TierraBela Offers Sensible Family Home Investment in the South

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TierraBela at Eton City has given Santa Rosa City – the self-proclaimed Lion City of South Luzon – another reason to be proud as the residential property development recently began opening its lots to investors. TierraBela promises to be a worthy investment especially for families looking for a prime residential location where the environment is stress-free, yet conveniently close to a vibrant community where urban comforts and amenities thrive.

Envisioned to be a place where city meets nature with its fully-integrated township, the Italian-Mediterranean enclave makes a strong case for families who want to make the move to the South. A project of the Lucio Tan-owned Eton Properties, Tierrabela will hold an open house for interested property seekers on April 14, 2018 at the village clubhouse.

“We are currently offering our clients the opportunity to invest in lots in TierraBela. This lets them take advantage of the natural features of the land area and allows flexibility in terms of building their dream home that is close to nature, away from congested CBDs, without having to travel far for the conveniences of the city,” says Martha Herrera-Subido, Eton’s AVP for Marketing, PR and Corporate Communications.

The 8.7 hectare development boasts of generously cut lot areas averaging 323 square meters, ensuring spacious homes and generous open spaces. TierraBela’s lesser density neighborhood, cleaner air, natural light, and close to nature vibe make it an ideal family weekend getaway destination in itself.

The village features choice amenities such as fitness trails, parks, playground, picnic and barbecue areas for residents to enjoy. The village clubhouse has an adult and kiddie pool exclusively for the use of residents, basketball court, and a function hall. It provides for a safe and secure neighborhood for the young ones to play through a perimeter fence, underground utilities, and 24/7 security within the two-gated community.

With increasing urban congestion, families long for lifestyle and dining hubs close to where they live and work without having to travel far. TierraBela is fully-integrated with a township that offers diverse options in shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment – perfect for mobile families who choose to relocate and work there. The village has its own Eton City exit along the South Luzon Expressway, which makes it easier to go in and out of the village.

Eton City: TierraBela’s vibrant home

Eton City Square, a commercial strip which features over 11.5 hectares of a low-rise retail community mall with modern dining choices, retail outlets, and recreational spaces, will be launched this year. Its innovative format provides a relaxed environment for residents and visitors who want to enjoy modern-day conveniences in the comfort of the suburbs.

With a business district in the pipeline, Eton City is envisioned to be an education hub and one of the South’s relevant business districts. Its close proximity to learning institutions as well as a variety of commercial centers in Sta. Rosa, the neighborhood cultivates a favorable environment for families and businesses to grow. Eton City township is near the University of Santo Tomas Sta. Rosa campus, as well as the future campus of University of the East.

At its full development, Eton City shall feature a central business district; multi-residential enclaves from affordable to high-end; institutional centers such as schools and research firms; and commercial and retail establishments, integrated with recreational areas and parks.

Regine and Nate Alcasid, the newest Jolly Spaghetti endorsers share their most sweet-sarap moments

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“They captured our real lives!” Asia’s Songbird gushes about new Jollibee ad

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and her son Nate Alcasid sing the song “I Can” together as they are welcomed on stage.

The Asia’s Songbird—Regine Velasquez-Alcasid one of the very few who’s successfully juggled being a singer, actress, record producer, and TV host—there’s one role she loves best: being a mom to her six-year-old son Nate.

(From L-R) Jollibee Brand Engagement Manager Cat Triviño, Brand Manager Kat Silvoza, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and her son Nate Alcasid, Marketing Director for Flagship products Cathleen Capati, Brand Engagement Officer Celina Tan.

With an illustrious entertainment career spanning three decades, Regine  has done almost everything, including chart-topping singles and albums, blockbuster movies, high-rated TV shows, and sold-out concerts. 

Regine and Nate—who love to spend time just talking to one another about anything and everything under the sun—are the newest members of the Jollibee family and the stars of the latest heartwarming Jolly Spaghetti TV ad.

In the commercial, Regine revisits a familiar scene—a full concert auditorium with thousands of adoring fans—with a sweet-sarap surprise backstage for Nate. The ad goes on to show us special everyday moments between mother and son, with Regine narrating how being a mom has shed new light on day-to-day situations.

This is not the first time Regine and Nate worked on an endorsement together, but she believes that this one with Jollibee is the most special. “The storyboard is so touching and very personal. It shows my different roles as Regine, but it also shows that my greatest one is being a mom, which is the most difficult yet most fulfilling role I have to play,” Regine shared.

Just like real life

Upon first review of the storyboard, Regine said: “Umiyak talaga ako. I said, “pinag-isipan talaga nila.” I’ve never done anything like this, a commercial that celebrates my being a career woman and a mom.”

Asia’s Songbird also shared that this Jollibee ad is inspired by her real life and her thoughts about being a mom. “In the ad, there’s a line where I say “sa lahat ng kinantahan ko, ikaw lang ‘ang nakatulog.” That’s truetalaga! He really sleeps whenever I sing to him. It’s like they captured our real lives!” she said.

Another scene in the commercial that made Regine emotional is when she sings the lines “Pangako magmula ngayon, tayong dalawa ang magkasama,” which is lifted from one of her platinum hits “Pangako.” This song holds special meaning to the songstress as it was composed by her husband Ogie Alcasid.

Sweet-Sarap bonding moments

Since she gave birth to Nate in 2011, Regine has slowed down her professional life to spend more time with her son. The first seven years are the most crucial to a child’s development, as studies show, and the Songbird is determined to make the most of it.

One of their favorite bonding activities is to talk to each other before bed. “He always has a lot of kwento for me at night,” Regine said. “He would always say, “Mommy, last kwento,” but this last story would go on for 20 minutes! But honestly, that’s the highlight of my day. He really loves talking.”

“We also play with toys but they’re not really toys,” Nate shared. “It’s called amenities!”

“He loves hotel supplies like toothbrushes,” Regine explains. “So one time when I was traveling, I brought everything back home to him. He was so happy, akala mo binigyan ko ng special gift. To him, it was really special because he knows I remembered him. I then realized, you can buy your child all the toys you can think of, but what they really want is more time with you.”

Regine’s realization is not lost on Nate, who—despite his parents’ celebrity status—prefers simple bonding activities like going on picnics and playing with Regine and Ogie. To make these bonding moments even sweeter and more fun, there’s always the sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti to bring more flavor to the Alcasid family’s special time together.

“When it’s time for merienda, he would say “I want one Jolly Spaghetti, two Chickenjoy legs, and two fries.” When I’m not at home, he would ask to order Jollibee and pay for it with his own money! Hindi niya ako hihintayin!” Regine candidly shared.

“The Jolly Spaghetti is so yummy!” the six-year-old exclaimed. “It’s sweet and cheesy and I can eat a lot of it!”

It’s no wonder why Nate—and other Pinoy kids—love Jolly Spaghetti. The al dente noodles are topped with Jollibee’s unique sweet-sarap sauce, meaty hotdog slices, and a generous sprinkling of grated cheese.

“The Jolly Spaghetti’s unique sweet-sarap, flavors have always had a distinctive place in the hearts of Filipino kids and kids-at-heart, because moments spent with loved ones over a plate of Jolly Spaghetti are made sweeter, more fun, and more special,” said Cathleen Capati, Jollibee Marketing Director. “Regine and Nate’s story is not only heartwarming but also relatable to millions of Filipinos.”

Jollibee Brand Manager Kat Silvoza talks about the sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti and how it has delivered countless sweet-saya moments na walang katulad to thousands of Filipino families throughout the decades.

Like Regine and Nate, make your family bonding moments more special with the sweet-sarap na walang katulad Jolly Spaghetti. The Jolly Spaghetti Solo retails for only P50.00* and the Jolly Spaghetti Family Pan (good for four to five persons) for P199.00*. Both are available in all Jollibee stores nationwide for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru.

For more information on your Jollibee favorites and promos, like the Jollibee Philippines Facebook page and follow @Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

* Prices may vary across different locations.

HOOQ Filmmakers Guild Premieres 5 Original Asian Pilots

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HOOQ – the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia – recently premiered 5 original selected screenplays as pilot episodes to on the platform. This is part of the inaugural HOOQ Filmmakers Guild wherein the best of these 5 pilots will be commissioned into a full series on the platform.

The 5 pilots are: Bhak (India), Haunt Me (Singapore), How To Be A Good Girl (Singapore), Aliansi (Indonesia) and Heaven and Hell (Indonesia). The 5 were selected from over 500 submissions received by HOOQ, over a 2-month period, from all over South East Asia. They comprise a mix of genres, from sci-fi comedy to action-thriller and even supernatural-horror.

Peter Bithos, CEO of HOOQ, said, 

“We at HOOQ are so proud of the pilots, which the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild has produced. These pilots are proof of the quality of filmmakers and unique stories across Southeast Asia.It will be a very difficult decision to commission just one series! The success of the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild is just the beginning of many great things for the Guild’s filmmakers. HOOQ is committed to support the talented filmmakers across Asia in 2018 and beyond as we continue to push boundaries to develop unique stories from an Asian perspective to keep our subscribers HOOQ’d month after month!”

Launched in June 2017, the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild is an annual initiative designed to seek out film talents in Asia that have great ideas but lack the opportunity to bring them to lifeon screen.Each of the above 6 screenplays received USD 30,000 to produce the pilot episode.

The pilots will now undergo judging from 5 esteemed filmmakers from Asia, namely Indonesia’s Mouly Surya and Nicholas Saputra, Philippines’ Erik Matti, as well as Thailand’s Wasin Pokpong, and Puttipong Promasakha Na Sakolnakorn. In addition to professional judging, viewership numbers will also be taken into consideration and will also be factored in before the winner is selected.

Award-winning Filipino filmmaker and competition judge, Erik Matti, commented, “Coming in, I had high expectations for this initiative knowing that there is a vast landscape of untapped talent across Asia. True enough, my expectations were met by the sheer amount of fresh and unique talent that stepped up to the plate. And now, I can’t wait for these chosen filmmakers to finally be able showcase their work. Regardless of who wins, I have no doubt that these pilots will not disappoint”.

HOOQ’s Chief Content Officer, Jennifer Batty, said, “This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for since we embarked on this journey in 2017. As a champion of Asian original content, we knew that there was a wealth of untapped potential in our Asian markets. We are incredibly proud of this talented batch of filmmakers who have worked tirelessly to bring their singular vision to life. May the best pilot win!”

HOW TO GET HOOQ

It’s easy to get HOOQ’d. Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ’s extensive library of Hollywood and Asian hits. Globe customers can get to try HOOQ for up to 60 days on selected mobile and broadband plans. 

Find out more and sign up today for a complimentary trial at www.hooq.tv.

Starbucks® Philippines Launches Mobile App

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Starbucks Philippines recently announced the expansion of the company’s industry-leading digital ecosystem with the launch of the Starbucks PH® App, a mobile app providing a fast and convenient payment method for customers at more than 300 stores across the market.

The first coffee retailer to offer this innovation in the Philippines, the Starbucks® PH App integrates the popular Starbucks Card payment method and My Starbucks Rewards® on customers’ mobile devices.

“We are pleased to introduce the Starbucks® PH App to our My Starbucks Rewards® customers as they earn stars and engage with Starbucks online,” said Keith Cole, head of marketing, Starbucks Philippines. “This is the latest Starbucks innovation which aims to provide an enhanced experience and meet customers’ needs in the digital space, while continuing to provide an exceptional experience in our stores.”

Extending the Third Place

A feature called “Shake to Pay” allows customers to shake their phones to bring up a barcode within the app that can be scanned to pay and redeem. The app is linked to their My Starbucks Rewards® account so balances are automatically updated whenever the app is used.

The Starbucks® PH App keeps customers in the loop, making sure they are the first to know the newest product offerings and promos. Customers are notified whenever new messages are received on the app. Starbucks® PH App users are also in for a treat as they receive special offers and event invitations straight into their app inboxes. As an added bonus, users can also share these offers with friends through email and social media accounts.

Register to a My Starbucks Rewards® account and easily track your Stars and rewards on your phone with the Starbucks® PH App. Pool your Starbucks Cards into one account and deactivate a lost Starbucks Card within the app. Users can even view past transactions and track their balance real time. A feature called “Shake to Pay” allows customers to shake their phones to bring up a barcode within the app that can be scanned to pay and redeem. The app is linked to their My Starbucks Rewards® account so balances are automatically updated whenever the app is used.

The Starbucks ® PH App also helps Starbucks lovers enjoy their favorite beverages anytime, anywhere with its store locator feature. Here, they can be directed to the nearest store along with a list of other recommendations in the vicinity as they search by store name, Starbucks Reserve® store, drive-thru store, or stores open at the moment.

The app also includes a menu of beverages, food options, packaged whole bean coffee, as well as seasonal offers and a newsfeed with the latest merchandise that Starbucks customers can easily explore.

Download the Starbucks® PH App on App Store or Google Play Store for access to a wider range of experiences and connect to an exciting network of flavors, rewards, and conveniences right at your fingertips.

Innovating our Digital Flywheel

Starbucks consistently innovates to elevate the coffee experience for its customers. When it opened its first store in the Philippines in 1997, the Starbucks Experience was born. Coffee was redefined for many Filipinos from an ordinary drink that was prepared as part of a morning routine to a perfectly handcrafted beverage, made just the way you like it.

In 2013, after years of serving delicious cups of coffee to Filipinos, the global brand changed the game once more by turning the simple act of enjoying your favorite Starbucks beverages into an even more rewarding experience with the My Starbucks Rewards® loyalty program.

With My Starbucks Rewards®, customers are able to collect Stars, redeem rewards, receive the latest updates on new products, limited-edition merchandise and exclusive events and experience convenient cashless payment with their Starbucks Cards.

NO LIES ABOUT LYING : Deception may be a human trait we all try to hide

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In the time of widespread “fake news,” it’s easy to think of lying as bad and damaging. After all, parents and schools teach children honesty as part of moral upbringing. Acts of fraud, misdirection, and manipulation by politicians and corporations are also called out on the news under the banner of justice. One example is financier Bernard Madoff who ran a Ponzi scheme for years in the United States that stole almost $65 billion from thousands of investors.

History nevertheless offers examples of deception used for reasons beyond evil. One is the fictitious illness “Syndrome K,” invented by the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome to shelter Jews during Nazi persecution.

Of course there are less serious examples of harmless deceit. Just think of stand-up comedians coming up with a bogus story for the sake of humor. Screenwriter David Misch recalls a talk where a critic quotes Louis C.K. to make a point on the authenticity of comedy: “I went to a bar the other night. Where isn’t important, because I’m lying.”

If deception isn’t necessarily malicious, what is it?

The Ubiquity of Lying

Dr. Timothy R. Levine, Professor and Chair of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says in a National Geographic article by author Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, “We all lie, but not all lies are the same. People lie and tell the truth to achieve a goal: ‘We lie if honesty won’t work’.”

Like the three instances above, people lie with different intentions. Bhattacharjee’s article summarizes these based on findings by researchers: self-promotion to take advantage, improve image, or make others laugh; self-protection to cover up a mistake or escape responsibility; impact to help others, uphold social rules, or cause harm; and no apparent reason, as in the case of pathological liars and people with unknown motives, even to oneself.

More surprising is the frequency of lying. According to a survey conducted in the United Kingdom by Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, most adults tell two important lies every day and that one-third of their conversations have some form of dishonesty. People also fail to detect four in five of these lies. The results further show that more than 80 percent have lied to gain employment, while over 60 percent have cheated on their partner at least once. Only eight percent claim never to have lied.

Ingrained in Humanity

Whether it’s a harmless fib or a full-blown fraud, deception takes a certain level of complex thinking. Naomi Stewart in an essay for online magazine I, Science suggests that lying comes naturally to organisms with higher brain functions, such as human beings, since it takes advanced neural processing to weave a false story and remember its details.

Psychologist Kang Lee from the University of Toronto observes this kind of cognitive complexity in children. In an experiment that asks children not to peek at a hidden toy while the experimenter is away, 30 percent of the two-year-old participants have lied, while the number increases to 50 percent among the three-year-olds and 80 percent among the eight-year-olds. Even how the kids have given themselves away shows the increasing sophistication of lying as age goes up. For instance, participants aged three and four simply say what the hidden toy is, while those who are six make an effort to invent an elaborate reason to explain why they know the answer.

The study gives insight to how lying is linked to cognitive development. This link has also led some researchers to believe that dishonesty is a product of evolution with the emergence of more sophisticated thinking and language. Unlike primitive primates that rely on strength to survive, human beings are empowered by bigger brains and language to seek other ways to get what they need, such as through trickery.

“Lying is so easy compared to other ways of gaining power,” says Sissela Bok, an ethicist at the Harvard University. “It’s much easier to lie in order to get somebody’s money or wealth than to hit them over the head or rob a bank.”

Catching a Liar

Still, some forms of deception are worth calling out, as in the case of Bernard Madoff. However, not many of us are adept at distinguishing lies from the truth, which may be the reason why fake news has gotten a strong foothold on social media.

A basic understanding of lying can help expose deceivers. In the television legal drama Bull, for instance, psychologist and trial science expert Dr. Jason Bull reveals the telltale signs of dishonesty, such as by how liars move their eyes or fiddle with their fingers when trying to cover up a secret. This way, his clients can become better prepared before they face jury trial.

Want to learn more about the signs of lying? Catch the last few episodes of the top-rated American drama Bull every Tuesday at 9:45PM, same day as the U.S., first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment. Blue Ant Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).

For more updates, follow Blue Ant Entertainment at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram.

Blue Ant Entertainment

The general entertainment channel with the best mix of reality, drama, comedy, and daily programmes. It features shows aired same day from the U.S. or U.K. including competitions Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor UK; dailiesEntertainment Tonight, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. It is also home to some of the biggest award shows in the world. Aired ‘LIVE’, these include The Golden Globe Awards,Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.