DepEd, Albay ink MOA for 2016 Palarong Pambansa

The Department of Education (DepEd) signs an agreement with the provincial government of Albay—the host of the2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City—stipulating the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well-managed and professionally-run annual national sporting event.

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.”  “I want to highlight that this is Albay’s first ever hosting of the Palaro. This is also the first time that 18 regions will take action -- not the usual 17 regions --because of the participation of   the Negros Island Region,” he explained.

Boboy Syjuco Files Case Against SSS Veto

 With the controversial veto of the SSS Pension increase for pensioners, the public is not happy with this move of the President. Among the other bills that were passed and officially became a law, this particular benefit legislation prevented the additional 2000 pesos with the current pensioners would get each month. Their reason is that when implemented, it will cause the bankruptcy of the SSS in the future.

This also made Presidentiable Boboy Syjuco mad with the move, as a congressman himself, a bill has gone through rigorous deliberation and approval before it would reach the final signature. Among the other candidates, he was the first one to file a case against the veto that has become a national issue. 

Nailing It In The Romantic Comedy "Accidental Love"

“Accidental Love” is a wacky comedy with an underlying theme of health care, starring Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhall, James Marsden, Catherine Keener, Kirstie Alley, Tracy Morgan and Malinda Williams.

Alice Eckle (Biel), a somewhat naïve roller-skating waitress in a small Indiana town, is about to get engaged to her trooper boyfriend, Scott (Marsden). At the fancy Gondola restaurant when Alice has an engagement ring on her finger, a clumsy workman accidentally shoots her in the head with a nail from his nail gun.

What To Watch This Week: Vilma Channels Strong CEO with "Everything About Her"

It has been years since we seen Governor Vilma Santos in a film since "Ekstra" and "The Healing". And now she is back again with a whole new persona as Vivian in Star Cinema's "Everything About Her". And unlike her previous roles which either involves her being in the middle class or poverty levels, she comes strong as a successful CEO who has a fierce personality as she will encounter the bane of cancer.

We were able to talk to Governor Vilma about her role which can also be related to her current position. She expressed happiness with the fresh and elite role as it is also pegged to Meryl Streep's character in "Devil Wears Prada" with the feisty attitude yet influential charisma. 

It is also the first time she will be working with Xian Lim, it will be a movie reunion with Luis' girlfriend Angel Locsin after "Mano Po". Packaging her as the CEO involves with the lines, moves, apparel and the accessories. This brought out a powerful impression as she is introduced in the cinematic trailer. She also loved working with Bb. Joyce Bernal who was equally honored to work with the Star For All Seasons.

I would have to see the movie hopefully by next week because of schedules, but it did caught my attention with the theme and the actors that are in this film. So far it was a box office hit and also got good reviews, more reasons to watch the movie really soon.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach advocates for HIV awareness and testing

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach called for Filipinos’ increased awareness on HIV as she winds up the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Day during her homecoming. The new Miss Universe continued her HIV advocacy in the Philippines by speaking with advocates and young people living with HIV.

“It is shocking that the Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. Many of those who get infected are young people. I want to use my voice to help lift up those who are living with HIV and to bring awareness to young people who do not know how to protect themselves against this virus,” Wurtzbach says.

No more ‘burning of midnight oil’ for studes in Misamis Oriental

Thanks to free solar-powered lamps, hundreds of learners in Misamis Oriental can now extend their study time without burning the midnight oil.

Under the “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project, the Department of Education (DepEd) Misamis Oriental Division has generated enough funds through various activities to provide solar-powered lamps in 368 homes that are either un-energized or are in remote and off-grid areas in Misamis Oriental.

According to DepEd Misamis Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Limbaco, division personnel and teachers organized a rummage sale and sold second-hand clothing and products. They also offered fresh vegetables and fruits at the Schools Division Office and at various schools. This fundraising campaign has lasted from October to December 2015.

First "Money Monster" Trailer Takes George Clooney Hostage‏

From the producers of the Oscar Best Picture winner “Argo” comes Columbia Pictures’ new suspense thriller “Money Monster.” Directed by Jodie Foster, the film stars George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jack O’Connell (“300: Rise of an Empire,” “Unbroken”).

Watch the film's first trailer here at https://youtu.be/9jtFMPcNtnE.

In the taut and tense thriller “Money Monster,” Lee Gates (Clooney) is a bombastic TV personality whose popular financial network show has made him the money wiz of Wall Street. But after he hawks a high tech stock that mysteriously crashes, an irate investor (O’Connell) takes Gates, his crew, and his ace producer Patty Fenn (Roberts) hostage live on air. Unfolding in real time, Gates and Fenn must find a way to keep themselves alive while simultaneously uncovering the truth behind a tangle of big money lies.

The film also stars Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito and Caitriona Balfe, while the producers are Daniel Dubiecki, Lara Alameddine, George Clooney and Grant Heslov.

Opening across the Philippines on April 2016, “Money Monster” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

"King's Speech" Director Back with Oscar Contender "The Danish Girl"‏

Winner of Best Director Oscar for “The King’s Speech” and nominated for the same honor for “Les Miserables,” filmmaker Tom Hooper now brings to the screen Universal Pictures’ critically lauded drama “The Danish Girl.”

Starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander who both earned Oscar nominations for their performances, the film will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, TriNoma, Market Market & Fairview Terraces) starting Feb. 03.

“To me, `The Danish Girl’ shares with `The King's Speech’ that theme of the blocks that lie between us and the best version of ourselves - and how we overcome those blocks,” says Hooper. “I fell in love with the script as soon as I read it, which was in 2008 when I was preparing `The King's Speech.’ It was the best script I've ever read. I wept three times when I read it - and I'm not sentimental. I've wanted to make the movie ever since.”

Experience The Immersive Power Of "THE REVENANT" On The Big Screen On February 3 - Available In IMAX Theaters Only For One Week

Leonardo DiCaprio has portrayed a kaleidoscopic array of characters – from Howard Hughes to Jay Gatsby to Wolf of Wall Street’s profligate Jordan Belfort – but the role of the Hugh Glass in “The Revenant” was an entirely new challenge, taking the actor into borderlands that few in our modern world have experienced.  It is DiCaprio’s most intensely physical role and at the same time, an almost wordlessly raw performance. 

Academy Award®-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu brings the legend of Hugh Glass to the screen with “The Revenant,” an epic adventure set in the unchartered 19th century American Frontier. Immersing audiences in the unparalleled beauty, mystery and dangers of life in 1823 America, the film explores one man’s transformation in a quest for survival. Part thriller, part wilderness journey, The Revenant explores primal drives not only for life itself but for dignity, justice, faith, family and home. 

Female Artists Motivate Runners To Go The Extra Mile on Spotify

* Female artists dominate running playlists on Spotify, from Queen Bey hits to classics from Missy Elliott and TLC·

* New survey shows that over 60% of runners report that music helps them run faster and longer

* Spotify Running users covered 55 million kilo meters in the past seven months, equal to running around the world 1,386 times

Spotify reveals the world’s most-streamed running songs of 2015. “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce led the pack, followed closely with “Chandelier” by Sia and “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson. In fact, 7 of the 10 top tracks come from female artists, ranging from current chart toppers to Missy Elliott and TLC.