AXA Philippines Donates P1.7 million for the benefit of Sendong victims

Left to right: From AXA Philippines: Lora Reboton,

Grace Garcia, and Rien Hermans;

CARE representative in the Philippines,Celso Dulce, 

and ACCORD’sMarietta Alcid and Athena Denise Gepte.

Last January 31, 2012, AXA Philippines President and CEO, Rien Hermans handed over the proceeds of a month-long campaign initiated by company management to gather financial support from AXA Philippines employees and distributors for the victims of the devastating typhoon Sendong. Typhoon Sendong destroyed thousands of homes and caused millions of pesos in damages in the Northern Mindanao area in late 2011.

The amount was raised through a campaign entitled, Hearts in Action for a Million, wherein AXA Philippines employees, management and distributors contributed financial aid. Some groups even contributed their activity fund, the amount allocated for their group activity and Christmas gathering. The objective was to raise a million pesos in relief funds for the families affected by the disaster.

REEL DEAL: Battleship SPOTLIGHT

From the producer of Hasbro the Transformers franchise.  Summer 2012 begins with the biggest battle of all: Battleship.

Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom) produces and directs Battleship, an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force.  Based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancée; Alexander Skarsgård as Hopper’s older brother, Commanding Officer Stone of the USS Samson; Rihanna as Lt. Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones, and international superstar Liam Nelson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.

“Battleship” distributed and released by United International Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corporation.

Belt it out at the 12-hour Sing-a-thon by Bactidol

Music is an essential part of our everyday lives and we Filipinos aside from being known for our hospitality and warm smiles we  also have this utmost love (and sometimes addiction) for videoke. It is present in every life event like birthdays, wedding and even funerals. And with this Pinoy passion that have also shaped our world class singers known around the globe into the great music artists they are today. 

Maybe the reason videoke is such a huge hit is because it brings people together and adds fun to parties, reunions and other gatherings. It’s also a great way to unwind and let out the stress after a long, tiring day.And most people don’t just sing one song; videoke sessions can go on until the wee hours of the morning (or until the machine breaks down).

Make sure your throat is always videoke-ready by gargling with Bactidol, the number 1 doctor-recommended throat solution. It provides relief from sore throat for up to 12 hours so you can grab that microphone and sing at the top of your lungs, be it to the tune of poppy, boyband hits like I Want It That Way or powerful ballads such as Total Eclipse of the Heart.

REEL DEAL: Titanic - Historical Facts

TITANIC: AS A HISTORIC MATTER OF FACT

"The tragedy of Titanic has assumed an almost mythic quality in our collective imagination," Titanic filmmaker James Cameron says. "But the passage of time has robbed it of its human face and vitality. I hope that Rose and Jack's relationship will be a kind of emotional lightning rod, if you will, allowing viewers to invest their minds and their hearts to make history come alive again."

Traveling on a ship physically designed to prevent them from ever meeting, third-class passenger Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and first-class passenger, Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), have taken the ultimate risk -- to defy the oppressive social conventions of their time and fall in love.

In full 3D, “Titanic” sails once again in theaters come April 7 (Saturday) across Philippine cinemas.  Here are important facts gathered to usher audience aboard the R.M.S. Titanic for the timeless, beloved classic love story of all time.

MUSIC LYF: David Archuleta - Forevermore Video Premiere and Fans Day

DAVID ARCHULETA…FOREVERMORE, is a collection of all original Filipino classic love songs written in English and composed by some of the Philippines’ renowned songwriters like Ogie Alcasid, Louie Ocampo, Jay Durias, Jimmy Antiporda, Cecil Azarcon, among others.

The collection showcases some of the best love songs, the country has produced. The songs will definitely invoke feelings of love and hope in every listener. “Forevermore” and "Hold On" (both by Side A), “You Are My Song” (Martin Nievera) “I’ll Never Go" (Nexxus), "Tell Me" (Joey Albert), “Reaching Out” (Gary Valenciano), and “Rainbow" (South Border)” are some of the songs included in the album. The album pays tribute to not only OPM (Original Pilipino Music) but also to his countless fans who have been loyal throughout his career. The album is a gift and labor of love to his devoted fans. David wants his fans to know, that he loves and appreciates them wherever he may go, Forevermore.

“I wouldn’t say that I sound better than the original singers because the singers here are so amazing. But I would hope that I could pay tribute to them with this album,” David said at the press conference for the album. As an added treat to David’s fans, the album also includes “Nandito Ako”, from the TV5 mini-series of the same name, as a bonus track.

“The Internet Just Got Better” With The New Netopia

Is it a coffee shop or an internet cafe? Actually it's both. The internet has never been this faster, more reliable and convenient! Re-inventing your internet experience, Netopia brings new facilities and services to provide you with high-speed connections and a complete café experience that is fresh, new and trendier than ever! They recently opened a hybrid store fusing the reliable netopia internet cafe with Highlands coffee (from Vietnam) at the newly opened Lucky Chinatown Mall in Divisoria, to create that one of a kind internet and coffee experience.

For 16 years now since 1996, Netopia has been providing high-speed internet and top of the line computer services among Filipinos through its 116 outlets located across the country. Operated by Digital Paradise Inc., Netopia is the leading and only nationwide internet café chain in the Philippines.

MUSIC LYF: Hanson CD Signing Event

PolyEast Records hosts a CD SIGNING EVENT with pop-rock trio Hanson at The Block SM North Edsa and SM CEBU

“Shout it Out” album now available in stores nationwide!

To most of the world, Hanson were three little boys who sang infectious and catchy songs like “I Will Come to You,” “Penny and Me” and “Where’s the Love.”  Fifteen years after hearing their ubiquitous "MMMBop" here, there, and everywhere—the boys are back to reward loyal Pinoy fans with some of their greatest pop-rock anthems. Celebrating the release of the new album “Shout It Out”, PolyEast Records in cooperation with Astrovision/Astroplus, will have a special CD Signing Event for all Hanson fans & CD buyers.  Fans will get to share the excitement and share the love for the band on Thursday, March 29, 2012 6:00 p.m. at The Block SM North EDSA and on Saturday, March 31, 2012 2:00 p.m. at SM Cebu.

In support of their highly-anticipated fifth studio record released by Polyeast Records, “Shout It Out,” Dayly Entertainment will be staging the Hanson Shout It Out Tour 2012 on March 30, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and March 31, 2012 at Waterfront Hotel Cebu. PolyEast Records’ Robin Nievera will serve as the front act for the Metro Manila gig. Robin Nievera has recently launched his debut album “Overwait” under PolyEast Records preceded by his first single “in 3’s.”

Cyberzone iButterfly Hunt This Easter!

The iButterfly, an Augmented Reality Application based technology, that will be first introduced by SM Supermalls in the Philippines will be officially launched on April 8, 2012 across all Cyberzone branches.  It will be the start of SM Cyberzone’s exciting summer campaign.

To give you an overview, the iButterfly is a fun and entertaining mobile information and couponing platform that tasks its users with catching augmented reality butterflies , each representing one or more coupons. It was previously created by Japan's Mobile Art Lab and has been successfully launched in Japan, Hongkong, Indonesia, and Singapore. The iButterfly uses 3 technologies:  Augmented Reality for seeing butterflies in the real world, Motion Sensors for catching butterflies using a phone and Global Positioning System (GPS) for finding butterflies at a location. It is definitely a unique and engaging way to enjoy promos and discounts with your tablet and smartphone with the Android platform, and IOS on Easter.

To join the Easter iButterfly Hunt, just follow these easy steps:

Get Healthy With Nestle Fitnesse This Summer!

The lifestyle choices that affect the way you feel about yourself begin with what you put in it everyday. Those who wish to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight should have whole grain foods, such as NESTLЀ FITNESSE cereal, as part of their daily menu.  High in volume and with low-calorie density, whole grains make you feel fuller longer. It contains fiber and is also high in calcium, iron and folic acid. NESTLЀ FITNESSE makes a deliciously breakfast or snack and is available in Low Fat Whole Wheat, Honey & Almond and FITNESSE  andFruit variants.

Combine the right diet with an energetic workout like the latest exercise craze, Zumba® Fitness and you can feel great about your shape day after day. Inspired by Latin dance, Zumba® Fitness lets participants sweat it out without getting bored thanks to the fusion of samba, salsa, chacha, and even Bollywood and hip-hop moves, all set to funky Latin and other modern music. Easy-to-follow, Zumba® Fitness works out all areas of the body for a maximum calorie-burning experience.

Reporter's Notebook investigates child abandonment, military 'abuses'

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, a security camera captures a disheartening scene:  a young woman leaves her child by the doorstep of someone else's home.  After some inquiry, authorities tracked down her whereabouts.  When asked why she abandoned her child, she said that she did not have the means to raise the child properly adding that if she only had a choice, she would have done otherwise.

This Tuesday, GMA's award-winning documentary program Reporter's Notebook will discuss the problem of child abandonment and what really drives many "unprepared" moms to desert their children.  Are poverty and emotional inadequacy the culprits, or are all these just an excuse to evade the responsibility of being a mom?