Music Store one stop mega shop on line

Downloading music off the Internet is easy – just ask anyone from today's generation. They liken it to buying designer coffee: they want it hot, at-the-ready, and fast. With a click of a button or a swipe on their touchscreens, they can access a music site and listen to their favorite tracks on their gadgets right away. But not all music downloading sites are created equal. This 2012, music lovers will finally be able to experience the biggest and most innovative music-downloading site in the Philippines – MyMusicStore.com.ph!

MyMusicStore.com.ph is a one-stop mega-shop for all your music download needs. It boasts thousands of songs and albums for you to choose from. With just a click of a mouse or a touch of your finger, you can instantly enjoy listening to your favorite local and international artists by downloading their music for a minimal fee. Payment is also hassle-free as it can be made through PayPal, credit card, or mobile load.

On January 18, 2012, MyMusicStore.com.ph will be revealed to the public with its launch party at Robot Restaurant and Lounge in Makati Avenue, Makati City at 3:30pm. With the support of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), MyMusicStore.com.ph endorses responsible downloading of music to combat piracy and to continuously promote and enliven the music industry.

MyMusicStore.com.ph is managed by MobileCash Inc. and Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc. Together, they teamed up to create the biggest online digital music store in the Philippines, focusing on making music affordable and accessible, and delivering quality service to music lovers everywhere.

Discover a better way to download songs and albums. Register NOW at www.mymusicstore.com.ph and be part of this exciting music revolution!

     JANUARY 18, 2012   " LAUNCH PARTY "

Love & Laughter with Christian Bautista and Karylle

RWM Concert Series presents Christian Bautista and Karylle feat. Nanette Inventor

NEWPORT CITY, PASAY – Resorts World Manila (RWM) kicks off this year’s RWM Concert Series featuring The Kitchen Musical stars Christian Bautista and Karylle. The witty Nanette Inventor will provide the concert with a funny twist never been seen onstage. The concert will be held on February 29 at The Newport Performing Arts Theater. The three stars will also be joined by singing sensations Primo, and the Opera Belles.

 The concert, titled Love & Laughter, will not just be a night of music but also a touching, funny, and insightful post-Valentine concert.  Christian and Karylle exhibited undeniable chemistry in the musical West Side Story, and of course, the international series The Kitchen Musical, but the two singers never had the chance to work on a concert together.

 “Karylle and I work together in so many gigs, even before,” says Christian. “But doing this Post-Valentine concert with her is something new and very exciting to us.”  Karylle played leading lady Maria to Christian Bautista’s Tony in STAGES’ staging of The West Side Story, where the two received glowing reviews both as individuals and as partners.

“Christian and I are so alike in so many ways,” admits Karylle. “We have always been good friends and I am excited to do this show with him and the other talented artists who will join us.” Christian and Karylle will dish out memorable love songs of different themes in the show- from falling in love to heartbreak to reconciliation and moving on.

Comedienne Nanette Inventor, known for her hilarious skits, will give this show a funny dimension. “Leap year only happens once every four years,” says Nanette. “So the concept of this concert is also a rarity. With the immense talent of Christian and Karylle, I am sure viewers will fall in love and travel back in time with such beautiful love songs that they will perform.”

RWM Concert Series Presents Love & Laughter with Christian Bautista and Karylle with special participation of Nanette Inventor and also featuring Primo and Opera Belles, is directed by Freddie Santos. The concert is produced by RWM in cooperation with Ultimate Entertainment and Stages Talents.

Ticket prices start at P1,500 (Upper Balcony), P2,000 (Balcony), P2,500 (Deluxe), P3,000 (Premiere), and P4,000 (VIP). Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office, or in any Ticketworld outlets. For more information, call the RWM Tourist Hotline (632)836-6333, or Ticketworld (632)891-9999, or visit www.rwmanila.com.

     JANUARY 13, 2011  "PRESSCON"

Dharmesh Goshalia new General Manager of Nokia Philippines

Nokia Philippines welcomes new General Manager

Dharmesh Goshalia

General Manager and Head of Sales

Nokia Philippines

Nokia recently announced the appointment of Dharmesh Goshalia as General Manager of its Philippine office.  He will also handle the position of Head of Sales at the company.

As the new General Manager of Nokia Philippines, Goshalia or Gosh to colleagues, brings with him formidable experience in business development, management and marketing across retail distribution and operator business from diverse markets.  Under his management, Nokia Philippines is looking at maintaining its market leadership in the country while continuing to innovate and keep pace with the needs of the market.

With his appointment, Gosh sets his sights on bringing his strong leadership and strategic decision-making skills to continue to drive Nokia’s success in the country.  “The mobile phone landscape in the Philippines is very dynamic and exciting, and we look forward to maintaining Nokia’s leadership position in the country.  Nokia has a long-running relationship with Filipino mobile users, and enjoys a huge gap over competitors in terms of preference, driven by its strong image as a trustworthy brand, meeting customer needs and being easy to use,” said Gosh.

According to Gosh, 2012 is another exciting year for Nokia as it delivers aspirational products that offer choice for consumers, with differentiation on quality and value for money.  “I’m excited to be at the center of all these amazing developments and look forward to further strengthening Nokia’s relationship with Filipino consumers and steer the company to achieve further success here,” added Gosh.

To date, Nokia continues to change the game in the smartphone business as it gears up to build a winning ecosystem with Microsoft.  The Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 710 and Nokia Lumia 900 – all Windows Phone devices, have had good reception in the select markets that they’ve been introduced to.  Not to be left behind are the Symbian Belle devices like the Nokia 700 and Nokia 701 and the uniquely designed Nokia N9. 

In mobile phones, Nokia continues its drive to connect the next billion people to the Internet, introducing last year great devices and rich services to fulfill this commitment.  Among these devices are four Dual SIM handsets – the Nokia 101, Nokia X1-01, Nokia C2-00 and Nokia C2-03 and the more recent Asha range of QWERTY mobile phones, the Nokia Asha 303 and Nokia Asha 200 (also a Dual SIM phone), which blur the line between smartphones and feature phones.  Connecting to the Web and sharing with contacts has been made easier and more fun.  This will be backed up by more efficient services, like the Nokia Browser and Nokia Maps for Series 40, which both have been earning raves since last year.

With a very busy year ahead, Gosh is all geared up to face the challenges of his new position.  Gosh has been in the telecom industry for over 16 years – six of which has been spent with Nokia.  During those years, he has achieved building and reinforcing teams regardless of race and culture with his strong management skills and affinity for business cultures.  His experiences across Europe, Middle East and Africa have now led him to Asia, where he will easily adapt into diversity and cultural differences.       

Prior to his assignment to Nokia Philippines, Gosh was General Manager of Nokia Greece and Cyprus.  Coming onboard Nokia in 2006, Gosh has significantly contributed to the success in markets such as Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and other countries while heading the multimedia business unit for North and West Africa.  

Gosh has worked with Ericsson South Africa and Sweden, Protek Flagship South Africa and India and Smartcom Mobile Communication, among others where he has left a trail of success with people and business.

The Johannesburg-raised Gosh went to Rand Afrikaans University, where he finished Psychology in 1989. 

The Nokia Asha 303
One of the Media winning the games 'bato-bato pick'.

     JANUARY 19, 2012  "Nokia Thanksgiving Party for Media"       

TIMEX RUN 2012 With Piolo Pascual & Coach Rio

Piolo & Rio Reunite for Timex Run 2012

This January 22, 2012, TIMEX, world renowned makers of high quality time gears, will once again unite casual runners and hardcore sportsmen alike on one blazing race track as it gives rise to the much-awaited TIMEX Run 2012.

Set to unfold at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the historic race shall witness the reunion of the unbeatable running tandem of sought after actor and runner Piolo Pascual and multiple champion runner, coach and marathon organizer Rio Dela Cruz. Last January 13, 2012, the two led a special press gathering to officially present before media partners how this running event levels up from before and all the other races in town, and just why everyone should be part of it.

Coming from a string of back-to-back sporting events where it joined forces with the country’s premiere athletes, such as the Camsur Ironman Triathlon and TIMEX 226 in Bohol over the last years, TIMEX is all set to make this year’s race all the more memorable, fun and extremely power-packed!

So, what’s to be excited about the TIMEX Run 2012?

First and the most exciting of all, participants shall get a very special chance to get fit, have fun and best of all run side-by-side with two of the country’s most beloved idols in entertainment and running; TIMEX brand ambassadors Piolo and Rio. For the last few months, the two have dedicated time amidst their busy schedules to train hard to ensure they’re in the best shape come race day. Together with the two, a handful of other celebrities and personalities shall also be sprinting along with TIMEX, just like during its first edition back in 2009. On top of the list are its youth ambassadors Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco as well as Boys Night Out DJs Slick Rick and Sam YG and actor Victor Basa to name a few.

Divided into three race categories, athletes, race fanatics, and casual runners can choose from the 5, 10 or 16 kilometer event. The race is organized by no less than the in-demand team of Runrio who assures participants of accuracy in timing and a host of other innovative features and acitivities. One of which is the disposable “champion” chips, timing devices attached to shoe laces specially designed to let runners monitor their starting in finishing times with stern accuracy. Functioning only soon as the runner steps on the designated ground matting, the recorded time is sure to be precise.  Another is the Runpix analysis which is a record of interesting running statistics unique to each individual who ran. This will be available after the race at www.runrio.com and www.timexrunning.com.

If you’re up for the action and ready for truckloads of fun, well you still have a chance to join as regular registration has been extended until January 18, 2012. All you have to do is go to any Riovana stores at Bonifacio Global City or Katipunan or visit the TIMEX outlet at TriNoma or the Watch Republic shop in Robinsons Galleria. Registration fees are at Php650 (5KM), Php700 (10KM) and Php750 (16KM). 15 TIMEX watches are up for grabs when you register as a group at Riovana outlets.

Aside from the breathtaking action set to unfold in the race track, those joining can also expect a finish line filled with great prizes. While all finishers will take home loot bags from various sponsors, those who will emerge on top of the pack in every category will get TIMEX watches, A-class activity and time-tracking gears that gives wearers nothing less than the optimum when it comes to style and functionality. First placers shall also take home a pair of Skechers shoes. Canon shall also raffle of digital cameras and provide photobooths for participants to be able take home souvenir shots. The whole race is also powered up completely with hydration partners Powerade and VIVA! Mineralized Water. A total of 35 watches shall also be raffled off all throughout the day in celebration of the Piolo Pascual’s 35^th birthday. Timex partnered with companies such Riovana, Century Tuna, Magnolia Lite, Nutri Bar, Kaspersky, Multisport Magazine and Unilab to make this anticipated race possible.

To keep the day much more exciting, participants are also challenged to guess Piolo’s bib number and finish time. Lucky guessers will win their very own TIMEX watches. For more details visit www.timexwatches.com.ph.

Hurry and register now, time is running! Assembly time for all categories is at 4:00AM. Gun start times are at 5:10AM (16KM), 5:30AM (10KM) and 5:50AM (5KM). Run with Piolo and Rio at the TIMEX Run 2012 and make history once more! For more information, please visit http://runrio.com/2011/11/2012-timex-run/.

     JANUARY  13, 2012  "PRESSCON"

FTX Gym Launches in Makati

Hip Functional Training Gym in Makati Launches Managing Partner

FTX Gym, the premier functional training center in the country, recently introduced one of its managing partners via a launch party which also featured their signature workout called Cirqfit.

Joseph Velasco, American Council on Exercise-certified Personal trainer and Lifestyle and Weight Management consultant, is a Mr. Philippines titleholder for the Welterweight division. As a top caliber bodybuilding and powerlifting coach, he uses his acquired knowledge through continuing education workshops as well as from his 20 years of experience as a fitness professional to provide his athletes with the best training programs and strategies for winning.

Also launched alongside Velasco were the intense yet fun group exercise classes the gym offers including Rip60, TechnoRave, and Fly Yoga –all three are the very first in the country, plus Belly Dancing and Muay Thai by 2011 Fight for the Glory Battle defending champ Arjohn Balmes. There was also a short preview of the gym’s very own CirqFit signature workout, which actually consists of fat-blasting, heart-pumping programs that each patron can pick out of a menu of 15 posted on a board that is similar to a restaurant’s.

Velasco is one of three Managing Partners who run FTX with principal owner Restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo. FTX is located at Unit 202 Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Website is gymftx.com and contact number is 8223311

Joseph Velasco (right in under armour shirt) flanked by co-managing partners (from left) JR Mardiaga and Reijo Del Prado.

     JANUARY  5, 2012  "MEDIA LAUNCH"