by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 18, 2020 | Events
Great food and great company are two of life’s simplest pleasures. So mark your calendars and get ready to feast on scrumptious food as The Manila Hotel’s famed Café Ilang-Ilang participates in Manila Restaurant Week happening from September 20 to 27, 2020.

Cafe Ilang-Ilang chefs led by Executive Chef Konrad Walter (left) preparing the dishes showcased at the Manila Restaurant Week launch held in Roma Salon at The Manila Hotel
Indulge in a choice of starters like the savory Spinach-Ricotta Ravioli in light Parmesan Cream Sauce or Pomelo-Prawns Lumpia in Calamansi Honey Dressing; a main course of sumptuous Beef Tenderloin in Balsamic glaze with marble potato and market vegetables or Pampano cooked in Tandoori Oven with Peas Pilaf rice and stir-fried Asian vegetables; and dessert of Fresh Fruits Salad with Ube ice cream or Mango panna cotta as dessert. The starter-main-dessert set is offered at only P980 net per person, but cannot be availed of in conjunction with other promos or discounts.
Manila Restaurant Week is an event under the “Manila, Support Local” Campaign, launched by the Bureau of Permits and City Government of Manila. The city-wide project aims to promote local food establishments in Manila that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. About 80 restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus at affordable prices during Manila Restaurant Week.
Launched on September 15, The Manila Hotel played one of the hosts of the multi-venue simultaneous kick-off, which was livestreamed on social media platforms. The other hosts were Bayleaf Hotel, Lucky China Town Mall, and Robinsons Place Ermita. The virtual launch was marked by an online performance of Lea Salonga who sang her new single, “Dream Again,” the official theme song of the campaign.

Atty. Joey Lina, The Manila Hotel President
“I believe we can do a lot in restoring the City of Manila back to its former glory under the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno. We in the private sectors will always support you in this very worthwhile undertaking. Soon, Manila will be great again,” said Atty. Joey Lina, The Manila Hotel President, in his opening remarks during the launch.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña gave their respective speeches before checking the 11 restaurants that showcased their dishes at The Manila Hotel’s Roma Salon—namely Café Ilang-Ilang, Century Park Hotel, Scorched, Golden Fortune, Luneta Park Hotel, Ilustrado, Tanabe, Jus & Jerrys, Patio de Conchita, Pares Kimchi, and Harbor View—and visiting the other venues, which was watched by thousands via livestream.
The Manila Hotel and all its outlets operate in strict compliance with health protocols, so our guests are assured of the highest standards of food safety and sanitation measures in accordance with the government guidelines.
For more information, you may check us out on Facebook or Instagram (@TheManilaHotel), or call 85270011 or 09989501912. For reservations, email re***@************el.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 16, 2020 | Events
With everything that’s been going on lately surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, it feels as though we haven’t been given enough time to prepare or process the drastic changes that have been happening in our lives. Given these negative events happening around us, our bodies might be responding to them in three possible ways: suppress feelings associated with the event, don’t actively process the emotions of the situation; or allow the experience to be the sole focus of our life.

photo credit to Josiah Go
“When you’re falling into any of these common responses, and find it hard to freely express your emotions with someone else, then a method that might probably work for you is journal therapy,” advises Darlyn Ty-Nilo, founder and president of Viviamo Inc., the custom publishing company behind Belle de Jour Power Planner.
This method entails writing down your thoughts and emotions in your journal with the intent of processing them without any judgment from and of yourself and your emotions. This then becomes a powerful journey to self-healing.
With journal therapy, the left part of the brain becomes active, allowing you to be more creative in expressing your ideas. The more you pick up the habit of writing, the more you feel freer from the emotions you have bottling up. Doing so might even give you clarity and understanding of the negative events you have experienced.
Additionally, journal therapy can be highly beneficial to one’s physical and mental wellbeing:
It reduces stress.
Journaling is an effective stress-management tool because it helps you prioritize your problems, fears, and concerns. It can also track your day-to-day emotions and recognize your negative triggers and learn how to better control them.
Keeps the mind active and memory sharp.
Journaling can help your brain stay in tip-top shape. It helps improve your cognitive functions by boosting comprehension and increasing one’s memory capacity. As you reconnect with yourself, you are also keeping your brain engaged at all times.
Strengthen emotional functions.
Journaling can be a cathartic experience for writers. It allows them to express their emotions, helping the brain regulate emotions. Journaling also gives the writers a sense of mindfulness, remaining present while gaining perspective.

Immortalizes your past.
Expressive writing ensures your past is not forgotten. Whether it’s a negative or positive memory, writing them down will keep the mental imagery clear for many years to come, which can have a positive impact on your long-term memory. Immortalizing your past through journaling will most likely aid in your future rather than hinder it.

Improves overall physical health.
Studies show that writing for therapy has positive effects on people with asthma, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pelvic pain, and even cancer. It also improves the immune system and speeds up wound healing.
Journaling is a very enriching habit anyone can pick up. But to make it even more fun, insightful, and meaningful for you, let Viviamo! Inc. guide you through the whole process as it holds its first-ever planning and journaling summit in the Philippines, for FREE, entitled #YouGotThis happening on September 19 and 20. Simultaneously, Viviamo! Inc. will release its 2021 products online via crazyaboutpaper.com.
“This online summit idea came into existence when our community members shared a common sentiment on being unsure about using their planner or journal when everything is so uncertain,” adds Dar Ty-Nilo. “Our goal is to help our community members journey out of this pandemic stronger and better, and see the value of journaling in managing emotions and navigating through their days and help them power through during these uncertain times.”
The #YouGotThis summit will feature three (3) panel discussions and seven (7) individual talks featuring esteemed keynote speakers who will share meaningful insights and personal experiences on how journaling has helped them, including content creators Macoy Dubs and Cat Triviño, brand and content strategist Victoria Herrera, global design director duo Katwo and Nico Puertollano, creative entrepreneur Alessa Lanot, globally accredited coach and mentor Pia Acevedo, and vision board coach Trixie Esguerra.
Individual Talks
Day 1
Day 2
Panel Discussions
Participants not only get to enjoy fun games, win prizes, and score purchase discounts, they will also be given the chance to have an engaging Q&A with the speakers.
The seminar will be streamed live from 10 AM to 6 PM on BDJ Power Planner’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/bdjbuzz), Crazy About Paper’s Facebook page (facebook.com/CrazyAboutPaper) and You Got This via bit.ly/yougotthisph.
To know more, visit https://www.facebook.com/bdjbuzz.
About Viviamo! Inc
15 years ago, Viviamo! Inc. which means “WE LIVE” started out as Belle de Jour Power Planner” and has since expanded products and services beyond planners.
Today, Viviamo! Inc. is a growing custom publishing, marketing, and e-commerce company, with an active community of 100,000+ fans, a purpose-driven line of paper products available in retail and online, and collaborations between the country’s top brands and creative talents. Through it all, we seek to empower people to dream, plan, and dare to live their best lives.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 11, 2020 | Events
MANILA, Philippines. On October 2-4, The United States space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invites coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to come together in a global, virtual hackathon. During a period of 48 hours, participants from around the world will come together to create virtual teams and solve challenges using NASA’s open-source data.
Designed for those interested in space science and exploration, this hackathon allows the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, and engineers to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills through inspired collaboration and critical thinking.
As part of Space Apps, everyone belongs to a global hackathon community that embraces collaboration across borders, sectors, and cultures to bring about paradigm-shifting innovation.

take action from home
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of the global community’s health and safety, this year’s hackathon will be an all-virtual event. In other words, all events shall be moved online.
In this unprecedented time, the Space Apps community exists as a reminder that everyone has the tools and talents to tackle the challenges facing the planet, as well as the ability to unite across boundaries and borders of all kinds.
The theme for this year — “Take Action” — is a critical reminder that anyone can make a difference, even from the comfort and safety of home.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be partnering again with NASA for this hackathon.
Since Space Apps is brought to the Philippines by developer and technology community leader Tzar C. Umang from Pangasinan last 2016, the country witnessed how the community grew from a group of volunteers to forging partnerships with collaborators and stakeholders.
The Philippines produced global winners like the dengue hotspot predictor Project AEDES and information portal G.I.D.E.O.N. measuring COVID-19 impact, both developed by CirroLytix. The country also has global finalists like Celestial Snails from De La Salle University addressing social isolation and Sentinellium, an epidemic predictor using population density data, both addressing problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Space Apps Throughout the Years in the Philippines
While recognition and honor were given to the Philippines by NASA and partner agencies, lead organizer Michael Lance M. Domagas hopes that the country would soon realize the importance and value of giving support and assistance in the development of these winning projects, so that fellow Filipinos would benefit from these technologies coming from outer space in times of emergencies like COVID-19 and dengue epidemic.

Michael Lance Domagas
“Space Apps is a perfect venue that can arouse curiosity and interest of Filipinos to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including space and Earth sciences. Our own country’s support should have been a way to inspire more Filipinos and further develop winning projects,” he said. Space Apps can be a program in developing “space education and promote public awareness” stated in Section 8 of the Republic Act 11363 otherwise known as the “Philippine Space Act.”
“The Global Organizing Team is inspired by the journey the Philippines has with the Space Apps program. In particular, we appreciate the development of STEM in the Philippines and elsewhere, because one goal of Space Apps is to foster interest and learning in these fields worldwide,” according to Matt Scott, the Global Community Director and Storyteller.

Register now on these sites:
Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.
About Space Apps
Now in its 9th year, Space Apps is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others around the world, where teams engage with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
Space Apps 2019 included over 29,000 participants in 71 countries. In May 2020, the virtual-only Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge concluded with over 15,000 participants from 150 countries. Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 8, 2020 | Events
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners Asia’s leading entertainment and lifestyle company CJ ENM to bring KCON, the world’s largest Korean culture festival, online for the first time. KCON is a highly-anticipated annual event for Kpop fans across the globe, entering its ninth year of bringing the ultimate Korean culture fan experience worldwide including the US, Japan, and Thailand.
It will go online for the first time in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, with Shopee as the official live stream partner for the KCON:TACT 2020 Summer concert. This partnership will see Shopee air live performances, concerts, and more from KCON:TACT 2020 Summer for free to users on Shopee Live.
KCON:TACT 2020 Summer will be the highlight of Shopee Live Kpop Fest, which will kick off on June 10. Launched in collaboration with CJ ENM, the festival aims to meet the growing demand for online entertainment amid social distancing measures in the region. Popular Kpop groups including GFRIEND, (G)I-DLE, ITZY, MONSTA X, and Stray Kids will also make special appearances on Shopee Live, while Shopee users can enjoy daily Kpop themed streams and challenges.
Agatha Soh, Head of Regional Marketing at Shopee said, “Shopee is proud to be the exclusive partner of CJ ENM to stream KCON:TACT 2020 Summer to fans in Southeast Asia and Taiwan for the first time, as part of Shopee Live Kpop Fest. This partnership builds on our efforts to connect people through entertainment and shared experiences, and comes after a series of successful collaborations with Kpop stars.”
“Shopee Live Kpop Fest and KCON:TACT 2020 Summer reflect our commitment to meet evolving needs, as people around the world stay home and turn to online entertainment. We look forward to more exciting collaborations with CJ ENM in the future.”
Don Kim, General Manager of Global Festival at CJ ENM said, “KCON is the largest festival of Korean culture in the world. Bringing the festival online, we have lined up an amazing experience for KCON:TACT 2020 Summer including interactive events with state-of-the-art technology, a star-studded concert lineup, and more. We are excited to go above and beyond what fans have experienced so far, and we are excited to partner with Shopee for fans in Southeast Asia and Taiwan to join the festival.”
From June 10 to 26, avid Kpop fans can look forward to a wide range of live streams and challenges daily at Shopee Live Kpop Fest, including:
- Exclusive appearances by popular Kpop idols, WJSN and Weki Meki on Shopee Live at 8PM (GMT +8) on June 10 and 15 respectively. Users can enjoy first-hand access to the groups with exciting performances, interviews, games, and more in each stream.
- Daily Kpop themed challenges for fans to show off their knowledge, recreate iconic Kpop looks, and more. The best fans stand to win attractive prizes such as vouchers and signed merchandise from their favorite idols.
Shopee will mark the finale of Shopee Live Kpop Fest by screening KCON:TACT 2020 Summer on Shopee Live from June 20 to 26, 2020. Shopee users and Kpop fans can look forward to seven consecutive days of non-stop entertainment, including live concerts and interviews by some of the biggest Kpop stars in the world, including GFRIEND, (G)I-DLE, ITZY, MONSTA X, and Stray Kids.
Stay tuned for more updates on KCON:TACT 2020 Summer and Shopee Live Kpop Fest at http://shopee.ph/m/live-kpop-fest. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
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 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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