LEADING MAN PIOLO PASCUAL BARES ALL IN E! NEWS ASIA SPECIAL

Manila, Philippines – He’s hot, he’s available and he’s all yours this September! Piolo Pascual gives E! News Asia Special an up close and personal treatment for five days, as the team follows the hunky actor around from his home, to his work, to the gym and even to his restroom breaks! An honest and candid documentation of Piolo’s life, the E! team delves further into the private and mysterious life of the celebrity most popularly known as “Papa P.”

“Piolo was chosen for this E! Special as he is well-loved and adored by viewers. However, many continue to wonder about what his life is like when the cameras stop rolling,” said Liza Latinazo, NBCUniversal Country Manager. “We are excited to bring him closer to his fans in both the Philippines and South East Asia”.

With a career spanning over two decades, Piolo remains to be an enigma even to his most loyal fans. This is why E! rounds up his closest friends and family members to get the real score from the people who know him best. For example, his 17-year-old son Iñigo Pascual gives us a glimpse of how Piolo is as a doting father. Meanwhile, his leading lady Iza Calzado spills the beans on Piolo’s work ethics and habits.

“I opened a bit more about my life in this feature because I felt comfortable working with the guys from E! Here you will see what my life is like on set and at home. It’s a privilege and an honor for me to be the first male Filipino celebrity to be featured on E! News Asia Special,” said Piolo during the press conference last month.

This E! News Asia Special is an exclusive invitation to the life of the Philippines’ number one leading man. Catch the full feature only on E! on September 28, 2014, Sunday at 9PM.

E! Channel airs on Channel 57 for Sky Cable and Destiny Digital, Channel 25 for Cignal and Channel 33 on Cable Link.

About Universal Networks International

Universal Networks International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 176 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific.  The brands in the portfolio include Universal Channel, Syfy, 13th Street, Studio Universal, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network, DIVA Universal, Telemundo and Golf Channel. These unique brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe. 

Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24. Further, NBCUniversal News Group, one of the most influential and respected portfolios of on-air and digital news properties in the world, operate CNBC and NBC News internationally.

Universal Networks International is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

*Via Press Release

MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR: Words Without Borders

More than 50 titles will be launched by Vibal Group to celebrate Filipinos' love for reading and literacy at this year's edition of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) on Sept. 17 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Starting the lineup is the Unang Diksiyonariyo Caton series, translated in various Philippine dialects and designed to complement the Mother Tongue Program espoused by the Department of Education.

New children's books for young readers will be launched under Vibal's Chikiting Books imprint, such as Jomike Tejido's Why Do Squids Squirt Ink?, Nati Santos' Nobody's Hat, and Russell Molina's Salamat Po! translated in Binisaya and Ilokano.

Aside from new Chikiting Books, Vibal will also launch new books under Vibal Foundation: More American Than We Admit features scholarly essays edited by Julian Go, reflecting the cultural interactions between Filipinos and the American colonial masters. Dear Lady S features advice by Lady S—resident love columnist of the Philippine Online Chronicles.

Pagmumuni-muni at Pagtatalak ng Sirenang Nagpapanggap na Prinsesa is a compilation of essays by John Iremil Teodoro, one of the pioneers in gay literature in the country. Bekibolaryo, on the other hand, is a comprehensive lexicon explaining terms, words, and expressions used by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual (LGBT) community.

K to 12: RA 10533 and Relevant Education Policies by Atty. Joseph Estrada and Atty. Kristjan Gargantiel meanwhile elaborates on how the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 can affect existing policies and laws in education.

These books can actually be previewed for free by mobile device owners by scanning designated QR codes posted along the booth's illustrated panels. Vibal's booth will also feature tablets, all-in-one PCs, and other mobile devices to feature e-book editions of their printed books, along with interactive games, video documentaries, and other rich media content for MIBF visitors.

Now on its 35th year, the MIBF gathers Philippine publishers to showcase their latest books and offer big discounts for their popular bestsellers. Vibal is a regular participant of this annual event that attracts bibliophiles and other book readers alike, along with book sellers and authors to celebrate the power of books, reading, and knowledge.

During the five-day event, Vibal will also be organizing various activities at their booth: an interactive storytelling-cum-zumba session featuring Eugene Evasco's May Lakad Kami ni Tatay will be held on Sept.19. Meet-and-greet sessions with various authors and illustrators will also take place.

For September 17, Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada will headline the meet-and-greet sessions in the morning followed by Bebang Siy and Ronier Verzo in the afternoon. Genaro Gojo Cruz is set to attend the morning session on September 18, while illustrator Jonathan Ranola will grace the afternoon session on the same date. The morning session for September 19 will mark the presence of author Eugene Evasco and three illustrators—namely Brent Sabas, Ariel Santillan, and Leo Ang—while Lady S of the Philippine Online Chronicles, alongside illustrators Jamie Bauza and Valerie Jan Villaflor will be there in the afternoon.

Authors Rhandee Garlitos and John Teodoro, together with illustrator Tokwa Penaflorida are set to appear in the morning of September 20 at the Vibal booth. For the afternoon session on the same date, another group will be present to interact with their fans—authors Heidi Abad and Lem Garcellano, alongside illustrators Wiji Lacsamana, Christian Oliver Cruz, and Doms Agsaway. To cap off the fair, the husband-and-wife tandem of Jomike Tejido and Haraya Ocampo-Tejido will be at the Vibal booth on the afternoon of September 21.

MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and the Overseas Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines.


Via Press Release

1st KO SI 3rd: LOVE IN THE TIME OF RETIREMENT

An interestingly kilig offering to the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival

Illustration by Tokwa Penaflorida

Reality of things compels us to live life as it unfolds. We move with the times and work with what's on hand. This is often the way we create the story of our lives. There's a chance to leave a supposed love story behind to settle with the more obvious life offerings, forgetting what could have been and then one day after many years of work and family life, fate brings back a chance for the heart to open up a space for love again. This is the story of a married retiree named Cory brought to life by Ms. Nova Villa and her love interest when she was still single, Third portrayed by Mr. Freddie Webb in 1st Ko si 3rd, an official entry to the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival.

"I would like to tell a story about an interrupted love," says Real Florido the film's writer and director. "Then play with the idea of giving it a chance when the characters are in the senior years." The film's excitement and complication come from the fact that Cory and Third are in their 60's and are married to different partners. "This film also shows how a retiree would spend her 'free' days and look forward to the future after ending her decades of labor in the city treasury office," Florido added.

Bringing Back an Old Spark

Villa and Webb have been known in the 1990's as well-watched comedic couple. Their chemistry doing funny skits on television has had a good following from numerous households. At this day and age of multifaceted showbiz coupling, 1st Ko si 3rd is bringing back to the silver screen the wholesome tandem. This time providing both young and mature audiences with unadulterated family entertainment that gives an insight about life and love.

Igniting a Dream

Real Florido has been writing for one of the most competitive and prevailing television networks in the country where he has made and lead content for several entertainment shows. His background in video production started in college. He also did several collaborations on independent film making before he had an entry approved to the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival with 1st Ko si 3rd.

"I want to advocate delivering content to audiences that that will make them think and realize some aspects of everyday living that are sometimes overlooked," Florido states. "My entry to this year's festival intends to do that and I look forward to being able to create more projects with compelling messages in the future," he concludes.

2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival will be at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on August 1 to 10, 2014.

For more information please contact:

Philip Ace Falcon

Mobile: 09178628984

E-mail: pacefalcon1@yahoo.com

Real Florido 

Mobile: 09175277325

E-mail: realflorido@gmail.com

**Via Press Release