Supporting Lipa City’s tourism by highlighting its well-loved delicacies, socialized housing development BellaVita Land Corp. will gather all Lipa restaurants and stores to participate in a friendly contest of “Pinaka-panalongLipa Delicacies” on Oct. 25 at BellaVita compound in the city.

While the major tourist drawers in the province are its beaches, BellaVita wants to showcase Lipa City’s wide selection of Filipino delicacies such as lomi, crispy pata, and kapeng barako in order to establish that Batangas is a must visit place because of its food.

“We want to support Lipa City’s tourism in any way that we could. Lipa has a lot of potential and its food should be given more attention because they are really top class. If you want to try the best lomi, crispy pata, suman, and kapengbarako, just go here,” saidBarry Trinidad, BellaVita’s marketing manager.

All food preparations and final presentation will be prepared on site, which will start at 8 in the morning and end at 12 noon. Attendees will have the chance to taste all the entries for best lomi and kapengbarako since each contestant will provide food for free tasting.

Aside from the food fest, BellaVita will simultaneously hold the blessing of its model houses, where attendees can check the units out.

“BellaVita exists to support Filipino people achieve their dreams and succeed in life. We believe that owning a home is every Filipinos dream so we will help them achieve that by offering affordable and quality house,” Trinidad said.

For inquiries, visit http://www.bellavita.ph or like https://www.facebook.com/BellaVitaLandCorp.

MANILA, Philippines – The Student Media Congress (SMC), on its third year, will open its gates once more to students and media practitioners who want to learn and experience the world of media through a two-day congress on October 16-17, 2015 that will take place in De La Salle University-Manila. 

With the theme, Experiencing Media Dynamics, the Congress will offer 5 plenary talks, 15 Competing and 60 Non-Competing workshops on a wide variety of topics that consistently and constantly challenge the status quo to innovate and grow. The Congress team will once again summon an army of media experts to share knowledge that can be created through the transformation of experience. The Congress will challenge the delegates to think about how they can reach their audiences through all the different senses and make them experience what the landscape has to offer.

The third Student Media Congress (SMC) will have its Early Bird registration on July 20, 2015 until August 3, 2015 for only 1000 pesos. While, the Regular Registration will run on August 4, 2015 and will end on September 5, 2015 for 1,200 pesos. Go beyond exploration and empowerment, and secure a slot in the congress by registering through our website: http://studentmediacongress.com

Only two years after bagging the Anvil Hall of Fame Award, industry leader Petron Corporation marked another milestone as it bagged the Gold Legacy Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) for its Vision Petron Art Collaterals. Petron, one of only three awardees, was recognized at the 50th Anvil Awards for its consistent wins over the years. The Anvil is the symbol of excellence in public relations in the Philippines.

Petron has won nine Excellence and one Merit Award for its Vision Petron Collaterals, a set of printed materials that accompany every Vision Petron National Student Art Competition. In 2001, its first set of collaterals depicting indigenous Filipino games, earned the very first Bronze Award of Excellence from Anvil.   It won during the same year the Bronze Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). 

Apart from the Anvil Gold Legacy Award, the market leader also earned Silver Awards for the Vision Petron 2014 Program and the Vision Petron 2014 Folio. The 2014 Vision Petron competition, themed “Lakbay Panata—My Journey, My Pledge,” produced a record 2,827 entries submitted in the various competition categories. Now celebrating its 15th year, Vision Petron is a multi-awarded annual art competition for students enrolled in colleges and universities all over the country. 

Formerly Art Petron, the program evolved into Vision Petron in 2011 to accommodate more art media, such as t-shirt art designand video-making, in addition to painting and photography.

Meanwhile, Petron’s trademark Lakbay Alalay motorist assistance program also earned a Gold Anvil Award in the Specialized Public Relations Program: Advocacy Campaign category, and a Silver Anvil Award in the Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders: External Consumers category. Lakbay Alalay is the country’s longest running motorist assistance, and is entering its 30th year of public service.

As the only and biggest Filipino fuel refiner, Petron has a deep understanding of the needs of Filipino motorists, and takes pride in its capability to formulate world-class products. Petron now has the largest service station network in the Philippines with about 2,200 stations nationwide. These range from mega stations with many convenience facilities and partner establishments located along the expressways, to small, strategically-located micro-filling stations in remote, rural locations—all designed to bring Petron closer and more accessible to Filipino motorists from all walks of life.

Lancris Residences, the legacy project of Land Cris Somerset Development Corp., continues redefining condo living with the blessing of the showroom of its upcoming Garnet Tower on May 2, 2015.

Land Cris Somerset’s Mr. Dennis Lim, Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Jigger Cunanan, Assistant Vice President, spearheaded the unveiling of the showroom. Joining the two executives are  partner brokers including Ms. Emi Pulido of Praise Realty Marketing Corp., Ms. Rose Suarez of Human Shelter Realty Corp., and Mr. Rex Lomangaya of Driven Marketing Group Inc.

Residents of the Diamond Tower also attended the ceremony. Some of them had their units blessed by Fr. Illidio Correa, the officiating priest, after the service in the showroom.

The showroom, which consists of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, is built next to the Diamond Tower to exhibit the three-meter floor to floor height, spacious unit cuts, and balcony features of the Garnet Tower.

Buyers that day received a P5,000-reservation discount. Available in the Garnet Tower are two-bedroom (approx. 52 sq. m.), three-bedroom (approx. 81 sq. m), and special four-bedroom penthouse (approx. 103 sq. m.) units exclusively for residential purposes only.

Just like the first building, the Garnet Tower will also have its own Sky Garden, a recreation park on top of the tower. The construction of the tower will start this year to offer more condo homes in the suburb landscape of Southern Metro Manila.

To see the newly-blessed showroom of the Garnet Tower, visit Lancris Residences at Japan St. Cor. Dominic Savio St., Brgy. Don Bosco, Paranaque City. For more information about how Lancris Residences is redefining condo living, log on to www.landcris.com or call 0917-801-2677.

The Philippines and Spain share a deep and colorful history and what better way to celebrate these two cultures than through their vibrant and intertwined culinary traditions. This April, the world’s most anticipated epicurean event will celebrate the two countries ’300 years’ worth of shared connection through food in one global event where the world’s top chefs showcase culinary innovations and cutting-edge techniques, ingredients and recipes taking food and dining to the next level. If one wants to see the “future of food,” this is the place to be in.

SM as the official partner of Madrid Fusion Manila 2015

SM plays host to this historic affair and welcomes Madrid Fusion as it comes to Asia for the first time and puts Manila at the heart of culinary interest worldwide.  Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 happening on April 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City highlights the Philippines as an haute cuisine destination in Asia. And a Welcome Night at the scenicSM By the Bay for the official delegates are sure to put everyone in a good mood during the first day of the congress on April 24 where this time, it’s all about the best of Philippine food, art, and culture.

“SM is proud to be the venue of the historic Madrid Fusion Manila. We believe that one of the Philippines’ best-kept secrets is our rich culinary heritage,” expressed Steven Tan, SM Supermalls senior vice-president. “We also want to bring the excitement of Madrid Fusion, particularly Spain’s strong influence in our food and culture, to our mall-goers by taking these culinary festivities to our malls.” To help create national awareness for this cultural milestone, the official Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 TV commercial is being aired in all SM Cinemas nationwide.

Michelin-starred chefs to gather at SMX

Set to captivate Manila with their culinary virtuoso are Spain and Asia’s legendary chefs Andoni Luis Aduriz, Elena Arzak, Quique Dacosta, Ramón Freixa, Francis Paniego, Paco Roncero, Mario Sandoval, Paco Torreblanca, André Chiang, and Alvin Leung. Presenting the Philippines’ own diverse and imaginative epicurean traditions are chefs Fernando Aracama, Margarita Forés, J Gamboa, José Luis “Chele" Gonzalez, Pepe Lopez, Rob Pengson, Bruce Ricketts, Myrna Dizon, Claude Tayag, and Juan Carlos de Terry. Taking centerstage at the congress will be this exciting encounter between Spain’s legendary Michelin-starred chefs and the Philippines’ very own culinary stars. A trade exhibition will focus on the finest Spanish and Filipino products from Spanish wines and cheeses, to the Philippines’ world-class exports such as rice, cacao, coffee, mango, coconut, and liquors.

Gourmet weekend market

A feast of everything delectably Filipino-Spanish shall delight foodies at the Gourmet Weekend Market from April 24 to 26 at SM Mall of Asia. A premium selection of cheese, tapas, wine, ingredients, local finds and special bundles shall be made available in partnership with SM Markets (SM Supermarket and Hypermarket).

Spanish food specials

New food concepts that reflect culinary innovation and technique will be available only this April at select SM Mall of Asia restaurants where special dishes with Spanish influence or cooked with the finest local produce, ingredients and flavors are sure to bring out your inner foodie. Savory goodness awaits mall-goers of SM Aura Premier which shall host its own Spanish-themed fiestawith music, dancing, food and drinks on April 26 at the Sky Park lawn. While on April 24 to 26, irresistible dining deals await all food lovers at SM Megamall’s flagship and first-in-the-country dining destinations and the newly-opened Mega Food Hall.

For the complete schedule of events at SM malls, visit SM Supermalls on Facebook or @smsupermalls on Instagram. For more information on how to register for Madrid Fusion Manila 2015, visit www.madridfusionmanila.com.

Started out as an idea to create shirts for bookworms, The Dream Shirt has finally marked its 2.5K likers after a year of operating online. With more and more fangirls and fanboys finding out about the online shop, The Dream Shirt is planning to have its relaunch come 2015, which includes creating a line for locally published books, releasing more collections, and a collaboration giveaway with Fandom Trinkets PH.

The Dream Shirt is an online shop that offers made-to-order shirts, with prints that features quotes and designs based on different books. Each design is printed on a cotton shirt in vinyl or via heat transfer. As of today, most of their selections are based from Young Adult novels like John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’ and ‘Fault in our Stars’. They also print designs based on the popular dystopian novels such as the infamous Hunger Games trilogy and Divergent. Although their current fan base is consisted of young people and fanatics of YA masterpieces, The Dream Shirt is planning to target a larger market, tapping in the bookworm crowd in general by providing designs that are based on the classics, fiction novels, and the like. The designs are slated to be released early next year, along with their official relaunch.

Unlike most of its competitors, The Dream Shirt aims to stick to creation of book-based shirts, and expand its designs by having its own artistic team that will put their ideas into reality. They are also aiming to be more present offline by participating in bazaars and other book related activity. Their website is also in the works, aiming to provide a better experience for their customers.

Know more about The Dream Shirt by checking on their Facebook account: http://facebook.com/thedreamshirt. They are also open for partners and collaborations, just send them an e-mail at thedreamshirt@gmail.com

School Bus PH is a non-traditional recreational education provider, the first of its kind in the Philippines and in the world — in more ways than one. First (and intriguingly enough), the classes are held inside a moving bus roaming around the metro. And second, there’s nothing about it that mirrors traditional education. Let us enumerate the ways:
 

ADMISSIONS

There are no qualifying exams, lengthy application forms, or other forms of interviews and assessments. Anyone with zero knowledge on the subject can register in the courses and learn. School Bus PH aims to remove every known barrier to learning and make education easier and simpler for everyone to access and acquire.

 

COURSES

The courses offered are all interesting, fun to learn, and are of practical value. The goal is to provide learning opportunities that can help Filipino professionals to continuously acquire learning and become skilled not only in their chosen professions but also in disciplines outside and beyond what they do every day, which they find endlessly appealing. School Bus PH aims to make the working Filipinos of today multi-skilled, more flexible, more knowledgeable, and more able to deliver and also derive value both in their careers and personal lives. For the first batch of classes, School Bus PH is offering a wide range of interesting and relevant courses including: Japanese, Creative Writing, Film-Making, Cinematography, Graphic Design and Photography, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Investing, Basic Accounting, Personality Development, and more — conducted in fun-filled, exciting and action-packed learning programs!
 

INSTRUCTORS

The instructors are practicing professionals in their respective fields – people who walk the talk. They teach things they have successfully done themselves, things they are really passionate about. They just won’t be reading from books or discussing the subject in theory, but will show students how things are done in actual practice based on years of actual experience in the field. And they are cool, fun and interesting people, too, whom students can be friends with even outside of class.
 

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

The entire point of “classes in a bus” is to get the classes out of the classroom, remove the barriers usually associated with the four walls of a classroom — and go outside. Explore. Discover. There are many ways of learning available if only we stop restricting ourselves to the normal things we are used to. At School Bus PH, students are encouraged to speak their minds, to think for themselves, to provide their inputs. The class activities are interactive, where the students actively participate and perform. There are no boring moments in class. The activities and exercises are so carefully and cleverly designed to teach the fundamental, the crucial, and the actual aspects of the subjects and they are all fun, engaging, and exciting to do.

COMPLETION

At School Bus PH, you go to class to learn for the sake of learning. School Bus PH does not issue certifications of completion or any piece of paper to prove that you are trained in a particular skill. Instead, students will graduate with more solid and concrete proof that they have learned from the class: an actual output, an actual accomplishment, a piece of work that says they have indeed learned and acquired a skill because they have done it.

School Bus PH aims to revolutionize education — make it more easily accessible, more interesting, and more fun — so that it can become a way of life and a form of recreation for the Filipino people just like going to the movies or watching a sports game.

Courses are done in 10 Saturdays for three hours each session and are priced at P10,999.00 (with installment options available for early birds). Students are effectively paying just a thousand pesos each Saturday, an amount they can so easily spend doing not-so-productive, not-so-meaningful activities on a Saturday. Ten percent of the registration fee will go to teaching efforts dedicated to out-of-school youth in Metro Manila, whom should also be given the same learning opportunities.

Registration can be done through the School Bus PH website at www.schoolbus.ph. They are also on social media at Facebook (www.facebook.com/schoolbusph) and Twitter (@schoolbusph). Registration period is from June 1 to 30, 2014. And the first batch of classes will run from July 5 to September 6, 2014.

The Donation-in-Kind Program of Caritas Manila, Segunda Mana opened its 14th charity shop last May 9, 2014 at the 5th Level of Metro Point Mall, EDSA Rotonda, Pasay City. 

Rev. Fr. Roberto dela Cruz, the Archdiocesan Minister for Restorative Justice, graced and lead the blessing and ribbon-cutting of the newest branch.

Pre-loved items such as clothes, shoes, bags, toys, home and fashion accessories are donated by generous companies, organizations and individuals which are offered at friendly prices in Segunda Mana stalls.

It’s the mission of Caritas Manila to instil the value of giving as a way of life.  Through its pro-poor programs and efforts, they help sustain and uphold the organization’s mission to develop and empower the disadvantaged and the vulnerable. Caritas Manila’s flagship program focuses on education for the underprivileged youth under its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) which currently supports 4,000 students. YSLEP is an integrated youth development program that develops the youth’s potential in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude and trains them to become leaders. It utilizes training and formation that emphasize not just academic excellence but leadership while cultivating moral integrity and social commitment to the poor.

This is the 14th branch and the 12th mall-based store for Segunda Mana. Other branches are located at Makati Cinema Square, Isetann Cinerama Complex, Harrison Plaza , StarMall-Edsa, StarMall-Alabang, Victory Central Mall, Victory Shopping Center, Victory Pasay Mall,  Farmer’s Plaza, Sta. Lucia Mall, Riverbank Center-Marikina, San Roque Cathedral and in Caritas Manila Head Office.

Metro Point Mall’s owners and management granted free space and stall for this program of Caritas Manila.

As Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila’s Executive Director puts it, “Buying is the new way of giving.”

Puregold Price Club Inc. opens another branch in Quezon City with the opening of Puregold Fairview Terraces.  It is also the 3rd store that opened in partnership with Ayala Land Inc.  The 1st was in Pavillon Mall in Biñan, Laguna and the 2nd was in Harbor Point in Subic Freeport.

Puregold Price Club Inc. consistently continues its unwavering commitment to uphold consumer and retail excellence in the service of the Filipino people as it opens its lifestyle  store in Novaliches, Quezon City.  The store offers a new shopping experience with its state- of- the -art interior.  A selection of the finest products for customers satisfaction.

For over a decade, Puregold has successfully established a well-trusted and respected reputation in the Philippines as a provider of the best hypermarket shopping experience for every hard-working Filipino consumer.  Puregold is a leader in the hypermarket  in terms of its unmatched customer service and its advocacy to provide Filipinos with their complete shopping needs and best value for their hard-earned money.

"Puregold is very customer oriented.  It is in our heart to provide the best hypermarket shopping experience to our loyal customers.  We are very pleased to offer a one-stop shopping experience," says Tonio delos Santos, VP for Operations of Puregold Price Club. Inc.

One of the consumer-based programs that is very unique and exclusive to Puregold is the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP).  TNAP is a program that is part of Puregold's mission to provide not only quality products and topnotch services, but also profitable business opportunities for every Filipino family.  TNAP is designed specifically for small and medium scale entrepreneurs, which include sari-sari store owners, carinderia/canteen owners, caterers, and other kinds of resellers.  The central objective of TNAP is to assist and support every Filipino family in augmenting their income and Puregold is very happy and eager to make this program available for every Filipino.

Every Filipino can be a member of TNAP for free and enjoy perks such as the instant Ka-Asenso Welcome Kit; the chance to get free Aling Puring Super Suki SIM for an additional mobile phone loading business; a points-rebate redemption program for members to enjoy (as high as 4% on purchases); free delivery; call/order pick-up service; exclusive promo deals such as Kitang-Kita Packs and Kitang-Kita Case, Gold Deals and special invites to events such as Negosyo Sessions and the annual TNAP Sari-Sari Store Convention; a bi-annual "Asenso Booklet" that contains TNAP and testimonials; and a whole lot more.

Puregold is know throughout the country for its reasonable prices and a wide assortment of items.  Puregold boasts the fact that it strives to continually give special offers and discounts to its customers.  Customers are always guaranteed to get the best deals and as a bonus thay also stand to win in exciting promos.

For its grand opening in Fairview Terraces, Puregold will launch a Buy 1 Take 1 promo on selected items .Moreover, by adhering to its credo Sa Puregold Always Panalo, Puregold customers can buy premium  offers in the " 15th Annibersaya Promo" every week.

Chicken is one of my favorite dish served in every meal. Regardless on how it was cooked, as long as it was bought fresh and stay fresh still even in cool storage. And this is what Bounty Fresh always aim to maintain in their products.

The sophisticated poultry operation behind Bounty Fresh Chicken expertly produces the freshest, safest, and healthiest chickens—and the best, most delicious meals

The freshest, safest, healthiest chickens make the best, most delicious meals.

This simple truth is what drives Bounty Fresh Food, Inc. (BFFI) in its commitment to provide the highest-quality and best-tastingdressed chicken products in the Philippines. The company continues to leverage on its strong industry expertise and state-of-the-art chicken dressing facilities in order to bring delicious, healthy meals to the homes of every Filipino family.

“At BFFI, we believe that constant innovation is critical to the success of our company,” says Carl Chung, BFFI AVP for Farm Operations Management. “Every day we look for new ways to develop poultry products of the highest possible quality, and to strengthen our position as experts in dressed chicken.”

Thanks to its modern and robust processing capabilities, the Bounty Fresh Chicken brand has come to be recognized as “Asia’s best chicken”—with world-class products (fresh chicken, Chooks-to-Go, and processed meats) that millions of people have come to love.

Bounty Fresh Chicken is the result of a sophisticated poultry integration that uses the latest technologies in agricultural production and follows a program of the strictest quality controlin every step. BFFI’s relentless focus on achieving the highest levels of operational excellence and biosecurity has made the production of healthy chickens an extremely efficient, safe, and organized process.

BFFI’s advanced breeder operation for the production of Bounty Fresh Chicken includes specialized breeder farms, cool-cell hatcheries, tunnel-ventilated broiler farms, and grandparent farms. The company also has a national network of state-of-the-art corn dryers and feedmills to provide all-natural feeds made from quality tested raw materials that are so vital in ensuring the chickens’ healthy growth, propernutrition, and wellness to make it always safefor consumption.

The breeder operation, which is run by BFFI’s highly skilled agricultural technicians,also provides the ideal environment for chicken growth and healthy egg production.All BFFI farms, hatcheries, and facilities are extremely clean and well-maintained and even climate-controlled, and the breeders are not confined in cages. Systems were also designed to increase farm efficiency while giving the birds a comfortable, healthy, and bio-secure environment.

The company’s modern breeder housesalso make the eggs free from debris and dirt, withprograms in place to help the birds produce eggs which are uniform in size and weight. For improved reliability and efficiency, BFFI uses automated feeding and egg collection systems toallow the eggs to rest before delivery to the hatcheries. Industry standards are set and followed for maximum hatchability; humidity, temperatures, and storage time are always controlled to promote healthy chick development, growth, and quality. 

And because of its innovative mindset, BFFI was also the first to introduce single-stage hatchery incubation systemsdesigned to group eggs of similar sizes and source so that they incubate together. Once hatched, the chicksare pulled from the hatcheries then brought to BFFI’s tunnel-ventilated broiler farms so they could grow consistently in terms of size and weight. These farmsare always kept clean and bio-secure using a tested disinfection system and strict farm rules where all farm personnel are required to take showers before entering the houses. The result: healthy, strong, uniformly grown chicken that are free from physical defects, with all the qualities that consumers later recognize in the distinct fresh taste and juiciness, and tender goodness of Bounty Fresh Chicken. 

BFFI’s award-winning processing plants have always been known to produce the freshest, best-quality poultry products in the Philippines. To ensure that they are free from diseaseand foreign materials, all chicken first undergo a thorough inspection processwith stringent bio-security measures. They are then vacuum-sealed to keepthe natural flavors and juices in while also prolonging refrigerated shelf life. These award-winning plants—conferred by the National Meat Inspection Service as among the country’s best and cleanest and stamped with consistent Triple A (expert quality) ratings—enable BFFI to establish Bounty Fresh as the brand made by the experts in chicken.

“We take pride in supplying the marketplace with fresh, safe, and healthy chickens that reward Filipino innovation and creativity,” says Chung. “Bounty Fresh Chicken responds to different styles of preparation—from the most basic recipes to complex gourmet meals—and bursts with a unique taste that you wouldn’t get from other brands. It’s no ordinary chicken, produced by no ordinary operation.”

Are you tired of spending too much time, money and resources to fix defective products and processes? Do you want to see better results and more satisfied clients?  

If you answered YES, then Lean Six Sigma is for you! The iACADEMY School of Continuing Education (iSCE) offers the Lean Six Sigma Training Program right in the heart of the Makati Business District.

Our Program Director, Rex Jayson Tuozo, is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt who graduated Class Valedictorian of his Six Sigma Green Belt Program in 2008 at the Ateneo De Manila University – Graduate School of Business CCE.  For one of his more recent corporate banking & finance clients, he coached 27 Six Sigma Management Trainee Projects with a projected annualized project cost savings to date of P8.7 million.

There are three (3) levels of Lean Six Sigma, namely: Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt. We are running the entire Program in modules, starting on the same date, so that our adult learners and working professionals can choose their commitment to the Program.

The Yellow Belt, Green Belt and the Black Belt Programs all start on Friday, February 21, 2014 but with the following duration: 1 day for Yellow, 5 days for Green and 14 days for Black, respectively. The classes run the whole day on Fridays & Saturdays, accommodating busy schedules.

For inquiries, please contact Sales & Marketing at 889-7777 local 352, or send an email to shortcourse@iacademy.edu.ph. We offer early bird rates until February 7, 2014.

If you think that they are just a simple girl group who gets TV time by dancing and singing on variety shows, think again.

There is more to the Mocha Girls than just skin deep attraction.

Landing on the cover of UNO, the ultimate guide for men in the Philippines, proves there is more to them than just fleshy beauty.

This pop all-girl group has seen its share of beautiful faces come and go, but one thing that has remained constant is the founder and the person who lent her name to the group, ringleader Mocha Uson.

Mocha Girls has earned its share of awards for pop hits and with every new song it has released, continues to prove they are not a one-hit girl-group wonder.

In this issue of UNO magazine, readers and Mocha Girls will be treated to a very visual feast of the girls in different titillating poses. And lots of skin bared too.

But what makes this UNO issue even more special is the informative featurettes on each member of the group. It provides a rare glimpse into how the girls think, how they feel about things and situations around them--generally, it's like a one-on-one date with a girl you like.

And the surprise bonus? The issue contains a free calendar inside, featuring, of course, the Mocha Girls.

UNO magazine is available in all leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.

www.unomagazine.com.ph

twitter: @UNOmag

FB: UNOmagazine

IG: UNOmagazine

#unolovesmocha

Ready to bring your story to the stage? Learn how to write plays from five-time Palanca Award-winning writer, Dr. Joem Antonio, in Amateur Playwriting. This is a three-hour workshop that will be held on January 18, 2:00 PM at U-View, Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street.

Aspiring playwrights will learn the differences between theater and other media, constructing a story for the script, making a story feasible for stage performance, and formatting a script for directors and actors. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a basic method to follow in writing theater plays.

For more information, please visit http://playwriting.bluebackpack.com or contact Mia Madarang of Blue Backpack Events Management at info@bluebackpack.com or +639175861906.

October will be a huge month for FOX, as a monumental event in television will be exploding on screens all over the Philippines and Asia on the 19th. On October 19, 2013, FOX will be broadcasting the Philippine and Asian premiere of Season 4 of The Walking Dead at 8:55 PM, followed by the premiere of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Sleepy Hollow at 9:50 PM and 10:45 PM, respectively.

The three shows are among the most highly anticipated series in the US, each owning a distinct fan base as TV adaptations of successful comic book and movie franchises.

The Walking Dead which FOX International Channels identified at script level and owns the global rights for, is based on a comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard, and has had a strong viewership over its last three seasons, garnering 12.4 million viewers for its Season 3 finale and reigns the most watched series in PayTV history.

Meanwhile, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is created by Joss Whedon, director of Marvel's The Avengers, along with Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, and the TV series is a spin-off of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which includes the Iron Man movies, Thor and Captain America. The series chronicles the experiences of Agent Phil Coulson, from The Avengers (the highest-grossing film of 2012), as he puts together a team under the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) that encounters and profiles superhumans in the world. It expands the Marvel universe with new characters and adventures, portraying ordinary people put in extraordinary circumstances and placed smack dab in the middle of the epic battle between good and evil.

Clark Gregg reprises his role as Agent Phil Coulson, a character loved by hardcore Marvel fans as well as fans of The Avengers. Gregg is joined by Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker and Elizabeth Henstridge, who play Coulson's fellow agents in S.H.I.E.L.D. Together, the agents discover new superheroes and realize that not all of them are good. Produced by Disney and Marvel, the series promises the high-level action and storytelling for which the films have been highly acclaimed and loved by

viewers around the world over the years.

Sleepy Hollow is a modern-day retelling of the American short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, which has been depicted and referenced many times in pop culture, such as in Disney's cartoon version in 1949 and Tim Burton's 1999 crime film Sleepy Hollow in 1999. The 2013 TV series tells of how Ichabod Crane dies in 1781 after he kills the Headless Horseman, but mysteriously awakens again in 2013 to find that the Horseman is again wreaking havoc in the town of Sleepy Hollow. He partners with Lt. Abbie Mills to stop the evil being from murdering more people and sparking the return of dark, supernatural forces to the earth. Sleepy Hollow premiered on September 16, 2013 in the US and scored a massive 10 million viewers, which bodes well for the Philippine and Asian premiere on October 19.

Leading up to the Season 4 premiere of the hit show The Walking Dead, FOX will also be treating die-hard fans to a four-day channel takeover, Countdown To The Zombie Apocalypse. Starting on October 15 at 11:40 PM until October 19 at 8:55 PM, FOX is going to show all three seasons of The Walking Dead non-stop right up until the Season 4 premiere, giving the ultimate chance for FOX viewers to catch up with the latest developments in the series.

October 19 is the night to stay glued to FOX as it shows not one but three long-awaited series premieres, starting at 8:55 PM with The Walking Dead Season 4, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at 9:50 PM, and Sleepy Hollow at 10:45 PM.

Darwin, Australia -- Sikat II, the country’s representative to the 2013 World Solar Challenge (WSC) in Australia, reached another milestone when it placed first in its class during the qualifying round of the world’s biggest solar car competition held at Hidden Valley Raceway on October 5.

The Philippines clocked 2:30.53, beating closest competitor Team Aurora of Australia which timed 2:32.95. There are five other solar cars participating in the Adventure class.

This achievement earned Sikat II the pole position in the biennial meet, beginning October 6in this Northern Territory city and will end in Adelaide on October 11.  It covers 3,021 kilometers of the Australian Outback.

This is the best performance of the Philippines in the qualifying round since it joined the WSC in 2007. Sinag placed 12th that year while Sikat ranked 19th in 2011.

“I’m estatic that we reached the coveted pole position. The whole team has prepared hard for the past few days so I’m very happy,” says Carl Mamawal, Sikat II main driver.

A core group of 20 mechanical and electrical engineering students and six faculty members from De La Salle

University modified and made some improvements to the 2011 Sikat II car.

First Phil Holdings, First Gen, Energy Development Corporation, Sunpower, Ufreight, Shell, and Motolite helped make the improved Sikat II possible.

A total of 42 teams from 24 countries are joining in this year’s WSC, competing in three classes.  

For updated news and information on Sikat II and Team Sikat Solar Philippines, go to Facebook: Team Solar Philippines, and Twitter and Instagram: SikatSolarPh.

Malacanang just announced via http://www.president.gov.ph the regular, special, non-working holidays for 2014..

Under Proclamation No. 655, the following dates are --

A. Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day                             - 1 January (Wednesday)

Araw ng Kagitingan                     - 9 April (Wednesday)

Maundy Thursday                       - 17 April

Good Friday                         - 18 April

Labor Day                             - 1 May (Thursday)

Independence Day                            - 12 June (Thursday)

National Heroes Day                        - 25 August (Last Monday of August)

Bonifacio Day                             - 30 November (Sunday)

Christmas Day                             - 25 December (Thursday)

Rizal Day                             - 30 December (Tuesday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days

Chinese New Year                                   - 31 January (Friday)

Black Saturday                               - 19 April

Ninoy Aquino Day                                    - 21 August (Thursday)

All Saints Day                                     - 1 November (Saturday)

Additional special (non-working) days - 24 December (Wednesday)

                                                                - 26 December (Friday)

Last Day of the Year                           - 31 December (Wednesday)

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary         - 25 February (Tuesday)

See full document here -- http://www.president.gov.ph/press_statement/proclamation-no-655-declaring-the-regular-holidays-special-non-working-days-and-special-holiday-for-all-schools-for-the-year-2014/

Universal Records has gathered some of the most memorable teleserye theme songs in their album One More Try: Favorite Teleserye Love Song and other OPM Hits.

The album’s carrier single One More Try, performed by Kuh Ledesma, is the theme of the phenomenal GMA TV series My Husband’s Lover. The series’ lead star Carla Abellana’s debut single Kung Alam Ko Lang is also included in the album.

One More Try: Favorite Teleserye Love Song and other OPM Hits also includes One More Try (Kuh Ledesma), Ngiti and Maghihintay Sa’yo (Christian Bautista), Haplos (Alden Richards), Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin (Jed Madela), among others.

One More Try: Favorite Teleserye Love Song and other OPM Hits is available at all record bars nationwide.

Tracklist:

1.  ONE MORE TRY - Kuh Ledesma

     From the teleserye “My Husband’s Lover”

2.  NGITI - Christian Bautista

     From the teleserye “With A Smile”

3.  BUKAS NA LANG KITA MAMAHALIN - Jed Madela

4.  HAPLOS - Alden Richards

     From the teleserye “Mundo Mo’y Akin”

5.  KUNG ALAM KO LANG - Carla Abellana

6.  MAGHIHINTAY SA ‘YO - Christian Bautista

     From the teleserye “Maghihintay Pa Rin”

7.   I’D RATHER LEAVE WHILE I’M IN LOVE - Regine Velasquez

8.  SOMEONE THAT I USED TO LOVE - Lani Misalucha

9.  MAKING LOVE - Jaya

10.  TRULY - Richard Poon 

11.  DI NA MABABAWI - Alden Richards

        From the teleserye “My Daughter, Seoyoung”

12.  SA AKING TABI - Alden Richards

        From the teleserye “With A Smile”

What happens when two kids embark on a magical adventure to find happiness?

The Bluebird of Happiness follows the unforgettable adventure of poor kids Mytyl and Tyltyl search of a mythical creature called the bluebird of happiness. They are accompanied by their dog, their cat, and a candle in human form named "Light" who help them on their journey. Together, they explore wondrous and mysterious lands and meet interesting and enchanted characters in their quest for true happiness.

They visit "The Land of Memory" where they encounter their long dead grandparents, "The Palace of Night" where nightmares and horrors creep from dark corners, "The Forest" filled with trees who have a grudge against humans, "The Land of Luxury" that holds all kinds of riches and bounty, and "The Land of the Future" where sadness is unknown and “The Graveyard” where they must face their worst fears. Despite of all the places they visit they end up where they started and find that the "Bluebird of Happiness" is right in their own home. 

“It will be an unforgettable, magical adventure for all families,” says Trumpets President Audie Gemora on why he chose this project to mark Trumpets’ musical comeback. “Trumpets prides itself with productions like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Joseph The Dreamer, Little Mermaid, among others. Now, we’ve found an apt material for our comeback and have assembled an artistic team composed of the finest artists in the local musical theater scene including director and librettist Jaime Del Mundo, composer Rony Fortich, musical arranger Mon Faustino, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer John Batalla, and choreographer Nancy Crowe.

Audie promises that The Bluebird of Happiness will have all the elements that made audiences love previous Trumpets productions.

The Bluebird of Happiness will start enchanting families at the Meralco Theater from September 27 to October 20, 2013. For tickets, contact the Trumpets office at 901-4364 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more details, Like the Official Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdbyTrumpets) and Follow the Official Twitter Account– (@TheBluebirdMNL)

Why spend a staycation in Makati? 

Picture yourself spending an unruffled day or two enjoying buffet breakfast, sipping an afternoon tea, pampering yourself at the spa, listening to soulful music at the lounge, enriching your mind by visiting museums and galleries or joining the city tour, shopping or unwinding in the malls and theaters, partying at night in unique bar and restos or drinking Makati Luxury Sling at the world renowned Long Bar in Fairmont, and resting in a relaxing room from an iconic global hotel brand– all of these without leaving the metro.

All of us deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle of life and what better way to enjoy than to take a staycation? – the very idea of a vacation by staying relatively close to home. An advantage of which is that it saves you from the stress associated with travel, such as packing, long drives, or waits at airports, giving you more convenience.  

With this, Makati launches an exclusive promo to allow families and friends to have an ultimate staycation in the city and make memorable experiences happen. In partnership with MasterCard, the Makati Staycation will be available from the four iconic global hotel brands located within Ayala Center: InterContinental Manila, Holiday Inn & Suites, Raffles, and Fairmont Makati. It’s as easy as swiping a MasterCard credit, debit, or prepaid cards to enjoy special discounts and perks from the participating hotels starting August 27 to December 31. 

One must really take advantage of these accommodation packages that all come with sumptuous buffet breakfast for two. For a minimum of two nights’ stay, satisfy your taste palates in InterContinental Manila and Holiday Inn & Suites Makati with P2,000 and P1,500 worth of dining credits respectively to be used at any of the hotels’ outlets. You may also enjoy 25% discount on food and drinks at Prince Albert, Gambrinus, and Sol Y Sombra as well as at the Citron Oz Bar in Holiday Inn. While Fairmont and Raffles Makati offer soothing moments with a complimentary afternoon tea for two at the Writers’ Bar in addition to the 25% discount in Spectrum, Cafe Macaron, and Fairmont Lounge. For an even unforgettable experience, you may avail of the 25% discount at the hotels’ spa services or just add P1k for an option to have a 60-minute massage for a complete pampering activity or learn about the many historical and heritage sites of the city such as the Saints Paul and Peter Church and Guadalupe Ruins among others in the Makati Discovery Tour. All of these on top of room discounts will certainly give you lots of savings! For walk-in guests who wish to dine at any of the hotels without booking a room, best to come in groups of four so you can enjoy the 4 + 1 free promo.

Availing of this promo is just one-click away. All you need to do is visit www.makeitmakati.com, click on the Makati Staycation icon at the homepage, choose a hotel, and register. Representatives from each hotel will then contact and assist you in completing your reservation. Be sure to reserve from August 27 to December 31 before rooms are fully booked. 

Watch out as well for the upcoming “Make It Memorable” online raffle promo at www.facebook.com/makeitmakati to get a chance to win free staycation vouchers.

Grab this opportunity to relax, unwind, pamper yourself, and make memorable experiences. Enjoy and discover Makati to its fullest, the country’s leading city for business, lifestyle, entertainment, and culture.

So why spend a staycation in Makati? Well, why go anywhere else?

Monday is usually the least anticipated day of the week, but iACADEMY, one of the country’s leading design, business and information communication technology schools, is going to change that. Beginning this August, the school will hold Popcorn Mondays, a series of events designed to bring out the creative spirit in everyone. 

The first session on August 5 will feature Drum Circle, a workshop that will teach participants how to play drums. Kaya Green Band, the musical act behind “Bayani Ka”, the official theme of the Philippine team to the Homeless World Cup 2010, will be on hand to how to do basic beats for the first three hours. The activity will culminate with a jamming session, so prepare for a night of good vibes.     

The following week, August 12, we focus the spotlight on renowned "Mental Assassin" Justin Piñon. A mentalist who excels at reading minds and manipulating behavior, Mr. Piñon shall use psychology, body language reading, hypnosis and the art of showmanship for the audience's entertainment. The highlight of the night's event shall culminate with Mr. Piñon sharing some of the industry's most closely guarded trade secrets. He will also impart his knowledge for those who are curious, open-minded and brave.

For the third session on September 2, award-winning play The Vagina Monologues (Usapang Puki) will take center stage with theater actress Opaline Santos. A groundbreaking work by Eve Ensler, the play conceives of the vagina as a tool of female empowerment and focuses on issues including women’s vulnerability, fantasies, sexual experiences and self-discovery. 

The last week will be capped off by a Spoken Word Jam featuring Romancing Venus on September 9. Spoken word jams are open-mic events that are all about playing with language and sounds to express yourself. You can spice things up by being humorous, or you can shake everyone up by baring your soul. You can go earthy by chanting to the beat of bongo drums, or you can be cool by rapping and beat-boxing. However you want to present yourself, there’s only one requirement: that you be true to yourself and connect with the live audience. 

Popcorn Mondays will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the iACADEMY building, 6764 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. For more information, please contact Kooky Tuason at 889-7777 loc. 314 or carren.tuason@iacademy.edu.ph.