Prime Video Takes Space in the Philippines

Choices, we've got more of that now that Prime Video is starting a lineup of local content and an even better user experience for the country.

For starters, they've announced the first Amazon Original content called Comedy Island: Philippines which they worked on with Base Entertainment (a production studio involved in creative talent in the region) so they could bring them out to the world. This will be launched next year (2023) and this will be exciting times for the viewing public.

This is part of Prime Videos increase in investment to make sure we won't be running out of entertaining content with hits like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Korean dramas like Nothing Serious, Toy Soldiers, and US shows The Good Doctor, Amazon Originals The Boys and The Terminal List plus a whole lot more in their library.

Efforts include local Prime Video marketing to work with our very own Filipino producers and celebrity host and personality Anne Curtis. This is also the same with other Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Indonesia so they too get a dose of Prime Video love in their own language.

They're also offering it at Php 149 a month (introductory price) which would be charged after you consume the free 7 days on Prime Video. With it, you can download and watch it anytime, anywhere you wish and watch on compatible handsets, on Smart TV's so you can watch at the comforts of your home or out on the road to Albuquerque or Kamuning whichever comes first. This would be really interesting to see how a new player comes as Filipinos consume more content online.

DAIKIN Introduces New Products and Air Solutions Shop

Daikin is one of the leading brand of air conditioners in the country. It's the world's number 1 and without question because of it's outstanding quality, research and advanced technology that can only be found with a Daikin. Their goal of perfecting air has been a really good selling point as they continue to grow their threshold in homes, offices and hotels who has been using their products for several years. 

During lavish ceremonies at the Grand Ballroom of Grand Hyatt Manila Hotel in BGC, they showcased the latest products they offer for residential spaces to keep your indoor air fresh and clean. The New D-Smart King FTKZ-WVM has Daikin proprietary Streamer Technology and built in wifi to easily manage usage of it. The New D-Smart Queen FTKC-AVA on the other hand banks on power efficiency, a Gin-ion filter to break down bacteria and viruses plus a Breeze Mode feature so you keep air good in cold nights. They also showcased a New Air Purifier MC30YVM-7 which you can use for small rooms as it includes the Streamer Technology that is tested to work agains COVID-19 and other harmful viruses.

For those in commercial spaces, they think about you too as they implement technologies like VAM Heat Reclaim Ventilator that improve air quality. They also have new streamer duct chambers, MERV-8 Filters and Streamer Cassettes to make sure you get extra indoor air quality filters, a way to eliminate viruses and bacteria and a portable way to upgrade units with cassettes.

Takayoshi Miki the President of Daikin Philippines says "We are introducing new products for different industries in the Philippines and reducing power consumption in all spaces. The skill of air conditioning technicians is essential to put more of Daikin products nationwide. We have 400 authorized dealers nationwide, all trained and developed even more to be ahead of the competition. This is why we have air conditioning, solutions for air quality. This is what we have for our customers, the Daikin Air Solutions Shop. We have RCGA Enterprises, Hope Genesis Enterprises, PVS Air Conditioning Services, Quickserve Advanced Technical Solutions Co Ltd, AirconEx Philippines, Inc. to make sure you have energy efficient solutions, centralized solutions and individual air controls, control systems, indoor air quality solutions and fast, reliable delivery and installation in your homes and businesses. We want 100 percent customer satisfaction."

A tall order but they have done it here and in other parts of the world. Make sure to visit daikin.com.ph or Daikin Philippines in social channels online.

Get Obsessed with "The Influencer" on VIVAMAX

In this day and age, you’ve probably seen an influencer strut their stuff on social media channels. It’s a shortcut to stardom for some, while others use it for other things.

Yexel is an influencer, one that has a dysfunctional family, living quite a fake life. He goes out with friends, some to spend the night with. But in one of these parties, he meets Nina... one that would change his life.

Yexel becomes a kid in a candy store initially. When he’s with her, he takes on Nina like a ravaging hungry testosterone filled maniac who doesn’t want to be far from her... that's til she mentions how she wants to become more serious, but Yexel obviously wasn’t into that.

Unbeknownst to Yexel, Nina has her own secrets. Yes, the film will be really packed with lots of scenes that VIVAMAX is known for (almost half of the scenes will be like that). It’ll get really really overboard once Nina starts taking out her real personality and all hell breaks loose.

This script is interestingly written, at the helm of Quinn Carillo I'd liken her style to be of Quentin Tarantino, she doesn't mind how much shock factor her story is and it's something that you'll look forward with her work. Albeit this is the first time Direk Louie Ignacio is tackling this genre, it was well executed and done realistically, researched well.

You will be a little exhausted at the end of this movie, feel how they'll be trying to connect what's happening in some of the darkest sides of the influencers they got these stories from; because Direk Louie says, this is something that they wanted to show, something so real that they wouldn't be defending much on the story line of "The Influencer" which comes out on August 12th.

We've seen Sean De Guzman in his other projects, but this by far will impress you even more. Cloe Barreto sits even crazier, when you think she's done that in her past films, this will put her in an even higher form. You'll take her as the woman who's going to be seriously insane, and it'll be a good thing.

You can download VIVAMAX on the App Store, Google Play or the Huawei App Store too. They have subscription plans that you can save a lot from if you get the longer subscription time. See how you too can become OBSESSED with it and other shows on the platform. This is produced by 3:16 Media Network, Mentorque Productions and is exclusively shown on the VIVAMAX app.

Not for the faint of heart, not for kids either!

Some Good Duru Bulgur from The Goodwill Market

Going to the market is a little arduous these days but I had to do it during the most difficult times in our lives, the pandemic. One of the few discoveries I've had during that time was a welcome treat, it's called Bulgur. It is cracked wheat grain that's known to be more nutritious than white rice. It's got twice more fiber content which makes it also better for diabetics (like me) who want to control our blood sugar levels.

I've had the chance to eat this quite a lot in hotels but it wasn't that conveniently available in Philippine markets. I also don't know how to cook it other than just mixing veggies and protein (and a bouillon cube on some occasion). It's very filling and satisfying, plus it tastes great. I was wondering what other recipes could be cooked with it, but here goes the good people from The Goodwill Market showing me how it's done. 

In Ilocos, there's a very little known noodle dish called Pansit Lusay. I'm quite familiar with it as I've spend quite a while in the region. The Goodwill Market is sharing this recipe with Bulgur to show how easy it is to make dishes out of it.

 Here are the ingredients:

1 cup of Duru Bulgur (Coarse Bulgur)
½ cup of tomatoes chopeed and seeds taken out
½ cup of onions thinly sliced
1 can Tuna
2-4 tbsp Bagoong Ilocano
Pinch of Black pepper
Salt to taste

Put Duru Bulgur in a rice cooker and wash it first. Cook til it gets fluffy or according to package instructions. Take it out of cooker and scrape with fork onto a tray then put in the fridge to chill. In another container, put tomatoes and onions together, drain the tuna from the can and mix together. Combine it with the Bulgur and treat this like a cold salad. Pour Bagoong Ilocano, salt and pepper to taste. 

This is certainly full of vitamins, minerals, Omega 3, and is an excellent alternative to rice, noodles or pasta. Think about the things you could do with this in soups, salads, Filipino or international dishes that would usually include rice or noodles, using Duru Bulgur was really an eye opener for me and it's been something that I add to any dish if I want to make it a little more healthy. Plus even if you put a little, it's already filling. Plus it can be sent to your home via The Goodwill Market. You can visit their website at https://goodwill.market/. They also have different healthy organic products you should try if you're into healthy stuff. They also have cleaning products, some for the skin, even coffee for those who are choosy. You don't have to travel to other countries to get it, it's all at The Goodwill Market.

 Don't take my word for it, you got to try if it fits your taste!