ART IS A BANG: Ibalong D'Wonder Twins of Boac Lead Philstage Gawad Buhay’s 2013 1st/2nd Quarter Citations

PHILSTAGE proudly announces the first and second quarter citations of the 2013 Gawad Buhay !, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts.

TANGHALANG PILIPINO’s “Ibalong,” a dance-musical reimagining of the Bicolano epic, topped the list with 15 citations in the performance and technical categories.

“Ibalong” was adapted for the stage by Rody Vera, with the neo-ethnic rock music provided by Carol Bello and direction and set design by Tuxqs Rutaquio. It garnered citations in the following categories: Outstanding Original Musical, Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical, Stage Direction (Tuxqs Rutaquio), Adaptation or Translation (Rody Vera), Musical Direction (Carol Bello), Musical Composition (Carol Bello), Choreography (Alden Lugnasin), Costume Design (Leeroy New), Lighting Design (Katsch Catoy), Sound Design (TJ Ramos), Set Design (Tuxqs Rutaquio), Female Lead Performance in a Musical (Delphine Buencamino and Jenine Desiderio), and Male Featured Performance in a Musical (Cheeno Macaraig and Jonathan Tadioan).

REEL DEAL: Ben Affleck Plays Online Gambling Kingpin in "Runner Runner"

Despite the risks – statistical and criminal – online gambling holds innumerable attractions. In today's post-economic-meltdown world, young people have fewer job options than ever before. But that hasn't done anything to affect their desire to get-rich-quickly. This generation – consumers from early childhood – is used to getting what they want, when they want it, with the click of a mouse.

“Runner Runner” depicts the risks of this reality starring Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton where Timberlake plays Princeton grad and former Wall Street star Richie Furst, who believes he’s been swindled by an online poker organization based in Costa Rica. He decides to head to Central America to confront the owner, Affleck’s Ivan Block, and is soon seduced by the promise of immense wealth. As Block’s right-hand man he uncovers more than he bargains for, and is soon juggling loyalties and trying to stay alive.

REEL DEAL: Arthur Newman

Oscar award-winning actor Colin Firth and Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt star together in the romantic comedy, Arthur Newman.

In the film Colin Firth plays Wallace Avery is tired of being a loser. His ex-wife and son hate him and he’s blown his one shot at living his dream. After once being a hot shot in competitive amateur golf, Wallace is dubbed “The Choker” in the pro circle.

After being unable to shake his nerve, he does something radical. Wallace stages his own death, buys a new identity as Arthur Newman and decides to move away. On the road trip to his new life, he meets Mike (Emily Blunt), who is also trying to forget her past. Connected by a common goal, Arthur and Mike break into empty homes and take on the identities of the absent owners. In the process, they begin to own up to the identities they've left behind and help each other to rediscover themselves.

"Arthur Newman" is released and distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation.

Showing on Octoberber 11. Nationwide.

Benilde Hosts Musical on Lorenzo Ruiz

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is hosting the maiden run of Lorenzo, a musical on the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, produced by actor Christopher de Leon through Green Wings Entertainment Network. Benildean students collaborated with theater industry professionals in bringing to the stage a contemporary opera that examines what it really takes to be a Filipino.

MTL Top Ten Emerging Blogs for 2013

I've known people who where part of the Top Ten Emerging Blogs for years yet I was not able to join it because I was focused on my main blog which has been 7 (ehem) year old now. But as a blogger, I know that I would have to keep on discovering new blogs that will keep me motivated as a blogger and also improve my skills. And for the first time ever I have my list of my own top  emerging blogs for 2013. 

Best of September: Eat, Prey, Love on beTV!

Relive your favorite beTV shows starting this September! Enjoy 4 hours of back-to-back reality, romance, comedy and drama from Mondays through Thursdays at 8:30 PM!

Eat. Enjoy your favorite cupcake while watching delicious battles on  Cupcake Wars! Four top cupcake makers face-off in three elimination challenges until only one remains and wins the sweet prize of $10,000 plus the yummy opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at an event!

Prey. Experience the full force of tension and anxiety as Teen Wolf (season 3) and Supernatural (season 8) quenches your thirst for forces beyond understanding.  Be taken to the edge of your seats by the fiercest battles of the paranormal kinds on beTV!

Dingdong Dantes’ upcoming primetime series tackles politics and the end of the world

GMA’s Primetime King Dingdong Dantes is going to star in an upcoming primetime series which is scheduled to replace the controversial “My Husband’s Lover” come October.

The series entitled “Genesis” is mainly drama with a bit of science fiction (sci-fi).  In the story, a large asteroid is approaching Earth, endangering the lives of all of its inhabitants. But even before that happens, Earth is already on the brink of an apocalypse due to natural calamities (e.g. tsunamis, typhoons, etc.).  Chaos is everywhere and death tolls are rising.  How people go about their business during these trying times is the pivot of the series.

In “Genesis,” Dingdong portrays a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) whose main mission is to protect the supreme leader of the land at all costs.  In his performance of his duty, he comes across danger brought about by crime and calamities.  In the end, he will have to choose between saving the lives of others or his own. 

Primetime King Dingdong Dantes renews contract with GMA Network

It is confirmed: Dingdong Dantes is still very much a Kapuso!

The actor, touted as Primetime King, officially renewed his contract with GMA Network today, September 14, making him an exclusive talent of the network for the next five years.  

The renewal, which took place at the Manila Polo Club this morning, ultimately debunked rumors of a possible transfer of the actor to another network. 

Present during the contract signing were GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, Entertainment TV OIC Lilybeth G. Rasonable and Dingdong's manager Perry Lansigan. 

MUSIC LYF: Krista K to Headline 1 World Music Festival

The 1 World Music Festival will happen in Singapore and proudly representing the Philippines is our very own Beauty Queen Dance Diva Krista K. 1 World Music Festival will be held during the prestigious F1 Race in Singapore on September 20 & 21.  Krista K will be performing a 30 minute set on September 21 on the main stage.

Having a rising career in singing and dancing, she also got to do a lot of gigs in Malaysia with her debut album and now part of one of the biggest music festivals in Asia. The event will be the biggest collection of International Music Superstars Asia has seen this year.

Krista K will be headlining the event together with Mega Superstars Moby, Snoop Dogg, Far East Movement, Iggy Azalea, the Cataracs, and T-Pain. Also peforming will be Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas which Krista has performed with before.

3M Philippines Kicks-off Home-mazing Ideas Workshop at Alabang Town Center

3M Philippines brings a rebranded workshop entitled “Home-mazing Ideas” following the success of the first two workshops held in 2011 and 2012, together with Good Housekeeping magazine. The first leg of the series of workshops kicked off at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.

Now on its third year, the Home-mazing Ideas Workshop goes around the Philippines to conduct workshops at malls, residential areas, and condominiums on best of home improvement ideas including topics about clutter management, and space saving home organization tips, from the country’s best interior design and home experts. The workshop features Ms. Koni Esteban, a freelance DIY and Craft Specialist; and cool guys from Mad Science.

3M Philippines showcases its Command™ Damage-Free Hanging Solutions, Filtrete Aircon Filters, and the Scotch® Duct Tape and Scotchblue™ Painter’s Tape at the workshop, providing space management solutions to improve living quality of homes.