ROBIN, VHONG, POKWANG AND ANGEL’S FRIENDSHIP STRENGTHENED VIA ‘TODA MAX’

A few months after ABS-CBN’s flagship sitcom “TODA Max was launched,” it didn’t only become no. 1 in the ratings game, it has also strengthened the friendship of action superstar Robin Padilla, hailed comedy prince Vhong Navarro, seasoned comedienne Pokwang and drama princess Angel Locsin.

FP RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FROM PIZZA HUT & TACO BELL FOR SENDONG SURVIVORS

Joint News Release

 8 February 2012

WFP RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FROM PIZZA HUT & TACO BELL FOR SENDONG SURVIVORS AND PROGRAMMES IN MINDANAO

MANILA – Through the Yum! Brands World Hunger Relief campaign, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in the Philippines have contributed Php 6.1 million (US$144,000) to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for its activities in Mindanao. The donation will support the on-going relief and early recovery operation for victims of Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) and school meals programme in conflict-affected areas of central Mindanao.

“We are deeply impressed with the dedication of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell staff who actively promoted the World Hunger Relief campaign in their restaurants, and in the process raised generous support to help fight hunger,” said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson. “We are also grateful that they extended their campaign to seek additional assistance for Tropical Storm Washi survivors.”    

About 155 Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants, which are part of the Yum! Brands chain, collected donations throughout the country during a campaign from November 2011 to January 2012. As part of the campaign, Taco Bell donated Php 10 to WFP from each purchase of a special meal dedicated to supporting school meals programmes. Contributions were also collected in nationally distributed donation boxes.

Customers who donated Php 40 or more received a Christmas postcard featuring World Hunger Relief Volunteer Ms. Venus Raj, who is a Department of Social Welfare and Development Ambassador for Poor Children’s Rights and Welfare.

“We are very proud of our Pizza Hut and Taco Bell employees, and thank our customers whose efforts allowed us to exceed our campaign goals,” said Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Philippines Chief Operating Officer Lars Peterson. “This means more Tropical Storm Washi survivors will receive much-needed assistance, and more school children will benefit from WFP school meal programmes.”      

Last year, Pizza Hut donated Php 4.5 million to WFP to support the school meals programme in Central Mindanao, which provided 450,000 meals for 80,000 primary schoolchildren. School meals encourage children to attend school and help them to learn better when they get there. By providing children with the food they need to develop their physical and intellectual potential, school meals act as an important investment in the next generation and help to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.

The World Hunger Relief campaign raises both awareness and funds for WFP’s most urgent hunger needs, especially school meals programmes. Since its launch in 2007, World Hunger Relief has raised nearly US$85 million for WFP and other hunger-fighting organizations, providing more than 350 million meals and saving the lives of millions of people in 39 countries.

About WFP

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss.

Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and @wfp_media

Facebook: WFP Philippines

For more information, please contact:

World Food Programme - Philippines (Email: charlene.tordesillas@wfp.org):

Charlene Tordesillas, WFP/Manila, Tel: +63 2 7502561 Mobile: +639178809368

Pizza Hut/Taco Bell Philippines (Email: cpgonzales@pizzahut.com.ph):

Cyril Gonzales, Philippine Pizza, Inc., Tel: 9121921 local 6445

CREATIVE VALENTINE’S DAY DATE AND GIFT IDEAS IN “US GIRLS”

Forgo the usual wine and dine plans as “Us Girls” lists down tomorrow (Feb 9) uncommon but more exciting and adventurous ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your significant other.

Fab hosts Iya Villania and Angel Aquino will give tips on how to celebrate February 14 for sporty couples, workaholic sweethearts, or hopeless romantic duos. Show how much you love your partner with the lifestyle magazine show’s feature of the traditional and most unique gift items to give this love season – from classic greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, cute couple shirts and jewelry.

MYX MUSIC AWARDS 2012 NOMINATIONS

And here are the complete list of MYX Music Awards 2012 Nominees fresh from the recently MYX Announcement earlier and voting is now officially open! You have until March 9 (Friday) 2012 to show your support to your favorite music artists, share and spread the news!

You can vote 3 ways via MYXph.com, Facebook and Twitter!

MYX ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR MYX MUSIC AWARDS 2012, LIVE ON MYXPH.COM

After the success of MYX Charts app, which became the world’s most downloaded free music application in the Android Market, MYX, the no. 1 music channel in the Philippines, now embarks on achieving a new milestone, the MYX Music Awards 2012.

This year’s announcement of MYX Music Awards’ nominees was held today, February 8 earlier at 3 p.m. in Red Box Eastwood, via the top music channel’s equally patronized online platform www.myxph.com. It was really  special and fun, as tons of MYX and OPM artists followers were able to witnessed the announcement and some performances from Someday Dream, Zia Quizon and Yeng Constantino live.

EMERGENCY SIMULATION BOOSTS PHILIPPINE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

WFP News Release

 7 February 2012

MANILA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has hosted a large-scale simulation exercise, using the latest technology for recreating realistic scenarios, as part of its support for improving disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines

The simulation, held in Clark, Pampanga with funding support from the Government of Australia (AusAID), focused on how different levels of government interacted in an emergency situation, with particular emphasis on coordination, communication, information management, contingency planning and standard operating procedures. 

“The tremendous human tragedy caused by Tropical Storm Sendong has again highlighted how essential it is for us to work together to improve our disaster preparedness and response efforts,” said Undersecretary Benito T. Ramos, NDRRMC Executive Director, who spoke at the simulation. “The exercise is an excellent tool to strengthen information flows as well as inter-agency communication and coordination. It also raises awareness among participants, and I am confident that it helps improve emergency response in the country.”

More than 100 people took part - including governors and mayors from highly disaster-prone provinces, representatives from various government departments such as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DoH), as well as various humanitarian non-government organizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies.

 

The simulation was based on a scenario in which two typhoons strike Luzon within five days of each other, recreating a complex humanitarian disaster situation. Those taking part in the simulation have to respond to a stream of information and take appropriate actions as if responding in a real-life situation. 

“The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, as this week’s earthquake has again reminded us. That is why WFP strongly supports the government’s pro-active approach focusing on preparedness which is essential to reduce and mitigate disaster risks,” said Stephen L. Anderson, WFP Country Director and Representative. “Lessons learned from this simulation exercise will help improve the government's emergency response and preparedness capacities.”

The simulation exercise is part of a larger WFP Philippines Disaster Preparedness and Response project funded by the United States Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA). It was held in partnership with the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss.

Follow us on Twitter: @wfp_media and @wfp_asia  and @wfp_philippines

FIND US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/wfp.philippines

For more information please contact:

Charlene Tordesillas, WFP/Manila, Tel: +63 2 7502561 Mobile: +639175942666

Email Address: charlene.tordesillas@wfp.org

Julie Anne San Jose in Concert

After a successful international show in Dubai, Julie Anne San Jose will be back on concert stage this time to give love and showcase her awe-performing talent for the people of the Queen City of the South, Cebu.

JAP's concert entitled "Julie Anne San Jose: From the Heart" will be held on February 18, 2012 at St. Theresa's College Auditorium with special guests Wonggoys, Dance with Me Kris and Mark Seville (2nd runner up of Sinulog Idol).

John Lloyd and Angel in an “Unofficially” different love story

PRESS RELEASE:

After having been paried with other stars, John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin get into an “unofficially different” love story in Star Cinema’s pre-Valentine offering.

Directed by Cathy Garcia Molina, “Unofficially Yours” is the story of two people from opposite sides of love.  The guy, played by John Lloyd, believes in commitment and permanence while the girl, played by Angel, believes otherwise.

“It’s a different kind of Valentine story,” said Cathy who is noted for directing feel-good, box-office romances.