This July on Animal Planet

Press Release

This July on Animal Planet

The most unusual animals are gracing your TV screens this July on Animal Planet! From the bizarre animals of the land down under, to the aggressive cats of Los Angeles and New York – Animal Planet gives you a look at the world’s unique and misunderstood creatures from each side of the world.

 

Photo courtesy of Animal Planet

The new series WILD AUSTRALIA features one of the largest and most extreme wildernesses on Earth. Australia's animals are the product of millions of years of evolution in isolation, producing some of the planet’s strangest, and most unique creatures-- from mammals that lay eggs, to trees made from gold, to lizards that drink through their feet and the spiky yet cute echidna. This two-hour special explores the bizarre, deadly, and quirky characters that live in the world down-under.

WILD AUSTRALIA premieres on 17 July and airs on Fridays at 10PM.

When a pet cat controls the owner instead of the other way around, be ready to experience hell on earth. MY CAT FROM HELL (SEASON 6) follows Jackson Galaxy as he travels from Los Angeles to New York helping cat families in need. This season, Jackson helps model and social media star Adrianne Curry handle her menacing cat along with several other high profile cases. Watch Jackson deal with some of the worst cases of cat-on-cat and cat-on-human aggression he has ever seen. From humans that just don't understand their animals to cats that are in need, Jackson has one goal:  to help change people's lives, one cat at a time.

MY CAT FROM HELL returns on its sixth season on July 29, airing Wednesdays, 10PM.

Luxury Staycation at Chateau Hestia

Chateau is French for castle. Hestia is a Greek goddess of hearth and agriculture. What does it both have in common? Tagaytay and some areas in Silang are known for retreat houses, camp sites and hotels especially along Tourism Road that faces Taal Volcano.

Just minutes away from the Tagaytay intersection to the inner areas of Silang, where Chateau Hestia is located. Chateau Hestia is not only for accommodation and fine dining but also ideal for different occasions as well. This is something a retreat house, an inn or any transient house cannot offer.

For the accommodations, it simply targets couples especially during honeymoon and families with children ideally. When I say children, I really mean elementary age or younger. It is not like a hotel with floor levels and lobbies but cottages. Each cottage set up has a shower area but it is not private to the occupants of some cottage or casita which is why it is ideal for couple. It may be ideal for a lone occupant but where’s the fun in that.

Bamboo Casita

There are 3 cottages, 3 casitas and 1 casa to choose from. Rates may vary depending on the type of accommodation. During my stay, I was settled at the Bamboo Casita. It has a king sized bed and an ethnic-style bench by the window were you can sit or lie down which is still comfortable. What I like about the bed was the design that looked like an antique. The framework of the bed is all made of hardwood carvings that gives it a sturdy look.

What I like about the ceiling that it feels comfortable because the ceiling is nipa-style which make it ventilated. The shower is the only thing that may appear out of place but in a good way. It is equipped with push button system to make it warm and activate the sprays. The room is very clean and neat that you need not to wear any footwear inside the room.

I was able to see how vast the area is when I explored it and saw the Casa Carmen. The Casa gives that thought  of living in the province in style. It is the only accommodation that has a kitchen, and a bar. You may notice that even though it used the names like Casa and Chateau, the theme of the accommodations still look Asian. Even if there is no occasion, this is a good place for staycation. 

Casa Carmen

Besides the accommodations, Chateau Hestia also has an events area for special occasions. Just above the restaurant, it can be used for parties and different functions. The garden area outside the restaurant is not only for parties and functions but also for pre-nuptial or photo ops. Chateau Hestia is a pet-friendly environment but the guest owner must provide their own bedding for their pets.

For Chateau Hestia, the options are limitless. If you like to go around, Tagaytay is not far. For more details about Chateau Hestia, you may check their website. For more travel and lifestyle features, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. For my next feature of Chateau Hestia will be the food which will be posted on my food blog, W.H.A.T. Blogs.

Ballet Philippines reveals their 46th Season Line Up

After the success of Cinderella, Giselle and their season ender Manhid; Ballet Philippines announced their line-up for the 46th season.

Excerpt from Swan Lake

We were shown excerpts of their line ups during their launch at CCP Main Auditorium lobby We started with a classic ballet piece from Swan Lake which will be part of Body Positive. Another production that will also make this season different is "Hugot Sa Rosas". 

Excerpt from Sarong Banggui

Sarong Banggui will feature music from Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. As the name suggest, most will be Fililino folk music that BP will interpret. For Body Positive, it will be a form of advocacy to promote awareness regarding AIDS. Perhaps this event will not only showcase but will tie up with different agencies involved to update us so we can make a big step further.

One production that the whole family should look forward to is one of BP's original production, Peter Pan. Peter Pan is one of the original choreography BP has been doing for many years that brought many kids to ballet.

Choregraphers Nonoy Froilan, Edna Vida and Monette Victoria

BP's Mr. Paul Morales shared that kid audiences come with their Pan costumes for the shows. This is probably the only production that is for all the ages. During Manhid, BP collaborated with stage actors from different theater guilds and the band Radioactive Sago Project. This season, the company will collaborate for the first time with the short movie production.

Mr. Morales added that during Manhid, there is a tagalog term Pagsibol which fits this season's theme- Dance Spring: Pagsibol because most of the principal dancers are no longer in BP but it also promoted new dancers to fill in. This season also brings back BP masters/ choreographers Nonoy Froilan, Edna Vida and Monette Victoria for the productions.

For more updates of BP this season, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL ALL SET ON JULY 15 AT THE CCP

Press release

Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental has long been known as the Cultural Center of Southern Philippines, and for the first time ever, the Silliman University Cultural Affairs Committee, the city’s unofficial cultural arm, brings to Manila audiences AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL - an original new musical that will delight and educate, with a performance on 15 July 2015 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which is part of Silliman University’s commitment as the official regional cultural hub of the CCP.

 

Photo credits: Urich Calumpang/Silliman University Cultural Affairs Committee

            AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL celebrates Philippine culture through music, dances, games and values. The musical play is based on the award winning children’s story Alamat ng Ampalaya (The Legend of Ampalaya) written by Augie Rivera, Jr. Another highlight of this production is the original music by renowned New York-based guitar virtuoso Maestro Michael Dadap who has set the play’s music using a live 22 piece Orchestra Sin Arco (Orchestra of Plucked Instruments). The play is directed by Dessa Quesada Palm, of the Philippine Educational Theater Association, with musical direction by Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez and choreography by Angelo Sayson. Ampalaya.

            AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL has just finished its run from July 3-6, 2015 and its first full length run last September 2014 which were both held at the Luce Auditorium. The musical began as a short play, which debuted in 2000 in Boston.

            Synopsis:

 Long time ago in the town of Sariwa, there flourished a beautiful garden filled with the most colorful, fragrant, and nutritious vegetables. Everyday as the sun comes up, they laugh and play together in the garden.

One faithful day, a hairy, bland, and colorless Ampalaya wandered in Sariwa and found the gleeful veggies going about their usual games. Envy starts to creep into Ampalaya's core when she noticed the positively striking individual characteristics of the other veggies--- everything she was not. She knew she had to possess all these characteristics to be part of the family, so she devised a plan for her to get those special stuff. She waited until all the veggies were asleep and stole a little bit of everything from everyone.

When the veggies awoke from their slumber, they were in shock when they saw that all their best had gone missing. During their panic, a beautiful new vegetable arrived to see what the fuss was about but because of their distraught disposition, they could not entertain her as they sought to find out who the culprit was . The veggies decided to seek help from a wise old NunosaPunso who told them what they needed to do in order to get back what was stolen from them. They followed and investigated the new vegetable only to find out it was indeed Ampalaya donning their best individual qualities. They call the UbodmansaSaging and her jury to plead their case against Ampalaya.

Ampalaya was unfazed with all the questions and ill feelings that were being thrown at her. She firmly believed that she did nothing wrong---the jury thought otherwise. After deliberation, a sentence and punishment was given, and everybody learned a bitter lesson that day.

AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Dumaguete City Tourism Office, CocoGrande Hotel, Philippine Airlines, Lorenzo Shipping Corporation, Bayview Park Hotel Manila, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Tickets now available at TicketWorld.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact (035) 422-4365 or 0917 323 5953. Or email: cac@su.edu.ph or silliman.cac@gmail.com.

THE RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX SETS JULY 13, 18 AND 25 SHOWS

Press release

Artist Playground and Talent Factory proudly presents its 1st season opener “The Riddle of the Sphinx” which will run on July 11, 18 and 25 ( 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm) at 1701 The Little Room Upstairs located at Landsdale Tower, Mother Ignacia Avenue corner Timog Ave., Q.C.

 

Photo credits: Jaypee Maristaza

            “The Riddle of the Sphinx” written by Eugenio Deriada in English and translated in Filipino by Jim Bergado, is a play about two strangers exploring the diverse viewpoints regarding the intricacies of a human being, the relationship dynamics of a man and a woman and the fundamentals of cultural imprinting through a game that they played while waiting for the buses that will take them to their destinations.

            The Riddle of the Sphinx is a play beautifully written but probably, was never given the proper limelight that it deserves. It is one of the many gems of Philippine Literature awaiting the song of its muse so that the beauty of its letters and words will come to life.

            Giving life to the two interesting characters of the play are Ace Urieta (Young Man) and Shiela Espina (Young Woman) Both are talented emerging actors under the tutelage of Artist Playground’s Artistic Director and multi-awarded actor Roeder Camanag.

            According to Paul Jake Paule, director of the play, “The Riddle of the Sphinx is a short but very potent drama. It tackles a lot of issues with wit. It presents life as an immense riddle to be solved; its existential undertones establish the weight and urgency of defining life’s purpose. Much like a ladder in an empty space, you can go under, over and around it but the motions are pointless, emptiness is still all around. Unless you decide to let the ladder serve its function and take it to different spots where you can reach for meaningful objectives then life when it ends have earned a purpose.   This is a very salient point for people to ponder especially in this day and age where our mind is cluttered by persuasive buttons to click we forget what is really essential.”

            The artistic and production team of THE RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX are as follows: Roeder Camanag (Artistic Director), Paul Jake Paule (Director), Jeffrey Camanag (Production Designer), Merdin Mojica (Choreographer), Kimberly Somoza (Lights Designer), Rowena Jarito (Sound Designer), . Dianna Dancel (Costume Designer), Coleen Lanit  (Props and Set Head), Pearly Patoc  (Make-Up Artist), Marianne De Luna  (Stage Manager) and Rogean Regoso  (Production Manager) and Toots Tolentino (Publicist).

            For bulk reservations, show buyers and inquiries: email – artplayg@hotmail.com or contact  Ms. Roejean Regoso at 09158153716. You can also check http://facebook.com/artplayg

REVEALED: PHILIPPINES’s MOST TRUSTED NAMES

Post-event release

The Philippines has voted, and the results are in. 

The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Survey, now in its 17^th year, has identified the brands and services Filipinos believe in, above all others, along with our most trusted TV presenter and sports personality.

Having a trusted name in 2015 – as a brand or a public figure – is more valuable than ever, especially in a world where choices are increasingly decided with a click on the computer, or a click on the TV remote.  

“It’s a huge endorsement,” notes Walter Beyleveldt, Reader’s Digest Managing Director, Asia Pacific.  “And one the winners should be very proud of.”

                        THE BRANDS FILIPINOS TRUST

Ø  Filipinos trust their meals to Baguio cooking oil, believe the quality of Monterey and Magnolia Chicken, and are confident in shopping at SM Malls. We’re secure with Acer laptops and when it comes to capturing those precious memories we prefer Canon cameras.  In all, the survey covers a broad range of 42 different product and service categories. See here / See attached for the full results

Ø  One of the world’s leading custom research firms, Ipsos, was commissioned to conduct the independent poll, and to ensure results were compiled in an objective manner using proven methodology.  Approximately 5,000 individuals were selected across 5 of Asia’s key markets such as the Philippines, HongKong, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Ø  In the Philippines, around 1000 respondents completed the survey. Half were subscribers to Reader's Digest, while the remainder were selected to reflect the demographics of the general population.

Ø  Consumers were asked to rate the brands they nominated on six qualitative criteria, including quality, value and innovation.

Ø  There are two premium level awards given for Philippines Most Trusted Brands.  Gold Trusted Brand Award winners are those which stand out clearly above their competitors.  Platinum Trusted Brand Award is for brands which have achieved a mathematical ranking at least double that of the nearest competitor.

“Having a trusted brand is a distinct competitive advantage, and something the winners should quite rightly be making the most of in the marketplace,” notes Sheron White, Reader’s Digest Group Advertising Director, Asia Pacific.   “Congratulations to them all.”

MOST TRUSTED PERSONALITIES

The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Survey has also identified the Philippines most trusted TV presenter, entertainment presenter and our most trusted sports personality.

These are highly popular and competitive sectors, where trust is a crucial attribute.

“TV presenters and their ratings depend on our trust, so to top this poll is a significant achievement indeed,” notes Sue Carney, Reader’s Digest Editor-in-Chief, Asia Pacific.

“Likewise, sport is something of a cultural and emotional attachment for many people, so being at the top of the podium is definitely worth celebrating.”

Much like the awardees for the consumer categories, the Filipinos choice for the Most Trusted Personalities have likewise remained consistent for the past few years.

Ms. Jessica Soho remains as the Most Trusted News Presenter for the fifth straight year, proving how much the Filipinos value her news reporting and her opinions.

As one of the most visible TV personalities and bankable product endorsers, multi awarded host Vic Sotto has again been voted as the Most Trusted Entertainment Presenter.

Sotto, who has been part of Eat Bulaga, the Philippines longest running variety shows on TV, has also hosted several game shows and starred in various sitcoms throughout the years.

Finally, despite coming up short in what was billed as the “greatest boxing match of the century” Filipino Pride and future boxing hall of famer Manny Pacquiao continues to be the Filipinos Most Trusted Sports Personality.