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| (Image Source: Gameslaught/Microsoft/CAPCOM) |
The critically-acclaimed Monster Hunter Rise™ reached new heights earlier this year with the global release of the Monster Hunter™ Rise: Sunbreak expansion on Nintendo Switch™ and Steam. Receiving widespread praise for its trademark action RPG gameplay, exciting new features, and ongoing free post-launch support, Monster Hunter Rise has already sold over 11 million units. The high-flying entry to the Monster Hunter series is now opening the gates of Kamura Village to players on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, and PlayStation®4 on January 20, 2023. Monster Hunter Rise will also be available with Xbox Game Pass for console, PC and cloud at launch.
Now available via pre-order, Monster Hunter Rise is the latest installment in Capcom's renouned action RPG series and transports players to Kamura Village, a colorful and tranquil setting that attracts visitors with its unique culture and innovative hunting technologies. The core gameplay experience in Monster Hunter Rise stays true to the previous highly-praised Monster Hunter entries. Hunters must equip their armor and select from one of the 14 different weapon types to tackle daunting foes. As players defeat monsters and progress through the game, items carved from fallen foes can be used to craft unique weapons and armor that increases their chances of survival. Hunters can tackle these challenges solo, or with up to three other hunters in cooperative online play. Monster Hunter Rise evolves the series by introducing several new and exciting mechanics for hunters to master. Wire-based grappling actions can be performed by using a “Wirebug” while standing or in mid-air, adding an all-new level of aerial maneuverability to hunting strategies and attacks. Additionally, the game features the “Wyvern Riding” technique, which allows players to temporarily take control of a monster and yield spectacular battle sequences during hunts. Monster Hunter Rise also introduces new hunting partners called Palamutes, personalized and rideable “Canyne” companions that provide players with new sets of attack options. The “Canyne” Palamute companions join the series favorite “Felyne” Palicoes in assisting players while out on hunts.
Monster Hunter Rise features customizable optimizations, allowing hunters to enjoy their journey in 4K resolution and 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, while also offering 3D audio for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Ranged and shielded weapons will also make use of DualSense™ adaptive triggers on PlayStation 5. Following the debut of Monster Hunter Rise, players can look forward to the release of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, the monstrous expansion which will be available for home console players in Spring 2023.
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PH's Mark Ghosn Is Global Finalist In World Monologue Games
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/World Monologue Games) |
The Philippines' Mark Ghosn has battled his way to the Global Finals of World Monologue Games, the largest acting showcase in the world which features performers from over 100 countries. Ghosn placed 2nd during the regionals of the Sprint Category. “Competing on the world stage is a dream come true and it was exciting to share my talent and represent The Philippines,” says Ghosn who performed a Filipino monologue written by noted playwright and author Rody Vera.
Industry professionals from around the world, including renowned actors, film directors and heads of international acting schools, weighed in to select which performers went through. Event founder Pete Malicki is thrilled to see World Monologue Games getting bigger and better each year. “What I love most about the Games is seeing amazing performers from all around the world come together in a single event,” he says. This year’s worldwide competition started in July and ended in November. Contestants went through different elimination stages and were asked to perform several times for each level of the competition. “It was very challenging, I had to think of different ways to deliver the same monologue without losing the things that the judges liked from the previous performance. I also wanted to show my range while still making sensible acting choices," Ghosn says.
Ghosn previously gained popularity for creating the award-winning show Ampalaya Monologues in 2015 and has since built a name in his niche through various projects including a recent collaboration with GMA News and Public Affairs, among others. He said that his 7-year experience as a monologist and spoken word artist prepared him for the competition. “I’ve been doing theatre since 2005, but the experience of performing solo is what helped me hone the required skill set for this.” His future plans include producing more shows and relaunching his theatre group. “I hope that this opens more doors for me to continue my passion and work with the community to bring these artforms to new heights,” Ghosn says.
At present, Mark Ghosn is busy touring the country as he brings his show to different parts of the Philippines. He also hosts a digital talk show with Oomph, Viva’s Podcast Network. You can also read his critically acclaimed best-seller book ‘Ampalaya Monologues’, available on the Summit Books Shop.
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FanDuel Brings Combat Sports Action To More American Audiences On FanDuel TV And FanDuel+ Via Deal With ONE Championship
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| (Image Source: ONE Championship) |
ONE Championship (ONE), the largest martial arts organization in the world, and FanDuel, the premier online gaming company in North America, have inked a new deal that will bring ONE Championship’s action-packed martial arts events to the newly launched FanDuel TV network. The partnership, featuring weekly Asia primetime events, officially kicks off on January 20, 2023. Prior to the start of the newly-forged partnership, viewers were able to experience a taste of ONE Championship action on FanDuel TV with the airing of ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks live from the SM Mall of Asia Arena last December 3, 2022.
This partnership with ONE will mark the first time that martial arts events are available on FanDuel TV, providing fans and viewers with a new avenue to connect with the sport through viewership and wagering. “We’re eager to continue expanding the variety of content we’re offering at FanDuel TV to introduce our audience to emerging sports. We’ve long respected the content the ONE Championship team is producing and are looking forward to bringing their action to our audience through FanDuel TV and FanDuel+,” said FanDuel Chief Commercial Officer Mike Raffensperger. “We are thrilled to join the FanDuel TV lineup and give our passionate U.S. audience yet another way to engage with ONE Championship. Having a quality partner in FanDuel will help raise the profile of our company in the region and provide their viewers with action-packed martial arts events like they have never seen before,” said ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
This new content offering joins an already robust lineup of original shows on the network including Kay Adams’ morning show Up & Adams; the recently launched NBA-centric show Run It Back with Michelle Beadle, Chandler Parsons, and Shams Charania; More Ways To Win with Lisa Kerney; as well as FanDuel’s signature horse racing coverage and syndicated content from Pat McAfee and The Ringer. In continued efforts to diversify content, FanDuel TV and FanDuel+ are also airing more than 3,000 hours of live sports including international basketball league action from the National Basketball League (NBL) Australia, the Chinese Basketball League, as well as the French and German pro leagues as part of a licensing agreement with Sportradar.
FanDuel TV is broadly distributed on linear television through leading cable and satellite distributors across the United States including Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon FIOS, DirectTV, DISH, Cox Communications, YouTubeTV, and Hulu. On the other hand, FanDuel+ is exclusively available to subscribers in the United States with a FanDuel account number on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV and other connected devices. ONE Championship is a top-five global sports property for digital viewership and engagement, according to Nielsen. ONE events represent the full spectrum of martial arts with world-class athletes representing more than 80 countries competing across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, submission grappling and more. ONE Championship was supported by the Talisman Agency in negotiations with FanDuel TV.
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Filipino Singer-Songwriter Jason Marvin Releases Worship Anthem "Gain"
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Sony Music Philippines) |
WATERWALK RECORDS, a label under Sony Music, is committed to bringing Christian music to a new, streaming generation. Crossing genre and denominational lines with songs that promote spiritual maturity and journey, the Christian record label welcomes singer-songwriter Jason Marvin as one of the latest additions to their roster, which includes faith-based acts from the Philippines and across the region. His new single “Gain” asserts that it’s easier to weather the storms in life when your faith is intact and strong. According to Jason, “Gain” was given to him when he specifically asked for a song that directly speaks about his current situation.
The 30-year old musician explains, “He led me to Matthew 16:24-28 to remind me that nothing in this world will ever compare to being with Him. And that even if I lose all earthly treasures, but I still have God, then I have everything.” Brimming with subtle instrumentation and feathery, acoustic guitar, “Gain” finds itself flowing in a captivating calm, where everything sounds warm and at peace, but progresses into a beautiful finish. Despite its understated flourishes, the track maintains a level of intimacy that is both brittle and soft on the edges, but sturdy in how it wants to convey optimism and faith in its messaging. “I made sure it would sound like a worship session among a small group of believers rather than a super clean studio,” he shares.
The song is produced and arranged by Jason himself and Victor Noora, mixed by Shadiel Chan, and mastered by Jan Fuertez. As for the backing band, Jason is joined by his friends and colleagues in faith, namely: EJ de Perio on keyboards, Victor Noora on bass and electric guitars, and Luke Sigua on drums. “I approached them individually and instructed them on how to go about the song exactly how I envisioned it so it would still sound like they were all in one room,” the talented multihyphenate adds.
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UAAP Season 85 Cheerdance Competition Set On December 10th
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| The coaches of the pep squads of eight UAAP member-universities participating in Season 85 Cheerdancing Competition on December 10, 2022. (Image Source: Business Mirror) |
The most colorful and liveliest event of the year in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Cheerdance Competition, will take place on December 10, 2022 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. All eight competing squads, namely the Adamson Pep Squad, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the DLSU Animo Squad, the FEU Cheering Squad, the NU Pep Squad, the UE Pep Squad, the UP Pep Squad, and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe are ready to light it up once more in the second Cheerdance Competition of the year.
“The Cheerdance Competition is the event where we cheer for the individuals who rally our varsity teams on a daily basis. It’s a very special event that everyone in the UAAP community looks forward to. And as what we have seen during the halftime of our men’s basketball games, all teams are ready to have their one shining moment on December 10,” said UAAP Season 85 President Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM. The order of performances was drawn last month with season-host Adamson taking stage first. It will be followed by UE, UST, DLSU, and Ateneo. Defending champion FEU will be the sixth squad to perform while NU and UP will close out the show.
“We are very pleased that last season’s Cheerdance Competition was a success despite the restrictions and limitations imposed for the safety of all. The love and support of the students, fans and alumni for all eight school squads remain strong, and we at Cignal are happy to once again be able to bring the second CDC this year to fans inside their homes or wherever they may be right at the palm of their hands,” says Cignal TV and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang. The UAAP Season 85 Cheerdance Competition will be aired live on One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel on Cignal and Satlite, Cignal Play and the Smart Gigaplay App. The event will also be available for international audiences (outside the Philippines) via iWantTFC.
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Make Your Holidays ChristmaSAYA With Mang Inasal
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| (Image Source: The Fanboy SEO/Mang Inasal) |
Let Mang Inasal, the country’s Grill Expert, turn your get-togethers and celebrations extra SAYA and SARAP this Christmas! “This year, Mang Inasal wants to make the holiday season more festive and memorable as we treat our customers with month-long Ihaw-Sarap ChristmaSAYA Dine-In Deals plus more ChristmaSARAP meals perfect for their at-home, in-office, or outdoor parties,” said Mang Inasal’s Business Unit Head Mike V. Castro.
Celebrate at your favorite Mang Inasal stores nationwide from now until December 31, 2022 and save Php20 by enjoying the Ihaw-Sarap ChristmaSAYA Dine-in Deals. Customers can choose from either a Chicken Inasal Paa or Pecho combo with both options served with Unli-Rice, Extra Creamy Halo-Halo, Crema de Leche Halo-Halo, and a medium-sized drink. ChristmaSARAP meals are also ready for families, barkadas, and workmates’ holiday parties with Mang Inasal’s takeout and delivery options.
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| (Image Source: The Fanboy SEO/Mang Inasal) |
Enjoy hassle-free reunions and get-togethers with Mang Inasal Family Fiesta, a special bundled group meal composed of char-grilled favorites including Chicken Inasal, Pork BBQ, or Grilled Liempo. Starting at Php709 for takeout, customers can choose from four different combos to make sure there’s something for everyone. Each bundle comes with a platter of Java Rice, toyomansi, chili, Chicken Oil, plus peanut sauce for the PBBQ. Aside from Family Fiesta, also perfect for big group parties are Mang Inasal’s Siksik sa Sahog, Siksik sa Sarap Palabok, Extra Creamy Halo-Halo, and Crema De Leche Halo-Halo which is made special with leche flan, macapuno, and caramelized banana.
