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Malacanang assured on Wednesday that the government has enough stand-by funds for the affected local government units (LGUs) and the people after typhoon Pedring battered Luzon saying it is ready to implement measures as two more typhoons are expected to enter the Philippines, a Palace official said. "The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has enough stand-by funds for the relief goods that can be immediately released when necessary on top of the assistance of the DSWD regional offices to affected LGUs," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday. While concerned government agencies are working hard to mitigate the effects of typhoon Pedring, Valte said that measures are now in place following the warning of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that two more typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the comi

Multinational automaker Toyota Motors Corporation will be expanding its dealership network in the Philippines from 29 to 65 by 2016, thereby placing a 3.6 billion pesos worth of fresh investments in the country and is expected to generate an estimated 5,000 jobs for the Filipinos. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. announced this development Tuesday following President Benigno S. Aquino III’s successful business meeting with top executives of Toyota at the Imperial Hotel. Coloma relayed that with this fresh commitment from Toyota, their total investments in the Philippines have now reached 20 billion pesos. Their 2010 exports alone reached 860 million dollars which constitutes about 30 percent of the Philippines’ total automotive exports. “They are now looking at a short-term project [worth] 170-million US dollars [for its] planned improvement for next generation components, manufacturing and localization of spare parts in connection wit

Representatives from different faith-based groups will meet Saturday (October 1) at the University of Santo Tomas in response to President Benigno Aquino III’s call for change.The Balangayan Conference, to be held Saturday morning at the Medicine Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas, is part of a series of activities for Pilipinas Natin, a volunteer movement that the President launched in June intended for nation building through volunteerism. The conference will become a venue for Filipinos of different faiths to unite in manifesting their common values and love for the nation. It was also organized to debunk preconceived notions that diverse faith groups have a difficult time, finding common ground and working with each other. Eight hundred young Filipinos are expected to attend the event. Participating groups include the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies, Buddhist Light International Association, Tuklas Kat

The Department of Education has allotted someP21 million this year to finance various intervention programs that will enable every child to read at his grade level which is a very important foundation of learning. The program called Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP) was designed to equip elementary pupils in public schools with strategic reading and writing skills to make them independent young readers and writers. ECARP is included in the ten-point education agenda of President Aquino to ensure that the country’s public schools produce graduates who are equipped for further learning. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said ECARP also provides an assessment tool that will help schools determine the children’s reading level as well as the reading profile of the division, regional and national levels. “We are implementing the ECARP through three components namely Reading Recovery (RR), Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) and Philippine Word List in English (PWLE) to ensure

Location of Center: (as of 10:00 a.m.) 640 kms East of Tuguegarao City Coordinates: 17.4°N, 128.5°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center Gustiness of up to 170 kph Movement: Forecast to move West at 22 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Saturday morning: 190 km East Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 160 km East of Tuguegarao City Sunday morning: 360 km West of Tuguegarao City Monday morning: 870 km West of Tuguegarao City Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal PSWS # Luzon Visayas Mindanao Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) Cagayan Isabela None None Signal No. 1 (45-60 kph winds) Calayan Group of Islands Babuyan Group of Islands Apayao Kalinga Mt. Province Ifugao Nueva Vizcaya Pangasinan Benguet La Union Ilocos Sur Ilocos Norte Abra

Director Garry Marshall and a stellar ensemble cast will ring in the 2011 holiday season with the romantic comedy  New Year's Eve.    " New Year's Eve  celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year.   "The film stars Academy Award® winner Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Academy Award® nominee Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, two-time Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Academy Award® nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Ryan Seacrest, two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara.   "Reuniting with Marshall from last year's hit romantic comedy  Valentine's Day  are screenwriter Katherine Fugate and producers Mike Karz and Wayne Rice. Serving again a

Tropical Storm  "QUIEL"  has maintained its strength and slightly accelerated. Location of Center: (as of 10:00 p.m.) 950 kms East of Aparri, Cagayan Coordinates: 17.9°N, 131.7°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center Gustiness of up to 140 kph Movement: Forecast to move West at 17 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Friday evening: 590 km East Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday evening: 130 km East Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan Sunday evening: 370 km West of Aparri, Cagayan

Leading magazines “StarStudio,” “Kris Aquino Magazine,” “FOOD,” “Metro Society,” and “VAULT” can now be enjoyed on the latest Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Motorola Xoom, LG Optimus Pad, Acer Iconia Tab, Dell Streak, and the Asus Eee Pad, through the digital newsstand Zinio. Zinio is the world’s largest digital newsstand, with over 4,200 titles available for download.  With Zinio, users can buy single issues of ABS-CBN’s titles or get full subscriptions at up to a 62% discount from the print editions.  It also lets users to synchronize their libraries that they have the convenience of reading across multiple devices and switch between them, in a single application. ABS-CBN Publishing was the first major Philippine publisher on Zinio, having launched Metro Home and Entertaining on the digital newsstand in September 2010.  Since then, the publisher has sold thousands of copies of its e-magazines, with downloads coming from 54 countries.   The company’s flagship title, M

Can the heart truly forgive and forget?   "This is the question that will be tackled in the remaining days of GMA-7's top-rating afternoon drama  Sinner or Saint  starring Dennis Trillo, Bianca King, Alessandra de Rossi and Polo Ravales.   "Upon witnessing Alvin (Polo Ravales) offer marriage to Noemi (Bianca King), Raul's (Dennis Trillo) old feelings for Noemi resurfaces so he tries to win her back.   "But it seems as though all those years of imprisonment have turned Noemi's heart into stone. Noemi tells Raul that she has already moved on and would rather keep it that way.   "Meanwhile, after holding Sally (Timmy Cruz) and baby Angeline hostage, Corrine (Alessandra de Rossi) gatecrashes Noemi's birthday party, and hatches another evil plan.   "Could this really be the end for Raul and Noemi? Will Noemi accept Alvin's proposal? Will Corrine fall into complete insanity?   "The answers will be uncovered in the final few days of  Sinner or

Columbia Pictures'  Moneyball  is based on the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt)--once a would-be baseball superstar who, stung by the failure to live up to expectations on the field, turned his fiercely competitive nature to management.   "Heading into the 2002 season, Billy faces a dismal situation: his small-market Oakland A's have lost their star players (again) to big market clubs (and their enormous salaries) and is left to rebuild his team and compete with a third of their payroll. Driven to win, Billy takes on the system by challenging the fundamental tenets of the game.   "He looks outside of baseball, to the dismissed theories of Bill James, and hires Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a brainy, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist. Together they take on conventional wisdom with a willingness to reexamine everything and armed with computer driven statistical analysis long ignored by the baseball establishment.   "They reach imagination-defying conclusio

"Dubbed as the Volcanoes, the Philippine national rugby team is popularizing rugby football in the country as it continues to get international attention by crushing other countries' squads.   "Guest host Cesca Litton and the highly touted Volcanoes will give a crash course on rugby tomorrow ( September 29 ) in  Us Girls.  Get to know the players and learn why the sport is starting to engage our athletic Kabarkadas.   "Iya Villania, Angel Aquino, and Chesca Garcia-Kramer, on the other hand, will take you to an extraordinary restaurant that boasts a creative menu of celebrity-named dishes such as Pokwang Baboy, Rice Ganda, and Sam Milky.   "Also, get to watch the exclusive unveiling of mom-to-be Chesca's clothing line and get a sneak peek of beauty queen turned TV host Bianca Manalo's "home away from home" or her very own car.   "All these and more tomorrow ( September 29 ) in  Us Girls,  9:30 PM on Studio 23.

After Typhoon Pedring leaves the country on Wednesday, another weather disturbance may enter the Philippines. Typhoon "Quiel" is expected by Pagasa to enter PHL area of responsibility on either Sept30 or Oct1 particularly in Mindanao.  

As of 1600H, 27 September 2011, Globe Telecom identified isolated service areas that may experience intermittent signal, mainly due to loss of commercial power supply brought about by Typhoon Pedring.   For GMA, isolated areas in Las Piñas, Taguig, Makati, Rizal, Manila, Parañaque, Malabon, Valenzuela, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Quezon City may be affected.   About six percent (6%) of service areas in South Luzon and ten percent (10%) of service areas in North Luzon were also affected. These include Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Romblon, Quezon and Sorsogon; as well as Isabela, Kalinga, Quirino, Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, Zambales and Mountain Province.   Globe network service teams are working round-the-clock to provide more generator sets in the affected areas to restore services. As soon as commercial power is up, restoration is immediate.   Aside from isolated areas where transmission lines are affected by fallen trees damage to infrastructure and facilitie

Due to operational and administrative limitations caused by Typhoon Pedring in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, CAR, and the NCR, DepEd Undersecretary Alberto Muyot announced the postponement of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) from September 28 to September 30, 2011 to allow for the preparation of test centers and delivery of test materials on September 29. Depending on the local situation in their areas, regional and division offices may decide to further move the examination date. All other areas shall continue to hold the NCAE on September 28, 2011 as stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 153, s. 2011 and in the enclosure of DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2011. The DepEd will continue to closely monitor the situation of our schools in affected areas.  We encourage our school and division personnel as well as communities to report damages in schools to the DepEd Operation Center that will be open 24 hours for monitoring through hotline numbers 09396521111, fax at 6337263, and email at 

President Benigno S. Aquino III made an assurance Tuesday that the government is on top of the situation as Typhoon Pedring battered Luzon, devastating mostly agricultural areas.   “I am in constant touch with these members of my cabinet and the Executive Secretary has been instructed to keep me and the public informed of conditions pertaining as well as mitigation efforts,” the President said in a statement he issued in Japan.   The President is in Japan for a four-day official working visit there. He is due to arrive in Manila on Wednesday.   “I have been in touch with Secretaries Soliman, Gazmin, and Almendras. I have instructed the Executive Secretary to compile information from NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) and to inform our people of conditions as well as of government efforts to mitigate the effects of the storm,” he said.   The President said he was informed by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman about two typhoon-related casualties. He als

Location of Center: (as of 4:00 p.m.) 70 km West Northwest of Baguio City Coordinates: 16.7°N, 120.0°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center Gustiness of up to 150 kph Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 19 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Wednesday afternoon: 450 km West Northwest of Baguio City Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal PSWS # Luzon Visayas Mindanao Signal No.3 (100-185 kph winds) Ilocos Sur La Union Benguet and Pangasinan None None Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) Ilocos Norte Abra Apayao Kalinga Mt. Province Ifugao Nueva Viscaya Nueva Ecija Tarlac and Zambales None None Signal No. 1 (45-60 kph winds) Babuyan Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan group of islands Isabela Quirino Aurora Bulacan Pampanga Bataan and Metro Manila None None

Updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as of September 27, 2011 12:00 p.m. EFFECTS Status of Strandees A total of 3,186 passengers, 112 trucks, 20 cars, 46 buses, 69 rolling cargoes, 13 vessels, and 10 motorized boats are stranded in the affected areas. Affected Population A total of 1,355 families / 6,112 persons were affected in 38 barangays, 12 municipalities, 1 city, 5 provinces in Regions II, III, IV-A, and V. A total of 635 families / 2,771 persons were provided relief inside and outside evacuation centers. The province of Albay conducted pre-emptive evacuation to a total of 21,547 families / 111,930 persons. Casualties Dead – 2 Injured – 1 Missing – 4 Rescued – 45 Incident/s Monitored A landslide occurred in Brgy. Laganac, Balatan, Camarines Sur yesterday. A tornado occurred in Brgy. Fely, Maconacon, Isabela damaging 6 houses (5 partially and 1 totally). 3 roads in Catanduanes are impassable because of landslides. One roa

As of 10:00 AM, 27 September 2011, Globe Telecom mobile and data services are normal. Typhoon affected areas in Luzon such as Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Romblon, Quezon, Sorsogon, Isabela, Kalinga, Quirino, Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, Zambales and Mountain Province may experience pocket service interrupti on due to lack of commercial power supply. On-ground reports indicate that as of this time four percent (4%) of service areas in North and South Luzon are experiencing temporary service disruption, due mainly to loss of commercial power. There have been no reported damages to infrastructure and transmission facilities so far. Globe Telecom has its network and security teams on standby for deployment in service areas that may be severely affected by typhoon Pedring and continue serving the public.

The Department of Health (DOH) today strongly advised motorists to wear seatbelts and proper helmets as the 2011 first quarter data from its National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) revealed that of the total 3,901 cases of transport/vehicular crashes, only 8.5% of the injured motorcycle riders were wearing helmets while only 14.4% of injured car occupants were wearing seatbelts.   Data from the NEISS first quarter of 2011 also revealed that of the total 12,729 injury cases reported, 3,901 were transport/vehicular crashes which ranks as the primary cause of injury. Of the total transport/vehicular crashes, 16 were reported dead on arrival cases in which 8 were motorcycle riders, all of whom were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident.   “Motorcycle riders should wear helmets to protect themselves from the fatal injuries.” Health Undersecretary Teodoro J. Herbosa explained, adding that those riding in tandem should also wear helmets as well.   Around 47% of record

Japan was a picture of death and devastation last March when a magnitude-9 earthquake rocked the land, a huge tsunami swallowed its north-east part, and radiation scare engulfed its inhabitants.   "But six months later, the Land of the Rising Sun is back on its feet. So are its citizens and the Filipinos living and working there. How did the economic superpower rise above the rubbles left by the triple disasters?   "Join Jeff Canoy as he visits Filipinos staying and working in Japan tomorrow ( September 27 ) in  Patrol ng Pilipino.  Hear their stories about living in Japan--before, during and after the earthquake, the tsunami and radiation threat.   "What made them stay and work in Japan despite all they have been through?   "Through its citizens' eyes and our fellow Filipinos, see how Japan brought back its resilience   and brilliance. Catch stories of strength and bravery in  Patrol ng Pilipino,  tomorrow ( September 27 ) after  Bandila  on ABS-CBN, or watch i

ABS-CBN Corporation is set to build state-of-the-art soundstages and backlots that will enable the Kapamilya network to meet the multimedia company's expansion plans and its growing needs to serve the viewing public.   "The first soundstage will be up before end of 2012 in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan," said ABS-CBN Chief Technology Officer Raul Bulaong (in photo), who is responsible for ABS-CBN's production, post-production, animation, and transmission.   "Bulaong said a soundstage is a sound-proof building in which TV shows and films are shot. "It's like building a place where you can put together a hospital room, a hotel lobby, and an office space side by side and even shoot scenes sequentially," he said.   "ABS-CBN is the first among the local TV networks to pioneer the construction of state-of-the- art soundstages as it was also the first to build state-of-the-art TV studios in the '90s.   "Aside from soundstages, Bulaong said ABS-

Posing an opportune theme on looking and staying young, the futuristic action thriller  In Time  is set in a not-too-distant future when scientists have created a world where people stop aging at 25. The bad news though is that rather than being immortal everyone is genetically engineered with a body clock that gives them just one more year to live. Unless, that is, they can earn, buy, cheat or steal their way to some extra time. " In Time  is a film by Andrew Niccol which stars musician turned actor Justin Timberlake opposite the multi-faceted actress Amanda Seyfried.  In the movie, Timberlake is Will Salas who is falsely accused of murder.  Will figures out a way with the help of a wealthy hostage Sylvia Weis (Seyfried) to bring down the system where time is money and where only the rich can live forever.   " In Time  is written and directed by New Zealand-born Andrew Niccol, whose previous credits include the screenplay and direction for  The Truman Show  and Gattaca. Gatt

Typhoon  "PEDRING"  has further intensified as it endangers Isabela-Aurora area. Location of Center: (as of 10:00 p.m.) 170 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora Coordinates: 15.9°N, 123.9°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center Gustiness of up to 170 kph Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Tuesday morning: is expected to make landfall over Aurora-Isabela area Tuesday afternoon: in the vicinity of Baguio City Tuesday evening: 40 km South of Sinait, Ilocos Sur Wednesday evening: 350 km West Northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal PSWS # Luzon Visayas Mindanao Signal No.3 (100-185 kph winds) Aurora Isabela Cagayan Kalinga Mt. Province Ifugao Nueva Viscaya Quirino None None Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) Ilocos Norte Ilocas Sur Abra Apayao La Union Benguet Pangasinan Zambales Tarlac Nueva Ecija Pampanga Bulacan Metro Manila Rizal Quezon Polillo Island Bataan Camarines Norte Cama

TV5's afternoon and primetime blocks get even more exciting with the network's revamped program grid.   "Starting  Monday ,  September 26 , TV5's public service afternoon block fortifies as top-rated baranggay hall on air  Face to Face  moves to the 4:30 pm timeslot, followed by the Tulfo brothers'  T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita  at 5:30 pm. News program Aksyon  completes the public service trio at 6:00 pm.   "By bringing two opposing camps in a forum,  Face to Face  aims to enlighten and eventually reconcile the two erring parties with the help and guidance of experts.   "Hosted by Amy Perez,  Face to Face  has been a consistent morning top-rater. Now that it is moving to the afternoon timeblock, it promises a bigger and better show that aims to reach out to more viewers.

Based on an advisory from PAGASA, the Regional Director of DepEd NCR, Director Elena R. Ruiz, declared the suspension of classes in all public and private kindergarten, elementary, and high schools in Metro Manila beginning 12:00 p.m. today. PAGASA predicts 15mm of rainfall this afternoon. Meanwhile, classes are automatically suspended in areas with public storm signals raised by PAGASA. Signal Nr. 1 (pre-school classes are automatically suspended) Masbate, Ticao, Marinduque, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Mt. Province, Ilocos, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Calayan, Babuyan Signal Nr. 2 (kindergarten to high school classes are automatically suspended) Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Burias, Camarines, Quezon, Polilio, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Cagayan Some local government units may have also suspended classes in their areas based on local situation.

MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 713 DECLARING SEPTEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS RULE OF LAW MONTH AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE OBSERVANCE THEREOF WHEREAS,  the Constitution ordains a society where the rule of law and justice prevails; WHEREAS,  the rule of law ensures the orderly enjoyment by all persons of their rights and freedoms and secures the attainment of national development, economic progress, and political stability; WHEREAS,  the government is duty-bound to promote awareness and respect for the rule of law and understanding for everyone, especially as part of the value formation of the youth; WHEREAS,  in line with the Action Program for Judicial Reform initiated by Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., the integration of the teaching of respect for the rule of law and the workings of the judiciary in elementary and high school curricula is an effective tool in building constituencies fo

The Department of Education, through the National Education Testing and Research Center, announces that the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) will be held on November 20, 2011 for Luzon and on November 27, 2011 for Visayas and Mindanao. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the PEPT aims to retrieve out-of-school youth and place them in the formal school system if they so desire. “Through PEPT, we would also like to validate and accredit knowledge and skills in academic areas gained through informal and non-formal means. In the end, PEPT will pave the way for their re-entry into formal schooling, job promotion, job training, and employment,” added Luistro. PEPT targets Filipino citizens who are dropouts from elementary and secondary schools for at least one year. It is also for those who never attended a formal school but can read and write, or those presently employed but need to upgrade their academic level, whether elementary or high school. Moreover, applicants must be

“Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK), the longest-running drama anthology in Asia, proudly celebrates its 20th year of unprecedented success in featuring stories that are not only rich in values, but also mirrors the Filipino soul and humanity. Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN President who’s also the host of MMK, cordially invites everyone to celebrate with the show’s two-decade victory in a documentary special, including a much-awaited heart-to-heart interview to be done by no less than another powerful woman, who is as successful in her field, Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos. It’s very rare to see two pillars of the Philippine television in a special tete-a-tete to be witnessed by Filipinos all over the world. With this documentary special, which airs this September 25, Sunday’s Best on ABS-CBN, MMK reminisces on its valuable relationship with its millions of loyal viewers for the past 20 years. It has successfully connected with everyone--barring gender, age or wealth, and has touched, inspired

On Sunday,  September 25 , environmental advocate and Kapuso actor Richard Gutierrez explores the different factors that lead to the occurrence of landslides in another info-packed episode of GMA-7's   Anatomy of a Disaster .   "With our country being a mountainous archipelagic nation, Filipinos have laid witness to several landslides particularly during the raining season. Richard will take viewers back to the time when a massive landslide buried an entire village in Leyte, and claimed over a thousand lives.   "As more landslide incidents happen across the country, Richard will impart tips on how to respond to this natural calamity, and identify solutions to address the root cause.   "Similarly, the AOAD host recalls other similar incidents, which have plagued other parts of the world as he examines some of the biggest and deadliest avalanches in our planet's history.   "Join Richard Gutierrez as he continues to bring environmental awareness to local viewer

This September, GMA News and Public Affairs'  Reporter's Notebook , one of the country's leading investigative news magazine programs celebrates seven years of hard-hitting and award-winning stories.   "For its 7 th  anniversary special airing on  September 27 , hosts Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido travel across the country to check on the condition of some natural resources in the country. From privatized islands, balding mountains and exploited forests,  Reporter's Notebook 's "Pilipinas for Sale?", investigates the situation in declared protected areas.   "Since its inception,  Reporter's Notebook  has never wavered in its commitment to bring timely, relevant and significant reports to the public. As a result, the program has become one of the most internationally-awarded programs on Philippine television today.   "It has earned recognition from international award-giving bodies like the New York Festivals, Asian Television Awards, Uni

Posing an opportune theme on looking and staying young, the futuristic action thriller “In Time” is set in a not-too-distant future when scientists have created a world where people stop aging at 25. The bad news though is that rather than being immortal everyone is genetically engineered with a body clock that gives them just one more year to live. Unless, that is, they can earn, buy, cheat or steal their way to some extra time.             “In Time” is a film by Andrew Niccol which stars music artist turned actor Justin Timberlake opposite the multi-faceted actress Amanda Seyfried.  In the movie, Timberlake is Will Salas who is falsely accused of murder.  Will figures out a way with the help of a wealthy hostage Sylvia Weis (Seyfried) to bring down the system where time is money and where only the rich can live forever.             “In Time” is written and directed by New Zealand-born Andrew Niccol, whose previous credits include the screenplay and direction for “The Truman Show” and

Those who grew up in the 80’s and early 90’s will surely remember “Kuya Bodjie,” the affable character on the children’s TV show, “ Batibot .”  Luisito Pascua in real life, he is a stage, film, and TV actor by profession, with a unique talent for storytelling. His animated narration in “ Mga Kwento ni Kuya Bodjie ,” a segment on the show, never failed to get the attention of his young audience. Since the show went off the air, Pascua has been busy taking on different roles in theater and film, most recently that of Padre Damaso in Tanghalang Pilipino's " Noli Me Tangere The Musical",  at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). But he always goes back to the role he loves best, that of Kuya Bodjie, the storyteller. Just recently, in a workshop held at Museo Pambata, he imparted storytelling skills to employee-volunteers from Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), as well as teachers, students and community workers. They are participants in a Smart-led initiative called

Filipinos will soon have a convenient, efficient and more secure option to purchase goods and services from their favorite online merchants. AsiaPay, the leading provider of secure electronic payment solutions in Asia has partnered with the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart),  to enable Smart Money account holders to pay for their online purchases through merchants of PesoPay—AsiaPay’s online payment service in the Philippines.  Smart Money, which is the mobile commerce offering of Smart  issued by BDO Unibank, Inc.  ( BDO )  in the Philippines, is the world’s first reloadable cash payment card linked to a mobile phone.  “We are excited to partner with Smart in offering additional payment options to merchants and in providing secure online payment support to Smart Money users. We are committed to providing innovative and effective solutions to the industry, and the extension from online to mobile payments is a key focus for AsiaPay. This

One of the most interesting sections at the Jump –PLDT and Smart’s experience center located at SM Megamall Cyberzone - is the Home Solutions Zone. It’s a glimpse of your home in the future, except that the technologies and innovations are already available today! A highlight of the Home Solutions Zone is the PLDT Telpad – the latest, most high-tech reincarnation of the PLDT Landline that’s been a part of every connected home.  It’s a home phone, bundled with a feature-packed Android tablet fully connected through PLDT’s high-speed DSL.   Conceptualized and developed in the Philippines using world-class technology, this world-first innovation is set to fast-track every Filipino family’s transition into living a fully connected home lifestyle!   The possibilities are virtually endless. Aside from an enhanced calling experience through the tablet’s touch screen, the PLDT Telpad also provides fast Internet connection so the landline now also becomes the family’s tool for email, social net

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently introduced the 13 college students who qualified for a one-year scholarship under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP). Those who made it from the national capital region were Shelene E. Gomez and Jorge Gonzales of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Regine Anne D. Sarne of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Ronnie Concepcion of the Technological University of the Philippines-Manila. The Luzon scholars were composed of Bon Marlo Rañada of Bataan State Peninsula University, Ma. Teresa Crisostomo of Batangas State University,  Arianne Roussel Regio, John Edson Dumalay and Jaaziel Sam Carlos of Bulacan State University and Rey Victor Pabro of Mariano Marcos State University. John Joseph Mallorca of the Technological University of the Philippines was the lone representative from the Visayas, while Eric Justin Pineda of Mindanao State University-General Santos and Shiela Cantor of the University of Southeastern Ph

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has fired up more than 500 wireless base stations with Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) technology—the largest high-speed wireless broadband network in the country. “We now have more than 3 times the number of HSPA+ sites compared to just a couple of months ago,” said Smart’s Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea.  “We are launching several base stations every day so don’t be surprised if you notice a sudden increase in your connection speeds,” he added. The upgrades, which consists mainly of equipment from Nokia (NSN), Huawei, and Ericsson, will support the rapid deployment of faster broadband services and products such as Smart’s upcoming 84Mbps broadband service which, once introduced will become the fastest wireless Internet service in the country today. “We are transforming our network and services to meet the needs of today and of the future,” said Vea. For the complete list of Smart’s HSPA+ sites, visi

Can't get home fast enough to check on your Facebook? Here’s news that you will surely 'like'. Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) lets you connect with your Facebook friends anytime, anywhere, using  any  phone! Whether you're uploading a photo from your smartphone, or just updating your status, Smart's got your Facebook needs covered. Let's say you're looking for Facebook connectivity on a smartphone. Then check out the new HTC ChaCha, exclusively offered by Smart.  Also known as the "Facebook" phone, the HTC ChaCha lets you share content online with the press of a button, thanks to the dedicated Facebook hotkey. Post videos, share links, or view your friends' updates, the HTC ChaCha lets you do it all in one click. Don't have a smartphone? No need to worry. If your phone is capable of using Java applications, you can get the new Facebook Mobile App, which Smart subscribers can download and use for free u

Tropical Storm  "PEDRING"  has intensified slightly as it moves West northwest towards the Northern Luzon area. Location of Center: (as of 10:00 p.m.) 890 km East Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Coordinates: 15.1°N, 133.2°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center Gustiness of up to 90 kph Movement: West Northwest at 19 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Sunday evening: 750 km East of Baler, Aurora Monday evening: 430 km East Northeast of Baler, Aurora or 400 km East Southeast of Tuguegarao City Tuesday evening: 210 km North Northeast of Baler, Aurora or at 70 km Northeast of Tuguegarao City No Public Storm Warning Signals Raised TS "PEDRING"  is still too far to directly affect any part of the country.

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will become the first preferred partner of Vodafone in the Philippines. Vodafone is one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies. Smart’s partnership with Vodafone is made possible as the Conexus Mobile Alliance and Vodafone have agreed to form a strategic partnership.  Smart has been an active member of the Conexus Mobile Alliance, one of Asia’s largest mobile alliances, since December 2006.  “We are proud to be a part of this undertaking which will further enhance our ability to meet the growing demand among multinational businesses for sophisticated voice and data communications solutions as well as advanced roaming services within and out of the Asia Pacific region,” said Alex Caeg, Conexus Mobile Alliance Board Deputy Chairman and Smart International and Carrier Business Division Head. “Our collaboration with Conexus has enabled our subscribers to be among the first in the region to enjoy a US$10 d