by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 1, 2016 | Sports
The 20th season of Best Center Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), one of the country’s longest-running and biggest volleyball tournaments for girls in the 13-and-under and 17-and-under divisions, has officially started. Organized by the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training (BEST) Center and sponsored by Milo, the annual interschool tournament welcomed 60 teams from top-ranked schools in the National Capital Region.
This year, St. Paul College of Makati will defend its title against 12 other teams in the 13 Under Developmental Division while Colegio de San Agustin Makati will battle against 5 teams to retain its crown in the 13 Under Competitive Division.
In the 17 Under Developmental Division, Hope Christian High School will try to retain its title against 20 other teams while La Salle College Antipolo will try to thwart 19 other teams aiming for championship victory in the 17 Under Competitive Division.
Making WVL more exciting and competitive this season is the participation of new teams from St. Dominic Savio College, Young Achiever’s School of Caloocan, Inc., Sisters of Mount Carmel Catholic School, Inc. and San Pedro Relocation National High School.
Welcoming the participants at the opening ceremony at Xavier High School Courts were BEST Center founder Nic Jorge, Milo Sports executive Robbie De Vera and WVL commissioner Florentino “Kid” Santos. The event was also graced by Jose Romasanta, president of Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) and the spokesperson of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

L-R: Milo Sports executive Robbie De Vera, Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas, Inc. President Jose Romasanta, BEST Center founder Nic Jorge and WVL Commissioner Florentino ‘Kid’ Santos in the ceremonial toss
“We’re very excited to host another season of the WVL. This is a great avenue for young girls to showcase their volleyball skills and test their abilities in a major competition. With this tournament, we hope to train and produce more promising volleyball players who will dominate the game in the big leagues someday,” said Jorge.
“WVL has greatly contributed to the development of Philippine volleyball. Aside from building future champions, it also promotes sports and physical fitness to young girls. I won’t be surprised if WVL becomes a permanent fixture in the schools’ sports calendar someday and that future volleyball stars will make it from these ranks,” said De Vera.
Romasanta, on the other hand, commended BEST Center for supporting sports development in the country. “BEST Center has been bringing sports closer to Filipino children and has greatly contributed to the overall development of sports in the country,” he said.
For 20 years, WVL serves as a breeding ground for young girls to showcase their talent and passion for volleyball. BEST Center is confident that the sport will continue to grow in both popularity and equality.
For more information about the BEST Center Women’s Volleyball League and BEST Center’s volleyball clinics and tournaments, call 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email be**************@***il.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 2, 2016 | Technology
The iRover hoverboard is here! Is the hoverboard what I expected? Perhaps not, but it still promises to be a lot of fun. 😀
My first hoverboard encounter was in the movies

Hoverboard from Back to the Future 2, starring Michael J. Fox
I remember that I was a teenager when Back To The Future came out in the theaters. In the sequel where Michael J. Fox goes to the future, I was one of many who saw him use the hoverboard and wished that I had one of my own, too.
It is 2016, one year past when the movie was supposed to be set, and the hoverboard is here! It isn’t quite the same as what they predicted in the movie — it is not controlled by electromagnetism, it does not actually float, but, to a certain extent, it does give the feeling of hovering, of levitating.
Superman, Magneto, Thor … growing up, I’ve speculated on what super-power I would want to have if I could have one, and levitation or flight was definitely somewhere on the top of the list. After all, who wouldn’t want the ability to glide effortlessly across the room? Guess what? To a certain extent, we can do that now! It’s not the same as in the movie, but the feeling is close enough.
Featuring the iRover hoverboard by CD-R King</a

CD-R King, your one-stop media provider, once again spices up an extraordinary treat, iRover. A high-tech yet affordable gadget is in line with CD-R King’s effort to bring technology to the general public.
iRover lets you experience superiority in balance. It makes you gain control and progress at your own pace, liberating your feet from the ground. An exhilarating thrill that makes one experience the same. In the recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother, CD-R King provided the hoverboards used by the 11 housemates in one of their weekly tasks.
The iRover is the newest hovercraft unit released by CD-R King, designed not just for comfort but also for health. The iRover tones the leg and foot muscles. It uses smart balance technology that allows leg muscles to move around, thus strengthening the lower body.
iRover features:
- can climb up to 15 degrees
- speed: 10 kph to 20 kph on a single full charge
- tubeless tires
- brush DC motor with 36V
- 4.4 lithium-ion battery that charges on 300W power
- available colors: red, blue, or white
Is it affordable?
CD-R King makes it easier for you to acquire this gadget through a 6-month installment via credit card. Customers that use East West Bank and Metrobank credit cards for their purchases get the additional feature of a 3-month warranty.
Visit a CD-R King near you. For more details, visit the CD-R King website at www.cdrking.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 1, 2016 | Video reviews
Doctor Who is one of those pop culture phenomenons that have invaded our lives for many generations. And with regeneration as the Doctor’s method of cheating death, this allowed many actors over the years to create their own interpretation of how The Doctor will look, act, and behave.
Who is your favorite Doctor?
When people learn that I am a fan of the show and that I have been watching for a long time THAT is usually the first question I get asked … even by people who are not even really into the show.
I cannot speak for my fellow Whovians but I, actually, find that question very difficult to answer. As a matter of fact, it takes me a while to give a complete answer. Each regeneration of The Doctor brings with it not only a completely new body but also a completely new personality. Some things I like, some I don’t but, let’s be honest, it’s the full package that makes The Doctor the most interesting, intriguing character that he is.
From the first doctor to the latest, every single one of them has that special something that makes the Doctor one of the most interesting fictional characters in speculative fiction (also known as sci-fi/fantasy).
Perhaps it would be safest for me to answer in this manner … by categorizing.
Who is my favorite classic Doctor Who?
The Doctor I met first.

Tom Baker plays the 4th regeneration of Doctor Who
The Doctor, I believe, I was introduced to as a child was the 4th Doctor, Tom Baker (from 1974 to 1981). Since I was a child when I saw these on our black and white TV I did not have clear recollections of what happened on the episodes of the show but I remember the funny man with the scarf running around. 😀 Also, I liked his companions, Sarah Jane Smith and K-9!

Elisabeth Sladen played Sarah Jane Smith in the Sarah Jane Adventures. She was also the original Sarah Jane Smith opposite Tom Baker.
Speaking of Sarah Jane and K-9, I was really happy to find out a few years ago that they were given their own show called The Sarah Jane Adventures which ran from 2007 to 2011. I totally agree that she was a companion that deserved her own show. I was sad to see it end but accepted that even good things had to end sometime. I got a kick every time she said, “Mr. Smith, I need you!”
Peter Davison is my classic Doctor Who!

Peter Davison plays the 5th regeneration of Doctor Who
Perhaps because I was older by then, I found that I enjoyed watching the 5th Doctor, Peter Davison (from 1981 to 1984) the most. He didn’t have the ‘fro (LOL!) and scary eyebrows of Baker.

Doctor Who and his companions Tegan, Nyssa, and Adric.
In contrast, Davison was actually babyfaced! What I had difficulty understanding, though, was why 5 (Davison) had so many companions! Let me see if I remember it correctly — there were these two non-humans, a girl and a boy, then there was a female (human) flight attendant. Did I miss anyone?
I always wondered, though. Why did The Doctor use a celery stalk to accessorize his jacket? I personally like the smell but I certainly won’t use it to accessorize my clothes! I’d eat it before I’ve even left the house! Lol! I’m sure the answer is out there somewhere. Hmmm … googling it now. 😀
Who is my favorite 21st-century Doctor?
Every time a new doctor comes out I tend to change my mind (or reaffirm my earlier opinion). 😀 The better question, perhaps, would be … Who is your favorite Doctor Who RIGHT NOW? And to answer that, I would like to do a rundown first of the Doctors who appeared starting 2005.
Before 2005 the last Doctor Who to grace the screen was Paul McGann in 1996. He has the privilege of being the actor who played Doctor Who onscreen the shortest (one episode/movie) yet held the role longer than anybody else (1996 to 2005). While not onscreen Doctor Who was kept alive through radio plays and books.

Paul McGann plays the 8th Doctor Who in the TV movie. Check out how Victorian his TARDIS IS! How the Phantom of the Opera meets steampunk! 🙂
Christopher Eccleston (the 9th Doctor)

Christopher Eccleston reintroduces Doctor Who to a new generation of Whovians as the 9th Doctor Who
While The Doctor has never been the most cooperative or congenial character, I guess I expect him to not look too sinister either.
When Christopher Eccleston made an appearance as the 9th Doctor I had mixed feelings. I loved the clothes (leather from H2T, how can you go wrong?) but he just didn’t quite fit the image in my head of what The Doctor should be like … this is while knowing that each regeneration is different from the previous ones, mind you. I suppose, in my head, this was because I was still seeing him in other roles where he usually played the villain such as in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising.
That aside, though, I concede that he did a pretty good job. Otherwise, I would have lost interest in the series and stopped watching, instead of being completely hooked on it as I am. 😀
David Tennant (the 10th Doctor) stole my heart.

David Tennant is the Doctor with the catchy catchphrases … alonzi! molto bene!
When Eccleston regenerated into David Tennant in mid-2005 I wasn’t sure how I felt. While I was ok with Eccleston as The Doctor I didn’t know what to expect with Tennant. It took me, perhaps 1 or 2 episodes to settle in and then I could not help but love him. 😀 To be more precise, I really enjoyed his portrayal of The Doctor that I did not want his stint to ever end. I believe he felt the same way. Doing a flashback now on his last episode where he actually says, “I don’t want to go.” and pouts.
I remember a time when I called him a kissing bandit because, of all the Doctors, he was the one who got to kiss the most people. And then it hit me. He wasn’t the one stealing kisses. He was always the one being kissed! And when his companions would end up falling for him, I thought it was conceivable. I was just watching him on TV and I was falling for him myself! 😀
Rose Tyler, Martha, Captain Jack Harkness, Queen Elizabeth, Madame de Pompadour, the Zygon, and the list goes on …
Fun facts:
- 10 was the first Doctor to admit to falling in love with his companion
- Even after 10 regenerated into 11, we all know there is still a version of him out there, with Rose Tyler in the other dimension. This means that at some point we can hope to see him appear, however briefly, in the show again.
- Captain Jack Harkness (played by John Barrowman) was lucky enough to get his own spin-off called Torchwood.
- David Tennant married the daughter of Peter Davison, Emily, which makes Davison his father-in-law.
- Peter Davison appears in a special quick episode of Doctor Who (Time Crash) with David Tennant as the Doctor but as his older self. They both explain the paradox as “wobbly-wobbly-timey-wimey”. This was a fun episode. I enjoyed it immensely! 🙂

Time Crash was broadcast in November 2007. It is a mini-episode of Doctor Who starring David Tennant and Peter Davison both playing Doctor Who at the same time
Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) is the Raggedy Man.

Matt Smith plays the 11th regeneration of Doctor Who
When Tennant became Matt Smith I was like, “What the frack? The Doctor got older and more kulit?” Imagine my surprise to discover that Matt Smith is actually the youngest person to ever play The Doctor. I guess he just has that kind of face. It’s the lines.
At the same time, there was just something so lovable above him. He was like a kid in so many ways. His sense of wonder and joy, how he just seems to always want to play. Perhaps he was a lost boy and just got out of Neverland?
What made Smith appealing to some fans is what made him annoying to me, and why he is probably called the Raggedy Man, he just flops around a lot. He’s like a kid with ADHD – he can’t seem to stop moving. And when he does stop, you know there is trouble coming. Because when he stops that means he is in serious mode.
The best part of Smith’s stint, in my opinion, was The Ponds, Amelia and Rory.

Amy (Amelia) Pond and Rory with The Doctor
Peter Capaldi (the 12th Doctor) is a rockstar!

Peter Capaldi as the latest (12th) regeneration of the Doctor with his companion, Clara Oswald (played by Jenna Coleman)
And now we come to the latest person to play Doctor Who – Peter Capaldi. He holds the record of being the oldest person to ever play the Doctor. Even older than Hartnell who was only in his 40s at the time that he played a grandfatherly Doctor.
In contrast to Tennant and Smith, Capaldi does not like to be touched or hugged (or kissed!). He is quite stern yet still a kook! Unlike his predecessors Capaldi came out in several episodes playing on an electric guitar, wearing Wayfarers (which we later found out were his sonic glasses) and a long coat. Talk about Mr. Cool!
Is it mean of me to say I am glad that Clara Oswald (aka Oswin aka The Impossible Girl) is out of the picture now?
So who IS my favorite Doctor Who?
Of them all, I would still say I am a Tennant girl but … I’ve only met Capaldi for two seasons to date and he is a close second. Who knows? He may just make it up there and take the first place. How about you? Who is your favorite Doctor Who? I wouldn’t be surprised if you say, John Hurt, the War Doctor. 🙂

All the regenerations of Doctor Who
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 14, 2016 | Lifestyle Tips
What’s the next big thing that you want to achieve, now that you’re starting your career, and earning your own money? Do you have a plan on how you are going to spend your hard-earned cash? Are you thinking of buying a new phone, a laptop, or a new wardrobe? While these may be tempting, for sure you are also dreaming of having your own car in the future.
The biggest question you might have is, “Kaya ko na kayang magkaroon ng sariling kotse?” Now don’t you worry because we have an answer for you! As you are earning your own money now, this could be your way to start saving up for your dream car.
And since New Year just ushered in, it would be best to add this on your bucket list this 2016! Always remember that it’s never too early to reach your dreams. So better start saving up!
“Looking for a car that matches your need and budget is an exciting experience, especially for a first-timer. Before deciding to bring home that dream car, a number of things have to be considered. Below are a few tips that may guide you, young dreamers, in making wise use of your hard-earned money to help make that dream come true,” says Pepe Carlos, VP and head of BPI Family Auto Loan Division.
Yes, at this point in your life, it may seem intimidating just thinking about how to get your own car, but with proper guidance and advice from the experts, you can make your dream come true!
Here are three tips that can help you in planning, saving up and finally bringing home that dream car.
Know which car is right for you.
Determine what kind of car you really need. It is quite challenging, so you need to carefully study your options. Whether you’re a businessman, an architect, an engineer, a call center employee, a social media specialist, a sales and marketing executive, etc., choose the car that is best suited for your daily use.
When choosing your car, several things such as car brand, model, price, and your budget should be well thought off. You may visit www.bpiloans.com, a virtual car showroom, where people looking for a brand new car can view and compare the vehicles that are available in the market today. It has a comprehensive car buyer’s guide, a user-friendly auto loan calculator, an easy to use self-assessment test and a simple online application form.
Plan your budget well.
In getting a brand new car, your budget may be the most important concern that you have to think about. You need to ask yourself, “What can I really afford?”
Before you decide on making that purchase, list down your expenses. Check out how much you spend for your daily commute; see which part of your daily/monthly budget you can cut down or save.
There are other incidental expenses related to the purchase of a car that you also need to take care of like car insurance, chattel mortgage, and registration fees, among others. Some banks offer FREE insurance for the first year, so it’s important to check what offers are out there too. You can take a portion of your mid-year bonus and other monetary incentives you’ll get to add to your savings so you can allot it for the down payment of your dream car. It is typically at least 20% of the car price.
With these penned down, you can now calculate how much your monthly amortization will be, given a certain down payment via www.bpiloans.com. You can take the 60-Second Online Loan Pre-Qualification tool found in the website to see if you’re already qualified to apply for BPI Family Auto Loan. It’s easy, convenient and hassle-free!

Ask the experts
Reach out to the experts who know about bank financing for your Auto Loan. Seek a conversation with a BPI Family Bank representative to help you make the right decision and get the best deal. You may visit any BPI branch or drop by 102 Paseo in Makati to have a chat and learn more about your options.
So what are you waiting for? Getting your dream car is possible!
Pepe Carlos concludes, “A lot of people think that the process of buying a car can be a challenging one. But as long as you are informed and prepared, it doesn’t have to be.”
With BPI Family Auto Loan, let’s make your dream happen!

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