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.
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).
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.”
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.
Travel is back in full swing, and according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the country’s air passengers quadrupled to 15.93 million for domestic trips alone for the first nine months of 2022, and 6.3 million for international, increasing threefold from 2021.
Bet you also caught the travel bug! Whether you go local or international this summer, it’s always best to be prepared. Here are tips on how you can plan that well-deserved summer trip:
Prepare a rough budget. Before planning any vacation, the responsible thing to do is to come up with a rough estimate of all your expected expenses for the trip. No need to go into too much detail yet, but make sure to prepare estimates of the major costs such as transportation, accommodations, food, attraction fees, shopping, insurance, and many more as this would already help you create a ballpark figure you can set aside.
Check your travel documents. Despite the easing of travel restrictions, certain destinations still have additional safety requirements for entry. Always research on these requirements and check if you need to update or secure new travel documents. For local travel, prepare your vaccination card, while international trips call for updated passports and visas, as needed.
Do some initial research. Everyone has different travel styles – some prefer to plan their trips down to the last minute, while some prefer to go with the flow. Regardless of your preference, do some quick research on your destination to arm with you with essential information such as the season during the visit, if the locals speak English (maybe learn a few helpful phrases!), the local currency, important cultural sensitivities, etc. These will come in handy when you work on your daily itinerary nearer your trip, as you’ll be more aware of the parameters you’ll need to work with.
Plan with peace of mind. Traveling is fun until the unforeseen happens. That’s why it is strongly advised to get travel insurance for you and your loved ones. It protects you from travel inconveniences throughout your trip such as delayed flights, lost suitcases, last-minute cancellations of flights, and medical emergencies, depending on the plan or variant you choose.
Smart Traveller, AXA Philippines’ comprehensive travel insurance, is designed for you to enjoy every moment with your family and friends. It offers 24/7 emergency travel assistance for round-the-clock travel and medical support anywhere and has top-tier medical coverage for expenses such as hospital costs, doctors’ professional fees, and more in case you suffer injury or illnesses during your trip.
With Smart Traveller, you can also file a claim for reimbursements of pre-booked, non-refundable travel expenses in case of trip cancellations or postponement, while offering protection for your personal belongings in case of loss and damage.
Smart Traveller’s Classic and Elite variants are also Schengen-accredited, so you can tick this off your visa requirements as well. You can also get additional savings when purchasing this product for two or more people, and if you are a frequent traveler, AXA has annual plans you can avail of as well.
She may have taken home the crown a few years back but Pia Wurtzbach has proven that she is still our Queen looking sexier than ever as she joins again Century Tuna, the leading canned tuna brand in the Philippines, and returns as the brand’s ambassador.
Her secret? It’s surprisingly simple because Pia believes that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated – and the key to her sexy fitness regimen is an active lifestyle and healthy eating with Century Tuna.
“Even years after her reign, Pia continues to be an inspiration to many and that is why we couldn’t be happier to have her back as part of the Century Tuna family to help us share to Filipinos that eating healthy can be easy and simple with Century Tuna,” said Century Pacific Food Inc. (CPFI) VP and GM for Tuna Division Carlo Endaya.
Pia on her secret to looking and feeling good
“Century Tuna has been a staple in my kitchen even before my first endorsement with the brand back in 2017, which is why I’m very excited to be part of the family again. What I love the most about Century Tuna is the many ways you can enjoy it – be it as a full meal or even just for a quick snack, you’re guaranteed a delicious and filling meal. Pair that with a good morning run and you’re sure to feel good and beautiful, with a healthy heart” shared Pia Wurtzbach.
Having a healthier 2023 is one of Pia’s biggest resolutions for the new year, especially with her much-awaited wedding happening soon!
Bring in the delicious, the healthy way
When it comes to healthy eating, the choice is easy for Pia – Century Tuna, a classic all-time healthy meat option that makes eating well a snap!
Century Tuna combines the best of both worlds – a healthy indulgence that’s easy to prepare and goes well with a variety of dishes. Tuna is a good source of protein and Omega 3 DHA, which comes with a host of health benefits like better heart health and lower blood pressure. Century Tuna is also low in cholesterol and has no preservatives.
And the best part – tuna is a versatile protein that’s super easy to mix and match. Tuna for brekkie? A scrambled egg with tuna and toast makes for a tasty start to your day.
Netflix and chilling and need a snack? Prep a healthy snack with Century Tuna spread on crackers or on bread.
Achieving healthy eating is now easy with Century Tuna! For more easy ways to eat healthy, check out these healthy tuna recipes at https://www.centurytuna.ph/recipes/ or visit /CenturyTuna on Facebook or @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram for more updates. #QueenPiaForCenturyTuna
Babyflo, a trusted brand under Philusa Corporation, strengthens its commitment to giving the best care for our daily hygiene needs while caring for the environment with the recent launch of its – new line of eco-friendly cotton buds.
Philusa has long been a key advocate for sustainability, with the primary vision of delivering greener alternatives for many of their iconic brands such as Babyflo and Cleene, where they have implemented biodegradable, recyclable, and other sustainable options for their products as well as campaigns calling for effective actions for the environment.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines is losing approximately 52,000 trees per day. Every year, 47,000 hectares of forest, an area roughly three times the size of Quezon City, is destroyed by logging, slash-and-burn farming, and land conversion. Recognizing the serious environmental issues the country is currently experiencing, Filipino consumers are becoming ‘reuse revolutionaries’, which means that they are more aware of the disastrous impacts of waste in our landfills and the environment. Hence, consumers are now keen on making a difference and ensuring that they are having a positive impact on the planet we live in.
One of the ways consumers can live a greener lifestyle is by looking at the products we use on a regular basis and switching to a more eco-friendly option. Babyflo is here to make living a sustainable lifestyle easier by giving us an earth friendly choice of cotton buds – Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-friendly, the first Earth-minded cotton buds in the market made of 100% pure cotton tips, unbleached paper stems that come from responsibly managed forests, and biodegradable packaging so families can make their personal care routine greener.
Philusa Corporation President and General Manager, Neogin Evangelista, shares his key insights on Philusa’s long commitment to sustainability
“The journey toward our goal starts with a single step. Through this product, Babyflo aims to be every Filipino’s buddy towards an eco-friendlier lifestyle,” remarked Mr. Neogin Evangelista, Philusa Corporation President and General Manager. “Philusa being a homegrown Filipino brand, has always been at the forefront of taking small steps and sometimes even big leaps towards a greener Philippines.”
Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly sources its paper from managed forests thereby ensuring that every tree that is used to make the product is replaced.
Philusa Brand Manager Jacqueline Pe introduces the first eco-minded cotton buds in the Philippines with Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly
“One thing that prevents us from living a more sustainable lifestyle is the lack of eco-friendly options. Now that this product is out and available, we hope that it could encourage more people to choose a greener lifestyle and inspire them to be more mindful of their everyday choices,” said Jacquiline Pe, Brand Manager of Babyflo Cotton buds.
Makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma
Aside from personal hygiene, Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly can be used for a variety of tasks, such as removal or application of cosmetic products, application of medicine on injuries / wounds, and removing smudged nail polish, to name a few. The unbleached paper stems are sturdy, and the 100% pure cotton tips are also durable, which makes them ideal for different uses.
Start your budding green lifestyle with Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-friendly, now available in Mercury Drug, Robinsons, Puregold, Metro Gaisano, and other retail stores nationwide and online.
To learn more about Babyflo’s products and initiatives, visit store.philusa.com.ph or follow @BabyfloPH on Facebook and Instagram.
Sony releases two new headphones – the WH-CH720N and the WH-CH520 – giving music lovers the option of on-ear or over-ear wireless headphones packed with Sony’s critically acclaimed audio technology.
WH-CH720N in Black, White and BlueWH-CH520 in Black, White, Blue and Beige
The over-ear WH-CH720N wireless headphones incorporate Dual Noise Sensor technology and Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 chip to provide noise canceling. In addition, a lightweight design and up to 35 hours of battery life let you enjoy music for longer without background interruptions.
The on-ear WH-CH520 wireless headphones provide up to 50 hours of battery life with all-day comfort and enhanced call performance to meet the demands of your day. Plus choose from four colors – black, blue, white, and beige – to match your style.
Both models also feature Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) to produce high-quality sound exactly as the artist intended as well as a Multipoint connection for easy connectivity between devices.
Multipoint connection on the WH-CH720N Black
All day comfort, without the noise
Whether you’re flying long-haul or relaxing in a café, the over-ear WH-CH720N headphones deliver Sony’s advanced noise canceling performance thanks to the Integrated Processor V1 chip and Dual Noise Sensor technology, so you can enjoy more music and less background noise.
Noise canceling on the WH-CH720N White
The Integrated Processor V1 helps eliminate external sound, with a low processing delay to make the noise cancelling more effective than ever. The WH-CH720N also features two microphones in each earcup which, coupled with Dual Noise Sensor technology, captures ambient sound. This lets you block outside noise everywhere you go, so the only thing you hear is your music.
Plus, with the Sony | Headphones Connect app, you can adjust the ambient sound across 20 different levels for when you’re on the move.
Stay comfortable, however long you listen
You’ll never need to take a break from your favorite music with the WH-CH720N. The over-ear headphones are ergonomically designed to be comfortable for even longer periods. At just 192g, the WH-CH720N is Sony’s lightest overhead wireless headphones with noise canceling. Comfortable synthetic leather and urethane materials combine with optimum ear pad structure and dimensions for exceptional wearability. With up to 35 hours battery life with noise canceling on, you’ll have enough power to keep listening all day and into the night.
Lightweight design with the WH-CH520 Beige
The WH-CH520 have also been carefully designed with everyday use in mind. You can stay powered up for days with up to 50 hours of battery life. So you can listen to your favorite music without worrying about running out of charge. Plus, the on-ear headphones feature an adjustable headband with padding, soft earpads and a lightweight design so you can find the perfect fit and stay comfortable for longer.
Superb sound for every song
Enjoy natural vocals, crystal clear sound and balanced tuning on both the WH-CH720N and WH-CH520 Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), producing a high-quality sound exactly as the artist intended. When the original music is compressed, it loses the high-frequency elements that add details and richness to a track. Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine faithfully restores these to produce high-quality sound that’s closer to the original recording.
Superb sound on the WH-CH720N Blue
The Integrated Processor V1 included within the WH-CH720N also produces an authentic listening experience by reproducing the detail in your music with minimal distortion. The sound tuning is intentionally designed to be well-balanced from low to high frequencies with natural and clear vocals.
Whether you’re listening to electrifying pop or bassy rap, the WH-CH720N and WH-CH520 allow you to tailor your sound using the Equaliser in the Sony | Headphones Connect app. You can choose from a variety of settings to match sound quality with the music genre you’re listening to or even create and save your own settings.
Superb sound on the WH-CH520 White
Crystal clear conversations
Improved technology features on the WH-CH720N mean you can enjoy even better call quality. Beamforming microphones with Precise Voice Pickup technology are smartly positioned to pick up your voice more clearly and accurately in a range of environments. A newly developed Wind Noise Reduction Structure around the microphones reduce background noise for you, keeping conversations and music clear and uninterrupted.
Great call quality on the WH-CH520 Blue
Whether you’re joining an online class or a work meeting, the WH-CH520 also provides easy hands-free calling and great call quality. Simply answer calls with one click of the buttons on the earcup so there’s no need to take your phone out of your pocket. Built-in high-quality microphones and noise suppression processing mean the WH-CH520 collects sound and reduces ambient noise during calls so you can make clear calls even in noisy environments.
Multipoint connection on the WH-CH520 Black
Both the WH-CH720N and WH-CH520 feature Multipoint connection, easy button operation and can be controlled with your voice. Since the connection is easy with Swift Pair and Fast Pair, these headphones are ideal for everyday use.
Designed with sustainability in mind
Sony has designed these headphones with the environment in mind. There’s no plastic in the WH-CH720N and WH-CH520 packaging, which is designed based on low toxicity design principles and towards Sony’s “Road to Zero” environmental plan. Both headphones also use recycled plastic materials.
Pricing and availability
The WH-CH720N is priced at PHP7,999 while the WH-CH520 is at PHP3,299. Both units are now available in all Sony Authorized Dealers nationwide.
Uratex, the leading foam company in the Philippines, joins the world in celebrating all things sleep and explaining why #TulogIsLife during this year’s World Sleep Day (WSD). “WSD” is a special day happening this March 17 which hopes to reinforce the value of having a good night’s sleep for every person.
According to Milieu Insight and Intellect’s research on sleeping, many Filipino adults who are currently employed admitted to experiencing poor quality of life due to a variety of stressors. This has resulted in most of them having difficulty finding good sleep. The National Nutrition Council in the Philippines added that deficiency in sleep is linked to many health problems relating to brain functions and even depression. With this, a complete sleep of 7 to 8 hours, in a regular schedule each night, is necessary to boost our immune system.
To provide a sleep solution to every sleep problem, Uratex is committed to creating products that give every Filipino family the finest possible sleep experience. Uratex has spent more than five decades developing and innovating sleeping essentials to meet everyone’s needs, making it a sleeping companion that’s trusted by every Filipino.
“A complete sleep can truly make a difference to a person in terms of one’s health and mood for the day. To aid us in getting a good night’s sleep, one of the things we need to consider is having the right sleeping aids (mattress, pillows) which Uratex Mattresses addresses through its innovative products,” added Mr. Kurt Cheng, Brand Marketing Executive and Sleep Expert of Uratex Philippines.
Literally, #TulogIsLife and Uratex anchor this year’s World Sleep Day celebration with the World Sleep Society’s 2023 theme “Sleep is essential for health”, as sleep directly impacts multiple dimensions of health including fitness, nutrition, cardiovascular health, mental health and many more.
Great deals on Uratex sleeping products
Sleep is where dreams are made, and Uratex can help you to make the most of it – at an even more affordable rate!
In celebration of World Sleep Day, Uratex offers up to 10% discount on selected sleeping products from March 15-31, 2023. Promo is applicable and exclusive to Uratex Showrooms, Authorized Dealers Nationwide & official online store.
“Sleeping is not only important, it’s essential for a lot of reasons. We at Uratex always strive to ensure that every Filipino gets the best sleep through our products, and continue championing its value and impact in our daily lives,” said Mr. Christian Cheng, Brand Marketing Executive of Uratex Philippines.
You can join the World Sleep Day celebration with Uratex Mattresses by using the official hashtags #UratexWSD2023 #WorldSleepDay #TulogIsLife
Uratex’s array of mattresses, among its other quality products for sleeping, made the brand consistently recognized as a Trusted Brand for Mattress category at the Reader’s Digest Awards. This recognition was consistently given to Uratex for 13 years, including the Awards’ 2022 edition.
To learn more about Uratex, its products, as well as upcoming promos, visit www.uratex.com.ph. You may also visit their official Shopee page at shopee.ph/uratexph and follow /UratexPhilippines on Facebook, and @uratex_ph on Instagram for updates and upcoming promos.
Abenson and Cricut can now cater to more art and crafts enthusiasts. The full range of Cricut machines and tools are now available at select Abenson stores (Greenhills – Madison, BGC – Ascott, Quezon Avenue, Filinvest Alabang) and website, www.abenson.com.
Arrays of essential crafters’ tools are readily available – from die cutters, laser cutters, heat presses, cutting mats and blades to pens and markers.
The smart cutting machines work with an easy-to-use app that enables crafters to design and personalize almost anything, from custom cards and mugs to shirts and just about any everyday item.
This will definitely be a happy place not just for crafters. Beginners who want to get into crafting, or those who want to build a small business selling customizable gift items will find the store the perfect place to get everything they need to get started. Find Cricut machines and products on shelf at Abenson stores and official website, www.abenson.com. Follow Facebook @abensonappliances.
