SAVOR: A Flavorful Gathering in a Decade of F&B Plus Good Eats

F&B World, Northern Living, and Southern Living present this year’s most flavorful gathering, Savor, a celebration of F&B World’s 10th anniversary, and launching of Hinge Inquirer Publications’ newest book, Eats 2014: Your Ultimate Handy Guide to Your Next Gastronomic Adventure, on December 9, 2003 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive.

F&B World's activities included talks by Johnlu Koa on the Top 5 Food Ideas from the Past Decade, and The Next 5 Foodservice Trends for the Coming Decade by Adolf Aran Jr. Savor is also presented by Avida, Great Food Solutions, Universal Motors Corp. (Nissan), Unilever Food Solutions, Nestle Professiona, in cooperation with DLSU-Dasmariñas, Philippine Coffee Board, Sun Business, Puratos, Belcolade; Agico, Brotzeit, Burger Avenue, Café 205 , Geisha; Myons French Mediterranean Cuisine and J. Cuppacakes; Ayala Malls; Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net; and National Book Store.

The year 2013 marks F&B World magazine's 10th year of bringing the foodservice industry together. It is the only trade publication for the food and beverage industry that connects its readers to the latest news and trends in the foodservice sector from the past decade.

Armed with a roster of individuals who have made their mark in their respective sectors, F&B World has been able to convey timely trends and fearless forecasts that remain true today. Columnists from the food and beverage and hospitality industry, including Adolf Ar an Jr., Vic Alcuaz, Rommel Gerodias, Reggie Aspiras, and Pauli Antoine Genuino have imparted their knowledge and industry know-how through their columns B.L.T., Hospitality Report, Food Safety, Table Talk and Front of House, respectively.

Simultaneous to this is the 8th year celebration for Baking Press—a special section that tackles everything with regard to the baking, pastry, and confectionery industry.

EATS 2014

Northern Living and Southern Living are two of the most notable community magazines in the country. Since 2007, they have been featuring popular personalities who have made the North or South their home, ordinary people who are making names for themselves, unique places to visit, fashion trends that are hot and hip, seasonal tips and beauty must-haves, and of course, must-try restaurants in the Metro.

Taken from Northern Living and Southern Living’s Eats section, Eats 2014: Your Ultimate Handy Guide to Your Next Gastronomic Adventure highlights restaurants that offer scrumptious dishes based on Filipinos’ usual cravings – from burgers, meat, fish and seafood, to all-day breakfast meals, sweets, and even healthy options.

Bringing together 84 noteworthy restaurants in the Northern and Southern Metro, Eats 2014 is organized into seven categories namely: All-Day Breakfast, Veggie Haven, Seafood Delight, Burger Fest, International Flavors, Meat Lovers, and Sweet Escape. To help readers make the most out of their delectable adventure, restaurants are subcategorized by location (north and south) and price range (from save, average, and splurge).

Eats 2014 is presented by Southern Living and Northern Living, published by Hinge Inquirer

Publications, member of the Inquirer Group of Companies. It is co-presented by Avida, a company that continuously supports the dynamic lifestyle of young, successful Filipinos and gives them more than the essentials of urban living. Avida communities provide comfort and convenience to those who wish to enjoy the finer things in life: good food, fashion, travel, and popular sports. Eats 2014 is also made possible by Great Food Solutions.

Painting Pictures of a Thousand Words at Greenfield District

Art for Generations was a two-day event that art lovers would enjoy. It was held at Greenfield District last December 7 and 8, with a press conference held on December 7 with Atty. Duane Santos, representing Greenfield District. After a cozy lunch held at the Kanin Club, Atty Santos entertained questions from the media which focused on the event, property plans, and future activities for the Greenfield District. In a nutshell, Atty. Santos explained that promoting Art was in line with the company's vision of green living and beautiful surroundings.

Tune Hotel Opens in Davao

News Release:

  

 19 December 2013 – International value hotel group Tune Hotels is celebrating the arrival of the New Year 2014 with the opening of two new properties – Tune Hotel Davao in the Philippines and Tune Hotel Bekasi in Indonesia.

The 155-room Tune Hotel Davao, located at J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City, the Philippines welcomed its first guests on Tuesday 17 December 2013 while Tune Hotel Bekasi, with 157 rooms and located at Blu Plaza, Jl. Chairil Anwar 27-36 in Bekasi Timur, Indonesia opened for business Thursday 19 December 2013.

Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels said: “What a celebration! We have two hotels opening just days apart in two of the most vibrant economies in Asean and this surely is a big cause to celebrate for Tune Hotels. Both Indonesia and Philippines are great markets for us and our rapid expansion in both countries signifies their importance.”

Tune Hotels now has seven hotels in operation in the Philippines and six in Indonesia.

“2013 has been a great year for us. To recap, including the newly-opened Tune Hotel Davao and Tune Hotel Bekasi, we have launched three new hotels each in the Philippines and Indonesia this year alone. By early 2014, three more are coming up in Indonesia and another in the Philippines, and these underscore our plans for the two countries” shared Mark.

Elsewhere, Tune Hotels has 11 hotels in operation in Malaysia, four in Thailand, five in the UK and one each in Australia, India and Japan. It has a total of 40 hotels available for booking on its website www.tunehotels.com.

“Over five million guests have stayed with Tune Hotels and we look forward to welcoming more visitors and tourists by providing them international standard accommodation at highly affordable rates,” he added.

Tune Hotels has pioneered a “pay-as-you-use” concept that has become hugely popular among smart travellers from across the world. Under the concept, guests only pay for room rates with the option of adding on other amenities like air-conditioning, towels and toiletries, in-room Wi-Fi and satellite TV service to keep costs down, reduce waste and save energy.

Tune Hotels provides international-class high-quality accommodation at central locations and focuses on key essentials but minus the generally underused facilities found in other hotels such as swimming pools, business centres and gymnasiums. By doing away with these costly and high-maintenance facilities, Tune Hotels is able to pass on savings to its guests in the form of super low room rates.

All Tune Hotels feature space-efficient, streamlined rooms focusing on high-quality basics: 5-star beds and powerful hot showers. The strategically located hotels provide housekeeping services, electronic keycard access into rooms, extensive CCTV systems, and no access into the main lobby without a keycard past midnight for extra security.

Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Executive Chairman respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

For booking and further information on Tune Hotels’ properties, visit www.tunehotels.com.

TUNE HOTEL DAVAO

Opening date: 17 December 2013

Location: J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City, 8000 Philippines

No. of rooms: 155 (100 Doubles, 52 Twins, 3 Wheelchair accessible)

Tune Hotel Davao is only minutes away from the city’s shopping malls and major convention center. It is conveniently located near corporate offices and walking distance from the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

Davao City is the most populous city in Mindanao and the fourth in the Philippines. Davao City is the main trade, commerce, and industry hub of Mindanao. Davao is home to Mount Apo, the tallest peak in the country.

Nearby attractions:

·         Mount Apo

·         The Philippine Eagle Nature Center

·         Pearl Farm Beach Resort

·         Jack's Ridge

·         Davao Museum

Simbang Gabi at the CCP

Press Release:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines holds anew the traditional Simbang Gabi at the CCP, a set of nine dawn masses from December 16 until 24, 2013, 5AM at the CCP Main Ramp.

The highlight of this year’s celebration is the “Misa de Aguinaldo” or Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, 8PM at the CCP Main Theater. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will perform traditional Christmas tunes in welcoming the mass goers prior to the start of the ceremony, and excerpts from the famous ‘Vamos a Belen’ of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group will be integrated before and during the mass. As a finale, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will lead a 100-voice chorale in singing Mr.Ryan Cayabyab’s “Munting Sanggol” with symphonic accompaniment of the PPO.

The Simbang Gabi at the CCP is held in cooperation with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, with various agencies participating as hermanas. Schedule is as follows: December 16 - Philippine Navy, December 17 - Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines, December 18 - Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, December 19 - Gloriamaris and Amazing Philippine Theater, December 20 - Philippine International Convention Center, December 21 - Manila Broadcasting Company and Star Parks Corporation, December 22 - Harbour Square, December 23 – Ticketworld and Concertus Manila, December 24/5am - Senate Spouses Foundation, December 24/8pm - Cultural Center of the Philippines and the CCP-Complex Employees’ Organization.

For more information, contact the CCP Production and Exhibition Department’s Venue Operations Division at 832-1125 loc. 1412/1413.

Noises Off and Wait Until Dark leads Rep Phils Line Up for 2014

Press Release: 

In celebration of the 47th year,  Repertory Philippines presents its 77th theater season line up for 2014.  An exciting year to be in the theater indeed.

Title: Wait Until Dark

Genre: Thriller

By Frederick Knott

Awards: Audry Hepburn nominated for an Academy Award.

Film Adaptation: 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, and Richard Crenna

Dates: January 17 - February 19, 2014

Synopsis:

When Sam Hendrix carries a doll across the Canada-US border, he sets of a chain of events that will lead to a terrifying ordeal for his blind wife, Susy. The doll was stuffed with heroin and when it cannot be located, its owner, a Mr. Roat, stages a piece of theatre in an attempt to recover it. He arranges for Sam to be away from the house for a day and then has two con men, Mike Talman and a Mr. Carlito, alternately encourage or scare Susy into telling them where the doll is hidden. Talman pretends to be an old friend of Sam's while Carlito pretends to be a police officer. Despite their best efforts they make little headway as Susy has no idea where the doll might be, leading Mr. Roat to take a somewhat more violent approach to getting the information from her.

Title: August Osage County

Genre: Black Comedy

By Tracy Letts

Awards: Pulitzer Prize and 5 Tony Awards

2014 Film Adaptation: Starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor

Dates: February 21 – March 16, 2014

Synopsis:

Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer-Prize- and Tony-Award-winning play is one of the great new American dramas. At the Oklahoma farmhouse of the Westons, the patriarch, Beverly, goes missing. The family gathers together at the farmhouse hoping for good news, but, after five days, his body is found in a lake, a presumed suicide. The play takes us through the family’s pain, not just over Beverly’s death, but of living in a very dysfunctional family for many years. Violet, the drug-addicted, brain-addled matriarch, her three daughters, and their families try, unsuccessfully, to work out their problems from the time they arrive hoping to find Beverly, through his funeral, and on into the next day. Darkly comic, but also violent and sad, August: Osage County explores the painful issues all American families have to face, and then some.

Title: Noises Off

Genre: Farce

Author: Michael Frayn

Awards: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Play

Dates: March 28 – April 27

Synopsis:

A comedy/ farce in three acts, “Noises Off” starts in the middle of dress/tech rehearsal for a theater company tackling “Noises On,” an English sex farce in which two couples cross paths at a country manor. But that’s just the starting point for “Noises Off,” which adds another layer of complexity by stopping the action of the play-within-the-play to take up the love lives of the actors presenting the farce.

Title: Pinocchio

Genre: Musical for Theater For Young Audiences

Authors: Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy

Dates: August 16 - December 12, 2014

Synopsis:

In PINNOCHIO the story of a familiar wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy is told with vim, verve, and vibrancy. Set in Italy, this version tells the beloved tale of Pinocchio, a boy-sized puppet built by the caring puppet maker, Geppetto. Knowing of his longing for a son, the Blue Fairy brings Pinocchio to life as a reward for Geppetto's remarkably generous spirit. Pinocchio is told by the Blue Fairy that if he always obeys his father, she will turn him into a real boy. But the best laid plans can sometimes go awry and Pinocchio's boyish longings leads him away from his father and on an adventure unlike any other. From the Land Of The Toys to the belly of a whale, Pinocchio learns that no love is greater than that of a parent for a child.

The perfect piece for a theatre with young audiences, PINOCCHIO is peppered with universal lessons of good will and good behavior!

Title: Scrooge

Genre: Family Musical

Author: Book, Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

Date: November 21 – December 14, 2014

Synopsis:

In 1860, the stingy and cranky Ebenezer Scrooge that hates Christmas; loathes people and runs his bank exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit and clients, giving a bitter treatment to his own nephew and acquaintances. However, on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the doomed ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley that tells him that three spirits would visit him that night. The first one, the spirit of past Christmas, recalls his miserable youth when he lost his only love due to his greed; the spirit of the present Christmas shows him the poor situation of Bob’s family and how joyful life may be; and the spirit of future Christmas shows his fate. Scrooge finds that life is good and time is too short and suddenly you are not there anymore, changing his behavior toward Christmas, Bob, his nephew and people in general. A timeless family Christmas classic for all ages!!

As a special treat, enjoy Orchestra Center seats to all FIVE REP shows in 2014 for an incredible Php 2,400.00 !

Gold and Silver subscriptions are also available.

You can call the Repertory Philippines office at 571-6926. You can also purchase your ticket through the Rep website at www.repertoryphilippines.com.

Limited season tickets offered. First come, first served basis.

For further details of the Rep 2014 Season Pass, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

For schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships, you may contact us the following ways:

By phone: 571-6926 and 571-4941

By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com

By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

See you at the theater!!!!

Come to the Festive Art Fair at Greenfield December 7and 8

Press Release:

ARTiculation: A story of legacy told through visual masterpieces

A built legacy that has endured the tests of time is a story worth sharing. It serves to inspire the current generation to pave their own road towards excellence as it imparts a variety of lessons earned from moments of struggle and triumph.

For real estate developers, there can be no greater legacy to secure than successfully nurturing parcels of land into vibrant landscapes where people and lifestyles thrive in progress. This achievement stands as a fitting reward for the dedication shown by remarkable individuals who champion urban progress—a form of artistic creativity that weaves cultures, beliefs, and innovative thinking to nurture a diverse yet unique community.

Such has been the story of Greenfield Development Corporation. As one of the country’s pioneering developers, Greenfield prides itself with its 50-year legacy of building innovative communities for the next generation that are truly a cut above the rest.

“Throughout the years, Greenfield has been constantly developing and sharing these treasures by turning them into vibrant and thriving communities that stand the test of time,” says Jeffrey D. Y. Campos, Chairman and President of Greenfield Development Corporation. “In all of our endeavors, what we aim for really is to build communities for future generations by working with nature and employing the latest technologies.”

Art that speaks of heritage and the future
In continuing to cultivate this vision, Greenfield is advancing its commitment to the land as it hosts Arts for Generations, a two-day art fair celebrating creativity that transcends generations.

“Art for Generations aims to bring the local art community and the public together in a celebration of creativity, traditions, and heritage through activities and exhibits that exude the joy and heritage of the Yuletide season,” shares Campos. He added that the concept of the festivity draws inspiration from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Story” by celebrating stories from the past, the gifts of the present, and the possibilities of the future.

Staged in partnership with various art groups, the outdoor art fair—a first at the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City—aims to foster greater public appreciation for local contemporary art and craftsmanship through a variety of activities.

“The Filipino brand of art is a rich showcase of creativity and imagination,” says Campos. “With this event, we aim to help make the rich lessons of our past become the anchor of how we can shape the future of our communities.”

What is Christmas without shopping and entertainment? As part of the art fair, hundreds of unique vintage and contemporary pieces from the country's emerging and independent creative labels and individuals will be featured at The Art Market. Guests can also watch art films on an outdoor movie screen while enjoying the cool December breeze at Art Films in the Sky.

Those who share the passion for art, meanwhile, can learn which art pieces work best for their homes through art appreciation talks spearheaded by noted artists at The Right Art. Also, visitors at the District will also be serenaded by a string quartet and jazz band as they leisurely shop for art pieces and gifts at String and Jazz.

“Beyond being a pioneering art event, Art for Generations gives people a glimpse into the unique experience of being part of the Greenfield District family—a community of creative people with an innovative vision,” says Campos. “Through this, we hope to help enliven the season by reminding people of the heritage, legacy, and joy that Christmas brings.”

Karylle Goes Fast and Slow with Latest Album K

Karylle exhibits her versatility in her latest album K, produced by PolyEast Records, which was launched November 16 at the Glorietta 5 Atrium. K features the singer-actress-TV-host dabbling into different genres. She shows her fun side in the catchy pop tune and carrier single Kiss You, goes edgy in the modern upbeat tune Bad Boys (which also has a remix version by DJ MOD), turns sentimental in the ballad Kapiling Ka, and pays tribute to her musical roots in In My Own Little Corner (from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella), among others. The album also includes Karylle’s 2013 Philpop entry Sa’yo Na Lang Ako.

“Every album is a blessing because you get to share parts of yourself to more people,” says Karylle. “I hope people will enjoy the fruits of our labor.”

Karylle lights up TV screens everyday via the noontime showShowtime, enchants nightly as Cinderella onstage the Resorts World Newport Performing Arts Theater, and bannered the Filipino Pride flag when she top billed the Pan-Asian musical seriesThe Kitchen Musical.

Watch out for the music video of Kiss You, out on MYX soon.

K, the new CD lite album from Karylle is available at all record bars nationwide and digital format at iTunes.com and mymusicstore.com.ph. Special thanks to UniSilver Time, Bench Body and Gold’s Gym.

For more information please visit www.polyeastrecords.com. Follow and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

PPO Presents Free Family Concerts at Rizal Park Starting November 23

Press Release:

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra holds a new series of free family/youth concerts at Rizal Park called ‘Out of the Box’, featuring PPO’s wide array of music and collaborations between local schools beginning November 23, 2013. This musical event is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTNI) and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).

Through the initiative of PPO’s Music Conductor Olivier Ochanine and the CCP Marketing Department, the said concerts provide audiences a chance to learn more about classical music and its ability to touch people in a meaningful and unique manner. ‘Out of the Box’ also involves partnerships with various university groups and organizations for a fresh and innovative take in presenting a Philharmonic concert.

The series starts on November 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the newly-renovated Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium, which will also have its soft launch on the same date.  The first concert on Saturday will have the theme “Undress Bonifacio”, and will be presented in collaboration with the University of the Philippines’ (UP Manila) Coalition of Cultural Organizations. A descent of Filipino nationalist and revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, Patria Bonifacio will share her musical production about the life of the young Bonifacio. Multimedia and multi-art groups using different media such as hiphop, rock, graffiti, theatre, and music will be included to create an upbeat multimedia production. Succeeding concerts will be held in December for a Christmas theme, in January 2014 with the Far Eastern University (FEU) with the theme ‘Save the Tamaraw’ in February with the Ateneo de Manila University and UP Manila Orgcom students with the theme ‘Love’ and in March with De La Salle University and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde with the theme ‘New Beginnings’.

For more information, contact the CCP Marketing Department at 832-1125 loc. 1801 or e-mail at nikkidionisio@culturalcenter.gov.ph.  

Singapore Airlines Announces Increase in Baggage Allowance Starting November 15

Press Release:

Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers will enjoy more free checked-in baggage allowance from November 15, 2013 for all SIA and SilkAir flights.

Checked-in baggage allowances will increase by 10kg for all classes of travel. Customers will be entitled to free baggage allowances of 50kg in Suites and First Class, 40kg in Business Class and 30kg in Economy Class.

For flights to and from the United States, where a per-piece allowance applies, customers travelling in Suites, First Class and Business Class will be entitled to check in two pieces of luggage of up to 32kg each, up from 23kg previously.

“Increasing baggage allowances across all classes of travel is in response to feedback from our customers and reaffirms our commitment to constantly enhancing customer service.” said SIA Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing, Mr. Chin Yau Seng.

KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members will continue to enjoy an additional 20kg of baggage allowance across all travel classes, or one extra piece of checked-in baggage when travelling to or from the United States and Brazil.

Priority Passenger Service (PPS) Club members will also continue to be entitled to double the checked-in baggage allowance in their respective class of travel.

All flights, except to/from U.S. & Brazil (weight concept)

Class of Travel	Free Baggage Allowance	KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Star Alliance Gold	PPS Club
Suites/First Class	50kg	70kg	100kg
Business Class	40kg	60kg	80kg
Economy Class	30kg	50kg	60kg

From 15 November 2013

Flights to/from U.S. (piece concept)

Class of Travel	Free Baggage Allowance	KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Star Alliance Gold	PPS Club
Suites/First Class	2 pcs x 32kg	3 pcs x 32kg	4 pcs x 32kg
Business Class	2 pcs x 32kg	3 pcs x 32kg	4 pcs x 32kg
Economy Class	2 pcs x 23kg	3 pcs x 23kg	4 pcs x 23kg

From 15 November 2013

Flights to/from Brazil (piece concept)

Class of Travel	Free Baggage Allowance	KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Star Alliance Gold	PPS Club
Suites/First Class	2 pcs x 32kg	3 pcs x 32kg	4 pcs x 32kg
Business Class	2 pcs x 32kg	3 pcs x 32kg	4 pcs x 32kg
Economy Class	2 pcs x 32kg	3 pcs x 32kg	4 pcs x 32kg

No change in checked-in baggage allowance

The Unsung Hero will Now Be Sung in Opera . . . Spotlight on Bonifacio

It's about time that we give honor to a humble peasant who changed the course in Philippine History. He may not have held an influential position in society nor did he have a good educational background but he fought hard against the odds for the sake of his country. The man of action who was eventually betrayed by his own countrymen because of jealousy deserves to be given top honors. Let us bring his memory to mind in a grand opera befitting a true hero.

As the whole nation celebrates the 150^th birth anniversary of its National Hero, Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2013, Tanghalang Pilipino in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and National Historical Commission of the Philippines proudly present a New Filipino Opera in two acts based on the libretto of National Artist for Literature, Virgilio Almario and set to music by leading Asian contemporary composer, Josefino Chino Toledo.

Entitled San Andres B, it is not a historical account based purely on Andres Bonifacio’s life and the events leading to the 1896 Revolution. The opera is about awakenings… a coming of age in our quest for a collective national consciousness. Andres Bonifacio as the embodiment and representation of this Filipino consciousness became the driving force behind this quest to free the nation from all sorts of bondage – colonial rule, abject poverty and ignorance. In this pioneering work, we give importance to his contributions toward nationhood, a process not exclusive to the Philippine Revolution of 1896. It is reimagining Andres Bonifacio as a true hero of equal or even greater stature than Jose Rizal, a daunting task given the cultural conditioning by which we have all been accustomed to.  Nevertheless, this opera will put your senses on overdrive as it was meant to be. Rich musical textures and riveting lines, it is thought-provoking and relentlessly uncompromising. The text and music are complementary, creatively and expertly staged by Director Floy Quintos using simple and symbolic images to drive home the point. It is a lean cast, composed of lead actors, chorus and dancers, all coming together to bring to life this monumental work – a groundbreaking task in Philippine classical music and a true reflection of Andres Bonifacio’s re-imagined identity.

The music encapsulates life itself. Sometimes comical, sometimes harsh, other times comfortable, mostly engaging you personally in whatever capacity. It is the kind of work that you will either love or hate, but one thing is for sure, you will never leave the theater without an opinion, and a strong one at that. The text is written in metaphors – radical, intriguing, constantly challenging one’s sense of love for country. It taunts you to look inwardly and then begin the process of outward transformation.

This opera is not for the weak in spirit. This is for the brave Filipino who is ready to confront the harsh realities of life and stare at the face of danger without fear of getting knocked down. It is uncomfortable at times, emotionally exhausting, mentally draining, forcing us to look at the dark side of our beings, confronting the evils of society and emerging triumphant despite the numerous challenges.

The cast features some of the most outstanding contemporary classical singer in the country, led by Dondi Ong as Andres Bonifacio, and Margarita Roco as Gregoria de Jesus. Completing the main ensemble is Antonio Ferrer as Emilio Jacinto and Marvin Gayramon as Jose Rizal. The supporting chorus is composed of AUIT chamber ensemble members as well as actors from Tanghalang Pilipino and dancers from Ballet Philippines. Directed by well respected and multi-awarded Filipino playwright Floy Quintos, this production will be unlike no other as it breaks new territory in the realm of contemporary Filipino operas.

Accompanying this stellar cast is GRUPO 20/21, a newly formed modular chamber music ensemble dedicated primarily to the performance of varied 20^th and 21^st century music of Filipino and Asian music artists and composers. San Andres B is GRUPO 20/21’s initial project.

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Choreographer: Kris Belle Paclibar – Mamangun

Production Designer: Eric Cruz

Costume Design: James Reyes

Lighting/Technical Design: Jay Aranda

Sound Engineer: Aji Manalo

PLAYDATES: November 29 – December 8, 2013

(Fri) November 29, 7pm ; December 6, 8pm

(Sat) November 30, 3pm and 8pm; December 7, 3pm and 8pm

(Sun) December 1 and 8, 3pm

VENUE:

Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino

Cultural Center of the Philippines

TICKETS:

Regular: Php 800; Student: Php 400

20% Discount on the regular price for senior citizens, government employees, military employees and PWD’s. (Please present valid ID)

For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999, Tanghalang Pilipino at 8321125 local 1620-1621 or contact 0917-750-0107 / 0918-959-3949 for more details.

Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific donates to Philippine Red Cross, Resets Hennessy Artistry Halo Manila to January 24, 2014.

• 

  Press Release:
  Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific – Philippine Representative Office sympathizes with the entire Filipino nation as the devastation brought by the typhoon Yolanda shattered landscapes and left massive number of Filipinos in the Visayas region displaced due to lack of shelter, food, water, and medicines. While countless of lives were also appallingly swept away by what is known to be the strongest typhoon in the world to date, thousands are still in dire need of help. In this light, the Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific – Philippines Representative Office puts aside its much sought Hennessy Artistry Halo 2013 slated on November 15, at the NBC Tent in Global City to empathize with the Filipinos and extend relief assistance. Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific will be in direct coordination with the Philippine Red Cross to provide donation in aide of the organization’s ongoing disaster management services and humanitarian relief operations. The disaster is indeed unimaginable and the scope is heart wrenching. If we could heed the call for “The Global Art of Mixing” for the annual Hennessy Artistry Halo and bring together various genres of music from artists of diverse and multicultural act, let us join hands for another purpose: to bring hope and music back to the lives of countless Filipinos. Though the night of good music for Halo 2013 shall be put on hold, we encourage everyone across the world that have been supportive of the Hennessy Artistry events to take a moment of prayer and find ways to help rebuild spirits of Filipinos through little acts of generosity and sacrifices. Put together each of our efforts, no matter the volume, we can make positive change. The Halo event would have had international and local artists performing both solo and in collaboration, to be headlined by Swedish DJ Duo Cazzette with their unique brand of house, dub-step, trance and funk. Other artists that were also set to join the Halo 2013 event are Australian pop star Timomatic, our very own Nicole Asensio, including Urban Dub, hip-hop DJ and Drummer Duo Motherbasss and DJ Jessica Milner. Hennessy Artistry Halo Manila is rescheduled on January 24, 2014.

Finding Strength By Anderson Cooper

Thank you Anderson Cooper for this accurate depiction of what Filipinos are like.  Thank you for making the effort to get to know us better and telling the world about it.

The World Singing for the Philippines