DepEd reiterates “No Collection Policy” in public schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded all public school authorities that collection of any fees for school activities and celebrations is strictly prohibited.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that contributions in public schools should be voluntary. He added that while Parents-Teachers Association may be authorized to collect financial contributions from its members to enable it to implement programs and projects (such as Christmas parties) for the benefit of the students, the fees should be voluntary and agreed upon by the members in a general assembly.

Gloc-9, Universal Records lead this year’s Awit Awards winners

Universal Records nabbed numerous commendations from the recently-concluded 2014 Awit Awards, held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World, with Gloc-9 winning most of the major awards – Album of the year for “Lihim at Liham,” Song of the Year for “Magda,” Best Rap Recording, and Best Collaboration.

Asia’s Songbird received two awards for Best Inspirational Song for “Nathaniel,” and Best Christmas Recording for “Hele Ni Inay.” These songs are part of the album “Hulong Ka Ng Langit,” which won Best Album Packaging Award.

Sam Concepcion won Best Dance Recording for the carrier single of his “Infinite” album – “No Limitations.”

PhilPop entries also made it to this year’s roster of winners – “Papel” and “Pansamantagal” won  Novelty, and World Music Recording of the Year, respectively.

Global phenomenon One Direction pop-up store “1D World” opens in the Philippines!

Just in time for the most awaited two-night concert in 2015, Music Management International (MMI) Live unveils the Philippine debut of the 1D WORLD pop-up store at the 5th Level, Mega Fashion Hall of the SM Megamall on December 20, 2014.

Originally, opening of 1D World store was scheduled on Dec 16 but due to persistent 1D Filipino fans request to open on a weekend, unveiling will happen on Dec. 20, Saturday from 11:00 am onwards.

The 1D World pop-up stores have opened in cities all over the world, offering everything fans of Louis, Niall, Liam, Zayn and Harry could ever want. The store will carry all kinds of imported One Direction merchandise such as T-shirts, posters, phone cases, caps, calendars, life-size cardboard stand-ups of all band members and other exciting exclusive products.

REEL DEAL: Stars Commit To “SUICIDE SQUAD”

Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto to Head Cast

An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.

Dencio's Bar and Grill Restaurant The Old is new Again

When it first opened it doors, Dencio's Bar and Grill brought the eclectic flavor of the barrio to the urban metropolis. Twenty-tree years later, the homegrown brand is revisiting the same idea that made it one of the country's favorite dining traditions.

Now a member of the Max's group family of brands, Dencio's- on of the Philippines first provincial-resort type restaurants - recently unveiled a new store cocept in its branch in Harbor Square at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

"Dencio's remains a beloved restaurant among Pinoy's," said Jim Fuentebella, BRanding Director of Max's Group Inc. (MGI). "To stay top of mind, we refurbished the store look to better reflect the core values that built the brand. And we couldn't do this without the help of the original founder."

Lenny Kravitz Rocks Manila in March 2015

Lenny Kravitz, the four-time GRAMMY Winner who gave us the hits “Again”, “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”, “Fly Away and “American Woman” is set to rock the Philippines this coming March. He is regarded as one of the preeminent rock musicians of our time, and has successfully transcended genre, style, race and class into a 20-year musical career, one which revels in the rich influences of '60s and '70s soul, rock and funk.

MIDAS Promotions, the company responsible for sold-out concerts in the Philippines and the rest of Asia, is proud to present Lenny Kravitz LIVE in Manila this 24 March 2015 at the Globe Circuit Events Ground in Makati. Tickets will be on sale starting 9am, December 15th, 2014 atwww.ticketworld.com.ph or at any Ticket World Outlets. For inquiries, call 891-9999. Ticket prices are as follows:

Platinum (seated) – 13,000 | Diamond (seated) – 11,000 |Gold (seated) – 9,000 | Silver (standing) – 3,500 | Bronze (standing) 2,000

REEL DEAL: “STAR WARS 7” Villain Adam Driver Shines In “THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

Before donning the villain's cloak in the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” promising actor Adam Driver (HBO's “Girls”) appears in Warner Bros. Pictures’ new heart-warming dramedy, “This is Where I Leave You” as Phillip, the youngest brother in an eccentric, dysfunction family.

When their father passes away, four grown siblings (Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver), bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Let the madness begin.

More than Sneakers Converse holds two workshops as a support to Pinoy Street Culture

Fuelling up the creative juices of people who are into fashion, sports and the art, Converse Philippines conducted the first ever “Cons Project Manila,” a one-day event that highlights street art and Do-It-Yourself skateboard ramp workshops, at the Pelota Court, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City last November 22.

Aiming to create a stamp in the modern Filipino street culture, the event was inspired by the new CONS Fall 2014 Sneaker Collection which debuted last August.

REEL DEAL: “SPECTRE,” 24th James Bond Adventure To Begin Production

James Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today announced the title of the 24th James Bond adventure, “Spectre.” 

The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fourth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007.

“Spectre” begins principal photography on Monday, December 8, and is set for global release on November 6, 2015. Along with Daniel Craig, Mendes presented the returning cast, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear as well as introducing Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott. 

Mendes also revealed Bond’s sleek new Aston Martin, the DB10, created exclusively for “Spectre.”

REEL DEAL: Gandalf, Galadriel Allies To The End In “THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES”

“The Hobbit” Trilogy’s expansive ensemble cast includes a core of artists reprising their now-iconic roles from “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. “Now that a decade has passed since we made the first films, the iconography of the characters is everywhere,” director Peter Jackson notes. “When Ian McKellen walked out on set, it felt like you were seeing Gandalf again—the line between actor and character has become so thin.”

Holding a consistent place as a driving force and vital constant throughout both trilogies is the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, as embodied by Ian McKellen. From the moment McKellen first donned Gandalf’s Wizard’s hat, the acclaimed stage and screen star has become the face of the Grey Wizard for generations of fans.