Call for Submission: NBDB Trust Fund Grant for 2014

Image courtesy of Written Word

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is calling upon authors with manuscripts for books to apply for the National Book Development Trust Fund Grant for 2014. The chosen manuscripts will receive a grant of P200,000.00 each.  Manuscript/s for books should be on any of the following:

1.   Islamic Studies in the Philippines

This includes forms of theology and religious thought, Islamic civilization, literature, economics, history, historiography, law, philosophy, and culture in the Philippine context.

TV5's "Beki Boxer" premieres on March 31, 2014

TV5 presents an interesting pink comedy story as it premieres its newest primetime series Beki Boxer on March 31, 2014.  Beki Boxer proves that fighting for one's dreams and aspirations in life is possible regardless of one's social status, gender and sexual orientation.

Auditions: Repertory Philippines' "Pinocchio" | March 30 & April 6, 2014

Auditions for lead roles and ensemble for the Repertory Philippines Theater for Young Audiences (RPTYA) Production of PINOCCHIO will be held on March 30 and April 6, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the Onstage Theater Greenbelt One.

Roles:

Gepetto Pinocchio's father - baritone
Antonio Narrator- baritone or tenor
Blue Fairy - soprano
Angelina Housekeeper - alto or soprano
Candlewick - baritone or tenor
Gino - baritone or tenor
Fox - baritone or tenor
Cat - baritone or tenor
Coachman - bass or baritone
Townspeople- SATB male and female

Auditions for METTA's "Romeo + Juliet" extended | March 31, 2014

Marie Eugenie Theatre of the Assumption (METTA), the resident theater organization of Assumption College San Lorenzo, has extended its open audition for their upcoming musical project, William Shakespeare’s ROMEO + JULIET. This audition is open only to male roles. Ana Valdes-Lim directs this production.

MALE AUDITIONS:

Prepare: One (1) Dramatic Monologue, 1 min.

One (1) Comedic Monologue, 1 min.

One (1) Song, 16 bars, with iPod, CD, or laptop

One (1) Movement or Dance, 1 min.

#Labyu, a new gay romantic comedy

#Labyu (2014) is a new gay romantic comedy film written and directed by Jill Singson Urdaneta and produced by Dennis Sebastian of Spin Entertainment Production, in association with Sunflower Films International.

#Labyu is the film debut of Urdaneta as a writer-director. It stars Miko Pasamonte (The Escort, Kape Barako, Kumpare) and Albert Goza, who appeared in a film for the first time.

The cast also includes Renee Gozon, Jobben Bello, G.A. Villafuerte, Gelo Arucan, John Galvez, LK King and JB Sinday. The film soundtrack features the music of Jeff Cifra, Kian Dionisio, Jerome and Sebastian Castro.

Audition: Tanghalang Pilipino's "Kleptomaniacs" | March 29, 2014

Tanghalang Pilipino holds audition for its 28th Theater Season Opener, Layeta Bucoy's Kleptomaniacs. This will be held on March 29, 2014 (2:00 - 9:00 pm) at Bulwagang Amado Hernandez (conference room) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

5th Golden Screen TV Awards Winners: Full List

 

Photo courtesy of Philippine Star

GMA-7 network bagged the most number of awards, having the gay-themed soap opera My Husband's Lover to dominate the drama category of the 5th Golden Screen TV Awards held at Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan on March 21, 2014 (Friday). The event was hosted by John Lapus, and co-hosted by Mr. Fu, Bela Padilla, and Atom Araullo.

For the special awards, German “Kuya Germs” Moreno received the Gawad Dolphy Lifetime Achievement Award: Ulirang Alagad ng Sining, and Ryzza Mae Dizon received the Special Award as the Youngest TV host on Philippine TV.

One FC: Rise of Heroes at SM MOA Arena | May 2, 2014

ONE Fighting Championship held a blockbuster press conference last March 18 at the SM Mall Of Asia Atrium in Manila, The Philippines, in anticipation of the upcoming epic event, ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES happening on May 2, 2014. 

ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES is set to be the largest mixed martial arts event ever witnessed in the history of the Philippines. To be held at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, the event promises a stacked fight card featuring the explosive battle for the ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship title belt in the Main Event.

To read about the final 10 matches line-up for this event, please visit:

ONE FC rolls out 10 explosive fights on May 2, 2014 at SM MOA Arena

Tanghalang Pilipino's Summer Theater Workshops 2014

Poster Design by Marco Viaña

TANGHALANG PILIPINO (TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is proud to present the 2014 Summer Theater Adventure, a month-long program of various theatrical activities in different age levels designed to unleash the creative potentials of aspiring theater artists. TP’s acting workshops have been highly-acclaimed by parents, students and educational institutions for the intensive training and excellent experience it imparts on the participants.

Stages holds audition for #building.visions musical | March 23, 2014

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Join Yoshinoya's 4th Gyudon Eating Contest and win a trip to Japan & cash prizes

Yoshinoya, Japan’s famous beef bowl, has been synonymous with gyudon, that special dish served in a bowl with rice, beef and onion stirred in an enticingly mild sweet sauce with fish, seaweed stock and sweet rice wine.

There are now more than 1,200 outlets of Yoshinoya globally, particularly in countries such as the USA, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and of course the Philippines. It will soon open in Thailand and Vietnam as part of its aggressive expansion program in Asia.

First introduced in Tokyo, Japan in 1899, Yoshinoya’s signature beef bowl has rapidly become popular among quick service restaurants in 1,300 locations here and abroad.

Last 2 episodes of Discovery Channel's "Sea Whisperers" and "POPcorn Dreams”

The land of the rising sun is an amazing convergence of old and new; a place where ancient traditions, culture and history are well-preserved but in harmony with ever-evolving cultural progressions and state-of-the-art technologies. SUPER JAPAN – five documentaries by the winners of Discovery Channel’s First Time Filmmakers (FTFM) Japan – celebrates the evolvement of Japan into the global powerhouse it is today.

Malate holds Arts Convention at DLSU | March 22, 2014

Malate Literary Folio, the official literary publication of De La Salle University (Manila), holds Convention for the Arts on March 22, from 1-5pm, at Room 1403 of Br. Andrew Gonzalez Building.

The theme for this year's Convention is Filipino Consciousness.

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/687902954584818/

This event is open to outsiders.
Register here for your entry pass: http://tinyurl.com/artsconvention

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Top 20 Countries with the fastest internet speed (January 2014 vs. July 2013 study)

Image courtesy of  TBreak Media

Bloomberg has released its latest study on the top 20 countries in the world with the fastest internet connection speed. In his article, "Where to Find the World's Fastest Internet: Top 20" published on January 28, 2014, writer Mark Milian listed down the Top 20 countries with comparison to his findings in his article, "Top 20: Where to Find the World's Fastest Internet," published on July 23, 2013.

In a similar study conducted by Statista in its infographic measuring the 2nd Quarter of 2013 performance, South Korea and Japan placed 1st and 2nd spot respectively, while Hong Kong placed 4th.

PETA's Summer Theater Workshops 2014

Actors and aspiring actors can now spend their summer in a more fun and active way. Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) annual Summer Theater Arts Workshop is open for another month of creative learning. The available workshops are not just for those young ones—but also for those who are young at heart.

PETA’s student-centered workshops highlight the limitless creative potential of each participant, allowing students to fully express themselves, boost their confidence, and mount their own stories into original productions.

GARAGE Magazine celebrates 5th anniversary with the new Young Talents

GARAGE Magazine held its 5th anniversary with the Young Talents roster (both old & new) at SKYE bar last March 6. The event was attended by the hottest and most stylish denizens in the metro to witness the fashionable people to watch out for.

The magazine's 5th year celebration was a reunion of the men’s style magazine’s most successful past Young Talents winners. But the highlight of the GARAGE Young Talents 5th Anniversary celebration was the reunion of the past year’s winners which included Enrique Gil (absent), Alden Richards and Elmo Magalona who graced the cover of Garage's February 2014 issue.

Top 10 countries with faster internet speeds; Korea & Japan top the list

In 2005, I had some Korean students in my classes. Though it was their first time in the Philippines, they had already migrated from Korea to learn English since studying in the Philippines is far more cheaper. Day by day, they got to experience what it is like to live in Manila, specifically - the people, the places, and the food.

Three things I remember some Korean kids told me the difference between Korea and the Philippines:

Pinoy Music Summit 2014 | March 19, 2014

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Free Concert: Laurent Brunetti and Mario Pacchiolo at DLS-CSB | March 21, 2014

Everyone is invited to a performance featuring Laurent Brunetti, with Mario Pacchioli on the piano, on March 21, 2014 (Friday) at 4:30pm. This will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art And Design of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in Manila. Admission is Free.

Laurent Brunetti is known for his great renditions of famous French chansons, but also for writing and interpreting his original works. Born in Switzerland, he now lives in Paris. He finds his artistic inspiration in people's lives, and his lyrics are the reflections of their stories.

30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies (2014): Full List of Winners

The 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies was held at the Solaire Hotel Grand Ballroom in Paranaque City on March 9, 2014 (Sunday). Organized annually by the Philippine Movie Press Club, the event was hosted by Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez, Robi Domingo, Maja Salvador, Toni Gonzaga and Piolo Pascual.

The organization also recognized 15 PMPC Dekada Awardees which include:

(Movie Actresses) Judy Ann Santos, Eugene Domingo, and Ai-Ai delas Alas.
(Movie Actors) Aga Muhlach, John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Dennis Trillo, Piolo Pascual, Baron Geisler.
(Movie Directors) Joel Lamangan, Jose Javier Reyes, Maryo J. delos Reyes, Mark Meily, Olivia Lamasan, and Jerrold Tarog.

Here is the complete list of winners:

MOVIE OF THE YEAR: On The Job

MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: Erik Matti, On The Job

INDIE MOVIE OF THE YEAR: Badil

INDIE MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: Chito Rono, Badil

Tanghalang Pilipino presents "Prinsesa ng mga Bilang" at CCP | March 14, 2014

Tanghalang Pilipino presents the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company Recital, Layeta Bucoy's Prinsesa ng mga Bilang, with the special participation of Nina Virgin, on March 14, 2014 at 3pm & 7pm only.

Directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio, the play will be shown at Tanghalang Huseng Batute of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila.

Pasinaya: CCP Open House Festival 2014 on March 16

Pasinaya: CCP Open House Festival is the largest one-day multi-arts festival in the country. This year's festival, which will be on March 16, 2014 (7am to 7pm), has the theme "Pasinaya Goes the Extra Mile" in celebration of its 10th Anniversary.

With more than 150 shows in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature to choose from, 3,000 artists participating, and an expected viewership of over 50,000, the Pasinaya transforms Manila and the art and culture mile between the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and Intramuros into the most creative place on Earth.

Harlequin Theater Guild's "Fish-Hair Woman" at DLSU | March 20-22, 2014

De La Salle University’s premiere theatre organization, the Harlequin Theatre Guild, concludes season with Fish-Hair Woman showing at Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium of De La Salle University-Manila on March 20-22, 2014.

Fish-Hair Woman is a musical based on the acclaimed novel by Merlinda Bobis and adapted for the stage by renowned writer, Rody Vera. Directed by ALIW award nominee and the guild’s Artistic Director and Trainer, Raffy Tejada of PETA, the production will put you in war-stricken Iraya.

2014 Oscar Award Winners: Full List

(L-R): Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto
Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

The 86th Annual Academy Awards was held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 2, 2014 (Sunday evening in America).

Here is the complete list of Oscar award winners: 

Best Picture: "12 Years a Slave"

"American Hustle"

"Gravity"

"The Wolf of Wall Street"

"Dallas Buyers Club"

"Her"

"Nebraska"

"Philomena"

"Captain Phillips"

Tune Hotels Philippines launches its 8th branch in Ortigas, Pasig

Tune Hotels, the Philippines’ largest internationally owned and operated hotel brand, has continued its impressive expansion in the country with the opening of Tune Hotel Ortigas branch boasting of 182 rooms. Located at Shaw Boulevard, the property is the eighth branch to open in the Philippines in the last two years after Angeles City, Ermita, Makati, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan De Oro and Quezon City.

The hotel is perfectly located for both business travellers and leisure travellers within the area. Sahlee Zaldivia, the Country Head for Red Planet Hotels (the hotel’s brand owner), said that 2 more Tune Hotels will open this year to further strengthen the company’s commitment to the local tourism industry.