Author: Press Release

Celebrate the Joyous Season at the CCP This December

This Yuletide season, the Cultural Center of the Philippines offers a wide variety of engaging performances and programs – from classical concert to contemporary dance production, and other traditional Paskong Pinoy activities – for just about every artistic preference, with festivities taking place throughout December.

The holiday cheers at the CCP kick off with Puso ng Pasko, an all-Filipino Christmas ballet, slated on December 2 to 4, 8pm, with matinee shows at 3pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The dance production is an expansion of the dance film production Tuloy Ang Pasko, which premiered in 2020.

This year, Lolo Val, the main protagonist who now lives in California, reminisces about how he and his barkada would celebrate Christmas in the most Filipino way in the 1970s. Puso ng Pasko puts the spotlight on the Yuletide festivities and traditions from the different regions of the Philippines.

A ground-breaking work, Ronelson Yadao, artistic director of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) choreographs the Filipino version of Nutcracker, with musical arrangements by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

Live opera returns at the CCP Main Theater after more than two years with Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot on December 9 at 8pm and December 11, at 3pm.

Directed by Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini (who also directed Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in 2020), Turandot is a timeless tale about the daughter of an emperor who decrees that she will marry if a noble suitor can answer three riddles. Her most recent suitor, the Prince of Persia, is to be executed at the moon’s rising. Set in ancient China, the opera is known for Nessun Dorma, arguably the world’s most famous tenor aria.

The opera stars Korean singers soprano Lilla Lee and bass Jinsu Lee as Princess Turandot and exiled Tartar king Timur, respectively. Completing the cast are Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Liu, Byeong In Park as Ping the Grand Chancellor, tenor Ivan Nery as Pong the Grand Intendant; tenor Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum, and baritone Greg de Leon as Mandarino. Maestro Valentino Favoino conducts the PPO, along with distinguished choral ensembles of the Viva Voce Voice Lab.

Watch selected films that feature family-oriented stories that inspire and give hope in Cinema Under the Stars (CUTS) on December 14 to 16, at the CCP Front Lawn. CUTS is an open-air, hybrid outdoor cinema to encourage moviegoers to walk-in, bike-in or drive-in. This is free to the public.

The annual CCP Light and Sound show returns on a grander scale, featuring the Christmas façade décor dubbed Binurda, to be launched on December 15, 7pm, at the CCP Façade and Front Lawn. The CCP holiday decorations are inspired by the Callado embroidery on piña jusi textile with Sampaguita design. A light and sound show compliments the façade décor.

During the launch, the Bayanihan National Dance Company, The Nightingales, Male Ensemble of the Philippines (MEP), and surprise performers bring the magic of the season and instill the warmth spirit that Paskong Pinoy is known for.

On December 16, 8pm, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah, the greatest classical musical treat. Under the baton of conductor Mark Anthony Carpio, the PPO will perform alongside a 200-member grand chorus, composed of current members and alumni of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Sing Philippines Youth Choir, Male Ensemble Philippines, and Musika Filipina. Completing the grand chorus are Coro Cantabile, DLSU Chorale, Lighter Side Movement, Novo Concertante Manila, Pansol Choir, Philippine Vocal Ensemble, and Song Weavers Philippines. Featured soloists are soprano Stefanie Quintin, tenor Ervin Lumauag, bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca, and mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariel Mariposa.

Ballet Philippines brings back the well-loved Christmas classic ballet, The Nutcracker, on December 17, 8pm, and December 18, 2pm and 6pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. The ballet production follows the adventures and misadventures of a young girl on Christmas Eve, in a magical land where every child’s dream comes true.

The CCP Arts Education Department will launch Vamos A Belen: Sama Samang Paggunita and Pagdiriwang, a Pastores dance competition, on December 21. This event is a platform for dancers and dance groups to showcase their skills in interpreting dance literature focusing on Pastores piece. This is in preparation for the 50th anniversary production of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group in September 2023.

CCP continues its long-established tradition of Simbang Gabi, in partnership with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and other hermanas, with on-site celebrations on December 16 to 24, 5am, at the CCP Main Ramp. The Misa de Aguinaldo will be held on December 24, 8pm, at the CCP Main Theater, with a pre-mass program featuring the Panunuluyan.

For the third year, the CCP will also have a virtual Simbang Gabi, in partnership with various parishes from the different regions of the country to celebrate anticipated masses. The Anticipated Mass from the Regions runs from December 15 to 23, 9pm, and will be streamed simultaneously on the CCP Facebook Page.

Celebrate the happiest season at the CCP with these heartwarming and amazing activities.

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for the latest happenings this December.

November 25, 2022
All-Original Filipino Christmas Ballet ‘Puso ng Pasko’ Premieres This Christmas Season

The Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates Filipino Christmas traditions with PUSO NG PASKO as it lights up the CCP Main Theater on December 2 (8:00 pm), Dec. 3 (3:00 pm & 8:00 pm), and Dec. 4, 2022 (3:00 pm & 8:00 pm).

The first all-Filipino Christmas ballet, PUSO NG PASKO captures the true spirit of the Pinoy Pasko as Lolo Val, now living abroad in California, recalls to his young granddaughter Angelita, the magical Christmases of his youth in Tres Reyes with his barkada.

This production, conceptualized by Ronelson Yadao, and musical arrangements by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, features beloved scenes of the Simbang Gabi, eating bibingka and puto bumbong, plazas decorated with big parols, and beautiful Christmas decorations. It also features different fiestas across the Philippine islands in celebration of regional festivities.

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ Artistic Director, Ronelson Yadao, works with an amazingly talented array of collaborators to bring this Flipino Christmas story to life. Joining him with the feat of choreographing this full-length Christmas dance celebration are Erl Sorilla, John Ababon, AL Abraham, Dan Dayo, Bonnie Guerrero, and Lester Reguindin. These creative staples in the company’s roster of young and acclaimed choreographers each have a beautifully distinct style of movement that somehow wonderfully compliments each moment in the story.

Erl Sorilla is an accomplished dancer with the CCP’s resident dance company and has choreographed notable pieces including Langit Lupa and The Weight on Our Toes. His works have received recognition including the Trudl Dubsky Award in the first CCP Ballet Competition in 2014. In 2020, he danced and choreographed with the faculty of the CCP Dance Workshop, creating two pieces in the Christmas offering Tuloy Ang Pasko! He became a grantee of the CCP’s 2021 Professional Dance Support Program where he choreographed Musa for its Culminating Program. Erl currently dances, teaches, and choreographs with Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.

John Ababon has been dancing with CCP companies since 2012 and has ventured into choreography. Among his works are Happy Thoughts, which won the Trudl Dubsky Zipper Award for outstanding choreography in the 2018 CCP Ballet Competition Junior Category. In 2020, John was part of the faculty of the CCP Dance Workshop and in 2021, he became a grantee of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program. He performed in several pieces of its culminating showcase, the Dance On! Online dance series, and choreographed a solo, Inlababo, and a pas de deux, In the Midst of Overcoming. Today, John focuses on choreographing.

AL Abraham pursued his professional dance career at the CCP. AL has created many pieces like Kada Paningkamot, a solo choreographed for the Young Choreographer Showcase. In 2020, he was one of the dancers and choreographers for the CCP Christmas offering Tuloy Ang Pasko! which was featured in the 2021 live Christmas show, A Christmas Celebration. With Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, AL continues to dance and choreograph. His Kada Paningkamot was restaged and included in the Visayan Suite of Dances.

Danilo Dayo holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree with a major in Dance from the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. As a company member of CCP’s Resident Dance Company, he has been featured in many of its productions. A budding choreographer, he has created pieces for the junior company among his works are Torpe, Belle Donne and Malamanyika, and Danse Macabre. A member of the faculty of CCP Dance Workshop, he performed and created the dance piece Kumukutikutitap in CCP’s 2020 Christmas offering Tuloy ang Pasko. He is currently a grantee in the 2022 Professional Artist Support Program.

Bonnie Guerrero is a professional dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, and Pilates instructor. A former company member of CCP’s Resident Dance Company, Bonnie has choreographed many pieces. His choreographies have been featured in the CCP Resident Dance Company shows such as Hugot sa Rosas and Bagong Sayaw. With Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance, as his mentor for choreography, he created works such as his Magdalena presented in the 2018 Young Choreographers Showcase. His latest choreographic work was to the music arranged by Ryan Cayabyab, Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayon Pasko, for Tuloy Ang Pasko!, a 2020 Christmas dance film production of the Artists of the CCP Dance Workshop.

Lester Reguindin participated in the CCP Resident Dance Company’s Young Choreographer’s Showcase in 2019 where he choreographed We Men, which was later performed in the production of Alice & Friends and more recently in the CCP Dance Series’ Pulso Pilipinas I. In 2020, Lester choreographed and danced for CCP’s online Christmas Offering, The Nutcracker and Tuloy Ang Pasko. As a creative grantee of the CCP’s 2021 Professional Artist Support Program, his piece NOW was featured in the CCP’s online dance series, Dance On! With Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Lester continues to choreograph, one of his recent works, GomBurZa, was a culminating choreographic study for the PASP in 2022. It was later commissioned by UP Arts and Culture Festival under the direction of Josefina Estrella.

Ronelson is a dance artist with 16 years of professional experience in dance theaters in Asia, the US, Canada, and Europe. Among his works as a choreographer are Sama-Sama, with the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, as well as Ang Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw, a dance film produced by the CCP with music and film direction by Jerold Tarrog. In 2020, he became a grantee, choreographer, and Modern Dance ballet master of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program. Ronelson is currently the artistic director of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. His 2019 piece, Maupay is the latest addition to the collection of dances in Visayan Suite of Dances.

Behind this talented array of choreographers are collaborators whose significant contributions give life to the story and choreography. These include National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, as Mentor and Artistic Consultant and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, for his musical arrangements of timeless Filipino Christmas Songs performed and recorded by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Master Chorale.

Alice Reyes was declared a National Artist for Dance by President Benigno S. Aquino III through Proclamation No. 807 and was conferred at the Malacañang Palace on April 14, 2016. Her extensive body of choreographic works is a powerful expression of the Philippines’ unique history, art, and heritage, including Amada, Itim Asu, Tales of the Manuvu, Rama, Hari, and Bungkos Suite, among many others. She is currently the artistic consultant for the Professional Artist Support Program and the chairman emeritus of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. She has collaborated with the CCP and its Arts Education Department in its educational thrusts, audience development, and regional outreach, as part of their Professional Artist Support Program.

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, a.k.a, Mr. C is the most accomplished composer, arranger, and musical director in the Philippine music industry since the early 1970s. His learned, skillful, and versatile musical style spans a wide range of genres: from conservatory or art compositions such as concert religious music, symphonic work, art song, opera, and concerto to mainstream popular idioms in the music industry and in live contemporary multimedia shows (musical theater, dance, and film). Being very visible in the national media (once a TV host of a long-running arts and culture series and recently a judge in reality TV singing competitions), Cayabyab is a household name. His compositions reflect a perspective of music that extols the exuberance of life and human happiness, thus capturing the very essence of our Filipino soul.

Included on the list of brilliant collaborators are Eric Cruz (production design), Barbara Tan-Tiongco (lighting design), Dennis Maristany (Costume Consultant), and Eljay Castro Deldoc, who worked with Yadao on the script and story as co-librettist with inputs from Film Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna for the filmed scenes.

Joining the cast is acclaimed theater actor Audie Gemora, who will be taking on the role of “Lolo Val.” A terpsichore who has played a variety of roles both in English and Filipino musicals, Audie has been dubbed “King of Philippine Musical Theater.” He has co-founded one of the leading theater companies in the country, TRUMPETS which has produced musical hits including the long-running JOSEPH THE DREAMER. He won an award for “Best Performance as Male Lead in a Musical” at the 2010 Gawad Philstage for his performance in SWEENEY TODD, and in 2014 as “Best Performance as featured male in a Musical” for his performance as the flamboyant director Roger De Bris in “THE PRODUCERS.” His portrayal of Albin/Zaza in 9 Works 2015 production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES garnered rave reviews and won him the “Outstanding Performance in Musical by a Male Lead” trophy in the 2016 Philstage Gawad Buhay. His latest acting recognition was for Best Actor in a Play as Norman in Repertory Philippines’ production of THE DRESSER at the 2019 Aliw Awards.

As the Cultural Center of the Philippines prepares to shut its doors for renovation, these performances will be one of the last to be staged in the CCP Main Theater.

Tickets are available through the following contacts: CCP Box Office (tel. no. 8832-3704), Bonnie Guerrero (Viber: 09154122152), and TicketWorld (+63.917.550.6997, +63.999.954.5922)

November 25, 2022
CCP MET Opera in HD Presents Francis Poulenc’s ‘Dialogues des Carmelites’

The devastating tragedy about a young woman who joins the Carmelite nuns to escape the terrors of the French Revolution closes the 2022 offering of CCP Met Opera in HD, slated on December 6, 2022, 5:30 pm, at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Malls Cinemas in Makati City.

Composed by French composer Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc, Dialogues des Carmelites follows the aristocratic Blanche de la Force who joined the Order of Carmelite to escape the reign of terror.

First premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1957, the opera is a quasi-historical opera based on the martyrdom of 16 Carmelite nuns and lay sisters from Compiegne who sacrificed themselves for peace during the revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799.

Poulenc wrote the Carmelites libretto himself based on an unproduced screenplay by French author Georges Bernanos. In turn, Bernanos based his screenplay on the 1931 novela Die Letzte am Schafott (The Song at the Scaffold), written by German writer Gertrud von Le Fort.

Poulenc’s three-act opera has become a favorite among the Metropolitan Theater’s audiences because of its striking production values and timeless staging, complemented by a remarkable cast.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the music director of The Met’s Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer, leads an accomplished ensemble in Poulenc’s devastating modern piece on faith and martyrdom. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard is the young Blanche de La Force, opposite Met legend Karita Mattila as the First Prioress.

Now on its seventh season, the CCP Met Opera in HD is a special program of the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division, under the Production and Exhibition Department, in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and Ayala Malls Cinemas. The series showcases operatic productions through the high-definition (HD) digital video technology and Dolby sound, recreating the experience of watching an opera production at the Met “live.”

For tickets and other inquiries, call the CCP Box Office: 8832-3704 / 8832-1125 local 1409. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more information. Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for the latest updates.

November 25, 2022
PPO Presents Handel’s Messiah This December

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates the Yuletide Season with Handel’s Messiah at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on December 16, 2022, 8pm.

The classical concert features a mammoth choral ensemble composed of 200 singers from various Philippine choirs, performing the complete movement of the English oratorio which traces the story of Jesus Christ, under the baton of PPO guest conductor Mark Anthony Carpio.

“It is a tribute to George Frideric Handel’s genius. Even after 280 years since it was first heard in 1742 in Dublin, music lovers all over the world are still in awe when they hear this magnificent choral piece. This music which has transcended time should be experienced first-hand by Filipinos as interpreted by Filipino musicians,” said CCP president Margie Moran-Floirendo.

Floirendo shared that the idea for a grand Handel’s Messiah came from the late CCP president Baltazar Endriga some years back. “It is just timely that we are finally mounting this masterwork as our way of celebrating the return of live music at the CCP. It is also a fitting musical offering to thank the Messiah that we all survived the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

Messiah has been described as a “grand musical entertainment” during its first few performances during Handel’s time. But the composer said entertainment was not what he had in mind when he composed it. “I want listeners to feel my message and become better people.”

Considered one of the greatest Christmas classical music ever composed, Messiah is naturally a big challenge for conductor Carpio. He has conducted selected movements from the choral piece mostly the first part, the Advent and Christmas portion ending with the Hallelujah Chorus before, but this will be the first time Carpio is doing the complete movements with an orchestra lasting more than two hours with him as the only conductor.

“I believe the challenge in this massive work lies not only in its duration (more than two hours) but in making sure the choir and orchestra understand this magnificent and probably one of the world’s most popular choral works,” said Carpio.

The 200-member grand chorus will be composed of current members and alumni of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Sing Philippines Youth Choir, Male Ensemble Philippines, and Musika Filipina. Completing the grand chorus are: Coro Cantabile, DLSU Chorale, Lighter Side Movement, Novo Concertante Manila, Pansol Choir, Philippine Vocal Ensemble and Song Weavers Philippines.

Featured soloists for December 16 Handel’s Messiah are soprano Stefanie Quintin, tenor Ervin Lumauag, bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca and mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariel Mariposa.

This December, Handel’s Messiah will once more re-assert itself as the greatest classical treat ever composed for the Christmas season. The concert is one of the grand events that the CCP is mounting before it closes the Main Building for rehabilitation in 2023.

For ticket inquiries, call the CCP Box Office: 8832-3704/8832-1125 local 1409, or check out Ticketworld (https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph), or visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). Follow the official CCP social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok for latest updates.

November 25, 2022
CCP Holds 13th Kutitap Arts Camp for Indigenous Children

In celebration of the 2022 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED) in partnership with the Marikina Culture and Arts Council – Marikina Dance Guild will hold a week-long arts camp under the annual program entitled Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining from November 24-28, 2022.

After two years of conducting the camp virtually, Kutitap will finally be implemented face-to-face again but still following the minimum health protocols. One hundred children and their adult leaders representing various cultural communities all over the country will be gathered for a celebration of arts, culture and traditions. Now on its 13th year, Kutitap pursues its goals of instilling among the Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation and pride for Philippine indigenous arts and culture, as well as promote creativity and positive social values. Kutitap will conduct interactive activities to include mini-workshops and showcases (in dance, drama, music, rituals, visual arts, etc.), storytelling, crafting, traditional games, film viewing, group discussions, creative collaboration, among others.

Since the first gathering in 2009, Kutitap has already reached over 3,164 children from 164 local communities nationwide. In 2011, the project was redesigned for the benefit of the children in Northern Luzon who were badly affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel. For the first time in 2015, Kutitap was brought out of the CCP and was hosted by the City of Batangas. For the first time too, the program was filmed and presented as part of the Children of Asia research project under the Asian Culture Institute (ACI) in Gwangju, South Korea. The film made by Kevin K. Park was shown during the opening of the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Korea. In 2016, Kutitap was brought to the Visayas under the hosting of the Province of Capiz, in 2017 in Tagum City, in 2018 in Los Baños-Laguna and in 2019 in Koronadal City.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project migrated online last 2020 and 2021 which adopted the theme “Mga Batang Makasining Para sa Isang Malusog, Mapagmahal, Mapagmalasakit at Masaganang Buhay” (Creative Children for a Healthy, Independent and Progressive Future). From November 24-27, Kutitap will engage the kids in educational, cultural, creative and other participative activities designed to enable them to learn, understand, and appreciate better the indigenous life, traditions and practices while emphasizing the values of good health, love, compassion and perseverance. It will also include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, medicinal plants, film and crafts.

This year’s participants will be 100 IP children ages 7-13 years old with their adult leaders from 11 cultural communities: Mindanao: Manobo-Agusan del Sur, Subanen-Zamboanga del Sur, Maranao-Lanao del Sur, Visayas: Panay-Bukidnon – Iloilo, and Ormoc City; Luzon: Muñoz-Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Bataan, La Union NCR: Valenzuela and Marikina.

KUTITAP 2022 is also supported by the City of San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple in Pablo Ocampo St., Manila and the National Book Development Board (NBDB). For more information, check out the CCP Cultural Exchange Department FB account and/or email at ccp.ced2014@gmail.com.

November 25, 2022
David Harbour’s Strange Santa Comes to the Rescue in “Violent Night”

From 87North, the producers of non-stop action thrills with groundbreaking fight sequences such as John Wick and Bullet Train comes “Violent Night”, where Santa is pitted against bad guys on Christmas day and shows them what Christmas is like for the naughty ones.

Violent Night’s Santa Claus is the real Santa, but in a way that we’ve never seen him before. This Santa is a protector and a warrior with some seriously bad-ass skills, but when we meet him in the film, he’s become slightly bitter and tired about the otherwise merry holiday. “He’s lost faith in humanity, and he feels the spirit of Christmas disappearing, which has made him into a shell of a man,” director Tommy Wirkola says.

Santa is at a crossroads. “Santa is having a bit of an existential crisis and he’s lost his Christmas spirit,” producer Kelly McCormick says. “Christmas has been overtaken by consumerism and greed, and he’s ready to hang up his boots until he enters the Lightstone home and realizes a little girl Trudy and her family are in danger.”

It turns out, that before Santa donned the jolly red suit and hitched up the reindeer, he had a very different life—a history that’s about to make him the ideal protector for this exact moment. “Santa was a greedy, violent Norwegian Viking who traveled the Scandinavian countries in search of treasure, killing anyone who got in his way,” Wirkola says. “It was the elves and the magic of Christmas that he discovered. This was the moment that he was offered some redemption and he found that in giving back, he could redeem who he was born to be, rather than a violent murderer. So, when we meet him in the film, he hasn’t thought about that life or been close to that life for hundreds of years, but over the course of the events of the film, he’s forced to put some of his skills from the past into practice.”

Finding the ideal actor to play Santa was essential. “It needed to be someone with the natural gravitas of Santa Claus and his sense of kindness and generosity, but there also needed to be some mystery in him beneath the surface,” Wirkola says. “He also had to be able to not only kick ass, but also be able to sell the emotional moments, too. David Harbour (Stranger Things) was the first person we reached out to because he had a combination of all those things.”

Harbour also had the benefit of being a bit of a mystery himself to the public. For his part, Harbour wasn’t initially sure about the role when the idea of the film was first explained to him. “I first heard the pitch from my agent, who told me, ‘It’s a violent Santa Claus movie,’” Harbour says. “My initial response was, ‘What are you talking about?’ But then, they told me the filmmakers wanted to talk to me about it. So, they called me up and told me the general idea, and it sounded so hilarious, fresh and different, but in my mind, it was still a big risk because it was like two movies smashed into one. That’s what was so unique about it.”

An R-16 holiday film from Universal Pictures International, “Violent Night” will open in cinemas on November 30.

November 25, 2022
Jesus Reigns Celebration All Set on Nov 30

Come and celebrate the biggest Christian worship festival in the Philippines this November 30, 2022 as Jesus Reigns Philippines Celebration gathers all Christian believers in all 82 provinces across the Philippines.

This is an annual festival held to honor Jesus Christ alone and to proclaim that HE REIGNS over our beloved Philippines and all nations.

In this celebration, JESUS is the center highlight. No church names, no personalities are acknowledged except JESUS alone.

After two years of virtual celebration due to the pandemic, Jesus Reigns as a movement is now ready to go out on the streets and worship as a united Body of Christ.

On its 11th year, over a million people all across the Philippines will come and declare that JESUS REIGNS over every home, city, province and the whole Philippines.

One Voice. One Lord. One Nation.

022 is the Year of No Compromise.

We are taking it from 2 Kings 18: 5-7 which states: “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did.”

We believe if we publicly come together as a nation and declare that Jesus Reigns in our hearts and live it out without compromising, the Lord will bless and prosper our nation.

Join the celebration as NCR kicks it off at 6am with a grand parade in Greenhills, EDSA to People’s Power Monument with people marching, dancing, singing and making a joyful sound pronouncing that JESUS REIGNS. Then celebrate the festival at Amoranto Stadium at 3pm.

Be amazed by the creative movements of worship of art, dance and music. As a finale, a spectacular grand fireworks display and feasting from every city takes place.

Be a part of this celebration in your province.

Visit our website: https://jesusreigns.ph and facebook.com/Jesus Reigns Celebration for more information.

November 25, 2022
Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat Opens a New Branch at the Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang

The wait is finally over. Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat officially opened its second branch in Building 8 of Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, on November 20, 2022.

This homegrown brand was created by Ely Salar, an international award-winning and multi-certified Filipino pastry chef and chocolatier whose culinary endeavors are founded on his desire to elevate the Filipino food experience. With Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat, he gives classic French confections a Filipino twist through a play of culturally inspired flavors and real and high-quality ingredients, some of which are sustainably sourced from his Elfortunella Farm in Leyte, where he also grows his own cacao.

Since its debut on Facebook and Instagram in 2021, the brand has gained a loyal following, prompting Chef Ely Salar and his business partner and wife Jiannina to open their first physical store in The Podium in July 2022. To meet the growing demand in the south, the husband and wife team decided to expand and open a second branch.

“We’ve been getting a lot of questions about when we’re going to open a branch in the south,” Chef Ely says, “mostly from our regulars, including a good mix of those interested in trying our products and looking for a branch nearby where they can buy cakes for any kind of day or celebration.”

Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat’s takeout kiosk is a great addition to Molito’s vibrant food scene, with their one-of-a-kind selection of handcrafted desserts and drinks in various flavor combinations familiar to the Filipino palate.

Entremet Cakes and Gâteaux de Voyage

The shop sells the entire entremet lineup, including the White Chocolate Rose Entremet, Yema Cacao, Mango Magnifique, and Strawberry Dark Chocolate, as well as originals like the Chocolate and Coffee Crème Brûlée.

There is also a selection of Petit Gâteau, or mini version of the entremet cake, available in-store.

“We’re also excited for everyone to try our new offering,” Chef Ely says with a big smile. “The Passionfruit Dacquoise is inspired by the classic Pinoy sans rival, but elevated with the complexity of passion fruit and the comforting earthiness of hazelnuts. It has layers and layers of hazelnut passion vanille, homemade hazelnut praline, passion fruit gelée, vanilla bean white chocolate whip panna cotta, citrus sponge cake, tablea chocolate cremeux, almond hazelnut dacquoise, hazelnut mousse, and almond croustillant. We hope families will like this new flavor, specially launched just in time for the holiday season.”

Gâteaux de Voyage is Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat’s version of travel cakes in a snackable size that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Customers can choose from six flavors: Chocolate Rocher, Almond Praline, Banana Chocolate, Calamansi Bavarian, Carrot Cream Cheese, and Tablea Nut Brittle.

Chocolate Barks, Coffee, Traditional and Signature Tsokolate

Chocolate lovers are in for a real treat. The store will also feature homemade chocolate barks sold by the gram. Flavors include the 75% Tablea Dark Chocolate Almond, Milk Chocolate Praline, White Chocolate Cookies and Cream, and Dark Chocolate Wafer Crunch.

Cold and hot drinks are available for those in need of a caffeine fix. Customers can take their pick from the Traditional Tsokolate, Signature Tsokolate, Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Café Latte, Flat White, and Tablea Café Mocha.

#EverydayMadeSpecial: Treat yourself to a premium dessert experience and visit Pâtisserie Le Choux-Colat’s stores in The Podium and Molito Lifestyle Center. You may also order for pick-up or delivery thru this link https://form.jotform.com/213533794041453. Follow @patisserielechouxcolat on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new flavors and seasonal offers.

November 25, 2022
BGC and Urban Farmers Open Greenhouse for Events Unique farm-to-table experience in the city
Hidden in the heart of Bonifacio Global City lies a gem of an events place – The Greenhouse at the Urban Farm, located at the corner of 34^th Street and 5^th Avenue.

The Greenhouse @BGC Urban Farm

Ideal for cozy, intimate gatherings, The Greenhouse Experience @ the BGC Community Farm offers farm-fresh welcome drinks, farm-to-table dishes, as well as giveaways that create a unique and memorable experience for guests. Included in the rental rate are the private use of the 1,500 square meter farm complex with an optional guided tour, lights and sounds, welcome drinks, a greens bar, guest giveaways of potted seedlings, event styling and table setup, assorted artisan bread, fruits, nuts, a platter of assorted cheese, mixed salad with edible flowers, and the option to harvest your greens.

Delightful add-ons are:
- Saxophone entertainment by Farmer Gilbert
- A gin bar with botanical garnishes (no corkage fees apply to spirits brought into the venue)
- Roasted vegetable paella
- Gyros in rotating vertical broiler
- Whole turkey with stuffing
Farmer Louie Gutierrez, President of Urban Farm, in the dressed up Greenhouse

After two years of the pandemic, when cities had to deal with erratic to no farm supply, something happened. A new breed of farmers – Urban Farmers PH – and Bonifacio Global City joined hands to bring a new kind of spring to BGC. Demonstrating the feasibility of farming in the city and harvesting healthy produce from one’s own backyard, the partnership has brought the community together and promoted sustainable and healthier living.

Urban Farmers can now reap added revenue from their patch of green beginnings. By availing of the event space, you will be participating in their urban agriculture advocacy. All profits go straight into the pockets of the urban farmers.

The team of Urban Farmers and volunteers headed by Farmer Louie Gutierrez (second from left) with Chef Philip Golding, Culinary Director of the Center for Culinary Arts Manila..

Message Urban Farmers PH on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/urbanfarmersph or send an email to ufscoipartnerships@gmail.com.
November 25, 2022
ASUS Launches Laptop with a Foldable Screen: Introducing the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED

ASUS announced its groundbreaking Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702), the world’s first 17.3-inch foldable OLED laptop. This ultra-compact and light 12.5-inch Foldable OLED laptop unfolds into a versatile 17.3-inch device with six modes, pushing the boundaries of innovation today. Redefining work and entertainment user experiences, this futuristic device packs a 12^th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB PCIe SSD. Breaking many technological glass ceilings, Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has received multiple accolades, including the prestigious iF Design, Red Dot Design Awards, and TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2022.

Unfold the incredible

This groundbreaking foldable laptop offers users two sizes of OLED display in one device: a large 4:3 17.3-inch 2.5K NanoEdge touchscreen that folds in the middle to create two seamless 3:2 12.5-inch 1920 by 1280 displays. When folded fully closed along the precision-engineered 180-degree hinge, it’s an ultra-compact and portable 12.5-inch device. Users can choose from Zenbook 17 Fold OLED’s multiple versatile usage modes, namely the Desktop, Laptop (with Bluetooth keyboard), Laptop (with virtual keyboard), Tablet, Reader, and Extended.

In Desktop mode, the unfolded 17.3-inch screen — propped up in landscape orientation using the built-in faux leather kickstand — can be used with the ASUS ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad attached wirelessly to create a powerful large-screen PC. This allows for all-day, non-stop productivity in the office or at home.

For Laptop mode (with Bluetooth keyboard), the keyboard attaches magnetically when placed on the lower half of the folded display. Alternatively, in Laptop mode (with virtual keyboard), the lower display can be turned into a virtual on-screen keyboard. These modes are perfect for on-the-go users who want a device they can easily clutch from one meeting to the next.

Tablet mode allows users to exploit the full touch capabilities of the fully opened 17.3-inch touchscreen, ideal for team collaboration and presenting big ideas. Reader mode — with the hinge aligned vertically — turns Zenbook 17 Fold OLED into the perfect reading device for that much-needed alone time studying or reading e-books.

Finally, in Extended mode, propped up in portrait orientation, the folded two 12.5-inch screens are perfect for users to scroll seamlessly on the upper and lower displays. Thus, Zenbook 17 Fold OLED can be connected to an external monitor via one of the two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports.

In each mode, the easy-to-use window management tools — such as Mode Switcher — in the ScreenXpert 3 app allow multiple split-display configurations and flexible app layouts for enhanced productivity. Users can seamlessly transition to each mode as its innovative hinge is engineered with ultimate durability. It is tested to withstand over 30,000 open-and-close cycles for total peace of mind.

Zenbook 17 Fold OLED also comes with a full-size ASUS ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad to support multiple user modes, providing a brand-new typing experience. The Bluetooth keyboard has a desktop-grade 19.05 mm key pitch and a long 1.4 mm travel on the dished mechanical keys, ensuring comfortable and accurate typing. The ErgoSense touchpad has a new silky-smooth surface for easy navigation, protected by a durable anti-fingerprint coating.

Despite its versatility and large screen size, the device weighs just 1.5 kg without the keyboard or 1.8 kg with it.

Performance that matters

The Intel Evo-certified Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is powered for effortless multitasking by high-performance components, including a 12^th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The long-lasting 75-watt-hour battery features USB-C Easy Charge, so it can be charged quickly with most USB-C chargers, power banks, or any Power Delivery-certified charger, including the bundled 65 W fast-charge adapter.

It’s easy to connect Zenbook 17 Fold OLED to peripherals too. There are two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, which are up to eight times faster than USB 3.2 Gen 1, and feature support for fast charging or connecting external displays. A USB-C to USB Type-A adapter is also supplied.

Entertainment like no other

Experience immersive entertainment like no other with the foldable OLED touchscreen in Zenbook 17 Fold OLED. It has a stunning Dolby Vision-certified display with 100% DCI-P3 and PANTONE validated for color accuracy. It is TÜV Rheinland-certified for reducing harmful blue light and is accompanied by a powerful quad-speaker Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos sound system.

Zenbook 17 Fold OLED includes several smart AI-powered features for added privacy and security and a superb online video calling experience. These include user-presence detection using an HD IR camera, which locks the laptop when the user is away, and unlocks it upon return, an integrated color sensor for automatic adjustment of screen brightness and color temperature, and a 5 MP AI webcam with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR) technology.

ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702) comes in a premium Tech Black color with a free lifetime license to Office Home & Student 2021. With a limited quantity of only 100 pieces in the Philippines, get it today for only PHP 219,995.00. Check out this laptop in ASUS Concept Stores and authorized resellers today. Here is the complete list of where to buy https://ph.asus.click/PRWTB. Users can also score Zenbook 17 Fold OLED with up to 12 months of 0% installment via Home Credit.

November 25, 2022