GMA Artists Celebrate Birthdays at East Avenue Medical Center

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza

We went to the function hall of East Avenue Medical Center to celebrate the birthday of Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza together with the children and adult cancer patients of the hospital a couple of weeks ago in Quezon City. We've been covering worthwhile events from them lately and this isn't any different. Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza wanted to celebrate their birthdays in a very meaningful way and giving joy, a few things might just do that for the patients in EAMC.

Starting the celebrations, we didn't know what would happen with such a big crowd. Together with the people from East Avenue, they started telling us stories of hope. Like this guy in the photo for instance, he's not just a very spirited professional violinist. Just like the patients in the venue, he too was a cancer patient. He went to the same things that these guys were also going through, the medicines, the confinement, the chemotherapy, he did all that and survived. It was inspiring how I've seen him so enthusiastic to perform for the patients who needed some image of hope, to see him do this was a statement that they too would be able to become someone soon. After they get better, they still have a ton of things to look forward to in life. I felt it that afternoon.

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza also took time taking photos, playing games and giving away gifts from their sponsors so they could share what they have, no matter how big or small it is to these guys who are going through hardships now. Chynna Ortaleza and I share the same birthday and I was touched to hear from her how she advised them to never lose hope. I felt her sincerity, how she genuinely cared and how she wanted to spend time with them all that afternoon. Ryza Cenon too together with her fans packed gifts the day before so they could get each one of the patients something to take home after the event. Ina Feleo might have been scaring a lot of people on TV shows but I could feel she was happy to spend time with them too. Bettina Carlos' birthday was on the day we did this and she felt it was the perfect way to celebrate it, as much as doing it with her family. They are all going to have projects and more on GMA and movies this coming 2015, so make sure you do not miss the afternoon primetime shows on the Kapuso channel.

 

They didn't miss giving the kids some toys too. GMA Artist Center also supplied pasta, drinks, ice cream and snacks to the crowd so they didn't go hungry.

They also played with the kids via Trip to Jerusalem, Ina, Bettina and Ryza joined in while Chynna served as host.

During the games, Ina Feleo really let loose. She enjoyed playing with the kids and her co stars.

Chynna is seen here taking photos with some of the kids

Bettina Carlos and Ina Feleo helped in giving away the gifts and food to the patients and their guardians

It was a good way to spend their birthdays, actually it was my birthday month too. Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center for having us tag along this charity event with Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza. Thank you also to their sponsors for chipping in to help a very worthy cause. These kids had fun, they'll have a full life because of the things these good people are doing in their own little way. Til the next one!

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The "Edsa Woolworth" Press Conference

This 2015, Star Cinema and The Filipino Channel brings you EDSA Woolworth a film written by seasoned US based writer Noel Nuguit and directed by John D. Lazatin. 

The film discusses Filipino American family ties, something unconventional, people bound beyond boundaries of race, language, culture and blood. The Woolworths takes inspiration from countless Filipinos in the US that weather tons of ups and downs, but still manage to stick together, a trait that many Pinoys would be able to relate to whilst they encounter cultural differences in the US, when we almost thought we weren't that much different.

Filipinos in general have close family ties. It's not even in their thoughts to send off older family members to senior homes, so just imagine Pokwang's life getting twisted when she gets involved in choosing family over her personal love life.

Director John Lazatin divulges Pokwang somehow had a say with who she's going to work with. The physical attraction should always be there in order to work smoothly in the set. 

There might be fear in her part doing dramatic scenes but we came feeding off with the roles. She was nervous but she learned a lot from Frankie and Chad, it was fate that brought them together because some of the actors weren't really first choice but ended up taking the roles later on. 

"It's a big swing to do and you have to have a lot of help from your co-actors. If it wasn't for them, shooting this wasn't going to be easy" says Lee O'Brian. "We took care of each other and the Director knows how to talk to and give us what we need. It was easy because of this ensemble. It wasn't too intense, when you see someone in the set and smile the whole time, shoot all day with us, we kept working hard, beyond supporting it was inspiring. I would be happy to work with the crew because we were all easy going. It was warm to walk in this set, we need time to explore Manila too because we're anxious to see more of it!"

This film will show on January 14, 2014 in theaters nationwide and this family film will probably make you cry just like the countless people who have seen it in the US. They hope you get to watch with your friends and family as they really made this with you in mind. There might be conflicts and issues that you will relate to especially if you've got older folks in your own homes. I'm watching too!

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Samsung Releases Galaxy A Series (A7, A5 and A3)

Yesterday was a fine time to see new things at Samsung's realm. They just launched the new Samsung Galaxy A Series over dinner at SM Aura last night. I must say, people know me being an Apple Fanboy but during this evening, I couldn't help but marvel at the new mid range priced phones that they're releasing this January. Yes, they're starting the year with pretty dressed up handsets that would be perfect for those who want a more stylish, metal clad but still fine and dandy.

Glistening on my table were these three models, the Samsung Galaxy A7, the Samsung Galaxy A5 and the Samsung Galaxy A3. You're probably not going to see these guys in different articles that much because they have rarely - slight differences. Obviously these are intended for the younger crowd as they delved more into mobile phones that could actually take decent selfies, but on the looks department you could say this is "modern" and "stylish".

Samsung also promises a better, fuller social media experience with these first of a kind, full metal bodied, slim designed superior hardware that would work extremely gorgeous with the ladies and for men that are more "fashion forward". If you are not that impressed with the looks of the S5 and Note 4, this would definitely satisfy you a bit more. I've heard they're coming out with the normal black and white version, plus a snazzy Champagne Gold in the Philippines. When held, it's not so bulky as it goes around 6.3mm for the A7, 6.7mm for the A5 and 6.9mm for the A7. Screen size is 5.5 inches for the A7, 5 inches for the A5 and 4.5 for the A3. 

I don't want to sound too commercial but I'll say it felt like a naked iPhone 5S which I'd been carrying around that time - but then there's a huge price difference there somewhere. The buttons are different, the effects too, though I'm also loving the cameras in these phones. The A3 and A5 has 5 MP front cameras, and 13MP rear ones. Though you may want to also favor the bigger A7 as the A3 and A5 has a 1.2 GHz quadcore Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor whilst the A7 has 64-bit Snapdragon 615 chipset with octacore processor at 1.5GHz in it. The price difference here looks a bit huge but if want to shell out more, I'd rather stick with the A5 as the A7 might need huge hands to least get a grip of it. I'd almost consider it a phablet if that would spur your imagination. It's a very good phone for the younger ones and I'd rather get this than the other handsets which look pretty plain on the shelves. The metal finish had me almost sold but you have to live Android to get the full pleasure of having it.

  

So in a nutshell, if you want a phone with a decent camera, metal finish, slim, not too bulky, plus it's got awesome beauty effects that we played around with that evening. This is a chinky eyed Asian's dream because it's got the ability to widen the eyes like this! FUN! 

If you're out in the hunt for a new phone that's not ordinary, some bling, cheaper than iPhone and built with Android OS, take a good look at your budget and see if the Samsung Galaxy A Series would be something you would consider. It's priced at Php 24,990, Php 19,990 and Php 16,990. I know I would!

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl: Moonleaf Tea Shop

It must have been months since I've tasted a brew or two from Moonleaf Tea Shop. It was offered on a small kiosk in Eastwood City when I was still in the corporate world. I got addicted to the Wintermelon flavor and got so hooked with the pearls and pudding add ons that I even trade it for dinner because I got full from it. During the Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl, we went to the Maginhawa Branch of Moonleaf Tea Shop which consequently is the brands first store. This was where it all started, and they're proud to say that this is one of 10 company owned stores which is an all Filipino brand. 

It was the holidays so they came out with pretty cool new flavors just for Christmas and New Year. I got to taste Maple Milktea, Maple Yogurt Milktea, and Chocolate Peppermint. I loved it all! This is probably the reason why they have been able to vigorously expand these past few years because as owner Adrian Adriano (who was 24 back then) envisioned, it has encompassed just being an all Filipino brand that could compete locally, as it now has made itself available internationally. It's their second year of franchising internationally so don't be surprised if you'll see this in the middle east, around Asia or perhaps soon in North America. By the way, they are also working with communities by consigning products made by Moms in the area (cupcakes, cookies, baked products). They're doing that in other stores too. Now there's authentic milk tea, a good place to hang out (because they do entertain small meetings, workshops etc.) and a great venue to just chill with friends and family because their drinks bring people closer together... to talk and meet new people too. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us during the Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl. Thank you also to Moonleaf Tea Shop for accommodating us for our last stop. If you want to know more about their products, please don't hesitate to visit http://moonleafteashop.com or just visit them at their Maginhawa branch. It's one of the coziest places I've ever been to have tea, so it's your turn!

Food Panda is available both in the App Store and Google Play. You can also visit their website https://www.foodpanda.ph/ and order from there. Food Panda also is location based so whatever restaurant you haven't discovered yet in your area, you'll get the chance to have it right in the comforts of your home. Plus, their menus are ginormous! A few presses of buttons and voila! You'll get what you want, where you need it in a jiffy!

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