™ i7 processor, 16GB of 2133MHz RAM, up to a 1TB PCIe® Gen 3 x4 SSD, a next-gen USB Type-C port, and powerful quad-speaker audio by Harman Kardon. Its high-resolution 12.5-inch display has a wide 72% NTSC color gamut and has an edge-to-edge covering of tough, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 4. A slim bezel design provides an 82% screen-to-body ratio for the maximum display size with the minimum footprint. ZenBook 3 has an innovative cooling system featuring the world’s thinnest fan design at just 3mm. This efficient cooling enables ZenBook 3 to achieve incredible performance in an ultra-thin from factor.

ZenBook 3 features a full-size backlit keyboard with 19.8mm key pitch — the same as most desktop keyboards — and 0.8mm key travel to deliver comfortable typing experience. A glass-covered precision touchpad provides smooth and accurate input and incorporates palm-rejection technology, Smart Gestures, and handwriting support for enhanced usability. A built-in fingerprint reader with Windows Hello support gives users instant one-touch access, allowing them to sign in and unlock ZenBook 3 quickly and securely without having to type their password or PIN.

ZenBook 3 provides up to 9 hours of battery life for all-day computing. When it’s time to recharge, fast-charge technology brings ZenBook 3's battery up to 60% capacity in just 49 minutes.

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro — The World’s Most Versatile PC

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is a 2-in-1 PC that combines unrivalled performance with incredible portability to create the ultimate mobile device for work and play. Precision crafted from aluminum, ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is only 8.35mm thin, yet has incredible structural strength and rigidity. ASUS Transformer 3 Pro has diamond-cut detailing that accentuates its elegant design, and it is available in gorgeous Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray color options.

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro has an integrated metal kickstand with a stepless hinge that lets users set the device at almost any viewing angle up to 170°. The included ASUS Transformer Cover Keyboard is a backlit keyboard that provides laptop-grade 1.4mm key travel for a comfortable typing experience and is available in four attractive colors — Stone, Charcoal, Taupe, and Amber — that perfectly complement the device. ASUS Transformer 3 Pro has a beautiful 12.6-inch display with a resolution of 2880 by 1920 and a 275ppi pixel density for pin-sharp, detailed images as well and a gamut of 121% sRGB color space for rich, vibrant colors. Dual front stereo speakers with audio by Harman Kardon provide spacious, defined sound for incredible listening experiences.

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and has up to a 1TB PCIe x4 SSD and 16GB of 2133MHz RAM for the ultimate performance. Its versatile, any-way-up USB Type-C connector supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices at speeds up to 10Gbps, and Thunderbolt™ 3 provides unbelievably fast 40Gbps data transfers and support for dual external 4K UHD displays. ASUS Transformer 3 Pro also comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI ports for convenient connectivity. A 13MP rear camera lets users capture high-resolution photos and videos, and a front-facing camera with Windows Hello facial recognition enables users to conveniently log in with just a quick glance.

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro is expandable with a range of accessories that extend its functionality and performance, giving users a new level of flexibility and convenience from a mobile device. ASUS Pen is a beautifully crafted writing and drawing utensil that offers 1024 levels of precision for completely natural note taking and sketching experiences with a high degree of control. 

Users can also capture photos with ASUS Transformer 3 Pro’s high-resolution camera and annotate them directly with ASUS Pen. ASUS Universal Dock is a hub that provides a full range connectivity ports, including USB-C 3.1, USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA, RJ45 LAN, and a 3-in-1 SD card reader. ASUS Audio Pod is an entertainment accessory that includes four powerful speakers to deliver amazing 360° virtual 5.1-channel surround sound and with rich, defined bass. ROG XG Station 2 is an external graphics card dock that gives ASUS Transformer 3 Pro desktop-grade graphics performance, turning it into a VR-ready gaming powerhouse.

ASUS Transformer 3 — The Mobile PC, Redefined

ASUS Transformer 3 is an ultra-slim and compact 2-in-1 PC that provides users with the ultimate mobility, total convenience, and amazing expandability. Precision crafted from aluminum, ASUS Transformer 3 weighs just 695g, is only 6.9mm thin, and has smaller dimensions than a sheet of A4 paper. Its compact and elegant design is accentuated by diamond-cut edges and an exquisite spun-metal finish. Equipped with the detachable ASUS Transformer Sleeve Keyboard that has 1.4mm key travel, an integral 2-position display stand, and a glass-covered precision touchpad, ASUS Transformer 3 provides comfortable typing and smooth, accurate input for the best productivity and creativity experiences. 

ASUS Transformer 3 is available in gorgeous Icicle Gold and Glacier Gray color options. The ASUS Transformer Sleeve Keyboard is available in four attractive colors — Stone, Charcoal, Taupe, and Amber — that perfectly complement ASUS Transformer 3.

ASUS Transformer 3 has a beautiful 12.6-inch display with a resolution of 2880 by 1920 and a 275ppi pixel density for pin-sharp, detailed images, as well as 450cd/m2 brightness and a gamut of 121% sRGB color space for rich, vibrant colors. An ultra-thin bezel provides an 80% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the display area while keeping the device compact and highly portable. ASUS Transformer 3 delivers enhanced video performance with ASUS Tru2Life Video technology, which optimizes every pixel in each frame before it is displayed, resulting in superior contrast and clarity for the best, most realistic video quality.

ASUS Transformer 3 contains four high-quality speakers with audio by Harman Kardon. Each speaker is powered by a smart amplifier to deliver rich, detailed, and immersive sound, even at loud volumes. ASUS Transformer 3 automatically adjusts the direction of the sound depending on the orientation of the device, ensuring users will always enjoy optimum audio quality

ASUS Transformer 3 is powered by 7th Gen Intel Core processors and has up to a 512GB SSD and up to 8GB RAM that provides fast performance for work and play. Its versatile, any-way-up USB Type-C connector supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices at speeds up to 10Gbps, and Thunderbolt™ 3 provides unbelievably fast 40Gbps data transfers and support for dual external 4K UHD displays. A built-in fingerprint reader and Windows Hello lets users sign in to and unlock ASUS Transformer 3 quickly and securely without having to type their password or PIN. ASUS Transformer 3 also includes a 13MP camera for capturing high-resolution photos and videos.

ASUS Transformer 3 is expandable with a range of accessories — including ASUS Pen, ASUS Universal Dock, ASUS Audio Pod, and ROG XG Station 2 — that extend its functionality and performance, giving users a new level of flexibility and convenience from a mobile device.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Tune into ASUS Philippines’ social media pages for more information on local pricing and availability.

Starbucks: A Sweet And Chocolatey Frappuccino Treat

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Mocha Ribbon Chip Frappuccino Blended Beverage with Cookie Straw – Our signature Coffee Frappuccino is made more exciting with java chips for a chocolatey crunch. We then line the cup with Mocha sauce before pouring the Coffee Frappuccino for a sweet balancing flavor. 

The beverage is then finished with Chocolate whipped cream, aromatic Turkish coffee grind and a cookie straw. Available only from July 4 – 10.

Frappuccino Cookie Straw – Instead of sipping your Frappuccino with a green straw, why not use a rolled sweet wafer biscuit lined with rich chocolate ganache? The cookie straw is light and crispy with a slightly toasted, sweet wafer and chocolate flavor.

Available for purchase separately starting July 11.

Darren Espanto conquers Singapore

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Darren Espanto, Filipino-Canadian singer and the so-called Total Performer, is not only making waves in the Philippines but has been conquering the international scene as well. 

The most recent, in Singapore.

This kid with amazing pipes recently had a promo tour from June 16 to 19 in Singapore, as his sophomore album "Be With Me" was released in the Lion City under Universal Music Singapore. 

Darren's day started with radio tours at Singapore's top English stations 987FM and Power 98 as well as a Press Conference at Ngee Ann Polytechnic where he was joined by US singer Greyson Chance and Malaysian girl group De Fam. 

The next day was spent with interviews with Singapore media then an explosive performance at Universal Music Singapore’s private event where he performed alongside Universal Music artists Greyson Chance (United States), De Fam (Malaysia), Micapella (Singapore) and Gentle Bones (Singapore). He opened the show for Greyson Chance for “A Rooftop Affair” event at MyVillage@Serangoon on the 18th and on the 19th, he formally launched his album “Be With Me” via an album signing session at Junction 8 Mall. Darrenatics in Singapore lined up to have their albums signed till stocks were sold out, as the retailer had to accommodate preorders for the album for fans who wanted to see Darren in the flesh.

“I am so thankful to be given a chance to be in Singapore again this time promoting my album. Never have I imagined that my album will be released on CDs in Singapore and it feels good to be there and meet my Singapore fans,” Darren said.

After Singapore, what’s next? Find out soon.

Aside from promoting the album, Darren also recently held a major concert entitled “D Total Experience” last June 25, 8pm at the Kia Theatre.

"Be With Me" CDs are out under MCA Music, now available at Astroplus and Astrovision outlets. The album can also be downloaded and streamed via Spinnr, iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. For inquiries, contact MCA Music artist management at 9162504 local 107 or 0920 9682991 or email mcabookings@umusi.com. 

For more updates on Darren, like or follow MCA Music via facebook, Instagram (mca_music), Twitter (mca_music), Snapchat (mca_music) or Vine (mca_music).