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  • ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED: Your Next Must-Have Premium Laptop for Work & Entertainment

    ASUS definitely caught the attention of many with the recent release of their Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition– a special-edition laptop made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first ASUS laptop sent into space.

    While most eyes are drawn to this fancy device, its more consumer-friendly counterpart, the Zenbook 14 OLED, also deserves some attention with its exceptional performance, sophisticated design, stunning display, and more nifty features to boot!

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Propped up

    ASUS has given us the chance to try the Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402ZA) in Aqua Celadon. Here’s our hands-on experience with this new laptop from the multinational tech brand.

    Out of the box

    The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is simple yet elegant in its design. Its metallic, anti-fingerprint surface has a nice sheen to it, and the lines on the lid inspired by the Japanese kintsugi really add character to the device. The base of the laptop also implements a rigid theme underneath, opting for origami-like folds rather than the smooth curves in its protrusion.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Lid
    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Bottom

    Its 12.35″ x 8.69″ size is not the smallest in the market, but it does translate to a large display. When folded, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is about 16.9mm thick while it remains lightweight and very portable with its 1.39kg weight.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Thickness

    When opened up, the display’s 16:10 ratio (2880×1800 resolution) really catches your attention, especially if you’re used to consuming content on landscape screens. But it is something that’s easy to get used to, and the advantages of such a generous OLED display would soon become apparent.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED OLED Display

    The device is also highly-flexible with its 180° lay-flat hinge, allowing for easy adjustments, whatever type of workspace arrangement you have when you’re on the device.

    An immersive OLED display that draws you in

    What really makes this laptop stand out is its 14-inch 2.8K OLED HDR display. The display is really eye-popping, delivering a vivid burst of colors and crisp details perfect for both work and entertainment purposes.

    The size and ratio of the display also offer the user a more immersive and intuitive experience. For one, viewing videos with such striking display specs is even better with this expansive screen, while multitasking and using applications with crammed UIs become a bit easier to handle when using this device.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Streaming

    Adding to the immersive experience are the laptop’s NanoEdge 2.8 mm bezels, giving us a 90% body-to-screen ratio on the display. It also has a 90Hz refresh rate with a 0.2ms response time, allowing for smoother viewing and usage. Meanwhile, its brightness ranges from 0.0005 nits to 550 nits– highly adaptive to whatever your environment’s lighting may be. In my experience, 50% brightness is just right in a room with ample lighting.

    When it comes to color accuracy, the Zenbook 14 OLED also delivers with its ultrawide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3. Plus, it is PANTONE Validated, assuring you that it provides the most precise color accuracy.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Flat Slant

    With our daily use of gadgets, blue light that could cause visual discomfort and reduced sleep quality has become a concern for many, especially parents. But there’s no need to worry. ASUS also safeguards the eyesight of its consumers as its TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certified OLED laptops emit 70% less harmful blue light compared to your typical LCD.

    Exceptional performance & long-lasting power

    The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is powered by a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 P-series processor and Intel IRIS Xe graphics. It supports up to 16 GB of onboard memory and a 512 GB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD. The laptop runs smoothly when working on productivity tasks such as writing documents and surfing the web, even with more than ten tabs open.

    This laptop also qualifies for the Intel Evo platform, which means that it has met Intel’s high bar on hardware specifications and key experience targets that really make up a premium laptop.

    While it is not really a gaming device, the Zenbook 14 OLED is still a treat for casual gamers, as I was able to run games like Valorant and Little Nightmares without a hitch. I also ran some tests on the device with the following results:

    Cinebench R23 – 7,243 points (CPU Multicore); 1,453 points (CPU Single Core)
    Geekbench 5 – 7,973 (Multi-core); 1,623 (Single Core)
    CPU-Z – 4932.7 (Multi-Thread); 682.7 (Single Thread)

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Gaming

    The cooling system also works well. It does not heat up that fast, and it also feels like the heat easily dissipates as it spreads from the bottom of the laptop.

    As for its battery life, the Zenbook 14 OLED’s 75Wh battery promises to power your productivity for up to 18 hours. When I was working on the laptop’s browser with 50% screen brightness and Balanced power mode, the battery only decreased by 10% in 30 minutes.

    When streaming online at 50% brightness and 50% volume, the battery decreased by 14% in an hour, and 20% each on the 2-hour and 3-hour mark. While playing Valorant under the same brightness and volume, the battery decreased by 18% in 30 minutes. When it comes to charging, the Zenbook 14 OLED was able to juice up pretty fast, charging from 3% to 52% in an hour while on Sleep Mode and being fully charged in about 2 hours.

    An ergonomic keyboard and a number-crunching touchpad

    The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is also equipped with an ErgoSense keyboard that offers a pleasant typing experience. Clicking the buttons feels just right to the touch while producing minimal sound. When turned on, the keyboard backlight has three brightness levels to cater to your working needs.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Keyboard and Touchpad

    Another factor that makes typing with this device more comfortable is the ErgoLift hinge that tilts the keyboard towards the user. This feature also helps keep the device cool as the bottom part does not lie flat on the surface giving it room to breathe.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Hinge

    The Zenbook 14 OLED also gives generous space to its touchpad with some bonus functions. It doubles as a Numpad, complete with a backlight that you can toggle on and off, plus it also serves as a shortcut to the calculator– making this laptop really ideal for number-crunching tasks.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touchpad

    To make this laptop even more ideal as your next professional device, the Zenbook 14 OLED also comes pre-installed with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office apps.

    Strong speakers, clear calls

    Another impressive key feature of the Zenbook 14 OLED is its Dolby Atmos stereo sound system which is also certified by the audio experts of Harman Kardon. This laptop’s so-called Smart Amp feature allows its sound to be 350% louder with zero distortion and upon testing, it actually delivers!

    Even at 50% volume, the sound is already pretty loud and clear when you’re in front of the laptop. At 100% volume, the sound could really fill a spacious living room and you could still hear the dialogues clearly. When it comes to calls, the AI Noise-canceling microphone and speaker which reduce unnecessary noises provide a much clearer communication for both ends of the call.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Left Side

    As for the webcam, while the Zenbook 14 OLED’s 720p camera is pretty average, the laptop’s 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction) algorithm really helps produce clearer image outputs. Through the MyASUS app, users can also further improve their videos through Lighting Optimization, Background Blurring, Eye Tracking, and Motion Tracking effects.

    Seamless connectivity & ports

    This new laptop from ASUS also comes with the latest and fastest WiFi 6E, further enhanced by the ASUS WiFi Master Premium technology, which stabilizes your connection while filtering out interference. The WiFi SmartConnect also automatically selects the best WiFi or hotspot source to ensure that you’re connected to the fastest internet available.

    Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Right Side

    As for the ports, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED also offers a lot. On the left side, you have a microSD card slot, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, an audio combo jack, and an HDMI 2.0, while placed on the right side is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port.

    Conclusion

    The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED really pushes the boundaries when it comes to display and sound, making it the ideal laptop for content and media consumption. Moreover, it does not compromise on battery and performance, and it even adds some special touches that are perfect for professionals who often work with numbers and documents, or are always in a Zoom call. So if you’re on the lookout for the next laptop that could cater to your productivity and entertainment needs, the Zenbook 14 OLED is definitely worth considering as it ticks all the boxes and more.

    The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is now available at ASUS authorized stores, with a price that starts at P72,995.

    Quick Specs

    Operating SystemWindows 11 Home
    ProcessorUp to Intel® Core™ i7-1260P Processor 2.1 GHz
    GraphicsIntel® Iris Xe Graphics
    MemoryUp to 16GB LPDDR5
    Storage512GB PCIE4 SSD
    Display14-inch, 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED with 16:10 aspect ratio,
    0.2ms response time, & 90Hz refresh rate
    Battery75WHrs, 2S2P, 4-cell Li-ion
    Weight1.39 kg (3.06 lbs)
    Dimensions12.35″ x 8.69″ x 0.67″ ~ 0.67″
    Ports1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
    2x Thunderbolt™ 4 supports display / power delivery
    1x HDMI 2.0b
    1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
    Micro SD card reader
    ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E (Dual Band) + Bluetooth 5.2
    ColorsPonder Blue
    Aqua Celadon
    Jade Black (AMD)
    PriceStarts at PHP 72,995

  • 12 Shops for Delicious Donuts in Metro Manila

    Whether it’s for our personal comfort and cravings, or as a pasalubong everyone can enjoy, donuts are truly the perfect go-to snack for the sweet-toothed crowd. Available in different shapes and flavors, these decadent treats are often topped, filled, or dunked in flavored cream, dusted with sugar, and/or crowned with tempting toppings that we just cannot say no to!

    If you’re currently seeking to sink your teeth into delicious donuts around the metro, we’ve got you covered. Here are some donut shops and brands in Metro Manila to get your donut fix from!

    Baker on East

    This home-based brand originating from Quezon City offers a rich selection of cream-filled donuts. They offer combined classic and unique flavors including Pink Polvoron, Burnt Honey, Peanut Butter, Raspberry Rose, Toasted Milk Jam, Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt, and more.

    Order here
    Location for pick-up: Teacher’s Village, Quezon City

    Bungalow Cafe

    From hearty meals to savory sandwiches to delectable desserts, Bungalow Cafe has so much to offer. For their donuts lineup, they have the classic donut-with-a-hole in Glazed, Pumpkin Spiced, Sugar Coated, Auro Glazed, and Homer variants. Their filled donuts also have delectable flavors such as Chocolate Sundae, Dulce de Leche, Turon with Langka, and more.

    Order here
    Location:  Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

    Cello’s Doughnuts

    Cello’s Doughnuts also gives us a delightful roster of treats that are generously topped and filled. Aside from their wide selection of flavors, they also have letter-shaped donuts, perfect for giving greetings and gifting sweets in one go!

    Order here
    Locations: Katipunan | Shangri-La Plaza

    Dunkin’

    Dunkin’ is perhaps the most accessible source for our much-needed donut fix. With over 2,600 stores in more than 30 countries, some of Dunkin’s most popular offerings here in the country are the Choco Butternut, Choco Honeydipped, and Boston Kreme donuts.

    Green Bar Cafe

    Green Bar brings vegans the guilt-free indulgence of our beloved comfort foods. For their donuts, they offer a long list of flavors including Churro, Chocolate Biscoff, Coconut Caramel, Very Berry, Samoa, and Chocolate Dream Filled Donut, just to name a few.

    Order here
    Location: Legaspi Village, Makati

    J.CO

    Originating from Indonesia, J.CO is another accessible brand for premium donuts whenever and wherever one’s cravings hit. They have over thirty flavors of donuts, including Alcapone, Oreology, Forest Glam, Avocado Dicaprio, Green Tease, JCOccino, and more!

    Locations

    Krispy Kreme

    This American donut brand has also become a staple to the donut-loving crowd of the city. Aside from the familiar flavors you could never go wrong with, Krispy Kreme is also best known for their Original Glazed donuts that are soft and doughy with a satisfying sugar glaze.

    Order here
    Locations

    Lola Nena’s

    Home to Pinoy favorites such as the pichi-pichi, one of Lola Nena’s most popular offerings are their old-fashioned donuts, available in classic and triple cheese. Their donuts are more familiar to Filipino palates, being a sizeable snack with a soft dough coated in sugar, like a premium version of the breads we often purchase from our local neighborhood bakery.

    Order here
    Locations

    Numnut

    Numnut brings together the goodness of donuts and sourdough bread. Their sourdough donuts available in pre-orders come in tempting flavors such as Maple Bacon, Darth Choco, S’mores, Cereal Milk, and more!

    Order here via DM

    Poison Coffee & Donuts

    Poison Coffee & Donuts is the shop to keep your eye on if you always like to try new flavors. They continue to bring unique and exciting flavors to their roster, perfect for adventurous palates. Some of their latest offerings include nostalgia-inducing flavors such as the Hawhaw Doughnut and Chocnut Doughnut.

    Order here
    Location: The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, Makati City

    PUFFT Doughnuts

    PUFFT Doughnuts offers the beloved treat with soft and fluffy dough plus a generous filling you can really dig into. Aside from their filled and frosted donuts that go the extra mile in their eye-catching toppings, they also have loaded donuts that are basically sweet sandwiches filled to the brim with fruits and other delectable flavors.

    Order here
    Locations: Power Plant Mall & Uptown Bonifacio (Thursdays to Sundays)

    Tim Horton’s

    Tim Horton’s has been serving donuts in Canada since the 1960s, and the brand finally reached our shores back in 2017, bringing with them their premium donuts that are just addicting to the sweet-toothed crowd. Some of their offerings include the Chocolate Dip, Maple Dip, Old-fashion Glazed, their bite-sized Timbits, and more.

    Locations

    ALSO READ
    GUIDE: Where to Order Luscious Cream Puffs in Metro Manila

    Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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    Homestream image from Poison Doughnuts and Numnut.

  • BAD Cafe in Makati is Your New Hangout Spot for an Intimate Cocktail Sesh

    Tucked within the bustling streets and towering buildings of Legazpi, Makati, BAD Cafe is a cool and quiet space serving comfort food and coffee for the Makati crowd’s collective cravings. Now, the cafe has expanded its menu adding a cool lineup of cocktails and offering a chill spot for anyone who wants a calm kick of alcohol as they relax and unwind after a busy week!

    After entering BAD Cafe’s doors, one can easily loosen up as they’re greeted by the cafe’s easy-on-the-eyes interior with Japanese wood accents and minimalist decor. The cafe’s atmosphere feels intimate yet is quite spacious at the same time, having a seating capacity of up to 40 customers.

    BAD Cafe 2
    BAD Cafe 3

    But what gives BAD Cafe a BAD name (literally) despite having such a good, cozy vibe, you ask? BAD actually stands for the names of its owners, Brian and Dianne, whose love story inspired the lovely cafe. The place, as well as their offerings, are an ode to the couple’s first meeting in a Tokyo cafe and the adventures they’ve spent together in Japan’s capital city.

    “BAD Cafe has always been about what we – Dianne and I – love, which are coffee, food, and now cocktails. We hope our regulars, and even first-timers fall in love with our new drinks and enjoy the experiences we want to share – in a glass, or maybe two,” shared Brian.

    A Good Time at BAD Cafe

    Like their food and coffee, BAD Cafe makes sure that their newly-added cocktails are concocted with quality ingredients. Not only that, the man behind their cocktails is Kenneth Bandivas of Spirits Library and Kampai, who is a winner of Diageo Worldclass’ Around the World Challenge Global Finals and was also recognized as Bartender of the Year.

    For every drink they serve, BAD Cafe aims to transport customers to the famed bars of Shinjuku Golden Gai. Here’s a roundup of their new drinks you can now enjoy any time of the day.

    If you lean towards the classics, you can order their Whiskey Sour (P350), Negroni (P350), Moscow Mule (P350), or Sazerac (P480). You can also opt for a refreshing glass of Gin Basil Smash (P350) or the cocktail combined with coffee goodness, Espresso Martini (P350).

    BAD Cafe 4
    BAD Cafe 5

    But if you really want to have the BAD Cafe experience, be sure to order their signature cocktails. The Open Book (P450) is a gin-based drink with the fresh and fruity flavor of elderflower; the Oto Kichi (P420) mixes vodka with the umami of matcha; the Not Suspicious (P450) is a bittersweet drink, mixing blended malt whiskey with apricot liqueur and chocolate bitters; while the Albatros Golden Gai (P330) is a spiced rum-based drink concocted with horchata and cinnamon.

    Last but definitely not the least, the Deathmatch in Hell (P420) combines the kick of spiced rum, the caffeine kick of coffee, the bittersweet flavor of Campari, and the taste of sweet vermouth.


    Visit BAD Cafe at Legazpi St, G/F Windsor Tower, Makati City, open from 8 AM to 9 PM. For more information, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

    —
    Homestream images from BAD Cafe.

  • New Movies This Week: Motherly and The Other Side

    Plan your week ahead and choose which among these movie openings this June 1, 2022 you’ll see on the big screen first.

    Motherly

    Horror, Thriller | 1hr 20mins

    Directed by Craig David Wallace, it follows Kate, a woman who lives in an isolated cabin with her daughter Beth after her husband is sent to prison for the death of a young girl. One day, the dead girl’s parents show up demanding answers because they believe Kate was the real killer. It stars Lora Burke, Tessa Kozma, Kristen MacCulloch, Nick Smyth, Colin Paradine, and Angel Gallego.

    BUY TICKETS

    The Other Side

    Horror, Mystery, Thriller | 1hr 27mins

    Directed by Oskar Mellander and Tord Danielsson, it centers on a dad who moves into a new house with his son and girlfriend. While he’s on a business trip out of town, the son makes a new friend next door. It stars Dilan Gwyn, Eddie Eriksson Dominguez, Linus Wahlgren, Henrik Norlén, and more.

    BUY TICKETS

  • The Script Greatest Hits Tour 2022 Live in Manila This September 

    THE SCRIPT are thrilled to announce that they are coming back to Asia and bringing their Greatest Hits Tour 2022. The Irish pop-rock trio will be performing in Manila on Friday, September 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by Wilbros Live and Midas Promotions.

    The Script

    The group will be touring in celebration of their Tales From The Script album, a compilation of their biggest hits and fan favorites from their six studio albums so far. The album highlights classic cuts from the trio’s stellar catalogue, including the UK #1 smash ‘Hall of Fame’ (featuring will.i.am) and chart-topping hits ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, ‘For The First Time’, ‘Superheroes’ plus the new single ‘I Want It All’. It also includes landmark moments and staples of their live show ‘Breakeven’ their debut singles ‘We Cry’ and ‘Rain’.

    Their last studio album release Sunsets & Full Moons marked the band’s sixth #1 in their home country and fifth #1 in the UK, with more than 143-million streams worldwide. Sunsets & Full Moons adds to the remarkble tally of the band’s achievements of the preceding 11 years: five platinum-selling albums, 6 billion streams, 30 million singles sold, 11 million albums sold, 13 million monthly Spotify listeners and 2 million tickets sold across headline shows globally.

    Tickets to THE SCRIPT: Greatest Hits Tour 2022 in Manila will go on-sale beginning June 11, 10AM at SMTickets.com and all SM Tickets outlets nationwide. #TheScriptMANILA2022.

  • Louis Tomlinson’s World Tour Comes to Manila This July

    Internationally-renowned singer and songwriter LOUIS TOMLINSON is returning to Manila, as announced by concert promoter, Live Nation Philippines. 

    The Louis Tomlinson World Tour in Manila is happening on July 16, 2022, Saturday at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets will be on sale on June 5 Sunday via www.ticketnet.com. Tagged as Louis’ first concert tour, the show is also in support of his debut album “Walls,” released in 2020 that spawned five singles: “Two of Us”, “Kill My Mind”, “We Made It”,”Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” and “Walls”.

    LT Square

    In previous reports, Louis said he felt ready to record a solo album and was too excited to be back on stage. His run of hits in 2017, including hugely successful collaborations with Bebe Rexha and Steve Aoki, was a mere dipping of toes in the water. Temperature tested, he made some decisions – Louis wanted to be an artist who had his sound make music that meant something to him and, in turn, to those all-important fans.

    “There was definitely a process of understanding where I sit musically,” says Louis. “I have my own tastes, and, to a certain extent, they are fighting against the musical tide. “When I grew up, pop meant Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, The Killers, and Amy Winehouse. Times change, obviously. Currently, pop is very urban and street, which is not what I relate to. Sure, I could make those sorts of songs, but they wouldn’t feel like me. The puzzle was how to please both myself and the fans.”

    Louie 1

    In 2019, Louis won the Best Song Award at the Teen Choice Awards for his single ‘Two Of Us,’ which has hit 40 million streams on Spotify, with YouTube views at 23 million. In 2018 Louis won an iHeart Award for ‘Best Solo Breakout’ and an EMA Award for ‘Best UK & Ireland Act’ in 2017. He was ranked No.5 on Billboard’s emerging artists of 2018 and had over 60 million combined followers on social media. 

    As a member of One Direction, Louis has sold over 100 million records. Overall, Louis’s solo music has garnered over a BILLION streams. Louis also premiered the first episode of his new YouTube video series. Watch it here.

    “I feel like a new artist now. It’s taken a while for me to be comfortable on my own, to learn to trust my gut, and make sure I get what I want. I feel the most confident I’ve ever been, both as a songwriter and a singer, and the most mature. Of course, I want to be successful, but what matters is what my music means to me and what it means to the fans. That’s the priority. The rest we’ll have to wait and see.”

    The Louis Tomlinson World Tour in Manila is happening on July 16, 2022, Saturday at the New Frontier Theater. Register as a Live Nation Philippines member at LiveNation.ph/register to get exclusive access to concert news and updates.

    Live Nation Members Pre-sale is on Saturday, 4th June, from 10:00 am-11:59 pm.  Public On-sale happens on Sunday, 5th June, at 10:00 am through www.ticketnet.com.ph and its outlets.

    For ticket information, visit https://www.livenation.ph/ 

  • Miss World Philippines 2022 Candidate Gwendolyne Fourniol is Living Proof of the Power of Education

    Education is a right, not a privilege. Miss World Philippines – Negros Occidental Gwendolyne Bolivar Fourniol says more Filipino children should be given opportunities to finish their studies, as this can uplift the lives not only of their families but also their communities. 

    Gwen (as she is fondly called) is an example of the power of education to change lives, as her mother was a former beneficiary of the ERDA (Educational Research and Development Assistance) Foundation, which sends underprivileged children to school. She shares, “my mother, Sim, grew up in poverty in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. There were seven children in the family and only one sibling was given the opportunity to study. Losing hope for her future, she found her way to Manila to stay with a cousin and it was there that she met Fr. Pierre T. Tritz, SJ, who founded ERDA in 1974 to give underprivileged but deserving children the opportunity to study.”

    Miss World Philippines 2022 Candidate Gwendolyne Fourniol

    With Fr. Pierre’s support, Sim Bolivar obtained a degree in Psychology from the Philippine Women’s University, and was able to work as an au pair  (foreign household helper) for a family in Luxembourg where she met Thierry Fourniol at a park. “If it were not for ERDA, I wouldn’t exist, and my mother would still be living in poverty in Negros,” Gwen adds. Her mother is currently working as a nurse in London, while her father is working as a senior analyst in Belgium. 

    Before joining her first Miss World Philippines pageant last year, Gwen was pursuing an Economics degree at Oxford Brooks in London in the UK. She hopes to join an internship program with JP Morgan after graduation, and is also looking towards launching a French tutorial service in the Philippines. 

    Gwen at ERDA 3

    She is using her platform to support ERDA, which has already helped some 800,000 Filipino children receive an education, and is calling for equality in education rights. “There is a misconception that women should be the ones to stay home and keep house and raise the children, and are therefore given less opportunities to study. My mother, because of the opportunity that was opened to her by the ERDA Foundation, was able to send her 6 siblings to school. This says so much about the power of women to uplift their families out of poverty. We should push equal rights for education regardless of gender.” She says that Miss World, with its platform of ‘Beauty With a Purpose’, resonates with her advocacies.

    Gwen placed in the top 15th of last year’s Miss World Philippines competition and she talks about her pageant journey so far. “I grew up in France and pageants are not as big there as they are in the Philippines. I did not have that dream of becoming a beauty queen growing up; it was my mother who encouraged me to go for a screening.  The first time around, I was very alone because I was very new.” 

    She recalls that in her first stint, they called her a baby of pageantry. “I didn’t know how to style myself and I didn’t know how to do makeup. Now, with the support of ProMedia, I feel more confident. I am stronger physically and because of this I am also stronger mentally, because when you exercise and treat your body right, it also goes a long way towards your mental health.”

    Gwendolyne Fourniol with ProMedias CEO Paul Izon Reyes and Director for Operations Jam Aquino. 1
    Gwendolyne Fourniol with ProMedia’s CEO Paul Izon Reyes and Director for Operations Jam Aquino

    ProMedia is a project management group that is passionate about wholistic beauty (body, beauty, and brains).  At its helm is CEO Paul Reyes, ably assisted by Jam Aquino, director for operations. Aquino is also the CEO of The Belle Salon.   “We, at ProMedia, stage beauty pageants and body-building competitions. We also train beauty  pageant athletes, so called because they are required to train like athletes,” explains Paul.  “We see the true beauty in Gwen.  She has a striking face, inner strength, wit and confidence.  Furthermore, she is passionate about her advocacy,” shares Paul.  “Essentially, she represents beauty with purpose.”

    Gwen hopes that with the Miss World crown, this #ExceptionallyEmpoweredFilipina can empower people through education which is the greatest equalizer.  “I want to reach out to humanity and continue the legacy of Fr. Tritz. If one person can transform 800,000 lives in this country, imagine what so many people can do to help millions more in the Philippines and around the world.”

    Watch the Miss World Philippines 2022 Beauty Pageant Finals on June 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Gwendolyne Fourniol is candidate No. 25.

  • ‘Elvis’ Gets 12-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes

    The stars (led by Austin Butler and Tom Hanks) and filmmakers (led by director Baz Luhrmann) of Warner Bros.’ Elvis were out in full force at the movie’s gala premiere in Cannes Film Festival, where the film received a 12-minute standing ovation — the longest at this year’s event.  

    ELVIS CANNES AButler ODeJonge THanks

    Check out the images below from the daytime photocall and evening red carpet events for “Elvis” in Cannes. Don’t miss the film only in theaters across the Philippines starting June 22.

    ELVIS CANNES 10

    About “Elvis”

    ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

    A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis’s (Butler) story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).  As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America.  Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

    ELVIS CANNES THanks AButler
    ELVIS CANNES BLuhrmann AButler

    Starring alongside Butler and Hanks, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and DeJonge plays Priscilla.  Luke Bracey plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr.  plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

    Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds as Billy Smith, Josh McConville as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn as Bill Black.

    ELVIS CANNES THanks ODeJonge PPresley AButler

    To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

    Oscar nominee Luhrmann (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”) directed from a screenplay by Baz Luhrmann & Sam Bromell and Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner, story by Baz Luhrmann and Jeremy Doner.  The film’s producers are Luhrmann, Oscar winner Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss.  Toby Emmerich, Courtenay Valenti and Kevin McCormick executive produced.

    A Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, A Bazmark Production, A Jackal Group Production, A Baz Luhrmann Film, “Elvis” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.  It is set to release in theaters in the Philipines beginning 22 June 2022.

    Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #ElvisMovie

  • PICKUP COFFEE: Manila’s Newest Coffee Shop Offering Drinks Below P100

    Just when we thought we have enough coffee shops in Manila, PICKUP COFFEE comes into the picture. This newly founded start-up in the Philippines aims to make espresso and milk-based beverages more accessible by offering drinks from P50 to P100 only.

    They’ve always been a cloud kitchen since it started three months ago in locations like Rockwell, Julia Vargas, Alabang, Banawe, UP Town Center, Mall of Asia, Ayala Malls Vertis North, San Juan, and Nuvali. With nine kitchens already in operation, they’ve decided they wanted more. And with the goal of being closer to their customers, they finally opened their first branch in BGC, Uptown Bonifacio.

    PICKUP COFFEE

    To celebrate their first branch, on June 3 and 4, they have exclusive launch perks for customers. Ten lucky customers get a chance to win one year’s worth of coffee and all you have to do is sign up upon purchase! Other launch perks include free UPsize for drinks, and free drinks between 5 to 7pm.

    Must-try drinks at PICKUP COFFEE

    Drinks at PICKUP COFFEE may be affordable, but that doesn’t mean quality is compromised. They’ve developed value for money beverages that uses locally and internationally sourced beans Mt. Apo and Brazil, and use only top-of-the-line espresso machines to ensure quality and consistency.

    PICKUP COFFEE
    PICKUP COFFEE

    If you like it simple, there’s the Americano and Latte priced at P50 and P70, respectively. Their Kape Kastila (P75) is their version of a Spanish Latte, it has leche condensada, creamy milk, and a shot of espresso; and then there’s this unique Avo Latte (P85) which has a dollop of fresh avocado with creamy milk and espresso. For caffeine-free drinks, choose from the Matcha Latte, Golden Turmeric Latte, Chai Latte, or the Classic Chocolate, priced from P70 to P80.

    Other than making their drinks accessible, they have partnered with homegrown businesses like Claudia’s Cookies, Hola Empanadas, Butterboy, and Malia Home Bakery, all of which you can nibble on with their coffee.

    PICKUP COFFEE is at Uptown Bonifacio, 36th Street, 9th Avenue, Taguig. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

  • The Peninsula Manila Presents A Sip and Savor Celebration with a Five-course Dinner in Old Manila on June 1st

    On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Executive Chef Xavier Castello is creating a five-course dinner in Old Manila at The Peninsula Manila, complementing one of Spain’s most celebrated wineries –  Bodegas Emilio Moro.

    The Peninsula Manila Presents A Sip and Savor Celebration with a Five-course Dinner in Old Manila on June 1st

    A leading winemaker from the Castile and León region’s “Golden Mile” whose passion for winemaking stretches back to more than a century, the dinner – from appetizer to dessert – will be paired with a classic Polvorete Godello, Bierzo  white wine, along with a fresh El Zarzal Godello, 

    Bierzo and the bodega’s premium red Emilio Moro, Ribera del Duero and the organic red wine La Felisa, Ribera del Duero.

    The Peninsula Manila Presents A Sip and Savor Celebration with a Five-course Dinner in Old Manila on June 1st

    The lovely five-course Old Manila degustation menu is priced at P6,000, inclusive of taxes. 

    Dinner on June 1, 2022, starts at 6:30 pm. Pre-paid reservations are required as there is very limited seating.

    For inquiries and orders, please call +63 (2) 8887 2888 extension 6691  (Restaurant Reservations) or email DiningPMN@peninsula.com.