GS1 Philippines, the leading authority on local barcode standards, has rolled out GS1 Activate, a user-friendly web service designed to simplify the process of generating barcodes and symbols for businesses. The move aims to transform the retail supply chain landscape through digital innovation.

Unveiled at the GS1 Philippines’ Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting held on January 30, 2024, GS1 Activate promises to streamline barcode number generation and symbol creation, thus digitizing product data and identification. This advancement is poised to enhance the efficiency and transparency of supply and demand chains both locally and globally, across various industries.

Compliant with GS1 standards and services, GS1 Activate empowers businesses to achieve precise product identification using global trade item numbers (GTINs), while facilitating seamless data exchange. This, in turn, elevates customer service standards and operational efficiency. With GS1 Activate, enterprises gain easy access to barcode numbers for their products, facilitating their distribution on a global scale. Moreover, the service offers expert advice on barcode symbol printing and placement to ensure optimal scanning performance. By leveraging GS1 Activate for product data sharing, companies can extend their market presence to retailers and online marketplaces worldwide, thereby boosting the visibility and accessibility of their products on a global platform.

GS1 Philippines has set an ambitious goal to introduce GS1 Activate to more than 30,000 retailers nationwide by the close of 2024, with an existing clientele of over 5,000 retailers already benefiting from their services.

“In an economy where the Philippines’ e-commerce market is estimated to reach $24 billion (approx. Php 1.3 trillion) through 2025, GS1 Activate is a game-changer. This new service revolutionizes business barcode generation, reducing the time required compared to traditional product identification methods and eliminating common errors, saving costs on label reprinting and minimizing the need for extensive personnel training. By dramatically simplifying the process, GS1 Activate also enhances efficient data sharing, crucial for strengthening both local and global trade. This launch is a testament to our dedication to advancing digital integration within the Philippines' supply chain ecosystem, reinforcing our role in the global economy,” GS1 Philippines, and Philippine Retailers Association President Bobby Claudio said.

Aligning with the annual gathering’s theme, “Unified Unlocked: Activating Integrated Digitalization,” GS1 Philippines’ conference marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the barcode system and highlighted GS1’s focus on shifting to the 2D migration of barcodes to QR codes while calling for global retail Point of Sale (POS) scanners to be capable of processing 2D barcodes by 2027.

In his remark, GS1 Philippines Chairman Atty. Pablo Gancayo shared, "We are now focused on evolving the barcode into the next level we call the 2D migration, which is expected to revolutionize further commerce. GS1 will guide the industry towards 2D migration, which it hopes to achieve and implement comprehensively by the year 2027."

The annual gathering hosted insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities among key government figures, industry players, and GS1 members. Among those present was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco, who emphasized GS1 standards' pivotal role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility for Philippine industries competing globally. During her talk, she discussed the government agency’s three-year food logistics action agenda aimed to revolutionize the food distribution system by addressing critical supply chain gaps and integrating ICT to enhance logistics performance. Undersecretary Pacheco expressed eagerness for collaborations with GS1 Philippines to achieve these goals.

Other government leaders and industry experts also shared their perspectives on the impact of global standards in the digital age, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Environment and Design faculty member and packaging designer and consultant Prof. Ana Maria Veronica Solano; and CLASSchool Founder and Nutraways Manufacturing Corporation General Manager Love Emmanuel Agudo.

Several executives from both GS1 Philippines and the GS1 Global Office graced the event, namely: GS1 Global Office President and CEO Renaud De Barbuat; GS1 Philippines Trustee and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.; and GS1 Global Office GS1 Registry Platform Global Deployment Lead Joe Horwood.

Among the prominent industry groups present at the conference were PHILEXPORT, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (PHILFOODEX), Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI), Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association (PCCTA), Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), Soap and Detergent Association of the Philippines (SDAP), and the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines.

 

As the clock ticks towards midnight, people around the world eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new year. The celebration of New Year's Eve is a global tradition that transcends cultural boundaries and brings people together in a shared moment of reflection and anticipation. Have you ever wonder when and how New Year's Eve started? Well, let's uncover the origin, the time, and the evolution of this time-honored celebration.

Our story begins in ancient times, where the concept of marking the passage of time was intertwined with celestial events. The Babylonians, over 4,000 years ago, are credited with one of the earliest New Year celebrations. Their festivities were linked to the vernal equinox, a moment when day and night are of equal length. This event signaled the rebirth of nature and inspired the Babylonians to make resolutions for the coming year.

I really forgot when and where did I heard this story, but this story will surely give a good laugh, but in reality this will make us realize that all of us, not only the women, are not easy to satisfy or insatiable. We always long for something better (negatively) that most of the time leads to greed. 

My take on this story is that God has a master plan for all of us and all we need is align with what and where God leads us, then everything will follow. In simplest term “contentment”, be contented on what we have and be thankful that is given to us.

So, since I don't know who the author of this story is, we give credits to whom it is due. 

Here’s the story and it is entitled “The Husband Store!”

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is however, a catch …. You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

More and more cities are diverting efforts in coastal land reclamation. It is actually increasing and will probably continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth.

This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg.

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spaces. Key drivers like global trade and rapid urbanization are already ubiquitous, so for the next step, these cities desire prestigious place-making efforts and enhanced international reputation.

“Coastal land reclamation is a forward-looking approach to urban development,” says Architect Ian Fulgar, the principal architect of Fulgar Architects. It allows cities to preserve valuable ecosystems and resources from urban sprawl by expanding spaces without encroaching on existing natural land. More importantly for architects, urban planners, and modern city dwellers, it presents an opportunity to have purpose-built urban environments specifically designed to meet their needs.

“Architects and urban planners can design sustainable and efficient infrastructure with a blank canvas, incorporating the latest technologies and best practices in urban planning. This approach can lead to more resilient and adaptive cities capable of mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental challenges,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Cities that lead coastal land reclamation

Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, says Architect Fulgar, are some of the world’s most notable cities with impressive urban reclamation projects. “Not only have they transformed their respective landscapes but also captured global attention,” he says.

Photo credit to Anastasia Yudin. An aerial shot of Flower Dome in Singapore.

 

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay are testaments to the city-state’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The former is a luxury integrated resort famed for transforming Singapore’s coastline and city skyline, whereas the latter is a spectacularly unique horticultural destination that combines art, science, and nature. These reclaimed land developments further boost the country’s international reputation and real estate value around the area.

For some parts of the United Arab Emirates, coastal land reclamation has significantly changed its geography. Dubai, which has completely transformed into an ultramodern city, features ambitious projects now known as some of the most recognizable developments in the world like Palm Jumeirah and The World. “They have reshaped the coastline and established the city as a leader in innovative development, significantly elevating Dubai’s real estate value and worldwide interest,” says Architect Fulgar.

Photo credit to Abid Bin Nazar. An aerial view of Palm Jumeirah.

 

Palm Jumeirah is an awe-inspiring artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. It houses some of Dubai’s luxury hotels, residences, and entertainment venues. Likewise, The World is a groundbreaking project composed of small artificial islands in the shape of a world map.

Lastly, Hong Kong’s commitment to preserved art, culture, and ongoing sustainable urban development is exemplified by its West Kowloon Cultural District. It is a 40-hectare reclaimed site along Victoria Harbour’s waterfront designated as the city’s vibrant cultural quarter where the local arts scene can interact, develop, and collaborate throughout its sustainability principles.

Architect Fulgar, who firmly believes in creating spaces that foster belonging and unity, highlights that Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong share common denominators in their successful urban reclamation projects. These are innovative design and planning, focus on sustainability and commitment to cultural and societal development, and the subsequent increase in real estate value.

“These projects have created iconic and visually striking landscapes by pushing the boundaries of engineering and urban design. Sustainability is often at the forefront, integrating practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors,” says Architect Fulgar on these cities’ commitment to sustainability atop function and aesthetics.

Best practices of coastal land reclamation

Despite recognition of world-class reclamation projects, one of their primary challenges is facing criticism and potential issues over sustainability concerns. Architect Fulgar shares that the solution is through the responsibility of vital stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach and adaptive strategies in implementing best practices, such as prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience goals in waterfront developments.

“The future of city development, especially in coastal areas, rests with stakeholders prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience. By adopting a comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptable strategy, they can transform the design, construction, and management of waterfront development – ultimately creating more sustainable, resilient, and prospering urban environments that benefit both people and the environment,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Moreover, Architect Fulgar puts emphasis on a well-planned project that begins with the developers’ thorough research and analysis of the selected area about potential environmental impacts, disaster risks, and local community needs. Architects and engineers need to incorporate sustainable design principles and green and blue spaces to reduce the development's environmental footprint.

“Trends and insights on global reclamation illustrate the potential of reclamation projects in addressing various urban development, environmental conservation, and community well-being needs – leading to more sustainable and resilient urban planning worldwide. By adopting these lessons and focusing on sustainable growth, the Philippines can capitalize on its potential and carve a path to a brighter future.”

One of the best gifts for moms is having everyone in one house celebrating whatever occasion to celebrate. For the Superstar, Nora Aunor, having all her children with her grandchildren celebrating New Year or just a simple get-together is the best gift already.

Indeed one of the best gifts ever, because at the beginning of 2022, Nora Aunor was visited by her children Ian, Matet, Kenneth at Kiko together with the grandchildren. The momentous occasion can be seen on Ate Guy's Youtube Channel. Fans and followers can catch the event on the Youtube Channel. Just be sure to keep quiet and do the meaningful health standard.

Ian, one of Nora Aunor's kids, gave a line of thanks to him. "We thank the good Lord for blessing us with a good mother with a big heart, loving, understanding, and down-to-earth mother that we, your family can cherish for as long as we live."

As we all know, there's a little bit of tension between Nora and Matet, Ian, Kenneth, plus Kiko. So for the sake of love and celebration, let there be forgiveness and happiness.

 

A few weeks ago, Ms. Kris Aquino was one of the highlights of news and stories on the net. One, because she defended her children from malicious comments, and two is her action towards that specific issue. It's not easy being a mom, and it's not easy to take on hateful comments, especially if the remarks are towards her beloved children.

Last April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, Ms. Kris released a video on her Social Media account bravely expressed her feelings being a mom, the nurturer, and the provider for her family, and her actions of facing the next tomorrow of her life. Just like the rainbow that brings new hope for the coming days.

Probably most of us have known Ms. Kris Aquino from her younger days. We have seen her on TV shows, movies, and even talk shows. She is a very unusual and expressive celebrity who has created a name out of being Kris. Yes, she speaks differently, and she has a list of issues in her past, but now is different. Her name talks, but her being a mom inspires louder. The strength of a single mom flows in her words. speaks

 

Renowned musicians, artists, activists, and political and religious leaders here and abroad will gather in another online community jamming to express their support for Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima who will be marking her fourth year in unjust detention on Feb. 24.

Dubbed “Leilaya! Mga Tinig at Himig ng Paglaya,” the online jamming organized in partnership with the Free Leila de Lima Movement (FLM) and the Committee for the Freedom of Leila M. de Lima (Free Leila Committee) will feature performances from artists such as Agot Isidro, Ebe Dancel, Bugoy Drilon, Gary Granada, Bituin Escalante, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Pochoy Labog of Dicta License, True Faith, Mae Paner, Pinky Amador, US-based singers and bands from other countries.

Also joining the artists are Senators Frank Drilon, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan, Atty. Chel Diokno, journalist Maria Ressa, film director Joel Lamangan, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, several political leaders abroad, and various civil-society groups.

A solidarity message from Vice President Leni Robredo is also expected.

The online community jamming will be available for audience viewing through livestreaming of Free Leila Movement, Free Leila Committee and the official Leila de Lima Facebook pages at 7:30 pm on Feb. 24.

It may be recalled that over 70 musicians, artists, leaders, religious and progressive groups, and ordinary Filipinos also joined the online community jamming entitled “Leilaya! Tinig at Musika para sa Diwang Malaya” to celebrate the 61st birthday of De Lima last Aug. 27, 2020.

De Lima, known as the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, was recently acquitted in one of her three trumped-up drug cases.

The lady Senator from Bicol has consistently maintained that no amount of lies by political manipulators and even paid trolls could erase her innocence from all the trumped-up illegal drug charges filed against her. (30)

Over the past few years, bloggers have changed the landscape of marketing and advertising. Blogsites have been the source of information for different reviews and opinions about brands or products. The 'personal experiences' became the voice up to the point of influencing someone in choosing or buying a specific brand or product. Bloggers became influencers!

The Influencers

Referencing Google, Wikipedia, and Merriam Webster, the term influence is basically about the capacity to affect others in indirect or intangible ways, causing a change in the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. So, if a person influences an individual, we can infer that a person can be called an influencer.

Way back before the digital era, the term influencer was for individuals who have introduced a change in the landscape of history. Today, the term influencer is in the digital world where experience is the key, affecting individuals with their choice. Whatever is the use of this term, one thing is for sure it affects you directly or indirectly. 

 

Just a week ago, KWENTO NI TOTO account was HACKED!!!!

Yes, the Google account that I am using to access Kwento Ni Toto was HACKED but according to Google it is HIJACKED. Yes, basically the account was indeed hijacked because I was totally kicked-out from the account. Whatever form of recovery I actually cannot get access to my account. 

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

Well, when you are curious and you are tempted, things happens like this one. I was curious on how other YouTubers gain access or being contacted by game developers to make a review or test their upcoming games. So, when opportunity (opportunity in disguised with an evil laugh) you just simply try it and grab it. I was tempted of the opportunity, a negotiable opportunity. 

Near end August when I received an email from a certain Advertising and Marketing personnel from a game developer company. They were asking if I can do a review and short ads of their upcoming game that is still in beta form. To make the long story short I accepted the offer and went on with the instruction. As I execute the so-called game demo it happened, I was hacked! Totally and completely erasing my recovery email, phone number, and the 2 step verification process. 

So, if ever you'll find an email with the same modus, please try to thoroughly research first before getting into action. Another thing when you get a hint that it is something not good, stop and think again. 

Watch my vlog to get the full details of the story. 

Watch out for the next vlog as I share things I tried in recovering the account and what you should do in case you lost it as well from the hackers. 

One of the best stories to tell, heartbreaking stories. It's not that you're interested in the background of the story but because it's about and it's about your heartbreak.  Award-winning Filipino band, Ben&Ben will drop their new single, “Lifetime” on June 4 (Thursday) via Sony Music.

The intricately produced, folk-pop ballad was written as a response to a fan’s YouTube comment on their hit song “Pagtingin,” which to date, has amassed more than a hundred million streams on YouTube and Spotify combined.

The fan, who goes by the alias of “Anne Jou,” shared her story of regretting not being able to express her feelings because she was afraid to lose the friendship.

“…instead of telling him what I actually felt, I hid and buried my feelings. And you know what happens to feelings that are buried? They grow. The like I felt for him became love. I wrote poems, songs. After 8 years, I attended his wedding [last] January. And guess what? The world is really overly-cruel. Before his wedding, he thanked me for being his best friend and told me that before he met the girl he got married to, he loved me first. For 5 years. But he was also scared of losing me so he just decided to keep it. I was shocked and I slightly had anger towards the world. We didn't know that if only one of us dared to make a move, a lifetime was waiting for us. So people, while you can, please express how you really feel so that in the end you won't regret anything.”

The nine-piece collective decided to make song inspired by a fan’s online confession—a proof of how powerful and moving words can be, when shared from a place of earnestness and raw honesty.

Notwithstanding the technical limitations and struggles in recording brought about by the pandemic, Ben&Ben pulled through in a few days and finished the song in their respective homes with just their instruments and a studio software.

The intimate recording session led to what is “Lifetime” now: an emotionally affecting song that leaves us wondering, what could have happened if we only mustered the courage to admit our feelings to the person we’re pining for, regardless of the outcome?

“Lifetime” was mixed by veteran sound engineer JP Verona, and mastered by Grammy Award-winning Leon Zervos (Pink, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Beastie Boys, and Willie Nelson). It was written by Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin, and recorded and produced by Ben&Ben.

Ben&Ben’s “Lifetime” will be released on all digital platforms worldwide on June 4 (12 midnight, Thursday).

If you're following my other blog, www.grabtechdude.net, I was able to post and tell the story about the partnership of Netflix and LG in releasing the animated film Klaus that made kids from Shelter of Hope enjoyed watching. During that time as well as the small launching event, melts the heart of LG and made an instant announcement of its pledge to donate over 1 million pesos of Home Appliances to the Shelter of Hope/ Silungan ng Pag-asa.  The great thing is that it is not just a promise but an act to do the will with all their hearts for the children of Shelter of Hope/Silungan ng Pag-Asa, a temporary home for cancer-stricken kids from provinces.


The donations, which included a wide range of home appliances that will vastly improve the quality of life and enjoyment in the children’s home, were recently formally turned over in a small gathering to celebrate the month of love, as well as World Cancer Day which fell on February 4th. LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo, together with #TeamLG, gave the donations to Pastor Junie Antiñero of Shelter of Hope. “It is our privilege to be partners with Shelter of Hope. The bravery and strength of these children are something we can all look up to. To be able to give them happiness, no matter how small, is a goal that we constantly work towards.” Mr. Heo said.


Pastor Junie gamely accepted LG’s gift. “We are deeply grateful for LG’s unwavering support for our cause. I, and more importantly the children, really appreciate it”. After the donations were given away, the children from Shelter of Hope gave the audience a heartwarming treat with a moving performance. The donations came in part of the #ShareTheGoodLifewithLG campaign during the holidays, where as a way of giving back to the community, LG dedicated a portion of each sale of each product to go towards furnishing the home of Shelter of Hope.

As of the moment I'm out of the corporate world and I'm doing my freelance thing but looking back when I was still in the industry, it was really hard squeezing in some personal errands during lunchtime. So, ending I sometimes sneak out just to accomplish those errands but of course, it's not often. Who doesn't does the sneak out thing?

Sometimes bank trips are eating up your entire lunchtime, especially when lines are crazy long. But most of the time is that you don't have a choice because you need to send money or pay your bills at that time to avoid the hassle.  It may sound simple but for me who works exactly the same time with the banks, it's really impossible.

Of course, that was before and it gives a little bit of guilt feeling that sometimes you have taken some few minutes from your working hours just to make that transaction. Now that I'm a freelancer and since most of my works are done at home it's easy and much easier with GCash because I don't have to brave the traffic just to get those bills and errands to work with.

GCash is an app that allows me to send money with just a few taps on my smartphone anytime, anywhere for free. With GCash, I have one less errand to do, and extra minutes for something I enjoy, play with my kids.

GCash has over 30 bank partners so transferring money between your GCash account and any bank account is hassle-free. The entire process—from cashing in your GCash wallet to moving money to another account—takes less than 10 minutes, a big respite from the hours lost waiting in long lines at banks. I can even do it in between bites over lunch, or in between emails or meetings at work (admit it, you spend those in-betweens at work on Facebook or Instagram, anyway—it won’t hurt to be more productive and do your errands from your phone)

What I like most about this mobile wallet platform is that it’s not exclusive to Globe users. GCash is available on all networks, including Smart, TNT, Sun, ABS-Mobile and Cherry Mobile.

Aside from its money-sending features, GCash also allows you to settle utility bills with just a few taps on your phone. Now, I don’t have to go to payment centers for my electric, internet, cable and phone bills. I can settle them all through my GCash app in the comfort of my home after a long day at work. No more sneaking out during work hours for trips to the bank or payment centers!

Honoring all Mothers our there, Jollibee, the Pinoy pride in food chain industry, brings another story on their #KwentongJollibee series. A mother's nurturing love for their children.

From the moment mothers feel a heartbeat inside their womb, to the first time they see and hold their newborn, they have made a promise to remain strong and shower their children with eternal love and support throughout their life.

This May, Jollibee and creative agency McCann World Group Philippines honor all loving moms as they release a special Kwentong Jollibee Mother’s Day special that will remind everyone of the power of a mother’s unwavering affection and nurturing love.

Directed by Sheron Dayoc, ‘Schoolboy’ follows the story of a young boy as he overcomes his insecurities in his new school and achieves his dream with the help of his mother’s care and encouraging words that gave him the confidence he needed.

“There are many types of love in this world - one we share with friends, relatives, and significant others. But we know that it is the love that we receive from our mothers that make us feel more confident to embrace ourselves,” said Francis Flores, Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and PH Marketing Head.

For a child, there is no greater gift in life than having a mother who is there by their side and cheer them on as they grow up. “This Mother’s Day, we want to showcase the unique bond that a mother and child have and how this encourages the child to love themselves and live their life with a purpose no matter their personal condition,” adds Flores.

As the guiding light of every Filipino household, mothers play an inspiring figure in the life of each member of the family. Last year, Jollibee touched the hearts of netizens with its successful Mother’s Day trilogy - Amor”, “Tess”, and “Helen” - which reached over 27 million views in Facebook and YouTube and touched hearts of over 65.8 million netizens, Jollibee once again celebrates the red-letter day with a new heartwarming Kwentong Jollibee Mother’s Day special.

This year, Jollibee aims to once again shine the spotlight on moms as a fitting tribute to the person who never fails to provide encouragement and support every step of the way. Watch the ‘Schoolboy’ Kwentong Jollibee Mother’s Day special on Jollibee’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines/videos/2382580938502113/ and YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UNDpEUCBYkk&feature=youtu.be.


In time for this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, everyone is invited to bring their beloved mother and the whole family for a langhap-sarap feast at Jollibee. From May 10 to 12, customers who purchase a 6-pc Chickenjoy Bucket will get a free sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti as a treat for the special day. Meanwhile, every purchase of an 8-pc Chickenjoy Bucket comes with two free Jolly Spaghetti. Promo is also available for take-out, drive-thru, and delivery.

There are reasons why the regulatory board give grade and rating for films to be released and watched by moviegoers. This is to protect viewers from any effects of the movie that may lead to something like trauma or a like (that's my guess), most especially for the little ones. That is why they made sure to have restrictions like the Parental Guidance or PG and Rated or R ratings.

For our movie discussion today we will be featuring the recently released movie HellBoy, which is actually a reboot of the 2004 released movie directed by Guillermo del Toro. While this year's film is directed by Niel Marshall, which is considered to be a much more closer to the comic book release of Dark Horse. A much darker story of HellBoy.

So, after watching the movie I was able to build up some reasons why it should be and should be watched. First, lets focus on the 'why not'. Perhaps the 'why to watch' will be on the second part of our topic.

I have organized and collated five (5) main reasons why faint-hearted people should not watch HellBoy.

• The movie shows to much blood and gory scenes that someone who easily faints with blood might experiene trauma. Worse, the person might loose consciousness in a not so well litted part of the movie house that might cause the person injury.

• There are parts of the movie where decapitation and slaughtering are involved that is not a watch for children and faint-hearted individual. The smashing, slicing and dicing is really prominent in the movie. Yes it's clear as water that the title is HellBoy but the writer and director should have tone it down since HellBoy is a kids thing.

• If you're heart isn't strong enough to stay in your belief, then you should not watch the movie. The site of its apocalyptic distruction when he held the Excalibur Sword just doesn't make much sense. Yes he is the rightful heir to the throne but that doesn't mean he just loose consciousness and became the demon that he is and release all the evil around the world.

• The psychic connection created by the character played by Sasha Lane is just gruesome and that gawking sensation of a thing com8ng out of your mouth will let you feel nausous and vomit.

• Lastly, if you don't want to see the sight of people being torn apart and be eaten by monsters, then perhaps you might want to reconsider. The beginning of the movie is already a mild one and it progresses like a creceindo of bloody mess as it goes near the end.

So, will I recommend to watch the movie? Yes, if you have the guts to take all the gory, gruesome, and bloody effects of the movie. Plus if the foundation of your belief is as hard as the pillars if St. Peter's church. But for a faint heart take on a courage pill first and a dosage of strength to get yourself together to see to the movie.

Have you a seen a mermaid? Well, this story has been a talk since it was foretold long before and there are different stories about it. We have long been entranced by the idea of these mermaids, from the sailors and fishermen of old to modern-day enthusiasts. In 2018, to the delight of fans everywhere, the producers of Siren declared March 29 as International Mermaid Day! Clearly, people remain fascinated by the very idea that they exist but, as with all fairy tales, there is a much darker story that goes farther back.

The age-old story of human-mermaid interaction is retold in Siren, which takes place in a coastal town called Bristol Cove. According to its lore, it was once home to mermaids and strange newcomer named Ryn triggers a series of events. Befriending marine biologist Ben and girlfriend Maddie, Ryn and her brethren turn the sleepy neighbourhood on its head and bring to light jaw-dropping revelations about Ben’s ancestors and the town’s shameful past.

In the second season, tensions flare as the battle between man and sea continues, confirming some of their more sinister aspects:

1. Mermaids are superior in strength and ferocity than humans. Any creature that lives in the depths of the ocean has to be fierce and strong, or they won’t survive. Predatory instincts and tribal loyalty run strong and wild in mermaids as demonstrated by Ryn and her brethren, so it’s no wonder that some of them look at weaker, tail-less humans with disdain.

2. Mermaids are highly intelligent! Many people equate savagery with brainless brutality but this doesn’t apply to mermaids. On the contrary, they are highly intelligent and have the ability to observe, reason and conspire, as Ryn’s sister Donna demonstrated when she escaped from captivity in Season 1. Coupled with their strength and ferocity, this is bad news for anyone who stands in their way.

3. Mermaids are haunting, ethereal and alluring This is one point where popular mythology and modern retellings seem to agree – mermaids are irresistible. Traditionally, the song of the siren drove sailors mad and Ryn has this ability too; it’s a powerful addition to her physical strength.

4. Mermaids are skilled at shape-shifting Taking human form is another common theme when it comes to tales about mermaids, and what better way to hide among humans than in plain sight? However, every transformation comes at a painful, sometimes fatal, price. In spite of this anguish, Ryn seemed determined to stay and defend her human friends. But now, with her sister gone and her presence endangering her friends, where will she go?
As more mermaids come onto land, it’s no longer just a fight between human and mermaids – It has become a survival of the fittest within their own kind. Tune in to Siren season 2 mid-season catch up that will bring you up to date on all that’s happening in Bristol Cove from episode one to five on Sunday, March 3, from 3:30PM on Blue Ant Entertainment available on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channel 37.

They say 'the truth shall set you free' but it seems that the phrase didn't released the truth about our history more than a century ago. Yes, there are loops and gray areas in the Philippine History but thanks to some of the producers and directors who tried their best to unearth stories and documentaries about our past. Few of these movie examples are the Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. These films truly and shockingly reveal what really transpired out of the pages of our history books.

Goyo is the sequel of the 2015 hit historical epic movie, Heneral Luna. It is a movie highlighting one of the youngest generals during the Philippine war.

The character of Goyo is played by Paulo Avelino, together with some of the best actors in the industry like Epy Quizon who plays the role of Apolinario Mabini, Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Leo Martines as PetroPaterno and a whole ensemble of cast include Art Acuna, Carlo Aquino, Christopher Aronson, RK Bagatsing, Perla Bautista, Nonie buencamino, Roeder Camanag, Carlo Cruz, Jason Dewey, Miguel Faustmann, Bret Jackson, Ethan Salvador, Ronnie Lazaro, Jojit Lorenzo, Lorenz Martinez, Karl Medina, Che Ramos, Empress Schuck, Robert Sena, Stephanie Sol, Markki Stroem, Arron Villaflor, Gwen Zamora and more.

The movie's play date is  on September 5, 2018 in cinemas.  Learn the truth, unravel the story, and rewrite what you think about our history.

Trust is something that you don’t easily get but something that is earned through time. Just like the brand that we truly trust… the Uratex brand. Since the day that we've known Uratex it has been our tradition to look out for the name of the brand, especially on beds, pillows, chairs and tables.

To know more about Uratex we did get a chance to visit their plantation in Alabang. It is a learning experience for us who loves the brand very much. During the tour we learned so much that any ordinary individual would only think of. What’s more interesting with the plantation tour is that we've learned that the products produced by Uratex came from quality materials. They are really providing the best product for their customers.

Why would Dr. Seuss write something about the environment and why have it in less comprehensive audience? As for my understanding during Dr. Seuss time it is very hard to go up against with big names and big companies. People standing up to their believes are being suppressed by powerful tyrants. They would not listen to any thoughts about the environment and the effects of what they are doing. Perhaps that's one of the reason why Dr. Seuss made it into a children's book. Also I think he got the idea that if you want to change the world start with the kids and children's books are one of the most powerful influencer. Kids read books whether it is in school or at home.

Not really sure if he had read Jose Rizal's writings but the idea of teaching the young ones the importance of the environment and letting them picture what will happen is somewhat similar to Jose Rizal's famous quote “the youth of today is the hope of tomorrow” (not exactly as it is but the thought is close enough).

The story of The Lorax does not only talks about the environment but it does show ideas of the economy as well and how filthy rich people takes advantage of different situation. In other words greediness comes in, moral issue is much more likely. Being opportunistic is not bad but grabbing the opportunity in the expense of others is not a good call of success.

Remember the story of a young girl who stands and talks about the environment in front of the representatives in the United Nations (not sure if it is a conference or a summit)conference? Yes, she made the whole world listen to what she have said and perhaps that was the start of the change. Just like the quote in Dr. Seuss The Lorax “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” It is indeed that unless there's one person that will make a small act, not only for the environment but also for the next generation to come, things will for sure change and it's for the better.

The story of Valiente lives through the newest generations of actors and actresses.  This production is directed by Director Joel Lamangan on primetime at TV5.

The story heats up as the story of Valiente goes on.

Press Release
Walang duda kung bakit minamahal ng sambayanan ang kuwento ng Valiente nang una ito ipinalabas dalawang dekada na ang nakalipas. Kahit na lumipat ito ng istasyon noon, sinundan pa din ito ng mga manonood dahil mahirap bumitiw sa napakagandang kuwento nito.

Ang natatanging kuwentong ito ay natutunghayan na sa bagong henerasyon sa pamamagitan ng dramaseryeng Valiente na napapanood na ngayon sa primetime ng TV5. Hindi matawaran ang ganda ng produksiyon ng makabagong Valiente na sumasailalim sa masusing direksyon ng multi-awarded director na si direk Joel Lamangan.

Mabilis ang takbo ng kuwento ng Valiente at bawat eksena ay tumatatak sa mga manonood. Matapos ang pagkamatay ni Don Armando Braganza (Mark Gil), bulgar na ang kasakiman ni Doña Trining (Jaclyn Jose) na handang gawin ang lahat maangkin lang ang yaman at kapangyarihan ng yumaong asawa. Naganap na ang aksidenteng kumitil sa buhay ni Luming Valiente (Gina Alajar) sa kagagawan ng anak ni Doña Trining na si Theo (Oyo Sotto). Gaano katagal kayang itago ng mag-ina ang sikretong ito na siguradong sisira sa matalik na pagkakaibigan ni Theo Braganza at Gardo Valiente (JC De Vera)?

Sa kasalukuyang takbo ng kuwento, nagbalik na sa hacienda ang magkakapatid na Braganza na sina Theo, Leona (Nina Jose) at Maila (Nadine Samonte) at muli nilang nakasama ang kaibigang si Gardo. Sa kabila ng umiinit na pag-aaklas ng mga trabahante ng Hacienda Braganza sa hindi makatarungang pagtrato sa kanila ni Doña Trining, uusbong ang pagmamahalan sa pagitan nina Gardo at Maila, na pipilitin namang sirain ni Leona.

Ngayong mga binata’t dalaga na ang mga karakter nina Gardo Valiente at Theo, Leona at Maila Braganza, tuloy-tuloy ang maiinit na tagpo ng hindi mabitiwang kuwento ng Valiente. Tutukan ang paglalim ng pag-iibigan at pagkawasak ng pagkakaibigan sa Valiente, mapapanood gabi-gabi mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes pagkatapos ng Nandito Ako sa TV5.

Para sa esklusibong impormasyon tungkol sa Valiente, maging fan on Facebook at follower on Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/TV5Valiente | https://twitter.com/#!/Valiente2012