Morgan Freeman to be honored with 2017 SAG Life Achievement Award 54th Accolade to be presented at 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®

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CEREMONY WILL BE AIRED LIVE ON MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 2018, 9:00AM ON BLUE ANT ENTERTAINMENT

Academy Award® winning actor, producer, voice actor and activist – has been named the 54th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Freeman will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live, first and exclusive at 9 A.M. on Blue Ant Entertainment. Given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession," the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Freeman’s exceptional catalog of preeminent industry and public honors, which includes a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Academy Award, HFPA’s Cecil B. DeMille Award®, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, seven Image Awards, a Silver Berlin Bear, several Obies®, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“I am thrilled to announce Morgan Freeman as this year’s recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. Some actors spend their entire careers waiting for the perfect role. Morgan showed us that true perfection is what a performer brings to the part,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. 

“He is innovative, fearless and completely unbound by expectations. As a chauffeur, convicted murderer, boxing gym attendant, pimp or president, Morgan fully realized every character, baring their souls and showcasing their humanity. It has been a privilege to see his genius at work.”

A Life Devoted to His Art and Craft

Freeman first earned recognition for his acting skills at age 12, when he won a statewide drama competition in Mississippi. As a young actor he paid his dues in small roles, pausing only to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Theater beckoned first, then film and television.

As he breathed life into memorable characters, widespread critical acclaim came accompanied by enraptured audiences and commercial success. Freeman invariably ranks as one of the five worldwide top-grossing actors of all time, with his films having earned over $4.5 billion in cumulative ticket sales.

An Indelible Presence in Film

Freeman has earned four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. He received the SAG Awards Actor^® for his performance in the Best Picture Oscar^® winning Million Dollar Baby, a role that also garnered him a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award and an Image Award. Two films starring Freeman are held in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry:Unforgiven, which received four Oscars, and The Shawshank Redemption, for which Freeman received Best Actor nominations for a SAG Award, Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Among Freeman’s extensive list of credits – now nearing 100 films – another milestone is Invictus. His portrayal of Nelson Mandela received the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor and an Image Award along with nominations for another SAG Award, Oscar and Golden Globe. In addition, the picture was produced by Revelations Entertainment, the company Freeman and Lori McCreary co-founded in 1996 with a mission “to produce films that reveal truth” and to stay in the forefront of digital entertainment.

Other credits in that still-growing list include Street Smart (Freeman’s 1987 breakthrough role), The Dark Knight, The Bucket List, Glory, Lean on Me, Se7en, Amistad, Bruce Almighty, and Along Came a Spider.

Further demonstrating his astonishing versatility, Freeman most recently starred in Warner Bros.’ Going In Style, Paramount Pictures’ Ben-Hur, Summit Entertainment’s Now You See Me 2 and Focus Features’ London Has Fallen. Freeman’s upcoming films include Broad Green Pictures’ Villa Capri and Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

Integrity and Inspiration in Television

Freeman first became nationally known and loved in 1971 when he starred in the seminal Children's Television Workshop (CTW) show The Electric Company, for which he created characters including the iconic Easy Reader. Known as the most popular instructional show on television over its six-year run, the series won an Emmy^® for Outstanding Children's Series and a Grammy^® for its soundtrack album. Freeman’s indelible impact on a generation was reflected when fellow cast member Rita Moreno, a life-long friend he met on the show, asked that he presented her with the 50^th SAG Life Achievement Award.

Most recently, Freeman is an executive producer with McCreary on the Revelations Entertainment series Madam Secretary for CBS, which will air its fourth season starting in October. Freeman hosts and is an executive producer for the Revelations Entertainment, three-time Emmy nominated series Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, which recently completed its seventh season for the Science Channel. Also through Revelations, he hosted the Emmy nominated event series The Story of God with Morgan Freeman on the National Geographic Channel, which completed its second season. Through Revelations, he will next host The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, which premieres October 11on the National Geographic Channel.

A Respected, Trusted Voice

Freeman’s is one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved voices. He most recently narrated The C Word, the latest in a string of prestigious documentaries that includes the IMAX film Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, Science Channel’s Stem Cell Universe with Stephen Hawking, and the informative IMAX feature We the People. Three previous narrations are the Peabody Award winning ESPN 30 For 30 documentary The 16th Man and two Academy Award-winning documentaries, The Long Way Home and The March of the Penguins.

He could also be heard in the presidential campaigns for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In a lighter vein, Freeman was the overwhelming choice when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asked the millions of Facebook users what voice Zuckerman’s smart home system should have.

Authenticity and Insight on Stage

After earlier roles in the off-Broadway stage productions of The Niggerlovers and the transformational all African-American production of Hello Dolly, Freeman’s 1978 role as Zeke in The Mighty Gents earned him a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award^® nomination. His arresting, moving performances went on to earn three Obie Awards even before he portrayed Hoke Colburn in Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy, a role for which Freeman received an Oscar nomination when he reprised it for the Best Picture Oscar winning film of the same name. Freeman most recently trod the boards in the triumphant revival of Clifford Odets' The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.

Helping to Shape the Future

In 1973 Freeman co-founded the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop, now in its 37th season, which supports and nurtures promising African-American playwrights to ensure those voices can be heard. He additionally supports Artists for a New South Africa and the Campaign for Female Education, organizations working to create hope and better lives for countless people.

Freeman provides a boost for another group of artists on an immediately practical level. He co-owns the Ground Zero Blues Club®, which celebrates and features performances by authentic blues musicians. It’s next-door to the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in the heart of the area's rich blues heritage that Freeman loves.

In his spare time, Freeman enjoys the freedom of both sea and sky – he is a long-time sailor and has earned a private pilot’s license.

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About the Life Achievement Award

Nominated and voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA National Honors and Tributes Committee, the Life Achievement Award is bestowed for outstanding achievement in fostering the best ideals of the acting profession. The recipient of this award is a well- established performer who has contributed to improving the image of the acting profession and has a history of active involvement in humanitarian and public service endeavors.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcaster journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond

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Tyra Banks brings glamour to America's Got Talent

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Modeling TV show judge struts from runway to stage as new AGT host

As if death-defying stunts and neon light performances aren’t enough to keep fans glued to America’s Got Talent (AGT). With supermodel and reality TV star Tyra Banks as host, Season 12 promises lots of flair on and off the stage.

Fierce as she is stunning, Ty Ty brings her own brand of glamour to an already dazzling show. Here are just five of her best and craziest antics at the weekly auditions that have set up AGT fans worldwide for a sure thrill.

Golden Buzzer Moment

What else could be more exciting for an AGT host than getting the chance to hit the golden buzzer? Tyra’s first-ever moment came after a mesmerizing performance by the Light Balance dance group that made her stop the judges from voting so she could do the honors.

Just Harmless Drool

Hilarity ensued at the waiting line outside the auditorium when contestant and stand-up comedian Preacher Lawson slobbered Tyra’s arm and left her screaming and laughing. Of course, she was not going to let him get away without slobbering his face in light-hearted revenge.

Science Gone Wild

Tyra striking a pose in a lab coat complete with gloves and goggles? Even the science-y look couldn’t hide Ty Ty’s silly side especially when science-geek contestant Nick Uhas made her breathe gas from a balloon that lowered her voice by several octaves.

TV Au Naturel

Bare naked performances aren’t unheard of on America’s Got Talent. That’s exactly what Ty Ty had to confirm—eyes wide and mouth agape—amidst the crowd’s shock and laughter when contestant Vinny Grosso took off all his clothes behind a screen as part of a comedy magic act.

Totally Fangirling

A pumping performance by boy band 5 Alive just couldn’t help but make Tyra scream backstage while fanning her face with both hands. She even got invited by the group to join their next act as their newest and lone female member a la Fergie from Black Eyed Peas.

Want to see more of Ty Ty and the entire AGT judging panel: Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel? Catch America’s Got Talent Season 12 every Sunday at 9:00PM, first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment.

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BAVI opens doors of opportunities to PWDs

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Most companies would think twice about employing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) when they can hire people who are perfectly able. But for Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI), providing work to PWDs also benefits companies and their employees.

BAVI is one of the local companies that have partnered with Unilab Foundation for Project Inclusion, a program that helps PWDs obtain and sustain jobs in an actual work environment, giving them renewed hope and confidence in their talents and abilities.

Aljune Atok suffers from visual impairment, having completely lost sight in his left eye. Despite his condition, the 26-year-old has found work at BAVI and has been a junior programmer in the information systems department for nearly a year.

Aljune grew up in Leyte. After earning his college degree and finishing with Latin honors, he went to Manila to find a good paying job. He recounts that at first, he had to face the fear of discrimination.

“Hindi naman nila sinasabi directly, pero alam mo na ‘yon ang ibig nilang sabihin. Bakit nga naman kasi sila mag-i-invest sa ganito, kung pwede naman sila mag-hire ng abled,” said Aljune.

However, Aljune did not allow this fear to hamper his goal of landing a permanent job with regular pay. Through his perseverance and determination, he was endorsed by a former superior to Project Inclusion, which later on brought him to BAVI.

“What we admire most about Aljune is his attitude towards work. He goes to work every day, eager to learn more and develop new skills,” shared Senior Supervisor Alistair Javillonar. He added that the team is inspired by Aljune’s behaviour and they believe in his ability to perform beyond his disability.

Recently, Aljune participated in Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually-Impaired’s (ATRIEV) very first hackathon for the blind with the blind where his team won second place when they redesigned the website of the Philippine Military Academy to make it accessible to the blind.

Another physically challenged individual that BAVI took under its wings is Donna Tolentino. Overcoming hearing impairment, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics from De La Salle College of St. Benilde and now works as one of BAVI’s finance assistants.

“I felt excited and a bit nervous when I was invited for interview at BAVI. There were many fears. However, I’ve easily overcome those fears with the help of my colleagues and superior,” Donna recounts. “It delights me that there are organizations like BAVI which are open to accepting someone like me to be one of their employees.”

“She is very detailed and careful when making reports and that is something we appreciate,” says Finance Assistant Manager Mae Jane Adem. She also praises Donna’s optimism towards work that motivates the whole team.

Adem added that Donna introduced deaf awareness to the whole team. Now, almost all the team members know basic sign language, which enables them to communicate with Donna.

“We believe that each person has something unique to offer for the progress of the company. What others see as disabilities, we see as something extraordinary that can someday help us reach our goals,” said Ronald Mascariñas, BAVI president and general manager. “At BAVI, we are always open to giving chances to individuals who have chosen to rise over their disabilities to become company assets.”

Going beyond just providing fresh oven-roasted chickens to households, BAVI wants to make Filipinos become part of something meaningful. As a step in that direction, they hope that their partnership with Unilab Foundation will enable them to give more PWDs a chance at a better future by providing them full-time, sustainable jobs.

Planting for the planet by Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc.

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In its continued commitment to preserve and protect Mother Earth, Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc. (PAFI) in coordination with the local government unit under the leadership of the Municipal Mayor Leonila P. Montero spearheaded a tree planting activity called Planting for the Planet in Panglao, Bohol last November 23. 

Over a hundred volunteers composed of Pioneer Adhesives, Inc. employees and business partners rolled up their sleeves and planted 200 seedlings in the beautiful island of Panglao. 

This tree planting activity, which was a meaningful part of the Pioneer Adhesives National Conference, is just one of the many initiatives the foundation has under its environmental campaign “Our Earth Our Responsibility”.

Jollibee celebrates milestone 40th year with anniversary anthem featuring Gary Valenciano and Sarah Geronimo

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Apat na Dekada. Jollibee marks 40 years of spreading joy with a new anniversary jingle, performed by two of the country’s biggest stars, Gary Valenciano and Sarah Geronimo. 

Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano and Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo join forces for a one-of-a-kind collaboration that capture the joy-filled stories of Filipinos to mark the 40^th anniversary of the country’s number one fast food chain.

Entitled ‘Apat na Dekada’, the upbeat and heart-warming song encapsulates four decades of joyful moments shared with generations of Filipinos who have made Jollibee a part of their lives. The song was composed by Thyro Alfaro in collaboration with Jollibee’s creative agency, McCann World Group Philippines.

For the past 40 years, Jollibee has been a home to stars who have served as their brand ambassadors. The stellar list includes Sarah and Gary who headlined some of the most memorable Jollibee campaigns but none quite as special as the 40^th anniversary anthem.

One of the brand’s first endorsers, Gary shared how it feels to have reached full circle, “I was happy then, overjoyed now because it is 40 years later and I’m doing something with them again.”

For her part, Sarah has been a part of the Jollibee family since 2005 and has since become one of the country’s biggest superstars, growing a wider audience in the same way that Jollibee has continued to spread its reach in the country and across the globe.

While recording the song, the two artists felt waves of nostalgia as they looked back at their own Jollibee moments with their loved ones.

Visit :  https://www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines/videos/1692681370778082/

“‘Yung entirety nung message nung kanta, inisa-isa niya ‘yung simple joys of life, ‘yung simple pero masagana, sincere at totoong-totoo kasi ako mismo nakita ko ‘yun, naranasan ko ‘yun, at naramdaman ko ‘yun,” shared Sarah.

Because the song struck a chord in both singers, they agreed it would also easily resonate among many Filipinos. The Popstar Royalty added, “Kasi ‘yung Jollibee it’s not just a brand. Pinapahalagahan talaga ‘yung values ng pamilyang Pilipino, at saka yung importansya ng saya ng pagiging isang buong pamilya. Iyon ‘yung dahilan kung bakit naging malapit sa puso nating mga Pilipino ‘yung Jollibee.”

According to Gary, he was very happy that the brand had gone global. 

“I think that they’ve really been able to master that touch of going out of their way, maybe even bending backwards, to stick to what is Filipino, through and through, and it’s now creating an impact. Now people are seeing the consistency and I think that’s something I commend them for. So I think expanding into other countries is not only going to bring a piece of the product to them but it’s also going to bring a piece of the Filipino heart to people all over the world,” he shared.     

This is the first taste of many surprises in store for Jollibee’s 40^th anniversary year-long celebration. Be part of this special milestone by watching the special music video (LINK) and relive your very own jolly moments!