GLOC9 and Lira Bermudez for Orange Magazine and World Vision 5x5 Campaign

It's been a while since I've been in the World Vision offices in Quezon Avenue. This day was a little special though because we were invited by fellow blogger Jeman Villanueva as he was celebrating the 5th year of his site Orange Magazine. In true fashion, he's making this celebration count by partnering with World Vision so they could come up with enough money to fund the education of 5 kids. Orange Magazine and World Vision call this 5x5 Campaign. They also got rapper superstar GLOC9 and talented compatriot Lira Bermudez to be their endorsers for the project. Here's their performance during the launch a few days ago.

The last time I watched GLOC9 was during a Coca Cola event a few years back. I became a fan eversince. I wouldn't be surprised if people admire him, and his music. He's also genuinely helping a lot of artists, foundations and world vision so this isn't really new to the awesome artist. For those who would like to help, you can donate for even Php 100 online through the accounts I indicated on the video or through world vision's channels.

Photo credits to Photographer Jude Ng and Orange Magazine

Again, here are their accounts:

BPI: 4251-0024-15

BDO: 000-2700-4341-1

PS Bank: 038-33200013-8

Metrobank: 060-7060-5186-41

Or visit their official website https://www.worldvision.org.ph/5x5-campaign

If you may, please forward a copy of your deposit slip together with your complete name, address and contact numbers to katrina_gratuito@wvi.org, wv_phil@wvi.org, online@orangemagazine.ph or fax at (02) 374-7660 so they could properly acknowledge your donation and do proper accounting. This is going to run until July 30 but of course you can always donate through World Vision even after this project. Come on, let's send those kids to school!

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Samsung Philippines Unleashes Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen

A few days ago, we stood witness on the launch of Samsung's latest gadget the Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen. This is a very nice and slim version of its older models with the addition of functionality of the S Pen. I find it very compact, handy and very sleek as it's very light weight when you plan to carry it around for a day of creativity. I think it's also intended for people who draw, or those who often scribble, but just use a more technologically advanced place to do it. 

 

I even tried to write on the thing and I know my handwriting isn't really that good, but on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen, they've got several fonts to choose so you can write like the pros and erase when it doesn't look right on the display. Caligraphy? It's easy, you just have to know the basics and the S Pen was really impressive as it can follow your writing even if you're a couple centimeters away from the actual surface of the tab. If you're into multitasking, the display is enough to open several apps where you can drag and drop text, photos, articles, links and other things with convenience. 

This unit is basically a phablet so you definitely could make calls, have around 15 hours of Internet whether WIFI or LTE connection, take photos with it's 5.0 megapixel back camera, 2.0 megapixels front, so you can do work while on the go. They also introduced 4 new brand ambassadors as they call for you to #ActivateYourIdeas while using the device in your daily grind. People from Team Manila (Jowee and Mon), Reese Fernandez from Rags II Riches, and designer Nix Alanon. I loved the part where people can fit this in their lifestyle and make them more productive by syncing, sharing and sending file over devices can be done in a cinch!

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen retails for Php 15,990 so if you're on the lookout for a more affordable tablet that can do a ton of things, then this is the one for you. It's going to be available in Lazada, other online stores and retail shops nationwide where Samsung is available. You can also purchase them on the Samsung website too.

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Carl Guevarra, Ella Cruz Stars In "Parang Normal Activity" On TV5

Now this ain't your run of the mill Wattpad Presents program, they're actually going to start a new show together with Carlo Guevarra and teen star Ella Cruz plus these good looking guys Ryle Paolo Santiago, Andre Garcia and Shaun Salvador. It's called "Parang Normal Activity", a horror comedy flick plus a little cutesy romance in the mix made by the production house of Perci Intalan and Jun Lana called The IdeaFirst Company in cooperation with the happy network TV5. 

Direk Perci and Jun Lana pitched this last year and got the nod just recently. They've already made a few days worth of the series and were quite happy about the fresh new take on the genre which they've been gunning for. This is a thrilling show with mystery solving adventures that will involve 3 geeky boys with a ghost that became their friend too. We saw the trailers and there were really some funny scenes we should all look forward to when it shows on July 11, 2015.

I was amazed at how Ella Cruz's Wattpad Series got really good ratings and this time, Star Magic was gracious enough to have her do a full show which I felt she was really happy to do when I talked to her. She said "We all know that right after doing a show, you kinda have to stay in the sidelines because we have tons of stars in ABSCBN's stable. Since I'm available and will do a show months from now, I got the chance to do this including the Wattpad thing I did a few weeks back. I'm happy that Direk Jun and Perci trusted me."

Direk Perci says "Thanks for coming! Our show is going to be very young, a little different in energy. This is one of the two projects we created for TV5 knowing what the people want for entertainment. In this case, we're doing horror and it has worked in the past on TV but we're making it a little shocking, with new fresh faces and I hope you'll love the premise of the characters. Ella Cruz plays Charlie the little pretty ghost from the 90's, while the three guys play Third, Red and Makoy (Ryle Paolo Santiago, Andre Garcia, Sean Salvador).who put up a Paranormal Club in school. They also have different stars as their parents and guardians, different sets where even the funny Mystica is going to be a part of. Sean Salvador auditioned for the case and we knew we needed new faces especially in the horror flick we're making. The first thing in mind we wanted to have is someone who could carry the group even without looking at her. Some of our production staff worked with Ella during the Wattpad Presents filming and we talked to Star Magic so we could work with her. Paolo and Andre also came in from Star Magic and they were casted."

Sean says "This is my first show but I did commercials in the past. This is my first acting job, my first show. I tried auditioning for Star Struck and failed but this is my biggest break. We feel like  brothers and sisters because we bonded through the workshop they had us do. With the three episodes we did, it felt like we're just having fun."

Talking to Andre he says "I'm Joseph Andre, 15 and I'm still studying in Kostka. I really liked Super Inggo and I always watch the show, we were having dinner and some production people who discovered me were there. I then did commercials, and do VTR's, they approached my Aunt so they could get me for Kungfu Kids which was on ABSCBN. I did commercials for Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Angel Evap and Vaseline so that added to the experience. Working for TV5 was really nice, when we asked Star Magic to do this we didn't have any problems since I didn't have a regular show yet. We already did 3 taping days, almost 4 episodes and we're doing that so we won't get backlogs. I worked with Ella in Going Bulilit in the past so it was comfortable to work with her in this show. I'm Red here, son of a single Mom played by Mystica. It's the first time I've worked with her and I was a little shy. She was so nice to me, I play a nerd here who is a part of a group that put up the organization for the paranormal. We did it because we liked to have adventures. Sometimes we shoot in the house here in Manila, then go as far as Laguna and far flung places there for other scenes. I'm really very thankful that this was given to me, it's a new genre to be seen on TV. I like challenges and having this opportunity is just a welcome thing. I hope I'd get to do more projects with them real soon because these guys and everyone at TV5 were so nice to me!"

There's more to the show than just frightening scenes in Parang Normal Activity and they say they're not really seeing how their characters will fare out yet because that will be divulged in the coming weeks too. Ella doesn't even know why she's a ghost here and that's something that would be exciting to know especially to those who follow her in social media, they might have their own stories to tell and theory on why she ended up that way. They also told me there would be some kilig scenes in between that would likely have you at the edge of your seats. You'll love to see them every weekend and see what mysteries unfold in each episode too. Make sure you watch them this July 11 on the happiest network in the country, TV5!

For more information about their network:

TV5 Manila

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Meet Dr. Luzyl Tan: UE Dentistry's Latest Board Topnotcher

Dr. Luzyl Tan, proud UE homespun Dentist and Board Topnotcher

It doesn't come easy to be on the top. It needs hard work, perseverance, skill and a whole lot of luck. When we heard that the latest board topnotcher was a lass from University of the East, we couldn't help but be proud of what she has accomplished. The Professional Regulation Commission released the results and announced that 278 out of 628 passed the May 2015 Dentist Licensure Examination for the Written Phase and 294 out of 295 passed the Dentist Licensure Examination for the Practical Phase. This was supervised and given by the Board of Dentistry in Manila last June 2015.

What's even great news is that we even had Dr. Klaudeen Arianne Rosales and Dr. Janine Kristel De Leon included in the top 10. UE has been consistently performing quite well as far as the medical science goes and what's funny is that people from our school tend to even treat it as a normal phenomenon when someone does land in the top spot. What does it take to get there? What do you think is special about the school? We got those questions answered by the Dr; Luzyl Tan herself, she's University of the East's latest board topnotcher.

Dr. Luzyl Tan's proud parents are Rafael and Luzvilla. He was a former manager of an oil company while her mom worked as a former supervisor for Fortune Tobacco. She's got an elder brother who works for DILG, an older sister who's a professor in UP Diliman (also studying Masters for Civil Engineering) and her younger sister just recently graduated BS Chemistry from the same school, all quite accomplished. Her Dad just wished to have a doctor in the family but Luzyl didn’t want to go through the long years of Medicine. That led her to choose dentistry instead. She wasn't sure about taking this course but when she excelled during her pre-dentistry years, she thought maybe this was her destiny. She also got free tuition fee because of the scholarships and that encouraged her a lot to give her best. She laments "I chose University of the East because I heard that it was the best dental school and with all honesty, I think the school really prepared me well to become a dentist, and it is because of the very difficult journey that every student will have to experience."

To whom do you attribute your success?

I attribute my utmost gratitude to our Almighty God for blessing me with knowledge, wisdom and technical skills that helped me all throughout this course, for comforting me whenever I’m anxious of the future, and for answering my prayers. Indeed, when we put our faith in Him, He will do the rest. I would also like to extend my appreciation to those who financially helped me finish dental school, namely, the University of the East Scholarship, the UE-Tan Yan Kee Foundation, the Lucio Tan Groups of Company and the Philippine Dental Association. May they continue to bless those, who are in need of financial support, and help each youth fulfill their greatest dream of attaining quality education. Unquestionably, my family did not only support me in my chosen career path but also made me who I am today. To  all my friends, classmates, professors, fellow Achiever’s Council of Excellence and Dentistry Student Coucil, you have not only shared your instruments, materials, notes, logs and  assistance to me but you have also believed that I can achieve this success.

What do you think is the reason why you got first place?

 Graduating with honors is what I initially aimed for but graduating top of the class, more so, topping the recent board exam was beyond what I expected. The determination to do my best for the said board exam was influenced by people around me. The expectations from my professors, classmates and family pushed me to study hard. I believe that to be top 1, you need a lot of hard work and blessing from God since the board examination consists of the theoretical phase and practical phase. A good study habit really helps a student for reviewing the theoretical part while a lot of practice and God’s help for the practical phase.

 What are your study habits? What do you think could help future board takers from our school?

 I believe that diligence can get you to a lot of places. I always say to my friends, “di ako matalino, masipag lang.” (I am not smart, I just work really hard!) I always rewrite my notes and make handouts before every exam. It is very tedious and time consuming but it helps me in memorizing and remembering important topics. It also serves as a summary of all the lessons that I could eventually use for the final examination. I find it easier to understand and recall lessons by rewriting notes. Since dentistry needs a lot of memorization, I usually write the word of the disease or the muscle’s origin and insertion repeatedly. It indeed helped me survive dentistry.

 What's the most difficult part of the exam?

The hardest part of the board exam for me was definitely the practical phase. I know for myself that complete denture on live patients is my waterloo. Complete denture is a prosthesis of the upper and lower teeth. I even had no patient a week before the exam due to external factors which greatly contributed to my anxiety. But by God’s grace, I was able to get a patient days just before the exam.

 How do you think UE helped in getting you there?

I extend my deepest gratitude to the University of the East College of Dentistry for preparing me to become a dentist. We have a good set of professors who generously, unselfishly impart their knowledge and expertise. Their passion in teaching and meticulous evaluation motivated and at the same time challenged us to do better. Moreover, the school’s clinical requirements that we worked hard for, trained us to execute procedures quickly while ensuring refined quality work. In the process, it also honed us to be extremely patient and industrious. All of which, I believe are qualities that dentists must be equipped with.

  

In behalf of the Red Tribe, we would like to congratulate Dr. Luzyl Tan, Dr. Klaudeen Arianne Rodriguez Rosales, Dr. Janine Kristel Medina De Leon and the rest of the Dentists that have made University of the East proud. Your achievements are solid proof of what the warriors can achieve when they put hard work, diligence and their mind on it. We hope you would continue to inspire more people, students who are still in the university who will soon take the same path as you did. It's no ordinary feat and we only wish that you would all continue to make UE and the country proud. Thank you also to Dr. Luzyl Tan for allowing us to share her story so we could let others know how she achieved her dreams, and embolden more UEnians in the future.

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