COCK(Stage Performance by Red Turnip) review

Despite the title, the story is not about a specific body part but how complicated relationship is. The story revolves around John, who lives with his gay partner when something unexpected happened when he fell in love with a woman.

The play was done in a non-traditional manner. Instead of the traditional theater set up, the staging was done in a more engaging manner. There is no stage in front instead we see a curved fence on the four corners resembling a cock pit on a center where the audience is watching on bleachers on each side surrounding the cock pit.

What makes it more effective to watch is that you are engaging in the situation not just an observer but also you can see yourself in the characters and you can side with whomever you can relate to. That's the best part. 

Besides John, the other characters are nameless and can be identified by the audience as M(Man: John's partner), W(Woman), and F(Father of M). In this manner, the audience can place himself or herself in the characters shoes which the author of the play intended.

Although the content of the dialogue is for mature audiences, there is no nudity in the duration of the play. It may appear graphic but it was done in an artistic manner. The play started last Thursday February 27. For a limited time only, catch it at White Space in Makati.

For more insights about the latest stage productions, visit and like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

ALLISON MILLER FACES UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY IN “DEVIL’S DUE”

Movie release material

 A newly-married couple find themselves facing an early and unplanned pregnancy in the horror thriller “Devil’s Due” starring Zach Gifford and Allison Miller.  Miller is Sam McCall in the movie who suddenly finds her life turned upside down when they found out that her unexpected pregnancy may be the devil’s work. 

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

                Miller, 28-year-old and was born in Rome, Italy, but raised in Kentucky and Florida, had paid her dues as a guest on “General Hospital,” “CSI: NY,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Boston Legal.”  On the big screen she starred as Zac Efron’s girlfriend in “17 Again” and as Alice McKee in the live action version of “Blood: The Last Vampire.”

                In the following q&a by Tony Horkins, Miller shares on the audition and the unprecedented filmmaking process of “Devil’s Due.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Q:           How do you think your audition went?

A             “Good, and I never feel that way. Even other jobs that I've gotten, I never feel good about my performance in the audition. For this one there was a lot of improvisationand it all felt very natural and that was a lot easier for me, that style.”

Q:           Your directors, Radio Silence, say that you set the standard from your first audition, and that with subsequent actresses they found themselves saying, ‘Well, she’s not Allison.’ Were you aware of that?

A:            Ha ha! No way! I really was not. Though the first time I met with them I'd had an audition earlier that morning that I felt so awful about, and after their audition I drove home and just felt so good. I had the windows down, I was blaring classical music, and I felt that that was it, that was my best stuff. Though I had to do two more auditions after that!

Q:           Did you have any concern about their relative lack of experience and the unconventional route they’d taken to helm a movie?

A:            To be honest, yeah. Because I'm not an established actress I feel like working with a director that knows what they're doing is one of the most important things. But really the first time I met them I started getting notes in the audition room, and I felt like these notes were really insightful and they just seemed to have a really clear idea of what they wanted. Any fear I had quickly disappeared.  I could see that they were really creative and inventive and ambitious - I liked what I saw.

Q:           Your chemistry with Zach was particularly impressive – did you know him?

A:            We'd never met before. He came in and did a 'chemistry' read and I immediately felt that he was the right guy for the job. His style is very laid back and he never seems like he's acting to me. When I found out he was going to do the part and I was going to be playinghalf of a married couple with a total stranger it felt a bit daunting, so I needed to feel I had some kind of connection with him. So I started watching Friday Night Lights and that did it for me.

Q:           The chemistry seems as though it’s there at the beginning, or did it develop?

A:            It developed, but developed pretty quickly. We really got along, and the first week we went into production we went out to dinner one night, found out about each other’s lives, and then working on set for so long we got to know each other pretty well. Then we had a lot in common - we're both actually newly-weds in real life, so there was a lot to talk about.

Q:           Did the fact that you were both newlyweds help in actually playing a newlywed? Were you able to bring that experience to the role?

A:            Definitely. We haven't gotten to go on a honeymoon yet, but the wedding and the preparation and what it's like to be living with someone you know you're going to be living with for the rest of your life... that's very much a part of my day to day. Knowing what the arguments are going to be like, and that kind of high you get when you're newly married and it's so exciting. That's happened in the past year for the both of us so we knew all about that stuff.

Q:           Your dialogue seems very much improvised…

A:            Well we would do a couple of takes completely scripted, and then a few takes doing whatever we felt within the realm of the scene, finding the through-line. It was very liberating.

Q:           Things get pretty dark in this movie – did it feel creepy filming it?

A:            It never felt that creepy - for me it almost felt fun. There were times we had to go to really dark places and really hard emotional places, but just the way that our crew was and the way that everyone on set was, it was very easy to come out of that. It always just felt like we were playing and having fun, even when I was covered in blood and freezing. Looking back on it it kind of creeps me out, but when we were shooting it I was really enjoying it.

Q:           Were you much of a fan of the point of view style of movie making?

A:            I am - I think it's really interesting. I really like how they used it in Chronicle, though I haven't seen any of the Paranormal Activity films. I know it's such a trend right now, but I really like what it does for the naturalism of the movie.

Q:           In which way do you think Devil's Due veers away from the Rosemary's Baby story?

A:            The dynamic of the couple is incredibly different and the style that it's shot in is different; Rosemary's Baby is not so much a horror movie, it's more of a psychological thriller. I think Devil's Due has more shocking moments and there’s a lot of humor in it too.

                “Devil’s Due” released by 20^th Century Fox and distributed by Warner Bros.

The First Sea Fair 2014 Day 3 Highlights

Even I live near the bayside, I never got the chance to see the opening of the event even though I featured the launch couple of months ago. I passed by the parking lot near the Harbor Square where the event is before watching a stage play at CCP which is just across.

I was told I missed a lot during the opening but I can still make it the following day for the Dragon Boat race. It was a good thing for me, I always jog around the area in the morning because it is not far from where I live. Each time I jog in the area, there is always dragon boat teams who come to do their practices.

The next morning, I went to the event after jogging. I got to see my mom's friend from church who happens to be part of one of the dragon boat team competing. Teams are already waiting for the race to start while doing their stretches.

There are three categories: Men's, Women's,and the Mixed Categories. What I admire about dragon boat that it is a traditional and ancient sport that is recognized worldwide. This is the best team sport that really is very coordinated because each team member needs to be on the same phasing as the other members. Besides the dragon boat, there is also a sailing competition in two categories:Children and adult categories. I was surprised that children can compete as young as ten. The children are in white sails while the adults in red.

After the race, I was invited to see one of the available yachts after securing permission from the owner. The organizers wanted me to have idea what kind of lifestyle yacht owners has and how expensive can it really be. The yacht I boarded has a two living quarters: one main bedroom with a bathroom and one with a double deck, equipped with a kitchen, dining area and a relaxing areas at the bow and stern. The stern is also designated for fishing. You can actually live in that boat and it costs 18M. Not to mention it needs to be run by at least three members of the crew as I was told by the yacht captain.

Like I said in my previous post about the launch, this event/expo has the specific target audience/market. Those who are into this kind of lifestyle and can afford it. I may not afford it but I get to have a shot at it. Sea Fair 2014 is only until Sunday February 23. For more events coverage, visit and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony airs live on TV5

TV5 release material

After the spectacular Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremony that featured Russia’s glorious history, a fireworks display that enthralled audiences around the world and the most unforgettable 16 days of Winter Olympic action, the Closing Ceremony of the successful Winter Olympic Games will surely be worth waiting for. To be aired live by TV5 this Monday, February 24, at 12mn (Manila Time), the event happens at the historic Fisht Olympic Stadium in Russia.

The Closing Ceremony is sure to provide surprises similar to the February 8 event. It is expected to be a celebration of the athletes who participated in the first Winter Olympic Games in Russia. As the host country, Russia is among the contenders for the overall medal count.

Seventeen-year old Filipino figure Michael Christian Martinez, whose debut stint in the figure skating competition was met with remarkable reviews, proudly represented the Philippines. Filipino viewers also bore witness to the amazing performances of Filipino-foreigners that includes Anne Line Gjersem of Norway, Gilmore Junio of Canada, and JR Celski of the United States.

Korea will give us a glimpse of the next Winter Olympic Games which will be held in Pyoengchang, South Korea in 2018. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach will then close his first Olympic Games.

TV5, the Philippine Olympic network, delivered the most comprehensive coverage of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in the past sixteen days that had athletes competing in 98 events. Viewers can also expect TV5 to broadcast exciting Olympic Games action this August with the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Encore replay of the closing ceremonies will be on February 24, at 11PM and on February 25 at 11:30AM on TV5. HYPER, the 24/7 sports channel on digital TV, will also have replay on February 24 at 10:30am. Sochi 2014 was made possible with the support of CignalTV, Smart and PLDT Home Fibr.#

RepPhils' August: Osage County review

Story: Dark side of a family drama about the struggles of the Weston family after a death in the family.

Review: During the run of Repertory Phils.' season opener, Wait Until Dark, it was quite unusual to have a crime-thriller to start the new year. During the time, we were oriented with August: Osage County. Although they didn't do an excerpt because they felt it wouldn't give it justice and it might spoil it away, they just give us some hints why we should see it. Leaving us in anticipation until the press night.

Osage County is in the state of Oklahoma and is part of the Native American territory specifically, the Osage Nation of the Midlands. The title itself is  taken from a poem by Howard Starks. 

The play itself is as long as 3 hours and half but you will never notice because the story engages you. You will be confronted with the characters' different issues. Even though it is set in the American Midlands, the Westons exhibits Pinoy family values though dysfunctional. If this was shown in Pilipino, it may have been a soap opera. If Pinoys should do a telenovela, it should follow the example of August: Osage County.

Like I said, it has values all Filipinos can relate. But be prepared. Even though it has some comical moments, it is a roller coaster of emotions that may disturb you. or make you see the realization. I also got see my situation in one of the characters but I can't tell without spoiling the story.

Baby Barredo's performance as Violet Weston, the matriarch of the family will be the center point of the story and it is good to see her perform again on stage. Although there are some performances that has alternates in characters, you will be assured that the story won't be any different. Each actor has a different take on the characters they play. For me, the ending is the perfect closure for the story.

I am fortunate to watch this because it is a rare occasion for Chris Millado of CCP directs for Repertory. He has a specific genre he wants to be involved in and when he was offered August: Osage County, he immediately accepts.

Some of you may have seen the movie version starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts but it is a known comparison that the movie may not give you the same connection and experience that you will see in staged performances.

Catch August: Osage County at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 this season and will run until March 16. Contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 for schedule of shows or check out www.RepertoryPhilippines,com

TAYO Awards 2014

During my college years, I was very active in social functions not because I was an elected student council officer but it is nice to make a difference in the society even if you are still young. The only problem is the school may or may not approve the project for lack of budget.

The Award Winning Youth Groups with Sen. Bam Aquino(7th from the right)

Which is why Coca Cola Phils. supports their partnership with TAYO( Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awards to give these potential projects a consideration to achieve their plans. These groups are not only represents their schools but also their campus organizations.

TAYO is the only award giving body for this specific purpose. The group submits their proposal and when TAYO recognizes the potential and relevance of the project, they will give them the support to make it happen.

After the project is implemented, it will be observed how the project made an impact on the society, the immediate environment,etc. I got a chance to chat with one of the project leaders and I am quite impressed with the activism and dedication of the project and the idea that they conceptualized. Senator Bam Aquino was present because he himself was an active youth organizer before he ran into politics and he shared his insights about his experiences.

I first created this blog to document my own advocacy. Now, it is instrumental to promote other advocacy. For more updates about the TAYO Awards, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

ADIDAS UNLEASHES EXPLOSIVE ENERGY WITH SPRINGBLADE

Product media release

The only running shoe with innovative blade technology designed to help propel you forward 

Manila, February 2014 – Today adidas launches Springblade in the Philippines, the first running shoe with individually tuned blades engineered to help propel runners forward with one of the most effective energy returns in the industry. 

Unlike standard EVA midsoles that deliver energy return in a vertical direction, Springblade features 16 forward angled blades made out of a high-tech polymer.  The highly elastic blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy to create an efficient push-off that feels like you have springs under your feet.

“Springblade’s progressive look and blade technology are radically different than any running shoe ever created,” said James Carnes, global creative director of performance at adidas.  “At the same time, adidas’ goal is to create a beautiful performance shoe designed to be simple and intuitive.”

Carnes continued, “Every aspect of Springblade is engineered to reflect extensive athlete insights to help make them better.  For design inspiration, we drew upon everyday objects that deliver explosive energy return – everything from springboards to pole vaults and motorcycle suspensions.”

Each blade is precisely tuned in geometry, thickness and position for each phase of a runner’s stride to provide support and a full range of movement. Additionally, Springblade’s flexible construction was designed to hug the top of a runner’s foot, locking it in to harness the energy returned from the springs on the outsole.  

“adidas is continuing to develop new innovations based on what athletes not only need but demand,” said Mikal Peveto, director of running at adidas America.  “We know we have something special with BOOST cushioning introduced earlier this year and we’re confident Springblade will set us apart from the competition once again.”

Peveto continued, “Six years in the making, Springblade provides one of the highest energy returns in the industry.” 

aIT (adidas Innovation Team) tested hundreds of materials to ensure each spring produced maximum energy efficiency with every step and conducted rigorous ballistics tests to maintain long-lasting durability.  For top performance in all environments, Springblade is seven times more temperature resistant than shoes with adidas’ standard EVA cushioning.

Springblade is available for Php 8995 on February at adidas Bonifacio High Street, Mall of Asia and Planet Sports Power Plant (Rockwell).

adidas running innovates high performance footwear and apparel with easy to understand benefits to help athletes of every level get faster and better for their sport.  For more information visit facebook.com/adidasPH.

Nick Joaquin's Mga Ama Mga Anak by Tanghalang Pilipino

I first heard about Nick Joaquin when I played a part in an excerpt from his play, Portrait of An Artist As A Filipino for a class act. Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater guild of the Cultural Center of The Philippines, will do another work of Joaquin, Mga Ama Mga Anak.

The production gathers cast of old and new talents for this play. Usually, Joaquin stories are originally in English but it was no conflict when it is translated to Tagalog for theater purposes. The cast includes Robert Arevalo, Celeste Legaspi, Jackie Lou Blanco, Spanky Manikan, Nanding Josef, Cris Villongco and more from TP.

Mga Ama Mga Anak opens this month at CCP Little Theater. More details soon. Visit and like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

How many ways can you say Happy Heart’s Day?

KakaoTalk shows you how.

 

It’s that time of year when everything is filled with heart shaped candy, flowers, and dinners at fancy places are getting fully booked. Everyone has already geared up to celebrate Valentine’s Day. So, whether you’re in a romantic relationship or not, there are still ways to celebrate the “most romantic holiday”. 

Expressing your love becomes much easier with the advent of new technology. Now, people are on the hunt to find better and more creative ways to get their message across. 

Still in the dark about how to get your message across?  Impress your girlfriend, boyfriend, friend or parents, by sending them a personalized greeting on KakaoTalk, the number one Social Networking App in the iOS App Store.

1. Love knows no bounds – It’s no secret that long distance relationships are a bit harder to maintain. This is why couples rely on technology, such as messaging apps, to help them stay connected at minimal cost.  KakaoTalk is best known for its free chat and call feature. The free app especially helpful for those in long-distance relationships because it allows you to make calls and send unlimited messages across the globe.

2. Group love – You can create groups with up to five members for group calls, which makes keeping in touch so much easier. Don’t have a girlfriend/ boyfriend to celebrate? Don’t worry – find your own fun with your best buddies, and organize a guys/girls night out in an instant! Plus, KakaoTalk is also the worlds’ first to provide free group calls in HD quality, meaning your voice calls will be clearer than ever!
3. Show your emoticons with action – As body language helps verbal communication, actions on emoticons help deliver fuller and deeper emotions. KakaoTalk exclusively offers hundreds of moving emoticons that will help expand your breadth of expressions. They’re also so much more enjoyable to see, and the dancing emoticons are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Get help from Kakao Friends – Kakao is also the only place where you will be able to meet Apeach, Jay-G, Frodo and Neo who will help send your message across.

If words aren’t enough to express your emotions, the mischievous Apeach is here to help you. Bursting with energy, Apeach’s infectious charm ensures a fun time filled with adventure.

To impress your date, ask help from the cool and collected Jay-G. Known for his signature sunglasses and afro, Jay-G is image of a calm, cool-headed and professional dude who is really as clumsy as a bear, has the heart of a pussycat and is hungry for affection.

You can also take your cue from Frodo and Neo, two complete opposites, who despite their differences, always manage to find a way to settle things. Frodo is a wealthy and spoiled city dog with a small inferioirity complex but a happy-go-lucky attitude. He takes the time to enjoy life, even if it’s something as simple as savoring his morning coffee. On the other side, we have Neo, who is the love of Frodo’s life. Neo is a prim and self-oriented cat who is very self-centered and is obsessed with her bob cut wig. This couple can help you express your affections and make peace with your friends.

5. Make date planning easier –   KakaoTalk’s location sharing feature allows you to share your location or a location of choice to your friends. Simply slide out the hidden menu, click on ‘location’ and designate the location information you want to share. Instead of having to type in difficult directions or opening up a separate app, Kakao allows users to send your location, with address, direction and all, with a single tap. As it makes use of your smartphone’s default map, you never have to worry about your friend not having the same map app for proper view.

 “The celebration doesn’t have to be all hearts and flowers. KakaoTalk’s features allow you to get your message across – no matter how simple or how far. We take messaging to the new heights by making them interactive, fun and customizable to fit your mood. Plus, KakaoTalk is very user friendly so anyone can use it!,” says Jean Lee, country head of KakaoTalk Philippines.

KakaoTalk is also running a Valentine’s treat on Facebook and Twitter!  You just need to use KakaoTalk’s Valentine’s e-cards and you may get a chance to win an iPad Air!  For details, please like www.facebook.com/kakaotalkph and follow @kakaotalkph on Twitter. 

KakaoTalk is available on the iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, Bada, Nokia Asha and PC. For more information, visit KakaoTalk’s website at http://www.kakaotalk.com.ph/

Electric Vehicle Summit 2013 now more relevant in the wake of Yolanda and climate change effects

Social media release

Manila, Philippines - It is all systems go for the Electric Vehicle Summit 2013 at the Multipurpose Hall of Meralco, Pasig City on February 27-28, 2014. The summit was originally scheduled on November 28-29, 2013 but was reset due to the devastation then brought by Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas that necessitated the urgent attention of government agencies on relief operations.

Rommel Juan, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP), one of the organizers, said that the EV Summit has now become more relevant in the light of the recent effects of Typhoon Yolanda. “Now, people are more conscious of the negative effects that can be brought upon by our neglect in preserving the environment thus resulting in global warming and climate change. Thus this year, even major auto shows abroad have prominently featured electric vehicles and other forms of alternative fuel vehicles”, he adds.

eVAP now boasts of 56 active members, 27 of whom are corporate members. It is part of the lead organizing group Electric Vehicle Alliance consisting of Meralco and various like-minded NGOs such as Partnership for Clean Air (PCA), Clean Air initiative Asia and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). 

In a press statement, eVAP said that the EV Summit aims to strengthen government and private sector cooperation towards mainstreaming the EV ecosystem. “This is expected to attract over 500 participants that include major EV players from Asia and the Philippines. We brought them together so that major issues and concerns hampering the growth of the EV industry can be discussed and in the process, partnerships could be developed. Also in attendance will be EV parts manufacturers and assemblers, key officials of government agencies, heads of LGUs and academic institutions and even NGO partners for clean air”.

Juan adds that the EV Summit has also been successful in bringing together EV industry players from the region into the Philippines. “Our local EV players were able to forge relations with foreign EV companies from Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Their collaborations have made it easier for these partnerships to participate in high-ticket projects like the DOE-ADB Electric Tricycle Program. Thanks in no small measure to eVAP”.

The EV Summit will feature a trade fair where foreign and local EV parts manufacturers will display their latest products. TECO of Taiwan, partner of local EV pioneer PhUV Inc., will unveil their locally-assembled electric tricycle. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation will launch their electric version of the Outlander.

“The Philippines will be at the center of the world EV stage in February as we plan what we hope will be the biggest and most meaningful Electric Vehicle Summit in the Philippines. And we hope that the Summit will catapult the fledgling industry into the mainstream sooner than later”, Juan says.

“The Philippines is now on the verge of an EV tipping point where all the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. Once they all come together, the Philippines may finally be the EV manufacturing hub of the region. But first, we need to put the right business environment in place. This we hope to iron out during the forthcoming EV Summit”, he concludes.