by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 11, 2020 | Events
Segundo, the 20th auction for Lhuillier-managed Casa de Memoria presents close to 300 lots of fine European objets d’art and collectibles. The online auction completes two days of offerings from the weekend of May 30 to 31 using Invaluable as its platform. Proceeds from the online event will support the construction of the emergency quarantine facility (EQF) at Sta. Ana Hospital, Manila.
The auction house joins other local art and culture venues as it presents a veritable selection that entices the connoisseurs who remain home with the Enhanced Community Quarantine. The curatorial team has put on display items—from portraiture to furnishings and silver—thus, enhancing a well-lived home style. The Casa De Memoria salutes the frontliners in this two-day virtual auction.
Spotlighted are artworks by three well-respected painters: Tabuena, Alcuaz, and Westendorp de Brias.
Still Life
Still Life by Romeo Tabuena
Still Life with Vase and Glass Center by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
Romeo Tabuena’s (1921-2015) Still Life (Lot 002) is a tribute to the international artist’s affair with cubism, painted in 1995.
Still Life with Vase and Glass Center (Lot 026) by National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (1932-2011), is an oil on canvas still life by the painter, acknowledged as Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media.
Summer Nights in Madrid by Betsy Westendorp de Brias
“Summer Nights in Madrid” by prolific painter Betsy Westendorp de Brias
Prolific painter Betsy Westendorp de Brias’ (b. 1927) “Summer Nights in Madrid” (Lot 024) finds its way to the Casa De Memoria auction book. The oil on canvas is reminiscent of her style. In an interview with Provenance Gallery owner Joanna Preysler for Metro Style, she notes “Betsy’s works are a soothing, healing balm—a much-needed treat for the soul and for the eyes especially in this time of chaos and disorder. She’s very constant and dedicated to her art. … She was born to be a painter. And she knew it. And she worked on it and she got where she wanted to get.”
Westendorp is a Lazo de Dama de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica awardee, bestowed by King Juan Carlos, and a Presidential Medal of Merit for Art and Culture grantee, given by former President Gloria M. Arroyo.
Lithograph by Pablo Picasso
Lithograph by Pablo Picasso
A unique offering that raises the Casa De Memoria diverse auction curation is a lithograph (Lot 009) by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) of a historical poster of the exhibition “Sala Gaspar, Drawings by Picasso, April 1961,” with hand-made drawings by the artist. Signed in plate and dated 1961. In a limited edition of 500 copies. It will be remembered that on Auction 17, another Picasso was made available and sold at PHP 280,000.00.
Casa de Memoria’s Segundo Auction will be held on May 31, 2020, at Palacio de Memoria, 95 Roxas Boulevard, Brgy. Tambo, Paranaque City. Online bidding powered by Invaluable. Proceeds will go to funding the construction of an emergency quarantine facility (EQF) in Sta. Ana Hospital, Manila. For more information, email he***@***********ia.com or message +63 949 196 1813.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 11, 2020 | Awards and Competitions
Dreaming of becoming the next big pop star? Well, even in quarantine, you might just get the big break that will change your life forever.
Singer-actor Matteo Guidicelli will be setting up an online talent reality competition titled “The Pop Stage” to discover the next idol in the entertainment industry. The show will be presented by Popeyes in partnership with Viva Artists Agency.
“There are so many talented Filipinos, a lot of viral videos, a lot of crazy performances going around, but we want to make it legit. We want everyone in the world to see your skills and what you can do,” Guidicelli said during the online launch of Central Delivery, a new delivery service that also offers food items from Popeyes Philippines.
To join “The Pop Stage,” just visit www.thepopstage.ph and send a video of your audition piece. You may sing, dance, play instruments, do magic, or perform whatever talent worth showing off.
Of course, this once in a lifetime opportunity also comes with the most amazing prizes. The winner of “The Pop Stage” will receive a cash prize worth Php 1 million and a one-year contract with Viva Artists Agency.
Guidicelli explained that the entries will be deliberated by a panel of judges. Those who will be chosen will be featured on a weekly show that will be streamed both on The Pop Stage’s Facebook Page at @thepopstage and Matteo Guidicelli’s Facebook page at @matteog. No need for selected contestants to leave their homes for the weekly show – arrangements will be made so they can stream from their current locations.
All individuals or groups (maximum of 4 members) who are ages 13 to 25 years old are encouraged to send their audition tapes from May 9 to May 27, 2020.
For more details, you can check out www.thepopstage.ph and follow The Pop Stage’s Facebook and Instagram at @thepopstage and the hashtag #thepopstage.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 9, 2020 | Events
Happy Mother’s Day!
As the old adage goes, “Behind every great man there’s a great woman.” Mayor Francisco Domagoso or simply YORME, shares his heartwarming Mother’s Day message to a great woman behind his great success and to all the Filipino MOMS – the Real VIPs!
As the elected City Mayor of Manila, endearingly called by most Filipinos as Yorme, he never wavered amidst adversities hurled at him for taking several steps in making a better version of the city he fondly calls his home and crowning glory.
On this special occasion, Yorme encourages all Filipino moms to be stronger for their families while consciously maintaining a healthy work-life balance and to continue their selfless dedication amidst the uncertainties of this pandemic war – “Believe in yourself! You’ve got nothing to lose.”
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#NothingToLoseNovuhair #ChooseNatural #NovuhairCares #NovuhairVIPmoms
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 9, 2020 | Events
The U.S. space agency National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to participate in a virtual hackathon on May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from around the world will create virtual teams that – during a 48-hour period – will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID-19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May.
“There’s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “I can’t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions.”
The unique capabilities of NASA and its partner space agencies in the areas of science and technology enable them to lend a hand during this global crisis. Since the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system – on global to local scales – with aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the virus.
ESA will contribute data from the Sentinel missions (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-5P) in the context of the European Copernicus program, led by the European Commission, along with data from Third Party contributing Missions, with a focus on assessing the impact on climate change and greenhouse gases, as well as impacts on the economic sector. ESA also is contributing Earth observation experts for the selection of the competition winners and the artificial-intelligence-powered EuroDataCube.
“EuroDatacube will enable the best ideas to be scaled up to a global level,” said Josef Aschbacher, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. “The pandemic crisis has a worldwide impact, therefore international cooperation and sharing of data and expertise with partners like NASA and JAXA seem the most suitable approach.”
JAXA is making Earth-observing data available from its satellite missions, including ALOS-2, GOSAT, GOSAT-2, GCOM-C, GCOM-W, and GPM/DPR.
“JAXA welcomes the opportunity to be part of the hackathon,” said JAXA Vice President Terada Koji. “I believe the trilateral cooperation among ESA, NASA, and JAXA is important to demonstrate how Earth observation can support global efforts in combating this unprecedented challenge.”
Space Apps is an international hackathon that takes place in cities around the world. Since 2012, teams have engaged with NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. The COVID-19 Challenge will be the program’s first global virtual hackathon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend.
Pinoy developers used NASA’s free and open data to solve real-world problems on Earth and space.
Many Filipinos participated in this annual hackathon since 2016. Recently, a dengue mapping forecasting system was developed by data scientists from CirroLytix using satellite and climate data with the goal of addressing the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
This web application, called Project AEDES won globally for the best use of data. “Earth observation data has the potential to be used in fighting epidemics and outbreaks threatening humanity nowadays, as well as to analyze its socio-economic impact,” according to software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, who led the Philippine hackathon in collaboration with De La Salle University, PLDT, Department of Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. embassy. The very first Philippine winner used citizen science and environmental data to develop a smartphone application informing fishermen the right time to catch fish. ISDApp is currently being incubated at Animo Labs.
Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized globally in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4.
Registration opens on May 12. https://covid19.spaceappschallenge.org/
#SpaceApps #SpaceAppsPH
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 7, 2020 | Female Empowerment
In this time of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), some of us might have already felt the urge to think of ways we can lend a helping hand. When the opportunity to assist came knocking on the doors of some ordinary, everyday women like Marielle Solomon, Sarah Jane de la Rosa, Pia Alviola, Melissa Olit, and Angela Espinosa, they embraced the chance to help and made things happen!
They have been voluntarily and wholeheartedly taking on tasks of providing food, sourcing relief goods, creating PPEs, and mobilizing resources for Filipinos in the COVID-harm’s way. They didn’t think twice to go out of their comfort zones to share a part of themselves and be a light to others.
Marielle Solomon
Marielle Solomon is a marketing professional who currently spends most of her time around volunteers like herself in Siargao Community Kitchen to ease the plight of families on the island whose source of income has been affected by COVID-19.
At present, they have provided over 4,000 food packs, staying true to the belief that the community starts with sharing. Through her efforts, Marielle is just one of the women who bring light to the island of Siargao.
Sarah Jane dela Rosa
Student Sarah Jane de la Rosa’s light has truly radiated throughout the Metro. She has proven that being a differently-abled person is not and will never be a hindrance if you put your heart in the service of a solid cause.
A volunteer at the Barangay Holy Spirit Person with Disabilities Association, Sarah who is afflicted with cerebral palsy, ably leads her team as their President in providing relief packages in the area. As of today, the association has provided much-needed help to more than 1,000 PWD’s and their families.
Angela Lapinosa
Through a drive called RICEaboveCOVID, Angela Lapinosa, one of the lead organizers of the initiative, has illuminated the city of Cebu with her generosity and service.
At the Cebu Institute of Technology, Angela is known as a student leader. But for the two hundred beneficiaries of the cause she represents, Angela is one to remember only with the kindest of words.
The young ones also acknowledge her as someone who has shed light on their lives and has given them hope for being the project manager of “Para Kay Baby”, a project under RICEaboveCOVID that has allocated 100 relief goods to the families of infants and children in her town.
Melissa Olit
In Puerto Princesa, Melissa Olit, the founder of Chef Aiza’s Community has seen to it that her community in Palawan is given the proper nutrition and sustenance they need.
From front liners to students, and even to hard-working construction workers stranded on the island, Melissa has made sure the food she prepares and delivers are sourced from local farmers to sustain their livelihood.
Over the course of bringing light to front liners and local farmers, her group has already served more than 5,000 food packs.
Project Love PPE and Masks has produced and donated over 1,500 masks and 600 PPEs in various hospitals. This initiative is the brainchild of Pia Alviola, a Fashion Designer based in Makati City, who has found a way to bring the light among our healthcare front-liners the best way she knows how, through her skills, and her desire to not only provide a source of income for her team of seamstresses and tailors but also to be an instrument of providing protection in these times.
These five extraordinary women have truly become light-bearers in their communities for serving as volunteers who through their service and heart, have greatly contributed to the common good. Like these women, SkinWhite has always believed that anyone can#BeTheLight especially in times of uncertainty. Every effort no matter how small can have a considerable amount of good especially to those who are in need. Let us continue inspiring and encouraging these women by supporting their causes, as we too can be the light in our own ways.
Here are ways to reach Marielle, Sarah, Pia, Melissa, and Angela as we make these challenging times lighter!
- Siargao Community Kitchen – +63 939 883 4033 | visit their Siargao Community Kitchen on Instagram and Facebook page
- Barangay Holy Spirit Person with Disabilities Association – Sarah de la Rosa
- Project Love PPE and Masks – Pia Alviola
- Chef Aiza’s Community – Melissa Olit, Community Kitchen’s page, or Chef Aiza’s Community on Instagram
- RICEaboveCOVID – Cebuano Youth Ambassadors, Inc. Lapinosa
Dreaming of becoming the next big pop star? Well, even in quarantine, you might just get the big break that will change your life forever.
The U.S. space agency 
“There’s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “I can’t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions.”
“EuroDatacube will enable the best ideas to be scaled up to a global level,” said Josef Aschbacher, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. “The pandemic crisis has a worldwide impact, therefore international cooperation and sharing of data and expertise with partners like NASA and JAXA seem the most suitable approach.”
Marielle Solomon is a marketing professional who currently spends most of her time around volunteers like herself in Siargao Community Kitchen to ease the plight of families on the island whose source of income has been affected by COVID-19.
Student Sarah Jane de la Rosa’s light has truly radiated throughout the Metro. She has proven that being a differently-abled person is not and will never be a hindrance if you put your heart in the service of a solid cause.
Through a drive called RICEaboveCOVID, Angela Lapinosa, one of the lead organizers of the initiative, has illuminated the city of Cebu with her generosity and service.
In Puerto Princesa, Melissa Olit, the founder of Chef Aiza’s Community has seen to it that her community in Palawan is given the proper nutrition and sustenance they need.
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