by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 29, 2020 | Events
The Philippine art scene has just elevated itself a notch with the third run of the award-winning Ortigas Art Festival, which has expanded Filipinos’ art consciousness and masterfully brought art within the grasp of more people.
Recognized and awarded in the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards and International Business Awards 2019 for their continuous and innovative effort in making art more accessible to ordinary people, this year’s art festival, which is again held at Estancia at the Commons, promises guests even more to enjoy this year.
For one, international artists have joined the exhibit, which was specially curated by the highly talented and multi-awarded Renato Habulan, resident curator of Eskinita Gallery.
As an added plus, the festival is featuring bocetos through Papelismo Boceto for the first time, not only to highlight the artists’ creative process but also to allow more art enthusiasts the opportunity to own the works of renowned artists at more affordable rates. Over 300 bocetos from over 100 artists will be showcased at the exhibit.
Among the artists whose works are on exhibit are independent artists:
- Amel Borja
- Richard Buxani
- Allison David
- Sam Penaso
Joining them are:
- Amel Agawin
- Julio Austria
- Jeho Bitancor
- Gala Caki
- Justo Cascante III
- Michelle Dawson
- Reynold de la Cruz
- Feliciano Gallardo
- Processo Gelladuga II
- Katrinn Hamann
- Sahid Kazi
- Leonor RS Lim
- Alfonso Medilfo
- Dengcoy Miel
- Rey Padernilla
- Made Palguna
- Manuel Rubio
- Joel Soliven
- Art Zamora
- Jose Zulueta
Also on exhibit are works from three galleries, among them, Eskinita Art Gallery, Kaida Contemporary Gallery, and vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery.
“We have always believed that art should be enjoyed by people from all walks of life, and the best way to promote art appreciation is by bringing art exhibits right where people converge, which are malls. Over the past three years that we’ve had the art festival at Estancia, we were -surprised to see the great and growing interest in art among Filipinos, both young and old. This is why we have continued with the art festival and added features which we think will be of added interest to more people,” said Arch. Renee Bacani, VP of Ortigas Malts.
Complementing the exhibit are workshops by local and international artists for those who are eager to develop their skills. Seven workshops have been lined up for learners of all skill levels.
- On Feb 29, there will be a Mixed Media demonstration by international artists Gala Caki, Sahid Kazi, and Katrinn Haman.
- On March 1, learn Multimedia from Michelle Dawson, Made Palguna, and Rey de la Cruz.
Get inspired by the sheer artistry and talent on show at the exhibit, which runs until March 8. ADMISSION IS FREE! And don’t forget to participate in the comment board by the entrance of the exhibit!
For more information on Estancia’s Ortigas Art Festival, visit their social media pages at https://www.facebook.com/EstanciaPH/ and www.instagram.com/estanciaph, and subscribe to their newsletter at www.ortigasmalls.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 26, 2018 | Business
Discovery Suites recognized recently loyal employees from different departments as it marked its 18th anniversary. The employees have worked at Discovery for many years, upholding the gracious brand of service the company is known for.

L-R: Melvin Lipangco, Kris Arciaga, Milette Vizcarra, Laureen Udtuhan, Bernard Tamargo, Marlon Mendoza, General Manager Leeds Trompeta, El Perez, Rowena Gulle, and Alex Infante-Puen.
Among those who received their loyalty awards for 10 years of service were:
- Guest Services Associate Melvin Lipangco,
- Engineering Assistant Manager El Perez,
- Banquet Sales Manager Kris Arciaga,
- Reservations Manager Alexandra Noelle Puen, and
- Executive Assistant to the General Manager Rowena Gulle.
Celebrating their 18th year with Discovery Suites, meanwhile, are:
- Engineering Associate Bernard Tamargo,
- Financial Controller Laureen Udtuhan,
- Purchasing Manager and Property Custodian Milette Vizcarra, and
- Housekeeping Associate Marlon Mendoza.
At Discovery Suites, the company embraces their employees as members of a growing family, where dedication to their work, going beyond the call of duty, and rendering service that’s straight from the heart is duly recognized. For without them, Discovery Suites would not be where it is today: the premier all-suite hotel at the heart of the bustling Ortigas Center.
About Discovery Suites
Located in the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District, Discovery Suites is the choice address of business and leisure travelers, as it balances the convenience of a spacious residence with the personal touches of a hotel.
Discovery Suites is a proud member of the Preferred Hotels and resorts Connect Collection, a portfolio of some of the world’s smartest, welcoming hotels designed to connect guests to family and friends, business associates and interesting neighborhoods.
Stay up to date & follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more information contact Angela Padilla, Discovery Suites Marketing Communications Director at ap******@***********om.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 9, 2017 | Business
Towering 32-storey tall over the Ortigas Center cityscape, Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila held a grand opening celebration attended by distinguished customers, partners and select members of the media. Featuring a vibrant, innovative and sustainable city living, Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila is managed by the renowned international serviced residence owner-operator, The Ascott Limited.
The new property promotes balanced lifestyle between work and play to its guests and residents. It houses 293 spacious apartments, a garden deck, and luxurious amenities, all of which are designed vibrantly to reflect the beauty of nature.
Citadines Millennium Ortigas is also the 7th property in the fastest growing Ascott Philippine cluster.
Photo shows (L-R) Arthur Gindap, regional general manager for The Ascott Limited in the Philippines and Thailand; Melesa Chua, president and chief executive officer of CDC Holdings, Inc.; Maribel Eusebio; and Pasig City mayor Robert Eusebio.
For more information, visit www.citadines.com. For inquiries and bookings, send an email to en************@********tt.com or contact (632) 550 3200.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 12, 2017 | Lifestyle
Towering in the Ortigas Center, Pasig cityscape is a new international serviced residence, Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila.
Managed by the world-renowned international serviced residence owner-operator, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), this milestone property marks Ascott’s entry into the Northern part of Manila located right in the heart of the bustling business and commercial district of Ortigas Center. The serviced residence is the 7th property in the fast-growing Ascott Philippine cluster.
Vibrant Living at the Center of it All
Offering vibrant living, the new serviced residence is an ideal home for business and leisure travellers who want to be at the center of it all.
It is just a few steps away from Ortigas’ corporate row, which includes the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Philippine Stock Exchange; and lifestyle options such as malls, dining & entertainment enclaves, golf courses and fitness & wellness establishments.
The location also allows easy access to key areas like Makati City, Wack Wack in Greenhills, San Juan and Quezon City.
Artsy Vibe with Nature-inspired Elements

photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News
Residents and guests will truly feel at home at Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila with its well-thought-of interiors and tasteful & vibrant design that magnify the property’s distinctive artsy vibe where you’d see splashes of lively colors, unique paintings, themed pictures, geometric accents and other works of art. The artsy vibe is uniquely mixed with bio mimicry that showcases designs bearing elements of nature such as stones, grass, leaves and chartreuse colors. For a cohesive look, design pieces, including the hallway carpets and other accents are nature-inspired.
All throughout the building, greenery is incorporated as part of the building features. Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila has incorporated energy-and water-saving features throughout the property to help reduce carbon footprint. The building was built to conform to global environmental specifications by using energy-efficient lighting, which makes use of LED lights that burn less energy.
Apartment toilets feature water-saving fittings like the dual flush toilet cisterns to cut down on water consumption. Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila make good use of natural lighting and ventilation to minimize environmental impact. More importantly, the apartments have double-glazed windows that prevent unwanted heat from coming in and help reduce medium to high frequency noise from outside.
The property also features pockets of green with its garden deck found at the building’s 4th floor, providing the serenity and beauty of nature amidst the bustling city.
Vibrant Living in Spacious Serviced Residences

photo credit to https://www.hospitalitynet.org
The 293 contemporary apartments cater to young business executives and couples on holiday exploring the city, offering various choices of spacious units ranging from studio to one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced units. Each apartment has touches of art and reminiscent of home with separate living and dining areas, a fully-equipped kitchen, and wireless internet.
For work-life balance, the service residence has a Residents’ Lounge overlooking the expanse of nearby cities, swimming pool and a fitness centre, ensuring an enjoyable stay.
Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila also has function rooms, which could accommodate up to 250pax. It could also be divided into four conference rooms to cater to smaller functions. The ground floor will house two celebrated restaurants, Relish Luxe Café and Aburi Japanese restaurant.
The Ascott Limited
Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila is managed by The Ascott Limited, a member of CapitaLand. The Ascott Limited has grown to be one of the leading international serviced residence owner-operators.
It has over 30,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, as well as over 22,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 52,000 units in over 300 properties.
The company operates three award-winning brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset, along with The Crest Collection and lyf. Ascott’s portfolio spans more than 100 cities across 29 countries.
In the Philippines, Ascott is the largest international serviced residence owner-operator with 14 properties (7 are under development) with over 2,900 units in Metro Manila and Cebu.
For inquiries and bookings, send an email to en************@********tt.com or contact (632) 550 3200.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 28, 2017 | Lifestyle
The Ascott Limited, world-renowned international serviced residence owner-operator, recently announced it will be opening its first property in the northern part of Manila, Citadines Milennium Ortigas Manila.
Developed by property developer, CDC Holdings, the milestone property is strategically located in the central business and commercial district of Ortigas. The serviced residence is also the 7th property in the fast-growing Ascott Philippine cluster, set to open in the second quarter of this year.
Ascott introduces the Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila
Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila is just a stone’s throw away from Ortigas’ row of corporate establishments including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Philippine Stock Exchange as well as health and lifestyle hubs such as malls, restaurants, and fitness centers. The new property is also easily accessible to other key areas in the metro like Makati City, San Juan, Taguig, and Quezon City.

Arthur Gindap, Regional General Manager, The Ascott Limited, Philippines and Thailand
“By building Citadines Millenium Ortigas Manila in the central business and commercial district of Ortigas, we are providing young business executives and couples, a space where they can both work and enjoy a dynamic city lifestyle,” said Arthur Gindap, Regional General Manager, The Ascott Limited, Philippines and Thailand.
The 32-storey, 293 contemporary apartments also offers spacious units to its residents. Each unit is fully equipped with necessary home amenities such as a fully functioning kitchen and wireless internet.

Elsie Chua, President and CEO of CDC Holdings
Elsie Chua, President & Chief Executive Officer of CDC Holdings, shared, “All throughout the building, from the lobby to the amenities to the serviced residence floor, we have applied greenery and green features so residents may find serenity and beauty of nature amidst the bustling city.”
Citadines Millenium Ortigas Manila has also incorporated energy-and water-saving features throughout the property to help reduce carbon footprint. The building was built to conform to global environmental specifications by using energy-efficient lighting, which makes use of LED lights that burn less energy.
Amenities of Ascott Citadines Millenium units
Apartment toilets feature water-saving fittings like the dual flush toilet cisterns to cut down on water consumption. Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila makes good use of natural lighting and ventilation to minimize environmental impact. More importantly, the apartments have double-glazed windows that prevent unwanted heat from coming in and help reduce medium to high frequency noise from outside.
The property also features pockets of green with its garden deck found at the building’s 4th floor, as well as guests’ lounge, swimming pool, and fitness center where guests and residents are rest assured to have an enjoyable stay.
The artsy vibe is also reflected all throughout the building. Apartment designs also incorporate touches of indigenous art to provide total local experience and home-y vibe to its residents. It is uniquely mixed with bio-mimicry that showcases designs bearing elements of nature such as stones, grass, leaves and chartreuse colors.
You must be logged in to post a comment.