Archie Comics Philippine Exclusive

To all Archie fans and comics collectors out there, here's great news!  The Riverdale gang goes on a trip to Manila and had their photo taken with the Rizal Monument.

Filbar’s and Comic Odyssey have joined forces for the very first ARCHIE COMICS Philippine Exclusive cover illustrated by Miguel Mercado. Coming this November 2019. 😊❤️🇵🇭

Cover photo courtesy of Filbar's Online.

Barbie Live: A Dream Come True

What's almost always pink and sparkling?  Well, for me that would only mean Barbie, the fashion icon doll that has been a little girl's dream toy since the 1960s.  After a successful conquering of the globe with various versions of Barbie, now comes "Barbie Live! The Musical."

This Christmas season, Barbie lovers will be treated to a musical theatrical show that will bring the famous doll characters Barbie, Ken (Barbie's love interest) and Teresa (Barbie's best friend) to life.  "Barbie Live! The Musical" is set on a Hollywood sound stage and follows Barbie with Teresa on the set of their new film as Barbie reminisces on the lessons learned from her past movies like Swan Lake, Princess & the Popstar, and Mariposa & Fairy Princess in trying to help Teresa gain back her confidence and strengthen their friendship.

A cast of 19 singers and dancers, led by Chelsea Bernier (Barbie), Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken), will be donning stunning costumes for their high energy numbers that kids and adults will relate to and enjoy. 

Barbie Live! lead casts Chelsea Bernier (Barbie),
Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken)

Catch Barbie Live! in Manila from December 11-15, 2013 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.  Book your tickets at smtickets.com or call 470-2222.  Get 20% discount when you use e-PLUS Tap to Pay to purchase Barbie Live! tickets.



Filed under EVENTS

Colors of Hope and Unity

The Philippine flag's lively colors and spirit magnified by the show of support of the Empire State Building and Houston City Hall to the survivors of super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. To all those who are involved in the relief operations, keep the donations coming. God bless all of you and thank you.

Photos of the Empire State Building and Houston City Hall from posts in Instagram and Facebook.

The Joy of Surprise for Kids

Kids are simply delighted with discovery and surprises, even of the simplest and smallest kind.  So when I saw the TVC of Kinder Joy, I thought to myself that this new product will really click with children. 

Kinder Joy, a unique chocolate treat, is such product that is bent on providing this simple kind of joy.  The good news is that Kinder Joy is finally arriving in the Philippines to spread delightful surprises. Feel good and experience a huge surprise happening on October 19 and 20, 2013, from 10am to 10pm at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Activity Center. 

Expect fun-filled activities and awesome surprises on top of yet another big reveal—a special guest who will surely charm Filipino kids and their families. Come and explore the amazing world of surprises! Bring your children, nephews or nieces and experience being a child once more.

Because Business is No Longer Just a Man’s World

Not too long ago, a woman’s place is in the house – running the household and taking care of the needs of the children and her husband.  Then as times changed, she slowly began to learn and enjoy her rights and work for the accomplishment of her dreams.  Presently, although women are still struggling to “break the glass ceiling,” whether in corporate or in business, a big number have been recognized for their exemplary efforts in growing their own businesses.

The SGV Foundation and the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines (WBCP) jointly published a book that celebrates and honors the achievements of the Philippines’ top women entrepreneurs.  Launch recently, the book titled Aspirations & Inspirations: Filipino Women Entrepreneurs by Jessica Zafra features the 42 women winners and finalists of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Philippines.

Reading the book will make you realize that the featured Filipina entrepreneurs are just like any other mother, daughter or sister who cared for their loved ones and did their duties and obligations to the family.  At the same time, the book will inspire you to attain your professional and personal achievements just as the women entrepreneurs did.  Their stories ranged from starting the business at home, continuing the legacy started by their parents, being pioneers of the industry, being married their business partners, switching careers, and to starting a social enterprise. 

Some of the featured women in the book are Lolita O. Hizon of Pampanga’s Best, Julita P. Urbina of Café Laguna, Mary Joy Canon-Abaquin of Multiple Intelligence International School, Socorro C. Ramos of National Book Store, Amelia D. Manas of Bruno’s Barbers, Gemma N. Bulos of A Single Drop for Safe Water, and Marianne G. Quebral for Venture for Fund Raising, among others.  Their businesses survived trials and grew to have great impact to the economy and to the society, touching many lives in the process.

WBCP President Chit Juan, author Jessica Zafra and WBCP Chair Boots Garcia

The book launch is one of the activities in celebration of the 10^th year anniversary of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program, where The Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year award has been a vital part of.  With the belief that women entrepreneurs have a special gift, EOY Program Director Atty. Antonette Tionko has this to say,” Aside from having innate business sense, these women also show the power of compassion.  They have the ability to understand people and work within the dynamics of family, business and society.  The abilities of these women entrepreneurs are beyond question; but it may be their capacity for caring that makes them even better at what they do.”

On the other hand, the Women’s Business Council or WomenBizPH, headed by its Chair Ma. Aurora D. Geotina-Garcia and President Pacita U. Juan, will bring the books to the international conferences its members regularly attend or are invited to for speaking engagements.  Many WomenBizPH members are also Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines winners and finalists and they are also featured in the book.


This article was also published in HerWord.com 
http://www.herword.com/unwind/main.php?id=aspirations_and_inspirations

National Holidays for 2013

Sharing the list of regular and special holidays released by Malacañang for 2013, based on Proclamation No. 459.  Below are the details to help you plan your vacations.

January 1 (Tuesday) - New Year's Day
February 25 (Monday) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary
March 28 (Thursday) - Maundy Thursday
March 29 (Friday) - Good Friday
March 30 (Saturday) - Black Saturday

April 9 (Tuesday) - Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Wednesday) - Labor Day
June 12 (Wednesday) - Independence Day
August 21 (Wednesday) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 26 (Monday) - National Heroes Day
November 1 (Friday) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Saturday) - Additional special (non-working) day
November 30 (Saturday) - Bonifacio Day

December 24 (Tuesday) - Additional special (non-working) day
December 25 (Wednesday) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Monday) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Tuesday) - Last Day of the Year

The EDSA Revolution Anniversary was declared a special holiday for all schools.

"Proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations," the proclamation said. 


Source: www.gov.ph

17th Edition French Film Festival

I love French wine and cheese!  French films? These I have to see as June 7 marked the opening of the 17th edition of the annual French Film Festival.  Dubbed Citi-Rustan's French Film Festival, it is part of the French cultural program, Francophil, organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and the Alliance Francaise de Manille.

The film festival opened with Michael Hazanavicius' Oscar Award-winning film, "The Artist", which is very appropriate as it pays tribute to the beginnings of cinema.  Furthermore, a selection of contemporary French films will be shown throughout the festival through the efforts of the Institut Francais and the Philippine distributor, Pioneer Films. 

Among the films chosen as part of the Citi-Rustan's French Film Festival are Filipino films that have been shown in festivals in France or whose directors have participated in French workshops or seminars -- "Busong" by Auraeus Solito, "Manila" by Raya Martin and Adolfo Alix, Jr., "Bakal Boys" by Ralstom Jover, and the short films "Little" and "Au Revoir Philippe" by Sigrid Bernardo.  These Filipino films will be shown the whole day of June 12 as a tribute to Philippines' Independence Day.  The festival will also showcase Brillante Mendoza's "Captive," a Franco-German-Filipino co-production, starring French actress Isabelle Huppert.  However, the screening is by-invitation only and organized by Star Cinema.

The French Film Festival is from June 8 to 17 at the Shang Cineplex of the Shangri-La Plaza and from June 21 to 23 at the Ayala Center Cebu, made possible by the ample support of Citibank and Rustan's, and the following partners Shangri-La Plaza, Total, Air France-KLM, Pernod Ricard Philippines, Mandarin Oriental Manila, Pioneer Films, Le Cellier Wines, Cultural Center of the Philippines, UP Film Institute and official media partners BusinessWorld, Highlife, Travel, Radio High 105.9 and Spot.ph.


For inquiries, please call 0915-3135891 or email at frenchfilmfest@gmail.com.

Project Runway Philippines S3

Project Runway Philippines returns to the television screen after two successful seasons to continue the search for the next big Filipino fashion designer. Having watched a number of episodes from season 1 and 2, I am excited to see the new talents and challenges Project Runway Philippines Season 3 has in store for the participants.

A new season equals new host, in the person of beautiful model and creative jewelry entrepreneur Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez. Together with the show's mentor Jojie Lloren, judges Apples Aberin and Rajo Laurel, Tweetie will take the competition to a whole new dimension.

PRP S3 new host Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez

PRP S3 judge Apples Aberin

PRP S3 judge Rajo Laurel

15 young hopefuls from diverse backgrounds will compete in every challenge and vie for the top prize in the hopes of launching an illustrious career in fashion: Amor Albano, fashion designer from Laoag City; Cheetah Rivera, fashion designer from Manila; Enzo Libo-on, call center agent from Bacolod; Fatima Guerrero, fashion design student from Nueva Ecija; Glenn Gonzales, design apprentice from Pangasinan; Ionica Abrahan, stylist from Manila; Jenno Gacasan, graphic designer from Cebu City; Joseph Montelibano, PR executive from Parañaque; Karla Galang, fashion design instructor from Quezon City; Lenvil Paneda, costume designer from La Union; Milka Redoble, online fashion entrepreneur from Pasig City; MJ Alimanza, visual merchandiser from Zambales; Nel Claveria, overseas fashion designer from Camarines Sur; Normanie Santos, ex-Seminarian from Bulacan; and Yves Camingue, designer/stylist from Cebu City.

At the launch event held at the Genting Club of Resorts World Manila, Tweetie was introduced together with the challengers, who showed off their initial creations for the pilot episode.

Project Runway Philippines Season 3's grand winner will get 500,000 pesos in cash; 100,000 pesos worth of cash and beauty products from Pond's; a fashion spread in Mega Magazine featuring his final collection; a brand new Intuos4 Wacom unit and a full 4-year fashion design and technology scholarship from partner school iAcademy; sewing machines worth 300,00 pesos from Brother International; and an all-expense-paid trip to Paris to experience the Paris Fashion Week courtesy of L'Oreal Paris.

Catch the fashion fever every Sunday at 8 pm over at ETC.  For more information and updates, log on to http://www.facebook.com/OfficialProjectRunwayPH.

Filed under SHOWS

Cirque du Soleil's SALTIMBANCO in Manila

For those who missed Varekai last June and July 2011, you will get the chance to watch another magical performance as the international entertainment group Cirque du Soleil will perform in Manila with its vibrant signature production Saltimbanco from August 9 - 19, 2012 at Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running touring show and has performed since 1992 to wide-spread acclaim to sell-out audiences in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Be prepared to see a thrilling and kaleidoscopic celebration of awe-inspiring artistry and agility, spectacular costumes, amazing light effects and enchanting music. With a cast of 50 high-caliber artists from 20 different countries, Saltimbanco features breathtaking acrobatics and unbelievable athleticism -- be a witness seemingly impossible balancing, jumping, and spinning during the Chinese Poles or the Russian Swing to the gravity-defying Bungees and Trapeze, the crowd pleasing Juggling and Acrobatic Bicycle, to the celebrated and very unique Clowns. Full of colour, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family.

Saltimbanco is from the Italian “saltare in banco,” which literally means “to jump on a bench,” the show explores all facets of the urban experience -- the people who live there, their idiosyncrasies and likeness, families and groups, the hustle and bustle of the street and the towering heights of skyscrapers. A signature show, it is inspired by the urban fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants.

Advance tickets for Saltimbanco are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members began last November 30, 2011. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to Cirque Club.

Tickets for the general public are now available online. You may reserve and buy through the following websites: Cirque du Soleil, Hoopla and SM Tickets, and or call +632 470-2222.

Show Schedule:

Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 pm

Friday, August 10 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 11 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Sunday, August 12 at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Tuesday, August 14 at 8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 15 at 8:00 pm

Thursday, August 16 at 8:00 pm

Friday, August 17 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 18 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Sunday, August 19 at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Ticket Prices (Adult/Child):

VIP PhP 10,500 / PhP 8,400

PATRON CENTER PhP 7,500 / PhP 6,000

LOWER BOX CENTER PhP 5,500 / PhP 4,500

PATRON SIDES PhP 5,500 / PhP 4,500

LOWER BOX SIDES PhP 3,500 / PhP 2,800

UPPER BOX PhP 2,500 / PhP 2,000

GEN. ADMISSION PhP 2,500 / PhP 2,000

Filed under SHOWS

Oh, 'Mama Mia!'

"I've been cheated by you since I don't know when; so I've made up my mind, it must come to an end..." goes the classic song of 70s group ABBA titled 'Mama Mia'. If those lines made you sing, then chances are: a) you are a fan of ABBA; and b) you were able to watch the film 'Mama Mia!' starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan.

But did you know that even before the movie come out, 'Mama Mia!' has been touring around the globe as a theater production? Yes, 'Mama Mia!' on stage started way back in 1999 in London, has been seen by over 50 million people worldwide and has been on Broadway for more than a decade.

At the recent launch in Dusit Thani, Lunchbox Productions and Concertus brought two of the lead stars in ‘Mama Mia!’, Sara Poyzer and Charlotte Wakefield, who portray the mother and daughter characters Donna and Sophie, respectively, to give the guests a sneak peek of the exciting show.

In January 2012, we will have the chance to watch the smash hit musical 'Mama Mia!' on stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

‘Mama Mia!’ is a musical based on the music of Abba, the popular Swedish group that ruled the music charts in the seventies. The musical includes such Abba hits as ‘Super Trouper’, ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Take A Chance On Me’, ‘Thank You for the Music’, ‘Money, Money, Money’, ‘The Winner Takes It All’, ‘Voulez Vous’ and ‘SOS’.

Shows will be from January 24 until February 5 -- Tuesday thru Sunday at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 3 pm matinee show. Tickets are now available at Ticketworld.

UPDATE as of Jan. 25, 2012:

Mama Mia is extended until February 19!

Filed under SHOWS

2012 Regular and Special Holidays

There will be six long weekends in 2012, according to the list of regular and special holidays released by Malacañang for 2012. Below are the details to help you plan your vacations.

Based on Proclamation No. 295 , the longest of these long weekends — five days — will be from April 5 (Maundy Thursday) to April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan).

The first special non-working holiday will be on Jan. 23 (Monday) for the celebration of Chinese New Year.

All in all, there will be 16 regular and special holidays to be observed next year. These are:

January 1 (Sunday) - New Year's Day
January 23 (Monday) - Chinese New Year
February 25 (Saturday) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary
April 5 (Thursday) - Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Friday) - Good Friday
April 9 (Monday) - Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Tuesday) - Labor Day
June 12 (Tuesday) - Independence Day
August 21 (Tuesday) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Monday) - National Heroes Day
November 1 (Thursday) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Friday) - Additional special (non-working) day
November 30 (Friday) - Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Tuesday) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Sunday) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Monday) - Last Day of the Year

The EDSA Revolution Anniversary was declared a special holiday for all schools.

"Proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations," the proclamation said.


Source: www.gmanetwork.com

Red Cross Charity Ball 2011

The Philippine National Red Cross Ball is an annual fund-raising event supported by generous individuals and corporations who believe in their cause to fight for humanity, independence, neutrality and unity. Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga co-hosted this year’s Red Cross Ball which happened last October 16 at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The menu, invite and chocolate giveaway

Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto-Valdes during the auction

Guests were treated to a sumptuous three-course dinner and heavenly desserts before the benefit auction of items donated to Red Cross by Celestina, Subic Leisure and Ethihad Airways. A special raffle from Blackberry was done in a different way -- the hosts drew out the table number and the youngest person at that lucky table was chosen to win.

And the piece de resistance of the evening was the unveiling of the latest collection of notable Dubai-based fashion designer Michael Cinco in his first gala show. The first part of the collection was inspired by Greece and goddesses -- column dresses reminiscent of Greek architecture were adorned with brocade pattern of bead work while bold mini dresses embellished with laser-cut ceramic details showed various ancient Greece symbols. Next came the goddess gowns in bright colors of yellow, orange, red and brown reflecting the sunset in Santorini. The gowns bear Michael Cinco's trademark design -- exquisite bead work, meticulous pleats, dainty laces and flirty feathers. Signaling the show's finale, Georgina Wilson, Claire Unabia and Marina Benipayo sashayed down the runway in fabulous white bridal gowns.

Sighted in the event were some of the most prominent faces in the country showing their support to the Red Cross cause -- celebrities Ruffa Gutierrez, Cherie Gil, Tim Yap, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez; designers and personalities Rajo Laurel, JC Buendia, Inno Sotto, Ivarluski Aseron, Ingrid Chua-Go, Crystalle Henares, Miriam Quiambao; and the jeweler Dizon siblings Janina, Candy and Lucille, among others.

Michael Cinco with muse Georgina Wilson

Guests at the Red Cross Charity Ball

Support the Philippines National Red Cross and help save lives. To donate, click here.

Thanks to STUDIyo for the photos.

Filed under EVENTS

UST sa BSP: An Exhibit

Being a UST Fine Arts graduate, this news is something close to my heart and I would like to share this with you. As UST celebrates its 400th year this 2011, this is another one of my Alma Mater's special events highlighting the Thomasian talents.

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila presents UST sa BSP: Selections from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection of Thomasian Alumni Artists at the Upper Galleries.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, since its existence as the Central Bank of the Philippines, has collected paintings. The first accessions of major works by contemporary artists were made in 1971. In the 1980s, the scope of the collection was expanded “to the origins of Philippine paintings,” resulting, in the words of art critic Emmanuel S. Torres, “in the most encyclopedic public collection of visual arts.”

In the course of this mindful collecting and conserving of Philippine visual arts, paintings by mentors and students from the University of Santo Tomas joined the inventory of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Art Collection. Through time, these teachers and pupils have achieved admirably in their chosen art forms, and three of them, notably, have been conferred the rank of National Artist: Ang Kiukok, Victorio Edades and J. Elizalde Navarro. Many other Thomasians have become leading lights in the field of visual arts.

Selected works from some of these Thomasian artists are on view in UST SA BSP, an exhibition organized and realized as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s gesture of partaking in the celebration of the quadricentennial of the University of Santo Tomas this year.

UST sa BSP: Selections from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection of Thomasian Alumni Artists runs until September 30, 2011. For details, please call 523-0613 or 523-7855, or email info@metmuseum.ph.

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Museum hours are from 9am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday; closed on Sundays, first Mondays of the month and on holidays.

For inquiries about this press release, please call Fralynn Manalo at 523-0613, 521-1517, or email fralynnmanalo@metmuseum.ph.

Filed under SHOWS

Knowing Webber and His Works

I grew up listening to broadways songs and dreaming of watching broadway plays someday. Well, I got to see the Manila staging of some of them, most recently was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats last year.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has written music that has transcended time. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Who hasn't heard "The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "You Must Love Me" from Evita, and "Memory" from Cats, among others.

Music Magician Andrew Lloyd Webber

Watching the matinee show of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on its second to the last day (the run ended yesterday, July 3) was such a treat for me. I was reintroduced to Webber and learned a lot more about him as a musician and about his other works that I haven't encountered yet like "Tell Me on a Sunday," which I loved instantly.


The show's stage design was simple yet practical and functional, with the lighted backdrop of several rectangular walls served as projection screens that showed clips and titles of various plays to highlight the songs being performed on stage plus clips of the man himself sharing personal stories of him growing up in a musical family.


The 7 performers (4 males and 3 females) all looked as good as they sounded. Their heartfelt renditions did not fail to evoke the right emotions from the captured audience. The whole repertoire was like a time machine that transported us back to broadway's golden days and gave us snipets of well-loved songs from the musicals I mentioned above, as well as from Starlight Express, Love Never Dies, Sunset Boulevard, and Requiem, plus the song "No Matter What" that was popularized by Boyzone in the 90s (I wasn't aware it was a Webber song).


The 2-hour show ended on a high with applause and standing ovation from Andrew Lloyd Webber fanatics. Too bad it was only on a limited run of 13 shows at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.