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 | Feb 27, 2020 | Business
The Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) is taking proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of guests and customers amidst the growing concern over the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD). On February 11, 2020, HRAP President Atty. Eugene T. Yap hosted an orientation on the 2019-nCoV ARD at the Giordino Room of the Bayview Park Hotel Manila, of which he is also the General Manager.
Members of the HRAP were invited to listen to Department of Health (DOH representatives Dr. Carmela Granada of the Department of Health (DOH) Disease Prevention and Control Service and Director Faith Albertos, Head of Health Communication Service as they provided basic facts and latest updates about the virus, basic personal care and prevention, and to discuss the contents of the Interim Guidelines for 2019-nCoV ARD Response in Hotels and Other Similar Establishments (Department Memorandum 2020-0057) recently issued by the DOH.
Among the highlighted measures to ensure the safety and health of hotel and restaurant guests and staff are:
- Implement mandatory health screenings such as temperature checks and accomplishing travel and health declaration forms at points of entry for all guests, including those who will not be checking in to the hotel (ex. guests at conferences, banquets, and special occasions in hotel function room, and those who are only availing of services in the hotel such as the restaurants, spa/salon, gym, pool, and shop customers)
- Clean all general facilities, especially frequently touched surfaces and objects like doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, tables, etc. using adequate disinfectants
- Encourage proper hand hygiene among guests by providing soaps and hand dryers or paper towels in bathrooms, and rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizers in common areas
“We realize the seriousness of this crisis, but at the same time, we also recognize that what’s most important now–aside from having proper hygiene–is to filter out the fake news and myths that are out there.
We are thankful to the DOH and the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for providing us with guidelines that we can now implement in our own establishments to ensure the health and safety of our staff and guests.
Rest assured that the HRAP will remain vigilant and responsible and that we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our government to help keep our country calm and stable in these extraordinary times,” says Atty. Yap.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 23, 2020 | Health and Wellness
Pursue a healthy lifestyle this 2020 and start your fitness journey with the best Mega Tuna yet, introducing wellness and great taste all in one can. As more people embark on the road to health and fitness, Mega Tuna has recently relaunched its offerings with a new look and even richer flavors.
Make the Mega Move
Held last February 22 at the Palm Drive Activity Center of Glorietta, Mega Tuna hosted Mega Move, an afternoon of heart-pumping, adrenaline-boosting full-body workout fitness-party.
Guests showed off their moves at the pound class activity, a combination of cardio and weight training exercise approach that includes some of the rhythmic techniques used in Pilates, making it perfect for the Mega Tuna community to enjoy.
Quick and easy recipe with our best Mega Tuna yet!
Guest Celebrity chef, JP Anglo, also showed-off a simple, quick and easy recipe using Mega Tuna with his savory tuna yogurt-cucumber wrap with quinoa tomato salad, and tofu chips on the side. Featuring bigger flakes and a richer flavor, this is the best Mega Tuna yet – tasting even better than its previous offerings. Proving that healthy eating can be within easy reach of Filipinos, Mega Tuna has reformulated its offerings so that you’ll never run out of options in your journey to fitness.
Guests, influencers, and consumers were able to enjoy the new and improved Mega Tuna for the first time through the samplings and a buffet spread. They also took part in exciting activities such as a Memory Game and a Just Dance routine.
Made especially for those who want to embrace a healthy lifestyle, Mega Tuna contains no textured vegetable protein (TVP) or soy protein concentrate, also known as extenders, bringing you real tuna taste without the guilt.
Mega Tuna variants
Mega Tuna comes in four different variants — Flakes in Oil, Hot and Spicy, Spanish Style, and Sweet and Spicy — so you’ll never run out of flavors to match your mood or appetite. Whether you eat it straight out of the can, add garnishing, or use it as part of a favorite recipe, Mega Tuna will definitely make a great companion as you go about your fitness journey.
Enjoy good health and get fit with the new Mega Tuna – the best Mega Tuna Yet!
Share your wellness and health journey with Mega Tuna on social media using the hashtags #OurBestMegaTunaYet and #MakeTheMegaMove!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 23, 2020 | Awards and Competitions
Century Tuna, the country’s number 1 canned tuna brand, is heating up the summer season with the country’s hottest and sexiest stars, Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards, headlining this year’s Century Tuna Superbods.
The two showbiz royalties star in Century Tuna’s newest TV commercial which highlights the message that “Everybod can be a Superbod”, putting emphasis on the concept that everyone, regardless of age and background, can be a better version of themselves through proper diet and exercise. The commercial highlights Nadine and Alden as the ultimate fitspirations. With their fit and toned body, both stars prove that by eating fish daily, moving, and making the right choices every day, anyone can easily be better versions of themselves.
“For this year, we have chosen Nadine and Alden to front line Century Tuna Superbods 2020. Known for their confidence, athleticism, and healthy lifestyle, both of them are great inspirations to enjoin everyone to be more active and fit,” says Greg Banzon, EVP and COO of Century Pacific Food, Inc.
The TVC is a lead up to the highly-anticipated search for Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 with the prevailing message: “Every day is a chance to be a better you.” This summer, Century Tuna is upping the ante as it opens the competition to anyone who leads not only a healthy and fit lifestyle but is also socially aware and vouches for an advocacy.
- He/she must be a Difference Maker, someone who can make a stand to empower Filipinos to be the best they can be. This is their opportunity to promote health as an everyday commitment.
- He/she must also be a Voice Lifter by amplifying the voice of the Filipinos and communicate positivity to help uplift the confidence of others;
- and a Cause Supporter, someone who is a fearless advocate of causes relevant to health and wellness.
Open to male or female with Filipino heritage, and must be 18 to 60 of age, the Century Tuna Everybod Superbod contestant can be a student-athlete, a doctor who is a fitness advocate, a fit mommy, a chef who owns a healthy meal plan subscription, or even a preschool teacher who is also a bodybuilder.
Qualified contestants will be judged based on the following criteria: 30% Body, 30% Personality, 20% Transformation Story, and 20% Advocacy and Social Impact.
Grand winners (1 male, 1 female) will take home Php 500,000 each, runners-up (1 male, 1 female) will win Php 200,000 each while the rest of the finalists will take home Php 10,000.
Like Nadine and Alden, you too can make every day a chance to be a better you with Century Tuna. To know more about Century Tuna’s Everybod Superbod 2020, visit and follow Century Tuna’s social media pages: Facebook (@centurytuna), Instagram (@centurytunasuperbods). #FishEveryDay #EverybodyCanBeASuperbod #CenturyTunaSuperbods2020.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 22, 2020 | Business
GCash President, Anthony Thomas
GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, and 7-Eleven, one of the largest convenience store chains in the country, announced today a strategic partnership that will allow GCash account holders to pay for their purchases in 7-Eleven stores via the revolutionary Scan-to-Pay (STP) via Barcode feature in the GCash app.
With the growing demand for frictionless transactions, GCash and 7-Eleven are providing greater convenience and security to their customers by introducing the new payment option for physical purchases in 7-Eleven stores across the country.
“This partnership is anchored on the shared goal of enabling more Filipinos to participate in the digital financial landscape. By allowing 7-Eleven stores to accept GCash STP via Barcode payments, we are bringing the vision of building a ‘cashless Philippines’,” GCash President Anthony Thomas said.
How to use GCash’s Scan to Pay
To use GCash’s STP via Barcode, 7-Eleven customers only need to generate their unique barcodes through the GCash app and allow the cashier to scan their barcodes to complete the transaction.
These two easy steps streamline the already-frictionless QR code system. With STP via Barcode, merchants do not need to have a QR key code, which the customer scans to transact. Merchants also need not have their own mobile devices to verify the payments, as STP via Barcode is already integrated into the merchant’s point-of-sale.
“After scanning barcodes to redeem promotions and reload accounts for over 5 years now, including taking payments from our CLiQQ wallet over the last two, we believe we have built the most convenient payment experience in the country, and that the time is right to open up our infrastructure to partners who share our vision.”
“We are pleased to partner first with GCash, whom we have been working with for several years. Many customers already visit us to cash-in their GCash wallets, now they can use those same wallets to pay for their purchases as well as participate in our CLiQQ loyalty program.” 7-Eleven President and CEO Jose Victor Paterno said.
Supporting BSP cashless vision
The partnership between the fintech leader and the convenience store chain pioneer also supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) goal of creating a more cashless Philippines starting this year by migrating 20 percent of the total transaction to non-cash means such as digital payments.
Already, based on a study conducted by the Better Than Cash Alliance, a United Nations-backed organization, the Philippines is close to reaching this target. According to the study, digital transactions now account for 20 percent of the total value of transactions, while 10-percent in terms of volume in 2018.
“As a strong government partner and the leader in mobile digital payments, we at GCash remain relentless in developing more products and services that will fit perfectly into the government’s plans for the country’s financial landscape. Our vision for 2020 is to continue to push for the development of the GCash platform to enable more people to participate in the digital financial revolution,” Thomas said.
photo credit goes to iconicmnl.com
STP via Barcode is now available in more than 2,800 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines. It is also available in the majority of Puregold outlets and Starbucks stores nationwide.
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.
The 
“We realize the seriousness of this crisis, but at the same time, we also recognize that what’s most important now–aside from having proper hygiene–is to filter out the fake news and myths that are out there. 
Held last February 22 at the Palm Drive Activity Center of Glorietta, Mega Tuna hosted Mega Move, an afternoon of heart-pumping, adrenaline-boosting full-body workout fitness-party.
Share your wellness and health journey with Mega Tuna on social media using the hashtags #OurBestMegaTunaYet and #MakeTheMegaMove!
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