HOOQ, Asia’s largest video-on-demand service, furthers its commitment in uplifting the quality of Filipino movies as it remained the exclusive presenter of the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival and its New Wave category.

“In a year marked by big changes in the MMFF, we are proud to say that our full support for the premiere movie festival in the country has remained the same,” said Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager. “We welcome another year of partnership with the Metro Manila Film Festival, and we are proud to be part of the festival as it takes brave new steps in focusing on quality films, fresh casting choices and new approaches to filmmaking.”

In his speech, Metro Manila Development Authority Thomas Orbos said, “We are gathered here together not only to seek change but also to look back to the original theme of the MMFF which is to be a festival that celebrates Filipino artistic excellence.

Change is never easy, it is a difficult path, but thanks to the MMFF Executive Committee we are here today amidst change. We believe that what we did with the MMFF this year may not be recognized now, but it will be appreciated by future generations. It is not about the money, it is about what we can give to our children later on by promoting quality films in the Philippines.”

WINNERS AND STARS OF THE NIGHT

Erik Matti’s Seklusyon proved to be the big winner at the 42ND METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL GABI NG PARANGAL held December 29, 2016 at the Kia Theater, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.

The movie brought home eight awards including Best Director for Erik Matti; Best Supporting Actress Phoebe Walker; Special Jury Prize Rhed Bustamante; Best Screenplay; Best Sound; Best Production Design; Best Cinematography and Best Theme Song for Dominus Miserere.

Sunday Beauty Queen, the very first documentary to be included in the annual festival was chosen as Best Picture.



Irma Adlawan won the coveted Best Actress category for the movie Oro, while Paolo Ballesteros was chosen as Best Actor for his performance in ¬Die Beautiful. Newcomer Christian Bables got the most cheers after being named Best Supporting Actor for his role as Barbs in Die Beautiful.

HOOQ likewise gave out its own set of awards for the Short Films category including Best Screenplay: Mitatang; Best Director: Jarell Serencio Mga Bituin sa Siyudad; Special Jury Prize for Manila Scream; and Best Picture for EJK.
Ronnie Alonte and Rhian Ramos meanwhile, were recognized as the HOOQ Male and Female Celebrities of the Night for their stunning looks at the red carpet.

HOME OF THE MMFF WINNERS

HOOQ is the home of the largest collection of Pinoy movies and TV series spanning almost five decades, including close to a hundred winners and finalists of the Metro Manila Film Festival such as “Baler”, “Tanging Yaman”, “Muro Ami”, “Imortal”, the beloved franchises such as “Mano Po”, “Tanging Ina” “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and many more. New additions on HOOQ from the MMFF past entries include 2013’s “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay”, “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” as well as the 2015 finalist “Haunted Mansion”.

According to Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines Director of Content and Programming, they are adding more past MMFF winners to HOOQ’s carefully curated library of Filipino titles.

NEW PLATFORM FOR THE NEXT GEN FILMMAKERS

MMFF and HOOQ are also working together to encourage the next generation of movie makers through the HOOQ Short Films category. HOOQ awarded a host of Short Film prizes including the Special Jury Prize and the Best Short Film.

Each HOOQ Short Film was partnered with a long-form finalist and were screened during the MMFF regular theater run from December 25 to January 3. Each film runs under 5 minutes and most will be available on HOOQ shortly after conclusion of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Last year, we saw a lot of very interesting entries that surprised us with their quick narratives and creative storytelling techniques,” added Remigio. “HOOQ believes in nurturing these next generation of film makers by providing them a platform where more audiences can view their movies.”

“The world has begun to take notice of the best content Philippine cinema can offer, by supporting these young filmmakers, HOOQ is also investing in the future of entertainment,” adds Remigio.

PARADE OF STARS

The festival kicked off with the annual Parade of Stars on December 23 which began at the Manila City Hall at Nicanor Lopez Street and ended at Plaza Miranda—the original route used in the very first MMFF Float Parade.

Among the stars that participated in the Grand Parade of Stars were Nora Aunor, Eugene Domingo, Paolo Ballesteros, Kean Cipriano, Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, Mercedes Cabral and many others.

Bela Padilla also joined the parade aboard HOOQ’s OTJ float. Padilla is one of the lead stars of the upcoming series OTJ: The Missing 8, the very first original local content produced exclusively for the video on demand service.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night co-presented by HOOQ.
Best Picture - Sunday Beauty Queen
Best Director - Erik Matti (Seklusyon)
Best Actress - Irma Adlawan (Oro)
Best Actor - Paolo Ballesteros (Die Beautiful)
Best Supporting Actress - Phoebe Walker (Seklusyon)
Best Supporting Actor - Christian Balbes (Die Beautiful)
Children's Choice - Saving Sally, Sunday Beauty Queen and Vince & Kath & James
People's Choice - (voted online) Die Beautiful
Best Cast Ensemble - Oro
Special Jury Prize - Rhed Bustamante (Seklusyon)
Best Screenplay - Seklusyon
Best Sound - Seklusyon
Best Musical Score - Saving Sally
Best Theme Song – Dominus Miserere (Francis De Veyra) Seklusyon
Best Production Design - Seklusyon
Best Editing - Sunday Beauty Queen
Best Cinematography - Seklusyon
FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence - Oro
Gatpuno Antonio J Villegas Cultural Award - Sunday Beauty Queen
Best Float - Die Beautiful

HOOQ, a start-up venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros., is an award-winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television shows, on any device including computers, smartphones tablets, and TV’s using casting devices such as Airplay and Chromecast.

How to get HOOQ
It’s easy to get HOOQ! Sign up today for a 7-day trial on www.HOOQ.tv. Globe mobile customers can get up to 90 days HOOQ subscription on selected GoSURF plans. Broadband customers HOOQ for 6 months on Globe Broadband plans P1,299 and up. Once the trial period expires, Globe customers can continue enjoying HOOQ at P149 subscription fee monthly charged to their Globe bill. Simply text HOOQ149 to 8080.

Spending time with your family is a must this holiday season. This is the time to have a bonding moment with your love ones and make it a magical moment with them. Christmas time is for our little ones and what makes them happy is seeing glowing of different lights and colors and one of the best place to visit is "Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights".
This holiday season, Nuvali is transformed into a first-of-its-kind holiday destination with the launch of “Magical Field of Lights,” the first lights and sounds show in Ayala Land’s largest sustainable estate.
Ongoing until January 8, 2017, Nuvali’s grass fields light up like an enchanted field of tulips dancing to two 5-minute medleys enjoyable for the whole family. The show will run every 30 minutes from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. daily.
Aside from the show, the field also features a variety of attractions such as the 50-meter long light tunnel, Christmas trees, and dandelion light installation.

It will also be complemented with a Christmas fair that showcases traditional Filipino Christmas treats such as bibingka and puto bumbong. A variety of local goods perfect for gift-giving will also be available.


“This year, we are ecstatic to introduce a magical and one-of-a-kind holiday treat to the south, bringing Ayala Land’s signature light and sound show to more cities and communities,” said Jennifer Chua, Nuvali Marketing Manager.

With the help of Estate Water, Qualimed Hospital, Amaia Steps Parkway, Ayala Malls Solenad and Nestle Kitkat, Nuvali brings to life a spectacular show for its residents, employees and visitors.

Nuvali invites holiday guests to partake in the Christmas festivities including a visit to the Nuvali Christmas Bazaar at Ayala Malls Solenad which will feature unique local goods from Laguna. Solenad in Nuvali will also have a roster of crowd-drawing events including the “Christkindl Market” holiday village featuring traditional and modern gifts for sale from December 1 to 31, and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra concert on December 16.
I personally enjoyed the Nuvali Christmas Bazaar, I even bought something for my kids. I really find it cool and definitely my kids will like it, because their names are written on it and I will hang it on their door's room. There are many more items that you can find and perhaps what you are looking for are there in that Bazaar. Here are some of it:







From sunup to sundown, the estate offers a wide range of activities for families and weekenders. With 50% of the development dedicated to green and open spaces, Nuvali features an off-road biking and running trails approximately 50 km in total length, a multi-functional lake, and a Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary.
Seda Hotel in Nuvali offers a relaxing stay for guests opting for a Christmas staycation. Guests booked for December 24 can enjoy complimentary servings of puto bumbong or bibingka and two cups of hot chocolate.


It was a magical fun tour at Nuvali. We watched "Moana" at Solenad Ayala Mall. I will let my kids watch Moana, they definitely enjoy it. Next is in Nuvali Christmas Bazaar where I bought the hanging something that the name of my kids are written there and then the Lights and Sound Show that you truly appreciate and enjoy the show at the Nuvali Magical Field of Lights.

Mommies, you can visit Nuvali Magical Field of Lights to spend holiday with your family and enjoy the magical moments with them. I will definitely let my family experience it as well.

Here are some of the videos during the Lights and Sound show:










To get to Nuvali, private vehicles can pass through Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan, or Canlubang exit along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Public transportation to Nuvali is available from major jump-offs such as Bonifacio Global City, and Balibago. Nuvali sits in the cities of Sta. Rosa, Calamba and Cabuyao in Laguna and features a diverse mix of residential and commercial developments.

For more details log on to https://www.facebook.com/NuvaliOfficial/

Mike Tan happily celebrated his 29th birthday at Infinite Blessed Home Care located at Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City. He shared his blessings through charily works. He spent time with the elders because it reminds him of his grandparents.



Mike Tan got the chance to mingle with the lolo's and lola's at the Home Care. He even sung a few songs with them, personally gave food and ate with them and had a small chit chat with the elderly. His glances shows how he respect the elderly that much like what we usually did. Most of our elders instructs as to "bless your lolo and lola" which most of today's teenagers forgets. They didn't know that it is one of the ways of showing respect to our grandparents. Good job Mike Tan!
As of the moment, Mike Tan is part of the GMA Afternoon Prime Teleserye, "Ika-6 na Utos". It tackles about married life and how important fidelity, loyalty and trust is in the family aside from love. Joining him in the teleserye are Ryza Ceno, Sunshine Dizon and Mr. Gabby Concepcion.



Mike Tan shared that there are lots of lessons to be learned in their teleserye, one of it is on how to handle if ever they encounter that kind of situation. Mike is very thankful as well because GMA continuously give him challenging roles that enhances his acting ability.
When Mike Tan was asked about what are the activities that makes him busy now, he shared that he is now busy with the Teleserye, planning the holiday vacation and do some training like swimming.
Don't miss Ika-6 na Utos weekdays after Eat Bulaga.
For more details: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGMAArtistCenter Instagram & Twitter: @artistcenter

Dining on a weekend is perhaps one of the Filipinos traits that represents family ties and of course connection with friends. Over a sumptuous lunch or dinner families or friends get together and enjoy the weekend or rest day, one restaurant make sure that the weekend is worth it, Gerry's is our choice  because it serve most of our favorite dishes.
Gerry's will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary on February 2017 and I was able to attended their Gerry's at@ 20 Anniversary Press Launch. I feel lucky on that day that I'm one of the first to experience and know that Gerry's will be celebrating.
Moving towards its 20th year Gerry’s, which currently has a 80-branch network in the country, is set to open five branches during the first quarter of 2017 - SM San Pablo, SM Iloilo, Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Bacolod City, and Mactan, Cebu.

By end of 2016, Gerry’s will have 82 local branches with the opening of Robinson’s Place in Calasiao, Pangasinan; Matalino Street in Quezon City and Southpark in Alabang, Muntinlupa City soon.

(Now that’s a lot of branches for Korean sensation Sandara Park to visit! Sandara has become a staple at Gerry’s, which is thankful for her generosity in posting photos of her visits to their branches on her Instagram account.)

Overseas Gerry’s has two branches each in Singapore, Qatar and the U.S. It is set to open in Hawaii early next year.

Customers who grew up munching on Gerry’s bestsellers now enjoy going to the restaurant with their children and their children’s friends.
Over the years Gerry’s, which originated in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, has developed a wide variety of menu items care of its resident chefs who whip up magic in the kitchen.

Recently, Gerry’s held a cook-off among their chefs whose winning entries became part of the restaurant’s current menu lineup.

Here are the newest addition to the menu:

Food items go thru a series of checks to ensure that they are served hot and fresh to guests. To maintain consistency, Gerry’s has a team of quality assurance officers who visit all the branches regularly.

Gerry’s hard work has paid off with numerous recognition for its excellent dishes, among them: Spot.ph - Best BangusSisig Award for 2012, The Choice - People's Favorite Restaurant for Office Party Award for 2015 and People's Favorite Sisig Award for 2015 & 2016.

Gerry’s has embraced a more casual, family-oriented ‘feel’ compared to its former ‘tambayan’ vibe.

From 80’s music, more hip and current hits not only from pop artists but also You Tube stars could be seen and heard from flat screen TVs and audio system, which decked its walls.

Back then Gerry’s was only open at nighttime to accommodate drinkers. With its growing popularity, it eventually acceded to requests from guests to extend its operations to early lunch to enjoy their favorite dishes.

For years now, Gerry’s has been a staunch supporter of athletes.
Among those they have provided support were UST Growling Tigers, UP Fighting Maroons, Perpetual Help College and Arellano University in NCAA. Currently, Gerry’s provides NCAA 91 Women’s Volleyball Champion the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers meals support under the strict supervision of a nutritionist.

Gerry’s is also a benefactor of The Philippine Volcanoes.

Mommies, let your weekend or any other day more of a bonding moment at Gerry's but since its holiday season be sure to spend the holiday at one of their branches. As for my family, will definitely bring them this coming weekend to spend our Christmas Lunch together with my Parents and In-Laws.

Parties and Reunions are up now, Order Gerry's Cater to Go items. No more worries for the food on your celebration, just enjoy the parties with delicious food on your table from Gerry's. Call 332-111 for more inquiries.

For more details: http://www.gerrysgrill.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gerrysgrill.com.ph/