Author: Press Release

Stay and Play at New World Makati’s Easter Carnival Fun Fair

The Easter Bunny is back in town, and she’s bringing a basket full of treats for everyone!

New World Makati Hotel is proud to announce its Easter Carnival Fun Fair, set to take place on April 9, 2023, from 9 AM to 12 NN. This exciting event promises to be a highlight of the Easter weekend, featuring a range of activities and attractions that are sure to delight both children and adults alike.

The Easter Carnival Fun Fair will be held at the hotel’s grand ballroom, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled morning in the heart of Makati. Attendees can look forward to a variety of rides, games, and attractions that have been carefully selected to appeal to kids of all ages.

Children will be thrilled to meet Blossom, the Easter Bunny, who will be making a special appearance at the fair. Blossom will be on hand to greet guests, pose for photos, and spread some Easter cheer. She will also be handing out eggs filled with surprises for everyone in attendance.

They will likewise be thoroughly entertained by the range of carnival rides on hand, including a mini carousel, various coin operated rides, and an inflatable castle. Guests can also test their skills at a variety of carnival games, such as ring toss, balloon darts, and basketball shooting. Other activities include a bubble show, balloon twisting, a fun magic show, and even some face painting!

No carnival would be complete without delicious food, and the Easter Carnival Fun Fair will not disappoint. A range of food vendors will be on-site, offering a variety of treats, including mini hot dogs, cheesy French fries, and caramel popcorn, along with Easter-themed sweets like cupcakes and chocolate mousse on chocolate egg shells.

Those who wish to join the egg-citing fair may avail of the hotel’s Stay and Play Package, available for stays from April 1 to 9, 2023. The package, with rates starting from PHP8,500++, comes with a hearty buffet breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids aged 11 years and below, as well as two tickets to the Easter Carnival Fun Fair.

New World Makati has something delicious in store for diners on Easter Sunday, too! Jasmine will offer a special iteration of its famous Yum Cha for Easter, replete with classic dimsum such as har gao and xiao long bao, signature Jasmine favorites like the seafood taro puff and the chicken and cheese spring roll, together with specially crafted Easter items like a cute milk cream filled bun shaped like a rabbit. Meanwhile, enjoy an upgraded selection of dishes from Café 1228 when you dine in for lunch. Children aged 11 years and below who are dining in both of these restaurants will also get access to select game booths and rides at the fair.

Take a bit of the Easter fun home with The Shop’s colorful sweet treats. Indulge in the sweetness of Easter with some delectable chocolate eggs and bunnies, available in a variety of sizes to satisfy every craving. The shop’s Easter cake, an Oreo, brownie and cream cheese confection, is also sure to delight both eyes and tastebuds.

For room inquiries and reservations, guests can call (63 2) 8811-6888, e-mail reservations.manila@newworldhotels.com or book a room package directly via https://bit.ly/NWMEaster2023_p. They can also visit the website https://manila.newworldhotels.com/en/ or check out the hotel’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

March 22, 2023
World-class Chefs Join Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Delectable Restaurants

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila continues its contribution to the metro’s booming gastro-nomic scene as two world-class chefs join the five-star hotel’s culinary team.

Italian chef Luca Angioletti takes on the role of Executive Chef of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, the all-day dining restaurant located at the 24th floor which features live cooking stations and high-quality Asian and Continental buffet spreads.

Chef Luca Angioletti

Chef Raymond Yeung

With more than 20 years of industry experience in award-winning restaurants across Doha, Dubai, Italy, Germany, USA, and the Philippines, Chef Luca’s philosophy of cooking balances tradition and innovation, respecting the territory and ingredients while applying modern cooking techniques to add value to each dish. His love and passion for preparing food is rooted in what he observed from his grandmother growing up, which only deepened as he traveled the world and embraced various cultures.

“At Cucina, our food creations will start by sourcing the best quality ingredients in the local market, which we will enhance through new techniques and creativity,” he said. “Our goal is to continuously improve each diner’s experience, just as the global dining scene continues to evolve.”

On the 44th floor, authentic Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin welcomes its new Chinese Executive Chef, Raymond Yeung. Chef Raymond brings to the table over 26 years of culinary experience from five-star international hotels and established Chinese restaurants across the Asian region. With his leadership, the Lung Hin culinary team aims to serve up unique dishes with complex flavors, showcasing the diverse and exciting world of Chinese cuisine.

Embark on a memorable dining journey at Cucina, where the breakfast is open daily from 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM, while the lunch buffet is open from Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 NN – 2:30 PM and the dinner buffet is open from Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. For vibrant Cantonese fare, Lung Hin is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM for lunch and 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM for dinner.

A seven-time Five-Star Awardee of the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila stands tall at 45 floors and is centrally located in the vibrant Ortigas Commercial Business District. Complementing the hotel’s world-class service are its luxury hotel rooms, impressive views of the Ortigas skyline, delectable food and bever-age outlets, an indoor temperature-controlled pool, a fitness center, and the Flow spa, among other amenities fit for a modern world-class traveller.

For more information and updates, visit marcopolohotels.com, like Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Facebook, and follow @marcopolomanila on Instagram. For reservations, call (+632) 7720 7777.

March 22, 2023
Gateway Gallery holds first onsite KulturaSerye Talk this Women’s Month

Gateway Gallery celebrates Women’s Month with its first onsite or face-to-face KulturaSerye Talk titled Pinay Power: High Impact Advocacies on March 25, 2023, Saturday, from 2;00 P.M to 4:00 P.M. at the Gateway Gallery, Araneta City.

The KulturaSerye Talk will feature the mother and daughter team of Zena Bernardo and Patreng Non, and will be sharing their personal advocacies, success stories, and the impact they made on their communities.

Zena Bernardo was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “25 Most Influential People on the Internet” for her initiative to organize and launch the Bayanihang Marikenyo Marikenya, a nationwide campaign that aimed to organize community kitchens under the Community Kitchen Project. She also launched the web-based Home Quarantine Care PH in December 2020.

In May 2022, she conceptualized Project Hulmahan, an art-driven, mutual aid fundraising initiative that aims to support the livelihood programs of community kitchen volunteers, immediate disaster response of the community kitchens to internally-displaces persons (IDP) and support art mentoring for the youth in these communities.

Meanwhile, Ana Patricia Non, also known as “Patreng”, was the initiator of Community Pantry in the Philippines. She is a food security and sovereignty advocate and also the current President of Community Pantry Ph Inc.’s board of Trustees. She was the first to organize a community pantry in the country during the pandemic. Her Maginhawa Street pantry first distributed free foods such as vegetables, noodles, sardines, and some essential foods within that community

A UP Artists’ Circle Sorority and UP Mountaineers member, she took a Visual Communications course at the UP College of Fine Arts. Even when she was still in college, conducting free art workshops in the villages became part of her projects. She also developed and implemented programs for farmers, factory workers, political prisoners, and indigenous people.

Get to know more about the speakers during the KulturaSerye talk. It will be moderated by UP Los Banos instructor John Carlo Santos, the resident moderator and host of KulturaSerye. Admission is free but pre-registration is requested. The registration link can be found on its Facebook Page, GatewayGalleryPH.

March 22, 2023
MrBeast Is Coming: Global YouTube Star’s Burger Joint is now in Manila

Global YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as “MrBeast,” is bringing his famous burger chain to the Philippines on March 22, 2023. This fast-growing virtual restaurant serves meaty burgers and chicken sandwiches that will surely be loved by MrBeast’s loyal followers and food lovers alike.

Beastly beginnings

MrBeast Burgers began as a unique pop-up restaurant last November 2020, when MrBeast and his closest friends Chandler, Chris, and Karl launched the “world’s first free restaurant” in Wilson, North Carolina. Aside from Burgers, they also gave away stacks of cash to customers, and brand-new gadgets through drive-thru pick-ups. Millions of fans came, and the YouTube video about the event garnered over 125 million views.

The success of the pop-up led to the creation of an all-digital MrBeast Burgers joint, where customers can only order through any existing delivery app or download the exclusive MrBeast Burgers app. The ghost kitchen launch was yet another success with sold-out orders across 300 contracted locations in the United States.

Last September 4, MrBeast opened a physical burger restaurant at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, USA with thousands of fans lining up to try MrBeast’s menu. Over 5,500 burgers were ordered during the event, setting a new record for the most burgers sold by a single restaurant in one day.

MrBeast Burgers offer a variety of choices with their bestsellers named after the founders, Chandler Style, Chris Style, Beast Style, and Karl’s Deluxe Burgers. These well-loved burgers are known for its smash burger style – with patties smashed on the grill, cooked to deliver twice the flavor in one dish.

Fans can also try Jimmy’s Favorites, which include Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chicken Sandwich Combo, Beast Style Fries, and Beast Style Burger Combo. Other options are crispy chicken tenders, Karl’s grilled cheese, and the Nashville Hot Chicken Tender sandwich.

Bringing the Beast to SouthEast Asia

After their record-breaking debut in New Jersey, MrBeast sets his sights on expanding overseas- particularly in the Philippines. MrBeast Burgers’ operation in the country will be under JustKitchen Philippines, a leading world-class virtual kitchen operator founded by experienced food service industry professionals.

JustKitchen is a platform that makes it possible for delivery-only restaurants to operate efficiently at lower overhead costs and less wastage. They have a network of “hub and spoke” kitchens, bringing in several food brands in the country such as InLuck, Master Don, and now Mr.Beast Burgers. Much like the digital venture of MrBeast Burgers, in which the operations are made possible with the help of third-party couriers and apps, MrBeast burgers will also be available to order on GrabFood for delivery and pick up.

Like the hit launch of their first pop-up, MrBeast Burgers will take Manila by storm on the week of March 22 with free burgers, free fries, and BOGO on their bestsellers for customers. This iconic launch, followed by a series of activations, is an event that fans, foodies, and curious customers wouldn’t want to miss. Updates will be posted on the Facebook pages and other social media accounts of MrBeast Burger PH and JustKitchen PH. Check out their official website and online menu to know more about MrBeast Burgers, the team behind it, and what you can expect for the launch.

March 21, 2023
Hitmaker SunKissed Lola sings Live at the Shang

Rising indie band SunKissed Lola, the group behind the viral and chart-topping hit Pasilyo, is bringing their signature sound to Shangri-La Plaza as they make their debut as part of Live at the Shang on March 25, 6:30PM at the East Atrium.

Pasilyo, the band’s first hit, is about feelings of deep love and affection, and the thrill of walking down the aisle to a promise of forever. Released in October 2022, it entered the Billboards Philippines chart in January and eventually reached the top spot in March, a huge feat as it won over American R&B singer-songwriter SZA, K-pop girl group NewJeans, and megapop star Miley Cyrus. In February, Pasilyo broke Spotify Philippines streaming records when it went straight to number 1 in the PH Viral 50 Chart in November 2022 and secured the spot for eight consecutive days. So far, it has at least 40 million streams on Spotify. Pasilyo became the number 1 song on Spotify Philippines for two weeks, the first OPM song to reach that status for the longest time.

Formed only in 2021, SunKissed Lola hails from Olongapo City and is composed of Dan Ombao, a top 5 finalist of The Voice Philippines on lead guitar and vocals; Alvin Serito, a WishCovery monthly finalist on vocals and acoustic guitar; Laura Lacbain on vocals and background vocals; Danj Quimson on bass; and Genson Viloria on drums. Ombao, Serito, and Quimson are credited as the songwriters for the group. Other songs in their discography are Makalimutan Ka, HKP, White Toyota, and their new single, Damag.

Catch SunKissed Lola Live at the Shang stage on March 25, 6:30PM. For updates and inquiries, follow Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial and on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.

March 21, 2023
Streaming Platform for Filipino Indie Films to Launch this March

EdukSine, a social enterprise and hybrid streaming platform that features educational and socially relevant independent Filipino films, will be launched on Friday, March 24, 2023.

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the app aims to bridge the gap between Filipino filmmakers and viewers by delivering contextual and transformative content. The platform likewise provides sustainable support and opportunities to small local film producers, directors, actors and marketers.

The app was the brainchild of Founder and CEO Karen Jane Salutan, a Blessed Arnould Study Assistance Program (BASAP) scholar and Business Management alumna from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Her vision is to provide a new unconventional venue to promote Filipino culture and arts through indie films that create social impact.

Apart from the streaming platform, EdukSine likewise promises to reach far-flung areas of the country by conducting pre-arranged in-person and hybrid block screenings in companies, government offices and schools from the metro to the mountainous and coastal villages across the Philippines.

Among the many issues to be highlighted and explored are peace, environment, education, agriculture health, indigenous culture, women empowerment, violence against women and children, gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights.

The EdukSine App launch will include lectures that walks the participants into the creative journey and technical developments of EdukSine from an advocacy into a social enterprise.

The event will be spearheaded by Salutan, together with EdukSine co-founders Romae Marquez and Hector Gloria, plus EdukSine website and app developers Jacob Catayoc and Raphael Marco.

They will be joined by Leizl Sueno, the senior science research specialist and program manager of Women Helping Women: Innovating Social Enterprise (WHWise), the DOST initiative which assisted EdukSine to elevate its cause.

Organized by Benilde School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT), the event is free and open to the public. It will be conducted on Friday, March 24, 2023 at the 5/F Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater of Benilde Taft Campus from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. It will also be livestreamed via Zoom.

Interested participants may register through https://forms.gle/82b1sYLCfZHMnRnm9.

For more information about the event, visit Benilde School of Management and Information Technology – SMIT on Facebook. To know more about EdukSine, visit https://app.eduksine.com/.

March 21, 2023
HATCH: The 5th Edition at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel

For the forthcoming Easter season, The Manila Hotel, in partnership with Manila Bulletin, brings back HATCH – a one-of-a-kind showcase of artfully crafted Easter eggs. Displayed as a focal point of the Grand Lobby of the hotel, guests will be treated to a delightful display of novel collaboration of Filipino artists.

With the aim to promote the local art scene and highlight the creative genius of local artists, HATCH: The 5th Edition features 18 uniquely customized acrylic eggs showcasing multitude of creative styles and distinct personalities of Filipino contemporary artists who come from different disciplines. Just as the artists adapted their respective unique styles of mixed media, each Easter egg has a different story to tell.

Featured artists include: Addie Cukingnan, Agi Pagkatipuna, Al Perez, Aner Sebastian, Carlito Ortega, Carlo Magno, Cindel Tiausas, Carlos Cee Cadid, Demet dela Cruz, Migi Sebastian, Egai Fernandez, Emmanuel Nim, Jinggoy Salcedo, Margie Organo, Maria Magdamit, Migs Villanueva, Monnar Baldemor, Reen Barrera, Remy Boquiren, Roger “Rishab” Tibon.

In 2020, Manila Bulletin won the gold award for HATCH during the 55 th Anvil Awards. The exhibit moved from city to city where visitors were introduced to an exceptional showcase of Filipino artistry.

HATCH will be on display at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel until April 23, 2023.

March 21, 2023
Sagip Pelikula brings the restored version of “Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin” at the Metropolitan Theater

In celebration of National Women’s Month, Sagip Pelikula brought one of its restored titles featuring two of the premier actresses today, Maricel Soriano and Snooky Serna, with their 1995 family-drama classic “Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin” in the latest installment of Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino, co-organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP), at the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) last March 19.

The Reyna Films classic screened for free at the re-opened Metropolitan Theater, which also featured a talk-back session with its lead stars Maricel and Snooky alongside the film’s screenwriter Bibeth Orteza, director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Central Digital Lab’s CEO Manet Dayrit, plus co-stars Jess Evardone and FDCP chairperson Tirso Cruz III.

Its cast, writer, and director recounted the challenges of making the film and were overwhelmed with its overall restoration and the continuous massive audience reception years after its initial theatrical release.

Meanwhile, Central Digital Lab’s Manet Dayrit expressed gratitude for its partnership with Sagip Pelikula in its goal to preserve Filipino cinematic classics for many years to come.

“We first started with ABS-CBN Film Restoration, and we want to restore as many films as possible to preserve our heritage… Digital restoration locally was really started through ABS-CBN. Since we started this project, there’s a new generation of filmgoers appreciating these titles, and we are happy to see these in theaters again, plus on various streaming platforms,” Manet addressed.

“Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin” recounts how the intense sibling rivalry between Jacinta (Maricel) and Clarita (Snooky) brewed following the latter’s return to their humble provincial home years after leaving for the city in search of a better life.

After catching up with lost time alongside their ailing mother, a rift suddenly separates them upon uncovering the secret behind Jacinta’s plan to sabotage her husband’s past relationship with her sister and a scandalous affair involving their deceased father.

The film’s restoration was made possible alongside Central Digital Lab and first made its digital premiere in 2020 via KTX.ph after its theatrical release in 1995.

Prior to its screening at the Metropolitan Theater, other restored titles from Sagip Pelikula were also featured in the Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino event, including “Sana Maulit Muli” and “Himala.”

Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino, co-organized by MET, FDCP, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Film Archives (PFA), and Sagip Pelikula, aims to bring back timeless Filipino classics to the big screen in its restored and remastered fashion.

Apart from supporting the event’s various iterations, Sagip Pelikula explores more collaborative efforts with FDCP to promote Filipino cinema to today’s audiences, most recently with the Sine Sinta festival last February.

ABS-CBN Film Restoration continues to restore and remaster films from directors and writers of note for today’s viewers to appreciate through its Sagip Pelikula initiative. These efforts have earned multiple recognitions from award-giving bodies worldwide, including the prestigious Gold Quill Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Gawad Pedro Bucaneg from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), and most recently the Gawad PASADO sa Pagsisinop ng mga De Kalibreng Pelikula distinction from the 23rd Gawad PASADO organized by Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro (PASADO).

For more details on its upcoming film showings, follow ABS-CBN Film Restoration on Facebook (facebook.com/filmrestorationabscbn), Twitter (@ABS_Restoration), and Instagram (@abscbnfilmrestoration).

March 20, 2023
Don’t miss the “Dungeons & Dragons” The Tavern Experience at SM Megamall on March 25 & 26
Experience a weekend of epic fun and adventure as you battle with your friends in the tabletop adventure games. Learn how to paint miniature D&D figurines, take a photo at the gelatinous cube and spectacular standee.
- Date: March 25 & 26
- Venue: SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall
- Time: 10:00AM – 9:00PM
- Admission to the Tavern is free! Everyone is welcome.
About Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.

Paramount Pictures Presents In Association with eOne A Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley Film

Directed by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley and Michael Gilio. Story by Chris McKay & Michael Gilio, based on HASBRO’S DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head and Hugh Grant.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures, opens nationwide March 29, with special sneak previews on March 20 and 21. Connect with #DnDMovie and tag @paramountpicsph

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International.”}
March 20, 2023
Discover the Art of Transcendence: Going Beyond The Limit at the Ikebana International Manila Exhibit

Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108, after a three year hiatus, will be celebrating its 56th Year with an exhibit at the Shangri-la Plaza on March 24-26, 2023.

The Chapter was not spared from having to cancel its exhibit last March 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2022, the chapter went digital with an online exhibit commemorating its 55th anniversary and in 2023, it is excited to return in Manila with a person to person event.

The theme for this year’s exhibit is “TRANSCENDENCE: Going Beyond The Limit” which emphasizes the chapter’s commitment to the art of Ikebana despite the challenges and adversities facing it. Demonstrations by the different Ikebana schools will also be showcased during the exhibit.

The Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 was born on March 9, 1967 and a total of 24 presidents have served. The Chapter currently has 70 active members and continues to meet each month to inspire its members with workshops and demonstrations. To learn more about the chapter, visit www.ikebanamanila.com or the chapter’s Facebook page.

March 20, 2023