MUSIC LYF: Blush New Single - Dance On

Since hitting the US music scene in the summer of 2011, international pop sensation BLUSH has been creating billboard history with their monumental rise up the charts.  Just recently BLUSH reached a new milestone as their new high-energy track “Dance On” hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play charts. The unique, talented group of Asian girls now sits atop entries from Rihanna, David Guetta, Kelly Clarkson and other well-established pop artists.  

With this exciting news, “Dance On” has surpassed BLUSH’s widely popular debut single “Undivided” (feat. Snoop Dogg) which reached the #3 spot on the same chart. At that time BLUSH--Victoria, Natsuko, Angeli, Ji Hae and Alisha--became the first Asian artist to hit the Top 3 on a major U.S. chart with a debut single. They now stand alone as the only Asian artists ever to have their first two singles hit Top 10, let alone both hitting Top 3. “Dance On” shot up the Dance/Club Play chart from Top 20 all the way to #1 in one month. Both songs will be featured on the group’s upcoming debut EP, due out this spring. 

Quick Blogs: Robots and Caracol Fetsival!

The day has been a busy one for me with two different events. One is the Robotics competition at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at SM Mall of Asia and the Caracol Festival at Ayala Triangle. It was a fun day of engineering (which I love) and art (which I also love). Will post details and the blog post soon. so keep posted!

-fpj jr

I Auditioned For TV MARIA

Yesterday was the 26th anniversary of the People Power Revolution and also the birthday of my sister who lives in Japan. And this is also the day I went to audition for a TV station. It may not be the like the mainstream television networks, TV Maria is a television pioneer in the Philippines as the first Catholic TV which started in 2006. Though one may think that its all prayers and masses seen all day, TV Maria shows alternative and very value-oriented shows that indeed fit for family viewing. 

I was invited to audition for its upcoming shows involving music, youth and kids. So far everything went well and I hope to make the cut. It would be an honor to be part of the revolutionary project that will have a great impact in not just only entertaining, informing but also FORMING values and relationships that makes us a better nation. I do think its time to have more smart shows to help us think to be better. TV Maria is available in majot cable providers like Global Destiny, Sky Cable and Dream TV.

REEL DEAL: Safehouse REVIEW

The world indeed is a dangerous place, no one is exempted on what could happen to any of us in natural or man made events. Even with the toughest security can be breached, nowhere is a safe place.



Oscar® winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star in the action-thriller Safe House.  Washington plays the most dangerous renegade from the CIA, who comes back onto the grid after a decade on the run.  When the South African safe house he’s remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Reynolds) escapes with him.  Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.


For the past year, Matt Weston has been frustrated by his inactive, backwater post in Cape Town.  A “housekeeper” who aspires to be a full-fledged agent, the loyal company man has been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself.  When the first and only occupant he’s had proves to be the most dangerous man he’s ever met, Weston readies for duty.

 

Avida Brings The Perks of Urban Living Amidst an Eco-friendly Environment in NUVALI

Many families dream of living in harmony with the natural environment without giving up the conveniences they enjoy in the city. Now, this lifestyle is made possible thanks to Avida Land Corp.’s residential projects in NUVALI—Ayala Land Inc.’s 1,840-hectare eco-city development in Sta. Rosa and Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna that is envisioned to become the Philippines’ newest and most sought-after regional growth center.

Nestled within this vast land are, Ridgeview Estates NUVALI, Avida Settings NUVALI, Avida Village Cerise NUVALI and Avida Parkway Settings NUVALI. These residential developments combine and harmonize the benefits of community living and urban convenience with the freshness and beauty of nature. 

NUVALI is conveniently close to schools, hospitals, commercial establishments, offices—everything that residents would need.  There is also a transport terminal where residents can now commute more conveniently from NUVALI to Makati and vice versa, while shuttle services within NUVALI are available for Avida residents.

“Avida believes that living with nature is good for one’s mind, body, and soul. After battling with the noise and pollution in the city during the day, it is nice to relax and enjoy comforts of home” says Dez Cruz, Avida’s Head of Project Strategic Management Group. 

REEL DEAL: The Lorax SPOTLIGHT

“What was the Lorax? And why was it there? And why was it lifted

and taken somewhere from the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows?

The old Once-ler still lives there. Ask him. He knows.”

—Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax”

From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope.  The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for a real Truffula Tree, the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams.  To get it he must find the story of the Lorax, the acerbic yet charming character who fights to protect his world.   

Lending their vocal talents to the project are DANNY DEVITO as the iconic title character of the Lorax and ED HELMS as the enigmatic Once-ler.  Also bringing their voices to the adventure are global superstars ZAC EFRON as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Grammy Award winner TAYLOR SWIFT as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams.  Rounding out the cast are ROB RIGGLE (The Hangover, Big Miracle) as the villain O’Hare, JENNY SLATE as Ted’s protective mother, and beloved actress BETTY WHITE  as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.  

FASHIONISTA: It’s a colorful life with Casa Quick & Easy Cellophane

Your hair is your crowning glory but keeping it healthy and in style could be very expensive and time-consuming. If your schedule or budget doesn’t allow you the pampering of salon color, you may want to try at-home hair-coloring preparations that are really affordable and easy to use.

Casa Cellophane is hair-coloring product that gives hair a fantastic shine and adds a layer of color to your otherwise boring locks. It could be the solution to your mane problem if you want to try something exciting and stylish for your locks without having to go to a salon.

Recently, Casa Cellophane appointed the four charming and stylish young men of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) pop group 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”) namely Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, Kim Nicolas, and Yuki Sakamoto as its endorsers to represent brand’s playful and colorful character.

“I’ve been using Casa Cellophane for a while now and I’ve tried dying my hair red. The red hint of color is just perfect for my skin tone. It’s great that I can style my hair on my own with this product,” says Kim.

Meanwhile, Anjo shares his satisfaction in using Casa Cellophane as it has helped him treat his damaged hair due to frequent hair coloring.

“In our profession we need to reinvent our hairstyles to look our best and be fashionable but sometimes too much styling damages my hair. Good thing, I’ve discovered Casa Cellophane. My hair is now shiny, healthy and manageable,” he says.

ASH WEDNESDAY - Stop, Reflect, Pray

Last February 22 marks the start of the Lenten Season in which Catholics  go to attend mass and also be marked with ash on their foreheads as a sign of repentance. The priest or minister will recite "Repent and believe in the Gospel" while he marks the forehead.

Lent does bring me into a season of reflection and repentance. Indeed everyone has sinned yet its our call to repent in our ways. This does remind us that we are imperfect yet still called to holiness and be the steward of goodness. Though this post may sound religous in tought but its also rooted in the universal mutuality of LOVE.


This Lent, 


STOP


REFLECT


PRAY.

XSTIG: Dell Launches New Laptop - XPS 14z

Dell unveiled its XPS 14z laptop, one of the thinnest fully featured 14-inch laptops featuring an internal optical drive and discrete graphics option. The latest in a series of thin-and-powerful solutions from Dell that include thin laptops, desktops and accessories, the XPS 14z delivers performance that impresses and design that inspires. Professionals now can power through their day at work and kick back at night to take advantage of the system’s HD screen to watch movies or video. A performance laptop that includes all the powerful features professionals want – and helps them look good in the process – the XPS 14z is available with second-generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, an HD WLED display for great entertainment experiences, a slot-load optical drive and NVIDIA graphics option. The XPS 14z is a sleek laptop with a compact design that measures in at less than an inch thin. The unique design also maximizes screen size, delivering a 14-inch screen in a 13-inch form factor. 

The XPS 14z is the latest member of Dell’s portfolio of thin-and-powerful solutions, and the second such solution in the XPS family, joining the successful XPS 15z laptop. Dell’s thin-and-powerful solutions now include the Inspiron 13z laptop, Inspiron 14z laptop, and the Inspiron One all-in-one computer that are ideal solutions for parents and students, as well as the Vostro V131 laptop for small businesses. All solutions are designed to deliver impressive performance in beautiful packages. 

MUSIC LYF: The Cranberries are back in Manila for “Greatest Hits” concert

THE CRANBERRIES ARE BACK in Manila for their much-awaited “The Greatest Hits Concert” on April 10th at the Araneta Coliseum. The Irish rock band, one of the world’s biggest rock acts in the 1990s, first staged a concert in the Philippines in 1996. They attained a worldwide fan base after releasing their hit songs, which are now rock and roll classics: “Linger”, “Zombie”, “Ode To My Family”, “Animal Instinct”, “Ridiculous Thoughts”, and a lot more.

Stephanie Uy, President of Karpos Multimedia Inc., the producer of the said concert, shares that they are very excited to bring The Cranberries here in the Philippines.

“The Cranberries are going to tour starting March until July, and we’re very lucky because Philippines is the only country that they’ll visit in Asia. We can’t wait to have them here,” she says.

“So if you love rock and you miss the music of the 90’s, this is an event you shouldn’t pass up,” Uy adds. 

Pinoy band Franco will showcase their own brand of rock and roll as the front act for  The Cranberries.