Aussie IT Company Pushes for IPad Donation Drive in Deaf Schools

With deaf schools still using the traditional teaching method, an Australian
IT company is encouraging everyone to give his IPad to help the students
learn more effectively. New Media Services

New Media Services, an Australian-based IT company with a branch office in Baguio City, is urging everyone with an old IPad to donate the tablet to a deaf school.

Based on its observation at a SPED school in Baguio, where the students have to lean on old books and a blackboard or whiteboard, NMS, who has been helping deaf learners since 2011, is hoping that IPads will help the deaf students learn more especially in Math and English.

NMS is now accepting IPad donations, and the company hopes that by summer, the first set of IPads, to be equipped with educational apps, will be given to the deaf schools just in time for the opening of the new academic year in June.

Those who will be donating their IPads can give their tablet units at the New Media Services office at GF SFB 1, Baguio City Economic Zone, Baguio City.

For more inquiries, visit the NMS Donation Drive's official website at http://baguiosped.com/donate/donate/home or email the company at info@newmediaservices.com.au.

Captain America 2 Film Review

The filming of a fight scene of Sebastian Stan and Chris Evans.

Warning: Some spoilers inside, so read at your risk.

I got a chance to watch Captain America 2 last night as Smart, Discovery Channel, and Luminox teamed up for a block screening at the Power Plant Mall. The sequel to the Chris Evans film, formally titled "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", focuses on Evans, as Steve "Captain America" Rogers, still transitioning to the modern-day life while working for the S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson).

The movie started with the S.H.I.E.L.D. forces saving their comrades from an Algerian rebel group without any casualty. However, Steve noticed Natasha (Scarlett Johannson) saving some files to a USB, prompting him to confront Nick on why she was allowed to do something on her own, leading to Fury revealing the "Project: Insight" to Steve. The opening fight scenes were awesome, and the way they did the scene was realistic.

Fast forward to the appearances of Robert Redford as Pierce, the antagonist in CA2. Pierce is a S.H.I.E.L.D. official who has a secret plan to use the Insight as a weapon of mass destruction. He's the mastermind in the assassination plot of Fury with his own prized ward, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), as the hitman. It's the first time I saw Redford as a villain (he has been known to do good portrayals of the lead male character), and he did it in style. Redford's portrayal of Pierce is a perfect example of what an antagonist should be: psyching the lead character to tell that the supporting cast members are the bad guys, convincing some people that he's the good guy, and keeping mum to everyone his true intentions.

Now, onto Fury's death. SLJ's role was chased in the middle of the film by no less than his team. He ended up at Steve's apartment to the surprise of Rogers, but Fury got killed by the Winter Soldier there. He handed Steve a USB, the same USB Natasha used at the start of the film, and told him not to trust anyone. After Pierce declared Rogers as a fugitive, the latter realized that the earlier is the enemy. The development of the film from Fury's death scene would make the audience easily understand the plot of the film.

Now, who is the Winter Soldier? To the surprise of no Captain America comic readers, he's Bucky, Steve's friend who he thought got killed in action. But Bucky was brainwashed and was being to believe that Steve is an enemy. In the end, however, Bucky would remember who he is and who Steve is. With Sebastian Stan inked a nine-movie deal, expect more of Bucky soon. The consistency of his story in the movie with the comics is great.

Overall, Captain America 2 bettered its prequel in style. Marvel did a tremendous job in filming the motion picture. By the Vladimir Putin Rule, I give Captain America: The Winter Soldier a 14 out of 10.

Yoshinoya Reopens in MOA

(L-R) Pasay City Mayor's Office Chief of Staff Albert Paredes, Yoshinoya
Century Pacific President Timmy Yang, SM EVP for Operations Perkin So, and
Japanese Embassy Director Tatsuo Kitagawa cut the ribbon to formally reopen
the Yoshinoya Mall of Asia Branch. Alice Mate

Yoshinoya's Pasay branch is back with a bigger restaurant. The Japanese resto's store at the SM Mall of Asia was reopened at its new location along the ground floor.

Timmy Yang, Yoshinoya Century Pacific Inc. President, Perkin So, SM EVP for Operations, Tatsuo Kitagawa, Director of the Embassy of Japan, and Pasay City Mayor's Office Chief of Staff Albert Paredes graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony signaling the reopening of the Yoshinoya branch.

The reopening of the MOA branch ups the number of Yoshinoya restaurants to seven with other branches located at the Fairview Terraces and the SM North EDSA in Quezon City, Robinson's Galleria and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Glorietta in Makati City, and the SM City Manila in the said city.

Yoshinoya is home to the world famous Gyudon beef bowl.

Victoria Court Introduces Discount Stickers

Victoria Court is making some tweaks to its Black and Pink discount program so that loyal patrons can enjoy the hotel's perks more.

Victoria Court's discounts now come in the form of a sticker in which you can put at the rear window of  your car.

As long as you have the sticker in your car, you can continue to enjoy the 20% off of your room reservation and 10% discount on foods and beverages.

Also, a 5% discount will be given to the Victoria Court cardholders with the car sticker if they stay for 12 or 24 hours. Just drive and check-in at any Victoria Court branch to get your free sticker and feel the distinction.

Solaire Hits 1M FB Likes Mark In Time for Anniversary

Solaire's Facebook account has now reached a million likes in just the hotel's
first year.

Solaire Resort and Casino, the fastest growing integrated resort in the country surpassed 1 million Facebook “likes” in one year (facebook.com/solaireresort), a great milestone to mark its first year anniversary.

Solaire is the first integrated resort to embrace social media with its own in-house digital marketing team since the property opened in March 2013 and has indicated its strength within a year. Social media is an essential part of their continuous efforts to innovate and provide impressive and exceptional entertainment to all their clientele. Growing engagement with fans of Solaire has contributed significantly to the business success. Social media platforms will enhance the marketing plans of Solaire and allows them to interact and update regular patrons on all events, activities, shows, and promotions. 

Solaire engages its valued followers through Facebook, and this platform provides them the opportunity to participate and share those special experiences of great memories. This provides an opportunity to connect our most supportive and passionate fans in a quest to find ways to enjoy and “create their moments” at Solaire.

"This is something we are proud of and wish to express our sincere appreciation to our loyal supporters and 1 million Facebook fans for their continued support as we celebrate our first year in business. We are glad to be able to connect with our guests through social media," says Jasper Evangelista, Solaire's vice president for brand marketing.

Solaire’s Facebook page has interactive postings daily on the gaming and resort promotions, events, raffle, and other activities. Solaire has a strong social media presence in the Philippines and a rising presence in Asia.

For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional, access the website at www.solaireresort.com, or stay updated with Solaire through Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

AyosDito to Give Out Summer Siren Passes

Be part of the hottest 3-day beach party for free when you share your #AyosNaSummer wish with your AyosDito.ph barkada! Simply surf and share on AyosDito.ph to win free Summer Siren tickets for you and your friends!

A total of 35 Summer Siren passes and 10 limited edition Ayos Loudbasstard speaker docks will be given away to lucky Ka-Ayos who will share their #AyosNaSummer wish on AyosDito.ph. Join to get the chance to meet great people at the Summer Siren Festival happening on April 4-6 at Crystal Beach, Zambales! It’s very easy to join and win the ultimate beach adventure for your barkada. Tara na!

To join:

1. Search #AyosNaSummer on AyosDito.ph then click the Win Summer Siren Tickets ad.

2. Reply to the ad with your #AyosNaSummer wish. The more replies you leave, the more chances of winning exclusive Summer Siren tickets for you and your friends.

The prizes:

Total of 15 tickets and 3 room accommodations to be won! (5 Super Ayos winners will win 3 tickets and 1 room accommodation each)

Total of 20 tickets up for grabs! (5 AyosBarkada winners of 4 tickets each)

Exclusive consolation prizes for music lovers up for grabs. (10 winners of Loudbasstard speaker docks)

Winners will be selected at random. The more #AyosNaSummer wish you send, the higher your chances of winning. Each ticket is valid for entry to the Summer Siren event at Crystal Beach, Zambales this coming April 4 to 6, 2014. For more info, go to http://blog.ayosdito.ph.

FAME Gathers Bloggers this Wednesday

Following the success of its event last year, Friendly Alliances and Media Expression (FAME), Inc. will host another one-night fellowship for renowned bloggers from food, lifestyle, entertainment, health and wellness, fashion, photography industries on March 19, 2014, 6 p.m. at the Megaworld Showroom, McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

Dubbed as Bloggers’ Night Tagged!, the event will feature FAME brands alongside with its other corporate partners and supporters.

FAME has gone a long way from having only a doctor’s passion to write – a passion that turned to a vision of spreading a word on health and wellness in the country.

Abiding by its mission to promote good health, a healthy lifestyle, sound Christian values, and professional excellence, FAME has become a trusted brand in creating quality publications and providing other services in the country.

Owned by its very own Editor-In-Chief and Publisher Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, a renowned cardiologist, FAME started by giving its doctor-readers the Health and Lifestyle (H&L) magazine, the quintessential guide for the modern-day doctor, which is FAME’s flagship publication.

Two years later, FAME expanded its publication and ventured into commercial publications. DiabetEASE magazine was launched to empower patients and their families with diabetes.

From feature and in-depth stories on medicine, FAME ventured into promoting the Philippine and international tourism and empowering women with its Travel Plus and Zen Health magazines, respectively.

For more than two years now, Vital Signs, one of the latest FAME publications in an eight-page newsletter format, is seen to become the leader in medical news as it synthesizes the most recent scientific and healthcare news taken from notable sources in the field of healthcare, medicine, public health administration read by doctors, healthcare professionals, and even legislators.

So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars, come along, and tag your blogger-friend! You surely don’t want to miss this year’s Bloggers’ Night event as exciting prizes await all attendees courtesy of FAME’s major sponsors and surprise guest appearances and performances.

We hope to see you there in our best event ever!

IBlog 10 Set on April

The Philippine Blogging Summit, popularly known as IBlog, will return for a tenth installment on April 4 and 5 at the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines College of Law in Quezon City.

As the summit celebrates its tenth year of being held annually, speakers from the first nine stagings of IBlog will return to speak again.

When In Manila main man Vince Golangco, advocacy blogger Grace Nicolas, who headed the organizing of one of the offsprings of IBlog, the Laguna Blogging Summit, and one-time TedX speaker Tonyo Cruz will headline the returning speakers.

Also, first-time speakers will also grace the event. Dr. Bien Nillos will discuss how doctors, lawyers, and other professionals can take advantage on having their own blogs, while mathematician and Dugout.PH sportswriter Ivan Saldajeno will tackle on how sports bloggers multiplied quickly in recent years.

Website owners and those who are curious about blogs and social media are welcome to participate. Admission is free, but you can now confirm your slot for the said event. Just go to http://iblogph.org for details.

Time Says Makati "Selfiest City" in the World

Because of a bunch of events inside the hotels, restaurants,
bars, and malls in Makati, so many selfies have been taken in
the city like this one taken in Glorietta. Thus, Time Magazine
hailed Makati as the world's "selfiest city". (file photo)

Fresh from the hype of the viral group selfie photo, sometimes called groupie, by Bradley Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres during the Oscar Awards last week, Time Magazine hailed the city of Makati as the "Selfie Capital of the World".

After a two-period study done by Time's Chris Wilson during early February and early March with more than 400,000 Instagram posts with the tag selfie used as samples, the Metro Makati area, which also includes the cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, Taguig, and Marikina in Metro Manila and the town of Cainta in Rizal, placed first in a list of 459 key metropolitan areas in the world in terms of the number of selfie takers per 100,000 people.

Wilson tallied 258 selfie takers per 100,000 people in Makati, besting the New York City borough of Manhattan and the city of Miami in the United States. Manhattan placed second with 202 selfie takers per 100,000 people, and Miami is third with 155/100000.

Cebu City also made the Top 10 world selfie zones as the Queen City of the South ranked ninth with 99 selfie takers per 100,000 people.

Three more Philippine cities made the Top 100. Baguio City is 16th with a selfie taker-population ratio of 82/100000, Quezon City is 59th with a 44/100000 ratio, and Iloilo City is 72nd with 36/100000 ratio. Instagram selfie data from three Mindanao cities were also taken.

About having seven towns rolled into one Makati area, Wilson cited in his article at Time Magazine's website that he used a simple "nearest neighbor" algorithm that resulted to the inclusion of selfies not physically taken in Makati City but taken within a five-mile radius from the city center as part of the tally for the said city.

The cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Taguig have been known to be the main financial hub of the country with big offices and company headquarters being situated in either of the four. Also, many restaurants, bars, and entertainment hubs can be found in this area. Many major events also happen in this metropolitan area.

Power of Three Fair Restaged

Different breeds of horses were paraded during the Power of Three fair at Par-
adizoo as a way of celebrating the Year of the Horse. Grace Nicolas

Paradizoo celebrated the Year of International Family Farming with the re-staging of its annual "Power of Three" agricultural fair.

The fair, which started last January 11, showcased the latest trends in the floral, vegetable, and the agri-livestock industries.

Highlighting the fair were special weeks dedicated to flowers, vegetables, and livestock, where everyone witnessed how to make pineapple jams, milk goats, and even riding a horse.

Also, in celebration of the Year of the Horse, a horse parade also took place during the event at the Mendez-based zoo.