Monday, January 31, 2011

FREE ADMISSION: Thunderbird Resorts' Lion Dance Performance and Fireworks Display

Looking where to celebrate the Chinese New Year?  Take it up a notch at Thunderbird Resorts!!!


Usher in the Year of the Rabbit with a Chinese New Year Celebration at Thunderbird Resorts.



According to Chinese mythology, the Rabbit is the emblem of longevity. Those who are born in the Year of the Rabbit said to possess one of the most fortunate signs among the twelve animal signs. Furthermore, the Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel kindness and sensitivity to beauty.

As the lucky stars aligned on this festivity, watch a special Lion Dance Performance and Fireworks Display on February 5, 2011Saturday8PM both in Thunderbird Resorts and Poro Point.

For more information, visit www.thunderbird-asia.com or call (02) 886.5555

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Final Cut: SM Cinema's Year End Party



SM Cinema's Year End Party entitled, “The Final Cut”, was held last December 30, 2010 at Club LAX. The party was jam-packed with people from different walks of life, overflowing food and drinks and loads of freebies that were given away during the raffle.

SM Cinema highlighted its most unforgettable events for the year 2010 during the program wherein they featured some of their blockbuster movies such as: Shrek Forever After, Inception, Iron Man 2, Avatar, Despicable Me,Twilight Saga: Eclipse,Harry Potter, Narnia and Tron Legacy. Some of the successful promos, events and marketing driven efforts that was implemented was also seen during the night like: Winema, Escape to Brazil, Blockbuster Passport, Box Office Wheels, BIGSHOT, Celebrity VIP Club Launch, Website Launch, Flip Video Launch, Green Film Festival, and Cinekada to name a few.




Another first from the cinema industry was the launch of the new website www.smcinema.com and SM Cinema's very own BCode machines deployed in all SM Cinema branches nationwide that allowed customer to purchase their ticket online and claim their ticket stub just by scanning the special alpha numeric code which they could get via sms or by printing the voucher. Moviegoers can now avail of their tickets easily without the hassle of falling in line.

They are also launching their very own SM Tickets wherein patrons can get the hottest entertainment, concerts, sports and arts events in all SM Cinema ticket booths nationwide and soon via online (www.smtickets.com). Purchasing those tickets will be easy as 1-2-3.

As we start 2011, expect bigger surprises from SM Cinema as SM brings you the best of both worlds as SM presents to you mind-blowing blockbuster movies: Green Hornet, Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America, Transformers, Harry Potter and the Death Hollows Part 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Fast Five, Breaking Dawn, Mission Impossible 4; world class concerts: Justin Bieber and fun-filled events. All these and more are in store for everyone this 2011. 




SM Sponsors: LAX, Coca Cola, The Bar and Lots A Pizza. Special thanks to our dear media partners: ABSCBN, GMA, TV5, IBC 13, Wave 89. 1, 99.5 RT, UR 105.9FM, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer.net, UNO Magazine, Travelife Magazine, Tribune Newspaper, Commuter Express, Pilipino Star, People’s Tonight, Business Mirror, World News Newspaper, Freeman Newspaper, Journal Group of Publication, Chinese Commercial News and bloggers.


This event was dedicated to everyone who made SM Cinema their choice of cinema.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Partying with PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem at the Republiq

NOW, reaching millions of people online in an increasing number of
households all over the country, the newly launched PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem
was also the star of what was dubbed as Metro Manila’s dance party of the
year in the recently concluded Greenhouse Effect 2 held at the posh
Republiq Club in Resorts World in Pasay City.






The jampacked event was graced by more than 1,000 of the country’s
best-known movers and shakers including a good number of celebrities and
VIPs. With the world-class house music beats of NBK resident DJs Manolet
Dario, David Jacob, Marc Naval and Anthony Santiago, the party also
featured live performances from guitar-sensation Chico Cristobal and
singing siren Dara David together with Mr. Marcus of the percussion group
TRIBO Manila pounding the drums. There were also special performances of
the statuesque Russian dancers called The Dream Girls as well as top
Filipina club dancers. Another highlight of the event was the tantalizing
visuals and the indoor pyrotechnics displays.






But it was the PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem that was also officially launched
that night that stole the show as guests and VIPs alike happily posed with
the wonder device that has everyone going gaga over its amazing features.






As innovations go, the new PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem goes beyond broadband
with its triple play service. Its 4-port hub switch can accommodate up to
four wired and multiple wireless connections, allowing wireless connection
within the range of 25 meters anywhere at home. PLDT myDSL subscribers on
high speed plans 999, 1995 or 3000 can enjoy simultaneous connection in a
single household. The entire family can now in fact go online using
desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices at the same time and enjoy
immediate access to news and entertainment, online shops, social networks
and more.

“The digital lifestyle isn’t an option,” PLDT VP and head of PLDT myDSL
Gary Dujali points out. “It is what life has become. So it’s important for
everyone to have unrestricted access to the web at home whenever they
want, wherever they want.”

What the numerous party guests found equally amazing is that the new PLDT
myDSL Wi-Fi modem is currently available for only P2,200 for Bundled Plans
990 and 1299, and only P1,000 for high speed plans 999, 1995 and 3000.



For more information about PLDT myDSL Wifi modem, visit http://www.myworldmydsl.com




EVENT PHOTOS:





Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Quick Review on Hypertension

When I found out that my mama and papa have hypertension, I really researched about it.  I even studied BS Nursing and finished a 6-month nursing assistance course to really have a deep understanding of the disease.  And I told myself, “I’ll take care of them as they grow old.”

I learned that hypertension, more commonly known to us as high blood pressure, and to further simplify it, is a condition when you have sustained elevated blood pressure of 140/90 or higher.

Blood pressure varies from one person to another.  What is normal for me may not be normal for my papa or mama.  Age, obesity, diet, stress, physical activity and even race are the factors affecting blood pressure.

I also prepare my parents' meal chart.  Before, I was like, “Don’t eat this.  Don’t eat that.  Avoid this and avoid that.”  But I learned that the secret was moderation.  They can still eat chicharon (fried pork skin) and other fried and salty foods but in minimal amounts accompanied with proper exercise daily.  But diet focuses on low cholesterol and low sodium intakes.

The medicines?  Oh, I leave it to their respective doctors but I still search on its use, the side effects, drug interactions, (haha, OC?).

I even mastered the art of taking blood pressure using the sphygmomanometer (not the digital one).  We monitor it everyday as per their doctors’ requests and as necessary.

And until now, I still do my part.  I talk to other people on how they deal with hypertension.  What’s their story?  How it affected their lives?  What are the other illnesses they have associated with hypertension?  Because as I said, “Blood pressure varies from one person to another.”

Now, here’s one of my interviews with this 33-year-old woman, well-known to me as she is also a blogger, who has hypertension.  She has two lovely kids and is a stay-at-home mom who also loves scrapbooking.  I got the chance to interview her last Saturday after having lunch around Makati area.  I had a great time interviewing her as she’s so bubbly.
She is somewhere here in this group.

Let us just call her Mrs. Ariel.

After giving birth to her second child, she was diagnosed by her doctor with pregnancy-induced hypertension.  She was only 31 years old then.  I was really surprised that kind of condition exists.  It was my first time to hear about it.


Look, we may not really know what can cause hypertension.  In her case, she developed her hypertension during her pregnancy.

I then asked her what was her blood pressure (BP) before being diagnosed?  Mrs. Ariel said she has a normal level of 110/80, then it went up to 150/100.  That’s really high.  But compared to my mama and papa, they range from 140-200 over 100-120.  Mrs. Ariel added her BP’s normal level right now is 130/100.

For a clearer picture, a young healthy person’s normal blood pressure is 120/80.  In normal adults, blood pressure varies from 110-140 mmHg over 75-80 mmHg.

How about her lifestyle before being diagnosed?  Well, she admittedly replied, “I eat everything.  I don’t exercise.”  But good thing, she doesn’t consider drinking or smoking.

Some of us might not know that lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, high-cholesterol diets, and stress contribute to hypertension.

Mrs. Ariel told me that she has already lessened her carbohydrate intake, particularly white rice.  She shares with me that she is a meat lover and hardly eats vegetables.  And she thinks this way of living triggered your hypertension.

This happily-married woman also believes that hypertension is genetic because hypertensiveness runs in their family.  According to her, almost all of her family members have high blood pressure, from her grandmother to her parents to her aunts and cousins.


As hypertension is hereditary, she is also worried that her two kids might suffer from the condition, too.  But she hopes that they will not.  She iterates, “My husband has no hypertension, and it doesn’t run in their family.  Even my 70-year-old and 71-year-old mother-in-law and father-in-law, respectively, have no hypertension.  Good thing my kids are trained to eat what is served in our table.  My kids love fruits.

I also did not know that she was confined last June due to high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.  She is still young and she still plans for a bigger family.  But she is unsure now if she still wants to get pregnant because her doctors have warned her about eclampsia, a condition caused by having high blood pressure during pregnancy.

And after being diagnosed, these are the antihypertensive medicines that she takes over the years:  Lipitor, metformin, and Janumet.  I also found out that she is allergic to the blood thinner, aspirin.  To some people, aspirin is a great help to lessen high blood pressure.  But in her case, she will get facial inflammation whenever she takes it.

Here’s the sad part, she only takes her medication if she only needs it.  She says she is supposed to take those maintenance drugs twice a day.  She’s like my mama who only takes her meds if she feels something wrong with her system.  My papa is more medicine compliant than her.

Six months ago, Mrs. Ariel also considered taking herbal medicines for her high blood pressure such as Circulan, Liveraid, and Heartvit.  “I wanted to try and see if it works,” she said.

Then another question popped again in my mind.  As I said, she is also a blogger so I asked her if she uses the available technology (the Internet) to get more information on hypertension.  She said that she does not trust anything she read online.  If she needs to search anything medical, she would go to the trusted WebMD.

Getting all the information about hypertension from her doctors and even from the internet, somehow her lifestyle and habits have been changed.  Having the hypertension for two years, she already learned how to manage her stress levels which is also a cause of having high blood pressure.

See?  Different people have different approach to the disease.  Mrs. Ariel is like my mom who only takes her meds if she feels unusual.  My dad is more drug compliant than my mom and Mrs. Ariel.  My interviewee does eat less carbs, my parents do love rice.  Interviewee does not drink while my dad drinks beer almost everyday (because he believes to the medical studies that a beer or a red wine a day can help lower blood pressure.)

Although taking antioxidants and exercising more may lessen some of the damage, I think old habits die hard.

And if we only think that elderly people are the ones who only suffer hypertension, nowadays, it’s not.  Even a young obese child I saw on TV suffers from hypertension.  When a man or woman suffers from hypertension, it is life-changing not just from him or her but also for the family who care about them.

Now, start giving your heart a longer and healthier life.


Umami Culinary Challenge 2011: Battle of the Umami Masters








Have you noticed I’ve been attending a lot of HRM-related events right now?  Well, that’s because of my brother taking up hotel and restaurant services.  I’ve written here in my blog just last week about a flairtending event, and now I’m sharing to you the 2nd Umami Culinary Challenge.




Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) in partnership with the Glutamate Association of the Philippines (GAP) presented the 2nd Umami Culinary Challenge: The Battle for the Umami Bowl at the A. Venue Events Hall in Makati. Eighteen schools were represented by student competitors who participated in both culinary and non-culinary competitions in a whole day event.



 
This inter-school, multi-category cooking competition puts a special emphasis on umami, the 5th basic taste. Umami is the tasty, rich or savory taste that was first identified and isolated by Dr. Kikunae Ikeda of Tokyo Imperial University in 1908. The Umami Culinary Challenge involved and engaged student competitors both in group and individual categories and highlighted the creativity, innovativeness and culinary skills of students in creating dishes that bring out the best umami taste.

Ensuring that only those who met the highest standards of culinary excellence would join the UCC’s roster of winners were food experts and renowned Filipino and international chefs, a number of them are also in the academe, who served as judges for this year’s UCC. Among them were celebrity chef and endorser of ELBA Cookers Chef Sau del Rosario, Chef Pablo “Boy” Logro of Chef Logro’s Culinary and Kitchen Services, Chef Rosebud Benitez of QTV’s Quickfire, Chef James Antolin of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, Chef Colin Mackay of the Sala Group and the pastry chef and director of Lolo Dad’s restaurant, Chef Mia Manuel.
Another distinct characteristic that sets UCC apart from other culinary competitions is its emphasis on nutritious food. With Ajinomoto’s “Eat Well, Live Well” tagline as a guiding principle, the student competitors prepared scrumptious yet healthy dishes that were also judged according to their nutritional value. The separate panel of judges was composed of food and nutrition experts.




The 2nd Umami Culinary Challenge: The Battle for the Umami Bowl was sponsored by ELBA Cookers of Italy, Cookworks, Anvil Publishing, Petron Gasul, Chefs Garb, and Fujidenso, with media partners GMA Network, QTV, Summit Interactive, Appetite, BusinessMirror, and Cook Magazine. This event was also supported by the following culinary schools and institutions: Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA), Metropolitan Occupational Science & Technology (MOST) Institute, The Kitchen Academy, Chef Logro’s Institute of Culinary & Kitchen Services (CLICKS) and The Pastry Alliance of the Philippines.

I wanna bring home the new PLDT myDSL WI-FI MODEM!


THE FAMILY THAT STAYS TOGETHER GOES ONLINE TOGETHER

ONE is simply not enough.

Not in a household where my brother needs to constantly update his Facebook, Twitter or whatever social networking site is currently on InStyle magazine. Not in a household where a foster kid brother, now 8, needs to play online games at the Disney Playhouse, Nick Jr. or Cartoon Network home pages; And certainly not in a household where I myself needs to BLOG on a daily basis.

When we all need to go online at the same time, one single wired broadband connection is simply not enough for all of us to share.

And that is why I for one am very excited about the new PLDT myDSL Wifi Modem that can now settle our longtime dispute of who needs to go online first and what time. At last, our household can now be treated to the same anytime, anywhere Wi-Fi connection that most people get to enjoy only on coffee shops and other commercial hotspots. Obviously impressed.




As a leader in the telecommunication industry, PLDT has time and again came up with innovative products that has never ceased to amaze a lot of people, my family included. As innovations go, the new PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem lets us experience how it is to go beyond broadband with its triple play service: Unlimited DSL with Wifi modem plus Landline plus Watchpad!

The fact that it’s plug-and-play makes the PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi modem even a lot less complicated than most people’s Facebook status. With its 4-port hub switch that can accommodate up to four wired and multiple wireless connections within the range of 25 meters anywhere at home on high speed plans 999, 1995 or 3000 DSL subscribers can now enjoy simultaneous connection. The entire family can now in fact go online using desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices at the same time and enjoy immediate access to news and entertainment, online shops, social networks and more.
It’s back to the future like I’ve never imagined it. “The digital lifestyle isn’t an option,” PLDT VP and head of PLDT myDSL Gary Dujali says. “It is what life has become. So it’s important for everyone to have unrestricted access to the web at home whenever they want, wherever they want.”

“We at PLDT recognize the importance of evolving our products to provide our subscribers with services that conform to their needs,” Dujali says. “It’s all about making life current, convenient, and comfortable for everyone in the family.”

Convenient and comfortable it is. Commercial WiFi zones are known as hotspots. Well, with the new PLDT myDSL WiFi modem, I am thinking it will be both comforting and exciting to see my entire home turned into a hotspot itself.

Because one shared connection was simply not enough. One PLDT myDSL WiFi modem, however, is more than enough to get everyone in line and online, all in one roof.    

For more details on the new PLDT myDSL Wi-Fi Modem please visit http://www.myworldmydsl.com/

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Make A Video And Win Thunderbird Resorts Getaway



Dubbed as “Extraordinary”, Thunderbird Resorts launches its first Online Video Contest. Participants will get the chance to win P100k, a Vacation Getaway for Four at Thunderbird Resorts Rizal and La Union, Enjoy Philippines Card and other cool prizes.

The resort’s thrust is to create extraordinary experiences for its guests, giving them a luxurious vacation lifestyle with each stay. It holds two world-class properties here in the Philippines catering to leisure, sports, recreation and entertainment activities. One is located in the highland oasis of Binangonan, Rizal; the other Mediterranean-inspired property is in the peninsula of Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union. Through the online video contest - which is a trend already becoming popular on the worldwideweb - Thunderbird Resorts would like to share this experience and more.

Just answer “What Makes you Extraordinary” in a video to join. Full mechanics is posted on www.thunderbirdresorts.ph/videocontest. Shoot the video at Thunderbird Resorts – either in Rizal or Poro Point – to have your hands on an Apple iPad.

 “Extraordinary” is Thunderbird Resorts way of saying thank you to all its online fans and followers. Special mention to Enjoy Philippines, Travelbook.ph, and Nuffnang Philippines for supporting the contest.

For more information on the “Extraordinary” Online Video Contest, go to www.thunderbirdresorts.ph/videocontest or visit the official website http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Joseph and Jamemark’s Family Grill: Out of the Usual Ways of Preparing Restaurant Staples

First impression? I initially thought Joseph & Jaemark’s was just another bar and grill restaurant, but upon entering it seems like a classic Filipino dining area because of the materials for its décor: colorful glass windows, paintings, wooden furniture, and low lighting.

And the food? Again, Joseph & Jaemark’s proved that we have a wrong impression of them being just an ordinary bar and grill restaurant. It has a healthier and unusual take on preparing the timeless food favorites.

Catfish Salad



A healthier alternative to chicharon as an appetizer. It is shredded until the desired texture and deep fried into perfection making its crispiness lasts for hours, and served with tangy mango and vinegar combo.


Crispy Buntot ng Tuna



Our favorite sinful dish, crispy pata is given a new healthier twist by switching pata with tuna. The tuna was cooked just the way I like my crispy pata. It’s crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Much yummier when dipped in their soy sauce + butter sauce.

And another way of eating it? I dunked it into my Salmon Sinigang (another yummy dish offered in this restaurant). Heavenly!

Stuffed Pechay



If other restos just serve you boiled greens plus bagoong, well, Joseph & Jaemark’s packed the bland-looking pechay with tinapa (dried fish) and other ingredients smothered into a special sauce. You can’t see what’s inside, but as you have a spoonful of it there’s a burst of flavors.

Bicol Express



At first, I thought it was pinakbet because in other restaurants, bicol express is just plain pork with chili peppers. You can request if you want it spicier or less as Joseph & Jaemark’s adjusts to their client’s need.


If you’re craving for beer, then most probably, you’re looking at the wrong menu because they emphasized it as a “family” grill. Although they have it in the list, they just want to create a healthier environment for family and kids.

The man behind the very satisfying meal? Chef Mars Reyes. We caught up with him and asked to tell us about Joseph & Jaemark’s history (and the secret behind his dishes, haha).

Chef Mars definitely has gone a long way since proving their naysayers wrong many in a row about a good location for a restaurant (we found out that they have transferred to different sites: Cuneta Astrodome, Magallanes, etc.). Indeed at least in Joseph & Jaemark’s case, the formula for success is not the location. Rather, it has been the combination of fresh ingredients (chef does the marketing and cooking himself); patience (a lot of trial and error especially with crispy buntot ng tuna); affordable price; and research & development (adding twists to their dishes) keeping Joseph & Jaemark’s interesting and ready to compete with the big grills.

Joseph & Jaemark’s Family Grill
#5 Sgt. Esguerra, Diliman, Quezon City
410-TUNA (8862)

Dining into Ocean’s Surf at Marriott Cafe







Dive into an entire buffet spread of ocean treasures prepared just the way you like it as Marriott Café brings Ocean’s Surf. Combining the finest of seafood and meat choices, it will surely stimulate another exciting weekend of gastronomic dinner with the whole family for only Php1750nett.

Loaded with irresistible line up of fresh starters on ice such as rock lobster, oysters, clams, shrimps, and seafood salad, it is bound to be a thrilling weekend feast. Gorge everything fresh or with exciting twist from the chefs to kick off the experience.



Move on to the hot section and explore the finest seafood selections in all forms and sizes, blanched in sumptuous shell fish broth complemented with delectable dips and sauces.



For pasta lovers, let the expert chefs whip up a tasty seafood pasta dish or satiate the palate with certified pasta recipes such as the stuffed ravioli with shrimps or homemade tortellini with tuna mousse.

From gourmet seafood treat, pump up the feastful indulgence with big slabs of beef and lamb slices from the carving station and other delicious options from the rotisserie.  Swing by at the Chinese Station for authentic dimsums, pork barbeque, marinated chicken, Beijing style duck and be delighted with an aquarium filled with live shrimps.

All these and more are rounded off with decadent desserts, fruits in season, gushing chocolate fountain, and meticulously mixed Italian ice cream flavors.




Ocean’s Surf will be available every Friday and Saturday dinner at PHP 1,750nett for adults and PHP 875nett for children. Children below 12 get in for half the price while children below 6 get in for free!

Marriott Cafe is ideally located at the lobby of Marriott Hotel Manila. Open daily from 6:30am to 11:00pm it offers a sumptuous local and international breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner buffet and irresistible a la carte menu.  For more information and reservations, please call (632)988-9999, find us on face book or visit www.marriott.com/mnlap.

Menu:

Seafood appetizer Buffet
Lavish arrangement of fresh rock lobsters, oysters, clams, shrimps
Seafood salads and appetizer

Japanese Section
Selection of fresh sushi and sashimi
Nori and California rolls
With condiments and sides

American salad bar with crispy greens and condiments

Food Variety at the Hot line

Steamed or grilled
Wide spread of seafood in any shape
Prepared blanched in delicious shell fish broth or grilled with various dips and sauces

Carving station
Juicy roasts from beef and lamb
Fresh from Rotisserie
Catch of the day

Soup counter
Lobster bisque with red crabmeat

Pasta al gusto
An all-time favorite, create your own dish
Stuffed ravioli with shrimps
Homemade Tortellini with Tune mousse

Chinese barbecue and dim sum
Watch the talented Dim Sum Chef and try his freshly prepared dim sum
BBQ pork and marinated chicken and Beijing style duck
Live shrimps cooked a la minute

Assorted bread’s and crusty rolls

Fruit arrangement with whole and sliced fruits

Decadent dessert arrangement
Italian ice cream bar
The chocolate fondue  - “Dip It”, pineapple and other fruity things covered in premium chocolate


ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTEL MANILA:
An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to work and play. Ideally located in Newport City across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is a convenient 15 minute drive from Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City. Affording a splendid view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course, it boasts 342 exquisite guest accommodations that offers luxurious bedding, in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed Internet, air conditioning, 40" full high definition LCDs with IPTV, videos on demand and jack pack plug-and-play system. The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. Leisure facilities include Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and Newport Mall. With a Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, Marriott Hotel Manila is also the ultimate destination for meetings and events, from weddings to gala dinner celebrations.

Tang KiddiCine Film Festival Features Country’s Youngest Directors



In a desire to showcase children’s creativity, talent and independence in a manner never-before-seen, the Tang KiddiCine search challenged kids to show us the world through their own eyes. Just months ago, Tang and Kraft Foods Philippines set out to find the extraordinary kids who can do just this through 3-5 minute short films inspired by the theme “Because I Can”. All they had to do was write and send the stories that they wanted to make come alive on the big screen.

The Tang KiddiCine Film Festival was born out of our curiosity to see the world through the eyes of those who live with limitless possibilities,” says Cynthia Icasas, Beverage Category Manager of Kraft Foods Philippines. “Tang may be the brand that lent them this opportunity but in truth, we are the ones who borrow from their infinite imagination.”



Mika, Mia, Ronn-Jeoff, Luke and Kendrick, started on their once-in-a-lifetime journey last October by landing ‘Golden Tickets’ which allowed them to participate in workshops held by some of the country’s best independent film and commercial directors: Erin Pascual, Matthew Rosen, Ianco Dela Cruz, Christian Acuna and Richard Ang.

Through the workshops, finalists learned basic filming techniques, script-writing and gained priceless insight into film making. And with the guidance of their mentor directors, finalists were able to share their stories in a well-produced short film, each of them having a different and unique story to tell.

Mia Azurin, directed and took the lead role in her very own, “The Impossible Wish”.






Her younger sister Mika Azurin, on the other hand awarded lead roles to her toys in her film entitled, “Not So Bad Villain”.






Luke Acosta recounted his tale using his very own clay-model creations in his film, “My Special Gift”.






 Ronn-Jeoff Beltran went back to the time of dinosaurs with his movie “Cody’s Cretaceous Dream”.






Kendrick Santos promoted being everyday heroes for the environment with his film entitled, “Because I Can, I Will”.




 
“The five short films that we debuted here are no less than awe-inspiring. On behalf of Tang and Kraft Foods Philippines and the team behind Tang KiddiCine, I extend my deepest gratitude and most heartfelt congratulations to the five finalists for an excellent job,” says Icasas.

The Tang KiddiCine Film Fest concluded with the viewing of the five films at Gateway Mall Cinema 4, last November 27, 2010.  It was also there that the five were awarded unique trophies in recognition of their participation in the first-ever Tang KiddiCine Film Festival.

Trophy!!!

For more information on the screening process for Tang KiddiCine, visit www.facebook.com/tangkiddicine or search for Tang KiddiCine on Facebook for more details.



I will try my best to upload the kids' videos, guys, on my next post.  I'm having problems inserting videos here.  Please help (",).  Thank you.