HBO Asia Announces Last Quarter Line-Up for 2015

HBO Asia today announced an eclectic mix of new shows airing this quarter on HBO GO and the network’s various channels. The diverse roster includes four much-awaited TV series that offer action, fantasy, drama and more. Viewers can also enjoy an encore airing of the Manny Pacquiao film, KID KULAFU. 

James Hardie opens doors of opportunities for Yolanda survivors

Every carpentry workshop conducted by James Hardie
was in-depth and hands-on providing a learning platform
for carpenters to further their skills.

When typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, particularly the provinces of Samar and Leyte, the world saw a super typhoon could easily wipe out towns and cities from the map and leave behind scores of casualties.

Almost two years after the catastrophic event, a lot of residents from the typhoon stricken provinces are now almost back on their feet especially those who were eager to kick-start their lives by learning new things during the rehabilitation efforts from different organizations.

James Hardie, the world leader in fiber cement building products, partnered with De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) to create a lasting and effective change on some of the most-badly hit communities.

51Talk honors inspiring lives of e-Educators

In celebration of National Teachers’ Month, 51Talk paid tribute to its teachers through the #51TalkTeacherStory contest. The contest encouraged e-Educators to share their experiences as an online teacher. The entries were judged based on uniqueness, inspirational appeal, and over-all impact of 250 entries from all over the Philippines were submitted.

“With their commendable communication skills, Filipinos are proven to be one of the best teachers of the English language,” shared Jen Que, Vice President for Philippine Operations. “It was hard picking the top 3 entries. We admire their patience, passion, and perseverance in making a difference in the lives of our students and providing for their families.”

The 3rd place winner is Teacher Amorlove from Cebu, who managed to balance her time as a persevering Architecture student and a passionate teacher through 51Talk. Being a student herself, she understands her students’ passion for learning. This always inspires to put her heart in every teaching session.

Habitat for Humanity to complete homes through local resources as conditions improve

Habitat for Humanity International regrets to announce the cancellation of this year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, formerly scheduled to take place November 1-6, 2015, in the Chitwan District of Nepal.

As reported by news media, Nepal has been experiencing civil unrest due to the country’s recent announcement of its new constitution. Habitat has been closely monitoring the situation and new circumstances have proven to be safety risks for volunteers and staff. Currently, many goods and materials coming into the country—including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and cooking fuel, as well as food and medical supplies—have been halted or slowed to a critical point, hindering Habitat’s capacity to effectively and safely execute the planned project. 

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" is Closing Film of Sreamfest‏

Paramount Pictures' “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” will premiere as the closing night film of the Screamfest Horror Film Festival, playing in RealD 3D at the TCL Chinese Theatre in L.A.

(Watch a new TV spot of “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P3rYInCbm0.)

The move is a homecoming of sorts for the scary movie franchise as the first “Paranormal” made its debut at the festival, the largest and longest-running horror festival in the U.S., in 2007.

2016 World Mountain Bike Championship Philippine Qualifying Race Happens At Nuvali’s “Dirt Weekend”

Bike enthusiasts will definitely love the upcoming Dirt Weekend at Nuvali because it will serve as a new way to be qualified for the Olympics. With the cooridination of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike (MTB) World Championship at the annual “Dirt Weekend” on November 6, 7 and 8 at Nuvali in Laguna will serve as the Philippine Qualifying Race.

UCI is the international governing body on sports cycling and competitive cycling events. Started in 2009, Dirt Weekend is now recognized as one of the country’s premium racing events among professional MTB riders and enthusiasts alike.

“We are honored that Nuvali is hosting this prestigious international cycling event. Biking is part of the environmentally-responsible culture that we are cultivating in Nuvali. We continuously develop programs that are attuned to the local biking community - programs that promote a healthier lifestyle by encouraging biking as a mode of transportation and recreation. Also, we would like to serve as a platform for globally competitive athletes from the Philippines to get a chance to compete in the global stage,” said John Estacio, Nuvali General Manager.

REEL DEAL: Bridges of Spies REVIEW

The cold war has been a very critical period in history, as it was just after the World War, and the nuclear technology poses as a great threat to humanity. With two key players, the United States and U.S.S.R., harnessing the information, technology and development of these weapons are damn scary. That is the premise of Bridge of Spies by Stephen Spielberg which stars Tom Hanks as James B. Donovan.

With the capture of an alleged Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel, Donavan became his attorney and eventually become a negotiator in making an exchange for an American who was captured while making espionage flight over Russia. The negotiations take place in East Berlin where another American was also caught in the conflict thus making the exchange more complicated.

Many of us would think that period films would be boring, but Bridge of Spies gave the sense of excitement, sadness, and psychological conflicts that makes a connection to the viewers. And of course, Tom Hanks and Mark Raylance did an awesome job for their respective roles. 

Jessica Chastain Embraces the Dark in "Crimson Peak"

The mysterious Lady Lucille Sharpe will do whatever it takes to protect her family’s shocking history…but not all secrets can be buried. Two-time Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain (“The Martian,” “Interstellar,” “Mama”) plays Lady Lucille Sharpe in Guillermo del Toro's gothic thriller “Crimson Peak” from Universal Pictures.

(Watch these featurettes on “Crimson Peak”: “Fog” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hdiN-zyBsY and “Old Meets New” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8nmtebK4-c.)

Kamuning Bakery Speaheads World Pandesal Day

October 16, 2015 will be celebrated worldwide as “World Bread Day”, but here at Quezon City’s first bakery, Kamuning Bakery Cafe is celebrating it as the World Pandesal Day. 

Why World Pandesal Day?

The pandesal is the historic and unique national bread of the Philippines, it is bread eaten by the masses, middle-class and by all. The pandesal is a basic necessity of the people, like rice. The humble pandesal bread represents the people’s simple wish for liberation from hunger. Hot freshly pugon-baked pandesal also represents happiness.

So what is in store for WORLD PANDEAL DAY by Kamuning Bakery?

Family Adventure "Pan" Grosses P49.64-M in 4 Days‏

Warner Bros. Pictures’ family-oriented action fantasy “Pan” starring Hugh Jackman raided the Philippine box-office with a robust P49.64-M gross in four days since its Oct. 8 opening.  This was announced today by Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. (F.E.), Inc.

Claiming the biggest share of the gross receipts are SM Mall of Asia (P2.17-M), SM Megamall (P1.92-M) and Trinoma (P1.66-M).

They’re followed by the following cinemas in the Top Ten: SM North EDSA (P1.48-M), SM Southmall (P1.38-M), Glorietta 4 (P1.21-M), Greenhills Theatremall SM Cebu (P1.17-M), (P1.06-M), Bonifacio High Street (P1.00-M) and Alabang Town Center (P 874,946.)