HBO Films' BAD EDUCATION starring Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney Debuts April 26

Inspired by the true story that rocked the town of Roslyn, NY in 2004 that garnered attention nationwide, Bad Education, debuting same time as the U.S. on Sunday, 26 April at 8am exclusively on HBO GO, centres on the stunning impact and aftermath of a multi-million-dollar embezzlement scheme. The darkly comical film highlights the deficiencies of the public education system in the U.S. while examining the broader forces that foster greed, corruption, and lack of accountability in our institutions. The film will also air on the same day at 10pm on HBO.

Laugh out loud together in a distance via TFC’s “Stand Up for Laughs on Kumu”

Catch the stand-up comedy sets of Orca, Yuki, Ramon Cabochan, and Alex Calleja on the live streaming app Kumu

Any outbreak such as the COVID-19 pandemic causes stress to both children and adults, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One way to cope with stress, which both CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend—is to take a break from watching, listening or reading news stories about the pandemic.

So, to help you take a break and laugh-off your worries even for some time, stand-up comedians Orca, Yuki, Ramon Cabochan, and Alex Calleja come together for TFC’s “Stand Up for Laughs on Kumu”.

“Stand Up for Laughs on Kumu” is a live stream stand-up comedy show featuring four stand-up comedians who will share their stories and experiences abroad that are relatable to the overseas Filipinos.

Contractors join hands with Philippine government to build emergency quarantine facilities to fight COVID-19

Racing against time, the Philippine government and some of the biggest construction companies that are also members of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) pulled out all the stops to convert big sports coliseums and convention centers into emergency quarantine facilities (EQF) for the treatment and monitoring of COVID-19 cases.

The initial facilities that have been converted into EQFs and targeted to be all fully operational by the week of April 12 are the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, the Philippine International Convention Center and the World Trade Center. 

Keep your business safe from cyberattacks amid the COVID-19 outbreak and enhanced community quarantine

While companies are closely monitoring the pandemic and implementing their business continuity plans, hackers with malicious intent are also taking advantage of the situation. 

According to Eastern Communications, industries that are the busiest during the lockdown are the most vulnerable ones to cyberattacks, which include healthcare, banking and finance, government, and media.

BRIA Homes shares safety tips during ‘enhanced community quarantine’

To help contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the national government has placed the entire Luzon under ‘enhanced community quarantine,’ which requires enforcing stringent safety protocols in towns and cities all over the region. To date, malls and other commercial establishments have been temporarily closed; all means of public transport have been suspended; and provision of food and essential services is being regulated. Although groceries, banks, and pharmacies remain open, social distancing is strictly observed in their premises. 

Cooking shows, digital fitness via Facebook live: A glimpse on the new digital lifestyle

Just like everyone else, social media stars, vloggers, musicians, artists, and performers find ways to cope during these trying times. Most of them raise funds to help frontline heroes in the battle against the pandemic. For some, the digital wave becomes a platform to help boost productivity from home.

Boosting the immune system

YouTuber and fitness enthusiast Wil Dasovich recently held a digital fitness campaign to help people boost their immune system.

Project Ugnayan beneficiaries reach over 7.6 million people in Greater Metro Manila poor communities

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with  the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s  corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-todoor in the lowest-income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

Sony Pictures Launches Interactive Activity YouTube Channel

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) announced today the launch of their new YouTube Channel, Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone, providing parents and kids with a one stop central destination for interactive fun, physical movement, learning, and hands-on activities. Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone is curated with a wide range of activities that will support families coping with school closures, new work-from-home routines and social distancing.

(Watch the channel’s sizzle video at https://youtu.be/Vo2tMQPODhg.)

“A significant portion of Sony Pictures’ workforce is made up of working parents. The idea of Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone was born from parents on our own team adjusting to working from home and managing home schooling,” says Lexine Wong, Senior Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing. “We are proud to offer this resource to help families navigate these new and challenging circumstances, while hopefully having a little fun in the process.”

PH Consul General In SF Sends Off Filipino Crew Onboard Grand Princess Ship

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. sent off Filipino crew members onboard the Grand Princess cruise ship from San Francisco Port on Wednesday around 6 PM (Pacific Time) as the ship sailed off to Princess Cruises’ headquarters in Los Angeles.

Consul General Bensurto called one of the crew members on the phone to check on their situation. The crew member updated the Consul General of their situation, saying that all Filipino crew members are well and in good spirits, but are hoping they will be repatriated soon to the Philippines.

Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children - Philippines

Child rights organizations call for the protection of all Filipino children during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are facing an unprecedented global public health crisis. While children’s health appears to be less directly affected by COVID-19, it must be recognized that the outbreak will deeply affect the environment where children grow and develop.

“Sadly, what is often overlooked is the impact this situation will have on children, especially those who are most deprived and marginalized,” said Rowena Cordero, Joining Forces Alliance Convener.