Prof. Arnulfo “Arnold” Esguerra returns to Gateway Gallery to conduct four sessions of Dynamics of Brush and Color, a Chinese watercolor painting workshop for students who are interested and passionate about Oriental art, specifically Chinese painting.
In this workshop, Esguerra will be teaching his students the Gong-bi style, the Traditional Meticulous style or what they call the Court style of painting, and Xieyi, the freehand or literati style. He has painted and exhibited eclectic themes in these two styles—from the natural world to everyday Filipino scenes, honing his skills through constant practice and teaching.
The sessions are meant to give the students skills on the proper holding of brushes (brush strokes); familiarization with Xuan paper and Chinese pigments; techniques in the meticulous style of Chinese painting; and techniques in coloring in the freelance style.
An expert and a prolific artist of Chinese art, Esguerra started painting at age five and has been practicing Chinese painting since the 1980s. He fell in love with Chinese painting when he attended a class on it in Liberty Hall, Binondo in 1984, the center of artistic activities in Manila’s Chinatown. He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines Manila where he has lectured courses on Philippine and Asian History, Archaeology, and History of Medicine.
Dynamics of Brush and Color will be held at the Gateway Gallery (in Gateway Tower, Araneta City) on February 25, March 4, 11, and 18. It promises to be a fun, learning opportunity through a focused and personalized mentoring approach. Esguerra will be providing limited but free Xuan papers, which he sourced from Taiwan.
Registration for all four sessions is at P12,000. Register early as slots are limited. Visit this link to sign-up and register: https://forms.gle/2eQhqVsNZ5NenV8e6.
Designed to meet the needs of the AEC sector, ASUS Philippines releases World’s first flippable mobile workstation, the ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip (B6602F). This new ExpertBook delivers exceptional performance designed specifically to complement the workflow in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector that runs 3D and CAD applications and industry-leading software solutions like 3ds Max®, MicroStation®, and Vectorworks®. It also aims to help users to bring design concepts true to life through BIM software’s like ArchiCAD, and transition 2D sketches to 3D modeling and printing through tools like Creo® and Solidworks®.The ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip also boasts a versatile 360° hinge making it portable and easy to use on-site or in the office.
Massive computing power for AEC productivity: Up to Intel® Core™ i9, 128 GB RAM, and 4 TB of ultra-fast M.2 storage
The ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip maxes out computing power with up to 12th Gen Intel Core i9 HX processor, NVIDIA® RTX® A2000 professional graphics, supports up to 128 GB of dual-channel DDR5-4800MHz memory, and up to 4 TB of ultra-fast M.2 storage — to promise to deliver ultimate performance for 3D designers and CAD users.
To keep the top performance of the ExpertBook B6 Flip, it features a cooling system that minimizes the noise of the device, especially when running heavy AEC applications. ASUS optimized the cooling system to make the Intel CPU run comfortably with 135 watts total TDP (55 W CPU and 80 W GPU) in Performance mode. This new ExpertBook also boasts an NVIDIA Max-P Dynamic Boost’s support for users to enjoy a limitless and powerful performance.
The ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip also uses dual 98-blade fans beneficial for Engineers. It has three heat pipes and seven intelligent sensors that ensure the laptop an optimum cooling performance while keeping the device quiet — under 40 dBA in Standard mode. This new ExpertBook features a versatile design because of its flippable 16-inch display that allows users the choice to work anywhere and in any laptop mode that the user prefer. The improved design is also perfect for the growing hybrid workers in the country.
Lastly, AES professionals need maximum connectivity options to handle all workloads. The ExpertBook B6 Flip also offers a comprehensive set of ports for easy data transfers and peripheral connections. It includes a built-in smart card reader and a microSD slot that makes it easier for 3D creators to shoot, edit, and process massive images and videos anywhere. This laptop also boasts two ultra-versatile Thunderbolt™ 4 ports with DisplayPort® 1.4, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and a pro-grade 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port.
Professional crafts, elevated: Real-time ray tracing, extreme processing power and intelligent AI
ExpertBook B6 Flip is engineered with professional-grade NVIDIA RTX A2000 graphics that leverage the NVIDIA Ampere™ architecture to help users elevate their craft — whether creating short online videos or full-length features, generating animations or 3D models, or exploring graphic design. Ampere features new ray-tracing and Tensor cores with support for sparsity, DLSS 2.0 AI super-resolution technology, and streaming multiprocessors that deliver massively improved performance. This remarkable GPU offers the most realistic ray-traced graphics, and cutting-edge new features and harnesses the power of AI.
Designed for AEC: ISV-certified for pro apps and an innovative touchscreen display with a stylus
For 3D creators, the software is the bread and butter that’s why the ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip underwent rigorous tests in comprehensive certification processes from independent software vendors (ISVs) — to ensure this new laptop produces a limitless performance that doesn’t compromise the requirements needed from the world’s leading 3D and CAD developers. Out of the box, the ExpertBook Flip B6 also has an optional MPP 2.0-compatible ASUS stylus that supports up to 4096 pressure levels, allowing users to write, draw and annotate in any supported applications.
Architecture, engineering, and construction
Planning, designing, and constructing structures involves art, beauty, science, technology, and teamwork. The ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip allows professionals across AEC industries to concentrate on bringing concepts true to life with BIM software, using tools such as Revit®, 3dsMax® and Maya®
Product design and manufacturing
Whether creating cars, gadgets, or furniture’s, the design process often starts with a 2D sketch before moving on to 3D modeling and 3D printing. The ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip effortlessly runs tools like Creo®, SolidWorks®, or Microstation®, making modeling and rendering more efficient and faster.
Creative and media
Today’s complex workflows for recording, editing, post-production, and transcoding demands heavy tools like Adobe® Premiere®. The unrivaled power of the ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip will do the heavy lifting enabling professionals to meet deadlines without compromising their creative vision.
Business-grade security: Intel vPro, Windows 11 Pro, TPM 2.0, TCG Opal, and more
The AEC industry can be particularly vulnerable to security breaches due to the large amount of highly confidential data they handle and the massive volume of information they transfer internally and externally. To protect this information, the ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip (B6602F) is powered by an Intel vPro Essentials or Enterprise platforms and a Windows 11 Pro. This powerhouse combination enables users’ higher productivity with maximum security equipped for the most demanding workloads. In particular, the ExpertBook B6 Flip has multi-layered security, making it an ideal device for financial and government institutions. This includes support for self-encrypting TCG Opal SSD drives to prevent unauthorized data access from hackers and a discrete TPM 2.0 chip to store authentication information such as passwords or encryption keys securely. It also has a intelligent card reader that enables easy two-factor authentication that requires users to use a password and recognized card required for login, and an IR camera for easy face login that supports Windows Hello.
He states, “I had a clear vision of what I wanted the story to be, where I wanted the Creed family to go. The challenge of directing helped motivate me—I wanted to see if I had what it takes to act in and direct something that had been kicking around in my head for a long time. “Creed III” is very personal to me and, thankfully, all those things added up to the perfect situation for this movie.”
In the film, after dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.
“This is an origin story, a sequel, and a trilogy all in one,” says Jordan. “We’ve seen Adonis at a young age in the earlier films, but we never had the chance to really see how he was in and out of juvie, what really shaped him to be the Adonis Creed that we know, before he was adopted and brought into a life of wealth, opportunity and legacy. I felt it would result in a kind of identity crisis for him.”
Jordan feels a kinship with the character of Adonis. Before Jordan ascended to global superstar with his performance in Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther,” it was the director’s 2015 “Creed” that introduced Jordan to the power of not just admiring, but being part of, a cinematic legacy.
“I grew up along with Adonis Creed,” says Jordan. “I created him with Ryan and got a chance to play him at pivotal times during my own personal life. So now, in the third film in the series, to be able to tell the story of where I am now, and where Adonis is on his journey, feels extremely personal.
“I was excited to see Adonis through to wherever he needed to go next,” Jordan adds. “How does he stay hungry? How does he find motivation now? The answer was, through a reminder about who he was before fame, and before he got everything that he dreamed of. As an actor and a director, that’s what I was most interested in exploring.”
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents A Chartoff-Winkler Production, “Creed III” is distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures including the Philippines.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Creed3
The character one-sheets spotlight all the major players in the new movie, from returning icons such as Courteney Cox and Hayden Panettiere to recent new favorites Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding. There are also some brand new faces in the mix, including Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori.
Check out the posters below and watch Scream VI in cinemas across the Philippines starting March 8.
About Scream VI
Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera (“Sam Carpenter”), Jasmin Savoy Brown (“Mindy Meeks-Martin”), Mason Gooding (“Chad Meeks-Martin”), Jenna Ortega (“Tara Carpenter”), Hayden Panettiere (“Kirby Reed”) and Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group Present A Project X Entertainment Production, A Radio Silence Film, Scream VI.
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, produced by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, written by James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick, based on characters created by Kevin Williamson.
Scream VI is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #Scream6 and tag @paramountpicsph
Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
February has rolled in and love is in the air. For many of us, this means it’s time to start searching for that perfect, thoughtful gift to let your special someone know that you care. As with every occasion, and perhaps especially during the love month, there are plenty of promotions and deals to choose from that bring you great savings, but few compare to this irresistible deal from Samsung.
Your Ultimate Fancy
If you’re a lover of exceptional home entertainment systems, then you know that having good TV quality is just one part of it. What makes the home cinematic experience all the more special is pairing a great quality TV with impeccable sound.
Samsung makes it easier for you to achieve this. The One True Pair promo gives you a chance to upgrade your lifestyle and finally buy your dream TV and Soundbar together, and save up to P34,999.
Want to know what exactly you’ll be getting? Pairing The Frame or The Serif with the Lifestyle Soundbar activates the Q-Symphony feature that allows both the TV and Soundbar speakers to work together to provide a greater and more immersive sound experience. They also have aesthetically delightful designs that complement each other and fit in your space. Most of all, the highlight of these two products together will be the QLED technology meeting Dolby Atmos, letting you enjoy lifelike picture quality and cinematic sound.
Take home the most desired The Serif or The Frame TV together with the chic and sleek Lifestyle Soundbar at a bundled price when you purchase it via straight card or cash payment at any participating Samsung Authorized Dealer or at Samsung.com Samsung’s One True Pair promo runs from February 16, 2023 until March 31, 2023. For more exciting promo updates on Samsung TVs, check out www.samsung.com/ph, and follow Samsung on their officialFacebook andInstagram pages.
Starring Academy Award-nominee Adam Driver (Marriage Story, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), “65” has also unveiled a brand new spot which may be viewed below.
About 65
After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth…65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.
From the writers of A Quiet Place and producer Sam Raimi comes 65, a sci-fi thriller starring Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. Written and directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods and produced by Sam Raimi, Deborah Liebling and Zainab Azizi. Also produced by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.
65 is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #65Movie
The global jazz icon is set to perform in two major cities in the Philippines this March 2023. He will first visit the Queen City of the South – Cebu this March 25, 2023 at the SMX Sky Hall Seaside Cebu. This will mark the first time that the jazz icon has performed in Cebu City. Promising to bring Kenny’s signature brand of jazz to the live stage, Cebuanos can expect a performance of songs that capture the ‘heart and soul’ of those beloved Jazz Standards.
Tickets for Kenny G Live in Cebu 2023 are now available via SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com). Tickets are available for Php 11,260 which also includes a guaranteed chance to meet the icon after the show; Php 10,130 for VIP, Php 7,320 for CAT 1 and Php 5,070 for CAT 2.
The Manila show is slated to happen on March 29, 2023. More details to follow soon.
Kenny G Live in Cebu is brought to you by JP Entertainment, Red Spade. Organized by Jasper Entertainment Production and MakeitLive. Supported by AC Music Entertainment. Special thanks to SMX Sky Hall Cebu and Nustar Resort and Casino.
Kenny G is an award-winning saxophonist, the biggest selling instrumental musician of the modern era, and one of the best-selling artists of all time. With global sales totaling more than 75-million records and 1.5 billion streams, the jazz icon has accumulated a staggering 24-award nominations throughout his almost 50-year career and has taken home a Grammy Award, American Music Award, NAACP Award, and two Soul Train Music Awards. With classic, top-selling studio albums including Duotones, Silhouette, Breathless, Miracles: The Holiday Album, Heart and Soul and Brazilian Nights, Kenny has maintained a high level of creative excellence through decades of unprecedented commercial success.
With impressive G LensTM image quality, high-speed accuracy and tracking AF, and a smart design for maximum mobility and operability, this new lens is designed for a wide range of creators. The FE 20-70mm F4 G is the perfect choice for vlogging, movie production, and still portrait and landscape shots.
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G (SEL2070G)
According to professional photographer and Sony Philippines Product Expert Nicco Valenzuela, the FE 20-70mm F4 G is comparably lighter and more compact than most standard zoom lenses with a constant aperture. As a photographer himself, this lens will be of significant help when packing camera equipment for shoots. There are also instances when photographers do not want to carry a separate ultra-wide angle lens with them, so the capability of the FE 20-70mm F4 G to go all the way to 20mm wide is really handy and offers significant versatility.
“The introduction of the FE 20-70mm F4 G sees the standard zoom category of lenses redefined”, said Yasufumi Machitani, General Manager, Digital Imaging Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “The new concept lens has an incredible, ultra-wide zoom range from 20mm through to 70mm to ensure true versatility – perfectly designed for both still and video creators with its sophisticated imagery and high-level operability”, he added.
Compact and lightweight new standard zoom covers ultra-wide 20-70mm, the FE 20-70mm F4 G just weighs only 488g but offers outstanding optical performance in a remarkably compact, lightweight size thanks to Sony’s latest lens design and XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors technology. What’s more, the ultra-wide 20mm end of the zoom range makes it possible to maintain a wide angle of view when shooting video with a 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
Photographed by Nicco Valenzuela using the Sony α7R V. A side-by-side comparison of a shot taken with a 24-105mm lens (right) to the new Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G’s 20-70mm lens (left)
Outstanding image quality consistent with the G Lens logo
The new lens boasts unique G Lens image quality that produces a state-of-the-art optical design that simultaneously corrects chromatic and spherical aberration for extremely high optical performance across the whole zoom range. Optimized coatings add high flare and ghost resistance to this superior optical design, for extraordinary contrast and clarity. Furthermore, beautiful bokeh is achieved with full-frame image sensors and is further enhanced by a 9-blade circular aperture and optimally tuned spherical aberration.
“The implications of this in landscape and nature photography is that it focuses closer. By closer, I mean this can focus at 0.25 meters close, and this is significant because most standard zoom lenses can focus at around 0.32 to 0.38 at most. This can focus on details much closer, such as flowers and medium-sized insects which counts as near-macro capabilities. At the same time, focusing closer can help landscape photographers do focus-stacked wide images of vistas that create the most detailed output possible. Even more conveniently, this close focusing capability can be used in tandem with the new Sony α7R V’s automated focus bracketing mode that greatly simplifies the focus stacking workflow,” said Valenzuela.
Photographed by Nicco Valenzuela using the Sony A7RV camera with the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens
Maximises camera AF performance for stills and video
The lens’s focus group is driven by two of Sony’s latest XD Linear Motors, providing high thrust for a fast, quiet, low-vibration focus drive. Thrust efficiency has been significantly improved over previous models[i], resulting in up to a 60% increase in AF speed.
Video performance designed for refined imagery
The FE 20-70mm F4 G reduces focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming to ensure that the highest quality images are captured.
AlphaTM series cameras’ Active Mode image stabilization is highly effective at the ultra-wide 20 mm end of the FE 20-70mm F4 G zoom range, providing excellent image stabilization performance, whilst maintaining a wide angle of view. This can be particularly useful for shooting smooth, stable handheld footage whilst walking.
Focus is especially critical when shooting high-resolution 4K or 8K movies. The FE 20-70mm F4 G works with AlphaTM series camera bodies to easily acquire accurate focus and smoothly track fast-moving subjects.
Photographed by Nicco Valenzuela
High-level operability and reliability for any environment The new FE 20-70mm F4 G’s independent focus, zoom, and aperture rings feature optimized diameter, width, and positioning for full control when shooting stills as well as maximum versatility when recording video.
The new FE 20-70mm F4 G is priced at P75,000 and will be available in select Sony Authorized Dealers nationwide starting February 17, 2023. Find out more information about the SEL2070G here: https://www.sony.com.ph/electronics/camera-lenses/sel2070g.
Development of New G Master™ 300mm F2.8 Telephoto Full-Frame E-mount Lens
In addition to this stunning new lens, Sony also announced the development of the long-awaited FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto lens that is set to launch in early 2024.
Large-aperture super-telephoto lenses like the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 600mm F4 GM OSS are highly acclaimed by sports and wildlife photographers around the world for their outstanding resolution and AF performance. As such, the new lens will feature the incredible high-resolution and spectacularly beautiful bokeh of Sony’s acclaimed line of flagship G Master™ series lenses, whilst also offering a far-reaching 300 mm focal length and F2.8 large aperture. Follow /SonyPhilippines on Facebook and @sonyphinc on Instagram to stay updated on FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto lens announcements.
Unfortunately, most are in the rush toward their next task and often forget to look around. But when you get stuck in the most unconventional places, you might get to meet someone and get closer with them.
Stuck in the Elevator
Did you know the odds of being stuck in an elevator are 1 in every 100,000? The odds of being stuck with someone who’s your type, however, might be a little higher.
But if that does happen, first: don’t panic. You’re in a closed space so With more than 8 billion people in the world, there’s no shortage of potential love interests.
make the most of it, especially if you’re alone together. Keep the conversations light to get closer and once help comes, don’t forget to get their contact details!
During Overtime
Romance in the workplace is not something new. But so is stress-bonding when you and your office crush are both stuck in the same building to meet deadlines.
Make the move and get close by offering to buy dinner for both of you and take advantage of that by taking a break together.
In the Middle of Traffic
Filipinos in the metro lose approximately a week being stuck in traffic, leaving less time for most to go to work, have fun, or find the opportunity to meet someone.
Which is why on Valentine’s Day, closeup partnered with ride-hailing app JoyRide to launch #RideCloser, where free carpool rides were given to commuters.
Couples were paired according to their drop-off points, age, and personal preferences for a better chance to create AMA-ZINC moments and get closer while en route to their chosen destination. With icebreakers and fun Valentine-themed activities inside the car, most couples were able to hit it off right away and get closer!
Brent Manalo, the up-and-coming actor, model, vlogger, and everyone’s crush today, joined the activation and gave a lucky individual the opportunity to get closer with him despite the traffic! On his most recent Instagram post, Brent shared how he and his blind date “had so many things to talk about.” Brent even shared a selfie with her on his Instagram showing the pair enjoying their ride to Trinoma.
Through this partnership, closeup and JoyRide proved that romantic sparks can be found anywhere, even in the most unconventional spaces.
Which is why it is best to be prepared for those unexpected moments by using closeup, with Antibacterial Zinc, which blasts away 99.9% of bacteria to give you all day AMA-ZINC fresh breath (based on lab test, for up to 12 hours with regular use). When you have AMA-ZINC fresh breath, nothing will stop you from finding your meet-cute and getting closer!
Visit closeup and JoyRide’s social media pages to view what happened during the #RideCloser free carpool blind rides!
Global video streaming service Prime Video announced today that unscripted Korean show Jinny’s Kitchen, which features a cast of famous stars opening and running a Korean restaurant overseas, will be coming exclusively to the service. Actors Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-jun, and Choi Woo-shik will be rejoining Lee Seo-jin in this new venture. Furthermore, V of the globally popular K-pop boy group BTS will be the team’s new castmate, rounding out the dream team. Prime Video customers in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam can watch new episodes of Jinny’s Kitchen every Friday, starting February 24. The show will launch globally in further countries exclusively on Prime Video later this spring.
The new series follows the success of the Youn’s Kitchen franchise, produced by leading Korean entertainment company, CJ ENM, which showed a cast of actors opening and running a small Korean restaurant overseas. Actor Lee Seo-jin will be stepping up as the leader of Jinny’s Kitchen and lead the team as they serve Korean street food in Bacalar, Mexico. Lee Seo-jin is an actor by trade, but interestingly, also has a business management degree from the New York University Stern School of Business. Park Seo-jun, Choi Woo-shik, and V from BTS are famously known to be close friends, and this is evident in how they joke around in the midst of the busy restaurant as they serve customers alongside Lee Seo-Jin.
“We know how popular Korean content is among our global Prime Video audiences, and when it comes to Korean unscripted shows there’s an air of the unexpected, anticipation, and excitements which fans will get from witnessing the real-life chemistry and friendship between the casts that build up over the season,” says David Simonsen, director Prime Video, Southeast Asia. “In the past year, Prime Video continues to boost its Korean TV series offerings for its customers globally, including exclusive K-dramas such as Love in Contract, and fantasy-action Amazon Original series, Island. We hope to delight fans of Korean shows with Jinny’s Kitchen, and are excited to see the show and this genre to find new audiences from different countries on Prime Video.”
Nah Yung Suk and Jang Eun Jeong, the directors of Jinny’s Kitchen, said, “All the cast has worked really hard in making Korean street food themselves. We expect fans to get very excited to see the five members’ struggles in their effort to satisfy international customers while running a Korean street food restaurant. We really hope this show will bring lots of fun and laughter to Korean and global viewers.”
Jinny’s Kitchen joins the thousands of TV shows and movies in the Prime Video catalogue, including exclusive titles from Southeast Asia, Korean titles such as Island and Love in Contract, anime hits such as Chainsaw Man, on top of award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Emmy and Golden Globe winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Prime Video members will be able to watch Jinny’s Kitchen anywhere and anytime on hundreds of compatible devices. In the Prime Video app, members can also download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Find out more at www.primevideo.com and enjoy a seven-day promotional trial.
