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| (Image Source: Daily Guardian/GMA Network) |
“Kung bibigyan mo ang sarili mo ng pagkakataon, puwede kang lumaya.” From the creators of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 Best Picture and Best Screenplay winner “Firefly”, GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs proudly present their official entry to this year’s MMFF – “Green Bones”. Co-produced with Brightburn Entertainment and distributed by Columbia Pictures for Sony Pictures Releasing International, Green Bones promises to be an inspiring cinematic experience in time for Christmas. Green Bones is top-billed by the critically-acclaimed Dennis Trillo who makes his MMFF comeback, and primetime star Ruru Madrid in his first MMFF role. Michael de Mesa, Ronnie Lazaro, Wendell Ramos, and Alessandra de Rossi also star in the movie, with the special participation of Iza Calzado and Nonie Buencamino.
Green Bones follows the story of soon to be released prisoner Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo) who was incarcerated for the murder of his sister. His release is put in jeopardy by newly assigned prison guard Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid) who makes it his personal mission to keep Zamora behind bars. The inspirational and heart-wrenching drama touches on the belief that finding green bones in a person’s remains is proof of one’s goodness in life. Ruru Madrid’s character Xavier, jaded from the tragic death of his own sister in a senseless crime, does not believe criminals could hold such a bone in their body. His suspicions about Trillo’s character Dom Zamora are fueled by the latter’s strange behavior inside the penal complex, even as the prisoner’s reputation is that of an already reformed man.
Showing in cinemas nationwide on December 25, 2024, Green Bones is directed by award-winning director Zig Dulay, the filmmaker behind “Firefly” who is also known for his hit TV series Maria Clara At Ibarra and Sahaya. Based on the original concept of GMA Public Affairs’ senior manager for documentaries JC Rubio, Green Bones was written by National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Anj Atienza. Mikoy Morales, Royce Cabrera, Sofia Pablo, Sienna Stevens, Kylie Padilla, Pauline Mendoza, Gerhard Acao, Raul Morit, Victor Neri, Ruby Ruiz, and Enzo Osorio complete the film’s star-studded cast.
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Mapùa MCL's Faculty Research Colloquium: Sustaining Innovative Breakthroughs And Academic Excellence
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| (Image Source: Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna) |
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) 18th Foundation Week sparked a journey towards sustainable research with its Faculty Research Colloquium. The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration, and celebrating academic excellence, all aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Director of the Research Promotion and Coordination Office (RPCO), outlined the event's goals to embed sustainability within the institution and contribute to the SDGs through research and encouraged participants to delve into fields like smart technologies, renewable energy, and climate change, highlighting upcoming ideation summits, workshops, and research centers dedicated to finding sustainable solutions.
“This year, our goal is to fully support the publication of research works of our faculty members abroad. Also, we will continuously hold ideation summits, research colloquia for faculty members and students, research proposal workshops, and other events that would help nurture our ‘innovation’ gene. We are also planning to put up research centers at Mapúa MCL and pushing for more research collaborations,” said Dr. Articona on the institution's goals in research. The following research studies were presented:
• “Students’ Academic Performance Comparison Under Different Modalities Of Mapúa MCL FLUX For Engineering Dynamics”, aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and SDG 4: Quality Education by Prof. Ramon P. Velasco from the College of Arts and Sciences
• “Development Of A Web-Based Student Curriculum Guide And Portfolio”, aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education by Prof. Khristian G. Kikuchi from the College of Computer and Information Science
• “Teaching Disaster Risk Reduction And Management To Secondary School Students Using Online Interactive Course”, aligned with SDG 13: Climate Action by Prof. Banjie Sarmiento from the College of Health Sciences
• “The Role Of Loan-Related Risk Appetite In The Relationship Between Financial Risk Consideration And MSME Growth Decision: A Mediation”, aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by Prof. Donn Enrique L. Moreno from the E.T. Yuchengco College of Business
• “Development Of Wood-Plastic Soil Tray Composite (WPSTC) Using Polymerized Coir-Wood Dust For Green Roof”, aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by Ar. Wilfredo G. Gacutan and Engr. Hermie M. Del Pilar from the Mapúa Institute of Technology Laguna.
The colloquium not only showcased successful research endeavors but also served as a powerful call to action. By recognizing and encouraging further exploration in sustainable fields, Mapúa MCL paves the way for a brighter future, both for its institution and the community.
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Filipino Christmas Shines Bright At Alabang Town Center
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Alabang Town Center) |
There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the Philippines. The warmth of family reunions, the melodies of carolers filling the air, and the delight of seeing the streets and homes aglow with twinkling lights all remind us of what makes this season so special. This year, Alabang Town Center invites you to experience the essence of a Filipino Christmas with A Night of Lights, a celebration that runs until January 1, 2025. Holidays at Alabang Town Center is a heartfelt tribute to the saying “Iba Ang Pasko Sa Pilipinas”, steering toward the uniquely Filipino way of celebrating Christmas. The festivities pay homage to treasured traditions like the nativity, almusal with the family, and the joyful spirit of Christmas caroling, all featured in a captivating animatronic that’s sure to bring nostalgia, positivity, and cheer.
The shows will run every weekend in December as well as on December 23, 25, 30, and January 1, 2025. There’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy as each day offers three time slots: 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:30 pm. And just when you think the evening couldn’t be more spectacular, every show concludes with a breathtaking fireworks display. The magic doesn’t end there! With a minimum single-receipt purchase of Php1,500, you can enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. It’s the perfect chance for kids — and the young-at-heart — to create special holiday moments. Santa will be making special appearances after the shows. This celebration is not just about the sights and sounds; it’s about reconnecting with the heart of the season, cherishing traditions, and making memories with loved ones. Let Alabang Town Center be the backdrop of an experience that’s bound to leave you with a renewed sense of what makes the Filipino Christmas so heartwarming. Let us light up the holidays and our hearts — because truly, iba ang Pasko sa Pilipinas, especially at Alabang Town Center.
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KAIA, Subsonic Eye, And More Showcase Music Excellence At ASEAN-India Music Festival 2024
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| Filipino pop group KAIA performing on the ASEAN-India Music Festival 2024 stage (Image Source: raincheckblog/Seher Events) |
The ASEAN-India Music Festival (AIMF) concludes its biggest and most expansive edition held last November 29-December 1, 2024 at the renowned Purana Qila in New Delhi, India which offered free entry to all. Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Seher, the festival celebrates a decade of India’s ‘Act East Policy’, a comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN countries. Drawing thousands of music lovers over three days, ASEAN-India Music Festival was a stunning tribute to music and its power to unite people from different cultures, and a display of world-class talent in which India's Honorable Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita put succinctly, “ASEAN India Music Festival 2024 has shown how melodies can dissolve boundaries and foster connections that go beyond geography. Over these three days, we’ve celebrated not just the rhythm of instruments but the heartbeat of two regions bound by shared history and aspirations. The energy here at Purana Qila is a reminder that when art speaks, it unites us in ways words alone cannot. It has been an honor to witness this beautiful symphony of cultures.”
The third AIMF opened in grand style featuring captivating performances by India’s music icons Shaan and Raghu Dixit alongside ASEAN talents such as CHET Kanhchna (Cambodia), MRTV (Myanmar), and Buc Tuong (Viet Nam). Day 2 delivered more electrifying performances on a global music stage as India’s sensational pop duo Sukriti-Prakriti and indie pop-rock heroes Western Ghats brought dynamic energy to the ancient grounds of Purana Qila while ASEAN artists like Floor 88 (Malaysia), Television Off (Thailand), and Tropical Hornbills (Brunei) proudly represented their vibrant cultures to the audience. The final day saw award-winning singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal captivate the huge crowds with her performance. They were further treated to more remarkable acts from ASEAN such as Subsonic Eye (Singapore) who delivered ethereal indie pop, while Milledenials (Indonesia) turned up the tempo with their infectious energy. TAIY AKARD (Lao PDR) and KAIA (Philippines) rounded up the incredible night with their high-powered sets to conclude the 2024 edition of ASEAN-India Music Festival.
The festival was not only an occasion to hear great music, but it also played a vital role in connecting people from different backgrounds, Shaan — the “Golden Voice of India” — reflected, “Music is the heartbeat of humanity, and this festival showed us just how powerful that connection can be… sharing a stage with artists from ASEAN and feeling the audience’s energy was surreal. Music really is a universal language, and tonight proved that beyond a doubt.” Minister Margherita inaugurated the event as Chief Guest, highlighting the festival’s role in strengthening ASEAN-India ties through shared cultural bonds. He remarked, “This highlights the cultural bonds we’ve forged over the years. It’s a celebration of how music transcends borders, deepening our connections and strengthening the ties that unite ASEAN and India in our shared journey of growth.” Seher Director Sanjeev Bhargava echoed the sentiment, describing the event as “[representation] of the connections that grow from shared experiences, the relationships built over time, and the new ones that music helps create. By coming together to celebrate, we are fostering understanding and enriching the ties that bind our cultures.”
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PUMA Honors Filipino Identity With Sunrise, Amihan And Habagat-Themed Kits For PH Men’s National Football Team
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PUMA Philippines) |
PUMA celebrates Filipino culture and resilience as it launches new home and away football kits for the Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT). The new kits fuse cultural heritage, sports technology, and a commitment to sustainability. The kits were officially unveiled at an exclusive event last December 3, 2024 at Bootcamp in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City. The PMNFT’s home kit captures the vibrant essence of the Philippine sunrise with its inspired colorway. Dual blue tones represent the meeting of the sky and the sea. The bold red accents echo the morning sun, an emblem of hope and strength.
PUMA also designed the PMNFT’s away kit, paying homage to the northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon. “Amihan and Habagat” are both natural forces and metaphors for the Filipino spirit. The kit’s design incorporates the monsoon’s seasonal patterns of rain and wind, honoring Filipinos’ resilience, courage, and enduring drive to rise above challenges. Both the home and away kits feature PUMA’s high-performing CLOUDSPUN fabric, a custom-milled performance poly and spandex blend. This material meets the highest performance standards while still feeling luxurious like ultra-soft cotton. The kits also come with dryCELL performance technology, designed to wick moisture away from the body to keep athletes feeling fresh and sweat-free even during the most intense games.
As part of PUMA’s RE:FIBRE program, the PFF kits were crafted with at least 95% recycled materials. This program embodies the European sports brand’s commitment to a sustainable future by transforming textile waste and other used materials into high-quality textiles to pioneer circularity. The new football kits from PUMA served as the PMNFT’s official uniform throughout the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024. Football fans can now get their hands on the new football kits priced at Php3,000 for the shirt and Php2,500 for the shorts. These kits are available at PUMA stores in Glorietta, Shangri-La, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Gateway Mall, Trinoma, SM North EDSA, Bootcamp BGC, Ayala Cebu and Ayala Capitol Central in Bacolod as well as online at PUMA.com.
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New ABS-CBN Flagship Website Offers All-In-One Digital Experience
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN launches its new website, ABS-CBN.com, that is designed to provide audiences worldwide with a seamless, all-in-one digital experience. The site integrates breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports updates — all accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device. The new ABS-CBN.com homepage offers a comprehensive overview of the latest national and global news, allowing users to stay updated on important developments at a glance.
The “Entertainment” section delivers exclusive celebrity news, insider scoops, behind-the-scenes features, and exclusive content from ABS-CBN Entertainment, PUSH, and ABS-CBN News while the “News” section remains the reliable source for trusted and in-depth reports from ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, covering local and international events that matter most. For trusted and in-depth reporting, the “News” section continues ABS-CBN’s tradition of journalistic excellence, covering local and international events that matter most. Meanwhile, lifestyle enthusiasts can explore Metro.Style, now fully integrated into ABS-CBN.com, offering curated stories on fashion, beauty, travel, wellness, and more. Sports fans won’t miss a beat with the dedicated “Sports” section that provides real-time updates on basketball, volleyball, eSports, and other popular tournaments.
The new design of ABS-CBN.com houses a rich array of content, catering to diverse interests and ensuring an engaging digital experience for Kapamilyas across the globe. Discover the new ABS-CBN.com today and enjoy a world of content at your fingertips.
