WWF Philippines joins Earth Hour 2016 and more life-changing programs

For 20 years, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the Philippines has been pursuing the protection of wildlife and the conservation of the environment for the current and future generations. Thus the programs and campaigns of preserving endangered species, use of renewable resources and more has been ongoing for the past decades and continue to help in these causes. Three notable activities are up close to the Philippine culture and it has not only conserved natural resources but also uplifted the lives of the people.

First are the eco-tourism programs in Donsol, Sorsogon where visiting the endangered whaleshark (now 469) aka "butanding" has changed the attitude of Bicolanos towards the gentle giant. Before it was considered as a pest in the sea waters towing away fish which is the main source of living, it has become a major attraction in the area and the people of Donsol recognized the importance of the butanding in the marine ecosystem. They have helped conserve and improve the number of whalesharks and also protected their habitat. [see full story here]

Next is creating a renewable energy through solar powered lamps where common electricity is not reaching the remote islands in Palawan. These lamps help the students in studying during night time and be ready for school the next day. It is also currently helping fishermen in navigation while they go out to the sea at night. The lamps are very cost-efficient and functional that the Gift of Light program aims to spread the light to more areas in the Philippines. [full story]

Another is the propagation of the tamaraw in the Mindoro province when it almost became extinct. The Mangyans and the local government of Mindoro, together with WWF, has doubled the number of the local buffalo to 405. This preservation is very significant not only to the Philippines but also to the ecosystem in the area.

More and more activities have been ongoing but one of the highlights this year is the Earth Hour which will happen on March 19 2016 at 8:30-9:30PM. Manila has been a great contributor to the saved energy since this event started. Each and everyone is invited to turn off their lights and conserve energy at the said date and time and pledge to save mother earth now and for future generations. Conservation of this energy has a huge impact in slowing down global warming which we are experiencing today. This event will also take place in 170 countries around the world in more than 7000 hubs and cities.

Manila's hosting of the Earth Hour will take place in Quezon City Memorial Circle and spearheaded by WWF Philippines ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco, Rovilson Fernandez, Marc Nelson and now joined by Iza Calzado.

For more information about Earth Hour and donate to the causes of WWF Philippines, visit http://wwf.org.ph/. You can give and see updates in social media by following the following: #EarthHour2016 #RenewableIsDoable #ChangeClimateChange

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KUNG FU PANDA 3 movie review

Probably the best in the Kung Fu Panda series yet, Kung Fu Panda 3 is a great completion of Po in pursuit of his identity and sealing his affirmation of being the Dragon Warrior as prophesied by Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim). This iconic family animated masterpiece will be in Philippine theaters starting March 9 and here are the big reasons why you should see it.

With the existing antics by Po (Jack Black) and the powerful Furious 5: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan), together with Master Shi Fu (Dustin Hoffman), you will still be served with more comedy, more inspiration, more action and more!

The reunion between Po and Li is an emotional roller coaster and you will also have the feels for the goose father, Mr. Ping. Po's search for his identity is really had its good and sad sides but then you'll understand both of them.

It's cuteness overload! From the little bunnies from the Valley of Peace, we will travel to the secret Panda Village where you will see more pandas popping from everywhere! You will be all eyes on the young pandas and be more surprised that when I learned that Team Brangelina voiced these little dumplings!

secret Panda Village

Lastly, there are very deep teachings that Master Oogway has shared to us that will Po help us to realize. It will make Po level up his potentials and upgrades himself as a Dragon Warrior. He is more glorious and I like it. Now that he is not just a protector of the physical world, but also the spirit realm where he is the most amazing thing that happened in the movie! I literally cried when I see Po glowing with power and all and mastering new kung fu techniques, haha! It was definitely a glorious action scene against Kai (JK Simmons) in saving kung fu.

You definitely have to see Kung Fu Panda 3 and just enjoy it. I still hope that the story will continue now that he finds another Panda in the village. Would you like to see him have a child? I do. :)

Kung Fu Panda - Trailer 3
Po reunites with his family and will save kung fu once more!Kung Fu Panda 3 opens March 9 in theaters. Distributed by 20th Century Fox.
Posted by Ohmski on Friday, February 26, 2016

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GODS OF EGYPT movie review

I have this fascination with the Egyptian culture and like how I was amazed with Brendan Fraser's The Mummy series, I didn't fail to catch up with Gods of Egypt, now showing in cinemas.

Gods of Egypt tells the story of how a mortal Bek (Brenton Thwaites) teams up with the fallen king, Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), to retrieve Egypt from Set (Gerard Butler) and save his love Zaya (Courtney Eaton) from the afterlife and restore Horus' power. With the help of the other gods they engage along the way, they were able to restore order from chaos invited by Set.

The movie was resplendent from start to finish when all characters are adorned by jewels and gold as we have been introduced by the Egyptian culture on how they respect gods and people from the afterlife. I remember LOTR movies on how the shots were executed and how CGI was executed. You'll just have to look onto the action sequences and the scenes as they are visually stunning. Best of all, gods bleed gold! That is really something new.

I read in another forum that Gods of Egypt has been whitewashing because of the Hollywood cast. For me, I just didn't care as it I think only aimed to entertain. Though, the only person close to the Egyptian looks is Hathor, Elodie Yung. They could have at least selected more Egyptian-looking cast.

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RISEN movie review

The day of the Resurrection has been retold many many times unlike this new faith-flick Risen which features Joseph Fiennes and Tom Felton and directed by Kevin Reynolds. Though it is a film about Christ, this movie felt right for the evangelization according to another perspective, the experience of a non-believer, and how he first-handedly saw the truth in the faith.

For the first time, it has written like this. Kevin Reynolds did a great job in coming up with a story that will keep faith burning in the current time. It encompasses a new dimension in the Christian faith and finds me thinking more about what will I be missing in my own character. The movie is written in English so you won't have to struggle like how we did in Mel Gibson's Passion. And now this is not featuring a lot about saints but the regular person instead -- One who has to do his job flawlessly, much like how us people are right now.

Giving a suspense twist in the pursuit for the disciples, Risen is an exciting movie. And when Clavius (Fiennes) saw Yeshua (Cliff Curtis) himself, we are also moved. That is maybe what we are looking for right these days for us to truly believe. Looking for signs of his existence even when we don't acknowledge his miracles in everyday life. We maybe looking for blessings in material things so with Risen, we must be aware of more important and relevant things to be able to live.

There could only be one booboo that I recognized in the movie. When they reached Galilee, there is not one vessel that they were able to use to fish for food but all of a sudden, there's a boat by the shore. There also had been a small community but the night before, there are nothing. Just something that popped out of nowhere for them to use.

Risen opens on March 2, 2016, still during the Lenten season and will be exclusively shown in SM Cinemas.

RISEN - Official trailer
Another faith-based movie this March. Risen Movie opens in SM Cinemas starting March 2.Distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines. #RisenMoviePH
Posted by Ohmski on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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get ready to be ECHORSIS-ed

"Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good and Evil," which features the triumvirate of comedian John Lapus, Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano, and award-winning independent film actor Alex Medina, received overwhelming reviews from netizens who called the movie "one of the most awaited comedy flicks of the year."  

Now having at least 10,000 shares and over 100,000 views of its trailer on Facebook, it promises not only a gay-themed message but also makes way to bring a funny twist on the horror flick "The Exorcist." It revolves around a gigolo Carlo, played by Alex Medina, who is possessed by a gay demon after he deceived his closeted gay lover Kristoff (John Lapus). The task of exorcising the devil out of Medina’s character then falls on the lap of Father Nick, who is portrayed by Kean Cipriano.
Completing the ensemble cast of ‘Echorsis’ are Alessandra de Rossi, Chokoleit, Kiray Celis, Mich Liggayu, Ruby Ruiz, Negi Negra, Bekimon, Nico Antonio, Francine Garcia, Odette Khan, and 1:43’s Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, and Yheen Valero.

It has also collected quite a number of comments online and even the trailer is a certified viral hit which netizens seem to give great support for the film.

“Gusto kong mapanood ‘to! Trailer pa lang nakakatawa na. Good vibes lang! Ang bongga pa ng cast. Aabangan naming ‘to ng mga beki friends ko,” Facebook user Nathan Cruz remarked. 

“Kahit may bagyo sa opening day, nood pa rin ako,” added Thio Tisado Pie.

The trailer, which has so far gone viral and received close to one million views, likewise attracted the straight crowd with some men even asking their girlfriends to watch the movie on their date.

“Must watch babe! Hahaha! Make some time for this movie babe please. Nakakatawa solid!” said Facebook user Christian Medina who is inviting his girlfriend.

“Tawang-tawa ako bwisit!!! Mahusay! Suportahan natin ‘to, ‘wag puro overrated artists lang ‘yung sinusuportahan natin,” said a reader of FashionPulis.com.

“Oh em!! Natawa ako sa trailer! Mag showing kaya ditey sa Toronto?? I want! Mas ok ‘yung ganitong movie,” said another reader of the same blog.

Acceding to the persistent requests of netizens that the movie be shown in cinemas as soon as possible, the film produced by Chris Cahilig under Insight 360, is set to open on April 13 in theatres nationwide—a week ahead of its original schedule.

“There is a clamour for the movie to be shown earlier than its original April 20 play-date. We didn’t expect the public to be so excited to see it soon on the big screen,” said Cahilig. The film was directed by critically-acclaimed filmmaker Lemuel Lorca and was written by Jerry Gracio.

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ZOOTOPIA movie review

ZOOTOPIA returns Disney-style of telling fables and now a story that can be very relatable in the likes of light CSI and even everybody's everyday life. This cute animal story plays February 17 in cinemas and full of representations that we encounter in our everyday lives.

Zootopia looks like the Disney castle from a glance. You can also see many familiar icons throughout the movie and make sure that you find them. There are exposed past and upcoming Disney movies within scenes.

In Zootopia, we see a lot of representations of people. Starting with Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a farm-town dreamer of making it to the big picture. Like everyone, we like to see our full potential despite of the little size. She is also perked up in her first day of work and putting the best foot forward to impress everyone around. Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a fox which is very unlikely to partner up with a bunny could represent as the most unusual people who could become as friends as they could be helping us in the difficult time when we least expect it. Turns out, that they are the most qualified people that we would like to be with every time. Ms. Bellwether, the sheep, might be the type of person you have to be careful with. She may look like a sweet and calm angel, you'll never know that she is capable of pulling people down behind their backs. There are also the big guys, the animals who bullied Judy Hopps because of her size and doubted of her capabilities and were of no help of pursuing your own dreams.

The funniest scene about Zootopia is with the sloths at the transportation bureau. Flash and the other officers will be testing your patience and it clearly reflects how people share their experience in the government agencies (at least here in the Philippines).

Zootopia also reflected how we would like to see our own world. Where people, big or small, live harmoniously. But it reminded us that it is not perfect but can release our potential to be great and push for the greater good for people living in one community. You can hear it from Shakira's song playing all through the movie. It also got the African beats that you'll love.

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HOW TO BE SINGLE movie review

A movie for the girls. Warner Bros. Pictures bring an unusual team-up with Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson in the Valentine-comedy How to Be Single that opens February 11 in theaters. A day early in the Philippines so that the singles could start partying in advance. But the movie celebrates singlehood so it's also okay to spend a few bucks in the movie house with your bestest friends. Alright, even couples can watch this.

HOW TO BE SINGLE is definitely funny and would generally talk about enjoying the single life. We have Dakota Johnson as Alice trying to have a taste of independence within the relationship that's why she's going away from her boyfriend. Then finding herself with Robin (Rebel Wilson) who lives the happy-go-lucky life in New York City, partying every night and not ever going home. Both of them will teach us what will be right or wrong in being a single person and creating a new dimension where we can comfortably fit in. It will be a roller coaster for Alice turning from one man to another and knowing the pros and cons of getting into bed or a commitment. But then, we also bump into her sister, Meg (Leslie Mann) who is also scared of relationships because of responsibilities and changes she may encounter. And there was Lucy (Alison Brie), using the numbers game in search of the right guy in millions of people around the city.

Honestly, I see the movie as one-sided, in favor of the ladies. The guys looked like specimens of affection that will just be there when the ladies need to get laid. The story has been written only for the ladies as if the guys didn't have to look for a partner because ladies come to them. They tried to balance this perception into David (Damon Wayans Jr.) dissing Alice out the relationship somehow redeemed the gentlemen. Tom (Anders Holm) fixing the life that he had, and Josh (Nicholas Braun), Alice's ex-boyfriend, also opted to move on.

This film offered a lot of tips on how to be single. Learning to look good on your own and survival ,ut my most favorite is from Robin. Though it's crazy to have people paying all of expenses outside of your home, you can have your money on your own and maybe get rich! Rebel Wilson can also pull off a drama. Unlike from Pitch Perfect, where her serious face still makes her funny, her lines can sink in to the heart.

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DEADPOOL movie review

Finally after a lot of superheroes-saving-the-world movies, DEADPOOL is right on time for the Valentines Day to save the one he loves.

And this is just no other movies, it now gives character than those other righteous superheroes fighting against each other. Deadpool is a breath of fresh air from all other superhero movies with his antics with acceptable extreme violence and fleshly scenes. Plus, Ryan Reynolds redeemed himself from his previous superhero fiasco and successfully looked natural in this film.

Deadpool soundtrack comes in handy too wherever you are. Great selections from "Angel in the Morning", "Shoop", "Calendar Girl" and more that give a catchy experience on your phone or any music player. You will not get tired of the playlist as it can cater to the R16 audience.

There are a lot of "things" that will be "exposed" from Ryan Reynolds. Watch it all through after the end credits as he will tell you a secret that will have you look forward to the sequel. This could be the most entertaining movie of the year.

Deadpool is now playing in theaters and IMAX while munching on chimichangas. From 20th Century Fox.

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Experience Hong Kong Disneyland with SM Supermalls

I've always wanted to go to Disneyland as it is the happiest place on earth. Not just to see Mickey Mouse and the gang but also to relive childhood memories with fairy tales and to believe in happy endings. Wish I could go there one day. The last time I almost got into it was when I was in Hong Kong for a business trip.

By the way, Hong Kong Disneyland is celebrating it's 10th anniversary and now they are having more exciting offerings aside from the existing attractions in this theme park. They will be having new shows, anniversary-themed food choices, new characters and improved facilities within the whole Disneyland! One is Mickey and the Wondrous Book, a new musical to bring you inside the adventure of Mickey, Goofie and Olaf and enjoy great songs and performances by your favorite Disney characters, princesses and more.

You also get the see new attractions like how the Disney castle lights up the night with new projection show and an amazing fireworks display.

You can also see these fairy tale heroes all over the place and take pictures and cherish the meet ups in the Garden.

If you ever get tired and would like some sweet and satisfying treats, come to Disneyland Hollywood Hotel or Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Have a taste of the 10th anniversary-themed treats.
Getting excited yet? You can sing-along with the Hong Kong Disneyland 10th Anniversary theme song with talents Reymond Fegi and Raki Vega:

Happily Ever After - Reymond Fegi and Raki Vega
香港迪士尼樂園 | Hong Kong Disneyland's 10th Anniversary theme song.#ExperienceHKDisneylandatSM
Posted by Ohmski on Thursday, February 4, 2016

Did you know that you can have a chance to go to Hong Kong Disneyland by shopping at SM Supermalls? SM Supermalls sealed partnership with Hong Kong Disneyland to bring 30 families of 4 to an all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong Disneyland for 3 days and 2 nights! Here's how:

Shop N' Fly to Hong Kong Disneyland Promo Mechanics:

Mickey signing MOA

1. From February 12 to March 13, shop at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA and SM Seaside City Cebu for at least Php 1000 gets one raffle coupon to this promo. Purchase of Disney items worth at least Php 500 also gets a raffle ticket.
2. EPlus card members automatically receive 2 raffle stubs for every purchase of at least Php 1000.
3. 30 lucky winners will be drawn on March 21. They will win round-trip economy class airfare ticket and 3D/2N accommodation for a family of 4.

You can have your own souvenirs even if you're still here by shopping for these cute Mickey and Minnie plushies of the 10th anniversary. Wearing new costumes and more -- with our favorite characters and new ones.

For more information on Hong Kong Disneyland, visit the official websites, www.hongkongdisneyland.com/10th or www.facebook.com/disneyland.hk.

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For the books: Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke star in ME BEFORE YOU

Game of Thrones' Danaerys, Emilia Clarke, and Hunger Games' Finnick Odair, Sam Claflin, take roles in a romantic movie this June based on the best-selling book by Jojo Moyes -- Me Before You.

Oftentimes you find love where you least expect it. Sometimes it takes you where you never expected to go --

Louisa “Lou” Clark (Clarke) lives in a quaint town in the English countryside. With no clear direction in her life, the quirky and creative 26-year-old goes from one job to the next in order to help her tight-knit family make ends meet. Her normally cheery outlook is put to the test, however, when she faces her newest career challenge.

Taking a job at the local “castle,” she becomes caregiver and companion to Will Traynor (Claflin), a wealthy young banker who became wheelchair bound in an accident two years prior, and whose whole world changed dramatically in the blink of an eye. No longer the adventurous soul he once was, the now cynical Will has all but given up. That is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living. Embarking together on a series of adventures, both Lou and Will get more than they bargained for, and find their lives—and hearts—changing in ways neither one could have imagined.

The film also stars Charles Dance (TV’s “Game of Thrones”), Jenna Coleman (“Dr. Who”), Matthew Lewis (the “Harry Potter” films), Vanessa Kirby (“About Time”), Stephen Peacocke (“Hercules”), Brendan Coyle (“Downton Abbey”) and Oscar nominee Janet McTeer (“Albert Nobbs,” “Tumbleweeds”).

Sharrock directs from a screenplay by Jojo Moyes and Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber (“The Fault in Our Stars”), based on the book by Moyes.

New Line Cinema and Metro Goldwyn Mayer released the trailer just recently. See the trailer here:

Me Before You - trailer
It's Finnick Odair and Danaerys Targeryan in one romantic movie in July!Watch this trailer. #MeBeforeYou
Posted by Ohmski on Friday, February 5, 2016

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