The Wanted Concert in Manila

The sexiest boy band from the U.K., THE WANTED, is coming for a major concert in Manila! Catch The Wanted charmers Max, Siva, Jay, Tom and Nathan as they perform Live! on September 14, Friday, 8pm at NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. This exciting show is produced by MCA Music. Ticket details will be out soon. The Wanted brought us mind-blowing tunes like “All Time Low”, “Glad You Came” and the hottest summer single, "Chasing the Sun". They are the new U.K. group to bow in the Billboard Top 10 this year. Watch out as their sensational ditties and undoubtedly good looks will soon make fan girls swoon over the country.

Protégé holds first live gala night on August 5!

The search for the next big Kapuso stars officially begins as Protégé makes its highly-anticipated and star-studded premiere on Philippine television this Sunday, August 5. The first live gala night happens after IBilib on GMA's Sunday Grande block.

After several months of its intensive nationwide hunt, Protégé will finally unveil the coveted TOP 20 aspirants who will go head-to-head in the weekly elimination nights and outdo each other in hopes of winning over the judges' and the viewers' votes.

This competition is touted to be the grandest artista search this year as five celebrity mentors are tapped to train, supervise, and educate the Top 20 protégés in every rehearsal, workshop, weekly tests and trainings.

The mentors who were sent out to different parts of the country to find their four (2 boys and 2 girls) protégés include acclaimed actor and TV director Ricky Davao (Northern and Central Luzon), seasoned actress and TV director Gina Alajar (Southern Luzon), drama and action film legend Phillip Salvador (Mindanao), multimedia icon Jolina Magdangal (Visayas), and multi-awarded actor Roderick Paulate (Mega Manila).

Two winners will be proclaimed at the finals night -- one male protégé and one female protégé. At stake are 12 million pesos worth of cash prizes and a management contract with GMA 7.

As expected, the four esteemed judges -- well-respected talent manager/director Bert de Leon, multi-awarded drama actress Cherie Gil, entertainment guru Joey de Leon, and GMA Network Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar -- will grill the Top 20 protégés armed with their hard-hitting yet motivational critiques.

All geared up to lend support and boost the spirit of the aspirants are Gala Presenter Dingdong Dantes and Journey Host Carla Abellana.

Witness the bracing drama as Protégé reveals the Top 20 during its first gala night this Sunday, 8:30pm on GMA

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton VS. Abigail Ramos of Mexico

Coming off her impressive victory against Yolanda Segura of Mexico last May, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, the first Filipino-American boxer to win the Women's WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles, returns to Yucatan, Mexico for her fight against Abigail “Pinguita” Ramos.

GMA Network brings the third instalment of The Hurricane’s Laban ng Lahi series titled “Bagyo sa Mexico 3 – Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton v Abigail “Pinguita” Ramos” this Sunday, August 5, 11 AM to 12 NN before Party Pilipinas.

This is the third time that the two-time world boxing champion sets foot in the Mexican territory, who gave her the nickname “Yucatan Princess” as she already has a strong following among Mexican boxing fans.

Julaton was initially scheduled to fight another Mexican boxer, Magali Rodriguez but the latter suddenly lost touch with Orion Sports.

“She simply disappeared on us,” said Orion Sports President Allan Tremblay. “She left us hanging a week and half before the fight. Fortunately, we were able to secure Abigail Ramos who was in training for another fight and jumped at the chance to fight Ana. These things happen in boxing and you just have to deal with them.”

The fight marks Ramos’ entry in the professional boxing arena after setting a record of 3 wins, 3 losses and 2 knockouts as an amateur compared to Julaton’s 10 wins including 1 knockout, 3 losses, and 1 draw.

Tremblay, however, said that Julaton should not take her opponent lightly despite her young career.

The 32-year old pride of the Philippines is set to bring her years of experience to this battle, being one of the fastest fighters in history to become a world champion after only seven professional fights.

“This is still a major fight for me,” she said. “Ramos has nothing to lose and will bring it all, and I have to be prepared accordingly. A loss would derail my long standing dream of fighting in the Philippines in front of my own people and I simply cannot let that happen. Making adjustments for a last minute change of opponent is a challenge in itself but I will be ready.”

The fight will also air live via Super Radyo DZBB 594khz at 11:45 AM on Saturday, August 4 anchored by Orly Trinidad at Manny Vargas.

SNOW PATROL 'Fallen Empires Tour' in Manila

Be ready as alternative rock band from Ireland, SNOW PATROL, gives Manila a performance fueled with artistic passion and musical ingenuity this August 9th at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Snow Patrol’s songs echo a contradicting sense of sweetness and edginess. They have a loyal fan base that keeps to their music as anthems of life, love and hope. They appeal not entirely to the mainstream market but to a select few who understands and relates well to the songs penned by lead vocalist Gary Lightbody. Their musical style varies from the almost melancholic “Chasing Cars” to the incredibly catchy and upbeat “Take Back the City”, but still maintains that trademark sound made even more memorable by Gary’s brooding baritone.

Cemex signs STRATEGIC GLOBAL AGREEMENT with IBM

Agreement will enable CEMEX to enhance its competitiveness and better serve its customers 

     Long-term project will allow CEMEX to focus on its core business processes 

CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced recently a 10-year strategic agreement in which IBM will deliver world-class business process and information technology services. Additionally, IBM will provide to CEMEX business consultant services to detect and drive sustainable improvements in profitability, using the entire breadth of IBM's capabilities, including R&D expertise.

This agreement is expected to generate CEMEX savings of close to US$1 billion during the life of the contract. Additionally, it will improve the quality of the services provided to CEMEX; enhance business agility and scalability; maximize internal efficiencies; and allow the company to better serve its customers.

The 10-year services contract awarded to IBM is worth just over US$1 billion, and will include: finance and accounting, and human resource back-office services, as well as IT infrastructure, application development and maintenance services.

“Through this agreement, we reinforce our commitment to transform CEMEX into an increasingly flexible, agile, and competitive global company. Moreover, this agreement with IBM will enable CEMEX to focus on its core businesses of cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates; improve its financial position; and respond more quickly to changing market needs,” said Lorenzo H. Zambrano, Chairman & CEO of CEMEX.

Together, IBM and CEMEX will implement state-of-the-art business processes, practices, and information systems developed by IBM. CEMEX will also leverage IBM’s worldwide expertise to accelerate and replicate innovative practices in CEMEX business units to achieve better customer service, increase process quality and sustain cost improvements.

“This agreement will bring to CEMEX the flexibility to face the new challenges in the building materials industry. IBM’s state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, business processes and applications will help CEMEX achieve its goals of becoming more competitive. We see our strategic relationship with CEMEX as a powerful example of building a smarter planet.” said Bruno Di Leo, Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution for IBM.

IBM delivers global scale, talent and technology based on business expertise and a global network of more than 70 Service Delivery Centers and more than 400 Data Centers, in 170 countries covering more than 40 languages.