Circus Vargas brings “MagiKaria!” to Manila

The magic of Christmas will be even more captivating – and jaw-dropping – with the arrival in Manila of the internationally acclaimed Circus Vargas troupe, one of the world’s biggest traveling circuses.

Showcasing gravity-defying flights, flashy costumes, fun dance routines, and other deliriously delightful antics, Circus Vargas will be bringing to the country its most exciting production dubbed as “MagiKaria, A Fantastical Magical Experience.”

This amazing production will feature the astonishing athleticism, physical beauty and acrobatic prowess of the men, women and children of the circus, promising to deliver the same immense joy and excitement already experienced by millions of people worldwide.

Circus Vargas promises to bring back the old school circus entertainment mixed with modern twists. There’s the fabulous fluidity of the aerial ballet that uses streams of chiffon material hanging from the ceiling. There’s also Zorro Low Wire who leaps and flips over various obstacles in his way, and other acrobats doing some fun trampoline style tricks.

MUSIC LYF: All Star Benefit Concert for Yolanda Victims

A benefit concert for the rehabilitation of Typhoon Yolanda victims is slated to take place on December 21, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Citizen's Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California.

Dubbed "Philippines Relief Concert: All Star Charity Show," the concert was the fruit of a conversation between Mr. John Gummoe of the Cascades, and Mr.Danee Samonte of Steve O' Neal productions. Both Mr.Gummoe and Mr. Samonte had heard about the desperate situation of the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, and wanted to come up with a fundraising event. American musical artists, most of who have performed in the Philippines, heard about the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan. They immediately wanted to get involved in this concert that would help raise funds for rehabilitation efforts.

More than 10 classic artists are set to perform on December 21. Among them -- John Ford Coley, John Claude Gummoe of the Cascades, Rex Smith, Ron Dante (the original lead singer of The Archies), Bobby Hendricks (from the original Drifters), Kyle Vincent, Frank Stallone, Classics UV, Dick and Dee Dee, Chris Montez, The World Famous Platters, Dennis Tufano (the original lead singer of The Buckinghams), and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, and a special appearance by the "The Hitman" David Foster.

REEL DEAL: "The Secret Life of Wlater Mitty" Extended Trailer

Ben Stiller takes adventure a notch higher in his latest starrer “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”  This life-affirming adventure takes Stiller’s character MItty, a negatives manager in Life magazine, from land into the high skies, the deepest of seas and on peaks of mountains to find a negative crucial to the magazine’s last issue.

20th Century Fox presents the extended trailer of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” on their YouTube page:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDG8XHSE6gg&list=PLcZs6n5iZPx_miw9DVX-BUBQ3Ic62z90Z  where Mitty, a long-time daydreamer finally finds himself living out his dreams to save their jobs.

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” also stars Kristen Wiig, Shirley McClaine, Sean Penn and Kathryn Hahn.  It will open January 22 in cinemas nationwide.

Tabal named fastest Filipina marathoner in the Philippines

Buenavista claims fifth title at 37th MILO Marathon National Finals

Records were shattered Sunday at the 37th MILO Marathon National Finals, as elite runner Mary Joy Tabal claimed her first MILO Marathon national crown and broke the current women’s event record for 42K set by Jho-An Banayag by 16 seconds. The MILO Marathon also posted its highest season headcount to date at more than 220,000 runners, after registering 26,681 runners at today’s championship race alone.

Not to be outdone, reigning MILO Marathon King Eduardo Buenavista bagged a back-to-back win, his fifth title in the prestigious footrace. Buenavista also holds the current men’s event record for 42K in the national marathon.

For their outstanding victories, Tabal received the P 250,000 prize plus an additional P 20,000 for breaking Banayag’s record, while Buenavista received the top purse of P 150,000 from his Local leg win. Both runners also scored an all-expenses paid trip to the 2014 Paris Marathon as the first Philippine delegates sponsored by MILO in more than two decades.

MUSIC LYF: Regine Velasquez- Alcasid’s Hulog Ka Ng Langit hits Platinum in record time

Regine Velasquez proved that she is still the country’s topselling female artist as her latest album Hulog Ka Ng Langit hits platinum mark in record time of two weeks.  Hulog Ka Ng Langit topped various stores’ sales chart for the past two weeks.

Regine was awarded the Platinum Record Award by Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy- Go last Sunday at GMA’s Sunday All Stars. The album has sold more than 15,000 units.

The album, composed of songs that give inspiration to wives and mothers, has the beautifully-penned Hulog Ka Ng Langit as debut single and title track of the album. The song truly embodies what the album is all about – unconditional love between husbands and wives, and mothers to children.

Regine recounts that when work has started for the album, the whole team was leaning towards making a baby album. The songbird, however, felt that love songs that have more general messages to be included in the album.

No Secret To Kathryn Han's Ever Delightful Talent

A natural talent with an engaging presence and undeniable energy, Kathryn Hahn has finally come to mainstream attention through a variety of supporting roles in recent past.

Her latest performance with Jennifer Aniston in “We’re The Millers” as the proper mom who engaged the audience laughing out loud when her character tried to explore her freaky side resorting to outrageous mishaps along the way.   Her feature film credits include her stand-out roles in “Step Brothers,” playing John C. Reilly's outrageous and funny love interest 'Alice,' and “Revolutionary Road,” playing Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's neighbor 'Milly Campbell.'  Additional film credits include “Wanderlust,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “How Do You Know,” “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard,” “The Last Mimzy,” “The Holiday,” “Around the Bend,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “Flushed.”

Music and Movies Let Audience See Life In A Brighter Light

Last November 30, 2013 marked the Philippines’ first-ever outdoor music and movie festival. Situated at the perfect venue within the newly opened Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City, the area was packed with visitors who came for the food, amusement park activities, and, most importantly, the live music and movies.

GraceNote kicked off the all-day affair by playing classic tunes and Paramore favorites followed by Moonstar 88 who got the crowd jumping with their original alternative songs. Itchyworms capped off the afternoon with not only the crowd favorites, but also a few jokes in between. As the latter ended their set at dawn, all lights were turned off in preparation for the films Limitless and Love, Actually. Enjoying the many selections offered by the various concessionaires and food trucks, guests filled their bellies before rocking out to Callalily and headliner, Bamboo. The night ended with an hour long, crowd-pumping set by DJ Ace Ramos.

BPI Honors 2013 Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children

The Bank of the Philippine Islands has recognized this year’s Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children at the awarding ceremony held recently at the BPI Head Office in Makati City.

Now on its 7th year, the Search recognizes expat children who excelled in academic and non-academic fields. This year’s roster of awardees cites eight (8) Ibang Klaseng Talino awardees, and one each for Ibang Klaseng Community Leader and Ibang Klaseng Artist categories.

REEL DEAL: Mumbai Love SPOTLIGHT

MUMBAI LOVE: Will True Love Prevail over Tradition?
by Emy Abuan

It is often said true love, like gold, must pass the “test of fire”.

This story is not just another love story. This is the love story of two people from two different sides of the world, separated by culture and tradition yet strongly bound by pure and true love for each other.

Here is Nandi, a self-made Indian-Filipino, who believes in his heart that somewhere in this world he will find his soulmate through destiny. His parents, however, still cling to the revered Indian tradition of choosing the right partner for their son. Ella, on the other hand, is a young Filipina businesswoman who sources accessories for a jewelry shop in Makati. Her work brings her to Mumbai, India where she didn’t expect to meet the man of her dreams.

Toothless ad Hiccup Soar Once Again in "How To Train Your Dragon 2" Trailer

The recent release of DreamWorks Animation’s “How To Train Your Dragon 2” trailer thrilled fans worldwide as the faithful dragon Toothless and his best friend Hiccup soared on air once again.  (View latest trailer here:  http://youtu.be/BsFdEt_OAhI). 

At the tail of the success of the first movie, Toothless and Hiccup are back for bigger adventures, laughs and battles as additional voice cast were revealed in this year’s Comic-Con event.  From the phenomenal series “Game of Thrones,” Kit Harrington voices an amusing dragon-trapper named Eret whom he describes as very cocky and brazen; Cate Blanchett who’s known for her role in “The Lord of the Rings” franchise also joins the cast as Valka, a savior of dragons while Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”) is cast as the voice of Drago Bludvist who chases dragons for personal vendetta.