Sunday, June 12, 2022

PLDT Home inks exclusive partnership with Lionsgate Play for the next big thing in streaming June 10, 2022 at 09:25PM

Out of Town Blog
PLDT Home inks exclusive partnership with Lionsgate Play for the next big thing in streaming

Lionsgate Play — the fast-growing Southeast Asian streaming platform of the global content studio behind major franchise properties such as John Wick, The Hunger Games, Power, and many more — launches in the Philippines this June

Enjoy a bigger, bolder, and more powerful entertainment viewing experience at home today as PLDT Home, the Philippines’ fastest broadband service provider, partners with premium streaming platform Lionsgate Play.

Lionsgate is a leading Hollywood studio that has created and distributed some of the world’s biggest properties, including the blockbuster film franchises The Hunger Games, Twilight Saga, John Wick, and Saw; and the television series Mad Men, one of the most acclaimed shows in television history. By simply subscribing to a PLDT Home Fiber Plan 1699 or up, Filipinos can enjoy and experience the best of global content across action, comedy, drama, horror, and thriller genres — and more of Lionsgate Play’s signature offerings from the comfort of one’s home.

“PLDT Home and Lionsgate are bringing entertainment straight from the box office into people’s homes. From the best love stories to the best of horror down to the most action-packed films and shows, the world’s best content is simply a push of a button away with Lionsgate Play for all new and existing PLDT-powered homes,” PLDT Home Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business-Home Group Jeremiah de la Cruz said. “This partnership is part of our continuing mission to provide our customers the fastest broadband connection in the country so that they can better stream their entertainment choices including the most exciting and irreverent stories from Lionsgate Play. Beyond PLDT-powered homes, Lionsgate Play shall also be available to Smart customers soon.”

“Our endeavor has been to ensure viewers are provided with a curated lineup of great content, spread across genres for the best viewing experience,” Lionsgate Executive Vice President Amit Dhanuka said of the partnership. “Taking this forward, we are excited to partner with PLDT Home to launch Lionsgate Play in the Philippines. We are reaching out to a large and diverse sector of consumers with a digitally-driven offering enabling them to ‘play more, browse less.’ We look forward to more Filipinos enjoying the best of what Hollywood has to offer!”

Among the content available at the Philippine launch of Lionsgate Play is the American crime drama Power. With rapper and actor Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as executive producer, Power follows the triumph and trials of drug dealer James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) as he tries to leave his life of crime behind to manage his own nightclub. Power is one of American premium cable TV’s most-watched and highly-rated shows.

Also among Lionsgate Play’s banner content is the futuristic action film Apex. This Bruce Willis starrer follows Thomas Malone (Willis) as a wrongfully-convicted prisoner given a chance at freedom.

The critically-acclaimed drama Gaslit is available locally through Lionsgate Play, starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn. The new series spotlights Martha Mitchell (Roberts), wife of former US President Nixon’s Attorney General John N. Mitchell, discovering the full extent of the Watergate scandal in the 70s.

Lionsgate Play also features the studio’s most commercially successful films and film franchises: The Hunger Games follows hunter Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her heroic adventures in a post-apocalyptic world; John Wick tells the story of the titular character (Keanu Reeves) forced to return to his life as a hitman to avenge the death of his beloved puppy; the Twilight Saga follows the epic love story of teenager Bella Swan (Kirsten Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson); SAW trails the sadistic machinations of John Kramer or Jigsaw; Knives Out follows a detective (Daniel Craig) in his investigation on the mysterious death of a wealthy novelist (Christopher Plummer); and many more.

The streaming service also carries some of Lionsgate’s most iconic and groundbreaking series such as Mad Men, a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winning period drama starring Jon Hamm that’s widely considered to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time; and The Royals, a drama chronicling the tradition, opulence, and scandal that surround a fictional modern-day royal family. Lionsgate Play also gives PLDT Home subscribers first dibs on the hottest new shows including Becoming Elizabeth, which chronicles Elizabeth I’s rise to power and all the intrigue and betrayal that came with becoming the Virgin Queen. Catch these shows and more very soon on Lionsgate Play!

In time for the streaming service’s launch, both existing and new subscribers of PLDT Home Fiber Plans 1699 and up will be given exclusive access to Lionsgate Play without additional charges until June 1, 2023.

Enjoy a bigger, bolder, faster, and more powerful entertainment home viewing experience at home with Lionsgate Play, exclusive in the Philippines through PLDT Home. To learn more about Lionsgate Play, visit https://pldthome.com/lionsgateplay.

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Original article: PLDT Home inks exclusive partnership with Lionsgate Play for the next big thing in streaming

PLDT Home inks exclusive partnership with Lionsgate Play for the next big thing in streaming
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Cebu Pacific rolls out special PHP12 JUNEdependence sale June 09, 2022 at 07:20PM

Out of Town Blog
Cebu Pacific rolls out special PHP12 JUNEdependence sale

Encourages everyJuan to fly more across its widest domestic network

The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) continues to enable everyone to fly juans more across its widest domestic network as it launches its special JUNEdependence sale this #CEBSuperSeatFest.

From June 10 to 12, 2022, everyJuan can take advantage of booking tickets for as low as PHP12, a one-way base fare, with a travel period from February 1 to May 31, 2023.

As the airline that continues to lead the domestic travel recovery through its trademark low fares, CEB’s newest sale encourages everyJuan to keep looking ahead and enjoy the freedom of travel as it gives SUPER low rates to all Philippine destinations in its network – both iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Passengers may choose to go on vacation to famous leisure destinations such as Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, Boracay, and Davao; or reunite with their loved ones in General Santos, Ozamiz, Surigao, Zamboanga, and Calbayog.

“Time and time again, we have always strived to keep our customers at the heart of our business. We remain committed to keep enabling everyJuan to move forward together from the challenges of the recent years and remain hopeful that skies will continue to clear, so they can rekindle their love for travel and enjoy the freedom that this experience brings,” says Candice Iyog, VP for Marketing and Customer Experience.

This sale gives passengers many things to look forward to as they book with very low fares now, and travel at a later time. This also gives them plenty of room to plan their itinerary way in advance to make sure they make the most out of their trip in 2023.

Aiming to go further, this #CEBSuperSeatFest also includes SUPER low rates to some international destinations as the airline ramps up its network outside the Philippines. Promo fares to Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Japan, among others, are also up for grabs during this three-day sale. Book now via www.cebupacificair.com

CEB continues to offer its guaranteed low fares to stimulate travel across its widest domestic network, with multiple flights to top Philippine destinations, such as Boracay and Cebu, both of which are operating 16x daily from Manila. It continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, while it operates with a 100% fully vaccinated crew, 95% of whom have been boosted – all to ensure every Juan flies safely and conveniently on Cebu Pacific.

Original article: Cebu Pacific rolls out special PHP12 JUNEdependence sale

Cebu Pacific rolls out special PHP12 JUNEdependence sale
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast June 09, 2022 at 05:56PM

Out of Town Blog
DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

Paragliding adventure in Nueva Vizcaya. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road,” showcasing the best destinations in the Philippines through stories from different personalities.

This five-episode podumentary, a combination of podcast and documentary, infuses an element of storytelling, veering away from the usual question-and-answer formats of podcasts. Through these stories, the DOT hopes to reach out to the various audiences and inspire them to participate in meaningful tourism through unique experiences and local interactions.

One of the special guests, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, shared stories about Baguio—his home and a UNESCO Creative City. Photo courtesy of Kidlat De Guia.

Each episode follows a theme, such as adventure, identity, fiestas, music, and food. Among the notable individuals interviewed for this podcast are National Artist Kidlat Tahimik; Dr. Felicidad Prudente, who is one of the leading Filipino ethnomusicologists in the country today; and former Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The first episode on adventure features some of the best outdoor experiences in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, and Camotes Island; while the identity episode brings audience from Baguio to Davao to share stories of people who, in finding the path to gain their identity, found the path to greatness.

The episode on music explores the sounds of the islands, from the city to the remote forests of the Philippines, emphasizing that music not only serves to entertain but to preserve history in our soundscape. The fiesta episode discusses how Filipino festivals have evolved from honoring patron saints to highlighting the best of the towns and provinces.

For the food episode that was recorded in May, then Tourism Secretary Puyat shared her advocacy in supporting local farmers and how this led to further developing food and farm tourism in the country.

The first episode on adventure features some of the best outdoor experiences in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, and Camotes Island; while the identity episode brings the audience from Baguio to Davao to share stories of people who, in finding the path to gain their identity, found the path to greatness.

The episode on music explores the sounds of the islands, from the city to the remote forests of the Philippines, emphasizing that music serves to entertain and preserve history in our soundscape. The fiesta episode discusses how Filipino festivals have evolved from honoring patron saints to highlighting the best of the towns and provinces.

DOT’s “Escape: Stories from the Road” podcast is hosted by travel filmmaker and photographer Aaron Palabyab along with guest co-hosts, national athlete Maureen Schrijvers; designer, musician, and filmmaker Kate Torralba; and a sports broadcaster and podcaster Cesca Litton.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, and Anchor.

Also read: Travel Tips: Reduce Your Risk Of Wireless Identity Theft

Original article: DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Monday, June 6, 2022

DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan June 05, 2022 at 11:30PM

Out of Town Blog
DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan

Linang ni LK signature dishes by Keneth Caoile de Gracia

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Southern Tagalog Region is among the quick weekend getaways for Metro Manilans because of its proximity, good road network, and family-oriented destinations.

Popularly known as Calabarzon, the region south of the big city is composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, and is known for beaches, hot spring resorts, dive sites, quaint restaurants, Spanish-era churches, ancestral homes, and the iconic Taal Lake and Volcano.

But beyond these all-too-familiar attractions, the region is home to some of the most exciting farm tourism sites which blend the charm of agrarian lifestyle and a touch of basic modern comfort and recreational facilities for those offering overnight stays. And in this pandemic era, farms are safe alternatives to crowded tourist spots because of their vast open spaces, physical distancing, and healthy farm-to-table dining experience.

As part of its efforts to reboot tourism in the area, the Department of Tourism Calabarzon Regional Office recently rolled off its culinary caravan to showcase farm tourism sites in the five provinces which have been hiding from plain sight.

According to DOT-Calabarzon acting regional director Marites Castro, the caravan consists of food trip circuits that tour operators and travelers can customize to savor the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the various localities in Southern Tagalog.

She said that the DOT launched last December the Green Corridor Initiative circuits which have been validated to be compliant with the government’s health and safety protocols, and these include farm tourism sites.

She noted that Calabarzon currently has 26 accredited farm tourism establishments, many of which are also recognized by the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as farm schools for the community.

While the number is down from 33 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still among the highest number among the country’s regions. On top of this number, there are scores of farm-themed resorts and restaurants accredited by the government tourism agency.

Below are some of Calabarzon’s exciting farm tourism sites which are definitely worth the trip.

Cavite: Terra Verde Ecofarm, a sprawling animal and vegetable farm in Maragondon; Bounty Harvest Farm and EMV Flower Farm Indang, Luntiang Republika Ecofarms, and The Weekend Farmer in Alfonso.

Laguna: Graco Farms & Leisure in Pila highlights care for animals as its core activity for guests, and also has comfy family-style lodging and food freshly picked from the garden.

Culifarm Filipino Cuisine of Farmshare Agri Park in Cavinti

Silent Integrated Farm in Liliw is a fruit and vegetable plantation that taps persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and community-based farmers. Farmshare Prime in Calauan is an ATI-accredited farm school that is known for its so-called culifarm Filipino cuisine.

In San Pablo City, there is Jasif Integrated Farms, a mushroom plantation and sunflower farm which is sought-after for its mushroom-based dishes and its children-friendly facilities, and Casa San Pablo, an artsy bed-and-breakfast that showcases the culinary versatility of the coconut tree in its dishes.

Batangas: Don Leon Nature Farm in San Juan specializes in organically-raised black pigs, poultry, and livestock, and also has Spanish era-themed bedrooms for family leisure stays and small group events. Mileah Bee Farm, situated in the interiors of San Jose town, takes pride in its premium honey and derivatives in its compact space.

Lica Farms is a cattle ranch in Lipa City which produces premium dairy products under the Pinkie’s Farm brand in its product store.

Flor's Garden Balinese entrance — Flor’s Garden Balinese entrance

Rizal: Flor’s Garden and Nature Haven is a Balinese-inspired and art-themed flower farm in the outskirts of Antipolo City. FDRJ Camping Sites Rental and Pili Paninap Farms, both in Tanay, are good old plantations that are also ideal for outdoor adventures.

Quezon: Francesca de Banahaw in Sariaya, a farm resort near in foot of the mystic mountain showcases the province’s cuisine curated by Kulinarya Tagala food heritage advocate Tina Decal. Bukid Amara in Lucban is an Instagrammable flower farm that is now venturing into edible flowers-based delicacies. Linang ni LK, also in Lucban, offers gourmet renditions of typical Southern Tagalog specialties, as well as its own unique creations. It also has a homey two-bedroom native farmhouse for a relaxing overnight stay with a mesmerizing view of Mt. Banahaw.

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Read: CALABARZON: The Foodie Travel Guide

Original article: DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan

DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan
Bernard Supetran
Out of Town Blog