Monday, July 30, 2018

SIX ADDITIONAL PLAYDATES ADDED FOR TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY “M. BUTTERFLY” TO ACCOMMODATE MORE AUDIENCES

Press release


Due to popular demand, six additional playdates were added for Tony Award for Best Play “M. BUTTERFLY” in order to accommodate more audiences.

This news announcement was sent by Tony and Grammy award winning producer Jhett Tolentino and FRONTROW Entertainment.

The newly-updated schedule of performances are as follows:
Sept. 13 – Thursday – Gala Opening Night – 8 pm (By invitation only)
Sept. 14 – Friday – 8 pm
Sept. 15 – Saturday – 3 pm / 8 pm
Sept. 16 – Sunday – 3 pm / 8 pm
Sept. 18 – Tuesday – 8 pm
Sept. 19 – Wednesday – 8 pm
Sept. 20 – Thursday – 8 pm
Sept. 21 – Friday – 8 pm
Sept. 22 – Saturday – 3 pm / 8 pm
Sept. 23 – Sunday – 3 pm / 8 pm
Sept. 25 - Tuesday – 8 pm
Sept. 27 – Thursday – 8 pm
Sept. 28 – Friday – 8 pm
Sept. 29 – Saturday – 3 pm / 8 pm
Sept. 30 – Sunday – 3 pm / 8 pm

VENUE: Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center,
               Bonifacio Global City.

With a total of 21 performances (with no extension), “M. Butterfly” was written by David Henry Hwang and will be directed by award-winning artist Kanakan-Balintagos.

This classic masterpiece drama, inspired by Giaccomo Puccini's opera “Madame Butterfly” is loosely based on events surrounding a 1986 espionage trial about a mysterious Chinese opera singer and a French diplomat.

The cast are as follows: RS FRANCISCO (Song Liling), OLIVIER BORTEN (Rene Gallimard), NORM MC LEOD (Toulon), LEE O’BRIAN (Marc), REBECCA CHUAUNSU        (Comrade Chin), PINKY AMADOR (Helga), MAYA ENCILA (Renee / Pin Up Girl).

The members of the ensemble playing the role of Kurogo are as follows: JOHN PAUL ORTENERO,  PHEITH LENA BALLUG, KAY MEGAN KIERULF, AIRA JAY IGARTA, ULYSSES BASA and RICA NEPOMUCENO.

The artistic team of M. Butterfly is formed by the following: Kanakan-Balintagos (Direction), Jhett Tolentino and RS Francisco (Producers), Eric Pineda (Costume Design), Joed Balsamo (Music Composition), Ohm David (Set Design), Jethro Joaquin (Sound Design) John Batalla (Lights), and Gery Penaso (Make-Up Designer for Song Liling).

This re-staging of M. Butterfly was also designed to benefit charitable organizations with various causes as most performances will be 100% non-profit.

For tickets, call TICKETWORLD at 8919999.
The ticket prices are as follows:
Zone 1: P2,000
Zone 2: P1,750
Zone 3: P1,500
Zone 4: P1,250
Zone 5: P1,000

Check out M. Butterfly at the following social media:
Facebook: MButterflyMNL
Twitter: MButterflyMNL
Instagram: MButterflyMNL
YouTube: MButterflyMNL

For further inquiries, please contact ISHA GERMENTIL at mobile number
0917- 623 - 3834.

Friday, July 27, 2018

The Chronicles Of A Daddy Blogger Issue No. 1


Most of the people I know were not aware that I am now a father except for a few people I know closely. I made a surprising update when I posted online that I am now in a relationship and my partner gave birth.


When we started having check-ups for my partner at a lying-in clinic near Pasong Tirad in Makati, the doctor was not clear about the part when she ask about our decision where she should give birth. It was nearing the end of her 8th month that she told us that we should look for a hospital with complete facilities that a lying-in clinic cannot offer.

On that same week, we went to Fabella Maternity Hospital which is also insufficient in facilities unlike a General Hospital. We went to PGH during in earlier months but they are having some renovations in the Obi-Gyne ward.

Quirino Memorial Medical Center is not our last option. We only went there to check up. But it turns out, my partner’s cervix is already open and anytime, the baby can go out unexpectedly. We were not prepared for this because her 9th month hasn’t started yet and they say that 8th month is very delicate to give birth.

But because we are already there, we were given in to no choice but to have her deliver the baby in the charity ward since we are not prepared for it and it will be dangerous to go to another hospital we really didn’t like. According to the doctor there, our only choice is the Obi-Ward Extension because it is the less costly than private.

Since we agreed, we are given no choice but to agree that she will share it with other patients with the baby. During that time, my partner is sharing it with other two mothers. Because there is no newborn section, the baby is sharing the bed with them. Imagine three mothers and a baby sharing the same bed. We were even fortunate there was not one more.

If it weren’t because of heart condition, we were very comfortable with the lying-in than there at QMMC because my two nieces were born there. Also, there is the factor my mom or my sister was not with us to help us with the quick decisions we need to take.

The reason why people choose to give birth there because it is also a government hospital and since most of the masses don’t practice family planning as prescribed by our hospitals, instant population explosion. The hospital is not sufficient to accommodate all mothers in labor daily and there are more being admitted every day. This is a wake-up call to all couples, if you are really responsible, either try abstinence which is almost impossible or use contraceptives and condoms.

As the father of the baby, I had no choice but to stay within hospital premises like a bum or an inmate. The only area we can sleep on is the waiting area just below the driveway of the ob-gyne ward. It’s hot and there are no beddings but benches. There are no bathrooms for companions but we can use the restrooms which is better than nothing.

I can understand why the nurses are temperamental because there are a few of them and a lot of patients. Because of the limitation of the place, visitation hours are limited to 4 hours a day. 2 hours in the morning and two in the evening. Because the ward is cramp, they need to limit the time so they can work without hassle. So I maximize my time every visiting hour. Just before Labor Day, now that we have the baby was examined, I can’t wait to get my partner and my baby daughter out and it will give the nurses much relief when they are one patient down. When my brother in law saw me, it was as if I was released from prison. I felt I lose weight but with lots of stress and fatigue. My partner is more stressed and fatigued than I am which is why she wanted me to take her home than having dinner at a nearby establishment.

My thanks to the QMMC for their job well done. Even though one of the nurses cut the umbilical cord of my baby badly according to the nearby health center nurse when we had my baby checked up months later.

I have two regrets was the decision of choosing which hospital. If I decided to go to Ospital ng Maynila, it would be nearer to my place and it will be accessible to go to whenever we needed something. My second regret was I didn’t prepare enough.

This is the first of my Daddy Chronicles.

Saturday, July 14, 2018

The aMaSONAs are coming this July 23







July 23 marks the next State Of The Nation Address or SONA for short by President Rodrigo Duterte but unlike any previous SONA even from the past presidents, not all are impressed regardless of some of his actions that he already implemented.

It was only recently that President Digong has many misogynistic remarks that got most women concerned. It started when the president saying that women should not hold high positions in the government. It only shows that the president does not care about qualifications but on gender. Thus, #BabaeAko campaign was born.

Because of the removal of CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno from her position, the campaign became more aggressive in protesting the president. According to the initiators of #BabaeAko, this is very scary because the president always attacks his critics which are mostly women with government positions.

The initiators believe that the president is scared of women having a government position that is why he wanted to change the constitution through implementing Federalism. For them, this action is self-serving. The president already ignored the Magna Carta of Women and broken many promises like ending contractualization and not giving peace talks.


On July 23, the women groups will unite for the People’s SONA. The People’s SONA is also simultaneous event whenever a president delivers a SONA. The progressive theologians believe in Vox Populi Vox Dei which is Latin for “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

This time, the theme is #BabaeAko AMaSONA (Anti-Misogyny Activists sa SONA). It will be joined by many women groups including Gabriela, Voices of Women for Justice and Peace, Association of Women in Theology, Bai Indigenous Women’s Network, etc.

The People’s SONA would not be complete without an Effigy. The effigy will also follow the theme after the president’s statement; shoot the female rebel in the vagina. The Artists Circle that will be composed of women will make an effigy that looks like a woman’s sexual organ and there will be a bazooka coming out of it. According to the Artists’ Circle, their statement is “the president was also born out of his mother’s vagina; he should be ashamed of his mother’s vagina.”

Although the women’s’ groups have diverse statements, they are unified because of the president’s chauvinism. If the president does not get affected by the critics and attack them directly, he would not appear like a sore loser. Even the past presidents have critics but they never retaliate.

The video above mentions their public statement.

Saturday, July 7, 2018

WEDDING OF THE CENTURY


Weddings take long to plan ahead of time. It is like producing a stage production. You need to outsource services like who’s baking your wedding cake, who’s going to tailor your gowns for the bride and bridesmaids, who will apply the make-up, who’s going to take pictures, who will cater the reception, etc.


Century Mall recently had a wedding expo named, “Wedding of the Century”. It’s a catchy name because it’s a wedding expo done at Century Mall. I got to try the cake samples and photo booths, and I scanned their wedding album designs. A friend of mine tried their make-up services. It also showcases gowns and suits for the occasion.

What really caught my attention was the vintage car parked inside the mall at the ground level that is ideal for wedding. It’s a British vintage car 1936 Austin that is already refitted for the Filipino driver. I got to talk to the owner because I noticed it was already adjusted for the Filipino roadways because the Austin is originally right-wheel drive and this one is converted to left-wheel. It is also installed with air-conditioned which is also not original for the Austin.

If you are planning a wedding, this is the best venue to compare your budget to the respective wedding needs. If you are planning your own wedding, here are the contact exhibitors gathered from the event that participated:

LIGHTS AND SOUNDS

AUC INC.
0917-138-2229
abbybanaresco@yahoo.com
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/AUCinc/

FILMS, VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

VISUALS BY ALAZ
(+63) 917 112 5566
visualsbyalaz@gmail.com
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/visualsbyalaz
INSTAGRAM:
www.instagram.com/visualsbyalaz

MARCO CONSTANTINO
09052130411 / 09778363258
j316.marcoconstantino@gmail.com
Unit 1, 2nd floor, No. 24, Paz Street Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan City, Philippines

TIME CAPSULE: ART HOUSE PRODUCTION
09950158015 / 09151096924 / 09264523236 / 09173668913
Timecapsuleahprod@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: @TcartProd
INSTAGRAM: timecapsuleph

SLAM PRODUCTION (also offers Bridal Makeup Packages)
0977-8535181 / (02) 6176792 / (02) 5880590
info@slameventproduction.com
www.slameventproduction.com
SNAPCHAT, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @slameventprod
FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE: SLAM Event Production

PHOTOBOOTH

PARTY STUDIO MANILA
252-45056 / 09175408575 / 09055669790
thepartystudiomanila@gmail.com / thepartystudiomanila@yahoo.com
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/thepartystudiomanila
INSTAGRAM: @thepartystudiomanila

PHOTO STRIP PARTY BOOTH
09179936105 / (02)2524056
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/photostrip.partybooth

WEDDING RINGS

MATUS
+02 706 5391 / +63 998 564 8349
infomatus@gmail.com
www.weddingrings.com.ph
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/matusrings
5th Level Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

PARTY VENUE AND CATERING

LE CHEF by Chef Billy King
0917-8370609 / 0918-8990609 / (046) 419-8190 local 127 / (02) 779-5590 local 127
vanessa.briones@lechef.cc / minette.morana727@gmail.com
The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, Southwoods Avenue, Carmona, Cavite 4116 / No. 1 Villonco Road, Sucat, Parañaque, Muntinlupa City

PLAZA IBARRA
922-6868 / 413-0706 / 374-8354 / 374-8355 / 0998-9881336 / 0906-2601336
bqt_plazaibarra@ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph
www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph
FACEBOOK, PINTEREST & INSTAGRAM: @ibarrascatering
TWITTER: @ibarras_party
77 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City
Other Branches: Quezon Ave., Quezon City • Malate, Manila • Tagaytay City (411-5529 • 522-9999 • 986•1107)

CITY GARDEN GRAND HOTEL MAKATI
+63 2 888-8181 loc 1214 / +63917-5723486 / +63 2 554-3421
banquetsales@citygardengrandhotel.com
www.citygardengrandhotel.com

MAKEUP AND SKIN CARE

CRÈCHE Skin Care Center (for Bridal Rejuvenation)
09178786048
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/crecheskincare
2113 Anonas St. Corner Rd. 5 Brgy. 628, Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016

MAKEUP BY ROSE PEDAYO
02-9789801 / 09060679175
pedayoroselyn@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: make up by rose pedayo
INSTAGRAM: rosepedayohmua

HANNA PECHON Professional Makeup Artist
+63-917-507-9564
info@hannapechonmakeup.com / hannapechon@gmail.com
www.hannapechonmakeup.com
INSTAGRAM: hannapechon

AILEEN MAY Hair and Make-Up Artistry
09477789438
aileenmayespiritu@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: Aileen May Hair and Make Up Artistry
INSTAGRAM: aileenmayhairandmakeup
1600 Int. 8 J. Fajardo St. Sampaloc, Manila

WEDDING COORDINATOR

4:13 EVENTS PRO
0975-365-8093 / (046) 489-5498
marvintulawan@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: 4:13 Events Pro

AMORE DE FLEURPH
02-5074535 / 09989925157
amoredefleurph@gmail.com
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM: amoredefleurph

SAMNICE WEDDING AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT
0928-2998-421 / 0906-5366-182 / 0918-2623-384 / (02) 986-2942

WEDDING CAKES

SWEET CRAVINGS by Khai’s Cake & Pastries
0977-2774047 / 0922-80155913
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/Sweet-Cravings
Village East Cainta, Rizal

REENZSON’S PATISSERIE
0935-9324317 / 0936-3242688
FACEBOOK: Cakes by Reenzson’s Patisserie

D&D CAKES ETC.
0915-2483296
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/dndcakesetc/LIGHTS AND SOUNDS

AUC INC.
0917-138-2229
abbybanaresco@yahoo.com
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/AUCinc/

FILMS, VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

VISUALS BY ALAZ
(+63) 917 112 5566
visualsbyalaz@gmail.com
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/visualsbyalaz
INSTAGRAM:
www.instagram.com/visualsbyalaz

MARCO CONSTANTINO
09052130411 / 09778363258
j316.marcoconstantino@gmail.com
Unit 1, 2nd floor, No. 24, Paz Street Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan City, Philippines

TIME CAPSULE: ART HOUSE PRODUCTION
09950158015 / 09151096924 / 09264523236 / 09173668913
Timecapsuleahprod@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: @TcartProd
INSTAGRAM: timecapsuleph

SLAM PRODUCTION (also offers Bridal Makeup Packages)
0977-8535181 / (02) 6176792 / (02) 5880590
info@slameventproduction.com
www.slameventproduction.com
SNAPCHAT, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @slameventprod
FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE: SLAM Event Production

PHOTOBOOTH

PARTY STUDIO MANILA
252-45056 / 09175408575 / 09055669790
thepartystudiomanila@gmail.com / thepartystudiomanila@yahoo.com
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/thepartystudiomanila
INSTAGRAM: @thepartystudiomanila

PHOTO STRIP PARTY BOOTH
09179936105 / (02)2524056
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/photostrip.partybooth

WEDDING RINGS

MATUS
+02 706 5391 / +63 998 564 8349
infomatus@gmail.com
www.weddingrings.com.ph
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/matusrings
5th Level Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

PARTY VENUE AND CATERING

LE CHEF by Chef Billy King
0917-8370609 / 0918-8990609 / (046) 419-8190 local 127 / (02) 779-5590 local 127
vanessa.briones@lechef.cc / minette.morana727@gmail.com
The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, Southwoods Avenue, Carmona, Cavite 4116 / No. 1 Villonco Road, Sucat, Parañaque, Muntinlupa City

PLAZA IBARRA
922-6868 / 413-0706 / 374-8354 / 374-8355 / 0998-9881336 / 0906-2601336
bqt_plazaibarra@ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph
www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph
FACEBOOK, PINTEREST & INSTAGRAM: @ibarrascatering
TWITTER: @ibarras_party
77 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City
Other Branches: Quezon Ave., Quezon City • Malate, Manila • Tagaytay City (411-5529 • 522-9999 • 986•1107)

CITY GARDEN GRAND HOTEL MAKATI
+63 2 888-8181 loc 1214 / +63917-5723486 / +63 2 554-3421
banquetsales@citygardengrandhotel.com
www.citygardengrandhotel.com

MAKEUP AND SKIN CARE

CRÈCHE Skin Care Center (for Bridal Rejuvenation)
09178786048
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/crecheskincare
2113 Anonas St. Corner Rd. 5 Brgy. 628, Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016

MAKEUP BY ROSE PEDAYO
02-9789801 / 09060679175
pedayoroselyn@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: make up by rose pedayo
INSTAGRAM: rosepedayohmua

HANNA PECHON Professional Makeup Artist
+63-917-507-9564
info@hannapechonmakeup.com / hannapechon@gmail.com
www.hannapechonmakeup.com
INSTAGRAM: hannapechon

AILEEN MAY Hair and Make-Up Artistry
09477789438
aileenmayespiritu@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: Aileen May Hair and Make Up Artistry
INSTAGRAM: aileenmayhairandmakeup
1600 Int. 8 J. Fajardo St. Sampaloc, Manila

WEDDING COORDINATOR

4:13 EVENTS PRO
0975-365-8093 / (046) 489-5498
marvintulawan@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: 4:13 Events Pro

AMORE DE FLEURPH
02-5074535 / 09989925157
amoredefleurph@gmail.com
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM: amoredefleurph

SAMNICE WEDDING AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT
0928-2998-421 / 0906-5366-182 / 0918-2623-384 / (02) 986-2942

WEDDING CAKES

SWEET CRAVINGS by Khai’s Cake & Pastries
0977-2774047 / 0922-80155913
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/Sweet-Cravings
Village East Cainta, Rizal

REENZSON’S PATISSERIE
0935-9324317 / 0936-3242688
FACEBOOK: Cakes by Reenzson’s Patisserie

D&D CAKES ETC.
0915-2483296
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/dndcakesetc/