U2 and Research In Motion (RIM) have great news for digital music fans who miss the visual experience that came with music albums. RIM recently announced the launch of U2 Mobile Album, a new mobile application for BlackBerry® smartphones that invigorates the album experience for the digital age. Developed in collaboration with the band, the exciting new U2 Mobile Album brings a rich visual experience with evolving content and an interactive dimension for the band’s current No. 1 album “No Line On The Horizon.” The application is now available for free on BlackBerry App World™ and from www.blackberry.com/u2.

The U2 Mobile Album reintroduces a wealth of material that was the norm for CD or vinyl releases, which included photos and other information that brought the listener closer, and gave a fuller picture of the artist’s world. In the digital age, these elements have eroded to a pick list selection and a keyhole snapshot of visual content. The BlackBerry platform, supporting advanced multimedia features, push-based wireless connectivity and social interactivity, offers a very powerful platform to support a new type of album experience for mobile users.

The new U2 Mobile Album is a free, downloadable application for BlackBerry smartphones that brings a rich, visual and interactive dimension to the music. It brings together a range of content for fans with photos, videos, interviews, news, lyrics and samples of the music, plus individual tracks or the complete album can be purchased online from a BlackBerry smartphone. A second phase of the application is also already in the works, which will add social networking elements that engage fans around the world.

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Star Magic Catalogue 2010

The stars come out to shine again in ABS-CBN’s special collectible 2010 edition of the Star Magic Catalogue.
Now on its 17th year, Star Magic’s constellation of stars has expanded far beyond what it was in 1992, representing artists of every kind in the entertainment universe. But the new Star Magic Catalogue 2010 is more than your annual special issue showcasing pictures of the stars who brighten up our lives. “They are a record of the beautiful, young and extraordinary personalities who have captivated the hearts and imagination of millions of people all over the world,” as Star Magic head honcho and Catalogue Editor-in-Chief Johnny Manahan puts it.

Unique to this issue is the look that dominates each page. Shot entirely by the much sought-after photographer to the stars, Doc Marlon Pecjo, your favorite artists are presented in something closer to their real-life personas. Get to know them in a more relaxed and comfortable setting, which enhances their inner glamour and natural beauty even more. Doc Marlon’s photographic artistry brings out qualities in them you’ve never seen before. Each page of the Star Magic Catalogue 2010 is a revelation and the issue is a keeper that belongs in each home. Star Magic Catalogue 2010 is now available at all your favorite bookstores and in newsstands nationwide.

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National Book Store, Pizza Hut build libraries

The National Book Store Foundation, Inc. and its partner establishment Pizza Hut treated 100 schoolchildren from Tagapo Elementary School in Laguna to a day of fun and reading during the Book It Buklat Aklat (BIBA) leave-behind library turnover last Aug. 6.

Celebrity spokesperson Diether Ocampo read “Bilog na Itlog” by Al Santos and Josefina Sanchez to the delight of the grade one kids as they enjoyed free pizzas from Pizza Hut.

“Reading will open a lot of doors and help kids realize their dreams,” Ocampo said. “Having experienced hardships when I was growing up, I wanted to share all the blessings that I have been receiving by giving children the tools to improve their condition in life.”

The students from Tagapo also received school supplies from NBSFI’s Project Aral drive, which gathered close to 65,000 study packs from loyal NBS patrons.

BIBA, a collaborative effort of the two companies, aims to increase readership interest among public school children by helping schools and communities furnish and refurbish its libraries. For more information on NBSFI and its projects, visit http://www.nbsstores.com.

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Star City opens new ‘Snow World’

Star City, the country’s premier amusement park, has launched its pre-Christmas additions to its roster of rides and attractions, like the new Snow World and the Laser Blaster, a war game which uses the latest in laser technology.

Snow World, the only ice entertainment attraction in the country, takes us to Winter Wonderland. It features Christmas in the Philippines, complete with carolers, simbang gabi, and cooking of the lechon, all carved in ice. It also features Christmas in Japan, India, the Netherlands and other countries. Snow World also features the winning pieces made by the members of the Professional Ice Sculptors Association of the Philippines who took part in their competition. The winner will be sent by Snow World President Thomas Choong in the world championships in Alaska.

The Dino Island can not be left behind. Now it does not only feature the giant dinosaurs, but also shows how the early men lived during those times.

In addition to its 34 rides and attractions, Star City also offers big ballet shows being staged by the Ballet Manila, led by the country’s only prima ballerina, Liza Macuja-Elizalde. Star City opens daily from 4 p.m. onwards on weekdays, and from 2 p.m. onwards on weekends.

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Pichay heads AAFI Execom

LWUA Administrator Prospero “Butch” Pichay has accepted the invitation of the Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. to be this year’s Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The former Surigao del Sur congressman and media mogul has a long-standing interest and concern for the Filipino live entertainers’ welfare and his acceptance of the Execom Chairmanship reflects his desire to contribute to the efforts of the 33-year-old award-giving body towards the development of the live entertainment industry.

The 22nd Aliw Awards night is set for Nov. 17, at the new Mega Tent in Pasig City and is supported by Pagcor, PCSO and friends of the Foundation.

Finalists for the 22nd Aliw Awards will be announced soon by Director Frank Rivera, Screening Committee Chairman, according to AAFI President Rema T. Manzano.

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Showbiz people shop at Greenhills

The Greenhills Shopping Complex in San Juan City is for the poor and rich.

You can spot here ordinary shoppers and bargain hunters and small-time entrepreneurs and also big names in showbiz, business and sports. It was reported to have seen here even the Queen of Spain (who is said to have come to Greenhills to buy pearls incognito) and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney who brought some friends and relatives from the United States.

During trade fairs and exhibits, many VIPs and prominent personalities are among shoppers and bargain hunters going around Greenhills. Albert Castro, coordinator of Prime Asia Trade Planners & Convention Organizers (PATEPCO), a pioneer trade and fair and consumer exhibitor in Greenhills, said there are many reasons why they like to shop at Greenhills.

He said in Greenhills, the ordinary meet some movie personalities like Claudine Barretto, Michael de Mesa, Julius and Christine Babao, Caridad Sanchez, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and among others.

Greenhills Shopping Complex is a favorite shopping mall because with the introduction of the tiangge in a mall, place was created where the poor, the middle class and the rich can shop side by side – all can encounter what’s genuine and what’s not, and a brush with expensive amid the economical.

The 16th Philippine Toys, Gift, Housewares and Christmas Decors Fair to be held from Oct. 9 to Nov. 2 is another sale event for the poor, middle class, and the rich.