Join Elsa and Anna’s adventures in Frozen II at SM Cinema’s IMAX and Director’s Club

(Media Release)
After taking the world by storm in 2013, the sequel to Disney’s Frozen is finally here. The movie’s well-loved characters are back on the big screen as they take on a new adventure. This November, SM Cinema invites everyone to immerse into a one-of-a-kind Frozen II movie watching experience at IMAX and Director’s Club Cinema!

Frozen II brings more magic and adventure that will take us on a journey with Elsa and Anna as they try to uncover the buried truth behind Elsa’s past in order to discover the origins of her magical powers. Together with Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, the sisters will journey to a place far from Arendelle and Elsa’s powers will be tested to their limits. Along the way, she will discover the life she was meant to live but in doing so, risk losing everything, including herself.

Make the whole family’s Frozen II experience even more special by watching it in IMAX at SM Cinema and immerse yourself in the wondrous world of Arendelle. With IMAX’s extra large screen and its superior surround sound, moviegoers will be transported into the world of the movies. IMAX is available in the following locations: SM Aura Premier, SM City Cebu, SM City Clark, SM Lanang Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall. SM North EDSA, and SM Southmall.

You can also bask in luxurious comfort at SM Cinema’s Director’s Club Cinema, which is available in 10 locations across the country. Sit back and relax in comfortable leather recliner seats, indulge in cinema snacks and enjoy their in-house butler service so you don’t need to miss a single second of the movie. Visit any of their branches in SM Aura Premier, SM City BF Paranaque, SM City East Ortigas, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, S'Maison in Conrad Manila, The Podium, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM Seaside Cebu City, and SM Cagayan de Oro Downtown Premiere.

Catch Frozen II starting November 20 in SM Cinema theatres nationwide! 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! Satisfy your cravings at Snack Time, the official food concessionaire of SM Cinema, which offers a wide array of snack like popcorn, hotdogs and burgers to complement your movie watching experience. Follow /SnackTimeOfficial on Facebook for more information.

MILLENIAL POP PRINCESS JANAH ZAPLAN RELEASES FIRST CHRISTMAS SINGLE UNDER STAR MUSIC

(Media Release)
Janah Zaplan finds a new home. After signing an exclusive digital distribution deal with the country’s leading record label, Star Music, Janah is set to conquer new heights with the release of her very first Christmas single, “Sana Lagi Ay Pasko”, produced by the award-winning SonicState Audio Services helmed by songwriter/producer Brian Lotho. This is a big leap for Janah as she is now joining the star-studded line-up of artists distributed by Star, ABS-CBN’s music label arm.
“Sana Lagi Ay Pasko” is a mid-tempo pop track penned by Brian Lotho, a young songwriter who has worked with big-named artists such as Christian Bautista, Maja Salvador, Jennylyn Mercado, among others. The song reflects the sentiments of our overseas workers who endure the loneliness of being away from their families, but look forward to the Christmas season to spend it with them.

Being an official Kapamilya excites the young singer. She hopes to be given the chance to work and collaborate not just with Star Music artists but with the network’s superstars as well like her idol, Sarah Geronimo.
With “Sana Lagi Ay Pasko” Janah hopes to finally be recognized as one of OPM’s next big thing, a title she rightfully deserves.

LET'S GET TO KNOW RISING EDM ARTIST JACE ROQUE

For someone without the backing of a major record label or management team, Jace Roque is quite the accomplished artist. Jace has been in the business for several years now, which is why he has already amassed a long list of credits as an actor and commercial model. Recently, he switched his focus to music, a field in which Jace also had little trouble finding success.
Jace got to where he is not just because he’s talented, but because he knows exactly what he wants and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Jace’s determination has served him well. To date, he has appeared in the hit ABS-CBN shows And I Love You So, Inday Bote and Ningning. He has also played supporting roles in the hit movies Across the Crescent Moon and Tatay Kong Sexy, which starred Matteo Guidicelli and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, respectively.

Acting-wise, he has worked with (and learned from) the cream of the showbiz crop. Aside from the aforementioned leading men, Jace has worked with Jana Agoncillo and Maja Salvador, as well as filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes. Good thing Jace is used to being around celebrities, since he’s related to quite a few. Gino Padilla is a very supportive uncle, while Luke Mejares is a distant cousin of Jace’s. But the relative that had the most impact on Jace’s own showbiz career was the late character actor and stuntman Boy Roque.

When Jace decided to make music full-time, he knew he had to do something to set himself apart in the crowded OPM scene. Not only did Jace go into EDM or electronic dance music, but he also decided to write, produce, and arrange his own songs. He has since released six singles on Spotify, all of which were met with success. Actually, that’s an understatement—his single “Sober,” which he dropped earlier this year, has been streamed over 300,000 times on Spotify. It was also featured on three of the platform’s most popular playlists: New Music Friday Philippines, OPM Rising, and Tatak Pinoy. In fact, Jace made such a huge splash on Spotify that at one point, he was the featured artist on the cover of the OPM Rising playlist. Furthermore, “Sober” was released through Ditto Music, a music distribution company that has also worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.

Meanwhile, the lyric video for Jace’s latest single “Love” recently hit over 100,000 views. It was released through Kobalt Music Group subsidiary AWAL, another international company.
Jace’s accomplishments become all the more impressive when you realize that he managed to do all of that on his own. He’s an independent artist who has had to work doubly hard to get to where he is today. Jace admits that it’s hard to go it alone, but adds that it can also be very fulfilling, especially if you’re a musician like him.

“If you listen to my songs, you’ll notice that they are all straight from the heart, hindi sila plastic. In my songs, ang pinapakita ko talaga is not the person I want to be, but the person I really am,” he says.
Spoken like a true artist.

During our live Q & A with Jace, he mentioned that he wants to focus on his music career for now. This doesn't mean that he is closing his doors to acting projects that may come his way. He's still open to acting gigs from time to time. He's a man of many talents, and he's out to make his mark in the entertainment industry.

FORD V FERRARI - A well-crafted, entertaining film !

Based on the incredible true story of  American driver turned car designer Carrol Shelby and hot-tempered driver/mechanic/car engineer Ken Miles who were both hired by Henry Ford II in 1966 to do the impossible - build a fast car that can beat Ferrari in the Le Mans 24-hour car race. Ferrari has been consistently winning the Le Mans during those times.

I was pleasantly surprised that this is more a story of friendship, their struggles, and ingenuity. What it takes to win the race - not just the driver and his car, but a whole team behind him. That's not to say that the car race scenes are so-so. They are electrifying ! The audience gets a driver's eye view of the car while trying to beat the other racers. 

Oscar winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale are both excellent in their roles as Shelby and Miles, while the other members of the cast are just as great. Tracy Letts is Henry Ford II, Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca,  Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe, Caitriona Balfe as Ken's wife Mollie, Noah Jupe as Ken's son Peter, Ray McKinnon as Phil Remington, and Remo Girone as Enzo Ferrari. It's the best ensemble cast in years ! 

Director James Mangold, together with screenwriters Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller has put  together an action-drama-comedy that is exhilarating, fun, and entertaining. This is one of the best films of the year that will certainly get nods for best picture, best director, best actor, best screenplay, best cinematography, best editing, best sound, etc. during awards season. Catch it on the biggest screens with the best sound systems.  I highly recommend it to everyone. Even if you're not into cars or racing, you will enjoy this one ! Rated PG-13. From 20th Century Fox.  

World Vision and partners respond to emergency needs of quake survivors

Following three succeeding earthquakes that hit southern Mindanao last month, World Vision launched its relief operations to help the affected families of Kidapawan City, Makilala, and Tulunan in Northern Cotabato.

To complement the efforts of the local government, World Vision provided non-food items such as hygiene kits (bath and laundry soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes, sanitary packs, nail cutter, undergarments and malong or tube skirt), jerry cans, mosquito net, mats, and blankets, and emergency shelter kits (tarp and rope) among others.

World Vision also focused its efforts to address the special needs of children affected by the quake. Interventions such as child-friendly spaces and temporary learning centers provided children with psychosocial support and a safe place to learn and play.

As of November 12, World Vision has reached at least 947 affected families with emergency shelter kits, hygiene kits, non-food items, and clean water kits (459 in the City of Kidapawan and 488 in the Municipality of Tulunan), 602 affected children with psychosocial support through child-friendly spaces in school-based evacuation centers in the City of Kidapawan, and 354 school children with 2 temporary learning spaces in their affected school in the Municipality of Makilala.

With the help of generous individuals and companies like Owndays Philippines, J&J, Emerson, Nexus, and RichMedia Inc., the aim to assist 1000 families or 5000 individuals will soon be achieved.

More Help is Needed

Bringing help to the hard-hit earthquake sites are not without challenges. In Tulunan, World Vision response team had to brave the landslide-prone areas in order to reach the survivors including the indigenous tribe B’laan.

“Every day since the quake, we had to walk at least two hours to go here and wait for help,” said 5-month pregnant Chona. She leaves her makeshift shelter at 6 o’clock in the morning and goes back at around 4 in the afternoon, depending on the schedule of relief distributions.

Analiza, another B’laan from a different sitio shared, “We have no choice but to do this. Most of us are farm workers, but our farms were damaged not only by the quake but by the landslides. It’s not easy.”

While help has reached some of the quake-affected families, challenges remain to rebuild their communities, and to start with their lives anew.

"Thank you for partnering with us as we help fellow Filipinos affected by the Mindanao earthquake. Much needs to be done and we hope that God will continue to enable us to help reach the most vulnerable children and communities”, says World Vision Executive Director Rommel Fuerte.

To know more about World Visions work and how to help our fellow people affected by the Mindanao Earthquake, please visit https://wvph.co/DonateforCotabato. You may also call World Vision at (02) 8372-7777 or (0917) 866-4824.

For more information and updates, you may follow /worldvisionph on Facebook and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.

About World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Children present Manifesto to government leaders in World Vision National Children’s Congress

(PRESS RELEASE)
In time for the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the 27th National Children’s Month, World Vision organized a 3-day national children’s congress, attended by more than 140 children across the country. The event, anchored on the theme “Karapatan ng Bata: Ipagdiwang at Patuloy na Pahalagahan”, provided a venue for child leaders to present to government leaders their manifesto which highlights their call for the government and other non-government organizations to address the different issues and concerns that directly or indirectly affect the full attainment of their rights.

Among the issues raised include the lack of support and recognition for Barangay Children’s Associations (BCA), poor health services and poor sanitary conditions in communities, lack of teachers and educational facilities, low family income, bullying and discrimination. Alongside the issues were children’s recommended solutions.

“My life changed after the armed conflict in my city. I wanted to quit studying to help provide for the family but I’m grateful that my parents did not allow me to stop despite our financial challenges. If given a chance, I want to be an accountant someday,” shared Abdullah of Marawi City. The children suggested for provision of income- generating mechanisms to families, as well as access to technical/vocational skills training programs.
National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Victor Del Rosario who was present during the presentation said that congresses like this are important because they serve as avenues where children may “vent their major issues, concerns and challenges that will be heard by the government for appropriate action”. He added that the government deems the welfare of children very significant in governance.

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Women and Children’s Protection Center (WCPC) through Assistant Chief Colonel Robert Gallardo also affirmed its commitment to upholding the rights of children. “Our centers in police stations nationwide can cater to all complaints affecting women and children, and we can protect them.”

Leaders from the Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Council for the Welfare of Children, National Committee for Children and Youth Participation, UN Youth Advisory Board, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos - Office of the President were also present during the Children’s Manifesto presentation.

The work continues

“We laud the children for their courage to speak on issues that concern them but we recognize that there is more to be done for them and with them. As a child-focused organization, World Vision will continue to help empower and provide them with venues to come together and amplify their right to be heard and make informed decisions to matters affecting them,” said World Vision Executive Director Rommel V. Fuerte.

“One of the things that stuck with me was the discussion on child protection. I learned where to go when we are abused or taken advantage of,” said Kate of Leyte Province. Meanwhile, Kim from Camarines Norte and a first-time attendee of the children’s congress, shared that he made friends with other children despite coming from different backgrounds and that he enjoyed learning more about the country through the different cultural presentations of his fellow children.

Aside from the crafting of the Children’s manifesto, the 3-day event further discussed the UNCRC principles, sustainable development goals, and the four categories of children’s rights: survival, development, participation and protection.

Towards the end of the congress, a new set of child officers were elected for the World Vision National Children’s Federation (WVNCF), a national assembly of children-representatives from assisted communities. WVNCF advocates for active child participation in achieving safe and protective environment in partnership with parents, local government, non-government organizations, private sectors, communities and institutions.

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. https://www.worldvision.org.ph

JessaMae Gabon Releases Digital Single entitled ENSAYADO

JESSAMAE GABON
Jessamae’s authentic voice, style, and musicality conveys the strength and force that makes every Filipino proud… her influences cross between the likes of Carole King, Nina Simone, Lady Gaga, and local ballad singers like Lani Misalucha and Ebe Dancel. Listening to Jessamae’s songs is like listening to the legends and to contemporary poetry. As a singer and songwriter, her passion and love for her Filipino legacy and heritage is strongly interwoven into her soul as a musician. Her songs will simply grip your heart and nourish your soul – there’s nothing like it.
Encouraged by fans and loved ones, Jessamae has released her originally written and composed song entitled “Ensayado” in October of this year. Crafted by musical arranger Jun “JT” Tamayo and produced by label executive Reck Cardinales, this masterpiece was released and published by executive producer RJA Productions LLC and now being distributed on all streaming sites by Curve Entertainment.
The song is a mix of pop-rock and retro style, utilizing fast rhythm and electronic music. Ensayado is a fresh, upbeat, original Filipino song that talks about a common but very personal process of facing one’s reservations. Faced with too many missed chances to speak one’s heart and mind, one can only imagine different ways of what might have been or could have been. Ensayado harbors longing and loneliness submerged under the colorful rhythm and contemporary synths that expresses authentic (siguro puwede pong ‘her personal influences across artists and genres', authenticity is debatable kasi) artistry.

Like a Phoenix Rising, Stronger than Ever…

Starting out as an amateur singer (colloquially known as kontesera), vocal coach, and back-up singer, she began her singing career behind multiple cover albums and as the voice behind many karaoke VCDs. In time, Jessamae grew her experience and began to spread her contemporary influence across various platforms through her voice and the power of her lyrics:
Recipient of South East Asian Region Award for the show “Search for Unsigned Talents in Asia” (SUTASI), produced by Asia Sounds (a Melbourne based music entertainment company, 2007)
Released a contemporary Filipino music entitled “Bagong Henerasyon” under StarMusic (formerly known as Star Records Inc., 2009)
Finalist of the Annual Multi-awarded Gospel Song Writing Competition (Song of Praise Music Festival, 2012)
Song Interpreter of Grand Finalists for Two Seasons (Song of Praise Music Festival, 2012, 2014)
Released her first digital showcase under a channel called DISRUPT, a program featuring Asian performing artists, produced by MediaCorp in Singapore (2014)
Jessamae’s love for Filipino music and instruments grew even deeper in time as she delved into her musical training and as she opened herself to her local culture.

A True Lover of Local Languages, Poetry, and Filipino Sensibilities

Jessamae’s songs are known for the heart-wrenching lyrics and the deeper meaning it conveys to every listener.
As the writer of her songs, Jessamae shares that her songs reflect her personal experiences, the inner workings of her thoughts, and the depth of her soul.  It reflects her love for the local languages, poetry, and Filipino sensibilities.
Spreading her wings further, she started to also expand her songwriting gift and love for theater both abroad and locally.
Her most memorable experience was co-writing, co-producing, and singing a number of children’s songs for a popular Singaporean children’s show entitled “Junction Tree”. She also remained as an active member of Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, a puppet theatre group whose works cater to children’s literature and Asian puppet theatre touring around Asia and the world.
To sum up Jessamae and her music, here’s a famous quote from Roy Ayers, “The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.”