MARIO MAURER: Pee Mak Red Carpet Premier in TriNoma

MARIO MAURER: Pee Mak Red Carpet Premier in TriNoma

Mario Maurer is in the Philippines again!

I was invited to the Philippine red carpet premiere of “Pee Mak” at TriNoma Cinema 7 earlier today, August 3,2013 at 7 p.m.

Mario Maurer was deglamorized in this box office hit horror-comedy film Pee Mak which will be shown in Philippine cinemas starting on August 28, 2013. 

We had a chance to preview the movie a few hours ago. And boy, was I surprised how funny the movie is. I really had a good laugh.

Pee Mak's fresh take on a familiar tale quickly rode high to Thailand’s box-office as it reached USD 33 million with 10 million tickets sold nationwide in Thailand.

Sypnosis:

During the beginning of the Rattanakosin Dynasty, many Thai men were drafted to serve in the war. Pee Mak was no exception and had to leave his pregnant wife to join the flight. While at war, he met, saved and formed a close bond with four fellow soldiers. Played by Thailand’s funny foursome namely, Nuttapong Chartpong, Pongsatorn Jongwilas, Kantapat Permpoonpatcharasuk and Attharut Khongrasri. Once the war was over, Mak invited his four best friends to visit his hometown called Phra Khanong. When they arrived at the town, Mak introduced them to his beautiful wife Nak and his newborn baby boy Dang. Pee Mak's four friends decided to stay in Phra Khanong for a while and moved into the old house opposite to Mak's house. Despite having met Nak and Dang, a village rumor was going around that Nak had died giving birth to her stillborn baby, Dang.

Thai sweetheart Davika plays Mario's wife in “Pee Mak”.

#StarCinema20 #PeeMak #Trailer #Movie #Philippines #

Released and distributed locally by Star Cinema.

MARIO MAURER: Pee Mak Official Trailer

MARIO MAURER: Pee Mak Official Trailer

Mario Maurer is in Manila, Philippines again to promote his new film "Pee Mak," Thailand's highest grossing film of all time. Here is 'Pee Mak' Full International Trailer Video:

Thai Official Trailer :-) #StarCinema20 #PeeMak #Trailer #Movie #Philippines #

           

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION: Extends Visa-Free Entry to 30 days.

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION: Extends Visa-Free Entry to 30 days.

Good news peeps!

The Bureau of Immigration in the Republic of the Philippines extends visa-free entry privilege of aliens from 151 countries to 30 days!

VISA ENTRY FOR 30-DAYS STAY UNDER E.O. 408

Countries whose nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days under E.O. 408, provided these foreign nationals are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months, beyond the period of stay in the Philippines and return or outward bound tickets to country of origin or next country of destination.

Who am I?

Who am I?

I am one of the many. A human who walks on the face of the earth. I am a ruptured brain aneurysm survivor. One of the lucky few who survived. And I want to create awareness that Brain Aneurysm do exists! And it is like a thief in the night that could take everything away in an instant. Unannounced.  

I've been criticized in the past for always sharing my story to everyone who cares to listen. Maybe, I was so desperate to save other people's lives. Forgive me. I only felt that by sharing to everyone my story, he or she might in turn share it with others and the cycle goes on and on. 

To all of you, my dear readers, if you have symptoms like, for example, a recurring headache. And you have the money, please o pretty please have a brain scan and show it to your neurologist for proper interpretation. If you have brain aneurysm, then by all means undergo surgery. If you don't, then praise God to high heavens. I know you would want to spend more time with your friends, family and love ones for a long long time. And it is one of your ardent wishes to be able to say goodbye to your love ones, then show your love for them by attending to your health, now na!

Here is my story. Please click here! Thank you!

I would like to give credits to the owner/s. Original Song by Casting Crowns. Cover: JMM Photo above: Lauren Melnick-Lamb And for those who might want to sing along, here is the lyrics of the song:

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

PHILIPPINES: All Set to Conquer World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Japan

PHILIPPINES: All Set to Conquer World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Japan

WCS, which is dubbed as the "Olympics of Cosplay," is every cosplayer's ultimate dream. 

After three grueling years of applying for a spot at WCS, the Philippines made it this year as one of the "observers," along with representatives from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Hero TV's Hero Face Off winners Erika Jean Garbin and John Vincent Estapon are the very first Filipino Cosplayers to represent the country in this year's World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Nagoya, Japan on August 3 and 4, 2013.

Erika Jean Garbin, 23, from Cavite is one of the two cosplayers who will be sent by the anime channel Hero TV to the WCS. 

I was the first one to arrive during the press conference and I can't help but notice that Erika looks like international singing sensation Charice Pempengco. She looks like Charice before her transformation. I told her to join "It's Showtime" celebrity look-alike segment after she comes back from Japan. She then related to me an instance inside the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train that while she was standing, holding to the railings, some people called her "Charice, Charice." When we asked her if she acknowledged them, she said she shyly answered only with a smile.

Erika Garbin said she already feels the pressure to step up her game because she and Estapon, who was not present during the media briefing, are set to make a first impression on the attendees in this year's WCS.

When asked how she feels about being one of the two cosplayers representing the Philippines, she said: "Excited na ninenerbyos po ako kasi first time, tapos as a cosplayer, it's been my dream to represent the Philippines in a world stage. Napakalaking honor po ng naibigay sa akin ng opportunity na ito and at the same time, malaking responsibility din, kasi ito ang unang impression nila sa mga cosplayers ng Pilipinas. (I am excited and nervous because it's my first time and, as a cosplayer, it's been my dream to represent the Philippines in a world stage. It's a great honor that I am given this opportunity and at the same time, it's also a big responsibility because this would be their first impression of the cosplayers in the Philippines.)

The two cosplayers do not get to participate in the competition this year, but their presence is considered a stepping stone to being one of the official contenders in 2014. If they do well, then there is a big possibility that the Philippines can compete next year. So guys, let's pray for them.

"Kahit hindi kami magko-compete, at least ma sho- showcase yung creativity and craftsmanship ng mga Filipino cosplayers," (Even if we will not compete, at least we could showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of Filipino cosplayers)  Erika quips.

I really like Erika's costume which she personally made. 

Erika Garbin shared some details about her winning costume.

"'Yung costume na ito, inspiration ko 'yung mismong character. Parang na-in love ako sa kanya. Maganda talaga 'yung costume and 'yung personality ng character is something I want to be. If I was given the chance to help other people, siguro ako 'yung character na ito,”  (About this costume, my inspiration is the character itself. As if I fell in love with it. The costume is really beautiful and the personality of the character is something I want to be. If I was given the chance to help other people, maybe I am this character.) she said of her Freya costume.

Erika Garbin said she normally creates costumes in less than a month. 

"Mahilig ako sa mga complicated na costumes. One week for painting and two weeks for crafting. Ayaw ko i-rush para maganda talaga siya kapag prinesent na," (I like complicated costumes. One week for painting and two weeks for crafting. I don't want to rush so that it will come out beautiful once presented.) she said. 

Erika also thanked her mom who does the emulsion on her costumes. And she also mentioned her brother, boyfriend and her fellow cosplayers for their unwavering love and support for her. She'll be bringing two (2) costumes to Japan. One for the parade and the other one for their skit. The organizers of WCS requested Erika and Vincent to do a skit in Japan. This is the first time that an observer will be performing on stage even though they are not competing. Way to go Team Philippines! Woooooot! 

The other Philippine representative to WCS John Vincent Estapon is still in his home province (Davao) during the press con.

Meanwhile enjoy his winning costumes which I grabbed from Vincent's FB. Credits to their owners.

Look at that costume! Vincent is fierce! 

Vincent Estapon (One of the 2 Mindanao Qualifiers) and Erika Garbin (One of the 7 Subic Qualifiers) won Hero TV's recently concluded Hero Face Off competition, where they cosplayed as Freya from "Zangeki no Reginleiv" and Haseo from the ".hack G.U. Trilogy," respectively.

Break a leg guys! Goodluck! Go for #WCS2014

Special thanks to Miggy Valentin for lending me his pictures. 

CHARICE PEMPENGCO AND AIZA SEGUERRA

CHARICE PEMPENGCO AND AIZA SEGUERRA

During the blog conference for Tambayan hits way back June 2013, I told the producer that she should get Charice Pempengco to join the concert because people were clamoring to see Charice in concert after she announced to the world her true sexual orientation.

The show producer even asked me who is Charice Pempengco's manager now. I told her that Charice Pempengco's manager is a Fil-Canadian guy from Calamba, Laguna who goes by the name Glenn (Aldueza). I told her to contact Glenn. She said she thought Charice Pempengco's manager is in the US. I told her no, I don't think so, because as far as I know Charice is now being managed by Glenn.

To my surprise they are now producing a concert for Charice and Aiza this coming August or September.

I am happy for Aiza and Charice. Go break a leg!

Photo by Arnold Almacen

NEW WORLD MAKATI HOTEL: Launches 2 Facebook Apps

NEW WORLD HOTEL MAKATI: Launches 2 Facebook Apps

New World Makati Hotel launched its latest social media apps over a delicious dinner at The Glass House located at the second level of New World Makati Hotel last week.

Invited bloggers had the first view of these milestones for New World Makati Hotel. It felt nice that world class hotels like New World Makati Hotel now embraces the most popular and effective social media platforms to actively communicate with the world. With over 8,000 likes to date, New World Makati Hotel’s Facebook Fan Page has become an avenue for sharing the hotel’s latest news, promotions and offerings.

This July, the hotel launches two Facebook apps geared towards providing more interactive and personal connections.

"The “In Touch” Facebook app gives everyone fast and easy access to the hotel’s front liners," quips Ms. Nini Icban, Director of Communications of New World Makati Hotel.

Eager to receive and respond to the messages are New World Makati Hotel’s General Manager Farid Shoucair, Resident Manager Eddy Sarton, Director of Sales & Marketing Jann Delgado, Director of Communications Nini Icban, Director of Rooms Joy Barleta, Director of Food & Beverage Paawan Engineer, Director of Human Resources Geuel Auste, and Club Epicure.

Everybody are invited to send messages, inquiries, and other concerns to significant representatives from various areas of the hotel. If you need to get IN TOUCH with New World Makati Hotel, you can check out its IN TOUCH FACEBOOK APPLICATION through this link: https://www.facebook.com/NewWorldMakatiHotel/app_647242451956015. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

New World Makati Hotel likewise sparks creativity with the #IHeartNewWorld Photo Sharing Contest on Instagram. 

So, it’s time to wander the streets of Makati and come up with the most unique photos while doing the “I Heart” pose and adding the hash tag #IHeartNewWorld. Entries with the most number of "likes" win prizes and giveaways from the hotel. To join, follow the registration details and mechanics posted on the hotel's Facebook Page.

In Touch and #IHeartNewWorld are now accessible to all online. Simply "like" New World Makati Hotel’s Facebook Fan Page and follow the hotel’s Twitter and Instagram accounts (@newworldmakati) for the latest news.

For more information, please call New World Makati Hotel at 811-6888.

CAFE 1771: A Breakfast Like No Other

CAFE 1771: A Breakfast Like No Other

Cafe 1771 reminds me of the fictional piano-playing character Schroeder of Peanuts Gang fame by the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz because his character's address is 1770 James Street. It is easy for Schroeder to remember his address because 1770 is the birth year of his idol, the German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven. 

It is as if we were transported to Europe when we stepped inside Cafe 1771 at El Pueblo Real de Manila, Dona Julia Vargas Ave. corner ADB Ave., Ugong, Pasig. We dined at the left side of the restaurant called The Lounge.

The wide French windows overlooking the parking lot make you imagine that you are somewhere in Europe. 

Arrays of books line up the walls, separating The Lounge from the Whimsy section of the cafe. It is a book lovers haven as you will feel like you are in a library. 

Half of The Lounge can be partitioned into a private room for twenty persons. 

It is ideal for business meetings, entertaining clients and foreign visitors or a casual feel-good lunch or dinner. Service is hushed and personalized. 

Breakfast is both quaint and modern Filipino.

Pancake with caramelized bananas and candied walnuts... oh, so yummy!

For more pictures and stories, please click HERE.