Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Seen Live on TV5

Like the summer games which was held in London back in 2012, the winter Olympics is another world sporting event that the entire planet is watching. As the XXII Olympic Winter Games are held in the city of Sochi, Russia, many await the opening ceremonies that will mark the start of the games and also a feast for the spectators all over the world. For our part of the world, TV5 is the official Philippine Olympic Network.

The Opening Ceremonies started on Friday at 12 midnight (Philippine Standard Time) live from Sochi and a replay at 12PM, Sochi 2014 will be making Olympic history at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, which is expected to be filled to its capacity of 40,000 spectators with billions more watching around the world, as everyone awaits if Russia can truly surpass the grandeur of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in China.  

MUSIC LYF: Let Christian Bautista be your ‘Ace of Hearts’ this Valentine’s date

Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista, with his soothing voice and memorable ballads, will serenade those who will watch his Heart’s Day show “Ace of Hearts,” February 14, 8 p.m., at the Ace Hotel, Kapitolyo, Pasig. The show will be his first V Day show in the country in recent years.

“It feels good to, once again, be part of the Valentine’s Day celebration of Filipinos – may they be single, in a relationship, or married,” says Christian. “Iba pa rin siyempre ‘pag Pinoy ang nag-se-celebrate ng Valentine’s.”

The show’s repertoire will include some of the most romantic OPM and international tunes, plus some of Christian’s biggest hits like The Way You Look At Me, Everything You Do, among others.

The Romantic Balladeer will also be joined by two revered theater actresses Sheila Valderrama, who recently bagged the Best New Female Recording Artist from the Awit Awards, and Cris Villonco, Christian’s leading lady in the upcoming musical “Ghost.”

Three Months After Yolanda, WFP's Support Boosts Recovery for Survivors

photo by Dale Rivera/WFP Philippines

Three months after Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, devastated the Philippines, more than 2.8 million people have received emergency food and nutrition support through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Government of the Philippines, NGOs and UN agencies. In the coming weeks and months, WFP will help families rebuild their livelihoods while continuing to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

“The destruction caused by Yolanda was and remains staggering, but equally striking are the unbroken spirit of the Filipino people, the concerted action of the Philippine Government and its partners, and the tremendous support from other countries, the private sector and thousands of people who are helping communities survive and build back better,” said Praveen Agrawal, WFP Representative and Country Director in the Philippines.

Cinema One Originals Film "Mater Dolorosa" Now Available on iTunes

Another milestone for Philippine cinema was recently achieved with the award-winning film “Mater Dolorosa,” which was first screened through Cinema One Originals, being made available online on the Apple iTunes store.

“Mater Dolorosa” tells the story of a woman who has taken over running her husband’s crime empire while trying to keep her family together. While this is happening, a new mayor steps in, bringing the need for change not only in her business—but in how her and her family must deal with ghosts from their past.

“Mater Dolorosa” stars Gina Alajar, Cogie Domingo, Alessandra de Rossi, Carlo Aquino, Felix Roco, Anita Linda, Rosanna Roces, Evelyn Vargas, Alwyn Uytinco, Mercedes Cabral, Jason Abalos and Phillip Salvador.

The film took home a number of awards, including the 2013 Gawad Urian Best Director for Adolf Alix, Jr., the 2013 Golden Screen Awards Best Actress award for Gina Alajar, and the 2013 Star Awards for Movies Best Supporting Actor for Carlo Aquino.

ART IS A BANG: Pulitzer Prize Winne "Agust Osage County" Announces Stellar Cast

Repertory Philippines proudly announces its second offering for the Season 2014 with “ AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY ” - The 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama written by Tracy Letts.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is set to open on February 21 and shall run up to March 9, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.  

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is set on the plains of modern day, middle-class Oklahoma. The Weston family members are all intelligent, sensitive creatures who have the uncanny ability of making each other absolutely miserable. When the patriarch of the household mysteriously vanishes, the Weston clan gathers together to simultaneously support and attack one another.  

 

Jardine Distribution, Inc. distributes tents to schoolchildren affected by Yolanda in Northern Cebu

Jardine Distribution Inc. turned its efforts to help schoolchildren affected by Typhoon Yolanda in Northern Cebu. In cooperation with the Department of Education, JDI distributed 15 tents in Northern Cebu to be used as makeshift classrooms.Edwin Hernandez, President and General Manager of Jardine Distribution, Inc., explained that the company chose to focus on helping the children in Yolanda-affected areas after talks with the DepEd through Undersecretary Mario Derequito.

“Resuming the school activities of kids is really an important part of helping families and communities recover from the effects of the typhoon. By contributing in this way to the rehabilitation efforts, we are empowering communities to return to their normal way of life,” said Hernandez, adding that education is always a priority in the company’s CSR projects.

DepEd, DPWH address 2010 backlog in classrooms

Carmona, Cavite—The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presented 66,813 classrooms to President Benigno S. Aquino III to address the 2010 backlog.

“This is a collaborative work of private organizations and public institutions, showing commitment to quality education for Filipino learners,” Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said at the ceremonial turnover of classrooms at Carmona National High School (CNHS), one of beneficiaries of additional classrooms. He emphasized significant role of the private sector and local government units (LGUs) in delivering the kind of education that every Filipino child deserved.

Dare to do Valentine’s Differently with Toblerone

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Win a Bold and Different Date Under the Sea! 

You’re probably seeing red again. It’s Valentine’s Day that’s why! That time of the year when we try to pick the perfect present (that hopefully comes in a box and ribbons) and which conveys all our sweetest feelings. Question is can you fit all of your love-ly emotions into a single gift? This Valentine’s Day, you can do just that and more with Toblerone! 

Your Own Property: Portofino by Brittany Reveals New Model Giorgio

South of the Metro is the way to go for a comfortable living away from the congested and noisy city centers. Still within the Metro, Properties like Portofino in Alabang has provided a vast landscape of wide properties and a unique community that is still growing and evolving. 

Developed by Brittany, the properties along the roads of Daang Hari and Daang Reyna is a sound development and is perfect for the Italian-inspired homes such as Amore, the 32-hectare Tuscan region-inspired enclave Portofino in Alabang, has a new offering that lets would-be residents indulge their passion for living: Giorgio, a home that combines comfy, cozy living spaces with an elegant, rustic Italian design—all built from the finest quality materials and craftsmanship. 

Award-Winning Troupe Assembled in "The Monuments Men"

“The story of the Monuments Men is one that really very few people know,” says George Clooney, who returns to the director’s chair for the story of a small group of artists, art historians, architects, and museum curators who would lead the rescue of 1000 years of civilization during World War II in his new film, The Monuments Men.  “Artists, art dealers, architects – these were men that were far beyond the age that they were going to be drafted into a war or volunteer.  But they took on this adventure, because they had this belief that culture can be destroyed.  If they’d failed, it could have meant the loss of six million pieces of art. They weren’t going to let that happen – and the truth of the matter is, they pulled it off.”

Part of the drama of the film is that all of the Monuments Men are so unsuited to serving as soldiers in wartime.  “Wars are fought by 18-year-olds,” says Clooney.  “Once you get to the John Goodmans and the Bob Balabans and the George Clooneys, you know – these guys are not getting drafted.” Producing and writing partner Grant Heslov adds: “They did it because it was clear that they were the only people who could do it.”