TRASLACION 2013: A Decade of Faith

2013 is very special year for me, because it's my 10th year as a devotee of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. I actually started the devotion back in high school , and every year , I made sure to go there as a thanksgiving to all the things I have today . But do not go barefoot or pull the ropes, I would go there to attend Mass and offer prayers and thanksgiving . Sometimes it had crossed my mind if I tried to take part, however when I took a closer look at the wild chaotic rope bearers , I assessed that is not my nature and I would need intensive training for that. I do want to live long enough to see my prayers were answered.

Actually , it's not really necessary to battle it out for one to get to the Nazarene , it just so happened that there were too many devotees of the Black Nazarene , as if it was a war zone just to touch an inch of the Nazarene . Well , because of this, devotee critics denounce the fanaticism of the statue of Jesus. But I realized that FAITH in God  have provoked them into doing unusual  yet spiritual things . However it's just sad that there are some "devotees" who still continue on their sinful routine in their lives despite doing these sacrifices which loses the value of faith to the Nazarene.

Starworld Boasts Eight Year With American Idol 12

Proving its status as a global leader in entertainment programming, Star World is bringing the US’s top reality entertainment show, American Idol, once again to millions of viewers in Asia and beyond for the eighth year in a row, making the Pay TV channel the true home for idols as well as the show’s legions of devoted fans. Star World is committed to delivering every exciting moment of American Idol Season 12 to scores of viewers in Southeast Asia, India, Taiwan and the Middle East so that they get the latest performances, updates and scoops straight from their homes as soon as they happen.

Huge, fantastic changes are happening to American Idol in its 12th season, the biggest of which is a new roster of celebrity judges of unprecedented international stardom. Joining the powerful music producer Randy Jackson, who presence has fueled the show since its first season, are country music star Keith Urban, also husband to actress Nicole Kidman; the quirky and fun pop superstar Nicki Minaj, whose hits “Super Bass” and “Starships” have inundated global airwaves in recent years; and the eternal diva Mariah Carey, who has been enthralling audiences with her vocal prowess over a musical career that has spanned more than 20 years. Together, these four judges have enough star power and experience in the music industry to select the best American Idol hopefuls to vie for the coveted title as well as give meaningful and insightful comments to help them along their journey. Fans will be happy to know that Emmy-nominated host Ryan Seacrest is returning to the show to guide viewers through another exciting season of amazing musical performances.

Press launch of GMA's "Forever" available via livestream tonight

GMA Network will be launching "Forever," its latest afternoon drama offering, tonight, January 8, at 7:00pm.  The series stars Heart Evangelista, Geoff Eigenmann and Ms. Gloria Romero. 

Apart from members of the entertainment press, netizens will also be able to witness the said event via live streaming on GMA Network's official web portal, GMANetwork.com.

To watch the livestreaming, visit http://www.gmanetwork.com/livestreaming at 7:00pm tonight. 

MUSIC LYF: MCA Music Welcomes Sitti

The country’s number 1 music company MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) welcomes another top artist to its OPM fold—none other than the Philippines’ Queen of Bossa Nova SITTI.

She joins its roster of best artists which includes bands such as Urbandub, Pupil, Franco, Chicosci, The Oktaves, Tanya Markova and Pedicab and solo acts Nyoy Volante, Sabrina, Solenn Heussaff, Loonie, Barbie Forteza and Ron Henley. Its international acts comprised of U2, Snow Patrol, Keane, Justin Bieber, Lady GaGa, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, Gotye, Rihanna, Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Jessie J among others.

Present during the contract signing was MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) President Ricky R. Ilacad who incidentally was the one who signed up Sitti during his term as head of another record label. Also present were MCA Music executives Wilson Cruz (Marketing & Sales Director), Kiko Guevarra (A & R Manager) and Mark Bonifacio (OPM Label Marketing Manager).

Bong Revilla opens 2013 with Indio

Fresh from the box-office success of his Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Si Enteng, Si Agimat at Si Ako”, Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. faces 2013 with his biggest project to date with the Kapuso Network.

He leads the much-awaited drama-fantasy series Indio which will premiere on January 14 on the GMA Telebabad block.

According to Senator Bong, he is never satisfied with a mediocre work that is why he exerted extra efforts to make the series outstanding.

As Senator Bong puts it, “Bago ko simulan ang Indio, nag-acting workshop muna ako para maging maganda ang pag-portray ko sa role na Indio. Hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa naming pinapaganda ang Indio. Dapat nila itong abangan dahil ito ay aming pinaghandaan at pinaghirapan. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa GMA for giving me a very good project to start my 2013.”

TRASLACION 2013: Feast of The Black Nazarene PRIMER

January not only means the start of the year but also the start of the Philippine festivals which are largely followed and before the major regional festivals like Sinulog of Cebu, and Dinagyang of Iloilo, it all starts with the feast of the Black Nazarene that is attended by millions of devotees, including myself, to flock to the dense district of Quiapo and also join in the procession from Luneta to the Quiapo church. 

The feast has been a tradition for more than 400 years and has gone through many challenges and milestones which have been etched into the spirituality of Filipino Catholics. And in every festival, it becomes the most dense place on earth with many of the devotees made a pilgrimage from cities in Metro Manila and even some from  provinces like Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga. 

SM Store Year End Sale EXTENDED!

Great news guys! Even its already 2013 , its still a great time to shop at discounted rates up to 50%! Because the SM Store "YEAR END SALE" is EXTENDED!!! 

So start 2013 right and enjoy great finds of up to 50% off!

Up to JANUARY 13 at all SM stores, nationwide!

Per DTI-NCR Permit Number 9272, Series of 2012

Follow The SM Store on...

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSMStore | Twitter:http://twitter.com/thesmstore | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thesmstore

Welcoming The New Year With With Sky Lanterns at Light Up NUVALI

The New Year is upon us and ending 2012 should be something unique and significant. And I won't pass on the opportunity to try out this. On Rizal Day, December 30, We went to Nuvali, the premiere eco city in Laguna which is now becoming a popular place for people and nature, conducted their annual Sky Lantern event which will light up the Laguna sky. It will be my first time to fly these lanterns and also make a wish for 2013 and beyond.

Nuvali is also the perfect place for Sky Lanterns as it would be hazardous to fire when done in the urban area. And with the multitudes of lanterns flying up is a great sight to see as they appear like stars floating up to the sky. Which also reminds you of an animated movie which also had their annual sky lanterns. The lanterns are also specially made to prevent fire incidents with eco friendly materials. 

Well Well 2012! Where Have You Been 2013?

For the last post of the year, I want to first send a big THANK YOU for everyone who made my 2012. Yes you, the one who are reading this year-ender post. To all of you who have in one way or another have touched my life.

And I am very happy where I have ended 2012 with a more than I expected and with a lot of wins more than the fails. Going back to school, winning raffles, receiving things from friends and  events. These things affirmed my faith, boosted my morale and even pushed me to be a better person.

I do admit that there are still down times of sadness and sickness, but most of them actually provided an opportunity for recovery. RECOVERY, yes this is the word that I would describe 2012, as 2011 was one hell of a year and almost drove me crazy.

REEL DEAL: The Wolverine NEW POSTER

“THE WOLVERINE” BRAND NEW POSTER IS HERE TO SHARE!

20th Century Fox releases the brand new international poster of “The Wolverine” displaying Hugh Jackman in an arched position seemingly ready for intense action!

"Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before."

“The Wolverine” brand new poster is available in various formats on the official site at http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/intl  including:

Stabucks Philippines #Rekindles Christmas Spirit

Yes, its that time of the year that we will indulge in cups of coffee and frap and the like to collect stickers to get their 2013 Starbucks Planner. The Starbuck Cheer Party held at Starbucks Bonifacio High Street. The event was filled with starbuck fans who wants to have their stickers collected to get the coveted Starbucks planner.

For this year, the planner comes in three different colors: green, brown, and black. And according to starbucks, they made sure the most of the ingredients in making the planners are recycled materials that follows their promise for an earth-friendly coffee compan.

In the cheer party there were a lot of games which gave away a lot of starbucks GCs and premium items. Starbucks also had a cup art competition with customers and their partners from other starbucks stores.

The night was also filled with music, fun, and free taste of their Christmas drinks and desserts. I actually won in one of the Q&A contest and got myself a pair of GCs. Sweet! So this marks the day that starbucks fans can now start collecting stickers and grab those planners for the coming year 2013 and Rekindle the Christmas Spirit!

Cheers!

WRITER: Chain Mail (Excerpt)

Here is the except from my novel CHAIN MAIL which I hope will be finished and be published in 2013.

CHAIN MAIL

A curse, a well planned curse. People have been mysteriously dying with no concrete evidence or suspects. All they have are pieces of paper that gives a death sentence to those who did not follow the instructions in the letter. The public is getting scared that they will receive one. It maybe a deadly prank or supernatural letter, two Investigators goes into the truth as they also avoid the touch of death or the feared chain mail.

NOVEMBER 1. ALL SAINTS DAY

REEL DEAL: The Wolverine

OMG! This just in!

After waiting for years and just hearing news, I saw this new poster for the next WOLVERINE movie! This character is what I can say the perfect role for Hugh Jackman!

THE WOLVERINE First-Look Photo

20th Century Fox has finally released the hi-definition first look photo of “THE WOLVERINE” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by James Mangold.

The movie is based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.

THE WOLVERINE on JULY 25, 2013 across Philippine cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be  distributed by Warner Bros.

Global anti-corruption leaders to visit Manila in 5th GOPAC conference

Prominent parliamentarians from around the world are expected to attend the 5th International Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), which will be held for the first time here in Manila. The conference, organized in cooperation with the Senate of the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), and with the full support of President Benigno S. Aquino III, will run from January 30 to February 2, 2013 at the Philippine International Convention Center. 

Good Leaders, Good Laws, Good Citizens is the theme of this year’s conference. The conference proper will be conducted for two days, with capacity-building workshops centered around it. John Williams, GOPAC founder and CEO, and Dr. Naser Al Sane, GOPAC Chair, will be joining the Manila Steering Committee along with an expected 500 international delegates from over 46 countries in debates and discussions on the following topics: Parliamentary Oversight and The Role of Good Audit in the Fight Against Corruption; Anti Money Laundering Laws v. Bank Secrecy; and Transparency in Public Procurement and Business and Civil Society Oversight.