Moments to Treasure this Valentine with Solaire’s luxurious “SUITEHEART"

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Love is in the air ! What better way to say “I love you” than simple acts of love. What better time to show love, than this month of February.

MOMENTS TO TREASURE. Solaire’s luxurious “SUITEHEART" accommodation package will be the perfect choice for guests wishing to celebrate an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.

Valentines is the perfect occasion to celebrate with the person you love. And nowhere is Valentine’s Day sweeter than at Solaire Resort and Casino. For Valentine’s 2014, friends and lovers can avail of the following love offerings:

Solaire’s luxurious “Suiteheart” accommodation package will be the perfect choice for guests wishing to celebrate an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. The 2 Bay Suite is available at Php17,500*** and the Grand Deluxe room at Php9,500***. This offer includes: full access and a set breakfast at the Executive Lounge; Php1,000 F&B credit voucher at Eclipse; Complimentary Parking, Wi-Fi access and shuttle service to major shopping malls and a special turndown amenity. Solaire offers the luxury package to couples wishing for an experience unlike any other. A prior reservation is required and is subject to availability.

To highlight this occasion, Solaire creates tempting “Cupid’s cuisine”, an exclusive set-menu for Valentine’s dinner available from February 13-15, 2014 at the following signature restaurants at Solaire:

Finestra offers a choice of grilled Portobello and buffalo mozzarella salad with smoked ricotta and cherry tomatoes or Pan-seared goose liver with caramelized apples and Eggplant puree for appetizers; Brick Oven Branzino, Black Truffle Cream Sauce, Asparagus and Herb Salad. And for the main course a choice of Lamb Three ways: Olive crusted lamb rack, braised shank, lamb loin alla Romana and eggplant Caponata; Risotto of fresh peas topped with grilled prime beef fillet and pancetta crisp or Spaghettini with little neck clams, garlic, San Marzano tomatoes and sea urchin in white wine sauce. And to satisfy your sweet cravings, you have a choice of Red berries with Limon cello merengue or Chocolate ‘Perugina Gianduia’ tart. This set menu is priced at Php2,000* per person.

At Strip, Chef Trevor Macleod has created a lavish four-course set dinner comprised of Mushroom Soup with Truffle oil & chives; Tuna Tartar with quail eggs, rocket greens, ginger carrot emulsion; for the entrée a choice of Angus Beef Tenderloin with onion puree, glazed vegetables, crisp potato press or Roasted Lamb Loin vegetable ratatouille, chick pea fries, smoked tomato jam or Grilled Salmon Orzo Pasta, green pea, bacon powder and for dessert Manjari Chocolate Passion Fruit Silk with Raspberry Sorbet, available at Php3,200* per person.

Yakumi offers a set-menu at Php3,000* per person. The menu consist of Hamachi, tuna, salmon sashimi and three types of sushi or Beef Tataki: Seared beef strip loin with onion soy dressing and beef sushi to start. Followed with ‘Akadashi’ Manila clam red miso soup. The main dishes are a choice of Golden lobster tempura or Grilled Striploin with vegetables or Lamb Saikyoyaki: Miso marinated Australian lamb chops with Kinome and steamed rice. Mikan crème brulee and Wasabi Sorbet is a unique dessert to top your meal.

Red Lantern highlights the flavorful Suckling pig and smoked duck breast; Pumpkin and corn soup with seafood; Pan fried beef tenderloin and prawn with pepper corn sauce; Steamed egg white scallops; Baked sea bass with sweet soy sauce; Deep-Fried Boneless Chicken With Almond Flakes and a Valentines cake or Chilled sweet pears with white fungus priced at Php2,500*.

On February 14, couples who avail of the special Valentine’ dinner will be treated to a glass of Champagne.

*** Applicable for Local residents and expats with ACR. Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 12% VAT.

* VAT inclusive and subject to 10% service charge.

For more information please call 888 8888

The Monuments Men

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The Monuments Men, directed by and starring George Clooney, has done the production in Berlin, Germany. The action-thriller is written by Clooney & Grant Heslov, based on the book by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter.

The Monuments Men opens today in cinemas from 20th Century Fox distributed by Warner Bros.

The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners.

It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys - seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 - possibly hope to succeed.

But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements.

From director George Clooney, the film stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett as Rose Valland, the one of the greatest and yet unknown heroines of World War II. After risking her life spying on the Nazis, day after day for four long years, Rose lived to fulfill her destiny: locating and returning tens of thousands of works of art stolen by the Nazis during their occupation of France.

The Monuments Men is based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history.

"The “Monuments Men”, were a group of approximately 345 men and women from thirteen nations who comprised the MFAA section during World War II. Many were museum directors, curators, art historians, artists, architects, and educators. Together they worked to protect monuments and other cultural treasures from the destruction of World War II. In the last year of the war, they tracked, located, and in the years that followed returned more than five million artistic and cultural items stolen by Hitler and the Nazis. Their role in preserving cultural treasures was without precedent." (http://www.monumentsmen.com/)

Julia Fordham Stages Two Intimate Shows This Valentine's Day

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British jazz pop singer-songwriter Ms. Julia Fordham returns for the fourth time in the Philippines with two very special and intimate shows.

Experience romantic moments this February 14, 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroon of Solaire Resort and Casino and be serenaded through "Love Moves: Julia Fordham Live in Manila".

Popularized songs as Where Does the Time Go, I Can't Help Myself, River, Love and Forgiveness, Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Someone to Watch Over You, Happy Ever After, Invisible War, Loving You and Girlfriend, hear Julia Fordham sing them all live. The show also features the “Prince of Jazz” Richard Merk and Rachel Anne Wolfe.

This February 15, the Julia Fordham show will be at the Lobby Lounge of EDSA Shangri-La with the country's queen of Jazz, Annie Brazil, titled “Up Close and Personal.”

Proceeds of the shows will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation's trauma and healing sessions for the typhoon Yolanda victims. 

“We are supporting her foundation (NGF) which helps promote a better understanding of depression Natasha Goulbourn Foundation’s trauma and healing sessions for the Yolanda victims,” Fordham said during the press conference yesterday, February 11, held at the Eclipse Lounge, Solaire Resort & Casino. 

“Love Moves: Julia Fordham Live in Manila is brought to us by Laurel Media, PLDT Telpad, McCormick, RCBC, Fort Victoria and Solaire Resort and Casino. In cooperation with Astroplus, Philippine Concerts, Manila Concert Scene, Radio High 105.9, Crossover 105.1, EnergyFM 106.7 and BusinessWorld.

Ticket prices are as follows: VIP (Php10,000), Platinum (Php7,000), Gold (Php5,000) and Silver (Php3,000). You may get them at www.ticketworld.com or you may call 891-9999 for reservations.

Pinoy Figure Skater Michael Martinez at the Winter Olympic, Sochi 2014

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Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines skates at the Iceberg Skating Palace for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.  (Photo: Grigory Dukor, Reuters)

Michael Christian Martinez, the lone Filipino athlete competing in the XXII Winter Olympics Games this year in Sochi, a city in Krasnodar Krai in Russia.

Martinez will perform at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Thursday for a chance to get into the top 24 that will join the final Free Skate program on Friday. Martinez will perform a cut from the 1968 film soundtrack of Romeo and Juliet composed and conducted by Nino Rota. The track contains nine entries including the song “What Is a Youth”.

As the first figure skater to represent the Philippines at the Olympic Winter Games, Michael Christian Martinez considers his qualifying for this year’s Games as the most memorable sporting achievement of his life so far. He was mighty proud as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the recent opening ceremony of the games in Sochi.

Philippines' first representative in the Winter Youth Olympics, as Martinez vies in the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, a qualifying event for the 2014 Olympiad in Sochi, Russia. 

Michael Martinez, considered as the youngest and most accomplished senior level skater from the Philippines, having collection a total of 194 medals and trophies since 2005. At 17 years old, Michael is up against 29 other top figure skaters in the Sochi games. Despite his youth and frequent asthma attacks, Michael managed to rank 28th among the best senior-level figure skaters in the planet!

"Now that I deserve to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Olympic Games, this meant that I would have to train more and harder. It also entails a lot of sacrifice and hard work on my part, and more expenses for more lessons, not to mention the sacrifice by my family in terms of time and finances," Martinez said.

“Ice skating is really expensive so this will be a big help to pay for coaches, ice time,” said Martinez. He shared to us that he regularly spends about $100 per hour for the services of his coach alone.

The absence of government support compelled Michael to seek sponsors elsewhere. One of his biggest supporters is SM, which donated Php 1 million for his training and other expenses related to his Olympic participation. He was actually “discovered” in SM Southmall in Las Piñas when he was still in his formative years as a figure skater.

Related story : SM Ice Skating Supports Top Figure Skater Michael Martinez

Martinez dreams of winning an Olympic medal. He said his motto is to “Dream high and work hard.” He has everything to lose and everything to gain by launching himself in the world’s figure skating rink with only his raw talent, determination and the support of a growing fan base.

Martinez’ determination to win Skating on Thursday for his mother, God, family and country.

Good luck Michael!

"Starting Over Again" by award-winning director Olivia M. Lamasan

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Starting Over Again is a film by Olivia M. Lamasan starring Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga to shown in Philippine cinemas nationwide starts February 12, 2014. Starting Over Again produced by Star Cinema.

Olivia M. Lamasan (center) directs Piolo 

Pascual and Toni Gonzaga in Starting 

Over Again

Starting Over Again, is not the usual love story that depicts a man and a woman who meet and fall in love and live happily ever after. In contrast, the film is centered on the story of two former lovers who meet for the very first time after their break-up. The film dares to pose the question on whether or not romantic love between two people who strayed apart could truly be rekindled despite the passage of time. The lovers in the film, as portrayed by Piolo and Toni, are faced with the seemingly insurmountable task of dealing with a huge unfinished business in their failed relationship.

Fall in love all over again in a different kind of love story this Valentine with Star Cinema’s 20th anniversary presentation Starting Over Again with Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga.

"Starting over Again" follows the love story of Ginny (Toni) and Marco (Piolo). They met on campus where Ginny was an Architecture student, while Marco is a professor. Ginny pursued Marco, her crush.

In time, Marco also fell for Ginny and they began a one-of-a-kind love story. Unfortunately, their relationship ended when she left for no apparent reason. When she returned, Ginny found herself wanting to rekindle her past with Marco. Can her love be enough for him to forget the pains of the past? Can they ever start over again?

Starting Over Again is Olivia M. Lamasan’s 11th full-length feature film under Star Cinema. Her impressive body of work comprises some of Star Cinema’s most unforgettable and classic love stories which include Hanggang Kailan Kita (Mamahalin, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Sana Maulit Muii, Minsan Minahal Kita, Madrasta, Got 2 Believe, Milan, In My Life, In The Name Of Love, and 2012’s blockbuster hit The Mistress. With the film outfit’s greatest love stories under her belt, Star Cinema’s anniversary celebration will not be complete without an Olivia M. Lamasan film.

“I’ve always wanted to work with Toni Gonzaga and it has been years since I worked with Piolo Pascual,” says Lamasan, who is fondly called Inang by the industry. “I wanted to do a light romantic film again since the last movie that I directed that falls in that category was Got 2 Believe which was way back in 2002. It was just a matter of putting all the right elements together and looking for the perfect material that will best work with the very first big-screen team-up of Piolo and Toni who are two of ABS-CBN’s biggest stars.”

“A lot of people have been waiting for the big film collaboration of Piolo and Toni and I’m very happy that Star Cinema entrusted this movie to me,” explains Inang. “Piolo and Toni were first seen in a commercial 13 years ago and they never really worked on a big and major project like this, so even they themselves are very excited.”

Inang openly admits that she has missed working with Piolo whom she last worked with in 2004’s Milan. “He is such a humble and brilliant actor. Piolo’s dedication to his craft is unbelievable.” As for Toni, Inang is very impressed with her timing and professionalism. “Toni loves what she’s doing and she is filled with so much energy and passion with everything she does. Her timing is impeccable and she is a thinking actor. It’s a joy to work with such talented artists like Piolo and Toni.”

Piolo Pascual has worked with award-winning director Olivia M. Lamasan in “Milan” back in 2004, and now, they reunite for the movie “Starting Over Again.”

“Milan remains to be one of my top three favorite films. Working with Inang is like going to school because I always learn something new from her everyday. She is fantastic and learning never stops with Inang.”

While Piolo endearingly refers to Olive as both mentor and teacher. 

In his years in the business, Piolo thought that he knew everything, but working and reuniting with Direk Olive made him realize that there are still a lot of things that he has to learn

Toni on the other hand sees Lamasan as an iconic figure in the film industry that she is honored to work with for the very first time. “Inang is awesome. She is a dream to work with. I’ve been waiting for a long time to finally work with Piolo and it has always been in my bucket list to do an Olive Lamasan movie. Now it’s finally done. I couldn’t contain my happiness when I learned that this project is pushing though. This is a major highlight of my career.”

“Starting over again could mean a lot of things,” Inang shared. 

“We should all be ready to forgive, move-on, and grow in whatever choice we make for love. We should all let go of emotional baggage to live a life with no regrets. You have to watch the movie to find out what we mean when we say starting over again.”

Starting Over Again is written by Carmi Raymundo and it also stars Iza Calzado, Joross Gamboa, Bryan Santos, Beauty Gonzales, Cai Cortez, and Edgar Allan Guzman. Starting Over Again is showing in all cinemas nationwide starting Feb. 12.

For updates and more infor, visit:

http://facebook.com/StarCinema
http://twitter.com/StarCinema
http://instagram.com/StarCinema
http://www.starcinema.com.ph

This is the movie theme song by Lani Misalucha.

And when I hold you in my arms I promise you

You're gonna feel a love that's beautiful and new

This time I'll love you even better than I ever did before

And you'll be in my heart forevermore

We, we're just too young to know we fell in love and let it go

So easy to say the words goodbye, so hard to let the feelings die

I know how much I need you now, the time is turning back somehow

As soon as our hearts and soul unite

I know for sure we'll get the feeling's right

And now we're starting over again, it's not the easiest thing to do

I'm feeling inside again, 'cause every time I looked at you

I know we're starting over again, this time we'll leave all the pain away

Welcome home my lover and friend, we are starting over, over again

If we never leaved alone, then we might have never known

All the times we spent apart, all we did was break each other's heart

And when I hold you in my arms I promise you

You're gonna feel the love that's beautiful and new

This time I'll love you even better, than I ever did before

And you'll be in my heart forever more

And now we're starting over again, it's not the easiest thing to do

I'm feeling inside again, 'cause every time I looked at you

I know we're starting over again, this time we'll leave all the pain away

Welcome home my lover and friend, we are starting over, over again

Now we're starting over again, this time we'll chase all the rain away

Welcome home my lover and friend, we are starting over, over again

We are starting over over again