HP and DepEd Recognize the Metro’s Ten Best Student Writers in the Write&Read Program

I like this advocacy! Congratulations to the winners!

Press Release:

The Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR) and technology giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) recognized ten of the Metro’s most promising young writers at the culminating activity of the Write&Read Program held at the SM City North EDSA Annex.

A collaborative story-writing competition, the Write&Read Program provided opportunities for the youth to hone their writing skills as well as their imagination in making illustrations. Among the top writers included five winners from the Junior Division namely Naomi Therese Legaspi of St. Paul College-Pasig, Geri Angela Paragas of Miriam College, Isabella Dela Cruz of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, Gillian Sandigan of St. Paul College-Pasig, and Aira Maria Joy Amarante of Special Science Elementary Class-Santiago de Guzman, who entered inspiring stories about achievement and success.

The five winners from the Senior Division, Katrina May Jimenez of Marikina Science High School, Courtney Allison Tirol of Manresa School, Leonor Evangelista of Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science &Technology High School, Pamela Jenna Sabuero of Caloocan City Science High School, and Kimberly Ann Ramos of Quezon City Science High School also created winning compositions that centered on the value of technology in enriching the learning experience of today’s youth.

Themes for the Junior Division short story competition included “Technology makes learning so much fun,” “Young leaders: Going the distance with technology” and “Future dreams with A+ grades.” The Senior Division took a more serious approach, with themes such as “Score cool points in school with technology,” “High fives for high grades: Win in school, win new friends,” and “Tech-savvy whiz: connecting to A+ grades, A+ future.” The ten finalists also joined the On-The-Spot Essay Writing Challenge, the final leg of the year-long Write&Read Program which also included other activities such as writing workshops.

Panelists from DepEd-NCR and HP judged the entries to determine the final rankings. DepEd-NCR’s Assistant Regional Director Dr. Rizalino Rosales, Write&Read Program Ambassador Efren Peñaflorida and HP Philippines Country Manager Albert Mateo handed the students their prizes for exhibiting their writing prowess.

A+ compositions and artwork

The first place awardees, Naomi Therese Legaspi and Katrina May Jimenez, each received PHP 100,000. Second place winners Geri Angela Paragas and Courtney Allison Tirol copped PHP 40,000 each, and the third placers Isabella dela Cruz and Leonor Evangelista were awarded PHP 20,000 each. The first to third placers all received the HP Ink Advantage 5525 e-All-in-One printers.  Special citations were also given to Junior Division finalists Gillian Sandigan and Aira Amarante and Senior Division finalists Pamela Sabuero and Kimberly Ramos, each receiving PHP 10,000 as well as HP Ink Advantage 3515 e-All-in-One printers. To complete the A+ experience, all ten winners also receivedan HP Mininote laptop and an HP Ink Advantage All-in-One printer for their schools.

More than 200 students from grade school and high school all over Metro Manila submitted compositions and illustration masterpieces. Only ten, classified into the Junior and Senior Divisions, made it to the finals.

Molding education through reliable, affordable printing technology

In its aim to improve education for the country’s youth, HP, in partnership with DepEd-NCR, spearheaded the A+ campaign, with the Write&Read Program as its biggest component.

Dr. Luz Almeda, Regional Director of DepEd-NCR lauds the partnership in empowering kids of today: “It is an honor to be working hand-in-hand with HP in this wonderful undertaking for the future of education. With their commitment to providing tools that will help children reach their full potential in academics, families and schools can be assured that technology is there to create a brighter future for the world,” she says.

HP Printing and Personal Systems Country General Manager Albert Mateo shared his insight on the project: “We’re glad to be partners with the Department of Education-NCR in this endeavor. Through the Write&Read program, we have reached a lot of students and encouraged them to develop a habit of writing and reading to enhance their education. We’re proud that HP has helped these children through the use of HP Ink Advantage printers that enhance their potential through affordable and reliable printing.”

HP’s Ink Advantage printers, the company’s products aimed at families and students, make use of the best of today’s technologies that incorporate wireless connectivity and the internet. Students can enhance their learning experience with a suite of ground-breaking features such as ePrint, wireless direct and print apps at a low running cost.

Chris Pine as Jack Frost

Press Release:

Chris Pine who has emerged as one of Hollywood’s hottest young actors, is currently shooting “Jack Ryan,” slated for a December 2013 release, assuming the mantle of the Tom Clancy action hero previously portrayed on film by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. This holiday season Chris Pine provides the voice of the character of Jack Frost , a ghostly blue and white 14-year-old boy with no memory of his past apart from waking up one night floating in a frozen lake.

“They know Jack as a troublemaker, as this immature kind of guy,” says director Peter Ramsey, and by all appearances, he is. Jack is a 300-year-old prankster in a 17-year-old body, with the power to create frost, wind and snow.  Happiest when he’s causing havoc, controlling winter with a swing, tap or touch of his staff, to him, a successful day is measured by how many snowballs he’s thrown, how many windows have been fogged and how many schools have closed after it’s been declared a snow day. He has no responsibilities, no one to answer to, and ultimately, at least in his mind, no purpose.

“That bothers him,” says Ramsey. “Other than knowing that his name is Jack Frost, he doesn’t know anything about himself, much less what he’s meant to do in this world. To make matters worse, no one can see him and, unlike the Guardians, no one believes in him, so he’s kind of a loner and an outsider.”

To play the role of Jack, Ramsey and the “Guardians” team knew they had to find an actor that could demonstrate the conviction of a leading man – in many ways, “Guardians” is Jack’s story – but who could also be playful and vulnerable to express Jack’s range of emotions in the film. They found what they were looking for in actor Chris Pine.

“We loved Chris in ‘Star Trek,’” says Ramsey. He’s exciting and smart. That comes through as soon as you see him on-screen. He’s got a twinkle in his eye that can be heard in his voice. He’s a leading man with energy, charisma and a sense of fun – all the qualities that Jack Frost has.”

For his part, Pine gravitated to the role because of Jack’s plight.

“One of the journeys of this film is how Jack finds a home, friendship, community and a sense of purpose,” he says. “Jack will instigate snowball fights, desperately wanting kids to have fun but also wanting them to know that he’s the guy behind it, that he’s reason that they’re having a good time. Jack’s quest – to have connections with others and to find the answer to what are we put on this Earth to do – is something that’s so very human.”

‘Rise of The Guardians’ is released and distributed by United Intl. Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corp.

“FORTE@40” - A Concert Of 40 Pianos Set On Nov. 18 At CCP

I am so excited to see this upcoming Musical Multitude that's never before heard with 40 pianos on one stage and over 300 pianists aged 8 to 80!

Edit: Dec. 20 - I was allowed by CCP to take pictures during the concert! Check out the photo album here :)

Press Release:

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, The Piano Teachers’ Guild of the Philippines together with The Cultural Center of the Philippines, LYRIC and KAWAI proudly presents “FORTE@40” – a fund-raising concert to be held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on November 18, 2012 – Sunday  at  3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This historical concert which will be conducted by Dr. Herminigildo Ranera and Daniel Bartolome will feature over 300 pianists ages 8 to 80 comprising students, teachers/members, past and present PTGP board members, festival participants and competition winners on 40 pianos.

Special guest performers include: CCP President Dr. Raul Sunico, concert pianists Della Besa and Annie De Guzman, Fr. Manuel Maramba, OSB, Carmen Padilla, Nita Abrograr-Quinto, Philippine Madrigal Singers choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, UST Singers’ conductor Fidel Calalang, Najib Ismail, Mary Anne Espina, and many more.

A special sneak preview of “Forte@40” will be held on November 11, 2012 (Sunday – 4 p.m.) at Lucky Chinatown, located at Reina Regente St., Binondo, Manila.

The highlight of the concert is the world premiere of “Mga Gintong Pamana” by Augusto “Agot” Espino, commissioned by the Piano Teachers' Guild of the Philippines which will showcase “40 pianos, 80 players, 2 per piano” playing the parts - a first of its kind in the history of Philippine music. This masterpiece pays tribute to the Great Filipino composers, namely: Nicanor Abelardo, Dr. Francisco Santiago, Francisco Buencamino, Sr., Dr. Antonio Molina, Rosendo Santos, Jr., Lucio San Pedro, Felipe De Leon, Sr., Ramon Tapales, Dr. Lucrecia Kasilag, and Rodolfo Cornejo who have made unparalleled contributions to the Philippine piano literature. 

Five genres of music - Baroque, Classical, 20th Century, Pop and Filipino will be represented in the repertoire as follows:

I.   “Concertino on Familiar Tunes” by Stanley R. Avery. (40 pianos, 40 players, 1 per piano)

II.  “Grand Perpetual Motion Waltz” by M. Cox. (10 pianos, 10 players, 1 per piano)

III.  “Andante from Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob. VI:54 (“Surprise”) by Franz Josef Haydn. Arranged by E. Steiner. Transcribed & adapted by George Ong. (10 pianos, 20 players, 2 per piano)

           

IV. “Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550” (Allegro molto) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Arranged by Theodor Kirchner. (40 pianos, 40 players, 1 per piano)

           

V.     “Harry Potter Fantasy and Super Mario Capriccio based on a theme by Koji Kondo” by Kabaitan R. Bautista. (30 pianos, 30 players, 1 per piano)

           

VI.  “Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 (Military)” by Frédéric François Chopin. Arranged by Carl Burchard. (40 pianos, 40 players, 1 per piano)

VII.  “Contagion on a theme by Nirvana” by Kabaitan R. Bautista. (20 pianos, 20 players, 1 per piano)

VIII. “Workin’ on the Railroad” by Eugénie Rocherolle. (14 pianos, 28 players, 2 per piano); “Perpetual Commotion” by K. Olson. (14 pianos, 28 players, 2 per piano)

IX. “Pop Medley” Arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.  (20 pianos, 20 players, 1 per piano)

X.   “Mga Gintong Pamana” by Augusto Espino. (40 pianos, 80 players, 2 per piano).

 The Piano Teachers’ Guild of the Philippines (PTGP) was founded in November 2, 1972 by piano teachers namely National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag, Prof. Milagros de Ocampo, Sister Scholastica Benitez, OSB, Ms. Vilma Felipe, Mrs. Angeles C. Hernandez, Mrs. Alice A. Lim, Sister Mamie Martell, CIM, Sister Cecil Belen, OFM, Mrs. Lydia L. Bunag, and Mrs. Pilar B. Larracas who organized themselves mainly to uplift teaching and performance standards in the musical development and pianistic growth of their students.

Over the years, The Piano Teachers’ Guild of the Philippines has brought our country’s top pianists to compete in international music festivals held in Europe, the United States and recently in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.

Among the foremost names in the field of music who are PTGP members include the following: Fr. Manuel Maramba, OSB; Sr. Mary Placid Abejo, OSB (Dean, St. Scholastica College of Music); Prof. Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz; Former Dean Mauricia Borromeo (UP College of Music); Former Dean Erlinda Fule (UST Conservatory of Music); Former Dean Cecile B. Roxas and Dean Sr. Emilita Pacubas, DC (Sta. Isabel College of Music); Former Dean Harold Galang (PWU College of Music) and many more. Today, PTGP boasts of its 525 total membership covering the entire country.

The over-all production team of  “FORTE @40” is led by Dennis Marasigan (Artistic Director and Lighting Director), Eric Cruz (Set Designer), Antonio Africa (Video Documentary), Ave Asuncion Uy (Stage Manager), Toots O. Tolentino (PR & Publicity) and Mari Yuda (Marketing).

“FORTE@40” is also supported by media partners Business World, Herword.com,  Chinoy TV and The Manila Bulletin.

For inquiries and details of show, special group discounts for schools, please email : askptgp@yahoo.com. Visit ptgpinc.wordpress.com. Add http://www.facebook.com/PTGPInc on Facebook.

Tickets are now available through Ticketworld at 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

Discovery Channel Celebrates ‘SHARK WEEK’ with a Line-Up So Immersive, If You Were Any Closer You'd Be Bait

Looking forward to catching the new episodes of this show. Sounds exciting! :)

Press Release:

SHARK WEEK returns to Asia-Pacific this November with six all-new shark-filled specials that will place you too close for comfort to the jaw-dropping action. Watch shark experts embark on a mission for the ultimate close-up with a legendary 14-foot great white. Take a tour of the mysterious underwater world in Bahamas. Witness the true story of two war heroes who survived shark-infested waters. Relive hair-raising situations when sharks misidentify humans as prey and mark SHARK WEEK with none other than MYTHBUSTER’S Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman as they explore the absolute truth to shark myths. All this and more, daily, for one whole week at 9:00 p.m., beginning November 12. Encores daily at 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

Picking up where 2011’s Emmy®-nominated Ultimate Air Jaws left off, shark expert Chris Fallows and legendary natural history producer Jeff Kurr embark on a quest to learn more about the great white sharks of Seal Island, South Africa – and one shark in particular, Colossus, in Air Jaws Apocalypse. Kurr and his team push the envelope even further with new hair raising encounters… even if it means risking their lives for the ultimate close-up with the now legendary 14-foot great white. What they discover in this year-long filming expedition is a true scientific breakthrough: dozens of great whites clustered in shallow water, feeding on smaller sharks and rays — with Colossus dominating the grounds and nearly eating the camera.

Also new this year: relive some of the scariest, funniest and most memorable moments in SHARK WEEK’S 25 Best Bites. YouTube celebrity Philip DeFranco takes viewers on a fast-paced ride through all of SHARK WEEK’s greatest hits, including going "Into the Shark Bite," cavorting with "Sharks After Dark," living through a "Sharkbite Summer" and learning how to avoid a "Great White Appetite." And go behind the scenes to see the best bites in SHARK WEEK’S history. Get set to explore the marvels of Shark City with Chief Shark Officer Andy Samberg as he takes us on a tour of a mysterious underwater world tucked in the protected waters of the Bahamas, where it's shark-eat-shark, and shark-eat-pretty much everything else too.  

Watch the inspiring true story of two war heroes who survived shark-infested waters in Adrift: 47 Days with Sharks. During a routine search and rescue mission over the Pacific in World War II, an American plane crashed into shark-infested waters. This is the inspiring story of how Russell ‘Phil’ Phillips and Louis Zamperini survived a record-breaking 47 days adrift on a life raft in the Pacific Ocean at the height of World War II. This ambitious drama documentary reconstructs their ordeal in precise detail, showing how they managed to overcome hunger by catching and eating seabirds, and then battling with and killing the sharks that threw themselves into their raft. But when they finally did reach land, it was only the beginning of their troubles. What happened to these men is one of the greatest tests of faith, will and endurance of our time.

Join Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from MYTHBUSTERS as they count down their top 25 shark myths of all time and reveal the #1 myth that will literally blow people away in MythBusters’ Jawsome Shark Special. Together, they’ve chosen the stories that make the countdown and what secrets to reveal.  It’s chock full of secret snippets, of insider info, behind the scenes gems and mythical ways to attract and repel these fearsome fish.  Who knew that Jamie once tried to make a shark remote controlled? Add in some famous footage of Grant trying to get eaten by swimming in a panic and you’ve got all the ingredients for a truly adventurous adventure. Get ready to go back in the water as the MYTHBUSTERS best shark moments are unleashed!

In Shark Fight, relive the harrowing moments when all went wrong and sharks mistook humans for prey. Meet the shark survivors who have been through the ultimate nightmare: hand-to-jaw combat against the ocean's apex predators, losing limbs and barely escaping with their lives. Yet even after the attacks, they're still fighting, but what for will surprise you. Amazingly, dozens of shark attack victims around the world have devoted their lives to saving their attackers. They have turned what could have been tragedy into their life's mission, becoming some of the most powerful shark advocates on the planet. Hear their stories of resilience and triumph as they fight what they consider the ultimate battle: saving sharks and our oceans.

Celebrate SHARK WEEK with a jaw-dropping look back at the greatest breaches, brushes, and bites with the ocean's apex predator. Featuring great whites, tiger sharks, lemon sharks and more, this year’s line-up features lots of action and adventure to sink your teeth into - you might say it’s a SHARK WEEK with great bite!  

Project ArAw Reaches 125 Schools Nationwide

Press Release:

From 50 public high schools in Metro Manila in the first year, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. (AFI) and Nokia successfully covered recently 125 public high schools nationwide through its Project Aral-Awit (ArAw), a three-year music-driven and values education program for the Filipino youth.

Project ArAw turnover

Now on its second year, Project ArAw aims to promote the values of honesty, self-sufficiency and social responsibility among high school students through the use of music videos and Patina, an educational TV show on Philippine literature.  “The aim is to increase high school students’ interest in Philippine literature and we are hoping that it will result in greater sense of Filipino identity, national pride, and that we can come up with an future generation of Filipinos who will have a deeper concern for the welfare and advancement of our nation” said Martin Salvador, AFI Programa Genio Special Projects Head. Programa Genio (formerly known as  E-media program) is a holistic educational program aimed at uplifting the quality of Philippine educational system by being an active partner of the government in the development of schools’ curriculum and infrastructure.

ARAL

A month-long caravan covering 12 major provinces and 17 key cities in the country was completed  where more than 700 teachers and school heads underwent training on technology-assisted instruction and values integration in class. Each school received a 32-inch LCD television, DVD player and 32 episodes of Pahina materials which seek to supplement and enhance pedagogy in class.

CamNorte launching with Gracenote

AWIT

Highlight of the project is the Project ArAw songwriting competition where students are given the opportunity to express themselves through music. ABS-CBN composer and arranger, Fred Ferraz mentored more than 1,000 school representatives on basic songwriting to further prepare them in the upcoming competition. Winning entries will be produced in music videos which will be distributed to public high schools and will be downloadable through Nokia store. “We are a Filipino culture with love for music. I wish all of you (students) will take advantage of what you have learned and  look back at this project and realize that honesty, self-sufficiency and social responsibility are all you need to get through”, said RJ Decilio, Business Development Manager of Nokia Philippines.

Project Araw underscores the power of music to teach, inspire and move Filipinos forward and by creating original Filipino songs that will connect to the youth, the project seeks to make a positive change in the society. Email projectaraw@gmail.com for inquiries on how you can contribute to this youth development advocacy.

Coming on January 9: All-New Immersive 3D “LIFE OF PI” from ANG LEE

I love the trailer and can't wait to see the whole movie when it opens early next year!

Press Release:

Experience wonder and discover  an unprecedented 3D experience in “LIFE OF PI” from Award-winning filmmaker Ang Lee based on the acclaimed bestselling book by Yann Martel starring first-time actor Suraj Sharma.

Ang Lee returns home to Taiwan to make the exciting and altogether magical adventure “Life of Pi.”  Suraj Sharma is Pi, the titular character, a boy who is lost at sea with a very hungry Bengal tiger, following the death of his family in a shipwreck. The boy and the animal have to survive a perilous voyage across the Pacific.

The film centers on Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi) named in honor of a swimming pool in France. He is raised in Pondicherry India with his family who run a zoo. An inquisitive and unusually philosophical boy, he learns about animal behavior at the zoo, explores different cultures and traditions and falls for a beautiful girl. “Certain things happen politically and economically which force Pi’s parents to move to Canada and the family take their zoo with them on a ship. The ship sinks one stormy night and Pi’s whole family drowns,” said Suraj Sharma.

Ang Lee infuses Pi’s solitary voyage with emotion, humor and excitement in an all-new 3D experience.  “I fell in love with the book when it came out but I did not think about it as a movie,” says the Oscar winning director of “Sense and Sensibility,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Brokeback Mountain.” He admits that he was initially reluctant to take on the project. “Later though I thought I wanted the audience to see this fantastic book made into a movie. I felt I needed to share Pi’s amazing voyage. So here I am.  I have come all the way to Taiwan on a seemingly impossible mission which is now being realized. It’s a great adventure so far.”

To enhance the cinematic experience, the decision was made to shoot in 3d, “the scope of the story is grand, because of that I thought I needed another dimension. 3D really puts you there with Pi, demanding your attention. You feel like you’re with him. It’s a more intense experience. It’s more dense It’s closer, more intimidating,” shares Lee.

“Life of Pi” unfolds in (Phils.) cinemas nationwide on January 9, 2013 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

PBA Players Make a Slam Dunk for Health with Mondo Juice

I am a big fan of Mondo Juice! Please read my write up on the 10 reasons why you should try (and love!) these healthy smoothies, too! :) 

Press Release:

In the fast-paced, no-holds-barred world of professional basketball, staying in top form is essential. Taking healthy living to heart, top cagers Danny Ildefonso, Robert Reyes and Alex Cabagnot of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) score high on fitness and well-being with the help of all-natural beverages from Mondo Juice. With specially-chosen fruits, vegetables and fresh ingredients that go into every smoothie, Mondo Juice gives them their all-star dose of healthy fruit drinks to fuel their hard court performance.

One of the most recognized names in the PBA, Danny Ildefonso, popularly known as “The Demolition Man”, currently plays for Petron Blaze Boosters with Reyes. The 6’6” Power Forward has also played for the Philippines in different international basketball competitions. For the two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, Mondo Juice’s healthy selection of smoothies and sandwiches is the way to go. He enjoys it best with his family. “I really love their smoothies and Chicken Caesar sandwiches. My family and I go there whenever we can, and it’s great to have such food options that don’t contain so much fat. As an athlete I have to keep watch of what I eat, and I am positive this will help me perform even better in my career,” he says.

PBA Cager Robert Reyes

Robert Reyes, also playing as a power forward for the Boosters, is a self-confessed Mondo Juice aficionado. Reyes is a fan of Mondo Juice’s fresh-pressed juices, which give him that much-sought taste of real fruit without additives. His preference for non-sweetened drinks keeps him coming back for more. “Personally I don’t prefer drinks with added sugarI try not to eat too many processed foods so going to Mondo Juice is like treating myself to a delicious meal without the guilt. It doesn’t compromise my normal routine as a sportsman,” he says. Reyes also recounts how he discovered the juice joint. “I was in Megamall when a friend suggested that I try Mondo Juice. The first one I tried a few years ago was ‘Berry Blitz’, and I totally loved it. I just can’t get over the taste of real blueberries,” he says.

PBA's Crunch Time (Alex) Cabagnot

Alex Cabagnot, famous for the moniker “Crunch Time Cabagnot,” recalls how he got into the Mondo Juice craze. “I was walking around Robinson’s Galleria that time when I came across Mondo Juice. I tried out their delicious pastrami sandwich and was a fan ever since,” he says. As a long-time player for the Boosters like Ildefonso, Cabagnot recognizes the benefits of fresh fruit juices in the diet of highly-active individuals.

Mondo Juice's Beef Pastrami

“Without proper diet, the full advantages one can get from working out can never materialize. That’s why I do both, work out and eat healthy, so I can play longer,” he adds. The all-natural goodness of 100% real fruit and the freshest ingredients that make up the best sandwiches and desserts come in one store that serves them all. With outlets in SM Megamall and Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas and another to come out in Legaspi Village, Makati, Mondo Juice serves the healthiest options not just for star athletes but everyone who wants to keep fit and fab.

GREYSON CHANCE Live! at Ayala Malls This November 2012

Press Release:

Ayala Malls, home to the best live entertainment continues its tradition of bringing some of the most remarkable performances of both foreign and local acts in the country as it presents 15 year old American teen pop singer-songwriter and pianist GREYSON CHANCE for a series of concerts and promotions. He shall be delighting fans with his enthralling voice and amazing talent as he performs at the Ayala malls on November 11, 2012. Catch him at Market! Market! Activity Center at 2:30 pm and TriNoma Activity Center at 6:30 pm.

Platinum-selling artist GREYSON CHANCE has seen places of the world most people only dream of visiting. To promote his debut album Hold On 'Til The Night, Greyson traveled across the world which helped propel Hold On 'Til The Night to Platinum status in Indonesia and the Philippines, and to Gold status in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Along this journey, Greyson met thousands of loyal fans around the globe, each of whom helped inspire a brand new creative state of mind for him.

This new outlook can be witnessed in his latest release, the new single "Sunshine & City Lights", exclusively under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). The product of a serendipitous last minute studio session in London with songwriting duo The Nexus, this new song is a perfect reflection of Greyson's artistry and vocal talent, free of the production that is ever-present in contemporary music. "Sunshine & City Lights" is the first taste of the new music Greyson has been working on for nearly a year. While he continues work on a full-length album to be released in 2013, Greyson has decided to give fans a taste of what's to come through this new single and EP. Entitled Truth Be Told Part 1, the EP is slated for release in parts of this world by end of October this year.

Get GREYSON CHANCE’s refreshing single, “Sunshine & City Lights”, at iTunes or www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Top Tips for Flying with Young Children

Flying with your little ones? Here are tips you may want to try!

Press Release:

Parents of toddlers know that flying with their tantrum-prone tykes is about as stressful as herding a whole class of teenagers through airport security into an airplane.  As the holidays and travel season draws near, Skyscanner, the leading travel search site provider, shares the top tips for flying with young children.

Invest in a Trunki

Instead of struggling with those cumbersome strollers, invest in a Trunki when your child is old enough to walk by himself. These cute pack, ride-on, and pull-along suitcases for kids may seem a little overpriced, but Trunkis are a total lifesaver for entertaining your little ones when you’re in long queues, as well as saving tired little legs if your walk to the departure gate is a long one.

photo borrowed from sales.bebegogo.com

Try to plan your flight in 15 minute slots

For a three-hour journey, for example, you need around 10 activities to keep young kids entertained (as the first and last 15 minutes you can occupy them by looking out the window for take-off and landing). A child magazine, a favorite story and drawing book, pens and crayons, snacks, stickers, favorite toys, etc. – are all good activities to keep them entertained. It is unlikely you will need all ten in a three-hour flight (especially if you manage to get them to sleep), but better to have too many than too few.

Get a portable DVD player or a laptop

Without doubt the one thing all parents seem to agree on is investing in a portable DVD player – or taking your laptop or iPad with you on the flight. Cartoons and movies while away a sizeable chunk of the flight and allow parents some downtime too.

Present your child with presents

Wrap up small toys that you can present to your child as a reward for being good every half hour or so (include these in your 10 activities). Presents don’t have to be expensive and can even be your child's old forgotten about toy. Small soft animals are ideal, as are little wind-up toys that can travel across the fold down table.

Get some kids’ games or apps for your smart phone or laptop

Download some kids’ games – or kid-friendly apps to your mobile, tablet or laptop (if it can be switched to Airplane mode for the flight).

photo borrowed from galavante.com

Get sticking with stickers

Stickers are great for keeping children entertained for a while – just give them an empty water bottle to decorate. You can also use colourful Post-its and play a game of sticking it on body parts you name; this can provide a tremendous amount of fun for your toddler.

Take a pillow

Small children can sit on a pillow so they can see out of the window better, while older children may find sleeping more comfortable with a pillow.  A blanket is also good as its familiarity will comfort your child as well as keep them warm if it gets chilly on-board.

Take some sweets

Landing can cause painful ears – babies are often given a bottle to encourage them to suck and therefore swallow.  The same principle will work if you give your child a lollipop (ideally sugar free) for take-off and landing which will also distract them.

Bring longer lasting foods

Offer foods that take longer to eat which will occupy your child for longer.  A box of raisins is great as it has natural sugars – while sweets are a great bribe (and I am all for bribes!), be warned though: trying to keep a child in their seat once they have eaten an excessive amount of sugar can present a challenge.

photo borrowed from luxuo.com

Watch out for the ‘Airplane Police’!

A clever trick is to warn young children of the “Airplane Police” who are looking out for badly behaved children as they are not allowed to fly. It proves to be hugely effective in stopping toddlers from climbing over seats, playing with the fold down table, kicking the seat in front and all the other things that passengers around you will really love.

Follow a one-to-one rule

Limit your carry-on to just one bag per person, the half a person - your toddler, is not included in this rule. That means you will have to share a carry-on luggage with your little one.  Remember to pack light and bring only what you absolutely need on the plane, this makes it easier for you to find items you need in a jiff.  And if you are going on a much longer trip, don’t be cheap!  Get your child his own seat so both of you can stay comfortable on the long haul trip. Also, keeping your child strapped down on his own seat when he’s had too much sugar––and not hold him for hours on end as he wiggles and kicks––will keep you both sane.

HP All-in-One Desktops: Unleashing The Joys Of Being A Family

Press Release:

Home computers have redefined the ways that families spend time together, with each member doing solitary tasks on their own PC units. HP, the world’s largest technology company, adds a fresh dimension to this trend with its new All-in-One desktop computers: the HP Omni 120-1209L, HP Omni 120-2048L, and HP Pavilion 23-1005d. Catering to the preferences of each family member, HP’s lineup of desktop computers offer a platform where they can bond and have fun together.

One for all, All-in-One

Every family member can do more with their HP Omni. The 20-inch high definition screen and Intel HD graphics offer stunning crystal-clear graphics and performance. Its unique design eliminates the need for a separate display monitor and tower.

Large families can take advantage of its numerous connectivity options, from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, to reach relatives and colleagues through chat or internet calls aided by peripherals such as its integrated webcam. Moms and dads can keep the family’s schedule and their budget organized in spreadsheets, and children can do their homework with the help of information obtained online. All these features are in a space-saving package that’s also fit for the more budget-conscious.

The HP Pavilion 23 takes the performance of the HP Omni to greater heights. Equipped with the latest processors by Intel, the Pavilion 23 allows families to enjoy playing their favorite video games, from simple exercise games to the latest action-packed titles with detailed environments and complex gameplay. Its superior capabilities also allow parents and their kids to work on sophisticated projects such as photo editing and 3D model design with modeling software. It is also pre-installed with Windows® 7™ Home Basic (64-bit) and Microsoft® Office Starter 2010, allowing for that right balance of work and play.

Discover the joys of family bonding on the cutting-edge and welcome the newest member of your family- the HP Omni and Pavilion 23 All-in-One desktops.

Availability

Priced at the best rates, the HP 120-1209L, 120-2048L and Pavilion 23-1005d are now available at all HP stores and authorized resellers nationwide.