X Factor Philippines: El Gamma Penumbra performs, earns standing ovation

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3 finalist El Gamma Penumbra received a standing ovation from the X Factor Philippines judges and the audience while wowing them in their amazing performance on X Factor Philippines Saturday night (September 29).

With their adeptness in shadow casting, the theater group presented the beauty of tourist destinations in the Philippines with the music "Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas", the theme song of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group's tourism promotional campaign "Choose Philippines", on-play at the background. 

The audience couldn't stop clapping every time a new shadow image is formed or cast against the back drop. Job well done, El Gamma!

Rovio's Bad Piggies game, successor to Angry Birds

After the huge success of Angry Birds, a simple shooting strategy game that generally involves round-shaped  birds (as ammunition) and pigs (as targets) on structures, popular Finnish video game developer Rovio launched another game that would be one sure hit - Bad Piggies, as tribute to the plump green cuddly pigs. An introduction to the Bad Piggies may be viewed below.

Video Courtesy: RovioMobile

These green heads now become the foci of attraction in this game, with Rovio giving everyone a chance to play the role of the antagonists on solo (angry bird-less) missions.

The game starts with the Bad Piggies having found a map to the eggs, but the map is in pieces all over Piggy Island. The game begins with the Bad Piggies finding a map to some eggs, divided into pieces scattered all over Piggy Island. King Pig orders his follower piggies to recover pieces of this map, the locations of which could vary from mountain tops to cave diggings.

For the piggies to  succeed, objects such as umbrellas, balloons, bottle rockets, engines and wings needed to be turned into a flying machine, the design of which relies on the player's imagiination.

Bad Piggies is currently available in iOS app stores, Mac app stores, Google Play (Android) stores. Its Windows 8-compatible  (phone and pc) version will be made available soon. 

PCSO Lotto Draw Results (September 29, 2012)

Here are the PCSO Lotto Draw results for September 29, 2012:

Grand Lotto

13-05-22-06-49-24 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P30,000,000.00

Winner: 0

Lotto 6/42

21-15-10-04-23-09 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P51,241,667.40

Winner: 2

6Digit
8-8-4-2-8-0

Prize: P352,494.94
Winner: 0

Philippine Football Peace Cup: Azkals vs Chinese Taipei, declared champion

Defeating Chinese Taipei after yielding a distant 3-1 score, the Philippine Azkals was declared the champion in the Philippine Football Peace Cup finals held Saturday (September 29) at the Rizal  Memorial Stadium in Pasay City. 

The goals were each piled up by Fil-German Dennis Wolf, vice-captain Chief Caligdong, and Fil-Am OJ Porteria, at the 10th, 34th, and 43rd minutes, respectively.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

Dennis Wolf was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). For scoring 4 goals, he was awarded the Golden Boot award. Sacapano was named as the Best Goalkeeper of the Peace Cup. Jeff Christiaens was picked as the Best Defender, while Matthew Uy was named as Best Midfielder of the tournament.

Team Philippines garnered 9 points all-in-all which placed them at 1st overall, followed by Chinese Taipei with 4 points, Guam with 3 points, and Macau with 1 point.

This is the first international tournament won by Philippines since 1914. The last time the Philippines took the championship crown was in the 1913 Far Eastern Games, the earlier version of the Asian Games.

The Philippine Football Peace Cup, or Long Teng Cup, was a series of friendlies ventured in by football teams in what is seen as  preparation for the 2012 Asean Football Federation Suzuki  Cup.

UAAP Season 75 Final Four: ADMU vs DLSU Results

The Ateneo Blue Eagles triumphed over the La Salle Green Archers, 66-63, in the semifinals round of the UAAP 75 men's basketball tournament, held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday (September 29).

Photo Courtesy: UAAP

Viewers experienced a hard-fought fourth quarter, the last seconds of which were tarnished with unfriendly fouls, a ball-slip, and dictating free throws. The final three second-period of the ADMU vs DLSU game was marked with a failed attempt by DLSU to assert a three-point shot just to pull a draw.

Ateneo will advance to the Finals and face UST, who recently slammed NU with a classic 63-57 ending, on October 6 (Saturday).

For a detailed report on the ADMU vs DLSU semifinals basketball game, proceed here.

UAAP Season 75 Final Four: UST vs NU Results

The UST Growling Tigers took down the NU Bulldogs, 63-57, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Saturday (September 29). The Tigers finally made it back into the Finals after their last entry in 2006.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP

The first three quarters of the game was a tough one, both teams not being able to widen the score gap. Tigers game top-scorer Kevin Ferrer, who made 17 points, succeeded in ramping up defense against season MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr of the Bulldogs.

A comprehensive review of the full UST vs NU game highlights can be read here, while a detailed play-by-play report of the Tigers vs Bulldogs game is available here. 

Replays of the UAAP 75 Final Four UST vs NU game will be aired on Sunday (September 30) at around 7 PM on Skycable Channel 34.

Gangnam Style Mom and Son on Ellen show!

I was checking updates on my Facebook account when I saw this really cool video of a mother and her son dancing to the beat of PSY's Oppa Gangnam Style on Ellen!

Recall that I got to feature the mom-son tandem here in Spotlight Philippines last September 6! And because their video became viral, they were invited to perform Gangnam Style in front of millions of American television viewers through the Ellen DeGeneres Show!

Check it out 'cause the video really uplifts spirits! Good vibes everyone!! Have a great weekend!

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel Ellen

Philippine Football Peace Cup: Philippine Azkals vs Chinese Taipei

After making a 5-0 win against Macau Thursday night, and a 1-0 victory over Guam in its first game, the Philippine Azkals are now close to grabbing the championship crown tonight (September 29) against Chinese Taipei in the Philippine Football Peace Cup (Long Teng Cup) at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Pasay City.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

Filipino fans are called to attend in the final match, Philippine Azkals vs Chinese Taipei, Saturday at around 7 PM. The Philippine Azkals only need to at least force a draw against Chinese Taipei to win in the Peace Cup. 

A tight fight is expected tonight. Since the 1960s, the Azkals have failed to beat Chinese Taipei  in the 7 matches that the teams played.

The last time the Philippines won a tournament was almost a century ago, when it earned the gold medal in the 1913 Far East Games.

UAAP 75 Final Four: UST vs NU, ADMU vs DLSU (September 29, 2012)

The UAAP Season 75 Final Four tournament begins today (September 29) at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Watch it live on tv channels Studio 23, Balls HD, and TFC Bro. Or view the UAAP Final Four games through the Studio 23 UAAP Sports lives stream website.

Photo  Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

The UST Growling Tigers are set to face the NU Bulldogs at 12 PM. This will be followed by the long-waited semifinals arch-rivals match ADMU Blue Eagles vs DLSU Green Archers at 4 PM. 

UST  has a twice-to-beat advantage over NU. The same is true with ADMU over DLSU. Right before the ADMU vs DLSU match, the UAAP 75 Samsung Cheerdance Competition will be replayed.

To watch the games of the Final Four, UST vs NU, and ADMU vs DLSU, today (September 29), you may proceed to the live stream website of Studio 23. The jungle will be alive.

Filipino film Busong wins grand prize at NatGeo All Roads Film Festival

Filipino film maker Aureus Solito's Busong ("Palawan Fate") took home the grand prize, the Merata Mita Award, at the National Geograhic All Roads Film Festival held in Washington, DC.

Photo Courtesy: Trust Movies

In 2011, Busong premiered at the Cannes International Film Fest's Directors Fortnight category. It also won Best Director, Best Sound Design, and Best Musical Score at the Cinemalaya 2011's Director's Showcase category. On the same year, it also won the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) International Critics Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The film stars  Alessandra de Rossi as a young woman (Punay) who has never stepped on soil because of the wounds on her feet. She is  carried around by her brother (Angkarang) on a hammock as they look for a cure to heal the sores that cover her feet. Her worrisome condition reflects progressing environmental destruction threat to Palawan and the changing landscape that results from it.

Pay for your domestic plane tickets at 7-Eleven

A more convenient way now to pay for domestic air tickets is through 7-Eleven stores, any time of the day.

Through ECPay's Payment Centers in 7-Eleven stores, passengers who book online will no longer need to fall in line at Airphil Express just to pay for their domestic tickets. Instead, they would only have to visit the nearest 7-11 store and pay for their airfare there.

However, only payments for bookings done online, not payments for bookings done through the Airphil Express service hotline, will be accepted in the said facility.

To use the ECPay 7-Eleven AirPhil  Express payment service, just follow the following instructions:

1. Book your flight, the schedule of which must be at least 48 hours before time of booking, through the Airphil Express website.
2. During the process of booking online, select "others" in the Payments option. A reference number with total amount due will be generated by the system. Keep a copy of your reference number and amount; much better if you print the page out.
3. Proceed to the nearest 7-Eleven store. Present the reference number with total amount due and pay. Remember that payment must be done before 11:45 PM of the day the online booking was made.
4. At home, wait for your e-ticket to be sent to your email address.

PCSO Lotto Draw Results (September 28 , 2012)

Here are the PCSO Lotto Draw results for September 28, 2012:

Megalotto 6/45

19-32-43-41-44-27 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P8,954,994.60

Winner: 0

4Digit

35-3-3-0

Prize: P22,186.00

Winner: 24

Biggest SM mall in Mindanao, SM Lanang Premier, opens

The biggest mall in Mindanao under Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, the country's largest mall developer, has been opened Friday (September 28) with 144,000 square meters retail space. Crowds of people trooped to the mall's opening day.

Photo Courtesy: SM Lanang Premier FB Page

SM Lanang Premier, the second SM mall in Davao City, is located at J.P. Laurel Avenue in Barangay (village) Lanang. The first one is SM City Davao, 9 kilometers away from SM Lanang Premier which opened in November 2001. 

Approximately 88 percent of the retail space now has contractual tenants. With its celebrated opening, SM Lanang Premier becomes the biggest and first premier mall development in the south.

Some of the stores which will be found in SM Lanang Premier are:

• SM Department Store
• SM Supermarket
• SMX Davao Convention Center
• Watsons
• Ace Hardware
• Forever 21
• Kultura
• Vikings
• Cha Time
• KFC
• Jollibee
• Mesa

SM Lanang Premier houses five cinemas, a 2,200-seater IMAX theater, a Science Discovery Center, a bowling center, and more than 1,500 parking spaces. The longest fountain in the country will be found in SM Lanang Premier.

Here are some of the gigs to look forward to in SM Lanang Premier's opening weekend! Images credits go to SM Lanang Premier and PWD World.

PCSO Lotto Draw Results (September 27, 2012)

Here are the PCSO Lotto Draw results for September 27, 2012:

SuperLotto 6/49

28-49-37-33-25-07 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P16,000,000.00

Winner: 0

Lotto 6/42

19-05-41-30-03-35 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P44,962,830.00

Winner: 0

6Digit
3-6-0-7-1-2

Prize: P150,000.00
Winner: 1

Vice Ganda, highest paid local artist in Araneta Colisuem

ABS-CBN's top comedian Vice Ganda is said to be the highest paid concert artist in Smart Araneta Coliseum (Big Dome) raking in as much as P5 million in his two concerts, May Nag-text... Yung Totoo, Vice Ganda sa Araneta and Eto Na, Vice Ganda. Todong Sample sa Araneta.

Photo Courtesy: Philippine Entertainment Portal

In an entertainment report published in the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), matinee idol-turned-concert producer Joed Serrano said he paid Vice P2 million for his first major concert, May Nag-Text... Yung Totoo, Vice Ganda sa Araneta in 2010.

Vice, at first, didn't want to have a concert at Araneta Coliseum because the venue was too large, but the producer challenged him, offering him a blank check. The comedian then reacted by writing down  P2 million in the cheque as a daring back-response.

Joed, however, accepted the deal. The concert happened and his risks paid off. 

The second Vice Ganda concert which Joed also produced, Eto Na, Vice Ganda. Todong Sample Sa Araneta,  also succeeded with Vice Ganda being reportedly paid P3 million. 

Philex Mining fined more than P1 billion for tailings leak

Philex Mining, the country's largest mining company, has been slapped a fine of more than P1 billion by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for the leak of more than 20 million tons of solid wastes from the Tailing Ponds 3 of its Padcal mine in Benguet.

Photo Courtesy: Inquirer

Philex contested the billion peso fine saying that the report of the MGB showed no negligence was committed in its part in the leaks that happened during the unexpected intense rains generated by typhoon Gener..

After discovery of the first leak in August, the mining giant shut down operations in the mine. It said that it plans to create more tailings ponds.

Meanwhile, the copper-god miner may face additional penalties for possible violations of other environmental laws which could range from P10,000 to P200,000 for each day violation was made. Failure to conduct clean-up operations could be punishable by two to four years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of P50,000 per day of violation.. 

The company expects its performance to slow down, with revenues sliding down to P1.5 billion from an estimated P4 billion this year.

- with supporting articles from Inquirer.net, Sun Star Baguio, and Business World Online

New element created by Asian scientists

Japanese scientists reveal they finally synthesized one of the missing elements in the periodic table of elements - 113, an element with 113 protons in its nucleus which does not exist naturally on Earth. 

Element 113 was created at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Saitama, Japan. The scientists created the new element by bombarding bismuth (Bi) atoms with zinc (Zn) in a particular accelerator.

Photo Courtesy: PTable

Elements with atomic number of 1 (hydrogen) to 94 (plutonium) exist naturally, while those from 96 to 118 have been made by man and confirmed, except elements 113 and 115.

If validated, element 113 will be Asia's first discovered element and will no longer take the temporary element name of ununtrium. Co-super heavy elements 114 and 116, formerly called ununquadium and ununhexium, were recently renamed as flerovium (Fl) and livermorium (Lv). In 2011, elements 110, 112 and 116 were given permanent monikers, darmstadtium (Ds), roentgenium (Rg) and copernicium (Cn).

It would be the first time for an Asian country to discover and earn naming rights for an element in the periodic table.

Al-Qaeda's black flag captured in PH

Philippine authorities seized the black flag of Al-Qaeda during an Abu Sayyaf raid Thursday (September 27) in Zamboanga City. It's not the first time that the black flag was uncovered in the Philippines.

Al-Qaeda's black flag has also appeared in violent protests in Benghazi, Libya, where four Americans died from a mob attack resulted by rage against an anti-Islam film.

PBA Philippine Cup 2012 Live eliminations schedule

The 2012-2013 PBA season begins with the Philippine Cup on Sunday (September 30), 4 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. An opening match between crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and newcomer Globalport Batang Pier follows at around 6 PM.

Here is the schedule of the games in the Philippine Cup 2012-2013.

Schedule of Elimination PBA Philippine Cup 2012

Ten (10) PBA teams, battling in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, will be divided into two groups. Group 1 include Air21 Exress, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, Meralco Bolts, San Mig Coffee Mixers, Petron Blaze Boosters; meanwhile, Group 2 has Globalport Batang Pier, Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, Alaska Aces, Barako Bull Energy Cola, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Each team will play with member teams of the opposite group twice and with its co-member teams once bring the total number of matches to 14 games per team in the eliminations round.

Aside from the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the games might be scheduled for play in SM MOA Arena and in other provinces including Digos City (Davao del Sur), Dipolog City (Zamboanga del Norte)Lapu-Lapu City (Cebu), Puerto Princesa/Iloilo, Tubod (Lanao Del Norte), and Victorias City (Negros Occidental).

For the roster of players fielded in each PBA team, view here.

Philippine Football Peace Cup: Philippine Azkals vs Macau

The Philippine Azkals once again took another win Thursday night (September 27), defeating Macau in its game achieving a far-out 5-0 score. Filipino-German recruit Dennis Wolf made an impressive performance scoring three out of the 5 goals, providing distance barrier to Macau's chances of winning. The other two goals were made by midfielders Carli de Murga and Patrick Reichelt.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

The Azkals are currently taking lead in the Philippine Football Peace Cup, after triumphing over its first two games, one with Guam and the other with  Macau, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Pasay City.

The team emerged victorious in their match with Guam, 1-0, during the opening day of the Peace Cup (September 25).

For an in-depth chronology of event highlights of the Philippine Azkals vs Macau match, read here.

Jessica Sanchez is Jollibee's newest endorser

American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez, who partially comes from Filipino lineage, became Jollibee's 1st international endorser. Jollibee is the biggest hamburger chain and the only food chain to strongly compete McDonald's.

Photo Courtesy: Manny Palmero, ABS-CBNNews

Sanchez visited the country to perform in the American Idol concert, which was held Friday (September 21) night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jessica stayed longer after the concert to fulfill her commitments for her endorsements including one for Filipino clothing line Bench. 

Last Tuesday (September 25), she was present at the Benchsetter Fun Meet where she got to meet her "crazy-supportive" fans.

ADMU vs DLSU match on September 29

Their successful entry into the Final Four UAAP Men's Basketball showdow, after beating the FEU Tamaraws during their knockout match Wednesday, means the bitter inter-collegiate basketball rivalry between the DLSU Archers and the ADMU Eagles has once again been reborn.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP

The much-awaited DLSU vs ADMU game for the UAAP Basketball championship title will be aired on a super-sporty Saturday (September 26) on Studio 23, crammed with the NU vs UST semifinals fight at around 12 noon, the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition replays at 2:30 PM, the DLSU vs ADMU match at 4 PM, the Philippine Football Peace Cup match between Philippine Azkals and Taipei at 7 PM, and the replay of the spectacular match DLSU vs FEU at 9 PM.

Sit tight and relax as you watch the DLSU vs ADMU on an energy-packed Saturday. Those who cannot watch through television might be able to watch live ADMU vs DLSU game through Studio 23's live stream website.

Why Senator Guingona is against the Cyber-Libel provisions in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

This month, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was signed into law with a lot of netizens who knew of its provisions shocked to see some vague portions of the act such as the criminalization of cyber-libel, defamation caused by an act of expressing someone's feelings or showing criticism of another person or group through a blog post, editorial article or simple comment.

One of the dangers of this provision is the possibility of engaging into identity theft which could then be misused to intentionally defame, discredit, dishonor, or put into trouble another person by committing libelous acts therefore dragging the innocent person's name into what is feared now by most netizens - online libel.

Photo  Courtesy: TGGuingona

There are also other reasons as to why Cyber-Libel provisions in Republic Act 10175 should be overhauled, modified and/or amended. Some of those reasons, provided below above as an info-post, were stated by Senator Guingona in his facebook page.

What's your say on this? Comment below.

Senator Escudero seeks re-election, to file COC on October 2

Senator Chiz Escudero, allegedly linked to GMA 7 personality Heart Evangelista, will seek re-election and run as independent in the 2012 midterm elections. 

Photo Courtesy: Philippine Entertainment Portal

The Senator will file his certificate of candidacy on Oct 2 "without fanfare".

It can be recalled that he was mentioned in the potential senatorial slate of both the Aquino-led Liberal Party and the Binay-Erap coalition UNA Party, an entity merged from Vice President Binay's PDP-Laban party and former President Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

When asked which group he would likely join, he refused to answer it and left it up to both parties for the final decision.

- with supporting article from Inquirer.

Google celebrates 14th birthday with doodle

I was very surprised, when I checked the Google homepage, to see a cute doodle marking Google's 14th birthday. At first, I was not able to read the G-O-O-G-L-E prints because I took a closer look at the brown partial images which somehow featured the search engine's name also. Then, it dawned on me that there were fourteen candles below it, signifying its 14 years of existence in the web.

Prior the transformation into cotton-candy, cloud-like Google birthday image, there was an animated chocolate cake. 

Actual birthdate

Google's actual birthday was September 7, the day the company was set up in 1998, but was then changed to September 27 to coincide with the revelation that Google once again got a record number of indexed pages.

Clicking the Google doodle leads you to Google's indexed search results amounting to 13.9 billion pages. 

Free iPhone 4S, smartphones, discounts, perks at Smart Switch Madness

Smart Communications will be conducting a two-day Smart Switch Madness event wherein huge discounts will be offered to those who would switch or newly subscribe to Smart. The Smart Switch Madness promotional event will be held at the Shangri-La Mall on Friday and Saturday, September 28-29, 2012.

16 GB iPhone 4s units will be given free to subscribers of Smart Plan 1500 and Plan 1800. Other smartphones such as Blackberry Curve 9300, Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000, Nokia E5, Blackberry Torch 9800, Nokia C7, etc., will also be provided in other Smart subscription packages.

Some of the Smart perks and freebies which will be offered in the Smart Switch Madness are as follows:

• All-In Plans (500 | 800 | 1200 | 1500 | 1800 | 2500 | 3500, free smartphones from Blackberry, Nokia, HTC, Samsung)
• Postpaid Plan 1800 | 1500 (free iPhone 4S)
• Freedom Plan (with 25% monthly service fee rebate on first year)
• Broadband Postpaid (free Pocket WiFi worth P3,000 with Smart Bro Unli Plan 999 | free Power Plug worth P2,000 with Smart Bro SIM Plan 495)

There also prepaid offers in the event venue like Buy 1 Get 1 Smart Prepaid Call and Text card 500 for  the first 1000 customers only. You could also bu 4 sims for only P25 or load P50 and get a free sim. Within the area, you could also call your Smart friends for only P1 per minute!

There will also be hourly raffles for Smart subscribers wherein lucky subscribers will win movie  passes, gift certificates, phones, among others.

All these discounts and a whole lot more will be offered in the Smart Switch Madness!

Recruitment agencies should ensure OFWs know the terms of their contracts

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded recruitment firms about their role in setting work contracts and other travel requirements of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), emphasizing that travel and employment documents of the OFW hired at least one week prior departure.

The reason for such is for the OFWs to be given enough time to read, understand and review the contracts which they have signed. OFWs are obliged to read and  fully understand what are written in their  employment contacts before accepting a job offer and signing it.

The OFWs can also request for adjustments in case discrepancies or errors need to be corrected.

Flights between Saudi Arabia and Philippines to increase

After days of negotiations, the Philippines government has inked an air deal (bilateral air service agreement) with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to increase flights amid attempts of local airlines to expand aggressively and grab a large share of the Middle East market, home to millions of OFWs.

From the current 10 flights between Manila and Jeddah, the number of flights was increased to 21 per week. However, as of the moment, no  local airline has flights to the Middle East.

Under the new deal, restrictions on the number of flights from Clark Freeport to any point in Saudi  Arabia and from Damman to any point in the Philippines were lifted.

The air deal was brought in the negotiating table to boost the trade and tourism industry of KSA and PHL.

PCSO Lotto Draw Results (September 26, 2012)

Here are the PCSO Lotto Draw results for September 26, 2012:

Grand Lotto 6/49
27-54-44-21-48-55 (in any order)
Jackpot Prize: P30,000,000.00

Winner: 0

Megalotto 6/45

45-16-06-34-04-19 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P4,500,000.00

Winner: 1

Anonymous Philippines attack Philippine government websites

On Wednesday night, a hacking group called Anonymous Philippines (which got featured in Spotlight Philippines) attacked the official websites of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the Philippine Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT), and the Department of Health (DOH) in protest of a new law, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which “effectively ends the Freedom of Expression in the Philippines.”

Anonymous Philippines replaced the homepage of the nation's central bank, MWSS, DOH and PAPT, website to call the attention of the government on the cybercrime law, also  known as Republic Act No. 10175, officially listing as cybercrime acts like hacking, cyber sex, computer fraud, and online libel.

Some lawyers believe that certain provisions of the law are vague and dangerous, in that, it infringes on the citizens' civil liberties.

2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition Scores, Rankings, Results

Click Here >> 2013 UAAP Cheerdance Competition UPDATES << Click Here

To those who doubted UP's win and maligned the process at which the teams were ranked, here are the actual scores each squad got during the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition and how everything seems to be unquestionable.

The scores and rankings during the 2012 UAAP Samsung Cheerdance Competition are as follows.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Competition Facebook Page

Even if overall ranking was not based on ranking frequency, averaging the scores would still mean that the UP Pep Squad got a higher average score over second placer FEU Cheering Squad. The release of the score sheets clears out all the issues that surrounded the ranking process.

One possible reason why the ranking system was implemented over the simple averaging system was to avoid score extremes (outliers) which could perhaps result from bias for a certain squad. In this system, no school will have extreme scores, with the differences leveled in by basis of ranking. The system grants every judge and every school equal weight.

Viva's A Secret Affair trailer out

Viva Entertainent has now released the official movie trailer of A Secret Affair starring FAMAS Best Actress and It's Showtime girl Anne Curtis, No Other Woman leading man Derek Ramsay, and Agua Bendita breakthrough actress Andi Eigenmann.

  

Video Courtesy: Youtube user VIVAentertainment001

Directed by Nuel Naval, the continuation of big hit No Other Woman delves into another intriguing love triangle story.

Some of those who got to view the trailer elevated the idea that this year's theme has been revolving around mistresses and third-party affairs, with The Mistress and No Other Woman as predecessors. It's probably because these issues have actually penetrated Filipino society with depth, its roots so  stuck under - a lot can relate. Moreover, films touching these subjects probably tend to expose its effects on families, thereby serving as a perceptual source of intra-cultural awakening.

DLSU vs FEU Results: DLSU Archers beat FEU Tamaraws, make it to Final Four

DLSU vs FEU Results (September 26, 2012)

Photo Courtesy: ADLSU

DLSU Green Archers make a dramatic comeback to the Final Four of the UAAP Men's Basketball after defeating the FEU Tamaraws in a close fight, 69-66, Wednesday at the SM MOA Arena. This once again opens the doors to the bitter rivalry between the DLSU Green Archers and the ADMU Blue Eagles. 

Intense fouls shrouded the final seconds of the game when the Tamaraws furiously aimed to fast-pacedly catch-up and determinely beat La Salle to continue its continuous streak of entry into the Final Four. Unfortunately, that didn't work out for FEU.

For an in-depth preview of the highlights of the game, read this.

Philippine News Bits 3 (September 2012)

Binay-led UNA political party swears in Metro Manila candidates for 2013 polls

Metro Manila candidates for the 2013 elections took their oath before members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Wednesday, September 26. Among those who took oath before Vice President Jejomar Binay include Caloocan City 1st District Rep. Oscar Malapitan, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, and Rita Crisologo, wife of Quezon City 1st District Rep. Vicente Crisologo. 

S&P hikes PH growth forecast

International ratings agency Standard & Poor's raised its growth forecast for the Philippines this year from 4.3 percent to 4.9 percent, particularly attributed to the country's lesser reliance on exports to propel its economic growth as factor of emerging resilience against the unfavorable economic prospect in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, S&P downgraded its growth forecast for Hong Kong (1.8 from 2.8 percent), India (5.5 from 6.5 percent), China (7.5 from 8.0 percent), Japan (2 from 2.5 percent), South Korea (2.5 from 3 percent), Singapore (2.1 from 2.6 percent), Taiwan (1.9 from 2.4 percent), and Australia  (3 from 3.2 percent). About 30 percent of the PH's GDP comes from export earnings, while in neighboring countries, exports account for 50 percent.

Zac Efron is the Philippines' first iPhone 5 Globe subscriber

Hollywood actor Zac Efron has been announced as Globe Telecom's first  iPhone 5 subscriber. 

A pic of the new iPhone 5 exclusively for the new Penshoppe endorser was tweeted by the publicist Joyce Ramirez of Publicity Asia, the promotion arm of  Zac Efron's to-do events in the Philippines.

In her succeeding tweet, she revealed that Zac Efron will be using 0917-1434ZAC while he is still in the country. He will be present in the Penshoppe's FanCon 2012 at the SM MOA Arena on September 29.

Last year, Globe's first iPhone 4S subscriber was President Noynoy Aquino amid attempts of the telco to slow down the rush of complaints coming from its subscribers base.

UAAP Seaons 75 Final 4 schedule

With the fight for the last Final 4 slot won by DLSU (currently being fought over by DLSU and FEU), it's high time that every UAAP basketball fan know of the schedule of the intense battle among the Final Four, ADMU, UST, NU, and DLSU who successfully gained a comeback into the season's semifinals.

Photo Courtesy: Animotivation

The schedule of the UAAP 75 basketball men's championship is as follows:

UST  vs NU
Saturday (September 29) at 12:00 PM

ADMU vs DLSU 
Saturday (September 29) at 4:00 PM

Meanwhile, ADMU allegedly seems to be distracted with the issues hounding the university's (e.g. MVP leaving Ateneo due to indifferences, impending leave of Sports men) engagement in civic problems (i.e. RH Bill, Mining).

Could this serve as an advantage for the Growling Tigers to unseat the Blue Eagles from its years-long dominion?  Let's wait and see.

PCSO Lotto Draw Results (September 25, 2012)

Here are the PCSO Lotto Draw results for September 25, 2012:

SuperLotto 6/49

07-34-21-28-10-18 (in any order)

Jackpot Prize: P16,000,000.00

Winner: 0

6Digit

9-8-2-7-4-6
Prize: P599,434.00
Winner: 1

DLSU vs FEU Fight for the Last Final 4 slot (September 26, 2012)

UPDATE: Results of the DLSU vs FEU match are found here.

The highly anticipated duel for the last slot of the Final 4 Basketball men's championship between DLSU and FEU will be aired live in a few hours. Watch the live stream of the DLSU vs FEU  September 23 at around 3:30 PM through Studio 23's live stream website.

The Tamaraws and Archers will contend for the remaining Final Four slot, when NU (9-5) filled in the No. 3 spot, behind UST (10-4) who has twice-to-beat edge over NU, and ADMU (12-2) who graces its dominance among the UAAP basketball teams.

The Archers, who were kicked out of the race by the Tamaraws last year, aims to regain access to the semifinals round (final 4).

Who will make it to the last Final Four  spot? Will it be the DLSU Archers? Or the FEU Tamaraws? Will bows fall down from the sky? Or will horns continuously charge the hunters?

Peace Cup (Highlights Replay): Philippine Azkals vs Guam

Here are some of the highlights of the Philippine Azkals vs Guam match in the opening day of the Philippine Football Peace Cup held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, September 25.

 
Video Courtesy: Youtube user albertsadilisks1

Dawn Zulueta trends on Twitter with #DawnZuluetaMostBeautifulPinayfor2012

Walang Hanggan lead actress Dawn Zulueta became the apple of the eye in Twitterverse Tuesday night, when she was declared the most beautiful woman in the Philippines for 2012. The hashtag #DawnZuluetaMostBeautifulPinayfor2012 trended on Twitter and peaked at number 2 in the trending topics list at around 8:53 PM.

Photo Courtesy: Starmometer

The veteran actress topped the online poll created by Starmometer in its search for the "100 Most Beautiful Women in the Philippines for 2012", wherein she garnered 129,863 votes (through Facebook and Twitter) and bested other top picks like Angel Locsin (2), Marian Rivera (3), Anne Curtis (4), Sarah Geronimo (5), Kim Chiu (6), Jodi Sta. Maria (7), Kristine Hermosa (8), Toni Gonzaga (9), and Shamcey Supsup (10).

The total number of votes she got was greater than the accumulated votes received by the rest of the top 5 most beautiful women in the Philippines.

She dethroned Kim Chiu who was last year's "Most Beautiful Pinay", and Angel Locsin who led the online list from 2006-2010.

Starmometer is one of the leading entertainment blogs in the Philippines.

For the complete results, view 100 Most Beautiful Women in the Philippines for 2012.

60th FAMAS Awards (2012) winners list, Manila Kingpin scoops major awards

Here are the winners of the recently concluded 60th FAMAS Awards (2012) held at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel on Tuesday (September 25). Tikoy Aguiluz's Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story bagged 8 out of 13 major awards including Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director.

The Best Actor recognition was awarded to Jeorge Estregan of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, while No Other Woman's Anne Curtis received the Best Actress award. 

Photo Courtesy: Mykiru

Best Picture 

Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Actor 

Jeorge Estregan, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Actress 

Anne Curtis, No Other Woman

Best Supporting Actor 

Baron Geisler, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Supporting Actress 

Angelica Panganiban, Segunda Mano

Best Child Actor 

Buboy Villar, Ang Panday 2

Best Child Actress 

Xyriel Manabat, A Mother's Story

Best Director 

Tikoy Aguiluz, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Story 

Carlo Caparas and RJ Nuevas, Ang Panday 2

Best Screenplay 

Roy Iglesias and Rey Ventura, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Cinematography 

Carlo Mendoza, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Theme Song 

Hari Ng Tondo by Gloc 9 feat. Denise Barbacena, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Best Editing 

Jason Cahapay, Mirana Medina-Bhunjun, Ryan Orduña, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story

Special Awards:

Hall of Fame 

Carlo J. Caparas

German Moreno Youth Achievement Award 

Daniel Padilla, Derrick Monasterio, Edgar Allan Guzman, Enrique Gil, Jessy Mendiola, Julie Anne San Jose and Kristoffer Martin

Outstanding Lady Movie Producers
Atty. Anette Gozon-Abrogar (GMA Films), Donna Villa (Golden Lions Films), Malou Santos (Star Cinema) and Mother Lily Monteverde (Regal Films)

Public Service Award Gov. Jeorge ER Ejercito

Huwarang Artista sa Larangan ng Serbisyo Publiko
QC Dist. 2 Councilor Alfred Vargas

Exemplary Achievement in the Field of Justice
PAO Chief Atty. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

Antonio M. Padua Memorial Award
Ricky Lo

FAMAS Grand Award
Edmark International CEO Sam Low Ban Chai

Posthumous Award
Sec. Jesse M. Robredo

2012 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) winners list

Here are the winners of the recently concluded 34th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) held at the CCP Complex in Pasay on Tuesday (September 25). Giant TV network ABS-CBN took home majority of the awards. Meanwhile, newcomer TV5 bagged more awards than decades-old GMA 7.

Photo Courtesy: DZMM ABS-CBN

The event was hosted by GMA News TV's "Ang Pinaka" hosts Betong and Maey.

TELEVISION

• Best Station ID: Pinoy Summer Da Best Forever (ABS-CBN)
• Best News Program: TV Patrol Weekend (ABS-CBN)
• Best Entertainment Program: Talentadong Pinoy (TV5)
• Best Drama Series: Budoy (ABS-CBN)
• Best Drama Series (Special Citation): Dahil sa Pag-ibig (ABS-CBN)
• Best Comedy Program: TODA Max (ABS-CBN)
• Best Children and Youth Program: Wansapanataym (ABS-CBN)
• Best TV Special (Special Citation): USI for “Ang Katapusan” (TV5)
• Best Adult Educational/Cultural Program: Ang Pinaka (GMA News TV)
• Best Adult Educational/Cultural Program (Special Citation): Matanglawin (ABS-CBN)
• Best News Magazine Program: Patrol ng Pilipino for “Monasteryo” (ABS-CBN)
• Best News Magazine Program (Special Citation): Failon Ngayon (ABS-CBN)
• Best Special Coverage (Special Citation): USI for “Sendong Episode” (TV5)
• Best Public Service Program: Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Philippines (TV5)
• Best Branded TV Ad: P&G’s eStudyante

RADIO

• Best News Program: Radyo Patrol (DZMM)
• Best Radio News Program: Patrol Balita Alas Dose (DZMM)
• Best News Commentary: Failon Ngayon (DZMM)
• Best Special Event Coverage: DZMM Teleradyo’s Baha sa Bulacan Coverage (DZMM)
• Best News Program (Special Citation): Mga Pangunahing Balita (DZRH)
• Best Educational Program: Art 2 Art (DZRH)
• Best Counseling Program: Usapang Kapatid (DZMM)
• Best Entertainment Program: Todo Todo Walang Preno (DZMM)
• Best Business News/Feature Program: SikaPinoy (DZMM)
• Best Public Service Program: Radyo Negosyo (DZMM)

MUSIC/WEBSITE

• Best Secular Song: Dahil Sa’ Yo (Juris)
• Best Music Video: Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas (Choose Philippines/ABS-CBN)

FILM

• Best Picture: Ikaw Ang Pag-ibig

CMMA HALL OF FAME

• Best News TV Program: 24 Oras (GMA-7)
• Best TV Drama Program: Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN)
• Best Radio Counseling Program: Dr. Love (DZMM)

The CMMA aims to reward and  pay tribute to media products that enhance the total human development of the Filipino audience through the competent and professional use of mass media techniques.

Philippine Azkals defeat Guam, 1-0, in Peace Cup

The Philippine Azkals defeated Guam, 1-0, Tuesday night in the Philippine Football Peace Cup, formerly called as Long Teng Cup, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Photo Courtesy: SoccerCentralPH

Patrick Reichelt struck a goal in the 81st minute of the game. Meanwhile, the Chinese Taipei vs Macau match ended in a 2-2 standstill. 

Azkals dominance was imminent though dotted with unsuccessful on-goal attempts. The Philippines will play with Macau on Thursday (September 26) before the tournament's finale, a face-off with Chinese Taipei on Saturday (September 28). 

5 interesting facts about the Philippines

There are so many things one can write about when you are provided a writing space, perhaps, here in Blogger. And as a co-author of Spotlight Philippines, I felt that I need to share to people what I learned and heard from other bloggers, in this case, from the Diliman Diary.

It is indeed a calling for me to let my readers, majorly composed of the youth block, know and learn from what I write as well. Truth be told, there are a lot of things that we do not know about our country. So, here are five interesting facts about the Philippines's rich historical past.

Did you know that during the late 1400s, the Sultanate of Brunei attacked the Dynasty of Tondo for monopolizing trade with China?

Photo Courtesy: Philippines Islands Lemuria 

This one I know. Did you know that the Philippines became a British colony from 1862  to 1864? However, the Britons sailed away from Manila and left behind Indian soldiers, who eventually settled in Cainta, Rizal, which explains why most of the residents in the area have distinguishable Indian features.

Aside from this, did you know that some of us are descendants of the Aztecs and Mayans of Mexico? In 1565, conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi brought Aztec and Mayan warriors to the country through the Galleon Trade. These warriors eventually lived in the north where most decided to live in a town in Pampanga called Mexico. Their influence is still evident today with the chico (fruit native to Mexico) plantations in Mexico, Pampanga, and in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Photo Courtesy:  Ningrogge

Did you know that the first ever bank in the Philippines is the Bank of the Philippine Islands? Check out the architecture and design in some BPI branches.

Did you know that there is a street in California named after the Philippine hero Lapu-lapu? Apparently, the street's sign was located perpendicular to the Bonifacio street to confirm it was named after him, and not the fish. I wonder how many streets and buildings in the US and other OFW communities are named after influential Filipino people.

Popular apps in the Philippines

I think some Filipinos are pauso, while others are nakikiuso; one thing is for sure, we are technology fanatics. We, at times, get to ride with what's new and fresh in the app marketplace. I must admit that I have used and/or played some of these apps. 

Photo Courtesy: Google Play

Of course including the list of popular applications and/or games in the Philippines are Monopoly, Scrabble, NBA Jam, Slice, and Tower Madness. As for the widely used applications in the Philippines, the top five (for me)  are as follows.

1. Instagram - one of the best applications made, Facebook-acquired Instagram is a fun, quirky way to share moments of your life by editing photos that you take according to the degree of aesthetics that you want. Its presence somehow eliminates or reduces the distinction between shots taken using a DSLR and shots produced with the aid of Instagram. With this, anyone can create nice memorable photos of experiences in life.

Photo Courtesy: BBGSite

2. Tetris Battle - with over 11.4 million monthly Facebook users, no one who has a Facebook account cannot deny that this game is one of the most popular game ever. This is actually a social interactive  online version of the black 'n white Tetris that we used to play in the simpler brick game, sold in the streets several years ago. 

3. Fruit Ninja - its extremely unique and simple swipe-to-cut game mechanism makes it easy for anyone in a group of friends at a house party to jump in, substitute the loser and play again. 

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

4. Angry Birds - a strategy game mixed with rounded bird and pig characters, Angry Birds is a must-play game that enhances your shooting range-guessing skill. The noise that is released every time towers of piggies fall down really remind you of the evil act that you did, lol.

5. Plants vs Zombies - who would forget this extra addictive game of sunflowers, pumpkins, suns, shooters, cherry bombs, and walking and athletic zombies? Plants vs Zombies is indisputably one of the  extremely unforgettable games ever to come to the Philippines. It's been all over different media from laptops to smartphones, and from pillows to other merchandise.