DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S – EVEREST AVALANCHE SPECIAL

Release material

The morning of Friday, April 18 this year marks as one of the greatest tragedies to have struck Mount Everest – an avalanche so great that it left at least 13 people dead and a number missing. Discovery Channel’s Everest Avalanche special – which premieres Sunday, June 1 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight HK – takes an in-depth look at the fateful catastrophe, the dangers and allure surrounding the world’s highest mountain.

Bear Grylls. Photos courtesy of Discovery Channel

BEAR GRYLLS: MAN VS. EVEREST

Premieres on Sunday, June 1 at 9:00 p.m. Encores on Friday, June 6 at 9:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Hosted by survival expert Bear Grylls, BEAR GRYLLS: MAN VS. EVEREST is a one-hour special that presents stories of the greatest Everest attempts and achievements over the years. Drawing from his own experience as one of Everest’s youngest summiteers, Bear introduces viewers to other adventurers who braved extreme conditions to climb Everest in the most unique and radical ways possible. Featuring interviews with real-life climbers, support crews, sherpas, journalists and experts, this clip show also includes unseen archival and user-generated footage, stunning Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) and fascinating facts.

Everest Avalanche Tragedy – Everest Live Jump’s Joby Ogywn trekking to base camp on Mt. Everest before the avalanche.

EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY

Premieres on Sunday, June 1 at 10:00 p.m. Encores on Friday, June 6 at 10:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m.

EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY provides unprecedented access and eyewitness accounts from the rescue and recovery efforts that took place after the April 18 avalanche this year struck Khumbu Icefall, the area just above Mount Everest base camp, killing 13 and leaving a number of people missing. Members of an NBC News team were at base camp as they prepared to produce Discovery Channel’s live special, EVEREST JUMP LIVE scheduled to air Sunday, May 11, when the avalanche hit. The special would have featured climber Joby Ogwyn’s attempt to make the first wing suit flight off the summit of the world's tallest mountain.

EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY will feature highly emotional and real time footage, capturing the mobilisation efforts of Sherpas and rescuers as they rushed to search for survivors. Through eyewitness accounts, viewers will hear from those who experienced this horrible tragedy and aftermath including sit down interviews with Joby Ogwyn.

BEAR GRYLLS: EVEREST AFTER THE AVALANCHE

Premieres on Sunday, June 1 at 11:30 p.m. Encores on Friday, June 6 at 23:30 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m.

Following the tragic avalanche that occurred on Mount Everest this year, BEAR GRYLLS: EVEREST AFTER THE AVALANCHE dissects the dangers and disasters of the mountain, through an insider perspective from Bear himself. In this 30-minute special, Bear draws on his own experience as an Everest summiteer to share with viewers the danger and the allure of the world's highest mountain, which was filmed following the disaster.

Kiddo-Preneur Summer Bazaar

Galaxy 11 promotional video.

Although I am not aware of the release of the device, I am impressed with the investment of their promotional video. Samsung made it look like a science fiction trailer. That they were invaded by an extra-terrestial beings and the team of heroes they gathered are the popular professional football personalities. It brought out the geek interests from me.

RENAISSANCE ART GALLERY’s 11th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT “TINUOD/TRUTH” BY BAG-ONG HINAN-AW SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 25

Press release

One of the trendiest art galleries in Metro Manila, Renaissance Art Gallery boasts of having among the finest collections of established and upcoming Filipino contemporary artists.

Among the events celebrating its eleventh anniversary this June, Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to present the grouped art exhibition “Tinuod/Truth,” featuring sixty-four masterpieces created by the artists and mentors of the Cebu-based art group Bag-ong Hinan-aw.

Cebuano for “New Perspectives,” Bag-ong Hinan-aw is a group inspired and guided by the giants of Cebu’s academic realist tradition: the art philosophy of Martino Abellana, the Amorsolo of the South; and his two greatest apprentices, Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (also known as Sym); and Romulo Galicano.

Bag-ong Hinan-aw is composed of ten artists: Publio “Boy” Briones, Jr.; Buboy Cañete, Audie Estrellado, Ramon De Dios, Carlos Florida, Jonathan Galicano, Luther Galicano, Bernardo Hermoso, Facundo “Dodong” Tallo, and Jose “Pepe” Villadolid.

Their works are suffused with the academic realism that came from National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, and bequeathed through the teachings of Abellana, Sym, and Galicano.

Cebuano for “truth,” tinuod exemplifies their artistic values: to render the truth of nature through the honest and ethical work of painting, bringing the highest standards of craftsmanship and new visions to enthrall their audiences with unique concepts and newer ways of looking at art.

“Tinuod/Truth” shall also feature guest works of Martino Abellana, Sym, and Romulo Galicano.

“Tinuod/Truth” will have its opening cocktails on June 25, 2014 – 6 p.m. at the ART CENTER, 4^th Level, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. It runs until July 8, 2014.

For further details of the exhibit, you may contact Renaissance Gallery the following ways:

By phone: 637-3101

By e-mail: renaissanceart.ph@gmail.com

By Internet: www.renaissanceart.ph

Connect to Renaissance Gallery online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: facebook.com/renaissanceart.ph

Instagram: renaissanceartph

Ballet Philippines Celebrates Its Sapphire Year

Ballet Philippines is now in its 45th year and to celebrate the Sapphire year, they unveiled their new studio not far from CCP.  Christened as Studio One, the new studio is for the use of Ballet Philippines within the CCP Complex. BP started sharing rooms with Philharmonic Orchestra at the CCP Building. Their first studio is located at SM Aura.

Studio One

In addition to the Sapphire season, they also launched their upcoming productions for this year and the next. This July, they will kick off the season with La Revolucion Filipina, an BP original ballet choreographed by Andrea Locsin based on our nation's history. It solely focused on Mabini since it happens to be the sesquicentennial birthday of the Brain of the Revolution.

BP Alumni

This is will show the interpretation in ballet form if Mabini can dance. Libretto by Dennis Marasigan and music by Ryan Cayabyab. Other productions to be anticipated includes Giselle, Cinderella, Manhid and a lot more.

Inside Studio One

Besides the seasonal productions, Ballet Philippines is sending some of their dancers to compete internationally in June and July. As a geek, I am anticipating Manhid because its a pinoy superhero musicale with the music of Eraserheads. Not only that it involves the superhero genre but it is original pinoy superheroes created for the musicale and their names are pre-colonial.

Sample number on upcoming productions

Not only I got to see the sample of future productions of Ballet Philippines, I also witness the alumni of BP joined the launch to show support. For more updates and upcoming productions of Ballet Philippines, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

TAIPING WELCOMES TUNE HOTELS

Online release material

Latest hotel underscores commitment to tourism, Northern Corridor

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 May 2014 – International value hotel group Tune Hotels continues to boost its presence within Malaysia with the opening of a hotel in the heritage city of Taiping in the northern state of Perak, Malaysia.

The 113-room Tune Hotel Taiping, which is part of the Taiping Centre Point development, is located within the heart of a new business growth area of the city.

To celebrate the opening, rooms at Tune Hotel Taiping are being made available at promotional rates starting from only RM68 all-in per night, exclusively for online bookings via www.tunehotels.com. Bookings can be made from now until 25 May 2014, for immediate stay periods up to 24 Jul 2014. Promotional rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in guests get to enjoy opening rates from as low as RM88 all-in per night for a limited period.

Group CEO of Tune Hotels Mark Lankester said: “Tune Hotels is delighted to be here in Taiping, underscoring our presence and growth in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. This city has a lot of potential for tourism both business and leisure and the opening is yet another show of our commitment towards the rapidly developing Northern Corridor. Visitors to Taiping, be it for leisure or business, can rest assured of an enjoyable, comfortable and affordable stay with Tune Hotel Taiping.”

 

The Northern Corridor Economic Region (Koridor Utara) is an economic transformation project that focuses on accelerating growth and income levels with the objective of becoming a world-class economic region by the year 2025. The corridor is made up of the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak, where Taiping is located. Tourism is one of its key thrust areas alongside agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.

Famed for its tin-mining legacy, Taiping is easily accessible via the North-South Expressway, with Penang about 110 kilometres to the north and Kuala Lumpur 260 kilometres down south. One of the earliest stations of the British administration in the 19^thCentury, Taiping boasts a sizeable concentration of heritage buildings as well as the Taiping Lake Gardens, the first public garden established during British rule where the famous centuries-old rain trees can be found.

Taiping is also home to Malaysia’s oldest hill resort, the Maxwell Hill and the country’s first zoo, the Taiping Zoo & Night Safari. Nature lovers can head on to the world-renowned Royal Belum Forest where they can get up close with the rich diversity of flora and fauna and interact with the local aborigines Orang Asli community.

Mark added: “With its history and nature attractions, Taiping has long been a family holiday and adventure destination and now with all the developments in and around Taiping, we have noted a growing stream of business and leisure visitors to Taiping and its surrounding areas. With Tune Hotel Taiping, we look forward to welcoming holidaymakers and business travellers alike to enjoy our international class accommodation at affordable rates. Apart from standard double and twin-sharing rooms we have also included family rooms to suit the needs of families and group travellers.”

Tune Hotel Taiping is part of the new Taiping Centre Point development, located right across from the Taiping Sentral Mall and Tesco hypermarket and within minutes from the Columbia Asia Hospital. Within the development and surroundings on offer are a host of dining, entertainment, shopping and lifestyle options. It is only two kilometres away from the Taiping railway station, the country’s oldest and one of the most iconic.

Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Executive Chairman respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

More than five million people have stayed at Tune Hotels’ properties worldwide. There are 45 Tune Hotels available for booking across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, England, Scotland, Australia, India and Japan.

For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook atwww.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels. 

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com. Guests can also choose to book via telephone at 1300 8888 63 (within Malaysia) or +603 7962 5888.

Promil Pre-School reveals this year’s Top 30 and gives the audience the chance to vote for their favorite i-Shiner

Event release material

 

i-Shine Talent Camp, a reality TV program in search of exceptionally talented preschoolers in singing, dancing, and acting, is giving viewers the unique opportunity to vote for their favorite i-Shiner.

 

Promil Pre-School recently held workshops and auditions in Abreeza Mall in Davao, SM City in Cebu, and TriNoMa in Metro Manila. The mall events were attended by over 700 children ages 4-7 years old, along with their parents, to showcase their talents.. Hosts Dimples Romana, Xian Lim, and Matteo Guidicelli were also present during the events, with the latter two performing in TriNoMa for fans and mall goers.

 

This year, a shortlist of 30 finalists will be revealed on the Promil Pre-school i-Shine Talent Camp’s microsite on May 24, 2014.  The audience will choose 3 finalists – 1 for singing, 1 for dancing, and 1 for acting – through online voting.  The 3 finalists per category with the most votes will join the 9 finalists selected by Wyeth Philippines and ABS-CBN, and complete the top 12 i-shiners.

 

Under the tutelage of high-caliber mentors, these twelve finalists will undergo a series of comprehensive workshops to nurture their talents and reach their full potential.

 

To vote, viewers must log on to http://ishine.abs-cbn.com, visit the Top 30 finalists’ profile pages and click on the vote button for their favorite I-Shiner. Voting will run from May 24 to June 3, 2014. Only one vote per day is allowed.

 

Watch out for this exciting twist!  You may be part of this year’s Grand I-shiner’s journey!  Keep visiting http://ishine.abs-cbn.com and watch interviews and behind the scene footages throughout the season!

 

DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S ALL-NEW MYSTERY OF THE LOST ISLANDS UNRAVELS NATURE’S BIGGEST ENIGMAS

Online release material

— Wildlife Expert and Adventurer Dave Salmoni Investigates the World’s Most Mysterious and Remote Islands to Unveil Secrets of the Planet’s Most Extraordinary Predators —

Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel

In the all-new original series, MYSTERY OF THE LOST ISLANDS, renowned zoologist and large predator expert Dave Salmoni sets out to the wildest islands to crack the last big secrets surrounding the world’s most successful natural-born killers. How and why have they been so spectacularly successful at surviving — despite the harshest of conditions? Heart-stopping adventure united with the striking imagery of the hidden beauty of the untamed islands of Rangiroa, Falklands, Admiralty, Fernandina and Coiba — MYSTERY OF THE LOST ISLANDS pits Dave against the terrifying unknown and documents him getting up close with vampire bats, hammerhead sharks, killer whales and grizzly bears. MYSTERY OF THE LOST ISLANDS premieres on Tuesday, May 27 at 9:00 p.m. (2100 hrs) SIN/HK.

In a unique approach that blends the splendour of a natural history documentary series with an incredible investigative twist, the six-part series puts Dave’s skills and survival to the test, as he attempts to illuminate the intricate inner workings of nature’s fiercest creatures. And it is only by venturing closer than most would dare will we be able to solve the MYSTERY OF THE LOST ISLANDS:

JULIA ROBERTS AND MARK RUFFALO STAR IN BRAND NEW HBO ORIGINAL MOVIE THE NORMAL HEART

HBO Asia material release

 

TO DEBUT IN ASIA MAY 26 ON HBO GO / JUNE 1 AT 10PM ON HBO

 

Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch and Jim Parsons also star

PHILIPPINES, MAY 19, 2014 – Directed by Emmy^® winner Ryan Murphy (“Eat Pray Love,” “Glee”) and written by Academy Award^® nominee Larry Kramer (“Women in Love”), adapting his Tony Award-winning play of the same name, THE NORMAL HEART tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, and takes an unflinching look at the nation’s sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial.

Photo courtesy of HBO Asia

 

Starring Academy Award^® nominee Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are All Right”), Matt Bomer (“White Collar”), Taylor Kitsch (“Lone Survivor”), Emmy^® winner Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Academy Award^® winner Julia Roberts, THE NORMAL HEART premieres Monday, May 26 on HBO GO, within 12 hours of its US premiere, and Sunday, June 1 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD, within a week of its US premiere.

 

The film also stars Alfred Molina (“An Education”), Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (“Law & Order”), Jonathan Groff (HBO’s “Looking”), Denis O’Hare (HBO’s “True Blood”), Stephen Spinella (“Milk”), Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”), Finn Wittrock (“Unbroken”) and BD Wong (HBO’s “Oz”).

 

Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover. Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist. Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway revival. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS.

 

Alfred Molina plays Ned’s older brother, Ben, who is a successful attorney. Joe Mantello plays Mickey Marcus, who is an instrumental member of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. Jonathan Groff plays Craig, Bruce’s lover, an early victim of HIV-AIDS. Denis O’Hare portrays Hiram Keebler, Mayor Koch’s gay aide. Stephen Spinella plays Sanford, one of Dr. Brookner’s first patients. Corey Stoll portrays presidential senior advisor John Bower. Finn Wittrock plays Albert, a male model. BD Wong portrays Buzzy, a nurse who works with Dr. Brookner.

 

In 1981, writer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the “gay cancer,” and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramer’s home would lead to the formation of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.

 

Kramer’s play debuted at New York’s Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London, and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.

 

The talented behind-the-scenes team includes production designer Shane Valentino (“Beginners”), director of photography Danny Moder (“Jesus Henry Christ”), editor Adam Penn (“American Horror Story”), costume designer Daniel Orlandi (HBO’s “Game Change”), composer Cliff Martinez (“Drive”) and casting directors Amanda Mackey (“The Proposal”) and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond (“Ronin”).

 

An HBO Films presentation of a Plan B and Blumhouse production in association with Ryan Murphy Productions, THE NORMAL HEART is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Dante Di Loreto (“Glee”), Jason Blum (the “Paranormal Activity” series), Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”), Dede Gardner (“12 Years a Slave”). Mark Ruffalo co-executive produces; Scott Ferguson (HBO’s “Temple Grandin”) produces.

 

1. THE NORMAL HEART airs in Asia Monday, May 26 on HBO GO, within 12 hours of its US premiere and Sunday, June 1 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD, within a week of its US premiere. Also available free on HBO On Demand from Monday, June 9.

Start The School Year Fresh with Fresh Gear and Get A Chance To Win P5,000 Worth Of Fresh Gear Products

Summer break's almost over and school season is about to begin. This is the best time to get ready for the remaining time before things get busy. Some may be familiar with the song, First Day High but there is more to it than just a line of a song. Same is said for the expression, First Impressions Last.

Character is what really matter but making the first big impression that will last the whole 4 or 5-year term begins with the first step. I can't that my first day during my high school or college years was smooth but it didn't exactly left a mark because there are always students trying to bring you down but it always pays to stand tall.

The first day is always about establishing identity in campus. In this endeavor, Fresh Gear offers option on their clothing line for the students especially in college. For this school year, Fresh Gear will initiate a fashion campaign following suit from Next Top Model but in campus setting. Fresh Gear will be visiting selected campuses and invite campus based fashion bloggers in their respective campus. They will model their own concept how a modern student wears inside the campus.

Fresh Gear initiates this plan to target the students to buy affordable and yet fashionable clothes for the students. It is also the initiative that it will much more appealing if the current students wears this clothing line than paid endorsers so it will be merchandise concentrated.

So let's make this school year, clean fun and preppy as we make a fresh start for 2014-2015. Fresh Gear outlets are located at Teen's Section of SM Department Stores. Get a chance to win GCs from Fresh Gear by  simply filling up the details embedded below. For more updates about the promo, like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

MECHANICS:  
1) Open to any resident of the Philippines. 2) Must have a Twitter and Facebook account. Additional raffle entries for those who have an Instagram account. 3) Promo ends on June 15, 2014, 12:01am. 4) Winners will be chosen via electronic raffle and contacted via Facebook or Twitter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GUESTS GIVE TUNE HOTEL klia2 THE THUMBS UP

Online media release

‘Roomer Has It’ social media campaign launched to commemorate new hotel opening

SEPANG, 9 May 2014 – Tune Hotel klia2 saw a steady stream of guests checking in on its first day of operations today.

Guests met at the hotel today gave the thumbs up for the fresh new look and cool ambience.

Tony Head from Perth, Australia who was en route to Padang, Sumatera with his friends for their surfing vacation said: “We have stayed at the old LCCT hotel before but getting into the new Tune Hotel klia2 gives us a totally different kind of impression. The hotel looks sleek and we are sure to have a good rest tonight before catching our flight to Padang tomorrow.”

Another guest from Perth, Irene Tiong commended the hotel for its convenience and accessibility to the klia2 terminal. Tune Hotel klia Manager Hairul Maharis was at hand to welcome the guests.

Group CEO of Tune Hotels Mark Lankester said: “We’ve really listened to our guests over the last few years and have taken into account collaborative comments made to us in terms of how we can improve what we do. As a result, we have innovatively transformed the guestroom experience into a modern-style accommodation featuring the all-new room design with a sleek writing table, luggage platform and a 32-inch flat screen LED TV, bringing about an improved, sophisticated but cool ambience throughout the property. Business and leisure guests as well as airline passengers on extended waits will enjoy a totally improved experience and most importantly a very comfortable and refreshing stay.”

With 400 rooms, the hotel is directly connected to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) terminal via a covered walkway and link bridge, allowing easy and convenient access to check-in counters as well as the Gateway@klia2 shopping mall.

To add to the guest experience and comfort, the hotel’s spacious lobby is designed to feature a cool casual seating lounge with free wifi, and an expansive open-air courtyard lounge, overlooked on the ground floor by a 24-hour restaurant and beverage centre. For guests with further transportation needs, the hotel includes a transport counter for overland transport needs and for flights, two AirAsia self check-in kiosks within the lobby for added convenience to hotel guests. For airline passengers the lobby area features flight information displays for up-to-date information on arrivals and departures.

Apart from overnight stays, guests on short transits can also opt for ‘Refresher Package’ at the hotel that is available between9.00 am to 6.00 pm daily and subject to availability of rooms. This option is only available for walk-in guests.

Meanwhile, Tune Hotels has launched a social media campaign to commemorate the opening of Tune Hotel klia2.  Called ‘Roomer Has It’, the campaign is run via Tune Hotels Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tunehotels.

Participants will need to claim the entire hotel by inviting their friends and families to claim a room in the hotel. The Top 10 participants with the most number of hotel rooms claimed are entitles for 10 complimentary rooms which they can share with their respective friends and join in Tune Hotels’ slumber party at Tune Hotel klia2 on 31 May 2014.

With an annual capacity of 45 million passengers, the klia2 is the world's largest purpose-built terminal dedicated for low cost carriers (LCCs). The new airport has commenced commercial operations since 2 May 2014, while the AirAsia Group moved its entire operations at LCCT to the klia2 effective today.

In terms of transport connectivity, the klia2 terminal boasts not only bus and taxi services but also the Express Rail Link KLIA Express train service that connects to and from Kuala Lumpur Sentral. For guests arriving at or departing from the KLIA Main Terminal, they can make use of the scheduled shuttle service via the Express Rail link that charges just RM2 one way and stroll over to the hotel via its covered link bridge and walkway.

For those who drive in, Tune Hotel klia2 has 167 parking bays which are conveniently located just a few steps away from the airport terminal.

Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Executive Chairman respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

There are currently 44 Tune Hotels available for booking across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, England, Scotland, Australia, India and Japan.

For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook atwww.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels. 

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com.

RENAISSANCE ART GALLERY’s 11th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT “DRIVEN TO ABSTRACTION” SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 6

Event release material

In celebration of its 11^th anniversary, Renaissance Art Gallery presents “Driven to Abstraction” featuring abstract artists: Max Balatbat, Bien Benitez, Benji Bisaya, Marco Coching, Arley Carig, Jane Ebarle, Fitz Herrera, Josef Laureano, Sio Montera, Cid Reyes, Aner Sebastian, Resty Tica and Valen Valerio.

 

            A highlight of the show are the works of master abstractionists such as National Artists Hernando R. Ocampo, Jose Joya and Arturo Luz, as well as Malang, Romulo Olazo, Gus Albor, Lao Lianben, and Nestor Vinluan.

 

By Aner Sebastian

            Through over a decade, Renaissance Art Gallery has built a reputation as a nurturing ground for emerging abstractionists. Its proprietors Noli and Agnes Romero have been committed to fostering the appreciation of a non-figurative idiom, especially in an art scene that predominantly favors representation

nal paintings.

 

            Abstraction is an art in which “the depiction of real objects or nature has been subordinated or entirely discarded and whose aesthetic content is expressed in a formal pattern or structure of shapes, lines and colors.” It is also called non-representational or nonobjective a term first used by Russian abstractionist, Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944).

 

            “Driven to Abstraction”  will have a special preview from June 6 to 8 (Friday to Sunday) and the opening cocktails is on June 9, 2014 – 6 p.m. at the ART CENTER, 4^th Level, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. It runs until June 24, 2014.

 

For further details of the exhibit, you may contact Renaissance Gallery the following ways:

            By phone:       637-3101

By e-mail:       renaissanceart.ph@gmail.com

 

By Internet:     www.renaissanceart.ph

 

Connect to Renaissance Gallery online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:    facebook.com/renaissanceart.ph

 

 

Instagram:    renaissanceartph

DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS

TURNING WOW TO HOW FOR 20 YEARS RUNNING

– A five-day special airing from May 19 to 23 –

The month of May marks Discovery Channel’s 20^th year of being in Asia and what better way to celebrate this monumental milestone and thank our fans for joining us on this awe-inspiring journey of endless curiosity, learning and exploration than through DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS, a five-day special that looks back at the first episodes of the channel’s most iconic and loved series. Relive your fondest memories of your very first Discovery Channel experience and most mind-bending moments to date, through a power-packed smorgasbord of absolute fan favourites that include MAN VS. WILD, MYTHBUSTERS, RIVER MONSTERS, DIRTY JOBS, GOLD RUSH, DUAL SURVIVAL and AMERICAN CHOPPER, amongst others. DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS airs daily from Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23 from 8:00 p.m. (2000 hrs) to 10:00 p.m. (2200 hrs) SIN/HK. Encores on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 1:00 p.m. (1300 hrs) to 6:00 p.m. (1800 hrs).

DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS is a commemorative throwback and teleports all the way through to today for a nostalgic retrospection of #20YearsOfDiscovery. Reminisce the time when you were at the edge of your seat during your first plunge into the extreme world of survival with adventurer and survival guru Bear Grylls in MAN VS. WILD. How about the very first “eureka!” moment when the curious team from the Emmy^®-nominated MYTHBUSTERS set your scientific sparks ablaze and your inner Einstein loose? And that first time when world renowned extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade got us hooked on some of the most spine-chilling and harrowing freshwater fish tales of bloodthirsty giant killers – with a taste for human flesh – in RIVER MONSTERS?

Gathering sperm from stallions? Worm dung farmer? Zoo poop pickers? Throwback Thursday with the international man of grime, Mike Rowe, who willingly got down and filthy in the Emmy^®-nominated DIRTY JOBS, taking on some of the most seemingly unpleasant or unthinkable jobs and spotlighting the unsung men and women who overcome fear, danger and sometimes stench and ickiness to get the work done for the benefit of society. Then, do a Flashback Friday with GOLD RUSH whose Midas touch hit pay dirt, kick-starting an ever-growing fascination and fever for gold across Asia.

Historic world-changing events, scientific breakthroughs, revolutionary innovations and technologies that could change the world, breathtaking natural history, real individuals with true stories and emotions; DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS is a toast to our viewers – the insatiably curios people who have spurred this continuous quest to understand and question the big things and the little ones, turning wow to how for 20 years running.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL FIRSTS: Episode Guide

	Mon, May 19	Tues, May 20	Wed, May 21	Thurs, May 22	Fri, May 23
8:00 p.m. (2000 hrs)	Man Vs. Wild	River Monsters	MythBusters	Dirty Jobs	Gold Rush
9:00 p.m. (2100 hrs)	Dual Survival	Deadliest Catch	Future Weapons	American Chopper	Bering Sea Gold

Wednesday, May 21

MYTHBUSTERS (premiered in 2004)

This Emmy^®-nominated series aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends by mixing scientific methods with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create a signature style of experimentation. Called "the best science show on television", MYTHBUSTERS is hosted by science-crazy Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage along with co-hosts Tory Belleci, Kari Byron and Grant Imahara. In the series premiere, the team tries to prove if a '67 Chevy can turn into a 350-mile per hour (over 563 kilometres) road warrior and if the Pop Rocks candy and soda myth is in fact a recipe for disaster.

FUTURE WEAPONS (premiered in 2007)

Ex-Navy SEAL Richard Machowicz goes in search of the latest, cleverest and most terrifying technology. These are weapons that, almost unaided by human hand, actually seek out and destroy their targets by themselves. In the deserts of Arizona, he witnesses Excalibur – a smart 155 cannon fired projectile that can correct its own trajectory in flight. It can hit its target from 25 miles away, to within 5 yards! Thor is a new missile system that beats the 10 second attack window – when an attack helicopter prepares to strike a ground target it can take it out within seconds. The stakes are raised when Richard goes on a midnight exercise with the Apache Longbow that can take out targets that are way out of sight.

Thursday, May 22

DIRTY JOBS (premiered in 2007)

Mike Rowe has had more jobs than most. The fearless Mike gets his hands deep in grime and some other not-so-nice substances taking on some of the most unthinkable vocations, shining the spotlight on the dedicated men and women who make a living doing inconceivable and very often, undesired jobs. Mike’s prepared to do all it takes to uncover and understand what it takes to tackle some of the toughest jobs out there. In the series premiere, Mike visits a cave where bat guano (also known as poop) is collected for some of the world’s best fertiliser, discovers the dirty secret behind major league baseball and takes an up-close look at seafood at a fish factory.

AMERICAN CHOPPER (premiered in 2005)

Paul Teutul Senior, owner and designer of Orange County Choppers (OCC) and his team have been producing custom-made motorcycles for over three decades. In the series premiere, the team is involved in a massive project of transforming a heap of scrap into a world class motorbike in time for the Laconia Bike show in central New Hampshire, United States. Relive the effort, pain, frustrations, problems, solutions, long days and nights and triumphs as Paul and his team work tirelessly through eight weeks to get it done.

Friday, May 23

GOLD RUSH (premiered in 2011)

When the going gets tough, the tough seek new frontiers. Six recession-hit patriots from Oregon become greenhorn old miners and risk everything. Heading north to Alaska to dig for gold they hope to strike big and save themselves from financial ruin. The team of mining greenhorns begs, borrows and builds all the equipment they need to mine for gold. Loaded with supplies, they leave their loved ones behind and drive from Oregon to Alaska in a Klondike convoy. They have just five months to set up a gold mine and strike gold before winter closes them down. They face, bear attacks, flooding, constant breakdowns, infighting, fatal illness and many more adventures as they struggle to get down to the gold and save their families.

BERING SEA GOLD (premiered in 2012)

In the frontier town of Nome, Alaska, there is a gold rush taking over. For two million years, glaciers have been melting into the Bering Sea and depositing sediments rich with gold into its waters. As the ice melts in summer, this isolated town booms with enthusiasm as pioneer dredgers rush out to the sea for gold mining unlike any other! Here, the precious metal is not found in the ground, its sitting at the bottom of the frigid and erratic Bering Sea. The series premiere documents the kick start of the dredging season and follows four gold dredgers that range wildly in size and sophistication, but all have one thing in common: they are run by ambitious people whose very livelihoods depend on finding that one big payoff.