Skil Celebrates 90th Anniversary With "May Tiwala Ako!" Campaign

Leading power tool brand Skil kicks off its 90th anniversary with a celebratory campaign dubbed “May Tiwala Ako”, a tribute to its loyal users who have placed their trust in the brand. The campaign centers on building long-term relationships with the brand’s consumers and pays homage to its real users which include the professional workers, freelancers, small scale businesses, and tradesmen.

Readers Digest Trusted Brands 2014 Survey

WHICH BRANDS DO FILIPINOS TRUST MOST? 

In an ever changing world of preferences, and with the ongoing shift in the relationship revolution between companies and their consumers, is there still such a thing a BRAND LOYALTY?

On its 16th year, Reader’s Digest conducts its annual Trusted Brands Survey in recognition of the companies that have consistently maintained excellent products and service to earn them a Platinum or Gold award. 

The grand awarding ceremony will be held on Wednesday June 4, 2014, at the CROWNE PLAZA MANILA  Gracing the event will be Readers Digest Asia editor in chief Sue Carney and Readers Digest Group Advertising Director for Asia Pacific, Sheron White as well as the top executives of the winning brands. 

Mystery, Drama, and Stalkers WIth TV5's New Series 'Jasmine'

It's been a while since we had a mystery-drama serye in TV, and Ace Saatchi and Saatchi, Unitel and TV5 have come up with a breakthrough series starring Jasmine Curtis Smith as... uhm..."Jasmine". But don't belittle the simplicity of the title because it brings a great cast of unique characters, an interesting story, and an approach that is similar to american series which can uplift Pinoy TV series. 

BSP Governor Opens First Philippine Retail Investment Conference

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. stressed the continued positive outlook of the economy during his opening speech at the inaugural of the Philippine Retail Investment Conference.

The conference organized by CFA Society Philippines is part of a global series of events to promote Putting Investors First Month in May aimed at increasing awareness and uniting investment professionals to place investor’s interests first above all others. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event at SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.

“As we welcome an integrated ASEAN economy, we expect greater opportunities to open up for retail investors,” says April Lee-Tan, CFA, president of CFA Society Philippines. “In order for us to fully realize our economic potential, investors must be able to trust their investment professionals to treat them honestly, competently, and ethically. CFA Society Philippines organized this conference to teach investors best practices, investment risks and their rights so that they will be smarter decision makers.”

The conference gathered together senior regulators, local and international investment professionals, and advisors to address common issues facing retail investors.

A highlight of the conference is a panel discussion on how to avoid investment scams with Hans Sicat, president of the Philippine Stock Exchange; Vida Chiong, deputy insurance commissioner of the Insurance Commission; Atty. Gerard Lukban, secretary of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, and Atty. Romeo Mendoza, Jr., general counsel of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“We are proud of the series of investor awareness activities organized by CFA Society Philippines, including the Financial Fitness Fun Run in February and ringing the closing bell at the Philippine Stock Exchange. To raise our commitment to the local investment community, CFA Institute and CFA Society Philippines will co-host the Philippine Investment Conference in October to highlight investment opportunities to professional investors in this exciting economy,” says Charles Yang, CFA, chair of the board of governors of CFA Institute, who delivered the conference’s closing address.

REEL DEAL: Ansel Elgort - Stars Shining Bright

One of this generation’s most remarkable heartthrob, multi-talented young actor Ansel Elgort takes his most challenging role yet in the most-awaited love story of the year in “The Fault In Our Stars.”

“The Fault In Our Stars” celebrates the power of young love in all its magic, power and complexity where Elgort takes on the role of Augustus ‘Gus’ Waters, a teenager who is in remission from his osteosarcoma who met Hazel (Shailene Woodley) at a cancer support group in their community.  Based on the bestselling novel by John Green, the movie is the story of two remarkable teenagers who fall in love and embrace life despite the strong odds against them. Both are smart, funny and sarcastic. When they meet at a support group, Hazel Grace Lancaster is instantly smitten with Augustus Waters. The feeling is mutual. Despite dealing with serious health concerns on a daily basis, health doesn’t dominate life for Augustus and Hazel. Far from it. They are normal teenagers, excited about first love and getting to know each other. It’s clear from the start that there is strong chemistry between this attractive pair. They don’t see eye to eye on everything, but their connection is powerful and they both have a great sense of humor about their circumstances.   

DepEd: “No collection policy” in public schools still in effect

The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded all school authorities that collection of any fees during enrolment and the first days of class is strictly prohibited.

“We call on all teachers and school officials to see to it that we do not refuse a single student who wants to enrol. We strongly remind them that we do not collect any fees as a requirement for enrolment,” Education Secretary Br.Armin A. Luistro said.

The education chief added that certain contributions in public schools, while authorized by DepEd, do not mean that they are compulsory. “These contributions remain voluntary,” Luistro stressed.

REEL DEAL: Dragons Have All Moved With Gerald Butler In "How To Train Your Dragon 2"

From DreamWorks Animation, “How To Train Your Dragon 2” is even more exciting than the first Oscar-nominated film. The 3D adventure is stunning, with beautiful animation, great characters and a powerful storyline about a boy named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his dragon, Toothless.

Gerard Butler returns as Hiccup’s dad, Stoick The Vast, mighty Chieftain of the Island of Berk.     Hiccup, now a young man, is contentedly flying with Toothless and exploring the frontiers of the Viking world, much to the annoyance of his father.  Stoick feels it’s high time his son stepped up to his leadership responsibilities and his heritage.   As the plot unfolds, Hiccup has to defend the villagers from the power-crazed Drago (Djimon Hounsou) and his army of dragon trappers.   And in a dramatic twist to this exhilarating coming of agestory, there is an emotional family reunion with Valka, Hiccup’s courageous mother (Cate Blanchett),an inspiring dragon protector.

REEL DEAL: The Biggest And The best Superhero Ensemble Opens Today - May 21 In 2D, 3D and 4DX Cinemas “X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST”

With the world devastated by war, and mutants in particular facing extinction, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his long-time friend/occasional enemy Magneto (Ian McKellen) hatch a plan to send Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) consciousness back in time to his younger self in the 1970s in “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”   While there, he must convince the First Class era versions of Xavier and Magneto to put aside their vast differences and bitter rivalry to work together and stop the dark, dangerous future from coming to pass. But it won’t be an easy job, as Charles Xavier in 1973 is in a dark place himself – and it might take meeting his future self to knock him out of a deep depression…

Stewart returns to the role of Charles Xavier he originated in 2000’s X-Men, reuniting with director Bryan Singer and his castmates. Slipping back into the character of Charles, Sir Stewart says that “This time, it's been a little different because the background to our story is such that the X-Men find themselves not at the start of difficult situations, but almost at the climax of them – a time when not just mutants, but all of society is threatened with extinction by these machines, the Sentinels. The drama and intensity really never let up for us in this film; in the past, we've had lighter moments and sometimes even scenes of quite conventional action. But not in this one, because the external threat is so present and so demanding that everything is at a high level of tension.”

Bangs Garcia Celebrates Her Birthday With Fans

Bangs Garcia grew her career as a Kapamilya and has gone a long way from just being "Bangs" of the Let's Go and GoKada Go. Now she has projects from afternoon (Kapamilya Gold, Kambal sa Uma and Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal?) to primetime (Dyesebel).  

She was also featured in several magazines like FHM, Maxim and Uno. Still young and a favorite for her versatile acting prowess, Valerie "Bangs" Garcia has proven herself in showbiz and is also eyeing to be a future entrepreneur.

ART IS A BANG: Al Gatmaitan Emotional and Thankful At "In Pursuit of a Dream" Concert

Al Gatmaitan maybe young but has achieved many feats which has given him a lot of opportunities here and overseas. On his pursuit for new heights in his career as a Tenor, he enrolled himself to the New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts Professions. With his admission to the prestigious school for music he needs all the help he can get, thus a benefit concert was held last May 14, and 21, first at Opera Haus and LRI Design Plaza respectively. 

I went to the May 21st concert where special guests include Soprano Gabri Panilio , Ms. Tricia Amper, Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo , Flamengco Dancer Lisa Dino, OPM Hitmaker Aiza Seguerra, and world class Pianist and UST ean, Professor in Music and Statistics at the Conservatory of Music Raul Sunico, with Collaborative Pianist Karl Estudillo.