Kakao Talk Launches Open Chat, a New Chat Feature that Allows Users to Begin Chatting with the Click of a Link

Kakao Philippines Corp. has announced the launch of Open Chat, a Kakao Talk feature that allows users to chat with others at the click of a link. All chat rooms in Open Chat have designated URLs, which users can share on social media and other websites. Any Kakao Talk user can enter the chat room without providing their mobile phone numbers or Kakao Talk IDs. Group chats are then easier to start because users who have the link can join the conversation; no need to add people one by one.

Human relationships offline are not equal. There are mutual friends whom users are comfortable sharing their mobile numbers or profiles with, and then there are complete strangers. Kakao provides a middle level of interaction with this new feature. Open Chat connects users through links; as opposed to regular chats, which require the exchange of phone numbers. Open Chat allows users to have more control over their friends list and gives them a secure alternative: to chat with whomever they need without having to divulge personal information.

"Goosebumps" Star Dylan Minnette a Fan of Horror Book Series‏

For Dylan Minnette, landing a leading role in Columbia Pictures' “Goosebumps” movie was a dream come true. The 18-year-old actor grew up an avid reader of the Goosebumps books, written by best-selling children’s author R.L. Stine, and now features as the young male lead in the big-screen adaptation, starring opposite Jack Black.

“I loved them,” Minnette says of the books, which have achieved sales of more than 400 million, worldwide. “I feel like `Goosebumps' inspired me to read more because they were exhilarating and fun. Also, they introduced me to horror at a young age, which I'm a huge fan of now.”

James Wan Begins Shooting Highly Anticipated "The Conjuring 2"‏

Principal photography has begun in Los Angeles on New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring 2,” with James Wan (“Fast & Furious 7”) once again at the helm, following the record-breaking success of “The Conjuring.” The supernatural thriller brings to the screen another real case from the files of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Reprising their roles, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up In the Air,” TV’s “Bates Motel”) and Patrick Wilson (the “Insidious” films), star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, who, in one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The film follows the phenomenal worldwide reception of Wan’s “The Conjuring,” which marked the largest opening ever for an original horror movie. The film went on to make more than $319 million worldwide and still remains the second highest grossing original horror movie of all time, second only to “The Exorcist.”

Combi hits all the right notes

How can unrelated things be combined into something really big and fun for an amazing result? The many fans of Rebisco's Combi crackers found out when they participated in the Combi World's Biggest POPulation Song!

Held from June 5 to July 25, 2015, people were encouraged to send in video sound clips that matched the weekly themes. These clips were intended to be used in an extraordinary song in which all clips would be combined! For each time period, the best clips were selected and rewarded with cool Humlan headphones from notable audio specialist Urbanears.

The result was overwhelming. In just over a month, more than 500 video sound clips had been received, comprising a wide range of interesting and creative sound bites from sources ranging from household items to animals and even body parts! The best, however, was yet to come.

Resident Evil's "Final Chapter" Goes Into Production‏

Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems has just announced that the sixth installment of the Sci-Fi, action horror film series, “Resident Evil”, has commenced principal photography in South Africa.

Titled “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,” this will be the final installment in the astoundingly successful film franchise adaptation of Capcom’s hugely popular video game series, having grossed over $1 billion worldwide to date.

Constantin Film will produce “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.” Director, Paul W.S. Anderson, who wrote the screenplay, will shoot the film on location in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

ALDEN RICHARDS receives his first Gold record award from Universal Records!

Alden Richards, the hottest leading man on Philippine TV, is now a Gold record-awardee as Universal Records recently announced that his self-titled debut album has officially reached its Gold record status.

On Friday, September 25 in Eat Bulaga, Alden received a Gold record plaque from Universal Records’ General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go where our “Pambansang Bae” went emotional and thanked his album producers and supporters for making this possible.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Universal Records for trusting me with my first album na kahit hindi po ako singer ay binigyan nila ako ng chance. Sa lahat po ng sumusuporta ng album, salamat po!” said the teary-eyed actor. Alden is currently a host of GMA 7’s Eat Bulaga and popularly paired to Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza in the phenomenal segment “Kalyeserye.”

Two newcomers take centerstage in 39th National MILO Marathon Iloilo race

After a two-week hiatus, the 39th National MILO Marathon made a big return in Iloilo this Sunday, and drew over 17,000 runners who participated in the country’s most prestigious footrace. The local government of Iloilo showed its support for the MILO Marathon with the presence of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa, III. Mayor Mabilog demonstrated the importance of exercise to his constituents by participating as a runner in the 5K race while Vice Mayor Rojas sounded the gun start.

With the advantage of two additional weeks for training, NMM regulars Romulo Balinas and Lorena Blanco shared the spotlight at the 21K centerpiece event. Balinas clocked in at 01:17:13, besting hundreds of runners in the men’s 21K division. Bennis Murillo (01:18:04) and Norlan Warizal (01:19:20) completed the top 3 male 21K finishers.

The male champ was delighted with the outcome of his performance despite a setback during the race. “I am glad I was the first to cross the finish line even though I knew I was losing speed towards the finish,” Balinas said. “The cramps slowed me down in the last 5K of the race but it’s a good thing I was able to cope up with the pain - a skill that I owe to my training,” he said. After placing seventh from last year’s elimination race, the University of St. La Salle Bacolod alumni steeled himself to reach for the top rank. “I literally pushed myself to undergo rigorous training in the last three weeks,” he said. “With this victory, it only shows that hard work does pay off.”