What to Expect at the Ortigas Art Festival 2019

Last year Ortigas &Company launched the first Ortigas Art Festival and it was an overwhelming success where shoppers and visitors of Estancia were able to preview the wonderful artworks on display of individual artists at the forefront of the art scene.

Now on its second year, the exhibit continues to put its efforts towards establishing Estancia as the art hub of Ortigas. This year’s approach brought individual artists to the spotlight and showcasing their creative individuality. This 10-day Ortigas Art Festival aims to assert Ortigas & Company’s commitment to bringing arts and culture closer to the people.

It was the idea of Renato Habulan, renowned social realist painter, to tap the various groups of artists from all over the country and give them a venue to exhibit their works. Ortigas Malls was receptive to the idea of promoting grassroots participation in the art scene. No gallery representation – just artists working together; no admission charge for the viewers – walk through the art for free.

Here are the 7 things you can see at the 10-day Ortigas art Festival 2019:

The works of master engraver Benjie Torrado Cabrera, the only engraver in the country who specializes in laborious, centuries-old medium. His works, which are complex in detail, are inspired by his interest in cosmology, with geometric shapes and spheres that signify the universe.

Darwin “Japat” Guevarra’s works. Guevarra is a  self-taught artist inspired by the works of masters and his peers, showcases works that reflect his concepts of life and social realism, expressed through his mastery of the paintbrush, sculpting, photography, and experimenting with scrap and molded materials.

Spotlight on photographer Bern Wong. Her camera captured the most moving meditative and breathtaking landscapes she has seen encountered in her travels. Her works express the minimal, abstract, and even the surreal aspects of places she visits.

The works of Richard Buxani, an architect who has since harnessed his talent to create sculptures made out of metal. Inspired by Ronald Castrillo, Richard discovered a natural fondness for bending, crafting, cutting, welding and molding materials – which will be showcased at the art festival..

The roster of talented Filipino artists which includes AgawXena, Agos Kulay Maynila, Banta Artist Initiative, Himbon, Biskeg, The Guild, Group Artists of Taytay, Association of Pinoy Printmakers, Hilaga, and Westgrove Fine Arts.

Various activities for shoppers and art enthusiasts which they can join for free during the following dates: 

On February 23, master engraver Benjamin Cabrera shows his prowess in print-making

On February 24 and March 2, those who are interested in watercolors can have tutorials under watercolor artist Peter Sutcliffe 

On March 3, Renato Habulan introduces guests to Print Alla Prima with the Master.

The chance to give their feedback on the artworks through the “Comment Areas” where they can share their thoughts and opinions to let the artists know how their works are perceived.

The rapidly-evolving festival has already grabbed the attention of various artists from across the globe, including some from New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore who want to become part of this movement-- a sign that bigger and better things will come about in the coming years for Ortigas Art Festival.

"Ortigas & Company is delighted to see that support for contemporary Philippine art has been growing. As part of our commitment to the arts, we are holding the second run of this art festival in the hope that this will increase appreciation for the creative individuality of artists. By holding this in Estancia, we are also making art accessible to Filipinos, especially for our mall patrons and the Capitol Commons community.”     

--  Arch. Renee Bacani, VP of Ortigas Company.

For updates and more information on the Ortigas Art Festival, connect through its Instagram and Facebook page and use the hashtag #OrtigasArtFestival.

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Terrifying Secrets Hold The Key In "Escape Room"

 

  Terrifying Secrets Hold The Key In "Escape Room"

This February, you’re invited to play for your life! From the producers of the Fast & Furious series comes Columbia Pictures’ Escape Room, a psychological thriller about six strangers who find themselves in circumstances beyond their control and must use their wits to find the clues or die.
You find yourself in a room – no windows, only one door, and it’s locked. The madman who’s locked you in has set up a series of fiendishly clever and difficult puzzles that, when solved in the correct order, will lead to the key and your salvation. And to add to the difficulty, he’s set a ticking clock, with one hour to complete the puzzles and escape… or face the consequences.

What sounds like a horror movie is one of the fastest-growing entertainments in the world: the escape room phenomenon. Armed with only your wits – and the variety of strengths of the people in the room with you – players have been cracking codes, deciphering enigmas, and unlocking hidden caches as quickly as they can. Each room has a secret plot, with players piecing it together as a fun, team-building experience. Since the dawn of the concept in 2010, escape rooms have popped up all over the world at an amazing rate by satisfying human nature’s hunger for fun and escape from reality.


When producer Ori Marmur tried out an escape room with his family, he saw the potential for a film – and because audiences worldwide have embraced the concept, it could be a film whose themes had global appeal. “I thought it was very immersive and incredibly fun, sort of a living boardgame,” he says. The project seemed to be a natural fit with a classic locked-room mystery setup, and with producer Neal H. Moritz, he began to shepherd the project. Quickly, they hit on a way to raise the stakes, making the ultimate escape room: one that is not only hyper slick and incredibly dangerous – when the clock runs out, it means death.

“You have to be using your brains when you’re in these rooms because the people who created the rooms want us to die one by one,” says actor Jay Ellis. “You’re constantly trying to figure out what’s wrong, where you can or can’t step, and what’s actually the way out – versus what could be just a distraction.”

According to Marmur, the filmmakers saw a way to make a film that played with the conventions of the genre – to make a film that played out as much as a psychological thriller as a horror film. “It was an opportunity to do something fun. This is a genre where everything usually happens at night and the visuals aren’t always compelling – it leaves a lot to your imagination,” he says. “We went the other way; the movie has incredible sets with arresting visuals and an experience of the story that is very much like experiencing an escape room in real life. The audience can feel like they are inside of the movie and figure out the puzzles and the riddles with our actors.”

Columbia Pictures presents an Original Film production, Escape Room. Starring Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, Nik Dodani, with Yorick van Wageningen. Directed by Adam Robitel (Insidious: The Last Key). Produced by Neal H. Moritz (The Fast and the Furious franchise) and Ori Marmur. Screenplay by Bragi Schut and Maria Melnik. Story by Bragi Schut.

In Philippine cinemas February 27, Escape Room is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Use the hashtag #EscapeRoomMovie

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SM AND DSAPI ALL SET FOR HAPPY WALK 2019

Photo from last year’s Happy Walk for Down Syndrome, organized by the Down 
Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI) and SM Cares.

SM AND DSAPI ALL SET FOR HAPPY WALK 2019

In celebration of the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), in partnership with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., will hold the annual Happy Walk for Down syndrome on February 24, 2019 at Halls 1 & 2 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The theme of this year’s event is “Living with Down, This Is My Story,” and will feature performances from children with Down syndrome, talks from honorary guests, and interactive booths.

“This is a time to tell our stories, the stories of our children. As each person goes through life, there are countless experiences that touch our lives. Some experiences can be so powerful that they have long-lasting and life-changing impact on our lives,” DSAPI ChairmanElmer Lapeña shares.

On its 17th year, Happy Walk continues to promote awareness and inclusivity for Persons with Down syndrome, and is expected to gather thousands of families, friends and advocates, as well as private and public sectors supporting the advocacy.

“SM has been and will always be for inclusiveness. Everyone should be able to enjoy the good things SM can offer, regardless of varying conditions. We are very grateful for the partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, who work endlessly to reach and help more people, and most importantly, provide access and care to the ones who need it most,” said Bien Mateo, SM SVP for Operations and Director for SM Cares Program on PWDs.

Registration starts at 7:00 AM and program begins at 8:30 AM. The event will be immediately followed by a parade around the SM Mall of Asia Complex. Simultaneously, SM City Bacolod will also join the celebration and have their walk as well.

Happy Walk for Down Syndrome has come a long way since it started in 2002, with only a handful of participants. It is also one of the many strong advocacies of SM Cares that champions the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“SM Cares enables us to expand all over the Philippines, increasing the impact and benefits to more and more families, helping persons with Down syndrome to live more normal lives,” Lapeña added.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy).

As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCaresor email smcares@smsupermalls.com.

To know more about Happy Walk for Down syndrome, you may contact dsapi@hotmail.com.

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Great Discounts On OPPO R17 Pro and OPPO Find X This Heart's Day!

 

Great Discounts On OPPO R17 Pro and OPPO Find X This Heart's Day!

It’s that time of the year when love is much more celebrated than any other day – Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re single, committed, in love or have fallen out of love, OPPO will be your best partner from this moment on! Dodge the battery woes and just prepare to woo your lover (or yourself) with OPPO’s premium smartphones.

The OPPO R17 Pro, powered with SuperVOOC fast charge technology is available for a special Valentine’s price offer of Php 32,990, from its original price of Php 38,990. Or if you are feeling extra this love month, get your partner or yourself the extravagant OPPO Find X in its limited Valentine’s Day price of Php 41,990, that’s Php 8,000 off from the SRP of Php 49,990.



Experience R17 Pro’s SuperVOOC: from zero to 40% in 10 minutes

A premium smartphone that promises high-performance and efficiency, the R17 Pro is equipped with SuperVOOC flash charge technology which users can experience safe and efficient charging from zero to 40% in 10 minutes. SuperVOOC system is the first in the smartphone industry to use a Bi-cell design that increases the output voltage of up to 10 volts while still remaining safe for daily use.
The R17 Pro is also powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 for seamless and snappy performance. It features triple cameras to capture professional-grade photos and videos in low-light conditions, 6.4-inch screen with 91.5% screen-to-body ratio and an in-screen fingerprint unlock.


Redefining Flagship smartphone with Find X

Meanwhile, hailed as the future of flagship smartphones, the OPPO Find X delivers not only futuristic style but also exceptional power for unparalleled performance. The Find X boasts of 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform—plus a sleek, unique 6.42-inch panoramic arc screen with an industry-leading screen ratio of 93.8 percent and features full stealth 3D cameras on the front and back of the smartphone body.


Share your unique love story in #MySuperVOOCLove

We’re letting you hit not just two but three birds in one stone this Valentine’s month. Aside from discounts, OPPO is launching its special Valentine’s campaign where fans can share their extraordinary and unique story along with their photo for a chance be featured in #MySuperVOOCLove 10-second video.

“This Valentine’s season, we want to share our love to our loyal customers by giving them the opportunity to own OPPO premium phones, the R17 Pro and Find X.” said Jane Wan, OPPO Philippines’ VP of Marketing.

OPPO Valentine’s Day Sale will start on February 13 at all OPPO authorized stores and resellers nationwide. Check out the other promos and deals for OPPO F3, F3 Plus, F5, F5 Youth, F5 6GB, F7, F7 128GB, F7 Youth.

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“Pop Your Heart Out” at Cadbury’s Free Valentine Concert featuring December Avenue, Iñigo Pascual and Moira dela Torre!

“Pop Your Heart Out” at Cadbury’s Free Valentine Concert featuring December Avenue, Iñigo Pascual and Moira dela Torre!

Cadbury Dairy Milk is set to inspire people to express their feelings with the new limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Heart. This limited edition and one-of-a-kind bar contains a chocolate heart which consumers can literally pop out and give to their special someone. It’s a fun take on enjoying a Valentine’s Day chocolate favorite.

Fact: There are still a lot of Filipinos who are torpes and afraid to express their feelings. So this season of love, Cadbury Dairy Milk, the number one chocolate in the Philippines, is giving every torpe person the push to express their affections. They can do this by popping a Cadbury heart out as romantic sights and serenades unfold during a free concert from the brand because as the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.”



This February 13, at the BGC Iconic Amphitheatre from 6PM onwards, Cadbury Dairy Milk is hosting #CadburyPopYourHeartOut, a wonderful evening of romance and amazing music, featuring December Avenue, Inigo Pascual, and Moira dela Torre. To watch these amazing acts live, you need to simply purchase Cadbury Dairy Milk at the event’s concert grounds.

 

Available at all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide, the smooth and chocolatey Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Heart retails at P150.00. Available first in the Philippines in all of Southeast Asia, the packs are exclusively available for the month of February. So express your affections before it’s too late. As a Valentine’s Day tradition, express your love for someone, pop your heart out and #SayItWithCadbury.

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Hui Lau Shan Opens In Manila This March 2019!

 

Hui Lau Shan Opens In Manila This March 2019!

Josiah’s Catering, through Fat Daddy’s Group, is taking Pinoy pride back home as it seals an exclusive rights for franchise and to bring international dessert brand Hui Lau Shan to the Philippines.

Hui Lau Shan, a dessert specialist and mango expert globally known for innovative dessert creations and refreshments, uses Philippine carabao mangoes for its rich range of delights. The first Hui Lau Shan store in the Philippines will be having its debut on March 2019 at SM Megamall.

“This venture is about giving Filipinos a taste of their own pride. Our local mangoes have been satisfying the dessert cravings of consumers worldwide with its naturally sweet flavor. It’s time that Filipinos enjoy the mango dessert experience that is originally ours,” says Freshnaida Versoza, Chief Operating Officer.



Originating in Hong Kong, Hui Lau Shan has been providing the best dessert experience to worldwide customers with the freshest mango ingredients. The brand has already introduced over 200 products with premium carabao mangoes from northern and southern Philippines. All mangoes are carefully selected according to the best harvesting time. It undergoes high standards in quality control to ensure a sensational mango experience with its sweet pulp and fresh aroma.

 In Hong Kong alone, the total volume of mangoes consumed is more than thousand tons per year, indicating the approval of the market. Through the years, the brand has expanded its market in China, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada. Soon, it will set foot in the Philippines through Josiah’s Catering.

 

“The Hui Lau Shan brand is close to the philosophy of Josiah’s Catering. Hui Lau Shan has been innovating mango creations to provide a sweet dessert experience, while Josiah’s Catering has always been about food innovation for a world-class culinary experience. We think it’s a perfect combination,” says William Chen, General Manager for Hongkong and Deputy General Manager for International Development.

Joshua’s Catering is a full service catering company that provides clients with the best — best flavors, best presentation and best service. The company also manages Fat Daddy’s Group, which introduced Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse with branches in Marikina and UP Town Center. Since it announced its new generation of management, the company has been focusing on diversifying its brands through different ventures, and Hui Lau Shan is a product of this expansion.



To know more about Josiah’s Catering and its new venture Hui Lau Shan, visit their website or call (+632) 5-JOSIAH.

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