REEL DEAL: Oblivion SPOTLIGHT

OBLIVION : a cinematic event, a journey of redemption and discovery as one man battles to save mankind.

by Emy Abuan

In 2073, a 37 year-old former-Marine Commander Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed at Earth which was nearly destroyed by an alien invasion 60 years ago. As part of a massive operation to extract the planet's remaining vital resources, he lives in an airborne "town" floating thousands of meters above the Earth.

His mission nearly complete, Jack's soaring existence comes crashing down when he rescues a 22 year-old female stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a series of events that forces Jack to question everything he knows about the war and its aftermath. In addition, after being captured by an insurgency led by 102 year-old Malcolm Beech (Morgan Freeman), Jack is told that the society in which he lives may in fact be a police state.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL adapts Bill O’Reilly’s best-selling book on Lincoln assassination

Tackling a monumental event in American history, National Geographic Channel’s first original scripted drama “Killing Lincoln”, based on the best-selling book by controversial political commentator and TV personality Bill O’Reilly, will hit Philippine television on April 14, 2013. The film portrays the dramatic events that led up to the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and reveals the mysterious motivations of its perpetrator John Wilkes Booth.

“Killing Lincoln” is a film produced by Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions and written by the Emmy Award-winning Erik Jendresen, writer for the acclaimed TV series “Band of Brothers”, who based his script on the book Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever co-written by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. “What people never knew, and what both the book and the film capture, is the great tale of action and conspiracy surrounding the manhunt for Booth. It is ultimately a fascinating story, and that’s what makes it the perfect fit for us at Scott Free,” said Scott.

Highlands Coffee Opens in Eton Emerrald

Coffee lovers rejoice! As the Vietnamese Coffee brand Highlands Coffee is expanding their business here in the Philippines, they are also on a roll with opening new stand alone branches in key areas in Metro Manila, and today they have opened a new branch in the busy Ortigas district which is also a big market for coffee shops.

Highlands Coffee opened its first store in Lucky Chinatown Mall with Netopia and have partnered with different stores and restaurants. They also have opened stand alone store like the one in E. Rodriguez near St. Lukes Medical Center. And the latest one opened with Eton Emerald in Ortigas.

GMA Network proudly welcomes Christian Bautista

March 20, 2013 (Quezon City, Philippines), Multi-platinum artist Christian Bautista signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network Inc.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon, GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., OIC for Entertainment Lilybeth G. Rasonable, and Christian’s manager Carlo Orosa.

Being welcomed by the GMA executives, Christian feels very privileged and excited about this new chapter in his life, “It’s wonderful! Bagong taon, bagong makakatrabaho at bagong bahay. I feel very welcomed and very honoured na nandito na ako ngayon. With all the projects I’m doing, it’s gonna be fun!”

Carlo is looking forward towards a bright future for Christian in GMA. “We feel the warmth and sincerity of their welcome,” he adds.

MUSIC LYF: Panatang Makabanda marks the return of Rivermaya in the local recording scene

Iconic and multi-platinum-selling band Rivermaya makes a local recording scene comeback with the much-awaited release of their album Panatang Makabanda, under Universal Records. The album is their first in four years and their first with Universal Records.

Rivermaya is now composed of Mark Escueta, Norby David, Mike Elgar and Ryan Peralta.

Rivermaya joins the label’s elite roster of bands – Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sponge Cola, Calla Lily, among others.

Ramon Bautista takes ‘friend zone’ fever to the corporate world

Are you in love with your officemate – or worse – your boss?  Then you have a potentially big problem.  But don’t worry, comedian and TV host Ramon Bautista might have a solution to your predicament.

After his “Tales from the Friend Zone” video series became popular on video sharing website, YouTube, Bautista recently released a new video series tackling a different relationship issue.

While the first series dealt with problems that occur when courtship goes south and ends in an awkward state of being “just friends” or “friend zone,” the new web series deals with the woes of office romances.

JUAN MINUTE SPOTLIGHT: Neil Coleta

We all know hims as the "Nestea Guy" who is a quest to win the heart of the girl he loves with the help of his family and iced tea. He also appeared in a Cookie sandwich commercial as a student with his friends But Neil Coleta proves that he not all looks and "Papogi" moves but also an actor to watch out for. He is now starting to be a household name and going beyond just being a commercial model.

He is usually seen as a comedic character in teleseryes and even in commercials, but he also proves that he can do more than being funny by being part of the musical movie "I Do Bidoo". He is also now the sidekick of Coco Martin in Juan Dela Cruz as his best friend in the series.

His efforts were rewarded recently with his newest endorsements and also the Star Award for Movies as the Best New Actor Award. He still proves that hard work has its fruits and now he also have Chicken and Baboy. 

Jolina Magdangal gears up for heavy drama

After doing mostly light and oftentimes comedic roles, singer-host-actress Jolina Magdangal is shifting gears and is set to do heavy drama in GMA’s upcoming primetime series “Mundo Mo’y Akin,” which will replace “Pahiram ng Sandali” this month.

“Yes, I’m ready,” replied Jolina when asked about how prepared she is for her pivotal role in the series.

Jolina will play the character of Zenaida “Aida” Carbonel, the keeper of the secret behind the real identities of the lead characters portrayed by Louise delos Reyes and new kapuso Lauren Young.

Sunshine Dizon returns to drama, reprises ‘familiar’ role in new series

After taking four years of respite from showbiz, actress Sunshine Dizon is back to doing drama and is one of the lead cast members of GMA’s upcoming primetime series, “Mundo Mo’y Akin.”  In the said series, Sunshine will be working with Angelika dela Cruz, Jolina Magdangal, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes and new kapuso star Lauren Young.

“I am very excited and I can assure the audience that this show is going to be very beautiful: maganda ang concept, maganda ang story,” Sunshine said in an interview during the photo shoot for the said series.

NMPP and Migz Zubiri Presents 15 Scholars

photo from  www.orangemanazinetv.com

This March, 15 students have finally reached their goal of graduating this school year which belongs to the family who are part of NMPP (Nagkakaisang Mangagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino) which is group of people who work for the movie industry. Senatoriable Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has been a loyal supporter for the people in the industry and is a fan of Pinoy movies.

Migz Zubiri shares that even on his term as senator, made this project in support to the people of NMPP where families are dependent on local movie projects.  Future projects Includes a planned housing project and more scholars under the project. He shares that he was able to get to know more about them through directors whom he have worked with like Joel Lamangan who is the president of the NMPP.