I Click, I Save Campaign

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) today launched an “I Click, I Save” campaign that enables Filipinos anywhere with internet access to contribute in protecting the country’s marine biodiversity for lifesaving food-security.

In its marine conservation programs from Cagayancillo, Palawan to Donsol, Sorsogon, WWF-Philippines focuses on environmental sustainability as a means to providing for local communities. To cite, WWF’s community-based ecotourism transformed Donsol’s economy, becoming a 1st class municipality by the end of 2009 from a 5th class municipality in 1998. TIME magazine named Donsol as one of Asia’s “Best Animal Encounters”. With this, job opportunities opened up for the locals, providing a sustainable source of income to former blast fishermen like Embet Guadamor as a Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO).

“Donsol used to be a haven for blast fishermen. Illegal poachers from the Visayas came to hunt whale sharks, unaware of the implications of these actions,” said Embet in his dialect. “WWF helped turn my life around with their programs. Now, as a Butanding Interaction Officer, I am not only able to provide for my family, I’m also able to bring joy to tourists and help protect marine life for future generations of Filipinos to enjoy.”

Moreover, resource management programs have allowed sanctuaries to flourish and experience full-cycle mariculture. Palawan, known to supply at least 50 percent of the country’s seafood, counts its Tubbataha Reefs as among the world’s richest bio-geographic areas.

WWF-Philippines envisions a Philippines where globally significant biodiversity is protected and responsibly harnessed to sustain life for all and where species, habitats and resources form part of a unique heritage that make every Filipino proud. This mission can only be fulfilled with the help of the entire nation, prompting the development of the organization’s awareness campaign called I Click, I Save.

“With the I Click, I Save campaign the computer mouse’s arrow becomes a conservation tool for Filipinos to do something to help save the Philippine marine environment. All they need to do is visit WWF’s website and make a meaningful donation,” said WWF President and CEO, Lory Tan. “More than simply raising awareness of the issues that plague our marine environment, this campaign gives the Philippine public a chance to be part of the solution. While Filipinos are proud of our coastal attractions that rival the world’s best, most fail to recognize that these areas are rapidly deteriorating. This affects the marine food chain - spreading a rapidly expanding blanket of threats over habitats, species and the 40 Million Filipinos who depend on seafood as their primary source of protein.”

Preserving marine life saves people’s lives. For a small monthly contribution help WWF educate individuals and corporations on how they can participate in eradicating environmental threats. Visit wwf.org.ph/donate to learn more about I Click, I Save. All donations shall benefit WWF conservation efforts within the country.

Big&Small Company Sale

Big&Small is having a WAREHOUSE SALE! Sept 29 - Oct 2, 930am-630pm at the Big&Small Office in Nutrition Compound, 2332 Pasong Tamo Ext All brands on sale! 50% off!!

Mead Johnson Nutrition clarifies issues on Philippine FDA order

Just recently, The Philippine FDA issued a Class III order for Mead Johnson's two products - AlactaGrow and Sustagen Junior - causing the recall and removal of its current supplies from distribution and sale. This was because the fat content in the said products were below the new standard listed in the revised CODEX Standards for Follow-Up Formula.

Paul Richards, President and General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines, responds by assuring consumers that "Safety is Mead Johnson's highest priority and the company spares no effort to comply with the laws of all of the countries in which it operates." He adds that "All of the company's products are produced in accordance with the CODEX Code of Hygenic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children". By definition, the Class III Order issued by the Philippine FDA is the lowest level which is used for products that have technical compliance issues and the order specifically states that the use of or exposure to the product "is not likely to cause adverse health consequences".

Responding to an administrative recall order from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove current supplies from distribution and sale, Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) Philippines assured consumers that there is no safety issue with the products Alactagrow® and Sustagen Junior®.

The Philippine FDA has issued a Class III order, the lowest level, which is used for products that have technical compliance issues. The regulatory definition of a Class III order specifically states that the use of or exposure to the product “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

“Safety is Mead Johnson’s highest priority and the company spares no effort to comply with the laws of all of the countries in which it operates,” said Paul Richards, President and General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines. “All of the company’s products are produced in accordance with the CODEX Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children.”

The Philippine FDA said it was issuing the order because the fat content in the products is below the new standard listed in the revised CODEX Standards for Follow-Up Formula, which it has recently adopted in the Philippines.

Richards explained that when the Philippine FDA recently adopted additional CODEX regulations applying specifically to follow-up formulas, Mead Johnson proactively cooperated and has stayed in frequent communication with the Philippine FDA to ensure that Mead Johnson products would continue to be available for the families that use them, and in compliance with the new regulations. The process of reformulating the products so that they comply with the new CODEX regulations is elaborate and requires considerable time so Mead Johnson requested a renewed Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) prior to the end of the product’s term. CODEX is an international organization that develops and promotes food standards.

"Our company is committed to bringing safe, effective, nutritious and high quality products to meet the nutritional needs of the Philippines’ children," said Richards.

Richards said they were surprised by the recall orders, but said they are committed to resolving the issue with the Philippine FDA so that Mead Johnson can continue to offer the children in the Philippines the many nutritional benefits of Alactagrow and Sustagen Junior.

Mead Johnson stressed that all of their products currently sold in the Philippines, including Alactagrow and Sustagen Junior, have passed stringent Philippine FDA health and safety requirements and are considered to be safe for consumption and of high quality. While the fat level requirement does not relate to the safety or quality of the product, Mead Johnson is taking steps to meet that requirement also.

Mead Johnson is launching today a reformulated version of Alactagrow that meets the new regulatory requirements. Work is also underway to develop an updated version of Sustagen to meet the revised standards.

Richards emphasized that Mead Johnson is committed to its mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life. Mead Johnson is involved in efforts to address malnutrition through a country-wide feeding and growth-monitoring program called Feeding Hope in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the non-government organization Kabisig ng Kalahi. In addition, since 1991 Mead Johnson has provided sustained support to children afflicted with rare metabolic diseases.

Consumer health and collaboration with the government and the Food and Drug Administration are Mead Johnson’s top priorities. The company has been for some time and is currently in regular contact with the Philippine FDA regarding the recall and the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for the affected products.

Tang Pick and Go

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The search for the missing lunchbox is over – but it’s not only the owner who’ll be celebrating.

Heeding the plea for help announced on numerous billboards and flyers all over the country, kids from Manila, Cebu, and Davao have joined Agua Bendita and Momay’s child star Xyriel Manabat’s two-week quest to find her lost lunchbox.

 And as the most-wanted lunchbox is finally opened, every boy and girl will discover the reason why little Xyriel was so urgently searching for this one in particular – the refreshing baon surprise inside for kids to enjoy in school everyday.

Unlike before when children had to wait to get home and have mom prepare their favorite juice drink, the newest Tang Pick &am Go – the surprise waiting inside Xyriel’s lunchbox – allows kids to make for themselves a delicious drink, whether after a PE class with their classmates or during recess breaks in school.

“Tang Pick & Go not only makes nutritious refreshment more accessible, this newest easy-to-prepare Tang variant empowers kids to do things independently like deciding what flavor to drink and preparing it on their own,"

James Franco in Eat Pray and Love

James Franco plays David, the young lover of Julia Roberts’ character, in Columbia Pictures’ new romance drama Eat Pray Love.

In the film, Liz Gilbert (Roberts) is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner self. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and uncharacteristically steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of eating in Italy, the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali.

Eat Pray Love starts off in New York, where the reasons for Liz’s need to get away is explored and established through her relationships with two men: her ex-husband, Stephen (Billy Crudup), and her lover, David.

“Liz and Stephen is a couple that has fallen out of love – they have material blessings, but they want different things in life,” explains director Ryan Murphy. “They’re not meant to be together, but this does not make their time together any less valuable or worthwhile.

In turn, Franco’s character, David, adores Liz and rekindles her passions that she thinks have disappeared from her life. Producer Dede Gardner strongly believed that if you don’t like who she goes off with after walking away from her husband, the story isn’t going to work. “There was no one else in the world to play this part,” she says. “James is adorable and sexy, but also very cerebral, with an enormous beating heart and generous spirit.”

“When David and Liz meet, Liz is searching on a lot of levels,” says Franco. “She’s looking for a way to connect to someone romantically, but also some deeper, spiritual meaning in her life. Maybe it’s not a relationship that’s going to last, but it sets her off on her journey, so there are positive things that come out of it.”

Franco and Roberts had their challenges as they had to dive in very quickly to their chemistry as a couple. Says Franco, “The first scene we shot together we made out, and by the end of the day we broke up. It was very intense.”

Franco is best known for his starring role as Harry Osbourne in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. He was last seen starring opposite Sean Penn in Gus Van Sant’s Milk in which his performance earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in David Gordon Green’s comedy Pineapple Express where he starred opposite Seth Rogen.

Opening soon across the Philippines, Eat Pray Love is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Go Negosyo:: Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2010 :: Tagumpay ang Kabataan!

Take part in a day of empowerment, learning and fun at the biggest and most exciting
youth entrepreneurship summit of the year!

Learn from the Go Negosyo entrepreneurs and mentors as they share tips and advice on having positive enterprising mindset, opportunity-seeking, product development, marketing, financing, and all the basics of venturing into business. Explore and find which business is right for you, through our booths and exhibitors showcasing various negosyo models, ideas and opportunities.

The Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is a one-day forum/expo which aims to promote entrepreneurial success among all Filipinos, particularly the youth. There will be seminars and discussions with Go Negosyo Angelpreneurs and mentors pertaining to all the basics of going into business such as spotting the right opportunities, marketing, financing, product development and innovation.

This event will also showcase different products and service for your shopping pleasure!  SMEs, as well as more established companies will be there to offer one of-a-kind products! It will also be a good venue for spotting the right business for you and your friends!

The Southridge Run

The Race is on!

Thank you very much for your support and we hope to see you and your family. They would like to invite you to join “The Southridge Run”, a charity fun run organized by the Southridge Student Council and the Grade 3 parents. It will be held on Saturday, October 9 at 6:00 AM and it will start and finish inside the Westgate Complex in the Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang. The route will pass mostly closed roads around within the vicinity of Filinvest.

The Southridge Run aims to promote family bonding and physical fitness. They also hope to raise funds to donate 30,000 books to public schools in Muntinlupa, in cooperation with the Department of Education, Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and the Rotary Club.

The Southridge Run will have 3 events, with the corresponding registration fees and awards:

a. 10k P400 Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers

b. 5k P400 Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers

c. 1k P350 Medals for ALL finishers 13 years old & below

PLUS: Prizes for top 3 finishers in these age categories:
- 10 to 13 years old
- 9 years old & below

Exciting raffle prizes will also be up for grabs.

The 1k event will be held exclusively inside the Westgate complex, which will be closed to vehicular traffic at that time. Runners over the age of 13 may also join the 1k run (or accompany their children), but only if they have also registered and paid. Students and runners from all schools and of all ages are welcome to participate. The assembly time for all events is 5:30 AM in Westgate.

The class which registers the highest number of participants wins a PIZZA PARTY care of the Student Council.

You may register at any of the following places:


ROX, Bonifacio High Street – Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, 2010

Bonjour, Total Gas Station, Filinvest Corp. City (near West Gate entrance) – Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, 2010. Open 24/7


or direct all registration forms and payments to the SOUTHRIDGE STUDENT COUNCIL.

Thank you very much for your support and we hope to see you and your family there!

No need for fancy names and gimmicks, let's run for a cause!

http://thebullrunner.com/2010/09/14/southridge-run-on-9-october-filinvest/

The Other Guys

Columbia Pictures presents an all-star cast led by Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Eva Mendes, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, in the action-comedy The Other Guys.

In the U.S. No. 1 hit, detectives Christopher Danson and P.K. Highsmith (Johnson and Jackson) are the baddest and most beloved cops around. They don’t get tattoos – other men get tattoos of them. Two desks over and one back, sit Detectives Allen Gamble (Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg). You’ve seen them in the background of photos of Danson and Highsmith, out of focus and eyes closed. They’re not heroes – they’re “the Other Guys.”

But every cop has his or her day and soon Gamble and Hoitz stumble into a seemingly innocuous case no other detective wants to touch that could turn into the city’s biggest crime. It’s the opportunity of their lives, but do these guys have the right stuff?

Director Adam McKay says that his challenge for this film was to keep the set as open and free to experimentation as he could, while also keeping it grounded enough that the action sequences made sense. “Obviously, we like to do silly, absurd things,” says McKay. “The Other Guys is an action comedy, and I think it’s just as funny as the movies we’ve made in the past. But it’s also a bit more badass – we really tried to come up with action scenes we hadn’t seen before, and I think we came up with some fantastic stuff.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, The Other Guys is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm on Opposite Sides of the Law in “The Town”

Award-winning actors Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Jon Hamm (TV’s Mad Men) play cop-and-robber literally, in Warner Bros. The Town, an action-thriller about friendship and betrayal, love and hope, and escaping a past that has no future.

In the film, Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang’s latest job, when they briefly took a hostage–bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall).

Renner plays Jem, Doug’s closest friend and a kind of brother-in-arms, albeit on the wrong side of the law. Unlike Doug, Jem is resigned to the life he was essentially born to and has no compunctions about his criminal pursuits.

Renner observes, “Given their upbringing, Jem and Doug had to lean on each other throughout their lives, so they are definitely more like brothers than friends. But now Doug is veering away from the only life Jem has ever known and Jem is trying to reel him back in, to knock some sense into him, as if to say, ‘We’re bank robbers. That’s what we do; that’s all we are.’ The conflict between them lies within that.”

“Doug and Jem have a complicated back story,” comments Affleck, who also served as the film’s director. “They’ve been best friends since they were kids, but they have become very different people…people who would not be friends if they met today. However, because they have this shared history of loyalty and love they are bound to each other, and that puts a lot of pressure on Doug. Jem is always on the verge of being out of control, and Doug is the only one who has been able to make sure he doesn’t go too far.”

Meanwhile, Hamm portrays FBI Special Agent Frawley, who heads up a task force investigating bank robberies in Boston. “He is an outsider,” Hamm acknowledges. “But although he is not from Boston, he has a lot of experience with these types of crimes and has been there awhile, so he knows all the players.”

This latest string of robberies is frustrating Frawley because he knows who the perpetrators are, but still hasn’t been able to nail them. “It creates an interesting dynamic between my character and Ben’s character,” Hamm says. “A fundamental element of a good heist movie is the interplay between the good guys and the bad guys. Who’s going to win? But here, the line between the good guys and the bad guys is less defined because you can empathize with both.”

“I’m a huge fan of Jon’s, so I felt really lucky to have him in the cast,” states Affleck. “When I met with the real FBI agents, I noticed that they projected a certain kind of power and intelligence, and Jon conveyed that. He’s acutely smart and there is something about him that innately commands respect. It would be hard to imagine an actor who was more right for this role.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, The Town is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Sep Win iPad and other prizes in “So Fox” mall and bar tours

“So Manila, So Fox” features a photo booth where you can have your picture taken while posing with the Fox logo. At the end of the mall tour, the three most creative shots will win iPads.

ere’s your chance to win an iPad or a few seconds of fame on cable TV. Drop by September 16 to 22, 2010, and join Fox Channel’s “So Manila, So Fox” mall tour.

You can also try out the “So Manila, So Fox” video booth where you can choose to act adventurous, edgy, hip, fabulous, or crazy while being videotaped flashing a Fox statement pill. The most creative video clips will be featured in Fox Channel’s station ID.

If you’re a bar-hopper, you can win free drinks or freebies by “making a statement” in the “So Scene, So Fox” bar tour happening this September and October at Il Ponticello Café Ristorante (Tuesdays), Encore Bar (Wednesdays), and Republiq Bar (Fridays).

Are you hot, red, wet, sweaty, or tiny? Describe yourself by forming foxy statements using the Fox pill and win free shots or take home exclusive “So Fox” dog tags, stickers, T-shirts, and baller IDs, plus a souvenir Polaroid picture of your Fox statement.

All pictures and videos can be downloaded from the “So Manila, So Fox” website at www.somanilasofox.com

Pagbabago

First of all let me say this out in the open I have a learning disability. It's called Dyscalculia or math disability which is a specific learning disability involving innate difficulty in learning or comprehending mathematics. It is akin to dyslexia and can include confusion about math symbols. Dyscalculia can also occur as the result of some types of brain injury. When I was younger I felt really bad that I couldn't understand the lectures and I felt frustrated. I need all the Math Help that I can get. At that time finding an online math tutor was still very far fetched. I remember that as a child my mom would use encourage me to do well with Goldilocks Mamon and Ensaymada.

As a child, math was always very difficult. It is where I struggled the most and it is where I gave my mother a lot of frustration. I could learn other subjects easily, but math was a different subject altogether. During exams week, it would take us three days just to review for Math and, in the end, when the report card would come, I still would get a red mark which really frustrated my mom.

Bless my mom’s heart, she did everything to help me. She even hired me a tutor, but nothing seems to be working. I’m still not passing any Math subjects or any subject that involves numbers and computations for that matter. This went on until high school and this did not make my high school life easy, most especially during college because I took Math seven times. The only time I passed Math and Statistics was when my parents sent me to the province to cross-enroll for the summer. That time, I passed. Thankfully I finished College but I passed by the skin of my teeth.

They say that every person has a cross and I really felt that Math was my cross to bear. I left my job to start my own business but that business failed because I couldn’t do the costing properly and I couldn’t reconcile the expenses versus the income that was coming in. I tried another business wherein I invested everything I had and yet it still failed. It led me to be even more depressed. I kept blaming myself calling myself an idiot because I couldn’t do anything right.

I prayed for an answer. I felt like a circle in a square hole I couldn’t fit in. The answered prayer came a few years later when I attended a parenting event and there was a talk on learning disabilities - the topic was “dyscalculia.” Half way through the talk, I wanted to break down and cry because I felt like the speaker was talking about me. I wanted to have myself assessed but, unfortunately, it wasn’t available here at that time. But I already knew - it was like I had a lightbulb moment. The downside is, since I am not officially diagnosed, everybody seems to be thinking that I’m overreacting.

I can write a bit and can pick up things easily but when it comes to mathematical and technical data - numbers, statistics, mechanicals, etc., I’m totally lost. There’s a funny story that since I don’t want to get pregnant right away, someone taught me how to use the Natural Family Planning Method, so I just count the number of days after my period when is it the safest and when it is not. Since I’m poor with numbers, I made a mistake counting the number of days, and so I got pregnant. I taught my friend how to do the NFP, but since I taught her the wrong way to count, she also got pregnant.

Suffice to say that yes - numbers do freak me out especially when it comes to computing how much I can still spend and so I end up overspending because I thought I still have $85 but it turns out that I only have $58 left.

I also have a poor sense of time. I’ll be there in 20 minutes because I’m too scared to be late and what happens is I’ll be there an hour later. I still count on my fingers. The thought of teaching my child on his math homework is enough to make me hyperventilate (Thank God there’s Kumon). I’m also having a hard time when it comes to balancing the checkbook. That’s why I decided not to have one when we came back to the Philippines. It becomes increasingly frustrating as we become ever more increasingly dependent on modern technology. I don’t think I just have it together when it comes to trying to learn all these new stuff. I know I’m not stupid, but I tend to feel that way at times. I don’t know if my brain is wired in a different way.

Just trying to figure out how to set up something like the DVD for instance is enough to make me break down. When the computer conks out, I don’t know how to fix it. That I have actually learned to use my computer when I write my blog is nothing short of a minor miracle. I’m also embarrassed to tell anyone that I haven’t updated the look of my site because I’m having a hard time with .

Just like Goldilocks I have learned to embrace the change within me and have learned to go with the flow. Whenever, I eat at Goldilocks or eat their products It brings back really great memories. How could someone go wrong with a classic. The word classic means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality. If that doesn't describe Goldilocks I don't know what will.

Goldilocks' dedication to the Filipinos is beyond innovation. They set the standards for quality in baked products, and Goldilocks continually struggle to surpass them. Goldilocks highlights freshness, delivering baked goods to the stores "fresh from the oven" everyday.

Goldilocks also constantly develops new products and services that meet international standards, yet accommodate to the Filipino taste.

Just like Goldilocks.. I Happily have found that there are things that have been useful to me that has worked throughout the years. With hope, someone out there will read this and it will help her as well:

• I talk about it. I’m not ashamed to tell people about it.
• I stopped using my credit cards because I don’t know how to use it properly.
• I leave the finances to my husband. I’m having a tough time with the budget. I just let him handle it.

• When I need to take medications, I have to read and re-read it as I’m taking the medication.

• I have learned to ask for help when I need it.

The Town

There are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. And a one-square-mile neighborhood in Boston, called Charlestown, has produced more bank and armored car robbers than anywhere in the U.S. It is against that backdrop that Warner Bros.’ new gripping thriller The Town is set.

In the film, Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), is a prolific bank robber but he is not cut from the same cloth as his fellow thieves. Unlike them, Doug had a chance at success, a chance to escape following in his father’s criminal footsteps. Instead he became the leader of a crew of ruthless bank robbers, who pride themselves on taking what they want and getting out clean. The only family Doug has are his partners in crime, especially Jem (Jeremy Renner), who, despite his dangerous, hair-trigger temper, is the closest thing Doug ever had to a brother.

However, everything changed on the gang’s last job when Jem briefly took a hostage: bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). When they discover she lives in Charlestown, Jem gets nervous and wants to check out what she might have seen. Knowing what Jem is capable of, Doug takes charge. He seeks out Claire, who has no idea that their encounter is not by chance or that this charming stranger is one of the men who terrorized her only days before.

As his relationship with Claire deepens into a passionate romance, Doug wants out of this life and the town. But with the Feds, led by Agent Frawley (Jon Hamm), closing in and Jem questioning his loyalty, Doug realizes that getting out will not be easy and, worse, may put Claire in the line of fire. Any choices he once had have boiled down to one: betray his friends or lose the woman he loves.

The Town also stars Blake Lively, Oscar® nominee Pete Postlethwaite and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper.

Directed by Ben Affleck, The Town is based on the novel Prince of Thieves, written by Chuck Hogan. Hailing from Massachusetts, Hogan situated the crime drama in Charlestown for a reason: the Boston neighborhood has produced more bank and armored car robbers than any other single square mile in the world. The seeds of that distinction were more than likely planted when Charlestown was the site of a maximum security prison, leading to a self-perpetuating criminal enclave. Affleck offers, “It served as a kind of revolving door. People would go to prison and their families would move there, and, as they got out and then went back in, a community developed around it. It was hypothesized in the book—and we included it in the film—that robbing banks became a trade that was passed down from fathers to sons.”

Jeremy Renner, who plays the role of Doug’s accomplice and best friend, Jem, adds, “In that very small, tight-knit community, they developed a strict code of silence. Everybody knew everything, but nobody talked, which made it easier to be successful in that line of work.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, The Town is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

EDSA People Power-Inspired Musical at Meralco Theater, September 1

 

Entablado, the socio-political student theatre organization of the Ateneo de Manila University, opens its 28th season with Christine Bellen’s original Filipino musical “Si Pilandok at Ang Bayan ng Bulawan” at the Meralco Theater on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Inspired by the historical EDSA 1 People Power Revolution, the play uses a ‘kuwentong bayan’ framework to inspire unity geared towards nation-building. Pilandok, the trickster of Bayan ng Bulawan, tries to retrieve the bright star Bulawan from the clutches of the corrupt Datu Usman, and evil henchman Orochimaru. Pilandok seeks help from other villages; however, the individual efforts of conflicting heroes Pantas (Wisdom), Banal (Faith), Yumi (Beauty), Gara (Wealth) and Lakas (Strength) are in vain. When Pilandok finally confronts Datu Usman alone, the other villages join in to reclaim the bright star Bulawan.
Ms. Bellen, known for the retelling of the Lola Basyang children’s stories and playwright of children’s plays, “Batang Rizal” and “Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit”, pens the musical. Dr. Jerry Respeto, known for directing and translating plays for the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Dulaang UP (DUP), directs together with Ateneo professor Jethro Tenorio. Tuxqs Rotaquio of DUP designs the sets and costumes. Dr. Christine Muyco, UP Music professor, and Jema Pamintuan, Ateneo professor, compose the music.

“We wanted to show that the story of EDSA 1986 was the story of all Filipinos. It wasn’t only for us who went to the streets to topple a dictatorship then, but it was also for the succeeding generations,” says Ms. Bellen. “That is why we used the folklore format to show that what happened in 1986 is for all ages.”
Ms. Bellen uses the trickster tale from the Maranaos of Mindanao to personify the attempt of deception of the masses against the dictator. “Pilandok is a popular folk tale from the South wherein he tries to outwit the datu who is unjust to his people,” she adds. “We used him to symbolize that people can also ‘play tricks’ on their leaders who steal from them. This was a clear manifestation in EDSA 1.”

Dr. Respeto and Mr. Tenorio fuse the tradition and the modern for the play to be able to relate with the youth. “Dances are a mix of Asian and modern; conversations use the ‘old’ Filipino poetics and the popular ‘Taglish’,” says Dr. Tenorio.

The play teaches and calls for everyone, young and old, to take part in creating a nation immersed in solidarity, trust and integrity that was inspired by People Power, and the life and death of Ninoy and Cory Aquino. Theatergoers are challenged to engage its society, and uphold values of justice and freedom.
Proceeds from the musical will be for the Youth Leadership and Formation Program of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), and Tulong Dunong. For inquiries, contact Mika Millar at (63)917.553.6261 and (632)892.5360. Ticket Prices: Php 300.00 and Php 250.00

The American

Academy Award-winner George Clooney plays Jack, a weapons maker for professional assassins and a killer himself, who suddenly becomes the target, in Focus Features’ new thriller The American.
Adapted from Martin Booth’s 1990 novel A Very Private Gentleman, the film will be shown soon exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Trinoma, Glorietta 4 & Greenbelt 3).

In many ways, the character fits Clooney: smart, handsome, worldly. But the character is hardly the man, who in addition to being voted “sexiest man alive,” is a writer, director, producer and humanitarian.
Indeed, as The American director Anton Corbijn says, Clooney is able to weave all of these identities together: “He’s a director’s favorite in terms of understanding what a director needs from an actor. He’s directed three films and so he knows that it’s very important to have an actor who’s on set. So George is never in the trailers. He’s on set and ready.”

“Jack is a character George hasn’t played before; it’s always interesting when an actor finds something new,” continues Corbijn. “He’s so good with dialogue, and in this movie he is playing a man of few words who is always on the lookout and constantly in a state of tension.”

Producer Grant Heslov adds, “Jack is someone who is only now finding moments of beauty in his life. Even if he now makes the right choices, does fate have a different idea for him? George brings this stillness to the role of Jack, who spends a lot of time in silence. That’s a challenge for an actor, to keep the inner life going on-screen.”
“This role reminds me of George’s Oscar-nominated work in Michael Clayton, in that he can convey so much through his eyes alone,” offers producer Jill Green. “Audiences instinctively place their trust in George, which is important to our establishing the character of Jack.”

However, producer Anne Wingate says, “It’s a much darker role for George, yet he embodies the character so well. We were all rather ecstatic to get him to play the part.”

Of his leading man, Corbijn states, “He is a serious actor yet keeps everyone entertained on set, so cast and crew enjoy his company, and he takes pleasure in the work. He’s so good at keeping everyone motivated. George also knows how to deal with the attention he gets in public with charm and grace, which was invaluable.”

Life As we Know It: “A Comedy About Taking It One Step At a Time”

Take a peek at the first theatrical poster of Warner Bros.’ upcoming romantic comedy “Life As We Know It”!The one-sheet shows Katherine Heigl running after two “babies” — the tagline “A comedy about taking it one step at a time” has never been more hilariously dead-on.

“Life as We Know It” is directed by Greg Berlanti (TV’s “Brothers & Sisters”) from a screenplay by first time feature writers Ian Deitchman & Kristin Rusk Robinson. The film stars Katherine Heigl (“The Ugly Truth,” “27 Dresses”), Josh Duhamel (the “Transformers” films), Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”), Christina Hendricks (TV’s “Mad Men”), and Hayes MacArthur (“The Game Plan”).

The film is produced by Barry Josephson and Paul Brooks, with Denise DiNovi, Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Andrew Dunn (“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”), production designer Maher Ahmad (“Zombieland”), editor Jim Page (“Eagle Eye”), costume designer Debra McGuire (“Superbad,” “Knocked Up”) and composer Blake Neely (“The Wedding Date” and TV’s “Everwood”).

Opening soon across the Philippines, Life As We Know It is distributed by Warner Bros.Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Eat Pray Love: Director Ryan Murphy

For Nip/Tuck and Glee creator Ryan Murphy — a man who likes change — discovering the best-selling memoir Eat Pray Love proved a real boon. The 44-year-old filmmaker read the book upon its 2006 release and felt an immediate connection. He’d even go as far as saying that the book altered his life.

“It spoke to me on such a personal level,” begins Murphy, the man who adapted the screenplay and directed the cinematic incarnation starring Julia Roberts. “I read it as a fan, I had just come through a terrible break up, and what it said to me is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. It is never too late to try to be happy. If you are in a bad relationship try and get out of it and if you don’t like where you are living, try and change it.”
The book, and indeed the film, tells the true-life tale of Elizabeth Gilbert, a successful travel writer who falls out of love with her husband and suffers a painful divorce. Gnawed at by guilt, she takes a year out, heading first to Rome in Italy, where she indulges her passion for food (Eat), then to an ashram in India, where she bids to find a spiritual meaning to her life (Pray), and finally to a familiar haunt in Bali, where, out of the blue, she meets, and falls for, a Brazilian man (Love). It is a hugely popular book, which spent three uninterrupted years on the New York Times best-seller list.

“It is about a general way of living your life. I love the phrase that they’re using to market the movie which is, ‘Let yourself go.’ I know that not everybody can afford to take a year off from work and travel round the world. I can’t. But I don’t think you need to leave your house to try and find something spiritual and find joy. So the book expanded my worldview. It got me out of my shell. It made me feel that it is okay to try something that you are not comfortable with. It did change my life.”

In fact, the book had such a profound effect on Murphy’s life that he adapted a screenplay and ensured that he got the job directing the movie. Murphy already had moviemaking experience, having adapted and directed the film version of Augusten Burrough’s controversial memoir Running with Scissors, although adapting and shooting Eat Pray Love gave him the chance to step up to the next level, to make a truly commercial movie, with a positive message, and to assemble a dazzling array of major movie stars.
Among the impressive supporting cast, Murphy draws performances from Javier Bardem (Liz’s Brazilian love interest), Billy Crudup (her ex-husband), James Franco (a lover who awakens her interest in spirituality) and Richard Jenkins (an older man who encourages her to let go of her guilt), while the role of Liz Gilbert herself is played by one of the biggest movie stars in the world, Julia Roberts, which is something of a coup for Murphy; not since her Oscar-winning turn in Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 drama Erin Brockovich has Roberts appeared in every scene of a film.

“And yet I want to see a movie where Julia Roberts is in every scene,” beams Murphy. “I grew up with Julia Roberts. I love her. I had ideas that I wanted for Julia Roberts in make up, hair and clothes, things that she had never done before.” He laughs. “I think she thinks I am kind of insane because I was so passionate about her, but I also think that she liked the fact that we saw the story in the same way.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, Eat Pray Love is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Newport Ultra Cinema, Resorts World, Manila..Now open!

Newport Ultra Cinema has the following amenities:
- Fully reclining seats with extended leg rests made of premium fabric and high grade cushion for extreme comfort
- Seating laid-out by pair enclosed by a private viewing pod for utmost privacy
- Unlimited drinks and popcorn delivered by personal btlers at your request
- Call button allocated per pod for persobalized service
- Stadium style seating for an optimum view from any point of the movie house
Also open are Newport Cinemas 2 & 4 and Newport 3D Digital Cinema with the following amenities:
- State of the art theatres equipped with the latest Dolby Digital Audio technology
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- Paragon 755 rocker seats by Perco of Italy with comfortable arm rests
- Spacious leg rooms and built-in cup holders per seat
- Dolby Digital glasses and state of the art cinema projector at the Cinema 3D
*For more information:
908-8811
(0917) 8380111
4/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Pasay, City

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