French Film Festival at 20

Time to head out to the cinemas as the French Film Festival will be running from June 3 to 9, 2015 in two venues simultaneously -- at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City and at the Bonifacio High Street cinemas in Taguig.   

The 2015 French Film Festival celebrates two decades of bringing critically-acclaimed and blockbuster films to the Philippine audience, not only promoting the French culture but lending support to the local movie industry by screening classic and contemporary Philippine films. It is also worthy to note that for years, the French government, through its embassy, has assisted local filmmakers in bringing their films to France and has supported initiatives to preserve Philippine film heritage. 

To commemorate the 2oth year of the French Film Festival, two films will be screened at the red carpet opening night on June 3 at Greenbelt.   The opening French film, La Famille Bélier (The Bélier Family), tells the story of a provincial deaf-mute family that must deal with the desire of their daughter to study music in Paris.  On the same night, Taklub, Brillante Mendoza’s latest film and the only Philippine entry to the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, will be premiering at the festival’s red carpet opening night. 

Here are the screening schedules in Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas (click to enlarge):

I had a great time watching the participating films in last year's French Film Festival that's why I am eagerly anticipating this year's run!

Tickets for each screening are priced at P100.00 to cover the operational costs of the cinema. Tickets are available at the box office or through www.sureseats.com. 

NEWEL: RIIR's Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

I first encountered Rags2Riches (RIIR) in 2008 at an event of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) where they were awarded the top prize in the Philippine Business in Development (BiD) Challenge organized by PBSP and the Dutch BiD Network Foundation.  I remember marveling at their venture that transforms scrap cloth into designer products and at that time, they were working on woven bags with established designer Rajo Laurel and giving livelihood opportunities for the women of Payatas.  Since then I have been following this social enterprise and their collections from RIIR’s collaboration with Rajo Laurel to Amina Aranaz and Oliver Tolentino.

The new collection

This year, RIIR launched their Spring/Summer collection at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 with two things in mind: to give the spotlight to their in-house designers and to give tribute to a special material indigenous to the Philippines.  “Newel,” the latest S/S collection of RIIR, was inspired by the intricate and unique weaves of the Tinalak of the T’boli tribe of Mindanao (Newel means “weave” in T’boli). 

According to Vivian Lee, Operations Director of Rags2Riches, “Our design inspiration is tribal chic and with Tinalak, we wanted to promote the woven materials of the T’boli community.  We had some of the colors customized to give the designs a modern twist.”

The stage of the RIIR launch at the Gallery, Greenbelt 5

Models showing the six styles of the Newel collection

The artisans who made the RIIR bags

(l-r) the host, RIIR style advocate Bianca Gonzalez,
RIIR president Reese Fernandez-Ruiz and
Newel collection design  consultant Rajo Laurel

“RIIR has always been about empowering communities and we wanted to expand our reach to different communities in the Philippines,” said Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President of Rags2Riches. “The weave production takes about 2-3 months but we were lucky because we were able to partner with another social enterprise who is a supplier of Tinalak so they will be able to deliver more quantity and at the same time, have a unique aspect in its (weave) designs.”

The Newel collection as prepared backstage for the launch

The Newel collection, named in T’boli words, has six styles to offer – three totes and three clutches -- in vibrant colors to suit moods and occasions: the Hedem Hobo Bag (The Thinking Woman), the Ofi Clutch (Fire), the Kena Tote Bag (Dream), the Kulon Clutch (Rain), the Kenmu Clutch (Fist), and the Benwu Tote Bag (World).  Every creation is sure to catch the eye with its versatility and ingenious patterns.

Kulon clutch

Ofi clutch

Kenmu clutch

Hedem hobo bag

Kena tote bag

Benwu tote bag

The Rags2Riches woman

All designs were made as colorful and distinct to fit the style of the modern, fashion-forward women of today. 

“RIIR’s Spring/Summer collection is a stylish innovation.  Utilizing the Tinalak, an indigenous weaving technique that is inspired by dreams, myths and beliefs, RIIR’s newest collection is dedicated to the RIIR women who are women with substance and unique style,” shared Joe Mark Pardiñas, Sales and Marketing Manager of Rags2Riches.

(l-r) RIIR president Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, me, and
RIIR operations director Vivian Lee

Triple firsts

Aside from being RIIR’s first venture to fully incorporate an indigenous material in their collection, this is also the first line of bags solely designed by RIIR’s in-house designers.

Ruiz explained, “This is the first design collaboration of RIIR’s in-house designers under the design direction of Rajo Laurel.  We felt it was high time to create something to showcase and highlight the talents of our in-house designers.”

Another first is, coinciding with the launch of its Spring/Summer collection, RIIR also unveiled its first style advocate, Bianca Gonzalez.  A well-known celebrity and fashion icon, Bianca is a woman that personifies the RIIR women: empowered, passionate, and compassionate.

RIIR's Style Advocate

“We believe that Bianca Gonzalez is the epitome of a RIIR woman, someone who personifies the values that we uphold and seek to promote with every unique RIIR creation,” Pardiñas added.

The style advocate

Bianca Gonzalez is happy to be RIIR’s style advocate because, “Rags2Riches is revolutionary and the reason why I bought my RIIR bags was when I heard about the advocacy behind it, helping the nanays of Payatas, plus it was collaboration with friends Rajo and Amina.  More than being an ambassador or endorser, a style advocate is not just a face to represent the brand but actually believes in the products and uses them.”

Celebrity Bianca Gonzalez

When asked what she thinks made RIIR chose her as style advocate, Bianca quips, “My passion for advocacy.  I’m not really a ‘fashionista.’ I read trends in magazines but I prefer the casual and classic look and I wear whatever I feel is comfortable. I’m not one to pile on accessories because I like just one focal point in an outfit so I like the RIIR bags – simple yet unique and attractive enough to be my one and only accessory.”

And her personal favorite from the Newel collection is, ”The Ofi clutch because I prefer small bags. My bag here (points to the large gray Benwu tote beside her during the interview) is an exception because I need a big bag when I’m working.”

About Rags2Riches

Rags2Riches Inc. is a for-profit social enterprise based in Manila, Philippines, creating eco-ethical fashion and home accessories out of up cycled scrap cloth, organic materials and indigenous fabrics by working with artisans (mostly women) living in the poor communities across the country.  Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon its four bottom lines: People, Profit, Planet and Positive Influence.  For more information, visit www.rags2riches.ph.

Nokia Recycles

Found this funky bench on the cinema level of Greenbelt 3 recently and it really caught my attention. So what if there's a new bench?

Well, this is a "green" bench installed by Nokia featuring a mannequin built with old cell phone parts. A good way to recycle old phones and at the same time create awareness for and inspire other people to also go "green."

The brass plate on the bench reads: In memory of your old cell phones. Old cell phones can be recycled and used to make new things like trumpets, roller coasters, and even this park bench. Give the world a helping hand and recycle your old phone.

I remember the "drop boxes" that Nokia placed in malls some time ago to collect parts of old cell phones. So now we know where those parts went.

Log on to nokia.com/recycle to know more about the project and how we can help in our little way.

Filed under SIGHTS

Power Mac Training Hub

People say that "once you go Mac, you can never go back," to using Windows-based PCs, that is. I'm not 100% sure about that statement since I haven't had the chance to use Mac at work long enough to feel that "wow" experience of the Mac converts. I work on a desktop PC at the office and only used Mac when I did the editing and laying out of the bulletins page of the newspaper that I work for, while HR was still searching for the replacement staff for that position. When working on field, I bring my personal net book.

So why am I blogging about Mac when I am not a user? I was just delighted to learn that, if and when I decide to become a Mac convert, I don't have to worry about navigating my way around the system and not being able to use the product to its maximum capacity because I can run anytime to Power Mac Center.

On its 17th year of advocating the use of the Mac operating system and becoming the top-of-mind central hub for knowledge on anything Apple, Power Mac Center is putting itself out there with a strong positioning as an Apple Authorized Training Center (AATC). It is a separate business unit of Power Mac Center but it compliments its products and services.

Power Mac Center's Marketing Manager Joey Alvarez

The Power Mac Center AATC is the perfect place to go to for all Apple-related training needs -- for certificate and non-certificate courses -- to deepen knowledge and facilitate the implementation of the Mac OS X operating system and select professional applications. With 14 certified trainers, it can serve the various requirements of both creative agencies (marketing, advertising, publishing) and major companies (multinational companies, BPOs) in having the creative and IT manager trained to support the needs of their clients and business partners.

Renowned Australian photographer and certified Apple Pro

trainer for Aperture Gunther Deichmann

Now, there is no need to fly to Singapore to get an Apple Certification because anyone can enroll and take the courses and exams at Power Mac Center's AATC classroom at second level of Greenbelt 3 in Makati City. The fully air-conditioned classroom is also available for rental, with inclusion of the use of a sound system and multimedia projection system.

Power Mac Center's training website

For a list of the courses offered, visit the Power Mac Center website for trainings: http://training.powermaccenter.com. For schedule inquiries and more, reach them by phone at (632) 729-7088 or contact them via email at aatc@powermaccenter.com or training_request@powermaccenter.com.

Filed under TECH and EVENTS

MaKULAY by Oliver Tolentino

For the past two years, I have always been looking forward to the unveiling of the Rags2Riches collection designed by some of the creative minds in the Philippine fashion industry. First there was Rajo Laurel then came Amina Aranaz-Alunan next. This year, RIIR's designer line brings an awe-inspiring collaboration with no less than internationally-acclaimed Filipino couture designer Oliver Tolentino.

Aptly titles "MaKULAY," the Oliver Tolentino collection revealed bright and warm colors. Launched recently at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 in Ayala Center, Makati City, the limited edition pieces showcased the ingenuity of Tolentino and the enduring craftsmanship of the empowered women from the Payatas community.

Oliver Tolentino (5th from left) and Reese Fernandez-Ruiz (7th from left) flocked by the Payatas Nanays

"MaKULAY" is a wordplay of "ma" (mother) and "kulay" (color) as the collection aims to pay tribute to the remarkable mothers in Philippine history -- Marcela Agoncillo, Gabriela Silang, Corazon Aquino, among others.

Corazon Tomato Bag

Marcela Handbag

Lydia Round Bag with Fringes

Gabriela T-bag, my fave

Corazon Pouch with Pompoms

To make the collection standout all the more, the bags were modelled by gracefully poised muses decked in newspaper dresses fashioned by innovative young designers from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA).

Newspaper clad muses modeled the bags

About the Designer

Oliver Tolentino, one of the most celebrated international haute designers today, is a homegrown talent. He is known for promoting local fabrics and Filipino culture through his pieces. His recognitions include being named Designer of the Week in March 2011 at the Prestigious Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs, California, USA; winner of the Sustainable Eco Fashion Awards in 2010 at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas; and one of the finalists at the Oscar Designer Challenge in 2010, among others. His collections have been regularly featured in international glossies and have been worn by celebrities Cee Lo Green, Amber Riley, Kimora Lee Simmons, Vivica Fox, Patty Austin, Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, and others.

Global Pinoy Designer Oliver Tolentino

Me with the very down-to-earth Oliver Tolentino

About Rags2Riches

RIIR is am emerging global designer line that was initially established as a social business enterprise armed with a vision to uplift the poor community of Payatas. Now a global Filipino brand, RIIR is one of the most successful designer lines in the Philippines and Asia that promotes eco-ethical lifestyle through its products and business philosophy.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President of Rags2Riches

For more information on RIIR and the "MaKULAY" collection, log on to www.rags2riches.ph or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Rags2Riches-Inc.

John & Yoko: Modern Japanese with a Twist

Since being introduced to the John & Yoko restaurant in Greenbelt 5 a couple of years ago, I've been coming back to taste my favorites, either with friends or family. The interiors suggest early on that John & Yoko offers something more than the average Japanese fare -- modern Japanese with a twist. I love how they made circles a part of the design from the lighted wall decors, to the designs on the wood cabinets.

Recently, they replaced some of their ho-hum dining chairs with these funky Japanese themed chairs.

John & Yoko's menu boasts of a wild variety of maki, tempura and rice bowls plus salads, pizzas and more; and it does hurt that the prices are affordable and competitive. Among my favorites are:

Big Star Salad

A delicious mix of fresh crispy greens, mango slices, shrimps, cherry tomatoes and peanut brittle bits.

Spider Roll

Soft shell crabs wrapped in rice and topped with orange caviar and teriyaki sauce.

Ika Fritters with Cocktail Sauce

Crunchy squid rings with tomato-based cocktail sauce.

Bacon Enoki

Enoki mushrooms wrapped in smoky bacon garnished with spring onions and brown sauce.

Tofu Steak

Fried tofu slices in oyster sauce with beef slices and cubed carrots.

Chicken Teriyaki and Mango Pizza

Mozarella pizza topped with chicken teriyaki bits and mango cubes plus spring onions, toasted sesame seeds and orange caviar...a surprisingly good combination.

For drinks, they have the bottomless dalandan (blue), calamansi (red) and lime (green) that are equally refreshing and thirst quenching.

I have yet to try their other food offerings but I'm sure that my next visits will give me and my companions a truly unique dining experience every time.

Immerse in Arts and Culture this Summer

Another good way to spend summer is to visit places where you can learn from, such as a museum. Why not drop by the Ayala Museum one afternoon after a leisure stroll or a shopping spree in the Greenbelt area?

Here are what's in store for you at the Ayala Museum this month of April:


Looking In: Araceli Limcaco-Dans Retrospective - this retrospective exhibit, until May 1 at the G/F Gallery, 3/F Glasslane and Luna & Amorsolo Rooms, gathers a total of 185 portraits, still life paintings, drawings, prints as well as works in various media from the Philippine Women's University, Ateneo de Manila University, several private collections and the family's collection.

The exhibit will be accompanied by a lecture by the spotlighted artist and art educator hereself, Araceli Limcaco-Dans on April 30.


Revolution Revisited Tour - this popular exhibit featuring photographs of the EDSA revolution by Kim Komenich stops over at Glorietta 4 on its nationwide tour and will be there until April 18. Visit Ayala Museum website (http://www.ayalamuseum.org/) for the full schedule of the exhibit tour.


Design Talks: Everywhere We Shoot! - Design Talks is a lecture series that highlights pioneering Filipino creative professionals and this April 16 will feature the dynamic duo of Ryan Vergara and Garovs Garovillo, whose portfolio flaunts an inimitable style through photography, fashion, and graphic design.


L'arc en Ciel Atelier - a painting exhibit until April 26 at the 2/F ArtistSpace featuring the works of Carla Kim, Connie Quirino, Stella Kim and Alfred Galura.

The Diorama Experience - view 60 dioramas at the 2/F Gallery depicting turning points in Philippine history.

Pioneers of Philippine Art - enjoy one hundred years of art through the works of Luna, Amorsolo and Zobel at the 3/F Gallery.

Crossroads of Civilization - have a look back at our precolonial and colonial history at the 4/F Gallery.

Ayala Muesum is open from Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday., 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Because Holy Week is just around the corner, please take note of Ayala Museum's holiday schedule. The museum will be closed on the following dates: April 21, Maundy Thursday; April 22, Good Friday; and April 23, Black Saturday. Museum operations will resume on April 24, Easter Sunday.

Ayala Museum is located at Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City, beside Greenbelt 4. For inquiries, please call (632) 757-7117 to 21 local 24 or 35 or email at museum_inquiry@ayalamuseum.org.