MUSIC LYF: Union J

IS there room for another boyband? 900,000 Twitter followers certainly think so.

Like some of their pop counterparts, Union-J were brought together by the X-Factor. Jaymi Hensley, Josh Cuthbert, and JJ Hamblett were Triple J before the show made the brilliant decision to add George Shelley, giving us Union J. They proved to the UK whilst being on the show they have the aesthetics and attributes of a boy band – but now it’s time for them to start being one.

Since reaching X-Factor's semi-finals, it has been non-stop for the boys. Two months away from releasing their debut single, the hype for them is evident as they’ve just signed a major book deal with Penguin. But little more than a year ago, their lives were all very different.

Jamie ‘JJ’ Hamblett's lifelong ambition was always to be a jockey before his path took a different turn. He used to spend his days grooming and riding horses near his home in Newmarket before his big break. "It was a very different life,” admitted JJ. "I got up about 6.30am, went straight to the horses and out riding on the heath. I’ve always been brought up around horses and never knew anything else until now.

HEALTHY LYF: Dengue Tops Moms Most Feared Diseases

Together with the common flu, typhoid, hepatitis, among others, dengue is up there in the list as one of the most dreaded diseases that moms worry their kids may contract. Unlike the other illnesses mentioned, dengue doesn’t have a vaccine that can provide immediate protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently. While others may stop at having flu-like symptoms such as high fever and muscle-and-joint pains and rash, others suffer life-threatening complications. A few succumb to Dengue Shock Syndrome, in which the patient’s white blood cells drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While it is true that all people, regardless of age, can be infected with dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that it is children and adolescents who are hit the hardest. Almost half of the dengue cases last year were from 5 to 14 years old age range.

Jardine Home Pest Solutions expands product distribution nationwide

MORE homeowners now have access to effective, quality, and safe products that defend their home against disease-carrying pests, thanks to the nationwide distribution expansion of Jardine Home Pest Solutions.

Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI), markets and distributes products that are proven to be effective against rats and mice; roaches, mosquitoes, and other flying insect pests. Best of all, these products are safe to use at home and do not compromise health and the environment.

REEL DEAL: "Son Of God" Will Rise In 2014

The “Son of God” will rise in cinemas from the pages of the bestselling book of all time, the Bible, which tells the story of Jesus, the greatest story ever told for a whole new generation.

Inspired by History Channel’s phenomenal miniseries “The Bible” which averaged 15 million viewers per episode, “Son of God” is the larger-than-life stand-alone story of Jesus told with scope and scale of an action epic from the producing couple Mark Burnett and (actress) Roma Downey.  “Son of God” is a powerful and inspirational major motion picture event that takes us back to the oppressive Roman era when Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph until his crucifixion and resurrection.

REEL DEAL: Zambezia

They’ll have to wing it, in this bird city!

On the edge of a majestic waterfall, in the heart of Africa, lies the amazing bird city of Zambezia, led by wise and battle-tested Sekhuru (Leonard Nimoy). Our young falcon hero Kai (Jeremy Suarez) leaves his remote outpost against his father (Samuel L. Jackson) whishes join the prestigious Hurricane defense flyers fiercely trained by Ajax (Jeff Goldblum) to patrol the skies keeping Zambezia safe. Kai’s father goes after him but is captured as the scheming iguana lizard Budzo (Jim Cummings) conspires to attack the sanctuary. Kai and soul mate Zoe (Abigail Breslin) will need to gather all their flying skills along with a big dose of diplomacy to save the city from Budzo’s deadly plot.

HERO Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Filipinos to Heroes

This concert is to celebrate and honor and give thanks to our new heroes- (corporate and individuals) who have gone out of their way to provide educational assistance to the children- dependent siblings - orphans of our soldiers killed or totally incapacitated due to enemy action for all these years.

But more importantly, this event is to recognize the sacrifices our officers and our soldiers (men and women in uniform) who have given their lives so that we can live in a peaceful and safe country.

Everyone is invited to celebrate HERO Foundation’s Silver Anniversary free concert on October 22, 5:30PM at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive, Makati. Celebrities and artists like Mark Bautista, Princess Velasco, Young JV, and many more are set to perform and honor HERO Foundation’s 25 years of commitment in transforming every Filipino into a hero.

For more details, visit www.herofoundation.com.ph or contact the Director for Marketing and Resource Mobilization Michelle S. Chan at 0917-822-HERO (4376) or email donate@herofoundation.com.ph. You may also like HERO’s Facebook page (HERO Foundation, Inc.) and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @Hero_Phils.

"Bet On Your Baby" Premieres On Saturday With Celebrity Babies as First Ever Contestants

The first episode of the highly-anticipated game show “Bet On Your Baby” hosted by well-loved showbiz personality and hands-on mom Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is finally taking to television screens this Saturday (Oct 19) with none other than three favorite Kapamilya stars and their babies as the show’s very first contestants.

Ai Ai delas Alas, Anthony Taberna and Benjie Paras, along with their babies, are set to take on the “Bet On Your Baby” stage. Along with their respective companions, the three will be taking on the three different rounds of the game show, namely the initial round, the puzzle round, and the jackpot round.

ART IS A BANG: "Patikim Ng Shlight" Maxie The Musical Sneek Peek!

“MAXIE THE MUSICALE: ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS” SET TO OPEN ON NOVEMBER 9 Bit by Bit Company, in cooperation with the PETA Theater Center and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, proudly brings to the stage “MAXIE THE MUSICALE: ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS,” a coming-of-age musical about a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his family. Based on Michiko Yamamoto's screenplay “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (ufo Pictures, 2005), “MAXIE THE MUSICALE: ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS” features book and lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay, music by William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio, and Janine Santos, and direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos. 

APAFS Investment Conference Envisions an Optimistic Economy for PH, Gathers Investors and Top Finance Managers Together

Now on its 13th year, the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) will be holding its Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIC) on November 7 and 8, 2013 at the New World Makati City Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

APAFS has again partnered with top financial associations in the Philippines namely Association of Development Financing Institution in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), CFA Society of the Philippines, Fund Managers Association of the Philippines (FMAP) and Trust Officers Association of the Philippines to co-host the Pacific Region Investment Conference. This partnership aims to continue to serve as an avenue in equipping finance professionals with standards of fiduciary care, imparting investment principles and solidifying the knowledge of key decision makers in the industry about investment and the vitality of fiduciary studies.

ART IS A BANG: The Bluebird of Happiness

Where does or find true happiness? 

It's a very complicated question that both young and old find it hard to answer. There are a lot of possibilities and deviations to answer it. Trumpets Inc answers that with their musical comeback stage play of "The Bluebird of Happiness" held at the Meralco Theater. 

This musical though based from a Belgian play "The Blue Bird" by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinckhas been made into an original production by Trumpets. With book & lyrics by Jaime del Mundo and music by Rony Fortichand, it is a fitting story for the family as Christmas is fast approaching. Its about the tale of siblings Tyltyl and Mytyl as they journey into lands of fantasy and imagination to find the Bluebird that brings true happiness. They will go through a lot of colorful characters that will lead them or distract them to find the bird and find the real meaning of happiness.