Bianca Gonzalez bonds with Social Media

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TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez is really an influencer. She opinionates. She endorses. She tells stories.

Bianca is adept at using social media and is one of the most followed and watched in the online world in the Philippines. She has also put the power of social media to good use.

On social media, she bills herself as a storyteller. Bianca currently has 6.3 million followers on Twitter, 1.8 million followers on Instagram, and 2.7 million followers on her Facebook page. 

Is Bianca a millennial mom? Millennials, also known as Generation Y following Generation X. These present times, young and old peeps, as they call themselves, millenials always talk on anything under the sun. 

But for whatever, whenever, her feed shows a mix of her family life, her thoughts for the day, her home and travel tips, her observations on topics big and small. 

Married to basketball player JC Intal, Bianca is now at the "toddler stage" of her parenting journey. Bianca admits she still 21-month old daughter Lucia.

Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Toni Gonzaga - Soriano, Bianca Gonzalez - Intal

According to Bianca, with her best friends in showbiz, Toni Gonzaga - Soriano and Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, talks always now about family matters, parenting and taking care of their babies. 

"Technology has changed the way parents raise their children. With the internet, parenting information is just a swipe away. And social media has made moms more connected than ever," says Bianca.

Social media definitely adds to the pressure moms feel, shared by Bianca. “Whenever I see posts it’s always the happy, beautiful, smiling, ‘this is the best thing ever’ side of motherhood. But on the first three months -- di ka pa naliligo, di ka kumakain on time. So I try to be more realistic about my posts kasi may culture shock, medyo may trauma talaga. I didn’t know what to expect,” she shared.

She is also known to post about issues that affect all of us: traffic, climate change, education, government, even food, beauty and or parenting. Sometimes she gets into a testy twitter exchange with netizens like when a twitter user tweeted: "So what if there is martial law"? An irked Bianca shared a video of martial law survivors who recounted their experiences on the regime. She admonished netizens not to joke about it, but also educated them on the difference of martial law then, and martial law now, under the 1987 Constitution. This, among many other topics she gets into, and sometimes gets into trouble with, all to share what she believes in.

She previously worked with different organizations for her advocacies, such as UNICEF for her work with children and early childhood education, and the Climate Change Commission to help spread awareness on environmental issues.

Bianca is media savvy. Beyond social media, she also writes a column for the Lifestyle section of the Philippine Star, and is the best-selling author of the book Paano Ba ‘To?! How To Survive Growing Up, which was released in 2014, but is still being posted about and sold in select stores today.

It is in this sphere of influence that Bianca is a favorite, a respected figure among advertisers who seek her endorsement for their products. 

Visa, for one. Bianca is the first Philippine endorser of Visa. Recently the multinational company partnered with Bianca to tell stories of how cashless transactions benefit a consumer. She was also recently launched as the first ever brand endorser of Sanicare, a mega brand that has been around for over two decades. She is also the face of Globe Telecom, Samsung Digital Appliances and Samsung TV (with husband JC Intal and Lucia), EQ Diaper and Johnson & Johnson (both with Lucia), and Glade. As one of the country's most seasoned hosts, she currently is at the helm of the entertainment news program Cinema News on Cinema One, which has been running for 9 years now, and the lifestyle show Modern Living on ANC, which is starting its 8th season this September.

A few weeks ago, she was a speaker at the #ThinkPH forum organized by Rappler where Bianca shared some thoughts on the use of social media: "You have to ask yourself: what is the effect on you of the people you follow? When it feels overwhelming, take a step back and log off for a bit." She also underscored the need for accountability and etiquette of social media users.

A lot of beautiful things are happening in Bianca's life—from family life to career—and she is just extremely thankful.

Bianca Gonzalez is managed by Asian Artists Agency.

For inquiries email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765

DJI Brings RoboMaster 2017 Finals To Twitch

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Annual Robotics Competition Finals Will Be Globally Livestreamed Exclusively On Twitch From July 31 To August 6

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today announced that the RoboMaster 2017 competition finals will be livestreamed exclusively on social video platform Twitch1. RoboMaster 2017 is an annual robotics competition for teams of aspiring engineers to design and build next-generation robots and to complete with teams from around the world. The competition finals will be made available to the international audience on Twitch (www.twitch.tv/robomaster) from July 31 to August 6, with both English and Chinese commentary.

“RoboMaster is an exciting competitive event that combines innovative engineering, gaming and entertainment,” said Cinzia Palumbo, Senior Brand Manager at DJI. “The competition started in China a few years ago and now attracts teams from the U.S., U.K., Germany, and the rest of Asia. By streaming RoboMaster 2017 on Twitch, it will enable us to reach a global audience and allow more people to realize how robotics could impact and change the world we live in.”

Palumbo continued, “The robots, the intricacies of the game, and adrenaline-pumping action will provide a highly entertaining experience for those watching in person at the stadium, as well as those viewing it on Twitch from wherever they are in the world.”

Sponsored by DJI, RoboMaster has become one of the most advanced and entertaining robotics competitions in the world. Over 200 teams signed up to participate in this year’s event, with 32 teams competing in the final round from July 31 to August 6 at China’s technology capital of Shenzhen. In the city’s largest sporting arena, the Shenzhen Bay Stadium, and under the eyes of thousands of attendees and millions of people watching online, the most talented teams will compete head-to-head with their self-developed robots on a complex and futuristic battlefield.

Each side has five types of robots: Hero, Infantry, Engineer, Drone, and Base. At the start of each seven- minute match, both teams set off from their starting corners, firing at each other on the obstacle-filled battleground. Every robot is equipped with sensors that convert hits into reduced Health Points (HP).

1Except in ChinaWhen a robot's HP drops to zero, it will be disabled, allowing the opposing team to further penetrate the opponent’s base. A team wins when it destroys the opponent's Base robot or whichever team has a higher Base HP at the end.

For the first time, the RoboMaster 2017 finals will be livestreamed to an international audience via Twitch. Twitch is a leading live social video platform and community where 10 million visitors gather each day to watch and talk about an array of content from gaming to the creative arts with more than 2 million unique content creators each month.

“The Twitch community has shown an affinity for both creative and competitive content, with RoboMaster 2017 capturing both of those elements,” said Zachary Diaz, Partnerships Manager at Twitch. “Since DJI is an extremely innovative tech company and everyone loves to see robots in action, we’re looking forward to seeing the action unfold.” .

Organized and sponsored by DJI, RoboMaster has become a yearly-anticipated robotics competition for young engineers to design and build next-generation robots and compete for intellectual supremacy on the RoboMaster battlefield. Not only has RoboMaster gained popularity among the engineering community in recent years, it has become an exciting and entertaining spectator event for the general public. The RoboMaster stadium attendance at the competition finals is expected to reach 20,000 this year.

For info about 2017 RoboMaster, visit: https://www.robomaster.com/en-US/robo/2017 

About DJI

DJI is a global leader in developing and manufacturing civilian drones and aerial imaging technology for personal and professional use. DJI was founded and is run by people with a passion for remote-controlled helicopters and experts in flight-control technology and camera stabilization. The company is dedicated to making aerial photography and filmmaking equipment and platforms more accessible, reliable and easier to use for creators and innovators around the world. DJI’s global operations currently span across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and its revolutionary products and solutions have been chosen by customers in over 100 countries for applications in filmmaking, construction, emergency response, agriculture, conservation and many other industries.

For more information, visit  

Website: www.dji.com 

DJI Store: store.dji.com/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DJI 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DJIGlobal 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJIGlobal and 

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/DJI

Why ASUS Zenfone is for the explorer in you

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The ASUS Zenfones as smartphone that goes beyond expectations, captured the attention of many Filipinos since the release of its first model in the country. From its remarkable front camera to its impressive battery life, the Zenfone is the perfect device for all kinds of adventures. 

Here are four reasons this little wonder from ASUS is a cut above the rest:

1. A superior battery life that keeps up with you

Imagine being in the beautiful shores that Bantayan Island, and soaking up all the beauty that it has to offer. You grab your phone to capture this spectacular sight, only to find your battery dying at the last minute. It’s a nightmare, we know. Your bucket list moments shouldn’t be left uncaptured because of poor battery. The Zenfone, with its undeniably impressive battery capacity that can go up to 5,000 mAh (milliamp Hour) mixed with energy-efficient processors, knows this struggle. Now you can keep on shooting your picture-perfect adventures, and even keep up with your day-to-day activities such as surfing the web, playing mobile games, or just checking your social media accounts!

2. Catching the moment is a breeze 

The ASUS Zenfone is built for photography. You’re given a wide array of Instagram-worthy photos with every click. May it be a simple one day out of town trip at Tagaytay or a week-long surfing escapade at La Union, this phone will boast of game-changing photo features like a high-end color correction device, wide digital image stabilizer, and real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging—which used to be only found in DSLR cameras!

3. A design that lets you show your personality

The ASUS Zenfone’s exteriors do not disappoint too. Whether you like sleek and stylish, or want fun and quirky, this model offers a wide range of colors that can fit any preference. From your common black, white, and silver shades to your bright pink, blue, and purple hues, the Zenfone’s got you covered with phones that you can say are uniquely yours. 

4. A quality phone that pays off

All of these features of the ASUS Zenfone come at a reasonable price. Designed for photography enthusiasts, this phone line only gets better series after series. Its mid-range variants are for those looking for a phone with distinct camera and battery features but are on a budget and its more premium units are designed for pros on the lookout for specific and advanced specs. 

A phone designed to be your trusty companion no matter what lies ahead; the ASUS Zenfone is the perfect fit for your inner explorer. All that’s left for you to do is to climb that mountain, take that road trip, or go off on another quest in search of that next great maximum, incredible experience.

Coffee Culture alive and well at Festival Mall Alabang

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“It’s where the City’s heart beats”.

Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City is a destination not only for shopaholics looking for the hottest finds, but also for coffeeholics out to get their caffeine fix amid relaxing conversation with family and friends.

Festival Mall announces to the coffee nation in the South the opening of three new branches of favorite coffee houses: Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Seattle’s Best.

“We want Festival Mall to be not only a place to shop, but also to hang out with friends and relax, which for many of us, involves having coffee. With the opening of these new coffee shops, we can envision the mall as a vibrant hang-out spot,” states Rose Nuqui, Vice-President for Marketing, Exhibits and Conventions, and Amusement Centers of Filinvest Alabang. “We look forward to the mall being the place-to-be to not only shop and dine but to really spend time, watch a show, and have a great time with friends or family over coffee.”

At the newly opened expansion wing located in front of Asian Hospital and Medical Center is Starbucks. Already the third branch at the mall, the new Starbucks outlet serves up its coffee and tea-based drinks, meals, sandwiches, pastries, and juices in a spacious, airy environment and modern interiors of wood and glass. Coffee lovers can try out Starbuck’s cult favorite Roasted Marshmallow S’mores Frappucino, vanilla-based and layered with marshmallow whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a graham cracker crumble. Meanwhile, the Pop’Zel Coffee Frappucino is a taste of childhood with a coffee base and popcorn and pretzel syrup, and then topped with pretzel and popcorn bits. The new Starbucks outlet has also tailor-fit their menu for the busy yuppies working in the area. On offer is their Signature Pairings which feature scrumptious meals paired with a tall featured Iced Tea. Diners can choose amongst the Cold Soba with Chicken Pairing, the Chicken Cannelloni Pairing or the Spinach Lasagna pairing.

Also at the new expansion wing is CBTL, the first outlet in Festival Mall which serves up its famous drinks, including favorites such as the tea lattes, and their Original Ice Blended, sandwiches, salads, pastas, cakes, pastries and breakfast items. Favorites include the Moroccan Mint Tea Latte, the Ultimate Mocha Original Ice Blended drink with Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, the Hot Double Chocolate with marshmallows, the Triple Decker Cheesecake, and the Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich. The space is airy and spacious, perfect for hanging up with friends or catching up with reading, either at school or that novel everyone is talking about.

Seattle’s Best Coffee makes mallgoers at the Water Gardens area stop and smell the coffee. Water Gardens is the newest dining cluster at Festival Mall. The second Seattle’s Best at the mall, the cozy spot has an outdoor area amid lush greens and the sound of water from the cluster’s gardens. SBC offers its limited edition Javakulas.

Coffee lovers can choose amongst refreshing Peanut Buttercup, indulgent Cookie Crunch, chocolaty Java Chip, and delectable Matcha Green Tea. Seattle’s Best also offers its classic favorites such as its breakfast sets, pastas, salads, sandwiches, mochas, and teas.

Festival Mall is a Filinvest Lifemall. It is the center of attraction within Filinvest City and is considered the heart of the city. The Filinvest Mall Group is also ensuring that its upcoming mall developments in other locations such as Il Corso in City de Mare, SRP Cebu, Main Square in Bacoor, Cavite, FORA in Tagaytay among others will constantly resonate the same value of a Filinvest Lifemall. 

Its new branding and tagline goes, “It’s where the City’s heart beats”. It is a premier development in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It is the only mall with five anchor stores: Shopwise Supercenter, SaveMore, Robinsons Department Store, Ace Hardware and Handyman. It has over 700 shops, a total of 3,600 multilevel parking slots, various food outlets, and indoor amusement rides.

Brillante Mendoza's Amo on TV5

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Award-winning director, Brillante Mendoza, brings us yet another masterpiece with AMO. Amo is a crime miniseries that tackles one of today’s most controversial topics – the Philippine government’s war on drugs.

Brillante Mendoza

This 12-episode miniseries is set against the background of the country’s War on Drugs and depicts situations including the rampant vigilantism against suspected illegal drug personalities. It features the story of Joseph, a high school student peddling crystal meth or “shabu” initially to his fellow gang members and later on to a much bigger market inMetro Manila. Amo also shows the controversies revolving around the Philippine National Police in the government’s campaign against drugs as well as its role in rightfully enforcing it.

Derek Ramsay

TV5 President Chot Reyes, Derek Ramsay, Vince Rillon, Brillante Mendoza and Allen Dizon

Allen Dizon 

Cast and crew of Amo 

Heads of TV 5 and Amo TV Series Cast and Director Brillante Mendoza at the Amo Press Conference held at Seda Hotel, North Vertis , Quezon City 

Leading the cast of this cinematic television creation is Vince Rillon who plays the role of Joseph the young drug peddler and one of the country’s leading actors – Derek Ramsay who plays the role of a good cop. Joining the cast as well are Allen Dizon, Felix Roco, Apollo Abraham, Archie Adamos with the special participation of Baron Geisler.

Amo is yet another dauntless television masterpiece by Brillante Mendoza which reflects TV5’s strong commitment to provides quality differentiated entertainment content. 

Catch Brillante Mendoza’s AMO premieres on August 20, 9:30PM every Sunday on TV5.

SYNOPSIS

Set on the background of the Philippine Government’s War On Drugs and the rampant vigilantism against suspected illegal drug personalities, JOSEPH is a high school student peddling crystal meth, locally known as“shabu”, to his fellow gang members. While getting his supplies from a local drug pusher, he and his fellow gang member, JAY, are caught in a hot pursuit operation by the police. A crossfire erupts as the latter escaped the scene while Joseph is brought to the police station together with other drug suspects.

Eventually, Joseph bails out of prison thanks to his junior-ranked police officer uncle, CAMILO (Allen Dizon). 

But as the news of Joseph’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade spreads within the community, he and his gang are now the target of the local authority’s crackdown on suspected drug users and peddlers, coined as Oplan Tokhang. To save Joseph from further conflict, Camilo uses his influence over the Barangay Captain to strike out his nephew’s name out of the list of suspected drug personalities in the community.

Now with a clear name, Joseph discovers that Jay is a police asset spying on their gang; but too late to save their gang leader, RODEL, and his family from the violent wrath of police vigilantes. With Edgar now assuming the gang’s leadership, they vow to even the score with the traitor. The gang murder’s Jay in a dark alleyway, with Joseph leaving a cardboard note on his lifeless body – 

“Adik Ako. Huwag Tularan.”

Days after the Jay’s killing, Joseph transfers to her sister’s apartment in Manila to avoid further conflict with the law. However, he will be introduced to a bigger crime scheme by his brother-in-law, BINO, who is a big time Shabu distributor.

A police encounter led to the killing of HOWARD, a high-end drug peddler who party drugs around clubs in Metro Manila.

GENER, a big time drug lord, orders his subordinate Bino to stop distributing Shabu for the meantime and fill the spot that Howard left. Bino sets-up a meeting with REGGIE and ALEX, club owners of a high-end club in Taguig and tells them his intention to supply party drugs to their patrons.

In return, he will give 20% of the gross sales to Reggie and Alex for allowing the illicit trade to happen inside the club. But for Bino to penetrate the youngsters, he taps Joseph and his friends, Edgar and Tisoy, to serve as his arm in selling the party pill inside the club.

As condition, Bino will give his motorcycle to Joseph if they get the job done.

However, a female customer from a prominent family overdosed herself with the party drug, killing her eventually.

In reaction, an undercover police unit, led by RODRIGO (Derek Ramsay) raids the club and Edgar falls prey to the police entrapment. While Joseph and Tisoy escapes the scene, riding the motorcycle with their supplies.

Right after the incident, Joseph and Tisoy meets Bino in a gasoline station, where the latter instructs Joseph to come with him.

Bino introduces Joseph to Gener as they return the remaining supply of party drugs. As soon as Bino and Joseph got home to Jillian’s apartment, news breaks out that Joseph and Tisoy are now wanted for selling the party pill.

Bino orders Joseph to tell Tisoy to meet them in Maharlikha Village, where Bino lets his friend, RASUL to chop off the parts of the motorcycle to evade police hunt. But little that they know, Tisoy was under surveillance by Rodrigo’s team and was tracked down along his way to Maharlikha Village.

A fire fight breaks loose between the police force lead by Rodrigo and Rasul’s group with the help of Bino. On their way out of the alleyway, Tisoy and Bino are shot dead while Joseph escapes the scene.