Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

With its effervescent disco sheen, attention-grabbing chorus, and inescapable vibe, Doja Cat’s “Say So” is shaping up to be a global smash. The song currently sits at number 32 on Spotify Philippines Viral 50 and has climbed steadily on the Billboard Hot 100 for more than a month since its debut. In a short period of time, it has reached more than a hundred million streams worldwide, becoming Doja Cat’s biggest hit on Spotify. The song’s breakthrough could be attributed in part to its success on video-sharing social networking platform, TikTok, where it inspired various dance challenges from top Hollywood celebrities and social media influencers. Fashion and entertainment magazine Nylon explains how the hip-hop/R&B star’s viral breakout made its way into the consciousness of the short-form video app: “In retrospect, Say So was destined to be a great TikTok fodder: the irresistible disco beat plus sassy lyrics which translate well into easy-to-learn dance moves,” ...

Genuine, memorable, and special – this is what Macao Imperial Tea brings in Palawan as it opens its first branch in Palawan at SM City Puerto Princesa on February 24, 2020. As one of the fastest-growing cafe chains that's proudly born in Macau, Macao Imperial Tea takes a deeply-rooted approach that highlights a mix of the rich Macanese culture and a personalized experience. With their sweet opening day promos, mallgoers went dashing to their newly opened store to get the first taste of the most tweeted milk tea brand in the Philippines and of course get the free Happy Bear Tumbler available for the first 100 customers. Of course, everyone enjoyed a treat in Macao Imperial Tea’s buy 1, take 1 promo for cheese cake and chestnut cream series, their best sellers. Macao Imperial Tea has a good selection of drinks – you have iced tea, chestnut cream drinks, cream cheese topped drinks, milk teas, Yakult drinks, soda drinks, special drinks, and coffee. Their Cheesecake a...

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in partnership with Women Playwrights International-Philippines (WPIP) will hold a three-day event entitled Festival of Plays by Women on March 6 to 8, 2020.   This event will have three components: the Forum in the morning, Reading of Women’s Plays in the afternoon, and featured performances in the evening. There are also a creators’ market and interviews with renowned playwrights at various venues in CCP with the theme Empowerment, Diversity and Equality. Join us as we celebrate women’s month with inspiring women playwrights and theater practitioners. Over 20 speakers are expected to share their stories of empowerment through theater, dramatic readings and talks.   Among these speakers are Leticia Arbelo, an International Theatre Arts Educator from Argentina; Dr. Elena Pernia, Vice President for Public Affairs of University of the Philippines and a member of Philippine National Commission for UNESCO; Dr. Jazmin B. Lla...

Coming from different private and public high schools in Palawan, Palaweño students took the SM College Scholarship qualifying examination at SM City Puerto Princesa, Feb. 17. Twenty-two scholarship applicants from Quezon, Sofronio Española, Aborlan, and Puerto Princesa City successfully passed the preliminary evaluation through the online application required by SM Foundation and proceeded to take the written examination and further screening. “The college scholarship program aims to uplift lives of less-privileged but deserving student applicants,” said Eleanor Lansang, SM Foundation Scholarship Programs assistant vice president. Applicants who passed the paper and pencil test composed of English Proficiency, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning were further screened through an interview. “We do these screening process to make sure the right and more deserving students get the chance to pursue their dreams and excel academically with h...

DUE to insistent public demand, the Cultural Center of the Philippines re-screens the documentary “The Kingmaker” by award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield on February 19, 2020. In commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Uprising this February, The Kingmaker will have simultaneous screenings at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Screening will be at 1:30pm, 4pm, 6pm and 9pm.   There will be a panel discussion at 4pm.   The CCP offers block screening at 10am, just contact the Sales and Promotions Division at 8832-3706 or email ccpsalesandpromo@gmail.com. The 100-minute documentary explores the disturbing legacy of the Marcos regime and examines the Marcos family's improbable return to power in the Philippines. The film chronicles Imelda’s present-day push to help her son, Bongbong, win the vice-presidency.   To this end, Imelda confidently rewrites her family’s history of corruption, replacing it wit...

Sweets for your sweet! Treat your sweetheart to a Valentine’s getaway in Resorts World Manila with SaVoy Hotel’s special room stay and buffet Valentine’s day packages. A romantic hotel staycation in the love month doesn’t have to break the bank. SaVoy Hotel’s essential rooms 1 and 2 are up for grabs for Php5,845 and Php7,013 respectively. Hop out of the plane and into Savoy Hotel amenities that are centered on convenience. Get a quick breather, catch up, and be playful over Jenga at the Squares; SaVoy Hotel’s very own creative and coworking space located at the 2nd floor. On a special occasion such as Valentine’s Day, stop by SaVoy Café for a quick lunch or a romantic dinner buffet. For Php1,400 per person, enjoy premium epicurean dishes of various origins to your heart’s content. The café boasts a spectacle of intercontinental selections that look as good as they taste. For a truly memorable Valentine’s staycation, the SaVoy Suite Surprise deal will take you to the Runway suite or ...

KOMEDYA ng Don Galo presents a new moro moro play, titled “Senadala at Persyanus,” on February 21, 2020, at 3pm, at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater). Written and directed by Jess Nazarene Macatuggal, the traditional Philippine theater production portrays the clash of religion, leadership and power between two mythical kingdoms of Senadala and Persyanus and how it is healed by love and peace. Ruled by Haring Rivero and Reyna Elena, Senadala is a peaceful kingdom caught in the political conflict among neighboring kingdoms.  Meanwhile, Sultan Eleazar, the aggressive leader of Persyanus, has a strong desire to defeat the kingdom of Senadala. Actors Czarina Mendiola and Shaira Ortiz alternate as Reyna Elena, while actor Klyne Yaba plays Haring Rivero.  Paul Alfonso and Loi Macatuggal portray the Muslim leaders Sultan Eleazar and Sultana Saludinah. Choreography is by Charles Ortiz and Emmanuel Bartolome. True-blooded komedyantes MJ Calderon, Quee...

THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performs under the baton of guest conductor Gerard Salonga in the PPO’s 6th season concert on February 14, 2020 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).  Soprano Andion Fernandez-Ching is the guest soloist. Slated on Valentine’s Day, the program for the concert includes Lucio San Pedro’s Ang Buwan sa Kabundukan , Franz Schubert’s Erlkőnig , Manuel De Falla‘s Siete Canciones Populares Españolas , Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Tatiana’s Letter Scene (Eugene Onegin) , Jeffrey Ching’s My Heart Stayed Numb (The True Story of King Kong) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.6, op. 74, B minor “Pathetique” .  Gerard Salonga is currently the music director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in Manila, and is in his second season as assistant conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has guest-conducted the HK Philharmonic, Philippine Philharmonic, Shanghai Opera House Orche...

Roselyn Perez returns to the PETA stage with Rody Vera’s Under My Skin , a provocative, relevant, and heart-wrenching drama top-billed by esteemed TV, film, and theater actors Cherry Pie Picache and Roselyn Perez. Inspired by real people and events, the play accurately depicts the realities, triumphs, and struggles of people living with HIV, while  navigating an important conversation about  acceptance and tolerance. Cherry Pie and Roselyn share the role of Dr. Gemma Almonte, an epidemiologist studying the spread of the virus in the Philippines. Through her, we discover different stories of love, pain, and acceptance with a number of characters, who are inspired from real people and events . In 2015, Roselyn took on a similar role of a doctor in yet another HIV-advocacy play, The Normal Heart by Actor’s Actors, Inc. and The Necessary Theatre. Her highly praised performance garnered her a nomination for Best Female Featured Performance in a Play in the PHILSTAG...

Are you self-employed and wish to apply for an equity loan? Then you'll go through a process that's a little different to what most borrowers go through. Lending institutions usually require that the you provide at least three "proof-of-income" receipts. Hence, self-employed individuals seeking would be pleased to know that there are many online brokers who offer many different types of loans including self-employed loans that don't require you to provide proof of income. Most of the lenders require those who are employed to provide written proof of employment, which includes tax returns as well as check stubs. The general rule is that self-employed borrowers must have worked for two or more years to qualify for a loan. Some home equity lenders contact the employer to confirm if you're working, but this is not possible if you're self-employed. Instead you may be asked to provide audited accounts or a letter form your accountant as proof ...

Choreographer, contemporary performer, movement facilitator, Ea Torrado will offer a 3-hour interactive performance called Transcendance - A Daloy Movement on February 14 at Kondwi in Makati, as part of the 2020 Fringe Manila Art Festival, with live music by DJ Ed Croix. The performance will include an opening performance by K.Go, a Brooklyn-based artist, called “Hungry Ground”. Originally trained in Ballet, Ea started Daloy Movement in 2014 as an embodied research on dance as a healing practice. She arrived at a place of fulfilment after many years as a company dancer first with Ballet Manila then Ballet Philippines and wanted to break free and shift her footing to a new flavour of expression. Coming from the highly technical, precise, and formalized movement world of Ballet, her exploration and exposure to Physical Theatre, Yoga, somatic practices, and community work, introduced Ea to a language of dance that is both rawfully beautiful and inclusive. In a Daloy Movement Jam...

There is simply no shortage of plastic surgeons, but choosing the best for oneself can be overwhelming at times. The large metropolises are overflowing with competent plastic surgeons. Some devote themselves towards reconstructive surgery, in order to rectify defects that have arisen from trauma, disease, accident, or congenital anomalies. Others wield their expertise in cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery to enhance the alluring portions of their patients’ body. Whatever be your choice of surgery, you must select a surgeon that has loads of experience and expertise in the concerned field. Having narrowed down on a couple of plastic surgeons , you must arrange an appointment with the surgeon. The agenda of the meeting should involve an elaborate discussion between you and the surgeon. You must have a rough idea of the procedure that the surgeon would perform. The surgeon must clearly explain the possible risks and complications, and their likelihood. The overall cost of the procedur...

Ben&Ben is showing no signs of slowing down. In terms of consistency, the nine-piece outfit continues to break streaming records and dominate cultural conversation with releases that resonate with people from various walks of life. Last January 2020 alone, the acclaimed folk-pop band won Wish FM’s Group of the Year and Urban Performance of the Year for their chart-topper “Pagtingin.” On top of this milestone, the band is currently at number one on Spotify Philippines Top 50, with their cover of “Make It With You.” With overwhelming support from music fans and industry peers, there is no doubt that Ben&Ben is simply defining the times that we live in: the band pours their energy in uplifting our fellow countrymen with their brand of accessible but well-crafted music.  “It really boils down to the heart behind the song,” Miguel Benjamin, vocalist and guitarist points out. “When a song is written as a vessel to carry a message that is beyond ego or prideful intent, and s...

MINDFUL of public health and safety, the Cultural Center of the Philippines regretfully cancels the Pasinaya 2020, which was initially slated on February 7 to 9, 2020. The cancellation of this year's Pasinaya is in response to the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The health officials have advised people to avoid crowds. For the past 15 years, the CCP Open House Festival has been drawing thousands of spectators who can see-all-they-want for a suggested minimum donation of P50. Last year, more than 16,000 people participated in the country's biggest multi-arts festival. “As the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern, we urge the Filipino people not to panic and remain calm. Let us work together to prevent the virus from spreading. Let us remain vigilant and keep safe,” said CCP artistic director Chris Millado. (PR)