SM ECO BAGS: BREATHE, SPARK, RENEW, AND FLOW WITH THE FUTURE

Doing your part in saving the environment—and your future—can be as simple as buying an SM Eco Bag.

Now, no matter how young you are, you can show your support for protecting the earth whenever and wherever you carry any of the four new bags, and inspire those around you to do the same. The new reusable bags are collectible, stylish, and versatile, with bold statements that address promote four environmental efforts namely: revitalizing our waters, cleaning our air, pushing energy conservation, and promoting smarter waste management.

How does using an SM Eco Bag help? When the first line of SM reusable bags were introduced for grocery shoppers last year, plastic bag consumption dropped by 30%. That means a reduction in the energy and water consumed to produce plastic bags. And less plastic produced also means less plastic thrown away.

Also, the SM Eco Bags are made of polypropylene, a hard-wearing, non-woven material that’s recyclable, non-toxic, allergy-free, and non-reactive to human skin. They’re foldable, so you can easily tuck them away when not in use. 

Let's BREATHE clean, pristine air once again.

A thick blanket of smog hangs over Metro Manila and beyond. It's a problem that affects us at every moment.

But you can start your own green revolution with the SM Eco Bag.

In buying this simple bag you support initiatives to reduce air pollution. Let's do our part for cleaner, fresher air.

Let's SPARK a revolution in sustainable energy use.

The Philippines is hungry for energy to fuel its growing economy. But the more energy we consume the more we put our environment at risk.

But you can start your own green revolution with the SM Eco Bag.

When you buy an SM Eco Bag you support projects to increase awareness about energy conservation.

When everyone uses energy responsibly, everyone wins.

Let's RENEW our earth by reducing our waste.

Non-biodegradable waste is a big problem in our country. It could poison our environment for decades.

But you can start your own green revolution with the SM Eco Bag.

When you purchase the SM Eco Bag you're not only replacing a plastic bag when you shop. Your contribution will also sustain programs that promote recycling, for a cleaner, greener environment for all.

Let's make our waters FLOW with life.

Our seas have been depleted of fish and our rivers are polluted from decades of neglect.

But you can start your own green revolution with the SM Eco Bag.

With your purchase of the SM Eco Bag you support efforts to protect and rehabilitate our seas and rivers.

Then our waters will once again teem with life and sustain millions of Filipinos.

The SM Eco Bags are just one of the many environmental projects headed by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM that implements programs and projects meant to promote the long-term sustenance of the environmental, economic, and social aspects of life. 

Available in all SM Supermalls nationwide, each SM Eco Bag costs only P35.00, and a portion from each bag purchased will support an environmental cause. They can easily carry books, documents, and school projects. They can also make great totes for weekend trips or for carrying your beach accessories. Durable enough to last up to two years of weekly use, anyone who uses an SM Eco Bag will make a significant contribution to saving the earth.

For inquiries call 661.2033-37, 477.1788-90 or email smttmarketing@gmail.com or smmkmarketing@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook: SM City Taytay, SM City Marikina & SM City Novaliches

Silverstreak Photography (Beautiful)

Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today

To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is

You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today

No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay

And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times

'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down todaY

Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today

(Beautiful: Christina Aguilera)

*Special thanks to Julius & Khristine Lenon for the venue. :o)

THE TOWN – Welcome To America's Bank Robbery Capital

There are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. And a one-square-mile neighborhood in Boston, called Charlestown, has produced more bank and armored car robbers than anywhere in the U.S. It is against that backdrop that Warner Bros.’ new gripping thriller The Town is set.

In the film, Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), is a prolific bank robber but he is not cut from the same cloth as his fellow thieves. Unlike them, Doug had a chance at success, a chance to escape following in his father’s criminal footsteps. Instead he became the leader of a crew of ruthless bank robbers, who pride themselves on taking what they want and getting out clean. The only family Doug has are his partners in crime, especially Jem (Jeremy Renner), who, despite his dangerous, hair-trigger temper, is the closest thing Doug ever had to a brother.

However, everything changed on the gang’s last job when Jem briefly took a hostage: bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). When they discover she lives in Charlestown, Jem gets nervous and wants to check out what she might have seen. Knowing what Jem is capable of, Doug takes charge. He seeks out Claire, who has no idea that their encounter is not by chance or that this charming stranger is one of the men who terrorized her only days before.

As his relationship with Claire deepens into a passionate romance, Doug wants out of this life and the town. But with the Feds, led by Agent Frawley (Jon Hamm), closing in and Jem questioning his loyalty, Doug realizes that getting out will not be easy and, worse, may put Claire in the line of fire. Any choices he once had have boiled down to one: betray his friends or lose the woman he loves.

The Town also stars Blake Lively, Oscar® nominee Pete Postlethwaite and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper.

Directed by Ben Affleck, The Town is based on the novel Prince of Thieves, written by Chuck Hogan. Hailing from Massachusetts, Hogan situated the crime drama in Charlestown for a reason: the Boston neighborhood has produced more bank and armored car robbers than any other single square mile in the world. The seeds of that distinction were more than likely planted when Charlestown was the site of a maximum security prison, leading to a self-perpetuating criminal enclave. Affleck offers, “It served as a kind of revolving door. People would go to prison and their families would move there, and, as they got out and then went back in, a community developed around it. It was hypothesized in the book—and we included it in the film—that robbing banks became a trade that was passed down from fathers to sons."

Jeremy Renner, who plays the role of Doug’s accomplice and best friend, Jem, adds, “In that very small, tight-knit community, they developed a strict code of silence. Everybody knew everything, but nobody talked, which made it easier to be successful in that line of work."

Opening soon across SM Cinemas in the Philippines, The Town is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

For more information, follow our Facebook fan pages: SM City Taytay, SM City Marikina, SM City Novaliches, SM City Taytay Foodcourt, SM City Taytay Cinema

K-POP UNITED! A Celebration Event of the Biggest Stars of Korean Pop!!!

On September 4, 2010, experience K-POP fever at its peak as MCA Music, Astroplus and SM Megamall bring youK-POP United! A celebration event featuring 4 of the biggest names in Korean pop – 4Minute, Beast, BigBang & Wonder Girls! These Korean superstars are part of MCA Music’s growing roster of K-pop artists.

Lots of K-POP activities and surprises await all K-pop fans as MCA Music partners with biggest K-pop fans clubs in the Philippines to bring you a day filled with performances, games, photo opportunities and more! Various prizes like signed albums and posters, Pioneer headphones and X-Mini speakers and more will be raffled off to all album buyers during the event.

To add some local flavor to the festivities, Asia’s acoustic sweetheart, Sabrina and the King of Acoustic Pop, Nyoy Volante will grace the event and perform some of their signature hits.

A major highlight of the celebration would be the official Philippine album launch of the new album of 4Minute entitled, Hit Your Heart! Hit You Heart album buyers during the event will get various freebies like exclusive 4Minute posters, cellphone straps and stickers! These freebies will only be available during the event.

Also on sale during the event through Astroplus are the albums of Beast, BigBang and Wonder Girls. Exclusive freebies for these albums will also be available only during the event.

K-POP UNITED! An MCA Music Celebration Event is presented by SM Megamall and Astroplus in cooperation with 4Minute Philippines, Beast Philippines, BigBang Philippines and Wonderfuls Philippines. Exclusive media partners, MYX Music Channel, MYXPH.com and Orange Magazine TV. Special thanks to Pioneer Electronics.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

4MINUTE – The momentum of 4Minute is rapidly increasing with their hits, endorsements and individual projects. 4minute consists of five members – JI HYUN, GA YOON, JI YOON, HYUN AH and SO HYUN. They started their career June of 2009 has already received awards from their hometown namely Cyworld's Rookie of the Month, Korea's Cultural, Physical Education and Tourism Bureau: Rookie Music Award, SBS Power Rookie (August) and Golden Disk Awards Newcomer Award (shared with T-ara). 4Minute even beat Super Junior in Taiwan by hitting the number one spot in the country’s biggest music site, KKBOX.

MCA Music, who recently partnered with CUBE Entertainment in Korea that also houses K-Pop boy band BEAST released the first mini-album of 4Minute entitled For Muzik. Their hits “Hot Issue”, “Muzik” and “What A Girl Wants” have all enjoyed heavy airplay by top music channels and radio stations - making the group one of the most popular Korean acts to ever hit the country.

The group describes their music as Candy Funky which in detail means Candy (colorful and sweet) + Funky (defiant, retro and free). With their looks, talent, and adorable over-all Korean image, it is no doubt that 4Minute is bound to be one of the biggest names in the industry today.

After 4MINUTE’s visit to the Philippines last February, this HOT, charming and infectious quintet from South Korea has gained numerous Filipino fans who find them simply irresistible! Since then, 4Minute has transformed into a bolder and edger group, sporting new hairstyles and sexier outfits as seen in their latest album, Hit Your Heart, featuring the singles, HUH and I My Me Mine. The album includes a DVD which features behind the scenes footage of their Philippine promo tour.

BEAST - The member of BEAST individually has their own innate edge in terms of singing, dancing and rapping. Their solo capabilities make them a powerhouse group in the narrow world of K-pop, with each member contributing a significant amount in every success that BEAST achieves. It was inevitable that they would eventually be discovered and grouped together to create one of the most promising boy groups ever to hit the K-pop industry.

In October 2009, PLAYCUBE Inc. took off the veil of BEAST, which was composed of 6 powerful members, Du Jun Yoon, Hyun Seung Jang, Jun Hyung Yong, Yo Seop Yang, Gi Kwang Lee, and Dong Woon Son. Even before the group was formally launched, fans all over Asia had high expectations since three of the members, specifically Gi Kwang, Du Jun and Hyun Seung already had their own following during previous stints that further hastened their abilities in becoming a successful pop star in their own right.

BEAST has only been in the industry for a short while and yet, their rise to fame is far from slowing down. Right after the release of their 1st mini album, BEAST received the 'Rookie Music Award' from KOREA CREATIVE CONTENT AGENCY. This award is only given to excellent rookies selected carefully. BEAST also received 'Rookie of the Month' from the largest Korean community portal Cyworld because of their remarkable activities in the chart. Here in the Philippines, BEAST has their own following all contained in the official website of BEAST in the Philippines,www.beast.ph. Due to their huge popularity, they even have a local counterpart made up of 6 boys who look up to their dancing abilities who fondly call themselves BEST.

With their burning charisma on stage, BEAST has proven to be a very strong group who have surpassed a lot of challenges in the past. This group of 6 from Cube Entertainment collectively known as BEAST is composed of the very charismatic leader, Yoon Doojoon, the dance machines, Jang Hyunseung & Lee Kikwang, the group's vocalists, Yang Yoseob & Son Dongwoon and their very creative rapper, Yong Junhyung. Together they have been topping all the music charts with every song that they released since their debut on Octover 2009 and they are proving to be a very promising group. They are also widely known in Asia proven by the warm welcome they recieved from many B2UTIES (Beauties) when they recently had their Asian Promoting tour, visiting Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. They've also been winning awards left and right with their single 'Shock' off of their 2nd Mini Album, 'Shock of the New Era'. With their infectious sounds and cool moves, you can expect BEAST to be there, giving you awesome things for a very long time.

BEAST‘s new album, Shock of the New Era features their hot hits, Bad Girl and Shock! Both accompanied with videos that are so high – tech and way innovative, any K-pop fans and future fans just have to take a second look!

BIGBANG - BigBang, a South Korean boy band composed of members G-Dragon (leader), T.O.P., TaeYang, DaeSung and SeungRi, is one of the biggest and most successful groups in Asia today. The boys made their debut in Korea on August 19, 2006, and have since then conquered the hearts of fans across Asia and around the globe.

In 2006, the group released 3 singles in Korea, followed by a full album in December and held a very successful first major concert, The Real, to cap off the year. A year after their debut, the group launched their first EP, Always, with the title track "Lies" topping the music charts, marking their breakthrough success in the Korean music industry and garnering them numerous awards in 2007. In 2008 they ventured into the Japanese market with their first Japanese release, For the World, followed by successful releases and concerts both in their home country and in Japan. 2009 was another year of accomplishments for Big Bang as they launched their first self-titled, full-length Japanese album under Universal Music, debuting at number 2 on the Oricon Charts. The same album was released in the Philippines on October 28, 2009 by MCA Music, selling over 3,000 copies to date. Big Bang started 2010 with a bang as they held successful concert tours in both Japan and Korea, and are currently preparing for their Korean comeback set in October.

The members have also successfully embarked on their solo careers, proving their talents and passion for their craft as they ventured into acting in dramas, musicals and movies, hosting and producing their own music. After numerous singles, albums and concert tours that gained them fame and recognition in the industry, the members of Big Bang continue to work hard to be able to bring their fans good music and fulfill their goals.

WONDER GIRLS - Year 2009 marked the beginning of the so-called “KPOP Phenomenon” as the song NOBODY by the Wonder Girls became a monstrous hit with venom spreading like wildfire over the radio airwaves, TV and internet. Its lyrics, melody or even choreography inevitably created a huge impact among the “pinoy” music aficionados.

The Wonder Girls is a South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment - one of the top Korean Entertainment Agencies recognized for building top Korean global stars. The all-female group rose to popularity in the fall of 2007 with the song "Tell Me”, which became a highly hypnotic dance track at that time causing an immense reaction from their Korean fans. The Wonder Girls have scored three consecutive #1 hit singles namely; "Tell Me", "So Hot", and "Nobody. They have also garnered awards and recognition for their superb on stage performances. With their addictive dance moves and their numerous hits tucked into their belt, the Wonder Girls managed to earn the title as “Korea’s National Sisters”. In 2009, the group began their entry into the American market via their signature song "Nobody". The single was in fact, the very first Korean song ever to hit the Billboard Hot 100 – a very rare achievement which you can only attribute to the Wonder Girls!

The Wonder Girls debuted with 5 members namely Sunye, Yeeun, Sunmi, Sohee, and Hyunah. In the middle of 2007, Hyunah left the group by her parents due to their concern over her health and later again made her comeback in the Cube Entertainment’s girl group – 4Minute; Yubin, a JYP trainee took her place. In early 2010, it was announced that Sunmi would be postponing her musical career to pursue an academic career; Hyelim another JYP trainee took her place. Even with unexpected changes in line-up, the Wonder Girls have successfully completed their 1st U.S Tour as well as promotional activities in South Korea, the United States and South East Asia.

Unlike other KPOP groups, The Wonder Girls continue to charm not only their K-POP fans but the world as a whole as they conquer the international music scene. They are definitely poised for international stardom with their latest album, “2 Different Tears”. Filipino fans have been expecting a fresher, brighter image for the girls and are very excited about the fact that the album has finally hit our local shores. “2 Different Tears” the album features the hit, “Nobody” and their latest single, “2 Different Tears”.

Director Ryan Murphy talks about “EAT PRAY LOVE”

For Nip/Tuck and Glee creator Ryan Murphy — a man who likes change — discovering the best-selling memoir Eat Pray Love proved a real boon. The 44-year-old filmmaker read the book upon its 2006 release and felt an immediate connection. He’d even go as far as saying that the book altered his life.

“It spoke to me on such a personal level,” begins Murphy, the man who adapted the screenplay and directed the cinematic incarnation starring Julia Roberts. “I read it as a fan, I had just come through a terrible break up, and what it said to me is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. It is never too late to try to be happy. If you are in a bad relationship try and get out of it and if you don’t like where you are living, try and change it."

The book, and indeed the film, tells the true-life tale of Elizabeth Gilbert, a successful travel writer who falls out of love with her husband and suffers a painful divorce. Gnawed at by guilt, she takes a year out, heading first to Rome in Italy, where she indulges her passion for food (Eat), then to an ashram in India, where she bids to find a spiritual meaning to her life (Pray), and finally to a familiar haunt in Bali, where, out of the blue, she meets, and falls for, a Brazilian man (Love). It is a hugely popular book, which spent three uninterrupted years on the New York Times best-seller list.

“It is about a general way of living your life. I love the phrase that they’re using to market the movie which is, ‘Let yourself go.’ I know that not everybody can afford to take a year off from work and travel round the world. I can’t. But I don’t think you need to leave your house to try and find something spiritual and find joy. So the book expanded my worldview. It got me out of my shell. It made me feel that it is okay to try something that you are not comfortable with. It did change my life."

In fact, the book had such a profound effect on Murphy’s life that he adapted a screenplay and ensured that he got the job directing the movie. Murphy already had moviemaking experience, having adapted and directed the film version of Augusten Burrough’s controversial memoir Running with Scissors, although adapting and shooting Eat Pray Love gave him the chance to step up to the next level, to make a truly commercial movie, with a positive message, and to assemble a dazzling array of major movie stars.

Among the impressive supporting cast, Murphy draws performances from Javier Bardem (Liz’s Brazilian love interest), Billy Crudup (her ex-husband), James Franco (a lover who awakens her interest in spirituality) and Richard Jenkins (an older man who encourages her to let go of her guilt), while the role of Liz Gilbert herself is played by one of the biggest movie stars in the world, Julia Roberts, which is something of a coup for Murphy; not since her Oscar-winning turn in Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 drama Erin Brockovich has Roberts appeared in every scene of a film.

“And yet I want to see a movie where Julia Roberts is in every scene,” beams Murphy. “I grew up with Julia Roberts. I love her. I had ideas that I wanted for Julia Roberts in make up, hair and clothes, things that she had never done before.” He laughs. “I think she thinks I am kind of insane because I was so passionate about her, but I also think that she liked the fact that we saw the story in the same way."

Opening soon across SM Cinemas in the Philippines, Eat Pray Love is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Follow the these SM Supermalls Facebook fan pages and get the latest updates: SM City Taytay, SM City Marikina, SM City Novaliches, SM City Taytay Cinema.

CATS & DOGS: Unleashed @ SM City Taytay

It was an exciting day last August 24 at SM City Taytay!

In celebration of the release of CATS & DOGS "Revenge of Kitty Galore", SM City Taytay brought together pet lovers in Rizal. The event center was flooded by more than 30 pet lovers, cats and dogs all beautifully pimped up and clothed in the most adorable costumes.

As a result of the very successful event, SM City Taytay has promised that more pets events will be scheduled and maybe even a pet shop in the near future. So watch our for the Pet Blessing coming up this October!!!!

For inquiries, call 661.2033-37 or email smttmarketing@gmail.com.

Sharing: Francis Kong's Blog Post "THE COURAGE TO TRY"

A very honest military man tells us his story:

As a sergeant in a parachute regiment, I took part in several night-time exercises. Once, I was seated next to a lieutenant fresh from jump school. He was quiet and looked a bit pale, so I struck up a conversation. "Scared, lieutenant?" I asked.

He replied, "No, just a bit apprehensive." I asked, "What's the difference?"

He replied, "That means I'm scared, but with a university education."

Nothing in life is to be feared, only to be understood. The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything. We may not have talked about it a lot. But the topic on courage should be studied well.

Nelson Mandela, who led the fight against the apartheid in South Africa, is best known for enduring many years in prison. The following story of a single plane ride gives us some personal insight into how Mandela's courage was formed-and what it meant to those around him.

One day after his release from jail, Mandela and a friend were flying in a small plane. Suddenly, the propeller stopped turning. But Mandela remained so even-keeled that the other passengers calmed themselves by watching him until the plane landed safely. However, when they landed, Mandela said to his friend, "Man, I was scared up there."

The friend realized that in prison Mandela had found that "The more you pretend that you're not scared, the more not scared you become."

Mandela became courageous by taking one courageous step. And then another. Maybe this is the key for us to develop courage. Some one says: “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says . . . I'll try again tomorrow."

So you have been given a promotions. Maybe you are challenged with a new assignment. Maybe this one is very familiar. You are asked to stand in front of people and make a presentation. And then you could feel it in your guts. There are butterflies in your stomach. That old familiar feeling comes. The feeling that you dread. It’s called fear. So how do you deal with it?

Have you ever wondered how and why bomb disposal experts are able to do their jobs? Do they have extra-ordinary courage that we mere mortals do not? Not necessarily. But the reason why they are courageous is simply because they were trained to do bomb disposal. Once they gain the technical knowledge, skills, and competence in understanding how to disarm bombs, have little to fear of them. They are courageous in situations which would cause others great fear. Their fear is dissipated as a result of becoming competent.

You want to conquer fear in public speaking and doing presentations? Get trained in that area.

What's the Difference?

Ralph Waldo Emerson says: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

You need both strength and courage to succeed:

Credited to anonymity, this piece of material is so inpiring. Listen to this:

It takes strength to be certain,

It takes courage to have doubts.

It takes strength to fit in,

It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to share a friend's pain,

It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide your own pain,

It takes courage to show it and deal with it.

It takes strength to stand guard,

It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer,

It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to endure abuses,

It takes courage to stop them.

It takes strength to stand alone,

It takes courage to lean on a friend.

It takes strength to love,

It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive,

It takes courage to live.

God gives us the strength to be courageous when it comes to doing the right things for His Glory and so the question now is this: Are you strong and courageous enough. At the end of the day, growing a wishbone is not enough to succeed in life. Growing a backbone on top of it is the key.

MALL PREVIEW: SM CITY NOVALICHES - The newest star in Novaliches!

Finally, SM City Novaliches unveiled its plans and opened its door to all its tenants last August 24, 2010.

A very nice and quiet afternoon of elegant classical music and contemporary inspired decor and motif, the main walkway of SM City Novaliches was adorned with various artworks and landscape all contributing to the history that SM wanted to share to its tenants.

From the elaborate and finely crafted Foam Art by the On-The-Spot Artists Association of the Philippines, a diorama of Novaliches City welcomed its guests as landmarks and a mini SM City Novaliches made of foam created a beautiful and colorful accent against the windows and white walls of the mall.

A special 30 year old Katipunan Bonsai tree also served as a highlight and paintings of UNESCO Awardee Rolando De Leon were featured as a special tribute to the Novaliches based artist.

Graced by Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Prime Holdings, it was an exciting afternoon for the guests. As Ms. Annie Garcia talked about Novaliches City, it was very evident, that Novaliches is a district to watch out for. Given that the district is the 2nd most populated district in the country, SM City Novaliches truly is predicted to be one of the strongest SM Supermalls.

So watch out for SM City Novaliches! Opening in October 2010, SM City Novaliches - The “Super-Nova” of the shopping scene! The newest and most energetic venue for stellar shopping!

For inquiries, simply email smnvmarketing@gmail.com