A solitary, many-petaled pink lotus blooms majestically like the mountain range in the horizon with a sky anticipating rain as newly plowed earth awaits irrigation. A bud patiently pauses to open in a thicket of deep-green, shield-like leaves in Roy Espinosa’s masterpiece of calm and quiet, the18-by-24 inch, acrylic Lotus Flower Series 8.

Narrating the infinite cycle of life, it inspires the viewer to dream beyond reasonable doubt, a clear testimony that nature has the ability to self-cleanse and self-regenerate. This nature-centric storyline tells of a personal backstory. Espinosa rises to the level of a lotus, making it the emblem of his resurgence as artist.
This work’s awe-inspiring silence predicts Espinosa’s present style of subdued realism that took two years to evolve since his comeback. After experimenting with various media and genres as visual artist, he blended two styles in self-interpretations that mirrors his self-effacing personality.
This style produces realistic landscapes in altered impressionism, producing a unique synthesis inspired by realism — reality that is ordered, wonderful and uplifting such as in the 18-by-24 inch, acrylic on canvas A Day in the Countryside in the freshest of green and breathtaking pink cusping with violet.  
This July, Espinosa will showcase subdued realism painting, the four-by-three feet acrylic on canvas Summer Solstice, in “ArtDialogo 2016” — an art exhibit to be held from July 29 to Aug. 4 at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, 109 Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. A brainchild of chairman Nemi Miranda and co-chairman Anna Karina Jardin, its Philippine counterpart will be at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery, 633 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, from Nov. 20 to 28.
Espinosa also launches the coffee table book entitled Watercolor Magic, Book 2 of Different Strokes, and its exhibit component that highlight the latest works on paper by the country’s best watercolorists at Art Asia Megamall on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. Noel Barcelona wrote the book and edited by Paula Isaiah Panganiban.
Espinosa reflects about art and artistry in 13 answers:

What fascinates you the most about art? Whenever I see beautiful works of art, I become fascinated. They arouse my curiosity, and I often I ask myself: “How did the artist do that?” I am interested with the aesthetic process and how I can, in some way, apply that process in creating my pieces.

Who is the artist that inspires you the most? My late professor, Ibarra de la Rosa, had the strongest influence in my art. Ibarra was my inspiration why I pushed myself to become an artist. I cannot forget his philosophy in creating art. He once told me, “Do not work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because it is not your art.” These words embedded in my consciousness and become my own philosophy. You don’t need to get drunk or intoxicated to become creative; creativity is within your heart, your mind and your soul.

What training did you get as an artist? Aside from the techniques that I have acquired from my mentors at the Philippine Women’s University, I always practice. I see to it that notwithstanding my busy schedule as husband, father, businessman (I own a small advertising shop),  publisher, and art and cultural advocate, I still paint or do some sketching to hone my craft.

Are your works Filipino in spirit? I always paint about  ordinary folks — street vendors, farmers busy harvesting the fruits of their labor; children at play; life in the rural areas; and the beautiful sceneries of our country. I think those subjects make my works essentially Filipino.

How do you determine when an artwork is done? Let me borrow from Da Vinci: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” Only if you are satisfied with your own work, then you can say it is done. However, there is always room for improvements.

Do you associate with other artists to stay competitive or to socialize? That is not me. I do it to learn more and to get new ideas. I don’t compete with them; I only compete with myself. I see to it that every time I create a new painting, it is better than the last one. Besides, I don’t believe in competing with others although it is nice to win awards in art competitions.
 
How do you market your art? I only sell my artworks during exhibitions. But to bring my piece and try to sell it to the client — I don’t do that unless there’s a prior arrangement or the work is up for delivery.

Are you a prolific artist? I just came back from a three-decade hiatus in the art world. Honestly, I am still relearning how to paint. I believe that artistry is an evolu-tionary and revolu-tionary process. Art is always fluid. There is always a room for improve-ment; there is always a new subject or genre to explore. I mean I cannot rate my own self since I am not used to give myself labels as an artist. Let the audience and history decide if I am prolific or not.

How do you keep your art fresh? Art is dynamic. Since the art world is constantly changing, you need to go with the flow. And to cope with those changes, you need to reinvent yourself; you need to try new approaches, new techniques to keep your art fresh.

Do you think an assistant makes an artist’s work less important? With all honesty, I don’t believe of having a “taga-mantsa” or an assistant. It can be compared to painting under the influence of drugs and alcohol for it is not you who created it; it was your assistant who made it. I don’t want to take the credit from the original creator. And isn’t it more fulfilling if you are the one who creates, and that you do not depend your “creative output” to others?

What aspect of your art is distinctively yours?  I think what makes my art different from others is the brushstroke and how I use colors. Many people say that even they are looking from afar, they can recognize my works because of its texture, the brushstrokes and the color scheme.

How do you foresee Philippine art three years from now? If the new government will just support the arts and our artists, local arts will be more recognized internationally in that time span; and the works of our local artists can compete with the big names in art from around the globe. As of the moment, as you may observe, there are only a handful of artists whose creative outputs are recognized. We are dreaming that in our NGO, The Filipinas Institute for the Advancement of Arts and Culture and its magazine, Filipino Artists magazine, that the Filipino ingenuity in arts will be put in the map, once again.

What is the question you’d like to ask yourself and how will you answer it? This is a tough one. Well, I will ask myself: “Roy Espinosa, what will you be as an artist, five years from now?” And the answer: “A reputable one, not only here in the Philippines, but in other countries as well.”

Reb Bellaza’s spectacular oil on canvas Heaven (2016) is a moving mirrorball with small facets that reflect the story - though he has not seen heaven, he knows it is there. Like a Venetian mosaic, the painting must be viewed as a whole and in all its parts to create a dialectic exposition; one does not make sense without the other.
This was one of the “letters” in Reb’s solo show that he dedicated to Fernando Poe Jr. The 15-piece collection of paintings, entitled Letters to My Godfather, was on view at The Artologist Gallery in San Juan City until July 16.
Reb actually painted letters to FPJ, but decided to keep them private by painting multicolored squares and circles over them with a flower or butterfly sneaking underneath. Even the symbolisms are entirely his own, and they appear as closely held sentiments unleashed in secret mode.
FPJ became Reb’s second father when his biological father, action star Bernard Belleza, was killed by an assassin’s bullet when he was just seven months old, leaving him and mom Divina Valencia alone. But his ‘Nong FPJ took the role faithfully, providing for him and guiding him until he passed on in 2004.
Asked if ‘Nong FPJ wanted him to be a visual artist, he answered, “Yes and no.” When he sent him to Santa Monica College to study Visual Communications, he asked to postpone his departure so as to wrap up the principal photography of Pamilya Banal. But he proceeded against his request.
But during his 55th birthday celebration at Café Ysabel, ‘Nong FPJ asked Reb to go up a private room. There he saw the Blue painting that his godfather had purchased from his Onomatopoeia exhibit at Musio Museum, alongside with his collection of Fernando Amorsolo paintings. Surprised to see the flattering juxtaposition, Reb shared, “I felt so loved.”
Thus, the “letters” and “offering” paintings of biomorphic forms in blazing colors are expressions of eternal love, gratitude and longing for ‘Nong FPJ. They turn into eloquent metaphors of his relationship with him that he took the creative liberty to keep between them.

ROMEO GUTIERREZ LEADS UST ALUMNI AWARDEES. Romeo Gutierrez, a graduate with a Degree in Fine Arts of the Pontifical University in 1968, leads the awardees for painting with Rosario Bitanga and Edgar Doctor.
Awarded by the Official University of Sto. Tomas Atelier Alumni Association Award, it is the first time the awards are conferred at the UST Alumni Building on July 30, 2016, 3 p.m. onwards.
Other awardees in advertising are Mario Parial, Raul Isidro, Anna Legaspi, Dopy Oplon, Edgar San Diego, Elmer Dumlao and Tito Alcala. And awardee in interior design is Maritess Magcasi.
                                 
CINESB, THE TOTAL STUDENT FILMFEST, OPENS. The 6th CineSB Independent Film Festival featuring over 100 short/feature films kicked off yesterday, July 18, 6 p.m. at the SDA Theater of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde evolves the university-based film festival into a fully integrated academic event on cinema.
Featuring Benildean Mavericks: Ganito Kami Ngayon!, six short films screened on opening night were Yes Mami by Carl Chavez, Ang ‘Di Masabi (What We Don’t Say) by Anya Zulueta, Sa Pagtungo It Adlaw (As the Sun Sets) by Romart Malapad Martesano, Luntiang Paraiso (Green Paradise) by Ogie Tiglao, Saan Man Ngunit Dito (Anywhere But Here) by Cheska Salangsang, and Babuyan (Depraved) by Martin Mayuga.
Rolling until July 29, official selections feature student and professional actors such aa Jomari Angeles (Ma’ Rosa) in Martin Mayuga’s Babuyan, Raymond Rinoza (Echorsis) and Aaron Rivera (Taklub) for Ven Ventura’s BLK-D, Cataleya Surio (Pitong Kabang Palay) and Karl Medina (Buwaya) In Mayuga’s Sud sa Ginhawaan.
For the screening schedules and details of other sections such as Pinoy Espesyals, The Forum, the Cinema Rehiyon@CineSB featuring the emerging regional cinema; Indie Ani; Twenty Quatro Competition screening; The Chair, Benilde theses films; and Harvest Moon, Benilde undergrad films, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1640678936254252/?notif_t=plan_user_joined&notif_id=1467554562596289./
Closing ceremonies on July 29 at 6 p.m.

END-OF-THE-MONTH SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFE. Hard Rock Café (HRC) closes July with an amazing line-up of performers. Joey Sanders & The Mailbox powers the house with power ballads and dance music on July 26 (Tuesday); sultry all-girl group Eye Candies is set to perform on July 27 (Wednesday); enjoy a super retro musical party with Kudos Love 80s on July 28 (Thursday); pop-rock band Part 3 performs on July 29 and 31 (Friday and Sunday); and Inner Voices takes the center stage back-to-back with Red Picasso on July 30 (Saturday). Hard rockers can also enjoy the best burgers from around the world as HRC recently launch its World Burger Tour that features the best local burgers from around the world. HRC’s World Burger Tour menu is available until the end of July 2016. All shows start at 9 p.m.

Wearing black chef uniforms with slacks, owners-spouses Rommick Sarmenta and Harlene Bautista hosted a dinner at their newest venture, Salu The Filipino Kitchen, Quezon City’s latest ‘50s-style residence converted into a restaurant. From this fusion we coin the term “resi-taurant.”
The no-nonsense couple makes no effort to hide they are aiming for a steady source of income. This is why they decided to enter into the food business and put aside their respective entertainment careers and film production endeavors in the meantime. Such a strategy allows them to be hands-on parents to their brood of six growing kids.
This is their priority on top being managing partners of Salu, which opened on June 9. The endeavor has required their daily presence, enabling them to troubleshoot small disasters like when steamed rice was served half-cooked (“We immediately replaced it and apologized,” explained Romnick). Or major headaches such as when the air conditioning system conked out.
Surveying the interiors of this residence at the corner of 268 Scout Torillo and Scout Fernandez Scouts, one can almost hear the echo of its former occupants’ laughter and feel the elegance of their lifestyles. Such mid-century residences turned into restaurants are common in the “Scout” Streets around Morato Avenue in Quezon City.
Among them are the widely popular Mario’s and Annabelle’s, Romulo Cafe at 32 Scout Tuason corner Dr. Lazcano (that had branched out in 148 Jupiter Street corner Comet Street, Bel-Air, Makati City) to the newly inaugurated Salu.
The owners had likely passed on or are too old to manage such large living spaces, their children likely married and living elsewhere, while others may have found condominium-living as a practical move.
Renting or leasing these properties is the convenient alternative to selling or constructing new edifices to make it productive. While retaining the assets and turning them as regular source of income, it does not cost to renovate into a “resi-taurant” as that is the start-up cost of the new occupants.
Blurbed as The Filipino Kitchen, Salu invites visitors to imagine the local flavor of the place. Although the quick-eyed will see the Philippine tri-color prominently hanging at the edifice’s third-level watchtower, the black-garbed service personnel may seem disconcerting for a Filipino-themed casual dining restaurant.
These good-looking and well-trained service personnel wear black walking shorts and black Chuck Taylors — not a few of them with tattoos peeping from their black tops. With a walking handicap, a service staffer who was not the doorman, perhaps by virtue of duty, met me at the parking lot and assisted me all the way to the huddle area.
Clipped from the Filipino term “salu-salo” (get-together involving celebration with food) most likely for the lucky numerical count, Salu formalizes the concept of family and friends bonding and entertainment through communal eating. That is why a former home as the setting is so appropriate as it gives a “at home” feeling.
You get that exact salu-salo feel as servings are meant to be shared, explaining the higher menu prices. The tables and chairs are also closely grouped together and the seating areas designed for groups such as sofas with long tables minus the usual two seaters for romantic couples.
With wide frontage the place is spacious enough to house multiple function areas such as an open kitchen, three dining areas in contemporary Asian designs of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao distinguished by maps and murals of each particular region. It includes a dining-cum-play area for kids with a store of childhood favorites.
Salu comes as a hip cross between Via Mare and Kuya J’s Restaurant, but definitely not Barrio Fiesta or even Max’s restaurant. It features a fusion menu it calls Likhang Salu created by chef Francis Oconer from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
It is the only restaurant that has collected favorite dishes from these geographical divisions and made them readily available at Salu. There is a difference, of course. One is that they are not fast-service versions: “safe” selections that can be prepared in minutes and unmindful of eye-friendly presentation.
Rommick and Harlene do not plan as yet to open multiple branches or to franchise the name, although chef Oconer buzzed that they had looked for a second location at Bonifacio Global City. Maybe this is a conscious effort to assess how the first “resi-taurant” will do. There are currently no plans to do multiple restaurant concepts like Marvin Agustin.
Although some of my menu expectations were not met, the experience of sharing the delicious food at Salu made me delirious over the fact that there is a new restaurant that puts a premium on Pinoy cuisine and displays that Filipino hospitality can truly be a unique selling point.

A wall, regardless of material or orientation, defines or divides space.
In The Wall, the group exhibit at Altro Mondo Gallery in Greenbelt 5 from July 28 to Aug. 14, 2016, it becomes a substrate for the participating artists’ self-expression that interprets the irrationality of social conventions and political disillusion by stirring iconography from art history, popular culture and similar sources.
The wall then becomes a free space where the artist can paint the graffiti in his mind without reservation or recrimination. Abe Luna Orobia resumes his active art career after participation in the Perya exhibit by Canvas at the UP Vargas Museum where he freely expresses his take on the theme.
He submitted two ‘walls,” a 5x3 feet and 3x4 feet oil on canvas entitled To Love Deeply (Tatlong Sisiw ng Pangarap) and a 3x5 feet Flight in that order. Very mature works, Orobia continues to use the Ferris Wheel as leitmotif for the bastardation of Filipino culture. Juxtaposing realism with surrealism, they comment on the historical past as present fantasy in many of us.
To Love Deeply is about dreams and hope for a better future. The young girl is a mag-uuling, symbolizing hard labor. The wood-pole with the crossbeam is like an inverted-cross, a reference to her passion and love; thus, bridging and highlighting the inscription on the Ferris Wheel “Lumiyag,” which means to love deeply. While “the lantern” word on the other hand suggest that to be able to reach the stars you need to prepare for the wild ride just like the rides in the perya.
Her faint smile and hopeful eyes emulates resilience of character. The ‘halo’ was changed into a bicycle tire a common plaything for kids as symbol of innocence and piety. The smoky and sfumato-rendered background reflects not just the reality of her environment she is living in, but the illusion that hinders her from achieving her dreams. This is contrasted by three colored chicks, which signify new life or rising again, a resurrection from poverty.
Most of the elements including the colors are deliberately “symbolist” in manner to enhance the drama unfolding in the painting. The boat-swan means grace under pressure despite swimming on murky waters. The fire on the coals is the spark that fuels her spirit. And finally, the airplane paper means escape and freedom. All of these symbols, surreal may they seem, are true in the child’s mind.
Flight is about women empowerment. A tribute to women’s long struggle to be recognized not just for their traditional roles as housewives and nurturers, but as successful individuals who are partners for nation-building. The composition is basically with two centers creating mirror imagery.
The women of the old and the contemporary, much like the symbols in their heads, the moon as a moody, temperamental, yet lovely in nature suggesting sex object (then again traditional symbol), while the scallop shell means hardiness of character and independence just like her shoes, the bag symbolizes stepping forward and strength, respectively.
The Amorsolo-like Juana is not left behind instead she  represents the night that gives birth to the dawn (the skyline in the painting) her basket contains butterflies instead of market goods, a representation of metamorphosis which is further enhanced by the dragonfly on the hand of the Modern Juana — a symbolism of change in perspective and self-realization. There is no specific timeline in the painting; but, it fairly suggests that much like the ways of the old and the new.
The myth that women are supposed to stay in home and do chores had been debunked and abolished just like business district of before (riverside) into skyscrapers. Much more, men are always doubtful in nature as they tend to shun and not face reality. They have red balloons which meant holding on and not letting go heightened by the fake-men higantes on the horizon.
Finally, these two women ignore these conceptions as it can be reflected on their smile and the flying house with balloons.          
Other participating artists are Lester Amacio, Alfred Capiral, Chloe Dellosa, Richard de la Cruz, Darrel Dan Lagasca, Abe Orobia, Edu Perreras, Jonathan Benitez and Jo Tanierla.

MANINGNING CONTINUES TO GLITTER. Maningning Miclat, a published author, multilingual poet, prize-winning artist, an interpreter and art teacher at Far Eastern University who passed away at 28 lives through the yearly art competition sponsored by the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation Inc. open to all artists, age 28 and below.
Prizes at stake are P28,000 and a Julie Lluch Sculpture Trophy for 1st prize, P15,000 for 2nd prize and P10,000 for 3rd Prize.    
With “Mother and Child” as this year’s theme, participating artists can submit only one oil, watercolor, pen and ink, acrylic, brush and ink, or mixed media in Western or Oriental style. The minimum size is 45 cm x 60 cm, and the maximum size is 60 cm x 90 cm. Entries must be original and executed in 2015-2016.
Deadline/Submission of entries on Sept. 21, 2016 at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Art Circle Gallery, Ground Floor, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Campus, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Awarding of prizes is on Sept. 29, 2016 at Art Circle Gallery, Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
For complete rules of the contest, visit: http://www.maningning.com/;https://www.facebook.com/searchtop?q=maningning%20miclat%20art%20foundation, mobile phone: +63 9189057311 (Ms. Alma Miclat) email: maningningfoundation@gmail.com.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. Peccatorum et virtutibus (Sins & Virtues) goes on at Arte Pintura Gallery from August 6 to 20, 2016. Featuring seven artists portraying the seven deadly sins and another seven artists portraying the seven heavenly virtues, it features humanity as center of the eternal war between good and evil.
Angels try to elevate us to God’s grace for salvation while demons drag us to the depths of depravity for damnation. Each painting moves and inspire to choose the viewer’s allegiance and destiny. It turns yet into another battle between heaven and hell when both sides face each other to decide humanity’s fate.
Arte Pintura Gallery is at The Address Condominium at Wack Wack Road, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

The mellifluous voiceover of Startalk still rings in our consciousness.
But with news from television, broadsheets and blogs turning out to be main sources of quasi-realtime entertainment buzzes, it was inevitable that the showbiz talk show that tended to focus on the negative had to metamorphose.
Notwithstanding experimentations to turn it into a comedy-oriented show, viewers and advertisers did not bite so the alternative had to give up entirely. But it never left us and took a different form in the lifestyle show.
In a model home setting with high-profile female entertainers as hosts talking intelligently about life issues, they often portray the ideal woman. Frequently in Taglish, they do not appeal as gossip but as talk since they come from the source.
The advantage is to combine several show genres in one program format, turning talk into girl-bonding, thus making celebrity talk more varied, valued, visceral entertainment.
It was Kris Aquino, with her Kris TV, who gave life to this idea as she brought viewers into her home and with her on outside trips to exotic or esoteric locations. Suzi Entrata and Camille Prats proved, in Mars, that a lifestyle show can be successfully scheduled on early evenings, while Regine Velasquez cocooned in the newly constructed family residence in Sarap Diva.
Variants tracked in Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros’ Magandang Buhay that has managed to be consistently interesting, and Marian Rivera appears to have received the queen title when Kris Aquino guested in her talk show, Yan Ang Morning!
Digital celebrities come to terms with aspects of personal reality so they sing, dance, cook, exercise, splurge, pamper and tittle-tattle about themselves and peers in generally positive terms, frequently in class or a humorous tone.
There is no need for some third parties that tweak personal information-sharing with the character of gossip that tend to associate the urge to chatter with the absence of intention, thus making it a frivolous activity.
But the new showbiz talk is with us in Tonight With Boy Abunda — current, informative, entertaining, fast-paced plus a credible host but minus the clutter. It is just waiting for a charismatic personality to bring the concept to a more accessible timeslot at ABS-CBN or GMA-7.

FREE WORKSHOP FROM CINEKASIMANWA. CineKasimanwa: Westerm Visayas Film Festival with filmmaker and educator Elvert Bañares as resource person kicks off the CineKasimanwa Workshops 2016 with Introduction to Short Film Appreciation and Western Visayan Films for/by Children.
For Grade 7 to Grade 12 Teachers / S.P.A. Teachers, it will be held on Aug.. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque.
This free workshop is exclusive to mentioned recipients and has been pre-planned with the Jaro Archdiocesan Commission on Family & Life headed by Fr. Randy Doromal. This workshop is already full.
It will also launch the Competition for Short Films For & By Children for CineKasimanwa.
The poster artwork entitled Miagao Boy Dreaming of Sea Turtles is by San Joaquin-based Ilonggo-artist Momo Dalisay.
Bañares has been teaching and giving countless summer workshops since the 1990s when he was with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts where he authored the weekly NCCA Film Club, screening films for free offering Q&As by film industry experts. He has headed the secretariat of the Cinema Program of NCCA and has been teaching film and multimedia for the past 17 years in Lyceum of the Philippines, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Asia Pacific College, De la Salle - College of St. Benilde, FEATI University School of Fine Arts and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila wherein he is a Special Senior Lecturer.
As adviser of many student films, he has brought first-time Gawad CCP winners to DLS-CSB, APC and PLM and has helped many of these films get programmed in international film festivals. He was the founder and festival director of eKsperim[E]nto Festival of Film, Video & New Media and the Asean Film Festival. Currently, as festival director of CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival and Bakunawa Film Festival, he is pushing for a new wave of Ilonggo Cinema.
As filmmaker, he has directed 50+ short films; was production coordinator of NCCA TV series for IBC-13, NET 25 and then ABC 5; directed a segment for GMA-7’s Unang Hirit; and was production designer for Maalala Mo Kaya in ABS-CBN 2. His latest film Impas (Settlement) has been officially selected at the 10th Pamplona International Film Festival in Spain, the 10th Yogya-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, the 1st Ekurnulehi International Film Fest in South Africa, the TIF Video Challenge in Cyprus and was part of the 31st Clermont-Ferrand Film Market in France.
The Western Visayas Filmmakers Network also congratulates and supports all Ilonggo filmmakers and actors whose films are competing at the Ika-28 Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula 2016  from Aug. 6 to 9, at CCP Dream Theater, Tanghalang Manuel Conde. They are:
T.M. Malones, director of Sin-o Ang Tik-Tik? with an all-Ilonggo cast starring Gabby Padilla with Allain Hablo on Aug. 9 (Tuesday), 10 a.m., part of Shorts J;
Reymundo Salao, director of Ugayong with an all-Ilonggo cast of Drox Sanchez, Lynne Belle Tupas Salvadico, Julie Ann Jordan, Dennis Hubag on August 9, 2016 (Tuesday), 3:30 p.m., part of Shorts L;
Carlos Dala stars in Bugtaw by Noah del Rosario;
Carlos Dala stars in Friendly by Ron Acal on Aug. 6 (Saturday), 10 a.m., part of Shorts A;
Rowen Paul Dala stars in Super Kid by Ron Acal on Aug. 9 (Tuesday), 10 a.m., part of Shorts J;
And Carlos Dala, director of Chizmiss with Rowena Dala on Aug. 6 (Saturday), 9 p.m,, part of Shorts C. Padayon kita tanan, mga kasimanwa!

LEAD MOMENTS. Here are the prime times in Philippine entertainment for the week: Kuya’s cliffhanger power is back in Pinoy Big Brother’s Macoy-Elisse-Jerome’s love triangle!
The George Canseco tribute at Sunday’s ASAP was a well-produced feature.
Star Magic 24th anniversary celebration at ASAP highlighted by the appearances of Rayver Cruz, Jayr Siaboc, Kiray Solis, Jonalyn Viray, and Daniel Matsunaga, Matteo Guidicelli, Arjo Atayde. Vin Abrenica, Jimboy Martin and Zaijan Jaranilla.
Mutya ng Pilipinas is the only national beauty pageant that awards cash prizes to winners.
Luis Manzano’s conquer of the 5 p.m. timeslot with Minute to Win It daily and Family Feud every weekend.

ARTlead cites five of the best artists who have been posting their current-year artworks in the art Facebook group on a monthly basis.
Lead artworks for July 2016 are: Rainbowmaker by Marlin Lopez, Emancipation by Larry Carumba, Feast by Rex Beo, Indak by Wellers Vicencio and Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer by Iwag Palattao.
For the consistent high quality of their works and artistic accomplishments for the month in review, the following members are also cited:   

JAIME TORRES. Defying his limited knowledge in digital arts, Torres’ visions are born out of sublime moments of imagination and dreams, aimed to inspire and encourage creativity and to enjoy the thought process of discovering visual ideas thru layers of forms, colors and textures. Although there are times he thinks sin allegories and abstract semantics, still, his old school quest for beauty must prevail over the predictability of the absurd.
Flora, his cited digital art for the month, says it with flowers, love or longings, unspoken desires and daydreams. Torres often challenges himself to project insignificant images or subjects, the mundane, the common and ordinary, its own beauty in a different light or visual experience wrapped in digital love.

ZORRICK ENRIQUEZ. Being in the world of art is like having the time of his life by discovering new ideas through his own artistry and interaction with experts he met along the way. Enriquez knows to be on the right track on making his own mark. But for sure, he took baby steps in reaching that goal including active posting of artworks in ARTlead. As of July, believing that he’s making out something valuable through his career, he heard a loud bang when he was announced as champion in an art contest in Lipa, Batangas. It was that same in high school when he finished champion in an art contest.

ALJUS ANDRES. Calling his photography My Street Art, curiosity leads Andres to take pictures wherever footlose takes him, from the streets of his beloved Binangonan to as far as Baguio or Bohol. Posting in ARTlead in July 2015 the photos entitled Synchronize (Urban landscape), Chrysanthemun, Panata Munting Paraiso sa Aking Isipan, Laro, and Go on Peace that was cited as his best work for the month, he woke up early Sunday morning, his mind set to go to church in Angono, Rizal. After the priest sad, “Live and go on peace,” he set his lens to take photos of people outside, capturing a funeral procession.

ULYSSES DUTERTE JR. In the process of building his portfolio of favorite subjects — kids. Duterte Jr.’s main subjects are children of his relatives and friends. The kids always remind him of his happy upbringing having been brought up by loving parents who instilled to him God’s high moral standards. His current paintings show how kids in the current world are so vulnerable to negative influences without the proper guidance from parents and God’s word. He hopes that viewers would see the importance of guiding the kids from infancy and up. He hopes to complete 24 paintings in this series.

ABE LUNA OROBIA. Orobia started July with participation in the Perya exhibit by Canvas Gallery at the U.P Vargas Museum. Jaime Ponce de Leon of Leon Gallery selected his painting entitled The Virgin of Ferris Wheel (Ang Unang Perya) to be part of the upcoming auction. He ended it with the group exhibit entitled The Wall in Altro Mondo Contemporanea at Greenbelt 5 with two oil painting entries To Love Deeply (Tatlong Sisiw ng Pangarap) and Flight. All stated paintings were posted in ARTkead. Attending a faculty curriculum development workshop in Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay from July 13-15 he topped the Student Teacher Assessment Report in college of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts on an average of 3.80 with the perfect score of 4.0.

SCHOLASTIC: CHAMPIONING ENHLISH READING IN THE PHILIPPINES. “From 1.0 million, books read through the Scholastic Readers Program increased to 2.6 million the following year,” revealed Frank Wong, President of Scholastic Asia, to Lead during an exclusive interview during the awarding ceremony of the 2016 Readers Cup held at the Isla Ballroom of EdsaShangri-la Hotel on Aug. 4.
“The Reading Program comes with a comprehension check that the reader has to undergo after reading a Scholastic book,” explained Wong to ensure the books read are understood.
With 159 reading partner schools in the Philippines in the Assessment and Enrichment Program for Reading and the Independent Reading Program, Scholastic provides schools with a supplementary Reading program that assesses students’ reading comprehension  levels, matching each child with the right books, monitoring independent reading, and enriching classroom reading instruction.
The Scholastic Readers Cup, now in its fourth year, is a champion. Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher of English children’s books, is behind this inter-school competition that promotes books and reading.
The highlight of the event was the awarding of the 2016 Readers Cup winners. The schools that read the most number of books in their category (based on student population) were declared winners. The Scholastic Readers Cup champion schools for 2016 — St. Paul College Balayan (28,972 books read), Saint James Academy (80,688 books read) and Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. (104,248 books read) — each won a Reading Center make-over to make their library an even more inviting place for pleasure reading.
School principals and program coordinators were also recognized through the Scholastic Principal and Coordinator Achievement awards. Winning educators were from schools that achieved the highest average in books read for every student, and the most improved in terms of their students’ reading comprehension skills.
For the grade school with the highest average number of books read per student, Sr. Maria Yolanda Caridad Orpilla, SPC and Joy Magahis, principal and program coordinator respectively of St. Paul College Balayan, were awarded. Students of St. Paul College Balayan read an average of 91 books each for school year 2015-2016.
For high school, the awardees were Fr. Erwin Aguilar, OSJ, and Nora Beleno, principal and program coordinator respectively of Holy Family Academy. Students of Holy Family Academy read an average of 108 books each for school year 2015-2016.
For schools with the most improved students in terms of their Lexile (reading comprehension) growth, the top winners for grade school were Bryan Riddin and Maria Elena Camatog of International British Academy.  For high school, the top winners were Dr. Danna Manding and Jayson Esteban of Mother Goose Special System Inc., Urdaneta.
The Readers Cup also celebrates and recognizes the contributions of librarians with the Scholastic Librarian Achievement Award given to the Scholastic Reading Center Managers of schools with the highest average of books read per student. Top awardee was Avelina Villadores, the librarian of Holy Family Academy whose students read an average of 96 books each for school year 2015-2016.

“Just by working very hard jobs,” revealed 28-year-old Canadian Kyle “Kulas” Jennermann to Lead when asked for the secret of being able to travel to 28 countries when he’s not a millionaire’s son. This happened during the media launch of Becoming Filipino, his television travel blog to pilot on ANC tomorrow, Sunday, at 7:30 p.m. with replay every Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
One time, he added, he took a job planting trees in his native Canada, saved up enough money, and took a year off of university. Another time he had a job at the United World College of The Atlantic in Wales and an outdoor adventure company in Hong Kong that gave him freedom to travel as well.
That makes Kulas, the nickname he acquired when he traveled to the Philippines and fell in love with the country and its people, initiating his becoming one of us.
As an extremely well-traveled guy that qualifies him to be a world-class travel blogger, Kyle is ranked number 1 on the list of Top 5 Foreign bloggers who Sincerely Love the Philipines and the Filipinos. Last January, he was featured by Huffinton Post as Top 5 of the World’s Best Male Travel Bloggers.
Want a reality check? Here are some of his extraordinary travel adventures:
CANADA. Working as a Park Ranger which had him trekking and working way out in the wilderness at different national and provincial parks, road tripping through the Rockies of his home province of British Columbia, and flying to Montreal to visit a friend and experiencing the completely diverse French Canada.
USA. Road-tripping through five States from Vancouver Canada to Las Vegas, literally passing through snow on a mountain range in the morning and then in a warm desert in the late evening.
HAWAII. Trekking to a live volcano and seeing moving lava and swimming across a bay full of hammerhead sharks.
INDIA. Driving a rickshaw with two good British friends from North to South for a month for a total of 3000 kilometers, starting in the middle of the desert, passing through major cities, through mountain passes, along coastal beaches, even searching for tigers and ending up in a coastal harbor city on the south coast.
SWITZERLAND. Snowboarding in a freezing-cold holiday in the Swiss Alps with friends and seeing the Matterhorn.
SOUTH WALES. Living and working in a beautiful 16th century castle and sea-kayaking along the coast of the Bristol Channel, taking students on outdoor pursuits like trekking and surfing.
HUNGARY. Going by himself to Budapest on his 22nd birthday, meeting new friends from France and partying and exploring the city’s history.
MOROCCO. Spending a week during the religious holiday of Ramadan where he ended up riding camels and learning about the local culture.
SLOVENIA. Whitewater rafting in the countryside and visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Skocjan Caves, and learning about drinking brandy when welcomed.  
SINGAPORE. Getting lost in the “small big city” and trying to figure out the local languages because there was such a mix of people from all over the world and seeing all the big modern developed buildings and not being able to chew gum for cleanliness.
HONG KONG. Taking groups of international students on outdoor adventure camps such as rock climbing, sea kayaking, and trekking all over the New Territories, away from the main city.
THAILAND. Island hopping around Ko Phi-Phi and trekking to local villages in Chang Mai.
LAOS. River tubing in Vang Vieng and exploring the capital city.
CAMBODIA. Exploring the Temples of Angkor Wat, interacting with the locals and getting lost in Phnom Penh.
MALAYSIA. Living with local friend for one month, exploring the sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur and helping run team building programs for big city companies, which allowed him to learn more about Malaysia from Malaysians, and trekking the summit of the 4,095 meters high Mt. Kinabalu.
INDONESIA. Surfing, exploring the monkey forest in Ubod and driving a scooter off to explore the countryside.
VIETNAM. Bicycling around the rural areas of Ho Chi Minh City, hanging out with a rice farmer and visiting the historic war museums and tunnels of Cu Chi.
PORTUGAL. Boating around hidden caves along the Mediterranean coast of Faro.
ITALY. Eating so much pizza, pasta and bread, as well as drinking a lot of wine while food tripping Italy, going to morning runs around Rome’s historic sites, imagining running laps around the Coliseum, and trekking the famous Cinque Terre along the coast.
GERMANY. Living in Baden-Baden with his German dad until he five years old, food tripping with bratwurst, schnitzel and drinking beer.
HOLLAND. Taking boats through the canals all over the country in his uncle’s house boat, then exploring the country amazed by windmills, people hanging wooden shoes and asking for money to open the bridges.
BELGIUM. In the ambiance of the architecture and peacefulness of the city of Brugge, eating delicious french fries with mayonnaise!
ENGLAND. Watching a Sheffield Wednesday professional soccer match with his close friends from there and then drinking and bonding in typical English pub style.
IRELAND. Going to the home of “Guinness” and exploring Dublin’s music and pub culture.
SCOTLAND. Staying up all night at St. Andrews with the local university students and then running into the cold ocean at 6 a.m. at sunrise, a local tradition, and walking along the beautiful coastline and seeing the famous golf courses.
MOROCCO. Spending a week during the religious holiday of Ramadan, he ended up riding camels and learning about the local culture.
SPAIN. Enjoying the gothic architecture of La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. From the south of Spain by bus, he went to the south of France and then to Italy.
FRANCE. Staying in Paris with four French friends who he met while travelling, seeing the city as a local and running the Paris Marathon in 2011.

When Margie Moran won the Miss Universe title in 1973, the following year, the world’s leading beauty pageant was held in the Philippines. Amparo Munoz of Spain won the title that year. If it pushes through with Pia Wurtzbach as the reigning Miss Universe, this will be a redux for the country.
Estimated to cost US$10 billion to stage in the country, the buzz is that Okada with Tony Boy Cojuanco have committed US$3 million and Henry Sy is providing the Mall of Asia Arena as pageant venue plus accommodations. But the venue is not final as Davao City, Cebu City and Vigan are also being considered as possible venues.
The last time the Philippines hosted the pageant was in 1994 when Sushmita Sen of India won the crown. Boosting tourist arrivals, the event created awareness of the Philippines as vast tourism paradise.
If it pushes through, this is the third time that the country is hosting the Miss Universe pageant after 22 years. When President Rodrigo Duterte approved the concept, he specified that the Philippine government will not finance the world-class event, which its organizers accepted.
With the Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo yet to announce if the 2016 Miss Universe in January 30, 2017, will be hosted by the Philippines, the buzz is that it’s “80 percent” sure. As a major international event, it will definitely be a big boost to country’s already booming tourism industry.
The pre-event exposure in over a hundred countries that send representatives to the pageant is immense. They will provide the DoT various roadshow presentations overseas in partnership with leading wholesalers of airline tickets, travel agencies and tour organizers to launch promotional and marketing projects, cascading to the world how beautiful the country is.
Watched all over the world by millions of viewers, the actual airing of the pageant will focus attention to the Philippines during its actual broadcast.
Six major destinations get global exposure: Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Boracay, Cebu, Vigan and Palawan. Potential tourists arrival post pageant can spread the years after the event. The benefits are immeasurable.
These exposures will save the government millions of dollars in country advertising and promotion using various media platforms, such print, broadcast, television and billboards in major capital cities to enhance “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

MMFF 2016 LOGO AND THEME SONG COMPETITIONS EXTEND DEADLINE. The 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival calls on all creative and innovative Filipinos to participate in the MMFF Logo Design and Theme Song Making competitions and win as much as P50,000, a Sony tablet and all-access passes to all MMFF movies. Deadline for submission of entries is extended from August 15 to 31.
For the MMFF Logo Design competition, participants may submit up to two logo entries that satisfy the MMFF Executive Committee criteria: concept (40 percent), originality (30 percent), and relevance (30 percent). Logo entries, preferably in vector format, must be sent with the registration form at

officialmmff@gmail.com.
The MMFF Logo Design competition winner will receive P20,000 in cash, all-access passes to all MMFF movies for two, and a Sony tablet.
For the MMFF Theme Song-Making competition, participants may submit up to three entries in MP3 format. Song entries must be three to five minutes long, written in English or Filipino, and must fit the committee’s selection criteria: musicality (30 percent), lyrics (30 percent), originality (30 percent) and impact (10 percent).
Song entries must be sent with the lyrics (in Word format) and the registration form at officialmmff@gmail.com. The MMFF Theme Song-Making winner will receive P50,000 in cash, all-access passes to all MMFF movies for two, and a Sony tablet.
Winners for both the logo design and theme song making competitions will be announced on September 12 and will be posted on all official MMFF social media platforms.
MMFF went through a major change when it reformed its board of directors and set up a new selection criterion for future entries. The new season of the MMFF begins with the logo design and theme song making competitions to set the new tone of one of the country’s most beloved and most anticipated December events.
Deadline for submission of entries is August 31. Join the #reelvolution! For full contest mechanics, visitwww.mmff.com.ph and like the MMFF Facebook page:www.facebook.com/mmffofficial.  

NAÏVE VISIONS OF RURAL LIFE. Naïve art is created by someone who has no formal education nor training that most artist go through. It is characterized by a childlike style and the simplicity of execution. Often considered as outsider art, the style is an outside-the-box execution of academic painting.
Art Circle Gallery proudly presents Monique Villaflores and Fredito Pelipada, two artists whose Naïve art, simple yet straightforward visions of rural life, is a nonconformist offer of a distinct perspective to Filipiñana art to run from August 24 to September 4 at Art Circle Gallery, Shangri-La, Edsa Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong City.
From Pakil, Laguna, Villaflores’ love for her children and passion for travel allows her to see her surroundings through a child’s eyes. The freedom to paint whatever she wanted coupled by her childlike wonder shaped her into an artist that is able to create artworks she can truly call her own.
With no formal training, Pelipada’s distorted figures of cherished memories of Catanauan, Quezon, became his muse. His characters in a dreamlike state. Dreaming of the past when days where simple and peaceful.

NYOY RETURNS TO HRC. Nyoy Volante is set to perform live at Hard Rock Café (HRC) on Aug.  26 (Friday, 9 p.m.). Nyoy dishes out his greatest hits as culled from his impressive catalogue of multi-platinum full-length studio albums. Fans and music buffs can look forward to an evening to beautiful music as Nyoy performs his show-stopping hits such as “Nasaan Ka Na,” “You’re My You,” “Pikit,” “Someday” and “You’re Not Mine,” as well as a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers paired with party anthems and homegrown favorites.
Other featured artists at HRC this August are Side A (August 27), Part 3 (Sundays and Fridays), Paula Bianca (Mondays), Silk (Tuesdays), Arpie & The Multivitamins (Wednesdays), Kudos Loves 80s (Thursdays) and Verse 5 (Saturdays).

MORE JOYFUL RETURNS. Jo Anna Liza Vocalan, the country’s leading floral artist and The Attic Gallery director, will celebrate her 34th birthday (on Aug. 23) on Aug. 26 at the Bahay Aruga, a halfway house in Manila for pediatric cancer patients. This “heART” advocate will teach the kids flower arrangement and how to make paper flowers.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF GLUTATHIONE. “Watson’s awarded Snowcaps as highest seller of glutathione,” revealed Erick Armigos, Brand Architect of Vida Nutriscience, at a press conference held recently in Manila hosted by the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of SnowCaps glutathione, Vida. When Lead asked what was the benefit of getting Alden Richards as brand ambassador, he added, “It was mutually beneficial. Alden also enhanced his popularity.”
In an effort to deliver new knowledge and eradicate prevailing rumors surrounding glutathione, the leading food supplement manufacturer teamed up with Japan’s leading brand of glutathione, Kohjin Life Sciences (Kohjin), to raise the standard of awareness on one of the Filipinos’ favorite supplements. Members from Kohjin addressed common safety concerns and myths attached to the antioxidant.   
Glutathione has been rumored to give gastrointestinal pain, skin allergies and other negative effects — all of which alarm people, specifically those who are already using the substance or are planning to try it.  
“Our body naturally produces glutathione, but it is depleted by various factors that are common to us such as stress, pollution, aging, alcohol and other vices, and even heavy exercise,” said Hitomi Ito of Kohjin’s Global Sales and Marketing Bio-Chemicals Division.
“That’s why it’s important to supplement on glutathione; it is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and detoxifies our system,” she added.  
Aside from the known effects of glutathione to lighten the skin, the substance has been found to greatly contribute to the well-being by detoxifying the liver and protecting the body from harmful toxins and heavy metals, which can be found in what we consume.
“The skin whitening is the side effect of the detoxification. Glutathione is an antioxidant first before it is a whitening agent,” said Yusuke Sauchi, manager at Kohjin’s Global Sales and Marketing Bio-Chemicals Division.  
“We’ve tested glutathione under different scenarios to harvest its maximum potential in improving the immune system and overall body function. It’s more than a cosmetic ingredient; it’s a great antioxidant that also improves lipid metabolism and lessens fatigue,” said Wataru Aoi, assistant professor at the Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan.   
Glutathione supplementation is rumored to result in health hazards especially since it is freely available online and in retail stores. Furthermore, it is also available in different forms such as soaps, creams, injectable serums and capsules. But, despite its bad reputation, experts believe it poses minimal threat to our health.  
“Our body recognizes glutathione so it’s not true that you can overdose on it. Our body knows what to do with it and if we supplement, we’re just aiding a natural process,” said Rodrigo Silvestre, president and managing director of Holchem Industrial Sales, Inc., the exclusive importer and distributor of Kohjin glutathione in the Philippines.
Vida and members of Kohjin warned the public to use products with certification from the government institution responsible for checking the effects and standards of products. Kohjin is the only brand of glutathione that is recognized safe and effective by the United States Food and Drug Administration.  
Vida, together with Kohjin Life Sciences and Holchem Industrial, partnered up to further common knowledge, break myths and raise awareness about glutathione. Ultimately, it aims to provide more accessible glutathione supplements for the greater good of Filipino health and wellness.   
Vida Nutriscience, Inc.’s Snowcaps is the first oral glutathione in the Philippines and is among the leading skin whitening supplements in the market today.  
Snowcaps contains premium, FDA-approved 500mg of L-glutathione formulation, also known as the miracle enzyme, alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C for safe and effective whitening in as fast as six weeks.
For more information on Snowcaps Glutathione, go to www.vidanutriscience.com. Available in all major drugstores nationwide.

K-12 ROLLS SMOOTHLY. It is clear by now that the government’s K-12 program generally rolled smoothly like in Bitalag Integrated School (BIS) in Bocnotan, La Union. It inaugurated the Senior High School Building with BIS principal Marcial Nebres Gaona, Bacnotan Mayor Francis Fontanilla, Mam Divine F., La Union Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rowena Banzon, Jorge Llanes and Alma Joy Panit gracing the blessing. “Like a river moving from its source to water a parched and brittle land, we ask this of You, Source of All Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,” asks the inauguration Prayer.

ART APPRECIATION CONCERT. Kammerchor Manila with Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish presents a concert billed “Appreciating Arts: Music, Poetry, Visual Arts” on September 10 at 8 p.m. at the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Homes, West Avenue, Quezon City.  
Featuring special performances by Cignal Vocal Ensemble, the Pag-ibig Fund Chorale, the Minstrels of Hope Choir, they are under the guidance of Anthony Villanueva, Kammerchor Manila’s musical director.   
Repertoire for the concert includes songs inspired by poems, literature and musicals. An outstanding choral piece is “We Beheld Once Again the Stars” by Z. Randall Stroope, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy.
To highlight the event are “25 Paintings” on exhibit which will be raffled to 25 winners who bought the 25 raffle tickets. The paintings were solicited by Dr. Orestes Monzon and Jo Florendo.
Proceeds from this fundraising concert will support Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish activities and Kammerchor Manila’s reach out project to bring music to the youth, also called Kabataan at Musika workshops given by KM to church-based choral groups.
Interested parties may contact Sheryl Lagundino at 0942-3512583, or the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish office at 0917-8008556 for tickets.

It was a hot high noon two Fridays ago when well-known ladies men Robin and Rommel Padilla were launched as image models of Bravo Food Supplement for Men.
Hosted by Lourd De Veyra and Jun Sabayton, who were introduced as “Derek Ramsay” and “Paulo Avelino,” the launchpad took the ambiance of a girlie bar with lots of sexy dancing from beautiful girls dressed in bodyfit that later exposed their thong to sequined ‘kinis. Lap dances top-and-tailed the acts before Robin and Rommel entered the scene.
Men, as we know, encounter tons of stress — well, like women do. The physical stress that work, traffic, tight deadlines and immediate demands life gives them makes them feel drained every day. The tendency is, when they arrive home, they lose touch with their wives, which causes emotional stress for both parties. This puts a toll on their intimate connection.
Sometimes this physical and emotional stress
causes a decline in libido, Erectile Dysfunction and physical and psychological pressures, too. This affects their ability to “keep it up” and be able to satisfy their partner. Now, however, there is no need to worry for Bravo Food Supplement for Men is here to help.
The brand’s promised “bagsik” is embodied by the brothers. The Padilla brothers are known to be men that Pinay’s would swoon over. This is because of the utmost respect, love, happiness and understanding they project towards women.
Bravo Dietary Supplement for Men can give you an incredible lovemaking experience with your significant other. Each 500mg capsule of Bravo contains Maca Root Extract that helps increase fertility, Jathropha that improves sexual performance by helping sustain a powerful erection and Corynaea Crassa, a Peruvian aphrodisiac that increases libido and is commonly known as the “Peruvian Viagra.”
These all-natural ingredients can help men deliver an outstanding performance that can make every woman cry “Bravo!” with gusto. Be a certified Bravo Man like Robin and Rommel. Do not let stress get in between you and your wife. Bravo Food Supplement for Men is recommended for men, not just for those who experience Erectile Dysfunction.
Bravo is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide at an affordable SRP of P90 per capsule. Note: Bravo is not a medicinal drug and should not be used to treat symptoms of any disease.

BEAUTIFUL ACCENTS IN KUYA’S YELLOW HOUSE. In the newly launched Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7 Teen Edition, Kuya’s famous yellow house takes the tantalizing ambiance of a living space in the midst of lush cornfield and coconut plantation.
The kitchen island rests on a carabao painted with multi-colored geometric forms. The Confession Room has the rice terraces on the wall. You’d covet the throw pillows with luscious pineapple prints in the bamboo-lined living room.
Then you will hear the 12 hyperactive housemates unabashedly speaking in Pilipino, a sprinkling of English or a mix of both in slight or heavy regional or continental accents. They sure sound like the united accents of Filipino teens with the predominance of the Visayan drawl.
Zamboanga-born “Badjao Girl” Rita Gaviola, 14, she of the soulful eyes and fine facial features, was the cigarette vendor spotted by photographer Topher Quinto Burgos during this year’s Pahiyas festival in Lucena, Quezon. She speaks Filipino with a hint of her Sinama dialect.
The cooking cager Christian Morones, 15, and Yong Mijahil, 16, the surrogate father to his 17 siblings, are from exotic Zamboanga. Yong is a Muslim who leads the meal prayers, yes, in Arabic with the correct intonation.
The gangly Maymay Entrata, 19, is from Cagayan de Oro City. She has this infectious sense of humor, but cries easily upon hearing a sob story. Fenech Aimee Veloso, 13, while Vivoree Esclito, 16, is a hairy girl with a slight mustache, are from Bohol. And Kisses Devalin, 17, who identifies herself as a “beauty queen,” is from Masbate.
There is also the impeccable urban dweller pronunciation of Heaven Peralejo, 17, of Makati who studied in Saint Paul College Pasig and trained with Star Magic.
Tagged as “Yakult Girl,” the half-British, half-Filipina Kristine Hammond, 16, is from Binan, Laguna. She was discovered while selling the lactobacilli drink at the Talisay public market.
Lola’s Boy, the cute chinito Aizan Perez, 14, is from Padre Garcia, Batangas; he has a definite Batangueno twang.
And there are the mixed breeds Marco Gallo, 15, from Italy, who does not trill his R’s with its lack diphthongs, so his Italian accent is without character. Edward Barber, 16, from Germany, is the only non-Filipino speaker in the batch who talks in English more American than German.
PBB Lucky Season 7 Teen Edition is definitely a manifestation of the happy macrocosm of Filipino youth, showing at the same time that the reality show now on its 7th year aims to keep it forever fresh and involving.

Did you catch the awesome number on It’s Showtime last Saturday featuring a huge cast with the flamboyant masks of Bacolod’s Masskara Festival as motif? ABS-CBN launched the Choose Philippines Awards, featuring a huge cast including Hashtags, Girltrends and Junior Hashtags as endorsed by hosts Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Amy Perez and Jhong Hilario.
Choose Philippines has always been showcasing the beautiful things our majestic country has to offer — from its natural riches, its awe-inspiring people, to its many and diverse cultural traditions and, of course, its delicious dishes, almost as numerous as our very own 7,107 islands.
After five years of discovering, sharing and exploring the Philippines, ABS-CBN’s travel Web site Choose Philippines marks 2016 with a special celebration, aiming to honor the country that inspired people to eat, explore and share meaningful experiences, via the Choose Philippines Awards.
“I recently visited Sampaloc Lake,” narrated ABS-CBN digital officer Donald Lim during a post-launch huddle of Choose Philippines Awards, only one of the ways ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, is directly promoting and supporting Philippine tourism.
Forever, the romantic series that starred Liza Soberano and Matteo Guidicelli, proved ABS-CBN’s travel push power when it featured Benguet’s Sitio Pungayan, dubbed as La Presa. The series made it an instant tourist spot.
The Story of Us, headlined by Kim Chui and Xian Lim, partly shot in El Nido, Palawan, followed. We’ve always seen its gorgeous rock formations and bodies of water but not its inside sites. The phenomenal series did just that and made the world-class tourist destination grab more local tourists.
“Sampaloc Lake was so beautiful but the tourism facilities there are awful,” Donald continued when he joined Erol Choa and this writer. “It reminded me so much of Vietnam and Cambodia which have to make do of whatever tourism facilities they have or the lack of. That is pretty much how things are in many parts of the Philippines. Our airports are a unhappy lot.”
“I do not know,” Donald answered when I asked why hold the Choose Philippines Awards in the second half of the year and not on the first half, which is generally regarded as tourist season. I took the answer to mean “better now or never,” an initiative whose time had come regardless of timing.
With the advocacy of promoting all the amazing things in the Philippines, netizens have responded by submitting their own inspired travels around the country, and we are recognizing those unforgettable moments through the launch of Choose Philippines Awards.
Honoring the best of what the Philippines has to offer, Choose Philippines Awards will collect nominations for three major categories — Best Destination, Best Dish and Best Accommodation.
The network, now rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company, also regularly features the country’s must-see destinations on multiple media platforms — on its magazines, TV shows, films and other digital platforms and services. ABS-CBN, through its Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s Ecotourism Projects, also offers packages that support the livelihood of locals and protect and maintain the natural ecosystems of the tourist sites.
The most-loved tourist spots that leave a lasting impression on travelers are recognized in the Best Destination category, with sub-categories Heritage Sites, Water Forms, Islands and Beaches, Mountains and Volcanoes, and Recreational Spots.
Choose Philippines also acknowledges the local gastronomic treats that best represent the uniquely Filipino taste in Best Dish’s Poultry, Beef, Pork, Vegetable, Seafood, Fusion, Native Exotic Delicacy and Panghimagas sub-categories.
Accommodations that excel in service, hospitality, comfort, accessibility and aesthetics and double as a home away from home are also honored in the Best Accommodation’s Family, Solo Traveler, Couple, and Barkada sub-categories.
All the nominations that will be received by the site will then be shortlisted by the country’s top travel bloggers, lifestyle experts and industry leaders.
The final five nominees for each category will be announced on October 10, when the voting for the Choose Philippines Awards will also begin.
Finally, the winners will be decided based on votes cast by netizens on the Choose Philippines Awards Web site and will be honored in a ceremony in November.
Aside from the major categories, Choose Philippines will also present special awards. There is Best Pinoy Advocate, which will go to the country’s most admirable locals, individual or group, who brought honor to the country; Best Pinoy at Heart, which will go to an individual or group of foreigners who have shown remarkable affinity towards the Philippines, its people and all things Pinoy; and Best Festival, which will honor the most exciting, unforgettable and meaningful Filipino festival.
Not to be missed is the Best Photo Contest, which will honor netizens who will send their nominations for different categories. All they have to do is upload a beautiful photo of their nomination on ChoosePhilippinesAwards.com for a chance to win special prizes as well as the opportunity to accept the Best Photo award onstage.
Visit choosephilippinesawards.com and tell us how proud you are as a Filipino as you nominate your favorites for Best Destination, Best Dishes and Best Accommodation.
Netizens from all over the country and around the world can start submitting their nominations for different awards after its launch on It’s Showtime on August 27 through its Web site, ChoosePhilippinesAwards.com. Submission of nominations will end on September 24.
Celebrate the people, places and dishes that gave you memorable adventures and moments!
 

New chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines Liza Diño-Seguerra visited Iloilo City to conduct a film forum and talk to filmmakers from all over Western Visayas.

“For years, the Western Visayas Filmmakers Network (WVFN) has partnered with FDCP under different leaderships and has worked with the dynamic team led by Ms. Daniella Caro of Cinematheque Iloilo on so many programs to help filmmakers, artists and audiences in our region including screenings, events, forums, workshops and exhibitions (at the Iloilo Cinematheque Gallery),” stayed director Elvert Bañares, president of the Western Visayas Filmmakers Network and the Festival Director of CineKasimanwa, now the largest regional film festival in the country.
“We continue this partnership and cooperation under the leadership of chairman Liza Diño-Seguerra, who sincerely reaches out to filmmakers and film audiences outside NCR,” he added.
Short workshop films shot and edited by participants of director Tara Illenberger’s editing workshop were screened prior to the forum. The event was well-attended with representatives from filmmakers all over the region including its stakeholders led by Atty. Helen Catalbas, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism-Region VI, and Banares.
“We, from Western Visayas, have been throwing our support to film agencies, with or without financial help from them. So we truly appreciate chairman Diño-Seguerra’s enthusiasm to work hand-in-hand with the regions, and we warmly embrace this as we give our usual support to FDCP’s plans and visions for Filipino cinema.
“We value that our little voices are heard and we are grateful for the warmth extended by the chair to all our local filmmakers during the Film Forum. We are thankful for lending us an ear and for vowing to take actions on issues relevant to us all,” concluded Banares.
The attendees included old and new filmmakers from Iloilo, Guimaras, Aklan, Antique and Capiz. The following were representatives from different groups that had been invited by WVFN to be part of the forum: Filmmakers Illenberger, Joenar Pueblo and TM Malones, representing Rock Drilon, honorary adviser to WVFN and CineKasimanwa; Ruth Borja Pequiera, representing August Andong and Tanya Lopez of the Negros Museum; Skim Gueverra, president of Guimbal Film Society with former presidents Mesdames Malu Nalupano and Eden Gilpo; Irene Magallon, representing Sta. Barbara student filmmakers; Noel de Leon, representing Guimaras; Prof. Alfredo Diaz, representing UPV Cinematheque (and Prof. Martin Genodepa); Emmanuel Lerona of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas; Jo Andrew Torlao of Dakila;  Eric Divinagracia and Liby Limoso of USASC and USA Filmfest filmmakers, representing University of San Agustin; Dean Menchie Robles and the winners of the WVSU Short Film Festival, representing West Visayas State University; Allyn May Canja, representing Casa Real Gallery; and Momo Dalisay, this year’s selected artist to make CineKasimanwa’s collaterals.
A position paper was presented to the FDCP chair by WVFN Bañares, which contained a five-point agenda the Western Visayan filmmakers had agreed on even before the FDCP chairman called for a forum. Bañares’ style is consultative and he was able to get wide support from his kasimanwa.
After the issues were presented to the FDCP chairman, an open forum was also held, allowing all filmmakers to ask questions and make recommendations on issues related to Western Visayas and the country as a whole. (Photos by ATMOS.PH)     

JOHN LENNON’S LUCKY NUMBER STILL WORKS. John Lennon’s well-acknowledged lucky number — nine — maintains it mystical power.
For the ninth time, the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision denied pardon to John’s assassin, Mark David Chapman, ruling that his “personal efforts to study and educate” himself would be “incompatible with the welfare of society and would so deprecate that seriousness of the crime as to undermine respect for the law.”
Mark shot John four times in front of The Dakota apartment in New York City on December 8, 1980 where he lived with wife Yoko Ono and son Sean. He was returning from a recording session. He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital on 9th Avenue, Manhattan, but was proclaimed dead on arrival. After pleading guilty to second-degree murder, Chapman was sentenced to 20 years in the slammer in 1981.
Nine people prominently figured in John’s life from birth, October 9, 1940, to death, which is a 9 given the time difference of Liverpool and New York City.
Fact is, John even made a Beatles song, “Revolution No. 9,” that repeatedly recites the number. Paul McCartney and record producer George Martin rejected it for inclusion in the The Beatles album, the quartet’s ninth original UK album, but Lennon had his way and it stayed.
He lived at 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, Liverpool where he later wrote “One After 909.” Business manager Brian Epstein first saw the Beatles perform on November 9, 1961. Their first appearance at the Cavern Club was on February 9, 1961. The group’s contract with EMI was confirmed on May 9, 1962. John claimed he first met Yoko on Nov. 9, 1966. Sean was born on October 9, 1975. “#9 Dream” from Walls And Bridges album is his ninth non-Beatles album issued in September 1974 the ninth month.
And many other connections with the number nine. Will John’s lucky number still work when Chapman gets his 10th parole hearing in 2018?

A SOCIAL CAUSE FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION. The Escuela Taller is a global network of vocational schools-training centers that started in Spain and is all around Latin America, Morocco and since 2009, here in the Philippines. It started here through the efforts the Spanish Embassy, AECID, NCCA etc.
Mainly what it does is train members of the youth from poor communities as scholars and give them skills in conservation-restoration work, trade skills like carpentry, plumbing etc. that are necessary in conservation-restoration.
So after the training, they get employed in heritage-related projects rebuilding old churches and other old structures of cultural relevance. In a way the social cause is to provide skills among disadvantaged young people and at the same time actively addressing the conservation of important heritage sites.

Producing award-winning and auction-friendly artists such as Larry Carumba, Abe Orobia and Marlin Lopez with world-class members like Joyce Pilarsky, Joselito Altarejos and Elvert Bañares, ARTlead’s contribution to emergent and emerging Philippine visual art is immense and far-reaching
With only the trophy and certificate designed by Bañares and Lopez in that order with no cash prize incentives involved, the remarkable response from members is so overwhelming that it has inspired present artists to activate their art, new artists to pursue it, and child artist as young as one and a half years old to join up through their parents and/or guardians.
ARTlead pursued this without financial resources. It had also expanded coverage of membership to include other branches of art such as cinema, music, architecture, dance and literature. And it has also opened ARTlead Gallery, an online gallery.
ARTlead’s present thrust asks member artists of the Facebook art group to “levitate” their art, a return to the “elitist” character of visual art, by seeking originality as its highest expression. It subscribes to the principle that the artwork is the artist’s own from conception through an original idea to deft execution of fine elements, presenting a whole that is integrated and impactful.
The group has started to embark on the publication of a hard and soft magazine known as the Lead Magazine to give members publicity and to promote art in general. The online version is currently available on Facebook.
ARTlead hopes to reach 1,000,000 people through its various formats and projects in three years’ time. ARTlead levitates itself!
Rodgie Gapayao, Rex Beo, Michael Montanez, Norbing Villez, and RK Raposas lead the shortlist as Five Lead Artists for August 2016:

RODGIE GAPAYAO. Starting late as a landscape artist, Gapayao paints effortlessly, a source of pure joy and inspiration. When he closes his eyes, memories bring back vivid scenes of never-ending shorelines, beaches at low tide, waves crashing on the sands or undulating in the seas, clouds rolling in endless skies. And then he paints a new landscape using those elements. As a Christian, he believes in God’s perfect time and plan. From meeting  the right people, who guided him in pursuing and fulfilling his dreams, to those who gave him opportunities to exhibit. It is not late yet, he faithfully believes, to perfect his art.

REX BEO. An admirer of all arts, which may be the reason he is in this profession, Beo pursues it with unrelenting zeal. His dedication in preserving our country’s classic and contemporary paintings is his joy and life. But there is a difference between being an art conservator and a visual artist. While as a conservator he preserves and restores our country’s art works, as a visual artist he tries to promote art. Since his first solo exhibition 17 years ago, he tries to reinvent himself each time. After a seven-year hiatus from the public art scene, he is making a return exhibition because he misses the thrill of having a one-man show. It is also his own little way of conceiving his definition of national art.

MICHAEL MONTANEZ. Starting off as first-coater of the Master Artist of Philippine Heritage Dante Hipolito, as tutored by the latter at 17, Montanez worked after this stint as muralist in Bahrain from 2005 to 2008. Now a full-time visual artist featured in The Daily Tribune, he is active in joining group shows and art competitions. He won first prize in the PNB stamp design competition and juror’s prize in Kunts and Macuha Art Gallery national painting competition. As an artist, he wants to continue the discovery as art is a nonstop learning process to attain that elusive original style that all well-meaning artists seek.

NORBING VILLEZ. Villez’s decision to grab the opportunity of immigrating and try to work abroad put him through almost eight years of art inactivity. He now manages to find time to pursue his passion by accepting commissioned works as his stress reliever after a night shift at work. Then he joined Facebook art groups like ARTlead and got featured in The Daily Tribune. After contacting his old fellow artists back home, he started painting again. Sending artworks to the Philippines, he became visible in exhibits again. For him it’s like being reborn – with the happiness, the success, that feeling of pride to come alive anew in the art circles.

Elevated as ARTlead Hall Famers of August 2016 are Jaime Torres, Larry Carumba, Marlin Lopez, and Aljus Andres.

JAIME TORRES. Torres’ visions are born out of the unpredictability of imagination and wide-eyed dreams. Advocating inspiration and encouraging creativity in others, he finds beauty in everything. And to enjoy the process of discovering minute ideas around him, he accepts and respects images and visions of other artists. Self-schooled in multimedia, his limited digital knowledge works to his advantage as this new tool needs imagination and ideas. What he does not know widens his freedom to express himself as he sees it.

LARRY CARUMBA. Born to a less privileged life, Carumba is a self-taught artist of the new generation of Filipino artists outside the Philippines. The lack of education to pursue his passion for art did not hinder his mission to succeed. On what God has tasked him to do in life, his years of hard work as painter captured hearts, admiration and the respect of the art society in the Middle East and elsewhere including prestigious publications like The Daily Tribune. He successfully demonstrates the beauty and quality of Filipino arts as highly competitive in the international art standard.

MARLIN LOPEZ. A self-taught and full-time visual artist from Aggub, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, he is a degree holder of Electronics and Communications Engineering and studied two years in law school at St. Mary’s University. He is second placer in the 11th GSIS art competition in the non-representational category, Best Artist in the 2015 ARTlead competition and was featured in the Life section of The Daily Tribune. As art leads him to enlightenment, his senses are freely open for his eternal love to daughter Marie Louise Elisabeth.

ALJUS ANDRES. At first, people may think Andres as just tripping even though they would be shy to say it to his face. Still the voices of truth are screaming out. But they do not bother him at all and never will. He believes that if he lets it stay in his system, then they would say they are right and they will be always right. In their eyes and mind, he is just a fool who knows in his heart who is the foolish one.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS, JOYCE! Joyce Pilarsky, who is celebrating her birthday today, received the Golden Phoenix Award for Cultural Achievement last Saturday, September 3, at the J Marriott Hotel in Putrajaya, Malaysia. This is her second Golden Phoenix Award; the first was for Benevolence Achievement in 2014. Joyce will have a one-of-a-kind belated birthday celebration on September 18.

QUOTE, UNQUOTE. Pamilya Ordinaryo lead actor Ronwaldo Martin talks about the support he is getting from older brother Coco Martin: “Tuwang-tuwa po kasi first international film festival ko po itong napuntahan sa Venice pa. Malaking pasalamat ko po kay Kuya Coco kasi sinuportahan niya ang biyahe ko mula sa pag-apply ng visa hanggang sa pagpahatid sa akin sa airport. Lagi po niya akong pina-follow up sa pag-send ng message at pagtawag sa Viber. Masayang-masaya po siya sa mga nangyayari sa akin dahil naalala raw niya nung nagsimula pa siya sa indie kasi po ang unang festival niya ay sa Locarno naman.”

NICK JOAQUIN SMELLS ADOBO AND LECHON. In Two Navels, introducing the country’s very first “curated auction,” curator Ramon Villegas (with Liza Guerrero Nakpil) writes about National Artist Nick Joaquin’s classic novel, The Woman Who Had Two Navels, that inspired its concept in the Facebook page of Leon Gallery.
“In the 1930s, when (Nick Joaquin) started writing, he was already a writer apart. At a time when the United States was viewed as ‘the very measure of all goodness’ and ‘history’ and ‘civilization’ in the Philippines seemed to have begun with the advent of America, Joaquín invoked a deeper past. At a time when to be contemporary was to be ‘secular,’ Joaquín evoked the country’s Christian tradition. At a time when ‘proletarian literature’ was the ‘correct’ line for young writers to follow, Joaquín was the skeptic who felt it was one more instance of local literary hierarchs’ ‘parroting the Americans, among whom ‘proletarian’ was then the latest buzzword.’ He saw himself swimming against the current, going against the grain.
“When criticized for writing in English, his reply was trenchant: ‘Whether it is in Tagalog or English, because I am Filipino, every single line I write is in Filipino.’ The local milieu was irrevocably present in his works, he insisted: ‘They (can) smell adobo and lechón when they read me. I was smelling adobo and lechón when I wrote me.’
“In 1955, Joaquín left the country on a Rockefeller Foundation creative writing fellowship. He went to Spain, the United States, and Mexico. In this sojourn, which lasted more than two years, he worked on a short and early version of what was to be published as his first novel, The Woman Who Had Two Navels (1961).
“Philippine society was going through a period of deepening social crisis. The high hopes engendered during the popular rule of Ramón Magsaysay began to dissipate after Magsaysay’s death in 1957, as corruption, factional politics and economic crisis buffeted each administration. The Vietnam War politicized the Filipino intelligentsia, the economy floundered, a new Communist Party was soon to be established, and a new wave of militant nationalism swept the academe and the media.
“The novel is a many-layered work that seeks out truth from falsehood, illusion from reality, the past from present, in the context of the Filipino search for identity.
“To be a Filipino artist is to be, like the characters in Two Navels, afflicted with the problem of identity.”
While Leon Gallery is theoretically a gallery, it only does auction house business. This qualifies it as an auction house and not a gallery. A gallery had been opined as not qualified to do auction house business as it keeps an inventory of artworks susceptible to price manipulation.
With a one-of-a-kind exhibit preceding its quarterly live auctions, the addition of an online auction business and now a curated auction (The biz has not been so literary!), Leon Gallery has upped auction art to a new level.
The preview for Two Navels started on Sunday, September 4. The auction for the works will be today at the same time as the Magnificent September Auction on September 10.

9TH MAYOR ABALOS GOLF CUP TEES OFF. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Malacanang caretaker of President Duterte during Asean Summit; media man Arnold Clavio and actor Tonton Gutierrez were the top celebrities who participated in the 9th Mayor Abalos Golf Cup at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
The Mandaluyong Golf Club, Inc. and SM Malls in cooperation with Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, San Miguel Corporation and DDT Konstract held the 9th Mayor Abalos Golf Cup yesterday, September 9 (Friday), 6:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., a double shotgun tee off.
Celebrities at the golf tournament included Tonton Gutierrez, Arnold Clavio, Daisy Reyes and other surprise golf players.
This tournament was held to support the advocacies and programs of Ciara Marie Foundation Inc., a charitable institution that extends health care, educational provisions to the less fortunate members of the community and assistance to displaced families due to calamities like fire. The foundation is headed by its chairperson, Councilor Charisse Marie Abalos.
Main partners are Platinum sponsors Life Oil, AMA University, Smart Communications, Mizuno and Bingo Bonanza. Gold sponsors are 3D by Northern Islands Company, DMCI Homes, Family Inada, The Address@ Wack Wack, St. Francis Square Propeties Holdings, Expedition Construction Corp., Norkis Group, Unilab, Globe Telecom, Greenfield Development Corp., Alexa Trading & Construcion, Guevent Investment Development Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Monocrete Construction Philippines, Vista Residences, Mighty Corp., Philippine Airlines and Pagcor.
Silver sponsors are PCSO, Manuela Corp., EVWealth, Mr. HK Paik, Bingo Mania, Land Bank of the Philippines, Market Place Shopping Mall, Ayala Land, Tracsom Builders, Ferris Sobell, S&R Membership, Megawide Builders, Shang Properties, Atty. Gilberto Duavit, Hotel Sogo, Megafiber, Natures Earth, J & B Scotch Whisky and Cathay Land.
For more information, call CATANDEM Events Management at landline no. (02) 245-6592 and look for Carlito Cernal, event director.

“There is a dearth of songs about farmers and farming like in the old days,” the gentle-mannered and smart dresser Dr. Milagros How, TOFARM chief advocate and executive vice president of Universal Harvester Inc. (UHI), observed in her keynote talk at the launch of the First TOFARM Songwriting Competition.
“Music is a universal language and we Pinoys are a musical people. Our songs contain and express our ambitions, dreams, emotions, frustrations, struggles and successes. With the musical compositions that we will harvest in the First TOFARM Songwriting Competition, we hope to discover musical wonders that will highlight the diligence, hard work, perseverance, resilience, tenacity and optimism of our farmers,” Dr. How explained the cultural importance of the project.
“We want to discover new talents in songwriting and singers. This contest is for the ears as TOFARM Film Festival is for the eyes,” she added.
For this reason, Dr. How identified the need to have more songs about farmers and farming, conceptualizing culture as the answer to recognize farmers, entertain them and promote scientific agriculture or “agri-culture,” a word play by this column. It is an outstanding idea whose appropriate time has come with the government’s big thrust to achieve food sufficiency.
The simple but focused project director Rommel Cunanan recognized the media’s push for “agri-culture,” sharing the feedback of farmers from all-over the country in his welcome speech. “They appreciate the positive promotion of new ways of farming and the importance they are receiving in the process,” he stated with quiet pride.
In case it is passing your conscious attention, there is no hard sell of the UHI brand and product information in this public relations campaign. Mechanics do not require their direct use or mention. The name “TOFARM” stands for The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines.
Even the media releases do not contain hard information about UHI, perhaps in recognition that most television networks, broadsheets and tabloids will not use them. In fact, I had to google such information, thinking it is necessary for a better understanding of the topic.
Established in 2003, UHI uses state-of-the-art technology in indirect manufacturing, local distribution and exportation of quality fertilizers such as muriate of potash (MOP), sulphate of potash (SOP), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
UHI plants are situated in PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) Special Economic Zones, locations that are supported by the government by providing a conducive industrial site for companies that offer globally competitive products.
In its commitment to offer products of the highest quality, UHI’s Quality Management System has been established and certified on December 29, 2006 by SGS Philippines Inc. (ISO 9001:2000) with Certificate No. PH06/0098. In September 30, 2010, Universal Harvester, Inc. was certified by TUV/SUD Philippines Inc. (ISO 9001:2008) with Certificate No. TUV 100 05 1624.
UHI has proven its strength and continues to grow with a promising future.
TOFARM, on the other hand, is UHI’s incentive program to recognize top-performing farmers and actively promote “agri-culture.” It launched the TOFARM Film Festival, which features films about the lives of farmers, in 2015.
Zig Dulay’s entry Paglipay (Crossing) that tackles the main character’s (Atan as played by Garry Cabalic, a non-professional actor who is an Aeta from Zambales) fulfillment of his arranged marriage and his slash-and-burn livelihood, won Best Picture, Best Cinematography for Albert Banzon, Best Actor for Cabalic, Best Supporting Actress for Anna Luna and Best Director for Dulay.
The TOFARM Film Festival was so successful that all six finalists — Free Range by Dennis Marasigan, Kakampi by Victor Acedillo Jr., Paglipay by Dulay, Pauwi Na by Paolo Villaluna, Pilapil by Jose Johnny Nadela, and Pitong Kabang Palay by Maricel Cariaga — had extended runs “due to insistent public demand.”
So, for this year, TOFARM is promoting the culture of music for farmers and agriculture with a songwriting competition with the theme “Planting the Seeds of Change” that Roque described as wide enough to allow a wide exploration of theme. “It can even be slanted as a love song,” she added.
All interested amateur and professional writers, students, hobbyists, farmers and media practitioners are encouraged to join the song competition. Different song genres are suggested but not limited to folk/acoustic, rock, jazz, R&B, country, pop, inspirational and fusion.
The following requirements must be submitted: a duly accomplished Application Form; copy of a valid ID with specimen of the applicant (including co-applicants if collaboration); song entry id mp3 format labelled with the title and the contestant’s name or pseudonym directly on the CD; lyric sheet (in English or in any dialect from the Philippines in Pilipino line-by-line translation, if applicable) — two hard copies and one copy in PDF file in the Song Entry CD.
Entries may be submitted from September 10 to November 18, 2016. The nine finalists will be announced on December 5, with the nine interpreters selected from December 6 to 9. Finals night is set on February 6, 2017.
Winners will receive a trophy and a plaque plus a grand cash prize of P300,000, 1st runner-up of P200,000 and 2nd runner-up of P100,000. The People’s Choice winner will receive P75,000 and each finalist will receive P40,000 plus a plaque.
The TOFARM Secretariat Office is located at 10th floor of Harvester Corporate Center, 158 P. Tuazon corner 7th and 8th Avenue Cubao, Quezon City. The form is available at www.TOFARM.org. For details, call 709-5001 to 02 or 0915-2614372, e-mail at info.tofarm@gmail.com or log on to www.tofarm.org.
TOFARM’s innovative campaigns for farmers and farming deserve recognition!

Rhian has evolved into a fine actress giving justice to roles that would test the mettle of a true thespian by putting her heart in every character she portrays.
Since her first assignment on GMA Network as leading lady of Richard Gutierrez in Captain Barbell, Rhian has been cast in major/lead roles such as a vindicating sweet underdog, mythical goddess, playboy switched to a female, abused housewife, liberated lesbian to a psychotic killer and many more.

Currently, this multi-awarded actress is engaging audiences with her portrayal of Clara in GMA’s remake of the hit movie, Sinungaling Mong Puso. She has visibly grown in her craft as viewers are taken along her heart-rending journey as she masterfully moves from the nuances of one emotion to another, leading the cast of equally brilliant co-stars in the retelling of an award-winning story.
But acting is not all that defines this gorgeous stunner. Among the many talents and interests that add color to her world is the sport of car racing. When she started, she didn’t even know how to drive a car, much less operate a stick shift, but she pushed forward, trained and continues to train by joining competitions.
To her credit today are nine awards from the Philippines Motorsports Championship,  PhilMiniRacers Classic Mini Racing, which includes being First Runner-Up in the Classic Mini Expert B Class Category (leg 4) just last August. Rhian’s interest and love for the sport also paved the way for her Shell V Power and Shell Helix endorsements, as well as hosting a car show along with Sam YG called Full Throttle on Fox.
Her knack for fashion and helping the new breed of local designers is one reason for her new website SKILLETO where you will discover her new finds, as well as Rhian’s other interests. Her passion for food is also given a break through GMA’s Taste Buddies, which she co-hosts with Solenn Heussaff.
Gracing the anniversary cover of the newly formatted FHM, set Rhian’s British-Filipino features against European landscapes as a backdrop, creating picture perfect pages.  This was soon followed by Philippine Edition dubbing her as the Most Beautiful Filipina of 2016 after she garnered the most votes from followers, readers and fans of this entertainment Web site.
Juggling so many hats and achieving excellently in all... that’s high-achiever Rhian Ramos!

LEAD ARTWORKS FOR AUGUST 2016. Cited by ARTlead are Man Na Nom by Mang-osan Jordan, Calm Waters by Jun Velasco, Ang Pakitil by Julio Bandido, Sa Kusina by Glen Jaylo, Kamias by Leo Gali, The Black Series by Jojo Garcia, Nais Ko ay Maging Maligaya by Emerson Rabbon, Lola Dearest by Anna May Torres Lacson, Crycifixus by Kristian Karlo Gonzales, Colorful Imagination by Romano Roman, Come Upstairs by Joan Villa-Espina Soriano Honoridez, California Puppies in Grape Vine by Lalaine Watson, Mapalad By Juert Asejo, Flowers and Kois by Ernie Panganiban Mallorca, Byahe ng mga Pangarap by Dar Buan Encinas and Punyal ni Tata Jose by Tani Sioson.

MANG-OSAN JORDAN. An Igorot visual artist who draws inspiration from his rich cultural traditions, Mang-osan depicts Cordillera subjects using different media such as acrylic, graphite, mixed media, pyrography like electric and solar drawing and installation. Becoming a member of the Baguio Arts Guild, he helped build the Tam-Awan Village, an artist village in Baguio City, in 1996. He is president of the Chanum Foundation Inc. and heads the Tam-Awan Village Artists.

JUN VELASCO. A self-taught artist whose paintings now hang internationally, Velasco’s style of painting is a product of self-explorations of most types of media, which includes oils, acrylics, watercolor and large format pen and ink on canvas using acrylic instead of ink. In Sydney, Australia where he is based, he constantly joins group exhibitions/competitions where he has garnered awards. With the help of social media, his paintings are now being collected all over the world. His latest solo exhibition in the Philippines was with The Manor House and the Forest Lodge in Camp John Hay Baguio two years ago.

JULIO BANDIDO. Julius Anasca in real life, this 30-year-old artist from Bacolod City has loved to draw since childhood. Hearing the news and seeing the reality of cruelty and poverty have inspired him to draw. Meeting good friends from YAKAL (Yakapin Ating Kultura’t Kalikasan Alay sa Lipunan) and ANA (Association of Negros Artists) motivates him to create environment-friendly drawings that are unique in their clear perspective and fierce vision to protect the earth and its natural resources.

GLENN JAYLO. Starting as an editorial cartoonist in high school and college in Sorsogon City, Jaylo shifted to photography as an influence of his photojournalist friends. He decided to pursue it professionally with the encouragement of ARTlead and Aljus Andres. He took “Sa Kusina” in the kitchen of their house in Bicol. “Napili ko itong gawing subject upang ipakita ang payak pero masayang pamumuhay ng aming pamilya sa probinsya,” the budding photographer shared.

JOJO GARCIA. Garcia took up advertising arts at the University of the East then shifted to painting at the Philippine Women’s University. Working at some major animation studios until 2009, he became a full-time painter when çomputers took over traditional animation. Painting subjects such as the iconic jeepneys, soda cans, sneakers and other things related to the daily life cycle in the contemporary pop genre. He gets his bread and butter while enjoying his passion of visual arts.

LEO GALI. Going to Manila to look for a job, Gali met Jess Flores, who was his mentor when he worked as a watercolorist at his studio for a year. After learning skills from him, he went back to the province and continued his second course in BS Secondary Education and landed a permanent job as a teacher for nine years, teaching Social Studies. Busy as his schedule was, he pursued painting by accepting  commissions. He learned a lot upon joining ARTlead and sharing his watercolor works.

ROMANO ROMAN. An international culinary artist and founder/president of MAKULAY (Malikhaing Kulturang Layag), a Filipino artists’ guild in Kuwait, interior designer, painter, veggie and ice carver Roman is business partner/owner of Artservices in Kuwait. An award-winning artist, his praise-worthy advocacy is to educate and support abused and distressed OFWs. He engages in charity missions in the Philippines and abroad. He is widely known for his embossed artworks and sculptures made of egg shells.

DAR BUAN ENCINAS. Encinas began his art journey at a young age. This artist from Naga immersed himself in activities that honed his artistic skills and paved the way for his future art career. Though he might not have had any formal art education, it was his passion for the arts that gave him the drive to perfect his craft and express his creativity. He captures both the familiar and the extraordinary and turns them into timeless masterpieces. He has been chosen among hundreds of applicants to be part of the first IWS Canada 2016 Biennale Exhibition.

As classic art cannot be compared with contemporary art vis-à-vis auction prices, Lead decided to group them in these categories as they are usually grouped together at the Leon Gallery and Salcedo Auctions. Modern art as defined by Western auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s fall under contemporary art. Lead decided to separate them to recognize their inherent differences and who are the contemporary Filipino visual artists making the grade.
For the rarity of his magnificent paintings, Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Kalantiao at Lubluban topped the lots of Leon Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction 2016 on September 10 for P30.37 million. Hernando Ocampo’s Passage (Triptych) took the second rank at P23.36 million. Arturo Luz’s Musicians placed third at P21.02 million. Fourth was Bencab’s Twins at P21.02 million, and fifth was Ang Kuikok’s Man in Motion for P16.35 million. Vicente Manansala’s Mangangalakal is at sixth for P14.02 million. Tied at seventh place were Jose Joya’s Rain Cycle and Fernando Zobel’s Pancorbo con Reflejos at P12.85 million. And at eighth place was Ang Kiukok’s Crucifixion, which went for P7.59 million.
Elmer Borlongan’s rhapsody in yellow entitled Quiapo topped the contemporary art section of Leon Gallery’s  The Magnificent September Auction 2016 on September 10 for P9.93 million. Second rank went to Jose John Santos III’s Here and There for P9.34 million. Third went to Geraldine Javier’s What Remains (Triptych) at P2.57 million. Fourth was Buen Calubayan’s A Series Of Incomplete Landscape for P2.23 million. This was followed by Ronald Ventura’s Pattern for P1.99 million. Sixth was Joven Mansit’s Piring at P1.75 million. Seventh was Onib Olmedo’s La Demoiselle De Manille at P1.52 million; and eighth was Betsy Westendorp’s Painting #962-97 at P1.40 million.
The top artworks with record prices as of September 2016 now stand as follows: (1) Magsaysay-Ho’s Fish Harvest at Dawn (that sold for P52.6 million; (2) Cabrera’s Sabel for P46.7 million; (3) Magsaysay-Ho’s Lavanderas for P39.7 million; (4) Cabrera’s Isadora in Motion for P37.4 million; (5) Fernando Zobel’s Garden Window with a Trumpet for P32.7 million; (6) Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Kalantiao at Lubluban tied with his own Untitled (Pista sa Angono) and Fernando Zobel’s Seated Man (Nothing III) for P30.4 million.
 
SOUTHEAST ASIA TAKES OVER FROM CHINA. CNN Hong Kong reports Southeast Asia is rapidly growing its own art fair line-up not to be outdone by China, which hosts major events like Art Basel every year. It mentions that Guggenheim’s Hugo Boss Asia Art 2015 prize went to Maria Taniguchi from the Philippines. It states: “While Western institutions are actively exhibiting works from Southeast Asia, Asian institutions are not leaving it to the West to take the narrative on what defines Southeast Asia art.” It concludes that it will more likely be such exchanges across regions will shape what art can expect from the region.
 
A COPY OF A COPY OF A COPY. Kanye West lines up high-profile celebrities in various stages of nakedness — lifesize figures of George W. Bush, Anna Wintour, Donald Trump, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Taylor Swift, West, his wife Kim Kardashian West, Ray J (an ex-boyfriend of Kim), Amber Rose (an ex-girlfriend of Kanye), Caitlin Jenner and Bill Cosby — on a long bed covered haphazardly by disarranged but immaculate white sheets in a sculptural piece entitled Famous at Los Angeles gallery Blum & Poe. Named after the rapper’s late mother, they created “anatomically correct” representations of each figure down to the minutest detail.
Well, Kanye is known for stealing other artists’ moments of glory for his own. That’s notoriety, the exact opposite of being famous. In other words, infamous!
And in this sense, Kanye’s concept borrows its composition from artist Vincent Desiderio’s painting, Sleep, which similarly depicts a row of nude, but unknown, sleepers created by his team at DONDA, tagged as the “Content, Experience & Product Company.”
This is a shameless copy of another artist’s work. Desiderio, who himself based Sleep on the 1943 Jackson Pollock painting Mural, says “Kanye turned a mirror onto the wretchedness of self-obsession and solipsistic fame,” explaining that his own intention had been to critique an unconscious privileged class. He was apparently trying to work at the highest level artistically.
Read: That’s bringing plagiarism to a higher level of non-creativity.
 
A NOT-SO-INSTANT KARMA. What is the karmic implication of the collective suspensions of the comedic trio of Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros, collectively known as JoWaPao? The three were suspended for periods of time from the long-running noontime variety show Eat...Bulaga! one after another.
Jose was suspended in 2009 after his wife was tagged in a jewelry scam. Wally silently took a leave in 2013 due to a sex video scandal. Then Paolo’s six-month turn followed after a furious rant on Facebook about “non-assistance” of staff members during March’s Ad Summit in Subic, Zambales. Sponsored by TAPE Productions, he drank inside his hotel room and opted to snub the event.
Notice how these suspensions occurred in the uncanny sequence of their JoWaPao moniker? If bad karma reoccurs, is it going to happen in that order all over again? Karma, whether good or bad, is cyclical and mercilessly takes place unless its lessons are learned. And why to Eat...Bulaga’s “outsiders?”

(Note: Prepared with Hermigildo Pineda, a guest lecturer at Holy Angel University on the subject of Humanities, Art Appreciation and Arts and Culture studies, and Abe Orobia, a Fine Arts instructor at the College of Saint Benilde.)

Announced grand prize winner of this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) is The Promise by Alyssa Calderon, a Landscape student from Bulacan State University (BSU), who “voluntarily withdrew her entry,” according to an official statement.
In 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations revoked the first prize given to “Fast to the Future” by Christian Joy Trinidad including the cash prize of P50,000 and the Certificate of Excellence.
Plagiarized from the work of Spanish digital artist Nekro, the art work largely copied a woman wearing a helmet-like device and surrounded by balloons, planes, children and other visual elements.
DFA spokesperson Charles Jose also expected Trinidad to “issue an apology for submitting an entry copied from the work of another artist.”
Based on verified information from Jet Valencia, Calderon is not a Fine Arts student as reported by The Manila Bulletin, but a Landscape student at BSU.
Using coffee rendered over textured paper with burned edges in the water media on paper category, The Promise shows two lying skeleton figures with arms over each other, which suggests love is forever and crosses mortality.
Calderon’s painting has an obvious resemblance to the photo by Reuters that went viral of two skeletons of a male and a female who were buried holding hands in a cemetery in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, as unearthed by archaeologists. Estimated burial is somewhere between 1450 and 1550.
From 332 entries, 112 artworks in both painting and sculpture categories qualified for the final judging. Five artists including Calderon were to be recognized during the awarding ceremony and exhibit opening on Thursday, September 22, at Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park, Pasay City.
Grand awardees David Ryan Viray, Paolo Marin, Siefred Guilaran and Roberto Acosta received financial assistance worth P300,000 and a Mula glass trophy designed by Noel El Farol. They will also receive a special grant when their first solo exhibition is launched.
Nestor Vinluan chaired this year’s board of judges with members Prof. Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez, Peter de Guzman, Albert Avellana, Jonathan Olazo, Agnes Arellano and Andres Barrioquinto.
What remedy is available to MADE that threatens its own credibility as a prestigious art competition? As it is sufficiently covered by an originality statement, it can easily not give the award. Announcing the winners in advance was an effective deterrent.
It can also check what went wrong with its judging system causing the failure to detect the plagiarism. Since the board of jurors is composed of credible members of the art community, there is a collective responsibility to consider Calderon’s work as worthy of a grand prize.
More than juror error, this plagiarism is clearly an undesirable act of the artist to deceive. It is impossible to claim cluelessness as she signed an originality statement unless there is failure on the side of MADE to implement, which is not easy to assume.
More than anything, it is attributable to the prevalent tendency of visual artists to base artworks on images that are not original, mainly googled or culled from social media, doing so without the modicum of decency to attribute it to the owner. They have this mindset that displaying technical dexterity is original enough.
As expected, Calderon claimed ignorance that using a googled photo as reference for a painting is plagiarism. In a Facebook post, she says: “Good day! I just want to speak up for myself regarding the issue of plagiarism of my entry entitled “The Promise.” It is NOT really my intention to plagiarize. I didn’t know that it is not okay to copy from Photo References since I see some artists who uses photo from the net and not being accused of plagiarism. With this issue, I sincerely apologize especially to those who gave their reactions publicly. As I have said, it is NOT my intention to plagiarize and to put myself into shame. Whatever the results will be, I know God has a purpose why this has to happen.”
No doubt, they wrongly believe plagiarism is the new original!
That is why at ARTlead, we have a disclosure standard of revealing if the artwork is based on a reference that disqualifies it as an original work in such case. To qualify for daily and monthly citation, photos must be taken by the artist to qualify as original.
ARTlead’s thrust this year is for members to “levitate” — to bring to a higher level their art — with originality as the non-negotiable basis. It has been successful in delivering the desired results if members put their hand, mind and heart to the lofty objective.
This thrust has been effective in spreading the need for originality. And members have generally showed honesty in their disclosures although there is still a tendency to post non-original materials. For this reason, ARTlead is considering the posting of original artworks only.
If it has not done that, this is to allow an adjustment period and educate members of the importance of originality. The MADE issue will drive the point that plagiarism as wrongly promoted by various art groups in whatever degree is unacceptable and undesirable.
This report that had been posted in ARTlead went viral. As concrete actions of the part of contributors to this article, Orobia sent an e-mail to the MADE president, allegedly El Farol, stating that they will discuss the plagiarism report.
Art conservator/artist Rex Beo may have identified the cause of the main problem: “During our time kasi sobrang strict ng Metro Bank kahit picture they disqualify it so it made me think is MADE getting soft or talagang walang alam ang panel sa art. Kahit kamukha ng picture yung reference they disqualify it kasi they want original concepts.”

SIDE A AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Catch the country’s premier band Side A in a special performance at Hard Rock Café (HRC) on Sept. 24 (Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Fans and hard rockers can look forward to an evening of beautiful music as Side A is set to dish out live their greatest hits as culled from their impressive catalogue of multi-platinum full-length studio albums, such as “Until Then,” “Tell Me,” and “Forevermore,” as well as a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers, party anthems and homegrown favorites. Also performing back-to-back with Side A is Verse 2. Other featured artists at HRC this September are Part 3 (Sept. 25 and 30), All Access (Sept. 26), Silk (Sept. 27), and Arpie & The Multivitamins (Sept. 28).

(Photo of Alyssa Calderon courtesy of the Manila Bulletin and the skeletons from Google.)

The painting that visualizes this column is the 68 by 53 cm. (26 2/3 by 20 2/3 in.) oil with a dark turquoise background entitled Fillette au chapeau (Girl with Hat) by Belgian artist Leon Herbo (1850-1907), according to iamachild.wordpress.com/tag/leon-herbo/. It is estimated to have been created in 1880 with a price estimate of 1,500 to 2,000 euros by Artvalue.com.
An oil on canvas of the same size as Herbo’s painting, but with a flesh color background entitled Una Damita (Portrait of Ana Maria Gonzalvez) by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1853–1913) dated 1901 was put on the block in Salcedo Auctions’ Important Philippine Art as Lot 144 with the estimated price of P7 million to P9 million on September 17 at 2 p.m.
Salcedo Auction’s online catalog traces its provenance: “It is not difficult to imagine little Ana Maria Gonzalvez walking hand in hand with her father Antonio to Félix Resurrección Hidalgo’s Paris studio at 65 Boulevard Arago to sit for her portrait. The address would be familiar to Philippine art enthusiasts as it was also Juan Luna’s studio until 1898. Hidalgo took over the studio when Luna abandoned it.
“It is also easy to envision the little girl fidgeting and getting bored — note her folded hands and fiddling fingers — and the long hours she had to sit still for the portrait. The result, however, is nothing short of astonishing. Here, Hidalgo captures in full detail Ana Maria’s sweet innocence by masterfully depicting her cherubic face and penetrating eyes. The fashionable dress with its pansy flower detail and the chic chapeau of the ‘damita’ or ‘little princess’ complete what is arguably one of the most realistic portraits painted by Hidalgo.
“Together with La Inocencia, Girl in a Forest, La Puesta del Sol, Portrait of Teresa Tuason, and the artist’s self-portrait, Una Damita (Portrait of Ana Maria Gonzalvez) was painted in 1901.
“Extremaduran Antonio Gonzalvez was a Spanish emigré to Paris, and his family had interests in the hospitality industry. He was a good friend of Hidalgo (evidenced by the dedication inscribed on the painting) and a great admirer of his art. Being a successful businessman, and as was the fashion among the bourgeoisie at that time, Gonzalvez could afford to have his daughter’s portrait painted by one of the Paris Salon’s most important painters, whose works were entered hors concours in France’s most important art exhibitions.
“Ana Maria Gonzalvez died during the Second World War, and the painting was inherited by her daughter, and later passed on to a female grandchild. The painting was purchased directly by the present owner from its last Parisian owner Mme Gérome. While Ana Maria was not a member of glitzy Parisienne society, her young, innocent and beautiful visage lives on to be admired by art lovers for generations to come — a testament to Hidalgo’s sure hand, eye for detail, and supreme artistry.”
Lot 144 was unsold, but its site states it was sold in a “private treaty.”
Assuming that all information stated here are correct, how can a painting have a doppelganger? It cannot be claimed that Herbo plagiarized from Hidalgo. This issue has to be clarified as Salcedo Auctions is a prestigious auction company.

TEASER OF ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 2 SCREENS THIS SEPTEMBER 30. After a long absence in the big screen, Ms. Eugene Domingo returns! From Mila in “Walang Wala” of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Eugene takes the role of Romina in “The Itinerary” of its sequel, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2. Watch out for the film-within-a-film teaser trailer of this on September 30!
The gang is back in the most anticipated sequel to the award-winning and commercially acclaimed and Philippine foreign language film submission to the Oscars: Rainier, Jocelyn, Lennon and director Marlon Rivera with writer Chris Martinez.
So are Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Khalil Ramos with the special participation of very special guest artists: Joel Torre, Jericho Rosales and Isidro. What a beautiful cast, literally and figuratively. Hindi halatang may mabaho sa pelikula!
Who will win between the two Cesars in Romina’s life in “The Itinerary?” Or is there a third Cesar entering the picture? The only way to find out is to watch!
Laugh trip to the nth level!

ROLLING STONE MAG GOING RETAIL. Jann Wenner co-founded Rolling Stone magazine 50 years ago and his son, Gus Wenner, head of digital at Wenner Media, will sell a 49 percent stake in the publication to Singapore-based social music company BandLab Technologies.
Gus said the company sees “enormous opportunity” for Rolling Stone to enter “new areas of business.” The deal is positioned as a chance for Rolling Stone to move into digital and retail, and to expand its influence in Asia. An international subsidiary will be created and headquartered in Singapore.
BandLab was created by Meng Ru Kuok, the son of the billionaire founder of the world’s biggest palm oil company. BandLab’s signature product is its eponymous music making and sharing app, but the business also has ties to retail. It recently bought MONO, a music instrument accessories company.

GALLERIE CMG AT MANILART 2016. Participating at the ManilArt 2016, Gallerie CMG features the paintings of Tess Duldulao and Roger San Miguel and also introduces the sculptural works of John “Pope” Dalisay, grand prize winner in the 2016 GSIS and Art Association of the Philippines art competitions and landscape artist Adler Llagas.
Duldulao is a graduate of the UP School of Fine Arts where artistic luminaries as Jose Joya, Juvenal Sansó, Larry Alcala, Rodolfo Ragodon, Hugo Yonzon, Celia Diaz-Laurel and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno underwent the tutelage of Dean Fernando Amorsolo.
Known for hyper-realistic renditions of still life on a draped table with folds of meticulously detailed calado embroidery, they are surrounded by flowers from baby’s breath to roses that she accents with an Oriental plate or pottery.
Focusing on creating artworks for the global market, San Miguel was rectified by Gallerie CMG by adapting classic themes in Philippine arts such as Mother and Child and nature, and his works were snapped up by collectors.
Gallerie CMG is at Polylite House, Km 18 along Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon Dos, Las Piñas City; and Unit 3318 Festival Mall Expansion, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Call 0998-8719785, 0998-9617478.

As hosted by the Master of Gab Johnny Litton, Joyce Pilarsky had a double celebration on Sept. 18, 2016. Hollywood Weekly featured Joyce as cover story in a 16-page spread featuring her major accomplishments outside the Philippines: Grand Champion 2015 of the Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition, her formal wear worn in Hollywood red carpets including the 2016 Grammy Awards, Third Prize in Accessory competition at the International Design Awards in Los Angeles, and Golden Phoenix Awards — Cultural Achievement Awards.

Held on a three-deck boat cruising Manila Bay on Sunday night, Joyce also celebrated her September 10th birthday. She showcased her new collection made distinctive by the absence of colors. Using her clients and some pros as models, she maintained her silhouette in mainly white, black and cream shades as accentuated by body ornaments in the colors. This is definitely a shift from maximalism to minimalism, a major turnaround from her seven-year-old floral style.
Miss Global Philippines 2016 proclaimed Joyce as Best Designer during its Coronation Night held at the Philippine International Convention Centre on September 24. Besting 40 designers, she created a formal purple gown for Miss Namibia Ester “Key” Haikola at an overnight’s notice. “My difference with other designers is I can wear my creations,” she spelled her uniqueness as high-fashion designer. For sure, she has gone a long way from when she was rejected when just starting out in the business.
Before flying off to show her new collection at the New York Fashion Week, Joyce, Justin John and I had a late merienda at Via Mare Greenbelt on Monday. Taking time off from her busy schedule, Joyce looked smashing in her green dress with flower cutouts even without makeup.

GOING GREEN GRASS ENERGY. “Dedicated biomass green organic through Bana Grass technology doesn’t affect the food chain. So it’s a win-win for the Filipinos and the Philippines,” explained James Mackay, chairman and CEO of the renewable firm Mackay Green Energy (MGE) Inc. “Bana Grass is a key factor for power plants since the Greenhouse Gas Emissions can be directly reduced.”
Mackay variety Bana Grass, which grows as tall as sugarcane, is a crop imported by MGE that can be turned into fuel to produce energy. The Bana Grass is a perennial hybrid variety (pennisetum purpureum X pennisetum americanum) that is highly tolerant to drought and typhoons, pest-resistant and is also non-allergenic, perennial major problems faced by crops grown in the Philippines.
The country’s climate and rainfall is ideal for Bana Grass with growth rates exceeding all expectations. This is a dedicated biomass feedstock that does not compete with any food staples. An organic fertilizer and plant husbandry regime has been developed by MGE in consultation with many Filipino experts in an effort to ensure the sustainability of the projects.
MGE has secured the world’s best technologies to enable the conversion of the Bana Grass to Green Coal. It has superior qualities to fossil based coal and can be co-fired in existing coal power plants without the need to make drastic changes.
MGE not only complies with the standards, but also opts to utilize green technologies in its mission to bring renewable and sustainable energy to the Philippines.
Launched in 2010, MGE has since created regular jobs for Filipinos and is getting closer to its goal on helping the country to become more environment-friendly. The company focuses on the development of various renewable energy systems designed to efficiently convert Biomass to energy and fuels.
“We are now exporting the Bana Grass to Japan and Korea from Zamboanga where an initial 200 hectares has been planted on idle lands. During this year, this will be expanded to 2,000 hectares. This will create 600 permanent and 3000 indirect jobs,” shared Mackay.
Bana Grass and coal matches in pricing. Unlimited huge demand from Japan and Korea, they support the project of planting in the Philippines because of our perfect climate for Bana Grass. Different power plant in the US, we can definitely ship Bana Grass there but costs are high so much easier in Asia for now.
Plans are being finalized for the installation of two 3 MW Green Coal power plants, where the gas from the torrefied Bana will provide fuel to run the power plant and at the same time produce 100 Tons per day Green Coal. Biomass or Green Coal production will be increased to supply both the local market and international market.
The first Green Coal production will happen in the last quarter of 2016. There are plans to construct an integrated production facility that will encompass Green Coal, Power, Green Gas, Fuels and Chemical, all derived from the Mackay variety Bana Grass.
MGE, through its agricultural based enterprises, will create sustainable and affordable jobs in rural communities where they are most needed. Empowering the Filipino through agriculture remains our core focus.
At the recent SONA of President Rodrigo Duterte, it was stated, “The government will continue to evaluate industries that negatively affect the environment, and will force them to conform to relevant government standards.”
MGE expresses its all-out support for the new administration for putting the environment at the forefront of its governance.

P4 MILLION TURNED OVER TO CIARA MARIE ABALOS FOUNDATION. Four million pesos was turned over to the Ciara Marie Foundation by the Mandaluyong Golf Club on Sept. 9, 2016. The funds were raised through the 9th Mayor Abalos Golf Cup that was concluded on the same day at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club.
The occasion was honored by 250 participants including celebrites from showbiz and broadcasting headed by GMA 7 Arnold Clavio, music composer Lito Camo and actress Daisy Reyes. Image shows the participants of ceremonial tee-off  (from left): Dr. Arnold Abalos, Girlie Abalos, former Mandaluyong Mayor Behhur Abalos, Executive Secretary Atty. Salvador Meldialdea, Coun. Charisse Abalos-Vargas, former COMELEC Chairman Ben Abalos, Cora Abalos, Celine Abalos and Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos.
This success was achieved through the joint efforts of the Mandaluyong Golf Club and its sponsors: SM Supermalls, San Miguel Corporation and DDT Konstract, Life Oil, AMA University, Smart Communications, Mizuno and Bingo Bonanza, DMCI Homes, 3D, The Address @ Wack Wack, St. Francis Square Properties, Expedition Construction Corp., Norkis Group, Unilab, Globe Telecom, Greenfield Development Corp., Alexa Trading & Construction, Guevent Investment Development Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Unilever Phils., Monocrete Construction Philippines, Mighty Corporation, Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR and Champion by Pepmaco.