Another year done and more great books were added to our personal libraries.

 

Forget about Netflix and chillin’, 2016 was another amazing year for Philippine publishing. While the rest of the world was binge-watching various TV series on their devices, Filipinos were clutching, honest-to-goodness printed books. Already coming from a banner year in 2015, Filipino readers were even more spoiled this year with an even more diverse lineup of local books from mostly new and unexpected authors.

 

In today’s ever changing world dominated by social networking sites, Wi-Fi, and hashtags, more and more Filipinos are now engaged in a new reading habit.

 

 

ABS-CBN Publishing’s top five bestsellers for 2016 is led by President Vice: Ang Panggulo ng Pilipinas. In his book debut, the self-appointed Panggulo ng Pilipinas Vice Ganda gives a voice to the voiceless as he proclaims new rules and decrees that will have no effect whatsoever on our lives. “No to PDA!,” “No to #NoFilter!,” and “No to paasa!” are just some of his unorthodox and new rules. Make no mistake though, this is the gay president who values our right to love, life, and “churva,” whatever that means for you. Selling 95,000 copies, “President Vice” is guaranteed to be funny.

 

 

“Stupid is Forever” and “Stupid is Forevermore” topped the bestselling charts in 2014 and 2015. And yet, the late great Miriam Defensor Santiago’s book series still continue to sell like hotcakes in 2016 after selling 80,000. She may have passed away early this year, but the beloved senator’s influence is, was, and forever will be boundless. Her collection of quotes, jokes, and speeches will ensure that #MiriamIsForever.

 

 

Simply put, “Vince and Kath” is a love story told through text messages. After gaining prominence online as one of the pioneers of the “socialserye” genre, Queen Elly (Jenny Almocera in real life) saw her books come to life in printed format in March. Flash forward to December, the beloved and bestselling 7-book love story, which sold 75,000 copies, is now a major motion picture and part of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

 

 

Last May, after the smoke cleared from one of the most intense elections ever, one man stood tall and victorious. His name is Duterte. Compiling President Rodrigo Duterte’s various quotes, statements, jokes, and promises, “The Duterte Manifesto,” which sold 70,000 copies, is an unofficial guide to understanding how the Philippine’s most powerful mind works. And if that’s not enough of an incentive, a portion of the book’s proceeds go directly to Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc. – House of Hope.

 

After helping women cope with the struggles that come with breakups, bestselling author Alex Gonzaga is back with a book that deals with a subject matter that’s both foreign and familiar for a good majority of Pinays – dating. Selling 35,000 copies, Gonzaga’s “We’re Dating. Tama, Mali?!,” discusses the trials and tribulations all females must go through as they traverse the world of modern dating. And as she says inside the book, “Love is a risk, and dating is the test that will help you decide if you want to take that risk.”

 

The honorable mention, which have been in the bestsellers list of bookstores multiple times throughout the year by selling a minimum of 10,000 copies, include LAKOMPAKE by Senyora, #GOALS by Andrea Brillantes, HABANG WALA PA SILA by Juan Miguel Severo and THE WRONG MESSAGE by Queen Elly.

 

Ian Veneracion and Iza Calzado will bring fear this January as they star for the first time in the horror film "Ilawod". This is the first horror film of Dan Villegas, produced by Quantum Films, MJM Films,Tuko Film Productions, and Buchi Boy Production, Ilawod is coming to cinemas this January 18, 2017.   

Best Actress: Irma Adlawan

Best Actor: Paolo Ballesteros 

Best Picture: Sunday Beauty Queen

Best Ensemble Cast: Oro

Gatpuno Antonio J Villegas Cultural Awards: Sunday Beauty Queen 

Best Director: Erik Matti 

Best Screenplay: Seklusyon 

FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence: Oro 

Male Star of the Night: Ronnie Alonte

Female Star of the Night: Rhian Ramos

Best Editing: Sunday Beauty Queen 

Best Cinematography: 

Best Production Design: Seklusyon

Best Original Themesong: Dominus Misere by Francis De Veyra, Seklusyon

Best Musical Scoring: Saving Sally 

Best Sound Design: Seklusyon

My Most Favorite Film: Die Beautiful

Children's Choice: Vince & Kath & James, Saving Sally, Sunday Beauty Queen

Best Float: Die Beautiful 

#GabiNgParangal2016

 

Last Christmas Day the newest circus show started to begin their run at the Big Dome aka the Araneta Coliseum, they called themselves "Le Grand Cirque". The group is composed of different types of performers from contortionists, acrobats, trapeze acts, hoopers, and more that came from different part of the world such as China, Ukraine, Russia, Australia, Sweden, and USA.

 

 

Last week we were able to meet four of the performers, first was Ross, he is the Jester/Clown though he doesn't look one he was a really funny, the second one was Sasha, he does the human juggling (refer to the photo below) he is from Russia with love, and boy he does his craft well that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Then next is the half american-half swedish Kristoff and Stefan who does Acrobalance (Refer to the photo belw again). All of them are first timers here in Manila, and they all look forward to perform infront of the Filipino audiences as they know that we Filipinos are good audiences and they hope they can satisfy the audiences.

 

Review: 8.5/10 (12/20/16)

"Oro" is not the type of movie that you'll watch on the opening day of the Film Festival, but it is a must watch, why? because the "Oro" raises certain issues with regards the mining industry, on how some people abuses their power to take control of people who are powerless. Another reason is that, being based on true events "Oro" amplifies the search for justice for those victims of the massacre that happened in the town of Caramoan.

When it comes to acting Irma Adlawan and Joem Bascon did really well on their characters considering that they aren't the original actors for their respective roles, Mercedes Cabral was exceptional specially in her breakout scenes.

There are certain thinga in the movie that I dídn't like, first the camera angles used were  though I believe it was up for a visual representation or something like that but I find it uncomfortable it somewhat made me a bit dizzy.

All in all, though I believe the movie is not for the whole family because of some scenes not suitable for kids, it is still a must see movie, the story was good and worthy of your time and money this Holiday season.

Change has really come to the Metro Manila Film Festival this year. From the Mall of Asia to the Quirino Grandstand, the Parade of Stars goes back to its original route that starts from Manila City Hall going to Plaza Miranda in Quiapo. Stating the reason that the festival organizers wants to bring it closer to the public as one determining factor in the decision. 

Anyway, if you are planning to come and see the stars of all 8 movies here's the route of the Parade of Stars. 

The paradae will begin at 1pm in Natividad Lopez Street beside Manila City Hall, the parade will turn right on Taft Avenue going to Jones Bridge.

The parade will continue on Quintin Paredes, then turn right on Reina Regente Street, right on Claro M. Recto Avenue, then left on Rizal Avenue.

It will then turn right on Fugoso Street, right on Quezon Boulevard and finally stop at Plaza Miranda in front of Quiapo Church.

There will be a short program at the Plaza Miranda to end the parade. 

Science says it. Men with facial hair are more attractive. A study in the 70s and two more recent ones conducted by Neave and Shields in 2008 and Dixson and Brooks in 2013 all came up with the same conclusion:

Most women find men with a stubble or a five-o’clock shadow very, very attractive. Although the women’s perception of male attractiveness changed according to the amount and length of men’s facial hair, most women in the study found men with a moderate amount of facial hair to be the most attractive. Some women did prefer men with no facial hair, but to the majority, men with no facial hair were not very attractive and seemed the least likely romantic partners. Women perceived full bearded men to be aggressive, more mature and a bit too much to handle.

The study showed that, bottom line, facial hair matters. 8,250 women in the study who rated the physical attractiveness of men based on the amount or absence of hair on their faces can’t be wrong.

What do the study findings imply? Guys who want to get noticed and be more sexually appealing can surely benefit from some masculine stubble on their cheeks. Just by changing or adding facial hair, a guy could well attract the type of relationship partner he seeks.

For many men, however, the problem is more complicated than that. The reality is the amount of available facial hair varies from guy to guy. Some men have facial hair that grows in patches, some men have hair growth where they do not want them, and some men are so baby-faced, they hardly have any facial hair at all. The truth is facial hair growth pattern is largely controlled by one’s genes. Either you have virile hair growing on your face; have bald, patchy spots on your face; or have no facial hair at all.

But worry no more. Whatever your facial hair growth pattern is, MAXiM Hair Restoration can help you achieve the perfect, rugged look that you’ve been dreaming of.

MAXiM Hair Restoration does not just do hair transplants on the scalp, it can grow hair on other parts of the body where a client wants hair or more hair. Facial hair in well-groomed stubbles, a full beard, thicker eyebrows, chest hair, and/or a moustache can be achieved in just one session at the MAXiM Clinic, with a licensed and experienced plastic surgeon performing the procedure.

Happy clients have walked off the clinic and reported more masculine confidence because of reconstructed facial hair. They reported acquiring a greater perception of their masculinity as their facial hair increased.

“MAXiM’s Facial Hair Transplant is safe and effective. It can give you the beard and moustache style that you want to have. It would be advisable to be aware of the shape of your face before choosing the type of beard or facial hair growth prior to the procedure. Our plastic surgeons have great aesthetic sense and can help you in this regard. 

Square or circular faces should go for a beard shape that lengthens the face. Those with rectangular or oblong faces should keep the hair short at the bottom of the chin,” said Mac Fadra, CEO of MAXiM Hair Restoration.

MAXiM Hair Restoration is the Manila branch of the New-York-based hair transplant company with the mantra “Hair is all we do and we do it well.” It has been doing business in the Philippines since 2005 and has offices in New York City and Chicago in the US; Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and other Asian markets.

Facial hair reconstruction – beards, mustache and stubbles for men and eyebrows for women –are among the most popular procedures at the clinic.

For more information about hair restoration or addition, go to www.maximhairrestoration.com/locations/manila or call (02) 818-6000 or 813-3001 for a FREE consultation. OFWs and those residing outside Metro Manila can avail of Skype consultations or send us pics via What’s App, Viber or email.

 

 

The brightest stars of ABS-CBN joined forces as they gathered to send love and celebrate the spirit of Christmas in “Isang Pamilya Tayo: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special,” which will air this Saturday (Dec 17) and Sunday (Dec 18).

 

Deafening cheers and screams filled the Araneta Coliseum as thousands of fans rushed and witnessed the biggest Kapamilya stars giving thanks to viewers for their unwavering support.

“Christmas, just like change, is permanent in our world. This season, let us come together as one family despite the changes that have happened in our society,” said ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez.

 

ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio, meanwhile, gave thanks to viewers for their love and support through the years. “I thank you all for your stories that you continue to share through ‘MMK’ for 25 years. Your stories have inspired us to be hopeful despite life’s trials,” she said.

 

Music is also one of the highlights of the show with “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalists and ASAP’s Birit Queens and Soul Sessions providing world class performances.

 

Aside from music, the night is also about kilig as teen idols Bailey May, Ylona Garcia, Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, Ronnie Alonte, Jairus Aquino, Sharlene San Pedro and other most favorite teen stars make viewers giddy in their number.

 

Aside from the stars, witness some of the most heartwarming stories of ordinary Filipinos, which will inspire and move viewers.

 

Don’t miss the “Isang Pamilya Tayo: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special” this Saturday (Dec 17), after “MMK” and Sunday (Dec 18), after “Wansapantaym Presents: Santi Cruz is Coming to Town” on ABS-CBN