European PS3s: packed with GT5 and Blu-ray movies

Europe may always get the last piece of the piece of the pizza pie but this time, they have the first and maybe only packs with a racing game and blu-ray movies, referred to as Movie Pack. These are separate bundles.

The first one is the one packed with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The other is the combo of Spider-Man 3, Casino Royale, and 300. Both packs are equipped with 40GB hard drives and costs 399 euros.

The Movie Pack will be released on March 19, the GT5 Pack will be on March 29.

European PS3s can also be useful here in the Philippines. PS3 consoles are region-free, meaning you can play any PS3 game released from any territory or region. You also need to have a TV that can output PAL signals, or an HDTV to easily solve that signal difference.

Sources: Engadget, Joystiq

(image c/o Joystiq)

Wii FreeLoader, make your Wii region-free

The only downside I see in owning a Wii is it's region-lock feature. Region-lock prevents playing out-of-region games on a console, games that are not released in that region or country. That means that games bought in Japan cannot be played on a Wii bought in Europe.

Enter Datel Freeloader. Datel previously made FreeLoader for the GameCube. The continued it to the Wii. You can now play Japanese games, mostly anime games on your American Wii, without modifying your console. Modifying your Wii console will void your warranty and also cause problems when the console require firmware updates through games.

What does it mean to us, Filipino gamers? We can play Super Smash Bros Brawl, currently only available in Japan, on our American and Asian Wiis.

Sources: Engadget, Joystiq, Kotaku

Metal Gear Solid 4 + PlayStation 3 + Dual Shock 3, PlayStation Portable + God of War

We never saw it coming. The much-anticipated PS3 game of 2008 will be bundled with the console along with the new controller, Dual Shock 3.

The package includes: PlayStation 3 with 80GB hard disk, Metal Gear Solid 4 game, and Dual Shock 3 controller, priced $499 in the US.

For MGS fans who still don't have a PS3, this is a really good buy. You have the console, the game, the controller that the game takes advantage of, and the capability to play previous PlayStation games, though limited, at least it's better than nothing.

PlayStation Portable will also be getting a special treatment: God of War PSP Entertainment Pack. This pack includes a deep red PSP with Kratos printed on the back, God of War: Chain of Olympus game, Superbad UMD video, and a voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops from the PlayStation Store.

God of War: Chains of Olympus will be released on March 4.

Source: PlayStation Blog

Dual Shock 3, finally coming to the US

Sony's PlayStation 3 came out more than a year ago. The game console came bundled with the SIXAXIS controller. The controller is wireless and have motion-sensing capabilities which enhances gameplay controls, but it lacked something: vibration function aka rumble.

The vibration function is included in the previous machines-PlayStation and PlayStation 2-to enhance the gaming experience by making the player "feel" the game through his/her hands. The controllers got the name "Dual Shock". PS3 didn't use the name "Dual Shock" due to the absence of its main "weapon".

It was last year at the Tokyo Game Show that the rebirth of the rumble controller, intuitively named Dual Shock 3, was announced. The controller is only available in Japan right now. The effect is that it's a little difficult to find an import here. Plus, this item is a little more expensive when it came from Japan. Add another fact that texts in the manual is in Japanese.

Now, at the Destination PlayStation event, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) will be bringing the much awaited controller in the US, a bit more expensive than the SIXAXIS, as expected.

Games like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, and Devil May Cry 4 can now be played with rumble turned on.

What does it mean to us, Filipino gamers? Nothing big, really. It just makes the controller easily available. Our local stores here get their items mostly from the US.

Metal Gear Solid 4 gets release date

Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patroits, one of Sony PlayStation 3's most-anticipated title, finally gets an official release date, that's June 12. Mark your calendars, folks.

Announced at the Destination PlayStation event, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) gave a "late Q2 2008" date but Konami went on to confirm the date.

Source: Joystiq

(Article also came via press release.)

Marie Claire Merges With Marian

Local versatile thespian Marian Rivera (Marimar, soon to appear as Dyesebel) will grace one of Philippines' depth-driven female magazine Marie Claire this March 2008.

Explore her beyond the surface by reading untold tales about her life as a compassionate granddaughter. Readers are also treated with bits and pieces about her persona outside of show biz.

Priced at 125, Marie Claire is available on newstands near you. Treat your self with subtance-filled articles, grab a copy of Marie Claire.

A Line From "The Science of Sleep"

"Will you marry me when you are seventy and have nothing to lose?"



(Editor's Note: It makes a lot of sense. Complex, but realistic. I hope you, dear readers, would discern its message as you go with life's road. Try challenging your age-old beliefs about traditions that we were born with.)

Sabado Boys The Concert

Sabado Boys, a weekly TV show hosted by some of the country's top performers, Top Suzara, Jimmy Bondoc, Paolo Santos, Luke Mejares, Mike Chan, and DJ Myke, will be having its concert on Feb. 29 at the Music Museum, 8:30 in the evening.

Tickets are priced P1000 and P800. For ticket inquiries, please call Ticketworld (891-9999).

Source: Jimmy Bondoc's site

It's Time To Bounce

Here comes the first college culture magazine.

Grab a copy now of the premiere issue of Bounce, the only college culture magazine, available in bookstores and newsstands. Bounce Magazine is more than just a glossy. It defines the motion of this unpredictable and bold generation. We answer the needs of readers who starve for a new medium that pushes the envelope.

Bounce magazine is all about "the new breed."

Let loose and groove with us as Bounce's first ever cover girl, Iya Villania, talks about her career, school life, and future plans.

Check out our feature on the zesty Adamson University Pep.

Get to know how our young batch of new breeds made it big in their own fields as we feature today's hot shots Andi Manzano, DJ Dylan, Patty Laurel, Matteo Guidicelli, Mike Enriquez, Cuptails and Dream's Reena Francisco, Ignite Media's Dave Hukom, UP Prof. Felipe Jocano, Filmmaker Connie Macatuno, and many more!

Check out our exclusive features on DLSU, iAcademy, UST, San Beda, DLSU-D, FEU, ADAMSON, and a lot more! We've got retold stories on UAAP and NCAA. Know why we just can't get enough of the drama.

Bounce rocks hard as we go Multiply and ukay-ukay shopping. Ride with us as we drove to the south and discovered a haven of bars only in BF Homes-Paranaque. After the southern chill, we headed on to the surfer's paradise in Zambales as two lovely girls made the roadtrip of the season.

From social and school issues to technology and the arts, fashion and beauty to travel and sports, Bounce gives you the widest picks in the college scene—satisfaction guaranteed! Check out bouncemag.multiply.com for upcoming news and surprises.


Side Bar:
Bounce magazine is calling all student (and professional) writers and photographers to contribute your work to the first and only college culture magazine in the Philippines. Email your resume, sample works, and contact information to bounce@octobereighty.com.

We also want to feature your school events, student idols, favorite professors, and anything and everything that has to do with college life. So send us an email with your suggestions.

(Press Release from Bounce magazine editor-in-chief)

Summer Workshops at Gantimpala Theater

(Press Release from Gantimpala Theater)

As the heat of summer begins to creep, traditions like male circumcision, flambouyant Santacruzans, trips to the beach and hiking to the boondocks are what students and young adults usually do during their much-needed vacation.

To some, they know that there is more to summer than malling, partying, chatting, and the sea. There are different workshops being offered which can be participated in, promising to “discover one’s creativity” and “bring out the best of your personality.”

Yearly, a portion of these youngsters spend a portion of their vacation learning that indeed, it does start from the very beginning – “when you read you begin with ABC, when you sing you begin with do, re, mi, the first three notes that happen to be.”

Budding thespians will surely have their most unforgettable summer as Gantimpala Theater invites them to their Acting in Musical Theater for Teens and Adults – a special designed workshop course where singing, movements and acting classes are combined to prepare workshoppers/actors in musical theater productions. A musical recital will be the culminating production of the workshop.

“For the past 31 years, Gantimpala Theater has been conducting workshops. I always tell our workshoppers that one month of intensive workshops involving acting, singing, and dancing are but the beginnings of a bigger world where one continuously educates himself, that the summer workshops are but introductions to the pursuit of a lifelong passion for creativity, excellence, and sharing one’s talents with one’s co-artists as well as the discerning audience. I guarantee you that this workshop would be the beginning of your love affair with the theater," says artistic director Tony Espejo.

Gantimpala Theater’s Acting in Musical Theater for Teens and Young Adults begins Monday, April 14 to Friday, May 18, 2008. Classes are every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration and enrollment begins on March 24. Tuition fee is P 5,000.

Instructors for this year’s workshop are 2007 Aliw Awardee for Best Actor Roeder Camañag and tenor Nazer Salcedo.

So if you want to learn, enjoy, and experience the magic of theater, call Gantimpala Theater: 528-0603/536-5860; cellular phone number – 0921-5286308; or write to: gantimpalaproduction@yahoo.com.ph

Budding Artist Presents "MukArt" Creation

Emerging multimediartist, Ayan Abela, started learning vector art as a hobby way back 2003. Through word of mouth and prolific way of creating artworks, his ingenuity was gradually noticed by art enthusiasts and friends alike. One of his sample works appears on this page. He aptly calls his creations MukArt--christened after his usual subject which is people's faces. www.artmajeur.com/ayanabela.

KC Concepcion Stars in Maalaala Mo Kaya

Infrequently seen, she has been, perhaps , unconsciously delaying to dignify the viewing public’s curiosity to see her act both on the small and big screen—at least tonight, the latter will come true.

KC Concepcion, daughter of prominent thespians Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, will star on tonight’s episode of ABS- CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. Tune in and find out what the young celebrity has to offer.

JokeFest For the Dateless This V-day

Still clueless how to spend your V-day?
Have no significant other to celebrate it with?
Then you might consider attending JokeFest For the Dateless this Heart's Day and forget that you've been living singly for quite a long time, and veer away those V-day blues. Join the Club and other distinct contemporary bands will be there to party with you.

Laugh your heart out this Valentine's Day. Click the invite posted for more details.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

I, on behalf of our We All Exist team, would like to greet you Kung Hei Fat Choi, which means "congratulations and be prosperous." Here's hoping that we'll have a prosperous year of the rat.

Once again, Kung Hei Fat Choi (Cantones)! Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)!

Excerpts from "The Science of Romance", Time Magazine, Feb. 4, 2008

"Love is strong, but it's not indestructible.People who meet under the influence of alcohol or drugs or in state of excitement may cool off when their bodies return to baseline. Rejection may activate regions of the brain that control addiction, which is why it can be hard to quit someone even after that person has quit you. The spurned lover who grows angry or needy can push the other perosn even further away, which accelerates the split and may actually help both parties."

"At the moment of a kiss, there's a rich exchange of postural, physical, and chemical information."

"Nature doesn't really care if we experience the thrill of falling in love or not, but it deeply cares that we make a lot of babies and stick around to raise them. The problem is, human babies require an awful lot of care--18 years or more. When we first reach sexual maturity, we scan the world for people to mate with. When we find someone, romance focuses that scattershot attention. Companionate love then bonds us to our partner for our child-rearing years and beyond."

"The eventual goal of people who pair-bond is to move beyond the thrill of early love and into the comfort of the Sunday-paper-and-coffee phase."