Sam Concepcion, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses, and Anthony Rosaldo join Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical

 

Anthony Rosaldo, a powerhouse vocalist and former The Clash finalist, has become a familiar face in musical theater through a string of standout performances. In 2024, he starred as Roger Davis in the Manila revival of Jonathan Larson's Rent. Before that, he made his theatrical debut as Young Hector in the long-running hit musical Ang Huling El Bimbo in 2023.

The cast of Bongga Ka, 'Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical is shaping up to be truly ‘bongga’, kicking with an all-star lineup of today's most sought-after theater heartthrobs.

Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, unveiled Sam Concepcion, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses, and Anthony Rosaldo as the musical’s leading men.

Concepcion takes on the role of Romer, a 27 year-old cosmopolitan, flirty, and self-assured man who knows he’s handsome and worldly. He is a flight attendant who dabbles in photography. Coming from a well-off family, he is the only son of the owner of House of Pasion.

Estrada steps into the character of Burn, a down-to-earth folk-rock singer in his mid 20s. Burn is known for performing cover songs but dreams of making a name for himself through his own original music. Determined to get his big break, he sets out on a journey to achieve his dreams while balancing stability and his passion.

Sam Concepcion as Romer

Sam Concepcion is one of Philippine entertainment's most accomplished triple threats. Equally at home on the concert stage, television screen, and theater stage, Concepcion has built a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Theater audiences most recently saw him as the wealthy aristocrat Daniel Beauxhomme in 9 Works Theatrical's staging of Once on This Island, following his widely praised performance as Popoy in PETA's blockbuster hit One More Chance The Musical.

KD Estrada as Burn

KD Estrada, whose growing theater career continues to excite audiences. Estrada comesfresh off a highly celebrated run of Bagets The Musical, where he starred as the well-off, conyo high schooler Arnel. He made his musical theater debut in 2023 in PETA’s award-winning zarzuela comedy Walang Aray.

Jeff Moses as Romer

Jeff Moses continues to build momentum as one of the most promising young performers transitioning from television to theater. Best known to many viewers through his appearances in hit television dramas, Moses successfully made his stage debut in Bagets The Musical, where he portrayed the martial arts-loving Topee. His natural charm and strong vocals quickly endeared him to audiences, making him a welcome addition to the world of Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical.

Anthony Rosaldo as Romer

Together, these four performers bring a wealth of experience, charisma, and musicality to the production. With its leading men now unveiled, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a bongga theatrical experience. More cast members will be revealed soon.

Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, reunites for Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical featuring Hotdog’s timeless hits. The show, staged with PETA Plus, is slated to open in September 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Get first dibs on tickets by signing up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist. Ticket selling for Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical begins in July.

Learn more about the artists and the production through Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts), VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), and The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.

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About Newport World Resorts:

Discover Newport World Resorts.

First established as the pioneer integrated resort in the Philippines in 2009, Newport World Resorts encompasses a newer and bigger world of epic experiences within the bustling Newport City community. It is a premier leisure and entertainment complex comprising two main wings, Newport Grand Wing and Newport Garden Wing that feature a wide array of gaming positions and an innovative EPIC REWARDS program for members.

Centrally located within a prime tourism spot, right across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, Newport World Resorts boasts of the highest hotel room key count in a single property with five global hotel brands: Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts and Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, both recognized among MICHELIN Hotels, Sheraton Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts, Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts, and Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World Resorts. Four of its signature restaurants, CRU Steakhouse, Man Ho, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines, and Yamazato, also earned a place in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. The sprawling property features a wide range of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues, including a three-story convention center that houses the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

At Newport World Resorts, entertainment and lifestyle options abound. The award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater seats over 1,700 audiences for live entertainment from plays and musicals to concerts and amazing performances. Likewise, the Newport Grand Wing’s The Grand Bar and Lounge and the Newport Garden Wing’s Bar 360 and El Calle Food and Music Hall provide nightly live entertainment for guests and patrons. The Newport Mall features global luxury brands and the state-of-the-art Newport Cinemas. Also within Newport City, are over 70 restaurants and dining outlets offering a diverse selection of local and global cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and international chefs.

 

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Make Running a Healthy Habit

A lot of Filipinos have entered their “running era” this year. You can see them out on the streets, with joggers and runners putting in the miles, and online, where more people share their daily runs and other running-related content.

Running is one of the best cardio exercises that you can do because of its many health benefits: it strengthens bones and muscles, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and enhances mental well-being. On top of these, it’s completely free! If you’re one of those who have just recently started their running journey, give yourself a pat on the back, and follow these tips to stay consistent.

●        Set targets

Running with a goal in mind can motivate you to keep going even on days when you just want to stay in bed and do nothing. As you set big goals like running a half marathon or finishing a 10K run in under 45 minutes, identify smaller targets to help you achieve these. Start by increasing your weekly mileage little by little, improving your pace, and building consistency.

●        Track your progress

Seeing the result of your hard work is always satisfying, and it can also give you the confidence boost you need to work even harder. At the same time, it helps you identify areas for improvement and adjustments you should make in your running routine. Install your preferred running app on your phone or invest in a good fitness tracker/watch to track your pace and distance, map your routes, and provide other features to enhance your runs.

●        Change up your routine regularly

Sometimes, people lose the desire to run because it has become repetitive and bland. To avoid this, find ways to add something exciting to your routine like buying a new pair of rubber shoes, running in a different spot or location from your usual, or upping the difficulty of your runs.

●        Join running events

Fun runs and charity races are a great way to challenge yourself in a low-stakes environment. Here, you can also connect with other runners and even discover running groups that you can join. Some running events, like this year’s Run for Wellness, even have advocacies and causes that you can support through your participation.

Rise as Champions

Southstar Drug and Maxicare are bringing the 2nd leg of the 13th Run for Wellness to Naga City on September 15, 2024, to empower Filipinos to become champions of their own and for others. The event promotes physical health and well-being through running and honors national athletes representing the Philippines on the international stage.

A portion of the proceeds from the first leg of Run for Wellness, which was held recently at UP Diliman, Quezon City, and attended by 6,624 participants, totaling Php 1 million was donated to partner athletes, which helped support their journey of bringing pride to the country in the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics.

Southstar Drug and Maxicare are champions of health and wellness. As one of the country’s largest and most established drugstore chains, Southstar Drug provides a wide range of affordable medicines, products, and services. Maxicare, on the other hand, is the Philippines' leading HMO, serving nearly 2 million members with a comprehensive range of healthcare plans for corporations, SMEs, individuals, and families.

Interested participants for the Naga City leg of Run for Wellness can still register here.

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#KasamaSaBestLife Pro Tip: Developing a Self-care Plan

Self-care has become a popular topic these days, both online and offline. Grind culture may be a thing, but more people realize that taking a break, healing, and ensuring you’re okay are important in achieving your goals and being the best you can be.

People usually think of self-care as something luxurious and fancy. But it’s just about doing things that make you feel good and healthy daily. This could be anything from working out to taking a nap or relaxing. Self-care includes all aspects of your health- physical, mental, and emotional.

Taking care of yourself is important; Southstar Drug and Maxicare know it well. They’re health and wellness champions and want you to have a self-care plan. This way, you can learn what your body wants and needs, what it’s good at, and what it’s not. Having a plan means being proactive in caring for yourself and staying on top of your health.

According to life coach and clinical inner-child therapist Saps Uttam, prioritizing your health is the ultimate form of self-love and self-respect. “Your health should be your top priority. It becomes easier to maintain healthy habits and stay motivated to continue a healthier lifestyle when you prioritize self-care,” she says.

Dr. Art C. Libao, Chief Medical Officer of Maxicare, also agrees that taking precautionary measures to prevent an illness is far better than treating it. “Regular exercise, a healthy diet, relaxation techniques, and regular check-ups are all superior to maintenance medications. Poorly managed blood pressure can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions, but these risks can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices,” he points out.

Building a self-care plan

Now that you understand the importance of self-care, it’s time to start building your plan. Take a moment to reflect on your current habits and assess how they affect your overall health. Consider all aspects of your well-being and identify areas that need improvement. From there, commit to adding more healthy habits to your daily routine, such as eating more vegetables and relaxing activities to help manage stress.

As you embark on your self-care journey, you may face challenges that could disrupt your progress. These could include poor time management, limited resources, and unexpected life events. Ensure you’re always prepared by listing potential scenarios and planning how to handle them. Consistency is key in maintaining your self-care plan, but remember to take it at your own pace, one day at a time.

“Love and have compassion for yourself. This journey starts with you because you matter and are worth it. Once you show up for yourself, being there for others will come naturally. There is nothing more meaningful in this world than helping others. Always remember that it all starts with you,” Uttam emphasizes.

Southstar Drug and Maxicare have joined forces to hold the 12th edition of Run for Wellness to support consumers in their journey toward a healthier and happier life. This running event aims to promote physical health and mental well-being among Filipinos. The two legs of Run for Wellness, held in Quezon City and Naga City, have attracted over 7,000 participants, including seasoned runners, beginners, kids, families, and individuals from various backgrounds who have taken the first step towards living their best lives.

Dr. Libao says running can positively impact health by strengthening the heart, improving blood circulation, and helping create healthier habits.

“Regular exercise has been shown to lower the stress hormone, which may explain why people often feel better after playing tennis, golf, or brisk walking. It stimulates the release of endorphins, boosting positive feelings that can encourage individuals to continue exercising,” he says.

By offering extensive health essentials and world-class health services, Southstar Drug and Maxicare aim to be reliable companions, “Kasama sa Best Life,” for Filipinos.

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Become a Smart Shopper in 5 Simple Ways

Shopping is one of life’s simple pleasures. There is happiness and satisfaction in seeing your pantry full after a grocery run or having new additions to your wardrobe or your home after going to the mall. Most times, even just walking around and picking out items from the shelves is enjoyable on its own.

You can enhance your shopping experience even more by becoming a smart shopper. Smart shoppers maximize their purchases and make good financial decisions when shopping. Here are five simple tips on how you can be one, so you can make your next shopping trip guilt-free.

Set a budget

It’s easy to get carried away when you enter your favorite store or see that one item you’ve been eyeing for months on sale. However, if you’re trying to have better spending habits, having a fixed budget can help you avoid splurging on things that you (and your wallet) might regret later. Every payday, make it a habit to set aside a certain amount for groceries and other essential purchases you have planned for the month.

Make a list and stick by it

A list, whether it’s in your phone’s notes app or written on a piece of paper, is helpful in preventing overspending and the unnecessary buyer’s remorse afterwards. Aside from reminding you what items you need to pick, the actual process of coming up with a list lets you identify which items you need in your household and prioritize getting them the next time you head to the store.

Read reviews

If you’re planning on buying a particular item, let’s say a new pair of shoes or a Smart TV, make sure to research beforehand and check out user reviews, especially if these are big purchases. Take time to compare brands and prices as well before you make a final decision.

Keep an eye out for sales and promos

Smart shoppers know how to get the most of their money’s worth by finding the best discounts and deals. You can do this by following the social media pages of your favorite stores and brands so you can stay updated. Just remember that not every item on sale is worth availing. At the end of the day, you still have to refer to your budget and your list.

Find the right credit card for your shopping needs

Contrary to what some may say, using a credit card to shop is beneficial if you have the right card in your hands. As a smart shopper, the UnionBank Go Rewards Visa Credit Card is the only credit card you’ll need when you shop at Robinsons Retail brands. Go beyond shopping and enjoy the following benefits:

• Go Rewards points – You get 1 rewards point for every 200 pesos spent and if you’re a Go Rewards Platinum cardholder, you can gain double the points when you shop at Robinsons Retail stores. Collect Go Rewards points to earn amazing rewards or pay for purchases at Robinsons Retail stores, with each point equivalent to one peso. Your accumulated points do not expire as long as your Go Rewards account remains active and there’s also no cap on the number of points you can earn.
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• Priority access to sales and offers at Robinsons Retail brands including Robinsons Department Store, Toys R’ Us, Daiso Japan, Rose Pharmacy, Southstar Drug, Handyman, True Value, and Pet Lovers Centre.
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• Exclusive perks – UnionBank Go Rewards Visa Credit Card holders get automatic upgrade to Go Rewards Black Membership Status that entitles them to Black Member lanes in Shopwise and The Marketplace for a more convenient shopping experience, as well as free parking at select branches of the aforementioned stores.

Apply for the UnionBank Go Rewards Visa Credit Card today and get a welcome gift of 3,000 and 5,000 points for Go Rewards Gold and Platinum card holders, respectively.

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Southstar Drug and Maxicare Commit to Support the Wellness Journey of Filipinos

For Filipinos, safeguarding the well-being of the entire family has always been a priority. With recent data showing that the top five leading causes of mortality in the country are lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases, there is a need to adopt healthier habits and a mindset that prevention is always better than cure to ensure optimum health and protection.

As champions of health and wellness, Southstar Drug and Maxicare have joined forces to support consumers in their journey toward a healthier and happier life. By offering an extensive selection of health essentials and world-class health services, they aim to be reliable companions, "Kasama sa Best Life," for Filipinos. Their shared vision emphasizes the importance of holistic health as a key to unlocking one's full potential and achieving life goals.

Southstar Drug is one of the country's largest and most established drugstore chains, with over 600 stores nationwide and a user-friendly online platform, providing a wide range of affordable medicines, products, and services.

Maxicare, on the other hand, is the Philippines' leading HMO, serving nearly 2 million members with a comprehensive range of healthcare plans for corporations, SMEs, individuals, and families. These plans include prepaid options for added flexibility. Maxicare boasts an extensive network of medical providers and offers robust customer support services.

“We're excited to work with Maxicare to help our fellow Filipinos take charge of their health by making positive changes in their lifestyle. With readily available quality healthcare solutions, they can embrace a healthier lifestyle and unlock their full potential. Just take that first step, and we'll be here to support them every step of the way," said Mariel Crisostomo, General Manager of Southstar Drug.

To officially kick off this pioneering wellness partnership, Southstar Drug and Maxicare will hold the 12th edition of Run for Wellness, an annual event that aims to promote physical health and mental well-being among Filipinos, and encourage them to take the first step in their journey toward their best life. For the first time, the event will feature a Metro Manila leg at UP Diliman, Quezon City on August 13, 2023, in addition to the traditional location in Naga City, Camarines Sur, scheduled for September 10, 2023.

"With our mission to help Filipinos embrace a healthier future, Maxicare proudly joins hands with Southstar Drug for the Run for Wellness. Together, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering the well-being of Filipinos by delivering the finest healthcare services. As your health partner, we enable Filipinos to take charge of their personal wellness journey through healthy habits to help them live their best lives," said Maxicare President and Chief Executive Officer Christian S. Argos.

"Run for Wellness provides participants with a valuable chance to develop enduring habits that will enrich their daily wellness routines, leading to a healthier lifestyle in the long term. Our goal with this event is to motivate more consumers to prioritize holistic health and wellness, adopting a lifestyle that nurtures their overall well-being," said Crisostomo.

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About Southstar Drug

Southstar Drug, founded by the Dy family in 1937, is one of the largest and oldest drugstore chains in the Philippines. Its journey began as a humble mom-and-pop business in Bicol and has since earned a place among the country's Top 500 Corporations. With over 635 stores nationwide and multiple e-commerce platforms, it stands out as an innovative and customer-centric omni-channel retailer. Southstar Drug offers a diverse range of products, including branded prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as food, personal care, and wellness items. Additionally, it takes pride in providing customers with a selection of private label generic medicines. For more information, visit www.southstardrug.com.ph

About Maxicare

As the largest HMO provider in the country, Maxicare continuously provides Filipinos comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers fortified by a strong customer support system. Currently, it services almost 2 Million members across the country from corporate segment, small and medium-sized enterprises to families and individuals via its more than 20,000 affiliated doctors and specialists, over 1,300 hospitals and clinics, over 700 dental clinics, 140 rehabilitation, dialysis, and eye centers. For more information, visit https://www.maxicare.com.ph/. 

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USAID, Nestlé PH strengthen barangay local government SWM capacity to help address ocean plastic pollution

From left to right: Atty. Denya Gracia “Deegee” Uy-Anastacio, Head of Government and Industry Affairs, Nestlé Philippines; Joel Palma, Country Director, USAID CCBO; Maria Christine Ponce-Garcia, Sustainability lead, Nestlé Philippines; Ryder Rogers, Head, Office of the Environment, USAID Philippines; Jose “Joey” Uy III, SVP and Corporate Affairs Head, Nestlé Philippines; Marian Navata, Urban Planning Specialist, Environment Office, USAID Philippines; Engr. Gerry PamilozaChief, Solid Waste Management Section EMB NCR; Jonas Lazo Enmom, Supervisor EMB NCR; and Olaf Miguel “Miggo”Bautista, Sustainability Manager, Nestlé Philippines

The U.S. Agency for Development (USAID), in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, strengthened the capacity of barangay government units on how to enhance their solid waste management (SWM) systems and be resilient to climate change. A two-day training on formulating barangay SWM Action Plans was held at Nestlé’s headquarters for five pilot barangays in Parañaque City and one of each of Nestlé’s host cities in Tanauan and Lipa, Batangas. Together with USAID, the training was co-facilitated by the Paranaque City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean grantee, Pure Oceans.

“Keeping our oceans free of plastic is essential for maintaining the natural beauty of the Philippines, helping to ensure sustainable fisheries and protect the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos, while also reducing the impacts of climate change,” said USAID, Philippines Environment Office Director, Ryder Rogers. “At USAID, we are pleased to work with Nestlé Philippines in partnership with barangay governments and local communities to help address and mitigate the impacts of ocean plastic pollution.”

In January 2022, USAID and Nestlé Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in enabling local government units and community leaders in the Philippines to educate communities on the link between climate change and solid waste management. Through USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program and Nestlé’s Climate Change and Solid Waste Management initiatives, the goal is to increase communities’ access to education on the Ecological Solid Waste Management of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003) and share practical tips on SWM.

“Nestlé Philippines is committed to tackling urgent issues of plastic waste and climate change through our groundbreaking and large-scale environmental initiatives,” said Jose Uy III, Nestlé Philippines’ SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs. “Through our partnership with USAID, we are able to help empower community leaders at the local level to progress toward a waste-free future.”

Ian Posadas, Assistant Barangay Secretary and Focal Person of the SWM Committee of Barangay Vitalez, Parañaque City, was one of the participants and he shared: “The 2-day training workshop is a big help for us. As the smallest barangay [in Paranque City], we need to focus on the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle – and the management of our waste. This plan will be like our lighthouse, or basis, for the next few years and to see if we are accomplishing the plans we have developed during today’s workshop.”

The plans drafted are for 2024-2026 but for Barangay Captain Lope Lina of Barangay Bagong Pook, Lipa City in Batangas, they plan to start early. “I decided that by August, we will start drafting an ordinance strictly implementing segregation so that the support of Nestlé and its partners to us will not be wasted.”

USAID launched the Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program in August 2019 as the agency’s flagship program to respond to the ocean plastics pollution crisis. The five-year (2019-2024), $53 million program works at the global level and in specific, rapidly urbanizing focal countries to address ocean plastics directly at their source.

By strengthening waste management systems and building circular economies, city by city, the program builds sustainable solutions that reduce ocean plastics while empowering vulnerable populations and mitigating pollution that affects human health and our climate.

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EU to hold its first Euro Village

Visit the EU in two days as it launches its first-ever exciting and dynamic Euro Village!

Want to visit the EU? Look no further, this May 2023, you will have every chance to visit the whole European Union for two days! 

On 27 and 28 May, the Capital Commons Park, Pasig will be converted into a Euro Village. Admission is open to the public for free from 4pm to 12 midnight. 

Savour the ultimate adventure of the senses, in European style!

The Euro Village offers an exciting and dynamic sample of European Union culture, arts, music, food and gastronomy, products, crafts, languages, sports – all in two days and in one hub.

You can find the best novelties from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Romania, Poland and Finland.  In solidarity with Ukraine in these dire hours, Euro Village will also feature Ukrainian participation.

Dr Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines said that “The essence of the Euro Village is to make these vibrant and diverse cultures accessible to the reach of Filipinos and to open up markets and trade opportunities”.

“Culture has always been at the core of our unique diversity as Europeans”, she said, “We want to share this uniqueness with the Filipinos”, she added saying that the Euro Village project is in celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the European Union on 9 May. 

From bread and rye, waffles, sausages, dairy products and beer, to special concerts and sports demonstration, the Euro Village has lovely surprises in one go. 

And for those yearning to learn a European language but who have not yet had the time to try, the Euro Village cultural and language center  will bring French, German, Italian and Spanish lessons in a snap, thanks to the collaboration of Alliance Française de Manille, Goethe Institut, Instituto Cervantes Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association.  

Those who are interested on European music or would like to jam with artists, the Euro Village will have guest performers from Romania, Ukraine and a serenade from the Manila String Machine, who will be rendering European songs and pieces.

Fantastic mimes and buskers will also be available to entertain guests and participants throughout the two-day European Village festival.

To ensure that this EU’s initiative promotes a sustainable lifestyle and reduction of greenhouse emissions, the EU has engaged with Green Space, Scholars of Sustenance Philippines and EcoNest as sustainability partners.

What are you waiting for? Come on board, for more details, visit the FB page facebook.com/EuroVillagePH. A digital passport is also in store for you in your journey through the borderless Euro Village. Sign up as early as now at https://www.eurovillageph.com/

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