PHILSTAGE Brings “Mundong Entablado” To One Night Stand On September 1

This is a nice treat for Filipino theater lovers! Imagine hearing songs from 12 great Filipino musicals!

Press Release:

Seven of the country’s finest theater artists are set to join forces on September 1 for PHILSTAGE’s fundraiser. Entitled “Mundong Entablado”, the show is part of the One Night Stand monthly cabaret at 12 Monkeys Music Hall, and features songs from eleven contemporary Filipino musicals.

Theater veterans Bituin Escalante, Cris Villonco, Sweet Plantado, Nonie Buencamino, and OJ Mariano take the stage with rising stars Kim Molina and Sandino Martin in this unique celebration of Manila’s vibrant performing arts scene. Under the direction of Topper Fabregas and musical direction of Ejay Yatco, the program consists of songs from Rock Supremo, Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Bituing Walang Ningning, Lorenzo, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Maxie the Musical, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Sa Wakas, Rizal X, Isang Panaginip na Fili, and Rak of Aegis, all re-arranged for this cabaret.

Proceeds of the event will help fund PHILSTAGE’s projects such as theatre workshops, master classes, and the annual Gawad Buhay! Awards. 

Founded in 1997, the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (PHILSTAGE) is the country's only organization of professional performing arts companies. Member companies include 9 Works Theatrical, Actor’s Actors Inc. (AAI), Ballet Manila (BM), Ballet Philippines (BP), Full House Resorts World Manila, Gantimpala Theater Foundation (GTF), Philippine Ballet Theater (PBT), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Philippine Opera Company (POC), Red Turnip Theater, Repertory Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), Triumphant People’s Evangelistic Theater Society (Trumpets).

“Mundong Entablado” will be on September 1, 2015, 9:00PM at 12 Monkeys Music Hall, located at Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Tickets are priced at Php 1000, and may be purchased through any of the PHILSTAGE companies or at the venue. 

Pioneer Launches Virgin Labfest 11 Campus Tour

FYI, aside from the campus tour, Pioneer is also holding a new playwriting competition for college students! Please read more details in my other blog post, here. 

Press Release:

Consistent with its passion for the arts and belief that it stirs creativity and innovation, Pioneer has tapped Virgin Labfest 11, an annual playwriting competition organized by Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and Writer’s Bloc, Inc.

Out of the hundred entries submitted, 12 unpublished and untried plays were chosen and staged at the CCP last June 24 to July 12, 2015. 

Ms. Len Pozon, vice president for Marketing of Pioneer and 
 Mr. Fernando “Tata Nanding” Josef, creative director of Tanghalang Pilipino

Pioneer has also sponsored the Virgin Labfest Cast Party held on July 12 at the CCP Bay Terminal where outstanding stage plays were recognized. When Sam Met Jo by Job Pagsibigan was named “Audience Choice” after garnering the most number of online votes through the Pioneer Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/PioneerIsYourInsurance). Dalawang Gabi by Maynard Manansala, Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala by Eljay Castro Deldoc, and Birtwal by Jose Garcia were honored with “Academe’s Choice.”

Meanwhile, Juan Miguel Severo’s Hintayan ng Langit received the “Pioneer’s Choice” recognition for its excellent portrayal of hope. 

“Pioneer has always been inspired by the arts and with this, we are honored that Tanghalang Pilipino, CCP, and Writer’s Bloc, Inc. have partnered with us in our Stories of Hope campaign,” said Pioneer Marketing Head Len Pozon. 

She then added, “Through this partnership, we want to spark the curiosity and understanding of the theater community, as well as heighten the appreciation of Filipino culture among students.”  

To further give recognition to these exceptional stage plays and playwrights, Pioneer has organized the Virgin Labfest Campus Tour. The winning plays will be showcased to select universities and colleges in the Metro and an open forum with their respective directors and playwrights will take place to address questions from the audience.

The Virgin Labfest Campus Tour is set to visit:

For inquiries, feel free to call Kris Caturay of Digital Marketing at (02) 812-7777 local 455.

Shakey’s Among the Most Loved Brands in Asia

Congratulations Shakey's! :)

Press Release:

When Shakey’s opened its first branch 40 years ago, there was little expectation outside of the opening of a restaurant for a delicious pizza that could warm the stomach as much as it would warm the heart. Many decades and numerous branches later, the brand has established itself as a comforting and cherished place where regulars enjoy gathering with family and friends. To the Shakey’s Guest, the restaurant is a home away from home and a place where one can count on having a good time over a good meal. 

As a timely addition to celebrating 40 years of success in the local food industry, Shakey’s is proud to announce that it has been voted one of Asia’s Top 1000 brands, placing 58th in the Philippines, as the results of a survey developed by Campaign Asia-Pacific in partnership with global information and insights provider Nielsen.

There’s no doubt that the success of Shakey’s is due to its ability to maintain the brand’s identity while continuously reinventing itself by updating its menu and its restaurant services through the years. As a restaurant with inviting interiors, friendly staff, and a dependable menu, Shakey’s has managed to maintain itself as a favorite in the food industry without compromising what it is about Shakey’s that its loyal fans truly love. 

All-time Shakey’s menu favourites include their mouth-watering Thin-Crust Pizza and their awesome twosome Chicken ’N’ Mojos, which are items on the menu that Guests cannot help but order again and again during each visit. But to keep things interesting and exciting, Shakey’s has made notable menu inclusions, such as the recently introduced Spiced Chicken ’N’ Mojos as well as the new Shakey’s Mojito and Frozen Margarita cocktails for selected stores. These new additions are likely to become Shakey’s menu favourites in their own time, and that is precisely the reason Shakey’s has lasted as long as it has. 

After 40 years of celebrating good times and good food with Shakey’s, one can only guess what the Filipino’s favorite pizza restaurant is going to cook up for us next. 

For more information on Shakey’s newest cocktails, LIKE Shakey’s Pizza on Facebook and FOLLOW @shakeysph on Instagram.

Electrolux Calls Out For Better Environments For Children With Asthma

FYI, Electrolux is inviting everyone to send 10,000 straws to school staff members and other decision makers across the globe in the #spacetobreathe initiative.

Press Release:

Philippines, July 2015 -- A straw can be more than just something for drinking. Electrolux, a global leader in home appliances, gives this everyday item a new meaning in their latest campaign to raise awareness on a potentially serious illness— asthma.

About 14% of the world’s children suffer from asthmatic symptoms, and it has been a leading cause of school absenteeism, and a common reason for children being excluded from sports and other activities. In the Philippines alone, around 10 million people have this disease. By asking 10,000 school staff members, sports coaches, and decision makers to breathe through a straw, Electrolux hopes to inspire the community to create asthma-friendly environments.

“With medication, better knowledge about the disease, and improved indoor air quality, no child should have to stay home from school or get excluded from the community,” says Henrik Sundström, Vice President, Group Sustainability at Electrolux. “With this initiative, we want to inspire people to take a stand and help create safe and healthy environments that don’t exclude children with asthma. Reducing asthma triggers is easy, and we can all help.”

To reach school staff members, sports coaches, librarians, politicians and other policy makers, Electrolux will send out 10,000 straws with some easy-to-follow steps for those who want to create an asthma-friendly environment. Electrolux invites the general public to decide who should get a straw by nominating their names at electrolux.com/spacetobreathe. “By asking decision makers to breathe through a straw, we want to remind them about their responsibility to create asthma-friendly environments. Every child should have the space to breathe,” Sundström continues. 

“Electrolux is dedicated to creating a clean and safe home environment for children and families,” says Andrea Pionilla, Marketing Manager of Electrolux Philippines. “We are committed to improving the indoor air quality of homes through our highly efficient vacuum cleaners and air conditioners. Cleaning is important, but this campaign presents a wide range of actions that anyone can take in order to reduce asthma triggers at home and in public environments.”

Visit electrolux.com/spacetobreathe to learn more and to send a straw to someone in your community.

Grammy-Winning Alternative Rock Band IMAGINE DRAGONS to Perform Live in Manila!

Save the date for Imagine Dragon's SMOKE + MIRRORS TOUR this August 27 2015, 8pm at the Mall of Asia Arena!

Press Release:

Following their massively successful debut in 2012 to an arena headlining tour in 2014, Grammy-winning alternative rock band IMAGINE DRAGONS is coming to Manila!

Music Management Inc. (#MMILive) is thrilled to announce the Las Vegas four-piece band will bring their Smoke + Mirrors Tour on August 27, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are now on sale via SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com)

After the successful run of their debut Night Visions—filled with anthems like “On Top of the World”, “Demons” and the Grammy Award-winning single “Radioactive” -- Imagine Dragons spent nearly two years bringing their passionately inventive brand of alt-rock to arenas around the world. With more than 130 headline dates and 50 festivals across the globe, the Las Vegas-based quartet threw themselves into creating material for their second album Smoke + Mirrors, which marks the first release recorded in their new self-built home studio. 

“So many things were changing for us so quickly, the only way to feel some kind of stability was to keep writing,” says frontman Dan Reynolds, who founded Imagine Dragons with guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman.

After Alex Da Kid signed them to his KIDinaKORNER / Interscope label, the band made its major-label debut with the release of Continued Silence, a 2012 EP featuring the 2x platinum breakthrough single "It's Time". Night Visions arrived later that year and Imagine Dragons found themselves on a skyward trajectory that saw the album debut at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, sell nearly four million copies worldwide, and became the No. 1 album on Spotify Worldwide for 2013.

Night Visions' second single, the 9x-platinum "Radioactive," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock chart and earned the band a 2014 Grammy for "Best Rock Performance" and also became the best-selling rock song in U.S. digital history. The third single, "Demons," hit No. 1 at Alternative and Top 40 radio, and has sold 3.9 million copies in the U.S. The band has sold more than 24 million tracks worldwide and has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.

Smoke + Mirrors marks the band’s very first Asian Tour so don’t miss the chance to see one of contemporary rock music’s most important bands on August 27, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena, promoted by MMILive and Live Nation.

Visit #MMILive, SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com), or call (+632) 470-2222 for the latest ticket information. 

Shakey’s Goes Big in Cebu City

Here's good news to Cebu foodies! :)

Press Release:

It’s bigger, it’s better and it’s here! After 40 years of making pizza, Shakey’s newest and BIGGEST branch in Cebu is now open to serve Guests.

Shakey’s Cabahug is the sixth and largest store in Visayas, having the capacity to seat up to 52 tables, or a total of 140 persons. And because this is the biggest branch to come to Cebu, room for parking 21 vehicles has been allotted for the convenience of Guests so no time is wasted in getting the Good Times and Great Memories rolling.

Need to throw a pizza party to celebrate the latest milestones, or a little one’s birthday? Guests can now book the largest Shakey’s function room in town, which seats up to 80 persons. Choose from the three new birthday party themes, namely Looney Tunes for the rambunctious tots, Hot Wheels for the grease monkeys, and Barbie for the little ladies in the family. But parties are not just for the little ones. Take your next business or corporate function to Shakey’s as well, or bring the family to watch the next big championship or playoff on one of the four wall mounted televisions. There is nothing we wouldn’t love to celebrate with our Guests.

Bring the family out for pizza night and enjoy your pick from the selection of 18 available flavors of World Famous Thin Crust Pizza. And don’t forget, no meal at Shakey’s is complete without the awesome twosome Chicken ‘N’ Mojos.

Need a night of drinks with friends? We’ve got you covered with another feature, the Bar area. Order a round of cold brews for the boys, or pick from the slew of cocktails or wines for a ladies night of good fun!

Shakey’s is excited and deeply pleased to bring yet another branch closer to their Guests in Visayas, employing well trained friendly Cebu City locals, contributing to employment. Whether it’s to dine in, take out, celebrate or order a meal to come to you via the 254-7777 delivery hotline, starting July 2015, doors will open wide to welcome Guests, both old and new.

Mondelez Philippines Concludes Year 2 of Joy Schools Program With a Thousand Stories of Joy

This is a very uplifting advocacy. Please make sure to watch the video. It will warm your heart and inspire you to do whatever little thing you can for our less fortunate countrymen ...

Press Release:

Her name is Ranzelle Ann Sombrero and this is her story of joy. Ranzelle, residing in Tacloban was one of the hundreds of thousands of children greatly affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Perhaps due to the trauma she experienced or perhaps this was how life was for her but Ranzelle was a quiet girl, hardly participating in school activities and always absent due to various illnesses. Thankfully there was someone looking out for her, someone who thought she deserved to experience joy in her young life.

Ranzelle’s story is one of the subjects of a short movie available on Mondelez Philippines’ website.
 It shows how Ranzelle developed from a shy and withdrawn child 
to one who participates in class, through the help of a 9-month daily lunch feeding 
provided by Mondelez Philippines’ Joy Schools program. 

That someone was her Teacher Villa P. Nacilla of Panalaron Central Elementary School in Tacloban. In June 2014 the school became one of the adopted Joy Schools of Mondelez Philippines. Seeing Ranzelle’s undernourished condition, Teacher Nacilla made sure that Ranzelle would be part of Mondelez Philippines’ daily feeding through the Joy Schools program. 

“Wala po kasi akong makain minsan sa bahay dahil hindi nakakapaghanda si Lola. Ang nanay ko naman po nasa Maynila. Hindi ko po alam kung nasaan si Tatay,” goes Ranzelle’s story.  

Turns out, those daily meals helped do wonders for Ranzelle. The daily rice, viand, fruit and snack she received for nine months helped make up for what she lacked at home. Ranzelle began to be active in class, always reciting, always raising her hand to answer teachers’ questions. Coming to school was exciting; not only because of the full meal she would receive but because of the energy she now had to learn and develop. 

Ranzelle, energized every school day and present in class 
was even able to achieve 1st Honors at the end of her 4th Grade, 
less than 2 years after Typhoon Yolanda devastated her hometown of Tacloban

In March of this year, Ranzelle not only passed the 4th Grade, she also achieved the 1st Honor rank in her class. Her nutrition has improved and she now even enjoys her school’s playground. Ranzelle is living proof of how with a little joy, great things can happen for the future leaders of the country. 

Bringing Joy, Creating the Future. Launched in 2013 during Mondelez Philippines’ 50th year in the country, the Joy Schools program aims to help create joyful centers of learning through interventions for nutrition, teacher training and facilities improvement. Unique in its own right, the Joy Schools aims to help turn sadness into joy for three of the most pressing problems of public elementary schools today. 

Now celebrating its 52nd anniversary, the Company formerly named Kraft Foods has seen more than a thousand stories of joy created through the help of its 9-month daily feeding program for undernourished students, urban gardening seminar for schools and parents, teacher values formation and skills training, and facilities improvement to create a conducive and joyful learning environment. All these the Company was able to achieve through the support of its partner, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). 

The Results of Joy. In March of this year, 85% of its 1,064 feeding beneficiaries achieved normal nutritional status, from being undernourished. Feeding programs are great motivators for attendance as such 90% of these students became present everyday during the last school year. Furthermore, their constant attendance ensured they achieved and maintained above passing grades for the whole year. 

It wasn’t just the students who experienced joy either. Teachers received exclusive training from the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and the Learning Library. Parents received training from East West Seed Foundation and supplies to start their own gardens and grow their own vegetables. Also, schools received books and sports and play equipment for their students’ enjoyment. Truly, joy was felt by everyone. 

Ryzza's story is shared in a short movie available on Mondelez Philippines’ website. 
This video depicts how Ryzza was instructed by Teacher Atregenio to read 
with the help of a Remedial Reading seminar she attended, 
made possible by Mondelez Philippines’ Joy Schools program

Joy You can Take with You, Always. Lady Ryzza Sanchez, now a Grade 3 student of Joy School Padre Zamora Elementary in Pasay has her own story of joy. Her story starts with as much sadness for Ryzza was a concern for her teachers for being noisy, disruptive, and talkative in class. Teachers’ patience was tested, including that of Teacher Lailane B. Atregenio. 

“Ryzza, bakit ka hindi nakikinig sa klase?” was Teacher Atregenio’s question.  

“Teacher, hindi po ako marunong magbasa.” 

These were the five words in Ryzza’s story that would help result to great joy in her life. It was through the learning from the Remedial Reading seminar Teacher Atregenio attended and the help of the new remedial reading corner, both provided by Mondelez Philippines that Ryzza began to learn to read. Excited, Ryzza would read even at night, memorizing the words and letters she copied that day in her notebook. She started with words, and eventually moved to books like her favorite “Si Daginding.”  

As Ryzza began to read, she also began to gain self-confidence. Now a transformed book lover, Ryzza isn’t part of the remedial reading class anymore but she drops by from time to time to learn some more and create more joy for herself. 

Ryzza has learned to read and now has a favorite book

The stories of Ranzelle and Ryzza tell us that joy cannot be donated or given. It is created together, through partnership and concern for each other. 

“Two years into our Joy Schools program we have seen that the true joy comes from the passion and dedication of our partners, teachers, principals and parents,” shares Maria Cindy C. Lim, Head of Corporate Affairs of Mondelez Philippines. “Together, we are able to help the students create joy for themselves, to write and weave these stories of joy that hopefully they will remember forever. We’ve helped create more than a thousand stories so far, and we’re eager to help write a thousand more as we continue our program this year.”  

For more information on the Joy Schools program, visit http://ph.mondelezinternational.com/well-being/community-partnerships and watch the stories of Ryzza and Ranzelle. Mondelez Philippines is celebrating 52 years in the Philippines. 

Ellen Degeneres' Design Challenge on HGTV

Wow, another Ellen show! This looks interesting!

Press Release:

Premiere: 6 August 2015, Thursdays at 9.00pm

In an ultimate design competition, Ellen DeGeneres puts a team of designers to the test to create amazing furniture pieces in just 24 hours! Expect intriguing designs and suspenseful competition. Who has what it takes to sketch, design and build their way to victory and walk away with the handsome cash prize of $100,000?

Catch Ellen’s Design Challenge on HGTV, available on Cignal - channel 101(HD) and On SkyCable – channels 88(SD), 246(HD)

For more information about HGTV, please visit www.hgtv.asia or visit the HGTV Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hgtvasia) for latest program and event updates.  

To find out about Scripps Networks Interactive and its channels, please visit www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com.

Agoda.com Offers Awesome Accommodation Deals In Your Favorite Asian Destinations With The Family This August

Great hotel deals from Agoda this August! Find your destination and plan a trip now! :)

Press Release:

MANILA (30 July, 2015) – Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is giving Filipino families traveling to neighboring countries this August the chance to add an extra bed to their room for only USD $1 or book affordable room types good for three.

Malaysia Le Grandeur

Agoda customers traveling in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand will love the promotion, which will allow them to make sure the family is all in one room while they travel. From today until 31 August, every booking made through http://www.agoda.com/familytrip/ will enjoy just that – the feeling of togetherness and a worry-free vacation with your entire family in one place. The stay dates for this promotion also expire at the end of August.

If you’ve already booked your flights to Hong Kong and part of your itinerary is to go to Ocean Park, click on the link, find a room where you can add an additional bed for only USD $1 or opt for special discounted rates for rooms good for three. The same deal applies for those going to Legoland in Malaysia, Cartoon Waterpark in Pattaya, Thailand, or the Chibi Maruko-Chan Exhibit in Taipei.

Hong Kong Citadines

Be sure to carefully select a room with the option to choose an extra bed before you proceed with the booking. As the planner for your family trip, allow Agoda.com to make it as hassle-free for you as possible. Hurry before supply runs out! Book here today!

To connect with Agoda.com and learn about special deals and promotions on hotels worldwide, like us on Facebook or follow us on Google+, Instagram, or Pinterest.