Music icon Brian McKnight to serenade fans at Kia Theatre

World-renowned platinum recording artist Brian McKnight returns to Manila for a night of unforgettable music on June 20, 8PM, at the Kia Theatre.

Filipinos easily became fans of the musician thanks to his collection of hits like “Back at One” and “One Last Cry,” to name a few.

The multi-awarded singer-songwriter and producer is currently on a world tour to promote his 13th studio album “Better,” which he considers to be a throwback to the albums he made early in his career.

With 16 albums to date, McKnight returns to his soulful roots on his new record; featuring 12 relatable and touching songs. He worked with Hawaiian vocalist Kimie Miner and rapper Glasses Moses on the new project, which also includes long-time guitarists Chris Loftin and Tyrone Chase.

DepEd: “No collection policy” in public schools still in effect

The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded all school authorities that collection of any fees during enrolment and the first days of class is strictly prohibited.

“We call on all teachers and school officials to see to it that we do not refuse a single student who wants to enrol. We strongly remind them that we do not collect any fees as a requirement for enrolment,” Education Secretary Br.Armin A. Luistro said.

The education chief added that certain contributions in public schools, while authorized by DepEd, do not mean that they are compulsory. “These contributions remain voluntary,” Luistro stressed.

Best of June: Fashion is Passion!

On the 5th season of beTV’s The Rachel Zoe Project starting this June 11 at 6:50 PM and airing on weeknights thereafter, fashion is everything! As she manages a new office, a new styling assistant and a slew of new employees in Los Angeles and New York, Rachel Zoe also shares her fabulous life with her toddler son, Skyler and her husband/business partner Rodger. In this new season, she is set to debut her latest line, take in shows at the New York and Paris Fashion Week while styling clients for music video and photo shoots as well as manage all her other business ventures. With so much at stake for Zoe, this season proves that the fashion journey is never easy, and as she would say, “It is always maj!”

Freedom Rocks at the Araneta Center

Were just 5 days away until Independence day, and aside from the colors of freedom, Araneta Center have come up with a event that will make you scream FREEDOM ROCKS! That’s why OPM bands Join The Club and Tanya Markova are rockin’ the night away on June 12 at The Araneta Center…for FREE! Yes, it’s FREE! We are giving you a FREE CONCERT on Independence Day!

100 lucky Facebook fans of The Araneta Center will get the chance to bring home goodies through an online promo, so watch out for our announcement today!

What are you waiting for?  Grab your friends and family and join our freedom party!

Celebrate your freedom with good music, good food, and good vibes here at The Araneta Center!

Log on to www.facebook.com/aranetacenter and follow us @aranetacenter!

DepEd: Schools ready to welcome 20.8M students

"Let's hit the ground running on June 3. Ideally, teachers should start Day 1 with Lesson 1 so that we maximize contact time with students.” This is the call of Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC as the Department of Education expresses that all systems go for the opening of School Year 2013-2014.

Nationwide, DepEd is expecting a total enrolment of 20.8 million students in all public schools tomorrow, June 3 - 1.78 million of which are Kindergarten pupils; 13.3 million are elementary and 5.7 million are high school students.

MUSIC LYF: LAURA FYGI performs in Manila, June 24!

Come and experience a night of jazz and magical performance as Laura Fygi visits Manila for the first time on June 24, 2013, 8pm at Fairmont Raffles Hotel in Makati City. The show is called “A Magical Night with Laura Fygi” and presented by Laurel Media.

Everywhere that Laura Fygi visits, she is a veritable vision of exotica. In her home country of the Netherlands, they know her as the woman who was raised in Uruguay as the daughter of an Egyptian belly dancer; in the Far East she is the emancipated Western lady who many others aspire to be. But wherever she may be, there’s one common factor in all of those locations: that instantly recognisable voice which has won her hearts all over the globe.

Her travel-packed lifestyle has provided her with the most amazing experiences, as Laura has been a welcome return visitor to Asia for years. As a Dutch singer, being loved most by Asian countries, especially in China, has already been one great achievement for her.

GMA Network welcomes world boxing champ

GMA Network hosted a grand homecoming party for Kapuso boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao last June 16 at the Midas Hotel. No less than the Kapuso Network’s top officers were present to welcome the host of GMA’s Saturday game show Manny, Many Prizes. Photo shows Pacquiao (second from l) with (from l) GMA Network President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA Network Chairman and CEO lawyer Felipe L. Gozon, and GMA Network EVP and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong. 

Party Pilipinas presents “UNIVERSITY” this Sunday

The hottest and cutest boys and girls from different schools in the metro join today’s brightest Kapuso stars in welcoming the freshies and all those who are going back to school in Party Pilipinas UNIVERSITY!

Dance champs from Claret, St. Paul and the UP Pep Squad will bring the groove to the dance floor with the best Kapuso artist of Sayaw Pilipinas. Hearthrobs from Mapua, CEU, Letran, DLSU, FEU and UST will share the stage with the Keso Boys.

JulieMo world will be shaken up once again as the couple treats everyone to a school fair-inspired musical number.

EVENTOLOGY: TOYCON 2012 Happening Next Week!

June makes the start of school but also means another exciting year for Toy colletors, exhibitors and pop culture geeks as TOYCON (Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Colectibles Convention) will happen next week!

And for this year, it will be a big year for the Dark Knight Batman as it paves the way for the most awaited movie THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. But that is just the tip of the iceberg as it also brings exhibitions of other comic book films such as The Avengers, The Amazing Spiderman, and G. I. Joe Retaliation.

"HERO UP AT THE 11TH PHILIPPINE TOYCON 2012"

It’s official. People can’t get enough of superheroes. Just looking at how much money the Avengers movie has raked in at the box-office, you know without a doubt that we are in a new age of superhero love. All the caped crusaders, cosmic characters and crime fighters we grew up with have taken on new faces and forms, and they are everywhere! In movies, on TV, in video games, theme parks and countless merchandising; the best and the brightest of our childhood memories have been ushered into a new age of Hollywood, and, baby, nothings ever going to be the same again!

World Vision Holds Run For A Cause

You run to stay fit. You run for fun. This time, run for a cause --- run “Towards Fullness of Life!” Join the very first World Vision Run on June 24 at the Bonifacio Global City. The Run is for the benefit of poor Filipino children.

Funds raised will support children in communities assisted by World Vision. Through its Child Sponsorship program, World Vision provides education, healthcare, child protection, and community assistance to children and their families in need. 

The Run is part of World Vision’s 55th anniversary celebration. True to its theme: “Sharing the Joy of Hope”, childfocused organization World Vision, has been working since 1957 to uplift the lives of children in some of the country’s poorest provinces. Now on its 55th year, the organization aims to inspire more Filipinos to take on the collective responsibility of sharing hope and reaching out to  help their  fellow men in poverty. Today, World Vision assists more than 112,000 children and their families in 29 provinces.

REEL DEAL: Snow White And The Huntsman - Chris Hemsworth SPOTLIGHT

Chris Hemsworth : From ‘Thor’ to legendary Huntsman

The other title character to be cast was, of course, the Huntsman: Eric, a hunter who knows the Enchanted and Dark Forests like the back of his hands.  Not only did the Huntsman once have respect for the animals he tracked, he also still has the ability to think like one.  But after his wife, Zara, died, Eric found his only comfort as a mercenary and a drunk.  Now, the Huntsman has been tasked to follow Snow White into the forest and return her to Ravenna, who needs to consume her heart.  But when Eric discovers the treachery of the Queen, he channels his rage into training a young woman who is determined to end what Ravenna began.  Eric begins to see in Snow White an end to the darkness and to believe that the king’s standard could fly again. 

Initially conceived as a character much older than Snow White, the Huntsman morphed during the screenplay’s development.  Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, was courted for the part after the filmmakers watched him in his career-defining role as the Nordic god of war.  His charisma and on-screen presence convinced them that he could embody the tortured former soldier who finds salvation in a young woman called Snow White.  

Jackie Rice in a ‘cool-off’ with non-showbiz BF, but not ready to love someone else

During the pictorial and story conference of GMA-7’s upcoming drama series Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka?, actress Jackie Rice admitted to reporters that she and her non-showbiz boyfriend are technically in a “cool-off” situation after a recent misunderstanding.

“Mejo hiwalay kami, pero as of now friends kami. Pero tina-try namin na mag-work ‘yung dati.  Siyempre ayoko namang madaliin kasi ang tagal na namin,” she said in an interview.

Jackie immediately clarified, however, that the split-up was not caused by a third party, but a few misunderstandings. 

“May mga bagay na hindi kami nagkakaintindihan – mga maliliit na bagay nagkakaaway kami. Siyempre nagkakaroon din ng misunderstandings.  So, ngayon parang nanliligaw ulit.”

So, since she is technically single, is she willing to entertain suitors? 

Legend Villas Crystal Wedding Helps You Plan that "I DO"

June is just weeks away and we all know that its the wedding month. And with couples still confused on how to plan that day. Budget is also the main concern for anyone. However, you don't need to go further to have that dream wedding because there is the Crystal Wedding Packages from Legend Villas at Pioneer. You can choose from their magical Quartz or sophisticated Onyx - Bridal themes which makes truly unforgettable weddings.

"Our Cyrstal Weddings packages guarantee luxury of service, stylish set-up and stumptuous feast. The Legend Villas is your perfect venue as we take care of all fine details of your special day," said Ginger King Villavicencio, Cheif Operating Officer of Legend Villas.

The Quartz Package is ideal for couples who prefer a fairytale-themed wedding. The classical table setting reflects timeless elegance while the luminous decor accentuates an aura of magical merriment.

Stylish and Chic, the Onyx package is meant for couples who want to veer from the traditional wedding motifs. The Black and White set-up evokes a hip atmosphere of drama and high class.

Complementing the impressive venue set up is a mouthwatering array of dishes. Served buffet style, guests will certainly enjoy lip smacking food prepared by the hotel's well-trained chefs.

Thioe who wish to hold their nuptials within the hotel may do so in The Legend Villas's tastefully decorated ceremonial hall. The intimate setting is ideal for the couple's solemn exchange of vows.

The starting package rate for 100 persons cost only Php 155,000.00 Depending onf the client's chosen package, this is inclusive of a buffet meal with freshly baked breads, your choice of soup and fresh salad, four main courses, pasta and carving stations desserts and botmless beverages.

All tables will be styled with crytal trees and floral centerpieces, candles in pedestal votives, mint-filled jars and personalized menu cards. Aside from the usual registration, souveneir and cake tables, a special wish table will be provided complete with note cards, pencils and apothecary jars.

Also there are exhibitors like wackypix photobooth, Leonard Co Tailoring, Remedy All Natural Soaps and Events by the Friday Club. And with the location near EDSA yet the hotel has Filipino Inspired designs and fixtures that makes you feel your not in the crowded city. And for those who love connection, there is free WIFI, which you can share the moments and happenings in the web instantly.

It is a OPEN HOUSE event from May 13-15, 2011 from 10 am to 7 pm with food tasting and in house promo. For further inquiries call 702-2712 or visit their site www.legendvillas.com.ph.