'Like hell': Groom-to-be recalls Resorts World Manila attack

MANILA- “It was like hell.”

This was how groom-to-be Roscoe Fernandez described his and his siblings’ experience during the attack at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

Fernandez was staying at a hotel in the area since he was supposed to get married Friday.

He said he and his siblings came from the casino at the 2nd floor and were on their way back to their room when they met running men.

“There was a commotion na but little did we know meron nang ano, a guy who was wearing a bonnet, a Kevlar vest. I couldn’t determine what kind of rifle the guy was using,” he said.

“I saw him exactly. We were a few meters away from the gunman,” he added.

Fernandez said he did not see anyone accompanying the gunman. The suspect was also only firing upwards and was not shooting anyone, but still caused panic.

“Wala ako nakita na kasama pero he was ano discriminately firing upwards eh but he wasn't shooting anyone so nataranta kami so we went to the fire exits,” Fernandez said.

Police already ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack while Resorts World Manila has dispelled rumors that there was more than one gunman.

Fernandez said he did not see any security guard going after the gunman and was not aware where the guards were.


Out of fear, Fernandez ran to the fire exit and went straight to the basement where he hid for more than an hour.

Resorts World Manila on Friday said there were 35 fatalities from the attack. Of this figure, 13 were employees of the casino while 22 others were guests. Authorities later raised the toll to 38 dead.

Stephen Reilly, chief operating officer of the casino, also confirmed that a member of the casino’s security team shot and wounded the gunman.

 The suspect, who also torched casino tables, hid in a hotel room where he committed suicide.-- report from Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Palace: Resorts World incident not terrorism, not linked to Marawi crisis

MANILA - Malacanang on Friday emphasized that the incident in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City was not terror-related, even as reports showed a terrorist group already claimed responsibility for the attack.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, citing information from law enforcement agencies, said there were no indications that what took place in Resorts World Manila was a “terroristic activity.”

Abella said the “emotionally disturbed” perpetrator did not carry out a terror attack and that there were no indications that he wanted to harm or shoot anyone.

At least 36 bodies were found in two floors of the casino complex, following an attack by a supposedly lone heavily-armed suspect, who later committed suicide. The suspect was stil unidentified. 

Most of them suffocated due to the thick smoke from the burning casino tables torched by the suspect, authorities said.

At least 54 others were brought to nearby hospitals after sustaining injuries, officials said.

The presidential spokesperson also dismissed insinuations that the attack was linked to the ongoing crisis in Marawi City, where the Maute Group, which has pledged allegiance but has yet to get recognition from Islamic State, led a siege.

Abella also noted that apart from the attacker who set himself on fire, only one other individual - a security guard - sustained a gunshot wound after accidentally shooting himself.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Motorists told to avoid Resorts World area

Motorists were advised to avoid passing along areas near the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex in Pasay City as some roads are still closed to traffic, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday.

"Manlunas St. is closed to traffic due to due to the ongoing investigation at Remington, Maxims, and Marriott Hotel," The MMDA said in a statement.

"Motorists may take Sucat Road or Edsa instead of Andrews Ave to avoid traffic congestion in the Resorts World vicinity," the MMDA's announcement read.

The route of the Pasig River Ferry system was also cut short due to the incident in the resort casino.

"Malacanang Restricted Area has been closed to all vessels today due to red alert owing to Resorts World incident last night. Ferry service for today will only be PUP to Pinagbuhatan back and forth," the Pasig River Ferry's management said in a statement.

At least 34 people died from apparent suffocation while 54 other sustained minor injuries after a lone gunman fired shots and torched casino tables inside the entertainment center.

The assailant committed suicide by setting himself on fire while locked up inside a room at the Maxims Hotel.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

This debit card comes in 14k gold

MANILA – Why pay in plastic when you can settle your bills in gold – literally?

This is one the main come-ons of the Aurae Lifestyle Membership Program, whose members receive the Aurae Solid Gold MasterCard, which is made from 14k and 18k gold.

For Aurae Lifestyle CMO Terrence Thomas, this fully functional debit card is indeed a statement item. “Everything that we do is bespoke. It’s customized and it’s personal,” he told ABS-CBN News in an interview.

Thomas was in town for the Asian Poker Tour, whose Players’ Party was sponsored by Aurae and held at Resorts World Manila over the weekend.

According to a company statement distributed by PR Newswire, it developed a patented process that facilitates jewelling and engraving custom designs onto each card, allowing “each member to have their legacy and success elegantly expressed in a unique way to share their passions and tell their story.”

Aurae conducts a design consultation to create a one of a kind card for each member, which can have up to 164 embedded precious stones. The member's name and signature are engraved into each card “to symbolize the lasting impact of their legacy.”

“We help design a card based on what’s meaningful to them,” explained Thomas, citing a member who is an aviation enthusiast and whose card sports a cockpit design.

“It’s amazing, the detail of the cockpit. But it’s what’s important to him and he is very proud of that,” Thomas said. “When they do mundane tasks like buy dinner, it reminds them of what’s important to them, who they are, what their core values are. We connect the payment with the lifestyle.”

Members also receive their card presented in a hand-crafted heirloom marquetry box that is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and an elegantly designed hand-stitched leather wallet with a unique central pocket for the card. The card is also insured by Lloyd's of London, allowing for ease of replacement in the event of loss or theft.

Concierge services
But more than a debit card, Aurae Lifestyle is really about belonging to an elite club as membership at the moment is by invitation only.

Apart from the card, members get to enjoy personal concierge services and exclusive access to VIP events worldwide.

“We help provide a level of service to our clients to make their life better and easier and more meaningful. At the end of the day, we want people to experience life at its fullest. Whether it’s a payment vehicle, whether it’s a lifestyle vehicle, whether it’s a legacy kind of story – those are all important things that help our clients,” Thomas said.

To illustrate, Walker Posey of The Augusta Management Group cited Aurae’s experience at the recent US Masters.

“We were able to have several clients have very unique experiences where we actually brought in PGA tour players to have dinners and lunches. We were able to give behind the scenes and make sure they are at the right spot and just being able to enjoy that experience at a different level that you typically wouldn’t if you would just show up and have a ticket. We try to do that along in any event that’s meaningful to our clients,” he said.
And this is what differentiates Aurae from other premium credit
cards, Thomas stressed.

“Other concierge services were kind of canned. They were just kind of a concierge services in name but when it came to delivering high-end experiences, they couldn’t deliver,” he said.

“So that is kind of how we created and tailored our lifestyle programs around - helping our clients have experiences that typically couldn’t be available to the general public. That involves relationships. I think it really just comes down to us having the ability to have the relationship with the right people.”

Manila center?

Meanwhile, Thomas also revealed that the company is considering setting up a concierge center in Manila to service clients in the region.

As for prospective Filipino members, he noted that one advantage of owning an Aurae card is that it allows easy access to their money when traveling abroad.

“You go to the bank, you only get X number. For the high-end consumer, it’s very helpful to access their money on the road without any friction,” Thomas said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

KathNiel, Darren, Maine lead winners at 2015 Push Awards

MANILA - The first-ever Push Awards unveiled its winners on Tuesday, honoring some of the country's biggest and most influential digital stars, as well as recognizing "those who push ideas" online.

Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, the stars of "Pangako Sa Yo," were the big winners, taking home 11 awards (five as a tandem) at the ceremony held at Resorts World Manila.

The results were based on the number of online votes tallied at Push.com, ABS-CBN's entertainment website.

[EMBED PHOTO: KathNiel]

Push Elite Male Celebrity - Daniel Padilla
Push Elite Group/Tandem - KathNiel

Facebook:
PushLike Most Liked Male Celebrity - Daniel Padilla
PushLike Most Liked Group/Tandem - KathNiel

Twitter:
PushTweet Favorite Female Celebrity - Kathryn Bernardo
PushTweet Favorite Group/Tandem - KathNiel

Instagram:
PushGram Most Loved Female Celebrity - Kathryn Bernardo
PushGram Most Loved Group/Tandem - KathNiel

YouTube:
PushPlay Best Male Celebrity - Daniel Padilla
PushPlay Best Group/Tandem - KathNiel

Awesome Selfie Queen - Kathryn Bernardo
Ultimate Fan - Kathniels

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Nyoy goes all out as Whitney Houston on 'Your Face'

MANILA -- Singer Nyoy Volante once again turned into a woman, this time as award-winning diva Whitney Houston for his "Your Face Sounds Familiar" grand performance night on Saturday at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila.

Volante performed the iconic song "I Will Always Love You."

"Nyoy, wow. Binanggit ng coach kanina, you got to pull it off. You pulled it off from the very beginning. Sa umpisa pa lang, paglabas na paglabas mo pa lang, sa very first note pa lang, parang, wow, it's Whitney Houston. Tapos you are not just a professional. You are an excellent professional. 'Yung ginawa mo tonight is courageous, and you did it in an excellent way," Gary Valenciano told Volante.

"Well, Nyoy, from week one until now, isa lang ang masasabi ko sa'yo, sobra kang consistent sa lahat ng mga performances mo. You put your heart and soul in every performance, talagang nafi-feel namin na kina-career mo lahat ng performances mo. Magaling kang entertainer, you are an excellent, excellent performer, excellent entertainer. And, alam mo, with this performance, you placed an exclamation point to tonight's show, na tapos na ang show. 'Yun na 'yun," Jed Madela added.

"Nyoy, there is really nothing you cannot do. I am so moved because I can only see what's coming your way. Ngayon na nakita na nang buong mundo na kaya mo palang gawin lahat, kayo namang apat eh. Pero itong final four, nakakatakot kayo. I see such a bright future for you," Sharon Cuneta said.

The grand winner of the competition will be announced tomorrow, Sunday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Opening this weekend: PH's largest Lego display

MANILA – Over 250 original Lego creations and dioramas will be displayed in an exhibit set to open at Resorts World Manila this Saturday.

Titled “Brickxhibit 2015,” the event is organized by the Philippine Lego Users Group (PHLUG) and will run until May 3.

A day-long Lego convention will be held at the same venue on April 25, with activities and games for both young and adult fans of the interlocking toy bricks.

For more information, visit the Facebook page of PHLUG.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Sarah calls Timmy 'the next Erik Santos'

MANILA - "The Voice of the Philippines" finalist Timothy Pavino is being billed as the next Erik Santos after his performance in the live shows of the second season of the singing competition.

Facing a packed Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay, the 24-year-old sang an emotional cover of his grandmother's favorite song, Basil Valdez's "Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan."

It drew strong cheers from the crowd, as well as from coaches Sarah Geronimo and Lea Salonga. The former commented: "Sa tingin ko napaka-passionate mo sa iyong musika. Talagang it showed sa performance mo kanina."

"Para kang the next Erik Santos," she added.

For her part, Salonga, who is the mentor of Pavino, said that she couldn't help but fall in love with the performance.

"Oh my God," she said in a trembling voice. "Na-in love ako sa iyo. I will not be surprised kung maraming magsasabi after this show at salamat coach Lea, na-in love kami talaga sa kanya. Your lola is without a doubt super proud."

The results of the second round of live shows will be announced on Sunday, after "Rated K."

Should Pavino move on to the next round, he will join Monique Lualhati, Jason Fernandez, Daryl Ong, Suy Galvez, Rita Martinez, Kai Honasan, Nino Alejandro, and Leah Patricio.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Travellers Intl sets $650-M Resorts World expansion

MANILA, Philippines - Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. is set to unveil annually over the next three years the outcome of its massive $650-million expansion program for Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

In an interview yesterday, Travellers president Kingson Sian said the company is on track to finish by 2017 Resorts World Manila’s expansion which will double the size of the integrated resort’s gaming, hotel and retail facilities.

“Every year we will be finishing something. So next year is Mariott Grand Ballroom, the following year is the Mariott extension, the new wing, and then after that is the Phase 3,” Sian said.

Phase 2 involves the expansion of the existing Marriott Hotel Manila with the construction of a grand ballroom that can sit about 2,000 people as well as the addition of 227 rooms.

The Marriott West Wing was earlier eyed to open to the public by the end of 2015 but will now be moved to 2016.

Marriott Grand Ballroom, meanwhile, is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.

Phase 3 would include construction of two new hotels, namely Hilton Manila and the Sheraton Hotel Manila as well as an extension of Maxims Hotels.

“There’s a new competitor which is open, but again, we just focus on continuing to build out our new phases, Phase 2 and Phase 3. Phase 2 will be finished next year, and part of it is the Mariott Grand Ballroom,” Sian said.

Resorts World Manila is the first integrated gaming, entertainment, leisure and hospitality resort in the country, situated on an 11.5-hectare property across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

Travellers, a joint venture of property tycoon Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group Inc. and Genting Hong Kong Ltd., is the owner and operator of the integrated resort and the upcoming Bayshore City Resorts World.

Resorts World Bayshore will be three times the size of Resorts World Manila and will be the last integrated resort complex scheduled to start operations in Entertainment City.

Read more on The Philippine Star.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Blood Ransom' holds star-studded premiere

MANILA – The stars came out on Saturday night to support the premiere of Anne Curtis’ first international movie, “Blood Ransom.”

Among the celebrities who attended the premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila were Ryan Bang, Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Coleen Garcia, , Sam Concepcion, Solenn Heussaff, James Younghusband, Karen Davila and James Reid.

Curtis’ sister Jasmine, their father, as well as the actress’ boyfriend Erwan Heussaff were also there to show their support for the "It's Showtime" host.



In an interview with ABS-CBN News after the screening, Curtis said it was the first time she saw the entire movie.

“It’s quite strange when you don’t realize how long it’s been since you last shot the film. But I’m just so happy that I finally got to see it and it’s finished. We shot it two years ago. We shot it for a month,” she said.

Movie director Francis Dela Torre attributed the movie’s success to Curtis and the diligent staff and crew of “Blood Ransom.”

“It’s wonderful. [Working with Anne was] more than what I expected. I’m not just saying that because everybody is here. I had certain expectations and she far exceeded it. I don’t want to sound cheesy but it was kind of inspiring for me to see her do what she did,” Dela Torre said.

Asked if he would like to work with Curtis in the future again, Dela Torre said: “I hope so. But many things need to happen for that to happen, but personally I absolutely hope so.”

Also present at the premiere was the actress’ co-star Alexander Dreymon. All three are set to leave for Los Angeles this week for the upcoming release of their movie in the United States.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Rude' hitmaker is coming to Manila

MANILA - Canadian band Magic! is bringing their summer hit "Rude" to Manila this October.

In an announcement made on Saturday, local promoter Wilbros Live revealed that the group will hold a concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Tickets for the October 22 show will be on sale beginning Friday, September 19, via TicketWorld.

Magic!, who skyrocketed to the top of the charts with Rude, is a group composed of songwriter and record producer Nasri, Mark Pellizzer, Alex Tanas and Ben Spivak.

Their debut album, "Don't Kill The Magic," was released on June 30 and peaked at number 6 of the U.S. Billboard Charts.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Daniel is 'PBB: All In' big winner

MANILA -- Model Daniel Matsunaga was named the big winner of "Pinoy Big Brother: All In" in the reality show's "Big Night" at Resorts World Manila on Sunday.

Matsunaga got 11.69% of viewers' votes.

Teen Maris Racal was the second big placer with 3.1% of net text votes.

Actress Jane Oineza was named third with -0.73% of viewers' votes, while Vickie Rushton was the fourth big placer after receiving -0.78% of viewers' votes.

Watch the full episode in iWant TV or TFC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lea sings with Patti Austin on 'Voice PH'

MANILA – In a rare moment, “The Voice of the Philippines” coach Lea Salonga performed with Grammy-winning jazz artist Patti Austin on the TV talent contest’s live show on Sunday at Resorts World Manila.

Salonga came onstage first with Austin’s hit “If I Believe” backed up by the “Voice” contestants before introducing the visiting international star, who joined her onstage amid shrieks from the surprised audience. They then sang a duet on Austin’s song “In My Life.”

Austin is in the country for a series of concerts. She and jazz artist George Benson had a concert last week. – “The Voice of the Philippines,” September 8, 2013

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Resorts World Manila to expand hotel, gaming facilities

MANILA - Travellers International Hotel Group will spend $600 million to expand its Manila casino-hotel business in the next three years, saying the delay in its $1 billion initial public offering will not slow down its plans.

Travellers, a joint venture between casino operator Genting Hong Kong Ltd. and Philippine conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc., said it could go to the debt market to seek funding while waiting for the right time to list its shares.

The company has deferred its listing to September or October from an original plan to launch the IPO this month due to market volatility. It is looking to use the proceeds to fund the expansion of its Resorts World Manila integrated tourism estate near terminal 3 of Manila's international airport.

"We are not pressured, we will just wait for the right timing," Travellers President Kingson Sian said regarding the IPO. "We can go to the debt market."

Sian said the company was determined to finish the expansion project by 2016 despite the IPO delay.

The Philippines is Asia's newest top-end gambling destination after Bloomberry Resorts Corp. opened in March the first phase of its $1.2-billion casino-hotel complex in Manila's Entertainment City complex.

The local unit of Macau casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd is set to open by middle of next year its $1 billion casino-hotel project also in the Entertainment City.

The expansion of the existing Resorts World complex involves a convention center, an additional 1,100 hotel rooms and gaming facilities.

"It will effectively double what we have currently in Resorts World Manila," Sian told reporters after a stockholders' meeting of Megaworld Corp, a Travellers shareholder and another unit of Alliance Global.

Bloomberry is completing the second phase of its Solaire project by the third quarter of 2014, which features a new hotel, high-end retail outlets, theatres and more restaurants.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com