2018 X-FACTOR UK Finalist 'Maria Laroco', launches her new debut International Album "Just Maria"

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Maria Laroco,  18-year-old student from the Philippines and was a finalist of 2018 "X-Factor UK" as Top 6 of Simon Cowell.

Maria Laroco is very thankful now that her very first album titled "Just Maria" under an international recording label "Odic Records" is finally out!

Maria treated her album as her breakthrough in her career in music industry.

Containing in the album is her "10 original songs" with her carrier single "Imagine. It is a love song and tackles the "Magic of Love" that mostly teenagers like her running through nowadays.

According to Maria, her inspiration to pursue her career is her dreams as well as her parents and all of people trusting and believing in her God gifted talents.

Before her stint on last year's X-Factor UK, the rising star's claim to fame in her native land is being a contestant in the Philippines' version of The Voice Kids in 2014. 

She started singing at the age of 3 joining in different amateur singing competitions. Her musical infuences are Sarah Geronimo, Yeng Constantino and many OPM artists. She became one of recording artists of Universal Records Philippines and released her own version of "Beauty and the Beast". Her revival single during that year  "Hindi Ko Kaya" (original popularized by Geneva Cruz) was used as official theme song of Korean TV Drama Series "All About Mom" aired in GMA 7. She represented Philippines in Child Aid Asia concert held in Tokyo, Japan.

She becomes Grand Finalist in  "The Will To Win" of Wowowin. She also won and  become a Grand champion in Great British Festival held in Makati City leaded by Ambassador Daniel Pruce.

Year 2018 that Maria becomes a finalist of "X-Factor UK" as Top 6 of Simon Cowell. Her audition song "Purple Rain" makes the judges and crowd standing! ovation in the prestigious international singing competition. Her journey continues until she was part of Top 6 finalists in the said competition.

Artists who had the biggest impact on Maria were Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Beyonce Knowles, Usher, and Brandy Norwood.

As for the Philippines artists, she wishes to collaborate with her idols like Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez- Alcasid and Morissette.

Maria's newest released album "Just Maria" is now available at digital music platforms online like Spotify, Deezer, Spinner, ITunes and many more.

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Adorable twins “Upin & Ipin” embark on new mystical adventure in latest full-length film

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If you have kids and have a Disney channel on TV at home, most probably you already stumbled on one of the daily episodes of "Upin & Ipin." 

Well, there is a good news for you and your kids as "Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris" is set to be screened this August 28 in Philippine cinemas.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.facebook.com/cinemabravo/videos/1204386263102027/

"Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris" is tagged as the most expensive Malaysian film in history reaching almost RM 20 million ($4.84 million USD) and roughly took five years for the entire production crew to finish this animated sequel. Executive producer Burhanuddin Radzi ensures that their latest masterpiece could follow the same quality of the international animated films and also elevate the standards of Malaysia's animation industry.

The original Malay-language version is simultaneously released last March in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. It was well received by the fans, especially in its own country as it grossed around RM25 million in just three weeks. 

It now stands as the highest-grossing local animated film in Malaysian cinema. The previous holder of the record was "Incredibles 2," which made approximately RM21.7 million in local cinemas. However, the Disney•Pixar film accomplished the milestone in a span of three months where Upin & Ipin only needed three weeks to take over such record.

Synopsis:

"It all begins when Upin, Ipin, and their friends stumble upon a mystical keris in Tok Dalang’s storeroom that opens a portal and leads them straight into the heart of the kingdom. While trying to find their way back home to Kampung Durian Runtuh, the disoriented kids are suddenly burdened with the task of restoring the kingdom back to its former glory. With help from characters from Malaysian tales and folklore, Mat Jenin and Belalang, Upin, Ipin and their friends must overcome a series of challenging obstacles in this action-packed, magical and humorous adventure film."

The adventure starts this August 28 when "Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris" arrives in PH cinemas.

Center of Innovation rises in Valenzuela OLFU unveils RISE Tower

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Progress is spurred by ideas born out of creativity, breaking beyond the confines of what is deemed as conventional. To continually develop, society needs more innovative minds – thinkers who refuse to stagnate, and citizens who act towards advancement. 

Distinguished guests join the OLFU Administrators in the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. L-R: OLFU Executive Vice President Don August O. Santos; University President, Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez; Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kalookan, Most Rev. Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., D.D.; CHED Commissioner Aldrin Darilag; Senator Win Gatchalian; Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Yvonne S. Guevara; Fatima University Medical Center President, Dr. Vicente O. Santos. 

In “improving man as man”,  believes that innovation powers the nation; hence its dedication to creating modern, empowering spaces for the promising learners and future visionaries. 

Very recently, OLFU once again affirmed its commitment through the blessing and inauguration of the Research, Innovation, Science and Enterprise Tower, better known as the RISE Tower. Situated in Marulas, Valenzuela City, the RISE is a highly advanced facility housing simulation laboratories and collaborative areas with cutting-edge equipment and technologies. 

“This facility was envisioned to serve as an integrated academic space where theories taught in the four walls of the classroom will be experienced and put into play”, University President Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez said. Notably, the eight-story building features the Clinical Simulation Center furnished with training units and hi-fi manikins that teach pediatric care, obstetrics care, intensive care, surgical procedures, IV therapy and more; the Air Fatima, a mock airplane cabin; the Seven on the 6th, a mock hotel; and the Robotics Center, among others. 

Another highlight is the Learning Commons which is a series of learning spaces for study, research, collaboration and discussion, as well as a repository of print and digital resources. Some of its amenities are the amphitheater-styled Lecture Hall, a spacious Reading Area, and Discussion Rooms. It is also home to the Research Development and Innovation Center, the University’s capital for new discoveries. 

“We hope to build up creative and innovative thinking, encourage interactive discussions, and at the same time, develop confidence and professionalism in our students”, added Dr. Enriquez. 

Several distinguished guests graced the event, including Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian; Valenzuela City officials, Mayor Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorena “Lorie” Natividad-Borja, District 1 Congressman Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Aldrin Darilag, and CHED NCR Regional Director IV, Dr. Virginia Akiate. Senator Gatchalian applauded the facility’s ability to provide “hands-on experience”, counting it as “one of the most advanced facilities in the entire country”. 

He likewise acknowledged how the City of Valenzuela and OLFU are historically intertwined since the school’s founding in 1967. “As Fatima progresses, develops, and expands, so does Valenzuela”, he said. 

About OLFU: Starting as a 25-bed hospital in 1967 in the City of Valenzuela, OLFU evolved to become the esteemed, progressive institution that it is now – an ISO 9001:2015 Certified university known as the “Home of the Topnotchers” owing to its standing in licensure examinations, year-on-year. With over 50 years of perpetuating its quality brand of education, it has also established a presence in Quezon City, Pampanga, Antipolo, Nueva Ecija, and recently, Laguna. 

The RISE Tower is located on Fatima Avenue corner MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. 

For more information, you may visit its official website, www.fatima.edu.ph, or its official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/fatima.university . 

Nadine Lustre is new GCash endorser

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The country’s favorite young artist and model Nadine Lustre is the new face of the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet, GCash.

The multi-awarded actress headlines GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign to power the dreams of young adults who constantly want to do more, to expand possibilities, and to achieve beyond their own expectations.

“Nadine is the perfect fit for GCash because she represents the true aspirations of young adults and is at that point in her life where taking charge of your finances is becoming more important. She shows how young adults can be independent and take charge of their own lives, and with the help of GCash, “What Can’t You Do?” means so much more,” Chris Manguera, Chief Marketing Officer at Mynt, which runs GCash, said.

After starting out as a singer in a pop band, Lustre evolved to become a much-sought-after actress on TV, with her primetime hits "On The Wings of Love" (2015) and "Till I Met You" (2016).

The 25-year-old actress has fared as well on the big screen, winning the Best Actress awards from Young Critics Circle, FAMAS Awards and the Gawad Urian Awards in 2019 for hit movie, “Never Not Love You.” Her latest film, “Indak,” a dance musical movie, shows Lustre’s flexibility as an actress. 

Early this year, one of world’s biggest fast fashion brands, H&M, launched Lustre as its first Filipino ambassador. The actress, named by a top magazine as Sexiest Woman in 2017, has her own line of swimwear with H&M. 

“She has built her brand and can create the image of a lifestyle that everyone will want to follow. We hope for that to happen with GCash as well,” Manguera said. “We also want to activate her big fan base to help spread the word of financial inclusion and empowerment.”

Lustre, who was voted Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Artist at the Myx Music Awards 2019, is a social media savant who has 6.8 million followers on Instagram.

GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign pushes the limits of what mobile phones can do for young adults with its innovative financial services accessible through mobile. With over 50,000 partner merchants and 20 million users, GCash remains the country’s leading mobile wallet.

Like Lustre, who has won over the entire country and has kept everyone’s attention throughout the years by relentlessly adapting to change, GCash continues to evolve not just as digital platform but as a lifestyle brand. 

‘Conscientious Consumerism’ Trend to Bring New Life to PH Coco Industry

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Pertinent issues facing the coconut industry, such as best farming practices, supply and value chain, takes centerstage in the World Coconut Congress organized by the United Coconut Association of the Philippines.

At the second World Coconut Congress, industry players here and abroad come together to tackle issues that are shaping the landscape — one of which is best practices in coconut farming and product development that local players, like ProSource International Inc. (ProSource), are focusing on.

Organized by the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP), the conference centralizes on coconut supply and value chain. Covering wide-ranging topics — from coconut solutions for health and environment, coconut biodiesel, to the latest on coconut oil health research — the said event seeks to promote Philippine coconut products globally.

At present, there is an observed paradigm shift in worldwide market behavior on choosing healthier and sustainable alternatives known as ‘Conscientious Consumerism’, as defined by the Network of Business Sustainability. With this, more and more consumers are seen to be promoting local industries, patronizing cruelty-free cosmetics, reducing plastic use, and generally, turning to healthier and more ethical diets.

To the key players in the Philippine coco industry, the eminence of the coconut trade stems from the significant shift in consumer values towards healthful living. For them, it is but an exciting opportunity to strike on now that the concept of “going green”, or lessening our environmental impact by way of creating more informed choices, is deliberately finding its way into Filipino sensibilities.

“The concept of ethical consumerism is already established in people's behavior, and as practitioners in this field, we see strong opportunities in penetrating this market,” said ProSource’s CEO Ricky E. Santos, who, as a key producer from the coconut industry, believes that businesses like them should also start adapting to the conscientious commerce trend.

“There has been an increase in veganism over the past decade even in meat-heavy countries like the Philippines. Through this thriving lifestyle, we believe that coconut production is one huge market that we all should keep an eye on,” he added.

ProSource, for one, started innovating with the Coconut. They have introduced to the market the likes of coconut calming oil, organic coconut wraps, coconut crunch, and its classic hero product, the Virgin Coconut Oil, among others. This is foreseen to be a springboard for other players to also start getting creative with the fruit with its promise of a warm reception from the market.

“We are one of those who put our strong faith in the ‘tree of life’. It is indeed that, as the fruit can be broken down into a wide range of by-products — from food, medicines, supplements, beauty products, and even personal care commodities,” said Santos.

Worldwide values of coconut products have developed steadily since 2014, and in 2017, with the Philippines reportedly exporting coconut oil at over $1.46 billion in total returns, putting the country amongst the world’s top coconut producers.

With the significant shift in consumer values towards healthful living, and the local industry players’ ingenuity to toil on this worldwide demand, the Philippines is once again set to be in the forefront of the global stage — with its competitive edge of the mastery of the miracle fruit.

To know more about how ProSource can enable you in achieving a conscientious lifestyle, visit ProSource’s website at www.prosourcecoconut.com and ‘like’ their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ProSourceVCO/