EarthDay Jam

Ecological themes like "Save the Earth," "Save the Environment," and "Go Green" are very rampant these days, especially when we all began to feel the effects of global warming.  But way back in the year 2000, a special movement was born with the goals of spreading environmental awareness and promoting unity through music -- the Earthday Jam!  

At the press conference for Earthday Jam

Earthday Jam, the musical marathon for Mother Earth, now on its 12th year, showed no sign of slowing down.  The biggest street party music tribute for Mother Earth held recently at the Bonifacio Global City delivered their eco-friendly messages through music as diverse as world music, alternative, rock, reggae and accoustic. Talented artists donated their time and gave concert-worthy performances for the cause -- salsa-samba El Martinos drumbeaters; Philippines' premier Brazilian-fusion artist Nyko Maca with band Gafeiera; folk guru Noel Cabangon; internationally known reggae act Peace Pipe; women-fronted bands Imago and jazz pinoy soul quartet SIno Sikat; rock-alternative's major bands Kjwan, Mayonnaise, and Radio Active Sago Project with witty frontman Lourd De Vera; veteran artist-producer Lou Bonnevie; Bloomfields; True Faith; Nina; and Juris.

Lou Bonnevie

Bloomfields

All performances were interspersed with environmental tips from various speakers representing "green" NGOs and various leading government agencies.  

Earthday Jam was spearheaded by Philippine rock icon, Father Satur Neri recipient envi-artist Lou Bonnevie and creative honcho Toto Gentica with their production outfit Dimitri Productions.  

Filed under EVENTS

Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour

Just saw this good news from Starbucks Philippines while I was browsing through Facebook.  Something to look forward to and ward off Monday blues from April 30 until May 28, 2012.

Info and photo from Starbucks Philippines FB.

Filipino Fashion Designer on ANTM: British Invasion Episode

Tonight at 8PM on ETC, America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion features the couture collection of Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran. With just 8 models left in the competition, the episode starts with the girls attending castings for the opportunity to open a fashion show where fashion’s elite will be in the audience. Then at the photo shoot the models strike their best pose while struggling with heavy Hello Kitty couture gowns as designed by Libiran.

I believe this is also the episode where Filipino actress/model Anne Curtis-Smith will be shown wearing the fabulous gowns of Libiran. 

Not the first time for a Filipino designer to be featured on the long-running reality show, Libiran is the first Philippine-based designer to have his creations modeled on the show. Past Filipino designers to be featured include US-based Oliver Tolentino and Dubai-based Michael Cinco, and just last week host Tyra Banks wore a dress by Project Runway Philippines judge Rajo Laurel during the previous episode’s judging.

Airing all-new episodes first in the Philippines, ETC is the number one authority when it comes to America’s Next Top Model. Fans of the show can see the latest episodes of America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion just days after its initial US airing.

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL: BRITISH INVASION AIRS EVERY MONDAY AT 8PM ON ETC, see on free TV on RPN-9.

Filed under SHOWS

A Good Kind of Forbidden

Anything "forbidden" is almost always desired. Who can resist peeking at a surprise gift? Or eating another slice of sweet cake when no one is looking? I guess it is the challenge posed by the "forbidden pleasures" that our natural curiosity and persistence can't overcome at times.

When an invitation to join the press launch of "Forbidden Broadway" came my way, I was immediately curious to know what it is all about.  It turns out that it is what New Yorkers call "the funniest show in New York and is the upcoming offering of Upstart Productions this May 2012 -- the Off-Broadway smash hit that is all about spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals.

Upstart Productions' Joel Trinidad

And who on earth came up it such an idea?  "Forbidden Broadway" was conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini, a then unemployed actor who wanted a showcase for his talents.  The original show opened in January 1982 in New York. The show has mocked popular shows like The Phantom of theOpera, Wicked, Les Miserables, Mama Mia!, Cats, Hairspray, and Rent, among others.  It also targets famous Broadway actors, writers, composers, directors, choreographers and producers but I'm not revealing names now so you'd be curious enough to watch the show instead.

Liesl Batucan and Lorenz Martinez

OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

As to how "Forbidden Broadway" found its way to Philippine shores can be credited to Upstart Productions' Joel Trinidad, who is directing the show. Mr. Trinidad caught the show when he was in New York a couple of years ago and he shares, "I love Forbidden Broadway because it pokes fun at all the big hits of Broadway, but in a good-natured way that's never petty and mean."  The full length, 2 acts show is like watching 20 or more Broadway musicals in one go and because it is well-written, the viewers need not be familiar with any of the featured musical to be able to appreciate the show.

"Forbidden Broadway" is a four-person show, with two men and two women playing pivotal roles, and the four actors who were tapped for the show are Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano. As Mr. Trinidad relayed at the press conference, "More than just great singers, dancers and actors, I needed performers who could be funny without trying."  I agree on that a hundred percent because comic timing is something we are born with: either we have it or we don't.  "I'm happy to say that my cast members -- Liesl, Caisa, Lorenz and OJ -- are all great performers who are definitely born with it," affirms Mr. Trinidad, referring to the cast as being naturally funny.    


Watch this short video clip I took of their spoof of Rent's Season of Love:

To spice up every performance, guest artists like Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, and many more will be popping on stage but only one surprise guest per show.

"Forbidden Broadway" will run from May 11 to 27, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.  Venue will be at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC PLaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.


Stay tuned for updates to this show.

Filed under SHOWS

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

Winning in the Selling Revolution

For all businesses, selling is the name of the game -- targets, quotas and ROIs -- and the sales field is one huge battlefield that can be fatal for the faint of heart. In olden days, selling to customers is easy and simple but with the modern times' innovations and changing customer needs and wants, it is a must to adapt to these changes to stay on top of the game.

Time to rev up your sales teams with fresh (fresher and refresher) ideas by going through the entire range of sales topics in a half day conference. Learn quick and applicable sales ideas from the Mansmith Team of Training Masters, so you can start winning in the selling revolution.

BusinessWorld, in cooperation with Mansmith & Fielders, Inc., presents Marketing Rescue on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 1 to 5:30 pm (registration starts at 12:30 pm), at the One Cafe, 6th Floor, One Corporate Center, Meralco Avenue corner Julia Vargas St., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Featuring the topic "Winning in the Selling Revolution," the event will have as speakers the following:

Session 1 – Know your channel choices

The Science of Channel Choice by Emilio Macasaet III, Mansmith partner and chief distribution strategist

Cases on Channel Innovation by Josiah Go, Mansmith chairman and chief marketing strategist

Session 2 – Recognize the advantages of going direct and going retail

How to Make Direct Selling Work for You by Malu Dy Buncio, Mansmith chief business development strategist

Retail Innovation: Sell More by Selling Less by Rowen Untivero, Mansmith partner and chief sales strategist

Session 3 – Understand the big picture in sales

Marketing-Oriented Selling and Positioning by Chiqui Go-Escareal, Mansmith president and chief service strategist

Insighting for Field Sales People by Benedicto “Poch” Cid, Mansmith chief brand adviser

Session 4 – Know your online option

Doing Business Via e-Commerce by Donald Lim, Mansmith chief e-marketing strategist

Advantages of Inbound Marketing by Tricia Gosingtian, Mansmith board member

This is a FREE marketing consultancy seminar wherein the attendees get to raise/ask marketing concerns regarding the companies they represent. How does this work? To reserve your FREE seat, just email your name, company, position and contact details to marcom@bworld.com.ph with the subject RESERVE ME A SEAT AT THE MARKETING RESCUE FORUM, on or before April 17. Seats are limited to only 50.

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About BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation

BusinessWorld (http://www.bworldonline.com) is the first and leading business newspaper in the country, with over four decades of experience in economic journalism. From merely reporting the latest news on business and the economy, BusinessWorld has evolved to become the premier business news and information provider to the country’s industry movers and decision makers -- through print, online and learning events.

About Mansmith & Fielders, Inc.

Mansmith & Fielders (http://www.mansmith.net) is the country’s leading consultancy firm that “helps your marketing and sales teams soar!” Established in 1989, it is composed of successful practitioners and entrepreneurs with strong theoretical backgrounds. Mansmith & Fielders is a specialists in Marketing and Sales, Strategy and Innovation Training offering segmentized programs to its clientele.

Mansmith & Fielders has a column called "Mansmith Mentors" which appears in BusinessWorld's Wealth Manager section every Monday.

Marketing Rescue is an advocacy project of Mansmith (www.mansmith.net) dedicated to help companies grow or turnaround.

Filed under EVENTS

HerWord.com's Sexy for Summer Promo

Summer is that time of year when most of us women (and men, too) panic at the thought of going to the beach and wearing swimsuits. Fear no more because here's one promo that will answer your prayers.

HerWord.com, in partnership with The Skin Sanctuary, is giving away 10 LipoSolve with Skin Rejuvenation gift certificates to lucky HerWord subscribers. Promo period is April 11 to May 10, 2012.

LipoSolve uses low frequency ultrasound waves that create micro bubbles in the body fluids. It results in selective destruction of fat cells. It's a non-surgical fat lysis. There will be improvement in cellulite appearance. It's a lunchtime procedure of 20 minutes with guaranteed results.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/theskinsanctuary.

To join the promo and know the full mechanics, visit http://www.herword.com/promo/

Filed under PROMOS

Have A Blessed Holy Week

Today is the start of a long weekend...time for rest for the body and mind, relaxation for the heart and reflection for the soul. Have a blessed Holy Week everyone!

Shout It Out, Boys!

My most vivid memory of Hanson is that of three brothers who, barely in their teens, singing the hit song "MMMBop" while expertly playing their respective musical instruments. And oh, did I mention that they were cute? But that was about 15 years ago and I haven't heard of them since until the announcement of the release of a new album, Shout It Out, and a concert here in Manila, Hanson Shout It Tour 2012.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac, collectively known as Hanson, is the pop-rock boy band from Oklahoma, USA that took the radio by storm in 1997 which catchy songs like "I Will Come To You," "Penny and Me," and "Where's The Love." The little boys are grown ups now -- Isaac is 31 y/o, Taylor is 29 y/o and Zac is 26 y/o -- all of them married and with kids, but the passion for writing music and performing for fans still remains and this is why they continued to pursue their career in music.

It was a blast to see them up close and in person at the press conference and concert and their new and most ambitious album sounded great, as inspired by the music that Hanson listened to growing up -- 60s soul and 70s songwriters. Shout It Out debuted at #2 on the US Billboard Independent charts and has captured the hearts of fans around the world yet again.

HANSON (l-r): Isaac, Zac and Taylor

Having seen the fans in the concert, I must say that Hanson has tapped into the younger market of screaming teenage girls (yes, they screamed their lungs out most specially every time Zac was focused on the video wall) while keeping the lot they enamored since 15 years ago.

As for me, they're back on my radar and I will be waiting for greater music and things from them in the years to come.

Filed under SHOWS