Easy Ka Lang - Eraserheads

Madcon - Beggin'

red hot chili peppers-give it away live

LMFAO - I'm In Miami Trick

Ne-Yo - Closer (Live)

Kris has new inspirational album

Kris Aquino’s newly-released album has created excitement in the music scene. Titled Blessings of Love (Universal Records), the top-selling CD again reflects an important phase in her life, told in inspiring words and music.

In the Pinoy music scene, Kris is also known as the queen of concept albums. Since she started recording concept CDs, all her albums have been consistently certified platinum.

Kris started her liner notes in the album with touching thank you notes, where she thanked her fans, Gary V, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Jed Madela, JayR, Nina, Gail Blanco, Ronnie Liang, Erik Santos and Regine Velasquez. These artists have performed in the new CD.

The songs in the CD are Impossible Dreams (Martin Nievera), Love is the Answer (Gary V), To Where You Are (Jed Madela), You Are Not Alone (Nina), I Have Fallen In Love With The Same Woman Three Times (Christian Bautista), Dance With My Father (JayR), Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo (Gail Blanco), Ikaw (Ogie Alcasid), Iingatan Ka (Erik Santos), Kanlungan (Noel Cabangon and Aia De Leon), Walang Iba (Ronnie Liang) and Hindi Ka Nag-iisa (Regine Velasquez).

The Ellaine Experience Live!!!

Justin Bieber - Baby ft. Ludacris

Juris - Di Lang Ikaw

Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway

Shrek Forever After

Prince of Persia - Official Trailer

OK SA OLRAYT

I'LL BE THERE (official full trailer)

2010 Election Winners - Malolos City, Bulacan

Mayor:

NATIVIDAD, Christian

Vice Mayor:

GATCHALIAN, Gilbert

Councilors:

1) OPLE, Bernardo, Jr. B.

2) DOMINGO, Laurens Jan G.

3) PINEDA, Noel G.

4) BAUTISTA, Christian P C.

5) AZADA, Noel T.

6) CENTENO, Francisco Jr A.

7) ERJAS, Crispin G.

8) GATCHALIAN, Alma A.

9) DEGALA, Jesus Ricardo, III C.

10) RAMOS, Alberto Q.

Spider-Man the new chapter

Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced recently they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4 was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter’s roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi.

“We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade. This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else’s hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio’s chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. “Now everything begins anew, and that’s got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can’t wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.”

“Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. “We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen.”

Cool tips to beat the heat By Willie T. Ong, MD (The Philippine Star)

The human body works best at a certain range of room temperature, usually around 23 to 25 degrees Centigrade. Being exposed to extreme temperatures can bring about weakness, fatigue, and even serious illnesses like heat stroke.

During the hot season, we should take steps to minimize the ill effects of heat on our bodies. For the elderly, the very young, and those with chronic medical conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and others), check out these tips to keep cool and healthy.

COMMON TIPS

1. Stay inside the house or a building between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If possible, spend more time in an air-conditioned or well-ventilated room. Try to avoid the sun.

2. Wear something white and cool, like cotton and linen shirts. Light colors reflect the heat of the sun, and cotton shirts help absorb our sweat so it can evaporate. Conversely, nylon shirts can feel sticky and hot.

3. If you’re out in the sun, do everything to cover yourself. Bring an umbrella, wear a large brimmed hat (not the small baseball cap), or cover your head with a newspaper. Avoid direct sunlight.

4. Drink between eight and 12 glasses of water a day. The elderly and those staying in air-conditioned rooms may drink less water, but active, young adults may need to drink more. Try to minimize drinking coffee and alcohol. Compared to plain water, these drinks don’t fully hydrate the body and may make you even more thirsty.

5. Eat more fruits with high water content, such as watermelon, melon, and coconut water.

NOT-SO-COMMON TIPS

1. Check the weather. Internet websites like AccuWeather.com are quite accurate in predicting the weather for the next five days. Lessen your appointments on a particularly hot day, and do more work under cooler conditions.

2. Slowly acclimatize to the heat (or cold). Our bodies do not like abrupt weather changes like going into an air-conditioned room after being in the sun. You can slowly increase the thermostat in your office or bedroom, say from 23 degrees to 24, then 25 degrees Centigrade, to slowly get used to the hot weather.

3. Go where the trees are. Leafy trees and plants are our best allies in beating the heat. In fact, studies show that temperatures are lower (and there’s more oxygen) in areas where there’s a lot of greenery. So start planting those trees around your home and workplace.

4. Buy houseplants. Just like trees, house plants may help a bit in improving the air quality inside your house. A study shows that houseplants can give oxygen and absorb surrounding pollution.

5. Freeze or chill your water. Before going to work, we usually bring frozen or cold water and place it inside an insulated bag. The water can stay cool even until the late afternoon. Try it.

6. Drink water little by little throughout the day. Take some water every 30 minutes or so until you reach your quota for the day. Drinking little by little is gentler to your heart and body as compared to drinking two glasses of water straight up.

7. Check your urine color. A rough guide to our body’s need for water is to look at the color of the urine. It’s usually darker yellow in the morning and late afternoon, when we are more dehydrated. That’s why you are advised to drink a glass of water when you wake up. Try to keep the urine color on the lighter yellow side.

8. Take a break during work. This advice may not be popular with employers, but an effective way to cope with the heat is to rest more often. If it’s very hot, take a short break, and maybe eat some halo-halo, mais con yelo or just sip a bottle of chilled water.

9. You can place a cold water bottle on the sides of your neck, cheeks, forehead, and also the wrist area where the pulse is located. This can help lower the body temperature. Alternately, you can cool some stones in the refrigerator and place them over your neck and arms.

10. Find and stay in the coolest room inside your house. You can even place dark curtains over the windows to block the sunlight. Use an electric fan, air cooler or air-conditioner.

11. If you’re just inside your house, guys can wear a sleeveless undershirt to keep cool. Of course, you shouldn’t do this at work or you’ll get fired.

12. Try using a spray bottle. It’s a little trick that’s being used by athletes. Buy a spray bottle (similar to those used by gardeners) and fill it with cold water. You can gently spray your face every so often to cool yourself. Having an electric fan around also helps because this adds to the “wind chill” effect of the water on your skin.

13. Take a bath and wash your face. You can also wet a towel and wipe your neck, face, armpits, and body.

14. Get some ice chips and sip on them while working.

15. Wear your sunglasses. Think cool and you’ll feel cooler.

16. Minimize or avoid exercising. If it’s very hot and you feel kind of weak, I would advise you not to exercise for that day. Exercising raises your body temperature and makes you feel hotter. You can still exercise, however, in an air-conditioned room.

17. Rest and sleep, if the hot weather makes you feel tired.

18. To keep cool inside your car, tint your car windows or attach see-through window shades. When you have to park under the sun, cover your windshields with those large sunblockers.

19. Finally, try to lose some weight. Thinner people can deal with the heat better, while overweight individuals feel more sweaty and hot.

During the hot weather, remember to avoid the sun, rest more often, and plant those trees. Let’s do what we can to stay cool and healthy.

Russell Crowe is Robin Hood

Russell Crowe has been entranced by the legend of Robin Hood ever since he was a boy growing up in New Zealand and Australia. His latest starrer, Robin Hood, released through United International Pictures, opens in local cinemas on May 14.

But as much as he loved the story, Russell believed that as yet there hasn’t been a film version that fully does justice to it — until now.

It’s no surprise then, that when producer Brian Grazer came to Russell with the idea for a modern-day version of this classic myth, Russell was immediately intrigued and keen to commit. And to honor the story that he has loved for years.

The actor and director Ridley Scott both agreed that their version of Robin Hood would tell the story of how the myth began — how Robin Longstride, a warrior who has been away fighting in the crusades, becomes Robin Hood.

The production was based at Shepperton on the outskirts of London
and Ridley and his key crew settled on locations within a 30-mile radius of the studios including building Nottingham village on the 2,000-acre Hampton estate in the heart of the beautiful Surrey countryside, which is studded with ancient Oak trees — an iconic hallmark of the Robin Hood legend.

The one exception took them to the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline in Wales where Ridley filmed a key battle scene. “It was incredible,” says Russell. “We had 130 horses going at full gallop on that beautiful beach and 500 odd extras on foot. The adrenaline rush was extraordinary.”

They also returned to a location that they used to great effect in Gladiator — Bourne Wood in Surrey. So it seemed fitting for Russell that some 10 years later he would return to Bourne Wood and film key scenes for Robin Hood.

KC turns songwriter in sophomore album By Leah C. Salterio (The Philippine Star)

By this time, there is really no doubt that KC Concepcion can sing. After her debut outing, a.k.a. Cassandra, turned platinum, KC has proven that she is indeed a chip off the old block.

The 24-year-old KC has proven she could really make a name for herself in this business, rather than get her identity hinged on her famous parents — Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.

Aside from singing, she has the acting genes to boot, with two box-office film credits and drama guesting stints on television. Her next big screen project will pair her for the first time with Jericho Rosales and she gets to pit acting skills with her dad Gabby.

The pressure of having celebrity parents may have been formidable for KC, but she didn’t buckle on the challenge. She faced everything head on until she was able to gain her own niche in local showbiz.

Her second album under Sony Music is eponymously titled, KC. The CD contains 12 original selections, written by noted local and foreign songwriters.

While other established artists opt to tread the tried-and-tested formula of recording revivals, KC takes the risk of coming out with an all-original CD for her sophomore outing. She is brave enough to show her confidence in every track.

Understandably, KC’s recording label extends its full support to one of its current leading artists. The company enlisted top songwriters and producers to work with KC. The list includes Marvin Querido, Jimmy Bondoc, Louie Ocampo, Jimmy Antiporda, Toto Sorioso, Ferdie Marquez and Jingle Buena.

While her recording debut featured varied musical genres, KC chose to stick to a singular pop sound for her second album. Her voice can be easily distinguished in tracks like Di Bale Na, Breathe You, It’s Been A While and After the End.

“This new album is very different than the first one,” insists KC, whose debut recording was a commercial and critical success. “We were more experimental in the first one because we were testing the waters. But with this new one, it’s more personal. I’d like to think I am more confident recording this new CD, although there was still that nervous feeling every time I sang a track inside the studio.”

This time, however, KC proves she does not only sing. The CD also marks her debut as a songwriter, as she penned three tunes — Magandang Umaga, Takip Silim and Worth the Wait — each of which talks about a different phase in a romance.

The lyrics of Takip Silim alone were enough to make her mom Sharon cry, even before the latter could listen to the actual track, according to KC.

“The songs that I wrote are really something that I’m proud of,” KC allows. “I’m so thankful to Sony for giving me the chance to explore my creative nature in songwriting for my second album.”

The carrier single, Not Like the Movies, has been a certified hit and has become a most requested tune on the airlanes. Even the music video has been gaining heavy play on Myx.

The said track was written by international songwriters Jaye Muller and Ben Patton, who visited Manila in time for KC’s recent album launch held at Hard Rock Café.

With Jinno Mina, KC co-produced four tracks — Hulog, Naantig Ako sa ‘Yo, Girl Most Likely To and Tayo Na.

The CD comes in a special collectors’ item packaging, like a journal where the songs chronicle KC’s life. Complementing this new design is KC’s Bohemian-inspired look in her album cover, as well as the photos in the album in-lay.

“We want the album to come out as free-flowing and honest,” KC says. “I helped in conceptualizing the design, packaging, photos and the over-all look. We really wanted to offer something new and different, something that depicts me as a person and an artist.”

KC has embarked on an extensive mall tour to promote her latest Sony Music album.

Moonstar88: "Migraine" @ Metrowalk

Tanya Markova - PICTURE PICTURE

It's Election Here In The Philippines...

...So Vote Wisely!!!

Sugarfree @ Domination 4 E-games 2010

Parokya ni Edgar @ Domination 4 E-games 2010

Red Heaven by General Luna

Sponge Cola - KLSP Live!!!

Bench salutes disabled and 'prime' employees

As Bench continues its tradition of employing individuals of various disabilities as well as those in their prime years, a dream almost becomes a reality for some while others seize this golden opportunity of being involved with an internationally acclaimed brand.

If you have not visited a Bench outlet recently you will not get the chance to be greeted by a senior fellow, older in age than the typical employee you have gotten used to. Nor will you be assisted by a charming young girl or boy whose only difference is the way their steps are not as perfect as ours.

Known for its charitable efforts and Pinoy pride, Suyen Corporation always finds ways to open its doors to the less fortunate, because not all companies hire disabled and “prime”-aged individuals. Bench paves the way for those who still have a lot to offer despite age or physical disability.

John Ryan Cruz, a disabled employee at the SM Megamall branch who has been deaf since the age of two, says that it is a happy and fulfilling experience at the end of every day to be given responsibility as part of the sales crew, where he has also learned to fix the store’s visual merchandise. He chooses to work with Bench because he feels that Bench is globally recognized and he loves working with the company. “I am happy to serve the company because I learn a lot of things, and I feel that I’m a much stronger person because all the employees here are giving me importance and trust,” he shares.

Licel Galgana, who is also deaf, shares her sentiments on working at Bench: “This is my first time to be employed and given the chance to work. I don’t feel different because I am inborn mute and deaf. Bench is a prestigious company to work for and I feel proud working here and very blessed, given an opportunity to work.”

She says the customers she assists never tease or discriminate against her at work. Most of all, she is happy knowing that she is able to help her family with their needs by working with Bench. Her dream is to manage her own business and being employed allows her to get close to this aspiration of hers.

Dorothy Jamilarin, or Doray to her officemates, is a janitress at Suyen’s head office and has a cleft palate. This speaking disability didn’t hold her back from getting a job even if she was aware that some people might not understand some words she was trying to say. Doray is thankful that even if she has this physical challenge, Suyen hired her and gave her a decent job. “I am very thankful that despite my disability, they gave me an opportunity to work in the company. The job is a big help to support my needs and my family as well.”

Belonging to the “prime” team comes with certain special privileges. Bench enables senior citizens to appreciate their daily lives even more, and some have admitted that their experience has changed their outlook on life.

Dolores Oledan, 52 years old and assigned to Superbench Market! Market!, said that she doesn’t feel different even if most of the people in the store are half her age. She also feels grateful because of the opportunity that Bench has given her. In the 10 years she has been working at Bench, she was able to support her family and put her children through college.

Lady Gaga - Telephone ft. Beyoncé

Sumapang Matanda Fiesta 2010

Parokya Ni Edgar Live in Singapore 2010 - Don't Touch My Birdie

The difference is Kara By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark (The Philippine Star)

Kara David has never been content just being a journalist. She always aimed to be a journalist who can make a difference.

The I-Witness and OFW Diaries host takes it upon herself to change communities she covers for the better. Shooting unnerving images of want and despair just won’t do.

“After we say, `Cut!’”, pack up or leave the community, kulang ang pagkatao kung naging journalist lang ako,”she says.

So Kara put up Project Malasakit Foundation eight years ago to give poor but deserving young people she meets in her I-Witness reports the education they deserve. Some of the 15 scholars are referrals from her reporter-friends, who, like Kara, have gone all over the country.

Kara sends them P1,000 monthly allowance for food, transportation and school projects. Boyfriend and fellow TOYM awardee Dennis Mendiola created a website and monitoring system that will help Kara keep track of donations and the scholars’ progress.

“I don’t send the lump sum because they may buy something unnecessary,” explains Kara. “In return, the scholars send me their grades.”

The foundation has taught Kara that good Samaritans are everywhere. But distrust in government is keeping them from giving as much as they would like to.

“They’re cynical. They don’t know who to give the money to,” observes Kara.

Yes, she too has grown cynical about government. But her feelings about Juan dela Cruz is another story. Kara is dumbstruck at the resilience of the humble folk she meets, especially in places only the brave and the determined dare go to.

The sight of poor people temporarily forgetting their own plight to help their neighbors touches Kara to the bone.

“People in other countries are individualistic,” she observes. “But we manage to keep our hopes alive because of our Bayanihan. Pinoys are resilent, despite the poverty.”

Take Ambulansiyang de Paa, the I-Witness episode that won Kara and her team — made up of executive producers Angel Directo and Lloyd Navara, former program manager Kristoffer Brugada, cameraman Disney Carren, assistant cameraman Aldrin Lacson and researcher Wilma Sesaldo — the prestigious Peabody award.

The episode, shot in the poor Mangyan town of Apnagan, Oriental Mindoro, showed residents bringing their sick and injured to the nearest health facility, by foot. It was no walk in the park. But it’s the only way tubercular Lowen Tayo, broncho-pneumonia patient John Lloyd and badly-burned Wendy, can find relief for their aches and pains.

The message of hope amidst the squalor floored the Peabody Board, composed of TV critics, broadcast and cable industry executives, academicians and experts in culture and the arts.

Peabody jurors cited the episode for “Condemning deplorable conditions while celebrating neighborly valor and ingenuity, the report shows how people in a poor village carry their sick and injured over dangerous terrain to distant medical care using ‘ambulances on foot.”

It all started with a what-if moment for Kara and her I-Witness staff in GMA network.

What if they don’t have the ambulance they take so much for granted? Where will they bring their sick loved one in case of emergency?

Thus was Ambulansiyang de Paa born. Winning an award for the coverage took Kara by surprise.

‘I just wanted to come up with the best script so people will donate and help this sick kid,” reveals Kara. “That would have been enough to make me happy and fulfilled.”

She ended up not only happy and fulfilled. Kara also learned a thing or two about life from the people she rubbed elbows with. Kara saw people in remote barrios subsisting with P100 or less a day, and realized how lucky she is all over again.

“Before you buy a P400,000 luxury bag, think. How many school buildings can that build? How many scholars can that send to school?”

Now, Kara need not go to the classroom to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. Her classroom, she says, has become a lot, lot bigger. And her colorful students have taught her things no teacher sitting behind her desk could ever learn,

The single mom passes these lessons on to daughter, Julia, nine, The girl joins Kara’s outreach programs every Christmas. On her last birthday, Kara didn’t throw a big party for Julia, even if her mom can afford it. Instead, Kara brought her daughter to a remote community where they gave presents to the needy.

Will Kara’s priorities remain the same, even if she gets married?

The answer is a resounding yes. Kara’s boyfriend shares her compassion for the needy. Aside from being the governor of Red Cross, Dennis Mendiola runs Chikka.com, which helps OFWs keep in touch with loved ones and therefore cements family ties.

Now you know why Kara gets more inspired even as she keeps on inspiring others. She’s just returning her blessings by giving her best as a journalist with a purpose.