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

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

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The Monuments Men

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/)


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Julia Fordham Stages Two Intimate Shows This Valentine's Day

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.

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

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.


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!

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

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.
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


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Endless Love 2014

This Valentine movie “Endless Love” is an romantic drama film directed by Shana Feste and co-written with Joshua Safran.

A remake of Franco Zeffirelli's 1981 film of same name and second adaptation of Scott Spencer's novel, the film stars an ensemble cast headed by Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde.

“Endless Love” revolves around the story of a privileged girl (Gabriela Wilde) and a charismatic boy (Alex Pettyfer) whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. The young lovers who couldn't care less that they come from very different social backgrounds. Unfortunately, her wealthy father (Bruce Greenwood) cares a lot. But his efforts to drive them apart merely makes them more determined to stay together.

Wilde capably fills Brooke Shields' shoes in this glossy remake of Franco Zeffirelli's 1981 tearjerker.

Directed by Shana Feste (Country Strong), the romantic drama co-stars Robert Patrick, Bruce Greenwood, Rhys Wakefield, Dayo Okeniyi, Emma Rigby and Joely Richardson. Scott Stuber and Pamela Abdy (Identity Thief) of Bluegrass Films are joined by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (Gossip Girl) of Fake Empire to produce the film from writers Feste and Joshua Safran (Gossip Girl). www.endlesslovemovie.com

Released by United International Pictures release through Solar Entertainment Corporation, “Endless Love” opens in PH nationwide theaters on February 12, 2014.

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Experience Love in Its Purest Form with Luv 2 Give!

“Luv 2 Give” marries the passion of love and selfless giving as it encourages more people to help our kababayans in need.

The 700 Club Asia marks the season of love with its first series of special live episodes this year, dubbed “Luv 2 Give” on February 17-21, at 11:00 p.m. over GMA News TV.

The TV special hopes to raise more funds to be able to help more people through the CBN Asia Family of Ministries (CBN Asia Media that produces The 700 Club Asia, the top-rating Superbook and Tanikala; the organization’s humanitarian arm Operation Blessing; Asian Center for Mission and The Prayer Center).

“We want more people to experience the joy of pure love that comes with selfless giving. We just need to look around to see that there are thousands of people who need our help. Luv 2 Give is a wonderful platform where we could all join together in expressing love for others this love month by being cheerful givers,” says Peter Kairuz, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBN Asia and Operation Blessing and one of the hosts of The 700 Club Asia.

Peter adds: “Luv 2 Give hopes to showcase two of the best virtues of the Filipinos—loving and giving. Giving is one of the best expressions of love and the Filipinos are known for their giving spirit.”

EXPERIENCE true love and be a part of “Luv 2 Give.” Share your love with others in need through giving this love month and experience pure joy! 

Celebrities invite people to watch Luv 2 Give:






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Fall in love with The CompanY this Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Keep falling in love with your partner in life, with your family and friends.

Fall in love with The CompanY this Valentine’s Day! 

The CompanY continues to be the country’s Premiere Vocal Group with endless singing engagements and hit albums.

This Valentine’s Day, let The CompanY serenade you with international-calibre musicality in the show “ValenTunes with the Company,” 8:00 p.m., Crowne Plaza, Ortigas.  Before the show, a special dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.

The CompanY will perform some of their memorable hits and their own rendition of today’s biggest tunes and some romantic modern classics. Included in the repertoire are “Marry you,” “Treasure,” and “My Humps.”

The country’s premiere vocal group,  composed of Moy Ortiz (Bass), Annie Quintos (Soprano 2), Cecile Bautista (Alto), Sweet Plantado (Soprano 1), Jay Marquez (Tenor 1),  continues to be in-demand in various engagements in Manila and provinces, and also abroad. Veterans of the concert circuit both here and abroad, The CompanY have had the privilege of sharing the stage with international acts like The Manhattan Transfer, Jim Brickman, Noel Pointer, John Ford Coley, David Pack, Ambrosia, Survivor, Kalapana, Kenny Rankin, Michael Buble, Steve Tyrell and Basia.

“We would like to invite everyone to join us for a memorable night of good music,” says Moy. “They CompanY promises a night full of love and beautiful music.”

The CompanY is being managed by STAGES Management, which takes care of careers of Christian Bautista, Karylle, Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos, Nanette Inventor, among others.

For tickets and inquiries, please call 633-7222 and visit www.facebook.com/crownplazamanila.

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PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2 The Lifestyle Show and Website for Lifestylers

Style RPA Media treats us for a merienda cena to the press launch of Philip Lifestyle Guy's Season 2 yesterday, February 8, 2014, at Chef Laudico Guevarra's Restaurant, San Juan.

A great place, warm and super homey ambiance welcomes us with large variety of dishes to choose. 



With Chef Roland and Chef Jackie Laudico, Philip did some shoots for his Philip Lifestyle Guy Season 2 episodes.

There were also fun games for the media and bloggers. 


Philip Abadicio, a PR practitioner and the host of PHILIP Lifestyle Guy airs on TV5 every Sunday.

This Lifestyle Guy, shared us how he mastered the lifestyle industry. Over 20 years ago, Philip was invited to write for the lifestyle section of the Manila Times. He had no journalism background but he always wanted to know what was the latest, the newest restaurants and food finds, the upcoming designer and the best new work of the artists, the interior decorators and the culturati, and he wanted to know how the glitterati lived.

It was the end of the excessive discos of the 80s and the start of the all-night clubbing 90s. 

For years, Philip Abadicio has been writing about the newest, the most delicious, the best dressed, the ultimately exclusive, and the lives of the rich and raunchy. He was also a PR practitioner and established RPA & Communicate where he mastered the ropes of the lifestyle industry. The experience gave him the chance to hobnob with some of the country’s celebrities in society, showbiz, business, politics and media.

It molded Philip into the Lifestyle Guy. His renewed contract for a 2nd Season with TV5 has given him an assurance of his status as the only TV show and host that paves the way for lifestyle to be more interesting and within reach of all Filipinos. Philip Lifestyle Guy airs Sundays, 11 a.m. to 12 noon on TV5. 
“In the past, lifestyle was mostly for the affluent, the highly educated, and because of this perception, it catered to a very limited audience. I want Philip Lifestyle Guy to be relevant and enjoyed not only by people of wealth and influence but by all our Kapatid here and abroad,” explains Philip Abadicio with so much passion. The lifestyle show will make the audience experience the delicious food, the wonderful places, the latest gadgets, the latest fashion, the beauty fixes, the spa treatments, and all other aspects of lifestyle. 

Philip fondly calls his viewers and readers ‘lifestylers.’ “It’s a term of endearment for all those who watch the show, consult me about their lifestyle concerns, have joined our contests on-air and of course, online,” he shares. Philipabadicio.com brings the art and style of living with more in-depth information on some of the feature stories of the show, Philip Lifestyle Guy. The show and more recently, the website, have become an eye-opener on how life can be lived in style and with loads of fun. Philipabadicio.com is the Lifestyle Guy’s Site for Lifestylers!

“We hope to provide a lifestyle show where we all learn and be more conscious of the beautiful, inspiring and delicious things around us. It’s a show that I’m hoping will educate, entertain and inspire all of us,” he explains. Philip Lifestyle Guy will be visually appealing, culturally enriching, and gastronomically appetizing with the different segments in every episode.

Lifestyle is made move available by Philip Lifestyle Guy and philipabadicio.com. There are on-air and online contests where the audience and readers can easily participate and win various lifestyle experiences. You can also find out about the contests, winners and other announcements on their social media accounts: ‘like’ Philip K. Abadicio on Facebook and ‘follow’ @philipabadicio on Twitter and Instagram.

Philip Lifestyle Guy is produced by Style RPA Media, directed by Dave Hukom and Tootoots Leyesa, and written by Rod Divinagracia. It airs on TV5 every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Set to provide more fun, information and entertainment to your TV viewing experience, get ready to travel Metro Manila and other parts of the country with style, as media maven Philip Abadicio shows you how to celebrate and live a good, happy and stylish lifestyle, whatever status, situations and circumstances you have right now. 

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The Philippines says Thank You!

The Philippines says “Thank You” to the world! 
Here's from the Department of Tourism: 

On February 8, 2014, at 4:40 a.m., Manila time, exactly three months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, the country launched a global campaign expressing its gratitude to the world, having received an outpouring of support following the devastating effects of the typhoon.
Triggered by an overwhelming sense of appreciation, which has been strongly expressed in social media—for example, #PHthankyou, this groundswell of gratitude is captured in a Thank You campaign created by Filipinos from all over the world. Depicting different ways of expressing their heartfelt appreciation, various messages and images in social media showed the world that foreign support and encouragement has made, and continues to make, all the difference in the country’s ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

Hoping to ensure gratitude is received by everyone, the Philippine Department of Tourism has crafted a thank you message displayed through print ads and billboards in iconic places across the world, specifically:

- Times Square, New York, U.S.
- Piccadilly Circus, London, U.K.
- Potsdamer Platz cor. Leipziger Platz, Berlin, Germany
- Lafayette Mogador, Paris, France
- Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan
- ION Orchard, Singapore
- Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada
- Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia
- Paiknam Building, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea

All the people across the globe who have expressed sympathies and who have extended support, financial or otherwise, are invited to witness this message of appreciation from the Philippines and help share the country’s profound gratitude to the rest of the world. Using the hashtag #PHthankyou, people around the world can continue to share their support and appreciation.


Let's make this "thank you" even louder.
Spread this video and go to itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/phthankyo­u


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Vibal and HP are perfect partners now enables digital lifestyle with custom printing and technology solutions

Perfect partners, togetherness beyond printing, Vibal Cloud Services (VCS) custom cloud technologies developed by Vibal in partnership with global brand Hewlett-Packard (HP).

(L-R) Noel Mendoza (Director of Application Services at HP Asia Pacific), Oran Sokol (General Manager-Digital Press, Asia Pacific/Japan, HP Indigo and Inkjet Web press), Agustin Ybud, President of the Printing Industries Association of the Philippines (PIAP); Kat Abelardo (PLDT SME Nation Vice President), Esther A. Vibal (Vibal Group Chair); Gaspar A. Vibal (President and CEO of Vibal Group), Toots Policarpio (DIWA executive director), Paolo Sibal (Vice President, Central Books Supply, Inc.) and Allan Hao Chin (President of Norde International Distributors).
Vibal-HP Open House and Technology Fair held at Vibal’s headquarters in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City last  presents us the printing innovations as milestone makes Vibal the country’s biggest digital publisher.
"These milestone initiatives validate Vibal’s transition into a business beyond printing. Ending the momentous event," shared by Vibal Group President and CEO Gus A. Vibal.

“Our custom cloud solutions will enable highly digital lifestyles and make everyday computing tasks simple, easy, and inter-connected, either physically, virtually, or both. Vibal offers custom cloud solutions that enable Filipinos to experience tomorrow’s technology today,” Vibal adds.

From accessible health records that verify an applicant’s medical history, store transactions that earn consumers special discounts to their favorite shops, and a national database that leads to fast, reliable disaster response efforts – cloud technology and mobile solutions will allow Filipinos to enjoy a truly 21st century lifestyle enabled by smart, mobile, and efficient solutions to everyday tasks and activities.

This is now possible with Vibal Cloud Services (VCS) custom cloud technologies developed by Vibal in partnership with global brand Hewlett-Packard (HP).

During the Vibal-HP Open House and Technology Fair held at Vibal’s headquarters in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, Vibal Group President and CEO Gus A. Vibal explained that with cloud, government agencies and private firms can take advantage of scalable, on-demand cloud computing to better service digital lifestyle users. The 2-day event gathered government agencies, local printers and publishers, as well as foreign guests to showcase Vibal’s grand forays in digital printing and technology solutions designed for government, education, health and private enterprise.

Another major HP acquisition: the HP T230 digital printer, which is the first installation of its kind in Southeast Asia. This milestone makes Vibal the country’s biggest digital publisher with the addition of the HP T230 to its existing HP Indigo 5500 digital press.


Mr. Vibal shared that data center and IT infrastructure costs can easily surpass PhP40 million – excluding maintenance and administration costs. On the other hand, cloud services subscription (less than PhP300,000 a year) can result to significant savings by paying only for cost-effective hosting and storage services.

Vibal’s venture is made possible through a partnership with HP Enterprise division –the largest global business unit of HP that offers servers, storage, sofware and information technology services that enable enterprise and midmarket business customers to manage their current IT environments and transform them into a business enabler.

Clients can now be offered such printing innovations like high-speed variable printing; world-class, secure, fast and individualized testing systems; as well as other print-on-demand services. The HP T230 offers 400-feet printing speed per minute for mono and full-color jobs; incorporates high-speed data processing based on HP Blade Servers; and supports printing with 100% variable content at full press speed. Print job applications include books-on-demand, personalized notebooks, journals, magazines, variable test booklets, checks and ballots and credit card statements, among others. 

Vibal’s global partnership with HP now extends to both digital printing and data center hardware and cloud services that can be utilized by various government agencies and private enterprises. In partnership with other global technology providers, Vibal’s technology suite of featured solutions now include systems integration, network design and infrastructure; mobile and systems software development, cloud data centers, content digitization and distribution; encryption and digital security servers; and network equipment.

Furthermore, under VCS, the widest spectrum of IT applications will be addressed, such as enterprise applications, high-performance computing (HPC) and analytics; accessible and durable storage; and cost-effective web applications. All sensitive data, applications, and other files will be hosted in a Tier-3.5 data center location – the first in-country data center facility accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), has ISO 9001:2000, ISO 27001:2005, and ISO 14001:2004 certification, and touted as the first green data center in the Philippines. 

For further details, please call 988-5800 local 359;
visit www.vibalgroup.com, and email inquire@vibalgroup.com.

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Love Moves presents Julia Fordham

British jazz pop singer-songwriter, Ms. Julia Fordham, will be in Manila for a Valentine's special concert to be held at the Solaire Resorts & Casino Grand Ballroom on February 14, 2014. 

Here's Julia Fordham "Love Moves"


Love Moves: Julia Fordham Live in Manila 2014 with special Guests: Richard Merk & Annie Brazil.



TICKET PRICES
VIP - P 10,420
Platinum - P 7,294
Gold - P 5,210
Silver - P 3,126 

Tickets available at Ticketworld outlets nationwide and at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Call 891-9999 for ticket inquiries.

For more updates and events visit :

and 



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Valentine Serenades with Bo Cerrudo and Robert Seña

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special evening of music and dinner for friends and lovers with premiere classical balladeer Bo Cerrudo and powerful tenor Robert Sena in “Valentine Serenades” happening on February 13, 2014 8:00 pm at the Grand Ballroom, Solaire Resort and Casino. Accompanying our two world-class acts are Aicelle Santos, Rafa Siguion-Reyna and ensemble from Philharmonic Orchestra.

Experience a Valentine’s show to remember. Valentine Serenade is a uniquely romantic and entertaining show written by Bibeth Orteza and directed by Maestro Rodel Colmenar. As the show promises a blend of classical and Broadway melodies and smooth jazz, this special evening will also feature musical performance styles of Richard Merk and Rachelle Anne Wolfe.

Share a romantic musical experience to remember as few of today’s top performers will serenade our guests with emotionally charged rhythms and alluring classical melodies. This Valentine’s Concert is presented by Laurel Media at one of the city’s most popular annual musical events and elegantly intimate atmosphere, Solaire Resort and Casino.
This show is presented by the Solaire Resort and Casino, PLDT Telpad, McCormick, Fort Victoria and RCBC with media partners, The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World, Business Mirror, Radio High 105.9, Crossover 105.1, Energy FM 106.7, Philippine Concerts, Manila Concert Scene and Astroplus.

Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com or you may call 891.9999 for reservations.

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The UNTV Cup Season 2

The UNTV Cup Season 2 will officially commence on February 11, 2014 at Smart Araneta.

Here's UNTV's advocacy that was able to unite different government agencies and local celebrities to play the game of basketball to support a cause.
On this season’s league, the teams were given the privilege to get a maximum of two professional basketball (PBA) players for reinforcement, subject to certain qualifications.  For the second season, ten (10) teams are set to take part in this charity ball game. They are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP Cavaliers), Congress (Congress Legislators), Department of Justice (DOJ Hunters), Local Government Unit (LGU), Malacañang Palace, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA Equalizers), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth Advocates), Philippine Judiciary, Philippine National Police (PNP Responders) and Senate. In addition to the participating teams of last season, the success of the advocacy inspired both Malacañan and Senate to join this upcoming season.
“UNTV Cup is one of the projects we came up with since we know a lot of people in the government agencies as well as celebrities who are fond of playing basketball. But this time, they’ll be playing for a better cause,” the veteran broadcaster UNTV Cup’s progenitor Kuya Daniel Razon said.
To further enhance the public service aspect of the league, each game day every Sunday will also be a public service” day for the participating agencies.

Prior to the game, each agency will be given a booth at the game venue, where our game audience may seek for the services of each organization.

During the first season, seven teams played to win the top prize of P1-million for their chosen charity.

Players included high-ranking officials from the Supreme Court (Team Judiciary), Armed Forces of the Philippines (Team AFP), Philippine National Police (Team PNP) and Philhealth. Officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Congress and some local government units (Congress-LGU), also took part in Season 1 of UNTV Cup.

UNTV CUP Season 1 Champion Team Judiciary selected the Bohol earthquake and Mindanao war victims to receive their million-peso cash prize. Team PNP, meanwhile, donated its second-place cash prize of P500,000 to the Masonic Charities for Crippled Children.

All games will be held every Sunday at Ynares Sports Arena, and broadcasted live 2:30pm at UNTV.

UNTV's vision is be a prime catalyst of a public service advocacy that will inspire and encourage public servants to join hands in helping the underprivileged members of our society through sports. 

The UNTV Cup will provide an opportunity for public servants to play an active part for a good cause that will help the underprivileged of the society while promoting unity, camaraderie, and physical fitness among public servants. 

UNTV Cup is a basketball competition among various branches of the government culminating in a final game to determine the champion. This will not only promote camaraderie, sportsmanship and healthy competition among the various branches of the government but will also be able to bring to their attention the plight of the underprivileged. 

Each team will submit their chosen charitable institution as their beneficiary for this basketball tournament. The champion will be given the privilege to have a One Million Peso (Php1,000,000) grant to their beneficiary. While the runner-up will receive Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000), the third placer Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php250,000) and the fourth placer One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150,000) for their chosen beneficiaries. 

The entire league is broadcasted LIVE every Sunday 2:30PM at UNTV, and simulcast via live streaming at www.untvweb.com. 

During the Season 1 completed last November 2013, UNTV's four-month tournament was successfully began and ended at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The participating teams of Season 1 were the following: 



a. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 
b. Philippine National Police (PNP) 
c. Judiciary/Supreme Court 
d. Congress-LGU 
e. PhilHealth 
f. Department of Justice (DOJ) 
g. MMDA 

The winners of the first season are as follows: 

· 4th Place – Philhealth (Philhealth Advocates) / Beneficiary: Cancer Warriors Foundation 

· 3rd Place – AFP (AFP Cavaliers) / Beneficiary: AFP Educational Benefit System Office 

· 2nd Place – PNP (PNP Hinirangs) / Beneficiary: Masonic Charities for Crippled Children 

· Champion – Judiciary (Team Judiciary) / Beneficiary: Earthquake Victims of Cebu and Bohol, and Standoff Victims of Zamboanga

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