New "Star Wars" Film "Awakens" Earlier in PH on Dec 17‏

Lucasfilm's “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” director J.J. Abrams' seventh installment in the beloved franchise, will open across the Philippines on Thursday, Dec. 17 – this was announced today by a spokesman of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The Philippine opening is one day ahead of most territories in the “galaxy,” including the US, where the film will debut on Friday, Dec. 18.

Meanwhile, watch the newly released final trailer of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at https://youtu.be/wuG9vxiFEuM and check out the payoff poster accompanying this announcement.

UNICEF Gary V visits child centered Disaster Risk Reduction programmes in the wake of Typhoon Lando‏

UNICEF Philippines’ National Goodwill Ambassador Gary Valenciano visits UNICEF’s child centred Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programmes to learn about how children are involved in disaster risk management, as the devastation from the recent powerful Typhoon Koppu/Lando become clear.

Siso Siblings Dominate the PPTO Cagayan de Oro leg

Cebu’s pride dominated the first leg of the Peugeot Philippines Tennis Open (PPTO) held in Cagayan De Oro (CDO) last October 12 to 18, 2015.  Siblings Bernardine and Sally Mae Siso, former varsity tennis players of the University of San Carlos-Cebu, beat their foes to win the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, bagging a ticket to play in the PPTO National Finals in February 2016.

Twenty-two year-old Bernardine edged out 44-year-old Danilo Sajonia at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex with 6-3, 6-1 victory.  Meanwhile, his sister Sally Mae outclassed Janelle Carmela Llavore of CDO with a score of 6-3, 6-1 in a match that ran for 85 minutes.  Llavore bowed to the Cebuana despite registering break serves in the 1st set and aces during the 2nd set. 

Vin Diesel's Latest Bad-ass Role “THE LAST WITCH HUNTER” Tops PH Box Office

Blockbuster movie actor Vin Diesel who rocketed to stardom with hit franchise “The Fast and The Furious” movies proved his strength at the box-office once again when his latest action adventure film “The Last Witch Hunter” opened at number 1 at the local (Phils.) box-office. 

Recent interviews revealed that the actor  had a  great time in the country and plans shoot his next movie in the Philippines.  His movie “The Last Witch Hunter” which is now playing in local cinemas is by far Diesel’s highest grossing film (Phils.) after the “Fast and Furious” films.  Vin Diesel takes on the titular role as Kaulder in “The Last Witch Hunter” set  in a world never before seen on screen, the story spans over 800 years of one man’s quest to keep an army of vicious supernatural creatures determined to wipe out humanity at bay.

Jesse Eisenberg, the Stone Assassin in "American Ultra"‏

Oscar-nominated young actor Jesse Eisenberg, whose previous roles have included “Now You See Me,” “The Social Network,” and “Zombieland,” was the filmmakers' first choice to play the slacker-turned-superspy in the intriguing thriller “American Ultra.”

(Watch the official trailer of “American Ultra” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DMIyOQEaRw&list=PLJ7A97yl9oXrb.)

In the film, a stoner and his girlfriend’s sleepy, small-town existence is disrupted when his past comes back to haunt him in the form of a government operation set to wipe him out.

Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali holds Upcycling Challenge

In a bid to turn waste materials into more useful resources, real estate developer Amaia Land Corp. recently launched the first Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge last Saturday, Oct. 17, at Solenad 1, Nuvali, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. 

Amaia’s Upcycling Challenge saw the participation of a slew of design students, professionals, and upcycling enthusiasts, out of which thirteen were chosen finalists. All the participants are given sufficient time to create marketable and practical home products from scratch using a selected material—in this case, plastic soft drink bottles. 

Kristen Stewart, Feisty Small-Town Girl in "American Ultra"

Kristen Stewart reunites with her “Adventureland” costar Jesse Eisenberg in Lionsgate's hip thriller “American Ultra.”

In the film, a stoner (Eisenberg) and his girlfriend’s (Stewart) sleepy, small-town existence is disrupted when his past comes back to haunt him in the form of a government operation set to wipe him out.

Stewart plays Phoebe Larson who appears to be as unmotivated as her slacker boyfriend but unlikely hero Mike. Like him, she seems in no hurry to go anywhere. But Phoebe is much more driven than she lets on. "She is way more together than he does," says director Nima Nourizadeh. "She's responsible, with more of a real job. Mike actually relies on her for a lot of the time. You soon understand that she pretty much takes care of everything for him."

“THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY Part 2” Powerful Finale In Cinemas November 18

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” directed by Francis Lawrence now brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future.

With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her.  The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.

Kate Winslet's Frockery Rocked Sleepy Town In “THE DRESSMAKER”

Based on the wickedly hilarious and couture-filled book of the same title by Rosalie Ham, “The Dressmaker” is set at 1951 in a town called Dungatar, a one-horse town deep in the wheat belt of south-east Australia.  The sleepy town of Dungatar is suddenly alarmed at the return of Tilly Dunnage (Academy Award winner Kate Winslet), a beautiful, talented misfit, who’s been working as a dressmaker in France for the great haute couture designers, returns home to Dungatar, a one-horse town deep in the wheat belt of south-east Australia. After 20 years away, Tilly has been driven back by a recent tragedy, to do two things – look after her ailing, eccentric mother Molly (Judy Davis), and right the wrongs of the past that continue to haunt her. Tilly Dunnage has revenge in her heart.

Open your eyes for the Blind with Zoomanity Group's Dinner In The Dark

Ever wonder what it would be like to be blind? Get a chance to open your eyes with their “dark” condition at a special dinner event called “Dinner in the Dark” by Zoomanity Group. This great cause will give you a unique experience of dining in total darkness and understand how it is to be blind. 

Zoomanity Group, one of the leading companies in the park industry, will host series of “Dinner in the Dark” for the benefit of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines. This exceptional event will create awareness amongst us what it is like to lose our sense of sight and appreciate it even more. Guests will have a 30 minute orientation before the dinner which will be held in different Zoomanity parks and restaurant. During the dinner, the participants’ sense of sight will be totally diminished then their other senses will take over and will be heightened. Wonderful scents and sounds, and beautiful music, will be expected as well.