Author: Press Release

GCash is Celebrating its Birthday with Bigger Rewards and Exciting Deals

Mark your calendars because GCash is once again celebrating its birthday, and it’s going to be a big one! From October 17 to 23, you’re invited to join in the #ReadySetGBirthday festivities as GCash Birthday returns with bigger rewards and exciting deals everyday.

The #GBirthday2022 celebration offers a variety of exciting vouchers that you can look forward to each day to make every transaction extra special. And don’t forget to stay on the lookout for exclusive freebies and limited time offers from top GCash partners that will only be made available during birthday week.

Here’s a sneak preview of all the exciting deals you can look forward to at this year’s GCash Birthday:

1. Citibank Credit Card – Discount for the whole month of October!

Apply for a Citi Credit Card and get 8% discount on an iPhone 14 purchase plus get Php 1,000 GCash eGC via giftaway, as long as you make your first spend within 60 days.

2. Citibank Personal Loan Card – Freebies

Avail a Citi Personal Loan and get as much as Php 5,000 GCash eGC via giftaway.

3. Zalora – Voucher Discounts when you Pay Online via GCash

Zalora is giving away vouchers up to 2.5M worth! For a minimum spend of Php 2,000, enjoy 25% off when you pay online via GCash.

4. Globe at Home Broadband – Load Voucher when you Buy Load via GCash

Get P15 Load Voucher when you buy GoEXTRA129 Load via GCash. Valid until January 31, 2023.

5. Globe at Home Broadband – Voucher Discounts when you Purchase a Globe Home Prepaid Wifi Device on GLife

Purchase a Home Prepaid Wifi device via GLife, get a voucher worth Php 150!

6. Globe Prepaid – Voucher Discount when you Buy Load on the GCash app

Buy Load Go+99 and receive P10 Buy Load voucher, daily cap of 10k vouchers.

7. TM – Voucher Discount when you Buy Load on the GCash app

Buy Load EZ90 Doble Freebie and receive P10 Buy Load voucher, daily cap of 15k vouchers.

8. Smart – Voucher Discount when you Buy Load on the GCash app

Get P10 or P15 Load Voucher when you load PowerAll 99 and 149!

9. Pancake House – Buy One, Take One Freebie when you Pay with GCash

Buy One, Get One on 2pcs. Classic Pancakes when you pay using GCash.

10. Bo’s Coffee – Buy One, Take One Freebie when you Scan to Pay with GCash

Buy 1 any Large Beverage from Espresso and Froccino Category and get (1) small drip coffee for Free when you pay via GCash QR code.

11. Zing – Get additional points when you Scan to Pay or Pay Online

a.     Get 100 Zing Points, minimum spend Php 1,000, one time. For succeeding transactions, get 10 Zing Points, minimum spend Php 1,000 when you Pay with GCash with Linked Zing Account to GCash in Ayala Malls.

b.    Get Ayala Mall GC worth 100 pesos, with a minimum spend of Php 1,000 when you check out with GCash on ZingMall.

GCash takes convenience to another level with its many uses that allow you to progress financially and reach your financial goals. You can use GCash to send money, buy load, pay bills, or shop within the app with GLife and you can be rewarded instantly! You can also tap the A+ Rewards mini app on GCash to discover daily deals, special offers, and exclusive freebies and rewards.

You can also find an array of financial services on the GCash app that provide you with pay later options while still earning you more rewards as you use them! GCredit is a credit line that provides qualified users with another payment source for your purchases that you can pay later.

GCash also has a lending feature that qualifies users for a loan with GLoans, with personal plans that you can use to pay bills or shop online, while GGives offers light and flexible instalment plans that can fit your budget and can be used for online payments, online purchases, and even offline via Pay QR.

Find more exciting offers from October 17 – 23 by visiting the GCash website. Download the GCash app today on the AppStore or Google Play Store.

October 20, 2022
Go Big on Crunchy, Juicy, and Real Chicken Goodness with the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich!

Fried Chicken lovers look for the same qualities of flavor, crispiness and juiciness when it comes to choosing a chicken sandwich. Good thing there’s the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich that satisfies the needs of fried chicken lovers with its delicious, 100% real hand-breaded premium chicken fillet resulting to that extra crunchy exterior! Better yet, it’s even made better with the special dressing, complementing the tasty chicken fillet and buttery brioche buns making a 100% Real Chicken Sandwich experience.

“We’ve been greatly appreciative of the public’s reception to the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich, and we really intended for this product to answer their clamor for a chicken sandwich that not only is big in size but also delivers in 100% real crunchy and juicy chicken in every bite. Now more people will get a chance to taste and experience the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich as it is now available in Jollibee stores nationwide”, said Pam Reyes, AVP for marketing for Jollibee.

Go ahead and satisfy your cravings with the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich for only Php 149 Solo and Php 199 with fries and drink!

Aside from Take-Out and Drive-Thru, you can also have it safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda!

For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

October 20, 2022
40 Years of Success: Tinapayan Festival Celebrates World Bread Day and Decades of Success

There isn’t anything that this local bakeshop won’t do to help put the Philippine baking industry on the global map. For over 40 years since its establishment in Manila, Tinapayan Festival has offered its slew of soft and sweet baked products ranging from bread, cakes, and to pastries. This time around, they celebrate not only World Bread Day but also four decades of commitment to the Filipino community it is a part of, with the aim of further cementing its roots in the founder’s hometown of Cuenca, Batangas.

“40 years is no easy feat and we are very grateful to all of our partners, suppliers, and loyal customers for always being at our sides through all these years. We have seen so many things change in the local bakery industry from the price increase of raw materials to the lack of resources and tools. Our goal as a responsible business and entity is to continue committing to work closely with both the public and private sectors to uplift the local bakery industry in the country,” shares Lucito ‘Chito’ Chavez, Founder of Tinapayan Festival.

As many celebrate World Bread Day on October 16th, Tinapayan Festival makes a conscious effort to talk about bread, work with many bakers, and put priority on the future of the local community bakery industry.

40 strong years and surviving a pandemic

Tinapayan Festival has been a journey of a lot of ups and downs to make it to where they are now. From having several stores pre-pandemic, to just starting out with one main branch again in 2021, this bakeshop has stood the test of time.

“It was not an easy journey for us. We had to take care of our employees most especially when the pandemic hit. But we realized we needed to continue serving our community during one of the toughest times in all our 40 years, even introducing other products that many of our customers have requested and grown to love. It has helped us a lot to be working with longtime partners and suppliers to get through the difficult days” recalls Chavez.

Surviving and thriving for decades is brought about by long-term partnerships with trusted suppliers. Ben Garcia from Unicomm Ingredients Philippines, Inc. is one of those that they have worked with since 1984. He has always supplied quality materials and ingredients, including ube that is used for Tinapayan Festival’s Ube Loaf. “Ang maganda sa Tinapayan Festival is that they have one recipe but they were able to come up with different variations that suit the local taste,” Garcia says.

Supporting local economy

A business flourishes if it supports the community it is a part of. Such was a thought shared by Chito Chavez for many years now. He has always lobbied for the inclusion and use of agricultural products and crops into their baked goodies to help support farmers in their livelihoods.

As early as 1985 and even during the early 2000s, Tinapayan Festival has been at the forefront of promoting and pushing for the use of local agricultural products to make baked products not only yummy and cost-efficient but also to support a healthier lifestyle for our community buyers.

In its local production, Tinapayan Festival Head of Production and Research, Luis Chavez has gunned for the innovation of almost 200 products that they make available in their stores. “We know how difficult and expensive it is to keep bakeries up and running right now. One way to ensure that the bakeries survive is by being smart about raw ingredients. My father has always taught us to think of all possible solutions, and the one that has really stood the test of time is the use of agricultural crops in what we do. From our local bread options to our cakes, we utilize everything that we can to serve our customers,” shares Luis Chavez.

Aiming for a bright tomorrow

While many plans are already being set in place by the founders of Tinapayan Festival, they are equally excited to share expansion plans and the introduction of new brands under their belt.

In the next four to five years, Tinapayan Festival will be launching new brands that focus on different offerings – premium baked products, cafe, pandesal shop, and so much more.

Visit Tinapayan Festival at 1650 Dapitan St. corner Don Quijote, Sampaloc, Manila or call +02 8732 2188 or +639617152714 to place advance orders. Send them an email at sales@tinapayan@gmail.com. Tinapayan Festival is also available in GrabFood and FoodPanda. To learn more about Tinapayan Festival’s new products and treats, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

October 18, 2022
The Walt Disney Company Joins Destination Imagination in Support of the Next Generation of Diverse Storytellers and Innovators

The Walt Disney Company* is collaborating with global, non-profit organization, Destination Imagination, to expand opportunities in the Asia Pacific region for underrepresented students including young women and girls, to explore future careers as Storytellers and Innovators in Asia’s creative industries.

In a first for the region, Destination Imagination will be rolling out the “Heroic Innovators Challenge”, giving students across Asia Pacific access to online resources in which they can gain foundational skills in Science, Technology and Storytelling.

After completing an online program on Destination Imagination’s STEM Learning Academy, students between the ages of 16 – 24 will be invited to form teams to address a real-world challenge and present their solution using their new-found STEM skills and Creative Storytelling. The Challenge is open to students in high schools and universities across Asia Pacific including Greater China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Korea.

Disney will work with Destination Imagination to help students gain skills that may aid future careers in media and entertainment. In addition, Disney guest speakers will introduce students to the breadth of careers open to them in Asia’s creative industry.

“At Disney, we know that powerful storytelling plays a huge role in creating unforgettable moments in entertainment. We look forward to supporting greater access to careers in our industries to inspire future storytellers in Asia Pacific,” said Luke Kang, President, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific.

Shanghai No.8 HS,China,China, Lose to Win, Structural, Challenge, Secondary Level, 185-48464

“The Heroic Innovators Challenge is an exciting initiative which will give students the training and tools needed to take on the creative process — from imagination to innovation – and learn idea generation, collaboration and creative thinking,” said Leroy Xiao, China Affiliate Director, Destination Imagination.

The Heroic Innovators Challenge is supported by Disney Future Storytellers, an initiative which aims to inspire the next generation of Storytellers and Innovators to dream about their future, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.

* This collaboration is being coordinated by The Walt Disney Company’s Asia Pacific subsidiary, The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd.

October 18, 2022
Coffee meets caramel in Goldilocks’ newest premium greeting cake

Having a slice of cake with your favorite flavors combined is like heaven on earth. Why settle with one flavor when you can treat yourself with the sweet combination of two – Coffee + Caramel — as Goldilocks presents its newest premium greeting cake!

Perfect for celebrating birthdays or gifting to those who simply love coffee and caramel, the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake offers a luscious fusion of flavors and great value for money. Make it an occasion to remember where everyone gets a filling and satisfying slice of this hefty 9”Rd cake that can serve 12 people for only P649.

Any celebration, big or small, becomes even more enjoyable with the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake. This latest mocha cake creation is set to wow not only the taste buds, for it can wake all your other senses too…wait ‘til you smell its irresistible scent of coffee and caramel.

When it’s time to dig in, share with them the memorable moment of slicing through the rich and thick coating that encases levels of fluffy mocha-flavored layers. In between are delightful creams and filling, while fun and flavorful mocha buttercream icing rounds out the premium greeting cake design.

Remember that choosing the best premium greeting cake does not have to be a choice between one flavor or another. You can always get the best of both worlds from the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake, which is sure to satisfy plenty of your loved ones at an affordable price!

To #CelebrateWithGoldilocks and its new Coffee Caramel Cake, visit a Goldilocks store near you or order online through www.goldilocksldelivery.ph. Follow Goldilocks PH on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

October 18, 2022
Anna Orlina: Innovating the Orlina Legacy

The Orlinas are a mainstay in the Philippine cultural landscape: when you hear the family name, Ramon Orlina’s lifetime of glass sculpture artistry would likely come to mind– pioneering and perfecting his signature method of cutting, grinding, and polishing glass cullets. But what makes a legacy is the way that they persist across generations. The Orlina line of excellence doesn’t just continue; it continues to evolve and innovate with Anna Orlina.

Keeping up with the Orlinas

Anna Orlina is the third of Ramon Orlina and Lay Ann Lee’s four children — all of whom have grown up immersed in art, living out their passions in their own ways. Art is a family affair with the Orlinas, and for Anna, she considers her love of the craft as innate: “I really feel like it was already in my genes. It was very easy because I am blessed to have very supportive parents who helped us grow and hone our interests and skills.”

Naesa, Ning Ning, Anna, and Michael Orlina are all involved in shared artistic endeavors despite different backgrounds. Galleries, exhibitions, and fairs are a must during Orlina family excursions. The entire family plays a part in the management of their Museo Orlina in Tagaytay, with Anna, Michael, and Ningning having co-founded their in-house arts and music festival Tagaytay Art Beat.

In this home surrounded by art, Anna and her siblings were given creative freedom and the space to grow. “Growing up around glass and the workshop, I learned my father’s techniques just by watching him and his assistants work,” she recounts. “So my father suggested that my brother and I go to Pilchuck Glass School in Washington state to see how other people make their glassworks.”

Mon’s influence

Anna acknowledges her father’s immense role in her artistic growth with gratitude… and no less than an award-winning artwork. Her first glass sculpture, Pastel Sunrise (2015) was crafted in collaboration with her father, maintaining Orlina Sr.’s signature geometric form while adding novel pops of pastel color. She went on to become one of the ten finalists during MullenLowe’s 2019 NOVA Awards with her sculpture, Mon’s Drian (2019), which was an ode to both Piet Mondrian and her father even in its title’s wordplay. The piece was done in Orlina Sr.’s classic coldworking technique and executed in the visual idiom of Mondrian, one of her father’s favorite artists.

But she took quite a different turn with her training, laying down the foundations of her unique glass explorations. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Arts at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2015 and briefly worked as a gallery manager. This training has given her invaluable proficiencies in illustration, graphic design, marketing and digital tools. She eventually realized it was time to invest in her greatest passion: “After I worked at a gallery for 6 months, I decided it was time to focus on my art and glass,” she shares.

Summers of sculpture

Since then, Anna’s summers would be spent immersed in creative glass courses at Pilchuck Glass School and the Corning Museum of Glass in the United States. She reflects, “That experience certainly piqued my interest and broadened my knowledge on glass. (…) There I learned different glass mediums, new techniques and uses of different machineries.”

She also went on to study in the Czech Republic, a country known for its glassworking: “It is like one of the glass capitals of the world aside from Venice in Italy. Czech is one of the leaders of glass manufacturing,” she notes. She resided in the town of Nový Bor, where she learned techniques such as glass painting, cold cutting, tiffany stained glass, and sandblasting. In the exercises and explorations she shares from her time here, one would notice a playful quality: her art veers towards representations of diverse subject matters ranging from nature themes, toy dinosaurs, and even wearable glass rings.

These summers necessitated explorations in more ways than just her artistry. In her six months at Czech, she learned to speak and understand the language. She also met several glass artisans during her stay. Coming from the pioneer family of glassmaking in the Philippines, these meetings are a rarity for her locally: “I really enjoyed meeting other glass people and artists and networking, because it’s so nice to be surrounded by a group of people who are like-minded in glass.”

Unveiling innovations at ManilART

This year marks a major milestone in Anna’s artistic career. In ManilArt 2022, she is set to unveil her first works for sale. She reveals that these will be geometrical shapes with different colors of glass, and that this will be a mix of both representational and abstract forms.

From her summers abroad, she was able to acquire coldworking glass machines for herself and Orlina Sr.’s respective workshops. Anna has since established her own workshop at home; it is here where she applies what she has learned, and she has indeed come a long way in the span of a few years. “My own style comes from the combination of my dad’s techniques and the new techniques I’ve learned through my studies and just having the freedom to experiment with them,” she says of her artistic style.

And her upcoming exhibit will showcase just that: the culmination of her own lifetime of artistry thus far, of her dedication to the craft of glass sculpting. Her explorations have taken her far in every sense of the word—she charts a course for her future while broadening Philippine horizons in the art of glass. Innovation keeps ideas and artistic movements afloat during changing times, and that is what makes a legacy.

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ManilART 2022 is set to run from October 19-23, 2022, at the SMX Convention Center, 3rd Level, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. Call (0977) 807 3369 or visit www.manilartfair.com for details.

October 17, 2022
Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen Brings Modern India to Boracay

Have you ever been to India?

We’re not talking about the touristic spots or the opulence of old-school structures. We mean modern India—trendy alleyways, urban escapes, a hip and modern vibrance, street eats that’ll make you drool. At Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen, you’ll get to go to India while in Boracay. Now, that’s what we call revenge traveling.

This island-original hotspot has become the coolest addition to Boracay’s foodie trails. Little India started off sharing space with its sister resto Nonie’s at Station X, but with a constant clamor for its flavorful fare, it was quickly launched as the standalone Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen in May 2022. Tucked in the alleyway between Aria and Epic, it’s exactly the kind of spot you want to visit during an island holiday—quirky-cool corner, right smack in the heart of Boracay, fab service, cultural treat, yummy food. In Boracay’s Little Taj, you’ll easily find an island fave and surely keep coming back.

Little Taj is the latest baby of island resto duo Patrick and Shria Florencio of the Nonie’s Group. Shria wanted to pay homage to her Indian roots and share the flavors she always grew up loving. So, the pair decided to bring the cultural feast to the island paradise. Little Taj was a pandemic dream that saw light in time for Boracay’s post-pandemic reopening. It’s geared to take on the throne as one of Boracay’s cool hip spots, and for good measure. The street eats and overall vibe cannot be beaten!

Far from the typical Indian resto that may feel outdated or almost antiquated, Little Taj shows you what modern India is like today—vibrant and trendy, hip and cool. Their showcase of Indian eats makes you feel like you’re actually walking the trendy streets of Mumbai or indulging at the Dilli Haat of Delhi. It’s India at its raw best, with dishes that showcase various regions’ specialties. Indulge in the famous Dosas of Southern India, the Papdi Chaat made in the Northern India style, various curry versions from across the regions, Chaats from North to South, and, of course, mouthwatering Biryanis. Some faves that already have their throng of fans: Butter Chicken, Masala Dosa, Hyderabadi Biryani, Palak Paneer, and their range of homemade Lassis. Then, make sure to try their specially curated cocktails that add that Indian flair to Boracay’s happy hour (FYI: Little Taj bartenders are award-winners!).

At Little Taj, everyone’s pretty vishesh and is treated like a VIP, whether you’re an island local or a tourist on a beach escape. The party and palate explosions are always happening at Taj, any time of day.

** If you want to party a little harder at Little Taj, reserve your table in time for their Diwali bash on October 22 (there’ll be booths and bollypop infusions) or drop in for the Halloween rounds on October 31. You’ll always have a jhakaas time at Little Taj!

Little Taj Indian Steet Kitchen is located at D’Mall in Station2, Boracay (in the alleyway between Aria and Epic) and is open daily from 10am to 12mn. For more information about Little Taj or reservations, contact 0969 149 0070.

October 17, 2022
#BatangMatatag Movement to address longstanding issues in children’s health and nutrition driven by inequality of access

In 2021, 2.9 million Filipino children aged 0-10 years were estimated to have experienced hunger. Prolonged hunger in children results in malnutrition, which then often leads to stunting or being too small for their age. This issue is often linked to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene that often results to children developing various illnesses, diarrhea being one of the most prominent. The alarming number and the need to do something now is what birthed the #BatangMatatag, a movement that aims to extend health, nutrition, sanitation, and education access to conflict-affected areas in the country.

With the vision of building resilient children and communities, the #BatangMatatag movement was started by Save the Children Philippines and Erceflora Kiddie – focusing efforts on providing access to clean and nutritious food to communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) via the Life Changer for Children initiative of Save the Children where community facilities will be provided to ensure access to hygiene, sanitation, and education.

To bring light to the movement, Dr. Joselyn Eusebio, Specialist for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Carol Ann Stewart, Batang Matatag Ambassador, and Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines came together to initiate critical discussions on the state of child healthcare in the country, the situation in BARMM, and how the bigger Filipino community can be part of the solution through the Batang Matatag Movement. Renowned journalist Karen Davila served as the facilitator of the discussion.

“The lack of proper education, nutrition, and sanitation could lead to repeated cases of illnesses like diarrhea. Making people aware and getting them involved allows us to prevent the worst-case scenario from happening,” said Stewart.

#BatangMatatag Movement: Taking Action

To provide a more in-depth explanation of the campaign, Stewart shared Batang Matatag’s purpose, goals, and key initiatives to build resilience among Filipino children. Stewart also reiterated the importance of forming partnerships to live out their purpose as an organization and how it relates to their self-care mission.

She highlighted that the key to the campaign is realigning people’s focus on preventative measures and building the resilience of kids through implementing and maintaining sustainable facilities in conflict-affected areas in BARMM.

“We hope that everyone realizes that they are part of a bigger movement, one that could potentially improve the country’s health and nutrition status,” Stewart said. “We hope this would be a steppingstone for Filipinos everywhere to continue spreading awareness and maintaining the good practices in proper food preparation and sanitation,” she added.

Stunting and Wasting: A danger to child growth and development

To expand the conversation of what Batang Matatag is trying to address, Dr. Eusebio provided insights on how stunting, wasting, and illnesses like diarrhea affect children’s growth and development, and the industry’s ongoing efforts and plans in addressing the issue.

“Illnesses like diarrhea is a preventable disease; what our communities need is proper awareness and education on easy and accessible ways to prevent it. We hope to address the lack of information on the disease and encourage people to take proactive measures at home and in the community,” Dr. Eusebio said.

BARMM: A community in need

Following the conversation on children’s nutrition and illnesses like diarrhea, Atty. Muyot of Save the Children Philippines provided context on the situation in BARMM, what the organization does to help conflict-affected communities, and how the #BatangMatatag Movement comes into play.

“BARMM is one of the most underserved areas in the country, but it also has a lot of potential to thrive and prosper with their rich culture and history; can create positive lasting change in the lives of children and communities in BARMM if we collaborate, support, and journey with them, especially children, in realizing their rights,” he said.

Atty. Muyot then explained that as a children’s right organization, Save the Children Philippines hopes for a future where all #BatangMatatag children live healthy, have access to inclusive and quality education, are protected from all forms of harm, and are able to participate in matters that are important, and which affect them.

Davila concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of “bayanihan”, especially parents in making this campaign a success.

The #BatangMatatag Movement helps the public to understand the severity of issues like diarrhea and child nutrition, especially in areas like BARMM. Through this, Batang Matatag is working towards building healthier communities where children will survive and thrive, have access to quality education, and be protected from preventable diseases.

Batang Matatag is a movement that has the potential to lead BARMM and the country one step closer to improving the health and nutrition of the Filipino children, and everyone can play a part in it. For every purchase of Erceflora Kiddie, a portion goes to helping improve the lives of children in BARMM.

October 17, 2022
The CCP Kaisa Sa Sining Luzon Network Reveals 1st Hiyas Award Recipients

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Kaisa Sa Sining (KSS) Luzon Network announces the recipients of the 1stHiyas Award, the third regional awards implemented by the KSS. The first was the Mindanao Gador Award in 2020 and the Visayas Ksslap Award in 2021. This year is the time for the KSS Luzon network to recognize its exceptional individuals and organizations who have contributed immensely to the flourishing of arts and culture in the region.

The fourteen (14) awardees are Alfonso Coke Bolipata (Zambales/music and cultural administration); Mark Anthony Carpio (Bulacan/music); Kristian Cordero (Naga/literature and film); Maria Whang Od Oggay (Kalinga/Indigenous Art); Al Perez (Hagonoy/Visual Art); Felicito Sacdalan (Angat/Music); Armando Sta. Ana (Bulacan/theater); Peter De Vera (Pampanga/dance and cultural administration); Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog (Laguna); Baao Children and Youth Choir (Camarines Sur/Music); Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. (Bulacan/theater and cultural administration); Lakan Sining ng Bulakan (Bulacan/visual arts); Manunubli ng Sinala (Indigenous Art/Batangas); and Mauban Historico Cultural and Arts Council (Mauban-Quezon/cultural administration).

The Kaisa sa Sining Regional Arts Centers is a partnership program of the CCP through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED) that was launched in 2014 and is aimed at strengthening further the CCP’s linkages and cooperation with regional educational institutions, non-government organizations and local government units in order to broaden public participation in the arts, promote and showcase artistic excellence and facilitate a vibrant collaboration between and among communities. In the past seven years, the cooperation and exchanges between and among CCP and the KSS network have become more dynamic. To date, the KSS network has already grown to a total of 59 organizations in 54 areas/communities in the regions: 23 in Luzon, 19 in Visayas and 17 in Mindanao.

The Hiyas Award aims to give recognition to deserving individuals and/or organizations in Luzon who have exemplified commendable work and services in cultural and artistic endeavors, and have been in the forefront of the research, development, preservation, education and promotion of arts and culture in Mindanao for at least fifteen (15) years or more. The general criteria indicate that an awardee must have made exceptional accomplishments in creative work, leadership, resource management, education, artist support, audience development, community service, solidarity and partnership.

When asked why it is important to recognize the achievements of the artists, cultural workers and organizations in Luzon, the following persons responded:

“Artists and cultural workers are safekeepers of a people’s identity, a nation’s soul. They connect our generation to our forebears and give us an insight in their expressions of love, faith, happiness, celebration, anger, romance and sometimes despair and frustration. Thus, they are the vanguards of our tangible and intangible treasures. Without them, these treasures would be irretrievable, forgotten and lost. We must recognize and reward them, and convey to them our immense gratitude.

Atty. Reginald Dimacuha

Secretary to the Mayor, Vice Chair-Cultural Affairs Committee, Batangas City

“To emphasize that being an artist is an advocacy. Included in his/her pursuit of being an excellent artist, is becoming a responsible member of the community. He/she therefore works for the betterment of the quality of life through arts. The Hiyas award recognizes excellence as well as the artist’s contribution to the community.”

Aurea Brigino

Senior Lecturer, Department of Art Studies, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman

“How we treat our artists, cultural workers and organizations in the life of the nation in our Island is indicative of how we take care of culture, heritage and the arts in the country. Giving our artists, cultural workers and organizations some recognition and high regard is our gesture and expression how important and significant they are in our everyday lives. This is an opportunity to give due credit to them so that they would be an inspiration to our people and so that they can continue to inspire our imagination to excel, move forward and be better”.

Dr. Randy Nobleza

Director, Sentro ng Wika at Kultura Marinduque State College

“It is important to recognize the achievements of artists in order to communicate the role of the arts and the artists in the life of the nation and as a way to honor them for their work. Speaking generally, I believe these artists and cultural workers made their contributions not because they were working for plaudits and laurels but because they were/are driven by a vision for every single project , and the passionate, and the passion to excel is an organic impulse, does not to please but as a matter of course. This is a ‘model of excellence’ institutions like the CCP can highlight and promote”.

Dr. Jazmin Llana

Professor, Department of Literature, De La Salle University

CCP CED Department Manager, Chinggay J. Bernardo expressed, “In our over four decades of community cultural outreach work, we have experienced the unique and exceptional artistry, dedication and perseverance of many artists and cultural workers. It is indeed high time to institutionalize an awards program that will give recognition to outstanding achievements of regional artists, cultural workers and organizations. The Hiyas Award, an initiative of the CCP KSS Luzon network and facilitated by the CCP Cultural Exchange, will serve as an inspiration for the artistic and cultural communities in Luzon to aim for excellence and do public/community service”.

The 23 members of CCP KSS Luzon network are: St. Paul University-Tuguegarao; Province of Nueva Vizcaya; St. Louis University-Baguio City; St. Louis College-San Fernando, La Union; Bataan High School for the Arts; Casa San Miguel-Zambales; Province of Pangasinan; Science City of Muñoz-Nueva Ecija; City College of Angeles-Pampanga; City of Pampanga; Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc.-Malolos, Province of Bulacan; Municipality of Guiguinto-Bulacan; Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog-Laguna; City of Biñan-Laguna; City of Batangas; De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite; Municipality of Mauban-Quezon; Municipality of Sampaloc-Quezon; Marinduque State College; Diverse Initiatives for Bicolano Artists-Naga; Sorsogon Community Based Theater Guild; UST Legaspi-Albay; and the Province of Palawan.

October 17, 2022
‘Pamumulaklak’ Reflects on Women’s Issues Through the Art of Imelda Cajipe Endaya

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), together with Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan (KASIBULAN), presents “Pamumulaklak,” a discussion on cultural works on issues affecting marginal women that resonate with the artworks of visual artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya, slated on October 22, Saturday at 3pm, at the CCP Main Gallery. The discussion will be live streamed via the CCP and CCP VAMD Facebook Pages.

Moderated by KASIBULAN member Yllang Montenegro, guest speakers Elaine Clemente, Marra Lanot, and Faye Cura talk about their past and present engagements on various women’s advocacies such as social justice, women empowerment, ecofeminism, foregrounding of local art, championing of indigenous materials, and the artist’s role as citizen.

Clemente will share about the beginnings of KASIBULAN and how its activities became spaces for empowerment, not just of women artists but also of communities.

Writer Lanot will give a historical account of activism by women artists and writers through a pre-recorded sharing about the Concerned Artists of the Philippines Women’s Desk in the early 1980s.

Gantala Press’ Faye Cura will present a situationer on women’s issues and struggles, as well as the importance of connecting with grassroot communities and the role of publication in making these connections visible.

There will also be pop-up stores featuring artworks, crafts, and books by KASIBULAN, Gantala Press, Amihan, and RUWA at the Pasilyos outside the Main Gallery.

October 17, 2022