MANILA, Philippines – Too many channels, too little time.

Such is the usual dilemma of televiewers these days. They live a fast-paced, modernized life with more often erratic schedule that makes their chance to see their favorite programs almost next to impossible.

Skycable, boasting its digital innovation direction, is to the rescue with the introduction of Personal Video Recorder, a device that records TV programs onto a hard drive in digital format, meaning no need for tapes or disks as the old norm of recording requires. Similar to TIVO (TV on demand) that earned a large following in the US, PVR can schedule recording, record up to two programs simultaneously, pause a live feed then resume, and skip through the adverts.

Rodrigo Montinola, Skycable VP for Marketing, expressed confidence that the said service is the solution to the “no time to watch on time” problem. “We’re addressing the concern through an innovation that assures convenience and satisfaction to our customers. With the PVR one just need to set-up the record mode and go ahead with their schedule, assured they’d be able to see the show they want at their convenient time.”

What makes the recording device possible is the Electronic Program Guide which records by itself based on choices. So the better the EPG, the more “intuitive” the PVR is.

Skycable, which recorded a 48 percent growth in connects last year, has become the first cable with digibox – the device digitizing the now old-school analog cable. Around 80 percent of its current subscribers have now availed of the digibox as Skycable Select, the first to offer channels subscription one at a time, has become the choice for many wanting to maximize the use of cable TV.

More so, Skycable was the first to launch a full high-definition service back in April 2009. Viewers’ preferred live sports events now being accessed through the HD pay-per-view. Thus, NBA fans in the country have gone gaga over NBA Premium TV.

“The PVR emphasizes once again the digital content innovations we’ve been spearheading on. Bottom line is we want to give the best in delivering digital content,” Montinola added.

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Richard Quan and his steady work for charity

From the pigeonhole:

For the past six years, doing charity work is just one of the things that Richard Quan is willing to do. The film, television and stage actor always has time for his gallant act and has encouraged other people to do the same.

Last year, in between his work on television (he was in the ABS-CBN 2 hit primetime series “Imortal”) and film (he did three indie films and three major motion pictures), Richard was able to lend a hand to the orphanage at the RSCC Research in Quezon City, a public school in Tondo and the Aeta site in Porac, Pampanga.

“Even if I had a very busy schedule last year, I was able to squeeze in my yearly charity work,” says Richard with a smile.
“At the RSCC Research, we helped out in painting the newly constructed orphanage. Mas maganda na siya ngayon tingnan because of the renovation. In Tondo, we distributed school supplies to the kids. And in Porac, we had a feeding program for the Aeta children and we gave their families clothes, medicines and groceries.”

The actor acknowledges the people who have unselfishly shared their blessings for his foundation’s cause.

“I like to thank the many people who have always shared their blessings with us. They trust us with so many donations in cash and in kind. Kami naman, we do our part in giving it out. Lahat ng binigay nila ay binibigay din namin sa mga pinupuntahan naming mga lugar.”

The foundation, Loreta Maglalang Foundation Inc., is still accepting donations of used clothing, school supplies and canned goods. They can contact Richard through his Facebook (www.facebook/richardmquan@yahoo.com) and Twitter account (http://twitter.richardmquan/).

And because of his continuous work for charity, it’s no wonder that Richard is blessed with big projects. Aside from being in the cast of the top-rating series “Imortal,” he is also cast in GMA-7’s newest afternoon drama series “My Lover, My Wife” and he has wrapped up work with the political drama film “Deadline” under award-winning film director Joel Lamangan. The film also stars Tirso Cruz III, Lovi Poe, Allen Dizon, Ina Feleo and TJ Trinidad.

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Far East Movement takes No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100

Far East Movement assumes the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart this week with the platinum selling single “Like A G6” off their debut album “Free Wired” that released Oct. 12th on Cherrytree/Interscope Records.

The song drops a single spot to No. 2 on the Digital Song chart this week after topping the chart for two weeks in a row. “Like A G6” had its best single week sum to date this week with 223,000 copies sold for a total of over 1.4 million digital units sold.

The track has been exploding since it first went to radio and became available at iTunes achieving “Greatest Gainer” title on multiple Billboard charts during the run for top spot.

“We never thought a song we just put out for fun on the Internet would receive such an incredible response,” says Kev Nish. “It’s amazing and we feel blessed and eager to give fans more of the Free Wired sound.”

Prohgress, Kev Nish, J Splif and DJ Virman (a.k.a. Far East Movement) have taken their sound and movement global with multiple world tours and numerous synch placements in TV and Film.

Get Far East Movement’s hit songs on your mobile! Just text FEM to 3456.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for March 8 go to former Senators Ramon Revilla Sr. and Sonny Jaworski, Col. Apolonio Reyes, Lenny Parto, Chiquita Atienza, Billy C. Ramirez, Juanico J. Dizon, Carmelita J. Fernandez, Mary Joy Rodriguez, Maricar Rizza Nuevo, Ernel Acosta, Sarah Balabagan, Aida Fernandez, Ed dela Luna, Renato “Boy” Samson, and Bryan Termulo… Happy wedding anniversary to Prof. Danny and Lilia Cruz…