Tagalog Firefox Translation Marathon 2012: 12-29-12

Tagalog is the widely used Philippine dialect. Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines is composed primarily of Tagalog words, idioms, and phrases. The Tagalog Localization effort is headed by bob@mozillaph.org

A HILARIOUS DOSE OF “PARENTAL GUIDANCE”

Old will be new in the upcoming truthful family comedy “Parental Guidance” starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott.

Billy Crystal plays Artie Decker, a well-meaning but rather self-centered man who loves his life and his wife Diane (Bette Midler), but has never bothered to connect with his grandchildren. Time soon came to reconnect when they agreed to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend – and not holding your ground – that brings a family together.

“PARENTAL GUIDANCE combines comedy and pathos in the best way,” affirms Billy Crystal, who portrays Artie Decker. “It’s what life is about. This film has something for everyone.”

“The film was my idea,” says Crystal. “I have three grandchildren of my own and another one on the way in March. The two older girls stayed with us for six days while my daughter had her first vacation away. After the sixth day I rested and then walked into the office and said, ‘okay, here’s an idea for a movie. It is a horror story!’”

In the story, Billy Crystal’s Artie and Bette Midler’s Diane are “the other grandparents” to their three grandchildren – meaning their son-in-law’s parents have a much stronger connection with the kids, which Diane envies and has long sought to correct. But Artie and Diane’s infrequent visits to their daughter Alice’s (Marisa Tomei) home have relegated them to second-tier status – along with a few photos of the couple hidden on Alice’s mantelpiece.

“It’s not that Artie and Diane don’t love Alice – who is their only child – and her three kids; they just don’t understand them,” explains Midler. Diane has renewed hope when Alice reluctantly invites her and Artie to babysit the couple’s grandkids while Alice and husband Phil (Tom Everett Scott) enjoy some time away from home. For Alice, her invitation is an act of, well, desperation – her in-laws are unavailable so she must turn to Artie and Diane for help. (Alice’s misgiving even lead to her breaking out in a rash.) But Diane sees it as a golden opportunity: “Grandparenting is a second chance” to be a part of their lives of their grandchildren and Alice – she tells Artie, who is much less enthused about hanging out with the kids he barely knows.

Artie’s mixed feelings about this “second chance” are partly due to his recent professional setbacks. A minor league baseball announcer for over 30 years, Artie has just been fired, losing his dream to work in the major leagues. Still reeling from that disappointment, the last thing he wants is to look after his grandchildren. But Artie will ultimately discover that there’s more to life than announcing ball games. “He’s been fired from a job he loves, but then finds himself kind of falling in love with his grandkids,” says Crystal.

Before getting to that point, Artie undergoes a series of granddad vs. daughter/grandkids comedic misadventures, misunderstandings and mistakes, not to mention daughter Alice’s lack of faith in his ability to stick to her myriad rules and regulations. Says Marisa Tomei: “Artie and Diane are like a ‘club of two’ and haven’t cultivated relationships with their grandchildren. They had a great time living their own lives, but forgot to get to know the kids.”

“Parental Guidance” opens January 16 in theaters nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“LIFE OF PI’S” NEWBIE THESPIAN SURAJ SHARMA NOMINATED IN 18TH CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

LIFE OF PI takes us from serene to stormy

From Oscar winning filmmaker Ang Lee comes “Life of Pi,” a breathtakingly beautiful story of a boy named Pi played by newcomer Suraj Sharma who is lost at sea with a Bengal tiger, following the loss of his family in a shipwreck.

SurajSharma stars in LIFE OF PI

Suraj Sharma who hails from India never expected a “Life of Pi” when he accompanied his brother to the movie’s casting call. Born and raised in Delhi, India and raised by mathematician parents, it seemed that from more than 3,000 hopefuls who auditioned for the role, Suraj was destined to play the role of Pi, a mathematical constant transcendental number.

He has recently been nominated in the upcoming Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Actor for his role in “Life of Pi” along with other actors/actresses such as Elle Fanning (“Ginger & Rosa”) and Logan Lerman (“Perks of Being a Wallflower”).

Director Ang Lee & Suraj Sharma LIFE OF PI

The story revolves around Pi, a delightfully enthusiastic teenager who lives with his zoo-keeping family in Pondicherry, India. Inquisitive and intelligent, he explores different cultures and spiritual traditions. Pi has open-minded parents who allow him to become a free thinker, finding his own path. Due to a worsening economic climate, Pi’s parents decide to emigrate to start a new life in Canada. But the ship sinks. Eventually only Pi and the tiger are left alive on the lifeboat and the unlikely pair embarks on an Odyssey that is fraught with danger. On the precarious lifeboat he shares with the tiger, Pi finds inner strength and becomes aware that some kind of higher power is in charge of his destiny.

The heightened emotional connections presented in the movie required exceptional performances from its cast, none more so than the neophyte thespian who would take on the titular hero. “We searched for a young man who had the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts, and the physicality needed to embody Pi on his journey,” says director Ang Lee. "During his audition, Suraj filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes. His natural ability to believe and stay in the world of the story is a rare treasure.

Life of PI - SURAJ SHARMA as Pi

“Suraj’s investment in the story made us really believe that whatever challenges we faced, the film was really going to happen,” adds the director. “When we saw Suraj, we saw the movie. Mr. Lee marvels at Suraj’s innocence and efforts, noting, “We are all experienced and perhaps a little jaded. Suraj reminded us why we want to make movies. Every day was a miracle.”

For Suraj Sharma, the experience of landing the starring role was surreal. “It was all so new for me,” says Suraj. “I had never been out of India. I didn’t know how to act or swim. I learned how to swim and now it’s my favorite thing to do. Shooting the film in Taiwan and meeting people from all over the world in the crew was fantastic. You get an idea of how diverse the world is. I was really inspired by everything I saw and everyone I got to know. I wanted to give it everything I had.”

Suraj Sharma as PI

Sharma also went through rigorous workouts to increase his stamina, which gave him an inner discipline and strength that enabled him to empathize with the character. “What defines Pi is his never-ending will to survive, he has a belief in the world and I think that’s what sets him apart from everyone else. He survives by instinct. But he also possessed a strong sprit from the beginning, right from being a child. But Pi kept that innocence inside him and with innocence comes belief.”

LIFE OF PI

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in 3D and 2D theaters nationwide from 20^th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.

TEENAGE SINGING SENSATIONS IL VOLO RELEASED THEIR LATEST OFFERING ‘WE ARE LOVE’

Il Volo’s second album We Are Love was released recently under MCA Music. “We Are Love”, recorded in Los Angeles and Rome, is co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Humberto Gatica and Tony Renis. Executive producers on the new album are Ron Fair and Michele Torpedine (Il Volo's manager) for the two duets.  The new CD includes guest appearances by Placido Domingo and Eros Ramazzotti.

We Are Love includes Il Volo’s soaring version of the Aerosmith/ Diane Warren hit “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (“Questo Amore”) along with a new Warren song “I Bring You To My Senses”.  Il Volo also performs a cover version of the U2 Hit “Beautiful Day” and the title cut “We Are Love” both in English. The group’s members are Piero Barone (19), Gianluca Ginoble (17) and Ignazio Boschetto (18).

Il Volo is currently touring as special guests on the Barbra Streisand Tour and also completed a series of US dates that followed appearances on American Idol, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen, The Talk, Rachel Ray  and the final episode of the HBO hit “Entourage”.

The trio’s live performances have received standing ovations across the US and critical acclaim.“Exhilarating” by the El Paso Times and  “Il Volo means flight in Italian – and it turned out to be the perfect name for a trio of teen tenors who have been soaring to new heights.  Beautiful rich voices, wonderful harmonies, uplifting their audiences with each moment full of emotion and drama” raved NY’s Journal News.  Their PBS Special “Il Volo – Live from the Detroit Opera House” has been one of the highest rated and highest pledged shows in PBS history and is also available on DVD and CD.  The special will re-air for a third time beginning November 24^th on PBS stations throughout the country.  Their self-titled debut CD, released in 2011 has sold over one million copies.

Complete track listing for We Are Love is “Questo Amore (I Don't Want To Miss a Thing),”“L’Ultima Volta,” “I Bring You To My Senses,” “Beautiful Day,” “Splendida,” “Historia de un Amor,” “Luna Nascosta,” “Il Canto” featuring Placido Domingo, “We Are Love,” “Cosi’” featuring Eros Ramazzotti, “Bienvenido Nuestro Amor,” and “Non Farmi Aspettare.” The deluxe version of “We Are Love” includes the 12 track album plus five Christmas songs that were originally released as an EP last year. 

Il Volo’s new album WE ARE LOVE has been earning raves among the Filipino fans targeting not only the older market but the younger market as well.

IL VOLO “WE ARE LOVE” is now available in CDs at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via iTunes or www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

The SM Store Year-End Sale

Just when you thought you’ve received all the gifts you want, The SM Store (Department Store Official Page) gives you more great finds of up to 50% off! 

Enjoy more holiday shopping at The SM Store YEAR-END SALE!

Dec. 26-31 at all SM stores, Nationwide!

Holiday shopping never ends at the SM Department Store YEAR-END SALE!

Per DTI-NCR Permit Number 9272, Series of 2012.

Follow The SM Store on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thesmstore & Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thesmstore

#thesmstoreyearendsale

IT'S THE HOLIDAYS WITH "PARENTAL GUIDANCE"

“THE CROODS’” MOTION POSTER - SEE IT COME TO LIFE!

DreamWorks and 20^th Century Fox unveil an extraordinary first in visual presentation – “The Croods” living poster is here: http://www.thecroodsmovie.com/motionposter/

Written and directed by two-time Academy Award® nominee Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) and Kirk DeMicco (Space Chimps) and produced by Kristine Belson (How to Train Your Dragon) and Jane Hartwell (Shrek), “The Croods” stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman. “The Croods” is a comedy adventure that takes us back to a previously undiscovered era in the history of our planet known as the Croodaceous, when nature was still a work-in-progress... full of never-before- seen creatures and landscapes. Audiences will relate to the hilarious family antics as an imaginative and resourceful newcomer helps the Croods navigate their way through the fantastic world beyond their cave.

“The Croods” will open in 3D and 2D format on March 30 in theaters nationwide!

Apple News: Ipad Mini has arrived (PRICE here in the Philippines)

Apple iPad Mini is available here in the Philippines via Apple online store, price starts at Php 15,990 for 16 GB available in Black & Slate and White and Silver.

Apple iPad Mini Prices:

                    WiFi Only models:                                     WiFi + Cellular models:               
16GB – Php 15,990                                        16GB – Php 21,990
32GB – Php 20,990                                        32GB – Php 26,990
64GB – Php 25,990                                        64GB – Php 31,990

Apple iPad Mini has a new entirely new design and not just a small version of the regular iPad. It measures 7.9 inches, dual-core A5 processor, LTE enabled, Facetime HD on the front camera, has a 5-megapixel iSight camera on the back. iPad Mini is expected to last for 10-hours. There will be 5 different smart covers available

PSY Concert in SM MALL of Asia Grounds is Cancelled

KPop superstar PSY's scheduled concert in Manila this December 20 cancelled. According to a report from DZMM ,concert producer Joed Serrano of Thats Ntertainment and Ovation Productions said that logistical issues triggered the postponement.

The tentative date for the said concert will be held on February 2013 “Psy remains extremely excited about visiting the Philippines and looks forward to performing for his fans in early 2013,” Serrano added.

ROMANCE OF JOSE RIZAL, MARTYR OF MANILA.Married on the Morning of His Execution, His Widow Receives a Heritage of Vengeance.

The HERALD to-day publishes a remarkable poem written by a remarkable man.. Dr. Jose Rizal, the martyr of the Philippines, wrote it while in Manila prison awaiting his execution. The life and death of Dr. Rizal make a story full of adventure and romance, the last scenes of which include his marriage, two hours before his execution. The subsequent career of his widow as a commander of insurgent troops is also full of interest. Whatever may be the ultimate fate of the Philippine Islands, the death of Dr. Jose Rizal will be remembered as an exquisite piece of heroic martyrdom. His life was filled with romance.

He was a leader in the uprising against Spanish tyranny, and the love of his native country took precedence over all else. It did not require his remarkable poem, written but a few hours before his execution and which the HEKALD prints to-day, to prove that.
Rizal was not an adventurer. He was a man of culture, a learned physician, and as president of the Manila University was looked upon as a leader in the educational and scientific as well as the social life of his "beloved Filipinas." But above all he was a lover of equality. Spain's yoke did not chafe his shoulders, but he looked about him,
and saw that his fellow countrymen were not so fortunate. "Why should my lot be different from theirs?" exclaimed this impetuous
South Sea islander.

No idle dreamer was this man. It is true he was a poet, but he was a poet of humanity. He did not view life through rose colored glasses. He looked the world squarely in the face, and his muse held a scalpel in her hand. He tore the bandages from the blinded eyes of Justice, that she might see the hypocrisy, the cruelty, the oppression which surrounded her. He was not satisfied In his own mind that the pen was mightier than the sword. "I will find out," he said. And he fought with both. As a revolutionist he at once became prominent. The natives of the lower class regarded him with superstitious awe and reverence. They said he was favored of the gods. It was while living in exile at Perin, on the island of Dapitan, that Dr. Rizal met the woman who became his wife and his widow in one day—December 6, 1896. On that day he was led out in the prison yard, at Manila, and shot in the back.

Just before his execution he prophesied that if the sentence of death was carried out Spain would lose the Philippines within ten years. He little dreamed that in less than eighteen months the gallant Dewey would enter Manila Harbor and humble Spain in the dust.

The romantic marriage in Manila prison was one of the notable events in ipe career of this remarkable man. The bride was born at Hong Kong, although her parents were Europeans. Her father was in poor health, and in August, 1894, she accompanied him to Manila, where it was thought the climate would be beneficial. After a sojourn of six months at Manila they journeyed to Perin, were Dr. Rizal was called in as attending physician. was a case of love at first sight, and ultimately the engagement mas announced. Upon promise of his freedom Dr. Rizal was tricked into returning to Manila, where he was placed on board the Bpanish cruiser Castilla and conveyed to Spain.

On arriving at Barcelona lie was detained the authorities, who declared that he was one of the chiefs of the Katapunan and ordered that he be sent back to Manila for trial. The time of execution was fixed for December 6. At six o'clock on that fateful morning Miss Taufer was admitted to his cell. A priest was in attendance upon the condemned man. In two hours the execution would take place. The scene was most affecting. Dr. Rizal, seized with a sudden inspiration, proposed that a marriage ceremorty be performed, to which Miss Taufer eagerly assented.And there, with the early rays of the tropical sun streaming through the little barred window of the cell, resting like a benediction upon Che heads o r t h e sad little group, the solemn words were spoken which joined the lovers in the holy bonds of wedlock.

"Till death do us part," repeated the bride and groom. A stifled sob burst from the throat of the sombre robed priest.

The wife remained with her husband until the summons came. Then they led her away. Dr. Rizal was conducted to the place of execution. He remarked that he freely forgave all those who had done him evil as he hoped for forgiveness himself. There was no tremor in his voice as he spoke. A hush fell upon the group of soldiery as he proudly asserted
his martyrdom and predicted the downfall of Spanish rule.

At last the fatal moment arrived. The order was given to fire. There was the rattle of musketry, and the rigid body of the heroof the Philippines swayed, then fell forward. The surgeons pronounced him stone dead. Seven Spanish bullets had penetrated his back and ploughed their way through the vitals.A week later the widow set off on foot for the rebel camp at Imus. She was hailed as a modern Joan of Arc, and was received with a great demonstration. She assumed command of a company of insurgents armed with rifles and took the field, winning more than one victory over the Spanish troops.

She made her headquarters at Naic, in Cavite Province. Mrs. Rizal is now in this country, and is said to be working with a view of creating a Philippine Junta, to work in conjunction, with the Cuban Junta.
SOURCE: NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1898

Run For 10 : A Fun Run For The Benefit of The Entire Nation (TEN) Moves!

A nationwide run will be mounted on January 13, 2013 for the benefit thousands of Filipino school children, who have yet to have classrooms where they could effectively listen to their teachers and learn lessons.

“Run for 10” will be staged for the benefit of TEN Moves!, the social mobilization campaign of Bayanihang Pampaaralan that seeks to raise funds for the construction of 10,000 classrooms nationwide by encouraging individuals to donate Php 10.00 everyday for 10 months or a lump sum of Php 3,000.00.

In Metro Manila, Run for 10 will stat off at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, with 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km race distances. Simultaneous runs will also be held in at least 10 other key areas nationwide such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cbu, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Legazpi, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zamboanga and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Run for 10 expects to gather 2,500 Filipinos in Metro Manila alone who will lace up their running shoes and make their move for education. The Department of Education, a key partner in the TEN Moves! advocacy, welcomes the initiative.

All registration fees for Run for 10 will go to TEN Moves! The registration fees are as follows:

• 2.5 km – Php200
• 5 km – Php400
• 10 km – Php500

To register, interested individuals may visit The T-Shirt Project branches located in Glorietta, Trinoma and Market! Market! Registration starts on December 20, 2012. For more information, please email info@tenmoves.org or visit www.tenmoves.org.

For further inquiries, please contact TEN Moves Secretariat at (632) 752-1061 or you can check out their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Repost from: http://sayitnessie.com/2012/12/17/run-for-10-a-fun-run-for-the-benefit-of-the-entire-nation-ten-moves/

WEDDINGS & DEBUT EXPO 15th EDITION: Wedding Planning at its Finest!

Because we know you can't wait to plan that perfect wedding, Weddings & Beyond will be bringing you THE FIRST, THE BIGGEST & THE GRANDEST Weddings & Debut Expo for 2013..

Weddings & beyond 15th Edition Wedding & Debut Expo on January 12 & 13, 2013, at The PICC FORUMS 1, 2 & 3 , CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Expect nothing but pure fun, excitement and hassle-free wedding-planning for you and your partner as we roll out new trends offered only by the best suppliers in the wedding industry, all in one roof!

Since 2007, Wedding & Beyond has committed itself into making wedding-planning fun, easy and memorable for all our guests. We always thrive to serve all our clients' needs, so we have come up with different ways to make your trips to our wedding expos worthwhile.

And who doesn't want freebies? At every Wedding & Debut Expo, Weddings & Beyond will be giving away free Weddings & Beyond Wedding Directory Magazines. Consider it your ultimate sourcebook of wedding suppliers, the W&B directory magazine is published annually and contains a comprehensive listing of wedding suppliers, their works, and helpful tips and articles about wedding-planning. In this way, you can bring part of the exhibit with you at the comforts of your home.

So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars now. We'll see you there!

Outdoor Bikini Shoot with Tracy from Brazil

Time: 8:00AM to 12:00NN
Date: Dec 23, 2012 Sunday
Fee: Php1500
Location: Corporate Towers in Makati

Please contact: Ruel Tafalla http://www.facebook.com/rueltafalla

Disney on Ice! Watch the Princesses and Heroes on 25-26/29-30 December 2012 and 01-02 January 2013 for FREE!

Treat your family to the world of Disney on Ice! Watch the Princesses and Heroes on 25-26/29-30 December 2012 and 01-02 January 2013 for FREE!

Redeem your complimentary ticket for every roundtrip domestic purchased at philippineairlines.com.

Visit http://bit.ly/V4vwGY to learn more

PORTRAITS LEGAZPI 2013

Acee Coralde 0926-582 1373 https://www.facebook.com/Acee.Coralde aceecoralde@gmail.com
Ralph Lawrence Chan 0922-930 3421 https://www.facebook.com/ralph.chan ralphchan@dimagedigital.com

STEPPING UP THE GRANDPARENTS’ GAME IN “PARENTAL GUIDANCE”

Comedy icons Billy Crystal and Bette Midler star in the family-centric comedy “Parental Guidance” together with Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kylie Harrison Breitkopf directed by Andy Fickman.

Bailee Madison Crystal Kylie Midler PARENTAL GUIDANCE

A comedic and emotionally rich depiction of the clashing parenting styles between the generations, “Parental Guidance’s” subject matter, characters and actors are relatable to all audiences. Youngsters will enjoy the hijinks of the family’s trio of children; the film’s theme of being caught between your parents and kids will resonate with adults; and the movie is the first comedy in many years that shows grandparents as active, funny, involved and vital characters – and central to modern family life.

Bette Midler in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Alice (Tomei) in desperation calls her parents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) to look after their three children when she and her husband need to go on a trip. In the story, Billy Crystal’s Artie and Bette Midler’s Diane are “the other grandparents” to their three grandchildren – meaning their son-in-law’s parents have a much stronger connection with the kids, which Diane envies and has long sought to correct. But Artie and Diane’s infrequent visits to their daughter Alice’s (Marisa Tomei) home have relegated them to second-tier status – along with a few photos of the couple hidden on Alice’s mantelpiece.

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Joe Syracuse & Lisa Addario, the movie’s screenwriting partners, husband-and-wife, and parents of two children, say the notion of battling parenting styles between the generations resonated with them. “Once we became parents, we realized that we were not raising them the way our parents raised us,” says Addario. The two writers, like so many of their generation, grew up during a time when children’s car seats had yet to be invented, second-hand smoke didn’t have a name, and kids rode bikes without helmets. But when our generation had kids, “the word ‘parent’ became a verb as well as a noun,” adds Syracuse. “But when the reality of childrearing set in, we came to see the wisdom in the way our parents did things, and we started to question our generation’s nurturing, coddling and overprotecting our kids.”

Midler and Crystal in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Director Andy Fickman, father to a teenager, says he was drawn to the movie’s universal appeal, noting that “in any country in the world, each generation thinks it has a better way to be a parent.” Like Syracuse & Addario, Fickman makes special note of the differing generational parenting methods. “When I was growing up, I would get a Pop Tart for breakfast. My parents had [famed pediatrician] Dr. [Benjamin] Spock’s book to guide them through almost all situations; today, we go to doctors for every conceivable concern. For parents today, it’s all about the kids’ feelings and emotions, and everything becomes a ‘Dr. Phil’ episode.”

Says Bette Midler of the generational parenting conflicts: “Most people are mortified by the way they were raised and can’t wait to raise their own kids differently. I was on the cusp of the old school/new school parenting styles, so I understand the motivations of each.”

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

A big motivation for Midler to join “Parental Guidance” was the chance to team with Billy Crystal. The two have been friends for nearly 30 years, but this is their first professional collaboration. “Billy and I have similar tastes in theater, movies, music and humor, so it was pretty easy for us to play a married couple,” says the actress. “We know what each other is going to do, so we mesh in a unique way.”

It’s a family affair when “Parental Guidance” opens in cinemas nationwide in the Phils. on January 16 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD’S GREATS PLAY STRONG SUPPORT IN “LIFE OF PI”

Ang Lee’s masterful new film centers on a teenager who is adrift at sea on a lifeboat for 227 days, with a fierce Bengal tiger. Riveting and breathtaking, “Life of Pi” is an edge-of-your-seat 3D adventure starring newcomer Suraj Sharma taking on the lead role as Pi.

Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling, award-winning novel, the movie tells a deeply inspiring story about hope, courage and the strength of the human spirit. Piscine Patel, (known as Pi) lives with his zoo keeping family in Pondicherry, India. They decide to emigrate to Canada, taking their animals along with them and set off on a huge freighter ship, steaming from India across the Pacific with plans to sell their other animals to Manila Zoo along their journey. But a terrible storm destroys the ship. The family and most of the animals perish. Pi survives, stranded on a lifeboat with several animals.

Actress TABU in Life of Pi

Sharma dominates the film but there is a diverse and impressively strong supporting cast including French actor Gérard Depardieu and Indian actor Irrfan Khan who plays the older Pi, settled in Canada later in life. Indian actors Tabu and Adil Hussain play Pi’s parents. British actor Rafe Spall plays the writer who is interviewing Pi about his life-changing voyage.

Irrfan Khan who plays the grown up Pi is India’s recent Padma Shri awardee recognizing his contributions to the Indian Cinema. Khan has recently appeared in “Partition,” “A Mighty Heart” and “The Amazing Spiderman.” Also a Padma Shri awardee, Tabu who plays Gita Patel, the mother of Pi is widely considered one of the finest and most versatile actresses in the Indian film industry who has appeared in over 70 films. She holds the record for the most wins of Filmfare's Critics Award for Best Female Performer, with six. Tabu received worldwide recognition and widespread critical acclaim for her leading role in Mira Nair's American film “The Namesake.” Known to be selective about her film roles, Tabu has said, “I do films which move me and most of all, the unit and the director should appeal to me.”

Rafe Spall and Irrfan Khan in LIFE OF PI

Rafe Spall who portrays the writer in the movie who interviews the grown up Pi is one of Britain’s rising stars. Recently seen in Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus,” he has also appeared in “One Day” and “Anonymous.” Gerard Depardieu who plays the ship’s cook is widely renowned for his versatility and his unique combination of gentleness and brutish physicality. The award-winning actor has enjoyed a film career spanning more than four decades, and has appeared in over 170 films.

Ang Lee has in fact created a film that is powerful, engrossing and visually stunning. “It is about overcoming adversity and that speaks to a lot of people because in a sense, life is adversity,” says 20^th Century Fox’s Elizabeth Gabler, discussing the life-affirming movie. “Finding ways to overcome that adversity is what makes life not only easier, but more meaningful. The film transcends language barriers and age barriers; this is a movie that people of all ages, all nationalities and cultures can watch and enjoy. Hopefully you will come away with a great feeling about the spirit of mankind that will inspire you. It is about having faith in your own strength and how your inner character pulls you through life.”

Rafe Spall in LIFE OF PI

“If you can dance instead of just walking, if you can splash your walls with color instead of painting them white or beige, that’s good,” muses Yann Martel. “It makes your life richer, more meaningful. We’re only here for a brief time, we have seventy, eighty years, which go by so quickly, and that being the case, why not make more of it?”. . .which in essence is what LIFE OF PI is all about.

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey OST featuring Neil Finn’s “Song of the Lonely Mountain”

--- Now Available on iTunes and My Music Store!

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey part one in a trilogy has just premiered in local theaters last week. The epic adventure movie gets an appropriately epic ballad with Neil Finn's "Song of the Lonely Mountain." With angelic vocals, swooning strings and a slow, determined build, the tune captures the feel of an arduous trek across a rocky, perilous landscape. Metal crashes invoke blacksmiths hard at work forging weapons in the fire while the classical guitar floats between the chants and clattering percussion.

"'The Song of the Lonely Mountain' was developed from a dark and mysterious theme which the dwarves sing early in the movie," Finn tells Rolling Stone. He says Jackson and his team suggested he get in a "dwarven state of mind" as he shaped the song to play over the end credits. "After some days of mining underground (actually, in Peter’s office) I emerged with the song, then set about recording it with my sons Elroy and Liam. Dave Fridmann came in at the end with a bold mix. He seemed to respond well to my demands for 'more anvil!' Pop music needs more anvil!"

Listen to NEIL FINN’s “SONG OF THE LONELY MOUNTAIN” on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJwyW9ngLNg

Get NEIL FINN’s “SONG OF THE LONELY MOUNTAIN” on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/song-lonely-mountain-from/id578270708

Get “THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY” OST on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/hobbit-unexpected-journey/id577810501

Get “THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY” OST on My Music Store:

The soundtrack for THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY is now available via digital download on iTunes and www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

TAYLOR SWIFT EARNS FIRST-EVER GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATION, RETURNS TO #1 ON BILLBOARD’S TOP 200 ALBUMS SALES CHART

Nashville, TN – December 13, 2012 – Taylor Swift was enjoying a rare day off today when she got the news that “Safe & Sound,” her song with The Civil Wars and T Bone Burnett for “The Hunger Games” movie, had earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song.

“What an amazing and unexpected present!” said Taylor, who today is celebrating her 23^rd birthday. “I’m blown away by my first-ever Golden Globe nomination, and so honored to be nominated with T Bone Burnett and The Civil Wars. Writing music for ‘The Hunger Games’ was a labor of love – I was a fan of the stories and the characters, and we all wanted the music to have an authenticity that matched the tone of the movie and the emotions expressed in the book. This is a huge honor, and I’m really excited and so flattered. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association!”

The 70^th Annual Golden Globes will be awarded on January 13, 2013 and will air live on NBC.

This week Taylor’s 3X-Platinum album RED is the biggest-selling album in the U.S., claiming the #1 position atop Billboard’s all-genre Top 200 Albums chart for the 4^th time since its release, posting a one-week sales jump of 22%. Combined, Taylor’s three #1 albums have now spent 21 weeks at the top of Billboard’s album sales charts, tying her with Whitney Houston and Jay Z for the 4^th most weeks at #1 since SoundScan began keeping track in 1991. RED debuted in October with U.S. sales in excess of 1.2 million albums (music’s highest weekly sales number in more than a decade), and has spent each of the 7 weeks since at #1 or #2 on the all-genre Top 200 Albums chart, and held firm at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. In addition to its U.S. Triple-Platinum certification, RED  (released on Big Machine Records) has reached #1 at iTunes in 42 countries, and total sales of RED outside of the U.S. have now topped 1.1 million albums. It was just announced last week that RED’s lead single, the international chart-topper “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” has been nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Record of the Year.

RED’s global sales success has been matched by its critical acclaim, with the disc being lauded on numerous year-end “Best Albums of the Year” lists by outlets including Rolling Stone, Spin, MTV and the Associated Press.

Today (Thursday, December 13^th), MTV will world premiere Taylor’s 23^rd music video, the highly anticipated clip for “I Knew You Were Trouble.” at 4:40 p.m. ET. The video will then go into rotation across all MTV channels at 5 p.m.

“I Knew You Were Trouble.” the third single from RED, is currently climbing both the CHR/Top 40 and Hot A/C radio charts, and is #2 (all-genres) at iTunes.

"As soon as I started writing this song, I knew it was different from anything else on the record, so I knew that I wanted the video to be different from anything we'd ever done,” said Taylor. “I wanted to tell the story of a girl who falls into a world that's too fast for her, and suffers the consequences.”

Shot over two days in and around Los Angeles, in the video Taylor plays the character of a girl being completely drawn in by her attraction to a guy (portrayed by Reeve Carney, currently playing Peter Parker in the Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) with a beautiful smile and big personality. But he has a dark side, and Taylor's character loses herself with the guy and in the relationship, becoming part of his dark world. She eventually sees that she's lost herself and has learned her lesson. "I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten to work with Anthony Mandler and to have Reeve Carney as my co-star in the video, and I can't wait for everybody to see it,” Taylor added.

Taylor is currently in Europe for a live performance this weekend on top German entertainment show “Schlag den Raab.” Later this month, she will perform live in Times Square, ringing in 2013 as the headliner of ABC’s “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”

The GANGNAM SHOW: PSY Live In Manila!

Korean rapper PSY, who captured world attention and recognition with his viral hit song, “Gangnam Style”, will wow Filipino fans when he performs his amusing dance moves at a special dance concert on December 20, 9 in the evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Promoters Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions and Joed Serrano of That’s Entertainment said Manila has been included in the K-pop sensation’s tour dates in Asia and other parts of the globe as a special Christmas treat for millions of fans who have been avidly following Psy and his music on YouTube and other social networks. According to them, this one-night-only concert will also feature an all-star cast composed of some of the biggest and hottest names in local showbiz who have been especially picked and assembled to perform with Psy in his historic Manila debut.

Among the local artists and performers who will share the same stage with Psy are Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Wally and Jose, Pokwang, Chocoleit, Pooh, K Brosas, Ate Gay, and Ai Ai de las Alas.

Psy, whose real name is Park Jae Sang, has been a mainstay of the South Korean music industry for more than a decade before achieving international success following the release this year of his K-pop single, Gangnam Style, which went viral both as a pop song and as a music video on YouTube and other social networks. The song also peaked on Billboard’s YouTube Music Video Chart at No. 1 in early September and earned recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the most “liked” video in YouTube history. As of the moment, the music video has accumulated over 968 million views on YouTube emerging as the site’s most watched video, dislodging Justin Bieber’s single, Baby, from the top spot. It is poised to reach 1 billion views before Christmas Day.

Psy’s most successful single, “Gangnam Style”, is part of THE HOTTEST HITS EVER… GANGNAM STYLE! --- a powerful CD compilation loaded with twenty of the biggest international chart-busters and record-breaking hit singles by ALL ORIGINAL ARTISTS! Apart from “Gangnam Style”, the album also includes the hottest record-breaking singles of 2012 such as “Call Me Maybe” (Carly Rae Jepsen), “Payphone” (Maroon 5), “Boyfriend” (Justin Bieber), “Starships” (Nicki Minaj), “Where Have You Been” (Rihanna) and more! This best-selling CD compilation is exclusively distributed by MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines).

PSY: Gangnam Style Live In Manila! is jointly presented by That’s Entertainment, MMI and Ovation Productions. Tickets are available at SM Tickets outlets or online at www.smtickets.com.

THE HOTTEST HITS EVER… GANGNAM STYLE! is now available at Astroplus, Odyssey Music & Video and Fully Booked | Special thanks to MYX Music Channel, Love Radio, YES FM, HOT FM, BusinessWorld and HerWord.com

DIE HARD 5: “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” POSTER REVEAL

You’ve seen the trailer, Bruce Willis as John McClane is being warned not to make a mess in Moscow where he sets foot the first time. But Willis is back like hell in the 5^th installment of the blockbuster franchise “Die Hard” films - “A Good Day To Die Hard” co-starring Jai Courtney as his son, John McClane Jr.

20^th Century Fox reveals the badass poster of “A Good Day To Die Hard” with father and son ready to shoot in the midst of a burning Masjid structure in the heart of Moscow.

“Iconoclastic, take-no-prisoners cop John McClane, for the first time, finds himself on foreign soil after traveling to Moscow to help his wayward son Jack ­– unaware that Jack is really a highly-trained CIA operative out to stop a nuclear weapons heist. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.

February 13, 2013 is “A Good Day To Die Hard” in Philippine cinemas (nationwide) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Like us on Facebook 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) and check our latest trailers at Youtube – 20^thCenturyFoxPh.

“THE WOLVERINE” BRAND NEW POSTER IS HERE TO SHARE!

20^th Century Fox releases the brand new international poster of “The Wolverine” displaying Hugh Jackman in an arched position seemingly ready for intense action!

"Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before."

“The Wolverine” brand new poster is available in various formats on the official site at http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/intl including:

Download the poster here http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/intl/file/TheWolverine_poster_intl.jpg.zip

“The Wolverine,” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by James Mangold, opens in cinemas around the world beginning in July 2013.

In Philippine cinemas on July 25 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Like us on Facebook 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) and check our latest trailers at YouTube – 20^thCenturyFoxPh.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY AT AYALA MALLS CINEMAS

Middle Earth is back! Watch THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY in Ayala Malls Cinemas and get the chance to join exciting
promos!  Experience it best when you watch it in HFR 3D (click here for HRF details: link: http://sureseats.com//whats_new/#148 )

available in Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 and Glorietta 4 Cinema 3. 
Book and buy your movie tickets at www.sureseats.com.  For updates on events and promos, like us on Facebook! Facebook/ayalamallscinemas "log in to www.sureseats.com"