In today’s very corporeal world dominated with technology-laden visuals comes “The 13th Day,” a film by Ian and Dominic Higgins based on the memoirs of Lucia Santos, one of the three children in Portugal chosen by the Blessed Mary to offer a message of hope to the world.

“The 13th Day” dramatizes the true story of three young shepherds, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco who experienced six interactive apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, which culminated into the final prophesized miracle. The stylistically beautiful and technically innovative re-creation of the scenes in the movie are further enhanced with today’s digital screens that capture the stunning images of the visions and the final miracle that have never before been fully realized on screen.

In commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday and to continuously propagate the Marian message, the Assisi Development Foundation brings “The 13th Day” in cinemas on September 8. Bringing forth a message of hope, the movie’s release in theaters is undertaken together with the Marian Solidarity for Pope Benedict XVI for the benefit of HAPAG-ASA, a feeding program of Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation co-managed by Assisi Foundation in partnership with dioceses, parishes and local organizations. HAPAG-ASA was thus conceived as a church and sector response to the country’s high-prevalence of malnutrition among children who belong to the poorest of the poor.

Anchoring on a clear and reality-based rationale that malnutrition affects about 8 million Filipino children, Pondo ng Pinoy’s HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program has overridden the challenges against common perception that feedings are short-term solutions. HAPAG-ASA’S program has already fed more than 500,000 poor and hungry children in the last five years. The program aims to continuously alleviate the incidence of hunger considered by Pope Benedict the XVI to be “the most cruel and concrete sign of poverty.”

In keeping with its altruistic mission to feed at least 120, 000 malnourished children each year, HAPAG-ASA invites the movie going public – young and old, sectarian and non-sectarian alike to watch “The 13th Day” for it only takes P10 a day or P1,200 for 6 months to feed a hungry child and help him improve his future.

Channeling entertainment to sustain Pondo ng Pinoy & Assisi Foundation’s mission, proceeds of the movie will go directly to HAPAG-ASA. Further reaching out to broader audiences’ participation in HAPAG-ASA’S mission to feed the (hungry and malnourished) Filipino children– “The 13th Day””ticket prices in Ayala cinemas are pegged at P75.00 for block screenings and at P100.00 for walk-in patrons.

For advanced online ticket purchase, check out Ayala’s www.sureseats.com. Interests for group and block screenings may call 632-1003 or send email to assisifoundation.13thday@gmail.com

Witness the greatest miracle of the 20th Century, and experience the incredible, emotionally-charged and often harrowing world of three young children whose choice to remain loyal to their beliefs, even in the face of death, would inspire thousands.

“The 13th Day” will open September 8 at Greenbelt 3, Glorietta 4, TriNoma, Market!Market!, Alabang Town Center and (consecutively) in Ayala Center Cebu and in Marqueemall at Angeles, Pampanga.

In the new movie, “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps” which opens worldwide this September, Oscar-nominated Cary Mulligan plays Winnie, Gordon Gekko’s estranged daughter and girlfriend of Shia LaBeouf’s Jake Moore.

Here are some effective steps to maintain a good budget and keep your finances in order:

1. Know your financial goals.

The first step towards going somewhere in your financial life is to establish a goal. Do you need to put up a savings account? If so, determine how much you can afford to put away as savings without hurting your basic budget. Do you plan on setting aside an amount as deposit in order to advantage of higher interest rates? By determining your financial goals first, you will have a better understanding towards improving your financial life.

2. Set up a budget and actually stick to it.

If you must set a budget, make sure that you are able to stick to it. Before setting a budget however, take a look at your expenses, and learn to separate your needs from your wants. If you feel it’s important for you to allocate a large budget for food, then do so. However once you have already set a good budget, don’t go breaking it the next day by splurging on some new Italian restaurant, for example. A budget will keep you from overspending, so you are able so save a regular amount for future use.

3. Use credit wisely and learn to pay them on time.

Almost everyone has a credit card nowadays. Without a doubt, credit cards give consumers more purchasing power, even without immediate cash. Nonetheless, overspending through a credit card is easier, and this is why many people end up in deeper debt. Learn to use credit wisely and choose your purchases.

4. Seek help from experts.

If you are in a financial rut, you may need the advice of financial experts or people who have more experience in debt management. Don’t hesitate to get some budget management tips from friends or from people who have more background on successful debt management. There are various online sources for this, and by getting the advice you need you will be in a better position to improve your overall financial health.

As Jacob’s name is synonymous with a perfect-carved bod, Riggi has displayed an intense dedication in working out and has definitely achieved tremendous results – such that the audience will be treated to a better-looking Jacob version in the movie. Riggi earned mainstream consciousness in his recurring role as Scott in the hit television series “Gossip Girl.” Coming from an artistic family plus his experience on roles from television and theater, producer Peter Safran did not look any further when Riggi submitted his audition cd. “Fans of the genre know that six-pack-abs are a werewolf’s most important physical trait, and by the time principal photography began he was in peak physical condition and had packed on twelve pounds of pure muscle,” producer Peter Safran notes.

Riggi adds: “To play a werewolf fans would have fun with, I had to be in peak physical condition. I had only a little more than a month to prepare for the role, so I began an intense training period. The hardest thing was giving up the foods I enjoy. It felt like I was only eating wood chips and cardboard. But the role required a specific look. It was tiring but I was really happy with the results.”

The role of the werewolf also required Riggi to undergo a time-consuming make-up process that included complex prosthetic devices. “Initially, it took five hours to apply all the make-up and prosthetics but that time was greatly reduced as we got accustomed to the process,” Riggi explains. “It takes a certain amount of concentration to focus on the role and be prepared to go in front of the camera with that kind of preparation. Plus I had to do sets of dumbbell curls while all that was going on. It was a new experience for me.”

“Vampires Suck” opens August 25 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

- Some people make the mistake of paying off one debt by borrowing from other sources, hence burrowing themselves into even deeper debt. While making more borrowings can provide you with more immediate cash, which you can actually use to pay off your debts, this doesn’t change one ugly truth: you are still in debt. You are actually not extricating yourself from debt; you are only digging a much deeper hole. If you want to straighten out your finances, avoid going into debts, especially those which you have no means of paying.

2. Try to save at least 10% of your monthly income, rather than use it for mindless pursuits.

- How many times have you spent for a new clothing item which you know you won’t be using for more than 2 times, or for an expensive China plate which is too outlandish for everyday use? If you actually save the amount rather than spend them for these unreasonable purchases, you will start seeing some positive changes in your financial life sooner than you think.

3. Live beneath your means and put whatever you save into your savings account.

- The very reason why some people end up having poor financial health is their love for an expensive lifestyle. If you are trying to pay off a huge debt for example try not to indulge in an expensive cup of coffee at some posh coffee shop downtown. Why not brew your own coffee at home and use the savings as debt payment? Instead of buying new books, consider borrowing from the library or frequenting book sales.

There is no reason why you should burrow yourself in even deeper debt and suffer from the consequences. These three strategies are meant to help you get your financial health back, after due time. By not going into deeper debt, setting aside an amount for savings, and not living beyond your means, you can put your finances in order and live a debt-free, worry-free life.

At the heels of the phenomenal vampire tales comes “Vampires Suck,” a parody of today’s hit teen flick from the outrageous minds of Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (“Date Movie,” “Epic Movie” ).

“Vampires Suck” pools together talented comics headed by Ken Jeong (“Hangover”) with Matt Latner, Jenn Proske and Chris Riggi. The movie bites when Becca (Proske) finds herself in the midst of vampire-human-wolves love triangle, taking her deeper into teen angst and romance as she decides between Edward Sullen (Latner) the vampire and Jacob (Riggi) the werewolf. In the midst of being torn and before she finally decides between Edward and Jacob, Becca must get around her controlling father who manages to embarrass her at all times. Thanks to her set of friends who make her feel normal while contending with their own teen romantic issues headed for a smash in their most awaited prom.

“Vampires Suck” opens very soon in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Los Angeles – 20th Century Fox and James Cameron will re-release “AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION” starting August 27, in a limited engagement and exclusively in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D cinemas.

This version of Cameron’s history-making and groundbreaking epic will include more than eight minutes of new footage. Since – and largely as of result of — AVATAR’s release last December, the number of available digital 3D screens has exploded, and moviegoers who missed experiencing the film in 3D will now have that opportunity.

“Audiences repeatedly told me they wanted more of Pandora, and wished they could have stayed there longer. So we’re making that possible. AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION will be exclusively in 3D, and will have eight minutes of never before seen footage, including new creatures and action scenes. Whether you already love the movie, or you’ve never seen it, with this Special Edition, you’ll be seeing it like never before,” comments James Cameron.

Likewise, Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen and CEOs, Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman concur that “AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION is especially gratifying, because not only has AVATAR become one of the most beloved films in history, but after its initial theatrical release, we have been inundated with requests to re-release the film in theaters in 3D. Equally important, we’re thrilled that Jim Cameron is able to give audiences even more of what they loved about AVATAR.”

The Oscar® and Golden Globe® winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time. Director James Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappear into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.

Return to Pandora and re-experience Cameron’s history-making epic, with more than eight minutes of never before seen footage on August 27 (Friday). Check out 20th Century Fox (Philippines) Facebook page for the latest news and contests.

One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox

In the story, ex-military man Royce (Brody) plummets through the void at terminal velocity, his parachute deploying only seconds before certain death. Destined to be the reluctant leader of the humans in the Predators terrain, Royce initially has no idea of where he is or the circumstances that brought him there. The group becomes unsettled on the alien planet and don't know that they are being preyed upon. As the mystery and terror unfold, the members of the thrown-together team of killers begin to discover their bitter selves. The human 'monsters' face off with one another, only to learn that there's a bigger [alien] monster in the jungle waiting for them.

Braga plays the group's solo female, Isabelle, a central figure among this unholy alliance of killers. Isabelle, like her new cohorts, is on a journey to find out why they've been brought together on this massive killing ground. “As a sniper in the Israeli Defense Force, I've never played this type of character before, ” says Alice Braga. Isabelle is really a tough woman, but isn't harsh with everyone. I think she has some things in her life that make her stronger, but at the same time she's soft and is just trying to survive. She's figuring out a lot about herself in this situation.”

“In my opinion, each character discovers why he or she was chosen, ” Braga continues. She wonders if they are being punished for past crimes? We were always the ones that are killing people and now we are the ones that are being hunted.”

Braga's research led to a kind of “guidebook” for snipers. “I learned that snipers must be precise, methodical, organized, and you cannot have different feelings, ” relates Braga. “You need to be really specific about what you want, what you do, and what your mission is. She's a tough cookie and in that gang, Isabelle is a really important piece because she knows a lot about wind movement and everything else in the jungle. Her skill is really needed. ”

Producer Robert Rodriguez was thrilled to have Braga in the movie. “I love really strong females in my movies. I have five sisters! I wanted the female character to have real strength, not just movie strength, where they would just write it as a male character and then change the name. And I was ecstatic at the possibility of having Alice Braga grace our set, she's such a tremendous talent. When she did her audition, I just looked at (director) Nimrod and said, 'Could we just hire her, please? Do we even need to see anyone else?' She was so terrific, you could feel the movie's quality jump ten notches with that single choice. You could feel what she would bring, that she'd be the real heart of the movie. Nimrod said, “Absolutely. Let's get her.' ”

“Predators” opens July 8 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros in the Philippines.

Second hand car buying tips:

1. Educate yourself as a consumer
2. Prepare a list of your needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants.
3. Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit.
4. Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them down will be helpful.
5. Research both online and offline by dealers.
6. Know the market value of model you .
7. Research the Vehicle Identification Numbers and history.
8. Take a mechanic when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer.
9. Never shy away from asking questions.
10. If there’s a gut feeling about it not being good, don’t be afraid to walk away.

Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure your mechanic inspects the total car, down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You should make certain that it was driven for about an hour before the inspection. The car should be inspected in a well lit area in daylight.

How to inspect it thoroughly:

Checking the exterior.

Walk around to see if there is damage to the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber seals are still in place. This will also tell if any hinges are loose. Check for signs of repainting. There will be difference in the color because shops can never duplicate the original paint of the car exactly. Ask someone to turn on all the outside lights of the car and look if all are working. Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel most probably still have their original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check the break discs. Check the windshield for cracks.

Checking the Interior.