How busy are you? Would you agree that with our many responsibilities, we tend to forget giving ourselves some much-needed TLC? Unfortunately, by wanting to accomplish as much as possible, we end up spreading ourselves too thin, which takes a toll on our overall wellbeing.

It’s time to revitalize our youthful vigor and bring back the vitality we need to live life to the fullest! To help us get back on track, Watsons launches the Time to Renew campaign so we could more easily restore our beauty and recharge our health.

Ruffa Gutierrez and Iza Calzado

This campaign focuses on three things that people often set aside when running on tight schedules:

• Restore beauty for proper skin care

• Revitalize hair to bring life back to dull tresses

• Recharge health for a more energized and healthier body

In case you still don’t know, busy schedules leading to poor sleeping habits not only affect the mood but also result in dull skin, making it prone to blemishes, dryness, acne, or oiliness. Combat these with helpful products you can find at Watsons: Pond’s, Olay, L’Oreal, Belo, Celeteque, Neutrogena, Snow, St. Ive’s, Suave, Bellic, Glutamax, Shulammite soap, Cosmo Skin, and Nivea Men crème.

More than the skin, however, we also have to protect our hair. Simply shampooing and conditioning are not enough to prevent greasiness/dryness, hair fall, or graying. Hair needs intensive protection from the sun and heat styling products. So, make it a point to revitalize your hair with products like Tresseme, L’Oreal, Dove, and Moringa.

As to recharging health to achieve a 100% you, make sure to mind your eating and exercise habits because skipping them lead to lack of energy and nutrition. Supplement a healthier life and get in tip-top shape with Watson’s healthy solutions such as Cosmo Cee, Poten-Cee, Met Tathione, IVI Collagen, Myra E, Stresstabs, Belo Glutathione, Snow Caps, and Kilo-off.

During the recent campaign launch in Podium, celebrities Iza Calzado, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Alice Dixson shared their beauty secrets using helpful products available at Watsons. Like them, you can restore your beauty and recharge your health while also enjoying big discounts and great deals at Watsons stores and the SM Store Beauty Section. 

In addition, get a chance to win revitalizing packages when you use your SM Advantage Card, BDO Rewards, or PriMo Card when shopping. Every P500 single-receipt purchase of any participating product entitles shoppers to one raffle entry.

There will be 35 winners of Spa Pampering Packages at The Spa; 10 winners of Full-Year Gym memberships at Fitness First, and 10 winners of Overnight Weekend Wellness Packages at The Farm at San Benito resort.

If you’re not yet an SMAC member, make sure to join now because the “Members Get More” program (read my other blog post about it, here) makes shopping more rewarding than ever before. 

Definitely, it’s Time to Renew at Watsons as well as time to get MORE POINTS, MORE SAVINGS, and MORE VALUE! Visit the store nearest you, now!

Billy Joe Crawford stole the hearts of fans when he was first discovered at age three many years ago. The cute and talented little boy swiftly became popular on local TV for his singing and dancing talents. Although he left the Philippines when he was 12 to study in the United States, he continued performing there.

In 1995, the young man appeared with legendary Michael Jackson at the MTV Music Awards. Now known as Billy Crawford, the multi-awarded singer has tracks that topped charts not only in the Philippines but also in countries like France and Switzerland. 

Billy returned to the country in 2008 and has since hosted a string of TV shows. He is currently engaged to young actress Coleen Garcia with whom he has cheesy and kilig stories about.

Speaking of cheese, have you tried the 4 Cheese Whopper yet? It is a huge burger filled to the brim with four kinds of gooey delicious cheesy goodness atop a perfect patty between fresh buns!  

Last April 25th, Burger King held a special event where guests had a beefy and cheesy afternoon filled with delicious flame-grilled whoppers, fun games, and a special performance and interview with Billy who gamely wore a crown.

As the newest member of the Burger King Squad, the multitalented performer is hailed as a new King who perfectly embodies the brand’s Crown Standard. Since 1954, Burger King has been producing flame-grilled burgers that taste like you just had them cooked in the backyard. The patties are 100% beef with no fillers, preservatives, and no nonsense. 

Hosted by Sam YG, the launch transformed Burger King Greenhills into an afternoon backyard cheesy party with seats sporting cheesy lines from romantic comedies, chick flicks, and classic cheesy expressions. 

Burger King is proud to welcome Billy who, like the 4 Cheese Whopper made of the best ingredients, remains one of the best talents in the local showbiz scene today.

Can you compromise quality in favor of savings? This is what many people first think about when faced with the choice of buying a well-known expensive product versus a more affordable one. But, when a person has a tight budget or is conscious about spending, being a wise shopper is essential.

Thankfully, we are no longer forced to choose between quality and savings when Watsons launched its Switch and Save campaign in 2012 that allowed smart shoppers to save on personal care essentials so we can also afford more of the things we want. All one has to do is shift from the leading brand to a Watsons product.

Watsons' Karen Fabres, Danilo Chiong, Jared De Guzman, Viki Encarnacion, and Aida Lapez with Edu Manzano, Lorna Tolentino, Iya Villania, Kylie Padilla, and Christian Bautista

In the past five years, Watsons customers across the Philippines made the switch. They changed their toothbrushes, tissues, lotions, and more for the affordable and yet still high quality Watsons alternatives. With such great momentum behind the movement, the personal care store expanded the campaign to the pharmacy.

In 2014, Watsons Generics was launched to bring the same promise of affordable quality to Filipinos when it comes to medicines. Of course, it's always a huge win when something is done to improve the state of the nation's healthcare.

some of the high quality Watsons Label products

However, despite already having many switchers on board, there are still those who need more convincing because they keep holding on to the notion that anything "cheaper means lower quality." So, the Watsons team came up with a way to prove that the brand's amazing products are comparable to more expensive ones by testing people if they could even feel the difference.

The Switch Test became an in-store activity where shoppers can compare Watsons products to leading counterparts without being able to see the brands. Customers were asked to try out two products -- ranging from body scrubs and lotions to toothbrushes and hair irons -- and choose which they'd rather buy.

get up to 80% savings when you switch to using Watsons!

Results of the Switch Test showed that 8 out of 10 shoppers chose the Watsons Label product over the leading brand counterpart. This is an overwhelming testament to Watsons quality. The surprise didn't end there, though, because upon learning of the big savings they could get with Watsons Label, even shoppers who first chose the leading brands also made the switch.

Next to take the Switch Test challenge were Watsons' celebrity endorsers: Christian Bautista, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Iya Villana, Kylie Padilla, Lorna Tolentino, and Edu Manzano. They were asked, "What's the difference between these two products?" Their verdict -- none! Watch the video below and see that even they were amazed because it was hard to tell any difference in quality. On top of that, switching can give savings of up to 80%!

To kick start 2017, Watsons will also air this video as its new TV commercial to reach and make more people realize why they have to switch and save, too. Catch it and see if you can tell the difference between a Watsons brand and your usual brand. You might just surprise yourself with your answer ;)

Many young people today have become movers and shakers of this world with the ability to influence their peers. To celebrate the youth's power to inspire others wherever in the world they may be, Penshoppe recently introduced its newest group of brand ambassadors composed of dynamic young members from the international fashion brand's various global markets.

This initiative aims to find new faces that will inspire people to see their youth in a different light. Soon, there will also be other groups in different countries to be composed of more young members.

Representing the one in the Philippines are seven fresh faces who are collectively referred to as #ClubPenshoppePH. They paint a picture of the Filipino youth who continues to overcome challenges to become a celebration of acceptance, diversity, and individually. 

Jeff Bascon, Brand Director of Penshoppe, described the young people as "shaped by their diverse backgrounds, personal experiences, and inspiring stories, which show in their unique styles." He pointed out that they're also noticeably multiracial because the Filipino youth is no longer bound to the long-standing typecasts that we should be of a certain shade and have a certain set of characteristics.

"Our youth is global and that's something we all should be proud of," added Bascon who affirmed that Penshoppe is very forward-looking and that "we are here to offer something great. As a Filipino brand, we want to represent the country globally and these kids have good stories that resonate perseverance [resulting to making] a name for his or her own self."

#ClubPenshoppePH is composed of PBB heartthrob Tanner Mata and international model Tyler Mata, Spanish model Emilio Francisco Perez, young actresses Loisa Andalio and Sofia Andres, Brazilian model and former Teen PBB housemate Maria Fabiana, and Hashtag member and actor Ronnie Alonte. Their ages range from 17 to 21.

When asked about their personal styles, Tanner admitted to not having a specific fashion icon as he looks at and tries a variety of styles fit for the Philippine weather. However, he confessed liking Kendall Jenner "because she seems perfect in a sense." 

Emilio, who was voted funniest by the group, pronounced that Penshoppe is amazing and that he likes wearing the brand's shorts. Among the ambassadors, he admits liking Gigi Hadid because "she has a great body but doesn't show too much skin."

"I cried when they told me about being part of Club Penshoppe," revealed Sofia whose favorite summer look is wearing short-shorts. She said she looks up to Shay Mitchell and Kendall in terms of fashion styles.  

"Penshoppe and I have the same energy. We have lots of things in common," claimed Maria who likes the brand's comfortable and light clothes. Apart from loving Kendall's style, she expressed feeling honored to be usually likened to Liza Soberano.

Loisa, who prefers dressing conservatively and wouldn't wear sandos or short-shorts, said she chooses clothes that she feels comfortable in and which pleases her eye. "I am grateful for the opportunity to influence my fellow youth and be a role model to them."

As for Ronnie, "I look up to Justin Bieber's style but also like wearing pullovers and shorts, plus slippers."

Jeff says fans should watch out for Club Penshoppe in their areas as they will be bringing them to different parts of the country. "We can't wait for everyone to get to know them better. Each member of #ClubPenshoppePH is more than just a pretty face," he reiterated. "We don't present them as perfect kids. But each is very driven and hardworking. They all have a story that everyone can relate to and will inspire everyone to go for their dreams and see the good in others."

I have friends who got married and whom one is Filipino and the other is Chinese. I am happy to see them live happy lives and am sure they do so because they have learned to embrace each others cultural values over time. 

Chinese New Year theme for HOOQ Hangouts

It's nice that the Mano Po movie series featured this kind of marriage in MANO PO 7: Chinoy as it gave many of us a peek into the lives of a Chinese-Filipino family and how they cope with their differences in beliefs, values, and traditions. 

Since I wasn't able to catch the movie during the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival (see the list of winners, here) screening, I'm glad HOOQ, Asia's largest video on demand service, chose to screen it at the Globe Iconic Store - BGC Ampitheater in Bonifacio Global City last Saturday. It is a very apt film for welcoming the Year of the Fire Rooster.

Fresh from its theatrical release last December, MANO PO 7: Chinoy features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Richard Yap, Jean Garcia, Eric Quizon, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee, Janella Salvador, Jake Cuenca, Kean Cipriano, and Marlo Mortel. 

Jean Garcia having a light moment with Richard Yap and event host Valerie Tan

HOOQ Hangouts is presented by Globe Live in cooperation with Samsung. It is a series of outdoor screening events that showcases HOOQ’s vast library of carefully curated content. Lead actors Richard and Jean graced the event and posed for photos with some lucky winners from one of HOOQ's promos.  

Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines, explained, "We chose Mano Po 7 for this month’s HOOQ Hangouts not only to celebrate the Chinese New Year but also to emphasize that HOOQ will be the first to have the newest local movies after their theatrical run. Now, movie fans don’t have to wait as long since we will try to make it available on HOOQ as soon as possible." She announced that Mano Po 7 and other 2016 MMFF entries will be on HOOQ starting summer.

FYI, HOOQ subscribers can now enjoy over 1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost five decades of film making, and over 4,000 hours of local television leaving other video-in-demand services way behind in terms of Filipino content. 

Apart from Mano Po 7: Chinoy, other anticipated movies soon to be available only for HOOQ subscribers include Camp Sawi, I Love You To Death, That Thing Called Tanga Na, My Rebound Girl, The Escort, Bakit Lahat ng Guwapo May Boyfriend?, and Working Beks. 

In addition, viewers can also watch catch up episodes of the latest GMA 7 TV series including Alyas Robinhood, Someone To Watch Over Me, Meant To Be, Ika-Anim na Utos, and more in the coming months.

"As the exclusive presenter of the Metro Manila Film Festival, we will soon have the 2016 MMFF top grosser Die Beautiful and the Nora Aunor starrer Kabisera available on HOOQ.  The rest of the entries will also soon find its way onto HOOQ!" added Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines Director of Content and Programming.

Make HOOQ your prime destination for thousands of foreign and local movies and TV series. It has the largest library of Philippine-made movies amongst any video-on-demand service in the country.

"Pinoy films and TV shows are closest to our hearts because it tells the stories of our lives and we can all relate to them.  That’s why it’s so importantly for us to continuously enrich our growing library with more quality local content from the top Philippine production studios," described Cruz-Walker who also mentioned Erik Matti’s On The Job: The Series, co-produced with Globe Studios. This will be the very first local production to be exclusively shown on a video on demand service. 

For a list of other local films to catch on HOOQ, please read my other post about the #LovePinoy HOOQ Hangouts, here.

HOOQ has over 10,000 movies and TV shows available for streaming or download. Globe At Home customers can get up to 6 months access to HOOQ with plans P1,299 and up, while Globe mobile customers can also get up to 6 months trial on selected prepaid and postpaid plans. You may also visit www.hooq.tv to sign up for a 7-day free trial. 

Would you agree that we feel more confident when we know we look good? Those who are aware of this fact want to look our best all the time. However, it could be hard if one's skin is not very cooperative so we continuously search for the right products to help us deal with various skin issues. 

For many women, common skin problems include uneven tone and dull-looking skin. Watsons recognizes this and wants to help ladies become our fairest, most confident self by throwing a Big White Blowout sale where shoppers can find a wide variety of choices with the most amazing deals and discounts on whitening needs!

During the Big White Blowout launch yesterday at the Watsons Podium branch, Cosmo Skin endorser Ruffa Gutierrez shared with guests that, aside from using the right products, we should also remember to get enough sleep and to never sleep with makeup on. I totally agree with those tips because looking good should begin with having the discipline to take care of the basics when it comes to skin care.

Personally, I am always happy to be inside a Watsons store because I can find many of my favorite beauty brands there. Visit one near you and you'll find shelves upon shelves of whitening soaps, facial creams, body lotions, deodorants, and more. There are even beauty supplements you can drink for those who want to experience the next level of whitening.       

some of the skin care products I use that are available at Watsons

In addition, there's another exciting feature of this blowout sale. Shoppers who use their SM Advantage or BDO Rewards card for every P500 purchase of whitening products will get a chance to win a brand-new iPhone 7! 

make sure to look for these stickers while shopping

So find the right white for you and join the conversations online by using the hashtags #WatsonsPH and #BigWhiteBlowout on your social media posts! 😊

I love the HOOQ app. These past months, I was able to catch up on old and new TV series I like as well as movies I wasn't able to catch in cinemas -- during my most convenient times! Last year, I was also able to watch on HOOQ some entries from the New Wave Category of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

HOOQ team with the cast of Seklusyon and Direk Eric Matti

This year, HOOQ is once more a co-presenter of the 42nd MMFF and concludes 2016 with a special HOOQ HANGOUTS feature by holding a celebrity-studded premiere of Direk Erik Matti's SEKLUSYON  a few days before its regular run in theaters.

Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager, shared that they started HOOQ HANGOUTS this year to provide a forum to showcase HOOQ's vast library that includes local content spanning almost five decades. "That is why we are ending the year with this HOOQ HANGOUTS featuring an exclusive screening of Seklusyon, produced by Reality Entertainment, which incidentally is also our partner in creating OTJ: The Series," she explained.

Seklusyon starts showing on December 25, 2016

Seklusyon stars Ronnie Alonte, Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, and JR Versales. Set in the 1940's, the story revolves around the ritual imposed on deacons seven days before they are ordained as priests. Required to stay inside a sacred sanctuary, each soon-to-be priest has to fight his own "demons" and past sins to be worthy of the ordination.

Although I had to cover my eyes several times to avoid getting a heart attack, I liked the film for the following reasons:

with Rhed, a very sweet and talented young actress

With positive reviews since making its international premier at the recent Macau International Film Festival, it's no wonder Seklusyon has become one of the most anticipated entries being the only horror-themed film in the 2016 MMFF.

Catch Seklusyon starting December 25 in local cinemas and also support other Filipino films included in the MMFF. This Christmas break, you may also want to catch past winners and finalists of the MMFF on HOOQ such as Baler, Tanging Yaman, Mulawin the Movie, Muro-Ami, and many more. 

Sign up today for a 7-day trial on www.HOOQ.tv! 

Security Bank Corporation is celebrating its 65th founding anniversary and part of this milestone is the BetterBanking Stories campaign that shares the triumphs and struggles of real bank clients who all have a good relationship with Security Bank.

The BetterBanking Stories kicked off with a set of TV Commercials featuring Security Bank's relationship with three of its famous clients Dr. Vicki Belo, Erwan Heusaff, and Janine Gutierrez. However, the stories do not end with these celebrities. Security Bank likewise brought attention to its other clients who found success in their own fields through the bank's promise of Better Banking. 

Patricia Tan, First Vice President and Retail Marketing Division Head of Security Bank, notes how surprised they were by the positive feedback from their clients and general viewers on the TVCs. "That resulted in the decision to magnify our purview and share the BetterBanking Stories of other customers."

I've been hooked on HOOQ since last year when I started watching some TV series I missed several episodes of, as well as movies I didn't get to catch during their runs at the cinema theater. Now, Asia's first and largest premium video-on-demand service unveils its new app with ad-free "freemium" features.

The first of its kind hybrid model built in Asia for Asian customers, HOOQ takes on a mobile-first user experience to cater to the varied demands of users who are always on the go. Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines' Country Manager, acknowledges that peoples' viewing times and habits have changed. "We are so mobile now and there are lots of waiting happening. So turn downtime to what you want it to be! Whether you're waiting for your turn in the salon or doctor's clinic, you can catch up on your favorite shows," she suggested. "You are in control to turn moments into HOOQ time, any time!"

HOOQ ambassador and Miss World 2013 Megan Young estimated that 90% of the time, her job in the entertainment industry is spent waiting. So, while having her hair and makeup done, exercising on a treadmill, or being stuck traffic, Megan plays catch up on her favorite TV series like Scandal and Revenge on HOOQ. 

The beautiful actress further revealed how happy she was to find out that she could watch Encantadia on the app because she is a big fan of Jennylyn Mercado. Her advice to everyone? "Have fun while waiting. Download HOOQ asap and binge watch your favorite shows!"

HOOQ's new hybrid model now allows viewers to sample a premium service at no cost because every registered user can watch the pilot episodes of all TV series even after their free trial period has ended. I love this idea that you can "test run" shows first to see if you will like one (or several) enough to continue watching and pay for the subscription. 

In addition, "Users who can't commit to subscribe for a year can now do so for a week or a month. You no longer have to delete the app when your subscription ends because you'll still get access to new pilot episodes ad-free!" explained Krishnan Rajagopalan, HOOQ's Chief Content Officer.

"We believe this will be a win-win strategy for both our customers and our business as it allows the customers to try the service and the content before they decide to purchase. At the same time, we have the opportunity to re-engage customers whenever we introduce our latest titles, outside of their free trial period," pointed out HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos who added that they are launching the product in the Philippines where it all began as Filipinos are watching content whenever, wherever with our mobile phones. 

Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines' Director of Content, assured, "We continue to grow our catalog by partnering with other content providers." At the moment, HOOQ already has over 10,000 movies and TV series available on the app.

HOOQ fans can also look forward to a new app interface that boasts a mobile-first user experience that   was built from extensive customer beta testing and usability research. The goal is to derive a customer-centric experience, given that over 80% of us access HOOQ on our mobile devices.

new mobile interface

Designed with the habits of social and digital savvies in mind, HOOQ's latest release has a brand new real time content feed and personalized recommendation engine that makes it easier to discover new favorites. There's also an improved search engine, wish lists (for future viewing), and optimized content delivery for significantly faster app start and streaming start times.

In addition to being available on iOS, Android, web, Chromecast, and Android Set-top Box, HOOQ will now also be accessible on Airplay and mobile web. "For me, one of the most exciting new features is the real time content feed that highlights our most popular content and knowing what others are watching and which titles are trending!" revealed Cruz-Walker.

with fellow HOOQ users

It's easy to get HOOQ'd! Sign up on www.HOOQ.tv for a free trial and start binge watching! Subscriptions start from P149 a month and from as low as P59.00 a week. "You should not only have 30 days to decide if you want to subscribe. You should be able to take as long as you want. We're for emerging markets everywhere," described Bithos who expounded the sachet marketing concept as Filipino's propensity to buy, for example, a single cigarette rather than the whole pack. "We have reinvented the way users interact with premium content. It has been a fantastic ride [since HOOQ started] and it's only the beginning."

I love the Supergirl TV series. My first reason, actually, is the presence of Calista Flockhart because I enjoyed watching the Ally McBeal series many years ago. Her character this time though is so far from being an eccentric lawyer and I find it refreshing to see her play something very different -- as Cat Grant, the very much put together media mogul and intimidating boss of CATCO.

Second, I liked the 1984 Supergirl movie starring Helen Slater as well as the Lois and Clark series that featured Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. So, it was a very pleasant and welcome surprise when I found out in Season 1 that Helen and Dean play Supergirl's adopted parents. That, for me, seems like a full circle thingy ;-) 

Move on … that's what young Filipinos nowadays would say after a relationship breaks up. That's actually good advice when you consider how liberating it could be to leave the pain and heartaches behind. Still, it's easier said and done. I know. I've been there, too, many years ago :) 

Songwriters are fortunate because many of them can translate their pain into music. Take Taylor Swift as a very good example. Just think of the many "hugot" songs she has composed by now that turned into bestselling hits! 

This 2016, the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), the sole and official music copyright society in the Philippines, together with Pioneer, one of the top life and non-life insurance companies in the country, are proud to launch the FILSCAP Campus Caravan. This is a series of talks that aims to guide aspiring musicians at the college level in the different aspects of songwriting. 

FILSCAP Campus Caravan is to be held in different campuses which include De La Salle University-Manila, San Beda College Alabang, UP Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo De Manila University, University of Makati, and Ateneo de Davao. Each visit is set to have a songwriting workshop talk to be conducted by well-known Filipino singers-songwriters via face-to-face sessions while also introducing the collaboration's #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition.

Filipinos love watching films and TV series and we have a wide variety of local ones. For many movie goers, seeing a light romantic comedy can already help take a day's stresses away. Others love screaming with friends and scaring each other over Pinoy horror films while some watch teleseryes with stories they can usually relate to. 

Whatever your reasons for watching are, I believe supporting Filipino talents and the local film and TV industry is a good thing. HOOQ successfully helped promote this with its second HOOQ Hangouts themed #LovePinoy last Friday night with a screening of Every Breath You Take starring Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban at the Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio Global City.

Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines, explained, "With the start of the -ber months, everyone is expecting the weather to be a bit colder, so we chose a romantic comedy that's guaranteed to rekindle that warm fuzzy feeling and make our subscribers feel some Pinoy love."

With close to 1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost 50 years (1980's to 2016) and over 4,000 hours of local television (teleseryes, comedy, and reality shows), HOOQ definitely has a rich catalog of local content. It is the prime destination for Filipino entertainment compared to other video-on-demand services in the country.

"Pinoy films/TV shows are closest to our hearts because they tell the stories of our lives, that is why we have signed licensing deals with the top Philippines studios including ABS-CBN, Regal, Viva, and GMA," added Cruz-Walker.

With HOOQ, users can stream or download romantic flicks featuring celebrity couples like James Reid and Nadine Lustre's Diary ng Panget and This Time; John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's top-billed romantic blockbusters One More Chance, Close to You, and The Mistress; and the melodramatic A Secret Affair starring Derek Ramsay and Anne Curtis.

Craving for Pinoy Action Blockbusters? HOOQ also has you covered with On The Job, Muro Ami, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Deathrow, and Dugo ng Panday leading the list. For the horror film aficionados, you can scream your lungs out with classics such as Feng Shui, Sukob, Shake Rattle and Roll series, and The Healing. 

If you prefer to laugh, choose to watch Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora, Wang Fam, My Amnesia Girl, and Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy with top comedians Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, and Toni Gonzaga as headliners. Want to go further back all the way to the '80s? You can also enjoy watching hard to find classics ranging from Bagets and Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas to Temptation Island, Rizal, and Ishmael Bernal's City After Dark.

In case you missed certain TV series episodes, open the HOOQ app and watch entire seasons of Imortal, Encantadia, Walang Hanggan or play catch-up with those currently airing like GMA's Singungaling Mong Puso and Someone to Watch Over Me.

Not to be left behind is the rich collection of independent titles such as Metro Manila, Sonata, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Zombadings, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, and the works of top Filipino directors like Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, and Real Florido as well as award-winning writers Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone, and Michiko Yamamoto.

Last year, HOOQ also showed its support for the Metro Manila Film Festival and short film/animation category by making MMFF movies available on the app. You can find more information about that in my previous blog post.

I loved my first HOOQ Hangouts experience this past week because I got to hang out with some blogger friends and finally knew what's it's like to be in an outdoor cinema. Make sure you keep updated on the next schedules via the HOOQ Philippines page on Facebook or by following @hooq_ph on Twitter and Instagram.

In the coming months, HOOQ Hangouts will be featuring more blockbusters and all-time favorites through the massive Samsung LED screens at the Globe Iconic Entertainment Zone. This free outdoor cinema venue provides viewers with beanbags, pillows, and cushions for full enjoyment of the show. There, participants also get to enjoy on-ground entertainment and activities, munch on free popcorn, and win raffle prizes. 

HOOQ is Asia's largest video-on-demand service with over 10,000 movies and TV shows. FYI, Globe customers can get free access to HOOQ with selected GoSURF mobile data plans as well as Broadband Plan 1299 and up. Get a 7-day free trial by visiting www.hooq.tv. Once the trial expires, continue enjoying HOOQ for a monthly P149 subscription fee charged to your Globe bill. Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888.