REEL DEAL: The Dictator REVIEW

The Republic of Wadiya makes its mark not by terrorism but the wacky and super crazy movie The Dictator starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Though he might be known with his very controversial film Borat. The Dictator tells the story of General-Admiral Aladeen who leads the nation of Wadiya which is rich in oil however lives under the Tyranny of the "Supreme One" who also is spoiled with almost everything he wants. However he still feels a sense of loneliness.


The Dictator is actually based from a novel of the fallen leader Saddam Hussein entitled, "Zabibah and the King". They made a modern twist to this story plus the fact that Cohen is a genius in making insanely controversial comedy that requires an open mind and sense of humor to greatly enjoy the film.


There would be a lot of stereotypes, racial slurs written in a comedic way that in the end you would laugh and forget the insulting script. Though I can say pertains to politics, the society wherein it serves as an eye opener to the issues of the world which also shows the irony that many have failed to portray. The long wait was indeed worth it!

Aiza Seguerra Celebrates 25 Years in Show Business with BENTE SINGKO: The Anniversary Concert

Stars shine in show business but many personalities flicker after their first fifteen minutes of fame. Longevity is only reserved for a few and in the exceptional young age of 28, Aiza Seguerra has already shared with us 25 years of musical and artistic craftsmanship.

From her young career as Vic Sotto’s daughter in Okey Ka Fairy Ko and more than thirty movies, the former child star has blossomed into one of the country’s most respected acoustic singer-songwriters and guitarist with hits such as Pagdating ng Panahon and Akala Mo.

Aiza wishes to share her gratitude for her silver milestone with BENTE SINGKO: Aiza Seguerra Anniversary Concert on September 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, a production from Blackbird Music Creations, That’s Ntertainment Productions and line produced by MediaNation Inc.

HEALTHY LYF: EPIC Asia Study about COPD

New Survey Reveals Heavy Burden of COPD and COPD Lung Attacks in Asia, including Philippines

• 1 of 4 of those with COPD symptoms in surveyed countries remain undiagnosed

• COPD poses a heavy burden burden in Asia, particularly in the Philippines: Among the Filipino respondents, 62% were unable to work, and 70% of those able to work full-time or part on average miss 14 days at work

• Majority of sufferers worry about COPD lung attacks affecting their quality of life

• Once daily tablet, roflumilast, a first-in-class treatment is launched to target the underlying cause of COPD and reduce risk of COPD lung attacks

COPD is a debilitating disease which poses a significant burden in Asia. Key findings from the new landmark “Epidemiology and Impact of COPD in Asia” Survey  (EPIC Asia Survey) show that COPD affects the quality of life and impacts work productivity. Yet the disease is still largely underdiagnosed and sub-optimally treated with almost half of those surveyed with COPD symptoms still undiagnosed. 

MUSIC LYF :Sabrina - Acoustc Love Notes Album Launch

SABRINA “ACOUSTIC LOVE NOTES” LAUNCH—A SUCCESS!

Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart SABRINA recently held a successful launch of her latest album “Acoustic Love Notes” at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls last July 13 at Eastwood Mall Open Park, July 14 at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill and July 15 at Lucky Chinatown Mall. She was joined by special guests- popular radio and TV personality Joe D’Mango and up and coming singer Anj Sulit who are both featured in Sabrina’s album.

Sabrina displayed flair on her spiels and demonstrated how vocally gifted she was throughout the 3 day launch and was backed up by a four-piece band with back-up singers. The 12 song set includes her carrier single “Somewhere Down The Road”; all-time love hits like “The Art of Letting Go”, “Insensitive”, “Cry”, “Officially Missing You” and “One Last Cry” among others as well as her original songs “Sa Bawat Paghinga”, “One True Love”, “Over For Now But Not Forever” and “Again”—her duet with talented singer Anj Sulit. The show was made special by the presence of Mr. Joe D’Mango who, in between songs, gave his love advice on-stage like his famous program “Love Notes”. Though it rained during the first day of the launch at the Eastwood Mall Open Park, fans still trooped and bought albums of Sabrina. She was also able to attract and impressed new fans during her shows at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill and Lucky Chinatown Mall. MyPhone raffled off brand new Q88 cellphones for album buyers.

MUSIC LYF: Jessa Zaragoza - Pag Wala Na Ang Ulan (album)

Bakit Pa?

Siya Ba Ang Dahilan?

Sounds familiar? As a kid who grew up in the 90's I do appreicate the OPM artists in the turn of the new Millennium. And one of my most admired singers of that  time (and up to now) is Jessa Zaragoza. She is back with a new album PAG WALA NA ANG ULAN under GMA Records. She still looks young and sexy even after all these years, and still has a powerful and soothing voice that will captivate our hearts.


For this album she also collaborated with the soulful Kris Lawrence for the song "Napatawad Na Kita". She said that they chose him because he is great with R&B which is a creates a perfect harmony for the theme.

Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break - Mentor Spotlight GINA ALAJAR

GMA's artista search Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break marks a milestone because after several weeks of scouring the Philippine for potential stars, the five mentors in the search - Roderick Paulate (Mega Manila), Gina Alajar (South Luzon), Jolina Magdangal (Visayas), Ricky Davao (Northern and Central Luzon), and Philip Salvador (Mindanao) - will finaly choose their four (for each mentor) proteges from among those who auditioned in designated auditions locations in the country and from and those who auditioned online via GMANetwork.com/Protege. 

San Marino cited by Reader's Digest Two Years in a Row

San Marino has solidified its reputation as the most trusted corned tuna brand in the Philippine when it bagged he Gold Award in Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Consumer Poll two years in a row (2011 and 2012).

The Gold Award bestowed on San Marino represents a "seal of approval, a vote of trust and confidence from consumers," according to Reader's Digest in one of its issue.

The criteria employed in the poll inculde trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understading of customer needs, innovativeness, and social responsiblity.

MUISC LYF: Yonel's Top 30 - July 22

For this week's countdown,  Maroon 5 steals the number one spot with ONE MORE NIGHT . 2nd place still goes to Flo Rida feauturing Jennifer Lopez with SWEET SPOT . The third place is TURN UP THE LOVE  by Far East Movement featuring Cover Drive. See the rest of the countdown after the jump and also like Yonel's Top 30 hits on Facebook!

MUSIC LYF: Gloc 9 - MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata

Gloc-9 releases biggest album MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata

Premiere rapper Gloc-9 is mighty proud of his forthcoming release MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata, his first under Universal Records.

“I have worked very hard for this album,” says Gloc-9. “Before, I would record albums for about two months. For MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata, it took me around six months.”

He adds that he is ultimately satisfied with the album, which includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry – Chito Miranda, Bamboo, Ebe Dancel, Jay Durias, Billy Crawford, Maychelle Baay of Moonstar 88, among others.

ART IS A BANG: Joe A Filipino Rock'sical

I do admire theater companies that create their own original stageplays which truly show talent and originality of Filipinos on stage. And with though many people particularly students would consider Philippine History as a boring subject, it great to see it alive and somehow makes us think about the happenings and even the controversy that made them very interesting.


Philippine Stages Foundation (PSF) staged recently their new offering for the opening of their 11th Season with JOE: A Filipino Rock'sical. Seeing the play itself was an eye opener even for a history enthusiast like me about the other side of Rizal. With the past and present weaved together with each character plays an important role in making a tribute show for the National Hero.

And what I also admire about this play is the original music which amplifies the feel of the play. Though it might overpower the feel of the rock musical, but still blends well just the like past-present plot. It was a very fun play with characters which each audience may find themselves to be part of the play. Highly recommended for students and students-at-heart who loves to know more about Jose or Joe.