PR: 'Wanderlust' Photography Exhibition at Water Dragon Gallery

Writer/ curator Giselle P. Kasilag combines her twin passions for travel and photography in her first solo exhibition dubbed "Wanderlust: Windows to Asia." Featuring 40 photographs, the exhibit opens on November 13, 2014 -- which is also Kasilag's 40th birthday -- at the Water Dragon Gallery of the Yuchengco Museum.

"Wanderlust" showcases photographs Kasilag has taken on her trips to various places in Asia, including South Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam and the Philippines. Her favorite subjects include architecture, especially windows and staircases, as well as street scenes and nature views.

"I like anything that can serve as a portal into another world. I enjoy it when I come across things that are different but still strangely familiar, or so familiar but vaguely different," says Kasilag.

Through her photographs, she hopes others can join her in discovering the extraordinary in the everyday.

Kasilag became a journalist because she wanted to be the person who visits far-off places and gets to write about them for other people's benefit. Back then, she would find herself in a different Philippine city almost every weekend, listing down names of places she could barely pronounce and trying out every food and activity that each one offered.

For her, wandering became a career.

In recent years, she rediscovered her love affair with the camera which provided her with the best excuse to travel. Her photographs were shown in New York as part of the 2013 event entitled "The Story of Creative." Another piece was projected onto the side of a building in Long Island as part of the "Creatives Rising" event held in the same year. In July 2014, her photograph was shown on electronic billboards covering an entire building in Times Square, New York.

When not taking photographs or travelling, Kasilag produces and curates exhibits for Project Art, a company she co-owns and runs. She also writes for different publications.

The Yuchengco Museum is located at the RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. For inquiries, call (+632) 889-1234 or (+63)917-5631008.

Preview of the Exhibit:

Pigeon Hole

Sign in Blue

Spiral Orange

An Afternoon of Fun Learning at Cupcake’s by Sonja

Last October 18, 2014, Food Magazine together with Cupcakes by Sonja held a cupcake decoration session for kids and mommies alike!  Held at the Cupcakes by Sonja’s shop at the lower level East Wing of the Shangri-la Mall, the session was attended by energetic kids and supportive moms.

The session was geared for future sweet chefs and their very supportive parents.  The session was conducted by Ms Sonja Ocampo, the creator and owner of Cupcakes by Sonja, and hosting it was Walter De Mesa, Lifestyle Network’s show Listed male host.

Basic frosting creation, proper color mixing and basic piping was taught to all participants that day.  What made it enjoyable was the chance for those kids to decorate their own cupcakes using the frosting and the color mix that they have created.  Assisted by the friendly staff’s of the shop, the kids, even Walter, completed several designs given to them that is so applicable for the coming holiday.

Being a homebaker myself, it was a joy to see kids go into this type of activities with parents who are also supportive to their kid’s endeavor.  I am a self-taught baker.  I learned to bake and pipe on my own and has tried (and still am looking and creating that not-too-sweet frosting recipe) numerous frosting recipe.  That afternoon was a delight to see Ms. Sonja herself imparting knowledge to the possible next generation of sweet chefs.

It was a fun afternoon of learning, cupcake designing and sweets.

Photos:

(All photos used were personally taken by me during the event)

The staff helping out

Ms Sonja in action

The participants showing their work

My Chef Sharwin Tee Moment

When you love food as much as I do, it only means one thing and it is either you are a home-cook like me or a chef like Chef Sharwin Tee.

Last October 17, 2014, Lifestyle Network, in cooperation with National Bookstore Glorietta 1, launched Chef Sharwin Tee’s very 1^st cookbook entitled: “The CGTC Cookbook”.  This quirky chef, who is fun to watch in television, transformed his wit and humor into his book of 45 most requested recipes from Season 1 & 2.  His book contains easily worded step-by-step procedure that any beginner can understand and follow.  It also has short stories about his life, show episodes and even his dream.  If you are wondering as to why Chef Sharwin is one quirky person, wonder no further for his initial idol in television show cooking is Mr. Yan of the show Wok with Yan in the 80’s.  His vibrate energy is so like Mr. Yan that you are drawn to his persona as he cooks.  Add to that his love for one of the Philippines recognized and respected TV personality when it comes to cooking, Nora Daza.  He even has a copy of Nora Daza’s cookbook!

During the book launch, which was hosted by fellow Lifestyle Network star – Walter De Mesa, host of Listed, Chef Sharwin Tee was all smiles and candidness to everybody.  On his opening spiel, he offered the 1^st copy of his book to his idol in cooking, the Daza Family. He even took the time to answers some of the questions thrown unto him and was open to handshakes and photos as he signs his book.

LJC Group (Abe, Bistro sa Remedios,Café Havana, Café Adriatico) was made responsible in recreating a dish by Chef Sharwin, which is also in the book, and they did it with grace!  The dish is called Baked Bacon-Wrapped Fish Fillet with Mango Salsa.  To those who follows Chef Sharwin, I guess you are not surprised to hear that bacon was used.  What is nice with this creation is the contrast of flavor and texture made possible by the ingredients used and the technique applied in its creation.  The saltiness and fat of the bacon added flavor to the natural juice of the fish.  The mango salsa worked in two ways here; (1) as a neutralizer of the normal fishy flavor and (2) as a sweet contrast to the bacon.

 The food offered by LJC Group for that event was wonderful!  From strong to light flavors, starting with a filled pastry to end with a filled pastry, from crunchy to a silky texture; the offerings were truly a delight!  I love the Vegetable Samosas (which was the 1^st offering)! It has a mild curry filling that is given another taste dimension when covered with the recommended sauce.  For dessert, what was presented was Chocolate Profiteroles, a pastry filled treat similar to creampuffs.  It has the desired pastry crunch and a Bavarian filling that is not sweet.  A proper way to wash one’s palate.

During the Q&A, Chef Sharwin was asked as to what would be his next offering and his answer was “I really don’t know. I never thought my dream of having a TV show would come true and here it is.  I never thought that my dream of having a cookbook would be a reality, and here it is now.  I really don’t know.”  Hearing that from this energetic and witty chef, one thing is definite . . . expect the deliciously unexpected from Chef Sharwin Tee!

Photos:

(All photos used were personally taken by me during the book launch)

During the program

Walter De Mesa of Listed

Book signing and photo moments with Chef Sharwin & Walter De Mesa

PR: "ROMEO AND JULIET, The Musical ", set to open on October 24

As a season offering to all young adults, Kids Acts Philippines proudly presents “ ROMEO AND JULIET ” edited with additional lyrics by LUIGI NACARIO and music by EUGENE BELBIS.

This William Shakespeare’s novel will be staged by maintaining the classic requirement of the play from costumes to the set. The music is composed through a fusion of western and eastern with contemporary flavor. “Romeo and Juliet” is simplified without sacrificing the original texts of Shakespeare to let young adults understand and comprehend on how the play is written. In the play, dialogues are sung with full observance of how phrases are being read.

IN THE TOWN OF VERONA, there were two rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets, involved in a family feud that goes back years before any of the members were born. One night, the Capulets held a supper at their house inviting friends and relatives of their own. Though a Montague, Romeo attended the party to forget his love for Rosaline. During the night he met Juliet and immediately fell in love with her. To his dismay he found out that she was a Capulet. But still, he pursued his feelings towards her, that after the supper he decided to jump inside the Capulet’s yard to express his love for Juliet. In the balcony, they confessed their love for each other and agreed to secretly marry the next day. Afterwards, Romeo went to Friar Lawrence, told everything about his new love and asked for a blessing of marriage. Friar Lawrence agreed to marry them, thinking it would end the feud between the two families. Unfortunately, the situation became worse. It all started when Mercutio, Romeo’s friend, died in a fight with Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. Romeo killed Tybalt in an angry range, which caused him banished from Verona. On the other hand, the Capulets were planning Juliet’s marriage to County Paris, a kinsman of the Prince. Juliet was not in favor of marrying the man so she asked Friar Lawrence to fake her own death by drinking a sleeping potion that will make everyone believe she was truly dead. The Friar agreed and promised to send word to Romeo to meet Juliet when the potion wears off and to rescue her to Mantua, where Romeo was currently staying and there they will live as couple. Accidentally, Romeo didn’t receive the message on time. His friend informed him about Juliet’s death, he went right away to her tomb and bid farewell by drinking a poison and died. At that time, Juliet awakened and found her husband with no life beside her. Sadly, she got Romeo’s dagger, stabbed herself and died. The Montagues and Capulets mourned for the two lovers and with their shared sorrow, they, at last, made peace with each other.

Discover what’s in a name that made the houses of Capulets and Montagues’ family feud became a remorseful tragedy?

            The cast of “ ROMEO AND JULIET ” features Derrick Gozos (Romeo), Gian Gloria (Juliet), Ces Dela Cruz (Nurse), Melisa Camba (Lady Capulet ), Ina Salonga (Rosaline), Meyanne Plamenio (Lady Montague), Earle Figuracion (Mercutio/Understudy Romeo), Kendrick Ibasco (Tybalt), Terence Guillermo (Lord Capulet ), Jonathan Rabanzo (Lord Montague/ Chorus), Michael Fernandez (Benvolio), Nico Dans (Prince Escalus), Justin Orolfo (Sampson/Peter/Chorus), Aandrei David (Gregory/Paris/Chorus), Jovito Bonita (Balthasar/Friar John/Chorus),  Miguel Buen (Abraham/ Chorus), Enrile Serguino (Friar Lawrence), Vell Baria (Understudy Lady Capulet/ Chorus), Ruth Arielle Magno (Understudy Rosaline/Chorus), Ria Albaladejo (Chorus), Mary Joy Solomon (Understudy Juliet/Chorus), Cristy Peredo (Understudy Nurse/Chorus), Ina Azarcon (Chorus), Faye Velicaria (Understudy Lady Capulet/Chorus), Shanelle Comia (Chorus), Angel Yu (Chorus)

            The artistic team of ROME AND JULIET is composed of Eugene Belbis (Composer/Orchestration); Christian Bautista (Lighting Design);  Emma Doverte (Production Management); Jasvir Basra (Stage Management);  Luigi Nacario (Stage Direction, Choreography & Set/Costume Design)

Press Preview: OCTOBER 25, 2014 at 7:00PM

Venue: STAR THEATER, Star City Compound, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Regular Run: OCTOBER 24 (Friday) and 25 (Saturday), 2014.

Time: 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM & 7:00PM

Venue: STAR THEATER, Star City Compound, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Ticket Price: Php 450

call TICKETWORLD at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

For further inquiries, please call 7501551 / 09154478959

Or visit  Facebook page – www.facebook.com/kidsactsphilippines

Follow us on Tweeter – www.twitter.com/KidsActs

Instagram: @kidsactsphilippines

A World of Colors in the Eyes and Hands of PMUAA

Hue is one of the main properties of a color, defined technically (in the CIECAM02 model), as "the degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli that are described as red, green,blue, and yellow,"^[1] (the unique hues). Orange and violet (purple) are the other hues, for a total of six, as in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. The other main correlatives of color appearance are colorfulness, chroma,saturation, lightness, and brightness.

                                                                                                                            -wikipedia.org

Last October 20 was the unveiling of HUE, A Make-up Exhibit, held at the main hall of the Megafashion hall of SM Megamall.  It is a 24 art pieces created by different members of the Philippine Make-up Artist Association (PMUAA) in partnership with Make-up For Ever Philippines (MUFE).  This was a 2-days open exhibit that features the talent of our local make-up artist.

Understanding the aim and purpose of PMUAA, Liv Co PH supported the event as one of its media partners and has paved the way for some bloggers to witness this gracious event.  Thank you to both Liv Co and PMUAA for being part of this unveiling!

In line with this is the promotion of Make Up For Ever Philippines new eyeshadow line called Artist Shadow.  This new eye make-up line is so fine in texture that with one stroke, the color is evenly distributed.  There is no grit, simply a smooth feeling on your skin.  Add to that the high degree of pigmentation on each shade.  With but a light dab, you can create that intense look or that hi-light that you desire.  It comes in 210 shades that you can choose from or simply get all!

Arriving at the event an hour early (as if that is new to me . . .hehehe!), I was able to chat with Ms. Faye Young (host and ambassadress of PMUAA) and one of their new foreign member, now based in Manila, Ms. Justina Lopez.  Ms. Faye was so candid in sharing her stories as a make-up artist here in Manila and the different places she has been to just to further study her craft.  During our chat, I told her that I used to use make-up since I was once a stage actor which also led me to my love and appreciation of make-up.  We then started making comparison on stage make-up and fashion make-up.  With Justina, I shared to her my make-up design when I portrayed a Chinese god in one production that I did decades ago.   It was a fun conversation!

Ms Faye Young

The program started with a prayer and followed by a video about the mission and vision of the group:  to raise and maintain a high standard of make-up artistry and to uplift the said industry as a well recognized profession in the Philippines.   There was a short demonstration made featuring the new line of eye make-up of MUFE.  Then comes the unveiling . . .

To fully show the creativity of the make-up artist, they were given specific themes to work on - spring, winter, summer and autumn; earth, water and fire.  And the result was spectacular!

This exhibit truly showed the collaborative work that took place among the make-up artist, model and photographer.  The make-up artists were given themes and specific colors to work with.  Like painters, they made use of the models as canvas to illustrate the image that they have in mind.  For some, the make-up may be too much but for an artist looking at a fellow artist work, it is at the right level.   The techniques used to show their skills were near to being mind-boggling.  Imagine using a sponge to apply make-up but still maintaining a perfect edge.  Imagine using an apple wrap to created texture and pattern or mixing eye make-up to a gloss to create spot effects.  That is how good they are!  They know their craft and are not afraid to show to the people that are artist too with their profession.

It was a 2-days open exhibit at the Main Hall of the Mega Fashion Hall.  To those who were able to see those images, I do hope you were captivated by it.  To those who weren’t able to see it, despair no further for I am here to share to you some of the works displayed.  May you be blown away by the great art medium called Make-up.

Photos:

(All photos used were personally taken by me during the event)

During the event

It is now their time to pose (Members and officers of PMUAA)

Ms Paula Nava of MUFE

 

Ms. Cristina Mulato

Ms. Justina Lopez

Ms Faye Young

PMUAA

Some of the exhibited works