Category: Time Out

Kasama Ka Bukas: Student-first brand Bukas marks over half a billion tuition funded for the Filipino youth
Four years into its mission of bridging the education gap in the country, Bukas hits a momentous milestone of funding over P500M worth of tuition for Filipino students in hopes of a brighter future.

Funding The Future

Bukas, a tech-enabled education financing platform by its parent company ErudiFi, stemmed from the vision of building a better tomorrow for Filipino youth starting with affordable tuition loans. In the course of its operation, the student-first brand has helped over 15,000 students across 90 partner campuses nationwide, a proof of its consistent year-on-year growth.

Having onboarded more partners this year including expansions in Bacolod and Zamboanga, Bukas broadens its reach to help more Filipino students. Partners in Metro Manila include De La Salle University, Centro Escolar University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Adamson University, Mapua University, National Teachers College, Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University and FEU Tech among others. In line with the vision of delivering inclusive and accessible education, Bukas is also partnered with schools outside the metro including Saint Louis University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, PHINMA Education, and University of the Visayas, and is looking forward to growing this list soon.

The company’s growth also attests to the real demand for accessible education financing in the country. “Despite the pandemic the past 2 years, we’ve managed to continuously grow our portfolio. We’re confident that we can scale the business to help even more students continue their studies for a better tomorrow,” says Jon Robert Emlano, President of Bukas.

Angel Aquino, a nursing graduate of Universidad de Dagupan, expresses her thanks for Bukas’ help, “My school recommended Bukas to me. Thank you very much, Bukas, for the opportunity na binigay niyo sa isang tulad kong estudyanteng ina para po makapagtapos o mairaos ko ang aking pag-aaral. Dahil po sa inyo ay naipagpatuloy ko po nang maayos yung pag-aaral ko.”

Kasama Ka Bukas

A student’s journey can be quite a rollercoaster ride– gruelling projects, suspenseful grade reveals, nerve wracking presentations, and on top of it all is the pressure to do well. Surviving the student life requires a strong support system, and Bukas is determined to be part of that for many young Filipinos.

Going beyond providing tuition loans, Bukas launched its “Kasama Ka Bukas” campaign (bukas.ph/kasama-ka-bukas) where students may expect help for their studies in more ways than one.
- Content. The Bukas Blog (bukas.ph/blog) offers a wide array of content from course, career, and financial literacy that can help students navigate through their journey.
- Advice. Tomaximize each student’s learning, Bukas works together with partner schools to mount online and offline events that will help students discover more about their passions, seek advice to guide them on their path, and discover new opportunities to help enrich their lives.
- Community. Joined by the same vision of achieving a brighter tomorrow through education, Bukas reinforces the importance of one’s support system. Uplifted by inspiring stories and shared experiences, students, through an exclusive community, can come together to create valuable connections.
With Bukas showing no signs of slowing down, the team is determined to add more value to the lives of its students and partner schools, and overall improve the state of education in the country through education financing and beyond.

“Our goal next year is to be aggressive in covering more schools outside Metro Manila, providing better access to affordable financing across the country. We are also working on expanding our products and services to cater to more students and improve the user experience for the school admin and the students,” shares Emlano.
December 15, 2022
Catch the Simbang Gabi at the CCP

In keeping with the Filipino Christmas traditions, the Cultural Center of the Philippines holds its nine dawn masses, collectively known as Simbang Gabi, celebrated in cooperation with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, from December 16 to 24, every 5am, at the CCP Main Ramp.

There will also be Anticipated Masses from December 15 to 23, 2022, at 9pm, via the official CCP Facebook Page and CCP’s YouTube Channel. The anticipated masses will be celebrated in partnership with regional parishes: December 15 – Our Lady of Piat Basilica in Cagayan Province; December 16 – Cathedral Parish of St. John The Baptist, Diocese of Kalibo, Aklan; December 17 – St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral-Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; December 18 – St. Joseph the Worker Chapel II in Clark, Pampanga; December 19 – Sta. Cruz Chapel of St. Joseph Husband of Mary Parish in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; December 20 – San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; December 21 – Our Lady of Salvation Parish and Diocesan Shrine in Joroan, Tiwi, Albay; December 22 – Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño in Tacloban, Leyte; and December 23 – Sanctuario dela Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar (Fort Pilar Shrine) in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Del Sur.

The virtual anticipated masses aim to reach out to Filipinos and other Catholics from across the archipelago and the world. The Masses will be in English and/or Filipino language.

The novena masses will culminate with a Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Eve Mass) on December 24, 2022, 8pm, live on-site at the CCP Main Theater to be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, S.S.P. There will be a pre-mass program at 7pm, featuring the invited choral groups while the Manila Symphony Orchestra will perform traditional tunes in welcoming the mass goers, as well as special classical numbers from Myramae Meneses, soprano.

As a finale, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will lead a 100-voice chorale in singing time-honored Christmas carols with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The Simbang Gabi is made possible with the hermanas and hermanos – the Philippine Navy, Manila Broadcasting Company, Star Parks Corporation, Harbour Square, Seascape Village, Senate Spouses Foundation, and the Philippine International Convention Center.

For more information, please call the CCP Venue Operations Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1412/1413. Or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok. Hashtag: #CCPSIMBANGGGABI2022 #CCPSIMBANGGABI #CCPLive #CCPPasko2022

December 15, 2022
Wrap Up the Year with Spotify Original Specials Where Leading Filipino Creators Share their 2022 Musings

This year, Spotify Wrapped is injecting more fun into its annual year-end traditions with its creators. With never-before-heard conversations with leading Filipino podcasters, these special spin-offs will give you the ultimate download to 2022’s highlights, challenges, and learnings from various vantage points.

From life’s hugots to digital marites-ing and self-care 101s, Spotify Wrapped 2022 also revealed that podcasts spanning Love & Relationships, Pop Culture, and Self-Help genres resonated the most with Pinoy listeners.

“With Wrapped this year, we are proud to say that podcast has been diving into the hearts of Spotify listeners. Evidently, we’re seeing that the most-streamed podcasts are from local creators and across various genres. Moving forward, we believe that the podcast industry in the Philippines has huge potential and we’re excited to be here for our listeners and creators to drive that growth,” said Carl Zuzarte, Head of Studios for Spotify, Southeast Asia.

Ang Ganda Academy Awards (Wake Up with Jim & Saab): Oscars is *shaking* because the Ang Ganda Academy Awards are back! Join Jim & Saab as they recognize the worst and the best pop culture content and moments of 2022 — from TV shows to home budols, and WATDASPRAK moments. Episode 1 will look into the dance trends of the year — from Tu Tu to Na Na Na — with gorgeous girl Nana Silayro as one of the first guests!

The Rewind (Adulting with Joyce Pring): Join Joyce Pring and her slate of incredible guests to ring in the new year by looking back at 2022’s highlights. In the first episode, Joyce is joined by actor-slash-beauty queen tandem Mikael Diaz and Megan Young as they discuss a timeless topic: What does true love really mean? From haranas to kundimans and video calls to dating amidst “social distancing” — the three navigate Pinoys’ ever-changing pursuit for love and soulmates.

Happy Ending (Punchline with Alex Calleja): End 2022 with a bang and a good laugh with Alex Calleja’s Happy Ending podcast. Self-proclaimed “Internet Action Star” Ramon Bautista joins Alex for the first episode as they find answers to “Ano ang nagpapasaya sayo, ngayong patapos na ang 2022?” On the theme of his year-end special, Alex Calleja shares, “Through the stories shared by my guests in the Happy Ending podcast, I hope to give inspiration and convey a message of hope that regardless of the hardships they’ve experienced this 2022, there’s always a reason to be happy and end the year on a good note.”

Don’t Go There (KoolPals): Stand-up comedians from Comedy Manila GB Labrador, Nonong Ballinan, Muman Reyes, Ryan Rems and James Caraan come together for a KoolPals special that turns absolutely any topic into extra comedic banters — from controversies, plot twists, and unexpected revelations. Episode 1 reveals memorable jokes for the five that ~almost~ stripped them of their ‘comedian’ badges.

C’Mon Guys, it’s 2022 (Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast): JP Habac and Antoinette Jadaone count down the best and the worst of 2022 with their correspondents Milo Elmido, Jr, Yani Villarosa, Hyro Aguinaldo, and Inah Evans. Tune in to the first episode as they talk through 2022’s breaking breaking news!

skydive (skypodcast): The end of the year is a special time to reflect, celebrate and look forward to better days ahead. Reflect with the internet’s favorite couple, Slater and Kryz, as they deep dive into their top 2022 topics — from marriage to parenthood, and memorable misadventures in between. Their first episode is dedicated to budding families as they share lessons they picked up throughout their journey from being girlfriend and boyfriend to being married and having kids — and ultimately becoming better partners.

The Year-End Originals are now available for streaming for free on Spotify. For more information about this special podcast series and other exciting content from Spotify, visit www.spotify.com or follow Spotify on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

December 14, 2022
SM Cares, SM Prime Lead Turnover of Food Carts to SM PadyaKabuhayan Program Beneficiaries

SM Cares and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently led the turnover ceremony of bike food carts to the pioneer beneficiaries of the SM PadyaKabuhayan Program, an initiative that aims to provide sustainable sources of income to those in need with a focus on sustainable mobility.

The ceremony was held last Dec. 5 at Pasay City Hall and was graced by representatives from SM Cares, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the City’s local government unit, and Kalye Negosyo.

Among the attendees were Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Head Angelica Yu, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Officer Evelyn Marquez, DTI Chief of Trade and Industry Development and Area Director Olivia Rivera, Think Bizz Trading Corp. President Neil Sicat (for Kalye Negosyo) and SM Supermalls Senior Vice President & SM Cares Director for Bicycle-Friendly SM Bien Mateo.

PadyaKabuhayan is a livelihood program for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries that provides a means of earning for families in need, highlights the economic benefit of environment-friendly bikes, and enables the private sector to extend resources for the greater good.

During the ceremony, a total of six beneficiaries from Pasay City were each awarded with PadyaKabuhayan Carts, which are bike food carts outfitted with food storage and cooking equipment. They were also given cash assistance from the DTI amounting to P10,000 per recipient. The beneficiaries were selected in partnership with the Pasay City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Prior to the turnover, the beneficiaries were provided with free technical training through a three-day Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, where they were taught how to think like an entrepreneur, how to do product development, product costing, and food preparation, and how to do accounting and marketing while understanding financial literacy, among other topics.

“SM Cares is about ‘Supporting Communities’ and this project aligns perfectly to our advocacies for the Environment and a Bicycle-Friendly SM as we promote the use of bikes as eco-friendly means to improve the quality of life of Filipinos. Isang padyak ng bisikleta; Isang padyak patungo sa kaunlaran,” said Mr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and SM Cares Program Director.

“For our beneficiaries, we hope to plant the seed of entrepreneurship, perseverance and hard work, as inspired by the story of our Founder, Mr. Henry Sy Sr. As he famously said, ‘You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan well, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.’”

The SM PadyaKabuhayan Program is in line with SM Cares’ Programs for the Environment and the Bike-friendly SM initiative, and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, particularly “SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth,” and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, responsible for initiatives focused on sustainability and community development. Aside from its Program on Environment and Bike-Friendly SM initiative, its other Programs include those on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

December 14, 2022
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child: The Makings of Batang Matatag

Children as they say are the future of the country, but what would the future look like if even the most basic rights and needs of children necessary for their development are often overlooked?

Built upon the shared vision of creating better lives for children, Save the Children Philippines and Erceflora Kiddie teamed up to create a meaningful movement that not only aims to better the lives of children now, but to secure their futures as well.

The Start of Batang Matatag

Diarrhea continues to be one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old both worldwide and in the Philippines with an estimate of 525,000 casualties a year. In the country, BARMM ranks second among the regions with the highest number of diarrhea cases among children under 5, with over 14,000 recorded cases in 2020.

The rising numbers and repeated episodes of diarrhea among children is also the result of the persistent case of undernutrition and stunting in the country where children continue to be robbed of their proper health and nutrition.

“About 30% of our children below the age of 5 are stunted, and stunting is the most accurate way to look at the nutritional status of children. If they’re stunted, it means to say they’re undernourished, therefore compromises the optimum development of the brain. That is tantamount to saying that the overall growth and development of the child are affected,” said Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Specialist, Dr. Joselyn Eusebio.

This is the key challenge that the Batang Matatag movement strives to address.

Every journey starts with a desire and an ambition. For Erceflora Kiddie and Batang Matatag Ambassador Carol Ann Stewart, her drive to champion Batang Matatag came from her experience in Latin America and how similar the situation is with the Philippines, where children continue to die from a preventable disease such as diarrhea.

“I think for you and me, we’ve all had diarrhea and you think that goes away, right? But, in young kids, particularly those under 5, if they don’t get the right rehydration, I believe it can link to heart failure and ultimately death. So, even though to you and me it is something quite trivial, but if they’re in a condition where their body can’t handle it, it could kill them and that shouldn’t happen,” said Stewart.

With this ambitious goal, Erceflora Kiddie sought to partner with Save the Children Philippines, an organization that shares their passion for protecting children’s health and nutrition and has in-depth knowledge on communities to help them actualize Batang Matatag.

In its inaugrual year, the movement sets its focus on initially helping 500 kids and their families in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), particularly the Bajau community in Iligan City, and a community affected by conflict in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.

“BARMM is one of the most underserved regions in the country. They are the region with the highest poverty incidence, and due to the ongoing conflict and lack of assistance they fail to meet the necessary developmental milestones,” according to Save the Children Philippines CEO, Atty. Alberto Muyot.

In working with the communities in BARMM, Batang Matatag hopes to start improving the health and nutrition status of children living in the chosen communities before the year ends.

In working with the communities in BARMM, Batang Matatag hopes to start improving the health and nutrition status of children living in the chosen communities before the year ends.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

Eradicating childhood death from diarrhea needs a lot of helping hands; and according to Atty. Muyot, an integrated approach to make the movement more sustainable.

“Often times we say it’s the responsibility of the parents, but in the most disadvantaged areas, parents would need a lot of help from community organizations, from local governments, and from other partners,” Atty. Muyot remarked.

Batang Matatag is a movement intended not just for the people, but it is also by the people. Save the Children Philippines and Erceflora Kiddie emphasizes this in their goal of empowering and engaging with the communities to take charge of their children’s health and nutrition.

“We need their collaboration with us to figure out what would be the best way to build the facilities so they would use it and own it and love it and make it part of their community,” Stewart underscored.

Batang Matatag: Moving Forward

With Batang Matatag already in motion, both organizations hope that the movement would be an example that others would follow and join in. They especially expect local community leaders and local governments to take an active role in initiating programs that are similar to what Batang Matatag is doing.

“We hope that local governments could get inspiration from this project to show that indeed even with minimal funding, through education of communities and parents, the health and nutrition status of children can be improved,” Atty. Muyot concluded.

The movement is also anticipated to be a multi-year endeavor, initially starting with BARMM, but will eventually widen their scope and adopt other communities who are in need as well.

To help advance the movement, a portion of the sale of every Erceflora Kiddie purchase will support Batang Matatag.

December 5, 2022
Celebrate holidays that sparkle at Dusit Thani Manila

Glimmering with elegance, Dusit Thani Manila just added a sparkle to the season with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony held last November 17 to officially mark the start of the festive celebrations in the hotel.

The event commenced with the tree lighting led by general manager Stanley Lo and joined by Dusit Thani Philippines Inc., president and vice chairman Evelyn Singson, vice mayor of Makati Monique Lagdameo, designer Jerry Sibal and Department of Tourism NCR director Sharlene Batin. One of the country’s musical treasures Kuh Ledesma also graced the evening and serenaded the guests with classical favorites and heart-warming Christmas hymns. The annual tradition was graced by corporate partners, industry partners, media and representatives from diplomatic corps. To give a sparkly holiday twist on a classic tradition, Dusit has once again commissioned the New York-based and Filipino premier events designer, Jerry Sibal. Taking the non-traditional route, Sibal dressed up the lobby with a unique structural art piece composed of Christmas tree adorned with brilliant lights and crystal ornaments, and a majestic shiny reindeer to bring a Yuletide glow to the iconic hotel lobby.

The ceremony also showcased the joyous Christmas treats in store for the hotel’s patron and clientele. You can count on Dusit Thani Manila to make your holiday sparkle with joy as you create memorable moments with your family or friends. From Christmas Rush room package, dining offers, Christmas hampers, to food and beverage vouchers and Devarana Spa vouchers, Dusit Thani Manila dazzles with special moments.

Celebrate the holidays that sparkle as you enjoy the magic of time spent with loved ones. To know more about our holiday offerings, call 7238 8888.

November 28, 2022
Ricky Lee’s ‘Para Kay B’ Sequel ‘Lahat ng B’ Now Available for Pre-orders

Award-winning novelist, scriptwriter, and National Artist Ricky Lee seems to have an early holiday gift to his fans! Lee has recently announced the arrival of his latest novel, Lahat ng B this December. A sequel to one of his most beloved books, Para Kay B, the author has teased that some of the stories from the first book will resume in the new novel.

“Kaninong kuwento ang gusto n’yong magpatuloy bukod kay Lucas at kay Bessie?” Lee asked his readers almost a year ago when he announced that he was writing the said sequel. The novel Para Kay B revolves around five romantic stories that are loosely tied to each other, with each story exploring the different faces of love, be it a romance between the same sex, a forbidden relationship, and more.

“Me quota ang pag-ibig. Sa bawat limang umiibig ay isa lang ang magiging maligaya. Kasama ka ba sa quota?” the book’s descriptor reads.

The official plot of Lahat ng B has yet to be revealed, but readers don’t have to wait long to read the book, as the author confirmed the novel’s release in the first week of December. Lee has also confirmed that preselling for the book starts today, November 14. You can now pre-order here. To stay updated on the book’s release, follow Ricky Lee on Facebook, and stay tuned to his shops on Shopee and Lazada.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

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November 14, 2022
A ‘Friends’ Fan’s Must-Read: Matthew Perry’s Memoir ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’

Looking for a book to pick up on your next browsing around? If you’re a fan of the timeless comedy sitcom FRIENDS, then you might want to check out the recently published book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.

Most people know Matthew Perry for playing the funny-guy Chandler Bing in FRIENDS, but in the actor’s latest memoir, readers will learn of the struggles and hardships the actor had to face from behind the fame from his childhood ambitions to his addiction to his recovery after the FRIENDS star almost died.

Photo: Macmillan website

Here’s a snippet of the book’s description:

“In an extraordinary story that only he could tell—and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it—Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true.”

Throughout the show’s 10 seasons and over 200 episodes, Perry’s Chandler has become a fan favorite among the colorful lead cast of the show. Even after it ended in 2004, FRIENDS remained a staple for those seeking some light and feel-good humor to make their day.

Tapping into that huge fanbase that crossed multiple borders and generations, HBO released Friends: The Reunion in May 2021, where Perry reunited with his castmates Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow. While the special was mostly fun and heartwarming, there was a brief moment where Perry reveals that during filming, he “felt like I was going to die if the studio audience didn’t laugh. And that’s not healthy for sure, but if I said a line and they didn’t laugh, I would sweat and just go into convulsions.”

While the moment quickly passed, this piqued the curiosity of some viewers, and with the actor’s history of addiction, this leaves some fans to wonder what really happened with Perry, who so brilliantly played Chandler, from behind the camera. Finally, with his book out, we could get answers straight from the actor himself.

You can now order Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry on Amazon for $20.12 for the Hardcover and $13.29 on Kindle.

November 8, 2022
10 of the Best Japanese Mystery & Thriller Novels Out There

The Japanese have a lot of interesting stories to tell that truly appeal to audiences worldwide, as anime and manga fans know very well. But Japan also has some very fascinating novels a bookworm could read, and there are Japanese authors who really thrive with mystery and thriller genres– keeping their readers at the edge of their seats at every turn of the page.

If you enjoy such stories filled with intrigue and mysteries, and if you admire how the Japanese weave such tales with hints of the bizarre and the macabre, then we’ve got you covered with this list. Here are ten mystery and thriller novels from Japan that are worth checking out when you need a good read!

Confessions by Kanae Minato

Confessions presents itself as a collection of perspectives detailing the events that surround one shocking incident in a school. The novel opens with the point of view of Yuko Moriguchi, a teacher telling her homeroom class that she is about to resign from her job, after her four-year-old child Manami accidentally drowned in the school’s swimming pool. During this address to her students, however, she reveals that her daughter’s drowning was not really an accident and that some of the students in the class murdered Manami. Knowing that she cannot rely on the justice system to punish minors, Moriguchi takes the matter into her own hands, plotting her own way of revenge towards the guilty party.

Buy Confessions by Kanae Minato

Out by Natsuo Kirino

Set in the late ’90s in Tokyo, the plot of Out kicks off with Yayoi, a young woman making boxed lunches for a living, who finally snaps after multiple beatings from her husband. When Yayoi strangles and kills her husband, she seeks help from her work group to escape punishment. With the cunning Masako as their ringleader, the group of inexperienced criminals gets embroiled in a cat-and-mouse game with seasoned detectives.

Buy Out by Natsuo Kirino

In The Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami

A brutal and gory novel by the author of Audition, In The Miso Soup tells the story of Kenji, a Japanese tour guide for “sex tourism” in Japan. Kenji has had a lot of experience with foreign tourists, but his latest client, an American named Frank, is unlike any other. As he spends more time with Frank, Kenji gets more and more unsettled by the man’s odd behavior. It doesn’t help that a brutal murder and dismemberment of a student has just been reported, and Kenji can’t help but imagine that his client was somehow involved.

Buy In The Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

This novel from a mystery book series is considered the most acclaimed title from author Keigo Higashino. The Devotion of Suspect X begins with Yasuko, a divorced single mother trying to make ends meet by working at a bento shop. One day, her ex-husband visits her to extort her money, a confrontation that led to violence and in Yasuko killing the man. With the help of a neighbor– a brilliant Math teacher who is secretly attracted to Yasuko– the single mother tries to cover up the crime. When Detective Kusanagi takes on the case, he soon realizes that it also requires a genius to corner this genius co-conspirator whose talents in problem-solving have been used to make a seemingly flawless murder cover-up.

Buy The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

Inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, this novel also highlights an isolated setting in its mystery. It follows seven Japanese students who are part of a university mystery club. To find inspiration for their own mystery stories, these students decide to stay at the Decagon House, a structure located on a remote island that had been witness to the horrific deaths of the owner of the house, his wife, and his servants. Unbeknownst to these students, somebody outside of their group also lurks in the seemingly empty house, and that this mysterious figure plans to harm them one by one.

Buy The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Battle Royale is a classic action thriller that begins innocently enough, with a class of high school students on a field trip. However, the bus takes a detour and the students find themselves on a deserted island, where it was revealed that they had been chosen to participate in the government’s Battle Royale program, and they must kill each other until only one student remains. Shuya Nanahara is part of this class, and as the game becomes bloody right off the bat, he tries to save his classmate Noriko, the crush of his best friend who was killed even before the program began. But can he save her in this dystopian game where only one winner can come out alive?

Buy Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Malice by Keigo Higashino

Another novel from the author of The Devotion of Suspect X, this book features the locked room murder case of a bestselling novelist. The mystery revolves around the murder of the acclaimed writer Kunihiko Hidaka, who was killed from inside his locked office within his locked home, and was discovered by his wife and best friend who seem to have pretty solid alibis. Detective Kyoichiro Kaga investigates the case, who has known Hidaka’s best friend from his own past, and tries to piece the clues together in a game of cat and mouse between the murderer and the detective.

Buy Malice by Keigo Higashino

The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

A Japanese mystery classic from the 1940s, The Honjin Murders kicked off the famous series of detective stories featuring detective Kosuke Kindaichi. In Kindaichi’s debut, he gets summoned to investigate a shocking murder in the rural village of Okamura. The wedding of a son of the wealthy and powerful Ichiyanagi family prompts a huge celebration, but the night of the wedding turns into nightmare when a scream is heard from the room of the newly-wed couple, followed by an eerie music. The household would then discover that the husband and wife were brutally murdered inside their locked room, with no trace from the assailant except for a bloodied samurai thrust into the snow outside of the house.

Buy The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

Murder in the Crooked House by Soji Shimada

This novel from Soji Shimada features yet another locked room mystery, and dares the reader to solve the case as they follow detective Kiyoshi Mitarai sift through the clues. The story is set in the Crooked House, a home built by the billionaire Kozaburo Hamamoto which, interestingly enough, is placed on a snowbound cliff overlooking icy seas. Even more curious is the interior of the mansion, which feels like a monolithic maze filled with creepy masks and life-sized dolls. After a man is killed inside one of the rooms under baffling circumstances, a string of bizarre deaths begins, and it’s up to Mitarai to solve the case.

Buy Murder in the Crooked House by Soji Shimada

Puppet Master by Miyuki Miyabi

Puppet Master is a five-volume mystery saga that goes outside the confines of a singular murder case. The novel opens with a gruesome discovery in a Tokyo park, followed by an anonymous call to a TV station. As more surprising events unravel, the authorities begin to suspect that they may be against a group of serial killers who can manipulate their victims, the media, and even the police just for the sake of the public’s entertainment.

Buy Puppet Master by Miyuki Miyabi (Ebook)

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November 3, 2022
Makati Makes Christmas Happen: Witness a Bigger and Brighter Celebration with Ayala Land

Makati is the home of various Christmas initiatives that have become annual traditions. For decades, families have been flocking together to witness the brightly-lit Ayala Avenue with festive decorations that fascinate adults and children alike. This yearly event would always be followed by the Festival of Lights, which is a brilliant, family-oriented show at Ayala Triangle Gardens. However, with the recent pandemic that quaked the nation, traditions were challenged and face-to-face gatherings stopped…but only for a while.

(L – R, seated) Shiella Aguilar, Estate Head for Makati; Mel Ignacio, Senior Estate Head of Makati; Chrissy Roa, Head of Marketing and Communications, Ayala Land Estates (L – R, standing) Sharon Vital, Marketing Manager for Makati; Sueyen Austero, Festival of Lights 2022 lighting designer; Misha Quimpo, Project Development Manager for Makati; Ohm David, Festival of Lights 2022 show director; Alex Jamisola, Senior Marketing Associate for Makati

In 2020 and 2021, Ayala Land held its traditional events either virtually or on a very intimate scale on site. But now, after a two-year hiatus, Makati will once again MAKE CHRISTMAS HAPPEN. This 2022, Ayala Land invites everyone to celebrate the kind of Christmas that they love and miss by launching a series of BIGGER and BRIGHTER displays and events running from November to December.

Ready to ignite your spirit this holly-jolly season? Check out these events happening in none other than the vibrant and trailblazing city of Makati.

This year, to show that the Christmas spirit is truly alive in Makati, more parts of Ayala Avenue will be decorated with bright festive ornaments that are lit up to dazzle the Central Business District

November 3: Ayala Avenue Ceremonial Lighting of Christmas Decors

Ayala Land is lighting up Ayala Avenue to officially welcome the Christmas season. The ceremony is putting local heritage on the forefront as ornaments commonly found in holiday-decorated Filipino homes—like parols, stars, and capiz lights—adorn the Makati Central Business District. In the spirit of keeping cherished traditions and in line with Ayala Land’s advocacy for sustainability, the giant parols from last year’s decorations will remain to be the main element. The parol, after all, is the best way to symbolize the Filipino Christmas and is also a symbol of hope.

This year, to show that the Christmas spirit is truly alive in Makati, more parts of Ayala Avenue will be lit up. In addition to the decorations in front of Tower One, each bay along the whole stretch of Ayala Avenue will now have more ornaments. A gigantic parol installation by the courtyard of Ayala Triangle Gardens was also added to make it easier for those who would like to have their photo taken close to the decorations.

Drive down with your family and witness the magic as your littles ones gleam with joy at the sight of dazzling, giant parols.

The facade of Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati will be decorated with bright festive ornaments to further spread the holiday spirit

November 10: Festival of Lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens

After two years of virtual shows, the Festival of Lights is finally going back to Ayala Triangle Gardens LIVE starting November 10.

This year’s show will be a LIVE 360-degree experience. The light show that people have come to love through the years will still be there. Conceptualized by Director Ohm David and Lighting Designer Sueyen Austero, the familiar dancing string lights and magical laser lights with floating shapes will remain, but in addition, a gigantic 3D animated video will be projected on the canopy façade at the Ayala Triangle Gardens courtyard. The 3D projection, created in collaboration with Kroma and Acid House, will begin the show with a fun and magical introduction to the actual Light Show.

Three musical medleys with a fresh, new take were composed to accompany the show. The first is an orchestral rendition by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, followed by a TikTok inspired rendition – a collaboration among composers Tris Suguitan, Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso, and finally a chorale rendition by musical composer Jazz Nicolas. The chorale medley features the angelic voices of the Pembo Elementary School children’s choir.

December 2 to 31: Christmas market at Ayala Triangle Gardens

Looking for something new this season? Ayala Land partnered with the French Embassy to put up a one-of-a-kind Christmas Market at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Inspired by the Marche de Noele Christmas market in Paris, Lille, and Starsboug, visitors will be transported to a new kind of atmosphere that merges two cultures: French and Filipino. The Christmas market will feature French restaurants and products, as well as Filipino artisanal goods.

Come by on the launch date, December 2, to catch attractions you wouldn’t want to miss, including performances by French and Philippine children’s choirs, and Carnivale acrobats roaming around ATG!

December 15 to 23: Simbang Gabi at Ayala Triangle Gardens

Christmas traditions can’t be complete without Simbang Gabi. Ayala Land is hosting the gathering of devout Makatizens from December 15 to 23 at Ayala Triangle Gardens. All visitors are also invited to watch the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band perform live at the opening night, December 15, as they commemorate the meaning and purpose of the season.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra composed an orchestral rendition of the Festival of Lights 2022 medley

December 20 to 22: Christmas Holiday Concert at Circuit Makati

What’s more, Ayala Land makes Christmas happen at the Makati-based destination known for entertainment and arts—Circuit Makati. The Samsung Performing Arts Theater is hosting the Christmas Holiday Concert at Circuit Makati featuring performances by the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Steps Dance Studio among many others.

Finally, a bigger and brighter Christmas is here! Feel the warmth, feel the love, on-ground and face-to-face as Ayala Land makes Christmas happen this 2022 and beyond.

For more updates visit Ayala Land at www.ayalaland.com.ph and via social media on Facebook @officialayalaland and Instagram @ayalaland; as well as Make It Makati on Facebook and Instagram @makeitmakati. #MakeItMakati

November 2, 2022