Friday, December 28, 2012

“LIFE OF PI’S” NEWBIE THESPIAN SURAJ SHARMA NOMINATED IN 18TH CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

 

“LIFE OF PI’S” NEWBIE THESPIAN SURAJ SHARMA NOMINATED IN 18TH CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

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From Oscar winning filmmaker Ang Lee comes “Life of Pi,” a breathtakingly beautiful story of a boy named Pi played by newcomer Suraj Sharma who is lost at sea with a Bengal tiger, following the loss of his family in a shipwreck .

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Suraj Sharma who hails from India never expected a “Life of Pi” when he accompanied his brother to the movie’s casting call. Born and raised in Delhi, India and raised by mathematician parents, it seemed that from more than 3,000 hopefuls who auditioned for the role, Suraj was destined to play the role of Pi, a mathematical constant transcendental number.

SurajSharma stars in LIFE OF PI

He has recently been nominated in the upcoming Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Actor for his role in “Life of Pi” along with other actors/actresses such as Elle Fanning (“Ginger & Rosa”) and Logan Lerman (“Perks of Being a Wallflower”).

The story revolves around Pi, a delightfully enthusiastic teenager who lives with his zoo-keeping family in Pondicherry, India. Inquisitive and intelligent, he explores different cultures and spiritual traditions. Pi has open-minded parents who allow him to become a free thinker, finding his own path. Due to a worsening economic climate, Pi’s parents decide to emigrate to start a new life in Canada. But the ship sinks. Eventually only Pi and the tiger are left alive on the lifeboat and the unlikely pair embarks on an Odyssey that is fraught with danger. On the precarious lifeboat he shares with the tiger, Pi finds inner strength and becomes aware that some kind of higher power is in charge of his destiny.

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The heightened emotional connections presented in the movie required exceptional performances from its cast, none more so than the neophyte thespian who would take on the titular hero. “We searched for a young man who had the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts, and the physicality needed to embody Pi on his journey,” says director Ang Lee. "During his audition, Suraj filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes. His natural ability to believe and stay in the world of the story is a rare treasure.

LIFE OF PI takes us from serene to stormy

life of pi - SURAJ SHARMA as Pi

“Suraj’s investment in the story made us really believe that whatever challenges we faced, the film was really going to happen,” adds the director. “When we saw Suraj, we saw the movie. Mr. Lee marvels at Suraj’s innocence and efforts, noting, “We are all experienced and perhaps a little jaded. Suraj reminded us why we want to make movies. Every day was a miracle.”

BRAY_PI_0248.CR2 For Suraj Sharma, the experience of landing the starring role was surreal. “It was all so new for me,” says Suraj. “I had never been out of India. I didn’t know how to act or swim. I learned how to swim and now it’s my favorite thing to do. Shooting the film in Taiwan and meeting people from all over the world in the crew was fantastic. You get an idea of how diverse the world is. I was really inspired by everything I saw and everyone I got to know. I wanted to give it everything I had.”

Sharma also went through rigorous workouts to increase his stamina, which gave him an inner discipline and strength that enabled him to empathize with the character. “What defines Pi is his never-ending will to survive, he has a belief in the world and I think that’s what sets him apart from everyone else. He survives by instinct. But he also possessed a strong sprit from the beginning, right from being a child. But Pi kept that innocence inside him and with innocence comes belief.”

 

Here’s the Trailer Cutdown of Life of PI :

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in 3D and 2D theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

BEHIND THE DISNEY ON ICE MAGIC @ Smart Araneta

BEHIND THE DISNEY ON ICE MAGIC:

MAKING THE (SET) PIECES FALL IN ITS PERFECT PLACE

14 PRINCE ERIC AND HIS CREW OF SAILORS

Every year, hordes of Filipino families make the beeline to the Smart Araneta Coliseum to watch the latest Disney on Ice show. This year, from December 25 to January 3, 2012, expect the lines to get even longer because Disney on Ice presents “Princesses and Heroes”, a beautiful show that recreates defining moments when eight Disney princesses’ wishes are fulfilled with the help of their devoted princes. Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Tiana enter a world where heroes and hearts prevail. 

02 ARIEL AND HER FIN-CLAD SISTERS FROLIC UNDER THE SEA WITH SIDEKICKS SEBASTIAN AND FLOUNDER

But beyond the awesome and precise skating, the adventure of this ice-spectacle is magnified many times over because of the equally jaw-dropping sets.

In a conversation with production designer, Robert Little, he revealed that Filipino audiences should expect the unexpected! Little says, “My hope is that as they experience each of the characters’ wishes, they would be surprised and delighted with the enchanting variety of stories and the seeing all their favorite characters. The show’s fast and exciting pace will also impress them as we move from story to story.”

05 BELLE FINDS ADVENTURE AND NEW FRIENDS INSIDE THE BEAST'S CASTLE

To achieve this, Little revealed that the character Tinker Bell was crucial because most of the set pieces were influenced by the magic of Disney’s favorite fairy. “On a trail of pixie dust, the set pieces must literally come to life and have certain elements to fit each princess story. In the Aladdin scene for instance, Tinker Bell cause the bazaar and the marketplace to magically appear on the ice.”

Little said that his hands-down favorite set piece was the waterfall. “We had this early idea on about wishes and the types of places where you would be compelled to make wishes. We hit upon the waterfall.  The enchanting idea worked especially well for Ariel, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. However, it was quite challenging because we had to find a way to make the waterfall a cascading, multi-level piece, while containing the water off the ice to prevent melting.”

08 CINDERELLA'S WISH HAS COME TRUE

Other pieces that Little is very proud of are Cinderella’s carriage and the dragon, “Cinderella’s carriage is very much like a beautiful Tiffany or Faberge egg. At the end of the show, the carriage rises up and becomes a magnificent gold shimmering ball.” Little said that in Sleeping Beauty, he wanted to recreate all the excitement, romance and drama in the scene where Prince Phillip battles a dragon to get to Princess Aurora, “We made the fire-breathing dragon six meters long and there is a thrilling surprise in store for the audience at the end.”

15 ALADDIN STAYS ONE JUMP AHEAD IN AGRABAH

02 ARIEL AND HER FIN-CLAD SISTERS FROLIC UNDER THE SEA WITH SIDEKICKS SEBASTIAN AND FLOUNDER

12 SLEEPING BEAUTY IS LIVING HER ONCE UPON A DREAM

13 PRINCE PHILIP BATTLES MALEFICENT

16 THE DISNEY PRINCESSES AND THEIR HEROES

Little said that designing the set for Disney on Ice was thrilling and as well as challenging simply because there were many classic stories to tell. He had to find a way to combine these stories through scenery that would be flexible yet magically effective. Little said that designing this set is actually the realization of childhood dream. “My one wish growing up was to be in entertainment, making models of magical places that I’d never been to. Disney on Ice has made that dream come true because I became a creator of these magical places, “Little said. Indeed, even among the people behind the scenes, dreams do come true in Disney.

These and more exciting “ice-specatular” numbers are in store for Filipino audiences who will troop over to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Disney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes. Tickets are available via TicketNet Online www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555.

Disney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes is a holiday presentation from the Araneta Center, Smart Araneta Coliseum and Lactum. Official transport partners are Philippine Airlines and H&M Transport. Official TV partner is ABS-CBN. Other media partners are the Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Summit Media.  Official Residence is Holiday Inn.

The Roadhouse Manila Bay & Pinoy Blues Jam Album Launching

 

The Roadhouse Manila Bay & Pinoy Blues Jam Album Launching

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The Roadhouse Manila Bay is place to be if you love Blues music having a great food and a great ambiance as well, This is where many Filipino musicians that are well-verse in blues plays and enjoys by their patrons. By featuring live music, mostly blues, seven nights a week, The Roadhouse Manila Bay  has become a major place to visit when it comes to encouraging old blues-oriented bands to regroup and new bands to  step forward , be known and eventually have their professional bookings .

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The album have a total number of 18 songs and each band have at least 2 or more songs in it. One of my favorite is A Better Man by the Blue Rascals, if you want to know why, well you better get yourself a copy of the album. Almost 14 of the 18 songs are original compositions and there are 4 tagalog songs too which are too.good to be true.

The Album only cost Php 500 and it’s available at The Roadhouse Manila Bay, so that you too can enjoy good Blues music wherever you are. But if you prefer buying online, their album is also available on digital form too, get it here on iTunes andAmazon.

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If you want to experience the live band and blues as we the bloggers that night did,  you can find The Roadhouse Manila Bay at SM by the Bay, Mall Of Asia, Pasay City, Philippines, you can also call them on Tel. (02) 836.7382 for reservations and inquires.

For more pictures pls click this link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368128159950211.84608.348405828589111&type=1

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Beer Angels on UNO Magazine this Christmas

 

The Beer Angels on UNO Magazine this Christmas

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The heavens have opened their doors to UNO Magazine as Colt 45’s Beer Angels landed on their cover this month. That’s not just one, not two, but three outstandingly talented and gorgeous women, beaming at you as you hold your December Issue of UNO Magazine. You’ll be clutching there in your bare hands the lovely Cesca Litton, Denise Laurel and Bela Padilla on this month’s release.

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DSC00445 bela1 Beer angels

TV host Cesca Litton, singer-actress Denise Laurel and actress Bela Padilla all make up, what men could only deem as dreamlike, Colt 45’s Beer Angels. This is not the first time Cesca worked with UNO Magazine as she packed a lot of bang inside UNO way back April 2009. Following that up with Denise’s alluring touch on UNO’s May 2009 cover, it was already hard to keep up then and catch our breaths, but to have them both on one cover with a mighty belle like Bela Padilla now, will surely knock us out cold.

Seeing how these angels are clad with naughty halos, what could their mission be? We could only think (and hope) of one thing: Show us what heaven is like through the power of glossy, hi-definition paper.

Now at the their second release after a brief hiatus, UNO Magazine is definitely “Back to Irreverence”.

Grab your copy now. Follow us on Twitter (@UNOmag) to get direct updates on UNO Magazine’s cover girl tours and events.

Friday, December 14, 2012

East-West Seed Awards 30 National Vegetable “Farmer Heroes” @ “The Greenery” Baliuag Bulacan

 

 Company Foundation dedicated to empowering farmers launched

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Thirty (30) Vegetable farmers were hailed the “Philippines Best” by Asia’s leading vegetable seed company East West Seed at an Awards Ceremony held December 12 at the Greenery in Baliuag Bulacan . The awarding of the “National Champs” capped a Four (4) month search for 30 farmer heroes who have achieved success, shown innovativeness in adapting improved technologies, contributed significantly to their community’s development and improved consumer welfare with the help of East West Seed varieties. Each winners received cash prizes, vegetable seeds, plaques of recognition and travel packages.

The National Champs celebrated as 30 farmer heroes were Onofre Tudayan, Jose Madriaga, Ernesto Pascual Gabby Retuva, Heherson Pagulayan, William Banay, Warlito Dacumos, Ricardo Ronquillo, Reynaldo Hilario, Maria Concepcion Arcego, Danilo Mateo, Cresencia Tuiza, Isidro Dellova, Nestor Kalaw, Joselito Tibayan, Marlon Medes, Bartolome De Mateo, Noel Zabala, Efren Saniel, Germilito Atwil Sr., Lyndon Presillas, Roy De Asis, Edwin Sabanpan, Virgie Llido, Bonifacio Montilla, Vicente Gualberto , Jose Lorenzo, Victoria Motril, Jaime Angeles Tecson and Ronaldo Trinidad.

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And it so happened that December 12 also marked the Company’s 30th Anniversary and the launch of the East-West Seed Foundation, dedicated to the development of the vegetable industry. “We could not think of a more meaningful way of celebrating our 30th Anniversary than to pay tribute to the success of Filipino vegetable farmers. Its high time to recognized their Enterpreneural spirit  and hard work, which have uplifted farming communities and provided better lives for their families,”  said Dr Mary Anne Sayoc , General Manager of East West Philippines.

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Hundreds of their Kababayan’s and families as well from Luzon to Mindanao joined them and somehow  delegate their time to congratulate them in  their high and noble achievement, Having been in the minimum wage earner in the society who are former bus and public utility drivers, housewives, Overseas workers ect. Who managed to step and do something that will make their lives improved , their children to finish their studies , and even owned a bigger land for their further enhancements and growth of their farms.

For more pictures regarding the event click the link below ,  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.364845930278434.83916.348405828589111&type=3

Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Simple But Meaningful Celebration of Birthday through the Inauguration of Sipag Center & Parol Festival Awards

 

Las Piñas City Inaugurates Sipag Center and  Celebrates 7th Parol Festival

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Inauguration of the past controversial C5 properties that was filed against Sen. Manny Villar , which was being lifted and considered not valid was being used for the common good of his constituents.

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Recycled and indigenous materials used to reflect Christmas spirit

Las Piñas once again proved that it is ‘the lantern capital of Metro Manila’ as residents of its barangays showed their ingenuity in creating the best Christmas parols (lanterns) using recycled and indigenous materials at the 7th Parol Festival’s lantern-making competition.

“We are pleased that the Parol Festival is becoming popular not only here in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country as well. I always promote the festival when I attend festivals in other provinces. This is a big boost to our three-generation parol-making industry,” said Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation, which is in charge of the yearly festival.

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The festival is the brainchild of the Former Congresswoman of Las Piñas. In 2007, she encouraged the city’s magpaparols (lantern-makers) to organize themselves into the ‘Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Piñas’. And to support them, the then Congresswoman Villar set up the Las Piñas Parol Center, which serves as a training area for the lantern-makers.

“We want this unique tradition of parol-making to be continued carried on by the younger generations, so we support the industry as much as we can,” said Mrs. Villar.

This year, the Parol Festival will be held at its new venue—the Villar Social Institute of Poverty Alleviation & Governance (SIPAG) along C-5 Extension in Pulang Lupa Uno. In the last six years, it was held at the St. Joseph Bamboo Organ Church.

Meanwhile, the younger Villar—Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar—is pleased with the entries in this year’s parol-making competition. “The residents of our barangays are really looking forward to the contest and eagerly participate every year. The entries are becoming more and more artistic and creative, reflecting Las Piñeros’ skills and craftsmanship in making traditional lanterns,” he cited.

The lantern-making competition also highlights environmental protection as participants can only use recycled materials such as shampoo sachets/bottles, cans, bottles, tetra packs, newspapers etc. and natural or indigenous materials such as coconut huks, dried leaves, feathers, shells etc. The frame of the lantern should be made of bamboo.

Entries will be judged according to ingenuity and resourcefulness, 30%; creativity, 25%; impact, 30% and technical skills, 15%. The grand prize winner will get P45,000 and the three runners-up will get P20,000; P15,000; and P10,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of P2,000 will be given to all participants. The Villar Foundation extended a P1,000 cash subsidy to all those who fielded entries in the contests.

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A Filipino custom lunch served together with the celebration of  Sen. Villar’s Birthday with his constituents at the Sipag Center at C5 Las Pinas Pulang Lupa Uno. He prepare to have his special day to be celebrated with one of the Pilars of his career as a Servant of the People in his hometown.

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For more pictures for the said event please click the link : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.364846153611745.83917.348405828589111&type=1

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christkindl market

 

Christkindl market is ongoing at SM MOA Skating rink. A European Christmas Celebration .  7 days of Holiday Shopping with Authentic European Food and Live Entertainment.

December 3-9, 2012 * 10 am – 10 pm

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DAILY ACTIVITIES:

  • European Holiday Shopping
            • Skating ,Sled Ride                                                                                                                                                            

DAILY ATTRACTIONS:

  • Santa Claus Workshop
  • Wishing Station
  • Fairy Tale Hour
  • Heavenly Workshop
  • Sharing Village
  • Country Pavilions
  • Chefs Pavillions
  • Cooking Demonstrations
  • Nativity & Christmas Art Display

SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES:

3 December

  • Tree-lighting Ceremony
  • Christkind/Christmas Angel Prologue
  • ECCP Networking Night
  • Manila Orchestra
  • Laser Light Show

4 December

  • Little Heavenly Voices Choral Competition
  • PIA Puppet Theater
  • Interactive Story Telling - The Nutcracker

5 December

  • High School - Heavenly Voices Choral Competition
  • PIA Puppet Theater
  • Interactive Story Telling - Angelina & The Palace

6 December

  • College - Heavenly Voices Choral Competition
  • Christmas Jazz - Ace of Strings
  • Interactive Story Telling

7 December

  • PIA Puppet Theater
  • Amahl & The Nights Visitors - A Christmas Opera by Music Artist Inc
  • Ziprah Singers 

8 December

  • PIA Puppet Theater
  • Children's Lantern Parade European Cultural Night
  • Hansel & Gretel Play by Goethe Institut
  • A Capella Manila
  • Laser Light Show
  • Acts Manila: East Meets West-  "Ballets from Europea & the Philippines"

9 December

  • Shrine of Jesus Children's Choir
  • Interactive Story Telling
  • Chorus Leviticus
  • 2 Avenue Acoustic Duo
  • Treasure Hunt

For more inquiries pls check them on their Website ,@ http://www.christkindlmarket.com.ph/program_schedule.php

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

CDC Holdings Inc., We Make It Happen

 

 

The first ever community structured through series of high rise buildings ever built , planned and implemented in the Philippine settings. And through this a whole subdivision condominium can cater a whole barangay  which comprise of OFW’s, Mid class people,  and most of the hard working people in the society.

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cdc2   The key is connectivity.  Whether for our work or our personal lives, we all want and need to be within reach.  CDC Holdings Inc., one of the most recognized and respected leaders in the Philippine real estate industry today, know this all too well.  CDC Holdings Inc., the developer behind Manila RiverCity Residences, believes in the value of living smart.  Providing the best options to homeowners enables them to do just that – to Live Smart and Happy..

 Location, Location

Situated along the historic and scenic Pasig River in Sta. Ana, the Manila RiverCity Residences lets you experience the verve of living by the banks.  It allows you to drift through the historic and scenic beauty of Pasig River, while giving you full access to the nearby cities, thus creating an ideal median between past and present.

Enclosed by the nation’s busiest economic centers of Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Manila, its adjacency to schools and universities, plus being highly-accessible through private and public transportation, has made the Manila RiverCity Residences a prime location for cosmopolitan living.

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It’s Easy Being Green

The project is comprised of nine buildings ranging from 10-14 floors.  The Manila RiverCity Residences’ buildings are equipped with elevators, service stairs, 1.5 meter-wide corridors, roof decks with landing area, overhead tanks with water pump, and a standby generator for common areas.

With 62 percent of its total 14,000 square meter lot area allotted for roads, landscaped areas and amenities such as playground, pavillion and swimming pool, the Manila RiverCity Residences also aims to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle via its proposed environment-friendly features that includes: installation of solar panels, rain water catch basin, landscaped park, pavilion, water-featured landscaping, and the promotion of waste segregation.

Affordability

Owning a unit at the Manila RiverCity Residences is concrete proof that premium does not always have to come with a price, and that nowis the opportune time to avail of its value.

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CDC Holdings Inc. offers as low as PHP 1.1.M for a studio unit, as low as PHP 6,000 per month.  For wider market availability, a flexible payment scheme of down payment payable up to 24 months, with the balance payable up to 30 years through Pag-IBIG is also being offered, apart from the other available financing through in-house, bank or Pag-IBIG.

Filipina receives Guinness World Records recognition for “Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles of Any Size, Shape or Form”

 

Filipina receives Guinness World Records recognition for “Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles of Any Size, Shape or Form”

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In a modern world so turned on to video and digital entertainment, a lady who assembles jigsaw puzzles as a hobby takes center stage as she receives Guinness World Records recognition for The World’s Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles in Any Size, Shape or Form” today, November 29, 2012 at The Puzzle Mansion in Tagaytay.

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Guinness World Records Adjudicator and Representative of Turkey, Seyda Subasi Gemici, awarded Ms. Georgina Gil Lacuna, with the official Guinness certificate attesting to the new record she has set in this category. Ms. Lacuna has 1,030 jigsaw puzzles in her collection – all completed by her – housed in her Bed and Breakfast in Barangay Asisan, Tagaytay City aptly called The Puzzle Mansion. The previous Guinness World Records for jigsaw puzzles was 238, collected by Luiza Figuereido of Brazil on May 21, 2010.

The puzzles in Ms. Lacuna’s collection were adjudicated on the morning of November 29 in the presence of two official witnesses, Sister Angeline Ilagan and Professor Monette Narciso of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. The puzzle collection includes mural-sized puzzles that are 14 feet long and 5 feet tall and smaller pieces of various shapes and sizes, some in 3D and 4D.

Ms. Lacuna is currently working on one jigsaw puzzle that is acknowledged also by Guinness to be the biggest jigsaw puzzle in existence in the world : Keith Haring’s Double Retrospect with 32,000 puzzle pieces – 17 feet long and 6 feet tall.

Lacuna, who started doing jigsaw puzzles 27 years ago, says she is able to finish two 500-piece puzzles a day and a 1000-pieces puzzle overnight. “If the puzzles have only 300 pieces, I am able to finish five of them in one day,” she said.

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Present at the Guinness awarding were Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino and Director Luella Jurilla of the Calabarzon Region who represented Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez. Foreign dignitaries as well as local and international media also witnessed the awarding ceremony.

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“We are very proud to have this awesome puzzle collection in our City and this recognition from Guinness World Records, the ultimate authority on record-breaking achievements, will place Tagaytay on the world map. We congratulate Ms. Lacuna on her singular feat and salute her for the role that her puzzles will play in boosting tourism in this part of the country,” Mayor Tolentino said.

For her part, Ms. Lacuna said she wants to turn more people – especially the youth – into solving jigsaw puzzles. “They are very rewarding to do because they are educational and have many psychological and health benefits as well. They relax you even as they make you think. According to doctors, working on difficult jigsaw puzzles exercises your brain. The more you work your brain, the better off your mind will be. Solving jigsaw puzzles can help stave off memory loss and brain aging.”

The puzzle collection is on view daily at The Puzzle Mansion from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Sunday. For more information about the puzzle collection and The Puzzle Mansion, visit www.Facebook.com/puzzlemansion.

For more pictures regarding the event pls clck this link ,