Avicii New Smashing Hit SIngle "Wake Me Up"

Avicii – the superstar producer/DJ behind dance floor favorites such as “Fade Into Darkness”, “Seek Bromance” and, of course, the ubiquitous smash hit “Levels” – is at it again. His newest release “Wake Me Up!”, which serves as the lead single from his forthcoming debut studio album #TRUE, is destined to seize the attention of music-lovers and club-goers the world over.

“Wake Me Up!” represents a new stylistic direction for Avicii. Featuring a bluegrass-style guitar riff, syncopated handclaps, and country-inflected vocals by Aloe Blacc, the song exemplifies Avicii’s innovative and experimental blending of house music with acoustic instruments and seemingly unrelated musical genres. The result is an irresistible and incredibly stimulating dance track that lies comfortably between Mumford & Sons and the Swedish House Mafia. Unsurprisingly, the single was a worldwide hit, reaching the #1 spot in thirteen countries and #5 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Songs. In the UK singles charts, it became the fastest selling single of 2013 so far, moving approximately 267,000 copies in its first week. Just over a month since its release, “Wake Me Up!” has sold over 1,113,641 singles worldwide with no signs of slowing down. The single can be purchased via the Apple iTunes store – get a piece of the action today.

US and Philippine Governments, WFP, and Non-Government Organizations Join Forces to Build Resilience Against Disasters

In observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month, United States Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Regional Advisor for East Asia and the Pacific Benjamin Hemingway (fifth from right), Department of Social Welfare and Development Head of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office Director Restituto Macuto (second from right), Office of Civil Defense Training Division Officer-in-Charge Brigadier General Juanito Dalmas (leftmost), United Nations World Food Programme Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal (fourth from right), United Nations Population Fund Country Representative Ugochi Daniels (fifth from left), and representatives of non-government organizations and the academe signify their joint commitment to “harnessing synergies to build resilience against disasters” in the Philippines.

Take The Kids To The Carnival With Working Mom's All About Kids Bazaar!

The amusement is at all new heights this August as Working Mom Magazine’s “All About Kids” event ups the standards on shopping for the family with not just a great find-filled bazaar, but a unique, one-of-a-kind indoor carnival-themed shopping destination for both kids and parents to enjoy. 

On August 10 at the Rockwell Tent, Working Mom will be putting together a day that’s filled with all sorts of dazzling sights—bringing more than just a shopping experience, but a fun bonding day for the whole family. 

Super sales and discounts that go up to 70% off on baby and kiddie essentials, educational toys, apparel, school supplies and books are just waiting to be discovered. Items from Babyland, Banana Peel, Nurture Nook, Baby Mama, Manila Baby Shop, National Bookstore and Rusty Lopez Kids are just some of the treats that are in store for the family

Savor and enjoy the best Spanish wines at Club Punta Fuego

The flavors of Rioja Spanish wines make a night at Club Punta Fuego even more memorable and special: through a parternship with the Wine Depot, the world’s best wines--starting with the high-quality wines of Spain’s Rioja region--now grace the tables and thrill the palates of dinner guests.

The partnership between Club Punta Fuego and the Wine Depot is meant to give diners nothing less than the best dining experience: the world’s best wines are expertly paired with international gourmet fare. The benefits of this partnership are brought to life in special wine-tasting and food-pairing events dubbed, “Sip and Savor” that are happening in 2013 at Club Punta Fuego. 

MUSIC LYF: CAPITAL CITIES “Safe and Sound”

#1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs

The sensational indie-pop twosome Capital Cities – composed of Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian – released their phenomenal hit single “Safe and Sound” to international audiences this year. An undeniably satisfying blast of electronic dance pop, the single is a must-hear for music lovers everywhere.

“Safe and Sound” highlights the duo’s immense talent for creating incredibly catchy melodies infused with strong electronic elements. With a sing-along-inspiring chorus and a contagious trumpet hook, backed up by the classic sound of an analogue synthesizer and a driving kick drum, the track is irresistibly danceable and can be downloaded here through iTunes. In 2011, the single was featured in a promotional video for Big Blue Test, a website dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for diabetes patients. On June 6 of this year, the band performed the song on Conan with Conan O’Brien, in their very-first TV appearance. The rousing performance showcased the band’s exhilarating sound as well as their electrifying stage presence, eliciting a tremendous response from the audience – watch the video here. Climbing to #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs and the German Singles chart, “Safe and Sound” has also been featured in a commercial by telecom giant Vodafone.

Human Resources Practitioners Coverge For The National HR Summit

With a growing economy and rising workforce, Human Resources play a big part in providing skilled, competent and empowered workers for companies. When I was an employee, I also look up to HR people as they handle the welfare of professionals which brings the company to its progress.
Knowing HR is pretty tough work, and they need all the resources and information that they need to further excel in providing services for the company and its recruits If you belong to this field, you might be interested in joining The National HR Summit this coming  August 1–2 , 2013  from 8:30 to 5:30 PM at Crowne Plaza Galleria. It is now on its 6th year and is also growing with the expanding network of companies, practitioners, and managers which deals with  people and  systems that fuels the corporate activities.

REEL DEAL: De Niro-Travolta Film, a First in the Motion Picture History

Appearing in the big screen together for the first time is Academy Award winning actor, Robert De Niro and two-time Oscar nominee, John Travolta, as they star in the action-packed Hollywood movie, Killing Season.

Back-dropped against the dangerous landscape of the remote Appalachian mountain, Killing Season follows the story of two Bosnian War veterans- former American military Benjamin Ford (Robert De Niro) and former Serbian soldier (John Travolta)- as they settle an old score and engage themselves in the tense, fierce and purest form of battle: one-on-one.

REEL DEAL: Director Shawn Levy Reveals Google Founder Cameo In "The Internship"

From his blockbuster works such as “Real Steel,” “Cheaper By The Dozen,” “Night at the Museum 1 & 2,” and “Date Night,” filmmaker Shawn Levy brings in the outcasts, the obsolete and the nerds in the upcoming comedy movie “The Internship” starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
               
“The Internship” finds Nick (Wilson) and his partner Billy (Vaughn), as two newly unemployed watch salesman trying to find employment with a limited skill-set in a world that appears to have passed them by.

“As salesmen they are incredibly good at what they do,” says Levy, “but the whole profession of selling in person, in an age where most people areincreasingly buying their goods on the Internet, is on the wane. So they are downsized, suddenly unemployed, and Vince's character comes up with this idea of applying for an internship at Google, a company that represents the vanguard of the new economy. It's a long shot, but this possibility of self-reinvention is exciting to Billy and Nick and they take their shot.”

2nd Laguna Blogging Summit Website Launched

The 2nd Laguna Blogging Summit officially started its Social Media campaign by launching its new website. All netizens or curious social revolutionist could now check the updates, speakers and sponsorship packages at "labsph.com" which is just newly constructed with the help of SEO strategist Mark Aksay. 

The list of speakers are visible in front page and now everyone could have an advance free registration online. For this year, the 2nd Laguna Blogging Summit is expected to be bigger since the first one was a huge success and contributed to the huge influx of tourist to the province of Laguna. 

MUSIC LYF: One Direction With "Best Song Ever"

FINAL VIEW COUNT REVEALS ONE DIRECTION’S “BEST SONG EVER” BREAKS VEVO RECORD WITH ASTONISHING 12.3 MILLION VIEWS IN 24 HOURS

The final count of viewing figures for One Direction’s latest smash hit, “Best Song Ever”, reveals that the Brit superstars have smashed the previous record held by Miley Cyrus for the most viewed video on VEVO in 24 hours with an astonishing 12.3 million views.  The new record beats Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop,” which hit 10.7 million views.

RJ Padilla’s surprise ‘act’ in live show stuns fans

After Daniel Padilla, another member from the Padilla clan of actors is finding his way into the world of show business, and with his stance and manner of speaking that is typical of a “Padilla,” he is starting to show signs of being the next “Bad Boy of Philippine Television.”

Showbiz newcomer RJ Padilla is Robin Padilla’s nephew and Daniel Padilla’s half brother.  He is the son of Rommel Padilla, elder brother of Robin and Bebe Gandanghari.  

Recently, the 24 year-old kapuso actor astounded the audience at a regional show in Batangas City when he unexpectedly took his shirt off in the middle of his production number.  Members of the audience screamed at the sight of RJ’s – take note -- six pack abs!

In an interview after the event, RJ revealed that he did not plan to flaunt his chiselled torso but when he saw how encouraging the audience was, he decided to push his limits further and gave them one hell of a show!

"Goin Bulilit" Star Cha-Cha Cañete Wins At WCOPA

Child star Cha-Cha Cañete from the hit kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit” took home two medals at the recently concluded 17th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) that took place in Hollywood, California. The competition ran from July 12 to July 21. 

Earning much praise and recognition, Cha-Cha’s talent wowed the crowd and judges as she performed in five different categories during the prestigious competition. Just at the young age of eight, she was awarded silver medals for her performances of “The Climb” and “Climb Every Mountain” in the Pop and Gospel categories, respectively. 

MUSIC LYF: Introducing: “Bastille” and their debut album Bad blood

Bad Blood is the debut studio-album by British band, Bastille. It features the singles "Overjoyed", "Bad Blood", "Flaws", "Pompeii", "Laura Palmer" and "Things We Lost in the Fire".

Included in their debut album is their best-selling single “Pompeii” --- the most successful international release to date, debuting at number two and became the group's first top five hit. It also gave Bastille their first number-one single, charting atop the charts in Scotland and Ireland.

The album was recorded in London, UK; produced by Mark Crew and Dan Smith.

Upon its March release this year in the band’s native United Kingdom, Bad Blood debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The album has spawned five singles so far, with a sixth scheduled for release in September. “Flaws” saw the group break into the Top 40 for this first time, charting at #21 on the UK singles charts. Meanwhile, “Pompeii”, the fourth single lifted from the album, achieved massive popularity, debuting at #2 in the UK and #1 in both Ireland and Scotland. The stirring percussion and extraordinarily catchy melody, along with front man Dan Smith’s refined vocals, make “Pompeii” addictively listenable. The single’s music video has already attracted an incredible 28 million views. “Pompeii” is available as a digital single on the Apple iTunes store - download a copy now.

REEL DEAL: Kick-Ass 2

Kick-Ass, Hit Girl and Red Mist return for the follow-up to 2010’s irreverent global hit: Kick-Ass 2. After Kick-Ass’ (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) insane bravery inspires a new wave of self-made masked crusaders, led by the badass Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), our hero joins them on patrol. When these amateur superheroes are hunted down by Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)—reborn as The Mother F%&*^r—only the blade-wielding Hit Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) can prevent their annihilation. When we last saw junior assassin Hit Girl and young vigilante Kick-Ass, they were trying to live as normal teenagers Mindy and Dave. With graduation looming and uncertain what to do, Dave decides to start the world’s first superhero team with Mindy.

Ayala Mall Cinemas Hosts CINEMALAYA 2013 Entries

Promoting and championing Filipino talents, Ayala Malls Cinemas hosts for the 3rd time entries that will compete in Cinemalaya Festival on its 9th year themed “Cinemalaya Cinesthesia.”

Ayala Malls Cinemas’ first collaboration with Cinemalaya back in July 2011 opened its Greenbelt3 screens to the entries, paving easy access for the festival’s followers within the metro. Ayala Malls Cinemas solidified its support to the festival by adding Trinoma screens as an additional venue on its 2nd year of partnership with Cinemalaya in 2012.

Vhong Dreams of Becoming The Next Kevin Kosme

Justin (Vhong Navarro) dreams up and plays out his favorite character, Kevin Cosme—one of Comedy King Dolphy’s signature roles, as this week’s episode of “Toda Max” takes on its own version of “Home Along Da Riles”.

Justin had recently been watching “Home Along Da Riles” on Jeepney TV in tribute to the Comedy King. Finding himself completely engrossed in the show, he eventually drifts off, dreaming—and in a strange turn of events, he comes to realize that he has actually turned into Kevin Kosme.

Meanwhile, Lady G (Pokwang) is in contact with a negotiator, Miss Abad (Kaye Abad), who brings along her faithful right hand (Vandolph) to Beverly Gils. Miss Abad proposes to increase productivity in the area by turning it into a commercial space. However, for that to happen, Beverly Gils would have to be demolished.

MUSIC LYF: Greek God's Teen Queens In "PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS”

Logan Lerman returns as the titular hero, the demigod son of Poseidon in “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters” who embarks on his own, modern-day Odyssey.  The beginning of the second adaptation of Rick Riordan’s best selling “Percy Jackson” book series finds our hero doubting himself and not living up to his potential.  Feeling abandoned by his father and finding out that he has a half-brother who is a Cyclops, Percy soon deals with an enormous task ahead along with his teen demigod friends Annabeth and Grover along with his new found brother Tyson to save their world from extinction.

BPI Family Further Empowers Franchising Industry, Co–Presents Franchise Asia Philippines 2013

Photo shows (L-R) BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Loans
Market Head, Franz De Vera; VP and Ka-Negosyo
Loans Market Head, Jay Santos; BPI Family President,
 Teodoro Limcaoco; Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Grace Poe,
 with SVP and Ka-Negosyo Loans Division Head,
 Cedoy Roces, and Ka-Negosyo Loans Brand Manager,
 Marj Antonio-Mendoza
BPI Family Savings Bank (BPI Family) is once again at the forefront of advancing and promoting entrepreneurship in the country as it co-presents Franchise Asia Philippines 2013, an event organized annually by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). The event that brings together key local and international franchise players provides an accessible venue for valuable sharing of global best practices and showcasing the hottest franchise opportunities today. Newly elected Senators Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe led the event's opening ceremony that was held recently at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

MUSIC LYF: ZIA QUIZON is back in studio recording her long-awaited sophomore album

After ups and downs, Zia Quizon is now ready to release her new album under PolyEast Records. This will now finally follow up her debut self titled album which was launched 2011. 

Singer/Songwriter Zia gears up to her sophomore via PolyEast Records titled “A Little Bit of Lovin.” PolyEast Records announces that Zia is halfway-through recording her second album and back with her worldly, earthy soul voice with the new single “Pasakalye” written by Jungee Marcelo. “Pasakalye” have hit the radios last week and will be launched on ASAP this Sunday, July 28, 2013.

“A Little Bit of Lovin” is Zia’s follow-up to her self-titled debut in 2011 with the chart-topping and award-winning songs “Ako Na Lang”, “Dear Lonely” and “Simple Girl”. The new CD will be available in stores this July with eight original cuts including Zia’s compositions and two classic revivals.

REEL DEAL: "The Wolverine At Ayala Malls Cinemas

Ayala Malls Cinemas brings you the adamantium-clawed hero this July 25 with a handful of surprises from their Early Bird Promo, Strike A Pose, Sureseats membership and Prize Surprize.

Check out the following promo only from Ayala Cinemas and be a member of the fast-growing www.sureseats.com movie community -  Glorietta4, Greenbelt3, Alabang Town Center, Market!Market!, Trinoma, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall,  Harbor Point, Centrio Cinemas and Abreeza Davao.

Engrossing and dark with thundering action, “The Wolverine” follows Logan to Japan where he is caught up in a sinister web of deceit, confronting deadly foes including lethal samurai steel directed by James Mangold.

“The Wolverine” is now showing in all Ayala Cinemas nationwide.

REEL DEAL: Get ready for the RUSH!

Two-time Academy Award® winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon), teams once again with fellow two-time Academy Award® nominee, writer Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), on Rush, a spectacular big-screen re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

The epic action-drama stars Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) as the charismatic Englishman James Hunt and Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) as the disciplined Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda, whose clashes on the Grand Prix racetrack epitomized the contrast between these two extraordinary characters, a distinction reflected in their private lives.

AZKALS: Celebrating challenges and inspiring victories!

Hailed by football enthusiasts as the “Saviour of Philippine Football”, the Team Azkals has proven that Filipinos have so much to celebrate about the sport, as they play from one glory to another.

As of June 4, the Azkals had again set forth to take on a number of international challenges in the football arena. Starting with a win at a pitch in Hong Kong, they continue their journey to fulfilling the grandest achievement in the history of the sport – to compete against and level with the best football teams all over the world, as they carry the nation’s flag.

Perceived by its followers as the “beautiful sport”, playing football develops abilities that show agility, strength, speed, and grace – qualities that are inherent in the Azkals. As the local interest for the game rapidly grows, young athletes are realizing that, like the country’s foremost players, they too are made for playing and excelling in this particular sport.

REEL DEAL: Lena Headey stars as Mary Sandin in Universal’s The Purge.

Considering it’s not quite the path she had envisaged, British actress Lena Headey is quite the action hero, and following on from roles in the likes of 300 and Dredd, she has another chance to show us what she’s made of, in

The Purge features Lena as Mary Sandin, who alongside her husband James (Ethan Hawke) and two kids, find themselves in severe danger in their own home, on a night where any crime can be committed without consequence. Headey tells us what it’s like being an action hero, her own aspirations as a filmmaker and she responds to Hawke’s kind compliments about her talent.

REEL DEAL: The Wolverine REVIEW

The wait is finally over as another X-men film is back and with everybody's favorite mutant Logan for its sequel The Wolverine! Hugh Jackman is back to reprise the role of the adamantium avenger which follows the timeline after X-men III The Last Stand. 

This time Logan goes to Japan to visit a old friend which will lead to a series of unexpected events. He would encounter a lot of action and revelations especially when his healing ability is jeopardized. With a new setting in Japan, brings a fresh approach to the Marvel Movie universe as we got used to have it mostly in America. Just like the comics where Logan traveled to Japan, the story will be a storm of blades and blood.

MUSIC LYF: Write, Record and Rock Out with Linkin Park!

LINKIN PARK is searching for a new sound. For the upcoming Linkin Park Underground 13 album, LINKIN PARK wants to collaborate with you on your original song. LINKIN PARK is seeking aspiring musicians for this amazing opportunity. With the help of Red Bull Studios and Hard Rock Cafe, you can win a trip to Los Angeles to record with the band*. Your song may even end up on the upcoming LPU13 album due out later this year.       
 
“Beyond sharing our music and art with the LP community at large, we relish opportunities to empower our fans to share their many talents with us. We’re excited to announce we will continue that tradition through the LPU Sessions, a one of a kind collaborative music-making project,“ says LP guitarist Brad Delson.

Safe and Stylish Homes for Students

For our parents and their parents, accommodation near the university meant a dormitory, a building with its warren of rooms where they had to live with strangers and share the kitchen, dining area and bathroom with them. Because of cramped living conditions, little or no privacy was maintained. A modicum of security was offered by a guard; a round-the-clock CCTV surveillance was rare if not downright non-existent.

Students of today have far better choices and more flexibility in choosing their second home as they embark on their university life. Vista Residences, a company under Vista Land & Lifescapes which has been providing quality homes for the Filipino family since 1977, positions itself as the foremost real estate developer that caters to the student market. Currently, it is building three projects near the top universities in the country: 878 España (University of Santo Tomas), Vista Residences Taft (De La Salle University) and Vista Residences Katipunan (Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines).

MUSIC LYF: Growing Old With You - A Benefit Concert

OUTBOX MEDIA celebrates 7th anniversary with Golden Acres Haven for Elderly,a benefit concert features crooner Richard Poon on July 27

In celebration of Outbox Media Production Agency's 7th anniversary, we proudly bring you “GROWING OLD WITH YOU”: A Benefit Concert for Golden Acres Haven for the Elderly on July 27, 2013, 7PM at the Celebrity Sports Complex, Capitol Hills, Quezon City.

A night of pure entertainment and delectable dining experience with performances from hit girl group, Pretty Young Thing (PYT);  comedy acts of singing trio, The Miss Tres of PGT4; followed by the heartfelt tunes of the country’s only big band crooner, Mr. Richard Poon!

This event is made possible by: FOTON MOTORS PHILIPPINES, ASIA REFRESHMENTS CORPORATION, SOGO CHAIN OF HOTELS, WATERFRONT HOTELS AND CASINOS, FERNA CORPORATION, URATEX FOAM, BOUNTY FRESH CHICKEN, CHINESE GENERAL HOSPITAL, PURE GOLD SUPERMARKET and SMARTS SHOTS STUDIO.



PhilPop 2013 Winners!

The 2013 PhilPop has concluded and we would like to send our congratulations to the PhilPop 2013 winners:

Grand Prize: DATI COMPOSED BY THYRO AND YUMI, INTERPRETED BY SAM CONCEPTION, TIPPY DOS SANTOS FEAT QUEST

First Runner Up: KUNG 'DI MAN COMPOSED BY JOHNOY DANAO, INTERPRETED BY NET DIMACULANGAN

Second Runner Up: PANSAMANTAGAL COMPOSED BY JUNGEE MARCELO INTERPRETED BY SITTI NAVARRO AND JULIANNE TARROJA

Smart People's Choice: KUNG 'DI MAN COMPOSED BY JOHNOY DANAO, INTERPRETED BY NET DIMACULANGAN

Meralco Special Award: SEGUNDO COMPOSED BY PAUL ARMESIN, INTERPRETED BY YAEL YUZON OF SPONGECOLA

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Opens New Temple In Urdaneta

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow their ministry with building more places of worship where the community ca...