Nifty Christmas gifts for the men in your life

Christmas is just a couple of weeks away yet, if you’re like most folks, you’re probably only half-way done with your holiday shopping. Yes, it takes clever planning—figuring out the best gifts for people you love at prices that won’t put you in hock.

This is especially true when shopping for the men in your life, be they your husband, father, brother, male buddy or your current squeeze. Putting a lot of thought in your choices can be a tad challenging, more so when you need to watch your budget.

Well, has it occurred to you that going back to the basics takes the stress out of picking the perfect gift for them? Think classic, enduring, and timeless such as well-crafted men’s accessories by long-established gentlemen’s label, McJim Classic Leather.

Youth initiatives on education heard at SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference

To provide an avenue for the voices of young people of Southeast Asian nations, the SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO Innotech) held its 14th International Conference focusing on empowering Southeast Asian learners by further addressing the Education For All (EFA) goals.

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the two-day conference gave an opportunity for some 150 youth leaders and educators from 15 different countries to discuss key issues on development agenda for education, especially for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. The participants’ final outputs were presented to the Council of Ministers of Education and SEAMEO high officials.

"Zootopia" Spoofs Posters of Blockbuster Films‏

The hype behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is brushing off to the animals of Disney's “Zootopia” as the latest film from Walt Disney Animation has released a batch of new posters, spoofing four of the biggest films of 2015, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Jurassic World,” “Cinderella” and “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Rookie bunny cop Lt. Judy Hopps of “Zootopia” is transformed into Daisy Ridley’s Rey in “The Furce Awakens,” Cinderella’s glass slipper gets stretched out for a “Cinderelephant” poster, giraffes roam the Earth in “Giraffic World” and Christian Grey becomes Mr. Lemming in “Fifty Shades of Prey.”

Not to be outdone, an original new one-sheet art of “Zootopia” has likewise been revealed.

"Concussion" Posters Hit the Web‏

Columbia Pictures has just released the US and international one-sheets for “Concussion” starring Will Smith and directed by Peter Landesman.

(Watch the trailer of “Concussion” at https://youtu.be/h_wtff7WjYw.)

The three posters showcase the star power of Will Smith, coupled with thought-provoking taglines as “He Will Stop at Nothing to Expose the Truth,” “Even Legends Need a Hero” and “Nothing Hits Harder than the Truth.”

“Concussion” is a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith), the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made an important medical discovery. Dr. Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Charles M. Schulz's Legacy Debuts on the Big Screen In “SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN THE PEANUTS MOVIE”

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts Gang finally make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.  Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron.  From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the “Ice Age” films, “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” will prove that every underdog has his day.

"The Falcon" Anthony Mackie Runs an Election Campaign in "Our Brand is Crisis"‏

Most recently seen as The Falcon in this year's “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Ant-Man,” Anthony Mackie now stars opposite Sandra Bullock in Warner Bros. Pictures' satirical comedy “Our Brand is Crisis.”

In the film, a Bolivian presidential candidate failing badly in the polls enlists the firepower of an elite American management team, led by the deeply damaged but still brilliant strategist “Calamity” Jane Bodine (Bullock).

Mackie’s character, is Ben, the campaign team leader, whom director David Gordon Green describes as “smart, energetic and good-willed, the likeable anchor in the film. When everyone else seems to be challenging their ethics and making you question where they’re coming from or what their agendas are, he’s the one audiences will look to as someone who may still have some perspective.

Lenardo DiCarpio's Latest And Loudest Buzz On His Award-Winning Performance in "The Revenant"

In what the movie critics and cineastes consider his (latest) most powerful performance, Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a fully immersive and visceral cinematic experience in “The Revenant” - directed, produced and co-written by Academy Award®-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.  “The Revenant” also gathers a highly-pedigreed impressive cast that includes Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck, Paul Anderson, Kristoffer Joner, Joshua Burge and Duane Howard.    

PH’s Top Tennis Players Face Off in PPTO Nueva Ecija Leg

Edilyn Balanga battled her way to winning the PPTO Nueva Ecija
leg women’s singles and women’s doubles championships.

The Peugeot Philippines Tennis Open (PPTO) Nueva Ecija leg recently saw some of the country’s best tennis players battle it out to bag the championship crowns at the Center Court Tennis Club in Cabanatuan City.

Current Philippine Tennis Association’s (PHILTA) Women’s Singles No. 6 Edilyn Balanga faced No. 7 Marinel Rudas in the championship match of the third regional qualifier leg of the PPTO. Balanga emerged triumphant, 6-3, 6-4.

Before their women’s singles championship duel, Balanga and Rudas teamed up for the doubles championship match against Hanna Espinosa and Erika Manduriao. The latter’s combined firepower was no match for Balanga and Rudas as proven by a 6-3, 6-5 scoreboard.

Bumper to Bumper XI holds successful car show event at SM MOA Concert Grounds

Bumper to Bumper, the longest-running car show and automotive lifestyle event, happened on December 5 and 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Now on its 11th year, the multi-event happening featured the biggest production setup in any car show in Asia.

The New Villains of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

The baddies of “Star Wars” have always been the cooler ones. Just one look at Darth Vader and the stormtroopers, and you know they absolutely kick ass.

For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the mantle of villainy has been passed to Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson and Gwendoline Christie (HBO's “Game of Thrones”) who play the evil triumvirate Kylo Ren, General Hux and Captain Phasma, respectively.

The three share thoughts about their roles and how it feels to be part of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”