Besides the most-awaited announcement on who will emerge as this season’s Big Winner, a lineup of big surprises and hot performances await viewers for the highly-anticipated Big Night of “Pinoy Big Brother: Connect” this Sunday (Marso 14), 9 pm that can be seen live on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, TFC, A2Z, TV5, and on the official “PBB” accounts on Facebook and Kumu.

Based on the latest Google Search Trends and the Entrepreneur.com survey done at the end of 2020, 76% of CEOs reported that their company’s productivity was either maintained or even increased as a result of working remotely. The survey also sighted that 70% of CEOs prefer that a portion of their employees continue to work remotely even after their offices reopen. Given this stark new normal, Samsung introduces their latest technological breakthrough, designed for both young professionals and students alike, the new Samsung Smart Monitor.

The world’s first “Do-It-All” screen, the Samsung Smart Monitor is highly adept in meeting all types of demands for work, entertainment, learning, gaming, and just about anything in between, without the need for a PC.

The Samsung Smart Monitor is loaded with productivity features such as Remote Access, Office 365, and Samsung DeX. Remote Access allows users to have full access to their office PC or laptop via the Internet. With Office 365, documents and presentations can be viewed, edited, and saved in the cloud, while with Samsung DeX, Samsung Galaxy phone users will be able to easily connect with the Smart Monitor and open a desktop workspace.

La Union to launch DIGITAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM EXPO

The wave beckons and the mountain calls as La Union sets its gates to once again be unlocked for tourism. As we steadfastly wait for the reopening of our beloved La Union, let us get ourselves prepared as the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO) stage the Love La Union Digital Travel and Tourism Expo on March 15 to April 15, 2021. The Love La Union Digital Travel and Tourism Expo is an online and mobile app platform featuring tourism and travel destinations in the province. It also features limited offers of travel and tour packages which are available for sale and are made especially affordable for the Digital Event. Various accommodation sales are also up for grabs. It also contains information of various tourism destinations that would make one fall in love with La Union.

To be able to join the Digital Expo, one must download the EXPO PH Mobile App on their mobile phones. The App is available through Google Playstore for Android phones and Appstore for IOS. After downloading the App, one can search for the Love La Union Digital Travel and Tourism Expo and browse through the wide array of offers.

The Digital Event is PGLU’s way of assisting its local tourism stakeholders to help them economically bounce back being one of the most affected sectors of the community due to the CoViD 19 Pandemic. It is expected that the event shall help the revival of the tourism industry in the province where tourists from all over the world can once again create fond memories.

For more information, visit Love La Union official Facebook page or call (242) 5550 to 53 local 286 or telefax number (072) 607 9692.

Digital Event Venue and Media Platform: Expo Ph Mobile App, ACES multimedia ph and ATFC

Virtual streaming partner: KUMU App

Official media partners:

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Girl power! This might be a bit cliche but this Women's Month, there is always good news to share when it comes to women empowerment. For me, I think I can compare women to Shiva, a Hindu God with more than two hands. Why? Well, women today are handling more than just one task with them. From taking care of the family up to taking care of their jobs or businesses. Imagine handling the needs of the family from cooking to kids' assignments, then top it up with the needs of their works, or part-time jobs. All of this is to augment the financial needs of the family. It's a tough job!


There are quite a few already who have been recognized because of their hard work and perseverance, most especially the women of the society. They are more to be called empowered ladies.

Recently, I was able to get a chance to interview one of these women in power, as we celebrate Women's Month, let me take you virtually to Japan where our featured lady lives and does her entrepreneurship. The woman behind the name LV Queen, Ms. Fe Mendoza Yamaguchi of YamaBear Collection, who resides now in Japan but formerly in Baguio City, the Philippine's Summer Capital, is one of the empowered ladies who strive to get on top for her family. She's dubbed as LV Queen because she buys and sells pre-loved high-end products and one of them is the LV or Louis Vuitton.

Released on March 9 via Sony Music Philippines, SB19 with its contagiously massive sound that’s larger and louder than life. Veering away from the glossy, dance-pop tunes and anthemic ballads of Get In The Zone, SB19 are pushing the envelope production and songwriting-wise on their latest track, as they command supremacy of P-Pop’s explosion in the global market without resorting to formulaic tricks and pandering to trends.

This time, the acclaimed boy band are transcending the genre that positioned them to become the formidable stars that they are now: comfortable with the convergence of personalities, styles, and influences — while embracing a musicality that is hard to pin down, and refuses to be categorized. “The song ‘What?’ is really different from what we have done before,” main rapper and lead vocalist Pablo shares in a statement. “This one has a more aggressive take to it compared to our previous songs, so I really had to force out the ‘oomph’ in the voices of the members. I was really meticulous with the recordings, but so were they. That's why we would record 'til morning and until everyone was satisfied with their parts. The feeling had to be there.”

SB19’s very own Pablo, who is also credited as one of the songwriters and producers of SB19’s latest song, reveals that “What?” proves that they’re “not just here to play games or act cool.” He admits, “A lot of people still doubt us, denouncing everything that we do and everything that we're trying to achieve. We love what we do, that's why we do it respectfully. ‘What?’ is about self-love and empowerment. Each of us has our own flag. We should be proud of it and raise it as much as we can. As SB19 and as individuals, we know that we're not the best at everything, but that shouldn't stop us from what we want to achieve.”

The release of the song comes with a visual accompaniment that marks a triumphant return to the band’s groundbreaking aesthetic and empowering message. The music video of “What?” shows SB19 in battle mode as they claim freedom in a fictional, post-apocalyptic war zone, and exude an aura of power and longevity to go along with its cinematic appeal.

SB19’s “What?” is the first single off the award-winning group’s yet-to-be-revealed but highly anticipated follow-up to their debut album, Get In The Zone. The song will be available on all digital platforms worldwide this March 9, 2021 (7:00pm Manila time) via Sony Music Philippines.

Stay tuned for SB19’s live launch performance, which airs on the band’s Facebook and YouTube pages at 7:30pm, Manila time — on the same day.

Fascinating stories are mostly moving because of certain aspects of life, stories that touch the hearts and emotions. It fills the void of what the viewers are expecting from a movie or film. This upcoming movie, "Dito at Doon" by Director JP Habac, shows a unique plot, a relatable and timely event in our lives. Yes, the story of "Dito at Doon," based on its synopsis, revels in the extraordinary love story that perhaps will only happen every 100 years.

Finally, the revelation! Yes, after more than a year of intrigues and speculations, the truth has now come out. Is it because of the birthday, or they just want to admit it? It's hard to hide secrets, and eventually, time will have its ways to spill it out in the open.

It is just my wildest thought about what did they answered during the press conference held last 2019 in their movie 'Between Maybes?' Some answers are a bit double-sided in their meaning, and now it somehow created a bright picture of what they are saying at that time. So, if you want to know what it is about, you can watch the video below, especially the part where they answer the question about choosing 'Love or Career.'

Another video that somehow spiels some bits of intriguing clues. Watch the whole video.



So, what do you think? Does the relationship started here or not?

 

How many of you have grown and lived with your grandparents? Most especially with old folks who live in the rural areas with big barns and farms? Well, good for us! I once stayed with my grandparents during my first year in grade school. The good thing about living with them, they let us see and learn the ways of life in the province.

Of course, there are pros and cons about living with our grandparents. Some are great, and there are some that we can only relate to after we get to the right age. Like now! Yes, the one I'm referring to is that distinct scent with them. Well, I can't differentiate it before whether it is good or bad, not until now. Yes, that scent is probably the only habit that they have. They consider it as part of their life. I'm talking about the cigar.

What's with history?

So, how many of you have seen your grandparents with a cigar? Most especially when they hug? Anyway, we're not going to talk about our grandparents but about the habit that they have. As I can recall during my history class, this kind of plant has been around for more than 2,000 years ago. So, it is ancient already. During that time, this type of plant is being used during the medicinal ceremony to cure toothaches, dressing for wounds, and anesthesia to reduce pain. In the 1500s, when Christopher Columbus discovered America, tobacco was given to him as a gift by the Native Americans.
Tobacco's look at the present day

Tobacco has been part of the world's industry. And it doesn't mean that we should tolerate the use, and I think we are not exempted from its effect, especially if everyone is irresponsibly taking it and blowing it off in public.

In Sweden, since tobacco has been part of their ways, they got this called the Snus. It is their process of preserving tobacco. Their way of life, according to them, this so-called Snus has somehow helped lower rates of people lighting and burning tobacco products.

Snus and its use

According to what I have read, it is a good alternative, especially for smokers who would love to express their move of quitting.

So, how does this snus works? Well, reading some materials and information about this, it is a moist powder in a pouch that is placed under your top lip. Probably the best thing about this is that you're not burning anything that could affect others and the environment.

 

Asia Leaders Award brings the best among the best and for 2020, despite the pandemic, the award-giving body moves forward with its annual recognition to simply acknowledge the efforts of these young leaders of their respective companies. With the standard safety protocols, the Asia Leaders Awards continued its appreciation event last year which was held at Inagiku, Makati Shangrila Hotel, and was attended by different leaders who are making a difference even in this time of crisis. The organization intended to acknowledge these leaders and to be emulated that despite this Pandemic, are still and able to reach out to those in need even outside their community.

Highlighting the event, the young CEO of KMV Asia Development Corporation, Arch. Kaydee Marie Velasco is hailed as the recipient of “Young CEO of the Year: Real Estate” for her success in developing multiple real estate properties and by reaching out to the Frontliners and indigents. 

 

Right before the COVID-19, the landscape of online shopping has begun its shift. People started having an interest in what online shopping can offer and find it even more convenient. But when the pandemic strikes, everything has changed the simple disruption became even more disruptive because of the situation. Everyone took the change and adapted. A simple trip to the mall turns into a finger flick on devices.

Stores and businesses started moving their stores online. A drastic change has made internet cable lines be the highway to reach the stores. Of course, these businesses have to cope up and find new means of transacting. Many of these businesses took the situation as an opportunity. It has somehow changed the way now, Filipinos shop or make purchases.

But we all know that everything has its pros and cons and purely shopping online has its share of problems, like fake items, miscommunication on product specifications, late deliveries, and worse, getting a product not specified by the buyer.

With this, the birth of an online store. A store that will cater to address most of the issues of online shopping. Go Shopping Philippines is here to address the specific demands of the customers. The scenarios struck a chord on Neil La-as, Chief Executive Officer of Go Shopping Philippines, so he decided to establish a shopping platform that will make every Filipino's shopping experience truly exceptional and satisfying.

"When I came up with the Go Shopping Philippines concept, it was based from my own experiences. We all share the same sentiment of receiving substandard and fake items, late deliveries, customer service that takes forever to bounce back, and being duped, only to receive items we didn't expect when we shopped on other platforms. All these frustrations gave me the inspiration to help fix the e-commerce landscape. Seeing the immediate need for contactless purchases, most especially from the blunder of 2020, I sought to come up with a solution to serve my fellow Filipinos," according to Niel La-as. 

Continuously giving their trust and love for ABS-CBN, these actors remain strong as Kapamilya stars Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan, Arjo Atayde, and Gary Valenciano, who renewed their contact with the network that they all call home.

ABS-CBN executives warmly welcomed each of the six stars who still chose to be with ABS-CBN at the “Kapamilya Strong” special contract signing event and media conference on Friday (February 26).

First to sign a new contract was Maymay whose eyes were sparkling with joy.

“Mahalaga sa akin ang pagiging Kapamilya dahil dito ako nagsimula. Para sila ang naging tulay ng mga pangarap ko. Dito ko nahanap ang purpose ko,” Maymay, who was last seen in the digital romcom movie “Princess DayaReese,” shared. Maymay will continue to be part of “ASAP Natin ‘To” and “iWant ASAP.”


Meanwhile, Maymay’s loveteam partner, Edward, is ready to take more risks this 2021. According to the host of the MYX online show “Kwentong Barber” on Kumu, “kailangan kong sumugal ng konti ngayong taon. To jump, to take risks. I’ll take a chance. I’ll train, not try.”

As for Francine Diaz, she is now busy preparing for her comeback in the much-awaited biggest inspirational teleserye, “Huwag Kang Mangamba” with the Gold Squad.

“Inaaral ko ang mga eksena, lalo na po ‘yung scenes na kasama ako. Pero kinakabahan din po ako kasi kailangan marami kaming mabigay na message at lessons sa mga Kapamilya natin,” Francine explained.

One of the stars who also marked a career milestone with ABS-CBN was Donny Pangilinan who will be seen next on the upcoming iWantTFC series, “He’s Into Her,” opposite Belle Mariano.

“I'm glad to be here in my roots. Thank you so much ABS-CBN for giving me wings to fly as well,” Donny added.

2020’s Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde also inked a new contract with ABS-CBN and teased that he is already working on a new project for the Kapamilya network.

Although Arjo was tightlipped about the project, he said that he’s excited to work again. He also became emotional while expressing his gratitude to the network.


“It [ABS-CBN] feels like home. For a lot of reasons they take care of us. They give us the projects we deserve, as long as we work hard for it. I just love being a Kapamilya and I will stay here no matter what,” Arjo said who also received a special video message from girlfriend Maine Mendoza and his co-star in "The General's Daughter," the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano.

One of the pillars of OPM, Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, was also filled with gratitude as he remains a Kapamilya. According to Gary V, who will still be seen every Sunday on “ASAP Natin ‘To,” he and his co-artists will continue to spread happiness and inspiration.

“What do I hope for this 2021? Just for us to continue to inspire and encourage so many people out there through our music, stories, dance. Everything,” he said.

Like Arjo, the rest of the stars also received special video messages. Maymay’s mother in Japan greeted her, while Edward got a message from a charity organization in Thailand called Friends of Thai Daughters. Meanwhile, Belle Mariano greeted Donny, and finally, Gary V’s granddaughter, Leia, gave a short, but adorable greeting.


Meanwhile, before the “Kapamilya Strong” event started, it already became a hot topic on Twitter, with multiple trending topics, including #KapamilyaStrong, #MayWardSolidKapamilya, and #DonnySolidKapamilya, among others.

Among the ABS-CBN executives present were chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, head of entertainment production and head of Star Magic Laurenti Dyogi, managing director of ABS-CBN Film Productions Olivia Lamasan, and head of finance, Rick Tan.

For more details, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

 

With his spot-on impersonation of Filipino pride and Black Eyed Peas rapper Apl.de.ap, Jhong received the most votes from the jury composed of Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, and Sharon Cuneta, as well as from his fellow contestants. 

Directed by Dano Cerny, the video features both Sam and Demi set within a train carriage, showcasing them going about their own lives, but with a unity of emotion that highlights the song’s message of being alone together. Written by Sam before his single“This City” became a global hit, it was a song he always knew would be a duet and was blown away when Demi Lovato became the perfect person to accompany him on vocals.

Penned about a feeling of being alone and not wanting to let people down, the pairing takes two different lives and perspectives and unites them in one message of human experience, emotion, and togetherness. With other 5 million worldwide streams since its release last week, is a truly special track with a powerful, moving, and relatable chorus and is Sam’s first official single release since “This City.”