Wednesday, August 28, 2019

New adventures and songs await kids in REP’s The Quest for the Adarna

The story of the Ibong Adarna has captivated children across the Philippines for generations. Now, Repertory Philippines is bringing the colorful tale to life for families everywhere with a new English version called The Quest for the Adarna

Produced through RTYA (REP’s Theater for Young Audiences), the vibrant original musical will be running from September 14 to January 26 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1.

The play takes place in the peaceable and prosperous kingdom of Berbania, which is ruled by the beloved King Fernando and his equally loved wife, Queen Valeriana. They are blessed with three sons–all mighty warriors. The eldest and heir to the throne is the pompous Prince Pedro; the second son is the dashing Prince Diego; and, the youngest, the kind-hearted Prince Juan.

Their idyllic life is shattered when King Fernando is struck by a mysterious sickness and can only be healed by the song of the mythical bird, Adarna. Anyone wanting to capture the bird must travel to its home on Mount Tabor, a journey that is difficult and froth with danger. After his first two brothers fail on their quest, Prince Juan bravely takes on the task to save his father.

An enduring epic that remains one of our great cultural treasures, the Ibong Adarna story is reborn as an entertaining play with original music. Suitable for children of all ages, The Quest for the Adarna is an original RTYA Production under Creative Director Joy Virata, assisted by co-directors Jamie Wilson and Naths Everett, with music by Rony Fortich and book and lyrics by Luna Griño-Inocian.

A wonderful cast completes this production, featuring both stage veterans and fresh faces. The titular Adarna will be played by Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Andrea Monique Alvarado, and Cara Barredo. Joining them are Arion Sanchez, Jim Andrew Ferrer, Ade Valenzona as Prince Pedro, Vinni Todd, Luis Marcelo, and Sean Nolasco as Prince Diego, and Leo John Guinid, Diego Aranda, and Neo Rivera as Prince Juan.

The Quest for the Adarna is a must-see for its bright, colorful costumes, fun, child-friendly music, and its new English translation of a Filipino classic. The final play in REP’s illustrious 2019 season, Adarna teaches kids unforgettable lessons about family, courage, forgiveness, and love, all wrapped in an entertaining stage production.

With great ticket prices, families have every reason to bring their kids to see this magical musical. Orchestra center seats cost P800, orchestra side is priced at P600, while balcony seats go for P500.

For show-buying, block-buying, and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 451-1474 or 0966-905-4013. You may also purchase tickets by calling Ticketworld at 891 9999, or through www.ticketworld.com.ph

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.


Friday, August 16, 2019

Advocates of AgriBusiness and Education Technology win World Vision Philippines’ first-ever Social Innovation Challenge



The agribusiness Plantsville and the education-focused organization Edukasyon.ph emerged as winners in Social Innovation Challenge (S.I.C.), World Vision’s competition for innovators creating sustainable solutions to challenges identified in real communities.

Plantsville, represented by November "Tina" Canieso-Yeo, is a joint effort with local government units (LGUs), eco-tourism organic bee and cinnamon groups that seek to flourish organic farming among youth by planting more “Food is Medicine” products, comprised of “healing foods” such as cinnamon and honey.

Caniseo-Yeo won the agriculture-focused first challenge of S.I.C. and will have the opportunity to have her idea implemented for the residents of Sogod, Cebu, who are currently experiencing the effects of climate change on soil, which is eventually affecting the livelihood of almost 1,000 farming households in the town.

Her co-winner, Edukasyon.ph, was granted to fund the project’s second challenge centered on the 500 out-of-school youth (OSY) in Brgy. Bucana, Davao City due to lack of sustainable livelihood in the area.
 

Represented by Patricia Matias, Ria Tagle, Jose Soberano, Pam Suanco, and Cristina Batalla, Edukasyon.ph aims to create an online portal tailored for OSY, thus creating a more convenient and accessible way to provide job and skills training opportunities fitting to each user.

The winning teams, who will have their ideas co-implemented by World Vision and its partners, for the communities of Sogod, Cebu and Brgy. Bucana, Davao, were chosen among the six (6) competing finalists through “The Final Pitch,” a culminating pitch session held at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

They were evaluated by a multi-sectoral panel of judges comprised of World Vision Ambassador for the Social Innovation Challenge Gretchen Ho, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Evelyn Lavina, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch Host and Executive Producer John Aguilar, Hub of Innovation for Inclusion Director Abigail Mapua-Cabanilla, J Amado Araneta Foundation Executive Director Christine Diane Romero, and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for Community Economic Ventures, Inc. Rolly Solidum.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our finalists, especially our two winners. We saw the grit and passion in all of them to make a meaningful contribution to our communities at Sogod and Bucana, but we came to a decision to choose Plantsville and Edukasyon.ph because their ideas will harvest the best for the residents. The goal of this project is to be able to empower our communities, most especially the parents, so they would be able to provide for their children a healthy, safe, and sustainable life,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision Philippines.

A first for World Vision Philippines, the Social Innovation Challenge (S.I.C.) originated in World Vision Canada as an open platform for people to share creative ideas that can make a difference to people, especially in overlooked communities.

“There is untapped potential among every Filipino. Our participants for the first run of S.I.C. were diverse, from university students to small-to-medium-scale entrepreneurs. To sum it all up, everyone can ignite that hope,” Mr. Fuerte added.

“It’s a delight to listen to every idea pitched to us. We’re thrilled to listen to even more for the future edition of this project.”



About World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.


Quick and Healthy Back-to-school Baon Ideas Your Kids Will Love


School season is here! Going back-to-school means excitement for kids but can be stressful for busy moms as meal planning comes into play. Preparing baon for your kids can be a struggle considering both their picky tastes and the nutritional content they need to grow strong and healthy. That is why Swedish appliance brand Electrolux is here with a few tricks up their sleeve to help moms prepare yummy dishes with vegetables that kids will love.

Check out these recipes from the Electrolux Life App to help spark ideas for healthy and delicious baon for your kids.

Cheese it up!



Since a lot of kids are not fond of eating vegetables, this Kid-Friendly Chicken & Broccoli Quesadilla recipe is a great way to add veggies in a way kids will enjoy. Start by placing Flour Tortillas on a plate, top it with cheddar cheese, add chicken and broccoli florets. Top it with another layer of Flour Tortillas then place it in a toaster oven at 350ºF and cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cut the quesadilla using a pizza cutter, wait for it to cool and it’s ready to be packed!


Potatoes are usually a crowd pleaser so why not make the most of your leftover mashed potatoes by making Spinach and Cheddar Potato Cakes.

Simply mix together the egg, frozen spinach, seasoned salt, onion powder and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Add the mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, and fresh chives. Mix it well until breadcrumbs have been absorbed. Form a scoop of the potato mixture into patties and fry the patties in a non-stick frying pan until golden brown. For the sauce, stir together sour cream and fresh dill and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the dip alongside the cakes!

Turning Japanese



Bring a Japanese flavor to your kid’s lunch with Teriyaki Pork Rolls with strips of green beans and carrots. In a pot of salted water, bring to a boil the thin strips of green beans, sliced carrot, and bell pepper for 2 mins. Once cooked, strain and dry with paper towel then set aside.

To make the sauce, mix soy sauce, white granulated sugar, and water in a small bowl and set aside. Take one of the thin pork cutlets and dust it with all-purpose flour on both sides. Add three of each of the green beans, carrot slices, and red bell pepper slices on the cutlet, season it with salt and pepper to taste. Then roll the pork and close it with toothpicks. Fry the pork until golden brown and remove toothpicks. Add the sauce, continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickened and all sides of the pork are coated.

Healthy Sides




Put a new and healthier spin on your kid’s snack time with this recipe of Baked Zucchini Fries!

First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut zucchini into fries-like size, no need to peel them. In a medium bowl, combine panko, parmesan, salt, paprika, and pepper. Place whisked eggs in a separate medium bowl, and the flour in a third medium bowl. Dip zucchini pieces into the flour, then the egg, then the panko. Dip zucchini pieces into the flour, then egg, then the panko. Once all zucchini are breaded, bake it for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy. For the sauce, just combine the yogurt, cheese, mayonnaise, and chives to a food processor and blitz until smooth.

Preparing your kids’ healthy and tasty baon is easy with Electrolux kitchen appliances, like the Electrolux NutriFresh™ Inverter Refrigerators, which come with new features to keep produce fresh for longer. The new Electrolux NutriFresh™ Inverter French Door Refrigerator (EHE6879A-BPH) allows you to go from chilling the food to cooking them in minutes. With its special UltraChill -2ºC feature, it preserves the texture and nutrients of meat and fish for longer without having to defrost it.

Different food types require unique storage conditions to stay fresh and the new NutriFresh™ refrigerator comes with a FlexFresh drawer, an optimal storage compartment with five temperature settings (-23°C to +7°C). This enables you to store all types of food - from cheese and wine, meat and seafood, to cold drinks and frozen items – at the temperature they need to remain fresh.

To help retain the juiciness of produce, the NutriFresh™  Inverter French Door Refrigerator also comes with a TasteLock Crisper with AutoHumidity Control which automatically adjusts humidity levels depending on the contents of the drawer. The AutoHumidity Control releases excess moisture from the compartment to help keep fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 7 days. It also has a TwinTech Cooling System that cools the fridge and freezer compartments separately, so food stays fresher and odors don't mix. 



If you are looking for a cooking range, check out the Electrolux Cooking Range with Induction Cooktop & Electric Oven (EKI64500OX). It not only comes with a spacious layout to help you prepare multiple dishes at once, but also has powerful induction zones for speedy cooking and precision heat control that allows you to accurately set your desired flame for perfectly cooked dishes.  

To get the full recipes of these dishes, download the Electrolux Life app on the App Store or Google Play store and click the ‘Recipe Finder Powered by SideChef’ within the app to access thousands of global recipes from SideChef’s database.

For more information on Electrolux and its products, please visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram.



***



Electrolux shapes living for the better by reinventing taste, care and wellbeing experiences, making life more enjoyable and sustainable for millions of people. As a leading global appliance company, we place the consumer at the heart of everything we do. Through our brands, including Electrolux, White-Westinghouse and Frigidaire, we sell more than 60 million household and professional products in more than 150 markets every year. In 2018, Electrolux had sales of SEK 124 billion and employed 54,000 people around the world. For more information go to www.electrolux.com.ph.


Thursday, August 15, 2019

Visit PHL Designers @ The Social

PHL designers (IG: @PHLdesigners) sets up shop in the heart of Poblacion. Your independent Filipino designer labels under one roof. A curated peek into the idiosyncratic local aesthetic. A fusion of street, traditional and ethnic, the maximalists and the restrained.

PHL designers houses independent local designer brands and brings them closer to the public. The store currently carries Twinkle Ferraren, Tipay Caintic and STEPHVERANO. With Happy Andrada coming in on August 16 with a Pajama Themed Party to launch Happy Jammies, kimonos and robes. 

Twinkle Ferraren is an island wear fashion designer who uses natural and indigenous materials. Her collections are inspired by art dreams, the tropics, made in collaboration with artisans and tribes from around the Philippine Islands, creating eth(n)ically-sourced and sustainably-made fashion wearables, textiles and accessories.

Alien Agriculture Accessories by Twinkle Ferraren
Twinkle has presented her collections in Italy, New York, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Manila FAME, in fashion shows and art galleries in Makati and all over the Philippine islands.

Woven Classics by Twinkle Ferraren
Cocoloco Accessories available in store at PHL designers
Tipay Caintic has showed in London Fashion Week, Manila FAME, Manila Fashion Festival, in Japan, Manila and her hometown, Tacloban City. Describing her line as “cheeky designer clothing ethically made with love in the Philippines,” the young designer’s work is colourful and worldly. Tipay uses bold prints, 3D knits, up-cycled and handwoven local fabrics, in-house embroidery fused with flattering silhouettes, the modern classics.

Ligawin Top by Tipay Caintic
Oral Fixations: Sushi Dress by Tipay Caintic

Tipay is one of the co-founders of the Non-Profit For the Love of Leyte (FLOL). FLOL has mounted an international Music and Art Festival in Leyte that featured local and international musicians and a PopUp store supporting local brands, designers and artisans.

TIPAY CAINTIC: Cheeky designer clothing ethically made with love in the Philippines

Internationally-acclaimed Filipina designer Happy Andrada releases an intimate collection of sleepwear —pajamas, kimonos and robes, at PHL designers. The HAPPY JAMMIES are boxed pajama sets with a top, bottoms, eye cover and slippers. She launches her PopUp cycle at the store with a Pajama Themed Party on August 16 where everyone is invited to come in their fave pajama/ onesie/ kimono/ loungewear. 









STEPHVERANO held a popup with PHL designers on August 1-15. Her approach to designing clothing is cerebral and straightforward.

STEPHVERANO
Coming to the store on August 29 is ORIAS Essentials by Vin Orias. Limited slow fashion pieces for your lifestyle. Quiet luxury for the working man.





Menswear clothing by Tipay Caintic and accessories by Twinkle Ferraren will be available instore to complement ORIAS Essentials.

PHL Designers
Waze Pin: The Social on Ebro

Store Operating Hrs
TUE-THU 3pm-11pm
FRI-SAT 5pm-1am
SUN 3pm-10pm
MON Closed




Follow @PHLdesigners on IG and FB to be updated on incoming emerging designers, for instore events and exclusive sales!


Friday, August 9, 2019

POPCOM launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas, the first Executive Director of UNFPA from 1969

UNFPA Country Representative Iori Kato, POPCOM Undersecretary and Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III, NEDA Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dr. Ernesto Pernia, Ambassador Carmelita Salas, with Book Authors Jose Dalisay and Menchu Sarmiento and DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella at the turnover of the book “A Millennial Man for Others: The Life & Times of Rafael M. Salas”.



The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas. “Mr. Population” – as he was affectionately known - was one of the first Filipino advocates who made the crucial links between population and development and sexual and reproductive health and rights, globally and in the Philippines.

“Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and the spacing of their children,” he said in 1968 - a truly novel statement for the time. Entitled “A Millennial Man for Others: The Life and Times of Rafael M. Salas”, the book chronicles his life from his childhood days, and his achievements until his untimely death in 1987.

Had Mr. Salas been alive today, it would have warmed his heart to see that the fruits of his efforts have finally become more evident with the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act and the commitment of the present administration to reproductive health and family planning as evidenced by the revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning and the President’s Executive Order to end unmet need for family planning.

Undersecretary and  Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) said that “POPCOM has been constantly bringing into the consciousness of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Filipino people alike the seeds of development work that Mr. Salas  planted when he drafted the Executive Order (EO) that would create POPCOM in 1969.  In step with the new millennium, POPCOM will soon launch the “Kaunlarang Pantao” Award, using Paeng Salas’ inspiration of development for the people. “

Mr. Salas was also the first Executive Director of UNFPA. He oversaw the birth of the organization in 1969, nurtured it with care, and imbued it with his foresight and vision. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a relatively small body to the world’s largest provider of multilateral development assistance on population dynamics through the prism of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality. As UNFPA Executive Director, Mr. Salas carried the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the highest UN office accorded to a Filipino even up to today.

“It is an honor for us to carry on Rafael Salas’ legacy at UNFPA in this historic 50th anniversary year of UNFPA and the 25th anniversary year of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), where Mr. Salas’ vision became a global consensus when 179 governments including the Philippines agreed on a call for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, and safe pregnancy and childbirth services,” said UNFPA Representative in the Philippines, Iori Kato.

Mr. Salas’ legacy continues to this day. Later this year in November, the Governments of Kenya, Denmark and UNFPA are convening a global summit in Nairobi to mark the 25th anniversary of the ICPD, for Member States to express their renewed political and financial commitments towards the promises that they had made in Cairo 25 years ago to support women empowerment through three transformative results: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths and ending gender-based violence.

The book launch marks the 91st birth year anniversary of Mr. Salas and is a venue to continue his legacy as national influential figures in Philippine government, business and civil society gather and take the opportunity to articulate the country’s commitment to Nairobi.

The event will also feature a photo exhibit at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, of the NEDA, giving the opening statement, followed by a panel discussion on the life of Mr. Salas with Dr. Mercedes Concepcion, and the authors of the book: Mr. Jose Dalisay and Ms. Menchu Sarmiento. Sec. Ernesto Pernia will turn over the book to Mrs. Carmelita Rodriguez Salas who will give a statement.  



Thursday, August 8, 2019

GOLDILOCKS : Meet The Cutest Heroes

Nothing melts a heart faster than the face of a child, something about their pure innocence and amazement in all the new experiences that they go through helps our minds be at rest, sort of like how we feel when we see our favorite superheroes!

With the thought of bringing continuous joy to their customers in mind, Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop recently concluded their Super Mamon Squad competition, a promo which showcased the cute and creative ideas of younger Goldilocks members!

Running on its second year, The Goldilocks Super MamonSquad, which was previously known as the Mamon Face Challenge, aimed to discover children that embodied the Goldilocks brand and were ambassadors of both fun and energy. The winners received a cash prize of over 10,000 pesos and a chance to star in their very own “Super Mamon Squad” music video!


With thousands of submissions sent to the Goldilocks Super Mamon HQ microsite, 20 lucky winners were chosen and presented on the Goldilocks Facebook page for all to see. 

The lucky winners are the following:

1. Kate                                          11. Axxel
2. Dianne                                      12. JK
3. Andrei                                       13. Dale
4. Kei                                            14. Klea
5. Allison                                       15. Peiang
6. Matteo                                      16. Liam
7. Ella                                           17. Xandrea
8. Cassie                                       18. Joaquin
9. Boomie                                     19. Nissi
10. Ethan                                      20. Marcuz



As with the successful conclusion of the Goldilocks Super Mamon Squad promo, we are reminded that sometimes, the best superheroes come in the cutest packaging. 

For more information, you may also follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldilocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph



Midea Philippines earns Superbrands recognition for excellence and expertise in the home solutions industry

  Midea Philippines, a frontrunner in the home and commercial solutions industry in the country, recently earned its place in the prestigiou...