BREAKING

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Personalization and Timely Addition of New Features Make AccuWeather the World's Most Popular Weather App


Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Mobile World Congress gets under way, the global leader in weather information and digital media highlights innovative, user-focused approach to updating its award-winning iOS and Android apps. 


As mobile technology leaders gather in Barcelona, Spain, for the Mobile World Congress (MWC) from February 26 to March 1, AccuWeather-the world's fastest-growing provider of weather forecasts and warnings and a global leader in digital media and weather-related big data-is highlighting its innovative, user-focused approach to introducing new features to its award-winning mobile apps for iOS and Android.

AccuWeather is the world's leading mobile weather information source, and receives more than 300 million unique monthly visitors from around the globe and over 35 billion data requests daily. 

"Our users expect the most timely, accurate and personal weather information through the unique features that only AccuWeather is equipped to provide" said Kurt Fulepp, Chief Product Officer at AccuWeather. "Combining what people need and the Superior Accuracy™ they trust has made AccuWeather the No. 1 weather app worldwide, and we're constantly building on our foundation of innovation and precision to help users plan their days, and stay safe during severe weather events."  

As a pioneer in the mobile weather category, AccuWeather continues to add design and usability enhancements to its apps, while pairing the introduction of major new features that align to the change of the seasons. 

A tropical storm/hurricane map was introduced during the record-setting 2017 hurricane season. And as spring weather approaches, AccuWeather has introduced an extended 7-day Allergy Index. This fall, AccuWeather added its exclusive Snowfall Probability feature, which forecasts probable amounts of snow at a user's exact location. "To maintain our global leadership, our product development timeline ensures we're innovating ahead of each season," Fulepp said. "Seeing the engagement with our Snowfall Probability forecast has been very gratifying, and reminds us of how important timeliness and accuracy is to our users' lives."
 
During the 2017 hurricane season, AccuWeather app users were able to access new tropical storm map layers. These maps tracked storms using AccuWeather's proprietary hurricane models, which have been shown to be more accurate than those used by government weather services. 

Other features added over the past several months can help users make critical decisions. "Our mission also includes providing, well ahead of time, the weather information people need to keep themselves and their families safe," Fulepp said. "For example, users located within 500 miles of a hurricane-status storm will see an alert on the AccuWeather app landing screen. Tapping the alert opens a map that shows the storm's predicted path, and provides access to additional details on rainfall, risk to life and property, and more."

Responding to user demand, AccuWeather recently introduced another unique feature: the extended 7-day Allergy Index. Users can access the new allergen forecasts conveniently on the home screen of the app.

In addition, AccuWeather has continued making the patented AccuWeather MinuteCast®-the leading minute-by-minute forecast of precipitation over the next two hours, hyper-localized to a user's exact street address or pinpointed to their GPS location-available in more regions throughout the world, including Europe, Australia, and North and South America. It will be rolled out to more locations across Asia in 2018, and AccuWeather is the sole partner of the Chinese government for minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts. 

Last year, the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA) recognized AccuWeather with two 2017 W3 digital awards-a Best-in-Show award for the AccuWeather iOS app and a Gold award for the AccuWeather Android app. This is the fourth time AccuWeather's apps have been recognized with W3 awards for providing a superior app experience. 

The W3 Awards came on the heels of a study by independent industry tracker ForecastWatch, which confirmed the Superior Accuracy™ of the company's forecasts. This analysis of over 30 million forecasts-the most comprehensive study of forecast accuracy ever undertaken globally-concluded that AccuWeather had the highest level of accuracy in all three categories ForecastWatch verified, temperature, precipitation and wind.

The award-winning AccuWeather apps for iOS and Android provide the most accurate, actionable weather forecasts and warnings in an innovative, advanced mobile experience personalized to each user worldwide. The app also includes AccUcast™, the only crowdsourced weather feature that provides current weather conditions and hazards submitted by users in a real-time global animation map display, plus AccuWeather Real Feel®, Future Radar, and much more.

The AccuWeather app for Android phone and tablet users is free on the Google Play store. The AccuWeather iOS app is free on www.AppStore.com.

Headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, AccuWeather has additional locations, including a Severe Weather Center in Wichita, Kansas, as well as locations in New York, Oklahoma City, Montreal, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Mumbai.

International Rider Troy Alberto Visits New Honda Flagship Shop in Makati


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) officially sends off international rider Troy Alberto to Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (ATC) and the Honda Thai Talent Cup, premier international races in the Asian region that use the Honda NSF250R, a bike made especially for racing.

The send-off event coincided with the grand opening of the Flagship Shop in Makati City, one of Honda’s latest shops in the country. It gathered HPI executives, as well as bike enthusiasts to promote racing in the Philippines.

The only Filipino selected to take part in ATC, Alberto completed a series of try-outs last August 2017 and begun with test races in Malaysia last February 19 to 20. The race, which will run for several months, will have six rounds and will be held in various locations including Thailand, Japan, and Qatar and will begin on March 16.

Alberto also qualified for the Thai Talent Cup, and will begin competing in April. The races aim to hone racers that will eventually compete at the Motorcycle Grand Pix or MotoGP.

Daiki Mihara, president of Honda Philippines, said Honda has always been dedicated to helping develop and cultivate talents from the local racing scene.

“We believe in helping young, talented racers like Alberto by providing them a training ground to hone their skills and propel them to the most prestigious international competitions,” Mihara said.

In line with Honda’s globalized goals in motorsports, it also upgraded its Flagship Shop’s extensive lineup of services and activities for riders. The shop, which covers a total land area of 640 square meters, was the stage in which Alberto was formally introduced to Honda riders and local motorsports fans.

The Flagship Shop features an extensive, multi-rack display of Honda products, a well-appointed riders’ lounge, and a test ride area. These facilities are intended to showcase Honda’s cutting-edge motorcycles, with a sports segment complete with models that have MotoGP DNA engines designed and built with the power for racing. The shop also features innovative power products and genuine spare parts.

Now, it boasts of its enhanced features, such as the service and spare parts center, to accommodate all riders’ needs. HPI will also be hosting the Happy Honda Days activities at the Manila, Cebu and Davao Flagship Shops to invite more riders to visit and experience the shops’ offerings and give back. The activity will start on March 2 and will include free learn-to-ride and test ride sessions of Honda’s motorcycle models, as well as refreshments, games and giveaways.

“The Flagship Shop is more ready than ever for Honda’s growing community of riders with its improved extensive services,” Mihara said. “With our Happy Honda Days, you can visit the Flagship Shop on weekends to further experience these services.”

The Flagship Shop is located at EDSA Corner, Harvard Street, Barangay Pinagkaisahan, Makati City, and is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

With its presence in the international racing scene and its extensive Flagship Shop services and activities that accommodate MotoGP DNA bikes, HPI is set for full support to its racers and loyal riders.

For more information about Honda Philippines and its upcoming race activities, go towww.hondaph.com or follow the official Facebook page at facebook.com/hondaph/.

Artist Playground’s Playlist Presents Track 2: I Remember A Boy


Wazzup Pilipinas!

When the going gets tough, where do you get your strength?

Made by Millenials, for Millenials, AP’s Playlist, Track 2: I Remember A Boy, is about a group of friends who reunite at a cafe they once frequented when they were still college students. They shall recall how their friendship came together, how they fell in love and fell apart. While reminiscing on their past - remembering the best and worst memories - they unearth feelings which were once laid to rest. With ties severed and hearts broken through the years, will this short reunion allow them to rekindle old flames and begin anew?

This second repeat of this fresh yet nostalgic story of love and friendship that transcends time will be featuring twelve young, experienced and talented performing artists: Kathleen Francisco, Cathrine Go, Philippe Go, Joe Henson, Mariella Laurel,  Miko Manguba. Gian Gloria, Nina Macalino, Kendrick Ibasco, Vyen Villanueva, Shalee Vicencio and Jon Abella.

With musical direction by award-winning Jesse Lucas, I REMEMBER A BOY will relive to the younger audience the beautiful and meaningful melodies of classic OPM hits dating from the 70s to the 90s.

Venue: Arts Above, Artist Playground, 112 West Venue bldg., West Avenue, Quezon City

Show Dates and Schedule:
March 3 (Saturday) – 3PM and 7PM
March 4 (Sunday)- 7 PM
March 10 (Saturday)- 3PM and 7 PM
March 11 (Sunday)- 7 PM

Ticket Price: Php 1,200

Tickets are available at Ticketworld. At

PROMO: Buy 5 Get 1 Free, for regular priced ticket (Php 1,200) until FEBRUARY 25, call  0975 919 3179 and 0916 522 2689 for tickets!

PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Team Director: Mariella Laurel
Musical Director: Jesse Lucas
Writer: Ayu Martinez
Artistic & Assistant Director: Roeder Camanag
Choreographer: Gerhard Krysstopher Pagunsan
Sound Designer: Willy Munji
Production Designer: Mia De Leoz
Production Manager: RBT
Marketing Manager and Artistic Consultant: Kathleen Francisco
Stage Management Team
Stage Manager: Tasha Guerrero
Assistant Stage Managers: Jeremy Cabansag, Loreinne Baniqued and Chi Toladro
Costumes/Dresser Stylist: Katrina Sieglinde Lizaso

PHOTOSHOOT AND VIDEOGRAPHY TEAM
Photographers and editors: Sam Battung and Gabriel Tagala of Limón Studios
Layout and illustrations: Elle Battung
Video Shoot Team Director and writer: LJ Flores
Director of Photography: Alwyn Uytingco
Production Design: Mela Danao
Editor/Colorist: Ram Muro
#APPlaylistTrack2 #IRememberABoy #ArtistPlaygroundPlaylist



CAST

Kathleen Francisco and Gian Gloria as SHAYNE
Cathrine Go and Nina Macalino as KATE
Philippe Go and Kendrick Ibasco as EERO
Joe Henson and Vyen Villanueva as CARLO
Mariella Laurel and Shalee Vicencio as ELLIE
Miko Manguba and Jon Abella as DAVID


Meet the Cast

JOE HENSON
Joe Henson, aged 26, is quite new to the professional theater world but not with performing on stage.  Coming from a musically inclined family, he has been exposed to  music at a young age and has experience with the stage at 14. The vast majority of his exposure has been in singing in church and performing at Sunday school Christmas productions.

He found his passion for theater and the arts in high school when he joined the drama club while he lived in Malaysia. It was there where he tried his hand in script writing, stage management, and directing for the following productions Around the World in 80 Days (2006) , Enchanted (2007), and Arianna (2008). In 2007, he also joined his first Hiphop Dance Competition and bagged 2nd place with his group. He then continued to perform with local Malaysian hiphop group, Danzity till he graduated high school in 2009.

In college, Joe ventured into the indie-music scene of Manila by performing in several gigs with his friends as a solo artist and doing duets with other up-and-coming artists. He did this while pursing his degree in Behavioral Science and later on he finished his post-graduate studies in DLSU. In 2013, he stopped performing and became a full-time student. After graduating, he then pursued a 9 to 5 job in Public Relations and events and eventually got involved in community work.

Joe is currently freelancing in various projects and events while getting more involved in the ministry of his church. His involvement in I Remember A Boy will be his first musical performance since high school . Regardless of where his path takes him, he believes that he will always have a passion for the arts.


KENDRICK IBASCO
This will be Kendrick's first show with Artist Playground and is ecstatic to be working with great friends in the industry. He just finished the second run of 9works Theatrical’s  A Christmas Carol and was recently a part of Disney's Newsies and American Idiot of the same company.

Aside from this, he was also part of the cast of Jersey Boys of Atlantis. Kendrick has also done several shows with Treehouse Theater Production, Kids' Act Philippines and Repertory Philippines.

When he is not doing theater, Kendrick is also a professional events hosts and you can see him hosting birthday parties, debuts, weddings, corporate events and etc.


SHALEE VICENCIO
Shalee Madelaine Vicencio is currently taking up her Bachelor of Arts degree Major in Performance in Media Arts at La Consolacion College Manila. She made her theatre debut in Repertory Philippines’ Seussical the Musical. She has also been part of Repertory’s Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical.

She was also part of the cast of Sunlife Legacy Musical, which toured across the Philippines. She also appeared as Leslie in the Tony Award-Winning Musical, Green Day’s American Idiot by 9Works Theatrical. Just recently she was in Dirty Old Musical (DOM) by Spotlight Artists Centre and A Christmas Carol by 9 Works Theatrical


MIKO MANGUBA
One of the grand winners of GMA Network’s singing reality show “To The Top,” Miko Manguba takes it a notch higher and explores acting for the first time through “I Remember A Boy”.

Miko is the vocal arranger, music producer, and leader of Top One Project (T.O.P.), GMA’s all-male singing group, who won PMPC Best Group of the Year in 2016. Most of their songs were used as theme songs for several Kapuso telenovelas especially for Mulawin Vs. Ravena with their rendition of the song “Ikaw Nga” originally by South Border.

He is currently working with T.O.P. on their second album under GMA Records while studying AB Music Production in De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde


MARIELLA LAUREL
Mariella Laurel is a freelance performing artist who also finds joy in Directing, Film production work and teaching Musical Theatre for children. She’s been gracing the stage through countless opportunities that started at young age of 9. Sparking her interest for musical theatre was her first professional role in a musical as Crystal in Floy Quintos’ Lives.

With that growing passion for theater, she actively participated in Brent International School Manila’s voice and dance trainings, sang for the choral and performed in annual productions, such as The Fantasticks as Luisa, Pippin as Catherine, Godspell as Robin, and Grease as Marty. She was a singer and officer of De La Salle Innersoul, De La Salle University - Manila’s Pop Vocal group, while completing her BA in Communication Arts.

Since graduating in 2015, her most notable theater work include Shrek The Musical as Baby Bear, Villager, Tap Rat and Dulocian (ATEG, 2014), Lagablab as Chayong (AP, 2016), A Christmas Carol as Scrooge’s Mother/Poulterer (9 Works Theatricals and Globe Lives, 2016 and 2017), Baby B as Baby B (AP, 2017) and Prelude to Macbeth as Lorna Stewart (AP, 2017).

Apart from stage performances, she lends her voice for TV and Radio advertisements, hosts and performs for corporate events, acts for short films and television. I REMEMBER A BOY marks her debut as Director and being able to do this production again in 2018 truly leaves her even more grateful and determined to make her mark in this industry!


KATHLEEN FRANCISCO
Kathleen Francisco is a freelance performing artist who also doubles as a marketing consultant for various theater and events companies

At six, she broke into the musical theater scene, through Trumpets Playshop in the summer of 1999. Immediately after, she performed in various concerts, television shows, corporate events and musicals. Some of her notable work included ‘A Grinchmas Christmas Musical’ as Lucy Lou Who and ‘Christmas Spark the Musical’ (9Works Theatrical), the Dunkin' Donuts Christmas VCD (2003), Christian Bautista’s “Colour Everywhere” concert, as well as the singing voice of Young Imang in the ABS-CBN first fantaserye, Kampanerang Kuba (2005)

Since 2015, her most notable theater work includes MLQ: Ang Buhay ni Manuel L. Quezon (Full House Productions, 2015) The Little Mermaid as Princess Sapphire (Trumpets Inc., 2015), Dog Sees God as Tricia/Peppermint Patty (Twin Bill Theater, 2016), Queen Of The Universe as Sarah Wurtzbach (STAGES, 2017); and Baby B as Amy Ocampo (Artist Playground, 2017). Her line up for corporate events includes major brands such as PLDT, Nestle, Nickelodeon, Jollibee, Johnson and Johnsons, Maybank, Personal Collection, SM Malls, Megaworld and much more. 

Aside from her theater credentials, she lends her voice to local advertisements, hosts and writes for corporate events and parties. She also works as the marketing manager and consultant for the following theater and events companies: Trumpets Inc for Trumpets Playsho and Playhouse, Twin Bill Theater Productions, ArtSource and Artist Playground. With her passion for storytelling and creation, Kathleen also worked alongside the creative team of I Remember A Boy, heavily contributing as their Marketing Head and Artistic Consultant.


PHILIPPE GO
Philippe Go is a product of Trumpets Playhouse and played Papa Ge (Once On This Island) and Mr. Ostrovsky/Carl Grubenniere (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) in their 2016 and 2017 annual showcases, respectively.

His most recent role was with Make Believe Productions where he portrayed the Pilot in their interactive musical adaptation of The Little Prince.

A chemist by profession, he entered the pop music scene after being chosen by Lea Salonga in The Voice of the Philippines Season 2, thereafter becoming known as "The Singing Chemist."

This was followed by numerous guesting stints as song interpreter in UNTV's A Song of Praise Music Festival making it all the way to the grand finals in 2015.

Philippe began his musical journey as a chorister, having performed and toured with the Philippine Vocal Ensemble, and is currently active in the Philippine contemporary a cappella scene as a tenor in the all-male group, Ten Thousand. The group recently competed in the Singapore A Cappella Championships finishing second and receiving a Gold Diploma.

He performs at events, sings at weddings, and does radio/TV guestings and CrossFit in his spare time.


CATHRINE GO
Cathrine Go is a full-time freelance performer, performance-maker, actor and theater artist-teacher. Won as Best Actress in Sikat Awards in 2013 and an Aliw Awards Best Actress nominee for the year 2016 for Rody Vera’s Happiness is a Pearl.

She is one of the resident actors (The Players) of Artist Playground, member of Tag-ani Performing Arts Society, member of The Scenius Pro and Scenius ProActives and performer in Party with Jive. She took several trainings for theater and other artistic disciplines at PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory, PETA-MTTL and Artist Playground.

It was 2015 when she was chosen to be the Philippine Delegate for Dramatic Arts in ROK-ASEAN held in Korea National University for the Arts, Seoul, Korea. Some of her notable performances are her portrayals for Maikling Dasal, Mahabang Gabi, Mabuhay ang Bagong Kasal, Hindi na Muli, Happiness is a Pearl, Mulagat, Prelude to Macbeth and M Episode.

Her other performances includes her participation with Tag-ani’s music album – Saka Lamang Papayapa and her performance for the recent KoryoLab 2017.

GIAN GLORIA
Gian is a graduate of De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde with a Bachelor's degree in Digital Filmmaking. She recently appeared in Green Day's American Idiot and A Christmas Carol of 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live. In 2014-2016, she became part of the Manila, Paris, and London run of Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story, A New Musical under Artists Theatre Co. UK wherein she played the roles of Princess Kogajin and Princess Toragana.

Gian was one of the first five representatives of the Philippines and the whole Asia in the Euro Pop Berliner Perle, a singing competition in Europe held annually in Berlin, Germany wherein she placed 4th. She was nominated as Best New Female Artist in the 27th Annual Aliw Awards and was also one of the Top 40 finalists in the very first Philippine Idol (TV 5). Gian made her professional debut on stage in Kids Acts Philippines' The Little Mermaid.

Since then, her theater credits include: Beauty and the Beast, The Fantasticks, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Romeo and Juliet, Mulan, Hansel and Gretel, The Wizard of Oz, and Pinocchio. She released her debut album in 2013 entitled "This Is Me" available in all digital stores worldwide.


VYEN VILLANUEVA
Vyen started performing after undergoing various musical theater and acting workshops. Currently, he is the Artistic Coach of REDph, a contemporary Dance Team he built with Michelle Kawpeng. After completing his Master's Degree in Applied Mathematical Finance from the Ateneo de Manila University, he continued working as an Investment Counselor but his passion for the arts never dimmed. Vyen's professional theater debut was in 9WT's production of Disney's Newsies, followed by A Christmas Carol. Vyen considers himself a banker by day and a full-time performer for life.


JON ABELLA
Jon took up Theater Arts in the University of the Philippines. His professional Theater credits include: A Christmas Carol, Disney’s Newsies under 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live, Mula sa Buwan as Limon under Black Box Productions, William as Richard under PETA, and an opera under Musicartes Manila entitled The Medium by Menotti. He trained under various Dulaang UP professors such as Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa, Dexter Santos, Alexander Cortez, Anton Juan, and Jose Estrella. His acting credits under Dulaang UP includes:

Ang Nawalang Kapatid as Yudistira, Ang Dressing Room as Kiiko, #R</3J as Mercutio/Marky, Katatawanan Ng Kalituhan as Balthasar/Duktor Kurot, Isang Panaginip na Fili as Imuthis, and a musical under Dulaang Lab entitled I Love you Because where he played the awkward socially awkward Austin.

He enjoys ensemble work as well in productions such as: Shock Value, Rizal X, Noli the Opera, Titus Andronicus, Fake, Orosman at Zafira, Ouroboros, and Ang Huling lagda ni Apolinario Mabini.

He was a pit chorus member, guitarist, and assistant musical director for Bit by Bit company’s Maxie the musicale.
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