SMART: First To Use Facebook LIVE Video in the Philippines

I've used Periscope and Youtube for live streaming videos but have always been excited to use the Facebook Live feature since I've seen it on Vin Diesel's feed as he's one of the first few people who have used it in the site and app. Little did I know, SMART Communications Inc. already used it to stream a REAL party during the Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival. Yes! They're the first to ever use the service and by the looks of it, they've just made history!

The Dinagyang Festival is Iloilo's finest and one of the country's premier must go to festivals! It's both a religious and cultural celebration to honor the child Jesus or Sto. Nino. It happens right after Sinulog in Cebu or Ati-Atihan in Kalibo Aklan and is dubbed as one of the most colorful in its class. Aside from the major street dancing part, there are subsequent dance parties on the side that are also awaited by locals and foreigners alike. This is where the Love Dance comes in and Smart is a huge partner in that.

Now there's no more reason to not have Smart in your life, wherever there's a major party, your friends are coming, for entertainment or just hanging around, that's how you get to have a Smart Life and it's an integral part of every celebration. Smart Ambassadors Inno Naguit, DJ Ace Ramos and MC Pao was the highlight of that affair. It was awesome to bring the party into your homes, or anywhere else there is a Smart connection. Don't be left out!

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Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's Homecoming at Smart Araneta Coliseum

It was a night of grace, class and elegance of the Filipina Beauty Queen. I've never been into pageants that much but have really high regards to the people who live an breathe it. We are all proud of our contestants and made sure they've got the backing of a nation when voting online, campaigns are concerned. We've now gotten Filipino designers to actually do the gowns too and pretty much did all the things we hoped would change our fate in the Miss Universe competition, and it did bear fruit. After 40+ years of waiting for it, we finally have Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as our new Ms. Universe 2015, at the most opportune time and slightly controversial one at that. We were a little sad she didn't get to do a proper Ms. Universe walk so when her homecoming was prepared, they arranged a part of the program to be her official walk. Here's some excerpts, a collection of 3 videos as part of our coverage of Pia's Homecoming a few days ago. Thanks to the goodness of SMART Communications, PLDT Home for having us!

Erik Santos and Yeng Constantino opened the show. Xian Lim hosted it together with Dianne Castillejo and Venus Raj. A parade of former beauty queens who won the Bb. Pilipinas - Universe title also happened that evening.

  

This is Part 2, the reveal of Pia whilst she was serenaded by Piolo Pascual and her crush Sam Milby.

This is part 3 where Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach did her official walk as Ms. Universe 2015. She wore the Blue Gown that Albert Andrada made for her during the actual pageant. She was stunning!

Again, thanks to the lovely people at Smart Communications and PLDT Home for having us!

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Alden Richards Visits Habitat for Humanity Community in QC

He's probably the biggest star of our generation and if you think about it, he's too busy these days that time for charity work would probably be less. Alden Richards has just proven that if he wants to, he can do it! We were able to paint some homes here the same time last year and even if he's caught up with tons of endorsements, events and Eat Bulaga Kalyeseryes, Alden made it a point to make time for charity work and visit the community built by thousands of volunteers through Habitat for Humanity Philippines. He's an ambassador for the said foundation and he believes in the cause of building shelter, a community where they could go and thrive with their families.

This time though he wanted to spend a few moments with families inside the Habitat for Humanity community and see how their lives have improved. Aside from that, he wanted to be close with the kids since it's a cause very dear to him, so even with only a few hours he wanted to do an activity with them and teach them valuable lessons about life even at a young age.

Alden woke up for this early as he had to actually go to work 12PM for Eat Bulaga. He's that busy but it looks like he wasn't going to pass this opportunity off because he's done this so many times since becoming Habitat for Humanity Philippines' ambassador a few years ago. I think it's one of the reasons why he's successful now, because he's done so much good and he's just being given good karma.

I'm sure a lot of you would specifically like this photo, my friend just screamed when I posted this because of that signature dimple you all love with Alden.

Here's my promised video interview and excerpts of his visit in the Habitat for Humanity Community yesterday! Enjoy!

Alden Richards for Habitat for Humanity 2016 by kumagcow

Thank you so much to my Habitat for Humanity Philippines family and co-Online Champions for spreading the word about the organizations cause. You too can help by donating your funds, labor or time by visiting their website http://bit.ly/DonateToHabitat. Just ask how you can help!

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ROYALS: Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos and AngelineQuinto

We were at the Luxent Hotel's Ballroom to witness the press conference of ROYALS, the biggest Valentines concert this 2016. The biggest names in the industry, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto will give you a musical extravaganza (a term Erik used to describe the show) as the country's most revered balladeers and belters stage this at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. We all know how world renowned singers Filipinos are but these are the ones who set the standard if it's singing in this part of the world. You'll be in awe of how much power, charisma and presence will be put in this one day concert in Manila, or when they get the same act the next day in Cebu's Waterfront Hotel on Valentine's.

Here's some excerpts of the presscon this morning on video. Enjoy!



About relationships, we heard a little more about the pairing of Erik and Angeline. Regine and Martin didn't hold back telling them what they thought about what was happening with the two.

"The singing circle is very small and the relationships are often in the same business. It's easy to fall in love with someone in the same business because there are only a few people. I think they're just enjoying what they have now." says the songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez Alcasid.

Martin added "At the end of the day, our relationships belong to us, not the fans or detractors. It is important, I wish I had little admissions, a bit careful, it's a good thing we were friends first, our foundation was good and other artists don't have that to become in good terms after the relationship. Let's not give more pressure, they should live it without that, and they have the option to keep it to themselves. It's okay to be honest though."

"I think I'm already used to it, it's double the effort to have someone in the same industry because everyone wants to know, I prefer to keep it to ourselves but it doesn't mean we're going to not say that out loud, publicize or what not, it's a hard thing to do that. We don't have anything to admit right now and if there is, I'd be the first one to have a press conference." says Erik.

"I don't have anything to say but I'm sure when I entered his life, I already know that the other Quinto wasn't in his life anymore." quips Angeline about their relationship.

I specifically liked the part where Martin shared how he and Regine actually perform for free from some concerts of new singers and says it's a way for them to give back to the industry and help other people as a manner of paying forward. This is in the hopes of actually having them do the same when they are in the same position. I'll ask them about that in the next press conference which I think will happen quite near their concert date. Remember, February 13 at the MOA Arena, February 14 in Cebu Waterfront Hotel!

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