Wanted: new records to break in Palaro2016

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When Davao del Norte hosted the 58th Palarong Pambansa in 2015, record-breaking feats were showcased by a new breed of student athletes in the swimming and athletics category.

Can we expect more records to fall in this year’s staging of the Palaro in Albay?

Last year, Luzon’s best bets from Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the National Capital Region towed the rest of the regions and mightily showed the way. Central Luzon's Balitucan National High School alumnus, Martin James Esteban shattered the 14.44m triple jump record of Mark Harry Diones with his 15.01 meter-jump.

Likewise, NCR athletes dominated the swimming pool with their speed and determination. Swimming sensation, Maurice Sacho Ilustre mined gold in a record-breaking fashion with his performance in the200m (2:07.28 min), and 100m (57.56 s) Butterfly; 800m (8:50.34 min), and 200m (1:58.83 min) Freestyle, respectively.

Team mates Christian Sy, Andrae Pogiongko, and Drew Magbagalso shone in the 400m Medley (4:07 min) and so did Alnair Guevarra, Eman Dapat, Miguel Barlisanin the 400m Freestyle (3:41.38 min) relays. The group of Ilustre shattered the 2009 and 2014 Palaro swim records.

Long-standing records in the 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and 100m Breaststroke divisions were smashed by elementary athletes Jules Katherine Ong’s 28.75, Seth Isaak Martin’s 30.16 and Ethan Go’s 1:14.86, respectively.

Also, the 100m Butterfly best time on record was surpassed by Camille Buico, who broke by a second the 2013 record of 1:06.92 in the elementary category, .while Regina Maria Castrillo outdid her own 2014 record with a time of 1:04.41 in the secondary category.

The Visayan Islands athletes won’t be outclassed as they excelled through its champions from the Western and Eastern regions. Alexis Soqueño from the Western Visayas once again defied gravity as he shattered his former record of 1.92m in the High Jump category, making 1.95m the height to beat. Meanwhile, the team of Karen Janario, Feiza Jane Lenton, Gemmalyn Pino and Lealyn Sanita, set the new time record of 4:00.09 in the 4x400m relay.

Mindanao’s victors came via Efrelyn Democer and Jie Ann Calis who broke records in their respective fields. Democer’s score of 42.34m in the Javelin Throw crushed the 41.27m record established by Stephanie Cimatu in 2011.

On the other hand, Calis’ speed outran the records in the 3000m (10:10.16 min), 1500m (4:42.20 min) and 800m (2:12.27 min) event. Her neck-and-neck race with 2013 record-setter Angelica De Josef in the 800m event was dubbed as one of the best performances ever in Palaro history.

With preparations nearing its completion for the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, the Department of Education (DepEd) hopes that the athletes will see last year’s achievements as a goal to surpass. And that the name of every worthy athlete will be etched in sports history.

Kean Cipriano battle with the devil in “Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good and Evil”

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Callalily vocalist and actor Kean Cipriano is in hair pulling battle with devil in in the much-awaited horror-comedy film, “Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good and Evil.”

The 28-year-old actor, who has tried playing different characters in the past years, now in his most challenging role yet, Kean is excited because we are seeing a different side of him. What made the task exceptionally challenging, is his role which happens to be a gay priest!

“For me, that’s the thing naman with acting—you get to be someone you can’t be in real life. Like I can’t be a priest pero nagawa ko siya because it was my character in the movie,” Kean said.

Kean takes on the role of Father Nick, an exorcist-priest who is secretly gay. Kean’s character is called upon to cast out a gay demon that has possessed the body of a gigolo named Carlo (Alex Medina) after the untimely death of the latter’s gay lover, Kristoff (John Lapus).

Being someone who believes in the forces of good and evil, Kean was extraordinarily interested in the role.

“It was also one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my career and it certainly fulfilled a dream.”

“Everything is possible in love”

Since “Echorsis” tackles the sensitive topic of same-sex relationships and identity crises, Kean has been asked for his views on the LGBT community. 

“I love them, especially in this industry. In anything they do, gay people are really intense, they are bright. I have tremendous respect for them. Hindi naman sa gender nagbi-base ang mga bagay sa mundo. Nasa puso ng tao, sa good intentions,” he declares.

Kean even believes that a straight guy can fall for a gay person because everything is possible in love.

“Of course! In love, anything goes. When you’re in love, you go crazy; you don’t know what you are doing. You’ll drown and float at the same time, so you swim,” Kean muses.

Not quite a comedian

Kean has been doing a lot of comedies lately—on TV or the movies. Still, he doesn’t consider himself a comedian. He stresses that the people behind him and the materials he is given are what makes him effective in such roles.

Kean said:

“Hindi naman talaga ako nagpapatawa, ang nagpapatawa ‘yung script, ang nagpapatawa ‘yung mismong material, yung director.” 

 “I’m just grateful and blessed to be part of a comedy production that has good materials.”

The musician-turned-actor confesses that he has simply fallen in love with acting and just wants to share the beauty of film making with everyone. He loves being an instrument in telling one’s story.

“I’m an actor! Gusto ko lang gumawa ng mga pelikula, whether indie or mainstream. It’s all about storytelling. Kumbaga, it’s a matter of portraying a character and being an instrument of the director to tell the story that he/she wants to relate to the world,” he says.

Kean, who says that he worked with the best people in “Echorsis,” recognizes the box-office potential of the movie and believes that there is a strong chance that the movie will have a cult following.

“Laugh trip ‘pag napanood nila ‘yung pelikula! Sasabihin nila sa mga kaibigan nila, ‘Uy panoorin mo tong pelikulang Echorsis dahil natuwa ako’,” Kean gushes about the movie that was produced by Chris Cahilig of Insight 360, directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Lemuel Lorca, and written by Jerry Gracio. “I’m excited for everyone to see it!”

Completing the ensemble cast of “Echorsis” are Alessandra de Rossi, Chokoleit, Kiray Celis, Mich Liggayu, Ruby Ruiz, Negi Negra, Bekimon, Nico Antonio, Francine Garcia, Odette Khan, and 1:43’s Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, and Yheen Valero.

“Echorsis” is supported by BellaVita Land Corp. and McJim Classic Leather.

From "Laki Sa Gatas," BEAR BRAND continues to strengthen generations of Filipino families with its ‘Laki sa Tibay’ campaign

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As Nestle Philippine's BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink continues to strengthen generations of Filipino families with an affordable range of beverage solutions that highlight the resistance building nutrients, relaunches nutrition education advocacy from Laki Sa Gatas to Laki Sa Tibay.

BEAR BRAND PMD leveraged its efforts to nourish Filipino families to good health when it first kicked off its Laki sa Gatas (LSG) campaign, which has since benefited almost four million children, three million parents and 168,000 teachers since 2006. 

Through the LSG, BEAR BRAND PMD raised awareness on micronutrient deficiency, which is one of the major public health concerns in the Philippines. 

BEAR BRAND PMD on its 10th year,  relaunches its long-running nutrition education advocacy from Laki Sa Gatas to Laki Sa Tibay as proof of the brand’s commitment to continue strengthening the TIBAY of Filipino children, towards achieving their ambitions.

For BEAR BRAND, TIBAY is facing life’s challenges by having strength of body, mind and will, achieved through a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, with everyday milk drinking at the center.

Through the launch of LAKI SA TIBAY in 2016, BEAR BRAND PMD aims to reach more public schools per year to engage more teachers, parents and school-children on the role that TIBAY plays for them to achieve their ambitions. 

With the Laki sa Tibay in place, BEAR BRAND PMD will be highlighting the vital role played by a healthy lifestyle, with everyday milk drinking at its core. This ensures that every Filipino child has the right Tibay ng Katawan, Kalooban at Isipan in overcoming life’s biggest challenges.

“When life turns sour, the world sees not our vulnerability but our resiliency,” said Alfredo Dela Cruz, Business Executive Manager for Dairy, Health and Nutrition Solutions of Nestle Phils.

“This is why we want to instill the importance of having Tibay ng Loob starting from the children in our very own homes. When they carry that strength of character as they grow old, they will be able to provide better lives to their families and contribute effectively to the community as well.”

As the campaign transitions to Laki sa Tibay, BEAR BRAND PMD will continue to “push the fight against MND and ensure that all Filipino families get the right vitamins in going through their day-to-day activities through continuous milk intake.”

“Children need the right amounts of Iron, Zinc and Vitamin C because these nutrients keep them from experiencing tiredness, a weakened immune system, loss of concentration and illness. For them to get these Tibay Resistensya nutrients, it is important to regularly drink milk that’s specially fortified with iron, zinc and Vitamin C such as BEAR BRAND PMD as these nutrients are depleted every 24 hours,” Dela Cruz added.

Under the new campaign, BEAR BRAND PMD will also launch its Milyon Milyon sa Ambisyon raffle promo where the company will collect empty packs of BEAR BRAND PMD products from the entries and convert them into school chairs.

Made of used BEAR BRAND PMD foil packs, the chairs are called upcycled instead of recycled. Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials into better quality items.

The end products will be donated to select public schools in the Philippines.

“BEAR BRAND PMD is more than just every household’s companion to get the Tibay Resistensya nutrients they need in going through the day; BEAR BRAND PMD also helps each and every member of the family to get the Tibay they need in facing what life has in store for them. In the coming years, we will continue to nurture Filipinos to be matibay; so that they can have the strength of body that can match their strength of will,” Dela Cruz concluded.

Globe Telecom, first to offer Southeast Asia’s Disney Mobile smartphone

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Globe myStarter Plan launches with Disney Mobile smartphones 

The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia and the Philippines’ number one mobile brand Globe Telecom  launched the Southeast Asia’s first Disney Mobile smartphone. Globe Telecom will be the first telco in Southeast Asia to offer Disney Mobile smartphones through its new myStarter postpaid plans for as low as P750 per month. 

Created especially for the trendsetting Disney fan and themed around popular Disney franchises, these smartphones carry the signature aesthetic of the Disney brand from its lively colors to matching themed accessories. The first Disney Mobile range for the Philippines comes in 3 themes – Mickey Mouse, Frozen and Disney Princess.

Apart from its adorable hardware design, each device is packed with custom content that is sure to bring the fun and magic of Disney right in the palm of one’s hand. The smartphones’ interfaces show tailored app icons, Disney-themed live and static wallpapers, widgets and exclusive re-recordings of famous Disney songs as ringtones, such as It’s A Small World, Do You Want to Build a Snowman, Part of Your World, and the like. Premium Disney apps are also included in each device and in line with the smartphone theme. These range from Princess Story Theater, Frozen Storybook Deluxe, to Castle of Illusion, among others. 

Disney Mobile is an LTE device that gives users access to a whole range of other Disney content such as games, apps, books and the Disney Philippines website.

“The arrival of Disney Mobile in the Philippines is one of the milestones of our multi-year comprehensive partnership with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. We are thrilled to offer these phones exclusively through our budget-friendly myStarter postpaid plans. Not only do our customers have access to Disney’s interactive content, movie premieres and retail promotions, but also to a device designed after one of the most iconic brands in the world,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan. 

“Disney continues to actively pursue innovative digital media opportunities and provide fans with the best entertainment experience on whatever platform they want. Smartphones have immensely changed the way Filipinos consume entertainment and Disney Mobile allows us to bring our content closer to more fans in a fun and personal way,” said James Gray, General Manager for Disney Interactive, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

We are proud to be working with Disney and Globe Telecom to bring Disney Mobile to the Philippines. With this new exciting partnership, we aim to provide Globe Telecom’s millions of customers with devices that bring them the magic of Disney, every day, through their phones,”  Cellprime CEO Eric Yu also shared.

Alongside Globe and Disney, Cellprime is the manufacturer of Disney Mobile handsets in the Philippines. 

The Disney Mobile device is available exclusively with Globe myStarter postpaid Plan 500 with a P250 monthly cash out that can be charged to the monthly bill. Customers can go to any Globe store or online to get the plans.

Globe myStarter plans are the new all-in-one budget-friendly plans. Plan 500 is already bundled with a smartphone and comes with unlimited calls and texts to Globe and TM, 300 texts to other networks and 200 MB of data and a smartphone. It is also available on Plan 300 with a smartphone and 300 texts to all networks, 300 minutes to Globe and TM, and 200 MB worth of data. 

With the myStarter plans, customers will no longer worry about going over the limit as it guarantees a fixed bill every month and can easily be topped-up when needed. It is also the first postpaid plan that is capable of number portability where customers can opt to retain their prepaid numbers. 

The plan also provides free access to Facebook, Viber, and a separate 1 GB data wallet for Spotify Basic. 

Disney Mobile smartphones are top quality dual SIM android devices compatible with 4G LTE that runs on a Lollipop operating system. It has a 5” HD IPS Screen; 13 megapixel (MP) rear camera; 5MP front camera; and 1.2 Quad Core.

In 2015, Globe and Disney entered a comprehensive collaboration to gain access to brand properties of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and global leader in short-form video, Maker Studios.

Globe is the undisputed leader in mobile Postpaid, closing 2015 with revenues at P85.1 billion underpinned by growth in customer base now at 2.4 million, and 55% increase in mobile data revenues year-on-year.

About The Walt Disney Company in Southeast Asia

The Walt Disney Company has been active in Southeast Asia since 1995 when Disney Channel first launched in Malaysia and has grown to five offices in the region (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines) with the headquarters in Singapore, employing close to 280 permanent staff. Disney is one of the most active and largest global entertainment companies in the region with diversified businesses in film, consumer products, publishing, mobile content, television and family entertainment overseeing content from six key brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, ESPN, ABC and Lucasfilm.

Television is a key driver in growing the Disney brand in the region. Disney Channels Southeast Asia is responsible for the management, creative development and commercial operations of the three Disney-branded channels available across the region: Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD. The company also distributes Disney owned programs and channels to television, mobile, broadband and on-demand platforms to over 20 Southeast Asian providers including terrestrial broadcasters, pay-TV and channels as well as digital platforms.

Studio Entertainment reached new box office heights in 2013 with Marvel’s Iron Man 3 recording the biggest release in history in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The Avengers released in 2012 is still the biggest movie of all time in Singapore and Philippines.

As one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality digital experiences, Disney Interactive produces interactive entertainment for the whole family including multi-platform video games, online short form video, mobile and social games and digital destinations across all current and emerging media platforms. Entertaining guests of all ages, Disney Interactive’s key products include the video game platform Disney Infinity, top virtual world for kids Club Penguin, popular mobile franchises like Frozen Free Fall and Disney Tsum Tsum, top online destinations for kids, parents and fans including Disney.com, Oh My Disney, and Babble.com and the Disney social network reaching more than 1 billion guests on Facebook. 

From apparel and toys to food and stationery, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the world’s leading licensor and works with over 400 licensees across all product categories in Southeast Asia for all ages and lifestyles. Disney Publishing is active in 6 countries in 6 different languages in Southeast Asia, publishing a diverse range of products in the region including story, activity and e-books, magazines and comics that reach a wide demographic from pre-schoolers to pre-teens and adults.

For more information, please visit www.Disney.ph. 

About Maker Studios

Maker Studios is the global leader in online short-form video and the largest content network on YouTube. Maker specializes in reaching millennial audiences across multiple programming genres. Maker’s network includes 55,000 independent creators from more than 100 countries, attracting over 10 billion views per month, with a growing scale driven by its robust technology platform, direct-to-consumer distribution and data analytics. Maker is home to many of the world’s leading online talent and award-winning original programs such as “Epic Rap Battles of History.” Maker Studios is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and is headquartered in Los Angeles, with operations in New York, London and Singapore. For more information visit www.makerstudios.com.

About Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. 

For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. Follow Globe Telecom on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlobePH and Tattoo at www.facebook.com/GlobeTattoo as well as on Twitter @enjoyglobe and @choosetattoo and Instagram at @enjoyglobe and @choosetattoo.

Lamudi launches redesigned Mobile App for improved property hunting experience

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EXCITING UPGRADES NOW ON LAMUDI APP

To further improve the experience of modern-day property hunters, online property portal Lamudi Philippines has released a modified version of its mobile innovation for homebuyers. The updates includes additional in-app components such as enhanced filter searches and a wish list for logged out users.

Users can now fully modify their searches according to their exact specifications. Property features such as balcony, swimming pool, penthouse, or even ocean view can be added to the search, thereby shortlisting properties that our nearest to the users’ preference.

Adding properties to your list of favorites without logging into an account is now also enabled in the App. This feature allows users to easily save, view and study the properties even while in offline mode.

The Lamudi team continues to improve the functionality of its Android App to ensure that users can maximize the app capabilities in their investment hunt.

“We acknowledge the growing demand of products and services that are mobile efficient. As the consumers continues to evolve, we will always be ready to fit our services to the modern needs of our clients. This latest version of the Android App is a great improvement but we will not stop here. We will always strive to top our own achievements.” Lamudi Philippines Managing Director Jacqueline Van Den Ende, said.

In its Real Estate Market Report for 2015, Lamudi Philippines recounted that its 2014 survey found that 88 percent of real estate brokers confirmed that the Internet was frequented Filipinos when they go house-hunting. This trend and the continued upsurge of mobile and smartphone usage among Filipinos inspired Lamudi to go mobile. 

Thus, in 2014, Lamudi launched its mobile App to help property finders easily browse real estate listings from the comfort of a mobile device. The app has been through several versions for it adapts to the ever-changing requirements of modern homebuying.

The increased functionality of the mobile app and its user-friendly interface make it easier for property hunters to find what they are looking for not only in the Philippines but as well as 34 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.