Harry Potter, the boy who lived

Harry Potter, the boy who lived

From the time JK Rowling breathed life to Harry Potter and his friends between the pages of a book, I was hooked. I grew to love the stories about the boy who lived and waited with anticipation for book after book to arrive.

Later the movie versions of the books were introduced and I did my best to watch them with an open mind so that I could best enjoy them.

harry-albus.jpg

Harry and Albus

Earlier today I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from someone who told me that she was reading my post on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (http://slvrdlphn.com/harry-potter-cursed-child/).  My first thought was, “wow!  Someone is reading my posts!”  which, of course made me go back to read what I wrote.  Second was, “what’s the catch?  Why did she email me?  Does she need something?”

She goes on to say that Netflix was showing all 8 Harry Potter movies (in English) starting November 1, 2018 … but only in Belgium and France.  Boo!  Why only in Belgium and France?  What about the rest of the world, eh?

So, here was the catch … she just wanted to share a link to a blogpost that gives instructions on how we could watch our favourite shows (such as Harry Potter) on Netflix  from anywhere, not just in the country you are in.

How to watch all Harry Potter movies on Netflix anywhere now

Did that perk your interest?  If the answer is YES then check out the post at VPNMentor (https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/how-to-watch-all-harry-potter-movies-on-netflix-anywhere-now/).

That article is written by Kate Veale and it provides software recommendations and steps you need to take to be able to watch anywhere for free!  I haven’t tried it yet but it looks worth exploring.

Do you have an opinion about VPN?  Or maybe you are just in the mood to talk Potter? Feel free to share!

Also, are you as excited for Fantastic Beasts as I am? 😀

The cast of Fantastic Beasts

The cast of Fantastic Beasts

Derek Ramsay adds excitement to GAOC sponsored ‘Kasal’ screening

Derek Ramsay adds excitement to GAOC sponsored ‘Kasal’ screening

Leading dental clinic, Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), led by its President and CEO Dr. Steve Mark Gan recently feted loyal clients, partners, and employees to a special block screening of the blockbuster romantic drama ‘Kasal’, in support of stars Derek Ramsay, Bea Alonzo, and Cherie Gil, all of whom are proud members of the growing GAOC family. Photo shows Dr. Steve Mark Gan and Derek Ramsay.

Elisse on keeping pretty and fresh

Elisse on keeping pretty and fresh

Ikaw na with fionaElisse Joson is constantly smiling nowadays. This is despite the fact that she has roles in both The Good Son and Panday, along with the MMFF entry film version of the latter. She’s also gearing up to launch her new album soon.

Here, she talks about all that she’s juggling and how she keeps everything balanced.

On her acting career:

“For The Good Son, I play the character, Sabina, who is an only child. She’s from a well-off family, but not your typical rich girl. For Ang Panday, my character’s name is Wena. She’s the complete opposite of Sabina. Hindi mayaman, kabilang ng isang malaking pamilya.”

On how she prepares for these roles:

“I had to get my background story straight for each of the characters. Kailangan alam ko kung ano ang pinanggalingan nila. I read the script and memorize my lines before I even go on set para ready.”

On her first Metro Manila Film Fest movie:

“I feel very honored to be part of a big film like Ang Panday. And to be part of the MMFF, it is something surreal. I know I’m very blessed.”

On her singing career:

“I’ve always enjoyed singing ever since I was little. But when I was much younger, I was also very shy. Now I’m so happy because I get to do something I love and even record an album. I can’t really talk about it right now since we’re still in the middle of production. But I took a lot of inspiration from mine and Mccoy’s [de Leon] journey as partners. The song ‘If We Fall in Love’ is in the album, and it’s my favorite one so far.”

On what she does when she has time off:

“I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I’m an only child so I really like reaching out to the people I’m close to so we could spend time. But I also like to just relax at home by myself and watch series online, and sometimes play dress up and take photos!”

On advice she would give her younger self:

“Be brave. Stop listening to your fears and doubts. Just step out and do it. Also, don’t fall [in love] too fast!”

On challenges that still excite her:

“I know I’m so blessed to do what I’m doing now. I would like to just keep being given opportunities to share my gifts and eventually really reach out to those who are less fortunate. I really believe in giving back.”

On how she keeps pretty and fresh despite her busy schedule:

“I know it might seem like a small thing, but scents are really important to me. So I’m very happy that Fiona Cologne is with me all the time. I love how I can go for something sweet like Fiona Cologne Rosy Red, and switch it up the next day with something fresh, like I just came out of the shower with Fiona Cologne Pretty Mist. I’m also in love with Raspberry Drops! It smells so yummy. I really have a hard time choosing, to be honest,” Elisse laughingly shares.

A busy schedule filled with shooting and recording days do not seem to faze Elisse. Fiona Cologne, with its charming and attractive scents, brings out the fun and beautiful in everyone and will naturally make its wearer shine in the spotlight. Girls can now be effortlessly confident just like Elisse.

Fiona Cologne is now available in supermarkets, groceries, and drugstores nationwide.

Natural is still best to de-stress your tresses

Natural is still best to de-stress your tresses

When we are stressed it shows up on our face, our skin, and yes, even our hair! One common symptom of stress is hairfall.  Striking a life balance is no easy task to do. It requires hard work and dedication which sometimes can be strenuous to achieve. Can you imagine how overtaxing it is to juggle between your career and providing for your loved ones?

stressStudies have shown that stress is commonly caused by interrelationships, such as having to deal with work issues and family-related complications. If left unresolved over time, it could lead to immune deficiency, which later on, might cause other parts of our body to show signs of disruption like hair loss.

Many of us could attest to that. It’s like always autumnal equinox whenever we experience chronic hair fall, most especially at the prime of stress. At its peak, our white blood cells attack no less than the follicles, thus causing alopecia. What’s more, anxiety could drive your mane into a prolonged resting phase, which is called telogen effluvium.

Novuhair restStress experienced by the body or beyond our coping resources could trigger hair loss symptoms, which, if not addressed properly, could result to early baldness. Worried about this? Fret no more. You can beat it simply by relaxing, eating or flexing some muscles.

Never underestimate the power of sleep. If you feel that you are over your head in dealing with anxieties, choose to rest it off for a while and recharge.

Let’s get physical to de-stress. It helps release endorphins, or what is known as the happy hormones, that can be beneficial in relieving the tension.

The West Side Story comes to Manila

Westside Story

Westside Story

How about rewarding yourself? Watch the timeless story of Tony and Maria and their fateful love affair as the electrifying classic WEST SIDE STORY musical premieres at The Theatre at Solaire on August 10. Click here for more information.

Eat more fruits and veggies. Having these as a staple in your diet will bolster your immunity from disease, which in turn, knock out stress. We can all benefit from the vitamins and minerals of the healthy food we consume.

It’s best to complement these simple regimens with a topical solution that’s safe to keep your crowning glory at its robust state. NOVUHAIR, nature’s answer to hair loss, is made up of 19 natural ingredients that work in synergy to help remedy stress-related hair loss and promote healthy tress and scalp.

The challenge in preventing these mane problems is to keep your locks healthy with proper care and let it grow naturally sans subjecting your hair to temporary relief with the use of harmful chemicals. Go natural.

NOVUHAIR contains natural extracts, herbal oils and essences, such as lavender that is also known to relieve stress. It also has a scent that leaves a calming effect.

novuhair-ingredientsNOVUHAIR is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page, Novuhair Official, and follow on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural.

You may also call NOVUHAIR hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online through lazada.com.ph and regaloservice.com.

Philippine history in augmented reality

Philippine history in augmented reality

Gateway Gallery celebrated the second year of its “Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art” exhibit by launching a digital interface that utilizes augmented reality (AR) to recount Philippine history and make it more interesting to an increasingly digital-savvy generation.

On February 22, the Gallery launched “Sining Lakbay: Philippine History in Augmented Reality,” a project that marries art and technology to give visitors a more enhanced experience of its long-term collection.

Sining Saysay attendeesThe event was attended by guests of honor like:

  • Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, president of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation president and vice chairman of the Araneta Center, Inc.
  • Manolo Roxas, grandson of Philippine president Manuel L. Roxas
  • Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta
  • esteemed painter Betsy Westendorp
  • Divina Gracia Pascua, OIC of the Culture and Tourism Affairs Office
  • Dinky Soliman, former DSWD secretary
  • as well as Binibini queens Nicole Codroves, Jennifer Hammond, and Nichole Manalo
  • and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa.

Viewing a painting with ARDuring the event, guests were able to test the AR feature and were encouraged to go around the Gallery to experience it first-hand. Ten DOT-accredited history teachers from various Quezon City schools served as Gallery Guides.

Art and AR

Sining LakbayThe “Sining Lakbay” project is a product of careful and creative implementation spearheaded by artists, filmmakers, historians, curators, editors, and technology providers.

It aims to be a platform for gallery guests to have a more enriched experience of “Sining Saysay”, a collection of 30 large history paintings that resulted from the collaboration between the University of the Philippines and the Araneta Center.

“Sining Lakbay” also aims to create awareness of history among the youth by appealing to their interest in digital technology.

Watching Philippine History unfold on their devices

Watching Philippine History unfold on their devices

Layar logoTo Gallery visitors a more immersive experience, 10 paintings from the collection will “come to life” on their WIFI-enabled digital devices like mobile phones and tablets using the Layar app that can be downloaded for free (on iOS and Android).

Users will then be able to scan the selected paintings on their device to watch the video and hear the narration on chapters of Philippine history.

The videos are accurate historical accounts of events depicted in the paintings. Each video lasts roughly three minutes, with the whole tour lasting about 30 minutes total.

This launch is just the first phase of an even bigger project of making all 30 paintings in the collection AR-enabled.

Gateway Gallery: Here and now

Gateway Gallery opened on November 21, 2014. Its long-term exhibit, “Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art,” opened to the public on Feb. 18, 2015.

The Sining Saysay artists are:

  • Grace Alfonso
  • Don Artificio
  • Bim Bacaltos
  • Adi Baen-Santos
  • Grandier Bella
  • Angel Cacnio
  • Romy Carlos
  • Cris Cruz
  • Dennis Dasco
  • brothers Simkin and Vincent de Pio with their father Gig de Pio
  • Neil Doloricon
  • Norman Dreo
  • Ding Hidalgo
  • the late Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist for Visual Arts
  • Ben Infante
  • Junyee
  • Aileen Lanuza
  • Romy Mananquil
  • Norly Meimban
  • Jonal Salvosa
  • Julius Samson
  • Randy Solon
  • Michael Velasco
  • and Janice Young

In over two years of operations, the Gallery has grown its art collection to 50 artworks donated by various artists. Attendance has also risen to an average of 200 visitors a day in the same period.

Last year, it received an accreditation from the Department of Tourism.

The Gallery will continue to expand its horizons this year, providing artists a home to hone and showcase their craft, and giving the Filipino public a haven of learning and creativity. Projects lined up for this year include:

  • the Reading Nook, a mini library for all ages, highlighted by story-telling sessions for kids in partnership with Adarna Publishing;
  • and Bravo Weekend, which showcases Filipino culture through music and dance.

With its vision to make arts and culture accessible to ordinary Filipinos, Gateway Gallery will continue programs that introduce arts to young children, holding art workshops for hobbyists, portrait sketching sessions for professional artists, and hosting talks by artists and historians.

Located at the 5th level of the Gateway Tower at the Araneta Center, Gateway Gallery is free to the public and is open Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 7pm. It is supported and managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the CSR arm of the Araneta Group.

Enjoy unlimited access to iflix with Citi credit cards

Enjoy unlimited access to iflix with Citi credit cards

Watch thousands of TV shows, movies and more wherever, whenever!  As part of its #LovetoClick promotion, Citi is teaming up with iflix to offer their cardholders unlimited access for three whole months on Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service.

unli-accessNow you can invite your family or friends for an exciting entertainment marathon with a vast selection of first-run exclusives, award-winning movies and shows, plus the best in local and regional programs on iflix.  You can also catch up on your favorite TV shows, cartoons, comedies, or dramas on the go with iflix’s “download/watch offline” feature, or stream from your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.

Watch your favorite movies and TV shows at www.iflix.com.

Watch your favorite movies and TV shows at www.iflix.com.

To access this very special promotion, first-time users need to create an account through www.iflix.com to receive three-months of unlimited access along with a one-month free trial, courtesy of Citi.

For Citi cardholders, who are already registered, login through your Facebook or email account for your three additional months of iflix, courtesy of Citi.

How do you avail of unlimited access?

Redeeming vouchers is just as easy!

  1. Upon login, click “menu” and then “redeem voucher.”
  2. Input the voucher code “CITI” plus the first six digits of your Citi card (ex.  “CITI 123456”).
  3. Click “submit” to start your three-month unlimited iflix access.
  4. Upon entering the code, users will then be directed to the homepage.
  5. To confirm the successful redemption of the voucher, go back to “Menu” and check under “My Account.

This latest perk from Citi will allow cardholders to enjoy iflix’s world-class service, including access to one of the largest TV and movie libraries in the region.

This promotion is valid only until August 7, 2016, so hurry and take advantage.

For more information on this promotion, and to know more about other online privileges exclusive to Citi cardholders, log on to www.citibank.com.ph/lovetoclick or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995-9999.

Protected by CleanTalk Anti-Spam