There's no stopping Gary Valenciano as he takes on his "Gary V Inspired US Tour 2025" forward this month. After finishing his judge duties in the recent IDOL Kids season, he's ready to take the experience in 5 US cities particularly Temecula Pechanga on October 12th, Cache Creek Resort on the 17th, Cypress Texas CFSID Visual Performing Arts Center on the 19th, Hilton Hawaiian Village on the 26th in Honolulu, and Dale Halton Theater in Charlotte NC on November 2nd, a really hectic month for Mr. Pure Energy.
He's already done sold out concerts in New Zealand, several cities in Australia, and he's taking the inspirational music in other countries toon. Mind you, he's been in the industry for a little over 40 years and people continue to love his songs, its message and how exciting it is to see him perform on stage.
Philippine Airlines has been flying him non stop to these destinations and fans are expected to flock down these venues as tickets become sold out quite early. If you want to be part of it, take the trip down memory lane and visit his website garyv.com/tour to know more about his performances. He's as excited as you are because he wants to reconnect with those who are in the US, and honestly I've seen him perform at a recent event, he's just on a different level!
There is tension in the West Philippine Sea and it can't be denied that it has further soured relations between our two countries. While it's maddening to even hear things like bullying and physical harm to fishermen and coast guard personnel, we were able to hear from the Chinese side as some of their educators from different universities were in the country to tell their side and how the Chinese psyche works.
This is part of Kamuning Bakery Cafe's Pan de Sal Forum which was moderated by Rod Cornejo. Former Senator Nikki Coseteng and Professor Rommel Banlaoi the President of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Philippines-China Relations was also there to explain things about the Philippine action and challenges. For the Chinese side, they had Dr. Lei Xiaolu the Vice Director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (also a Professor from the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies in Wuhan University), Dr. Zheng Zhihua the Associate Professor and Head of East Asia Marine Policy Project at the Center for Japanese Studies in Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr. Yan Yan the Vice Director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative and also the Director of Research Center for Oceans Law and Policy, National institute of South China Sea Studies, Professor Hu Bo the Director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative and Director of the Center for Maritime Strategy Studies and Research Professor of the School of International Studies in Peking University.
Nikki Coseteng says "It is very dangerous to be guided by propaganda. Peace is a necessary ingredient for a future we can depend on, for opportunities, and the establishment of it that is based on justice."
She adds Those who make money from war are not winners. Does everyone want peace in Asia? We do. We read the Philippines is purchasing F16 jets, but those are almost obsolete. We saw Ukraine, Gaza, and support coming from abroad but the people who perished in millions are inside the country. We in Asia have an economy 3-4 times bigger than EU, why would you want to destroy that? We want that for our children. We have to sit down, don't kid yourselves on settling it now. That won't happen. It might take one or two hundred years, but it would benefit generations thereafter."
Professor Rommel Banlaoi says "Peaceful settlements of dispute with China is the topic for today. I need to cite the work of a good friend from the US Taylor Fravel who mentioned 23 territorial disputes of China since 1949. In his dissertation, he has indicated how China has been able to resolve disputes where China gets less of the contested territory. In more cases than one, China offered a generous compromise of the disputed land, and give more to the neighboring countries. This is a finding from an American, and not from Chinese."
Professor Hu Bo says "We should peacefully resolve the South China Sea issues. It is difficult to resolve it with maritime disputes and 5 parties. In our lifetime we would not see the resolution of it. No other party will give up maritime claims. In the last year , there is progress even if there is tension. It is important for both countries, the China policy is consistent. Foreigners ask what the next step is, China has no plans, but remain status quo."
Dr. Yan Yan says "In the long run, how do we prevent crisis? It is self restraint. We already have bilateral relations and talks, any of the communication is being done, and in the long run we want to solve the disputes. If you look at it objectively, we don't want to do it by force but by peaceful resolution. This is what we are trying to achieve."
Dr. Zheng Zhihua "Three facts to choose, justice, respect and peace in the China sea dispute. We also need to know the understanding of China with regards to international law. Giving the capability to resort to defend territorial integrity, it is not possible for them to give up sovereignty."
Dr. Lee Xiaolu says "Every dispute has a peaceful solution, to not jeopardize the final solution. Member states should talk to other member states to prevent future disputes and not other non claimant states. Mutual negotiation and agreements through bilateral efforts should manage and handle it. Peace and stability should be a priority for people. We need to sit down to create an economic development for everybody."
Here's the forum on video to give you more context about the things they wanted to say about recent conflicts;
We got the impression that they'd rather have this be sat down with just two parties rather than involve others to resolve it. Is it possible to have a peaceful resolution? That still remains to be seen, but here's hoping it becomes a non violent process because war is NEVER an answer.
If you are religious, faithful, care about other people, or know an OFW, you definitely should watch this movie called CABRINI. This stars Cristiana Dell'Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse and an ensemble cast of Italian-Americans, because this is mainly, a story about them.
Cristiana plays the role of Francesca Cabrini, a woman who after landing in New York's shores, saw the shocking plight of immigrants, their children, and the condition they live in. The story is TRAGIC right from the moment she stepped foot in Five Points, a place where she saw the orphaned children, the abused women, the people who live through unbelievable means. She was frantic, and wanted to do something about it.
Cabrini was also with other nuns, whom all worked from sun up to sun down preparing what's supposed to be an orphanage so they could house the kids, take them away from the streets and burrows, the sewers of the same city. They began feeding them, cleaning them up. They did sew a lot of clothes, they looked quite nice in dresses and suits which the nuns personally had woven, and sewn together. Though this was the time they began noticing, they needed funds in order to serve a lot of children (bambinis).
But just like the Philippines, the politicians had a different view. They felt there should be no funds, and they should never be seen as part of the city. It was disheartening to see how when Chrisitana was making headway together with the nuns and community, they began sabotaging, do unnecessary things to stop them from flourishing on American soil. It felt like when they already had a roof on their head, they begin throwing a ton of bricks on top, or burn them to the ground because they didn't like what they were seeing.
She started to device a way to put the spotlight on those who need help specifically the immigrants, Italians, and children. After getting displaced, lack of funds, she began believing she could do more for the voiceless, those who are quarantined and in the slums, the ones with dignity and still have the chance to live. She does ALL these while suffering from an incurable disease (back then). A woman who in spite of adversities, used art, a second language, her faith and love in order to make sure the women, children and people she serve gets adequate medical care, nourishment, and dignity they deserve.
Watch this trailer to get a grasp of the story
Her story based on real events is so inspiring. The dark treatment/color grading for this masterpiece by Director Alejandro Monteverde was apt for the mood they wanted to exude. Its excellent, and warrants you to definitely see and hear her story, on how this once sickly but feisty lady from Italy became the first American saint, and patron of immigrants.
It shows in the Philippines starting today, June 19 in theaters nationwide!
It's coming and for those who are eagerly awaiting this action romance movie called "1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom", you're in for a treat!
We got to talk to the producer Francis Lara Ho a few days ago at the Viva offices in Ortigas, Needless to say, he addressed a few things including the noise surrounding the movie and the participation of actress Bea Alonzo + her manager Ms. Shirley Kuan. He was with 2 other Filipino actors Vic Romano and Larissa Buendia who also shared with us their experience playing Udong (the brother of Bea in the film) and Humamai (the Queen).
The Arduous Task of Casting
When they were finalizing characters for the project, they had to choose the one to play Magellan between Andy Garcia, Danny Trejo, and another actor in the US. It was Danny who immediately gave his feedback as he resonated well with the persona of Ferdinand Magellan. The legendary man and actor who did hit series Machete understood why there was a need to tell this perspective since western movies have profiled both Lapu Lapu and Magellan quite differently.
Vic Romano and Larissa Buendia had to audition through the various casting calls they did in Manila. Though there was lockdowns in place during that time, they had to find ways to get there in time.
For Bea Alonzo, she was always a dream to work with for Producer Francis Lara Ho. She knew her track record and wanted for her to play Diwata on Day 1. Her work in the movie was stellar. He was apologetic and said "I don't know if she will have the chance to see this or hear what I'm about to say, but I really admire her, she's a stellar performer. There were some times during production that I tell her how great she is. When she is on set, she doesn't only know her part in the film, but even know and memorized everybody else's lines. That's how professional she is. I hope she gets to hear this, I apologize... because of my limited knowledge and experience as a first time producer, I made some calls that somehow didn't help her portray her character. I take responsibility for that, I really hope she accepts my apology. It wasn't really my intention, as it has always been my dream to work with her. She has always been my first choice. Her character wasn't offered to anyone else but her. We have reached out to her camp several times, and I'm sad because you saw the success it had in the US where big people lauded it. I got quite sad about that time when someone interviewed me, because it became a controversy, when the purpose of that interview was to promote the film. Ms. Shirley (Bea's Manager) is a family friend, she's not my enemy, and she spends time with my family when she's in the US. I want the nation to know we're not enemies. We've known each other for 3 or 4 years. I also want to apologize to Ms. Shirley. It was never my intention to make the relationship like this. We are preparing tickets and formal invitations for them for the premiere."
Shooting the Film
Larissa Buendia shared how she worked in this film. She says "This is my first full length feature film, so getting the role got me really excited. It was always a dream of mine to visit Palawan, it was a dream destination and it was beautiful as I'd hope it would be. It was wild, I regret not being able to roam around much because we shot this in an island, but I do plan to go back there some day. This project was a dream come true, I got to work with Danny Trejo. He's humble, down to earth, almost like a child like aura about him. I'm so excited I'd be able to post our photos together since we're now promoting the film. Ms. Bea was so professional, the tenderness and strength she exuded in this film was proper for Diwata. It's something I'd never forget. My cast mates were all so nice to me as well, as an introvert, they never made me feel I'm alone even if I dread meeting new people. They're family now. I'm so thankful we got to bond and experienced this."
Vic Romano shared how frogs on the set was fun as he says "I'm in Viva projects, but this one is a dream because it's a Hollywood project. In the auditions, I was in a locked in taping in Baguio and couldn't go out because of it. I got notified to go to Marriot, but couldn't go out because of restrictions. I messaged and got word that there will be day 2, I went there 3am, took the bus, to get there on time at 2pm. The script was also in English, so seeing the day 2 auditions with so many people was scary. When I went there, I just did the scene and interview. I just went out and went back to Baguio to work again. That's how hecting things were. I haven't reached Baguio yet but I already got word I got the part. I was shaking. I'm just happy and thankful. We got to Palawan, but I found out Danny Trejo was part of it. I didn't know his name, but knew his face since I watched his movies. When I saw him in person, I thought he was a giant on screen, but we had the same built and I was excited to do scenes with him later on. He always asked about who the Filipino actors were and I told him about them."
He adds "One scene had rain, mud and a village involved. The frogs were so noisy that we couldn't film, and Danny Trejo kept on looking for them because they always did it after the rain. He even slept on wood planks, get stepped on, but didn't complain. He also played a lot with the kids on set, you'll never see him much with the adults but he kept playing with the kids all the time. When you don't see him on set, that's what he instantly does."
Hector David will play Enrique who is Bea's love interest in the film. The guy is a legit POWER RANGER (Green Samurai, and part of Megaforce) and was seen in the Percy Jackson movie (Lightning Thief). Michael Copon who plays Filipino hero Lapu Lapu is also a POWER RANGER (Time Force) and was part of One Tree Hill, and As Good as Dead. The film also stars Costas Mandylor, Maricel Laxa, Sol Eugenio, Floyd Tena, and Eren Kereci.
Here's the interview we had with them on video, please enjoy!
This film has already won 4 international awards and is going to be screened in the Philippines on June 5. There will be a premiere night, which I hope fans would support since it's been a while since we've seen a Hollywood film where 95% who worked on it is Filipino. If you want more information about the film, visit 1521movie.com.
It must have been very hard being in Kiana's shoes. An artist born under Gary Valenciano's shadow, she admits struggling to find one's identity. She then moved to the US and found tremendous growth career wise.
Recently, she won Female RnB artist of the Year at the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for Music for her single Corners. It wasn't something they were expecting, but very honored to be considered for the feat.
She says "I woke up one day and saw announcements and tons of people congratulating us. For context, we never had any plans for the song but just put it there because I loved it. The nomination and award was unexpected, really appreciate it!"
The song "Corners" is about that certain feeling of knowing that there's someone out there thinking of you. She didn't know where to take her music initially and didn't want to get carried with Dad's last name, she learned a lot in the process.
Now she's got a 5 track EP well praised by critics and got her the chance to do SXSW Festival in Austin TX. It was something she enjoyed performing in, and where she met a lot of other artists.
She currently has unreleased songs and can't wait to share it on the world stage. She's just starting and very excited about what other things she could do in the next few years.
It's quite nippy at this time of the year in Tacoma, WA. The place is quite conducive to young adults as it's very near prestigious colleges and universities. Aside from that, it's got tons of gorgeous mountain views and fairly competitive on rent and real estate. The communities are quite nice especially near the University of Washington Tacoma, the community college, Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University area. Living conditions are apt for studying, work or starting off a family.
Though be warned that not all homes start out pristine and Tacoma does have it fair share of pests. Since it is in a relatively mountainous region, some ants, spiders, rodents, stinging insects, termites and mosquitoes are a common occurrence. Aside from that, house pets and animals carry mites, whilst food scraps attract roaches and mice. This is where you need to get pest control in Tacoma WA. Whether you are in a secluded area or the busy part of town, getting professionals to do the job is certainly going to get you peace of mind because they have experience. Much like the guys over at Bulwark who have been in the business since the late 90's. They are very familiar with the city and the different infestations that have bothered its inhabitants. They made sure to prioritize safety in your homes, schools, dorms and businesses.
Living in Tacoma also has its perks. Every day, there’s an opportunity to see artisans work on their lovely glass art that's quite known around the world. It's a hodgepodge of the classics and new. It's a place to also shop and dine. It's got lots of historic spots, outdoor activities, blog worthy food spots and nightlife that could rival any big town or city. You don't even have to choose between rural and urban communities because it's all here.
It certainly does not feel safe to have pests at home. It can cause health issues and trigger allergic reactions, breathing problems and even mental trauma. Eliminating pests is one thing, but preventing them from entering your home is another. Mice and other rodents actually are also scary. Imagine the amount of diseases and parasites they carry like ticks, fleas that live off its hosts. Because of the cold weather in Tacoma, it becomes conducive for them to live supplied with food, moisture and dwelling. It can also contaminate food at home and cause insurmountable damage to property especially when parts of your home is made of wood. Good news is, there are affordable pest control services around the country. Pests can also affect the biodiversity of the forests since it can prey on small animals like birds and reptiles, become invasive and cause irreparable damage to a region. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible so as to not affect your home, your community, public health overall and food supply.
This is why everyone needs to have their home checked. When you see one or its effects on your home’s structure, outdoor space or your actual walls, the time to act is now. Aside from that, you need to also see if they use products that are safe. Once they rid you of the pests, the next course of action is to make sure the stuff they use won’t affect your health. There are new technologies on pest control that can make this happen.
If you're already settled, make sure to take the trip to Chihuly Bridge of Glass, or the Union Station, enjoy the flora at Seymour Botanical Conservatory, or enjoy a ball game at the Cheney Stadium or Tacoma Dome. If you feel a little romantic, set your sights at the Browns Point Lighthouse or marvel at the architectural wonders of the Tacoma Armory. There are also quilt shops, historical museums, religious sites you can immerse yourself in. You’ll have tons of things to do in the city, you just have to make sure your home is safe and pest free!
Looks like LG Electronics took advantage of the CES show in Las Vegas as they introduced new Soundbars and Home Entertainment products this January.
For starters, they've got the new SC9 and SE6 models that could bring exceptional audio with state of the art features and very stylish designs. It also can be perfectly paired with the existing LG TV models and connect with its audio channels so you get an immersive experience even at home. This can be perfect for those looking for multi surround solutions so owners can listen to Dolby Atmos and IMAX quality sound through DTS:X technology.
It's also easy to control and manage from the LG TV's Home Dashboard even wirelessly via WOWCAST so you don't need to have wires running from wall to wall. It also looks pretty and very minimalist which LG is quite known for. Also, with LG's Triple Sound Optimizer, you can enjoy life like sound, much like spatial audio for those movies or music videos you absolutely love!
If that ain't enough, LG also has an advanced AI Sound Pro feature which automatically chooses the sound settings for you without the need for mumbo jumbo. Imagine the things you could do with the wireless soundbars that LG has in their arsenal, it would be easy to design home theaters, listening rooms and just about any entertainment space you like. I'd love to also see it perform with video gaming consoles since I'm quite fond of it.
Judging from the product photos from the event, it's fit for small spaces and quite sleek, so it'll fit right in your home especially if your space is a little modern. You should take a look at CES 2023 highlights and see what advancements LG has in store for you. See why almost every home in South Korea has this brand.
You may also follow #LGCES2023 on social channels for more updates about their participation.
Emilio Roso is in the country to share the good news from his spiritual journey. He's a director, producer, actor and author based in Hollywood in the US. This time, he's taking you to a visual and audio spectacle of the Holy Bible through an app called Vision Of The Bible.
This one takes those heartwarming stories, teachings, various chapters and verses be accompanied with audio and video effects that make you feel a different experience, especially if you haven't been to Israel or different sites where it all happened. Roso feels everyone deserves to see where these stories happened and help connect the words to reality, something he is glad to share with Filipinos.
He thought about it while on a trip in the US, and this move to Manila beckons localizing the app's content so it would be adept to subscribers from the country, which he did. The quality of videos are courtesy of over 30 of the world's top cinematographers set to follow their footsteps, and tell their stories through their lens and more. The app also features the voice of award winning Rendy Towes and a multitude of voice actors interpreted in English and Spanish. Take the opportunity to download the app today which is available at Google Play or the App Store. See how you can become part of the journey to the holy land without leaving the Philippines today!
Just met the wonderful women behind digital marketing and growth firm called Pareto Consulting. Countless businesses in the US and elsewhere in the world are in need of talented individuals like them who provide unique ideas, of something different on the table, with gusto to reach one's company goals. The league of extraordinary women is headed by Bianca Laxamana Ulan, a young lass who's life continue to inspire others.
The business started when a client of hers availed market research and digital marketing services. She did remarkable work and got recommended to other startups and corporations that continuously grew her clientele over the years. She wanted a breed of individuals that have the same culture, and knack for little details. So she sought her team now as tasks come in from different multinational companies and startups. Albeit an accidental business, she believes her years of experience in the industry and Mom's guidance prepared her for what made Pareto Consulting is today.
Bianca says "I think I've been hyped today. They (her peers)
are my pillars, they are very important for me. Pareto is an accidental
business. I built this with Kaye in the beginning and grew it from
scratch. It's been built over time and I just got referred to a lot of
people. We cater to companies who need market research, ads, we do that
the whole week. We also empower people in our organization. Resiliency
and mental fortitude should be something that any successful business
person should have. Things can break you especially during these times.
You also have to influence your team, without them, you won't be able to
do things and inspire them. We do market research and digital
marketing, you have to make sure you are picking the right team member
as you grow your business."
She adds "You do usual HR stuff, but what I always look
for is their enthusiasm to learn, we have the same values in servicing
our clients. As much as possible I have to spot that, and also talent
that I can compensate fairly, give them work life balance, and a no OT
rule in our company. We are an all female team, the reason is because we
are for women empowerment. I know there's a lot of stigma with women as
employees, but I prioritize and see they are organized, the type that
would be inspired too by women entrepreneur. We offer end to end
solutions, if you're a startup and just starting, we offer marketing,
branding and execution. It's also low cost, both locally and abroad. I
was inspired by my Mom, at work, she's really good at it. She has a
strong character, she was able to lead people and I'm very proud of her.
Kay and I were college org mates, we made things happen and even then
we were very active in organizations and I've been part of a startup and
experienced a flat organization. We correct each other and learned
modern management early on. I want to be an educator, and I've been
doing that in CIIT today. I started when I was 22, I was only a
freelancer and did really good work with clients and I got referrals
here and there. That's how I started. The only hurdles I encounter now
is taxation, and I had to study about it especially in BIR briefings.
That's second to hiring talent. The silver lining is coming to realize
that I could do it. I had to really work hard, some people would often
say I'm too young to grow businesses. When we have the results to show,
it's a new perspective and approach. My team is young too and only
comprise of Gen Z's and Millenials."
Maxene Malvar the Project Manager of Pareto Consulting says "I do quality assurance, copywriting, proof reading and market research. I also coordinate graphic design, nice to meet you today. I was still a student and applied for the position on whim, when I came to the company and started right away, there were a lot of doubts at first. Bianca was the first to believe in my capability, it was humbling to hear that from her."
Kay Ocampo Senior Partner in Creative Marketing "I design, spearhead ad campaigns, make sure everything we do is aligned to our clients marketing goals. Especially here in Pareto, we're not over worked so I do a lot of things on our free time. We call each other friends, it's why she convinced me to build Pareto Consulting. I resigned from my corporate job to do this, I came here to do this with her. All our efforts have been well worth it."
With their affordable rates, collaborative culture in the work place, plus expertise in providing marketing and digital services, they can help new businesses flourish during these tough times. Their mantra to lift others in order to rise with you is ingenious and admirable. If you would like to seek their help, get in touch through their social channels @ParetoPH on FB and IG, their LinkedIN account at https://ph.linkedin.com/company/pareto-consulting-ph or their official website https://paretoconsulting.xyz/.
They're ready to help you start, launch and grow your business with you.
Hey Youtubers! Or people who just watch and upload videos to the website! You see, Smart just partnered up with Youtube and is launching SMART Launchpad. It's definitely not too late to put out content out there so you can broadcast yourself and show your talent. But what about taking it a step further by getting you a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles just by doing 4 easy steps!
Smart is doing a couple of Own It Concerts in these coming months so apart from giving you that treat I'm sure some of you are getting inspired to perform just like your idols. Go to SM Megamall Atrium this weekend (July 23 and 24 so you can try out Smart's very own Upload Stations (which has blazing internet speeds by the way!) so you can record yourself and get discovered on Youtube! You can learn from some of the best Youtubers too by joining their workshops and learn from the experts themselves!
If you get to join, you'll have the chance to go to Los Angeles in the US so you too can collaborate with famous Youtubers and have your videos seen worldwide! Isn't that awesome?!
I'll also be there this Saturday and maybe, just maybe we can try it too. I haven't been singing or dancing or just plain talking online that much so I might just do that this Saturday afternoon. Who knows I might get the chance to win ha-ha!
Sparks will literally fly again on skies of Manila as the 5th installment of 2014 Philippine International Pyromusical Competition happens at the SM Mall of Asia grounds this February 15, 2014!
It's the most awaited show every year and we haven't run out of participants from first world countries yet. Australia, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, Germany, Finland, Canada and the United States of America will all be there represented by individual firework companies to provide the right amount of shock and awe that Filipinos have definitely been a fan of since this started.
Don't worry! We'll be well represented at the event because the Philippines will be
doing an opening salvo courtesy of Platinum Fireworks Incorporated. We will be showing off our best at strict international standards to show them why we've been winning other Pyromusic festivals elsewhere too!
Bring your family, friends and loved ones later - and until the succeeding Saturdays until March 22, 2014 so you can be part of this BIG celebration of what is the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition! Explosion starts at 7PM and the next country will be there at 8PM. I'll be there later to shoot so see you! :)
