Enjoying Wonderful World

February 9, 2013

Hollywood glitz and glamour as Star World showcases Grammys live and other red carpet events this February

Which films and which stars will garner the most honors at these prestigious occasions, and marvel at the celebrities as they parade up the red carpet and set the fashion world abuzz in their stunning designer suits and gowns?

This is the biggest night, Bask in Hollywood glitz and glamour as Star World brings viewers the biggest awards shows and red carpet events this February.

Star World is proud to be broadcasting The 55^th Grammy Awards LIVE this Monday, February 11 at 9 AM to give you a sumptuous breakfast of amazing musical performances and the who’s who of the global music industry waiting to be honored for their contributions to music. The Grammy Awards have been celebrating for more than fifty years the music and artists who have touched the hearts and souls of people around the world, and this year’s event, to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, promises to be the biggest effort to carry on this noble tradition.

A total of 81 awards will be given away this year, including three new categories:

* Best Classical Compendium

* Best Latin Jazz Album, and

* Best Urban Contemporary Album

An astounding roster of artists are set to perform onstage for Music’s Biggest Night, including the usual suspects Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake as well as legends like Sting and Elton John. The Grammys will also pay tribute to the late Levon Helm of The Band with Zac Brown, T Bone Burnett (as musical director), Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard, Elton John, Mumford & Sons, and Mavis Staples. Meanwhile, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Kenny Garrett will also perform a touching tribute to jazz legend Dave Brubeck.

On Saturday, the 16^th of February at 8PM, get your snacks and comfy pajamas ready to spend an exciting night at home watching The 18^th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

This year, the critics loved Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” so much that it received a record-breaking 13 nominations, which bested the 12 nominations of 2011’s “Black Swan”. This year’s contenders for Best Film didn’t disappoint, though, with “Les Miserables” coming close at 11 nominations, “Life of Pi” earning 9 nominations, and “Argo,” “The Master” and “Skyfall” each garnering 7 nominations. Tune in to Star World at 8 PM on February 16 to see who the critics honored the most and which films knocked their movie-loving socks off!

Celebrity buffs should plan to stay at home on the following Saturday night as well because on February 23 at 8PM, Star World will be showing The 19th Screen Actors Guild Awards, the industry’s most beloved awards show that exclusively honors performers voted for by their peers in the acting industry. Vying for the 13 awards for acting in film and television are the most talented performers the industry has seen, with nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role including Bradley Cooper for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Hugh Jackman for his outstanding performance in “Les Miserables” and Daniel Day Lewis for “Lincoln.”

February 2013 not only signifies love but also the allure of the red carpet on Star World!

Enjoy the wonderful world of - Star World!

Villar builds 100 pilot centers for livelihood projects in various provinces across the nation

I’ve seen interesting TV programs and read many articles that feature inspiring business opportunities and business success stories of ordinary Filipino. They have been successful because of their hardwork, especially in livelihood projects that pave the way for aspiring young entrepreneurs, OFW’s, youth, students , simple people in a community to have a business of their own.

“Misis Hanep Buhay,” has successfully provided livelihood to over 500 families in Las Piñas. Former Rep. Cynthia Villar who served as a congresswoman for nine (9) years had a vision of sharing Las Piñas livelihood projects‘ success and sustainability to other communities all over the country.

A total of 100 pilot centers has been established in various provinces across the nation in a bid to duplicate the livelihood centers or green social enterprises initiated in Las Piñas City by Mrs. Villar.

In joining the senatorial bandwagon in the May elections, Villar says she would have a better chance of pushing through with her livelihood projects. She believes that will be an opportunity to expand her livelihood projects. She wants to make a lot of difference in the lives of the Filipinos.

Villar who feels that having a job is a solution to most of the problems. With her livelihood projects, Villar wants to provide jobs even to those who failed to finish elementary schooling.

“Because the Philippines has 1,600 cities, we still have a long way to go,” said Villar.

She noted that under the present condition, employers require that even factory workers should be high school graduates. “So how about those who are not even elementary graduates?” asked Villar who recently established the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance or SIPAG to serve as center of all her efforts and endeavors in reducing poverty in the country.

Villar’s livelihood programs include waterlily products making, establishment of composting facilities and coconet factory, and blanket weaving. She has also started plastic pulverizing in Leyte.

Through the efforts of Villar, the following livelihood projects training were conducted:

Waterlily product - making has been conducted in the cities of Las Piñas, Makati, Quezon, Caloocan, Taguig and Pasig; Malabon; Taytay; Rizal; Bulihan, Silang and Bacoor, Cavite; Talusig, Ifugao; Sta. Rosa, San Pedro and San Pablo, Laguna; Libon, Albay; Malolos, Calumpit and Meycauayan, Bulacan; Talavera, Gen. Natividad, Cabiao, Cuyapo, San Jose and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Baras, Rizal; Basista and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Zambales; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Tuguegarao, Cagayan; Isabela; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Mindoro; Davao City; Agusan del Sur, Cotabato City; North Cotabato; South Cotabato; Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte; Sultan Kudarat; Butuan City; and Pendatum, Maguindanao.

Composting was done in Las Piñas City; Brgy. Loyola, Quezon City; Antipolo City, Rizal; San Manuel, Isabela; San Jose del Monte Province and Malolos, Bulacan; Balanga, Bataan; Plantacion, Batangas; Tierra Nevada, Gen. Trias and Bacoor, Cavite; Antique; Talisay City, Cebu; Oton and Alimodian Iloilo; Gen. Santos City; Davao City and Antipas, North Cotabato.

Coconet weaving factory was established in Balanga, Bataan: Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Dinagat Island; Iligan City.

Blanket weaving is now in Pampanga; Caranglan, Nueva Ecija; Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Libon, Albay and Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

Here is one inspirationl quote by Anita Roddick :

"But if you can create an honorable livelihood, where you take your skills and use them and you earn a living from it, it gives you a sense of freedom and allows you to balance your life the way you want. "

For more details about the projects and programs of the Villar Foundation, please visit www.villarfoundation.org or follow us at www.twitter.com/VFoundationInc.

Say Love with...Fruits! Fruits in Bloom offers a delectable way to say ‘I Love You’

Love is in the air. Say Love with...Fruits! Fruits in Bloom offers a delectable way to say ‘I Love You’

Special occasions call for gifts that verbalize what words sometimes cannot. Fruits in Bloom offers a fresh take on gift-giving, making events more meaningful-- not to mention heartier, with its fresh and innovative approach to the random ‘fruit basket’ we have come to expect.

Combining the artistry of flower arrangement with scrumptious gourmet fruit preparations, Fruits in Bloom has elevated the celebratory level of any occasion-- may it be to greet someone a ‘Happy Birthday,’ pass on a “Get well soon’ message or even just to say ‘I love you.’

Fed up with boring flowers and chocolate cramping your romantic style? Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and romantics everywhere are already looking for ways to send 'hearts and flowers' with flair and creativity. Luckily, Fruits in Bloom lets you give the most symbolic expressions of love, hearts-flowers-food, in one delectable package.

Give your loved ones something to whet their eyes and appetites with. This season, Fruits in Bloom offers its Valentines Collection that will surely delight your love ones. Let these edible gourmet arrangements creatively express your heart’s desires and ‘taste-fully’ celebrate this season of hearts.

Spread some love today with this thoughtful I ‘HEART’ YOU array of fruits. For as low as Php850, these fresh heart-shaped pineapples dipped in chocolate, orange wedges, bananas and chocolate-dipped apples, with red and green grapes all over is the perfect gift for all the loves of your life.

If it is romance you are after, MY VALENTINE is the way to go. Shoot your way to her heart, even without cupid’s help, with this special edible arrangement starting at Php1,200. Nothing says ‘be mine’ like a chocolate-dipped pineapple heart surrounded by juicy orange and melon wedges. Sweet grapes and melon balls as foliage and pink sprinkle toppings? Yes please!

Nothing comes close to real hugs and kisses than, well, HUGS AND KISSES! For Php2,000, this lip-smacking arrangement of luscious and plump strawberries ‘hugged’ by imported chocolates is an endearment we all wish to share. Why not indulge some more? For Php450, add a bottle of champagne for that ultimate expression of love.

Speaking of love, back for the season by popular demand is the elegantly-designed LOVE. Nothing says ‘love’ better than this Php2,000 arrangement combining sweet pineapple hearts with chocolate-dipped, almond-covered apple slices, luscious strawberries and chocolate-dipped bananas. Accented by green and red grapes all around, love has never tasted this good.

Inevitable as Valentine’s Day may be, it should also be hassle-free. A Fruits in Bloom arrangement lets you creatively express your deepest affections, and delights in sharing your happiest moments.

To be better cupids for the romantics this Valentine’s season, Fruits in Bloom will be at the North Hall of Rockwell Powerplant Mall from February 8 through the 14^th.

Fruits in Bloom arrangements can be personalized, include a short dedication or be made extra special by adding wine or champagne, and made even more convenient with its delivery service within Metro Manila.

For orders and inquiries, Fruits in Bloom can be reached at 8120380 or 0915-3269136. You can also visit www.fib.com.ph , or better yet, drop by the Fruits in Bloom shop at the Ground Floor of Frabella Bldg., 109 Rada St., Legaspi Village Makati. Stay up to date with Fruits in Bloom Activities by adding us on facebook at fruitsinbloomphilippines and following us on twitter fruitsinbloomphilippines.

February 8, 2013

Max’s ChickenTakeout Treat with free Tropicana Coco Quench

Max’s Chicken offers you a takeout treat you cannot resist. Max's Sarap to the Bones fried chicken just got even better and with offerings that will definitely make you happy, satisfy and ask for more !

For only P329, grab a whole Max’s Fried Chicken for takeout and get a free 1L of Tropicana Coco Quench. That’s more than P100 in savings for both your Sarap to the Bones fried chicken and a delicious pack of coconut water from Tropicana.

Enjoy this special takeout offer, visit any Max’s Restaurant nationwide. Promo runs from January 19 through March 31, 2013.

Alden Richards joins Universal Records

Young star Alden Richards has proven mettle as an actor in various TV projects, making him one of the fastest rising stars of GMA 7. Now, he is embarking on a new journey as a recording artist as he recently signed up with Universal Records.

Alden joins the elite roster of local artists of Universal Records like Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Noel Cabangon, JayR, Richard Poon, Gloc-9, premiere bands like Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Calla Lily, Sponge Cola, and young performers Sam Concepcion, Kimpoy Feliciano, Emmanuelle, among others.

Present during the contract signing are David Fabros and Simoun Ferrer of GMA Artist Center and Universal Records’ General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go and Operations Manager Peter Chan.