SM City Chengdu bags CCFA Golden Lily Award in China

SM Supermalls China scored a win at the 2017 China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) Golden Lily Awards for SM City Chengdu’s steadfast efforts to improve the consumer environment and for the mall’s over a decade of service to the community. The SM China mall was hailed ‘Best Community Shopping Center’ at the awards ceremonies last July 5, held in Nanjing, China.

Previous winners in the CCFA Golden Lily Awards included notable shopping centers, such as China’s Tianjin Joy City, Taiyuan Wanda Plaza, Shenzhen KK Mall, and Japanese brand Wuhan AEON Mall.

Blah Blah Blogs: The Story Of Lola Pera

Lola is always game for wacky shots.

July is an unhealthy month for my family, my father FPJ Sr., died of a heart failure due to his complications on the day the Oakwood Mutiny started. We did not know about the events as we were morning for the loss of our Papa. Recently it also claimed the life of my maternal grandmother Felisa, who was born in 1931, in our province at La Union.

Deaths were also frequent this year with relatives like our Uncle Terry  who also died a few months ago. But for Lola's condition it came gradually and lasted months. We were hoping that she would reach her 100th birthday and claim the Centenarian prize of P100,000 because she was strong yet stubborn.

Kerry Washington is Know-It-All, Nerdy Analyst in "Cars 3"

Multi-awarded African-American actress Kerry Washington (Django Unchained, TV's Scandal), lends her voice to Natalie Certain, a highly respected statistical analyst who knows her numbers, in Disney-Pixar's No.1 US box-office hit Cars 3 (in Philippine cinemas July 26, 2017).

Book-smart and mathematically gifted, Certain is a fresh voice in the racing world. But while she may earn top marks in her ability to evaluate a racer’s stats, she could be underestimating the importance of determination.

RCBC reveals “We believe in you” philosophy

Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation (RCBC), one of the leading universal banks in the Philippines, today unveils its new corporate logo and tagline “We believe in you,” which signals the start of a new era of providing excellent and trusted banking services for Filipinos.

“This milestone signals the arrival of a more committed, refreshed and re-energized RCBC, that is ready to meet the demands of the ever-changing Philippine banking industry,” said RCBC President and CEO Gil A. Buenaventura.

“We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC, but a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. At the same time, this new corporate thrust is meant to encourage Filipinos not only to dream, but to pursue their passions and dreams, and turn them into reality – whether it’s traveling to your dream destination, venturing into a new business, or purchasing a new home or car,” Buenaventura stressed.

Actor Ian Veneracion finds a new love . . . in Ascof Lagundi

At 42, actor Ian Veneracion has become
 more discerning of his life choices. That is why
 he places his full trust only in Ascof Forte
Menthol Syrup as his cough remedy,
as it is made from 100% organically grown Lagundi leaves. 

At age 42, gentleman actor and reluctant heartthrob Ian Veneracion appears to be a star whose time has come. Although he started acting at the age of 5, Veneracion’s career took a long, circuitous route to leading man status, something he finally achieved when he was cast as a swoon-worthy hero in hit TV soaps. 

Today he seems unstoppable, his career trajectory leading him to a place that much younger and more aggressive actors have yet to reach. 

Ironically, it is from this enviable place that Veneracion now seeks balance even as he appreciates the perks of stardom. He has kept the debonair good looks that make fans—age 18 to 80—swoon, yes, but the Gen X actor now finds fulfillment in matters that are more constant and stable, and less transitory. 

This probably has much to do with being married to a loving wife and having three wonderful children. Veneracion readily affirms that there is always more to life than the glitz of show business.

Kenneth Branagh Must Evacuate Soldiers Trapped in "Dunkirk"

Oscar-nominee Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) plays Bolton, the naval commander in charge of The Mole, a perilous eight-foot-wide pier that becomes the British soldiers' narrow gateway to freedom, in Christopher Nolan's new epic action thriller Dunkirk (in Philippine cinemas July 20).

Harry Styles Marks Acting Debut in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk"

As one of the members of the global phenomenon One Direction, Harry Styles became one of the best-known musicians in the world. Now, he makes his feature film acting debut in Christopher Nolan's new epic action thriller Dunkirk (in Philippine cinemas July 20).

Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

Fantasy Adventure "A Wrinkle in Time" Debuts Teaser Trailer

Watch the teaser trailer for Walt Disney Pictures' new fantasy adventure A Wrinkle In Time which has just been released by the studio.

View the trailer at https://youtu.be/E4U3TeY2wtM and watch A Wrinkle in Time in Philippine cinemas in March 2018.

The film is an epic adventure that takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and ultimately, the triumph of love.

Directed by Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time is produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer.

The film stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peňa, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, André Holland, Rowan Blanchard with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine and introduces Storm Reid.

A Wrinkle in Time is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

REEL DEAL: Dunkirk REVIEW

War films are probably one of the most difficult to produce as they are heavily laden with action, explosions, and critical historical facts. Many would use them as propaganda against enemies. Dunkirk stands out among this genre as it was given focus on the individual faces of war. 

The film will actually inflict a small trauma to us to let us experience what is like to be in the forefront, and it was really scary. Death and survival are the only options. Nolan proved that he can make a impressionistic film about armed conflicts.

Though we have seen many war movies, the journey of the characters here paints real situations,no fancy lines, just expressions of horror, grief, thrill, etc. Though the story of war is similar to what our grandparents had experienced, the human connection is what brings the viewers and the characters in one boat.

Veterans ruled the pilot race of the 41st National MILO Marathon

First race of the season gathers around 12,000 pacesetters

In true festive fashion, the city of Urdaneta showed its overwhelming enthusiasm in the first race of the 41st National MILO Marathon. Around 12,000 runners hit the streets to race the finish line. Running veterans Julius Sermona and Christabel Martes took the spotlight and placed first in the 21K male and female categories, respectively. They each took home the top purse of P10,000 in cash and a trophy, and booked their slots to the National Finals in Cebu on December 3 to try and claim the MILO Marathon King and Queen titles.