Press Bits

Greater China's iconic luxury department store, Lane Crawford celebrates the Lunar New Year with a modern take on Chinese traditions. From enticing range of uniquely curated lifestyle and fashion edits, as well as gift options in store and online will inspire and delight friends and families in this year of the monkey.



To support emerging creatives across multiple disciplines, Lane Crawford has commissioned eight contemporary artists to create unique visual installations in its Greater China stores and online flagship Lanecrawford.com. Artists Andrea Minini, Angel Chen, Desmond Leung, Hui Hoi Kiu, Huijun Guan, Mosaic Art Projects, Jan Zhou, and Yeli Gu join Lane Crawford to celebrate Chinese New Year traditions and themes through a modern, artistic perspective.

Quezon City, 27 January 2016 – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach called for Filipinos’ increased awareness on HIV as she winds up the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Day during her homecoming. The new Miss Universe continued her HIV advocacy in the Philippines by speaking with advocates and young people living with HIV.

“It is shocking that the Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. Many of those who get infected are young people. I want to use my voice to help lift up those who are living with HIV and to bring awareness to young people who do not know how to protect themselves against this virus,” Wurtzbach says.

The Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. The country is one of only nine countries globally where the number of new HIV cases has increased by over 25 per cent. Also, new HIV infections among 15-19 year old Filipinos have risen by 50 per cent over four years from 2010-2014. According to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) only 17 per cent of young people in the Philippines demonstrated correct knowledge about HIV and AIDS and 70 per cent of young people’ sexual interactions are unprotected.

“We welcome Pia as a new champion for children and young people who are at risk of HIV. Her influence can help end the silence against this ‘hidden epidemic’ that is happening in our midst. Young people have the right to health and survival, and that includes giving them information that they need to prevent HIV,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says.

In the Philippines, UNICEF is helping in the HIV response for adolescents through gathering of data and strategic information, advocating for laws that are responsive to the needs of children and young people, giving adolescents life skills and leadership trainings and helping the government, NGOs and youth networks improve service delivery to respond to the crisis.

Ms. Wurtzbach during her HIV session shared experiences and stories with young people involved in the HIV response, as well as those who have acquired the virus. By spending time with them, Ms. Wurtzbach also hopes to end the stigma against people living with HIV and encourage people to talk about HIV openly.

“What we can do as a country is to talk about what is happening and what this means for our country and for our children. We should encourage discussion and come together to find solutions. Ordinary Filipinos like you and me have the power to stop the spread of HIV. Change should start from ourselves by knowing what HIV is, how to prevent it and knowing our status by getting tested,” Wurtzbach added.



The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) supports the current Miss Universe’s call to increase awareness on the rapid increase of HIV cases. Mrs Stella Marquez Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Chair believes that Wurtzbach is an excellent communicator and will be an effective agent in relaying information regarding this global issue.

“Pia can use her good communication skills to raise the alarm over the issue on HIV. She is a social figure to whom the youth can relate to easily especially in this age of social media. With all the trainings she went through when she joined Binibining Pilipinas, I am confident that she is the perfect voice for this cause,” Marquez Araneta says.

Founded by Stella Márquez Araneta, BPCI has been a key partner in nation-building for over four decades. BPCI pursues its mission of spreading peace and love across the nation and is a fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.

More and more groundbreaking independent films have been making waves in the Philippine cinema industry these days.  In fact, modern Filipino viewers are looking for more of these quality, unique, and creatively-crafted cinematic productions.  If you and your family are into indie films, you don’t have to wait for annual film festivals just to enjoy these films.

Get to experience the artistic wonder of indie films right in the comforts of home with SKY’s latest offerings. Catch two quality indie films, Bitukang Manok and Resbak exclusively on SKYcable and Destiny Cable.

Bitukang Manok, directed by Alec Figuracion, is a horror-suspense film about a seemingly never-ending road leading nowhere.  It features Quezon Province’s famed Old Maharlika Highway, referred to as “Bitukang Manok” because of its sharp curves, where three groups of strangers find themselves isolated and trapped by mysterious, supernatural forces.  As they try to leave and survive the long and winding road they must confront their psychological demons and challenge the unknown, unexplainable forces behind their situation.  Bitukang Manok stars Missy Maramara, Guji Lorenzana, Ken Anderson, and Mara Lopez.

Bitukang Manok will be aired in the following channels: Ch. 89 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 242 (in High Definition) for SKYcable Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan (San Jose Del Monte); Ch. 22 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 702 (in High Definition) for SKYcable Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao; and Ch. 89 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 242 (in High Definition) for Destiny Cable subscribers.

Kapamilya stars, Nash Aguas and Ejay Falcon, star in the indie film, Resbak, directed by Toto Natividad.  This is Nash Aguas’ first indie action film where he portrays the role of a street kid whose father (Ejay Falcon) used to be a notorious hitman.  Eventually though, he found himself in the same criminal path as his father.  However, despite attempts by his father to leave behind his old life, a random act of violence will bring him back to his old ways in order to save his son’s life.

Catch Resbak in the following channels: Ch. 99 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 245 (in High Definition) for SKYcable Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan (San Jose Del Monte); Ch. 23 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 703 (in High Definition) for SKYcable Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao; and Ch. 99 (in Standard Definition) and Ch. 245 (in High Definition) for Destiny Cable subscribers.

As part of SKY's 25th anniversary celebration, you can enjoy 3-day unlimited viewing of these two indie films right in the comforts of your home when you subscribe within January 16 to 29 for only P25 each.

SKY continues to offer viewers with diverse options to enjoy TV entertainment with its value and premium service offerings. Only SKYcable provides quality home entertainment with the widest range of standard and high definition channels and other top-of-the-line services such as flexible subscription options via SELECT, iRECORD that records, pauses, and rewinds live TV, as well as real-time coverage of live concerts and sporting events via FREE VIEW and PAY-PER-VIEW.

To subscribe and to know more about SKYcable, log on to www.mysky.com.ph, send a free text to SMS hotline 23662, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 381-0000 for Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, and Rizal; 484-4701 for Cavite; 534-2814 for Calamba and Binan, Laguna; 520-8560 for San Pedro, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite; 693-5877 for Bulacan; 421-1818 for Cebu; 305-5456 for Davao; 442-4841 for Baguio; 432-0051 for Bacolod; 300-1210 for Iloilo.
Enjoy over 90 channels in clear digital signal for only P550 per month with Destiny Cable. For inquiries about the services and promos of Destiny Cable call 418-0000. You may also contact Destiny Cable via their email address, weserve@destinycable.com.ph.