REEL DEAL: Cloud Atlas REVIEW

If the mysteries of the time and the universe still leaves you lost and the meaning of life gets a little blurry, probably its time for you to go on a special journey that will answer these questions for you. As the year has been full of superheros, chick flicks, and sometimes the same story with different actors and locations, how about going up, to the heavens and beyond to see the pattern of life, CLOUD ATLAS.

Journey across time and explore how fates intertwine when Cloud Atlas opens on December 5, 2012. Based on the best-selling novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas is written for the screen and directed by acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer and Andy Wachowski. It features a stellar ensemble cast led by Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, Keith David, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant, all appearing in multiple roles.


Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Drama, mystery, action and enduring love thread through a story that unfolds in multiple lifetimes as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. 

Axe Anarchy Island Bikini Auction Party

Saving the environment has never been sexier with Axe Philippine’s Sexy Saves Boracay project!  And he last part of the project is extra steamy.

Axe Philippines wanted to take the eco-friendly project a bit further by coming up with something that they’ve never done before. But they may have taken this thing a bit too far with the Axe Bikini Auction Party last November 27 at Republiq in Resorts World Manila. So, you may be asking what exactly is a “Bikini Auction Party”. Well, it’s pretty weird.

'I-Juander' wonders why Christmas is 'longer' in the Philippines

Tonight, the GMA News TV public affairs show, "I-Juander" hosted by Susan Enriquez and Cesar Apolinario, "juanders" why Christmas is "longer" in the Philippines than everywhere else. 

Most Filipinos look forward to the celebration of Christmas each year. In fact, while the rest of the world start celebrating the season in December, Filipinos begin decorating homes, shopping malls, offices, etc. with Christmas decors and lights as early as September, the first of the four "-ber" months of the year. The Yuletide season in the Philippines also extends up to January or until the so-called "Feast of the Three Kings/Wise Men" is over. 

SM Cinema features Pacquiao- Marquez 4 live via Satellite on December 9

The 4th Pacquiao-Marquez fight is, without a doubt, one of the biggest bouts of the year.  In a sport where everything is unpredictable, where one punch can change everything, no one is sure to know of who has the upper hand in the 4th, and probably the decisive fight between Manny Pacquiao and the Mexican dynamo Juan Manuel Marquez. 

Both men are considered among the greatest fighters in the history of boxing with Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao being the first eight-division world champion and the first to win the Lineal Championship in four different weight classes, making him a boxer of Muhammad Ali’s caliber.  Juan Manuel Marquez III, on the other hand, is the greatest Mexican boxers of all-time for many analysts. He is the current WBO light-welterweight champion and the third Mexican-born boxer to become a four-division world champion, winning seven world titles in four different boxing weight classes. 

Remembering FPJ through Grace Poe

THE FIGHT CONTINUES

The man who was “FPJ” is gone, but his legacy lives on.

FPJ is "Da King" of Philippine cinema. His life story, as well was the stories that he tells in his movies, inspire, not only because they tell of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, which are conquered by pure and honest intentions and unwavering hopefulness in the goodness of the Filipino hero.

At an early age, FPJ’s father passed away, which forced him to drop out of high school, and carry the responsibilities of the head of the family.  He started in the movies as a stuntman, and worked his way up to being the “bida,” and would eventually earn the title of being the undisputed  “King of Philippine Cinema” or “Da King."

Throughout his struggles, he never forgot his humble beginnings.  He never forgot how it is to be poor and the poor always preoccupied his mind and ruled his heart.  He was naturally generous-hearted. He did not only give, he lived a life of giving.  He helped everyone, even those he barely knew.  Whenever he can help it, he would shy away from the camera.  This sincerity in giving a part of himself has endeared him to many, if not to all Filipinos.  He is not just a hero in the movies, he proved to be a bigger hero in real life.

Nike Unveils Latest Running Shield Pack Collection

Though not a shoe shopaholic, I do love to (window) shop running and athletic shoes not just because of their design but the style and comfort that it brings to the feet for physical activities. And since I declared that I will be more active to help me achieve my physical goal which will make me a better and healthier.

My decision was due to the past years of unhealthy living which brought me into sickness. But now, I want to continue what I do best, dancing and running.  As as urban ninja, these are essential skills,  and these are something that I can improve since there are the activities that I do more often than going to the gym.

Channel News Asia Premieres Special Report on the Philippines

Asia Business Channel, an independent production house specializing in exclusive country profiles, today unveiled Channel News Asia’s special presentation, “The Philippines Moves Forward”, an investment documentary on the Philippines, to key personalities from the public and private sector prior to its public airing in January 2013. 

With a special focus on energy and tourism, the first of a two-part series features the Philippines’ most influential business personalities, high-level government officials and country ambassadors headlined by President Benigno Aquino, Jr., Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Ramon del Rosario, Jr. and Jaime Zobel de Ayala, speaking on the pervading air of optimism that is leading investors to look at the country with fresh eyes.A second report scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2013 will take the story further with a focus on finance and banking, construction, trade and industry, IT and telecommunication, health, transport and logistics.

MUSIC LYF: Ogie Alcasid’s new album The Songwriter and the Hitmakers celebrates 25th anniversary

Twenty five years into the business and Ogie Alcasid has established himself as one of the most successful hitmakers and most prolific songwriters of the Philippine music industry. In celebration of this milestone, Universal Records is releasing his most ambitious project, the 18 track album The Songwriter And The Hitmakers. 

The album gathers all the biggest singing and recording artists in the country to breathe life to Ogie’s compositions, including both his biggest hits and new songs. Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Arnel Pineda, Noel Cabangon, Richard Poon, Jed Madela, Kuh Ledesma, Rachelle Ann Go, Kyla, JayR and Jaya are part of the album.

“I feel so honored to have been given a project as big as this,” says Ogie. “I am in awe of all the talents involved here.”

Tayong Dalawa, a heartwarming duet of Ogie and his lovely wife and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez is also included in the album.

JUAN MINUTE: A Great Year For Jessa Zaragoza

It was this year that I met Jessa Zaragoza for the first time for the launch of her album under GMA Records, and she showed that she is indeed a down-to-earth star with a great voice and bubbly personality. And this year has been a great year for her and her husband Dingdong Avanzado as they both enjoy the projects and successes that came in their way.

Being a mother, singer, actress are some of the qualities of Jessa that make her a sought-after personality even after their hiatus for some time. Now that they are back in the limelight, things are going into place and sometimes going beyond their expectations.

And even both of them are busy with their own projects they do find time for each other and their daughter. She also maintained to stay fit and flawless (same goes with Dingdong who celebrated his 25th anniversary in showbiz) which still makes them very recognizable to the public even after years has passed.

Now let's look back on the things that Jessa Zaragosa did this year...

MUSIC LYF: Dingdong Avanzado SPOTLIGHT

The music industry in the Philippines has made a lot of singers and superstars, but one of the things that makes a music artist complete is to make a mark in the business and of course the fans and listeners. Recently, a handful of singers celebrated their anniversary with concerts, albums and shows. And one of them is singer-composer Dingdong Avanzado.

Dingdong is celebrating a great year together with his wife Jessa Zaragoza who is also having a lot of projects with GMA Network and also launched an album with GMA Records also within the year. The couple is very happy with all things which goes beyond their expectations. Its also surprising for me that Dingdong reached his 25th year in the industry, yet he does look young (no kidding, which means I was just born when he started his career).