MUSIC LYF: Sponge Cola releases new album Ultrablessed

Diamond-recording band Sponge Cola’s newest album Ultrablessed reflects the band’s fun journey as musicians. Composed of 10 new songs, the album gives people a glimpse of the more than a decade of friendship between the members of the band.

Ultrablessed will be launched this January 31, 8 p.m., at the Eastwood Central Plaza. A bonus DVD of their last concert Maximum Capacity is also included in the album.

Composed of Yael on vocals, Armo on lead guitar, Gosh on bass and TedMark on drums, Sponge Cola considers this album as a celebration of years of blessings.

Valentine SuiteHeart Package At Solaire Resort And Casino

What better time to show love, than this month of February. Valentines is the perfect occasion to celebrate with the person you love. And nowhere is Valentine’s Day sweeter than at Solaire Resort and Casino. For Valentine’s 2014, friends and lovers can avail of the following love offerings:

Solaire’s luxurious “Suiteheart" accommodation package will be the perfect choice for guests wishing to celebrate an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. The 2 Bay Suite is available at Php17,500*** and the Grand Deluxe room at Php9,500***. This offer includes: full access and a set breakfast at the Executive Lounge; Php1,000 F&B credit voucher at Eclipse; Complimentary Parking, Wi-Fi access and shuttle service to major shopping malls and a special turndown amenity. Solaire offers the luxury package to couples wishing for an experience unlike any other. A prior reservation is required and is subject to availability.

ART IS A BANG: Cinemalaya 2014 Director Showcase and New Breed Categories Revealed!

Here are the Finalists for Cinemalaya 2014 - Year 10 -- DIRECTORS SHOWCASE Category, based on the posts and tweets of award-winning scriptwriter-director Joey Javier Reyes, one of the screening committee of our favorite indie filmfest in the country: 

1. JOEL LAMANGAN -- "Hustisya"

2. JOSELITO ALTAREJOS -- "Kasal"

3. CARLOS SIGIUON-REYNA -- "Hari ng Tondo"

4. MICHAEL TUVIERA -- "The Janitor"

5. LOUIE IGNACIO -- "Asintado"

REEL DEAL: The Monuments Men REVIEW

Ever wondered what happened to the priceless artworks which was made by the masters like Michelangelo, Picasso and Rembrandt? Alongside the warring sides of the Axis and Allied powers were brave men, who are not really soldiers but saviors of the artworks which could be lost forever as war broke into Europe, they are called "The Monuments Men"

As a tribute to these art heroes, 20th Century Fox presents the real life travails of art scholars, architects, art lovers and curators strife to retrieve art collections which was seized by the Nazis during the war. Starring George Clooney as Lt. Frank Stokes, Matt Damon as Lt. James Granger, Bill Murray as Sgt. Richard Campbell, John Goodman as Sgt. Walter Garfield, Jean Dujardin as Lt. Jean Claude Clermont, Bob Balaban as Pvt. Preston Savitz, Hugh Bonneville as Lt. Donald Jeffries Cate Blanchett as Claire Simone, Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton, and  Dimitri Leonidas as Sam Epstein. Inspired by the heroes, it also took them a lot of effort in production design.

"Rakenrol" DVD Out Now Under GMA Records

The OPM rock-inspired movie "Rakenrol" Written by Quark Henares and co-written by Sandwich guitarist Diego Castillo is now out on DVD format under GMA records Home Video.

Starring Jayson Abalos, Glaiza de Castro, Ketchup Eusebio, Alwyn Uytinco as the four-man band called Hapipaks, they were formed with the efforts of two best friends which share the passion for pinoy Rock and Roll. Diether Ocampo is also part of the movie as Jacci Rocha, 

Also screened on that day is the short film adaptation of Macoy's comic "Ang Maskot" starring Ketchup Eusebio, Ramon Bautista, and Alessandra De Rossi. 

Rakenrol was released as a commercial film in 2011 and  was said to be Quark's last indie film. Though elements of the film were made as early as 2005 which was worth the wait as the movie portrayed the reality of rakistas and the lives behind the band members.

ART IS A BANG: Walang Umaga Sa Casa Ligaya Staged by PLM-Magwayen

The Magwayen Creative Scholars’ Guild (MCSG) will present its 15th Anniversary production, the restaging of “Walang Umaga sa Casa Ligaya," on March 26, 27 and 28 at the PLM Justo Albert Auditorium.

MCSG is the premiere theater and performing arts group of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). They’ve been honing talented students in singing, dancing, acting, writing, production and stage management for the past 15 years.

Walang Umaga sa Casa Ligaya tells the story of the people working in a gay bar, and how they deal with the sudden news of its shutdown. It's a poignant drama about love, hope, acceptance and forgiveness. The play was written by the guild's Founder, Marlon G. Miguel, and directed by John Borgy Danao.

The ticket price of Walang Ligaya sa Casa Ligaya is Php 70.00 for PLMayers and Php100.00 for outsiders.

REEL DEAL: Matt Damon on "The Monuments Men" and How It Felt Like It's An "Oceans" Movie

In September 2009, American writer and businessman Robert Edsel released “The Monuments Men,” a compelling account of a group of middle aged museum directors, curators and art historians tasked with going into Germany in the closing stages of World War II to try and rescue artworks requisitioned by the Nazis.

“The Monuments Men,” produced, directed and starred in by George Clooney along with a very impressive cast including Matt Damon, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Bill Murray, Leonidas Dmitri, Hugh Bonneville and Cate Blanchett is set amidst a war that cost the lives of 65 million people when mankind’s cultural and artistic fingerprint is at risk of being destroyed.  Their small group of middle aged museum curators and artists and architects, called The Monuments Men, the most unlikely of spies, who volunteer to go into military service and try and save these things and ultimately recover them.