GMA Network goes all out for its "Dapat Tama" advocacy campaign

GMA Network takes the lead in pushing for a more informed and better prepared Philippine electorate – by providing valuable airtime for election-related programs and specials plus a series of election advocacy ads and music videos all centered around the theme DAPAT TAMA.

If there is one song on almost everyone’s lips this election season, it’s the powerful anthem DAPAT TAMA -- composed and performed by rapper Gloc 9 with singer Denise Barbacena. Created by Gloc 9 for GMA Network’s Eleksyon 2013 advocacy campaign, the DAPAT TAMA song reminds voters that their choices on election day will impact the entire country for many years.

REEL DEAL: Fast and Furious 6 and Mission Impossible 5!

We are all excited for the upcoming Fast and Furious 6 (Fast 6) that will have their Asian Premiere here in Manila! I am very excited to see them live as its also been ages since Hollywood stars have graced our red carpet for movie premieres. And as they kick off their world tour this May staring in London, fans of the fast and furious franchise here are ready to meet the cast as they would also bring their cars for display. Fast and the Furious 6 will be showing here in the Philippines May 22, 2013

In another news, Tom Cruise tweeted that Ethan Hawk accepted the new mission which means that there will be a new Mission Impossible movie in the works. He is also enjoying the success of his latest film, Oblivion which did well here and in the international market. 

Both film are distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation and United International Pictures.

MUSIC LYF: Will.I.Am - #Willpower (Album)

As a 15-year-old rapper growing up in L.A. and dreaming of hip-hop superstardom, will.i.am wrote a song and titled it “#willpower.” Now seven Grammys and 33 million album sales later, The Black Eyed Peas frontman is gearing up for the release of a solo album bearing the same name as that glory-seeking track he authored as a kid. The first solo effort since The Black Eyed Peas’ platinum-selling 2010 release The Beginning, #willpower once again finds the songwriter/musician/producer fulfilling his dreams of music-world domination.

The follow-up to 2007’s solo CD Songs About Girls, #willpower builds on its predecessor’s bold fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic/dance music to offer up the latest of will.i.am’s irresistibly infectious and genre-warping party anthems. The standard album’s 15 hook-heavy tracks showcase more than a dozen A-list guest artists, ranging from pop mega-stars (Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Nicole Scherzinger, Miley Cyrus) to a highly inspired mix of up-and-comers (including Dutch dance diva Eva Simons, South Korean girl group 2NE1, singer/songwriter Skylar Grey and seven-year-old rapper Baby Kaely). Also featuring fellow BEP member apl.de.ap—and, perhaps most outrageously, the 70-piece, Prague-based Czech Symphony Orchestra—#willpower sees will.i.am expanding his sound by sharing production duties with leading-edge collaborators like Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Benny Blanco, Afrojack, Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, Lazy Jay, and FRESHM3N III.

MUSIC LYF: Get a chance to watch Beyonce live!

A diva will be reborn again! Beyonce is ready to strut her new self this coming July!

Over a million of Beyonce fans from over two continents have already signed up to witness the world tour concert entitled “The Mrs. Carter World Tour” which has kicked off in Europe. Sasha Fierce, together with his powerful smash hits, is set to take the stage on the 1st of July at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.

Culinary adventures await you at Eastwood’s Levante night and food market this May!

Eat’s going to be a fun foodie adventure in Eastwood as the Mercato Centrale group, organizer of the premier food and lifestyle night markets around the metropolis, brings to you Levante – the newest night food market in Eastwood Citywalk 2. Grand opening is on May 17, Friday from 6pm to 3am.

Enjoy a culinary adventure at Levante with its mouth-watering homemade cooking straight from the kitchens of Eastwood’s budding food entrepreneurs, along with your favorite Pinoy street foods and, of course, the best-selling dishes from your favorite Mercato Centrale vendors.

“Eastwood has always been very supportive of new food concepts, from their new fusion restaurants up to their gourmet food markets in the malls. We are very glad to bring the Mercato Centrale concept to Eastwood to further complement the foodie-friendly lifestyle they have created” said Anton Diaz, co-organizer of Levante. Diaz is responsible for the popular food and travel blog www.OurAwesomePlanet.com.

Australia As Top Study Destination in IDP Fair

Australia is highlighted once more as among the world’s best education destinations in the next education fair organized by IDP Education Philippines this month.

The Australian Education Exhibition 2013 will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao on Friday, May 17. It moves to the Dusit Thani Makati the following day, culminating with its Cebu staging at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu on Sunday, May 19.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Institute of Statistics reports that Australia ranks among the top five destinations for tertiary education among the world’s mobile students. In 2010, it received 17% of the total number of students hosted in the East Asia and Pacific countries, second only to the United States.

From July 2011 to June 2012, there were 2,633 Filipino students who went to Australia to study, making it the Number 1 study destination of Filipinos.

REEL DEAL: Epic - Steve Tyler SPOTLIGHT

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Role in "Epic (3D)" Reminds Him Of Younger Years

Well-loved music icon Steven Tyler gives voice to a very affable caterpillar character named Nim Galuu in the upcoming family adventure 3D movie "Epic."     

"EPIC" is a 3D CG adventure comedy that reveals a fantastical world unlike any other. From the creators of" Ice Age" and "Rio," "EPIC" tells the story of an ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it. When a teenage girl MK (Amanda Seyfried)  finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world…and ours.

Having brought to life one of the most beloved and successful animated motion picture franchises, Ice Age, director Chris Wedge and his teams at Blue Sky Studios (of which Wedge is a co-founder) achieve new heights of realism, action, adventure and detail, with EPIC.               

Salaminkera: Tales from the Looking Glass

When was the last time you looked at the mirror and talked to it with all honesty? This predicament is a tale as old as time for women everywhere; echoed by the immortal line, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”

What makes a mirror special is its appeal to your vanity. It does not just reflect your physical state but also your inner emotions; even your mental state. So simply looking at the mirror could give you an overview of how your total well-being could be – inside and out!

With this, comedienne Giselle Sanchez brings to life “Salaminkera,” a mirror that actually talks to you and tells you about your career, family life, and love life. After all, Salaminkera is inspired by the magic mirror of the evil queen from the timeless tale of SnowWhite; and provides honest answers to any question.

HEALTHY LYF: Watsons is “Looking Good and Feeling Great” with its Brand Refresh

Watsons, Asia’s largest health and beauty retailer is set to deliver a totally fresh retail experience as it unveils a dynamic brand revamp and launches More Value, More Life campaign in the Philippines.

Asia’s No 1. pharmacy and drugstore brand*, with an international presence of over 3,200 outlets in 12 Asian and European markets, is rolling-out a refreshed brand “look and feel” and service promise. The brand refresh invites customers to explore and experience Watsons’ extensive quality product range, carefully selected to make them “Look Good. Feel Great.” every day.

The revamp also includes a modified Watsons logo, store interiors, brand visuals and new store front. Store zoning is improved with more prominent displays and enhanced categorization of store areas for beauty, personal care, health and pharmacy. The roll out in the next months also include new staff and manager uniforms together with enhanced pharmacy, health and beauty counseling for customers, delivering a new level of personalized shopping.

ZestAir rolls out P1 fare promo

Piso fares for Manila to KL, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu and CDO are up for grabs now until May 12

Zest Air today launched its P1 fare promo for all flights from Manila to international and domestic destinations.  With the Piso Fare Promo, travelers who book via www.flyzest.com or  www.airasia.com starting today until May 12 can now fly direct from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo (Boracay), Iloilo,  Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu and Cagayan De Oro for only one peso base fare.

Travel period for the one-peso promo starts on May 10, 2013 to April 30, 2014 giving travelers the option to plan for their Christmas and next year’s summer vacation as early as now. 

New Zest Air flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Bacolod will commence on May 10, 2013 while Manila to Cagayan de Oro starts on June 15, 2013.