Ready Player One Lead Actor Tye Sheridan headlines Second Batch of Guests at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2018

Ready for another batch of celebrity headliner and guest artists who will grace the country's biggest pop culture convention?

AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2018 (APCC Manila 2018)—slated on July 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City—is in full swing to make the convention one heck of a thrill ride for its thousands of fans across the region. Getting the adrenaline pumping is APCC’s latest addition of headliner: No less than Tye Sheridan, the ambitious Gunter Wade Watts from Steven Spielberg’s Hollywood box-office blockbuster, Ready Player One.

A1 Celebrates 20th Year Anniversary via a Reunion Concert!

The much-awaited reunion of well-loved 90s band A1 is finally happening! This time, fans will surely be thrilled as Paul Marazzi joins his original band mates Ben Adams, Mark Read, and Christian Ingebrigtsen for the British-Norwegian band’s 20th Anniversary “Reunion” Tour 2018. The band is scheduled to hold a concert on the 21st of October 2018 at Kia Theatre, Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Ben, Mark, and Christian expressed their excitement on having Paul back on stage with them:

“We're unbelievably excited that Paul will be joining us again and bringing the original line up of A1 together for the very first time in nearly 15 years, as we approach the 20th Anniversary of when we released our 1st single & album Here we Come. There was always an amazing dynamic and energy when the four of us performed together. So what better place to bring that magic back than to the part of the world that has always embraced us with such incredible love and support, South East Asia, more specifically, the Philippines, Indonesia & Singapore. We absolutely cannot wait to see our friends and fans over there once againand bring them a show that will remind us of all the great times we had together. It will surely be a show to remember and not to be missed.” 

Home 168 Manila Offers Business Opportunities

You probably encounter at least one of your friends complaining about traffic and high transportation fare on a regular basis.  Thus, Home 168 Manila Management sought to provide a profitable solution to Manila’s most prevalent traffic and transportation problems.  

Home 168 Manila has become an affordable home near the school or workplace for young dreamers.  At Remedios Circle – the heart of Malate, it has established a safe and chill tenant community composed of 520 beds pacers.   According to Home 168 Manila Management, they try as much as possible to provide as much service while offering an affordable price so those on the entry-level of their career can save, level up and go further towards their dreams.  

Taking A Visita Iglesia Via The Pasig River!

Holy week is upon us and one of our devotional traditions is doing Visita Iglesia by visiting churches. Depending on your preference, you could visit 7, 8 or even 14 churches, usually done with the way of the cross. I've been practicing this tradition with friends and family, and I would always ask myself how can I make this a unique experience every year.

With many churches located within Metro Manila, there is practically a lot of place to go to to complete your itinerary. And recently, there is a new way of doing Visita Iglesia and this is through the Pasig River. It was in recent years that ferry service was available for the public. The Zoomanity Group had a great idea of infusing Visita Iglesia with the river cruise which makes it an unique experience.

Celine Dion Announces Live 2018 Tour To Play In Manila

World-renowned singer Celine Dion has announced she will head overseas this summer with her highly anticipated LIVE 2018 Tour to perform in seven cities across the Asia-Pacific region. Scheduled to kick-off 26 June in Tokyo, the CELINE DION LIVE 2018 Tour will see Celine return to cities she hasn’t performed in for ten years, including Tokyo and Macao, and cities she will perform in for the first time ever, including Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Manila and Bangkok.

Tickets for CELINE DION LIVE 2018 in Manila will go on sale to the public beginning 18 January at 10 a.m. Members of TeamCeline will have access to purchase tickets before the public through an advance pre-sale from 16 January to 17 January. The tour is produced by AEG Presents and co-produced by Ovation Productions in Manila.

Superstar Comedian Russell Peters Returns To Asia With The Deported World Tour

AEG Presents and Ovation Productions are thrilled to announce that global comedy phenom RUSSELL PETERS will bring his DEPORTED WORLD TOUR to MANILA on 10 MARCH 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center’s Plenary Hall.  

Tickets for the March 10 show priced at P8190, 7135, 6080, 3970, 2910 will go on sale 10 am of January 8 via www.smtickets.com. 

The show features ALL NEW MATERIAL, plus Peters’ signature interactions with the audience. Peters says, “I love getting to know my audience. It’s a collaboration between us.”  

Peters last toured Asia in 2015 & 2016 to sold out houses. “I’ve been building the new act in clubs across the States over the past year and I’m very happy with it.” 

OOSM Solutions celebrates 1st year of operations, eyes further expansion

Australia-based OOSM Solutions, a BPO company operating in the Philippines, celebrates its first year of operations and is looking at further expansion.

Headquartered at the country’s premier financial district that is Makati City, OOSM Solutions, which is part of the LSM BPO group in Australia, may still be considered as a young company in the Philippines but has already achieved significant milestones.

“Our passion, commitment, professionalism and dedication are among the reasons that catapulted us toward success during our first year, and we are looking forward to accomplish more with the proper training, skills and expertise that are necessary to get the job done,” explains Linda Salud-Margon, Chief Executive Officer of OOSM Solutions.

Freenet gives Pinoy netizens free Facebook, Twitter & Instagram mobile access on Social Media Day

Filipino Internet and mobile users are in for a treat this coming Saturday as freenet, the free Internet platform of PLDT and Smart's Voyager Innovations, will provide free access to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on July 1 in time for the global celebration of Social Media Day.

From 12NN to 9PM on July 1, Smart, TNT and Sun subscribers all around the country will get access to the world's most popular social media sites without incurring data charges, allowing them to participate and join in on the day's celebrations from wherever they are.

The free internet access window being provided by freenet is in direct support to the the #NextPH Social Media Day celebrations at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier, an event organized locally by top social media community group TweetupMNL.

Let's Take a Joyride On Independence Day!

Independence Day is a fun holiday for Filipinos, also it falls on a Monday which made it a long weekend for many. What better way to enjoy the celebration is with visiting historical places and also enjoy a grub or two.

Just in time for Araw Ng Kalayaan are the festivities that happened in Rizal Park. The vast space and open area provides a breather for many of the urban dwellers. One of which is the NutriAsia food truck that serves dishes made nutricous and delicious by thier products.

Create your Globe Coldplay story on April 4, 2017

Get an exclusive chance to win tickets and watch Coldplay live in Manila

The Coldplay fandom in Manila is undeniably huge. Tickets to their April 4, 2017 concert at the MOA Concert Grounds, presented by Globe were sold out in a day, but Globe will give all its customers another chance to watch the most-coveted concert of 2017. By registering to any GoSurf promo or subscribing to any Broadband plan, customers can earn raffle entries to win tickets to Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams Tour in Manila”.  For Globe Broadband customers, every P5 spent on their bill is equivalent to one raffle entry. Forty tickets are up for grabs as 20 lucky customers will win 2 tickets each.

Mountain Dews Brings Dew Tour AM Series To Manila To Excite and Engage The Skate Community

Mountain Dew® is excited to announce the successful Dew Tour Am Series will be coming again to Manila on November 19-20.This adrenaline-charged, action-packed amateur skateboarding competition will give local skaters of all levels the opportunity to compete for a chance to win P75,000 and a trip to Dew Tour USA.

“Through the Dew Tour Am Series, Mountain Dew hopes to amplify the skateboarding culture, whose life, energy, and color, is making waves around the world,” said Katrina Paras, PepsiCo Flavors Category Manager. “We can’t wait to see the tricks, moves, and surprises that the best Filipino skateboarders will stun us with at the Dew Tour Am Series here in Manila.”

Great shopping finds revealed in revitalized Tutuban Center

Tutuban Center, the bargain hunter’s paradise, has unveiled new and exciting features to pump up your shopping experience. The center recently underwent a number of renovation work and building improvements. With the holiday season coming, shoppers will make a beeline for the great deals in Tutuban Center’s Main Station and Prime Block.

Tutuban Center Main Station, with the Bonifacio Shrine across its entrance, is a heritage building where the original train station built in the 1800s first stood. As a heritage building, steps were taken to preserve its history including repainting based on the heritage color palette, and improving lighting for its facade details. The building has also retained features like brick walls and century-old wrought iron pillars that lead all the way to the food court.

Philippines makes its mark as global entertainment destination

The Philippines once again made its mark in the global entertainment scene as over 26,000 fans from across the globe gathered together for some explosive dance music performed by renowned local and international pop icons in this year’s biggest music event, the MTV Music Evolution Manila 2016.

Presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the one-night-only outdoor live music event, with the theme Can’t Stop Movin!, presented the amazing evolution of pop music and its dance influences. The Concert Grounds of SM Mall of Asia was basically on fire as fans danced, cheered and sang their hearts out on hit after hit of iconic and contemporary pop dance music.

Visita Igelsia Diaries 2016 : A New Path

Last year, I was not able to participate with the Visita Iglesia and the last post I had was way back in 2013. So I was eager to make my yearly tradition to be again part of my Holy Week reflection and prayer time. This time, I made a new path different from the usual route I have trekked in the past years. Also I have formed a personal and more intimate group of dorm mates and blogger friends to be part of the new path.

The new path is something I was quite afraid to take since it has an uncertain journey time and expectations, but the fact that I have friends with this makes it light and fun, and most likely a picture filled day.

The new route starts with a gathering at Malate Church which is also the best way to start since it is the best of both worlds, a stunning view of Manila Bay, and the solemn and historical compound of Malate Church.

Veteran Philippine Netters Reign Supreme at the PPTO Manila leg

It was a battle between tennis veterans at the Peugeot Philippines Tennis Open (PPTO) Manila leg last February 1-7, 2016, at the Valle Verde Country Club. Thirty-seven year-old netter Rolando Ruel, Jr. decisively defeated Patrick John Tierro with the score of 6-2, 6-1, to bag the PPTO Manila leg’s men’s singles title. Ruel is currently the Philippines’ No. 5 player, while Tierro is the Ateneo de Manila University men’s tennis team head coach and Philippines’ no. 4 netter.

Meanwhile, National University tennis team coaching staff Ronard Joven and Karl Santamaria showed the youngsters how it’s done by beating  San Beda’s Noel Damian and Davis Alano in an exciting 6-4, 7-5 match.

Misa De Gallo Day 6: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Now I am getting the hang of it, I now decided to stay up late to avoid oversleeping. I will get my sleep afterwards. Unlike this time, I know where to go. Going back to the first church where I started this devotion, Sacred Heart Parish in Sta Mesa Manila. 

Back then when we were living in Manila, it was this church that I always pass by when I go to school. It is also a witness of changes in my life, and I have also witnessed the changes of the church as well. Since I lived in Mandaluyong, going to the church was also not that frequent. 

But for this mass, I was quite impressed with the many changes inside the church. The facade remained the same, but the feel of the interior is new, there are now side screens instead of the projector and massive celling fans which I would only find in malls. The changes were ment to bring a better experience for mass goers since it can be hot and dark beacuse of the original architecture. This reminds me that we do change, and it should always be for the better.

GrabCar launches STAR WARS-themed vehicles

STAR WARS-themed GrabCars will cruise into Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok today

Experience the Awakening this December with STAR WARS-themed GrabCars. Starting today, GrabCar users can indulge in their STAR WARS fantasy and travel in comfort and style in custom designed vehicles. They just need to book a ride using the special STAR WARS GrabCar icon in the GrabTaxi mobile app.

Misa De Gallo Diaries Day 4: Our Lady of the Abandoned Church

For this day, I made a terrible mistake of sleeping which prompted me to wake up at 5am, a dreadful hour without an idea where should I go. So I hurried up and went to Sta Ana which I presumed will have a mass at that time. Took two jeepney rides but when I arrived at the destination, the mass is already over.

I was really sad, but these things could happen. So under the rain, I walked a little around the church hoping there will be another but since the next one will be more than two hours, I said it would not be practical since I still haven’t slept long enough. 

AccorHotels Opens First Novotel in the Philippines

Novotel Manila Araneta Center Debuts in Manila’s Largest Lifestyle Hub of Quezon City 

AccorHotels will launch the Novotel Manila Araneta Center in October  12 this year, bringing the world’s most recognized international business class hotel brand to the Philippines. Located within the Araneta Center, the premier lifestyle hub of Quezon City, the 24-storey hotel features 401 contemporary rooms and suites and an executive sky-lounge with a 360-degree view of the metropolis. The hotel will offer the largest number of rooms in Quezon City to date.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is part of a massive development plan in the Araneta Center which is bustling with life and activities including weekend night markets, food festivals and street performances. The hotel opens at a time when tourism to the Philippines is growing fast, with visitor arrivals up 7.65% for the first half of the year, and just one month before the city hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Summit in November.

One of the Six Million Reasons to Love Pope Francis

my best shot so far, nevertheless it is priceless.

January 18 would be another day in history to be remembered by many as the day where an estimated 6 million people, including myself, went to Luneta and the surrounding roads to celebrate the biggest mass in history. It has been scheduled for me to attend this grand mass in Rizal Park and have at least a glimpse of the Holy Father as he goes around and blesses the Filipino people.

Upon his arrival, I did not have enough time to go to the streets he will be passing by as I have work schedules but I made a point to prioritize the Grand Eucharistic Celebration at Luneta on January 18 as it is my rest day. The holiday did however served as a blessing for us as it reduced traffic and also provided additional pay for us still working at the BPO industry. However, I suddenly realized that I should have chosen to take these days as a vacation leave after reflecting on the homilies of the Pope.