IRELAND’S GOT Talent, Shaniah Rollo, signs up with RJA !

Shaniah Rollo says she's been singing since she was a baby. And has loved singing for that long. Only 15, Shaniah has genes to complement the notes she navigates in her young yet already soulful voice. For a singer that age, whew, such heart! No wonder, she won the audience and the judges over, till the semifinals of her stint at Ireland's Got Talent. Shaniah Rollo was also a finalist in the Junior Eurovision song contest in Ireland in 2018.                                                               

                                           
Her Mom and Dad are musicians. Her Mom worked in Vietnam and then South Korea, and her Dad, used to duet with his wife. Which explains why Shaniah can sing in Korean. Her Ate also taught Shaniah how to sing. Ate, or her older sister, who is the eldest of three, is Mia Kyarra Rollo. She used to do covers and backup vocals for Universal Records. Shaniah herself gave up a shot at PBB Teens because she had to stay in Ireland. Her parents named Shaniah after country sweetheart Shania Twain. This amazing young girl also grew up listening to the music and watching the videos of Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. And just like girls her age, Shaniah adores Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Jimin of BTS K-Pop. Ms Rosabella Jao Arribas, top executive of RJA Productions, first heard about Shania from her composer-friend Nathaniel Cabañero. Ms. Rosabella saw a lot of potential in this girl, and falling for her cute voice made her research about Shaniah on YouTube. This made RJA Productions decide to groom and polish a breathtaking yet pure, raw, fresh talent.   
 

                                                            
In Ireland, she's still very Pinoy, because Mom cooks Pinoy food, like adobo and dinuguan. What she does miss from the Philippines are members of her family. Her Lolas, both on Mom's and Dad's side, are close to Shaniah. She misses her paternal grandmother, who she left behind in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, where Shaniah was born and raised. Her late maternal grandmother used to sing to Shaniah as a baby. Her sister Mia, who now has her own family, and brother Gian, were both past 18 when Dad petitioned for his wife and children to join him in Ireland. Thus, only Shaniah, then 12, could come along.                                                               

               
Shaniah is a third year student who's preparing to become a Business Accountant one day. For now, she sings videoke at home, after school, to hone her talent. She also rehearses and performs with the Brightlights, a group of talented singers from different schools, on weekends. Her father also taught her how to play the ukelele, guitar and piano. Not good, yet, she says. But learning. Listen to her sing "La Vie En Rose" and her pipes match her French, as she is taking up lessons for it. World-class talent, this baby is. A babe-in-training. And, proudly Filipina.
                                                                                                                                            Shaniah Rollo is back home in the Philippines for the holidays ... and we can almost hear an angel sing, with her first single. Soon.

5 Best Christmas Gifts for Gamers

Giving gifts for gamers has never been more difficult this 2019. New games and consoles have gone and emerged into the spotlight and with more and more Filipinos now playing mobile games, gifts attributed to the gaming experience are one of the most in-demand gifts this Christmas.

From creative accessories to the best options in terms of price, top-up website Codashop shares five (5) best gift ideas you can give to the gamers in your life this Christmas:

Mobile game controller
You don’t need expensive consoles to complete the gaming experience with a joystick. The mobile game controller is conveniently built to serve as the controller to your favorite mobile games by simply attaching it to your phone.

Wireless headphones
Long cords are out. Wireless is in! While portable earpods have become popular today, the wireless headphones provide immersive audio. This device is a great way for sound-heavy games, plus the fact that you can freely move around without the worries of messy wires. You only need to charge the headphones for a certain period and once you are done, you let it do its groovy thing.

VR headset
Remember when VRs trended all over and were positioned as the future of gaming? VR headset, while new technology, are still worth trying for. A lot of games are yet to be made available for VR, but there’s always something exciting to those embracing them.

Thumb glove
Here’s something you never knew you needed. Gaming, especially for mobile phones, leads to sore and tired fingers. The new solution? Thumb gloves! This is a fun gift for the gamers whose palms are running sweat every minute. Also, with this, you don’t have to go to the long hassles of clean wiping your screen a lot with all the thumb sweat and prints.

Gaming credits and vouchers
Nothing makes the gamer smile more than gaming credits and vouchers as a gift. This new currency has grown to be very valuable for gamers of all ages. Gaming credit providers like Codashop has made purchasing credits and topping up your favorite games a lot more convenient.. Payment with Codashop is easy with the following payment options available: Globe, Smart/Sun, GCash, Grabpay, Bank Transfer, 7-Eleven and Card payments!

It only takes seconds and no registration/ log-in required to buy the diamonds you need for your heroes in Mobile Legends, or those hard-to-get Garena shells in Call of Duty Mobile.
To know more about Codashop, visit www.codashop.com/ph or follow /Codashop.Philippines on Facebook.

The Star Wars Weekend Countdown: Just less than IX days before Filipino fans can catch the limited early release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The Force is strong with Filipino fans and the countdown to Star Wars Weekend has officially begun! In just less than IX days, Star Wars enthusiasts will be able to witness years of the epic Skywalker saga reach its riveting conclusion and the excitement has reached intergalactic highs. 
On December 20 to 22, 2019, Star Wars Weekend goes on full light speed as this special, early release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker grants Filipino fans of the franchise to celebrate the much-awaited final installment in the Star Wars saga alongside the whole world.

Just days away, Star Wars devotees will be reunited with their favorite characters portrayed by an impressive cast including Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.

Check the cinemas near you for tickets to the limited early release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker happening on December 20 to 22, 2019 available in 2D, IMAX 3D, IMAX with Laser, 4DX and MX4D formats. The film returns in cinemas on January 8, 2020.

SM Cinema brings Jumanji: The Next Level to Life this December with “Action & ARTventure”

(Media Release)
Every ‘90s kid would remember the feeling of amazement brought about by the 1995 Jumanji film starring Robin Williams. When the remake Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle came out in 2017, it gave every ‘90s kid major flashback feels. Now the sequel Jumanji: Next Level is bound to give everyone excitement with yet another jungle adventure-filled film.
In the 2019 remake, the well-loved fantasy adventure film is given comedy angle by its cast including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan Nick Jonas, Danny De Vito and Awkwafina.

SM Cinema brings Jumanji: The Next Level, a perfect holiday movie for friends and family to bond over, to life with a promo where art and adventure intersect. SM Cinema’s Action & ARTventure” promo gives moviegoers a reel to real experience of the Jumanji: The Next Level over the holidays.
From December 4 to 10 a single receipt purchase of Jumanji: Next Level movie tickets of at least P500 gives moviegoers a chance to win two tickets to Art in Island museum.

Ten winners from the participating SM Cinema branches SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall SM Marikina, SM Fairview, SM Sta. Mesa, SM San Lazaro and SM Manila will be selected on December 16. Deadline of dropping of entries is on December 10 at 10 PM.
This promo is valid for SM Cinema regular theaters and IMAX at the selected branches mentioned above. For more details, you may visit SM Cinema’s official Facebook page.
Catch Jumanji: The Next Level at SM Cinema theatres nationwide starting December 4! Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates! Complete your movie-watching experience with munchies from Snack Time, the official food concessionaire of SM Cinema, which offers a wide array of snack like popcorn, hotdogs and burgers. Follow /SnackTimeOfficial on Facebook for more information.

THE GOOD LIAR - Who's the Good ? Who's the Liar ?

Based on the novel by Nicholas Searle, Ian McKellen stars as Roy Courtnay, a con-man who's out to take his next target - Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren) a former Oxford professor who is recently widowed and is worth millions. Betty has a grandson (Russell Tovey) who is very suspicious of Roy. 

The film is made in an Alfred Hitchcock style where it has lots of twists and turns, revenge and deception. The two main characters meet through an online dating site, have dinner, and develop some feelings toward each other. Things seem to be going well, until the second act where the film takes a dark turn. Revelations are brought to light.

It's great to see these two legendary actors connect with each other. Both give charming and exceptional performances. 

This is their first time to be acting in a film together. That alone is worth the price of the movie ticket. 

Directed by Bill Condon who also helmed Gods and Monsters, The Greatest Showman, Beauty And The Beast, etc. From New Line Cinema. Released through Warner Bros. Pictures. Rated R. 

FROZEN II - Beautiful Animation, Better Storyline !

It's been six years since we last saw the familial love between Elsa and Anna, and now we are presented with this sequel to the mega-blockbuster FROZEN. Elsa has learned to control her powers, and she's happily settled in Arendelle.  But still, some questions were left unanswered : Where did Elsa's powers came from ? What happened to their parents ? Is Anna also special ?  One day a haunting and persistent voice kept calling to Elsa, making her wonder if it might give answers to her many questions. Elsa, together with Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, followed the voice and travelled north of their kingdom to an enchanted forest.

This sequel expands the story arcs of Frozen and digs deeper into Elsa and Anna's origins, further developing their characters. We learned more about their parents and their connections to an ancient tribe called the Northundrals.   

We saw the film in an IMAX theater and it perfectly showcased the wonders of this animated feature. The film has plenty of stunning set pieces, heartfelt moments, life-threatening action sequences, and humorous scenes both for the kids and adults. The songs are quite good, although it will be hard to equal the success of the original's hit tunes. "Into The Unknown" and "Lost In The Woods" are stand-outs.  

Children will surely enjoy this movie, as well the adults who will accompany them. My verdict ? The first Frozen has better songs, but this one has a better story. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. Rated PG-13. From Walt Disney Pictures.   

WHAT'S THE SECRET TO JED MADELA’S SUCCESS ?

(Media Release)
It’s no secret that Jed Madela’s faith is very important to him. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the World Champion’s Facebook friends, you’ll know that he often posts Bible passages on his timeline. Before he takes the stage—whether it’s for a production number on the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP Natin ‘To, a concert abroad, or a corporate show—he always makes sure to pray.
There’s no doubt that the Lord looks favorably upon Jed, because he has been blessed with the kind of career other singers only dream of having.

Recently Jed’s latest album
Superhero was named Best Secular Album at the 2019 Catholic Mass Media Awards. That award-giving body was established in 1978 by the late Cardinal Sin, as a way to honor those who serve God through the media. Jed’s win signifies that he strives to uphold the highest moral values and ideals in his work. Jed took to social media when he heard the news: “Thank you very much to the Catholic Mass Media Awards for recognizing Superhero as the Best Secular Album! My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you and all who believed in this album. Maraming salamat po! Thank you Lord!”

The 16-track album Chosen: Songs from an Original Musical, which was produced by the Ateneo SALT Institute, in cooperation with ABS-CBN and the Jesuit Music Ministry, won Best Inspirational Album. Jed’s rendition of the song “No More Music” is on that album, which
means he had a hand in its win.

Soon after, Jed earned more nominations from the Philippine Movie Press Club. Jed’s up for three trophies at the Star Awards for Music: Album of the Year (Superhero), Male Recording Artist of the Year (for that album’s lead single “‘Di Matitinag”), and Male Concert Performer of the Year (Higher than High). The members of the Philippine Movie Press Club have always been very supportive of Jed and all his endeavors, a fact that Jed is very grateful for Higher than High, Jed’s anniversary concert at the Big Dome, has seemingly become an
awards-season favorite, because it also earned Jed a nomination for Best Major Concert by a Male Artist at the 2019 Aliw Awards. The show’s Musical Director Marvin Querido was also nominated for Best Musical Direction for a Concert. 

Jed’s recent achievements prove that if you put your trust in the Lord no matter what, you’ll be alright. The secret to his success is his faith.