Praybeyt Benjamin 2 - Film Review

If only I can rate a movie partly, then 'Praybeyt Benjamin 2' would have gotten a 4.5 over 5 for having an incredibly funny opening using the Plant VS Zombies concept. Technically, those people playing the zombies acted terribly but were covered well by the good effects of those Plants firing bombs and peas. 

'Praybeyt Benjamin 2' is Viva Films and Star Cinema's entry to the 2014 Metro Manila Film Fest. The film is a continuation of the box office hit 'Praybeyt Benjamin' with Vice Ganda as the lead star.

There were more than a handful of hilarious and lasting jokes in the movie. Vice Ganda gave a fine humor with few corny lines thrown. Alex Gonzaga was a darling and gave the audience enough chuckles. Bimby's acting was acceptable and forgivable because of his cuteness. Tom Rodriguez was more than okay giving fair hyperactive expressions. I loved how he actually delivered his role, entertaining and fresh.

Direk Wenn and the writers might have crammed the movie that they lost some points. One thing noticeable was the part were Vice Ganda denied his Father's creation of the seeds. They should have followed up that part and put emphasis on giving recognition to whoever is due. It would have made the film more meaningful. 

Richard Yap's acting was so stiff and awful. He was like embarrassing himself all though out the movie. 

The other actors look tired and went underboard. I didn't feel at all Kean Cipriano's and Dj Durano's characters. They surely looked like Extras in the entire film (if they weren't supposed to be).

There were times I heard myself snoring while watching 'Praybeyt Benjamin 2'. But I would be lying, if I said I didn't laugh. All in all, I'm giving the movie a 2.5 over 5. It never felt short but would have been better (specifically taking out Kris Aquino's cameo). It's slightly tasteful and will still give Filipino audience a good laugh. Should you spend your P200 and watch this film? The answer is Yes! Congratulations for reaching over P50 Million on your opening day! 

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Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wifi Connects To Upto 42 MBPS

Finally got myself a new LTE Pocket Wifi from Smart Bro. It retails at P4,888 (originally at P6,995) with a new design that looks like a beeper and comes with a free 7-Day Unlimited Surfing (I'm not sure if the generation now even knows what a beeper is and how it really looks like!). 

This Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wifi is the perfect companion whenever you are with friends and relatives who have no online access . Sharing your fast internet connection with upto 10 people makes you a reliable and generous person. Haha.

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. The fastest mobile connection available in the market. It's like using 3g connection but 10 times faster. This Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wifi device lets you connect to upto 42 mbps. So far in my area, the fastest that I got was at almost 25 MBPS and normally at other places around 10-20 mbps. Ultra Speed like that is superior and really impressive. I get to download movies and TV series in few minutes and stream without buffering. To check out other areas with LTE Coverage, check here: 

 

Here is the list of Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi specs:

LTE Band 800/900/1800/2100 Mhz
3G Bands: 900/1800/2100 MHz
2G Bands: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz

You can also avail of this device through affordable flexible plans and packages offered by Smart Bro. Just go to the nearest Smart store and present 1 valid ID to get your Smart Bro plan. Check here for more details. 

Enjoy this blazing internet speed in over 1000 locations/sites nationwide with partner establishments.

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GMA 7's Bet Ng Bayan Semi-Finals

Tonight, December 21 airs the Semi-Finals of GMA 7's biggest talent show, #BetNgBayan featuring contestants from Mindanao. 

The regional competition took two months to finish as the show visited most of the provinces in the country. I was able to attend to one of the showdowns when I was in Gensan few weeks ago. 

There were over a thousand of participants in each of the 3 categories, #BetNgKantahan, #BetSaSayawan and #BetSaKakaibangTalento. The semi-finals opened with Asia's Songbird singing Ryan Cayabyab's 'Kumukuti-kutitap' together with Mindanao's #BetNgKantahan finalists Sherwin Baguion of Lanao del Norte and Kierulf King Raboy of Sultan Kudarat. Alden Richards enters after and greeted the people of Tagum Davao del Norte.

Sherwin sang 'Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan'. He tried twisting the classic song that came a little off for me and had difficulty with his low notes. Good thing during those parts that he belted sounded clean and smooth. Kierulf sang one of my fave songs, 'Hallelujah'. I felt the emotions. He just has to becareful extending a note in the song, because it starts to sound differently from how it should be heard. 

On #BetSaSayawan, I find those two girls really good. D'Gemini of Panabo had my attention all though out their performance. The group Blacksheep was just like any of those big group dancers, nothing really special. 

For the #BetSaKakaibangTalento The beat-boxing was boring and came so lame. While Jomar Abjelina of Davao City gave a good fireshow enough to prove his worth as semi-finalist.

All my bet in the semi-finals won! I must have the same taste and standards with that of the judges, Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, Dance Diva Iya Villania and, Musical Director Louie Ocampo.

I just have to commend Alden Richards for doing a good job hosting this reality show! He is indeed GMA-7's primetime king. And of course, Regine Velasquez who will always be a Queen in my eyes. See you at the Final round!

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1 Direction WORLD Pop-up store opens in Megamall

 

MMI Live will unveil the Philippines debut of the 1 Direction WORLD Pop-up store at the Mega Fashion Hall of the SM Megamall this coming Saturday December 20, 2014. 

It was originally scheduled to open yesterday December 16 but because of the persistent demand of die hard Filipino fans to open it on the weekend, Music Management International moved it to the 20th.

The 1D World pop-up stores have branches in many cities all over the world offering anything that has to do with Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles. The store carries all kinds of imported One Direction merchandises such as T-shirts, Mobile Phone Cases, Posters, Calendars, Caps and even life-size cardboard stand-ups of all band members.

The original 1D World Store inaugurated in Australia, with a lot of fans lining up hours in before the opening hour. Prior to opening this branch in Megamall,  1D World Pop-up store successfully opened branches in London, Barcelona, New York and Toronto.

One Direction has sold more than 12 million records and consistently maintaining a spot in the Billboard Top 100.

The first night concert on March 21 is already sold out with few more tickets available for sale for the 2nd night performance on March 22. The 1 Direction concert will take place at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Check out #MMILive hashtags for more exciting details or visit SM Tickets, www.smtickets.com, or call (+632) 470-2222. 

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TV5's Wattpad Presents now available for Streaming via Viewstream App

The hit modern romance series Wattpad Presents by TV5 is now available on the Viewstream App! You can now watch the 5 episodes without commercial break for only P15 which can be charged to your bill or be deducted from your load. No need for credit card at all. 

Wattpad love stories are popular to teenagers who are active on social media. If you have a love story in mind, write about it and publish it on Wattpad site. You get to track how many people are reading your story. If it becomes a hit, you'll get some offers from publishers to distribute your stories in different bookstores. Even TV Networks lurk in the site to get some story ideas. 

TV5 already started adaptating some of the popular love stories from the Wattpad site. Some of those are:

'DyepNi', stars Alwyn Uytingco and Jennica Gracia
'Mr.  Popular Meets Ms. Nobody' stars Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae Dela Cruz
'My Tag Boyfriend' which starred Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Sam Concepcion

To learn more about this new streaming, check out http://smart.com.ph/viewstream

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Celebrate the Holidays at Microtel Gensan

It’s a Merry December indeed in Gensan as Microtel by Wyndham launches its holiday treat for the Generals. For only P4750, you’ll get a Suite room with free New Year’s Eve Dinner for two while enjoying fireworks display when the clock strikes at 12. Included also in the package is complimentary seat to watch PULSE RATE’s show.

You can also avail of the Double Room accommodation for only P3750 with free breakfast.

The launch started by lighting one of the nicest and biggest Christmas Trees in the city attended by Valley High Patrons, City Officials and members of the media. The event included a parade and a choir performance by the Children’s Joy Foundation and kids of the Valley High tenants. You can win some freebies from Microtel if you share on your social media accounts you best selfie with the Hotel’s Christmas tree. Simply use the hashtags #MicrotelPH and #MicrotelGensan until December 31^st.

Also, from December 15 to 20, Microtel GenSan will host a Christmas Choral Competition. Choral groups who will join are from different corporate organizations.

Microtel GenSan is known to have decent sized rooms with chiropractor-approved queen sized mattresses. They provide a clean, comfortable, and secure accommodation at value rates. So if you are in Gensan and you need a place to relax especially this holiday season, then Microtel is the place to be, the only international-brand hotel in the Tuna City. 

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Tigerair Philippines opens new flight destination to Gensan

Tigerair Philippines opens new flight destination from Manila to Gensan and vice versa.

The inaugural flight place took place last November 28,2014 where I was one of the passengers.

Tigerair Philippines departs Manila every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 12:30pm with an estimated flight duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Returning flight from gensan leaves at 3:10pm and arrives in Manila at 5:00pm.

Airbus A320 aircraft will be utilized for the new flight. Tigerair Philippines offers the lowest year-round for the said flight at P2008.

Gensan is the gateway to famous tourist spots in the southern part of the Philippines like #Sarangani #Lemlunay #SevenFalls #LakeSebu and #Gumasa. It is known as the 'Tuna Capital of the Philippines' and famous for export quality products likes pineapples, mangoes, papayas and copra.

Tigeair Philippines Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Atty Leilani de Leon looks forward to offering this new destination and additional flight for locals and guests. 

Tigerair Philippines now offers over 240 weekly flights with the addition of this new route to Gensan. Tigerair Philippines flies to Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Cebu, Puerto Prinsesa, Roxas, Tagbilaran, Tacloban and Manila.

For your inquiries or bookings, check out their official website TIGERAIR PHILIPPINES or call their reservation hotline in Manila 02-702-0888 or in Cebu 032-230-8888. You can also check out their Social Media Accounts @tigerAirPH on Twitter and www.facebook.com/tigerairphilippines.

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The Smart Google Play

Smart Communications introduces a load-based way to pay for digital contents you purchase online like e-books, movies, music, games, and apps without the use of a credit card! 

Smart Prepaid Account can download Books and e-magazines on Buqo and access Apps and in-app purchases on Google Play (including Morgan Magazine APP). You can also dowload music right away direct from Spinnr and Deezer. For online gaming, your Smart prepaid account can buy ePins on GameX. You can also watch your favorite TV Series, hollywood movies or even livestreaming on Blink and Viewstream. 

This innovation is really good especially for the active teenagers who don't have any credit card yet. Entertainment just within your reach as long as you have a Smart Account. #AllYouNeedIsSmart!

I tried doing the process awhile ago and purchased some songs of The Voice Finalist Paolo Onesa on Deezer. 

Here are the steps that you simply have to follow.

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Manny Pacquiao Cup International Billiard Tournament Stages In Gensan

I didn't know that there was a Manny Pacquiao Cup until I bumped into German 3-time Worldpool Champion, the 'Hitman' Thornsten Hohmann at Starbucks last night. I approached him for a photo opp and he was kind enough to say Yes and even made sure that the shot was good enough and that we can have another one if didn't turn out so well.

I had a small talk with Thornsten and he invited me to come and watch the game today at the SM Gensan Activity Area after I gave him my business card. Hohmann will be staying in Gensan together with another Worldpool Champion Mika Immonen and other Pool Enthusiasts until the 18th of December.

The 2nd MP Cup International 10-Ball Billiard Tournament will take place from December 8-17 2014 at the SM City Mall in General Santos City. The event will be divided into two parts. Single Competition from December 8-12 and doubles on December 13-17. Both tournaments will be attended by local and international pool stars and will be opened to the public. 

Filipino Legends Efren 'Bata' Reyes and Francisco 'Django' Bustamante were already sighted at the event yesterday. 

Any professional pool player can enter the competition as long as they pay the $150 entry fee for the single division and $300 for the doubles. A total prize of $150,000 awaits the winners of the MP Cup event.

The Inaugural MP Cup took place last September with Filipino Jeff de Luna hailed as the champion.

The event was organized to revive Philippines as the Mecca of World Class Pool and to also promote tourism in the southern region and show tourists that Mindanao specifically #Sarangani is not a dangerous place to visit.

The Manny Pacquiao Cup is made possible by Congressman Manny Pacquiao, BOBSLOR Pacquiao Foundation in cooperation with the Philippine Games and Amusement Board.

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Sam Smith Live in Manila 2015

One of the 5 acts that will visit Manila this 2015 is English Singer and Songwriter SAM SMITH. He will perform at the SM Mall of Asia ARENA on May 10, 2015 as part of his 'In the Lonely Hour' Album Tour. Tickets to the concert will be on Sale starting Tuesday, December 16, 2014 via SM Tickets. You can also visit their website www.smtickets.com or call them at 02-470-2222.

Part of Sam Smith's multi-platinum album are the songs, 'Stay with Me, 'Money on my Mind', 'Lay Me Down' and I'm not the only one.

Other British Acts who are coming are global boy group, One Direction who will be performing for 2 nights on May 21 and 22 as part of their 'On The Road Again' tour, phenomenal British Singer Ed Sheeran on March 12, The 1975 on January 24 and The Vamps on February 1, 2015.

These concerts are brought by Music Management Inc. (MMI). 

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